1201-1400 Flashcards
1
Q
kill two birds with one stone
A
If youkill two birds with one stone, you succeed in doing two things at the same time.
2
Q
cut someone some slack
A
If you relax a rule, treat a person less severely or allow someone to do something which is normally not permitted, youcut them some slack.
3
Q
sponge off someone
A
If yousponge off someone,you live at the expense of another person, accepting their hospitality without sharing the costs or doing something in return.
4
Q
it’s beyond me
A
To say ‘it’s beyond me’ means that it is impossible for you to understand.
5
Q
things are looking up
A
To say thatthings are looking upmeans that the situation is improving and you feel more positive about the future.
6
Q
strike (it) lucky
A
When someonestrikes it lucky, they run into good luck.
7
Q
sweat of your brow
A
If you earn or achieve somethingby the sweat of your brow,you do it through hard work and no help.
8
Q
run round in circles
A
People whorun round in circleshave difficulty in achieving something because of lack of organisation.
9
Q
put a spanner in the works
A
Toput a spanner in the works(orthrow a (monkey) wrench) means to cause problems and prevent something from happening as planned.
10
Q
stand in good stead
A
To say that a skill, an ability or previous experience willstand you in good steadmeans that it will be beneficial to you in the future.
11
Q
(as)slyas a fox
A
Someone who isas sly as a foxis cunning and clever at getting what they want, especially by deceiving or tricking people.
12
Q
eat your words
A
If youeat your words, you have to admit that what you said before was wrong.
13
Q
fall by the wayside
A
If a plan or projectfalls by the wayside, it remains unfinished or people stop trying to do it.
14
Q
significant other
A
The term’significant other’ refers to a person, such as a spouse, partner or lover, with whom you have a long-term relationship.
15
Q
sincetimeimmemorial
A
If something has existedsince time immemorial,it has been there for such a long time that nobody can recall a time without it.
16
Q
mind your Ps and Qs
A
If you tell someone tomind their Ps and Qs, you are advising them to be careful about how they behave and what they say.
17
Q
bring someone to heel
A
If you force someone to behave in a disciplined manner, youbring them to heel.
18
Q
go out of your way
A
If yougo out of your way, you take particular care or make a special effort when doing something.
19
Q
duty bound
A
If you areduty boundto do something, you are required to do it as part of your obligations.
20
Q
(not) miss a trick
A
If a person nevermisses a trick, they are very alert and aware of everything that is happening around them.
21
Q
till thecowscome home
A
To say that a person could do somethingtill the cows come homemeans that they could do it for a ong time.
22
Q
do nothing by halves
A
When a person does everything they are engaged in completely and thoroughly, they are said todo nothing by halves.
23
Q
that’s the last straw!
A
This expression means that this is the latest unpleasant event and that you cannot tolerate the situation any longer.
24
Q
take the bull by the horns
A
To takethe bull by the hornsmeans that a person decides to act decisively in order to deal with a difficult situation or problem.
25
bad egg
To refer to someone as a bad egg means that they cannot trusted.
26
jump on the bandwagon
If a person or organisation jumps on the bandwagon, they decide to do something when it is already successful or fashionable.
27
money to burn
People who have money to burn have so much money that they can spend it on anything they want.
28
one over the eight
If a person has had one over the eight, they are slightly drunk.
29
ring out the old year and ring in the new
This expression means to announce and celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next.
30
frog in one's throat
A person who has a frog in their throat has difficulty in speaking clearly because they have a cough or a sore throat.
31
get the axe
If someone gets the axe, they lose their job.
32
nothing to write home about
To say that something is nothing to write home about means that it is not of great interest or importance.
33
at a low ebb
A person or organisation at a low ebb is not as strong or successful as usual.
34
spitting in the wind
If you spend time trying to do something that is impossible to achieve, you are said to be spitting in the wind.
35
overstep the mark
If you overstep the mark, you go too far and upset someone by saying something or behaving in a way that is unacceptable.
36
false move
In a dangerous or risky situation, if you make a false move, you do something which may have unpleasant consequences.
