Ultimate List of Phrases & Idioms

A collection of phrases and idioms for enriching your stories, dialogue, and worldbuilding.

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Categories

Health
  • pale as a ghost — extremely pale
    My grandfather was as pale as a ghost when he entered the hospital.
  • at death’s door — very near death
    The sales manager was at death’s door after his heart attack.
  • back on my feet — healthy again
    I am back on my feet after being sick for two weeks.
  • on top of the world — feel very healthy
    I have been feeling on top of the world since I quit my job.
  • going under the knife — undergo surgery
    I’m going under the knife next month to try to solve my knee problems. Hope it helps!
  • green around the gills — sick
    My colleague was looking a little green around the gills when he came to work today.
  • one foot in the grave — near death
    My uncle is very sick and has one foot in the grave.
  • sick as a dog — extremely ill
    Did you have a good vacation? – Not really. I was sick as a dog the whole time.
  • under the weather — not feeling well
    My boss has been under the weather all week and has not come to work during that time.
Clothes
  • all the rage — very fashionable
    A few years ago Uggs were all the rage, but now you don’t see them so much.
  • at the drop of a hat — suddenly
    Jacob is unpredictable. He won’t leave the office for weeks, but then he’ll take off for New York at the drop of a hat.
  • knock your socks off — amaze you
    Wait until you try the new Yamaha scooters. They’ll knock your socks off!
  • old hat — old-fashioned
    The carmaker’s sales declined because many consumers found their designs old hat.
Sports
  • ballpark figure — a rough estimate
    A ballpark figure for the cost of the new stadium would be $150,000,000.
  • hit it out of the park — succeed brilliantly
    Francesca hit it out of the park with her speech today. It was fabulous.
  • kick ass — defeat badly
    Madrid won most of our matches during the season, but we kicked ass in the playoffs.
  • on deck — next
    I’ll call you back in an hour. The speaker is almost finished, and I’m on deck.
  • second wind — renewed energy
    I thought I was totally exhausted after mile nine of the race. But then I got my second wind.
  • sink or swim — fail or succeed
    I’ve helped him as much as I can in that class. Now he’s going to have to sink or swim.
  • take a hike — go away
    Maybe you could take a hike while we discuss salaries.
  • throw in the towel — give up
    After losing his queen, the chess player threw in the towel and resigned.
  • tough sledding — difficult progress
    Our competitor’s model dominates the market, so ours is facing tough sledding.
Music
  • chin music — meaningless talk
    Can you guys please be quiet? Your chin music is distracting me from my work.
  • music to my ears — good to hear
    News of the new president was music to my ears – she’s terrific.
  • sing a different tune — change your opinion
    You may say you’re in love with your boyfriend, but you’ll be singing a different tune when you find out what he’s been up to.
  • whistling Dixie — unrealistically optimistic
    If you think you can get a ticket for under $200 at Christmastime, you’re whistling Dixie.
Time
  • around the clock — at all times
    The restaurant is open around the clock.
  • behind the times — old-fashioned
    Blackberry phones used to be extremely popular, but now many people think they’re behind the times.
  • call time — end
    The boxer is ready to call time on his long career.
  • call it a day — stop working
    You all look tired. Let’s call it a day.
  • carry the day — be successful
    Teamwork and training will carry the day.
  • days are numbered — will die soon
    Your days are numbered if you keep driving while drunk.
  • in a New York minute — very quickly
    I’d buy that car in a New York minute if I had the money.
  • in the blink of an eye — instantaneously
    I had a beautiful family, a nice home, and lots of money. And then, in the blink of an eye, it was all gone.
  • in the dark — unaware
    Kevin says he was completely in the dark about the CEO’s plans to sell the company.
  • in the nick of time — just in time
    We were going to leave without you, but you got here just in the nick of time.
  • month of Sundays — a long time
    I’m glad you dropped by! It’s been a month of Sundays since I saw you last.
  • on the spot — immediately
    When I said I would move to New York, she offered me the job on the spot.
  • once in a blue moon — very rarely
    Once in a blue moon you see the Aurora here, but it’s not like farther north.
  • once in a while — occasionally
    I don’t want to live in the city, but I enjoy visiting once in a while.
  • seize the day — take an opportunity
    We should seize the day while prices are low. That won’t last forever.
  • take your time — don’t hurry
    Take your time on the exam. You don’t get a bonus for finishing quickly.
