|
Idiom |
Definition |
Usage |
| IF/WHEN
PUSH COMES TO SHOVE |
if the situation becomes serious |
1. The president isn’t a forceful woman, but if push comes
to shove, she stands firm and lets her feelings be known.
2. I thought my parents wouldn’t support my beliefs because
mine were different from theirs, but when push came to
shove, they were right there in my corner fighting for me. |
| if the
shoe fits |
|
|
| if worst comes
to worst |
If the worst scenario
occurs |
If worst comes
to worst we must cancel our vacation. |
| ill at ease |
uncomfortable |
He appeared to be
ill at ease during the interview. |
| IN A
BIND/FIX/JAM |
in a difficult situation or position
Synonyms: over a barrel; between the devil and the deep blue
sea; between a rock and a hard place
In a bind is less dramatic than these last two expressions,
which would be used when a problem has no apparent solution.
Between the devil and the deep blue sea and between a rock
and a hard place would not be appropriate in the situations
presented in sentences 1 or 3, for example. |
1. Can I borrow $10 from you? I’m in a bind. The banks have
closed and I need to stop at the supermarket on the way
home.
2. Sam is really in a fix. He accepted a job last Friday
that he doesn’t particularly want because he didn’t think he
would get a better offer. Now he has been offered a job he
wants, but he doesn’t know how to get out of the first job.
3. I’m in a jam. I have a doctor’s appointment at the same
time as I have to pick the children up from school. Do you
think you could get the children for me? |
| in a family way |
pregnant |
Our new secretary is
in a family way and plans to quit work
soon. |
| in a fog |
confused |
He is always in
a fog and never seems to know what is going on. |
| in a haze |
confused |
He is always in
a haze and never seems to know what is going on. |
| in a hole |
in trouble |
He really is in
a hole now that he has problems at work. |
| in a hurry |
rushed |
I am in a hurry
and cannot talk now. |
| in a jam |
in trouble |
He is really in
a jam at work. |
| IN A
NUTSHELL |
concisely; in a few words
Compare to: long and short of it; nitty gritty; bottom line
The expression suggests that the words are so few that they
can fit in a nutshell. |
1. You can’t go to the movies tonight because tomorrow is a
school day, you’re supposed to be saving your money, and you
just went to the movies last night. Now, if you want it in a
nutshell, the answer is no.
2. We’re eager to find out what her plans are. Tell us in a
nutshell: is she going or not? |
| in a pig's eye |
Unlikely that |
In a pig's eye
he is gonna show up on time. |
| IN A
PINCH |
in an emergency; if necessary |
1. My car has only six seats but it can carry eight people
in a pinch.
2. We would prefer one large double room at the hotel, but
two small ones will be all right in a pinch. |
| in a rush |
in a hurry |
They were in a
rush to get to the party. |
| IN A
RUT |
in a boring routine
Synonym: on a treadmill
Compare to: old hat
A rut is a groove or narrow track pressed into a dirt road
that catches the wheel of a vehicle and forces the vehicle
to go in a restricted path that the driver is unable to
alter. The expression connotes going in a direction or doing
an activity without being able to vary it. |
1. I’m tired of this job. I do the same old thing day in and
day out. I’m in a rut.
2. Don’t let yourself get into a rut. Try something new from
time to time, and you won’t get bored. |
| in a spot |
in a difficult situation |
He will be in a
spot if he cannot pass the entrance exams. |
| in a way |
somewhat |
I would like to go with
you in a way. |
| in a word |
Briefly |
In a word,
I think that you need to study more. |
| in a world of
one's own |
thinking and unaware of
her surroundings |
She always seems to be
in a world of her own. |
| in advance |
ahead of time |
They bought the tickets
in advance so that they could get good
seats. |
| in and out |
coming in and going out |
The boss has been
in and out of his office the entire day. |
| in any case |
Absolutely |
In any case,
we can meet at the coffee shop. |
| in any event |
Absolutely |
In any event,
we can meet at the coffee shop. |
| IN
BLACK AND WHITE |
in print or in writing |
1. You can’t agree to buy or sell a house with just a
handshake. The agreement has to be in black and white.
