As Cool as Cucumber

Idiom/Saying

Explanation

Blood on the carpet.

For example:

"After the meeting there was blood on the carpet."

A lot of trouble in an organization often resulting in someone losing their job.

The glass ceiling.

For example:

"Although she had hit the glass ceiling head on, she didn't give up."

When the advancement of a qualified person within the hierarchy of an organization is stopped at a lower level (it happens to women a lot).

To hit the ceiling.

For example:

"When her husband hears she crashed the car he'll hit the ceiling."

To become very angry about something.

Skeleton in the closet / cupboard.

For example:

Nearly every family has a skeleton in the cupboard.

If you have a skeleton in the cupboard it means you have are hiding a shocking secret about yourself.

To get a foot in the door.

For example:

"If you could introduce me to your boss it would help me get my foot in the door."

An opening or opportunity.

To show someone the door.

For example:

"He was so annoying I asked my secretary to show him the door."

Ask someone to leave (usually rudely).

To be a doormat.

For example:

"She treated him like a doormat, but he never complained.

Describes someone who doesn't stand up for his/herself.

To have elbow room.

For example:

"She asked us to move back to give her elbow room."

To have enough space.

To get in on the ground floor.

For example:

"It's a really good opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a successful new business."

To join something at a low level in the hope of making gains in the future.

A different kettle of fish.

For example:

"Oh! They want to place an order? That's a different kettle of fish. Of course I'll talk to them."

A different matter or issue.

A pretty or fine kettle of fish.

For example:

"They're divorced, and someone's sat them next to each other - that's a fine kettle of fish."

A difficult or awkward situation.

The pot calling the kettle black.

For example:

"When politicians say that bankers have been lying, it's like the pot calling the kettle black."

To accuse someone of being a hypocrite.

A watched kettle never boils.

For example:

"Elfish couldn't wait for her exam results, but I told her, "A watched kettle never boils."

When you are anxiously waiting for something to happen, it always seems to take longer.

Everything but the kitchen sink.

For example:

"The check-in girl told her she was way over her weight limit. She'd packed everything but the kitchen sink."

A lot of things - especially used when packing

To be a lounge lizard.

For example:

"He kept chatting her up, he was a real lounge lizard."

When a man is very sleazy or smarmy.

The pot calling the kettle black.

For example:

"When politicians say that bankers have been lying, it's like the pot calling the kettle black."

To accuse someone of being a hypocrite.

To make room for someone or something.

For example:

"Could you move over a bit and make some room for me?"

To arrange space for someone or something.

Everything but the kitchen sink.

For example:

"The check-in girl told her she was way over her weight limit. She'd packed everything but the kitchen sink."

A lot of things - especially used when packing

As much use as a chocolate teapot.

For example:

"As soon as I switched it on the fuse blew. It was as much use as a chocolate teapot."

Useless.

Throw in the towel.

For example:

"They knew they were going to lose, so they threw in the towel."

To give up.

Climb the wall.

For example:

"The lesson was so boring the students were soon climbing the walls."

To be extremely bored.

Drive someone up the wall.

For example:

“My little brother is so annoying he drives me up the wall.”

To annoy or irritate someone.

The handwriting’s on the wall.

For example:

"He should have known he would lose his job, the handwriting was on the wall."

Obvious bad luck.

To go to the wall.

For example:

"The recession hit so hard many businesses went to the wall.

To become bankrupt

To knock one`s head against a brick wall.

For example:

"I have been knocking my head against a brick wall trying to solve this week's Mind Bender."

To waste time trying to do something with little or no success.