| Idiom/Saying | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Blood on the carpet. For example: "After the meeting there was blood on the carpet. " |
A lot of trouble in an organisation often resulting in someone losing their job. |
| The glass ceiling For example: "Although she had hit the glass ceiling head on, she didn't give up." |
When the advancement of a qualified person within the hierarchy of an organisation is stopped at a lower level (it happens to women a lot). |
| To hit the ceiling For example: "When her husband hears she crashed the car he'll hit the ceiling." |
To become very angry about something. |
Skeleton in the closet / cupboard. For example:- Nearly every family has a skeleton in the cupboard. |
If you have a skeleton in the cupboard it means you have are hiding a shocking secret about yourself. |
| To get a foot in the door For example: "If you could introduce me to your boss it would help me get my foot in the door." |
An opening or opportunity. |
| To show someone the door For example: "He was so annoying I asked my secretary to show him the door." |
Ask someone to leave (usually rudely). |
To be a doormat. For example:- "She treated him like a doormat, but he never complained." |
Describes someone who doesn't stand up for his/herself. |
| To get in on the ground floor For example: "It's a really good opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a successful new business." |
To join something at a low level in the hope of making gains in the future. |
To fly off the handle. For example: When I told her that the dog ate my homework, she flew off the handle, and shouted at me. |
To lose your temper. |
A different kettle of fish. For example:- "Oh! They want to place an order? That's a different kettle of fish. Of course I'll talk to them." |
A different matter or issue. |
A pretty or fine kettle of fish. For example:- "They're divorced, and someone's sat them next to each other - that's a fine kettle of fish." |
A difficult or awkward situation. |
The pot calling the kettle black. For example:- "When politicians say that bankers have been lying, it's like the pot calling the kettle black." |
To accuse someone of being a hypocrite. |
A watched kettle never boils. For example:- "Elfish couldn't wait for her exam results, but I told her, "A watched kettle never boils." |
When you are anxiously waiting for something to happen, it always seems to take longer. |
Everything but the kitchen sink. For example:- "The check-in girl told her she was way over her weight limit. She'd packed everything but the kitchen sink." |
A lot of things - especially used when packing |
| To be a lounge lizard. For example: "He kept chatting her up, he was a real lounge lizard." |
When a man is very sleazy or smarmy. |
The pot calling the kettle black. For example:- "When politicians say that bankers have been lying, it's like the pot calling the kettle black." |
To accuse someone of being a hypocrite. |
| To have elbow room For example: "She asked us to move back to give her elbow room." |
To have enough space. |
| To make room for someone or something For example: "Could you move over a bit and make some room for me?" |
To arrange space for someone or something. |
Everything but the kitchen sink. For example:- "The check-in girl told her she was way over her weight limit. She'd packed everything but the kitchen sink." |
A lot of things - especially used when packing |
As much use as a chocolate teapot. For example: "As soon as I switched it on the fuse blew. It was as much use as a chocolate teapot." |
Useless. |
Throw in the towel. For example: "They knew they were going to lose, so they threw in the towel." |
To give up. |
| Climb the wall For example: "The lesson was so boring the students were soon climbing the walls." |
To be extremely bored. |
| Drive someone up the wall For example: "My little brother is so annoying he drives me up the wall." |
To annoy or irritate someone. |
| The handwriting's on the wall For example: "He should have known he would lose his job, the handwriting was on the wall." |
Obvious bad luck. |
| To go to the wall For example: "The recession hit so hard many businesses went to the wall. |
To become bankrupt |
| To knock one`s head against a brick wall For example: "I have been knocking my head against a brick wall trying to solve this week's Mind Bender." |
To waste time trying to do something with little or no success. |
| More idioms and sayings | |