Idiom of the day

Break even

2008-07-07T16:19:00.000+05:30

have expenses equal to profits.

Application: "After only three months the company was able to break even and start making profits."

Give someone the green light

2008-06-24T18:56:00.000+05:30

give permission to go ahead with a project.

Application: "Our boss gave us the green light to begin work on the new sales promotion."

Gain ground

2008-06-16T12:39:00.001+05:30

go forward, make progress.

Application: "Our company has been gaining ground in our attempt to be the best in the industry."

Fill the bill

2008-06-05T13:37:00.001+05:30

be just what is needed.

Application: "That new machine should fill the bill as to what we need to finish the job."

Bang for the buck

2008-06-05T13:36:00.000+05:30

value for the money spent.

Application: "We were able to get a big bang for our buck when we advertised on the Internet."

In the market for

2008-06-05T13:34:00.000+05:30

ready to buy something.

Application: "We have been in the market for a new computer for a long time but still we haven't bought one."

Sell like hotcakes

2008-06-03T19:28:00.001+05:30

sell very quickly.

Application: "The children's toys were selling like hotcakes at the end of the year."

piece/slice of the action

2008-06-03T19:23:00.000+05:30

a share in the activity or the profits of something.

Application: "The inventor wanted a large piece of the action of the profits from the new computer that he had invented."

Turn over

2008-06-03T19:20:00.001+05:30

to buy and then sell something to customers.

Application: "The turn-over at that discount store is very rapid."

double-check

2008-06-03T19:14:00.000+05:30

-check something again to confirm.

Application: "We were unable to double-check the costs of the new products before the price list was printed."

Hard sell

2008-05-26T20:15:00.000+05:30

sell something by being very aggressive.
Application: "The car salesman gave us a hard sell so we decided to go to another dealer."

Under his own steam

2008-05-20T19:40:00.003+05:30

by himself, without help.

Application: "Although Don was injured, he left the field under his own steam".

In the offing

2008-05-20T19:40:00.002+05:30

something that is imminent.

Origin: A nautical term to indicate that a ship is visible from the shore and due to arrive soon

Under his own steam

2008-05-20T19:40:00.001+05:30

by himself, without help.

Application: "Although Don was injured, he left the field under his own steam".

Raining Cats And Dogs

2008-05-20T19:39:00.000+05:30

Raining very heavily.

Application: "Don't forget to take an umbrella with you, it is raining cats and dogs outside."

At the Drop of a Hat

2008-05-20T19:38:00.000+05:30

Something that happens suddenly, almost without warning.

Application: "If you get an extra ticket, let me know. I would go at the drop of a hat."

Raise Your Spirits

2008-05-20T19:36:00.000+05:30

help you feel positive, help you feel happy.

Application: "If you want to raise your spirits, just have a visit with Kari."

Close but no Cigar

2008-05-16T15:53:00.001+05:30

Nearly achieving success, but not quite.

Application: "That free throw was close but no cigar."

Take Stock

2008-05-16T15:52:00.002+05:30

count the items of merchandise or supplies in stock, take inventory.

Application: "The department store closes down for 3 days every March in order to take stock."

By leaps and bounds

2008-05-16T15:52:00.001+05:30

By large amounts.

Application: "The population of Calgary has grown by leaps and bounds"

Memory like a sieve

2008-05-16T15:51:00.002+05:30

If somebody can't retain things for long in his or her memory and quickly forgets, he or she has a memory like a sieve. A sieve has lots of tiny holes in it to let liquids out while keeping the solids inside.

Application: "His memory's like a sieve; especially after taking New Year resolutions!"

Common Ground

2008-05-16T15:51:00.001+05:30

shared beliefs or interests.

Application: "If there is some common ground between two groups having different views, working together will be a very easy"

On Pins and Needles

2008-05-09T17:45:00.001+05:30

Waiting anxiously, worried.

Application: "Mom will be on pins and needles until we return. She'll be worried."

In the picture

2008-05-09T17:44:00.000+05:30

Part of the scene, a factor.

Application: "As Mr. Martin lost the election, he's not in the picture."

Carry the day

2008-05-09T17:43:00.000+05:30

win completely.

Application: "The president's new idea carried the day and everyone supported him energetically."

As Keen As Mustard

2008-05-08T19:19:00.001+05:30

very enthusiastic.

Application: "There are many youngsters on the team who really are as keen as mustard."

In the Driver's Seat

2008-05-08T19:18:00.000+05:30

controlling events or decisions, in charge.

Application: "Huge consumer demand for electricity has put energy companies in the driver's
seat."

