1601-1800 Flashcards
get your ducks in a row
If youget your ducks in a row,you get things well organised. We need to get our ducks in a row if we want our project to succeed.
think again
If you tell someone tothink again, you advise them to reconsider the situation and perhaps change their decision. Your apartment is well located; you should think again before selling it.
keep nose to the grindstone
A person whokeeps their nose to the grindstoneis someone who concentrates on working or studying hard. She was so determined to get into the college of her choice that she kept her nose to the grindstone all year.
in the twinkling of an eye
This expression means ‘very fast’ or ‘instantaneously’. Public opinion can change in the twinkling of an eye.
make mouth water
Food canmake your mouth waterwhen it looks and smells extremely good. That delicious smell from the kitchen is making my mouth water.
swallow your words
If youswallow your words,you admit that you were wrong. He said I’d never get the job, but he had to swallow his words when I was appointed.
murder something
If you say that you couldmurder something,such as food or drink, you mean that you want it very much. I’m so hot and thirsty I could murder a cool drink!
all downhill/ downhill all the way
If something isall downhillordownhill all the way, it is very easy to achieve considering the difficulties encountered beforehand. The hardest part for the burglars was turning off the alarm system. After that it was all downhill.
pass the buck
If you say that someone ispassing the buck,you are accusing them of not taking responsibility for a problem and expecting someone else to handle it. Sam takes the easy way out. Whenever a problem arises, he immediately passes the buck!
copper-bottomed
To describe something such as a plan, a contract or a financial arrangement ascopper-bottomedmeans that it is completely safe or reliable. He signed a coper-bottomed agreement with a distributor.
icing on the cake
If something is referred to asicing on the cake, it is an extra benefit that makes a good situation even better. Good news! I get the job … and the icing on the cake is that I get a company car too!
muddy the waters
If youmuddy the waters, you make something less clear by giving confusing information. I had difficulty understanding, and Alan’s explanation just muddied the waters!
second a motion
During a meeting, if yousecond a motion,you formally agree with a proposal. She seconded the motion to introduce flexible working hours.
set the stage
If youset the stage for an event or a development, you create conditions that allow it to happen. The agreement set the stage for their future working relationship.
shut the stable door when the horse has bolted
If youshut the stable door after the horse has bolted, you try to prevent something bad from happening when it is already too late. Jack decided to insure the contents of his apartment after it was burgled. Now that’s shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted!
get off the hook
If you do something wrong and manage toget off the hook,you avoid punishment or blame. Barry was questioned by the police but his lawyer managed to get him off the hook.
scrape the bottom of the barrel
If youscrape the bottom of the barrel,you use the worst or the least satisfactory ideas, things or people because you have no choice. When they started to recruit, they had to scrape the bottom of the barrel because the best people has already found jobs elsewhere.
stand on own two feet
If youstand on your own two feet,you are independent and need no help from anyone. When young people leave home, they learn to stand on their own two feet.
chance one’s arm
If youchance yourarm, you decide to do something even though there is little hope of success. Tony knew there was little hope of getting into Harvard but he decided to chance his arm anyway.
ace a test
If you obtain a very high score or an excellent result, youace a test or exam. Maria’s parents said she could go to the party if she aced her English test.
full of beans
A person who isfull of beansis lively, active and healthy. He may be getting old but he’s still full of beans.
in the doghouse
If you arein the doghouse, someone is angry with you because you have done something wrong. Mark is in the doghouse because he damaged his father’s car.
out of touch
Ifyou areout of touch, you no longer communicate with someone, or you are unaware of recent developments. I’ve been out of touch with Jenny since we left college.
beard the lion in his den
If you visit someone important in the place where they work, in order to challenge him/her or obtain something,you beard the lion in his den. If he continues to refuse my calls, I’ll have to beard the lion in his den.
down payment
When someone makes adown payment, they pay part of the total amount agreed when signing a purchase deal or contract. Emma and Paul are excited. They put a down payment on their first house yesterday.
