0201-0400 Flashcards
out of sync
If two movements or actions areout of sync, they are not coordinated and are not taking place at the same time or at the same speed. The traffic lights are out of sync and causing a lot of confusion.
back to square one
To say that someone isback to square onemeans that they have not succeeded in what they were trying to do, so they have to start again. When the plans were refused, it was ‘back to square one’ for the architect.
on the tip oftongue
To say that a word or answer ison the tip of your tongue,means that you’re sure you know it but have difficulty finding it. What’s that actor’s name? I know it … it’s on the tip of my tongue!
grass roots
The termgrass rootsrefers to the ordinary people who form the main body of an organisation.
jump for joy
When peoplejump for joy, they express their happiness through excited movements and gestures. The player jumped for joy when he scored the winning goal.
worth one’s salt
Someone who deserves respect because they do their job well is a person who isworth their salt. Any inspector worth their salt would have checked the papers carefully.
might is right
This saying expresses the belief that being the most powerful person or country gives you the right to do whatever you want. There are many leaders today who believe that might is right.
like twopeasin a pod
To say that two people are liketwo peas in a podmeans that they are very similar in appearance. It wasn’t difficult to identify the brothers - they were like two peas in a pod.
middle of the road (MOR)
This term refers to anything moderate, unadventurous or inoffensive that avoids extremes and appeals to the majority of people. He’s a successful middle-of-the-road entertainer. My mother wouldn’t miss a show!
big picture
If you talk about thebig picture, you refer to the overall situation, or the project as a whole rather than the details. While each aspect is important, try not to forget the big picture.
money laundering
When peoplelaunder money,they manage to conceal the source of illegally-obtained money so that it is believed to be legitimate. Certain countries have been accused of facilitating money laundering.
no picnic
A situation or activity that isno picnicis difficult or problematic. Raising teenagers nowadays is no picnic believe me!
up to thehilt
When someone does something(up) to the hilt,they do it completely, fully or to the maximum degree. He was involved in the conspiracy to the hilt.
give or take (quantity)
This term is used when expressing an amount or estimate that is not exactly right. It means ‘plus or minus’, ‘more or less’, or ‘approximately’. The nearest town is about 100 miles away, give or take a few miles.
keep posted
If someone asks you tokeep them posted,they want you to keep them informed about a situation. Our agent promised to keep us posted on developments in the negotiations.
crying shame
If something is acrying shame, it is very sad or unfortunate. It’s a crying shame that some families cannot afford lunch for their children.
hot off the press
If a news article, for example, ishot off the press, it has just been published and contains the most recent information on the subject. I just got it hot off the press; another bank has gone bankrupt.
knock down with afeather
To say ‘you could have knocked me down with a feather’emphasizes the fact that you were extremely surprised. When I heard the name of the winner, you could have knocked me down with a feather!
burn themidnightoil
A person whoburns the midnight oilstays up very late at night in order to finish a piece of work. Tony is working hard for his exams. He’s been burning the midnight oil all week.
in mint condition
Something that isin mint conditionis in such perfect condition that it looks new or as good as new. The car is 10 years old but according to Tom it’s in mint condition.
off colour
If you areoff colour, you look or feel ill. What’s the matter with Tom? He looks a bit off colour today.
one horse town
A place referred to as aone horse townis a small, boring town where nothing much ever happens. I wish my grandparents didn’t live in that one-horse town. It’s such a boring place!
under your ownsteam
If you go somewhereunder your own steam,you do so without any help from others. No need to pick us up. We’ll get there under our own steam.
stir up a hornet’s nest
If youstir up a hornet’s nest,you do something which causes a commotion and provokes criticism and anger. His letter to the Board stirred up a real hornet’s nest.
a rip-off
To say that something isa rip-offmeans that it costs much more than it should. $10 for an orange juice? That’s a rip-off!
chip on your shoulder
If someone has achip on their shoulder, the feel resentful because they feel they are being treated unfairly, especially because of their background, their sex or their colour. He’s got a chip on his shoulder because he’s from a working-class family.
