English idioms relating to | |
Jump on the bandwagon | If a person or organization jumps on the bandwagon, they decide to do something when it is already successful or fashionable. "When organic food became popular, certain stores were quick to jump on the bandwagon and promote it. |
In the same boat | If two or more parties in the same boat, they are in the same unpleasant or difficult situation. "When the factory closed down, the workers all found themselves in the same boat. |
Miss the boat | If you miss the boat, you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you don't act quickly enough. "I managed to get my order through before the end of the special offer - but I nearly missed the boat! |
Rock the boat | If you tell someone not to rock the boat, you are asking them to do nothing that might cause trouble or upset a stable situation. "After the recent riots, it was decided not to rock the boat by introducing strict measures. |
Paddle one's own canoe | If you paddle your own canoe, you do what you want to do without help or interference from anyone. "He decided to paddle his own canoe and set up his own company." |
As much use as a handbrake on a canoe |
This expression refers to something which is completely useless or serves no purpose. "With no electricity, a refrigerator would be as much use as a handbrake on a canoe. " |
Put the cart before the horse | A person who puts the cart before the horse is doing things in the wrong order. "Building a school before knowing the age of the population is putting the cart before the horse. |
Drive a hard bargain | A person who drives a hard bargain always makes sure they gain advantage in a business deal. "Be prepared for tough negotiations with Stuart - he drives a bard bargain." |
Drive someone up the wall | If somebody or something drives you up the wall, they do something that greatly annoys or irritates you. "I can't concentrate with all the noise - it's driving me up the wall! |
Backseat driver | A backseat driver is a passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice to the driver. "I can't stand backseat drivers like my mother-in-law!" |
Fender bender | This expression refers to a minor car accident in which there is little damage and no injuries. "It's hard to believe that a small fender bender can cause a major traffic jam!" |
My way or the highway | If you say to someone "it's my way or the highway" you are telling that person that either they accept what you tell them to do or they leave the project. You don't have much choice when someone says : "It's my way or the highway." |
Highways and byways | If you travel the highways and byways, you take large and small roads to visit every part of a country. "He travelled the highways and byways looking for traces of his ancestors." |
Hit and run (accident) | When the driver of a vehicle hits another vehicle without stopping to provide help, identification or insurance, and fails to report the accident to the police, the collision is called a hit-and-run accident. "A hit-and-run accident deserves serious punishment. " |
On the home stretch | To say that you're on the home stretch means that you are approaching the end of something such as a task, a race or a journey. "Don't give up - we're on the the home stretch now." |
Itchy feet | A person who has itchy feet is someone who finds it difficult to stay in one place and likes travelling and discovering new places. "Scott never stays long anywhere. He's got itchy feet! " |
Jump the lights | If you continue driving when the traffic lights turn red, you jump the lights. "It's very dangerous to jump the lights. No wonder he was stopped by the police." |
Fall off the back of a lorry | If you buy goods that have fallen off the back of a lorry, they are stolen goods. "Judging by the price of that camera, it must have fallen off the back of a lorry!" |
Make your way (to) | If you make your way to a destination, you manage to go there without difficulty. "Don't worry. I'll make my way to your home from the station." |
(Put the) pedal to the metal | When you put the pedal to the metal, you accelerate or make something go faster, especially a vehicle. "If we put the pedal to the metal we could get this finished in time." |
Any port in a storm | When you are in difficulty, any port in a storm refers to a solution you accept, which in normal circumstances you would find unacceptable. "The hotel was substandard, but it was a case of any port in a storm; all the others were full. |
Take someone for a ride | To take someone for a ride means to cheat or deceive them. "I discovered he had charged me double the normal fee. He really took me for a ride!" |
Hit the road | When you hit the road, you begin a journey. "It's getting late and we've got a long way to go. Let's hit the road." |
Road rage | Aggressive driving habits sometimes resulting in violence against other drivers. "A number of car accidents today are a result of road rage." |
Get the show on the road | If you manage to put a plan or idea into action, you get the show on the road. "OK! We've got all we need, so let's get the show on the road!" |
Sail close to the wind | If you sail close to the wind, you do something dangerous or act just within the limits of what is legal or acceptable. "He seems to invest his money well although he often sails close to the wind." |
Sail through something | If you sail through something, for example a test or an exam, you succeed in doing it without difficulty. "The English test was no problem for Tom. He sailed through it!" |
Shank's pony | If you go somewhere on Shank's pony, you have to walk rather than travel by bus, car, etc. "It was impossible to find a taxi after the party so it was Shank's pony for us! |
Like ships that pass in the night | This expression is used to refer to people who meet briefly and are not likely to meet again. "The two men met once, like ships that pass in the night, and never met again." |
Live out of a suitcase | Someone who lives out of a suitcase travels a lot, moving from place to place, and is therefore restricted to the contents of their suitcase. "Sarah's new job involves so much travelling that she lives out of a suitcase most of the time." |
Train of thought | A sequence of connected ideas is called a train of thought. "I was considering the different options when the noise outside broke my train of thought." |
Gravy train | If someone is on the gravy train, they have found an easy way to make money, one that requires little effort and is without risk. "Since the village has become fashionable he charges for every photograph taken of his house - he's on the gravy train!" |
Travel light | When you travel light, you travel with as little luggage as possible. "If you intend to go trekking, you'd better travel light." |
Hitch one's wagon to a star | Someone who hitches their wagon to a star has great ambitions and is very determined to reach their goal. "At an early age she decided to hitch her wagon to a star and become rich and famous. |
On the wagon | Someone who is on the wagon is no longer drinking alcohol. "No wine for me please. I'm on the wagon. |
Asleep at the wheel |
If you say that someone is asleep at the wheel you mean that they are not sufficiently attentive, especially at a critical moment when vigilance is required. "When the firemen arrived too late at the scene, the night watchman was accused of being asleep at the wheel." |
Fifth wheel | This expression refers to a person who finds themselves in a situation where their presence is unnecessary and as a result they feel useless. "Everyone seemed to have a specific role except me. I felt like a fifth wheel." |
The wheels fall off | When a situation gets out of control and everything starts to go wrong, the wheels fall off. "The wheels fell off her career when she started taking drugs and cancelling concerts." |