English idioms describing places and things

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English idioms DESCRIPTIONS of PLACES - THINGS - EVENTS

Act of God	This term refers to a natural event or accident, for which no person is responsible (such as an earthquake, lightning and similar acts of nature). "The insurance company refused to pay for the damage because it was caused by an act of God."
Been in/through the wars	If a person or thing has been in (or through) the wars, they show signs of rough treatment, injury or damage. "He arrived in a car that looked as if it had been in the wars.'
Beyond recall	Something which is beyond recall is impossible to retrieve, cancel or reverse. "I'm afraid we can't recover the pictures -your camera is beyond recall."
Beyond redemption	If something is beyond redemption, it is in such a poor state that there is no hope of improvement or recovery. "With the latest scandal, his reputation is now beyond redemption."
Bodice-ripper	A novel, usually on a historical theme, with a plot that involves romantic passion between a vulnerable heroine and a rich, powerful male character, is called a bodice-ripper. "The novel is a bodice-ripper set in the French revolution."
Broad strokes	If something is described or defined with/in broad strokes, it is outlined in a very general way, without any details. "In a few broad strokes he summed up the situation."
Clean as a whistle	Something as clean as a whistle is extremely clean. For a person, this expression can mean that their criminal record is clean. "Bob spent the afternoon washing and shining his car until it was as clean as a whistle."
Collecting dust	If something is collecting dust, it hasn't been touched or used for a long period of time. "My dad doesn't play golf any more. His clubs are just collecting dust now."
Come in handy	To say that something may come in handy means that it may be useful some time or other. "Don't throw away those old shelves; they may come in handy."
Copper-bottomed	To describe something such as a plan, a contract or a financial arrangement as 'copper-bottomed' means that it is completely safe or reliable. "He has signed a copper-bottomed agreement with a distributor."
Cover/hide a multitude of sins	If something covers or hides a multitude of sins, it prevents people from seeing the less pleasant reality. "Loose-fitting clothes can cover a multitude of sins!"
Creature comforts	This expression refers to modern conveniences (such as hot water or central heating) that make life comfortable and pleasant. "I need my creature comforts. I don't know how I'd survive without air-conditioning in this climate!"
A cut above	Someone or something which is a cut above the others is better or of higher quality. "The articles in this magazine are a cut above the others."
Cut and dried	To refer to a situation, a problem or a solution as cut and dried means that it is considered clear and straightforward with no likely complications. "When the new manager arrived, he didn't find the situation as cut and dried as he had expected."
Dead as a dodo	To say that something is (as) dead as a dodo means that it is without doubt dead or obsolete, or has gone out of fashion. (The dodo is a bird that is now extinct.) "The floppy disk is an invention that is now (as) dead as a dodo."
Dead as a doornail	This expression is used to stress that a something is unquestionably dead. "They've started fighting again, so the peace agreement is now dead as a doornail."
Dog and pony show	A dog and pony show is a marketing event or presentation which has plenty of style but not much content.
Fait accompli	This French term refers to something that has been done and cannot be changed. "He used his savings to buy a motorbike and then presented his parents with a fait accompli."
Fall between two stools	If something falls between two stools, it is neither totally one thing nor another, and is therefore unsatisfactory. "The book didn't sell because it fell between two stools; it appealed neither to historians nor to the general public.
Few and far between	Items, places or events which are few and far between are rarely found or do not happen very often. "Restaurants in this part of the country are few and far between."
First water	Something that is of the first water is of the finest or most exceptional quality (like being compared to a diamond). "The violinist gave a performance that was of the first water."
Fit the bill	If someone or something fits the bill, they are exactly right for for a particular situation. "They wanted a quiet place for the week-end and the country inn just fitted the bill."
Fit for purpose	Something that is suitable for a particular function and is fully operational is said to be fit for purpose. "The mayor promised that the new leisure centre would be fit for purpose."
Flag of convenience	If a ship, boat or yacht sails under a flag of convenience, it is registered in a foreign country in order to avoid regulations and taxes and reduce operating costs.
For the birds	If you think something is for the birds, you consider it to be uninteresting, useless, or not to be taken seriously. "As far as I'm concerned, his theory is for the birds!"
A free-for-all	This term refers to an uncontrolled situation such as a discussion, argument or event where everyone present can do or say what they like. "It started as a serious debate but turned into a free-for-all."
A Freudian slip	This refers to a mistake made by a speaker which is considered to reveal their true thoughts or feelings. "So you got the job - I'm so sad - sorry, I mean glad!"
Gizmo	The term gizmo refers to a gadget or any small technological item which is unusual or novel, and for which the proper term is unknown or forgotten.
Gutter press	This term refers to newspapers that print a lot of sensational stories about people's private lives. "Of course the gutter press was quick to print a sensational version of the incident! "
Go downhill	When something goes downhill it deteriorates or gets worse little by little. "The restaurant has been going downhill since the arrival of the new owner."
