Free Essays

Word buzz: Icing on the cake

2011-05-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

I’ve got a bone to pick with you: Used to convey that the person has a complaint against someone.

Icing on the cake: It is used to refer to something good that happens after something good has already taken place.

If I had a nickel for every time that happened, I would be rich: Used to indicate that something happens very often.

If the cap/shoe fits, wear it: It is used to tell someone that if they have behaved badly they should also be ready to accept criticism for it.

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride: If wishes could make things happen, even the poorest would simply wish and get all that they want, meaning it is not easy to get what you wish for.

If you are given lemons, make lemonade: Try and make the best out of a bad situation.

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen: If you can’t handle the pressure of a situation, then remove yourself from that situation.

If you fly with the crows, you get shot with the crows: If you associate yourself with a high risk or high profile situation or person, along with the benefits of the situation you should be ready to accept the consequences if things go wrong.

If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas: It means if you keep bad company, you should accept the negative
consequences too.

If you lie down with the devil, you will wake up in hell: Keeping bad company will always lead to bad consequences.

Ill-gotten gains: Money or profits made illegally.

In a cleft stick: To be in a difficult situation.

In a fix: In trouble.

In a flash: Very quickly.

In a fog: To be in a daze or confused situation.

idiomatic Phrases

2011-04-30T23:59:00.001-07:00

Hold all the aces: To be in a very advantageous position.

Hold the fort: To look after or take care of something while the responsible person is away.

Hold your horses: When someone tells you this, it means you are going too fast and need to slow down.

Hold your own: To compete or perform as well as others can.

Hold your tongue: To remain silent despite the urge to speak up.

Holier-than-thou: To believe to be holier-than-thou is to believe to be morally superior to others.

Honour among thieves: Even corrupt and bad people have a sense or code of honour/justice that they follow in their dealings with one another.

Holy smoke!: An expression of surprise.

Home and hearth: Warmth and security.

Hope against hope: To hope for something even when there is little hope or chance.
Hope in hell: When something does not stand a chance of being successful.

Hornet’s nest: To stir a hornet’s nest is to start something that causes a lot of disruption and disturbance.

Hot potato: A controversial issue that no one wants to deal with.

Hot under the collar: To be angry or disturbed.

House of cards: Something that is very weak and can easily collapse.

Humming and harring: To be humming and harring is to be unable to make up your mind about something.

Hunky Dory: When something is hunky dory, it is absolutely fine and satisfactory

2011-04-27T04:45:00.000-07:00

 Any honest attempt to study a problem systematically”
 “To add to mans knowledge of a problem may be regarded as research"(Theodor son and Theodor son 1969)
 Research is a systematic process of discovery and advancement of human knowledge"
 "Systematic organization towards increasing the sum of knowledge” (Cambridge 20th Edition
 "Careful study or investigation, in order to discover new fact or information" (oxford Dictionary)
 “a process of careful and systematic inquiry " or
 Systematic work is called science"
What is Scientific Research
The combination of deductive and inductive method is called scientific Research”
Cafe”
c—complexity Smart
A:access S---specific
F:facility M-- measurable
E: expertise A-- avoidable
T—time bound
Descriptive Research:
“Descriptive research describes a particular phenomenon, focusing upon the issue of what is happening , rather than why it is happening”.
Types:
Exploratory Research: to find out uncovered issue
Exploratory research takes place when there is little or no previous knowledge about a problem or phenomenon >
Explanatory Research:
This type of Research involves in Explaining why something happens.
Types of Research “
Deductive:
When we come to the result General to Specific. is called deductive
Inductive:
When we come from Specific to General
Experimental Research:
In which tow variables use dependent and independent is called experimental. In experimental research the researcher can manipulate Treatments to cause things to happen.
I.e. cause and effect situation can be established
What is difference?
Applied: applied research is undertaken to solve a specific problem or provide a solution to particular question.
Basic:
Basic research is done for the sake of gaining the knowledge.
Benefits/significance:
\why undertakes the Research:
 To upgrade knowledge
 Investigate some existing situations or problems.
 Provide solutions to a problem
 Explore and analyze more general issues.
 To construct or create a new procedure or system.
 To explain a new phenomenon.
 A combination of two or more of above.
Steps of The Scientific Method:
1. Selection of Topic
2. Reviewing the Literature.
3. Development of theoretical and Conceptual Framework.
4. Clarifications of Research Question/ Hypothes
5. Research Design
6. Data collection
7. Data analysis
8. Drawing Conclusions.
9. Popular issue
10. Your own personal interest
11. Social concern.

