Enrich your vocabulary with 191 idioms to describe people's personalities, covering both pleasant and unpleasant traits.
12 topics197 words
Unpleasant Traits25 words
(as|) cross as two sticksphraseused to refer to an extremely angry or impatient person
penny wise and pound foolishphraseused to describe someone who is extra careful about spending little amounts of money but has no problem with spending large amounts
cold fishnounsomeone who does not express emotions and is considered unfriendly
piece of workphrasea person who is difficult, unpleasant, or extraordinary in behavior
(as|) cold as (any|) stonephraseused to refer to someone who is extremely unsympathetic and does not express strong emotions
dog in the mangerphrasesomeone who selfishly prevents others from using or enjoying something that they themselves have no use for
off {one's} rockerphrasein a state affected with madness or insanity
(as|) nutty as a fruitcakephrase(of a person) crazy or exhibiting odd behavior
loose cannonnouna person who has lost their sanity, often momentarily
all {one's} geese [are] swanssentenceused to refer to someone who always thinks or talks in a way that is exaggerated and not based on reality
(as|) (cunning|sly) as a foxphraseused to refer to someone who tends to achieve things in a clever way, particularly by deceiving other people
(as|) slippery as (an eel|a snake)phraseused to refer to a deceitful and untrustworthy person who cannot be easily caught or exposed
(as|) (phony|queer|counterfeit) as a three-dollar billphrasenot true, real, or genuine
bats in the belfryphrasean unconventional or unique behavior that is often considered crazy, risky, or confusing
(as|) mad as a (hatter|March hare)phraseused to refer to someone who is in a very chaotic state of mind and is behaving very abnormally
to [blow] hot and coldphraseto change one's opinions about something often and quickly, sometimes being enthusiastic and other times indifferent or negative
the nature of the beastphrasethe inherent characteristics or qualities of a particular situation, person, or thing, often referring to traits that are difficult to change or control
holier than the Popephraseso extreme and strict in one's adherence to a set of rules, norms, behaviors, etc. that it exeeds what is considered usual
bad eggnounsomeone who is not considered honest, trustworthy, or a good person in general
out of {one's} mindphraseused to refer to someone who is so stressed, angry, or confused that they are unable to behave normally or make any logical decisions
waste of skinphrasea person who is considered to be completely worthless or useless and is viewed as a burden or waste of space
(as|) quick as a dog can lick a dishphraseused to refer to the act of doing something as fast as one can
rotten eggnouna person who has a tendency to behave badly and cause trouble for others
out of one's mindphrase(of a person) extremely unreasonable, or mentally ill
behind the timesphrase(of a person) not keeping up with current trends, ideas, or advancements
Unappealing Characteristics24 words
green with envyphrasefeeling jealous of another's advantages, possessions, or experiences that one lacks
like a broken recordphraseused to refer to someone who keeps repeating the same thing in a way that is annoying
wet blanketnounsomeone who does or says things that prevent others from having a good time
misery gutsnouna person who is unhappy and keeps complaining a lot
empty shellnouna person who can no longer feel any strong emotions, often after experiencing something heartbreaking
yellow streaknounone's lack of courage to deal with painful or dangerous situations
faint of heartphraseeasily frightened or discouraged
(afraid|scared|frightened) of {one's} own shadowphraseused to refer to someone who becomes extremely afraid of or nervous about even the smallest things
doubting Thomasnouna person who doubts or refuses to believe anything that is presented to them without evidence or proof
(as|) quiet as a mousephraseused to refer to someone or something that is extremely quiet and does not make much noise
(as|) mute as a fishphraseused to refer to someone who refuses to talk much or is completely silent
nervous wrecknouna person who is extremely worried or upset
basket casenouna person who is always nervous or stressed and is therefore unable to have a calm and organized life
(bundle|bag) of nervesphrasean extremely anxious or nervous person
to {not} [say] boo to a goosephraseto be very quiet and show signs of discomfort or anxiety when in public
like a bump on a logphraseused to refer to someone or something that shows very little motion or does nothing
couch potatonounsomeone who sits around and watches TV a lot
sour grapesnouna negative attitude or reaction toward something that one desires but cannot have or achieve, often by minimizing its importance or worth
green-eyed monsterphrasethe feeling of discontent caused by lacking someone else's possessions, accomplishments, etc.
