Browsing
Idioms starting with W
420 expressions
W-shaped recession
An economic downturn where key indicators such as GDP and employment plummet sharply, brie…
wag a finger
To express one's annoyance with, or disapproval of, someone's actions.
wag the dog
To divert negative political attention by use of a military operation.
wait around
To spend an especially lengthy period of time inactively, while expecting the arrival of s…
wait for Godot
To wait hopelessly.
wait for it
Used to draw attention to and build suspense, often ironically, for a remark to come.
wait for the ball to drop
To wait in expectation of an occurrence.
wait for the dust to settle
To let a situation calm down, become clear or certain, before taking any action.
wait for the other shoe to drop
To defer action or decision until another matter is finished or resolved.
wait in the wings
To be about to become important or central.
wait on hand, foot and finger
Alternative form of wait on hand and foot.
wait on someone hand and foot
To attend to (someone's) every need, to the point of excess.
wait on someone hand, foot and finger
Alternative form of wait on hand and foot.
wait out
To wait through (something): wait (through) till the end; patiently endure.
wait till the clouds roll by
To await more favourable circumstances.
wait upon hand and foot
Alternative form of wait on hand and foot.
waiting game
A strategy or course of action in which one or more parties refrain from direct action unt…
wake the dead
To be very loud; to produce a very loud or disruptive noise.
wake up and smell the coffee
Often in the infinitive or imperative: to face reality and stop deluding oneself.
wake up on the wrong side of bed
To feel grumpy and irritable; to be easily annoyed.
wake up one day
To undergo an overnight change, often an unplanned one (used with and).
walk a mile in someone's shoes
To experience what someone has experienced.
walk all over
To dominate a person or a group; to have a person take a submissive or inferior role.
walk and chew gum at the same time
To do two normally trivial tasks at the same time; to exhibit basic competence or task-man…
walk away
To withdraw from a problematic situation.
walk away from
To abandon or leave; to shun; to refuse.
walk free
To go unpunished; to win, or avoid, a criminal court case, particularly when actually guil…
walk in on
To enter suddenly or unexpectedly while something is happening; to intrude or interrupt by…
walk in the park
Something easy or pleasant.
walk in the snow
An occasion when a momentous career decision is made, especially a decision to resign or r…
walk of life
An occupation, role, social class, or lifestyle.
walk off with
To steal, especially by surreptitiously removing an unguarded item.
walk on
To join a college sports team without being recruited for it.
walk on broken glass
To do everything possible to achieve something, even if it involves great risk or discomfo…
walk on eggshells
To be overly careful in dealing with a person or situation because they get angry or offen…
walk on sunshine
To be extremely happy.
walk on the wild side
To behave in an adventurous, risky, or morally questionable manner.
walk on water
To perform godlike or superhuman feats.
walk one's chalks
To depart; to go away without ceremony.
walk over
To gain an easy victory.
walk the beat
To patrol on the job, especially as a police officer or guard.
walk the chalk
To keep a correct course in manners or morals.
walk the dog
To perform a trick where the yo-yo rolls on the ground, attached to the string.
walk the floor
To pace back and forth restlessly, because of worry, excitement, distress, etc.
walk the line
To maintain an intermediate position between contrasting choices, opinions, etc.
walk the plank
To be forced to resign from a position in an organization.
walk the talk
To perform actions consistent with one's claims.
walk the walk
To act consistently in line with one's claims; to follow through.
walk through
To explain (something) to (someone), step by step.
wall of silence
Strict secretiveness maintained by the members of a group with respect to information whic…
Wally World
A fictional or hypothetical large theme park.
wanker's cramp
An ache in the wrist caused by repetitive movements.
want for nothing
To have everything one needs.
want someone's nachos
To covet another; to envy one's accomplishments or qualities.
want to know
To ask (used as a dialogue marker or introductory statement).
war bride
A company or individual whose business is increased by warfare.
