English idioms - Alphabetical list A

	Idiom	Meaning
L	Labour of love	A task that you do for your own pleasure and satisfaction and not for reward or profit is called a labour of love. "Preparing Christmas dinner for the family is what my mother calls a "labour of love".
	Lame duck	A person or organization that is in difficulty and unable to manage without help is called a lame duck. "Some banks have become lame ducks recently."
	Lame excuse	A lame excuse is an explanation which is weak and unconvincing. "If you're scared to do it, just say so. Don't invent some lame excuse."
	Land of the living	This is a humorous way of saying that someone is still alive. "Hi there! It's good to see you're still in the land of the living!"
	Land on your feet	If you land on your feet, you make a quick recovery after a difficulty such as a business failure, an illness, a loss, etc. "Don't worry about Bob. He always lands on his feet!"
	Lash out	If you lash out at somebody, you attack them, usually verbally. "On the ninth hole, Pete suddenly lashed out at Scott and accused him of cheating."
	Last thing on one's mind	If you say that something is the last thing on your mind, you mean that it is not an important matter at all, especially when you have more serious problems to consider. "I'm so busy that food is the last thing on my mind."
	Last resort	If you say that you would do something as a last resort, it is the last thing you would do if you were desperate and all other courses of action had failed. "I still haven't found a hotel for tonight; I can always sleep in the car as a last resort!"
	That's the last straw!	The expression means that this is the latest unpleasant event, and that you cannot tolerate the situation any longer.
	Last word	Something described as the last word is the most recent or most fashionable in its category. "Steve's new computer is the last word in technology."
	Laugh all the way to the bank	A person who makes a lot of money easily, especially through someone else's stupidity, is said to laugh all the way to the bank. "If we don't succeed in renewing the contract, our competitors will be laughing all the way to the bank"
	Laugh something off	When you laugh about something that has upset or hurt you, in order to make it seem less important, or to try to show that you do not care, you laugh it off. "She overheard her colleague's critical remark, but she laughed it off."
	Laugh up your sleeve	If you laugh up your sleeve, you are secretly amused at another person's problems or difficulties. "Tom felt that his explanation was confusing and that his colleague was laughing up his sleeve."
	Laughing stock	This expression refers to a person or group that everyone laughs at because they do something stupid or ridiculous. "If you wear that to school you'll be the laughing stock of the class!"
	Lay down the law	Someone who lays down the law tells people very forcefully and firmly what to do. "The volunteers helped in a disorganized way. They needed someone to lay down the law."
	Lead somebody up the garden path	If someone leads you up the garden path, they deceive you by making you believe something which is not true. "I still haven't got a promotion. I think my boss is leading me up the garden path!"
	Lead to a dead end	If a plan or a project leads to a dead end, it develops no further because it has no future. "In spite of the scientists' efforts, the research lead to a dead end."
	Leaps and bounds	If you do something in/by leaps and bounds, you make rapid or spectacular progress or growth. "The number of subscribers to the review has grown in leaps and bounds."
	Learn the hard way	If you learn the hard way, you learn through your own experience, good and bad, rather than from the advice or guidance of others. "His refusal to accept any help meant that he had to learn the hard way."
	Learning curve	This expression refers to the length of time needed to learn something new. "The new system has a long learning curve so we'll have to give the staff time to get used to it."
	Leave the door open	If you leave the door open, you behave in such a way as to allow the possibility of further action. "Both parties left the door open for further negotiations."
	Leave no stone unturned	If you try everything possible in order to achieve something or to find something, you leave no stone unturned. "The management left no stone unturned in their efforts to find a solution to the crisis."
	Leave well alone	If you leave well alone, you decide not to interfere with or change something that is acceptable or adequate. "It would be hard to get a better deal. Let's just leave well alone."
	The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing	This expression means that communication within a group or organization is so bad that people don't know what the others are doing.
	Left hanging in the air (or in mid-air)	If a problem or issue is left hanging in the air, no decision has been taken so it remains without a solution. "No solution was proposed during the meeting so the question was left hanging in the air."
