1801-2000 Flashcards
blessing in disguise
This expression refers to something that is unpleasant at first but later turns out to have advantages. Missing the plane was a blessing in disguise - that’s how he met his wife. She was a hostess on the next flight!
toing and froing
Someone who istoing and froingis either repeatedly going from one place to another and coming back, or is constantly changing their mind about something. After months of toing and froing, a compromise was reached between the two parties.
dead cert
Something that is certain to happen or be achieved is adead cert. After such praise, his appointment as captain of the team is a dead cert.
slip of thetongue
Aslip of the tongueis a small spoken error or mistake. Did I say ‘blow down’? - Sorry, I meant ‘slow down’. that was a slip of the tongue!
dog’s breakfast
To describe something as adog’s breakfastmeans that it is a complete mess. The new secretary made a dog’s breakfast out of the filing system.
run a mile
Someone who is anxious to avoid somethingruns a mile. She said she’d run a mile if she saw reporters in the area.
drink like a fish
A person whodrinks like a fishis one who drinks a lot. I’m nervous if Ben drives when we go out because he drinks like a fish!
green with envy
Someone who isgreen with envyis a person who is very envious. Dave will be green with envy when he sees Simon’s new sports car!
come in handy
To say that something maycome in handymeans that it may be useful some time or other. Don’t throw away those old shelves; they may come in handy one day.
cork something up
If youcork upyour feelings or emotions, you fail to show or express them. It would be better if she showed her grief and didn’t cork up her feelings.
set you back
The sum of money somethingsets you backis the amount it costs you. Changing the heating system will set us back about $5000.
put afingeron something
If you are able to identify or understand something such as the cause of a problem or the solution to it, youput your finger on it. The atmosphere at the meeting was strange, but Marie couldn’t put a finger on the cause of it.
keepeyespeeled
Tokeep one’s eyes peeledmeans to watch out very carefully for something. I mislaid my wedding ring at home, so I asked my children to keep their eyes peeled.
let thecatout of the bag
If youlet the cat out of the bag, you reveal a secret, generally not intentionally. When the child told her grandmother about the plans for her birthday, she let the cat out of the bag.
armchair critic
Anarmchair critic is someone who gives advice based on theory rather than practice. That guy is such an armchair critic - no experience but plenty of advice.
dive in headfirst
If you begin something enthusiastically, without thinking about the possible consequences, youdive in headfirst. Tony accepted the project without realizing the time it would take; he always dives in headfirst!
look out for n°1
If you take care of yourself first, and look after your own interests rather than those of other people, youlook out for number one. Andy’s father told him that looking out for number one should be his first priority.
take yourcouragein both hands
If youtake your courage in both hands, you make yourself do something very brave. When I saw the child in the burning house, I took my courage in both hands and ran inside.
throw caution to the wind
If youthrow caution to the wind, you start taking risks and stop worrying about the danger involved. I decided to throw caution to the wind and invest in my best friend’s new company.
reach for the moon
If youreach for the moon, you are very ambitious and try to achieve something even if it is difficult. His parents were hardworking people who encouraged their children to reach for the moon.
out of character
If you do something that isout of character,it is unlike your usual behaviour or not what is expected from you. The way she panicked was out of character for such a normally calm person.
piece of cake
To refer to something asa piece of cakemeans that you consider it to be very easy. The English test was a piece of cake!
wear heart on sleeve
If youwear your heart on your sleeve,you allow others to see your emotions or feelings. You could see that she was hurt - she wears her heart on her sleeve!
sterner stuff
If someone is made ofsterner stuff, they have a strong character and are better able to deal with difficulties than others. I was surprised to see him so upset. I thought he was made of sterner stuff.
smallpotatoes
Something that issmall potatoesis considered to be unimportant or insignificant. Her first publication was considered small potatoes but her new book has lead to a change of opinion.
get thehangof
When youget the hang ofan activity, you now know how to do it correctly. The apprentice found the task difficult at first but he soon got the hang of it.
