English idioms relating to behaviour

Idiom	Meaning
All ears	To say that you are all ears means that you are listening very attentively. "Of course I want to know - I'm all ears!"
Backseat driver	A backseat driver is a passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice to the driver. "I can't stand backseat drivers like my mother-in-law!"
Badger someone into doing something	If you badger someone into doing something, you persistently nag or pester them until you obtain what you want. "Sophie badgered her parents into buying her a new computer."
Bare your heart (or soul) to someone	If you bare your heart or soul to someone, you reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings to them. "John couldn't keep things to himself any longer. He decided to bare his soul to his best friend."
Bark up the wrong tree.	A person who barks up the wrong tree is doing the wrong thing, because their beliefs or ideas are incorrect or mistaken.
Bide your time	If you bide your time, you wait for a good opportunity to do something. "He's not hesitating, he's just biding his time. He's waiting for the price to drop."
Bite the hand that feeds you	If you bite the hand that feeds you, you are unfriendly or do harm to someone who is kind to you.
Break every rule in the book.	If you behave in a completely unacceptable way, you break every rule in the book. "Our competitors obtained the contract by breaking every rule in the book."
Breathe down someone's neck	If somebody is breathing down your neck, they are watching you too closely and making you feel uncomfortable. "The atmosphere at work isn't great; the boss keeps breathing down our necks all the time."
Build bridges.	If a person builds bridges between opposing groups, they help them to cooperate and understand each other better.
Burn the candle at both ends	If you burn the candle at both ends, you exhaust yourself by doing too much, especially going to bed late and getting up early. "Scott looks exhausted - I'll bet he's been burning the candle at both ends lately."
Carrot-and-stick	If you use a carrot-and-stick approach, you use the promise of reward and the threat of punishment to make somebody work harder. "Some parents use a carrot-and-stick approach to obtain good results from their children."
Chime in	If you chime in, you interrupt or join a conversation, especially to repeat or agree with something. "As I explained to the bus driver what had happened , the other passengers chimed in and gave their version. "
Couch potato	If you refer to someone as a couch potato, you criticize them for spending a lot of time sitting and watching television. "Don't be such a couch potato. There are better ways of spending your time than in front of the TV."
Mouse potato	This term refers to a person who spends a lot of time in front of the computer. "My son and his friends are all mouse potatoes - constantly glued to the computer!"
Cramp someone's style	If you cramp someone's style, you limit them by preventing them from behaving or expressing themselves freely. "The dress code imposed at school cramped her style."
Dance attendance (on somebody)	If you dance attendance on someone, you are constantly available for that person and attend to their wishes. "She's rich and famous and expects everyone to dance attendance on her."
Come apart at the seams	To say that someone is coming apart at the seams means that they are extremely upset or under severe mental stress. "Bob has had so many problems lately, he's coming apart at the seams."
Dig one's own grave	A person who digs their own grave does something which causes their own downfall. "If you drop out of college now, with such high unemployment, you'll be digging your own grave!"
Disappear into thin air	If someone or something disappears into thin air, they vanish in a mysterious way. " After being accused of embezzlement, the director disappeared into thin air."
Do a disappearing act	If someone does a disappearing act, they simply vanish, especially if they have done something wrong or dishonest. "Just before the police arrived, the suspect did a disappearing act."
Do someone a good turn	If you do someone a good turn, you act in a helpful way. "Mike is a great guy - always ready to do a good turn."
Drag your feet	If you drag your feet, you delay a decision or participate without any real enthusiasm. "The government is dragging its feet on measures to reduce pollution."
At the drop of a hat	If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately and without hesitation "I've got great friends. They're ready to help out at the drop of a hat."
Excuse/pardon my French	This expression is used as an apology for using crude or offensive language. "He's a bloody nuisance, if you'll excuse my French."
False move	In a dangerous or risky situation, if you make a false move, you do something which may have unpleasant consequences. "He is under close surveillance. If he makes one false move he'll be arrested."
Fight a losing battle	If someone is fighting a losing battle, they are trying to do something even when there is little chance of succeeding. "The headmaster is fighting a losing battle trying to ban mobile phones at school."
Fight shy of something	If you fight shy of something, such as a task, a problem or a duty, you want to avoid doing it or you are unwilling to confront it. "He had money problems for years but fought shy of asking his children for help."
Follow one's nose	If you follow your nose, you go straight ahead (Also: follow your instinct in life). "The station is at the end of the road - just follow your nose."
