Idioms Translator
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Base language: EN
Letter: l
Total idioms: 9858 - currently selected: 488 (50 per page)Light bulb moment
Details:
A light bulb moment is when you have a sudden moment of inspiration, comprehension or realization.
Examples:
Harry had a light-bulb moment when he finally realized what was blocking the mechanism.
A light bulb moment is when you have a sudden moment of inspiration, comprehension or realization.
Examples:
Harry had a light-bulb moment when he finally realized what was blocking the mechanism.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Light in the loafers
Details:
light in the loafers (comparative more light in the loafers, superlative most light in the loafers)
1. (idiomatic, slang, pejorative, dated) Gay; homosexual.
Examples:
light in the loafers (comparative more light in the loafers, superlative most light in the loafers)
1. (idiomatic, slang, pejorative, dated) Gay; homosexual.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Light painting
Details:
light painting (countable and uncountable, plural light paintings)
1. (uncountable) The artistic technique of moving a light source to selectively illuminate parts of the subject or scene a camera is recording (at a slow shutter speed), or to shine directly into the camera and in this way sketch.
2. (uncountable) Camera painting, the artistic technique of moving a camera (whi
Examples:
light painting (countable and uncountable, plural light paintings)
1. (uncountable) The artistic technique of moving a light source to selectively illuminate parts of the subject or scene a camera is recording (at a slow shutter speed), or to shine directly into the camera and in this way sketch.
2. (uncountable) Camera painting, the artistic technique of moving a camera (whi
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Light up
Details:
light up (third-person singular simple present lights up, present participle lighting up, simple past and past participle lit up)
1. (transitive) To bring light to something, to brighten.
2. (intransitive) To become light, to brighten.
? He saw Mary and his face lit up.
3. (intransitive) To light a cigarette, pipe, etc.
? Smoking in this bui
Examples:
light up (third-person singular simple present lights up, present participle lighting up, simple past and past participle lit up)
1. (transitive) To bring light to something, to brighten.
2. (intransitive) To become light, to brighten.
? He saw Mary and his face lit up.
3. (intransitive) To light a cigarette, pipe, etc.
? Smoking in this bui
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Light years ahead
Details:
If something is light years ahead, it is far more advanced in tems of development or progress.
Examples:
We've got to invest more in research - our competitors' new product is light years ahead!
If something is light years ahead, it is far more advanced in tems of development or progress.
Examples:
We've got to invest more in research - our competitors' new product is light years ahead!
Detalii:
Exemple:
Lighten someone's purse
Details:
lighten someone's purse
1. (idiomatic) to take money from someone.
Examples:
lighten someone's purse
1. (idiomatic) to take money from someone.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Lighten up
Details:
lighten up (third-person singular simple present lightens up, present participle lightening up, simple past and past participle lightened up)
1. (idiomatic) To become less serious and more cheerful or casual; to relax.
? I wish he'd lighten up a bit and realize that we were only joking.
Examples:
lighten up (third-person singular simple present lightens up, present participle lightening up, simple past and past participle lightened up)
1. (idiomatic) To become less serious and more cheerful or casual; to relax.
? I wish he'd lighten up a bit and realize that we were only joking.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Lightning in a bottle
Details:
lightning in a bottle (uncountable)
1. (idiomatic) A difficult or challenging feat, particularly to attempt such a feat.
2. (idiomatic) Great, unlikely, fleeting success, particularly entrepreneurial or media.
3. (idiomatic) Ephemeral state or atmosphere, as at startup company or artistic group.
4. (obsolete) Stored electricity, as in a capacitor.
Examples:
lightning in a bottle (uncountable)
1. (idiomatic) A difficult or challenging feat, particularly to attempt such a feat.
2. (idiomatic) Great, unlikely, fleeting success, particularly entrepreneurial or media.
3. (idiomatic) Ephemeral state or atmosphere, as at startup company or artistic group.
4. (obsolete) Stored electricity, as in a capacitor.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Lightning-quick
Details:
lightning-quick (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) Incredibly fast
Examples:
lightning-quick (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) Incredibly fast
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like (putting) lipstick on a pig
Details:
This expression means that to 'dress up' something unappealing or ugly, in a vain attempt to make it look better, is like putting lipstick on a pig.
Examples:
Flowers on that ugly old bridge would be (like putting) lipstick on a pig!
This expression means that to 'dress up' something unappealing or ugly, in a vain attempt to make it look better, is like putting lipstick on a pig.
Examples:
Flowers on that ugly old bridge would be (like putting) lipstick on a pig!
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a bat out of hell
Details:
If something moves like a bat out of hell, it moves very quickly.
like a bat out of hell
1. (simile) With crazy or excessive intensity or speed.
? He came tearing around the corner like a bat out of hell and nearly ran us over.