to [have] sticky fingersphraseto have a tendency to steal from others whenever the opportunity presents itself
lower than a snake's bellyphraseused to describe a person with no principles or morality
penny pinchernouna person who shows unwillingness to spend much money
hairy at the [heel]phraselacking good manners
to [cry] stinking fishphraseto complain about something that is not worth complaining about
Pretentious14 words
smart-assnouna person who is annoying because they constantly try to show off how clever or knowledgeable they are
teacher's petnounsomeone who is considered the teacher's favorite student and therefore has advantage over others in the classroom
{one's} bark [is] worse than {one's} bitesentenceused for saying that someone may appear threatening or aggressive, but their actions or behavior are not as harmful or severe as their words
prim and properphraseused to describe a person who behaves in a very traditional and morally conservative manner
Mrs. Grundynounsomeone who is very strict and thinks in a very traditional way
to [be] all talk (and no action|)phraseused to describe someone who continuously talks about what they are planning to do, but they never do or achieve much
apple polishernouna person who tries to gain the approval of important people by the means of flattery, praise, etc.
feet of clayphrasea serious flaw or weakness in one's character that other people are not aware of
all bark and no bitephraseused to describe a person who tends to say things that sound intimidating when in reality they are afraid to take action
to [toot|blow] {one's} (own|) hornphraseto praise one's own abilities or accomplishments, often in an exaggerated way
wise guynounan individual who consistently seeks to appear more clever than others in a manner that can be bothersome
smart alecknounan annoying individual who behaves as if they know everything
backseat drivernouna person who insists on giving advice about something even though they are not forced to do so
goody two shoesphrasea person who tries hard to let others know that they always do the right thing and behave well
Talkative10 words
to [go] on (and on|) about {sb/sth}phraseto keep talking about a certain subject in length, particularly in a way that bores others
to [run] off at the mouthphraseto enjoy having lengthy and non-sensical conversations with people
to [talk] {one's} [ear] offphraseto talk to someone for an extended period of time, particularly in a way that annoys them
to [talk] a blue streakphraseto speak in a manner that is lengthy, continuous, and annoying
to [love|like|enjoy] the sound of {one's} own voicephraseto be excessively fond of making long conversations, regardless of how annoying that might be for others
big mouthnounsomeone who shares someone's secrets and private matters with others
to [chew] {one's} [ear] (off|)phraseto make others tired by talking too much
to [bend] {one's} earphraseto speak to someone who is unwilling to listen for an extended period of time
to [flap] {one's} gumsphraseto talk in great length without mentioning anything important or of high value
to [talk] the hind [leg] off a donkeyphraseto continuously talk, particularly in a way that annoys others
Unintelligent15 words
(as|) dumb as a coal bucketphraseextremely unintelligent or lacking in common sense
bull in a china shopphrasean individual who often breaks things or makes mistakes in situations that require thoughtful behavior or thinking
soft touchnounsomeone who can be easily taken advantage of
nose of waxphrasean individual who is easily deceived or influenced
to [be] born yesterdayphraseto be easily fooled due to one's lack of experience or judgment
(as|) weak as waterphraseused to describe someone who can be easily taken advantage of because their will is not strong enough
the lights are on, but nobody is (at|) homephraseused to refer to someone who is not paying attention or is not intelligent enough
to [know] enough to come (in|) out of the rainphraseto be smart or experienced enough to find one's way out of a problematic situation
to [have] rocks in {one's} headphraseto be very foolish or stupid
dumb bunnynounsomeone whose behavior is marked by foolishness or ignorance
(as|) thick as two short planksphraseused to describe someone who shows a great lack of intelligence or good judgment
(as|) daft as a brushphraseused to describe someone who behaves in a very foolish or crazy manner
all brawn and no brainphrasea derogatory expression used to describe a person who relies solely on physical strength or brute force, without demonstrating any intelligence, skill, or strategic thinking
to [be] slow on the uptakephrase(of a person) to have difficulty in understanding or comprehending something quickly or easily
to {not} [play] with a full deckphraseto lack intelligence or rationality
Skilled & Smart21 words
(smart|sharp) cookiephrasea person who is clever and has a strong personality
on the ballphrasequick to comprehend and respond to things
the sharpest tool in the (shed|box)phraseused to refer to someone who shows signs of great intelligence
a good head on {one's} shouldersphraseused to refer to someone who has a good judgment and is intelligent enough to make wise decisions
