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100 Idioms From the 1960s

March 13, 2026

100 Idioms From the 1960s

No. Item Definition
1. all talk, no action boasts without doing
2. at the drop of a hat immediately; without delay
3. back in the saddle active again after break
4. back to the drawing board start over with a plan
5. bark up the wrong tree pursue the wrong idea
6. beat around the bush avoid the main point
7. bite the bullet face pain bravely
8. blow your mind astonish you completely
9. break the ice ease social tension
10. burn the midnight oil work late into night
11. call it a day stop working for now
12. call the shots be in charge
13. caught red-handed caught in the act
14. chip on your shoulder a resentful attitude
15. cold turkey suddenly stop a habit
16. come clean confess honestly
17. cost an arm and a leg be very expensive
18. cut to the chase get to the point
19. devil’s advocate argue the opposite side
20. do your own thing act independently
21. don’t rock the boat avoid causing trouble
22. down in the dumps feeling depressed
23. down to the wire at the last moment
24. drop a dime inform on someone
25. drop out quit mainstream society
26. easy as pie very easy
27. eat your words admit you were wrong
28. every cloud has a silver lining good can come from bad
29. face the music accept consequences
30. fall head over heels fall deeply in love
31. far out excellent; impressive
32. feather your nest enrich yourself unfairly
33. fish out of water uncomfortable in new setting
34. flower power peaceful counterculture spirit
35. get down to brass tacks focus on essentials
36. get it together be organized; regain control
37. get the ball rolling start something happening
38. get the show on the road begin; get going
39. give peace a chance try nonviolent solutions
40. go for broke risk everything to win
41. go with the flow accept things as they come
42. hang loose relax; take it easy
43. have a blast have great fun
44. have a bone to pick have a complaint
45. have your hands full be very busy
46. hit the nail on the head be exactly right
47. hit the road leave; depart
48. in hot water in trouble
49. in the doghouse in disfavor
50. in the same boat in the same situation
51. jump on the bandwagon join a popular trend
52. jump the gun act too soon
53. keep on truckin’ keep going; persevere
54. keep your chin up stay optimistic
55. keep your cool stay calm
56. keep your eyes peeled watch carefully
57. kick the bucket die
58. kick up a fuss complain loudly
59. knock on wood avoid tempting bad luck
60. last but not least final item is important
61. lay it on the line speak frankly; risk everything
62. leave no stone unturned search thoroughly
63. let it all hang out be uninhibited; be open
64. let sleeping dogs lie avoid reopening trouble
65. let the cat out of the bag reveal a secret
66. make a long story short summarize briefly
67. make ends meet manage financially
68. make hay while the sun shines use opportunities while possible
69. make love, not war promote peace over conflict
70. make waves cause trouble; stand out
71. miss the boat lose an opportunity
72. needle in a haystack very hard to find
73. nip it in the bud stop early
74. no pain, no gain effort is required
75. out of sight wonderful; amazing
76. out of the blue unexpectedly
77. peace and love nonviolence and goodwill
78. power to the people support popular political power
79. pull your weight do your share
80. put your foot down refuse firmly
81. raise the roof make a loud noise
82. read between the lines infer hidden meaning
83. ride shotgun sit in front passenger seat
84. right on I agree; exactly
85. roll with the punches adapt to difficulties
86. rub elbows mix socially with others
87. sock it to me give it to me straight
88. spill the beans reveal a secret
89. stick to your guns maintain your position
90. take a rain check postpone to later
91. tell it like it is speak bluntly and honestly
92. the whole nine yards everything; the full amount
93. the writing on the wall a clear warning sign
94. throw in the towel give up
95. tune in pay attention; get involved
96. turn on excite; stimulate; interest
97. under the weather feeling ill
98. up in the air not decided yet
99. when push comes to shove when action is required
100. you can’t win ’em all not every attempt succeeds

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