0401-0600 Flashcards
stick to your guns
If youstick to your guns,you show determination when faced with opposition. The government stuck to its guns in spite of the criticism.
take wind out ofsails
If someone or somethingtakes the wind out of your sails,they make you feel less confident by doing or saying something that you do not expect. The manager’s rejection of our marketing strategy really took the wind out of our sails.
licence to print money
An officially authorized activity which enables people to make a lot of money without much effort is calleda licence to print money. The contract to supply computers to schools was a licence to print money.
likely story
This expression is used to say that you do not believe what has just been said. He said he’d found the money on the street - that’s a likely story!
not only pebble on beach
To say that someone isnot the only pebble on the beachmeans that they are not the only person worth considering. He thinks his refusal to join the team will cause problems, but there are other alternatives …he’s not the only pebble on the beach!
front runner
In a contest, race or election, thefront runneris the person who is most likely to succeed or win. Who are the front runners in the coming elections?
bad hair day
Originating as a humorous comment about one’s hair being unmanageable, this term had broadened to mean ‘a day when everything seems to go wrong’. What’s wrong with Jenny? Is she having a bad hair day?
keep yourearto the ground
If you keep your ear to the ground, you make sure that you are aware of all that is happening and being said. I’ll keep my ear to the ground and as soon as there are any developments I’ll call you.
put one’s feet up
When you put your feet up, you sit down and relax. You must be tired. Come in and put your feet up.
heart of stone
Someone who has aheart of stoneis a cold person who shows others no understanding, sympathy or pity. She’s not the person to go to if you’ve got problems - she’s got a heart of stone!
armchair traveller
Someone who reads books or watches TV programmes about other places and countries, but doesn’t actually travel anywhere, is called anarmchair traveller. A surprising number of adventure books are bought by armchair travellers.
on a sticky wicket
If you find yourselfon a sticky wicket,you are in a situation that is difficult to deal with. They’ve refused to sign the contract so we’re on a sticky wicket now!
thrilled to bits
Someone who isthrilled to bitsis extremely pleased about something. Julie was thrilled to bits when her project was selected.
catch 22
Acatch 22situation refers to a frustrating situation where you cannot do one thing without doing a second, and you cannot do the second before doing the first. I can’t get a job without a work permit, and I can’t get a work permit without a job. It’s a catch 22 situation!
back the wrong horse
If youback or bet on the wrong horse, for example the loser in a contest, match or election, you support the wrong person. When I voted for him I was convinced he would win, but I backed the wrong horse!
sell your soul
This is a humorous way of saying that you would be willing to do something morally or legally wrong to obtain what you want. He’d sell his soul to get an interview.
look/feel like amilliondollars
If youlook or feel like a million dollars, you look or feel extremely good. With a tan and a new hairstyle, she looked like a million dollars.
words of one syllable
If you explain something in words of one syllable, you use very simple language. Not so fast! Tell me in words of one syllable!
go out the window
If a quality, principle or opportunitygoes out the window,it disappears, is lost or abandoned. When the plant closed down, all hopes of finding a job went out the window.
toy with the idea
If you consider something without giving it serious thought, youtoy with the idea. Sally has often toyed with the idea of moving abroad, but she’s still here!
step out of line
If youstep out of line,you do something unacceptable or break the rules. It was made clear upon arrival that we would be dismissed if we stepped out of line.
flag of convenience
If a ship, boat or yacht sails under aflag of convenience, it is registered in a foreign country in order to avoid regulations and taxes, and reduce operating costs.
hot on the trail
If you arehot on the trailof someone or something, you are very close to finding them. The police are hot on the trail of the bank robber.
turkeys voting for Christmas
This expression is used to say that a particular option is unlikely to be chosen because it would not be in the interest of the people concerned. (In many countries people eat turkey at Christmas.) Expecting them to accept a decrease in salary would be like turkeys voting for Christmas.
lock horns
If youlock hornswith somebody, you argue or fight with them about something. If there is another incident like that in the building, the occupants will be locking horns!