speak same language
If two or more peoplespeak the same language,they have similar opinions or ideas, so they understand each other very well. We work well together because we speak the same language.
all skin and bone
If someone isall skin and bone,they are very thin or too thin. After trekking in the Himalayas, he was all skin and bone.
done deal
This expression is used to refer to an agreement or decision which has been reached on a certain matter. We’re still considering several proposals, so it’s not a done deal yet.
take it upon yourself
If youtake something upon yourself,you do it without asking for permission or agreement. My colleague took it upon herself to redecorate the office during my absence.
go spare
If yougo spare,you lost your temper completely. Lea’s dad would go spare if he found out how much she had spent in London!
voice in the wilderness
If you are the only person to express a warning or an opinion on a matter which is ignored by most others, you are avoice in the wilderness. For many years she was a voice in the wilderness protesting against child labour.
follow one’s nose
If youfollow your nose, you go straight ahead. This can also mean to follow your instinct in life. The station is at the end of the road - just follow your nose.
go to rack and ruin
If somethinggoes to rack and ruin, it falls into very bad condition because of lack of care. When the factory closed down, the building went to rack and ruin.
chip on theshoulder
If someone has achip on their shoulder, the feel resentful because they feel they are being treated unfairly, especially because of their background, their sex or their colour. He’s got a chip on his shoulder because he’s from a working-class family.
bury thehatchet
When people who have had a disagreement decide to forget their quarrel and become friends again, theybury the hatchet. I don’t get on well with my mother-in-law, but to keep my wife happy I decided to bury the hatchet.
bulldoze somebody into doing something
A person who isbulldozed into doing somethingis forced to do it, especially by being bullied or intimidated. The immigrants we bulldozed into accepting the work.
none the wiser
If you do not know more about something after obtaining an explanation, or if you fail to find information on the subject, you arenone the wiser. I tried to understand the voting system but I was none the wiser after Joe’s explanation.
no strings attached
An offer’with no strings attached’is an offer made without conditions or restrictions, and requires nothing in return. I managed to get a loan with no strings attached.
by theskinof your teeth
To do somethingby the skin of our teethmeans that you just manage to do it, but that you almost fail. He passed the driving test by the skin of his teeth!
batten down the hatches
When youbatten down the hatches, you prepare yourself for trouble or a forthcoming difficult period, like a ship preparing for a storm. Here comes that trouble-making guy. Batten down the hatches!
keep a civil tongue
People whokeep a civil tongueexpress themselves in polite terms. Don’t speak so rudely! You must learn to keep a civil tongue in all circumstances.
lo and behold!
This term is used to express surprise, especially at a sudden or unexpected appearance. I was watering the flowers when, lo and behold, there was the watch I’d lost!
force of habit
When something is doneout of force of habit, it has become automatic through frequent repetition. Why do I always park here? Out of force of habit I suppose.
tower of strength
The termtower of strengthis used to describe a person who is very helpful and supportive during difficult times. All during my illness, my sister was a tower of strength.
play your cards right
If youplay your cards right, you do all that is necessary in order to succeed or to obtain what you want. If we play our cards right, we’ll get the contract.
can of worms
To describe a situation as acan of wormsmeans that it is complicated, unpleasant and difficult to deal with. The discovery of the transfer of funds turned out to be a real can of worms.
quaking in one’s boots
When someone is extremely scared, it is said that they arequaking in their boots. When he saw the crocodiles in the water, he started quaking in his boots.
go postal
If someonegoes postal,they lose their temper and express their anger in a violent way. My parents will go postal when they see the state of the house!
since time immemorial
If something has existedsince time immemorial,it has been there for such a long time that nobody can recall a time without it. I don’t know when that bridge was built. It’s been there since time immemorial.
wheeling and dealing
Someone accused of wheeling and dealing is thought to be involved in complicated, if not dishonest, deals in business or politics. Since the beginning of the election campaign, there’s been a lot of wheeling and dealing going on.
