Idioms Beginning With 'I'

Idioms Beginning With 'I'
I hereby give notice of my intention
Hereby is used sometimes in formal, official declarations and statements to give greater force to the speaker' or the writer's affirmation. People will say it sometimes to emphasise their sincerity and correctness.
I may be daft, but I'm not stupid
I might do or say silly things occasionally, but in this instance I know what I am doing (Usually used when someone questions your application of common-sense).
I should cocoa
(UK) This idiom comes from 'I should think so', but is normally used sarcastically to mean the opposite.
I'll cross that road when I come to it
I'll think about something just when it happens, not in advance.
I'll eat my hat
You can say this when you are absolutely sure that you are right to let the other person know that there is no chance of your being wrong.
I've got a bone to pick with you
If somebody says this, they mean that they have some complaint to make against the person they are addressing.
I've got your number
You have made a mistake and I am going to call you on it. You are in trouble (a threat). I have a disagreement with you. I understand your true nature.
Icing on the cake
This expression is used to refer to something good that happens on top of an already good thing or situation.
Idle hands are the devil's handiwork
When someone is not busy, or being productive, trouble is bound to follow.
If at first you don't succeed try try again
When you fail, try until you get it right!
If I had a nickel for every time
(USA) When someone uses this expression, they mean that the specific thing happens a lot. It is an abbreviation of the statement 'If I had a nickel for every time that happened, I would be rich'
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Any attempt to improve on a system that already works is pointless and may even hurt it.
If Mohammed won't come to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed
If something cannot or will not happen the easy way, then sometimes it must be done the hard way.
If the cap fits, wear it
This idiom means that if the description is correct, then it is describing the truth, often when someone is being criticised. ('If the shoe fits, wear it' is an alternative)
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
This means that wishing for something or wanting it is not the same as getting or having it.
If you are given lemons make lemonade
Always try and make the best out of a bad situation. With some ingenuity you can make a bad situation useful.
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen
Originally a Harry S. Truman quote, this means that if you can't take the pressure, then you should remove yourself from the situation.
If you fly with the crows, you get shot with the crows
If you wish to be associated with a particular high risk and/or high profile situation and benefit from the rewards of that association, you have to accept the consequences if things go wrong - you cannot dissociate yourself.
If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas
This means that if you become involved with bad company, there will be negative consequences.
If you lie down with the Devil, you will wake up in hell
This means that if you become involved with bad company, there will be negative consequences.
If you will
'If you will' is used as a way of making a concession in a sentence: He wasn't a very honest person, a liar if you will. Here, it is used a way of accepting that the reader or listener might think of the person as a liar, but without commit the writer or speaker to that position fully.
If you'll pardon my French
(UK) This idiom is used as a way of apologising for swearing.
Ill at ease
If someone is ill at ease, they are worried or uncomfortable.
Ill-gotten gains
Ill-gotten gains are profits or benefits that are made either illegally or unfairly.
In a cleft stick
If you are in a cleft stick, you are in a difficult situation, caught between choices.
In a fix
If you are in a fix, you are in trouble.
In a flash
If something happens in a flash, it happens very quickly indeed.
In a fog
If you're in a fog, you are confused, dazed or unaware.
In a heartbeat
If something happens very quickly or immediately, it happens in a heartbeat.
In a jam
If you are in a jam, you are in some trouble. If you get out of a jam, you avoid trouble.
In a jiffy
If something happens in a jiffy, it happens very quickly.
In a nutshell
This idiom is used to introduce a concise summary.
In a pickle
If you are in a pickle, you are in some trouble or a mess.
In a rut
In a settled or established pattern, habit or course of action, especially a boring one.
In a tick
(UK) If someone will do something in a tick, they'll do it very soon or very quickly.
In a tight spot
If you're in a tight spot, you're in a difficult situation.
In all honesty
If you say something in all honesty, you are telling the complete truth. It can be used as a way of introducing a negative opinion whilst trying to be polite; in all honesty, I have to say that I wasn't very impressed.
In an instant
If something happens in an instant, it happens very rapidly.
In another's shoes
It is difficult to know what another person's life is really like, so we don't know what it is like to be in someone's shoes.