onpins and needles
If you areonpins and needles, you are very anxious or nervous about what is going to happen. Scott was on pins and needles while he waited for the result of the exam.
mintcondition
Something that isin mint conditionis in such perfect condition that it looks new or as good as new. The car is 10 years old but according to Tom it’s in mint condition.
walk a tightrope
If a person iswalking a tightrope,they are in a difficult or delicate 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.
everydoghas its day
This expression means that everyone can be successful at something at some time in their life. I didn’t win this time, but I’ll be lucky one day. Every dog has its day.
kill with kindness
When you are excessive in your efforts to be helpful or generous, you can harm someone, orkill them with kindness. The children are overweight, but their grandmother continues to give them chocolates and cookies - she’ll kill them with kindness!
face only a mother could love
This is a humorous way of saying that someone is ugly or unattractive. The poor guy has a face only a mother could love.
holier-than-thou
The attitude of people who consider themselves to be more virtuous or morally superior to others can be called’holier-than-thou’. I can’t stand the holier-than-thou attitude of some political candidates.
swishing (party)
Swishingis the name given to a recent fashion phenomenon - a party organised to swap second hand clothes. Everyone takes along clothes they no longer wear and people can then choose the ones they want.
lick into shape
If you make an effort to put someone or something into satisfactory condition or appearance, youlick them into shape. I’ve got to lick this place into shape before my in-laws arrive.
wise up to
If youwise uporget wise tosomething, you become fully aware of the facts and are no longer fooled. When Mike finally wised up to the methods being used, he resigned from the company.
see red
If someonesees red, they suddenly become very angry or annoyed. Discrimination of any kind makes me see red.
face themusic
If you have toface the music,you have to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions. He was caught stealing. Now he has to face the music!
labour of love
A task that is done for your own pleasure and satisfaction and not for reward or profit is called alabour of love. Preparing Christmas dinner for the family is what my mother calls a labour of love.
like thecatthat ate the canary
If, after an achievement or success, a person seems very self-satisfied or pleased with themselves, you can say that theylook like the cat that ate the canary. When the boss complimented him on his work, Steve looked like the cat that ate the canary.
too much like hard work
An activity or task that requires too much effort istoo much like hard work. It’s so hot today, there’s no way I’m going to do any cooking. That’s too much like hard work!
your money’s worth
If you getyour money’s worth,you receive good value for the amount of money you spend. We bought a travel pass to use the public transport system and we really got our money’s worth.
wing it
Towing itmeans to improvise or to deal with a situation without preparation. She didn’t expect to be interviewed so she just had to wing it.
fight shy
If youfight shyof something, such as a task, a problem or a duty, you want to avoid doing it or you are unwilling to confront it. He had money problems for years but he fought shy of asking his children for help.
in two shakes of a lamb’s tail
To do somethingin two shakes of a lamb’s tailmeans to do it very quickly. Wait for me. I’ll be ready in two shakes (of a lamb’s tail).
(not) take no for an answer
Someone who willnot take no for an answeris very insistent in the way they make their request or offer and is unwilling to accept a refusal. My grandmother insisted that we stay for dinner and wouldn’t take no for an answer.
on second thoughts
On second thoughts’means that after giving the matter more thought, you have changed your mind. My idea was to move to an apartment, but on second thoughts, I’d rather have a garden.
pigs might fly
The expression’pigs might fly’expresses disbelief, or the idea that miracles might happen but are extremely unlikely. My grandmother buying a computer? … Yeah! … and pigs might fly!
beat/flog a dead horse
To say that someone isbeating a dead horsemeans that they are wasting time and effort trying to do or achieve something that is impossible. Mark is beating a dead horse trying to get his money reimbursed. The company has gone bankrupt!
until hell freezes over
If you tell someone that they can do somethinguntil hell freezes over,you mean that they can do it forever but they won’t obtain what they want. You can ask until hell freezes over; I will not allow you to go bungee-jumping!
