well-oiled machine
A system or organization that runs smoothly and efficiently
English · UK & Ireland 17968
All languages English Tiếng Việt
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.
Welsh comb
fingers used to tidy hair
were you born in a tent
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
wet and wild
Exciting and unpredictable
wet blanket
Someone who spoils or dampens the enjoyment of others
wet boy
A person who commits a violent act, especially murder, for payment.
wet firecracker
Something or someone unexciting or ineffective
wet one's beak
to take a small share of profits
wet one's pants
To urinate in one's pants due to fear or excitement
wet one's whistle
to take a drink of something
wet the bed
to urinate in bed while sleeping
wet the shamrock
to take a drink of whiskey to celebrate
whack one out
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
whack up
to increase or raise something sharply
what are the odds
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
what can I say
An expression of resignation or lack of words
what can I tell you
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
what cannot be cured must be endured
One must tolerate what cannot be changed or fixed.
what did your last slave die of
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
what do you say
Used to ask someone's opinion or agreement
what does not kill me makes me stronger
Difficult experiences can improve one's resilience and character.
what for
used to ask the purpose of something
what goes around comes around
A person's actions, whether good or bad, will often have consequences for that person.
what goes up must come down
Everything that rises will eventually fall or decline
what happens twice happens thrice
If something happens twice, it will likely happen again.
what in tarnation
Used to express surprise or confusion
what in time
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
what is learnt in the cradle lasts to the tombs
Habits formed early in life are lasting
what is more
a phrase used to ask for something additional
what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander
What is good or suitable for one person is also good for another
what is the worst that can happen?
Consider the potential negative consequences before acting
what it takes
The necessary qualities or efforts to achieve something
what not
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
what of it
Used to express indifference or dismissal
what price
What cost or sacrifice must be made
what someone said
A phrase used to quote or report someone's words
what the Devil
used to express surprise or annoyance
what the doctor ordered
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
what the eye does not see (the heart does not grieve over)
Ignorance of a problem can prevent emotional distress
what was someone smoking
something is absurd or unbelievable
what was someone thinking
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
what with
Considering everything
what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts
Gains and losses balance each other out
what you see is what you get
Something is presented honestly and without hidden features
what's cooking
What is happening or being planned
what's eating
something is bothering or troubling someone
what's eating you
something is annoying or troubling you
what's going on
Asking about current events or situations
what's in it for me
A benefit or advantage that someone can gain from a situation
what's it to you
None of your business
what's new
A greeting asking about recent events or news
what's the beef
A complaint or problem
what's the difference
Used to ask someone to explain the distinction between two things
what's the good of
what is the benefit or use of something
what's the matter
Used to ask someone what is wrong or troubling them
what's the story
What's happening or what's going on?
what's up
a casual greeting asking about someone's well-being
what's what
The basic facts or situation
what's your poison
What drink do you want?
what, me worry
a phrase used to express mock innocence or denial of responsibility
Advertisement
Ad space — ads help keep Idiomer free. Premium will remove them.