In apple-pie order
If something is in apple-pie order, it is very neat and organised.
In broad daylight
If a crime or problem happens in broad daylight, it happens during the day and should have been seen and stopped.
In cahoots
If people are in cahoots, they are conspiring together.
In cold blood
If something is done in cold blood, it is done ruthlessly, without any emotion.
In dire straits
If you're in dire straits, you're in serious trouble or difficulties.
In donkey's years
'I haven't seen her in donkey's years.' - This means for a very long time.
In dribs and drabs
If people arrive in dribs and drabs, they come in small groups at irregular intervals, instead of all arriving at the same time.
In droves
When things happen in droves, a lot happen at the same time or very quickly.
In for a penny, in for a pound
If something is worth doing then it is a case of in for a penny, in for a pound, which means that when gambling or taking a chance, you might as well go the whole way and take all the risks, not just some.
In full swing
If things are in full swing, they have been going for a sufficient period of time to be going well and very actively.
In high gear
(USA) If something is in high gear, it is in a quick-paced mode. If someone is in high gear, they are feverishly on the fast track.
In high spirits
If someone is in high spirits, they are in a very good mood or feeling confident about something.
In his cups
If someone is in their cups, they are drunk.
In hot water
If you are in hot water, you are in serious trouble.
In light of
'In light of' is similar to 'due to'.
In like Flynn
Refers to Errol Flynn's popularity with women in the 40's. His ability to attract women was well known throughout the world. ('In like flint' is also used.)
In my bad books
If you are in someone's bad books, they are angry with you. Likewise, if you are in their good books, they are pleased with you.
In my book
This idiom means 'in my opinion'.
In my good books
If someone is in your good books, you are pleased with or think highly of them at the moment.
In one ear and out the other
If something goes in one ear and out the other, you forget it as soon as you've heard it because it was too complicated, boring etc.
In over your head
If someone is in over their head, they are out of the depth in something they are involved in, and may end up in a mess.
In perfect form
When something is as it ought to be. Or, when used cynically, it may refer to someone whose excesses are on display; a caricature.
In rude health
(UK) If someone's in rude health, they are very healthy and look it.
In so many words
This phrase may be used to mean 'approximately' or 'more or less'. I think it may have a sarcastic connotation in that the individual listening needed 'so many words' to get the point. It also may suggest the effort on the part of the speaker to explain an unpleasant truth or difficult concept.
In someone's pocket
If a person is in someone's pocket, they are dependent, especially financially, on them.
In spades
(UK) If you have something in spades, you have a lot of it.
In stitches
If someone is in stitches, they are laughing uncontrollably.
In tandem
If people do things in tandem, they do them at the same time.
In that vein
If you do something in that (or this) vein, you do it in the same distinctive manner or style.
In the bag
If something is in the bag, it is certain that you will get it or achieve it
In the ballpark
This means that something is close to the adequate or required value.
In the black
If your bank account is in credit, it is in the black.
In the cards
If something is in the cards, it is bound to occur, it is going to happen, or it is inevitable.
In the catbird seat
(USA) If someone is in the catbird seat, they are in an advantageous or superior position.
In the clear
If someone is in the clear, they are no longer suspected of or charged with wrongdoing.
In the clink
(UK) If someone is in the clink, they are in prison.
In the club
(UK) If a woman's in the club, she's pregnant. 'In the pudding club' is an alternative form.
In the dock
If someone is in the dock, they are on trial in court.
In the doghouse
If someone is in the doghouse, they are in disgrace and very unpopular at the moment.
In the driver's seat
If you are in the driver's seat, you are in charge of something or in control of a situation.
In the face of
If people act in the face of something, they do it despite it or when threatened by it.
In the family way
If a woman is in the family way, she is pregnant.
In the flesh
If you meet or see someone in the flesh you actually meet or see them, rather than seeing them on TV or in other media.
In the gravy
If you're in the gravy, you're rich and make money easily.
In the hole
If someone is in the hole, they have a lot of problems, especially financial ones.
In the hot seat
If someone's in the hot seat, they are the target for a lot of unwelcome criticism and examination.
In the know
If you are in the know, you have access to all the information about something, which other people don't have.
