0801-1000

Question 1

grin and bear it

Answer 1

When faced with a difficult or unpleasant situation, if you say that someone willhave to grin and bear it, you mean that they will have to accept it without complaining. The only seat available is on a low-cost flight. You’ll just have to grin and bear it!

Question 2

get into gear

Answer 2

When a person or activitygets(orcranks) into gear, they start to work or become effective. Immediately after the announcement, a group of protesters got into gear.

Question 3

have you gone out of yourmind?

Answer 3

If you ask someone if they havegone out of their mind, you think they are crazy, foolish or insane. You’re going to ask for a 100% salary increase? Have you gone out of your mind?

Question 4

a breeze

Answer 4

To say that something wasa breezemeans that it was very easy or that everything went smoothly. The interview was a breeze - barely 10 minutes and I got the job!

Question 5

never rains but it pours

Answer 5

This expression is used to comment on the fact that when something bad happens, other bad things often happen too, and make the situation even worse. First he forgot his briefcase, then he lost his wallet, and when he reached the car park, his car had been stolen - it never rains but it pours!

Question 6

blind someone with science

Answer 6

If someone tries toblind you with science, they confuse you with their knowledge by using difficult or technical words. When you ask Tim for a simple explanation, he blinds you with science.

Question 7

set great store by

Answer 7

When you consider something to be very important or valuable, youset great store by it. The company sets great store by its after-sales service.

Question 8

nestegg

Answer 8

If you have anest egg,you have a reserve of money which you put aside for future needs. Our parents consider the money from the sale of their house as a nest egg for their old age.

Question 9

be/mean theworldto

Answer 9

When youareormean the world tosomeone, you are very important or precious to them. His daughter means all the world to Mr. Jones.

Question 10

pull through

Answer 10

If youpull through, you recover from a serious illness. Doris had to undergo heart surgery but she pulled through.

Question 11

for the time being

Answer 11

If you talk about how a situation isfor the time being, you mean that it is temporary and will probably change in the future. Laura has left Ben and is living with her parents for the time being.

Question 12

asmuchuse as a handbrake on a canoe

Answer 12

This expression refers to something which is completely useless or serves no purpose. With no electricity, a refrigerator would be as much use as a handbrake on a canoe!

Question 13

fit like a glove

Answer 13

If somethingfits like a glove, it fits you perfectly. I was lucky! The first skirt I tried on fitted me like a glove!

Question 14

it beats me!

Answer 14

This expression is used to express surprise at something that you find difficult to understand. It beats me how he can live in that horrible apartment!

Question 15

speak softly and carry a big stick

Answer 15

If youspeak softly and carry a big stick,you express your views in a quite non-aggressive manner, but you make it clear that you are in a position to use force if necessary. As a leader he recommends the ‘speak softly and carry a big stick’ method.

Question 16

come uptrumps

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

opposite number

Answer 17

A person who holds the same position as oneself in another company or organisation is called one’sopposite number. I spoke to my opposite number in several local companies and we all agreed to join the anti-pollution campaign.

Question 18

have itchyfeet

Answer 18

A person whohas itchy feetis someone who finds it difficult to stay in one place and likes to move often and discover new places. Scott never stays long anywhere. He’s got itchy feet!

Question 19

small potatoes

Answer 19

Something that issmall potatoesis considered unimportant or insignificant. Her first publication was considered small potatoes but her new book has lead to a change of opinion.

Question 20

butter wouldn’t melt inmouth

Answer 20

If you say that someone looks as ifbutter wouldn’t melt in their mouth,you mean that they look completely innocent, but that they are capable of doing unpleasant things. The boy who stole the purse looked as if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.

Question 21

caveat emptor

Answer 21

This Latin expression, which means ‘let the buyer beware’, is a warning to customers that goods are for sale ‘as is’. The buyer is purchasing the articles at his/her own risk and is responsible for examining them beforehand. Caveat emptor is a principle to be remembered when buying second-hand goods.

Question 22

scared stiff

Answer 22

Someone who isscared stiffis so frightened that they are unable to move. My mother is scared stiff of heights.

Question 23

mum’s the word

Answer 23

To say’mum’s the word’means that the subject or plan is a secret and must not be revealed. We’re organizing a surprise birthday party, so mum’s the work - OK?

Question 24

speak off the cuff

Answer 24

If yousay something off the cuff,you say it spontaneously, without previous thought or preparation. Politicians are usually careful not to speak off the cuff.

Question 25

tight squeeze

Answer 25

If you are ina tight squeeze, you are in a cramped or crowded situation. We managed to get on the bus but it was a tight squeeze.

