1001-1200 Flashcards
1
Q
old chestnut
A
A story, joke or an idea that has been repeated so often that it has lost its novelty is referred to as an ‘old chestnut’.
2
Q
time is ticking away
A
The expression’time is ticking away’can be used when you see the minutes or seconds going by as the clock ticks, especially when you are waiting anxiously for something to happen.
3
Q
slipped my mind
A
If something hasslipped your mind,you have forgotten about it.
4
Q
first and foremost
A
This expression is used to state what you consider to be more important than anything else.
5
Q
dumb as an oyster
A
Someone who is asdumb as an oyster will never reveal something told in confidence or betray a secret.
6
Q
loose cannon
A
Someone who is referred to asa loose cannoncannot be completely trusted because of unpredictable and irresponsible behaviour which can cause trouble.
7
Q
pay dividends
A
If something you dopays dividends,it brings advantages or rewards at a later date.
8
Q
go through theroof
A
If someonegoes through the roof,they become very angry.
9
Q
sink your teeth into
A
If yousink your teeth into something,you do it with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
10
Q
have a ball
A
If youhave a ballyou enjoy yourself immensely.
11
Q
give a run for money
A
If yougive someone a run for their money, you present strong competition in circumstances where the other person expects to win easily.
12
Q
open the kimono
A
If a person or organisationopens the kimono,they reveal something previously hidden.
13
Q
upper crust
A
This term refers to the higher levels of society, the upper class or the aristocracy.
14
Q
vim and vigour
A
If you are full ofvim and vigour,you have lots of vitality, energy and enthusiasm.
15
Q
butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth
A
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.
16
Q
bitten by the bug
A
If you develop a sudden interest or enthusiasm for something, you arebitten by the bug.
17
Q
get the sack
A
If someonegets the sack, they lose their job, usually because they have done something wrong.
18
Q
take a fancy
A
If youtake a fancyto someone or something, you develop a fondness for them or begin to like them.
19
Q
put through theirpaces
A
If youputsomeone or somethingthrough their paces, you test their ability to do something by making them perform certain actions.
20
Q
no-brainer
A
A decision or choice that requires little or no thought, because the best option is so obvious, is called ano-brainer.
21
Q
golden parachute
A
Agolden parachuteis a clause in an executive’s employment contract stating that the executive will receive certain large benefits if their employment is terminated.
22
Q
in the heat of the moment
A
If you say or do somethingin the heat of the moment, you say or do it without pausing to think, at a time when you are experiencing unusually strong emotions such as anger, excitement, etc.
23
Q
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
A
A person who isbright-eyed and bushy-tailedis very enthusiastic and full of energy.
24
Q
brown as a berry
A
To say that someone is asbrown as a berrymeans that they are very tanned.
25
burn the candle at both ends
If you burn the candle at both ends, you exhaust yourself by doing too much, especially going to bed late and getting up early.
26
sail close to the wind
If you sail close to the wind, you do something dangerous or act just within the limits of what is legal or acceptable.
27
clock in/out
When you clock in or out, you record the time you arrive or leave your job by punching a time clock to show the number of hours you have worked.
28
(no) quick fix
To say that there is no quick fix to a problem means that there is no simple solution.
29
come what may
If you declare that you will do something come what may, you are saying that you will do it whatever the consequences may be.
30
ball and chain
This term refers to a burden or problem that ties you down and prevents you from doing what you want.
31
keep finger on pulse
If you keep a finger on the pulse, you are constantly aware of the most recent events or developments.
32
close (/dumb) as an oyster
Someone who is as close ( or 'dumb') as an oyster will never reveal something told in confidence, or betray a secret.
33
give someone theslip
If you give somebody the slip, you manage to hide or get away from the person who is following you.
34
put the kibosh on
If you do something to prevent a plan or activity from happening or developing, you put the kibosh on it.
35
vicious circle
When the solution to a problem creates another problem similar to the original, or makes it worse, so that the process starts all over again, the situation is called a vicious circle.
36
ram down someone's throat
If you ram something down someone's throat, you force them to accept something against their will.
