| Idiom | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Be a Steady Hand | To be reliable, dependable, and calm, especially in challenging situations or over long periods. | During the crisis, Sarah proved to be a steady hand, keeping the team focused and organised. |
| Have a Steady Hand | To have control and precision, whether physically or in decision-making, especially in leadership roles. | Even in high-pressure situations, the surgeon has a steady hand, ensuring each operation goes smoothly. |
| Be About To | To be on the verge of doing something imminently, often interrupted or delayed. | I was about to leave the house when I realised I had forgotten my keys. |
| Be Not About To | To be unwilling or unlikely to do something, especially in the near future. | I’m not about to apologise for something I didn’t do! |
| Be Absent From Something | To not be present at a particular place or event where one is expected. | He was absent from the meeting yesterday, and no one knows why. |
| Be Absent In Something | To be lacking or missing in a particular area, context, or situation. | Any sense of urgency was absent in the proposal, which is why it was rejected. |
| Be Afraid | To feel fear or apprehension about something, or to express regret or sympathy. | I’m afraid we won’t be able to meet the deadline unless we get additional support. |
| Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid | A humorous or ironic warning that something unpleasant or undesirable is about to happen. | The weather forecast is predicting storms all weekend—be afraid, be very afraid of your camping trip! |
| Be Against Something | To oppose or disapprove of something. | The committee is firmly against the new development plans, citing environmental concerns. |
| Be Up Against Something | To face a difficult challenge or obstacle that must be overcome. | We are up against a tight deadline with this project, and every minute counts. |
| Be All Wet | To be completely wrong or misguided about something. | If you think I’m going to let you take the credit for this work, you’re all wet. |
| Be Wet | To be indecisive, timid, or lacking in confidence, especially in the UK context. | Stop being so wet! Just tell them you’re not interested in the job offer. |
| Idiom | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Be Ancient History | Refers to something from the past that no longer holds relevance or significance today. | Those office squabbles are ancient history now; we’ve all moved on and forgotten about them. |
| Be History | 1. To have one’s influence or career come to an end, or no longer be relevant. 2. To refer to something that has been fully resolved or is no longer a problem. | After that disastrous decision, the CEO is history. That scandal is history; everyone has moved past it. |
| Be Assured of Something | 1. To be guaranteed something. 2. To be confident or certain about something. | You can be assured of a warm welcome when you visit our city. The committee was assured of his loyalty. |
| Be Sure of Something | To feel confident about an outcome or to have complete certainty regarding something. | I’m sure of our success this time; we’ve prepared for every possibility. |
| Be at Each Other’s Throats | To be in a state of intense conflict or argument, often aggressively so. | The two politicians were at each other’s throats during the debate over the new policy. |
| Cut Each Other’s Throats | To act in a way that harms both parties, often due to fierce competition or selfish behaviour. | In their race to undercut prices, the companies are cutting each other’s throats and losing profits. |
| Be at Loose Ends | To be without any definite plans or purpose, often leading to a feeling of restlessness. | After finishing his project, he found himself at loose ends, unsure of what to do next. |
| Tie Up Loose Ends | To complete unfinished tasks or resolve minor issues that have been left incomplete. | Before submitting the report, I need to tie up a few loose ends and double-check the figures. |
| Be at Rest | 1. To be in a state of peace or relaxation, both mentally and physically. 2. (Euphemistically) To be dead. | After years of hard work, she is finally at rest, enjoying her retirement. He is now at rest, having lived a long and fulfilling life. |
| Be Resting | 1. (Informally) To be temporarily out of work, often used in the entertainment industry. 2. (Euphemistically) To be awaiting burial. | The actor is currently resting between roles. The remains are resting at the chapel until the service. |
| Be at Someone’s Service | To be available and willing to help or assist someone at any time. | I am at your service whenever you need assistance with your research. |
| Be in Someone’s Service | To be employed as a servant or under the employment of someone in a domestic role. | She was in the family’s service for over a decade, tending to their every need. |
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