English Idioms: Face the Music to Feet on the Ground

Face the music
If you have to face the music, you have to accept the negative consequences of something you have done wrong.

Fairweather friend
A fairweather friend is the type who is always there when times are good but forgets about you when things get difficult or problems crop up.

Fall off a truck
If someone tries to sell you something that has fallen of the back of a truck they are trying to sell you stolen goods.

Fall on your sword
If someone falls on their sword, they resign or accept the consequences of some wrongdoing.

Familiarity breeds contempt
This means that the more you know something or someone, the more you start to find faults and dislike things about it or them.

Fat chance!
This idiom is a way of telling someone they have no chance.

Fat head
A fat head is a dull, stupid person.

Fat hits the fire
When the fat hits the fire, trouble breaks out.

Fat of the land
Living off the fat of the land means having the best of everything in life.

Fate worse than death
Describing something as a fate worse than death is a fairly common way of implying that it is unpleasant.

Feather in your cap
A success or achievement that may help you in the future is a feather in your cap.

Feel at home
If you feel relaxed and comfortable somewhere or with someone, you feel at home.

Feel free
If you ask for permission to do something and are told to feel free, the other person means that there is absolutely no problem

Feeling Blue
If you feel blue, you are feeling unwell, mainly associated with depression or unhappiness.

Feet on the ground
A practical and realistic person has their feet on the ground.

English idioms with "Clean"

 1. clean your plate: eat all the food served

2. clean his clock: beat or defeat soundly

3. clean as a whistle: pure or free of involvement in illegal activities

4. a clean bill of health: notification that an entity is in good health or operating condition 

5. clean break: abrupt and complete disassociation

6. clean code: well-written computer-programming code

7. clean conscience: absence of guilt or remorse (also “clear conscience”)

8. clean cut: tidy and well groomed

9. clean getaway: uninterrupted escape

10. clean house: rid an organization of corruption or inefficiency

11. clean (someone or something) out of: remove people or things

12. clean sheet: variant of “clean slate” (mostly used in British English)

13. clean slate: a fresh chance or start 

14. clean sweep: the winning of all competitions or prizes

15. clean the floor up (with someone): beat someone up

16. clean up: make something clean or proper, earn or win a lot of money, reform, or defeat

17. clean up (one’s) act: improve or reform

18. clean out: leave bare or empty, or take or deplete

19. come clean: be honest

20–21. have clean hands/keep (one’s) hands clean: be without guilt

22. keep (one’s) nose clean: stay out of trouble

23. make a clean breast of it: admit the truth

24. squeaky clean: completely clean or incorruptible

25. wipe the slate clean: give someone a fresh chance or start (see “clean slate”)

English idioms from "Eat like a bird" to "Eye for an eye".

 Eat like a bird 

If someone eats like a bird, they eat very little. 

Eat like a horse 

Someone who eats like a horse, eats a lot. 

Eat like a pig 

If some eats like a pig, they either eat too much or they have bad table manners. 

Egg on your face 

If someone has egg on their face, they are made to look foolish or embarrassed. 

Elbow grease 

If something requires elbow grease, it involves a lot of hard physical work.

 Elbow room 

If you haven't got enough elbow room, you haven't got enough space. 

Eleventh Hour 

If something happens at the eleventh hour, it happens right at the last minute. 

Even keel 

If something is on an even keel, it is balanced. 

Every cloud has a silver lining 

People sometimes say that every cloud has a silver lining to comfort somebody who's having problems. They mean that it is always possible to get something positive out of a situation, no matter how unpleasant, difficult or even painful it might seem. 

Every man for himself 

If it's every man for himself, then people are trying to save themselves from a difficult situation without trying to help anyone else. 

Every Tom, Dick and Harry 

If every Tom, Dick and Harry knows about something, then it is common knowledge. 

Every trick in the book 

If you try every trick in the book, you try every possible way, including dishonesty and deceit, to get what you want. 

Explore all avenues 

If all avenues are being explored, then every conceivable approach is being tried that could possibly get the desired result. 

Eye for an eye 

This is an expression where the punishment, sometimes revenge equals the crime.

English idioms starting with "E"

 Each to his own 

Different people have different preferences. 

Eager beaver 

A person who is extremely keen is an eager beaver. 

