Idioms List

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on edge

Anxious, tense, nervous or irritable

I've really been on edge lately. I think I've been drinking too much coffee.

on one's toes

Alert, prepared, ready, or attentive.

In this job things happen so fast that you always have to be on you toes.

on the back burner

Not the main priority; inactive; on hold.

I've put that project on the back burner until I have a little more time.

on the blink

Broken, out of order, inoperative (electronic or mechanical devices).

The freezer in on blink again. Everything has thawed out or melted.

on the button

Exactly, precisely.

We're meeting at 11:00, on the button.

on the dot

Exactly, precisely.

The meeting starts at 11:00, on the button.

on the fence

To be undecided.

I am still on the fence about which job to take.

on the level

Honest, sincere and straightforward

I wouldn't trust Miguel. He may seem like he's on the level, but he's really not.

on the line

At risk; in danger.

I really need to do well on this project because my job is on the line.

out of line

Inappropriate, improper, wrong.

Max was really out of line when he asked the woman how much she weighed.

out of the blue

Unexpectedly; without warning; suddenly.

Out of the blue Max asked Mary for a divorce.

out of the question

Impossible; not worth even considering.

We have no money. A new car is out of the question at this point.

out of work

Unemployed.

I'm out of work at the moment.

pain in the neck

an annoyance or difficulty.

I wish Max would go away. He is such a pain in the neck.

paint the town red

To go on a partying spree; to go wild.

Max and his friends painted the town red this past weekend.

pay through the nose

To pay an excessive amount of money.

Real estate prices are very high. For even a small house you have to pay through the nose.

piece of cake

Something that is easy or simple to do.

Last night's homework assignment was a piece of cake.

play it by ear

To improvise; to do things without a plan.

I'm not sure what we'll do this weekend. We'll just play it by ear.

play one's cards right

To make the right moves; to have a good strategy.

If I had played my cards right, I might have gotten that promotion.

off the cuff

Without preparation; impromptu

At the awards ceremony his speech was completely off the cuff.

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