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THE IDIOM COLLECTION

Say more with an idiom.

Go beyond the literal words. Learn what everyday expressions mean—and how to use them.

THE EXPRESSION COLLECTION

Explore the idiom collection.

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604 idiomsPage 21 of 61

English expression

Take a step back

Meaning

To pause your immediate involvement so you can consider a situation more clearly or from a different perspective.

In a sentence

Let us take a step back and ask what the project is meant to achieve.

English expression

On the right track

Meaning

Using an approach that is leading towards a correct answer or successful result.

In a sentence

Your calculation is not complete, but you are on the right track.

English expression

On a knife edge

Meaning

In a tense or difficult situation whose outcome is very uncertain.

In a sentence

The future of the club was on a knife edge while it waited for funding.

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