the game is up
A secret or deception has been exposed
English · UK & Ireland 1611
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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.
the genie is out of the bottle
A secret or problem is now public and cannot be hidden
the genie's out of the bottle
A secret or problem is now public and cannot be hidden or solved easily
the gods smile on someone
Good things happen to someone due to luck or fate
the good die young
Virtuous people often die prematurely
the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence
Alternative form of the grass is always greener on the other side.
the half of it
only a part of the whole story or situation
the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world
Mothers have significant influence on their children's development and future
the handbags come out
a fight or argument breaks out, especially among women
the hard way
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
the hell you say
An expression of strong disagreement or surprise
the husband is always the last to know
A husband is often the last person to find out about his wife's infidelity or marital problems
The innocent seldom find an uncomfortable pillow – William Cowper, English poet (1731–1800)
The innocent have a clear conscience and thus sleep well
the jig is up
A scheme or deception has been discovered or exposed
the joke is on someone
Someone is the victim of a joke or trick
the juice is worth the squeeze
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
the king is dead, long live the king
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
the labourer is worthy of his hire
Workers deserve fair payment for their work
the last drop makes the cup run over
A small addition can cause a situation to become too much to handle
the last of pea-time
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
The law is an ass (from English writer Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist)
The law is unjust or stupid
the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing
Different parts of an organization are not coordinating with each other
the length of the Flemington straight
a very short distance
the leopard does not change his spots
A person's nature does not change
the light is on but nobody is home
Someone appears to be aware or active but is actually not intelligent or responsive
the longest day must have an end
Every difficult situation will eventually come to an end
the longest journey starts with a single step
Major accomplishments begin with small initial efforts
the love of money is the root of all evil
Synonym of money is the root of all evil.
the lunatics have taken over the asylum
People who are unqualified or irrational are in charge
the measles
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
The Moon is made of green cheese
Something is obviously untrue or absurd
the moon on a stick
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
the more the merrier
A larger number of people makes an event or activity more enjoyable
the more things change, the more they stay the same
Fundamental aspects remain unchanged despite superficial changes
the nail that sticks out gets hammered down
Conformity is enforced, and nonconformists are punished
the nose knows
One's sense of smell can detect something
the old woman is plucking her goose
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
the old wooden spoon beats me down
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
the one that got away
an opportunity or thing that was lost or missed
the only way to find a friend is to be one
You must show friendship to others to receive it in return
the only way to understand a woman is to love her
Loving someone is necessary to truly understand them
the organ grinder, not the monkey
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
the other day
Recently, on a day that is not specified
the other white meat
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
the pants off
to outdo or defeat someone completely
the pen is mightier than the sword
Intellectual power is greater than physical strength
the plot thickens
A situation becomes more complicated or interesting
the pot calling the kettle black
To accuse hypocritically, has been used in racist contexts (e.
the proof of the pudding is in the eating
Results are more important than plans or appearances
the quality
high social class or prestige
the quick and the dead
The living and the dead
the rabbit died
a pregnancy test is positive
the rest is history
What happened after that is well-known or easily guessed
the rich get richer and the poor get poorer
Wealth tends to concentrate among those already wealthy
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions
Good intentions do not guarantee good outcomes
the rubber meets the road
When a plan or idea is put into action and its effectiveness is tested.
the seventh water after kissel
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
the shirt off one's back
To give something precious or one's last possession
the shoe is on the other foot
Situations are now reversed, with roles or advantages changed.
the shoemaker's son always goes barefoot
Those who provide for others often neglect their own needs