Idioms starting with P

Each card gives the idiom's meaning and one example of it in use. Open one for the Vietnamese expression that comes closest.

15 idioms

Paint yourself into a corner
Success and Failure
To act in a way that leaves you no options.
Example: By promising both dates you paint yourself into a corner.
Part and parcel
Work and Business
An unavoidable part of something.
Example: Late nights are part and parcel of the job.
Pay someone back in their own coin
People and Relationships
To treat someone in the same unpleasant way that they have treated you.
Example: It is tempting to pay someone back in their own coin when they have cheated you.
Pay through the nose
Money and Wealth
To pay far too much for something.
Example: We paid through the nose for that repair.
Penny wise, pound foolish
Money and Wealth
Careful with small sums and careless with large ones.
Example: He drove across town to save a pound on petrol — penny wise, pound foolish.
Pick up the pieces
Success and Failure
To restore order after something has gone badly wrong.
Example: After the closure she had to pick up the pieces alone.
Play it by ear
Communication and Mind
To decide what to do as the situation develops rather than planning ahead.
Example: We do not know how long it will run, so we will play it by ear.
Practice makes perfect
Success and Failure
Doing something repeatedly is how you become good at it.
Example: Keep playing every day — practice makes perfect.
Practise what you preach
Communication and Mind
To behave the way you tell others to behave.
Example: It is easy to give advice and harder to practise what you preach.
Pull out all the stops
Work and Business
To make every possible effort.
Example: They pulled out all the stops for the opening night.
Pull yourself together
Emotions and Feelings
To regain control of your emotions.
Example: Pull yourself together — they are waiting for you.
Push your luck
Success and Failure
To risk losing what you have by asking for more.
Example: You got the day off; asking for two is pushing your luck.