Phrases and Idioms List 901-1000 (state – world)

Here’s a handy quick-reference to common phrases and idioms. Browse the table to see each expression alongside its meaning, and use it to clarify tricky turns of phrase, add color to your writing, or simply expand your vocabulary. Feel free to scan, sort, and bookmark favorites as you go.

Phrase / Idiom	Meaning
state – state of emergency	A dangerous crisis when authorities assume extraordinary powers.
state – state of grace	A condition of being spiritually forgiven.
state – state of mind	One’s mood or mental condition.
stay – stay of execution	A temporary halt to carrying out a court order.
stay – stay the course	Keep going to the end despite difficulties.
steal – steal a kiss	Snatch an unexpected kiss.
steal – steal a march	Get a head start to gain an edge.
steal – steal someone’s heart	Win someone’s affection.
steal – steal someone’s thunder	Preempt another’s moment by acting first and taking the credit.
steal – steal the show	Attract the most praise and attention.
steam – get/pick up steam	Build speed or momentum over time.
steam – let off steam	Release pent-up emotions through activity.
steer – steer clear of	Deliberately avoid.
stiff – stiff upper lip	Stay stoic and brave under strain.
stock – on the stocks	In progress or being prepared.
stock – out of stock	Not currently available for purchase.
stock – take stock of	Pause to examine or assess a situation.
stomach – a strong stomach	Able to handle disturbing or gross things.
stone – a stone’s throw (away)	Very close by.
strapped – strapped for cash	Short on money.
straw – the last straw	The final irritation that makes the situation intolerable.
stretch – at a stretch	Continuously, without a break.
stretch – at full stretch	Using all resources and effort.
stretch – stretch a point	Allow more than is normally acceptable.
strike – strike the eye	Stand out noticeably.
striking – within striking distance	Close to reaching or achieving something.
string – pull the strings	Control events from behind the scenes.
strong – one’s strong point	Something you’re particularly good at.
sundry – all and sundry	Everyone; anybody at all.
swallow – swallow one’s pride	Do something embarrassing or humbling for a greater goal.
swing – in full swing	At peak activity.
swing – swing the balance	Tip the outcome one way or the other.
sword – sword of Damocles	A constant looming threat.
sync – in/out of sync	Coordinated / not coordinated.
table – turn the tables	Reverse a disadvantage into an advantage.
table – under the table	Secret, illegal payment; a bribe.
take – on the take	Accepting bribes.
take – take a joke	Able to be teased without offense.
take – take one’s time	Proceed unhurriedly.
take – take that	Exclamation used when striking or retaliating.
talk – be all talk	Talk a lot without taking action.
talk – now you’re talking	Expression of approval for a good idea.
talk – talk sense into	Persuade someone to be reasonable.
talk – talk the talk	Impress through confident speech (whether or not backed by action).
test – test the water	Probe opinions before committing.
thin – thin on top	Losing hair; balding.
thrill – thrills and spills	Exciting, risk-tinged fun.
thumb – under someone’s thumb	Controlled or dominated by someone.
tickle – be tickled pink	Be delighted or highly amused.
tickle – tickle someone’s fancy	Spark someone’s interest.
time – ahead of time	Earlier than expected or scheduled.
time – behind the times	Outdated; not up to date.
time – take one’s time	Don’t rush; go at a relaxed pace.
time – time will tell	The outcome will become clear later.
tit – tit for tat	Retaliation in kind.
tongue – hold one’s tongue	Keep quiet; refrain from speaking.
tongue – tongue in cheek	Meant humorously or ironically.
tongues – speak in tongues	Utter unknown languages in religious ecstasy.
tooth – tooth and nail	With fierce, all-out effort.
toss – give a toss	Care at all (often used negatively).
toss – take a toss	Be thrown off a horse.
toss – toss one’s cookies	Vomit.
touch – out of touch	Unaware of current realities or information.
touch – touch a nerve	Bring up a sensitive issue.
touch – touch-and-go	Precarious with an uncertain outcome.
track – keep track of	Monitor and stay informed about something.
track – off the track	Straying from the main subject or path.
trail – trail one’s coat	Deliberately provoke a quarrel.
trial – trial and error	Repeated attempts until something works.
trice – in a trice	In no time; very quickly.
tried – tried and tested	Proven reliable by experience.
true – out of true	Not aligned or accurate.
true – true to form	As expected based on past behavior.
true – true to life	Realistic; lifelike.
turn – at every turn	Constantly; repeatedly.
two – two cents’ worth	One’s opinion or input.
up – be up on	Be well informed about.
upper – on one’s uppers	Extremely poor.
use – use and wont	Long-standing custom or practice.
vale – vale of tears	This difficult, sorrowful world.
walk – walk of life	A person’s occupation or social sphere.
walk – walk on eggshells	Act with extreme caution.
walk – walk one’s talk	Make actions match one’s words.
wanting – be found wanting	Judged inadequate for the task.
wear – wear the breeches	Wife dominating the husband.
wet – wet one’s pants	Become very excited or terrified.
wet – wet one’s whistle	Have a drink, especially alcohol.
wheel – behind the wheel	Driving a vehicle.
wheel – wheel and deal	Use underhanded tactics in business or politics.
wheel – wheels within wheels	Layers of hidden complexity.
wild – in the wild	In nature; outside controlled settings.
wild – wild and woolly	Rough and unrefined.
wild – wild goose chase	Futile or pointless pursuit.
win – win the day	Come out victorious.
wink – in a wink	Very soon; in an instant.
word – a good word	A recommendation or endorsement.
word – have a word	Speak briefly with someone.
word – word of honour	A solemn personal promise.
word – words fail me	I’m too shocked to speak.
world – the outside world	Everywhere beyond a particular place or group.