Chinese wallsChinese walls are regulatory information barriers that aim to stop the flow of information that could be misused, especially in financial corporations.Chinese whispersWhen a story is told from person to person, especially if it is gossip or scandal, it inevitably gets distorted and exaggerated. This process is called Chinese whispers.Double DutchIf something is double […]
A day late and a dollar shortIf something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late.A fool and his money are soon partedThis idiom means that people who aren’t careful with their money spend it quickly. ‘A fool and his money are easily parted’ is an alternative form of
Ambulance chaserA lawyer who encourages people who have been in accidents or become ill to sue for compensation is an ambulance chaser.Eye for an eyeThis is an expression for retributive justice, where the punishment equals the crime.Jersey justiceJersey justice is very severe justice.Jury’s outIf the jury’s out on an issue, then there is no general
All the tea in ChinaIf someone won’t do something for all the tea in China, they won’t do it no matter how much money they are offered.Apple of your eyeSomething or, more often, someone that is very special to you is the ‘apple of your’ eye.As cool as a cucumberIf someone is as cool as
Black and whiteWhen it is very clear who or what is right and wrong, then the situation is black and white.Black as Newgate’s knockerIf things are as black as Newgate’s knocker, they are very bad. Newgate was an infamous prison in England, so its door knocker meant trouble.Black holeIf there is a black hole in
All hat, no cattleWhen someone talks big, but cannot back it up, they are all hat, no cattle.All mouth and trousersSomeone who’s all mouth and trousers talks or boasts a lot but doesn’t deliver.All talk and no trousersSomeone who is all talk and no trousers, talks about doing big, important things, but doesn’t take any
As cold as iceThis idiom can be used to describe a person who does not show any emotion.As mad as a hatterIt means that someone is crazy or behaves very strangely. In the past many people who made hats went insane because they had a lot of contact with mercury.Bald as a cootA person who
About faceIf someone changes their mind completely, this is an about face. It can be used when companies, governments, etc, change their position on an issue.Absence makes the heart grow fonderThis idiom means that when people are apart, their love grows stronger.All earsIf someone says they’re all ears, they are very interested in hearing about
ANIMALSA little bird told meIf someone doesn’t want to say where he got some information from, he can say that a little bird told me.Albatross around your neckAn albatross around your neck is a problem resulting from something you did that stops you from being successful.Ants in your pantsIf someone has ants in their pants,
Zero hourThe time when something important is to begin is zero hour.Zero toleranceIf the police have a zero tolerance policy, they will not overlook any crime, no matter how small or trivial.
Yah boo sucksYah boo & yah boo sucks can be used to show that you have no sympathy with someone.Yellow pressThe yellow press is a term for the popular and sensationalist newspapers.Yellow streakIf someone has a yellow streak, they are cowardly about something.Yellow-belliedA yellow-bellied person is a coward.YenIf you have a yen to do something,
X factorThe dangers for people in the military that civilians do not face, for which they receive payment, are known as the X factor.X marks the spotThis is used to say where something is located or hidden.X-ratedIf something is x-rated, it is not suitable for children.
Waiting in the wingsIf someone is waiting in the wings, they are in the background, but nearby, ready to act on short notice.Wake-up callA wake-up call is a warning of a threat or a challenge, especially when it means that people will have to change their behaviour to meet it.Walk on eggshellsIf you have to
Vale of tearsThis vale of tears is the world and the suffering that life brings.Velvet gloveThis idiom is used to describe a person who appears gentle, but is determined and inflexible underneath.Vicar of BrayA person who changes their beliefs and principles to stay popular with people above them is a Vicar of Bray.Vicious circleA vicious
U-turnIf a government changes its position radically on an issue, especially when they have promised not to do so, this is a U-turn.Ugly ducklingAn ugly duckling is a child who shows little promise, but who develops later into a real talent or beauty.Uncharted watersIf you’re in uncharted waters, you are in a situation that is
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