Utilize 169 idioms to communicate human interactions more effectively, from helpfulness to gratitude.
13 topics177 words
Help & Support20 words
the [shirt] off {one's} [back]phraseeverything a person has to offer for helping someone, even things that they need for themselves
to [throw] {oneself} at {one's} feetphraseto beg someone for help or forgiveness
to [take|pick] up the cudgelsphraseto show one's support of someone or something by defending them at any cost
to [take] {sb} under {one's} wingphraseto kindly help or protect someone, particularly someone who is young or not experienced enough
stick up forverbto show strong support for a person or thing when they are faced with danger or criticism
shoulder to shoulderphrasetogether working toward a shared aim
to share and share alikephraseto give or take things equally and in a way that is fair to everyone
to [scratch] {one's} backphraseto offer someone help, usually while expecting them a favor in exchange
to [open] {one's} [heart] to {sb/sth}phraseto be willing to help or support a person, cause, etc., often by offering money
on bended [knee]phraseused to describe kneeling as a sign of deep respect for someone
shoulder to cry onphrasea person who listens to someone's problems and encourages them and gives them emotional support
to [put|set] {one's} [mind] at (rest|ease)phraseto assure someone that they no longer need to worry about a particular person or thing
under the auspices of {sb/sth}phrasewhile being supported by or under the protection of someone or something
to [give] {sb} a shotphraseto provide an opportunity for someone to succeed at or achieve something
to [pick] {one's} [brain]phraseto ask a knowledgeable or informed person their opinion on something
hat in handphrasein a manner that is humble and respectful
to [smooth] {one's} ruffled feathersphraseto do something that calms someone who has been offended
to [feed] the kittyphraseto contribute a sum of money, often in small amounts
open one's heart to somebody or somethingphraseto be willing to help or support a person, cause, etc., often by offering money
knight in shining armorphrasesomeone who bravely saves another from a danger or difficulty
Aid & Assistance19 words
to [help] a lame dog over a stilephraseto offer help to someone who cannot provide their basic needs for themselves or are in an extremely difficult situation
to [lend|give] {sb} a (helping|) handphraseto give a person help or assistance in doing something
to [cover] (up|) for {sb}phraseto protect or hide another person's mistakes or misdeeds, often by providing a false or misleading account of the situation
three cheersphrasea way of showing one's support or approval of someone by shouting loudly to encourage them or inviting others to do the same
to [play] the bad guyphraseto be strict, especially toward someone close to one, to help them improve or become stronger
to [make] {oneself} usefulphraseto stop acting passively and start to have a helpful role in doing something
to [be] cruel to be kindphraseto say or do something with the intention of helping someone even though it might hurt their feelings or seem unkind
to [ride] in on a white horsephraseto suddenly appear to help someone
in (good|safe) handsphrasein the process of being taken care of or dealt with by someone who has the skill or experience
to [be] there for {sb}phraseto be willing to provide someone with help and support whenever they need it
to [have] {one's} (best|) interests at heartphraseto show concern about someone, often someone who is in trouble, and do one's best to help them
good turnnounan act that can be helpful to someone
pep talknounan encouraging and motivational speech or conversation given to boost someone's enthusiasm, confidence, or determination, especially before a challenging task or event
on {one's} kneesphrasein a difficult, desperate, or vulnerable situation where help or intervention may be needed
a port in a stormphrasea person or a place that can help one overcome a difficult situation
to [lie] before {sb}phraseto surrender oneself to the mercy or control of another
to [pull] the fat from the firephraseto save someone or something from a difficult or dangerous situation
in good handsphrasein the process of being taken care of or dealt with by someone who has the skill or experience
on one's kneesphrasein a state of weakness, exhaustion, or desperation, reduced to begging or pleading
Praise & Good Treatment9 words
a pat on the backphrasea praise or encouragement given to someone because of what they have done or achieved
to [pat] {sb} on the backphraseto praise or encourage someone to show one thinks they have done a great job at doing something
brownie pointnounapproval of a person in authority that a person tries to gain by doing something that pleases or impresses them
[give] credit where (credit|it) [is] duesentenceused for saying that one should acknowledge and appreciate someone's achievements or efforts when they rightfully deserve recognition
to [do] well by {sb}phraseto treat someone with proper care and respect
to [take] {one's} hat off to {sb}phraseto praise or admire someone because of what they have done or achieved
to [sing] the praises of {sb/sth}phraseto speak or write about someone or something in a very positive and enthusiastic way