class act
To say that someone, for example an athlete or entertainer, is aclass actmeans that they are very good at what they do. Her career is just beginning but she’s already a class act.
riding high
Someone who isriding highis enjoying a period of success or popularity. He’s been riding high since the success of his last film.
fly by the seat of your pants
If you fly by the seat of your pants,you do something without any knowledge or experience, using only your instinct and hoping that you will succeed. Without any formal training, he decided to fly by the seat of his pants and try his luck in New York.
get the better of
If someone or somethinggets the better of you,it defeats you. She went on a diet but it didn’t last long - her love of chocolate got the better of her!
street-smart / streetwise
A person who isstreet-smartorstreetwisehas enough experience and knowledge about life in the city to be able to deal with difficult or dangerous situations. The kids living in this area are all street-smart - they’re in less danger than us.
do someone’sdirtywork
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!
economical with the truth
To say that a person iseconomical with the truthmeans that, without actually lying, they omit important facts or give incomplete information. The politician was accused of being economical with the truth.
it’s a small world
People use this expression when they are surprised to meet someone familiar in unexpected places. Wow! It’s a small world. I never expected to meet a neighbour on a transatlantic flight!
vent your spleen
When you ventyour spleen,you release or express all your anger about something. Whenever Harry is angry about new government measures, he vents his spleen by writing to newspapers.
asking for trouble
Someone who isasking for troubleis behaving so stupidly that he/she is likely to have problems. Driving fast on these roads is really asking for trouble!
regain one’s composure
If youregain your composure,you calm down and control your emotions again after a stressful or upsetting event. It took her a while to regain her composure after hearing the insulting remarks.
is thePopeCatholic?
This is a sarcastic way of answering a question in the affirmative when the answer is obviously ‘yes’. “Do birds fly?” “Of course they do. Is the Pope Catholic?”
now you’re talking!
This expression is used to show encouragement or agreement with something that has just been said, for example a good idea. “If we take the underground we’ll avoid the traffic” “Now you’re talking!”
deep pockets
A person or organisation who hasdeep pocketshas a lot of money. Andy’s business is not doing well at the moment. He says he needs a friend with deep pockets!
turn up like a bad penny
If someoneturns up like a bad penny,they appear at a place or event where they are not welcome or not wanted. I try to avoid Jane, but wherever I go she turns up like a bad penny!
run out ofsteam
If you say that a person, a process or an organised event isrunning out of steam,you mean that there is a loss of impetus, energy or enthusiasm. The anti-immigrant movement seems to be running out of steam.
of your ownfreewill
If you do somethingof your own free will, you do it voluntarily, without any pressure from others. He decided to tell the truth, and he did it of his own free will.
swelled/swollen head
Someone who has aswelledorswollen headhas become proud or conceited, usually because of a recent success. Larry’s promotion has given him a swelled/swollen head!
out of whack
If something isout of whack,it is not working properly or is not in good order. The dishwasher is making a funny noise. Something must be out of whack.
my way or highway
If you say to someone’it’s my way or the highway’,you are telling them that either they accept to do as you say or they leave the project. You don’t have much choice when someone says: ‘it’s my way or the highway.’!
otherfishto fry
If you haveother fish to fry, you have more important things to do. I don’t think he’ll attend the office party; he’s got other fish to fry.
game not worth the candle
To say thatthe game(or the cake)is not worth the candlemeans that the advantages to be gained from doing something are not worth the effort involved. He recorded an album but sold very few copies; the game wasn’t worth the candle.
easy does it!
