Phrases and Idioms

Meaning

901.

state – state of emergency

Dangerous situation in which a government assumes absolute power.

902.

state – state of grace

Having been forgiven for sins committed while alive.

903.

state – state of mind

The way one feels.

904.

stay – stay of execution

A delay in obeying a judicial order.

905.

stay – stay the course

To endure in spite of difficulties to the end of a race, etc.

906.

steal – steal a kiss

To kiss someone who has not expected it.

907.

steal - steal a march

To start earlier so as to gain an advantage over others.

908.

steal – steal someone’s heart

Win someone’s love.

909.

steal – steal someone’s thunder

To pre-empt someone’s action to achieve or impress by acting first so as to gain praise or attention.

910.

steal – steal the show

To divert praise and attention to oneself.

911.

steam – get/pick up steam

To gradually gather momentum.

912.

steam – let off steam

Get rid of excess strong emotion by doing vigorous activity.

913.

steer – steer clear of

To avoid or ignore someone or something.

914.

stiff – stiff upper lip

Uncomplaining or showing courage in difficult situation.

915.

stock – on the stocks

Under construction; in preparation.

916.

stock – out of stock

Not immediately available for sale or distribution.

917.

stock – take stock of

Review or assess a situation.

918.

stomach - a strong stomach

Able to see or do unpleasant things without feeling sick or upset.

919.

stone - a stone’s throw (away)

A very short distance away

920.

strapped – strapped for cash

Not having or short of money.

921.

straw - the last straw

The last of a series of problems which becomes unbearable making one give up, react, etc.

922.

stretch – at a stretch

Continuously without a pause or break.

923.

stretch – at full stretch

Using everything that one has

924.

stretch – stretch a point

To do or go beyond the usual limit.

925.

strike – strike the eye

To become particularly noticeable.

926.

striking – within striking distance

Close to something or an achievement.

927.

string – pull the strings

To be in control of affairs, events, etc.

928.

strong – one’s strong point

Something that one is very good at.

929.

sundry - all and sundry

Everyone.

930.

swallow – swallow one’s pride

Do what one feels uncomfortable or embarrassed to do by intentionally disregarding one’s feelings.

931.

swing – in full swing

Reaching the highest point of activity.

932.

swing – swing the balance

Influence the result of something.

933.

sword – sword of Damocles

Constant threat or danger.

934.

sync – in/out of sync

Working well/badly together.

935.

table - turn the tables

Turn a disadvantage into an advantage

936.

table - under the table

Illegal and secret payment of money in exchange of a favour; bribery.

937.

take – on the take

Taking bribes.

938.

take – take a joke

Able to tolerate being teased or made fun of.

939.

take – take one’s time

Not acting hurriedly.

940.

take – take that

Used to say to someone when hitting them.

941.

talk - be all talk

Much talking, without action, about doing something.

942.

talk – now you’re talking

Used to express agreement with someone’s good idea.

943.

talk – talk sense into

To persuade someone to be sensible.

944.

talk – talk the talk

To convince, persuade or impress by talking.

945.

test – test the water

To seek opinions, views or feelings before taking action.

946.

thin – thin on top

Balding.

947.

thrill – thrills and spills

Exciting and pleasant experience.

948.

thumb - under someone’s thumb

Under someone’s domination or influence.

949.

tickle - be tickled pink

To be extremely amused or pleased.

950.

tickle – tickle someone’s fancy

To make someone interested in something.

951.

time - ahead of time

Happens sooner than expected or the scheduled time.

952.

time – behind the times

Not aware of or using the latest ideas or techniques.

953.

time - take one’s time

Not in a hurry.

954.

time – time will tell

The result or the truth will be known in the future.

955.

tit - tit for tat

Retaliation against someone who has done something bad to you.

956.

tongue – hold one’s tongue

To stop or told to stop speaking.

957.

tongue – tongue in cheek

With humorous insincerity.

958.

tongues - speak in tongues

Speak in an unknown language during a religious worship.

959.

tooth - tooth and nail

With all one’s might

960.

toss – give a toss

Care about something at all.

961.

toss – take a toss

Fall off a horse.

962.

toss – toss one’s cookies

Vomit.

963.

touch – out of touch

Not having good understanding of something; lacking up-to-date information.

964.

touch – touch a nerve

To bring up a sensitive subject.

965.

touch - touch-and-go

A situation with a possible but uncertain outcome.

966.

track – keep track of

Follow development of; to be fully aware of something.

967.

track – off the track

Derailed; deviated from the subject in question.

968.

trail – trail one’s coat

Deliberately provoke a quarrel or fight.

969.

trial – trial and error

Make repeated attempts or conduct varied experiments until the most successful one is determined.

970.

trice – in a trice

Very quickly.

971.

tried – tried and tested

A successfully proven way of doing something.

972.

true – out of true

Not accurately or exactly positioned or out of alignment.

973.

true – true to form

Matching one’s expectation.

974.

true – true to life

Matching reality.

975.

turn - at every turn

All the time; every time.

976.

two – two cents worth

Someone’s opinion.

977.

up - be up on

To be well informed about something.

978.

upper - on one’s uppers

Very poor.

979.

use – use and wont

Established custom.

980.

vale - vale of tears

This world as regarded as a place of great sorrow and difficulties.

981.

walk – walk of life

The type of job a person does.

982.

walk – walk on eggshells

To exercise utmost caution in one’s words and actions.

983.

walk – walk one’s talk

Used to mean one’s actions must suit one’s words.

984.

wanting - be found wanting

Discovered to be inadequate for a particular purpose.

985.

wear - wear the breeches

Domination of the husband by the wife.

986.

wet – wet one’s pants

Become extremely excited or scared.

987.

wet - wet one’s whistle

To have an alcoholic drink.

988.

wheel – behind the wheel

driving a vehicle.

989.

wheel – wheel and deal

Involve in unscrupulous political or commercial schemes.

990.

wheel – wheels within wheels

Situation of extreme complexity.

991.

wild – in the wild

In an uncultivated or uninhabited region; a wilderness.

992.

wild – wild and woolly

Lacking good manners

993.

wild - wild goose chase

Hunt for something that does not exist or is not worth hunting for.

994.

win – win the day

Be victorious in a battle, argument, etc.

995.

wink – in a wink

Very quickly; any moment now.

996.

word - a good word

Words in commendation of someone.

997.

word - have a word

To speak briefly.

998.

word - word of honour

Binding engagement or a promise.

999.

word - words fail me

Too shocked or surprised to say anything.

1000.

world – the outside world

Existing away from a place or area; the rest of the world.