- “Back to square one” – starting something from the beginning
- Example Sentences:
- After spending hours trying to fix the broken computer, we realized that we needed to start from the beginning and go back to square one.
- The project had to be completely redone because we realized that some of the assumptions we had made were incorrect, so we were back to square one.
- After several failed attempts to find a solution, we decided to go back to square one and reassess the problem from the beginning.
- The team was disappointed when they realized that they had made a mistake and would have to go back to square one, but they were determined to find a solution.
- Despite all of the progress we had made, we were forced to go back to square one when we realized that our original plan wasn’t feasible.
- Example Sentences:
- “Barking up the wrong tree” – pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought
- Example Sentences:
- I thought the noise was coming from the basement, but I was barking up the wrong tree – it was actually coming from the attic.
- I spent hours trying to track down the source of the error in my code, but it turns out I was barking up the wrong tree – the problem was with the server, not my code.
- I thought my neighbor was the one who had taken my bike, but I was barking up the wrong tree – it was actually one of the kids in the neighborhood.
- My boss accused me of stealing office supplies, but she was barking up the wrong tree – I had nothing to do with it.
- I thought the solution to the problem was to add more resources, but I was barking up the wrong tree – we actually needed to change our approach completely.
- Example Sentences:
- “Beat around the bush” – avoid discussing a topic directly
- Example Sentences
- I’m tired of you beating around the bush – just tell me what you want to say.
- The politician avoided answering the question and instead beat around the bush with vague statements.
- I could tell that my friend was trying to drop a hint, but she was beating around the bush and not coming out and saying it directly.
- The CEO was asked about the company’s financial performance, but instead of giving a straight answer, he beat around the bush and talked about other things.
- I asked my mom if I could go to the concert, but instead of saying yes or no, she beat around the bush and talked about how expensive it was.
- Example Sentences
- “Bite off more than you can chew” – take on more tasks or responsibilities than you can handle
- Example sentence:
- I agreed to take on too many projects at once and ended up biting off more than I could chew – I was overwhelmed and couldn’t complete everything on time.
- I thought I could handle a full course load and a part-time job, but I ended up biting off more than I could chew – I had to drop one of the classes.
- The company took on a new contract without realizing the full scope of the work, and ended up biting off more than they could chew – they had to turn down other opportunities to focus on it.
- I wanted to impress my boss by volunteering for every extra project that came up, but I ended up biting off more than I could chew – I was working long hours and wasn’t able to complete everything to my satisfaction.
- My friend wanted to try every new restaurant in the city in one week, but ended up biting off more than she could chew – she was too tired and full to enjoy the last few meals.
- Example sentence:
- “Break a leg” – a way of wishing someone good luck, especially in the theater
- Example sentences:
- “Break a leg tonight!” I shouted to my friend as she headed off to her audition.
- “Good luck on your presentation – break a leg!” I said as I gave my colleague a hug before she headed into the meeting.
- My mom always tells me to “break a leg” before I go on stage, even though I’m not sure she knows what it means.
- The director wished the cast of the play “break a leg” before opening night.
- I was so nervous before my driving test that my friends all told me to “break a leg” – I guess they were trying to wish me good luck in their own way.
- Example sentences:
Most popular idioms and sentences 3
