Navigate situations better and take charge by learning English idioms about decision-making and control.
10 topics164 words
Under Control21 words
to [get] {one's} act togetherphraseto start to organize oneself for better results and more efficiency
to [pull] {oneself} togetherphraseto regain control over one's emotions, particularly after a period of being upset or angry
to [get] a hold of {oneself}phraseto force oneself to stop behaving in an uncontrollable manner, particularly in face of a difficult or unexpected situation
to [get] {one's} shit togetherphraseto start to act more organized in order to achieve better results and become more skillful or efficient
to [bite|hold] {one's} tonguephraseto not say something, against one's wish, in order to avoid causing an argument or upsetting someone
[get|have] {one's} ducks in a rowsentenceto get everything in order for something that is about to happen or one is going to do, particularly in order to avoid mistakes
to [button|zip] {one's} [lip]phraseto not say anything or immediately stop talking, particularly so as not to reveal a secret or make matters worse
out of {one's} [system]phraseno longer desiring something or feeling strong emotions about someone
to [keep] a lid on {sth}phraseto control a situation and stop it from getting worse
to [clean] up {one's} actphraseto make an effort to demonstrate a better behavior and treat others better
a straight facenounone's face when it is devoid of any signs of amusement, interest, or even sadness
to [pour] oil on troubled watersphraseto calm a tense situation with gentle or diplomatic action
to [take] {sth} in stridephraseto calmly cope with something that is difficult or disturbing
to [keep] {sth} in proportionphraseto sensibly react to something and not treat it as if it is more serious, severe, or important than it actually is
to [keep] a level headphraseto stay calm and sensible in a stressful or difficult situation
to [collect] {one's} thoughtsphraseto get one's thoughts or feelings under control, particularly after experiencing something shocking or disturbing
mind over matterphrasethe willpower to overcome one's problems or control one's physical condition
to [get] a grip on {oneself}phraseto stop behaving foolishly or recklessly and gain full control of one's emotions and thoughts
to [keep] {one's} [head]phraseto stay calm and think clearly, especially in challenging or stressful situations
in handphrase(of a situation) completely under one's control
keep a lid on somethingphraseto control a situation and stop it from getting worse
Out of Control17 words
in a fit of piquephrase(of an action) done due to one's pride being hurt or not being treated well
to [spin|spiral] out of controlphrase(of a situation) to keep getting worse in an uncontrollable manner
on the spur of the momentphrasewithout any prior planning or thought
in the heat of the momentphraseat a time when anger or excitement completely overwhelm one, preventing any rational thought to come to mind
to [be] beside {oneself}phraseto find it extremely difficult to control oneself, due to feeling really angry, excited, etc.
in the lap of the (gods|god)phraseused to say that a situation is beyond human control and is left to fate or chance to determine
to [let] {one's} heart rule {one's} headphraseto make a decision to do something solely based on one's emotions
to [get|have] the (best|better) of {sb/sth}phraseto be able to beat someone or something due to being superior in terms of skill or strength
the tail wagging the dogsentenceused to refer to a situation in which a person or thing that is important or powerful is being led or controlled by a significantly less powerful or important person or thing
(stark|) raving (mad|bonkers)phrase(of a person) completely insane
to [go] to piecesphraseto be unable to control oneself due to being under emotional or mental pressure
to [jump] the (tracks|rails)phraseto unexpectedly switch from the planned path
to [cut] loosephraseto allow oneself to behave freely and have fun
quirk of fatephrasean unexpected or unusual occurrence or event that alters the course of events
wild and woollyphrase(of behavior) not in accordance with law and order and free from control
get the best of somebody or somethingphraseto be unable to conceal one's strong feeling or urge
off the railsphraseused to say that something is out of control or unpredictable
Losing Control12 words
to [have] half a mind tophraseto say that one will do something even though they might not really intending to
weak in the kneesphrasefeeling strong emotions, like fear or anxiety, in a way that makes it difficult for one to stand
to [go] to townphraseto complete a task or activity with thoroughness, efficiency, and speed, often suggesting a focused and diligent approach
to [keep] {one's} eyes off {sb/sth}phraseto refrain from or stop looking at a person or thing
to [throw] {one's} (toys|rattle) out of the cotphraseto lose one's temper and behave irrationally
to [put] {one's} life in {one's} handsphraseto entrust someone with one's life
to [come] out (swinging|fighting)phraseto respond or react to something in a forceful manner
to [get|be] carried awayphraseto be unable to control one's behavior due to a strong emotion such as anger, excitement, etc.
