Showing 24 of 3,697 lessons.
chip off the old block
Someone who resembles a direct ancestor, usually the father
“He's A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK”
chip on one's shoulder
To harbor resentment; to have an angry attitude
“He has A CHIP ON HIS SHOULDER”
chip on your shoulder
Holding a grudge; being easily offended
“He has A CHIP ON HIS SHOULDER”
chop chop
Quickly, without delay
“CHOP CHOP.”
chuck a u-ey
To turn around while driving
“Just CHUCK A U-EY and go back.”
circle the wagons
To unite for defense against attack
“The team CIRCLED THE WAGONS”
clean bill of health
A report that someone is healthy
“The system's been given A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH.”
clean slate
To start over; to forget about the past
“Start with A CLEAN SLATE”
clear as a bell
Very clear or easy to understand
“The instructions were AS CLEAR AS A BELL”
clear as mud
Very unclear or confusing
“Your explanation is AS CLEAR AS MUD”
clear the air
Defuse tension, be honest about conflict so as to reduce it
“We need to CLEAR THE AIR, apparently.”
clip someone's wings
Reduce someone's privileges or freedom
“The new rules will CLIP HIS WINGS, hopefully.”
close but no cigar
You are very close but not quite correct
“CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR”
close call
A narrowly avoided accident or problem
“That was A CLOSE CALL”
close to the chest
To keep something secret; to be cautious
“He played his cards CLOSE TO THE CHEST”
close to the vest
To keep something secret; to be cautious
“She's keeping her plans CLOSE TO THE VEST”
closet fan
Someone who secretly supports something
“He's A CLOSET FAN of that team”
cock and bull story
A far-fetched story, probably untrue
“That's A COCK AND BULL STORY”
cold feet
Hesitation before a major decision
“She got COLD FEET before the wedding”
cold shoulder
To deliberately ignore someone
“She gave me THE COLD SHOULDER”
cold turkey
To quit something abruptly and completely
“He went COLD TURKEY on smoking”
collar someone
To detain or arrest someone
“I COLLARED HIM about the missing files.”
come clean
To confess; to admit to wrongdoing
“You need to COME CLEAN”
come hell or high water
No matter what happens
“I'll be there COME HELL OR HIGH WATER”