2. I didn’t believe what you were telling me was true, but
here it is in the newspaper in black and white. The
expression originates from the black and white colors of ink
on paper. |
| in charge of |
in control of |
The new employee will be
in charge of production. |
| in deep |
deeply involved |
They are really
in deep with each other. |
| IN
DUTCH (WITH) |
in trouble
Synonym: in hot water, in the doghouse, hell to pay In the
doghouse is less serious and often light-hearted. To have
hell to pay is generally stronger and more serious. |
1. My parents said I’d better get home on time or I’ll be in
Dutch.
2. The boys got in Dutch with the teacher when they didn’t
turn in their homework. |
| IN FULL
SWING |
at the peak of activity or intensity |
1. Julie arrived about 30 minutes late and the party was
already in full swing.
2. The meeting started at 4:00 p.m. It was still in full
swing when the assistant manager arrived a little after
6:00. |
| IN HOT
WATER |
in trouble
Synonym: in Dutch, all hell to pay; in the doghouse |
1. Cheryl borrowed her mother’s best silk blouse without
permission and spilled soda on it. She knew she’d be in hot
water when she got home.
2. I got in hot water with my parents because I failed
mathematics. |
| IN/OUT
OF (ONE’S) ELEMENT |
in one’s most comfortable or favorite environment
Compare to: out of (one’s) depth; fish out of water; in
(way) over one’s head
Out of one’s element describes being uncomfortable in an
environment, whereas out of one’s depth describes being
asked to perform beyond one’s capability. |
1. Diana is in her element when she’s in the classroom.
She’s a natural teacher.
2. I love being in the country. When I’m in the city, I’m
lost. I’m out of my element. |
| IN/OUT
OF THE MAINSTREAM |
in the group that represents the majority; out of the
mainstream means on the edge of the majority |
1. Andy Warhol was a painter whose work is representative of
the Pop Art period. He was in the mainstream of Pop Art
painting.
2. That politician advocates very extreme views that are
entirely different from most of the other politicians. He is
out of the mainstream of current politics. |
| IN
OVER (ONE’S) HEAD |
beyond one’s capability (sentence 1); to have taken on more
than one can cope with (sentence 2)
Synonyms: out of (one’s) depth/league (sentence 1); bite off
more than (one) can chew (sentence 2) |
1. Tim can’t compete with these people. They are much more
capable in their field than he is. He’s in way over his
head.
2. Be careful how much work you take on. Don’t promise to do
more than you can handle. Don’t get in over your head. |
| ins
and outs |
|
|
| in short supply |
less than the amount
needed |
These days the amount of
oil is in short supply. |
| IN
STITCHES, HAVE (SOMEONE)/BE IN) |
to make someone laugh very hard |
1. We hired a very funny clown to perform at the company
picnic. He had the children in stitches from beginning to
end.
2. The movie was hilarious. We couldn’t stop laughing. We
were in stitches. |
| in stock |
available |
The new paints are
in stock. |
| IN THE
BAG |
a sure thing; success is assured |
1. The personnel director said that I was the best candidate
for the job and that if I pass the typing test tomorrow, the
job is in the bag.
2. I know you think the scholarship is in the bag, but don’t
get your hopes up too high. |
| IN THE
BLACK |
making a profit
Antonym: in the red
The expression originates from the color of ink that was
used on the credit side of a business ledger or account
book. |
1. The company lost money the first four years but now it’s
making money and is finally in the black.
2. The government hasn’t been in the black for the last 20
years. It has been spending more money than it brings in
through taxes.
3. Although we aren’t losing money, we’re not in the black
either. We’re just breaking even. |
| in the
blink of an eye |
|
|
| IN THE
CHIPS/MONEY |
having lots of money
The expression originates from a game like poker in which
chips represent money. |
1. I would quit work and spend the rest of my life
travelling around the world if I were in the chips.
2. You children are asking for so many Christmas presents,
you’d think I was in the money. |
| IN THE
DOGHOUSE |
in someone’s bad graces; in trouble
Compare to: in Dutch; in hot water; all hell to pay
Usually the “someone” in the expression is a loved one and
the situation or trouble is not very serious. In Dutch and
in hot water are more serious, and (have) all hell to pay is
generally much stronger and more serious. |
1. Frank looked at his watch and realized that he was over
an hour late for an appointment with his wife. “I’m really
going to be in the doghouse this time,” he said.