Eagle eyes 

Someone who has eagle eyes sees everything; no detail is too small. 

Early bird catches the worm 

The early bird catches the worm means that if you start something early, you stand a better chance of success. 

Easier said than done 

If something is easier said than done, it is much more difficult than it sounds. It is often used when someone advises you to do something difficult and tries to make it sound easy.

Easy as pie 

If something is easy as pie, it is very easy indeed. 

Easy come, easy go 

This idiom means that money or other material gains that come without much effort tend to get spent or consumed as easily. 

Eat crow 

If you eat crow, you have to admit that you were wrong about something. 

Eat humble pie 

If someone apologises and shows a lot of contrition for something they have done,they eat humble pie. 

Previous Posts

More English Idioms with Dog

English idioms starting with D

English Idioms using "Dead" part 1

Idioms and Expressions used in Business

English idioms using "CLEAN" part 1

English Idioms using Cash

Email for English classes

English Idioms with D Words

 Drag your feet 

If someone is dragging their feet, they are taking too long to do or finish something, usually because they don't want to do it. 

Draw a blank 

If you try to find something out and draw a blank, you don't get any useful information. 

Draw the line 

When you draw the line, you set out limits of what you find acceptable, beyond which you will not go. 

Dressed to the nines 

If you are in your very best clothes, you're dressed to the nines. 

Drink like a fish 

If someone drinks like a fish, they drink far too much alcohol. 

Drive a wedge 

If you drive a wedge between people, you exploit a small issue so that people start to disagree. 

Drop in the Ocean 

A drop in the ocean implies that something will have little effect because it is small and mostly insignificant. 

Dry as a bone 

If your lawn is as dry as a bone, the soil is completely dry. 

Duck to water 

If you take to something like a duck to water, you find when you start that you have a natural affinity for it. 

Dwell on the past 

If you thinking too much about the past, so that it becomes a problem, is to dwell on the past. 

Previous Posts

More English Idioms with Dog

English idioms starting with D

English Idioms using "Dead" part 1

Idioms and Expressions used in Business

English idioms using "CLEAN" part 1

English Idioms using Cash

Email for English classes

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List of education blogs below the posts.

Idioms like Down and Out

 Done to death 

If a joke or story has been done to death, it has been told so often that it has stopped being funny. 

Doormat 

A person who doesn't stand up for themselves and gets treated badly is a doormat. 

Double whammy 

A double whammy is when something causes two problems at the same time, or when two setbacks occur at the same time.

Double-edged sword 

If someone uses an argument that could both help them and harm them, then they are using a two-edged sword; it cuts both ways. 

Down and out 

If someone is down and out, they are desperately poor and need help. 

Down for the count 

If someone is down for the count, they have lost a struggle, like a boxer who has been knocked out. 

Down in the dumps 

If someone's down in the dumps, they are depressed. 

Down to the wire 

If something goes down to the wire, like a competition, then it goes to the very last moment before it is clear who has won. 

Previous Posts

More English Idioms with Dog

English idioms starting with D

English Idioms using "Dead" part 1

Idioms and Expressions used in Business

English idioms using "CLEAN" part 1

English Idioms using Cash

Email for English classes

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List of education blogs below the posts.

English Idioms starting with Don't

https://english-idioms.blogspot.com/2022/11/english-idioms-starting-with-dont.html

Don't judge a book by the cover 

This idiom means that you should not judge something or someone by appearances, but should look deeper at what is inside and more important.

 Don't look a gift horse in the mouth 

This means that if you are given something, a present or a chance, you should not waste it by being too critical or examining it too closely. 

Don't upset the applecart 

If you are advised not to upset the applecart, you are being told not to disturb the way things are done because it might ruin things. 

Don't hold your breath 

If you are told not to hold your breath, it means that you shouldn't have high expectations about something. 

Don't wash your dirty laundry in public 

People, especially couples, who argue in front of others or involve others in their personal problems and crises, are said to be washing their dirty laundry in public; making public things that are best left private. 

Previous Posts

More English Idioms with Dog

English idioms starting with D

English Idioms using "Dead" part 1

Idioms and Expressions used in Business

English idioms using "CLEAN" part 1

English Idioms using Cash

Email for English classes

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List of education blogs below the posts.

More English Idioms with Dog

A dog and pony show -  is a presentation that has flash or style, but no real content. 

