Phrases & Expressions

Used to mean that there is no chance at all of something happening.

• The boys at school always laugh at Dana. Will she be invited to the dance? Fat chance!
• You want to borrow my new car and drive it across the country? Fat chance!

To feel extremely happy and light.

• She was floating on air after getting the job.
• He felt like he was floating on air.

To spend time doing something, often something you should not.

• What are you getting up to?
• The children were getting up to mischief.

To fire someone from their job.

• Mary talked on the phone all day until her boss finally gave her the ax.
• The company gave several employees the ax due to budget cuts.

To commit all your energy, resources, or effort to something.

• He went all in on the new business.
• They decided to go all in for the championship.

To act based on one's intuition rather than careful thought.

• I don't have all the facts, so I'll go with my gut.
• When in doubt, go with your gut.

Very enthusiastic and eager about something, often to an excessive degree.

• Heather is really gung ho about her new job.
• Sharon loves college — she's very gung ho.

To continue to cope with a difficult situation and not give up.

• It's a tough job, but I'm hanging in there.
• The economy is bad, but we're hanging in there.

To be involved in many, or too many, different activities or businesses.

• He has a finger in every pie, from politics to business.
• She's always had a finger in every pie in this town.

To try to attract someone romantically or sexually.

• He kept hitting on me all night.
• A man at the bar tried to hit on her, but she ignored him.