Round Robin

2008-05-08T19:17:00.000+05:30

Repeatedly taking successive turns in the same order.

Application: "Everyone in this family will take round robin turns putting out the trash."

Above Board

2008-05-07T20:45:00.004+05:30

Legal, out in the open, activities not concealed.

Application: "The real estate agent was always above board when dealing with people who were trying to buy a house."

Part And Parcel

2008-05-07T20:45:00.003+05:30

the same as, similar, one and the same.

Application: "Being recognized on the street is all part and parcel of being famous."

Speak Off The Cuff

2008-05-07T20:45:00.001+05:30

To speak spontaneously, without much preparation.

Application: "It has gotten to the point where I can now speak off the cuff a lot more fluently than when I first joined the personality development course."

Double Take

2008-05-06T18:18:00.001+05:30

look again in disbelief.

Application: "She did a double take when the Hollywood superstar walked into the store."

Know something by heart

2008-05-06T18:17:00.002+05:30

To know something perfectly.

Application: "Melissa loves Shakespeare. She has seen all of his plays so many times that she knows all the lines by heart."

Next of Kin

2008-05-06T18:17:00.001+05:30

closest relatives, members of the family.

Application: "That NGO also aids the emergency services in locating a next of kin in an emergency."

in black and white

2008-05-05T19:48:00.001+05:30

in writing.

Application: "The company refused to deal with the customer's complaints until they saw them in black and white."

One-trick pony

2008-05-05T19:47:00.003+05:30

someone who does one thing well, but has limited skills in other areas.

Application: "I hope Sullivan doesn't prove to be a one trick pony."

A little bird told me

2008-05-05T19:47:00.001+05:30

An implied secret or private source of knowledge.

Application: A little bird told me that we're moving.

In the long run

2008-05-05T19:46:00.003+05:30

In the final result.

Application: "The shoe store has been losing customers recently but in the long run they should do very well."

On all Fours

2008-05-05T19:46:00.001+05:30

on your hands and knees, crawling around.

Application: "There was Julie, on all fours, looking for her contact lens."

Warm the cockles of your heart

2008-05-05T19:45:00.002+05:30

Something that makes you feel happy because it shows that people can be good and kind.

Application: "It's an old-fashioned romance that will warm the cockles of your heart."

Nail it Down

2008-05-05T19:45:00.001+05:30

complete it, finalize it, close a deal.

Application: "Don't spend too long on a sale. Try to nail it down quickly."

New kid on the Block

2008-05-05T19:44:00.002+05:30

new person in the office or in the class.

Application: "I'm the new kid on the block. I come from Portugal."

Out of the Blue

2008-05-05T19:44:00.001+05:30

Suddenly and unexpectedly.

Application: "Late last summer, out of the blue, Sue announced she was getting married and leaving her home country soon. We were all shocked to hear that."

Off the Record

2008-05-02T20:21:00.003+05:30

Not to be reported, not official.

Application: "What the President said is not to be printed. It's off the record."

Card up your sleeve

2008-05-02T20:21:00.001+05:30

If you have a card up your sleeve, you have a surprise plan or idea that you are keeping back until the time is right.

Application: "Lets see what Henry does next. He always has a card up his sleeve."

Right As Rain

2008-05-02T20:20:00.004+05:30

Completely correct, proper, sound and healthy.

Application: "On the witness stand she appeared to be right as rain, but then she is an actress by profession."

Lose my train of thought

2008-05-02T20:20:00.003+05:30

forget my order of thoughts or words.

Application: "Don't interrupt me because I may lose my train of thought."

Safe bet

2008-05-02T20:20:00.001+05:30

Probably true. Will probably happen.

Application: "It's a safe bet that your English skills will improve quickly if you study at the English centre."

Fair play

2008-05-02T20:19:00.001+05:30

Justice, equal and right action to someone.

Application: The company is very good to work for as they always use fair play when they are bargaining with their employees.

Brush up on

2008-04-30T20:42:00.002+05:30

review, relearn or practice.

Application: "The teacher said I should brush up on my spelling--I need to improve it."

captain of industry

2008-04-30T20:42:00.001+05:30

a top corporation officer.

Application: "The president of our company was a captain of industry and after he retired he was appointed to many government boards."

in the works

2008-04-30T20:41:00.000+05:30

in preparation, being planned or worked on

Application: "The camera company has a new automatic camera in the works but nobody knows about it yet."

Take a leaf out of someone's book

2008-04-29T20:20:00.001+05:30

Do something in the same way as someone else does.

Application: "Maybe I should take a leaf out of Jenny's book and start exercising. She's always in good shape because she exercises every day."

Come full circle

2008-04-29T20:19:00.000+05:30

A process has been completed.

