Idioms/H

Idioms beginning with H. Select an idiom for more details.

(your) hands are tied

You can say your hands are tied if you're prevented from doing something that you'd normally have the power or the authority to do.

(your) heart goes out to (someone)

If your heart goes out to someone, you feel great sympathy for them.

(your) heart is in the right place

If your heart is in the right place, you try to do the right thing, even if things don't always work out for the best.

(your) heart isn't in it

If your heart isn't in something you're doing, you don't really want to do it.

a head start

If you have a head start, you start something ahead of others or with an advantage over others.

a hidden agenda

If someone has a hidden agenda, they have a secret plan or motive for doing something.

half-baked INFORMAL

If something is half-baked, it hasn't been properly thought out or planned.

hang in there | hang on in there INFORMAL

You can tell someone to hang in there, or hang on in there, if they're in a difficult situation and you want to encourage them, or tell them not to give up.

hard to come by

If something is hard to come by, it is difficult to find.

hard to swallow

Something that someone has said is hard to swallow if it's difficult to believe.

have a heart-to-heart

If you have a heart-to-heart with someone, you have an honest talk and share your feelings with each other.

have a soft spot for

If you have a soft spot for someone or something, you feel a warm affection for them.

have second thoughts

If you're having second thoughts about something, you're having doubts about a decision you've made.

have your hands full

If you have your hands full, you're busy.

have your head in the clouds

If someone has their head in the clouds, they are out of touch with the everyday world and can be unrealistic or naive as a result.

have your work cut out (for you)

If you have your work cut out for you, you have a difficult task to do or a challenging situation to face.

heads will roll

You can say "heads will roll" if people are going to lose their jobs after making a mistake.

hit it off

If you meet someone for the first time and the two of you hit it off, you get along really well and have a great time together.

hit the hay | hit the sack American English

If you hit the hay, or hit the sack, you go to bed.

hit the nail on the head

If you hit the nail on the head, you describe the exact nature of something such as a problem, a solution, or a situation.

hit the roof

You can say someone hits the roof if they lose their temper and show their anger.

hold the fort

If you hold the fort, you look after a place or a business while the person who is normally in charge is away.

hold your head high | hold your head up high

You can hold your head high, or hold your head up high, if you feel proud of something.

hold your own

If you hold your own, you are as successful as other people in a situation, or as good as others at an activity.

hot under the collar

If you are hot under the collar, you feel angry or annoyed about something.

Contributor: Matt Errey