a bitter pill to swallow
All a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
All Types idiom phrasal-verb proverb
Content locale
EN English BN Bengali HI Hindi ES Spanish FR French DE German RU Russian ZH Chinese JA Japanese
All Expression Cards All Expressions
idiom

a bitter pill to swallow

Meaning
an unpleasant fact or situation to accept
Example
Losing the championship was a bitter pill to swallow for the team.
idiom

against the ropes

Meaning
in a difficult situation or near defeat
Example
The company was against the ropes, but it managed to recover.
idiom

a slippery slope

Meaning
a course of action that seems to lead to undesirable or dangerous consequences
Example
Starting to ignore small violations can lead to a slippery slope of bigger legal issues.
idiom

a daydreamer

Meaning
someone who spends a lot of time thinking about pleasant things rather than working
Example
She’s a daydreamer who often forgets what she’s doing.
idiom

A stitch in time saves nine

Meaning
Solving a small problem early prevents a bigger problem later.
Example
Fix that leak now — a stitch in time saves nine.
idiom

A bundle of nerves

Meaning
To be extremely anxious or tense.
Example
Before the presentation, she was a bundle of nerves.
idiom

at the crossroads

Meaning
facing a decision or choice
Example
I’m at the crossroads in my career right now.
idiom

a window of opportunity

Meaning
a short period when one has a chance to act effectively
Example
We have a window of opportunity to finalize the deal this week.
phrasal-verb

adjust within

Meaning
to make internal changes to adapt to new conditions
Example
The team had to adjust within the department to meet new expectations.
idiom

a heart of steel

Meaning
someone who is emotionally strong and unyielding
Example
Despite all the challenges, he handled everything with a heart of steel.
idiom

a bridge too far

Meaning
an attempt or goal that is too ambitious or impossible to achieve
Example
The proposal to negotiate with all the countries at once was a bridge too far.
idiom

ace a test

Meaning
to do extremely well on a test
Example
He studied hard and managed to ace the test.
idiom

ahead of its time

Meaning
to be unusually advanced or innovative for its era
Example
That invention was ahead of its time.
idiom

a peaceful resolution

Meaning
a solution that resolves a conflict calmly
Example
They reached a peaceful resolution after several discussions.
idiom

a diplomatic tightrope

Meaning
a very delicate or risky diplomatic situation
Example
Managing relations with both rivals is a diplomatic tightrope.
idiom

a heavy heart

Meaning
a feeling of deep sadness or sorrow
Example
She left her hometown with a heavy heart.
idiom

A true friend is one who stands by you

Meaning
A true friend will be there for you during difficult times
Example
Even in the worst of times, she proved to be a true friend. A true friend is one who stands by you.
idiom

A Faustian bargain

Meaning
A deal where one sacrifices moral integrity for power or success.
Example
Signing that contract was a Faustian bargain for him.
idiom

A pretty picture

Meaning
A pleasant or ideal situation; often used ironically
Example
This isn’t a pretty picture – we need to fix these problems.
idiom

add color to

Meaning
to make something more interesting or lively
Example
The teacher’s stories added color to the history lesson.
idiom

a big mouth

Meaning
a person who talks too much or reveals secrets
Example
Don’t tell Jake, he’s a big mouth!
idiom

a foot in the door

Meaning
to have a small opportunity to start working in a company or industry
Example
An internship is a great way to get a foot in the door.
idiom

a turning point

Meaning
a moment when an important change happens
Example
Graduating from college was a turning point in his life.
idiom

a rolling stone gathers no moss

Meaning
a person who keeps moving and exploring avoids boredom or stagnation
Example
A rolling stone gathers no moss, and he’s always on the move.
phrasal-verb

ask for forgiveness

Meaning
to request someone to forgive you
Example
I will ask for forgiveness for what I did.
idiom

a blank canvas

Meaning
a person or situation that can be developed freely
Example
Starting a new project is like working with a blank canvas.
idiom

a smart cookie

Meaning
a very clever or intelligent person
Example
Don’t underestimate her; she’s a smart cookie.
idiom

a miscarriage of justice

Meaning
a wrong or unfair decision by a court
Example
The innocent man’s imprisonment was a miscarriage of justice.
idiom

all in the same boat

Meaning
in the same situation or facing the same challenges
Example
We're all in the same boat, so let's work together to solve this problem.
idiom

as wise as an owl

Meaning
very wise or knowledgeable
Example
My grandfather is as wise as an owl.
idiom

