Phrases and Idioms List 101-200 (call – crime)

Phrases and idioms add color and expression to everyday language, often conveying meanings beyond the literal words. The table below lists common phrases and idioms along with their meanings to help you understand and use them effectively.

Phrase / Idiom	Meaning
call – call someone’s bluff	Challenge someone to prove a threat/claim to expose it as empty.
call – call the shots	Be in charge; make the decisions.
call – the call of	A strong pull or attraction of a place, field, etc.
can – can of worms	A messy issue likely to spawn many problems.
cap – cap in hand	Humbly seeking help or favor.
capture – capture someone’s heart	Win someone’s love or deep affection.
card – on the cards	Likely; probable.
carry – carry oneself well	Move and behave with poise and good posture.
carry – carry the day	Win; prevail in a contest or debate.
carry – get carried away	Become overexcited and lose restraint.
cash – cash and carry	Pay in full and take goods yourself; no credit/delivery.
cast – be cast away	Be shipwrecked and stranded.
cast – be cast down	Be dejected or discouraged.
catch – catch one’s breath	Pause to recover breathing or gasp in surprise.
catch – catch sight of	Suddenly notice; glimpse.
catch – catch someone’s eye	Attract someone’s attention.
cause – cause and effect	Relationship where one event produces another.
cause – make common cause	Unite with others for a shared aim.
chalk – chalk it up	Attribute or record (as a result or reason).
chance – by any chance	Possibly? (polite question form).
chance – stand a chance	Have a real possibility of success.
chance – take a chance	Act despite risk.
chance – take one’s chance	Seize a risky opportunity and hope for success.
change – change of air	Time in a different place for refreshment/health.
change – change one’s tune	Alter one’s stance due to new circumstances.
change – for a change	As something different from the usual.
charge – free of charge	At no cost.
charge – in charge of	Responsible for; directing.
charge – on a charge	Formally accused of a crime.
charge – put in charge	Assign someone responsibility/authority.
cheap – on the cheap	Inexpensively; spending less than usual.
cheek – cheek by jowl	Very close together.
cheek – cheek to cheek	Dancing with faces close together.
chew – chew the fat	Chat amiably; gossip.
chicken – she’s no chicken	She’s not young anymore (informal).
chop – get the chop	Be fired; be cancelled/terminated.
chord – strike a chord	Resonate; feel apt or relatable.
circle – come full circle	Return to an earlier state or position.
circumstance – in suspicious circumstances	With indications of foul play.
circumstance – under/in no circumstances	Absolutely not, regardless of situation.
circumstance – under/in the circumstances	Considering the situation.
circumstance – victim of circumstance	Harmed by events beyond one’s control.
claim – lay claim to	Assert a right to or ownership of.
clean – a clean break	A decisive, complete separation.
clean – a clean slate/sheet	Fresh start with no past faults recorded.
clear – clear the air	Ease tension through frank discussion.
clear – clear the decks	Remove obstacles to prepare for action.
clear – in the clear	Free of blame/suspicion; out of danger.
clip – at a clip	At a brisk rate.
clip – clip someone’s wings	Restrict someone’s freedom or ambitions.
clock – against the clock	Racing to beat a deadline.
close – a close shave	A narrow escape from harm.
clutch – clutch at straws	Grasp weak options in desperation.
coast – coast is clear	Safe to proceed unobserved.
cock – cock a snook	Show open contempt or defiance.
cold – cold hard cash	Physical money (notes and coins).
cold – in cold blood	Deliberately and without mercy or emotion.
cold – the cold shoulder	Deliberate snub; pointed unfriendliness.
come – come of age	Reach legal adulthood; attain maturity.
come – come off it	Don’t be ridiculous; expression of disbelief.
come – come on strong	Act very assertively; sometimes overly forward.
come – come to mind	Occur as a thought.
come – come to nothing	Fail to produce any result.
come – come to pass	Happen; occur.
come – come up dry	Find nothing; fail to get a result.
come – come what may	No matter what happens.
commit – commit to paper	Write down.
common – in common with	Sharing with; similar to.
common – the common good	Benefit of the community as a whole.
common – the common touch	Ability to relate to ordinary people.
concern – a going concern	A viable, profitable business.
conquer – conquer somebody’s heart	Win someone’s love.
conscience – in all conscience	By any fair standard; honestly.
conscience – on one’s conscience	Causing guilt or moral unease.
conscience – prisoner of conscience	Person jailed for non-violent beliefs or views.
cook – cook somebody’s goose	Ruin someone’s plans.
cool – a cool million	About a million; an impressively large sum.
cool – cool one’s heels	Be forced to wait, often annoyingly.
cool – keep one’s cool	Stay calm under pressure.
cool – lose one’s cool	Lose temper or composure.
corner – around the corner	Imminent; very near (in time or distance).
corner – corner the market	Control a commodity’s supply or dominance.
corner – fight one’s corner	Defend one’s position or interests.
corner – in someone’s corner	Supporting and rooting for someone.
corner – turn a corner	Begin to improve after difficulty.
corridors – corridors of power	Places/people where top decisions are made.
cost – cost a bomb	Cost a lot (BrE, informal).
cost – at all costs	Regardless of effort, risk, or expense.
cost – cost someone dear	Bring severe consequences to someone.
count – count one’s blessings	Recognize and be grateful for good fortune.
count – count the cost	Face or consider the negative consequences.
count – count the days	Wait eagerly or impatiently for time to pass.
cover – cover one’s back	Protect oneself from blame/criticism.
cover – cover one’s tracks	Conceal evidence of one’s actions.
crack – crack of dawn	Daybreak; very early morning.
cradle – the cradle of	Birthplace/origin of something important.
cream – the cream of	The best part; the elite.
credit – line of credit	Maximum borrowing available to a customer.
crime – crime doesn’t pay	Wrongdoing ultimately brings punishment or ruin.
crime – crime of passion	Crime committed in sudden, intense emotion (often jealousy).