Rabu, 15 Juni 2011

BRITISH ENGLISH IDIOMS


Across the pond
This idiom means on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, used to refer to the US or the UK depending on the speaker's location.
All mouth and trousers
Someone who's all mouth and trousers talks or boasts a lot but doesn't deliver. 'All mouth and no trousers' is also used, though this is a corruption of the original.
All my eye and Peggy Martin
An idiom that appears to have gone out of use but was prevalent in the English north Midlands of Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire from at least the turn of the 20th century until the early 1950s or so. The idiom's meaning is literally something said or written that is unbelievable, rumor, over embellished, the result of malicious village gossip etc.
All talk and no trousers
Someone who is all talk and no trousers, talks about doing big, important things, but doesn't take any action.
Argue the toss
If you argue the toss, you refuse to accept a decision and argue about it.
As the actress said to the bishop
This idiom is used to highlight a sexual reference, deliberate or accidental.
At a loose end
If you are at a loose end, you have spare time but don't know what to do with it.
At the end of your tether
If you are at the end of your tether, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance.
Back foot
If you are on your back foot, you are at a disadvantage and forced to be defensive of your position.
Bad mouth
When you are bad mouthing,you are saying negative things about someone or something.('Bad-mouth' and 'badmouth' are also used.)
Banana skin
A banana skin is something that is an embarrassment or causes problems.
Barrack-room lawyer
A barrack-room lawyer is a person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak about.
Be up the spout
If a woman is up the spout, she is pregnant.
Been in the wars
If someone has been in the wars, they have been hurt or look as if they have been in a struggle.
Beer and skittles
People say that life is not all beer and skittles, meaning that it is not about self-indulgence and pleasure.
Belt and braces
Someone who wears belt and braces is very cautious and takes no risks.
Bent as a nine bob note
A person who is as bent as a nine bob note is dishonest. The reference comes from pre-decimalisation in UK (1971), when a ten shilling (bob) note was valid currency but no such note as nine shillings existed.
Black as Newgate's knocker
If things are as black as Newgate's knocker, they are very bad. Newgate was an infamous prison in England, so its door knocker meant trouble.
Bob's your uncle
This idiom means that something will be successful: Just tell him that I gave you his name and Bob's your uncle- he'll help you.
Box clever
If you box clever, you use your intelligence to get what you want, even if you have to cheat a bit.
Brass neck
Someone who has the brass neck to do something has no sense of shame about what they do.
Break your duck
If you break your duck, you do something for the first time.
Buggles' turn
If it Buggles' turn, someone gets promotion through length of service rather than ability, especially in the British civil service.
By a long chalk
If you beat somebody by a long chalk, you win easily and comfortably.
Canary in a coal mine
A canary in a coal mine is an early warning of danger.
Cheap as chips
If something is very inexpensive, it is as cheap as chips.
Chinese whispers
When a story is told from person to person, especially if it is gossip or scandal, it inevitably gets distorted and exaggerated. This process is called Chinese whispers.
Coals to Newcastle
Taking, bringing, or carrying coals to Newcastle is doing something that is completely unnecessary.
Come a cropper
Someone whose actions or lifestyle will inevitably result in trouble is going to come a cropper.
Come up smelling of roses
If someone comes up smelling of roses, they emerge from a situation with their reputation undamaged.
Cupboard love
To show love to gain something from someone
Curate's egg
If something is a bit of a curate's egg, it is only good in parts.
Daft as a brush
Someone who is daft as a brush is rather stupid.
Damp squib
If something is expected to have a great effect or impact but doesn't, it is a damp squib.
Death warmed up
If someone looks like death warmed up, they look very ill indeed. ('death warmed over' is the American form)
Do a Devon Loch
If someone does a Devon Loch, they fail when they were very close to winning. Devon Loch was a horse that collapsed just short of the winning line of the Grand National race.
Do a Lord Lucan
If someone disappears without a trace or runs off, they do a Lord Lucan.  (Lord Lucan disappeared after a murder)
Do a runner
If people leave a restaurant without paying, they do a runner.
