English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms - L, page 5
from: 'lick your lips'
to: 'make light work'
- lick/smack your lips
- A person who is licking (or smacking) their lips
is showing that they are excited about something and are eager for it to happen.
"He was licking his lips at the idea of the money he was going to make."
- A person who is licking (or smacking) their lips
is showing that they are excited about something and are eager for it to happen.
- a lick and a promise
- If you give something a lick and a promise, you make
a quick attempt to clean it, with the intention of doing it more thoroughly later.
"She gave the kitchen a lick and a promise before she ran to catch the bus."
- If you give something a lick and a promise, you make
a quick attempt to clean it, with the intention of doing it more thoroughly later.
- lick into shape
- If you make an effort to put someone or something
into satisfactory condition or appearance, you lick them into shape.
"I've got to lick this place into shape before my in-laws arrive."
- If you make an effort to put someone or something
into satisfactory condition or appearance, you lick them into shape.
- lick someone's boots
- To say that one person is licking another's boots means that
they are trying to please that person, often in order to obtain something.
"Sam is licking the manager's boots in the hope of obtaining a pay rise."
- To say that one person is licking another's boots means that
they are trying to please that person, often in order to obtain something.
- lick one's wounds
- When a person licks their wounds, they try to recover
their confidence or spirits after a defeat, failure or disappointment.
"Poor Harry is licking his wounds after being dropped from the team."
- When a person licks their wounds, they try to recover
their confidence or spirits after a defeat, failure or disappointment.
- keep a lid on
- If you keep the lid on something, you hide it or control it to prevent people from finding out about it.
"The company tried to keep a lid on the negotiations but word got out to the press."
- If you keep the lid on something, you hide it or control it to prevent people from finding out about it.
- lie in
- If you lie in, you stay in bed after the normal time for getting up.
"Great! Tomorrow I'm not on duty so I can lie in!"
- If you lie in, you stay in bed after the normal time for getting up.
- lie your way in/out (of something)
- If you obtain something or get out of a situation by
telling lies or giving false information, you lie your way in or out of it.
"He lied his way into a well-paid position."
- If you obtain something or get out of a situation by
telling lies or giving false information, you lie your way in or out of it.
- lie through your teeth
- If you lie through your teeth, you lie openly and brazenly, knowing that what you are saying
is completely false.
"I saw him breaking the window. If he denies it, he'll be lying through his teeth."
- If you lie through your teeth, you lie openly and brazenly, knowing that what you are saying
is completely false.
- white lie
- If you tell a white lie, you say something which is
not true in order to protect someone or to avoid hurting their feelings.
"Some parents prefer to tell their children a white lie rather than announce bad news."
- If you tell a white lie, you say something which is
not true in order to protect someone or to avoid hurting their feelings.
- risk life and limb
- If you risk life and limb, you are in danger of death or serious injury.
"The roads are icy today; you'll risk life and limb if you go by car."
- If you risk life and limb, you are in danger of death or serious injury.
- life of Riley
- A person who lives the life of Riley has a comfortable and enjoyable life without
having to make much effort.
"He married a millionaire, and since then he's been living the life of Riley!"
- A person who lives the life of Riley has a comfortable and enjoyable life without
having to make much effort.
- life is just a bowl of cherries
- This expression means that life is pleasant and uncomplicated.
(This phrase is often used ironically to mean the opposite.)
"Now that he's retired, my grandfather says 'life is just a bowl of cherries'."
- This expression means that life is pleasant and uncomplicated.
- life and soul of the party
- The life and soul of the party is a sociable person who is the most lively,
amusing or entertaining person present at an event or gathering.
"I'm so glad we invited Emily. She was the life and soul of the party."
- The life and soul of the party is a sociable person who is the most lively,
amusing or entertaining person present at an event or gathering.
- (not) lift a finger
- Someone who doesnot lift a finger makes no effort to help or provide assistance when it is needed.
"Many people saw the boy falling off his bike but not one of them lifted a finger."
- Someone who doesnot lift a finger makes no effort to help or provide assistance when it is needed.
- light bulb moment
- A light bulb moment is when you have a sudden moment of inspiration, comprehension or realization.
"Danny had a light-bulb moment when he finally realized what was blocking the mechanism."
- A light bulb moment is when you have a sudden moment of inspiration, comprehension or realization.
- light at end of tunnel
- If you see light at the end of the tunnel, you see signs of hope for the future after a long period of difficulty.
"Sales dropped heavily last year but we're beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel."
- If you see light at the end of the tunnel, you see signs of hope for the future after a long period of difficulty.
- light years ahead
- If someone or something is light years ahead, they are far more advanced in terms of development or progress.
"We've got to invest more in research - our competitors are light years ahead!"
- If someone or something is light years ahead, they are far more advanced in terms of development or progress.
- make light work
- When a person makes light work of something, they do it very easily or with little effort.
"After the party, the boys made light work of the cleaning up. The house was spotless in no time."
- When a person makes light work of something, they do it very easily or with little effort.
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