Sports Idioms

noun the act of releasing a person or property from legal custody by providing security or guarantee

verb to secure the release of a person or property by providing security or guarantee

preposition used to indicate the action of releasing someone or something from legal custody

• The government decided to provide a financial bail out to the struggling company.
• I had to bail out my friend when he got into trouble with the law.
• I can't believe I had to bail out my brother again, he's always getting into trouble.
• She had to bail out of the project because it was taking up too much of her time.

noun A financial institution that accepts deposits from the public and creates credit

preposition To depend on or trust in (someone or something)

• It is unwise to bank on the success of a new business without thorough market research.
• I wouldn't bank on John showing up to the party on time, he's always late.
• Don't bank on winning the lottery, the odds are against you.
• You can bank on Sarah to always have a positive attitude, no matter what.

noun a small amount of something, especially a snack or light meal

verb to be defeated or fail, especially in a dramatic or final way

• Unfortunately, the company had to bite the dust due to financial difficulties.
• I heard that the new restaurant down the street already bit the dust.
• That old car finally bit the dust after years of use.
• His dreams of becoming a professional athlete quickly bit the dust after his injury.

adjective describing the color of something as a shade of blue

adverb modifying the verb 'turn' to indicate the extent or degree to which someone's face has turned blue

preposition used to indicate the color of something

• She argued with her colleague until she was blue in the face, trying to convince him of her point of view.
• I've told him a million times to clean his room, but he just ignores me until I'm blue in the face.
• I yelled at him until I was blue in the face, but he still wouldn't listen.
• The teacher explained the concept over and over again until the students were blue in the face with boredom.

verb past participle of the verb 'carry', meaning to transport or move from one place to another

adjective describing someone who is overly excited or emotional

adverb modifying a verb, indicating that someone is taken to an extreme or excessive degree

• The speaker got carried away with his speech and went over the allotted time.
• I got so carried away with shopping that I forgot to pick up the kids from school.
• Don't get carried away with your new video game, you have other responsibilities too.
• She was so caught up in the moment that she got carried away by the music.

verb to be in a situation where one lacks something essential or necessary

adjective suddenly faced with a difficulty or problem without any warning or preparation

• Unfortunately, I was caught short without any cash on me when I needed to pay for parking.
• I got caught short and had to borrow some money from a friend to buy lunch.
• I was caught short and had to run to the nearest restroom.
• She was caught short during the exam and couldn't remember the answer.

noun a finishing stroke or decisive event

preposition a French term meaning 'blow of mercy'

• The general delivered the coup de grace to the enemy forces, securing victory for his army.
• After hours of negotiation, the CEO finally delivered the coup de grace and closed the deal.
• The team scored the winning goal in the last minute, delivering the coup de grace to their opponents.
• The final blow struck by the prosecutor was the coup de grace that sealed the fate of the defendant.

verb to begin eating eagerly or with enthusiasm

• Please wait for everyone to be seated before you dig in to your meal.
• Alright, let's dig in before the food gets cold!
• I'm so hungry, I can't wait to dig in to this feast!
• It's time to dig in and start working on this project with full focus.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

• After getting caught in the rain, she arrived at the meeting dripping wet.
• I got caught in the storm and came home dripping wet.
• We went swimming in the lake and came out dripping wet.
• His words left her feeling emotionally dripping wet with sadness.

adjective describing the state of having nothing in one's hands

adverb modifying the verb 'to be' to indicate the state of having nothing in one's hands

• Despite their efforts, the team returned empty handed from the negotiation.
• We went to the store looking for the new video game, but we came back empty handed.
• I thought I would find some cool stuff at the garage sale, but I ended up leaving empty handed.
• He searched for answers in the old books, but he came back empty handed.

adjective describing someone who is extremely angry or frustrated

preposition used as part of a phrase to convey the state of being extremely angry or frustrated

• The manager was fit to be tied when he found out about the accounting error.
• She was fit to be tied when she saw the mess her kids had made in the living room.
• My brother was fit to be tied when he lost his favorite hat.
• The artist was fit to be tied with excitement when his painting was chosen for the gallery exhibition.

noun A short-lived success or phenomenon that is quickly forgotten or dismissed.

preposition In this phrase, 'in' is a preposition that indicates the location or situation of the 'flash in the pan'.

