Common Idioms in English
English Idioms and Expressions

"N" through "O"

Below on this page you see a partial listing of English idioms and expressions and American phrases beginning with letters "N" and "O".

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME ON THIS SITE
Please read our section on Clues To Use.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

"N" through "O" begins here:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nail biter
Nail-biter

A tense situation.
A very close ending.
A situation where one starts biting one’s nails out of nervousness.

The game on Sunday was a nail-biter, with the visiting team scoring a winning touchdown in the last five seconds.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nailing someone (down)

Locating, identifying, apprehending, or controlling someone or something.

The police have nailed the suspect and are in the process of taking her to jail.

I’m happy to announce that we have nailed the heat exchanger problem down and we’ll be having a quick solution in the next couple of weeks!

Also: Pinning down.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nature calling

The feeling a person has when it’s time to go to the bathroom.

I was driving when I felt nature calling, so I stopped at the next luxury hotel to use their restroom.

Also: Nature’s call.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nature of the beast

That’s how it is.
Something that you can’t change.

A. I hate it when our supervisor looks at his watch every time he sees me.
B. That’s the nature of the beast. Learn to live with it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Neck and neck
Neck-and-neck
Sports

Very close.
About at the same level.

Q. Which horse will win the race?
A. It’s difficult to say! They’re neck-and-neck.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Neck of the woods

Neighborhood.

You’ll never see that kind of behavior in MY neck of the woods!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Needing persuasion

When someone says: He needs some persuasion, they mean something like:
We have to convince him.
We have to talk some sense into him.
We have to make him see things our way.
We should probably use some force on him.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Needle in a haystack

Talking about something that’s difficult to find.

It’s very difficult to find your certificate here. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Need-to-know basis

If you’re told that certain information is available on a need-to-know basis, then you will not be told everything unless you are one of the persons who need to know.

When someone says: I’ll tell you things on a need-to-know basis, then they will only tell you the things that they think are necessary for you to know.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

New kid on the block

A new student.
A new player on the team.
A new arrival on the market.
A new arrival into a neighborhood.

Also:
New kid in town.
Johnny-come-lately.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

New lease on life

New opportunity.
Starting again something (which was failing) with new energy.

Getting a low interest-rate loan for my restaurant would give my business a new lease on life.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Next to nothing

Almost nothing or very little, as in:

It costs next to nothing.

Also see: Peanuts.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Next up

Next.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nickel and dime
Nickel-and-dime

Small amounts of money.

When someone says: Don’t nickel-and-dime me, they mean:
Don’t waste my time over small change.

When someone says: This business will nickel-and-dime me to death, they mean:
This business is going to gradually bankrupt me with all of these small expenses.

When someone says: He nickel-and-dimed this into a big business, they mean:
Little by little, he made it into a big business.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nine lives

This phrase is about being very tough, or being able to get out of tough situations without being really hurt.

Q. Is it true that cats have nine lives?
A. I don’t know about that. But, if it is true, mine has only one left!
Q. What do you think Vincento will do after his latest scandal?
A. Oh, don’t worry about him. He still has seven of his nine lives left!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nipping something in the bud

Taking care of a problem in its early stages.

I should have nipped my accident problem in the bud before the insurance company became involved.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nitty-gritty

The main thing.
Heart of the matter.

Okay everyone. Enough with the small talk. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No can do

No way.
I can’t do it.
It’s impossible.

A. Let’s go on a trip.
B. No can do!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No contest
Legal

No challenge.
No argument.

When someone says: She pleaded “no contest” to the charges, they mean:
She offered no argument.
She didn’t challenge the charges.
She didn’t admit that she was guilty, but she also didn’t say that she was innocent.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No contest
Sports

Not enough challenge.

When someone says: Did you see the match last night? It was no contest, they mean:
It wasn’t a fair match.
The two sides were not fairly matched.
One side was very clearly superior to the other.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No doubt

Certainly. Without a doubt.

No doubt she’ll join us for dinner.

Also:
No doubt about it.
No question about it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No holds barred
Sports

No rules.

Okay, let them fight, no holds barred. I don’t care anymore. Let them fight any way they want, with everything they have.

Compare to: All bets are off.

Background:
This is originally from wrestling, before there were any sets of rules in place.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No less

When someone says: He walked outside for a long time–in a severe storm, no less–before going back home, they mean something like:
Even though it was a severe storm, he walked for a long time before going back home.
Surprisingly enough, he walked for a long time, in a severe storm, before going back home.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No love lost

A lot of hatred.
A history of disagreement.

When someone says: There is no love lost between them, they mean something like:
They really hate each other and always have.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No match
Origin: Sports

When one side is clearly and overwhelmingly superior to the other side, a comparison or competition between the two sides becomes meaningless and won’t be fair. In such cases, the less superior side is no match for the other.

A slide rule is no match for modern calculators.
A car is no match for a truck, if we’re talking about load capacity.
A bicycle is no match for a motorcycle, if we’re talking about speed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No matter what

Anyway.
In any case.
Without condition.

We’ll do it, no matter what, means:
We’ll do it.
We’ll do it anyway.
We’ll do it no matter what happens.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No, sirree, Bob!

No!
Never!
No, I won’t do it.
No, you can’t do it.
No, it’s not like that.
No, it can’t be done.

Also:
No way, Jose!
Not in your life!

Opposite:
Yes, sirree, Bob!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No skin off my nose

I don’t care.
It’s not my problem.
It doesn’t affect me, or bother me.

Q. Why didn’t you vote for the minimum wage proposition?
A. Why should I? It’s no skin off my nose.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No sooner ... than

When you say: No sooner had Tom eaten the fish than he began to feel sick, you mean:
As soon as Tom ate the fish, he felt sick.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No stone unturned

When someone says: We’ve left no stone unturned, they mean:
Everything possible has been done.
We’ve done everything that’s necessary.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No two ways about it

There’s no other way.

Q. I thought we were going to the movies first?
A. No, we’ll have dinner first, and don’t argue with me. There are no two ways about it!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No way, Jose!

See: No, sirree, Bob!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No wonder!
Small wonder!

It’s no surprise.
We shouldn’t be surprised that this is the case.

No wonder everybody loves the new dance show. It’s very entertaining!

With gas prices being so high, it’s a small wonder that they all stayed home during the holidays!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nobody’s breaking china.

They’re not doing any damage.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No-brainer

Very clear.
Easy to understand.
So easy even a caveman would understand!

Q. So, you’re saying that just because Jon Stewart mentioned it, we should look into it?
A. Of course. It’s a no-brainer!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

None

Zero.
Nothing.

Also:
Zilch. Nada. Zippo. Not a one.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nonissue
Non-issue

Not an issue.
Not a problem.
An issue that’s not important.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nook and cranny

All details associated with something or some place.

I’ve looked in every nook and cranny in here, but I can’t find my glasses.

Compare to:
Odds and ends.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not a question of “if” but a question of “when”

We know it will happen; we don’t know when!

Similar:
Not a question of why but a question of how.
Not a question of when but a question of why.
Not a question of where but a question of how.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not a word!
Not a word out of you!

Don’t say a word!
If you say one word, you’ll get in trouble!

Also:
If you say: One word out of you, in a threatening way, it means the same thing.

One word out of you, and you’ll get in trouble!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not being above doing something

Helen isn’t above insulting people, means:
She insults people easily;
She doesn’t mind insulting people; etc.

Compare to:
Being above doing something.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not bothering to do something

Not doing something.
Not going through the trouble of doing something.

When someone says: Masako didn’t bother to read the letter, they simply mean: Masako didn’t read the letter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not having a clue
Not knowing which end is up

Being clueless.
Being confused.
Not knowing what’s going on.

A. Let’s ask that guy for directions.
B. Look at him. He doesn’t have a clue! Ask someone else.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not holding water

Flawed.
Full of problems.
Something that doesn’t work.
Not supported by evidence or facts.

Q. What’s wrong with their plan? Does it hold water?
A. No, it’s full of problems, full of holes, so to speak.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not pulling punches

Not holding back.
Speaking truthfully, without being kind or unkind.

Q. He wasn’t nice to me. Does he hate me.
A. No, he wasn’t pulling any punches. He was just telling you what he thought was right.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not thinking much of

Not taking someone or something seriously.

They don’t think much of me, means:
They don’t take me seriously.
They don’t think very highly of me.
They don’t think I have anything significant to offer.
They don’t think I am good enough or important enough.

Also:
Not giving someone much credit.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not to be sneezed at

To be taken seriously.
Not to be taken lightly.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Not to mention

And.
Also.

When someone says: Wendy Crewson is beautiful, not to mention sophisticated, they mean:
Wendy Crewson is beautiful AND sophisticated.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nothing doing

No way.
It’s no use, or it’s no good.
It won’t work. Don’t waste your time.

Q. Will you pay for my ticket?
A. Nothing doing!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nothing getting by someone
Nothing getting past someone

When someone says: Nothing gets by her, they mean something like:
You can’t fool her.
She doesn’t miss anything.
She notices (or understands) everything.

And an example showing sarcasm:
Q. I see you have your running shoes on. Are you going to run?
A. You’re so smart. Nothing gets by you!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nothing short of something

This means “something” or “a lot of something,” and is best explained through examples:

When someone says: Her victory is nothing short of anticipated, they mean:
Her victory is anticipated or strongly anticipated.

When someone says: Eva’s recovery was nothing short of a miracle, they mean:
Her recovery was a miracle.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nothing to hang one’s hat on

It’s nothing to brag about.
Nothing substantial is available.
There’s nothing solid or useful here.

A. Ask her to help you with some ideas.
B. I did, but she’s giving me nothing to hang my hat on! She’s wasting my time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nothing to it

It isn’t true.
It’s very easy.
It’s not important.

Don’t worry; it doesn’t mean anything.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nothing to show for it

A waste of time or money.

We spent a lot of time and money bidding on this project, but we lost the bid. Now we have nothing to show for it. However, our competitors DO have something to show for it: a huge contract!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Now, if you will excuse me!

I’m sorry, but I have to leave.
Please excuse, me as I have another appointment.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NSA

This is an abbreviation for:
No Strings Attached.

It represents no commitment or additional obligation, and is mostly used by the younger, Internet and texting generation:

Please try our product and, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to buy it; no strings attached.

It also represents a purely physical relationship for sexual purposes without any expectation of romantic commitment.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Number is up.

Time to go.
Time to die.

My number is up, means something like:
I’m dying.
I have to go, or it’s my turn.
I don’t have any more time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Number one

I.
Me.
Myself.

I’m doing this for number one! Myself.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Numbered

Limited.

When someone says: Your days are numbered, they could mean any of these:
You’re finished.
You don’t have a lot of time left.
You don’t have many days left (in your life, on your job, etc.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Objective, subjective

An objective person:
Considers the facts, not emotions.
Does not let his/her personal feeling influence his/her decisions.

Opposite:
A subjective person.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Odd hours

Unusual hours.
Late night hours.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Odds and ends

Little things.
Various pieces.
Miscellaneous items.

Q. What did you use to make this quilt?
A. Oh, just some odds-and-ends of fabric that I had lying around the sewing room.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Of “X” persuasion

From “X.”
Adhering to “X” culture, beliefs, traditions, etc.

Of Asian persuasion.
Of Republican persuasion.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Of mine

My.
Belonging to me.

Similar:
An idea of his; His idea.
A friend of mine; My friend.
A book of yours; Your book.
Flowers of hers; Her flowers.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Of two minds

Divided.
Undecided.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off one’s rocker

Crazy.
Out of one’s mind.

A. I’m going mountain climbing this weekend.
B. Are you off your rocker? It’s below freezing out there!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off base
Off-base
Military, Sports

Not on the base, as in:
Q. Do you live here on the base?
A. No, sir. I live in off-base housing.

Mistaken, as in:
Q. Do you agree with your opponent on the abortion issue?
A. No, she’s way off-base on this one. I don’t think she knows what’s going on at all.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off limits
Off-limits
Military

Available to certain people.
Not available to everybody.

When someone says: The cafeteria is off-limits, they mean something like:
We don’t have permission to go there.

When someone says: Hey, guys, the mayor’s family is off-limits, they mean something like:
Don’t photograph them.
Don’t make jokes about them.
Don’t write about their private lives.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off schedule
Off-schedule

Late.
Behind schedule.

If you say: The construction is off-schedule, you mean:
It won’t be completed on time, as previously planned.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off the beaten path

Away from the normal, usual, or familiar ways.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off the charts
Off-the-charts

Difficult to measure.
Not within the usual limits.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off the cuff
Off-the-cuff

Unprepared.
Without preparation.