  • twenty-four seven — at any time
    If you have problems, call me twenty-four seven; it doesn’t matter if I’m sleeping.
  • year in, year out — annually without change
    Our holiday party is such a bore. Year in, year out the owner makes the same dumb jokes.
Number
  • a million and one — many
    I have a million and one ideas.
  • all in one piece — safely
    He got home from the party all in one piece.
  • back to square one — back to the start
    The project failed, we’re back to square one.
  • in seventh heaven — extremely happy
    I’ve been in seventh heaven ever since I got engaged!
  • by the book — follow instructions exactly
    You don’t have to do this totally by the book.
  • had one too many — drink too much alcohol
    I can’t drive, I had one too many.
  • never in a million years — absolutely never
    Never in a million years did I think that I would actually win the lottery!
  • nine times out of ten — almost always
    Nine times out of ten your first choice turns out to be the right one.
  • nine-to-five job — a routine job
    I wouldn’t want a nine-to-five job.
  • on cloud nine — very happy
    When my mom bought me a computer, I was on cloud nine.
  • put in my two cents — say your opinion
    I put in my two cents at the meeting.
  • ten to one — very likely
    Ten to one I’m going to win.
  • a tall order — a difficult task
    I can try, but completing the whole ad campaign by the end of the month is a tall order.
  • by a whisker — a very short distance
    The runner was far ahead for most of the race, but at the end she won only by a whisker.
Travel & Transport
  • fifth wheel — a superfluous person
    I’m not really part of your group. If I come to the party I’ll just be a fifth wheel.
  • hit the road — leave
    We better hit the road before traffic gets even worse.
  • just around the corner — occurring soon
    New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. Have you made party plans yet?
  • off his trolley — insane
    My brother just spent a lot of money on really questionable stocks. I think he’s off his trolley.
  • on the fly — while traveling
    I’ll eat dinner on the fly and meet you at 8.
  • that ship has sailed — that opportunity has passed
    It’s too late for you to ask her to marry you – she’s involved with someone else now. That ship has sailed.
Car & Driving
  • put the brakes on — slow down
    Higher coal prices put the brakes on industrial activities in the second quarter.
  • put the pedal to the metal — drive as fast as possible
    I’m late for my best friend’s wedding. Put the pedal to the metal!
  • hell for leather — very fast
    After work I drove home hell for leather, but I still missed my daughter’s birthday party.
  • quick-and-dirty — approximate
    It will take time to get the final cost, but a quick-and-dirty estimate would be $45,000.
  • quick as a flash — very fast
    I’ll have the order done quick as a flash – probably by the time you get back to your office.
Technology
  • chop chop — quickly
    Sure, come into the office, and we can get the documents you need chop chop.
  • pull the plug on — terminate
    We’re going to pull the plug on our operation in Taiwan. It’s just not succeeding.
  • like shooting fish in a barrel — very easy
    Passing this quiz will be like shooting fish in a barrel. I’ve studied a lot.
  • straight arrow — an honest, trustworthy person
    Jim is a straight arrow.
Home
  • safe as houses — very safe
    I’ve locked the door. They’re as safe as houses.
  • house of correction — prison
    She said he’s out of the house of correction.
  • throw in the towel — give up
    After struggling with my homework, I finally threw in the towel and went to bed.
  • throwing money down the drain — waste money
    That’s a worthless investment. He’s throwing his money down the drain.
  • hit the roof — become very angry
    When I found out Tom crashed my car, I hit the roof.
  • smokes like a chimney — smoke a lot
    Jeff smokes like a chimney. I worry about his health.
  • went out the window — disappear
    His diet went out the window during the holidays.
  • make yourself at home — make yourself comfortable
    Please come in and make yourself at home.
  • cutting-edge — innovative
    Cutting-edge musical styles often originate in Britain.
  • iron out — resolve
    There are just a few difficulties to iron out, and then we’ll be ready to sign the contract.
Plant
  • out of your gourd — crazy
    You’re going to jump down from that ledge? Are you out of your gourd?
  • bed of roses — comfortable situation
    Life isn’t always going to be a bed of roses. You have to learn to deal with adversity.
  • don’t amount to a hill of beans — unimportant
    There are a few problems with the new website, but they don’t amount to a hill of beans. We did it!
  • Mother Nature — the natural world
    As anyone who has experienced a hurricane knows, Mother Nature can be a frightening force.
  • pushing up daisies — dead
    I’ll be pushing up daisies before my daughter decides to get married.