	Left to your own devices	If you leave someone to their own devices, you let them look after themselves, without any help. "When left to their own devices, many children watch TV and eat junk food."
	Pull somebody's leg	If you pull somebody's leg, you tease them by telling them something that is not true. "Of course I'm not going to buy a sports car. I was just pulling your leg!"
	Not have a leg to stand on	To say that someone doesn't have a leg to stand on means that they can't prove what they say. "Three people testified against him. He didn't have a leg to stand on."
	On your last legs	If you are on your last legs, you are in a very weak condition or about to die.
	Less is more	This expression, used particularly in architecture and design, conveys the idea that things that are simple in style and smaller in size are better. "Simplicity is fashionable today. Less is more."
	Lesser of two evils	If you choose the lesser of two evils, you opt for the less unpleasant of two poor options. "I didn't want to go. Choosing the train instead of driving was the lesser of two evils; at least I could relax on the way."
	Let bygones be bygones	If you let bygones be bygones, you decide to forget about past disagreements. "When Charlie's son was born, he decided to let bygones be bygones and contacted his parents."
	Let me bounce this off you.	You say this when you present an idea or plan to someone in order to test their reaction or obtain feedback. "I think I've found a way of making money. Let me bounce this off you."
	Let the cat out of the bag	If you let the cat out of the bag, you reveal a secret, often not intentionally.
	To the letter	If you follow instructions or directions to the letter, you do exactly as is told or written. "Although she followed the instructions to the letter, she couldn't get the DVD player to work."
	Barefaced liar	Someone who lies easily, with a total lack of shame, is called a barefaced liar. "That barefaced liar stole my watch and said he'd found it!"
	Licence to print money	This expression refers to an officially authorized activity which enables people to make a lot of money without much effort. "The contract to supply computers to schools was a licence to print money."
	A lick and a promise	If you give something a lick and a promise, you make a quick and careless attempt to clean something, with the intention of doing it more thoroughly later. "She gave the kitchen a lick and a promise before she ran to catch the bus"
	Lick one's wounds	When a person licks their wounds, they try to recover their confidence or spirits after a defeat, failure or disappointment. "Poor Harry is licking his wounds after being dropped off the team."
	Keep the lid on something	If you keep the lid on something, you hide it or control it to prevent people from finding out about it. "The company tried to keep a lid on the negotiations but word got out to the Press."
	Lie in	If you lie in, you stay in bed after the normal time for getting up. "Great! Tomorrow I'm not on duty so I can lie in."
	Lie through your teeth	If you lie through your teeth, you lie openly and brazenly, knowing that what you are saying is completely false. "I saw him breaking the window. If he denies it, he's lying through his teeth."
	Tell a white lie	To tell a white lie means to say something which is not true in order to protect someone or to avoid hurting their feelings.
	(Risk) life and limb	If you risk life and limb, you are in danger of death or serious injury. "The roads are icy today; you'll risk life and limb if you go by car."
	Life and soul of the party	The life and soul of the party is the most lively and amusing person present at an event. "I'm so glad we invited Caroline. She was the life and soul of the party!"
	Life is just a bowl of cherries!	This expression means that life is pleasant and uncomplicated. "Now that he's retired, my grandfather often says "life is just a bowl of cherries".
	Life of Riley	If you live the life of Riley, you have a comfortable and enjoyable life, without having to work too hard. "He married a millionaire, and since then he's been living the life of Riley."
	Light at the end of the tunnel	If you see light at the end of the tunnel, you see signs of hope for the future after a long period of difficulty. "Sales dropped heavily last year but we're beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel."
	Light years ahead	If someone or something is light years ahead, they are far ahead in terms of development or progress. "We've got to invest more in research - our competitors are light years ahead!"
	Lights are on, but no one is home	A humorous way of referring to a person who is lacking intellect and/or sanity, or to someone who is simply preoccupied and not paying attention. "Forget about Andy today - the lights are on but no one is home!"
	Light work	If a person makes light work of something, they do it very easily or with little effort. "After the party, the boys made light work of the cleaning up. The house was spotless when they left."
