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Synonyms and Antonyms Idoms and Phrases Common Prefixes, Suffixes and Roots
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Vocabulary Building

Synonyms and Antonyms

What are Synonyms?

Synonyms are words that have the same or similar meanings.

Examples of Synonyms

  1. Remote - Distant, Faraway: Remote means far away or isolated.
  2. Detest - Hate, Loathe: Detest means to hate something very strongly.
  3. Gracious - Pleasant, Kind, Courteous: Gracious means being polite and showing kindness.
  4. Predict - Foretell, Forecast, Anticipate: Predict means to say what will happen in the future.
  5. Kin - Relative, Family, Blood Relation: Kin means someone from your family or relatives.
  6. Pensive - Thoughtful, Reflective, Contemplative: Pensive means thinking deeply, often with a serious or sad mood.
  7. Banish - Exile, Expel, Deport: Banish means to send someone away as a punishment.
  8. Fraud - Imposter, Deception, Scam: Fraud means someone or something dishonest or fake.
  9. Saccharine - Sweet, Sugary, Overly Sentimental: Saccharine means overly sweet, like sugar, or excessively sentimental.
  10. Drag - Pull, Haul, Tug: Drag means to pull something along, often with effort.
  11. Jovial - Merry, Cheerful, Jolly: Jovial means full of happiness and good humor.
  12. Indifferent - Neutral, Uncaring, Detached: Indifferent means not showing interest or concern.
  13. Simulate - Imitate, Mimic, Replicate: Simulate means to copy or pretend to be something or someone else.
  14. Charisma - Charm, Appeal, Magnetism: Charisma means a special charm or quality that attracts people to you.
  15. Apportion - Divide, Distribute, Allocate: Apportion means to divide and share something among people or groups.
  16. Generic - General, Common, Non-Specific: Generic means general or not specific to a particular brand or type.
  17. Qualm - Scruple, Doubt, Unease: Qualm means feeling unsure, uneasy, or having moral doubts about something.
  18. Wary - Cautious, Alert, Careful: Wary means being careful and watching out for danger or trouble.
  19. Distort - Deform, Twist, Misrepresent: Distort means to change the shape or meaning of something so that it is no longer accurate.
  20. Reverie - Daydream, Trance, Fantasy: Reverie means being lost in thoughts or imagining pleasant things.
  21. Sumptuous - Luxurious, Splendid, Gorgeous: Sumptuous means something that looks expensive, rich, or grand.
  22. Loot - Spoils, Plunder, Stolen Goods: Loot means goods taken illegally, often during war or chaos.
  23. Reel - Whirl, Stagger, Spin: Reel means to move in an unsteady way or to feel dizzy.
  24. Loquacious - Talkative, Chatty, Wordy: Loquacious means someone who talks a lot.
  25. Inscrutable - Mysterious, Incomprehensible, Unfathomable: Inscrutable means something that is hard to understand or figure out.
  26. Chimera - Illusion, Fantasy, Dream: Chimera means an impossible or unrealistic idea or thing, often from imagination.
  27. Appall - Dismay, Shock, Horrify: Appall means to cause someone to feel fear or disgust.
  28. Temerity - Audacity, Boldness, Recklessness: Temerity means showing boldness or confidence that might seem rude or risky.
  29. Upright - Honorable, Honest, Moral: Upright means behaving in a good, moral, or ethical way.
  30. Educe - Elicit, Draw Out, Extract: Educe means to bring out or develop something that is hidden or not obvious.
  31. Nabob - Bigwig, Tycoon, Magnate: Nabob means an important or wealthy person.
  32. Pall - Satiate, Weary, Overwhelm: Pall means to lose interest or become boring due to excess.
  33. Sacrosanct - Sacred, Holy, Untouchable: Sacrosanct means something so important or holy that it cannot be changed or interfered with.
  34. Louche - Indecent, Disreputable, Shady: Louche means something that seems morally questionable but may still be appealing.
  35. Stentorian - Loud, Booming, Thunderous: Stentorian means having a very loud and powerful voice.
  36. Modest - Humble, Unpretentious, Reserved: Modest means humble, unassuming, and not showing off.
  37. Custom - Habit, Tradition, Practice: Custom refers to a regular practice, tradition, or habit.
  38. Prolong - Extend, Lengthen, Continue: Prolong means to make something last longer, similar to extend or lengthen.
  39. Hustle - Hurry, Rush, Scurry: Hustle means to move quickly or rush, usually in a busy or energetic manner.
  40. Solemn - Serious, Grave, Earnest: Solemn means serious, earnest, or thoughtful, often used for formal occasions.
  41. Imply - Suggest, Indicate, Hint: Imply means to hint at or suggest something indirectly without saying it directly.
  42. Ramble - Wander, Meander, Roam: Ramble means to move about aimlessly or wander, often in a relaxed manner.
  43. Congregate - Gather, Assemble, Collect: Congregate means to come together in a group or gather.
  44. Beneficial - Advantageous, Helpful, Profitable: Beneficial means something that is advantageous or helpful in some way.
  45. Utter - Express, Speak, Say: Utter means to speak or express something aloud.
  46. Flare - Blaze, Flash, Burst: Flare means to burn brightly or suddenly burst into flames.
  47. Fearless - Brave, Courageous, Intrepid: Fearless means not afraid or brave, showing courage in the face of danger.
  48. Negligent - Careless, Reckless, Irresponsible: Negligent means failing to give proper care or attention, being careless.
  49. Negligible - Insignificant, Minor, Trivial: Negligible means something so small or unimportant that it doesn’t matter.
  50. Aloof - Reserved, Detached, Distant: Aloof means emotionally distant, reserved, or detached from others.
  51. Placid - Calm, Peaceful, Serene: Placid means calm, peaceful, or undisturbed.
  52. Resolve - Decide, Determine, Settle: Resolve means to make a firm decision or settle on something.
  53. Rake - Scoundrel, Miscreant, Gentleman (context-dependent): Rake can refer to a scoundrel or dissolute person, though it also refers to a tool used for gathering leaves.
  54. Dupe - Trick, Fool, Deceive: Dupe means to deceive or trick someone into believing something false.
  55. Fetter - Hamper, Bind, Restrain: Fetter means to restrain or restrict movement, often with chains or limitations.
  56. Stigma - Stain, Brand, Disgrace: Stigma refers to a mark of disgrace or shame associated with something or someone.
  57. Flagrant - Glaring, Blatant, Obvious: Flagrant means something that is glaringly wrong or obvious, often in an offensive way.
  58. Reside - Dwell, Live, Stay: Reside means to live or stay in a particular place.
  59. Mitigate - Relieve, Alleviate, Lessen: Mitigate means to make a situation less severe or harmful.
  60. Covetous - Greedy, Envious, Desirous: Covetous means having an intense desire for something, often material or unattainable.
  61. Rail - Scold, Complain, Rebuke: Rail means to criticize or scold someone angrily, often with words.
  62. Abide - Endure, Tolerate, Stay: Abide means to endure or continue in a particular state or condition.
  63. Meld - Blend, Combine, Fuse: Meld means to combine or blend different elements into a single entity.
  64. Shrewd - Astute, Clever, Sharp: Shrewd means being able to understand and judge things quickly, often with good insight.
  65. Rally - Muster, Gather, Assemble: Rally means to bring people together or gather support for a cause.
  66. Abject - Despondent, Miserable, Hopeless: Abject refers to a state of extreme misery or despair.
  67. Churlish - Boorish, Rude, Surly: Churlish means rude, impolite, or ill-mannered behavior.
  68. Bespoke - Tailored, Custom-made, Personalized: Bespoke means something that is custom-made, especially in clothing or design.
  69. Antediluvian - Antiquated, Old-fashioned, Outdated: Antediluvian refers to something ancient, outdated, or from before the flood in Biblical times.
  70. Diffident - Shy, Timid, Hesitant: Diffident means being shy, lacking confidence, or hesitant.
  71. Picayune - Petty, Insignificant, Trivial: Picayune means something of little value or importance, often trivial or insignificant.
  72. Proffer - Tender, Offer, Present: Proffer means to offer or present something to someone.
  73. Smite - Strike, Hit, Hit with force: Smite means to strike or hit with great force, often with a strong impact.
  74. Mordant - Caustic, Sarcastic, Biting: Mordant means something that is sharply critical, often with a biting or caustic tone.
  75. Winnow - Weed, Sift, Separate: Winnow means to separate or sift out unwanted elements, often by using air or wind.
  76. Deplete - Exhaust, Drain, Consume, Use Up: Deplete means to use up or consume the resources of something, leaving it empty or drained.
  77. Voluntary - Willing, Optional, Discretionary, Uncoerced: Voluntary refers to something done by choice, without being forced or required.
  78. Refute - Deny, Disprove, Rebut, Counter: Refute means to disprove or argue against, while deny means to refuse to accept or acknowledge something as true.
  79. Cheat - Defraud, Deceive, Trick, Swindle: Cheat means to deceive or trick someone, while defraud involves taking something from someone through deceit.
  80. Miserable - Unhappy, Wretched, Sorrowful, Depressed: Miserable refers to a state of great discomfort or unhappiness, often involving suffering or distress.
  81. Vintage - Classic, Antique, Timeless, Old-Fashioned: Vintage refers to something of high quality from a past time, often used for items like wine, while classic refers to something of enduring value or significance.
  82. Tart - Acidic, Sour, Sharp, Pungent: Tart means having a sharp, sour taste, often associated with certain fruits or foods.
  83. Imperial - Regal, Majestic, Monarchial, Sovereign: Imperial refers to something related to an empire or monarchy, while regal describes something fit for royalty, often majestic or grand.
  84. Corner - Trap, Confine, Box In, Enclose: Corner means to put someone in a difficult or limited position, while trap means to catch or confine something in a confined space.
  85. Zest - Gusto, Enthusiasm, Excitement, Passion: Zest refers to enthusiastic energy or excitement, while gusto means enjoyment or enthusiasm, particularly in doing something.
  86. Haggle - Bargain, Negotiate, Discuss, Trade: Haggle refers to negotiating the price of something, usually by making offers and counteroffers, while bargain means to negotiate a favorable price.
  87. Impel - Force, Urge, Drive, Motivate: Impel means to drive or urge someone to do something, often with strong motivation, while force refers to applying physical or mental power to move or compel.
  88. Throng - Mass, Crowd, Horde, Multitude: Throng refers to a large group of people gathered together, while mass refers to a collective group or quantity of something.
  89. Regulate - Police, Control, Manage, Govern: Regulate refers to controlling or managing something according to rules, while police means to monitor or enforce rules or laws.
  90. Warrant - Justify, Sanction, Authorize, Validate: Warrant means to provide a valid reason or justification for something, while justify means to show or prove something to be reasonable or right.
  91. Protract - Delay, Extend, Lengthen, Postpone: Protract means to extend or lengthen something in time, while delay refers to postponing something.
  92. Lax - Slack, Lenient, Careless, Relaxed: Lax refers to being lenient or not strict, while slack means lacking in effort or attention, often resulting in something being loose or relaxed.
  93. Rigor - Austerity, Strictness, Harshness, Severity: Rigor refers to strictness or severity, often related to rules or conditions, while austerity refers to a severe or strict lifestyle or attitude, especially involving restrictions.
  94. Discrete - Distinct, Separate, Individual, Independent: Discrete refers to separate or distinct items, while distinct refers to something easily distinguishable or unique.
  95. Ersatz - Artificial, Fake, Substitute, Imitation: Ersatz refers to something made as a substitute for something else, often of lower quality, while artificial means something made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally.
  96. Redolent - Odorous, Fragrant, Aromatic, Scented: Redolent means having a strong or pleasant odor, often evoking memories or associations, while odorous refers to something that has a noticeable smell.
  97. Turpitude - Depravity, Wickedness, Corruption, Immorality: Turpitude refers to a state of moral corruption or wickedness, while depravity refers to extreme moral corruption or wickedness.