Go to rack and ruin	If something goes to rack and ruin, it deteriorates or falls into serious decline until it reaches a state of complete destruction. "When the factory closed down, the building was left to go to rack and ruin."
Hard to swallow	When something is difficult to accept or believe, it is hard to swallow. She invented an excuse that the teacher found hard to swallow.
(go to) Hell in a handcart	If someone or something is going to hell in a handcart, it is in a bad state and continues to deteriorate. "This used to be a nice place to live but now the area is going to hell in a handcart."
Here today, gone tomorrow	This expression is used to refer to something which appears and disappears very quickly, or does not last very long. "The shops in this area change very often - here today, gone tomorrow!"
Hive of activity (also: a beehive)	A place where there are lots of things happening, and everyone is very busy, is called a hive of activity. "When I went to offer my help, the kitchen was already a hive of activity."
Hollow victory	A victory obtained in unsatisfactory conditions, which as a result seems worthless or without significance for the winner, is called a hollow victory. "Won in the absence of the major ski champions, his gold medal was a hollow victory."
Household name/word	When the name of someone or something becomes very familiar because it is so often used, it is called a household name or word. "The product was so successful that its name became a household word in no time."
Hustle and bustle	This expression is used to refer to busy energetic activity in an atmosphere of general excitement. "I prefer to live in the country. I hate the hustle and bustle of city life."
Idiot box	Some people consider television to lack educational value and refer to it as the idiot box. "He spends all his free time in front of the idiot box."
In inverted commas	When describing something, if you use a word which you say is "in inverted commas", you indicate that the word is not quite true or appropriate. "We were served a "meal", in inverted commas, but we were too hungry to complain."
In keeping with	If something is in keeping with for example a style or tradition, it is suitable or appropriate in a particular situation. "We exchange presents at Christmas in keeping with tradition."
Industrial-strength	This is a humorous way of referring to something which is very strong, powerful or concentrated. "I've got an industrial-strength headache this morning!"
Just the ticket	If something is just the ticket, it is exactly right, or just what you need. "I'm not hungry enough for a meal. A bowl of soup would be just the ticket!"
Last word	Something described as the last word is the most recent or most fashionable in its category. "Steve's new computer is the last word in technology."
Less is more	This expression, used particularly in architecture and design, conveys the idea that things that are simple in style and smaller in size are better. "Simplicity is fashionable today. Less is more."
Looks/seems good on paper	To say that an idea, plan or scheme seems good on paper means that it looks good in theory or in writing but may not work when put into practice. "His plan looks good on paper, but I'm not convinced it will work."
Light years ahead	If someone or something is light years ahead, they are far ahead in terms of development or progress. "We've got to invest more in research - our competitors are light years ahead!"
Live up to one's/its reputation	If someone or something lives up to its reputation, it's as good, or as bad, as people say. "The guesthouse lived up to its reputation; the owners were as friendly and hospitable as we had been told."
Middle of nowhere	If a place is in the middle of nowhere, it is in a remote area, far from towns, villages or houses. "The campsite was in the middle of nowhere so I couldn't send you a postcard."
Middle of the road (MOR)	This expression refers to anything moderate, unadventurous or inoffensive, that avoids extremes and appeals to the majority of people. "He's a successful middle-of-the-road entertainer. My mother wouldn't miss a show!"
Smack dab in the middle	If something is smack dab in the middle, it's right in the centre. "I couldn't hide the stain on my shirt. It was smack dabble in the middle.
In mint condition	Something that is in mint condition is in such perfect condition that it looks new or as good as new. "The car is 10 years old but according to Tom it's in mint condition."
Mixed blessing	Something pleasant which also has disadvantages is called a mixed blessing. "He inherited an 18th century mansion, but the maintenance costs make it a mixed blessing."
More than meets the eye	When something (or someone) is more complicated, difficult or interesting that it appears, it is said that there is more than meets the eye. "He said he simply sold his shares, but I think there's more to it than meets the eye."
Name (written) on it	If something has someone's name (written) on it, it is intended for that person or is ideally suited to them. "That dress would be perfect for you - it's got your name on it!"
Next best thing	If you can't have exactly what you want, the next best thing is the best alternative possible. "The camera I wanted was far too expensive so I opted for a cheaper one that was the next best thing."
No holds barred	This expression, which derives from wresting, is used to describe something done with no restraints, limits or rules of conduct. "It's a live talk show with no holds barred, which is not to everyone's taste."
Not a patch on someone	If someone or something is not a patch on an other, they are not nearly as good. "His second conference wasn't a patch on the first one.
Not in the same league	If something is not in the same league, it is of a much lower standard that something else. "He had a good voice but he wasn't in the same league as Pavarotti "
Not up to scratch	If something or somebody is not up to scratch, they are not as good as they should be. "The after sales service is really not up to scratch."
