if needs be
if necessary or required
English · UK & Ireland 457
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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.
if nothing else
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
if only
Expressing a wish that something were true
if pigs had wings
something is highly unlikely to happen
If the mountain will not come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
if the shoe fits
If a description applies to someone, they should accept it.
if the shoe fits, wear it
Accept a description or label if it applies to you
if these walls could talk
If the walls could reveal secrets they've witnessed.
If wealth is lost, nothing is lost. If health is lost, something is lost. If character is lost, everything is lost
Losing character is the greatest loss of all
if wishes were horses, beggars would ride
Wishes alone are not enough to achieve something
if you can't be good, be careful
Behave responsibly if you cannot behave virtuously
if you can't beat them, join them
If you can't win or succeed, cooperate or participate instead
if you can't live longer, live deeper
Make the most of the time you have
if you can't run with the horses, get off the track
If you're not capable, don't interfere or compete
if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
if you give a mouse a cookie, he'll always ask for a glass of milk
Giving someone something will lead to them asking for more
if you have never seen the bottom of the tree, you cannot know how tall it stands
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas (James Sandford, The Garden of Pleasure)
Associating with bad people will corrupt you
If you must dance with the Devil, you might as well know his favorite song (H. Anthony Ribadeneira)
Be prepared to accommodate an undesirable situation
if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys
Hiring cheap workers results in poor quality work
if you play with fire, you will get burned
Taking risks will likely result in harm or negative consequences
If you steal from one author, it is plagiarism; if you steal from many, it is research (Wilson Mizner (1876–1933), American writer and entrepreneur)
Borrowing from multiple sources is considered acceptable
If you think that you know everything, then you're a Jack ass
Someone who thinks they know everything is foolish
if you want a thing done well, do it yourself
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
if you're growing in age, then you're nearing to the graveyard
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
if you've got it, flaunt it
Show off your advantages or assets confidently
ignorance is bliss
Not knowing something can be happier than knowing it
ill health
Poor physical or mental condition
imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
Mimicking someone shows admiration for them
in a bake
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
in a big way
To a great extent or degree
in a bind
In a difficult or confusing situation
in a box
restricted or limited in thinking
in a bubble
isolated from reality or external influences
in a corner
Trapped or in a difficult situation
in a fix
In a difficult or precarious situation
in a flash
Happening or done very quickly
in a foam
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
in a heartbeat
very quickly or immediately
in a hen's hiney
in a very short time
in a jam
in a difficult or problematic situation
in a league of one's own
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
in a major key
In a happy or optimistic manner
in a mess
in a state of confusion or disorder
in a minor key
With a somber or melancholic tone
in a nutshell
Describing something briefly and concisely
in a pickle
in a difficult or confusing situation
in a pig's arse
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
in a pig's eye
something is unlikely or will never happen
in a pig's patoot
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
in a pinch
in a difficult or emergency situation
in a real state
genuinely upset or disturbed
in a right state
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
in a rut
Stuck in a routine or situation and unable to change
in a snap
done quickly and easily
in a state
in a particular condition or situation
in a walk
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
in Abraham's bosom
In a place of great comfort and peace
in addition
Also, besides what has been mentioned
in all honesty
Speaking truthfully and sincerely