People Idioms
Contents
People idioms are a fascinating aspect of the English language. They are phrases or expressions that use figurative language to describe a person’s character, behavior, or appearance. These idioms are a great way to add color and personality to your language, and they are commonly used in everyday conversation.
Subpages of People Idioms
People Idioms and Saying List
Not Know Jack | The Real McCoy |
No Names, No Pack Drill | Any Tom, Dick or Harry |
Rob Peter to Pay Paul | On the Fritz |
Jack of All Trades | Even Steven |
(Between) Buckley’s and Nunn | (Not a) Spring Chicken |
All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go | All Fur Coat And No Knickers |
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep | Clean Up Nicely |
Dead ringer | Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover |
Knockout | Put one’s Face On |
Amateur Hour | As Far as I Can Throw (someone) |
Bag of Tricks | Beat Someone To The Draw |
Drop the Ball | Find One’s Voice |
Green as Grass | Lose One’s Touch |
Not Cut Out for (Something) | Sharp as A Tack |
Full Fathom Five | Kick the Bucket |
Over My Dead Body | Pop One’s Clogs |
Pushing Up Daisies | Set in Stone |
Six Feet Under | Sleep with the Fishes |
Swim with the Fishes | Whistle Past the Graveyard |
Your Number Is Up | Jim Crow |
Get Off Scot Free | Dutch Uncle |
French Leave | It’s All Greek to Me |
Welsh (Welch) on a Deal | (A) Snowball’s Chance in Hell |
(Going to) Hell in a Hand basket | (The) Devil Is in the Details |
Dance with the Devil | All Hell Breaks Loose |
All Over Hell’S Half Acre | Angel’s Advocate |
Baptism by Fire | Be A Cold Day In Hell |
Cross to Bear | Devil’s Advocate |
Hail Mary (n. or adj.) | Is the Pope Catholic? |
Not Have a Prayer | Preach to the Choir, Preach to the Converted |
Sacred Cow | Saving Grace |
Knowledge is power | Learn the ropes |
Can’t make heads or tails of | Burning the midnight oil/ pull an all-nighter |
Know something backwards and forwards | Doing your homework |
Under one’s belt | Two heads are better than one |
Pick his brain | Great minds think alike |
As far as anyone knows | To the best of your belief/knowledge |
Go to your head | Have your wits about you |
Know what’s what |
Personal Names Idioms
Not Know Jack
- Meaning: To not know anything about a particular subject or topic.
- Example: I don’t know Jack about gardening.
The Real McCoy
- Meaning: The genuine article, the real thing.
- Example: This Rolex watch is the real McCoy, not a cheap knockoff.
No Names, No Pack Drill
- Meaning: To keep something or someone anonymous and not reveal their identity.
- Example: The whistleblower wished to remain anonymous, so they requested “no names, no pack drill.“
Any Tom, Dick or Harry
- Meaning: Refers to any ordinary person, regardless of their name or status.
- Example: I don’t want any Tom, Dick or Harry working on my car – I want a certified mechanic.
Rob Peter to Pay Paul
- Meaning: To take from one source to pay another, often resulting in a cycle of debt.
- Example: John keeps robbing Peter to pay Paul, and now he’s in a lot of debt.
On the Fritz
- Meaning: Something that is not working properly or is in a state of disrepair.
- Example: My computer is on the fritz again – I think I need to take it to a repair shop.
Jack of All Trades
- Meaning: Someone who can do many different things reasonably well, but may not excel at any one thing.
- Example: My uncle is a jack of all trades – he can fix cars, do plumbing, and even cook!
Even Steven
- Meaning: A situation where everything is fair and equal.
- Example:We split the pizza evenly, so it’s even Steven.
(Between) Buckley’s and Nunn
- Meaning: A situation where there is little or no chance of success or likelihood of something happening.
- Example: I have Buckley’s and Nunn of getting that promotion – there are too many other qualified candidates.
Appearance Idioms & Sayings
(Not a) Spring Chicken
- Meaning: Refers to someone who is not young anymore, usually over the age of 40 or 50.
- Example: My grandmother is not a spring chicken anymore, but she’s still very active and lively.
