English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
SUCCESS and FAILURE, page 8
from: 'smash hit' to: 'have the world by its tail'
- smash hit
- A very successful performance in music, films, theatre, etc.
is called a smash hit.
"The film 'Titanic' was a smash hit all over the world."
- A very successful performance in music, films, theatre, etc.
is called a smash hit.
- snatch victory from the jaws of defeat
- If you manage to win something such as a match or a contest,
when you are on the verge of losing, you snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
"With a last-minute goal, the team snatched victory form the jaws of defeat."
- If you manage to win something such as a match or a contest,
when you are on the verge of losing, you snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
- spread yourself too thin
- If you spread yourself too thin, you do too many
things at the same time and can't do any of them well.
"Don't spread yourself too thin or you'll get nowhere."
- If you spread yourself too thin, you do too many
things at the same time and can't do any of them well.
- stay one jump ahead
- If you stay one jump ahead, you are more successful than your competitors
because you keep an advantage over them by making sure you are better informed or taking action before they do.
"He is a successful journalist because he always stays one jump ahead of the others."
- If you stay one jump ahead, you are more successful than your competitors
because you keep an advantage over them by making sure you are better informed or taking action before they do.
- strike while the iron is hot
- This expression means that you should do something immediately because
now is the ideal time to do it and you should not miss the opportunity.
"They're offering a really good deal. If I were you, I'd strike while the iron is hot!"
- This expression means that you should do something immediately because
now is the ideal time to do it and you should not miss the opportunity.
- throws a spanner (or a wrench) 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 are keen to sign the agreement before anything happens to 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.
- 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."
- If you throw in the towel, you admit that you cannot succeed.
- top dog
- To say that a person, group or country is top dog
means that they are more successful or more powerful than others.
"Elizabeth is top dog in cosmetics today."
- To say that a person, group or country is top dog
means that they are more successful or more powerful than others.
- come up trumps
- To say that someone has come up trumps means that they
have succeeded in achieving unexpectedly good results.
"Against all expectations, our team came up trumps in the cup final."
- To say that someone has come up trumps means that they
have succeeded in achieving unexpectedly good results.
- on the up and up
- If you are on the up and up,
you are becoming increasingly successful.
"The architect has been on the up and up since he designed a building in Dubai."
- If you are on the up and up,
you are becoming increasingly successful.
- weather the storm
- If you weather the storm, you succeed in surviving a
difficult period or situation.
"Given the current recession, the company is weathering the storm better than most."
- If you weather the storm, you succeed in surviving a
difficult period or situation.
- win-win
- The term win-win refers to a situation or proposition
where both or all parties benefit from the outcome.
"There were smiles all round when the contract was signed - it was a win-win situation."
- The term win-win refers to a situation or proposition
where both or all parties benefit from the outcome.
- wither on the vine
- If something withers on the vine, it fails or ceases
to exist because people do not support or encourage it.
"Let's hope the recent efforts towards peace will not wither on the vine."
- If something withers on the vine, it fails or ceases
to exist because people do not support or encourage it.
- 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.
- have the world at your feet
- If you have the world at your feet, you are
extremely successful and greatly admired.
"The talented young actress has the world at her feet."
- If you have the world at your feet, you are
extremely successful and greatly admired.
- have the world by its tail
- Someone who has the world by its tail is very
successful and has many opportunities to
choose from.
"Due to her intelligence and hard work, she now has the world by its tail."
- Someone who has the world by its tail is very
successful and has many opportunities to
choose from.
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Success and failure ...
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