in hotwater
To say that somebody isin hot watermeans that they have done something wrong and people are angry with them. Simon has been in hot water since his boss discovered that he had been using the internet for personal purposes.
every Tom, Dick and Harry
This expression means everyone or everybody. Every Tom, Dick and Harry has a credit card nowadays!
drop in the ocean
Adrop in the oceanis a very small quantity compared to the amount needed or expected. The revenue from the proposed tax reform is a drop in the ocean compared to the deficit.
give up the ghost
If someone or something gives up the ghost, they die or stop working. My mother’s old TV set has finally given up the ghost. I’m off to buy her a new one.
get off thehook
If you do something wrong and manage toget off the hook, you avoid punishment or blame. Barry was questioned by the police but his lawyer managed to get him off the hook.
(don’t) judge by appearances
This expression means that you should not form an opinion based on outward appearances only. She looks self-confident but don’t judge by appearances.
see light at end of tunnel
If yousee light at the end of the tunnel, you see signs of hope for the future after a long period of difficulty. Sales dropped heavily last year but we’re beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.
cold calls
If you makecold calls, you telephone potential customers from a list of people you do not know. In my first job I had to make cold calls using the telephone directory.
nuts and bolts
Thenuts and boltsof something are the detailed facts and the practical aspects. We need to discuss the nuts and bolts of the proposal before going any further.
never in a million years
This expression means ‘absolutely never’ or ‘at no time in my life’. I will never in a million years understand why Anne married Bob.
lame excuse
Alame excuseis an explanation which is weak and unconvincing. If you’re scared to do it, just say so. Don’t just invent some lame excuse!
make exhibition of
When someone behaves in such a foolish way in public that they look ridiculous, theymake an exhibition of themselves. Get down off the table Fred! You’re making an exhibition of yourself!
workfingersto bone
A person whoworks their fingers to the boneis extremely hardworking. He deserves his success; he worked his fingers to the bone when he started the business.
get a second bite at the cherry
This expression means that you get a second opportunity to do or try something. He was eliminated in the semi-finals, but he’ll get a second bite at the cherry next year.
make a pig’s ear of
If youmake a pig’s ear of something, you do a task or a chore very badly or make a complete mess of it. Gary offered to paint the kitchen but he made a pig’s ear of it.
window shopping
When people gowindow shopping,they look at things in shop windows, without actually purchasing anything. I haven’t been paid yet, so I can only go window shopping.
do a good turn
If youdosomeone a good turn,you act in a helpful way. Mike is a great guy - always ready to do a good turn.
heart in one’s mouth
A person who has theirheart in their mouthfeels extremely anxious or nervous faced with a dangerous or unpleasant situation. Emma had her heart in her mouth when she saw her two-year-old son standing in front of the open window.
needle in haystack
To refer to something as aneedle in a haystackmeans that it is very difficult or impossible to find. Finding a pub in Dublin without knowing its name is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
not for all the tea in China
To say that you wouldnot do something for all the tea in Chinameans that you would not do it under any conditions. I wouldn’t live there for all the tea in China.
on tenterhooks
A person who ison tenterhooksis in a state of anxious suspense or excitement. The candidate were kept on tenterhooks for hours while the panel deliberated.
come to grips
If youcome to gripswith a problem or situation, you start to understand or deal with it properly. After the initial shock, the patient began to come to grips with his disability.
corner the market
If a company dominates an area of business, and leaves no room for competition, it is said to havecornered the market. By importing large quantities and selling at low prices, they have cornered the market.
browned off
If you arebrowned off, you are bored, fed up or disheartened. Tom is browned off with his job.
egg someone on
If youegg someone on, you urge or strongly encourage them to do something. She didn’t really want to learn to drive but her children kept egging her on.
above board
If a situation or business is described asabove board, it is open, honest and legal. There are not secret negotiations. Our dealings have always been above board.
