“It” carries a lot of baggage for such a tiny word.
I’ve been collecting some idioms that refer to “it” without specifying what “it” means. Please add any you can think of.
Weather idioms: It’s raining, it’s sunny, it’s foggy, it’s snowing, it’s cloudy, it’s cold, it’s hot, it’s warm, it’s cool, it’s windy, it’s calm, it’s …. sweltering, breezy….
In these, I guess “it” means the sky (with rain, sun, etc.) or the temperature (with cold, hot, etc.)
But these are the fun ones:
To blow it: to fail, to miss an opportunity: I had to pass that test, but I blew it. I failed.
To call it a day: to stop work or fail to achieve a goal: He tried to fix his engine, but he couldn’t figure out the problem and in the end he just called it a day and went out to a movie.
To take it to the bank: To be completely sure of a likely result: She’ll get that job. You can take it to the bank.
Easy does it: A warning to do something slowly and carefully: “Don’t tighten that screw too hard or you’ll strip it. Easy does it!”
To be “full of it”: (“It” here is “shit” or “speaking nonsense”): They say their team is going to win the game, but they’re full of it. It’s a terrible team.
Get it: Understand it: “Do you get what I’m saying?” “Yes, I get it.”
Get over it: stop being emotionally affected by something: I know you’re upset about missing the party, but you’ve got to get over it.
“I’ve had it”: to be exasperated, out of patience: I’ve had it with your car always being in my parking spot!”
To kill it: to do a great performance: She had to give a speech last week and she killed it. She got a standing ovation.
To lose it: to lose control, lose ability to function mentally, or get angry or upset: My dad’s losing it. He can’t remember what he ate for breakfast.
To make it: 1) financially; to be able to pay one’s bills: “Will you make it this month or do you need a loan?” “I’ll make it, thanks.” 2) to achieve a goal: He and his team started to climb Mount Everest a few days ago and we just heard the news: They made it!
To nail it: to get exactly the right result, answer, or to succeed solidly: The comedian mimicked the president and she absolutely nailed it. It was a perfect imitation.
To be out of it: to be not completely conscious or aware, unconscious, drugged, or drunk: I saw my friend at a bar last night and he was so out of it that he didn’t recognize me.
“I’m on it”: to be working on a task with concentration: “Boss, do you need someone to take the packages to the post office? I’m on it!”
To pull it off: to succeed against expectations: “I didn’t think I could make 100 on that test, but I pulled it off.”
“Take it or leave it”: To tell someone that you don’t care whether they accept something or not; you will not negotiate further: “I’ve offered you $3000 for that car. Take it or leave it.”
“Use it or lose it”: This expression says that it you don’t practice a skill, you will lose the ability to do it.
”
Em Turner Chitty 