Idioms containing NECK
TOP words in categories
ALBATROSS AROUND (ONE'S) NECK
smth. or someone that is a burden and difficult to get rid of
1. That car costs you so much to repair. It has become an albatross around your neck. Why don’t you get rid of it?
2. I hired my wife’s brother to work in my business but he’s worthless. He doesn’t do anything. He really is an albatross around my neck.
2. I hired my wife’s brother to work in my business but he’s worthless. He doesn’t do anything. He really is an albatross around my neck.
BE UP TO ONE'S NECK
to be very busy; to be very involved in a situation
1. I'd like to help, but I'm up to my neck at the moment.
2. She's up to her neck in debt/problems/work.
2. She's up to her neck in debt/problems/work.
BREAK (ONE'S) NECK
to put forth a great deal of effort (1); to harm or punish one very severely (2)
1. I've been breaking my neck trying to get a passing grade this semester, so failing by two measly points is incredibly frustrating.
2. Be careful—the boss will break your neck if he catches you using company property like that.
2. Be careful—the boss will break your neck if he catches you using company property like that.
BREATHE DOWN SOMEONE'S NECK
to stay close to someone, watching everything that they do; pursue someone closely
1. The boss is always breathing down our necks.
2. The immigration authorities were breathing down his neck.
2. The immigration authorities were breathing down his neck.
GET IT IN THE NECK
to receive smth. unpleasant, such as criticism or punishment
1. I thought I was doing a fine job until I was fired because the boss didn’t like my work. I sure got it in the neck.
2. Frank thought they were the best of friends. Then one day for no apparent reason, she stopped speaking to him. He really got it in the neck
2. Frank thought they were the best of friends. Then one day for no apparent reason, she stopped speaking to him. He really got it in the neck
MILLSTONE AROUND (ONE'S) NECK
a burden or handicap, or a source of worry or concern
1. My elderly parents’ house is a millstone around my neck. They are unable to keep it up and I have to do all the repairs myself or pay someone to do them for me. I wish they would sell the house and rent an apartment instead.
2. This year’s taxes have become a millstone around my neck. If I had just gotten them done early, they wouldn’t be stressing me out now.
2. This year’s taxes have become a millstone around my neck. If I had just gotten them done early, they wouldn’t be stressing me out now.
NECK AND NECK
very close or equal
1. The two boys ran toward the finish line neck and neck.
2. In many fields of industrial activity steam is well ahead of oil and in others oil is ahead of coal, while in some they are racing neck and neck.
2. In many fields of industrial activity steam is well ahead of oil and in others oil is ahead of coal, while in some they are racing neck and neck.
NECK OF THE WOODS
an area; a place
1. I don’t recognize you and I know just about everyone in this town. You must not be from this neck of the woods.
2. Excuse me. Can you give me directions? I’m not familiar with this neck of the woods.
2. Excuse me. Can you give me directions? I’m not familiar with this neck of the woods.
PAIN IN THE NECK
someone or smth. that is very annoying
1. That child is a real pain in the neck.
2. One of my students is a real pain in the neck.
2. One of my students is a real pain in the neck.
SAVE SOMEONE'S NECK
to help someone avoid getting into trouble
1. Thanks for bringing me some extra cash—you really saved my neck.
2. You can't let down friends, even to save your own neck, now can you?
2. You can't let down friends, even to save your own neck, now can you?
STICK (ONE'S) NECK OUT
to take a risk
1. Larry helped me when no one else would, and I would do the same for him. I don’t mind sticking my neck out for a friend like him.
2. Jack was too scared to stick his neck out and stand with the rest of the workers in their demands for better working conditions. He was afraid he would lose his job.
2. Jack was too scared to stick his neck out and stand with the rest of the workers in their demands for better working conditions. He was afraid he would lose his job.
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