You can ‘easy does it!’ when you want something to be done slowly and carefully. “Easy does it” said my husband as the sofa was carried through the hall door.
on the QT
Something that is done on the QT is done quietly or discreetly. They got married on the QT last summer and told nobody.
vested interest
If you have avested interestedin a situation or event, you expect to benefit or gain an advantage from it. Tony has a vested interest in Fred’s promotion; he hopes to get his job!
sink or swim
If someone has tosink or swim, they have to do something alone, and their success or failure depends entirely on their own efforts. The sink-or-swim attitude in the company can be very difficult for young recruits.
before you know it
If something takes place so suddenly that you don’t have time to become aware of it, it happensbefore you know itorbefore you know where you are. The doorbell rang, and before we knew it a surprise birthday party was under way!
doubting Thomas
A ‘doubting Thomas’ is a person who will not believe something without proof, or without seeing it for themselves. I had to show him my membership card. What a doubting Thomas!
dance attendance
If youdance attendanceon somebody, you are constantly available for that person and attend to their wishes. She’s rich and famous and expects everyone to dance attendance on her.
just off the boat
A person who isjust off the boatis naive and lacks experience. How do you expect me to work with a trainee who’s just off the boat!
over the top (OTT)
Something which isover the topis totally excessive or not suitable for the occasion. Her dramatic speech was way over the top.
horses for courses
This expression means that because horses race better on a course that suits them, it is important to match people with suitable jobs or tasks. A person suited to one activity may not be suited to another. His experience in sales doesn’t necessarily make him ideal for the job. Horses for courses, as the saying goes!
jack of all trades
Ajack of all tradesis a person who can do many different things but is not very good at any one of them.. I’m looking for a skilled worker, not a jack-of-all-trades.
snake in the grass
Someone who pretends to be your friend while actually betraying you isa snake in the grass. I thought I could trust my colleague but he turned out to be a snake in the grass.
take afancyto
If youtake a fancyto someone or something, you develop a fondness for them or begin to like them. I think Paul has taken a fancy to the new intern!
shoulder surfing
The practice of looking over somebody’s shoulder when they are using a computer, cash dispenser or other electronic device, in order to obtain personal information (identification, account number, password, etc.) is calledshoulder surfing.
come to blows
If two or more peoplecome to blows, they start to fight. The debate was so intense that the participants almost came to blows.
go to great lengths (or pains)
When trying to achieve something, if yougo to great lengthsorgreat pains, you do everything that is possible in order to succeed. The two parties went to great lengths to reach an agreement.
pull your weight
To say that somebodypulls their weight means that they do their fair share of the work. It’s great working with Sandra. She always pulls her weight.
(can’t)makean omelette without …
This expression means that it is impossible to make important changes without causing some unpleasant effects. Some people will lose their jobs after the merger but you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.
all hell broke loose
If you say thatall hell broke loose, you mean that there was a sudden angry or noisy reaction to something. All hell broke loose when it was announced that the plant was going to close down.
sittingduck
Asitting duckis an easy target, a person who is easy to deceive. The young girl was a sitting duck for the photographer.
keep thewolffrom the door
Tokeep the wolf from the dooryou need to have enough money to buy food and other basic essentials in order to survive. My grandparents earned barely enough to keep the wolf from the door.
taste of one’s own medicine
If you give someonea taste of their own medicine, you treat them in the same unpleasant way that they have treated you. People who always late should be given a taste of their own medicine.
run out of steam
If you say that a person, a process or an organised event isrunning out of steam,you mean that there is a loss of impetus, energy or enthusiasm. The anti-immigrant movement seems to be running out of steam.
grit your teeth
When you are determined to do something in spite of the difficulties involved, yougrit your teeth. To reach safety I had to grit my teeth and wade through the mud.
tear one’s hair out
If someone istearing their hair out,they are extremely agitated or distressed about something. I’ve been tearing my hair out all morning trying to find the error!
binge drinking
This term refers to heavy drinking where large quantities of alcohol are consumed in a short space of time, often among young people in rowdy groups. Binge drinking is becoming a major problem in some European countries.
live to tell the tale
Someone wholives to tell the talesurvives a terrible experience. Only two members of the expedition lived to tell the tale.
going concern
A business or activity that is dynamic and successful is agoing concern. They opened a coffee shop that is a going concern today.
close to home
If a remark or comment isclose to home, it is so true, or it affects you so directly, that you feel uncomfortable. Alan looks embarrassed. Bob’s comment must have been close to home.
