List of V Idioms:

This list of V idioms have a main word that begins with the letter "V." Don't worry, I've also covered the other letters of the alphabet: click here to go to the main idioms page. 

Did you remember that an idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the individual words if you looked them up separately in the dictionary? Good! Let's look at the most popular V idioms.

V Idioms

VACUUM

in a vacuum:  not connected to other people or events.  Example:  If you write this report in a vacuum you’re going to have a very limited view of the situation... read more

VAIN

in vain:  without success.  Example:  I rushed to the airport to catch my flight but arrived in vain  as the flight was canceled... read more

VANISH

vanish into thin air:  to completely disappear.  Example:  I turned my back for one moment at the park and in that time my dog had vanished into thin air... read more

VENGEANCE

with a vengeance:  with a lot of energy or force.  Example:  After my wife found out someone stole money from her wallet, she came out of the kitchen with a vengeance to ask who took the money... read more

VERGE

on the verge:  close to doing or experiencing something.  Example:  I was on the verge of accusing my roommate of stealing my money from the jar in the kitchen when I remembered I’d used it to pay the pizza delivery man... read more

VERY

very last:  the final part of something.  Example:  We arrived late but were able to see the very last set of the tennis match... read more

very thing:  the exact thing needed.  Example:  I was skeptical, but the vitamins the nutritionist recommended were the very thing I needed to get well... read more

VICINITY

in the vicinity:  an approximate amount, nearly.  Example:  To purchase the home, you’ll need in the vicinity of $50,000 cash as a down payment...  read more

VICIOUS

vicious circle:  a set of repeating events and factors that negatively affect the next event.  Example:  Extreme dieting always causes a vicious circle  where the dieter initially loses a lot of weight but then gains back more weight than when they first started the diet... read more

VIEW

in view of something:  in consideration of something; related to something.  Example:  In view of my fluency in three languages, I think your offer should be increased to $65,000... read more

on view:  on display where everyone can see something.  Example:  Did you see the art exhibit? There are many famous impressionist paintings on view... read more

bird’s-eye view:  as seen from above; a broad view of a situation.   Example:  I recommend that you go up to the top floor so you can get a bird’s-eye view of the city... read more

take a dim view:  to not approve of something; to see something negatively.  Example:  College admission officers normally take a dim view of students who don’t list many extra-curricular activities on their applications... read more

VIRTUE

by virtue of something:  because of something.  Example:  She got promoted by virtue of her experience, not because of her great looks... read more

VISIT

pay a visit to someone / something (pay someone / something a visit):  to go see someone or something.  Example:  I haven’t heard from my mother in two weeks so I’m going to pay her a visit  and make sure she’s okay... read more

VOICE

a lone voice in the wilderness:  someone who says something that’s not popular; expressing an unpopular opinion.  Example:  At the management meeting, my suggestion to give everyone a small bonus was a lone voice in the wilderness... read more

VOID

fill a (the) void:  to provide or replace something that’s needed.  Example:  She’s been drinking to try to fill the void after her husband left her with two young kids... read more

VOLUMES

speaks volumes:  to express something clearly, to be a clear example of something.  Example:  The dirty looks and silence between them speaks volumes about their relationship... read more

VOUCH

vouch for something:  to support the truth of something.  Example:   Even though you didn’t see her at her desk, I can vouch that she arrived on time yesterday and went straight to the manager's meeting... read more

VOTE

vote something down (vote down something):  to reject something or defeat a vote for something.  Example:  I suggested we hire a new receptionist instead of having an answering service, but management voted the idea down... read more

Have you signed-up for my free newsletter? I include an audio magazine article every month that's choc full of new vocabulary and idioms.

You can also find many idiom definitions using an online learner's dictionary.

Your turn:  Practice these "v" idioms

I actually recommend that my beginner and intermediate students focus on understanding, rather than using, idioms at the beginning. It's really easy to make mistakes with idioms because many are a bit tricky.

Nonetheless, practicing by trying to write your own sentences is going to help you remember them better and this is a safe environment in which to practice. 

So try to use an idiom from the list above in your own sentence.