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The A drawer

181 phrases beginning with A.

A bad egg A dishonest, untrustworthy, or thoroughly unpleasant person. The metaphor is of an egg that looks fine on the outside but is rotten inside, so it…
A bad hair day Literally, a day when one's hair will not behave or look right; far more often, a day when everything seems to go wrong and one feels generally…
A baker's dozen Thirteen items rather than the usual twelve; a group or quantity of thirteen. It is used when something comes in an unexpectedly generous count, and…
A baptism of fire A person's first experience of a severe ordeal, classically a soldier's first time under fire in battle; by extension any demanding initiation into a…
A battle of wills A contest in which two people or groups each refuse to yield, each betting the other will break first. Neither side argues so much as endures -…
A bee in your bonnet To have a bee in your bonnet is to be obsessively preoccupied with one particular idea, usually one you keep bringing up in conversation. It implies a…
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush Having something certain now beats chasing uncertain gains later.
A bit part A small acting role with only a few lines, ranking below a supporting part and just above work as an extra; by extension, anyone's minor walk-on role…
A bitter pill to swallow Something painful, disappointing, or humiliating that must be accepted even though it is very hard to accept. Applied to unwelcome news, defeats…
A black day A day marked by disaster, defeat, tragedy or heavy loss; commonly said of accidents, military defeats, sackings and market crashes ('a black day for…
A bolt from the blue A sudden, completely unexpected event or piece of news that shocks like a lightning strike on a cloudless day. Typically used of dismissals…
A brush with death A moment of coming very close to dying: a near-encounter with death that grazes you and passes on. By extension, a brush with anything unpleasant is a…
A bull in a china shop A person who is recklessly clumsy, tactless, or heavy-handed in a situation that calls for delicacy, care, or diplomacy, and who therefore risks…
A bun in the oven A humorous, indirect way of saying that someone is pregnant. It is informal and conversational, typically said about rather than by the person…
A cameo appearance A brief appearance by a well-known person in a play, film, show or broadcast, smaller than a supporting role and prized exactly for its brevity; by…
A canary in the coal mine A person, group, or thing whose distress or failure gives the first warning of a danger that will soon threaten everyone else. Borrowed from miners…
A Cassandra warning An accurate prediction of disaster that nobody believes - delivered by someone whose very correctness makes them easy to dismiss. Calling someone a…
A cat on a hot tin roof Restless or edgy, all nerves.
A charmed life An existence that seems magically protected, in which a person repeatedly escapes danger, failure, or misfortune that would strike anyone else…
A chip off the old block A person much like their parent, sharing traits.
A cloud on the horizon A sign of trouble or difficulty that has not yet arrived but can be seen coming; a looming problem that threatens an otherwise good situation. Very…
A cock and bull story An absurd, far-fetched, or obviously false account offered as an explanation or excuse; an implausible tale. It implies the listener is not expected…
A cold front Meteorology: the leading edge of an advancing mass of cooler air, which slides beneath and displaces warmer air at ground level, typically bringing a…
A cold snap A short, sudden spell of unusually cold weather, arriving abruptly and usually easing within a few days. The noun snap supplies the sharpness of the…
A cross to bear A burden of misfortune, guilt, or duty that someone must carry alone and indefinitely - an affliction so identified with its bearer that the two seem…
A Daniel come to judgment A description of an exceptionally wise and just judge, usually a young and unexpected one. The phrase praises decisive, penetrating judgment - someone…
A dark horse An unexpected contender or winner, a surprise.
A day late and a dollar short Too late and too inadequate to matter; describes a response or effort that misses its moment and would have been insufficient even if it had arrived…
A diamond in the rough Someone with genuinely good qualities or outstanding potential whose manners, background, or appearance are unpolished. The saying is usually…
A different kettle of fish A completely different matter or situation; something quite separate from the thing just mentioned, usually contrasted in scale, difficulty, or kind…
A dime a dozen Very common and cheap, plentiful as dirt.
