List of English Idioms

A list of common English idioms, sortable by starting letter

Showing 21-40 of 416

An odds board

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.

Generated image of a night bonfire scene

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.

Interior of a betting lounge

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.

Close up photo of a watch face

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.

A photo of a sporting match

Ahead of the game

The idiom ahead of the game means being well prepared or more advanced than others. It suggests planning and smart thinking. This idiom likely stems from sports gambling, where you gained an advantage if you were already ahead.

By studying early, she stayed ahead of the game.

Generated image of a young woman applying makeup

All dolled up

All dolled up means to make yourself look pretty using makeup and fancy clothes. It is commonly used to describe getting ready for a party or event.

She got all dolled up for the end of year function.

Photo of a dog with big ears

All ears

The phrase all ears means ready and eager to listen, with your full attention.
It is simply an exaggeration that your ears are so ready to listen, you are all ears.

Tell me what happened - I'm all ears.

Altered image of a boat full of people

All in the same boat

The idiom all in the same boat means everyone is in the same situation, or sharing the same circumstances. Good or bad, it affects everyone equally. The orgin of this idiom is the literal image of a group of people all in the same boat.

We all failed the test, so we're in the same boat.

Altered photo of a suddenly mad cat

All of a sudden

The phrase all of a sudden means happening quickly and without warning. It is often used for surprising events.
It is simply a common way of saying something happened suddenly.

All of a sudden, the dog started barking.

Altered image of a man passed out at his computer

All work and no play

The idiom all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy means that only focussing on work with no time for leisure makes a person boring and unhappy.