Designing Your Character & Other Handy Things

Idioms and their meanings!

"A bitter pill"

A situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted.

"A dime a dozen"

Anything that is common, inexpensive, and easy to get or available any where.

"Ace in the hole"

A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage.

"Achilles' heel"

A metaphor for a fatal weakness in spite of overall strength.

"Add insult to injury"

To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation.

"All ears"

Listening intently; fully focused or awaiting an explanation.

"All thumbs"

Clumsy, awkward.

"At the drop of a hat"

Without any hesitation; instantly.

"Barking up the wrong tree"

Looking in the wrong place.

"Basket case"

One made powerless or ineffective, as by nerves, panic, or stress.

"Beat around the bush"

To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally or To delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant.

"Bite off more than one can chew"

To take on more responsibility than you can manage.

"Bite the bullet"

To endure a painful or unpleasant situation that is unavoidable.

"Bite the dust"

Euphemism for dying or death.

"Break a leg"

A saying from the theatre that means "good luck."

"Burn the midnight oil"

To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting.

"Bust one's chops"

To say things intended to harass.

"By the seat of one's pants"

To achieve through instinct or do something without advance preparation.

"By the skin of one's teeth"

Narrowly; barely. Usually used in regard to a narrow escape from a disaster.

"Call it a day"

To declare the end of a task.

“Cat nap”

Short sleep.

"Chew the fat"

To chat idly or generally waste time talking.

"Chink in one's armor"

An area of vulnerability

"Clam up"