A Blessing In Disguise
“When I first lost that job, I was upset. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”
“When I first lost that job, I was upset. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”
A Breath Of Fresh Air
“I love having this new student in my class. His positive attitude is a breath of fresh air.”
“I love having this new student in my class. His positive attitude is a breath of fresh air.”
A Bundle Of Nerves
“I have to give a speech tomorrow, and I am a bundle of nerves.”
“I have to give a speech tomorrow, and I am a bundle of nerves.”
A Card
“My uncle Bob is a real card.”
“My uncle Bob is a real card.”
A Case In Point
“Jane called. She will be late for this morning’s meeting.” Reply: “Case in point. We really cannot rely on her.”
“Jane called. She will be late for this morning’s meeting.” Reply: “Case in point. We really cannot rely on her.”
A Case Of Mistaken Identity
“Are you sure you are not Don Johnson?” Reply: “Really, I am not. It must be a case of mistaken identity.”
“Are you sure you are not Don Johnson?” Reply: “Really, I am not. It must be a case of mistaken identity.”
A Change Of Pace
“What would you like me to make for dinner?” Reply: “Let’s have sushi, for a change of pace.”
“What would you like me to make for dinner?” Reply: “Let’s have sushi, for a change of pace.”
A Change Of Scenery
“I just got back from Florida.” Reply: “That must have been a change of scenery.”
“I just got back from Florida.” Reply: “That must have been a change of scenery.”
A Chip Off The Old Block
“Did you meet Bill’s son at the picnic yesterday? He’s just like Bill!” Reply: “He’s a chip off the old block.”
“Did you meet Bill’s son at the picnic yesterday? He’s just like Bill!” Reply: “He’s a chip off the old block.”
A Copycat
“Stop copying my answers. You copycat!” (rude)
“Stop copying my answers. You copycat!” (rude)
A Cut Above
“I love this restuarant. It is a cut above.”
“I love this restuarant. It is a cut above.”
A Dream Come True
“Becoming a movie star was a dream come true.”
“Becoming a movie star was a dream come true.”
A Fan Of His
“Are you a Dodgers’ fan?” Reply: “No, I don’t like baseball.”
“Are you a Dodgers’ fan?” Reply: “No, I don’t like baseball.”
A Foregone Conclusion
“I knew they would lose. It was a foregone conclusion.”
“I knew they would lose. It was a foregone conclusion.”
A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed
“Hey buddy, how’s it going? You look good. I love your jacket. Do you think you can give me a ride home?” Reply: “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
“Hey buddy, how’s it going? You look good. I love your jacket. Do you think you can give me a ride home?” Reply: “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
A Game That Two Can Play
“She told the teacher what I did, but that’s a game that two can play.”
“She told the teacher what I did, but that’s a game that two can play.”
A Ghost Of A Chance
“Do you think he has a chance to win?” Reply: “He doesn’t have a ghost of a chance.”
“Do you think he has a chance to win?” Reply: “He doesn’t have a ghost of a chance.”
A Given
“I always knew that we would get married. It was a given.”
“I always knew that we would get married. It was a given.”
A Hearbeat Away
“If the president dies, who becomes the new president?” Reply: “The vice president. He’s a heartbeat away from the presidency.”
“If the president dies, who becomes the new president?” Reply: “The vice president. He’s a heartbeat away from the presidency.”
A Known Fact
“That guy is a ganster? Are you sure?” Reply: “Of course I’m sure. It’s a known fact.”
“That guy is a ganster? Are you sure?” Reply: “Of course I’m sure. It’s a known fact.”
A Labor Of Love
“You don’t mind taking care of that dog?” Reply: “It is a labor of love.”
“You don’t mind taking care of that dog?” Reply: “It is a labor of love.”
A Last Ditch Effort
“I thought for sure we would lose but we made one last ditch effort and tied the game.”
“I thought for sure we would lose but we made one last ditch effort and tied the game.”
A Leading Question
“That is a leading question. I am not going to answer it.”
“That is a leading question. I am not going to answer it.”
A Lick Of Work
“He was born wealthy, and he has never done a lick of work in his life.”
“He was born wealthy, and he has never done a lick of work in his life.”
A Little Bit
“Are you hungry?” Reply: “A little bit. You?”
“Are you hungry?” Reply: “A little bit. You?”
A Piece Of The Action
“I heard you guys are going to play a joke on Jim. I want a piece of the action.”
“I heard you guys are going to play a joke on Jim. I want a piece of the action.”
A Piercing Scream
“I was walking down Broad Street when suddenly I heard this piercing scream.”