37
head in the clouds
If you have your head in the clouds, you are so absorbed by your thoughts that you are not paying attention to what is happening around you.
38
run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
If you run with the hare and hunt with the hounds, you want to stay on friendly terms with both sides in a quarrel.
39
yellow bellied
A person who is yellow-bellied is cowardly, or not at all brave.
40
all mouth and no trousers
This is said of someone who talks a lot about doing something but never actually does it.
41
see red
If someone sees red, they suddenly become very angry or annoyed.
42
play gooseberry
If you play gooseberry, you join or accompany two people who have a romantic relationship and want to be alone.
43
much ado about nothing
When people make much ado about nothing, they make a lot of fuss about something which is not important.
44
jump the gun
If you jump the gun, you do something too soon or take premature action based on incomplete information.
45
perish the thought
This expression is used when the speaker really hopes that something will not happen.
46
law onto themselves
If someone is a law onto themselves, they do things their own way and ignore what is generally considered as acceptable.
47
ready and waiting
Something or someone that is ready and waiting is prepared and available for a particular task or occasion.
48
on somebody's tail
If you are on somebody's tail, you are following them closely.
49
build bridges
If a person builds bridges between opposing groups, they help them to cooperate and understand each other better.
50
wet blanket
A person who is a wet blanket is so boring or unenthusiastic that they prevent others from enjoying themselves.
51
big fish in a small pond
This term refers to an important or highly-ranked person in a small group or organisation.
52
(not) mince words
Someone who does not mince their words expresses their opinions, ideas or thoughts very clearly, even if they offend others by doing so.
53
keep the lid on
If you keep the lid on something, you hide it or control it to prevent people from finding out about it.
54
fly in the ointment
A fly in the ointment refers to something that prevents a situation from being completely satisfactory.
55
touch wood / knock on wood
This humorous expression, based on superstition, is used to avoid bad luck, often while touching something made of wood.
56
hang up one's boots
When a sports player hangs up their boots, they stop playing and retire.
57
cut one's losses
If you end or withdraw from something that is already failing, in order to reduce the loss of money, time or effort invested in it, you cut your losses.
58
bad egg
Someone who is a bad egg is an untrustworthy person often involved in trouble whose company should be avoided.
59
why keep a dog and bark yourself
This expression means that if someone or something can do a task for you, there's no reason to do it yourself.
60
get someone's goat
Something that get someone's goat annoys or irritates them.
61
your wish is my command
This is a humoristic way of saying that you are willing to do whatever the other person asks.
62
basket case
A person whose agitated mental state leaves them helpless or unable to cope with things is called a basket case.
63
shelf life
If something such as food, drink or medicine has a particular shelf life, it must be used or sold before the end of that period of time.
64
out of the question
Something which is out of the question is impossible and is therefore not worth discussing.
65
make the cut
If you make the cut, you reach a required standard or succeed in passing from one round of a competition to another.
66
turn up like a bad penny
If someone turns up like a bad penny, they appear at a place or event where they are not welcome or not wanted.
67
no-brainer
A decision or choice that requires little or no thought, because the best option is so obvious, is called a no-brainer.
68
ego trip
If you do something primarily to draw attention to yourself and feel important or superior to others, you are on an ego trip.
69
signed, sealed, and delivered
When an agreement, contract or treaty is signed, sealed and delivered, all the legal documents are in order.
70
in fits and starts
If you do something in fits and starts, you do it in an irregular manner, often stopping and starting again.
71
weigh your words
If you weigh your words, you choose your words carefully in order to express exactly what you mean and avoid any misunderstanding.
72
bundle of nerves
If you describe someone as a bundle of nerves, you mean that they are very nervous, tense or worried.
73
make a pig of
If you make a pig of yourself, you eat and drink too much.
74
two-time someone
If one person two-times another, they cheat on their partner by having a romantic relationship with another person at the same time.
75
of all people
To use the term 'of all people' emphasizes that the person you mention, more than anyone else, is the one you would expect to do something.
76
upset the applecart
If you upset (or overturn) the applecart, you spoil a satisfactory plan or situation.
