Learn English idioms for agreement, disapproval, and expressing opinions to articulate ideas and criticisms more effectively.
11 topics202 words
Agreement or Approval22 words
to [take] kindly to {sb/sth}phraseto show that one is attracted by or pleased with someone or something
common groundnounshared opinions, beliefs, or interests between parties that have disagreements about other things
fair enoughinterjectionused to acknowledge the validity or logic behind someone's assertion, even if one doesn't entirely agree with it
I hear yousentenceused to tell someone that one completely understands or agrees with what they are saying
you can say that againsentenceused to express one's complete agreement with someone's statement
to [see] eye to eyephraseto completely agree with someone and understand their point of view
to [preach] to the (choir|converted)phraseto attempt to make people accept ideas, opinions, etc. that they already agree with
on the same wavelengthphraseused to say that one person has the same ideas, opinions, or mentality as another person
on the same pagephrasein complete agreement with someone
meeting of (the|) mindsphrasea situation in which two parties are in full agreement with one another
thumbs upphrasean instance or gesture that indicates approval or satisfaction
of course my horseinterjectionused to express one's agreement or approval
to [hit] the nail on the headphraseto say or do the exact right thing in a particular situation
to [ring] truephraseto seem true or reasonable to one
to [back] the right horsephraseto support someone who will later bring one profit by achieving success
it would not do {sb} any harmsentenceused to refer to something as a good idea or a reasonable choice
to [eat] {one's} wordsphraseto take back something one has said previously
that is about the size of itsentenceused to emphasize the truth of what one is saying
to [sign] on the dotted linephraseto sign a document to show that one has agreed to do or buy something
to [sit] (well|right) with {sb/sth}phraseto be compatible with someone or something's stomach
you betinterjectionused to strongly affirm or agree with a statement
sit well with somebody or somethingphraseto be agreeable or acceptable to someone or something
Disagreement or Disapproval22 words
hard passphrasea very firm rejection of something, particularly an offer
no diceinterjectionused to say that one has no chance in achieving success or is out of luck when trying to do something
I beg to (differ|disagree)sentenceused to politely express disagreement with what has just been stated
thumbs downnounused to indicate failure or disapproval
with (all due|) respectphraseused to politely express complete disagreement
[pearl] of wisdomphrasea valuable piece of advice or knowledge gained through experience
to [have] another thing comingphraseto say that someone's opinion or judgment is completely wrong
all wetphraseused to describe something or someone as completely mistaken or incorrect
enough to make a cat laughphrasevery strange or shocking, particularly in a way that is hilarious
to [back] the wrong horsephraseto support someone who has very little or no chance of success
poles apartphrasenot having anything or much in common
to each {one's} ownsentenceused to say that each person has their unique set of preferences and ideologies
to [draw] (the|a) linephraseto define a limit concerning what action or thing one refuses to do or tolerate
to [cross] swordsphraseto argue or have a disagreement with someone
hue and cryphrasea public display of disapproval or anger
to [kick] up a fussphraseto demonstrate one's anger or objection loudly, often in public
nothing doinginterjectionused as a firm refusal to something, particularly to someone's request
to [sing] a different (tune|song)phraseto talk or act differently because of a change in opinion, behavior, or attitude, especially one that happens abruptly
sticking pointnouna subject or issue over which people disagree and therefore no progress can be made
flip sidephrasethe opposite or contrasting aspect of a situation, idea, or argument
at oddsphrase(of opinions) in complete disagreement with each other
draw the linephraseto define a limit concerning what action or thing one refuses to do or tolerate
Criticism17 words
a flea in {one's} [ear]phrasea sharp expression of one's disapproval or criticism of someone as a result of their action or behavior
to [have] a gophraseto make an attempt to achieve or do something
to [read] {sb} the riot actphraseto angrily warn or threaten someone so that they will not make the same mistake
to [rake] {sb/sth} over the coalsphraseto severely criticize someone because of their mistake
to [drag] {sb/sth} over the coalsphraseto subject someone to severe criticism
[let] {sb} have itsentenceto violently criticize or punish a person over what they did or said
to [whale] on {sb/sth}phraseto violently or forcefully hit a person or thing many times
water off a duck's backphrase(of criticisms or warnings) failing to have any effect on a person
(in|on) the firing linephraselikely to receive much criticism
[be] on the receiving endphraseto experience the effects or consequences of actions, often from others
in full cryphraseused to refer to the act of doing something with a lot of energy and excitement
to [throw|pour] cold water on {sth}phraseto demotivate a person by talking negatively about their plans or opinions
