GET OFF (ONE’S) HIGH HORSE This idiom typically means to stop being arrogant or haughty, and it is often used when someone has been proven wrong. The phrase comes from the old English proverb ‘to get off one’s high horse,’ which was believed to be a literal act of getting down from one’s horse. Most…
GET CAUGHT/BE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG [LEAVE (SOMEONE) HOLDING THE BAG] In the context of this idiom, it means to leave someone in a difficult situation without help. The term is a literal interpretation of putting a bag on someone’s wrist or arm and letting them hold it while they walk. The phrase “to leave…
GET (A) HOLD OF (SOMEONE) The idiom “to get a hold of” means to interact with someone. If you want to get a hold of someone, you can communicate with them by phone or sending email. You can also go into the office and talk to them in person. To get a hold of someone…
FULL STEAM AHEAD The idiom “full steam ahead” typically refers to the idea that something should be done with all of one’s might, or all of one’s resources. It can also refer to the idea of moving quickly, or even forcefully. The idiom means to do something with as much energy as possible. In academia,…
FOURTH-RATE Fourth-rate refers to a lower class or grade. The term is used to refer to public schools in the US that are not considered to be of high quality. The fourth-rate is a term used to describe someone or something that has no significance or importance. This negative term is often used colloquially to…
FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE For heaven’s sake is an idiom that refers to the intensity of one’s emotions. The speaker is imploring his audience to understand the gravity of the situation and how seriously he takes it. For heaven’s sake idiom is a phrase that literally means “for God’s sake.” It can be used to express…
FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH, A A force to be reckoned with is a powerful and significant source of change. For a force to be a force to be reckoned with, it must have the power to affect large numbers of people or have an important influence on people’s lives. The following idiom, “a force…
FOOL’S GOLD Fool’s gold is a term that can be defined as something that fools people into thinking it is something valuable. People use the term to describe things that they see as not worth what they are made out to be. Fool’s gold is a term that is used in the vernacular to describe…
FOLLOW IN (SOMEONE’S) FOOTSTEPS The idiom “to follow in someone’s footsteps” is to be subjected to the same actions as someone else. This can be good, such as when one person trains another, or bad, such as when a murderer punishes and kills those who take after them. Many people are very supportive of the…
FLY IN THE OINTMENT The fly in the ointment idiom refers to an unpleasant or unexpected element that spoils something. It is not always clear what this element is, but it can be seen as a major obstacle for some goal to be achieved. For example, if someone tried to paint their room with pink…