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The T drawer

212 phrases beginning with T.

Tabula rasa A completely blank state; in philosophy and psychology, the notion that the mind begins empty and is written on entirely by experience. In everyday…
Take a back seat To assume, or be relegated to, a secondary or less prominent position while someone or something else takes the lead; also to choose to withdraw from…
Take a rain check To postpone an offer or plan for later, holding off with a promise to revisit.
Take by storm Two linked senses. Literally, to capture a fortified place by sudden, overwhelming assault - scaling the walls and forcing the gates - rather than by…
Take centre stage To become the focus of attention, dominating an occasion, debate or piece of reporting; also to occupy the leading or most prominent position in any…
Take French leave Go away without permission, notice or a proper farewell. Often mildly disapproving and sometimes humorous. It can describe either a social departure…
Take it offline In meetings, to move a discussion out of the current group setting, into a separate conversation, call, or email thread between the people it…
Take it on the chin To accept a blow or setback bravely, facing it square.
Take it with a grain of salt Treat a statement cautiously rather than accepting it as wholly accurate, complete or sincere. 'A grain of salt' is the usual North American wording…
Take the bit between your teeth Grab control or charge.
Take the bull by the horns To face a challenge boldly, grabbing it head-on.
Take the cake To be the most outstanding or extreme example, for better or worse; now often used ironically of something especially surprising, annoying, or absurd.
Take the gilt off the gingerbread To strip the shine or fun, dull it.
Take the high road To choose the noble or moral path, rising above.
Take the mickey To tease or mock gently, poking fun.
Take the rough with the smooth To accept life's ups and downs, good with bad.
Take the sting out To soften a blow or hurt, ease it.
Take the wind out of someone's sails To destroy someone's advantage, confidence, or momentum, usually by saying or doing something unexpected. Typically used when a well-timed objection…
Take the wind out of your sails To deflate someone's confidence or momentum, draining their drive.
Take to something like a duck to water Said of someone who tries a new activity for the first time and adapts to it instantly and naturally, as if born to it, with no awkward learning…
Taken aback Startled or disconcerted by something unexpected, often to the point of being momentarily lost for words. Almost always appears in the passive ('I was…
Talk the hind leg off a donkey Talk at exhausting length, especially with little pause for anyone else. Informal and humorous. Singular and plural leg forms both occur. Regional…
Talk through your hat To speak confidently about a subject one does not actually understand, producing nonsense or wild exaggeration. Informal and dismissive; the speaker…
Talk turkey Speak frankly and directly, especially when discussing practical terms, serious business, or a negotiation.
Tantalizing Teasing with something desirable that stays just out of reach - offering the sight, smell, or promise of a pleasure while withholding satisfaction…
Teach your grandmother to suck eggs To presume to explain or advise a person who knows far more about the subject than you do; almost always a rebuke, most often in the negative ('you…
Teacher's pet A pupil seen as the teacher's favourite, and by extension any person who enjoys conspicuous favour from someone in authority. The label is nearly…
Tell it to the marines A scornful retort to an unbelievable story: you may tell that to the marines, for the sailors will not believe it. It dismisses a claim as a tall tale…
That dog won't hunt That idea, excuse, or plan is not convincing and will not work. Current, folksy, and dismissive Regional use: United States, strongly associated with…
That's the way the cookie crumbles A resigned way of accepting that something has turned out badly or not as hoped, and that nothing can be done about it. It is usually said of minor…
The almighty dollar A sarcastic name for money, casting the dollar as an idol worshipped above everything else. Calling it almighty - a word once reserved for God alone -…
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree A child tends to grow up resembling their parents in character, behaviour or appearance, for better or worse. It is usually said of a conspicuous…
The ball is in your court Responsibility for the next move now rests with you, because everyone else involved has done all they can or is waiting on your answer. It is said to…
The be-all and end-all The most important, decisive or comprehensive part of something, treated as if nothing else matters. Often appears in negative statements that reject…
The best thing since sliced bread A jocular superlative for a wonderful new invention or innovation, implying it is the most exciting thing to appear since pre-sliced loaf bread first…