	Like the back of one's hand	If you know something like the back of your hand, you are very familiar with it and know it in detail. "Of course I won't get lost. I know London like the back of my hand!"
	Like a bat out of hell	If something moves like a bat out of hell, it moves very quickly. "He grabbed the envelope and ran like a bat out of hell."
	Like a bear with a sore head	If someone is behaving like a bear with a sore head, they are very irritable and bad-tempered. "When his team lost the match, Brad was like a bear with a sore head."
	Like bringing a knife to a gunfight	To say that an action was like bringing a knife to a gunfight means that there was a total lack of preparation. "Asking an inexperienced lawyer to defend such a difficult case was like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
	Like a cat on hot bricks	A person who is like a cat on hot bricks is very nervous or restless. "The week before the results were published, she was like a cat on hot bricks."
	Like a scalded cat	If someone or something moves like a scalded cat, they move very fast, usually because they are frightened or shocked. "As soon as he saw the policeman, he ran off like a scalded cat."
	Like the cat that ate the canary	If, after an achievement or success, a person appears very self-satisfied or pleased with themselves, you can say that they look like the cat that ate the canary. "When the boss complimented him on his work, Steve looked like the cat that ate the canary."
	Like death warmed up	If you look like death warmed up, you look very ill or tired. "My boss told me to go home. He said I looked like death warmed up."
	Like a dog with two tails	If somebody is like a dog with two tails, they are extremely happy. "When Paul won the first prize, he was like a dog with two tails."
	Like a headless chicken	If a person rushes about like a headless chicken, they act in a disorderly way, without thinking or analyzing the situation carefully. "As soon as the store opened, my mother started running around like a headless chicken, eager to find bargains."
	Like it or lump it!	If you tell someone to like it or lump it, you mean that they will have to accept something even if they don't like it, because the situation is not going to change. "We're spending a week this summer with your grandparents - like it or lump it!"
	Like a moth to a flame	To say that a person is attracted to someone or something like a moth to a flame means that the attraction is so strong they cannot resist. "He's drawn to the casino like a moth to a flame."
	Like a red flag to a bull	To say that a statement or action is like a red flag to a bull means that it is sure to make someone very angry or upset. "Don't mention Tom's promotion to Mike. It would be like a red flag to a bull!"
	Like something the cat dragged in	If you compare a person or thing to something the cat dragged in, you think they look dirty, untidy or generally unappealing. "My teenage son often looks like something the cat dragged in."
	Like taking candy from a baby	To say that something is like taking candy from a baby means that it is very easy to do. "Don't worry - you'll manage. It'll be like taking candy from a baby!"
	Like taking sand to the beach	Doing something that is unnecessary or of no use at all is said to be like taking sand to the beach. "Bringing a cake to Judy's party is like taking sand to the beach; she always uses a caterer."
	Like there's no tomorrow. (also: as if there were no tomorrow)	If someone does something like there's no tomorrow, they do it fast and eagerly, and regardless of the future, as if this could be their last opportunity to do it. "I don't understand him; he's spending money like there's no tomorrow."
	Like a thief in the night	Someone who acts like a thief in the night does something secretly or in an unexpected manner. "He left the company like a thief in the night, without telling his colleagues or saying goodbye."
	Like a ton of bricks	If somebody comes down on you like a ton of bricks, they criticize you severely because you have done something wrong.
	Like water off a duck's back	To say that something, such as criticism or advice, is like water off a duck's back means that it has no effect at all. "He's warned of the dangers of smoking but it's like water off a duck's back."
	Likely story	This expression is used to say that you do not believe what has just been said. "He said he'd found the money on the street - that's a likely story!"
	Bottom line	If you use the term bottom line in an explanation or discussion, you refer to the most important or fundamental point.
	Cross the line.	To cross the line means to go beyond the authorized limits by doing something unacceptable.
	Line of least resistance	If you opt for the line of least resistance, you choose the easiest way of doing something. "To make sure the children would stay inside, he chose the line of least resistance and rented a film."
	Read between the lines.	To read between the lines means to understand a situation without a clear explanation or full details.