to [be] (no|nobody's|no one's) foolphraseto avoid foolish actions through wisdom and good judgement
(as|) sharp as a razorphraseused to refer to someone who is very intelligent and is able to think and decide very quickly
(as|) bright as a (new|) buttonphraseused to refer to someone who is intelligent or sharp enough to quickly understand things
to [come] naturally to {sb/sth}phraseto be born with or naturally posses a particular talent or ability
green thumbnouna person's natural talent or ability to make plants grow efficiently
a man for all seasonsphrasea male individual who is successful and talented in a variety of fields
dab handnounan individual who excels at a specific type of activity
wise owlnounsomeone who possesses great wisdom and good judgment, often referred to old people
(as|) wise as an owlphraseused to refer to someone who is exceptionally knowledgeable and has a good sense of judgment
in {one's} bloodphrase(of an ability or skill) existing in an individual from birth
bright sparknouna person with high intelligence
to [have|get] {one's} head screwed on (the right way|)phraseto be a realistic and sensible individual
book smartnounan educated person who has extensive knowledge on a subject through reading and studying
(as|) sharp as a tackphrase(of a person) having or showing a high level of intelligence
number crunchernounsomeone who is very good with numbers and calculations, particularly one who is suited for accounting
to [be] quick on the uptakephrase(of a person) to understand things very quickly
eagle eyenounsomeone who is keenly aware or observant
Strong & Confident22 words
out of {one's} shellphraseused to refer to someone who has become more comfortable or confident in conversing with people
to [have] the stomach for {sth}phraseto be determined or courageous enough to do something dangerous or risky
to [have] the heartphraseto have the necessary will, courage, etc. to get something done
to [have] the (guts|nerve|spine)phraseto have the necessary conviction or be brave enough to get something done
willing horsephrasean individual who is willing and ready to work
eager beavernounan energetic and eager individual who is willing to work hard
(as|) keen as mustardphraseused to refer to a person with a very high level of enthusiasm
(as|) (hard|tough) as nailsphrasea tough person who is not easily affected by emotions
to [have] broad shouldersphraseto be competent enough to handle a variety of responsibilities or demanding tasks
to [stand] on {one's} own (two|) feetphraseto be able to take care of oneself without needing any assistance from others
lone wolfnounsomeone who likes being alone and does things without asking for help
free spiritnouna person who lives life independently and not according to the norms or customs of the society
nerves of steelphraseone's ability to remain calm in the face of danger or difficulties
a man among menphrasea male individual who is exceptional or noteworthy when compared with other men
(as|) patient as Jobphraseused to describe someone who is extremely calm and tolerant
lean and meanphraseused to describe someone who is ready and willing to try their best in order to get something done
(as|) bold as brassphraseused to describe a person who is annoyingly confident
(as|) cool as a cucumberphraseused to describe someone who is not worried at all in challenging or stressful situations
(as|) calm as a toad in the sunphraseused to describe a person who manages to stay calm in the most intense situations
(as|) tough as (old|) bootsphrase(of a person) not easily broken, weakened, or defeated
(as|) stubborn as a mulephraseused to describe someone who refuses to change their opinion or chosen course of action
tough cookienouna person who is strong, resilient, and determined, often in the face of challenging circumstances
Honest12 words
(as|) straight as an arrowphraseused to describe a very honest and moral person
straight shooternounan individual who is characterized by being honest and trustworthy
salt of the earthphrasea person who is highly respected due to their honesty and humility
{one's} word [is] {one's} bondsentenceused to refer to someone who means every word that they say
(man|woman) of actionphrasea person who actually gets things done instead of just talking about them
(man|woman) of {one's} wordphrasea person who prefers to do things instead of just thinking or talking about them
(as|) (straight|stiff) as a ramrodphrase(especially of someone in military or law enforcement) honest and following the rules without deviation
(as|) true as steelphraseused to describe someone who can be trusted or depended on
Dutch unclenounan individual who criticizes others in a firm yet kind manner
(as) straight as an arrowphraseused to describe a very honest and moral person
(as) straight as a ramrodphrase(especially of someone in military or law enforcement) honest and following the rules without deviation
goody two shoesphrasean exceptionally good or moral person
Nice19 words
(as|) regular as clockworkphraseused to describe a person who always manages to arrive or get things done at the agreed or proper time
to [suffer] fools (gladly|)phraseto treat stupid or annoying people with kindness and patience
{one's} heart [is] in the right placesentencehaving good intentions, even if the results are not perfect
