Idioms in alphabetical order

Here're 73 idioms starting with C.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W Y

CALL (SOMEONE'S) BLUFF
to challenge someone to carry out a threat or prove the truth of a statement
CALL (SOMEONE) ON THE CARPET
to confront or hold someone responsible for some misdeed
CALL A SPADE A SPADE
to speak plainly or call smth. by its right name, even if it is unpleasant
CALL INTO QUESTION
to cause doubts about smth.
CALL THE SHOTS
to be in control or to give orders
CAN OF WORMS, OPEN A
a situation that contains many unexpected and unwanted problems and consequences
CAN'T MAKE A LICK OF SENSE (OUT) OF SMTH.
totally unable to comprehend or interpret smth. in a way that one can understand or that reveals some purpose, reason, etc.
CARRY A TORCH (FOR SOMEONE)
to be in love with someone, usually someone who does not love in return
CARRY THE BALL
to take on work or responsibility in order to keep a project moving forward
CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
to offer smth. to someone who cannot appreciate it
CATCH (SOMEONE'S) EYE
to attract someone’s visual attention
CATCH (SOMEONE'S) FANCY
to appeal to someone
CATCH (SOMEONE) RED-HANDED
to catch someone in the act of committing some offense
CATCH SIGHT OF SOMEONE/SMTH.
to see smth. only for a moment
CHANGE HORSES IN MIDSTREAM
to change plans or leaders in the middle of some action or event
CHANGE OF HEART
a reversal of attitude
CHARMED LIFE, LEAD A
to be lucky or avoid danger
CHECKERED PAST
a personal history that includes both successes and failures, or ethical and unethical behavior
CHEW (SMTH.) OVER
to think slowly and carefully about smth.
CHEW (SOMEONE) OUT [GET CHEWED OUT]
to scold someone harshly
CHICKEN
scared; frightened
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK, A
very much like one’s parent(s)
CHIP ON (ONE'S) SHOULDER
a feeling of bitterness caused by a sense that one has been treated unfairly
CLAM UP
to not say anything
CLAW ONE'S WAY (SOMEWHERE)
to move forwards with difficulty
CLEAN (SOMEONE) OUT
to take or steal everything someone has
CLEAN SLATE [WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN]
a new beginning, usually achieved by removing any record of previous bad deeds (1) or debts (2)
CLEAR THE AIR
to resolve hidden resentment or uncover hidden thoughts
CLIMB THE WALLS
to be uneasy or restless
CLIMB UP THE LADDER
to become increasingly powerful or successful
CLIMB/JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON
to join the crowd in following a popular position, cause, activity, or fashion
CLOSE SHAVE
a narrow escape
CLOSE TO THE BONE
almost offensive or too honest
CLOSED-MINDED
unwilling to consider new ideas
CLOWN AROUND
to act silly
COCK-AND-BULL STORY
a story that is too unlikely to be believed
COLD FEET
too scared to do smth.
COLD FISH
a person who seems unfriendly and who does not share their feelings
COLD TURKEY
abruptly; not gradually
COME FULL CIRCLE
to return (figuratively) to a point where one has been before
COME HOME TO ROOST
to return to cause trouble
COME OFF IT!
a response to a statement that cannot be believed (1) or a behavior that must be stopped (2)
COME OUT OF (ONE'S) SHELL
to stop being shy
COME OUT SMELLING LIKE A ROSE
to avoid blame that one deserves; to seem innocent
COME RAIN OR SHINE
whatever happens
COME ROARING BACK
to become very successful or active again
COME THE RAW PRAWN
to try to deceive someone, especially by pretending that you have no knowledge of smth.
COME TO LIGHT
to become known publicly; be revealed
COME UP ROSES
to turn out very well
COME/FALL APART AT THE SEAMS
to break into parts or pieces
COMPARE APPLES AND ORANGES
used to say that two things are completely different and it is not sensible to compare them
COOK (SOMEONE'S) GOOSE
to ruin someone’s plans
COOK UP
to invent or plan
COOL (ONE'S) HEELS
to wait
CORNERED
trapped with no means of escape
COST (SOMEONE) A MINT/ AN ARM AND A LEG
to cost a great deal of money
COUCH POTATO
a person who sits for long periods of time on the couch, usually eating snack foods and watching television
CREAM OF THE CROP
the best
CREATURE COMFORTS
things that make life more pleasant
CREATURE OF HABIT
someone who always does the same thing in the same way
CROCODILE TEARS
false, exaggerated tears
CROSS (ONE'S) FINGERS
to hope for luck
CRY OVER SPILLED MILK
to be unhappy because of a past event that cannot be changed
CRY WOLF
to raise a false alarm or exaggerate so often that one is no longer believed
CRY/SAY UNCLE
to admit defeat
CUSHY NUMBER
an easy job
CUT (SOMEONE) TO THE QUICK
to hurt or wound someone deeply
CUT A POOR FIGURE
to appear or behave badly
CUT AND DRIED
routine (1) or clear and unequivocal (2)
CUT CORNERS
to do things poorly or incompletely in order to save money
CUT OFF (ONE'S) NOSE TO SPITE (ONE'S) FACE
to injure oneself in the process of seeking revenge or attempting to punish someone
CUT THE MUSTARD
to meet standards
CUT TO THE CHASE
to talk about or deal with the important parts of a subject and not waste time

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