A scoop

Meaning
An exclusive piece of news
Example
The journalist got a scoop about the minister’s resignation.
idiom

A blueprint for success

Meaning
A detailed plan or strategy for achieving success.
Example
Hard work and consistency are a blueprint for success.
idiom

a million-dollar smile

Meaning
a beautiful and charming smile
Example
She greeted everyone with a million-dollar smile.
idiom

at war with oneself

Meaning
to be conflicted or struggling internally
Example
She is at war with herself about the decision to move abroad.
B1 idiom

all ears

Listening very attentively
Meaning
Listening very attentively
Example
When the teacher started explaining the concept, the students were all ears.
When the teacher started explaining the concept, the students were all ears.
idiom

as fit as a fiddle

Meaning
in very good health
Example
My grandfather is 80 but still as fit as a fiddle.
idiom

a masterpiece

Meaning
an outstanding work of art or achievement
Example
Her latest sculpture is truly a masterpiece.
idiom

at your wits' end

Meaning
to be so worried or stressed that you don’t know what to do
Example
I’m at my wits’ end trying to finish all this work.
idiom

alive and kicking

Meaning
still healthy and full of life
Example
My grandmother is 90 but still alive and kicking.
idiom

a stroke of luck

Meaning
something good that happens by chance
Example
It was a stroke of luck that I found my lost wallet.
idiom

a quick study

Meaning
someone who learns new things very fast
Example
She’s a quick study and mastered the topic in a day.
idiom

against the clock

Meaning
to do something as fast as possible because time is limited
Example
We were working against the clock to finish the project on time.
idiom

a full plate

Meaning
to be very busy or have many things to do
Example
I can’t join the trip now; I’ve got a full plate.
idiom

artificial brainpower

Meaning
intelligence or decision-making provided by AI systems
Example
The car relies on artificial brainpower to navigate through traffic.
idiom

AI-powered

Meaning
referring to systems or applications that use artificial intelligence to function
Example
The company launched an AI-powered assistant to help customers find products more easily.
idiom

as fresh as a daisy

Meaning
full of energy and not tired
Example
Even after the hike, she looked as fresh as a daisy.
idiom

A Trojan horse

Meaning
Something intended to secretly undermine or bring harm from within.
Example
The malware acted as a Trojan horse, allowing hackers access to private data.
phrasal-verb

aim for excellence

Meaning
to try to achieve the best possible results
Example
Always aim for excellence instead of settling for average results.
idiom

a house divided against itself cannot stand

Meaning
a group or organization that is divided in opinion or direction cannot succeed
Example
In a team, a house divided against itself cannot stand; everyone needs to agree on the same goal.
idiom

All for one and one for all

Meaning
Everyone in the group works together for the common good.
Example
In our company, we believe in the motto, all for one and one for all.
idiom

a picture is worth a thousand words

Meaning
a visual image can express complex ideas better than words
Example
That photo truly proves that a picture is worth a thousand words.
idiom

a ray of sunshine

Meaning
someone or something that brings happiness
Example
Her smile is a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day.
idiom

a pipe dream

Meaning
an unrealistic or impossible dream
Example
Owning a private island is just a pipe dream for most people.
idiom

a wake-up call

Meaning
an event that makes someone realize they need to change
Example
Losing his job was a wake-up call for him.
idiom

AI arms race

Meaning
competition among companies or nations to lead in AI development
Example
Big tech companies are engaged in an AI arms race.
idiom

A Romeo

Meaning
A passionate lover or a romantic man.
Example
He acts like a Romeo around her.
idiom

artificial genius

Meaning
an exceptionally smart system created by humans
Example
Chatbots have become the face of artificial genius.
idiom

a man of faith

Meaning
a person who strongly believes in a particular religion or principle
Example
He is known as a man of faith in his community.
idiom

