A List of 20 Idioms with Letter C
A List of 20 Idioms with Letter C
1. Catch 22
Meaning: A situation where a person is trapped between two opposite or contradictory conditions
Examples:
a. I can't get a job without experience, but I can't get experience without a job. It's a catch 22 situation.
b. The company won't hire anyone without a degree, but I can't afford to go to college. It's a catch 22 situation.
2. Cold feet
Meaning: To feel nervous or scared about doing something
Examples:
a. I had cold feet about skydiving, but I went through with it anyway.
b. He got cold feet and backed out of the deal at the last minute.
3. Cast pearls before swine
Meaning: To give something valuable to someone who doesn't know the real value of itExamples:
a. I tried to explain the importance of art to my nephew, but he wasn't interested. It was like casting pearls before swine.
b. I gave him some good advice, but he didn't listen. I felt like I was casting pearls before swine.
4. Cut and dried
Meaning: Something that is predictable or decided in advanceExamples:
a. The outcome of the trial was cut and dried, so there were no surprises.
b. The rules for the competition were cut and dried, so everyone knew what to expect.
5. Cross one's mind
Meaning: To come to someone's thoughtsExamples:
a. It never crossed my mind that he would react that way.
b. The idea of taking a break never crossed my mind until my friend suggested it.
6. Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being too curious can get you into troubleExamples:
a. I wouldn't ask too many questions if I were you. Remember, curiosity killed the cat.
b. She got herself into trouble by being too curious. I guess curiosity really can kill the cat.
7. Come rain or shine
Meaning: No matter what happens or irrespective of resultsExamples:
a. We'll be there to support you, come rain or shine.
b. He promised to meet me at the park, come rain or shine.
8. Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning: To deal with problem on the spot, rather than worrying about it in advanceExamples:
a. I don't know how I'll pay for college yet, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
b. Let's not worry about the logistics of the trip now, we can cross that bridge when we come to it.
9. Close but no cigar
Meaning: To almost succeed in your efforts, but not reallyExamples:
a. She was close but no cigar when it came to winning the race.
b. We were close but no cigar when it came to signing the big contract.
10. Come full circle
Meaning: To return back to the starting point or initial point, or to a situation that is similar to one from the pastExamples:
a. After traveling the world, I realized that I had come full circle and wanted to return home.
b. The company was struggling a few years ago, but now it has come full circle and is thriving again.
11. Cry wolf
Meaning: To yell a false argument or point or make a fake or false claimExamples:
a. He's always crying wolf about his problems, so no one takes him seriously anymore.
b. She cried wolf about the deadline, but it turned out she had plenty of time to finish the project.
12. Cut to the bone
Meaning: To reduce something to the bare minimumExamples:
a. The company had to cut the budget to the bone in order to stay afloat.
b. After the layoffs, the team was cut to the bone but still managed to complete the project.
13. Cold turkey
Meaning: To abruptly or suddenly stop a habit, related to addiction of drugs, smoking, tobacco etc.Examples:
a. He quit smoking cold turkey and hasn't had a cigarette in years.
b. She decided to stop drinking coffee cold turkey, and suffered from headaches for several days.
14. Can't judge a book by its cover
Meaning: To not make assumptions or prejudice about something or someone based solely on one's appearanceExamples:
a. He may look tough, but you can't judge a book by its cover - he's actually quite sensitive.
b. The old car may look beat-up, but you can't judge a book by its cover - it runs like a dream.
Examples:
a. It's time to cut the cord and let our kids be independent.
b. He decided to cut the cord with his toxic friend and focus on positive relationships.
Examples:
a. The truth about the scandal came to light during the investigation.
b. The missing documents finally came to light after a thorough search.
a. He may look tough, but you can't judge a book by its cover - he's actually quite sensitive.
b. The old car may look beat-up, but you can't judge a book by its cover - it runs like a dream.
15. Cut the cord
Meaning: To end a dependency or attachment to something or someoneExamples:
a. It's time to cut the cord and let our kids be independent.
b. He decided to cut the cord with his toxic friend and focus on positive relationships.
16. Come to light
Meaning: To be discovered or known or come to people's knowledgeExamples:
a. The truth about the scandal came to light during the investigation.
b. The missing documents finally came to light after a thorough search.
17. Carry the torch
Meaning: To continue a pre-existing tradition or take on a responsibility that has been passed to you by someoneExamples:
a. She was proud to carry the torch of her family's business.
b. He promised to carry the torch of his mentor's work after she retired.
Examples:
a. The security guard caught the shoplifter red-handed as she was leaving the store with stolen goods.
b. The police caught the dacoits red-handed as they were trying to break into the house.
Examples:
a. She was curious about the abandoned house down the street, but curiosity killed the cat when she fell through the floorboards. But satisfaction brought it back when she found a valuable antique hidden inside.
b. He was curious about the new restaurant in town, and decided to try it. Curiosity killed the cat when the food was terrible, but satisfaction brought it back when he discovered the amazing dessert menu.
Examples:
a. He caught the wave of social media and built a successful online business.
b. The fashion brand caught the wave of sustainability and launched a new eco-friendly line.
1. Catch 22
2. Close but no cigar
3. Come full circle
4. Come rain or shine
5. Cut and dried
1. Catch someone red-handed
2. Catch the wave
3. Carry the torch
4. Cold turkey
5. Cut to the bone
a. She was proud to carry the torch of her family's business.
b. He promised to carry the torch of his mentor's work after she retired.
18. Catch someone red-handed
Meaning: To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong or illegalExamples:
a. The security guard caught the shoplifter red-handed as she was leaving the store with stolen goods.
b. The police caught the dacoits red-handed as they were trying to break into the house.
19. Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back
Meaning: Being too curious about something can get you into trouble, but it can also lead to some satisfying outcomeExamples:
a. She was curious about the abandoned house down the street, but curiosity killed the cat when she fell through the floorboards. But satisfaction brought it back when she found a valuable antique hidden inside.
b. He was curious about the new restaurant in town, and decided to try it. Curiosity killed the cat when the food was terrible, but satisfaction brought it back when he discovered the amazing dessert menu.
20. Catch the wave
Meaning: To take advantage of a trend or opportunity at the right time in order to achieve successExamples:
a. He caught the wave of social media and built a successful online business.
b. The fashion brand caught the wave of sustainability and launched a new eco-friendly line.
Exercise- A List of 20 Idioms with Letter C
(1) EXERCISE
A. Make sentences out of given idioms.1. Catch 22
2. Close but no cigar
3. Come full circle
4. Come rain or shine
5. Cut and dried
(2) EXERCISE
B. Make sentences out of given idioms1. Catch someone red-handed
2. Catch the wave
3. Carry the torch
4. Cold turkey
5. Cut to the bone
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