Idioms Translator

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Base language: EN

Letter: o

Total idioms: 9858 - currently selected: 459 (50 per page)

On one's last legs

Details:
If you are on your last legs, you are in a very weak condition or about to die.


Examples:
I was so sick that I felt as though I was on my last legs!




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On one's own

Details:
on one's own
1. (idiomatic) Alone; by oneself; without the companionship or assistance of others.
? A seven-year-old can get dressed on his own, but it might take a long time.
? I love cheese on toast, but I won't eat cheese on its own.


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On one's own account

Details:
on one's own account
1. (idiomatic) On one's own behalf.
2. (idiomatic) By oneself.
3. (idiomatic) At one's own risk.


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On one's tod

Details:
on one's tod (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic, chiefly Northern England) on one's own, alone


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On one's toes

Details:
on one's toes
1. (idiomatic) attentive, active, busy or alert.
? If you're not on your toes you'll miss something.
? I keep my students on their toes with pop quizzes.


Examples:





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On one's uppers

Details:
Someone who is on their uppers has very little money or not enough to cover their needs.


Examples:
Because he was clearly on his uppers when he was hired, he was given an advance in salary.




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On one's watch

Details:
on one's watch
1. (chiefly US, idiomatic) 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

Details:
on opposite sides of the barricades
1. (idiomatic) Of starkly different, opposite views on an issue.


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On paper

Details:
on paper
1. Used other than as an idiom: see on,‎ paper.
2. (figuratively) Based on debatable inference; in theory.


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On pins and needles

Details:
If you are on pins and needles, you are very anxious or nervous about what is going to happen.
on pins and needles
1. (idiomatic) Feeling sharp anticipation or anxiety; in a state of suspense.


Examples:
Scott was on pins and needles while he waited for the result of the exam.




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On purpose

Details:
on purpose
1. (idiomatic) Purposefully; with intention; deliberately.
? That wasn't an accident! You did it on purpose!


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On second thought

Details:
on second thought (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) After reconsidering; on further consideration.
? I originally thought that it was a good idea, but on second thought I'm not so sure.


Examples:





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On second thoughts

Details:
'On second thoughts' means that after giving the matter more thought, you have changed your mind.


Examples:
My idea was to move to an apartment, but on second thoughts, I'd rather have a garden.




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On sight

Details:
on sight (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) Immediately when sighted.
? I recognized him on sight.
2. (by extension) Immediately something has come to one's attention.
? He dismissed the idea on sight.


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On someone's account

Details:
on someone's account (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) For someone's sake.


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On steroids

Details:
on steroids (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic, informal) (usually after the name of a place or thing), to a greater degree, exaggerating the characteristics of the previously named object.
? "Panic is anxiety on steroids".
? "Iceland is like Scotland on steroids". Jeremy Clarkson, motoring writer.
? NASA's New Moon Plans: 'Apollo on Steroids', Space.com article headl


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On sufferance

Details:
on sufferance (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) Unwillingly agreed to or barely tolerated.
? I wasn't whole-hearted about the decision but couldn't think of a better one, so went along with it on sufferance for the time being.


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On tenterhooks

Details:
A person who is on tenterhooks is in a state of anxious suspense or excitement.
on tenterhooks (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) In a state of suspense or apprehension.


Examples:
The candidate were kept on tenterhooks for hours while the panel deliberated.




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On the anvil

Details:
on the anvil (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) In a state of discussion, formation, or preparation; not yet matured.


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On the back burner

Details:
on the back burner (comparative more on the back burner, superlative most on the back burner)
1. (idiomatic) Not immediate; inactive; receiving less than full or regular attention.
? That project is on the back burner until we deal with higher priorities.
on the back burner<


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On the back foot

Details:
on the back foot
1. (idiomatic) In a defensive posture; off-balance.


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On the back of

Details:
on the back of
1. (idiomatic) as a result of; after; subsequent to.


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On the ball

Details:
If you are on the ball, you are aware of what is happening and are able to deal with things quickly and intelligently.
on the ball
1. (idiomatic) Alert, active, or attentive; on top of things.
? If I had been more on the ball I would have asked when he called me.
2. (sports) Being in control of the ball


Examples:
We need someone who is really on the ball to head the fund-raising campaign. 




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On the blink

Details:
If a machine is on the blink, it is not working properly and needs servicing or repair.
on the blink
1. (idiomatic) functioning erratically, malfunctioning; not working or not working well. Usually refers to a mechanical or electrical device.
? My toaster is on the blink, making either charcoal or cold bread.


Examples:
What a nuisance! The photocopier is on the blink again.




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On the bottle

Details:
A person who drinks alcohol often and regularly is on the bottle.


