Idiom



Most Common Idioms That Start with C 

1. Chicken out

Meaning: To decide against something because of fear, afraid or nervousness

Examples:

1. He chickened out of bungee jumping at the last minute and didn't take the opportunity. 

2. She was supposed to give a speech at the conference, but chickened out because of stage fear. 


2. Clean slate

 Meaning: A fresh or new start or a new beginning without any past sufferings or problems

Examples:

1. After the divorce, she moved to a new city to start a new life with a clean slate.

2. The new manager wanted to give the team a clean slate and encouraged them to forget about past mistakes.


3. Close ranks

Meaning: To come together and show unity or togetherness, especially in the face of opposition or criticism

Examples:

1. The team closed ranks and rallied around their coach when he was under fire from the media.

2. The employees closed ranks and supported their co-worker who was unfairly treated by their boss.


4. Cash cow

Meaning: A reliable source of earning, income or profit

Examples:

1. The new product has been a cash cow for the company, generating millions in revenue.

2. Stock market has always been a cash cow for investors looking for long-term gains.


5. Crystal ball moment

Meaning: A moment when someone has a sudden clear insight or realization about something that was previously unclear or unknown

Examples:

1. I had a crystal ball moment when I realized the solution to the problem that had been bothering me for weeks.

2. He had a crystal ball moment when he finally understood the meaning of the confusing passage in the book.


6. Cold feet, warm heart

Meaning: To have feelings of nervousness, hesitation or fearfulness before initiating to do something, despite having good intentions

Examples:

1. She had cold feet before her big speech, but her warm heart helped her push through and deliver an inspiring message.

2. He was experiencing cold feet before proposing to his girlfriend, but his warm heart reassured him that she was the one for him.


7. Cook something up

Meaning: To create or invent something, often with an element of deception or trickery

Examples:

1. The politician was caught trying to cook up a story to cover up his mistake.

2. The salesman had to cook up a convincing pitch to sell his product to skeptical customers.


8. Chip on your shoulder

Meaning: To be easily offended or ready to indulge in fight

Examples:

1. He always has a chip on his shoulder and gets angry at minor criticism.

2. She walked around with a chip on her shoulder, daring anyone to challenge her.


9. Cast a shadow

Meaning: To cause doubt or suspicion or a situation of dualism

Examples:

1. His past behavior casts a shadow on his ability to lead the team.

2. The corruption cast a shadow on the politician's reputation.


10. Curate's egg

Meaning: Something which is partly good and partly bad

Examples: 

1. The movie was a bit of a curate's egg - great acting, but a weak script.

2. The restaurant's menu was a curate's egg, with some delicious dishes but also some disappointments.


11. Caught between a rock and a hard place

Meaning: Faced with a difficult decision or situation with no easy solution

Examples:

1. She was caught between a rock and a hard place - she couldn't afford to quit her job, but it was causing her so much stress.

2. The company was caught between a rock and a hard place - they needed to cut costs, but they didn't want to lay off any employees.


12. Cut somebody some slack

Meaning: To be lenient or forgiving towards someone

Examples: 

1. He's going through a tough time, so let's cut him some slack if he's not performing at his best.

2. The teacher cut the students some slack and gave them an extension on the project.


13. Cross your fingers

Meaning: To hope for good luck or success

Examples:

1. I'm crossing my fingers that I get the job I interviewed for.

2. Cross your fingers that the weather clears up in time for the outdoor activities. 


14. Close call

Meaning: A situation where something almost went wrong, but didn't all

Examples:

1. It was a close call, but the umpire gave out. 

2. The team won by one point - it was a close call, but they still managed to come out on top.


15. Cherry-pick

Meaning: To choose only the best or most desirable options available and ignore the rest

Examples:

1. The recruiter was accused of cherry-picking candidates based on their looks, rather than their qualifications.

2. She cherry-picked the best pieces of fruit from the basket and left the rest for her family.


16. Call the shots

Meaning: To be in charge or have the authority to make decisions

Examples:

12. The CEO called the shots and decided to merge the two companies.

13. The coach let the team captain call the shots during the game and make important decisions.


Exercises: 16 Most Common Idioms That Start with C

EXERCISES 1

A. Make sentences out of the given below idioms. 


1. Cash cow

2. Crystal ball moment

3. Clean slate

4. Close ranks

5. Cook something up


EXERCISE 2


Give the meanings of given below idioms. 


1. Cast a shadow

2. Curate's egg

3. Close call

4. Call the shots

5. Cross your fingers