Question 26

dodge a bullet

Answer 26

If youdodge a bullet, you narrowly avoid a very serious problem or a disaster. I dodged a bullet when I missed the plane. It crashed just after take-off.

Question 27

on the sly

Answer 27

If you do somethingon the sly, you do it secretly or furtively. He made such quick progress that the others suspected him of having private lessons on the sly.

Question 28

lump in your throat

Answer 28

If you havea lump in your throat,you have a tight feeling in your throat because of a strong emotion such as sadness or gratitude. The speech was so touching that I had a lump in my throat.

Question 29

rotten apple

Answer 29

This term refers to a person who is considered to be dishonest or immoral and has a bad influence on others in the group. It is said that in any profession there is always a rotten apple.

Question 30

in for apenny,in for a pound

Answer 30

This expression means that once you start doing something, you might just as well do it wholeheartedly and not stop at half-measures. Joe finally accepted to be on the committee, then he accepted to be the chairman. “In for a penny, in for a pound’.” he said!

Question 31

benefit of the doubt

Answer 31

If you give someone thebenefit of the doubt, you choose to believe that the person is innocent, honest or telling the truth, because there is no evidence to the contrary. Although he found it hard to believe Tom’s explanation, the teacher decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Question 32

in a stew

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

go up in smoke

Answer 33

If a plan or projectgoes up in smoke, it is spoiled, fails, or ends before producing a result. When Amy and Tom separated, my mother’s dream of a romantic wedding went up in smoke.

Question 34

hit the road

Answer 34

When youhit the road, you begin a journey. It’s getting late and we’ve got a long way to go. Let’s hit the road.

Question 35

one’s own undoing

Answer 35

If you do something that is the cause of your own failure, loss or downfall, it isyour own undoing.You can blame nobody but yourself. If he continues to gamble like that, it will be his own undoing.

Question 36

birds of a feather

Answer 36

To say that two people arebirds of a feathermeans that they are very similar in many ways. No wonder they get on well. They’re birds of a feather!

Question 37

go to hell in a handcart

Answer 37

If something isgoing to hell in a handcart,it is in a bad state and continues to deteriorate. This used to be a nice place to live but now the area is going to hell in a handcart.

Question 38

glowing terms

Answer 38

If you speak about somethingin glowing terms, you talk about it in a very positive way. Mary talks about her home town in glowing terms; it must be a wonderful place.

Question 39

on one’s uppers

Answer 39

Someone who ison their uppershas very little money or not enough to cover their needs. Because he was clearly on his uppers when he was hired, he was given an advance in salary.

Question 40

fall on one’s sword

Answer 40

If youfall on your sword, you accept the consequences of an unsuccessful or wrong action. The organiser of the referendum resigned when the poor results were announced. It was said that he’ fell on his sword’.

Question 41

nip in thebud

Answer 41

If younipa problem or an unacceptable situationin the bud, you stop it at an early stage, before it develops or becomes worse. He wanted to be a clown, but his parents soon nipped that idea in the bud.

Question 42

thatshiphas sailed

Answer 42

The expression’that ship has sailed’means that a particular opportunity has passed by and now it’s too late. ‘Is the offer still open?’ ‘Sorry, that ship has sailed - you missed your chance!’

Question 43

get your act together

Answer 43

If youget your act together,you organise your affairs better than you have done previously and deal with things more efficiently. Jack’s plan won’t work unless he gets his act together.

Question 44

birthday suit

Answer 44

This humorous expression means that you are wearing nothing. The bathroom door blew open, and there I was in my birthday suit!

Question 45

dead in the water

Answer 45

A plan or project that isdead in the wateris at a standstill or has ceased to function and is unlikely to be reactivated in the future. Because of the crisis, the planned housing development is now dead in the water.

Question 46

survival of the fittest

Answer 46

This expression means that the most able, or those best capable of adapting to particular conditions, will survive. I plant some flowers in the spring and hope for the best - it’s the survival of the fittest!

Question 47

gopostal

Answer 47

If someonegoes postal,they lost their temper and express their anger in a violent way. My parents will go postal when they see the state of the house!

Question 48

crack down on something

Answer 48

If the authoritiescrack down on something, they enforce the law by taking severe measures to restrict undesirable or criminal actions. To reduce road accidents, it was decided to crack down on speeding.

Question 49

cry wolf

Answer 49

Tocry wolfis to call for help when you are not really in danger. As a result, nobody believes you when you really need help. There’s Mary screaming again! Does she really have a problem or is she just crying wolf again?

Question 50

start the ball rolling

Answer 50

If youstart the ball rolling,you begin an activity in which other people will join. Let’s start the ball rolling by calling on our first speaker.

