Phrases and Idioms

Meaning

401.

hammer - hammer something home

To convey one’s message across effectively by speaking intelligibly.

402.

hammer - under the hammer

Be for sale at an auction.

403.

hand - hand and hand

Be involved with

404.

hand - hand in glove

In close cooperation with someone in an illegal activity.

405.

hand - hand to mouth

With just enough money and food to survive on.

406.

hand - hand-and-glove

Inseparable or on intimate terms.

407.

hand – lend a hand

To help someone in doing something.

408.

hand – out of hand

Out of control. Immediately; without thinking.

409.

hang – hang your head

To look ashamed and guilty.

410.

hard – be hard hit

Adversely affected by something.

411.

hard - be hard on

To be too strict or harsh on someone.

412.

hard – be hard put

To have difficulty doing something.

413.

hard - hard done by

To be treated in an unfair or harsh manner.

414.

hard - hard luck story

A story told to gain sympathy.

415.

hard - hard of hearing

Having difficulty in hearing.

416.

hard – hard to take

Difficult to accept or believe.

417.

hard - no hard feelings

No feelings of resentment.

418.

hard – take something hard

Feel very unhappy or disappointed about something.

419.

hard - the hard stuff

Strong alcoholic drink

420.

hard – times are hard

Time when one has problems and difficulties.

421.

head - a clear head

Being able to think clearly in a difficult situation.

422.

head - a head for

An ability to tolerate something.

423.

head - come to a head

Reach a crisis.

424.

head – head over heels

Madly in love with something.

425.

head – head will roll

Some people will be punished or dismissed.

426.

head – keep one’s head

Remain calm.

427.

head – lose one’s head

Lose self-control.

428.

heart – break someone’s heart

To make someone feel very sad.

429.

heart – change of heart

Change in one’s thinking.

430.

heart – cross one’s heart

Used to make a promise.

431.

heart – from the heart

With the sincerest feeling.

432.

heart – have the heart

Show pity; be merciful.

433.

heart – heart and soul

With all one’s affections.

434.

heart – heart of gold

A kind or generous nature.

435.

heart – heart-to-heart

Frank, sincere (talk)

436.

heart – learn by heart

Learn by memorizing.

437.

heart – one’s heart’s desire

Someone’s greatest wish for something.

438.

heart – open one’s heart

To make known one’s feelings or thoughts.

439.

heart – take to heart

Take something seriously.

440.

hearth – hearth and home

One’s home and family.

441.

hedge – hedge your bets

Avoid total loss by placing similar bets on the other side.

442.

heel - take to (one’s) heels

Run away quickly.

443.

hell – hell for leather

At great speed.

444.

hell – hell on earth

A place that is extremely unpleasant.

445.

high – have high hopes

Confident of successful outcome.

446.

high - high and dry

Left with nothing.

447.

high – high and mighty

Feeling self-important; arrogant.

448.

history – history repeats itself

There’s a tendency for events to happen again in a similar way.

449.

hit –  hit rock bottom

To descend to the lowest level.

450.

hit – hit it off

To become friends in a natural way.

451.

hit – hit the bottle

To start to drink to excess.

452.

hit – hit the jackpot

To win a huge amount of money.

453.

hit – hit the road

Set forth on a journey

454.

hold – hold a conversation

To get engaged in a conversation with someone.

455.

hold – hold one’s horses

To stop for some reason.

456.

hold – hold one’s own

To do something or succeed without help from anyone.

457.

hold – hold the fort

To take over someone’s responsibility while they are away.

458.

hold – hold the line

To not yield; to wait until the other person is ready to answer one’s telephone call.

459.

hold – hold your fire

Used to order soldiers to cease firing.

460.

hold – no holds barred

Without any restrictions or rules.

461.

holier – holier than-thou

Self-righteous.

462.

home – home and dry

Having succeeded in getting something done.

463.

honour - do the honours

To do things such as serve food or drink at a social occasion.

464.

honour – in honour of

Used to show respect and admiration of someone.

465.

honour – man of honour

A man of high moral standards.

466.

honour – on one’s honour

Under a moral duty to do something.

467.

honour – on/upon my honour

Used to express one’s sincerity.

468.

hook - off the hook

No longer in a difficult situation.

469.

hop – on the hop

Unprepared; busy.

470.

hope – hope against hope

Hope for something that probably will not happen.

471.

house – house of God

A church, a temple.

472.

house – on the house

A drink or meal paid for by the bar, restaurant, etc. management.

473.

human - the human touch

A close relationship of communication or understanding.

474.

ice –  on thin ice

In a risky situation.

475.

idea - get the idea

To start to understand something

476.

idea - have no idea

Have no knowledge of

477.

idea - that’s the idea

That’s exactly right

478.

ill – ill at ease

Feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed.

479.

ill – speak ill of

Say something bad about someone.

480.

immemorial – since/from time immemorial

Starting from a time in the distant past which people cannot now recall.

481.

influence - under the influence

Affected by an effect or an imperceptible power exerted by someone or something that causes changes in conduct or the character.

482.

ins – ins and outs

The details of a system, workings, etc.

483.

inside – on the inside

Being able to provide internal information.

484.

issue – die without issue

To die without having any children.

485.

issue – take issue with

To dispute the truth or validity of.

486.

itchy – have itchy feet

Have the desire to travel or go somewhere.

487.

Jekyll – Jekyll and Hyde

A person having dual personalities, one good and one evil.

488.

job – just the job

The very job that is wanted.

489.

job – on the job

While doing work; being part of the work.

490.

join – join forces

Combine efforts for a common purpose.

491.

jump – jump a light

To drive past a red traffic light.

492.

jump – jump for joy

To be very excited and happy.

493.

jump – jump the gun

To begin something without proper planning.

494.

jump – jump the queue

Move ahead of other people in a queue.

495.

jump – jump to conclusions

To form a quick opinion without considering the facts.

496.

key – in/out of key

In/not in agreement or harmony with.

497.

kick – kick a habit

Stop doing something which one does habitually.

498.

kick – kick one’s heels

To be kept waiting for a long time.

499.

kick – kick someone upstairs

Promote someone to an ostensibly higher and more influential position in a business.

500.

kick – kick the bucket

Die.