Idioms

Tell you a tale/Have I got a tale to tell you: Use: Meet me at lunchtime,  have I got a tale to tell you! Meaning: You have some interesting news to share. It’s the stuff friendship is based on. To cut a long story short: Use: A group of us went out to a restaurant last night and, to cut a long story short, we agreed… Meaning: To condense a long explanation into a shorter one. In a nutshell: Use: I met with the manager to discuss a few things and, in a nutshell, he agreed with me. Meaning: In very few words. Another way to condense a long explanation into a much shorter one. Get it off my chest: Use: I had a quick chat with her yesterday as I had to get it off my chest. Or, I had to get something off my chest. Meaning: To say something that has been bothering you for some time. When you have finished, it brings you a sense of relief. I’m not holding my breath: Use: I heard they were going to offer free cakes in Starbucks but I’m not holding my breath. Meaning: Used at the end of a sentence to imply that you don’t expect something to happen. You’d have an unfortunate end if you held your breath until it happened. Giving me a shoulder to cry on: Use: He’s a really nice person. Always happy to give you a shoulder to cry on if you’re feeling really down. Meaning: To provide sympathy and support in a difficult/bad moment.

It costs an arm and a leg: Use: Going into space on Jeff Bezos’ rocket will cost you an arm and a leg. I was going to buy a ticket to see Taylor Swift but it cost an arm and a leg. Meaning: Very expensive, an enormous amount of money. A rip-off (also, daylight robbery): Use: I was going to buy a drink at the cinema but it was a total rip-off. Meaning: Something that is far too expensive for the quality or quantity. More expensive than it should be. Someone is trying to make money out of you. Once in a blue moon: Use: When does he pay for his own drinks in the pub? Once in a blue moon, he’s very mean. Meaning: Hardly ever, infrequently. A blue moon does not appear very often. Pigs might fly: Use: When will there be peace and prosperity across the whole world? When pigs fly! Meaning: Pigs can’t fly, which means it will never happen. A bit OTT (over the top): Use: I must say, as a presenter, he really puts on a show, but it was a little too OTT if you ask me. Meaning: Too exaggerated, too much (a thing, situation or personality).

I heard it on the grapevine: Use: I heard on the grapevine that there is going to be a big change. Meaning: I got this information from an unofficial or unverified source. It came from a 2nd or 3rd hand source or a rumour. The nature of a grapevine is that things travel along it… You’re barking up the wrong tree (or, you’ve got the wrong end of the stick): Use: You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think I was the one who left that note. Meaning: Believing or following a mistaken or misguided line of thought. A different version of reality. You’ve got the wrong person. A little bit fishy: Use: If you ask me, there’s something a little bit fishy about him. Meaning: A bit suspicious, strange, hard to believe, a bit off. From the horse’s mouth: Use: If you want to know the truth, you’ll have to get it straight from the horse’s mouth. Meaning: Get the information from the person who knows it is definitely true. The person who is the subject of gossip or rumour.

It’s on the tip of my tongue: Use: I know the answer to this. It’s on the tip of my tongue. Meaning: You feel like you can almost say it, just trying to remember something but can’t quite recall it. Off the top of my head: Use: Off the top of my head, I think there are about 25 people going on the next trip. Meaning: Not 100% certain. You gave a spontaneous response. Without thinking too much about something or without concrete evidence. But don’t quote me: Use: I think the tickets cost about £17 but don’t quote me on it. Meaning: The meaning comes from a quote in a newspaper or journal that has a name and source attached. Ask someone not to make you the source of the information or to tell anyone that you are responsible for it. Have mixed feelings: Use: I’m not sure whether to join the gym, I have mixed feelings about it. Meaning: Have positive and negative feelings at the same time. There are positives and negatives to both options/choices. I’m in two minds: Use: I’m not sure whether to join the gym, I’m in two minds over it. Meaning: Like ‘having mixed feelings’. It means you can’t decide between two different options. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it: Use: I don’t know whether I’ll accept the job if they offer it to me, I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. Meaning: Referring to the future, I’ll deal with it, if and when it happens. Often used as an excuse for not planning ahead. I’m sitting on the fence: Use: I’m not getting involved in the discussion about Harry’s book and interviews, I’m sitting on the fence on this one. Meaning: I’m not committing to one view or the other.

I’ll keep you posted: Use: I’m not sure what time it will be, I’ll keep you posted. Meaning: I’ll update you with further news or the latest news when I have it. Break a leg: Use: Good luck with the presentation. Break a leg! Meaning: This idiom comes from the theatre. It is traditional to tell an actor or actress to break a leg before going on stage. Use it ironically. It means, be lucky. Hang in there: Use: I know things are tough right now, but hang in there. Meaning: Things will get better if you stay strong and determined. If you stick around long enough, things are bound to change. Time flies (when you’re having fun): Use: I’ve had a great time this evening, thank you, but time flies. Meaning: I’d better be off, or you need to go, i.e. time’s up. Time goes quickly when you have a nice time.