Do the running
The person who has to do the running has to make sure that things get done. ('Make the running' is also used.)
Do time
When someone is doing time, they are in prison.
Dog in the manger
If someone acts like a dog in the manger, they don't want other people to have or enjoy things that are useless to them.
Don't wash your dirty laundry in public
People, especially couples, who argue in front of others or involve others in their personal problems and crises, are said to be washing their dirty laundry in public; making public things that are best left private. (In American English, 'don't air your dirty laundry in public' is used.)
Double Dutch
If something is double Dutch, it is completely incomprehensible.
Drunk as a lord
Someone who is very drunk is as drunk as a lord.
Dull as ditchwater
If something is as dull as ditchwater, it is incredibly boring. A ditch is a long narrow hole or trench dug to contain water, which is normally a dark, dirty colour and stagnant (when water turns a funny colour and starts to smell bad). (In American English,'things are 'dull as dishwater'.)
Dunkirk spirit
Dunkirk spirit is when people pull together to get through a very difficult time.
Early bath
If someone has or goes for an early bath, they quit or lose their job or position earlier than expected because things have gone wrong.
Easy peasy
If something is easy peasy, it is very easy indeed. ('Easy peasy, lemon squeezy' is also used.)
Economical with the truth
If someone, especially a politician, is economical with the truth, they leave out information in order to create a false picture of a situation, without actually lying.
Fair crack of the whip
If everybody has a fair crack of the whip, they all have equal opportunities to do something.
Fall off the back of a lorry
If someone tries to sell you something that has fallen of the back of a lorry, they are trying to sell you stolen goods.
Fifth columnist
A fifth columnist is a member of a subversive organisation who tries to help an enemy invade.
Fine and dandy
If thing's are fine and dandy, then everything is going well.
Flogging a dead horse
If someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they're flogging a dead horse. This is used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no-one supports anymore; beating a dead horse will not make it do any more work.
Football's a game of two halves
If something's a game of two halves, it means that it's possible for someone's fortunes or luck to change and the person who's winning could end up a loser.
For donkey's years
If people have done something, usually without much if any change, for an awfully long time, they can be said to have done it for donkey's years.
For England
A person who talks for England, talks a lot- if you do something for England, you do it a lot or to the limit.
Full Monty
If something is the Full Monty, it is the real thing, not reduced in any way.
Gardening leave
If someone is paid for a period when they are not working, either after they have given in their notice or when they are being investigated, they are on gardening leave.
Get it in the neck
If you get it in the neck, you are punished or criticised for something.
Get out of your pram
If someone gets out of their pram, they respond aggressively to an argument or problem that doesn't involve them.
Get the nod
If you get the nod to something, you get approval or permission to do it.
Give it some stick
If you give something some stick, you put a lot of effort into it.
Give someone stick
If someone gives you stick, they criticise you or punish you.
Give the nod
If you give the nod to something, you approve it or give permission to do it.
Go down like a cup of cold sick
An idea or excuse that will not be well accepted will go down like a cup of cold sick.
Go down like a lead balloon
If something goes down like a lead balloon, it fails or is extremely badly received.
Go spare
If you go spare, you lose your temper completely.
Gone for a burton
If something's gone for a burton, it has been spoiled or ruined. If a person has gone for a burton, they are either in serious trouble or have died.
Gone pear-shaped
If things have gone pear-shaped they have either gone wrong or produced an unexpected and unwanted result.
Grasp the nettle
If you grasp the nettle, you deal bravely with a problem.
Green fingers
Someone with green fingers has a talent for gardening.
Grey pound
In the UK, the grey pound is an idiom for the economic power of elderly people.
Hairy at the heel
Someone who is hairy at the heel is dangerous or untrustworthy.
Hard cheese
Hard cheese means hard luck.
Have your collar felt
If someone has their collar felt, they are arrested.
Heath Robinson
If a machine or system is described as Heath Robinson, it is very complicated, but not practical or effective, named after a cartoonist who drew very complicated machines that performed simple tasks.
Hold the baby
If someone is responsible for something, they are holding the baby.