a picture is worth a thousand words
This expression means that a picture can give just as much information as a large amount of descriptive text. Look at the picture of the crash! A picture is worth a thousand words isn’t it?
whistle in the dark
If youwhistle in the dark,you try to hide your fear and pretend to be brave in a scary or dangerous situation. Bob looks confident but he’s just whistling in the dark; he knows he’s going to lose his job.
whitelie
If youtell a white lie,you say something which is not true in order to protect someone or to avoid hurting their feelings. Some parents prefer to tell their children a white lie rather than announce bad news.
stubborn as a mule
If someone isas stubborn as a mule,they are very obstinate and unwilling to listen to reason or change their mind. His friends advised him to accept the offer, but you know Larry - he’s as stubborn as a mule!
beat around the bush
This expression is used to tell someone to say what they have to say, clearly and directly, even if it is unpleasant. Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me what has been decided!
bring nothing to the table
If you participate in negotiations andbring nothing to the table, you have nothing of interest to offer the other side. We’ll never reach an agreement if we don’t all bring something to the table.
the bubble has burst
To say thatthe bubble has burstmeans that the success of an idea, a product or a situation has suddenly stopped. The video game was a phenomenal success but the bubble has burst.
on the level
If you say that someone ison the level,you are referring to an honest and truthful person. Tell me straight - is he on the level or not?
give awideberth
If you give someone or somethinga wide berth,you stay at a prudent distance from them in order to avoid unwanted consequences. The only way to avoid traffic jams is to give the town centre a wide berth.
more byaccidentthan by design
Something that happensmore by accident than (by) designis done without deliberate intention. I became an interpreter more by accident than design; nobody else could speak the language of the refugees.
(in) dire straits
If a person or organisation isin dire straits, they are in a very difficult situation. The loss of major contracts has put the company in dire straits.
just desserts
When someonegets their just desserts, they are rewarded or punished according to what they deserve. Liz got her just desserts when she was excluded from the committee. She is totally unreliable.
xerox subsidy
This term refers to the habit of using the photocopier at work for personal use. A certain percentage of photocopies are in fact xerox subsidies.
(same) oldstory
A common occurrence, or something that happens regularly or always in the same way, is called anold storyor thesame old story. It’s always the same old story: we do all the work and the boss takes all the credit!
water under the bridge
If something difficult or unpleasant took place in the past but is no longer important, it is referred to aswater under the bridge. They had a serious disagreement in the past, but that’s water under the bridge today.
gather dust
An idea, plan or project whichis gathering dustis in fact stagnating or has not attracted attention for some time. Just before the elections, the outgoing mayor produced plans for a new bridge which had been gathering dust for several years.
blue in the face
If you do something until you areblue in the face, you try unsuccessfully to do something for a very long time. I explained the situation until I was blue in the face but she wouldn’t change her mind.
goose pimples
If you havegoose pimples, you are cold or so afraid that your skin is temporarily raised into little lumps. I was so scared that I had goose pimples all through the film!
once in a blue moon
If something occursonce in a blue moon, it happens very rarely. Bill has very little contact with his brother. They see each other once in a blue moon.
play your cards right
If youplay your cards right,you do all that is necessary to succeed or to obtain what you want. If we play our cards right, we’ll get the contract.
sink one’s differences
If people or organisationssink their differences,they decide to forget their disagreements. We must sink our differences and build a peaceful community.
at this stage of the game
This expression refers to the current point reached in a process, activity or developing situation. At this stage of the game I think any further intervention would be unwise. Let’s wait and see how things develop.
partner in crime
A person who helps you to plan something dishonest or unlawful is called yourpartner in crime. (This expression can be used jokingly as in the example below.) Sam was my partner in crime. He hid my son’s bicycle until his birthday.
devil take the hindmost
This expression means that you should think of yourself and not worry about other people. When the boat capsized it was a case of ‘the devil take the hindmost’, but luckily they all survived.
stretch the truth
When youstretch the truth,you exaggerate the facts or say things that are not exactly true. Some candidates are tempted to stretch the truth about their skills or work experience.
that figures!
