VOCABULARY

IDIOMS

Created by :

Zahwa Rahmania Putri Jusuf Mooduto 202288203013

Renatha Rumahorbo 202288203007

Siprianus Wuri 202288203015

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTEMENT

FAKULTAS KEGURUAN DAN ILMU PENDIDIKAN

UNIVERSITAS MUSAMUS MERAUKE

Idioms Beginning With G
 gain ground
to become popular, to make progress, to advance.
Example : “The new product gained ground in a very short time.”

 gas up
to fill a vehicle wth gasoline
Example : “I have to stop at the next station to gas up”

 get a life
This is an idiom that indicates that someone's life is boring and pointless and that
they should make their life more interesting.
Example : “Stop complaining! Get a life.”

 get along like a house on fire

If you get along/on like a house on fire with someone, you quickly become friends
and like each other.
Origin
When a house is on fire, it burns quickly and vigorously. The phrase uses this
metaphor to denote a quick establishment of a close friendship between two
people.

One of the earliest uses of the phrase dates back to 1741 in the History of
Frederick II by Thomas Carlyle.
Synonyms of the expression include:
- Get along famously.
- get on well.
- Be friendly.
- Be compatible.
To keep the flame or fire burning is a related phrase. It means to keep the magical
feeling of connectedness and love for each other.
Using fire or flames to indicate love, closeness, or passion is common in English.
For instance, the term "all fired up" refers to a feeling of excitement or passion.
about something. Another expression that refers to fire is to "light someone's fire"
referring to romantic or sexual arousal.

At first, they didn’t like each other but now they get on like a house on fire.
At the party, they got on like a house on fire and just ignored everyone else.
They were introduced to each other, had a few drinks, and got along like a house
on fire.

 get away with something

The phrase get away with something means to do something bad and not get
punished for it.
Example : "You can't get away with your mischief!"

 get in someone's hair

Annoy someone.
Example : "I know that the children get in your hair, but you should try not to let
it upset you so much."

 get into deep water

to be in trouble.
Example : "He got into deep water when he joined that gang."

 get off my back!

The phrase get off my back is an idiomatic expression that means stop annoying
or harassing me.
examples : "Get this foolish girl off my back."
"Get off my back. Stop criticizing me."

 get off the track

To start talking about a different topic, instead of talking about the real one.

The examples : "Instead of discussing the real reasons for their conflicts, they are
getting of the track."

 get on in years
Old; advanced in age.
Example : "Although she's getting on in years, she still looks young."

 get on like a house on fire

said about two people like each other and become very close friends in a very
short time.
Example : "The two ladies are getting on like a house on fire."

 get out of a jam

get out of a bad situation.
Example : "I need some help getting out of a jam."

 get religion
If you get religion, you decide to become religious or to behave in an ethical way
and end one's immoral behavior.
Example : "After the terrible accident he had had, Allan got religion and joined
the church."

 get something down to a fine art

If you get something down to a fine art, you become skilled at it.
The expression is also used with the verb have:
have something down to a fine art
Some other related expressions are:
be good, skilled, talented at something
be able to do something.
have a flair for something.
have a genius for doing something.
be accomplished
be an expert at something

Origin
This idiom refers to 'art' as a skill, especially a skill acquired through practice.
You should practice these equations until you have them down to a fine art.
Teaching English to very young learners is our job - We have it down to a fine art.
We have the organization down to a fine art after long years of experience.
Allan has been doing this job for ten years and he thinks he got it down to a fine
art.

 get something off your chest

To reveal something that is worrying you or making you feel guilty in order to
feel relieved.
Example : "She felt relieved when she got it off her chest. She had felt guilty for
years."

 get the latest

The phrase the latest refers to the most recent development in something (e.g.,
news, fashion, etc.)
The latest may be used a with verbs such as get and discover.
- get the latest.
- discover the latest.
- use the latest.
The idiom the latest mustn't be confused with at the latest which refers to
something that must occur at or before a specific time and not after, as in "he
ought to send the report by 5 am at the latest."
Teachers have to brush up their knowledge by discovering the latest in their field.
They use the latest in medical technology.

 get the picture

If you get the picture, you understand the situation without the need for more
explanation.
Examples : “OK, I get the picture! You don't want to lend me the money I need.”
“Don't say anything more! I get the picture.”
“I got the picture without listening to the whole story.”

 get the sack

to be dismissed from employment.

