English Idioms and Expressions 

Idioms: Description of Places, Things and Events-3
from:  'Freudian slip'  to: 'hustle and bustle'

• Freudian slip
  • A Freudian slip is a mistake made by a speaker which is considered to reveal their true thoughts or feelings.
    "So you got the job - I'm so sad ...  Sorry, I mean 'glad'!"
    
    
• with/with no frills
  • Extra things that are added to make something more comfortable or attractive, but not necessary, are referred to as ‘frills’.
    "We booked him a room in an expensive hotel with all the frills."
    "I just need a basic computer with no frills."
    
    
• gizmo
  • The term 'gizmo' refers to a gadget or any small technological item which is unusual or novel, and for which the proper term is unknown or forgotten.
    
    
• go to the dogs
  • If something goes to the dogs, it deteriorates, becomes much worse in quality or is less successful than in the past.
    "Since the previous chef left, the restaurant has gone to the dogs! The quality has greatly deteriorated."
    
    
• go/run to seed
  • If something goes or runs to seed, it lacks proper care and attention or falls into a state of neglect or deterioration over time.
    "They let the family home go to seed and it’s now so shabby that they can’t sell it."
    
    
• going downhill
  • When something goes downhill, it deteriorates or gets worse little by little.
    "The country's economy has been going downhill for the last five years."
    
    
• going to hell in a handcart
  • If something is going to hell in a handcart, it is in a bad state and continues to deteriorate.
    "This used to be a nice place to live but now the area is going to hell in a handcart."
    
    
• going to rack and ruin
  • If something is going to rack and ruin, it is falling into very bad condition because of lack of care.
    "When the factory closed down, the building went to rack and ruin."
    
    
• gutter press
  • The term gutter press refers to newspapers that print a lot of sensational stories about people's private lives.
    "Of course the gutter press was quick to print a sensational version of the incident!"
    
    
• hard and fast
  • Something which is hard and fast is inflexible or cannot be altered.
    "Unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules related to English spelling."
    
    
• hard to come by
  • Something that is hard to come by is rare or difficult to find.
    "Experienced carpenters are hard to come by these days."
    
    
• hard to swallow
  • When something is difficult to accept or believe, it is hard to swallow.
    "She invented an excuse that the teacher found hard to swallow."
    
    
• have a name written on it
  • If something has someone's name (written) on it, it seems intended for that person or it is ideally suited to them.
    "That sweater would be perfect for Dad – it has his name written on it!"
    
    
• have seen better days
  • If something has seen better days, it is in poor condition, old, worn out or greatly deteriorated compared to its original condition.
    "The Majestic Hotel has seen better days I’m afraid. It’s far from its pre-war splendour!"
    
    
• heart of the matter
  • The most important part or aspect of a situation is called the heart of the matter.
    "We need to get to the heart of the matter - what caused the accident?"
    
    
• here today, gone tomorrow
  • This is said of something which appears and disappears very quickly, or does not last long.
    "The shops in this area change very often - here today, gone tomorrow."
    
    
• hidden gem
  • The term 'hidden gem’ is used to describe anything that is exceptional or of high quality, but is not known to many people, for example restaurants or places to visit.
    "We decided to explore the countryside and found a wonderful little inn with an outstanding view and fabulous food – a real hidden gem!"
    
    
• hive of activity
  • A place where there are lots of things happening, and everyone is very busy, is called a hive of activity.
    "When I went to offer help, the kitchen was already a hive of activity."
    
    
• hollow victory
  • A victory obtained in unsatisfactory conditions, which as a result seems worthless or without significance for the winner, is called a hollow victory.
    "Won in the absence of the major ski champions, his gold medal was a hollow victory."
    
    
• hot potato
  • A hot potato is a very sensitive and controversial matter which is difficult to deal with.
    "The new Prime Minister hasn't been confronted with any hot potatoes yet."
    
    
• household name/word
  • When the name of something becomes very familiar because it is so often used, it is called a household name or word.
    "The product was so successful that its name became a household word in no time."
    
    
• hustle and bustle
  • The term hustle and bustle refers to busy energetic activity in an atmosphere of general excitement.
    "I prefer to live in the country. I hate the hustle and bustle of city life."