English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms - H, page 2
from: 'hammer home'
to: 'have hands tied'
- hammer home
- If you hammer home a point or an argument,
you repeat it often to make sure that it is fully understood.
"The police hammered home the dangers of drinking and driving."
- If you hammer home a point or an argument,
you repeat it often to make sure that it is fully understood.
- (got at it) hammer and tongs
- If people are going at it hammer and tongs, they are arguing fiercely, with a lot of energy and noise.
"Our neighbours are going at it hammer and tongs again. They're constantly arguing."
- If people are going at it hammer and tongs, they are arguing fiercely, with a lot of energy and noise.
- on hand
- If something, such as supplies or people, are on hand, they are present or readily available.
"Extra pillows and blankets are on hand if needed."
- If something, such as supplies or people, are on hand, they are present or readily available.
- (go) hand in hand
- If two or more things go hand in hand, they are associated or often happen at the same time.
"In big cities, poverty and violence often go hand in hand."
- If two or more things go hand in hand, they are associated or often happen at the same time.
- hand in glove
- Two or more people who are in collusion, or work in close association, are said to be hand in glove.
"After the match, it was discovered that he was hand in glove with the referee."
- Two or more people who are in collusion, or work in close association, are said to be hand in glove.
- hand-me-downs
- Articles, usually clothing, passed on to another person after being used or outgrown, are called hand-me-downs.
"I didn't like having to wear my sister's hand-me-downs when we were children."
- Articles, usually clothing, passed on to another person after being used or outgrown, are called hand-me-downs.
- hand it to someone
- If you hand it to someone, you admit, perhaps unwillingly, that they deserve credit or praise for their achievements.
"You've got to hand it to Sophie. She may be a snob, but her presentations are always excellent."
- If you hand it to someone, you admit, perhaps unwillingly, that they deserve credit or praise for their achievements.
- handed (to someone) on a platter
- If someone gets something easily, without having to make an effort to obtain it, it is handed to
them on a platter.
"Alex was appointed sales director in his father's company. The job was handed to him on a platter."
- If someone gets something easily, without having to make an effort to obtain it, it is handed to
them on a platter.
- get (or gain) the upper hand
- If a person or organisation gets or gains the upper hand, they take control over a situation.
"The authorities claim to have gained the upper hand in the fight against drinking and driving."
- If a person or organisation gets or gains the upper hand, they take control over a situation.
- one hand washes the other (and together they wash the face)
- This expression means that when people cooperate and work
well together, there is a better chance of a achieving results.
- This expression means that when people cooperate and work
well together, there is a better chance of a achieving results.
- (have your) hands full
- If you have your hands full, you are very busy or have a lot to do.
"Jenny has her hands full looking after three young children."
- If you have your hands full, you are very busy or have a lot to do.
- all hands on deck
- When there is a need for all hands on deck,
everyone must help, especially if there's a lot of work to be done in a short amount of time.
"As the opening day approached, it was all hands on deck to have everything ready in time."
- When there is a need for all hands on deck,
everyone must help, especially if there's a lot of work to be done in a short amount of time.
- in safe hands
- If something is in safe hands, it is being looked after
by a reliable person or organisation, and is therefore at no risk.
"I'll look after Jamie while you go shopping.Don' worry - he'll be in safe hands."
- If something is in safe hands, it is being looked after
by a reliable person or organisation, and is therefore at no risk.
- show of hands
- A show of hands is a method of voting where people give their opinion by raising a hand.
"How many people agree? Could we have a show of hands please?"
- A show of hands is a method of voting where people give their opinion by raising a hand.
- have your hands tied
- If a person has their hands tied, something such as an agreement or a rule is preventing them
from doing what they would like to do.
"Mark deserves to earn more, but the manager's hands are tied by the recent salary agreement."
- If a person has their hands tied, something such as an agreement or a rule is preventing them
from doing what they would like to do.
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