This is the third of 12 pages (3/12) of alphabetically organized idiomatic expressions. These expressions begin with the letters D, E and F. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find a challenging quiz about these idiomatic expressions.
- day in and day out – every day without change; repeatedly or continuously.
Example: She works late day in and day out. - die down – to become less strong or intense (like noise, wind, or emotions).
Example: Wait until the laughter dies down before continuing. - do over – to do again; repeat.
Example: You’ll have to do the test over if you fail. - do without – to manage without something.
Example: I can do without coffee today. - down the drain – wasted or lost.
Example: All that hard work went down the drain. - dream up – to invent or imagine something, often unrealistic.
Example: Who dreamed up this crazy idea? - drop (someone) a line – to write or contact someone briefly.
Example: Don’t forget to drop me a line when you arrive. - drop in (on) – to visit unexpectedly or informally.
Example: We dropped in on some old friends yesterday. - drop off (1) – to take someone/something to a place and leave them/it there.
Example: I’ll drop you off at the airport. - drop off (2) – to fall asleep.
Example: He dropped off during the movie. - drop out (of) – to leave or quit something (especially school).
Example: She dropped out of college last year. - easy as pie – very easy.
Example: That test was easy as pie. - eyes bigger than one’s stomach – to take more food than one can eat.
Example: His eyes were bigger than his stomach at the buffet. - fall behind – to move slower than others; to fail to keep up.
Example: He fell behind in class after being sick. - fall through – to fail or not happen (especially plans).
Example: Our vacation plans fell through at the last minute. - a far cry from – very different from.
Example: Life in the city is a far cry from the peaceful countryside. - fed up (with) – annoyed or bored with something.
Example: I’m fed up with all the noise. - feel free – you’re welcome to do something; go ahead.
Example: Feel free to ask questions. - feel like – to want or be in the mood for something.
Example: I feel like watching a movie. - feel like a million dollars – to feel great or very healthy.
Example: After a nap, I felt like a million dollars. - feel up to – to feel well enough or ready to do something.
Example: I don’t feel up to going out tonight. - few and far between – rare; not happening often.
Example: Jobs in that area are few and far between. - figure out – to understand or solve something.
Example: I can’t figure out this math problem.