What are Antonyms?

Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings.

Examples of Antonyms

  1. Withdraw - Advance, Proceed, Move Forward: Withdraw means to pull back, while advance means to move forward.
  2. Secret - Overt, Open, Public: Secret means hidden or private, while overt means done openly or plainly visible.
  3. Heartfelt - Insincere, Fake, Unemotional: Heartfelt means genuine and sincere, while insincere means not showing real feelings.
  4. Impartial - Biased, Prejudiced, Unfair: Impartial means treating all equally, while biased means showing favoritism.
  5. Luminous - Dim, Dark, Dull: Luminous means bright or shining, while dim means not bright or faint.
  6. Awe - Contempt, Disrespect, Scorn: Awe means a feeling of wonder and respect, while contempt means a lack of respect or dislike.
  7. Pit - Peak, Summit, High Point: Pit refers to a low area or hole, while peak refers to the highest point.
  8. Malodorous - Fragrant, Pleasant, Sweet-smelling: Malodorous means having a bad smell, while fragrant means having a pleasant smell.
  9. Rotund - Thin, Slender, Lean: Rotund means round or fat, while thin means not thick or not round.
  10. Talent - Inability, Lack of Skill, Dullness: Talent refers to skill or ability, while inability means a lack of skill.
  11. Common - Strange, Unusual, Rare: Common means ordinary or frequent, while strange means not usual or unfamiliar.
  12. Brazen - Bashful, Shy, Timid: Brazen means bold and shameless, while bashful means shy or reserved.
  13. Expect - Despair, Reject, Loathe: Expect means to look forward to something, while despair means to give up hope.
  14. Expound - Confuse, Obscure, Complicate: Expound means to explain clearly, while confuse means to make something unclear.
  15. Pique - Soothe, Calm, Appease: Pique means to provoke or irritate, while soothe means to calm or make peaceful.
  16. Abate - Augment, Increase, Intensify: Abate means to reduce or lessen, while augment means to increase.
  17. Peak - Tired, Flat, Low: Peaked refers to something that has a sharp point or top, while tired refers to being exhausted or low in energy.
  18. Dearth - Abundance, Plenty, Surplus: Dearth means a lack or scarcity, while abundance means a large quantity.
  19. Abridge - Extend, Lengthen, Enlarge: Abridge means to shorten or condense, while extend means to lengthen or make longer.
  20. Irascible - Placid, Calm, Patient: Irascible means easily angered, while placid means calm and peaceful.
  21. Kindle - Smother, Extinguish, Quench: Kindle means to start a fire or ignite, while smother means to put out a fire.
  22. Meager - Copious, Abundant, Generous: Meager means small in quantity, while copious means large or abundant.
  23. Philistine - Intellectual, Educated, Cultured: Philistine refers to someone uninterested in culture or the arts, while intellectual means educated or thoughtful.
  24. Zenith - Nadir, Bottom, Low Point: Zenith refers to the highest point, while nadir refers to the lowest point.
  25. Germane - Irrelevant, Unrelated, Unimportant: Germane means relevant or closely related, while irrelevant means not related or unimportant.
  26. Fatuous - Sensible, Smart, Rational: Fatuous means foolish or silly, while sensible means showing good sense or judgment.
  27. Improvident - Cautious, Careful, Frugal: Improvident means not planning for the future, while cautious means careful and prudent.
  28. Demur - Embrace, Agree, Accept: Demur means to hesitate or object, while embrace means to accept or welcome.
  29. Quiescent - Active, Energetic, Lively: Quiescent means inactive or at rest, while active means engaged or moving.
  30. Matutinal - Crepuscular, Nocturnal, Evening: Matutinal refers to the morning, while crepuscular refers to twilight or evening.
  31. Sartorial - Inelegant, Unfashionable, Casual: Sartorial means related to clothing or style, while inelegant means not graceful or fashionable.
  32. Impecunious - Wealthy, Affluent, Rich: Impecunious means having little or no money, while wealthy means having a lot of money.
  33. Sapient - Simple, Unwise, Foolish: Sapient means wise or insightful, while simple means lacking complexity or wisdom.
  34. Detain - Release, Free, Unbind: Detain means to hold someone back, while release is the opposite of keeping someone detained.
  35. Famous - Obscure, Unknown, Unrecognized: Famous refers to being well-known, while obscure means not well-known or hidden.
  36. Colossal - Tiny, Small, Minuscule: Colossal refers to something huge or massive, whereas tiny means very small.
  37. Fluid - Solid, Stiff, Rigid: Fluid refers to a substance that flows easily, while solid is rigid and not easily flowing.
  38. Continue - Pause, Stop, Cease: Continue means to keep going, while pause refers to temporarily stopping.
  39. Labor - Rest, Relaxation, Idle: Labor refers to hard work or effort, while rest is the opposite, indicating a period of relaxation.
  40. Brawny - Weak, Frail, Feeble: Brawny refers to being strong, while weak is the opposite, indicating a lack of strength.
  41. Flaunt - Hide, Conceal, Disguise: Flaunt means to show off or display, while hide means to keep something out of sight.
  42. Fickle - Steady, Constant, Consistent: Fickle means changing frequently, while steady refers to being constant and unchanging.
  43. Inept - Competent, Skilled, Able: Inept means lacking skill or ability, while competent refers to being skilled and capable.
  44. Pivotal - Unimportant, Secondary, Minor: Pivotal refers to something crucial or essential, while unimportant refers to something insignificant.
  45. Cursed - Lucky, Fortunate, Blessed: Cursed refers to being unfortunate or ill-fated, while lucky is the opposite, indicating good fortune.
  46. Candid - Dishonest, Deceptive, Evasive: Candid means being open and truthful, while dishonest means not truthful or misleading.
  47. Fallacious - Truthful, Accurate, Valid: Fallacious refers to being based on false reasoning, while truthful or valid are the opposite, indicating accuracy and honesty.
  48. Gumption - Apathy, Indifference, Despair: Gumption refers to having initiative and determination, while apathy means a lack of interest or motivation, and despair signifies hopelessness.
  49. Obtuse - Acute, Sharp, Quick: Obtuse refers to something dull or slow to perceive, while acute means sharp or quick in understanding or perception.
