An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase.
Here are the list of idioms starting with K.
Idioms Starting with K
1. Kangaroo court
Meaning: When people take the law into their own hands and form courts that are not legal, these are known as kangaroo court.
2. Keen as mustard
Meaning: If someone is very enthusiastic, they are as keen as mustard.
3. Keep abreast
Meaning: If you keep abreast of things, you stay informed about developments.
4. Keep at bay
Meaning: If you keep someone or something at bay, you maintain a safe distance from them.
5. Keep body and soul together
Meaning: If you earn enough to cover your basic expenses, but nothing more than that, you earn enough to keep body and soul together.
6. Keep in touch
Meaning: If you keep in touch with someone, you keep communicating with them even though you may live far apart.
7. Keep it on the Q T
Meaning: If you keep something on the Q T, you keep it quiet or secret.(‘Q-T’ is also used.)
8. Keep it under your hat
Meaning: If you keep something under your hat, you keep it secret.
9. Keep mum
Meaning: If you keep mum about something, you keep quiet and don’t tell anyone.
10. Keep posted
Meaning: If you keep posted about something, you keep up-to-date with information and developments.
11. Keep someone at arm’s length
Meaning: If you keep someone or something at arm’s length, you keep a safe distance away from them.
12. Keep someone on their toes
Meaning: If you keep someone on their toes, you make sure that they concentrate on what they are supposed to do.
13. Keep the wolf at bay
Meaning: If you keep the wolf at bay, you make enough money to avoid going hungry or falling heavily into debt.
14. Keep up with the Joneses
Meaning: People who try to keep up with the Joneses are competitive about material possessions and always try to have the latest and best things.
15. Keep your chin up
Meaning: This expression is used to tell someone to have confidence.
16. Keep your cool
Meaning: If you keep your cool, you don’t get excessively excited or disturbed in a bad situation.
17. Keep your ear to the ground
Meaning: If you keep your ear to the ground, you try to keep informed about something, especially if there are rumors or uncertainties.
18. Keep your eye on the ball
Meaning: If you keep your eye on the ball, you stay alert and pay close attention to what is happening.
19. Keep your eye on the prize
Meaning: This means that you should keep your focus on achieving a positive end result.
20. Keep your eyes peeled
Meaning: If you keep your eyes peeled, you stay alert or watchful.
21. Keep your fingers crossed
Meaning: If you are keeping your fingers crossed, you are hoping for a positive outcome.
22. Keep your hair on
Meaning: Keep your hair on is advice telling someone to keep calm and not to over-react or get angry.
23. Keep your head
Meaning: If you keep your head, you stay calm in times of difficulty.
24. Keep your head above water
Meaning: If you are just managing to survive financially, you are keeping your head above water.
25. Keep your nose clean
Meaning: If someone is trying to keep their Nose Clean, they are trying to stay out of trouble by not getting involved in any sort of wrong-doing.
26. Keep your nose to the grindstone
Meaning: If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you work hard and seriously.
27. Keep your options open
Meaning: If someone’s keeping their options open, they aren’t going to restrict themselves or rule out any possible course of action.
28. Keep your pecker up
Meaning: If someone tells you to keep your pecker up, they are telling you not to let your problems get on top of you and to try to be optimistic.
29. Keep your powder dry
Meaning: If you keep your powder dry, you act cautiously so as not to damage your chances.
30. Keep your shirt on!
Meaning: This idiom is used to tell someone to calm down.
31. Keep your wig on!
Meaning: This idiom is used to tell someone to calm down.
32. Kettle of fish
Meaning: A pretty or fine kettle of fish is a difficult problem or situation.
33. Kick a habit
Meaning: If you kick a habit, you stop doing it.
34. Kick away the ladder
Meaning: If someone kicks away the ladder, they remove something that was supporting or helping someone.
35. Kick in the teeth
Meaning: Bad news or a sudden disappointment are a kick in the teeth.
36. Kick something into the long grass
Meaning: If an issue or problem is kicked into the long grass, it is pushed aside and hidden in the hope that it will be forgotten or ignored.
37. Kick the ballistics
Meaning: It means you realize the intensity of a situation. For example, there is too much unemployment now, so the prime minister must kick the ballistics and change his policy.
