This A idioms list will be continually updated with new definitions and examples, quizzes and other information to help you learn and remember these expressions.
Note: Each idiomatic expression does not always start with the letter “a.” This list is organized to to include idioms whose main subject or action word starts with the letter “a.”
A
from A to Z: to include everything.
Example: Our travel agent planned our vacation from A to Z, including hotels, transportation, meals and sightseeing.
ABLE
able to do (something) with one’s eyes closed/shut: to be able to do something easily and effortlessly.
Example: She’s such a good cook she can practically cook.
able to do (something) blindfolded: to be able to do something easily and effortlessly.
Example: I’ve been driving a motorcycle so many years I could.
ABOUT
about time: a moment that should happen now or that should have happened previously (before).
Example: It’s about time for dinner so please go and wash your hands and then sit at the table.
about to (do something): to be ready or planning to do something.
Example: I was about to raise my hand in class when Sally shouted out the answer.
ABOVE
above all (else): the most important thing.
Example: He loves to drink milk above all else, even more than juice or soda.
above the law: not having to obey the law or rules.
Example: Our manager thinks he’s above the law, coming in late every morning but yelling at us if we’re even.
above suspicion: not believed to have done something wrong.
Example: My parents always think my sister is above suspicion because she’s the oldest but usually.
none of the above: all of the items or factors listed before something else.
Example: Do you want coffee, tea, juice or none of the above?
ABSENT
absent-minded: not carefully remembering or paying attention.
Example: My mother’s so absent-minded she not only loses her keys but she also forgets where.
ACCOUNT
take (something) into account: to carefully think about or consider something.
Example: We thought we could drive to the beach in two hours but we didn’t take Friday traffic into account.
ACT
act one’s age: to behave in a way that is right or appropriate for a particular age.
Example: Our 12-year old refuses to act her age and continues to suck her thumb.
act out: to behave badly, especially when angry.
Example: My younger brother always acts out when he doesn’t get to watch cartoons in the morning.
act up: (1) to behave badly; (2) to activate or start (especially describing illnesses or problems).
Example: My daughter always acts up at the supermarket when.
a tough act to follow: to be so good that the next thing after it doesn’t seem as good in comparison.
Example: I hope the teacher lets me give my speech first because.
catch someone in the act: to see or discover someone at the moment they are doing something wrong.
Example: I tried to quietly walk in the back door to the office because.
clean up one’s act: to start behaving well or better than before.
Example: My parents said if I don’t clean up my act and get better grades I won’t be able to continue.
get one’s act together: to improve poor or bad behavior.
Example: After skipping class and playing video games my first year in college, I got my act together and.
ACTION
in action: working or in progress.
Example: This Italian restaurant has an open kitchen so you can see the chef in action throwing pizza dough in the air.
take action: to do or start something.
Example: After years of complaining, the secretary finally took action and quit her job.
a piece of the action: to share part of the advantages or profits of something important that’s happening.
Example: When my brother saw how much money I was making babysitting he wanted a piece of the action.
actions speak louder than words: what someone does is more important than what they say.
Example: If you love me, show me—actions speak louder than words.
ADD
add up / add up to (something): to signify or result in something.
Example: Studying just a few new words a day will add up to a huge vocabulary in just a year.
ADO
without further ado: without talking more about something.
Example: Without further ado, close your books and let’s begin the test.
ADVANTAGE
take advantage (of something or someone):
to use an opportunity or circumstance to get or achieve something.
Example: My roommate takes advantage of my dislike.
AFRAID
afraid of one’s own shadow: to be very frightened (so frightened that the individual would jump if they saw their own shadow in the sun).
Example: My German Shepard may look like a guard dog but in reality he’s afraid of his own shadow.
AFTER
after all is said and done: after everything has finally happened or been said.
Example: After all is said and done, it was a great holiday even though the airline lost our luggage.
after the fact: after something has already happened.
Example: We had to write to the airline after the fact because we forgot to bring our frequent flyer membership.
AGAINST
against one’s will: without someone’s agreement.
Example: My father wants me to marry someone he chooses but I will never get married against my will.
against the clock: in a hurry or trying to complete something before a specific time.
Example: We worked against the clock to finish the report before the end of the day.
against time: trying to finish something before a certain time or deadline.
Example: I hate rushing against time but my manager never gives me the information I need.
AHEAD
ahead of time: early or before something is required.
Example: I always arrive ahead of time to all of my appointments to prevent stress.
ahead of the game: in a position in front of others or in an advantageous position.
Example: I am always taking new training courses so I can stay ahead of the game.
AIR
clear the air: to explain something to remove doubts or misunderstanding about something.
Example: I asked my supervisor for a meeting so I could clear the air.
disappear / vanish into thin air: to be gone quickly and completely.
Example: When I asked my roommates to help me clean our apartment everyone vanished into thin air.
in the air: everywhere; able to be noticed or felt.
Example: Spring is in the air, the birds are chirping and the trees are blooming.
off the air: not currently being broadcast on the radio or television.
Example: The television announcers seemed to be happy colleagues but off the air they were bitter.
on the air: broadcasting on the television or radio.
Example: There are several Spanish television programs on the air on AM radio.
air one’s dirty laundry (in public): to talk about something that should be kept private.
Example: I hate going to family reunions because my uncle always airs his dirty laundry in public.
out of thin air: from nowhere, from nothing.
Example: When my students are late for class they make up excuses out of thin air.
up in the air: not decided, developed or finalized.
Example: Our plans for the summer holiday are still up in the air because my boss hasn’t approved my vacation request.
AISLES
rolling in the aisles: laughing loudly or uncontrollably.
Example: We went to the comedy club last night and one of the comedians had everyone rolling in the aisles.
ALIVE
alive and kicking: alive and well (healthy), in working condition.
Example: I’ve been driving my car every day for fifteen years but it’s still alive and kicking.
ALL
all along: the entire or whole time.
Example: I got divorced because my husband was cheating on me all along with his old girlfriend.
all at once: happening suddenly or at one time.
Example: It was really sunny when we started our walk but all at once the sky turned dark grey and it started raining really hard.
all ears: to listen carefully and attentively.
Example: Everyone on the plane was all ears when pilot said we had to make an emergency landing.
all eyes are on something / someone: everyone is carefully watching something to see what will happen.
Example: Whenever I go out with my friend Sally, who's a model, all eyes are on us.
all thumbs: clumsy or awkward in doing or using something.
Example: I’m all thumbs with arts and crafts but my daughter is great at it.
all very well: good but not good enough.
Example: It’s all very well that you’re eating better but you also have to exercise if you want to lose weight.
at all: (1) in any condition or way; (2) to any degree or extent.
Example: My adviser was not at all happy with my research paper because it lacked primary sources.
ALTER
leave someone at the alter: to leave someone just before the marriage is supposed to happen.
Example: What a jerk! I cannot believe he left her at the alter. How humiliating!
ANTS
ants in one's pants: to be so excited, nervous or anxious about something that it's hard to be still and calm.
Example: It's been raining for five days in a row and my kids really have ants in their pants from staying inside all day.
More A idioms will be added in the future so check back frequently or sign-up for my free newsletter to learn about new updates to my website.