figurative

• Make a mountain out of a molehill

  To exaggerate a minor problem or difficulty into something much larger and more serious than it actually is.

• Close to home

  Something that is personally relevant, deeply affecting, or reminds one strongly of their own experiences.

• Crocodile tears

  Insincere displays of sorrow or remorse, often used to manipulate or deceive others.

• Dead on your feet

  To be completely exhausted or extremely tired, to the point of feeling unable to stand or continue.

• Brush someone off

  To dismiss someone or their ideas in a casual, often abrupt, and disrespectful manner.

• rock bottom

  The lowest possible point, a state of utter despair, or the most extreme misfortune.

• Peel the onion

  To gradually uncover the underlying complexities or deeper truths of a situation by examining it layer by layer.

• At death's door

  To be very close to dying, often due to severe illness or extreme old age.

• Like a breath of fresh air

  Something or someone that is new, refreshing, and invigorating, often bringing a welcome change after a period of dullness or difficulty.

• Melt away

  To gradually disappear, diminish, or cease to exist, often smoothly and completely.

• In a haze

  To be in a state of confusion, disorientation, or dreamlike mental obscurity.

• Go nuclear

  To react or respond with an extreme, overwhelming, and often disproportionately forceful action or display of anger.

• Few sandwiches short of a picnic

  This idiom describes someone who is not very intelligent or is somewhat foolish.

• House of cards

  A structure, plan, or argument that is inherently unstable, fragile, and likely to collapse easily.

• Cure-all

  A supposed remedy or solution for all diseases or problems.

• Eat like a pig

  To eat a very large amount of food, often quickly and messily, without regard for manners.

• In one's birthday suit

  Naked; without any clothes on.

• Beyond the stars

  Signifying an immeasurable or ultimate extent, often implying boundless aspiration, distance, or achievement.

• Barely hanging by a thread

  To be in an extremely precarious or unstable situation, on the verge of collapse or failure.

• Give birth to an idea

  To conceive, develop, and present a new concept, plan, or solution.

• To keep one's mouth sewn shut

  To remain completely silent and refuse to reveal information, often under pressure or coercion.

• Up to your neck in something

  To be deeply involved, overwhelmed, or burdened by a difficult situation, an excessive amount of work, or serious problems.

• In the palm of your hand

  To have complete control, influence, or power over a person or situation.

• In your birthday suit

  To be completely naked, as one was at the moment of birth.

• hammer this point home

  To ensure an idea, argument, or lesson is fully understood and remembered, often through emphasis or repetition.

• A spell of despondency

  A short, temporary period of feeling very sad, hopeless, or low in spirits.

• Sad to the core

  Feeling utterly and profoundly sad, to the deepest part of one's being.

• A beacon of hope

  A source of guidance, inspiration, or optimism in a difficult or uncertain situation.

• a treasure trove of delights

  A treasure trove of delights refers to a collection, place, or experience that contains many wonderful, enjoyable, or valuable things.

• A ghost of a chance

  A ghost of a chance refers to an extremely small or remote possibility of something happening or succeeding.

• Catching fire

  To become very popular, successful, or widely accepted in a rapid and enthusiastic manner.

• Dark clouds on the horizon

  This phrase describes an impending problem or difficult situation that is beginning to appear or is expected soon.

• Whirlwind romance

  A rapid, intense, and often brief romantic relationship that unfolds with great speed and passion.

• A house of cards

  A plan, organization, or situation that is inherently unstable, poorly constructed, and likely to collapse.

• Fan the flames

  To deliberately make a difficult or tense situation worse, or to intensify an existing emotion or conflict.

• Pour oil on the flames

  To make an already bad or difficult situation, especially an argument or conflict, even worse.

• Skeletal

  Pertaining to the fundamental framework or essential bare bones of something, often implying a severe lack of detail or substance.

• The light of my life

  This phrase refers to a person or thing that brings immense happiness, purpose, and joy to one's existence.

• The light of one's life

  Someone who brings immense joy, happiness, and purpose to another person's existence.

• Ready for battle

  Prepared and eager to face a difficult challenge, competition, or confrontation.

• A screw loose

  To have a screw loose means someone is slightly eccentric, irrational, or mentally unsound.

• Elusive as a shadow

  Something described as elusive as a shadow is extremely difficult to find, catch, or understand, slipping away constantly.

• Obstinate as a donkey

  This phrase describes someone who is extremely stubborn and unwilling to change their mind or actions.

• Look like death warmed over

  To appear extremely ill, exhausted, or in a very poor state of health.