bolt from the blue
To refer to something as abolt from the bluemeans that it happened totally unexpectedly. The chairman’s resignation came as a bolt from the blue.
ugly as sin
This expression is used to refer to people or things that are considered to be very unattractive. Have you seen the new neighbour’s dog? It’s as ugly as sin!
dust bunnies
Dust bunniesare clumps of dust, usually found on the floor, in corners or under furniture, in places where the housework is not done regularly. The house hadn’t been cleaned in weeks. There were dust bunnies everywhere.
shake like a leaf
If youshake like a leaf,you tremble with fear or nervousness. At the beginning of the interview the candidate was shaking like a leaf.
run rings/circles around
If you show much more skill or ability than your opponent, you run rings (or circles) around them. In a quiz show on TV yesterday, a teenage girl ran rings around the other contestants.
get the picture
A person whogets the pictureunderstands what is being explained or described. The alarm went off and people started running everywhere - you get the picture I’m sure!
down in the mouth
When someone isdown in the mouth, they look unhappy, discouraged or depressed. You look a bit down in the mouth. What’s the matter?
see eye to eye
If yousee eye to eyewith somebody, you agree with them. I’m glad we see eye to eye on the choice of colour scheme.
cat nap
If you have a short sleep during the day, you have acat nap. My dad often has a cat nap on a Sunday afternoon.
have your cake and eat it
To say that someone wants tohave their cake and eat itmeans that they want the advantages of two alternative situations when only one is possible. Jack enjoys his comfort but is always complaining about the cost of things. He can’t have his cake and eat it.
cry one’s eyes out
If youcry your eyes out,you cry a lot and for a long time. My son cried his eyes out when he discovered his bike had been stolen.
hell-bent on something
If you arehell-bent on doing something, you are recklessly determined to do it, even if it is dangerous or stupid. Although he is still weak, he’s hell-bent on playing the match.
false pretences
If you obtain somethingunder false pretences, you deceive others by lying about your identity, qualifications, financial or social position, in order to get what you want. The journalist obtained the interview under false pretences.
take it on the chin
When youtake it on the chin,you are brave and accept adversity, criticism or defeat without complaining. When his contract was not renewed, Mark took it on the chin.
weather the storm
If youweather the storm, you succeed in surviving a difficult period or situation. Given the current recession, the company is weathering the storm better than most.
there’s nothing to it
If you say thatthere’s nothing to it,you mean that something is very simple or easy to do. I’ll show you how to make pancakes. There’s nothing to it!
salt of the earth
To describe someone asthe salt of the earthmeans that they are kind, honest and reliable. Mrs. Brown is the salt of the earth, always ready to give a helping hand.
fall into one’s lap
If something goodfalls into your lap, it happens to you without any effort on your part. She’s not making much effort to find work. Does she think a job is going to fall into her lap?
let sleepingdogslie
If you tell someone tolet sleeping dogs lie, you are asking them not to interfere with a situation because they could cause problems. Look - they’ve settled their differences. It’s time to let sleeping dogs lie.
have the makings of
A person whohas the makings of somethinghas qualities and potential that could be developed. The teacher says Sarah has the makings of an excellent journalist.
cook somebody’s goose
Tocook somebody’s goosemeans to spoil that person’s chances of success. When the burglar saw the police car arriving, he realized his goose was cooked!
lick/smack your lips
A person who islicking (orsmacking) their lipsis showing that they are excited about something and are eager for it to happen. He was licking his lips at the idea of the money he was going to make.
come to the crunch
To talk about what to do if or when a situationcomes to the crunchmeans when it becomes critical and a decision has to be made. I’m running out of money. If it comes to the crunch, I’ll sell my car.
putmoneywhere mouth is
If youput your money where your mouth is,not only do you express your interest, you give financial support to causes that you believe in. If people are really interested in helping the underprivileged, they should put their money where their mouth is.
get off the ground
If youget something off the ground,you put it into operation after having organised it. After a lot of hard work, we finally got the campaign off the ground.
