Idioms — Set 99

Set 99 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: 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. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.