Idioms in alphabetical order
Here're 33 idioms starting with W.WAIT AND SEE
to wait to discover what will happen
WAIT FOR (ONE'S) SHIP TO COME IN
when one gets an unexpected lucky gift, especially money
WALK IN (SOMEONE'S) SHOES
in someone else’s situation
WALKING ON AIR
blissfully happy
WASH (ONE'S) HANDS OF (SMTH./SOMEONE)
to put smth. out of one’s life or to stop claiming responsibility for smth.
WASTE YOUR BREATH
to spend time and energy trying to give advice that is ignored
WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE
past and finished; over and done with
WAVE OF THE FUTURE, THE
a strong, growing trend
WEAR (ONE'S) HEART ON (ONE'S) SLEEVE
to display one’s feelings openly
WEAR THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY
to make the major decisions and have the greatest amount of power in a family
WET (ONE'S) WHISTLE
to wet one’s lips; to have a drink of smth.
WET BEHIND THE EARS
young and inexperienced
WET BLANKET
a person who is seen as never wanting to take part in fun activities; a person who ruins a good time
WHAT IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE, (NOT)
not as good as its reputation; not as good as it is supposed to be
WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER
never
WHEN IN ROME DO AS THE ROMANS DO
when you are visiting another place, you should follow the customs of the people in that place
WHEN PIGS FLY
smth. will never happen
WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN
when the situation is critical; when things are going badly
WHIP/LICK (SOMEONE/SMTH.) INTO SHAPE
to mold or assemble smth. into its proper shape quickly
WHITE ELEPHANT
an item that no one wants to buy or that is difficult to get rid of; a costly but useless possession
WHITE LIE
a minor, polite, or harmless lie
WHITE-COLLAR WORKER
an office worker
WHITEWASH
to conceal smth. bad; to make smth. look better than it really is
WHOLE KIT AND CABOODLE, THE
the entire amount; the whole lot
WHOLE NINE YARDS, GO THE
the entire amount; (to go) all out
WILD-GOOSE CHASE
a useless or difficult search
WING IT
to improvise; to do smth. without planning or preparation
WITH BATED BREATH
hardly breathing at all because of fear, excitement, or other strong emotion
WITH FLYING COLORS
triumphantly; victoriously
WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING
someone who presents himself as a harmless person, but who has intentions that are not honorable
WORK YOUR FINGERS TO THE BONE
to work extremely hard, especially for a long time
WRESTLE WITH A PIG
to attempt a futile task with someone who enjoys the struggle
WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS, COME FROM THE
the poor part of town
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