aroaringtrade
If youdo a roaring trade,your business is very successful. Cosmetic surgeons are doing a roaring trade these days.
a plum in your mouth
Someone who speaks with an upper-class accent is said to havea plum in their mouth. He speaks just like an aristocrat - with a plum in his mouth!
music to yourears
To say that something ismusic to your earsmeans that the information you receive makes you feel very happy. The compliments I received were music to my ears.
on the blink
If a machine ison the blink, it is not working properly and needs servicing or repair. What a nuisance! The photocopier is on the blink again.
bet on the wrong horse
If youbackorbet on the wrong horse, for example the loser in a contest, match or election, you support the wrong person. When I voted for him, I was convinced he would win, but I backed the wrong horse.
go to pieces
If yougo to pieces,for example after a terrible shock, you are so upset or distressed that you cannot lead a normal life. Jack nearly went to pieces when his son died in a car crash.
waiting in the wings
If someone iswaiting in the wings,they are waiting for an opportunity to take action, especially to replace someone else in their job or position. There are many young actors waiting in the wings ready to show their talent.
kick the bucket
Tokick the bucketis a lighthearted way of talking about death. He will inherit when his grandfather kicks the bucket!
bill of health
If a person has aclean bill of health, they have a report or certificate declaring that their health is satisfactory. All candidates for the position must produce a clean bill of health.
widow’s peak
A V-shaped point formed by the hair in the centre of the forehead is called awidow’s peak. (was believed to be a sign of early widowhood)
less is more
This expression, used particularly in architecture and design, conveys the idea that things that are simple in style and smaller in size are better. Simplicity is fashionable today. Less is more.
put foot in one’s mouth
If youput your foot in your mouth,you say something that offends, upsets or embarrasses someone. She really put her foot in her mouth when she mentioned the housewarming party - Andy hadn’t been invited.
Achilles heel
This expression refers to a vulnerable area or a weak spot, in an otherwise strong situation, that could cause one’s downfall or failure. He’s extremely intelligent, but his inability to speak in public is his Achilles heel.
play it by ear
This expression means to improvise or do something without preparation, according to the demands of the situation. (music : to play by remembering the tune, without printed music.) I’m not sure what attitude we should adopt so just let’s play it by ear.
part and parcel
Something that ispart and parcelof an activity or role is a key component or an essential element that cannot be avoided. I’m an events manager. Travelling is part and parcel of my job.
sharp as a tack
A person who isas sharp as a tackis able to think quickly and learn very fast. You won’t have to explain it to him twice. He’s as sharp as a tack.
gointooverdrive
If someone or somethinggoes into overdrive, they begin to work very hard or start to perform intensely. At the start of every new collection my imagination goes into overdrive.
squarepegin round hole
To say that a person isa square peg in a round holemeans that they are not suitable for the job they are doing or the situation they are in. He was a bad choice for the job - a square peg in a round hole.
make blood run cold
If somethingmakes your blood run cold,it shocks or scares you a lot. The look in the prisoner’s eye made my blood run cold!
break your back
If you work extremely hard, or put a lot of effort into achieving something, youbreak your backto do it. If you want the job done well, you should accept to pay more. He’s not going to break his back for such a low price!
heart in right place
A person who has theirheart in the right placehas kind feelings and good intentions, even if the results are not too good. The old lady’s cake wasn’t wonderful but she’s got her heart in the right place!
tighten yourbelt
If you need totighten your belt, you must spend less money or be careful how you spend it because there is less available. Another bill? I’ll have to tighten my belt this month!
next best thing
If you can’t have exactly what you want, thenext best thingis the best alternative possible. The camera I wanted was far too expensive so I opted for a cheaper one that was the next best thing.
in the sameboat
If two or more parties arein the same boat, they are in the same unpleasant or difficult situation. When the factory closed down, the workers all found themselves in the same boat.
