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Idioms about elections and politics in English

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Elections are an integral part of the political life of any state. Recently, the discussion of politics has become a key topic of small talk. You can establish yourself as a good interlocutor on the topic "Elections and Politics in English" with the help of simple idioms and expressions that are used to discuss elections.

Table 1. Election idioms in English

Idiom

Explanation

ONE / TWO ... HORSE RACE
General elections in the UK are generally a two horse race.

ONE ACTOR THEATER

A competition where many winners are not expected

ELECTION FEVER
The media is suffering from election fever, you can't switch the TV on without being bombarded by political pundits.

ELECTION RACE , election hype

Election-related media hype

HOT AIR
Politicians always talk a load of hot air.

EMPTY TALKS , empty promises, from empty to empty

HUNG PARLIAMENT
Everyone is saying there will be a hung parliament this election and the parties will have to make alliances with the smaller parties to form a majority.

HANGED PARLIAMENT , "hanging government"

Situation when none of the parties in the government has a majority

TOE THE PARTY LINE
"He'll have to learn to toe the party line, if he wants to get on."

FOLLOW THE PARTY LINE

BODY POLITIC
"Judge Sydney Harris ordered the crown to return to the Body Politic all material seized during the raid."

POLITICAL STRUCTURE

A POLITICAL FOOTBALL
"Women's health issues are always a political football."

POLITICAL LEAF

A situation in which the government cannot make a unified decision due to the inconsistency of the actions of its members

A POLITICAL HOT POTATO
"The expenses scandal is a political hot potato."

POLITICAL BOMB

Potentially dangerous or sensitive political issue

POLITICAL MACHINERY.
The political machinery has yet to understand the opportunity or threat of the internet and social websites.

POLITICAL MACHINE, political structures

POLITICALLY CORRECT / INCORRECT (PC)
"Bernard Manning was never very PC."

POLITICALLY CORRECT / INCORRECT

PRESS THE FLESH.
"He has to do a lot of flesh pressing in the run up to the elections."

SHAKE HANDS

TO GET ON / OFF YOUR SOAPBOX
"Hyde Park, in London is famous for people who get on their soapbox to discuss issues that concern them."

BE IN YOUR / NOT IN YOUR ELEMENT

Talk a lot on a topic in which someone is competent

THROW IN THE TOWEL.
They knew they were going to lose, so they threw in the towel.

GIVE UP

TO VOTE WITH YOUR FEET.
I told her that if she didn't like the job she could always vote with her feet.

to leave , to retire, to retire