A dish fit for the gods Food - or by extension anything - of superb, luxurious quality, so fine it would be worthy of the gods. Mostly a playful, elevated compliment about a…
A dog's breakfast A mess, muddle, or badly botched job; something thrown together without care, order, or polish. It is chiefly British, informal, and always…
A drop in the bucket A tiny part of a big whole, barely a dent.
A fair day's work An honest, reasonable amount of labour for one working day. Almost always one half of the classic labour formula 'a fair day's wage (or pay) for a…
A fair-weather friend A person who is friendly, helpful or loyal only while things go well, and disappears when trouble, hardship or misfortune arrives. The model for later…
A fate worse than death Humorously, any ordeal so dreadful that dying would seem preferable - a modern catch-all for terrible experiences, from a dull holiday to an evening…
A favorite son A politician favored above all by their own people: originally a candidate put up by a home-state delegation at a national party convention, usually…
A feather in your cap An achievement, honour, or distinction that someone can be proud of and that enhances their reputation.
A fish out of water A person who is conspicuously uncomfortable or out of place, because the situation does not fit their skills, habits, or temperament. Nearly always…
A flash in the pan A conspicuous early success or display that quickly fails to produce lasting results. Usually dismissive. The pan is part of a firearm's ignition…
A fly in the ointment A small flaw that spoils the whole, a tiny snag.
A fly on the wall An unnoticed witness to private events. To wish you had been a fly on the wall is to wish you could have secretly watched a meeting, argument, or…
A fool and his money are soon parted An imprudent person quickly loses money through bad judgement or exploitation. Usually judgemental and sometimes victim-blaming. Modern singular they…
A foregone conclusion An outcome treated as inevitable or effectively decided before full consideration. Often used with not or far from to reject overconfidence. It can…
A friend in need is a friend indeed A true friend proves loyal by helping when you are in difficulty. Indeed is standard. The punning spelling in deed can emphasize help shown through…
A frog in your throat A temporary hoarseness or croaky, phlegmy quality in the voice that makes clear speech difficult. Someone with a frog in their throat is not seriously…
A golden opportunity An exceptionally favourable chance to do, get or achieve something, usually one that may not come again. The adjective carries gold's associations of…
A good egg A decent, kind, dependable person - someone likeable and trustworthy; a good fellow. It also worked as an exclamation of approval ('Good egg!'). Warm…
A gut feeling An instinctive, immediate sense that something is right or wrong - a judgment felt in the body rather than reasoned out, based on instinct and…
A hard nut to crack A problem, task or person that is unusually difficult to solve, influence or get to know; 'a tough nut to crack' is an equally common variant. It…
A hard row to hoe A difficult, demanding task or dispiriting set of circumstances to get through; the underlying farming image is hand-hoeing a long crop row that is…
A kingmaker A person who uses behind-the-scenes influence to decide who gains power, especially in politics, without seeking the top job personally: a party boss…
A knee-jerk reaction An automatic, unthinking response, especially a predictable opinion or objection formed out of habit or emotion rather than examination of the facts…
A labour of Hercules A task of enormous size or difficulty, demanding exceptional strength, stamina, or endurance - work on a scale that ordinary effort will not touch…
A labour of love Work undertaken chiefly from affection, commitment or enjoyment rather than for reward. Labour is British spelling and labor American. The work can be…
A landslide victory An election win so decisive that the opposition is figuratively swept away and buried, the winner's majority overwhelming and the result beyond doubt…
A laughing stock A person, group or thing made an object of widespread ridicule. Modern dictionaries usually close the compound as laughingstock, while British…
A law unto themselves People who follow their own standards rather than ordinary rules or outside authority. Pronouns change with the subject. Modern use is often…
A leap of faith A commitment made without proof - believing the unprovable, or acting on an outcome nobody can guarantee. The phrase half-admits the gap it crosses…
