Adjective Idiomatic Phrases of English Grammar

On cloud nine: Feeling extremely happy or euphoric. Example: After receiving the promotion, she was on cloud nine.

In the red: Having a negative financial balance or debt. Example: His extravagant spending put him in the red this month.

Burning the midnight oil: Working late into the night. Example: To finish the project on time, they had to burn the midnight oil.

Under the weather: Feeling unwell or slightly ill. Example: I can't go to the party tonight; I'm feeling a bit under the weather.

Behind the eight ball: In a difficult or disadvantageous position. Example: Missing the crucial meeting put him behind the eight ball at work.

A piece of cake: Something very easy to do. Example: Solving that math problem was a piece of cake for her.

On the same page: Having a shared understanding or agreement. Example: It's important for the team to be on the same page regarding the project goals.

In hot water: In trouble or facing consequences for one's actions. Example: He found himself in hot water after missing the important deadline.

Out of the blue: Unexpectedly or without warning. Example: The job offer came out of the blue; I wasn't expecting it at all.

On the ball: Alert, competent, and attentive. Example: She's always on the ball during meetings, never missing any details.

Walking on air: Feeling extremely happy or elated. Example: After the wedding, they were walking on air with their new life together.

In the dark: Uninformed or unaware of something. Example: I'm completely in the dark about the changes in the project.

Biting the bullet: Facing a difficult situation with courage. Example: He had to bite the bullet and apologize for his mistake.

Spill the beans: To reveal a secret unintentionally. Example: She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.

Jumping on the bandwagon: Joining a popular trend or activity. Example: Many businesses are jumping on the bandwagon of online marketing.

Barking up the wrong tree: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action. Example: Accusing her of theft is barking up the wrong tree; she's innocent.

A dime a dozen: Very common and easy to find. Example: Those cheap souvenirs are a dime a dozen in tourist areas.

In the nick of time: Just in time, at the last possible moment. Example: He arrived in the nick of time to catch his flight.

The ball is in your court: It's your turn to make a decision or take action. Example: I've given you all the information; now the ball is in your court.

On thin ice: In a risky or precarious situation. Example: After the argument, their relationship was on thin ice.

Cutting corners: Taking shortcuts or doing something quickly without proper care. Example: They got into trouble for cutting corners in the construction project.

In a nutshell: Summing something up briefly. Example: In a nutshell, the presentation covered our financial goals.

Cry over spilled milk: Worrying about something that has already happened and cannot be changed. Example: There's no use crying over spilled milk; let's find a solution.

The icing on the cake: Something that makes a good situation even better. Example: Winning the lottery was the icing on the cake of his successful year.

Once in a blue moon: Very rarely or infrequently. Example: She visits her hometown once in a blue moon since moving away.

Out of the woods: Free from danger or a difficult situation. Example: After months of recovery, she's finally out of the woods.

Sick as a dog: Extremely ill or unwell. Example: I couldn't go to work because I was sick as a dog.

In seventh heaven: In a state of extreme happiness or bliss. Example: Winning the championship put him in seventh heaven.

On pins and needles: Anxious or nervous about something. Example: She was on pins and needles waiting for the exam results.

Fit as a fiddle: In excellent physical condition. Example: Despite his age, he's still as fit as a fiddle.

The pot calling the kettle black: Hypocritical criticism. Example: It's like the pot calling the kettle black when he talks about honesty.

A watched pot never boils: Impatience makes time seem longer. Example: Stop checking your email every minute; a watched pot never boils.

In the same boat: In a similar situation or predicament. Example: We're all in the same boat when it comes to dealing with the new policy.

Like a fish out of water: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a new situation. Example: At the formal event, he felt like a fish out of water in casual attire.

The straw that broke the camel's back: The final event that causes an already stressed situation to collapse. Example: Her resignation was the straw that broke the camel's back for the company.

In the eleventh hour: At the last possible moment. Example: They completed the project in the eleventh hour.

Playing with fire: Engaging in a dangerous or risky activity. Example: Not wearing a helmet while biking is like playing with fire.

A leopard can't change its spots: People can't change their inherent nature. Example: Despite his promises, he still lied—like a leopard can't change its spots.

In someone's good graces: In someone's favor or approval. Example: After the successful presentation, she was in the manager's good graces.

All ears: Eager and attentive to listen. Example: When the teacher started telling a story, the students were all ears.

Clean as a whistle: Completely clean and spotless. Example: She left the kitchen clean as a whistle after cooking dinner.

Like a moth to a flame: Attracted to something irresistibly, even if it's dangerous. Example: He was drawn to her charm like a moth to a flame.

A penny for your thoughts: Asking someone what they are thinking. Example: You seem lost in thought; a penny for your thoughts?

In the driver's seat: In control or in a position of authority. Example: With the promotion, he's now in the driver's seat at the company.

Once bitten, twice shy: Being cautious after a negative experience. Example: After the failed investment, he's once bitten, twice shy about financial risks.