Dog days - dog days are very hot summer days. 

Dog eat dog -  there is intense competition and rivalry, where everybody for yourself. 

Dog tired -  you are exhausted with no energy. 

Dog's dinner - dinner is a real mess -  does not look smell or taste good.

Dog's life  - can be very unfortunate and wretched life A miserably unhappy existence,

Dog-eared  - If a book it is in bad condition, with torn pages, etc. 

Doggy bag -  in a restaurant, they will pack the food you haven't eaten for you to take home. 

Additional D Idioms

Dipstick - is a name for a stupid person, an idiot. 

Do a runner - criminals run out of a restaurant without paying, they do a runner. 

Do their dirty work -  'henchman' or subordinates or fixers carry out the unpleasant or illegal jobs that the boss doesn't want to do. 

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English idioms starting with D

Dark horse - someone or something is a bit of a mystery

Dear John letter - a letter written by a romantic partner explaining why they are ending the relationship is a Dear John letter

Devil's advocate - when someone adopts a position they don't believe in just for the sake of the argument

Devil finds work for idle hands  - means that if people don't have anything to do with their time, they are more likely to get involved in trouble and criminality. 

Devil is in the detail  - means that small things in plans and projects that are often marginalized can cause serious problems or failure

Many more idioms:

"better the devil you know than the devil you don't know"

"the devil looks after his own"

"you have to give the devil his due"

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English Idioms using "Dead" part 1

Dead and buried  - something is settled and is not going to be reconsidered. 

Dead as a dodo or Dead as a Doornail  - something is lifeless.

Dead duck - something is a failure. 

Dead in the water - something isn't going anywhere or making any progress. 

Dead to the world -  someone is fast asleep and completely unaware of what if happening around them.

Dead heat  - in a race that ends with two or more finishing at exactly the same time. 

leave for dead -  to abandon something or someone

dead to rights -  caught in the act of committing a crime.

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dead - adjective - Having lost life; no longer alive.

the dead - noun - We have burials for the dead.

Synonyms: deceased, departed, late, extinct, lifeless

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dead: adverb adjective

1.  quiet and uneventful. The party was totally dead.

2.  very tired. I came home dead from the gym.

3.  dull; lifeless; flat. This hotdog is sort of dead because I am out of mustard.

4.  no longer able to work. My phone is dead.

5.  no longer of any importance. Stop! It’s a dead issue.

Online Business, ESL and English Classes

Online Business, ESL and English Classes

The online classes can be designed for individual students or groups of students. 
Classes use combinations of zoom, whatsapp, facetime, text, voip, email and other platforms. All online teachers are Canadian certified and experienced teachers.

eslincanada@gmail.com

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Idioms and Expressions used in Business

 A fool and his money are soon parted - people who aren't careful with their money lose it or spend it quickly.

Across the board - when a new policy applies to everybody, it applies across the board. 

Ahead of the pack - when your research enjoys more progress than your rivals.

Back burner - If an issue is on the back burner, it is being given low priority. 

Ballpark figure - is a rough or approximate number for a cost or calculation.

Bean counter  - A bean counter is a slang term for an accountant.

Bells and whistles - are attractive features that make products more marketable.

Below par - If something isn't up to standard

Bet your bottom dollar - you can be absolutely sure about a product, service or event.

Online Business, ESL and English Classes

Online classes can be designed for individual students or groups of students. Classes use combinations of zoom, whatsapp, facetime, text, voip, email and other platforms. All ESL in Canada online teachers are Canadian certified and experienced teachers.

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English idioms using "CLEAN" part 1

Idiom Examples

Clean bill of health - when someone has a clean bill of health - there's nothing wrong; everything's fine.

variations:
1. not using drugs; I’ve been clean for more than a month now.
2. sober; not intoxicated with alcohol at the moment. Just being clean for a day is an accomplishment.
3. not breaking any law. I’m clean, officer.
4. not carrying a weapon. I searched him. He’s clean.

Clean as a Whistle - If something is as clean as a whistle, it is extremely clean, spotless. It can also be used to mean 'completely clean'.

variations
1. To remove rubbish: clean a room; clean the house
2. To get rid of  dirt: I used vinegar to clean the windows
3. Having no imperfections or blemishes

Clean slate - If you start something with a clean slate, then nothing bad from your past is taken into account.

variations
1. innocent of any crime.
2. not having a criminal record.
3. carrying or containing no evidence of unlawful activity or intent.