“I was walking down Broad Street when suddenly I heard this piercing scream.”
A Pillar Of Strength
“My mother is a pillar of strength.”
“My mother is a pillar of strength.”
A Place To Call One s Own
“After renting for all these years, I really want a place to call my own.”
“After renting for all these years, I really want a place to call my own.”
A Ripe Old Age
“At the ripe old age of 45, I feel like I am just starting my life.”
“At the ripe old age of 45, I feel like I am just starting my life.”
A Ripple Of Excitement
“On election day you could feel a ripple of excitement.”
“On election day you could feel a ripple of excitement.”
A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss
“Why don’t you get married and have a family?” Reply: “A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
“Why don’t you get married and have a family?” Reply: “A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
A Rule Of Thumb
“I don’t invite people to my home unless I know them well, as a rule of thumb.”
“I don’t invite people to my home unless I know them well, as a rule of thumb.”
A Shot In The Arm
“We were really falling apart, but that goal gave us a shot in the arm.”
“We were really falling apart, but that goal gave us a shot in the arm.”
A Word To The Wise
“Here’s a word to the wise: Do not go down that street at night.”
“Here’s a word to the wise: Do not go down that street at night.”
Above And Beyond The Call Of Duty
“What that police officer did to save her life was above and beyond the call of duty.”
“What that police officer did to save her life was above and beyond the call of duty.”
Above Average
“Are you a very good tennis player?” Reply: “I’m above average.”
“Are you a very good tennis player?” Reply: “I’m above average.”
Above Suspicion
“In this case, no one person is above suspicion. Not even the president.”
“In this case, no one person is above suspicion. Not even the president.”
Acknowledge Receipt Of It
“As soon as you get the package, please call me to acknowledge receipt.”
“As soon as you get the package, please call me to acknowledge receipt.”
Across The Board
“We will have a 10 percent pay cut across the board.”
“We will have a 10 percent pay cut across the board.”
Act High And Mighty
“What are you acting so high and mighty about.”
“What are you acting so high and mighty about.”
Add Insult To Injury
“First he drives into my car. Then, to add insult to injury he says I’m parked in the wrong spot.”
“First he drives into my car. Then, to add insult to injury he says I’m parked in the wrong spot.”
Address Him As Your
“I’m not one of your college friends. Address me as your father.”
“I’m not one of your college friends. Address me as your father.”
Advise Against Something
“Do you recommend that I talk with the boss?” Reply: “I would advise against it.”
“Do you recommend that I talk with the boss?” Reply: “I would advise against it.”
After Hours
“Sorry, we don’t see patients after hours.”
“Sorry, we don’t see patients after hours.”
Ahead Of Schedule
“My software project is ahead of schedule.”
“My software project is ahead of schedule.”
Alive And Kicking
“How is your grandfather doing?” Reply: “He is alive and kicking.”
“How is your grandfather doing?” Reply: “He is alive and kicking.”
All For The Best
“Did you hear they broke up?” Reply: “It is probably all for the best. They were not getting along well.”
“Did you hear they broke up?” Reply: “It is probably all for the best. They were not getting along well.”
All Gone
“Are there any more cookies?” Reply: “All gone.”
“Are there any more cookies?” Reply: “All gone.”
All In One Piece
“Be careful. I want you home all in one piece.”
“Be careful. I want you home all in one piece.”
All In The Family
“I’m going to tell you about your uncle, but let’s keep this all in the family.”
“I’m going to tell you about your uncle, but let’s keep this all in the family.”
All Kidding Aside
“All kidding aside, I really do like her.”
“All kidding aside, I really do like her.”
All Out War
“It used to be they occastionally fired a missle. Now it’s all out war.”
“It used to be they occastionally fired a missle. Now it’s all out war.”
All Over
“Is the game still on?” Reply: “No, it’s all over.”
“Is the game still on?” Reply: “No, it’s all over.”
All Systems Are Go
“Are you ready?” Reply: “All systems are go.”
“Are you ready?” Reply: “All systems are go.”
All Talk And No Action
“John promised he would be here.” Reply: “He is all talk and no action.”
“John promised he would be here.” Reply: “He is all talk and no action.”
All The Rage
“Do you like this scarf? It is all the rage.”
“Do you like this scarf? It is all the rage.”
All Told
“How much money is missing?” Reply: “All told, 300 dollars.”
“How much money is missing?” Reply: “All told, 300 dollars.”
As An Aside
“As an aside: Is anyone hungry?”
“As an aside: Is anyone hungry?”
