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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.
In your Sunday best
The phrase "in your Sunday best" originates from the Christian tradition of wearing your best to church on Sundays, to show respect for God.For poorer and black people, especially around the time slavery ended, their Sunday clothes were often the only good clothes they owned. These clothes became a mark of dignity and self-respect.
She's all dressed up in her Sunday best
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 never rains, but it pours
The idiom it never rains, it pours means that when something bad happens, many bad things often happen at the same time. It is used when problems seem to come all at once instead of one at a time. Less often someone will use it to describe a burst of good things rather than bad.This phrase draws on the idea of heavy rain. It is often not slow and steady, and a heavy storm suddenly brings a lot of water very quickly.
First my phone broke, then my car wouldn't start, and then I missed the bus - sometimes it never rains, it pours.
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 all fun and games
It's all fun and games means that something seems entertaining or harmless at first, but it can become serious or cause problems. The phrase is often used as a warning that playful behavior can go too far.The expression is a shortened form of the older saying "it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt". Variations of the phrase have been used in English for many years to remind people that actions can have consequences.
It was all fun and games while they were racing their bikes down the hill, until someone crashed.
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.
It's the bee's knees
The bee's knees is slang for something that is excellent. A similar idiom is "the cat's pajamas".This cafe is just the bee's knees!