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The online classes can be designed for individual students or groups of students. Classes use combinations of zoom, whatsapp, facetime, text, voip, email and other platforms. Students will be level tested to determine what English skills and vocabulary have been acquired and what instruction should be provided.  A study plan and goals will be set for the students or groups. All online teachers are Canadian certified and experienced teachers.

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English Idioms using Cash

Cash (noun) is defined as: 

1. Money or currency in the form of bills or coins; 

2. Liquid assets including bank deposits and marketable securities.

3. Money paid in currency

Cash (verb) is defined as: 

1. exchange for cash; "I cashed the CREB check yesterday."

2. liquidate - convert into cash; "I had to liquidate my stocks to pay off my credit card"

3. redeem - convert into cash; ie bonds, GIC's

4. exchange, interchange, change - give to, and receive from, one another; 

English idioms that use cash:

cash cow

a cash flow problem

be strapped for cash

become pushed for cash

cash (one's) chips in

cash down

cash flow

cash flow problem

cash in

cash in checks

cash in chips

cash in hand

cash in on (something)

cash in on opportunity

cash in your checks

cash in your chips

cash in your chips

Cash is king

cash market

cash money

cash on delivery

cash on the barrel

cash on the line

cash on the nail

cash only

cash or check

cash or credit

cash out

cash someone out

cash up

cash-and-carry

cashed

cold cash

cold, hard cash

get pushed for cash

hard cash

cash on delivery

pressed for cash

pushed for cash

ready cash

roll in cash

cash on delivery

strapped for cash

take the cash

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The online classes can be designed for individual students or groups of students. Classes use combinations of zoom, whatsapp, facetime, text, voip, email and other platforms. Students will be level tested to determine what English skills and vocabulary have been acquired and what instruction should be provided. A study plan and goals will be set for the students or groups. All online teachers are Canadian certified and experienced teachers.  eslincanada@gmail.com

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English idioms using Cry

 Cry can be a verb or a noun. The other forms of the verb are cries, crying, cried. The plural of the noun is cries. If you cry, tears come out of your eyes because you are unhappy, afraid, or in pain. ... Weep means the same as cry.

cry 

verb - Definition of cry 

transitive verb

1: to utter loudly : SHOUT

He cried "Stop!" but it was too late.

intransitive verb

1: to call loudly : SHOUT

She cried out for help.

2: to shed tears often noisily : WEEP, SOB

The child began to cry after she dropped her ice-cream cone.

3: to utter a characteristic sound or call

heard the seagulls crying

English idioms :

a cry for help

a cry from the heart

a far cry from (something)

a shoulder to cry on

all cry

battle cry

break down and cry

cried all the way to the bank,

to cry(one's) eyes out

to cry (one's) heart out

cry (oneself) to sleep

cry (someone) a river

cry bloody murder

cry crocodile tears

cry for (someone or something)

cry foul

cry from the heart

cry in (one's) beer

cry like a baby

cry like a banshee

cry on (one's) shoulder

cry oneself to sleep

cry over spilled milk

cry the blues

cry wolf,

It's no use crying over spilled milk

kiss and cry

laugh or cry

raise a hue and (a) cry

you'll cry before night

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English idioms using Cut

Cut and dried 

If something is cut and dried, then everything has already been decided.

Cut off your nose to spite your face 

If you cut off your nose to spite your face, you do something rash or silly that ends up making things worse for you, often because you are angry or upset. 

Cut the mustard 

If somebody or something doesn't cut the mustard, they fail or it fails to reach the required standard. 

Cut to the chase 

If you cut to the chase, you get to the point, or the most interesting or important part of something. 

Cut to the quick 

If someone's cut to the quick by something, they are very hurt and upset indeed. 

Cut your teeth on 

The place where you gain your early experience is where you cut your teeth. 

Cutting edge 

Something that is cutting edge is at the "state of the art" in its area.

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Online Business, ESL and English Classes

Online classes use combinations of zoom, whatsapp, facetime, text, voip, email and other platforms. 

