Idioms — Set 94

Set 94 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: keep your powder dry, be a fly in the ointment, have a foot in the door, fall off the wagon, kick up your heels. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. keep your powder dry · idiom/kip jʊr ˈpaʊdɚ draɪ/

   to stay prepared and wait for the right moment to act

   Instead of reacting immediately, he kept his powder dry and waited for the right moment to speak.

   Origin: Attributed to Oliver Cromwell in 1642 — wet gunpowder couldn't fire, so soldiers had to keep it dry until needed.

2. be a fly in the ointment · idiom/bi ə flaɪ ɪn ði ˈɔɪntmənt/

   to be a small problem that ruins an otherwise good situation

   The event was going smoothly until one guest kept complaining loudly—he was really a fly in the ointment.

   Origin: From the Bible (Ecclesiastes 10:1) — a dead fly spoils an otherwise pleasant perfume with its terrible smell.

3. have a foot in the door · idiom/hæv ə fʊt ɪn ðə dɔr/

   to gain an initial opportunity that could lead to bigger chances

   The internship doesn’t pay much, but it’s a great way to get a foot in the door at this company.

   Origin: From 19th-century door-to-door salesmen — sticking a foot in a closing door bought a moment to make their pitch.

4. fall off the wagon · idiom/fɔl ɔf ðə ˈwæɡən/

   to return to bad habits, especially drinking or drugs

   After staying sober for a year, he fell off the wagon and started drinking again.

   Origin: From American 1900s temperance movement — wagons carried water; falling off meant returning to drinking alcohol.

5. kick up your heels · idiom/kɪk ʌp jʊr hilz/

   to relax and enjoy yourself

   After a long week of work, she just wanted to kick up her heels and relax at home.

   Origin: From the 1700s — energetic dancing or running often involves kicking the heels behind, expressing joyful freedom.