Off colour
If someone looks off colour/color, they look ill.
If someone looks off colour/color, they look ill.
Off the beaten track
Somewhere that's off the beaten track is in a remote location.
Somewhere that's off the beaten track is in a remote location.
Off the chart
If something goes off the chart, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or
bad, for something.
If something goes off the chart, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or
bad, for something.
Off the cuff
If you do something off the cuff, you do it without any preparation.
If you do something off the cuff, you do it without any preparation.
Off the grid
Someone who is off the grid lives outside society and chooses not to follow its
rules and conventions.
Someone who is off the grid lives outside society and chooses not to follow its
rules and conventions.
Off the hook
If someone is off the hook, they have avoided punishment or criticism for
something they have done.
If someone is off the hook, they have avoided punishment or criticism for
something they have done.
Off the mark
If something is off the mark, it is inaccurate or incorrect.
If something is off the mark, it is inaccurate or incorrect.
Off the rails
If someone has gone off the rails, they have lost track of reality.
If someone has gone off the rails, they have lost track of reality.
Off the record
Something off the record is said in confidence because the speaker doesn't want
it attributed to them, especially when talking to the media.
Something off the record is said in confidence because the speaker doesn't want
it attributed to them, especially when talking to the media.
Off the scale
If something goes off the scale, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or
bad, for something.
If something goes off the scale, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or
bad, for something.
Off the shelf
If a product is off the shelf, it can be used straightaway without any setting-up.
If a product is off the shelf, it can be used straightaway without any setting-up.
Off the top of your head
If you say something off the top of your head, you don't think about it
beforehand.
If you say something off the top of your head, you don't think about it
beforehand.
Off the track
If something puts or throws you off your track, it distracts you or keeps you
from achieving what you want.
If something puts or throws you off your track, it distracts you or keeps you
from achieving what you want.
Off the wall
Something that is off the wall is unconventional.
Something that is off the wall is unconventional.
Off your chump
(UK) If someone is off their chump, they are crazy or irrational.
(UK) If someone is off their chump, they are crazy or irrational.
Off your rocker
(UK) Someone who is off their rocker is crazy.
(UK) Someone who is off their rocker is crazy.
One swallow does not make a summer
This means that one good or positive event does not mean that everything is all
right.
This means that one good or positive event does not mean that everything is all
right.
One-man band
If one person does all the work or has all the responsibility somewhere, then
they are a one-man band.
If one person does all the work or has all the responsibility somewhere, then
they are a one-man band.
One-off
A one-off event only happens once and will not be repeated.
A one-off event only happens once and will not be repeated.
One-trick pony
A one-trick pony is someone who does one thing well, but has limited skills in
other areas.
A one-trick pony is someone who does one thing well, but has limited skills in
other areas.
Oops a daisy
An expression used to indicate surprise.
An expression used to indicate surprise.
Open all hours
If a shop or suchlike is open all hours, it only closes, if at all, terribly late.
If a shop or suchlike is open all hours, it only closes, if at all, terribly late.
Open book
If a person is an open book, it is easy to know what they think or how they feel
about things.
If a person is an open book, it is easy to know what they think or how they feel
about things.
Open old sores
When a sore is almost healed, and if a person rips or tears it open, it is way of
preventing the healing process and further aggravating the pain. This phrase,
metaphorically suggests, to revive or reopen a quarrel or enmity which was
almost forgotten.
When a sore is almost healed, and if a person rips or tears it open, it is way of
preventing the healing process and further aggravating the pain. This phrase,
metaphorically suggests, to revive or reopen a quarrel or enmity which was
almost forgotten.
Open old wounds
If you open old wounds, you revive a quarrel or problem that caused a lot of
trouble in the past.
If you open old wounds, you revive a quarrel or problem that caused a lot of
trouble in the past.
Opening a can of worms
If you open a can of worms, you do something that will cause a lot of problems
and is, on balance, probably going to cause more trouble than it's worth.
If you open a can of worms, you do something that will cause a lot of problems
and is, on balance, probably going to cause more trouble than it's worth.
Opportunity knocks but once
This idiom means that you only get one chance to achieve what you really want
to do.
This idiom means that you only get one chance to achieve what you really want
to do.
Other fish to fry
If you have other fish to fry, it doesn't matter if one opportunity fails to
materialise as you have plenty of others.
If you have other fish to fry, it doesn't matter if one opportunity fails to
materialise as you have plenty of others.
Other side of the coin
The other side of the coin is a different, usually opposing, view of a situation.
('Flip side of the coin' is an alternative.)
The other side of the coin is a different, usually opposing, view of a situation.
('Flip side of the coin' is an alternative.)
Out and about
If someone is out and about, they have left their home and are getting things
done that they need to do.
If someone is out and about, they have left their home and are getting things
done that they need to do.
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