Discipline is a vital trait that helps in achieving goals and maintaining order in life. Understanding idioms related to discipline can enrich your vocabulary and convey concepts more effectively. Here are 20 idioms that describe discipline, each with a short meaning and example sentence.
Idioms That Describe Discipline
1. Keep Your Nose to the Grindstone
Meaning: Work hard and continuously.
Example: She kept her nose to the grindstone all year.
2. Toe the Line
Meaning: Follow rules or standards.
Example: Employees must toe the line to succeed here.
3. Crack the Whip
Meaning: Enforce strict discipline.
Example: The manager decided to crack the whip after delays.
4. Stick to Your Guns
Meaning: Maintain your position or stance.
Example: He stuck to his guns despite criticism.
5. Mind Your P’s and Q’s
Meaning: Be careful about your behavior and manners.
Example: At the meeting, remember to mind your P’s and Q’s.
6. March to the Beat of Your Own Drum
Meaning: Follow your own methods or ideas.
Example: She marches to the beat of her own drum at work.
7. Rule with an Iron Fist
Meaning: Govern or control with strictness.
Example: The principal ruled with an iron fist.
8. Walk the Line
Meaning: Maintain a delicate balance.
Example: He must walk the line between work and family.
9. Button Up
Meaning: Behave properly and follow rules.
Example: You need to button up and follow the dress code.
10. Keep a Tight Rein
Meaning: Maintain strict control.
Example: The teacher keeps a tight rein on the students.
11. Buckle Down
Meaning: Apply oneself seriously to a task.
Example: It’s time to buckle down and study for exams.
12. On the Straight and Narrow
Meaning: Behaving in a morally upright way.
Example: He stayed on the straight and narrow after prison.
13. Nip It in the Bud
Meaning: Stop a problem early.
Example: You should nip bad habits in the bud.
14. Shape Up or Ship Out
Meaning: Improve performance or leave.
Example: Employees were told to shape up or ship out.
15. Bring to Heel
Meaning: Bring under control.
Example: The new manager quickly brought the team to heel.
16. Rein In
Meaning: Control or limit.
Example: She needs to rein in her spending habits.
17. Set Your House in Order
Meaning: Organize your affairs.
Example: Before you lecture others, set your house in order.
18. Lay Down the Law
Meaning: Issue authoritative commands.
Example: The coach laid down the law about attendance.
19. Keep in Line
Meaning: Ensure compliance or discipline.
Example: The supervisor kept everyone in line efficiently.
20. Tighten the Screws
Meaning: Increase pressure or strictness.
Example: Management decided to tighten the screws on deadlines.
