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 47 of 47: from “wilful ignorance” to “zombify”.
- wilful ignorance noun A decision in bad faith to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having to make undesirable decisions that such…
- willy-nilly adv Seemingly at random; haphazardly.
- win back verb To win (something) that one has previously lost.
- win over verb To persuade someone, gain someone's support, or make someone understand the truth or validity of something.
- win the lottery verb To experience an extraordinary or highly fortunate event.
- wind down verb To relax; to get rid of stress; to destress.
- wind off verb To cancel (an event) due to high wind speeds.
- wind tunnel testing noun The application of a rigorous testing regime to a new corporate idea, structure or project to determine if it is viable and fit for purpose.
- window on the world noun Something which provides information about or interaction with a variety of people, places, events, or things outside of one's immediate…
- wine tosser noun A person who speaks at length about wine but possesses limited genuine knowledge or expertise about it.
- wink at verb To turn a blind eye to (something); to corruptly ignore (some wrongdoing); to pretend not to have seen (something); to signal one's…
- winter rat noun An old, unattractive automobile, purchased for little money, to be driven during brutal Great Lakes winters while the owner's "good" car…
- winter wonderland noun A beautiful scene of snow and ice.
- wipe the floor with someone verb To be well ahead of someone, or to win a competition by a considerable margin over someone.
- wirepuller noun A person who exercises an influence on others that is felt but not seen.
- wise apple noun A smart aleck.
- wish one joy of it verb To indicate that something that one has acquired, or is about to acquire, will bring them little pleasure, or will be futile, difficult, or…
- wishful thinking noun The formation of beliefs based on an outcome that aligns with one's desires or hopes, while disregarding evidence, rationality, or reality.
- with all due respect prep_phrase A phrase used before disagreeing with someone or saying something they may find offensive, usually considered polite.
- with bated breath prep_phrase Eagerly; with great anticipation.
- with both hands prep_phrase Willingly; readily.
- with flying colors prep_phrase Extremely well; in an exceptional, noteworthy, or extraordinary manner.
- with knobs on prep_phrase Embellished.
- with one voice prep_phrase In a mutually agreeing or like-minded manner; concordantly, unanimously.
- with one's finger in one's mouth prep_phrase Appearing foolish, shy or hesitant.
- with one's finger up one's ass prep_phrase Doing absolutely nothing, being entirely unproductive, or sitting around in a vacant state of inaction.
- within reach prep_phrase Near (to); close (to); at a close distance (to).
- without a hitch prep_phrase Of an event or process, without any problems.
- without fail prep_phrase Certainly; by all means; as a matter of importance.
- woe betide verb Used to warn someone that trouble will occur if that person does something: bad things will happen to.
- wolf in sheep's clothing noun Someone who or something which is harmful or threatening but disguised as something peaceful or pleasant.
- wolf of Wall Street noun (A name for) an aggressive, prominent, and wealthy financier; specifically (derogatory), one who swindles or takes unfair advantage of…
- woman among women noun A woman who is accepted on the same terms, and as having the same worth, as other others in society.
- woman of the hour noun A woman who has recently caught the attention of, or is being admired or honoured by, a large number of people.
- woman of the people noun A woman who shows understanding of and sympathy for the concerns of ordinaries, and who has a rapport with and acceptance by them.
- wooden ear noun Tone-deafness of any kind.
- wooden spoon noun An ironic prize for finishing last in a competition.
- word to the wise noun A brief piece of advice.
- words fail someone phrase Someone is incapable of describing something with words, especially due to fear, shock, or surprise.
- work away verb Synonym of fire away.
- work of art noun Anything beautiful, exquisite, or finely crafted.
- work one's magic verb To achieve something favourable and desired through the application of special skills, talents, or expertise.
- work over verb To physically attack in order to cause injury.
- work spouse noun A man or woman in the workplace with whom one shares a special relationship similar to marriage, with confidences, loyalties, shared jokes…
- work the room verb To interact enthusiastically with the attendees at an event, by moving among them, greeting them, and engaging them in conversation.
- work to rule verb To work slowly by strictly following all work rules, usually in a work-to-rule job action, as part of unionized labor protest.
- work wonders verb To be highly successful as a solution.
- workaround noun A means or method of circumventing an obstacle, particularly one arising from constraints, laws or regulatory requirements.
- working girl noun A female prostitute.
- world of difference noun A great or insurmountable difference.
- world record noun Any characteristic or accomplishment that exceeds all other instances of that characteristic or accomplishment.
- worse for wear adj In poor physical condition due to long or heavy use.
- worst of both worlds noun A solution or scenario which combines the disadvantages of two opposed prior solutions, often having been intended to combine their…
- would intj Ellipsis of I would, used to denote that the speaker finds another person sexually attractive.
- woulda, coulda, shoulda noun An instance or moment of regret, hindsight, or futile pondering over a missed opportunity.
- wrap up verb To conclude or finish completely.
- wrist-slap verb To reprimand mildly.
- write oneself into a corner verb To reach a narrative point in which the story one is writing gets stuck, leaving no good or satisfactory alternative or resolution.
- writer's cramp noun A debilitating pain preventing easy movement of the wrist, hand, or fingers, resulting from prolonged use of a pen or pencil.
- written in blood adj Having arisen out of tragedy.
- wrong number noun An incorrect notion or understanding concerning a person or situation.
- wrong side of the tracks noun The part of town that is not inhabited by the wealthy. An area where the working class, poor or extremely poor live.
- X factor noun An unknown or hard-to-define influence; a factor with unknown or unforeseeable consequences.
- X's and O's noun The fundamental elements of a play.
- yank someone's chain verb To tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting.
- yardarm verb To be close or nearby each other.
- yeah, yeah intj A sarcastic expression of disbelief.
- yellow light noun Hesitance to proceed; limited approval or permission to proceed.
- yellow-bellied adj Uncourageous, cowardly.
- yeoman's service noun Arduous work, performed in a vigorous, committed manner.
- Yodalike adj Of a speaking style, mimicking Yoda from Star Wars, where sentence structure is inverted.
- you all pron You (with singular or plural referent); y'all.
- you bet intj Expresses support, agreement, certainty or emphasis.
- you can't judge a book by its cover proverb It is not possible to make reliable judgments about things or people by considering external appearances alone.
- you know what phrase Used, often as a question, to get someone's attention before announcing something.
- you name it pron All kinds of things; expresses that further examples are unnecessary, often after a short list of items.
- you wish phrase Used to express the speaker's skepticism about a preceding statement concerning some desired or assumed state of affairs.
- young blood noun Young or youthful people, especially as a source of revitalizing force (in a team, organization, etc.).
- young Turk noun A young person who agitates for political or other reform; a young person with a rebellious disposition.
- your ass intj A sarcastic expression of disbelief.
- your mileage may vary phrase It may work differently in your situation, or be different in your experience.
- yours sincerely adj A polite, formulaic phrase used at the end of a letter, especially when the sender knows the recipient's name.
- yours truly phrase Used to close a note or letter.
- zero in verb To converge (on).
- zip up verb To close as if with a zip fastener, especially one's mouth; to stop talking.
- zombify verb To deprive of authenticity or vitality; to render someone brainless or unthinking.