to [hit|press|push] the panic buttonphraseto panic or respond with extreme fear or urgency in a situation, often without thinking logically or rationally
out of handphraseimpossible or very hard to control
go to townphraseto engage in an activity or pursuit with great enthusiasm, energy, or extravagance, often to an excessive or intense degree
off the railsphraseused to say that someone is behaving in a way that is wild, irrational, or unconventional
Being in Charge16 words
{one's} life [is] in {one's} handssentenceused to say that someone can decide whether one lives or dies
to [throw] {one's} weight aroundphraseto use one's power or influence in order to get what one wants, particularly by behaving in an aggressive and dominating manner
to [lay] down the lawphraseto tell people what to do in a forceful and authoritative manner
to [wear] the pantsphraseto be the one who makes important decisions and is in complete control and of a relationship or family
at the helm of {sth}phrasein complete control of or with overall responsibility for a particular person or thing
on {one's} watchphraseas long as one has the power and authority or is responsible for something
to [call] the (shots|tune)phraseto be in control of a particular situation and be the one who decides what needs to be done
upper handnounthe position of high power or authority from which one can exert complete control over a situation or others
to [rule] the roostphraseto be in control and have absolute power in a group or in a situation
big brothernouna powerful person or organization that invades people's privacy by controlling and monitoring their actions
(last|final) wordphrasethe ultimate and conclusive statement or decision about a subject
to [get] {one's} hooks into {sb/sth}phraseto get complete control of or to heavily influence someone or something
to [hold] the reinsphraseto be in charge of a particular company, organization, etc.
in {one's} handsphraseused to mean that one has control, responsibility, or authority over something
captain of {one's} own shipphraseused to refer to an individual who has authority and control over their own life and decisions
last wordphrasethe ultimate and conclusive statement or decision about a subject
Force & Obligation15 words
to [force] {one's} handphraseto leave someone no choice but to do something they would not do otherwise
to [put] the squeeze on {sb}phraseto make someone do something by putting them under pressure, especially to get money from them
to [clip] {one's} wingsphraseto reduce or restrain a person's freedom, influence, or authority
to [have] {sb} over a barrelphraseto place someone in a situation in which they have no choice but to accept one's offer or request
to [crack] the whipphraseto make use of one's power or authority to force someone to work harder or behave better
to [be] boxed into a cornerphraseto be placed in a problematic situation to which there is no favorable solution
to [scrape] (the bottom of|) the barrelphraseto have no option but to make use of people or things of very poor quality
{one's} hands [are] tiedsentenceused to say that one's freedom in action is limited by a rule or law
to [go] through the motionsphraseto do something without real interest, feeling, or effort
the call of dutyphrasethe feeling or belief that one must do or accomplish something
to [make] a virtue of necessityphraseto get an advantage from doing something that is forced upon one
{one's} way or the highwaysentenceused to say that someone has two options, either accept what has been said or leave it be
ball and chainphrasesomething that limits or takes away one's freedom to do what one wants
marching ordersnouna set of instructions from a person in authority concerning what one must do or how to do it
no strings attachedsentenceoffered or provided without any hidden agendas, requirements, or consequences
Obedience13 words
to [dance] to {one's} tunephraseto do things as desired or required by someone else
to [have] {sb} by the ballsphraseto have power and influence over someone
like sheepphrasein a way that closely imitates what the others are doing in an unquestioning manner
{one's} (wish|word) [is] {one's} commandsentenceused to demonstrate one's complete obedience
to [have] {sb} (in the palm|eating out) of {one's} handphraseto have someone under one's complete domination or control
under {one's} thumbphrasecompletely under one's direct control
to [wrap|twist|wind] {sb} around {one's} (little|) fingerphraseto manage to convince someone to do whatever one asks of them out of love or respect that they have for one
at {one's} beck and callphraseat someone's complete service
to [come] to heelphraseto accept to obey someone
to [say|give] the word {~noun}phraseto order someone to do something for one
to [bring] {sb} to heelphraseto use force to make someone do as one says
[have] {sb} by the short hairsphraseto have complete control over another individual
to [toe] the linephraseto unwillingly obey the rules and accept the ideas or principles of a specific group or person
Choices & Decisions20 words
Hobson's choicenouna choice made in a situation in which no other options were available
to [pick] and [choose]phraseto choose the most desirable alternative out of the ones available
the lesser of two evilsphrasea choice or option that seems less harmful or unpleasant out of two that one is confronted with
embarrassment of richesphrasea situation in which there is too much of resources or options for one to choose from
(as|) broad as it is longphraseused for saying that choosing out of the two possible options is not really going to make a difference as the result will be the same either way
to [have] {sb/sth} in mindphraseto consider someone or something when doing or mentioning something
to [take|have] {one's} pickphraseto choose something out of two or a group of things available to one
to [come] down on one side of the fence or the otherphraseto decide between two possible alternatives or choices that one has
to [take] {sth} into accountphraseto consider something when trying to make a judgment or decision
to [chew] {one's} cudphraseto spend time considering one's future action before making a decision
to [go] down (that|the) roadphraseto choose to do something in a specified manner
in {one's} right [mind]phrasein a state that one is capable of making logical decisions or behaving normally
change of heartphrasethe action of adopting a different opinion or mindset
on second thoughtphraseused to state that one has adopted a different opinion
to [change] horses (in|) midstreamphraseto adopt a different policy in face of a difficult or unexpected problem
fork in the roadphrasea point in a person's life or a situation where they must make a critical decision or choose between two different options or paths
to [take] a (long|) hard look at {sth}phraseto think about or consider something very carefully, particularly with the intention of improving it in mind
to [change] {one's} mindphraseto change one's opinion or decision regarding something
to [give] {sth} a passphraseto excuse or overlook something without criticism or consequences
to [take] (matters|affairs|things) into {one's} own handsphraseto do something oneself as opposed to waiting for others
Decisiveness11 words
to [make] up {one's} mindphraseto come to a final decision or conclusion after considering different options or possibilities
to [give|move|budge] an inchphrase(always negative) to refuse to make even a slightest change to one's position, decision, etc.
