Sometimes in life, we get a chance to do something new or helpful. These chances are called opportunities. People often use special phrases called idioms to talk about them. Idioms don’t always mean exactly what the words say, but they help us understand ideas in fun and interesting ways.
This article will show you idioms that people use to talk about opportunities. You will learn what each one means and see how to use them in a sentence. These phrases can help you explain chances in school, sports, or everyday life. Let’s take a look at some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Opportunity
1. Strike while the iron is hot
Meaning: Take action when the time is right.
Sample Sentences: When the store had a sale, I struck while the iron was hot and bought my shoes. / You should strike while the iron is hot if you want to join the team.
Other Way to Say: Act quickly / Take the chance
2. Make hay while the sun shines
Meaning: Use a good chance before it ends.
Sample Sentences: We made hay while the sun shines by practicing every day before the game. / If you want to finish early, make hay while the sun shines.
Other Way to Say: Use the moment / Take advantage now
3. When opportunity knocks
Meaning: When a good chance comes up.
Sample Sentences: When opportunity knocks, you should open the door. / She took the job because opportunity knocked at the right time.
Other Way to Say: When a chance comes / When a good time comes
4. Grab the bull by the horns
Meaning: Face a problem or chance directly and bravely.
Sample Sentences: He grabbed the bull by the horns and asked for help. / If you want to succeed, grab the bull by the horns.
Other Way to Say: Take control / Be brave
5. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: Join others in doing something popular or successful.
Sample Sentences: Many kids jumped on the bandwagon and started playing soccer. / I jumped on the bandwagon when everyone liked the new game.
Other Way to Say: Join in / Follow the crowd
6. Seize the day
Meaning: Make the most of the present moment.
Sample Sentences: She decided to seize the day and try out for the play. / You should seize the day and finish your homework now.
Other Way to Say: Take the chance / Make today count
7. Make the most of it
Meaning: Use an opportunity fully.
Sample Sentences: Even though it rained, we made the most of it by playing inside. / You should make the most of your free time.
Other Way to Say: Use fully / Take full advantage
8. Take a chance
Meaning: Try something even if it might fail.
Sample Sentences: I took a chance and asked her to the dance. / Sometimes you have to take a chance to win.
Other Way to Say: Try it / Be brave
9. Don’t let the grass grow under your feet
Meaning: Don’t waste time; act quickly.
Sample Sentences: After school, don’t let the grass grow under your feet, start your project! / He didn’t let the grass grow under his feet and signed up for the contest.
Other Way to Say: Act fast / Don’t wait
10. Take it on the chin
Meaning: Accept a challenge or chance even if it’s hard.
Sample Sentences: He took it on the chin and kept practicing for the race. / Sometimes, you have to take it on the chin to get better.
Other Way to Say: Face it bravely / Accept the challenge
11. Play your cards right
Meaning: Use your chances wisely.
Sample Sentences: If you play your cards right, you can get a good grade. / She played her cards right and won the prize.
Other Way to Say: Use your chances / Be smart
12. Open doors
Meaning: Create new chances or possibilities.
Sample Sentences: Learning to read well opens doors to many adventures. / Good grades can open doors to special programs.
Other Way to Say: Create chances / Find new opportunities
13. A foot in the door
Meaning: Getting a small chance that could lead to more.
Sample Sentences: He got a foot in the door by helping with the school play. / Volunteering gave her a foot in the door at the art museum.
Other Way to Say: First step / Starting chance
14. Blow your chance
Meaning: Miss or waste an opportunity.
Sample Sentences: He blew his chance by being late for the tryouts. / Don’t blow your chance to speak up in class.
Other Way to Say: Miss the opportunity / Waste the chance
15. A window of opportunity
Meaning: A short time when a chance is possible.
Sample Sentences: There was a small window of opportunity to sign up for the club. / You have a window of opportunity to answer the question.
Other Way to Say: Short chance / Limited time
16. Take advantage of
Meaning: Use a chance for benefit.
Sample Sentences: She took advantage of the extra tutoring to improve her grades. / We took advantage of the sunny day to go to the park.
Other Way to Say: Use fully / Make use of
17. Make a break for it
Meaning: Try quickly to get a chance or escape.
Sample Sentences: When the bell rang, the kids made a break for it to get outside. / He made a break for it to join the basketball team.
Other Way to Say: Rush for it / Try fast
18. The sky’s the limit
Meaning: There is no limit to what you can achieve.
Sample Sentences: With practice, the sky’s the limit for you in soccer. / Dream big; the sky’s the limit!
Other Way to Say: Anything is possible / No limits
19. Take the plunge
Meaning: Decide to do something difficult or new.
Sample Sentences: She took the plunge and tried out for the school play. / It was scary, but he took the plunge and spoke in front of the class.
Other Way to Say: Go for it / Try it
20. On the right track
Meaning: Doing the right thing to reach a goal.
Sample Sentences: You are on the right track with your science project. / She studied hard and was on the right track for the test.
