Idioms Starting with C

Mastering Idioms: A Comprehensive Guide to ‘C’ Idioms

ByLisa_Green

Idioms are colorful expressions that add depth and nuance to the English language. They are phrases whose meanings cannot be understood from the literal definitions of the individual words.

Mastering idioms, especially those starting with the letter ‘C’, is crucial for achieving fluency and understanding native English speakers. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of common ‘C’ idioms, their meanings, usage rules, and practice exercises.

This article is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners seeking to expand their vocabulary to advanced speakers aiming to refine their understanding of idiomatic expressions.

Table of Contents

What are Idioms?

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meanings of the words it contains. In other words, it’s a saying whose collective meaning is different from its literal meaning.

Idioms are a vital part of any language, adding color, depth, and cultural context to communication. They are often culture-specific, making them challenging for non-native speakers to grasp without explicit instruction and practice.

Idioms can be classified based on their function. Some idioms act as verbs, adjectives, or adverbs, while others function as complete phrases providing commentary or expressing a specific sentiment.

Understanding the context in which an idiom is used is crucial for accurate interpretation. The meaning of an idiom often depends on the situation and the speaker’s intent.

Structural Breakdown of Idioms

Idioms don’t follow standard grammatical rules in terms of meaning construction. Instead, their meaning is derived from convention and common usage over time.

The structure of an idiom can vary; some are short and simple, while others are lengthy and complex. It’s important to recognize that changing even a single word in an idiom can alter or destroy its meaning.

For example, “kick the bucket” means to die, but changing it to “kick the pail” changes the meaning entirely.

Idioms often contain figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, which contribute to their non-literal meaning. For instance, “break a leg” uses the image of breaking a leg to convey good luck, which is a form of irony.

Recognizing these figurative elements can help in understanding the underlying concept of the idiom.

Types and Categories of ‘C’ Idioms

Idioms starting with ‘C’ can be categorized based on their thematic content or the specific word they feature. Here are a few common categories:

  • Idioms related to communication: These idioms often involve words like “call,” “chat,” or “convey” and describe ways of expressing or understanding information.
  • Idioms related to ability: These idioms typically include words like “can” or “capable” and express someone’s skills or potential.
  • Idioms related to cost: These idioms involve words like “cost” and describe financial implications or sacrifices.
  • Idioms related to action: These idioms usually include verbs like “carry,” “catch,” or “cut” and describe various actions or processes.
  • Idioms related to chance or opportunity: These idioms often feature the word “chance” and describe lucky or unexpected events.
  • Idioms related to feelings: These idioms express emotions, such as cold or clear.

Examples of ‘C’ Idioms

The following sections provide detailed examples of idioms starting with the letter ‘C’, categorized by the primary word in the idiom. Each example includes the idiom, its meaning, and example sentences to illustrate its usage.

Idioms with ‘Call’

Idioms with “call” often relate to communication, decision-making, or attracting attention. These idioms are used in various contexts, from casual conversations to formal business settings.

The following table presents a list of idioms using the word ‘call,’ their meanings, and example sentences to demonstrate their usage in context.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Call it a day To stop working on something We’ve been working for eight hours; let’s call it a day.
Call the shots To make the important decisions As the CEO, she gets to call the shots in the company.
Call someone out To publicly challenge or criticize someone He called her out for lying about her qualifications.
Call on someone To ask someone to do something The teacher will call on you to answer the question.
Call a spade a spade To speak frankly and honestly Let’s call a spade a spade; this project is a disaster.
A close call A narrow escape from danger That was a close call; we almost got hit by the car.
Call into question To express doubts about something The new evidence calls into question the defendant’s alibi.
Within calling distance Near enough to be reached by shouting The children were playing in the park, but always within calling distance.
Call off To cancel They had to call off the wedding because of the hurricane.
Call up To telephone someone I’ll call you up later to discuss the details.
Call for To require or demand The situation calls for immediate action.
Call attention to To highlight or bring notice to something He wanted to call attention to the issue of climate change.
Call a meeting To arrange a meeting The manager decided to call a meeting to discuss the new strategy.
Call it even To consider debts or scores settled “I owe you five dollars.” “Let’s just call it even.”
Call on To visit We should call on my grandmother this weekend.
Call the tune To be in control and make the decisions He who pays the piper calls the tune.
Call to mind To remember The smell of the ocean calls to mind my childhood vacations.
Call time on To bring something to an end The referee called time on the match.
Call out sick To inform one’s workplace that one is ill and unable to work He had to call out sick because he had a bad cold.
Call into question To express doubts about something The new evidence calls into question the witness’s testimony.
Call the name To insult someone They called me names when I disagreed with them.
Call to order To formally begin a meeting The chairman called the meeting to order promptly at 9 AM.
Call for help To ask for assistance They had to call for help when their car broke down.
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Idioms with ‘Can’

Idioms using “can” often relate to abilities, possibilities, or limitations. These idioms are commonly used to express what someone is capable of doing or what is possible in a given situation.