	Lion's den	If you walk into the lion's den, you find yourself in a difficult situation in which you have to face unfriendly or aggressive people.
	Lion's share	The lion's share of something is the largest portion, or the best part. "He left very little money to his children; the lion's share was donated to charity."
	Lip service	If you pay lip service to an idea or cause, you give verbal support or approval but fail to actually do anything. "In spite of promising equal pay for women, the management is suspected of paying lip service to the promotion of women's rights."
	Keep a stiff upper lip	If a person keeps a stiff upper lip, they contain their emotion and do not let other people see their feelings. "When she heard the bad news, she kept a stiff upper lip."
	Lick/smack one's lips	To say that a person is licking or smacking their lips means that they are showing that they are excited about something and are eager for it to happen. "They were smacking their lips at the idea of the money they were going to make."
	Lips are sealed	If you say that your lips are sealed, you promise not to reveal a secret. "I promise I won't tell anyone. My lips are sealed!"
	Lipstick on a pig	This expression means that trying to 'dress up' something unappealing or ugly, in a vain attempt to make it look better, is like putting lipstick on a pig. "Flowers will not not improve that ugly old bridge; every one agrees that it's lipstick on a pig."
	Live beyond one's means	If someone lives beyond their means, they spend more money than they earn or can afford. "The cost of living was so much higher in New York that he was soon living beyond his means."
	Live from hand to mouth	If you live from hand to mouth, you don't have enough money to save. Whatever you earn is spent on food and other essentials. "Most families in that poor area live from hand to mouth."
	Live high off the hog	Someone who lives high off the hog has a lot of money and a very comfortable lifestyle. "Now he's wealthy and living high off the hog."
	Live in an ivory tower.	A person who lives in an ivory tower has a lifestyle which preserves them from the problems and difficulties experienced by others. "You're completely out of touch - it's time to come out of your ivory tower and see what's going on!"
	Live out of a suitcase	Someone who lives out of a suitcase travels a lot, moving from place to place, and is therefore restricted to the contents of their suitcase. "Sarah's new job involves so much travelling that she lives out of a suitcase most of the time."
	Live the life of Riley	If you live the life of Riley, you have a comfortable and enjoyable life, without having to work too hard. "He married a millionaire, and since then he's been living the life of Riley."
	Live to tell the tale	Someone who lives to tell the tale survives a terrible experience. "Only two members of the expedition lived to tell the tale."
	Live up to one's/its reputation	If someone or something lives up to its reputation, it's as good, or as bad, as people say. "The guesthouse lived up to its reputation; the owners were as friendly and hospitable as we had been told."
	Living on borrowed time	This expression refers to a period of time after an illness or accident which could have caused death. "After heart surgery, some patients say they're living on borrowed time."
	Lo and behold!	This term is used to express surprise, especially at a sudden or unexpected appearance. "I was watering the flowers, when lo and behold, there was the watch I'd lost!"
	A load/weight off somebody's mind	If something takes a load or weight off somebody's mind, it brings great relief because a problem has been solved. "When the company closed down, finding a new job took a load off Tom's mind."
	Loan shark	A loan shark is an unauthorised person who lends money at extremely high interest rates to people who are unable to obtain a loan from the bank. "The young immigrant was beaten because he was late paying back money to a loan shark."
	Lock horns	If you lock horns with somebody, you argue or fight with them about something. "If there is another incident like that in the building, the occupants will be locking horns!"
	Lock, stock and barrel	This expression means 'everything'. "Julie found the apartment empty. David had taken everything - lock, stock and barrel!"
	At loggerheads	If you are at loggerheads with a person or organization, you disagree very strongly with them. "Management and trade unions are at loggerheads over the decision to close down the plant."
	A long row to hoe	This expression refers to a difficult task, assignment or undertaking that will take a long time. "Getting through medical school is going to be a long row to hoe."
	Look before you leap	This is something you say when advising someone to think carefully about the possible problems before doing something. "Don't decide too quickly. Look before you leap!"