Sir, now that you’re an elected official, you should be more careful about making some of your typical, off-the-cuff remarks. You could get in trouble!

Also:
Off the top of one’s head.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off the record
Off-the-record

Unofficially.
An unofficial statement.

When someone says: I’m going to tell you this off-the-record, they mean something like:
I’ll tell you, but you can’t use my name.
I’ll tell you, but you can’t use it against me.
I’ll tell you, but I’ll deny it if you tell anybody.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off the wagon

Starting to drink alcohol again.
Drinking alcohol after a period of not drinking.

Q. Hey, Max, are you drinking again? I thought you were on the wagon.
A. I was, but unfortunately I fell off the wagon! I’ll have to do something about it.

Note:
This expression primarily relates to drinking alcohol, but it can also apply to other activities such as going on a diet, working out, etc.

Compare to:
On-the-wagon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off-the-wall

Odd.
Unusual.
Different.
Unconventional.

A. I feel like doing something off-the-wall today.
B. Well, maybe you should ride a horse to your office!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

OMG

This is an abbreviation for:
Oh My God.

It is used by the younger, Internet and texting generation.

Also:
OMIGOD and OMIGOSH.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On all fours

Begging for mercy.
Being on hands and knees.

I hate it when he gets down on all fours. Doesn’t he have any self respect?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On behalf of

Speaking for.
As a representative of.

On behalf of my family, I thank you for being here. Speaking for myself, however, I wish you’d all go home!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On budget

A project that is completed (or is likely to be completed) at or within the estimated cost.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On cloud 9
On cloud nine

Feeling free.
Having a good time.
Being under the influence of recreational drugs.
Behaving in a manner that is not considered to be normal.
Feeling elated or thrilled about something wonderful that has happened.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On death row
Legal

A person who is sentenced to die and is awaiting execution.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On location

The place, other than a studio, where a movie is made.

Q. Those were very realistic scenes. Was this movie made at the studio?
A. No, it was made on-location, around San Diego.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On message
Off message
Political

This is a political phrase and shows if someone is (or is not) in agreement with the policy or policies accepted by a group.

If a politician is expressing views that are in agreement with his party’s policies, then he is on message. Otherwise, he is off message.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On one’s high horse

Arrogant.
Inflexible.
Condescending.
Looking down on others.

A. Why don’t you like my friend?
B. He always gets on his high horse, no matter what subject we’re talking about.

Related:
Off one’s high horse.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On one’s own

Alone.
Independent.
Not having help from others.
Because of one’s own efforts.

There was no one there. I thought, Wow. I’m really on my own here.

Son, if you stay in college, I’ll help you in any way that I can. If you drop out, however, I won’t be helping you. You’ll be on your own.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On par with
On a par with

Equal.
On the same level.

I’m happy to tell you that your daughter is on par with the other kids.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On pins and needles

Nervously waiting for something or someone.

A. Let’s go out for lunch.
B. I can’t. I’m on pins and needles waiting to hear about my scholarship.

Also:
The tingling feeling in one’s legs (due to low blood circulation) resulting from sitting in certain positions for too long.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On second thought

After review, as in:
I was thinking of going to the movies with my friends. On second thought, however, I decided to stay home.

Compare to:
Second thought.
Having second thoughts.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On someone’s dime

Someone will pay for it.
At someone else’s expense.

If the kids are at the movies on your dime, then you’re paying for the tickets!

A. I hear your ex-wife wants to go to Hawaii.
B. Not on my dime!
A. Who’s paying for the kids’ trip then?
B. They’re traveling on my dime!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On someone’s payroll

Indebted to someone.
Someone’s employee.

When someone says: They’re on the insurance company’s payroll, they could mean either of the following:
They’re the insurance company’s employees. (Positive connotation.)
The insurance company pays them to do their dirty work. (Negative connotation.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the back burner

Something that:
Is not a rush job.
Can be done later.
Is not important at this time.
Has been discontinued temporarily.

Q. Are we working on the budget report today?
A. No, we’re doing the scholarships. The budget report will be on the back burner for a while.

Opposite:
On the front burner.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the chopping block

In trouble, as in:
If she finds out, my neck will be on the chopping block.

Other usage:
When you put someone on the chopping block, you’re making them the scapegoat, and putting the blame on them.

