Browsing
Idioms starting with A
384 expressions
a boon and a bane
Something that is both a benefit and an affliction.
a bridge too far
A step or action that is too ambitious; an act of overreaching.
a cigar is just a cigar
The matter is simple and straightforward.
a cold day in July
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
a day late and a dollar short
Adverbial use of the adjectival form.
a dime a dozen
So common as to be practically or almost worthless.
a good deal
Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.
a great deal
Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.
a hundred and ten percent
A level of effort beyond what one can usually sustain; great exertion.
a little bird told me
I received the information from a source which I am not prepared to disclose.
a little bit of bread and no cheese
Used to represent the song of the yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella).
a little from column A, a little from column B
A combination of two factors or reasons.
a little of something goes a long way
Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.
a mite
To a small extent; in a small amount; rather.
a notch above
superior to; of a higher quality than
a pound to a penny
Very likely; almost certainly.
a Roland for an Oliver
So as to respond to an action with an equivalent action; tit for tat.
a short drop and a sudden stop
A fall to one's death by hanging.
a week from next Tuesday
Some unspecified time in the future.
a week is a long time in politics
In politics, much change can occur in a short space of time.
a wild goose never laid a tame egg
Most things are inherited and predetermined.
a year and a day
A long time.
Abbot's Priory
King's Bench Prison, a former prison in the south of London.
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
about time
Far past the desired time.
about to
Indicates something that will happen very soon; indicates action that is imminent; ready t…
above and beyond
Doing more than is expected or required.
above board
Openly, without deceit.
above one's bend
Beyond one's power or ability.
above one's huckleberry
Synonym of above one's bend (“beyond one's power or ability”).
above par
Better than the average or normal standard.
above the curve
With above average innovative performance or quality, especially a trailblazer developing …
above the salt
Of high standing or honor.
above water
Out of difficulty, especially financially.
absence makes the heart grow fonder
One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.
abuse of distress
a wrongful using of an animal or chattel distrained, by the distrainer
accident of birth
A fact, situation, or personal characteristic, which may be desirable or undesirable, resu…
accident waiting to happen
A thing or situation which is almost certain to eventually lead to an accident.
according to Cocker
Done properly, correctly and reliably; in accordance with proper procedure and established…
according to Gunter
Synonym of according to Cocker.
according to Hoyle
In strict accordance with the rules, especially of card games; in the proper or expected m…
ace in the hole
Synonym of ace up one's sleeve.
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
acknowledge the corn
To admit to the truth of the point at issue or to a mistake; to cop a plea; or perhaps to …
acquired taste
Something that is appreciated only after having initially been regarded as unappealing or …
across the board
Pertaining to all categories or things.
act of Congress
An authorization that is extremely difficult to obtain, especially in a timely fashion.
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
act out
To perform something specific.
act the hypocrite
To behave deceitfully or hypocritically; to dissemble.
act up
To misbehave; to cause trouble.
Adam Tiler
A pickpocket's accomplice; the person who takes the goods a pickpocket steals and leaves w…
Adam's ale
Water.
add fuel to the fire
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
add insult to injury
To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an already unfavorable situation.
add oil
Synonym of let's go: a cheer of encouragement, support, etc.
add up
To make sense; to be reasonable or consistent.
added value
The positive value difference produced by someone who adds value.
adorn oneself with borrowed plumes
To claim the honor of another for oneself.
adrenaline rush
An event or activity which causes such a state.
adversarial collaboration
Any of a class of study designs in which scientists with conflicting theories work togethe…
Affair Partner
A person with whom one is having an extramarital or unfaithful relationship; the third par…
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
after all
anyway, in any case; indicates a statement is true regardless of other considerations; use…
after one's own heart
Of a person: having the same disposition, feelings, or opinions as oneself.
after the Lord Mayor's show
Said of a disappointing or mundane event occurring straight after an exciting, magnificent…
against all odds
Despite seemingly insurmountable opposition or probability.
against the clock
In a time-restricted manner, to meet a deadline, hurriedly, timed.
against the collar
In a tight spot.
against the grain
Contrary to what is expected; especially, of behavior different from what society expects.
against the law
Forbidden by law.
against the run of play
Contrary to the flow of the game.
against the world
Usually of people, together, as a group, unit, or couple.
age before beauty
A phrase said to allow older people to go before younger ones.
agree to disagree
To accept each other's opinions and cease arguing; to peacefully acknowledge that an agree…
aha moment
The moment or instant at which the solution to a problem, or some other significant realiz…
ahead of one's time
In advance of concurrent commonly accepted ideas; showing characteristics of changes yet t…
ahead of the curve
Changing before competitors.
ahead of the game
Having completed a task before it is due; ready, prepared, or anticipating.
ahead of the pack
Performing better than others.
aim at
To create or design for a particular audience.
ain't what it used to was
Is not what it used to be; (expressing nostalgia).