to {not} [hurt|harm] a (fly|flea)phraseto refrain from doing anything that would harm or threaten the life of any person or animal
to [hide] {one's} light under a bushelphraseto keep one's talents or abilities hidden from others, particularly due to one's modesty
Good Samaritannouna sympathetic person who tries to help those who are in trouble or in desperate need of help
good eggnounsomeone who is genuinely a good person
(as|) sweet as (a|) piephraseused to describe someone who is very friendly and sympathetic
(as|) pure as the driven snowphraseused to describe someone who is completely innocent and does not have any moral flaws
(as|) good as goldphraseused to describe a very well-behaved and obedient individual, especially a child
(as|) gentle as a lambphraseused to describe an individual who behaves in a very kind and gentle way
diamond in the roughphrasesomeone who is much nicer and friendlier than they first appear
(man|woman|person) of few wordsphrasesomeone who avoids talking much and manages to convey their message in the most concise way possible
shrinking violetnouna very shy or modest individual who tries not to attract others' attention
(as|) (nice|sweet) as piephraseused to describe a person who is surprisingly friendly and kind
(as) regular as clockworkphraseused to describe a person who always manages to arrive or get things done at the agreed or proper time
sweetness and lightphrasea person who is innocent, kind, and agreeable
down to earthphrase(of a person) not showing pretentious behavior
(as) good as goldphraseused to describe a very well-behaved and obedient individual, especially a child
Lively & Energetic12 words
(as|) (happy|merry) as a cricketphraseused to describe a carefree and happy individual
ball of firephrasean individual who is very energetic and in high spirits
young at heartphrasesomeone who has the mentality and behavior of that of a young person
sense of humorphraseone's ability to say funny things or be amused by jokes and other things meant to make one laugh
party animalnouna person who likes spending a lot of time in parties
full of lifephrase(of a person) bursting with energy and in high spirits
social butterflynounsomeone who is very socially active and goes to many parties or social events
the life of the (party|event|gathering)phrasean energetic person at a party or other social events
(as|) fresh as a daisyphrase(of a person) alert and full of energy and enthusiasm
live wirenounan individual behaving in an energetic or unpredictable manner
full of beansphrasefull of positive energy and excitement
(as) fresh as a daisyphrase(of a person) alert and full of energy and enthusiasm
Proud & Arrogant13 words
{one's} [nose] in the airphrasea type of unfriendly behavior that is meant to show that one is better than other people
swelled headnouna sense of high self-esteem or self-importance that one has
to [put] on airsphraseto behave in a way that makes others think one is more important or of higher status than one actually is
high horsenounone's arrogant and pretentious behavior that is meant to prove one's superiority over others
(as|) proud as Luciferphraseused to describe someone who takes too much pride or satisfaction in their achievements
ego tripnounan action that makes one feel more important than others
(as|) proud as a peacockphraseused to describe someone who has an excessively high opinion of themselves
like the cat that (ate|swallowed|got) the canaryphraseused for saying that a person looks extremely satisfied, happy, or proud because of something they have done or achieved
to [overplay] {one's} handphraseto fail to achieve success by having too much confidence in one's ability or position
too big for {one's} (britches|breeches)phrasebehaving in a manner that highlights one's often non-existant superiority over others
stuffed shirtnounsomeone who considers themselves more important than others and often behaves in a very formal and old-fashioned way
to [stroke] {one's} egophraseto boost or satisfy one's sense of self-importance or self-esteem
to [hold] {one's} [head] up (high|)phraseto take pride in one's deeds or achievements
Senseless or Awkward10 words
to [need] (to have|) {one's} head examinedphraseto act or behave in a very crazy and uncontrollable manner
out to lunchphrasecompletely unaware of what is happening in one's surroundings
to [have] two left feetphraseto move clumsily and awkwardly, particularly when one dances
to [be] all thumbsphraseto act in a very clumsy or awkward manner
to [have] a screw (loose|missing)phraseto behave in a crazy and uncontrollable manner
a square peg (in a round hole|)phrasea person or thing that does not fit the current situation or position they are in
the odd one outphrasesomeone or something that is different from other people or things of its kind
(as|) queer as Dick's hatbandphraseused to describe someone or something that is extremely bizarre and abnormal
to [live|be] on another (planet|world)phraseto behave or think in a way that is completely detached from reality or out of touch with norms of the society
space cadetnouna person who is perceived as being absent-minded or out of touch with reality
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