Question 51

(get it down to) afineart

Answer 51

When you learn to do something perfectly, youget it down to a fine art. Entertaining her husband’s business associates is not a problem for Jane; she’s got that down to a fine art!

Question 52

up/down your alley

Answer 52

If something is (right)up or down your alley, it is exactly the sort of thing that will suit your tastes or abilities. Alex loves reading, so the job in the bookshop is right up his alley.

Question 53

money for old rope

Answer 53

Money earned from a task that requires very little effort is calledmoney for old rope. Getting paid for watering the garden is money for old rope!

Question 54

makeendsmeet

Answer 54

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 it hard to make ends meet.

Question 55

cast a wide net

Answer 55

When trying to find something, if youcast a wide net, you cover an extensive area or use a wide range of sources. The hospital cast a wide net in their search for compatible donors.

Question 56

cog in the machine

Answer 56

If you say that someone isa cog in the machine, you mean that, while they are necessary, they only play a small part in an organisation or plan. The police quickly realized that the suspect was just a cog in the machine.

Question 57

made of money

Answer 57

A person who ismade of moneyis very rich and can buy whatever they want. Hey! I can’t afford that much. I’m not made of money!

Question 58

token gesture

Answer 58

To make atoken gesturemeans to show a small sign of appreciation. As a token gesture of gratitude for her neighbourly advice, he gave Mrs.Smith a plant for her garden.

Question 59

gone with the wind

Answer 59

If something hasgone with the wind, it has disappeared forever. I lost everything during the crisis. My savings are gone with the wind.

Question 60

pull out all the stops

Answer 60

If youpull out all the stops, you do everything you can to make something successful. We’ll have to pull out all the stops to get the store ready for the opening day.

Question 61

leave somebody holding the baby.

Answer 61

If someone is left holding the baby, they are made responsible for a problem that others don’t want to deal with. When the angry customer started to complain, my colleague disappeared and left me holding the baby.

Question 62

put on the spot

Answer 62

If youput someone on the spot,you put them in a difficult position, for example by asking difficult questions which they cannot avoid. The reporter was put on the spot when he was asked to reveal his source.

Question 63

on/in the cards

Answer 63

Something which ison the cardsit very likely to happen. A coalition between the two parties is still on the cards.

Question 64

lick one’s wounds

Answer 64

When a personlicks their wounds, they try to recover their confidence or spirits after a defeat, failure or disappointment. Poor Harry is licking his wounds after being dropped from the team.

Question 65

go ballistic

Answer 65

When someonegoes ballistic, they become very angry. My dad went ballistic when he saw the state of the garden after the barbecue.

Question 66

hunky-dory

Answer 66

Using the expression’hunky dory’is an informal way of saying that everything is satisfactory and there are no problems. “Need any help?” Everything’s hunky dory, thanks.”

Question 67

take under yourwing

Answer 67

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.

Question 68

close but no cigar

Answer 68

This expression refers to an effort to do something which was a good attempt but not quite good enough to succeed. The ball touched the goal post - close butno cigar!

Question 69

speed networking

Answer 69

This term refers to a relatively new urban trend which consists in making a potential business contact by briefly talking to a series of people at an organised event and exchanging contact details.

Question 70

make light work of

Answer 70

If a personmakes light work ofsomething, they do it very easily or with little effort. The boys made light work of the cleaning up. The house was spotless in no time.

Question 71

pen mightier than sword

Answer 71

This expression means that words and communication have greater effect than war and fighting. The treaty put an end to the hostilities - the pen is mightier than the sword.

Question 72

better safe than sorry

Answer 72

It’s better to be too cautious than to be careless and have regrets later. Let’s book tickets in advance - better safe than sorry!

Question 73

addinsultto injury

Answer 73

Toadd insult to injurymeans to make a bad situation worse by harming or upsetting someone you have already harmed in some other way. Not only did he steal money from his best friend, he added insult to injury by damaging his car!

Question 74

odds and ends

Answer 74

Odds and endsare small articles, or bits and pieces of all sorts, usually of little value. I keep my odds and ends in this drawer.

Question 75

milk of human kindness

Answer 75

Someone who has, or is full of, themilk of human kindness, is naturally kind and compassionate to others. She’s a wonderful person - full of the milk of human kindness.

Question 76

see the error of ways

Answer 76

When someonesees the error of their ways, they understand that what they are doing is wrong and accept to change their behaviour. He talked to a counsellor who tried to make him see the error of his ways.

Question 77

not up toscratch

Answer 77

Something which isnot up to scratchfails to reach the expected standard. The quality of the material is not up to scratch. We’ll have to change our suppliers.