  50. Ecstasy - Agony, Suffering, Discomfort: Ecstasy refers to intense joy or pleasure, while agony represents extreme pain or suffering.
  51. Obsequious - Domineering, Assertive, Independent: Obsequious refers to being overly submissive or servile, while domineering refers to being assertive or controlling.
  52. Astute - Gullible, Naive, Ignorant: Astute refers to being sharp and perceptive, while gullible means easily deceived or lacking awareness.
  53. Winsome - Dour, Unattractive, Repellent: Winsome refers to being charming or attractive, while dour means serious or gloomy, and unattractive indicates lack of appeal.
  54. Droll - Sedate, Serious, Grave: Droll refers to something amusing or comical, while sedate means calm and serious.
  55. Enigmatic - Obvious, Clear, Transparent: Enigmatic means mysterious or puzzling, while obvious refers to something clear and easily understood.
  56. Banal - Extraordinary, Unique, Original: Banal refers to something dull or unoriginal, while extraordinary means something remarkable and unique.
  57. Lugubrious - Cheerful, Joyful, Happy: Lugubrious refers to something mournful or gloomy, while cheerful means full of happiness and joy.
  58. Perspicacious - Dull, Unobservant, Inept: Perspicacious refers to being perceptive and insightful, while dull means lacking sharpness or clarity, and unobservant means not paying attention.
  59. Parsimony - Generosity, Extravagance, Charity: Parsimony refers to extreme frugality or stinginess, while generosity means the willingness to give and share freely.
  60. Truculent - Gentle, Submissive, Tame: Truculent refers to being aggressive or combative, while gentle means kind or mild, and submissive means yielding or obedient.
  61. Elan - Inelegance, Sluggishness, Despair: Elan refers to energy, enthusiasm, or style, while inelegance means lack of grace, and despair refers to hopelessness.
  62. Recondite - Manifest, Obvious, Clear: Recondite refers to something obscure or difficult to understand, while manifest means clearly visible or understood.
  63. Spurious - Genuine, Authentic, Real: Spurious refers to something false or not genuine, while genuine means authentic and real.
  64. Welter - Order, Organization, Clarity: Welter refers to a state of confusion or disorder, while order refers to a structured or organized state.
  65. Gainsay - Own, Confirm, Accept: Gainsay means to deny or oppose, while own refers to possessing or affirming, and accept means to approve or agree.
  66. Eclat - Dullness, Mediocrity, Indifference: Eclat refers to brilliance or fame, while dullness refers to lack of interest or excitement, and mediocrity means being average or ordinary.
  67. Effluvium - Fragrance, Aroma, Sweetness: Effluvium refers to an unpleasant odor or vapor, while fragrance means a pleasant scent or aroma.
  68. Gracious - Rude, Impolite, Harsh: Gracious means to be kind and courteous, while rude refers to behavior that is offensive or disrespectful.
  69. Valor - Cowardice, Timidity, Fear: Valor means courage or bravery, while cowardice refers to a lack of courage or bravery.
  70. Severe - Lenient, Gentle, Soft: Severe refers to something harsh or strict, while lenient means being more permissive or forgiving.
  71. Imaginative - Dull, Uncreative, Mundane: Imaginative means being creative or original, while dull refers to something lacking in excitement or creativity.
  72. Knowing - Ignorant, Unaware, Uninformed: Knowing refers to being aware or knowledgeable, while ignorant refers to a lack of knowledge or awareness.
  73. Animosity - Love, Affection, Friendship: Animosity means hostility or strong dislike, while love refers to deep affection and positive feelings.
  74. Exact - Incorrect, Inaccurate, Wrong: Exact means precise or correct, while incorrect means not accurate or wrong.
  75. Tacit - Explicit, Stated, Clear: Tacit means implied or understood without being stated, while explicit means clearly and directly stated.
  76. Extravagant - Moderate, Simple, Modest: Extravagant refers to something excessive or over-the-top, while moderate means balanced or not excessive.
  77. Repudiate - Admit, Accept, Approve: Repudiate means to reject or disown, while admit means to accept or acknowledge.
  78. Stamina - Weakness, Fatigue, Exhaustion: Stamina means the ability to endure or sustain, while weakness refers to a lack of strength or endurance.
  79. Rough - Sleek, Smooth, Polished: Rough refers to something uneven or harsh in texture, while sleek refers to something smooth and shiny.
  80. Garner - Squander, Waste, Lose: Garner means to collect or gather, while squander means to waste or misuse resources.
  81. Prodigal - Thrifty, Frugal, Economical: Prodigal means wasteful or extravagant, while thrifty refers to careful management of resources.
  82. Felicitous - Inopportune, Awkward, Unfortunate: Felicitous means well-suited or fortunate, while inopportune refers to something occurring at an inconvenient or inappropriate time.
  83. Austere - Lavish, Luxurious, Extravagant: Austere refers to something severe or strict, often lacking luxury, while lavish means rich or extravagant.
  84. Insipid - Exciting, Interesting, Flavorful: Insipid means dull or lacking in flavor or excitement, while exciting refers to something stimulating or interesting.
  85. Wastrel - Miser, Saver, Thrifty: Wastrel refers to someone who spends recklessly, while miser refers to someone who is extremely careful with money.
  86. Temperate - Inordinate, Excessive, Extreme: Temperate refers to moderation or self-restraint, while inordinate refers to something excessive or beyond normal limits.
  87. Nebulous - Distinct, Clear, Defined: Nebulous means vague or unclear, while distinct refers to something clearly recognizable or defined.
  88. Rabble - Order, Organization, Harmony: Rabble refers to a disorderly or unruly crowd, while order refers to a state of organization or arrangement.
  89. Protean - Fixed, Unchanging, Inflexible: Protean refers to something able to change or adapt easily, while fixed refers to something unchanging or constant.
  90. Vertiginous - Stable, Calm, Steady: Vertiginous refers to something causing dizziness or instability, while stable refers to something firm or steady.

