English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms C, page 9
Idioms C, page 9: from: 'clock in/out' to: 'cold shoulder'
- clock in / clock out
- When you clock in or out, you record the time
you arrive or leave your job by punching a time clock to show the number of hours
you have worked.
"I'm going to clock out early today. I've got a dental appointment"
- When you clock in or out, you record the time
you arrive or leave your job by punching a time clock to show the number of hours
you have worked.
- like clockwork
- To say that someone or something goes, runs or behaves like
clockwork means that everything happens exactly as expected.
"Meals are always served on time. In their home everything runs like clockwork."
- To say that someone or something goes, runs or behaves like
clockwork means that everything happens exactly as expected.
- close but no cigar
- This expression refers to an effort to do something which
was a good attempt but not quite good enough to succeed.
"The ball touched the goal post - close but no cigar!"
- This expression refers to an effort to do something which
was a good attempt but not quite good enough to succeed.
- close call
- If something happens, or is avoided or missed, with very
little margin, it is called a close call.
"She was re-elected as head of the committee by getting just two more votes than her rivals – it was a close call."
- If something happens, or is avoided or missed, with very
little margin, it is called a close call.
- close shave
- This term describes a situation where an accident or a disaster
nearly happened.
"I almost hit the child who ran out in front of my car. It was a close shave."
- This term describes a situation where an accident or a disaster
nearly happened.
- close to home
- If a remark or comment is close to home, it is so
true, or it affects you so directly, that you feel uncomfortable.
"Alan looks embarrassed. Bob's comment must have been close to home."
- If a remark or comment is close to home, it is so
true, or it affects you so directly, that you feel uncomfortable.
- close (or dumb) as an oyster
- Someone who is asclose (or 'dumb') as an oyster
will never reveal something told in confidence, or betray a secret.
"Sophie will never repeat what you tell her. She's as close as an oyster."
- Someone who is asclose (or 'dumb') as an oyster
will never reveal something told in confidence, or betray a secret.
- cloud cuckoo land
- This expression refers to an imaginary unrealistic place
where everything is perfect and impossible things can happen.
"Anyone who thinks these measures are going to solve the crisis is living in cloud-cuckoo-land!"
- This expression refers to an imaginary unrealistic place
where everything is perfect and impossible things can happen.
- on cloud nine
- A person who is on cloud nine is very happy because
something wonderful has happened.
"When the boss announced my promotion, I was on cloud nine."
- A person who is on cloud nine is very happy because
something wonderful has happened.
- cloud on the horizon
- A problem or difficulty that is predictable, or seems
likely to arise in the future, is called a cloud on the horizon.
"They are happily married and for the moment there appear to be no clouds on the horizon."
- A problem or difficulty that is predictable, or seems
likely to arise in the future, is called a cloud on the horizon.
- not have a clue
- If you don't have a clue about something, you don't
know anything about it.
"My wife's grandmother's maiden name? I don't have a clue!"
- If you don't have a clue about something, you don't
know anything about it.
- (the) coast is clear
- To say that the coast is clear means that there is no
danger in sight or that nobody can see you.
"OK. The dog has gone inside. The coast is clear."
- To say that the coast is clear means that there is no
danger in sight or that nobody can see you.
- cog in the machine
- If you say that someone is a cog in the machine,
you mean that, while they are necessary, they only play a small part in an
organisation or plan.
"The police quickly realised that the suspect was just a cog in the machine."
- If you say that someone is a cog in the machine,
you mean that, while they are necessary, they only play a small part in an
organisation or plan.
- cold calls
- If you make cold calls, you telephone potential
customers from a list of people you do not know.
"In my first job I had to make cold calls using the telephone directory."
- If you make cold calls, you telephone potential
customers from a list of people you do not know.
- cold shoulder
- To give someone the cold shoulder means to deliberately ignore them.
"After giving my opinion, he gave me the cold shoulder."
- To give someone the cold shoulder means to deliberately ignore them.
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