English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms - W
from: 'on the wagon'
to: 'walk a tightrope'
- on the wagon
- Someone who is on the wagon is no longer drinking alcohol.
"No wine for me please - I'm on the wagon."
- Someone who is on the wagon is no longer drinking alcohol.
- wait for the cat to jump
- If you wait for the cat to jump, or
wait to see which way the cat jumps, you delay taking action until you see how events will turn out.
"Let's wait for the cat to jump before we decide."
- If you wait for the cat to jump, or
wait to see which way the cat jumps, you delay taking action until you see how events will turn out.
- wait for the dust to settle / let the dust settle
- When people wait for the dust to settle, or let the dust settle, they wait
until a situation has calmed down after a conflict or a period of confusion before taking action or making a decision.
"The government’s recommendations have created a lot of confusion. Let’s wait for the dust to settle before we decide what to do."
- When people wait for the dust to settle, or let the dust settle, they wait
until a situation has calmed down after a conflict or a period of confusion before taking action or making a decision.
- waiting game
- A person who plays a waiting game delays taking any action or making any decision because they prefer to wait and see how things develop, usually in the hope that this will put them in a stronger position.
"Our competitors are not reacting. They're playing a waiting game."
- A person who plays a waiting game delays taking any action or making any decision because they prefer to wait and see how things develop, usually in the hope that this will put them in a stronger position.
- waiting for a raindrop in the drought
- When someone is waiting for a raindrop in the drought, they are waiting and hoping for something that has little chance of happening.
"For many people, finding a job these days is like waiting for a raindrop in the drought."
- When someone is waiting for a raindrop in the drought, they are waiting and hoping for something that has little chance of happening.
- waiting in the wings
- If someone is waiting in the wings, they are waiting for an opportunity to take action,
especially to replace someone else in their job or position.
"There are many young actors waiting in the wings ready to show their talent."
- If someone is waiting in the wings, they are waiting for an opportunity to take action,
especially to replace someone else in their job or position.
- walk all over someone
- If one person walks all over another, they dominate them or treat them badly or unkindly,
especially by showing no consideration for their cares or needs.
"You must learn to defend yourself. Don't let him walk all over you!"
- If one person walks all over another, they dominate them or treat them badly or unkindly,
especially by showing no consideration for their cares or needs.
- walk of life
- A person's profession or position in society is known as their walk of life.
"There were people from all walks of life among the protesters."
- A person's profession or position in society is known as their walk of life.
- walk on air
- When you are happy or excited because of a pleasant event that makes you feel as if you were floating, you are walking on air.
"Sophie has been walking on air since her painting won first prize."
- When you are happy or excited because of a pleasant event that makes you feel as if you were floating, you are walking on air.
- walk and chew gum
- If you can walk and chew gum (at the same time), you are able to do more than one thing at a time.
(This expression is often used negatively to indicate incompetence)
"Why did you hire that guy? He can't walk and chew gumat the same time!"
- If you can walk and chew gum (at the same time), you are able to do more than one thing at a time.
- walk on eggshells
- If you walk on eggshells with someone, you are careful not to hurt or offend them.
"Carla is so sensitive you have to walk on eggshellswith her all the time."
- If you walk on eggshells with someone, you are careful not to hurt or offend them.
- walk into 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.
"After the failure of the negotiations, he had to walk into the lion's den and face the media."
- 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.
- a walk in the park
- Something described as
a walk in the park is easy and simple to do and presents no problems or difficulties.
"Moving house is not a walk in the park for most people."
- Something described as
a walk in the park is easy and simple to do and presents no problems or difficulties.
- good walls make good neighbours
- This expression means that respecting one another's privacy helps create a good relationship between neighbours.
"We try not to disturb the people next door.Good walls make good neighbours."
- This expression means that respecting one another's privacy helps create a good relationship between neighbours.
- walk a tightrope
- If a person is walking a tightrope, they are in a difficult or delicate situation where they must act carefully.
"The management is walking a tightrope in their efforts both to keep the costs down and satisfy the trade unions."
- If a person is walking a tightrope, they are in a difficult or delicate situation where they must act carefully.
More Idioms:
alphabetical lists W ...
more alphabetical lists...