one too many
Someone who has hadone too manyhas drunk too much alcohol. I think Tony’s had one too many - he’s talking rubbish.
ring a bell
If somethingrings a bell,it sounds familiar, but you don’t remember the exact details. John Bentley? The name rings a bell but I don’t remember him.
in twominds
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.
dead to the world
A person who isdead to the worldis fast asleep. Don’t worry. You won’t disturb him. He’s dead to the world!
spitting image
If one person isthe spitting imageof another, they look exactly like each other. Sarah is the spitting image of her mother.
face like a bulldog chewing a wasp
To say that someone has aface like a bulldog chewing a waspmeans that you find them very unattractive because they have a screwed-up ugly expression on their face. Not only was he rude but he had a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp!
smash hit
A very successful performance in music, films, theatre, etc. is calleda smash hit. The film ‘Titanic’ was a smash hit all over the world.
raw deal
If you say that someonegot 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!
to theletter
If you follow instructions or directionsto the letter, you do exactly as is told or written. Although she followed the instructions to the letter, she couldn’t get the DVD player to work.
white elephant
If you call somethinga white elephant,you consider it useless although it may have cost a lot of money. The new cultural centre is a real white elephant. It’s so isolated that nobody goes there!
gonuts
To say that a person hasgone nutsmeans that they have become completely foolish, eccentric or mad. I think the old lady has gone nuts! It’s very hot today and she’s wearing a fur coat!
worm’s eye view
To offera worm’s eye viewof a situation is to give your opinion based on what you see at close range from an inferior position, so it is therefore not a general view. I’m not sure I can be of much help. I can only offer you a worm’s eye view of the situation.
put out to pasture
To say that someone has beenput out to pasturemeans that they have been forced to retire or give up their responsibilities. He’s in good health and he feels it’s too early to be put out to pasture.
prolong the agony
If someoneprolongs the agony,they make an unpleasant or tense situation last longer than necessary. Please don’t prolong the agony. Just tell me whether I’ve been accepted or not.
quiet as a mouse
When someone is asquiet as a mouse,they make no noise at all. The burglar was a quiet as a mouse as he moved around the house.
cut corners
Cutting cornersmeans not following the correct procedure in order to save time, effort or money (often with unsatisfactory results). I want the job well done - no cutting corners please!
take with pinch ofsalt
To say that a piece of information should be takenwith a pinch (or grain) of saltmeans that the information may not be accurate or true. Tony tends to exaggerate. I take everything he says with a pinch of salt.
can’thold a candle
If one person (or thing)can’t hold a candleto 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.
(all) hell broke loose
To say that(all) hell broke loosemeans that there was a sudden angry, noisy reaction to something. All hell broke loose when it was announced that the plant was going to close down.
lower than a snake’s belly
To say that someone islower than a snake’s bellymeans that they are bad, dishonest or have very low moral standards. Anyone who is capable of taking advantage of young vulnerable children is lower than a snake’s belly.
sleep on it
If you take time (until the next day) to think something over before making a decision, yousleep on it. I suggest you sleep on it. You can give me your decision tomorrow.
make right noises
If youmake the right noises,you behave as if you support or agree with something by making suitable or conventional remarks. Sam seemed to approve of the idea; he certainly made all the right noises.
tall story
Atall storyis a story which is difficult to believe because it sounds unlikely. What he said about a stolen invention sounds like a tall story to me.
one good turn deserves another
If someone helps you, it is natural and right to help them in return. We helped Alex and Sara when they moved into their new house, just as they helped us last year; one good turn deserves another.
be full of beans
A person who isfull of beansis lively, healthy and active. He may be getting old but he’s still full of beans.
make a big thing of
If you attach a lot of importance to something, or make it a special occasion, youmake a big thing of it. It’s Jack’s birthday but he doesn’t want to make a big thing of it, so please don’t mention it.