Home, James
This is a cliched way of telling the driver of a vehicle to start driving. It is supposed to be an order to a chauffeur (a privately employed driver).  The full phrase is 'Home, James, and don't spare the horses'.
I should cocoa
This idiom comes from 'I should think so', but is normally used sarcastically to mean the opposite.
If you'll pardon my French
This idiom is used as a way of apologising for swearing.
In a tick
If someone will do something in a tick, they'll do it very soon or very quickly.
In rude health
If someone's in rude health, they are very healthy and look it.
In spades
If you have something in spades, you have a lot of it.
In the clink
If someone is in the clink, they are in prison.
In the club
If a woman's in the club, she's pregnant. 'In the pudding club' is an alternative form.
It's as broad as it is long
Used to express that it is impossible to decide between two options because they're equal.
Jam tomorrow
This idiom is used when people promise good things for the future that will never come.
Jersey justice
Jersey justice is very severe justice.
Keen as mustard
If someone is very enthusiastic, they are as keen as mustard.
Keep your chin up
This expression is used to tell someone to have confidence.
Keep your wig on!
This idiom is used to tell someone to calm down.
Kick your heels
If you have to kick your heels, you are forced to wait for the result or outcome of something.
Kitchen-sink
Kitchen-sink drama deals with ordinary people's lives.
Laugh to see a pudding crawl
Someone who would laugh to see a pudding crawl is easily amused and will laugh at anything.
Like a bear with a sore head
If someone's like a bear with a sore head, they complain a lot and are unhappy about something.
Like giving a donkey strawberries
If something is like giving a donkey strawberries, people fail to appreciate its value.
Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves
If you look after the pennies, the pounds will look after themselves, meaning that if someone takes care not to waste small amounts of money, they will accumulate capital. ('Look after the pence and the pounds will look after themselves' is an alternative form of this idiom.)
Lose your bottle
If someone loses their bottle, they lose the courage to do something.
Lose your lunch
If you lose your lunch, you vomit.
Make a song and dance
If someone makes a song and dance, they make an unecessary fuss about something unimportant.
Man on the Clapham omnibus
The man on the Clapham omnibus is the ordinary person in the street.
Money for old rope
If something's money for old rope, it's a very easy way of making money.
More front than Brighton
If you have more front than Brighton, you are very self-confident, possibly excessively so.
New man
A New man is a man who believes in complete equality of the sexes and shares domestic work equally.
Nod's as good as a wink
'A nod's as good as a wink' is a way of saying you have understood something that someone has said, even though it was not said directly.  The full phrase (sometimes used in the UK ) is 'a nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse'.
Noddy work
Unimportant or very simple tasks are noddy work.
Nosy parker
A nosy parker is someone who is excessively interested in other people's lives. ('Nosey parker' is an alternative spelling.)
Not cricket
If something is not cricket, it is unfair.
Not give a monkey's
If you couldn't give a monkey's about something, you don't care at all about it.
Off your chump
If someone is off their chump, they are crazy or irrational.
Off your rocker
Someone who is off their rocker is crazy.
On Carey Street
If someone is on Carey Street, they are heavily in debt or have gone bankrupt.
On the blink
Is a machine is on the blink, it isn't working properly or is out of order.
On the blower
If someone is on the blower, they are on the phone.
On the cards
If something is in the cards, it is almost certain to happen.
On the dole
Someone receiving financial assistance when unemployed is on the dole.
On the fiddle
Someone who is stealing money from work is on the fiddle, especially if they are doing it by fraud.
On the game
A person who is on the game works as a prostitute.
On the knock
If you buy something on the knock, you pay for it in instalments.
On the knocker
If someone is on the knocker, they are going from house to house trying to buy or sell things or get support.
On the never-never
If you buy something on the never-never, you buy it on long-term credit.
On the nod
If something is accepted by parliament or a committee majority, it is on the nod.
On the nod
Someone who's on the nod is either asleep or falling asleep, especially when the shouldn't or are are in a position unusual for sleep, like sitting or standing.
