Binomial Idioms

Binomial idioms are expressions made up of two words joined by a conjunction (commonly "and" or "or"). These paired words often follow a fixed order and convey a specific meaning that might differ from their literal definitions.

aches and pains

mild physical discomfort

airs and graces

false ways of behaving to show that you are important

alive and well

in good physical condition

back and forth

movement or exchange in two opposite directions, points, actions, or ideas

beer and skittles

enjoyable activities

bits and pieces

small or incomplete parts of something

bit by bit

gradually or in small steps

black and blue

being bruised or injured

black and white

clear, easy to understand and without ambiguity

born and bred

be born and grow up in a particular place

bread and butter

someone’s main source of income

bright and early

very early in the morning

bricks and mortar

refers to physical, real-world businesses or buildings

by and large

generally

cloak and dagger

involving secrets,mysteries and espionage(=the act of spying)

cock and bull

a story that is obviously untrue

comings and goings

the frequent movement or activity of many people

cut and dried

clear, simple and unchangeable

cut and run

to quickly leave or escape, often to avoid trouble

dead and buried

completely finished or over; forgotten

do’s and don’ts

rules about activities or actions people should and should not do

done and dusted

completed and finished

down and out

having no luck, no money and no opportunities

dribs and drabs

in small amounts, a few at a time

fair and square

in an honest way and without any doubt

far and wide

over a large area or many places

fast and furious

happening in a quick, intense and exciting way

first and foremost

most importantly

give and take

mutual exchange or compromise

give or take

approximately, with a small variation in the amount of something mentioned

hale and hearty

healthy and strong

hard and fast

rigid and firmly established

haves and have-nots

the rich and the poor

heart and soul

completely; with great enthusiasm and passion

hem and haw

hesitant and indecisive

here and there

in different places

high and dry

in a very difficult situation without any help

high and low

everywhere

high and mighty

arrogant and full of self-importance

hit and run

refers to an accident in which one party causes damage and injury then leave the scene without helping or indentifying themselves

hot and bothered

feeling upset or nervous

hue and cry

a loud protest or public outcry

huff and puff

to breathe loudly

hustle and bustle

busy, noisy activity

ifs and buts

excuses

ins and outs

the detailed or complicated aspects of something

leaps and bounds

rapid improvement or progress

make or break

to make something either a success or a failure

more or less

approximately; mostly

nooks and crannies

small spaces in something that is difficult to reach

null and void

no longer legally valid or effective

nuts and bolts

the basic, practical details of something

odds and ends

trivial things

on and off

intermittent (=not continuous)

out and about

being away from home and engaging in activities

out and out

complete, in every way

part and parcel

the integral part of something

pins and needles

slight, sharp pains in a body parts, often after being in a position for too long

prim and proper

well-mannered and strictly correct in behaviours

wear and tear

damage caused by regular use or aging