Browse our list of popular phrases starting with the letter C. These top expressions are so common that learning them would be a great idea. Simply choose an idiom to learn all about it. Want to explore even more? Discover popular phrases in English on our homepage!
Popular Phrases To Learn, Starting With C
Calm Before The Storm
A peaceful period of time that comes before a more difficult period.
Check, Please!
1. A request for a bill. 2. Being in an uncomfortable situation and wanting to leave it.
Clickbait
A clickbait article or thumbnail is one that is sensational, exaggerated, or misleading for the purpose of attracting clicks.
Close But No Cigar
Coming close to a successful outcome only to fall short at the end.
Cold Turkey
Quitting a bad habit suddenly.
Crocodile Tears
To express sorrow in an insincere way.
Cry Over Spilled Milk
This expression means that it is useless to worry about things that have already happened and cannot be changed.
Cry Wolf
Someone who repeatedly makes false claims of danger or a problem, eventually causing others to doubt their warnings.
Cup Of Joe
A ‘cup of joe’ is an American nickname for a cup of coffee.
Curiosity Killed The Cat
Typically said to indicate that any further investigation into a situation may lead to harm.
Cut The Mustard
To cut the mustard is to meet a required standard; to meet expectations.
Cut To The Chase
Getting directly to the point, leaving out all of the unnecessary details.
Note: Did you think our list of popular phrases was over? Not yet! Here are more top phrases and everyday idioms to learn if you’re trying to learn. Each of them have their own unique meanings.
Call It a Day
Ceasing all activity or work for the rest of the day and taking it easy.
Case In Point
Something that well demonstrates the point being made.
Cat Got Your Tongue
Having nothing to say; speechless.
Cat Nap
This common phrase typically refers to a short period of sleep, ranging from 10 to 30 minutes, that is taken during the day.
Catch Red Handed
To be caught in the act of doing something that you are not supposed to be doing.
Similar: Catch in the act
Catch Some Shut-Eye
This phrase means to sleep.
Similar: Catch some z’s, hit the hay
Catch Some Z’s
If someone says they are going to “catch some z’s” it means they are going to bed in order to sleep.
Similar: Catch some shut-eye, hit the hay
Chalk Up
Place blame for what happened on something (e.g., I chalk up the fence falling over to that storm we had yesterday).
Change Of Heart
If you’ve had a “change of heart” about something, your thoughts on it have become different.
Similar: Change your mind
Cherry On Top
A popular phrase that is generally tacked on to the end of a statement to show that they really want the person to do what was asked.
Similar: Pretty please
Chip Off The Old Block
A person who resembles their parents in some way.
Clean Slate
Getting a fresh start, without the problems that came before.
Clean Sweep
If one sports team “clean sweeps” another team, it means they won soundly against them. It can also mean a flawless victory
Clear As Mud
Something that is confusing or difficult to understand.
Similar: It’s all Greek to me
Cold As Ice
Behaving in a way that shows no concern for another person’s feelings; ruthless.
Cold Feet
Nervous or hesitant about doing something.
Cold Shoulder
If someone gives you the “cold shoulder,” they are intentionally ignoring you.
Come Clean
To tell the truth, admitting something.
Similar: Let the cat out of the bag, spill the beans
Compare Apples To Oranges
Comparing two things that are fundamentally different from each other.
Cool As a Cucumber
Remaining calm even in stressful situations.
Similar: Calm cool and collected
Couch Potato
Someone who is lazy and spends a lot of time sitting on a couch watching television, or other seated activities.
Count Me In
After hearing a plan, someone might say “count me in,” which means they support the idea and/or they want to be a part of it.
Similar: I am down, I am game
Cross That Bridge When We Get There
Deal with a problem when or if it arises.
Curve Ball
When something unexpected happens.
Cut Corners
Taking shortcuts or using suboptimal methods in order to save time, effort, or resources.
Cut The Cheese
It means to pass gas; fart.