English Idioms - C
English and American idioms starting with the letter C are a great example of English learning resources
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Cake's not worth the candle
When the effort put into a task greatly outweighs the gain from succeeding, you can say that the cake’s not worth the candles
Calf lick
If you have an unusual direction in your hair which is hard to control, this is called a calf’s lick
Call a spade a spade
Calling a spade a spade means to tell someone exactly what you think about them, regardless of whether it’s polite or not
Call it a day
When you call it a day it means that you decide to stop work late at night
Call on the carpet
If those in power as for you by summoning, then you have a call on the carpet
Call the dogs off
Calling the dogs off means to stop your verbal or physical attack of someone
Call the shots
If you call the shots it means that you make the decisions
Call the tune
Calling the tune means making being in control and having the power to decide actions
Calm before the storm
When referring to a period of calm before a major event, you can say it is the calm before the storm
Can of worms
Opening a can of worms means to start a new situation which can get drastically out of control or has a lot of information waiting to be discovered
Can't dance and it's too wet to plow
If you can’t dance and it’s too wet to plow, it means that you might as well do something to occupy your time or else it will be wasted
Can't do it for toffee
When you can’t do it for toffee you are unable to complete a task regardless of the incentive offered, because of a lack of ability
Can't hold a candle
Not being able to hold a candle to something means that it is not of the same quality as that thing
Can't see the forest for its trees
If a person is so focused on the finer details of a task that they are unaware of the total problem, they can’t see the forest for its trees
Canary in a coal mine
Canaries were put in coal mines as early warnings of danger, and the idioms canary ina cola mine means exactly this
Card up your sleeve
Having a card up your sleeve is being in possession of something secret which can benefit you when used
Carpetbagger
In terms of business, a carpetbagger is a person without any real sense of morals, willing to cheat to succeed
Carrot and stick
The carrot and stick approach to completing a task is to offer a reward for success but punishment for failure
Carry the can
Intentionally taking the blame for something you didn’t do is carrying the can for someone
Case by case
If you attempt something case by case, it means that you progress one step at a time
Case in point
You can say something is a case in point when you notice an example of something which relates to a topic you were earlier talking about
Cash in your chips
If you expect the value of something to drop soon you might choose to cash in your chips, which means to sell
Cast a long shadow
A person who has great influence on others is said to cast a long shadow
Cast aspersion
Casting aspersion is putting down someone verbally and convincing others to distrust that person
Cast doubt on
If you cast doubt on something, you are making it seem like it is less reliable than before
Cast iron stomach
People with cast iron stomachs are able to eat all types of food, healthy or not, without illness
Cast pearls before swine
When you try to give something to someone who doesn’t appreciate or value it correctly, you are casting pearls before swine
Cast sheep's eyes at
Casting sheeps eyes at someone means looking at them in a loving or desiring way
Cast your mind back
When asked to cast your mind back, you should try to remember something which happened a long time ago, in detail
Cast your net widely
If you need to use a great selection of resources in your research, you are casting you net widely
Casting vote
A casting vote is a vote decided by a person of authority such as a chairman, because all other votes are evenly distributed and a decision can’t be reached
Castles in the air
If your dreams and desires are unrealistic, you have castles in the air
Cat among the pigeons
Putting the cat among the pigeons means to purposely cause a disturbance in an otherwise calm situation
Cat and dog life
People who are always arguing live a cat and dog life
Cat burglar
A cat burglar is a theif with great skill who tries not to disturb anything and leaves no trace behind
Cat got your tongue?
If you are asked a question but refuse to answer, they can ask if a cat got your tongue?