Question 78

push one’s luck

Answer 78

If youpush your luck,you try to get more than what you have already obtained and risk spoiling the situation. You’ve got your father’s permission to go to the concert. Don’t push your luck by trying to borrow his car!

Question 79

take a chance

Answer 79

If youtake a chanceon something, you take action in the hope of success even though you know that the result may be negative. I may not be able to get through the traffic, but I’ll take a chance on it.

Question 80

lesser of two evils

Answer 80

If you choosethe lesser of two evils, you opt for the less unpleasant of two poor options. I didn’t want to go. Choosing the train instead of driving was the lesser of two evils; at least I could relax on the way.

Question 81

split hairs

Answer 81

If yousplit hairs, you pay too much attention to differences that are very small or unimportant. If we start splitting hairs, we’ll never reach an agreement.

Question 82

hotpotato

Answer 82

Ahot potatois a very sensitive and controversial matter which is difficult to deal with. The new Prime Minister hasn’t been confronted with any hot potatoes yet.

Question 83

lick somebody’sboots

Answer 83

To say that one personlicks another person’s bootsmeans that they are trying to please that person, often in order to obtain something. There’s no need to lick the manager’s boots. Just do your job!

Question 84

excuse my French

Answer 84

This expression is used as an apology for using crude or offensive language. He’s a bloody nuisance, if you’ll excuse my French.

Question 85

left hanging in the air

Answer 85

If a problem or issue isleft hanging in the air(orin mid-air), no decision has been taken so it remains without a solution. No solution was proposed during the meeting so the question was left hanging in the air.

Question 86

can’t fight the city hall

Answer 86

This expression means that it is useless to try to win a battle against a politician, establishment or bureaucracy in general. Brian decided it was a waste of energy trying to obtain a tax refund - you can’t fight the city hall.

Question 87

keep up with Joneses

Answer 87

Someone who tries tokeep up with the Jonesestries to have the same possessions or social achievements as someone else. First the Browns moved their children to an expensive school. Now the Smiths have done the same. It’s silly how some people feel they have to keep up with the Joneses!

Question 88

knickers in a twist

Answer 88

If youget your knickers in a twist, you are angry, nervous or upset faced with a difficult situation. Don’t get your knickers in a twist! Everything is under control.

Question 89

in the eye of thestorm

Answer 89

A person or organisation who isin the eye of the stormis deeply involved in a difficult situation which affects a lot of people. The Prime Minister was often in the eye of the storm during the debate on the war in Iraq.

Question 90

cat in hell’s chance

Answer 90

To say that there is not acat in hell’s chanceof someone doing or achieving something means that there is no chance at all. Because of the blizzard, the pilot didn’t have a cat in hell’s chance of landing safely.

Question 91

bite yourtongue

Answer 91

If youbite your tongue,you stop yourself from saying what you really think. Sam decided to bite his tongue rather than get into an argument.

Question 92

grease somebody’s palm

Answer 92

If you accuse someone ofgreasing somebody’s palm, you are accusing them of giving money to someone in order to gain an unfair advantage or to obtain something they want. In some countries, it is common practice to grease government officials’ palms.

Question 93

golden handcuffs

Answer 93

The termgolden handcuffsrefers to a large sum of money or a generous financial arrangement granted to an executive as an incentive to stay in their job, or to ensure long-term cooperation after their departure.

Question 94

screw loose

Answer 94

If someonehas a screw loose,their behaviour is strange and they appear slightly mad. She wears a fur coat in the summer - she must have a screw loose!

Question 95

(not) holdwater

Answer 95

If an explanation or argumentdoes not hold water, it does not stand up to critical examination and can be shown to be unfounded. The reasons given for the government’s new measures just do not hold water.

Question 96

byhookor by crook

Answer 96

If you say that you will do somethingby hook or by crook,you mean that you will succeed in doing it in whatever way is necessary, whether it is honest or not. I’ll get my revenge, by hook or by crook!

Question 97

play second fiddle

Answer 97

If youplay second fiddleto another person, you accept to be second in importance to that person, or have a lower position. John resented having to play second fiddle to the sales manager when the company was restructured.

Question 98

force someone’s hand

Answer 98

If youforce someone’s hand,you make them do something unwillingly or sooner than planned. The interviewer forced Brad’s hand and made him reveal his relocation plans.

Question 99

one in the eye

Answer 99

If an event or development is an unexpected defeat or disappointment for someone, it isone in the eyefor that person. My promotion was one in the eye for my ambitious colleague.

Question 100

white lie

Answer 100

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.