Qualities of Research Topic:
Area of interest must be seen .
Ethics must not be violated .
The topic must be testable.
Must have relevant literature. About the topic
You must need the qualified person.
You must have the resources
You must have the tools.
You must have enough time.
Sources:
Net, library, media, society, discussions, books, journals.
Researcher’s qualities:
Have time
Have good knowledge.
Personal interest.
An honest person.
Courage.
Can use tools and techniques.
Concepts:
Concepts are general expressions of particular phenomenon “
A concept is the relationship between the word and idea.
“an idea or a principle that is connected with terms.
Primitive Term:
These cannot be described to because using other terms
Example: Stone, hope.
Derived Term:
These can be described by the use of primitive terms.
Example: Group, business, organisation.
Car—primitive
Meeting –primitive
Railway line—derived
Doctor— primitive.
Neighborhood—derived
Abstract Conepts are those concepts that are completely independent on a specific time or place”
Concreate Concepts :
“If a concept is specific to a particular time or place, then it considered concrete.
Parameters:
Are defined in the boudries are called parameters. It value can be changed.

Scales:
Nominal scale
Orinal scale.
Interval scale.
Ratio Scale
Nominal scale:
“ a nominal scale is used to name or label things or categories. “
Ordinal Scale:
“an ordinal scale orders or rank thing.
Interval Scale:
Numbers represents equal units b/w measurements.
It is possible to say that how much better one may than other. There is no true zero point.
Ratio Scales:
“a ratio scale is an interval scale
Constants:
“Those Values which cannot be changed during research process are called constants”
Or
“a constant is a characteristic or a condition that is the same for all the observed units or subject of study.
It is same for all the observed units.
School, Team, Coach Play ground. Be constants.
Variables:
Often changing, likely to change”
Or”
“These things which can be changed during the research process are called variables”.
Or

“Qualities properties, or characteristics a person, thing or situations that are manipulated or measured in research.
Variable=measured + varies.
Types of Variables:
Independent Variable. (x)
Dependent variable. (y)
Discrete and continuous variable.
Quantitative Variable.
Active Variable.
Assigned Variable.
Extraneous Variable.
Independent Variable: ]
Those values which are chosen or set by the Researcher are called independent variables. (Teaching method).
Dependent Variables:
The variables whose values you observed and record in in experimental design is called the dependent variables. (Students performance)
Extraneous Variable:
“Extraneous Variable are those which may effect qualities
ex: love, bad sad,
Quantitive Variable:
are those which are measured through the values.
Example: Distance, speed, temperature, weight, pulse rate,
Hypothesis :
the hypothesis is the expected result.
the anticipated outcome of a study or experiment.
an educated guess is called hypothesis .
It is a statement or sentence of about you not sure it is true or false.
A hypothesis is suggested explanantion

idiomatic Phrases

2011-04-24T20:27:00.001-07:00

Hit rock bottom: To reach a very low point, where things can’t get worst.

Hit rough weather: To face or experience difficulties.

Hit the books: To study.

Hit the bull’s eye: To be absolutely right about something or to achieve the best desired result.

Hit the ceiling: To get very angry.

Hit the dirt: To fall or duck down to avoid something.

Hite ground running: thTo start a new thing in a very dynamic way.

Hit the hay: To go to bed.

Hit the mark: To be right about something.

Hit the right note: To speak or act in a way that it has a positive effect on people.

Hit the road: To leave a place to go or shift somewhere else.

Hive of worker bees: A group of people working hard in a well-coordinated manner.

Best idiomatic dictionary

2011-04-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

Have a trick up your sleeve: To have a secret plan which you will use at the right time.

Have your cake and eat it too: To have or want more than one can handle or deserves; or to wish for everything their way,
even if the wishes are contradictory.

Have your fill: To be fed up of someone or something.

Have your tail up: To be optimistic.

Have your work cut out: To be very busy.

He who hesitates is lost: Waiting too long can make a person lose an opportunity.

Head for the hills: To run away from trouble or problems.

Head is in the clouds: To be unrealistic.

Head nor tail: Not to be able to make head or tail out of something is not to be able to make any sense of it.

Head on the block: To be held responsible for something that has gone wrong.

Heads will roll: People are going to be punished or sacked for something that has gone wrong.

Hear a pin drop: This idiom is used to refer to complete silence in a place, when you can even hear the sound of a pin dropping.

Hear on the grapevine: To get to know something through rumours or gossip.

Heart in the right place: To be good deep inside even if sometimes the person may not appear to be so.

Heart in your boots: Very unhappy.

Heart in your mouth: To be very scared and nervous.

Heart misses a beat: To be suddenly shocked and stunned by something.

Heart of glass: To be a very emotional person.

Heart-to-heart: A frank and honest conversation between two people.

Heavy-handed: To use excessive force or strictness in dealing with someone or something.

Hedge your bets: Not to risk all you have on one thing but try other options too.

Hide nor hair: Not to have seen the hide or hair of someone is to have seen no trace of that person.

High and dry: To be left all alone with no help.

High and low: To search high and low for something or someone is to search everywhere.

High-wire act: A very risky and dangerous plan, task or activity.

Himalayan blunder: A very serious mistake.