  • through the grapevine — via gossip
    I heard through the grapevine that Ivan and Amber are going out. Is it true?
  • too many to shake a stick at — a large number
    Two years ago we had the field to ourselves with this project. Now there are too many competitors to shake a stick at.
Weather
  • a cold day in July — never happen
    It’ll be a cold day in July when our team wins the championship. We’re terrible.
  • all wet — completely mistaken
    If you think I’m going to climb that rickety ladder, you’re all wet!
  • be a breeze — very easy
    I stayed up all night studying for that exam, and then it turned out to be a breeze!
  • come hell or high water — no matter what happens
    Come hell or high water, we will be in New York for the meeting tomorrow morning.
  • come rain or shine — do regularly
    I listen to the music every day, come rain or shine.
  • heavens open — start to rain heavily
    Let’s come back soon before the heavens open!
  • in a fog — confused
    I made a huge mistake. I stayed up all night studying, and I was in a fog when it came time to start the exam.
  • Old Man Winter — Winter
    Old Man Winter is hanging around this year—it’s the middle of March, and we still have a lot of snow.
  • on cloud nine — extremely happy
    Cindy was on cloud nine after her boyfriend proposed to her.
  • raining cats and dogs — rain heavily
    It’s been raining cats and dogs all day. I’m afraid the roof is going to leak.
  • right as rain — absolutely correct
    Once again, John is right as rain. We should sell the Chicago office building.
  • rain on your parade — spoil someone’s plans
    I’m sorry to rain on your parade, but the park is closed tomorrow, so we can’t have our picnic there.
  • soak up some sun — enjoy the sun
    Let’s go out and soak up some sun.
  • on thin ice — in a risky situation
    If you keep asking him about his ex-girlfriend, you’ll be on thin ice.
  • when hell freezes over — never
    Tom stole cameras when he worked here. I’ll hire him back when hell freezes over.
Appearance
  • no spring chicken — not young
    She’s no spring chicken, but she’s still very good looking.
  • dead ringer — similar in appearance
    She’s a dead ringer for her older sister.
  • knockout — an extremely beautiful woman
    When Samantha was in her teens she looked ordinary, but in her early 20s she turned into a real knockout!
  • put my face on — apply cosmetics
    Let me just put my face on, and I’ll meet you at the restaurant in 15 minutes.
People
  • to the best of my knowledge — as far as you know
    He never made a will, to the best of my knowledge.
  • as far as I can throw — only slightly
    Don’t lend her money. I trust her about as far as I can throw her.
  • sharp as a tack — mentally agile
    My grandmother is 92 years old, but she’s still sharp as a tack.
  • around the bend — crazy
    I’d tell you if you were going around the bend.
Daily Routines
  • hit the books — study
    OK, I’ll come to the party Friday. But Saturday it’ll be time to hit the books.
  • hit the hay — go to bed
    I have to get up at 5 tomorrow morning. It’s time to hit the hay.
  • in touch — in contact
    I’ll be out of town this weekend, but I’ll be in touch when I get back Sunday night.
  • lost touch — fall out of contact
    Social media are great for finding old friends with whom you’ve lost touch.
  • playing with fire — very risky
    You’re playing with fire if you keep driving that car—the floor under the seat is almost completely rusted out.
  • rings a bell — sound familiar
    The name Susan Thompson rings a bell. I think she worked here—let me look it up.
Social Life
  • get all bent out of shape — become angry
    I was just making a suggestion. Don’t get all bent out of shape about it.
  • on the warpath — very angry
    I’d better work late at the office – my husband is on the warpath because I put a big scratch in his new car.
  • stabbed me in the back — betray
    Sophia acted like she was my friend. But then she stabbed me in the back and went out with my boyfriend.
  • 110-proof — very strong
    Bob is a 110-proof Conservative – I’ve never seen him vote for a Labor candidate.
  • amber nectar — beer
    The beer market used to be controlled by large companies, but now many small firms are producing the amber nectar.
  • in his cups — drunk
    Don’t bother Joseph when he’s in his cups – he’s very irritable.
  • one for the road — a final drink before leaving
    Give me a beer. I’m having one for the road.
  • paint the town red — go out drinking and partying
    I just finished my last exam. Let’s go out and paint the town red!
  • wet your whistle — drink something
    You’ve been out in the sun for two hours. Come on in and wet your whistle!
  • ace in the hole — a hidden advantage
    The new engine design is our ace in the hole – but we have to keep it secret from our competitors.