war of nerves
Warfare characterized by psychological manipulation, involving tactics intended to demoral…
war of words
A heated exchange of threatening or inflammatory statements.
warm body
Any person who is present.
warm regards
Used as a polite way to finish a letter.
warm the cockles of someone's heart
Especially of food or drink (particularly an alcoholic beverage): to cause someone to feel…
warmest regards
Used as a polite closing of a letter
warts and all
In a manner which does not conceal shortcomings or imperfections.
wash a blackamoor white
To labour in vain, especially so as to present something as better than it really is; to w…
wash one's dirty laundry in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
wash one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
wash oneself of
To stop caring about (something); to reject any semblance of (something).
wash out
To wear away by the flow of water; to erode.
washed out
Very tired and lacking energy or animation.
waste away
To lose energy or become weak and feeble.
waste breath
To speak in a manner which is needless or futile; in discussion or argument to make points…
waste not, want not
If one is not wasteful then one will not be in need.
waste of breath
Needless or unnecessary speech.
waste of space
An utterly worthless person; one who, as it were, is unworthy of the space which they occu…
watch it
To be careful or cautious; to pay attention to what one is doing (usually imperative).
watch one's language
To be careful about what one says, in particular the avoidance of foul language.
watch one's mouth
To be careful about what one says, especially with regard to disrespectful or profane lang…
watch one's step
To be cautious.
watch out
To be aware or conscious; to look closely or carefully; to use caution. Often used in the …
watch over
To guard and protect.
watch the world burn
To watch the chaos, pain or death that results from the actions of others or oneself with …
watch the world go by
To pause and remain still whilst doing nothing but surveying the environment around onesel…
watch this space
An indication that a development will follow.
water down
To make weaker, less effective.
water over the dam
An event or set of events which has already happened and cannot be changed.
water to one's mill
That which energizes or stimulates one.
water under the bridge
Something in the past that cannot be controlled or undone, but must be accepted, forgiven,…
waterfowl alignment
Proper organization.
watering hole
A bar or other local drinking establishment.
watery grave
The death (or loss of an inanimate object) due to drowning (sinking) in a body of water; o…
wave aside
To dismiss something without paying much attention to it; to decide something is too unimp…
wave away
To reject or dismiss with a hand gesture.
wave goodbye
To say goodbye by means of a handwave.
wave of the hand
A simple gesture, as used for greeting, command, dismissal, or summoning something as if b…
wax the dolphin
To masturbate by stimulating one's penis.
way back when
At a time in the distant past.
way of thinking
An opinion; a viewpoint.
way out of a paper bag
A minimal level of competence or effectiveness, as used in phrases where one is unable to …
we are where we are
acknowledging the shortcomings of the present situation, while focusing on dealing with it…
we been knew
a response to a statement or notion that is obvious or already widely known
we have company
Used to express that one has encountered an enemy or rival.
we haven't got all day
Used to hurry someone up.
weak sister
A person who is cowardly or indecisive.
weak tea
Weak or feeble arguments, efforts, or proposals.
weaker vessel
A woman; women collectively.
weaponized incompetence
A behavioral tactic where a person intentionally pretends to be incapable or performs task…
wear one's heart on one's sleeve
To be very transparent, open, or forthright about one's emotions.
wear out one's welcome
To behave in an offensive, burdensome, or tiresome manner, with the result that one's cont…
wear rose-colored glasses
To see the positive in things while being oblivious to the negative.
wear sackcloth and ashes
To publicly express regret for something done wrong.
wear the trousers
(typically of a woman) To be the dominant partner in a relationship.
wear thin
To lessen or weaken over time, as from overuse.
wear too many hats
To try to fill more roles at once than is realistically possible.
wear yellow stockings
be jealous
weasel into
To enter a place or a situation by being dishonest or by persuading someone in a clever wa…
weasel out
To shirk, avoid, or fail to fulfill (a task, responsibility, etc.)
weather the storm
To reach the end of a very difficult situation without too much harm or damage.