Hit a nerve: When something or someone causes a person to feel hurt, more so emotionally than physically

IDIOMS

2011-04-12T05:51:00.001-07:00

Hairy at the heel: A dangerous or untrustworthy person.

Hale and hearty: A healthy person.

Half a loaf is better than no bread: It is better to get only a part of something that you need or want than not get anything at all.

Half a mind: To think about doing something but have yet to reach a decision about it.

Half-baked: Something which is unplanned.

Hand in glove: People who are hand in glove are as close as a hand is to a glove.

Hand in hand: To do things together, in a well-coordinated manner.

Hand to mouth: To be very poor.

Hang by a thread: To have a very small chance of survival or success.

Hard act to follow: When something is a hard act to follow, it means it is too good for anyone else to match or impossible to
replace.

Hard as nails: To be very tough, especially used for a hard-hearted person.
b Bad or hard luck.

Hard of hearing: To have a hearing problem or be a bit deaf.

Hard on someone’s heels: To closely follow or chase someone.

Hard sell: To hard sell is to put a lot of pressure on someone to do or buy something.

Hard to come by: When something is difficult to find.

Hard up: To be short of money.

Haste makes waste: When something is done quickly and without proper planning, it is likely to go to waste or not according to your desire.

Haul someone over the coals: To reprimand someone severely.

Have a blast: To have a lot of fun.

Have a ripper: To have a ripper of a time is to enjoy yourself

essay on terrorism

2011-04-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

The outlines
1. Introduction
2. Background
a. historical references
b. peoples’ approach towards it in different times
3. What terrorism is?
4. Tactics of terrorists.
a. bombing
b. suicide attacks
c. target killing
d. kidnapping
5. who is a terrorist ?
a. difference in freedom fighter and terrorist
6. Current situation of the world/post 9/11 scenario
7. America’s policy a failure
8. War on terror and Pakistan
9. Propaganda against Islam
a . a religion of peace
b. a few quranic references
c. jidh is not terrorism
10. current situation in Pakistan
a. innocent people are losing lives
b. social impacts
c psychological effects
d . economical effects
11. Pakistan and world.
12. What makes a man terrorist?
a. poverty
b. illiteracy
c. unemployment
d. frustration
e. wrong interpretation of religion
13. Remedies
a. to walk with 1000’s of guards is not solution
b. the grievances of depressed must b redressed
14. Conclusion
all are requested tocomment.

best idiomatic dictionary free

2011-04-06T01:32:00.000-07:00

we claim to have best idiomatic dictionary for hundred percent free. the hundreds of idioms which were used by best writers in their acknowledged literature books

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-05T22:32:00.001-07:00

Grass roots: An idiom used in politics, to refer to ordinary people or voters.

Graveyard shift: Night shift at a job.

Gravy train: To be on the gravy train is to earn lots of money easily.

Grease monkey: A mechanic.

Grease someone’s palm: To bribe someone.

Greased lightning: To move like greased lightning is to move very fast.

Great guns: To be going great guns is to be doing very well.

Great Scott: An exclamation of surprise.

Great white hope: A person who is expected to become very successful.

Green around the gills: To look green around the gills is to look ill.

Green fingers/thumb: To have a talent for gardening.

Green light: To get the green light is to get the approval for something.

Green with envy: To be jealous.

Green-eyed monster: Refers to jealousy.

Greenhorn: A person who is too inexperienced or not knowledgeable enough for a job.

Grey cells/matter: The brain.

Grey suits: Men with a lot power in business or political circles but who are not too well-known to the public.

Grin and bear it: To accept something without making a fuss even if you don’t like it.

Grinds my gear: Something that annoys you a lot.

Grist for the mill: Something that can be used for your advantage.

Grow in the telling: When a story becomes larger and more detailed with the number of times it is told.

Growing pains: Some problems or difficulties of a new organisation or setup.

Guinea-pig: To be a guinea-pig is to take part in an experiment of some kind and undergo some kind of test.

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:56:00.003-07:00

(Leave a) Bad taste in your mouth: To leave a bad feeling or memory with someone.
Baker’s dozen: A baker’s dozen is 13 rather than 12.

Bald as a coot: Completely bald.

Ball is in your court: When the ball is in your court, it is your turn to act or make the next decision.
Banana republic: This is a term used for small countries that are dependent on a single crop or resource, and governed badly by a corrupt elite.

Banana skin: Something that is an embarrassment or causes problems.

Bandit territory: An area or an industry/profession, where rules and laws are ignored or flouted.
Baptism of fire: Any unpleasant experience undergone, usually a learning experience too; a soldier’s first experience of battle.

Bare your heart/soul: To tell someone your personal and private feelings.

