A-Z Index | D.V.C.I.

A

A cock and bull storyAn elaborate, implausible tale.
A Dog's BreakfastA complete mess or muddle.
A Flash in the PanSomething that shows early promise but quickly fails or fizzles out.
A Method to the MadnessA hidden purpose or logic behind behaviour that looks irrational.
A skeleton in the cupboardA shameful secret kept hidden, usually within a family.
A Taste of Your Own MedicineTo be treated the way you have treated others, especially badly.
Actions Speak Louder Than WordsWhat people do matters more than what they say.
Add Insult to InjuryTo make an already bad situation worse.
Argy-bargyA heated argument or dispute.
As Right as RainIn perfect health or good order.
At a loose endHaving nothing to do; idle.
At LoggerheadsIn serious dispute or conflict with someone.
At sixes and sevensIn a state of confusion or disarray.
At the Drop of a HatImmediately, without any hesitation or need for persuasion.

B

Back to the Drawing BoardTo start over after a plan or attempt has failed.
BairnA child, especially a baby or young son or daughter.
Baker's DozenThirteen, one more than a standard dozen.
Barking MadCompletely crazy or irrational.
Barking Up the Wrong TreeTo pursue a mistaken assumption or the wrong course of action entirely.
Batten down the hatchesTo prepare for a difficulty or crisis.
Beat around the bushTo avoid getting to the point, or to approach a difficult topic indirectly.
Bend Over BackwardsTo make an extreme effort to help or accommodate someone.
Between a Rock and a Hard PlaceCaught in a difficult situation where every available option is bad.
Between the devil and the deep blue seaStuck between two equally bad or difficult choices.
Beyond the paleOutside the bounds of acceptable behaviour.
Birds of a Feather Flock TogetherPeople with similar interests or character tend to associate with each other.
Bite Off More Than You Can ChewTo take on more responsibility or work than you can actually handle.
Bite the bulletTo face an unpleasant or painful situation with courage.
Bite your tongueTo stop yourself from saying something, especially something you might regret.
Bits and bobsA miscellaneous collection of small items.
Bob's your uncleThere you go; it's as simple as that.
Bog standardOrdinary, basic, without any special features.
BostinExcellent; great.
Break a LegA traditional way to wish a performer good luck right before they go on stage.
Break the iceTo ease initial social tension or awkwardness, especially between strangers.
Bricking itTo be extremely frightened or nervous.
Burn the Midnight OilTo work or study late into the night.
Burn Your BridgesTo destroy any possibility of retreating or going back to a previous situation.
Burning the Candle at Both EndsExhausting yourself by overworking, especially by staying up late and rising early.
Burst Your BubbleTo shatter someone's illusions, hopes, or fantasies.
Bury the HatchetTo formally end a conflict and restore peace.
By hook or by crookBy whatever means necessary, fair or otherwise.
By the Skin of Your TeethTo narrowly escape or achieve something, by the smallest possible margin.

C

Call It a DayTo stop working or doing something, usually because enough has been done for now.
Cat Got Your Tongue?A question asked to someone who has suddenly gone quiet or is unable to speak.
Catch-22A no-win situation created by contradictory rules, where the only solution is blocked by the problem itself.
Caught red-handedCaught in the act of doing something wrong.
Cheesed OffAnnoyed, fed up, or irritated.
Chip on Your ShoulderTo carry a grudge or a persistent, defensive resentment, as if spoiling for a fight.
Chuffed to bitsExtremely pleased or delighted.
Close, But No CigarA near success that still falls short of actually winning or succeeding.
Cock-a-HoopExtremely and openly pleased, especially about a success.
CodswallopNonsense; rubbish talk.
Cold Enough to Freeze the Balls Off a Brass MonkeyAn exaggerated way of saying it's extremely cold.
Cold TurkeyTo stop a habit or addiction abruptly and completely, without weaning off gradually.
Cost a bombTo be very expensive.
Cost an Arm and a LegTo be extremely expensive.
Cry Over Spilled MilkTo waste time being upset about something that can't be undone.
Curiosity Killed the CatA warning that being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.
Curry favourTo ingratiate yourself with someone through flattery, especially for personal gain.
Cut and runTo leave quickly, especially to escape a difficult situation.
Cut CornersTo do something in the easiest or cheapest way, at the expense of quality.
Cut the MustardTo succeed, or to meet the required standard.
Cut to the ChaseTo get straight to the point, skipping unnecessary detail.
CwtchA hug or cuddle that carries a sense of safety and warmth, or a small cupboard.

