English idioms: Success, And & Effort
12 idioms with meanings and example sentences, plus where many of them come from.
hit the nail on the headto be exactly rightYou hit the nail on the head with that answer.Origin: From carpenters hitting nails accurately.
the ball is in your courtit's your turn to actI've made my offer; the ball is in your court.Origin: From tennis, where the ball must be played by the receiving player.
bite off more than you can chewto take on too muchI think I bit off more than I can chew with three jobs.Origin: A literal image of too large a mouthful.
burn your bridgesto destroy a way backDon't burn your bridges when you resign.Origin: From soldiers destroying bridges to prevent retreat.
call it a dayto stop working for nowWe're tired, so let's call it a day.Origin: Uncertain; used since the 1800s.
cut to the chaseto get to the pointLet's cut to the chase: can you help or not?Origin: From early film editing that skipped to the action.
give it a shotto try somethingI'll give it a shot even though it's hard.Origin: From shooting; an attempt at a target.
hang in the balanceto be uncertainThe company's future hangs in the balance.Origin: From scales that have not settled.
jump on the bandwagonto join a popular trendEveryone jumped on the bandwagon after the team won.Origin: From circus wagons that politicians used to attract crowds.
miss the boatto lose an opportunityI missed the boat on buying cheap shares.Origin: From missing a ship's departure.
on the ballalert and competentShe's really on the ball with her deadlines.Origin: From sports, keeping attention on the ball.
rise and shinewake up and get up with energyRise and shine, it's seven o'clock!Origin: From military wake-up calls.
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