Idoms & Phrases

Idioms and phrases are groups of words that, when used together, have meanings different from the literal meanings of the individual words. Understanding idioms is essential for mastering a language as they add color and richness to speech and writing. They often reflect cultural and societal norms, which can vary across regions and languages.

List of Idoms & Phrases

  1. A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush: Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more, because chances are you might lose everything.
    • Example: "I know the new job looks great, but remember, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. It's better to stay with your current position for now."
  2. A Blessing In Disguise: Something good that isn't recognized at first.
    • Example: "Losing that job was a blessing in disguise; it gave me the opportunity to start my own business."
  3. A Chip On Your Shoulder: Being upset for something that happened in the past.
    • Example: "He still has a chip on his shoulder after that argument from years ago."
  4. A Dime A Dozen: Anything that is common and easy to get.
    • Example: "Good ideas are a dime a dozen, but turning them into reality is what counts."
  5. A Doubting Thomas: A skeptic who needs physical or personal evidence in order to believe something.
    • Example: "She’s always been a doubting Thomas, but after seeing the results herself, she finally believed the process."
  6. A Drop in the Bucket: A very small part of something big or whole.
    • Example: "The amount of money donated was just a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of the project."
  7. A Fool And His Money Are Easily Parted: It's easy for a foolish person to lose his/her money.
    • Example: "He bought an expensive car without thinking about the long-term costs, showing how easily a fool and his money are parted."
  8. A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand: Everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not work out.
    • Example: "The project failed because the team members couldn't get along—after all, a house divided against itself cannot stand."
  9. A Leopard Can't Change His Spots: You cannot change who you are.
    • Example: "He promised to be more honest, but a leopard can't change his spots, and soon he was lying again."
  10. A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned: By not spending money, you are saving money (little by little).
    • Example: "If you stop buying coffee every day, you’ll save a lot in the long run—a penny saved is a penny earned."
  11. A Picture Paints a Thousand Words: A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.
    • Example: "Instead of explaining the view, she showed us a photo—truly, a picture paints a thousand words."
  12. A Piece of Cake: A task that can be accomplished very easily.
    • Example: "The exam was a piece of cake, I finished it in half the time!"
  13. A Slap on the Wrist: A very mild punishment.
    • Example: "He only received a slap on the wrist for his actions, but he should have been punished more severely."
  14. A Taste Of Your Own Medicine: When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others.
    • Example: "She didn’t like being ignored, but it was a taste of her own medicine after how she treated others."
  15. A Toss-Up: A result that is still unclear and can go either way.
    • Example: "The final match is still a toss-up, with both teams playing incredibly well."
  16. Actions Speak Louder Than Words: It's better to actually do something than just talk about it.
    • Example: "He promised to change, but actions speak louder than words, and he hasn’t done anything yet."
  17. Add Fuel To The Fire: Whenever something is done to make a bad situation even worse than it is.
    • Example: "Arguing with him only added fuel to the fire, making the situation more tense."
  18. Against The Clock: Rushed and short on time.
    • Example: "I had to finish the report against the clock because the deadline was fast approaching."
  19. All Bark And No Bite: When someone is threatening and/or aggressive but not willing to engage in a fight.
    • Example: "He’s all bark and no bite—he just talks tough but never actually takes action."
  20. All Greek to me: Meaningless and incomprehensible like someone who cannot read, speak, or understand any of the Greek language would be.
    • Example: "The technical jargon in the manual was all Greek to me, and I couldn’t understand any of it."
  21. All In The Same Boat: When everyone is facing the same challenges.
    • Example: "We’re all in the same boat when it comes to completing this project on time, so let’s work together."
  22. An Arm And A Leg: Very expensive. A large amount of money.
    • Example: "The new car cost an arm and a leg, but it was worth every penny."
  23. An Axe To Grind: To have a dispute with someone.
    • Example: "He seems to have an axe to grind with the manager, always complaining about everything."
  24. Apple of My Eye: Someone who is cherished above all others.
    • Example: "His daughter is the apple of his eye, and he always makes time for her."
  25. As High As A Kite: Anything that is high up in the sky.
    • Example: "The plane was flying as high as a kite, soaring above the clouds."
  26. At The Drop Of A Hat: Willing to do something immediately.
    • Example: "She would help her friends at the drop of a hat, no matter the time or situation."
  27. Back Seat Driver: People who criticize from the sidelines, much like someone giving unwanted advice from the back seat of a vehicle to the driver.
    • Example: "Stop being a back seat driver and let me handle the situation my way."
  28. Back To Square One: Having to start all over again.
    • Example: "The project was rejected, so now we’re back to square one."
  29. Back To The Drawing Board: When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.
    • Example: "The prototype didn’t work as expected, so it’s back to the drawing board."
  30. Baker's Dozen: Thirteen.
    • Example: "They gave me a baker's dozen of donuts instead of just twelve."
  31. Barking Up The Wrong Tree: A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve.
    • Example: "If you think I’m the one who broke the vase, you’re barking up the wrong tree."
  32. Beat A Dead Horse: To force an issue that has already ended.
    • Example: "We’ve already made a decision, so there’s no need to beat a dead horse."
  33. Beating Around The Bush: Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.
    • Example: "Stop beating around the bush and get to the point."
  34. Bend Over Backwards: Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything.
    • Example: "She bent over backwards to help us finish the project on time."
  35. Between A Rock And A Hard Place: Stuck between two very bad options.
    • Example: "He was between a rock and a hard place, choosing between quitting his job or moving to a new city."
  36. Bite Off More Than You Can Chew: To take on a task that is way too big.
    • Example: "He bit off more than he could chew when he agreed to manage three projects at once."
  37. Bite Your Tongue: To avoid talking.
    • Example: "I had to bite my tongue when they criticized my work unfairly."
  38. Blood Is Thicker Than Water: The family bond is closer than anything else.
    • Example: "Even though they argued, she helped him because blood is thicker than water."
  39. Blue Moon: A rare event or occurrence.
    • Example: "A blue moon happens only once in a while, so enjoy it while it lasts."
  40. Break A Leg: A superstitious way to say 'good luck' without saying 'good luck,' but rather the opposite, as it is thought to be bad luck to directly wish someone good luck.
    • Example: "You’re going to do great in the play! Break a leg!"
  41. Buy A Lemon: To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it away.
    • Example: "I bought a lemon of a car; it broke down after just a few days."