Examples:
John went on the bottle when he lost his job.




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On the bounce

Details:
on the bounce (not comparable)
1. (UK, idiomatic, informal, chiefly sports) consecutively, in succession


Examples:





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On the brain

Details:
on the brain
1. (idiomatic) Obsessively in mind.
? He's only got one thing on the brain: lust.


Examples:





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On the breadline

Details:
People who live on the breadline have a very low income or barely enough money to survive.


Examples:
Due to the recent crisis, there are more people on the breadline thanever before.




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On the brink

Details:
on the brink (comparative more on the brink, superlative most on the brink)
1. (idiomatic) Very nearly; imminent; close.
? The old building seemed to be on the brink of collapse.


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On the bubble

Details:
on the bubble
1. (motor racing) Holding the last qualifying position with qualification still in progress, and thus liable to lose that position.
? Smith was on the bubble but lost out when Jones was faster by a tenth of a second.
2. (sports) Having qualification for an event depend on the upcoming performances of other competitors.
? The Knights had been on the bubble for the tournament, but pla


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On the button

Details:
on the button
1. (idiomatic) Exactly, precisely.
? They arrived at 3:30, on the button.
? Her landing was right on the button.


Examples:





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On the cards

Details:
on the cards (comparative more on the cards, superlative most on the cards)
1. (idiomatic) Likely to occur, probable.


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On the cheap

Details:
on the cheap
1. (idiomatic) Economically, especially if too economically.
? Well, if you buy things on the cheap what do you expect?


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On the clock

Details:
on the clock (not comparable)
1. (literally) Displayed on the dial of a clock (timepiece).
2. (idiomatic) Working at one's job; occupied in some manner during one's hours of remunerated employment.
3. (idiomatic) Of a taxicab, engaged for hire; displayed numerically as time or fare on the meter of a taxicab.
4. (sports) In the official time remaining in a game or other sporting event.


Examples:





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On the cuff

Details:
on the cuff (not comparable)
1. (chiefly US, idiomatic) On credit, with payment to be made later.


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On the cutting room floor

Details:
on the cutting room floor
1. (idiomatic) Not included in the finalized version of something; deliberately rejected or unintentionally overlooked.
? The experimental broccoli ice cream flavor was left on the cutting room floor after market research.


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On the defensive

Details:
on the defensive
1. (idiomatic) Prepared to defend or protect against criticism, attack or aggression.


Examples:





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On the dole

Details:
A person who receives financial assistance from the government when they are unemployed is on the dole.


Examples:
Their father is on the dole so the family is living on a tight budget.




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On the dot

Details:
on the dot
1. (idiomatic) exactly; precisely, especially of a numerical quantity
? He arrived at 10 o'clock, on the dot.


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On the double

Details:
on the double
1. (idiomatic) Rapidly or immediately.
? Fortunately, help arrived on the double, and the victim's injuries were soon treated.


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On the down-low

Details:
on the down-low (comparative more on the down-low, superlative most on the down-low)
1. (US, idiomatic, slang, euphemistic) In secret.
? I'll tell you, but keep it on the down-low.
2. (US, idiomatic, slang, euphemistic) Secretly sleeping with someone other than one's partner.
3. (African America


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On the edge of one's seat

Details:
on the edge of one's seat
1. (idiomatic) In suspense; waiting eagerly or anxiously for some resolution.
? The movie had me on the edge of my seat right from the beginning.


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On the face of

Details:
on the face of
1. (idiomatic) Notwithstanding.
? On the face of all the evidence, he was found guilty.


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On the face of it

Details:
on the face of it (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) Apparently; as far as can be seen or determined.


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On the fly

Details:
on the fly (not comparable)
1. (baseball, of the ball) Without a bounce.
? Jones caught the ball on the fly
2. (idiomatic) Spontaneously or extemporaneously; done as one goes, or during another activity.
? The software program has a table of values for some results, but calculates others on the fly.


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On the front foot

Details:
on the front foot (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) In a dominant position.


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On the game

Details:
on the game
1. (idiomatic, slang, euphemistic) Working as a prostitute.


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On the go

Details:
on the go (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic) Actively traveling; busy; moving often.
? A good suitcase is essential for someone who is on the go as much as he is.
2. Being started.
? The new initiative is now on the go.


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On the home stretch

Details:
To say that you are on the home stretch means that you are approaching the end of something such as a task, a race or a journey.


Examples:
Don't give up - we're on the home stretch now.




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On the hook

Details:
on the hook (not comparable)
1. (idiomatic, often followed by for) In debt; obligated to pay or provide; liable; responsible or blamed.


Examples:





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