Idioms about mistakes and trouble: meanings and examples
Short answer: Idioms about mistakes and trouble describe blame, getting into trouble and giving up. “Barking up the wrong tree” means blaming or asking the wrong person, “in hot water” means in trouble, and “throw in the towel” means give up.
What do these expressions mean?
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Barking up the wrong tree | To blame or ask the wrong person | If you think I broke it, you are barking up the wrong tree. |
| In hot water | In trouble | He is in hot water for forgetting the meeting. |
| Caught red-handed | Caught while doing something wrong | The cat was caught red-handed with the fish. |
| Add fuel to the fire | To make a bad problem worse | Shouting will only add fuel to the fire. |
| Bite the dust | To fail, lose, or stop working | My old phone finally bit the dust. |
| Throw in the towel | Give up | It was a hard game, but we did not throw in the towel. |
| Get out of hand | To become hard to control | The noise got out of hand, so we turned the music down. |
When do you use these idioms?
- To say that someone is in trouble: “in hot water”, “on thin ice”.
- To say that someone is wrong about who did it: “barking up the wrong tree”.
- To say that something makes a problem worse: “add fuel to the fire”.
- To say that something stopped working or that someone gave up: “bite the dust”, “throw in the towel”.
Common mistakes with these idioms
- “Caught red-handed” means caught while doing something wrong. Use it only about a real wrong action.
- “Bite the dust” means to fail, lose or stop working. It is informal and is often about things, such as a phone.
- “Add fuel to the fire” means to make a bad situation worse, not to help it.
- “Get out of hand” means to become hard to control.
Similar expressions
“Throw in the towel” and “bite the dust” are both about failing, but “throw in the towel” is a choice to give up and “bite the dust” is something that happens.
More idioms
- English idioms: meanings and examples (all groups)
- Idioms about luck, risk and choices: meanings and examples
- Idioms for advice and encouragement: meanings and examples
- Idioms for talking with people: meanings and examples
Questions
What does “barking up the wrong tree” mean?
It means to blame or ask the wrong person, or to follow the wrong idea.
What does “in hot water” mean?
It means in trouble. For example, “He is in hot water for forgetting the meeting.”
What does “add fuel to the fire” mean?
It means to make a bad problem worse.
What does “throw in the towel” mean?
It means to give up.
What does “caught red-handed” mean?
It means caught while doing something wrong.
Part of the English idioms guide in the 💬 Idioms tool.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.