What does lay down the law mean? Idiom Meaning: tell people what to do in a forceful way Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Casino (1995) Time of Scene: 01:38:00 Piscano’s Brother-in-Law: You gotta lay down the law. Otherwise they’re gonna make a fool out of you. Artie Piscano: […]
rabbit hole
What does rabbit hole mean? Idiom Meaning: a bizarre, confusing, nonsensical situation or environment Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Misconduct (2016) Time of Scene: n/a Arthur Denning: Now that you are down a rabbit hole, the only question I have is, how far are you willing to go […]
greener pastures
What does greener pastures mean? Idiom Meaning: a more promising situation Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: True Romance (1993) Time of Scene: n/a Clarence Worley: I’m not eatin’ ’cause I’m not hungry. I’m not sittin’ ’cause I’m not stayin’ I ain’t lookin’ at the movie ’cause I already […]
diamond in the rough
What does diamond in the rough mean? Idiom Meaning: someone or something that has great potential Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Downton Abbey: Episode 3.7 (2012) Time of Scene: 00:12:00 Tom Branson: My brother’s comin’ over. He’ll stay in the village. Lady Mary Crawley: No, he won’t. He’ll […]
watch your language
What does watch your language mean? Idiom Meaning: be careful what you say (especially when using expletives) Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Scent of a Woman (1992) Time of Scene: 02:20:00 Mr. Trask: I am left with no real witness. Mr. Willis’s testimony is not only vague, it […]
jump to conclusions
What does jump to conclusions mean? Idiom Meaning: form an opinion hastily Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Fantastic Four (2005) Time of Scene: 00:24:00 Susan Storm: It’s got to be the cloud! It’s fundamentally altered our DNA! Reed Richards: Now, let’s not jump to conclusions. We need much […]
ill at ease
What does ill at ease mean? Idiom Meaning: worried or uncomfortable Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: The Big Bang Theory “The Benefactor Factor” (2011) Time of Scene: n/a Mrs. Latham: There’s nothing I like better than making smart people feel ill at ease. Leonard Hofstadter: Why? Mrs. Latham: […]
beauty is in the eye of the beholder
What does beauty is in the eye of the beholder mean? Idiom Meaning: beauty is subjective Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Shallow Hal (2001) Time of Scene: n/a Tony Robbins: Haven’t you ever heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Mauricio: Have you heard the song […]
coming out of my ears
What does coming out of my ears mean? Idiom Meaning: too much of something Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Erin Brockovich (2000) Time of Scene: ~00:18:10 Erin Brockovich: You want my number? George: Yeah, I do. I do want your number. Erin Brockovich: Which number do you want? […]
get rid of
What does get rid of mean? Idiom Meaning: throw away or dispose of something Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Mulholland Drive (2001) Time of Scene: ~00:11:36 Dan: I had a dream about this place. Herb: Oh boy. Dan: See what I mean? Herb: Okay. So you had a dream […]
push through
What does push through mean? Idiom Meaning: keep trying and continue on Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Cars 3 (2017) Cruz Ramirez: It’s all about motivation, Mr. McQueen. You can use anything negative as fuel to push through to the positive! Lightning McQueen: I’ve been pretty positive ever since I […]
hang on
What does hang on mean? Idiom Meaning: wait Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: The Social Network (2010) Gretchen: 18,000 dollars? Eduardo Saverin: Yes. Gretchen: In addition to the $1,000 you’d already put up? Eduardo Saverin: Yes. Gretchen: A total of $19,000 now? Eduardo Saverin: Yes. Mark Zuckerberg: Hang on. I’m […]
out of line
What does out of line mean? Idiom Meaning: behaving inappropriately Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: School of Rock (2003) Time of Scene: ~00:10:10 Dewey Finn: You don’t have to worry about me because I’m a hard-ass. And if a kid gets out of line, I got no problem smacking them […]