  42. Can't Cut The Mustard: Someone who isn't adequate enough to compete or participate.
    • Example: "He tried to join the competition, but he just couldn't cut the mustard against the other players."
  43. Cast Iron Stomach: Someone who has no problems, complications, or ill effects with eating or drinking anything.
    • Example: "She has a cast iron stomach; she can eat anything without getting sick."
  44. Charley Horse: Stiffness in the leg / A leg cramp.
    • Example: "I got a charley horse while running yesterday, and it hurt so bad!"
  45. Chew Someone Out: Verbally scold someone.
    • Example: "The boss chewed me out for being late to the meeting."
  46. Chow Down: To eat.
    • Example: "Let's chow down before the meeting starts!"
  47. Close But No Cigar: To be very near and almost accomplish a goal, but fall short.
    • Example: "You were close, but no cigar! You missed the final mark by just one point."
  48. Cock and Bull Story: An unbelievable tale.
    • Example: "He told a cock and bull story about how he won the lottery three times!"
  49. Come Hell Or High Water: Any difficult situation or obstacle.
    • Example: "I'll finish this project come hell or high water!"
  50. Crack Someone Up: To make someone laugh.
    • Example: "That comedian really cracked me up with his jokes."
  51. Cross Your Fingers: To hope that something happens the way you want it to.
    • Example: "I'm crossing my fingers that I get the job offer soon!"
  52. Cry Over Spilt Milk: When you complain about a loss from the past.
    • Example: "There's no use crying over spilt milk. We just need to move on and fix the mistake."
  53. Cry Wolf: Intentionally raise a false alarm.
    • Example: "He cried wolf so many times that no one believed him when there was actually a problem."
  54. Cup Of Joe: A cup of coffee.
    • Example: "I need a cup of joe to start my morning."
  55. Curiosity Killed The Cat: Being inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation.
    • Example: "Be careful what you ask, curiosity killed the cat after all!"
  56. Cut to the Chase: Leave out all the unnecessary details and just get to the point.
    • Example: "We don't have time, cut to the chase and tell me what happened!"
  57. Dark Horse: One who was previously unknown and is now prominent.
    • Example: "He was a dark horse in the election, but now he's the frontrunner!"
  58. Dead Ringer: 100% identical. A duplicate.
    • Example: "That person is a dead ringer for my old friend!"
  59. Devil's Advocate: Someone who takes a position for the sake of argument without believing in that particular side of the argument.
    • Example: "She played devil's advocate to challenge our ideas, even though she agreed with most of us."
  60. Dog Days of Summer: The hottest days of the summer season.
    • Example: "The dog days of summer always make me want to stay inside with air conditioning."
  61. Don't Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch: Don't rely on it until you're sure of it.
    • Example: "You haven't got the job yet, so don't count your chickens before they hatch."
  62. Don't Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth: When someone gives you a gift, don't be ungrateful.
    • Example: "I know the sweater is not your style, but don't look a gift horse in the mouth."
  63. Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket: Do not put all your resources in one possibility.
    • Example: "Invest in different stocks; don't put all your eggs in one basket."
  64. Doozy: Something outstanding.
    • Example: "That was a doozy of a presentation, well done!"
  65. Down To The Wire: Something that ends at the last minute or last few seconds.
    • Example: "The match went down to the wire, with only seconds left on the clock!"
  66. Drastic Times Call For Drastic Measures: When you're extremely desperate, you need to take extremely desperate actions.
    • Example: "The situation is critical—drastic times call for drastic measures."
  67. Drink Like A Fish: To drink very heavily.
    • Example: "He can drink like a fish, always at the bar every weekend."
  68. Drive Someone Up The Wall: To irritate and/or annoy very much.
    • Example: "The constant noise from the construction site is driving me up the wall!"
  69. Dropping Like Flies: A large number of people either falling ill or dying.
    • Example: "After the flu outbreak, people were dropping like flies."
  70. Dry Run: Rehearsal.
    • Example: "We need to do a dry run of the presentation before the actual event."
  71. Eighty Six: A certain item is no longer available, or to throw something away.
    • Example: "They had to eighty-six the old printer after it broke down."
  72. Elvis Has Left The Building: The show has come to an end. It's all over.
    • Example: "The concert is over. Elvis has left the building!"
  73. Ethnic Cleansing: Killing of a certain ethnic or religious group on a massive scale.
    • Example: "The term 'ethnic cleansing' refers to the mass genocide of specific groups of people in history."
  74. Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining: Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
    • Example: "I know you're going through a tough time, but remember every cloud has a silver lining."
  75. Everything But The Kitchen Sink: Almost everything and anything has been included.
    • Example: "He packed everything but the kitchen sink for his vacation!"
  76. Excuse My French: Please forgive me for cussing.
    • Example: "Excuse my French, but that was an awful decision!"
  77. Feeding Frenzy: An aggressive attack on someone by a group.
    • Example: "The media went into a feeding frenzy over the celebrity scandal."
  78. Field Day: An enjoyable day or circumstance.
    • Example: "The kids had a field day at the amusement park."
  79. Finding Your Feet: To become more comfortable in whatever you are doing.
    • Example: "It took a few weeks for him to find his feet at the new job."
  80. Finger Lickin' Good: A very tasty food or meal.
    • Example: "The fried chicken was finger lickin' good!"
  81. Fixed In Your Ways: Not willing or wanting to change from your normal way of doing something.
    • Example: "She's fixed in her ways and refuses to try new methods."
  82. Flash In The Pan: Something that shows potential or looks promising in the beginning but fails to deliver anything in the end.
    • Example: "The new product seemed great, but it was just a flash in the pan."
  83. Flea Market: A swap meet. A place where people gather to buy and sell inexpensive goods.
    • Example: "We spent the afternoon browsing through the flea market."
  84. Flesh and Blood: This idiom can mean living material of which people are made of, or it can refer to someone's family.
    • Example: "He may be my flesh and blood, but I don't agree with his decisions."
  85. Flip The Bird: To raise your middle finger at someone.
    • Example: "He was so angry that he flipped the bird at the driver who cut him off."
  86. Foam at the Mouth: To be enraged and show it.
    • Example: "The fans were foaming at the mouth when their team lost."
  87. Fools' Gold: Iron pyrites, a worthless rock that resembles real gold.
    • Example: "The miners thought they found gold, but it turned out to be fool's gold."
  88. French Kiss: An open mouth kiss where tongues touch.
    • Example: "They shared a passionate French kiss under the stars."
  89. From Rags To Riches: To go from being very poor to being very wealthy.
    • Example: "The young entrepreneur went from rags to riches in just a few years."
  90. Fuddy-duddy: An old-fashioned and foolish type of person.
    • Example: "Stop acting like a fuddy-duddy and join the fun!"
  91. Full Monty: This idiom can mean either "the whole thing" or "completely nude".
    • Example: "He went for the full monty and revealed all his ideas during the meeting."
  92. Funny Farm: A mental institutional facility.
    • Example: "After the breakdown, they sent him to the funny farm to recover."
  93. Get Down to Brass Tacks: To become serious about something.
