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The I drawer

54 phrases beginning with I.

I'll eat my hat A declaration of total confidence that something will not happen or is not true. By vowing to perform an impossible, self-punishing act if proved…
If it ain't broke, don't fix it A proverbial warning against meddling with something that already works adequately: leave well alone instead of 'improving' it and risking breakage…
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride Merely wishing for something cannot make it happen or replace practical action. Often shortened to 'if wishes were horses'. It may sound brisk or…
Ignorance is bliss Not knowing something troubling can be a happier state than facing harsh truth, suggesting innocence shields from pain.
In a New York minute Almost immediately; in an exceptionally short time. Current informal idiom Regional use: United States; possible Canadian York antecedent.
In a nutshell Summed up short and sweet, the core.
In a pickle Stuck in a messy or tricky situation, tangled up with no clear fix.
In a pig's eye No way, not true.
In a stew In a state of worry, agitation, or anxious fuss about something - flustered and fretting rather than merely concerned. Usually constructed as 'in a…
In black and white Set down in writing or in print, and therefore official, provable or binding. People ask to have an agreement, promise or offer put this way when…
In cold blood Deliberately and ruthlessly, without the heat of anger or any overpowering emotion that might partly excuse the act. It is applied almost exclusively…
In deep water In serious trouble or difficulty, typically a situation that has grown beyond what one can easily handle or escape; often used in progressive…
In fine fettle In very good health, spirits or working condition. Warmly approving and slightly old-fashioned. It can describe health, mood, machinery or an…
In for a penny, in for a pound Once committed to a course of action, it is worth accepting the larger commitment needed to finish it. Often spoken at the moment a small undertaking…
In good hands Being cared for or handled by someone competent and trustworthy, so that no harm is expected. It is said of patients, children, customers, and…
In hot water In trouble or a difficult situation, often due to one's own actions, facing consequences with a sense of being scalded or trapped. It evokes…
In like a dirty shirt Eagerly involved, quickly inserted, or forcefully participating in something. Current informal simile, more frequent in Canada Regional use…
In like Flynn Certain to succeed, gain entry, or be favourably placed. Dated but familiar Regional use: United States, especially West Coast and wartime service…
In my mind's eye In the imagination or memory, as something visualised rather than actually seen; used for mental pictures, replayed memories and envisioned scenes…
In one ear and out the other Heard but instantly forgotten or entirely ignored. Said of advice, instructions, or information that makes no lasting impression on the listener…
In one's heart of hearts Deep in one's private, innermost feelings or conscience, beyond what one admits outwardly: a conviction held at the very core of the emotional self…
In over your head Outmatched or overwhelmed, sunk too deep.
In someone's black books Out of favour with someone, especially a person who has power over you: to be in the boss's black books is to have displeased them and to feel the…
In stitches Laughing so hard and so long that it becomes physically painful, as with a sharp pain in the side. Almost always predicated of a group or individual…
In the bag Certain to succeed or be secured, wrapped up like game bagged by a hunter-no doubt left, just waiting to claim it.
In the black Making profit or clear, in good.
In the cold light of day When a situation is judged later, calmly, soberly and realistically, once emotion, enthusiasm, drink or the heat of the moment has faded; typically of…
In the doghouse In disgrace or out of favor, sidelined for a misstep.
In the doldrums In low spirits, inactivity, or a period of stagnation. The Doldrums can also name the equatorial belt of light and variable winds and calms.
In the driver's seat In charge or control.
In the firing line In the position most exposed to attack, blame, or dismissal; the person or group at whom criticism is aimed. British English prefers 'in the firing…
In the heat of the moment Acting rashly under pressure or passion, caught in a flare.
In the lap of luxury Living in grand comfort or wealth, pampered.
In the limelight At the centre of public attention and scrutiny. Used of politicians, performers, athletes and anyone whose doings are being watched and discussed…
In the nick of time Arriving or acting just before it's too late, at the critical last moment when delay would mean failure or disaster. It conveys urgency and relief…
In the offing Likely to happen or appear before long; imminent without having quite arrived. It is applied to expected news, changes, deals, or events - a…
In the pink In top health or shape, glowing with vigor.
In the pink (of health) In perfect health or peak condition; 'she's in the pink of health' means she is thoroughly well. The now-standard health sense is a narrowing of an…
In the pipeline Said of plans, products, reforms, orders, money or other things that are being prepared, processed or developed and are expected to arrive or take…
In the public eye Exposed to the attention, scrutiny, and judgement of the general public, especially through media coverage. Said of politicians, entertainers, and…
In the red Broke or in debt, all loss.
In the same boat Sharing a common plight or fate, stuck together.
In the soup In a messy trouble or fix, deep.
In the spotlight At the centre of public attention, scrutiny or publicity; used of people, and also of issues and places suddenly prominent in debate. It carries the…
In the twinkling of an eye In an extremely short time, emphasizing that a change or action happened almost instantly. Literary but readily understood. In a modern neutral…
In the wake of Following directly behind or, more often today, happening as a consequence of; in the aftermath of. The metaphor is a ship's wake, the trail of…
Indian summer A spell of unseasonably warm, dry, hazy weather in late autumn, classically in October or November and, by some definitions, only after the first…
Influencer Someone who can sway what other people buy, try, or believe, nowadays especially a social-media personality paid to post about products and brands…
It never rains but it pours Troubles rarely arrive singly: when one misfortune comes, others follow at once. It is occasionally said of good things arriving all at once, though…
It takes a village Bringing up a child properly is the work of a whole community, not just the parents; by extension, any ambitious undertaking needs broad collective…
It takes two to tango Used to say that certain situations, especially quarrels and shared undertakings, require two willing participants, so responsibility or blame cannot…
It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good However damaging an event is, it will almost always bring someone a benefit; often said wryly by or about a person who profits from another's…
It's not over till the fat lady sings A warning that a contest, process, or venture is not truly finished, and its result cannot be safely assumed, until the very end; however inevitable…
It's not rocket science A formula for saying that something is not really difficult to understand or do - used to deflate excuses, complaint about complexity, or the mystique…