Redensart
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
17.06.2021Example 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...
It’s not over until the fat lady sings
12.05.2021Example 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...
Let sleeping dogs lie
07.04.2021Example 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...
Mutton dressed as lamb
29.03.2021Example 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...
To feel under the weather
10.03.2021Example 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...
A stitch in time saves nine
08.03.2021Example 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...
Walking on eggshells
02.03.2021Example 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...
Tongue in cheek
28.01.2021Example 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...
To eat humble pie
11.01.2021Example 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...
To send someone to Coventry
07.12.2020Example 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...
To wear your heart on your sleeve
10.11.2020Example 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...
A pretty kettle of fish
10.09.2020Example 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!...
Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched
13.08.2020Example 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...
The pot calling the kettle black
20.07.2020Example 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...
To be over the hill
01.06.2020Example 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,...You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear
14.05.2020Example 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,...
To handle someone with kid gloves
20.04.2020Example 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...
Out of the frying pan and into the fire
19.02.2020Example 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...
To take something with a pinch of salt
07.01.2020Example 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...
The hair of the dog
16.12.2019Example 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...
How long is a piece of string?
14.11.2019Example 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...
Pigs might fly
03.10.2019Example 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,...Cat got your tongue?
17.09.2019Example 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...Every cloud has a silver lining
06.08.2019Example 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...
Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs
22.07.2019Example 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...
Sling your hook
04.06.2019Example 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...
Until the cows come home
14.05.2019Example 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...
To go Dutch
01.05.2019Example 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...
Every Tom, Dick and Harry
17.04.2019Example 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...
A storm in a teacup
11.03.2019Example 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,...
As useless as a chocolate teapot
21.02.2019Example 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...
The straw that broke the camel’s back
01.02.2019Example 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...
Bob’s your uncle
07.01.2019Example 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...Off the back of a lorry
03.12.2018Example 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...
The whole kit and caboodle
12.11.2018Example 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...
A busman’s holiday
02.10.2018Example 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...
Not enough room to swing a cat
13.09.2018Example 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...
In a month of Sundays
20.08.2018Example 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...
Everything but the kitchen sink
02.07.2018Example 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...
The bee's knees
04.06.2018Example 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...
Curiosity killed the cat
07.05.2018Example 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...
The proof is in the pudding
04.04.2018Example 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....