Idioms in alphabetical order

Here're 96 idioms starting with G.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W Y

GATHER DUST
to not be used for a long time
GATHER YOUR THOUGHTS
to think about what you are going to do or how you feel about smth., especially after some news or a shock
GATHER YOUR WITS
to make an effort to become calm and think more clearly
GET (A) HOLD OF (ONESELF)
to get control of oneself; stop being emotional
GET (A) HOLD OF (SMTH.)
to acquire or obtain smth.
GET (A) HOLD OF (SOMEONE)
to contact someone or communicate with someone, usually by telephone
GET (ONE'S) ACT/IT TOGETHER
to get control of oneself mentally or physically; to get organized
GET (ONE'S) SECOND WIND
to get a second burst of energy
GET (SMTH.) OFF (ONE'S) CHEST
to disclose or talk about smth. that is bothering or worrying one
GET (SMTH.) THROUGH (ONE'S) HEAD
to understand smth. that is difficult, especially because it is a shock, unwanted, or unexpected
GET (SOMEONE'S) DANDER/HACKLES UP
to irritate or anger moderately
GET (SOMEONE'S) GOAT
to irritate or annoy someone
GET A HANDLE ON (SMTH.)
to find a way to deal with a problem or difficult situation
GET A LEG UP
to make a good start on some activity or project
GET A MOVE ON
to hurry
GET A WORD IN EDGEWISE
to insert a word or sentence into an otherwise one-sided conversation
GET AWAY WITH MURDER
do smth. bad without consequences
GET BY
to just barely manage, financially (1) or with one’s work or responsibilities (2)
GET CAUGHT/BE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG
to make someone the scapegoat; to be blamed for smth. that was not one’s fault or was only partly one’s fault
GET DOWN TO BRASS TACKS/BUSINESS
to get serious or practical about smth.
GET DOWN TO THE NITTY-GRITTY
most important aspects or practical details of a subject or situation
GET IT IN THE NECK
to receive smth. unpleasant, such as criticism or punishment
GET OFF (ONE'S) HIGH HORSE
to stop acting superior
GET OFF/GO SCOT-FREE
to escape the proper or expected punishment; to be acquitted of a crime
GET ONE'S FOOT IN THE DOOR
to enter a business or organization at a low level, but with a chance of being more successful in the future
GET ONE'S FOOT ON THE LADDER
to enter a business from a low position; to start career
GET THE DROP ON
surprise someone by being the first to act (1); gain an advantage over someone (2)
GET THE MESSAGE
to understand smth. that is only hinted at, perhaps because it is unpleasant
GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD
to get started
GET TO THE BOTTOM OF (SMTH.)
to understand smth. completely by sorting through all the facts or information
GET TO THE POINT
to speak or write concisely and directly
GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED
to be in a bad mood from the beginning of the day
GET UP SOMEONE'S NOSE
to annoy or irritate someone
GET-UP-AND-GO
physical energy
GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE COLD SHOULDER
to ignore someone intentionally
GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE GREEN LIGHT
to get or give permission to proceed
GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE SACK
to be fired from one’s job
GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE SHORT END OF THE STICK
to suffer the bad effects of a situation; to get (give someone) the unfair or less advantageous part of a deal or arrangement
GET/GIVE (SOMEONE) THE THIRD DEGREE
to be questioned in great detail
GET/GIVE (SOMEONE/SMTH.) SHORT SHRIFT
to make quick work of smth. or to give little time to someone
GET/GIVE THE GO-AHEAD
to receive or grant permission to proceed
GET/HAVE (SMTH.) DOWN PAT
to do smth. repeatedly until one knows how to do it without a mistake; to perfect an activity
GET/HAVE YOUR FINGERS BURNED
to suffer unpleasant results of an action, especially loss of money, so you do not want to do the same thing again
GET/HIT (SMTH.) ON THE NOSE
