Idioms — Set 50

Set 50 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: cut it close, get off on the wrong foot, pull the rug out from under someone, be in the driver's seat, bite the dust. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. cut it close · idiom/kʌt ɪt kloʊs/

   to do something with very little time to spare

   We cut it close, but we made it to the airport just in time.

   Origin: From shaving — barbers who cut close to the skin saved time but risked nicking the customer's face.

2. get off on the wrong foot · idiom/ɡɛt ɔf ɔn ðə rɔŋ fʊt/

   to start off a situation or relationship badly

   We got off on the wrong foot, but now we’re good friends.

   Origin: From military marching — soldiers had to step off on the correct foot, or the whole line fell into chaos.

3. pull the rug out from under someone · idiom/pʊl ðə rʌɡ aʊt frəm ˈʌndɚ ˈsʌmwʌn/

   to suddenly remove support from someone, leaving them helpless

   He thought he had a secure job, but they pulled the rug out from under him and fired him without warning.

   Origin: A 20th-century image — pulling a rug away from under someone makes them fall suddenly with no warning.

4. be in the driver's seat · idiom/ɪn ðə ˈdraɪvɚz sit/

   to be in control of a situation

   With the CEO retiring, she is now in the driver’s seat and leading the company.

   Origin: From the early automobile age — only the driver controls direction, speed, and final decisions on the journey.

5. bite the dust · idiom/baɪt ðə dʌst/

   to fail, be defeated, or die

   Our team fought hard, but in the end, we bit the dust and lost the championship.

   Origin: From the ancient Greek poet Homer — fallen warriors literally bit the dust of the battlefield as they died.