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.
brains behind something
Someone who isáthe brains behindáa project or action is the person thought to have planned and organised everything. The police have arrested a man believed to be the brains behind the bank robbery.
saving grace
A person who hasáa saving graceáhas a quality that prevents them from being totally bad. She’s a horrible person but she has one saving grace, her kindness to animals.
on theárack
If you are in a stressful situation, having to answer a lot of questions or wait for a decision, you areáon the rack. The suspect was put on the rack by the police but he did not confess to anything.
be my guest
This expression is used to give someone permission to do something. If you’d like to use the phone, be my guest.á
bated breath
If you wait for something with bated breath, you are both anxious and excited about an imminent event. We waited with bated breath for the winner to be announced.á
on the wagon
Someone who isáon the wagonáis no longer drinking alcohol. No wine for me please - I’m on the wagon.
come out in the wash
This expression is used to tell someone not to worry about a mistake or problem because it won’t have any serious effect and everything will work out all right. Yes, he was furious when it happened, but don’t worry - it’ll all come out in the wash.
stumbling block
A problem or obstacle that prevents you from achieving something isáa stumbling block. My father adapted quite well but the language was always a stumbling block for my mother.
beyond one’s wildest dreams
If something isábeyond your wildest dreams, it is better than you imagined or hoped for. The research team received a grant from the government that was beyond their wildest dreams.
oná theáhomeástretch
To say that you areáon the home stretchámeans that you are approaching the end of something such as a task, a race or a journey. Don’t give up - we’re on the home stretch now.
mean business
If someoneámeans business,áthey are serious about what they announce. The boss says that in future any missing material will be reported to the police, and he looks as though he means business.
half a mind
If you haveáhalf a mindáto do something, you are thinking seriously about it but have not yet reached a decision. I’ve half a mind to start up my own business but first I need some advice.
have theáworldáby its tail
Someone whoáhas the world by its tailáis very successful and has many opportunities to choose from. Due to her intelligence and hard work, she now has the world by its tail.
feet of clay
If someone who is admired is found to have a weakness, fault or defect of character, they are said to haveáfeet of clay. No one is perfect.á Many successful people have feet of clay.
myádogsáare barking
When a person says that theirádogs are barkingáthey mean that their feet are hurting. I’ve been shopping all day. My dogs are barking!
take the words out of someone’s mouth
If you say exactly what someone else was going to say, youátake the words out of their mouth. I entirely agree with you.á You took the words out of my mouth.
show ofáhands
Aáshow of handsáis a method of voting where people give their opinion by raising a hand. How many people agree?á Could we have a show of hands please?
cast-iron stomach
If you can eat all sorts of food and drink what you like, without any indigestion, discomfort or bad effects, it is said that you have aácast-iron stomach. I don’t know how you can eat that spicy food.á You must have a cast-iron stomach.
let bygones be bygones
If youálet bygones be bygones,áyou decide to forget about past disagreements. When Charlie’s son was born, he decided to let bygones be bygones and contacted his parents.
light years ahead
If someone or something isálight years ahead, they are far more advanced in terms of development or progress. We’ve got to invest more in research - our competitors are light years ahead!
busman’s holiday
Aábusman’s holidayáis when you spend your spare time or your holidays doing the same sort of activity as you do in your job. My husband is a chef, so for him time off with the family is often a busman’s holiday!
fair and square
If something is obtained or wonáfair and square, it is done in an honest and open manner, the rules are respected and there is no cheating or lying. Gavin won the competition fair and square - there was no doubt about the result.
like aáhouseáon fire
Two people who get onálike a house on fireáhave similar interests and quickly become good friends. As soon as Sarah met her brother’s girlfriend, they got on like aá house on fire.
free lunch
The expressioná’there’s no such thing as a free lunch’ámeans that nothing is free. If somebody helps you, they always expect some form of payment in return. If you accept his offer, he’ll be forever asking you for favours. There’s no such thing as a free lunch!
hand it to someone
Ifá youáhand it to someone, you admit, perhaps unwillingly, that they deserve credit or praise for their achievements. You’ve got to hand it to Sophie. She may be a snob, but her presentations are always excellent.