Follow in someone's footsteps	If you follow in someone's footsteps ( for example a parent), you lead a similar life or do the same job. "Lily followed in her mother's footsteps and became a teacher."
Freudian slip	This refers to a mistake made by a speaker which is considered to reveal their true thoughts or feelings. "So you got the job - I'm so sad - sorry, I mean glad!"
Gatecrash	If someone gatecrashes, they attend a private social event without being invited. "We need volunteers to to keep an eye out for gatecrashers tonight."
Get off my back!	If you tell somebody to get off your back, you ask them to stop finding faults or criticizing you.
Get on your high horse	If you get on your high horse, you start behaving in a haughty manner, as though you should be treated with more respect. "He got on his high horse when he was asked to show his membership card."
Get a raw deal.	If you say that someone has got a raw deal, you think they have been treated unfairly or badly.
Give as good as you get	This expression means that you are prepared to treat people as badly as they treat you, and fight for your beliefs.
Give someone the cold shoulder.	To give someone the cold shoulder means to deliberately ignore someone. "After giving my opinion, he gave me the cold shoulder."
Give someone a taste of their own medicine	If you give someone a taste of their own medicine, you treat them in the same unpleasant way that they have treated you. "People who always arrive late should be given a taste of their own medicine."
Go through the motions	If someone goes through the motions, they do something because they have to, but without enthusiasm. "After his wife died, he tried to continue life as before, but he just went through the motions."
Go too far	If you go too far, you do something that is considered extreme or unacceptable. "Stealing is bad, but stealing from a poor person is really going too far!"
Go into overdrive	If someone or something goes into overdrive, they begin to work very hard or start to perform intensely. "At the start of every new collection, my imagination goes into overdrive."
Go off on a tangent	If somebody goes off on a tangent, they change the subject completely in the middle of a speech or conversation. "Sometimes, when he's teaching, he goes off on a tangent and starts talking about his dog!"
Go off the rails,	If someone goes off the rails, they go out of control and begin to behave in a manner that is unacceptable to society. "Given the unstable environment, it's a miracle that none of their children ever went off the rails."
Go out of your way	If you go out of your way, you take particular care or make a special effort when doing something. "Aunt Betty went out of her way to make us feel comfortable."
Go to extremes	People who go to extremes behave in a way which lacks moderation. "My parents tend to go to extremes. They live on a tight budget and then they go on expensive holidays."
Go to pieces	If you go to pieces, for example after a terrible shock, you are so upset or distressed that you cannot lead your life normally. "Jack nearly went to pieces when his son died in a plane crash."
Go with the flow	If you go with the flow, you follow the general tendency and go along with whatever happens. "When my colleagues organize an office party, I just go with the flow when it comes to the details. "
Grin and bear it	When faced with a difficult or unpleasant situation, if you say that someone will have to grin and bear it, you mean that they will have to accept it without complaining. "The only seat available is on a low-cost flight. You'll just have to grin and bear it!"
Groan inwardly	If you groan inwardly, you feel like expressing despair, disapproval or distress, but you remain silent. "On his return, when Pete saw the pile of files on his desk, he groaned inwardly."
Hard as nails	A person who is hard (or 'tough') as nails is unsentimental and shows no sympathy. "Don't expect any sympathy from him. He's as hard as hails."
Have a ball	If you have a ball, you enjoy yourself. "The party was great. We had a ball."
Have a stab at something	If you have a stab at something, you try something that you never had a chance to do before. "I had a stab at surfing once but I decided not to renew the experience!"
Hit below the belt	An action or remark described as below the belt means that it is considered unfair or cruel. "Politicians sometimes use personal information to hit their rivals below the belt."
Hold one's own	If you can hold your own, you are well able to defend yourself when under attack. "We should ask Jane to represent us; she can hold her own in any argument."
Hue and cry	If there is a hue and cry about something, there is loud opposition to it. "There will no doubt be a great hue and cry when the reorganization is announced."
Keep one's feet on the ground	A person who keeps their feet on the ground continues to act in a sensible and practical way, even if they become successful.
Keep your fingers crossed	If you keep your fingers crossed, you hope that something will be successful. "I'm doing my driving test tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me."
Keep your nose clean	A person who keeps their nose clean behaves well and avoids trouble.
Keep your nose to the grindstone	A person who keeps their nose to the grindstone is someone who concentrates on working hard at his job.