Cat nap
A short sleep during the day is called a cap nap
Cat's lick
A very fast wash is a cat’s lick
Cat's pyjamas
Something that is of the best quality is said to be the cat’s pyjamas
Cat's whiskers
A thing which is excellent is the cat’s whiskers
Catch as catch can
If you try to achieve a task in any way possible, you are trying to catch as catch can
Catch hell
Catching hell means to get into trouble with someone
Catch some z's
Since z’s refers to dreaming, catching some z’s means to go to sleep
Catch someone red-handed
Being caught red-handed means begin caught in the act of doing something
Catch-22
A catch-22 situation is one where all choices are impossible, such as not being able to get a job because of lack of work experience, but not being able to get work experience because you can’t get a job
Caught with your hand in the cookie jar
When you are caught with your hand in the cookie jar, you have been caught in the process of doing something you shouldn’t
Chalk and cheese
Things that are like chalk and cheese are totally different
Champ at the bit
Champing at the bit refers to people who are eager to succeed in a particular task
Champagne taste on a beer budget
When people try to have luxurious lives even thought they can’t afford them, they have champagne on a beer budget
Change horses in midstream
Changing horses in mid stream is to change a set plan in the middle of an event, regardless of the problems
Change of heart
If you have a sudden change of heart, it suggests that you have changed your mind or opinion about something
Change tack
When a method of dealing with a problem never succeeds and you decide to attempt a new approach, this is called changing tacks (tactics)
Change your tune
Changing your tune means to change the way you think or speak about an idea or person
Chaps my ass
Chapping your ass refers to something which annoys you thoroughly
Chapter and verse
Being able to remember and recite information precisely is called knowing it chapter and verse
Charity begins at home
When a member of your family says charity begins at home, they are suggesting that you should support your family before you support others
Chase rainbows
Chasing rainbows is pursuing a dream which will never be achieved
Chase your tail
Chasing your tail is what dogs do when they run around in circles, so when used with people it means working hard but achieving little
Cheap as chips
Products or services that are as cheap as chips, are very inexpensive (cheap)
Cheap at half the price
Something which is cheap at half the price is very cheap and of good value
Cheap shot
Insulting someone by picking on a personal subject they find embarrassing is a cheap shot
Cheat death
Cheating death means just escaping from a dangerous situation
Cheek by jowl
Because cheek and jowls are similar things, being cheek by jowl means to be similar and closed together
Cherry pick
Cherry picking is being selective with the information you choose in order to find supporting facts and ignoring those which are of the other opinion
Chew on a bone
Chewing on a bone is being absorbed in your thoughts on a subject
Chew the cud
Thinking about something can be called chewing the cud, and is often done in privacy
Chew the fat
When you chew the fat with someone, you are making friendly conversation
Chickenfeed
When trying to value the importance of something, the parts which are of low value or incentive are called chickenfeed
Child's play
A task which is easy to complete is child’s play
Chinese walls
In the area of business, barriers are sometimes created to stop information being passed which can do harm to the company, and they are called Chinese walls
Chinese whispers
In reference to the act of gossip, as a story is passed from person to person it often changes and becomes exaggerated. This is known as Chinese whispers
Chip off the old block
When a child is said to be a chip off the old block, it suggest that they have a similar personality or outlook to one or both of the parents
Chip on your shoulder
A person with a chip on their shoulder feels angry and upset with someone else, and has a grudge against them
Chop and change
When things change consistently, they can be said to chop and change
Cigarette paper
People who have very strong connections are said to be so close that you can’t put a cigarette paper between them
Circle the wagons
If it is necessary to bring your team members together to defend against an outside force, you are called circling the wagons
Circling the drain
A project which is on the verge of collapse and failure is said to be circling the drain, because its demise is unavoidable
Class act
A person who is great in their ability, or seems a genuinely fantastic person, is a class act
Clean as a whistle
Any kind of object which is as clean as a whistle, is as you might expect, very clean indeed
Clean bill of health
After a person goes to have their health condition checked an confirmed that they are perfectly well, they are given a clean bill of health
Clean break
Breaking away from a former situation completely with the intention of starting again is a clean break
Clean hands
A person who obeys the law and is not corrupt in any way has clean hands
Clean sheet
A clean sheet refers to when a person has no record of bad things they have done. Often people are given a clean sheet, which means that former bad acts have been forgotten
Clean slate
When you are given a clean slate, your previous bad history is forgotten
Clean sweep
A clean sweep refers to winning so successfully that you win all the available prizes
Clear as a bell
Something which is as clear as a bell is extremely easy to comprehend
Clear as mud
If things are said to be as clear as mud, they are actually very confusing and unclear
Cliff-hanger
A cliff-hanger is a situation where is can’t be predicted what the outcome will be, and people wait in a nervous state
Climb on the bandwagon
Following others in a peer pressure style is the same thing as climbing in the bandwagon
Climb the greasy pole
This refers to promotion in a career which is corrupt and untrustworthy, such as politics
Cling to hope
If someone hangs on with hope that something will happen, even if the likelihood of success is very small, they are clinging to hope
