Idioms in alphabetical order
Here're 55 idioms starting with L.LABOR OF LOVE
smth. done out of affection or great interest
LAME DUCK
a person who holds an office but has little real influence because he or she has not been reelected
LAP OF LUXURY, LIVE IN THE
to be very comfortable because one is well-off financially
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
the final item on a list, but not the least important
LAST-DITCH EFFORT
a very strenuous final attempt
LAST/FINAL STRAW
the final thing; the thing or action that is too much or goes too far
LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK
to be proved right or successful in the face of scorn, particularly as regards money
LAY (ONE'S) CARDS ON THE TABLE
to be open and honest; to reveal everything
LAY AN EGG
to do smth. embarrassing
LAY DOWN THE LAW
to set rules and regulations
LAY IT ON THICK
to exaggerate a statement, experience, or emotion in order to try to impress people
LEAD (SOMEONE) AROUND BY THE NOSE
to dominate someone; to force someone to do smth.
LEARN THE ROPES
to become familiar with a task or situation
LEAVE (SOMEONE) HIGH AND DRY
abandoned or stranded; helpless
LEAVE (SOMEONE) HOLDING THE BAG
to leave somebody with unwanted responsibility
LEAVE (SOMEONE) IN THE LURCH
to abandon someone to a difficult situation, forcing him or her to take all the responsibility
LEAVE (SOMEONE)/GET LEFT OUT IN THE COLD
to shun someone; to exclude someone from a place or activity
LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED
to search everywhere
LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE
to accept a situation as it is; to avoid trying to improve a situation one’s actions might make it worse
LEND/GIVE (SOMEONE) AN/(ONE'S) EAR
to listen to someone
LET IT ALL HANG OUT
to behave freely without being shy or feeling worried about what other people will think of you
LET IT BE KNOWN
to make certain that people know smth.
LET IT LIE
to take no action about smth.
LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE
to allow someone or smth. to live or die naturally
LET OFF STEAM
to do or say smth. that helps you to get rid of strong feelings or energy
LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
to not look for trouble or stir up a troublesome situation
LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG
to reveal a secret
LET YOUR HAIR DOWN
to relax and enjoy yourself
LETTER PERFECT
exactly right
LIFE OF RILEY
the good life; a comfortable life
LIKE A DUCK IN A THUNDERSTORM
having a look of dejection, resignation, or hopelessness
LIKE A PIG ON ICE
very clumsy and unsteady
LIKE A PIG TO (THE) SLAUGHTER
quietly or obediently, without concern for or knowledge of some danger or trouble that one is facing
LIKE PIGS IN CLOVER
very happily and contentedly
LIKE STEALING ACORNS FROM A BLIND PIG
very simply and easily accomplished
LIKE WATER OFF A DUCK'S BACK
having no effect on someone
LION'S SHARE, THE
the greater part; most
LIVE AND LET LIVE
to live without interference from other; to not interfere with the lives of others
LIVE HIGH ON THE HOG
to live in great comfort with a lot of money
LIVE OUT OF A SUITCASE
to live or stay somewhere on a temporary basis
LOCK, STOCK, AND BARREL
everything; the entirety
LONE WOLF
a person who likes to do things on their own without other people
LONG AND SHORT OF IT, THE
the outcome; the point
LONG FOR SOMEONE/SMTH.
to have a very strong desire or yearning for someone or smth.
LONG SHOT
an attempt at smth. that has only a small chance of being successful
LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH, NOT
to find fault with a gift or to refuse a gift, usually because one is suspicious of the giver’s motives
LOOK DOWN (ONE'S) NOSE AT (SOMEONE/SMTH.)
to be snobbish about someone or smth.
LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT SWALLOWED THE CANARY
to have a knowing and self-satisfied smile on one’s face; to be pleased with oneself, often because one has done smth. which one knows was wrong but which was very enjoyable
LOOK LIKE/AS THOUGH YOU'VE SEEN A GHOST
to look very shocked
LOOK SHARP
to have a neat and orderly appearance (1) or to have a stylish appearance (2)
LOOK/FEEL LIKE DEATH WARMED OVER
to look/feel ill or exhausted
LOSE (ONE'S) COOL
to become angry
LOSE/HOLD (ONE'S) TEMPER
to become suddenly angry. To hold one’s temper means to remain calm when irritated.
LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE
the person of lowest rank
LUCKY DOG/STIFF
a lucky person
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