TALKING IDIOMS: Basic Word List

Idiom Explanation
a couch potato someone who spends a lot of time watching TV
a piece of cake something very easy to do
a stone's throw near something
all in a day's work activities that you do on a regular basis
as pretty as a picture be beautiful
be on cloud nine be very happy
beat around the bush avoid talking about something directly
best of both worlds a situation where you get the benefits of two
different things
break someone's heart make someone sad because you don't love them
child's play easy to do
come out of your shell become less shy and more friendly and talkative
come to blows disagree so much that you start fighting with the
other person
could eat a horse be very hungry
dog-eat-dog usually used in business, where people will do
whatever it takes to succeed
down and out a homeless person
for a song very cheaply
get a bite to eat eat a light meal
get something off the ground get a big project started
get the ball rolling get something started
have a ball have a good time
have a lot on your plate have a lot of work to do
have a soft spot for someone like someone or something very much
have the upper hand have the advantage over someone else
have your work cut out have a hard task or many tasks to complete
in hot water in trouble
in over your head involved in something too difficult to handle
in the pipeline something that is in process or being planned
in the red when you owe money
keep an eye on watch closely

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 Idiom Explanation
keep your head above water try hard to survive, usually applies to having enough
money
make your blood boil make you very angry
mix business with pleasure mix work with enjoyable activities
not your cup of tea something you don't like or aren't interested in
on a roll when things are going very well; having a lot of
success
on the ball be quick and smart
over the moon very happy about something
paint the town red go out and celebrate
play something by ear do something without a plan
pull a few strings use your influence to get what you want
put your feet up have a rest after working hard
put your foot down say no to something
put your money where your mouth is to support something you think is important
raining cats and dogs raining very heavily
red tape formal processes that make getting things done
difficult and slow
see eye to eye agree
see red become very angry
see the light understand something
take a break stop working for a while
take a cat nap a short sleep during the day (like a short siesta)
take somewhere by storm someone or something that is very successful
and popular
tie the knot get married
under your nose easy to find
walk on air be very happy
win-win when a situation is good for everyone involved

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