Barefaced liar: A person who feels and shows no shame about lying even if exposed
His bark is worse than his bite: Such people display their anger very loudly but they don’t go further than this

Barking up the wrong tree: Making a mistake or a false assumption in something you are trying to achieve

Barrack-room lawyer: A person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak on

Basket case: An infirm or failing person or thing, not in a fit position to function properly. Originally this referred to soldiers who had lost arms and legs and had to be carried by others. Currently it is used more for any failing organisation or scheme

Bat an eyelid: When someone doesn’t bat an eyelid, they don’t react or show any emotion when surprised or shocked

Bated breath: ‘Waiting with bated breath’ is the frequently used form of this idiom. It means being very excited and finding it hard to wait

Batten down the hatches: If you batten down the hatches, you prepare for the worst that could happen

Battle of nerves: A situation where both sides in a conflict are ready to wait for the other side to weaken

Be out in force: To be present somewhere in large numbers

Be out in left field: Not knowing what’s going on. This is derived from baseball, as less capable players are assigned to the outfield where the ball is less likely to be hit by a player

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:56:00.001-07:00

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:55:00.001-07:00

Be that as it may: It means you are prepared to accept that there is some truth in what the other person has said, it isn’t going to change your opinion in any significant manner

Bear market: A period when investors are pessimistic and expect financial losses so they are more likely to sell than to buy shares

Bear the brunt: To endure the worst of something bad
Beard the lion in his own den: To confront a powerful or dangerous rival on their territory

Beat about the bush: If someone doesn’t say clearly what they mean and try to make it hard to understand, they are beating about the bush

Beat someone to the draw: To do something before the other person does it
Beat the daylights out of someone: To hit someone repeatedly, almost knocking them out
Beat the rap: To escape conviction and punishment for a crime or wrongdoing
Beat to the punch: To act before someone and gain an advantage over them

Beating a dead horse: It is used when someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they’re beating a dead horse. It is also used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no one supports; beating a dead horse will not make it do any more work.

Beck and call: To be at someone’s beck and call is to be always ready to do everything for them.
Bee in your bonnet: It signifies the sate of excitement of someone who is very excited.
Bee’s knees: When something is the bee’s knees, it is outstanding or the best of its kind.

Beeline for: To head straight for something is to make a beeline for it.
Been around the block a few times: It means the person is familiar with the topic and it is not necessary to discuss the introductory aspects of the topic with that person.

Been there, done that: People say this when they have already experienced what is being discussed.
Behind the eight ball: To be in a difficult position from which there is no escape.

Behind times: Someone who is behind times is old-fashioned and with outdated ideas.
Bell the cat: To perform a difficult or impossible task.

Bells and whistles: Attractive features that things like computer programs have, and which are often a bit unnecessary.

Bells on: To be somewhere with bells on means to arrive there happy and delighted to attend.
Belly up: When things go belly up, they go badly wrong.

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:54:00.001-07:00

Below par: When something is not up to the standard or someone isn’t feeling or doing very well.

Below the belt: It refers to illegal punches in boxing that are below the belt, so it means saying something cruel or unfair, thus hitting below the belt.

Belt and braces/suspenders: Someone who wears belt and braces is very cautious and takes no risks.

Bend over backwards: To do everything to help someone or to achieve something.

Bend someone’s ear: To talk so long to a person that the listener gets tired of listening.

Benjamin of the family: The youngest child of the family.

Beside themselves: To be very nervous or emotional about something.

Best of a bad bunch: To be slightly less bad than the other bad people or things in a group.

Best of both worlds: If you have the best of both worlds, you benefit from different things that do not normally go together.

Best thing since sliced bread: If something is the best thing since sliced bread, it is excellent.

Bet your bottom dollar: If you can bet your bottom dollar on something, you can be absolutely sure about it.

Better late than never: Doing something late is better than not doing it at all.

Better safe than sorry: It is better to be cautious than take a risk and regret it later.

Better than a kick in the teeth: If something is better than a kick in the teeth, it isn’t very good, but it is better than nothing.

Better than a stick in the eye: If something is better than a stick in the eye, it isn’t very good, but it is better than nothing.

Better the devil you know: It is often better to deal with someone or something you are familiar with and know, even if they are not ideal, than take a risk with an unknown person or thing.

Between the devil and the deep blue sea: If you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you have a difficult choice to make between two difficult options.

Between you and me and the cat’s whiskers: This idiom is used when telling someone something that you want them to keep secret.

Beyond our ken: Beyond your understanding.

Below par: When something is not up to the standard or someone isn’t feeling or doing very well.

Below the belt: It refers to illegal punches in boxing that are below the belt, so it means saying something cruel or unfair, thus hitting below the belt.

Belt and braces/suspenders: Someone who wears belt and braces is very cautious and takes no risks.

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:53:00.001-07:00

Blackball: To vote against allowing someone to be a member of an organisation or group, you are blackballing him or her.

Blank cheque: To give a blank cheque to someone is to allow them to use as much money as they like for something, or do as they please.

