English expression
No-brainer
Meaning
Something very easy to decide or obvious.
In a sentence
Taking the higher-paying job was a no-brainer.
THE IDIOM COLLECTION
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English expression
Make ends meet
Meaning
To have enough money to cover expenses.
In a sentence
With rising costs, it’s hard to make ends meet.
English expression
Let the chips fall where they may
Meaning
To act and accept whatever consequences follow.
In a sentence
I’ll tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may.
English expression
Keep something at bay
Meaning
To keep an unwanted thing away, hold it off, or prevent it from becoming a greater problem.
In a sentence
Covered containers helped keep unwanted insects at bay.
English expression
Jump to conclusions
Meaning
To decide something without having all the facts.
In a sentence
Don’t jump to conclusions before hearing the full story.
English expression
In black and white
Meaning
In written form, so the wording can be read and checked. In another use, in black and white describes a view that allows only sharp opposites rather than shades of difference.
In a sentence
The agreement was set out in black and white.
English expression
Hit the road
Meaning
To leave or start a journey
In a sentence
We’d better hit the road before it gets dark.
English expression
Go out on a limb
Meaning
To take a risk.
In a sentence
I’ll go out on a limb and say they’ll win the championship.
English expression
Fall on deaf ears
Meaning
To be ignored or not considered seriously.
In a sentence
Her suggestions fell on deaf ears during the meeting.
English expression
Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning
An optimistic proverb suggesting that a difficult situation may have a positive aspect.
In a sentence
Losing that job was tough, but every cloud has a silver lining.
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