T
Idioms beginning with "T"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
Categories:
Contents of T:
[take the floor] {v. phr.}
To get up and make a speech in a meeting.
The audience became very attentive the moment the president took the floor.
[take the law into one's own hands] {v. phr.}
To protect one's supposed rights or punish a suspected wrongdoer without reference to a court. — An overused expression.
* /When the men of the settlement caught the suspected murderer, they took the law […]
[take the lid off] {v. phr.}
1. To let out in the open; divulge.
It's about time to take the lid off the question of how many prisoners of war are still in enemy hands.
2. To start to face an issue.
* /"The best way to deal with your divorce," […]
[take the offensive] {v. phr.}
To make oneself the attacking party.
After many months of preparation, the freedom fighters were ready to take the offensive.
Contrast: [TAKE THE DEFENSIVE].
[take the pledge] {v. phr.}
To swear to give up drinking, smoking, or using drugs.
Gary finally took the pledge and he has kept it thus far.
[take the plunge] {v. phr.}
To take a fatal or decisive step; venture.
When I asked Don when he and Melissa were going to get married, he answered that they'll take the plunge in September.
[take the rap] {v. phr.}, {slang}
To receive punishment; to be accused and punished.
All of the boys took apples, but only John took the rap.
Joe took the burglary rap for his brother and went to prison for two years.
[take the stand] {v. phr.}
To assume one's position in the witness box during a trial.
The judge asked the defendant to take the stand.
[take the starch out of] {v. phr.}, {informal}
1. To make (someone) feel weak or tired.
The hot weather took the starch out of Mrs. Jones, and she didn't feel like doing a thing.
The cross-country run took all the starch out of the boys.
2. […]