The best-laid schemes of mice and men Even carefully made plans can be defeated by events beyond anyone's control. Literary but widely recognized. 'Schemes' is Burns's wording; 'plans' is…
The better part of valour is discretion Caution or withdrawal can be wiser than taking a needless risk merely to appear brave. Often lightly humorous or self-justifying. Valour is the…
The big cheese The most important or powerful person in an organization or scene; a boss, leader or grandee. Usually with 'the' ('the big cheese of the sales…
The bitter end The final limit or conclusion, especially when reaching it is difficult or unpleasant. Commonly implies persistence through adversity, but it can also…
The black market Illegal trade in goods, currency or services that are restricted, rationed or taxed, and the hidden system that supplies them: buying fuel on the…
The black sheep The member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace, a failure, or the odd one out, and whose reputation the others quietly distance…
The blind leading the blind People who lack knowledge or ability trying to guide others who are equally uninformed. Common but potentially insensitive if used carelessly around…
The boot is on the other foot The situation has been reversed, so that the person who previously held the advantage, or who handed out the treatment, is now on the receiving end…
The bully pulpit A conspicuous public position, above all the United States presidency, that gives its holder an unrivalled platform to advocate a cause and command…
The calm before the storm A deceptively quiet or peaceful period just before trouble, conflict or intense activity erupts. Usually spoken with foreboding rather than relief…
The camel's nose under the tent A small, seemingly harmless concession that is said to make larger, unwanted encroachments inevitable - the thin end of the wedge. The image argues…
The cat's pajamas An outstanding, fashionable, or highly admirable person or thing. Dated but readily understood; usually playful Regional use: United States.
The cat's pyjamas Something or someone excellent, stylish or delightful; the finest of its kind. The expression is dated 1920s slang and survives mainly in playful…
The clothes make the man A person is judged, and to some extent shaped, by how they dress: outward appearance drives the impression others form. Usually quoted in this compact…
The course of true love never did run smooth A proverb asserting that genuine romantic love rarely proceeds without obstacles - separation, family opposition, mismatched ages, ranks or fortunes…
The cut of your jib A person's appearance, style, or manner; the general impression they make. Almost always used with like in 'I like the cut of his jib', an informal…
The devil finds work for idle hands Unoccupied people, especially the young, are likely to drift into mischief or trouble, so staying busy keeps a person out of temptation. Typically…
The devil to pay Serious trouble or unpleasant consequences looming, usually as the price of something already done or left undone. It typically appears with there'll…
The die is cast A decision has been made that cannot be reversed; events have passed the point where anyone can turn back. Used at moments of irrevocable commitment -…
The dogs of war The savage, destructive forces that war lets loose - plunder, slaughter, famine, and fire - and, by extension, the ruthless people who profit from…
The early bird catches the worm The person who arrives or acts first secures the advantage, whether a bargain, a seat, or an opportunity. Said to encourage promptness, it is…
The eleventh hour The latest possible time before a deadline or decisive event. Often used before a noun with a hyphen, as in an eleventh-hour deal. Regional use: Late…
The emperor's new clothes A case in which almost everyone praises or accepts something worthless, false, or even nonexistent, because nobody dares admit they cannot see its…
The end justifies the means A worthwhile outcome is claimed to excuse dishonest, cruel, or otherwise questionable actions taken to achieve it. Almost always quoted in debates…
The eye of the storm A place or period of deceptive calm right at the centre of a crisis or controversy; the lull is real but temporary, because turmoil surrounds it on…
The game is afoot Announces that a pursuit, venture, or operation has begun, usually with relish or anticipation. Once a literal hunting observation that the quarry had…
The gloves are off Said when a dispute, rivalry, or contest escalates and polite restraint is abandoned: the parties are now fighting or competing in earnest, without…
The Golden Fleece A prize that justifies an epic quest - the goal whose pursuit gathers a crew, survives monsters, and usually costs more than the object is worth. Used…
The grass is always greener on the other side Other people's circumstances or possessions seem more attractive than one's own, usually because they are seen only from a distance. Used both to…