The following table presents idioms using the word ‘can,’ their meanings, and example sentences.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Carry a tune To be able to sing in tune She can carry a tune, so she should join the choir.
Can of worms A situation that is more complicated than it seems Opening up that investigation is like opening a can of worms.
The best that money can buy The highest quality available, regardless of cost He always buys the best that money can buy.
Do all one can To try one’s best We will do all we can to help you succeed.
If anyone can Indicates a high degree of confidence in someone’s abilities If anyone can fix this problem, it’s her.

Idioms with ‘Carry’

Idioms involving “carry” often describe handling responsibilities, dealing with emotions, or having an effect on something. These idioms are used to convey how someone manages different aspects of their life or how something influences a situation.

The following table illustrates idioms containing the word ‘carry,’ their meanings, and example sentences.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Carry weight To be influential or important His opinion carries a lot of weight in the company.
Carry the ball To take responsibility and lead She carried the ball on the project when the manager was sick.
Carry a torch for someone To be secretly in love with someone He’s been carrying a torch for her for years.
Carry out To perform or execute a task The soldiers carried out their mission successfully.
Carry on To continue Despite the difficulties, we must carry on.
Carry over To transfer something to a later time The unused vacation days will carry over to next year.
Carry the can To take the blame or responsibility, often unfairly He was left to carry the can after the project failed.
Carry coals to Newcastle To do something pointless or unnecessary Trying to sell software in Silicon Valley is like carrying coals to Newcastle.

Idioms with ‘Catch’

Idioms with “catch” often relate to acquiring something, understanding something, or being affected by something. These idioms are used to describe how someone obtains knowledge, gets involved in situations, or is impacted by events.

The following table provides examples of idioms using the word ‘catch,’ their meanings, and example sentences.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Catch someone’s eye To attract someone’s attention The bright colors of the painting caught my eye.
Catch on To understand something It took me a while to catch on to the joke.
Catch up To reach the same level as others I need to catch up on my reading.
Catch someone red-handed To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong The police caught the thief red-handed.
Catch a cold To become ill with a cold I think I’m catching a cold.
Catch some Z’s To sleep I’m going to catch some Z’s before the long drive.
Catch fire To become popular or successful very quickly The new song caught fire and became a hit.
Catch one’s breath To pause and rest after exertion Let me catch my breath after climbing those stairs.
Catch the drift To understand the general meaning of something I caught the drift of what he was saying, even though he didn’t explain it clearly.
Catch hell To be severely scolded or punished He’s going to catch hell when his dad finds out what he did.
Catch on fire To ignite The dry leaves caught on fire easily.

Idioms with ‘Chance’

Idioms with “chance” often relate to opportunities, possibilities, or risks. These idioms are used to express the likelihood of something happening or the importance of seizing an opportunity.

The following table presents idioms using the word ‘chance,’ their meanings, and example sentences.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Take a chance To take a risk I decided to take a chance and apply for the job.
By any chance Possibly Are you by any chance related to the Smiths?
Not a chance Definitely not “Can I borrow your car?” “Not a chance!”
A fighting chance A reasonable possibility of success Even though the odds were against them, they still had a fighting chance.
Chance upon To find something unexpectedly I chanced upon an old friend at the store.
Blow one’s chance To ruin one’s opportunity He blew his chance by arriving late for the interview.
On the off chance Just in case I’m bringing an umbrella on the off chance it rains.
Stand a chance To have a possibility of success They don’t stand a chance of winning the game.

Idioms with ‘Cost’

Idioms with “cost” often relate to the price or consequences of something, whether financial or otherwise. These idioms are used to express the value or sacrifice associated with a particular action or decision.

The following table provides examples of idioms using the word ‘cost,’ their meanings, and example sentences.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Cost an arm and a leg To be very expensive That new car cost an arm and a leg.
At all costs No matter what happens We must protect our children at all costs.
Count the cost To consider the negative consequences of an action Before making a decision, you should count the cost.
Whatever the cost Regardless of the consequences He was determined to succeed, whatever the cost.
Know the cost of everything and the value of nothing To focus on monetary value while ignoring intrinsic worth He knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
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Idioms with ‘Cut’

Idioms with “cut” often relate to reducing, stopping, or dividing something. These idioms are used to describe actions that involve shortening, terminating, or separating things.