Question 101

crack the whip

Answer 101

If youcrack the whip, you use your authority to make someone obey you or work more efficiently, usually by threatening them. Every so often I’ll crack the whip to make sure we meet the deadline.

Question 102

show someone the ropes

Answer 102

If youshow someone the ropes,you teach or explain to them how to do a particular job. The manager is busy showing the ropes to two new trainees.

Question 103

blot one’s copy-book

Answer 103

Someone whoblots their copy-bookdoes something to spoil their good record or reputation. He blotted his copy-book when he was arrested for speeding.

Question 104

strike while the iron is hot

Answer 104

If youstrike while the iron is hot,you act immediately because now is the ideal time to do it. The price of property has dropped. It’s a good time to buy. You should strike while the iron is hot.

Question 105

know which side your bread is buttered

Answer 105

If you knowwhich side your bread is buttered, you know where your interests lie or what will be to your advantage. Jack never argues with his father-in-law. He knows which side his bread is buttered.

Question 106

sweet nothings

Answer 106

Pleasant but unimportant words that lovers say to each other are calledsweet nothings. He whispered sweet nothings in her ear as they danced.

Question 107

all youreggsin one basket

Answer 107

If you haveall your eggs in one basket, you depend on one plan or one source of income. If you invest your savings in one bank, you’ll have all your eggs in one basket.

Question 108

nothing succeeds like success

Answer 108

This expression means that success often leads to further successes. The success of my first book encouraged to continue writing. Nothing succeeds like success!

Question 109

make a song and dance

Answer 109

If someone complains in an annoying way or becomes unnecessarily excited about something unimportant, theymake a song and dance about it. OK, you don’t like carrots. Don’t make a song and dance about it!

Question 110

put through one’s paces

Answer 110

If you putsomeone or something through their paces,you test their ability to do something by making them perform certain actions. During the presentation, the new machine was put through its paces.

Question 111

close as anoyster

Answer 111

Someone who isas close as an oysterwill never reveal something told in confidence or betray a secret. Sophie will never repeat what you tell her. She’s as close as an oyster.

Question 112

for thetimebeing

Answer 112

If you talk about how a situation isfor the time being,you mean that it is temporary and will probably change in the future. Laura has left John and is living with her parents for the time being.

Question 113

gohaywire

Answer 113

If somethinggoes haywire, it becomes disorganised or goes out of control. The photocopier has gone completely haywire. It’s only printing half of each page!

Question 114

get the show on the road

Answer 114

If you manage to put a plan or idea into action, youget the show on the road. OK, we’ve got all we need, so let’s get the show on the road.

Question 115

hold all the aces

Answer 115

A person whoholds all the acesis in a very strong position because they have more advantages than anyone else. Given the high unemployment figures in some countries, employers hold all the aces.

Question 116

go through the mill

Answer 116

If yougo through the mill, you experience a very difficult period, or are exposed to rough treatment. When I was an intern, I was put through the mill. Nothing went unnoticed.

Question 117

sail through

Answer 117

If yousail through something, for example a test or an exam, you succeed in doing it without difficulty. The English test was no problem for Pedro. He sailed through it.

Question 118

drastic times call for drastic measures

Answer 118

When faced with a difficult situation, it is sometimes necessary to take actions which in normal circumstances would appear extreme After Johnny’s third accident, his father confiscated his car. Drastic times call for drastic measures!

Question 119

while the going is good

Answer 119

If you take actionwhile the going is good, you do something before the situation changes and it is no longer possible. There’s a 50% discount on subscriptions this month. I think I’ll subscribe while the going is good.

Question 120

no end

Answer 120

This expression is another way of saying ‘very much’. Aunt Bessie was pleased no end to be invited to your wedding.

Question 121

fit the bill

Answer 121

If someone or somethingfits the bill, they are exactly right for a particular situation. They wanted a quiet place to stay and the country inn fitted the bill.

Question 122

do the trick

Answer 122

If somethingdoes the trick, it does exactly what is needed, or achieves the desired effect. Another coat of paint should do the trick.

Question 123

stand up for

Answer 123

When you defend or support a person, a belief or an idea, youstand up forthem. A growing number of citizens are standing up for the victims of discrimination.

Question 124

tighten your belt

Answer 124

If you need totighten your belt,you must spend your money carefully because there is less available. Another bill? I’ll have to tighten my belt this month!

Question 125

dead as a dodo

Answer 125

To say that something is (as)dead as a dodomeans that it is unquestionably dead or obsolete, or has gone out of fashion. (A dodo is a bird that is now extinct.) The floppy disk is an invention that is now (as) dead as a dodo.