let's hear it for {sb}sentencesaid as a way of showing praise or appreciation for someone or inviting other people to clap for them
to [roll] out the red carpetphraseto treat a guest whom one greatly values with extra care and attention
Mistreatment & Misconduct18 words
to [play] fast and loose with {sb/sth}phraseto act toward a person or thing without enough care, seriousness, or sense of responsibility
to [play] Old Harry with {sth}phraseto make problems for something or have a negative effect on it
to [sell] {sb/sth} shortphraseto not value a person or thing as one should
to [shoot|kill|blame] the messengerphraseto put the blame on the person who brings bad news and assume they are responsible for it
to [treat] {sb} like (a piece of|) (dirt|trash)phraseto not care about someone at all or have absolutely no respect for them
to [walk] all over {sb}phraseto defeat someone without any difficulty
to [look] daggers at {sb}phraseto look at a person in a way that shows one hates them or is very angry with them
backhanded complimentphrasea comment that seemingly praises someone but is actually intended to insult them
to [do] a number on {sb/sth}phraseto seriously affect or harm someone or something, usually resulting in negative consequences
to [do] {sb} (dirty|dirt)phraseto betray someone or cause them harm on purpose, especially when they do not expect it
to [throw] it over the wallphraseto pass a responsibility, task, or problem to someone else without addressing or resolving it oneself
to [throw] {sb} a bonephraseto stop someone from complaining or protesting by offering them something that is not of very high value or importance
to [send] {sb} packingphraseto tell a person to leave immediately in a forceful manner
to [be] out on {one's} earphraseto be dismissed or expelled from a place, job, or position
to [leave] {sb} in the lurchphraseto refuse to help someone when they need it the most
to [leave] {sb} holding the bagphraseto be left in a difficult or embarrassing situation, often without any support or assistance
to [leave] {sb} out in the coldphraseto exclude or neglect someone, often intentionally, from a group or activity
walk all over somebodyphraseto treat a person poorly by taking advantage of them or ignoring their needs and feelings
Gratitude & Ingratitude7 words
to [thank] {one's} lucky starsphraseto feel really grateful, particularly because something dangerous or unpleasant did not happen
to [count] {one's} blessingsphraseto try to appreciate and cherish all the good things one has in one's life
to [bite] the hand that [feed] {sb}phraseto be ungrateful to the person who has helped one by mistreating or betraying them
to [look] a gift horse in the mouthphraseto look for faults in a gift, favor, or opportunity that has been given to one, in a way that shows ingratitude
to [make] {sth} countphraseto use something in the most effective or productive way
to [put] in a (good|) word for {sb}phraseto talk highly of someone as a way of helping them get an advantage, such as succeeding in a job interview
to [take] {sb/sth} for grantedphraseto not appreciate a person or thing because one thinks one will never lose them
Sympathy16 words
milk of human kindnessphrasethe compassion and sympathy that is shown to others
flesh and bloodphraseused to emphasize that a person is just a normal human being with similar feelings or weaknesses as others
to [tug|pull] at {one's} heartstringsphraseto make a strong impression on someone, in a way that they feel a strong sense of love or sympathy for a person
to [harden] {one's} [heart]phraseto no longer have kind feelings for a person
cold comfortnounsympathy, help, or encouragement that is barely enough to improve a person's situation or make them feel any better
in cold bloodphrasein a way that is absolutely cruel and shows no sympathy or mercy of any kind
to [kiss] it betterphraseto soothe someone who is injured, usually a child, by kissing the injured spot
{one's} heart [bleed]sentenceused to convey intense sadness or empathy one feels for someone or something in a tragic or distressing situation
to [get] {sth} off {one's} chestphraseto finally talk about what has long been bothering or concerning one
have (a|some) heartsentenceused to ask a person to stop their unkind or indifferent behavior and offer some help or show some sympathy instead
in {one's} shoesphrasein a similar or identical situation to someone else, particularly a difficult or unpleasant one
{one's} [heart] [go] out to {sb}sentenceused to show one sympathizes with and feels sorry for someone else's suffering
to [strike|touch] a chord with {sb}phraseto make someone feel strong emotions such as enthusiasm or sympathy
heart of stonephrasea personality marked by emotional coldness and lack of sympathy
woe [is] {sb}sentencesaid to show sympathy for a person's difficult or unlucky situation
to [touch] {one's} heartphraseto make a person emotional, particularly by causing them to feel sympathy for someone
Enmity14 words
to [hold|bear|have] a grudgephraseto hold negative feelings toward a person who has done one wrong in the past
to [have] it in for {sb}phraseto deliberately keep causing problems for someone or criticizing them
chip on {one's} shoulderphrasean attitude that shows one is angry or resentful because of an unfair behavior that they have experienced
bad bloodnouna strong feeling of bitterness or hatred toward someone because of a past dispute or disagreement
