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The O drawer

39 phrases beginning with O.

Off the cuff Spoken, decided, or done without advance preparation; impromptu rather than rehearsed.
Off the hook Freed from responsibility, trouble, or obligation, escaping a sticky situation with relief or luck. It carries a tone of liberation or sly evasion…
Off your high horse To drop arrogance or pride, coming down to earth.
Off your rocker Behaving or thinking in a way the speaker considers wildly irrational or absurd. Informal and insulting when directed at a person. It should not be…
OK boomer A dismissive retort, used mainly by younger speakers, to shut down a remark seen as out of touch, preachy, or characteristic of the Baby Boomer…
On a hiding to nothing Certain to fail, or unable to gain much even if successful. The traditional form ends in 'nothing'. 'Nowhere' is a genuine but later reshaping…
On a sticky wicket In an awkward, difficult, or vulnerable position - one where any move may make things worse. Usually in the phrases 'be (batting) on a sticky wicket'…
On a wing and a prayer Barely scraping by with slim hope, relying on luck.
On cloud nine Extremely happy, elated, or euphoric.
On tenterhooks In a state of nervous suspense or strained anticipation while waiting for an outcome.
On the back foot At a disadvantage or retreating, off balance.
On the ball Sharp, alert, and quick to act, right on top of things.
On the breadline Barely scraping by, near broke.
On the fritz Broken, malfunctioning, or in an unsatisfactory state. Current informal idiom Regional use: United States, later widespread.
On the horns of a dilemma Stuck picking between two bad options, torn.
On the lam On the run or fleeing, all dodge.
On the pig's back Doing great or riding high, all luck.
On the Q.T. Done quiet or secret, hush-hush.
On the razzle Out for a wild spree or fun, all go.
On the ropes In a tight spot or near defeat, reeling.
On the skids Slipping down or failing.
On the straight and narrow Living or behaving honestly, lawfully, and according to accepted moral standards. Informal and often carries a moral or religious tone. It may imply…
On the wagon Abstaining from alcohol, especially after having drunk regularly or after deciding to stop. Informal and specifically about alcohol, not vice in…
On the wallaby track Travelling the country on foot in search of work or subsistence. Historical Australian slang. It evokes itinerant labour and hardship; modern use is…
On the wrong side of the tracks From a poor or rough part, low-class.
Once in a blue moon Describes something that happens very rarely or almost never. It functions as a fixed adverbial measure of rarity - 'we see each other once in a blue…
One fell swoop A single sudden action that affects or disposes of everything concerned. Fell is an archaic adjective meaning fierce or deadly. 'One foul swoop' and…
One for the road A final alcoholic drink taken just before leaving a party, bar, or host's home. The phrase always refers to alcohol, and in modern usage it carries a…
One over the eight Slightly or noticeably drunk after one drink too many. Informal euphemism for intoxication, usually suggesting mild rather than dangerous drunkenness…
One swallow doesn't make a summer A single favourable sign does not prove that the wider situation has turned; one good result, one good day, or one data point cannot stand for the…
Orbiting Cutting off direct communication with someone while continuing to follow their online life, watching their stories, viewing their profiles, and…
Out of sight, out of mind People tend to forget or neglect someone or something that is no longer visible or present. Often describes neglect caused by absence; it may refer to…
Out of station Away from one's usual city, workplace or place of residence. Neutral regional English. Outside South Asia, away or out of town is more likely to be…
Out of the blue Something happening suddenly and unexpectedly, without warning or preparation. It conveys surprise-good, bad, or neutral-emphasizing the randomness of…
Out of the frying pan into the fire To move from a bad situation into an even worse one while trying to escape it. Almost always framed as motion - going, jumping, or falling from the…
Out of your depth Beyond your skill or comfort, floundering in deep water.
Out to lunch Oblivious, inattentive, irrational, or detached from what is happening. Current informal expression; can sound insulting when applied to a person…
Over a barrel Helpless, trapped, or subject to another person's control. Current informal idiom Regional use: United States; now widespread.
Over-egg the pudding Spoil something by embellishing it, exaggerating it or adding more than is needed. The hyphenated spelling 'over-egg' is standard in major British…