Here is a list of idioms based on buildings. Each idiom is followed by its meaning \/ definition. Example sentences are also given.<\/p>\n
An ivory tower is a place of privileged seclusion. People living in ivory towers do not have to deal with the harsh realities of life.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Even in democracies, it is hard to find leaders who remain constantly in touch with the people. Most of them live in an ivory tower just like the kings they replaced.<\/p>\n
An idiom used to mean that you will always have to face the consequences of your bad actions.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Bad deeds are like small children. They always come home to roost.<\/p>\n
To hit the roof is to lose one\u2019s temper and show their anger.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Dad hit the roof when he discovered that I had dropped out of school.<\/p>\n
To hold the fort is to look after a business or home when the person who normally takes care of these things is away.<\/p>\n
\u2022 My boss is away on a business trip. Presently I am holding the fort.<\/p>\n
Used to refer to something that was not as good as expected.<\/p>\n
\u2022I watched that film yesterday after reading all of those five star reviews, but it was nothing to write home about. (= It was a mediocre film.)<\/p>\n
If you ask someone to put their own house in order, you want them to solve their own problems before telling you how to solve yours.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Don\u2019t you think you should put your own house in order, before giving me advice?<\/p>\n
If something is run-of-the-mill, it is quite ordinary.<\/p>\n
\u2022 I am tired of watching the same run-of-the-mill shows on television.<\/p>\n
Used to refer to the chances that something bad will happen.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Good leaders should be able to see the writing on the wall.
\n\u2022 If the administrators were efficient, they should have seen the writing on the wall and come up with an effective strategy to deal with the menace called terrorism.<\/p>\n
If you are waiting in the wings, you\u2019re waiting for a chance to take over a new role.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Rahul is waiting in the wings but he won\u2019t get a chance until a member of the cricket team drops out.
\n\u2022 We have millions of youngsters waiting in the wings for an opportunity.<\/p>\n
If you can bank on someone, you can be certain that they will be there for you when you need them.<\/p>\n
\u2022 You can always bank on true friends.<\/p>\n
To lock the barn door after the horse has bolted is to take measures to protect something after damage has already occurred.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Hiring a watchman after last week\u2019s burglary was a bit like locking the barn door after the horse had bolted.<\/p>\n
When something hits you like a ton of bricks, it has a huge impact on you.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The news of her death hit me like a ton of bricks.<\/p>\n
To burn the bridges is to do something that would make it impossible to go back to a previous situation.<\/p>\n
\u2022 You may quit the job if you don\u2019t want to, but don\u2019t burn your bridges. It always makes sense to leave on a positive note.<\/p>\n
Used to mean that it takes a lot of time to do an important job.<\/p>\n
\u2022 I have been working on this website for years and I am still not finished but that is hardly surprising. Rome wasn\u2019t built in a day.<\/p>\n
Castles in the air are day dreams.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If you are always building castles in the air, you won\u2019t make any progress in life.<\/p>\n
To be in the dog house is to be in real trouble.<\/p>\n
\u2022 He was really in the doghouse when his father discovered that he was into drugs.<\/p>\n
To make yourself at home is to act as if you are at home.<\/p>\n
\u2022 She always makes herself at home when she visits her in-laws.<\/p>\n
A house of cards is a poorly thought out plan or action. It can also refer to a flimsy structure.<\/p>\n
\u2022 One by one, his plans came crashing down like a house of cards.<\/p>\n
If something (for example, drinks) is on the house, it is provided free by a business.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The pub was celebrating its first anniversary so drinks and snacks were on the house.<\/p>\n
To bring the house down is to excite the audience with one\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
\u2022 She really brought the house down with her splendid performance.<\/p>\n
To go through the mill is to experience a great deal of hardship.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Since her husband\u2019s untimely death, she has been going through the mill.<\/p>\n
To go through the roof is to become very angry.<\/p>\n
\u2022 When my mom discovered that I had failed my test, she went through the roof.<\/p>\n
To hit the roof is to go into a rage.<\/p>\n
\u2022 When she discovered that her son was into gambling, she hit the roof.<\/p>\n
To be a tower of strength is to give strong support.<\/p>\n
\u2022 My family was my tower of strength all through the years I spent battling depression.<\/p>\n
To climb the wall is to be so bored that you become frustrated.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The delay was so maddening that she started climbing the wall.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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