On the nod
When a horse runs, its head moves backwards and forwards alternately - in horse racing, if 2 horses cross the line together the one whose head happens to be going forward often wins and is said to win 'on the nod'.
On the take
Someone who is stealing from work is on the take.
On the trot
This idiom means 'consecutively'; I'd saw them three days on the trot, which means that I saw them on three consecutive days.
One over the eight
Someone who is one over the eight is drunk.
One over the eight
Someone who has had one over the eight is very drunk indeed. It refers to the standard eight pints that most people drink and feel is enough.
Out in the sticks
If someone lives out in the sticks, they live out in the country, a long way from any metropolitan area.
Over-egg the pudding
If you over-egg the pudding, you spoil something by trying to improve it excessively. It is also used nowadays with the meaning of making something look bigger or more important than it really is. ('Over-egg' alone is often used in this sense.)
Pin money
If you work for pin money, you work not because you need to but because it gives you money for extra little luxuries and treats.
Pink pound
In the UK, the pink pound is an idiom for the economic power of gay people.
Plain as a pikestaff
If something is as plain as a pikestaff, it is very clear.
Pull your finger out!
If someone tells you to do this, they want you to hurry up. ('Get your finger out' is also used.)
Quart into a pint pot
If you try to put or get a quart into a pint pot, you try to put too much in a small space. (1 quart = 2 pints)
Queer fish
A strange person is a queer fish.
Quids in
If somebody is quids in, they stand to make a lot of money from something.
Rake over old coals
If you go back to old problems and try to bring them back, making trouble for someone, you are raking over old coals.
Rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic
If people are rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, they are making small changes that will have no effect as the project, company, etc, is in very serious trouble.
Right royal
A right royal night out would be an extremely exciting, memorable and fun one.
See you anon
If somebody says this when leaving, they expect to see you again soon.
Send someone to Coventry
If you send someone to Coventry, you refuse to talk to them or co-operate with them.
Shanks's pony
If you go somewhere by Shanks's pony, you walk there.
Slip through the cracks
If something slips through the cracks, it isn't noticed or avoids detection.
Sound as a pound
if something is as sound as a pound, it is very good or reliable.
Spanner in the works
If someone puts or throws a spanner in the works, they ruin a plan. In American English, 'wrench' is used instead of 'spanner'.
Spend a penny
This is a euphemistic idiom meaning to go to the toilet.
Spoil the ship for a ha'pworth of tar
If someone spoils the ship for a ha'pworth (halfpenny's worth) of tar, they spoil something completely by trying to make a small economy.
Square Mile
The Square Mile is the City, the financial area of London.
Sticky end
If someone comes to a sticky end, they die in an unpleasant way. ('Meet a sticky end' is also used.)
Sticky wicket
If you are on a sticky wicket, you are in a difficult situation.
Stiff upper lip
If you keep your emotions to yourself and don't let others know how you feel when something bad happens, you keep a stiff upper lip.
Take the biscuit
If something takes the biscuit, it is the absolute limit.
Take the Mickey
If you take the Mickey, you tease someone. ('Take the Mick' is also used.)
Tally ho!
This is an exclamation used for encouragement before doing something difficult or dangerous.
Tears before bedtime
This idiom is used when something seems certain to go wrong or cause trouble.
Teething problems
The problems that a project has when it is starting are the teething problems.
Ten a penny
If something is ten a penny, it is very common. ("Two a penny" is also used.)
Thick as mince
If someone is as thick as mince, they are very stupid indeed.
Thin blue line
The thin blue line is a term for the police, suggesting that they stand between an ordered society and potential chaos. (Police uniforms are blue.)
Three sheets in the wind
Someone who is three sheets in the wind is very drunk. ('Three sheets to the wind' is also used.  'Seven sheets' is an alternative number used.)
Throw a spanner in the works
If you throw a spanner in the works, you cause a problem that stops or slows progress on something that was going well.
Tired and emotional
This idiom is a euphemism used to mean 'drunk', especially when talking about politicians.
Up sticks
If you up sticks, you leave somewhere, usually permanently and without warning- he upped sticks and went to work abroad.