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
air out
To expose to air; to leave open or spread out, as to allow odor or moisture to dissipate.
air rage
Aggressive, disruptive behaviour on an aircraft.
air sandwich
A strategy that has high-level direction and low-level operations, but little in the middl…
alarums and excursions
Any frantic activity.
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to su…
albatross round one's neck
Alternative form of albatross around one's neck.
alive and kicking
Healthy; vital; in good health, particularly in opposition to unfavorable circumstances.
all along
For the entire time; always.
all and some
one and all
all at once
Unexpectedly; without warning; all of a sudden.
all bark and no bite
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
all bedlam breaks loose
The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.
all bets are off
Indicates that a future event appears uncertain, especially one that before seemed more ce…
all dressed up and nowhere to go
Elaborately attired or otherwise fully prepared for an anticipated situation or activity w…
all duck or no dinner
All or nothing.
all ears
Listening intently; fully focused.
all ends up
Completely; totally.
all eyes
Watching alertly or attentively.
all eyes and ears
Very attentive.
all fingers and thumbs
Of a person, clumsy or awkward.
all fur and no knickers
Synonym of all fur coat and no knickers.
all fur coat and no knickers
Having a superficially positive appearance that is belied by the reality, e.g., superficia…
all good
Is everything alright? You ok? You fine with that?
all hat and no cattle
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
all hat and no cowboy
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
all heart
Motivated by positive emotions, especially as productive of exceptionally generous or kind…
all hell breaks loose
The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.
all holiday
A saying signifying that the business or person spoken of or alluded to is finished, i.e. …
all hollow
As a foregone conclusion.
all in the family
Of a secret, trait, business, or a tradition that is kept within a family, shared among fa…
all it's cracked up to be
As good as claims or reputation would suggest.
all kidding aside
Used to attempt to state a serious point in a jocular conversation.
all mouth and no trousers
Alternative form of all mouth and trousers.
all mouth and trousers
Superficial, engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance.
all of a heap
Into a sudden state of collapse or astonishment.
all one's born days
For or throughout one's whole life.
all one's life's worth
A momentous matter; a very serious risk; a difficult task or situation.
all one's taste is in one's mouth
One lacks good taste in aesthetic or cultural matters.
all out
With maximum effort.
all over
Everywhere; covering completely.
all over bar the shouting
Of an activity where the result is known, but may be subject to change, due to it not bein…
all over but the shouting
Such that the substance of the contest is complete, leaving only the cheering.
all over hell's half acre
All over the place; everywhere.
all over the board
All over the map.
all over the map
Widely scattered or distributed; numerous and differing greatly.
all over the place
In multiple directions or locations, often haphazardly; everywhere.
all over the world
throughout the world, everywhere, worldwide, globally.
all over with
Completely finished; over.
all points of the compass
Every direction; everywhere.
all rights reserved
The copyright holder of a creative work reserves all copyright-related rights, typically i…
all roads lead to Rome
Different paths can take one to the same goal.
all set
Ready, prepared, equipped.
all sixes and nines
In a state of confusion.
all sizzle and no steak
A thing or person which fails to measure up to its description or advance promotion.
all systems go
Everything is ready.
all talk and no cider
All talk and no results.
all that
Very.
all that jazz
Synonym of all that.
all the gear and no idea
Having high-quality, expensive equipment for a risky or difficult activity, without any of…
all the marbles
everything; all that is to be had.
all the rage
Very fashionable and popular, like a craze.
all the same
Anyway; nevertheless; nonetheless.
all the tea in China
Something very valuable or priceless.
all the way to Egery and back
The long way; a roundabout route; a long distance to travel.
all the while
At the same time as, usually over an extended period.
all there
Mentally competent; not absent-minded or insane.
all things considered
Generally speaking; in terms of the big picture.
all things to all people
Someone or something that entirely satisfies the expectations of everyone, no matter how d…
all thumbs
Clumsy; awkward; not dextrous.
all to smash
Ruined; bankrupt.
all told
With everything included, counted, or summed; in total.
all very well
All right to a certain extent, but problematic beyond that, or for other people.
all wet
Utterly incorrect; erroneous; uninformed.
all-weather friend
One who is friendly, helpful, or available at all times regardless of the circumstances.
almighty dollar
The dollar, satirically characterized as a god.
along about
Approximately; at around some time.
along the lines of
Similar to, but not exactly equal.
amateur hour
A situation or activity in which the participants show a lack of skill, sound judgment, or…
amber gambler
A driver of a road vehicle who accelerates when the traffic lights change from green to am…
amber light
Hesitance to proceed; limited approval or permission to proceed.
amber nectar
Beer.
