English idioms relating to situations

www.learn-english-today.com
• business english • lessons - exercises • vocabulary • phrasal verbs • wordgames • proverbs • fun • news • resources • books • contact • home •

English idioms relating to SITUATIONS (description)
All (other) things being equal	This expression refers to a probable situation if the conditions elsewhere remain unchanged or equal. "All (other) things being equal, a reduction in the cost of transport should enable us to lower our prices."
Back to the wall	If you have your back to the wall, you are in serious difficulty. "With his back to the wall, the supplier had to accept the deal."
In the balance	If something is in the balance, it means the situation is uncertain and it is not clear what is going to happen. "The future of the company is in the balance while the takeover bid is being examined."
The best of both worlds	If a person has the best of both worlds, they have the benefits and advantages of two different things. "We live in the centre of town, but only 5 minutes from the beach. We have the best of both worlds."
Between the devil and the deep blue sea	If you are between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a situation where there are two equally unpleasant alternatives. "When the new product didn't take off, the management was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea: develop a new marketing campaign or drop the product."
Can of worms	To describe a situation as a can of worms means that it is complicated, unpleasant and difficult to deal with. "The discovery of the transfer of funds turned out to be a real can of worms."
Can't see the wood for the trees	If someone can't see the wood for the trees, they are so concentrated on the details that they can't see the situation as a whole. "The new manager found the situation so complicated that he couldn't see the wood for the trees."
Catch 22	A catch 22 situation refers to a frustrating situation where you need to do one thing before doing a second, and you cannot do the second before doing the first. "I can't get a job without a work permit, and I can't get a work permit without a job. It's a catch 22 situation!"
Come to a head	If a problem or difficult situation comes to a head, it reaches a point where action has to be taken. "The problem came to a head yesterday when rioting broke out in the streets."
Come to the crunch	To talk about what to do if or when a situation comes to the crunch, means when it becomes difficult or critical and a decision has to be made. "If it comes to the crunch, I'll sell my car."
Cut the atmosphere with a knife	To say that you could cut the atmosphere with a knife means that the atmosphere is extremely tense or unfriendly.
The die is cast	To say that the die is cast means that an irrevocable decision has been made which will determine the future. "I've handed in my resignation so now the die is cast!"
Different kettle of fish	To describe a situation as a different kettle of fish means that it is completely different from what was previously mentioned. "You may have good business relations, but living in the country is a different kettle of fish."
Dog's life	People use this expression when complaining about a situation or job which they find unpleasant or unsatisfactory. "It's a dog's life working in the after-sales department."
In the doghouse	If you are in the doghouse, somebody is angry with you because you have done something wrong. "Mark is in the doghouse because he damaged his father's car."
In the doldrums	To say that a person, a business or the economy in general is in the doldrums means that the situation is gloomy and that nothing new is happening. Despite the recent measures, the economy remains in the doldrums."
Doom and gloom	A general atmosphere of pessimism, and a feeling that the situation is not going to improve, is referred to as doom and gloom. "Fortunately it's not doom and gloom for all businesses, in spite of the economic situation."
The dust has settled	To say that the dust has settled means that the situation has become calmer after a series of unpleasant or chaotic events. "After her difficult divorce, she waited until the dust had settled before making any plans."
Eye of the storm	A person or organization who is in the eye of the storm is deeply involved in a difficult situation which affects a lot of people "The minister was often in the eye of the storm during the debate on the war in Iraq."
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.	This expression means to go from one difficult situation to another, usually even worse. "The flight was delayed because of snow. When the plane eventually took off, it had to turn back because of engine trouble - out of the frying pan into the fire!"
Have one's 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."
Heart of the matter	The most important part or aspect of a situation is called the heart of the matter. "We need to get to the heart of the matter - what was the cause of the accident?"
The heat is on	To say that the heat is on means that you are under a lot of pressure to get something done, usually within a time limit. "The project must be ready for next Friday, so the heat is on.
Hot potato	To refer to a subject as a hot potato means that it is a very sensitive and controversial matter which is difficult to deal with. "The new Prime Minister hasn't been confronted with any hot potatoes yet."
Icing on the cake	If something is referred to as icing on the cake, it is an extra benefit that makes a good situation even better. "Good news! I get the job ... and the icing on the cake is that I get a company car too."
In a rut	If you are in a rut, you have a monotonous and boring way of life. "If you feel you're in a rut, why don't you look for a new job?"
Ins and Outs	The ins and outs of a situation means all the details or facts. "I know he was involved in a car accident, but I don't know the ins and outs of his injuries".
The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing	This expression means that communication within a group or organization is so bad that people don't know what the others are doing.
At loggerheads	If you are at loggerheads with a person or organization, you disagree very strongly with them. "Management and trade unions are at loggerheads over the decision to close down the plant."
Millstone around your neck	Something described as a millstone around your neck refers to a problem or responsibility that becomes a burden and a source of worry. "The money he borrowed became a millstone around his neck"
Never a dull moment!	When there is never a dull moment, something is always changing or happening. "With four teenagers at home, there's never a dull moment!
New to this game	To say that you are new to this game means that you have never been involved in this sort of activity before. "I want to join Facebook but I don't know how to start. I'm afraid I'm new to this game!"
It never rains but it pours	This expression is used to comment on the fact that when something bad happens, other bad things often happen too, and make the situation even worse. "First he forgot his briefcase, then he lost his wallet, and when he reached the car park, his car had been stolen - it never rains but it pours!"
Same boat	If two or more parties in the same boat, they are in the same unpleasant or difficult situation. "When the factory closed down, the workers all found themselves in the same boat."
The shoe is on the other foot	When the circumstances have reversed and one person now doing what the the other person did in the past, you can say that the shoe is on the other foot. "I used to advise my children to eat healthy food. Now my daughter is a nutritionist and the shoe is on the other foot - she advises me!"
On a sticky wicket	If you find yourself on a sticky wicket, you are in a situation that is difficult to deal with. "They've refused to sign the contract so we're on a sticky wicket now!"
Uncharted waters	If you are in uncharted waters, you are in a situation that you have never experienced before, so you don't know what is going to happen. "In some countries, democracy is an adventure into uncharted waters."
When push comes to shove.	You use the expression when push comes to shove to refer to what you will do when a situation makes it necessary to take action.
When in Rome, do as the Romans.	This expression means that you should adopt the customs of the people or country you are visiting, and behave in the same way.
Win-win	The term win-win refers to a situation or proposition where both or all parties benefit from the outcome. "There were smiles all round when the contract was signed - it was a win-win situation."

more idioms home copyright © k.beke. all rights reserved.