This expression is used to say that something seems logical or is as expected. “We’ll have to get a bigger car when the baby arrives.” “That figures!”
out of earshot
When someone isout of earshot, they are too far away to hear or to be heard. They waited until Tess was out of earshot before discussing her surprise birthday party.
lost ball in high weeds
Someone who is totally confused, and doesn’t know what they are doing or how to do it, isa lost ball in high weeds. The new intern in a lost ball in high weeds - he has no idea now to begin the task he’s been given.
step on the gas
If someone tells you tostep on the gas,they are encouraging you to accelerate or hurry up in order to get something done quickly. We’d better step on the gas and get these figures printed. The meeting starts in half an hour.
crest of a wave
If you areon the crest of a wave, you are very successful in what you are doing. Our company is going from success to success. We’re on the crest of a wave right now.
turn a deaf ear
If youturn a deaf earto something, you refuse to listen. Sam turned a deaf ear to his wife’s advice and went off in the rain without an umbrella.
speak of the devil!
This is said to refer to a person who appears just when his/her name is mentioned. Speak of the devil! We were just talking about your invitation.
knock your socks off
If something amazes you, or impresses you greatly, itknocks your socks off. The magnitude of the project will knock the socks off everyone in the office.
nine times out of ten
When something happensnine times out of ten,it is what usually happens. The public transport system is very bad. Trains arrive late nine times out of ten.
take a nosedive
If somethingtakes a nosedive,it drops or decreases in value very rapidly. The stock market took a nosedive when the property market began to weaken.
in arut
If you arein a rut,you have a monotonous and boring way of life. If you feel you’re in a rut, why don’t you look for a new job?
(get) comeuppance
When someonegets their comeuppance, they receive the treatment they deserve (usually punishment or retribution) for their behaviour or actions. Any pupils found bullying the newcomers will soon get their comeuppance.
wear the trousers
The partner in a couple whowears the trousers is the one who makes all the important decisions. The salesman hesitated before the couple. It was difficult to see who wore the trousers.
jump in the deep end
When youjump in (or arethrown in) at the deep end,you do something without any help or preparation, in an area where you have little or no experience. He got a job as a salesman, for which he had no training, so he just had to jump in at the deep end.
one’s number is up
To say thatone’s number is upmeans that either a person is in serious difficulty and something bad is going to happen, or the time has come when they will die. The police have located the escaped prisoner so it looks as if his number is up!
take the rap
If youtake the rap,you accept blame or punishment for something, even if you are not responsible. The whole class had to the take the rap for the disorder.
leave the door open
If youleave the door open, you behave in such a way as to allow the possibility of further action. Both parties left the door open for further negotiations.
fine-tooth comb
To go over something with afine-tooth combmeans to examine it closely and thoroughly so as not to miss any details. The police are examining the scene of the crime with a fine-tooth comb.
strike the right note
If youstrikeorhit the right note,you say or do something suitable or appropriate. He struck the right note with his future mother-in-law when he gave her a book on gardening - her favourite hobby!
grin from ear to ear
If somebodygrins from ear to ear, they look vey satisfied and happy. When we saw Paul grinning from ear to ear, we knew he had passed the exam.
corridors of power
This term refers to the higher levels of government or administration where important decisions are made. The matter is the subject of much discussion in the corridors of power at the present time.
much ado about nothing
If people makemuch ado about nothing, they make a lot of fuss about something which is not important. A discussion took place about the colour of the receptionist’s shoes - much ado about nothing!
fingeron the pulse
If youkeep your finger on the pulse, you are constantly aware of the most recent events or developments. A successful investor keeps his finger on the pulse of international business.
not cut out for something
If you arenot cut out for something, you are not the sort of person to succeed or be happy in a particular activity. I started studying medicine but I quickly realized I wasn’t cut out for it.
