Phrases & Expressions

To be extremely ill and close to dying, often said in an exaggerated or humorous way.

• He looked as if he was at death's door when he arrived, but after a week of rest he was fine.
• Stop complaining – you've only got a cold, you're not at death's door!

(British, informal) to have a nose so blocked by a cold that you can hardly breathe through it.

• I couldn't sleep last night because I was bunged up and kept waking up to blow my nose.
• A hot shower can help a little when you're bunged up and struggling to breathe properly.

To feel sad and without energy or hope for a period of time.

• Many people feel down in the dumps during the dark winter months, especially if they rarely go outside.
• He's been down in the dumps since he failed his final exam, so let's try to cheer him up.

To be a particular person's responsibility or decision.

• Whether we eat out or cook at home tonight is down to you — I honestly don't mind.
• It is down to the manager to make sure everyone in the team follows the safety rules.

To be wearing very smart, fashionable or formal clothes, usually for a special occasion.

• Everyone at the awards ceremony was dressed up to the nines, while I turned up in jeans.
• You're dressed up to the nines tonight — are you going to a wedding or something?

To be extremely annoyed and bored with something that has continued for too long.

• Local residents are fed up to the back teeth with the noise from the new nightclub.
• After three weeks of non-stop rain, everyone at the campsite was fed up to the back teeth.

To have a problem that you cannot easily find a way out of.

• I locked my keys inside the car, so I was in a real fix until a neighbour helped me.
• If the supplier cancels the order now, we will be in a real fix, because our customers are expecting delivery on Monday.

To be in serious trouble, especially because you owe money or are losing it.

• After losing its two biggest clients, the agency was in a hole and had to cut staff.
• If you keep using your credit card to pay off loans, you'll soon be in a hole.

To be in an awkward or difficult situation that is hard to get out of.

• Migrant workers whose visas depend on their jobs are in a tight spot if they are suddenly made redundant.
• When the hotel cancelled our booking at midnight, we were in a tight spot.

To no longer be in danger, under suspicion or facing trouble.

• The police checked his alibi, and he is now in the clear.
• Once the test results came back negative, the doctors told her she was in the clear.