Journalists producing serious news coverage must always write in a way that is clear, accurate, and free from jargon. Our job is to inform, not confuse.
How often have you read news articles containing phrases such as “up in the air” or “hit the ground running“. Or perhaps have you watched a TV reporter talking about the “writing on the wall” or “picking up the pieces” or “a storm in a teacup“.
What you have been witnessing is the use of idioms – phrases with a meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words.
In previous articles on Media Helping Media we have looked at the ‘power of words‘ and the importance of ‘using the right words‘.
We have considered why it’s best to avoid ‘clichés, journalese, and jargon‘ and the importance of ‘cutting out adjectives and adverbs‘.
And we have emphasised why ‘accuracy in journalism‘ and ensuring that ‘our writing is clear‘ and ‘factual‘ matter. In all cases it’s essential that we use the right ‘tone and language‘ in our work.
Idioms in journalism
Now we take a look at idioms in journalism. The use of idiomatic language has gradually crept into everyday journalism, but journalists need to be careful when using idioms.
While they can add colour and interest to writing, idioms can also cause confusion if they are not understood by all readers.
Let’s look at a fictitious example of how idiomatic language appears in news writing, particularly in features, opinion pieces, or tabloid newspapers where the style is looser in tone and less exact in clarity and word choice.
The city’s transport plan hits the buffers amid budget row
What started as a promising journey towards smoother commutes has hit the buffers. The city council’s ambitious transport overhaul, which promised to iron out congestion woes, is now stuck in limbo as councillors lock horns over spiralling costs.
The project is now hanging by a thread due to the latest funding dispute which could be the final nail in the coffin for the project.
While officials insist they’re working around the clock to salvage the scheme, commuters are left wondering if the plans were all just pie in the sky.
After weeks of discussions, councillors find themselves back to square one. At the end of the day it’s the commuters who are paying the price.
Idioms used:
- Hits the buffers = comes to a halt
- Iron out = resolve
- Stuck in limbo = in uncertainty
- Lock horns = argue or fight
- Hanging by a thread = in great danger of failing
- Final nail in the coffin = the final thing that causes failure
- Working around the clock = working very hard and non-stop
- Pie in the sky = unrealistic hope
- Back to square one = starting over
- At the end of the day = ultimately
This is a good illustration of how idioms slip into journalistic writing, especially in more colourful or less formal reporting. In quality journalism, many of these idioms would ideally be swapped for clearer, direct language.
If you use idioms you are presuming that the audience is aware of what they really mean. You might even be being lazy and just grabbing a phrase rather than taking the time to find a more accurate and appropriate form of words.
The audience should not have to guess what a news report means, or struggle to understand ambiguous sentences that could confuse and, even worse, lead to misinformation.
In his piece about clichés, journalism, and jargon mentioned earlier, John Allen advised journalists to choose wisely: “if you find yourself including any (clichés) in your script or summary, take yourself to one side and ask yourself if it really is the best you can do.”
The same is true with idioms. They are slightly different from clichés. An idiom is a phrase with a non-literal meaning, while a cliché is an overused phrase that has lost its originality and impact.
So let’s look at 50 commonly used idioms, what they are, what they are supposed to mean, how they are used, and what words or phrases could be used instead.
At the end of this list we have put together a quiz to see how much you understand about idioms. Click here to jump straight to the quiz.
List of idioms often used in journalism
Idioms, meanings, examples, and alternatives
- At the end of the day = Ultimately, when all factors are considered.
Example: “At the end of the day, the voters will decide.”
Alternative: Ultimately - Hit the nail on the head = Be exactly right about something.
Example: “Her analysis hit the nail on the head.”
Alternative: Was exactly correct - Cut to the chase = Get to the point.
Example: “Let’s cut to the chase: the budget is failing.”
Alternative: Get to the point - Throw in the towel = Give up.
Example: “The candidate threw in the towel after poor polls.”
Alternative: Conceded defeat - Bite the bullet = Face a difficult situation bravely.
Example: “The company bit the bullet and closed two stores.”
Alternative: Accepted the difficult decision - The tip of the iceberg = Only a small, visible part of a larger issue.
Example: “The scandal is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Alternative: A small part of a larger problem - A blessing in disguise = Something that seems bad but is beneficial.