The gravy train A source of easy money or benefits that demands little effort, often with the implication that the rewards are excessive, cushy or undeserved. It…
The green room The room in a theatre, concert hall or television studio where performers wait when not on stage or on air; a backstage lounge for cast, guests and…
The green-eyed monster Jealousy personified as a destructive, self-consuming force that distorts judgement and relationships. Literary but widely understood. It refers…
The Grim Reaper Death personified - the hooded skeleton with the scythe who harvests the living, field by field and life by life. The phrase names the figure everyone…
The home stretch The final straight of a racecourse, running from the last bend to the finish; by extension, the last phase of any endeavour - a campaign, project…
The icing on the cake An extra benefit or pleasing feature on top of something already good, making a good thing better; also used ironically of a final aggravation heaped…
The ick A sudden feeling of disgust or repulsion toward someone you are dating or attracted to, usually triggered by something trivial such as the way they…
The kiss of death An act, event, or association that looks friendly or favourable but guarantees failure or ruin. Typically constructed with 'for' or 'to' ('the kiss of…
The lady doth protest too much A sardonic aside suggesting that a vehement denial reveals what it tries to conceal: object too strongly and people assume guilt. The modern use…
The last best West A historical promotional name for the Canadian Prairie West. Historical; survives in Prairie heritage references Regional use: Manitoba, Saskatchewan…
The last hurrah A final effort, performance, appearance, or celebration before retirement, defeat, or the end of an era; especially a veteran's farewell campaign or a…
The last straw The final, often minor, addition to a series of difficulties that makes a situation unbearable - the last small burden after which someone gives up…
The law is an ass A law or its rigid application is foolish, unjust or contrary to common sense. Blunt and critical but not obscene in British usage; 'ass' here means…
The letter of the law The exact written wording of a rule, as opposed to the intention behind it. The phrase is nearly always used in contrast with 'the spirit of the law'…
The life of Riley A carefree, comfortable, or luxurious way of living. Current but somewhat old-fashioned Regional use: United States, later wider English.
The lion's den A place or situation perceived as dangerous, hostile, or intimidating, especially one that a person must enter or face despite the risk, such as a…
The lion's share The largest portion of something, a clear majority of a total rather than necessarily all of it. Often carries a hint that the division is…
The long and the short of it The essential point of a matter once the details are stripped away: the upshot, the gist, the net result. Typically introduces a blunt or deflating…
The long arm of the law The power of the police and the courts to pursue offenders anywhere, however far or for however long they run. The phrase treats the law as a body…
The man on the Clapham omnibus A figurative stand-in for the ordinary, reasonably educated and level-headed person, used especially in English law as the benchmark for how a…
The Midas touch The seeming ability to turn anything one deals with into success or money - the lucky or skillful knack that makes every venture flourish. The phrase…
The milk of human kindness Innate compassion, sympathy or gentleness regarded as part of human nature. Nearly always used with a qualifier or in the negative - someone can have…
The more the merrier An occasion or shared activity is likely to be more enjoyable when additional people join. Usually friendly and inclusive, though it can be ironic…
The mote in your eye A small fault noticed in someone else, especially while a greater fault of one's own is ignored. Mote is archaic outside this biblical allusion. The…
The one that got away Someone or something desirable that escaped or was lost and whose loss one still regrets; in its commonest modern use, a former romantic partner who…
The pen is mightier than the sword Writing, ideas, and persuasion ultimately accomplish more than violence or force. Invoked to praise authors, journalists, lawyers, and diplomats, or…
The penny dropped Someone has at last understood or realized something, typically after a stretch of puzzlement during which the answer was in front of them. Almost…
The pot calling the kettle black A hypocritical criticism in which the accuser has the same fault as the accused. A direct accusation of hypocrisy. The shortened 'pot, meet kettle' is…
The powers that be The people or institutions currently holding authority, often viewed as remote or impersonal. Often mildly sceptical or humorous because the authority…
