(idioms-sayings.blogspot.com -English Idioms & Sayings)

Idioms beginning with U

ugly duckling

- an ugly or plain child who grows up to be attractive
She was an ugly duckling when she was a child but now she is very beautiful.

unaccustomed to (someone or something)

- not used to someone or something
The man was unaccustomed to waking up early in the morning.
under Idioms

under a cloud

- depressed, sad
She has been under a cloud of depression since her cat died.

under a cloud (of suspicion)

- not trusted, suspected of doing something wrong
The politician has been under a cloud of suspicion over the possibility of taking bribes.

under arrest

- arrested by the police before being charged with a crime
The three men were under arrest for robbing a bank.

under certain circumstances/conditions

- depending on or influenced by something
Under certain circumstances the children were permitted to use the indoor stadium for practice.

under (close) scrutiny

- being watched or examined closely
The business owner was under close scrutiny after the accounting scandal.

under construction

- being built or repaired
The hotel was still under construction, two years after it began.

under control

- not out of control, manageable
The fire was under control after the fire department arrived.

under cover

- hidden, concealed
The police officer went under cover to look for the drug dealers.

under fire

- being shot at or attacked, under (verbal) attack
The owner of the company is under fire for not paying his employees a fair salary.

under oath

- having taken an oath (solemn promise)
The man was under oath when he spoke before the judge.

under one`s belt

- in one`s experience, memory or possession
When he has more experience as a cook under his belt he will begin to look for a job.

under one`s belt

- in one`s stomach
After he had a big breakfast under his belt he was ready for work.

under one`s breath

- in a whisper, with a low voice
He was talking under his breath in the movie theater and somebody complained.

under one`s nose

- within sight of someone, easily seen or found
He found his driver`s license right under his nose where he had left it.

under one`s own steam

- by one`s own efforts, without help
He was able to go home under his own steam even though he was feeling very sick.

under one`s thumb

- obedient to someone, controlled by someone
He is only an assistant salesman but he has his boss under his thumb.

under one`s wing

- under the care or protection of (someone)
He took the new employee under his wing to help him in the new job.

under pressure

- experiencing something that causes stress or anxiety
The boy's father is always under pressure at work.

under the circumstances

- because of the circumstances
The girl was very sick and under the circumstances did not have to take the exam.

under the counter

- secretly bought or sold
The drugs are being sold under the counter although the government has not given its approval.

under the hammer

- up for sale at an auction
The painting went under the hammer and sold for a very high price.

under the influence of (something)

- experiencing the effects of alcohol/drugs/a controlling power or person
The driver was under the influence of alcohol when he hit the young child.

under the sun

- anywhere on earth at all, everywhere
We looked for my wallet everywhere under the sun.

under the table

- in secret and usually illegal
He paid some money under the table in order to get his product imported into the country.

under the weather

- feel ill (but not seriously ill)
He is feeling under the weather so he is going to bed early tonight.

under the wire

- just barely in time or on time
We were able to send in our payment for the school fees just under the wire.

under wraps

- not allowed to be seen until the right time, in secrecy
The new car was still under wraps when the car show started.

unearthly hour

- absurdly early or inconvenient
We got up at an unearthly hour this morning so we could get ready to go camping.

unfamiliar territory

- an area of knowledge unknown to the speaker
Trying to pilot an airplane was unfamiliar territory for the flight attendant.

unknown quantity

- a person or thing which nobody knows much about
The new mayor was an unknown quantity and nobody knew what to expect.

until all hours (of the day or night)

- until very late
We stayed up until all hours playing cards.

until hell freezes over

- forever
He said that he would not talk to his girlfriend again until hell freezes over.

until the cows come home

- until very late
It is my birthday today so I plan to stay out and party until the cows come home.


Posted by Learning English through Idioms and Sayings