American Dream
The ideal stressing egalitarianism and that every citizen of the United States should have…
an arm and a leg
Usually used after the verb cost, but also often charge, pay, and spend: a very high price…
an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
compensation for injury caused by a person, in the form of inflicting of an identical inju…
an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure
Precaution and prevention of an undesirable thing is preferable to dealing with its potent…
anaconda mortgage
A loan arrangement in which all of the money borrowed from a lender, for whatever purpose,…
ancient history
That which happened a long time ago and not worth discussing any more.
and all
Including every object, attribute, or process associated with preceding item or series of …
and all this
Used at the end of a statement to insinuate that there is more information that can be inf…
and change
And some quantity, but less than the increment to the next round number.
and counting
Used to show that the number previously mentioned is continuously changing, i.e. increasin…
and crap
Synonym of and shit.
and finally
A light news story reserved for the end of a bulletin when there is a lack of more importa…
and his mother
Serves as an intensifier for an inclusive noun or phrase such as everyone, anyone, each so…
and how
Used to strongly confirm the preceding utterance.
and I don't mean maybe
Indicating that one is serious and not joking about a matter.
and shit
Used after one or more listed objects, attributes or processes to indicate additional othe…
and so forth
Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner.
and so on
Used to indicate that a list continues in a similar manner.
and such
and other like things; and so forth
and the like
And other similar items; et cetera.
and then some
Used to confirm preceding utterance, while implying that what was said or asked is an unde…
and whatnot
And so on; et cetera
angel's advocate
Someone who sees what is good about an idea and supports it.
angle for farthings
To beg out of a prison window with a cap, or box, let down at the end of a long string.
another nail in someone's coffin
An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.
another string to one's bow
Another skill, ability or resource to be used in case of failure.
answer on a postcard
A brief answer or opinion.
answer someone's prayers
To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.
answer the call of nature
To satisfy a bodily urge to urinate or defecate.
answer to someone's prayers
Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.
ants in one's pants
The condition of being agitated and constantly fidgeting.
any given Sunday
On a particular day, an unpredictable outcome can occur.
any more for any more
Does anybody have, or want, any more?
any nook or cranny
Any part of a place; anywhere.
any old
Any, absolutely any, any typical, a run-of-the-mill.
any old nook or cranny
Alternative form of any nook or cranny.
any old thing
anything at all
any port in a storm
One should accept any passable option when time is of the essence in an adverse situation.
any the wiser
Knowing or understanding more about something; acquiring a deeper or more thorough underst…
any time now
Very soon.
any time soon
soon
anybody who is anybody
Any person who is well-known or important, especially one who has prominent social standin…
anyone's guess
A mystery; something unknown or unpredictable.
anything goes
There are no rules or restrictions.
ape leader
An old maid.
apothecary's Latin
barbarous Latin; badly-spoken Latin.
appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober
To ask someone to reconsider a decision or view they took while their judgment was swayed …
appetite comes with eating
Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.
apple of someone's eye
The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly…
apple polisher
A sycophant; a toady.
apples and oranges
A comparison of items that, however categorically similar, is inapt; an incompatible analo…
apples to apples
A comparison of items that are similar.
apples to apples, oranges to oranges
A comparison of items that are similar, while also acknowledging or distinguishing a separ…
apply oneself
Synonym of strive: to work hard, to complete an activity with good effort and focus.
apron string
A symbol of the domestic ties binding a male to a female (as a husband to a wife or a son …
apron-string hold
An estate held by a man during his wife's life.
arch doxy
The head of a gang of female canters or gypsies.
are you deaf
A rhetorical question asked to confront a nondeaf interlocutor who has failed to hear some…
are your ears burning
Asked of somebody who was not present but was the topic of discussion.
arm candy
An attractive, seemingly romantic companion who accompanies a person in public solely so t…
arm to the teeth
To equip thoroughly with weapons.
