lift a finger against
to take action or make an effort to harm someone
English · United States 1398
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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.
lift all boats
Improves the situation for everyone
lift one's game
Improve one's performance or effort
lift one's hand against
to threaten or attack someone
lift someone's spirits
To improve someone's mood or morale
light a fire under
to motivate or prompt someone to take action
light at the end of the tunnel
A sign of hope or improvement after difficulties
light bucket
A telescope or other optical instrument with high sensitivity
light in the loafers
slang for someone suspected of being gay
light into
to attack or criticize someone or something suddenly and forcefully
light of one's life
A person who brings great joy and happiness to someone's life
light skirt
A woman of loose or immoral character
light someone's ass up
to severely criticize or scold someone
light the blue touchpaper
To provoke a strong reaction or cause trouble
light up
To become brighter or more lively
light up a room
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
light-bulb moment
A sudden realization or insight
lighten someone's purse
to steal someone's money
lighten up
become less serious or tense
lightning fast
Extremely quick or speedy
lightning in a bottle
Something rare and special that is difficult to repeat or capture
lightning never strikes twice in the same place
An unlikely event will not repeat itself
lightning strike
a sudden, unexpected event
lights out
completely defeating or outdoing someone
like a bull at a gate
To act impulsively and aggressively
like a champ
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
like a chicken with the pip
feeling sick or unwell
like a demon
With great energy or intensity
like a duck takes to water
to take to something very quickly and naturally
like a man possessed
With intense energy or frenzy
like cheese at fourpence
something or someone very scarce or rare
like it or lump it
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
like mother, like daughter
A daughter's behavior or characteristics are similar to her mother's
like no other
Uniquely excellent or exceptional
like one's life depended on it
With great enthusiasm or intensity
like someone owns the place
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
like talking to a wall
Speaking to someone who is unresponsive or unwilling to listen.
like that
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
like the sound of one's own voice
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
like there is no tomorrow
To do something with great enthusiasm or urgency
like water off a duck's back
Having no effect or making no impression
like white on rice
Closely and constantly
line in the sand
A clear limit or boundary that should not be crossed
line of attack
A strategy or approach used to criticize or oppose someone
line of country
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
line of fire
A situation of intense criticism or attack
line of questioning
A series of questions asked to gather information or investigate something
line one's pockets
To take money dishonestly for personal gain
line up one's ducks
To organize and prepare things in advance
linger on
to stay or remember something for a long time
lion's den
A place or situation of great danger or hostility
lion's share
the largest part of something
lip service
Expressing support or agreement without taking action
liquid courage
Bravery or confidence gained from drinking alcohol
listen up
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Little and Large
A comedic duo with a large and small person
little emperor
An overly indulged child
little girl
a young female child
little hand
a helper or assistant
little head
intuitive or instinctive thinking