weed out
To remove (unwanted elements) from a group.
week in, week out
During every week; continuously.
weep Irish
To cry insincerely or in an exaggerated manner.
weigh against
To be disadvantageous to someone.
weigh down
To be too much for someone to cope with.
weigh in
To bring in one's weight, metaphorically speaking, to bear on an issue; frequently constru…
weigh up
To assess a person or a situation.
weight of the world
The distressing combined burden of the problems, doubts, imperfections, and responsibiliti…
welcome to my world
Indicates that the speaker is very experienced with a (usually unpleasant) situation that …
welfare Cadillac
The case of a person or group receiving public benefits, although the benefits are not act…
well and good
Basically good, but with some shortcoming or limitation.
well and truly
Completely; utterly; without doubt.
well done
Performed well.
well-oiled machine
Something that operates capably through the effective coordination of many parts.
well, I never
An exclamation of great surprise.
Welsh comb
One's finger, used as an improvised method to straighten one's hair.
were you born in a tent
An admonishment to someone who has left a door open.
wet behind the ears
Inexperienced; just beginning; immature (especially in judgment).
wet blanket
A person who takes the fun out of a situation or activity, as by pessimism, demands, dulln…
wet boy
A contractor assassin or hit man
wet dream
The orgasm in such a dream.
wet firecracker
A person, event, or object lacking liveliness or failing to generate excitement, especiall…
wet one's beak
To drink a beverage.
wet one's pants
To wet oneself, to urinate in one's clothes while wearing them.
wet one's whistle
To have a drink; to quench one's thirst.
wet the bed
To urinate in one's bed (during sleep).
wet the shamrock
To go for an alcoholic drink, especially as part of a victory celebration or on Saint Patr…
whack one out
To masturbate.
whack up
To divide into shares; divvy.
what are the odds
Used to express surprise at an unlikely outcome.
what can I say
Indicating that nothing that could be said would add to or improve the situation.
what can I tell you
Synonym of what can I say.
what did your last slave die of
Used to indicate that someone is being unreasonably bossy and demanding.
what do you say
Used to ask someone if they are willing to do something.
what for
An unspecified punishment or rebuke.
what happens twice happens thrice
An event that happens two times will happen three times.
what in tarnation
Used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning a question.
what in time
Used as an intensifier of an interrogative word or phrase.
what is more
used to introduce a statement which builds on the preceding statement, but expresses a str…
what it takes
Everything that is required, especially skill or endurance.
what not
Something of the kind, whatever (used to terminate a vague list).
what of it
So what? Who cares? Expresses disinterest, disregard or lack of concern.
what someone said
Used to indicate agreement, as if one would have wanted to say what a previous speaker has…
what the Devil
Used to add emphasis to “what” when beginning a question.
what the doctor ordered
Exactly what is necessary or useful in a given situation; something very beneficial or des…
what was someone smoking
Used to express surprise about someone's uncharacteristic or wacky, offbeat past actions.
what was someone thinking
Used to express disappointment about someone's uncharacteristic or abnormal past actions.
what with
Owing to; because of; as a result of (used typically to introduce several causes of someth…
what you see is what you get
The screen image resembles the printed output.
what, me worry
As an interrogatory, indicative of a nonchalant attitude towards potential criticism, not …
what's cooking
A greeting, similar to how are you?; what's happening?; what's up?; what's new?
what's eating
What is wrong with...? What is the problem with... (somebody)? Inquired regarding somebody…
what's eating you
What is annoying or bothering you?
what's going on
An informal greeting.
what's in it for me
What are the advantages of (something) to me, personally?
what's new
A rhetorical request for some real news, on hearing a report that was not news because it …
what's the beef
Why are you complaining? What are you complaining about?
what's the difference
(rhetorical question) The difference does not matter; so what?
what's the good of
What is the purpose or advantage of
what's the matter
What is wrong? What's the problem?
what's the story
A greeting; How are you?, What's up?
what's the story, bud
Used as a greeting; How are you?, What's up?