If a company is laying people off, and you are on the chopping block, it could mean that you are among those being considered for termination.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the contrary!

I beg to differ.
Contrary to that.
The opposite of something.
Contrary to what you’re saying.

A. I think huge taxes should be imposed on Japanese cars to help the Americans.
B. On the contrary, that will hurt us, as our manufacturers will stop trying to improve their products.

Also:
Au contraire!
(This is French for On the contrary, and may be used by itself or followed by an additional explanation.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the defensive

Defending and/or explaining one’s actions.

I’m sorry, but once you’re on the defensive, it means you’ll probably lose the argument.

Compare to:
On the offensive.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the double
Military

Right away.

When someone says: Come here, on the double, they mean: Come here right now.

Background:
This term comes from the military, where an order is supposed to be carried out at twice the normal pace.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the eve of

On the night or day before an event, as in:
Christmas Eve.
New Year’s Eve.
Eve of the dance competition.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the fence

Undecided.
Not taking sides or making a decision.

Q. Do you think the others will join us?
A. Joey is still on the fence about it, but Ken and Mitch are both coming with us.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the heels of

Immediately after.

When someone says: The scandal was reported on the heels of the elections, they mean something like:
It became public knowledge right after the elections.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the horizon

Close by.
Can be seen.
In the near future.

Practical and affordable electric cars are on the horizon. I think they’ll be here soon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the house

This usually refers to drinks and it means the management pays for it.

To show our appreciation for your continued business, tonight the drinks are on the house!

Compare to:
My treat.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the lam
Legal

Hiding from the police.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the level

Frank.
Honest.
Someone who tells the truth.

If you’re on the level, you’re being straight with people.

Q. What do you think of the new guy?
A. I don’t really know him, but he seems to be on the level.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the line

At risk.

I’m risking everything, and I have to be careful. My neck is on the line, you know!

Also:
My ass is on the line! (Same thing, but not polite.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the menu
On the table

On the agenda.
Available options.
The things to talk about or make decisions about.

When someone says: That wasn’t on the menu, they mean something like:
I didn’t know that.
I didn’t agree to that.

When someone says: What’s on the table? they mean something like:
What are we going to talk about?
What options, or choices, do we have?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the offensive

Attacking and/or questioning someone’s actions.

Your opponents seem to be vulnerable now. It’s time for you to go on the offensive, and start questioning their motives.

Compare to:
On the defensive.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the other hand

However.
Looking at it from another point of view.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the real

Really.
For real.
Doing serious stuff.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the rise

Going up.
Getting bigger.
Becoming more noticeable.

As more and more banks are running into trouble, the number of banks going bankrupt is on the rise.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the rocks

Having problems or facing certain failure, as in:
Our relationship is on the rocks.

A drink served with ice cubes, as in:
Do you like your drink straight or on the rocks?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the run
Legal

Hiding.
Avoiding arrest, or something, or someone.

Q. Is your husband still on the run?
A. Yes he’s hiding from the police. From me, too!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the same page
On the same wavelength

Being in general agreement.

When you say: We’re on the same page, you mean something like:
We agree with each other.
We understand each other.
We both know what we’re talking about and we’re in agreement.

Also see:
Seeing eye-to-eye.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the sidelines
Sports

Not being actively involved.

She won’t be working, as she’ll be on the sidelines temporarily. We won’t hear from her for a while.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the straight and narrow

Following the rules.
Doing things in the correct way.

The new laws were intended to keep corporations on the straight and narrow, but they didn’t work.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the up-and-up

Frank.
Honest.
Someone who tells the truth.

If you’re on the up-and-up, you’re being straight with people.

I don’t trust the politicians in Congress. I don’t think they’re on the up-and-up with the people.

Another meaning:
Someone who is successful.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the verge

About to happen.
Close to something happening.

Q. Why are you so quiet these days?
A. I think we are on the verge of another recession!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the wagon

Not drinking.
Being, and staying, sober.

Q. Hey Joe, you want a drink?
A. No, thanks. I’m on the wagon!

Note:
Although this expression primarily relates to drinking, it can also apply to other activities, such as going on a diet, working out, etc.

Compare to:
Off the wagon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On thin ice

On risky ground.
In a dangerous situation.

When someone says: You’re walking on thin ice, they mean:
What you’re doing is risky. Please be careful.

