Melding metaphors and meanings, idioms magnify the mosaic of our language, making mundane phrases into memorable morsels of insight and imagery. Meandering to the midpoint of the alphabet, we meet the mighty letter “M”, a mainstay in many an English maxim and mantra.
From “make a mountain out of a molehill” to “miss the boat”, the letter “M” manifests a myriad of idioms, each meticulously molded by cultural memories, moods, and milestones. Meant for mavens of metaphors, masters of language, and those merely mesmerized by the magic of idiomatic expressions, this chapter will mesmerize with its meticulous mapping of “M” idioms. Mount your curiosity and make your way through this masterful mix, as we mine the depths of language, unraveling the mysteries and marvels behind each memorable phrase.
Idioms Beginning With Letter M
Meandering meticulously through the maze of English idioms, we encounter the multifaceted marvels that manifest with the letter ‘M’. A melange of meanings, memories, and mirth, these idioms mirror the myriad moods and motifs of our language. In this magnum opus on ‘M’, let’s mine the most magnificent idioms that mark their genesis in this memorable letter.
- Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill
- Meaning: To exaggerate a minor issue or problem.
- Example: “It’s just a tiny scratch on the car; there’s no need to make a mountain out of a molehill.”
- Miss the Boat
- Meaning: To lose an opportunity or chance.
- Example: “He missed the boat by not investing in the technology sector last year.”
- Mum’s the Word
- Meaning: To keep something a secret; to say nothing.
- Example: “Please keep the party plans a surprise. Remember, mum’s the word!”
- Method to One’s Madness
- Meaning: A purpose or plan behind someone’s seemingly random or crazy behavior.
- Example: “It might seem odd that he’s selling his assets, but there’s a method to his madness.”
- Make Ends Meet
- Meaning: To manage one’s resources so as to live within one’s means.
- Example: “With her new job, she’s finding it easier to make ends meet.”
- Monkey See, Monkey Do
- Meaning: The act of imitating others without thinking or understanding.
- Example: “Young children learn behavior by ‘monkey see, monkey do,’ so it’s important to set a good example.”
- Make a Beeline for
- Meaning: To head straight for something or someone without any delay.
- Example: “Every time he enters the store, he makes a beeline for the electronics section.”
- Music to One’s Ears
- Meaning: Pleasing news or information.
- Example: “Hearing that she had secured the contract was music to her ears.”
- My Hands Are Tied
- Meaning: Unable to act or help due to certain constraints or restrictions.
- Example: “I wish I could grant your request, but my hands are tied due to company policies.”
- Make No Bones About It
- Meaning: To speak plainly and directly.
- Example: “She made no bones about her disappointment with the team’s performance.”
- Muddy the Waters
- Meaning: To complicate a situation or issue.
- Example: “His additional comments only served to muddy the waters during the negotiation.”
- Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees
- Meaning: Money isn’t easily obtained; it’s important to be careful with one’s finances.
- Example: “We can’t buy a new car right now. Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
- Move Heaven and Earth
- Meaning: To do everything in one’s power to achieve a certain goal.
- Example: “She moved heaven and earth to ensure her son got into a good school.”
- Man of Few Words
- Meaning: Someone who speaks very little and is reserved in expression.
- Example: “He’s a man of few words, but when he speaks, everyone listens.”
- Make a Killing
- Meaning: To earn a large profit.
- Example: “She made a killing in the stock market with some astute investments.”
