Idioms K	Back to Vocabulary..
Kangaroo court When people take the law into their own hands and form courts that are not legal, these are known as kangaroo courts
Keen as mustard If someone is very enthusiastic, they are as keen as mustard
Keep abreast If you keep abreast of things, you stay informed about developments
Keep at bay If you keep someone or something at bay, you maintain a safe distance from them
Keep in touch If you keep in touch with someone, you keep communicating with them even though you may live far apart
Keep it on the QT If you keep something on the Q T, you keep it quiet or secret
Keep it under your hat If you keep something under your hat, you keep it secret
Keep mum If you keep mum about something, you keep quiet and don't tell anyone
Keep posted If your kept posted about something, your kept up-to-date with information and developments
Keep at arms length If you keep someone or something at arm's length, you keep a safe distance away from them or it
Keep someone on their toes If you keep someone on their toes, you make sure that they concentrate on what they are supposed to do
Keep the wolf at bay If you keep the wolf at bay, you make enough money to avoid going hungry or falling heavily into debt
Keep up with the Joneses People who try to keep up with the Joneses are competitive about material possessions and always try to have the latest and best things
Keep your chin up This expression is used to tell someone to have confidence
Keep your cool If you keep your cool, you don't get excessively excited or disturbed in a bad situation
Keep your ear to the ground If you keep your ear to the ground, you try to keep informed about something, especially if there are rumours or uncertainties
Keep your eyes peeled If you keep your eyes peeled, you stay alert or watchful
Keep your head above water If you are just managing to survive financially, you are keeping your head above water
Keep your pecker up If someone tells you to keep your pecker up, they are telling you not to let your problems get on top of you
Keep your shirt on This idiom is used to tell someone to calm down
Kettle of fish A pretty or fine kettle of fish is a difficult problem or situation
Kicked into touch If an issue or problem is kicked into touch, it is pushed aside and hidden in the hope that it will be forgotten or ignored
Kick the bucket When someone kicks the bucket, they die
Kick your heels If you have to kick your heels, you are forced to wait for the result or outcome of something
Kill the goose that lays the golden egg If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, you ruin something that is very profitable
Kill two birds with one stone When you kill two birds with one stone, you resolve two difficulties or matters with a single action
King of the castle The king of the castle is the person who is in charge of something or in a very comfortable position compared to their companions
Kings ransom If something is worth a king's ransom, it costs or is worth a lot of money
Kiss and tell If people kiss and tell, they disclose private or confidential information
Kiss of death The kiss of death is an action that means failure or ruin for someone, a scheme, a plan, etc
Kiss something goodbye If someone tells you that you can kiss something goodbye, you have no chance of getting or having it
Knee-jerk reaction A knee-jerk reaction is an instant, instinctive response to a situation
Knickers in a twist When your knickers are in a twist, you are angry and snappish over something trivial
Knight in shining armour A knight in shining armour is someone who saves you when you are in great trouble or danger
Knock on wood This idiom is used to wish for good luck
Knock something on the head If you knock something on the head, you stop it or stop doing it
Knock your socks off If something knocks your socks off, it amazes and surprises you, usually in a positive way
Know the ropes Someone who is experienced and knows how the system works, know the ropes
Know which side one's bread is buttered on If you know which side one's bread is buttered on, you know where your interests lie and will act accordingly to protect or further them
Know which way the wind blows This means that you should know how things are developing and be prepared for the future
Know your onions If someone is very well-informed about something, they know their onions