Showing 50 of 1,235 (page 19).
in one fell swoop
Describes something happening all at once or in a single, sudden action
“The company laid off staff IN ONE FELL SWOOP”
in over your head
In a situation that is too difficult for you to deal with
“I'm IN OVER MY HEAD with this project”
in short order
Immediately and without difficulty
“The children got ready IN SHORT ORDER”
in stitches
Laughing a lot or uncontrollably
“The comedian had us all IN STITCHES”
in the air
Something like a mood that everybody can feel
“You could feel the tension IN THE AIR”
in the bag
Certain to be achieved or won; secured
“The contract's IN THE BAG, apparently.”
in the black
Making a profit; not in debt
“Fortunately, our business is IN THE BLACK”
in the dark
Uninformed, a state of ignorance
“The family had been KEPT IN THE DARK”
in the dock
On trial in court, especially in a criminal case
“The accused man was placed IN THE DOCK”
in the doghouse
Regarded with disfavor, especially due to a mistake or wrongdoing
“Tom was IN THE DOGHOUSE all weekend”
in the driver's seat
In control of a situation
“The consumer is IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT”
in the heat of the moment
Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment
“I said it IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT”
in the lap of the gods
Beyond human control; left to fate or chance
“His recovery is now IN THE LAP OF THE GODS”
in the loop
To be aware of the information
“Katy was happy that her friends kept her IN THE LOOP”
in the middle of nowhere
In a very remote place; far from any city or town
“We got lost IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE”
in the nick of time
Just before it is too late; at the last possible moment
“We arrived IN THE NICK OF TIME”
in the pink
To be very healthy
“She's IN THE PINK after her recovery”
in the red
Owing money to the bank; not making a profit
“The company's been IN THE RED for months.”
in the same boat
In the same difficult situation
“We're all IN THE SAME BOAT - we all have the same problem”
iron fist
Exercising strict or harsh control over others
“The dictator ruled with AN IRON FIST”
it is what it is
Accepting a situation as it is, even if it's not ideal
“IT IS WHAT IT IS, and no amount of arguing will change it”
it takes two to tango
Actions or communications need more than one person; both parties are responsible
“IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO, you know”
it's about time
Something should have happened sooner; it is finally happening
“Well, IT'S ABOUT TIME you arrived.”
it's all greek to me
I don't understand anything about this (usually because it's complex or technical)
“This computer manual is ALL GREEK TO ME”
it's not brain surgery
To indicate that a specific task is simple and easy to undertake
“Learning to ride a bike is simple, IT'S NOT BRAIN SURGERY”
ivory tower
A place of intellectual isolation, where experts focus on theory rather than real-world issues
“Professors in their IVORY TOWER often debate theories”
jack of all trades
Someone who can do many different things
“He's A JACK OF ALL TRADES”
jam packed
Very crowded; filled to capacity
“The stadium was JAM PACKED”
jump on the bandwagon
To join others in doing or supporting something because it is fashionable or likely to be successful
“Everyone is JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON”
jump the gun
To act too soon
“He JUMPED THE GUN with the announcement”
jump to conclusions
To make a judgment without having all the facts
“Don't JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS”
just around the corner
Occurring soon
“Summer is JUST AROUND THE CORNER”
just my luck
Used to express bad luck or misfortune (sarcastic)
“JUST MY LUCK, the train's cancelled.”
justice is blind
The law should be applied impartially, without bias
“JUSTICE IS BLIND”
kangaroo court
An unofficial or illegal court
“The villagers held A KANGAROO COURT”
keep a stiff upper lip
Remain determined despite all adversity
“KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP”
keep an eye on
To watch someone or something carefully; to take care of something
“Can you KEEP AN EYE ON my bag?”
keep it simple
Don't make something complicated
“KEEP IT SIMPLE”
keep someone at arm's length
To keep someone at a distance; to avoid becoming too friendly with someone
“She KEEPS everyone AT ARM'S LENGTH”
keep something at bay
To keep something away; to prevent something from approaching
“She's trying to KEEP her worries AT BAY”
keep your chin up
To stay positive and cheerful in a difficult situation
“KEEP YOUR CHIN UP - things will get better”
keep your fingers crossed
To hope for good luck or success
“I'm KEEPING my FINGERS CROSSED for the exam results”
kick the bucket
To die
“The old horse KICKED THE BUCKET”
kill two birds with one stone
To achieve two things with a single action
“I KILLED TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE by going to the bank and post office in one trip”
knock on wood
Said to avoid bad luck
“KNOCK ON WOOD, I haven't gotten sick”
knock your socks off
To amaze or impress someone greatly
“This movie will KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF”
know the ropes
To be familiar with how something works
“She really KNOWS THE ROPES”
labour of love
Work done for pleasure rather than reward
“Restoring the old car was A LABOUR OF LOVE”
last but not least
Finally
“And LAST BUT NOT LEAST, John”
last straw
The final difficulty that makes a situation unbearable
“The rude comment was THE LAST STRAW”