Showing 141-160 of 426
Fresh as a daisy
Fresh as a daisy means feeling lively, energetic, and well rested. It is often used when someone feels bright and full of energy after sleeping or resting.This idiom compares a person to a daisy flower, which opens its bright petals in the morning and looks clean and fresh in the daylight. Because of this, daisies became a symbol of freshness and new energy.
After a full night of sleep, she woke up feeling fresh as a daisy.
Frog in your throat
If you say you have a frog in your throat it means that your voice sounds rough or croaky, often because your throat is dry or irritated. You might need to cough to clear your throat.This expression has been used since the 1800s as a humorous way to describe the strange, croaking sound a person's voice can make when their voice is not working properly.
I had a frog in my throat during the whole presentation this morning.
Full steam ahead
Full steam ahead means to move forward with something with full focus of energy or effort.The idiom comes from the era of steamships and steam trains. When the engines were producing the maximum amount of steam, the machine moved as fast as it can.
After the plan was approved, the team decided it was full steam ahead on the new project.
Get the ball rolling
To get the ball rolling means to get something started so that it can continue on its own. It often refers to taking the first step that helps others join in.The phrase comes from the simple idea of pushing a heavy ball so it begins to move. Once the ball is rolling, it is easier for it to keep going.
He opened the meeting with a quick suggestion to get the ball rolling.
Get your ducks in a row
The idiom get your ducks in a row means to get organised and ready to do something.This idiom originated from carnival games where you would shoot wooden ducks and win a prize if you hit a certain number of ducks in a row. Actual ducks naturally organise themselves into rows quite often.
This event is really well organised, they sure had all their ducks in a row.
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.
Give an inch, take a mile
To give an inch, take a mile means that if you allow someone to take something small, they may try to take much more than you intended. It describes people who take advantage of kindness or flexibility.The saying has been used in English since at least the 1500s. It plays on the idea of someone being given a tiny measurement, an inch, and then trying to claim something far larger.
If you let him borrow your tools once, he will start showing up every weekend because he tends to give an inch, take a mile.
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.
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.
Hair of the dog
The idiom hair of the dog refers to an old folk remedy for rabies that included a hair of the dog that bit you in the potion. Today it refers to drinking alcohol the next day to cure a hangover.You look terrible, you should have a hair of the dog that bit you.