Idioms List

Idioms Starting with the Letter G

GET A GRIP

To control your emotions; to regain your composure.

Tell Max to get a grip. He is totally overreacting.

GET A HANDLE ON

To obtain a basic level of understanding or control.

After reading chapter four, I'm starting to get a handle on quantum physics.

GET A WORD IN EDGEWAYS

To contribute to a conversation with people who are very talkative.

When you are talking with Mary, she talks so much that you are lucky to get a word in edgewise.

GET CARRIED AWAY

To overdo; to do to excess.

Max got carried away with the balloons for the party. There must have been over a thousand.

GET CRACKING

To get started; hurry up.

Come on! Let's get cracking. We need to finish this project by next week.

GET EVEN

To get revenge.

Mary was quite upset with Jane for stealing her boyfriend. She swore that she would get even.

GET HITCHED

To get married.

Mary and Max got hitched two years ago.

GET ON ONE'S NERVES

To annoy or irritate someone.

Max may be a nice guy, but sometimes he really gets on my nerves.

GET ON SOMEONE'S CASE

To criticize, find fault, or lecture.

The boss is always getting on Max's case for everything.

GET ONE'S ACT TOGETHER

To become serious, organized.

If you want a pay raise, you are going to have to get your act together and do a better job.

GET ONE'S FEET WET

To gain new experience.

Max is just getting his feet wet. He is likely to make a few mistakes.

GET ONE'S FOOT IN THE DOOR

To begin become established in an occupation or company.

You were very lucky to get your foot in the door at ABC Company.

GET SOMETHING STRAIGHT

To understand correctly; to clarify.

Let's get this straight. We'll meet behind the back after work.

GET THE HANG OF

To become accustomed to; to learn how to do or use something.

When I moved to England, it took me a few days to get the hang of driving on the left side of the road.

GET THE POINT

To understand the general or main idea.

I don't think Max got the point. The point is that the important things in life have little to do with money.

GET TO THE BOTTOM OF

To find the underlying cause of a situation.

Max will get to the bottom of the problem sooner or later.

GET UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF BED

To feel irritable; to be in a grouchy mood for no particular reason.

Watch out for Max. I think he got up on the wrong side of the bed today.

GIVE IT A GO

To try or attempt.

I'm not sure if I can do this, but I'll give it a go.

GIVE SOMEONE THE COLD SHOULDER

To ignore; to snub or reject someone

For some reason, Mary is giving me the cold shoulder today.

GO ALL OUT

To spare no expense or effort; to put forth all possible effort or resources.

For the last two miles of the race, Max went all out.

GO DOWNHILL

To worsen or deteriorate.

The company was having a few minor problems, and then all of a sudden everything went downhill fast.

GO FOR IT

To put maximum effort toward achieving a goal.

There is a job opening at ABC Company. Max is going for it.

GO OUT ON A LIMB

To take a risk; to put oneself in a vulnerable position.

Mary went out on a limb lending Max all of her money. I hope he repays her.

GO PLACES

To achieve progress or succeed.

With all of your talent, you are certain to go places.

GUT FEELING

An instinct or intuition.

I have a gut feeling that John and Jane are going to get married