Redensart
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Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
Example in use: “He was so thoughtful and gave me a box of chocolates for my birthday. I’m really not a big chocolate eater but not wanting...
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It’s not over until the fat lady sings
Example in use: “Great, look our team is leading 2-nil! We are definitely going to win the championship!” “Wait, there’s still five minutes to play. It’s not...
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Let sleeping dogs lie
Example in use: “He looked pretty angry this morning and I was going to ask him if was still angry that I’d been late to work. But...
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Mutton dressed as lamb
Example in use: “I’m going to the hairdresser tonight. What do you think of this new style for me? Or do you think it would be like...
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A stitch in time saves nine
Example in use: “I can’t come out tonight, I’m afraid. I have to stay in and start my tax return paperwork. I know it doesn’t need to...
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Tongue in cheek
Example in use: With her tongue very much in her cheek, and keeping a very straight face, she exclaimed, “Why yes! I DO think Mr Trump would...
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To eat humble pie
Example in use: “She was showing off about how good her department’s sales figures were but I heard that the Sales Manager admitted that they had been...
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To send someone to Coventry
Example in use: “Why is John looking so unhappy?” “Oh ignore him. We’ve sent him to Coventry for refusing to vote with the rest of us about...
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To wear your heart on your sleeve
Example in use: “She’s such an emotional person and really wears her heart on her sleeve. It’s easy to see that she’s upset about the direction of...
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A pretty kettle of fish
Example in use: “Oh no! John and Susan really don’t get on and they’re working on the same project team now. That’s a pretty kettle of fish!...
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Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched
Example in use: “I did so well in that job interview. I can tell that they were really impressed. I’m sure they are going to offer me...
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The pot calling the kettle black
Example in use: “She criticised me for leaving 15 minutes early on Monday! Did you know that I saw her come back from lunch 30 later than...
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To be over the hill
Example in use: “Happy 40th Birthday, Susan!” “Oh, please don’t say that number! I feel so old, I’m totally over the hill!” Meaning: to be old, too old,...
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You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear
Example in use: “The content of this presentation is terrible and completely useless! No matter how good you make these slides look with all your fancy design,...
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To handle someone with kid gloves
Example in use: “Be careful how to speak to Jane today. She just lost her pet dog and is very upset” “Ok, what a shame. Thanks for...
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To feel under the weather
Example in use: “How are you today?” “Not so good. To be honest, I’m feeling a bit under the weather. I hope I won’t be ill for...
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Walking on eggshells
Example in use: “He’s rather sensitive about making mistakes so when I found a major error in his calculations, I had to walk on eggshells to point...
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Out of the frying pan and into the fire
Example in use: “I was really bored in that change management project so I asked my boss to give me another task. He moved me to another...
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To take something with a pinch of salt
Example in use: “He tends to exaggerate about all his achievements and how great he is so I suggest you take it all with a pinch of...
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The hair of the dog
Example in use: “I had rather a heavy night last night and to be honest, I have a bit of a hangover.” “Really? What you need is...
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How long is a piece of string?
Example in use: “He wanted me to tell him how long it was going to take to finish the project. So I asked him, “How long’s a...
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Pigs might fly
Example in use: “When I win the lottery, I’m going to travel around the world first class!” “Yeah! And pigs might fly!” Meaning: something which is totally impossible,...
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Cat got your tongue?
Example in use: “Why are you so quiet today? Has the cat got your tongue? Are you hiding something from me?” Meaning: Comebody has nothing to say which...
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Every cloud has a silver lining
Example in use: “Everyone was shocked when he lost his job. But it brought the whole family closer together and then he got his dream job just...
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Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs
Example in use: “Look, I’m sure you know how to do it and I’m not trying to teach my grandmother to suck eggs, but if you need...
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Sling your hook
Example in use: “Hey! What are you doing over there? Are you trying to steal that chocolate?!? If you don’t sling your hook right away, I’m going...
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Until the cows come home
Example in use: “When will you be finished with that presentation you’ve been working on all week?” “Not until the cows come home! I keep changing my...
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To go Dutch
Example in use: “The whole team went out for something to eat after the meeting. It was a great chance to really get to know each other...
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Every Tom, Dick and Harry
Example in use: “Don’t tell Louise anything you don’t want everyone to know. You know that she can’t keep a secret. Within minutes, she’ll have told every...
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A storm in a teacup
Example in use: “We had a big problem yesterday when a customer complained to the CEO directly about our technician arriving late to an appointment. Of course,...
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As useless as a chocolate teapot
Example in use: “He’s so hopeless! I asked him to organise the refreshments for our team meeting and what a disaster that was! He ordered half as...
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The straw that broke the camel’s back
Example in use: “I didn’t hear my alarm, I tripped over the cat on the way to the shower, my shower gel was empty and then, you’ll...
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Bob’s your uncle
Example in use: “They reset my password, told me to log in again and Bob’s your uncle, I was back in the system and working again!” Meaning: A...
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Off the back of a lorry
Example in use: “I went to the flea market on Saturday and picked up some incredible bargains! I couldn’t believe the prices. How can they sell it...
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The whole kit and caboodle
Example in use: “I wasn’t sure what I needed to take with me for my business trip because I had so many meetings to attend. In the...
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A busman’s holiday
Example in use: “My friend’s a great builder, so I asked him to help us build our new kitchen as a favour. He took time off work...
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Not enough room to swing a cat
Example in use: “I’ve moved into a new flat but unfortunately the kitchen is so small, there’s not enough room to swing a cat! I guess I’ll...
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In a month of Sundays
Example in use: “I need to go through this huge document and proof read it. My boss thinks it will only take me a few hours! Not...
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Everything but the kitchen sink
Example in use: “I told her I was going to travel light for our weekend away. Just a couple of changes of clothes in a trolley. When...
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The bee's knees
Example in use: “Thanks so much for helping me with my presentation! I was so unsure about creating my slides in PowerPoint, but you are really the...
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Curiosity killed the cat
Example in use: “I really wanted to know what had happened but my boss told me that curiosity killed the cat. I think it’s better if I...
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The proof is in the pudding
Example in use: “I have to be honest, I was a little sceptical about the product you recommended. But I was so impressed when I used it....