A leopard can't change its spots A person's core nature or habits are unalterable, no matter how they try to appear otherwise, suggesting deep-seated traits persist like a leopard's…
A level playing field A fair basis for competition - rules and conditions that give no participant an artificial advantage. The phrase is the standard demand of anyone who…
A licence to print money An arrangement so effortlessly and reliably profitable that its holder might as well be legally authorised to manufacture banknotes; almost always…
A litmus test A single decisive check whose result settles a question or reveals a true position. Borrowed from the chemistry test in which litmus dye changes…
A little bird told me A playful way of saying that you learned something from an informant you prefer not to name. It typically teases or gently signals that you know a…
A lone wolf A person who prefers to work, act, or live alone rather than as part of a group; an individualist who keeps apart from teams, parties, and social…
A long shot Something unlikely to succeed or only remotely possible, such as a risky bet, a doubtful plan or an outsider's chances. Works as a noun ('that rescue…
A match made in heaven A pairing of two people, or by extension two things, that is perfectly suited or unusually successful. Originally said of marriages, it now describes…
A mentor An experienced, trusted adviser who guides someone newer - in a craft, a career, or a life. The word implies patient, personal transmission: less a…
A month of Sundays An extremely long or seemingly endless period, usually in negative statements about likelihood. Informal hyperbole. In a negative construction it can…
A moveable feast An event, arrangement or state of affairs that has no fixed date or schedule and shifts as circumstances change, such as a deadline that keeps moving…
A needle in a haystack A person or thing that is extremely difficult, or practically impossible, to find because it is hidden within a much larger search area or mass of…
A nemesis An unstoppable agent of someone's downfall - the rival who always beats them, the fate that catches them, occasionally their own worst habit. In…
A nine days' wonder A person, event, or sensation that attracts intense public excitement for a very short time and is then forgotten. The phrase now sounds dated or…
A parting shot A final remark or gesture, typically barbed or pointed, delivered as someone leaves or just before an exchange ends; usually a single cutting comment…
A pat on the back Praise, approval, encouragement or sympathy expressed through a gesture, remark or small reward rather than anything substantial. Frequently follows…
A penny for your thoughts A friendly prompt asking what someone is thinking, typically addressed to a person who has gone quiet or is staring absently into the distance. It…
A perfect storm An unusually bad or volatile situation produced when several problems or forces, each manageable on its own, coincide; the rare combination, not any…
A phoenix A person or thing of unique excellence, or anything that rises renewed from its own destruction - the one-of-its-kind bird that burns and returns. The…
A pretty kettle of fish A muddle, mess or awkward state of affairs; an embarrassing predicament. Almost always ironic, with pretty, fine or nice doing the opposite of its…
A pretty penny A considerable amount of money. Usually said of something expensive ('cost a pretty penny') or of a handsome profit or income ('made a pretty penny')…
A Pyrrhic victory A win so costly to the winner that it is barely distinguishable from losing. The damage may be in money, manpower, reputation, or political capital…
A ray of sunshine A person or thing that brings cheer to an otherwise gloomy situation, like a single beam of sun on a dull day. Frequently said affectionately of an…
A rearguard action A defensive struggle fought to slow a defeat that can no longer be prevented, or to cover a retreat. Figuratively it describes resistance to…
A recipe for disaster A combination of actions, circumstances, or ingredients that makes a bad outcome almost inevitable. Borrowing the language of cookery, it says that if…
A red rag to a bull Something that reliably provokes anger, indignation, or an aggressive reaction from a person or group. Chiefly British; American English tends to…
A red-letter day A memorably happy, important or significant day; a personal or public highlight worth marking. The phrase began as a literal label for saints' days…
A rising tide lifts all boats A proverbial claim that broad economic growth benefits everyone in society, so policy should favour general expansion over targeted redistribution…
A rolling stone gathers no moss Someone always on the move stays free of ties, unrooted.