77
cook the books
A person who cooks the books is one who changes the facts or figures in the financial accounts, often in order to steal money.
78
walk on eggshells
If you walk on eggshells with someone, you are careful not to hurt or offend them.
79
let something ride
When you decide to do nothing about a particular situation and allow it to remain as it is, you let it ride.
80
free as a bird
If someone is as free as a bird, they are completely free to do as they please.
81
keep up appearances
A person who keeps up appearances maintains an outward show of prosperity or well-being in order to hide their difficulties from others.
82
even steven
Two or more people who are even stevens are equal to each other.
83
stink to high heaven
If something has a very strong unpleasant smell, it stinks to high heaven.
84
Christmas comes but once a year
This expression means that Christmas is a time of celebration that only happens once a year, and that we should mark the occasion by being generous to others, especially the less fontunate.
85
answer for something
If someone has to answer for something, they have to accept responsibility for their actions.
86
do a disappearing act
If someone does a disappearing act, they simply vanish, especially if they have done something wrong or dishonest.
87
string someone along
If you string someone along, you deliberately mislead them about your intentions.
88
a plum job
A desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively easy is called a plum job.
89
botch up/ make a botch of
If you spoil something, or make a mess of it, by doing a job badly or incorrectly, you make a botch of it or you botch it up.
90
slippery as an eel
To say that someone is as slippery as an eel means that they are difficult to catch and they manage to avoid answering questions.
91
in a class of one's own
If someone is in a class of their own, they are unequalled and considered better than anyone else of their kind.
92
think on your feet
A person who thinks on their feet is capable of adjusting rapidly to new developments and making quick decisions, Good lawyers need to be able to think on their feet when pleading a case.
93
in the interim
Something that happens in the interim takes place during a period of time between two events.
94
miss the boat
If you miss the boat, you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you don't act quickly enough.
95
ignorance is bliss
This means that if you don't know about a problem or unpleasant fact, you won't worry about it.
96
eat, sleep and breathe something
If you eat, sleep and breathe something, you are so enthusiastic and passionate about it that you think about it constantly.
97
freeze someone out
If you deliberately isolate someone or prevent them from participating in a social or business activity by treating them unfairly or harshly, you freeze them out.
98
in a quandary
If you are in a quandary, you find it difficult to decide what to do.
99
argue the toss
If you argue the toss, you dispute a decision or choice which has already been made.
100
wear many hats
Someone who wears many hats has to do many different types of tasks or play a variety of roles.
101
I wasn't born yesterday
This expression is used to indicate that you are not as foolish or as easily deceived as some people seem to think.
102
have a hangover
To have a hangover means to suffer from the unpleasant after-effects of drinking too much alcohol.
103
new to this game
To say that you are new to this game means that you have never been involved in this sort of activity before.
104
put it mildly
If you put it mildly, you express your opinion or reaction in a controlled way, without exaggeration.
105
out of the picture
To say that a person or group is out of the picture means that they have been eliminated in a contest or tournament.
106
shape of things to come
If something, such as a trend or fashion, is the shape of things to come, it is a sign of what is likely to be used or enjoyed by many people in the future.
107
get wise to something
If you get wise to something, you learn something that you were not aware of before.
108
fixed in your ways
People who are fixed in their ways do not want to change their normal way of doing things.
109
beat one's brain out
If someone beats their brains out, they try very hard to understand something or solve a problem.
110
earmark something
If you earmark something, you assign it to a particular person or reserve it for a specific use.
111
put that in your pipe and smoke it
This expressions means that you have to accept what the speaker says, whether you like it or not.
112
highways and byways
If you travel the highways and byways, you take large and small roads to visit every part of the country.
113
business is business
This is a way of saying that in financial and commercial matters, friendship or personal feelings should not be allowed to have any influence.
114
tied to apron strings
If one person is tied to another's apron strings, they remain dependent at an age when they should be independent.
115
cool one's heels
If you are left to cool your heels, someone keeps you waiting.
116
out of the blue
If something happens out of the blue, it happens very unexpectedly.
117
pleased/proud as punch
Someone who is as pleased or as proud as punch is delighted or feels very satisfied about something.
