Phrases & Expressions

To agree completely.

• We don't always see eye to eye.
• They finally saw eye to eye on the matter.

To sell very quickly and in large quantities.

• The new phones sold like hotcakes.
• Tickets for the concert are selling like hotcakes.

To delay making a decision until the next day, allowing more time to think.

• That's a big decision; you should sleep on it.
• Let me sleep on it and I'll tell you my answer tomorrow.

An expression used when a person you have just been talking about unexpectedly appears.

• We were just talking about Tom, and speak of the devil, here he comes!
• Oh, speak of the devil! I was just wondering where you were.

Not yet decided or settled; uncertain and subject to change.

• It might rain later, so our picnic plans are up in the air.
• Our trip to Russia is up in the air — we're not sure we'll get our visas.

A small lie told to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to be polite.

• It was just a white lie.
• I told a white lie to spare her feelings.

To do something unpleasant bravely.

• Just bite the bullet and tell her.
• I bit the bullet and went to the dentist.

A nervous, fluttering feeling in your stomach before something important.

• I had butterflies in my stomach before the interview.
• She gets butterflies before every performance.

Small, hidden parts of a plan or agreement can cause problems.

• The devil is in the details.
• Watch out — the devil is in the details.

Do not risk all your efforts or resources on one thing.

• If you invest, don't put all your eggs in one basket.
• Diversify — don't put all your eggs in one basket.