Idioms for Priorities and Decisions
1) the bottom line
Meaning- In a discussion or argument, the bottom line is the most important and basic fact about what you are discussing.
(NOTE- A reference to the last line in a set of accounts, which states how much money has been made.)
Example- The bottom line is that the great majority of our kids are physically unfit.
2) cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning- If you say 'I'll cross that bridge when I come to it: you mean that you will deal with a problem when, or if, it happens.
Example- 'You can't make me talk to you'. 'No, but the police can'. 'I'll cross that bridge when I come to it'.
3) cut to the chase
Meaning- If you cut to the chase, you start talking about or dealing with what is really important, instead of less important things.
(NOTE- In films, when one scene ends and another begins the action is said to 'cut' from one scene to the next. If a film 'cuts to the chase', it moves on to a car chase scene, which is usually fast-moving and exciting.)
Example- I'll cut to the chase - we just don't have enough money for the project.
4) the icing on the cake
Meaning- If you describe something as the icing on the cake, you mean that it is an extra good thing that makes a good situation or activity even better.
Example- To play for one's country is the ultimate experience. To be in a winning team is the icing on the cake.
5) in two minds
Meaning- If you are in two minds about something, you are not able to reach a decision or opinion about something.
Example- Roche was in two minds whether to make the trip to Oslo.
6) make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning- If someone makes a mountain out of a molehill, they talk or complain about a small, unimportant problem as if it is important and serious.
Example- Don't make a mountain out of a molehill - it's really not a big deal.
7) on the back burner
Meaning- If you put a project or issue on the back burner, you decide not to do anything about it until a later date.
Example- People's dreams have once again been put on the back burner as they concern themselves with surviving from one day to the next.
(NOTE- Different prepositions allow you to use the back burner in other ways with a similar meaning.)
Example- Healthcare workers worry that the expense will push this issue onto a back burner. In this climate, website development is an obvious candidate for the back burner.
8) play it by ear
Meaning- If you play it by ear, you deal with things as they happen, rather than following a plan or previous arrangement.
9) sit on the fence
Meaning- If you sit on the fence, you refuse to give a definite opinion about something or to say who you support in an argument.
(NOTE- The fence referred to is one that separates two properties or territories and someone sitting on it is unable or unwilling to make a decision about which side to stand on.)
Example- Which do you prefer: chocolate or vanilla ice-cream? You can't sit on the fence and say you like both of them equally.
OTE I Verbs such as stay and be can be used instead of sit.
Example- Democrats who'd been on the fence about the nomination, in the end all voted for him.
10) split hairs
Meaning- If someone splits hairs, they argue about very small details or find very small differences between things which are really very similar.
Example- Many of the cases the reporter mentioned were not, in fact, on the original list, but let's not split hairs.
11) stick to your guns
Meaning- If you stick to your guns, you refuse to change your decision or opinion about something, even though other people are trying to tell you that you are wrong.
(NOTE- Think of soldiers remaining in position, even though they are being attacked by the enemy.)
Example- Once you have decided what is and isn't acceptable, stick to your guns despite your child's protests.
12) take a back seat
If you take a back seat, you allow other people to have all the power, importance, or responsibility.
Example- I was happy to take a back seat and give someone else the opportunity to manage the project.
13) the tip of the iceberg
If something is the tip of the iceberg, it is a small part of a very large problem or a very serious situation.
Example- We get about 2,000 complaints every year and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
14) up in the air
Meaning- If an important decision or plan is up in the air, it has not been decided or arranged yet.
Example- At the moment, the fate of the Hungarian people is still up in the air.
Example- At the moment, the fate of the Hungarian people is still up in the air.
-------------------------------
Follow Us