In the lap of luxury
People in the lap of luxury are very wealthy and have have everything that money can buy.
In the long run
This means 'over a long period of time', 'in the end' or 'in the final result'.
In the loop
If you're in the loop, you are fully informed about what is happening in a certain area or activity.
In the lurch
If you are left in the lurch, you are suddenly left in an embarrassing or tricky situation.
In the making
When something is in the making, it means it is in the process of being made.
In the offing
If something is in the offing, it is very likely to happen soon.
In the pink
If you are in very good health, you are in the pink.
In the pipeline
If something's in the pipeline, it hasn't arrived yet but its arrival is expected.
In the red
If your bank account is overdrawn, it is in the red.
In the saddle
If you're in the saddle, you are in control of a situation.
In the same boat
If people are in the same boat, they are in the same predicament or trouble.
In the short run
This refers to the immediate future.
In the soup
If you're in the soup, you're in trouble.
In the swim
If you are in the swim, you are up-to-date with and fully informed about something.
In the swing
If things are in the swing, they are progressing well.
In the tall cotton
A phrase that expresses good times or times of plenty and wealth as tall cotton means a good crop.
In the twinkling of an eye
If something happens in the twinkling of an eye, it happens very quickly.
In the zone
If you are in the zone, you are very focused on what you have to do.
In turn
This means one after the other. Example: She spoke to each of the guests in turn.
In two minds
If you are in two minds about something, you can't decide what to do.
In your blood
A trait or liking that is deeply ingrained in someone's personality and unlikely to change is in their blood. A similar idiom is 'in his DNA.'
In your element
If you are in your element, you feel happy and relaxed because you are doing something that you like doing and are good at. "You should have seen her when they asked her to sing; she was in her element."
In your face
If someone is in your face, they are direct and confrontational. (It is sometime written 'in yer face'colloquially)
In your sights
If you have someone or something in your sights, they are your target to beat.
Indian file
If people walk in Indian file, they walk in a line one behind the other.
Indian giver
An Indian giver gives something, then tries to take it back.
Indian summer
If there is a period of warmer weather in late autumn, it is an Indian summer.
Ins and outs
If you know the ins and outs of something, you know all the details.
Into each life some rain must fall
This means that bad or unfortunate things will happen to everyone at some time.
Into thin air
If something vanishes or disappears without trace, it vanishes into thin air; no-one knows where it has gone.
Iron fist
Someone who rules or controls something with an iron fist is in absolute control and tolerates no dissent. An iron fist in a velvet glove is used to describe someone who appears soft on the outside, but underneath is very hard. 'Mailed fist' is an alternative form.
Irons in the fire
A person who has a few irons in the fire has a number of things working to their advantage at the same time.
Is Saul also among the prophets?
It's a biblical idiom used when somebody known for something bad appears all of a sudden to be doing something very good.
It ain't over till the fat lady sings
This idiom means that until something has officially finished, the result is uncertain.
It cost an arm and a leg
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive indeed.
It cost the earth
If something costs the earth, it is very expensive indeed.
It never rains but it pours
'It never rains but it pours' means that when things go wrong, they go very wrong.
It takes a village to raise a child
It takes many people to teach a child all that he or she should know.
It takes two to tango
This idiom is used to suggest that when things go wrong, both sides are involved and neither side is completely innocent.
It's an ill wind that blows no good
This is said when things have gone wrong; the idea being that when bad things happen, there can also be some positive results.
It's no use crying over spilt milk
This idiom means that getting upset after something has gone wrong is pointless; it can't be changed so it should be accepted.
It's not the size of the dog in fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog
Usually refering to a small dog attacking a larger animal, this means that fierceness is not necessarily a matter of physical size, but rather mental/psychological attitude.
It's not the size of the man in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the man
This idiom means that determination is often more important than size, strength, or ability. ('It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.' is also used.)
It's your funeral
The other person has made a decision that you think is bad. However, it is their choice; it is their funeral.
Itch to
If you are itching to do something, you are very eager to do it.
Itchy feet
One gets itchy feet when one has been in one place for a time and wants to travel.
Ivory tower
People who live in ivory towers are detached from the world around them.