E
Idioms beginning with "E"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of E:
[easy does it] {informal}
Let's do it carefully, without sudden movements and without forcing too hard or too fast; let's try to just hard enough but not too hard.
"Easy does it," said the boss as they moved the piano through the narrow doorway.
[…]
[easy mark] {n.}
A foolishly generous person; one from whom it is easy to get money.
Bill is known to all the neighborhood beggars as an easy mark.
See: [SOFT TOUCH].
[easy money] {n.}, {informal}
Money gained without hard work; money that requires little or no effort.
The movie rights to a successful play mean easy money to the writer of the play.
* /Young people who look for easy money are usually […]
[easygoing] {adj.}
Amiable in manner; relaxed; not excited.
Because Al has an easygoing personality, everybody loves him.
[eat]
See:
[DOG-EAT-DOG],
[LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG] or [EAT HIGH ON THE HOG],
[LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT ATE THE CANARY].
[eat (live) high on the hog] or [eat (live) high off the hog] {v. phr.}
To eat or live well or elegantly.
For the first few days after the check arrived, they ate high on the hog.
Compare: [IN CLOVER] or [IN THE CLOVER], [ON EASY STREET].
[eat away] {v.}
1. To rot, rust, or destroy.
Rust was eating away the pipe.
Cancer ate away the healthy flesh.
See: [EAT OUT] (2).
2. To gradually consume.
* /The ocean waves were gradually eating the volcanic rocks until they turned into […]
[eat away at] {v. phr.}
To psychologically gnaw at; to worry someone.
Fear of the comprehensive examination was eating away at Sam.
[eat crow] {v. phr.}
To admit you are mistaken or defeated; take back a mistaken statement.
John had boasted that he would play on the first team; but when the coach did not choose him, he had to eat crow.
* /Fred said he could beat the new man in […]
[eat dirt] {v. phr.}, {informal}
To act humble; accept another's insult or bad treatment.
Mr. Johnson was so much afraid of losing his job that he would eat dirt whenever the boss got mean.