Showing 24 of 3,697 lessons.
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”