The following table features idioms using the word ‘cut,’ their meanings, and example sentences.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Cut corners To do something poorly in order to save time or money The builder cut corners on the construction, and the house fell apart.
Cut to the chase To get to the point quickly Let’s cut to the chase; what do you want?
Cut someone off To interrupt someone She cut me off before I could finish my sentence.
Cut it out To stop doing something annoying Cut it out! You’re being too loud.
Cut a rug To dance energetically They were cutting a rug at the party.
Cut and dried Decided and unlikely to be changed The deal is cut and dried.
Cut no ice To have no influence or effect Your excuses cut no ice with me.
Cut the mustard To succeed or meet expectations He couldn’t cut the mustard as a professional athlete.

Idioms with ‘Cold’

Idioms with “cold” often relate to lack of emotion, illness, or unexpectedness. These idioms are used to describe situations or feelings that are detached, unwelcome, or surprising.

The following table presents idioms using the word ‘cold,’ their meanings, and example sentences.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Cold feet To be nervous or afraid before an important event He got cold feet before his wedding.
Cold shoulder To ignore someone intentionally She gave him the cold shoulder after their argument.
Out in the cold Ignored or excluded After the merger, he was left out in the cold.
Cold turkey To stop an addiction abruptly He quit smoking cold turkey.
In cold blood Without emotion or remorse The crime was committed in cold blood.

Idioms with ‘Clear’

Idioms with “clear” often relate to understanding, visibility, or being free from obstruction. These idioms are used to describe situations that are easily understood, unobstructed, or free from doubt.

The following table showcases idioms containing the word ‘clear,’ their meanings, and example sentences.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Clear as a bell Very easy to understand Her explanation was clear as a bell.
Clear the air To resolve a misunderstanding We need to clear the air after our argument.
Clear one’s throat To make a sound to get attention He cleared his throat before speaking.
Clear out To leave quickly We need to clear out before the storm arrives.
Clear the decks To prepare for action by removing obstacles We need to clear the decks before starting the new project.

Idioms with ‘Cook’

Idioms with “cook” often relate to creating, altering, or being in trouble. These idioms are used to describe situations that involve planning, manipulation, or facing consequences.

The following table provides examples of idioms using the word ‘cook,’ their meanings, and example sentences.

Idiom Meaning Example Sentence
Cook up To invent a story or plan They cooked up a scheme to make money.
Cook one’s goose To ruin one’s chances His mistake cooked his goose.
Too many cooks spoil the broth Too many people involved in a task can ruin it Too many cooks spoil the broth, so let’s limit the team size.
What’s cooking? What’s happening? “Hey, John, what’s cooking?“

Usage Rules for ‘C’ Idioms

Using idioms correctly requires understanding their specific meanings and contexts. Here are some general rules to follow:

  • Use idioms in appropriate contexts: Consider the formality of the situation and the audience. Some idioms are more suitable for casual conversations, while others are appropriate for formal settings.
  • Don’t mix idioms: Combining parts of different idioms can create nonsensical statements. Stick to the complete and correct form of the idiom.
  • Be aware of cultural differences: Idioms are often culture-specific, so make sure the idiom is appropriate for the culture in which you are communicating.
  • Pay attention to verb tense: Adjust the verb tense within the idiom to match the context of the sentence.
  • Consider the level of understanding of your audience: When speaking with non-native English speakers, be mindful of idiom usage to avoid confusion.

It’s also important to remember that idioms are not meant to be taken literally. Trying to interpret an idiom word-for-word will likely lead to misunderstanding.

Instead, focus on understanding the overall meaning and the underlying concept.

Common Mistakes with Idioms

One of the most common mistakes is taking idioms literally. For example, someone might misunderstand “break a leg” as an actual instruction to injure someone.

Other frequent errors include:

  • Misusing or altering idioms: Changing the words or structure of an idiom can change its meaning or make it nonsensical.
  • Using idioms in inappropriate contexts: Using a casual idiom in a formal setting can sound unprofessional or disrespectful.
  • Overusing idioms: Using too many idioms in a short period can make your speech sound unnatural or forced.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect Correct
“I’ll call you by phone.” “I’ll call you up.”
“He carried the bag.” “He carried the can.” (if he took blame)
“She caught my eyes.” “She caught my eye.”
“Take the risk.” “Take a chance.”

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding of ‘C’ idioms, try the following exercises. Each exercise focuses on different aspects of idiom usage, from identifying meanings to using idioms in context.