quick/slow on the uptake
Someone who isquick or slow on the uptakeis quick or slow to understand what is meant. Please explain the problem in simple words - I’m a bit slow on the uptake!
watch one’s step
If you tell someone towatch their step,you are advising them to be careful how they behave in order to avoid getting into trouble. There is zero tolerance in this school for bad behaviour, so watch your step!
play to the gallery
A person whoplays to the gallerytries to gain popularity by behaving in a way that will appeal to the majority. It’s no secret that he got elected by playing to the gallery.
last but not least
When introducing a number of people, this expression is used to assure the audience that the last person mentioned is no less important than those previously named. And now, last but not least, here is the final candidate.
out of thisworld
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.
rake over the ashes
When peoplerake over the ashes, they discuss an unpleasant event which took place in the past. My grandfather’s business went bankrupt years go, but he still rakes over the ashes from time to time.
pester power
This term refers to the power children exert over their parents by continually nagging or pestering them until they accept to buy advertised toys or fashionable products. Pester power leads busy parents to buy more and more for their children.
cut a dash
If a personcuts a dash, they make a striking impression by their appearance and attractive clothes. Wearing his uniform, my grandfather cut a dash on his wedding day.
away with the fairies
Someone who isaway with the fairiesis in such a dreamy state that they are not totally in touch with reality and give the impression of being slightly mad. It’s no use trying to explain the problem to her - she’s away with the fairies!
get it down to a fine art
When, through practice or experience, you learn how to do something perfectly, youget it down to a fine art. She’s got the use of social networking down to a fine art.
name (written) on it
If somethinghas someone’s name (written) on it,it is intended for that person or it is ideally suited to them. That dress would be perfect for you - it’s got your name on it!
creature comforts
This expression refers to modern conveniences (such as hot water or central heating) that make life comfortable and pleasant. I need my creature comforts. I don’t know how I’d survive without air-conditioning in this climate!
grab a bite to eat
If yougrab a bite to eat, you get something to eat quickly. We should have time to grab a bite to eat before the show.
the laststraw!
This expression means that this is the latest unpleasant event and that you cannot tolerate the situation any longer. After a long day of negotiations with the protesters, the traffic jam was the last straw!
shoe is on the other foot
When the circumstances have reversed and one person is now doing what the other did in the past, you can say that theshoe is on the other foot. I used to advise my children to eat healthy food. Now my daughter is a nutritionist and the shoe in on the other foot - she advises me!
make the best of things
If youmake the best of things, you react in a positive way to an unsatisfactory situation that you cannot change and do the best you can with it. The apartment was badly located, but the rent was low, so they decided to make the best of things.
go Dutch
Togo Dutchwith somebody means to share the cost of something such as a meal or a concert. Young people today tend to go Dutch when they go out together.
fly off thehandle
A person whoflies off the handlebecomes suddenly very angry. Dad flew off the handle when I told him I had damaged his new car!
get down to brass tacks
When peopleget down to brass tacks,they start to discuss the essential aspects of a problem or situation. The situation was so serious that after a few polite exchanges they quickly got down to brass tacks.
seeerrorof ways
When someonesees the error of their ways, they understand that what they are doing is wrong and accept to change their behaviour. He talked to a counsellor who tried to make him see the error of his ways.
work the system
People whowork the systemlearn how a state or public organisation works in order to benefit as much as possible from the system. He hasn’t changed his lifestyle since he lost his job - he must know to work the system!
paper trail
If a person or organisation leaves apaper trail,they leave evidence in writing or in document form that will serve as proof of their actions. The police found a paper trail which lead to the author of the hoax.
play by ear
Toplay by earmeans to improvise or act without preparation, according to the demands of the situation. (Music : to play by remembering the tune, without printed music.) It’s hard to know how the situation will develop. Let’s just play it by ear.
all that jazz
This expression means ‘all that stuff’, ‘other similar things’, or ‘everything of that kind’. Let’s get out the tinsel, the fairy lights and all that jazz to decorate the Christmas tree.