Up the duff
If a woman is up the duff, she's pregnant.
Up the spout
If something has gone up the spout, it has gone wrong or been ruined.
Up the stick
If a woman is up the stick, she's pregnant.
Vicar of Bray
A person who changes their beliefs and principles to stay popular with people above them is a Vicar of Bray
Wallflower
A woman politician given an unimportant government position so that the government can pretend it takes women seriously is a wallflower.
Watering hole
A watering hole is a pub.
Who wears the trousers?
The person who wears the trousers in a relationship is the dominant person who controls things.
Wipe the floor with
If you wipe the floor with someone, you destroy the arguments or defeat them easily.
With child
If a woman's with child, she's pregnant.
Wood for the trees
If someone can't see the wood for the trees, they get so caught up in small details that they fail to understand the bigger picture.
Wouldn't touch it with a bargepole
If you wouldn't touch something with a bargepole, you would not consider being involved under any circumstances. (In American English, people say they wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole)
Yeoman's service
To do yeoman's service is to serve in an exemplary manner.
You do not get a dog and bark yourself
If there is someone in a lower position who can or should do a task, then you shouldn't do it.

IDIOMS AND PHRASES (X-Z)

X factor
The dangers for people in the military that civilians do not face, for which they receive payment, are known as the X factor.
X marks the spot
This is used to say where something is located or hidden.
X-rated
If something is x-rated, it is not suitable for children.
Yah boo sucks
Yah boo & yah boo sucks can be used to show that you have no sympathy with someone.
Yank my chain
If some one says this to another person (i.e. stop yanking my chain) it means for the other person to leave the person who said it alone and to stop bothering them.
Yellow press
The yellow press is a term for the popular and sensationalist newspapers.
Yellow streak
If someone has a yellow streak, they are cowardly about something.
Yellow-bellied
A yellow-bellied person is a coward.
Yen
If you have a yen to do something, you have a desire to do it.
Yeoman's service
(UK) To do yeoman's service is to serve in an exemplary manner.
Yes-man
Someone who always agrees with people in authority is a yes-man.
Yesterday's man or Yesterday's woman
Someone, especially a politician or celebrity, whose career is over or on the decline is yesterday's man or woman.
You are what you eat
This is used to emphasise the importance of a good diet as a key to good health.
You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar
This means that it is easier to persuade people if you use polite arguments and flattery than if you are confrontational.
You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family
Some things you can choose, but others you cannot, so you have to try to make the best of what you have where you have no choice.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink
This idiom means you can offer something to someone, like good advice, but you cannot make them take it.
You can say that again
If you want to agree strongly with what someone has said, you can say 'You can say that again' as a way of doing so.
You can't fight City Hall
This phrase is used when one is so cynical that one doesn't think one can change their Representatives. The phrase must have started with frustration towards a local body of government.
You can't get there from here
(USA) US expression used in the New England area (most frequently in Maine) by persons being asked for directions to a far distant location that cannot be accessed without extensive, complicated directions.
You can't have cake and the topping, too
(USA) This idiom means that you can't have everything the way you want it, especially if your desires are contradictory.
You can't have your cake and eat it
This idiom means that you can't have things both ways. For example, you can't have very low taxes and a high standard of state care.
You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
If something isn't very good to start with, you can't do much to improve it.
You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs
This idiom means that in order to achieve something or make progress, there are often losers in the process.
You can't take it with you
Enjoy life, enjoy what you have and don't worry about not having a lot, especially money...because once you're dead, 'you can't take it with you.' For some, it means to use up all you have before you die because it's no use to you afterwards.
You can't teach an old dog new tricks
It is difficult to make someone change the way they do something when they have been doing it the same way for a long time
You can't unring a bell
This means that once something has been done, you have to live with the consequences as it can't be undone.
You could have knocked me down with a feather
This idiom is used to mean that the person was very shocked or surprised.
You do not get a dog and bark yourself
(UK) If there is someone in a lower position who can or should do a task, then you shouldn't do it.
You get what you pay for
Something that is very low in price is not usually of very good quality.