Blank slate: Something that hasn’t been developed as yet or described in any detail.
Bleeding edge: A technology or process that is at the forefront or beyond current practices, but because it is unproven, it is often dangerous to use, hence ‘bleeding’.

Bleeding heart: Someone who is very sympathetic towards other people.
Blessing in disguise: A misfortune or bad luck that eventually has positive results or consequences.
Blind acceptance: To accept something without the slightest of doubt.
Blind leading the blind: When those in charge of something don’t know anything more than the people they are in charge of.

Blind-sided: To be taken completely by surprise by some event with a negative impact.
Blink of an eye: Something that happens so fast that it is almost impossible to notice it.
Blood and thunder: An emotional speech or performance.
Blood from a turnip: Just as you can’t get blood from a turnip, you can’t get something from someone when they don’t have it.

Blood is thicker than water: It means that family relationships are stronger than others.
Blood out of a stone: When something is like getting blood out of a stone, it is very difficult.
Blood, sweat and tears: Something that is very difficult and requires a lot of effort and sacrifice.
Blow a fuse: To become uncontrollably angry.

Blow by blow: A blow-by-blow description gives every detail in sequence.
Blow hot and cold: When someone blows hot and cold, their attitude and opinions keep changing very quickly.
Blow me down: People say ‘blow me down’ when they hear something surprising, shocking or unexpected.
Blow off steam: To express anger or frustration.

Blow smoke: To exaggerate or say things that are not true, usually done to make themselves look better.
Blow the cobwebs away: To make sweeping changes to something to bring fresh views and ideas in.

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:49:00.001-07:00

Blow the whistle: To tell/report a plan to the authorities or those whom it was being kept a secret from.
Blow your mind: To get really excited; when something is fantastic it can blow your mind.
Blow your own trumpet: To boast about one’s own achievements and abilities.
Blow your stack: To become angry.
Blow your top: To lose your temper.
Blue blood: A person with blue blood is one who belongs to a royal family.
Blue-eyed boy: To be someone’s blue-eyed boy is to be someone’s favourite.
Bolt from the blue: A bolt from the blue is an unexpected and very sudden happening.
Bone of contention: The main issue that has led to tension and arguments.
Bone to pick: To have a bone to pick with someone is to talk to someone about something that they have done to upset you.

Boot is on the other foot: When someone who was in a weak position becomes powerful.
Born to the purple: To be born in a royal or aristocratic family.
Both ends meet: To earn and spend equal amounts of money.
Bottom line: The conclusion, the essential point.
Bounce ideas: To share ideas.
Bounce off the walls: To be very excited about something.
Box and dice: Everything.
Box clever: To box clever is to be clever enough to get what one wants, even with a bit of cheating.
Boys in blue: The police.
Break a leg: This idiom is a way of wishing someone good luck.
Break even: Not to make any money or lose any on a project.
Break ground: To take things into a new area or going further than anyone has gone before. ‘Ground-breaking’ is used an adjective.

Break the back of the beast: To accomplish a challenge.
Break the ice: To get over initial shyness on meeting someone new, for example.

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:47:00.001-07:00

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Headlines: Obama condemns Quran burning ‘bigotry’Word buzz: More idiomsInpaperMagzine November 20, 2010

Breathe down your neck: To follow or examine you very closely.

Bridge the gap: To connect and link things that were disconnected.

Bright and breezy: Cheerful.

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed: Full of energy and enthusiasm.

Bring a knife to a gunfight: To be very ill-prepared for something.

Bring on board: To get people to join a project or accept an idea.

Bring someone to book: To make someone accountable for the wrong they have done.

Bring someone to heel: To make someone obey you.

Bring the house down: To receive a lot of appreciation.

Bring to the table: To contribute something that is of benefit.

Broad strokes: To describe just the outline of something without giving the finer details.

Broken record: To sound like a broken record, is to keep repeating the same thing, “Stuck record” is also used in its place.

Broken reed: An unreliable person.

Brown noser: Someone who does anything to gain the approval of someone, who is usually in a position of authority.

Browned off: To be fed up of something or someone.

Brownie points: A mark of achievement for doing something credible.

Brush under the carpet: To hide things from others or ignore things.

Bull in a China shop: To be very clumsy when they should be very careful in what they are doing.

Bull market: A bull market is a period when investors are optimistic and there are expectations that good financial results will continue.

Bull session: A bull session is an informal group discussion about something.

Bull-headed: Stubborn and inflexible.

Bundle of nerves: A very nervous person.

Bur under my saddle: Something that annoys you or spurs you onto action.

Burn rubber: To drive very fast to get somewhere.

Burn the candle at both ends: To live life at a hectic pace, doing things which are likely to affect the person’s health badly.

Burn your bridges: To do something that makes it impossible to go back from the position you have taken.

Burn your fingers: To suffer a loss or something unpleasant happens due to an act of yours.

