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The Y drawer

22 phrases beginning with Y.

Yellow-bellied Cowardly, lacking nerve. An insulting adjective of American origin, now somewhat jokey or Western-flavoured in use and often intensified in phrases…
Yeoman's service Dependable, hard-working and effective assistance; sturdy, loyal effort applied without fuss or brilliance. It is nearly always used with 'do' or…
Yes-man A person, especially a man in a subordinate position, who habitually agrees with a superior or endorses everything said without criticism; an…
You can lead a horse to water You can offer help or chance, but can't force action.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink You can give someone an opportunity, good advice or the means to benefit, but you cannot force them to take it; in the end people act only as they…
You can't get blood out of a stone Used to say that it is impossible to obtain something - above all money, payment, sympathy, or information - from a person or source that does not…
You can't have it both ways You must pick one, not both, no double dip.
You can't have your cake and eat it too Used to tell someone they must choose between two incompatible options and cannot keep the benefits of both. It typically reproaches a person who…
You can't judge a book by its cover Don't assess someone or something based only on appearance, as true value or character lies beneath the surface, often surprising or contrary to first…
You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs Achieving something worthwhile often requires sacrifice or mess.
You can't polish a turd Some things can't be fixed or prettied up, flaws stay.
You can't put the genie back in the bottle Once out, it's done, no undo.
You can't take it with you Stuff stays when you go, no haul.
You can't teach an old dog new tricks Older folks or things resist change or learning, stuck in ways.
You can't win them all Used to accept a loss or console someone after a disappointment: nobody can succeed on every occasion.
You're pulling my leg Teasing or tricking someone with a tall tale, yanking them along with playful deceit.
You're the bee's knees You are excellent, outstanding, or greatly admired. The bee's knees can also describe an excellent thing.
You've got another think coming You're wrong and need to rethink, a sharp correction.
You've got rocks in your head You are showing very poor judgment or proposing something the speaker considers foolish. A blunt insult to someone's judgment or intelligence. It can…
You've got your work cut out Facing a tough, big job, all laid out.
Young at heart Having the energy, enthusiasm, and playful outlook associated with youth even though one is middle-aged or older; also applied to products…
Your name is mud You are in disgrace or universally unpopular: 'one more scandal like that and his name is mud'. Said of someone whose reputation has collapsed through…