Keep someone posted	If a person asks you to keep them posted, they want you to keep them informed about a situation "Our agent promised to keep us posted on developments in the negotiations."
Keep someone on their toes.	If you keep someone on their toes you make them stay alert and ready for action at any time.
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."
Keep a straight face.	If you keep a straight face, you look serious although you really want to laugh.
Kill two birds with one stone	If you kill two birds with one stone, you succeed in doing two things at the same time. "By studying on the train on the way home every week-end, Claire kills two birds with one stone."
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."
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."
Let off steam	A person who lets off steam releases surplus energy or strong feelings either through intense physical activity or by talking in an unrestrained manner. "Let's bring the kids to the playground so they can let off steam.'
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 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."
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."
Make an ass of yourself	If you behave so stupidly that you appear ridiculous, you make an ass of yourself. "Tom made an ass of himself by singing a love song outside Julie's door!"
Make the right noises	If you make the right noises, you behave as if you support or agree with something by making suitable or conventional remarks. "Jack seems to approve of the idea; he certainly made all the right noises."
Make the best of things	If you make the best of things, you accept the situation and do what you can in spite of the difficulties or disadvantages. "The apartment was badly located, but the rent was low, so they decided to make the best of things."
Make a mountain out of a molehill	If someone makes a mountain out of a molehill, they make a small, unimportant problem seem much more serious than it is. "Stop making mountains out of molehills! It's not a major problem."
Make no bones about something.	If you make no bones about something, you do not hesitate to express your thoughts or feelings about it, even if it is embarrassing.
Make short work of something	If you make short work of something, you do or finish something quickly. "The players were so hungry after the match that they made short work of the food provided."
Make someone see reason	If you make someone see reason, you persuade them to stop acting foolishly and behave more sensibly. "He wanted to drop out of medical school in his fourth year. His uncle managed to make him see reason."
Make up for lost time	If you make up for lost time, you increase your efforts or work harder to complete something or meet a deadline. "Progress has stopped because of bad weather, but we are determined to make up for lost time."
Method in one's madness	This expression means that someone's behaviour is not as irrational as it seems. "He's efficient despite his strange way of working, so there's method in his madness!"
Mind your P's and Q's	If you tell someone to mind their P's and Q's, you are advising them to be careful about how they behave and what they say. "Politeness is very important to my grandparents, so mind your P's and Q's when we go to visit them."
Nice as pie	If a person is nice as pie, they are surprisingly very kind and friendly "After our argument, she was nice as pie!"
Open the floodgates	If someone or something opens the floodgates, they release something that had previously been held under control. "It is feared that easing price controls will open the floodgates to inflation.
Pass the buck	If you say that someone is passing the buck, you are accusing them of not taking responsibility for a problem and expecting someone else to handle it.
Pick someone's brains	If you pick someone's brains, you ask questions about a particular subject in order to obtain advice or information. "Could we have lunch together? I'd like to pick your brains about something."
Pigs might fly	To say pigs might fly expresses disbelief, or the idea that miracles might happen but are extremely unlikely. "My grandmother buying a computer? ...Yeah! ...and pigs might fly!"
Play your cards right.	This means that you do all that is necessary in order to succeed.
Play cat and mouse	To play cat and mouse with someone means to treat them alternately cruelly and kindly, so that they do not know what to expect.
Play the game	If you play the game, you accept to do things according to the rules laid down by others.
Play gooseberry	If you play gooseberry, you join or accompany two people who have a romantic relationship and want to be alone.
Play havoc	If someone or something plays havoc, they cause disorder and confusion. "The floods played havoc with the construction work."
Play into someone's hands	If you play into someone's hands, you do exactly what your opponent or enemy wants you to do, so that they gain an advantage over you. "When the leaders of the protest movement became violent, they played right into the hands of the police."
Play for time	If you play for time, you try to delay or prevent something from happening in order to gain an advantage. "He decided to play for time in the hope that the price would decrease."
Play truant	If you play truant, you stay away from school without permission or excuse
A plum in your mouth	Someone who speaks with an upper class accent is said to have a plum in their mouth. "He speaks just like an aristocrat - with a plum in his mouth!"
Pour cold water on something	If you pour cold water on someone's plans, opinions or ideas, you discourage them by showing little enthusiasm or expressing your misgivings. "The committee threw cold water on the idea of accepting new members."
Prod someone into doing something	If you prod someone into doing something, you make a slow or hesitant person do something that they are reluctant to do. "She was ideal for the job, but I had to prod her into applying for the position."
