Read Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook Online
Authors: Gail Brenner
take/taking it easy
taken up with
takes something from the menu
takes the order
taking a nap
taking it easy
taking off
taking on
taking revenge
taking time off
talk a blue streak
talk down to
talk on
talk out of
talk over
talk someone’s ear off
talk someone’s head off
talk until one is blue in the face
talk up
tall tale
tapped
taught
teach someone a lesson
teacher’s pet
teaches
tear jerker
tear up
teed off
tell a joke
tell it like it is
tell it to one’s face
tell the truth
telling a lie
ten to one
terrific
test
test one’s wings
thank you
thanks a bunch/lot/million
thanks a million
thanks loads/much
thanks to you
that green stuff
that makes my day
that sucks
that went right over my head
that works for me
that’s a bunch of bull
that’s a negative
that’s all right
that’s B.S.
That’s it!
that’s just the way it is
that’s life
that’s my girl/boy
that’s okay
that’s okay by/fine with me
that’s the best news I’ve heard all day
that’s the pits
that’s the way it goes
that’s why
That’s why!
The American Dream
the big five-oh
the big four-oh
the blues
the can
the drink
the four corners of the earth
the golden rule
the head
the john
the line’s engaged, British
The pleasure was all mine!
the three R’s
the whole nine yards
there’s a chance
They’re practically giving it away
thick-headed
think it over
think nothing of it
think on one’s feet
think over
think tank
think through
think up
thinking only of themselves
third date
third degree
third helping
third world
thirds
those three little words
thousand apologies
three little words
three R’s
three sheets to the wind
three strikes and you’re out
three-ring circus
three-word phrasal verbs
thriller
throw a fit
throw around
throw away
throw money away
throw money down the drain
throw on/off
throw together
throw up one’s hands
throwing money away
thumb a ride
thumb one’s nose
thumb through
thumbs up/down
tick something off (a list), British
ticked (off)
tickle your funny bone
tickled pink
tide one over
tidy up
tie the knot
tie up
tie/hold up traffic
tight with their money
tightwad
time for breakfast/lunch/dinner
time will tell
tired out
to be sure
to become
to cheat behind someone’s back
to creep along
to do okay
to do well
to drop out
to eat one’s fill
to flunk
to hand
to have a bath
to hold up/tie up traffic
to inch along
to move at a snail’s pace
to play around behind someone’s back
to sweep someone off his/her feet
to tell (you) the truth
to the nth degree
to turn
to turn red
toddlers
toe the line
toes
too bad
took off
took on so
top-ten
tore down
tore up
torn up
toss and turn (all night)
toss around
tots
touch off
touch up
traffic
traffic jam/snarl
trailer
transitive verbs
trim down
true
true blue
true love
true/false questions
trust me
try one’s wings
try out on
tuckered out
tune in/out
turn around
turn blue
turn down
turn down the sheets
turn heads
turn in
turn on/off
turn one’s stomach
turn out
turn over
turn over something in one’s mind
turn red
turn someone on to something
turn up
turn up one’s nose
turn up/down
turned a deaf ear
turned in
turning an idea over
turning over a new leaf
twenty-twenty hindsight
twiddle one’s thumbs
twilight years
twist someone around one’s (little) finger
twist someone’s arm
two bits
two left feet
two of a kind
two packs a day
two shakes (of a lamb’s tail)
two thumbs up
two-bit
two-faced
two’s company, three’s a crowd
two-timer
two-word phrasal verbs
type over
uh-huh
uh-uh
umpteen
under the weather
underage
Understand?
understudy
underweight
unrequited love
untrue
up
up at the crack of dawn
up in arms
up to one’s neck (in something)
up with the chickens
upbeat
upper-income
use one’s head
use up
using the bathroom
verbs, American versus British use
vicious lie
vino
voting age
wait a minute
wait at tables, British
wait for me
wait on
wait on someone hand and foot
wait on tables
wait up
wake up
wake up (someone)
walk all over
walk around
walk down the aisle (together)
walk in on
walk on tiptoes
walk out
walk out on
walk over
walking encyclopedia
walking on air
walking two feet off the ground
wallflower
want a drink
warm up to
warm-hearted
wash one’s hands of
wash out
wash up
wash up, British
washing-up liquid, British
waste (paper) basket
waste money
waste time
wasted
watch it
watch my weight
watch out
watch the road
watch their money
watch your head
watch your step
watching my weight
watching what they eat
way to go
wealth
wear down
wear their hearts on their sleeves
well done
well kept up
well off
we’ll see
well to do
We’re getting nowhere!
were handed out
were in the right place at the right time
wet behind the ears
wet blanket
wet kiss
what a bummer
what a drag
what a pity
what a shame
What about it?
What are you doing?
What are you up to?
What do you care?
What do you know!
What for?
What gives?
What in the heck?
What in the hell?
What in the world?
What is happening here?
what luck
what not/have you
What of it?
What the?
What was I thinking?
What?
whatever
whatever you want/think
What’s cooking?
What’s going on?
What’s happening?
What’s it to me?
What’s it to you?
What’s new?
What’s that?
What’s the (big) rush/hurry?
What’s up?
What’s up with?
What’s up with that?!
what’s what
What’s with someone?
when
when all is said and done
when in Rome
when it comes down to it
when it comes to
when the dust settles
Where have you been?
where it counts
where it’s at
where one is coming from
where one stands
where someone (something) is concerned
Where’s the fire?
Where’s the men’s (ladies’) room?
whip up
whipped/whupped
whisper sweet nothings
white as a ghost/sheet
white lie
white-collar
white-collar workers
whitewash
Who can say?
Who cares?
Who gives
Who knew!
Who knows?
Who says?
whoa
whodunit
whole nine yards
Who’s there?
who’s who
Why!
Why ask me?
Why don’t
Why don’t you?
Why in the world?
Why not!
Why not?
Why should I care?
window on the world
wine bars
winter cold
wipe out
wipe up
wiped out
Wish me luck!
with flying colors
with one hand tied behind one’s back
with open arms
womanize
womanizer
womanizing
wording, American versus British
work 24/7
work around the clock
work day and night
work in
work like a dog
work like crazy
work like gangbusters
work off
work one’s butt off
work one’s fingers to the bone
work one’s hardest
work one’s tail off
work out
work through
work up to
work-a day job
workhorse
working
working class
working for peanuts
working mom
worn out
worried sick
Would I lie to you?
would you be so kind as to
would you care for
would you mind
wrap someone around one’s (little) finger
wrapped up in themselves
write down
write off
write over
write up
written all over his/someone’s face
yeah
yeah, sure
yellow
yellow-bellied
yes
yes, indeed
you bet
you betcha
you can count me in
you can say that again
you did it
you done good
you don’t know what you’re talking about
You don’t say?
you go (girl)
you lie
You mean it?
you never can tell
you never know
you said it
you win some, you lose some
you(‘ve) got that right
you’re welcome
young love
your guess is as good as mine
your mouth is open!
You’re a sight for sore eyes
you’re all wet
you’re crazy
you’re full of it
you’re most welcome
You’re not alone
you’re not thinking straight
you’re nuts
you’re pulling my leg
you’re the man
you’re wrong
yours truly
you’ve got me
yup
zero
zero in
zero tolerance
zip it
zits
zonked