50 War Idioms, Idioms about War
Idioms about War! Learn useful English Idioms and expressions about War with meanings and examples.
All’s fair in love and war
Meaning: Any type of behavior is acceptable during a conflict or competition, especially in love.
Example: He played dirty during the game, but I guess all’s fair in love and war.
Break the enemy’s back
Meaning: To weaken or defeat the enemy to the point of surrender.
Example: The decisive battle was the one that broke the enemy’s back.
Catch 22
Meaning: A situation in which one is trapped by two contradictory conditions or requirements.
Example: I can’t get a job without experience, but I can’t get experience without a job. It’s a real catch 22.
Collateral damage
Meaning: Unintended harm or damage that occurs to people or things during a military operation.
Example: The bombing resulted in a lot of collateral damage to nearby buildings and civilians.
Cross the Rubicon
Meaning: To take an irreversible step that commits one to a particular course of action.
Example: He knew that quitting his job and starting his own business was crossing the Rubicon.
Draw a line in the sand
Meaning: To set a limit beyond which one will not tolerate or allow something to happen.
Example: The teacher drew a line in the sand and refused to tolerate any more disruptive behavior from the students.
Every man for himself
Meaning: Every person must fend for themselves in a difficult situation.
Example: When the ship started sinking, it was every man for himself.
Friendly fire
Meaning: Accidental gunfire or other military action that injures or kills one’s own soldiers or allies.
Example: The troops suffered casualties due to friendly fire.
Hunker down
Meaning: To prepare oneself for a difficult or prolonged struggle.
Example: We need to hunker down and focus on finishing this project.
In the line of fire
Meaning: In harm’s way or facing danger.
Example: The firefighters were in the line of fire as they battled the raging inferno.
Jump the gun
Meaning: To act prematurely or without waiting for the appropriate time.
Example: The company jumped the gun by releasing the product before it was fully tested.
Knockout blow
Meaning: A decisive or devastating blow that defeats or eliminates the opponent.
Example: The boxer delivered a knockout blow in the final round.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Meaning: A sign of hope or improvement after a difficult or challenging period.
Example: The successful completion of this project will be the light at the end of the tunnel.
Loose cannon
Meaning: An unpredictable or uncontrollable person who may cause harm or damage.
Example: The new employee was a loose cannon, often making impulsive decisions without considering the consequences.
Open a can of worms
Meaning: To start a complicated or unpleasant situation that may have unforeseen consequences.
Example: Bringing up the controversial topic at the meeting opened a can of worms.
Put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: To risk everything on a single course of action or venture.
Example: Investing all your savings in one stock is putting all your eggs in one basket.
Rally the troops
Meaning: To inspire and motivate a group of people to work together towards a common goal.
Example: The coach rallied the troops and led them to victory.
Storm in a teacup
Meaning: A minor or insignificant problem or disagreement that is blown out of proportion.
Example: The argument over where to have lunch was a storm in a teacup.
Take no prisoners
Meaning: To be ruthless and show no mercy in achieving one’s goals.
Example: The politician was determined to win the election and take no prisoners.
War of words
Meaning: A heated argument or debate characterized by aggressive or confrontational language.
Example: The political candidates engaged in a war of words during the televised debate.
Bite the bullet
Meaning: To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage and determination.
Example: I knew the surgery was going to be painful, but I had to bite the bullet and go through with it.
Cannon fodder
Meaning: Soldiers who are seen as expendable and used in large numbers to achieve a military objective.
Example: The generals sent the cannon fodder into battle without regard for their safety.
Cut and run
Meaning: To flee or escape a difficult or dangerous situation without facing the consequences.
Example: Instead of dealing with the problem, he decided to cut and run.
Down in the trenches
Meaning: Engaged in hard, laborious work or facing difficult circumstances.
Example: The team was down in the trenches, working long hours to meet the project deadline.
Fall on one’s sword
Meaning: To take responsibility for a mistake or failure and accept the consequences.
Example: The CEO fell on his sword and resigned after the company’s financial scandal was exposed.
Fire on all cylinders
Meaning: To operate at peak performance or with full energy and enthusiasm.
Example: After the team’s pep talk, they were firing on all cylinders and ready to win.
Guerrilla warfare
Meaning: A form of irregular warfare in which a small group of combatants use tactics such as ambushes, sabotage, and hit-and-run attacks.
Example: The guerrilla warfare tactics used by the rebels proved effective against the larger enemy force.
In the crosshairs
Meaning: Under close scrutiny or facing imminent danger.
Example: The company’s unethical practices put them in the crosshairs of the government regulators.
Leave no stone unturned
Meaning: To make every effort possible and explore every option in order to achieve a goal.
Example: The detective left no stone unturned in the investigation to solve the murder case.
March to the beat of a different drum
Meaning: To act or think in a way that is different from others.
Example: He always marched to the beat of a different drum and didn’t follow the crowd.
Neutral ground
Meaning: A place or situation that is not affiliated with any side in a conflict or disagreement.
Example: The mediator chose a neutral ground to hold the peace talks between the two warring factions.
Old warhorse
Meaning: An experienced or long-serving person who is relied upon for their expertise.
Example: The old warhorse of the company was called upon to lead the team through the crisis.
Powder keg
Meaning: A volatile or potentially explosive situation.
Example: The political tension in the country was a powder keg waiting to ignite.
Sabre-rattling
Meaning: Making threats of military force or aggression in order to intimidate others.
Example: The leader’s sabre-rattling against the neighboring country caused international concern.
Shot heard ’round the world
Meaning: An event or action that has far-reaching or significant consequences.
Example: The invention of the internet was the shot heard ’round the world that changed communication forever.
Smoke and mirrors
Meaning: Deception or trickery used to make something appear more impressive or meaningful than it really is.
Example: The company’s advertising campaign was just smoke and mirrors, as their products didn’t live up to the hype.
Uphill battle
Meaning: A difficult or challenging task that requires a lot of effort and determination.
Example: Getting the project approved by the board was an uphill battle, but we finally succeeded.
War chest
Meaning: A reserve of funds or resources that can be used to finance a war or other major undertaking.
Example: The political campaign built up a war chest of donations from supporters.
Wounded warrior
Meaning: A person who has been injured in combat or who has experienced trauma related to military service.
Example: The organization provides support services to wounded warriors and their families.
A baptism of fire
Meaning: A first experience of something that is difficult, challenging, or dangerous.
Example: Her first day on the job was a baptism of fire, as she had to deal with a crisis situation.
(The) Cavalry
Meaning: Assistance from a powerful source in a difficult situation.
Example: The cavalry arrived just in time to turn the tide of the battle, providing much-needed reinforcements to the outnumbered soldiers.
Pin Someone Down
Meaning: Demand a decision or clear answer
Example: I tried to get a clear answer from him, but he kept dodging the question, so I finally had to pin him down and get a straight answer.
Scorched Earth (Tactics, Policy, etc.)
Meaning: Ruthless, extremely destructive
Example: The company’s new CEO implemented a scorched earth strategy, firing many employees and cutting benefits to increase profits.
Shot Across the Bow
Meaning: A warning of more serious actions to come
Example: The union leaders warned the company that a strike was imminent by issuing a public statement that was intended as a shot across the bow.
Up in Arms
Meaning: Angry, protesting (usually said of a group)
Example: The community was up in arms over the proposed construction of a landfill in their neighborhood, organizing protests and writing letters to the local government.
Weekend Warrior
Meaning: Someone who has an office job but enjoys contact sports on weekends; a member of a military reserve force
Example: He’s a weekend warrior who enjoys hiking and camping on his days off from work.