to [sit] tightphraseto refuse to change one's opinion or decision regarding something
to [stick] to {one's} gunsphraseto maintain one's beliefs or perspective regardless of others' disagreement
the die [is] castsentenceused to say that something is completely decided and cannot be changed
[set] in {one's} waysphraseto refuse to change one's opinions, behaviors, habits, etc.
to [take] time by the forelockphraseto act quickly in order to use an opportunity
cut and driedphraseused to describe a situation that has almost no chance of changing as it is already decided
not for all the tea in Chinaphraseused to express a strong refusal to do something, regardless of the great reward or incentive offered
to [put] {one's} foot downphraseto firmly take control and enforce a specific action
to [throw] away the scabbardphraseto fully commit to a course of action without any intention of retreat or hesitation
Indecisiveness18 words
up in the airphrasecompletely uncertain or left unresolved
at loose endsphrasehaving no idea what one should do, particularly due to an unexpected or upsetting change
betwixt and betweenphraseused when one is uncertain, particularly due to being stuck between two alternatives
down to the wirephraseused to refer to a situation in which the outcome is unclear until the last moment
shades of grayphrasea situation in which it is hard to determine what is right or wrong or what one must do
at sixes and sevensphraseused to refer to someone who is completely confused
cold feetnounthe state in which one loses all one's confidence and willingness to continue doing something
loose [thread]phrasethe parts of something that are yet to be finished or resolved
to [fall] between two stoolsphraseto be in an unsatisfactory situation where one is unable to choose between two courses of action
to {not} [know] whether to laugh or cryphraseto not now how to react to a situation as one is extremely frustrated or confused
between a rock and a hard placephrasein a situation where one has difficulty choosing between two alternatives because both are equally undesirable
to [chop] and [change]phraseto keep changing one's behavior or opinions in an abrupt manner
between the devil and the deep blue seaphrasein a situation where both choices lead to an undesirable outcome
on the horns of a dilemmaphrasein a situation that forces one to choose between two alternatives that both have equally undesirable outcomes
to [hem] and [haw]phraseto hesitate in making a decision or saying something
the jury [is] (still|) outsentenceused to express that no decision is made or no opinion is formed about something due to uncertainty
at the crossroadsphrasein a situation that one has to make an important and life-changing decision
of two mindsphrasein a state of uncertainty in which it becomes difficult for one to make a decision between two available options
Dependency21 words
(as|) free as a birdphraseallowed complete freedom to do whatever one desires
blank checknouncompletely free to act as one wishes
free handnounthe state in which one is completely free to do what one desires without any worries or disturbances
free reinnounthe state in which one is completely free to do or say what one desires
to [be] {one's} own (master|mistress)phraseto do what one pleases, free of control and interference of others
to [let] {sb/sth} loosephraseto allow someone to be completely free to do whatever they want
to [loosen] {one's} (grip|hold)phraseto fail to control a person or thing as strictly as one did before
to [hold] the key to {sth}phraseto be the determining factor of something, particularly by making its occurrence or success possible
to [paddle] {one's} own canoephraseto manage one's own affairs and take responsibility for one's own actions and decisions
to [cut] the (umbilical|) cordphraseto start behaving independently instead of relying on others for help or support
to [hold] {one's} ownphraseto be able to successfully defend oneself against harsh criticism or in difficult situations
to [have] a mind of {one's} ownphraseto be capable of making one's own decisions without being influenced by others
master of {one's} own (fate|destiny)phrasesomeone who has complete control over their decisions, particularly those concerning the future
off {one's} own batphrasewithout receiving any help or support from others
to [have] the run of {sth}phraseto have the freedom to go anywhere one wants in a particular place
to [leave] {sb} to {one's} own devicesphraseto let a person do as they wish without trying to help or control them
to hang {one's} hat on {sth}phraseto rely on a particular thing in order to help and support one
above the lawphrasenot bound by the legal rules and consequences that others must follow
to [ride] on {one's} coattailsphraseto benefit from another's success or achievements, often without contributing much themselves
tied to {one's} apron stringsphrase(of a grown adult) excessively dependent on or controlled by someone else, usually a parent or a partne
by the sweat of {one's} [brow]phrasethrough one's hard work
Learn all 164 words in this list with spaced repetition