Idioms in alphabetical order
Here're 30 idioms starting with R.RACK (ONE'S) BRAIN(S)
to search through one’s mind intensively; to try very hard to think of smth.
RAIN ON (SOMEONE'S) PARADE
to spoil someone’s happy feelings
RAINING CATS AND DOGS
to rain very heavily
RAISE CAIN
to cause a disturbance, often because one is extremely angry; to make trouble
RAISE HELL
to behave in a way that is not controlled and that causes trouble
RAKE (SOMEONE)/GET RAKED OVER THE COALS
to reprimand or criticize someone harshly
RANK AND FILE
the non-management workers in a company or the non-leadership members of a political party
READ (SMTH.) INTO (SMTH.)
to give some meaning to smth. that is not justified; to imagine some significance that doesn’t exist
READ (SOMEONE) THE RIOT ACT
to reprimand or scold someone harshly
READ BETWEEN THE LINES
to understand a message that is alluded to but not directly said or written
REAL MCCOY, THE
the genuine article; not an imitation or substitute
RED HERRING
smth. used to divert someone’s attention from the real or important issue; smth. used to send a searcher in the wrong direction
RED TAPE
the unnecessary paperwork and procedures of a complicated bureaucracy
RED-LETTER DAY
an important day; a day to remember
REST ON (ONE'S) LAURELS
to be so satisfied with what one has already accomplished that one no longer works very hard
RHYME OR REASON, NO
logic; explanation
RING A BELL
to stir smth. in one’s memory; to cause someone to remember smth.
ROCK THE BOAT
to disturb a situation that is beneficial to the people involved; to cause trouble where none is wanted
ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES
to adjust to bad fortune; to take a relaxed attitude towards life and its problems
ROOM FOR MANOEUVRE
an opportunity to change your plans or choose between different ways of doing smth.
ROSE-COLORED GLASSES, SEE (SOMEONE/ SMTH.) THROUGH
to see smth. in a falsely good way; not to see smth. objectively
ROTTEN LUCK
exceptionally bad fortune or luck
RUB (SOMEONE) THE WRONG WAY
to irritate someone
RUB ELBOWS WITH (SOMEONE)
to associate with someone; to come into contact with someone
RULE OF THUMB
a rough guide; an unwritten or customary rule based on experience or practice
RUN (SMTH.) INTO THE GROUND
to belabor smth. beyond reason; to go too far with smth.
RUN AMOK
to run around in a frenzied or disorderly way
RUN CIRCLES AROUND (SOMEONE)
to outperform someone by a wide margin; to be better than someone
RUN ITS COURSE
to follow a natural progression without interference
RUN-OF-THE-MILL
ordinary or usual
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