GIVE (SOMEONE) A RING If someone is giving someone a ring, it can mean they are proposing to them and want to get married. They may do so by asking the person in question and offering their hand with a ring on it. The person in question may say yes or no, but if they…
GIVE (ONE’S) RIGHT (BODY PART) FOR/TO DO (SOMETHING) The idiom “give (one’s) right body part” to do something means to sacrifice one’s time, effort, or something else, in order to achieve the goal. One might say that they gave their left arm to get through the semester. GIVE (ONE’S) RIGHT (BODY PART) FOR/TO DO (SOMETHING)…
GET/LEND (SOMEONE) A HAND Many people have the idiom “to lend someone a hand” meaning to lend support or help. This idiom can be used to describe performing an act that benefits the actions of another person, doing something for someone, or helping out. The phrase “lend someone a hand” is an idiom. The meaning…
GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE SHORT END OF THE STICK The idiom “give someone the short end of the stick” is to disadvantage someone. For example, you could refer to how your boss gave you the short end of the stick by not giving you a raise. The short end of the stick is a phrase that…
GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE GO-AHEAD To give someone the go-ahead is to show approval for an idea or proposal, or to provide authorisation for something to happen. When you give someone the go-ahead, you are giving permission for them to proceed with their plan of action. It can also mean approving of something that has already…
GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED Getting up on the wrong side of the bed is a common expression used to describe someone who wakes up in a bad mood. The expression is meant to convey that what one does when they wake up reflects heavily on their mood for the rest…
GET TO THE BOTTOM OF (SOMETHING) To get to the bottom of something is to understand its origin, cause, or meaning. The phrase has an idiomatic meaning that is difficult to pinpoint due to its various uses. It can imply that one is “digging for” the truth or reasoning behind something; understanding what makes it…
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…