Idiom | Meaning | Example |
on parade |
walking in a parade, displaying
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When Jack's on parade, he marches straight and tall.
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on parole |
still supervised, not free of prison
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He's on parole now. He can leave the prison during the day.
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on pins and needles |
waiting anxiously, worried
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Mom will be on pins and needles until we arrive. She'll be worried.
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on probation |
becoming a permanent employee, proby
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As an employee on probation, you will be learning new skills.
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on purpose |
for a reason, intentional
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Did she drop her glove on purpose - so he would find it?
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on queer street |
dizzy or stunned, not acting normal
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After he hit me I felt like I was on queer street - I was dazed.
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on schedule |
within the dates on the plan, on target
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They arrived on Mars on June 11, which means they're on schedule.
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on shaky ground |
missing a proper foundation, prone to fail
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"If you don't start learning for your next exam now, you'll be on shaky ground."
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on short notice |
without much warning, at a moment's notice
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Can you come to work on short notice? Within a day or two?
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on side |
for our side, supporting our group
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In order to have a majority, we need to bring the clerks on side.
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