to [get|start] off on the wrong footphraseto have an unsuccessful or unpleasant beginning in a relationship or activity
to [give] {sb} the birdphraseto intentionally and rudely display an offensive hand gesture, involving raising the middle finger while extending the others downward, as a sign of strong disapproval, annoyance, or disrespect toward someone
to [hate] {one's} gutsphraseto hate someone to an extreme degree
to [have] a bone to pick with {sb}phraseto have a problem with someone or be annoyed with them and want to tell them all about it
to [put|stick] the knife (in|into) {sb}phraseto emotionally harm someone through a significant act of betrayal or hurtful actions
to [clear] the airphraseto have an open conversation with someone to resolve the negative feelings with them that are caused by disagreements or misunderstandings
to [bury] the hatchetphraseto build a good relationship with each other again after having disagreements about something
to [duke] it outphraseto argue or fight until a disagreement is resolved
give somebody the birdphraseto intentionally and rudely display an offensive hand gesture, involving raising the middle finger while extending the others downward, as a sign of strong disapproval, annoyance, or disrespect toward someone
duke it outphraseto argue or fight until a disagreement is resolved
Retaliation20 words
to [kill] {sb} with kindnessphraseto make someone feel extreme discomfort by helping them, being really generous, or by treating them too kindly, particularly someone who did one wrong
to [be] after {one's} bloodphraseto be extremely angry with a person and be trying to find them and possibly hurt them
to [fight] fire with firephraseto use methods or tactics similar to those of one's opponent in a fight or argument
to [pay] {sb} back in {one's} own (coin|crown)phraseto retaliate by treating others in the same negative manner they treated one
an eye for an eyephrasea concept in which if someone harms one, one should harm them back in the same way
ax to grindphrasea hidden personal motive or agenda that someone holds
to [bay] for bloodphraseto angrily ask for a person or group to be punished or hurt
to [beat] {sb} at {one's} own gamephraseto outperform someone using the same methods and tactics that they use
to [get] {one's} own backphraseto seek to harm or punish someone who has wronged or harmed one
to [give] as good as {sb} [get]phraseto have enough strength and confidence to match others' ferocity and intensity during an argument or a fight
out for bloodphrasetrying to punish, harm, or kill someone
a (taste|dose) of {one's} own medicinephrasea harsh or unpleasant way of treating someone that is almost identical to the manner in which they treated one
to [teach] {sb} a lessonphraseto hurt or punish someone in a way that ensures one they will never repeat their past behavior
two (can|could) play (that|this|the) gamesentenceused to show one's confidence in dealing with another person's behavior and using it to their disadvantage
tit for tatphrasethe action of taking revenge on someone for something unpleasant they did to one in order to get even or feel better
to [wipe] (the|that) (smile|grin|smirk) off {one's} [face]phraseto destroy someone's happiness or self-assurance through a remark, action, or event
the joke [is] on {sb}sentenceused when a person attempts to embarrass or humiliate someone but gets embarrassed or humiliated instead
to [call] it quitsphraseto decide to stop a particular activity or relationship
to [put] {sb} in {one's} placephraseto make someone feel less important or influential by showing that their claims are not true
to [even] the scorephraseto make things fair by addressing a previous unfairness or imbalance
Taking Advantage9 words
to [press] home {one's} advantagephraseto maximize one's current advantage or position of strength in a particular situation
to [get|be] in on the actphraseto take advantage of or become involved in an activity that someone else has started in an attempt to achieve the same amount of success or profit
to [fish] in troubled watersphraseto make effort to turn a difficult situation in one's favor
to [have] {one's} cake and eat it (too|)phraseto desire to have two things that are impossible to have without sacrificing the other
to [know] which side {one's} bread is buttered onphraseto know the exact way to treat others or how to act so as to get what one desires
to [have] it both waysphraseto benefit from two opposing or contradictory situations or options at the same time
to {not} [give] {sb} an even breakphraseto take advantage of someone who is easily tricked instead of giving them a fair chance
to [give] {sb} an inchphraseto treat someone in such a kind and generous manner that they become greedy and ungrateful to one
want jam on itsentenceused to ask if someone wants extra or additional benefits or features, often in a playful manner
Betrayal11 words
(when|while) {one's} [back] [is] turnedphraseused of a situation in which one is busy with something else or is not looking
to [throw] {sb} under the busphraseto gain advantage at the cost of someone else's suffering or loss
to [stab] {sb} in the backphraseto be disloyal and ungrateful to someone who has trusted or supported one
snake in the grassphrasea person who has a tendency to deceive or mislead others and is very likely to betray their trust