the pot calling the kettle blackphraseused when someone is criticizing another for a fault that they have as well
to [take] a beatingphraseto experience a significant loss, failure, or setback in a particular situation
have a gophraseto criticize someone severely because of what they said or did
whale on somebody or somethingphraseto strongly criticize someone or something for something bad that has happened
take a beatingphraseto face strong negative feedback or verbal abuse
Rebuke10 words
sharp tonguenounone's tendency to speak to people in a very critical manner
to [get] the rough side of {one's} tonguephraseto speak to a person who has done something wong or inappropriate in a very angry or harsh manner
to [skin] {sb} alivephraseto punish a person harshly, often by severely criticizing them
to [tear] a strip off {sb}phraseto speak to or criticize a person in an angry or serious manner, particularly because of their wrongdoing
{sb} (can|could) dish it out, but {sb} (cannot|could not) take itsentenceused to mean that someone is capable of criticizing or teasing others, but they become sensitive or defensive when faced with the same kind of criticism or teasing themselves
to [eat] {sb} alivephraseto easily defeat someone by being more skilled, powerful, or aggressive compared to them
under firephraseused of a person or an organization that is facing strong and negative feedback
under siegephrasereceiving much criticism
to [give] {sb} hellphraseto criticize or scold someone harshly or relentlessly
eat somebody alivephraseto harshly reprimand someone for what they did
Expressing Opinions23 words
the thing isphraseused to introduce an explanation or a reason for something; often a way of clarifying a situation
for what it is worthphraseused before a comment or opinion to indicate that the speaker is sharing it, even though they may not be sure of its value or significance
[set] in {one's} waysphraseto refuse to change one's opinions, behaviors, habits, etc.
to [speak] {one's} mindphraseto express one's opinions in an honest or fearless way
to [shift] {one's} groundphraseto adopt a different opinion or point of view, particularly a contradictory one
to [think] (little|badly|poorly) of {sb}phraseto have a negative or unfavorable opinion or perception of that person
to [think] nothing of {sth}phraseto think that something is normal, easy, unimportant, etc., particularly while others think it to be wrong, strange, difficult, important, etc.
to [think] outside the boxphraseto think in a creative way in order to come up with original solutions
in a (new|different) lightphraseto perceive or regard someone or something with a new perspective, particularly one that is positive
take it from mesentenceused to advise someone to trust one's judgment or experience concerning a particular matter
to take it from someonephraseused to tell someone to accept the word or advice of someone else, particularly someone who is older or more experienced
gut (feeling|reaction)phrasea belief that is strong, yet without any explainable reason
a word to the wisephraseused before advising someone or giving them a warning
to [run] deepphrase(of a feeling, problem, or belief) to be really strong or troublesome due to having existed for a long time
straight from the shoulderphrasesaying what is in one's mind in a very forceful yet honest manner
to (the best of|) my knowledgephraseused when one is about to say something that is only based on information they have
to [shoot] off {one's} mouthphraseto continuously talk about something, in a way that seems foolish or careless
in {one's} bad booksphrasein a state in which one is disliked by someone
in {one's} good booksphrasein a state in which someone is very pleased with one
to [change] {one's} tunephraseto change one's opinion, attitude, or way of speaking, usually to something very different from before
to [know] where {sb} [stand]phraseto have an understanding of how one is viewed or valued by another person
to {not} [have] a good word to say (for|about) {sth}phraseto have a very negative opinion about someone or something and to be unable to say anything positive or complimentary about them
to [hold] {one's} tonguephraseto refrain from speaking or expressing one's thoughts or opinions
Discussion10 words
a horse of a different colorphrasea completely different matter in comparison to what one used to deal with
elephant in the roomphrasean obvious issue, problem, or matter that people purposely ignore
a different kettle of fishphrasean issue or subject that is not in any way connected to what one was talking about
a different cup of teaphrasea different matter that requires one's consideration in order to be resolved
to [cut] both waysphrase(of a process or action) to have two opposite effects, particularly a good and a bad one
devil's advocatephrasea person who pretends to disagree with an opinion or idea just to promote a discussion concerning a particular subject
it makes (no|little) oddssentenceused to state one's indifference to the way a situation develops or what its result will be
leg to stand onphrasea reasoning or explanation that is deemed sufficient to justify or defend someone's actions
on (everyone's|everybody's) lipsphraseused to refer to a topic that is being talked about by a lot of people