Students will be level tested to determine what English skills and vocabulary have been acquired and what new instruction should be provided.  A study plan and goals will be set for the students or groups.  All online teachers are Canadian certified and experienced teachers.  eslincanada@gmail.com

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More English Idioms starting with C

Corner a market - If a business is dominant in an area and unlikely to be challenged by other companies, it has cornered the market. 

Couch potato -  is a derogatory idiom used to describe an extremely idle or lazy person who chooses to spend most of their leisure time horizontal in front of the TV and eats a diet that is mainly junk food. 

Could eat a horse - idiom to indicate that you are very hungry, you could eat a horse. 

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Online Business, ESL and English Classes

The ESL in Canada online classes can be designed for individual students or groups of students. Online classes use combinations of zoom, whatsapp, facetime, text, voip, email and other platforms. Students will be level tested to determine what English skills and vocabulary have been acquired and what new instruction should be provided.  All online teachers are Canadian certified and experienced teachers. eslincanada@gmail.com

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English idioms starting with C

Collateral damage - accidental or unintended damage or casualties are collateral damage.

Collect dust - if something is collecting dust, it isn't being used any more.

Comfort zone - it is the temperature range in which the body doesn't shiver or sweat, but has an idiomatic sense of a place where people feel comfortable, where they can avoid the worries of the world. It can be a physical or mental condition. 

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Online Business, ESL and English Classes

The ESL in Canada online classes can be designed for individual students or groups of students. 

Online classes use combinations of zoom, whatsapp, facetime, text, voip, email and other platforms. 

Students will be level tested to determine what English skills and vocabulary have been acquired and what new instruction should be provided. 

 All online teachers are Canadian certified and experienced teachers.  

eslincanada@gmail.com

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English idioms using cold

Cold feet

If you get cold feet about something, you lose the courage to do it.

Cold fish

A cold fish is a person who doesn't show how they feel.

Cold sweat

If something brings you out in a cold sweat, it frightens you a lot.

Cold turkey

If someone suddenly stops taking drugs, instead of slowly cutting down, they go cold turkey.


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Online Business, ESL and English Classes


The ESL in Canada online classes can be designed for individual students or groups of students.

Online classes use combinations of zoom, whatsapp, facetime, text, voip, email and other platforms.

Students will be level tested to determine what English skills and vocabulary have been acquired and what new instruction should be provided.

All online teachers are Canadian certified and experienced teachers.

Students can use their self-isolation and quarantine time to study English online.

eslincanada@gmail.com

Previous blog posts, education articles, links to information, education services and social media in the right side bar, 

List of education blogs below the posts.

English Idioms that start with C part 4

Clear as mud - something is very confusing or unclear or not easily seen.

 Cliffhanger - a result is so close that it cannot be predicted and will only be confirmed or determined at the very end of event, show or game.

 Cloud nine - on cloud nine - you are extremely happy or carefree.

 Cloud of suspicion - an individual is not believed or distrusted.

 Cloud on the horizon - when you can see a problem ahead.

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Online Business, ESL and English Classes

The ESL in Canada online classes can be designed for individual students or groups of students.

Online classes use combinations of zoom, whatsapp, facetime, text, voip, email and other platforms.

Students will be level tested to determine what English skills and vocabulary have been acquired and what new instruction should be provided.

All online teachers are Canadian certified and experienced teachers.

Students can use their self-isolation and quarantine time to study English online.

eslincanada@gmail.com

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List of education blogs below the posts.

More English Idioms for You

Clean bill of health - idiom to explain there's nothing wrong; everything's fine -

Chip off the old block  - idiom used to describe offspring when they closely resemble one or both of the parents

Chickenfeed - when small money is involved, it is called "chickenfeed" as an insult.

Chew the fat - when you "chew the fat" with someone, you talk at leisure with them

Chew the cud - when you "chew the cud" - you think carefully about something

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Online Business, ESL and English Classes

The ESL in Canada online classes can be designed for individual students or groups of students.

Online classes use combinations of zoom, whatsapp, facetime, text, voip, email and other platforms.

Students will be level tested to determine what English skills and vocabulary have been acquired and what new instruction should be provided.

All online teachers are Canadian certified and experienced teachers.

Students can use their self-isolation and quarantine time to study English online.

eslincanada@gmail.com

Previous blog posts, education articles, links to information, education services and social media in the right side bar, 

List of education blogs below the posts.