• The new restaurant was initially popular, but turned out to be just a flash in the pan.
• That singer was a flash in the pan - everyone forgot about them after a month.
• Don't worry about him, he's just a flash in the pan.
• His success in the stock market was like a flash in the pan - it didn't last long.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, indicating the manner, place, time, or degree of an action

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• She worked tirelessly on the project, only to be criticized for nothing in the end.
• I spent hours cleaning the house for nothing because no one showed up for the party.
• I told him to stop messing around, but he continued to do it for nothing.
• His efforts to impress her were all for nothing as she was not interested in him at all.

noun a high rate of speed or action

adjective at maximum speed or capacity

• The machine was operating at full tilt to meet the production deadline.
• I was running around the office at full tilt trying to get everything done.
• She was driving her car at full tilt down the highway.
• His emotions were running at full tilt as he watched the intense movie scene.

adverb in a spirited and determined manner

• She gamely accepted the challenge and completed the task with determination.
• He gamely tried his best in the game, even though he knew he wasn't very good at it.
• They gamely went along with the plan, even though they had doubts about its success.
• The team gamely fought against all odds to secure their victory in the championship.

verb to start working or doing something quickly and energetically

• We need to get cracking on the project to meet the deadline.
• Come on, let's get cracking on our homework before it's too late.
• Hey, stop wasting time and get cracking on your chores!
• If you want to succeed, you need to get cracking and start putting in the effort.

verb to complete or finish something, especially something difficult or unpleasant

pronoun used to refer to a specific thing or situation previously mentioned

• Let's try to get it over with as soon as possible to avoid any delays.
• Come on, let's just get it over and done with so we can relax.
• I just want to get this over and bounce.
• Sometimes we need to face our fears head on and just get it over with.

verb to act or speak without thinking carefully beforehand

adverb in a hasty or impulsive manner

• It's important to carefully consider all options before making a decision, so you don't go off half cocked.
• Don't just rush into things without thinking it through, you don't want to go off half cocked.
• Dude, don't be so impulsive, you always go off half cocked.
• She tends to go off half cocked when she's angry, without considering the consequences.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to specify or limit a noun

• In order to achieve success, we must be willing to go the limit and put in maximum effort.
• If you want to win the race, you've got to go the limit and give it all you've got.
• Dude, if you really want to impress her, you gotta go all out and go the limit.
• Sometimes in life, you have to go the limit and push yourself beyond your comfort zone to reach your goals.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this phrase, 'extremes' is a noun referring to the furthest or most intense points or levels of something.

verb A word that expresses an action or a state of being. In this case, 'go' is a verb indicating movement or action.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. In this case, 'to' is a preposition indicating the direction or goal of the action.

• In order to achieve success, some people may go to extremes in their work ethic.
• She always goes to extremes when it comes to planning parties.
• He really went to extremes to impress his crush.
• When it comes to protecting her family, she will go to extremes to ensure their safety.

noun a tool with a heavy metal head mounted at right angles at the end of a handle, used for jobs such as breaking things and driving in nails

verb to persistently work at or criticize something

adverb in a persistent or continuous manner

• The researchers continued to hammer away at the data until they found a significant pattern.
• He just kept hammering away at the problem until he finally figured it out.
• She's been hammering away at her guitar skills to get ready for the talent show.
• The politician's opponents constantly hammer away at his controversial statements.

noun a phrase used to describe making money quickly and in large amounts

• The company is making money hand over fist with their new product line.
• He's winning at poker hand over fist tonight.
• She's spending cash hand over fist on designer clothes.
• The team is climbing the rankings hand over fist this season.

verb to persevere or continue despite difficulties or challenges

• I encourage you to hang in there and keep working towards your goals.
• Just hang in a little longer, we're almost done with this project.
• Hang in, dude, it's gonna get better.
• Sometimes you just have to hang in and trust that things will work out in the end.

noun a noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'noon' is a noun that refers to the time of day when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, typically around 12 o'clock noon.

adjective an adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun. In this case, 'high' is an adjective that describes the noun 'noon' by indicating that the sun is at its highest point in the sky.