A run for your money Most often in 'give someone a run for their money': to push a rival hard and make them earn the win, even if you lose. In 'get or have a run for your…
A sair fecht A hard struggle, or a wry acknowledgement that life is difficult. Regional and often wry. The phrase can express real hardship without inviting a…
A sea change A profound transformation in character, condition, policy or outlook. Means a major transformation, not merely any alteration. Hyphenation is optional…
A shaggy dog story A long, rambling joke or anecdote, packed with deliberate detours and irrelevant detail, that ends in a flat or absurd punchline. The comedy lies in…
A shot across the bow A warning that stronger action will follow unless the recipient changes course. The phrase covers everything from a regulatory letter to a shock…
A shot in the arm Something that provides a sudden stimulus, boost, or encouragement - an event, piece of news, or infusion of money that revives energy, confidence, or…
A shot in the dark A guess or attempt made with little or no information and only a slim hope of success; a wild guess rather than a calculated risk. Usually in the…
A shoulder to cry on A person who offers sympathy and comfort to someone who is upset, chiefly by listening patiently rather than by fixing anything. Describes emotional…
A sight for sore eyes Someone or something that is very welcome or pleasing to see, especially after a long absence, a wait, or a spell of difficulty; a person whose…
A siren call An appeal hard to resist that leads, if obeyed, to a bad end - the tempting offer, cause, or ideology whose believers end up wrecked. The siren song…
A Sisyphean task Work that can never be finished - every advance undone, every completion immediately needing to be begun again. The phrase is for treadmill labours…
A slap on the wrist A punishment so mild it barely registers - a token fine, a symbolic suspension, a stern letter. The phrase is nearly always a complaint that the…
A smash hit An outstandingly successful show, film, song, game or product; a success so emphatic it dominates its field for a season. Originally entertainment…
A smoke-filled room A private gathering of party bosses, power brokers, or executives where decisions are made in secret and later presented as done deals - above all the…
A smoking gun A piece of evidence so direct that it settles a question at a glance - the memo with the guilty sentence, the ledger that matches the denial. The…
A snake in the grass A treacherous or deceitful person who poses as friendly, or whose hostility stays hidden; by extension, a danger that looks harmless until it strikes…
A soft answer turns away wrath A calm, gentle reply can defuse another person's anger and prevent a quarrel from escalating. Traditional and slightly formal. It describes…
A sop to Cerberus A concession or bribe given to quiet someone troublesome - a small offering whose only purpose is to get a difficulty, critic, or watchdog out of the…
A sound bite A brief extract, originally an audio or television clip of someone speaking, short enough to drop into a news bulletin; by extension any pithy…
A square meal A substantial, nourishing meal that fully satisfies hunger; not a snack or a token plate of food but a solid, properly filling one. Coined in the…
A stab in the back An act of betrayal by someone trusted, such as a friend, ally, or colleague; a treacherous deed carried out from a position of confidence rather than…
A stage whisper A whisper deliberately loud enough to be overheard, speech meant to look private while actually intended for nearby listeners; also the theatrical…
A stitch in time saves nine Taking prompt action to fix a small problem prevents it from growing into a much larger one, much like a timely stitch in torn fabric stops a tear…
A stone's throw Very close, just a short distance.
A storm in a teacup A great commotion over a trivial matter; an uproar wildly out of proportion to its real importance. The standard British form; the usual American…
A storm is brewing Says that trouble, conflict or a crisis is quietly developing and will probably break out soon. Applied to quarrels, politics, markets or any…
A straw in the wind A small, early sign showing how a situation is likely to develop; a slight hint of the direction in which events are moving. The image is a straw…
A straw poll An informal, unofficial vote used to gauge the direction of opinion rather than settle anything; common in politics, committees and forecasting. Straw…
A stuffed shirt A pompous, self-important and rigidly formal person who is all dignity and no substance. The label implies that, like a padded garment on a dummy, the…
A stumbling block An obstacle that prevents progress or makes success difficult. Neutral and common in formal as well as everyday writing. Regional use: Biblical…
A taste of your own medicine The same unpleasant treatment you have been handing out to others, turned back on you; deserved retaliation or a lesson experienced firsthand. It…
A thorn in your side A person or problem that causes persistent trouble or irritation. Side and flesh versions coexist, but they have distinct biblical textual histories…
A tower of strength A reliably strong and supportive person or institution during difficulty. Normally complimentary and applied to sustained support, not merely physical…
A voice crying in the wilderness A person whose warning, appeal, or unconventional view receives little attention. The modern idiom emphasizes being disregarded, a nuance not explicit…
A war hawk Someone who favors starting or escalating a war rather than pursuing diplomacy; the opposite of a dove. In US history the capitalized War Hawks name…
A war of words A prolonged, hostile exchange of arguments conducted in public - through statements, interviews, posts, or print - rather than by force. The phrase…
A watched pot never boils Waiting anxiously for something slows its seeming progress.
