English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms - W, page 6
from: 'knock/take wind out of'
to: 'wise after the event'
- knock/take wind out of sails
- If someone or something knocks or takes the wind out of
your sails, they make you feel less confident by doing or saying something that you do not expect.
"The manager's rejection of our marketing strategy really took the wind out of our sails."
- If someone or something knocks or takes the wind out of
your sails, they make you feel less confident by doing or saying something that you do not expect.
- know which way wind blows
- This expression means that it is advisable to know how a situation is
developing, or what the tendency is, in order to be prepared for any changes.
"Before we decide on anything, we need to know which way the wind is blowing "
- This expression means that it is advisable to know how a situation is
developing, or what the tendency is, in order to be prepared for any changes.
- wind(s) of change
- The expression wind(s) of change refers to an event or a growing tendancy
that will cause widespread changes or results.
"Ever since the introduction of democratic elections, winds of change are sweeping through the country."
- The expression wind(s) of change refers to an event or a growing tendancy
that will cause widespread changes or results.
- wind up / wound up
- If someone is so excited that they talk non-stop, they are wound up.
"Claire had so much to tell us after her trip that she was wound up."
- If someone is so excited that they talk non-stop, they are wound up.
- window on the world
- When something provides an opportunity to observe and learn
about people and life in other countries, it is called a window on the world.
"The internet has become a window on the world."
- When something provides an opportunity to observe and learn
about people and life in other countries, it is called a window on the world.
- window shopping
- When people go window shopping, they look at things
in shop windows, without actually purchasing anything.
"I haven't been paid yet, so I can only go window shopping."
- When people go window shopping, they look at things
in shop windows, without actually purchasing anything.
- go out the window
- If a quality, principle or opportunity goes out the window, it disappears, is lost or is abandoned.
"When the plant closed down, all hopes of finding a job went out the window."
- If a quality, principle or opportunity goes out the window, it disappears, is lost or is abandoned.
- (can't put) new wine in old bottles
- This expression means that you should not try to combine new concepts or innovations with an old or long-established framework or system.
"You'll never get that program to work on your father's old computer. You can't put new wine in old bottles!"
- This expression means that you should not try to combine new concepts or innovations with an old or long-established framework or system.
- wing it
- To wing it means to improvise or to deal with a situation without preparation.
"She didn't expect to be interviewed so she just had to wing it."
- To wing it means to improvise or to deal with a situation without preparation.
- take under your wing
- If you offer guidance and protection to someone younger or less experienced, you take them under your wing.
"I owe a lot to Andy who took me under his wing when I first arrived."
- If you offer guidance and protection to someone younger or less experienced, you take them under your wing.
- (not get a) wink of sleep
- If someone doesn't get a wink of sleep, they don't sleep a all.
"It was so noisy in the hotel, I didn't get a wink of sleep."
- If someone doesn't get a wink of sleep, they don't sleep a all.
- winning ways
- A person who has winning ways has a charming or
persuasive manner of gaining the affection of others or obtaining what they want.
"My grandson is hard to resist - he's got such winning ways."
- A person who has winning ways has a charming or
persuasive manner of gaining the affection of others or obtaining what they want.
- wipe the slate clean
- If you wipe the slate clean, you make a fresh start and forget all past offences, disagreements or mistakes.
"When their father died, Bob and his brother decided to wipe the slate clean and forget the old family quarrels."
- If you wipe the slate clean, you make a fresh start and forget all past offences, disagreements or mistakes.
- wipe that smile off
- This expression is often used by parents or people in authority to indicate that the situation is not amusing at all.
"This is a very serious matter, so wipe that smile off your face!"
- This expression is often used by parents or people in authority to indicate that the situation is not amusing at all.
- get wires crossed
- If people get their wires crossed, they misunderstand each other or are confused about what was said.
"We must have got our wires crossed. I thought we were to meet at the hotel."
- If people get their wires crossed, they misunderstand each other or are confused about what was said.
- (as) wise as an owl
- Someone who is as wise as an owl is very knowledgeable and experienced.
"Mr.Knowles is the best person to ask for advice. He’s as wise as an owl."
- Someone who is as wise as an owl is very knowledgeable and experienced.
- wise after the event
- When someone understands, after something has happened, what could have been done to prevent it from happening, they are wise after the event.
"In retrospect, I suppose I should have understood that the boy was in difficulty and offered to help, but it's easy to be wise after the event."
- When someone understands, after something has happened, what could have been done to prevent it from happening, they are wise after the event.
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