Phrases & Expressions

To stop speaking in a meeting or debate so that another person can speak.

• Thank you for your comments. I will now yield the floor.
• The speaker yielded the floor to the next presenter.

A person who is stubborn and unwilling to change their mind.

• He has a hard head, so don't expect him to agree easily.
• Grandpa is a hard head who never takes advice.

A person who is difficult, unpleasant or very strange.

• He's a real piece of work.
• She's a piece of work, isn't she?

To leave a ship because it is sinking or in danger.

• The captain gave the order to abandon ship.
• They had to abandon ship during the storm.

By a very small margin; just barely.

• Larry won the bicycle race by a hair — second place was just a second behind him.
• Was the tennis ball in or out? I think it was out by a hair.

Extremely tired, especially when standing or working.

• I've been on my feet all day; I'm dead on my feet.
• After the long shift, she was dead on her feet.

To send a direct message to someone, often with romantic or flirtatious intent.

• He decided to slide into her DMs.
• Don't slide into my DMs unless it's important.

An aggressive or domineering woman who misuses her power.

• Beth is a real dragon lady — she's always yelling at her employees and blaming them for her mistakes.
• Liz was nasty to you? I'm not surprised — she's a dragon lady.

Wearing very smart, elegant clothes, especially for a special occasion.

• Everyone was dressed to the nines for the wedding.
• She arrived at the party dressed to the nines.

Things, especially money, obtained without effort are often lost just as easily.

• He spent it all — easy come, easy go.
• Easy come, easy go, I guess.