D

Devil's AdvocateSomeone who argues an opposing position, often just to test an idea.
DiehardSomeone stubbornly loyal to a cause or belief, refusing to give up even against the odds.
Don't Judge a Book by Its CoverDon't form an opinion about something or someone based only on outward appearance.
Don't Put All Your Eggs in One BasketDon't risk everything on a single plan, investment, or option.
Donkey's yearsA very long time.
Dressed to the NinesDressed extremely smartly or elaborately, making a real effort.

E

Eat Humble PieTo be forced to admit you were wrong and apologise, often humiliatingly.
Elbow greaseHard physical effort, especially manual scrubbing or polishing.
Elbow roomEnough space to move or act freely.
Every Cloud Has a Silver LiningEven a difficult situation contains some hidden benefit or hope.
Ey upHello; also used as an exclamation of surprise or to draw attention.

F

Face the MusicTo accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions.
Fair clemmedVery hungry.
Fit as a fiddleIn excellent health or condition.

G

GadgieA man, especially an older bloke, sometimes used for any adult male.
Gan cannyTake care; go carefully.
Get a Second WindTo recover energy and enthusiasm after a period of tiredness.
GinnelA narrow alleyway or passage running between buildings, usually terraced houses.
Give it some wellyTo put in more effort or power, especially when driving or exerting physical force.
Give someone the cold shoulderTo deliberately treat someone with unfriendly indifference.
Go Down in FlamesTo fail dramatically and completely.
Go the Extra MileTo make a greater effort than is expected or required.
Gone for a BurtonLost, broken, ruined, or (originally) killed.
Gordon Bennett!An exclamation of surprise, frustration, or exasperation.

H

Have a chin wagTo have a chat, especially a long or gossipy one.
Head Over HeelsCompletely and often suddenly in love, or in a state of reckless enthusiasm.
Hit the Nail on the HeadTo describe or identify something with complete accuracy.
Hit the RoadTo leave, or set off on a journey.
Hit the SackTo go to bed.
Hold Your HorsesWait, slow down, or be patient.

I

I don't like the cut of your jibTo dislike (or like) someone based on their general appearance or manner.
In a pickleIn a difficult, awkward, or messy situation.
In the Same BoatFacing the same difficult situation or circumstances as someone else.
It Takes Two to TangoBoth people involved share responsibility for a situation, especially a conflict.

J

JiggeredUtterly exhausted, or, as an exclamation ('well, I'll be jiggered!'), astonished.
Jump on the BandwagonTo join a popular activity, movement, or trend.
Jump the GunTo act prematurely, before the proper or agreed time.

K

Keep an Eye OnTo watch something or someone closely.
Keep Your Chin UpStay positive and optimistic, even in a difficult situation.
Kick the bucketTo die.
Kill Two Birds With One StoneTo achieve two goals with a single action.
Know the RopesTo understand how something works, especially through experience.
Know Your OnionsTo be knowledgeable and experienced about a subject.

L

Let Sleeping Dogs LieDon't disturb a settled situation, or you may provoke new trouble.
Let the cat out of the bagTo reveal a secret, often accidentally.
Let the Chips Fall Where They MayTo accept whatever outcome results from doing the right thing, without trying to control it.
Loose CannonAn unpredictable person prone to causing damage if left unchecked.

M

Mad as a hatterCompletely crazy or eccentric.
Mad as a March HareCompletely wild, crazy, or eccentric.
Make a Long Story ShortTo summarise or skip ahead to the point.
MardySulky, moody, or irritable.
Mind your Ps and QsBehave properly; be on your best manners.
Miss the BoatTo miss an opportunity, especially through delay.
MitherTo pester, nag, or make an unnecessary fuss.

N

NeshOverly sensitive to cold weather; soft or feeble.
No Pain, No GainWorthwhile results require difficult or uncomfortable effort.
No room to swing a catAn extremely small or cramped space.
Not the full shillingNot very intelligent, or not quite right in the head.
Nowt and Owt"Nowt" means nothing and "owt" means anything, as in 'there's nowt so queer as folk' or 'have you got owt for us?'

