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 34 of 47: from “raise one's eyebrows” to “rocket scientist”.
- raise one's eyebrows verb Of a person, to be surprised.
- raise the flag and see who salutes verb To float an idea, (or otherwise do some action) to see what response or controversy (if any) it generates, usually as a preliminary step.
- raise the stakes verb To increase in significance or risk.
- raise to the purple verb To become a cardinal.
- rake together verb To collect, assemble or gather small amounts (especially of money), from various sources, with some difficulty
- rank and file noun The members of an organization, community, etc. who are not in leadership positions.
- rap someone's knuckles verb to give someone a punishment.
- rare animal noun Synonym of rare bird.
- rat race verb To partake or participate in a rat race, in all senses.
- rat run noun A small, usually minor road used by a significant amount of traffic as a short cut or to avoid congestion on more major routes.
- rat's nest noun Something that is excessively complicated, entangled, or disorderly (either physically or metaphorically).
- rattle off verb To list or recite quickly.
- raw deal noun A situation in which a person is taken advantage of or treated unfairly; a situation in which a person is led to expect something, but…
- ray of light noun An inspiring or enlightening person or thing.
- razor-sharp adj Extremely sharp.
- reach for the sky verb To aim for the best possible outcome.
- reach-around noun An ostensibly thoughtful gesture, especially one performed to win favour or mitigate unfair treatment.
- read in verb To allow access to classified information.
- read oneself in verb To read aloud the Thirty-nine Articles and the Declaration of Assent; required of a clergyman of the Church of England when he first…
- read out verb To read something and say the words to inform other people; to call.
- read someone's lips verb To pay close attention (often imperative).
- read the car verb Of a rideshare driver, to assess the mood, energy, or preferences of a passenger immediately after they enter the vehicle.
- read the green verb To determine the slope of a golf green and to analyze its surface, in order to evaluate its effect on the golf ball as it travels toward…
- read the room verb To understand the emotions and thoughts of the people present, especially to determine the kind of speech or actions that would be…
- real deal noun A thing or person that is genuine, authentic, or worthy of serious regard.
- reality check verb To check or review to make sure something is consistent, reasonable, etc.
- reality distortion field noun The persuasive ability of a leader or entrepreneur, especially in misleading or convincing others in order to promote a product or service.
- reap the whirlwind verb To suffer bad consequences for one's actions.
- rear one's head verb To appear and cause problems or stress, especially at an inopportune time (said of something or [rare] someone that is undesirable or…
- rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic verb To do something pointless or insignificant that will soon be overtaken by events, or that contributes nothing to the solution of a current…
- reason with verb To convince (someone) to do (or not do) something using rational arguments; to get (someone) to view something rationally.
- rebound relationship noun A relationship following a prior long-term relationship, usually short in duration and used to help mend the "broken heart".
- reckon without one's host verb To calculate one's bill without checking with the host or landlord; hence, to come to false conclusions, to miscalculate.
- reclaim one's time verb To assert control over one's allotted time, in order to stop interruptions and regain speaking time during a parliamentary procedure.
- record book noun A book which lists record-breaking achievements.
- Red Baron noun A hotshot fighter pilot.
- red face test noun A hypothetical test of a person's embarrassment that is either passed or failed. Saying one passes the red face test means one would not…
- red flag noun Something that will enrage a particular person; a red rag.
- red ink noun Financial loss.
- red letter day noun A particularly significant day; a day of personal or sectarian celebration.
- red light noun A denial to proceed a ruling out of any possibility.
- red meat noun Fresh, inspiring, or inflammatory topics or information.
- red tape noun Time-consuming regulations or bureaucratic procedures.
- red-handed adj Showing clear evidence of guilt; in the act of wrongdoing.
- rediscover fire verb To relearn fundamental concepts, principles or practices that had been previously well known and widely practiced at a prior time in human…
- reel in verb To bring in (e.g. by attractive offers or persuasion); to lure.
- reel off verb To list effortlessly and quickly.
- reheat someone's nachos verb To recreate or emulate something done before; to rehash; usually refers to celebrities or influencers.
