List of English idioms starting with G

Showing 1-6 of 6

Photo of a horse's teeth

Getting long in the tooth

To be getting long in the tooth means getting old, especially when talking about a person or an animal. It can also be used to talk about machines or systems that are old and may be past their best years. The expression comes from the way a horse's teeth change as it ages. As the gums slowly recede, more of the teeth become visible, making them look longer and showing that the horse is older.

That old farm truck is getting a bit long in the tooth.

Generated image of a sinking ship

Go down with the ship

To go down with the ship means to stay loyal to something or someone even when the situation is failing or ending badly.

This idiom comes from maritime tradition. In the past, a ship's captain was expected to remain on board during a disaster and share the fate of the vessel rather than escape before the passengers and crew.

Even when the company started collapsing, she said she would go down with the ship.

Photo of people canoeing

Go with the Flow

The idiom go with the flow means to accept things as they happen. Instead of fighting change, you stay relaxed. If you are sailing or canoeing on a river, you can just let the flow of the water carry you along without having to do extra work.

On holiday, we decided to go with the flow.

Photo of rusty gears

The gears are turning

The phrase the gears are turning means someone is thinking carefully or trying to solve a problem. People often use it when a person becomes quiet or thoughtful while working something out.

The expression comes from machines with gears that move together to make something work. In the idiom, the moving gears are compared to the mind working through ideas.

He stared at the puzzle for a moment, and you could almost see the gears turning.

Photo of some cold feet

To get cold feet

The idiom cold feet means sudden fear or doubt before doing something important. It is a way of describing last minute hesitation.
This idiom has been in use since the 1600s and its exact origin is unclear.

He got cold feet before the wedding.

A photo of a traffic light

To give the green light

To give the green light means you are giving permission for something to happen. It usually means a person in authority is approving something.
This idiom draws from traffic lights.

Our manager gave the green light for our new marketing campaign.