With the economy struggling, we’re all in the same boat trying to make ends meet.
word origin — From ancient Greek and Roman writers — sailors in one boat shared the same fate as a unified group.
be all in the same boat, have your back to the wall, follow in someone’s footsteps, strike a nerve, have something up your sleeve: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 idioms from Idioms set 99. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
be all in the same boat · idiom/bi ɔl ɪn ðə seɪm boʊt/
to be in the same difficult situation as others
With the economy struggling, we’re all in the same boat trying to make ends meet.
Origin: From ancient Greek and Roman writers — sailors in one boat shared the same fate as a unified group.
have your back to the wall · idiom/hæv jʊr bæk tu ðə wɔl/
to be in a desperate situation with no easy options
With mounting debt and no job prospects, he felt like he had his back to the wall.
Origin: From medieval combat — a fighter with their back against a wall has no room to retreat, only forward attack remains.
follow in someone’s footsteps · idiom/ˈfɑloʊ ɪn ˈsʌmwʌnz ˈfʊtstɛps/
to follow the same career or path as someone before you
She followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a doctor.
Origin: An ancient image — children literally walked in their parents' footprints, then later followed their parents' professions.
strike a nerve · idiom/straɪk ə nɜrv/
to upset or offend someone with a sensitive topic
I didn’t mean to upset her, but my comment about work really struck a nerve.
Origin: From dental work — striking a raw nerve in a tooth causes sudden sharp pain; used for emotionally sensitive subjects.
have something up your sleeve · idiom/hæv ˈsʌmθɪŋ ʌp jʊr sliv/
to have a secret advantage or plan
He looks calm, but I know he has something up his sleeve for the big announcement.
Origin: From card cheating — dishonest players hid an extra ace inside their sleeve to use at critical moments.