This page gathers the 4,686 dictionary entries of which at least one sense is labelled “Idiomatic” by Wiktionary. The definition shown is that sense; each word leads to its full entry. Page 21 of 47: from “horse tranquilizer” to “in order”.
- horse tranquilizer noun The drug phencyclidine (PCP).
- horse's ass noun A jerk; an unpleasant, unlikable person; an asshole.
- horseback opinion noun An opinion given without thorough consideration or a firm basis, often used in a casual or speculative way.
- horses for courses phrase Different people are suited for different jobs or situations; what is fitting in one case may not be fitting in another.
- horsetrade verb To negotiate informally, especially when bargaining or reciprocal concessions are included, frequently regarding politics.
- hose down verb To calm down a person, or a situation.
- hot air noun Empty, confused, or exaggerated talk lacking meaning or substance; bluster.
- hot and bothered adj Aggravated or irritated.
- hot desking noun The working practice of sharing desks or workstations between workers, as a means of saving space and resources.
- hot garbage noun Anything that is extremely bad, low-quality, or worthless.
- hot hand noun Used in reference to a player who makes a series of successful shots in a game.
- hot minute noun A long period of time.
- hot on adj Enthusiastic for.
- hot potato noun An unwanted problem that is awkward or delicate.
- hot stuff noun An attractive person. (often used as a come-on or pickup line)
- hot under the collar adj Angry; agitated.
- hot water noun A dangerous situation; trouble.
- hotlist noun A list of items of special interest (such as highest priority, likelihood, risk, or otherwise).
- hotstep verb Of a person, to dance with energy, style, and enthusiasm.
- hotstepper noun Someone who walks with confidence and style, often exuding charisma and a strong presence.
- hotter than a pistol adj Exceptionally popular, productive, or marketable.
- house cooling party noun A party to celebrate when a person decides to leave a house or flat, and sometimes to help prepare the space for the incoming residents.
- house nigger noun A subservient or accultured black person; an Uncle Tom or black race traitor.
- house of cards noun A structure or argument built on a shaky foundation.
- house poor adj In financial difficulty because of the excessive cost of owning a house, or because the cost of home ownership forms too high a proportion…
- housewarming noun A party to celebrate moving into a new home.
- how are you phrase An informal greeting, not requiring a literal response. In form a question, and thus followed by a question mark. Typical responses include
- how so phrase Why?; For what reason?
- how's the weather phrase Indicating a change of subject to unimportant topics.
- human touch noun The ability of a person to deal with others in a personable and empathetic way.
- humble pie noun Humility, being humble.
- hunch over verb To bend or stoop to issues that may not warrant such attention.
- hunker down verb To take shelter; to prepare oneself for some eventuality; to focus on a task.
- hurler on the ditch noun A person standing on the side of a hurling field issuing (unsolicited and usually unwanted) instructions to the hurlers.
- hurlyburly noun A noisy and disorderly tumult and confusion, especially as of battle.
- hurry up and wait verb To hurry to complete a task or arrive at a destination by a specified time, only for nothing to happen, due to other requirements that have…
- hutch up verb To move slightly (sideways), in order to make room for someone; for example to move in a bed to make room for someone else to lie on, or to…
- hydrogen burning noun The nucleosynthesis process, in stars of less than 1.2 solar mass, in which hydrogen is converted to helium, deuterium and some lithium.
- I can tell you phrase Emphasises the truth of a statement.
- I choose violence phrase Used to express that one is firmly committed to making one's own choice(s) regardless of disapproval from others.
- I fear phrase Used in embarrassment.
- I hardly know her phrase A joking retort that draws attention to the possibility of sexual innuendo when a word ends with a schwar.
- I just work here phrase Indicates that the speaker cannot answer their interrogator's question, because of lack of experience with or knowledge on the topic.
- I rest my case phrase The previous statement or proclamation encapsulates my view.
- I see, said the blind man phrase Expressing confusion.
- I tell a lie phrase I am mistaken; I thought that what I said (or wrote) was true, but I have just realised that it is not.
- I tell you phrase Synonym of I can tell you.
- I'll be bound intj An expression of surprise.