  • in the cards — likely
    I don’t think a recession is in the cards this year. Consumer confidence is very strong.
  • roll the dice on — take a risk
    I’m going to roll the dice on the plant renovation. If the market collapses we’ll be in trouble, but I think it’s needed.
  • babe magnet — a man to whom women are attracted
    I like to go out to the bars with John—he’s a real babe magnet, so I get to meet lots of women too.
Happy
  • barrel of laughs — funny
    I always have so much fun when Katie’s around—she’s a barrel of laughs!
  • full of the joys of spring — very happy, full of energy
    You look full of the joys of spring this morning.
  • had a ball — have a very enjoyable time
    The kids really had a ball at the birthday party—they won’t stop talking about it!
  • had a whale of a time — enjoy very much
    We had a whale of a time on holiday.
  • let your hair down — relax and enjoy
    Come on, Jim, this is a party! Let your hair down and go a little wild!
  • more fun than a barrel of monkeys — a very good time
    The circus was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
  • take it easy — relax
    It’s nice to slow down at the week-end and take it easy.
Crazy
  • blow his top — lose his temper
    I think he’ll blow his top when you give him the news.
  • blow up — explode
    When I saw the look on Sarah’s face, I just know she’d blow up.
  • go ape — wild excitement or anger
    July will go ape if she ever hears about it.
  • freak out — a wildly irrational reaction
    Mom will freak out when she found out we broke her vase!
  • go ballistic — fly into a rage
    My parents went totally ballistic when they found out I’d wrecked the car!
  • went berserk — go crazy
    She went berserk and strangled her cat.
  • going bananas — irrational or crazy
    I’ll end up going bananas if I have to work in this cubicle for one more day!
  • go mental — extremely angry
    My parents are going to go mental if they find out we had a party here!
  • go nuts — become crazy
    The noise caused all the neighbors to go nuts.
  • hit the roof — very angry
    My parents are going to hit the roof if they find out we had a party here!
  • were an item — having a romantic relationship
    I didn’t know Chris and Sue were an item. They didn’t even look at each other at dinner.
  • split up — end a relationship
    Have you heard? Sophia and Joseph have split up.
  • falling in love — start feeling love
    I think I’m falling in love with my best friend. What should I do?
  • main squeeze — committed romantic partner
    Don’t be angry! Yes, I was talking to that other girl, but you know you’re my main squeeze!
  • old flame — a former boyfriend or girlfriend
    An old flame has come back into my life. I’m seeing her tomorrow night.
  • tie the knot — get married
    When are you and Jenny going to tie the knot? – This year, but we haven’t set a date yet.
Food
  • tough nut to crack — a difficult problem
    The problem of how to motivate employees can be a tough nut to crack sometimes.
  • egg on his face — embarrassed
    Fred had egg on his face after claiming he could climb the tree but then having to give up.
  • take it with a grain of salt — be skeptical
    James will tell you all about his adventures in Africa, but take it with a grain of salt.
  • icing on the cake — a bonus
    My new girlfriend is very intelligent. That she’s beautiful is just icing on the cake!
  • bigger fish to fry — have more important things to do
    I can’t help you with your presentation right now. I have bigger fish to fry.
  • a lot on my plate — a lot to do
    I just have a lot on my plate right now while I’m finishing up my degree and doing this huge project for work.
  • all the tea in China — great wealth
    I wouldn’t go out with him for all the tea in China!
  • bad egg — not to be trusted
    James is a bad egg. Don’t trust him.
  • greatest thing since sliced bread — an innovative development
    Have you tried the new iPhone? It’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.
  • brings home the bacon — earn money for the family
    My husband may not be the world’s most glamorous guy, but he brings home the bacon.
  • from soup to nuts — everything
    Amazon started out as a bookseller, but now they offer everything from soup to nuts.
  • hit the spot — very satisfying
    We went to Mark’s Midtown for lunch. I had a grilled chicken sandwich, and it really hit the spot.
  • in a nutshell — to summarize
    You should apply to the university now. There are lots of reasons, but in a nutshell, it will end up costing less.
  • in a pickle — in need of help
    I’m really in a pickle. I spent all the money I had saved, and I have no way to pay next semester’s tuition bill.
  • nutty as fruitcakes — crazy
    The kids are always nutty as fruitcakes when they’ve had something sugary to eat.
  • piece of cake — easily done
    I’ve already done the difficult parts – finishing the presentation tonight will be a piece of cake.
