English Language Learners Stack Exchange
English Language Learners Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [idiom-request]

For requests for an idiomatic English expression for a certain situation, i.e. a word or phrase which is 'typical' for English and doesn't necessarily have an equivalent in other languages.

For requests for an idiomatic English expression for a certain situation, i.e. a word or phrase which is 'typical' for English and doesn't necessarily have an equivalent in other languages.

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398 questions
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12 answers

Idiom request for describing a situation in which people pay attention to their minor problems rather than the fundamental related ones?

I'm looking for an idiom, proverb or saying that can be used for describing a situation that someone focus on the minor problems in their life rather than the basic problems that have caused those minor ones. ​​ When somebody acts like this, we…
Soudabeh
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25
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11 answers

Is there an idiom that means that you are in a very strong negotiation position in a negotiation?

Is there an idiom that means that you are in a very strong negotiation position in a negotiation? If there's no such idiom can you think of an idiom that means that you are in a stronger position than someone or something else? I am thinking of…
Sayaman
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An idiomatic expression for the situation when a punisher in fact punishes himself rather than the one he intended to punish

The context: Someone wishes to punish somebody, and the wish is so strong that whatever they think will do a lot of harm to the one planned to be punished, they do it obviously at the expense of their own welfare, much higher than the…
Victor B.
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What do you call someone who likes to pick fights?

What do you call someone who's always looking for a fight? The only adjective I'm familiar with is "shit-stirrer" (I apologize for the inappropriate language). Are there any other terms I could use that would be less slangy?
Kaique
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15
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7 answers

English equivalent for the expression "only iron can cut iron"

In my native language we have the expression "only iron can cut iron" which means: a force is best confronted with a force of the same nature, or: it takes someone at the same level as someone else to defeat them. For example: It wasn't until…
Mohammad
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2 answers

Is there an idiom that means "revealing a secret unintentionally"?

I am thinking there could be an idiom that states that you or someone revealed a secret unintentionally? Can you think of an idiom like that? I am looking for an idiom I can use to write a blog post about the recent incident where Secretary Pompeo…
aLex
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Idiom for saying something doesn't cost a lot for someone rich?

Idiom for saying something doesn't cost a lot for someone rich? 1 million is basically short change for Goldman Sachs. I thought the expression was short change, but after searching on Google, it seems that's not quite the right expression?…
Sayaman
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5 answers

Idiom for a fallacy "who are you to judge"?

I'm looking for an idiom / name describing a fallacy in which the opponent's opinion on X is discarded on grounds that the opponent doesn't know how to do/make X. Examples: How can you say this restaurant is terrible if you can barely cook? It's…
Dmitry Grigoryev
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2 answers

Have you brought a head?

When we see someone in such a rush to do something or in such a hurry to say something like good/bad news and they act all weird moving or talking fast and loud we say 'Have you brought a head?!' 'Look at him. Looks like he's brought a head.' I…
Yuri
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10
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12 answers

An idiom describing a strong desire for alcohol

Is there any idiom in English describing a strong desire to have a drink or two (or more) of an alcoholic drink? EDIT: I am interested more about an idiom describing a case of an alcoholic wanting a bottle of some alcoholic drink (for example,…
brilliant
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10
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5 answers

Term for making fun of somebody else's weakness when you have the same?

Is there a term or an idiom for something similar to pointing at somebody else's weakness when that person has the same weakness?
Amy Cohen
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9
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3 answers

Searching for an idiom to describe truth which is not exactly the truth, or a "tricky truth"

I can say almost anything what I want in English by simply thinking it first in my regional language. That's easy but the trap is idioms. In every language idioms are so wonderful as they convince the matter with beautiful words in short. In a few…
Maulik V
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9
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11 answers

Idiom for "I have just finished a great job and I'm proud"

What is an idiom of: "I have just finished a great job and I'm extremely proud of that" For example, I had been building a house for 20 years and finally built it (and want everybody to know) I thought "I've done it!" will do, but Google seems not…
Serguei
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9
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9 answers

Idiom for making others feel bad to make myself feel good?

Are there a stable expression for a situation when Person A blames B and tells how B is bad in order to make himself (A) feel good? I would say something like "feed ego at cost of others", but I google it and it looks like "feed ego" has rather…
klm123
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6 answers

Idioms of shame and embarrassment: along the lines of "lose face"

If you recommended someone for something, for example, a job, as an adult obviously, they would be responsible of their own actions. However, unacceptable misbehavior or unacceptable incompetence would affect you (not legally but rather socially)…
learner
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