Idioms

don’t bite the hand that feeds you

Don’t harm, insult, or undermine someone who supports you or provides you with benefits.

don’t count your chickens

Warns against assuming a favorable outcome before it actually happens; don’t rely on something not yet certain.

don’t cry over spilled milk

Don’t waste time being upset about something that has already happened and can’t be changed.

don’t give up the day job

A humorous warning that someone isn’t good enough at a new activity to rely on it for a living; keep your regular job.

don’t judge a book by its cover

Don’t form an opinion about someone or something based only on appearance; the reality may be different.

don’t look a gift horse in the mouth

Don’t criticize or scrutinize a gift; accept it gratefully instead of finding faults.

don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Don’t risk everything on a single plan, investment, or opportunity; spread risk across multiple options.

don’t put the cart before the horse

Don’t do things in the wrong order; don’t act on later steps before the necessary earlier ones are done.

don’t put words in my mouth

Don’t claim I said/thought something I didn’t; don’t misrepresent my meaning.

don’t rock the boat

Don’t cause trouble or upset a stable situation by challenging the status quo.

double-edged sword

Something that has both advantages and disadvantages; a benefit that also carries risks or negative consequences.

down in the dumps

Feeling very sad, depressed, or discouraged for a period of time.

down the drain

Wasted or lost completely, as if money/effort disappears with no result.

down the hatch

A toast said just before drinking, meaning “let’s drink it” or “drink it quickly,” often in a cheerful, informal way.

down to earth

Practical, realistic, and humble; not pretentious or overly idealistic.

down to the wire

At the very last moment before a deadline; with almost no time left, often creating pressure or suspense.

drag your feet

To delay doing something on purpose; to act slowly or reluctantly to avoid a decision or action.

draw a blank

To be unable to remember, think of, or find an answer or information, often suddenly or under pressure.

draw first blood

To be the first to score, gain an advantage, or land the first successful attack or criticism in a conflict or competition.

draw the line

To set a clear limit on what you will accept or allow; to refuse to go beyond a certain point.

dress to kill

To dress extremely well or strikingly so as to impress or attract a lot of attention.

drink like a fish

To drink a lot of alcohol; to drink heavily and often.

drive a hard bargain

To negotiate firmly and aggressively to get the best possible deal, often refusing to concede much.

drive someone up the wall

To irritate or frustrate someone extremely; to make someone feel they can’t stand it anymore.

drop a hint

To indirectly suggest or mention something so someone understands your intention without you saying it openly.

drop in the ocean

A very small amount compared to what is needed or expected; something negligible in the larger context.

drop the ball

To make a mistake by failing to do something important, especially through carelessness or inattention.

drown your sorrows

To try to forget sadness or problems by drinking alcohol (or overindulging in something).

drowning in paperwork

To be overwhelmed by a large amount of administrative documents and tasks.

dull as dishwater

Extremely boring, bland, or lacking interest or excitement.

eager beaver

A very enthusiastic, hard-working person who is keen to do tasks (sometimes seen as overzealous).

early bird

A person who gets up or arrives early, often gaining an advantage by being first.

easy as pie

Extremely easy; requiring little effort or skill.

easy come, easy go

Something gained easily (especially money) is often spent or lost just as easily, so don’t be too upset about it.

easy does it

Proceed slowly and carefully; don’t rush or force things, especially in a delicate situation.

eat crow

To admit you were wrong and accept humiliation or embarrassment, often after boasting or insisting you were right.

eat humble pie

To admit you were wrong and accept humiliation or embarrassment, often after being overconfident or critical.

eat like a bird

To eat very little; to have a small appetite.

eat like a horse

To eat a very large amount of food; to have a big appetite.

eat your words

To admit you were wrong and take back what you said, often after events prove the opposite.

elephant in the room

An obvious problem or sensitive issue that everyone is aware of but avoids discussing.

end of the road

A point where progress is no longer possible, or when something is finished and cannot continue.

even the score

To get back at someone or do as well as they did, so the advantage, debt, or situation between you becomes equal again.

every cloud has a silver lining

Even in a bad situation, there is usually something good or hopeful to be found.

every dog has its day

Everyone will have a moment of success, luck, or recognition eventually, even if they are overlooked now.

face the music

To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation instead of avoiding them.

fair and square

In an honest, legal, and straightforward way, without cheating or unfair advantage.

fall by the wayside

To fail, be abandoned, or stop being pursued as time goes on (a plan, project, habit, etc.).

fall for it

To be deceived or tricked into believing something false; to be taken in.

fall from grace

To lose favor, respect, or a high position/status, often after a mistake, scandal, or wrongdoing.