Phrases & Expressions

To make plans based on something good that you expect to happen in the future, before it actually happens.

• Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
• He's already planning his holiday, but he shouldn't count his chickens before they hatch.

A saying that going to bed and waking up early is good for health.

• My parents always told me, 'Early to bed, early to rise.'
• He believes in the rule: early to bed, early to rise.

Used to describe a mix of Eastern and Western cultures, styles or food.

• Istanbul is often described as a city where East meets West.
• The restaurant's menu is all about East meets West.

To start doing something new for the first time, often in a small or careful way.

• She got her feet wet by volunteering at a local animal shelter.
• Let's get our feet wet with a small project first.

If you take to something like a duck to water, you learn it quickly and easily.

• She took to swimming like a duck to water.
• He's a natural leader and took to the new role like a duck to water.

A task that is extremely difficult or requires a lot of effort.

• Moving all these boxes is a bear of a task.
• Learning a new language can be a bear of a task.

A friend who is only present during good times and disappears when there are problems.

• He turned out to be a fair-weather friend when I lost my job.
• Don't rely on him; he's just a fair-weather friend.

A phrase used to criticize the overuse of medicines for every problem.

• Doctors warn against expecting a pill for every ill.
• The saying 'a pill for every ill' is outdated.

Someone or something that is in a very vulnerable position and easily attacked or harmed.

• Parked on a dark street, the car was a sitting duck for thieves.
• He felt like a sitting duck during the presentation.

A quote suggesting that life is like a play, and people are actors playing roles.

• He quoted Shakespeare, saying 'All the world's a stage'.
• In a way, all the world's a stage for our daily performances.