to [sell] {sb} down the riverphraseto be unfaithful or disloyal to someone so as to gain profit oneself
to [leave] {sb} in the dustphraseto not care for someone and leave them all alone
Judas kissnounan act that seems kind but with the intention of betraying someone
to [feed|throw] {sb} to the wolvesphraseto make no effort to save or defend someone, particularly when they are being severely criticized or being treated unfairly
to [drop] a dime on {sb}phraseto secretely gather information about a person or group in order to expose them to a person of higher authority, often for one's personal gain
behind {one's} backphrasewithout one knowing or approving
to [rob] Peter (to|and) [pay] Paulphraseto take from one source or person in order to fulfill an obligation or debt to another source or person, often resulting in a cycle of borrowing or rearranging debts without actually resolving the underlying financial issue
Abuse & Manipulation18 words
to [feather] {one's} (own|) nestphraseto take advantage of a position to make oneself rich, particularly by using unfair or dishonest methods
to [hold] (a|the) candle to the Devilphraseto be comparable to someone who is very evil
to [pull] (some|) stringsphraseto gain advantage over others by making use of one's contacts and influence in an unfair way
{not} [do] (any|) evil that good (may|might|) come (out|) of itsentenceto avoid doing something bad or unethical for the sake of achieving something good
up to no goodphraseabout to do something bad or evil
to [curry] favorphraseto try to gain advantage by flattery or submissive behavior
to [wheel] and [deal]phraseto use various dishonest or complicated methods in order to gain things, particularly in politics or business
to [fall] into a trapphraseto be placed in a difficult position by believing something that is not true or trusting someone who lies
to [grease] {one's} [hand|palm]phraseto secretly offer someone money or anything of high value in order to persuade them to help one or do what one desires
ambulance chasernouna lawyer who finds clients at the scenes of accidents or other tragedies, especially with the intention of earning money through legal action
to [load] the dicephraseto do something unfair in order to make a particular outcome more probable
to [set] a thief to catch a thiefphraseto make use of a thief or criminal just to be able to anticipate, understand, or capture other criminals or thieves
to [stack] the (cards|deck)phraseto arrange situations or conditions to achieve a preferred result by giving oneself an unfair advantage
to [lead] {sb} (around|) by the nosephraseto manipulate or control someone easily, typically by making them obediently follow one's commands or desires
to [steal] {one's} thunderphraseto use someone else's idea, plan, words, etc. in order to prevent them from reaching success or getting attention
to [play] gamesphraseto engage in activities or behaviors that involve deception, manipulation, or deceit in order to achieve a particular outcome, often at the expense of others
to [sell] ice to Eskimosphraseto convince someone to do something that seems unnecessary or redundant, especially to buy something they do not need
guinea pignounsomeone on whom scientific experiments are tested
Jokes & Pranks7 words
to [give] {sb} bunny earsphraseto make one's fingers V-shaped and put them behind a person's head as a way of joking, particularly when taking a photograph
to [give] {sb} a melvinphraseto grab and pull a person's underwear or pants to make it get stuck between their buttocks, often as a prank
with {one's} tongue in {one's} cheekphrasein an ironic, humorous, or insincere way, not meant to be taken literally
to [play|act] the (fool|goat)phraseto behave in a silly way, particularly to amuse or entertain others
to [yank|pull] {one's} chainphraseto joke with someone in a friendly manner by trying to make them believe something that is not true
to [pull] {one's} legphraseto joke with someone in a friendly manner by trying to make them believe something that is not true
let there be lightsentencesaid humorously when a light is switched on, referring a Bible story about how God lighted the earth for the first time
Mockery & Ridicule9 words
to [make] a monkey (out|) of {sb}phraseto do something that makes a person appear foolish in front of others
to [poke] fun at {sb/sth}phraseto make fun of a person or thing in order to make them look silly
to [take] the (mick|mickey) out of {sb}phraseto tease a person by copying what they do, trick them into believing something, etc., often in a way that is not friendly
laughing stocknouna person or thing so silly or ridiculous that everyone makes fun of
at {one's} expensephrase(particularly of a joke) in a way that causes harm to someone or makes them embarrassed
to [make] a crackphraseto offer a humorous or witty comment, often with the aim of ridiculing disrespecting someone or something
to [break] {one's} (stones|balls)phraseto persistently and relentlessly bother, tease, or annoy someone, often in a playful or mocking manner
at one's expensephrase(particularly of a joke) in a way that causes harm to someone or makes them embarrassed
break one's stonesphraseto persistently and relentlessly bother, tease, or annoy someone, often in a playful or mocking manner
Learn all 177 words in this list with spaced repetition