English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms S, page 21
Idioms S, page 21: from: 'storm in a teacup' to: 'stretch the truth'
- storm in a teacup
- To refer to something as a storm in a teacup means that
people are making a lot of unnecessary fuss or getting excited about something unimportant.
"They were arguing about who should go to the supermarket, but it was just a storm in a teacup."
- To refer to something as a storm in a teacup means that
people are making a lot of unnecessary fuss or getting excited about something unimportant.
- in the eye of the storm
- A person or organisation who is in the eye of the
storm is deeply involved in a difficult situation which affects a lot of people.
"The Prime Minister was often in the eye of the storm during the debate on the tax reform."
- A person or organisation who is in the eye of the
storm is deeply involved in a difficult situation which affects a lot of people.
- stormy relationship
- If you have a stormy relationship with someone, you
have a lot of arguments and disagreements.
"After a very stormy relationship, they decided to separate."
- If you have a stormy relationship with someone, you
have a lot of arguments and disagreements.
- cut a long story short
- When talking about something, if you say 'to cut a long story short',
you indicate that you are going to say what is essential rather than go into the details.
"To cut a long story short, Anne and Jim are getting a divorce."
- When talking about something, if you say 'to cut a long story short',
you indicate that you are going to say what is essential rather than go into the details.
- same old story
- A common occurrence, or something that happens regularly or
always in the same way, is called an old story or the same old story.
"It's always the same old story: we do all the work and the boss takes all the credit!"
- A common occurrence, or something that happens regularly or
always in the same way, is called an old story or the same old story.
- straight as an arrow
- Someone who is as straight as an arrow is a morally
upright person who is extremely honest.
"You can leave the keys with Andy. He's as straight as an arrow. "
- Someone who is as straight as an arrow is a morally
upright person who is extremely honest.
- straight as a ramrod
- Someone who is (as) straight as a ramrod is a person
who keeps a straight back and looks very serious.
"When my grandfather invited us for dinner, he used to sit as straight as a ramrod at the head of the table."
- Someone who is (as) straight as a ramrod is a person
who keeps a straight back and looks very serious.
- strange bedfellows
- This expression refers to the unusual or unlikely
association of two or more people, companies or states.
"A car manufacturer and a bakery - strange bedfellows don't you think?"
- This expression refers to the unusual or unlikely
association of two or more people, companies or states.
- the last straw
- This expression means that this is the latest unpleasant
event and that you cannot tolerate the situation any longer.
"After a long day of negotiations with the protesters, the traffic jam was the last straw!"
- This expression means that this is the latest unpleasant
event and that you cannot tolerate the situation any longer.
- street-smart / steet-wise
- A person who is street-smart or streetwise has
enough experience and knowledge about life in the city to be able to deal with
difficult or dangerous situations.
"The kids living in this area are all street-smart - they're in less danger than us. "
- A person who is street-smart or streetwise has
enough experience and knowledge about life in the city to be able to deal with
difficult or dangerous situations.
- streets ahead
- If a person or organisation is streets ahead of
another, they are much better or more advanced.
"In measures to preserve the planet, the Scandinavians are streets ahead of us."
- If a person or organisation is streets ahead of
another, they are much better or more advanced.
- by no stretch of the imagination
- The expression 'by no stretch of the imagination'
means 'however hard you may try to believe or imagine it'.
"By no stretch of the imagination could the man be called handsome."
- The expression 'by no stretch of the imagination'
means 'however hard you may try to believe or imagine it'.
- stretch the truth
- When you stretch the truth, you exaggerate the
facts or say things that are not exactly true.
"Some candidates are tempted to stretch the truth about their skills or work experience."
- When you stretch the truth, you exaggerate the
facts or say things that are not exactly true.
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Please note that British English spelling is used on this website.