Advance your career and life with 174 idioms about success, opportunities, and the path to achievement.
12 topics184 words
Success23 words
to [fall] into placephraseto start to have a clear meaning
to [bear] fruitphraseto produce a satisfactory or successful result
feather in {one's} capphrasea thing that someone takes pride in, such as an accomplishment, honor, etc.
to [go] to townphraseto complete a task or activity with thoroughness, efficiency, and speed, often suggesting a focused and diligent approach
on a (roll|tear)phraseexperiencing a period of great success or good luck
on the crest of (the|a) wavephraseused to refer to a point in which someone has achieved massive success
to [ride] highphraseto be successful or experiencing a period of success
with a bangphrasein a grand or impressive manner, often used to describe the successful start of an event, party, or project
in the bagphraseused to convey that something is guaranteed to be accomplished
to [bring] the house downphraseto perform or entertain in a way that causes the audience to react with extreme enthusiasm, such as by applauding loudly or cheering
to [hitch] {one's} wagon to a starphraseto become partners with or rely on someone who is already successful so that one can achieve the same level of success
to {not} [look] backphraseto have no desire or intention to return to past circumstances
to [have] (got|) it madephraseto be in a position where one's success is guaranteed
to [reach|shoot] for the (stars|moon)phraseto set very high goals and work hard to achieve them, even if they seem very difficult or impossible to reach
to [come] up trumpsphraseto achieve success or victory in a situation where it was not expected
to [work] like (a charm|magic)phraseto function successfully, often in an unexpected or impressive way
to [rise] like a rocketphraseto achieve quick and remarkable success or popularity
fall into placephraseto succeed or proceed as intended
go to townphraseto produce great results or be extremely successful
crowning glorynouna thing that is considered someone's or something's greatest achievement
salad daysnounthe time when something is at its best or most successful
not look backphraseto achieve rapid or exceptional success, often continuing to improve without pause
hat tricknouna series of three victories, successes, or related accomplishments achieved by the same individual
Opportunities7 words
to [miss] a trickphraseto fail to take advantage of an opportunity
second bite (at|to) the cherryphraseanother opportunity for one to do or achieve something one previously failed at
to [leave] the door open for {sth}phraseto make sure that there is still a possibility or chance for something to be done or achieved at a later time
to [grease] the skidsphraseto make a process easier and more successful by providing support or taking action to overcome obstacles or resistance
to [prepare] the [ground] for {sth}phraseto make the necessary preparations for an event or situation
the streets of {sw} [are] paved with goldsentenceused to mean that a specific place provides many opportunities to become wealthy and successful with little effort
gravy trainnouna situation in which making a lot of money becomes possible with minimal time or effort
The Road to Success21 words
in the runningphrasehaving a chance to win or succeed, particularly in a competition or selection
(within|in) striking distancephraseused to refer to a state or situation in which something is very close to being achieved
to [gain] groundphraseto achieve more success or popularity
bucket listnouna list of experiences, achievements, or goals that a person wishes to accomplish or fulfill during their lifetime
from scratchphrasefrom the point at which something began
to [get] {sth} off the groundphraseto start a project, plan, or activity successfully
to [make] a go of {sth}phraseto try to make something successful, often with a significant degree of effort or determination
where the rubber [meet] the roadphrasethe point in a process where theory, ideas, or plans are put into practice and tested for their effectiveness
so far so goodphraseused to say that the progress has been satisfactory up until this point
flying startnounthe start of something in a very favorable or promising way
to [be] cooking with gasphraseto be doing very well or functioning effectively
to [bubble] under the radarphraseto be close to achieving success or popularity, but not quite there yet
to [go] placesphraseto be making great progress
half the battlephrasethe most important part of something such as a project, task, etc.