37
(you can't) teach an old dog new tricks
This expression means that someone who is used to doing things in a certain way will find it difficult to change their habits.
38
run with the hare
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
ins and outs
The term 'ins and outs' of a situation means all the details or facts.
40
two left feet
If you have two left feet, you are clumsy or awkward in your movements.
41
five finger discount
If somebody gets a five-finger discount, they take something without paying; in other words, they steal.
42
you can't judge a book by its cover
This expression means that you should not form an opinion about something from its appearance only.
43
pull the rug
If you pull the rug from under someone's feet, you suddenly and unexpectedly remove all help or support.
44
get a kick out of
If you get a kick out of something, you feel enjoyment or excitement from something.
45
nothing ventured, nothing gained
This expression means that you cannot expect to achieve anything if you risk nothing.
46
on the map
If a place becomes well-known, it is put on the map.
47
square meal
When people talk about a square meal, they mean a substantial and satisfying meal.
48
live on the edge
If you live on the edge, your lifestyle involves dangerous or risky activities.
49
lie in
If you lie in, you stay in bed after the normal time for getting up.
50
know your own mind
If you know your own mind, you know what you want or like, and are capable of making a decision.
51
lie through teeth
If you lie through your teeth, you lie openly and brazenly, knowing that what you are saying is completely false.
52
off the mark
If something is off the mark, it is incorrect or inaccurate.
53
make hay while the sun shines
This expression is used as an encouragement to take advantage of a good situation which may not last.
54
small dog, tall weeds
This expression is used to refer to someone who does not have the ability or the resources necessary to perform a task.
55
mutton dressed as lamb
This expression refers to a middle-aged woman who tries to look younger by dressing in clothes designed for younger people.
56
slice/share of the cake
When people feel entitled to a share of the profits or benefits, they want a (larger) slice of the cake.
57
proud as a peacock
A person who is as proud as a peacock is extremely proud.
58
two-faced
Someone who is two-faced is deceitful or insincere; they will say one thing to your face and something else when you are not there.
59
fifth wheel
This expression refers to a person who find themselves in a situation where their presence is unnecessary and as a result they feel useless.
60
flying start
If something gets off to a flying start, it is immediately successful.
61
put one's foot down
To put one's foot down means to exert authority to prevent something from happening.
62
drop names
When you drop names, you mention the names of famous people you know or have met in order to impress others.
63
run a taut ship
When a group or organisation is run in a well-ordered and disciplined manner, the person in charge runs a taut (or tight) ship.
64
have pins and needles
To have pins and needles is to have a tingling sensation in a part of the body, for example an arm or a leg, when it has been in the same position for a long time.
65
jump out of skin
If you jump out of your skin, you are extremely surprised or shocked.
66
want head on a platter
If someone makes you so angry that you want them to be punished, you want their head on a platter.
67
pop the question
When you ask someone to marry, you pop the question.
68
full of the joys of spring
If you are full of the joys of spring, you are happy, enthusiastic and full of energy.
69
lay it on the line
If you speak frankly and make something very clear, you lay it on the line.
70
at a pinch
To say that something could be done at a pinch means that it would be possible to do it if absolutely necessary.
71
a storm is brewing
If you say that a storm is brewing, you mean that the atmosphere indicates that there is going to be trouble, probably with outbursts of anger or emotion.
72
between the devil and the deep blue sea
If you are between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a situation where there are to equally unpleasant alternatives.
73
bone to pick with someone
If you have a bone to pick with someone, you are annoyed with them and want to talk to them about it.
74
let your hair down
If you suggest that someone should let their hair down, you are telling them to relax and enjoy themselves.
75
blow your top
If you blow your top, you suddenly become very angry.
76
hollow victory
A victory obtained in unsatisfactory conditions, which as a result seems worthless or without significance for the winner, is called a hollow victory.
77
your wish is my command
This is a humoristic way of saying that you are willing to do whatever the other person asks.
78
know the score
When you know the score, you are well-informed about a situation and know what to expect.
79
paint the town red
If you paint the town red, you go out and enjoy a lively evening in bars, night-clubs, etc.
80
fit to be tied
Someone who is fit to be tied is extremely irritated, upset or angry.