- I'll be damned intj An expression of surprise.
- I'm here all week phrase Said after making a joke.
- I'm not telling you phrase Used to express that someone doesn't need to know something, typically because it is a secret (sometimes used as a way to attempt to hide…
- I'm not the one phrase A warning to an individual who has greatly offended one's dignity or has acted or spoken insolently.
- I'm sure phrase Used as an interjection to indicate denial or contradiction in response to an assertion or accusation.
- ice maiden noun An ice queen; a beautiful but heartless woman.
- ice queen noun A beautiful but heartless woman.
- ice-calm adj Extremely calm
- ice-cold adj Very cold.
- icing on the cake noun A thing which intensifies the appreciation of something already good, or (ironic) the regretting of something already bad.
- idiot mittens noun Mittens connected by yarn or string (idiot string (Canadian English)) running through one sleeve, along the back and out at the other…
- if anything adv Used to suggest or state tentatively that something may be the case (often the opposite of something previously implied).
- if I'm not there, start without me phrase I am not interested in the event and do not plan to attend.
- if only conj I wish that; would (that) (archaic). Signifies a wish or desire for the present or the future.
- if the shoe fits, wear it proverb If a description fits, it is probably the case; if an insult accurately describes you, you must bear it; if you take offence at an insult…
- improve the occasion verb To point out a moral to be learned from some event that has just occurred.
- in a bind prep_phrase In a difficult situation, usually of one's own making; having a dilemma; faced with a problem or a set of problems for which there is no…
- in a box prep_phrase Under very restrictive limits or boundaries.
- in a bubble prep_phrase In a state of isolation or insulation from the outside world.
- in a corner prep_phrase Placed in a difficult or awkward situation.
- in a right state adj in a mess or in a state of chaos; very unkempt, in poor condition.
- in a rut prep_phrase To be stuck in a boring or monotonous routine or habit.
- in a state prep_phrase Agitated and anxious.
- in all one's glory phrase Completely naked.
- in any case prep_phrase Regardless (of an aforementioned point).
- in any event prep_phrase At any rate: anyhow, regardless (emphasizing that a point doesn't matter or hardly matters).
- in bed prep_phrase Regarding sexual activities.
- in black and white prep_phrase Explicitly, in writing, clearly and without doubt or misunderstanding, without any grey areas.
- in business adj Ready to proceed in a desired activity.
- in character prep_phrase Acting as the character, not as oneself.
- in cold blood prep_phrase In a ruthless and unfeeling manner, particularly as applied to first-degree murder committed without provocation and with malice…
- in concert prep_phrase Acting together.
- in detail prep_phrase Thoroughly; including every detail; with all particulars.
- in diapers prep_phrase In the very early stages of development.
- in Dutch prep_phrase In trouble or in disfavor.
- in evidence prep_phrase Visibly present; noticeable.
- in fee prep_phrase Of an estate in land, inherited or owned by one who has the absolute right to dispose of the land as they desire, including the right to…
- in fighting trim prep_phrase in good preparation or condition; ready to confront a challenge.
- in focus prep_phrase Clearly perceived.
- in for it adj Irrevocably committed to something.
- in harness prep_phrase In the midst of the working routine; at work.
- in high dudgeon prep_phrase Resentfully or furiously, with indignation or pomposity.
- in kind adv In a reciprocal manner; in a similar way; in the same kind.
- in light of prep Given, considering.
- in line adj Suitable or appropriate; keeping with expectations, norms, ideals, or rules.
- in living memory prep_phrase In recent history, in recorded history amongst the lifespan of extant people; events or situations which can be remembered by people that…
- in no time prep_phrase Very soon.
- in on prep Being or made privy to, a participant in, involved in, included in, or informed of (usually something private or secret, especially a plan…
- in one's bones prep_phrase (of a feeling, belief, etc.) Derived from instinct, intuition, or an ingrained inclination.
- in one's dreams prep_phrase Used to express the speaker's belief that a preceding statement expressed a desired rather than an actual state of affairs.
- in one's head prep_phrase Within one's intellect, memory, or mind.
- in order adv Emphasizes that what follows immediately is the purpose of the preceding or the beyond.