118
the apple of your eye
A person, usually a child, who is the apple of your eye is one for whom you have great affection.
119
can't fight the city hall
This expression means that it is useless to try to win a battle against a politician, establishment or bureaucracy ingeneral.
120
from soup to nuts
If you do something from soup to nuts, you do it all the way through, from the beginning to the end (like from the first to the last course of a meal).
121
a kickback
This expression refers to money paid illegally for favourable treatment.
122
get into the swing of things
When you get into the swing of something, you become involved in it or get used to it and begin to enjoy it.
123
play games with someone
If you are not completely honest, or behave in a way that is insincere, evasive or intentionally misleading, you are playing games with someone.
124
wouldn't be caught dead/seen dead
If someone says that they wouldn't be caught or seen dead in a particular place or doing something, they mean that they would be too ashamed or embarrassed.
125
afraid of one's own shadow
A person who is afraid of his/her own shadow is very nervous or easily frightened.
126
smart alec
A smart alec is an annoying self-assertive person who tries to show off how clever they are.
127
middle of the road (MOR)
This term refers to anything moderate, unadventurous or inoffensive that avoids extremes and appeals to the majority of people.
128
off colour
If you are off colour, you look or feel ill.
129
tread water
If you are treading water, your situation remains stationary in spite of your efforts, with no sign of any progress.
130
hop, skip and jump
To say that a thing or place is only a hop, skip and a jump away from another means that they are very close to each other.
131
snug as a bug in a rug
This is a humorous way of saying that you are warm and comfortable.
132
face the music
If you have to face the music, you have to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions.
133
also-ran
This term refers to an unsuccessful competitor whose performance is so much poorer than the winner's that it appears insignificant.
134
ball is in your court
If the ball is in your court, it is your turn to speak or act next.
135
in full swing
When an event gets into full swing, it is at its busiest or liveliest time.
136
that's the way the ball bounces
Things don't always work out as planned, and there's nothing we can do about it - that's life.
137
cash cow
A product or service which is a regular source of income for a company is called a cash cow.
138
a doddle
If a task or activity is a doddle, it is very easy to do or perform.
139
step into someone's shoes
If you step into someone's shoes, you take over a job or position held by someone else before you.
140
crash course
If you do a crash course, you do an intensive training course in order to obtain quick results.
141
child's play
If something is referred to as child's play, it is considered to be simple or easy to do.
142
crystal clear
A statement or expression that is easy to understand or has an obvious meaning is crystal clear or as clear as crystal.
143
against the clock
If you do something against the clock, you are rushed and have very little time to do it.
144
bet your bottom dollar
If you bet your bottom dollar on something, you are absolutely certain of it.
145
spell trouble
If something spells trouble, it signifies possible problems in the future.
146
(by the) look of things
This expression is used to express an opinion based on what you actually see.
147
till the cows come home
If you say 'till the cows come home' you mean for a long time or forever.
148
back of beyond
An isolated place located far from any town is said to be in the back of beyond.
149
sow seeds of suspicion
If someone's behaviour, or something they say, sows the seeds of suspicion, it leads people to suspect that they are guilty.
150
go for a song
If something goes for a song, it is sold at an unexpectedly low price.
151
break the back of the beast
If someone breaks the back of the beast, they succeed in overcoming a major difficulty.
152
refresh someone's memory
If you refresh someone's memory, you remind them of facts they seem to have forgotten.
153
on the cards (US : in the cards)
Something which is on the cards is planned and likely to happen.
154
other side of the coin
When you want to mention a different or contradictory aspect of a situation, you refer to the other side of the coin.
155
mixed feelings
When you have mixed feelings about something, you react to it with conflicting emotions; you are happy and unhappy at the same time.
156
get away withmurder
Someone who gets away with murder can do something unacceptable without being punished or criticized.
157
let ride
When you decide to do nothing about a particular situation and allow it to remain as it is, you let it ride.
158
save your bacon
If you save someone's bacon, you rescue them from a dangerous or difficult situation.
