Category: Idioms

picture of an old, worn teddy bear against a dark red background

On its last legs (Describing the condition of objects, Part 1)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, Synonyms, the English language, Vocabulary4 Comments

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picture of an old, worn teddy bear against a dark red background
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by Kate Woodford

A friend recently told me that she needed a new sofa. Her current one, she said, ‘had seen better days’, meaning that it was clearly old and damaged. This nice idiom (‘have seen better days’) got me thinking about the many ways we describe the condition of objects, both good and bad. This post, in two parts and covering both single words and phrases, is the result of this. Continue reading “On its last legs (Describing the condition of objects, Part 1)” →

a father and his young daughter sitting next to each other on a sofa and reading a news magazine together

Calling it quits and pitting your wits! (Idioms and phrases in newspapers)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, Idioms and phrases in newspapers, the English language7 Comments

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a father and his young daughter sitting next to each other on a sofa and reading a news magazine together
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by Kate Woodford

Today’s post is the latest in my ‘Idioms and phrases in newspapers’ series, which I write in order to provide you with a regular supply of contemporary, frequently used English idioms and phrases. The expressions all come from a range of national newspapers that were published on the same day. Continue reading “Calling it quits and pitting your wits! (Idioms and phrases in newspapers)” →

four seated men seen from the chest downwards - three are sitting formally and wearing plain black suits, and one is sitting casually with crossed legs and wearing a bright red suit

Out of the ordinary: ways of saying that something is unusual (2)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language, Vocabulary24 Comments

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four seated men seen from the chest downwards - three are sitting formally and wearing plain black suits, and one is sitting casually with crossed legs and wearing a bright red suit
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by Kate Woodford

My last blog post looked at adjectives used to describe things that are unusual or in some way different. In today’s post, I focus on idioms and phrases in this area. Continue reading “Out of the ordinary: ways of saying that something is unusual (2)” →

close-up photograph of a person holding a small olive branch, with leaves and dark olives, in their cupped hands

Keeping the peace and olive branches (Idioms for becoming friends again after an argument)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language25 Comments

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close-up photograph of a person holding a small olive branch, with leaves and dark olives, in their cupped hands
oonal/iStock/Getty Images Plus

by Kate Woodford

Earlier this month, we published a blog post on idioms used to describe people arguing. Today’s post follows on from that and focuses instead on the nicer area of becoming friends again after an argument. Again, we’re looking at idioms and phrases with this meaning. Continue reading “Keeping the peace and olive branches (Idioms for becoming friends again after an argument)” →

a couple seated facing each other having an angry argument

Crossing swords and sparks flying (Idioms about arguing)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language24 Comments

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a couple seated facing each other having an angry argument
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by Kate Woodford

The English language contains a lot of idioms and phrases on the theme of arguing. This post looks at some of the most useful ones. I hope you find it interesting. Continue reading “Crossing swords and sparks flying (Idioms about arguing)” →

a drinking glass lying on its side on a wooden floor with milk spilling from it

It is what it is: the language of acceptance

On By Liz WalterIn Idioms, the English language30 Comments

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a drinking glass lying on its side on a wooden floor with milk spilling from it
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by Liz Walter

I’ve been struck recently by the huge popularity of the phrase it is what it is. According to the New York Times, it first appeared in 1949, but it is only in this century that it has really caught on. Like many phrases that find sudden popularity, it is a neat way of expressing a concept that many of us have experienced: that a difficult situation which can’t be changed must be accepted:

My application was late and I can’t apply again until next year. Still, it is what it is. Continue reading “It is what it is: the language of acceptance” →

close up photograph of a person holding an empty wallet, with credit cards and a calculator visible on the table in the background

Making ends meet and feeling the pinch (Money idioms, Part 2)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language14 Comments
close up photograph of a person holding an empty wallet, with credit cards and a calculator visible on the table in the background
boonchai wedmakawand/Moment/GettyImages

by Kate Woodford

Part 1 of this money-themed post looked at idioms that say something about having lots of money.  Today’s post features idioms about not having enough money and about controlling how you spend money when you don’t have very much of it. In addition, I’ll also include sayings about money. Continue reading “Making ends meet and feeling the pinch (Money idioms, Part 2)” →

Young woman pushes a kayak in the water of lake on a summer sunny day.

Paying through the nose and pushing the boat out (Money Idioms, Part 1)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language18 Comments
Young woman pushes a kayak in the water of lake on a summer sunny day.
Remains/iStock/Getty Images Plus

by Kate Woodford

Today, in the latest of my money-themed posts, I’m looking at money idioms, by which I mean idioms that say something about money (and not idioms about other subjects that feature the words ‘penny’, ‘money’, ‘coin’ etc.). There are lots of money idioms so this is Part 1 and we’ll publish Part 2 in a couple of weeks. Continue reading “Paying through the nose and pushing the boat out (Money Idioms, Part 1)” →

Two businessmen looking at the financial paper with surprised expression

Hot air and bad blood (Idioms found in newspapers)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, Idioms and phrases in newspapers, the English language24 Comments
Two businessmen looking at the financial paper with surprised expression
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by Kate Woodford

Today’s post is a round-up of the idioms and phrases found in a range of national newspapers published on the same Sunday in October. I write one of these newspaper idioms posts every few months as a way of providing you with a regular supply of contemporary, frequently used English idioms. Continue reading “Hot air and bad blood (Idioms found in newspapers)” →

close up of a woman's hands tearing a pink paper heart in half

Losing and breaking your heart (Heart senses and phrases, Part 2)

On By Kate WoodfordIn Idioms, the English language14 Comments
close up of a woman's hands tearing a pink paper heart in half
Jamie Grill/Tetra images/GettyImages

by Kate Woodford

In Part 1 of this ‘heart’ series, I looked at common ‘heart’ idioms and phrases for saying that someone is kind. In this post, I’ll consider various figurative senses of the word ‘heart’ and then focus on idioms and phrases that relate to love and romance. Continue reading “Losing and breaking your heart (Heart senses and phrases, Part 2)” →