Idioms G-I

get a leg up

to make a good start on some activity or project

get a word in edgewise

to insert a word or sentence into an otherwise one-sided conversation

get caught/ be left holding the bag; leave (someone) holding the bag

to make someone the scapegoat; to be blamed for something that was not one’s fault or was only partly one’s fault

gte down to brass tacks/ business/ the nitty gritty

to get serious or practical about something

get it in the neck

to receive something unpleasant, such as criticism or punishment

get (one’s) second wind

to get a second burst of energy

get (someone’s) dander/ hackles up

to irritate or anger moderately

get (someone’s) goat

to irritate or annoy someone

get/hit (something) on the nose

to do or understand something perfectly

get the message

to understand something that is only hinted at, perhaps because it is unpleasant

get-up- and-go

physical energy

get/give (someone/something) short shrift

to make quick work of something or to give little time to someone

get/give (someone) the sack

to be fired from one’s job

get/give (someone) the third degree

to be questioned in great detail

get/have (something) down pat

to do something repeatedly until one knows how to do it without a mistake; to perfect an activity

get/give (someone) the third degree

to be questioned in great detail

get/have (something) down pat

to so something repeatedly until one knows how to do it without a mistake; to perfect an activity

gift of gab, the

the ability to speak easily and well

give (one’s) right (body part) for/to do (something)

to want something very much

give (someone) a snow job

to give someone a description of something or someone that is unrealistically attractive and positive

give (someone) a/some song and dance

to give someone an overly dramatic or unbeilable excuse

give (someone/something) a wide berth

to allow a lot of space between oneself and someone or something else when passing

go for broke

to risk everything

go haywire

to malfunction; to break down

go it alone

to travel some path or do some activity by oneself, often something dangerous or risky

go off half-clocked

to do or say something in haste or without adequate planning or preparation

go over like a lead balloon

to be completely unsuccessful, contrary to expectationsl to fail

go to pieces

to fall apart physically or emotionally; to lose one’s self-control

go to pot/seed

to fall into disrepair; to deteriorate from lack of attention

go to the dogs

to fall into disrepair; to deteriorate

go whole hog

to spare nothing; to do something with maximum enthusiasm

gravy train

an effortless time or job; a life of luxury

gray matter

brain tissue and, by extension, intelligence

green around the gills

sick to one’s stomach; nauseated

grin and bear it

to accept or endure a bad situation

hair’s breadth

a very narrow amount

half a mind to do (something)

inclined or disposed to do something; to have almost decided to do something

half-baked

poorly planned or thought out

half the battle

half the work or effort

hand in glove

close in intimate

hand over fist

extremely quickly

hand to mouth

to live in poor conditions from day to day; to be impoverished

handle/treat (someone) with kid gloves

to treat someone cautiously or gently because he or she is easily hurt or angered

hang-up

an obsession, problem, or concern about something

hard act to follow

a person or thing that is so good that the person or thing that follows may not measure up to the same standard

hard/tough row to hoe

a difficult to task

have/got it made

to have no problems; to have achieved success

head and shoulders above

at a much higher level

head honcho

a person with power in a company or organization

heavyweight

a person who is important and influential; a leader in a particular field

hem and haw

to hesitate to say something directly

hit pay dirt

to find something of great value

hold a candle to (someone), not

not equal to someone or something; when two persons or things are compared, the first one is clearly inferior to the second one

hold (one’s0 breath, not

to not wait for something to happen because it probably won’t happen soon, if at all

hold (one’s) own

to be able to withstand opposition or attact; to do just as well as other people

hold (someone/something) at bay

to prevent someone or something that is threatening or attacking from being able to advance

hold water

to be credible or sound; to stand up to scrutiny; to make sense

hook, line, and sinker, fall for/ swallow (something)

to believe something compltely, usually in the sense of being fooled

hopping mad

very angry

horse of another color

a situation or plan which represents a change from what was expected or assumed

horse sense

common sense or shrewdness; cleverness

hot under the collar

very angry

if/ when push comes to shove

if the situation become serious

in a bind/fix/jam

in a difficult situation or position

in dutch (with)

in trouble

in hot water

in trouble

in snitched. have (someone)/ be in)

to make someone laugh very hard

in the bag

making a profit

in the chips/ money

having lots of money

in the doghouse

in someone’s bad graces; in trouble

in the pink

in good health or good condition

in the red

losing money; not making a profit

it’s all greek to me

incomprehensible or unintelligible

it’s no skin off ( someone’s) nose

it has no effect on someone or it is of no concern to someone

ivory tower

an isolated environment where one is out touch with everyday reality; a place of retreat where one concentrates on intellectual rather than everyday matters