Application: "The salmon has returned to the place where it originally hatched. Its life cycle has come full circle."

Above Board

2008-04-29T20:18:00.000+05:30

Legal, out in the open, activities not concealed.

Application: "The real estate agent was always above board when dealing with people who were trying to buy a house."

Speak off the Cuff

2008-04-28T19:50:00.001+05:30

Take on a new light

2008-04-28T19:49:00.002+05:30

have a new meaning, see a different meaning

Application: The music takes on a new light if you know the composer.

Here today, gone Tomorrow

2008-04-28T19:49:00.001+05:30

Fleeting; lacking permanence.

Application: "His novel attracted a great deal of attention but quickly went out of print - here today and gone tomorrow."

Take a leaf out of someone's book

2008-04-27T17:40:00.001+05:30

Do something in the same way as someone else does

Application: "Maybe I should take a leaf out of Jenny's book and start exercising. She's always in good shape because she exercises every day."

Come full circle

2008-04-27T17:39:00.002+05:30

process has been completed.

Application: "The salmon has returned to the place where it originally hatched. Its life cycle has come full circle."

Above Board

2008-04-27T17:39:00.001+05:30

Legal, out in the open, activities not concealed.

Application: "The real estate agent was always above board when dealing with people who were trying to buy a house."

Speak off the Cuff

2008-04-26T22:21:00.002+05:30

To speak spontaneously, without much preparation.

Application: "It has gotten to the point where I can now speak off the cuff a lot more fluently than when I first joined the personality development course."

Take on a new light

2008-04-26T22:21:00.001+05:30

have a new meaning, see a different meaning

Application: The music takes on a new light if you know the composer.

Here today, gone Tomorrow

2008-04-26T22:20:00.000+05:30

Fleeting; lacking permanence.

Application: "His novel attracted a great deal of attention but quickly went out of print - here today and gone tomorrow."

Be up and Running

2008-04-25T19:45:00.002+05:30

be working well, especially a system or a machine, functioning.

Application: "Our computer crashed, but the engineer got it up and running soon again."

Keep a Low Profile

2008-04-25T19:45:00.001+05:30

Stay out of public notice, avoid attracting attention to oneself.

Application: "Until his appointment becomes official, Ted is keeping a low profile."

A Paper Trail

2008-04-25T19:44:00.000+05:30

a series of memos or letters that record events.

Application: "Computerized voting lacks paper trail, scholars warn."

On a Good Footing

2008-04-24T20:31:00.002+05:30

To be on good terms with someone.

Application: "A win tomorrow will put us on a good footing and give us a good platform for when we return to the A-League for the last six games of the season"

Thumbs up

2008-04-24T20:30:00.000+05:30

To give approval.

Example: "If Jamie gave the movie two thumbs up, it is probably pretty good."

Beyond the Call Of Duty

2008-04-24T20:29:00.000+05:30

much more than expected, go the extra mile

Application: "He went beyond the call of duty in handling this emergency situation."

On a Good Footing

2008-04-23T18:47:00.002+05:30

To be on good terms with someone.

Application: "A win tomorrow will put us on a good footing and give us a good platform for when we return to the A-League for the last six games of the season"

Thumbs up

2008-04-23T18:47:00.001+05:30

To give approval.

Application: "If Jamie gave the movie two thumbs up, it is probably pretty good."

Beyond the Call Of Duty

2008-04-23T18:46:00.000+05:30

much more than expected, go the extra mile

Application: "He went beyond the call of duty in handling this emergency situation."

Brush up on

2008-04-22T17:50:00.002+05:30

review, relearn or practice.

Application: "The teacher said I should brush up on my spelling--I need to improve it."

Ducks in a Row

2008-04-22T17:50:00.001+05:30

To have things in order.

Application: "If you don't get your ducks in a row, you will never find the information you need on time."

Jump the Gun

2008-04-22T17:49:00.000+05:30

act too soon, leave early.

Application: "A good chef waits until the food is cooked. Don't jump the gun"

Give credit where credit is due

2008-04-21T21:45:00.002+05:30

Acknowledge or thank someone who deserves it.

Application: "We gave credit where credit is due and thanked the cook for all of the work that she had done."

Drive a hard bargain

2008-04-21T21:45:00.001+05:30

To conclude a bargain without making any concessions.

Application: "Although the man drives a hard bargain, I like doing business with him."

Card up your sleeve

2008-04-21T21:38:00.000+05:30

If you have a card up your sleeve, you have a surprise plan or idea that you are keeping back until the time is right.
Application: "Lets see what Henry does next. He always has a card up his sleeve."