what's up
What’s the matter? What is the problem? What is wrong?
what's what
Precisely what the situation really is or what the facts truly are; the true state of thin…
what's your poison
Used to someone what alcoholic beverage they would like to drink: what drink would you lik…
whatcha know good
What's happening? How are you doing?
whatever creams your twinkie
Do what you will, whatever makes you happy.
whatever floats your boat
One should do whatever stimulates one or suits one's inclinations.
whatever helps you sleep at night
Believe what you want to believe if it makes you feel better.
whatever it takes
Anything, including measures which may be extreme or wrongful, that is required to achieve…
wheat bread
Ellipsis of whole-wheat bread.
wheel away
To run around in celebration
wheel out
To employ or bring out (something predictable or perennial).
wheel within a wheel
A complication of circumstances, motives, etc.
wheels are turning
Progress is currently being made with respect to an ongoing process or other matter.
when all is said and done
In the end; ultimately.
when Hell freezes over
Never; not in this lifetime or a time in the unforeseeably distant future; not a chance.
when in Rome, do as the Romans do
It is wise to adapt to the circumstances; it is wise to follow common custom.
when it comes to
as for; with regard to
when it's at home
(of a person) In reality; in fact; when it comes down to it.
when pigs fly
Never.
when push comes to shove
When the pressure is on; when the situation is critical or urgent; when the time has come …
when the chips are down
When the pressure is on; when the situation is urgent or critical.
when they go low, we go high
Used to indicate an unwillingness to stoop to an adversary's incivility or violence.
when two Sundays come together
never
when two Sundays meet
never
where's the beef
Where is the content? So what?
where's the fire
What's the big rush?
where's the lie
Said in response to an undeniable or axiomatic truth.
which foot the shoe is on
Which point of view is considered or whose interests are used as a basis.
which way the wind is blowing
The prevailing opinion or current view of most people, especially people with influence.
while we're young
soon, without much delay (urging someone to hurry up)
whip hand
An advantage over another; the dominant position.
whip into shape
To exert considerable effort to change something or someone into a desired state.
whip the cat
To attempt to get work or money from someone who is too weak or poor to provide it.
whip through
To do something extremely quickly and perfunctorily.
whip up a storm
To cause an uproar or controversy.
whips and jingles
A state of torturous delirium, particularly delirium tremens.
whisk away
To take (a person) on a surprise romantic journey.
whisk off
to rapidly remove.
whiskey dick
Impotence caused by heavy drinking.
whisper campaign
A method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concer…
whistle Dixie
To engage in idle conversational fantasies.
whistle for
To request or ask for with no chance of success.
whistle in the dark
To speak of something despite having little knowledge of it.
whistle in the wind
To attempt something that is futile; to say something that is not heeded.
whistle past the graveyard
To attempt to stay cheerful in a dire situation; to proceed with a task, ignoring an upcom…
whistle walk
The path slaves took to deliver food from the kitchen building of a plantation to the main…
white bread
Bread made from white flour.
white coat hypertension
Elevated blood pressure measured by a medical practitioner and deemed to result from the p…
white hat
A good person; a hero.
white lie
A deliberately untrue statement which is intended to produce a favorable result; especiall…
white magic
Magic derived from good or benign forces, as distinct from evil or malevolent forces; or m…
white marriage
An unconsummated marriage.
white on rice
a descriptive analogy of closeness. See like white on rice.
white pee
Semen.
white rabbit
Someone or something which moves rapidly or hurriedly from place to place.
white rider
Conquest or Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
white satin
Gin.
white sheep
a conformist; an ordinary or conventional person
white trash
A poorly educated white person or, collectively, white people of low social status and oft…
white trashery
The state or characteristic of being, resembling, or behaving in the manner of white trash…
Whitman's sampler
A diverse collection.
who are you telling
Used in response to an assertion that one is already fully aware of.
who shot John
Long and involved explanation, finger-pointing, or assignment of credit or blame.
