English Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions

Showing 51-86 of 86 results for letter 'K'
Kicked to touch
Touch is a zone of the playing field in Rugby. Kicked to touch means the ball was put safely out of play. Idiomatic usage usually means a person has deftly avoided an issue in argument.
Kid gloves
If someone is handled with kid gloves, they are given special treatment and handled with great care.
Kill the fatted calf
If you kill the fatted calf, you have a celebration, usually to welcome someone who's been away a long time.
Kill the goose that lays the golden egg
If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, you ruin something that is very profitable.
Kill two birds with one stone
Kill with kindness
If you kill someone with kindness, you are very kind, possibly excessively kind, to them.
Kindred spirit
King of the castle
King's ransom
Kiss and tell
Kiss of death
The kiss of death is an action that means failure or ruin for someone, a scheme, a plan, etc.
Kiss something goodbye
Kissing cousin
A kissing cousin is someone you are related to, but not closely.
(UK) Kitchen-sink drama deals with ordinary people's lives.
Kith and kin
Knee slapper
Knee-high to a grasshopper
If something happened when you were knee-high to a grasshopper, it happened when you were a very young child.
Knee-jerk reaction
A knee-jerk reaction is an instant, instinctive response to a situation.
Knickers in a twist
When your knickers are in a twist, you are angry and snappish over something trivial. 'Whenever he loses his car keys, he gets his knickers in a twist.'
Knight in shining armour
Knit your brows
If you knit your brows, you frown or look worried.
Knock 'em dead
'Knock 'em dead' is used as a way of wishing someone luck before they give a performance or have to appear before people, as in an interview, etc. ('em = them)
Knock into a cocked hat
If you knock something or someone into a cocked hat, you are much better.
Knock on wood
This idiom is used to wish for good luck. ('Touch wood' is also used.)
Knock something on the head
Knock the pins from under someone
Knock your block off
Knock your socks off
If something knocks your socks off, it amazes and surprises you, usually in a positive way.
Know a hawk from a handsaw
If someone knows a hawk from a handsaw, they are able to distinguish things and assess them.
Know full well
Know the ropes
Know where all the bodies are buried
Someone who by virtue of holding a position of trust with an organization for a long period of time has come to know many of the secrets that others in more powerful positions would rather be kept secret knows where the bodies are buried. An implication is that the person knowing these secrets will use that knowledge to secure something of value for him- or herself.
Know which side one's bread is buttered on
If you know which side one's bread is buttered on, you know where your interests lie and will act accordingly to protect or further them.
Know which way the wind blows
Know your onions
If someone is very well-informed about something, they know their onions.
Know your place

