Enhance your English conversation skills and engage in deeper discussions with idioms related to society, law, and politics.
12 topics172 words
According to Rules15 words
in the clearphraseused to say that one is free from suspicion or danger of wrongdoing
the (long|) arm of the lawphraseused to refer to the ability of the legal system and police to enforce justice and punish criminals
the third degreephrasea tough and forceful way of questioning someone in order to make them reveal information or admit to something, often using harsh methods
behind barsadverbused to refer to someone who is imprisoned or serving time in prison
to [be] in forphraseto be in risk of receiving punishment or getting into trouble
by the bookphrasestrictly adhering to established rules, procedures, or standardized practices
dos and don'tsphraserules that determine what one should or should not do in a particular situation
rule of thumbphrasea method or principle solely based on experience, which may not be completely accurate
in {one's} crosshairsphraseused to describe people who are easily targeted for criticism or are attracting significant negative attention
guilty as chargedphraseused to admit that the accusations or charges against one are true
on the casephraseused to refer to a situation in which one is taking legal action to solve a problem or crime
be in forphraseto be in risk of receiving punishment or getting into trouble
green lightnounapproval to begin a project
in one's crosshairsphraseused to describe people who are easily targeted for criticism or are attracting significant negative attention
clean bill of healthphrasea statement indicating that something is safe and free of any defects or problems
Defying Norms18 words
to [bend|stretch] the rulesphraseto do something that is not strictly according to rules, often by making exceptions
dead to rightsphrasein a situation where there is clear proof of one's crime or wrongdoing
blood on {one's} handsphrasea situation in which one is responsible for the death of a person
smoking gunnouna piece of evidence that is used to prove someone's crimes or wrong deeds
to [beard] the lion in (his|her) denphraseto confront someone very powerful or dangerous in their area of control and strength, where they hold the advantage
to [break] ranksphraseto publicly oppose a group or party that one has been a member of
to [take] the law into {one's} (own|) handsphraseto illegally punish someone in a way that one personally thinks is right or just, often by the use of violence
to [jump] the [light]phraseto ignore red traffic lights and move past them
the law of the junglephraseused to refer to a situation in which people are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed
bandit territorynouna place in which rules and laws are not followed or obeyed
to [jump] the linephraseto try to unfairly move past a group of people lining up somewhere before one's turn arrives
off the back of a truckphraseused for saying that a free or unreasonably cheap product is not obtained legally
French leavenounan unannounced and unauthorized absence from a job, workplace, or other commitment
to [slip] {sb} a Mickey (Finn|)phraseto secretly put a drug in a person's drink in order to make them unconscious
pink elephantsnouna vivid and often bizarre hallucination that a person may experience, typically as a result of heavy drinking or drug use
jump the linephraseto try to unfairly move past a group of people lining up somewhere before one's turn arrives
awoladjective(of a person) not attending a place one was supposed to or leaving an obligation without any notice or permission
out of seasonphraseat a time when it is illegal to hunt an animal
Justice9 words
a fair shakephrasea chance or opportunity given to a person equally as others
to [serve] {sb} rightphraseto receive an unfortunate consequence or punishment that one truly deserves as a result of one's wrong behavior
fair and squarephrasedone honestly, justly, or without disobeying any rules
to [put] the saddle on the right horsephraseto blame the right person or thing
on an equal footingphraseof the same level, status, or position, without any advantage or disadvantage for one person, thing, or group over the other
to [give] the devil (his|her) [due] (in law|)phraseto acknowledge someone's positive qualities or actions, even if that person is generally unpleasant, evil, or disliked
above boardphrasein a transparent, honest, and lawful manner
square dealnouna fair and honest treatment
poetic justicenouna situation in which one believes that an unfortunate event that has happened to someone is well deserved
Injustice13 words
to [get] away with murderphraseto be able to do something wrong or illegal without receiving punishment or facing any consequences
to [jump] the linephraseto try to unfairly move past a group of people lining up somewhere before one's turn arrives