cut both waysphrase(of a point or statement) to be applicable or relevant to both sides of an argument
Point of View22 words
long story shortphraseused to indicate that one is not giving all the details of what happened but only the main points
to [put] out feelersphraseto ask some questions in order to figure out what someone is thinking of or what their opinion about a particular person or thing is
the (other|flip|opposite) side of the coinphrasea different way of thinking or approaching a situation
to coin a phrasephrasesaid before using a famous, overused, or made-up phrase
to [hold] the floorphraseto be brave or sociable enough to deliver a lengthy public speech without allowing any interruption
the other way aroundphraseused to emphasize that the exact opposite of what is said is true
to [get] a word in edgewisephraseto manage to state one's opinions regarding something after or in the middle of someone else's prolonged speech
hot potatonouna difficult or controversial issue or topic that is uncomfortable or risky to handle
for the recordphraseused before stating a fact that one wants someone to know or remember
moot pointnouna subject about which there are different opinions or disagreements
to [broaden|expand|widen] {one's} (horizons|mind)phraseto expand one's knowledge, experiences, or perspectives, often by exploring new places, ideas, or cultures, with the aim of gaining a broader understanding of the world
in a bad lightphrasein a way that makes someone look bad or incapable
in a good lightphrasein a way that highlights someone's positive qualities or capabilities
for my moneyphraseused to express one's opinions or beliefs
frame of mindphrasea temporary state of feeling that causes one to have a particular set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviors toward a particular person or thing
in {one's} eyesphraseaccording to one’s opinion
to [read] from the same pagephraseto have the same thoughts, ideas, opinions, etc. about something
to [sing] from the same hymn bookphraseto express the same opinions or have the same understanding as someone else
in a nutshelladverbused to summarize or describe something briefly
or elsephraseused to imagine how things would be if the situation was different
give and takephrasea situation in which two parties exchange ideas in order to find the best solution or approach to something
tunnel visionnouna state when a person gets too focused on one thing, which can cause them to miss other important things
Making a Point15 words
so help me (God|)phraseused to emphasize one's seriousness, determination, or truthfulness
to [talk] the talkphraseto speak convincingly or authoritatively about a subject, especially in a way that suggests knowledge, expertise, or confidence
nothing could be further from the truthsentenceused to emphasize that something cannot be true or accurate
to [press|hammer] {sth} homephraseto forcefully make a point in an argument or discussion to ensure that there are no misunderstandings
at the end of the dayphraseused before stating the most important fact about a particular situation
in the (final|last) analysisphraseused before summarizing or stating most important facts of a situation
to [call] a spade a spadephraseto talk about something in a completely open and direct way
to [beat] around the bushphraseto deliberately delay or avoid talking about the main point
to [make] a long story shortphraseto avoid talking about the details of something that has happened and only give the main points
to [cut] to the chasephraseto get straight to the point or the most important part of a matter without wasting time on irrelevant details or preamble
long storyinterjectiona thorough explanation of how something happened
for all intents and purposesphraseused for saying that something has the same effect as another thing
punch linenounthe final part of a joke or a humorous story that is intended to make the audience laugh or surprise them with a clever twist or unexpected ending
all toldphraseconsidering all the parts or items that make up a whole
bottom linenounthe most important factor in an argument or a discussion that brings it to an end
Thoughts & Assumptions24 words
famous last wordsphrasesaid as a response to another person's confident statement that one believes will be proven wrong in the end
to [speak] too soonphraseto say something that is very soon proven wrong or inaccurate
to [speak] as {sb} [find]phraseto speak or offer one's opinions, particularly those affected by one's personal view or experience, in the way one sees fit
to [take] it for grantedphraseto assume without question that something is true
train of [thought]phrasea series of connected thaughts and ideas, often formed to reach a proper conclusion
food for thoughtphrasesomething that is worth thinking about or considering deeply
to [have] {sb/sth} on the brainphraseto be unable to stop talking or thinking about someone or something
if the (shoe|boot) fitsphraseused to suggest that if something accurately describes or applies to a person, they should accept it as true
bee in {one's} bonnetphrasesomething one is extremely obsessed with and keeps talking about
to [hold|stand] (fast|firm)phraseto continue to believe in something strongly
to [go] to {one's} [head]phrase(of praise, success, etc.) to make one feel too proud of oneself and degrade others