Example : “Because he was always late, he got the sack.”

 give me five

If you say give me five, you want someone to slap your open hand as a greeting or
to show joy.

Example : "Give me five!" shouted Alan after he scored a goal.

 give somebody a leg up

to help someone to achieve something, especially at work.

Example : “They agreed to give her a leg up.”

 give somebody the elbow

The phrase to give somebody the elbow is an idiomatic expression that means to
end a romantic relationship or a friendship with someone.
Example : “She gave him the elbow because she couldn't bear the way he used to
treat her.”

 give someone the cold shoulder

If you give someone the cold shoulder, you deliberately ignore them.

Other related idioms:

To turn one's back on.

To cut someone dead.

Example : “He gave her the cold shoulder because he was dissatisfied with her
behavior.”

 give the gun

The phrase give it the gun means to make a motor or engine run faster; to speed
up.

Example : “The burglars gave the motor the gun and drove off.”

 give the kiss of life

To give the kiss of life means to help a person who has stopped breathing by
giving them artificial respiration, that is to say, by blowing into their mouth and
pressing their chest.

Example : “He saved a victim of an accident by giving him the kiss of life.”

 give your eye teeth for something

said when you want to have or do something very much.

Example : “She'd give her eye teeth for a straight blond hair.”
  go against the flow

to do the opposite of people do and not accept things as thy are.

Example : “In his last speech, the leader of the opposition went against the flow
and declared that reducing taxes will harm the economy.”

 go back on one's word

If you go back on your word, you break a promise that you have made.

They promised to give us a discount on the new product, but they went back on
their word and asked us to pay the full price.

Example : “I hate to go back on my word, but I won't lend you the money I
promised. The president went back on his word. He didn't lower taxes for lower-
income families. I promised to help. I can't go back on my word.”

 go bananas

to become very angry.

Example : “He went bananas when he heard the news.”

 go by the name

The phrase go by the name of means to be known by a specific name, a name that
is not your real name.

Example : “She goes by the name of Lisa.”

 go home in a box
to die and be shipped home.

Example : “Those soldiers are too young. It's a pitty that they go home in a box.”

 go in one ear and out the other

said about something which is heard and then quickly forgotten.

Example : “Stop talking to him. Whatever you say to him just goes in one ear and
out the other.”

 go steady with someone

To date one person regularly and exclusively.

Example : “Lisa has been going steady with that guy for a year now.”

 go through the roof

become very angry.

Example : “She went through the roof when she realized she had lost everything.”

 go to hell in a handbasket

go to a bad state of affairs quickly.

Example : “He said that all their plans for the project went to hell in a handbasket
because of the recession.”

 go to war (over someone or something)

To declare a war over someone or something.

Example : “The US administration has gone to war over teenagers' pregnancy for
decades in vain.”

 go under the knife

If you go under the knife, you have surgery ( i.e., a medical operation.)

Origin

The phrase "go under the knife" was first recorded in 1880 according to the
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

"The knife" in the phrase may refer to surgical instruments such as scalpels,
scissors, and saws.

Examples : "She is going under the knife tomorrow.

You'd better get other opinions before going under the knife."

"Surgery just wasn't an option for me. I'm terrified of the thought of going under
the knife."

 go viral

If something such as a video, an article, an image goes viral, it spreads rapidly and
widely on the Internet.

Origin

The phrase originates from the late twentieth century. It has become widely used
from the beginning of the twenty-first century.

The term viral is an adjective used to describe something related to or caused by a

virus. When people are contaminated by a virus, the disease spreads fast and
millions of people might be infected.

Very much like viral diseases, going viral involves the spread of information
quickly and widely. Social media have contributed to the rapid spread of
information. Videos of celebrities, cute puppies, articles, blog posts, pictures, and
the like may become viral if liked and shared by people.

