Appendix:Glossary of idioms – O

Here are some editors' picks of popular and picturesque idioms in the English language:  A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Idiom Where Used Meaning
off his trolley AUS, UK Mentally unbalanced, insane
off (or below) the radar AUS, USA Beyond popular consciousness, less obvious or less mainstream
off one's rocker Global Mentally imbalanced, crazy
off the hook
  1. Global
  2. USA
  1. Someone who has avoided a situation in which they would be blamed for something or punished for something. Note, however, that a telephone that is off the hook is one where the handset has been raised from the body of the telephone, preventing it from ringing - for instance, if somebody does not wish to be disturbed, they will take the 'phone off the hook.
  2. Used in urban America to describe something, usually a party or event, that is very exciting. Sometimes "hook" is replaced with "chain" or the Ebonic slang "heezy".
off the rails AUS, UK Living a dissolute lifestyle, habitually acting outside the rules or acting illegally
off the straight and narrow AUS, UK Someone who is off the straight and narrow is acting in immoral ways. (see "On the straight and narrow".)
off the top of one's head Global To have a particular piece of information or knowledge ready.
off the wall Global Strange, odd, or unusual
old flame Global Someone a person was strongly attracted to in the past, a former lover
on a hiding to nothing AUS, UK Someone on a hiding to nothing is attempting the impossible, working hard at something that will not produce results.
On (one's) last nerve UK, USA Straining another's patience or tolerance to the breaking point. In the UK, said as a plural and without 'last', eg: "He's getting on my nerves"
on a wing and a prayer Global To rely mostly on hope to get through a desperate situation. Originating from a WWII era song depicting badly damaged aircraft limping back home after a bombing raid
on point USA Describing someone or something as extremely effective or very well prepared. See also 'On the ball'
on the blink AUS, UK Not working, or intermittently faulty. Said of an item of equipment or machinery.
on the down low (D.L.) USA To keep something (usually big) a secret. May also mean, if referring to a black male, his status of secretly being homosexual. (Example:Jamal is on the down low. Translation: Jamal is a homosexual and is keeping it a secret.)
on the fence Global Undecided between two options; vacillating between two ideas or choices
on the fritz USA See on the blink.
on the fly Global Instantly; immediately.
on the Q.T. UK, USA In confidence, secretly, without other people knowing.
on the rag AUS, USA Someone who is cranky, especially a woman exhibiting symptoms of PMS or menstrual cramps (Sometimes vulgar)
on the same page Global Two or more parties understand a situation the same way and are operating accordingly
on the straight and narrow Global Used to describe a person or course of action that is of a high moral standard.
on the wagon AUS, UK, USA To have sworn off alcoholic beverages or become involved in a recovery program.
on the warpath USA To be filled with rage, enough to take action. When preceded by the phrase "Your squaw is", however, the meaning changes to indicate a husband who has angered his wife. From derogative and perjorative expressions related to Native American Indians. (Vulgar if specifically referencing a Native American Indian.)
one for the road Global A final (usually alcoholic) drink before departure.
one trick pony USA Someone who is talented at a single thing but is otherwise unremarkable, inept, or unskilled.
(to think) one's head will burst USA To be extremely angry
once bitten, twice shy USA Refers to avoiding a person (or persons), circumstance(s), or situation(s) that has/have harmed ones'self in the past and/or ones desire to seek out new prospects from previous unpleasant experiences. One example situation: if you fall in love with someone and that someone rejects you--"once bitten"--you may be very, very reluctant--"twice shy"--to let yourself fall in love again.
only the tip of the iceberg Global Something which is much larger than it appears, or a situation which is more complex than it first seems. Refers to icebergs floating in the ocean; only a small fraction of the iceberg is above water and visible.
on a roll Global Enjoying a continuous series of successes
on cloud nine Global To be extremely happy. Original connotation referred to a state of stupor or unconsciousness; possibly drug or alcohol induced. Popular usage may have originated from a 1950s American radio program 'Johnny Dollar' in which one character was regularly knocked out and transported to 'Cloud Nine'. A numbering system for clouds in which level 9 is ascribed to the (30-40,000 feet) cumulo-nimbus clouds was established in the 19th century. Its first known codification in 'International Cloud Atlas' was based on work by Luke Howard. These clouds are the white cottony, mountainous appearing clouds that look like one could lie down on them and rest comfortably
on the ball Global Prepared for the situation, especially in regard to anticipated future requests or instructions
on the dot Global Precisely, punctually. Exactly at the expected interval. Refers to time (e.g. every three months on the dot)
(The situation) on the ground The practical reality of common, everyday experience, as opposed to what theory or idealism says it could/should be. Sometimes used to mildly disparage an opponent's position as failing to pay sufficient attention to what is actually the case
on the nod
  1. -
  2. UK
  1. Under the influence of heroin
  2. Also means the passage of resolution in a committee or meeting without a formal vote - it is just 'nodded through' or passes 'on the nod'.
on the nose USA Exactly correct. When regarding screenwriting, "on the nose" is referred to dialogue and occurs when a character says something that's rather obvious. It derives from the game of charades where one touches his or her nose to indicate his team has the correct answer.
on the tip, off the tip USA Extremely interested, usually with annoyance. Understood to refer to the sensitive end of a penis (get off my tip, that bitch was on my tip)
out of (from) left field AUS, USA Unexpected. In conversation, a topic or idea coming out of left field is one with no obvious logical connection to what has just been said, a non-sequitur. Generally used to denote anything strange and/or random as well as unexpected
(to be) out of line Global To be/have done something inappropriate.
(to be) out of the blue Global Unexpectedly
out of the loop AUS, USA To be unaware of the details of a situation (frequently implying that one has been deliberately kept uninformed)
out of luck Global Experiencing a temporary misfortune
out of (from) nowhere, out of the blue Global Unexpected. Similar to "out of (from) left field", but without the 'strange/random' connotation.
(to be) out of one's gourd USA To be irrational, unrealistic, crazy.
out of order Global Not functioning properly or inappropriate
out of the picture Global Eliminated in a contest or champion
out of place Global Not in the proper situation or arrangement, or inappropriate for the circumstances
out of (all) proportion(s) Global Not in a proper or pleasing relation to other things, especially in terms of size
out of sorts Global Feeling poorly
out of the butt, into the fuck USA Variation of out of the frying pan, into the fire
out of the frying pan, into the fire Global Escaping a serious predicament only to end up in a worse one
out of touch Global To be unaware of current trends, news, or fashions, especially because of actual physical distance from others
out of tune Global Not in agreement, especially in musical pitch
(born) out of wedlock Global (Usually referring to being born) to parents not legally married, or (usually performing actions) not being legally married one's self. (illegitimacy)
out of work Global Unemployed or having nothing to do
out of the way Global
  1. Not obstructing or hindering
  2. Taken care of
out the wazoo USA excessive or excessively; too much. Variation: "out the ass" (latter vulgar, former general)
over one's head Global
  1. More complex or confusing than one can understand; beyond one’s comprehension
  2. Too much for one to handle
over my dead body Global No way, under no circumstances
over the hill Global To be past one's prime, old, a senior citizen. A person has reached his/her peak of physical or employment capabilities and is starting the downhill slide
over the moon Global Very happy, giddy
Last modified on 26 April 2012, at 09:01