O

On Cloud NineExtremely happy; euphoric.
On the BallAlert, competent, and quick to respond.
On the fiddleEngaged in petty cheating, fraud, or dishonest dealing, especially for small personal gain.
Once in a Blue MoonVery rarely.
Out of the BlueSuddenly and without warning.
Over the moonDelighted; extremely pleased.
Over the topExcessive, exaggerated, or overdone.

P

Paint the Town RedTo go out and celebrate in a wild, unrestrained way.
Piece of CakeSomething very easy to do.
Pull out all the stopsTo make a maximum, unrestrained effort.
Pull Your LegTo tease someone, especially by telling them something untrue as a joke.
Push the boat outTo spend generously, especially to celebrate something.
Put Your Foot DownTo assert authority firmly, refusing to allow something.

R

RadgieAn aggressive, hot-tempered person, or a fit of temper itself.
Raining cats and dogsRaining extremely heavily.
Read the riot actTo reprimand someone forcefully, warning them to stop misbehaving.
Rule of ThumbA broadly practical, approximate method or guideline rather than an exact, tested rule.
Run the GauntletTo face a barrage of criticism, danger, or difficulty from multiple directions at once.

S

ScranFood, especially a meal.
See Eye to EyeTo agree completely with someone.
Sent to CoventryTo be deliberately ignored or ostracised by a group.
Show a legGet out of bed; get moving.
Show your true coloursTo reveal your real character or intentions, especially after hiding them.
Sit on the FenceTo avoid committing to either side of a decision or argument.
Sleep tightA wish for someone to sleep well.
Son of a GunA mild, often affectionate term for a rascal or someone remarkable.
Spill the BeansTo reveal a secret, often prematurely or accidentally.
Splice the mainbraceTo have a drink, especially to celebrate.
Steal someone's thunderTo take credit for someone else's idea, or to upstage them.
Straight from the horse's mouthInformation from the most direct, authoritative source possible.

T

Ta-raGoodbye.
Take It With a Grain of SaltTo view a claim with healthy skepticism rather than accepting it fully.
Take the biscuitTo be an extreme or most remarkable example of something, usually bad behaviour.
Taking coals to NewcastleDoing something pointless or superfluous.
Taking the mickeyTo mock, tease, or make fun of someone, often gently.
Talk the hind legs off a donkeyTo talk incessantly or excessively.
That's not cricketThat's not fair or proper conduct.
The Ball Is in Your CourtIt's now your turn to act or make a decision.
The Bee's KneesSomething or someone considered excellent, the best.
The Elephant in the RoomAn obvious problem or difficult topic that everyone is avoiding discussing.
The full MontyThe whole thing; everything, with nothing left out.
The Green-Eyed MonsterJealousy, personified as a destructive force.
The Last StrawThe final, seemingly small event that causes a much larger reaction after a long buildup.
The Proof of the Pudding Is in the EatingThe real value or success of something can only be judged by trying it or seeing the results.
The Real McCoyThe genuine, authentic thing, not an imitation.
The Whole Nine YardsEverything; the full amount, with nothing held back.
The Whole ShebangEverything; the entire thing, with all its parts included.
The World Is Your OysterYou have complete freedom and opportunity to make of life whatever you want.
The Writing on the WallA clear sign that something bad or disastrous is about to happen.
Three sheets to the windVery drunk.
Throw Caution to the WindTo act boldly, ignoring risk or restraint.
Throw in the TowelTo give up or admit defeat.
Tickled PinkExtremely pleased or delighted.
Toe the lineTo conform to a rule or standard.
Turn a blind eyeTo deliberately ignore something you know is happening.

U

Under the WeatherFeeling slightly unwell or in low spirits.

W

Walking on EggshellsBeing extremely cautious not to upset or offend someone.
WazzockA foolish or annoying person, said with a certain amount of affection.
Well, I'll Go to the Foot of Our StairsAn exclamation of surprise or disbelief, roughly 'well, I never!'
When Pigs FlyUsed to say something will never happen.
White ElephantA possession that's costly or troublesome to maintain, disproportionate to its actual usefulness.