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 42 of 47: from “tall tale” to “thrill of the hunt”.
- tall tale noun A tale or story which is fantastic and greatly exaggerated; also, an account of questionable veracity; a lie, an untruth.
- tamp down verb To suppress or reduce (something, usually an emotion or thought).
- tap dance noun Any act or performance, especially one viewed as servile, designed to please, appease, or win the approval of others.
- taper off verb To diminish or lessen gradually; to become or make smaller, slower, quieter, etc.
- taste of one's own medicine noun Harsh treatment inflicted on one who previously inflicted similar or equivalent treatment on others.
- teach someone a lesson verb To punish someone for a serious transgression they have committed so that they do not commit it again.
- tear up verb To damage.
- tee off verb To irritate, vex, or annoy.
- telephone tag noun A situation in which a person unsuccessfully attempts to contact another person by telephone and leaves a message instead, and in which the…
- tell a story adj Resembling or characteristic of the act or practice of telling a story.
- tell against verb To function as a liability (for someone); to put into a condition of disadvantage.
- tell all verb To reveal everything, particularly information that is normally withheld.
- tell apart verb To perceive things as different, or to perceive their difference itself; to differentiate, distinguish, discriminate.
- tell it to the judge phrase I do not believe what you said.
- tell someone where to shove it verb To express extreme anger, disgust, or hatred toward someone.
- tell tales verb To lie, to be making false claims.
- tell the truth phrase Used to positively assert the frank honesty of an associated statement of set of statements; equivalent to "to tell the truth".
- tell you the truth phrase Used to positively assert the frank honesty of an associated statement of set of statements; equivalent to "to you tell the truth".
- telling off noun An instance of telling someone off, a reprimand or scolding.
- temple of immensity noun The universe or the complete overhead expanse of the heavens, especially as conceived as an object of religious reverence.
- tempt fate verb To take a risk.
- ten a penny adj So common as to be practically or almost worthless.
- ten-cent adj two-bit (insignificant or worthless); cheap (both inexpensive and poorly made).
- ten-dollar word noun A long and uncommon word used in place of a shorter and simpler one with the intent to appear sophisticated.
- tentpole movie noun A major motion picture which is expensive to produce but expected to generate significant revenue for its studio and investors.
- term of years noun The lease under which that estate in land is held.
- term of years absolute noun The lease under which that estate in land is held.
- term of years determinable noun The lease under which that estate in land was held.
- term out verb To finish the term.
- terra firma noun Familiar territory (in a figurative sense); real-world concerns.
- territorial pissing noun Any territorial behaviour exhibited by humans.
- thank one's lucky stars verb To be grateful, feel oneself fortunate, consider oneself lucky (especially in avoiding some calamity).
- thanks a bunch intj A mildly sarcastic thank you.
- that does it intj Used to express annoyance or frustration or announce that one has reached the limit of one's patience or temper.
- that way adj Gay; homosexual.
- that will do phrase said to confirm that something is suitable in quantity or in a particular quality
- that's done it phrase Used to announce a successful solution to a problem.
- that's saying something phrase Said of something that has an even greater impact or effect than what is readily apparent, considering the context.
- that's that on that phrase Synonym of that's that; there is nothing more to say or to do concerning the matter and is not up for discussion or debate.
- that's the thing phrase Used to seize on a point and highlight its comparative importance, especially as a refutation or negation to a statement made by another…
- the bee's knees noun Something or someone excellent, surpassingly wonderful, or cool.
- the buck stops here phrase A statement that no excuses will be made, that the speaker is going to take direct responsibility for matters, rather than pass the…
- the call is coming from inside the house phrase A problem is the result of internal factors or agents, and is not the result of outside influence or interference.
- the devil a one pron Not a single one, none (of a number of people or things).
- the devil is a liar phrase A general expression of distrust, particularly implying that another person is attempting to deceive the speaker, or that a situation is…
- the devil is in the details proverb The specific provisions of, or particular steps for implementing, a general plan, policy, or contract may be complicated, controversial, or…
- the die is cast phrase A conclusive action has been taken, so events will proceed in an irreversible manner; the point of no return has been passed; the future is…
- the end of one's rope noun The limit of one’s patience, when one is so frustrated or annoyed that one can no longer cope.
- the genie is out of the bottle phrase Information has been released that will have ongoing consequences.
- the good doctor noun An honorific for a doctor, especially for a doctor of medicine (a physician) or for Dr. Samuel Johnson.
- the half of it phrase Only a part of something; not the full picture. Typically it is implied to be the most important part.
