English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms W, page 8
Idioms W, page 8: from: 'touch wood' to: 'work like a charm'
- touch/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.
- wooden spoon
- The person who finishes last in a race or
competition receives an imaginary prize called the wooden spoon.
"Our team got the wooden spoon in this year's tournament."
- The person who finishes last in a race or
competition receives an imaginary prize called the wooden spoon.
- come out of the woodwork
- When things, or people, come out of the woodwork,
they appear or emerge unexpectedly, as if from nowhere, and usually in large numbers.
"As soon as we added the swimming pool, our children had 'friends' coming out of the woodwork!"
- When things, or people, come out of the woodwork,
they appear or emerge unexpectedly, as if from nowhere, and usually in large numbers.
- wool-gathering
- A person who is wool-gathering is daydreaming and not
concentrating on what his happening; their thoughts are elsewhere.
"Justin spent the whole afternoon wool-gathering. He must be in love!"
- A person who is wool-gathering is daydreaming and not
concentrating on what his happening; their thoughts are elsewhere.
- by word of mouth
- Information passed on through conversation is transmitted
by word of mouth.
"No announcement was necessary - the news had already spread by word of mouth."
- Information passed on through conversation is transmitted
by word of mouth.
- from the word go
- This expression means from the very beginning of an activity.
"Right from the word go he was rejected by the rest of the group."
- This expression means from the very beginning of an activity.
- (not) get a word in edgeways
- During a discussion, if you can't get a word in
edgeways, you can't say something because the others are talking so much.
"I tried to give my opinion, but I couldn't get a word in edgeways."
- During a discussion, if you can't get a word in
edgeways, you can't say something because the others are talking so much.
- put in a good word
- If you put in a good word for someone, you say positive
things in support of that person in order to help them.
"If you apply for the job, I'll put in a good word for you."
- If you put in a good word for someone, you say positive
things in support of that person in order to help them.
- put words in someone's mouth
- If you claim that someone has said something, or suggest what
they should say, you are putting words in their mouth.
"You're putting words in my mouth. I did not say I saw Mr. Brown. I said I saw his car!"
- If you claim that someone has said something, or suggest what
they should say, you are putting words in their mouth.
- words fail me
- This expression is often used when someone is so shocked,
surprised or touched by something that they don't know what to say.
"What do you think of Bob's attitude?" "Words fail me!"
- This expression is often used when someone is so shocked,
surprised or touched by something that they don't know what to say.
- words of one syllable
- If you explain something in words of one syllable, you use
very simple language.
"Not so fast! Tell me in words of one syllable!"
- If you explain something in words of one syllable, you use
very simple language.
- (have your) work cut out
- If you have to face a difficult task or a challenging situation,
you have your work cut out for you.
"I've got a month to reorganise the accounts department. I have my work cut out for me!"
- If you have to face a difficult task or a challenging situation,
you have your work cut out for you.
- work your fingers to the bone
- A person who works their fingers to the bone is
extremely hardworking.
"He deserves his success; he worked his fingers to the bone when he started the business."
- A person who works their fingers to the bone is
extremely hardworking.
- work like a charm
- If something such as a product or method works like a
charm, it functions very well or has the desired effect.
"I tried cleaning it with vinegar and it worked like a charm!"
- If something such as a product or method works like a
charm, it functions very well or has the desired effect.
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Please note that British English spelling is used on this website.