English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms - T, page 12
from: 'toot your own horn'
to: 'tower of strength'
- toot your own horn
- If you toot your own horn, you like to boast about your abilities and achievements.
"Ben is very discreet about his success. He doesn't go round tooting his own horn. "
- If you toot your own horn, you like to boast about your abilities and achievements.
- (fight) tooth and nail
- If you fight tooth and nail for something, you fight with all your energy.
"The Transport Minister fought tooth and nail to have the proposed road safety law accepted."
- If you fight tooth and nail for something, you fight with all your energy.
- top dog
- To say that a person, group or country is top dog means that they are better or more powerful than others.
"She's top dog in cosmetics today."
- To say that a person, group or country is top dog means that they are better or more powerful than others.
- at the) top of your lungs
- If you shout at the top of your lungs, you shout as loudly as you possibly can.
"The place was so noisy that I had to shout at the top of my lungs to be heard."
- If you shout at the top of your lungs, you shout as loudly as you possibly can.
- 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."
- To say that something is top notch means that it is of the highest possible quality or standard.
- (on) top of the world
- If you feel on top of the world, you are extremely happy because everything is going well for you.
"It's been such a good year for Amy that she feels on top of the world."
- If you feel on top of the world, you are extremely happy because everything is going well for you.
- toss up
- When there are two options or possibilities to choose from, and both are equally good, the choice between the two
is called a toss-up (like tossing a coin).
"Both boxers are in excellent condition. It's a toss-up which of them will win."
- When there are two options or possibilities to choose from, and both are equally good, the choice between the two
is called a toss-up (like tossing a coin).
- touch base
- If you touch base with someone, you make contact or renew communication with them.
"I'll try to touch base with you next week in London."
- If you touch base with someone, you make contact or renew communication with them.
- (at the) touch of a button
- If you can do something at the touch of a button, you can do it very easily, often thanks to technology.
"From now on the nursing staff can be alerted at the touch of a button."
- If you can do something at the touch of a button, you can do it very easily, often thanks to technology.
- touch wood / knock on wood
- This humorous expression, based on superstition, is used to avoid bad luck, often while touching something made of wood.
"The order will be confirmed shortly - touch wood!"
- This humorous expression, based on superstition, is used to avoid bad luck, often while touching something made of wood.
- (not) touch with a ten-foot pole
- If you decide not to touch something with a ten-foot pole, you prefer to stay far away from it.
"I wouldn't touch politics with a ten-foot pole!"
- If you decide not to touch something with a ten-foot pole, you prefer to stay far away from it.
- touch and go
- If something is touch-and-go, the outcome or result is uncertain.
"Dave's life is out of danger now, but it was touch-and-go after the operation."
- If something is touch-and-go, the outcome or result is uncertain.
- (as) tough as old boots
- If something, especially meat, is (as) tough as old boots, it is hard to cut and difficult to chew.
(This can also refer to a person who is strong either physically or in character.)
"I was served a steak as tough as old boots."
- If something, especially meat, is (as) tough as old boots, it is hard to cut and difficult to chew.
- tough cookie
- A person who is a tough cookie is someone with a strong and determined character who is not easily intimidated, discouraged or defeated.
"I'm not worried about Jason's future - he's a tough cookie!"
- A person who is a tough cookie is someone with a strong and determined character who is not easily intimidated, discouraged or defeated.
- tower of strength
- The term tower of strength is used to describe a
person who is very helpful and supportive during difficult times.
"All during my illness, my sister was a tower of strength."
- The term tower of strength is used to describe a
person who is very helpful and supportive during difficult times.
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