Above reproach

Meaning
Completely honest and without fault.
Example
Her integrity is above reproach.
phrasal-verb

argue with

Meaning
to disagree or fight verbally with someone
Example
My brother often argues with me about household chores.
idiom

a chip off the old block

Meaning
someone who is very similar to their parent
Example
Your daughter is so smart — she’s a chip off the old block.
idiom

as happy as a clam

Meaning
feeling completely happy and content
Example
After a long vacation, he was as happy as a clam.
idiom

a spark of genius

Meaning
a sudden and brilliant idea
Example
Her spark of genius helped us solve the problem quickly.
phrasal-verb

adapt oneself to

Meaning
to adjust or change to fit into a new culture or environment
Example
He quickly adapted himself to the local traditions.
idiom

apology accepted

Meaning
used to say that you forgive someone
Example
Don’t worry, apology accepted.
idiom

architectural eye candy

Meaning
something that is visually appealing but may lack substance or functionality
Example
The new skyscraper in the city is just architectural eye candy.
phrasal-verb

acknowledge with thanks

Meaning
to formally accept something and thank the giver
Example
We acknowledge with thanks the donation from our partners.
idiom

ahead of the game

Meaning
to have an advantage or be well prepared
Example
She’s always ahead of the game with her planning.
idiom

a figure of speech

Meaning
a phrase used in a non-literal way for effect or emphasis
Example
When he said he could eat a horse, it was just a figure of speech.
phrasal-verb

air issues out

Meaning
to talk openly about problems to resolve them
Example
Teams air issues out during retros so nothing lingers.
phrasal-verb

adapt within communities

Meaning
to adjust behavior and habits to fit in with a local community
Example
Immigrants often need to adapt within communities to feel at home.
idiom

a man of vision

Meaning
a person who has foresight and imagination
Example
He is a man of vision who transformed the company.
idiom

at the helm

Meaning
in a position of leadership or control
Example
With her at the helm, the company has grown rapidly.
idiom

a match made in heaven

Meaning
a perfect couple, very well suited for each other
Example
They are truly a match made in heaven.
idiom

A bright future lies ahead

Meaning
there is hope for success in the future
Example
With his talent and hard work, a bright future lies ahead for him.
phrasal-verb

apply learning to

Meaning
to use what you have learned in a new situation
Example
You should apply your learning to real-life situations.
idiom

a trip down memory lane

Meaning
to remember pleasant events from the past
Example
Looking through old photos was a trip down memory lane.
idiom

all work and no play

Meaning
a person who only works becomes dull and boring
Example
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
idiom

a steep learning curve

Meaning
when something is difficult to learn, usually quickly
Example
The new software had a steep learning curve, but I managed to understand it.
phrasal-verb

aim at

Meaning
to have a particular goal or purpose
Example
This research aims at improving online education quality.
idiom

A Catch-22

Meaning
A dilemma or difficult situation from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting conditions.
Example
It’s a Catch-22—you can’t get a job without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job.
phrasal-verb

act up to

Meaning
to behave according to what is expected or suitable
Example
She tries to act up to her reputation as a hardworking student.
idiom

a debt of gratitude

Meaning
a feeling of being grateful to someone who has helped you
Example
We owe a debt of gratitude to our mentors.
idiom

An ear to the ground

Meaning
To be aware of what is happening around you.
Example
If you want to succeed in business, always keep an ear to the ground.
idiom

A nervous wreck

Meaning
Someone who is very worried or upset.
Example
He’s a nervous wreck before every exam.
idiom

a weak link

Meaning
the least reliable or secure part of a system or group
Example
One careless employee can be a weak link in the security chain.
phrasal-verb

adjust for change

Meaning
to make modifications to deal with new circumstances
Example
The manager asked everyone to adjust for change during the transition.
phrasal-verb

act up

Meaning
to behave badly or cause trouble
Example
The kids started to act up during the long car ride.
idiom

a trusted ally

Meaning
a person or group that is trusted and reliable
Example
She has always been a trusted ally in our business ventures.
idiom

a rip-off

Meaning
something that is too expensive or not worth its price
Example
That restaurant is a rip-off; the food is not worth the money.
idiom

a vision for the future

Meaning
a clear idea or plan about what should happen in the future
Example
The CEO has a vision for the future of the company that will guide its growth.
idiom

