Phrases & Expressions

A topic or activity that pulls you in so much that you spend far more time on it than you meant to.

• I went down a rabbit hole researching ancient Egypt.
• Be careful, it's a real rabbit hole.

To have a lot of money, more than is needed.

• After selling his company, he's rolling in money.
• They bought a yacht and a private jet; they must be rolling in money.

Having no energy left; exhausted.

• After the marathon, I was running on empty.
• I have worked late every night this week and I am running on empty.

To wait patiently and not take any action or move from your place.

• Nicole must sit tight; colleges won't reply until April.
• Sit tight — the doctor will be with you in a few minutes.

To stop being sad, upset, or stuck in a bad mood.

• Snap out of it! You can do this.
• He needed to snap out of it.

To betray someone who trusts you.

• She stabbed her best friend in the back by telling her secrets to her enemy.
• He felt stabbed in the back when his business partner stole all the money.

A strong liking for sweet foods, especially candy and desserts.

• Amber's got a real sweet tooth.
• If you have a sweet tooth, try the chocolate cake here.

To reply rudely or disrespectfully to someone, especially an older person or authority figure.

• Never talk back to your parents.
• The student got in trouble for talking back.

A competitive and stressful struggle for wealth, power, or success.

• He quit the rat race to start a farm.
• Many people feel trapped in the rat race.

Occupied; busy with something that prevents you from doing other things.

• Sorry, I can't talk now, I'm tied up.
• She's tied up with a big project at work.