cut both ways
Something thatcuts both wayshas both a positive and a negative effect at the same time. Banning cars in the town centre can cut both ways : less traffic congestion but fewer customers in the shops.
all brawn and no brain
Someone who is physically very strong but not very intelligent is said to beall brawn and no brain. He’s an impressive player to watch, but he’s all brawn and no brain.
fall flat
If a joke, a story or a form of entertainmentfalls flat, it does not amuse people, or fails to have the effect that was intended. He made a few attempts at humour during his speech but most of his jokes fell flat.
sour grapes
To say that someone’s attitude is’sour grapes’means that they are trying to make others believe that something they cannot have is of no importance. When she didn’t get the job she said she wasn’t interested in it anyway, but that’s just sour grapes!
tickled pink
If you aretickled pink,you are very pleased about something. My dad was tickled pink when he was asked to announce the winner.
if it ain’t broke don’t fix it
This expression means that if a system or method works well, you shouldn’t change it. We’re not touching our alarm system. As the saying goes : if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
it’s anyone’s call
This expression is used when the result of a contest or election is difficult to predict. “Who do you think will win?” “It’s anyone’s call.”
butterflies in your stomach
If you havebutterflies in your stomach, you are feeling very nervous. At the beginning of an exam, I always have butterflies in my stomach.
kowtow to someone
If you are very respectful and submissive, giving way to the wishes of a person or organisation in authority in order to please them, youkowtow to them. Mark refused to kowtow to the committee and decided to work as a consultant.
fromragsto riches
If a persongoes from rags to riches, they start off being very poor and become very rich and successful. By renovating old houses in the right places, he went from rags to riches.
my foot!
This expression is used to show that you do not believe something that has just been said. He said he had a summer home? My foot, I doubt if he owns a tent!
break every rule in the book
If you behave in a completely unacceptable way, youbreak every rule in the book. Our competitors obtained the contract by breaking every rule in the book.
lend oneself to
If youlend yourself to something, you approve of it or become associated with it. No decent father would lend himself to violent behaviour.
fur coat and no knickers
A person who tries to appear distinguished but has no real class is referred to as’fur coat and no knickers’. Don’t let her impress you. She’s what we call ‘fur coat and no knickers’!
forty winks
If youhave forty winks, you have a short sleep or rest, generally during the day. Dad likes to have forty winks after a game of golf.
embarrassment of riches
When there is much more of something than necessary, and it is difficult to make a choice, you have anembarrassment of riches. Our hosts presented us with an embarrassment of riches. There was so much food that we didn’t know where to start!
over and done with
If something difficult or unpleasant isover and done with, it has now been successfully accomplished, so you don’t have to worry about it any longer. I wasn’t easy, but I had to announce the bad news, so now that’s over and done with.
had one’s chips
To say that someonehas had their chipsmeans that they have completely failed in what they set out to achieve. After the second round, it looked as though Watson had had his chips.
whys and wherefores
To talk about thewhys and whereforesmeans to discuss the reasons. We need to discuss the whys and wherefores of our failure.
not letgrassgrow under your feet
If someone doesnot let the grass grow under their feet,they do not delay in getting something done. As soon as he received the permit, he started to build. He never lets the grass grow under his feet!
(all)handson deck
When there is a need forall hands on deck, everyone must help, especially if there’s a lot of work to be done in a short amount of time. As the opening day approached, it was all hands on deck to have everything ready in time.
itchy feet
A person who hasitchy feetis someone who finds it difficult to stay in one place and likes to travel and discover new places. Andrew’s got itchy feet again. He says he’s going to teach in China for a few years.
get a second bite of the cherry
This expression means that you get a second opportunity to do or try something. He was eliminated in the semi-finals but he’ll get a second bite at the cherry next year.
wishful thinking
Wishful thinkingmeans believing that something that you want to happen is really happening or will happen, even though it is neither true nor likely. I think his health is improving a little, but perhaps that’s just wishful thinking on my part.