81
in the red
If a person or organisation is in the red, they owe money or have a negative account.
82
come out of thewoodwork
When things, or people, come out of the woodwork, they appear or emerge unexpectedly, as if from nowhere, and usually in large numbers.
83
deliver the goods
If a person delivers the goods, they do what is expected of them or what they have promised to.
84
fat cat
To refer to a rich and powerful person as a fat cat means that you disapprove of the way they use their money or power.
85
in someone's shoes
To talk about being in someone's shoes means to imagine how you would react if you were in a similar situation.
86
wipe that smile off
This expression is often used by parents or people in authority to indicate that the situation is not amusing at all.
87
waiting game
A person who plays a waiting game delays taking any action or making any decision because they prefer to wait and see how things develop, usually in the hope that this will put them in a stronger position.
88
(not) touch with a ten-foot pole
If you decide not to touch something with a ten-foot pole, you prefer to stay far away from it.
89
make short work of
If you make short work of something, you do it or finish it quickly.
90
in vino veritas
This expression, which in Latin means 'in wine there is truth', is a way of saying that wine makes people less inhibited and leads them to speak more freely and reveal their true feelings.
91
set the records straight
If you set the records straight, you provide facts or an explanation to correct a mistake or misunderstanding.
92
blamestorming
A discussion among a group of people who try to determine who or what is to blame for a particular mistake, failure or wrongdoing, is called 'blamestorming'.
93
blue-eyed boy
A blue-eyed boy is someone's favourite.
94
bide your time
If you bide your time, you wait for a good opportunity to do something.
95
paddle one's own canoe
If you paddle your own canoe, you do what you want to do without help or interference from anyone.
96
green light
If you give or get the green light, you give or get a signal or authorization to do something.
97
all brawn and no brain
Someone who is physically very strong but not very intelligent is said to be all brawn and no brain.
98
err on the side of caution
When uncertain about what to do, if you err on the side of cautionyou do more than what is adequate rather than take any risks.
99
ready to drop
Someone who is ready to drop is nearly too exhausted to stay standing.
100
take stock of a situation
If you take stock of a situation you assess all the aspects in order to form an opinion.
101
in full swing
When something, such as an event, gets into full swing, it is at its busiest or liveliest time.
102
anyone's call
This expression is used when the result of a contest or election is difficult to predict.
103
donkey's years
If someone has been doing something for donkey's years, they have been doing it for a very long time.
104
take wind out of sails
If someone or something takes the wind out of your sails, they make you feel less confident by doing or saying something that you do not expect.
105
have your work cut out
If you have to face a difficult task or a challenging situation, you have your work cut out for you.
106
heavy hand
Dealing with or treating people with a heavy hand means acting with discipline and severity, with little or no sensitivity.
107
when the going gets tough, the tough get going
When faced with a difficult or dangerous situation, and the going gets tough, strong people take action to solve the problem.
108
window on the world
When something provides an opportunity to observe and learn about people and life in other countries, it is called a window on the world.
109
before your very eyes
If someone does something before your very eyes, they do it in front of you, without attempting to hide what they are doing.
110
strike/hit a raw nerve
If something you say strikes or hits a raw nerve, it upsets someone because they are very sensitive about the subject.
111
larger than life
A person who is larger than life attracts special attention because they are very impressive or unusually remarkable in their appearance, behaviour or personality.
112
wet blanket
To refer to someone as a wet blanket means that they spoil other people's fun, or make an event less enjoyable than it could have been.
113
up to no good
When someone is up to no good, they are doing or planning something bad or wrong.
114
(buy) a lemon
If you buy something, especially a car, that is defective, unsatisfactory, constantly gives problems or stops running after a short time, you buy a lemon.
115
go for a song
If something goes for a song, it is sold at an unexpectedly low price.
116
donkey work
This expression is used to describe the unpleasant, repetitive or boring parts of a job.
117
keep your nose to the grindstone
A person who keeps their nose to the grindstone is someone who concentrates on working hard at his/her job, or studies.
118
on the house
Something which is on the house is offered free of charge, usually in a bar or restaurant.