rocket science
If you say’it’s not rocket science’or’no need to be a rocket scientist’, you are emphasizing that something presents no major difficulty. Bob will explain how it works. Don’t worry - it’s not rocket science!
at someone’s beck and call
If a person isat someone’s beck and call, they are always ready to do things for them or obey orders to please them. Parents should not be at the beck and call of their children.
take the rough with the smooth
If youtake the rough with the smooth, you accept what is unpleasant or difficult as well as what is pleasant or easy. Life isn’t always easy; you have to learn to take the rough with the smooth.
keep fingers crossed
If youkeep your fingers crossed,you hope that something will be successful. I’m doing my driving test tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
thank one’s lucky stars
When someone says they canthank their lucky stars,they are expressing heartfelt gratitude or feeling particularly fortunate. I can thank my lucky stars I wasn’t on the train that crashed.
all in your head
If something isall in your head, it is not real. It is in your imagination. Don’t be silly. Nobody is trying to harm you. It’s all in your head!
one fell swoop
If something is accomplishedat (orin) one fell swoop,it is done in a single action, usually rapidly and ruthlessly. The three houses were demolished at one fell swoop.
cake/game is not worth the candle
To say thatthe cake(or the game)is not worth the candlemeans that the advantages to be gained from doing something are not worth the effort involved. He recorded an album but sold very few copies; the cake wasn’t worth the candle.
bored to tears (distraction/death/silly)
If you find something so dull and uninteresting that it makes you sad enough to cry, you arebored to tears. I could see that my son was bored to tears by the historical documentary.
cut loose
If someonecuts looseoris cut loose, they stop being influenced or controlled by another person or group. He’s thirty years old and still hasn’t cut loose from his familiy.
know which waywindblows
This expression means that it is advisable to know how a situation is developing, or what the tendency is, in order to be prepared for any changes. Before we decide on anything, we need to know which way the wind is blowing.
by the same token
If you apply the same rule to different situations, you judge themby the same token, or in a similar way. Teenagers should be less rebellious, but by the same token, parents should be more understanding.
burn your bridges
If youburn your bridges, you do something that will be impossible to rectify in the future. If you refuse the offer, be careful not to burn your bridges by insulting them. They may make a better proposal later.
lend an ear
If youlend an earto someone, you listen carefully and sympathetically. The best person to talk to is Jenny. She’s always ready to lend an ear.
shop around
If youshop around,you visit a number of shops selling similar articles in order to compare the prices. You can usually save money by shopping around.
seal of approval
If a project or contract receives aseal of approval,it receives formal support or approval from higher authorities. We can’t conclude the deal without the director’s seal of approval.
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 aguilty pleasure. Reading gossip magazines is a guilty pleasure for many women and some men too!
left to one’s own devices
If youleave someone to their own devices, you let them look after themselves, without help or supervision. When left to their own devices, many children watch TV and eat junk food.
beyond recall
Something which isbeyond recallis impossible to retrieve, cancel or reverse. I’m afraid we can’t recover the pictures - your camera is beyond recall.
punch line
Thepunch lineis the funny sentence that ends a joke or an amusing story. When my dad tells jokes, he never gets the punch line right!
hard to swallow
When something is difficult to accept or believe, it ishard to swallow. She invented an excuse that the teacher found hard to swallow.
text-walking
This term refers to a recently-developed and somewhat dangerous habit of walking while texting a message on a mobile phone, completely unaware of what is happening around you. In recent months there has been an increase in the number of serious accidents involving text-walkers.
play footsie
If youplay footsiewith someone, you touch their feet lightly, especially under the table, to show your interest. Pete says they were playing footsie at the office Christmas lunch.
sledgehammer to crack a nut
Usinga sledgehammer to crack a nutmeans using disproportionate force to solve a problem. He called the police because his neighbour was rude? - now that’s using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!
can’t for the life of me
This expression can be used to say that it is impossible for you to do something, no matter how hard you try. I can’t for the life of me remember the title of the book.