You reap what you sow
This means that if you do bad things to people, bad things will happen to you, or good things if you do good things.  It is normally used when someone has done something bad.
You said it!
Used to say you agree completely with something just said.
You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours
This idiom means that if you do something for me, I'll return the favour.
You what?
This is a very colloquial way of expressing surprise or disbelief at something you have heard. It can also be used to ask someone to say something again.
You're toast
If someone tells you that you are toast, you are in a lot of trouble.
You've got rocks in your head
(USA) Someone who has acted with a lack of intelligence has rocks in their head.
You've made your bed- you'll have to lie in it
This means that someone will have to live with the consequences of their own actions.
Young blood
Young people with new ideas and fresh approaches are young blood.
Young Turk
A Young Turk is a young person who is rebellious and difficult to control in a company, team or organisation.
Your belly button is bigger than your stomach
If your belly button is bigger than your stomach, you take on more responsibilities than you can handle.
Your call
If something is your call, it is up to you to make a decision on the matter.
Your name is mud
If someone's name is mud, then they have a bad reputation.
Your sins will find you out
This idiom means that things you do wrong will become known.

Zero hour
The time when something important is to begin is zero hour.
Zero tolerance
If the police have a zero tolerance policy, they will not overlook any crime, no matter how small or trivial.
Zigged before you zagged
If you did things in the wrong order, you zigged before you zagged.
Zip it
This is used to tell someone to be quiet.
Zip your lip
If someone tells you to zip your lip, they want to to shut up or keep quiet about something. ('Zip it' is also used.)
 

IDIOMS AND PHRASES (U-W)

U-turn
If a government changes its position radically on an issue, especially when they have promised not to do so, this is a U-turn.
Ugly as a stick
(USA) If someone is as ugly as a stick, they are very ugly indeed.
Ugly duckling
An ugly duckling is a child who shows little promise, but who develops later into a real talent or beauty.
Uncalled for
If someone does something bad and unnecessary without consideration for anothers feelings, what they do is uncalled for.
Uncharted waters
If you're in uncharted waters, you are in a situation that is unfamiliar to you, that you have no experience of and don't know what might happen. ('Unchartered waters' is an incorrect form that is a common mistake.)
Uncle Sam
(USA) Uncle Sam is the government of the USA.
Under a cloud
If someone is suspected of having done something wrong, they are under a cloud.
Under a flag of convenience
If a ship sails under a flag of convenience, it is registered in a country where taxes, etc, are lower than in the country it comes from, so if someone does something under a flag of convenience, they attempt to avoid regulations and taxes by a similar means.
Under false colours
If someone does something under false colours/colors, they pretend to be something they are not in order to deceive people so that they can succeed.
Under fire
If someone is being attacked and cricitised heavily, they are under fire.
Under lock and key
If something is under lock and key, it is stored very securely.
Under someone's heel
If you are under someone's heel, they have complete control over you.
Under the gun
If you're under the gun, you're under pressure to do something.
Under the radar
If something slips under the radar, it isn't detected or noticed.
Under the table
Bribes or illegal payments are often described as money under the table.
Under the weather
If you are feeling a bit ill, sad or lack energy, you are under the weather.
Under the wire
(USA) If a person does something under the wire, they do it at the last possible moment.
Under your belt
If you have something under your belt, you have already achieved or experienced it and it will probably be of benefit to you in the future.
Under your breath
If you say something under your breath, you whisper or say it very quietly.
Under your nose
If something happens right in front of you, especially if it is surprising or audacious, it happens under your nose.
Under your skin
If someone gets under your skin, they really annoy you.
Under your thumb
Someone who is manipulated or controlled by another person is under his or her thumb.
Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown
This means that people with serious responsibilities have a heavy burden.
Until the last dog is shot
(USA) It means until the very last possible moment or until every possibility is exausted: You boys always stay until the last dog is shotI will stay until the last dog is shot to complete this project by deadline (Expression my mom who was born in 1917 in Wisconson always used.)  
Unwavering loyalty
Unwavering loyalty does not question or doubt the person or issue and supports them completely.
