1.

Break the ice

Meaning: To get the conversation going. Provide a conversation prompt.
Example: Starting class with a joke or subjects students like will help to break
the ice.
2. A dime a dozen
Meaning: Very common: quite ordinary
Example: I thought it was something special but it turns out they're a dime a
dozen.
3. Beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid saying something
Example: Don't beat around the bush. Just tell me what happened.
4. Back against the wall
Meaning: Forced to do something that you would rather not.
Example: I really don't want to do this but my back is against the wall.
5. Bite the bullet
Meaning: Doing something you don't want to but also expressing that you're
making a proactive choice.
Example: I'm going to go ahead and bite the bullet rather than waiting around.
6. Wrap one's head around something
Meaning: To understand something that may take a bit of time and effort.
Example: That's really complicated. It's going to take a moment to wrap my
head around that.
7. Under the weather
Meaning: Sick. Typically used to describe minor illnesses like a cold.
Example: Sorry I'm feeling a bit under the weather and won't be able to come
in today.
8. Better late than never
Meaning: Describes things that are better done than not, even if it takes a long
time.
Example: I went back to college at 30 years old and figured better late than
never.
9. Cut corners
Meaning: To skip steps or not do things completely.
Example: This is an important project so don't cut any corners on this one.
10. Get out of hand
Meaning: When a situation gets out of control.
Example: I meant to just have a small party but too many people came and it
quickly got out of hand.
11. A snowball effect
Meaning: Something that can continue to get more and more out of control
Example: I just invited a couple of people over but there was a bit of a
snowball effect and now there's a giant party at my house.
12. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it
Meaning: Let's avoid addressing the problem until later on.
Example: We won't find out until next month so we’ll cross that bridge when
we get there.
13. To cut someone some slack
Meaning: To not manage someone very strictly or to not be critical.
Example: Cut me some slack. I'm trying.
14. To be hard on someone
Meaning: To criticize or to manage someone very strictly.
Example: You don't have to be so hard on your employees to be successful.
15. Get something out of one's system
Meaning: To do something you really want to and have been waiting to.
Example: I really want to go to karaoke, sing a few songs and just get it out of
my system.
16. Burn bridges
Meaning: To do something or anger someone to where you cannot go back to
how things were and cannot expect help in the future.
Example: Don't burn bridges with your employer. You may need their help in
the future.
17. Sell like hotcakes
Meaning: To sell very quickly or be in high demand.
Example: I didn't think my crafts would be that popular but they're selling like
hotcakes.
18. Fish out of water
Meaning: To be in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable place.
Example: I don't want to change schools and be a fish out of water.
19. Step up one’s game
Meaning: To work harder or perform better.
Example: You need to step up your game if you want a promotion this year.
20. Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning: I don't know either.
Example: I haven't found out anything so your guess is as good as mine.
21. Leave out in the cold
Meaning: To be ignored or not considered.
Example: Not being invited to any of the meetings lately has me feeling left
out in the cold.
22. Keep an ear to the ground
Meaning: To listen for new information.
Example: I'll keep an ear to the ground for any updates on the project.
23. Up in arms
Meaning: To be angry or overreact.
Example: Don't get up in arms. I'm just telling you what happened.
24. Run around in circles
Meaning: To put effort into something while making little or no progress.
Example: My boss has me running around in circles with unnecessary tasks
that aren't getting us anywhere.
25. Scrape the barrel
Meaning: To make choices you don't want to or normally wouldn't.
Example: They're not great but I was really scraping the barrel to find
something.
26. Blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad but provides some benefit.
Example: I hated that assignment but it was a blessing in disguise since it
taught me things that I use for the job I have now.
27. Having an Ace up the sleeve
Meaning: To have a hidden or untold advantage.
Example: I thought he was definitely going to lose but he had an ace up his
sleeve and caught up in points.
28. Buy it
Meaning: To believe something.
Example: That guy told me he's related to the president but I don't buy it.
29. Hook line and sinker
Meaning: To be deceived completely.
Example: I told him that I would pay him $1,000,000 and he bought it hook
line and sinker.
30. Piece of cake
Meaning: Very Easy.
Example: Winning the game is a piece of cake once you understand how to
play.
31. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rare.
Example: She doesn't like it here and only comes once in a blue moon.
32. On the line
Meaning: To risk something or have something at risk.
Example: I invested my life savings in this business and have everything on
the line.
33. A quick buck
Meaning: An easy way to make money quickly.
Example: Translation work is kind of boring for me but it's a quick buck.
34. Sights set on | Set sights on
Meaning: To desire something or to make a goal.
Example: I have my sights set on going to France next year. | I set my sights
on going to France next year.
35. Add fuel to the fire
Meaning: To make a situation worse.
Example: You should wait until later to say something. Sometimes arguing just
adds fuel to the fire.
36. Bone to pick
Meaning: To be angry about something and want to discuss it.
