Sahil Gupta

Take a leaf out of someone’s bookIf you take a leaf out of someone’s book, you copy something they do because it will help you.Take a straw pollIf you take a straw poll, you sound a number of people out to see their opinions on an issue or topic.Take it on the chinIf you take […]

Sacred cowSomething that is a sacred cow is held in such respect that it cannot be criticised or attacked.Safe and soundIf you arrive safe and sound, then nothing has harmed you on your way.Safe betA proposition that is a safe bet doesn’t have any risks attached.Safe pair of handsA person who can be trusted to

Rack and ruinIf something or someone goes to rack and ruin, they are utterly destroyed or wrecked.Rags to richesSomeone who starts life very poor and becomes rich, goes from rags to riches.Raining cats and dogsWhen it is raining cats and dogs, it is raining very heavily.Rainy dayIf you save something, especially money, for a rainy

Queen of HeartsA woman who is pre-eminent in her area is a Queen of Hearts.Queer fishA strange person is a queer fish.Queer StreetIf someone is in a lot of trouble, especially financial, they are in Queer Street.Queer your pitchIf someone queers your pitch, they interfere in your affairs and spoil things.Queue jumpingSomeone who goes to

Paddle your own canoeIf you paddle your own canoe, you do things for yourself without outside help.Pain in the neckIf someone is very annoying and always disturbing you, they are a pain in the neck.Paint the town redIf you go out for a night out with lots of fun and drinking, you paint the town

Odds and endsOdds and ends are small, remnant articles and things.Off colourIf someone looks off colour they look ill.Off the chartIf something goes off the chart, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or bad, for something.Off the cuffIf you do something off the cuff, you do it without any preparation.Off the hookIf someone is

Nail in the coffinA nail in someone or something’s coffin is a problem or event that is a clear step towards an inevitable failure.Nature abhors a vacuumThis idiom is used to express the idea that empty or unfilled spaces are unnatural as they go against the laws of nature and physics.Neck and neckIf two competitors

Mad as a badgerIf someone is as mad as a badger, they are crazy.Mad as a hornetIf someone is as mad as a hornet, they are very angry indeed.Mad as a March hareSomeone who is excitable and unpredictable is as mad as a March hare.Mailed fistSomeone who rules or controls something with a mailed fist

Labour of loveA labour of love is a project or task undertaking for the interest or pleasure in doing it rather than the reward, financial or otherwise.Labour of loveA labour of love is a project or task undertaking for the interest or pleasure in doing it rather than the reward, financial or otherwise.Lame duckIf something

Kangaroo courtWhen people take the law into their own hands and form courts that are not legal, these are known as kangaroo court.Keen as mustardIf someone is very enthusiastic, they are as keen as mustard.Keep abreastIf you keep abreast of things, you stay informed about developments.Keep at bayIf you keep someone or something at bay,

Jack FrostIf everything has frozen in winter, then Jack Frost has visited.Jack-of-all-tradesA jack-of-all-trades is someone that can do many different jobs.Jane DoeJane Doe is a name given to an unidentified female who may be party to legal proceedings, or to an unidentified person in hospital, or dead.Jersey justiceJersey justice is very severe justice.Jet-blackTo emphasise just

I hereby give notice of my intentionHereby is used sometimes in formal, official declarations and statements to give greater force to the speaker’s or the writer’s affirmation. People will say it sometimes to emphasise their sincerity and correctness.I should cocoaThis idiom comes from ‘I should think so’, but is normally used sarcastically to mean the

Hair of the dogIf someone has a hair of the dog, they have an alcoholic drink as a way of getting rid of a hangover, the unpleasant effects of having drunk too much alcohol the night before. It is commonly used as a way of excusing having a drink early on in the day.Half-bakedA half-baked

Game planA game plane is a strategy.Gardening leaveIf someone is paid for a period when they are not working, either after they have given in their notice or when they are being investigated, they are on gardening leave.Get along famouslyIf people get along famously, they have an exceedingly good relationship.Get on your soapboxIf someone on

Face like thunderIf someone has a face like thunder, they are clearly very angry or upset about something.Face the musicIf you have to face the music, you have to accept the negative consequences of something you have done wrong.Face valueIf you take something at face value, you accept the appearance rather than looking deeper into