Religion and Ethnicity Idioms

Religion has been an important part of human life and culture for centuries. It has influenced the way we think, behave and communicate with each other. One of the ways religion has influenced our communication is through idioms. Religious idioms are a unique way of expressing ideas and beliefs that are rooted in religious traditions.

List of Idioms about Ethnicity, Nationality and Religion

Ethnicity Idioms

  • Jim Crow

Nationality Idioms

  • Dutch Uncle
  • French Leave
  • It’s All Greek to Me
  • Welsh (Welch) on a Deal

Religion Idioms

  • (A) Snowball’s Chance in Hell
  • (Going to) Hell in a Handbasket
  • (The) Devil Is in the Details
  • (To) 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

Ethnicity and Religion Idioms | Image

Frequently Used Religion and Ethnicity Idioms in English

Religion and Ethnicity Idioms with Meaning and Examples

Ethnicity Idioms

Jim Crow

  • Meaning: Refers to a set of laws and customs that enforced racial segregation in the United States.
  • Example: The Jim Crow laws were finally abolished in the 1960s.

Nationality Idioms

Dutch Uncle

  • Meaning: Someone who gives frank and direct advice, even if it’s not what you want to hear.
  • Example:  He’s like a Dutch Uncle – always telling me what I’m doing wrong.

French Leave

  • Meaning: To leave without saying goodbye or without permission.
  • Example: She took French leave from the party, leaving without telling anyone.

It’s All Greek to Me

  • Meaning:  Refers to something difficult to understand or confusing.
  • Example:  I tried to read the instructions, but it’s all Greek to me.

Welsh (Welch) on a Deal

  • Meaning: To fail to keep a promise or agreement.
  • Example: He welched on the deal and didn’t pay me back.

Religion Idioms

(A) Snowball’s Chance in Hell

  • Meaning: Refers to a situation that is almost impossible or has no chance of success.
  • Example: He has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the race against those professional runners.

(Going to) Hell in a Handbasket

  • Meaning: Refers to a situation that is rapidly deteriorating or getting worse.
  • Example: The company is going to hell in a handbasket if they don’t change their approach.

(The) Devil Is in the Details

  • Meaning:  Refers to the idea that small details can be very important and cause problems if overlooked.
  • Example: The devil is in the details – make sure you check everything carefully.

(To) Dance with the Devil

  • Meaning: To engage in dangerous or risky behavior, often with negative consequences.
  • Example: He knew he was dancing with the devil when he started using drugs.

All Hell Breaks Loose

  • Meaning: Refers to a chaotic or disastrous situation.
  • Example: When the power went out, all hell broke loose in the office.

All Over Hell’S Half Acre

  • Meaning:  Refers to a place that is very far away or difficult to find.
  • Example: We drove all over hell’s half acre looking for the restaurant.

Angel’s Advocate

  • Meaning: Someone who argues in favor of the best qualities or intentions of a person or situation.
  • Example: She’s always the angel’s advocate, seeing the best in everyone.

Baptism by Fire

  • Meaning: A difficult or challenging experience that tests someone’s abilities.
  • Example: His first week on the job was a baptism by fire, but he learned quickly.

Be A Cold Day In Hell

  • Meaning: Refers to a situation that is very unlikely or impossible to happen.
  • Example:  It’ll be a cold day in hell before I lend him money again.

Cross to Bear

  • Meaning: A problem or burden that someone has to deal with.
  • Example:  His addiction was a cross to bear for his family.

Devil’s Advocate

  • Meaning: Someone who argues against a popular opinion or belief.
  • Example:  He played the devil’s advocate, arguing against the idea even though he agreed with it.

Hail Mary (n. or adj.)

  • Meaning:  A desperate or last-ditch effort to achieve something.
  • Example:  It was a Hail Mary pass, but somehow they managed to win the game.

Is the Pope Catholic?

  • Meaning: A sarcastic or rhetorical question that implies the answer is obvious.
  • Example: “Is the Pope Catholic?” is a common response to a question with an obvious answer.

Not Have a Prayer

  • Meaning: Refers to a situation where there is no chance of success.
  • Example: He doesn’t have a prayer of winning the election against the incumbent.

Preach to the Choir, Preach to the Converted

  • Meaning: To try to persuade someone who already agrees with you.
  • Example:  Preaching to the choir won’t change anyone’s mind – they already agree with you.

Sacred Cow

  • Meaning: Refers to a person or thing that is considered immune from criticism or attack.
  • Example: The CEO was a sacred cow – no one dared to criticize him.

Saving Grace

  • Meaning:  A positive aspect or feature that makes up for negative aspects.
  • Example: Her sense of humor was her saving grace during a difficult time.

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