Idiom List:
Idioms starting with the letter "F"

This idiom list contains definitions and examples of idioms that start with the letter "f" (the main word starts with an "f"). If you want to learn idioms beginning with other letters, click here to go to the main idioms page. 

An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the individual words if you looked them up separately in the dictionary. Let's "face facts."  Idioms are important. So don't "drag your feet"  any longer. There are many examples in this idiom list and you also get the chance to practice by leaving your own sample sentences in the comments.

Idiom list starting with the letter "F"

Idiom list with "FACE"

blow up in one's face:  your plans fail completely, suddenly and cause more problems.  

• Example:  My plan to surprise my wife for our anniversary blew up in my face when she found the gift and thought I bought it for another woman.

face to face (with something):  being directly in front of and facing someone or something.  

• Example:  My boyfriend broke-up with me over the phone because he was too afraid to do it face to face.

in someone's face:  rudely bothering someone.  

• Example:  My older sister is always in my face about doing my chores and homework.

(let's) face it:  the need to look at the real solution and accept it.  

• Example:  Let's face it—my test scores are not good enough to get a scholarship to college.

lose face:  to lose the respect of others.  

• Example:  You're going to lose face with your boss if you keep pretending to be sick.

from/off the face of the earth:  completely gone or disappeared.  

• Example:  I tried to find my favorite earrings but they disappeared from the face of the earth.

put on a brave face:  to pretend or act brave or confident in a situation where one doesn't feel that way.  

• Example:  Our company is doing so badly I think everyone will lose their jobs but I'm putting on a brave face for my team.

save face:  to keep the respect of others.  

• Example:  Telling the truth to your parents about your failing grades will help you save face.

stare someone in the face:  to be obvious and clear.  

• Example:  You wouldn't believe the truth if it was staring you in the face.

stuff one's face:  to eat a lot of food.   

• Example:  You're going to gain a lot of weight if you keep stuffing your face late at night.

to tell someone (something) to their face:  directly to someone (especially in person).  

• Example:  I wish my girlfriend could tell me what the problem is to my face but she only talks to her girlfriends or mother.

(until someone is) blue in the face:  to talk or argue for a very long time.  

• Example:  I could've argued with my parents until I was blue in the face but they'd still never let me go to the party.

written all over someone's face:  when one's expression shows their real feelings.  

• Example:  When I arrived at the hospital I asked to see my dad but his death was written all over my mother's face.

keep a straight face:  to keep one's face expressionless and not smile or laugh.  

• Example:  When the speaker kept criticizing my professor it was hard for us to keep a straight face.

take something at face value:  to accept something the way that it appears or looks.  

• Example:  This guy seems very sweet but be careful of taking people at face value.

Idiom list with: FAIL(S)

without fail:  something that is certain, it always happens.  

• Example:  My husband is amazing—he takes me out to dinner twice a month without fail.

if all else fails:  if nothing else succeeds or occurs.  

• Example:  I want to be an actor but if all else fails I'll join the Army.

FAIR

fair and square:  honestly.   

• Example:  This time I won my match fair and square but no one believed me because I often cheat.

Idiom list with "FALL"

fall apart:  everything goes wrong and completely fails or stops working.  

• Example:  This sweater is so cheap—the first time I washed it it started to fall apart.

fall back on (something):  something else to support someone after problem, failure, etc.  

• Example:  Life insurance gives your family something to fall back on if something happens to you.

fall flat on one's face:  to fail completely.  

• Example:  I didn't practice my dance moves at all during the summer so I fell flat on my face at tryouts.

fall for someone:  to fall in love with someone.  

• Example:  Ugh, my little sister falls for a new guy every month and we have to listen to her talk about him for hours.

fall for something:  to believe something that isn't really true.  

• Example:  When you shop for a new car don't fall for those "no money down" offers—they are a total scam.

fall through:  to not occur as planned.  

• Example:  Our babysitter fell through so I stayed home with the kids while my wife went to the concert.

take the fall for (someone/something):  to take responsibility for something that happened.  

• Example:  My boss didn't finish the report and then wanted me to take the fall for it.

Idiom list with "FAMILY"

run in the family:  something (e.g., quality, behavior) that is common in the family.  

• Example:  Good looks run in that family, at least among the girls.

