The idiom "Drop ball" comes from sports, where a player failing to catch or hold onto the ball can lead to a missed opportunity or loss. In everyday usage, it refers to a⋯ Read the full article

To "Catch drift" means to understand the general idea or the gist of what someone is saying without needing every detail explained. This idiom is particularly useful in c⋯ Read the full article

The phrase "Blow top" is a colorful way to describe someone losing their temper in a dramatic or sudden way. It conjures the image of a volcano erupting or a lid being fo⋯ Read the full article

To "bite your tongue" is to stop yourself from saying something that might be inappropriate or hurtful at the moment. This self-control is often exercised to avoid confli⋯ Read the full article

Zip your lips" quite literally means to seal your lips as if with a zipper, implying the act of keeping a secret or remaining silent. The idiom is a colorful way to expre⋯ Read the full article

To "yank someone's chain" means to tease or fool them in a playful or manipulative manner. This idiom suggests the act of pulling on a chain as a way to mislead or provok⋯ Read the full article

Having your "work cut out" means you have a clearly defined task ahead that will require considerable effort. Originally, this referred to fabric that had been cut out an⋯ Read the full article

Wiping the slate clean" refers to starting over with a fresh approach or perspective, free from past mistakes or grievances. This idiom comes from the days when slates we⋯ Read the full article

To "win hands down" is to win with minimal effort, so convincingly that no question remains about who is the victor. The term comes from horse racing, where a jockey migh⋯ Read the full article

Going the whole nine yards" means doing everything possible to ensure the success of an endeavor. While the exact origin of this phrase is debated, it generally suggests ⋯ Read the full article

The phrase "weather the storm" uses the imagery of surviving a natural storm to describe getting through tough times in life. It emphasizes resilience and endurance durin⋯ Read the full article

To "wear your heart on your sleeve" is to openly display your innermost emotions to others. This idiom originates from the Middle Ages when knights would wear the colors ⋯ Read the full article

When people "vent steam," they are not talking about any physical vapors, but rather about a metaphorical release of pent-up emotions or stress. This idiom is derived fro⋯ Read the full article

Up the ante" means to raise the stakes or increase the risk in a situation to achieve greater rewards. In poker, increasing the ante means putting more money at risk to w⋯ Read the full article

Twist arm" implies persuading someone to do something they are reluctant to do, using significant pressure or coercion. It might occur in a business setting where a boss ⋯ Read the full article