Burning daylight: Wasting time.

Burning question: A very important question that everyone wants to ask and know about.

Burst your/someone’s bubble: To remove someone’s delusion.

Bury your head in the sand: To deliberately ignore or avoid something that is clearly wrong.

Busman’s holiday: To spend your free time doing the same sort of work as you do in your job.

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:45:00.001-07:00

Butterflies in your stomach; To be nervous and stressed, especially before an important event or in anticipation of something.
Button your lip: To tell someone to shut up.

Buy the farm: When somebody has bought the farm, they have died.
By a long chalk: To beat somebody by a long chalk, is to win easily and comfortably.
By a whisker: By a very small amount, like when someone manages to win very narrowly.
By dint of: Meaning ‘because of’ or ‘as a result of’.
By leaps and bounds: Rapidly or very quickly in big steps.
By the backdoor: When something is done by the backdoor, it is not done in a direct and honest way by following proper procedures.

By the book: To do something according to the rules and correctly.
By the by: Used as a way of introducing an incidental topic in a conversation or to say that something is irrelevant.
By the numbers: Something done in a mechanical manner without room for creativity.
By the same token: Because of the same reason or condition; when someone applies the same rule to different situations.
By the skin of your teeth: To just manage to do something, narrowly missing failure or disaster.
The cake’s not worth the candle: The result is not worth the effort put into achieving it.
Call on the carpet: To be summoned for a scolding or lecture by superiors or those in power.
Call the dogs off: To stop attacking or criticising someone.
Call the shots: To give orders and be in charge of something.
Call the tune: Make important decisions about something.
Can of worms: To open a can of worms is to do something that creates serious problems.
Can’t get a word in edgeways: When you are not getting a chance to say anything because the other person is not letting you speak.

Can’t hack it: being unable to perform an act or duty.
Can’t see the forest for its trees: To be so focused on specific details of something that they can’t see the whole picture.
Canary in a coal mine: A warning of an approaching danger.
Card up your sleeve: To have a card up your sleeve is to have a surprise plan which is only going to be revealed when the right time comes.

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:44:00.001-07:00

Carpetbagger: An opportunist without any scruples or ethics. It is also be used for a politician who wants to represent a place he has no connection with.

Carrot and stick: To offer someone an incentive to do something combined with the threat of retribution or punishment.

Carry the can: To take the blame for something without being at fault.

Carry the day: To be successful at something, probably after a tough competition.

Case in point: When something which was previously discussed happens, it can be called ‘a case in point’.

Cash cow: A product or business that generates continuous profits is a cash cow.

Cash in your chips: To sell something to get some profit before its value falls.

Cast a long shadow: When someone or something casts a long shadow, it means it has influence over people and events.

Cast aspersion: To try to tarnish someone’s name and reputation.

Cast sheep’s eyes at: To look lovingly at something.

Cast your mind back: To try and remember something which has been almost forgotten.

Cast your net widely: To find something by using a lot of sources and means.

Castles in the air: To make impractical plans.

Cat among the pigeons: To create disturbance and cause trouble.

Cat and dog life: To lead a cat and dog life is to be always arguing and cribbing.

Cat burglar: A very skilful thief who sneaks into places without setting off alarms and being caught by people.

Cat got your tongue?: Asking this means wanting to know why someone is quiet when they should be speaking.

Cat nap: A short sleep during the day

Cat’s lick: A very quick wash or bath, just as a cat licks itself clean.

Cat’s pajamas: Something that’s excellent.

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:43:00.001-07:00

Cat’s whiskers: Again it means something that is excellent.

Catch as catch can: To try and get something in anyway possible.

Catch hell: To get into trouble.

Champ at the bit: To be very eager to accomplish something.

Champing at the bit: To be impatient for something.

Change horses in midstream: To have a change of plans or leader/workers in the middle of some work or act, which can prove to be a risky act.

Change track: To change your mode of action or your mind for doing something.

Change your tune: To change the way someone talks, most likely due to a change of thinking.

Chapter and verse: To know something so well that each detail, such as the chapter and verse of something, can be quoted.

Chase rainbows: To try and do something that is impossible to attain or achieve.

Chase your tail: To make a lot of effort to do something that is unproductive.

Cheap as chips: An inexpensive thing.

Cheap shot: A very rude criticism.

Cheat death: To cheat death is to narrowly escape death, accident or a great mishap.

Cherry pick: To choose only those things that suit people or their stand, ignoring those that go against them.

Chew on a bone: To think about something absorbedly and carefully.

Chew the cud: To ponder over something.

Chickenfeed: Something irrelevant, or a very small amount of money.

Chop and change: If things chop and change, they keep changing, often unexpectedly.

Clean break: To break away completely from something.

Clean your clock: To beat someone decisively in a competition or contest.

Clear as mud: Very unclear.

Climb on the bandwagon: To do something because everyone else is doing it too.

