AMERICAN IDIOMS (W)
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Idioms starting with W
Here is our list of popular "W" idioms that are used in American English:
Wait-and-see attitude:
A skeptical attitude. An attitude where someone will just wait and see what happens.
Example: "The best thing to do is to adopt a wait-and-see attitude."
(To) wait tables:
To work as a waiter/ waitress in a restaurant.
Example: "Becky waited tables while she was in college."
(To) wait on someone hand and foot:
To serve someone very well; to do anything someone asks you.
Example: "I don't mind making you coffee, but don't expect me to wait on you hand and foot!"
Wanna: Conversational form of "want to".
Example: "He doesn't wanna come."
(To) wash one's hands of someone/something:
To end one's association with someone or something.
Example: "I washed my hands of Tom. I wanted nothing more to do with him."
Washed-up:
No longer important/ in good form.
Example: "Why do you hang out with that washed-up actor?"
(To) waste one's breath:
To talk in vain. To waste one's time talking.
Example: "Don't waste your breath. He never listens to what anyone tells him."
Wasted (adj.): Very drunk, high.
Example: "We got so wasted last night."
Watch your back!: Be careful; Watch out. *this is often meant as a threat or warning*
Way to go!:
Good job! Congratulations! (*sometimes used sarcastically*)
Wear and tear:
Damage as a result of normal use.
Example: "They put a lot of wear and tear on their truck during their long road trip."
(To) wear out one's welcome:
To stay too long (at an event, at someone's house, etc.)
Example: "Let's only stay with them for 2 days. I don't want us to wear out our welcome."
Weirdo (n.): Strange person. *fairly negative*
Well-off:
Wealthy.
Example: "Her parents are well-off."
Well-to-do (adj.): Wealthy; Rich.
Example: "She comes from a well-to-do family."
Wet blanket:
A person who discourages others from having fun.
What makes someone tick:
What motivates someone.
Example: "He's such a mysterious guy. I don't quite know what makes him tick."
What's with (someone):
What's wrong with (someone).
Example: "What's with you? You've been acting strange all day!"
Wheels (n.pl.): Car.
(A) whole lot:
A lot, too many.
Example: "There aren't a whole lot of good restaurants in this neighborhood." = There aren't too many good restaurants in this neighborhood.
(To be) wide awake:
To be completely awake.
Example: "P1: Were you sleeping? P2: No, I was wide awake."
(A) wild goose chase:
A futile/hopeless pursuit.
Example: "We thought he had given us a good lead, but it ended up being a wild goose chase."
Wimp (n.): Weak, cowardly person.
Example: "Call me a wimp again and see what happens."
Wired (adj.): Hyper, (overly) alert.
Example: "I'm all wired from the two espressos that I drank."
Wishy-washy (adj.): Lacking in strength or character; not concrete;
Example: "He gave me some wishy-washy excuse."
(At one's) wits' end:
If you're "at your wits' end" it means that you've tried everything to fix or solve a problem, or to come up with a solution, and you're almost going crazy from not being able to do this.
(With) no strings attached:
Unconditionally.
Example: "He said that he just wanted to help me, no strings attached."
(To) work out for the best:
To work out in the best possible way.
Example: "It seems bad now, but things will work out for the best."
Work up the courage (to do something): To build up enough confidence (to do something).
Example: "She finally worked up the courage to ask him out."
Wrap (something) up (v.): To finish (something); To bring something to a close.
Example: "OK, let's wrap things up for today."
