Idioms I	Back to Vocabulary..
Icing on the cake This expression is used to refer to something good that happens on top of an already good thing or situation
Idle hands are the Devil's handiwork When someone is not busy, or being productive, trouble is bound to follow
I'll cross that road when I come to it Means I'll think about something just when it happens, not in advance  I'll eat my hat You can say this when you are absolutely sure that you are right to let the other person know that there is no chance of your being wrong
If at first you don't succeed try and try again If you fail, keep trying until you get it right
If it isn't broken don't fix it Any attempt to improve on a system that already works is pointless and may even break it
If the cap (or shoe) fits If the description is correct, then it is describing the truth, often when someone is being criticised
If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen This means that if you can't take the pressure, then you should remove yourself from the situation
If you lie down with dogs you'll get up with fleas This means that if you become involved with bad company, there will be negative consequences
If you'll pardon my French This idiom is used as a way of apologising for swearing
ill at ease If someone is ill at ease, they are worried or uncomfortable
ill Gotten gains Ill-gotten gains are profits or benefits that are made either illegally or unfairly
In a cleft stick If you are in a cleft stick, you are in a difficult situation, caught between choices
In a fix If you are in a fix, you are in trouble
In a flash If something happens in a flash, it happens very quickly indeed
In a heartbeat If something happens very quickly or immediately, it happens in a heartbeat
In a jam If you are in a jam, you are in some trouble.  If you get out of a jam, you avoid trouble
In a jiffy If something happens in a jiffy, it happens very quickly
In a nutshell This idiom is used to introduce a concise summary
In a tick If someone will do something in a tick, they'll do it very soon
In a tight spot If you're in a tight spot, you're in a difficult situation
In someone elses shoes It is difficult to know what another person's life is really like, so we don't know what it is like to be in someone elses shoes
In cahoots If people are in cahoots, they are conspiring together
In cold blood If something is done in cold blood, it is done ruthlessly, without any emotion
In dire straights If you're in dire straits, you're in serious trouble or difficulties
In donkeys years This means for a very long time
In dribs and drabs Things that come in small groups at irregular intervals, instead of all arriving at the same time
In droves When things happen in droves, a lot happen at the same time
In full swing If things are in full swing, they have been going for a sufficient period of time to be going well and very actively
In high spirits If someone is in high spirits, they are in a very good mood or feeling confident about something
In hot water If you are in hot water, you are in serious trouble
In my good books If someone is in your good books, you are pleased with or think highly of them at the moment
In over your head If someone is in over their head, they are out of the depth in something they are involved in, and may end up in a mess
In someone's pocket If a person is in someone's pocket, they are dependent, especially financially, on them
In stitches If someone is in stitches, they are laughing uncontrollably
In tandem If people do things in tandem, they do them at the same time
In the bag If something is in the bag, it is certain that you will get it or achieve it
In the black If your bank account is in credit, it is in the black
In the club If a woman's in the club, she's pregnant
In the doghouse If someone is in the doghouse, they are in disgrace and very unpopular at the moment
In the drivers seat If you are in the driver's seat, you are in charge of something or in control of a situation
In the hot seat If someone's in the hot seat, they are the target for a lot of unwelcome criticism and examination
In the lurch If you are left in the lurch, you are suddenly left in an embarrassing or tricky situation
In the pink If you are in very good health, you are in the pink
In the pipeline If something's in the pipeline, it hasn't arrived yet but its arrival is expected
In the same boat If people are in the same boat, they are in the same predicament or trouble
In the short run This refers to the immediate future
In the soup If you're in the soup, you're in trouble
In two minds If you are in two minds about something, you can't decide what to do
Indian summer If there is a period of warmer weather in late autumn, it is an Indian summer
Iron fist Someone who rules or controls something with an iron fist is in absolute control and tolerates no dissent
Irons in the fire A person who has a few irons in the fire has a number of things working to their advantage at the same time
It's not over till the fat lady sings This idiom means that until something has officially finished, the result is uncertain
It costs an arm and a leg If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive indeed
It never rains but it pours It never rains but it pours' means that when things go wrong, they go very wrong
It takes two to tango This idiom is used to suggest that when things go wrong, both sides are involved and neither side is completely innocent
It's an ill wind that blows no good This is said when things have gone wrong; the idea being that when bad things happen, there can also be some positive results
It's no good crying over spilt milk Means that getting upset after something has gone wrong is pointless; it can't be changed so it should be accepted
It's your funeral The other person has made a decision that you think is bad. However, it is their choice; it is their funeral
Itchy feet One gets itchy feet when one has been in one place for a time and wants to travel
Ivory tower People who live in ivory towers are detached from the world around them