| Idiom/Saying | Explanation |
|---|---|
An anorak For example: "He's got hundreds of old Japanese robots that he insists on showing to anyone who visits. He's such an anorak." |
Used to describe a dull person or an individual with a boring hobby who insists on talking about it. |
| Below the belt. For example: "I think it was a bit below the belt when he lied to her." |
To do something in an unfair or cowardly way. |
To have a bee in your bonnet. For example:- She's got a real bee in her bonnet about that new advertising campaign, she's even phoned the ACA! |
To be obsessed about something. |
| Buckle down. For example: "He realised before the exam that it was time to buckle down to some real work." |
To put in a lot of effort into doing something. |
| To put on your thinking cap. For example: "The economy is in a mess, it's time for everyone to put their thinking caps on." |
To start to think seriously about how to solve a problem. |
| Wolf in sheep's clothing. For example: "I don't trust him, I think he's a wolf in sheep's clothing." |
To pretend to be harmless when your really dangerous. |
Hot under the collar. For example:- "She got very hot under the collar when I told her someone had scratched her car." |
To be very angry. |
| Off-the-cuff. For example: "He made a stupid off-the-cuff remark." |
Without preparation. |
| To dress someone down. For example: "He was given a real dressing down for making such a stupid mistake." |
To tell someone off for doing something bad. |
| Mutton dressed as lamb. For example: "In her mini skirt and short tank top, she looked like mutton dressed as lamb." |
To be dressed too young for your age. |
| Dressed to kill. For example: "She had bought a new outfit and was dressed to kill." |
To make yourself look really good by wearing your best clothes. |
| Dressed up like a dog's dinner. For example: "She was dressed up like a dog's dinner." |
To be overdressed |
| Fit like a glove. For example: "The dress fitted her like a glove." |
Fits very well. |
| To be hand in glove. For example: "They make a great team. They work hand in glove." |
To have an extremely close relationship, especially at work. |
To take the gloves off. For example: They took the gloves off and suspended trading. |
To argue or compete without controlling your actions or feelings. |
To treat someone with kid gloves. For example: After the disappointment of not getting into her preferred university, the teachers treated her with kid gloves. |
To deal with someone very gently or carefully. |
| At the drop of a hat. For example: "If he asked me out I would go at the drop of a hat." |
To make a decision or do something very quickly without thinking about it. |
| Old hat For example: "I've been doing this job for so long it's all old hat now." |
Not new or different. |
| Take one's hat off to someone. For example: "He always works so hard on his English, you have to take your hat off too him." |
To admire or respect someone. |
| Keep something under your hat. For example: "You can trust me, I'll keep anything you tell me under my hat." |
To keep something you are told or know in strictest confidence. |
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| Knickers in a twist. For example: "Dame Kiri Te Kanawa really got her knickers in a twist after being compared to Susan Boyle from the TV reality show." |
To get upset. |
| To air one's dirty linen in public. For example: "The president was embarassed to have his dirty linen aired in public." |
To have your private or personal problems discussed in public. |
| Have ants in your pants. For example: "She never sits still, it's as though she's got ants in her pants." |
To be restless or incapable of sitting still. |
| Burn a hole in one's pocket. For example: "He was never able to save any money, it always burned a hole in his pocket." |
To have money that you just want to spend. |
| Bursting at the seams. For example: "The airport was so busy it was bursting at the seams." |
To be very busy or overcrowded. |
| Keep your shirt on. For example: "Stop shouting, keep your shirt on!" |
Don't lose your temper. |
| Lose one's shirt. For example: "He went to the races and lost his shirt." |
To lose all your money (usually in a business venture or by gambling). |
| Stuffed shirt. For example: "He never has a laugh or a joke, he's a real stuffed shirt." |
To be to rigid or formal. |
| In someone else's shoes. For example: "I hear he is very ill, I would hate to be in his shoes." |
To be in someone elses place or position. |
| On a shoestring budget. For example: "When I went to university I had to live on a shoestring budget." |
To have a very small amount of money for something. |
| Card up your sleeve. For example: "When he grinned like that I knew he had a card up his sleeve. |
To have something in reserve in case it is needed. |
| Roll up your sleeves. For example: "We'll get the job finished if we all roll up our sleeves." |
Prepare to work hard. |
Put a sock in it. For example: |
Used to tell someone to shut up. |
| To be in your birthday suit. For example: "When I walked into the bathroom she was just standing their in her birthday suit!" |
To be completely naked. |
| Wear the trousers. For example: "His wife is always telling him what to do. You can tell who wears the trousers in their house." |
To be the boss of a family or household. |
| Keep it zipped. For example: "He was warned to keep it zipped, or else." |
To keep quiet about something. (Usually with an implied threat.) |
| More idioms and sayings | |