to do or understand smth. perfectly
GET/LEND (SOMEONE) A HAND
to help someone
GET/TAKE A POUNDING
to receive a lot of criticism (1); be repeatedly hit or attacked (2)
GIFT OF GAB, THE
the ability to speak easily and well
GIVE (ONE'S) RIGHT (BODY PART) FOR/TO DO (SMTH.)
to want smth. very much
GIVE (SOMEONE) A HARD TIME
to be difficult with someone; to give someone unnecessary difficulty
GIVE (SOMEONE) A PIECE OF (ONE'S) MIND
to confront someone who has behaved badly
GIVE (SOMEONE) A RING
to call someone on the telephone
GIVE (SOMEONE) A SNOW JOB
to give someone a description of smth. or someone that is unrealistically attractive and positive
GIVE (SOMEONE) A TASTE OF (HIS/HER) OWN MEDICINE
to treat someone the same way they treat others (especially when they are strict, unfair, or unkind)
GIVE (SOMEONE) A/SOME SONG AND DANCE
to give someone an overly dramatic or unbelievable excuse
GIVE (SOMEONE) THE SHIRT OFF (ONE'S) BACK
to give (figuratively) someone all one’s possessions; to be very generous
GIVE (SOMEONE/SMTH.) A WIDE BERTH
to allow a lot of space between oneself and someone or smth. else when passing
GIVE IN
to surrender
GIVE ONE'S WORD
to promise
GIVE SOMEONE THE RED-CARPET TREATMENT
to give someone the best treatment and show them the finest hospitality
GIVE SOMEONE/SMTH. A SECOND LOOK
another inspection or consideration of someone or smth.
GIVE UP THE GHOST
stop trying to do smth. because one no longer believes it can be done successfully; to die
GIVE/ALLOW SMTH. FULL PAY
to develop and use emotions or ideas completely
GO AGAINST THE GRAIN
to be contrary to someone’s nature
GO AROUND IN CIRCLES
to be confused or lost; to make no progress
GO BANANAS [DRIVE (SOMEONE) BANANAS]
to go crazy; to no longer be able to cope with a situation. To drive someone bananas means to to annoy or irritate someone
GO BROKE
to run out of money completely; to become penniless
GO FOR BROKE
to risk everything
GO HAYWIRE
to malfunction; to break down
GO HOG WILD
to become too excited and eager about smth., often so that you do too much; to behave wildly
GO IT ALONE
to travel some path or do some activity by oneself, often smth. dangerous or risky
GO OFF HALF-COCKED
to do or say smth. in haste or without adequate planning or preparation
GO OFF THE DEEP END
to become deeply involved with someone or smth. before one is ready; to go crazy
GO OFF THE RAILS
to start behaving in a way that is not generally acceptable, especially dishonestly or illegally
GO OUT ON A LIMB
to take a risk
GO OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON
to be completely unsuccessful, contrary to expectations; to fail
GO OVER WITH A BANG
to be extremely successful
GO OVERBOARD
to go to excess; to do too much
GO TO PIECES
to fall apart physically or emotionally; to lose one’s self-control
GO TO POT/SEED
to fall into disrepair; to deteriorate from lack of attention
GO TO THE DOGS
to fall into disrepair; to deteriorate
GO TO TOWN
To do smth. with maximum enthusiasm; to splurge
GO UP IN SMOKE
to disappear; to be ruined
GO WHOLE HOG
to spare nothing; to do smth. with maximum enthusiasm
GO WITH THE FLOW
to take a relaxed attitude towards life
GOLDEN AGE
a time when smth. is at its best
GOOD EGG
a person who is basically good or sound, but who may be slightly peculiar or idiosyncratic
GOOD GRIEF!
an expletive that means “This is ridiculous!” or “I’ve had enough!”
GOOD SAMARITAN
a person who helps someone in trouble without thought of personal gain
GRASP AT STRAWS
to act in desperation with little hope of success
GRAVY TRAIN
an effortless time or job; a life of luxury
GRAY MATTER
brain tissue and, by extension, intelligence
GREEN AROUND THE GILLS
sick to one’s stomach; nauseated
GREEN THUMB
natural ability to grow plants
GRIM REAPER
death
GRIN AND BEAR IT
to accept or endure a bad situation
GRIND TO A HALT
to gradually slow down and stop all movement or activity

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