to [come|spring] (to|into) mindphrase(of an idea or thought) to suddenly be remembered or thought of
figment of {one's} imaginationphrasesomething that a person imagines is real but in fact it is not
to [attach] a label to {sb/sth}phraseto describe or think of someone or something in specific way
in a world of {one's} ownphrasemainly focusing on one's thoughts and not paying much attention to what is happening around one
to [weigh] {one's} wordsphraseto take a moment to ponder what one is about to say
on {one's} [mind]phrasewith one's thoughts or concerns centered on a particular subject or issue
the rest is historysentenceused to indicate that after a key event, the following developments are well-known or self-explanatory
to [take] words out of {one's} mouthphraseto say the exact thing someone else was about to say or was thinking of
to [judge] a book by its coverphraseto form an opinion or make a judgment about something or someone based solely on its outward appearance or initial impression
one-track mindnounused of a person whose mind is busy with the thought of a particular person or thing and cannot think of anyone or anything else
there is more to {sb/sth} than (what|) meets the eyesentenceused to suggest that there are hidden or undiscovered aspects to a person or thing that may be surprising or unexpected
go to one's headphrase(of praise, success, etc.) to make one feel too proud of oneself and degrade others
weigh one's wordsphraseto carefully think about what someone else has said
Argument18 words
water under the bridgephraseused to say that there is no point in arguing about unpleasant things that happened in the past
blazing rownouna very violent and intense argument between two parties
to [jump] down {one's} throatphraseto reply quickly and rudely to someone
to [have] it out with {sb}phraseto talk to someone frankly in order to settle a dispute or argument
do not get me startedsentenceused to ask someone not to make one talk about a certain topic as it might start a lengthy, unpleasant discussion
to [go|be] (at it|) hammer and tongsphraseto engage in an activity, particularly an argument, in a forceful, energetic, or violent manner
the lion's denphrasea state or situation in which one must face extreme hostility
to [teach] {one's} [grandmother] (how|) to suck eggsphraseto offer unnecessary or redundant instruction or advice to someone who is already experienced or knowledgeable in that particular area
to [cut] off {one's} [nose] to spite {one's} facephraseto do something with the intention of harming or punishing someone only to face the consequences oneself
to [show] {sb} the doorphraseto dismiss or fire someone from their job or position
to [swear|curse] a blue streakphraseto use offensive words in an intense and rapid manner
monkey in the middlephrasea person who is in the middle of two fighting or arguing sides
running battlenounan argument or fight with someone that keeps on going for a long time
shouting matchnouna loud argument
to [call] off the dogsphraseto stop criticizing or attacking another person
(battle|clash) of willsphrasea situation involving two people who refuse to compromise, hoping the other individual does so first
to [lock] hornsphraseto become involved in an argument or fight with someone
show somebody the doorphraseto angrily ask someone to leave a place
Quarrel19 words
to [give] {sb} a piece of {one's} mindphraseto let someone know that their bad behavior made one annoyed or angry
to get out of {one's} facephraseto no longer bother someone and leave them alone
to [fight] like cats and dogsphraseto continuously fight or argue over someone or something
to [come] down on {sb} like a ton of bricksphraseto punish someone in a manner more violent or severe than they deserve
bone of contentionphrasea subject over which people disagree
to [bite|snap] {one's} head offphraseto angrily reply or react to someone
at loggerheadsphrasein serious disagreement with someone
at each other's throatsphraseused when two or more people, groups, or organizations fight or disagree with one another
at daggers drawnphrase(of two people, groups, countries, etc.) in a state of conflict or hostility toward each other
to [chew] {sb} up and [spit] {sb} outphraseto completely defeat someone, leaving them feeling overwhelmed or powerless
to [bring] the hammer downphraseto criticize or punish someone very harshly
to [trade] punchesphrase(of people) to use their fists in order to hit each other during a fight or competition
to [talk] trashphraseto say offensive, criticizing, or rude things to someone, particularly one's opponent, to make them less confident
enough is enoughsentenceused to indicate that a situation has reached a point where it is no longer tolerable or acceptable, and it is time for it to stop or change
on a collision coursephrasein a situation that is likely to cause a disagreement or fight
to [put|set|throw] the cat among the pigeonsphraseto cause trouble or upset by saying or doing something that brings conflict into a peaceful situation
in the dog housephrasein a situation in which someone is very upset or angry with one for having or not having done something
to [take|bring] {sb} down a notch (or two|)phraseto put down or humiliate a person who is too proud or self-righteous
trade punchesphraseto engage in a verbal conflict by exchanging criticisms, insults, etc.
Learn all 202 words in this list with spaced repetition