A whale of a time An extremely enjoyable or exciting time. Nearly always in the phrase have a whale of a time, and part of a broader pattern, a whale of a story, a…
A whole new ball game A situation or set of circumstances that differs fundamentally from a previous or familiar one, as Wiktionary defines it; McGraw-Hill's slang…
A wild card An unpredictable or unquantified person, thing or factor whose behaviour cannot be forecast and that could change how a situation turns out. Also…
A wild-goose chase A confused, fruitless or hopeless pursuit of something difficult to find or attain. The pursuit need not be literally chaotic, but it must be…
A windfall An unexpected gain or piece of good fortune, especially a sudden sum of money the recipient did nothing to earn - an inheritance, lottery prize, legal…
A wolf in sheep's clothing Someone hiding bad intent behind a gentle facade, deceptive.
Above board Honest and open in dealings, with nothing hidden or shady.
According to Cocker Correctly or exactly, especially in arithmetic or in accordance with accepted rules. Dated and often humorous. Modern readers may not recognize Cocker…
Achilles' heel A single fatal weakness in someone or something otherwise strong and secure - the one vulnerable point that can bring the whole down. The phrase is…
Acid test A decisive test that gives a conclusive answer about the worth, genuineness or quality of a person or thing. Widely used in journalism, business and…
Across the board Applying to everyone or everything in a group, without exceptions or selective treatment - an across-the-board pay rise, an across-the-board tariff…
Acting the maggot Behaving mischievously, foolishly or disruptively instead of taking matters seriously. Informal. The force ranges from affectionate criticism of…
After your own heart Exactly suited to your own tastes, values, or inclinations; said approvingly of a person who likes what you like or who would act as you would…
Against the grain Contrary to someone's natural inclination, or to the prevailing tendency of a situation, group, or material. Actions, statements, and changes can all…
Aid and abet To help, encourage or facilitate another person's wrongdoing, especially the commission of a crime. Strongly associated with criminal law, although it…
All and sundry Every person without distinction or exception; everyone in a particular group or place. Now mildly formal or old-fashioned. It normally refers to…
All at sea Completely confused, disoriented, or at a loss over what to do next. Mainly British; American English more often uses the shorter form 'at sea' for…
All ears Listening eagerly and with full attention, waiting to hear what someone is about to say. Almost always used predicatively, especially in the first…
All fur coat and no knickers Showily impressive on the surface but lacking substance, taste or the expected basics underneath. Informal, vivid and potentially insulting. Earlier…
All hands on deck Everyone available is needed to help, especially to deal with an emergency, a rush of work, or a crisis. It summons the whole team rather than a…
All hat and no cattle Showy, boastful, or impressive in appearance but lacking the experience, substance, wealth, or ability being advertised. Informal and insulting. It…
All Lombard Street to a China orange Overwhelming odds in favour of one outcome; a near certainty. A colourful but obscure betting metaphor. It may be used for odds either stated…
All mouth and no trousers Full of boasts or promises but unwilling or unable to act on them. Informal and mildly insulting. It may carry a suggestion of empty masculine…
All my eye and Betty Martin Complete nonsense, especially a boast, excuse or claim that deserves no belief. Dated and playful. It is likely to puzzle readers unless the context…
All that glisters is not gold Just because something looks bright, attractive, or valuable on the outside does not mean it really is; outward show can conceal worthlessness. A…
All that glitters is not gold Appearances can deceive, and shiny things may lack true worth.
