give give
someone
a reputation (for
doing something
)
give give
someone
a ring
give give
someone
a rough idea (about
something
)
give give
someone
a rough idea (of
something
)
give give
someone
a shellacking
give give
someone
a slap on the wrist
give give
someone
a start
give give
someone
a swelled head
give give

some skin
give give
someone
the air
give give
someone
the ax
give give
someone
the benefit of the doubt
give give
someone
the boot
give give
someone
the brush-off
give give
someone
the bum’s rush
give give
someone
the business
give give
someone
the cold shoulder
give give
someone
the creeps
give give
someone

)
give give
someone
the once-over
give give
someone
the red-carpet treatment
give give
someone
the runaround
give give
someone
the sack
give give
someone
the shirt off
one’s
back
give give
someone
the slip
give give
someone
the third degree
give give
someone
the willies
give give
someone
the works

something
give not give a hang (about
someone or something
)
give not give a hoot (about
someone or something
)
give not give it another thought
give not give
someone
the time of day
give not give two hoots (about
someone or something
)
give would give
one’s
right arm (for
someone or something
)
given given to
doing something
given given to understand
given a given
glad get the glad hand
glad give
someone
the glad hand
glance at first glance
glass (as) smooth as glass
glass have a glass jaw

something
to go
go get the go-ahead
go get the go-by
go get-up-and-go
go give
someone
the go-ahead
go give
someone
the go-by
go go about
one’s
business
go go against the grain
go go all out
go go all the way (with
someone
)
go go along for the ride
go go a long way in
doing something
go go a long way toward
doing something
go go along (with
someone or something
)
go go ape (over
someone or something
)

go go Dutch
go go easy (on
someone or something
)
go go fifty-fifty (on
something
)
Go Go fly a kite!
go go for broke
go go for it
go go for
someone or something
go go from bad to worse
Go Go fry an egg!
go go great guns
go go haywire
go go hog-wild
go go in a body
go go in for
something
go go in one ear and out the other
go go into action
go go into a nosedive
go go into a tailspin
go go into detail
go go into effect
go go into hiding
go go into hock
go go into
one’s

someone
go go scot-free
go go sky-high
go go so far as to say
something
go go
someone
one better
go go (
somewhere
) by shank’s mare
go go stag
go go steady (with
someone
)
go go stir-crazy
go go straight
go go the distance
go go the extra mile
go go the limit
go go through
go go to any length
go go to bat for
someone
go go to bed
go go to Davy Jones’s locker
go go together
go go to (hell)
go go to hell in a handbasket
go go too far

go go window-shopping
go go without (
something
)
go go with
something
go go with the flow
go go wrong
go have a go (at
something
)
go have
one’s
heart go out to
someone
go have
something
to go
go Here you go.
go let go of
someone or something
go let go (with
something
)
go Let it go.
go let
oneself
go
go let
someone

goes
one’s
heart goes out to
someone
goes Pride goes before a fall.
goes So it goes.
goes What goes around, comes around.
going have a good thing going
going have a lot going (for one)
going have a thing going (with
someone
)
going have
something
going (for
oneself
)
going have
something
going (with
someone
)
going heavy going
going How’s it going?
going not know if
one
is coming or going
going not know whether
one
is coming or going

one’s
word
good do
someone’s
heart good
good do
someone
a good turn
good do
someone
good
good for good
good for the good of
someone or something
good get on the good side of
someone
good get out while the getting is good
good get time off for good behavior
good give a good account of
oneself
good give as good as
one
gets
good give
someone
a (good) dressing-down
good good and
something
good good as done
good good as gold

good look good on paper
good make good as
something
good make good (at
something
)
good make good money
good make good on
something
good make good time
good make
someone
look good
good make
something
good
good never had it so good
good No news is good news.
good One good turn deserves another.
good on good terms (with
someone
)
good put in a good word (for
someone
)
good put
something
to (good) use
good run the good race
good show good faith

goose (as) silly as a goose
goose cook
someone’s
goose
goose get goose bumps
goose get goose pimples
goose give
someone
goose bumps
goose give
someone
goose pimples
goose gone goose
goose silly as a goose
goose
someone’s
goose is cooked
goose a wild-goose chase
gorge feel
one’s
gorge rise
gorge make
someone’s
gorge rise
gospel the gospel truth
got Cat got your tongue?
got Have I got
something
for you!
NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary

grandmother to suck eggs
granted take
someone or something
for granted
grasp get a grasp of
something
grasp grasp at straws
grasp within
someone’s
grasp
grass let grass grow under
one’s
feet
grass a snake in the grass
grasshopper knee-high to a grasshopper
grate grate on
someone
(
‘s
nerves)
grave (as) quiet as the grave
grave (as) silent as the grave
grave carry a secret to
one’s
grave
grave carry a secret to the grave
grave dig
one’s
own grave
grave from the cradle to the grave

