idioms and phrases

A blessing in disguise

An unfortunate event that results in something good.

Eg: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise;it pushed me to start my own business.

Bite the bullet

To endure a painful or unpleasant situation.

Eg: I hate going to the dentist, but I have to bite the bullet and get this tooth fixed.

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get a conversation going in a social situation, especially when people meet for the first time or feel awkward.

Eg:At the start of the meeting, Jane told a funny story to break the ice and help everyone feel more comfortable.

Burn the midnight oil

To work late into the night.

Eg: He burned the midnight oil to finish his project on time.

Caught between a rock and a hard place

Facing two difficult choices

Eg: She was caught between a rock and a hard place when her boss asked her to lie.

Cost an arm and a leg

To be very expensive

The wedding was beautiful, but the venue cost them an arm and a leg.

Cut corners

To do something in a cheaper or easier way often compromising quality

Eg:I cut corners while cooking by not following the full recipe, and the dish turned out bland.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch

Don't assume success before it happens.

Eg:Mark bragged to everyone about his promotion before the official announcement. I warned him not to count his chickens before they hatch, and sure enough, the promotion went to someone else.

Every cloud has a silver lining

There is something good in every bad situation.

Eg:Even though she lost her job, she believes every cloud has a silver lining because it allows her to pursue her passion.

Cash cow

A business, product, or person that consistently brings in a lot of money with minimal effort or investment.

The young actress turned out to be the cash cow for most Hollywood studios.

Cat got your tongue

This phrase is used when someone is unusually quiet or at a loss for words. It's often said in a teasing or slightly sarcastic tone when someone suddenly becomes silent.

Eg:Yusuf was arguing confidently with his friends, but when his father walked into the room and asked what was going on, Yusuf went completely silent. His sister laughed and said, “What happened, Yusuf? Cat got your tongue?”

Curiosity killed the cat

This means being too curious or nosy—especially about other people's affairs—can lead to trouble or danger. It’s often used as a warning to mind your own business.

Rina kept peeking into her brother’s diary. Her mother caught her and said, “Rina, haven’t you heard? Curiosity killed the cat!”