IDIOMS & SAYINGS
Meanings & Connotations

House and Home Idioms

Get on like a house on fire
Example:
We got on like a house on fire.
Connotation:
We liked each other a lot.

Nothing to write home about
Example:
She is nothing to write home about.
Connotation:
She is not specially good-looking.

Be as safe as houses
Example:
It’s as safe as houses.
Connotation:
It’s very safe.

Bring something home to
somebody
Example:
It really brought home to me.
Connotation:
It made me realise.

Bring the house down
Example:
He brought the house down.
Connotation:
The audience applauded a lot.

Do something in-house
Example:
We did it in-house.
Connotation:
We did it ourselves.

Eat someone out of house
and home
Example:
They ate us out of house and home.
Connotation:
We had no food left.

Put (Get) your own house in
order
Example:
You should get your own house in order
before telling me what to do!
Connotation:
You should solve your own problems
before telling me what to do!

Give house room to
Example:
I wouldn’t give house room to this lamp!
Connotation:
I wouldn’t give space in my house to it!

Be on the house (in
restaurant)
Example:
All the drinks this evening will be on the
house!
Connotation:
All the drinks this evening are free.

A home from home
Example:
The people there were so friendly, so
staying with them was just a home from
home.
Connotation:
You felt very welcome.

Home truth
Example:
He doesn’t like to face up to home
truths but everybody knows he’s a liar.
Connotation:
He prefers not to know what people
think about his behaviour.

Be home and dry
Example:
I’m glad we’ve got that new client. We’re
home and dry now.
Connotation:
I’m glad we’ve got that new client. We are
not expecting any further problems.

Hit (Strike) home
Example:
The teacher’s comment struck home and
the student vowed to work harder.
Connotation:
The teacher’s comment had an effect.