- the hell you say phrase I vehemently disagree with you; I will not obey you.
- the jig is up phrase Used to express that a deception, trick, or dishonest scheme has been discovered, signaling the end of the ruse.
- the joke is on someone phrase Someone is the butt of a joke or is experiencing a negative outcome, especially if that person was trying to make someone else the butt of…
- the king is dead, long live the king phrase Said when someone has stepped down or something is succeeded by someone or something new that now has the most control, is the most…
- the nose knows phrase Despite the addressee's belief that the speaker was unaware of something, the speaker, in fact, was already aware.
- the organ grinder, not the monkey noun Synonym of organ grinder (“the person who is in charge, rather than a lackey or representative; the person truly responsible for another's…
- the other day adv Recently; lately; a few days ago.
- the other white meat noun Human flesh, in the context of cannibalism.
- the pants off phrase An intensifier used with some transitive action verbs to indicate that the action is performed with thoroughness, vigor, or complete…
- the rest is history phrase One does not need to continue narrating a story as the subsequent events are assumed to be well-known.
- the rubber meets the road phrase A place or circumstance at which the implementation of a plan or intent is to be achieved.
- the shoe is on the other foot phrase The roles of people in a situation have been reversed, such that the advantage has shifted to a party which was previously disadvantaged.
- the show must go on phrase One must finish what one has started; things must continue no matter what.
- the straw that broke the camel's back noun A small and seemingly insignificant addition to a burden that renders it too much to bear; the small thing which causes failure, or causes…
- the terrorists will have won phrase Phrase used to indicate that if a specified activity is not continued or carried out, those who seek to disrupt normal activities through…
- there pron That.
- there is no there there phrase The indicated thing, person, or other matter has no distinctive identity, or no significant characteristics, or no functional center point…
- there must be something in the water phrase There are so many instances of something unusual, such as in people's behavior, that there must be a common cause.
- there you are phrase Used while giving someone something. Here you are; there you go.
- there you go phrase You have done it, or are doing it, correctly.
- there you have it phrase That is it; that is the situation or state of things.
- they don't make them like that anymore phrase Expressing such notions as that the person referred to is excellent and that owing to the decline of society, such people have become…
- they should have sent a poet phrase Indicates something is too profound, beautiful, awe-inspiring or wondrous for an ordinary person to describe in ordinary words.
- thick and thin noun Both good and bad times.
- thick of things noun A central or major role in a situation; a position in which one is surrounded by or very involved in complex, changing events.
- thick skin noun Ability to take criticism or harsh behavior without being easily offended.
- thin air noun An unknown location; (by extension) apparent disappearance or nonexistence.
- thin the herd verb to cull, to reduce the size of a group
- thin-skinned adj Overly sensitive to criticism; quick to take offence; irritable; touchy.
- think on one's feet verb When one is in the middle of a process, activity, or conversation, to adjust rapidly, effectively, and intelligently to new developments or…
- think out loud verb To voice one's ideas; to brainstorm.
- think tank noun A group of people who collectively perform research and develop reports and recommendations on topics relating to strategic planning or…
- think the world of verb To have a very high opinion of; to have a strong attachment to or affection for; to think highly / a lot of.
- third hand adj Not new, having more than one previous owner.
- third string adj Of a decidedly lower quality or condition.
- third wheel noun A person or thing that serves no useful purpose.
- third-rate adj Poor, shoddy; less than second-rate.
- thorough- prefix through, passing via
- thought bubble noun An ill-conceived idea.
- thread the needle verb To perform a tedious task with extreme precision; to manage to find harmony or strike a balance between conflicting forces, interests, etc.
- Three Musketeers noun A group of three people who are very closely associated; a trio.
- three squares noun Three square meals, understood as a complete, satisfying, and nourishing regimen of food taken over the course of a day.
- three-dimensional adj Having depth, or the illusion of depth, as well as height and width.
- three-dimensionality noun Complexity and depth of character.
- three-martini lunch noun A leisurely, expensive midday meal associated with drinking, which is tax-deductible because business is discussed.
- three-on-the-tree noun On an automobile (especially those produced from 1939 through the mid-1970s), a three-speed manual transmission whose gearshift lever is a…
- three-ring circus noun A disorderly, complicated, rapidly changing situation or set of events, which is a source of bewilderment, amazement, or amusement.
- thrill kill noun An act of murder motivated solely by the murderer's desire to have a very exciting experience.
- thrill of the hunt noun The anticipation and excitement experienced while searching for something that is difficult to obtain.