Preposition Idioms (with Meaning and Example for Each!)

In English, we use special phrases called idioms to express ideas in a fun way. These idioms often use small words called prepositions, like “on,” “in,” or “at.” In this guide, we’ll explore some of these idioms. For each one, you’ll learn what it means and see an example of how to use it!

Preposition Idioms

Preposition: At

1. At all costs – no matter what the expense.
   • Example: He wanted to win the race at all costs.
2. At a loss – confused, unsure what to do.
   • Example: I was at a loss for words.
3. At arm’s length – keep a safe distance.
   • Example: She kept her rivals at arm’s length.
4. At death’s door – extremely ill or close to dying.
   • Example: He was at death’s door last night.
5. At first sight – immediately upon seeing.
   • Example: It was love at first sight.
6. At hand – very close; coming soon.
   • Example: Help was at hand.
7. At heart – fundamentally.
   • Example: She is a rebel at heart.
8. At one’s beck and call – always available to serve.
   • Example: He was at her beck and call.
9. At odds with – in disagreement.
   • Example: He is at odds with his partner.
10. At the drop of a hat – without any hesitation; instantly.
    • Example: Ready to leave at the drop of a hat.

Preposition: By

1. By the book – according to the rules.
   • Example: She does everything by the book.
2. By heart – from memory.
   • Example: He knows the poem by heart.
3. By the skin of one’s teeth – just barely.
   • Example: He escaped by the skin of his teeth.
4. By all means – definitely or certainly.
   • Example: Yes, by all means, take a slice.
5. By hook or by crook – by any means necessary.
   • Example: I’ll finish this project by hook or by crook.
6. By leaps and bounds – very quickly; substantially.
   • Example: The child grew by leaps and bounds.
7. By word of mouth – through spoken communication.
   • Example: The news spread by word of mouth.
8. By far – definitely; without a doubt.
   • Example: She is by far the best candidate.
9. By the way – incidentally.
   • Example: By the way, I saw your brother yesterday.
10. By and large – generally speaking.
    • Example: By and large, the event was a success.

Preposition: With

1. With bated breath – in great anticipation.
   • Example: They waited with bated breath.
2. With flying colors – with great success.
   • Example: He passed the test with flying colors.
3. With open arms – very warmly or hospitably.
   • Example: They welcomed us with open arms.
4. With an iron fist – in a very strict manner.
   • Example: He rules with an iron fist.
5. With bells on – eager and ready to enjoy.
   • Example: I’ll be there with bells on!
6. With a grain of salt – with skepticism.
   • Example: Take his advice with a grain of salt.
7. With ease – without difficulty.
   • Example: She won the match with ease.
8. With the benefit of hindsight – understanding after the fact.
   • Example: With the benefit of hindsight, I’d have chosen differently.
9. With all due respect – used to politely disagree.
   • Example: With all due respect, I must disagree.
10. With one’s tail between one’s legs – feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
    • Example: He came back with his tail between his legs.

Preposition: Of

1. Of age – legally an adult.
   • Example: She just came of age.
2. Of course – certainly, definitely.
   • Example: Of course, you can join us.
3. Of late – recently.
   • Example: He has been very quiet of late.
4. Of no use – useless.
   • Example: This old map is of no use to us.
5. Of one’s own accord – voluntarily, without coercion.
   • Example: She left of her own accord.
6. Of the essence – very important.
   • Example: Time is of the essence.
7. Of two minds – undecided.
   • Example: I am of two minds about this decision.
8. Of the first water – of the best quality.
   • Example: Her diamond is of the first water.
9. Of the old school – traditional.
   • Example: He is a gentleman of the old school.
10. Of note – noteworthy, significant.
    • Example: She has made comments of note.

Preposition: In

1. In a bind – in a difficult situation.
   • Example: I’m in a bind with this project.
2. In a nutshell – in brief.
   • Example: In a nutshell, the plan failed.
3. In deep water – in serious trouble.
   • Example: He found himself in deep water with the law.
4. In full swing – at the peak of activity.
   • Example: The festival was in full swing.
5. In hot water – in trouble.
   • Example: She’s in hot water over missing funds.
6. In the loop – informed about something.
   • Example: Keep me in the loop about the changes.
7. In the nick of time – just in time.
   • Example: He arrived in the nick of time.
8. In vain – without success.
   • Example: All our efforts were in vain.
9. In one’s element – in a comfortable or natural situation.
   • Example: She’s in her element when painting.
10. In the red – losing money, unprofitable.
    • Example: The company has been in the red since January.