	Look daggers at someone	Someone who looks daggers at another looks at them very angrily. "David looked daggers at Paul when he invited his new girlfriend to dance."
	Look down your nose	If someone looks down their nose at a person or thing, they consider that person or thing as inferior. "Intellectuals often look down their noses at amusement parks and such."
	Look like something the cat dragged in	If you compare a person or thing to something the cat dragged in, you think they look dirty, untidy or generally unappealing. "My teenage son often looks like something the cat dragged in.
	Look like the cat that ate the canary	If, after an achievement or success, a person appears very self-satisfied or pleased with themselves, you can say that they look like that cat that ate the canary. "When the boss complimented him on his work, Steve looked like the cat that ate the canary."
	Look on the bright side	If you look on the bright side, you view a mostly unpleasant situation in a positive and optimistic way and see the favourable aspects. "OK. You know nobody, But there's a bright side - you'll make lots of new friends!"
	Look a sight	If a person looks a sight, their appearance is awful, unsuitable or very untidy. "She looks a sight in that dress!"
	Long in the tooth	A person who is long in the tooth is a bit too old to do something. "She's a bit long in the tooth for a cabaret dancer isn't she?"
	Loose cannon	Someone who is referred to as a loose cannon is a member of a group who cannot be completely trusted because of unpredictable and irresponsible behaviour which can cause trouble or danger. "Keep an eye on Jamie. He tends to turn into a loose cannon when he has a few drinks."
	Be at a loose end	A person who is at a loose end has some spare time, and feels quite bored by having nothing in particular to do. "When the meeting was cancelled at the last minute, Julie unexpectedly found herself at a loose end.
	Lose one's marbles	If someone loses their marbles, they become mentally confused, or no longer behave sensibly or rationally. "The old man is acting very strangely. He seems to have lost his marbles."
	Lose the plot	If a situation becomes so confusing that you are unable to understand what is happening or what you are supposed to do, you lose the plot. "His instructions were so long and confusing that I just lost the plot!
	Lose your shirt	If you lose your shirt, you lose all your money or possessions, especially as a result of speculation or gambling. "He lost his shirt when the bank went bankrupt."
	Lose one's touch	If you lose your touch, you no longer have the ability to do something. "I used to be good at organizing trips but I've lost my touch!"
	Lose the thread	If you lose the thread of something such as a conversation or a story, you are unable to follow it. "There were so many interruptions during the film that I completely lost the thread."
	Lose track of time	When you give all your attention to something, and become so engrossed in it that you don't realize what time it is, you lose track of time. "When I start surfing on the web, I lose all track of time."
	Lose your train of thought	If you forget what you were saying, for example after a disturbance or interruption, you lose your train of thought. "Where was I? I'm afraid I've lost my train of thought!"
	At a loss	If a person is at a loss, they don't know what to say or do in a particular situation. "Teachers are at a loss to know how to deal with the increase in violence in schools."
	A lost ball in high weeds	Someone who is totally confused, and doesn't know what they are doing or how to do it, is a lost ball in high weeds. "The new intern is a lost ball in high weeds - he has no idea how to begin the task he's been given."
	Love me, love my dog	This expression means that if someone loves you, they must love everything about you, including everyone and everything that you love.
	No love lost	To say that there is no love lost between two people means that they do not like each other at all. "There is no love lost between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party."
	At a low ebb	A person or organization at a low ebb is not as strong or successful as usual. "The recent political crisis has left the country at a low ebb."
	Luck of the draw	To refer to something that happens as the luck of the draw means that it is the result of pure chance, with no possibility of choice. "The samples distributed varied in size and value; it was the luck of the draw!"
	The lull before the storm	This expression refers to a period of unnatural calm before a difficult time or violent activity. "The sales start on January 1st. The quiet period before that is just the lull before the storm."
	A lump in your throat	If you have a lump in your throat, you have a tight feeling in your throat because of a strong emotion such as sadness or gratitude. "The speech was so touching that I had a lump in my throat."
	In the lurch	If you leave someone in the lurch, you leave them in a difficult or embarrassing situation. "When Paul missed the last bus, he was left in the lurch."