List of English idioms starting with C

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Photo of a clear sunny day

As Clear as Day

The idiom as clear as day means very obvious and easy to understand.
This phrase compares a clear solution to a clear day, where you can see a long way.

It was clear as day that she was upset.

Generated image of construction workers leaving for the day

Call it a day

To call it a day means to stop working on something for now. It suggests that enough has been done and it is time to rest or continue later. This idiom is often used at the end of work or study.

They finished the job and called it a day.

Photo of an incoming storm

Calm before the storm

The phrase the calm before the storm means a quiet time before trouble begins. Things may seem peaceful right now, but a big change is coming. This idiom derives from the phenomenon where there is often a spell of quiet weather right before a storm hits.

The in-laws are going to be here in an hour but everything is already clean and ready, so now it is the calm before the storm.

Photo of a forest

Can't see the forest for the trees

This phrase means that you are so focussed on the details (the trees) of something that you can't see the bigger picture (the forest). If someone tells you you can't see the forest for the trees it is time to step back from the problem and take another look.

She was so caught up choosing a font for the flyers we missed the entire deadline, she couldn't see the forest for the trees.

Generated image of a girl shoplifting

Caught red-handed

The phrase caught red-handed means being caught while doing something wrong. It suggests that there is clear proof of the action. People often use this idiom when someone is discovered in the act.

He was caught red-handed taking the cookies.

Generated image of a sundae with a cherry on top

Cherry on top

The idiom a cherry on top means a small extra thing that makes something good even better. It is not the main part, but it adds a final touch that makes the whole situation feel more complete or enjoyable.

Desserts like sundaes or cakes often have a bright red cherry placed on the top. The dessert is already finished, but the cherry is added as a final decoration.

The holiday was already perfect, and the surprise fireworks on the last night were the cherry on top.

Generated image of someone clearing the air

Clear the air

To clear the air means to talk openly about a problem or misunderstanding so that people feel better and the tension is reduced.

The expression comes from the literal idea of cleaning smoke or bad smells out of the air so it becomes fresh again. By comparison, honest discussion can remove tension or confusion from a situation.

We sat down after the argument to clear the air.

Photo of a hand holding a cigar

Close but no cigar

Close, but no cigar originated from carnivals where a cigar was the prize for winning a game of skill. If you lost, they would say "close, but no cigar!" and it grew to be a phrase that meant coming very close to something, but not quite reaching the goal.

She got 99/100 on the test. Close, but no cigar!

Photo of a man near his home

Close to home

The phrase close to home or hits close to home means something affects you personally. You may relate to it so closely that it makes you feel emotional or uncomfortable.

Her words hit close to home.

Photo of a snarling dog

Come back to bite you

If something comes back to bite you it means that something a person did earlier causes trouble or problems later. It is often used when a careless or dishonest action has consequences in the future.

The expression comes from the image of an animal biting someone after being disturbed.

Ignoring the small repairs on the house eventually came back to bite you.