The primrose path An easy, pleasant, self-indulgent course of life or action that leads to harm, ruin, or damnation. It always carries the sense of a deceptively…
The prodigal son Someone who returns home - or is welcomed back - after a long, disreputable absence, expecting and usually receiving forgiveness. The phrase…
The proof of the pudding is in the eating The real quality or effectiveness of something can only be judged by putting it to use or testing it in practice, not by its appearance, description…
The rat race A grinding, competitive way of life in which people chase money, status, or security at exhausting speed, typically in urban work. The phrase stresses…
The root of all evil The fundamental underlying cause from which serious wrongdoing, corruption, or broader trouble grows. The biblical subject is covetousness or love of…
The root of the matter The fundamental cause, essential issue or deepest part of a problem. Often overlaps with heart of the matter, though root more strongly suggests an…
The scales fell from his eyes Understanding came suddenly, after a long deception - the moment a comfortable illusion collapses and the truth stands plain. The phrase describes…
The seven-year itch The legendary restlessness said to strike a marriage in its seventh year - the itch to wander, supposedly clinical, universally understood. Applied to…
The short end of the stick To get the worst share of a deal or situation; to be treated unfairly or come off worse while others benefit. Mainly American and Australian usage -…
The show must go on A performance, event or plan must proceed whatever goes wrong; used to rally people after a setback, and more widely of any activity continued despite…
The silent majority The mass of ordinary people who do not state their views publicly, especially voters presumed to hold mainstream opinions while louder minorities…
The silver screen A metonym for the cinema and the film industry: 'stars of the silver screen' are film actors, and a book 'transferred to the silver screen' has been…
The sound and the fury Furious or noisy tumult that in the end amounts to nothing - uproar without meaning or result. Usually allusive and ironic, applied to storms of…
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak A person sincerely intends to do something but lacks the physical strength, discipline or resolve. Frequently self-deprecating. Flesh can mean bodily…
The squeaky wheel gets the grease The person or problem that complains loudest is the one that gets attention, help, or resources; making noise is what produces results. It is quoted…
The stump speech A politician's standard campaign speech, written once and delivered again and again, with only small local tweaks, at stop after stop on the campaign…
The sun is over the yardarm A jocular way of declaring that it is late enough in the day for an alcoholic drink to be socially acceptable. The yardarm is the outer end of the…
The sword of Damocles An ever-present danger hanging over someone apparently fortunate - doom suspended by a thread above a comfortable life. The phrase is for prolonged…
The tail wagging the dog A situation in which a minor or subordinate part controls or dictates to the larger, more important whole - for instance when a peripheral issue…
The thin end of the wedge The first small stage of something that will grow into a much larger and usually unwelcome development. Typically deployed to argue that a…
The thin red line A thinly stretched line of defenders holding out against overwhelming force; by extension, any small band standing firm as the last barrier against a…
The third degree Intensive, prolonged questioning of someone, originally by police and often implying rough or coercive treatment; now usually jocular for any barrage…
The third rail An issue so politically dangerous that any politician who touches it risks career death, after the high-voltage rail that powers subway trains and…
The tide is turning The balance of a long-running situation is shifting, usually for the better after a difficult period; the reversal is under way rather than completed…
The upper crust The social elite - the aristocracy, or the wealthiest and most privileged class of a community. The phrase is nearly always 'the upper crust', and it…
The upper hand To hold the position of advantage or control in a contest, negotiation, or relationship. Almost always used with have, get, gain, or seize, and it…
The wheel has come full circle Events have returned to their starting point after running their course; a process, situation, or fortune has ended up much where it began. Usually…
The whole ball of wax Everything involved in a matter: the complete collection, arrangement, business, or set of related concerns. Informal and sometimes slightly…
The whole enchilada The entire thing; everything involved in a situation, taken as a complete package with nothing left out. Informal American slang, usually 'the whole…
The whole nine yards Everything available or required; the full extent, complete story, or maximum effort.