• The duel was scheduled to take place at high noon.
• Let's meet at the saloon at high noon.
• We'll settle this at high noon, cowboy.
• The tension between the two countries was reaching its high noon.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, or idea

verb to begin a journey or leave a place

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• After finishing their work, the team decided to hit the road and head back to the office.
• Alright, let's finish up here and hit the road before it gets too late.
• Hey man, it's getting late, we should hit the road soon.
• It's time to let go of the past and hit the road to a brighter future.

noun A word that functions as the name of a person, place, thing, or idea.

verb A word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being.

adverb A word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence.

• It is important to keep on practicing in order to improve your skills.
• Just keep on studying and you'll pass the exam.
• Don't worry, just keep on hustlin' and you'll make it.
• No matter what obstacles come your way, keep on shining like the bright star you are.

noun a person or thing that shows the way to others

verb to show or guide someone in a particular direction

• The experienced guide will lead the way through the treacherous mountain terrain.
• Hey, you know the shortcut to the party, can you lead the way?
• Yo, dude, you're the local here, you lead the way to the best burger joint.
• Her innovative ideas will lead the way to a successful business venture.

adjective describes a person or thing that is favored by chance or good fortune

• I consider myself lucky to have been given this opportunity.
• You're so lucky to have won the lottery!
• I can't believe how lucky I was to find a parking spot right in front of the store.
• Some people say you make your own luck, but I feel like I've always been lucky in life.

noun a formal procession or parade

verb to walk with regular and measured steps, typically in time to music or as part of a ceremony

• The soldiers began their march towards the enemy's territory.
• We're going to march over to the park for the protest.
• Let's march our way to the concert and have a blast!
• The team continued to march towards their goal of winning the championship.

adverb in a powerful or strong manner

• The CEO of the company worked mightily to improve the company's financial performance.
• She studied mightily for the exam, hoping to get a good grade.
• He partied mightily last night and is now regretting it.
• The sun shone mightily through the clouds, brightening up the day.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb to fail to achieve a desired goal or result

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• The company's latest marketing campaign seemed to miss the mark with their target audience.
• I think your joke just missed the mark with that crowd.
• Her attempt at being funny totally missed the mark.
• His interpretation of the poem completely missed the mark.

noun a small metal spike with a broadened flat head, driven typically into wood with a hammer to join things together or to serve as a peg or hook

verb to secure or finalize something, typically after much discussion or effort

• It is important to nail down all the details before finalizing the contract.
• Let's nail down the time for our meeting tomorrow.
• I need to nail down my plans for the weekend.
• She finally managed to nail down the elusive concept after hours of studying.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

adverb a word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

interjection a word or phrase that expresses emotion or exclamation

• In times of adversity, it is important to adopt a 'never say die' attitude.
• When faced with challenges, just remember to never say die.
• No matter what happens, always have that never say die mentality.
• The team's never say die spirit helped them secure a last-minute victory.

noun a cosmetic surgical procedure

verb to perform cosmetic surgery

adjective describing something as closely contested or precise

• The competition was so close that it came down to a nip and tuck finish.
• The game was so tight, it was nip and tuck until the very end.
• The race was neck and neck the whole way, it was nip and tuck the entire time.
• The two teams were evenly matched, making it a nip and tuck battle for the championship.

noun a person who is fleeing or evading something, typically the law

preposition used to indicate movement or action in relation to a particular location or situation

• The fugitive was caught after months spent on the run.
• He's been on the run since he skipped bail.
• The thieves are on the run from the cops.
• She felt like she was always on the run, never able to relax.

adverb out of it can function as an adverb when describing the state of being disoriented or confused.

preposition out of it can function as a preposition when indicating a state of being removed or excluded from a situation or condition.

• After the accident, he was dazed and completely out of it.
• I stayed up all night studying for the test, so I was really out of it the next day.
• She drank too much at the party and was totally out of it.
• When she heard the news, she felt like her world was crumbling and she was completely out of it.

noun a projecting branch of a tree

preposition indicating location or position on a tree

• The CEO felt like she was out on a limb when making the decision to invest in the new technology.
• I really went out on a limb when I decided to quit my job without having another one lined up.
• I was totally out on a limb when I asked my crush to prom.
• The team was out on a limb without their star player, struggling to keep up with the competition.

verb to turn out successfully or as desired; to result in a positive outcome

• It is difficult to predict how the new business venture will pan out.
• I'm not sure if our plan will pan out, but let's give it a try.
• I hope my date with Sarah pans out tonight.
• Despite the challenges, I believe everything will eventually pan out in the end.

