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A wolf in sheep's clothing
The idiom a wolf in sheep's clothing describes someone who seems kind or harmless but is actually dangerous or dishonest. It warns people not to trust appearances.This idiom comes from an old story where a wolf dresses up as a sheep to sneak into the flock and eat the sheep.
We thought he was here to help, but he was really a wolf in sheep's clothing.
All work and no play
The idiom all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy means that only focussing on work with no time for leisure makes a person boring and unhappy.
Avoid like the plague
To avoid like the plague means to put effort into staying as far away as possible from something you don't want to deal with.The phrase comes from the historical fear of the plague, a deadly disease that spread rapidly and caused widespread death. Because people tried desperately to avoid it, the expression became a way to describe extreme avoidance.
He avoids spicy food like the plague.
Between a rock and a hard place
To be between a rock and a hard place means to be stuck in a situation where both choices are difficult or unpleasant. No matter what you decide to do, neither option is good.The phrase became popular in the United States in the early 1900s and may come from stories about miners who faced dangerous working conditions and limited options. Over time it came to describe any situation where someone must choose between two bad alternatives.
She felt between a rock and a hard place when she had to choose between moving for a new job or staying close to her family.
Born with a silver spoon in your mouth
To be born with a silver spoon in your mouth means you were born into a wealthy or privileged family, and had all the advantages that money brings when you grew up.The phrase comes from an old custom in which wealthy families gave silver spoons to newborn children as special gifts. Because silver was valuable, the image became a symbol of wealth and privilege.
He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and never had to worry about money growing up.
By the skin of your teeth
The phrase by the skin of your teeth means barely succeeding. It could also mean to narrowly avoid disaster.Your teeth have no skin on them, so this idiom is drawn from the impossible measurement of how thick the skin on your teeth is. A similar impossible idiom is rare as hen's teeth.
I caught the bus by the skin of my teeth.
Cut from the same cloth
Cut from the same cloth or patches of the same quilt means that two people are very similar, with similar personalities, sense of humor or beliefs.This originated from tailoring, when you bought cloth in long lengths and could cut two garments out from the same roll of cloth.
You like that too? Wow, we are cut from the same cloth!
Different kettle of fish
A different kettle of fish means a completely different situation or subject from the one being discussed before. People use this idiom when something changes the topic or introduces a new and separate issue.The expression comes from older British cooking terms where a kettle meant a pot used for boiling fish. Talking about a different kettle of fish meant dealing with an entirely different dish.
Fixing a small leak is one thing, but rebuilding the whole roof is a different kettle of fish.
Dig your own grave
The phrase dig your own grave means to cause your own failure by your own actions. It is used when someone makes choices that lead to trouble later. The origin of this idiom is macabre and a literal image of digging your own grave.By lying again, he dug his own grave.
Don't know what you've got 'til it's gone
The saying don't know what you've got 'til it's gone means people often fail to appreciate something while they still have it. The value only becomes clear after it disappears.The idea has appeared in different sayings for many years. It became especially well known through popular song lyrics in the twentieth century.
After the old park closed, many locals realized you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.