Example: You might not think you did anything wrong but I have a bone to
pick with you about that.
37. Go the extra mile
Meaning: To do extra work or put in extra effort.
Example: She went the extra mile and got our seats upgraded even though she
didn’t have to.
38. Hang in there
Meaning: To not give up.
Example: I know things are hard but hang in there.
39. Down for the count
Meaning: To give up or not be able to keep going.
Example: I tried everything and it took so much out of me. I'm down for the
count on this one.
40. Rest on your laurels
Meaning: To stop trying as hard because of your past achievements.
Example: The work still isn't finished and things are just going to get more
difficult. This is no time to rest on your laurels.
41. Give it a whirl
Meaning: To try something.
Example: I'm willing to give it a whirl even though I've never done it before.
42. It's not rocket science
Meaning: It's not as difficult as you might think.
Example: Of course, I figured it out. It's not rocket science.
43. Get bent out of shape
Meaning: To get upset at times when others don't think you should.
Example: Hey it's just a joke. Don't get bent out of shape.
44. Spill the beans
Meaning: To tell a secret.
Example: I already know you did it. Your best friend spilled the beans.
45. Sit on the fence
Meaning: To be undecided.
Example: I'm still sitting on the fence about whether I'm going to buy that car.
46. Don't cry over spilled milk/ No use in crying over spilled milk
Meaning: What has already happened cannot be undone so you shouldn't cry
but you should think of what to do going forward.
Example: I know it wasn't your fault but there's no use in crying over spilled
milk. Think of what you're going to do next.
47. Fair and square
Meaning: To do things in a fair way with no advantages given to either side.
Example: No do-overs. I won fair and square.
48. Straight from the horse's mouth
Meaning: To hear information directly from the person involved.
Example: I already know the truth. I heard straight from the horse's mouth.
49. Bigger fish to fry
Meaning: There is something more important to take care of.
Example: I can't think about that right now. I have bigger fish to fry.
50. At face value
Meaning: As something seems or as one claims it to be.
Example: Don't take what he says at face value. He's been known to lie.
51. Read between the lines
Meaning: To look for the real meaning when something is said.
Example: I don't just listen to what people tell me. I know how to read
between the lines.
52. Wild goose chase
Meaning: To waste time trying to do something you cannot.
Example: My mom sent me on a wild goose chase trying to find things that
aren't available anywhere.
53. Call it a day
Meaning: To stop working.
Example: Hey let's go home. It's time to call it a day.
54. Chip off the old block
Meaning: To be similar to one's parents in one way or overall.
Example: She's a really higher achiever like her mom. A real chip off the old
block.
55. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Meaning: Similar to one’s parents. This is used at the time when you observe
that someone is doing something their parents would.
Example: Of course, he got into Harvard. The apple doesn’t fall far from the
tree.
56. In for a penny in for a pound
Meaning: To make sure a task is complete no matter what once someone has
spent any effort or money towards the goal.
Example: I'm in for a penny in for a pound on this one. I've already spent
seven hours getting this project off the ground.
57. By the skin of one’s teeth
Meaning: To barely get something done.
Example: I passed that test by the skin of my teeth with a 61/100.
58. Draw the line
Meaning: To decide on a stopping past which you will not let something
continue.
Example: I'm going to have to draw the line here. I can't do any more work
until you pay your balance.
59. To not see/to lose the forest for the trees
Meaning: To fixate on trivial details to the point of ignoring the overall
meaning or more important facts.
Example: Don't lose the forest for the trees here. The first few questions are
only worth one point each so make sure you leave enough time for the open-
ended questions.
60. Penny wise and pound foolish
Meaning: To worry about or obsess over unimportant details while ignoring
the important ones.
Example: He did every homework assignment but didn't submit his major
project. Absolutely penny wise and pound foolish.
61. Cry wolf
Meaning: To ask for help or attention by lying about a situation.
Example: If you keep crying wolf, nobody is going to help you when you
really need it.
62. Play devil's advocate
Meaning: To present the other side or both sides of an argument.
Example: I just need you to support me, not to keep trying to play devil's
advocate.
63. On thin ice
Meaning: In a dangerous or risky situation with much margin for error.
Example: I used 9 out of my 10 absences so my teacher told me I'm on thin
ice.
64. The best thing since sliced bread
Meaning: Really, really good.
Example: The iPhone was the best thing since sliced bread. It really changed
the world.
65. Take it with a pinch of salt
Meaning: Don’t believe it to be 100% true.
Example: He lies a lot so take what he says with a pinch of salt.
66. The whole nine yards
Meaning: Everything to the greatest extent.
Example: I want everything on the menu. Appetizers, entrees, desserts, the
whole nine yards.
67. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: To take on a task that is more difficult than you can handle.
Example: I regret agreeing to cook dinner for 100 people. I really bit off more
than I could chew.
68. A second wind
Meaning: To have more energy or more appetite after being tired or full.
