Idioms in alphabetical order

Here're 39 idioms starting with K.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W Y

KANGAROO COURT
a court set up outside the regular legal system; staged trial where the outcome is set from the beginning
KEEP (ONE'S) COOL
to stay calm under stress; not to become angry
KEEP (ONE'S) EYES PEELED
to be alert and watchful; to look very carefully for smth. or someone
KEEP (ONE'S) FINGERS CROSSED
to hope for smth.; to wish for luck
KEEP (ONE'S) HEAD ABOVE WATER
to just barely manage to stay ahead, financially (1) or with one’s work or responsibilities (2)
KEEP (ONE'S) NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE
to work hard without rest
KEEP (ONE'S) SHIRT ON
to stay calm or be patient when someone wants to hurry
KEEP (ONE'S) WITS ABOUT (ONE)
to pay attention and be ready to react
KEEP (SMTH.) UNDER (ONE'S) HAT
to keep smth. secret
KEEP (SOMEONE) AT ARM'S LENGTH
to keep someone at a distance emotionally
KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP
to maintain one's courage or composure during a time of trouble without giving way to or revealing one's emotions
KEEP AN EYE ON SMTH./SOMEONE
to watch or take care of smth. or someone
KEEP ONE'S CHIN UP
to remain calm or cheerful in a difficult or unpleasant situation
KEEP ONE'S NOSE CLEAN
to avoid getting into trouble
KEEP THE BALL ROLLING
to maintain momentum; to keep some process going
KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR
to have just enough money to be able to eat and live
KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES
to have the same standard of living as one’s friends and neighbors do
KEYED UP
full of nervous anticipation; anxious; tense
KICK THE BUCKET
to die
KICK THE HABIT
to give up smth. harmful that you have done for a long time
KICK THE TIRES
to inspect or test smth. or someone to ensure that he, she, or it meets the required or expected standard of quality
KICK UP (ONE'S) HEELS
to have a lively and fun time, usually at a party or dance
KICK UP A FUSS/STINK
to show great anger about smth. , especially when this does not seem necessary
KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE
to accomplish two objectives with one action
KNEE-HIGH TO A GRASSHOPPER
very young
KNOCK AT/ON THE DOOR OF SOMEONE/SMTH.
to be likely to happen soon
KNOCK IT OFF
used to tell someone to stop doing smth. that annoys you
KNOCK ON WOOD
said in order to avoid bad luck, either when you mention good luck that you have had in the past or when you mention hopes you have for the future
KNOCK SMTH. INTO A COCKED HAT
to be much better than smth. else
KNOCK THE SOCKS OFF
to have an overwhelming effect on
KNOCK/THROW (SOMEONE) FOR A LOOP
to shock, surprise, or astound someone
KNOW (ONE'S) ONIONS
to be very knowledgeable or skilled in some area
KNOW (SOMEONE) FROM ADAM, NOT
to be unable to recognize someone because the person is a stranger
KNOW BEANS ABOUT SMTH., NOT
to know very little about smth.; to speak without authority on some topic
KNOW IF (ONE) IS COMING OR GOING, NOT
to be confused and disoriented
KNOW THE INS AND OUTS
to be familiar with the details and hidden meanings of an activity or situation
KNOW THE ROPES
to be familiar with a task or situation
KNUCKLE DOWN
to do one’s work seriously; to apply oneself fully; to get busy
KNUCKLE UNDER
to submit or give in to pressure

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