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Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the correct idiom from the list below.
(call it a day, call the shots, carry weight, catch on, cost an arm and a leg)

Question Answer
1. This new software upgrade will ________, but it’s worth it. cost an arm and a leg
2. As the team leader, she gets to ________ on this project. call the shots
3. I’m starting to ________ to his sense of humor. catch on
4. After working all night, let’s ________. call it a day
5. His opinion doesn’t ________ around here because he is new to the company. carry weight
6. Let’s ________ after this long meeting. call it a day
7. This antique car will ________, but it’s a classic. cost an arm and a leg
8. It took me a while to ________ to the new rules. catch on
9. Because she is the president, she gets to ________ for the company. call the shots
10. What he says ________ in the decision-making process. carries weight

Exercise 2: Matching

Match the idiom with its correct meaning.

Idiom Meaning
1. Cut to the chase a. To be nervous before an event
2. Cold feet b. To get to the point
3. Clear the air c. To ruin one’s chances
4. Cook one’s goose d. To resolve a misunderstanding

Answers:

Question Answer
1. Cut to the chase b. To get to the point
2. Cold feet a. To be nervous before an event
3. Clear the air d. To resolve a misunderstanding
4. Cook one’s goose c. To ruin one’s chances

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Choose the best idiom to complete the following sentences.

Question Options Answer
1. He had to ________ when he realized his mistake. a) cut corners b) carry the can c) call it a day b) carry the can
2. They decided to ________ after working for ten hours. a) call it a day b) catch on c) carry weight a) call it a day
3. The new evidence ________ on his testimony. a) calls into question b) carries coals to Newcastle c) cooks his goose a) calls into question
4. Let’s ________ and get to the important details of the project. a) catch a cold b) cut to the chase c) call the shots b) cut to the chase
5. He decided to quit smoking ________. a) cold turkey b) clear as a bell c) at all costs a) cold turkey
6. The manager ________ to discuss the new strategy. a) called a meeting b) called a spade a spade c) called out sick a) called a meeting
7. The new song ________ and became a hit. a) caught fire b) caught a cold c) caught the drift a) caught fire
8. She’s been ________ for him for years. a) carrying coals to Newcastle b) carrying a torch c) carrying the can b) carrying a torch
9. We must protect our environment ________. a) at all costs b) clear as a bell c) in cold blood a) at all costs
10. The instructions were ________, making it easy to assemble the product. a) cold turkey b) clear as a bell c) in cold blood b) clear as a bell

Advanced Topics in Idiom Usage

For advanced learners, understanding the etymology and historical context of idioms can provide deeper insights into their meanings. Researching the origins of idioms can reveal how they evolved over time and how their meanings have shifted.

Additionally, explore how idioms are used in literature and media to enhance storytelling and convey complex ideas succinctly. Analyzing the use of idioms in different genres and by different authors can further refine your understanding of their nuances.

Another advanced topic involves the creation and evolution of new idioms. Language is constantly evolving, and new idioms emerge regularly.

Pay attention to contemporary expressions and try to understand the cultural and social factors that contribute to their development. This can help you stay current with language trends and communicate more effectively in modern contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about idioms:

  1. What is the difference between an idiom and a proverb?
    An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from the literal meanings of its words. A proverb is a short, well-known saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice. For example, “actions speak louder than words” is a proverb, while “break a leg” is an idiom.
  2. Why are

    are idioms important for learning English?
    Idioms are essential for understanding native English speakers and for making your own speech more natural and expressive. They add color and depth to communication and are frequently used in everyday conversations, literature, and media.

  3. How can I learn idioms effectively?
    Learn idioms through context, practice using them in sentences, and expose yourself to English language media. Use flashcards, language learning apps, and conversation partners to reinforce your understanding.
  4. Are idioms universal across different English-speaking countries?
    While many idioms are widely understood, some idioms are specific to certain regions or countries. Be aware of these differences and consider your audience when using idioms.
  5. Is it okay to use idioms in formal writing?
    It depends on the context. In general, avoid using highly informal or slang-like idioms in formal writing. However, some common idioms can be appropriate if they enhance clarity and do not sound out of place.

Conclusion

Mastering idioms starting with the letter ‘C’ is a significant step toward enhancing your English language skills. By understanding their meanings, usage rules, and cultural contexts, you can communicate more effectively and confidently.

Continue to practice and explore new idioms to further expand your vocabulary and fluency. Remember, language learning is a continuous journey, and every idiom you learn brings you one step closer to linguistic mastery.

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