A. I’m dating my boss’s daughter, and he doesn’t know.
B. You’re skating on the thin ice corner of the lake, buddy!

Also:
On slippery slopes.
On slippery or shaky grounds.

Compare to:
Walking on eggshells.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On track

On the correct path.
Proceeding according to the plans.

Q. Is he on track to fix the problems?
A. Yes, he’s going in the right direction, doing the right things.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Once bitten, twice shy
Once burned, twice shy

If you have a bad experience with something, you would be reluctant to try it again, or at least you’d be more careful the next time.

A. I had an accident on the roller coaster once when I was a kid, and I never rode on roller coasters again.
B. I can understand. Once bitten, twice shy!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Once in a blue moon

Rarely.
Not often.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One down, two to go

We have finished one. We must do two more.
(This is an example only; other numbers can also be used.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One for the road

One more (drink) before I go.
This usually applies to alcoholic drinks, but it can also apply to food items, a hand of cards, etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One generation removed

One generation apart.
Separated by one generation.

When my great grandparents got married, they weren’t educated. One generation removed, the grandchildren were all college graduates!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One of a kind

Unique.
Very rare.
Like no one else or nothing else.

Also:
One in a million.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One taco short of the combination plate!

Slow.
Not smart.

When someone says: He’s one taco short of the combination plate, they mean:
He’s not very smart.

Similar:
He’s not all together.
He’s got a screw loose.
His upper floor is leaking.
He hasn’t got all his buttons.
He has one ore out of the water.
He’s one can short of a six-pack.
The lights are out on the top floor.
There’s something missing up there.
The lights are on, but nobody’s home.
The upstairs unit has been rented out.
He doesn’t have his head screwed on straight.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One too many

Too many.
One more than enough.
One unit more than the allowable amount.

A. Your honor, I only committed one burglary.
B. Well, that is one burglary too many! Take him away.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One’s backyard

Home.
Hometown.
Neighborhood.

Nuclear waste? Never. Not in my backyard!

We don’t want any sex offenders in our backyard.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One’s cup of tea

Something one likes.

Q. Do you want to come and sit here in the sun with me?
A. Sitting in the sun may be your cup of tea, but it’s not my cup of tea!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One’s cut
One’s take

One’s share of the profits.

Q. You seem very happy! What’s your take?
A. I’m doing this for a friend. I’m not getting anything.

Also:
One’s piece of the action.
One’s share of the action.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One’s honor

If you say: We’re having a party in Aysha’s honor or in honor of Aysha, it means:
We’re having a party to honor Aysha or to show our respect for her.

If you say: Helga told us on her honor (or upon her honor) that she was not involved, it means:
Helga gave us her word of honor (similar to being under oath) that she was not involved.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One’s own recognizance
Legal

Personal guarantee.

When someone says: She’s free, on her own recognizance, they mean something like: She’s free without bail, without paying anything, because they believed her when she said she’d appear when a new court date was set.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One’s ship coming in

Making it.
Becoming successful, making money, etc.

When someone says: Pay me when your ship comes in, they mean something like: Pay me when you can, or when you make it, or when you make your money, etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One’s turf

One’s familiar area, where one feels comfortable, protected, and at home.

This is my turf. No one can catch me here!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One’s two cents’ (worth)

One’s humble opinion.

If you want my two cents’ (worth), I don’t think you should interfere in this matter.

Note:
Using this expression, you can offer your opinion with less chance of offending the other person. Two cents, a very small amount, makes it humble and less offensive.

Also, jokingly:
Hey, Johnny, what do you think of my plans? Give me your two cents.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One’s undoing

One’s failure.
One’s cause of failure.

When someone says: The jail sentence was the key to his undoing, they mean something like: The jail sentence ruined his life.

Another usage:
One’s OWN undoing.

When someone says: The jail sentence was his own undoing, they mean: The jail sentence was his own fault.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One-track mind

Stubborn.
A person who thinks constantly about one thing, often related to sex.
A person who thinks and acts in a certain way only and is not willing to consider the alternatives.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One-trick pony

A person who is only good at doing one thing.

Q. It took you a long time to hire a new secretary, so I’m assuming she’s good?
A. Oh, absolutely. She’s not a one-trick pony. She’s multi-talented.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One-upping someone

Having an advantage over someone, as in:
My competitors are finally one-upping me. I’m falling behind.

