Idioms that begin with prepositions
There are hundreds of idioms that begin with prepositions in English. Idioms are
phrases that, taken literally, would either make no sense at all or have an entirely
different meaning from the idiomatic definition. “On the other hand,” for example,
could literally mean that there is something sitting on your hand, but as an idiom, it
refers to an alternative. “At a loss,” on the other hand, doesn’t make much sense at all
if you try to explain it using the literal meaning of each word; it only makes sense
taken as a whole––as an idiom.
The following list is by no means an exhaustive list of idioms that begin with
prepositions. It is, however, a litany of very commonly used idiomatic phrases.
At
at any rate: whatever happens or is happening
at one's disposal: available for one’s use
at fault: causing a problem or accident
at first: in the beginning
at last: finally, after some delay (connotes a feeling of exhaustion after a long
period of waiting)
at a loss: unsure of what to do or say; speechless
Behind
behind the scenes: influencing events secretly; unseen
Beside
beside the point: irrelevant
By
by accident: not on purpose
by all means: by any possible method
by hand: without the use of machinery
by heart: from memory
1
by mistake: accidentally
by oneself: alone
by the way: incidentally (used to introduce a new, unrelated topic)
For
for good: permanently
for a living: as a profession
for one thing: because of one reason (out of several)
for sale: intended to be sold
for sure: definitely
for now/ for the time being: until some other arrangement/decision is made
for a while: for a period of time
From
from scratch: from raw ingredients/materials; without anything pre-made
from time to time: occasionally
In
in advance: before something begins; early
in any case: whatever happens
in charge: in command; responsible for
in common: shared by two or more people
in danger: likely to be harmed (opposite: out of danger/out of harm’s way)
in a daze: unable to think clearly; confused
in debt: owing money (opposite: out of debt)
in demand: wanted by many people
in the end: after everything is finished (describes a final outcome)
in fact: in reality; really
in a hurry: doing something quickly
in itself: without anything else
in the long run: in the end; eventually
in mint condition: perfect; as though brand-new
in a minute/moment/second: soon; quickly (used to tell how much longer it
will be until something happens)
2
in no time: very soon; very quickly (used to tell how quickly something
happened)
in season: (fruit or vegetables) ripe and available for sale at that time of year
(opposite: out of season)
in trouble: blamed or punished for doing something wrong; in a difficult
situation (opposite: out of trouble)
in vain: without success
in the wrong: responsible for an error; guilty
Inside
inside out: with the inner side out
Of
of course: certainly; as one would expect; as everyone knows
Off
off and on: (describes a situation that exists at some times, but not others,
over a period of time)
On
on account of: because of
on the air: in the process of broadcasting (on radio or television)
on all fours: (people) on hands and knees; (animals) on all four feet
on demand: when requested or demanded
on fire: burning; in flames (not burning as in turning black from staying in the
oven too long)
on hand: available; in stock
on the lookout: watchful
on the one hand: (used to introduce the first side of an argument)
on one's own: alone; without assistance
on the other hand: alternatively (used with “on the one hand” to introduce a
contrasting side of an argument)
on purpose: deliberately
3
on sale: being sold at a reduced price
on second thought: after thinking further
on a shoestring: with very little money
on the spur of the moment: spontaneously; on a sudden impulse
on time: at the correct time
on the verge of: very close to (an achievement)
Out
out of the blue: unexpectedly
out of breath: panting from a shortage of oxygen (usually due to physical
exertion)
out of character: different from a person's known character
out of order: not functioning
out of the ordinary: unusual
out of practice: unable to do something as well as one once could because of
lack of recent practice
out of the question: not to be considered; not an option
out of shape: not in top physical condition because of lack of exercise
(opposite: in shape)
out of sight: not able to be seen; hidden (opposite: in sight)
out of town: not in the city/town where one normally resides (opposite: in
town)
out of tune: (of music/musical instruments) not at the correct pitch (opposite:
in tune)
out of work: unemployed
To
to a certain extent: partly
Under
under one's breath: in a whisper; not intending to be heard
under the circumstances: because of the current situation/circumstance
under control: able to be controlled or influenced (opposites: out of control/out
of hand)
4
under fire: being shot at; being criticized
under the impression that: having the idea/belief that
under the influence of: affected by (usually alcohol or drugs)
Up
up in the air: uncertain (with regard to the outcome of a situation)
With
with the naked eye: without the use of a lens
with regard/respect to: concerning; about
with a vengeance: more than usual; angrily
Within
within reason: that is reasonable
English is full of figurative language––phrasal verbs and idioms that begin
with prepositions, phrasal verbs and idioms that end with prepositions, and idioms that
do not include prepositions at all. The vast number of idioms in English make it one of
the most difficult languages to learn, but now that you know these, you are on your
way!
Activities
Write down a few sentences using the prepositional idioms given above:
1.___________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________________
5
9. ___________________________________________________________________
10. __________________________________________________________________