2. Dianne used her mother’s car without permission and now
she’s in the doghouse. |
| IN THE
LONG RUN |
in the end; after a long time has passed (sentence 1); after
weighing all the advantages and disadvantages (sentence 2) |
1. Jenny couldn’t decide whether to study accounting or law
at college. She didn’t know which major she would be happier
with in the long run. She might grow to dislike one or the
other in 20 years.
2. Brian had his own car, but he chose to take the train to
work every day even though it took more time. It was easier
in the long run because he didn’t have to tolerate traffic
jams, pay for gas, or look for parking. |
| IN THE
LOOP |
informed |
1. Sharon had worked with the same team for nearly two
years, but she still didn’t feel like she was in the loop.
She still had to ask for information from her colleagues.
2. I’d be happy to let you work on that project by yourself,
but I’d like to know how you’re progressing. Remember to
keep me in the loop, please. |
| in the market
for |
looking for and ready to
buy |
She is in the
market for a new car. |
| IN THE
NICK OF TIME |
at the last moment, just before something bad happens
Compare to: down to the wire; under the wire. |
1. The accident victim was near death, but the ambulance
arrived in the nick of time and the paramedic saved her.
2. We ran as fast as we could toward the bus stop and got
there just as the bus was pulling to a stop. We got there in
the nick of time. |
| IN THE
PINK |
in good health or good condition
Antonym: under the weather In the pink can be applied to
both people and things, while under the weather is limited
to people.
The expression probably originates from the idea that a
healthy person’s complexion is described as pink, while a
sick person’s skin is pale or chalky. |
1. After several days in the hospital, Paul wanted to go
home. He told the doctor he was feeling in the pink and
there was no reason for him to stay any longer.
2. I always get my car serviced on time. That way it stays
in the pink and I don’t have to worry about it breaking
down. |
| IN THE
RED |
losing money; not making a profit
Antonym: in the black
The expression originates from the color of ink that was
used on the debit (loss) side of a business ledger or
account book. |
1. Many governments operate year after year in the red. They
simply keep borrowing money against the taxes they expect to
collect in the future.
2. Some years my business makes a profit, but other years
I’m in the red. |
| IN THE
SAME BOAT |
in the same bad situation
The expression suggests that people in the same boat share
the same bad fate. They will all sink together if the boat
capsizes. |
1. Jake and I both lost our jobs yesterday. Now we’re in the
same boat.
2. Our landlord raised the rent on our apartments, and none
of us can afford to stay here any longer. We’re all in the
same boat. |
| in the
spotlight |
|
|
| in the works |
being planned |
The new line of products
is in the works. |
| in
your blood |
|
|
| in
your dreams |
|
|
| IT’S
ALL GREEK TO ME |
incomprehensible or unintelligible
The expression can be traced back as far as Shakespeare’s
play Julius Caesar, and probably originates from the idea
that the Greek language uses a different alphabet from
English, making it difficult for English speakers to hear or
understand. |
1. I’m not very good at understanding the directions on how
to assemble these modern-day toys. They’re all Greek to me.
2. Can you tell me what this page says? I don’t even know if
it’s right side up or upside down. It’s all Greek to me. |
| it's
been ages |
|
|
| IT’S NO
SKIN OFF (SOMEONE’S) NOSE |
it has no effect on someone or it is of no concern to
someone |
1. I think you’re crazy to spend your money on that car, but
it’s your decision. It’s no skin off my nose.
2. Don’t tell me what to do with my life. It’s no skin off
your nose if I choose to quit school. |
| it's
up to you |
|
|
| it
takes two to tango |
|
|
| IVORY
TOWER |
an isolated environment where one is out of touch with
everyday reality; a place of retreat where one concentrates
on intellectual rather than everyday matters
The expression suggests an ivory (white) tower high above
the masses. An ivory tower is often associated with an
academic or university environment, which is said to be
isolated from the real world, e.g., business and politics. |
1. The boss felt that he couldn’t consider Richard for the
difficult job of manager because Richard seemed out of touch
with the workers. He was isolated in his ivory tower.
2. When the professors complained that the students couldn’t
meet the academic standards of the past, they were told that
they should come out of their ivory tower. More students
attend the university now and it can’t be as selective as it
used to be. |
