keep a low profile, strike while the iron is hot, be a tough act to follow, take something at face value, keep your head above water: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 idioms from Idioms set 86. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. keep a low profile · idiom/kip ə loʊ ˈproʊfaɪl/

   to avoid attracting attention or standing out

   After the scandal, the politician decided to keep a low profile for a while.

   Origin: From military camouflage — keeping a low silhouette against the horizon makes a soldier harder to be spotted.

2. strike while the iron is hot · idiom/straɪk waɪl ði ˈaɪɚn ɪz hɑt/

   to take advantage of an opportunity at the right moment

   If you want to start a business, strike while the iron is hot and take advantage of the current demand.

   Origin: From blacksmithing — hot iron can be shaped easily, but it hardens quickly once it cools below working temperature.

3. be a tough act to follow · idiom/bi ə tʌf ækt tu ˈfɑloʊ/

   to be so impressive that it’s difficult for others to match

   Her performance was incredible—she’s going to be a tough act to follow for the next contestants.

   Origin: From American vaudeville theater — performers who came on after a popular act had a hard time impressing the audience.

4. take something at face value · idiom/teɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ ət feɪs ˈvælju/

   to accept something as it appears without questioning it

   He’s very gullible; he takes everything at face value without questioning it.

   Origin: From coin trading — a coin's 'face value' is what's printed on its surface, accepted without further questioning.

5. keep your head above water · idiom/kip jʊr hɛd əˈbʌv ˈwɔɾɚ/

   to manage to survive financially or emotionally in a difficult situation

   With rising costs, it’s getting harder to keep my head above water financially.

   Origin: From swimming — keeping the head above water means staying alive when surrounded by deep dangerous conditions.