Viral marketing is another phrase that uses the concept of the rapid spread of
information. This is a type of advertising that relies on an audience to share the
message of a product or service.

I can’t believe how this poor-quality video went viral.

The image of the princess went viral on social networks.

Within hours the video of the puppy went viral.

 go with the flow

To do what people do and accept things as they are.

Example : “Don't worry too much! Take it easy and go with the flow!”

 God forbid

(also Heaven forbid)said when you hope that something does not happen.

Example : “God forbid that they encounter a problem on their way home.”

 God knows

this idiom means "only God knows." Said when you have absolutely no
knowledge of something.

Example : “God knows what he's going to do after his divorce.”

 God's honest truth

The phrase God's honest truth refers the absolute, unquestionable truth. The idiom
is used to suggest that something is the complete truth.
Example : “His criticism was too harsh on him, but it was simply God's honest
truth.”

 going Dutch

The phrase 'going Dutch' means that each person attending a paid activity should
pay their own expenses.

A similar idiom is 'Dutch treat'

The origin of the phrase

The origin of the phrase 'going Dutch' or 'Dutch treat' goes back to the hostilities
between England and the Netherlands during the 17th century. The phrase has a
negative connotation. It implies that the Dutch were stingy.

Example : Some women prefer to go Dutch on a first date.

Jane: “Who paid for the meal?”

Ann: “We both decided we were going Dutch.”

 golden age

Period of prosperity.

Example : “The golden age of Hollywood.”

 golden opportunity

ideal moment to do something.

Example : “She missed a golden opportunity to prepare herself for a career as a

doctor, when she didn't continue her studies at university.”

 good fences make good neighbors

(also good walls make good neighbors) this means that people should respect
other people's property and privacy and mind their own business.

Example : “Our neighbor should prevent his children from messing up our lawn.
Good fences make good neighbors.”

 green around the gills

If you look green around the gills, you look pale or sick.

Origin

The phrase appeared in the mid-1800s but the origin is unclear.

Gills refer to the organ through which fish breathe. They are normally red not
green. If a fish has green gills, it is probably sick.

A variation of this idiom is green about the gills.

Examples : “There is something wrong with him. He looks green around the
gills.”

“The passengers looked green around the gills after the trip!”

“When she got back from her date, she looked clearly green around the gills.”

 green light

permission to go ahead with something such as a project.

Example : “As a result of the severe drought, the government has given the green
light for importing cereals.”

 green with envy

consumed by envy; envious to the point where it is noticeable to others.

Example : “She was green with envy when she saw my new car.”
  green-eyed monster

envy, jealousy, covetousness

1. "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on."

William Shakespeare

2. “His success aroused the green-eyed monster in his friend.”

 grouse about someone or something

To complain.

Example : “He was grousing about his son's laziness.”

 gum up the works

The phrase gum up the works means to prevent a process, a system or a machine
from working smoothly.

Example : “He is not careful enough and always gums up the works.”

Idioms Beginning with H

 hale and hearty

in a good health.

In spite of her old age, she looks hale and hearty.

 hand in the till

To have one's hand in the till, means to steal from one's employer.
The word till refers to a drawer, small chest, or compartment for money, as in a
store.

Another variation of this idiom is:

have one's fingers in the till.

The boss fired him because he was caught with his hand in the till.

 handle someone with kid gloves

If you handle someone or something with kid gloves, you treat them delicately or
carefully, mainly because of a perceived sensitivity.

The origin of 'handle with kid gloves'

kid gloves were originally made from the skin of a young lamb or goat, a
particularly fine, soft material. These gloves were first associated with aristocracy.
By the end of the 19th century, the phrase ‘handle with kid gloves’ gained a
figurative meaning, that is treating someone or something 'delicately’ or
‘carefully'.

The phrase is contrasted with other expressions containing the term gloves:

- Take off the gloves.

- The gloves are off.

- Handle without gloves.

All the above expressions refer to inflicting harsh treatment to someone or

something.