All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go
- Meaning: Refers to someone who is dressed up in fancy clothes, but has nowhere to go or nothing to do.
- Example: She spent hours getting ready for the party, but when she got there, it was cancelled – she was all dressed up and nowhere to go.
All Fur Coat And No Knickers
- Meaning: Refers to someone who appears to be wealthy or high-class, but is actually lacking in substance or character.
- Example: He may drive a fancy car and wear expensive suits, but he’s all fur coat and no knickers – he’s not as successful as he appears.
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
- Meaning: Refers to the idea that physical beauty is only superficial and doesn’t reflect a person’s true character or worth.
- Example: She may be beautiful, but beauty is only skin deep – what really matters is what’s on the inside.
Clean Up Nicely
- Meaning: Refers to someone who looks much better after cleaning up or dressing nicely.
- Example: He usually dresses casually, but he cleans up nicely for special occasions.
Dead ringer
- Meaning: Refers to someone who looks very similar to another person, often to the point of being mistaken for them.
- Example: He’s a dead ringer for his father – they look almost identical.
Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
- Meaning: Refers to the idea that you shouldn’t judge someone or something based solely on appearances.
- Example: She may look shy and quiet, but don’t judge a book by its cover – she’s actually very outgoing.
Knockout
- Meaning: Refers to someone who is extremely attractive or impressive.
- Example: He was a knockout in his tuxedo – all the women at the party were fawning over him
Put one’s Face On
- Meaning: Refers to the act of putting on makeup or getting ready to go out in public.
- Example: She always puts her face on before leaving the house – she never goes out without makeup
Skills Idioms
Amateur Hour
- Meaning: Refers to a situation or person that is unprofessional, inexperienced, or lacking in skill.
- Example: The new employee’s work was amateur hour – they clearly didn’t know what they were doing.
As Far as I Can Throw (someone)
- Meaning: Refers to someone who is not trusted or liked, and who is only tolerated because they are necessary.
- Example: I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him – he’s always up to something.
Bag of Tricks
- Meaning: Refers to a collection of skills, techniques, or strategies that someone has at their disposal.
- Example: He pulled out his bag of tricks to get out of the sticky situation.
Beat Someone To The Draw
- Meaning: Refers to getting ahead of someone or being the first to take action in a situation.
- Example: She beat me to the draw and got the last slice of pizza.
Drop the Ball
- Meaning: Refers to making a mistake or failing to follow through on something.
- Example: He dropped the ball on the project and missed the deadline.
Find One’s Voice
- Meaning: Refers to finding one’s confidence and ability to express oneself.
- Example: It took her a while, but she eventually found her voice and spoke up for herself.
Green as Grass
- Meaning: Refers to someone who is inexperienced or naive.
- Example: He’s green as grass when it comes to working in an office – he’s never had a job before.
Lose One’s Touch
- Meaning: Refers to someone who has lost their skill or ability in a particular area.
- Example: She used to be a great basketball player, but she’s lost her touch since she stopped playing.
Not Cut Out for (Something)
- Meaning: Refers to someone who is not suited or capable of doing something.
- Example: He’s not cut out for the military – he can’t handle the physical demands.
Sharp as A Tack
- Meaning: Refers to someone who is very intelligent and quick-witted.
- Example: Despite her age, she’s still sharp as a tack and can solve any problem.
Death Idioms
Full Fathom Five
- Meaning: Refers to someone who has died and is buried at sea.
- Example: The sailor was lost at sea and is now full fathom five.
Kick the Bucket
- Meaning: Refers to someone who has died.
- Example: He kicked the bucket last night – we’re all going to miss him.
Over My Dead Body
- Meaning: Refers to something that will not happen, no matter what.
- Example: Over my dead body will you marry that man – I won’t allow it.
Pop One’s Clogs
- Meaning: Refers to someone who has died.
- Example: She popped her clogs last week – it was a shock to everyone.
Pushing Up Daisies
- Meaning: Refers to someone who has died and is buried in the ground.
- Example: When I’m pushing up daisies, I want to be buried next to my parents.
Set in Stone
- Meaning: Refers to something that is fixed and cannot be changed.
- Example: The decision is set in stone – there’s no changing it now.
