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 8 of 47: from “catch one's death” to “clown school”.
- catch one's death verb To contract a serious illness, especially a nasty cold or other respiratory ailment and especially as a result of exposure to wet or chilly…
- catch the sun verb To sunbathe.
- Catch-22 noun A difficult situation from which there is no escape because it involves mutually conflicting or dependent conditions.
- cattle call noun An audition which is open to the public and thus draws a large number of applicants, many of whom are inexperienced.
- caucus race noun The competitive process in which a political party selects their candidate, especially presidential; a primary election via caucus.
- caught short adj unprepared or without enough of something when it is needed
- caught up verb Involuntarily involved in a situation.
- cave in noun The act of relenting.
- cede the field verb To withdraw from any confrontational or potentially confrontational situation; to avoid participating in a competition or contest.
- center field noun A central role in some activity that requires speed.
- center part noun A hairstyle where hair is separated down the exact middle of the scalp, creating a straight line from front to back, dividing the hair…
- Centrelink time noun A frustratingly long, unpredictable, and often tedious waiting time spent when dealing with the Australian government's welfare and social…
- chalk off verb To record a score or event, as if on a chalkboard.
- chalk something up to experience verb To take a lesson from a bad outcome instead of grieving it.
- change of pace noun A shift from one activity to another
- change of tack noun A reversal of an opinion.
- change one's tune verb To reconsider; rethink; to reach a different conclusion.
- change the channel verb To redirect someone’s attention.
- chaotic neutral noun An individual who prioritizes personal freedom and individualism above all else.
- charge down verb To lose electrical power
- charge up verb To motivate, to instill someone with determination.
- charity mugger noun A person employed by a charity, or by an intermediary fundraising agency employed by the charity, who stands in the street and invites…
- charley horse noun Synonym of cramp, a painful involuntary muscle contraction, particularly a strong cramp in the torso, arms, or legs.
- charm offensive noun A campaign of deliberately using charm and flattery in order to achieve some goal, especially in a political or diplomatic field.
- chase after verb To pursue someone with romantic intentions; to woo.
- chase one's tail verb To busily try to perform many tasks or to repeatedly revise one's plans, especially with inefficient use of one's time and limited results.
- chase the dragon verb To chase after the promise of a continually fulfilling high from an addictive substance.
- chat up verb To talk to (someone) in a friendly, open, or casual manner, sometimes also in a charming or affected manner, usually to curry favor, and…
- cheap-arse Tuesday noun The day of the week (Tuesday) when establishments such as cinemas, restaurants, etc, offer some of their goods and services at discounted…
- cheat on verb To be unfaithful to, especially in a romantic relationship.
- cheat sheet noun Any summary or quick reference used as a shortcut or reminder, such as an aid for public speaking.
- check and balance verb Provide mutual oversight and limitation by independent organizations in order to prevent abuses of power.
- check the math verb To verify the source or accuracy of something.
- check through verb To permit someone to continue onward, e.g. through a security checkpoint, after verifying their identity, tickets, etc.
- cheek by jowl adv In very close physical proximity; crowded together; side by side.
- cheer up verb To become happier or less downcast.
- cheese tax noun A portion of cheese given to a domestic animal such as a dog or cat, usually when the cheese is being brought out or prepared for human…
- cherry on top noun Synonym of icing on the cake (“a thing which intensifies the appreciation of something already good, or (ironic) the regretting of…
- cherry-pick verb To pick out the best or most desirable items from a list or group, especially to obtain some advantage or to present something in the best…
- chess piece noun A person being manipulated by another, being used to some end.
- chew off verb To reprimand, to scold
- chew on verb To consider, to ponder.
- chew the cud verb To meditate or ponder before answering; to be deep in thought; to ruminate.
- chew the meat and spit out the bones verb To take in a great deal of information and selectively disregard some of it as invalid or inapplicable.
- chew the scenery verb To display excessive emotion or to act in an exaggerated manner while performing; to be melodramatic; to be flamboyant.
- chew up verb To ruin (especially land), by digging.
- chicken feed noun A very small or insignificant quantity, especially of money.
- chicken scratch noun Cramped or illegible handwriting.
