Showing 11-30 of 43
Come hell or high water
Come hell or high water means that someone is determined to do something no matter what happens. It shows strong determination and the idea that nothing will stop a person from reaching their goal.The words suggest that even a fire or a flood would not stop someone from reaching their goals, and is used to describe situations where people keep going even when things become very hard.
She said she would finish the marathon come hell or high water.
Don't make a mountain out of a molehill
The phrase don't make a mountain out of a molehill means don't turn a small problem into a huge one. It reminds you to keep things in perspective.A molehill is a small mound of dirt and a mountain is huge, so the mental image is a funny contrast.
It was a tiny mistake, so calm down and don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
Dry as a bone
The phrase dry as a bone is an exaggeration to describe something that is very, very dry, drawing from the image of bleached bones left in the sun.This idiom is very old, and dates back to Biblical times.
It hasn't rained for months, the fields are dry as a bone.
Every cloud has a silver lining
Every cloud has a silver lining means that even when something bad happens, there can be a good thing hidden in the situation.The saying comes from the way sunlight can shine around the edge of a dark cloud, making a bright silver outline. Even though the cloud looks gloomy, the light behind it shows that something brighter is still there.
Losing my job was stressful, but every cloud has a silver lining - it pushed me to start the small business I had been dreaming about.
Fall through the cracks
If something slipped through the cracks it means that it was missed or overlooked, usually because of a mistake or a gap in a system. It describes a situation where something should have been handled but was accidentally ignored.The expression comes from the image of something small falling through cracks in a floor or between boards and disappearing from sight.
My application slipped through the cracks and was never reviewed.
Fight fire with fire
To fight fire with fire means to respond to a problem or attack by using the same kind of method against it. Instead of avoiding the conflict, a person uses similar tactics to defend themselves or push back.The phrase comes from a real firefighting technique where controlled fires are sometimes set to stop a larger wildfire by removing the fuel it needs to spread.
When their rival company launched an aggressive advertising campaign, they decided to fight fire with fire and increase their own marketing.
Fresh as a daisy
Fresh as a daisy means feeling lively, energetic, and well rested. It is often used when someone feels bright and full of energy after sleeping or resting.This idiom compares a person to a daisy flower, which opens its bright petals in the morning and looks clean and fresh in the daylight. Because of this, daisies became a symbol of freshness and new energy.
After a full night of sleep, she woke up feeling fresh as a daisy.
Head in the clouds
To have your head in the clouds means you are distracted by thinking about dreams or ideas instead of paying attention to what is happening around you.The expression comes from the image of a person's head floating high in the clouds, far above everyday life. It suggests someone whose thoughts are far away from practical matters.
He was walking down the street with his head in the clouds and almost missed his bus.
High and dry
High and dry means to be left in a difficult situation without help or support. This idiom describes someone who has been abandoned or left to deal with a problem on their own.The phrase comes from sailing. When the tide goes out, a boat can be left stranded on land above the waterline, literally high and dry. Over time the image became a metaphor for being left stuck without assistance.
They cancelled the ride and left us high and dry.
It never rains, but it pours
The idiom it never rains, it pours means that when something bad happens, many bad things often happen at the same time. It is used when problems seem to come all at once instead of one at a time. Less often someone will use it to describe a burst of good things rather than bad.This phrase draws on the idea of heavy rain. It is often not slow and steady, and a heavy storm suddenly brings a lot of water very quickly.
First my phone broke, then my car wouldn't start, and then I missed the bus - sometimes it never rains, it pours.