different kettle of fish
To describe a person, thing or situation as adifferent kettle of fishmeans that it is completely different from what was previously mentioned. You may have good business relations, but living in that country is a different kettle of fish.
why buy a cow when you can get milk for free
This refers to not paying for something that you can obtain for free. (Sometimes refers to a decision not to marry when you can have the benefits of marriage without any commitment.) Rent is high so Bobby is still living with his parents. He says : why buy a cow when you can get milk for free?
once in a bluemoon
Something that happensonce in a blue moonhappens rarely or hardly ever. She doesn’t contact us very often. We hear from her once in a blue moon!
in stitches
When people arein stitches,they are laughing a lot. The story was so funny, everyone was in stitches.
easy aspie
If something iseasy as pie, it is very easy to do. “How did the English test go?” “No problem - it was easy as pie.”
handle with kid gloves
If youhandle someone with kid gloves, you treat them very carefully or tactfully, either because they are very important or because they are easily upset. He is so determined to obtain her agreement that he is handling her with kid gloves.
get a move on
If someone tells you toget a move on,they are asking you to hurry up. You’d better get a move on or you’ll miss the bus!
neitherfishnor fowl
This expression is used to describe people or things that are difficult to classify, that are neither one thing nor another. Medical interns are neither fish nor fowl. They are neither students nor fully qualified practitioners.
make ends meet
If you find it difficult to pay for your everyday needs because you have very little money, it is hard for you tomake ends meet. Anne’s salary is so low that she finds hard to make ends meet.
dab hand at something
If you’re adab hand at something, you’re very good at doing it. Why don’t you call Suzy? She’s a dab hand at organizing barbecues.
swallow one’s pride
If youswallow your pride,you accept something humiliating or embarrassing, for example having to admit thatyou are wrong, or that you have less knowledge that you thought. When Jill failed the exam, she had to swallow her pride and repeat the course.
high and mighty
Someone who ishigh and mightybehaves in a haughty manner as though they were superior to others. “Don’t get all high and mighty!” said my grandmother to my cousin. “Everyone helps with the housework in this house.”
makes your blood boil
If somethingmakes your blood boil, it makes you really angry. His condescending attitude made my blood boil!
too big for one’sboots
A person who is gettingtoo big for their boots isbehaving as if they were more important than they really are. Tom’s really getting too big for his boots since he got a promotion - he hardly says hello any more!
stay onejumpahead
If youstay one jump ahead, you keep an advantage over others by making sure you are better informed, or taking action before they do. He is a successful journalist because he always stays one jump ahead of the others.
field day
Afield dayrefers to a day or period of great excitement and activity. Journalists will have a field day with the latest political scandal.
dig in one’s heels
If youdig inyour heels,you refuse to do something, especially if someone is trying to convince you to do so. My grandfather dug in his heels and refused to move to an apartment.
worm one’s way out of
If a personworms their way out of something,they use artful or devious means in order to avoid participating in it. You’re not going to worm your way out of this. You must do your share!
fall over backwards
If youfall over backwardsto accomplish something, you do everything you possibly can to please and impress. Sally’s mother fell over backwards to make her wedding reception a memorable event.
get yourtongueround
If you are able to pronounce a difficult word or phrase, you canget your tongue round it. She’s from the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. Try getting your tongue round that!
when the rubber hits the road
The moment when you put a theory into practice, or actually apply what you have learned, iswhen the rubber hits the road. The plan sounds good. I’d like to be there when the rubber hits the road.
lips are sealed
If you say that yourlips are sealed,you promise not to reveal a secret. I promise I won’t tell anyone. My lips are sealed.
cough up
If you have tocough upsomething, such as money or information, you give it reluctantly or unwillingly. He refused to say who attacked him until his father made him cough up the names.
bite the bullet
If youbite the bullet, you accept something unpleasant because you cannot avoid it. If you don’t have health insurance, you have to bite the bullet and pay the hospital fees.