to [make] headwayphraseto advance and make great progress in one's career or life
on coursephraselikely to achieve something as expected
on the way to {doing sth}phrasein the process of progressing toward a particular goal
(on|along) the right linesphrasein a manner that increases the chances of achieving success
within striking distancephraseused to refer to a state or situation in which something is very close to being achieved
halfway housenounthe middle stage or point in a process of achieving a desired result
on the up and upphrasebecoming increasingly successful with the passage of time
Achieving Success17 words
to [bring] home the baconphraseto earn enough money to be able to pay for the necessities of life
to [make] {one's} markphraseto become noticed or well-known by doing something, particularly something unusual or impressive
to [go] (down|like|) a bombphraseto be extremely popular or successful
to [make] or [break]phraseto bring about either success or failure for someone or something
to sink or swimphraseto be left in a situation where one either succeeds or fails
to [blaze] a trailphraseto be the first individual who discovers something or does something new and authentic
kill or curephraseused to describe a risky or extreme action or solution that could either lead to great success or complete failure
by the skin of {one's} teethphraseused to describe a situation in which one barely manages to do something or escape danger
to [run] {sb/sth} to (ground|earth)phraseto manage to find something or someone after a long time of searching
to [do] the trickphraseto succeed in achieving the required result or solving the encountered problem
to [open] doors (to|for) {sb/sth}phraseto create opportunities that lead to success
to [get] to first base with {sth}phraseto achieve an initial level of success in dealing with a particular task, situation, challenge, etc.
without a hitchphrase(of a process or event) without encountering any problems, difficulties, or obstacles
to [turn] a trickphraseto perform a clever or skillful action, find a quick solution to a problem, or successfully complete a task or job
to [go] great gunsphraseto continue to succeed fast
bring home the baconphraseto achieve success, especially in a competitive or high-stakes situation
new lease on lifephrasea situation where something regains success or popularity
Successful People & Things14 words
in actionphrase(of a person) doing something one is trained for or is very good at
in (good|perfect|full|) working orderphraseworking or operating correctly and without any problems
in full swingphraseat the peak or maximum level of performance, engagement, or energy
dark horsenouna person with secret skills or ideas that when become known, they surprise people
fat catnounsomeone who is very rich or influential, particularly a politician or business owner
to [have] (got|) it going onphraseto achieve or experience significant success or progress, often with a sense of confidence and positive momentum
late bloomernouna person who achieves success, wealth, etc., at the later stages of life compared to others
[be] in luckphraseto be in a situation in which one can have what they desire or need
king of the hillphrasethe person who holds the highest position or achieves the greatest success in a particular context or competition
with flying colorsphrasein a distinctive and very successful way
to [carry] weightphrase(of a person or organization) to be exceptionally influential or important
flash in the panphrasea sudden but brief success that is not sustained
have (got) it going onphraseto achieve or experience significant success or progress, often with a sense of confidence and positive momentum
mannounan individual who is highly skilled or experienced in a specific activity or profession
Improvement13 words
on {one's} feetphrasein good health after a period of illness or injury
to [regain] {one's} feetphraseto manage to stand upright after taking a fall or being knocked down
to [come] a long wayphraseto have achieved great success or made great progress
to [go] from strength to strengthphraseto become more and more successful with the passage of time
to [have] a long way to gophraseto be in a place or position where one needs to make a lot of progress in order to achieve a desired result
to [land] on {one's} feetphraseto experience success or good fortune, particularly after a period of facing challenges or setbacks
to [make] a comebackphraseto return to a position of success, influence or popularity after experiencing a decline or setback
to [pick] up the piecesphraseto make an effort to improve a situation after an unfortunate event or unexpected setback
[put|get|set] {one's} house in orderphraseto improve a situation or one's behavior for better results
roaring successnouna very great success
ugly ducklingnounan unattractive or unsuccessful person or thing that later turns attractive or successful
on one's feetphraseused to refer to a company, organization, etc. that is prosperous and developing rapidly
regain one's feetphraseto become successful again after experiencing difficulties or financial problems
Boost & Enhancement12 words
to [come] up rosesphraseto have a very successful outcome, often despite initial challenges or difficulties
to [lick] {one's} woundsphraseto take time to recover, heal, or regain strength after a difficult or painful experience
quantum (leap|jump)phrasea sudden and significant change, improvement, or increase
to [work|iron] out the kinksphraseto make effort to fix all the small problems of something, such as an activity or project
back on the railsphraseslowly becoming successful again after a period of constant failure
in the ascendantphrasegaining more popularity, power, or influence
back on trackphrasereturning to the right path after a failure, mistake, etc.
