Idioms and Phrases Explained

Idioms and Phrases with Explanations and Examples

• Read between the lines: Understanding someone's true feelings or intentions based on what they say or write. Example: She said she's happy, but reading between the lines reveals she's upset.

• Through thick and thin: Supporting someone or staying with them through problems or difficulties. Example: A true friend will be there through thick and thin.

• Go back to square one: Starting a plan over from the beginning because a previous attempt failed. Example: The board didn't approve our plan, so we have to go back to square one.

• From scratch: Starting something completely new, with nothing to begin with. Example: My family started this business from scratch.

• Shoot oneself in the foot: Saying or doing something that could cause problems. Example: I shot myself in the foot when I agreed to stay late tonight.

• Right off the bat: Immediately at the very beginning. Example: You can't expect to feel confident speaking right off the bat.

• In the bag: Certain to be achieved or obtained. Example: Jane has the promotion in the bag.

• Hot air: Something insincere that won't have practical results. Example: The advertisement claimed I would lose 20 lbs in 20 days, but it was hot air.

• Follow in someone's footsteps: Doing the same thing as someone else previously did; often a family member, friend, or mentor. Example: She followed in her father's footsteps and became an engineer.

• Call a spade a spade: Telling the truth about something, even if it's unpleasant. Example: Let's call a spade a spade. This company discriminates against women.

• In the same boat: Being in the same difficult situation as someone else. Example: We both lost money in the stock market. We're in the same boat.

• Pick someone's brain: Asking someone for their opinion or to share their knowledge about a subject. Example: I'd love to buy you coffee and pick your brain sometime

• Bounce an idea off someone: Sharing an idea to get feedback. Example: Can I bounce a few ideas off you before the meeting today?

• The devil's in the details: Something seems simple but the details are complicated and could cause problems. Example: The contract is only one page, but the devil's in the details.

• The pot calling the kettle black: Criticizing someone for a fault that you also have. Example: Jack is always late and gets mad at me for being late, but he's always late.

• Take a backseat: Choosing not to have responsibility in an activity. Example: My team is organizing a conference, but I'm taking a backseat.

• Up for grabs: Available and ready to be won or taken. Example: Is Sue's office up for grabs?

• Put something on ice: Delaying something or reserving it for future use. Example: Let's put the conference on ice until the summer.

• Bite off more than you can chew: Trying to do something too difficult. Example: We took on three projects this month. I think we bit off more than we can chew.

• Throw caution to the wind: Doing something without worrying about the risks. Example: I threw caution to the wind and quit my job.

• One's cross to bear: An unpleasant or painful situation that one has to deal with. Example: Losing our company's biggest client was my cross to bear.

• Keep an eye on something/someone: Watching or taking care of something/someone. Example: Will you keep an eye on the project while I'm at the conference?

List of Adjectives (A-Z)

• Adaptable: Willing and able to change to suit different conditions.
• Adept: Skilled at something.
• Adventurous: Willing to try new or different things.
• Affectionate: Showing feelings of liking or love.
• Ambitious: Having a strong desire for success.
• Artistic: Able to create or enjoy art.
• Assertive: Confident in expressing one's opinions.
• Attentive: Helpful and caring towards others.
• Authentic: Real and true; not pretending.
• Approachable: Friendly and easy to talk to.
• Balanced: Considering all sides or opinions equally.
• Bright: Smart, intelligent, learns quickly.
• Broad-minded: Willing to accept different behaviors, opinions, and lifestyles.
• Candid: Honest and truthful.
• Cheerful: Happy and positive.
• Chill: Relaxed, not worried or anxious.
• Clever: Smart, intelligent, learns quickly.
• Communicative: Willing to talk to others and share information.
• Compassionate: Sympathetic to others, wanting to help those in need.
• Competitive: Wants to win and enjoys competition.
• Charismatic: Well-liked, well-admired, able to easily influence others.
• Considerate: Caring about and respecting others.
• Constructive: Helpful and meant to improve performance.
• Coy: Intentionally not revealing complete information.
• Courageous: Able to control fear in challenging situations.
• Creative: Producing or using unique or original ideas.
• Curious: Interested in learning about the world around them.
• Dependable: Deserving of trust and confidence.
• Determined: Wants something badly and is unwilling to give up.
• Direct: Communicates honestly and straightforwardly.
• Dynamic: Has many ideas, energetic and forceful.
• Easygoing: Relaxed and doesn't get easily upset.
• Eclectic: Consisting of many different types or styles.
• Emotional: Expressing strong feelings.
• Energetic: Full of energy.
• Enthusiastic: Interested in and eager for something.
• Extroverted: Enjoys being with other people.
• Exuberant: Energetic and happy to be alive.
• Fearless: Free from fear.
• Flexible: Able to change or be changed based on the situation.
• Forgiving: Forgives easily.
• Fruitful: Producing good results.
• Frank: Honest and sincere.
• Fun-loving: Enjoys having fun.
• Gregarious: Likes being with other people.
• Genuine: Real and exactly as they appear.
• Honorable: Honest and fair.
• Humble: Modest and shows low self-worth.
• Handy: Skilled with hands; good at fixing things.
• Imaginative: Able to think of new ideas.
• Inquisitive: Wants to know about many things.
• Impeccable: Perfect, flawless.
• Intuitive: Understanding things through feelings rather than facts.
• Ingenious: Very intelligent or skillful.
• Inviting: Makes you feel welcome.
• Jubilant: Feeling and expressing great happiness.
• Keen: Willing and eager.
• Kind-hearted: Enjoys helping others.
• Lively: Full of energy and enthusiasm.
• Logical: Reasonable based on good judgment.
• Loyal: Providing support in any situation.
• Laudable: Deserving of praise.
• Mature: Acts in a well-developed emotional way.
• Meticulous: Very careful with close attention to detail.
• Marvelous: Very good.
• Nimble: Quick and exact in movements or thoughts.
• Open-minded: Willing to consider different ideas.
• Optimistic: Hopeful.
• Out of this world: Extraordinary, superb.
• Outgoing: Friendly and energetic; enjoys being with others.
• Pensive: Thinking seriously; quiet.
• Proactive: Takes action to change things.
• Perceptive: Good at noticing details.
• Persistent: Continues doing something determinedly.
• Punctual: Arrives or does things at the scheduled time; not late.
• Qualified: Has the skill, knowledge, or ability to do something.
• Riveting: Extremely interesting.
• Renowned: Famous for something specific.
• Ravishing: Extremely beautiful.
• Reverent: Showing great respect or admiration.
• Self-reliant: Relies on one's own skills and abilities.
• Sensible: Having and using good judgment.
• Savvy: Having practical knowledge and skills.
• Supportive: Giving encouragement and approval.
• Sincere: Honest.
• Straightforward: Honest; not hiding opinions.
• Sage: Wise (often used for older people).
• Steadfast: Staying the same for a long time; not changing.
• Tenacious: Unwilling to accept defeat; persistent.
• Thrilling: Very exciting.
• Tender: Gentle, loving, or kind.
• Tactful: Careful not to upset others.
• Upbeat: Positive with future hope.
• Unrelenting: Extremely determined and never weakening.
• Versatile: Able to change easily from one activity to another; can be used in many ways.
• Vibrant: Energetic, exciting, and full of enthusiasm.
• Witty: Funny in an intelligent way.
• Youthful: Having qualities typical of young people.
• Zealous: Enthusiastic and eager.