look over one's shoulder
To check obsessively out of excessive caution or fear of a perceived danger.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He always looks over his shoulder when walking home at night.”
“After the scandal broke, the manager felt like he had to look over his shoulder every time he entered the office.”
“Living in a city where the law was constantly changing, the shopkeeper could never relax and spent his days looking over his shoulder for the authorities.”
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abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
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ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
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air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
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air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026