finishing [touch|stroke]phrasethe final small detail added to complete and improve something, giving it a polished, finished quality
(icing|frosting) on the cakephrasesomething extra that is added to something that is already good in order to make it perfect
the cherry on (top of|) the (cake|sundae)phrasethe final adjustment to something already good or satisfactory just to make it perfect
in the fast lanephrasein a state of moving or progressing rapidly, particularly with regards to one's career, success, or lifestyle
on the mendphrasein a process of recovering or improving from a failure or setback
Fame14 words
in the public eyephraseused to describe someone or something that attracts a great deal of public attention
big namenouna well-known or influential person, especially in a specific field or industry
flavor of the (month|week)phrasesomeone or something that manages to attract a lot of attention and popularity for a short period of time
to [hit] the big timephraseto experience a sudden rise to fame and glory
to [make] a name for {oneself}phraseto become well-known or respected in a particular field or area through one's achievements or actions
to [make] it bigphraseto reach a great level of fame and success
to [put] {sb/sth} on the mapphraseto make a person, place, or thing widely known, often for the first time
to [clear] {one's} namephraseto prove someone's innocence or remove suspicion surrounding someone's reputation
talk of the townphrasesomething or someone that is currently the subject of a lot of gossip and discussion among the people in a particular community or social circle
to [save] facephraseto take action or make a statement in order to avoid embarrassment, humiliation, or loss of respect
in the (spotlight|limelight)phrasesomeone or something that receives a lot of attention by the public
to [unring] (the|a) bellphraseto undo or reverse something that has already been said or done, particularly when it is impossible to truly forget or ignore its impact or consequences
big fish in a small pondphrasesomeone who is important or influential within a small or limited group, but who may not be as significant or well-known in a larger context
to [have] the world at {one's} feetphraseto be highly successful and popular
Power18 words
to [be] on the way upphraseto be rising up to a higher position or level
anyone who is anyonephrasethe important or influential people in a particular field or social setting
big cheesenounsomeone of great importance or influence
big enchiladanounan individual who is very famous or influential
big fishnouna person whose fame or influence has widely spread
big gunnouna person or an organization that possesses great power or influence
big shotnounsomeone of great importance or influence
big wheelnouna person who has a lot of power or influence in a particular field, business, or community
to [come|go] up in the worldphraseto rise in wealth or status
head honchonouna person of great importance or influence
large and in chargephrasehaving power or authority and commanding respect and attention, often implying confidence, assertiveness, and control
tall poppynouna successful person who becomes the target of criticism or resentment from others because of their achievements or prominence
the powers that bephrasethe individuals or groups who hold the most authority or influence in a particular organization, community, or situation
mover and (a|) shakerphrasea person who has a significant influence and is actively involved in bringing about change or progress in a particular field or industry
sleeping giantnouna person, organization, or entity that has immense potential, power, or influence, but is currently inactive, unaware, or not utilizing their capabilities
men in (gray|) suitsphrasethe people who have a lot of power and authority within an organization but are not known by many people
the (corridors|halls) of powerphrasethe influential and decision-making circles within a government, organization, or institution
the gnomes of Zurichphrasea group of powerful bankers or investors particularly from Switzerland who are believed to have secret political influence
Victory24 words
to [draw] first bloodphraseto be the first person or team that obtains an advantage over a competitor in any contest
to [go] one better than {sb/sth}phraseto excel in doing something compared to anyone else who has ever tried it
to [clean] {one's} clockphraseto defeat someone soundly or thoroughly in a competition or argument, often with the implication that the opponent had no chance of winning
ahead of the curvephrasesuperior to others in terms of advancement, achieving success, or modernity
to [blow] {one's} doors offphraseto achieve a significantly higher level of success compared to someone or something else