fender-bender
This expression refers to a minor car accident in which there is little damage and no injuries. I can’t believe that a small fender bender can cause a major traffic jam!
pad the bill
If someonepads the bill,they add false items to a bill or invoice in order to increase the total amount. Check the invoice carefully before paying - he tends to pad the bill!
mind of your own
If you have amind of your own, you are capable of forming an opinion and making decisions without being influenced by others. The boy doesn’t need any advice; he’s got a mind of his own.
get someone by the short hairs
If youget(orhave)someone by the short hairs, you put them in a difficult situation from which they cannot escape, so you have complete control over them. They are in no position to refuse; we’ve got them by the short hairs!
cut a longstoryshort
When talking about something, if you say’to cut a long story short’,you indicate that you are going to say what is essential rather than go into the details. To cut a long story short, Anne and Jim are getting a divorce.
go to thedogs
To say that a company, organisation or country isgoing to the dogsmeans that it is becoming less successful or efficient then before. Some people think the company will go to the dogs if it is nationalized.
vertically challenged
This term is a humoristic way of referring to someone who is not very tall. High shelves are difficult for vertically challenged shoppers.
more fun than a barrel of monkeys
If something is very amusing or enjoyable, you can say that it ismore fun than a barrel of monkeys. The TV quiz was more fun than a barrel of monkeys!
white Christmas
Awhite Christmasis when it snows at Christmas and the ground is white. We haven’t had a white Christmas in twenty years.
(not) playing with a full deck (of cards)
Someone who isnot playing with a full deck(of cards) lacks intelligence or does not have full mental abilities. Old Mrs.Whitehead was not playing with a full deck when she bought that fancy lawnmower!
take for aride
Totake someone for a ridemeans to cheat or deceive them. I discovered he had charged me double the normal fee. He really took me for a ride!
not all there
Someone who isnot all therebehaves strangely at times, or seems a bit odd. Our new neighbour wears a hat and coat even in summer; he’s not all there!
stick to your last
If you tell someone tostick to their last,you are asking them to restrict their intervention or comments to an area where they have knowledge and experience, and to keep away from areas where they know nothing. (A ‘last’ is used in making and repairing shores.) Why don’t you stick to your last and let me handle this matter.
hue and cry
If there isa hue and cryabout something, there is loud opposition to it. There will no doubt be a great hue and cry when the reorganisation is announced.
short and sweet
Something that isshort and sweetis brief but pleasant. It didn’t take us long to agree. Our conversation was short and sweet.
tricks of the trade
This term refers to a clever or expert way of doing things, especially in a job. He’s a tough negotiator; he knows all the tricks of the trade.
free-for-all
This term refers to an uncontrolled situation such as a discussion, argument or fight where everyone present can do or say whatever they like. It started as a serious debate but turned into a free-for-all.
pull the other one (it’s got bells on)
After hearing an unlikely story, this is a way of telling the speaker that you neither believe what they say nor whatever they may say next. You have a date with George Clooney? Yeah - now pull the other one!
tit for tat
This expression refers to an injury or insult given in return for one received. “He kicked me, so I kicked him - it was tit for tat!” said the boy.
black tie event
This expression refers to a formal event at which men are required to wear a dinner jacket, or tuxedo, and a black bow tie. I need to know if it’s going to be a casual get-together or a black tie event.
sweep under the rug
If yousweep something under the rug(or carpet), you try to hide it because it is embarrassing. They tried unsuccessfully to sweep the scandal under the rug.
take the mickey out of
If youtake the mickey out ofsomeone, you tease them or make fun of their behaviour, sometimes in an unkind way. Jessica’s dad is always taking the mickey out of her about the time she spends styling her hair.
caught unawares
If someone iscaught unawares, they are surprised and unprepared for what happens. The security guard moved so silently that the thief was caught unawares.
bear in mind
If a person asks you tobear something in mind, they are asking you to remember it because it is important. You must bear in mind that the cost of living is higher in New York.