159
wild goose chase
If someone is sent on a wild goose chase, they waste their time looking for something that there is little chance of finding.
160
grey existence
To have a grey existence means to lead a dull, monotonous life.
161
pedal to metal
When you put the pedal to the metal, you accelerate or make something go faster.
162
pull strings
If someone pulls strings, they use influential friends in order to obtain an advantage.
163
whole caboodle whole kit and caboodle
This expression means 'everything'.
164
gravy train
If someone is on the gravy train, they have found an easy way to make money, one that requires little effort and is without risk.
165
out of sorts
If someone is out of sorts, they are upset and irritable or not feeling well.
166
call the shots
If you call the shots, you are in command of the situation and make all the important decisions.
167
facts speak for themselves
When the facts of a situation are so clear that no further explanation or extra details are necessary, the facts speak for themselves.
168
keep at arm's length
If you keep someone at arm's length, you do not allow yourself to become too friendly with them.
169
red carpet
To roll out the red carpet means to give special treatment to an important or honoured visitor.
170
low profile
A person who keeps a low profile tries not to attract public attention.
171
take with a grain of salt
To say that certain information should be taken with a grain of saltmeans that you doubt its accuracy.
172
virtue is its own reward
The knowledge that you have done the right thing, or that you have acted in a moral way, is sufficient reward and you should not expect more.
173
dice with death
If you put your life at risk by doing something very dangerous, youdice with death.
174
follow in someone's footsteps
If you follow in someone's footsteps, for example a parent, you lead a similar life or do the same job.
175
beyond any reasonable doubt
This is a legal expression which means that something is certain.
176
poker face
Someone who has a poker face has an expressionless face that shows no emotion or reaction at all.
177
spread one's wings
When someone spreads their wings, they become independent, begin to use their abilities and develop their interests.
178
let sleeping dogs lie
If you tell someone to let sleeping dogs lie, you are asking them not to interfere with a situation because they could cause problems.
179
all sizzle and no steak
Someone or something that turns out to be disappointing, after a promotional campaign or marketing operation which led us to expect something better, is called all sizzle and no steak.
180
lick someone's boots
To say that one person is licking another's boots means that they are trying to please that person, often in order to obtain something.
181
honeymoon is over
To say that the honeymoon is over means that the initial period of friendship and cooperation between people, groups or organisations has ended.
182
put head on the block
If you put yourself in a dangerous situation where you risk losing your job or your reputation if things go wrong, you put your head on the block.
183
get in hair
If you are getting in someone's hair, you are annoying them so much that they can't get on with what they are doing.
184
ballpark figure
If someone gives a ballpark figure, they give an approximate number or a rough estimate of the cost of something.
185
take a load off one's mind
If something takes a load (or weight) off someone's mind, it brings great relief because a problem has been solved.
186
not give a hoot!
To say that you don't or couldn't give a hoot means that you don't care at all about something.
187
in tatters
Something that is badly torn, in very poor condition or damaged beyond repair is in tatters.
188
scare out of one's wits
If something scares you out of your wits, it makes you very frightened or worried.
189
bent out of shape
If you get bent out of shape, you become annoyed or upset about something that is usually not that important or cannot be avoided.
190
sound/smell fishy
If something sounds or smells fishy, you are suspicious about it.
191
why buy a cow when you can get milk for free?
This refers to not paying for something that you can obtain for free.
192
come up in the world
A person who has come up in the world is richer than before and has a higher social status.
193
right as rain
If someone is (as) right as rain, they are in excellent health or condition.
194
in the first place
Someone that is done in the first place is done at the beginning, before anything else.
195
get away with murder
Someone who gets away with murder can do something unacceptable without being punished or criticized.
196
fire away
If you tell someone to fire away, you encourage them to begin to talk or ask questions.
197
drop someone a line
If you drop someone a line, you write a letter to them.
198
of the first water
Something that is of the first water is of the finest or most exceptional quality (like being compared to a diamond).
199
get off scot-free
Someone who gets off scot-free escapes the punishment they deserve.
200
red tape
The term red tape refers to official rules and bureaucratic paperwork that prevent things from being done quickly.
