English expressions

An idiom is a phrase where the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary

definitions of the individual words

Idioms Beginning With 'A'

A bit much
If something is excessive or annoying, it is a bit much.

A day late and a dollar short
(USA) If something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late.

A fool and his money are soon parted
This idiom means that people who aren't careful with their money spend it quickly. 'A fool and his money are easily parted' is an alternative form of the idiom.

A little bird told me
If someone doesn't want to say where they got some information from, they can say that a little bird told them.

A OK
If things are A OK, they are absolutely fine.

A penny for your thoughts
This idiom is used as a way of asking someone what they are thinking about.

A penny saved is a penny earned
This means that we shouldn't spend or waste money, but try to save it.

A picture is worth a thousand words
A picture can often get a message across much better than the best verbal description.

A poor man's something
Something or someone that can be compared to something or someone else, but is not as good is a poor man's version; a writer who uses lots of puns but isn't very funny would be a poor man's Oscar Wilde.

A pretty penny
If something costs a pretty penny, it is very expensive.

A rising tide lifts all boats
This idiom, coined by John F Kennedy, describes the idea that when an economy is performing well, all people will benefit from it.

A rolling stone gathers no moss
People say this to mean that that a go-getter type person is more successful than a person not doing any thing.

A steal
If something is a steal, it costs much less than it is really worth.

A1
If something is A1, it is the very best or finest.

Abide by a decision
If you abide by a decision, you accept it and comply with it, even though you might disagree with it.

Abject lesson
(India) An abject lesson serves as a warning to others. (In some varieties of English 'object lesson' is used.)

About as useful as a chocolate teapot
Someone or something that is of no practical use is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

About face
If someone changes their mind completely, this is an about face. It can be used when companies, governments, etc, change their position on an issue.

Above board
If things are done above board, they are carried out in a legal and proper manner.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder
This idiom means that when people are apart, their love grows stronger.

Accident waiting to happen
If something is an accident waiting to happen, there's definitely going to be an accident or it's bound to go wrong. ('Disaster waiting to happen' is also used.)

Ace up your sleeve
If you have an ace up your sleeve, you have something that will give you an advantage that other people don't know about.

Achilles' heel
A person's weak spot is their Achilles' heel.

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