slush fund
Aslush fund is an account or fund in politics or business where money is set aside for various unofficial purposes, often unethical or even illegal. A large commission taken from the slush fund ensured the success of the negotiations.
steal someone’s thunder
If yousteal someone’s thunderyou take their idea or plan and draw attention and praise away from them by presenting it first. Fred had developed a plan to reduce production costs, but the manager stole his thunder by announcing Fred’s idea at the regional meeting.
give your right arm
If you say “Id give my right arm for that”, you mean that you want it a lot and would do almost anything to obtain it. I’d give my right arm to have an apartment on Central Park.
second to none
Something that issecond to noneis excellent or much better than any other. The service was perfect and the food was second to none.
fall between stools
If somethingfalls between two stools, it is neither totally one thing nor another, and is therefore unsatisfactory. The book didn’t sell because it fell between two stools. It appealed neither to historians nor to the general public.
nose out of joint
If something putsyour nose out of joint,it offends or annoys you. When he discovered he wasn’t on the invitation list, that really put his nose out of joint!
nerves of steel
Someone who hasnerves of steelis not afraid in difficult or dangerous situations. Fire-fighters need to have nerves of steel.
silver bullet
This term refers to an extremely effective or magical solution to a difficult problem. There is no silver bullet that will put an end to unemployment.
take the law into your own hands
If, instead of calling the police, you act personally against someone who has done something wrong, youtake the law into your own hands. Instead of calling the police, he took the law into his own hands and confronted the youth who had stolen his son’s scooter.
behind closed doors
If something takes placebehind closed doors, it is done privately, with no observers or intruders. The matter was discussed behind closed doors.
battle of wills
A conflict, argument or struggle where both sides are determined to win is described as abattle of wills. When they separated, neither party would make concessions - it was a battle of wills.
short end of stick
If youget the short end of the stick,you are treated unfairly or receive less than what is due or deserved. They reached an agreement but Sophie felt she got the short end of the stick.
old wives’ tale
A traditional belief or idea which has been proved wrong by science is calledan old wives’ tale. The belief that chocolate causes acne is an old wives’ tale.
get out of hand
If a person or situationgets out of hand,they cannot be controlled any longer. During the student demonstration, things got out of hand and several shop windows were broken.
two of a kind
People who are two of a kind are similar in character, attitude or tastes. Pete and Ben are two of a kind; they enjoy sports and are very competitive.
in a stew
When someone isin a stewabout something, they are worried and agitated. When she was organizing the wedding reception, Laura got into a stew over the seating arrangements.
mug’s game
An unprofitable or ill-advised activity that only a fool (mug) would do is calleda mug’s game. Spending hours making home-made cakes for a few customers is a mug’s game.
happy-go-lucky
If you are ahappy-go-luckyperson, you are cheerful and carefree all the time. He’s a happy-go-lucky sort of guy - always in good humour.
toe the line
If someonetoes the line, they obey the rules and accept the principles laid down by a person, group or organisation. If you want to stay in this school, you’ll have to learn to toe the line.
work to rule
During a conflict, when employees decide to do only the minimum amount of work required by company rules, and refuse any overtime, etc., theywork to rule. In protest against the new measures, the employees decided to work to rule.
live on borrowed time
This expression refers to a period of time after an illness or accident which could have caused death. After heart surgery, many patients feel that they’re living on borrowed time.
off the peg
Clothes that are boughtoff the pegare purchased in a standard size in a shop and are not made specially for you. He can’t afford to have his suits made to measure so he buys them off the peg.
pull someone’sleg
If youpull someone’s leg,you tease them by telling them something that is not true. Of course I’m not going to buy a sports car. I was just pulling your leg!
sweet tooth
Someone who hasa sweet toothenjoys eating sweet things like sugar, pastries, chocolate, etc. She’ll be delighted if you bring her chocolates - she’s got a sweet tooth.
pour water into a sieve
If someone spends time or energy trying to do something that is inefficient or useless, it islike pouring water into a sieve. Danny’s mother used to say that teaching him good behaviour was like pouring water into a sieve.
