Written by An idiom is a group of words with a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning.
It is a phrase or expression which has a non-literal meaning attached to it.
There are many Idiomatic expressions, but in this post, we will just be looking at idiomatic expressions that start with the letter ‘A’.
- A bad egg
- Meaning – A bag egg is used to convey that a person is a dishonest, unreliable or morally corrupt person. It is used to refer to someone who behaves in an irresponsible, unreliable and remissible manner. The phrase “a bad egg” implies that just as a bad egg is spoiled and should be discarded, this person should be avoided or shunned.
- Examples:
- I thought Emmanuel was a nice guy, but it turns out he’s a bad egg. He took my money and never delivered the goods.
- The new manager was determined to root out the bad eggs in her department and restore trust in her team.
- A barking dog seldom bites
- Meaning – It is used to convey that someone who is making a lot of noise or threats does not often take action. In other words, the idiomatic expression “A barking dog seldom bites” means that a person that makes a lot of noise or threats often doesn’t actually follow through with them.
- Examples:
- My husband yells at me all day, but I know that a barking dog seldom bites. He will cool down eventually.
- Don’t be afraid of my wife, she’s just barking. You know a barking seldom bites.
- Be a bit much
- Meaning – This is often used to refer to situations or actions that are deemed to be too extreme or unnecessary. It is used to refer to situations when something or actions is becoming more than reasonable and annoying.
- Examples:
- James is always telling jokes even in serious meetings. It can be a bit much at times.
- To me, calling your friend every hour is a bit too much.
- A bridge too Far
- Meaning – The idiom “A bridge too far” is an idiomatic expression referring to an attempt or action that is so ambitious or unrealistic that it is bound to fail. It is used to connote an action or attempt that goes beyond what is possible.
- Examples:
- The manager asserted “We don’t have the resources or expertise to execute the project. Embarking on the new project is a bridge too far“.
- Health experts argued that the political proposal for a national healthcare system is a bridge too far because it is too expensive and difficult to implement.
- A day late and a dollar short
- Meaning – It is used to refer to an action or attempt that is done too late that it fails to achieve its desired effect. The idiom can also refer to an action done too little or too late so that it fails to achieve a desired outcome or it results in a missed opportunity.
- Examples:
- Lilian try to buy the tickets to the music concert but they were already sold out. I guess she was a day late and a dollar short.
- Lilian’s apology was a day late and a dollar short.
- A fool and his money are soon parted
- Meaning – This is used to express the idea that someone who is foolish or naive with money is likely to squander it quickly. The idiom “a fool and his money are soon parted” is often used to refer to a foolish person who spends money carelessly and could not hold unto his wealth.
- Examples:
- I wanted to invest in the Ponzi scheme, but my father told me that “a fool and his money are soon parted“.
- Reece was convinced that he could make a fortune by day trading online, but he lost everything in a week. A fool and his money are soon parted.
- A fool at 40 is a fool forever
- Meaning – Just as its name seems to suggest, the idiom “a fool at 40 is a fool forever” is an idiomatic expression used to refer to someone who has to reach middle age but continues to act and behave foolishly so that it is assumed that he is unlikely to start acting more maturely. It suggests if someone is foolish at age 40 or any other middle age, he is likely to remain that way for the rest of his life.
- Examples:
- Jack is way too old to be making such silly mistakes. I guess it’s true what they say—a fool at 40 is a fool forever.
- Despite his age and experience, Samantha still acts like a child, he’s a fool at 40 and will be a fool forever.
- A hitch in your giddy-up
- Meaning – If it is used in a work or project, the idiom a hitch in your giddy-up refers to a problem or obstacle preventing progress or causing a delay.
- Examples:
- The building project ran into a hitch in the giddy-up when the city denied it a building permit.
- She was all set to go out, but her car broke down and now there is a hitch in the giddy-up.
- About as useful as a chocolate teapot
- Meaning – It is used to describe something that is completely useless or ineffective. It is a phrase used to refer to someone or something that is totally useless. Indeed, the comparison to a chocolate teapot is meant to convey the idea that the person or object is not only meaningless but also absurd and ridiculous.
- Examples:
- The manual instructions for the calculator don’t make any sense at all. They don’t tell me how to use it. I think they are about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
- The mobile app keeps crashing and I can’t even open it. It is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder
- Meaning – This is used to say that you feel more affection for people when you are away from them. In other words, it is used to say being away from someone or something can increase one’s love or affection for it.
- Example:
- After a month-long business trip, I realized how much I missed my family. Indeed, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
- She hasn’t seen her parents in a year, but she misses them so much. I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder.
- An accident waiting to happen
- Meaning – The phrase is used to describe a situation or circumstance that is liking to result in danger or mishap in the future. It can also refer to someone whose behaviour is likely to cause trouble or danger in the future.
- Examples:
- The building has a faulty foundation. It’s an accident waiting to happen.
