against all odds »
Despite seemingly insurmountable opposition or probability.
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all nations »
A composition of all the different spirits sold in a dram-shop, collected in a vessel into which the drainings of the bottles and quartern pots are emptied.
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arse about face »
Something that is placed or arranged the opposite way to the way it should be.
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assume the mantle »
To take on a specific role or position, along with any associated responsibilites.
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at loose ends »
In an uncertain position or situation.
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at the ready »
Ready; in a state of preparation or waiting; in position or anticipation.
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back down »
To take a less aggressive position in a conflict than one previously has or has planned to.
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be at one's beck and call »
To be in the position of serving someone in any way they desire, usually unwillingly.
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bed of roses »
A comfortable or luxurious position.
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bench jockey »
A baseball term for a player, coach or manager who is annoying and distracts opposition players and umpires from his team's dugout bench with verbal repartee.
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bring down »
To make a legitimate rulership lose their position of power.
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bring up »
To bring from a lower position to a higher position.
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bump up »
To give a more prominent place to; to advance position in queue.
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bundle of nerves »
A person with an especially nervous, excitable, or fearful disposition.
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but then »
Then again, on the other hand; used to show that the opposite viewpoint is possible.
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catbird seat »
Expression used to describe an enviable position, often one of great advantage.
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center field »
The defensive position in the outfield in the middle, typically played by a player that can run fast.
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check out »
To obtain computer source code from a repository.
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cherry pick »
To position oneself near the opponent's goal to attempt to receive an errant or intentional pass for an easy score, as in basketball or versions of soccer where offsides are not enforced.
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come about »
To tack; to change tack; to maneuver the bow of a sailing vessel across the wind so that the wind changes from one side of the vessel to the other; to position a boat with respect to the wind after tacking.
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come up »
To come to a higher position.
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cowgirl position »
A sex position in which the man lies on his back, and the woman sits on top of him facing him.
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cutting edge »
The forefront, or position of greatest advancement in some field.
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damn by association »
Discredit or condemn a position, person, or thing by attacking those things with which he/she/it is associated.
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diamond in the rough »
A person whose goodness or other positive qualities are hidden by a harsh or unremarkable surface appearance.
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draw back »
To retreat from a position.
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drop off »
To deliver; to deposit or leave.
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eat one's hat »
Used in a result clause to express disbelief in the conditional clause proposition.
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fall in »
Of a soldier, to get into position in a rank.
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fall on one's sword »
To resign from a job or other position of responsibility, especially when pressured to do so.
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fall over »
To fall from an upright or standing position to a horizontal or prone position.
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fight tooth and nail »
To use every means possible to overcome a difficult opposition.
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first among equals »
A person or position that if formally equivalent to others in a group, but is superior in some attribute.
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flipside »
A necessary consequence or corollary of something; especially one seen as opposite, or as pro versus con.
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get busy »
Start working, usually in opposition to idleness.
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give the devil his due »
To acknowledge the positive qualities of a person who is unpleasant or disliked.
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go from zero to hero »
To change from negative outcome to positive outcome. To improve one's fortunes significantly.
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happy medium »
A balanced position between two opposite extremes.
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have an axe to grind »
To have a dispute, resentment, or grudge, sometimes with a disposition to act on that resentment covertly; to have a bias; to take issue with something.
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high ground »
A position of advantage or superiority in a conflict or competition.
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hold all the aces »
To be in a strong position when one is competing with someone else, having all the advantages.
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hold the fort »
To maintain a secure position.
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hunker down »
To stubbornly hold to a position.
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if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen »
If you cannot handle the pressure, you should not be in a position where you have to deal with it.
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in for an inch, in for a mile »
Given that one is partly involved in or committed to a project, action, position, etc., there is no reason to refrain from becoming fully involved or fully committed.
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in hot water »
In trouble; in the position of arousing somebody's anger or displeasure.
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in line »
Positioned in a straight line.
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in line »
To assume a position in the future.
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in the black »
Having positive net income; having greater income than expenses; making a profit.
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in the fast lane »
In a lifestyle, employment position, or other set of circumstances where the rapid pace is exciting, frantic, or risky.
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jump »
To employ a move in certain board games where one game piece is moved from one legal position to another passing over the position of another piece.
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jump down »
To leave an elevated position to a lower position by one jump.
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jump up »
To move from one position to a higher position by one jump.
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keep it up »
To maintain or continue a positive streak.