Being arrogant about having an advantage, as in:
A. I wrote my first novel when I was 45 years old.
B. That’s nothing. By the time I was 45 years old, I had written several novels!
A. There you go again, one-upping me!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Oops!
Whoops!

This is an informal exclamation and is used to express admission to, or surprise at, or apology for, making (or almost making) a mistake.

Oops, I did it again!
Oops, I didn’t mean that!
Oops, I almost ran into you!
Oops, I didn’t know you were here!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Op-Ed

This is an abbreviation for:
Opinion Editorial. Or,
Opposite the Editorial page.

Background:
Some believe Op-Ed is an abbreviation for Opinion Editorial which is an article that is written by writers who are not usually associated with the publication but are voicing their own opinion. This is different from editorials by the publication’s own editors. These editorials are usually printed opposite the real editorial, which is where others believe the abbreviation comes from.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Open and shut
Open-and-shut

Easy or quick.
Something that won’t require a lot of effort to finish.

A. You promised to go out tonight!
B. This is an open-and-shut case, and won’t take long. We can still go.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Open ended
Open-ended
Legal

Without limits.

I don’t like open-ended contracts because I don’t want to get into a situation without clear guidelines and limitations.

An open-ended-question is a question that allows or encourages discussion.
An open-ended-agreement is an agreement that allows future changes.
An open-ended-discussion is an open discussion with no set limits.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Open season
Origin: Sports

A period during which certain restrictions don’t apply.

Q. Do you know that everybody’s killing rats?
A. I know! It’s open season on them!
Q. Speaking of open season, are Republicans still taking heat for the bad economy?
A. Yeah, everybody is still blaming them.

Compare to:
Fair game.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Open secret

A secret that everyone is aware of.
It’s supposed to be a secret, but it’s not really.

The candidate’s infidelity was an open secret among his staffers.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Opening a can of worms

Asking for trouble.
Creating, or uncovering, new problems.

A. Let’s just change the bulbs, not the fixtures. Otherwise, we’ll be opening a can of worms.
B. Why?
A. Well, if you want to change the fixtures, we’ll have to cut into the wall. Then we may have to change the wiring, bring things up to code, etc.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

OPM

This is an abbreviation for:
Other People’s Money.

The key to real estate investment is using OPM!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Optional material

Not standard.
Available at extra charge.
Available but not necessary.

Q. Do you have automatic transmission and air-conditioning on this car?
A. Well, yes. Automatic transmission is standard, but air-conditioning is optional.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Or else

This is a warning and means something like:
If not, you’ll be sorry.
If not, I’ll do something bad to you.
If not, something bad will happen to you.

A. Tell me where my books are, or else!
B. Or else what?
A. Or else I won’t tell you who came here looking for you!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Or otherwise

Or in other ways.
Or in ways other than that.

I don’t trust him, professionally or otherwise, means something like: I don’t trust him at all! Whether from a professional point of view, or from other points of view, I don’t trust him!

I’m not in a position to go on a vacation, financially or otherwise, means something like: I can’t go on a vacation! Because of financial reasons, family problems, etc., I can’t go on a vacation!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

OTC
Medical

This is an abbreviation for:
Over The Counter, medication that can be sold without requiring a prescription from a doctor.

Q. Mr. Pharmacist, would you give me some pills for my cholesterol?
A. That’s not an over-the-counter medication. You need to get a prescription from Dr. Pund!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Other fish in the sea
Plenty more fish in the sea

More opportunities.
(Usually used in order to sympathize with a girl or boy who has been hurt romantically.) Don’t worry. There are plenty of other fish in the sea. There will be other (romantic) opportunities.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Other side of the tracks

The poor part of town or community.
(Depending on the circumstances, it could also refer to the rich part of town or community.)

Compare to:
Wrong side of the tracks.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out of left field
Origin: Sports

Something unrelated happening.
Something happening unexpectedly.

Q. Your promotion surprised everyone, including yourself, didn’t it?
A. Yeah, it came so far out of left field you would need a crystal ball to see it coming.

Background:
This has its origins in baseball. One theory comes directly from the experience of players. A runner, attempting to score at home has his back to the left field, thus a throw to the plate coming from left field can arrive as a surprise to the runner.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out of line
Origin: Military

Out of place, as in:
You’re out of line. Please step back in line.