who wants to know
A retort to a question posed by a stranger, when one does not want to either confirm or de…
who's 'she', the cat's mother
A rebuke especially directed towards children for having referred to a woman in the nomina…
who's who
The identities of specific people, understood in terms of such distinguishing characterist…
whole ball of wax
The entire or overall plan, concept or action.
whole box of tricks
Everything and anything associated with a certain enterprise.
whole cloth
in full extent, wholesale, entirely, without changes or additions
whole enchilada
All of something or a group of related things taken in totality.
whole package
Something or someone that possesses a full set of relevant characteristics, usually desira…
whole shebang
Everything; the entire thing.
whole shooting match
Everything; the entire collection, endeavor, or activity.
whomp on
To defeat thoroughly; to trounce.
whoop ass
To beat or strike.
whoop it up
To have a great time; to party or revel whole-heartedly or noisily.
why in God's name
used to add emphasis to "why" when beginning question.
why in the world
used to add emphasis to “why” in a question.
why in time
Used to add emphasis to “why” in a question.
why on Earth
used to add emphasis to "why" when beginning a question.
wicked tongue
An abusive, vulgar, nasty, or otherwise objectionable manner of speaking.
wide awake
Awake and very alert; vigilant, watchful.
wide berth
A considerable or comfortable distance from a person or object, especially for safety or d…
wide of the mark
(Very) inaccurate.
wide open
Having no laws or law enforcement.
widow's mite
A very small gift or donation which, however, represents a great sacrifice on the part of …
wild horses
A force not subject to human control and normally stronger than a man.
wild-goose chase
A futile search, a fruitless errand; a useless and often lengthy task whose execution is i…
will the real someone please stand up
A request for the real person or thing to be identified from among others that are similar…
willful ignorance
A decision in bad faith to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having t…
willing horse
One who readily performs hard work or who voluntarily tolerates an adverse situation.
willow in the wind
One whose views are easily and regularly changed by the persuasion or influence of others.
win back
To win (something) that one has previously lost.
win by a nose
To win by a small margin; to have a narrow victory.
win one for the Gipper
To do something in memory of another person.
win over
To persuade someone, gain someone's support, or make someone understand the truth or valid…
win the battle, but lose the war
To achieve a portion of a goal, but fail to achieve the entire goal.
win the lottery
To experience an extraordinary or highly fortunate event.
wind at one's back
Forward momentum; a boost in one's prospects for success due to favorable events or circum…
wind back the clock
To return in time to an earlier period of history.
wind down
To relax; to get rid of stress; to destress.
wind off
To cancel (an event) due to high wind speeds.
wind tunnel testing
The application of a rigorous testing regime to a new corporate idea, structure or project…
wind up one's bottoms
To finish a job.
window on the world
Something which provides information about or interaction with a variety of people, places…
wine tosser
A person who speaks at length about wine but possesses limited genuine knowledge or expert…
winged word
A word or statement which is very apt for an occasion, or memorable.
wink at
To turn a blind eye to (something); to corruptly ignore (some wrongdoing); to pretend not …
winning ways
a winning streak; a sequence of winning games.
winnow down
To reduce the number of candidates for something by judging their quality and rejecting so…
winter rat
An old, unattractive automobile, purchased for little money, to be driven during brutal Gr…
winter wonderland
A beautiful scene of snow and ice.
wipe someone's eye
To defeat someone humiliatingly.
wipe someone's nose
To defeat someone humiliatingly, usually by robbing or killing.
wipe the floor with someone
To be well ahead of someone, or to win a competition by a considerable margin over someone…
wipe the slate clean
To make a fresh start, for example by forgetting about previous differences and disagreeme…
wise apple
A smart aleck.
wishful thinking
The formation of beliefs based on an outcome that aligns with one's desires or hopes, whil…
with a grain of salt
With a little common sense and skepticism.
with a quickness
Quickly, speedily; in a hurry.
