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Let off steam
The phrase blow off steam or let off steam means to release strong feelings like anger or stress, or to get rid of pent up energy. People might say this when they go to the gym, or if they have bored children inside they take them to the park to blow off some steam.This idiom came from the time of steam engines, when there was a pressure buildup you had to let some steam out.
He went for a long run to blow off steam after work.
Let sleeping dogs lie
To let sleeping dogs lie means it is better not to bring up old problems or arguments that could cause trouble again. The idea is to leave a situation alone if disturbing it might make things worse.The saying has been used in English for several centuries and was recorded in writing as early as the 1300s. It compares old troubles to a sleeping dog that may bite if someone wakes it.
Everyone remembered the old disagreement, but they decided to let sleeping dogs lie.
Let the cat out of the bag
To let the cat out of the bag means to reveal a secret, often by accident.One possible origin comes from old market scams in which a seller might secretly replace a valuable piglet in a bag with a worthless cat. If the bag was opened and the cat escaped, the trick was exposed.
She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party before we could stop her.
Light at the end of the tunnel
The phrase the light at the end of the tunnel means hope after a long or difficult time. It suggests that problems will eventually end. This idiom is derived from the feeling you get after travelling underground for a long time and finally seeing the light that means you are about to come out the other end.After months of work, we could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Lightning never strikes twice
The idiom lightning never strikes twice means that if something very unlucky (or very lucky) happened to someone once before, it is very unlikely to happen again. This refers to the odds of being struck by lightning being already very low, and being struck twice is even lower again.Why are you buying a lotto ticket? You won last year, you know lightning never strikes twice.
Like a fish needs a bicycle
To need something like a fish needs a bicycle means that something is completely unnecessary or useless. It is used to say that you really don't need something at all.The phrase became popular in the 1970s as a humorous saying linked to the feminist slogan "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle". It was meant to express the idea that women do not depend on men in order to live full lives.
When we got married, we got so many blenders we'd open presents and say "we need another blender like a fish needs a bicycle"
Like a hot knife through butter
Like a hot knife through butter means something happens very easily and smoothly, with little effort or resistance. It describes a situation where a task or action works perfectly and quickly.The expression stems from the way a warm knife cuts through butter without any struggle, as it melts it as it cuts.
The new mower went through the long grass like a hot knife through butter.
Like a moth to a flame
To be like a moth to a flame means to be strongly attracted to something, even when it may be dangerous or harmful. This idiom is used when someone keeps returning to something they should avoid.The expression comes from the way moths are drawn to bright lights or flames at night. The insects fly toward the light even though it can burn or kill them.
He keeps going back to the same risky investment like a moth to a flame.
Like a red flag to a bull
The idiom like a red flag to a bull means something that makes a person react with sudden anger or excitement. It describes a situation where a small action or comment quickly sets someone off.The expression comes from bullfighting, where a matador waves a red cape to attract the bull's attention and provoke it to charge.
Teasing my brother about his team losing that game is like a red flag to a bull.
Like chalk and cheese
Two things are like chalk and cheese if they are completely different. If you have ever tried to eat chalk as well as cheese, you would know how different they are!My brother and I are like chalk and cheese, it's like we are not even from the same family.