shut up
What does shut up mean? Idiom Meaning: be quiet Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Eighth Grade (2018) Time of Scene: ~00:15:10 Mark Day: You said I could say one thing. Can I say one thing, please? Kayla Day: Fine. Mark Day: Thank you. Look. When I was your age, I […]
take no prisoners
What does take no prisoners mean? Idiom Meaning: show no mercy and aggressively pursue an objective Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Tommy Boy (1995) Time of Scene: ~00:34:40 Richard Hayden: All right, now it’s sale time. So remember, we don’t take no…? Tommy: No shit from anyone. Richard Hayden: No. […]
two shakes of a lamb’s tail
What does two shakes of a lamb’s tail mean? Idiom Meaning: very soon or quickly Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Pulp Fiction (1994) Time of Scene: ~00:30:00 Mia Wallace: Hi Vincent. I’m getting dressed. The door’s open. Come inside and make yourself a drink. Vincent Vega: Hello? Mia Wallace: Vincent. Vincent… I’m […]
zip your lip
What does zip your lip mean? Idiom Meaning: stop talking and be quiet Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Police Academy 3: Back in Training (1986) Time of Scene: ~00:14:30 Sgt. Hooks: Please, sit down, sit down. Please. Zip your lips, slap your butts to the seat and listen hard!!! That’s […]
zero-sum game
What does zero-sum game mean? Idiom Meaning: a situation where one’s gain equals the loss of the other person Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Heavy (2005) Time of Scene: ~00:00:00 Dr. Allison Cameron: What are you suggesting, we start slashing each other’s throats? Dr. Robert Chase: I’m suggesting it’s a zero-sum game. […]
zero tolerance
What does zero tolerance mean? Idiom Meaning: a strict policy against a type of bad behavior Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Glee “Furt” (2010) Time of Scene: ~00:41:10 Sam Evans: We can protect you. Noah ‘Puck’ Puckerman: Seriously, we can, like, form a perimeter around you like the Secret Service. […]
water under the bridge
What does water under the bridge mean? Idiom Meaning: prior events that are no longer important Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Old School (2003) Time of Scene: ~00:16:10 Frank: So what’s up? Marissa: Oh nothing much. I was kind of hoping we might get to do those thank you notes […]
up shit creek
What does up shit creek mean? Idiom Meaning: to be in an awkward situation Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Charlie Bartlett (2008) Time of Scene: ~00:35:20 Charlie Bartlett: Well, at least you’re attracted to somebody. I mean, if you weren’t, then we’d really be up shit’s creek. The Blues Brothers […]
take a rain check
What does take a rain check mean? Idiom Meaning: reschedule to meet at another time Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Christmas Vacation (1989) Time of Scene: ~00:40:30 Clark: Eddie? Eddie: Yeah, if you don’t remember, this here is Rocky. Art: Have you got a kiss for me? Eddie: You’d better […]
simmer down
What does simmer down mean? Idiom Meaning: relax Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Breaking Bad “Ozymandias” (2013) Time of Scene: ~00:05:50 Hank Schrader: Ahh… ahh… Uncle Jack: Whoa, simmer down there, sparky. Kenny: What the hell did we just walk into? Todd: Hey, Uncle Jack. I don’t see Jesse Pinkman […]
rise and shine
What does rise and shine mean? Idiom Meaning: wake up and get out of bed Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Some Assembly Required” (1997) Time of Scene: ~00:00:05 Buffy: C’mon, Stephan, rise and shine. Some of us have a ton of trig homework waiting. Angel: Hey. Is […]
rat race
What does rat race mean? Idiom Meaning: an exhausting and competitive routine Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (1991) Time of Scene: ~01:18:30 Sue Ellen “Swell” Crandell: I appreciate you. Kenny Crandell: Eat shit! Sue Ellen “Swell” Crandell: I don’t believe this! I have to […]
pull yourself together
