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Don't hold your breath
The idiom don't hold your breath means that something is unlikely to happen soon, or may never happen at all, so don't expect anything soon.This comes from the idea that a person can only hold their breath for a short time. If something takes too long, they would have to breathe before it happens.
They say the repairs will be finished next week, but I would not hold my breath.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket
The phrase don't put all your eggs in one basket means don't risk everything on one plan - if that plan fails, you could lose everything. If you were carrying eggs in a basket and dropped the basket, all the eggs could break. It has come to mean advice to be open to alternatives, or to diversity investments instead of relying on only one thing.He bought shares in many different companies so he didn't put all his eggs in one basket.
Down a rabbit hole
To go down a rabbit hole means to become deeply involved in something, often following one idea after another until you lose track of time.It comes from the story Alice in Wonderland, where Alice falls down a rabbit hole and enters a strange and confusing world.
I only meant to read one article, but I went down a rabbit hole and spent three hours researching medieval architecture.
Easier said than done
Easier said than done means that something may sound simple when people talk about it, but it is actually difficult to do in real life.The saying has been used in English for centuries to point out the difference between giving advice and carrying out the action itself.
Saving money every month sounds good, but it is easier said than done.
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.
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.
Get the chop
To get the chop means to be abruptly removed from a job, team, or plan. The decision is final, and often unexpected.The phrase comes from the image of something being cut off with a sharp blow. The motion suggests sudden removal.
Three players got the chop after the coach reviewed the season.
Going through it with a fine tooth comb
To go through something with a fine tooth comb means examining it very carefully and looking for small details or mistakes.The phrase comes from grooming combs with very narrow teeth. These combs are used to remove tiny things like dirt or lice from hair. This suggests a slow and thorough search.
The editor went through the report with a fine tooth comb before it was published.
Hang in there
The phrase hang in there means to keep going and not give up, even when things are hard. It is often used to encourage someone who is struggling. It was popularised by a motivational poster of a kitten hanging from a rope in the 1970s.Hang in there - you're almost finished.
Head over heels
Head over heels means to be completely and deeply in love with someone. It can also describe being very excited or enthusiastic about something.The phrase comes from an older expression, heels over head, which described turning upside down or doing a somersault. Over time the wording changed, and the idea of being flipped upside down became a metaphor for strong emotions.
He fell head over heels for her after their first date.