English Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List - T
(Idioms T, page 15 : twist someone's arm → put two and two together)
| twist someone's arm | If you twist
someone's arm, you make them do
something, without using physical force. He didn't have to twist my arm when he invited me out for dinner - I was happy to accept! |
| twist in the wind | If someone is left
to twist in the wind, they are left
to face a difficult situation without any
assistance or support. He walked out of the press conference and left his agent twisting in the wind. |
| two of a kind |
People who are two of a kind are similar in
character, attitude or tastes. Pete and Ben are two of a kind; they enjoy sports and are very competitive. |
| two can play at that game | You say this to
tell someone that you can behave towards
them in the same unpleasant way that they
have behaved towards you. He refuses to take my call? Tell him two can play at that game! |
| two-faced | Someone who is
two-faced is deceitful or insincere;
they will say one thing to your face and
something else when you are not there. I don't trust Billy. I find him two-faced. |
| two left feet | If you have two
left feet, you are clumsy or awkward in
your movements. I'm afraid I'm a bad dancer. I've got two left feet! |
| in two minds | If you are in
two minds about something, you have
difficulty deciding what to do. I'm in two minds about whether or not to accept the offer. |
| takes two to tango | You say this when
you think that a difficult situation cannot
be the fault of one person alone. We've heard Fred's side of the story - but it takes two to tango! |
| two peas in a pod | Two people who are
like two peas in a pod are very similar
in appearance. The two brothers are very alike - they're like two peas in a pod! |
| in two shakes of a lamb's tail | To do something
in two shakes of a lamb's tail means to
do it very quickly. Wait for me. I'll be ready in two shakes (of a lamb's tail). |
| two-time someone | If one person
two-times another, they cheat on their
partner by having a romantic relationship
with another person at the same time. Sally left Harry when she discovered he was two-timing her. |
| two's company, three's a crowd | This is said of two
people, particularly lovers, who would
prefer to be alone together rather than to
have someone else with them. I'd rather not come to the cinema with you, thanks. Two's company ...! |
| put two and two together | To put two and
two together means to reach the right
conclusion based on the information you
have. When she saw Jill and Ben holding hands, it wasn't hard to put two and two together! |
| ...back | |
alphabetical lists T ...
| T1 | T2 | T3 | T4 | T5 | T6 | T7 | T8 | T9 | T10 | T11 | T12 | T13 | T14 | T15 |
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X-Y-Z |