Idioms

Imagine walking on shaky, unstable sand versus standing firmly on rock. When a situation, plan, or argument is based on firm, reliable facts or conditions, we say it is on solid ground. This idiom is highly useful for discussing security, stability, and confidence in professional and political contexts. What Does “Solid Ground” Mean? The idiom…

Imagine being stuck in heavy traffic where cars are barely moving, or waiting for a website that takes forever to load. When movement, progress, or activity becomes extremely slow, almost stopping entirely, we say it slowed to a crawl. This vivid phrase is excellent for describing highly reduced speed or efficiency, often due to an…

Imagine standing at the top of an icy hill. Taking one small step down could make you slide uncontrollably to the very bottom. That is the idea behind the idiom slippery slope. This phrase is used to describe a course of action or an initial small step that will inevitably lead to a chain of…

Imagine you’re giving a presentation and you accidentally say the wrong date, or you make a simple calculation error on a test. When you make a small, careless mistake, you slip up. This phrasal verb is extremely common and is used to talk about minor errors, particularly those made while performing a task or speaking….

Imagine a person who goes on a diet and loses weight, or a company that cuts excessive spending to save money. When something becomes smaller, leaner, or less numerous, we say it slims down. This phrasal verb is most commonly used when talking about weight loss, but it is also widely used in business and…

Imagine asking a difficult question, and the person gives you a very long answer that talks about everything except the main point. When someone deliberately avoids giving a direct answer or dealing with a sensitive topic, we say they skirt the issue. This idiom is very common when discussing politics, interviews, or awkward conversations. What…

Imagine hearing an unfair rumor about a friend, or seeing a company make a bad decision. These things can make you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. When an idea, situation, or piece of news is agreeable or acceptable to someone, we say it sits well with them. This phrase is almost always used in the negative…

Imagine a very dark, stormy cloud. If you look closely, you might see a bright edge, or lining, around the cloud, shining from the sun behind it. In English, we use the term silver lining to refer to a hopeful or comforting prospect hidden within an otherwise difficult, unhappy, or challenging situation. This beautiful idiom…

Imagine waiting anxiously for important news, like the results of a big exam or a doctor’s test. When you finally hear that everything is fine and the worry instantly vanishes, you let out a long, audible breath. That is a sigh of relief. This common phrase is used to describe the feeling of sudden relaxation…

Imagine you have a large box of mixed papers or a huge folder of emails, and you need to find one specific piece of information. When you carefully examine a large amount of material to find something specific or separate what is useful from what is not, you sift through it. This phrasal verb is…

Imagine two friends arguing about a topic. When you finally choose one person’s opinion as correct, supporting them over the other, you side with them. This phrasal verb is extremely common and useful for discussing arguments, disagreements, and alliances in daily conversations. What Does “Side With” Mean? The phrasal verb “side with” means to support…

Imagine a factory that stops all work and closes its doors forever, or a computer that suddenly turns off. When something stops operating or functioning, we say it shut down. This is a versatile phrasal verb used in many contexts, from machines and businesses to people’s emotions and arguments. What Does “Shut Down” Mean? The…