AMERICAN IDIOMS (O)
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Idioms starting with O
Here is our list of popular "O" idioms that are used in American English:
Odd man out:
An unusual or atypical person (or thing).
Example: "In a high school where everyone was tough, I was the odd man out."
Off-and-on : Not continuous(ly); Periodically.
Example: "To sleep off and on", "To see someone off and on".
Off-color:
Rude; vulgar.
Example: "I'm not a big fan of the off-color jokes he loves to tell."
Off-duty:
Not working at one's job.
Example: "The policeman couldn't help me because he was off-duty."
Off the air:
No longer on TV (or the radio).
Example: "They took that show off the air in November because nobody watched it."
Off the hook:
No longer having to do something, no longer blamed or under suspicion.
Example: "Ok, you're off the hook. Your brother says he'll clean the bathroom."
Off the record:
Unofficially.
Example: "Off the record, they were very displeased with the way the CEO was conducting himself."
Off the wagon: To be "off the wagon" means to start drinking (alcoholic beverages) again after having stopped for a while.
Off the top of one's head:
Spontaneously; without thinking too much.
Example: "P1: How many cafes are there in this town? P2: Off the top of my head, I can think of about 6."
On-again, off-again (adj.): Used to describe something that is not stable, permanent.
Example: "They had an on-again, off-again relationship for years."
On cloud nine: Extremely and visibly happy
Example: "She was on cloud nine when she heard the news."
On edge: Nervous; Anxious.
Example: "To be on edge."
On one's mind:
Occupying someone's thoughts; being thought about.
Example: "You were always on my mind."
(To do something) on one's own accord:
Willingly, without anyone forcing one to do something.
Example: "P1: Did you make him apologize? P2: No, he did it on his own accord."
On second thought:
Having given something more thought.
Example: "On second thought, maybe you should sell your house and move into an apartment."
On the go:
Busy. Moving around busily.
Example: "Jim is always on the go. He can never find time to talk to me."
On the house:
Something that is given away free by a merchant.
Example: "P1: How much for the apple? P2: Nothing, it's on the house!"
On the level: Honest.
Example: "I'm pretty sure he's on the level."
On the loose:
(Most often used speaking about criminals) Free; not captured;
Example: "The bank robbers are still on the loose."
(To be) on the same wavelength: To understand each other; to see eye to eye.
On the tip of one's tongue:
Something that is almost said/remembered.
Example: "I've got his name on the tip of my tongue."
On the wagon:
Not drinking alcohol.
Example: "P2: Hey let's go out for a couple of beers tonight. P2: I can't, I'm on the wagon."
(To be/get) onboard: To agree to, or be part of something (usually a plan, strategy, etc.);
Example: "I'm glad that all the partners are onboard."
Once in a while:
Occasionally.
Example: "Once in a while I'll pick up my old guitar and play a couple of tunes."
One: Similar to "very".
Example: That's one large pizza! = That's a really large pizza; He's one smart man. = He's a very smart man.
Other side of the tracks *somewhat archaic*
The poorer part of a town.
Out cold:
Unconscious.
Example: "The boxer was out cold."
Out of one's mind = Not normal, not "all-there"
Example: "You want to go for a walk at 2:00 AM? Are you out of your mind?"
Out of sorts:
Not quite oneself; In a bad/strange mood.
Example: "Tom has been out of sorts recently."
(To) outdo (v.): To do or perform better than someone else.
Example: "He bought his mom a car, but his brother outdid him by buying her a house."
Over: "Over" is often used to emphasize location.
Example: "I live over on Orange Street." (I live on Orange Street).
(To) overstep (v.): To be out of line. To say/do something that's inappropriate to a situation.
Example: "I'm sorry; I overstepped. I shouldn't have said those things to your parents."