What does pull yourself together mean? Idiom Meaning: recover or maintain composure Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Shutter Island (2010) Time of Scene: ~00:01:10 Teddy Daniels: Pull yourself together, Teddy. Pull yourself together. The Hangover (2009) Time of Scene: ~00:29:20 Alan Garner: Hey, Phil, look. Alan Garner: He’s jackin’ […]
over my dead body
What does over my dead body mean? Idiom Meaning: said when opposing something (and would prevent it from happening) Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Clue (1985) Time of Scene: ~00:27:20 Mr. Boddy: You lockin’ me in? I’ll take the key. Wadsworth: Over my dead body, sir. Superman/Doomsday (2007) Time […]
once in a blue moon
What does once in a blue moon mean? Idiom Meaning: very rarely Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Grey’s Anatomy “Save Me” (2005) Time of Scene: ~00:40:10 Dr. Meredith Grey: At the end of the day, faith is a funny thing. It turns up when you don’t really expect it. It’s like […]
make or break
What does make or break mean? Idiom Meaning: succeed or fail in something Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Grey’s Anatomy “The Self Destruct Button” (2005) Time of Scene: ~00:11:30 Dr. George O’Malley: Hey, have you seen Shepherd? Dr. Isobel ‘Izzie’ Stevens: Not as up close as Meredith has. Dr. George O’Malley: […]
lost cause
What does lost cause mean? Idiom Meaning: something hopeless or not worth pursuing Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Time of Scene: ~02:06:00 Jefferson Smith: I guess this is just another lost cause Mr. Paine. All you people don’t know about lost causes. Mr. Paine […]
lion’s share
What does lion’s share mean? Idiom Meaning: the majority Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Downton Abbey “Episode 3.1” (2012) Time of Scene: ~00:09:50 Robert Crawley: Are you really telling me that all the money is gone? George Murray: I’m afraid so. Robert Crawley: The lion’s share of Cora’s fortune? Robert […]
keep your shirt on
What does keep your shirt on mean? Idiom Meaning: relax Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Critters (1986) Time of Scene: ~00:50:00 Charlie McFadden: Keep your shirt on asshole. The Giant Claw (1957) Time of Scene: ~00:28:40 Mitch MacAfee: Stop leaning on the buzzer. I’m coming. Captain: Mr. MacAfee. Mitch MacAfee: Or a […]
join the club
What does join the club mean? Idiom Meaning: said when two people share something (typically unpleasant) in common Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: The Lost Boys (1987) Time of Scene: ~00:48:40 David: Initiation’s over, Michael. Time to join the club! Watch on Youtube! The Office “Conflict Resolution” (2006) Time […]
jump ship
What does jump ship mean? Idiom Meaning: escape or abandon Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Caddyshack (1980) Time of Scene: ~00:10:30 Carl Spackler: So I jump ship in Hong Kong and I make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a course over in […]
it takes two to tango
What does it takes two to tango mean? Idiom Meaning: it requires two people to do something Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Incendiary (2008) Time of Scene: ~01:27:00 Young Mother: I am the city, Osama. I am the whole world. Murder me with bombs and I will only build myself again. […]
head over heels
What does head over heels mean? Idiom Meaning: falling in love Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: How I Met Your Mother “The Naked Truth” (2011) Time of Scene: ~00:17:50 Ted Mosby: I don’t want to be choosing between two girls. I want to be a complete head over heels idiot […]
hang in there
What does hang in there mean? Idiom Meaning: try to be optimistic or patient Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Blade: Trinity (2004) Time of Scene: ~01:36:10 Hannibal King: Hang in there, kitten. I’ll get help. Frozen (2013) Time of Scene: ~00:09:10 Young Anna: Do you wanna build a snowman? Or […]
gravy train
What does gravy train mean? Idiom Meaning: a way to make a lot of money Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Ghost Rider (2007) Time of Scene: ~01:21:30 Mack: Yeah. Well, if this gets out in the press, his career is over. Roxanne Simpson: Yeah. Trust me. His career’s the least […]
give no quarter
