pen and pencil
Writing or drawing instruments
English · UK & Ireland 1152
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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.
pen picture
A vivid and detailed description of someone or something
penalty box
A designated area for players who have broken rules
pencil in
To tentatively schedule or plan something
pencil whip
to quickly and carelessly complete a task or document
penny for your thoughts
A request to know what someone is thinking
penny in the fusebox
a small problem that causes much larger issues
penny pincher
Someone who is extremely frugal and careful with money
penny wedding
a social gathering where guests bring their own food and drinks
people person
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
people who live in glass houses should not throw stones
Those who have vulnerabilities should not criticize others
pep in one's step
a lively and energetic gait
perfect storm
A situation where several problems combine to create a severe crisis
permanent shave
To be killed or eliminated
perp walk
to publicly parade a suspect in handcuffs
person from Porlock
Someone who interrupts or disrupts a creative process
personal capital
An individual's unique set of skills and experiences
pet peeve
A minor annoyance that a person finds particularly irritating
Peter Pan syndrome
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Phineas and Ferb
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
phone in
to do something with minimal effort
phone tag
to repeatedly miss each other's phone calls
Phyllis and Aristotle
an unlikely or mismatched pair
physical break
A pause from physical activity
physician, heal thyself
Fix your own problems before helping others
pick a fight
To deliberately start a quarrel or argument
pick and axe
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
pick and choose
Select only the most desirable options
pick apart
To criticize or analyze something in great detail
pick at
to criticize or find fault with something in a petty way
pick corners
To find and emphasize minor flaws or faults
pick of the litter
The best person or thing in a group
pick on someone your own size
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
pick one's battles
Choose which problems to tackle to avoid unnecessary conflict
pick one's nose
to pick one's nose is a rude or impolite habit
pick out
To choose or select something from a group
pick out of a hat
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
pick someone's brain
To ask someone for ideas or advice
pick up on
to notice or become aware of something
pick up one's marbles and go home
To stop participating and leave in a huff
pick up stitches
To resume or continue something that was stopped or left unfinished
pick up the pace
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
pick up the pieces
to recover from a difficult situation
pick up the tab
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
pick up the threads
Resume or reestablish a relationship or activity after a break
pick up what someone is putting down
Understand someone's hint or implication
pickin' and grinnin'
Playing music and having a good time
pickles and ice cream
Cravings for unusual food combinations, often during pregnancy
piece of ass
a person viewed as a sex object
piece of crap
Something of very poor quality
piece of shit
Something or someone of extremely poor quality
piece of someone
a part of someone's personality or nature
piece of tail
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
piece of the action
a share of the profits or benefits
piece of the pie
a share of something valuable or desirable
piece of the puzzle
A part that helps to explain or complete a larger situation
piece of work
A person or thing that is unusual or remarkable
pierian spring
A source of knowledge or inspiration
piffy on a rock bun
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
pig in a poke
Something bought or accepted without knowing its true value or nature