with a vengeance
With an intense motivation; in an extreme, intense, or violent manner.
with a view to
With the intention of, with the goal of (followed by a noun or a gerund).
with a will
With willingness and zeal; with all one's heart or strength; earnestly, heartily.
with all due respect
A phrase used before disagreeing with someone or saying something they may find offensive,…
with all the salt in the Dead Sea
With much doubt and skepticism.
with an eye to
With an intention, goal, or consideration to.
with an eye towards
With an intention, goal, or consideration to.
with bated breath
Eagerly; with great anticipation.
with bells on
With eager anticipation and enthusiasm, especially regarding the acceptance of an invitati…
with both hands
Willingly; readily.
with every breath
Said at every considerable opportunity; said repeatedly and constantly.
with flying colors
Extremely well; in an exceptional, noteworthy, or extraordinary manner.
with knobs on
Embellished.
with no further ado
Without any other formalities; with no further delay.
with one voice
In a mutually agreeing or like-minded manner; concordantly, unanimously.
with one's bare hands
Barehandedly.
with one's chest
With total confidence.
with one's dick in one's hand
In a state of being unprepared, powerless, or idle; in any case, getting nothing done.
with one's head held high
Proudly, with pride.
with one's jaw in one's lap
astonished, amazed
with open arms
With enthusiasm, as if embracing
with pleasure
Willingly; without argument.
with the manner
in the very act; red-handed.
with whole skin
Safe; unscathed.
with young
Of a female animal, pregnant.
wither on the vine
To be unsuccessful due to neglect or inaction.
within ames ace
Nearly, very near.
within an ace of
Very near; on the point of.
within living memory
In living memory.
within reach
Near (to); close (to); at a close distance (to).
without a hitch
Of an event or process, without any problems.
without batting an eye
Showing no emotional reaction.
without fail
Certainly; by all means; as a matter of importance.
without further ado
Alternative form of with no further ado.
woe betide
Used to warn someone that trouble will occur if that person does something: bad things wil…
woe to
Used to warn someone of trouble or danger if they carry out a certain risky action.
wolf down
To consume (food) quickly or greedily, without regard for table manners.
wolf guarding the sheep
Synonym of poacher turned gamekeeper.
wolf in one's stomach
A ravenous hunger; a large appetite.
wolf in sheep's clothing
Someone who or something which is harmful or threatening but disguised as something peacef…
wolf of Wall Street
(A name for) an aggressive, prominent, and wealthy financier; specifically (derogatory), o…
woman among women
A woman who is accepted on the same terms, and as having the same worth, as other others i…
woman of few words
A woman who either does not speak much or speaks only for a brief period of time.
woman of the hour
A woman who has recently caught the attention of, or is being admired or honoured by, a la…
woman of the people
A woman who shows understanding of and sympathy for the concerns of ordinaries, and who ha…
woman on the street
An ordinary woman from the general public (especially one who lacks special expertise).
wooden spoon
An ironic prize for finishing last in a competition.
wooden spoonist
Synonym of wooden spooner: a last-place finisher.
word is bond
indicates that the speaker purports that they have told the truth or is trustworthy.
word it
To bandy words; to dispute; to speak excessively or angrily.
word of finger
Interpersonal communication by digital media, especially using keyboard devices.
word of mouth
The verbal means of passing on information; viva voce.
word on the street
The rumour or news going around.
word on the wire
The rumour or news going around on the internet, in business, on the street, or in social …
word to the wise
Used to emphasis following as a piece of significant advice.
words fail someone
Someone is incapable of describing something with words, especially due to fear, shock, or…
words of one syllable
Simple, clear, straightforward language; blunt language.
work away
Synonym of fire away.
work back
to work overtime; to make up time off by working overtime; to work beyond a specific shift…
work into the ground
To exhaust through heavy labour.
work it out on the remix
To settle a dispute; to restore a strained relationship; to reconcile.
work like a dog
To work very hard.
work like a dream
To function very efficiently and effectively, with few or no problems.