38. Kick the bucket
Meaning: When someone kicks the bucket, they die.
39. Kick up your heels
Meaning: If you kick up your heels, you go to parties or celebrate something.
40. Kick your heels
Meaning: If you have to kick your heels, you are forced to wait for the result or outcome of something.
41. Kicked to touch
Meaning: Touch is a zone of the playing field in Rugby. Kicked to touch means the ball was put safely out of play. Idiomatic usage usually means a person has deftly avoided an issue in argument.
42. Kid gloves
Meaning: If someone is handled with kid gloves, they are given special treatment and handled with great care.
43. Kill the goose that lays the golden egg
Meaning: If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, you ruin something that is very profitable.
44. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: When you kill two birds with one stone, you resolve two difficulties or matters with a single action.
45. Kindred spirit
Meaning: A kindred spirit is someone who feels and thinks the way you do.
46. King of the castle
Meaning: The king of the castle is the person who is in charge of something or in a very comfortable position compared to their companions.
47. King’s ransom
Meaning: If something costs or is worth a king’s ransom, it costs or is worth a lot of money.
48. Kiss and tell
Meaning: If people kiss and tell, they disclose private or confidential information.
49. Kiss of death
Meaning: The kiss of death is an action that means failure or ruin for someone, a scheme, a plan, etc.
50. Kiss something goodbye
Meaning: If someone tells you that you can kiss something goodbye, you have no chance of getting or having it.
51. Kissing cousin
Meaning: A kissing cousin is someone you are related to, but not closely.
52. Kitchen-sink
Meaning: Kitchen-sink drama deals with ordinary people’s lives.
53. Kith and kin
Meaning: Your kith and kin are your family; your next of kin are close relations you nominate to deal with your affairs in the event of your death on a document, like a passport.
54. Knee-jerk reaction
Meaning: A knee-jerk reaction is an instant, instinctive response to a situation.
55. Knickers in a twist
Meaning: When your knickers are in a twist, you are angry and snappish over something trivial. ‘Whenever he loses his car keys, he gets his knickers in a twist.’
56. Knight in shining Armour
Meaning: A knight in shining Armour is someone who saves you when you are in great trouble or danger.
57. Knit your brows
Meaning: If you knit your brows, you frown or look worried.
58. Knock ’em dead
Meaning: ‘Knock ’em dead’ is used as a way of wishing someone luck before they give a performance or have to appear before people, as in an interview, etc.
59. Knock on wood
Meaning: This idiom is used to wish for good luck. (‘Touch wood’ is also used.)
60. Knock something on the head
Meaning: If you knock something on the head, you stop it or stop doing it.
61. Knock the pins from under someone
Meaning: If someone knocks the pins from under you, they let you down.
62. Knock your block off
Meaning: To punch someone in the face Eg : The next time you do something like that I’m going to “knock your block off”.
63. Knock your socks off
Meaning: If something knocks your socks off, it amazes and surprises you, usually in a positive way.
64. Know a hawk from a handsaw
Meaning: If someone knows a hawk from a handsaw, they are able to distinguish things and assess them.
65. Know full well
Meaning: When you know full well, you are absolutely sure that you know.
66. Know the ropes
Meaning: Someone who is experienced and knows how the system works know the ropes.
67. Know where all the bodies are buried
Meaning: Someone who by virtue of holding a position of trust with an organization for a long period of time has come to know many of the secrets that others in more powerful positions would rather be kept secret knows where the bodies are buried. An implication is that the person knowing these secrets will use that knowledge to secure something of value for him- or herself.
68. Know which side one’s bread is buttered on
Meaning: If you know which side one’s bread is buttered on, you know where your interests lie and will act accordingly to protect or further them.
69. Know which way the wind blows
Meaning: This means that you should know how things are developing and be prepared for the future.
70. Know your onions
Meaning: If someone is very well-informed about something, they know their onions.
71. Know your place
Meaning: A person who knows their place doesn’t try to impose themselves on others.
Also Read ==>>
- 148+ Idioms Starting with H | List with Meaning
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- 38+ Idioms Starting with J | List with Meaning