make hair stand on end
If you are absolutely terrified of something, itmakes your hair stand on end. Just the thought of getting on a plane makes my hair stand on end.
infomania
If you are constantly checking and responding to email and text messages, you may be the victim of a recent addiction calledinfomania. The abuse of technology has lead to a state of infomania; employees are becoming addicted to checking email and text messages during meetings.
whole new ball game
To refer to something as awhole new ball gamemeans that it is a completely different situation due to a new set of circumstances. Email and text messaging have made communication a whole new ball game.
regain one’s feet
If youregain your feet,you stand up again after stumbling or falling. This expression can also mean that you are once again financially solvent after a difficult period. John helped his father to regain his feet when he tripped on the steps.
by the skin of one’s teeth
If you manage to do somethingby the skin of your teeth,you succeed in doing it but you almost fail. The traffic was so heavy I thought I’d miss the train, but I caught it by the skin of my teeth.
keep options open
When youkeep your options open, you postpone making a decision so that you can choose among several possible courses of action. The offer sounds good, but keep your options open until you’re sure it’s the best choice.
say a mouthful
Ifyou make an important or lengthy remark, yousay a mouthful. The customer said a mouthful when he gave the reason for his dissatisfaction.
knock down with feather
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!
sauce for the goose
The saying’what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander’means that what is appropriate for one person should also be appropriate for the other person concerned. Women should earn the same salary as men for the same job. What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander!
slap on the wrist
If you get aslap on the wrist, you receive mild punishment, or you are reprimanded for something you have done. I got a slap on the wrist from my wife for leaving the kitchen in a mess.
play truant
A young person whoplays truantstays away from school without permission or excuse. Ben has no reason to be absent from school - he’s playing truant again!
(not) give ahoot
To say that you don’t or couldn’tgive a hootmeans that you don’t care at all about something. She wears eccentric clothes but she couldn’t give a hoot about what others think.
flog ahorse
To say that someone isflogging(orbeating) a dead horsemeans that they are wasting time and effort trying to do or achieve something that is impossible. Mark is flogging a dead horse trying to get his money reimbursed. The company has gone bankrupt.
only to be expected
If an event or outcome isonly to be expected, it is most likely to happen. The teacher was angry because you cheated at the exam? That was only to be expected!
time after time
If you do somethingtime after time, you do it repeatedly or on many occasions. The was surprised when the teacher punished him although he had been warned time after time.
a taste of one’s own medicine
If you give someonea taste of their own medicine,you treat them in the same unpleasant way that they have treated you. People who always arrive late should be given a taste of their own medicine.
thing of the past
Something which no longer exists or is rarely used today is athing of the past. Few people use video cassettes today - they’ve become a thing of the past.
stickler for the rules
Someone who isa stickler for the rulesis a disciplinarian who demands strict observance of the rules or procedures. Be sure to use the proper form. Mr. Brown is a stickler for the rules.
not getting anywhere
If you arenot getting anywhere,you are making no progress at all. I’ve spent the whole day looking for a solution but I’m not getting anywhere.
paper tiger
This term refers to a person, organisation or country that is less powerful or threatening than they appear to be. He threatens to take strong action but he’s just another paper tiger.
two can play at that game
You say this to tell someone that you can behave towards them in the same unpleasant way that they have behaved towards you. He refuses to take my call? Tell him two can play at that game!
in/through thewars
If a person or thing has beenin (or through) the wars,they show signs of rough treatment, injury or damage. He arrived in a car that looked as if it had been in the wars.
look before you leap
This is something you say when advising someone to think carefully about the possible problems before doing something. Don’t decide too quickly. Look before you leap!
put a damper on
If someone or somethingputs a damper ona situation or event, they do something to make it less successful or enjoyable. The party was going great until the neighbours’ complaints put a damper on it.
that make my blood boil!