chase rainbows
Someone who isáchasing rainbowsáis trying to get something they will never obtain. She’s trying to get into Oxford, but I think she’s chasing rainbows.
life and soul of the party
Theálife and soul of the partyáis the most lively and amusing person present at an event. I’m so glad we invited Emily. She was the life and soul of the party.
hit the ground running
If someoneáhits the ground running, they are ready and eager to start immediately on a new activity. He intends to hit the ground running when he starts his new job.
let the cat out of the bag
If youálet the cat out of the bag, you reveal a secret, often unintentionally. When the child told her grandmother about the plans for her birthday, she let the cat out of the bag.á It was supposed to be a secret!
lead up garden path
If someoneáleads you up the garden path, they deceive you by making you believe something which is not true. I still haven’t got the promotion I was promised.á I think my boss is leading me up the garden path!
hard up
If you areáhard up, you have very little money. We were so hard up that we had to sleep in the car.
put your heart into
If youáput your heart (and soul) into something, you are very enthusiastic and invest a lot of energy and hard work in it. Paul was determined to make a success of the project.á He put his heart and soul into it.
come rain or shine
If a person does somethingácome rain or shine, they do it regularly, whatever the circumstances. He goes to the gym club every day, come rain or shine.
give the game away
If youágive the game away, you reveal a secret or a plan, often unintentionally. He hoped nobody in the hotel would recognize him, but an employee gave the game away.
sleep like a log
If youásleep like a log,áyou sleep deeply or soundly. After a day at the beach, I usually sleep like a log.
scare the daylights out of
If somethingáscares the (living) daylightsáout of you, it terrifies you. The sudden screaming scared the daylights out of me.
take a dim view of
If youátake a dim view ofásomething, you disapprove of it. When Harry and Sally decided to live together without getting married, their grandparents took a dim view of the situation.
up and about
If someone isáup and about,áthey are out of bed or have recovered after an illness. She was kept in hospital for a week but she’s up and about again.
hive of activity
A place where there are lots of things happening, and everyone is very busy, is calledáa hive of activity. When I went to offer help, the kitchen was already a hive of activity.
my way or thehighway
It you say to someoneá’it’s my way or the highway’, you are telling that person that either they accept what you propose or they leave the project. You don’t have much choice when someone says ‘it’s my way or the highway’.
try someone’s patience
If you find it difficult to be patient with someone because of their irritating attitude or behaviour, you can say that they areátrying your patience. His constant interruptions began to try the teacher’s patience.
in trouble with the law
If someone isáin trouble with the law,áthey are being questioned by the police in connection with something illegal or criminal. The suspect has often been in trouble with the law.
have an ace up your sleeve
If youáhave an ace up your sleeve, you have something in reserve with which you can gain an advantage. I’m well prepared for the negotiations. I’ve got an ace up my sleeve.
doggie bag
A bag provided by a restaurant so that you can take the leftover food home with you is called aádoggieá(orádoggy)ábag. The portions were so big that I decided to ask for a doggie bag.
tech savvy
People who areátech savvyáhave sufficient technical knowledge and skills to be comfortable using computers and other electronic devices. Many students are more tech-savvy than their teachers.
crux of the matter
The main point or the most vital element of a discussion or argument is calledáthe crux of the matter. The crux of the matter is that he’s too old to live alone in that big house.
stir-crazy
If a personágoes stir-crazy, they become very agitated or nervous because they have been confined to a place for too long. After several days in quarantine, people were going stir-crazy.
getáwindáof
If you get wind of something, you hear about something you were unaware of, usually a private or secret matter. The chairman didn’t want the press to get wind of the takeover before the agreement was signed.
send a shiver down your spine
If somethingásends a shiver down your spine,áit makes you feel anxious, nervous or excited. The song always sends a shiver down my spine!
play secondáfiddle
If youáplay second fiddleáto someone, 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.
nurse/bear aágrudge
If youánurse/bear a grudgeáagainst someone, you have a feeling of resentment or ill-will towards them. Ever since I got a promotion, Sam has been holding a grudge against me.
hold good
If something such as a statement, saying or theoryáholds good, it continues to be true, valid or applicable. The author’s version of the event still holds good.
join the club!
