English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms A, page 6
(Idioms A, page 6: at the bottom of the ladder → axe to grind)
- at the bottom of the ladder
- Someone who is at the bottom of the ladder
occupies the lowest or most basic position or is hired at entry level.
"In their first job most people start at the bottom of the ladder. "
- Someone who is at the bottom of the ladder
occupies the lowest or most basic position or is hired at entry level.
- at death's door
- This expression is used to describe someone who is seriously ill
or very close to death.
"The boy was so ill that he was at death's door for several days."
- This expression is used to describe someone who is seriously ill
or very close to death.
- at sixes and sevens
- If someone or something is at sixes and sevens
they are in a state of total confusion or they are completely disorganised.
"This is not a good time to have guests. Everything is at sixes and sevens since we moved house."
- If someone or something is at sixes and sevens
they are in a state of total confusion or they are completely disorganised.
- at someone's beck and call
- If a person is at someone's beck and call
they are ready to obey orders instantly.
"He's incapable of doing anything himself. He's used to having people at his beck and call."
- If a person is at someone's beck and call
they are ready to obey orders instantly.
- at this stage of the game
- This expression refers to the current point reached in a
process, activity or developing situation.
"At this stage of the game I think any further intervention would be unwise. Let's wait and see how things develop."
- This expression refers to the current point reached in a
process, activity or developing situation.
- at stake
- Someone who has a lot at stake is in a risky situation,
with a lot to be won or lost.
"He was nervous about signing the agreement because there was a lot at stake"
- Someone who has a lot at stake is in a risky situation,
with a lot to be won or lost.
- automatic pilot
- If you are on automatic pilot, you do something
without thinking about it or having to pay attention, because you do it regularly.
"At first I was worried about looking after a baby but after a few weeks I was on automatic pilot!
- If you are on automatic pilot, you do something
without thinking about it or having to pay attention, because you do it regularly.
- of no avail
- Something which is
of no avail is not at all helpful or useful
"The coffee machine wouldn't work, and the instruction leaflet was of no avail."
- Something which is
of no avail is not at all helpful or useful
- avowed intent
- When someone makes a public declaration of their objective or
goal, this is their avowed intent.
"The avowed intent of the new government is to reduce unemployment."
- When someone makes a public declaration of their objective or
goal, this is their avowed intent.
- a rude awakening
- If you get a
rude awakening, you are forced to
accept the unpleasant truth or reality.
"She thought Charlie would want her back, but she got a rude awakening - he was already dating another girl."
- If you get a
rude awakening, you are forced to
accept the unpleasant truth or reality.
- away with the fairies
- Someone who is
away with the fairies is in such a
dreamy state that they are not totally in
touch with reality and give the impression
of being slightly mad.
"It's no use trying to explain the problem to her - she's away with the fairies!"
- Someone who is
away with the fairies is in such a
dreamy state that they are not totally in
touch with reality and give the impression
of being slightly mad.
- (have an) axe to grind
- If you have an
axe to grind, you have personal reasons
for becoming involved in something or
adopting a particular attitude.
"It was decided that the best candidate would be selected by a recruitment agency who had no axe to grind within the company"
- If you have an
axe to grind, you have personal reasons
for becoming involved in something or
adopting a particular attitude.
More Idioms:
alphabetical lists A ...
more alphabetical lists...
Please note that British English spelling is used on this website.