verb to finish or consume something quickly or easily

• After the meeting, he polished off the remaining tasks on his to-do list.
• Let's polish off this project before the deadline.
• I can't believe she polished off that entire pizza by herself!
• She quickly polished off her opponent in the debate with her strong arguments.

verb to pour something onto a surface or object

pronoun referring to the object being poured on

• Please carefully pour it on the plants to ensure they receive enough water.
• Just pour it on the salad and mix it all together.
• I'm gonna pour it on my pancakes, they taste so good with syrup.
• She decided to pour it on thick with compliments to win him over.

noun a machine or device used to apply pressure

verb to continue moving forward or making progress despite difficulties

• In order to reach our goals, we must press on despite any obstacles in our way.
• I know it's tough, but we just have to press on and keep moving forward.
• Don't give up now, we just need to press on and push through.
• Life may be challenging at times, but we must press on and continue our journey.

verb to place or position something in a high or elevated position

adverb used to indicate the direction or location of placing something

• The company decided to put up a new office building in the city center.
• I'm going to put up some new curtains in my bedroom this weekend.
• Let's put up some posters for the concert around town.
• She always puts up a strong front, but I know she's struggling inside.

adjective showing eagerness or enthusiasm

preposition indicating that someone is eager or excited to do something

• The team is raring to start the new project.
• I'm raring to go on our road trip this weekend.
• She's raring to party tonight.
• The young athlete is raring to break the world record.

noun a form of punishment or torture in which the subject is forced to run between two rows of people who strike at him or her

verb to endure a series of troubles or difficulties

• The soldiers had to run the gauntlet of enemy fire to reach the safety of the bunker.
• I had to run the gauntlet of traffic to get to work on time.
• She ran the gauntlet of high school gossip when she started dating the popular guy.
• Starting a new job can feel like running the gauntlet of meeting new people and learning new processes.

noun a person in a subordinate or inferior position

• In the orchestra, the second violinist often plays second fiddle to the first violinist.
• I'm tired of always playing second fiddle to my boss at work.
• She's sick of playing second fiddle to her friend in their group of friends.
• He refuses to play second fiddle to anyone in his career.

verb to close or secure something by sewing

adverb used to describe how something is done, in this case, how something is sewn

• The tailor will sew up the hole in your jacket.
• I can sew up that tear in your shirt for you.
• I'll sew up this project by the end of the day.
• She managed to sew up the deal with the client.

verb to get rid of or remove something by shaking

adverb in a manner that involves shaking off

• She tried to shake off the feeling of unease as she entered the meeting room.
• I just need to shake off this bad mood and enjoy the rest of the day.
• I told him to shake off the haters and keep doing his thing.
• It's time to shake off the past and start fresh in a new city.

noun a person or thing that is certain to win or succeed

adjective certain or highly likely to win or succeed

• The candidate with the most experience and qualifications is considered a shoo-in for the job.
• With her impressive track record, she's a shoo-in for the promotion.
• I heard he's a shoo-in for the team because his dad is the coach.
• Her charming personality makes her a shoo-in for winning over the clients.

verb to dismiss or ignore something as unimportant or insignificant

• She tried to shrug off the criticism and focus on her work.
• I just shrug off the haters and keep doing me.
• Don't let their negativity get to you, just shrug it off.
• He couldn't shrug off the feeling of guilt that weighed heavily on his conscience.

noun a person or thing that is easily a target or victim, especially in a dangerous situation

• The security breach left our system vulnerable, like a sitting duck waiting to be attacked.
• Leaving your bike unlocked in this neighborhood is like a sitting duck for thieves.
• Don't be a sitting duck out there, make sure you're always aware of your surroundings.
• Without a backup plan, we were like sitting ducks in the face of uncertainty.

noun the action of taking something without permission

verb to take something without permission

• The thief was caught attempting to steal jewelry from the store.
• I can't believe she tried to steal my phone when I wasn't looking!
• He's always trying to steal my thunder by copying everything I do.
• Her beauty seemed to steal the spotlight at the party.