Question 126

boil the ocean

Answer 126

To “boil the ocean” means to waste time on a task or project that is unnecessary, not worth doing or impossible to achieve. “I expect you to do the job well but don’t try to boil the ocean!”

Question 127

out of thefrying pan into the fire

Answer 127

This expression means to go from one difficult situation to another one which is usually even worse. The flight was delayed because of snow. When the plane eventually took off, it had to turn back because of engine trouble - out of the frying pan into the fire!

Question 128

go off the deep end

Answer 128

A person whogoes off the deep endbecomes suddenly very angry or emotional. He started shouting and throwing things around the office. He really went off the deep end.

Question 129

get coldfeet

Answer 129

If youget cold feetabout something, you begin to hesitate about doing it; you are no longer sure whether you want to do it or not. I wanted to enter the competition but at the last minute I got cold feet.

Question 130

fight an uphill battle

Answer 130

A person faced withan uphill battlehas to struggle against very unfavourable circumstances. After the terrible accident, his recovery was an uphill battle all the way.

Question 131

shank’s pony

Answer 131

If you go somewhere onShank’s pony,you have to walk rather than travel by bus, car, etc. It was impossible to find a taxi after the party, so it was Shank’s pony for us!

Question 132

make nobonesabout it

Answer 132

If youmake no bonesabout something, you don’t hesitate to say something in a frank and open way. I made no bones about it. I told him his offer was unacceptable.

Question 133

that’s the way the ball bounces

Answer 133

Things don’t always work out as planned, and there’s nothing we can do about it - that’s life! He didn’t get the prize he expected, but never mind - that’s the way the ball bounces!

Question 134

quick temper

Answer 134

Someone who has aquick tempergets angry very easily. He makes me nervous - he’s got such a quick temper.

Question 135

blow away the cobwebs

Answer 135

If somethingblows away the cobwebs, it makes you feel more lively and refreshes your ideas. Let’s get out of the house. A walk on the beach will blow away the cobwebs!

Question 136

make a killing

Answer 136

If you say that someone hasmade a killingyou mean that they have had great financial success. He made a killing on the stock market.

Question 137

out of your depth

Answer 137

If you areout of your depth, you are in a situation which is too difficult for you, or which you know little about. She started building a website with little computer knowledge, so she was soon out of her depth and had to look for help.

Question 138

risklifeand limb

Answer 138

If yourisk life and limb,you are in danger of death or serious injury. The roads are icy today; you’ll risk life and limb if you go by car.

Question 139

throwpearlsto pigs/ cast pearls before swine

Answer 139

This expression means that it is wasteful to offer something valuable or useful to someone who does not understand or appreciate it. She had a beautifully trained voice but the audience didn’t listen - talk about throwing pearls to pigs!

Question 140

step on someone’s toes

Answer 140

If you annoy or irritate someone by intervening in a situation that is their responsibility, youstep on their toes. I could offer some advice but I’m afraid of stepping on someone’s toes.

Question 141

strike a false note

Answer 141

If youstrike a false note,you do something wrong or inappropriate. He struck a false note when he arrived at the cocktail party wearing old jeans.

Question 142

on theoff-chance

Answer 142

If you do somethingon the off chance, you think there might be a slight possibility of success. I went into the supermarket on the off chance that I would find a map.

Question 143

break the mould

Answer 143

If you change what people expect from a (traditional) situation, especially by doing something original, youbreak the mould. After generations of doctors in the family, he broke the mould by becoming a fashion designer.

Question 144

work your fingers to the bone

Answer 144

A person whoworks their fingers to the boneis extremely hardworking. He deserves his success; he worked his fingers to the bone when he started the business.

Question 145

just what the doctor ordered

Answer 145

If something isjust what the doctor ordered, it is extremely pleasant and will help you feel better. A week-end in the sun - just what the doctor ordered!

Question 146

give the shirt off one’s back

Answer 146

This expression is used to describe a kind-hearted or generous person who would give you anything he/she owns to help you. Mike would give the shirt off his back to help a friend in difficulty.

Question 147

talknineteento the dozen

Answer 147

Someone whotalks nineteen to the dozenspeaks very quickly. He was talking nineteen to the dozen so I didn’t catch the whole story.

Question 148

of the firstwater

Answer 148

Something that isof the first wateris of the finest or most exceptional quality (like being compared to a diamond). The violinist gave a performance that was of the first water.

Question 149

stop dead in one’s tracks

Answer 149

If youstop dead in your tracks,you stop suddenly because you are frightened or totally surprised. When Steve saw the snake, he stopped dead in his tracks.

Question 150

beyond the shadow of adoubt

Answer 150

This expression is used to indicate absolute certainty about something. There wasn’t a shadow of doubt in our minds about Susan’s sincerity.