Example: “The delay turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”
Alternative: Unexpectedly beneficial - Burning the midnight oil = Working late into the night.
Example: “Reporters were burning the midnight oil to finish the story.”
Alternative: Working late - The ball is in your court = It’s your turn to act.
Example: “The minister has made an offer; now the ball is in the union’s court.”
Alternative: It is now your responsibility to act - Back to square one = Start again from the beginning.
Example: “Negotiations failed, and talks went back to square one.”
Alternative: Start over - Jump on the bandwagon = Join a popular trend or cause.
Example: “Other politicians jumped on the bandwagon.”
Alternative: Joined the popular movement - Miss the boat = Miss an opportunity.
Example: “They missed the boat on renewable energy.”
Alternative: Missed an opportunity - Kill two birds with one stone = Accomplish two things at once.
Example: “The summit aimed to kill two birds with one stone: peace and trade.”
Alternative: Accomplish two goals simultaneously - Throw caution to the wind = Act recklessly.
Example: “Investors threw caution to the wind and bought shares.”
Alternative: Took risks - Sit on the fence = Avoid making a decision.
Example: “The council continues to sit on the fence.”
Alternative: Remain undecided - Face the music = Accept consequences.
Example: “The executive had to face the music after the fraud was exposed.”
Alternative: Accept responsibility - Red tape = Bureaucratic obstacles.
Example: “Red tape is delaying housing projects.”
Alternative: Bureaucratic delays - Cry over spilt milk = Lament something that cannot be changed.
Example: “It’s no use crying over spilt milk after the law passed.”
Alternative: Dwelling on the past - Take with a grain of salt = Be skeptical.
Example: “Take the politician’s promises with a grain of salt.”
Alternative: View with skepticism - Under the weather = Feeling ill.
Example: “The mayor was under the weather and missed the debate.”
Alternative: Feeling ill - Up in the air = Uncertain or undecided.
Example: “The future of the bill remains up in the air.”
Alternative: Uncertain - Water under the bridge = Past events no longer important.
Example: “The controversy is now water under the bridge.”
Alternative: A past issue no longer relevant - Let the cat out of the bag = Reveal a secret.
Example: “The leak let the cat out of the bag about the merger.”
Alternative: Revealed prematurely - Bury the hatchet = Make peace.
Example: “The rivals buried the hatchet.”
Alternative: Reconciled - Devil’s advocate = Argue the opposite view for discussion.
Example: “Playing devil’s advocate, the editor questioned the sources.”
Alternative: Arguing for the sake of discussion - Eleventh hour = At the last moment.
Example: “The deal was struck at the eleventh hour.”
Alternative: At the last moment - Get cold feet = Become nervous and back out.
Example: “The investor got cold feet before the launch.”
Alternative: Withdrew due to nerves - Go the extra mile = Put in extra effort.
Example: “Journalists went the extra mile to verify facts.”
Alternative: Put in extra effort - Pulling strings = Use influence.
Example: “He was accused of pulling strings to get the contract.”
Alternative: Using influence - Moving the goalposts = Changing rules unfairly.
Example: “The company moved the goalposts during talks.”
Alternative: Changed the criteria - A storm in a teacup = Exaggerated reaction.
Example: “The controversy was a storm in a teacup.”
Alternative: An exaggerated issue - On thin ice = In a risky situation.
Example: “The minister is on thin ice after the remarks.”
Alternative: In a risky position - Burn bridges = Destroy relationships.
Example: “She burned bridges with her former employer.”
Alternative: Severed ties - Silver lining = Positive aspect in a bad situation.
Example: “There’s a silver lining in the economic downturn: lower inflation.”
Alternative: A positive aspect - Fish out of water = Uncomfortable in surroundings.
Example: “The rookie reporter felt like a fish out of water.”
Alternative: Uncomfortable or unfamiliar - Climbing the ladder = Advancing career-wise.
Example: “She is climbing the ladder in the newsroom.”
Alternative: Advancing in her career - In hot water = In trouble.
Example: “The official is in hot water over expenses.”
Alternative: In trouble - Bend over backwards = Make a big effort.
Example: “They bent over backwards to secure the interview.”
Alternative: Made every effort - Hit the ground running = Start effectively.
Example: “The new editor hit the ground running.”
Alternative: Started effectively - Level playing field = Fair conditions.
Example: “The law aims to create a level playing field.”