- He has become so sensitive after his divorce. You need to handle him with kid
gloves.

- Make sure you handle her kid gloves; she is suffering from depression and
anxiety.
  hands are tied

If your hands are tied, you are unable to help, intervene or act.

Another variant of this idiom is:

something has tied someone's hands

I'm sorry. I can't help you. My hands are tied.

The new legislation has tied his hands.

 hat in hand

The phrase hat in hand means to ask someone for a favor with humility.

Another variation of the idiom is cap in hand

She came back hat in hand asking for forgiveness.

 have a chip on your shoulder

The phrase to have a chip on one's shoulder means to be be angry about

something that happened sometimes in the past or to hold a grudge.

The origin of the phrase comes from a north American custom. It became a
convention during 1800s to place a chip on one's shoulder to show that they are
ready for a fight if anyone dares to take the risk.

The New York newspaper Long Island Telegraph reported on 20 May 1830:

"when two churlish boys were determined to fight, a chip would be placed on the
shoulder of one, and the other demanded to knock it off at his peril".
“Although he has become a millionaire, he still has a chip on his shoulder about
not going to university.”

 have a cow

(also have kittens) to be very worried, upset or angry about something

My father had a cow when I stayed out late yesterday.

 have a face like thunder

This idiom is used to describe a person who is angry or upset about something.

She had a face like thunder when she discovered the truth.

 have a leg up on somebody

to have an advantage over someone.

She probably has a leg up on the other students because she is more studious.

 have a lot on one�s plate

This idiom is used to mean that one is very busy and have commitments.

Another variation of this idiom is have too much on one's plate.

Alice : “Are you coming to the party tonight, Jane?”

Jane : “No, I have a lot on my plate right now.”

 have a short fuse

If you have or are on a short fuse, you have a tendency to lose your temper
quickly.
“She is rather a nice and calm person, but whenever her ex-husband calls her,
she finds she is on a short fuse.”

“Don't make him angry! He has got a short fuse!”

 have a whale of a time

The phrase to have a whale of a time means to have an exciting or fun time.

In other words, if you say "I have a whale of a time", this means that you enjoy
yourself very much.

Using the term whale in this idiom is a way of saying to have a big time.

“I had a whale of a time at the party yesterday”.

 have a word with someone

If you have a word with someone, you have a brief conversation with them.

The origin of the idiom

The origin of the idiom dates back to the late 1400s. Later in 1700s, the
expression was used interchangeably with the phrase 'have words with someone',
but now both phrases have different meanings.

Related idioms

have a word in someone's ear.

have a word with oneself.

If your son is a drug addict, have a word with him and offer practical help.

Can I have a word with you?

The principal wanted to have a word with the child's parents.

I have just had a word with Jane. she promised to join us tomorrow.
I think we should have a word.

She knew she was in big trouble when the teacher asked to have a word with her
after class.

 have an axe to grind

to have a strong opinion about something.

“The members of that association have no political axe to grind; they just want to
help the street children.”

 have ants in your pants

The phrase to have ants in your pants is an idiomatic expression that means to be
very excited, restless, anxious or worried about something.

“It's the first time that he dates a girl. That's why he's got ants in his pants.”

 have big ears

to be nosy and listen to other people's private conversations.

Speak quietly. Nancy has big ears you.

 have bigger fish to fry

If you say you have bigger fish to fry, you mean you have more important things
to do.

Other variations of this idiom:

- Have other fish to fry.

- Have better fish to fry.

- Have more important fish to fry.

Origin

This phrase dates from the sixteenth century. It appeared in an early translation of
Rabelais’s Pantagruel (1552) by Motteux. Later, John Evelyn in his Memoirs
(1660) mentions the phrase as follows:

“I fear he has other fish to fry.”

The idiom however is believed to have been in use before these dates and in other
languages although in different wordings. In French, the phrase, ‘avoir d’autres
chats à foutter’ literally means ‘to have other cats to whip’.

- “I can't answer your question. I have bigger fish to fry.”

- “I won't worry about what other people are saying about me. I have bigger fish
to fry.”

 have egg on one's face

The phrase to have egg on one's face means to be embarrassed by something one
has done.