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keep on »
To remain in an existing position.
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kill the rabbit »
To get a positive test result from an old-fashioned pregnancy test.
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lap of luxury »
A position or situation in which one is spoiled and indulged.
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lay down »
To lie down; to place oneself in a reclined or horizontal position, on a bed or similar, for the purpose of resting.
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left field »
The defensive position in the outfield to the left.
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lift up »
To elevate to a higher position.
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loaded word »
Any word, set phrase or idiom that has strong positive or negative connotations beyond their ordinary definition.
|
man up »
To staff adequately; to staff up; to successfully fill all needed labor positions.
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middle ground »
A compromise position between extremes.
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moral high ground »
A position or point of view which is ethically superior or more reputable, in comparison to others which are under consideration.
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muckety muck »
A person in a position of power, authority, or status.
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nod off »
To fall asleep, especially while in a seated position or in inappropriate circumstances.
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off the back foot »
From a defensive position.
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on one's watch »
During the period of time when one is in a position of authority or responsibility.
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on opposite sides of the barricades »
Of starkly different, opposite views on an issue.
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on the bubble »
Holding the last qualifying position with qualification still in progress, and thus liable to lose that position.
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on the plus side »
Positively; from a favorable view or perspective.
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on the pull »
Seeking the intimate company of a member of the opposite sex.
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on top »
In a dominant position.
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opposite number »
A person who holds a position in an organization that corresponds to that held by another person in an other organization; a counterpart.
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opposites attract »
people who are completely different make ideal partners.
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out of character »
Inconsistent with one's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour.
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out on a limb »
in a precarious position
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peachy keen »
Extremely good, exactly right; all right. Often used in the negative or with an ironic or sarcastic connotation to mean the opposite.
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pit against »
To set someone in opposition to someone else.
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put one's best foot forward »
To show oneself in the best or most positive way possible; to make a favorable impression.
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red letter day »
Usually very positive, sometimes very negative.
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road apple »
Horse manure, especially when deposited on a road.
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rose-colored glasses »
An optimistic perception of something; a positive opinion; seeing something in a positive way, often thinking of it as better than it actually is.
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run for »
To try to obtain political position through the democratic voting process.
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run hot and cold »
To alternate between two opposite extremes, such as enthusiasm and disinterest or success and failure.
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showstopper »
A performance or segment of a theatrical production that induces a positive reaction strong enough to pause the production.
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sit back »
To recline while still in a seated position, with one's back on the frame of the seat.
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sit out »
To escape a hold while face-down by swinging one's legs around into the sitting position.
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spring in one's step »
Enthusiasm, energy or a positive outlook or cheerful attitude.
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square off »
To get in the fighting position.
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square up »
To get in the fighting position.
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stand one's ground »
To attempt to hold a position in battle.
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stand one's ground »
To maintain or stick by an opinion or position; to remain resolute in the face of opposition.
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stand up »
To rise from a lying or sitting position.
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stand up »
To bring something up and set it into a standing position.
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stick one's neck out »
To take a risk, putting oneself in a vulnerable position.
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switch off »
To turn a switch to the "off" position in order to stop or disable a device.
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switch on »
To turn a switch to the "on" position in order to start or enable a device.
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take down »
To remove something from a hanging position.
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take up with »
To be contented to receive; to receive without opposition; to put up with.
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tell you the truth »
Used to positively assert the frank honesty of an associated statement of set of statements; equivalent to "to you tell the truth".
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tight spot »
A difficult position.
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turn against »
To rotate against or in opposition to something.
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turn down »
To reposition by turning, flipping, etc. in a downward direction.
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turn up »
To reposition by rotating, flipping, etc. upwards.
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ups and downs »
Periods of positive and negative events, moods, or interactions; highs and lows.
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vote in »
To collectively approve a nominee into an office or position as a result of voting.
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vote out »
To expel the holder of an office or other position through an act of voting.
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walk the line »
To maintain an intermediate position between contrasting choices, opinions, etc..
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walk the plank »
To be forced to resign from a position in an organization.
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wear rose-colored glasses »
To see the positive in things while being oblivious to the negative.
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write up »
To write about positively.
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you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar »
It's easier to persuade others with polite requests and a positive attitude than with rude demands and negativity.
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you can hang your hat on that »
It's something to put faith in, to rely upon or trust (when used in a positive connotation).
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you only get what you give »
There is a positive correlation between the effort one puts in and the benefits one receives.
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