a giant leap for mankind

Meaning
a significant or groundbreaking achievement
Example
The first man landing on the moon was truly a giant leap for mankind.
idiom

a piece of the puzzle

Meaning
a small part of a larger situation or problem
Example
Finding the right team is just a piece of the puzzle in creating a successful business.
idiom

a change of heart

Meaning
a change in one’s opinion or feelings
Example
She had a change of heart and decided to stay.
idiom

apple of someone’s eye

Meaning
someone very precious or loved
Example
Her son is the apple of her eye.
idiom

a clear conscience

Meaning
a state of being free from guilt or regret
Example
She could sleep soundly at night because she had a clear conscience.
idiom

A rising tide lifts all boats

Meaning
When the economy improves, everyone benefits to some extent.
Example
When the new policies boosted trade, people said that a rising tide lifts all boats.
phrasal-verb

align efforts toward

Meaning
to direct teamwork and actions toward a shared objective
Example
We need to align efforts toward achieving long-term goals.
idiom

all in good time

Meaning
something will happen eventually; be patient
Example
All in good time, you’ll see the results soon.
idiom

a gray area

Meaning
a situation or topic that is not clear or that can be understood in more than one way
Example
The question of intellectual property rights in the digital age is still a gray area.
idiom

art imitates life

Meaning
art reflects real-life experiences or truths
Example
Art imitates life, and great artists capture that essence.
phrasal-verb

adapt over time

Meaning
to gradually adjust to changes or new circumstances
Example
Teams often adapt over time as they face different challenges.
idiom

Ask the right questions

Meaning
To inquire wisely to gain understanding.
Example
Good researchers always ask the right questions.
idiom

a lawyer's brief

Meaning
a summary or concise statement of an argument or case
Example
The lawyer's brief was submitted to the judge before the trial began.
idiom

at odds with

Meaning
to disagree or be in conflict with someone or something
Example
His views are at odds with the company policy.
phrasal-verb

ask over

Meaning
to invite someone to your place, often to talk or apologize
Example
He asked her over to say sorry for what happened.
idiom

a dark horse

Meaning
a person who keeps their skills or plans secret until an important moment
Example
Nobody expected her to win; she was a dark horse.
idiom

Ahead of one’s time

Meaning
Having ideas or attitudes that are too advanced for the present.
Example
Her designs were ahead of her time.
idiom

an open book

Meaning
someone who is easy to understand or very honest
Example
He’s an open book; you can always tell what he’s thinking.
idiom

a fool and his money are soon parted

Meaning
people who are careless with their money will lose it quickly
Example
He spent all his money on useless gadgets; a fool and his money are soon parted.
idiom

a slow learner

Meaning
someone who takes time to understand or learn things
Example
Don’t worry if you need more time—you’re just a slow learner.
idiom

a heart-to-heart

Meaning
a sincere and open conversation
Example
We had a heart-to-heart about our future plans.
idiom

A bright idea

Meaning
a clever or innovative idea
Example
She came up with a bright idea for the new marketing campaign.
idiom

An old friend is better than two new ones

Meaning
Long-time friends are more valuable than new ones.
Example
I trust John more than anyone else—an old friend is better than two new ones.
idiom

a ticking time bomb

Meaning
A situation or person that could become dangerous at any moment.
Example
His anger issues make him a ticking time bomb.
idiom

a whole new ball game

Meaning
a completely new or different situation; something that changes the way things are done.
Example
Starting a business from scratch is a whole new ball game.
phrasal-verb

add up revenue

Meaning
to calculate total income or sales
Example
The accountant will add up revenue from all branches.
idiom

a snake in the grass

Meaning
a secret enemy
Example
Be careful; there’s a snake in the grass.
phrasal-verb

align across

Meaning
to bring strategies or actions in agreement across regions or teams
Example
Global managers align across departments to ensure consistent performance.
idiom

a storybook ending

Meaning
a perfect or happy ending, like in a fairy tale
Example
Their wedding was a true storybook ending.
idiom

A pack of lies

Meaning
A complete set of false statements.
Example
His excuse was nothing but a pack of lies.