idiom meaning example sentence

all ears fully listening Give me a minute to finish my work and

break a leg good-luck Today's the big game, eh? Break a leg!

cold feet nervous just before a big event My sister didn't get cold feet until she put
her wedding gown on.

cost an arm and a leg be very expensive These cakes are delicious, but they cost an
arm and a leg.

cry your heart out cry very hard I cried my heart out when my best friend
moved away.

face the music meet, stand up to unpleasant I stayed out all night. When I eventually got
consequences, for example home. I had to face the music from my wife.
criticism or punishment

(my) flesh and blood relative I have to hire Mia. She's my own flesh and
blood.

get something off one's tell someone your problems Thanks for listening to me complain about
chest my boss. I just needed to get this off my
chest.

give a hand, lend a hand help (someone) do something I can give you a hand when you move if you
like.
have one's head in the be unaware or unrealistic about Amy has her head in the clouds if she thinks
clouds something she's going to pass her exams without
studying.

head over heels deeply in love My brother is head over heels for his new
girlfriend.

head start an earlier start The kids gave Anthony a head start in the
bicycle race because he was the youngest.

in over one's head taking on a task that you can't I was in over my head when I agreed to
handle babysit the triplets and the dogs.

keep an eye on take care of, watch in order to I'll keep an eye on the dinner while you're
protect on the phone.

keep one's chin up try to be cheerful Keep your chin up. I'm sure you'll make
some friends soon.

learn by heart, know by memorize I learned my multiplication tables by

let one's hair down relax, have fun Go to the cottage and let your hair down this
weekend.

(my) lips are sealed promise to keep a secret Don't worry, I won't tell your mother how
much you spent. My lips are sealed.

makes my blood boil makes me very angry It makes my blood boil when people don't
tie up their dogs.

neck of the woods nearby location or region I heard that they might be opening a post
office in our neck of the woods soon.
(an) old hand an experienced person My uncle's an old hand at car repair. He'll
know what the problem is.

over my dead body not unless I'm dead and can't My daughter wants a tattoo. I told her she'd
stop you get one over my dead body.

pat on the back recognition or a thank-you The party organizers deserve a pat on the
back for a job well done.

play something by ear do something without a plan We don't know if the weather will be good
enough for camping. We'll have to play it
by ear.

pull one's leg joke or tease someone I was just pulling your leg. I'm not really a
police officer.

rule of thumb basic rule (not always The rule of thumb is that the students wear
followed) black pants and white shirts.

see eye to eye agree The couple don't see eye to eye on how to
train their pets.

(by the) skin of one's teeth just barely I passed my exam by the skin of my teeth.

stick your neck out help someone a lot, with I stuck my neck out for Bessie when she
possible bad consequences for was thrown out of her house.
oneself

sweet tooth a love of sugar or sweet things I need three spoonfuls of sugar in my tea. I
have a sweet tooth.

thick in the head not very intelligent I'm a bit thick in the head when it comes to
reading a map.
wash one's hands of stop dealing with an issue or I'm washing my hands of Mary's addiction.
something problem She is going to have to get some
professional help.