As Drunk As A Skunk
“Don’t go out drinking with Henry. He’ll get you as drunk as a skunk.”
“Don’t go out drinking with Henry. He’ll get you as drunk as a skunk.”
At The Present Time
“Are you hiring new people?” Reply: “Not at the present time.”
“Are you hiring new people?” Reply: “Not at the present time.”
At This Juncture
“Are you going to buy the ABC company?” Reply: “No. Not at this juncture.”
“Are you going to buy the ABC company?” Reply: “No. Not at this juncture.”
Back And Forth
“What fun could it be playing tennis? They just hit the ball back and forth all day.”
“What fun could it be playing tennis? They just hit the ball back and forth all day.”
Back Down From
“If I were you, I would back down. It is not worth fighting about.”
“If I were you, I would back down. It is not worth fighting about.”
Back East
“We just can’t wait to move back east.”
“We just can’t wait to move back east.”
Back In Circulation
“John, where have you been? It is good to see you back in circulation.”
“John, where have you been? It is good to see you back in circulation.”
Back Me Up
“I told my mom we were at the baseball game last night. Back my up.”
“I told my mom we were at the baseball game last night. Back my up.”
Back Off
“I guess I made her angry. She told me to back off and leave her alone.”
“I guess I made her angry. She told me to back off and leave her alone.”
Back Order Them
“We don’t have them in your size today. But I would be glad to back order them for you.”
“We don’t have them in your size today. But I would be glad to back order them for you.”
Back The Wrong Horse
“Who did you bet on in the superbowl?” Reply: “Arizona.” Answer: “Ouch. You backed the wrong horse.”
“Who did you bet on in the superbowl?” Reply: “Arizona.” Answer: “Ouch. You backed the wrong horse.”
Back To Square One
“After all that work, they decided not to hire me.” Reply: “Back to square one.”
“After all that work, they decided not to hire me.” Reply: “Back to square one.”
Bad As All That
“I’ve heard it is the worst place to go to school.” Reply: “It’s not as bad as all that.”
“I’ve heard it is the worst place to go to school.” Reply: “It’s not as bad as all that.”
Bad Mouthing You
“You are one of my best friends. I would never bad mouth you.”
“You are one of my best friends. I would never bad mouth you.”
Bail Me Out
“He got thrown in jail for drunk driving, but his father bailed him out.”
“He got thrown in jail for drunk driving, but his father bailed him out.”
Bait And Switch
“I thought I was buying a new one.” Reply: “It looks like they gave you the bait and switch.”
“I thought I was buying a new one.” Reply: “It looks like they gave you the bait and switch.”
Barking Up The Wrong Tree
“If you are looking for someone to lend you money, don’t talk to me. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“If you are looking for someone to lend you money, don’t talk to me. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Batten Down The Hatches
“A big rain storm is coming. We need to batten down the hatches.”
“A big rain storm is coming. We need to batten down the hatches.”
Battle It Out
“I really don’t mind where we go. I’ll let you two battle it out.”
“I really don’t mind where we go. I’ll let you two battle it out.”
Be Swimming In Something
“Do you have any ketchup left?” Reply: “We are swimming in it.”
“Do you have any ketchup left?” Reply: “We are swimming in it.”
Be The Spitting Image Of Someone
“People say I am the spitting image of my mother.”
“People say I am the spitting image of my mother.”
Bear Fruit
“Did your meeting bear fruit?”
“Did your meeting bear fruit?”
Bear In Mind
“Would you like to order dinner?” Reply: “Bear in mind that I do not speak French.”
“Would you like to order dinner?” Reply: “Bear in mind that I do not speak French.”
Beating A Path To Your Door
“I don’t see anyone beating a path to your door.”
“I don’t see anyone beating a path to your door.”
Beating Around The Bush
“Has he said that he wants to marry you?” Reply: “No, but he has been beating around the bush.”
“Has he said that he wants to marry you?” Reply: “No, but he has been beating around the bush.”
Before You Know It
“Enjoy your freedom! Before you know it, you’ll be married and settling down with children.”
“Enjoy your freedom! Before you know it, you’ll be married and settling down with children.”
Beg To Differ
“You think I am old? I beg to differ.”
“You think I am old? I beg to differ.”
Behind The Times
“My grandfather wears black socks with his shorts.” Reply: “He is so behind the times.”
“My grandfather wears black socks with his shorts.” Reply: “He is so behind the times.”
Behind Your Back
“Those two went to the boss, and they did it behind my back.”
“Those two went to the boss, and they did it behind my back.”
Belabor The Point
“I know we’ve talked about this already, and I hate to belabor the point, but I still don’t think you are understanding me.”
