摘要: You are "finding your feet" when you are learning what to do and becoming more comfortable acting in a certain type of situation. Example: "I've only been at this job for a few months. I'm just f[阅读全文]

摘要: "Fair and fair alike" reminds us that what is fair for one person should be fair for another; the rules of fairness must apply evenly to all. Example: "Peter is getting two candies but I am only ge[阅读全文]

摘要: Everything but the kitchen sink is what you brought with you when you included almost everything you could think to bring. Example: "Wow, your suitcase is huge. What do you have in there? Everything[阅读全文]

摘要: Every cloud has a silver lining means that you should never feel hopeless because difficult times always lead to better days. Example: "What am I going to do? My girlfriend has left me again!" Reply[阅读全文]

摘要: A "dry spell" originally refers to a period of time when there is no rain. Example: "We've been having quite a dry spell lately; it hasn't rained in over two weeks." Likewise, to have a "dry sp[阅读全文]

摘要: Difficult situations require us to take actions that would be considered extreme if taken in other situations. Example: "Sales have been slow and we had to let go three of our employees; drastic time[阅读全文]

摘要: The "wire" is an analogy for the finish line. The first person to cross the finish line is the winner. When a race is very close it is not clear who the winner is until they "cross the wire." A co[阅读全文]

摘要: To "put all your eggs in one basket" is to risk losing everything all at one time. Example: "My father is a very careful investor; he never puts all of his eggs in one basket." If you had a certai[阅读全文]

摘要: You are looking a gift horse in the mouth when you receive a gift and then you question the value of that gift. Example: "This shirt you gave me is not my favorite brand." Reply: "Don't look a gif[阅读全文]

摘要: Dog-eat-dog describes a world in which people fight for themselves only and will hurt other people. Example: "I have been in this business for twenty years. It's dog-eat-dog. The competition is alwa[阅读全文]

摘要: "Don't count your chickens until they're hatched" means that you can hope certain things happen in the future, but you cannot know for sure that they will happen until they actually do happen. Exa[阅读全文]

摘要: This word "heat" is a counting word for a single speed race, such as a swimming or a running race. A dead heat refers to a race that has resulted in a tie. The "heat" is referred to as a "dead"[阅读全文]

摘要: Curiosity killed the cat reminds us that being too curious can be dangerous. Example: "What do you think is down that dark street?" Reply: "I would rather not find out. Curiosity killed the cat."[阅读全文]

摘要: To cry wolf is to call for help when you are not really in danger. Example: "Mom, Dad! Can you come to my room? I think there is something under my bed!" Reply: "Son, you just go back to bed, and s[阅读全文]

摘要: To cry over spilled milk is to remain upset about a past loss. Example: "We came so close. Really. We almost won that game!" Reply: "There's no use crying over spilled milk." When milk has been s[阅读全文]

摘要: An old superstition says that if you cross your fingers (usually two fingers of the same hand) it will bring good luck. Example: "I don't know what I will get for my birthday, but I am crossing my f[阅读全文]

摘要: "Come hell or high water" makes clear that some future event will happen and no other event will stop it from happening. Example: "Will you be at the family reunion next year?" Answer: "Yes- we'[阅读全文]

摘要: You go cold turkey when you suddenly stop taking a drug which you had been taking regularly. Example: "Did it take you a long time to quit smoking?" Reply: "No. I just went cold turkey, and I never[阅读全文]

摘要: You call something off when you decide to cancel it. Example: "How did your party go?" Reply: "Oh. We had to call it off." An event is called off when the decision is made that the event will not[阅读全文]

摘要: When you are not able to perform at the required level, you can't cut the mustard. Example: "Did you hear that Williams got fired?" Reply: "Yes. He couldn't cut the mustard." It is as if cutting[阅读全文]