Idioms — Set 63

Set 63 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: play it safe, kick the bucket, pull some strings, be on the same wavelength, throw your weight around. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. play it safe · idiom/pleɪ ɪt seɪf/

   to avoid taking risks

   Instead of risking everything, he decided to play it safe and invest in a stable business.

   Origin: An early 1900s expression from gambling and sports — choosing the option with the lowest possible risk.

2. kick the bucket · idiom/kɪk ðə ˈbʌkɪt/

   to die (informal and humorous)

   Our old neighbor finally kicked the bucket last week at the age of 95.

   Origin: From the 1700s — one theory says hanged people kicked away the bucket they stood on, ending their lives.

3. pull some strings · idiom/pʊl sʌm strɪŋz/

   to use personal influence to get something done

   He didn’t have the right qualifications, but his uncle pulled some strings and got him the job.

   Origin: From puppetry — invisible strings let a puppet master control everything happening above the stage.

4. be on the same wavelength · idiom/bi ɔn ðə seɪm ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθ/

   to think in a similar way or understand each other well

   We don’t need to explain things twice to each other—we’re always on the same wavelength.

   Origin: From early radio in the 1900s — two stations on the same wavelength communicated cleanly without interference.

5. throw your weight around · idiom/θroʊ jʊr weɪt əˈraʊnd/

   to use authority or influence in a forceful or bossy way

   Ever since he became manager, he’s been throwing his weight around and acting superior to everyone.

   Origin: From the 1800s — heavy people physically take up more space, used as a metaphor for forceful authority.