    • Example: "Let's get down to brass tacks and discuss the real issue here."
  94. Get Over It: To move beyond something that is bothering you.
    • Example: "You need to get over it and move on with your life."
  95. Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed: Someone who is having a horrible day.
    • Example: "He must've gotten up on the wrong side of the bed, he's in such a bad mood."
  96. Get Your Walking Papers: Get fired from a job.
    • Example: "After the poor performance review, he got his walking papers."
  97. Give Him The Slip: To get away from. To escape.
    • Example: "He tried to catch me, but I managed to give him the slip."
  98. Go Down Like A Lead Balloon: To be received badly by an audience.
    • Example: "His new idea went down like a lead balloon at the meeting."
  99. Go For Broke: To gamble everything you have.
    • Example: "They went for broke and invested everything into the startup."
  100. Go Out On A Limb: Put yourself in a tough position in order to support someone/something.
    • Example: "I'm going out on a limb here, but I think we should trust his judgment."
  101. Go The Extra Mile: Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand.
    • Example: "She always goes the extra mile to make her customers happy."
  102. Good Samaritan: Someone who helps others when they are in need, with no discussion for compensation, and no thought of a reward.
    • Example: "He was a true good Samaritan, helping the elderly woman across the street."
  103. Graveyard Shift: Working hours from about 12:00 am to 8:00 am. The time of the day when most other people are sleeping.
    • Example: "He works the graveyard shift at the hospital every week."
  104. Great Minds Think Alike: Intelligent people think like each other.
    • Example: "We both came up with the same idea—great minds think alike!"
  105. Green Room: The waiting room, especially for those who are about to go on a TV or radio show.
    • Example: "The guests are waiting in the green room before the show starts."
  106. Gut Feeling: A personal intuition you get, especially when you feel something may not be right.
    • Example: "I have a gut feeling that something is going to go wrong with this project."
  107. Haste Makes Waste: Quickly doing things results in a poor ending.
    • Example: "He rushed through the project, and sure enough, haste makes waste."
  108. Hat Trick: When one player scores three goals in the same hockey game. This idiom can also mean three scores in any other sport, such as 3 home runs, 3 touchdowns, 3 soccer goals, etc.
    • Example: "She scored a hat trick in the match, leading her team to victory."
  109. Have an Axe to Grind: To have a dispute with someone.
    • Example: "He has an axe to grind with his colleague over the promotion."
  110. He Lost His Head: Angry and overcome by emotions.
    • Example: "During the argument, he lost his head and said some things he later regretted."
  111. Head Over Heels: Very excited and/or joyful, especially when in love.
    • Example: "She was head over heels for him after their first date."
  112. Hell in a Handbasket: Deteriorating and headed for complete disaster.
    • Example: "The company's financial situation is hell in a handbasket right now."
  113. High Five: Slapping palms above each other's heads as a celebration gesture.
    • Example: "They exchanged a high five after winning the game."
  114. High on the Hog: Living in luxury.
    • Example: "After the promotion, he was living high on the hog with his new car and mansion."
  115. Hit The Books: To study, especially for a test or exam.
    • Example: "I need to hit the books tonight if I want to pass the exam."
  116. Hit The Hay: Go to bed or go to sleep.
    • Example: "I'm exhausted, I think it's time to hit the hay."
  117. Hit The Nail on the Head: Do something exactly right or say something exactly right.
    • Example: "You hit the nail on the head with your suggestion to improve efficiency."
  118. Hit The Sack: Go to bed or go to sleep.
    • Example: "I'm so tired, I think it's time to hit the sack."
  119. Hocus Pocus: In general, a term used in magic or trickery.
    • Example: "He used a little hocus pocus to make the card disappear."
  120. Hold Your Horses: Be patient.
    • Example: "Hold your horses, we haven't even started yet."
  121. Icing On The Cake: When you already have it good and get something on top of what you already have.
    • Example: "The bonus was the icing on the cake after such a successful year."
  122. Idle Hands Are The Devil's Tools: You are more likely to get in trouble if you have nothing to do.
    • Example: "Make sure to keep the kids busy, because idle hands are the devil's tools."
  123. If It's Not One Thing, It's Another: When one thing goes wrong, then another, and another...
    • Example: "I’ve been dealing with car troubles all week—if it’s not one thing, it’s another!"
  124. In Like Flynn: To be easily successful, especially when sexual or romantic.
    • Example: "He was in like Flynn after impressing her with his charm."
  125. In The Bag: To have something secured.
    • Example: "The victory was in the bag once they scored that last point."
  126. In The Buff: Nude.
    • Example: "He was caught in the buff after he forgot to lock the door."
  127. In The Heat Of The Moment: Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.
    • Example: "He said some harsh words in the heat of the moment during the argument."
  128. In Your Face: An aggressive and bold confrontation.
    • Example: "She was always in your face with her opinions, no matter what."
  129. It Takes Two To Tango: A two-person conflict where both people are at fault.
    • Example: "They were both responsible for the misunderstanding—it takes two to tango."
  130. It's A Small World: You frequently see the same people in different places.
    • Example: "I ran into my old college roommate in a coffee shop—it's a small world!"
  131. Its Anyone's Call: A competition where the outcome is difficult to judge or predict.
    • Example: "The final game is anyone's call, both teams are in great form."
  132. Ivy League: Since 1954 the Ivy League has been the following universities: Columbia, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Harvard.
    • Example: "He got accepted into an Ivy League school—what an accomplishment!"
  133. Jaywalk: Crossing the street (from the middle) without using the crosswalk.
    • Example: "He got a ticket for jaywalking because he didn’t use the crosswalk."
  134. Joshing Me: Tricking me.
    • Example: "Are you joshing me, or did you really forget my birthday?"
  135. Keep An Eye On Him: You should carefully watch him.
    • Example: "Keep an eye on him, he tends to get into trouble."
  136. Keep body and soul together: To earn a sufficient amount of money in order to keep yourself alive.
    • Example: "He works two jobs just to keep body and soul together."
  137. Keep your chin up: To remain joyful in a tough situation.
    • Example: "Even though things are tough, keep your chin up and stay positive."
  138. Kick The Bucket: Die.
    • Example: "Unfortunately, his grandfather kicked the bucket last night."
  139. Kitty-corner: Diagonally across. Sometimes called Catty-Corner as well.
    • Example: "The store is kitty-corner from the park."
  140. Knee Jerk Reaction: A quick and automatic response.
    • Example: "Her knee jerk reaction was to defend herself, even though she knew it wasn’t necessary."
  141. Knock On Wood: Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid some bad luck.
    • Example: "I've never had a car accident—knock on wood!"
  142. Know the Ropes: To understand the details.
    • Example: "He’s new here, but soon he’ll know the ropes."
  143. Last but not least: An introduction phrase to let the audience know that the last person mentioned is no less important than those introduced before him/her.
    • Example: "Last but not least, I'd like to thank my parents for their support."