Disrespectful, as in:
You were out of line. You should apologize.

Not in the expected place, as in:
We’re way out of line with these results. Let’s do the calculations again.

Inappropriate, as in:
She was out of line with that remark. It was the supervisor’s responsibility to say it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out of sight, out of mind

If people don’t see you, they’ll forget you.
If you want people to remember you, stay in sight.
If you don’t see something or someone, you might forget about them.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out of the blue

Appearing or happening suddenly, as in:
We were walking when, out of the blue, my wife started crying!

Q. Were there any rumors before they started the lay-offs at your company?
A. Nothing! It was totally out of the blue!

Similar:
Coming out of nowhere, as in:
Q. Didn’t you see the policeman before you ran the red light?
A. No, he came out of nowhere!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out of the woods

Out of trouble.
Out of danger.

A. Well, it sure looks like the economy is on its way up again.
B. Yes, but there’s still high unemployment! We’re not out of the woods yet.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out of wedlock

Outside of marriage.

When someone says: Susu was born out of wedlock, they mean something like: She’s a lovechild. Her parents were not married.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out the window

When someone says: If my demands are not met, the script goes out the window, they mean something like:
I will not use it.
You can forget about it.
There won’t be a script.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out there

Weird.
Strange.

A. I must say, I find your story somewhat hard to believe.
B. I know it sounds a bit out there but, believe me, it did happen!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out to get somebody

Planning to get someone. (With a negative connotation.)
When someone says: The police are out to get him, they mean something like: They are looking for him to arrest him.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out to lunch

Not alert.
Not paying attention.
Acting in a stupid way.
Not aware of what’s going on around you.

For a couple of hours, my husband and family were frightened because I was totally out to lunch. They thought I had gone crazy.

Also see:
At sea.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Outside the box

Unusual.
Out of the ordinary.
Not in the traditional way.

Try to be original, and think outside the box for a change!

Compare to:
Inside the box.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over a barrel

Not in control.
At someone’s mercy.

Q. Are you going to accept Dilliano’s conditions?
A. Hell, no! Now that we finally have him over a barrel, we should ask for more.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over my dead body!

No!
I won’t do it!
I won’t let it happen (as long as I’m alive).

A. I’m going to take your sister to the party.
B. Over my dead body!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over one’s head

Going outside the chain of command, as in:
Q. I hear your supervisor is mad at you. Why did you go over his head?
A. Well, he kept putting off my promotion. I had to talk to the director directly

Too difficult or complicated, as in:
Q. Did you understand the problem?
A. No, it was way over my head.

Too much to handle, if used with “in”, as in:
A. You’re in over your head. You should hire someone to help you.
B. No, I can do it. I just need a little more time.

Compare to:
Biting off more than one can chew.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over the edge

Beyond help.
Losing one’s mind.

My friend has gone over the edge, means:
There’s no hope for him; or
I believe he’s lost his mind.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over the hill

Old.
Too old.
Too old to do certain things.
Older than one would like to be.

A. I’d like to learn about computers, but I’m a bit over the hill for that.
B. Oh, stop it! You’re never too old for anything, unless you want to be.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over the moon

Happy.
Hoping for something big.

Q. Does she know we’re going over for dinner?
A. Oh, yes, she’s over the moon with excitement.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over the top

Great.
Exceptional.
Too much. (Negative connotation.)
Extraordinary. (Positive connotation.)
An over-the-top performance. (Could be a great performance, or a case of over-acting.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over-egging the pudding

Overdoing things.
Spoiling by overdoing, even if it’s overdoing a good thing.

Q. What did you do? The coffee is so sweet that I can’t drink it.
A. I guess I over-egged the pudding.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Over-rated, Under-rated

Over-rated. (Has a negative connotation.)
Worse than people think.
Not as good as people think.

Under-rated. (Has a positive connotation.)
Better than people think.
Not as bad as people think.

I hate it when I see a lot of under-rated supporting actors struggling in life, while a few over-rated ones command millions of dollars for their mediocre performances, just because!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Owning up to something

Admitting (a mistake).
Acknowledging something.
Taking responsibility for a mistake.

This is something you did. You’d better own up to it, and face the consequences.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Return from this page "Common Idioms, English Idioms N to O" to "English Idioms, Complete list"