Idioms

live on borrowed time

To continue living or operating longer than expected, often with the sense that the end (death/failure) is near.

living hand to mouth

Living with only enough money for basic needs, with no savings; spending what you earn immediately.

lock horns

To enter into a direct conflict or heated argument; to clash strongly with someone.

long in the tooth

Old or getting old; no longer young (often about people, sometimes things).

long shot

A bet, plan, or attempt that is unlikely to succeed but still possible.

look before you leap

Think carefully and check risks before you act, especially before making an important decision.

look down your nose

To act as if you are superior; to show disdain or contempt for someone or something.

look on the bright side

Try to focus on the positive aspects of a situation, especially when things are difficult.

look the other way

To deliberately ignore something wrong or suspicious, often to avoid dealing with it.

loose cannon

An unpredictable person who may cause trouble or damage, often by acting impulsively without considering consequences.

lose face

To be embarrassed or humiliated; to suffer a loss of respect or social standing.

lose your marbles

To go crazy or become mentally confused; to lose self-control or good judgment.

lose your temper

To suddenly become angry and show it; to lose self-control because of anger.

lose your touch

To stop being as skillful, effective, or successful as you used to be; to no longer have the same knack or finesse.

loud as a bell

Very loud and ringing/resonant, like the sound of a bell.

love at first sight

Falling in love immediately when you first see someone.

lower the boom

To act decisively and punish, reprimand, or impose a harsh restriction or demand on someone.

make a beeline for

Go straight toward someone or something as quickly and directly as possible.

make a long story short

To summarize briefly and skip details; to get to the main point quickly.

make a mountain out of a molehill

To exaggerate a small problem and treat it as if it were very serious.

make a scene

To cause a public disturbance by behaving angrily or dramatically, drawing unwanted attention.

make a splash

To attract a lot of attention or create a strong impression, especially when something is new or first appears.

make ends meet

To manage financially on limited income; to have just enough money to cover basic expenses.

make hay while the sun shines

Take advantage of favorable conditions or opportunities while they last; act at the right time before circumstances change.

make it up as you go

To improvise; to decide or invent what to do while doing it rather than following a plan.

make no bones about it

To say something plainly and without hesitation, hiding nothing or showing no embarrassment.

make the best of it

To accept a bad or disappointing situation and try to get the most benefit or enjoyment from it.

make the cut

To meet the required standard and be accepted or selected (e.g., pass a tryout, get shortlisted).

make the rounds

To go around to several places or people in turn, often in a regular or expected circuit (e.g., visits, inspections, social stops).

make up your mind

Decide on something after thinking about it, especially when you’ve been unsure or taking too long.

make waves

To cause trouble, controversy, or noticeable change; to challenge the status quo and draw attention.

make yourself at home

An invitation to relax and behave comfortably in someone’s home or space as if it were your own.

making a long story short

Used to say you’ll give only the main points and skip details; in brief.

man of few words

A man who speaks very little; someone who is quiet and not very talkative.

many hands make light work

If many people share a task, it becomes easier and gets done faster.

march to the beat of your own drum

To behave independently and follow your own ideas, not what others expect.

mean business

To be serious and determined about what you’re doing or saying; not joking or making empty threats.

miss the boat

To miss an opportunity or arrive too late to take part in something.

miss the mark

To fail to achieve the intended goal or effect; to be inaccurate or not appropriate for the situation.

moment of truth

The time when you must face the real outcome or decisive test; when success or failure becomes clear.

money doesn’t grow on trees

Money is limited; you can’t spend freely as if it were easy to get.

money talks

Money has power and influence; those with money can get things done or persuade others more easily.

more bark than bite

Someone seems very threatening or loud but is not actually dangerous or likely to act on it.

more often than not

Most of the time; in the majority of cases.

more than meets the eye

Something is more complex, interesting, or significant than it initially appears.

move the goalposts

To unfairly change the rules or success criteria during a process, making it harder for others to meet the target.

movers and shakers

People with power and influence who make things happen and drive decisions.

muddle through

To manage to do something despite confusion, lack of skill, or difficult circumstances; to get by imperfectly.

mum’s the word

Keep it secret; don’t tell anyone.

nail it

To do something perfectly, especially a performance, answer, or task; to succeed exactly as intended.