Other Way to Say: Doing well / Moving forward
21. Catch lightning in a bottle
Meaning: To succeed in doing something very hard or rare.
Sample Sentences: Winning the race was like catching lightning in a bottle. / He caught lightning in a bottle by scoring the winning goal.
Other Way to Say: Achieve the impossible / Have great luck
22. Make a move
Meaning: Take action to get something or improve.
Sample Sentences: She made a move and asked the teacher for extra help. / It’s time to make a move and join the soccer team.
Other Way to Say: Take action / Start something
23. Get a leg up
Meaning: To get an advantage or help to do better.
Sample Sentences: Doing extra practice gave her a leg up in the spelling bee. / He got a leg up by studying every day.
Other Way to Say: Gain advantage / Get ahead
24. Jump at the chance
Meaning: Quickly accept a good opportunity.
Sample Sentences: I jumped at the chance to join the art club. / She jumped at the chance when offered a lead role in the play.
Other Way to Say: Grab the chance / Say yes fast
25. Play it by ear
Meaning: Decide what to do as you go along.
Sample Sentences: We don’t have a plan yet; we’ll play it by ear. / Let’s play it by ear and see what happens at the game.
Other Way to Say: Decide later / Take it step by step
26. Take the first step
Meaning: Start something new.
Sample Sentences: Applying for the club was the first step toward making friends. / He took the first step by signing up for the contest.
Other Way to Say: Begin / Start
27. Keep your eyes open
Meaning: Watch carefully for chances.
Sample Sentences: Keep your eyes open for the best time to answer. / She kept her eyes open for any help during the project.
Other Way to Say: Stay alert / Be watchful
28. Opportunity only knocks once
Meaning: You should take a chance because it may not come again.
Sample Sentences: I joined the trip because opportunity only knocks once. / Don’t miss the chance to learn , opportunity only knocks once.
Other Way to Say: Take your chance / Don’t wait too long
29. Off to a flying start
Meaning: Begin something very well.
Sample Sentences: The team was off to a flying start in the tournament. / She was off to a flying start on her new homework.
Other Way to Say: Great beginning / Strong start
30. The chance of a lifetime
Meaning: A very rare and important opportunity.
Sample Sentences: Going to the concert was the chance of a lifetime. / He had the chance of a lifetime to meet his favorite player.
Other Way to Say: Once-in-a-lifetime chance / Rare opportunity
31. Take it in stride
Meaning: Handle a challenge calmly and well.
Sample Sentences: She took the difficult test in stride and did her best. / Don’t worry, take it in stride and try again.
Other Way to Say: Stay calm / Handle well
32. Make a splash
Meaning: Do something that gets a lot of attention.
Sample Sentences: He made a splash by scoring the first goal. / The new idea made a splash in the class.
Other Way to Say: Get noticed / Stand out
33. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: Get a great success or reward.
Sample Sentences: She hit the jackpot by winning the drawing. / We hit the jackpot when the team picked me first.
Other Way to Say: Win big / Get lucky
34. Run with it
Meaning: Take an idea or chance and use it fully.
Sample Sentences: The teacher gave us a topic, and we ran with it for the project. / When he suggested the plan, we ran with it.
Other Way to Say: Go for it / Use it
35. On the ball
Meaning: Ready and quick to take chances.
Sample Sentences: She is really on the ball with her homework. / You have to be on the ball to join the team.
Other Way to Say: Alert / Ready
36. Step up to the plate
Meaning: Take responsibility or a chance when needed.
Sample Sentences: It was her turn to step up to the plate and help the group. / When the teacher asked, he stepped up to the plate and answered.
Other Way to Say: Take charge / Do your part
37. Throw your hat in the ring
Meaning: Show you want to join or try something.
Sample Sentences: I threw my hat in the ring for the class president. / When the coach asked, she threw her hat in the ring.
Other Way to Say: Join in / Sign up
38. Get your foot in the door
Meaning: Start something that leads to more chances.
Sample Sentences: Volunteering helped me get my foot in the door for the summer job. / He got his foot in the door by helping with the school play.
Other Way to Say: Start / Begin
39. Go for broke
Meaning: Try as hard as you can, even if it’s risky.
Sample Sentences: She went for broke in the spelling bee and won. / Sometimes you have to go for broke to succeed.
Other Way to Say: Try your best / Take a big risk
40. Put your best foot forward
Meaning: Show your best effort to get a chance.
Sample Sentences: He put his best foot forward during the interview. / Always put your best foot forward in sports.
Other Way to Say: Do your best / Try hard
41. Make waves
Meaning: Cause a noticeable change or effect.
Sample Sentences: The new student made waves with his great ideas. / She made waves by organizing the event.
Other Way to Say: Cause change / Get attention
42. Make your mark
Meaning: Do something to be remembered or noticed.
Sample Sentences: He made his mark by winning the race. / She made her mark in the art contest.
Other Way to Say: Stand out / Be remembered
43. Take the cake
Meaning: Be the best or most successful.
Sample Sentences: Her drawing took the cake at the art show. / That goal took the cake in the game.
