Situation Idioms
Page 1 of 6
Meaning: The plain and complete truth with nothing hidden, softened, or dressed up.
Example: After months of polite excuses, the doctor finally sat Mike down and told him the naked truth about his test results so he could decide what to do next. Read more ➺
Meaning: To grab at any idea or plan, no matter how flimsy or unlikely it is to work, simply because you are desperate and have almost nothing else left to try.
Example: After months of job hunting with nothing but silence, Mike started to clutch at straws and applied for roles he knew he was nowhere near qualified for, just hoping something might work out. Read more ➺
Meaning: A person or thing that can suddenly change the way things turn out.
Example: Mike was the real joker in the pack in the election because no one knew how he would change the result. Read more ➺
Meaning: Stay ready and hold back your resources until the right moment.
Example: House prices still looked high, so Mike decided to keep your powder dry and wait for a better opening. Read more ➺
Meaning: To succeed at something really tough or unexpected, especially when most people thought you had no chance.
Example: No one gave the underdog team a chance, but they still managed to pull it off and win the final match. Read more ➺
Meaning: A backup plan used if the original plan does not work.
Example: We packed tents as plan B in case the hotel reservation was canceled. Read more ➺
Meaning: A very innocent, inexperienced, or naive person.
Example: Emily was a babe in the woods when she joined the investment firm and knew almost nothing about the financial industry. Read more ➺
Meaning: To do something without preparation or planning.
Example: I handled the whole event by the seat of my pants because nobody gave me clear instructions. Read more ➺
Meaning: To make a decisive move or take action at an important moment.
Example: When the project started failing, the manager knew it was time to pull the lever and change the entire strategy. Read more ➺
Meaning: Noisy confusion and frantic activity.
Example: The office was full of alarums and excursions when the servers suddenly went down. Read more ➺
