at daggers drawn
In a state of bitter enmity.
English · United States 1184
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in the US — distinctly American usage first, then widespread staples.
at the drop of a hat
Without any hesitation; instantly.
at the end of the day
When everything is taken into consideration.
a bad excuse is better than none
Any explanation is more acceptable than no explanation at all
a bad workman blames his tools
Incompetent people blame external factors for their mistakes
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Something already possessed is more valuable than something potential
a blessing and a curse
Something that has both positive and negative effects
a boon and a bane
Something that is both beneficial and harmful
a bridge too far
An objective that is impractical or unrealistic to achieve
a cat may look at a king
Even those of low status have rights
a chain is only as strong as its weakest link
A system is only as strong as its weakest part
a cigar is just a cigar
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
a cold day in July
something that is very unlikely to happen
a dog is a man's best friend
A dog is extremely loyal and beneficial to its owner
a drowning man will clutch at a straw
A desperate person will try anything to survive
a far remove
very far away in distance or character
a few sandwiches short of a picnic
Lacking intelligence.
a fool and his money are soon parted
Someone who is foolish with their finances will quickly lose their money
a friend to everyone is a friend to no one
Someone who tries to be friends with everyone may not have any genuine friendships
a good deal
A significant amount or extent
a great deal
A large amount or extent of something
a hard pill to swallow
A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted.
a hot potato
A controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with.
a hundred and ten percent
completely and totally
a hungry man thinks of bread
A person in need thinks of their basic necessities
a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Even the longest and most difficult tasks begin with one small action
a language is a dialect with an army and navy
A language's status depends on the power of its speakers
a leopard cannot change its spots
A person's nature cannot be changed
a little bit of bread and no cheese
Having some resources, but not enough to be sufficient
a little from column A, a little from column B
Taking a combination of options or ideas from different sources
a little learning is a dangerous thing
Limited knowledge can lead to overconfidence and mistakes
a little of something goes a long way
A small amount can be very effective or have a big impact.
a man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills
People have control over their actions, but not over their desires or intentions.
a man with no pants fears no pickpocket
Someone with nothing to lose has nothing to fear
a mill cannot grind with the water that is past
One cannot change the past
a miss is as good as a mile
A small failure is just as bad as a large one
a mite
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
A new language is a new life (Persian proverb)
Acquiring a new language brings new opportunities and experiences
a notch above
Slightly better than something else
a penny saved is a penny earned
Saving money is as valuable as earning it
a picture is worth a thousand words
A visual representation can convey more information than a large amount of text
a pound to a penny
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
a rising tide lifts all boats
General prosperity benefits everyone
a Roland for an Oliver
To give as good as one gets
a rolling stone gathers no moss
A person who frequently changes jobs or pursuits will not be successful
a ship in harbour is safe, but that's not what a ship is for
Vessels are meant for use, not just safety
a short drop and a sudden stop
a quick and severe punishment or consequence
a stopped clock is right twice a day
Even an unreliable source can be correct occasionally
a swing and a miss
completely failing to achieve something
a watched man never plays
Traditional English proverbial phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
a week from next Tuesday
a time far in the future
a week is a long time in politics
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
a wild goose never laid a tame egg
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
a wrap and a slap
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
a year and a day
a period of time used to establish a precedent or tradition
Abbot's Priory
a place or situation where someone has absolute authority
Abbott and Costello
A fixed-order word pair (irreversible binomial); full definition pending editorial review.
abound in one's own sense
To have a strong and self-centered opinion
about time
happening sooner than expected
about to
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.