great in great demand
great in great haste
great make a great show of
something
great no great shakes
great set great store by
someone or something
great take (great) pains (to
do something
)
great think a great deal of
someone or something
great to a great extent
great a great deal
greatest the greatest thing since sliced bread
Greek Greek to me
Greek It’s (all) Greek to me.
green get the green light
green give
someone
the green light
green green around the gills
green green with envy
green have a green thumb
grief come to grief
grievances air
one’s
grievances
grin grin and bear it
grind grind to a halt

ground break ground (for
something
)
ground break new ground
ground cover a lot of ground
ground cut the ground out from under
someone
ground drive
something
into the ground
ground from the ground up
ground get in (on the ground floor)
ground get
one’s
feet on the ground
ground get
something
off (the ground)
ground give ground
ground ground
someone
ground have
one’s
ear to the ground
ground have
one’s
feet on the ground
ground hold
one’s
ground

someone
)
grudge have a grudge (against
someone
)
grudge hold a grudge (against
someone
)
grudge nurse a grudge (against
someone
)
gruff (as) gruff as a bear
gruff gruff as a bear
grunt grunt work
guard catch
one
off
one’s
guard
guard catch
someone
off guard
guard guard against
someone or something
guard on (
one’s
) guard
Phrase-Finder Index
505
guess by guess and by golly

do something
)
gut gut feeling
gut gut reaction
gut gut response
gut my gut tells me (that)
something is so
guts hate
someone’s
guts
gutter in the gutter
gyp gyp
someone
out of
something
ha funny ha-ha
habit break a habit
habit break
one’s
habit
habit break the habit
habit kick a habit
habit kick the habit
habits Old habits die hard.
hack hack
something
hackles get
someone’s
hackles up
had had best

hair make
someone’s
hair curl
hair make
someone’s
hair stand on end
hair neither hide nor hair
hair part
someone’s
hair
hair tear
one’s
hair (out)
hair the hair of the dog that bit
one
haired fair-haired boy
hair’s by a hair(‘s breadth)
hairs get gray hair(s)
hairs give
someone
gray hair(s)
hairs split hairs
hale hale and hearty
half at half-mast
half go off half-cocked
Half Half a loaf is better than none.
half half-and-half
half have half a mind to
do something
half have half a notion to

something
out
hand at hand
hand bite the hand that feeds
one
hand bound hand and foot
hand can’t see
one’s
hand in front of
one’s
face
hand close at hand
hand do
something
by hand
hand force
someone’s
hand
hand from hand to hand
hand get a free hand (with
someone or something
)
hand get a hand with
something
hand get the glad hand
hand get the upper hand (on
someone
)
hand give
someone

)
hand hat in hand
hand have a hand in
something
hand have
one’s
hand in the till
hand have
something
at hand
hand have
something
in hand
hand in hand
hand keep
one’s
hand in (
something
)
hand know
someone or something
like the back of
one’s
hand
hand know
someone or something
like the palm of
one’s
hand
NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary

one’s
hand (at
something
)
hand wait on
someone
hand and foot
hand (with) hat in hand
hand with one hand tied behind
one’s
back
hand an old hand at
doing something
hand A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
handbasket go to hell in a handbasket
handed catch
someone
red-handed
handed caught red-handed
handed come away empty-handed
handed go away empty-handed
handed pay
someone
a back-handed compliment
handed pay
someone
a left-handed compliment
handful by the handful
handle fly off the handle
handle get a handle on

Hands Hands off!
Hands Hands up!
hands have clean hands
hands have
one’s
hands full (with
someone or something
)
hands have
one’s
hands tied
hands have
someone or something
in
one’s
hands
hands have
someone or something
on
one’s
hands
hands have
someone’s
blood on
one’s
hands
hands in good hands
hands join hands
hands keep
one’s

one’s
hands
hands soil
one’s
hands
hands take the law into
one’s
own hands
hands throw
one’s
hands up in despair
hands throw
one’s
hands up in horror
hands tie
someone’s
hands
hands wash
one’s
hands of
someone or something
hands with both hands tied behind
one’s
back
hands a show of hands
handwriting read the handwriting on the wall
handwriting see the (hand)writing on the wall
handy come in handy
hang get the hang of
something

)
hang hang
someone
in effigy
hang hang tough
hang hang up
hang let it all hang out
hang not give a hang (about
someone or something
)
hang somewhere to hang (up)
one’s
hat
hang a place to hang
one’s
hat
hanging have
something
hanging over
one’s
head
hanging keep
someone or something
hanging in midair
hanging leave
someone or something
hanging in midair
happen can’t wait (for
something
to happen)

