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Set the record straight
To set the record straight means to correct a mistake or false story by explaining what really happened.The expression comes from record keeping and accounting. If information in a record book was wrong, it had to be corrected so the record showed the true facts.
She called the meeting to set the record straight about what had happened.
Single point of failure
A single point of failure is one part of a system that can cause the entire system to stop working if it fails.The term comes from engineering and computer systems design. Engineers try to avoid single points of failure by adding backup parts or alternate paths so the system can keep working if one part breaks.
The only bridge into the town was a single point of failure during the storm.
Sit on your hands
To sit on your hands means to do nothing when you should be taking action. It is used when someone waits, avoids helping, or chooses not to get involved.The expression comes from the image of a person literally sitting on their hands so they cannot use them. It suggests stopping yourself from acting, even when something needs to be done.
We cannot just sit on our hands while the roof keeps leaking.
Skeleton in the closet
A skeleton in the closet means a secret from someone's past that they try to hide because it would embarrass them or cause trouble if others found out.This idiom comes from the image of a hidden skeleton locked away in a closet. It suggests a dark or shameful secret that someone does not want anyone else to discover.
Every family seems to have a skeleton in the closet they prefer not to talk about.
Slip through your fingers
To have something slip through your fingers means to lose something because you were unable to hold onto it or stop it from happening. This idiom is used to describe missed chances, lost opportunities, or things that gradually disappear despite your efforts.The phrase comes from the image of trying to hold something small, like sand or water, that slowly falls between your fingers. Because it cannot be easily held, it becomes a metaphor for something that cannot be kept.
The job offer slipped through his fingers when he missed the deadline to reply.
So far, so good
So far so good means that everything has been going well up to now. This idiom is used when a task or situation is working out as planned so far.The expression has been used in English since at least the 1800s. It reflects the idea that although the result is not known yet, the progress until now has been successful.
The cakes are baking nicely and have not burned yet, so far so good.
Spanner in the works
A spanner in the works or wrench in the works means something that unexpectedly causes a problem and stops a plan from working properly.The expression comes from machinery. If a spanner/wrench falls into moving gears, it can jam the mechanism and stop the machine from working.
The sudden power outage threw a spanner in the works for the event.
Spare a thought
To spare a thought means to remember or consider someone, especially someone who may be having a harder time. This idiom is often used to encourage sympathy or kindness.The expression comes from the simple idea of giving a small amount of attention or concern to someone else, even if only for a moment.
While we enjoy the holiday, spare a thought for the workers who still have to work today.
Speak of the devil
The idiom speak of the devil means that the person you were just talking about suddenly appears. It is usually said in a light or joking way when someone arrives at the moment they are mentioned.The phrase comes from an older saying speak of the devil and he shall appear. In the past it was a superstition that mentioning the devil might cause him to appear.
We were just wondering where Sam was, and speak of the devil, here he comes now.
Spill the beans
The idiom spill the beans means to reveal a secret. Once the information is shared, it cannot be taken back, in the way that it is hard to put beans back into a container after they have been spilled all over the floor.He spilled the beans about the birthday party.