Vale of Tears: The world in general, envisioned as a sad place; the tribulations of life

"They hadn't asked to come into this vale of tears"

Vicious Circle: A situation in which an attempt to solve a problem makes the original problem worse.

Many people get caught/trapped in a vicious circle of dieting and weight gain.

Victory Lap: Visible public appearances after a victory or accomplishment

Bryan Clay of the United States took a victory lap after winning the Olympic decathlon on Friday.

Virgin Territory: Something that has never been explored, physically or intellectually

We're headed into virgin territory with these new regulations

Vote with One’s Feet: To physically depart from something as a way of showing disapproval

When the price of skiing doubled, tourists voted with their feet and just stopped going.

Waiting in the Wings: Ready to assume responsibilities but not yet active, ready to become a successor

The team has several talented young players waiting in the wings.

Waka-Jumping: Change political parties (said of politicians themselves)

“The may was promised a choice job in the national government in return for waka-jumping.”

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee: Stop deluding yourself

These problems are not going to fix themselves. Voters need to wake up and smell the coffee and elec
someone who will get things done.

Wake Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed: Be grumpy or ill-humored. Generally used in past tense

Dad got up on the wrong side of bed, and he’s been grumpy all day.

Walk on Eggshells: To have to act very sensitively in order to avoid offending someone

If you're sick you don't want people treating you differently, and you really

don't want people walking on eggshells around you.

Walk the Plank: Be forced to resign a position

The person who's embezzling money from the company will have to walk the plank once their identit
y is discovered.

Wandering Eye: A tendency to look at and desire women or men other than one’s committed romantic
partner

His wife wasn't willing to tolerate his wandering eye.

Wandering Eye: A tendency to look at and desire women or men other than one’s committed romantic
partner

Wash Your Hands of (Something): Decline to take further responsibility; refuse to be involved with
something anymore

She couldn't wait to wash her hands of the whole project.

Water Under the Bridge: Something in the past that’s no longer worth worrying about

Yes, we did have our disagreements but that's water under the bridge now.

Watering Hole: A place where alcoholic beverages are served, a bar

Weekend Warrior: Someone who has an office job but enjoys contact sports on weekends; a member
of a military reserve force (whose exercises are typically on weekends)

The article examines sports-related injuries in weekend warriors.

We’ll Cross That Bridge: When We Come to It We’ll deal with that problem if and when it comes up

I don't know how we'll pay the bills if you quit your job, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to
it

Welsh (Welch) on a Deal: Not observe the terms of an agreement

He welched on his agreement with the club that he would play for them in February

Wet Behind the Ears: inexperienced, immature, new to something

Wet Behind the Ears: Inexperienced, immature, new to something

Wet Blanket: Someone who dampens a festive occasion

Wet Your Whistle: Drink something

They meet ostensibly to discuss politics, but also to wet their whistles with brandy and soda"
What Do You Make of (Him)?: What is your evaluation of this person?

So, Jared has been working here for a week now. He puzzles me. What do you make of him?

What Goes Around Comes Around: The kind of treatment you give to others will eventually return to
you; things go in cycles

You should not mistreat them. What goes around comes around.

What’s Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander: What’s OK for a man is OK for a woman, too

If he can go out with his friends at night, then she should be able to, too. What's good for the goose is
good for the gander.

When Hell Freezes Over: Never

They might give you a pay rise soon. ' 'Yeah, right. When hell freezes over! '

When In Doubt, Leave It Out: When unsure about something, omit it.

A: "Should I take this phrase out of my speech? Do you think listeners will find it offensive?" B: "Why
include anything that could be taken the wrong way? When in doubt, leave it out."

When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do: When you visit a new place, follow the customs of the people
there

I don't drink wine usually but on holiday, well, when in Rome..

When It Rains, It Pours: Problems tend to come in groups.

When Pigs Fly: Never

"I'll have finished it by tomorrow." "And pigs can fly!

When the Chips Are Down: When a situation becomes urgent or difficult

One day when the chips are down, you will know who your true friends are

Where (When) the Rubber: Meets the Road In reality; where an idea meets a real-world test

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way: If you have a strong desire to accomplish something, you will
achieve it even in the face of considerable odds.

Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire: If there is typical evidence of something, the most likely
explanation is that it is actually occurring.

Whisper Sweet Nothings (in Someone’s Ear): Speak meaningless romantic utterances

My ex-boyfriend used to whisper sweet nothings in my ear and then sneak out with his mistress later
!

Whistle in the Dark: To be unrealistically confident or brave; to talk about something of which one has
little knowledge

I waited, trying not to feel as if I were whistling in the dark.

Whistle Past the Graveyard: Remain optimistic despite dangers; be clueless

He shows a confident manner, but he may just be whistling past the graveyard.

Whistling Dixie: Being unrealistically optimistic

You're whistling Dixie if you think we're making the playoffs this year.

White Elephant: An unwanted item that is difficult to sell or dispose of

The stadium is likely to become a white elephant after the championships are over.

Who’s She, the Cat’s Mother?: Why does she have such a high opinion of herself?

Wild Goose Chase: An impossible or futile search or task

After two hours spent wandering in the snow, I realized we were on a wild goose chase.

Window Dressing: A misleading disguise intended to present a favorable impression

The government's effort has amounted to little more than window dressing"

Window Shop: To look at merchandise in a store without intending to buy it

They go to the shopping centre just to window-shop.

Witch Hunt: An organized attempt to persecute an unpopular group of people and blame them for a
problem.

In America, Senator McCarthy led a witch hunt against people suspected of being communists.

With Bells On: Eagerly, willingly, and on time.

"Are you coming to Paul's tonight." "Sure, I'll be there - with bells on."

Work One’s Fingers to the Bone: Work very hard over an extended period
She worked her fingers to the bone to provide a home and food for seven children.

Worn to a Frazzle: Exhausted, completely worn out

By the end of the day, the waitress was worn to a frazzle.

Wouldn’t Be Caught Dead: Would absolutely not allow myself to do this

I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a dress like that – it's like something my grandmother would wear!

Writing (Handwriting) on the Wall: Hints of coming disaster

I haven't lost my job yet, but the writing is on the wall: my company just laid off 50 more people
today