By saying to somebodyá’join the club!’, you express sympathy for an unpleasant experience that you have had too. “Oh no!á My wallet has been stolen.” “Join the club!”
play for time
If youáplay for time,áyou try to delay or prevent something from happening in order to gain an advantage. He decided to play for time in the hope that the price would decrease.
off the top of your head
To say somethingáoff the top of your headámeans that you are giving an immediate reaction, and not a carefully considered opinion, so it might not be correct. “How much do you think it will cost?” “Off the top of my head I’d say around $1000.”
lipstick on a pig
This expression means that trying to ‘dress up’ something unappealing or ugly, in a vain attempt to make it look better, is like puttingálipstick on a pig. Flowers will not improve that ugly bridge; every one agrees that it’s lipstick on a pig.
social butterfly
A person who has a lot of friends and acquaintances and likes to flit from one social event to another is called aásocial butterfly. Jessica is constantly out and about;á she’s a real social butterfly.
elephant in the room
A problem that no one wants to discuss, but is so obvious that it cannot be ignored, is calledáan elephant in the room. Let’s face it, his work is unsatisfactory. It’s an elephant in the room that we need to discuss.
there’ll be the devil to pay
This is a way of announcing that there will be trouble if something happens. Be careful. There’ll be the devil to pay if you break anything!
coast is clear
To say thatáthe coast is clearámeans that there is no danger in sight or that nobody can see you. OK. The dog has gone inside. The coast is clear.
get the picture
A person whoágets the pictureáunderstands what is being explained or described. The alarm went off and people started running everywhere - you get the picture I’m sure!
no fixed abode
A person ofáno fixed abodeáhas nowhere permanent to live. A 30-year-old man of no fixed abode was charged with the burglary.
Pyrrhic victory
A victory that is obtained at a tremendous cost, or causes such a great loss that it is not worth winning, is called aáPyrrhic victory. It was a Pyrrhic victory.á The shop owner won the lawsuit but went bankrupt because of the legal expenses involved.
take a turn for the worse
If a person who is illátakes a turn for the worse,átheir illness becomes more serious. We hoped he would recover but he took a turn for the worse during the night.
(at) top of one’slungs
If you shoutáat the top of your lungs, you shout as loudly as you possibly can. The place was so noisy that I had to shout at the top of my lungs to be heard.
tie the knot
When two peopleátie the knot, they get married. Guess what!á Tom and Sarah are finally going to tie the knot!
credibility gap
The extent of disbelief, of the difference between what you are asked to believe and what you are able to believe, is called aácredibility gap. The growing credibility gap may lead to a serious loss of votes in the next elections.
variety is the spice of life
This expression means that life is more interesting when you try to do different things. Since they retired, my parents have been trying out all sorts of new activities.á Variety is the spice of life!
price you have to pay
Theáprice you have to payáis what you have to endure in return for something you gain or achieve. Lack of privacy is the price you have to pay for being a celebrity.
dribs and drabs
If something comes inádribs and drabs,áit arrives little by little, in small amounts or numbers. Instead of the crowed expected, people arrived in dribs and drabs.
too many chiefs,not enough Indians
This expression refers to a situation where there are too many people giving instructions and not enough people doing the work. The business wasn’t successful.á There were too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
getá your priorities right/straight
If you put things in the right order of importance, youáget your priorities right. Dad!á Your health is more important than the state of the garden.áá You must get your priorities right!
in keeping with
If something isáin keeping with, for example, a style or tradition, it is suitable or appropriate in a particular situation. We exchange presents at Christmas in keeping with tradition.
eyes like a hawk
If you’ve got eyes like a hawk, you have good eyesight and notice every detail. Of course Dad will notice the scratch on his car - he’s got eyes like a hawk.
feeding frenzy
A situation in which a lot of people attack, pursue or compete with each other in an excited or frantic way, because they all want to obtain something, is called aáfeeding frenzy. As soon as the reconstruction plan was announced, there was a feeding frenzy among major companies to obtain contracts.