Examples:
He grabbed the envelope and ran like a bat out of hell.
If something moves like a bat out of hell, it moves very quickly.
like a bat out of hell
1. (simile) With crazy or excessive intensity or speed.
? He came tearing around the corner like a bat out of hell and nearly ran us over.
Examples:
He grabbed the envelope and ran like a bat out of hell.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a bear with a sore head
Details:
If someone is behaving like a bear with a sore head, they are very irritable and bad-tempered.
like a bear with a sore head (not comparable)
1. (simile) Very irritable; bad-tempered.
Examples:
When his team lost the match, Brad was like a bear with a sore head.
If someone is behaving like a bear with a sore head, they are very irritable and bad-tempered.
like a bear with a sore head (not comparable)
1. (simile) Very irritable; bad-tempered.
Examples:
When his team lost the match, Brad was like a bear with a sore head.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a blue-arsed fly
Details:
like a blue-arsed fly
1. (simile) To be frantic, harried or restless
Examples:
like a blue-arsed fly
1. (simile) To be frantic, harried or restless
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a bull in a china shop
Details:
like a bull in a china shop
1. (simile) Clumsy, aggressive, without care or concern, without self-control.
like a bull in a china shop
1. (simile) Clumsily, aggressively, without care or concern, without self-control.
Examples:
like a bull in a china shop
1. (simile) Clumsy, aggressive, without care or concern, without self-control.
like a bull in a china shop
1. (simile) Clumsily, aggressively, without care or concern, without self-control.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a bump on a log
Details:
like a bump on a log (not comparable)
1. (simile) idly, listlessly, or uselessly
? Jack just sat there like a bump on a log.
Examples:
like a bump on a log (not comparable)
1. (simile) idly, listlessly, or uselessly
? Jack just sat there like a bump on a log.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a cat in a strange garret
Details:
like a cat in a strange garret
1. (US, simile) Having a feeling of uncertainty and misapprehension due to being in an unfamiliar situation.
Examples:
like a cat in a strange garret
1. (US, simile) Having a feeling of uncertainty and misapprehension due to being in an unfamiliar situation.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a cat on a hot tin roof
Details:
like a cat on a hot tin roof
1. (simile, colloquial, chiefly US) Jumpy, nervous.
Examples:
like a cat on a hot tin roof
1. (simile, colloquial, chiefly US) Jumpy, nervous.
Examples:
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Exemple:
Like a cat on hot bricks
Details:
A person who is like a cat on hot bricks is very nervous or restless.
A person who is like a cat on hot bricks is very nervous or restless.
Examples:
The week before the results were published, she was like a cat on hot bricks.
A person who is like a cat on hot bricks is very nervous or restless.
A person who is like a cat on hot bricks is very nervous or restless.
Examples:
The week before the results were published, she was like a cat on hot bricks.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a cat that ate the canary
Details:
If, after an achievement or success, a person appears very self-satisfied or pleased with themselves, you can say that they look like the cat that ate the canary.
If, after an achievement or success, a person appears very self-satisfied or pleased with themselves, you can say that they look like the cat that ate the canary.
Examples:
When the boss complimented him on his work, Steve looked like the cat that ate the canary.
If, after an achievement or success, a person appears very self-satisfied or pleased with themselves, you can say that they look like the cat that ate the canary.
If, after an achievement or success, a person appears very self-satisfied or pleased with themselves, you can say that they look like the cat that ate the canary.
Examples:
When the boss complimented him on his work, Steve looked like the cat that ate the canary.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a charm
Details:
like a charm
1. Very effectively.
? The sales pitch worked like a charm.
Examples:
like a charm
1. Very effectively.
? The sales pitch worked like a charm.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a chicken with its head cut off
Details:
like a chicken with its head cut off
1. (idiomatic) In a frantic, disorganized manner.
Examples:
like a chicken with its head cut off
1. (idiomatic) In a frantic, disorganized manner.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a chicken with the pip
Details:
like a chicken with the pip
1. (dated, idiomatic) In a weakened, confused, or sickly manner.
Examples:
like a chicken with the pip
1. (dated, idiomatic) In a weakened, confused, or sickly manner.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a deer/rabbit caught in the headlights
Details:
When you are so surprised that you are momentarily confused or unable to react quickly, you are like a deer (or a rabbit) caught in the headlights.
Examples:
Surprised by the journalist's question, he was like a deer caught in the headlights.
When you are so surprised that you are momentarily confused or unable to react quickly, you are like a deer (or a rabbit) caught in the headlights.
Examples:
Surprised by the journalist's question, he was like a deer caught in the headlights.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a dog in heat
Details:
like a dog in heat
1. (simile) Very energetic and enthusiastic, especially when sexually aroused.