119
one in the eye
If an event or development is an unexpected disappointment or defeat for someone, you can say that it is one in the eye for that person.
120
speak out of turn
If someone speaks out of turn, either they intervene at the wrong moment or they say something tactless or inappropriate.
121
prey on your mind
If something preys on your mind, it troubles you so much that you keep thinking about it.
122
null and void
Something which is null and void has no legal force or is invalid.
123
strictly business
An appointment or event that is entirely devoted to business, with no leisure or relaxation, is called strictly business.
124
get to the bottom of
If you get to the bottom of a problem or mystery, you solve it by finding out the true cause of it.
125
laugh off
When you laugh about something that has upset or hurt you, to make it seem less important or to try to show that you do not care, you laugh it off.
126
one track mind
If you have a one-track mind, you have a tendency to think about only one subject.
127
snap decision
A quick decision based on an impulse, without taking time to weigh the consequences, is called a snap decision.
128
balancing act
When you try to satisfy two or more people or groups who have different needs, and keep everyone happy, you perform a balancing act.
129
bury the hatchet
When people who have had a disagreement decide to forget their quarrel and become friends again, they bury the hatchet.
130
non sequitur
This Latin term refers to a statement which does not seem to be a logical follow-up to the previous statement or argument.
131
what makes someone tick
When you try to understand what motivates someone or makes them behave the way they do, you want to know what makes them tick.
132
call it quits
When people temporarily stop doing something or put an end to an activity, they call it quits.
133
fish in troubled waters
If you fish in troubled waters, you try to gain advantages for yourself from a disturbed state of affairs.
134
call the shots/ the tune
The person who calls the shots or the tune is the one who makes all the important decisions and is in control of the situation.
135
guilty pleasure
Enjoying something which is not generally held in high regard, while at the same time feeling a bit guilty about it, is called a guilty pleasure.
136
beggars can't be choosers
This expression means that you should not reject an offer if it is the only possibility you have.
137
hale and hearty
Someone, especially an old person, who is hale and hearty is in excellent health.
138
take steps
If you take steps, you start a course of action in order to accomplish something.
139
out to lunch
To say that someone is out to lunch means that they seem to be either unaware of what's going on around them, or unable to understand what is happening.
140
move up in the world
A person who moves up in the world becomes more important in society or successful in their career.
141
feed the kitty
If you feed the kitty, you contribute to a collection of money called a 'kitty' in order to help a good cause.
142
school of hard knocks
Someone who goes through the school of hard knocks learns through the positive and negative experiences of life rather than through a formal classroom education.
143
feather in one's cap
To describe someone's achievement as a feather in their cap means that it is something they can be proud of.
144
old head on young shoulders
This expression refers to a child or young person who thinks and expresses themselves like an older more-experienced person.
145
run the gamut of
If you run the gamut of something, you cover the entire range of what is possible.
146
back on your feet
If you are back on your feet, after an illness or an accident, you are physically healthy again.
147
flog a dead horse
To say that someone is flogging a dead horse means that they are wasting time and effort trying to do or achieve something that is not possible.
148
back into shape
To get yourself back into shape, you need to take some exercise in order to become fit and healthy again.
149
mind over matter
The mental power to influence one's body and overcome physical difficulties is said to be a question of mind over matter.
150
bag of bones
To say that someone is a bag of bones means that they are extremely thin.
151
mad as a hatter
To say that someone is as mad as a hatter means that they are very strange or insane.
152
deep pockets
A person or organisation who has a lot of money has deep pockets.
153
take it easy
When you relax, or do things at a comfortable pace, you take it easy.
154
one step ahead
When you are one step ahead of someone else, you achieve something faster than they do, or you have a slight advantage over them.
155
hands tied
If a person has their hands tied, something such as an agreement or a rule is preventing them from doing what they would like to do.
156
think the sun rises and sets on someone
If you consider someone to be the most wonderful person in the world, you think the sun rises and sets on them.
157
go down well
If an idea or proposal goes down well, it is well accepted.
158
fool's errand
If you go on a fool's errand, you try to do something which is useless, unnecessary or has no chance of success.
