Idioms

What are idioms?
Idioms are words, phrases or expressions which are recognized by native speakers and commonly used in everyday conversation.  They are generally metaphorical, making the language more colourful, as in the
following examples:


Let the cat out of the bag            
If you let the cat out of the bag, you reveal a secret.


Over the moon.
A person who is over the moon is extremely happy.

It is important to remember that idiomatic expressions are used when speaking informally. They are not used as often in formal exchanges.

Here are a few idioms used to describe relationships:

Have an axe to grind
If you have an axe to grind, you have personal reasons for becoming involved in something or adopting a particular attitude. 
It was decided that the best candidates would be selected by a recruitment agency who had no axe to grind within the company.


At someone's beck and call.
If a person is at someone's beck and call, they are always ready to do things for them or obey orders to please them.
Parents should not be at the beck and call of their children.


Birds of a feather
To say that two people are birds of a feather means that they are very similar in many ways.
Having come from the same background, the two associates were birds of a feather.


Breathe down someone's neck
If somebody is breathing down your neck, they are watching you too closely and making you feel uncomfortable.
The atmosphere at work isn't great; the boss keeps breathing down our necks all the time


Build bridges.
If a person builds bridges between opposing groups, they help them to cooperate and understand each other better.
The mayor spent years trying to build bridges between the different communities.


Dance attendance (on someone)
If you dance attendance on someone, you are constantly available for that person and attend to their wishes.
She's rich and famous and expects everyone to dance attendance on her.

See eye to eye with someone.
 To see eye to eye with someone means that you agree with them or have similar opinions.
I'm glad we see eye to eye on the choice of the color scheme.


Fair-weather friend
Someone who acts as a friend when times are good, and is not there when you are in trouble, is called a fair-weather friend.
I thought I could count on Bill, but I've discovered he's just a fair-weather friend.

Find more at Idioms-Today