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1 of 10
An action that may fail but is judged more likely to succeed.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10

calculated risk

[calculated risk]  {n.}
An action that may fail but is judged more likely to succeed.
The sending of troops to the rebellious island was a calculated risk.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
To go back to a given period in the past.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10

date back

[date back]  {v. phr.}
To go back to a given period in the past.
My ancestors date back to the sixteenth century.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
Let's do it carefully, without sudden movements and without forcing too hard or too fast; let's try to just hard enough but not too hard.
Compare: [TAKE IT EASY].
Categories: informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10

easy does it

[easy does it]  {informal}
Let's do it carefully, without sudden movements and without forcing too hard or too fast; let's try to just hard enough but not too hard.
"Easy does it," said the boss as they moved the piano through the narrow doorway.
Compare: [TAKE IT EASY].
Categories: informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
An expression of surprise.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10

fancy doing something

[fancy doing something]
An expression of surprise.
Fancy meeting you here in such an unexpected place!
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
To be greatly thrilled; derive pleasure from.
Categories: pleasure verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10

get a kick out of

[get a kick out of]  {v. phr.}
To be greatly thrilled; derive pleasure from.
Tom and Many get a kick out of playing four hands on the piano.
Categories: pleasure verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
1. To stay united; help and defend one another.
Syn.: [STICK TOGETHER].
Compare: [STAND BY], [STAND UP FOR].
2.  {informal}
To form a satisfactory whole; fit together.
Categories: hang informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10

hang together

[hang together]  {v.}
1. To stay united; help and defend one another.
The club members always hung together when one of them was in trouble.
Syn.: [STICK TOGETHER].
Compare: [STAND BY], [STAND UP FOR].
2.  {informal}
To form a satisfactory whole; fit together.
Jack's story of why he was absent from school seems to hang together.
Categories: hang informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
In a few words; briefly, without telling all about it.
Compare: [IN SHORT].
Categories: adverb informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10

in a nutshell

[in a nutshell]  {adv. phr.},  {informal}
In a few words; briefly, without telling all about it.
We are in a hurry, so I'll give you the story in a nutshell.
In a nutshell, the car is no bargain.
Compare: [IN SHORT].
Categories: adverb informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
To suddenly become very angry at someone; scold severely or angrily.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10

jump down one's throat

[jump down one's throat]  {v. phr.}
To suddenly become very angry at someone; scold severely or angrily.
The teacher jumped down Billy's throat when Billy said he did not do his homework.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
To be brave; be determined; face trouble with courage.
Compare: [KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10

keep one's chin up

[keep one's chin up]  {v. phr.}
To be brave; be determined; face trouble with courage.
He didn't think that he would ever get out of the jungle alive, but he kept his chin up.
Compare: [KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
To dismiss with a laugh as not important or not serious; not take seriously.
Compare: [MAKE LIGHT OF].
Categories: laugh verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10

laugh off

[laugh off]  {v.}
To dismiss with a laugh as not important or not serious; not take seriously.
He had a bad fall while ice skating but he laughed it off.
You can't laugh off a ticket for speeding.
Compare: [MAKE LIGHT OF].
Categories: laugh verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms