Expression Cards: idiom
157 cards available.
idiom
on all fours
Meaning
crawling on hands and knees
Example
The baby moved **on all fours** across the floor.
idiom
on background
Meaning
information given to a journalist that cannot be attributed to the source
Example
The official spoke **on background** about the new policy.
idiom
on cloud nine
Meaning
extremely happy; overjoyed
Example
She was **on cloud nine** after getting the job.
idiom
on cue
Meaning
exactly at the right moment
Example
The dog barked **on cue** when the actor opened the door.
idiom
on edge
Meaning
to be nervous, tense, or irritable
Example
She’s been **on edge** since the exam started.
idiom
on fire
Meaning
performing very well; full of energy and success
Example
The sales team is **on fire** this month!
idiom
on good terms
Meaning
to have a friendly and peaceful relationship
Example
They are still **on good terms** even after the breakup.
idiom
on good terms with
Meaning
having a friendly and positive relationship with someone
Example
She’s **on good terms with** her ex-husband for the kids’ sake.
idiom
on one's shoulders
Meaning
having the responsibility or burden of something
Example
The success of the project is **on his shoulders**.
idiom
on one’s last legs
Meaning
to be near the end of one’s strength or life
Example
After the long hike, we were all **on our last legs**.
idiom
on shaky ground
Meaning
in an uncertain or unstable situation
Example
His business is **on shaky ground** after the market crash.
idiom
on solid ground
Meaning
in a safe or stable situation
Example
After months of hard work, the company is now **on solid ground**.
idiom
on the ball
Meaning
alert, smart, and quick to react
Example
You need to be **on the ball** to handle this job.
idiom
on the beat
Meaning
a police officer's regular patrol route
Example
The officer was **on the beat** when he spotted the suspect.
idiom
on the bench
Meaning
serving as a judge in a court
Example
She spent 20 years **on the bench** before retiring.
idiom
on the big screen
Meaning
appearing in a cinema film
Example
Her novel was adapted **on the big screen** last year.
idiom
On the breadline
Meaning
Living in poverty or with very little money.
Example
After losing his job, he was almost **on the breadline**.
idiom
On the clock
Meaning
Working, often with a strict time limit or deadline.
Example
I’m **on the clock** today, so I can’t waste any time.
idiom
on the cutting block
Meaning
being considered for elimination or discontinuation
Example
Due to budget cuts, several research projects are now **on the cutting block**.
idiom
on the cutting edge
Meaning
at the forefront of innovation or technology
Example
The laboratory is **on the cutting edge** of artificial intelligence research.
idiom
on the dot
Meaning
exactly on time; punctual
Example
The meeting started **on the dot** at 10 a.m.
idiom
On the drawing board
Meaning
In the planning or design stage
Example
The new product is still **on the drawing board**, but it will be launched next year.
idiom
on the fast track
Meaning
advancing quickly in a career or project
Example
He is **on the fast track** to becoming a manager.
idiom
on the fence
Meaning
undecided or unsure about something
Example
She’s still **on the fence** about moving abroad.