Idioms List

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one's bark is worse than one's bite
The particular person seems more aggressive and mean than he really is.

Don't worry about the boss. His bark is worse than his bite.

hit a snag
To encounter an unexpected problem or obstacle.

The business won't open as soon as we had hoped. We seem to have hit a snag with one of our suppliers.

hit it off
To immediately have a good relationship with someone.

Max and Mary really hit it off from the beginning.

hit the books
To study intensely.

We need to hit the books before the test next Friday.

hit the hay
To go to bed

It's getting late. It's time for me to hit the hay.

hit the nail on the head
To be precisely right or accurate.

You hit the nail on the head when you said that the problem was the water pump.

hit the roof
To explode in anger.

The boss hit the roof when he found out that we didn't meet our quota.

hit the sack
To go to bed

It's getting late. It's time for me to hit the sack.

hold one's horses
To wait; to be patient; to slow down.

Hold your horses. I'll be ready in a minute.

in a bind
To be in a difficult situation; to be in trouble.

I'm in a bind. Could you help me out?

in charge
In the position of responsibility of leading or overseeing.

Max was in charge of the store when the fire broke out.

in cold blood
In a ruthless and unfeeling manner.

Max was murdered in cold blood.

in hot water
In trouble with someone.

Max is in hot water with his wife for staying out so late.

in the doghouse
In trouble; in disfavor (usually a man in trouble with his wife).

Max is in the doghouse with his wife for forgetting her birthday.

in the nick of time
At the last possible moment.

Max turned in his application for the job just in the nick of time

in the same boat
In a similar situation or predicament.

I'd like to help you with money, but I'm in the same boat. I don't have any money either.

keep a lid on
To keep something secret

No one is supposed to know our plan. Please keep a lid on it.

keep an eye on
To watch intently.

Please keep an eye on my children for me. I need to go to the store.

keep it down
To be quiet; to not be noisy.

Please keep in down. I'm trying to study.

one's lips are sealed
To keep a secret; to not reveal a secret.

My lips are sealed. I won't tell anyone about it.

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