Cloud cuckoo land: To have very unrealistic and impractical ideas and plans.

Cloud on the horizon: To foresee a problem.

2011-04-02T20:39:00.001-07:00

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Headlines: Obama condemns Quran burning ‘bigotry’Word buzz: In the mood for idioms?InpaperMagzine December 25, 2010

Clutch play: An activity or something that is central to the success or failure of something.

Cock and bull story: A lie.
Cold light of day: To see things in the cold light of day is to see things clearly as they really are.
Cold sweat: When someone breaks into a cold sweat, it means they are really frightened.
Collateral damage: Accidental damage caused alongside the target.
Collect dust: When something collects dust, it is not being used anymore.
Colour bar: Restriction on access or usage due to race or ethnicity.
Come clean: To admit a wrongdoing or dishonesty.
Come of age: When something or someone reaches maturity or their full potential.
Come on the heels of: To come on the heels of something is to follow something immediately.
Come out in the wash: When something can come out in the wash, it doesn’t have any permanent negative effect.

Come out of the woodwork: When things come out of the woodwork, they appear unexpectedly.
Come to a head: When an event comes to a head, it reaches a crisis.
Come to call: To respond promptly.
Come up roses: To produce positive results, especially if the thing has been going wrong at first.
Come up smelling of roses: To emerge from some situation with more respect.
Comes with the territory: To be part of a job, or automatically included in something.
Comfort zone: A place or a situation where someone feels comfortable.
Cook someone’s goose: To spoil someone’s plan or thing.
Could eat a horse: To be very hungry.
Couldn’t give two hoots: Not to care much about something.
Country mile: Used to signify a long distance.

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

Cream of the crop: The best of something.

Cream rises to the top: Just as the cream in milk rises to the top, a good person, idea or thing will not remain unnoticed and will soon gain attention.

Crème de la crème: The very best of something.

Crepe hanger: Someone who is in the habit of looking at the bad side of things, a pessimistic person.

Cross my heart and hope to die: This is used to express the sincerity of the speaker’s promise and word.

Cross swords: To cross swords is to be in a dispute with someone.

Cross that bridge when you come to it: To deal with a problem when it arises, but not until that point.

Cross to bear: To have cross to bear is to have a heavy burden or responsibility.

Crossing the Rubicon: To be crossing the Rubicon, is to be passing a point of no return.

Crunch time: Referred to a time when a company or a person makes important decisions that will have a considerable effect on their future.

Cry wolf: To raise a false alarm about something.

Cry-baby: A timid person who cries very easily.

Cuckoo in the nest: A problem that can soon become too big, just as a cuckoo in the nest grows quickly and crowds out everything else.

Curdle your blood: To be very frightened and disturbed.

Curiosity killed the cat: Used to mean that excessive curiosity is not necessarily a good thing, especially for the unconcerned person.

Curry favour: When people try to curry favour, they are trying to get others to support them.

Curve ball: Used to refer to something that is deceptive.

Cut a rug: To dance.

Cut above: To be a cut above others is to be better than them.

Cut and dried: To have everything decided.

Cut and run: To take what one can get and leave before everything is lost

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:32:00.001-07:00

Cut corners: To do a task as quickly or as economically as possible, even if it means sacrificing quality.

Cut down the tall poppies: To criticise people who stand out from the crowd, and are different from the others.

Cut off your nose to spite your face: To do something rashly that puts you in a worst situation than you were in.

Cut someone some slack: To be more lenient with someone, such as allowing someone more time
to finish something.

Cut the Gordian knot: To easily solve a very complex problem.

Can’t cut the mustard: To be unable to reach the required standard or level.

Cut to the chase: To get straight to the point or the most interesting or important part of something.

Cut your losses: To get out of a tough situation before things get worse or suffer more loss.

Cut your teeth on: It refers to the place where one has had the first working or practical experience.

Cuts no ice: When something doesn’t make much difference or shows little influence, it cuts no ice.

Daft as a brush: Refers to someone silly.

Damp squib: Something that should have made a great impact but doesn’t.

Dark horse: Something or someone that is a bit of a mystery.

Dead air: A period of complete silence.

Dead even: To be moving at the same speed as someone else and being at the same stage of things.

Dead from the neck up: To be very silly.

Dead heat: When two or more people finish something, usually a race, at the same time and with the same result.

Dead level best: To try one’s level best.

Dead man walking: A person who is in a lot of trouble and is sure to be punished.

Dead right: To be absolutely correct.

Dead wrong: Absolutely wrong.

Death warmed up: Looking very ill.

Deep pockets: To be wealthy.

Deep pockets but short arms: Someone with a lot of money that he doesn’t take out to spend.

Deer in the headlights: To be caught off guard.

Devil is in the detail: Small details that are often ignored are usually the ones that can lead to serious problems later.

Devil’s advocate: A person who adopts a position just for the sake of an argument.

