Phrases and Idioms 901-1000 (state - world)

  Phrases and Idioms Meaning
901. state  – state of emergency Dangerous situation in which a government assumes absolute power.
902. state  – state of grace Having been forgiven for sins committed while alive.
903. state  – state of mind The way one feels.
904. stay  – stay of execution A delay in obeying a judicial order.
905. stay  – stay the course To endure in spite of difficulties to the end of a race, etc.
906. steal  – steal a kiss To kiss someone who has not expected it.
907. steal  - steal a march To start earlier so as to gain an advantage over others.
908. steal  – steal someone’s heart Win someone’s love.
909. steal  – steal someone’s thunder To preempt someone’s action to achieve or impress by acting first so as to gain praise or attention.
910. steal  – steal the show To divert praise and attention to oneself.
911. steam  – get/pick up steam To gradually gather momentum.
912. steam  – let off steam Get rid of excess strong emotion by doing vigorous activity.
913. steer  – steer clear of To avoid or ignore someone or something.
914. stiff  – stiff upper lip Uncomplaining or showing courage in difficult situation.
915. stock  – on the stocks Under construction; in preparation.
916. stock  – out of stock Not immediately available for sale or distribution.
917. stock  – take stock of Review or assess a situation.
918. stomach  - a strong stomach Able to see or do unpleasant things without feeling sick or upset.
919. stone  - a stone’s throw (away) A very short distance away
920. strapped  – strapped for cash Not having or short of money.
921. straw  - the last straw The last of a series of problems which becomes unbearable making one give up, react, etc.
922. stretch  – at a stretch Continuously without a pause or break.
923. stretch  – at full stretch Using everything that one has
924. stretch  – stretch a point To do or go beyond the usual limit.
925. strike  – strike the eye To become particularly noticeable.
926. striking  – within striking distance Close to something or an achievement.
927. string  – pull the strings To be in control of affairs, events, etc.
928. strong  – one’s strong point Something that one is very good at.
929. sundry  - all and sundry Everyone.
930. swallow  – swallow one’s pride Do what one feels uncomfortable or embarrassed to do by intentionally disregarding one’s feelings.
931. swing  – in full swing Reaching the highest point of activity.
932. swing  – swing the balance Influence the result of something.
933. sword  – sword of Damocles Constant threat or danger.
934. sync  – in/out of sync Working well/badly together.
935. table  - turn the tables Turn a disadvantage into an advantage
936. table  - under the table Illegal and secret payment of money in exchange of a favour; bribery.
937. take  – on the take Taking bribes.
938. take  – take a joke Able to tolerate being teased or made fun of.
939. take  – take one’s time Not acting hurriedly.
940. take  – take that Used to say to someone when hitting them.
941. talk  - be all talk Much talking, without action, about doing something.
942. talk  – now you’re talking Used to express agreement with someone’s good idea.
943. talk  – talk sense into To persuade someone to be sensible.
944. talk  – talk the talk To convince, persuade or impress by talking.
945. test  – test the water To seek opinions, views or feelings before taking action.
946. thin  – thin on top Balding.
947. thrill  – thrills and spills Exciting and pleasant experience.
948. thumb  - under someone’s thumb Under someone’s domination or influence.
949. tickle  - be tickled pink To be extremely amused or pleased.
950. tickle  – tickle someone’s fancy To make someone interested in something.
951. time  - ahead of time Happens sooner than expected or the scheduled time.
952. time  – behind the times Not aware of or using the latest ideas or techniques.
953. time  - take one’s time Not in a hurry.
954. time  – time will tell The result or the truth will be known in the future.
955. tit  - tit for tat Retaliation against someone who has done something bad to you.
956. tongue  – hold one’s tongue To stop or told to stop speaking.
957. tongue  – tongue in cheek With humorous insincerity.
958. tongues  - speak in tongues Speak in an unknown language during a religious worship.
959. tooth  - tooth and nail With all one’s might
960. toss –  give a toss Care about something at all.
961. toss –  take a toss Fall off a horse.
962. toss –  toss one’s cookies Vomit.
963. touch  – out of touch Not having good understanding of something; lacking up-to-date information.
964. touch  – touch a nerve To bring up a sensitive subject.
965. touch  - touch-and-go A situation with a possible but uncertain outcome.
966. track  – keep track of Follow development of; to be fully aware of something.
967. track  – off the track Derailed; deviated from the subject in question.
968. trail  – trail one’s coat Deliberately provoke a quarrel or fight.
969. trial  – trial and error Make repeated attempts or conduct varied experiments until the most successful one is determined.
970. trice  – in a trice Very quickly.
971. tried  – tried and tested A successfully proven way of doing something.
972. true  – out of true Not accurately or exactly positioned or out of alignment.
973. true  – true to form Matching one’s expectation.
974. true  – true to life Matching reality.
975. turn  - at every turn All the time; every time.
976. two  – two cents worth Someone’s opinion.
977. up  - be up on To be well informed about something.
978. upper  - on one’s uppers Very poor.
979. use  – use and wont Established custom.
980. vale  - vale of tears This world as regarded as a place of great sorrow and difficulties.
981. walk  – walk of life The type of job a person does.
982. walk  – walk on eggshells To exercise utmost caution in one’s words and actions.
983. walk  – walk one’s talk Used to mean one’s actions must suit one’s words.
984. wanting  - be found wanting Discovered to be inadequate for a particular purpose.
985. wear  - wear the breeches Domination of the husband by the wife.
986. wet  – wet one’s pants Become extremely excited or scared.
987. wet  - wet one’s whistle To have an alcoholic drink.
988. wheel  – behind the wheel driving a vehicle.
989. wheel  – wheel and deal Involve in unscrupulous political or commercial schemes.
990. wheel  – wheels within wheels Situation of extreme complexity.
991. wild  – in the wild In an uncultivated or uninhabited region; a wilderness.
992. wild  – wild and woolly Lacking good manners
993. wild  - wild goose chase Hunt for something that does not exist or is not worth hunting for.
994. win  – win the day Be victorious in a battle, argument, etc.
995. wink  – in a wink Very quickly; any moment now.
996. word  - a good word Words in commendation of someone.
997. word  - have a word To speak briefly.
998. word  - word of honour Binding engagement or a promise.
999. word  - words fail me Too shocked or surprised to say anything.
1000. world  – the outside world Existing away from a place or area; the rest of the world.