Idiom

Black and white – two sides that are extremes; right or wrong, or good or bad, with nothing in between

Fine line – a very subtle distinction between two different things

Right under one’s nose – in plain view; in a place where something or someone might be easily noticed

Plug – quickly advertise for free

No ifs, ands, or buts about it – absolutely no excuses, without any doubt, dissension, or variance

Can’t see the forest through the trees – can’t see real important things

See something in a whole new light – to view or understand something from a different perspective

Change one’s tune – to change one’s attitude

Keep someone in the dark – do not tell someone

Rule out – cross off at the list. Eliminate something

Have it both ways – to have two things at the same time that are incompatible with each other

Up in the air – uncertain; unknown; undecided

Pros and cons – the advantages and disadvantages

Head over heels in love – love so much and so happy

Get something/someone off one’s mind – to try to stop thinking about something

Look like a million bucks – to look very good; to be attractive and well-dressed

Feel ten feet tall – to feel happy, fortunate, and self-confident

Where I stand – what is my position, relationship

Promise the moon – to promise someone something that is impossible

Be put on a pedestal – everybody thinks somebody is great

Lay it on thick – to flatter or praise someone excessively

Breathing room – to have freedom from excessive control of one’s time and attention

No strings attached – expect nothing. Just do it for you

Give me a ring – give me a call

Slip one’s mind – to forget something

Blow it – make a mistake. Screw up by my fault

In over one’s head – involved in something that is too difficult, complicated, or dangerous for one to handle easily

Right around the corner – imminent; about to happen; in the near future

Get something off the ground – get something started or running smoothly

Odd are – according to statistics

Cut corners – to compromise on quality; to do something poorly or incompletely; to take shortcuts

Keep a level head – to think calmly and rationally; to not panic

Till the cows come home – till the evening. For a very, very ling time

Open a can of worms – to create a whole new set of problems to deal with

Throw in the towel – to give up, quit

Cross that bridge when one comes to it – to deal with a situation or a problem when one has to, and not before

Off the top of one’s head – to think of something without looking it up or trying hard to figure it out

Make one’s mark – to have a significant impact on something

Hands down – absolutely, with no question

Strike a chord – really make me think; to seem familiar

Ahead of one’s time – wonderful new product

Put one’s name on the line – to risk losing one’s reputation. Believe something strongly to rescue somebody

Warm up to – to accept and come to like something that one at first doesn’t like

Corner on the market – have power

Flash in the pan – someone or something that experiences fleeting and transitory fame or popularity

Feather in one’s cap – and accomplishment of which one can be very proud

Wipe out – eliminate

Save face – to preserve one’s good reputation or dignity after doing something that may potentially damage that reputation

Uphill battle – a very difficult task

Stop something in its tracks – to stop something or someone very abruptly or forcefully

Miss the boat – to lose a chance or opportunity to do something, often because one’s response is too late or slow

Take it out on someone – to act in a mean, angry, or hostile way toward someone, even if it is not that person’s fault that you are angry

Sitting duck – someone in a vulnerable or unguarded position who is unaware of the danger of the situation

Too close to comfort – dangerously close

Slip through one’s finger – to be lost or to narrowly escape without one knowing how

Not have a prayer – to have no chance at all

Bite off more than one can chew – to try to do more than one is capable of

Bring to one’s knees – to incapacitate; to severely weaken the power of someone; defeat someone not only physically but mentally

Have an edge – have an advantage

Put one’s best foot forward – to try one’s best; to try to make a good impression

Let someone down – to disappoint someone

Tow the line – to do exactly what is expected; to follow orders

Take something in stride – to accept a difficult situation and move on

Stick one’s neck out – to take a risk for someone

Bend over backwards – to make an extreme effort

Get something off the ground – to make something start