“I know we’ve talked about this already, and I hate to belabor the point, but I still don’t think you are understanding me.”
Better Safe Than Sorry
“Should I bring my umbrella?” Reply: “Better safe than sorry.” Answer: “Okay. I’ll go get it.”
“Should I bring my umbrella?” Reply: “Better safe than sorry.” Answer: “Okay. I’ll go get it.”
Bring Home The Bacon
“I go to work every day to bring home the bacon.”
“I go to work every day to bring home the bacon.”
Bringing Up The Rear
“There you are again Schmidt, bringing up the rear.”
“There you are again Schmidt, bringing up the rear.”
Brushing Up On
“Are you going to brush up on your Spanish before you go to Mexico?”
“Are you going to brush up on your Spanish before you go to Mexico?”
Buck Up
“Buck up. It will be okay.”
“Buck up. It will be okay.”
Bugging You
“My brother is bugging me.”
“My brother is bugging me.”
Building You Up
“Do you really mean that? or are you just building me up?”
“Do you really mean that? or are you just building me up?”
Call A Meeting
“If I call a meeting for Thursday, will you be there?”
“If I call a meeting for Thursday, will you be there?”
Call A Spade A Spade
“You can call him a nice guy if you want to but I am calling a spade a spade; that guy is a jerk.
“You can call him a nice guy if you want to but I am calling a spade a spade; that guy is a jerk.
Call It A Day
“It’s time to go home. Let’s call it a day.”
“It’s time to go home. Let’s call it a day.”
Call It A Night
“You guys are going to another bar? Not me. I’m calling it a night.”
“You guys are going to another bar? Not me. I’m calling it a night.”
Call It Quits
“It is getting dark outside. Let’s call it quits.”
“It is getting dark outside. Let’s call it quits.”
Call The Dogs Off
“I already gave you your money. Call the dogs off.”
“I already gave you your money. Call the dogs off.”
Call The Meeting To Order
“Everyone quiet down so we can call this meeting to order.”
“Everyone quiet down so we can call this meeting to order.”
Call The Roll
“Everyone be quiet. I’m going to call the roll.”
“Everyone be quiet. I’m going to call the roll.”
Call The Shots
“I’m calling the shots here. You will do what I say.”
“I’m calling the shots here. You will do what I say.”
Calling You Names
“You are a jerk!” Reply: “You don’t have to call me names.”
“You are a jerk!” Reply: “You don’t have to call me names.”
Can I Get A Rain Check
“He was going to take me to the park, but it rained, so I got a rain check.”
“He was going to take me to the park, but it rained, so I got a rain check.”
Can You Imagine
“This car only cost me $500. Can you imagine?”
“This car only cost me $500. Can you imagine?”
Cannot Help Doing Something
“When she said that, I couldn’t help laughing.”
“When she said that, I couldn’t help laughing.”
Can t Carry A Tune
“Sing with us!” Reply: “Sorry. You wouldn’t want me to. I can’t carry a tune.”
“Sing with us!” Reply: “Sorry. You wouldn’t want me to. I can’t carry a tune.”
Can t Do Anything With Someone Or Something
“Your teacher is frustrated. She says she can’t do anything with you.”
“Your teacher is frustrated. She says she can’t do anything with you.”
Can t Help But Do Something
“When she said that, I couldn’t help but laugh.”
“When she said that, I couldn’t help but laugh.”
Can t Hold A Candle To Someone
“You are a good tennis player. But you can’t hold a candle to my sister.”
“You are a good tennis player. But you can’t hold a candle to my sister.”
Can t Make Heads Or Tails Out Of Someone Or Something
“I’m looking at your computer program right now, but I can’t make heads or tails out of it.”
“I’m looking at your computer program right now, but I can’t make heads or tails out of it.”
Cap And Gown
“I love this photo of you and your friends in cap and gown.”
“I love this photo of you and your friends in cap and gown.”
Capable Of Doing Something
“Did you hear about the farmhouse murders?” Reply: “Who could be cabable of such a thing?”
“Did you hear about the farmhouse murders?” Reply: “Who could be cabable of such a thing?”
Carried Away
“You cleaned everything. Even the dog.” Reply: “Yes. I got kind of carried away.”
“You cleaned everything. Even the dog.” Reply: “Yes. I got kind of carried away.”
Carry A Secret To One s Grave
“Please, you must not tell anyone what happened.” Reply: “I will carry your secret to my grave.”
“Please, you must not tell anyone what happened.” Reply: “I will carry your secret to my grave.”