Close at hand
A thing which is close and very convenient is close at hand
Close but no cigar
By almost but not quite achieving in a task, you can be said to be close but no cigar
Close call
A close call is a situation when the result of a competition is so close that it becomes hard to tell who the winner was
Close shave
A close shave is what happens if you nearly have a bad accident, but narrowly escape
Close the stable door after the horse has bolted
Closing the stable door after the horse has bolted refers to the situation of trying to fix the cause of a problem after the problem had already happened
Close to your heart
Caring greatly about a person or thing is called being close to your heart
Closed book to me
A closed book is a person who doesn’t reveal any information to you, no matter how you ask your questions
Cloth ears
A person with cloth ears pays no attention to what others say, and is not a good listener
Cloud cuckoo land
Cloud cuckoo land describes the ideas of someone which are totally unrealistic and often pure fantasy
Cloud nine
Being on cloud none means to be ecstatic and joyful
Cloud of suspicion
When cloud of suspicion hangs over someone it means they can’t be trusted because of a particular events
Cloud on the horizon
A could on the horizon is a future prediction of some sort of problem
Clutch at straws
When someone clutches at straws they are trying to guess what another person is thinking from fragments of information they know
Clutch play
Clutch play is a particular event which is the determining factor in the success or failure of that situation
Coals to Newcastle
Carrying out unnecessary tasks is said to be carrying coals to Newcastle
Coast is clear
When those who are watching you turn away and lose their concentration for a brief moment, the coast is clear
Cock a snook
Cocking a snoot means to place the thumb to the nose and stretch out the fingers vertically, sometimes wiggling them. This is a rude gesture
Cock and bull story
A lie which someone tells and others are aware of is a cock and bull story
Cock in the henhouse
In mostly female environments or workplaces there are sometimes a minority or men working there, and can be referred to as a cock in the henhouse
Cock of the walk
If you are so confident and full of yourself that you think you are the absolute best, you are the cock of the walk
Cold day in hell
A cold day in hell is a time period when something completely impossible will happen, and is used to show that you don’t believe it can ever happen
Cold feet
Getting cold feet about an events, especially marriage, is having cold feet
Cold fish
A cold fish is a person who gives no clues about their emotions
Cold light of day
When you see things in the cold light of day, you are finally seeing them as they actually are
Cold shoulder
When someone is purposely distant and emotionally cold to another, they can be said to be giving them the cold shoulder
Cold sweat
Coming out in a cold sweat is what happens when you are made very uncomfortable by something, either by feeling pressure or being afraid
Cold turkey
Going cold turkey means to stop taking addictive drugs and trying to get the remnants out of your body
Colder than a witches tit
If it is really cold weather it is the same as being colder that a witches tit
Collateral damage
Usually used in warfare, collateral damage is accidental damage done to innocent things or people when attacking the enemy, and is often expected as a norm
Collect dust
When things collect dust (on the mantelpiece), they have not been used for a long time
Color bar
A color bar is a set of rules which aim to continue racism and restrict the privileges of different races
Come a cropper
When people come a cropper it means that something they were doing which was likely to fail, did indeed stop working
Come clean
When a person comes clean it suggests that they admitted to something wrong, in order to clear their conscience
Come hell or high water
When someone does something come hell or high water, they will try to succeed no matter what
Come of age
Coming of age is what happens to children when they become adults or hit puberty
Come on hard
Coming on hard refers to a style of discussion or sales which is very forceful and even intimidating
Come on the heels of
Coming on the heels of something means to follow closely behind
Come out in the wash
If secrets come out in the wash it means that they will become public knowledge, and often resolve the situation peacefully
Come out of the woodwork
Coming out of the woodwork means to appear from a previously hidden state, and is usually used with ideas or secrets
Come out of your shell
A shy person who finally loses their inhibitions enough to show their true character has come out of their shell
Come rain or shine
When you promise to do something come rain or shine, it means you will complete the task regardless of the problems you might face
Come to bear
Coming to bear on you refers to the feeling of pressure you can get from a stressful and unresolved situation
Come to call
When summoned, a person who comes to call responds immediately
Come to grips
Coming to grips with a problem is the point at which you recognise the problem itself and have some idea how to solve it
Come to heel
Coming to heel suggests that a person who was previously disobedient changes and starts to follow orders
Come up roses
In a situation when the outcome is positive even though it looked likely to be negative, you can say the result has come up roses
Come up smelling of roses
Coming up smelling of roses is used when someone emerges from a potentially embarrassing situation with their dignity intact
Come up trumps
Coming up trumps means that you were successful in something
Come what may
When attempting a task and trying hard to succeed despite any problems which may arise, you are trying come what may to succeed
Come with the territory
When something comes with the territory it means that it is a standard problem for that situation, such as killing comes with territory of being a soldier
Comfort zone
A comfort zone is a personal place or situation which someone has, and it’s intention is to help them feel relaxed