Walking a tightrope: Balancing on a thin line between success and failure. Example: Managing the project felt like walking a tightrope with tight deadlines.

A drop in the bucket: A very small or insignificant amount compared to what is needed. Example: The donation was appreciated, but it was just a drop in the bucket for the charity's needs.

Raining cats and dogs: Raining heavily. Example: We had to postpone the picnic because it started raining cats and dogs.

On a wild goose chase: Pursuing something unlikely or unattainable. Example: Searching for that lost key turned out to be a wild goose chase.

In the same ballpark: Roughly similar or in the same general range. Example: Their estimates for the project cost were in the same ballpark.

Hit the nail on the head: Describe something exactly or do something exactly right. Example: She hit the nail on the head with her analysis of the situation.

Keep your eyes peeled: Be watchful and attentive. Example: While hiking, it's important to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife.

Like a bull in a china shop: Being clumsy or careless in a delicate situation. Example: He barged into the meeting room like a bull in a china shop.

The elephant in the room: An obvious problem or issue that everyone is avoiding. Example: Their ongoing conflict was the elephant in the room during the family dinner.

Up in arms: Extremely angry or outraged about something. Example: The community was up in arms over the proposed construction project.

A penny saved is a penny earned: Money saved is as valuable as money earned. Example: He always prioritized budgeting, believing that a penny saved is a penny earned.

The last straw: The final irritating or unacceptable event that triggers a reaction. Example: His constant lateness was the last straw, and she ended the friendship.

Don't cry over spilled milk: Don't waste time lamenting things that cannot be changed. Example: Instead of dwelling on the mistake, he remembered not to cry over spilled milk.

Put all your eggs in one basket: Relying on a single plan or strategy. Example: Diversifying investments is important; you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket.

In the blink of an eye: Very quickly or suddenly. Example: The car disappeared in the blink of an eye after the accident.

Like a broken record: Repeating the same thing over and over. Example: He kept complaining about the weather, sounding like a broken record.

A wolf in sheep's clothing: Someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous. Example: He seemed friendly, but he turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

The apple of someone's eye: Someone's favorite person or thing. Example: His daughter was the apple of his eye, and he cherished her.

Put the cart before the horse: Doing things in the wrong order. Example: Launching the product before testing it would be putting the cart before the horse.

A rolling stone gathers no moss: People who keep moving and changing are less likely to accumulate responsibilities or commitments. Example: He traveled a lot and lived by the motto that a rolling stone gathers no moss.

A bitter pill to swallow: A difficult or unpleasant truth to accept. Example: Failing the exam was a bitter pill to swallow, but it motivated her to study harder.

Read between the lines: Understand a deeper or hidden meaning in something. Example: To understand her true feelings, you need to read between the lines of her words.

Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth: Privileged from birth, often in terms of wealth and opportunities. Example: He never had to work for anything; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Throw in the towel: Give up or surrender in the face of difficulty. Example: After hours of trying, he decided to throw in the towel and admit defeat.

Pulling someone's leg: Teasing or joking with someone in a playful manner. Example: He was just pulling your leg when he said he won the lottery.

Putting the cart before the horse: Doing things in the wrong order. Example: Planning the party before sending out invitations is like putting the cart before the horse.

A diamond in the rough: Someone or something with potential but in need of refinement. Example: With the right guidance, he could be a diamond in the rough in the business world.

Biting off more than you can chew: Taking on more responsibilities or tasks than you can handle. Example: Joining three clubs and taking five classes may be biting off more than you can chew.

Knock on wood: Superstitious gesture to avoid jinxing something good. Example: I've never had a car accident, knock on wood.

The early bird catches the worm: Being proactive and starting early can lead to success. Example: She always arrives at the office early because the early bird catches the worm.

Let the cat out of the bag: Accidentally reveal a secret. Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.

In the heat of the moment: Acting impulsively without thinking. Example: In the heat of the moment, he said things he didn't mean.

Throw caution to the wind: Take a risk without worrying about the consequences. Example: She decided to throw caution to the wind and follow her dreams.

Take it with a grain of salt: Be skeptical or not fully believe something. Example: His tall tales should be taken with a grain of salt.

The grass is always greener on the other side: People often think others have it better. Example: She thought a different job would be better, but the grass is always greener on the other side.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch: Don't assume success before it's certain. Example: Don't start celebrating your victory; don't count your chickens before they hatch.

Walking a fine line: Navigating a situation carefully and delicately. Example: As a mediator, she's skilled at walking a fine line between conflicting parties.

A taste of your own medicine: Experiencing something you often inflict on others. Example: He finally got a taste of his own medicine when someone criticized his work.

Like a bull in a china shop: Being clumsy or reckless in a delicate situation. Example: He entered the art gallery like a bull in a china shop, knocking over a sculpture.

Out of sight, out of mind: Forgetting about something when it's not visible or present. Example: She stored her old books in the attic, and they were out of sight, out of mind for years.

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