English Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List - T
(Idioms T, page 8 : at each other's throats →
rule of thumb)
| at each other's throats | Two people who are
at each other's throats are always
fighting or arguing. The two candidates for the election are constantly at each other's throats. |
| throw a bone | If you throw
someone a bone, you say something kind
or reward them in some way to make them feel
good. The old man can't help very much but Bill throws him a bone now and then to keep him happy. |
| throw caution to the wind | If you throw
caution to the wind, you start taking
risks and stop worrying about the danger
involved. I decided to throw caution to the wind and invest in my best friend's new company. |
| throw dust in someone's eyes | If you throw
dust in someone's eyes, you prevent
them from seeing the truth by misleading
them. He threw dust in the old lady's eyes by pretending to be a police officer, then stole her jewellery. |
| throw good money after bad | Someone who spends
additional money on something that was
already considered a bad investment is said
to throw good money after bad. Buying a second-hand computer and then spending money to have it repaired is throwing good money after bad! |
| throw money at | If you throw
money at something, you try to solve a
problem by spending money on it, without
using any other methods. The refugee problem cannot be solved just by throwing money at it! |
| throw your hat into the ring | If you throw or
toss your hat in the ring, you announce
that you are going to enter a competition or
take up a challenge. He finally threw his hat in the ring and announced that he was going to stand for election. |
| throw it over the wall | If someone
throws something over the wall, they
deal with part of a problem or project, then
pass the responsibility to another person or
department without any communication or
coordination. You can't just manufacture a product then throw it over the wall to the sales department! |
| throw pearls to pigs | This expression
means that it is wasteful to offer something
valuable or useful to someone who does not
understand or appreciate it. She had a beautifully trained voice but the audience didn't listen - talk about throwing pearls to pigs! |
| throw something together | If you throw
something together, you make or produce
something quickly and without effort. Why don't you stay for dinner - I'll throw something together! |
| throw a spanner in the works | If someone or
something
throws a spanner (or a wrench) in the works,
they do something that causes problems and
prevents the success of a plan or event. The two companies were keen to sign the agreement before anything happened to throw a spanner in the works. |
| throw a tantrum | If a person,
especially a child, throws a tantrum,
they become angry and behave in an
unreasonable way. My sister's little boy is always throwing tantrums - he's thoroughly spoilt! |
| throw in the towel | If you throw in
the towel, you admit that you cannot
succeed. After unsuccessfully competing in several championships, she decided to throw in the towel and go back to college. |
| throw a wobbly/wobbler | When someone,
usually a capricious person, throws a
wobbly, they have a fit of nerves or
bad temper and lose all self-control. He's very calm - not the sort of man to throw a wobbly if he doesn't have a clean shirt! |
| rule of thumb | A rule of thumb
is a general rule which is a handy way of
measuring or calculating something. As a rule of thumb, use one third vinegar and three thirds oil to make a salad dressing. |
| ...back next... | |
alphabetical lists T ...
| T1 | T2 | T3 | T4 | T5 | T6 | T7 | T8 | T9 | T10 | T11 | T12 | T13 | T14 | T15 |
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X-Y-Z |