List of idioms Starting with M
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mad As A Box Of Soapy Frogs | Extremely Mentally Unstable, Psychotic, Detached From Reality. |
| Mad As A Hatter | Mentally Ill, Psychotic |
| Main Squeeze | Committed Romantic Partner |
| Make A Break For It | Try To Escape, Run Off |
| Make A Long Story Short | Tell Something Briefly |
| Make A Mountain Out Of A Molehill | Make Something Unimportant Into A Big Deal |
| Make A Silk Purse Out Of A Sow’S Ear | Turn Something Ordinary Or Inferior Into Something Refined And Beautiful |
| Make Ends Meet | Have Enough Money To Cover Basic Expenses |
| Make Hay While The Sun Shines | To Take Advantage Of An Opportunity At The Right Time. |
| Make Love | To Have Sexual Intercourse |
| Make Nice | Act Cordial Despite Conflict |
| Make One’S Mark | Attain Influence Or Recognition |
| Make Someone’S Day | Do Something Pleasing That Puts Someone In A Good Mood |
| Make The Cut | To Be Chosen, Selected Or Included In Something |
| Make Waves | Cause Controversy, Disturb A Calm Group Dynamic |
| Man Cave | A Part Of The House, Often The Basement, That Is Left To The Man Of The Household, Perhaps With A Workshop, A Television For Watching Sports, Etc. |
| March To The Beat Of Your Own Drum | When Someone Does Things The Way They Want To, Without Taking Anybody Else Or Anything Else Into Consideration. |
| Match Made In Heaven | A Relationship In Which The Two People Are Great Together, Because They Complement Each Other So Well |
| May-December | Significantly Different In Age. Said Of Couples Where One Member Is Much Older. The Most Common Usage Is May-December Romance. |
| May-December Marriage | A Marriage Between A Younger And An Older Partner, Typically A Young Woman And An Old Man. |
| Me Time | Activities Undertaken For One’S Own Enjoyment, Free From Responsibilities To Others. |
| Meeting Of The Minds | Strong Instinctive Agreement On Something |
| Mend Fences | Improve Relations After A Dispute |
| Milestones | Important Events In A Person’S Life Or Career |
| Mind One’S P’S And Q’S | Be Attentive To Details, Be On One’S Best Behavior |
| Miss The Boat | It’S Too Late |
| Monday Morning Quarterback | Someone Who Offers Criticisms Or Comments After Already Knowing The Outcome Of Something |
| Monkey Business | Silliness Or Goofing Off, Breaking The Rules |
| Month Of Sundays | A Long Time, Many Months |
| Moral High Ground | The Status Of Being Respected, A Position Of Being ‘More’ Moral Than Others |
| More Fun Than A Barrel Of Monkeys | A Very Good Time, A Pleasant Occasion |
| Most People Were Quite Warm About The Idea | People Have A Positive Reaction To The Idea |
| Mother Nature | The Natural World |
| Move Heaven And Earth | Take All Possible Steps In Trying To Accomplish Something |
| Move The Goalposts | To Set Your Sights Or Standards Even Higher, To Make Something More Challenging |
| Move The Needle | Have A Measurable Effect On Something |
| Move Up In The World | Become More Successful |
| Movers And Shakers | Influential People, Especially In A Particular Field |
| Much Of A Muchness | Essentially Equal, Not Significantly Different Said Of A Choice |
| Mum’S The Word | This Is Secret, Don’T Talk About This. Often Used As An Answer To A Request Not To Talk About Something. |
| Mumbo Jumbo | To Call Something Total Nonsense |
| Music To My Ears | Good To Hear, Welcome News |
| Mutton Dressed Up As Lamb | A Woman Who Dresses In A Style Appropriate To Someone Of A Younger Age |
| My Dogs Are Barking | My Feet Hurt. |
| My Old Man, My Old Lady | My Spouse |
| My Way Or The Highway | If You Do Not Do Things The Way I Want Or Require, Then You Can Just Leave Or Not Participate. |
In Retrospection
Musing over ‘M’ idioms, we’re met with a mosaic of metaphorical masterpieces that magnify the might of the English language. These idiomatic mementos, rich with metaphor and mystique, meld seamlessly into our daily musings, magnifying the message manifold. For mavericks and maestros of language, mastering ‘M’ idioms can be both motivating and mesmerizing. So, muster your enthusiasm, meld these idioms into your lexicon, and marvel at the magic they manifest in mundane moments! Cheers to the mesmerizing ‘M’!
Idioms That Start With
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