Carry A Secret To The Grave
“Please, you must not tell anyone what happened.” Reply: “I will carry it to the grave.”
“Please, you must not tell anyone what happened.” Reply: “I will carry it to the grave.”
Carry On Without Someone Or Something
“If anything ever happens to me, I want you to carry on without me.”
“If anything ever happens to me, I want you to carry on without me.”
Cash And Carry
“Sorry but there is nowhere to eat here. It is cash and carry.”
“Sorry but there is nowhere to eat here. It is cash and carry.”
Cease And Desist
Police officer says: “Sir, I want you to cease and desist from what you are doing.”
Police officer says: “Sir, I want you to cease and desist from what you are doing.”
Change Someone s Mind
“I thought you didn’t like her?” Reply: “Well, I changed my mind.”
“I thought you didn’t like her?” Reply: “Well, I changed my mind.”
Clear The Table
“Everyone is done eating. Would you like to clear the table?”
“Everyone is done eating. Would you like to clear the table?”
Don’t Put The Cart Before The Horse
“Hey! First we attatch it, then we put on the chains. Don’t put the cart before the horse.”
“Hey! First we attatch it, then we put on the chains. Don’t put the cart before the horse.”
Down The Hatch
“You want me to drink this whole thing?” Reply: “That’s right. Down the hatch!”
“You want me to drink this whole thing?” Reply: “That’s right. Down the hatch!”
Down The Street
“Where does your grandmother live?” Reply: “She’s just down the street.”
“Where does your grandmother live?” Reply: “She’s just down the street.”
Down The Tubes
“What happened to your plans for tonight?” Reply: “Down the tubes.”
“What happened to your plans for tonight?” Reply: “Down the tubes.”
Down With Some Disease
“I can’t come to work today. I’m down with the flu.”
“I can’t come to work today. I’m down with the flu.”
Downhill All The Way
“School has been difficult, but now that we have finished our exams it is downhill all the way.”
“School has been difficult, but now that we have finished our exams it is downhill all the way.”
Drag One s Feet
“I’ve wanted to start yoga for months. I’ve just been dragging my feet.”
“I’ve wanted to start yoga for months. I’ve just been dragging my feet.”
Draw A Blank
“Do you remember how to say that word in Spanish?” Reply: “I’m drawing a blank.”
“Do you remember how to say that word in Spanish?” Reply: “I’m drawing a blank.”
Draw Blood
“Ouch! I cut myself.” Reply: “Let me see. Did it draw blood?”
“Ouch! I cut myself.” Reply: “Let me see. Did it draw blood?”
Drunk As A Skunk
“Did you see Jean last night?” Reply: “Yeah. She was as drunk as a skunk.”
“Did you see Jean last night?” Reply: “Yeah. She was as drunk as a skunk.”
Early To Bed Early To Rise Makes A Man Healthy Wealthy And Wise
“All of his life, my grandfather went to bed early and got up with the sun.” Reply: “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise.”
“All of his life, my grandfather went to bed early and got up with the sun.” Reply: “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise.”
Expecting A Child
“My wife and I are expecting our first child.” Reply: “Congratulations!”
“My wife and I are expecting our first child.” Reply: “Congratulations!”
Expense Is No Object
“This year I want the company party to be fantastic. Expense is no object.”
“This year I want the company party to be fantastic. Expense is no object.”
Explain Yourself
“Please listen. I am trying to explain myself.”
“Please listen. I am trying to explain myself.”
Expressing Your Anger
“I would like to express my anger about what happened last night.”
“I would like to express my anger about what happened last night.”
Extending Credit
“I want that couch, but I really cannot afford it.” Reply: “We will extend you credit.”
“I want that couch, but I really cannot afford it.” Reply: “We will extend you credit.”
Extending Our Sympathy
“I would like to extend my sympathy for the recent death of your mother.” Reply: “I appreciate that very much.”
“I would like to extend my sympathy for the recent death of your mother.” Reply: “I appreciate that very much.”
Fair And Square
“You cheated!” Reply: “No, I did not! I beat you fair and square.”
“You cheated!” Reply: “No, I did not! I beat you fair and square.”
Familiarity Breeds Contempt
“Those two have been living together for too long. They don’t speak a word to each other.” Reply: “Familiarity breeds contempt.”
“Those two have been living together for too long. They don’t speak a word to each other.” Reply: “Familiarity breeds contempt.”
Forbidden Fruit
“The boss’s daughter may be pretty, but remember that she is forbidden fruit.”
“The boss’s daughter may be pretty, but remember that she is forbidden fruit.”
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