Question 151

abbreviated piece of nothing

Answer 151

This slang expression refers to someone who is considered to be insignificant or worthless. Bob doesn’t think much of his new colleague. He calls him an ‘abbreviated piece of nothing’.

Question 152

spread like wildfire

Answer 152

If something such as news, rumours or gossipspreads like wildfire, it becomes widely known very fast. As soon as the nomination was announced, the news spread like wildfire.

Question 153

pot calling the kettle black

Answer 153

This expression is used in a situation where a person with a fault criticizes someone else for having the same fault. After being disqualified for not obeying the rules, the player accused another competitor of cheating; it was the pot calling the kettle black!

Question 154

open secret

Answer 154

A fact that is supposed to be a secret but is actually widely known is called anopen secret. It’s an open secret that Paul and Emily are living together.

Question 155

earn while you learn

Answer 155

This expression refers to the possibility of earning a salary while in training. Become an apprentice and get paid while in training. Earn while you learn!

Question 156

in essence

Answer 156

The termin essencemeans ‘basically’, fundamentally’ or ‘essentially’ and refers to the most important or essential facts. In essence, lightning is a great big spark of electricity.

Question 157

take to something like a duck to water

Answer 157

If youtake to something like a duck to water,you do it naturally and easily, without fear or hesitation. When Sophie first tried skiing, she took to it like a duck to water.

Question 158

eat someone alive

Answer 158

If you criticize someone severely because you are angry with them, youeat them alive. (You can also be eaten alive - bitten repeatedly - by insects.) The boss will eat me alive if the report arrives late.

Question 159

make a beeline for

Answer 159

If youmake a beelinefor something, you hurry directly towards it. They were so hot and thirsty they made a beeline for the cool drinks.

Question 160

look daggers

Answer 160

Someone wholooks daggersat another looks at them very angrily. David looked daggers at Paul when he invited his new girlfriend to dance.

Question 161

for that matter

Answer 161

This term is used to add something that is also true. She refuses to fly, and she won’t travel by train either for that matter.

Question 162

juggling act

Answer 162

If you doa juggling act,you try to do different things in a way that is satisfactory for all concerned. For many women, managing a career and looking after a family can be quite a juggling act.

Question 163

have kittens

Answer 163

To say that you’re going tohave kittensis a dramatic way of expressing worry, anxiety or fear. His mother nearly had kittens when Alex announced that he wanted to be a trapeze artist.

Question 164

against one’s better judgement

Answer 164

If you do something, even though you feel it is not a sensible thing to do, you do itagainst your better judgement. Bob persuaded her to go by car, against her better judgement, and she regretted it as soon as she saw the heavy traffic.

Question 165

throw money at

Answer 165

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!

Question 166

lie way in/out

Answer 166

If you obtain something or get out of a situation by telling lies, youlie your way inoroutof it. He lied his way into a well-paid position.

Question 167

chill out

Answer 167

When peoplechill out, often after a period of heavy work or nervous tension, they do something that helps them to calm down and relax for a while. After a week of exams, the students needed to go and chill out.

Question 168

turn a blind eye

Answer 168

If youturn a blind eyeto something, you pretend not to notice what someone is doing. The old man turns a blind eye when he sees children taking apples from his garden.

Question 169

your guess is as good as mine

Answer 169

When talking to another person,your guess is as good as minemeans that neither of you knows the answer. “What happened to the coffee machine?” “Your guess is as good as mine!”

Question 170

slice of the cake

Answer 170

When people feel entitled to a share of the profits or benefits, they want a (larger)slice of the cake. Since profits are higher this year, the workers feel they deserve a bigger slice of the cake.

Question 171

tomorrow’s another day

Answer 171

This expression means that even if everything is not satisfactory at present, there will be opportunity for things to improve. For the moment you need some rest; tomorrow’s another day.

Question 172

wear out one’s welcome

Answer 172

If someonewears out their welcome, they stay too long as a guest, causing inconvenience to their host. Alan and Sue invited us to stay on for a few days but we didn’t want to wear out our welcome.

Question 173

get one’s just deserts

Answer 173

When someone gets their just deserts, they are rewarded or punished according to what they deserve. Liz got her just deserts when she was excluded from the committee; she is totally unreliable.

Question 174

out like a light

Answer 174

If a person isout like a light,they are so tired that they fall asleep very quickly. As soon as his head touched the pillow, he was out like a light.

Question 175

in essence

Answer 175

The term ‘in essence’ means ‘basically’, fundamentally’ or ‘essentially’, and refers to the most important or essential facts. In essence, lightning is a great big spark of electricity.

