Dobi Apps

English idioms

Idioms about decisions & risk

Idioms about choosing, hesitating, taking chances and changing your mind.

Idioms

  1. 1the ball is in your courtIt is now your turn to make a decision or take action.I've sent them our best offer, so the ball is in their court now.
  2. 2jump on the bandwagonTo join something because it has suddenly become popular or successful.When the app went viral, lots of companies jumped on the bandwagon with copies.
  3. 3sit on the fenceTo avoid choosing a side in an argument or decision.You can't sit on the fence forever – which plan do you support?
  4. 4play it by earTo decide what to do as things happen, without making a fixed plan.We don't know the weather yet, so let's play it by ear.
  5. 5take a rain checkTo politely say no to an invitation now, but suggest doing it another time.I'm exhausted tonight. Can I take a rain check on dinner?
  6. 6throw caution to the windTo stop worrying about risks and do something bold.We threw caution to the wind and booked a last-minute trip to Iceland.
  7. 7cross that bridge when you come to itTo deal with a possible problem only if and when it actually happens.What if the flight is cancelled? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
  8. 8look before you leapThink carefully about the possible results before you act.Read the contract first – look before you leap.
  9. 9don't put all your eggs in one basketDon't depend on one plan or thing, in case it fails.Apply to several universities – don't put all your eggs in one basket.
  10. 10up in the airNot yet decided or certain.Our holiday plans are still up in the air.
  11. 11skin in the gameA personal risk or investment in something, so you gain or lose depending on the result.The founders have real skin in the game – they put their own savings into the company.
  12. 12six of one, half a dozen of the otherTwo choices are basically the same, so it doesn't matter which you pick.Train or bus? It's six of one, half a dozen of the other – both take an hour.
  13. 13strike while the iron is hotTo act quickly while you have a good opportunity.The client is interested, so let's strike while the iron is hot and send the proposal today.
  14. 14push the envelopeTo go beyond the usual limits by trying new or risky things.The designers really pushed the envelope with this new phone.
  15. 15the devil is in the detailsSmall details that seem unimportant can cause big problems.The plan looks simple, but the devil is in the details.
  16. 16fortune favours the boldPeople who are brave and take risks are more likely to succeed.I sent my design to the director myself – fortune favours the bold, after all.
  17. 17jump the gunTo do something too early, before the right time.I think we jumped the gun by announcing the launch date.
  18. 18better safe than sorryIt is wiser to be careful now than to risk a problem later.I'll take an umbrella – better safe than sorry.
  19. 19go out on a limbTo take a risk by saying or doing something that others may not support.I'll go out on a limb and say this will be our best year yet.
  20. 20take the plungeTo finally do something important or risky after thinking about it for a while.After years of renting, we've taken the plunge and bought a flat.
  21. 21call the shotsTo be the person who makes the important decisions.It's her company, so she calls the shots.