Phrases and Idioms

Meaning

601.

mind - have someone in mind

Thinking about someone.

602.

mind - in/of two minds (be)

Unable to decide on something.

603.

mind - mind over matter

The use of willpower to handle a difficult situation

604.

mind - of one mind (be)

Decide unanimously or share the same opinion.

605.

mind - of sound mind (be)

Posses the ability to think clearly and act responsibly.

606.

mind - set your mind (on)

To finally decide to do something.

607.

mind - to my mind

Used when expressing an opinion.

608.

minute – any minute now

Very soon.

609.

minute - by the minute

As time passes.

610.

mirror - a mirror of

A clear idea of something

611.

miss – Miss Right

The young woman who would make an ideal wife.

612.

miss – miss the boat

Fail to seize an apportunity.

613.

miss – miss the point

Fail to understand the main idea of what is being said.

614.

moment – for the moment

For now; for the time being.

615.

moment – have one’s moments

There’re times when things are better than other times.

616.

moment – moment of truth

A time when an outcome of something is known.

617.

moment – of the moment

At the current time.

618.

moon – over the moon

Greatly delighted.

619.

more – more and more

Increasingly.

620.

more – more or less

Approximately.

621.

mould - break the mould

To change something completely by doing things differently.

622.

mouth – be all mouth

Not doing what one boastfully says one can do.

623.

mouth – watch one’s mouth

To be careful of what one says.

624.

move - make a move

To leave a place; to take action to achieve something.

625.

mover – movers and shakers

People who wield enormous power and influence.

626.

much - a bit much

More than necessary; unfair or unreasonable.

627.

much – not much of  (a)

Not a good example of.

628.

mug – a mug’s game

Something that is likely to be unsuccessful

629.

nail – on the nail

Prompt payment of one’s debt.

630.

name – call someone names

To verbally insult someone.

631.

name – in name only

Does not really exist but officially it is claimed to exist.

632.

near – near at hand

Within easy reach; in the immediate future.

633.

neck – neck and neck

Level in race, competition, etc.

634.

nerve – bundle of nerves

A very tense or worried person.

635.

nerve – have a/the nerve 

To behave rudely or impudently towards someone.

636.

nerve – lose one’s nerve  

Deprived of the ability to be calm and confident.

637.

nerve – touch a raw nerve

Comment on something that someone is sensitive about.

638.

nerve – war of nerves   

Use of hostile propaganda to undermine morale.

639.

never – never day die

Used to urge someone to refuse to despair or give up.

640.

never – never you mind

Used to dissuade someone from asking about something.

641.

next – next to nothing

Very little.

642.

nine – nine days’ wonder

Event, etc. that brings excitement for a short while.

643.

none – none other than

Introducing the surprising someone.

644.

none – none the wiser

Not knowing more at the end than at the beginning of something one does.

645.

nook – nook and cranny

Every part of something or a place.

646.

nothing – come to nothing

Wasted efforts with no effect or result to show.

647.

nothing – have nothing on

Be not wearing anything; be naked.

648.

nothing – nothing doing

Spoken when one refuses to do something.

649.

nothing – nothing less than

Used to emphasize something that is especially relevant.

650.

nothing – nothing to it

Not requiring much effort.

651.

nothing – stop at nothing

Not deterred by anything; having or showing no compassion or morality.

652.

nothing – think nothing of

To consider something as uninteresting or surprising.

653.

now – now and again   

From time to time.

654.

now – now and then

Occasionally.

655.

now – now now

To calm an angry or agitated person down.

656.

nuts – nuts and bolts

The practical details.

657.

nutshell – in a nutshell

Stating the main facts concisely.

658.

odds – odds and ends

Various types of small items of low value

659.

old – an old hand

Someone who has a lot of experience of something.

660.

old – old wives’ tale

A long held traditional belief that is now considered to be baseless.

661.

old - the old country

One’s country of birth and where one is no longer living in.

662.

old – the old days

Times or a period in the past.

663.

old – the old guard

The original or conservative members of an organization, club, party, etc.

664.

one –  one after another

One by one.

665.

one –  one and only

Someone who is known to all; unique.

666.

one –  one or two

A few, a small number of.

667.

one - be as one

To agree about something.

668.

one – one and all

Everyone.

669.

one – one by one

Someone or something that moves singly in succession.

670.

open - an open invitation

East accessibility to people to visit, to steal, etc.

671.

open – an open mind

A mind accessible to new arguments or ideas.

672.

open - be open with

Speak frankly to.

673.

open – in open court

In a court of law that is open to the public.

674.

open – in the open

Outdoors.

675.

open – the heavens opened

It began to rain heavily.

676.

order – in order that

So that.

677.

order – in order to

With the purpose of doing

678.

order – in short order

Without delay; immediately.

679.

order – out of order

No longer working/working properly.

680.

other –  one’s other half

One’s spouse.

681.

other –  the other place

The other world.

682.

other – in other words

Used to make an idea, etc. easier to understand.

683.

other – the other woman

A married man’s mistress.

684.

out – out and about

Go about one’s routine.

685.

out – out with it

Used to tell someone to say out what they are thinking.

686.

out – out-and-out

Utter, complete

687.

outside - an outside chance

A small possibility of something happening.

688.

outside - at the outside

At the most.

689.

outside - on the outside

The outward appearance of a person.

690.

over – over against

Adjacent to; compare to; in contrast to.

691.

over – over and above

In addition to.

692.

over – over and out

Used to indicate one has finished transmitted a message.

693.

over – over and over

Repeatedly.

694.

over – over the hill

No longer young; past one’s prime of life and beginning to decline.

695.

over – over the moon

Every happy or delighted.

696.

pace – keep pace with

Move or advance at the same rate.

697.

pain - for one’s pains

For one’s efforts in doing something but not getting a fair return.

698.

pain – on/under pain of

On/under punishment of.

699.

pair - the happy pair

Newly married couple.

700.

part – part and parcel

Essential part of