on one's watch
During one's period of responsibility or leadership
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on opposite sides of the barricades
Completely opposed in views or goals
on pins and needles
Feeling extremely anxious or nervous
on purpose
Intentionally or deliberately
on second thought
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on sight
immediately, without hesitation
on solid ground
In a stable or secure situation
on someone's account
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on someone's dime
At someone else's expense
on someone's doorstep
in someone's immediate area or responsibility
on someone's hands
To be someone's responsibility
on someone's radar
Being considered or noticed by someone
on steroids
Exaggerated or intensified to a great degree
on strike
refusing to work due to a dispute
on stun
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on sufferance
Tolerated or allowed to remain, but not welcomed or valued.
on talking terms
in a relationship where people communicate with each other
on television
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
on tenterhooks
In a state of anxious suspense or uncertainty
on the anvil
Being shaped or formed, often in a difficult or challenging way
on the back foot
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on the back of
as a result of something's success
on the ball
Performing well and being in control of a situation
on the basis of something
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
on the beach
unemployed or retired
on the boob
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on the books
On the list of a club, the list of candidates, the list of voters, or any official list. At Cambridge University they say "on the boards.
on the bounce
happening immediately after something else
on the bounce
Ostentatiously swaggering. Trying to effect some object "on the bounce" is trying to attain one's end through making an impression that is unwarrantable.
on the bow
Within a range of 45° on one side or the other of the prow. Up in the bows, To be. To be thoroughly enraged.
on the brain
Preoccupying one's thoughts
on the breadline
Living in poverty with barely enough money for basic needs
on the bubble
At risk of being eliminated or removed
on the canvas
being considered or discussed
on the cards
Likely.
on the cards
Likely to happen, projected, and talked about as likely to occur. This phrase may have allusion to the programme or card of the races, but is more likely to derive from fortune-telling by cards.
on the clock
working and being paid for one's time
on the cross
dishonestly
on the cross
Not "on the square," not straightforward. To get anything "on the cross" is to get it unfairly or dishonestly.
on the cuff
done spontaneously without preparation
on the cusp
At the point of transition or on the verge of something
on the cutting room floor
Rejected or discarded, often due to being unnecessary or unwanted.
on the debit side
As a disadvantage or negative aspect
on the dot
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on the double
to do something quickly or immediately
on the down-low
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on the drum
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on the dry
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on the edge
in a state of anxiety or excitement
on the edge of one's seat
Completely absorbed and excited, often due to suspense or anticipation
on the face of
based on appearance or obvious facts
on the face of it
Apparently or at first glance
on the face of it
To all appearance; in the literal sense of the words. That puts a new face on the matter. Said when fresh evidence has been produced, or something has happened which sets the case in a new light and makes it look different.
on the flip side
On the other hand or conversely
on the floor
unconscious or defeated
on the front burner
Given high priority or attention
on the front foot
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
on the game
Actively pursuing a goal or activity
on the go
Actively doing something or traveling from place to place
on the gripping hand
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.