Idiom list with "FAR"

as far as:  to the degree or extent that.  

• Example:  As far as I can see it looks like it's a great day for a picnic.

by far:  a large degree.  

• Example:  My brother is my father's favorite child by far.

far and wide:  to a great extent or area.  

• Example:  I looked far and wide for new apartment in the city but everything was too expensive.

far from it:  far from the real situation; about the opposite of something (used especially to respond to something you think isn't true).  

• Example:  This is the best band I've ever heard. Oh my God, far from it!

so far:  at/until this time.  

• Example:  I just started working here two days ago but so far everything's been great.

so far, so good:  at (until) this point the situation is alright/satisfactory.  

• Example:  "How's your new car running?' "So far, so good."

FARM

bet the farm:  to risk everything one has on something.  

• Example:  I've got investments with two companies because I'm afraid of betting the farm with one broker.

Idiom list with "FATE"

seal someone's/something's fate:  something that makes a decision (usually for an unwanted outcome) for someone or something.  

• Example:  My terrible grades have sealed my fate—I'll have to join the military.

tempt fate:  to take a risk because of a foolish idea or belief.  

• Example:  Luckily, I passed the test without studying but I'm not going to tempt fate next time.

Idiom list with "FAULT"

to a fault:  more than is necessary (used to describe a person's good qualities).  

• Example:  My mom is helpful to a fault and everyone takes advantage of her.

FEATHERS

ruffle someone's feathers:  to make someone upset or bothered.  

• Example:  When I go to a party and talk to other guys it always ruffles my boyfriend's feathers.

Idiom list with "FED"

fed up (with someone/something):  to be bothered and angry by someone/something.  

• Example:  My assistant was so fed up with driving through rush-hour traffic to the office she quit.

Idiom list with "FEEL"

a / the feel for something:  to know how or have the ability to do something.  

• Example:  Don't worry—after a few months you'll get the feel for driving.

feel for someone:  to feel sympathy or empathy for someone.  

• Example:  My sister has been trying to get pregnant for seven years and I really feel for her.

feel free to do something:  to have permission to do something.  

• Example:  I'm putting the keys to my car here—feel free to drive it whenever you want.

(not) feel like oneself:  to feel (not feel) as happy and healthy as usual.  

• Example:  Ever since I got pregnant, I haven't felt like myself.

Idiom list with "FEELINGS"

no hard feelings:  to not be angry about something.  

• Example:  We decided to use a different supplier and I hope there will be no hard feelings.

find one's feet:  to become used to or familiar with a new situation or place.  

• Example:  It can take months to find your feet in a big city like New York.

get one's feet wet:  to try it or experience something different or risky (especially for the first time).  

• Example:  I finally decided to get my feet wet and registered for acting classes.

jump in with both feet:  to start something quickly and enthusiastically.  

• Example:  The wedding will be in two months so everyone has to jump in with both feet and help plan everything.

knock someone off their feet:  to make someone very happy or surprised.  

• Example:  When I first met Jennifer she completely knocked me off my feet.

land on one's feet:  to survive a difficult situation in good condition.   

• Example:  I'm so glad I was able to land on my feet after losing my job.

put one's feet up:  to relax and not do anything.  

• Example:  I'm exhausted but when I go to the beach this week I'm going to put my feet up.

six feet under:  dead and buried.  

• Example:  When I worked for John I was on the receiving end of his cruel criticism too many times.

stand on one's own (two) feet:  be able to take care of and provide for oneself.  

• Example:  If you don't want to do chores, move out and stand on your own two feet.

sweep someone off their feet:  to make someone fall quickly and completely in love with him.  

• Example:  My brother has perfected the art of sweeping girls off their feet—and then dumping them a few months later.

think on one's feet:  to be able to think and handle a situation quickly.   

• Example:  Lawyers need to be able to think on their feet when they're in the courtroom.

FISH

drink like a fish:  to drink too much alcohol at one time  

• Example:  Drinking like a fish is bad for your health and bad for your wallet.

FRUIT

bear fruit:  to produce a positive or desired result. 

• Example:  I really hope that giving up drinking alcohol and desserts will bear fruit in my weight loss efforts.

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You can also find many idiom definitions with the different online learner's dictionaries.

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