[sink or swim] {v. phr.} To succeed or fail by your own efforts, without help or interference from anyone else; fail if you don't work hard to succeed. * /When […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

get one's teeth into

[get one's teeth into] or [sink one's teeth into] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have something real or solid to think about; go to work on seriously; struggle with. * /After […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

sink

[sink] See: [HEART SINKS]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

heart sink

[heart sink] To lose hope, courage, or eagerness; be very disappointed. * /The soldiers' hearts sank when they saw that they were surrounded by Indians./ * /The children were happy […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

Recent updates

Duncan Spaeth, Princeton professor

I know why the sun never sets on the British Empire: God wouldn't trust an Englishman in the dark.

come to the point

[come to the point] or [get to the point] {v. phr.} To talk about the important thing; reach the important facts of the […]

strike one funny

[strike one funny] {v. phr.} To appear or seem laughable, curious, ironic, or entertaining. * /"It strikes me funny," he […]

P.J. O'Rourke

(1947--) U.S. humorist Never wear anything that panics the cat.

Adminisphere

[Adminisphere] The rarified organizational layers above the rank and file that makes decisions that are often profoundly […]

around the clock

[around the clock] also [the clock around] {adv. phr.} For 24 hours a day continuously all day and all night. * /The factory […]

wear thin

[wear thin] {v.} 1. To become thin from use, wearing, or the passing of time. * /My old pair of pants has worn thin at the […]