Phrase-Finder Index
507
hard (as) hard as nails
hard (as) hard as stone
hard between a rock and a hard place
hard cold, hard cash
hard come down hard on
someone or something
hard do
something
the hard way
hard drive a hard bargain
hard find (
something
) out the hard way
hard get the hard sell
hard give
someone
a hard time
hard give
someone
the hard sell
hard hard-and-fast
hard hard as a rock
hard hard as nails
hard hard as stone
hard hard of hearing
hard hard on
someone’s
heels

something
harm No harm done.
harness get back into harness
harp harp on
something
harping keep harping on
something
Harry (every) Tom, Dick, and Harry
Harry Tom, Dick, and Harry
has Every cloud has a silver lining.
has Every dog has his day.
has Every dog has its day.
has the moment everyone has been waiting for
has The worm (has) turned.
hash hash
something
over
Haste Haste makes waste.
haste in great haste
hasty beat a (hasty) retreat
hat at the drop of a hat
hat eat
one’s
hat
hat hang
one’s
hat (up)
somewhere
hat hat in hand
hat keep

hatch count
one’s
chickens before they hatch
hatch down the hatch
hatches batten down the hatches
hatchet bury the hatchet
hate hate
someone’s
guts
hate
someone’s
pet hate
hatter (as) mad as a hatter
hatter mad as a hatter
haul haul
someone
in
haul haul
someone
over the coals
haul haul up (
somewhere
)
haul over the long haul
haul over the short haul
have and what have you
have as luck would have it
have do not have a care in the world
have do not have a leg to stand on
have do not have all

something
)
have have a clear conscience (about
someone or
something
)
have have a close call
have have a close shave
have have a clue (about
something
)
have have a conniption (fit)
have have a crack at
something
have have a familiar ring
have have a feeling about
something
have have a feeling (that)
have have a field day
have have a finger in the pie
have have a fit
have have a foot in both camps
have have a frog in
one’s
throat
have have a glass jaw
have have a go (at
something
)
have have a good command of

someone or something
have have a lot going (for one)
have have a lot of promise
have have a lot on
one’s
mind
have have a low boiling point
have have a mind like a steel trap
have have an accident
have have an ace up
one’s
sleeve
have have an ax to grind (with
someone
)
have have an ear for
something
have have a near miss
have have an eye for
someone or something
have have an eye on
someone or something
have have an eye out (for
someone or something
)
have have an in (with
someone
)
have have an itch for
something

someone
)
have have a scrape (with
someone or something
)
have have a screw loose
have have a shot at
something
have have a smoke
have have a snowball’s chance in hell
have have a soft spot in
one’s
heart for
someone or
something
have have a spaz
have have a stroke
have have a sweet tooth
have have a taste for
something
have have a thing going (with
someone
)
have have a try at
something
have have at
someone or something
have have a vested interest in
something
have have a voice (in

something
have have egg on
one’s
face
have have eyes bigger than
one’s
stomach
have have eyes in the back of
one’s
head
have have feet of clay
have have foot-in-mouth disease
have have growing pains
have have had enough
have have had its day
have have had it (up to here)
have have half a mind to
do something
have have half a notion to
do something
have have hell to pay
Have Have I got
something
for you!
Have Have I made myself clear?
have have it all over
someone or something
have have it both ways
have have it in for
someone

druthers
have have
one’s
ear to the ground
have have
one’s
feet on the ground
have have
one’s
finger in the pie
have have
one’s
finger in too may pies
have have
one’s
hand in the till
have have
one’s
hands full (with
someone or something
)
have have
one’s
hands tied
have have
one’s
head in the clouds
have have
one’s
heart go out to

nose in the air
have have
one’s
sights trained on
something
have have
one’s
words stick in
one’s
throat
have have
one’s
work cut out for
one
have have other fish to fry
have have precedence over
someone or something
;
have have pull with
someone
have have rocks in
one’s
head
have have second thoughts about
someone or something
have have seen better days
have have so
have have
someone or something
in

pocket
have have
someone
on the string
have have
someone
over
have have
someone
pegged as
something
have have
something
at hand
have have
something
at
one’s
fingertips
have have
something
coming (to
one
)
have have
something
doing
have have
something
down pat

someone
)
have have
something
made
have have
something
on
have have
something
out (with
someone
)
have have
something
stick in
one’s
craw
have have
something
to go
have have
something
to spare
have have sticky fingers
have have the ball in
one’s
court
have have the best of both worlds
have have the cards stacked against

someone or something
have have to live with
something
have have too
have have turned the corner
have have two strikes against
one
have have what it takes
Have Have you been keeping busy?
have I just have this feeling
have let
someone
have it (with both barrels)
have never would have guessed
have only have eyes for
someone
have scarcely have time to breathe
have should have stood in bed
have Walls have ears.
have What have you been up to?
have Who would have thought?
have would like (to have)
someone or something
have The chickens have come home to roost.
having feel like (having)
something
havoc play havoc with
someone or something
havoc raise havoc with
someone or something

into
someone’s
head
head bite
someone’s
head off
head bring
something
to a head
head bury
one’s
head in the sand
head come to a head
head drum
something
into
someone
(
‘s
head)
head fall head over heels
head from head to toe
head get a head start (on
someone or something
)
head get
one’s
head above water
head get
someone or something

head have eyes in the back of
one’s
head
head have
one’s
head in the clouds
head have rocks in
one’s
head
NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary
510
head have
something
hanging over
one’s
head
head head and shoulders above
someone or something
head head for
someone or something
head head for the last roundup
head head over heels in debt
head head over heels in love (with
someone
)
head head
someone or something
off
head head
something

like a hole in the head
head off the top of
one’s
head
head on
someone’s
head
head out of
one’s
head
head over
someone’s
head
head per head
head put ideas into
someone’s
head
head put
one’s
head on the block (for
someone or
something
)
head rear its ugly head
head run around like a chicken with its head cut off
head talk
someone’s
head off
head touched (in the head)
head trouble

hear hear of
something
hear hear
someone
out
hear like to hear
oneself
talk
hear Now hear this!
hear so quiet you could hear a pin drop
hear so still you could hear a pin drop
hear will not hear of
something
heard another country heard from
heard make
oneself
heard
hearing hard of hearing
heart break
someone’s
heart
heart cross
one’s
heart (and hope to die)
heart die of a broken heart
heart do
someone’s
heart good
heart eat
one’s

one’s
heart on
one’s
sleeve
heart have
one’s
heart set against
something
heart have
one’s
heart set on
something
heart have
one’s
heart stand still
heart heart and soul
heart know
something
by heart
heart learn
something
by heart
heart lose heart
heart
one’s
heart goes out to
someone
heart
one’s
heart is (dead) set against

someone
)
heart set
one’s
heart against
something
heart set
one’s
heart on
something
heart take heart
heart take
something
to heart
heart warm the cockles of
someone’s
heart
heart wear
one’s
heart on
one’s
sleeve
heart with a heavy heart
heart with all
one’s
heart and soul
heart an aching heart
heartbeat be a heartbeat away from
something
heartbeat do

bets
heed take heed
heeled well-heeled
Phrase-Finder Index
511
heels cool
one’s
heels
heels dig
one’s
heels in
heels down-at-the-heels
heels fall head over heels
heels hard on
someone’s
heels
heels head over heels in debt
heels head over heels in love (with
someone
)
heels kick up
one’s
heels
heels on the heels of
something
heels set
one
back on
one’s
heels

hell to hell and gone
hell until hell freezes over
hell when hell freezes over
hell You scared the hell out of me.
hello drop in (to say hello)
helm at the helm (of
something
)
help cannot help
doing something
help can’t help but
do something
help help
do something
help help
oneself
help help (
someone or something
) out (with
someone or
something
)
help not able to help
something
help not lift a finger (to help
someone
)
help not lift a hand (to help
someone
)

herself by herself
hibernating (as) busy as a hibernating bear
hibernating busy as a hibernating bear
hide have
someone’s
hide
hide hide-and-seek
hide hide
one’s
face in shame
hide hide
one’s
head in the sand
hide hide
one’s
light under a bushel
hide neither hide nor hair
hide tan
someone’s
hide
hiding go into hiding
hiding Where’ve you been hiding yourself?
high act high-and-mighty
high (as) high as a kite
high (as) high as the sky
high be flying high
high come hell or high water
high eat high on the hog
high get into high gear
high get off your high horse

high running high
high search high and low (for
someone or something
)
high smell to high heaven
high stink to high heaven
high through hell and high water
highflier highflier
highly speak highly of
someone or something
highly think highly of
someone or something
hightail hightail it out of
somewhere
highways highways and byways
hike Take a hike!
hill not worth a hill of beans
NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary
512
hill over the hill
hills (as) old as the hills
hills old as the hills
himself by himself
hind (as) crooked as a dog’s hind leg
hind crooked as a dog’s hind leg
hindsight in hindsight
hinge hinge on
something
hint take a hint
hip shoot from the hip

hit hit pay dirt
hit hit (
someone
) below the belt
hit hit
someone
hard
hit hit (
someone
) like a ton of bricks
hit hit
someone
(right) between the eyes
hit hit
someone
up (for
something
)
hit hit the books
hit hit the bottle
hit hit the bricks
hit hit the bull’s-eye
hit hit the ceiling
hit hit the hay
hit hit the high spots
hit hit the jackpot
hit hit the nail (right) on the head
hit hit the road
hit hit the sack
hit hit the skids

hog go whole hog
hog live high off the hog
hog live high on the hog
hog road-hog
hoist hoist by
one’s
own petard
hoist hoist with
one’s
own petard
hold can’t hold a candle to
someone
hold Don’t hold your breath.
hold have a hold on
someone
hold hold a grudge (against
someone
)
hold hold all the aces
hold hold a meeting
hold hold forth (on
something
)
hold hold no brief for
someone or something
hold hold
one’s
breath
hold hold
one’s

in check
hold hold
someone or something
over
hold hold
someone or something
still
hold hold
someone or something
up
hold hold
someone’s
attention
hold hold
someone
down
hold hold
someone
hostage
hold hold
someone
in high regard
hold hold
something
against
someone
hold hold still
hold hold the fort
hold hold the line (at
someone or something

