bet the farm
Risk everything that you own on a bet, investment, or enterprise.
English · United States 32588
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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.
between a rock and a hard place
Faced with two equally undesirable alternatives.
between the devil and the deep blue sea
In a dilemma.
beyond the pale
Outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour.
big cheese
Important person.
bird brain
A person who is not too smart; a person who acts stupid.
birds of a feather
People with similar interests.
bite off more than one can chew
To take on more responsibility than one can manage.
bite the bullet
To force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult that you have been putting off.
bite the dust
A euphemism for dying or death.
bite the hand that feeds you
To harm or betray someone who has helped or supported you.
black sheep
Shameful person.
blaze a trail
Be the first to do something.
blow hot and cold
Alternate inconsistently.
blow the doors off
Be considerably better.
bob and weave
Make rapid bodily movements up and down and from side to side.
bought the farm
A euphemism for dying or death, especially in an aviation or military context.
brass neck
Cheek or effrontery.
bread and circuses
Material benefits and entertainment employed by rulers to keep the masses happy and docile.
break a leg
A wish of good luck to theatre performers before going on stage, due to the belief amongst those in theatre that being wished "good luck" is a curse.
break cover
Emerge into the open.
break the ice
To do or say something that relieves initial awkwardness and gets a conversation or event started.
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
Ready and eager.
bring home the bacon
Achieve success.
build castles in the air
Have unattainable scheme.
burn the midnight oil
To work or study late into the night.
burn your bridges
To act in a way that makes returning to a previous situation or relationship impossible, often by leaving on bad terms.
bury the hatchet
End a quarrel.
bust one's chops
To exert oneself.
by and large
On the whole.
by hook or by crook
By fair or foul means.
by the book
Strictly according to the rules.
by the seat of one's pants
To achieve through instinct or to do something without advance preparation.
by the skin of one's teeth
Narrowly; barely. Usually used in regard to a narrow escape from a disaster.
call a spade a spade
To speak frankly.
call it a day
To declare the end of a task.
cap in hand
Humbly asking for a favour.
carrot and stick
Reward combined with punishment.
carry coals to Newcastle
To do something pointlessly redundant — supplying something where it is already abundant.
cast pearls before swine
To offer something valuable to people who cannot appreciate it.
catch a cold
Encounter trouble.
champ at the bit or chomp at the bit
To show impatience or frustration when delayed.
chapter and verse
Exact reference.
cheap and cheerful
Simple and inexpensive.
cheap as chips
Inexpensive; a good bargain.
cheek by jowl
Side by side.
chew the cud
To meditate or ponder before answering; to be deep in thought; to ruminate.
chew the fat
To chat idly or generally waste time talking.
chime in
Join in a conversation.
chinaman's chance
Little or no chance of success.
chink in one's armor
An area of vulnerability.
chop and change
Change opinions repeatedly and abruptly.
circle the wagons
To unite a group for a common purpose.
claim to fame
Reason for being regarded as noteworthy.
clam up
To become silent; to stop talking.
clear the air
Clarify from confusion.
close to home
Relevant to the point that you feel uncomfortable.
coals to Newcastle
Something brought to a place where it is already plentiful.
cock of the walk
One who dominates others within a group.
cold comfort
Poor consolation.
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