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
to [build] a better mousetrapphraseto manage to invent something that improves upon an existing concept or object
to [have] (the|an) edge (over) {sb/sth}phraseto be in a slightly better position when competing against someone else
to [knock|hit] {sb/sth} out of the parkphraseto achieve significantly better results compared to other people or things
to [leave] {sb/sth} in the dustphraseto defeat or outperform someone or something with ease
to [leave] {sb/sth} standingphraseto be much better, quicker, more successful etc. than someone or something else
one jump aheadphraseused to refer to someone who is slightly better in terms of being prepared, skilled, etc. when compared to someone or something else
to [step] up {one's} gamephraseto increase one's level of effort, skill, or performance in a particular activity or area to achieve better results or compete more effectively
to [be] streets ahead of {sb/sth}phraseto deliver a much better performance compared to that of others'
to [beat] {sb} to the punchphraseto do something before someone else does it
clean sweepnouna decisive victory in which a team or player achieves consecutive wins in any game, contest, or other similar events
to [come] out on topphraseto win an argument or other competitive situation
to [win|carry] the dayphraseto succeed after a struggle, debate, or competition
to [snatch] victory from the jaws of defeatphraseto achieve a victory or success despite initially seeming unlikely or impossible, particularly after experiencing a setback or failure
by a nosephraseused to refer to a victory that is achieved only by a small margin
to [have|hold] (all|) the acesphraseto be in an advantageous position when competing against someone else
clean one's clockphraseto defeat someone soundly or thoroughly in a competition or argument, often with the implication that the opponent had no chance of winning
get the best of somebody or somethingphraseto be able to beat someone or something due to being superior in terms of skill or strength
front runnernouna person or thing that is ahead of others in a race or other competitive situation
Advantage11 words
to [make] {sth} worth {one's} [while|time]phraseto make sure that something benefits one instead of just wasting one's time
to [do] {sb} (the|a) world of goodphraseto make effort to make someone feel happier or healthier
[friend] (at|in) courtphrasean acquaintance of one with great power or influence that can advance one's interests
friends in high placesphraseone's acquaintances who possess great influence and are willing to help one get out of trouble or achieve what one desires
a bird in the handphrasesomething tangible and certain that one possesses, emphasizing the importance of appreciating and valuing it rather than seeking something else
to [have] something going (on|) for {sb}phraseto possess positive qualities or advantages that increase the likelihood of success or achievement in a particular area or situation
to [ride] (a|the) wave of {sth}phraseto enjoy or benefit from a period of sudden success that something has brought
to [be] better offphraseto find oneself in a better condition or situation
to [do] {sb} (any|) goodphraseto benefit one or improve one's situation in a variety of ways
to [be] sitting prettyphraseto be in an advantageous or favorable position, particularly financially
to [put] {sth} to workphraseto use something, such as one's skills, possessions, etc.
Benefit & Merit10 words
skin in the gamephrasea personal investment or stake in a particular outcome, which motivates a person to be committed to achieving success or avoiding failure
to [have] a dog in the fightphraseto have an interest in the outcome of a particular situation
to [bring] {sth} to the tablephraseto offer a beneficial or valuable contribution or resource in a collaborative setting to achieve a common goal
a (piece|slice|share) of the piephrasea share of money or benefits that are available to one
to [make] hay while the sun [shine]phraseto take advantage of a favorable opportunity or circumstance while it is available, rather than waiting or procrastinating
grist for the millphrasematerial or information that can be used or processed, especially to generate further discussion, ideas, or productivity
to [go] a long wayphraseto have a significant impact or influence
to [tip|tilt] the (balance|scales)phraseto change a situation in the favor of a person, group, etc.
to [stand] {sb/sth} in good steadphraseto be advantageous or beneficial to someone or something in the long run
to [have] the wind at {one's} backphraseto have favorable conditions or circumstances that support or propel one's progress or success
Learn all 184 words in this list with spaced repetition