Phrases & Expressions

To have a hidden motive or selfish reason for doing something.

• He's always helping, but I think he has an ax to grind.
• She's not just being nice; she has an ax to grind.

A state of forgetfulness and reduced mental clarity often experienced during pregnancy.

• She blamed her baby brain for forgetting the keys.
• Pregnancy has given me baby brain.

To start planning something again because the previous plan failed.

• The design was rejected, so it's back to the drawing board.
• We need to go back to the drawing board to fix this issue.

Creative thinking that is not limited by what seems practical now.

• Let's have some blue-sky thinking for the new product.
• Blue-sky thinking is encouraged in this phase.

To disagree publicly with your group or organization.

• Several senators broke ranks to vote against the bill.
• He broke ranks and criticized the leader.

To slow down or stop while walking or running; usually used in the negative to mean continuing without a pause.

• He ran past without breaking stride.
• She didn't break stride when she heard the news.

To end a conflict or argument and become friends again.

• After years of not speaking, they decided to bury the hatchet.
• Let's bury the hatchet and move forward.

The tendency for chicken owners to always want more chickens, regardless of space or resources.

• I told myself I only needed six, but chicken math always wins.
• She bought two more hens, falling victim to chicken math again.

Stopping a harmful habit, such as smoking, suddenly and completely.

• She quit smoking cold turkey after twenty years.
• Going cold turkey can cause headaches for a few days.

The determination to keep an investment even when its price falls sharply.

• The traders showed diamond hands during the crisis.
• Despite the price crash, she showed diamond hands and did not sell.