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Icing on the cake
The icing on the cake means an extra benefit that makes a good situation even better. It describes something pleasant that is added after the main success or reward.The expression comes from baking, where icing is spread on top of a finished cake as a final decorative and delicious extra touch. A very similar idea appears in the phrase cherry on the top, which also describes a small final addition that makes something even better.
Winning the prize money was great, but the free trip to the beach was the icing on the cake.
Ignorance is bliss
Ignorance is bliss means that sometimes it is happier not to know about a problem or unpleasant truth.The phrase comes from a poem by the English writer Thomas Gray written in 1742. The line where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise suggested that knowing too much about certain things can bring unnecessary worry.
He decided not to read the online comments about himself, saying ignorance is bliss.
In a pickle
The idiom in a pickle means being in a difficult or confusing situation that might be a little hard to get out of. The problem is usually unexpected and needs a solution. This is a very old idiom, originating in a Shakespearean play, and gradually changing over the centuries.I dropped my phone in the lake, which put me in a right pickle
In one ear and out the other
In one ear and out the other means that someone hears something and then forgets it straight away. This can often lead to frustration when people keep repeating themselves.I told you this three times already, does this just go in one ear and out the other?
In the long run
In the long run means over a long period of time or after everything has had lots of time to happen.The expression has been used in English for many centuries and comes from the idea of a long marathon or journey where the final outcome only becomes clear after enough time has passed.
Saving a little money each week may seem like nothing now, but it helps in the long run.
In your sights
The idiom in your sights or to set your sight on comes from the literal image of looking through the sights of a gun. If you have set your sights on something, it means you really want it and it becomes a strong ambition or goal.A similar idiom is to zero in on.
He set his sights on becoming mayor of the town.
Iron out the kinks
To iron out the kinks means to fix small problems or difficulties so that something works smoothly. People say this when they improve a plan, system, or process after noticing minor issues.The expression comes from ironing clothes. An iron removes wrinkles and uneven spots from fabric, making it smooth and tidy. In the same way, the idiom describes smoothing out problems.
The team spent the afternoon testing the new software to iron out the kinks before the launch.
It takes two to tango
It takes two to tango means that two people are usually responsible for a situation, especially when there is an argument or problem.The expression became widely known after a popular song called It Takes Two to Tango was released in 1952. The phrase uses the tango dance as an image, since the dance requires two partners working closely together.
They both blamed each other for the argument, but it takes two to tango.
It's not over until the fat lady sings
It's not over until the fat lady sings means you should not assume something has finished or been decided yet. Even if one side seems to be winning or the result looks clear, the situation can still change.The phrase comes from opera. In many operas, a large female singer performs a powerful song near the end of the show, and her final song signals that the performance is finishing.
Everyone thought the game was already lost, but my dad said it's not over until the fat lady sings.