Other Way to Say: Win the prize / Be the best
44. Break new ground
Meaning: Do something no one has done before.
Sample Sentences: The team broke new ground with their robot design. / She broke new ground by writing a story about space.
Other Way to Say: Try something new / Do something different
45. Get ahead of the game
Meaning: Do better or earlier than others.
Sample Sentences: She got ahead of the game by starting her homework early. / To get ahead of the game, practice every day.
Other Way to Say: Be early / Get ahead
46. Jump through hoops
Meaning: Do many things to get a chance or goal.
Sample Sentences: He jumped through hoops to join the team. / We had to jump through hoops to finish the project.
Other Way to Say: Work hard / Overcome challenges
47. Come up roses
Meaning: Turn out very well.
Sample Sentences: After trying hard, everything came up roses. / The plan came up roses, and we won the prize.
Other Way to Say: Go well / Be successful
48. Take it to the next level
Meaning: Improve or make something better.
Sample Sentences: She took her singing to the next level with lessons. / The team took their game to the next level.
Other Way to Say: Improve / Advance
49. Get the ball rolling
Meaning: Start something happening.
Sample Sentences: Let’s get the ball rolling on our group project. / He got the ball rolling by inviting everyone.
Other Way to Say: Begin / Start
50. Make a run for it
Meaning: Try quickly to reach a goal or chance.
Sample Sentences: When the bell rang, the kids made a run for it. / She made a run for it to catch the bus.
Other Way to Say: Hurry / Rush
51. Get your act together
Meaning: Get organized to do well.
Sample Sentences: You need to get your act together before the test. / He got his act together and finished his project.
Other Way to Say: Get ready / Organize yourself
52. Take a shot
Meaning: Try something even if it might fail.
Sample Sentences: I took a shot at the basketball hoop and scored. / She took a shot at singing in the talent show.
Other Way to Say: Try / Give it a go
53. Move the goalposts
Meaning: Change the rules or chances unfairly.
Sample Sentences: They moved the goalposts by adding extra questions. / It’s not fair to move the goalposts after the game.
Other Way to Say: Change the rules / Make it harder
54. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Do more than what is needed to get a chance.
Sample Sentences: She went the extra mile to finish her homework. / To win, you have to go the extra mile in practice.
Other Way to Say: Try harder / Do more
55. Get the green light
Meaning: Get permission to start or continue.
Sample Sentences: We got the green light to start the science experiment. / The coach gave the green light for the game.
Other Way to Say: Get permission / Start now
Multiple Choice Question: Idioms for Opportunity
1. What does “the ball is in your court” mean?
A. You lost your chance
B. It’s your turn to decide or do something
C. You’re playing a sport
2. What does it mean to “jump at the chance”?
A. Ignore the chance
B. Take the chance quickly and happily
C. Think about it for a long time
3. If someone says “strike while the iron is hot,” what are they telling you to do?
A. Wait until tomorrow
B. Act quickly while you have the chance
C. Iron your clothes
4. “Get a foot in the door” means:
A. Kick something open
B. Close a door behind you
C. Get a small chance to start something
5. What does “leave the door open” mean?
A. Keep a chance available
B. Forget to shut the door
C. Let cold air in
6. “Miss the boat” means:
A. Fall in the water
B. Miss your chance
C. Go on a cruise
7. If someone says “go for it,” what are they encouraging you to do?
A. Give it a try
B. Stay home
C. Ask for help
8. What does “golden opportunity” mean?
A. A chance that is very good
B. Something made of gold
C. A time to clean
9. “Take the plunge” means:
A. Jump into a swimming pool
B. Do something brave or new
C. Drink something fast
10. If your teacher says “make the most of it,” what does she mean?
A. Use the chance wisely
B. Save it for later
C. Give it away
11. What does it mean when someone says “catch a break”?
A. Rest for a while
B. Do something on accident
C. Get lucky or have something good happen
12. “Light at the end of the tunnel” means:
A. You’re in a cave
B. Things are starting to get better
C. You forgot your flashlight
Answer Key
- B. It’s your turn to decide or do something
- B. Take the chance quickly and happily
- B. Act quickly while you have the chance
- C. Get a small chance to start something
- A. Keep a chance available
- B. Miss your chance
- A. Give it a try
- A. A chance that is very good
- B. Do something brave or new
- A. Use the chance wisely
- C. Get lucky or have something good happen
- B. Things are starting to get better
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master!
You really understand these idioms and how to use them. - 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms.
Great job! A little more practice and you’ll be a pro. - 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
Keep learning and reviewing the idioms. - 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together.
That’s okay, everyone starts somewhere. Try going over the examples again.
Conclusion
Opportunities can come at any time. Using idioms helps us talk about them in fun and simple ways. These phrases make it easier to explain chances we get in school, with friends, or in everyday life.
Now that you’ve learned these idioms, try using them in your writing and speaking. It’s a good way to show you understand more than just the basic meaning of words. Keep practicing, and you’ll get better over time.