Up a gum tree
(AU) If you're up a gum tree, you're in trouble or a big mess.
Up a river without a paddle
If you up a river without a paddle, you are in an unfortunate situation, unprepared and with none of the resources to remedy the matter.
Up for grabs
If something is up for grabs, it is available and whoever is first or is successful will get it.
Up in the air
If a matter is up in the air, no decision has been made and there is uncertainty about it.
Up sticks
(UK) If you up sticks, you leave somewhere, usually permanently and without warning- he upped sticks and went to work abroad.
Up the ante
If you up the ante, you increase the importance or value of something, especially where there's an element of risk as the term comes from gambling, where it means to increase the stake (the amount of money bet).
Up the creek
If someone or something is up the creek, they are in real trouble. 'Up the creek without a paddle' is an alternative, and 'up shit creek (without a paddle)' is a ruder form.
Up the duff
(UK) If a woman is up the duff, she's pregnant.
Up the spout
(UK) If something has gone up the spout, it has gone wrong or been ruined.
Up the stick
(UK) If a woman is up the stick, she's pregnant.
Up the wall
If someone goes up the wall, they get very angry.
Up the wooden hill
When you go up the wooden hill, you go up the stairs to bed.
Up to scratch
If something doesn't come up to scratch, it doesn't meet the standard required or expected.
Up to snuff
If something isn't up to snuff, it doesn't meet the standard expected.
Up to speed
If you bring someone up to speed, you update them on something.
Up to the eyes
You you are up to your eyes in something, you are deeply involved or to have too much of something like work. ('Up the neck', 'up to the eyeballs' and 'up to the ears' are also used.)
Up to the neck
If someone's in something up to the neck, they are very involved in it, especially when it's something wrong.
Up to your eyes
When you've got too much work to do, you're up to your eyes in it.
Up to your neck
If someone is very involved in something, they are up to their neck in it, especially if it is something bad or immoral.
Up with the lark
If you get up very early, you're up with the lark.
Upper crust
The upper crust are the upper classes and the establishment.
Upper hand
If you have the upper hand, you have the advantage.
Upset the apple cart
If you upset the apple cart, you cause trouble and upset people.

Vale of tears
This vale of tears is the world and the suffering that life brings.
Velvet glove
This idiom is used to describe a person who appears gentle, but is determined and inflexible underneath. ('Iron fist in a velvet glove' is the full form.)
Vent your spleen
If someone vents their spleen, they release all their anger about something.
Vicar of Bray
(UK) A person who changes their beliefs and principles to stay popular with people above them is a Vicar of Bray
Vicious circle
A vicious circle is a sequence of events that make each other worse- someone drinks because they are unhappy at work, then loses their job... 'Vicious cycle' is also used.
Virgin territory
If something is virgin territory, it hasn't been explored before.
Volte-face
If you do a volte-face on something, you make a sudden and complete change in your stance or position over an issue.

Wag the dog
To 'wag the dog' means to purposely divert attention from what would otherwise be of greater importance, to something else of lesser significance. By doing so, the lesser-significant event is catapulted into the limelight, drowning proper attention to what was originally the more important issue.The expression comes from the saying that 'a dog is smarter than its tail', but if the tail were smarter, then the tail would 'wag the dog'. The expression 'wag the dog' was elaborately used as theme of the movie. 'Wag the Dog', a 1997 film starring Robert de Niro and Dustin Hoffman, produced and directed by Barry Levinson.
Wait for a raindrop in the drought
When someone is waiting for a raindrop in the drought, they are waiting or hoping for something that is extremely unlikely to happen.
Waiting in the wings
If someone is waiting in the wings, or in the wings, they are in the background, but nearby, ready to act on short notice.
Wake up and smell the coffee
When someone doesn't realise what is really happening or is not paying enough attention to events around them, you can tell them to wake up and smell the coffee.
Wake-up call
A wake-up call is a warning of a threat or a challenge, especially when it means that people will have to change their behaviour to meet it.