break fresh ground
If youbreak fresh ground, you innovate by introducing or developing a new method or system. Scientists have broken fresh ground in their exploration of outer space.
ahead of the pack
If a person or organisation isahead of the pack, they are better or more successful than their rivals. Our products will have to be more innovative if we want to stay ahead of the pack.
eat dirt
If youeat dirt,you are forced to accept another person’s bad treatment or insulting remarks. As a consequence of the strike, the employees had to eat dirt.
back on your feet
If you areback on your feet, after an illness or an accident, you are physically healthy again. My grandmother had a bad ‘flu but she’s back on her feet again.
ill-gotten gains
Money, profit or benefits that are made in a dishonest or illegal manner are calledill-gotten gains. He won money by cheating and is now enjoying his ill-gotten gains.
irons in the fire
If you have a few, or many,irons in the fire, you are involved in several projects at the same time. The travel agency is not his only venture - he’s got more than one iron in the fire.
keep your nose clean
A person whokeeps their nose cleanbehaves well and avoids trouble. He spent a term in prison a few years ago but he’s kept his nose clean ever since.
spill the beans
If youspill the beans,you reveal a secret or talk about something private. Come on! Spill the beans! What did he say?
cut it out
If you say ‘cut it out’to someone, you are telling them to stop doing something. I’ve had enough of your insinuations, so just cut it out!
that makes two of us!
This expression indicates agreement with what has just been said. “I found his speech rather boring.” “That makes two of us!”
bar fly
Abar flyis someone who spends a lot of time drinking in bars and pubs. You’ll find Johnny down at the pub - he’s a real bar fly.
weigh pros and cons
If youweigh the pros and cons, you consider the advantages and disadvantages, the arguments for or against something. They weighed the pros and cons of the house before signing.
above and beyond the call of duty
If a person does something which isabove and beyond the call of duty, they show a greater degree of courage or effort than is usually required or expected in their job. The fire-fighter received a medal for his action which went above and beyond the call of duty.
turn on/upheat
If youturn on/up the heaton a person or organisation, you put pressure on them in order to obtain what you want. If the goods are not delivered this week, we’ll have to turn on the heat.
give it a rest
If someone tells you togive it a rest,they are asking you to stop doing something such as complaining or talking continuously. All you talk about is politics - give it a rest … please!
get it down to a fine art
When you learn to do something perfectly, youget it down to a fine art. Entertaining her husband’s business associates is not a problem for Jane; she’s got that down to a fine art!
on tap
If something ison tap, it is easily obtained or available for immediate use, like water from a tap. You can find a multitude of useful resources on tap on the internet.
exception proves the rule
If something is different from a general belief or theory, it shows that the belief or theory is true. Most teenagers love fast food, but Ben is the exception that proves the rule - he’s the only one of our children who insists on healthy food!
walk all over someone
If one personwalks all over another, they treat them very badly or unkindly, especially by showing no consideration for their cares or needs. You must learn to defend yourself. Don’t let him walk all over you!
without a hitch
If something happenswithout a hitch,it takes place exactly as planned, without any difficulties. The ceremony went off without a hitch, to our great relief!
laugh up one’s sleeve
If youlaugh up your sleeve, you are secretly amused at another person’s problems or difficulties. Tom felt that his demonstration was confusing and that his colleague was laughing up his sleeve.
push the envelope
When youpush the envelope,you do something in an extreme way or exceed the limits of what is considered acceptable. Some TV producers really push the envelope when they expose people’s private lives.
jump on bandwagon
If a person or organisationjumps on the bandwagon, they decide to do something when it is already successful or fashionable. When organic food became popular, certain stores were quick to jump on the bandwagon and promote it.
find/meet yourmatch
If youfindormeet your match,you encounter someone who is equal to you in skills or abilities. Barry is an excellent tennis player, but he met his match in William.
