Idioms Beginning with c

• call it a day

  To stop an activity for the day.
  We've done enough work today. Let's call it a day.

• call it a night

  To go to bed to sleep.
  I'm tired. I'm going to have to call it a night.

• call it even

  To declare debts paid.
  You saved my life five years ago, and I saved your life just now. Let's call it even.

• call it quits

  To conclude; to quit or stop an activity.
  Everyone is exhausted right now; let's call it quits for now. We can try again tomorrow.

• can of worms

  A difficult problem that produces additional problems.
  Max couldn't tell Mary the truth. He knew it would open a can of worms.

• carry on

  To continue or proceed.
  I'll be gone for a couple of weeks. I'm sure you can carry on without me.

• carry out

  To complete or accomplish something.
  Max carried out his plan to get revenge on Mary.

• catch on

  To understand; to realize.
  Max took a little extra time to catch on, but eventually, he understood the situation.

• catch one's breath

  To rest and regain normal breathing.
  Max ran so fast that he had to stop and catch his breath.

• catch one's eye

  To attract one's attention.
  The bright red sports car caught Mary's eye.

• change one's mind

  To decide differently or have a different opinion than before.
  I said I wanted vanilla but changed my mind; I want chocolate.

• cheat on

  To be sexually unfaithful to.
  John asked for a divorce when he found out that Mary was cheating on him.

• close but no cigar

  A narrowly missed attempt or guess.
  Nice try. Close but no cigar. Guess again.

• cold turkey

  To stop an addiction all at once, not gradually.
  Max quit smoking cigarettes cold turkey.

• cool as a cucumber

  Very calm and composed, especially in a stressful situation.
  Max was cool as a cucumber during the interview and got the job.

• cross that bridge when one comes to it

  To not deal with a situation until one is actually in the situation.
  I don't know what we'll do if he says no. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

• cross the line

  To go too far; to violate accepted boundaries or rules.
  Max really crossed the line when he ate Mary's last donut.

• cry over spilled milk

  To be upset about something that cannot be changed.
  The mistake is already made—there’s no use crying over spilled milk.

• cut (somebody) some slack

  To be flexible or lenient with somebody.
  Cut Max some slack. He didn't mean to be rude. He just had a very difficult day.

• cut to the chase

  To get to the main point; to state something directly.
  Let me cut to the chase. I quit. As of tomorrow, I no longer work here.