play havoc
If someone or somethingplays havoc, they cause disorder and confusion. The floods played havoc with the construction work.
cost an arm and a leg
If somethingcosts an arm and a leg, it is very expensive. The house cost us an arm and a leg, but we have no regrets.
in two shakes of a lamb’s tail
To do somethingin two shakes of a lamb’s tailmeans to do it very quickly or in a moment. I’ll be ready in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
in black and white
To say that something isin black and whitemeans that there is written proof of it. It’s an obligation. It’s in black and white in your contract.
bring up the rear
Someone whobrings up the rearis the last person in a group of people who are walking or running. The pupils walked calmly down the corridor, with the teacher bringing up the rear.
water off a duck’s back
Criticism or comments which have no effect on someone is referred to as being’‘like water off a duck’s back’. He’s been warned of the dangers of smoking but it’s like water off a duck’s back.
at each other’s throats
Two people who areat each other’s throatsare always fighting or arguing. The two candidates for the election are constantly at each other’s throats.
bodice-ripper
A novel, usually on a historical theme, with a plot that involves romantic passion between a vulnerable heroine and a rich, powerful male character, is called abodice-ripper. The novel is a bodice-ripper set in the French revolution.
shilly-shally
If youshilly-shally,you hesitate a lot about something and have difficulty reaching a decision. Come on! Don’t shilly-shally - just make up your mind!
fast and furious
If an activity isfast and furious, it is done quickly and with a lot of energy. Eager to win the race, the competitors came fast and furious around the bend.
(at the)touchof a button
If you can do somethingat the touch of a button, you can do it very easily, often thanks to technology. From now on the nursing staff can be alerted at the touch of a button.
reach saturation point
When somethingreaches saturation point, it is so full that nothing more can be added. That’s enough information for today. My brain has reached saturation point!
been in/through the wars
If a person or thing hasbeen in or through the wars, they show signs of rough treatment, injury or damage. He arrived in a car that looked as though it had been through the wars.
at all costs
If you are determined to obtain or achieve somethingat all costs, you want it regardless of the expense, effort or sacrifice involved. The journalist was determined at all costs to get a report from the war zone.
nodding terms
If you areon nodding termswith someone, you don’t know them very well, just well enough to say ‘hello’ when you meet them. We haven’t made any friends yet but we’re on nodding terms with our neighbours.
move in same circles
When peoplemove in the same circles,they socialize with others who have a similar background, interests or lifestyle. I’ve never met the Duchess personally. We don’t move in the same circles!
oldhabitsdie hard
This expression means that people are often reluctant to change the way they do something, especially if they have been doing it for a long time. My grandfather refuses to use a mobile phone - old habits die hard!
lend an ear
If youlend an earto someone, you listen carefully and sympathetically. I’ll lend you an ear if you want to talk about it.
of your own accord
If you do somethingof your own accord, you do it spontaneously or willingly, without being influenced or forced by anyone. The boy went to see the owner of his own accord and admitted breaking the window.
throwmoneyat
If youthrow money at something,you try to solve a problem by spending money on it, without using any other methods. The refugee problem cannot be solved just by throwing money at it.
do someone’s dirty work
Todo somebody’s dirty workmeans to do the unpleasant or difficult work that another person does not want to do. Life is easy for Harry. He always finds someone to do his dirty work!
seen better days
If something hasseen better days,it has aged visibly in comparison with when it was new. My much-travelled suitcase has seen better days!
(don’t) judge book by cover
Don’t judge a book by its cover’ means that you should not form an opinion based on appearance only. He leads a very simple life but in fact he’s very wealthy. You can’t judge a book by its cover.
do the spadework
Someone whodoes the spadeworkdoes the preparatory work or the preliminary research. Although I did all the spadework, my name was never mentioned.
dead right
This is an emphatic way of telling someone that what they are saying is absolutely correct, without doubt. This is a bad time to leave a job - you’re dead right!
in raptures
If you arein raptures, you are delighted or very enthusiastic. Amanda is in raptures about her new apartment.
seamy side of life
This expression refers to the most unpleasant, disreputable or sordid aspects of life that we normally do not see (just as the stitched seams of clothes are generally not seen). Social workers really see the seamy side of life.
