1.

Play it by ear

Meaning: Playing something by ear means that rather than sticking to a defined plan,
you will see how things go and decide on a course of action as you go along.

Examples:

 I like those comedy shows where they play it by ear and just say whatever they
like and do whatever they like.

 Jean says he's not sure what goes on in the meetings, so he'll just play it by ear
and see what happens.

2. Raining cats and dogs

Meaning: It’s “raining cats and dogs” when it’s raining particularly heavily.

 We can't go now because it's raining cats and dogs.

 Why do people always use "it's raining cats and dogs" as an example of an
idiom? No-one actually uses it any more, do they?

3. Can’t do something to save my life

Meaning: “Can’t do something to save your life” is a hyperbolic way of saying that you’re
completely inept at something. It’s typically used in a self-deprecating manner or to
indicate reluctance to carry out a task requested of one.

Examples:

“I hope David doesn’t take me to a nightclub tonight. I can’t dance to save my life!”

“That meal was delicious but I’m sure Jenny bought it from the supermarket –she can’t
cook to save her life!”

4. Turn a blind eye

Meaning: To “turn a blind eye” to something means to pretend not to have noticed it.

Examples:

The usher turned a blind eye to the little boy who sneaked into the theater.

How can you turn a blind eye to all those starving children?
5. Fat chance

Meaning: We use the expression “fat chance” to refer to something that is incredibly
unlikely. Bizarrely, and contrary to what one might expect, the related expression “slim
chance” means the same thing.

Examples:

A: "Maybe the teacher will let us out of class early today." B: "Ha! Fatchance."

There's fat chance thecourse of true love will run smoothly.

6. Pot calling the kettle black

Meaning: We use this expression to refer to someone who criticises someone else, for
something they themselves are guilty of.

Examples:

‘Well now, isn't this a fine case of the pot calling the kettle black?’

‘To be fair, my own criticism is an example of the pot calling the kettle black.’

7. Once in a blue moon

Meaning: The phrase refers to something that happens very infrequently.

Example: “I only see him once in a blue moon.”

Peter only comes out for a drink once in blue moon now that he has kids.

8. Head in the clouds

Meaning: Used to describe someone who is not being realistic, the expression “head in
the clouds” suggests that the person isn’t grounded in reality and is prone to flights of
fancy. The opposite expression would be something like “down to earth”, meaning
someone who is practical and realistic.

Example: “He’s not right for this role, he has his head in the clouds.”

That sort of head in the clouds thinking is not getting us any closer to a workable
solution.

9. Mad as a hatter
Meaning: “Mad as a hatter” refers to someone who is completely crazy. A similar
expression is “mad as a March hare”.

Example: “You could ask him, but he’s mad as a hatter.”

John can't control his temper. He's always mad as a hatter.

10. Driving me up the wall

Meaning: This expression is used when something (or someone) is causing extreme
exasperation and annoyance. A similar expression meaning the same thing is “driving
me round the bend”.

Example: “That constant drilling noise is driving me up the wall.”

All his talk about moving to California nearly drove me up the wall.

11. Call it a day

Meaning: This means to stop doing something for the day, for example work, either
temporarily or to give it up completely.

Examples:

When we still couldn't find thesource of the discrepancy, we decided to call it a day and
revisit it tomorrow.

This package is the last one. Once weget this shipped, we can call it a day.

12. Knight in shining armour

Meaning: A knight in shining armour is a heroic, idealised male who typically comes to
the rescue of a female.

Examples:

When the police officer pulled over to help the old woman change her flat tire, she
hugged him and said he was her knight in shining armor.

My car broke down at the roundabout. Luckily, a knight in shining armour stopped to
help me.
13. do me a favour

Meaning: To help someone else, typically at their request. In this usage, the person
being helped is stated between "do" and "a."

Examples:

Hey, do me a favor and take these bags into the kitchen while I get the others from the
car.

I did myself a favor and went to bed early last night.

14. Larger than life

Meaning: The phrase “larger than life” refers to a flamboyant, gregarious person whose
mannerisms or appearance are considered more outlandish than those of other people.

Examples:

Celebrities are always larger than life to their fans. Have you seen the new stadium? It
really seems like it's larger than life when you're inside.

Perry seemed larger than life to those who had only read about him.

15. Extend the olive branch

Meaning: To extend the olive branch is to take steps towards achieving peace with an
enemy (or simply someone with whom you have fallen out).

Examples:

He extended an olive branch to the powerful Hashed tribal federation and called for a
ceasefire.

Hone Harawira has offered an unexpected olive branch to the Maori Party, saying his
new Mana movement is prepared to work with his former party for the betterment of
Maoridom.