The whole shebang The entire thing, group, operation, or collection. Current informal idiom Regional use: United States, later widespread.
The winds of change Powerful social or political forces of transformation, usually unstoppable and beyond any government's control. Typically said to be blowing through…
The winter of our discontent A period of gloom, hardship, and widespread dissatisfaction, most often political or economic, such as a season of strikes and unrest. In Shakespeare…
The world and his wife A large and varied crowd, or apparently everyone of consequence. Informal hyperbole. The inherited masculine personification can feel conspicuously…
The world is your oyster You have broad freedom and opportunity to pursue what life can offer. Possessive forms vary with the subject. The pearl explanation is a useful modern…
The world's your oyster You have every opportunity open to you and can achieve whatever you set out to do; said encouragingly, especially to young people starting out. The…
The writing on the wall A clear warning that failure, dismissal, or disaster is approaching. Usually concerns an impending negative outcome that evidence already makes…
There's method in the madness Said when someone's behaviour looks irrational, scattered, or chaotic but is actually guided by a hidden plan or logic. Usually offered as a wry…
There's no such thing as a free lunch Nothing is genuinely cost-free; anything given away is paid for by someone, somehow, whether through higher prices, taxes, trade-offs, or hidden…
There's the rub That is the central difficulty, obstacle or inconvenient point. Somewhat literary but concise. Rub means obstacle here, not friction or massage…
Thick as thieves Very close friends who share confidences and keep company constantly; intimate to the point of exclusivity, sometimes with a hint of conspiracy…
Think on your feet To reason and react quickly and effectively without any preparation - to improvise soundly while events press on, as in hostile questioning…
Think outside the box To approach a problem from beyond conventional assumptions, rejecting the self-imposed boundaries that usually limit solutions. It is the corporate…
Third time lucky Said to express or encourage the belief that a third attempt will succeed where the first two failed - sometimes as genuine confidence, sometimes as a…
Thirty pieces of silver The price of betrayal - a payment, reward, or advantage accepted in exchange for abandoning a person, principle, or loyalty. The phrase indicts the…
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it A warning that people or societies that forget or refuse to learn from past events will be forced to live through the same mistakes again. It is…
Thought leader A person or organisation treated as a foremost authority in a field, whose ideas shape how others in it think and act; 'thought leadership' names both…
Three sheets to the wind Extremely drunk; visibly staggering and unsteady from alcohol. It is an informal, humorous expression, usually said of people rather than things, and…
Throw a monkey wrench into the works Disrupt a plan, process, or system, often suddenly. Current North American idiom Regional use: Metaphor developed in the United States; spanner form…
Throw a spanner in the works Disrupt a plan or process by introducing an unexpected difficulty. An everyday informal metaphor. Put is at least as common as throw in modern use…
Throw caution to the wind To abandon careful judgment and act boldly or recklessly despite a known risk of failure. The plural 'to the winds' is the older form and both…
Throw down the gauntlet To issue a bold, public challenge to an opponent, inviting a contest, debate or confrontation; the challenged party may then accept, or take up the…
Throw in the towel To give up or surrender after effort fails, admitting defeat with a gesture of finality.