conflict of interestphrasea situation where someone's personal stake or potential gain from a decision may hinder their ability to make an unbiased or fair choice
raw dealnouna treatment that is not fair or equal
to [tar] {sb/sth} with the same brushphraseto unfairly assume that a person or thing is as same as someone or something that they are associated with
cheap shotnouna comment or statement that is cruel or unfair
to [cry] foulphraseto express a strong objection to something that is perceived as unfair or unjust
kangaroo courtnounan unofficial court that does not follow the rules and usually punishes people without giving them a fair trial
to [get] a free passphraseto receive special treatment or permission to avoid obligations, restrictions, or consequences
below the beltphrasein a way that unfairly takes advantage of a person's weaknesses
judge, jury, and executionerphrasea person or group who has unchecked power to make decisions, impose punishments, and carry out those punishments without due process or oversight
the short end of the stickphrasean unfavorable or disadvantageous position or outcome that one receives in a particular situation
jump the linephraseto unfairly try to do something when it is someone else's turn to do so
Politics15 words
to [vote] with {one's} [pocketbook|dollar|purse]phraseto protest or show one's opposition to something by one's actions, such as leaving an organization, not buying something, etc.
to [drive] a wedgephraseto ruin the relationship of people or groups of people by causing them to disagree or hate each other
to [bridge] the (gap|gulf|divide)phraseto remove or reduce the differences that keep people or things separated
spin doctornouna person or group of people who are often employed by politicians, public figures, or the government in order to shape the public opinion in their favor
to [divide] and [conquer|rule]phraseto not allow people become united and pose a threat to one by keeping them busy through causing disagreement and argument between them
to [drain] the swampphraseto eliminate a problem that threatens a political or business system such as corruption, terrorism, etc.
new wine in an old bottlephraseused to refer to the attempt to introduce something new or innovative into an existing, outdated, or incompatible system, which may lead to problems or failure
old wine in a new bottlephrasesomething well-established, traditional, or unchanged presented as if it is new, innovative, or significantly different, often to make it more appealing or marketable
to [pass] the buckphraseto refuse to hold oneself responsible for something when one should and expect others to deal with it instead
to [flex] {one's} musclesphraseto display power or ability to scare or impress others
plum treenouna source of advantageous opportunities, particularly political favors or privileges
dream ticketnounan ideal or perfect combination or pairing, especially in a political or professional context
to [take] the floorphraseto step up to deliver a convincing speech
on the stumpphrase(of a politician) trying to get political support by traveling around an area and giving speeches
take the floorphraseto step up to deliver a convincing speech
Political Issues8 words
olive branchnouna thing that is offered in the hope of restoring peace or friendly relations
to [beat|turn] swords into plowsharesphraseto begin to aim for peace instead of war
war of wordsphrasea long argument between people
battle linenounthe dividing line between opposing sides in a conflict or confrontation
off the recordphraseused of a statement, remark, or piece of information that is not intended for public knowledge, or not to be attributed to the person making it
banana republicnouna country with a weak economy that heavily relies on the export of a limited product, such as bananas, and may be influenced by foreign powers or investments
young [turk]nouna young member of a political party, organization, etc., who seeks to make changes in a previous establishment or system
lame ducknouna politician or public office holder who is approaching the end of their term and will soon be replaced, usually due to failure to be re-elected or re-appointed
Punishment16 words
to [slap] {sb} on the wristphraseto give someone a mild warning or punish them in a way that is not harsh
to [bring] {sb} to bookphraseto make someone face the consequences or legal repercussions of their actions
to [face] the musicphraseto accept and confront the punishment or consequence of one's wrongdoings or irresponsible actions
to [have] it comingphraseto be deserving of something that happens to one, particularly something that is unpleasant
to [take] the fallphraseto take the blame for another person's actions or accept full responsibility for a crime or wrongdoing that other people were also part of
