FAMILIAR ENGLISH IDIOMS AND PROVERBS
Idiom Meaning Usage
People who don't understand something fully are
A little learning is a dangerous thing by itself
dangerous
Events have momentum and build upon each as part of a
A snowball effect
other sentence
as part of a
A snowball's chance in hell No chance at all
sentence
Fix the problem now because it will get worse
A stitch in time saves nine by itself
later
as part of a
A storm in a teacup A big fuss about a small problem
sentence
An apple a day keeps the doctor away Apples are good for you by itself
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound You can prevent a problem with little effort.
by itself
of cure Fixing it later is harder.
as part of a
As right as rain Perfect
sentence
as part of a
Bolt from the blue Something that happened without warning
sentence
as part of a
Burn bridges Destroy relationships
sentence
as part of a
Calm before the storm Something bad is coming, but right now it's calm
sentence
- The STPM Factory -
Idiom Meaning Usage
as part of a
Come rain or shine No matter what
sentence
Curiosity killed the cat Stop asking questions by itself
as part of a
Cut the mustard Do a good job
sentence
Don't beat a dead horse Move on, this subject is over by itself
Every dog has his day Everyone gets a chance at least once by itself
as part of a
Fit as a fiddle In good health
sentence
Fortune favours the bold Take risks by itself
as part of a
Get a second wind Have more energy after having been tired
sentence
as part of a
Get wind of something Hear news of something secret
sentence
as part of a
Go down in flames Fail spectacularly
sentence
as part of a
Have your head in the clouds Not be concentrating
sentence
He who laughs last laughs loudest I'll get you back for what you did by itself
Hear something straight from the horse's as part of a
Hear something from the person involved
mouth sentence
He's not playing with a full deck He's dumb by itself
He's off his rocker He's crazy by itself
He's sitting on the fence He can't make up his mind by itself
It is a poor workman who blames his tools If you can't do the job, don't blame it on others by itself
It is always darkest before the dawn Things are going to get better by itself
as part of a
Jump on the bandwagon Follow a trend, do what everyone else is doing
sentence
as part of a
Know which way the wind is blowing Understand the situation
- The STPM Factory - (usually negative)
sentence
as part of a
Leave no stone unturned Look everywhere
sentence
as part of a
Let sleeping dogs lie Stop discussing an issue
sentence
- The STPM Factory -
Idiom Meaning Usage
as part of a
Like two peas in a pod They're always together
sentence
as part of a
Make hay while the sun shines Take advantage of a good situation
sentence
as part of a
On cloud nine Very happy
sentence
You're more cautious when you've been hurt
Once bitten, twice shy by itself
before
Out of the frying pan and into the fire Things are going from bad to worse by itself
as part of a
Run like the wind Run fast
sentence
Shape up or ship out Work better or leave by itself
as part of a
Snowed under Busy
sentence
That ship has sailed It's too late by itself
Someone criticizing someone else he is just as as part of a
The pot calling the kettle black
bad sentence
There are clouds on the horizon Trouble is coming by itself
Those who live in glass houses shouldn't People who are morally questionable shouldn't
by itself
throw stones criticize others
as part of a
Through thick and thin In good times and in bad times
sentence
Time is money Work quickly by itself
Waste not, want not Don't waste things and you'll always have enough by itself
We see eye to eye We agree by itself
as part of a
Weather the storm Go through something difficult
sentence
Well begun is half done Getting a good start is important by itself
When it rains it pours Everything is going wrong at once by itself
You can catch more flies with honey than you
You'll get what you want by being nice by itself
can with vinegar
You can lead a horse to water, but you You can't force someone to make the right
by itself
can't make him drink decision
You can't make an omelet without breaking
There's always a cost to doing something by itself
some eggs
- The STPM Factory -