There are different speculations about the origin of the phrase:

1. Because soft-boiled egg was a common breakfast dish, sometimes one would
have accidental runny egg on one's face, causing some embarrassment.

2. When a performance was strongly disliked, the audience would pelt the
performer with things, including raw eggs. This was obviously a source of
embarrassment.

“If the president doesn't keep his promises, he will end up having egg on his
face”.
  Have friends in high places

to know powerful people.

“don’t worry about the problem. I have a friends in high places.”

 Have green fingers

If you have green fingers, you are skilled at gardening.

You can also describe someone as ‘green-fingered’.

This idioms is mainly used in british English. The American version is : “have a
green thumb”

Examples : “I need to do quite a lot of digging and planting very soon, but
unfortunately I don’t have green fingers.”

“My father had a green thumb; he could grow anything”

 have kittens

(also have a cow) to be very worried, upset or angry about something.

“My father had kittens when I stayed out late yesterday”

 have money to burn

to be very rich and spend a lot of money on unnecessary things.

“He seems to have money to burn. He always buys his girlfriend extravagant
things”

 have one's wires crossed

(also get one's wires crossed) to be confused.

“You've really got your wires crossed! You don't know what you are talking
about.”

 have other fish to fry

(Also have bigger fish to fry; have more important fish to fry)to have other things
to do; to have more important things to do.

“I can't answer your question. I have other fish to fry.”

 have something down to a science

said when you are able to manage doing something very well.

“They have the management of the concert down to a science.”

 have the hots for someone

To be strongly sexually attracted to someone.

“He has the hots for her but he can't tell her. He's so shy.”

 have time on your hands

The phrase to have (too much) time on one's hands is an idiomatic expression that
means that one has extra time.

“I don’t have much time on my hands. I’m too busy.”

“You waste too much time watching TV. Since you have time on your hands, start
working out.”

 have to face the music

accept or face the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.

“Leila didn't manage to finish the job on time and had to face the music.”

 have too much on one's plate

The idiom have too much on one's plate means to be too busy.

Another variation of this idiom is have a lot on one's plate.

“I have too much on my plate right now. I can't help you.”

 have words with someone

If you have words with someone, you argue, quarrel, or speak angrily with them.

The origin of the idiom

The origin of the idiom dates back to the late 1700s. The expression was used
interchangeably with the phrase 'have a word with someone', but now both
phrases have different meanings.

Related idioms

have a word in someone's ear.

have a word with oneself.

“She had words with her son over his drug addiction.”

“I had to have words with her about that.”

“If he keeps on behaving like that, I'm going to have words with him.”

“My father often had to have words with me.”

 he that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin
This is a proverb which means that if you intend to marry a woman, first try to
win her mother on your side.

“Listen Joe, if you want to marry Nancy, try to impress her mother first and be
sure that she is on your side. He that would the daughter win, must with the
mother first begin.”

 head over heels

completely in love.

“They fell head over heels for one another at the very moment they met.”

 heart of gold

A person with a heart of gold is a person who is very kind and has a good nature.

It is an idiomatic expression that alludes to gold as a precious metal. In this sense,

a person with a heart of gold refers to someone who has a heart which is valued
for its goodness.

“She is so sweet; she has a heart of gold.”

“He is a good boy with a heart of gold. He would never break her heart.”

 heavy weather

The phrase heavy weather refers to considerable difficulty.

The expression alludes to bad weather at sea.

An variant of this idiom is:

heavy going

See a related idiom:

make heavy weather of something

1. “Because of the recession, I think it's going to be heavy weather for all of us.”
2. “My daughter found mathematics heavy going.”

 help a lame dog over a stile

said about someone who helps people who are in difficulty or trouble.

“You can trust him. He always helps a lame dog over a stile.”

 high man on the totem pole

the most important person in a hierarchy or organization. (Opposite: low man on

the totem pole)

“I want to meet the hign man on the totem pole.”

 high time

If it's high time you did something, it is the appropriate time for it.

