Furniture Idioms

Furniture Idioms

by Enguroo

Hey there, idiom enthusiasts! Welcome back to our blog, where language gets a splash of color and a dash of fun. This time, we’re pulling up a chair* and diving into idioms inspired by furniture—yes, furniture! From chairs to closets, these expressions are anything but boring. Let’s explore them together and give your vocabulary a stylish new twist.

*To pull up a chair is to get comfortable and join the conversation or activity.


We’re just getting started—pull up a chair and join the fun!

Musical Chairs & Skeletons

At our weekly team meeting, it felt like a game of musical chairs (1)—people switching roles, shifting responsibilities, and no one quite sure who was doing what anymore.

Jordan, who’s practically part of the furniture (2) at this company, just watched the chaos unfold with a smirk. He’s been around so long that nothing surprises him anymore.

Then came the big reveal: one department head had a skeleton in the closet (3)—some serious misconduct from a past job that finally surfaced. Naturally, she had to make her bed and lie in it (4). There was no covering it up anymore.

In the middle of all this, Mia came in with a top-shelf (5) presentation—clear, bold, and just what we needed. Her ideas were immediately put on the table (6), and for once, we had a real plan to move forward.

But not everyone played fair. It turned out a supplier had been giving someone kickbacks under the table (7), which explained a few suspicious budget holes.

By Friday, we’d finally put the issue to bed (8), but not before Mia completely turned the tables (9) in her favor—she was offered a promotion on the spot.

No doubt about it, she knows how to bring something to the table (10), even when the rest of us are just trying not to get out of bed on the wrong side (11).

  1. Musical chairs – a situation where people are shuffled around without resolution, often in job roles or responsibilities
  2. Part of the furniture – so familiar in a place that you’re barely noticed anymore
  3. Skeleton in the closet – a hidden and potentially damaging secret
  4. Make your bed and lie in it = You must accept the consequences of your actions.
  5. Top shelf – high quality or premium
  6. On the table – open for discussion or negotiation
  7. Under the table – secretly, often referring to illegal or unethical activity
  8. Put something to bed – finish or settle something (often a task or issue)
  9. Turn the tables – reverse a situation to gain the advantage
  10. Bring something to the table – contribute something useful or valuable
  11. Get out of bed on the wrong side – be in a bad mood for no clear reason
Are you trying not to get out of bed on the wrong side?

The Office Shake-Up

For years, Martin had been as comfortable as an old couch (1) in his position—quiet, predictable, and rarely ruffled. He had a comfortable chair near the window, stuck to his routines, and spent most days behind the desk managing paperwork and drinking coffee like a mild-mannered couch potato (2).

But when the company’s new CEO started rearranging the furniture (3)—figuratively and literally—everything changed. Suddenly, roles were shifting, responsibilities were redefined, and projects that had been on the shelf (4) for years were being dusted off and revived.

Martin, used to observing from afar, suddenly found himself called to the table (5)—not just to watch, but to participate. At first, he tried to play it safe, offering mild suggestions like an armchair expert (6), critiquing ideas he’d never actually attempted himself.

But when his manager resigned unexpectedly, Martin had a choice: either fold up like a lawn chair (7) or step up to the table (8). To everyone’s surprise—including his own—he chose the latter.

He took the chair (9) during the Monday strategy meeting and, by Friday, was officially in the chair (10) as acting team lead. He wasn’t just doing desk duty (11) anymore; he was leading projects, making decisions, and earning a real place at the table (12).

The transition wasn’t seamless—he missed the comfort of his routines and hesitated when asked to shake up old systems—but over time, Martin learned that even a former couch potato could rise, stretch, and make room for a new chapter.

  1. As comfortable as an old couch – familiar, reliable, and easy to be around
  2. Couch potato (in this context) – someone who is passive and unambitious
  3. To rearrange the furniture – to make major changes, often disruptive
  4. On the shelf – not in use, forgotten, or set aside
  5. To call someone to the table – to allow someone to have a seat in decision-making or influence
  6. Armchair expert – someone who gives advice or opinions on something they don’t actually do or have real experience in
  7. To fold up like a lawn chair – to collapse quickly or give up
  8. To step up to the table – to take responsibility or act decisively
  9. To take the chair – to assume a leadership or presiding role
  10. In the chair – being in charge or presiding over something
  11. Desk duty – routine or administrative tasks
  12. A place at the table – the right, power, or opportunity to participate in important discussions or decision-making

Practice

Exercise 1. Click the link here and match the idioms with their meanings.

Exercise 2. Click the link here and choose the right idiom to complete the sentences.

As you’ve probably noticed, many of the furniture idioms we explored today fit seamlessly into professional and workplace conversations. If you enjoyed these, be sure to check out our “Sports Idioms for Work”—they’re full of dynamic expressions to energize your vocabulary.

Thanks for reading, and until next time, happy idiom hunting! 🪑💼

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