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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 stitch in time saves nine
The saying a stitch in time saves nine means that fixing a small problem early can prevent a much bigger problem later. It comes from sewing, where repairing a small tear quickly can stop it from becoming a large rip that needs much more work. The phrase is used as advice to encourage people not to delay important tasks.He fixed the leak straight away, knowing a stitch in time saves nine.
A storm in a teacup
The idiom a storm in a teacup means making a big fuss about a small problem. The reaction is much bigger than the situation deserves. The original form of this idiom dates back to ancient Roman times and was "a tempest in a ladle", so people have been comparing overblown reactions to putting huge storms in tiny containers for a very long time now.The committee meeting ended up being a storm in a teacup.
A watched pot never boils
If you say a watched pot never boils, you mean that something seems to take much longer when you are waiting for it to happen. If you walk away from the pot and make yourself busy with something else, the water feels like it boils much faster.I've been sitting by the window all day waiting for this delivery. A watched pot never boils!
A wolf in sheep’s clothing
The idiom a wolf in sheep’s clothing describes someone who seems kind or harmless but is actually dangerous or dishonest. It warns people not to trust appearances.This idiom comes from an old story where a wolf dresses up as a sheep to sneak into the flock and eat the sheep.
We thought he was here to help, but he was really a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Across the board
The phrase across the board means applying to everyone or everything equally no matter the situation. No one is treated differently. It is often used for rules, prices, or changes.The term originates from American horse racing, where betting "across the board" meant placing bets on the same horse to finish first (win), second (place), or third (show) on the betting board.
Prices were reduced across the board.
Add Fuel to the Fire
The idiom add fuel to the fire means to make a bad situation worse. Instead of calming things down, it increases trouble or anger. This idiom is from the literal image of a fire jumping in size when you add extra fuel to it.Arguing about it only added fuel to the fire.
Against all odds
The phrase against all odds means succeeding despite very low chances, a term originating from chances in betting. It highlights determination, luck, or both. People use it to describe surprising success.Against all odds, the injured runner finished the race.
Against the clock
You are working against the clock or against time when you are working fast to finish something by a specific time.This idiom is drawn from timed competitions where there is a fixed time for a contest.
He was racing against the clock to finish his assignment on time.