If somethingmakes your blood boil,it makes you really angry. Her condescending attitude really makes my blood boil!
put best foot forward
If someoneputs their best foot forward,they do something as fast as they can. It’s a long way to the station, but if I put my best foot forward I should catch the next train.
just the ticket
If something isjust the ticket, it is exactly right, or just what you need. I’m not hungry enough for a meal. A bowl of soup would be just the ticket.
wear thetrousers
The partner whowears the trousers(orpants) is the one who makes the important decisions. The salesman hesitated. It was difficult to see who wore the trousers in the couple.
jump out of one’s skin
If youjump out of your skin,you are extremely surprised or shocked. Jane nearly jumped out of her skin when the horse put its head through the kitchen window!
change of heart
If someone has achange of heart, they change their attitude or feelings, especially towards greater friendliness or cooperation. He was against charity, but he had a change of heart when he saw the plight of the homeless.
samewavelength
If you areon the same wavelengthas someone else, you feel or think the same way about something. We rarely argue. We’re generally on the same wavelength.
live from hand to mouth
If youlive from hand to mouth, you don’t have any money to save because whatever you earn is spent on food and other essentials. Most families in that area live from hand to mouth.
wooden spoon
The person who finishes last in a race or competition receives an imaginary prize called thewooden spoon. Our team got the wooden spoon in this year’s tournament.
hedge your bets
If youhedge your bets,you choose two or more courses of action in order to reduce the risk of loss or error. The company hedged its bets by developing a second line of products.
senior moment
A momentary lapse of memory, especially in older people, or an absent-minded action such as putting the cereals in the refrigerator, is humorously referred to ashaving a senior moment. I found the phone in the cupboard. I must have had a senior moment!
knock sense into
When youknock sense into somebody, you use strong words or methods in order to get that person to stop behaving stupidly. When Jason announced that he was going to drop out of college, his uncle managed to knock some sense into him.
set the alarm bells ringing / alarm bells start to ring
If somethingsets the alarm bells ringing, it makes you begin to worry, because it shows that there may be a problem. Alarm bells started to ring when the old lady next door didn’t open her shutters all day and didn’t answer her phone.
can’t see thewoodfor the trees
If someonecan’t see the wood for the trees,they are so concentrated on the details that they can’t see the situation as a whole. The new manager found the situation so complicated that he couldn’t see the wood for the trees.
first base
When youget to (or reach) first base, you make progress or begin to have success with someone or something. If you go to the interview dressed like that, you won’t get to first base!
land of the living
This is a humorous way of saying that someone is still alive. Hi there! Glad to see you’re still in the land of the living!
paint the townred
If youpaint the town red,you go out and enjoy a lively evening in bars, night-clubs, etc. To celebrate the victory, the team’s supporters painted the town red.
get/give the low-down
If yougetorgive the low-down, you get or give complete information or facts about something. I’ll call you after the meeting and give you the low-down.
take offline
If you suggest that a subject betaken offline(during a meeting for example), you consider that it is a separate issue and should be discussed at another time. Peter, you’re confusing things, so let’s take that offline shall we?
above board
If a situation or business is described asabove board, it is open, honest and legal. There are not secret negotiations. Our dealings have always been above board.
chalk and cheese
Two people who are likechalk and cheeseare completely different from each other. I’m surprised they get on so well. They’re like chalk and cheese.
pound the pavement
Someone whopounds the pavementwalks the streets or goes from company to company, usually in search of employment. (You can also pound the pavement in an effort to raise funds or gain support for a cause.) Charlie is out there pounding the pavement since he lost his job.
born with silver spoon in your mouth
To say that someone isborn with a silver spoon in their mouthmeans that their family is very rich and privileged. Alice never has to worry about money; she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
make up for lost time
If youmake up for lost time,you increase your efforts or work harder to complete something or meet a deadline. Progress has stopped because of bad weather, but we are determined to make up for lost time.
race against time
When someone is in a race against time, they have to work very quickly in order to do or finish something before a certain time. It was a race against time to get everything ready for the inauguration.
take matters into your own hands
If youtake matters into your hands, you take action yourself rather than waiting for others to intervene. When Susan saw the lack of progress, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
give the slip
If yougive the slipto somebody who is following you, you manage to hide or get away from them. The police were on his trail, but he managed to give them the slip.
