Idiom

to toy with an idea

Meaning

to consider a possibility

Illustration

I am toying with the idea of running for the president of the astronomy club.

Idiom

to add insult to injury

Meaning

to aggravate a wrong by adding another

Illustration

First she forgot my birthday, then added insult to injury by sending my belated birthday card to the wrong address.

Idiom

with an iron hand

Meaning

with great severity

Illustration

The police put down the uprising with an iron hand.

Idiom

ivory tower

Meaning

a heaven from the harsh reality of life

Illustration

Living in your ivory tower at the headquarters, you do not know the how difficult doing sales is really like.

Idiom

to be ill at ease

Meaning

to feel awkward in the presence of someone

Illustration

Jane feels very ill at ease when she met her ex-husband at the party.