work like a horse
To work very hard; to toil.
work of art
Anything beautiful, exquisite, or finely crafted.
work one's fingers to the bone
To work especially hard, usually for an extended period.
work one's magic
To achieve something favourable and desired through the application of special skills, tal…
work over
To physically attack in order to cause injury.
work someone's arse off
Alternative form of work someone's ass off.
work spouse
A man or woman in the workplace with whom one shares a special relationship similar to mar…
work the crowd
To work the room, or to do the equivalent with an outdoor audience.
work the room
To interact enthusiastically with the attendees at an event, by moving among them, greetin…
work to rule
To work slowly by strictly following all work rules, usually in a work-to-rule job action,…
work with one's hands
To engage in difficult manual labor, especially using analog tools.
work wonders
To be highly successful as a solution.
worked up
Excessively emotional, excited, aroused or angry.
working girl
A female prostitute.
world of difference
A great or insurmountable difference.
world record
Any characteristic or accomplishment that exceeds all other instances of that characterist…
worlds apart
Vastly different.
worlds away
Vastly different; incompatible.
worm food
One or more corpses, especially in a state of decay; remains.
worm turns
Circumstances change so that a previously disadvantaged party gains the advantage, or vice…
worm's-eye view
A view of an object from below, from the ground.
worse for liquor
Drunk, either at one particular time or often over a long period.
worse for wear
In poor physical condition due to long or heavy use.
worship the ground someone walks on
To admire or adore someone to excess.
worship the porcelain god
To vomit into a toilet bowl.
worship the porcelain goddess
Synonym of worship the porcelain god (“to vomit into a toilet bowl”).
worst comes to worst
If a possible worst-case scenario actually occurs.
worst of both worlds
A solution or scenario which combines the disadvantages of two opposed prior solutions, of…
worst-kept secret
A situation where little or no attempt has been made to keep a matter secret.
worth a Jew's eye
Of high value.
worth every penny
Completely worth the money paid for it.
worth one's salt
Adept or competent, especially at one's occupation.
worth one's weight in gold
Very valuable.
worth one's while
Beneficial and important enough on which to spend time, effort, or money.
would give a Jew's eye
Would give a great deal; indicating that one desires something greatly.
woulda, coulda, shoulda
An instance or moment of regret, hindsight, or futile pondering over a missed opportunity.
wouldn't be seen dead
To find incredibly horrifying; embarrassing or otherwise entirely unsuitable for oneself.
wouldn't shout if a shark bit him
To be frugal or miserly.
wouldn't you know
Alternative form of wouldn't you know it.
wouldn't you say
Don't you agree?
wrack and ruin
Complete destruction.
wrap around one's little finger
To successfully control or exert influence over, especially for a sustained period of time…
wrap in cotton wool
To treat delicately, to baby, to coddle.
wrap in the flag
To claim as deserving support for patriotic reasons.
wrap up
To conclude or finish completely.
wrestle with a pig
To engage in a struggle with an opponent that benefits from the struggle even without winn…
write checks one can't cash
To make promises one cannot keep, or to make boasts that are not true.
write for the drawer
To write a work for posterity or for friends that one cannot publish except as samizdat.
write one's own ticket
To be empowered to choose whichever job, financial arrangement, or course of action one de…
write oneself into a corner
To reach a narrative point in which the story one is writing gets stuck, leaving no good o…
write the book
To be an authoritative expert on some specified topic.
writer's cramp
A debilitating pain preventing easy movement of the wrist, hand, or fingers, resulting fro…
writing on the wall
An ominous warning; a prediction of bad luck.
written all over someone's face
Very obvious, from someone's facial expression.
written in the stars
Destined to happen, fated to happen.
wrong crowd
A group of people deemed to have a negative influence on a person's behavior; a bad crowd.
wrong number
An incorrect notion or understanding concerning a person or situation.
wrong side of the tracks
The part of town that is not inhabited by the wealthy. An area where the working class, po…