100 Idioms You Must Know 26-50

26. Don’t give up the day job
Meaning: You’re not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally.
Example: Why did you invest in business even after failing in it in the past? Don’t give up the day job!

27. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Don’t focus all of your attention on one thing or one area.
Example: I know you love Harvard, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to other colleges too.

28. Drastic times call for drastic measures
Meaning: When you’re extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.
Example: Yes we had to let go of five of our workers! Drastic times call for drastic measures.

29. Elvis has left the building
Meaning: The show has come to an end. It’s all over.
Example: We waited for another performance by the band but it looked like Elvis had left the building.

30. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
Example: I’m sorry your business is going badly, but remember every cloud has a silver lining.

31. Far cry from
Meaning: A thing that is very different from something else.
Example: What you did was a far cry from what you said you were going to do.

32. Feel a bit under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick or unhealthy.
Example: I’m not coming to office today, Km feeling a bit under the weather.

33. Give the benefit of doubt
Meaning: Believe someone’s statement without proof.
Example: I knew him since the past 5 years, so I gave him the benefit of doubt.

34. Hear through the grapevine
Meaning: To hear news from someone who heard that news from someone else
Example: I heard through the grapevine that she’s pregnant.

35. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To do or say exactly the right thing.
Example: You’ve spotted the flaw, Robert. You’ve hit the nail on the head.

36. Hit the sack/sheets/hay
Meaning: To go to bed.
Example: I’m exhausted. I think I’ll just hit the sack.

37. In the heat of the moment
Meaning: Overwhelmed by what’s happening at the moment.
Example: He doesn’t hate you. He just said that in the heat of the moment.

38. It takes two to tango
Meaning: Both people involved in a bad situation are responsible for it.
Example: He blamed her for his lack of attention; well it takes two to tango.

39. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: Join a popular trend or activity.
Example: So many people are playing that game that I might as well jump on the bandwagon and check it out.

40. Keep something at bay
Meaning: Keep something away
Example: A good way to keep your anxiety at bay is through meditation.

41. Kill two birds with onestone
Meaning: To solve two problems at a time with just one action
Example: John practiced his words while peeling the potatoes. He was killing two birds with one stone.

42. Last straw
Meaning: The final problem in a series of problems
Example: This is the last straw. Km calling the police.

43. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: Leave something alone if it might cause trouble.
Example: I thought I would ask him if he wanted me to pay him back right away, but then I decided to let the sleeping dogs lie.

44. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret / To share information that was previously concealed.
Example: It’s our secret. Don’t let the cat out of the bag.

45. Make a long story short
Meaning: Come to the point — leave out the details.
Example: And — to make the long story short — I never got back the money I lent him.

46. Method in the madness
Meaning: A purpose in what one is doing, even though it seems to be crazy.
Example: What I’m doing might seem strange, but there is method in my madness.

47. Miss the boat
Meaning: To miss out on something.
Example: Pay attention, John, or you’ll miss the boat and never learn algebra.

48. Not a spark of decency
Meaning: A person who has no manners
Example: Her brother has not a spark of decency. I don’t like the way he acts in public.

49. Not playing with the full deck
Meaning: Someone who is mentally, psychologically or intellectually deficient.
Example: He’s an intelligent guy, but with all that crazy things he does, I wonder if he’s not playing with the full deck.

50. On the ball
Meaning: When someone understands a situation well; attentive.
Example: If you were on the ball, this wouldn’t have happened.