| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| a takeoff on |
similar to, based on the same idea, a send-up
|
The school play was a takeoff on Shakespeare's Hamlet.
|
| a talking to |
a scolding, a personal lecture
|
If he has a poor attitude, Dan will give him a talking to.
|
| a tall one |
a large drink of liquor, a strong drink
|
After he heard the bad news, he poured himself a tall one.
|
| a tempest in a teapot |
a lot of excitement about a small problem
|
The argument was over quickly. It was a tempest in a teapot.
|
| a thorn in my side |
one who thwarts you, one who irritates you, bug
|
He's always been a thorn in my side - always critical of me.
|
| a three-bagger (baseball) |
a hit that allows the batter to run to third base
|
Molitor hit a three-bagger in the sixth game of the World Series.
|
| a three-bagger |
a person who needs three bags over his head because he looks so scary
|
"What did he look like?" "He was at least a three-bagger. He also needed a bath."
|
| a titch |
(See just a titch)
|
|
| a token gesture |
a small sign of thanks or recognition
|
To thank us, they put our names in the paper - a token gesture.
|
| a tongue-lashing |
a scolding, a lecture, a talking to
|
When Sis came home drunk, Dad gave her a tongue-lashing.
|