513
hole Money burns a hole in
someone’s
pocket.
hole need
something
like a hole in the head
hole out of the hole
hole punch a hole in
something
hole
someone’s
ace in the hole
hole a hole in one
hole a square peg in a round hole
holes pick holes in
something
holiday a busman’s holiday
holier holier-than-thou
holler hoot and holler
homage pay homage to
someone
home at home
home bring home the bacon
home bring
something
home to
someone
home close to home
home come home (to roost)

home (with
oneself
)
home till the cows come home
home (un)til the cows come home
home The chickens have come home to roost.
honest honest and aboveboard
Honest Honest to God.
Honest Honest to goodness.
Honest Honest to Pete.
honestly come by
something
honestly
honey (as) sweet as honey
honey sweet as honey
honeymoon The honeymoon is over.
honor guest of honor
honor honor
someone’s
check
honor in honor of
someone or something
honor on
one’s
honor
honors do the honors
hood look under the hood
Hood’s all around Robin Hood’s barn
hook (as) crooked as a fish hook
hook by hook or (by) crook

hoots not give two hoots (about
someone or something
)
Hop Hop to it!
hop a hop, skip, and a jump
hope cross
one’s
heart (and hope to die)
hope hope against (all) hope
hopeless hopeless at
doing something
hopes in hopes of
something
hopes pin
one’s
hope(s) on
someone or something
hopped hopped up
horizon loom large (on the horizon)
horizon on the horizon
horn blow
one’s
own horn
horn horn in (on
someone or something
)
horn toot
one’s
own horn
hornet (as) mad as a hornet

horse’s from the horse’s mouth
horses Hold your horses!
horse’s (straight) from the horse’s mouth
horses Wild horses couldn’t drag
someone
.
hostage hold
someone
hostage
hostage take
someone
hostage
hot (as) busy as a cat on a hot tin roof
hot (as) hot as fire
hot (as) hot as hell
hot blow hot and cold
hot busy as a cat on a hot tin roof
hot full of hot air
hot get in(to) hot water
hot hot and bothered
hot hot and heavy
hot hot as fire
hot hot as hell
NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary
514
hot hot on
something
hot hot under the collar
hot in hot water
hot in the hot seat

house like a house on fire
house on the house
house put
one’s
house in order
How How goes it (with you)?
how know-how
how a fine how-de-do
how a fine how-do-you-do
How’s How’s it going?
How’s How’s the world (been) treating you?
Hoyle according to Hoyle
hue a hue and cry
huff huff and puff
huff in a huff
human milk of human kindness
humanly everything humanly possible
humble eat humble pie
hump over the hump
hunch have a hunch about
something
hunch have a hunch (that)
something will happen
hundred one in a hundred
hung hung up (on
someone or something
)
hunger hunger for
something
hungry (as) hungry as a bear

someone or something
hustle hustle and bustle
Hyde Jekyll and Hyde
I as I expected
I Do I need to paint you a picture?
I for all I care
I for all I know
I Have I got
something
for you!
I Have I made myself clear?
I I didn’t catch your name.
I I just have this feeling
I I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
I (just) as I expected
I (Now), where was I?
I so mad I could scream
I What can I say?
I Where was I?
ice break the ice
ice cut no ice (with
someone
)
ice on thin ice
ice put
something
on ice
ice skate on thin ice
idea flirt with the idea of
doing something

idly sit (idly) by
if better off (if
one
were
somewhere else
)
if better off (if
something
were done)
if if looks could kill
if if not
if if push comes to shove
if if so
If If the shoe fits, wear it.
if if worst comes to worst
if I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
if look as if butter wouldn’t melt in
one’s
mouth
if make as if to
do something
if not know if
one
is coming or going
if sound as if
if what if
ifs no ifs, ands, or buts about it
ignorant play ignorant
ill fall ill
ill ill at ease

(in
something
)
important have more important fish to fry
impression make an impression (on
someone
)
impulse on impulse
impunity with impunity
in ace in the hole
in advanced in years
in air
one’s
dirty linen in public
in all in
in (all) in one breath
in (all) in the family
in along in years
in (another) nail in
someone’s or something’s
coffin
in Any port in a storm.
in arm in arm
in arrive in a body
in as alike as (two) peas in a pod
in (as) calm as a toad in the sun
in (as) slow as molasses in January
in (as) snug as a bug in a rug
in at this point (in time)
in back in circulation

people or other creatures
out in droves
in broad in the beam
in build castles in Spain
in build castles in the air
in burn
one’s
bridges in front of
one
in burn
someone
in effigy
in burst in on
someone or something
in bury
one’s
head in the sand
in butt in (on
someone or something
)
in buy a pig in a poke
in call
someone or something
in
in calm as a toad in the sun
in can’t see
one’s
hand in front of
one’s
face

something
)
in chink in
one’s
armor
in chip in (on
something
)
in chip in
something
on
something
in chip
something
in (on
something
)
in close in (on
someone or something
)
in clue
someone
in (on
something
)
in come down in the world
in come in a body
in come in for
something
in come in handy

in dig in
in dig
one’s
heels in
in dog in the manger
in done in
in do not have a care in the world
in do
someone or something
in
in do
something
in a heartbeat
in do
something
in person
in do
something
in public
in do
something
in secret
in do
something
in vain
in double in brass
in down in the dumps
in down in the mouth
in drop in
one’s

in find it in
one’s
heart (to
do something
)
in first thing (in the morning)
in fish in troubled waters
in fit in
someone
in fit in (with
someone or something
)
in fly in the face of
someone or something
in fly in the teeth of
someone or something
in follow in
someone’s
footsteps
in follow in
someone’s
tracks
in fools rush in (where angels fear to tread)
in get a bee in
one’s
bonnet
in get a frog in
one’s
throat
in get along (in years)

in get
something
out in the open
in get stars in
one’s
eyes
in give in (to
someone or something
)
in give
one
butterflies in
one’s
stomach
in go a long way in
doing something
in go (a)round in circles
in go down in history
in go in a body
in go in for
something
in go in one ear and out the other
in Go jump in the lake!
in Go play in the traffic!
in go to hell in a handbasket!
in go up in flames
in go up in smoke
in grounded in fact
in hand in glove (with
someone