  • piping hot — very hot
    Nothing tastes better than fresh cinnamon rolls, served piping hot.
  • rotten to the core — entirely evil
    Sam is rotten to the core. He steals, he lies, he’s violent. I’m glad he’s in prison.
  • sell like hotcakes — sold very quickly
    The new Honda is expected to sell like hotcakes after it’s released.
  • small potatoes — unimportant
    We’re wasting our time on small potatoes. Let’s get to the big news that made us have this meeting.
  • spilled the beans — reveal a secret
    We had planned this to be a surprise party for you, but Jason spilled the beans.
  • tough cookie — a very determined person
    Our principal was a little lady, but she was one tough cookie!
Fruit
  • a bite at the cherry — good opportunity
    You only get a bite at the cherry in life.
  • as red as a cherry — very red
    Her cheeks were as red as a cherry.
  • as American as apple pie — typically American
    Baseball is as American as apple pie.
  • bad apple — a trouble making or dishonest person
    Tom is really a bad apple.
  • top banana — boss, leader
    Only the top banana can make a decision of that magnitude.
  • went pear-shaped — fail
    Sarah’s surprise party went pear-shaped once she accidentally found out about it.
  • not give a fig — not care
    Do whatever you want, I do not give a fig.
Dog
  • every man and his dog — many people
    Every man and his dog wanted to interview me after I won the race.
  • fight like cat and dog — continually arguing with each other
    Those two fight like cat and dog, so please don’t put them together on the project.
  • go see a man about a dog — go to the bathroom
    I’ll be right back—I’ve got to go see a man about a dog.
  • going to the dogs — become disordered
    This has always been a nice hotel, but it’s going to the dogs.
  • puppies and rainbows — perfect
    At first my marriage was all puppies and rainbows, but then reality set in.
  • puppy dog eyes — a begging look
    I try to be strict with my daughter, but when she looks at me with those puppy dog eyes, I buy her candy.
Cat
  • cat nap — short sleep during the day
    I’m going to try to squeeze in a cat nap before my next shift starts, or else I’ll be feeling sluggish for the entire evening.
  • bell the cat — a difficult or impossible task
    Who will bell the cat and take on the job of reducing corruption in this country?
  • cat on a hot tin roof — extremely nervous
    She’s waiting for the doctor to call with her test results, so she’s been like a cat on a hot tin roof all day.
  • no room to swing a cat — very small
    Inside, there is no room to swing a cat, and everything you see is the most basic junk.
Animal
  • big fish — important person
    Talk to Jon. He’s the big fish in the organization. He can help you get things done.
  • like shooting fish in a barrel — very easy
    Picking out this item or that for criticism seems unsportsmanlike, like shooting fish in a barrel.
  • fish story — a big lie
    That’s just a fish story. Don’t try to fool me.
  • swan song — a final appearance
    This game will be the quarterback’s swan song – he’s retiring after this season.
  • sick as a parrot — very disappointed
    I was sick as a parrot after Man United lost last night.
  • butterflies in my stomach — nervous
    I almost didn’t go on stage and perform tonight because I had butterflies in my stomach.
  • wild goose chase — an impossible task
    I think this is a wild goose chase. This library doesn’t have the books we need.
  • lone wolf — not social
    Glen is a lone wolf and seldom joins in the activities of the neighborhood.
  • poor as a church mouse — very poor
    When we got married, we were both poor as a church mouse and we had to live with my husband’s parents.
  • crickets — silence
    What happened when I asked for comments? Crickets. So I assume you’re all satisfied with the proposal.
  • eagle-eyed — sharp vision
    My eagle-eyed sister spotted the car in the parking lot before anyone else did.
  • flew the coop — left
    You’d better pay him more, or one day you’ll come to the office and find that he flew the coop.
  • go belly up — go bankrupt
    I’m afraid that if we don’t reduce staff, we’ll go belly up within a year.
  • swim with sharks — take a major risk
    If you want to reach the island with the treasure, you’ve got to swim with sharks for a while.
  • the world is your oyster — have many opportunities
    You’re only 22—the world is your oyster. Don’t feel you have to get married now.
  • take a gander — take a look
    It may be very crowded in there. I’ll go and take a gander, and then I’ll send you a text message.
  • till the cows come home — a long time
    If you wait for Jeb to finish his part of the project, you’ll be waiting till the cows come home.
  • when pigs fly — never
    Sure, I’ll go out with Cynthia again. When pigs fly.