Six Feet Under
- Meaning: Refers to someone who has died and is buried in the ground.
- Example: When I’m gone, bury me six feet under – I don’t want to be disturbed.
Sleep with the Fishes
- Meaning: Refers to someone who has been killed and their body has been disposed of in the ocean.
- Example: If you cross the boss, you might end up sleeping with the fishes.
Swim with the Fishes
- Meaning: If you cross the boss, you might end up sleeping with the fishes.
- Example: The mafia made sure he swam with the fishes after he talked to the police.
Whistle Past the Graveyard
- Meaning: Refers to someone who is trying to act brave or unconcerned in the face of danger or death.
- Example: She tried to whistle past the graveyard as she walked through the dark alley.
Your Number Is Up
- Meaning: Refers to someone who is going to die soon, usually in a tragic or unexpected way.
- Example: He had a feeling his number was up when he saw the car speeding towards him.
Ethnicity Idioms
Jim Crow
- Meaning: Refers to a set of laws and customs in the United States that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans.
- Example: The Jim Crow laws were finally abolished in the 1960s, but their legacy still affects American society today.
Get Off Scot Free
- Meaning: Refers to someone who avoids punishment or consequences for their actions.
- Example: He caused the accident, but he got off scot free while the other driver had to pay for the damages.
Nationality Idioms
Dutch Uncle
- Meaning: Refers to someone who gives stern and direct advice, often in a harsh or critical manner.
- Example: He gave me a Dutch uncle talk about my poor grades, telling me I needed to work harder in school.
French Leave
- Meaning: Refers to leaving a situation or place without saying goodbye or without permission.
- Example: He took French leave from the party, leaving without telling anyone.
It’s All Greek to Me
- Meaning: Refers to something that is completely unintelligible or incomprehensible.
- Example: The instructions were all in Greek to me – I couldn’t understand a thing.
Welsh (Welch) on a Deal
- Meaning: Refers to breaking a promise or agreement, especially regarding money.
- Example: He welched on the deal and didn’t pay me back the money he owed me.
Religion Life Idioms
(A) Snowball’s Chance in Hell
- Meaning: Refers to something that has no chance of success or happening.
- Example: He has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the race – he’s not a very good runner.
(Going to) Hell in a Hand basket
- Meaning: Refers to a situation that is rapidly deteriorating or heading towards disaster.
- Example: The company is going to hell in a hand basket with all the layoffs and budget cuts.
(The) Devil Is in the Details
- Meaning: Refers to the idea that small details or factors can have a significant impact on the outcome of a situation.
- Example: The devil is in the details when it comes to planning a successful event.
Dance with the Devil
- Meaning: Refers to engaging in risky or dangerous behavior or dealing with someone who is untrustworthy.
- Example: You’re playing with fire if you dance with the devil and get involved in illegal activities.
All Hell Breaks Loose
- Meaning: Refers to a situation where chaos and disorder occur.
- Example: When the power goes out, all hell breaks loose in the city.
All Over Hell’S Half Acre
- Meaning: Refers to a situation that is far away or difficult to reach.
- Example: We had to drive all over hell’s half acre to find the right store.
Angel’s Advocate
- Meaning: Refers to someone who takes a positive or optimistic view of a situation or person.
- Example: He’s always been my angel’s advocate, seeing the good in people even when they make mistakes.
Baptism by Fire
- Meaning: Refers to a situation where someone is quickly introduced to a new and challenging task or environment.
- Example: Her first day on the job was a baptism by fire – she had to learn everything on the spot.
Be A Cold Day In Hell
- Meaning: Refers to something that is unlikely to happen.
- Example: It’ll be a cold day in hell before I let him borrow my car again.
Cross to Bear
- Meaning: A problem or burden that a person has to deal with or endure.
- Example: His addiction was his cross to bear.
Devil’s Advocate
- Meaning: Someone who takes an opposing view for the sake of argument.
- Example: I don’t necessarily agree with her, but I’ll play devil’s advocate.
Hail Mary (n. or adj.)
- Meaning: A desperate or last-ditch effort to achieve something.
- Example: It was a hail Mary pass, but it worked.