)
in have a snowball’s chance in hell
in have a soft spot in
one’s
heart for
someone or something
in have a vested interest in
something
in have a voice (in
something
)
in have bats in
one’s
belfry
in have eyes in the back of
one’s
head
in have foot-in-mouth disease
in have it in for
someone
in have method in
one’s
madness
in have one foot in the grave
in have
one’s
finger in the pie
in have
one’s
finger in too may pies

in tow
in have
someone
in
one’s
pocket
in have something in mind
in have
something
in common (with
someone or something
)
in have
something
in hand
in have
something
in stock
in have
something
in store (for
someone
)
in have
something
stick in
one’s
craw
in have the ball in
one’s

someone
(in
something
)
in in a bad mood
in in a bad way
in in abeyance
in in a bind
in in accordance with
something
in in a (constant) state of flux
in in a coon’s age
in in addition (to
something
)
in in a dead heat
in in advance
in in a family way
in in a fix
in in a flash
in in a fog
in in a fool’s paradise
in in agreement
Phrase-Finder Index
517
in in a haze
in in a huff
in in a jam
in in a jiffy
in in a lather

in in a vicious circle
in in awe (of
someone or something
)
in in a word
in in a world of
one’s
own
in in bad faith
in in bad sorts
in in bad taste
in in bad (with
someone
)
in in behalf of
someone
in in between
in in black and white
in in bloom
in in blossom
in in brief
in in broad daylight
in in bulk
in in cahoots (with
someone
)
in in care of
someone
in in case
in in character

in in earnest
in in effect
in in essence
in in exchange (for
someone or something
)
in in existence
in in fact
in in fashion
in in favor of
someone
in in favor (of
someone or something
)
in in fear and trembling
in in fine feather
in in flight
in in flux
in in force
in in for
something
in in full swing
in in general
in in good condition
in in good faith
in in good hands
in in good repair
in in good shape
in in good spirits
in in good time

someone
)
in in less than no time
in in lieu of
something
in in light of
something
in in limbo
in in line
NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary
518
in in love (with
someone or something
)
in in luck
in in many respects
in in memory of
someone
in in midair
in in mint condition
in in name only
in in need
in in neutral
in in no mood to
do something
in in nothing flat
in in no time (at all)
in in no uncertain terms
in in one breath
in in one ear and out (of) the other

(own) (best) interest(s)
in in
one’s
prime
in in
one’s
right mind
in in
one’s
salad days
in in
one’s
second childhood
in in
one’s
spare time
in in
one’s
Sunday best
in in on the kill
in in orbit
in in order to
do something
in in other words
in in over
one’s
head
in in park
in in part
in in passing

in in search of
someone or something
in in season
in in secret
in in session
in in seventh heaven
in in shambles
in in shape
in in short
in in sight
in (in) single file
in in so many words
in in
someone else’s
place
in in
someone else’s
shoes
in in
someone’s or something’s
custody
in in
someone’s
behalf
in in
someone’s
favor
in in
someone’s
name

in in the balance
in in the bargain
in in the best of health
in in the black
in in the blood
in in the buff
in in the bullpen
in in the cards
in in the care of
someone
in in the case of
someone or something
in in the charge of
someone
in in the chips
in in the clear
in in the context of
something
in in the course of time
in in the dark (about
someone or something
)
in in the doghouse
in in the doldrums
in in the driver’s seat
in in the event of
something
in in the family
in in the final analysis
in in the first instance

in in the middle of nowhere
in in the money
in in the mood for
something
in in the mood to
do something
in in the near future
in in the neighborhood of
something
in in the nick of time
in in the nude
in in the offing
in in the open
in in theory
in in the pink (of condition)
in in the prime of life
in in the public eye
in in the raw
in in the rear
in in the red
in in there pitching
in in the right
in in the running
in in the same boat (as
someone
)
in in the same breath
in in the second place
in in the short run
in in the soup

in invest
someone’s
time in
something
in invest
something
in
someone or something
in in view of
something
in in with
someone
in just in case (
something happens
)
in keep a civil tongue (in
one’s
head)
in keep in touch (with
someone
)
in keep
one’s
hand in (
something
)
in keep
someone or something
hanging in midair
in keep