Constitution of an ox
Having the constitution of an ox is the same thing as being able to handle tiredness, alcohol, hunger, and illness
Cook someone's goose
When you ruin another persons plans, either by accident or on purpose, you have cooked their goose
Cook the books
Cooking the books refers to accountancy in business, and the illegal act of changing facts and figures to give a false impression of the company’s success
Cook up a storm
Cooking up a storm means getting very upset and angry about something and consequently creating an uncomfortable situation
Cool as a cat
Acting as cool as a cat is remaining relaxed in mood when you should be nervous or frightened
Cool your heels
Asking someone to cool their heels is the same as suggesting that they need to calm down
Coon's age
A coon’s age is a long period of time, and is used when talking about lengths of absence between friends
Corner a market
Cornering a market is an economic term which means to get full control over one area of business
Couch potato
A couch potato is a person who spends all their time sitting and watching the tv
Could eat a horse
If you say that you could eat a horse it implies that you are extremely hungry
Couldn't give two hoots
Not giving two hoots is not caring about something at all
Count sheep
Counting sheep is what people are meant to due as cure for insomnia, and hence means not being able to sleep
Count your blessings
When you are thankful for all the good things in your life you are said to be counting your blessings
Country mile
A particularly long distance is a country mile
Cover all the bases
Being prepared for any eventuality is covering all the bases
Crack a nut with a sledgehammer
Sometimes a person uses too much energy in trying to solve a simple problem, and this is said to be cracking a nut with a sledgehammer
Crash a party
Crashing a party is going to an event you have been invited to, and you become a gatecrasher
Cream of the crop
The best of everything available is the cream of the crop
Cream rises to the top
In competition with others, the best and most talented people usually succeed and get noticed first, which is the meaning of the cream rises to the top
Creature comforts
Creature comforts are those home luxuries which make our lives convenient and pleasurable
Crème de la crème
The best quality version of something is called the crème de la crème
Crocodile tears
People who preten to be affected by something but are not really are said to be crying crocodile tears
Crooked as a dog's hind leg
A corrupt person or liar is as crooked as a dog’ hind leg
Cross swords
When people argue about something the both have strong beliefs in, they are said to be at crossed swords
Cross that bridge when you come to it
Knowing about a future problem and suggesting that it should be dealt with when it occurs it crossing that bridge when you come to it
Cross to bear
Feeling the burden of something you must do is your cross to bear
Crossing the Rubicon
Crossing the Rubicon is a decision made from which there is not return
Crunch time
The point at which a situation comes to a head and an important decision has to be made is the crunch time
Cry wolf
Crying wolf is reporting danger when there is none, in order to sensationalise or lie
Cry your eyes out
Being so upset that you have a great cry is the same as crying your eyes out
Cry-baby
An emotionally weak person who breaks into tears very easily is a cry baby
Cuckoo in the nest
A cuckoo in the nest is a problem which gets out of control quickly and become the main focus of attention
Cupboard love
If you are cunning you might display yur love for someone with the intention of gaining something, and this is called cupboard love
Curate's egg
When something is better in parts than all at once, it is a bit of a curate’s egg
Curiosity killed the cat
When a person is so curious that it gets them into trouble we can say that curiosity killed the cat
Curry favour
Currying favour is manipulating people with promises to get them to support you
Curve ball
A curve ball is an attack which is not to be trusted
Cut a rug
When you cut a rug you are in fact dancing
Cut above
If a person is described as a cut above other people, they are better in some way.
Cut and dried
If something is cut and dried, then everything has already been decided and, in the case of an opinion, might be a little stale and predictable.
Cut and run
Occasionally when businesses fail the bosses take what is left and run away, which is to cut and run
Cut corners
Cutting corners means not following the rules of quality in a project in order to save money
Cut down the tall poppies
Criticising those who are different from the norm is cutting down the tall poppies
Cut it fine
When you cut something fine it means that you complete the task at the last possible moment
Cut off your nose to spite your face
Cutting your nose off despite your face means making a wrong decision which just makes matters worse for you than before, often on purpose
Cut someone some slack
Cutting someone some slack is to be less attacking of someone and give them an easier time
Cut the Gordian knot
When faced with a complicated problem, the person who can solve it in a quick and simple way can cut the Gordian knot
Cut the mustard
When something fails to cut the mustard it falls below the required standard of quality
Cut to the chase
Cutting to the chase means to move forwards to the main problem and ignore the minor issues
Cut to the quick
If you are deeply hurt and offended by a person’s actions you have been cut to the quick
Cut your coat according to your cloth
A person who is responsible with their money and only buys things they can afford is cutting their coat according to their cloth
Cut your losses
In a situation that seems to be getting worse, investors cut their losses and pull out their money for fear of losing it all
Cut your teeth on
Gaining that first experience is called cutting you teeth on it
Cute as a bug
A charming and delightful thing is as cute as a bug
Cuts no ice
When a person or thing cuts no ice, it means it lacks any real affect
Cutting edge
A piece of technology which is very new is said to be cutting edge