verb to continue doing something despite difficulties or challenges

• Despite the challenges, it is important to stick it out until the project is completed.
• I know it's tough, but you just have to stick it out and see how it goes.
• Hey, don't give up now, just stick it out a little longer!
• Sometimes life throws obstacles at us, but we have to stick it out and keep moving forward.

noun a frozen surface of water that is dangerously thin and likely to break under weight

• The skaters were warned to stay off the thin ice to avoid any accidents.
• You're treading on thin ice if you keep borrowing money without paying it back.
• Dude, you're on thin ice with your boss for showing up late every day.
• She knew she was on thin ice with her friends after canceling plans last minute.

adjective feeling or showing shock, surprise, or awe as if struck by thunder

• The audience was thunderstruck by the powerful performance of the orchestra.
• I was totally thunderstruck when I found out I won the lottery.
• When she walked into the room, everyone was thunderstruck by how amazing she looked.
• The news of the sudden company merger left everyone thunderstruck.

noun a small or constricted area

• The company found itself in a tight spot financially due to poor investments.
• I'm in a tight spot right now with all these bills piling up.
• I got myself into a real tight spot when I forgot about the deadline for the project.
• She felt like she was in a tight spot when she had to choose between two equally important commitments.

noun a person's buttocks or rear end

verb to retreat or run away in fear or cowardice

• When faced with danger, the soldiers decided to turn tail and retreat.
• As soon as the boss started yelling, he turned tail and left the room.
• The bully tried to pick a fight with him, but he turned tail and ran away.
• After realizing he was wrong, he had to turn tail and apologize for his mistake.

noun tables - a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs

verb turn - to move or cause to move in a circular direction

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that specifies a noun

• In the negotiation, we were able to turn the tables and gain the upper hand.
• Once we found out their strategy, we were able to turn the tables on them.
• We totally turned the tables on them and came out on top.
• When life throws you a curveball, it's important to stay strong and turn the tables in your favor.

verb A word that expresses an action or a state of being. In this case, 'turned' is a past tense verb indicating a change in direction or position.

adverb A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb. In this case, 'around' is an adverb indicating the direction or manner in which the turning occurred.

• She turned around to face the audience before beginning her speech.
• I turned around and saw my friend walking towards me.
• He turned around and booked it out of there when he saw the cops.
• After years of struggling, his luck finally turned around and he found success.

noun a substance used for whitening walls or other surfaces, typically made from a mixture of lime and water

verb to cover with whitewash; to attempt to conceal or gloss over faults or mistakes

• The company was accused of attempting to whitewash their unethical business practices.
• I can't believe they tried to whitewash the whole situation!
• They're just trying to whitewash their mess.
• He tried to whitewash his mistakes, but everyone could still see the truth.

verb action word that expresses a state of being or an action

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The company could be staring down the barrel of bankruptcy if they don't make some drastic changes.
• If you don't start studying now, you'll be staring down the barrel of failing that exam.
• If you keep skipping work, you'll be staring down the barrel of getting fired.
• After missing so many deadlines, she knew she would be staring down the barrel of disappointing her team.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

pronoun a word that takes the place of a noun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

article a word that specifies a noun

• From where I was standing, I could see the whites of the speaker's eyes as they delivered their presentation.
• I was so close to the stage that I could see the whites of the singer's eyes during the concert.
• I was right up in his face during the argument, I could see the whites of his eyes as he yelled at me.
• When she gets angry, you can see the whites of her eyes before she starts yelling.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses

article a word that specifies a noun as definite or indefinite

• In the world of business, it is often said that the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
• You know what they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
• Hey man, remember the saying, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
• Just like in a game of Jenga, the bigger the tower gets, the harder it is to keep it from falling over. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

noun a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adjective a word naming an attribute of a noun, such as sweet, red, or technical

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse (e.g., I, you) or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse (e.g., she, it, this)

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• She approached the podium with her heart in her boots, unsure of how the audience would react to her speech.
• When he saw the size of the waves, his heart was in his boots and he almost backed out of the surfing lesson.
• I could tell by the look on her face that her heart was in her boots when she realized she had forgotten her wallet at home.
• After receiving the bad news, he walked away with his heart in his boots, feeling defeated and hopeless.

noun a word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to specify a noun