- chilly climate noun A male-dominated environment where both overt and subtle forms of discrimination lead to the unequal treatment of women
- chime in verb To talk; to join in conversation or discussion.
- China syndrome noun A hypothetical kind of catastrophic failure in which a nuclear reactor melts through the floor of its containment system and (if on land)…
- Chinese puzzle noun A senseless situation.
- Chinese Wall noun An information barrier within an organization, designed to ensure internal confidentiality; frequently used to prevent conflicts of…
- Chinese water torture noun Any repeated irritation that builds to deliver cumulative damage.
- chink in the armor noun A weakness; a weak point (particularly of something formerly considered near-invincible or perfect).
- chip in verb To make a contribution; help in a small way; especially, to pay for a part of something.
- chip on one's shoulder noun A habitually combative attitude, usually because of a harbored grievance, a sense of inferiority, or a desire to prove something.
- chip shot noun Something that is easy to do or to achieve.
- chip up verb To cause something to have chips, cracks or dents.
- chirk up verb To make more cheerful; to cause to perk up.
- choke off verb To get rid of; to cause to come to an end.
- choose up verb To form (sides or teams), usually for a game, by having two individual players choose their teammates.
- choose violence verb To disrespect or insult someone in a particularly audacious and unexpected manner.
- chop down verb To curtail, shorten
- chopped liver noun A person or object not worthy of being noticed; someone or something insignificant.
- Christmas come early noun Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.
- Christmas tree bill noun A bill consisting of many riders that attracts many, often unrelated, floor amendments, which may provide special benefits to various…
- chrome dome noun A bald head.
- chrome horn noun The front bumper of a car when used to bump another vehicle, usually to inform the driver of the other vehicle that the first car would…
- chuck it verb To rain heavily
- chum up verb To be friendly toward (with or to) someone, especially in an ingratiating way; to form a friendship (with).
- chump change noun An amount of remuneration, reward, or other monetary recompense considered to be insultingly small.
- circle back verb To return to a previous location or state; to come back to.
- circle the drain verb To be in a rapid decline or in a state of downfall, especially as leading to an inevitable utter failure or destruction.
- circle the wagons verb To prepare to defend against an attack or criticism.
- circular firing squad noun A political party or other group experiencing considerable disarray because the members are engaging in internal disputes and mutual…
- clamp down on verb To take measures to stop (something); to put an end to (something); to exert tighter control of (something); to treat (someone or…
- clean as a hound's tooth adj Very clean.
- clean as a whistle adj Very clean.
- clean money noun Money that is legally or honestly gained or earned.
- clean up verb To become clean, handsome, smart in appearance, e.g. for a special occasion, especially when it is out of character to be seen as such.
- cleaner noun A fixer; a person who disposes of bodies and evidence.
- clear cut adj Straightforward, obvious, simple, or basic.
- clear off verb To pay off debts.
- climb down noun An abandonment, withdrawal from, or softening of a previously expressed opinion, policy, argument, etc.
- clock in verb To be measured at.
- close enough for government work adj Adequate; acceptable as government work, imperfect but not worth the time nor effort of improving.
- close in on verb To enclose around; to tighten or shrink; to collapse.
- close one's eyes verb To ignore something.
- close season noun A situation or period in which some activity is forbidden or discontinued.
- close the book on verb To stop worrying about or trying to do something about; to ignore.
- close the stable door after the horse has bolted verb To attempt to prevent a problem that has already occurred; to design and implement a preventive mechanism that is too late (after the first…
- close to home adv Affecting people close to, or within, one's family circle.
- closed book noun A person or thing that cannot be easily understood; someone or something incomprehensible or puzzling.
- closet case noun A person who conceals or denies their sexuality or gender identity.
- cloth noun The priesthood.
- clothespin vote noun A vote that is cast for a given candidate despite personal reservations or a distaste for that individual.
- cloud nine noun Often in the phrase on cloud nine: a state of bliss, elation or happiness.
- clout list noun A usually secret list containing the names of people who are to be given special access, benefits, or influence in a political or social…
- clown school noun An institution, program, or organization that is viewed as unprofessional, incompetent, or a complete joke.