Idioms/W

You can say an insult or criticism is like water off a duck's back if it doesn't upset you.

An event acts as a wake-up call if it makes people more aware of a danger.

If you're in a war of words with someone, you're having a long argument or dispute with them.

You can say a weight is off your shoulders if you no longer have to worry about something or deal with something difficult.

If you have a whale of a time, you have a great time and really enjoy yourself.

If you tell a white lie, you say something that isn't true in order to be polite or so as not to hurt someone's feelings.

A wolf in sheep's clothing is someone who seems to be a good person but is really a bad person.

If something is the worse for wear, it has been damaged by being used a lot. If a person is the worse for wear, they don't feel well.

If the writing is on the wall, or the handwriting is on the wall, there are signs that a person or organization is in trouble and might soon fail.

If you're waiting in the wings, you're ready to take over a role or a position when you have the chance to do so.

If you show something warts and all, you show it exactly as it is without trying to hide any of its faults or weaknesses.

If you wash your hands of something that you were involved in, you decide to stop being involved in it after losing your interest or belief in it.

You're wasting your breath if you're speaking but what you're saying is being ignored or having no effect.

You can say a problem or an experience is water under the bridge, or water over the dam, if it happened in the past and it no longer affects the present to a degree that is worth worrying about.

If you go weak at the knees, you feel an emotion so strongly that it makes you feel unstable on your feet.

If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you show your emotions openly and you don't try to hide your feelings.

If you weather a storm, you survive a dangerous event or deal with a difficult situation.

If someone is wet behind the ears, they don't have much experience of life.

If you're wheeling and dealing, you're involved in the complex world of making deals and exchanging favours in business or politics, or both.

If something whets your appetite, it makes you want something, or it stimulates your desire for something.

If something is wide of the mark, it isn't true or accurate, or it misses the target.

If you pass a test with flying colours, you pass it easily and get high marks.

If something works like a charm, it works very well.

If you work your socks off, or work your tail off, you work very hard.

If something is worth its weight in gold, it is extremely valuable or extremely useful.

If something is worth your while, the benefits to you of doing it are greater than the value of the time or effort that it requires.