Idioms beginning with E

Idiom
Meaning

Every cloud has a silver lining

There’s something positive even in difficult situations

Early bird catches the worm

Being early or prompt leads to success

Easy as pie

Something is very simple or easy

Eat humble pie

Admitting one’s faults or errors

Eyes are bigger than one’s stomach

Taking more food than one can eat

Elephant in the room

A big issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss

Every dog has its day

Everyone gets a chance or opportunity

Easy come, easy go

Anything obtained quickly and easily is also lost easily

End of the line

The final or ultimate conclusion

Elbow grease

Hard physical work or effort

Every man for himself

Each person looks out for their own interests

Empty vessels make the most noise

Those who talk the most often have the least to say

Eat one’s words

Retract something said and admit it was wrong

Easier said than done

Something sounds simple but is difficult to do

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry

Refers to everyone or anyone, especially irrelevant individuals

Eye for an eye

The idea of retaliation or revenge

Even Steven

To be equal or fair, especially in splitting something

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise

Going to bed and waking up early leads to success

Every trick in the book

Using every possible method, even dishonest ones, to achieve something

Empty-nester

A parent whose children have grown and left home

Easy does it

Proceed slowly and carefully

Every rose has its thorn

Every seemingly good thing has its downside

Every Jack has his Jill

Everyone has a suitable partner

Eager beaver

Someone who is overly enthusiastic or eager

Eat someone out of house and home

Consume a lot of food

Everything but the kitchen sink

Including almost everything possible

Enough is enough

Indicates that a situation has reached its limit

Eke out a living

Barely manage to survive financially

Eureka moment

A sudden realization or discovery

Every which way

In all directions; in every possible manner

Easy street

A life of comfort or luxury

Eight ways from Sunday

In every possible manner

Eat, drink, and be merry

Enjoy life, especially through indulgence

Egg on your face

Feeling embarrassed due to a mistake

Every time one turns around

Frequently or repeatedly

Eagle eye

Sharp or keen observation

Easier than shooting fish in a barrel

Incredibly easy

Even keel

To be balanced and steady

Ears are burning

Sensation that someone is talking about you

Edge out

To narrowly defeat or surpass someone

Eyes out on stalks

Extreme surprise or curiosity

Elbow room

Sufficient space to move or work comfortably

Even odds

An equal chance for success or failure

Every so often

Occasionally; at intervals

Empty nest syndrome

Feeling of sadness or loneliness when children leave home

Eyes in the back of one’s head

Ability to perceive what is happening behind oneself

Even the score

To achieve revenge or retribution

Eyes wide shut

Deliberate ignorance or avoidance of the truth

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