A notch above	Something that is a notch above something else is a little better in every way "His rendering of the song was a notch above the others."
Odds and ends	Odds and ends are small articles, or bits and pieces of all sorts, usually of little value. "I keep all my odds and ends in this drawer."
On the map	If a place becomes very well known, it is put on the map. "The president's visit really put the restaurant on the map."
Over the top (OTT)	Something which is over the top is totally excessive or not suitable for the occasion. "Her dramatic speech was way over the top."
Part and parcel	If something is part and parcel of an experience, it is a key component or a necessary part that cannot be avoided "I'm an event manager. Travelling is part and parcel of my job."
Picture is worth a thousand words	This expression means that a picture can give just as much information as a large amount of descriptive text. "Look at the picture of the crash! A picture is worth a thousand words isn't it?"
Pie in the sky	If an idea, wish or promise is "pie in the sky", it is completely unrealistic or unlikely to be achieved. "The promise of low-cost housing for everyone turned out to be pie in the sky."
The pits	If something is referred to as the pits, it is considered to be absolutely the worst. "That magazine really is the pits!"
A recipe for disaster	If you refer to a plan or an idea as a recipe for disaster, you think it is likely to produce bad results. "Our two families together for Christmas? Sounds like a recipe for disaster!"
Red light district	This term refers to an area of a town or city where there is a concentration of sex shops, prostitution, strip clubs, etc. "A photograph of the politician taken in a red-light district caused a scandal."
Right up your alley	If something is right up your alley, it is the sort of thing you like or have knowledge about. "You like cooking, don't you? This book will be right up your alley!"
Rough and ready	Something which is rough and ready is adequate but rather rudimentary or unrefined. "The accommodation is rough and ready but the scenery is fantastic!"
Run-of-the-mill	Something described as run-of-the-mill is considered ordinary or uneventful. "I've got nothing extraordinary to tell; it was a run-of-the-mill sales meeting."
Second to none	To say that something is second to none means that it is excellent - better than everything else. "The service was perfect and the food was second to none."
Seen better days	If something has seen better days, it has aged visibly in comparison to when it was new. "My much-travelled suitcase has seen better days!"
Set in stone	When something is set in stone, it is permanent and cannot be changed in any way. "The agenda isn't set in stone; we can add an item if need be."
Simplicity itself	Something that is simplicity itself is extremely easy to do. "Using the tool is simplicity itself; just turn it on and the instructions appear."
Small potatoes	Something that is small potatoes is considered unimportant or insignificant. "Her first publication was considered small potatoes but her new book has lead to a change of opinion."
Snail mail	This term refers to the standard system of mail delivery, or postal service, considered very slow compared to electronic mail. "More and more people are using e-mail rather than traditional delivery services, snail mail.'
Stand the test of time	If something stands the test of time, people continue to find it valuable or useful after many years. "The teaching method has stood the test of time. It is still used in schools today."
Stick out a mile	If something sticks out a mile, it is very obvious or very easy to see. "You can see she's had a facelift - it sticks out a mile!"
Stink to high heaven	If something has a very strong unpleasant smell, it stinks to high heaven. "Take off those socks - they stink to high heaven!"
Streets ahead	If a person or organization is streets ahead of another, they are much better or more advanced. "In measures to preserve the planet, the Scandinavians are streets ahead of us."
Sublime to ridiculous	If something goes from the sublime to the ridiculous, it deteriorates in quality from serious or admirable to absurd or unimportant. "An opera followed by a Mr Muscle contest is going from the sublime to the ridiculous!"
There's nothing to it	This expression is used to say that something is very simple or easy to o do. "I'll show you how to make pancakes. There's nothing to it!"
Tick all the right boxes	If something ticks all the right boxes, it is perfect for you because it meets all your criteria or requirements. "We're in luck! We visited an apartment today that ticks all the right boxes."
Top notch	To say that something is top notch means that it is of the highest possible quality or standard. "The hotel was wonderful and the service was top notch."
Tough as old boots	If something, especially meat, is (as) tough as old boots, it is hard to cut and difficult to chew. (Can also refer to a person who is strong physically or in character.) "We were served a steak as tough as old boots."
Up/down one's alley	If something is (right) up or down one's alley, it is exactly the sort of thing that will suit their tastes or abilities. "Alex loves reading, so the job in the bookshop is right up his alley."
Up-to-the-minute	To refer to something as up-to-the-minute means that it is the very latest or most recent version available. "The internet is the best place to find up-to-the-minute news."
Worth one's/its weight in gold	Someone or something that is worth its weight in gold is considered to be extremely helpful or useful and therefore of great value. "We couldn't run the farm without Tom. He's worth his weight in gold."

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