arm up
to supply, or be supplied with, arms (weapons)
arm's length
Distant, detached.
armchair quarterback
A person who watches sports on television, typically American football, who often verbally…
army volunteer
To make someone perform a task or duty, especially one they are not prepared or willing to…
around Robin Hood's barn
the long way around; a roundabout or circuitous route
around the clock
Alternative form of around-the-clock.
around the corner
Imminent; very soon.
around the Horn
Via shipboard communications, formerly metal tubes with earhorn-like ends.
arrive at
To reach (an objective or conclusion)
arrow in the quiver
One of several available options or courses of action.
arse end of nowhere
A very remote place.
arse over tip
Tumbling or falling; upside-down.
arse over tit
Tumbling; falling; upside-down, unstable or unbalanced.
arsy varsy
Tumbling upside down; head over heels; backwards.
arsy versy
Tumbling upside down; head over heels; backwards.
artful dodger
A crafty person who commits minor crimes or behaves in a rather unscrupulous manner.
article of death
The moment of death.
as a rule
In general; most often.
as a whole
Used to relate to all the parts of something: altogether, on the whole
as all get-out
Extremely; to a superlative degree; very much.
as best one can
In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.
as clever as a cartload of monkeys
Very clever, cunning or mischievous.
as ever
Consistent with past behaviour, as expected; as usual; as always.
as ever trod shoe leather
Alternative form of as ever trod shoe-leather.
as ever trod shoe-leather
As ever existed or lived.
as far as one is concerned
In someone's opinion, view, or judgment, indicating the speaker's personal perspective, of…
as far as one knows
To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gath…
as I was saying
Used to refer back to one's own previous statement in a discourse.
as if
Indicates that the speaker deems something highly unlikely.
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
as if there were no tomorrow
To an excessive degree, oftentimes with little to no regard to future consequences; desper…
as in
In the sense of.
as is
as it is; in its present state or condition, especially as a contractual condition of sale…
as it gets
As it is possible to be.
as it happens
By coincidence, incidentally.
as long as
Provided that, if, assuming (depending upon some condition or requirement).
as luck may have it
Synonym of as luck would have it (“by chance, luckily”).
as luck would have it
By good fortune; fortunately or luckily.
as of
At or by a specified time, with the implication that the said condition will be true from …
as of late
Lately; recently.
as often as not
More or less half of the time; on many occasions but not always; frequently.
as soon as
Used to indicate that the first action mentioned is as likely as, or is preferred to, the …
as the crow flies
In a straight line distance between two locations, as opposed to the road distance or over…
as the day is long
Unceasingly; very; thoroughly; to a very high degree.
as the gull flies
In a straight line distance between two locations, as opposed to the road distance or over…
as the next girl
To a reasonable degree; as much as a typical woman.
as the next guy
To a reasonable degree; as much as a typical person or man.
as the next person
To a reasonable degree; as much as a typical person.
as the wind blows
According to any given circumstances.
as they come
As it is possible to be.
as well
In addition; also.
as yet
Up to the present.
as you go
While one is doing (something); as one progresses.
as you know
as it is already known.
ask after
To enquire about the health or progress (of someone).
ask around
To enquire of different people about something.
ask for it
To provoke an unwanted action; to invite a problem or fail to prevent one.
ask for the moon
To claim or desire something that one cannot have.
ask my arse
A common reply to any question; once common at court and among sailors, under the name of …
ask round
To enquire of several people.
asking for a friend
Indicates that a question is embarrassing by pretending to be posing the question on behal…
asleep at the switch
Neglectful of an important task, responsibility, or opportunity.
asphalt jungle
A city or urban area, where the landscape is covered by pavement and the environment is al…
ass over teakettle
In complete disarray.
assault and battery
The combination of two violent crimes: assault (the threat of violence) and battery (physi…
assume room temperature
To die; to be killed.
assume the mantle
To take on a specific role or position, along with any associated responsibilities.
assume the position
To turn away, with one's hands in a visible and unmovable position, so that one can be sea…
at a canter
Without much effort; effortlessly; easily.
at a distance
At a level of detachment or separation.
at a draught
In a single swallow.
at a glance
Upon cursory examination.
at a loss
Not sure; uncertain; lacking further ideas, direction, or ability.
at a loss for words
Having nothing to say; not knowing what to say; stunned to the point of being speechless.