Is the Pope Catholic?
- Meaning: A sarcastic way of saying “yes”.
- Example: “Do you think he’ll show up on time?” “Is the Pope Catholic?“
Not Have a Prayer
- Meaning: Having no chance of success.
- Example: He doesn’t have a prayer of winning the race.
Preach to the Choir, Preach to the Converted
- Meaning: Trying to convince people who already agree with you.
- Example: You’re preaching to the choir – we all know how important exercise is.
Sacred Cow
- Meaning: A person or thing that is considered immune to criticism or challenge.
- Example: The company’s CEO is a sacred cow – nobody dares to question his decisions.
Saving Grace
- Meaning: A redeeming quality that makes something or someone more acceptable.
- Example: Her sense of humor was her saving grace during a difficult time.
Knowledge Idioms
Knowledge is power
- Meaning: The more knowledge you have, the more powerful you are.
- Example: He read every book he could find on the subject – knowledge is power, after all.
Learn the ropes
- Meaning: To learn how to do something or to become familiar with a new situation.
- Example: It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes at my new job.
Can’t make heads or tails of
- Meaning: To be unable to understand or make sense of something.
- Example: I’ve looked at this math problem a hundred times and I still can’t make heads or tails of it.
Burning the midnight oil/ pull an all-nighter
- Meaning: To work very late into the night.
- Example: I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my term paper on time.
Know something backwards and forwards
- Meaning: To know something very well, in all its details.
- Example: He knows the rules of the game backwards and forwards.
Doing your homework
- Meaning: To do research or prepare for something thoroughly.
- Example: I spent all weekend doing my homework for next week’s classes.
Under one’s belt
- Meaning: To have gained experience in something.
- Example: I’m glad to have another successful project under my belt.
Two heads are better than one
- Meaning: Two people working together can solve a problem more effectively than one person alone.
- Example: Let’s work on this project together – two heads are better than one.
Pick his brain
- Meaning: To ask someone for advice or information on a particular subject.
- Example: I need to pick his brain about the best way to approach this problem.
Great minds think alike
- Meaning: Intelligent people often have the same ideas or opinions.
- Example: We both had the same idea for the project – great minds think alike.
As far as anyone knows
- Meaning: To the best of everyone’s knowledge or understanding.
- Example: As far as anyone knows, the treasure has never been found
To the best of your belief/knowledge
- Meaning: To the best of what you know or believe.
- Example: To the best of my knowledge, the meeting is still scheduled for tomorrow at 10am.
Idioms about Thinking and Learning
Go to your head
- Meaning: To make someone feel more important than they really are.
- Example: Winning the lottery can really go to your head if you’re not careful.
Have your wits about you
- Meaning: To be alert and aware of what’s going on around you.
- Example: You need to have your wits about you when walking alone at night.
Know what’s what
- Meaning: To have a good understanding of a situation or topic.
- Example: She knows what’s what when it comes to the stock market.
Not have a leg to stand on
- Meaning: To have no evidence or argument to support your position.
- Example: He doesn’t have a leg to stand on in this argument because he has no evidence.
Not see the wood for the trees
- Meaning: To be so focused on small details that you miss the bigger picture.
- Example: She’s so obsessed with the details of the project that she can’t see the wood for the trees.
Put two and two together
- Meaning: To draw a logical conclusion based on the information available.
- Example: When I saw him with a bouquet of flowers, I put two and two together and realized he was going to propose.
Quick/ slow on the uptake
- Meaning: To be quick or slow to understand something.
- Example: She’s quick on the uptake and always understands new concepts quickly.
Ring a bell
- Meaning: To sound familiar or to trigger a memory.
- Example: That name rings a bell – I think we went to school together.
Round the bend
- Meaning: To be crazy or insane.
- Example: After being stranded on the island for months, he started to go round the bend.
Split hairs
- Meaning: To argue over small or unimportant details.
- Example: He’s splitting hairs by arguing over the definition of a word.
Take stock (of)
- Meaning: To assess or evaluate a situation or inventory.
- Example: After the busy holiday season, it’s time to take stock of our inventory.
Examples of People Idioms with Images
Thick as Thieves
Shot In the Dark Meaning
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