1. In the nick of time: Almost too late.
You gave me that main idea help in the nick of time—my teacher just gave us a quiz on that
reading skill and I passed it!
2. Let the cat out of the bag: Tell a secret. Brady’s surprise party is going to be great if you don’t
let the cat out of the bag.
3. Let the chips fall where they may: To let something happen, no matter if it's good or
bad. Look. I'm going to just try out for the cheerleading squad and let the chips fall where
they may.
4. Lose your marbles: To go crazy; insane.
Mom has really lost her marbles; she's making me practice writing the ACT essay seven times
this week!
5. Once in a blue moon: Rarely. In Florida, the temperature drops below freezing only once in a
blue moon.
6. Plain as day: Obvious; clear. It’s plain as day that you’re in love with her, so just admit it.
7. Play second fiddle: To be less important. I hate playing second fiddle to my sister; she always
does things better than I do!
8. Put your foot in your mouth: Saying something you shouldn’t have. Jessica really put her
foot in her mouth when she asked about John’s job right after he lost it.
9. Pull yourself together: Calm down and behave normally. Pull yourself together, man! Sure,
your girlfriend just dumped you and then you got hit by a car, but you can't let those things
get you down.
10. Sick and tired: To be bothered or annoyed by. She is sick and tired of her dog chewing up her
shoes every day.
11. Sleep on it: To think about something for a while before making a decision. Don’t tell me
whether you’ll move to Texas with me or not today. Sleep on it, and get back to me tomorrow.
12. Snug as a bug in a rug: Warm and cozy; content.That baby looks as snug as a bug in a rug
cuddled up next to his mother.
13. Step up your game: To start performing better. Listen, Jen. You'd better step up your game if
you want to get all A's in Miss Finch's Physics class. She isn't easy!
14. Stick your nose into something: To interfere. Sharon always sticks her nose into everyone
else’s business.
15. Straight from the horse’s mouth: Directly from the person involved. Listen to the news
straight from the horse’s mouth; we’re all getting bonuses this week!
16. Take it easy: Relax. I know you’re not feeling well, so try to take it easy today.
17. Tip of the iceberg: The small easily visible part of a larger problem. The fact that Carrie is
dating a member of the mafia is just the tip of the iceberg; she’s also smuggling contraband
into the country.
18. To not see the wood for the trees: To be so involved with the details that you don’t get the
most important facts. She always argues about the silliest things; it’s like she can’t see the
wood for the trees.
19. Up a creek without a paddle: In an unlucky/bad situation.
If you don’t have any money to pay for the repairs we just made to your car, I guess you’re up
a creek without a paddle because you can’t have your car back.
20. You rock!: You are great. Dude. You rock. Thanks for offering to watch my pet iguana all
week.
