take the world by storm, the sky's the limit, every dog has its day, blow up in your face, throw in the towel: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 idioms from Idioms set 4. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. take the world by storm · idiom/teɪk ðə wɜrld baɪ stɔrm/

   to become a huge success very quickly

   The first of the Harry Potter series was published in 1997 and it took the world by storm.

   Origin: From military language — 'taking by storm' meant capturing a fortress through sudden overwhelming attack.

2. the sky's the limit · idiom/ðə skaɪz ðə ˈlɪmɪt/

   used to say that a person can do anything and there is no limit

   Once you explore your unique skills and use them in the right way, the sky's the limit. You can do anything you want.

   Origin: First recorded in Cervantes's Don Quixote (1605) — the sky represents the only conceivable boundary.

3. every dog has its day · idiom/ˈɛvri dɔɡ hæz ɪts deɪ/

   used to say that every person will have success or luck at some point in their lives

   "You have lost this time but don't forget that every dog has its day" the coach said.

   Origin: Used by Shakespeare in Hamlet (1603); rooted in the older idea that all creatures eventually have luck.

4. blow up in your face · idiom/bloʊ ʌp ɪn jʊr feɪs/

   an action becoming unsuccessful and ruining the plans

   When Natalie refused to apologize, Mark tried to make a fool out of her, but it blew up in his face. He made a fool out of himself instead.

   Origin: From early firearm explosions — when guns failed dangerously, they literally blew up in the user's face.

5. throw in the towel · idiom/θroʊ ɪn ðə ˈtaʊəl/

   to stop trying and admit that you lose

   After searching for investors for two years, the company threw in the towel and cancelled the project in 2017.

   Origin: From boxing — a trainer throws a towel into the ring to signal their fighter is giving up the match.