English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms - O
from: 'odds and ends'
to: 'oldest trick in the book'
- odds and ends
- Odds and ends are small articles, or bits and pieces of all sorts, usually of little value.
"You'll probably find it in the top drawer. That's where I keep my odds and ends".
- Odds and ends are small articles, or bits and pieces of all sorts, usually of little value.
- at odds
- If one person is at odds with another, they disagree with each other.
"Sam is at odds with his father over the purchase of a new tractor."
- If one person is at odds with another, they disagree with each other.
- off colour
- If you are off colour, you look or feel ill.
"What's the matter with you Tom? You look a bit off colour today."
- If you are off colour, you look or feel ill.
- off the cuff
- If you speak off the cuff, you say something without any previous thought or preparation.
"Our new mayor handles off-the-cuff interviews very well."
- If you speak off the cuff, you say something without any previous thought or preparation.
- on the off-chance
- If you do something on the off chance, you think there might be a slight possibility of success.
"I went into the supermarket on the off chance that I would find a map."
- If you do something on the off chance, you think there might be a slight possibility of success.
- off the peg
- Clothes that are bought off the peg are purchased in a standard size in a shop and are not made specially for you.
"He can't afford to have his suits made to measure so he buys them off the peg."
- Clothes that are bought off the peg are purchased in a standard size in a shop and are not made specially for you.
- off the record
- If you say something off the record, you do not want anyone to repeat it publicly.
"His comment was made off the record, and shouldn't have been published."
- If you say something off the record, you do not want anyone to repeat it publicly.
- off your rocker
- If you tell someone that they are off their rocker, you think they are completely crazy.
"You're going to give all your money away? You're off your rocker!"
- If you tell someone that they are off their rocker, you think they are completely crazy.
- off the top of your head
- To say something off the top of your head means that you are giving an immediate reaction, and not a carefully considered opinion, so it might not be correct.
"How much do you think it will cost?" "Off the top of my head I'd say around $1000."
- To say something off the top of your head means that you are giving an immediate reaction, and not a carefully considered opinion, so it might not be correct.
- in the offing
- Something that is in the offing is likely to appear or happen soon.
"Apparently a new law on minimum wages is in the offing."
- Something that is in the offing is likely to appear or happen soon.
- pour oil on troubled waters
- If a person pours oil on troubled waters, they do or say something to calm a tense situation or make people stop arguing.
"James is a good negotiator, and is always able to pour oil on troubled waters."
- If a person pours oil on troubled waters, they do or say something to calm a tense situation or make people stop arguing.
- old dog for hard road
- This expression means that experience is invaluable when one is faced with a difficult task.
"The case calls for an experienced lawyer, an old dog for a hard road."
- This expression means that experience is invaluable when one is faced with a difficult task.
- old wives' tale
- A traditional belief or idea which has been proved wrong by science is called an old wives' tale.
"The belief that chocolate causes acne is an old wives' tale."
- A traditional belief or idea which has been proved wrong by science is called an old wives' tale.
- oldest trick in the book
- A well-known and much-used trick, which is still effective today, is called the oldest trick in the book.
"He made a noise to attract my attention while his accomplice stole my wallet - the oldest trick in the book!"
- A well-known and much-used trick, which is still effective today, is called the oldest trick in the book.
More Idioms:
alphabetical lists O ...
more alphabetical lists...