- reinvent the wheel verb To do work unnecessarily when it has already been done satisfactorily by others; to attempt to devise a solution to a problem when a…
- release the kraken verb To unleash a greatly destructive force.
- rend one's garments verb To fret or moan in an excessive or theatrical manner.
- rent-lowering gunshot noun An action, often with a potential perceived negative quality to it, done to drive away people who would see such as negative.
- reopen old wounds verb To cause the memory of past trauma to be recalled, resulting in renewed suffering.
- retrace one's steps verb To return to a place one has been to before.
- return the favor verb To do something for someone, or to someone, similar to what they did for you or to you (whether good or bad).
- return to form noun A return to a former state of success or brilliance.
- rev up verb To increase the speed of an engine, especially that of a stationary motor car.
- revolve around verb To be essentially connected with; to concern.
- revolving door syndrome noun A situation in which employee turnover in an organization is inordinately high.
- rhyme off verb To list or recite quickly.
- rich bitch noun A person of any gender who combines affluence with abusive or entitled behavior.
- ridden hard and put away wet adj Mistreated; not properly cared for.
- riddle me that, Batman phrase Said to demand that the listener take notice of a question or situation just mentioned, especially one that is particularly difficult to…
- ride down verb To cause (a horse) to fall when riding.
- ride fence verb To proactively maintain or police social or personal boundaries.
- ride hard and put away wet verb To mistreat (someone or something); to not properly care for.
- ride high verb To enjoy good fortune; to be in a privileged situation; to be particularly happy or proud.
- ride on a rail verb To be subjected to a punishment most prevalent in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries in which an offender was made to…
- ride one's bumper verb To tailgate.
- ride out verb To tackle a difficult situation and survive; to survive through; to weather.
- ride roughshod over verb To treat (someone) roughly or without care, control, moderation, or respect; to act in a bullying manner toward (someone); to damage…
- ride shotgun verb To accompany the driver of a vehicle on a journey as an armed escort (originally with a shotgun); (by extension) to accompany someone in…
- ride tall in the saddle verb To act or conduct oneself in a manner that is imposing, impressive, resolute, or manly.
- ride the crest of the wave verb To go through a period of maximal prosperity.
- ride the short bus verb To participate in a special education program, such as for those with learning disabilities.
- rig out verb to provide with equipment or gear
- right away adv Very soon; quickly; immediately.
- right on intj An expression of enthusiasm or encouragement.
- ring a bell verb To seem at least vaguely familiar.
- ring down the curtain verb To end something.
- ring someone's bell verb To physically traumatize someone with a strong blow, especially a concussive blow to the head.
- ring up verb To telephone; to call someone on the telephone.
- ringside seat noun Any vantage point providing an excellent view.
- rip into verb To verbally attack or criticise.
- rip off the band-aid verb To perform a painful or unpleasant, but necessary, action quickly so as to minimize the pain or fear associated with it.
- rip to shreds verb To criticize severely; to refute.
- rise and shine verb Used to wish someone happiness upon waking up
- rise to the occasion verb To show resolve or effectiveness in dealing with a difficulty.
- rise to the purple noun An elevation to a very high rank, especially a royal one.
- rise up verb To mount a rebellion or insurgency; to rebel; to revolt.
- rivet counter noun A person who has an obsession with the minutiae of their particular interest, especially in military and technology history. Anyone…
- road hog noun A motorist who straddles two lanes of traffic or otherwise monopolizes the road.
- roadblock verb To prevent, to hinder.
- rob Peter to pay Paul verb To use resources that legitimately belong to or are needed by one party in order to satisfy a legitimate need of another party, especially…
- rob the cradle verb To marry or become romantically involved with a much younger person, especially one from a younger generation.
- robber baron noun Especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries, a business tycoon who had great wealth and influence but whose methods were morally…
- rock bottom noun The very lowest possible level.
- rock on verb To party to music, especially rock, or to continue to perform any such music; to maintain a lifestyle in keeping with, or inspired by…
- rocket science noun Anything overly complex, detailed, or confusing.
- rocket scientist noun One qualified to handle or understand things which are very complex or confusing; a very intelligent person.