Examples:
like a dog in heat
1. (simile) Very energetic and enthusiastic, especially when sexually aroused.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a dog on heat
Details:
like a dog on heat
1. (simile) Very energetic and enthusiastic, especially when sexually aroused.
Examples:
like a dog on heat
1. (simile) Very energetic and enthusiastic, especially when sexually aroused.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a dog with a bone
Details:
like a dog with a bone
1. (simile) Stubborn; persistent; relentless; dogged
Examples:
like a dog with a bone
1. (simile) Stubborn; persistent; relentless; dogged
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a dog with two tails
Details:
If someone is like a dog with two tails, they are extremely happy.
Examples:
When Paul won the first prize he was like a dog with two tails.
If someone is like a dog with two tails, they are extremely happy.
Examples:
When Paul won the first prize he was like a dog with two tails.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a duck takes to water
Details:
like a duck takes to water
1. (simile) Very naturally; without effort.
? She started skating and she learned how quickly, like a duck takes to water.
Examples:
like a duck takes to water
1. (simile) Very naturally; without effort.
? She started skating and she learned how quickly, like a duck takes to water.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a hawk
Details:
like a hawk
1. (simile) With particular vigilance or attention, implying sharp vision.
? If you find one you like, plan to guard it like a hawk until the purchase is finalized.
Examples:
like a hawk
1. (simile) With particular vigilance or attention, implying sharp vision.
? If you find one you like, plan to guard it like a hawk until the purchase is finalized.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a headless chicken
Details:
If a person rushes about like a headless chicken, they act in a disorderly way, without thinking or analyzing the situation carefully.
If a person rushes about like a headless chicken, they act in a disorderly way, without thinking or analyzing the situation carefully.
Examples:
As soon as the store opened, my mother started running around like a headless chicken, eager to find bargains.
If a person rushes about like a headless chicken, they act in a disorderly way, without thinking or analyzing the situation carefully.
If a person rushes about like a headless chicken, they act in a disorderly way, without thinking or analyzing the situation carefully.
Examples:
As soon as the store opened, my mother started running around like a headless chicken, eager to find bargains.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a kid in a candy store
Details:
like a kid in a candy store
1. (simile) Elated or excited as a result of having many options to choose from.
Examples:
like a kid in a candy store
1. (simile) Elated or excited as a result of having many options to choose from.
Examples:
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Exemple:
Like a lamb to the slaughter
Details:
like a lamb to the slaughter
1. (simile) helplessly and innocently, without knowing the unpleasant consequences.
Examples:
like a lamb to the slaughter
1. (simile) helplessly and innocently, without knowing the unpleasant consequences.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a man
Details:
like a man
1. (colloquial, simile) bravely, decisively and without complaining
? Don't be a wimp, deal with it like a man!
Examples:
like a man
1. (colloquial, simile) bravely, decisively and without complaining
? Don't be a wimp, deal with it like a man!
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a million bucks
Details:
like a million bucks
1. (simile, colloquial) extremely good or well
? After that vacation I feel like a million bucks.
Examples:
like a million bucks
1. (simile, colloquial) extremely good or well
? After that vacation I feel like a million bucks.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a million dollars
Details:
like a million dollars
1. (simile, colloquial) extremely good or well
? After that vacation I feel like a million dollars
Examples:
like a million dollars
1. (simile, colloquial) extremely good or well
? After that vacation I feel like a million dollars
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a moth to a flame
Details:
To say that a person is attracted to someone or something like a moth to a flame means that the attraction is so strong they cannot resist.
Examples:
He's drawn to the casino like a moth to a flame.
To say that a person is attracted to someone or something like a moth to a flame means that the attraction is so strong they cannot resist.
Examples:
He's drawn to the casino like a moth to a flame.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a red flag to a bull
Details:
To say that a statement or action is like a red flag to a bull means that it is sure to make someone very angry or upset.
To say that a statement or action is like a red flag to a bull means that it is sure to make someone very angry or upset.
Examples:
Don't mention Tom's promotion to Mike. It would be like a red flag to a bull!
To say that a statement or action is like a red flag to a bull means that it is sure to make someone very angry or upset.
To say that a statement or action is like a red flag to a bull means that it is sure to make someone very angry or upset.
Examples:
Don't mention Tom's promotion to Mike. It would be like a red flag to a bull!
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a scalded cat
Details:
If something or something moves like a scalded cat, they move very fast, usually because they are frightened or shocked.
If something or something moves like a scalded cat, they move very fast, usually because they are frightened or shocked.
Examples:
As soon as he saw the policeman, he ran off like a scalded cat.
If something or something moves like a scalded cat, they move very fast, usually because they are frightened or shocked.
If something or something moves like a scalded cat, they move very fast, usually because they are frightened or shocked.