• The company's sales numbers were disappointing, and they have a lot of ground to make up in the next quarter.
• After missing so many classes, I have a lot of ground to make up before the final exam.
• I partied too hard last night and now I have a lot of ground to make up with my boss.
• As the underdog in the competition, the team knew they had a lot of ground to make up if they wanted to win.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• The boxer vowed to come out fighting in the championship match.
• I know things have been tough, but we have to come out fighting.
• When life knocks you down, you gotta come out fighting.
• After facing criticism, the politician decided to come out fighting for his beliefs.

noun a small, jumping insect known for its chirping sound

• The sound of crickets chirping in the night is a common occurrence in rural areas.
• I heard crickets outside my window last night, it was so peaceful.
• When I asked for volunteers, all I heard was crickets.
• After his joke fell flat, there was nothing but crickets in the room.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to specify a noun as definite or indefinite

• The athletes were ready to be off to the races as soon as the starting gun went off.
• Hey, are you ready to be off to the races? The concert starts in 10 minutes!
• Let's get our gear on and be off to the races before it gets too crowded.
• With all the preparations done, the project is finally ready to be off to the races and see some progress.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse (e.g., I, you) or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse (e.g., she, it, this)

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

conjunction a word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause

interjection an exclamation, especially as a part of speech

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• The company's sudden decision to cut the legs out from under its employees left many without a stable source of income.
• I can't believe they kicked the legs out from under us like that, without any warning.
• She really cut my legs out from under me when she spread that rumor about me.
• The unexpected betrayal by his closest friend felt like having the legs kicked out from under him.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to specify a noun as definite or indefinite

• It is important for every member of the team to take responsibility and sweep the sheds to maintain cleanliness.
• Hey, don't forget to sweep the sheds before we leave.
• Let's make sure we sweep the sheds before we bounce.
• Sweeping the sheds signifies humility and the importance of taking care of even the smallest tasks.

noun a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse (e.g., I, you) or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse (e.g., she, it)

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun, and in some languages extending to volume or numerical scope

• It is important to always keep your eye on the ball during a tennis match.
• Make sure to keep your eye on the ball when playing baseball.
• Dude, you gotta keep your eye on the ball if you want to win this game.
• In order to succeed in business, you must always keep your eye on the ball and stay focused on your goals.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

adjective a word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

article a particular item or object, typically one of a specified type

• In order to succeed in this competitive industry, you must raise your game and constantly strive for improvement.
• Hey, if you want to stand out in the crowd, you've got to up your game and show them what you're made of.
• Dude, you seriously need to raise up your game if you want to impress that girl.
• Life is like a game, and sometimes you need to raise your game in order to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

adjective describing the state of being fully prepared or ready for action

• The soldiers were locked and loaded, ready to engage in combat.
• I'm all locked and loaded for the big game tonight.
• We're locked and loaded to party this weekend.
• She walked into the meeting room locked and loaded with ideas to present.

noun a quick or decisive action taken before someone else can do the same

verb to act or do something before someone else does

• He was able to beat someone to the punch by submitting his proposal early.
• I always try to beat someone to the punch when it comes to signing up for classes.
• I made sure to beat someone to the punch and snag the last piece of cake.
• She knew she had to act fast to beat someone to the punch in the competitive job market.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

adverb a word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb

pronoun a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to specify a noun

• The CEO is known to have someone for breakfast if they do not meet their targets.
• Don't mess with Sarah, she'll eat you for breakfast if you try to take credit for her work.
• That new intern is so confident, she thinks she can have anyone for breakfast.
• The experienced lawyer will have the opposing counsel for breakfast in the courtroom.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses

article a word that specifies and limits a noun

• He talks a big game but when it comes down to it, he is all mouth and no trousers.
• Don't listen to him, he's just all mouth and no trousers.
• That guy is just full of hot air, all mouth and no trousers.
• Her promises are empty, she's all mouth and no trousers.

noun a slang term used to describe nonsense or foolishness

• I do not appreciate being accused of spreading false information; such accusations are nothing but horse hockey.
• I can't believe you're still buying into that horse hockey about aliens living among us.
• Stop feeding me that horse hockey, I know the truth.
• His excuses for being late were just a load of horse hockey.

