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.