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