Throw shade To insult someone subtly or indirectly, often through a cutting remark, a dismissive tone or a nonverbal gesture such as a side-eye, rather than an…
Throw someone to the lions To put someone in a position where they must face hostile attack, harsh criticism or danger without support or protection, typically through the…
Throw someone to the wolves To abandon or sacrifice someone to hostile critics, enemies, or danger, usually withdrawing protection in order to save yourself or deflect blame…
Throw the book at To punish or charge someone as severely and comprehensively as possible - originally of courts applying every available charge and the maximum…
Throw the cat among the pigeons To say or do something that causes sudden uproar, alarm, or scandal among a previously settled or complacent group - most often by revealing a…
Throw your hat in the ring To announce that you are entering a contest, most often to stand as a candidate in an election, or to accept a challenge that others have declined…
Throw your hat into the ring To announce that you are entering a contest, most often an election, by putting yourself forward as a candidate. The phrase frames the decision as…
Throw your weight around To use your authority, status, or influence in an aggressive, overbearing way, especially to intimidate people or force your own way. Informal and…
Thumb your nose at To show open contempt or defiant disregard for a person, rule, or convention. The phrase transfers the gesture of placing the thumb against the nose…
Tickety-boo In good order, satisfactory or progressing well. Informal and cheerful. Hyphenation and spelling vary considerably. Regional use: British and…
Tickled pink Greatly pleased, amused, or delighted. Informal and warm in tone, typically used about reactions to compliments, invitations, or good news. Informal…
Tie the knot To get married. An informal, light-hearted expression common in wedding announcements and conversation, very often in the past tense ('they finally…
Tighten the purse strings To cut back spending and control the flow of money more strictly, whether in a household, a company, or a government budget; the paired expression…
Tighten your belt To spend less and make do with less, usually because income has fallen or costs have risen; applied to households, companies and governments alike…
Tilt at windmills To attack imaginary enemies or waste effort fighting opponents that exist mainly in one's own imagination; to pursue a vain, quixotic cause. 'Tilt'…
Time and tide wait for no man Time and natural events continue regardless of anyone's wishes or delay. Man is generic in the traditional wording; no one is a common inclusive…
Time is money A maxim asserting that time is a finite resource with a cash value, so wasting it is equivalent to wasting money. It is used to justify charging by…
Tip of the iceberg The small, visible portion of a much larger problem or situation, with the most significant part hidden from view. Almost always used with a warning…
Tipping point The moment a gradual change becomes sudden and irreversible - the threshold at which a slow accumulation of small pressures flips a system into a new…
Titanic Enormous in size, force, or ambition - the adjective for anything on the scale of the old gods it names. A titanic effort is one worthy of the beings…
To a T Exactly, precisely; used of something that fits, suits or describes a thing perfectly, as in 'the jacket fits you to a T' or 'that sums up the problem…
To and fro Backwards and forwards between positions or places, often repeatedly along the same route. Used literally for alternating motion and figuratively for…
To thine own self be true Remain faithful to your own principles, feelings, and identity rather than deceiving yourself or bending to others' expectations. The logic of the…
Toe the line To conform to a rule, standard or authority, especially where obedience is expected or enforced rather than freely chosen. It frequently carries a…
Tongue in cheek Said or done ironically, as a joke, rather than with the apparent seriousness; the speaker's pretended sincerity signals that the remark should not be…
Too big for your boots Behaving as though you were more important, powerful, or capable than you really are; conceited on the strength of new status or early success…
Too big to fail Describes a bank or other institution so large and interconnected that its collapse would devastate the wider economy, so governments are expected to…
Too many cooks spoil the broth When too many people take charge of one task, especially too many leaders or decision-makers, the result suffers. Applied to committees, teams, and…
Too much of a good thing Even something pleasant or beneficial turns unpleasant or harmful when taken to excess. Usually said with wry resignation about indulgence - food…
Tooth and nail With every available means and the greatest possible determination, energy or ferocity. Usually follows fight, battle, resist or defend, but can…
Top banana The most important or highest-ranked person in a group, organization, or show - the boss, star, or headliner; originally the lead comedian on an…
Top billing The most prominent place in a list of credits, on a poster or in advertising; by extension the status of star treatment, being named first and biggest…
Topsy-turvy Upside down, inverted or in a state of thorough confusion where the normal order has been disrupted. May describe literal inversion or figurative…
Touch and go Describes a situation that is risky, precarious or uncertain, where the outcome hangs on a very narrow margin and could easily have gone the other…
Touch base To make brief contact with someone - to check in, exchange updates, confirm a plan - as Wiktionary defines the extension: to meet or make contact with…
Touch grass A dismissive instruction telling someone to go offline and reconnect with reality, aimed at people whose views seem warped by spending too much time…
Tough cookie A person who is resilient, unflappable and hard to intimidate - someone who absorbs setbacks or pressure without giving in; usually admiring, as in…
Tour de force An achievement or performance of exceptional skill, ingenuity, or power that stands out as extraordinary - a masterly creation, a brilliant maneuver…
Tread the boards To act on the stage; to follow a career in the theatre. Said with affection or nostalgia and now slightly dated or tongue-in-cheek. The boards are the…
Trip the light fantastic A playful, slightly archaic way to say 'dance', especially lightly, nimbly or to music, as in 'we tripped the light fantastic until midnight'. It is a…
Trojan horse A trick that smuggling past a defence what could never breach it openly - a person, plan, or program welcomed inside on innocent pretences that then…
True blue Completely loyal and steadfast, never wavering in allegiance; a true-blue supporter stays with a team, party or cause through everything. In British…
Truth is stranger than fiction Real events can be more improbable, surprising, or dramatic than anything a novelist would dare invent. Usually said after some extraordinary but…
Truth will out Hidden facts cannot stay hidden forever; however carefully a lie or secret is guarded, the truth will eventually come to light. Often said with a…
Tuckered out Completely tired or deprived of energy. Current, informal, and folksy Regional use: United States, first documented in New England.
