| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | a bird in the hand | a sure thing beats a gamble |
| 2. | a leopard can’t change spots | people rarely change their nature |
| 3. | a penny for your thoughts | tell me what you’re thinking |
| 4. | a stitch in time | timely action prevents bigger trouble |
| 5. | a watched pot never boils | waiting makes time feel slower |
| 6. | add fuel to the fire | make a bad situation worse |
| 7. | all bark and no bite | threatening but not dangerous |
| 8. | all hat and no cattle | flashy but lacking substance |
| 9. | all in a day’s work | normal part of the job |
| 10. | all that glitters isn’t gold | appearances can be deceiving |
| 11. | all thumbs | clumsy with the hands |
| 12. | an apple a day | healthy habits prevent illness |
| 13. | another kettle of fish | a completely different matter |
| 14. | as the crow flies | in a straight line |
| 15. | at sixes and sevens | in confusion or disorder |
| 16. | back to the drawing board | start over with a new plan |
| 17. | bark up the wrong tree | pursue a mistaken idea |
| 18. | beat around the bush | avoid saying it directly |
| 19. | beggars can’t be choosers | take what you can get |
| 20. | behind the eight ball | in a difficult position |
| 21. | bend over backwards | try very hard to help |
| 22. | best thing since sliced bread | an excellent new invention |
| 23. | between a rock and a hard place | facing two bad choices |
| 24. | bite off more than you can chew | take on too much |
| 25. | bite the bullet | face pain bravely |
| 26. | call a spade a spade | speak plainly and directly |
| 27. | call it a day | stop working for now |
| 28. | can’t hold a candle to | not nearly as good as |
| 29. | cast pearls before swine | waste value on the unworthy |
| 30. | cat got your tongue? | why aren’t you speaking? |
| 31. | chalk it up | attribute it to a cause |
| 32. | chew the fat | chat casually |
| 33. | chip off the old block | like one’s parent |
| 34. | climb the greasy pole | seek power through ambition |
| 35. | close but no cigar | nearly succeeded but failed |
| 36. | dark horse | unexpected winner or talent |
| 37. | dead as a doornail | completely dead |
| 38. | devil is in the details | small details cause problems |
| 39. | diamond in the rough | valuable but unpolished person |
| 40. | dime a dozen | very common and cheap |
| 41. | dog-eat-dog | ruthlessly competitive |
| 42. | don’t look a gift horse | don’t criticize a free gift |
| 43. | don’t put all eggs in one basket | don’t risk everything on one plan |
| 44. | down in the dumps | feeling sad or depressed |
| 45. | early bird catches the worm | early action brings advantage |
| 46. | easy come, easy go | gains are quickly lost |
| 47. | eat humble pie | admit fault and apologize |
| 48. | elephant in the room | obvious issue being ignored |
| 49. | every cloud has a silver lining | good can come from bad |
| 50. | fair and square | honestly and without cheating |
| 51. | fall from grace | lose respect or favor |
| 52. | feather your nest | enrich yourself unfairly |
| 53. | few and far between | rarely occurring |
| 54. | fiddle while Rome burns | ignore crisis for trivialities |
| 55. | fight tooth and nail | fight with great determination |
| 56. | fit as a fiddle | very healthy |
| 57. | fly off the handle | suddenly lose your temper |
| 58. | for all intents and purposes | effectively; in practice |
| 59. | for the birds | worthless or silly |
| 60. | forewarned is forearmed | warning helps you prepare |
| 61. | from pillar to post | moved around repeatedly |
| 62. | get a taste of your own medicine | receive the same bad treatment |
| 63. | get cold feet | lose courage at the last moment |
| 64. | get down to brass tacks | focus on practical details |
| 65. | get your ducks in a row | organize things in advance |
| 66. | give the devil his due | acknowledge an enemy’s merits |
| 67. | give up the ghost | die or stop functioning |
| 68. | go to the dogs | decline into ruin |
| 69. | go whole hog | do something completely |
| 70. | hair of the dog | drink to cure a hangover |
| 71. | hand over fist | rapidly and in large amounts |
| 72. | hard as nails | tough and unsentimental |
| 73. | haste makes waste | rushing causes mistakes |
| 74. | have a bone to pick | have a complaint to discuss |
| 75. | have an axe to grind | have a selfish motive |
| 76. | have your cake and eat it | want two incompatible benefits |
| 77. | head over heels | deeply in love |
| 78. | in a pickle | in a difficult situation |
| 79. | in for a penny | committed once started |
| 80. | in the nick of time | just before it’s too late |
| 81. | it takes two to tango | both share responsibility |
| 82. | ivory tower | detached academic world |
| 83. | jump the gun | start too soon |
| 84. | keep a stiff upper lip | stay brave and unemotional |
| 85. | keep your powder dry | stay prepared for trouble |
| 86. | kick the bucket | die |
| 87. | kill two birds with one stone | achieve two goals at once |
| 88. | knock on wood | avoid tempting bad luck |
| 89. | know the ropes | understand how things work |
| 90. | last straw | final irritation causing action |
| 91. | leave no stone unturned | search everywhere thoroughly |
| 92. | let sleeping dogs lie | avoid restarting old trouble |
| 93. | let the cat out of the bag | reveal a secret |
| 94. | let the chips fall | accept whatever happens |
| 95. | like a bull in a china shop | very clumsy and tactless |
| 96. | lion’s share | the largest portion |
| 97. | live and let live | tolerate others’ choices |
| 98. | lock, stock, and barrel | everything; the whole lot |
| 99. | make ends meet | manage financially |
| 100. | make hay while the sun shines | use opportunities while available |