  144. Lend Me Your Ear: To politely ask for someone's full attention.
    • Example: "Lend me your ear for a moment, I have something important to tell you."
  145. Let Bygones Be Bygones: To forget about a disagreement or argument.
    • Example: "After the heated discussion, they decided to let bygones be bygones."
  146. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie: To avoid restarting a conflict.
    • Example: "It’s been years since they argued, let sleeping dogs lie."
  147. Let The Cat Out Of The Bag: To share a secret that wasn't supposed to be shared.
    • Example: "She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party."
  148. Level Playing Field: A fair competition where no side has an advantage.
    • Example: "We need to ensure there’s a level playing field for all the contestants."
  149. Like a chicken with its head cut off: To act in a frenzied manner.
    • Example: "She was running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get everything done."
  150. Liquor Someone Up: To get someone drunk.
    • Example: "They tried to liquor him up at the party, but he didn’t drink much."
  151. Long in the Tooth: Old people (or horses).
    • Example: "She’s getting a bit long in the tooth, but still very active."
  152. Loose Cannon: Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not kept in check.
    • Example: "He’s a loose cannon, always causing trouble when he gets angry."
  153. Make No Bones About: To state a fact so there are no doubts or objections.
    • Example: "He made no bones about his opinion on the matter."
  154. Method To My Madness: Strange or crazy actions that appear meaningless but in the end are done for a good reason.
    • Example: "You may not understand it, but there's a method to my madness."
  155. Mumbo Jumbo: Nonsense or meaningless speech.
    • Example: "The salesman was talking mumbo jumbo to try and sell the product."
  156. Mum's the word: To keep quiet. To say nothing.
    • Example: "I know you're excited about the surprise party, but mum's the word until tomorrow!"
  157. Nest Egg: Savings set aside for future use.
    • Example: "They've saved a nice nest egg for their retirement."
  158. Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You: Don't hurt anyone that helps you.
    • Example: "He betrayed his mentor—never bite the hand that feeds you."
  159. New kid on the block: Someone new to the group or area.
    • Example: "I’m still getting to know everyone; I’m the new kid on the block."
  160. New York Minute: A minute that seems to go by quickly, especially in a fast-paced environment.
    • Example: "In a New York minute, everything changes on the streets."
  161. No Dice: To not agree. To not accept a proposition.
    • Example: "They offered me a deal, but I said no dice."
  162. No Room to Swing a Cat: An unusually small or confined space.
    • Example: "This office is so cramped—there’s no room to swing a cat!"
  163. Not Playing With a Full Deck: Someone who lacks intelligence.
    • Example: "She’s not playing with a full deck if she thinks that’s going to work."
  164. Off On The Wrong Foot: Getting a bad start on a relationship or task.
    • Example: "Their first meeting started off on the wrong foot, but they eventually worked things out."
  165. Off The Hook: No longer have to deal with a tough situation.
    • Example: "You're off the hook for this assignment, we found another solution."
  166. Off the Record: Something said in confidence that the one speaking doesn't want attributed to him/her.
    • Example: "This is off the record, but I think we need to make some changes."
  167. On Pins And Needles: Anxious or nervous, especially in anticipation of something.
    • Example: "She was on pins and needles waiting for the test results."
  168. On The Fence: Undecided.
    • Example: "I'm still on the fence about whether to accept the job offer."
  169. On The Same Page: When multiple people all agree on the same thing.
    • Example: "It’s important that we’re all on the same page before we move forward."
  170. Out Of The Blue: Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs.
    • Example: "He showed up out of the blue after years of no contact."
  171. Out On A Limb: When someone puts themself in a risky situation.
    • Example: "She went out on a limb by supporting the controversial decision."
  172. Out On The Town: To enjoy yourself by going out.
    • Example: "We went out on the town last night and had a great time."
  173. Over My Dead Body: When you absolutely will not allow something to happen.
    • Example: "You’re going to let them take over this place? Over my dead body!"
  174. Over the Top: Very excessive.
    • Example: "The decorations at the party were a bit over the top."
  175. Pass The Buck: Avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else.
    • Example: "Stop passing the buck and take responsibility for your actions."
  176. Pedal to the metal: To go full speed, especially while driving a vehicle.
    • Example: "We had to pedal to the metal to catch up with the rest of the group."
  177. Peeping Tom: Someone who observes people in the nude or sexually active people, mainly for his own gratification.
    • Example: "He was caught being a peeping Tom while spying on his neighbors."
  178. Pick up your ears: To listen very carefully.
    • Example: "Pick up your ears, I’ve got some important news to share."
  179. Pig In A Poke: A deal that is made without first examining it.
    • Example: "Don't buy that old car, you’re just getting a pig in a poke."
  180. Pig Out: To eat a lot and eat it quickly.
    • Example: "We went to the buffet and really pigged out!"
  181. Pipe Down: To shut up or be quiet.
    • Example: "Pipe down, everyone’s trying to work!"
  182. Practice Makes Perfect: By constantly practicing, you will become better.
    • Example: "Don’t give up—remember, practice makes perfect!"
  183. Pull the plug: To stop something. To bring something to an end.
    • Example: "We had to pull the plug on the project because it was going nowhere."
  184. Pulling Your Leg: Tricking someone as a joke.
    • Example: "Don’t believe him, he’s just pulling your leg!"
  185. Put a sock in it: To tell a noisy person or a group to be quiet.
    • Example: "Will you put a sock in it? We’re trying to have a conversation."
  186. Queer the pitch: Destroy or ruin a plan.
    • Example: "He really queered the pitch by revealing our strategy to the competition."
  187. Raincheck: An offer or deal that is declined right now but willing to accept later.
    • Example: "I can’t join you for lunch today, but I’ll take a raincheck."
  188. Raining Cats and Dogs: A very loud and noisy rainstorm.
    • Example: "We had to cancel the picnic because it was raining cats and dogs."
  189. Ring Fencing: Separated usual judgment to guarantee protection, especially project funds.
    • Example: "The project budget was ring-fenced to ensure it couldn’t be used elsewhere."
  190. Rise and Shine: Time to get out of bed and get ready for work/school.
    • Example: "Rise and shine, it’s a new day to conquer!"
  191. Rome Was Not Built In One Day: If you want something to be completely properly, then it's going to take time.
    • Example: "I know it’s tough, but remember, Rome wasn’t built in one day."
  192. Rule Of Thumb: A rough estimate.
    • Example: "As a rule of thumb, allow 30 minutes for each meeting."
  193. Run Out of Steam: To be completely out of energy.
    • Example: "I was doing great until I ran out of steam halfway through the project."
  194. Saved By The Bell: Saved at the last possible moment.
    • Example: "I thought I was going to fail the test, but I was saved by the bell when time ran out."
  195. Scapegoat: Someone else who takes the blame.
    • Example: "He was made the scapegoat for the team's mistakes."
  196. Scot-free: To escape and not have to pay.
    • Example: "She got off scot-free despite her involvement in the issue."
  197. Sick As A Dog: To be very sick (with the flu or a cold).
