Technology Idioms

The following text will explore a list of idioms about technology, we gain insight into how deeply technology has permeated our culture and language. Recognizing and understanding these idioms not only enriches our communication but also reflects our collective creativity in adapting language to the ever-changing technological landscape.

List of Technology Idioms

• (The) Die Is Cast
• By Hook or by Crook
• Byte the bullet
• Chop Chop
• Crash and burn
• Digital age
• Grease Monkey
• Grease the Wheels
• Hack into
• Have a Screw Loose
• Hit the delete button
• Hold the Phone
• In the loop
• In the pipeline
• Nuts and Bolts
• Off the grid
• On the back burner
• On the same wavelength
• Plug and play
• Pull the Plug On
• Run into a Buzz Saw
• Tech-savvy
• Upgrade your life
• Wired for sound

Technology Idioms with Meaning and Examples

(The) Die Is Cast

• Meaning: Once a decision is made and actions are set in motion, they cannot easily be reversed.
• Example: We’ve upgraded our servers and there’s no going back now, the die is cast.

By Hook or by Crook

• Meaning: To accomplish something by any means necessary, often using clever or unorthodox methods.
• Example: We have to get this network back up by the end of the day, by hook or by crook.

Byte the bullet

• Meaning: To endure a painful or otherwise unpleasant situation that is seen as unavoidable.
• Example: The software update will cause downtime, but we just have to byte the bullet.

Chop Chop

• Meaning: To do something quickly; hurry up.
• Example: We need those cables connected chop chop if we want to meet the launch deadline.

Crash and burn

• Meaning: To fail spectacularly.
• Example: Their new app was buggy at the release, and it crashed and burned in the market.

Digital age

• Meaning: The current era, characterized by widespread computer use and the presence of digital technology.
• Example: In the digital age, information is available at the click of a button.

Grease Monkey

• Meaning: A mechanic or technician, especially one who maintains machines or vehicles.
• Example: Our grease monkey is brilliant; she can fix a laptop as easily as a car engine.

Grease the Wheels

• Meaning: To facilitate, make something easier to accomplish.
• Example: A little bit of networking can grease the wheels for a successful product launch.

Hack into

• Meaning: To gain unauthorized access to a computer system or network.
• Example: He managed to hack into the database, which compromised our user data.

Have a Screw Loose

• Meaning: To behave in a strange way or to have something wrong with one’s thinking.
• Example: You must have a screw loose if you think that old model can outperform the latest smartphones.

Hit the delete button

• Meaning: To completely remove or erase something, such as data on a computer.
• Example: He accidentally hit the delete button on his dissertation, and now it’s gone forever.

Hold the Phone

• Meaning: To wait a moment; to pause an action or statement.
• Example: Hold the phone, we need to run the diagnostic before rebooting the system.

In the loop

• Meaning: To be informed or up-to-date.
• Example: Keep our clients in the loop about the software update’s progress.

In the pipeline

• Meaning: In the process of being planned or developed.
• Example: We’ve got several new app features in the pipeline due to release next quarter.

Nuts and Bolts

• Meaning: The practical details of a subject or task.
• Example: Let’s get down to the nuts and bolts of how this new encryption algorithm works.

Off the grid

• Meaning: Not connected to the utility systems, such as the power grid or internet.
• Example: I’ll be off the grid for a week while camping—no phone calls or emails.

On the back burner

• Meaning: To postpone or reduce the priority of a task.
• Example: Let’s put the website redesign on the back burner until we upgrade our servers.

On the same wavelength

• Meaning: In agreement, or having the same ideas or thoughts as someone else.
• Example: Our development team is on the same wavelength, which is why we work so efficiently.

Plug and play

• Meaning: A device or system that can be used immediately after being connected, without the need for setup.
• Example: All of our peripherals are plug and play to ensure a user-friendly experience.

Pull the Plug On

• Meaning: To stop or discontinue something.
• Example: If this project continues to exceed the budget, we’ll have to pull the plug on it.

Run into a Buzz Saw

• Meaning: To encounter strong and unexpected opposition or trouble.
• Example: We ran into a buzz saw with the client’s firewall settings during the installation.

Tech-savvy

• Meaning: Being well-informed or skilled in the use of technology.
• Example: Our team is quite tech-savvy, so we pick up new tools very quickly.

Upgrade your life

• Meaning: To improve your lifestyle or situation by using new technology.
• Example: Installing smart home devices can really upgrade your life.

Wired for sound

• Meaning: To have the necessary equipment, especially for recording or listening to music.
• Example: With the latest surround sound system, his living room is wired for sound.