hair shirtnounsomething extremely hard that one goes through, often as a punishment
up the riverphrasein or to prison confinement
at (Her|His) Majesty's pleasurephraseused for saying someone is being held, detained, or imprisoned indefinitely at the will of the ruling British monarch
to [sue] the pants off (of|) {sb/sth}phraseto take legal action against someone and demand so much money and damages from them that it leaves them with nothing
to [put] {sb} to deathphraseto officially punish someone by death
to [bring|call] {sb} to accountphraseto formally confront someone and demand an explanation for their conduct and actions, especially those in positions of authority who are deemed responsible
{one's} head on a (plate|platter)phraseused to refer to a punishment that is very harsh for a crime or wrong deed
to [rap] {sb} (on|over|across) the knucklesphraseto give someone a mild punishment for a mistake or wrongdoing
the devil to payphrasea situation where there will be severe consequences or difficulties as a result of certain actions or events
a price on {one's} [head]phrasea specific amount of money that is offered as a reward to anyone who captures or kills a particular person
dead man walkingphrasea prisoner who is sentenced to death and is about to be executed
Society16 words
to [make] common causephraseto join with someone to achieve a common goal
in a bodyphrasein one group together
there [is] safety in numberssentenceused for saying that being with other people makes a situation or activity less dangerous
to [go|swim] with the tidephraseto act or think in the same way as the majority of people in a society
laced muttonphrasesomeone who earns money by having sex with people
red-light districtnounan area in a city or town that is filled with strip clubs, brothels, and other sex oriented businesses
brain drainnouna situation in which highly intelligent or skilled people of a country move to another country so that they can live a better life
glass ceilingnounan invisible barrier or limitation that prevents certain groups, particularly women or minority individuals, from advancing to higher positions or achieving higher levels of success in a professional or organizational context
to [come] out of the closetphraseto no longer keep one's sexual preference or gender identity a secret
to [jump|climb|get] on the bandwagonphraseto attempt to become popular or successful by doing something that is becoming fashionable
to [go] to the pollsphraseto give a vote in an election
gray votenounvoting power held by older adults or senior citizens in elections
a sign of the timesphrasesomething that shows how the society is like now, particularly how bad it is
with one voicephrasewith everyone expressing the same opinion
come out of the closetphraseto no longer keep one's sexual preference or gender identity a secret
grass rootsnounthe ordinary people with a common interest who form the foundation of a movement, organization, or political party
Social Class14 words
upper crustnounthe people that are of the highest class in a society
above the saltphrase(of people) having a rank or position that is high or honorable
airs and gracesphrasean exaggerated or artificial display of superiority or elegance
blue bloodnounsomeone who is born in a family that is of noble rank or social prominence
fair-haired (boy|girl)phrasea person who is favored or treated with special privilege, often by someone in a position of authority
born (in|to) the purplephraseprivileged by birth or family background
to [be] born with a silver spoon in {one's} mouthphraseto be born into a wealthy or privileged family and having access to all the luxuries and comfort that comes with it
silver spoonnounwealth that is inherited to one from a royal or very rich family
the chattering classnounintellectuals, commentators, or influencers who are frequently talking or writing about public issues and current events but who may lack practical experience or political power
skid rownouna poor area in a town or city in which a lot of homeless or drunk people live
the right side of the tracksphrasea very safe and wealthy area in a city or town
worm's eye viewphrasea perspective that emphasizes the view or situation of someone with lower status or authority
[plum] in {one's} mouthphrasea manner of speaking associated with wealth, social status, or formal education
below the saltphrase(of people) having a status, position, or reputation that is low
Social Norms & Conformity17 words
a voice crying in the wildernessphrasesomeone who expresses an opinion that others ignore or do not like
against the grainphraseused to refer to something that is done in a way that is contrary to the usual customs, conventions, or the natural direction
a law unto {oneself}phrasesomeone who does not behave according to rules or expectations of society