in leave
someone or something
hanging in midair
in leave
someone or something
in
one’s
hands
in leave
someone
in peace
in leave
someone
in the lurch
in leave
someone
out in the cold
in let
someone
in on
something
in lie in state
in lie in wait for
someone or something
in Lightning never strikes twice (in the same place).
in like looking for a needle in a haystack
in like (two) peas in a pod
in live in
in lock
something

in milestone in
someone’s
life
in misplace
one’s
trust (in
someone
)
in Money burns a hole in
someone’s
pocket.
in move in (on
someone or something
)
in move up (in the world)
in much in evidence
in muscle in (on
someone or something
)
in nail in
someone’s or something’s
coffin
in need
something
like a hole in the head
in never in
one’s
life
in nip
something

in out in left field
in packed (in) like sardines
in pack them in
in paper over the cracks (in
something
)
in pay in advance
in persist in
doing something
in pick holes in
something
in pie in the sky
in pitch in (and help)
in plug
something
in
in pride
oneself
in
something
in punch a hole in
something
in put a bee in
someone’s
bonnet
in put all
one’s
eggs in one basket
in put in a good word (for
someone

one
in
one’s
place
in put
someone
in the picture
in put
something
down in black and white
in put
something
in
in Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
in putty in
someone’s
hands
in quake in
one’s
boots
in raised in a barn
in red in the face
in rest in peace
in result in
something
in rich in
something
in ride off in all directions
in ring in the New Year
in roll in

boots
in ships that pass in the night
in should have stood in bed
in sick in bed
in sink in
in sit in for
someone
in sit in (on
something
)
in sleep in
in slow as molasses in January
in slower than molasses in January
in smack-dab in the middle
in snug as a bug in a rug
in
someone’s
ace in the hole
in
someone’s
mission in life
in (somewhere) in the neighborhood of
an amount
in stab
someone
in the back
in stand in awe (of
someone or something
)
in stand (in) back of

in stop in (
somewhere
)
in (stuck) in a rut
in stuck in traffic
in suck
someone
in
in take a course (in
something
)
in take a hand in
something
in take an interest (in
something
)
in take no stock in
something
in take part (in
something
)
in take pride in
something
in take
someone or something
in
in take
someone
in
in take

grave
in up in arms
in up in the air (about
someone or something
)
Phrase-Finder Index
521
in up in years
in up to
one’s
ears (in
something
)
in up to
one’s
eyeballs (in
something
)
in up to
one’s
neck (in
something
)
in use every trick in the book
in waiting in the wings
in wash
one’s
dirty linen in public
in weave in and out (of
something

neck
in a diamond in the rough
in a drop in the bucket
in a drop in the ocean
in a feather in
one’s
cap
in a flash in the pan
in a fly in the ointment
in A friend in need is a friend indeed.
in a hole in one
in a kink in my neck
in a pain in the neck
in a shot in the arm
in a shot in the dark
in a skeleton in the closet
in a slap in the face
in a snake in the grass
in a square peg in a round hole
in a tempest in a teapot
in a thorn in
someone’s
side
in a wolf in sheep’s clothing
in the in thing (to do)
in the man in the street
inch come within an inch of
doing something
inch every inch a
something

injury add insult to injury
ink in ink
innocent (as) innocent as a lamb
innocent find
someone
innocent
innocent innocent as a lamb
innocent play innocent
ins ins and outs of
something
inside get the inside track
inside inside the box
inside know
something
inside out
inside thinking inside the box
inside think inside the box
instance for instance
instance in the first instance
instrumental instrumental in
doing something
insult add insult to injury
insult hurl an insult (at
someone
)
intent intent on
doing something
intents for all intents and purposes
interest draw interest
interest have a keen interest in

something
down (into
something
)
into bring
something
into question
into bump into
someone
into burst into flames
into burst into tears
into call
someone or something
into question
into check into
something
into come into its own
into come into
one’s
own
into come into
something
into dip in(to
something
)
into drive
something
into the ground
into drum
something

into get in(to) hot water
into get into the act
into get into the swing of things
into get (
oneself
) into a stew (over
someone or something
)
into get
one’s
hooks into
someone or something
into get
one’s
teeth into
something
into get
something
into
someone’s
thick head
into go into action
into go into a nosedive
into go into a tailspin
into go into detail
into go into effect
into go into hiding
into go into hock
into go into
one’s

something
)
into out of the frying pan into the fire
into pile in(to
something
)
into play into
someone’s
hands
into plow into
someone or something
into poke
one’s
nose in(to
something
)
into put ideas into
someone’s
head
into put
one’s
back (in)to
something
into put some teeth into
something
into put
something
into practice
into put
something

into sink
one’s
teeth into
something
into step into
someone’s
shoes
into step in(to the breach)
into stick
one’s
nose in(to
something
)
into stumble into
someone or something
into swing into action
into take
someone or something
into account
into take
someone
into
one’s
confidence
into take the law into
one’s
own hands
into talk
someone
into

something
into
something else
invasion invasion of (
someone’s
) privacy
inventory take inventory
invest invest
someone’s
time in
something
invest invest
someone
with
something
invest invest
something
in
someone or something
involved get involved (with
someone
)
iota not one iota
Irish get
someone’s
Irish up
iron iron
something
out
iron strike while the iron is hot

