Phrases and Idioms

Meaning

501.

killing - make a killing

To make a large profit in a short time.

502.

kind – of a kind

Scarcely worthy of what is specified or described.

503.

kiss – kiss of death

A kindly act which produces negative outcome

504.

kiss – kiss of life

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

505.

kiss – kiss someone’s arse

To be excessively slavish or obedient to someone.

506.

knife - under the knife

Having a surgery.

507.

knock – knock it off

Used to tell someone to stop doing something.

508.

know – know by heart

Have learned something by rote and now able to repeat it from memory.

509.

know – know no bounds

Have no limits.

510.

know – know one’s onions

Be experienced in or knowledgeable about something.

511.

know – know one’s stuff

Be fully acquainted with something.

512.

know – know the ropes

To have experience in or familiar with something.

513.

know – know what’s what

Have the necessary experience, ability or knowledge to do something successfully.

514.

large - in large part/measure

Mostly; to a great extent.

515.

latest - at the latest

No later than the time referred to.

516.

law – law and order

A situation in which people are abiding by the law.

517.

lead – lead someone astray

To influence someone to act or behave in a wrong way.

518.

least – at the very least

At the minimum; adopting the most negative stance.

519.

least – least of all

Not less than; if nothing else;

520.

least – not in the least

Not at all.

521.

lend – lend an/one’s ear

listen sympathetically to someone.

522.

lend – lend weight to

To put more value on something.

523.

letter - to the letter

Pay close attention to every detail.

524.

liberty – take liberties with

To conduct oneself in an improper manner towards; to deal with rules, writing, etc. without due consideration to facts.

525.

liberty – take the liberty

To do something without permission.

526.

lick – at a lick

Very fast.

527.

lick – lick one’s wounds

To think carefully and seriously about one’s defeat or disappointment that has just happened.

528.

lick – lick someone’s boots

More than willing to serve or please others.

529.

lie – lie in state

Display of an important deceased person’s body in a public place for people to pay their last respect.

530.

life – come to life

To become exciting, or lively; to start working again.

531.

life – for dear life

Do whatever one can to escape death.

532.

life – full of life

Very lively and happy.

533.

life – larger than life

Someone who attracts a lot of attention due to an exceptional personal attribute they possess.

534.

life - way of life

The way people choose to live their lives.

535.

light – bring/come to light

To make or become known.

536.

light – throw light on

To clarify things by providing more or new information.

537.

line - along party line

Acting in accordance to the party one belongs to.

538.

line - bring into line

To make to conform

539.

line - fall into line

To conform to the way in which something is done.

540.

line - in line with

In accordance with

541.

line - line of vision

The direction in which an observer looks.

542.

line - on the line

at serious risk, (job, etc.) likely to be lost.

543.

line - out of line

Behaving unacceptably or inappropriately.

544.

lip - pay lip service

express support without action to show it.

545.

lip - read one’s lips

To listen carefully so as to understand what is said.

546.

living - in living memory

That can still be remembered by people.

547.

loiter – loiter with intent

Hang around a place with criminal intent.

548.

long - at long last

Finally; after a long time

549.

loose - on the loose

Having escaped from prison or cage.

550.

lose – lose one’s mind

To become insane.

551.

lose – lose sight of

No longer able to see someone or something; to forget something.

552.

lost – a lost cause

Something that is not likely to be achieved.

553.

lost - be lost on

Refuse to appreciate or accept.

554.

luck – just my luck

Used to express disappointment that something bad has happened to one.

555.

luck – out of luck

Suffering misfortune; having bad luck.

556.

luck – press one’s luck

Take unnecessary risks.

557.

luck – try one’s luck

To attempt something difficult and hope it will succeed.

558.

make – make away with

carry away secretly or illegally.

559.

make – make or break

To be a decisive factor in the success or failure of something or someone.

560.

man – a man’s man

A man who moves around and engages with other men at social functions and in manly activities.

561.

man – be man enough

be strong or brave enough

562.

man – be someone’s man

A man who satisfies fully someone’s requirement.

563.

man - man about town

A man who is socially active.

564.

man - man and wife (be)

To be married.

565.

man - man of God

A deeply religious man or a priest.

566.

man - man of letters

A male writer.

567.

man - man to man

In direct and frank engagement between two men.

568.

man - man’s best friend

A dog.

569.

man - to a man

Without exception.

570.

manner – all manner of

Many different kinds of.

571.

many - a good many

Quite a lot

572.

many – a great many

A fairly large number of.

573.

many – one too many

To be drunk.

574.

mark – leave/make its/a mark

Leave a permanent or significant impression.

575.

mark – make one’s mark

Attain fame or distinction.

576.

mark – mark my words

Used to tell someone to be attentive to what one is saying.

577.

mark – near/close to the mark

Almost accurate; almost on target.

578.

mark – off/wide off the mark

Not correct or inaccurate.

579.

mark – on your marks

Instruction to competitors to correctly position themselves to start a race.

580.

marked - a marked man

Someone who is in danger of being harmed by his enemy.

581.

marriage – marriage of convenience

Marriage for other reasons and not for love.

582.

marry – marry a fortune

Marry a rich heiress.

583.

marry – marry into money

Marry a wealthy person or someone from a wealthy family.

584.

matter - matter of fact (a)

In reality; in fact.

585.

matter - no matter what

One will do something regardless of what happens.

586.

means – beyond one’s means

More than one can afford.

587.

means - by all means

Of course.

588.

means – by any means

At all.

589.

means – by means of

By using something

590.

means – by no means

Not at all.

591.

means – man/woman of means

Man/woman who is rich.

592.

means – within one’s means

Not more than one can afford.

593.

measure - for good measure

Additional input to what is already enough or required.

594.

mend – mend one’s fences

Make peace with someone whom one has offended.

595.

mend – on the mend

Improving in one’s health or a situation.

596.

middle – the middle ground

Something which provides a basis for a discussion, negotiation, meeting, etc. to be carried out.

597.

might – might is right  

Used to say powerful people/countries are free from prosecution/retaliation and so can do what they like

598.

mincemeat - make mincemeat of

To defeat someone totally.

599.

mind – a close mind (have)

Not willing to consider new ideas.

600.

mind – have in mind

Plan, intend