Tug at the heartstrings To stir deep feelings of tenderness, pity, or compassion. Said of stories, images, music, or appeals that move people strongly and make them respond…
Turn a blind eye To deliberately ignore something one knows is happening, usually because it is convenient or expedient to pretend not to notice it. The ignored…
Turn in one's grave To be scandalized by events occurring after one's death - the deceased's final protest, registered by rotation. The phrase imagines the corpse as the…
Turn King's evidence Give evidence for the prosecution against one's alleged accomplices, usually in hope of leniency. Legal and sometimes figurative. In 2026 the UK form…
Turn on a sixpence Chiefly British: to turn or manoeuvre with great agility within a very small space, said of vehicles, dancers, footballers and the like; also of an…
Turn over a new leaf To make a fresh start by improving your behaviour or habits, especially after a period of poor conduct. Typically said of personal reform, such as…
Turn tail To turn round and run away from a fight, danger, or difficult situation. The verb is disapproving, implying cowardice or an ignoble retreat rather…
Turn the other cheek Refuse to retaliate after insult or injury, choosing restraint instead of revenge or escalation. It advocates non-retaliation, not passive acceptance…
Turn the tables To reverse a situation so that an opponent's advantage becomes yours (or theirs becomes yours, if they turn them), typically by countering cleverly…
Turn the tide To reverse the direction of a contest, crisis or trend, so that fortunes shift from one side to the other. It usually describes a decisive…
Turn up trumps Produce an unexpectedly good result or prove especially helpful when needed. Informal and approving. Come up trumps is a very common modern form…
Turncoat A person who abandons their party, cause or allegiance and joins the opposing side, especially for personal advantage, and is therefore regarded as a…
Twenty-three skidoo A brisk command to leave, or a hurried departure. Strongly dated; now humorous or deliberately old-fashioned Regional use: United States.
Twist in the wind To be left to face trouble, scrutiny or criticism alone, without support or rescue, usually abandoned by the very people who put you in the position…
Twist someone's arm To pressure or persuade someone into doing something they were reluctant to do. Now usually jocular, describing friendly coaxing rather than real…
Two left feet To have two left feet is to be clumsy or awkward in movement, especially when dancing, tripping, mistiming steps or moving stiffly. Usually…
Two peas in a pod So alike as to be nearly indistinguishable, whether in looks, character or habits; typically said of two people, sometimes affectionately of things…
Two solitudes English- and French-speaking communities living alongside one another with limited understanding or sympathy. Current in historical, political, and…
Two-four A case containing twenty-four bottles of beer. Current informal term and cultural identity marker Regional use: Canada, especially Ontario, Western…
Tycoon A wealthy, powerful businessperson, especially one with outsized influence over an industry, as in press tycoon or tech tycoon. The tone is neutral to…
Tête-à-tête An intimate, private conversation between two people; also an adjective for such encounters and, less commonly, a small sofa built so that two sitters…