Preposition: To

1. To no avail – without success.
   • Example: He tried to no avail to fix the car.
2. To the letter – following instructions exactly.
   • Example: He followed the recipe to the letter.
3. To each his own – respecting personal preferences.
   • Example: She prefers classical; to each his own.
4. To and fro – back and forth.
   • Example: The pendulum swung to and fro.
5. To the best of one’s ability – as well as one can.
   • Example: Complete the task to the best of your ability.
6. To the core – completely or thoroughly.
   • Example: He is honest to the core.
7. To the end – until completion.
   • Example: She supported him to the end.
8. To the point – directly relevant or concise.
   • Example: Keep your explanation to the point.
9. To die for – extremely desirable or attractive.
   • Example: This cake is to die for.
10. To one’s face – directly, in person.
    • Example: He told me the news to my face.

Preposition: On

1. On the ball – alert and efficient.
   • Example: Stay on the ball during the presentation.
2. On thin ice – in a risky situation.
   • Example: He’s on thin ice with his boss.
3. On cloud nine – extremely happy.
   • Example: She was on cloud nine after the proposal.
4. On the fence – undecided.
   • Example: I’m on the fence about selling the house.
5. On the house – free of charge.
   • Example: The first drink is on the house.
6. On the dot – exactly on time.
   • Example: The meeting starts at 9:00 on the dot.
7. On one’s toes – stay alert and ready.
   • Example: You need to be on your toes in this market.
8. On the back burner – postpone or reduce in priority.
   • Example: Put that project on the back burner for now.
9. On a roll – experiencing a period of success or good luck.
   • Example: He’s on a roll with his investments this year.
10. On the level – honest or truthful.
    • Example: I assure you, my intentions are on the level.

Preposition: About

1. About time – long overdue.
   • Example: It’s about time you cleaned your room!
2. Up and about – out of bed and active.
   • Example: She was up and about despite her illness.
3. About face – a complete change of direction or opinion.
   • Example: He did an about face on his policy stance.
4. Beat about the bush – avoid direct answers.
   • Example: Stop beating about the bush and tell me.
5. Go about – proceed to handle something.
   • Example: He went about his work efficiently.
6. All about – knowing everything or being very interested in.
   • Example: She’s all about sustainable living.
7. Nothing to write home about – not very good or significant.
   • Example: The film was okay, nothing to write home about.
8. Talk about – emphasize how notable something is.
   • Example: Talk about lucky—he won the lottery twice!
9. How about – suggestion or idea.
   • Example: How about we try that new restaurant?
10. Move about – to move freely.
    • Example: The patients are encouraged to move about often.

Preposition: After

1. After all – in the end; considering everything.
   • Example: He decided to go after all.
2. Day after day – repeatedly over a period of time.
   • Example: Day after day, he walked the same path.
3. After one’s own heart – similar in tastes and preferences.
   • Example: She’s a traveler after my own heart.
4. Look after – take care of.
   • Example: Can you look after the dog this weekend?
5. After hours – after regular business hours.
   • Example: They worked after hours to complete the project.
6. After the fact – after something has happened.
   • Example: He apologized after the fact.
7. Go after – pursue.
   • Example: She went after her dreams against all odds.
8. After a fashion – to some extent, but not perfectly.
   • Example: It works, after a fashion.
9. Time after time – repeatedly.
   • Example: Time after time, she proved her critics wrong.
10. One after another – in succession.
    • Example: The team scored three goals, one after another.

Preposition: Around

1. Around the clock – continuously, all day and night.
   • Example: Doctors worked around the clock during the crisis.
2. Fool around – waste time or joke.
   • Example: Stop fooling around and get to work.
3. Come around – change one’s opinion or decision.
   • Example: He finally came around to our way of thinking.
4. Get around – have mobility or move from place to place.
   • Example: She gets around with the help of her new bike.
5. Around the corner – very near; coming soon.
   • Example: Spring is just around the corner.
6. Mess around – engage in aimless activity.
   • Example: They spent the afternoon messing around in the garage.
7. Around the bend – crazy or insane.
   • Example: You must be around the bend to think that’ll work!
8. Run around – be very busy doing many tasks.
   • Example: I’ve been running around all day.
9. Pass around – distribute or share.
   • Example: Please pass the photos around.
10. Hang around – spend time idly or without purpose.
    • Example: He likes hanging around the park with friends.