All's well that ends well A successful outcome can make earlier difficulties seem acceptable or unimportant. Often expresses relief, but it can minimise real harm; speakers…
An albatross around your neck A heavy burden of guilt, shame, or misfortune that someone cannot shake off, especially one created by their own actions. Usually said of a lasting…
An apple a day keeps the doctor away A proverb claiming that eating an apple every day keeps you healthy enough to rarely need a doctor. It is quoted both as folk health advice and, more…
An atlas A bound collection of maps - the book that takes the Titan's name for the burden of holding up the whole world, or at least the picture of it. The…
An elegant sufficiency A deliberately formal and often humorous way of saying that one has had enough to eat or drink and is politely declining another helping. Usually said…
An elephant never forgets A proverbial comment on someone with an exceptionally long and retentive memory, especially for past favours, slights, and grievances. It can praise a…
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth Retribution should match the injury it answers, so the punishment for a wrong is an equivalent loss. It is invoked either to demand strictly…
An odyssey A long, eventful journey - literal or spiritual - marked by wanderings, delays, reversals, and hard-won arrival. The word carries the shape of its…
An old flame A former sweetheart, lover or romantic partner, especially one for whom feelings linger. 'Old' marks the affair as past; 'flame' carries the old…
An old wives' tale A traditional belief or piece of folk wisdom, usually superstitious or scientifically unfounded, passed on by word of mouth, such as the idea that…
Angst A feeling of deep anxiety, dread, or inner turmoil, especially when vague, existential, or adolescent. In casual English it often means plain worry or…
Any port in a storm Said of accepting whatever refuge, help, or option is available when in difficulty, even an unappealing one, because waiting for something better is…
Apple of my eye The person, or occasionally the thing, that someone cherishes above all others. Most often said affectionately of a child or romantic partner, and one…
Apple of your eye A person or thing that is especially loved, prized, and protected above others. Warm and usually personal. It can refer to a prized object or project…
Apple polisher A flatterer - someone who curries favour with a superior by attentiveness, gifts, and relentless helpfulness. The schoolroom gave the insult its…
Argus-eyed Unsleepingly watchful - vigilant to the point that nothing escapes notice. The adjective praises the perfect guard whose eyes are never all closed at…
As American as apple pie Used to claim that something typifies American culture, values, or identity - quintessentially and comfortably American. Frequently paired with other…
As good luck would have it Introduces an event that came about purely by chance, usually with a hint that fortune, kindly or otherwise, arranged the outcome. The original 'good'…
As plain as the nose on your face Completely obvious and impossible to miss. Used of facts, evidence, or feelings that are staring everyone in the face even though some people fail or…
Astroturfing The deceptive practice of manufacturing the appearance of grassroots support for a product, policy or cause, masking the real sponsor so that paid or…
At close quarters At very close range or in cramped, direct proximity, whether physically (living, fighting, observing) or figuratively (engaging with a problem…
At daggers drawn In a state of open, bitter hostility or severe mutual distrust. Stronger than disagree. It describes entrenched hostility and usually takes with…
At death's door So close to dying that the arrival is nearly announced - said of the critically ill, and by extension of anything tottering: firms, seasons, careers…
At His Majesty's pleasure For an indefinite period subject to lawful Crown or government authority, especially in the formal language of detention and release. Formal legal…
At sixes and sevens In a state of confusion, disorder, or disagreement. It can describe things being muddled or plans being chaotic, as well as people who are quarrelling…
At the drop of a hat Instantly and without hesitation, at the slightest signal or provocation. Usually describes a readiness or eagerness to act - travel, argue, resign…
At your wits' end So worried, confused, or frustrated that you cannot think what to do next. The possessive changes with the subject: my wits' end, his wits' end, and…
Avatar An electronic image or figure that represents and is controlled by a user in a game, app, or virtual space, now the dominant everyday sense. The word…
Away with the fairies Distracted from reality, lost in a dream world or behaving as though unaware of what is happening. Usually teasing when it means absent-minded. In…