Idioms starting with W

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

21 idioms

Wait and see
Time and Life
To take no action until the situation becomes clearer.
Example: Let us wait and see how the first week goes.
Walk a mile in someone's shoes
People and Relationships
To imagine yourself in another person's situation, so that you understand what it is like for them.
Example: Before you criticise the nurses, try to walk a mile in someone's shoes.
Walk on eggshells
People and Relationships
To be extremely careful not to upset someone.
Example: The whole team walks on eggshells around him.
Walls have ears
Communication and Mind
Be careful what you say — someone may be listening.
Example: She lowered her voice in the corridor — walls have ears.
Waste not, want not
Money and Wealth
If you use things carefully you will never be short of them.
Example: She turned the leftovers into soup — waste not, want not.
Water under the bridge
People and Relationships
Something unpleasant that happened in the past and is no longer worth worrying about.
Example: We argued years ago, but that is water under the bridge.
We reap what we sow
Time and Life
The results people get are produced by what they have done.
Example: The team had cut every corner, and we reap what we sow.
Wear your heart on your sleeve
Emotions and Feelings
To show your feelings openly instead of hiding them.
Example: You wear your heart on your sleeve, so everyone always knows where you stand.
Wet behind the ears
Time and Life
Young and lacking experience.
Example: The new recruit was still wet behind the ears and needed a lot of guidance.
What goes up must come down
Success and Failure
Whatever rises, whether a price or a person, must fall in the end.
Example: House prices had climbed for ten years, and everyone forgot that what goes up must come down.
What will be, will be
Time and Life
Some things cannot be changed, so there is no use worrying about them.
Example: She sent the application and stopped thinking about it — what will be, will be.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
Travel and Movement
Follow the customs of the place you are visiting.
Example: We took off our shoes at the door — when in Rome, do as the Romans do.