- That car has been making strange noises for weeks, it’s an accident waiting to happen if you don’t repair it on time.
- Ace up your sleeve
- Meaning – This is used to refer to a secret advantage that can be used when needed. It is used to denote a hidden advantage that someone has, which he can use to his advantage.
- Examples:
- He is keeping all the details of their unscrupulous business practices as an ace in his sleeve in case they ever try to fire him.
- The salesperson had an ace up his sleeve in the form of a special deal he could offer to the client, which helped him close the sale.
- Act your age, not your shoe size
- Meaning: This is used to tell someone to behave in a more mature and appropriate way for their age. The term is usually used when a person is acting in a way that is immature or childish.
- Examples:
- My son is acting like a child, so I told him to act his age, not his shoe size.
- The adult man was acting like a child, throwing a tantrum because he didn’t get his way. His friends told him to act his age, not his shoe size.
- Examples:
- Meaning: This is used to tell someone to behave in a more mature and appropriate way for their age. The term is usually used when a person is acting in a way that is immature or childish.
- Add fuel to the fire
- Meaning – To add fuel to the fire is to worsen a conflict between people or worsen an already difficult situation. It means to further worsen a situation or argument.
- Examples:
- The country was already in a state of political turmoil, but the president’s controversial statements added fuel to the fire and increased tensions even more.
- The president has plenty to say about the situation but he was afraid he would add fuel to the fire. So he kept his mouth shut.
- Add insult to Injury
- Meaning – This means to act or talk in a way that makes a bad situation worse. In other words, add insult to injury is an idiomatic expression which means to worsen an already unfavourable situation by saying or doing something hurtful or offensive. It implies that someone has already been harmed or mistreated, and then another person or situation comes along and makes it even worse.
- Examples:
- They sack him, and to add insult to injury, they refuse to pay his compensation benefits.
- Daniel was already feeling embarrassed after spilling his drink on his shirt, but when his friends laughed, it added insult to injury.
- Ahead of one’s time
- Meaning – It refers to someone or something that is too advanced or innovative that it is not fully understood or appreciated in the present moment. It is used when something or someone is showing characteristics of changes yet to be fully understood or appreciated.
- Examples:
- The artist was ahead of her time. He was busy creating bold and experimental works that many people couldn’t understand or appreciate in the 1960s. Today, his pieces are considered masterpieces and are highly sought after by collectors.
- As a singer, Fela Kuti was ahead of his time.
- Ahead of the curve
- Meaning – The phrase “ahead of the curve” is mainly used in a business context to refer to staying ahead of current trends and development in the industry. It can also mean staying ahead of the competition or being in a position of advantage.
- Examples:
- Our company’s new technology is ahead of the curve, giving us a competitive advantage in the market.
- Messi’s training and conditioning program put him ahead of the curve, resulting in a record-breaking performance at the World cup.
- Ahead of the game
- Meaning – It is used to say that someone or something is ahead of its competitors or rivals. It is often used to describe someone or something that is well-prepared or has a head start in a competition so that he is in a position of advantage over others.
- Examples:
- The extensive research and development program conducted by the company every year ensures that it is ahead of the game.
- The student was ahead of the game after taking extra classes during the summer to prepare for the upcoming school year.
- Ahead of the pack
- Meaning –This is an expression which means to be performing better than others. It means to be in a place of leadership or to be ahead of others in a competition or race.
- Examples:
- The poll conducted by the media house has suggested that the Labour party candidate is way ahead of the pack.
- The new startup company is ahead of the pack in terms of technology and innovation.
- All bark and No Bite
- Meaning – This is used to refer to someone who makes a lot of noise or threats buts lacks power and action. It refers to a person who is full of big talk but does not follow through with any action.
- Examples:
- The new boss was all bark and no bite, and the employees quickly realized they had nothing to fear from him.
- During electioneering campaigns, Nigeria’s politicians are always talking about how they are going to fix the economy but it’s all bark and no bite – they never actually do anything.
- All works without play make jack a dull boy
- Meaning – The phrase “all works without play makes jack a dull boy” means that if someone only focuses on work and doesn’t take time to relax and have fun, he will become bored. This phrase implies that a balance of work and leisure activities is necessary for a person’s well-being and happiness.
- Examples:
- The manager always reminds her employees to take breaks and enjoy leisure activities, because she knows that all work and no play make Jack a dull boy.
- All schools have break time and leisure time because they know that all work and no play make jack a dull boy.
- As if there were no tomorrow
- Meaning – It means to do something excessively, without restraint or thought. The idiom as if there were no tomorrow is used to tell someone to do something as much as they can or excessively as if there wouldn’t be another opportunity to do it again.
- Examples:
- Mary worked as if there were no tomorrow, putting in long hours and pushing herself to the limit.
- Every time James goes partying, He drinks and dances as if there were no tomorrow.
