Showing 21-40 of 42
Jump the gun
The phrase jump the gun means acting too soon before it is the right time.The origin of this idiom is from racing. A runner who starts before the starting signal has jumped the gun.
He jumped the gun and announced the results before they were confirmed.
Just the ticket
The phrase just the ticket means exactly what is needed. It suggests something is a perfect fit for the situation, and you are very happy with this. It originated from winning prize tickets.This warm jacket is just the ticket for winter.
Let the cards fall where they may
To let the cards fall where they may means allowing events to unfold without trying to control the outcome. It describes accepting whatever result happens.The phrase comes from card games. When cards are dealt, their position is left to chance. The expression uses that image to suggest accepting the result.
She submitted her application and decided to let the cards fall where they may.
Level playing field
A level playing field means everyone has the same rules, conditions, and opportunities. No one has an unfair advantage.The phrase comes from sports. A field that is flat and even allows both sides to compete under the same conditions. The image became a way to describe fairness.
The new rules were meant to create a level playing field for small businesses.
Move the goalposts
To move the goalposts means to change the rules after something has already started, making it harder for someone to succeed. It often feels unfair because the target keeps shifting just when people think they are close to reaching it.The phrase comes from sports such as soccer or rugby, where goalposts mark the place where points are scored. If the posts were moved during the game, it would be harder to score points.
Every time he finished the task, his boss added another requirement and seemed to move the goalposts.
Neck and neck
The phrase neck and neck means very close, with no clear winner. It is often used to describe two choices, or two sides of a competion.The origin is horse racing, where two horses that are very close are described as neck and neck.
The two teams were neck and neck until the end.
Out of left field
The idiom out of left field means something that is completely unexpected and catches people off guard.The phrase comes from baseball, where left field is one of the outfield positions. A ball or throw coming from that area could arrive suddenly and unexpectedly, which led to the expression being used for surprising situations.
His question about moving to another country came completely out of left field.
Pull your weight
To pull your weight means doing your fair share of work in a group.The phrase comes from rowing. Each rower must pull on the oar with equal effort for the boat to move properly.
Everyone needs to pull their weight on this project.
Put it all on black
To put it all on black means to risk everything on a single choice or plan. It describes when someone commits all their money, effort, or hopes to one outcome that isn't guaranteed.The expression comes from the game of roulette. A player can bet on the color black, and saying someone puts everything on black suggests risking all their chips on one spin of the wheel.
He decided to put it all on black and put all his savings into the new restaurant.
Raise the bar
To raise the bar means to increase the level of difficulty or the standard that must be reached. When someone raises the bar, they make expectations higher so that people have to work harder or perform better to succeed.The phrase comes from the sport of high jump, where athletes must jump over a horizontal bar. As the competition continues, the bar is raised higher, making each attempt more challenging.
After the team produced such a great design, the manager said they had really raised the bar for future projects.
Right off the bat
The idiom right off the bat means immediately, without delay, or at the very beginning of something. It is used when something happens as soon as an activity starts.The expression comes from baseball. When a ball is hit directly by the bat and flies off right away, it happens instantly, which led to the phrase being used for anything that happens immediately.
Right off the bat, the new teacher impressed everyone in the class.
Right up your alley
Right up your alley means something that is perfectly suited to a person's interests, skills, or tastes.The expression comes from bowling. In bowling, the ball rolls down a long narrow lane called an alley, so something that goes right up your alley fits exactly where it should.
If you like puzzles and mysteries, this book will be right up your alley.
Roll with the punches
To roll with the punches means to handle difficulties calmly and adapt instead of fighting them. A person who rolls with the punches accepts that problems happen and keeps going without getting upset or stuck.The phrase comes from boxing. A boxer can lessen the impact of a punch by moving with it rather than taking the full force directly.
The travel plans kept changing, but she decided to roll with the punches and enjoy the trip anyway.
Take one for the team
To take one for the team means to accept a problem or unpleasant task so that others do not have to. It describes someone making a sacrifice for the benefit of a group.The expression comes from team sports, where a player might endure a hit or make a difficult play in order to help the team succeed.
He volunteered to work the late shift and took one for the team.
Take the bait
To take the bait means to react when someone tries to provoke, trick, or tempt you. It often means replying to something that was meant to start an argument or pull you into a trap.The phrase comes from fishing. A fish bites bait on a hook because it looks safe, but the hook is hidden by the bait.
He was trying to start a fight online, but I did not take the bait.
The ball is in your court
The idiom the ball is in your court means that it is your turn to do something, usually in the context of a decision-making process or a work project.This phrase originated from games like tennis where you need to return a ball when it comes to you.
I've gone as far as I can go with this, now the ball is in your court.
Third time lucky
The idiom third time lucky means that after failing twice, someone hopes the third attempt will succeed.The saying has been used in English since the 1800s and reflects a long standing belief that the number three can bring good fortune. Because of this, many people repeat something three times and hope the third attempt succeeds.
After two failed attempts to start the engine, he turned the key again and said third time lucky!
Three strikes and you're out
The idiom three strikes and you're out means that after three mistakes or failures, someone loses their chance or faces a consequence. It means there is a limit to how many times someone can fail before action is taken.The phrase comes from baseball, where a batter is out after three strikes during their turn at bat. Because the rule is clear and final, the expression became a way to describe reaching the last allowed mistake.
After missing the deadline twice already, he knew that if it happened again it would be three strikes and you're out.
Throw a curve ball
To throw a curve ball means something unexpected or difficult happens.The expression comes from baseball. A curveball is a pitch that bends as it travels toward the batter, making it harder to predict and hit.
The sudden rule change threw a curve ball at everyone preparing for the competition.
Throw in the towel
The phrase throw in the towel means to give up. It means that you are stopping because something is too difficult.This saying originates from boxing, where a boxer would throw down his towel to say he is surrendering.
He almost threw in the towel, but kept going.