Latest Posts
Idiom: a cowboy outfit
A cowboy outfit is a business that cheats and deceives its customers by providing a very bad service and taking money for it. Examples of use: 1. Don't book a flight with that airline; they're a cowboy outfit. The plane was filthy, the food was horrible and they lost my luggage. 2. Their work was [...]
Idiom: land a plum job
To land a plum job means to get a very good job. If you land a plum job you get a job that many people would love to have. Examples of use: 1. With this excellent CV you're sure to land a plum job! 2. He landed a plum job by being in the right [...]
Idiom: talk turkey
To talk turkey is to talk seriously and openly about something, especially something that relates to business. Examples of use: 1. OK, let's talk turkey and reach an agreement about the new employment contract. 2. It's time for us to talk turkey. 3. The Prime Minister is keen to talk turkey. The origins of [...]
Idiom: full of beans
To be full of beans means to be in high spirits: to be full of energy, health and enthusiasm. Examples of use: a) My children are always full of beans when they get up in the morning. b) You're full of beans today! Here are some more idioms based on beans: 1. To spill the [...]
Idiom: big fish in a small pond
A big fish in a small pond is someone who is important and influential in a small place or organization. Examples of use: 1. You're not so special: you're just a big fish in a small pond! 2. I was a big fish in a small pond where I used to work; but in my [...]
Idiom: a skeleton in the cupboard
A skeleton in the cupboard is something that might bring shame or embarrassment to a family or person if other people knew about it. Examples of use: 1. Does your family have a skeleton in the cupboard? 2. Politicians should not have any skeletons in their cupboards. 2. Did you hear about Mr Short's skeleton [...]
Idiom: a bigwig
A bigwig is a very important person. Informal English. In Britain and France during the 17th and 18th centuries, large wigs were worn by important men and the aristocracy. Examples of use: 1. He thinks he's a bigwig. 2. A government bigwig will be visiting us next week. wig (noun) – a [...]
Idiom: a nest egg
A nest egg is an amount of money saved for the future. Examples of use: 1. I have been saving regularly and creating a nest egg for my retirement. 2. We have £20,000 saved as our nest egg. 3. Our house is our nest egg. 4. We have invested part of our nest egg in [...]
Idiom: in a jam
To be in a jam means to be in a lot of trouble or in great difficulty. Examples of use: 1. I'm in a jam. I'm going on holiday to Spain tomorrow but I can't find my passport anywhere. 2. He's in a jam because he's lost his wallet and has no money to get [...]
