Idioms beginning with W

Idiom

Meaning

Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve

To openly display one’s emotions or feelings

Walk on eggshells

To act cautiously or carefully to avoid causing offense or conflict

Wet behind the ears

Inexperienced or immature

Wolf in sheep’s clothing

Someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous

Wild goose chase

A futile pursuit or search for something elusive

When pigs fly

Something that will never happen or is impossible

Win hands down

To win easily and decisively

Wrap someone around one’s little finger

To have complete control or influence over someone

Worth one’s weight in gold

Extremely valuable or precious

Watch like a hawk

To observe closely and vigilantly

Work like a dog

To work very hard and diligently

Warts and all

Including all imperfections or negative aspects

Weather the storm

To endure and survive a difficult situation or period

With flying colors

With great success or achievement

Walking encyclopedia

Someone who has a vast amount of knowledge

Wear many hats

To have multiple roles or responsibilities

Wipe the slate clean

To start fresh or erase past mistakes or grievances

Worth one’s salt

Competent or skilled

Win-win situation

A situation where both parties benefit

Whistle in the dark

To attempt to remain cheerful or optimistic in a difficult or uncertain situation

Wild card

An unpredictable or unforeseen factor

White elephant

Something expensive or burdensome to maintain

Water under the bridge

Past events or grievances that are no longer relevant or significant

Word of mouth

Information passed from person to person through informal communication

Walk the talk

To act in accordance with one’s words or principles

Walk in the park

Something easy or effortless

Whip into shape

To improve or make something more efficient or effective

With bells on

Eagerly or enthusiastically

Water off a duck’s back

Criticism or negative remarks that have no effect

Whistle past the graveyard

To act unconcerned or pretend not to be afraid or worried

With a grain of salt

With skepticism or caution

Walk the plank

To be forced to leave or abandon something, often as a punishment or consequence

Whole nine yards

Everything or all the way

Word to the wise

A piece of advice from someone with experience or knowledge

Walking on air

Feeling extremely happy or elated

Weigh one’s words

To carefully consider one’s words before speaking

Wet blanket

Someone who dampens enthusiasm or spoils enjoyment

Weasel out of something

To avoid doing something through deceit or trickery

With bated breath

With eager anticipation or suspense

Wheeling and dealing

Engaging in complex negotiations or transactions

Whet one’s appetite

To stimulate or increase one’s desire for something

Whistle-blower

A person who exposes wrongdoing or illegal activities

Win someone over

To persuade or gain someone’s favor

Within spitting distance

Very close in proximity

Wide of the mark

Incorrect or inaccurate

Weigh one’s options

To carefully consider different courses of action

Watch the clock

To keep track of the time, especially when waiting for something

When the rubber meets the road

When something is put to the test or when action is required

Wing it

To improvise or do something without preparation or planning

Wipe the floor with someone

To defeat or outperform someone decisively

Wreak havoc

To cause chaos or destruction

Wet one’s whistle

To have a drink, especially an alcoholic one, to quench one’s thirst

Way to go

An expression of encouragement or congratulations for someone’s success or achievement

War of words

A heated argument or dispute, often involving verbal attacks

Worry wart

Someone who constantly worries or frets about minor issues

White-knuckle

Involving extreme tension, fear, or excitement

Wag the dog

To distract attention from a major issue by focusing on a minor one

Weasel words

Deceptive or vague language used to avoid making commitments or taking responsibility

Win the day

To achieve victory or success

Whiz kid

A young person who is exceptionally skilled or talented, especially in academics or technology

Whirlwind romance

A passionate and intense romantic relationship that develops quickly

Work one’s fingers to the bone

To work extremely hard or diligently