English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms - U
from: 'ugly as sin'
to: 'on the up and up'
- ugly as sin
- The expression ugly as sin is used to refer to people or things
that are considered to be very unattractive.
"Have you seen the new neighbour's dog? It's as ugly as sin!"
- The expression ugly as sin is used to refer to people or things
that are considered to be very unattractive.
- uncharted waters
- If you are in uncharted waters, you are in a situation that you have never experienced before, so you don't know
what's going to happen.
"In some countries, democracy is an adventure into uncharted waters."
- If you are in uncharted waters, you are in a situation that you have never experienced before, so you don't know
what's going to happen.
- under one's belt
- If you have something under your belt, you have acquired experience or have satisfactorily achieved something.
"You've got to have some work experience under your belt before you can hope to get a permanent job."
- If you have something under your belt, you have acquired experience or have satisfactorily achieved something.
- under your nose
- If something is (right) under your nose,
it is directly in front of you or clearly visible but you fail to notice it.
"I was looking for my glasses and finally found them right under my nose! "
If an action is committed under your nose, it is done in your presence or close to you without you noticing.
"My phone was stolen from me right under my nose!"
- If something is (right) under your nose,
it is directly in front of you or clearly visible but you fail to notice it.
- under close scrutiny
- Someone or something that is under (close) scrutiny is being watched or examined carefully.
"The police are keeping the suspect under close scrutiny."
- Someone or something that is under (close) scrutiny is being watched or examined carefully.
- under a cloud of suspicion
- A person who is under a cloud of suspicion is suspected of being involved in
something questionable or doing something dishonest or illegal.
"Although there is no proof of his guilt, the politician remains under a cloud of suspicion."
- A person who is under a cloud of suspicion is suspected of being involved in
something questionable or doing something dishonest or illegal.
- under the knife
- If a person goes under the knife, they have surgery.
"I'm not worried about the anaesthetic. I've been under the knife several times."
- If a person goes under the knife, they have surgery.
- under the microscope
- If someone is under the microscope, they are being closely observed or under intense scrutiny because their competence
is in doubt or they are suspected of something.
"After the managing director was convicted of corruption, the entire staff was put under the microscope.”
- If someone is under the microscope, they are being closely observed or under intense scrutiny because their competence
is in doubt or they are suspected of something.
- under your thumb
- If someone is under your thumb, they are completely under your control or influence.
"Nobody ever protests. He has the whole group under his thumb."
- If someone is under your thumb, they are completely under your control or influence.
- under the weather
- If you are under the weather, you are not feeling very well.
"You look a bit under the weather. What's the matter?"
- If you are under the weather, you are not feeling very well.
- unmitigated disaster
- An unmitigated disaster is a complete failure or a total catastrophe.
"The organisation of the tournament was an unmitigated disaster!"
- An unmitigated disaster is a complete failure or a total catastrophe.
- (you can't) unring a bell
- This expression means that you cannot undo what has been done, so you must live with
the consequences of your actions.
"What's done is done. You can't unring a bell."
- This expression means that you cannot undo what has been done, so you must live with
the consequences of your actions.
- until hell freezes over
- If you tell someone that they can do something until hell freezes over, you mean
that they can do it forever but they won't obtain what they want.
"You can ask until hell freezes over. I will not allow you to go bungee-jumping!"
- If you tell someone that they can do something until hell freezes over, you mean
that they can do it forever but they won't obtain what they want.
- until you are blue in the face
- This expression refers to talking or arguing until you are totally exhausted (blue in the face)
without achieving the result you want, for example trying, unsuccessfully, to persuade someone to do something. Your efforts are therefore
useless or have no effect.
"I tried to convince Tony until I was blue in the face, but he still refused to join the team.”
- This expression refers to talking or arguing until you are totally exhausted (blue in the face)
without achieving the result you want, for example trying, unsuccessfully, to persuade someone to do something. Your efforts are therefore
useless or have no effect.
- unvarnished truth
- If you present someone with plain facts, without trying to embellish or soften the reality,
you give them the unvarnished truth.
"Tell me how the accident happened, and I want the unvarnished truth."
- If you present someone with plain facts, without trying to embellish or soften the reality,
you give them the unvarnished truth.
- up and about
- If someone is up and about, they are out of bed or have recovered after an illness or an injury.
"The boy was kept in hospital for a week but he's up and about again."
- If someone is up and about, they are out of bed or have recovered after an illness or an injury.
- up/down one's alley
- If something is (right)
up or down your alley, it is exactly the sort of thing that will suit your tastes or abilities.
"Alex loves reading, so a job in a bookshop is right up his alley."
- If something is (right)
up or down your alley, it is exactly the sort of thing that will suit your tastes or abilities.
- up for grabs
- If something is up for grabs, it is available or possible to obtain for anyone who is interested.
"The hotel is still up for grabs if you want to submit a bid.”
“There will be prizes up for grabs at the event.”
- If something is up for grabs, it is available or possible to obtain for anyone who is interested.
- on the up and up
- If you are on the up and up, you are becoming increasingly successful.
"The architect has been on the up and up since he designed a building in Dubai."
- If you are on the up and up, you are becoming increasingly successful.
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