1401-1600 Flashcards
all the rage
When something isáall the rage, it has become very popular or trendy. Twittering text messages is all the rage these days, both among individuals and companies.
be-all and end-all
To say that something is not theábe-all and end-allámeans that it is not what matters most or what is most essential. Good schools are not the be-all and end-all of educating a child.á
necessary evil
If you say that something is aánecessary evil,áyou don’t like it but you understand that it has to exist and be accepted. Vaccinations are a necessary evil if you want to travel.
in theátwinkling of an eye
This expression means ‘very fast’ or ‘instantaneously’. Public opinion can change in the twinkling of an eye.
hang on for dear life
If youáhang (or hold) on for dear life,áyou grip something firmly so as not to fall. Andy took his mother on the back of his motorbike where she hung on for dear life!
spanner in the works
If someone or somethingáthrows a spanner (or a wrench) in the works,they do something that causes problems and prevents the success of a plan or event. The two companies were keen to sign the agreement before anything happened to throw a spanner in the works.
zero tolerance
If an activity or a certain type of behaviour is givenázero tolerance, it will not be accepted, not even once. The authorities have announced zero tolerance for smoking in public buildings.
crank into gear
When a person or activity cranks (or gets) into gear, they start to work or become effective. Immediately after the announcement, a group of protesters cranked into gear.
leaps and bounds
If you do somethingáin leaps and bounds,áyou make rapid or spectacular progress or growth. The number of subscribers to the newsletter has grown in leaps and bounds.
toss up
When there are two options or possibilities to choose from, and both are equally good, the choice between the two is called aátoss-upá(like tossing a coin). Both boxers are in excellent condition. It’s a toss-up which of them will win.
best of botháworlds
If a person has theábest of both worlds, they have the benefits and advantages of two different things. We live in the centre of town, but only 5 minutes from the beach.á We have the best of both worlds.
keep under wraps
If something isákept under wraps,áit is held secret and not revealed to anyone. The plan was kept under wraps until the contract as officially signed.
wash onesádirtyálinen in public
Toáwash one’s dirty linen in publicámeans to talk about unpleasant personal matters in the presence of others. ‘Argue in private.á Don’t wash your dirty linen in public.’ was my grandmother’s advice.
nothing doing
This term means that there is no way you would accept to do what is proposed. Work on Sunday?á Nothing doing!
fit of pique
Someone who reacts by showing their resentment or annoyance when their pride has been wounded, or they feel insulted, is said to have aáfit of pique. She left the table in a fit of pique.
get on in years
Someone who iságetting on in yearsáis growing old. My grandmother is getting on in years. She needs help nowadays.
rake in theámoney
If youárake in the money,áyou make money in large quantities. Bob’s business is so successful, he’s raking in the money.
keen as mustard
If someone isáas keen as mustard, they are very eager, enthusiastic or motivated. We should ask Emily to join the team.á She’s as keen as mustard.
pick up the pieces
After a disastrous event, if youápick up the piecesáyou do what you can to get the situation back to normal again. After fire destroyed their house, it took them a long time to pick up the pieces.
sell like hot cakes
Things thatásell like hot cakesásell quickly or in large quantities. Her books always sell like hot cakes.
get the jitters
If youáget (oráhave) the jitters,áespecially before an important event, you become very nervous or anxious and begin to shake. Some people get the jitters when they have to make a speech.
cream rises to the top
Someone or something exceptionally good will eventually attract attention or stand out from the rest, just asácream rises to the topáin coffee or tea. I knew you’d succeed.á As the saying goes: ‘cream rises to the top’!
blow the whistle
If you report an illegal or socially-harmful activity to the authorities, and give information about those responsible for it, youáblow the whistleáor you are aáwhistle-blower. He refused to blow the whistle on his boss for fear of losing his job.
time-honoured practice
A custom that is universally respected, or a traditional way of doing something, is calledáa time-honoured practice. Guests were greeted according to a time-honored practice.