dull at ditchwater dull asdishwater
Something asdull as ditchwateris very boring. The film was as dull as ditchwater. I nearly fell asleep.
soft option
If you choose the easiest course of action available, which is usually not very effective, youtake a soft option. Their father took a soft option and confiscated the skateboard for the week-end, hoping his sons would stop quarrelling.
smokescreen
Asmokescreenis an action or tactic intended to conceal or divert attention from your real intentions or activities. His travel business was just a smokescreen for his political activities.
see in a new light
If yousee something in a new light,you view it in a way that makes you change the opinion you had before. After listening to my colleague, I began to see things in a new light.
in two minds
If you arein two mindsabout something, you have difficulty deciding what to do. I’m in two minds about whether or not to accept the offer.
out of this world
To refer to something asout of this worldmeans that you think it is extremely good or impressive. The hotel was very comfortable and the food was out of this world.
handsfull
If youhave your hands full, you are very busy or have a lot to do. Jenny has her hands full looking after three young children.
takesteps
If youtake steps,you start a course of action in order to accomplish something. The town is taking steps to improve security in public car parks.
thorn in your side
If you say that someone isa thorn in your side,you mean that they continually irritate or annoy you. Jane finds her mother-in-law very irritating, a real thorn in her side!
arm of the law
This expression refers to the extent to which the authority or power of the law extends. He fled to South America hoping to escape the arm of the law.
let off steam
A person wholets off steamreleases surplus energy or strong feelings either through intense physical activity or by talking in an unrestrained manner. Let’s bring the kids to the playground so they can let off steam.
stark raving mad
To say that someone isstark raving madmeans that they are completely crazy. You’re stark raving mad to go sailing in this weather.
haul over the coals
If youhaul someone over the coals,you reprimand them harshly because they have done something wrong or incorrectly. He was hauled over the coals for the poor quality of his presentation.
off your rocker
If you tell someone that they areoff their rocker, you think they are completely crazy. You’re going to give all your money away? You’re off your rocker!
come apart at the seams
To say that someone iscoming apart at the seamsmeans that they are extremely upset or under severe mental stress. Bob has had so many problems lately, he’s coming apart at the seams.
playsecondfiddle
If youplay second fiddleto another person, you accept to be second in importance to that person, or have a lower position. John resented having to play second fiddle to the sales manager when the company was restructured.
dream ticket
If you refer to two people as adream ticket, you think they would work well together and be successful. Two world champions teaming up for the children’s fund-raising project would be a dream ticket.
all hands on deck
When there is a need forall hands on deck, everyone must help, especially when there is a lot of work to be done in a short amount of time. As the opening day approached, it was all hands on deck to have everything ready in time.
hold your tongue
If youhold your tongue,you stay silent and say nothing. Harry was of a different opinion but he decided to hold his tongue.
splash out on
If yousplash out onsomething, you spend a lot of money on it. Chloe’s parents really splashed out on her wedding.
shrug something off
If yourshrug something off, you dismiss it as being unimportant. He was aware of the danger but he just shrugged it off.
raise/lower one’s sights
If youraise/lower your sights,your raise or lower your expectations, or you are more or less ambitious. He had to lower his sights and accept a less well-paid job than what he hoped for.
give adoga bad name
People who lose their reputation have difficulty regaining it because others continue to blame or suspect them. Tom was suspected as usual. Give a dog a bad name!
get a load of
This slang expression means to pay attention or take notice of something. Hey! Get a load of that outfit!
moonlight flit
Someone whodoes a moonlight flitleaves a place quickly and in secret, usually to avoid paying debts. Just before the rent was due he did a moonlight flit.
go downhill
When somethinggoes downhill, it deteriorates or gets worse little by little. His health has been going downhill since the last operation.
any port in a storm
When you have no choice,any port in a stormrefers to a solution you accept, which in normal circumstances you would find unacceptable. The hotel was substandard, but it was a case of any port in a storm; all the others were full.
