| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| in the bag |
already won or decided, a sure thing
|
Don't worry. The game is in the bag - we'll win easily.
|
| in the ball park |
close, near the total
|
My offer wasn't even in the ball park. He wanted $500, not $300.
|
| in the black |
showing a profit, in a sound financial position
|
After one year our company was in the black - showing a profit.
|
| in the boonies |
out of town, out in the country
|
Lan lives in the boonies - fifty kilometres from Calgary.
|
| in the buff |
naked, nude
|
At our house, we walk around in the buff. Nude is natural, eh.
|
| in the clink |
in prison, in jail, behind bars
|
If you get drunk you may be thrown in the clink overnight.
|
| in the dark |
unaware, not informed
|
I was in the dark about the trip to Ireland. No one told me.
|
| in the doghouse |
having your friend or spouse angry at you
|
I'm in the doghouse. I forgot her birthday and she's mad at me.
|
| in the drink |
in the sewer, lost
|
If you leave your ring on the sink it will soon be in the drink.
|
| in the drink |
failing, bankrupt, up the creek
|
In the drink - that's where I'd be without you. A total failure.
|