to understand the emotions and reactions of people in a situation
example
Before making a joke, read the room to see if people are in the right mood for it.
word origin — A modern 2000s American expression — describes the ability to interpret the mood and signals of those present.
read the room, keep the wolf from the door, call it a night, hit the sack, have a field day: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 idioms from Idioms set 51. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
read the room · idiom/rid ðə rum/
to understand the emotions and reactions of people in a situation
Before making a joke, read the room to see if people are in the right mood for it.
Origin: A modern 2000s American expression — describes the ability to interpret the mood and signals of those present.
keep the wolf from the door · idiom/kip ðə wʊlf frəm ðə dɔr/
to have just enough money to survive
Freelance work doesn’t pay much, but it’s enough to keep the wolf from the door.
Origin: From medieval times — hungry wolves at the door symbolized poverty and starvation that families fought to keep away.
call it a night · idiom/kɔl ɪt ə naɪt/
to decide to stop an activity for the night
I’m too tired to keep working, let’s call it a night.
Origin: From the 1900s — similar to 'call it a day,' it formally ends an activity for the night before continuing tomorrow.
hit the sack · idiom/hɪt ðə sæk/
to go to bed
After a long day, I’m ready to hit the sack.
Origin: American slang from the 1940s — soldiers called their bedrolls 'sacks,' so hitting them meant going to sleep.
have a field day · idiom/hæv ə fild deɪ/
to enjoy a situation or take advantage of an opportunity
The journalists had a field day reporting on the scandal.
Origin: From the 18th-century military — a 'field day' was a special open-air event soldiers genuinely enjoyed.