| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | a drop in the ocean | a very small amount |
| 2. | a ray of sunshine | something that brings happiness |
| 3. | add fuel to the fire | make a bad situation worse |
| 4. | after the storm | when trouble has passed |
| 5. | all at sea | confused and uncertain |
| 6. | as free as a bird | completely free |
| 7. | as old as the hills | very old |
| 8. | bark up the wrong tree | pursue the wrong idea |
| 9. | beat around the bush | avoid saying it directly |
| 10. | between a rock and a hard place | facing two bad choices |
| 11. | big fish in a small pond | important in a small group |
| 12. | bite the dust | fail or die |
| 13. | blow hot and cold | keep changing your attitude |
| 14. | blow over | pass without lasting harm |
| 15. | break the ice | make people feel relaxed |
| 16. | calm before the storm | quiet before trouble |
| 17. | cast pearls before swine | offer to those who won’t value |
| 18. | chase rainbows | pursue unrealistic dreams |
| 19. | cloud nine | a state of great happiness |
| 20. | come rain or shine | no matter what happens |
| 21. | cool as a cucumber | very calm |
| 22. | dark as night | very dark |
| 23. | dawn on someone | become clear to someone |
| 24. | dead as a doornail | completely dead |
| 25. | dig your own grave | cause your own failure |
| 26. | dog days | hottest days of summer |
| 27. | down to earth | practical and realistic |
| 28. | eat like a bird | eat very little |
| 29. | every cloud has a silver lining | good can come from bad |
| 30. | fair-weather friend | friend only in good times |
| 31. | fall by the wayside | be abandoned or fail |
| 32. | feather your nest | enrich yourself unfairly |
| 33. | feel under the weather | feel slightly ill |
| 34. | fish out of water | uncomfortable in a situation |
| 35. | flood of tears | a lot of crying |
| 36. | fly in the ointment | a small problem spoiling things |
| 37. | follow the herd | do what others do |
| 38. | for the birds | worthless or silly |
| 39. | fresh as a daisy | rested and energetic |
| 40. | get wind of | hear a rumor |
| 41. | get your ducks in a row | get organized |
| 42. | go against the grain | do the opposite of usual |
| 43. | go down in flames | fail spectacularly |
| 44. | go with the flow | accept things as they come |
| 45. | grass is always greener | others seem better off |
| 46. | hard as nails | tough and unsentimental |
| 47. | have a whale of a time | have a great time |
| 48. | have bigger fish to fry | have more important tasks |
| 49. | head in the clouds | daydreaming and unrealistic |
| 50. | hold your horses | wait and be patient |
| 51. | in full bloom | at peak development |
| 52. | in the same boat | in the same situation |
| 53. | it’s raining cats and dogs | raining very heavily |
| 54. | keep your head above water | manage to survive financially |
| 55. | kill two birds with one stone | achieve two goals at once |
| 56. | knock on wood | avoid bad luck |
| 57. | last straw | final cause of anger |
| 58. | leave no stone unturned | search everywhere |
| 59. | let sleeping dogs lie | avoid restarting trouble |
| 60. | like a fish to water | adapt very easily |
| 61. | like water off a duck’s back | not affected by criticism |
| 62. | lion’s share | the largest part |
| 63. | make hay while the sun shines | use opportunities while available |
| 64. | make waves | cause trouble or change |
| 65. | miss the boat | lose an opportunity |
| 66. | muddy the waters | make things more confusing |
| 67. | neither fish nor fowl | hard to classify |
| 68. | nip it in the bud | stop something early |
| 69. | no spring chicken | not young anymore |
| 70. | not a snowball’s chance in hell | no chance at all |
| 71. | off the beaten path | away from usual places |
| 72. | on thin ice | in a risky situation |
| 73. | once in a blue moon | very rarely |
| 74. | out of the woods | free from danger |
| 75. | over the hill | past one’s prime |
| 76. | plenty of fish in the sea | many other options exist |
| 77. | pour oil on troubled waters | calm a conflict |
| 78. | put down roots | settle in one place |
| 79. | put the cart before the horse | do things in wrong order |
| 80. | rain on someone’s parade | spoil someone’s joy |
| 81. | red sky at night | sign of good weather |
| 82. | ride out the storm | endure a difficult time |
| 83. | right as rain | healthy again |
| 84. | rock the boat | cause trouble or change |
| 85. | run like the wind | run very fast |
| 86. | sail close to the wind | act riskily or improperly |
| 87. | save for a rainy day | save money for later |
| 88. | sea change | a major transformation |
| 89. | see which way the wind blows | wait to judge opinions |
| 90. | set in stone | fixed and unchangeable |
| 91. | shake like a leaf | tremble with fear |
| 92. | take the bull by the horns | face a problem directly |
| 93. | up a creek without a paddle | in serious trouble |
| 94. | water under the bridge | past events no longer important |
| 95. | weather the storm | survive a difficult period |
| 96. | wet behind the ears | inexperienced |
| 97. | when it rains, it pours | problems come all at once |
| 98. | wild goose chase | a pointless search |
| 99. | wolf in sheep’s clothing | dangerous person pretending harmless |
| 100. | you can lead a horse to water | can’t force someone to act |