Family
  • bun in the oven — pregnant
    I have a bun in the oven again! Sophia will have a baby sister.
  • babes in arms — a baby being carried
    Children will be admitted to the concert, but sorry, no babes in arms.
  • child’s play — a very easy task
    After learning to drive a stick shift, driving with an automatic transmission is child’s play.
  • a face only a mother could love — a very ugly face
    The poor baby has a face only a mother could love.
  • Big Brother — Government
    Big Brother seems to grow more and more powerful as data about individuals is accumulated on social networks.
  • Bob’s your uncle — you’re almost finished
    Just enter the update code, register the new software, and Bob’s your uncle.
  • kith and kin — family
    When you go on a trip, it’s important to buy souvenirs for your kith and kin back home.
  • like taking candy from a baby — very easy
    Just watch. Getting her to go out with me will be like taking candy from a baby.
  • pop the question — propose marriage
    I bought a ring, and I’m ready to pop the question to Sophia.
  • up the duff — pregnant
    They hadn’t planned to get married, but Sophia found out she was up the duff.
Body
  • use your head — think
    You shouldn’t buy a new car until you’ve paid off the debt from your student loan. Use your head!
  • keep your chin up — cheer up
    It’s too bad you didn’t get the job, but keep your chin up – another one will come along.
  • zip your lip — be quiet
    OK, I’ll tell you the secret about Cynthia, but zip your lip about it!
  • on the nose — precisely
    The presentation will begin at 8 on the nose. Don’t miss it.
  • all eyes and ears — attentive
    The team was all eyes and ears as the coach explained the challenges ahead.
  • see eye to eye — agree
    I don’t see eye to eye with Frances on the workflow, but she’s the boss.
  • baby blues — blue eyes
    I know John is bad for me, but when I get a look at his baby blues I can’t resist him.
  • all ears — listening willingly
    Why did you delete the file I was working on? I’m all ears.
  • lend an ear — listen
    Lend an ear, and I’ll tell you what people said at the meeting yesterday.
  • in a heartbeat — immediately
    This is especially used in hypothetical situations. If Joe asked me, I’d marry him in a heartbeat!
  • at hand — nearby
    I like to keep my vocabulary at hand.
  • on hand — available
    Are there enough people on hand to hold a meeting?
  • out of hand — out of control
    Employee absenteeism has gotten out of hand.
  • like the back of her hand — very well
    She’ll give you the name of a place to stay – she knows the area like the back of her hand.
  • lend me a hand — help
    Could you lend me a hand with this piano?
  • hands-down — obviously
    Tom was hands-down the best student at the university.
  • pointed the finger at — blame
    Shareholders pointed the finger at the board of directors for the losses, and voted most of them out.
  • keep your fingers crossed — wish for good luck
    The exam’s at two. Will you keep your fingers crossed for me?
  • cooling my heels — wait
    We agreed we’d meet at the mall at 3. But you left me cooling my heels for two whole hours.
  • all thumbs — clumsy
    Don’t trust Jack around your expensive glassware – he’s all thumbs.
  • thumbs-up — approval
    It really pleased me that the boss gave me a thumbs-up on my presentation.
  • fire in the belly — strong ambition
    I worry about my son. He’s smart enough to succeed, but he doesn’t have the fire in the belly.
  • birthday suit — nakedness
    There I was, in my birthday suit, when the doorbell rang.
  • fit as a fiddle — in very good health
    Three months ago Jack seemed to be at death’s door, but now he’s fit as a fiddle. What happened?
  • forty winks — a short nap
    If you’re on a long drive, it’s helpful to stop and take forty winks every few hours if you can.
Business
  • drive a hard bargain — negotiate effectively
    At first I wasn’t ready to accept your offer for the house. But you drive a hard bargain.
  • on point — well done
    Jennifer’s presentation was on point – concise, relevant, and accurate.
  • up for grabs — available
    The election is up for grabs. Everything is still very chancy.
  • up in the air — not yet decided
    The salary increase is still up in the air – the boss favors it, but she hasn’t gotten approval from her superiors.
  • in hot water — in trouble
    Sophia is in hot water with her department manager after she blew that sales presentation.
  • burning the midnight oil — working late
    I’ll be burning the midnight oil tonight, but I guarantee I’ll finish the paper before class tomorrow at 9.
  • out of work — unemployed
    I’ve been out of work since December. Hope I find a new job soon!

Need even more phrases and idioms? Try using any of these as inspiration!

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