Diamond in the rough: Someone or something with great potential but needs to be refined.

Different kettle of fish: If something is a different kettle of fish, it is very different from the other things referenced.

Different ropes for different folks: Different people do things in different ways so as to suit their particular situation and preference.

Dig way down deep: To find out what someone feels deep down inside

2011-04-02T20:30:00.001-07:00

Dine on ashes: To focus only on failures or regrets for past actions.

Dip your toes in the water: To try out something cautiously as you are not sure whether it will work or not.

Discerning eye: To be good at judging the real value/quality of something.

Discretion is the better part of valou.r: It is better to think carefully before acting than to do something that can lead to problems.

Dish the dirt: To disclose publicly some unpleasant or shocking information.

Do a runner: To leave a restaurant without paying the bill.

Dog and pony show: A show or a presentation that has more style than content.

Dog days: Very hot summer days.

Dog’s dinner: Something that is a real mess.

Dog’s life: A life full of misfortune.

Dog-eared: This refers to the bad condition of something, usually a book

Doggy bag: Refers to the packed leftover food that your take home with you after eating at a restaurant.

Doldrums: To be in the doldrums is to be depressed.

Don’t hold your breath: Not to have high expectations of something.

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth: Whatever gift or chance a person is given should not be examined too critically.

Don’t mention the war: Sensitive topics that can lead to an argument should not be mentioned or brought up in the conversation.

Don’t push my buttons: Used as a warning to someone to not annoy or offend you.

Don’t shoot the messenger: It means the person who is giving the bad news should not be blamed for it. In ancient times, the messenger who brought bad news to the king was killed.

Don’t sweat the small stuff: There is no need to get worked up over little and unimportant things.

Don’t trouble trouble until trouble troubles you: It means one should not go searching for trouble or problems.

Don’t upset the applecart: It means one should not try to change the way things are being done as it will simply spoil things or the situation.

Done to death: Something has happened so many times that it has become very boring and uninteresting.

Donkey work: Hard and boring work.

Dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s: Do things very precisely and correctly.

Double Dutch: It means something is totally incomprehensible.

Double take: To react very slowly to something, to show shock and surprise.

Double whammy: Two problems that occur at the same time.

Down and out: To be very poor and needy.

Down at heel: To be short of money.

Down in the dumps: To be depressed.

Down the drain: When something goes down the drain, it is totally wasted, or used to indicate an effort that was totally fruitless.

Down-to-earth: To be practical and realistic.

Drag your feet: To take too long to do something, thus showing one’s reluctance.

Best idiomatic dictionary for free, A to z

2011-04-02T20:24:00.001-07:00

Drag your heels: To delay doing something or do it very slowly, indicating your displeasure and disinterest.

Draw a line in the sand: To establish a limit beyond which things are be unacceptable.

Draw a long bow: To lie or exaggerate.

Dress someone down: To scold someone.

Dress to kill: To be dressed very smartly.

Dressed to the nines: To be dressed in you best clothes.

Drive a wedge: To create misunderstanding between people.

Drive home: To reinforce.

Drive someone up the wall: To irritate someone a lot.

Drive you spare: To make you very annoyed.

Drop a bombshell: To announce something suddenly that shocks and stuns people.

Drop in the ocean: Something is very insignificant, like a drop in the ocean.

Drop into your lap: To receive something suddenly.

Drop someone a line: To send someone a letter.

Drop the ball: Something is not done right by someone and they let things go wrong.

Dropped like a hot cake: To reject or do away with something very quickly.

Dry as a bone: Very dry.

Dry run: A trial of something to see how it will work before it is launched.

Dry spell: An unsuccessful phase.

Duck to water: To take to something like a duck to water is to be naturally inclined towards it.

Ducks in a row: Very organised.

Dull as ditchwater: Very boring.

Dumb as a rock: To be very stupid.

Dutch auction: To reduce the price of something so much that someone finally buys it or to make changes in something until it is accepted by everyone.

Dutch treat: In a Dutch treat, everyone pays for their own share of the bill.

Dyed-in-the-wool: To be a stanch supporter of something or someone, without any questions.

Eager beaver: Someone who is very eager.

Eagle eyes: A very sharp person who sees and notices everything.

Easy as beans: Very easy.

Easy come, easy go: Things or money that come without much effort also tend to get used or consumed very easily too.

Eat crow: To have to admit that you were wrong about something.

Eat humble pie: To apologise and be regretful for doing something.

Eat like a bird: To eat very little.

Eat like a horse: To eat a lot.

Eat your words: To publicly accept that you were wrong about something you said.

Economical with the truth: To be economical with the truth is not to tell the whole truth about something by leaving out important details, but without actually lying.

Elbow room: To give elbow room is to give some space to someone.

End in smoke: When something ends in smoke, it means the outcome of something was fruitless.

2011-04-02T20:21:00.001-07:00