(load of) baloney
This term refers to idle talk, or pretentious, untrue or insincere statements that nobody can believe. That’s a load of baloney! I don’t believe a word of it!
uncharted waters
If you arein uncharted waters,you are in a situation that you have never experienced before, so you don’t know what’s going to happen. In some countries, democracy is an adventure into uncharted waters.
go bananas
If someone becomes very emotional and starts behaving in a crazy way, theygo bananas. If you announce that you are going to drop out of school, your parents will go bananas!
teething problems
The difficulties encountered during the initial stage of an activity or project are calledteething problems. We had some teething problems when we first opened the bookshop, but now everything is okay.
(you don’t know the) half of it
This expression is used to tell someone that they know some of the facts but they don’t know how bad the situation is. You don’t know the half of it! He was beating her and terrorizing the children. That’s why she left him.
acid test
To refer to something as’the acid test’ means that it will prove how effective or useful something is. The training course was very interesting but the acid test will come when I start my new job.
stay one jump ahead
If youstay one jump ahead, you keep an advantage over others by making sure you are better informed or taking action before they do. He is a successful journalist because he always stays one jump ahead of the others.
stars in one’s eyes
If someone hasstars in their eyes,they are looking extremely happy. She had stars in her eyes when she saw the car she had won.
bring the house down
If youbring the house down, you give a very successful performance. If he sings like that on Saturday, he’ll bring the house down.
come hell or high water
If you say that you will do somethingcome hell or high water, you mean that you will do it in spite of the difficulties involved. Come hell or high water, I’ve got to be on time for the interview.
winning ways
A person who haswinning wayshas a charming or persuasive manner of gaining the affection of others or obtaining what they want. My grandson is hard to resist - he’s got such winning ways.
pen pusher
A person who does work that requires little action, just office work, and who lacks operating experience, is calleda pen pusher. Those pen pushers have no idea what it’s like on a building site.
make hay while the sun shines
This expression is used as an encouragement to take advantage of a good situation which may not last. Successful athletes are advised to make hay while the sun shines.
not for love or money
If you say that you cannot or will not do somethingfor love or money, you mean that you will not do it under any circumstances. I would not try bungee jumping for love or money!
all clear
If you are allowed to do something after a check-up to make sure that everything is all right, you get theall clear. Dad says he’s going to play golf again as soon as he gets the all clear from his doctor.
apple of youreye
A person, usually a child, who isthe apple of your eyeis one for whom you have great affection. My grandson is the apple of my eye.
go pear-shaped
If a plan or projectgoes pear-shaped, it either goes wrong or it produces an undesirable result. Jane organised a treasure hunt in the park for the kids but it all went pear-shaped because of the rain.
caught in the crossfire
If you arecaught in the crossfire, you suffer the effects of an argument or dispute between two people or groups. When the two taxi drivers started to argue, their passengers were caught in the crossfire.
lull before the storm
A period of unnatural calm before a difficult time or violent activity is called thelull before the storm. The sales start on January 1st. The quiet period before that is just the lull before the storm.
world of difference
When comparing two things or situations, the expressiona world of differencemeans that there is a vast difference between them. A swimming pool would make a world of difference in this hot climate.
in vino veritas
This expression, which in Latin means ‘in wine there is truth’, is a way of saying that wine makes people less inhibited and leads them to speak more freely and reveal their true feelings. After a few drinks he told us the whole story - in vino veritas!
come/turn up trumps
To say that someone hascome up trumpsmeans that they have achieved unexpectedly good results. Against all expectations, our team came up trumps in the cup final.
go downhill
When somethinggoes downhill, it deteriorates or gets worse little by little. His health has been going downhill since the last operation.
burden of proof
Theburden of proofis the necessity imposed by the law to prove that what one says is true. The burden of proof lies with the claimant.