Walk a fine line
If you have to walk a fine line, you have to be very careful not to annoy or anger people or groups that are competing. ('Walk a thin line' is an alternative.)
Walk a mile in my shoes
This idiom means that you should try to understand someone before criticising them.
Walk a tightrope
If you walk a tightrope, you have to be very careful not to annoy or anger people who could become enemies.
Walk in the park
An undertaking that is easy is a walk in the park. The opposite is also true - "no walk in the park".
Walk on eggshells
If you have to walk on eggshells when with someone, you have to be very careful because they get angry or offended very easily.('Walk on eggs' is also used.) 
Walk the green mile
Someone or something that is walking the green mile is heading towards the inevitable.
Walk the plank
If someone walks the plank, they are going toward their own destruction or downfall
Walking encyclopedia
A very knowledgeable person is a walking encyclopedia.
Walking on air
If you are walking on  air, you are so happy that you feel as if you could float.
Walking on broken glass
When a person is punished for something. e.g. 'She had me walking on broken glass.'
Walking time-bomb
A person whose behaviour is erratic and totally unpredictable is a walking time-bomb.
Wallflower
(UK) A woman politician given an unimportant government position so that the government can pretend it takes women seriously is a wallflower.
Wallflower
(USA) A shy person who is not asked to dance is a wallflower.
War chest
A war chest is a fund that can be used to finance a campaign like and election or for use in emergencies or unexpected times of difficulty.
War of words
A war of words is a bitter argument between people or organisations, etc.
Warm and fuzzy
Meaning the feeling evoked as though you were enclosed in a warm and fuzzy blanket.
Warm the cockles of your heart
If something warms the cockles of your heart, it makes you feel happy.
Warpath
If someone is on the warpath, they are very angry about something and will do anything to get things sorted the way they want.
Warts and all
If you like someone warts and all, you like them with all their faults.
Wash your hands of something
If you wash your hands of something, you disassociate yourself and accept no responsibility for what will happen.
Waste not, want not
If you don't waste things, you are less likely to end up lacking.
Waste of skin
If a person is referred to as a 'waste of skin', it means he is not worth very much.
Watch grass grow
If something is like watching grass grow, it is really boring.
Watch your back
If someone is after your job, or wants to harm you in any way, you need to "watch your back" to metaphorically see what is going on behind you
Watch your six
(USA) This idiom means that you should look behind you for dangers coming that you can't see.
Watching paint dry
If something is like watching paint dry, it is really boring.
Water off a duck's back
If criticism or something similar is like water off a duck's back to somebody, they aren't affected by it in the slightest.
Water over the dam
(USA) If something has happened and cannot be changed, it is water over the dam.
Water under the bridge
If something belongs to the past and isn't important or troubling any more, it is water under the bridge.
Watering hole
(UK) A watering hole is a pub.
Watery grave
If someone has gone to a watery grave, they have drowned.
Weak at the knees
If people go weak at the knees, they have a powerful emotional reaction to something and feel that they might fall over.
Wear many hats
If someone wears many hats, they have different roles or tasks to perform.
Wear sackcloth and ashes
If someone displays their grief or contrition publicly, they wear sackcloth and ashes.
Wear your heart on your sleeve
Someone who wears their heart on their sleeve shows their emotions and feelings publicly.
Weather a storm
If you weather a storm, you get through a crisis or hard times.
Wedge politics
(USA) In wedge politics, one party uses an issue that they hope will divide members of a different party to create conflict and weaken it.
Wee buns
(Irish) If a task was wee buns, it means it was very easy. It is similar to "piece of cake"
Wee hours
Wee hours are the first hours after midnight.
Weight off your shoulders
If something is a weight off your shoulders, you have relieved yourself of a burden, normally a something that has been troubling you or worrying you.
Well-heeled
Someone who is well-heeled is rich.
Well-oiled
If someone is well-oiled, they have drunk a lot.
Well-oiled machine
Something that functions very well is a well-oiled machine.
Were you born in a barn?
If someone asks you this, it means that you forgot to close the door when you came in.
Wet behind the ears
Someone who is wet behind the ears is either very young or inexperienced.