it will never fly
To say that somethingáwill never flyámeans that it will not be successful. He’s got incredible ideas, but none that will ever fly!
bite the dust
The expressioná’bite’ orá’hit the dust’áis a humorous way of referring to death. It’s a story about an old cowboy who hits the dust during a train robbery.
a lot on youráplate
If someoneáhas a lot on their plate,áthey are extremely busy or have several problems to handle at the same time. It’s not a good time to discuss the problem with David.á He’s got a lot on his plate at the moment.
give rough edge oftongue
If youágive the (rough) edge of your tongue, you scold someone severely or speak to them very aggressively or rudely. My boss was so angry that I really got the rough edge of his tongue.
open the floodgates
If someone or somethingáopens the floodgates, they release something that had previously been held under control. It is feared that easing price controls will open the floodgates to inflation.
on the fence
When faced with a choice, a person who isáon the fenceáhas not yet reached a decision. The candidates have such similar ideas that many electors are still on the fence.
off someone’s Christmas list
This expression means that you are no longer on friendly terms with someone. I’ve been off her Christmas card list since our dog messed up her garden!
blow a gasket
When a furious personáblows a gasket, they explode with anger. When the shop was burgled for the third time, the owner blew a gasket.
spin a yarn
If youáspin a yarn,áyou tell a story, usually a long improbable one, with distorted truths. He failed the exam and spun a yarn about the exam papers being stolen.
shoot yourself in the foot
If youáshoot yourself in the footááyou do or say something which is against your own interests. When Lea was asked at the interview if she had any weaknesses, she really shot herself in the foot the way she answered.
harp on
If youáharp on (about) something, you tire others by talking continuously and tediously about it. My parents are always harping on about my school results.
put in the picture
If you give somebody all the information necessary to enable them to fully understand a situation, youáput them in the picture. Some changes were made during your absence.á Let me put you in the picture.
get your knickers in a twist
If youáget your knickers in a twist,áyou are angry, nervous or upset faced with a difficult situation. Don’t getá your knickers in a twist! Everything is under control.
lastálegs
If someone or something isáon its last legs, they are in a very weak condition or about to stop working or die. Our old car is on its last legs.á We’re going to have to invest!
shop till you drop
If youáshop till you drop,áyou go shopping for a very long time, until you are exhausted. If you go to London with Ashley, you’ll shop till you drop, so take comfortable shoes!
talk nineteen to the dozen
If someoneátalks nineteen to the dozen,áthey speak very quickly. He was talking nineteen to the dozen so I didn’t catch the whole story.
safety in numbers
This expression means that being part of a group makes people feel more secure and more confident when taking action. None of the group went sightseeing alone, knowing there was safety in numbers.
roll with the punches
When someone has toároll with the punches,áthey have to deal with a difficult situation by being flexible. The atmosphere has become very aggressive.á We’ll just have to roll with the punches.
stiff upperálip
If a personákeeps a stiff upper lip,áthey contain their emotion and do not let other people see their feelings. When she heard the bad news, she kept a stiff upper lip.
feed someone a line
If youáfeed someone a line, you tell them something that may not be quite true, often as an excuse. When I asked for a pay increase, the boss fed me a line about the number of contracts that had not been renewed.
pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered
You should be satisfied when you have enough; if you are too greedy, like a hog, you risk losing everything.
starter marriage
Aástarter marriageáis a short-lived first marriage that ends in divorce with no kids, no property and no regrets.
enough said
This expression is used to indicate that you completely understand the situation and you do not need any further details. Your mother-in-law arrived unexpectedly last night?á Enough said!
full of hot air
Someone who isáfull of hot airáis full of nonsense and talks a lot without saying anything worthwhile. Don’t listen to Alex - he’s full of hot air!
cheap shot
A cruel, unfair or unwarranted comment or verbal attack is called acheap shot. Referring to Tom as an ‘unqualified speaker’ was really a cheap shot.
in the offing
Something that isáin the offingáis likely to appear orá happen soon. Apparently a new law on minimum wages is in the offing.