lead to a dead end
If a plan or projectleads to a dead end,it develops no further because it has no future. In spite of the scientists’ efforts, the research lead to a dead end.
throw good money after bad
Someone who spends additional money on something that was already considered a bad investment is said tothrow good money after bad. Buying a second-hand computer and then spending money to have it repaired is throwing good money after bad!
come alongway
When someone hascome a long way,they have made a lot of progress or have become successful. Tony has come a long way since he opened his first little restaurant.
dog and pony show
Adog and pony showis a marketing event or presentation which has plenty of style but not much content.
you don’t know the half of it
This expression is used to tell someone that they know some of the facts but they don’t know how bad the situation is. You don’t know the half of it! He was beating her and terrorizing the children. That’s why she left him.
when thegoinggets tough
This expression means that when faced with a difficult or dangerous situation, strong people take action in order to solve the problem. Tom has a positive attitude. He often says ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’.
two leftfeet
If you havetwo left feet, you are clumsy or awkward in your movements. I’m afraid I’m a bad dancer! I’ve got two left feet!
out of the blue
If something happensout of the blue,it happens unexpectedly. I had nearly given up hope when out of the blue I was offered a job.
drop of a hat
If you do somethingat the drop of a hat,you do it immediately and without hesitation. I’ve got great friends. They’re ready to help out at the drop of a hat.
make yourfleshcrawl
Something thatmakes your flesh crawlfills you with disgust or makes you feel very nervous. Just talking about snakes makes my flesh crawl!
bear with a sore head
If someone is behaving like abear with a sore head, they are very irritable and bad-tempered. When his team lost the match, Brad was like a bear with a sore head.
for the birds
If you think something isfor the birds, you consider it to be uninteresting, useless or not to be taken seriously. As far as I’m concerned, his theory is for the birds.
tunnel vision
If a person hastunnel vision,they focus on only one aspect of something, or they are unable to see more than one way of doing things. Our manager has tunnel vision. He sees no reason to change anything.
send up a trial balloon
If you test something such as an idea, a project or a product, to see how people respond to it, yousend up a trial balloon. The idea seemed excellent but when they sent up a trial balloon the reaction was very negative.
ring abell
If somethingrings a bell, it is vaguely familar to you, but you can’t remember the exact details. John Bentley? The name rings a bell but I don’t remember him.
(not) lose sleep
When something happens that in your opinion is not a cause for worry, you can say that you willnot lose (any) sleep over it. I’ve mislaid the book but I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.
hide one’s light
If youhide your light under a bushel, you are modest or do not reveal a talent, quality or skill you possess. So you play the saxophone in a club on Saturday nights - you really hide your light under a bushel, don’t you!
make yourearsburn
If somethingmakes your ears burn,you are embarrassed by what you hear, especially if the conversation is about you. The comments I overheard made my ears burn.
pie in the sky
If an idea or project ispie in the sky,it is completely unrealistic or unlikely to be achieved. The promise of low-cost housing for everyone turned out to be pie in the sky.
broad as it’s long
This expression means that there is no real difference which alternative is chosen. Take the high-speed train, or fly and take a taxi? It’s as broad as it’s long.
heebie-jeebies
A state of apprehension, nervousness or anxiety is called theheebie-jeebies. Having to go down to the car park at night gives me the heebie-jeebies.
on its knees
When something such as a country or organisation ison its knees, orbrought to its knees, it is in a very weak situation. The civil war brought the country to its knees.
draw a line in the sand
If youdraw a line in the sand, you establish a limit beyond which a certain situation or activity will not be accepted. That’s it! We’re going to draw a line in the sand and make this our final proposal.
broad daylight
If something happensin broad daylight, it takes place in the clear light of day when everyone can see what’s going on. His car was stolen in front of the bank, in broad daylight, and apparently there was not one witness!
pack something in
If youpack something in, you abandon it or give it up. She found city life so stressful, she decided topack it inand move to the country.
