List of English idioms starting with K

Showing 1-4 of 4

Generated image of a hand holding a hat

Keep it under your hat

The idiom keep something under your hat means to keep a secret. It suggests not sharing information with others. It may have originated from hiding something under your hat, or keeping something in your head, which is under your hat.

Keep it under your hat until the meeting.

Photo of some crossed fingers

Keep your fingers crossed

You say keep your fingers crossed when you are hoping for good luck. This physical gesture has been in use for a very long time, but it is different in some countries.
In Germany and Scandinavia, crossing your fingers is seen as a sign of lying, and in Vietnam it is considered offensive.
Crossing your fingers behind your back while you are lying is a superstition that forming a cross with your fingers where nobody can see it secretly negates the lie.

I'm crossing my fingers that I get that job!

Kick the bucket

Kick the bucket

The phrase kick the bucket is used as a way of saying "to die".
The slightly gruesome origin is from kicking out the bucket someone is standing on when you hang them at a gallows.

The old car finally kicked the bucket.

Photo of two ducks

Kill two birds with one stone

The idiom kill two birds with one stone means to achieve two things with one action. It describes efficiency and smart planning. The wording is derives from hunting with a slingshot where a well-aimed shot could kill two birds for dinner, using only one stone.

I listen to podcasts while I exercise, and kill two birds with one stone - getting fit and learning things!