bounce off the walls
Someone who is very excited about something, or full of nervous energy, is said to bebouncing off the walls. Danny can’t wait to start his new job. He’s bouncing off the walls.
different strokes for different folks
Each individual has their own tastes and requirements. What suits one person may not suit another. Alison really enjoys gardening, whereas Julie finds it a chore.Different strokes for different folks!
fling oneself into
If youfling yourself intoan activity, you do it with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Ever since she flung herself in the anti-pollution campaign, she rarely has a free moment!
mixed blessing
Something pleasant which also has disadvantages is called amixed blessing. He inherited as 18th century mansion but the maintenance costs make it a mixed blessing.
under close scrutiny
Someone or something that isunder (close) scrutinyis being watched or examined carefully. The police are keeping the suspect under close scrutiny.
saddled with debt
If you aresaddled with debt,the amount of money that you owe is a financial burden. Be careful. If you buy a house that is too expensive, you could be saddled with debt for many years.
tar baby
This term refers to a sticky situation or problem for which it is virtually impossible to find a solution. He was advised not to get involved in the controversy which was considered a ‘tar-baby’ issue.
it’s no use crying over spilt milk
It is useless to complain or have regrets about something that is done and cannot be changed. Sometimes I regret not accepting the offer, but it’s no use crying over spilt milk.
lay down the law
Someone wholays down the lawtells people very forcefully and firmly what to do. The volunteers helped in a disorganised way. They needed someone to lay down the law.
on one’s last legs
If you areon your last legs, you are in a very weak condition or about to die. I was so sick that I felt as though I was on my last legs!
dial it back
If youdial it back, you reduce the intensity of something, or tone it down. When Lucas started getting all excited, his mother said : Hey Lucas, dial it back a bit!
not have a clue
If youdon’t have a clueabout something, you don’t know anything about it. My wife’s grandmother’s maiden name? I don’t have a clue!
ontopof the world
If you feelon top of the world,you are extremely happy because everything is going well for you. It’s been such a good year for Amy that she feels on top of the world.
sorepoint
Asore pointis a subject to be avoided because it causes anger or embarrassment. Don’t talk to Mary about weight - that’s a sore point!
left to own devises
If you leavesomeone to their own devices, you leave them to look after themselves, with any help or supervision. When left to their own devices, many children watch TV and eat junk food.
ostrich strategy/policy
Someone who adopts anostrich strategy or policychooses to ignore or evade an obvious problem in the hope that it will resolve itself or disappear. Adopting an ostrich strategy will only make matters worse - we’ve got to find a solution.
proper ‘do’
This expression refers to a social event with formal clothes and top-class catering, organised to celebrate something. Bob says he’d be happy with a civil wedding and a drink afterwards, but Maggie wants a proper do.
good as gold
A child who isas good as goldis obedient and well-behaved. Your children are always as good as gold when I look after them.
smack dab in themiddle
If something issmack dab in the middle,it is right in the centre. I couldn’t hide the stain on my shirt. It was smack dab in the middle.
read the riot act
If you declare with force and authority that something must stop, and announce the consequences if it happens again, youread the riot act. Dad read us the riot act when we messed up his tool-shed.
in oneearand out the other
To say that informationgoes in one ear and comes out the othermeans that it is immediately forgotten or ignored. I keep telling him about the risks but it goes in one ear and out the other. He never listens!
tug at the heartstrings
Something or someone whotugs at the heartstringscauses others to feel a great deal of pity or sadness. The hospital’s plea for donors tugged at the heartstrings of millions of viewers.
shotgun approach
If you usea shotgun approach,you cover a wide range in a non-selective, haphazard and inefficient manner. Identifying a specific segment of the market as our target will be more effective than a shotgun approach.
tongue in cheek
If you describe a remark as’tongue in cheek’ you mean that it is not meant to be taken seriously; it is meant to be funny or ironic. Peter’s remark was taken more seriously than intended. It was supposed to be tongue in cheek.
chip off the old block
A person who is achip off the old blockresembles one of their parents in appearance, character or behaviour. James is a chip off the old block - he reacts the same way as his father.
dressed to kill
When someone, especially a woman, isdressed to kill, they are wearing very fashionable or glamorous clothes intended to attract attention. She arrived at the reception dressed to kill.
rap on the knuckles
If someone gets arap on/across the knuckles,they are punished or reprimanded, but not very severely, as a reminder not to do something again. Andy got a rap on the knuckles for coming home late.