is Half a loaf is better than none.
is know when
one
is not wanted
is know which is which
is know which side
one’s
bread is buttered on
is life is too short
is many is the time
is merry as the day is long
is Money is no object.
is Money is the root of all evil.
is my gut tells me (that)
something is so
is No news is good news.
is not all
something
is cracked up to be
is not know if
one
is coming or going
is not know whether
one
is coming or going
is not what
something
is cracked up to be
is One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
is One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

one’s
number is up
is
one’s
work is cut out for
one
is Pretty is as pretty does.
is provided that
something is so
is Put your money where your mouth is!
is recognize
one
for what
one
is
is recognize
something
for what it is
is say that
something is so
is seeing is believing
is see (to it) that
something
is done
is see which way the wind is blowing
is so far as
someone or something
is concerned
is so far as
something

is coming from
is Woe is me!
is Your guess is as good as mine.
is Your secret is safe with me.
is An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
is A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
is A friend in need is a friend indeed.
is A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
is A penny saved is a penny earned.
is A storm is brewing.
is The coast is clear.
is The die is cast.
is The game is up.
is The honeymoon is over.
is The jig is up.
is The jury is still out (on
someone or something
).
is The shoe is on the other foot.
is the time is ripe
issue issue a call for
something
issue make an issue of
someone or something
issue take issue (with
someone
)
it Ain’t it the truth?
it almost lost it
it as far as it goes

cake and have it too
it far be it from me to
do something
it far from it
it feel it beneath
one
(to
do something
)
it find it in
one’s
heart (to
do something
)
it for the devil of it
it for the heck of it
it for the hell of it
it full of it
it get away (from it all)
it get it
it Get off it!
it Give it a rest.
it give it the gun
it Give it time.
it give it to
someone
(straight)
it Give it up.
it go at it hammer and tongs
it go at it tooth and nail

it If the shoe fits, wear it.
It It behooves
one
to
do something
.
NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary
524
It It never rains but it pours.
It It (only) stands to reason.
It It sucks.
It It takes (some) getting used to.
it Keep at it!
it knew it was coming
it knock it off
it known it was coming
it lay it on thick
it lay it on with a trowel
it let it all hang out
it Let it go.
it let it roll
it let
someone
have it (with both barrels)
it like it or lump it
it live it up
it long and (the) short of it
it lord it over
someone
it make a day of it

nose in it
it run for it
it Save it.
it see (to it) that
something
is done
it So be it.
it So it goes.
it spread it on thick
it step on it
it strike it rich
it such as it is
it take it away
it Take it easy.
it take it easy (on
someone or something
)
it take it on the chin
it take it or leave it
it take it slow
it take it to
one’s
grave
it take it upon
oneself
to
do something
it take it (up)on
oneself
(to

its dead on its feet
its Every dog has its day.
its fall flat (on its face)
it’s for all it’s worth
it’s for what(ever) it’s worth
its have had its day
its in its entirety
its in its prime
It’s It’s about time!
It’s It’s (all) Greek to me.
It’s It’s high time!
It’s It’s not over ‘til it’s over.
It’s It’s no use (
doing something
).
its judge
something
on its own merit(s)
it’s Like it’s such a big deal!
its put
something
through its paces
its rear its ugly head
its ruffle its feathers
its run around like a chicken with its head cut off
its sit on its hands
its tell its own story
its tell its own tale
its worth its weight in gold
itself by itself

January slower than molasses in January
jaw have a glass jaw
jaybird (as) naked as a jaybird
jaybird naked as a jaybird
jazz jazz
something
up
Jekyll Jekyll and Hyde
jeopardy in jeopardy
jetsam flotsam and jetsam
jiffy in a jiffy
jig The jig is up.
jig The jig is up.
Job (as) patient as Job
job do a job on
someone or something
job do a snow job on
someone
job Don’t quit your day job.
job fall down on the job
job lay down on the job
job lie down on the job
job on the job
Job patient as Job
job a devil of a job
job a nine-to-five job
job the devil’s own job
jockey jockey for position
jog jog
someone’s

one
on
one’s
own merit(s)
judge judge
something
on its own merit(s)
judge sober as a judge
judging judging by
something
juice juice and cookies
juice stew in
one’s
own juice
jump get the jump on
someone
jump Go jump in the lake!
jump jump all over
someone
jump jump at
something
jump jump at the chance
jump jump at the opportunity
jump jump bail
jump jump down
someone’s
throat
jump jump into the fray
jump jump off the deep end
jump jump on

just I just have this feeling
just in (just) a minute
just in (just) a second
just (just) as I expected
just (just) a stone’s throw away (from
something
)
just just in case (
something happens
)
just just one of those things
just just so
just just the same
just just what the doctor ordered
just You just don’t get it!
justice do justice to
something
justice poetic justice
justice a miscarriage of justice
justice a travesty of justice
keel keel over
keel keep on an even keel
keel keep
something
on an even keel
keen have a keen interest in
something
keen keen about
someone or something
keen keen on

526