Prolong the agony	If someone prolongs the agony, they make an unpleasant or tense situation last longer than necessary. "Please don't prolong the agony. Just tell me whether I've been accepted or not."
Pull your socks up	If you tell someone to pull their socks up, you are saying that they need to make an effort to improve their performance.
Pull strings	If somebody pulls strings, they use influential friends in order to obtain an advantage. "David found a job easily - his Dad just pulled a few strings!"
Pull one's weight.	If you pull your weight, you work as hard as everyone else in a team, a group or a company.
Put your best foot forward	If someone puts their best foot forward, they do something as fast as they can. "It's a long way to the station, but if I put my best foot forward I should catch the next train."
Put a damper on something	If someone or something puts a damper on a situation or event, they make it less successful or enjoyable. "The party was going great until the neighbour's complaints put a damper on it.
Put out feelers	If a person or organization puts out feelers, they cautiously check the views of others. "The politician put out feelers to test public reaction to his future proposals."
Put it mildly	This expression means that you express your opinion or reaction in a controlled way, without exaggeration. "She's three years old and already able to read. That's promising, to put it mildly."
Put a spanner in the works Throw a (monkey) wrench in the works	To put a spanner in the works means to cause problems and prevent something from happening as planned. (In the US, the word 'wrench' or 'monkey wrench' is used instead of 'spanner'.)
Put one's foot in one's mouth	If you put your foot in your mouth, you do or say something that offends, upsets or embarrasses someone else. "She really put her foot in her mouth when she mentioned the housewarming party - Andy hadn't been invited!"
Put someone on the spot	If you put somebody on the spot, you put them in a difficult situation, for example by asking embarrassing or difficult questions which they cannot avoid. "When the reporter was asked to reveal his source, he was really put on the spot."
Ram something down someone's throat	This expression means to force someone to accept something against their will.
Ride roughshod over something	If you ride roughshod over something, you behave in a harsh or thoughtless manner, or you treat a situation with contempt. "The government rode roughshod over all opposition to the new measures."
Rock the boat	If you tell someone not to rock the boat, you are asking them to do nothing that might cause trouble or upset a stable situation. "After the recent riots, it was decided not to rock the boat by introducing strict measures."
Sea legs	A person who has sea legs is used to walking on a moving ship, or has the ability to adjust to a new situation. "It takes a while in a new job to find your sea legs."
Send someone packing	If you send someone packing, you tell them to leave, in a very forceful and unfriendly way. "When Amanda discovered that Jack had been unfaithful, she sent him packing."
Set the record straight.	To set the record straight means to correct a mistake or misunderstanding.
Short shrift	If someone or something gets short shrift, they are given little attention or sympathy. "When the boss is very busy, he gives short shrift to anyone who bothers him."
Shrug something off	If you shrug something off, you dismiss it as being unimportant. "He was aware of the danger but he just shrugged it off."
Sing a different tune	If somebody sings a different tune, they change their opinion about something or their attitude towards something. "He had no consideration for people out of work until he lost his own job; now he's singing a different tune!"
Skating on thin ice	If you are skating on thin ice, you are doing or saying something that could cause disagreement or trouble. "Don't mention that subject during the negotiations or you could be skating on thin ice."
Sit on the fence	If you sit on the fence, you avoid taking sides in a discussion or argument. "It's an important issue. You can't continue to sit on the fence!"
Sling mud	To say that someone is slinging mud at another person means that they are trying to damage that person's reputation by saying bad things about them. "During election campaigns, candidates often sling mud at each other."
Soften the blow	When someone tries to soften the blow, they do something to make an unpleasant event or action easier to accept. "In spite of the cash payments given to soften the blow, the loss of their jobs was a catastrophe for the miners."
Speak off the cuff	If you say something off the cuff, you say it spontaneously, without previous thought or preparation. "Politicians are usually careful not to speak off the cuff."
Speak out of turn	If someone speaks out of turn, either they intervene at the wrong moment or they say something tactless or inappropriate. "At the first meeting, I was afraid of speaking out of turn.
On the spot	If you put somebody on the spot, you put them in a difficult situation, for example by asking embarrassing or difficult questions which they cannot avoid. "When the reporter was asked to reveal his source, he was really put on the spot."
Stand on ceremony	When people stand on ceremony, they behave in a very formal way. "We'd be delighted to come and see you, but please don't stand on ceremony with us."
