feed off
to benefit or thrive at someone else's expense
English · UK & Ireland 895
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in Britain and Ireland — distinctly British usage first, then widespread staples.
feed the dragon
to supply or support a habit or addiction
feed the fire
to add fuel to a situation, making it more intense or extreme
feed the meter
to put money into a parking meter
feed the troll
to respond to or encourage someone who is posting inflammatory content
feeding frenzy
A situation where a group eagerly and intensely competes for something
feel around
To explore or investigate something cautiously or tentatively
feel for
To sympathize or have compassion for someone
feel free
to do something without hesitation or restriction
feel like
have an inclination or desire
feel like death
to feel extremely unwell or tired
feel one's way
To proceed cautiously and carefully
feel oneself
to have a sense of one's own identity or emotions
feel out
To carefully try to understand someone's opinions or feelings
feel someone's collar
to arrest or seize someone
feel the pinch
Experience financial difficulty or hardship
feel up
to touch someone in a sexual manner without their consent
feet first
to do something in a cautious or tentative manner
feet of clay
A weakness or fault in someone's character
fence in
To restrict or limit someone's freedom or activity
fence the tables
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
fencepost problem
An off-by-one error due to incorrect counting of boundaries
fend and prove
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
fend away
to defend or protect oneself from something
fetch a compass
to go get something, often in a hurry
fetch and carry
To serve someone obediently and diligently
fetch way
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
fever pitch
A state of intense excitement or activity
few cards shy of a full deck
Lacking in intelligence or common sense
fickle mistress
Something that is unpredictable and prone to sudden changes
fiddle while Rome burns
To do something trivial while a serious problem needs attention
field day
A situation where someone can fully express themselves or do as they like
fifth wheel
An unnecessary or unwanted person in a group
fifty-cent tour
A brief and superficial tour or explanation
fight fires
Deal with urgent problems as they arise
fight for one's life
to struggle to survive or avoid death
fight one's corner
To defend or support one's own interests or position
fight or flight
React to a threat with aggression or escape
fight shy
To avoid something or someone because it makes you uncomfortable
fighting chance
A reasonable possibility of success
fighting spirit
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
file away
to store information in one's memory for future use
file off the serial numbers
To modify something to conceal its origin or source
fill in
to provide missing information
fill in the blank
to provide a missing piece of information
fill one's boots
to take as much as one can
fill one's face
to eat a large amount of food
fill one's hand
To get everything one needs or wants
fill someone's shoes
Replace someone in a role or position
fill up
to become full or completely occupied
filter down
to be passed on or spread to lower levels
filter up
to rise through a system or organization
filthy lucre
Money gained from dishonest or immoral activities
filthy rich
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
final cut
The last version of a film or video after editing
final nail in the coffin
An event that guarantees failure or defeat
final say
The last decision or authority in a matter
find another gear
To suddenly increase speed or effort
find fault
To criticize or complain about something
find it in one's heart
to decide to do something generous or forgiving