English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms - F, page 13
from: 'fair-weather friend'
to: 'fur coat'
- a fair-weather friend
- Someone who acts as a friend when times are good, and is not there when you are in trouble, is called a fair-weather friend.
"I thought I could count on Bill, but I've discovered he's just a fair-weather friend."
- Someone who acts as a friend when times are good, and is not there when you are in trouble, is called a fair-weather friend.
- a friend in need is a friend indeed
a friend is not known till he is needed.- This expression means that someone who helps you when you are in difficulty is a real friend.
"Mark drove me to hospital when I fell. A friend in need is a friend indeed!"
- This expression means that someone who helps you when you are in difficulty is a real friend.
- bosom friends
- Bosom friends are very close friends who have a lot in common and confide in each other.
"Olivia and Emily have been bosom friends since their childhood."
- Bosom friends are very close friends who have a lot in common and confide in each other.
- friends in court
- A friend in court is a person who can help you because of their important position.
"Jack must have friends in court to have obtained that contract ! "
- A friend in court is a person who can help you because of their important position.
- friends in high places
- If you know important or influential people in business or government, you have friends in high places.
"He wouldn't have succeeded without help from friends in high places."
- If you know important or influential people in business or government, you have friends in high places.
- friends through thick and thin
- People who are friends through thick and thin have a longlasting friendship that persists
whatever the circumstances may be, good or bad.
"Hugo and Andy are always ready to defend each other no matter what happens - friends through thick and thin!"
- People who are friends through thick and thin have a longlasting friendship that persists
whatever the circumstances may be, good or bad.
- old friends are the best friends
- This expression means that while it is great to have new friends, old friends stand the test of time and distance.
"Charlie and I have known each other since we were kids and we can always count on each other. Old friends are the best friends!"
- This expression means that while it is great to have new friends, old friends stand the test of time and distance.
- a friend's eye is a good mirror
- This saying means that a real friend will tell you the truth or give you an honest opinion.
"Why don't you ask your best friend for her opinion? As the saying goes: a friend's eye is a good mirror!"
- This saying means that a real friend will tell you the truth or give you an honest opinion.
- with/with no frills
- Extra things that are added to make something more comfortable or attractive, but not really necessary,
are referred to as ‘frills’.
"We booked him a room in an expensive hotel with all the frills."
"I just need a basic computer with no frills."
- Extra things that are added to make something more comfortable or attractive, but not really necessary,
are referred to as ‘frills’.
- eat the frog / eat that frog!
- This expression is used to encourage someone do the most difficult or most unpleasant task of the day first, before anything else, rather than avoiding or postponing it.
In that way nothing worse can happen all day. Original expression:
"If you have to eat a frog, don’t look at it for too long.”
- This expression is used to encourage someone do the most difficult or most unpleasant task of the day first, before anything else, rather than avoiding or postponing it.
In that way nothing worse can happen all day. Original expression:
- (have a) frog in one's throat
- A person who has a frog in their throat has difficulty in speaking clearly because they have a cough or a sore throat.
"Teaching was difficult today.I had a frog in my throat all morning."
- A person who has a frog in their throat has difficulty in speaking clearly because they have a cough or a sore throat.
- juggle frogs
- A person who is juggling frogs is trying to deal with
many different tasks at the tame time and finding the situation difficult.
"I've got so many things to do at the moment, I feel like I'm juggling frogs!"
- A person who is juggling frogs is trying to deal with
many different tasks at the tame time and finding the situation difficult.
- from the word go
- The expression 'from the word go' means from the very beginning of an activity.
"Right from the word go he was rejected by the rest of the group."
- The expression 'from the word go' means from the very beginning of an activity.
- front runner
- In a contest, race or election, the front runner is the person who is most likely to succeed or win.
"Who are the front runners in the coming elections?"
- In a contest, race or election, the front runner is the person who is most likely to succeed or win.
- frosty reception
- If you get a frosty reception
from someone, that person is unfriendly, not happy
to see you or not interested in what you have to say, usually because of something that happened previously.
"After complaining about their lack of cooperation, Jason got a frosty reception from his colleagues."
- If you get a frosty reception
from someone, that person is unfriendly, not happy
to see you or not interested in what you have to say, usually because of something that happened previously.
- out of the frying pan into the fire
- This expression means to go from one difficult situation to another one which is usually even worse.
"The flight was delayed because of snow. When the plane eventually took off, it had to turn back because of engine trouble - out of the frying pan into the fire!"
- This expression means to go from one difficult situation to another one which is usually even worse.
- full of beans
- A person who is full of beans is lively, active and healthy.
"He may be getting old but he's still full of beans."
- A person who is full of beans is lively, active and healthy.
- full of hot air
- Someone who is full of hot air is full of nonsense and
talks a lot without saying anything worthwhile.
"Don't listen to Alex - he's full of hot air!"
- Someone who is full of hot air is full of nonsense and
talks a lot without saying anything worthwhile.
- full of the joys of spring
- If you are full of the joys of spring, you are happy, enthusiastic and full of energy.
"Barbara is full of the joys of spring at the moment! Has she got a new boyfriend?"
- If you are full of the joys of spring, you are happy, enthusiastic and full of energy.
- full of piss and vinegar
- People who are full of piss and vinegar are very
lively, boisterous or full of youthful vitality.
"I had to look after a group of kids full of piss and vinegar."
- People who are full of piss and vinegar are very
lively, boisterous or full of youthful vitality.
- in full swing
- When something, such as an event, gets into full swing,
it is at its busiest or liveliest time.
"When we got back to the office, the Christmas party was in full swing."
- When something, such as an event, gets into full swing,
it is at its busiest or liveliest time.
- (as) full as a tick
- If someone is (as) full as a tick, they have eaten or
drunk too much.
"The little boy ate biscuits and drank lemonade until he was as full as a tick."
- If someone is (as) full as a tick, they have eaten or
drunk too much.
- funny business
- A business which is conducted in a deceitful, dishonest or
unethical manner is called funny business.
"I've got suspicions about that association. I think they're up to some funny business."
- A business which is conducted in a deceitful, dishonest or
unethical manner is called funny business.
- fur coat and no knickers
- A person who tries to appear distinguished but has no real
class is referred to as 'fur coat and no knickers'.
"Don't let her impress you.; She's what we call 'fur coat and no knickers'"
- A person who tries to appear distinguished but has no real
class is referred to as 'fur coat and no knickers'.
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