What does give no quarter mean? Idiom Meaning: show no mercy Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: 300: Rise of an Empire (2014) Time of Scene: ~01:21:50 Artemisia: Today the last Greek ships will be destroyed. Show them no mercy. Give them no quarter. Today we will dance across the backs […]
flesh and blood
What does flesh and blood mean? Idiom Meaning: family Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Dark Matter “Episode 1.12” (2015) Time of Scene: ~00:08:00 Two: You saw the scans. One: Yeah, and they said you’re flesh and blood. Two: Artificially constructed. Like one of those transfer transit clones. One: Those […]
fit like a glove
What does fit like a glove mean? Idiom Meaning: fit or match perfectly Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Corpse Bride (2005) Time of Scene: ~00:22:30 Bonejangles: So they conjured up a plan to meet late at night. They told not a soul, kept the whole thing tight. Now her […]
fat chance
What does fat chance mean? Idiom Meaning: unlikely to happen Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Happy Feet Two (2011) Time of Scene: ~00:25:00 Ramon: You, me, beautiful egg, right now. Carmen: You? Me? Fat chance. Ramon: I have a chance, and it’s fat! Watch on YouTube! Hocus Pocus (1993) […]
everything but the kitchen sink
What does everything but the kitchen sink mean? Idiom Meaning: everything imaginable Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Fraser “The Late Dr. Crane” (1999) Time of Scene: ~00:20:20 Martin: You know, I think what you discovered this week is that something’s missing from your life. And before you start to […]
early bird
What does early bird mean? Idiom Meaning: someone who wakes up early in the morning Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Star Trek: The Next Generation “The Best of Both Worlds” (1990) Time of Scene: ~00:09:15 Lt. Cmdr Elizabeth Paula Shelby: Morning. Early bird gets the worm, eh? We’ve had some […]
double dating
What does double dating mean? Idiom Meaning: two couples dating together Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Community “Politics of Human Sexuality” (2009) Time of Scene: ~00:02:10 Pierce Hawthorne: Hey guys. Jeff and I are double dating tonight with my new girlfriend. Jeff Winger: You got that from “I doubt it”? […]
black and blue
What does black and blue mean? Idiom Meaning: covered in bruises Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Jessica Jones “AKA It’s Called Whiskey” (2015) Jessica Jones: You turned my room into a gym? Trish Walker: I needed a place to train. Jessica Jones: By training, you mean getting beaten black and […]
bad egg
What does bad egg mean? Idiom Meaning: a bad or dishonest person Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Flight of the Conchords “Bret Gives Up the Dream” (2007) Time of Scene: ~00:09:30 Bret: It’s a chicken egg situation. Murray: What does he mean, chicken? Jemaine: Well, you know… what came first […]
basket case
What does basket case mean? Idiom Meaning: a useless person who cannot cope Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: MacGyver “Deadly Silents” (1991) MacGyver: Pinky! Were you always this nervous in the old days? Pinky Burnette: Well, I… of course I was nervous. I… I… I invented the would […]
Achilles heel
What does Achilles heel mean? Idiom Meaning: primary weakness Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Lady and the Tramp (1955) Time of Scene: ~00:58:00 Pedro: Pardon me, amigo. What is this chili deal? Boris: Achilles heel, Pedro. This is meaning his… uh… weaknesses. Toughy: Oh! Oh, the dames. Yeah. […]
ace in the hole
What does ace in the hole mean? Idiom Meaning: a hidden secret advantage Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: One More Train to Rob (1971) Timothy X. Nolan: You let the old Chinaman slip away. He was my ace in the hole! Harker Fleet: He wasn’t worth two deuces in […]
a dime a dozen
What does a dime a dozen mean? Idiom Meaning: very common and with no unique value Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows: Death of a Salesman (1985) Time of Scene: ~02:03:25 Willy Loman: The door of your life is wide open! Biff Loman: Pop, I’m a dime a dozen and […]