To "rain on someone's parade" means to spoil or dampen someone’s happiness or plans. It conjures the image of a literal rain falling during a parade, thus ruining the cel⋯ Read the full article

Raise the bar" refers to increasing the standards or expectations that need to be met. Originally from the sport of high jumping, this idiom is now used more broadly to s⋯ Read the full article

Right off the bat" means to do something immediately, from the start, without any hesitation. It's thought to originate from baseball, where a batter would hit the ball a⋯ Read the full article

The idiom "rub elbows with" refers to the act of socializing, mingling, or networking with people, particularly those who are influential or high-status. It suggests a le⋯ Read the full article

Run of the mill" describes something that is ordinary, average, or just like everything else. It traces back to the early milling industry where the term was used to deno⋯ Read the full article

The phrase "safe and sound" is a comforting assurance that someone or something remains unharmed and in good condition after a potentially hazardous situation. For exampl⋯ Read the full article

To "save bacon" means to rescue oneself from a difficult or tight situation. The expression likely originates from the days when meat was a valuable commodity; preserving⋯ Read the full article

Shake a leg" is a colloquial way to tell someone to hurry up. Although its origins are debated, some suggest it was commonly used aboard ships or during dances as a way t⋯ Read the full article

To "shoot from the hip" is to speak or act on impulse rather than after careful consideration, resembling the action of a gunslinger firing a gun directly from the hip po⋯ Read the full article

The term "silver lining" is derived from the metaphor of finding a bright side (like the shining outline around a cloud) during dark times. When you point out the "silver⋯ Read the full article

When someone chooses to "sit on hands," they are intentionally avoiding involvement or action in situations where they should be contributing. This idiom reflects a form ⋯ Read the full article

The idiom "smooth sailing" is borrowed from nautical terminology, where it describes a trip at sea that is free from difficulty or obstruction. Used metaphorically, it re⋯ Read the full article

Start from scratch" means to begin anew, without any advantages, resources, or preparation that had been previously acquired. This idiom originates from the days of sport⋯ Read the full article

The phrase "Stick in the mud" refers to someone who is perceived as boring or unadventurous and tends to resist change or new activities. It conjures the image of a stick⋯ Read the full article

Stir up a hornet's nest" is used to describe a situation where someone does something that provokes a strong and often angry reaction from a group of people. It visualize⋯ Read the full article