10 English Idioms and Phrases
1. Turn a blind eye
– Ignore something
- The teacher decided to turn a blind eye to the students whispering in the back row.
- Sometimes parents turn a blind eye to their children’s bad habits.
- He turned a blind eye to the unfair treatment at work.
- The manager chose to turn a blind eye to minor mistakes.
- We can’t turn a blind eye to environmental problems anymore.
2. Turn the tables
– Reverse a situation
- After being behind in the game, our team managed to turn the tables and win.
- She turned the tables on her opponent during the debate.
- The company turned the tables by launching a superior product.
- He turned the tables by asking a difficult question back.
- The underdog turned the tables and shocked everyone.
3. Under the weather
– Feeling unwell
- I can’t come to work today because I’m feeling under the weather.
- She looked under the weather during the meeting.
- If you’re under the weather, it’s best to rest.
- He missed the party because he was a bit under the weather.
- Being under the weather, she stayed home and slept all day.
4. Up in the air
– Uncertain or undecided
- Our weekend plans are still up in the air.
- The future of the project is up in the air.
- Their decision is up in the air until next week.
- Everything was up in the air after the announcement.
- The schedule is up in the air due to the weather.
5. Use your head
– Think logically
- You should use your head before making that investment.
- Use your head; don’t just follow the crowd.
- If you use your head, you’ll figure out the answer.
- Try to use your head in tricky situations.
- She told him to use his head for problem-solving.
6. Vent your feelings
– Express your emotions
- It’s healthy to vent your feelings with a close friend.
- He didn’t hesitate to vent his feelings after the argument.
- She vented her feelings about the tough day.
- Sometimes you just need to vent your feelings.
- He finally vented his feelings in the meeting.
7. Wear your heart on your sleeve
– Show your emotions openly
- She wears her heart on her sleeve and everyone knows how she feels.
- People who wear their heart on their sleeve are often misunderstood.
- He doesn’t try to hide his feelings; he wears his heart on his sleeve.
- Wearing your heart on your sleeve can make you vulnerable.
- He wears his heart on his sleeve in front of his friends.
8. When in doubt, do nothing
– Avoid acting impulsively
- When in doubt, do nothing and wait for more information.
- My father always said, “When in doubt, do nothing.”
- It’s sometimes wise to remember: when in doubt, do nothing.
- She learned to pause and when in doubt, do nothing.
- He recalled the advice, when in doubt, do nothing.
9. Work around the clock
– Work continuously
- The doctors worked around the clock to save lives.
- We had to work around the clock to finish on time.
- The IT team worked around the clock after the server crashed.
- They worked around the clock to meet the deadline.
- During the crisis, everyone worked around the clock.
10. You can’t judge a book by its cover
– Don’t judge based on appearance
- She seemed rude but you can’t judge a book by its cover.
- He learned not to judge a book by its cover after meeting Mark.
- Remember, you can’t judge a book by its cover in job interviews.
- The small restaurant was amazing—never judge a book by its cover!
- It’s important to teach children not to judge a book by its cover.