land on your feet
If youáland on your feet,áyou make a quick recovery after a difficulty such as a business failure, an illness, a loss, etc. Don’t worry about Bob. He always lands on his feet.
once bitten twice shy
This is said by someone who has had an unpleasant experience which has made them more cautious. I’m never going to get married again.á Once bitten, twice shy!
stool pigeon
A person who acts as an informer, especially one who gives information to the police or the authorities, is called aástool pigeon. I don’t trust Jack. I think he’s a stool pigeon for the management.
stem the tide
If youástem the tideá(of events), you stop the development of something bad or undesirable. The authorities seem unable to stem the rising tide of violence in schools.
no picnic
An activity or task that isáno picnicáis unpleasant or difficult. Tom is a bit depressed these days, but then job-hunting is no picnic.
fair hearing
When accused of wrongdoing, if someone gets aáfair hearing, they get an opportunity to present evidence or give their side of the story, usually in court. I can guarantee that you will get a fair hearing.
stick on one’s throat
If somethingásticks in your throatá(orácraw), it is very difficult to accept and makes you angry or resentful. The way he treats women really sticks in my throat!
fishing expedition
If someone is on aáfishing expedition, they are trying to obtain information in any way possible. The lunch invitation was clearlyá a fishing expedition to obtain information about his private life.
overshoot the mark
If you make a mistake as a result of misjudging something (situation, distance, amount, etc.), youáovershoot the mark. He overshot the mark by about 20%.
go hand in hand
If two or more thingságo hand in hand, they are associated or often happen at the same time. In big cities, poverty and violence often go hand in hand.
throw dust in someone’s eyes
If youáthrow dust in someone’s eyes, you prevent them from seeing the truth by misleading them. He threw dust in the old lady’s eyes by pretending to be a police officer, then stole her jewellery.
hit the panic button
When youáhit or press the panic button, you raise the alarm too quickly or react too hastily in a difficult or stressful situation. Calm down! There’s no need to hit the panic button yet!
makeálightáwork
If a personámakes light workáof something, they do it very easily or with little effort. After the party, the boys made light work of the cleaning up.á The house was spotless in no time.
get a raw deal
If you say that someoneágot a raw deal, you think they were treated unfairly or badly. When Gary lost his job after organizing the merger, he really got. a raw deal!
walk and chew gum
If you canáwalk and chew gumá(at the same time), you are able to do more than one thing at a time. (This expression is often used negatively to indicate incompetence) Why did you hire that guy?á He can’t walk and chew gum at the same time!
wonders will never cease
This saying is used to express pleasure or surprise at something. The price of petrol has dropped!á Wonders will never cease!
go overboard
If youágo overboard, you are over-enthusiastic about something and do too much or behave in an excessive way. We need to prepare the dining room for Christmas, but don’t go overboard with the decorations.
fall into place
When different elements fall into place, they fit well together or become organised so that progress can be achieved in a satisfactory manner. The preparatory work was difficult but gradually everything fell into place and the project was finished on time.
alter ego
The termáalter ego, which in Latin means ‘other self’, refers to a very close and trusted friend who is very like yourself.
off the cuff
If you speakáoff the cuff,áyou say something without any previous thought or preparation. He handles off-the-cuff interviews very well.
much of a muchness
This expression means ‘very similar’ or ‘almost alike’. It’s hard to choose between the two - they’re much of a muchness really.
eager beaver
The termáeager beaverárefers to a person who is hardworking and enthusiastic, sometimes considered overzealous. The new accountant works all the time -á first to arrive and last to leave. He’s a real eager beaver!
with flying colours
To achieve somethingáwith flying coloursámeans to do it very successfully. My daughter passed the entrance exam with flying colours.á I’m so proud of her.
can’t hold a candle to
If one personácan’t hold a candleáto another, they are much less competent or do not perform as well as the other. John is very intelligent but he can’t hold a candle to his brother Paul when it comes to sports.
wouldn’t be caught dead
If someone says that theyáwouldn’t be caught or seen deadáin a particular place or doing something, they mean that they would be too ashamed or embarrassed. My seven-year-old son thinks he’s a big boy; he wouldn’t be caught dead holding my hand in front of his friends!