Question 176

make or break

Answer 176

Circumstances or events that willmake or breaksomeone or something will cause either total success or total ruin. The assignment will make or break his career.

Question 177

right/wrongfoot

Answer 177

To get off (or start off) on theright/wrong footmeans to start a relationship well or badly. I was looking forward to working with Anna but we seem to have started off on the wrong foot.

Question 178

get your feet wet

Answer 178

If youget your feet wet, you start to do something new or unfamiliar or explore new territory for the first time. It will be a totally new experience for me but I can’t wait to get my feet wet!

Question 179

champagne taste on a beer budget

Answer 179

Someone who likes expensive things that they cannot afford haschampagne taste on a beer budget. Eve borrows money to buy expensive designer clothes - champagne taste on a beer budget!

Question 180

dead duck

Answer 180

This expression refers to a project or scheme which has been abandoned or is certain to fail. The new cinema is going to be a dead duck because it’s too far away from the town centre.

Question 181

over-egg the pudding

Answer 181

If you try to improve something excessively by adding unnecessary details,you over-egg the pudding. Keep your report simple. Don’t over-egg the pudding.

Question 182

whiz kid

Answer 182

Awhiz kidis someone, usually young, who is very talented and successful at doing something. Apparently the new engineer knows what he’s doing - a real whiz-kid from what I’ve heard.

Question 183

live to fight another day

Answer 183

This expression means that even though you have had a negative experience, you will have another chance in the future to try again. He was defeated in the final match but he lived to fight another day.

Question 184

other side of the coin

Answer 184

When you want to mention a different or contradictory aspect of a situation, you refer tothe other side of the coin. The house is lovely and spacious, but the other side of the coin is that it is far from shops and schools.

Question 185

when in Rome, do as the Romans do

Answer 185

This expression means that you should adopt the customs of the people or country you are visiting, and behave in the same way.

Question 186

iron fist/hand

Answer 186

This expression is used to describe someone who, behind an appearance of gentleness, is inflexible and determined. To impose the necessary reforms, the leader used persuasion followed by force - an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Question 187

smoke signals

Answer 187

To say that there aresmoke signalsmeans that there are indications that something is probably going to happen. All the smoke signals seem to indicate that the company is going to be taken over.

Question 188

murphy’s law

Answer 188

Referring toMurphy’s lawexpresses a sentiment of bad luck and the idea that if anything can go wrong, it will. We’ve tried to prepare for every possible incident, but remember Murphy’s law …!

Question 189

in thenickof time

Answer 189

If something happensin the nick of time,it happens at the last minute, when it is nearly too late. The child was standing in front of the open window. His mother caught him in the nick of time.

Question 190

say a mouthful

Answer 190

Ifyou make an important or lengthy remark, yousay a mouthful. The customer said a mouthful when he gave the reason for his dissatisfaction.

Question 191

why keep adogand bark yourself?

Answer 191

This expression means that if someone or something can do a task for you, there’s no reason to do it yourself. My grandmother has an electric mixer but she continues to make her cakes by hand. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

Question 192

send packing

Answer 192

If yousend someone packing,you tell them to leave, in a very forceful and unfriendly way. When Amanda discovered that Jack was unfaithful, she sent him packing.

Question 193

in the first place

Answer 193

Something that is done orsaid in the first placeis done or said at the beginning, before anything else. Why didn’t you tell me he was your boyfriend in the first place?

Question 194

put in one’s place

Answer 194

If someone causes offence or irritation by speaking or behaving in an inappropriate manner, youput them in their placeby letting them know that they are not as important as they seem to believe. The new trainee is not in a position to criticize our methods. He needs to be put in his place!

Question 195

wrapped up in

Answer 195

If youwrapped up inan activity, you are totally concentrated on it. Emma was so wrapped up in her work that she didn’t realize her colleagues had all left.

Question 196

pull (someone’s) leg

Answer 196

If youpull somebody’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!

Question 197

make your way to

Answer 197

If youmake your wayto a destination, you manage to get there without difficulty. Don’t worry. I’ll make my way to your home from the station.

Question 198

run atautship

Answer 198

When a group or organisation is run in a well-ordered and disciplined manner, the person in chargeruns a taut (ortight)ship. The director of the scout camp runs a taut ship.

Question 199

(like the)backof one’s hand

Answer 199

If you know something like the back of your hand, you are very familiar with it and know it in detail. Of course I won’t get lost. I know London like the back of my hand!

Question 200

a rude awakening

Answer 200

If you geta rude awakening, you are forced to accept the unpleasant truth or reality. She thought Charlie would want her back, but she got a rude awakening - he was already dating another girl.