Examples:
As soon as he saw the policeman, he ran off like a scalded cat.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a shot
Details:
If you do something like a shot, you do it very quickly, without any hesitation.
Examples:
If I won a lot of money on the lotto, I'd leave my job like a shot!
If you do something like a shot, you do it very quickly, without any hesitation.
Examples:
If I won a lot of money on the lotto, I'd leave my job like a shot!
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a sore thumb
Details:
If something sticks out like a sore thumb, it is very obvious or visible in an unpleasant way.
Examples:
The modern building sticks out like a sore thumb among the old houses.
If something sticks out like a sore thumb, it is very obvious or visible in an unpleasant way.
Examples:
The modern building sticks out like a sore thumb among the old houses.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a thief in the night
Details:
Someone who acts like a thief in the night does something secretly or in an unexpected manner.
Examples:
He left the company like a thief in the night, without telling his colleagues or saying goodbye.
Someone who acts like a thief in the night does something secretly or in an unexpected manner.
Examples:
He left the company like a thief in the night, without telling his colleagues or saying goodbye.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a train
Details:
like a train
1. (simile, UK) With unstoppable momentum.
Examples:
like a train
1. (simile, UK) With unstoppable momentum.
Examples:
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a deer/rabbit caught in the headlights
Details:
When you are so surprised that you are momentarily confused or unable to react quickly, you are like a deer (or a rabbit) caught in the headlights.
Examples:
Surprised by the journalist's question, he was like a deer caught in the headlights.
When you are so surprised that you are momentarily confused or unable to react quickly, you are like a deer (or a rabbit) caught in the headlights.
Examples:
Surprised by the journalist's question, he was like a deer caught in the headlights.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a dog with two tails
Details:
If someone is like a dog with two tails, they are extremely happy.
If someone is like a dog with two tails, they are extremely happy.
Examples:
When Paul won the first prize he was like a dog with two tails.
If someone is like a dog with two tails, they are extremely happy.
If someone is like a dog with two tails, they are extremely happy.
Examples:
When Paul won the first prize he was like a dog with two tails.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like a moth to a flame
Details:
To say that a person is attracted to someone or something like a moth to a flame means that the attraction is so strong they cannot resist.
Examples:
He's drawn to the casino like a moth to a flame.
To say that a person is attracted to someone or something like a moth to a flame means that the attraction is so strong they cannot resist.
Examples:
He's drawn to the casino like a moth to a flame.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like bringing a knife to a gunfight
Details:
To say that an action was like bringing a knife to a gunfight means that there was a total lack of preparation.
Examples:
Asking an inexperienced lawyer to defend such a difficult case was like bringing a knife to a gunfight!
To say that an action was like bringing a knife to a gunfight means that there was a total lack of preparation.
Examples:
Asking an inexperienced lawyer to defend such a difficult case was like bringing a knife to a gunfight!
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like cat and dog
Details:
Two people who fight or argue like cat and dog frequently have violent arguments, even though they are fond of each other.
Two people who fight or argue like cat and dog frequently have violent arguments, even though they are fond of each other.
Examples:
They fight like cat and dog but they're still together after 30 years.
Two people who fight or argue like cat and dog frequently have violent arguments, even though they are fond of each other.
Two people who fight or argue like cat and dog frequently have violent arguments, even though they are fond of each other.
Examples:
They fight like cat and dog but they're still together after 30 years.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like chalk and cheese
Details:
Two people who are like, or as different as, chalk and cheese are completely different from each other.
Examples:
I'm surprised they get on so well. They're as different as chalk and cheese.
Two people who are like, or as different as, chalk and cheese are completely different from each other.
Examples:
I'm surprised they get on so well. They're as different as chalk and cheese.
Detalii:
Exemple:
Like cheese at fourpence
Details:
like cheese at fourpence
1. (idiomatic) Of a person, to be waiting idly or timewasting.
Examples:
like cheese at fourpence
1. (idiomatic) Of a person, to be waiting idly or timewasting.
Examples:
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Exemple:
Like clockwork
Details:
To say that someone or something goes, runs or behaves like clockwork means that everything happens exactly as expected.
like clockwork (comparative more like clockwork, superlative most like clockwork)
1. (simile) With perfect regularity and precision; faultless.
? You will find him there waiting for the bus every day at 4:14 pm, like clockwork.
Examples:
Meals are always served on time. In their home everything runs like clockwork.
To say that someone or something goes, runs or behaves like clockwork means that everything happens exactly as expected.
like clockwork (comparative more like clockwork, superlative most like clockwork)
1. (simile) With perfect regularity and precision; faultless.
? You will find him there waiting for the bus every day at 4:14 pm, like clockwork.
Examples:
Meals are always served on time. In their home everything runs like clockwork.
Detalii:
Exemple:
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