A Idioms
Idioms Index | A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
about to do something
- on the point of doing something
She was about to leave when the phone rang.
about time
- something that should have happened earlier
It is about time that you returned that book to me.
absent-minded
- forgetful
My grandfather is very absent-minded and often forgets his key.
add up
- seem consistent or reasonable
The things that he said about his boss don't really add up.
ahead of time
- early
We started the meeting ahead of time so we could go home early.
air one's dirty laundry (linen) in public
- make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret
The dinner party became uncomfortable when the host began to air his colleagues' dirty laundry in public.
all along
- all the time
I knew all along that he would not get the promotion.
all at once
- suddenly, without warning
All at once the fire alarm rang so we had to leave the building.
all day long
- the whole day
She has been sitting and waiting for the mail to arrive all day long.
all ears
- eager to listen to someone
Okay, I'm all ears, please tell me about the party.
all in all
- in summary, after considering everything
We had a few problems but all in all the meeting was successful.
all of a sudden
- suddenly, without advance warning
All of a sudden it became cloudy and began to rain.
all right
- okay, satisfactory
She said that it would be all right for me to bring my friend to the party.
all the time
- continually
She asks for money all the time but I don't like to give it to her.all thumbs
- have difficulty fixing things or working with one's hands, clumsy
He is all thumbs when it comes to fixing things around the house.
an arm and a leg
- (cost) a large amount of money
His new car must have cost him an arm and a leg.
apple of one's eye
- one's favorite
His youngest daughter is the apple of his eye.
as a rule
- usually, as a habit
As a rule I usually get up at 7:00 AM every morning.
as far as
- to the extent or degree that
As far as I know he will be here in a few minutes.
ask for trouble
- behave in a way that trouble is likely
He is asking for trouble if he misses another class.
asleep at the switch
- not alert to an opportunity
I think he was asleep at the switch. He didn't even know that the job was available so he never applied for it.
as long as
- provided that, on condition that
As long as you promise to be careful you can borrow my car.
as the crow flies
- by the most direct way, along a straight line between two places
As the crow flies it is about 6 kilometers between my house and my company.
as usual
- most of the time, as is the custom
As usual, she forgot to bring her book to class.
as well as
- in addition to
Please bring your swimming suit as well as your towel.
as yet
- until now, up to the present
As yet, she has not told me about her plans to leave the company.
at cross purposes
- have opposite ways to do something, opposing goals
They are at cross purposes and are always arguing about what to do.
at fault
- be responsible or to blame for something
The truck driver was at fault in the terrible accident.
at first
- at the beginning
At first she didn't want to go to a movie but later she changed her mind.
at first blush
- when first seen, without careful study
At first blush he seemed like a good worker but later we had many problems with him.
at heart
- basically, fundamentally
She is a very nice person at heart although many people dislike her.
at home
- in one's house
I'm sorry but I left my money at home. Can you lend me some money?
at last
- finally, after a long time
I was waiting all morning for her call but at last it came.
at loggerheads
- having a quarrel, opposing each other
We have been at loggerheads over their plans to build a new office complex.at odds
- in disagreement
He has been at odds with his boss over the new sales territory.at someone's beck and call
- always ready to serve somebody
His eldest daughter is always at his beck and call when he spends an evening at home.at the end of one's rope
- at the limit of one's ability to cope
I am at the end of my rope about what to do about my current situation at work.attend to someone
- take care or deal with someone
The doctor attended to the other patient before he got to my mother.