Start the ball rolling	If you start the ball rolling, you start an activity in which other people will join. "Let's start the ball rolling by calling on our first speaker."
Steal someone's thunder	This expression means to take another person's idea or plan, and draw attention and praise away from the originator by presenting or using it first. "Bob had developed a plan to reduce production costs, but the manager stole his thunder by announcing Bob's ideas at the regional meeting."
Step out of line	If you step out of line, you behave badly, do something unacceptable or break the rules. "It was made clear upon arrival that we would be dismissed if we stepped out of line.
Stew in your own juice	If you let somebody stew in their own juice, you leave them to worry about the consequences of their own actions. "Jack spent last night in prison for starting a fight - let him just stew in his own juice!"
Stick to one's guns	If you stick to your guns, you show determination when faced with opposition. "The government stuck to its guns in spite of the criticism."
Straight as a ramrod	Someone who is 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 straight as a ramrod at the head of the table."
Strike (or hit) a raw nerve	If something you say strikes a raw nerve, it upsets someone because they are very sensitive about the subject. "Julie has just lost her job. You struck a raw nerve when you mentioned unemployment."
String someone along	If you string someone along, you deliberately mislead them about your intentions. "Bob finally realized that Mary has just been stringing him along; she had no intention of marrying him.
Sugar the pill	If you sugar the pill, you try to make some unpleasant news more acceptable by saying something pleasant at the same time. "When Tim's parents announced that he was going to boarding school, they tried to sugar the pill by telling him he'd be home at the weekends.'
Take the bull by the horns	To take the bull by the horns means that a person decides to act decisively in order to deal with a difficult situation or problem.
Take someone for a ride	To take someone for a ride means to cheat or deceive them.
Take someone down a peg	To take someone down a peg means to make that person realize that they are not as important as they think they are. "He was too proud. Somebody had to take him down a peg."
Take something in good part	A person who takes something in good part reacts to in a good- humoured way, without taking offence. "He got a lot of teasing about his promotion but he took it in good part."
Take something in your stride	When in a difficult situation, you take it in your stride, you deal with the situation calmly and without any special effort. "When the take-over was announced, Tom stayed calm and took it in his stride."
Take something lying down	If you take something lying down, you suffer as the result of an offensive act without reacting or protesting. "Jack won't take the accusation lying down - he'll fight to defend his reputation."
Take to something like a duck to water	If you take to something like a duck to water, you do it naturally and easily, without fear or hesitation. "When Sophie first tried skiing, she took to it like a duck to water"
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.
Toot (or blow) your own horn	If you toot your own horn, you like to boast about your abilities and achievements "Jack is very discreet about his success. He doesn't go round tooting his own horn."
Turn on/up the heat	If you turn on/up the heat on a person or organization, you put pressure on them in order to obtain what you want. "If the goods are not delivered this week, we'll have to turn on the heat."
Turn a deaf ear	If you turn a deaf ear to something, you refuse to listen. "Sandy turned a deaf ear to the guide's advice and got lost in the mountains."
Not turn a hair	If someone does not turn a hair, they show no emotion in circumstances when a reaction is expected. "When the police came to arrest him, he didn't turn a hair."
Turn on the waterworks	If someone turns on the waterworks, they start to cry, especially to obtain something. "If he doesn't get what he wants, the child immediately turns on the waterworks."
Turn over a new leaf	If a person decides to turn over a new leaf, they decide to change their behaviour and lead a better life. "When Charlie left prison, he was determined to turn over a new leaf."
Twist somebody's arm	If you twist somebody's arm, you force or persuade them to do something, without using physical force. "He didn't have to twist my arm to get me to go out for dinner - I was happy to accept!"
On the wagon	Someone who is on the wagon is no longer drinking alcohol. "No wine for me please. I'm on the wagon."
Walk on eggshells	If you walk on eggshells with someone, you are careful not to hurt or offend them. "She's so sensitive, you have to walk on eggshells with her all the time."
Wear out one's welcome	If someone wears out their welcome, they stay too long as a guest, causing inconvenience to their host. "Alan and Sue invited us to stay on for a few days but we didn't want to wear out our welcome."
Wipe that smile off your face!	This expression is often used by parents, or people in authority, to indicate that the situation is not considered amusing at all. "This is a very serious matter, so wipe that smile off your face!"
Your wish is my command!	This is a humoristic way of saying that you are willing to do whatever the other person asks. "Breakfast in bed? Your wish is my command!"