    • Example: "I can’t come to work today, I’m as sick as a dog."
  198. Sitting Shotgun: Riding in the front passenger seat of a car.
    • Example: "I called shotgun, so I get the front seat!"
  199. Sixth Sense: A paranormal sense that allows you to communicate with the dead.
    • Example: "She had a sixth sense about the situation, always knowing what would happen next."
  200. Skid Row: The rundown area of a city where the homeless and drug users live.
    • Example: "After losing his job, he ended up on skid row."
  201. Smell A Rat: To detect someone in the group is betraying the others.
    • Example: "I smell a rat—someone’s been leaking information to the competition."
  202. Smell Something Fishy: Detecting that something isn't right and there might be a reason for it.
    • Example: "Something smells fishy about that deal—they’re hiding something."
  203. Son of a Gun: A scamp.
    • Example: "That son of a gun tricked me out of my money!"
  204. Southpaw: Someone who is left-handed.
    • Example: "He’s a southpaw, so his pitching style is hard to predict."
  205. Spitting Image: The exact likeness or kind.
    • Example: "She’s the spitting image of her mother when she was young."
  206. Start From Scratch: To do it all over again from the beginning.
    • Example: "We lost all the data, so we’ll have to start from scratch."
  207. The Ball Is In Your Court: It is your decision this time.
    • Example: "I’ve done my part, now the ball is in your court."
  208. The Best Of Both Worlds: There are two choices and you have them both.
    • Example: "With this new job, I get the best of both worlds—flexible hours and a great salary."
  209. The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall: While the bigger and stronger opponent might be a lot more difficult to beat, when you do, they suffer a much bigger loss.
    • Example: "The bigger they are, the harder they fall—our underdog team won the championship!"
  210. The Last Straw: When one small burden after another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw is the last small burden that one can take.
    • Example: "The last straw was when he insulted my family—after that, I walked out."
  211. The Whole Nine Yards: Everything. All of it.
    • Example: "We’re going all out for the wedding—flowers, cake, photographer—the whole nine yards!"
  212. Third Time's A Charm: After no success the first two times, the third try is a lucky one.
    • Example: "I didn’t get the job on the first two tries, but third time’s a charm!"
  213. Tie The Knot: To get married.
    • Example: "They’ve been together for years, and now they’re finally tying the knot."
  214. Til The Cows Come Home: A long time.
    • Example: "She could talk about that subject til the cows come home."
  215. To Make A Long Story Short: Something someone would say during a long and boring story in order to keep his/her audience from losing attention. Usually, the story isn't shortened.
    • Example: "To make a long story short, I ended up losing my wallet and missing the bus."
  216. To Steal Someone's Thunder: To take the credit for something someone else did.
    • Example: "She stole my thunder by announcing her promotion before I had a chance to."
  217. Tongue In Cheek: Humor, not to be taken seriously.
    • Example: "His tongue-in-cheek comments made everyone laugh at the meeting."
  218. Turn A Blind Eye: Refuse to acknowledge something you know is real or legit.
    • Example: "The manager turned a blind eye to the safety violations in the workplace."
  219. Twenty Three Skidoo: To be turned away.
    • Example: "We tried to enter the club, but we got the twenty-three skidoo from the bouncer."
  220. Under The Weather: Feeling ill or sick.
    • Example: "I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’ll stay home and rest."
  221. Up A Blind Alley: Going down a course of action that leads to a bad outcome.
    • Example: "The project is going up a blind alley if we don’t change our strategy."
  222. Use Your Loaf: Use your head. Think smart.
    • Example: "Use your loaf! That’s not going to work."
  223. Van Gogh's Ear For Music: Tone deaf.
    • Example: "He can’t carry a tune—he’s got Van Gogh’s ear for music."
  224. Variety Is The Spice Of Life: The more experiences you try, the more exciting life can be.
    • Example: "I love trying new hobbies—variety is the spice of life!"
  225. Wag The Dog: A diversion away from something of greater importance.
    • Example: "The news about the scandal was just a wag the dog, distracting from the bigger issue at hand."
  226. Water Under The Bridge: Anything from the past that isn't significant or important anymore.
    • Example: "We had a disagreement, but it’s water under the bridge now."
  227. Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve: To openly and freely express your emotions.
    • Example: "She wears her heart on her sleeve, always sharing how she feels."
  228. When It Rains, It Pours: Since it rarely rains, when it does, it will be a huge storm.
    • Example: "I broke my phone, and then my car broke down—when it rains, it pours!"
  229. When Pigs Fly: Something that will never ever happen.
    • Example: "Sure, I’ll believe that when pigs fly!"
  230. Wild and Woolly: Uncultured and without laws.
    • Example: "The frontier was wild and woolly, with little order or control."
  231. Wine and Dine: When somebody is treated to an expensive meal.
    • Example: "He knows how to wine and dine his clients to seal a deal."
  232. Without A Doubt: For certain.
    • Example: "She is without a doubt the best candidate for the job."
  233. X Marks The Spot: A phrase that is said when someone finds something he/she has been looking for.
    • Example: "After searching for hours, x marks the spot, and we found the treasure."
  234. You Are What You Eat: In order to stay healthy, you must eat healthy foods.
    • Example: "If you want to stay fit, remember—you are what you eat."
  235. You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover: Decisions shouldn't be made primarily on appearance.
    • Example: "He might look serious, but you can’t judge a book by its cover—he’s actually very funny."
  236. You Can't Take It With You: Enjoy what you have and not what you don't have, since when you die, you cannot take things (such as money) with you.
    • Example: "He’s always obsessed with making money, but you can’t take it with you when you go."
  237. Your Guess Is As Good As Mine: When you don't know the answer to something.
    • Example: "Do you know when the meeting starts?" "Your guess is as good as mine!"
  238. Zero Tolerance: No crime or lawbreaking behavior is allowed or tolerated.
    • Example: "The school has a zero tolerance policy towards bullying."

Common Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

Prefixes

Prefixes are groups of letters added at the beginning of a word to change its meaning. They often alter the meaning of the base word in a significant way.

  • Un-: Not, opposite of (e.g., unhappy, undone)
  • Re-: Again, back (e.g., rewrite, replay)
  • Pre-: Before (e.g., preview, prehistoric)
  • Dis-: Not, opposite of (e.g., disagree, disconnect)
  • Sub-: Under, below (e.g., submarine, subterranean)

Suffixes

Suffixes are groups of letters added to the end of a word to change its form. They can change a word's part of speech or modify its meaning.

  • -able: Capable of (e.g., manageable, readable)
  • -ness: State or quality (e.g., happiness, sadness)
  • -ful: Full of (e.g., joyful, beautiful)
  • -ly: Characteristic of (e.g., quickly, kindly)
  • -ment: Action or result (e.g., development, management)

Roots

Roots are the core part of a word that carries its fundamental meaning. Understanding the root of a word helps in determining the meaning of other words derived from it.

  • Bio: Life (e.g., biology, biography)
  • Chron: Time (e.g., chronology, synchronize)
  • Geo: Earth (e.g., geography, geology)
  • Phon: Sound (e.g., phonics, telephone)
  • Logy: Study of (e.g., psychology, biology)