OKing Idiom, Proverb

can't see for looking

cannot see because I have been looking too long Will you try to find my glove? I can't see for looking.

caught looking

be looking when you should have been acting I was caught looking when he hit the ball. I just watched it.

looking up

(See things are looking up)

smoking gun

weapon used, evidence, caught red-handed The company told me to dismiss the employee, so I was holding the smoking gun.

things are looking up

we are feeling positive, life is better Now that Vic has a job, things are looking up. We feel positive.

what's cooking

what is happening, what's going down What's cooking with the kids? They're too quiet.

like looking for a needle in a haystack

Idiom(s): like looking for a needle in a haystack

Theme: HOPE - LACKING

engaged in a hopeless search.
• Trying to find a white dog in the snow is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
• I tried to find my lost contact lens on the beach, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

cooking with gas

Idiom(s): cooking with gas

Theme: CORRECTNESS

doing things the right way. (Informal. From an advertising slogan.)
• That's great. Now you're cooking with gas.
• Things are moving along nicely with the project. The entire staff is really cooking with gas.

all joking aside

Idiom(s): (all) joking aside AND (all) kidding aside

Theme: SERIOUSNESS

being serious for a moment; in all seriousness.
• I know I laugh at him but, joking aside, he's a very clever scientist.
• I know I threatened to leave and go round the world, but, joking aside, I need a vacation.

What's cooking?

When you ask what's cooking it means you want to know what's happening.

Things are looking up!|look up|looking up|things

Informal way to say that conditions are improving. Things are looking up at our university as the governor promised a 5% salary raise.

chain-smoking|chain|smoke|smoking

adj. or n. Chain smoking is very dangerous to health.

joking aside|joke|joking|joking apart

v. phr., informal No fooling; without exaggerating: seriously. Joking aside, although the conditions were not very comfortable, we had a wonderful time. Joking apart, there must have been over a hundred people in the room.

what's up|cooking|doing|up|what's cooking|what's d

slang What is happening or planned; what is wrong.

Often used as a greeting. "What's up?" asked Bob as he joined his friends. "Are you going to the movies?" What's cooking? Why is the crowd in the street? What's doing tonight at the club? Hello Bob, what's up?
Compare: WHAT'S WITH.

joking

joking
see all joking aside.

looking

looking
see look to; look up.

More Idioms/Phrases

look through rose-colored glasses look up and down look who's talking looking lookout loom large loop loose loosen lord