noun a game or strategy in which one person pretends to be hurt or tired in order to deceive an opponent

verb to engage in a deceptive strategy, especially in a competitive situation

• The boxer used the strategy to play rope-a-dope and tire out his opponent.
• I saw the boxer trying to play rope-a-dope in the ring last night.
• Let's see if he can play rope-a-dope and outsmart his opponent.
• She decided to play rope-a-dope and let her opponent wear themselves out before making her move.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

adverb a word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb

pronoun a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to specify a noun

• The CEO is known to have somebody for lunch if they make a mistake.
• Don't mess up or the boss will eat somebody for lunch.
• Watch out, the teacher will have somebody for lunch if you're late again.
• In the competitive business world, you need to be on top of your game or someone will eat you for lunch.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea, 'hat' is the object being hung on something.

verb An action word that denotes the act of hanging something on a specific object or place.

pronoun A word that can replace a noun, in this case, it refers to 'you' as the subject of the action.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence, in this case, 'on' indicates where the hat is being hung.

• It is important to find a reliable source of information to hang your hat on.
• You can always hang your hat on Tim to come through in a pinch.
• I wouldn't hang my hat on that deal going through.
• She needed a strong belief to hang her hat on during tough times.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• As a neutral party, we have no dog in this fight and will remain impartial.
• I don't have a dog in this fight, so I'm staying out of it.
• I ain't got no dog in this fight, so I'm not getting involved.
• Since I don't have a personal stake in this matter, I have no dog in this fight.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses

article a word that specifies a noun as definite or indefinite

• He appeared to be all hat and no cattle when it came to his knowledge of the subject matter.
• Don't listen to him, he's just all hat and no cattle.
• She talks a big game but she's really just too much hat and not enough cattle.
• His grand plans were impressive on the surface, but in reality, he was all hat and no cattle.

noun a blood vessel is a tube that carries blood in the body

verb to burst means to break open or apart suddenly and violently

article the article 'a' is used before the noun 'blood vessel' to indicate one of something

• The doctor warned him that his high blood pressure could almost burst a blood vessel.
• I was so frustrated with the situation that I felt like I could almost burst a blood vessel.
• I was so angry that I thought I was going to burst a blood vessel!
• She was laughing so hard that she thought she would almost burst a blood vessel.

noun a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

adjective a word naming an attribute of a noun, such as sweet, red, or technical

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse (e.g., I, you) or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse (e.g., she, it, this)

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

article a particular item or object

• It is important to have your eyes on the prize and stay focused on your long-term goals.
• Don't lose sight of what you want to achieve, keep your eyes on the prize.
• Stay laser-focused on your goal, keep your eyes on the prize.
• In the race of life, always have your eyes on the prize and never lose sight of your dreams.

adjective describes the state of being prepared or equipped for a difficult or challenging situation

preposition indicates the purpose or reason for being prepared or equipped

• The soldiers were fully loaded for bear as they prepared for the upcoming mission.
• We're going to the beach tomorrow, so make sure you're loaded for bear with sunscreen and snacks.
• I heard Jenny is always loaded for bear when it comes to partying.
• After months of training, he was mentally loaded for bear and ready to tackle any challenge.

noun a person's head that is unusually large or swollen

adjective describing the size or condition of the head

• After receiving the award, he developed a big head and started acting arrogantly.
• Ever since he got that promotion, he's had a swelled head and acts like he's better than everyone.
• She's always had a big head ever since she won that competition.
• His success in the business world gave him a swelled head, making him think he was invincible.

adjective of the highest quality or rank; excellent

adverb in an excellent or superior manner

• The poker player won the round with an ace-high straight.
• I had an ace-high hand in the game last night.
• My ace-high bluff totally worked!
• Her performance was ace-high, earning her a standing ovation.

noun Achilles' heel - a weakness or vulnerable point in someone or something

• The lack of proper cybersecurity measures is often considered the company's Achilles' heel.
• His Achilles' heel is definitely his love for junk food.
• She knows that her fear of public speaking is her Achilles' heel.
• Procrastination is my Achilles' heel when it comes to meeting deadlines.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to specify a noun as definite or indefinite

• The company decided to lay off employees and then to add insult to injury, they also cut their severance packages.
• First, my car broke down and then to add insult to injury, it started raining while I was waiting for a tow truck.
• I failed my math test and to add insult to injury, my teacher gave me extra homework as punishment.
• She was already feeling down about losing the competition, but to add insult to injury, her rival gloated about their victory.