at a low ebb
At a low point; in a poor state; in a state of decline or depression.
at a moment's notice
Immediately; instantaneously; without need of warning.
at a pinch
by a small margin or amount
at a stand
In a state of confusion or uncertainty; undecided what to do next.
at all
Indicating degree, quantity or frequency greater than zero: to the slightest degree, in an…
at all events
In any event, at any rate, anyhow.
at all hands
From all angles; from every direction; generally.
at all hours
At all times of the day; around the clock.
at any given moment
At any point in time.
at arm's length
Avoiding a close relationship.
at bay
Unable to come closer; at a distance.
at bottom
Really, basically, fundamentally.
at cross-purposes
Mutually misunderstanding each other's plans, intentions or meanings.
at daggers drawn
In a state of open hostility.
at death's door
About to die; in a life-threatening state of health.
at each other's throats
In mutual conflict.
at first
Initially; at the start; originally.
at first blush
Upon first impression or consideration; seemingly, apparently, ostensibly.
at full tilt
At full speed; very quickly.
at home
At ease; comfortable.
at large
On the loose; roaming freely; not confined.
at last
After a long time; eventually.
at latter Lammas
Never.
at long last
At last.
at loose ends
In an uncertain position or situation.
at odds
In disagreement; conflicting.
at one's feet
At one's disposition; easily controlled by someone due to their power, affluence, charm, e…
at one's fingertips
Readily available.
at pains
Making careful effort (to).
at peace
Dead.
at peace with
Not disturbed or upset by.
at places
In some, possibly rare places.
at rack and manger
plentifully and at another's expense.
at rest
Not moving; stationary.
at sea
In a state of confusion or bewilderment.
at sixes and sevens
In a state of confusion.
at someone's disposal
Available to be used at any time and in any way the user sees fit.
at someone's door
Very nearby; close to someone.
at someone's heels
Following someone very closely.
at spearpoint
To be in a leading position during a potentially difficult or dangerous situation.
at stake
At issue, at risk.
at that
In addition to what has been said; furthermore; moreover.
at the best of times
Even under the most favourable conditions.
at the coal face
Directly engaged in the operations of a business, rather than in a hands off, managerial p…
at the disposal of
At one's disposal.
at the door of
Very near to; such that something is imminent.
at the drop of a hat
Without any hesitation; instantly.
at the elbow
Very near; close at hand.
at the end of one's tether
At the limit of one’s patience; frustrated or annoyed.
at the end of the day
In summary; ultimately.
at the expense of
At one's responsibility.
at the feet of
As a disciple, student, subordinate or worshiper of.
at the helm
In charge of a company or project.
at the high port
Held with two hands as in "port arms", but carried well above the head. The high port is o…
at the last minute
Very close to a deadline or potential crucial event.
at the mercy of
In the power of; defenceless/defenseless against.
at the ready
Ready; in a state of preparation or waiting; in position or anticipation.
at the receiving end
Alternative form of on the receiving end.
at the top of one's lungs
As loudly as vocally possible.
at the very least
at least; as an absolute minimum; emphatic form of at the least.
at the very most
at most; as an absolute maximum
at the wheel
Driving; in control of a vehicle.
at this point in time
right now, or in the near and foreseeable future
at times
On occasion, sometimes.
at variance
Not in accord; in a state of disagreement.
at will
At one's preference; as one sees fit.
atomic cocktail
A drinkable liquid containing a radioactive substance, used either as a diagnostic aid or …
atta girl
Alternative spelling of attagirl.
attention whore
A person who routinely solicits attention through inappropriate tactics and provocation.
Attic salt
Pointed and delicate wit.
Augean stables
The stables where King Augeas kept his vast herd.
auld lang syne
Days gone by; former times.
autem cackler
A Dissenter; a Protestant who is not a follower of the Established Church (i.e. Church of …
autem diver
Pickpockets who practice in churches; also churchwardens and overseers of the poor.
autem mort
A female beggar with several children hired or borrowed to excite charity.
autumn romance
A romantic relationship which occurs in a later stage of life.
avant la lettre
Before the term was coined (the term being a word or phrase used just previously in an ana…
average bear
The norm; an average person; Used in comparisons
average joe
Alternative spelling of average Joe.
average up
To calculate an average or rough figure.
away game
An athletic contest played away from the team's home field.
away with the fairies
Not all there; slightly crazy.
aye aye, sir
The correct and seamanlike reply, onboard a Royal Navy and US Navy ship, on receipt of an …