“It's high time you began learning how to drive.”

 highway robbery

This expression is used to refer to a price or a fee that is exorbitantly high.

“The price for wine in this restaurant is simply highway robbery”

 highways and byways

major and minor roads.

“They spent their holiday exploring the highways and byways of the country”
  hit a home run

to be successful.

“They hit a home run with their excellent performance in the new play.”

 hit and miss

If something is hit and miss, it is unpredictable and may produce good results or it
may fail altogether.

This idiom is used as an adjective and can be hyphened.

Example:

a hit-and-miss method

another variation of this idiom is:

hit or miss

“The service they offer in this company can be hit-or-miss.”

“The selected books were hit or miss.”

“It is a hit-and-miss affair to find a reliable doctor in this city.”

 hit home

If something hits home, it makes sense or strongly affects or resonates with

someone.

Origin

Some think that the phrase "hit home" is short for "hit a home run", which is a
baseball expression. Hitting a home run means having impressive success. In
baseball, this occurs when the batter has scored more points for his team without
any errors.
However, although the two phrases have some common semantic traits (i.e., they
both refer to something that had the envisioned consequence or that was done
successfully), the usage is very different.

In its literal meaning, hitting home means hitting an intended target. Figuratively,
the phrase refers to something that makes sense and causes some emotional
reaction as in "his criticism hit home."

Alternative phrases include:

- Strike home.

- Strike a chord.

“I don’t think the message really hit home with the crowd.”

“The manager’s remarks in the meeting clearly hit home because everybody
started to make positive changes in their work since then.”

“The president's speech stroke home.”

 hit the ceiling

to become very angry and start shouting.

“He hit the ceiling when he knew the truth.”

 hit the nail on the head

said to describe exactly a situation or a problem.

“I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that the Smiths lack a sense of
cooperation in their family.”

 hit the panic button

(also press or push the button)to panic suddenly.

“Relax! Don't hit the button it's just the wind.”

 hit the road

To begin traveling; to leave a place; to go away.

1. “We've got a long way to go. Let's hit the road to make it by sunset.”

2.” It's time for me to hit the road; it is getting late.”

 hit the roof

to become angry and start shouting.

“The teacher hit the roof when the student was very late again.”

 hitch one's wagon to a star

aspire to do something great or aim high, follow a great ambition.

“he urged his students to hitch their wagons to a star.”

 hold someone accountable (for something)

to consider someone responsible for something.

“I hold you accountable for whatever happens to my daughter.”

 home away from home

(also home from home) a place where you are at ease as if you were at home.

“When I used to visit her, it was really a real home away from home.”
  home free

to be certain of being successful because you have finished the most difficult part.

“Once you hand in the last part of your dissertation, you're home free”

Idioms Beginning With I

 I can't put a name to someone

said when you can't remember someone's name.

“She was my classmate. I remember her face but I can't put a name to her.”

 I could murder something

If you say I could murder something, it means that you really want to eat or drink
something.

“I could murder a pizza.”

 I wasn't born yesterday

If you say you 'I wasn't born yesterday' you mean that you are not stupid enough
to believe anything said to you.

The phrase refers to the fact that wisdom comes as a result of the experiences one
has throughout one's life. If you compare someone to a new born baby, you mean
that they are naive with no experiences with the world.

“You say you would pay me back as soon as possible, but I don't believe you. I
wasn't born yesterday, you know.”

“I am not easy to fool. I wasn't born yesterday.”

“I know he will not change overnight. I am not born yesterday.”

  I'll eat my hat

said to suggest that you will be surprised if something happens.

“If his business becomes successful, I'll eat my hat.”

 I'm a Dutchman

The phrase I'm a Dutchman is used to stress the fact that something is extremely
unbelievable or completely unacceptable.

This idiom is used as a statement of disbelief.

The origin of I'm a Dutchman'

The phrase originates in Anglo-Dutch hostility during the 17th century because of
trade disputes and naval embargoes. This military and commercial rivalry led the
Dutch and the English to insult each other.