Alternative: Fair conditions - On the same page = In agreement.
Example: “Both parties are on the same page.”
Alternative: In agreement - Pick up the pieces = Recover from failure.
Example: “The community is picking up the pieces after the flood.”
Alternative: Recovering - Seeing eye to eye = Agreeing completely.
Example: “The two sides are seeing eye to eye on reforms.”
Alternative: Fully agree - Spill the beans = Reveal secret information.
Example: “The source spilled the beans about corruption.”
Alternative: Disclosed confidential information - Steer clear of = Avoid.
Example: “Officials are steering clear of the topic.”
Alternative: Avoiding - Touch base = Make contact.
Example: “Let’s touch base tomorrow about the report.”
Alternative: Contact - Weather the storm = Survive a difficult time.
Example: “The company weathered the storm of public criticism.”
Alternative: Survived difficulties - Word of mouth = Information spread verbally.
Example: “The news spread by word of mouth.”
Alternative: Spread through personal communication - Writing on the wall = Warning sign of trouble.
Example: “The writing on the wall was clear before the collapse.”
Alternative: Warning sign - Your guess is as good as mine = No definite answer.
Example: “As for election day turnout, your guess is as good as mine.”
Alternative: Uncertain
Quiz: Spot the idioms
Instructions: Read the excerpt from the news article below.
- Identify and list all the idioms you find.
- For each idiom, write down its meaning in plain English.
- Suggest a clearer, unambiguous alternative.
Article excerpt for quiz:
The mayor’s plan to revive the city centre is skating on thin ice after unexpected opposition from local businesses. The ambitious blueprint, which aimed to breathe new life into empty storefronts, has ruffled feathers among traders worried about rising rents.
Insiders say the mayor is feeling the heat as critics accuse the council of turning a blind eye to community concerns.
Shop owners say the local authority keeps moving the goalposts and that the plan to attract more foot traffic is just smoke and mirrors.
Meanwhile, city hall is playing it by ear, hoping to weather the storm until calmer days ahead. But residents warn that if officials keep burying their heads in the sand, the whole scheme could go down the drain.
According to the council it’s all down to costs at the end of the day.
Answers:
- Skating on thin ice — In a risky or dangerous situation.
- Breathe new life into — Revitalise or improve.
- Ruffled feathers — Upset or annoyed people.
- Feeling the heat — Under pressure.
- Turning a blind eye — Ignoring something intentionally.
- Moving the goalposts — Changing the rules or expectations unfairly.
- Smoke and mirrors — Deception or misleading information.
- Playing it by ear — Handling a situation as it develops, without a fixed plan.
- Weather the storm — Survive a difficult situation.
- Burying their heads in the sand — Ignoring problems, pretending they don’t exist.
- Go down the drain — Fail completely.
- At the end of the day – ultimately.
Idiom matching
Instructions: Match each idiom from the idioms list with its correct meaning from the meanings list below. After matching, suggest a clear alternative for a journalist to use.
Idioms
- Skating on thin ice
- Breathe new life into
- Ruffled feathers
- Feeling the heat
- Turning a blind eye
- Moving the goalposts
- Smoke and mirrors
- Playing it by ear
- Weather the storm
- Burying their heads in the sand
- Go down the drain
Meanings
- Being under intense pressure
- Pretending a problem doesn’t exist
- In a risky or dangerous situation
- Survive a difficult period
- Cause upset or annoyance
- Changing rules or expectations unfairly
- Revitalise or improve something
- Handle something as it develops
- Deliberately ignoring an issue
- Fail completely
- Deception or misleading information
Answer Key
- – 3 (Skating on thin ice — In a risky or dangerous situation)
- – 7 (Breathe new life into — Revitalise or improve something)
- – 5 (Ruffled feathers — Cause upset or annoyance)
- – 1 (Feeling the heat — Being under intense pressure)
- – 9 (Turning a blind eye — Deliberately ignoring an issue)
- – 6 (Moving the goalposts — Changing rules or expectations unfairly)
- – 11 (Smoke and mirrors — Deception or misleading information)
- – 8 (Playing it by ear — Handle something as it develops)
- – 4 (Weather the storm — Survive a difficult period)
- – 2 (Burying their heads in the sand — Pretending a problem doesn’t exist)
- – 10 (Go down the drain — Fail completely)
