Meaning:
440 yards 
n.
a unit of length equal to a quarter of 1 mile
DS Idiom, Proverb
a babe in the woods
"a defenseless person; a naive, young person" He's just a babe in the woods. He needs someone to protect him.
a fart in a windstorm
an act that has no effect, an unimportant event A letter to the editor of a paper is like a fart in a windstorm.
a full house (cards)
a pair plus three of a kind, e.g., 2 kings and 3 aces In our last game of poker, you dealt me a full house.
a man of few words
"a man who says little; who uses few words" Chung is a man of few words, but when he speaks, people listen.
a picture is worth a thousand words
a picture is easier to understand than a report or essay Instead of more talk, I'll draw thousand words a diagram. A picture is worth a thousand words.
a play on words
a pun, a word or phrase that has two meanings When a man says he'll give you a ring, it may be a play on words.
a way with words
natural ability to speak, the gift of the gab Ask Viv to write the speech. She has a way with words.
a wordsmith
a person who works with words, a writer or author Ask Jan if it's colour or color. She's a wordsmith.
actions speak louder than words
people judge by actions more than words, practice what you preach Parents should remember that actions speak louder than words. Kids imitate their parents.
against all odds
not likely to happen, a slim chance Against all odds - poor weather, student pilot - we landed safely.
AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome - a disease of the immune system Recently the number of AIDS patients has been increasing rapidly in many countries.
all's well that ends well
a happy ending is the most important thing, the end justifies... Although we argued and fought, we are happy with the result. All's well that ends well!
at a loss for words
unable to think of a reply or something to say When he asked why I wanted the vase, I was at a loss for words.
at loggerheads
not agreeing, opposed to each other They're at loggerheads over who owns the farm. They don't agree.
at loose ends
disorganized, unable to concentrate I was at loose ends when the kids were fighting. I couldn't think.
at odds
in disagreement He has been at odds with his boss over the new sales territory.
at the hands of
while competing against, when fighting It was at the hands of his former student that he was defeated.
babe in the woods
(See a babe in the woods)
bend over backwards
do anything to help, try to please, go the extra mile They'll bend over backwards to find a room for you. They give excellent service.
bend over backwards to do something
try very hard If I can, I will bend over backwards to help you get a promotion in the company.
best of both worlds
(See the best of both worlds)
birds and bees
the facts about sex and birth He learned about the birds and bees in his health education class at school.
birds-eye view
a general view from above Let
birds of a feather flock together
people who are similar become friends or join together Don
bite the hand that feeds one
turn against or hurt a helper or supporter, repay kindness with wrong My niece is biting the hand that feeds her if she keeps abusing the help that her parents are giving her.
bite the hand that feeds you
be unkind to the one who cares for you or pays you If you criticize your employer, you bite the hand that feeds you.
burn the candle at both ends
work or play too hard without enough rest He has been burning the candle at both ends with his work and his studies. That is why he became sick.
by leaps and bounds
by large amounts, by a lot The population of Calgary has grown by leaps and bounds.
can't make heads or tails of something
" can't understand something at all;"
can't put my hands on it
cannot remember exactly where it is Your book is in my office, but I can't put my hands on it now.
cement hands
awkward hands, butter fingers "Joey can't type; he's got cement hands."
chairman of the boards (hockey)
a player who controls play along the boards In the 1970s Doug was chairman of the boards for the Hawks.
change hands
change owners, be sold or traded That condo changed hands three times in one year - three owners!
change horses in midstream
make new plans or choose a new leader in the middle of an important activity They have decided to change lawyers but I told them that they shouldn
cooler heads prevailed
sensible people spoke, violence was avoided There was nearly a riot, but cooler heads prevailed.
crawl on my hands and knees over broken glass just
do anything to be closer to her, worship the ground she walks on I'm so in love I'd crawl on my hands and knees over miles of broken glass to see her photo.
damaged goods
abused, in poor condition One man described prostitutes as damaged goods.
deliver the goods
succeed in doing what is expected well He is the best manager that we have ever had. He knows how to deliver the goods.
doesn't mince words
does not say nice words when complaining, call a spade a spade When Greta is angry she doesn't mince words. She tells you what is bothering her.
dying seconds
(See the dying seconds)
eat your words
regret what you said, admit you were wrong He told me the answer, and I had to eat my words. I was wrong.
familiarity breeds contempt
a friend may dislike you if you do not respect his or her privacy Don't call Margaret Maggie. Remember, familiarity breeds contempt.
famous last words
a prediction that is false - the opposite happens, twist of fate """We don't need a spare tire. We never have flat tires on this car."" ""Sure. Famous last words!"""
fart in a windstorm
(See a fart in a windstorm)
fast friends
close friends, permanent friends Sue and I became fast friends when we were in Grade 4.
for the birds
uninteresting, something you don
friends with
a friend of, a good friend """Are you friends with Carla?"" ""Yes. She's my best friend."""
get the goods on someone
find out true and often bad information about someone I think that I have finally got the goods on him and will have to talk to the police as soon as possible.
get your head out of the clouds
be more realistic, come down to earth, get real You can dream at home, but please get your head out of the clouds when you come to work.
give you odds
if I lose the bet, I pay you more money than you bet "I'll give you odds that Montreal will win. I'll bet $2; you bet $1."
An DS idiom dictionary is a great resource for writers, students, and anyone looking to expand their vocabulary. It contains a list of words with similar meanings with DS, allowing users to choose the best word for their specific context.
Dictionary of similar words, Different wording, Synonyms, Idioms for Idiom, Proverb DS