mouse potato
This term refers to a person who spends a lot of time in front of the computer. My son and his friends are all mouse potatoes - constantly glued to the computer!
bare one’s soul
If youábare you soulá(or heart) to someone, you reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings to them. Mike couldn’t keep things to himself any longer. He decided to bare his soul to his best friend.á
calculated risk
Aácalculated riskáis a risk taken with full knowledge of the dangers involved. The company took a calculated risk when they hired Sean straight out of college.
have a brush with
When youáhave a brush withásomething, such as the law, you encounter or experience it briefly. Had a brush with the law for speeding a few years ago, but he has had a clean record ever since.
a stitherum
Someone who is (all)áin a stitherumáis excited, agitated or confused about something. The mayor’s resignation created quite a stitherum in the town.
straight as an arrow
Someone who isáas straight as an arrowáis a morally upright person who is extremely honest. You can leave the keys with Andy.á He’s as straight as an arrow.
rue the day
If youárue the dayáyou did something, you bitterly regret what you did that day. Lea’s father disapproved of Tony. He said she would rue the day she married him.
no two ways about it
To say that there areáno two ways about somethingámeans that there is only one suitable ay of dealing with something. There are no two ways about it. You can’t accept the money, so you must give it back.
(not) turn a hair
If someoneádoes not turn a hair,áthey show no emotion in circumstances where a reaction is expected. When the police came to arrest him, he didn’t turn a hair.
at stake
Someone who has a lotáat stakeáis in a risky situation, with a lot to be won or lost. He was nervous about signing the agreement because there was a lot at stake.
(not) letágrasságrow under your feet
If someone doesánot let the grass grow under their feet,áthey do not delay in getting something done. As soon as he received the permit, he started to build.á He never lets the grass grow under his feet!
on course
If you areáon courseáfor something, you are likely to achieve it. Our team is on course for a victory in the national championship.
barefaced liar
Someone who lies easily, with a total lack of shame, is aábarefaced liar. That barefaced liar stole my watch and said he’d found it!á
feather one’s nest
To say of someone that they areáfeathering their nestámeans that they are taking advantage of their position in order to obtain money and enjoy have a comfortable life.
drag one’s feet
If youádrag your feet,áyou delay a decision or participate without any real enthusiasm. The government is dragging its feet on measures to reduce pollution.
split hairs
If youásplit hairs,áyou pay too much attention to differences that are very small or unimportant. If we start splitting hairs, we’ll never reach an agreement!
up and running
If a business or a project isáup and running, it has started and is fully operational. In some countries you can have a company up and running in a very short time.
out on a limb
If youágo out on a limb,áyou do something risky or unsupported by others, which leaves you in a difficult position. Jack was out on a limb with his proposal - nobody supported his idea.
add fuel to the flames
If youáadd fuel to the flames, you do or say something that makes a difficult situation even worse. He forgot their wedding anniversary, and his apologies only added fuel to the flames.
butter somebody up
When youábutter someone up,áyou flatter them or you are very nice to them, especially if you want to obtain something. He was so keen to get the job that he spent his time buttering up the boss.
at theáoutside
When talking about the length of time or the amount of money necessary to do something,áat the outsideáindicates the highest estimate or the largest amount. “How long will it take to get there?” “I’d say two hours at the outside.”
walk aátightrope
If a person isáwalking a tightrope,áthey are in a difficult situation where they must act carefully. The management is walking a tightrope in their efforts both to keep the costs down and satisfy the trade unions.
set in stone
When something isáset in stone, it is permanent and cannot be changed in any way. The agenda isn’t set in stone;á we can add an item if need be.
take a rain check
To say that youátake a rain checkámeans that you cannot accept an invitation or offer now, but you will be happy to accept it later. Do you mind if I take a rain check on that lunch invitation? I’m going to be away all week.
bricks and mortar bricks and clicks
An established trading company (office/shop) is referred to as a’brick-and-mortar’ábusiness. ‘Click companies’ refer to internet-based operations. Companies which do both are calledá’bricks and clicks’. Click businesses are usually more flexible than brick-and-mortar operations.