In an article published on March 26, 2013, for the Daily Mail, Andrew Alexander
entitled his article 'If this is the last euro crisis', I'm a Dutchman...' highlighting
the fact that the European Union will likely suffer from other major political and
economic crises.

“I heard that Alice will attend the meeting. Well, in that case, I'm a Dutchman.”

“If this boxer wins the match, then I'm a Dutchman.”

“He's going to lie about his secret relationship with that beautiful actress or I'm a
Dutchman.”

“If that's her real eyelashes, then I'm a Dutchman.”

 if the shoe fits, wear it

The phrase if the shoe fits, wear it means if something applies to you, then accept
it.
This expression originated as if the cap fits and dates from the early 1700s.

Lacy: “The teacher says that I need to spend more time with my son.”

Nancy: “Well, if the shoe fits, wear it.”

 if you want peace, prepare for war

The adage if you want peace, prepare for war means that if a country is well
armed and is strong, its opponents will be less likely to attack it.

The general said that believing in disarmament is not a good idea and added: "if
you want peace, you must prepare for war."

 ill-gotten gains

money or other possession gained dishonestly.

“All his ill-gotten gains are hidden somewhere in his bedroom.”

 in a body

said when a group of people do something together.

“The workers went in a body to the boss to ask for higher wages.”

 in a coon's age

The phrase in a coon's age means in a very long time.

The word coon refers to a raccoon, an omnivorous mammal, native to the

Americas.

“She hasn't seen him in a coon's age. She is so happy to meet him again.”
  in a dead heat

said when two or more competitors finish a race or a competition at exactly the
same time or with exactly the same result.

“The two horses finished the race in a dead heat.”

 in a fog

(Also in a haze.)

This idiom is used when someone is confused, dazed, disoriented.

“After he heard the bad news, he was in a fog for a moment.”

 In a nutsheel

In summary.

“The truth in a nutshell is that I know nothing about what they want me to do in
this job.”

 in a split second

The phrase in a split second means in just a very short time.

Origin of in a split second

Literally, if something happens in a split second, it occurs in a fraction of a

second.

The origin of the idiom goes back to about 1880. It refers to a stopwatch with two
second hands, one above the other, used to time several athletes or racing intervals
by a single athlete.

When the expression is hyphenated, it is used as an adjective and means quick:

- a split-second decision.

- a split-second timing.

Synonyms

Similar idioms:

- in the blink of an eye

- in a heartbeat

- in the bat of an eye

- in no time

- in nothing flat

- as quick as a flash

- in a fraction of a second

“Everything was calm. But just in a split second, a storm hit the whole region
causing a lot of victims.”

“In a split second, the bomb exploded and everybody ran away from the area.”

“She got out of the house in a split second, running as fast as she could from the
murderer.”

“With such a girl, in a split second, anything can happen!”

 in bad shape

In bad physical condition.

“Bill is in bad shape. He needs to exercise regularly and go on a diet.”

 in cold blood
The phrase to do something in cold blood is an idiomatic expression that means to
do something without feeling or with cruel intent.

This idiom is frequently used to talk about a crime.

The woman killed her baby in cold blood. It is just horrible.

in front of one’s nose

The phrase in front of one's nose refers to something that is plain, clearly
apparent, or obvious.

A variation of this idiom is:

under one's nose

Here is an example of the idiom in a famous quote by George Orwell:

“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.”

1. The answer to the question was right in front of her nose, but she just couldn't
figure it out.

2. We've been looking for a solution to our financial problems for a long time
while it was right in front of our noses.

3. I searched for my keys for the whole day and finally found them right under my
nose.

4. If they had paid more attention, they would have discovered that the answer to
the riddle was under their noses the whole time.

 in God's name

(also in the name of God, in the name of heaven,in God's name, in heaven's name)
used to add emphasis.

“What in God's name did you do to that poor girl?”

  in name only

(Also, only in name)

The phrase in name only means nominally, not essentially.

“They were married only in name; the fact is that they lived in different
countries.”

 in one's cups

If someone is their cups, they are drunk or in the act of consuming alcohol
liberally.