(go to)hellin a handcart
If someone or something isgoing to hell in a handcart,their condition is poor and continues to deteriorate. This used to be a nice place to live, but now the area is going to hell in a handcart.
live the life of riley
A person wholives the life of Rileyhas a comfortable and enjoyable life, without having to make much effort. He married a millionaire, and since then he’s been living the life of Riley!
in theeyeof the storm
A person or organisation who isin the eye of the stormis deeply involved in a difficult situation which affects a lot of people. The minister was often in the eye of the storm during the debate on the war in Iraq.
twenty-four-seven
This term refers to something which is available or happens twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The tourist office provided a list of 24-7 supermarkets in the area.
rule the roost
If yourule the roost,you are the most important and powerful person in a group or community. Officially David runs the company, but it’s his father who rules the roost.
take to the cleaners
If someone istaken to the cleaners,they lose a lot of money in an unfair way, usually by being robbed or cheated. When the company Tom had invested in went bankrupt, he realized he had been taken to the cleaners.
hold all the aces
A person whoholds all the acesis in a very strong position because they have more advantages than anyone else. Given the high unemployment rates today, employers hold all the aces.
eat out of house and home
This is a humorous way of saying that someone is eating large quantities of your food. I stock up with food when my teenage sons invite their friends over. They’d eat you out of house and home!
live on the breadline
People wholive on the breadlinehave a very low income or barely enough money to survive. Due to the recent crisis, there are more people on the breadline than ever before.
theworldis your oyster
This expression means that you are free and able to enjoy the pleasures and opportunities that life has to offer. She left college feeling that the world was her oyster.
walking papers
If you are given yourwalking papers,your contract or a relationship has ended. After causing a diplomatic incident, Carter got his walking papers.
beyond redemption
If something isbeyond redemption, it is in such a poor state that there is no hope of improvement or recovery. With the latest scandal, his reputation is now beyond redemption.
set in one’s ways
A person who isset in their waysis unable or unwilling to change their ideas, habits or methods, often because they are old. My grandmother has the same routine every day. She is very set in her ways.
clean bill of health
If a person has aclean bill of health, they have a report or certificate declaring that their health is satisfactory. All candidates for the position must produce a clean bill of health.
in thelurch
Someone who is leftin the lurchis left in a difficult or embarrassing situation. Paul was left in the lurch when he missed the last bus.
turn on the waterworks
If someoneturns on the waterworks,they start to cry, especially to obtain something. If he doesn’t get what he wants, the child immediately turns on the waterworks.
take under your wing
If you offer guidance and protection to someone younger or less experienced, youtake them under your wing. I owe a lot to Tom who took me under his wing when I first arrived.
cross your mind
If an idea or thoughtcrosses your mind,you suddenly think of it. It has just crossed my mind that the shops are closed today.
live in an ivory tower
A person wholives in an ivory towerhas a lifestyle that preserves them from the problems and difficulties experienced by others. You’re completely out of touch - it’s time to come out of your ivory tower and see what’s going on!
cherry pick
When youcherry pick,you choose something with great care and select only the best. Top university graduates are often cherry-picked by large companies.
as useful as achocolateteapot
Something which is of no practical use at all is aboutas useful as a chocolate teapot. When there are no roads, a car is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
five finger discount
If somebody gets afive-finger discount, they take something without paying. In other words, they steal. How could he afford that watch? Who knows - perhaps with a five-finger discount!