159
farm something out
If something, such as work, is farmed out, it is sent away to be done by others.
160
be that as it may
This expression means that what the speaker says may be true but it will not change the situation.
161
lose train of thought
If you forget what you were saying, for example after a disturbance or interruption, you lose your train of thought.
162
it's a small world
This expression is used by someone who is surprised to meet familiar people in unexpected places.
163
let me bounce this off you
You can say this when you present an idea or plan to someone in order to test their reaction or obtain feedback.
164
other things being equal
This expression refers to a probable situation if the conditions elsewhere remain unchanged or equal.
165
under one's belt
If you have something under your belt, you have acquired experience or have satisfactorily achieved something.
166
feast your eyes on
If you feast your eyes on something, you are delighted and gratified by what you see.
167
go the whole hog
When you go the whole hog, you do something thoroughly or completely.
168
creative accounting
This term refers to the presentation of a company's results in a way that, although generally legal, glosses over the problems and makes the results appear better than they are.
169
idiot box
Some people consider television to lack educational value and refer to it as the idiot box.
170
go all out
If you go all out to achieve or obtain something, you make a great effort, using all possible strength and resources The candidate went all out to obtain the nomination.
171
hold the fort
When you hold the fort, you look after a place or a business in the absence of the person who is normally in charge.
172
wax lyrical
When you wax lyrical about something, you speak enthusiastically about it in a poetic or sentimental way.
173
under the weather
If you are under the weather, you are not feeling very well.
174
get hold of
If you obtain something, or manage to contact someone, you get hold of them.
175
can't stand the pace
If you can't stand the pace, you are unable to do things well when there is a lot of pressure.
176
chapter and verse
This term refers to word-for-word details, or very specific facts, especially the exact place where the information can be found.
177
have down pat
If you memorize or practise something until you know it perfectly or have it exactly right, you have it down pat.
178
over the hill
If a person is over the hill, they have reached an age when they can no longer perform as well as before.
179
fat cat
To refer to a rich and powerful person as a fat cat means that you disapprove of the way they use their money or power.
180
stand one's ground
If you stand your ground you maintain your position and refuse to yield or give way.
181
pick holes
If someone picks holes in something such as a plan, an idea or a proposal, they criticize it or try to find fault with it.
182
neither here nor there
Something which is neither here nor there is unimportant or irrelevant.
183
food for thought
If something give you food for thought, it makes you think seriously about a particular subject.
184
skin someone alive
If you are angry and threaten to skin someone alive, you mean that you are going to punish them severely.
185
blank cheque
If you give someone a blank cheque, you authorise them to do what they think is best in a difficult situation.
186
cut one's own throat
If you cut your own throat, you do something that will be the cause of your own failure or ruin your chances in the future.
187
carrot and stick
If you use a carrot-and-stick approach, you use the promise of reward and the threat of punishment to make someone work harder.
188
think the world of
If you think the world of someone, you like or admire them very much.
189
poker face
If you have a poker face, you show no emotion at all.
190
pressed for time
If you are pressed for time, you have hardly enough time to do something, so you must hurry.
191
put on your thinking cap
If you tell someone to put their thinking cap on, you ask them to find an idea or solve a problem by thinking about it.
192
get something out of your system
This expression means that you get rid of a strong emotion or desire by expressing it openly or trying to fulfill it.
193
collect one's thoughts
If you collect your thoughts, you try to think calmly and clearly in order to prepare yourself mentally for something.
194
snatch victory from the jaws of defeat
If you manage to win something such as a match or a contest, when you are on the verge of losing, you snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
195
old dog for a hard road
This expression means that experience is invaluable when one is faced with a difficult task.
196
come clean
To come clean about something means to tell the truth.
197
plain sailing
An activity or task that is plain sailing is without difficulty or free from trouble.
198
by a long chalk/shot
This expression means 'not at all' and is used to emphasize a statement, especially a negative one.
199
bee's knees
To say that someone/something is the bee's knees means that the speaker thinks they are exceptionally good.
200
have an axe to grind
If you have an axe to grind, you have personal reasons for becoming involved in something or adopting a particular attitude.