Origin

The origin of the phrase to be in one's cups is uncertain. However, it seems likely
that the word ‘cups’ refers to cups of wine.

“He couldn't be understood because he was in his cups.”

“She was in her cups when she broke the vase.”

 in plain English

The phrase in plain English is an idiomatic expression that means in clear, simple
language.

“Please, tell me what you mean in plain English.”

“The instructions are too technical. Why don't they write it in plain English?”

 in someone's pocket

The phrase to be in someone's pocket means to be dependent on someone

financially and consequently under their influence.

“The committee must surely have been in his pocket.”

  in the air

said about something that is happening or about to happen.

“Everybody in the company know that change is in the air.”

 in the bag

Certain or extremely likely to occur; assured about the success of somoething.

“Don't worry about the final exam. It's in the bag.”

 in the best of health

very healthy.

“He's in the best health because he exercises regularly and doesn't eat junk
food.”

 in the blink of an eye

If something is done in the blink of an eye, it is done very quickly.

Origin of in the blink of an eye

The phrase was mentioned in the Bible (I Corinthians 15:51-52). (King James
Version). The verse describes what will occur at the end of the world:

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall al be changed—
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will
sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

In the blinking of an eye is a variation of this idiom. It has the same same
meaning.

Synonyms

The following expressions have similar meanings:

- in a split second

- in a heartbeat

- in the bat of an eye

- in no time

- in nothing flat

- as quick as a flash

- in a fraction of a second

“He disappeared in the blink of an eye.”

“This is a computer that does incredible calculations in the blink of an eye.”

“In the blinking of an eye, they lost everything.”

 in the cold light of day

This idiom is used when you see things objectively, clearly and calmly, without
the emotions you had at the time they occurred.

“Later, in the cold light of day, John realized his mistake. But it was too late; the
harm was done.”

 in the dock

To be on trial in court

“The accused stood in the dock.”

 in the eyes of the law

legally.

“In the eyes of the law you are not allowed to treat people like that.”
  in the family way

(also in a family way) pregnant.

“I've heard that Leila is in the family way. Is that true?”

 in the firing line

If people are in the firing line, they are in a situation where they are likely to be
criticized or attacked.

Another variation of this idiom:

To be in the line of fire

It is also possible to say that someone is out of the firing line or out of the line of
fire if they are no more in a situation where they are vulnerable to criticism or
attack.

1. She is sometimes in the firing line because of her daring opinions.

2. The prime minister is in the line of fire due to his latest liberal reforms.

3. The company tried to get out of the firing line by responding favorably to the
demands of the customers.

 in the money

very rich

“He's in the money. He's extremely rich.”

 in the nick of time

The phrase in the nick of time means at the last possible moment, just before it's
too late.

The word nick refers to a notch, cut, or indentation on an edge or a surface.

“I arrived at the train station in the nick of time and took the last train to the
capital city.”

 in the oven

If a woman has one in the oven, it means that she is pregnant.

“She probably has one in the oven.”

 in the pink

healthy.

“He has been in the pink since he decided to go on a diet and exercise regularly.”

 in the same boat

In the same situation; having the same problems.

A: “Can you lend me 100 dollars?”

B: “Sorry,I am broke. I am in the same boat”

 in the wake of

following, as a result of.

“Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigns his position as head of the International

Monetary Fund in the wake of sexual assault charges.”
  in the zone

focused

“He's doing a good job. He's in the zone!”

 in this day and age

In the present.

“In this day and age, horrible crimes are very common occurrence.”

 in tune (with somebody/something)

said when you have a good understanding of someone or something.

“He was in tune with new technologies.”

 in two shakes of a lamb's tail

In a very short time.

“He did the job in two shakes of a lamb's tail.”

 in your dreams

The phrase in your dreams means that you don't believe that something which is
desired by someone will happen.

“Marry a star? In your dreams!”

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.myenglishpages.com/english/vocabulary-lesson-idioms-alphabetical-
order.php?letter=g

https://www.englishclub.com/ref/Idioms/H/

https://www.wordscoach.com/idioms?category=idioms-beginning-with-I