Showing 1-10 of 21
A penny for your thoughts
The idiom a penny for your thoughts is a way to ask people what they are thinking about. You'd ask this if someone has been sitting looking quiet, or like they are daydreaming.This dates back to the 1500s, when a penny was worth a lot more than it is now.
You've been staring out the window for half an hour now. A penny for your thoughts?
A piece of cake
The idiom a piece of cake means that something is very easy to do. It suggests that the task requires little effort or skill. People often use this phrase after completing a job that turned out to be simpler than expected.The quiz was a piece of cake for her.
A problem shared is a problem halved
A problem shared is a problem halved means that talking about a problem with someone else can make it feel easier to deal with.The saying has been used in English for many years as a piece of everyday advice. It reflects the idea that support, understanding, or practical help from others can reduce the burden of a difficult situation.
She finally told her friend what was worrying her, remembering that a problem shared is a problem halved.
Paint yourself into a corner
The idiom paint yourself into a corner means to put yourself in a difficult situation with no easy way out. It often happens because of poor planning or limited choices.The origin of this phrase simply comes from the idea of painting a floor and trapping yourself in a corner.
By promising too much, he painted himself into a corner.
Pay the piper
To pay the piper means to face the consequences of something you have done. This idiom is used when a person must finally deal with the results of their actions, especially after avoiding them for a while.The expression may come from the old story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, a story where a town refused to pay a musician for his work taking the rats away. Because they did not pay him, the piper took revenge by leading the town's children away.
After ignoring his debts for months, he finally had to pay the piper.
People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
The idiom people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones means that someone should not criticize others for faults that they also have.The saying comes from the image of living in a fragile house made of glass. If someone inside throws stones at others, their own house could easily be broken.
He complains about other people being late, but he is often late himself, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Piece of the Puzzle
The idiom piece of the puzzle means one part of a larger situation. You might use this idiom if you have just solved an important part of a larger problem. The origin is from jigsaw puzzles.This clue was an important piece of the puzzle.
Pigs might fly
The idiom pigs might fly is a way of describing something that is absurd or so unlikely it is almost impossible.Getting my husband to help with the housework? Yeah, when pigs fly
Play It by Ear
The phrase play it by ear means to decide what to do as things happen; there is no fixed plan ahead of time. This idiom comes from some people's ability to play a song on a musical instrument from what they have heard, without the sheet music or practising.Let's play it by ear and see how the day goes.
Playing second fiddle
Playing second fiddle means having a less important role than someone else. It describes a situation where another person is the leader or gets most of the attention, and you must accept being in a supporting position.In an orchestra, the first violin leads the section while the second violin supports it. The second player is still important but does not lead.
At work he feels like he is always playing second fiddle to his more confident colleague.