Idioms beginning with R

Idiom

Meaning

Raining cats and dogs

Heavy rainfall

Run-of-the-mill

Ordinary or average

Read between the lines

To understand the hidden meaning behind what is said or written

Red-handed

Caught in the act of doing something wrong

Rome wasn’t built in a day

Important tasks or projects take time to complete

Rule of thumb

A general guideline or principle

Rolling in the dough

To be very wealthy or rich

Rise and shine

Time to wake up and start the day

Round the clock

Continuous, without interruption

Ring a bell

To sound familiar or remind one of something

Running on empty

Having no energy or resources left

Right as rain

Perfectly fine or healthy

Rope someone in

To persuade or convince someone to participate or become involved

Rolling stone gathers no moss

A person who keeps moving or changing their situation will not be able to develop deep roots or stability

Run circles around

To outperform or outmaneuver someone

Rub salt in the wound

To make a painful situation even worse by reminding someone of it

Rough around the edges

Not refined or polished

Reach for the stars

To aim for high goals or aspirations

Rob Peter to pay Paul

To take from one source to provide for another

Rip-off

Something overpriced or unfairly expensive

Rest on one’s laurels

To rely on past achievements rather than continuing to work hard

Run riot

To behave in a wild or disorderly manner

Rubberneck

To look around or stare, especially out of curiosity

Round the bend

Slightly crazy or eccentric

Rub the wrong way

To annoy or irritate someone

Roll out the red carpet

To give someone special treatment or a grand welcome

Rain or shine

Regardless of the weather or conditions, no matter what

Rack one’s brain

To think hard or struggle to remember or solve something

Run into the ground

To overuse or exploit something until it no longer has value

Rolling in it

To be very wealthy or rich

Rub someone the wrong way

To annoy or irritate someone

Raise eyebrows

To cause surprise or disapproval with one’s actions or behavior

Rustle someone’s feathers

To annoy or upset someone

Read the riot act

To warn or reprimand sternly

Rule the roost

To be in charge or have control over a situation or group

Ride shotgun

To sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle

Rub elbows

To associate or socialize closely with someone, especially someone of higher status

Rough and ready

Prepared to cope with difficult or adverse conditions, often lacking refinement

Run around like a chicken with its head cut off

To act in a frenzied or disorganized manner, especially due to panic or confusion

Rumble in the jungle

A situation or event characterized by intense, chaotic activity or competition

Rain on someone’s parade

To spoil someone’s plans or enjoyment with bad news or negative remarks

Rattle off

To recite or list quickly and easily

Rule the waves

To have dominance or control over the seas or maritime affairs

Red-letter day

A special or memorable day

Run the gauntlet

To endure a series of challenges or obstacles

Road to perdition

A path leading to destruction or ruin

Rope into

To persuade or convince someone to participate or become involved, often unwillingly

Rub shoulders

To associate or interact closely with someone, especially someone of importance or influence

Rooting for

To support or cheer for someone or something

Rolling with the punches

To adapt to or cope with difficult situations or setbacks

Rags to riches

A rise from poverty to wealth

Raise the bar

To set higher standards or expectations

Rough diamond

A person who has potential but lacks refinement or polish

Rope-a-dope

To trick or deceive someone by pretending to be weak

Right-hand man

A trusted assistant or close associate

Runaway success

Something that achieves great popularity or acclaim

Rite of passage

A traditional or ceremonial event marking an important stage in someone’s life

Ride the gravy train

To enjoy easy or undeserved success

Red tape

Excessive bureaucracy or administrative procedures

Run rings around

To outperform or outmaneuver someone

Rough and tumble

Physical play or activity characterized by roughness or disorder

Rubber hit the road

When a plan or idea is put into action or implementation

Run off at the mouth

To talk excessively or indiscreetly

Rat race

A competitive and often relentless pursuit of success or advancement

Ringing endorsement

A strong and enthusiastic recommendation or approval

Roll up one’s sleeves

To prepare for hard work or active involvement

Run into a brick wall

To encounter a barrier or obstacle that stops progress

Raise Cain

To cause trouble or create a disturbance

Rock the boat

To cause trouble or disrupt a stable situation

Rake over the coals

To reprimand or criticize severely

Roll the dice

To take a chance or make a decision based on luck

Run the show

To be in charge or control of a situation or event

Roll with the punches

To adapt to difficulties or setbacks with a flexible attitude

Rock bottom

The lowest point or level of something

Rubber meets the road

The point where theory or planning is put into action

Rake in the dough

To earn a large amount of money

Run dry

To exhaust or deplete a resource

Ride off into the sunset

To depart or retire in a happy or triumphant manner

Rush off one’s feet

To be extremely busy or overwhelmed with tasks

Run like clockwork

To proceed or operate smoothly and efficiently

Rub someone the right way

To please or satisfy someone

Run a tight ship

To manage something efficiently and with strict discipline

Run for the hills

To flee or escape from a dangerous or unpleasant situation

Rack and ruin

A state of destruction or decay

Run to seed

To deteriorate or decline in quality

Ruffle someone’s feathers

To annoy or upset someone

Ruffle feathers

To annoy or irritate someone

Ride the crest of a wave

To experience success or popularity at its peak

Rusty nail

A harmful or dangerous influence or situation

Run in the family

A trait or characteristic that is shared among family members

Rattle someone’s cage

To provoke or upset someone

Rub someone up the wrong way

To irritate or annoy someone

Rub someone’s nose in it

To remind someone of their mistakes or failures

Ride roughshod over

To treat others without consideration or respect

Roll out the barrel

To start a party or celebration

Rock the cradle of love

To soothe or comfort someone with affection or care

Run the gamut

To cover a wide range or variety