List of idioms start with C

Calculated risk
Meaning : A calculated risk is a risk taken with full knowledge of the dangers involved.

Call a spade a spade
Meaning : A person who calls a spade a spade speaks openly and truthfully about something, especially difficult matters.

Call for someone
Meaning : Collect

Call in
Meaning : To invite

Call in question
Meaning : Challenge, express a doubt about

Call it a day
Meaning : Stop work for the day

Call it quits
Meaning : When people temporarily stop doing something or put an end to an activity, they call it quits.

Call someone in
Meaning : Demand the return of

Call someone off
Meaning : Order to stop

Call someone up
Meaning : Telephone

Call someone's bluff
Meaning : you call someone's bluff, you challenge them to do what they threaten to do (while believing that they will not dare to do it).

Call something off
Meaning : Cancel

Call something up
Meaning : Recall to the memory

Call the tune
Meaning : The person who calls the tune is the one who makes all the important decisions and is in control of the situation.

Came off second-best
Meaning : Was defeated, got the worst of it

Can of worms
Meaning : To describe a situation as a can of worms means that it is complicated, unpleasant and difficult to deal with.

Can play at that game
Meaning : Can retaliate in the same way

Can't Cut The Mustard
Meaning : Someone who isn't adequate enough to compete or participate

Can't make heads or tails of something
Meaning : Can't understand something at all

Can't see the wood for the trees
Meaning : If someone can't see the wood for the trees, they are so concentrated on the details that they can't see the situation as a whole.

Capital Punishment
Meaning : Death sentence

Carried all before one's
Meaning : Was completely successful

Carried his point
Meaning : Defeated his adversaries in debate

Carried off his feet
Meaning : Was wild with excitement

Carrot and stick
Meaning : If you use a carrot-and-stick approach, you use the promise of reward and the threat of punishment to make somebody work harder.

Carry on
Meaning : Continue

Carry on something
Meaning : Maintain

Carry someone away
Meaning : Fill with emotion

Carry the torch
Meaning : If you carry the torch, you have strong feelings for someone with whom you do not or cannot have a relationship..

Carry weight
Meaning : If a person or organization carries weight, they are influential or important.

Carve out a niche
Meaning : A person or company who carves out a niche focuses on a particular segment of the market, to which they supply a product or service, and develop their expertise in that area.

Case in point
Meaning : This term refers to an example which serves to illustrate, support or prove a point which is currently under discussion.

Cash cow
Meaning : A good way to make money

Cash in your chips
Meaning : If you cash in your chips, you sell something, especially shares, either because you need the money or because you think the value is going to fall.

Cast a wide net
Meaning : When trying to find something, if you cast a wide net, you cover an extensive area or use a wide range of sources.

Cast Iron Stomach
Meaning : Someone who has no problems, complications or ill effects with eating anything or drinking anything

Castles in the air
Meaning : Plans which cannot be realised

Cat get one's tongue.
Meaning : Can't speak because of shyness

Cat nap
Meaning : A short sleep taken during the day

Cat-and-dog life
Meaning : This term refers to a life in which partners are constantly or frequently quarrelling.

Catch 22
Meaning : A catch 22 situation refers to a frustrating situation where you cannot do one thing without doing a second, and you cannot do the second before doing the first.

Catch on
Meaning : Understand

Catch one's eye
Meaning : Attract one's attention/interest

Catch somebody red-handed
Meaning : If a person is caught red-handed, they are caught while they are doing something wrong or illegal.

Catch somebody's eye
Meaning : If someone catches your eye, you find them attractive.

Catch someone out
Meaning : Discover

Catch-as-catch-can
Meaning : This expression means that you try to get something in any way possible

Cause a stir
Meaning : If something causes a stir, it creates an atmosphere of excitement or great interest.

Change horses in midstream
Meaning : Make new plans or choose a new leader in the middle of an important activity

Change of heart
Meaning : If someone has a change of heart, they change their attitude or feelings, especially towards greater friendliness or cooperation.