water down
to make something less strong or effective
English · UK & Ireland 17968
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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.
water over the dam
a past event that cannot be changed
water to one's mill
Something that helps or supports one's interests or goals.
water under the bridge
past issues that are no longer relevant
waterfowl alignment
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
watering hole
A place where people regularly gather to socialize
watery grave
A death by drowning, especially at sea
Watson and Crick
refers to the discoverers of DNA structure
wave aside
dismiss or ignore something as unimportant
wave away
dismiss or ignore something
wave goodbye
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
wave of the hand
A dismissive or casual gesture
wave the white flag
To surrender or admit defeat
wax and wane
to increase and decrease in intensity or amount
wax the dolphin
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
way back when
at a time far in the past
way of thinking
A person's habitual way of thinking or opinions
way out of a paper bag
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
ways and means
Methods or resources to achieve a goal
we are where we are
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
we been knew
something was already obvious or known
we haven't got all day
let's hurry up, we don't have much time
weak sister
A person or thing that is ineffective or incompetent
weak tea
An insipid or unconvincing idea or excuse
weaker vessel
A person, especially a woman, considered physically or emotionally fragile
weal and woe
Prosperity and adversity
weaponized incompetence
Intentional ineptness used to manipulate or disrupt
wear and tear
Damage or deterioration from normal use
wear many hats
Have multiple roles or responsibilities
wear one's heart on one's sleeve
Openly show one's feelings or emotions
wear out one's welcome
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
wear rose-colored glasses
To have an overly optimistic view of something
wear sackcloth and ashes
Show remorse or repentance
wear the trousers
be in control or have authority in a relationship
wear thin
to become less effective or convincing
wear too many hats
To have too many responsibilities or roles at once
wear two hats
To have two roles or responsibilities
wear yellow stockings
To be considered a fool or idiot
weasel into
to gain favor or entrance by flattering or deceitful means
weasel out
To avoid something by deceitful or evasive means
weather the storm
To endure and survive a difficult situation
weed and feed
Fertilize and control weeds in a lawn
weed out
to remove unwanted or undesirable things
week in, week out
Happening or done regularly every week
Weekend at Bernie's
To pretend something is fine when it's actually not
weep and wail
To cry and lament loudly
weep Irish
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
weigh against
to compare the importance or value of something
weigh down
To burden or oppress someone with worries or responsibilities
weigh in
To give one's opinion or contribution
weigh up
To carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of something
weight of the world
A huge amount of responsibility or worry
welcome to my world
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
welfare Cadillac
Excessive or luxurious lifestyle allegedly funded by public assistance
well and good
Acceptable or satisfactory, but not necessarily ideal
well and truly
completely and utterly
well begun is half done
A good start makes it easier to complete a task
well done
Expressing praise for something done successfully
well done is better than well said
It's more important to take action than to just talk about it
well, I never
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
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