Example: I was completely full but once the dessert came, I had a second
wind.
69. Play it by ear
Meaning: To improvise or wait for more information to come to a decision.
Example: I can't decide on what to do until I know what my manager's decision
will be so I have to play it by ear.
70. Put something on ice
Meaning: To stop progress on something or put it on hold.
Example: Hey I need you to work on this project that's due today so you're
going to have to put what you're doing on ice.
71. 24/7
Meaning: All the time, always. (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Example: I didn't invite him to my party because he's in medical school and
studying 24/7.
72. Lose one's touch
Meaning: To not be as good at something as one used to be.
Example: It took me 10 tries to get a basket. I'm really losing my touch.
73. Sit tight
Meaning: Please wait patiently.
Example: Hey I still have a few tasks to do before I can head out to dinner so
sit tight and I'll be there soon.
74. Twist my arm
Meaning: To convince someone with persistence.
Example: Alright I wasn't planning on buying a new car today but you twisted
my arm. I'll take it.
75. Turn a deaf ear
Meaning: To ignore someone.
Example: I could really use some help but everyone around me has turned a
deaf ear.
76. Hit the books
Meaning: To study (more often used to imply studying hard)
Example: Final exams are coming up and I need a high score to maintain my
A. I'm going to hit the books hard today.
77. Cold turkey
Meaning: To quit suddenly rather than gradually.
Example: If I start playing video games at all, I won't stop for hours so I had to
quit cold turkey.
78. Go down in flames
Meaning: To fail suddenly and severely.
Example: A couple of scandals after her debut caused her career to go down in
flames.
79. Pitch in
Meaning: To put in effort or to make a contribution.
Example: It's a lot of work but if everyone pitches in, we'll be done in no time.
80. Cut to the chase
Meaning: To get directly to the point.
Example: I'm in a rush so I need you to cut to the chase and just tell me what
the problem is.
81. Off the table
Meaning: Unavailable, the offer has been revoked.
Example: If your offer is still on the table, I'd like to accept the job.
82. Ship has sailed
Meaning: It is too late for the opportunity. You waited too long for the
opportunity and it is no longer available.
Example: You waited too long and the job isn't available anymore. That ship
has sailed so keep looking.
83. Blow off steam
Meaning: To do fun activities to help relieve stress.
Example: I had a long day at work and went to the batting cages to blow off
some steam.
84. Come rain or shine
Meaning: No matter what.
Example: I promise, come rain or shine, I'll be at your graduation. You can
count on it.
85. See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree, compromise or understand the other person's perspective.
Example: It's been six weeks and they can't come to any agreement because
they just can't see eye to eye.
86. Rings a bell
Meaning: Sounds familiar or reminds you of something.
Example: What you just said rings a bell. There's this thing I forgot to tell you
earlier.
87. A class act
Meaning: Of great character or able to perform to high standards.
Example: He puts on a good show every time and then shakes hands and takes
pictures with fans. He's a real class act.
88. Break the bank
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Example: I got the car I wanted but it really broke the bank.
89. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: To be very expensive. (Typically less used for items less expensive
than ones that you would use "break the bank" for).
Example: Replacing my broken car stereo cost me an arm and leg.
90. Face the music
Meaning: To accept reality.
Example: You failed every audition. It's time to face the music and accept that
you're not a very good actor.
91. Darkest before the dawn
Meaning: Things will get better (Useful for when several bad things happen at
once)
Example: I know that a lot of bad things happened to you this week but it's
darkest before the dawn.
92. Through thick and thin
Meaning: Throughout good times and bad times.
Example: It doesn't matter if it's difficult or if bad things happen. I said I would
help you through thick and thin.
93. Fortune favors the bold
Meaning: Taking a risk can pay off.
Example: There's only a 10% chance of success but the payout is 20 times
higher if I win. You know what they say, fortune favors the bold.
94. Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: You're taking too big of a risk or putting too much effort and
resources into one risky option.
Example: I'm really glad that people like my art but I'm not going to make art
full time. I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket.
95. Throw caution to the wind
Meaning: To stop thinking about something and take the risk.
Example: My parents told me not to put all my eggs in one basket but I
decided to throw caution to the wind and be a full-time artist.
96. Look before you leap
Meaning: To think before you do something.
Example: The opportunity to move to another country is really exciting but I
want you to look before you leap.
97. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: To follow a trend or not to do something until it's popular.
Example: She didn't care about K-pop before but now that it's popular, she's
jumped on the bandwagon.
98. Pour one’s heart out
Meaning: To tell or confess something emotional.
Example: I don't like soap operas. They're so unrealistic with the way everyone
pours their heart out about everything.
99. Right as rain
Meaning: There is nothing that can be improved.
Example: The dish was right as rain. I wouldn't change a thing about it.
100. Pull one's leg
Meaning: To lie.
Example: That doesn't sound right. Are you pulling my leg?