Phrases & Expressions

A fresh start, especially after past mistakes or problems.

• After moving to a new city, she wanted to start with a clean slate.
• Paying off his debts gave him a clean slate.

Extremely easy to understand or see.

• Her guilt was clear as day.
• The instructions were clear as day.

To perform many numerical calculations, especially financial ones.

• Scott loves to crunch numbers, so he decided to become an accountant.
• Wendy spends all day at work crunching numbers and analyzing sales data.

A person who is little known but unexpectedly does well, or has hidden talents.

• The young runner was the dark horse of the race and finished second.
• She turned out to be a dark horse in the singing contest.

Feeling very sad or unhappy.

• Lisa is down in the dumps because her cat died.
• It's easy to feel down in the dumps when it's raining.

A very small amount compared to what is really needed.

• A hundred lira is just a drop in the ocean for someone in debt.
• My donation is a drop in the ocean, but every bit helps.

Used to say that something is more difficult to actually do than to merely talk about doing.

• You want to climb Mount Everest? Easier said than done!
• Moving into a new home is easier said than done.

To eat a very large amount of food.

• He eats like a horse after his workout.
• My son eats like a horse.

Something worth thinking about carefully.

• Your question about the budget has given me food for thought.
• His comments provided food for thought.

To regain control of your emotions and behave calmly.

• Get a grip on yourself; you're overreacting.
• Get a grip! It's only a small spider.