weak at the knees
Someone who isáweak at the kneesáis (temporarily) barely able to stand because of emotion, fear or illness. The shock of the announcement make me go weak at the knees!
rats in the attic
If you say that someoneáhas rats in the attic,áyou mean that they are a bit mad or that their behaviour is eccentric. She keeps repeating the same question.á I think she’s got rats in the attic.
pie-eyed
Someone who isápie-eyedáis completely drunk. He had never taken an alcoholic drink so after one beer the boy was pie-eyed.
separate sheep from goats
If youáseparate the sheep from the goats,áyou examine a group of people and decide which are suitable and which are not. Examining job applications is the first stage in separating the sheep from the goats.
jazz something up
If youájazz something up,áyou add something to try to improve it or make it more stylish. The dress needs a scarf or a necklace to jazz it up.
at a snail’s pace
If something movesáat a snail’s pace, it moves very slowly. The old man was driving along the road at a snail’s pace.
take lying down
If youátake something lying down, you suffer as a result of an offensive act without reacting or protesting. Jack won’t take the accusation lying down - he’ll fight to defend his reputation.
neitheráhereánor there
Something which isáneither here nor thereáis considered to have no effect on the situation. OK, he lives close to you, but that’s neither here nor there. We’re talking about his results!
go off with a bang
If something such as an event or performanceágoes off with a bang, it is very successful. The party went off with a bang - everyone enjoyed it.
fall from grace
To say that someone hasáfallen from graceámeans that they have done something wrong, immoral or unacceptable, and as a resultá have lost their good reputation. The Finance Minister fell from grace as a result of a sex scandal.
smell aárat
To say ‘Iásmell a rat’ámeans that you suspect that something is wrong, or that someone is doing something dishonest or incorrect. The profits announced are abnormally low.á I smell a rat.
apron strings
If one person isátied to another’s apron strings, they remain dependent at an age when they should be independent. All his decisions are influenced by his mother. He’s still tied to her apron strings.á
up in arms
If you areáup in arms about something, you are very angry. The population was up in arms over the demolition of the old theatre.
play cat and mouse
Toáplay cat and mouseáwith someone means to treat them alternately cruelly and kindly, so that they do not know what to expect. He’s difficult to work for, always playing cat and mouse with the employees.
head on a platter
If someone makes you so angry that you want them to be punished, you want theiráhead on a platter. He was so angry when he read the article about his family that he wanted the journalist’s head on a platter.
shouting match
An argument or debate where people shout loudly at each other is calledáa shouting match. The debate between the two politicians turned into a shouting match which spoiled the event for viewers.
quick off the mark
If someone isáquick off the mark,áthey are quick to react to an event or take advantage of an opportunity. You’ve got to be quick off the mark when stores announce special offers.
upper hand
If a person or organisationágainsáorágets the upper hand, especially in a fight or competition, they take control over something. We increased our market share and gained the upper hand over our competitors.
firing line
Someone who is in theáfiring lineáis in a position to be criticized because of their responsibilities or the position they hold. The managing director of the bank is in the firing line since the fraud was discovered.
funny business
A business which is conducted in a deceitful, dishonest or unethical manner is calledáfunny business. I’ve got suspicions about that association.á I think they’re up to some funny business.
good turn
If youádo someone a good turn, you act in a helpful way. Mike is a great guy - always ready to do a good turn.
there’s one born every minute
This expression means that there are many people in the world who are stupid or easily fooled. He really believed the boy found the money on the street? There’s one born every minute!
that’s going too far!
If youágo too far,áyou do something that is considered extreme or unacceptable. Stealing is bad, but stealing from a poor person is really going too far!
make aávirtueáof necessity
If someone does something commendable, not deliberately but because they have no choice, and pretends to be doing it willingly and happily, theyámake a virtue of necessity. When, because of the high price of petrol, I decided to walk to work instead of taking my car, I made a virtue of necessity.
prime of one’s life
Theáprime of one’s lifeáis the time in a person’s life when they are the most successful, or in their best physical condition.á At the age of 75, the singer is not exactly in the prime of his life!