beyond the palephrase(of a person's words or actions) not according to what is considered acceptable or polite
to [break] the moldphraseto act so differently that it changes traditional or previous methods or approaches
to [cross] (the|a) linephraseto show a behavior that is unacceptable or improper
to [step|be] out of linephraseto act in a way that is not in accordance with rules or socially accepted behavior
sacred cownounan idea, custom, or institution considered immune from criticism or questioning
line in the sandphrasea limit that makes clear what is considered right or accepted and what is not
to [break] every rule in the bookphraseto behave in a manner that is in contrast to the standards of a particular place
the done thingphrasethe socially accepted or expected behavior or action in a particular situation
herd mentalitynouna person's natural tendency or urge to conform to the standards or the behavior of others in a particular group or society
to [swim|go] against the (tide|stream)phraseto do or think the exact opposite of what most people are doing or thinking
to [play] the gamephraseto do things according to the rules, customs, or in the way that is expected of one in order to achieve profit or success
to [go] roguephraseto start behaving in a manner that ignores the expectations of society or an authority
to [overstep] the (mark|line)phraseto act in a way that goes beyond the limits of what is allowed or accepted
out of boundsphrasebeyond the limits of acceptable behavior
Leaving or Escaping17 words
to [take] to {one's} heelsphraseto begin to leave somewhere by running fast
the bird has flownsentencesaid to mean that a person that one looks for has fled or left
to [go] southphraseto experience a sudden and significant decline, deterioration, or devaluation, often unexpectedly or rapidly
to [go] to groundphraseto suddenly disappear from sight, particularly in order to hide from someone
to [give] {sb} the slipphraseto escape in order to not get caught or not to be with someone
to [bust] a movephraseto dance, particularly in a nice way
to [make] a movephraseto start to leave a place to get to somewhere else
into thin airphraseused to refer to a someone or something that suddenly disappears, particularly in a way that is mysterious or suspicious
(disappearing|vanishing) actphrasean instance of someone becoming impossible to find, particularly when they are needed, wanted, or in a difficult or unpleasant situation
to [do] a moonlight flitphraseto leave a place secretly and as fast as one can, particularly in order to avoid paying one's debts
to [go] over the wallphraseto manage to escape from a prison
awoladjective(of a soldier) having left one's military duty without being permitted to do so
go southphraseto depart or leave a place, often with the intention of avoiding a difficult or uncomfortable situation
on the runphrasemoving from one place to another in an attempt to not get caught or arrested
bust a movephraseto leave somewhere, often hastily
make a movephraseto start to leave a place to get to somewhere else
in the windphraserunning away in an attempt not to get caught
Fraud & Swindle14 words
dog and pony showphrasea flashy or impressive event that lacks substance or meaning
loan sharknouna person who lends money to people, typically under illegal conditions, at a very high rate of interest
five-finger discountnounthe action of taking goods from a store without paying for them
funny businessnounany activity or behavior that is considered suspicious, dishonest, or deceptive, often intended to deceive or cheat others
creative accountingnounthe use of misleading accounting methods to present a company's financial position in a more favorable light
money launderingnounthe process of concealing the origins, ownership, or destination of illegally obtained money by passing it through a legitimate financial institution or businesses
sharp [practice]nounthe act or practice of engaging in unethical or questionable business practices that are intended to gain an advantage over competitors or deceive customers
hush moneynounmoney that is offered to someone so that they do not share a piece of information or a secret with others
slush fundnounan amount of money that is set aside to be used for dishonest or illegal activities
to [take] {sb} to the cleanersphraseto defeat a person or a group thoroughly, often in a very humiliating manner
easy moneynounmoney that one gains without much effort and often by dishonest means
on the fiddlephraseused to refer to a person, organization, etc. that uses dishonest or illegal methods to gain money
(quick|fast) buckphrasemoney earned quickly or with ease, particularly in a dishonest way
take somebody to the cleanersphraseto take someone's possessions by force or without the right to do so
Learn all 172 words in this list with spaced repetition
Social Class14 words