keep a stiff upper lip
If a personkeeps a stiff upper lip,they contain their emotion and do not let other people see their feelings. When she heard the bad news, she kept a stiff upper lip.
walk on air
When you are happy or excited because of a pleasant event that makes you feel as if you were floating, you arewalking onair. Sophie has been walking on air since her painting won first prize.
every nook and cranny
Every nook and crannymeans every possible part of a place. She searched every nook and cranny of the old town looking for antiques.
anyportin a storm
When you are in difficulty,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.
overplay your hand
If youoverplay your hand, you are overconfident and spoil your chances of success by trying to obtain too much. Sam is hoping for a bonus for his good results, but he may be overplaying his hand if he asks for a promotion.
at yourwits’end
If you areat your wits’ end,you are very worried about something and do not know what to do. When her son dropped out of school, Susan was at her wit’s end.
in over your head
If you arein over your head,you are involved in something that is too difficult for you to handle. I accepted to organise the festival, but I quickly realized that I was in over my head.
door swings both ways
If you say that thedoor swings both ways, you mean that the same principle or argument applies to both sides of a situation. “You never call me.” “You don’t contact me either. The door swings both ways you know!”
sit on the fence
If yousit on the fence,you avoid taking sides in a discussion or argument. It’s an important issue. You can’t continue to sit on the fence!
save face
When someonesaves face,they manage to avoid humiliation or embarrassment and preserve their dignity and the respect of others. They allowed him to save face by accepting his resignation.
in a pickle
If you arein a pickle,you are in a difficult situation and need help. My car won’t start and the trains are on strike today, so I’m in a real pickle!
blink of an eye
If something happensin the blink of an eye, it happens nearly instantaneously, with hardly enough time to notice it. The pickpocket disappeared in the blink of an eye.
on the mend
Someone who ison the mendis getting better after an illness. My grandmother hasn’t been very well lately but she’s on the mend now.
cat’swhiskers (also: cat’s pyjamas)
This expression refers to someone who considers themselves to be better than others in a particular area : beauty, competence, intelligence, sport, etc. Ever since she got a promotion, she thinks she’s the cat’s whiskers!
rolling in money
Someone who is very wealthy or has access to great amounts of money isrolling in money. Steve has no financial problems. His parents are rolling money.
racked with pain
When someone is suffering from severe pain, they areracked with pain. The soldier was so badly injured that he was racked with pain.
common ground
This expression refers to an area of shared beliefs, interests or mutual understanding between people or groups who often have disagreements. Any common ground among the Meditarranean countries will contribute to future unity.
itching (or itchy) palm
Someone who has anitching palmis greedy for money, for example tips or commission (as if putting money in the palm of their hand would ease the itch). He’s said to have an itching palm - he does nothing without payment!
could eat ahorse
To say that youcould eat a horsemeans that you are very hungry. Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving. I could eat a horse!
cat in gloves catches no mice
This expression means that if you are too careful and polite, you may not obtain what you want. Negotiate carefully, but remember : a cat in gloves catches no mice!
on the up and up
If you areon the up and up,you are becoming increasingly successful. The architect has been on the up and up since he designed a building in Dubai.
do more harm than good
If the effect of an action is more damaging than helpful, itdoes more harm than good. Giving him money did more harm than good - he spent it on alcohol.
Chinese whispers
This expression refers to a process by which a message or piece of information (especially gossip, rumours or scandalous news) is passed on from one person to another, and changes along the way, so that the final version is often very different from the original.
as the crow files
This expression refers to distance measured in a straight line. It’s two miles from here to the station as the crow flies, but of course it’s much further by road.
behind the times
A person who isbehind the timeshas old-fashioned ideas and does not keep up with modern life in general. Jane doesn’t have a mobile phone. She’s completely behind the times.
pick a fight
Someone whopicks a fightdeliberately looks for an opportunity to start a quarrel or begin an argument. Our new neighbour seizes every occasion to pick a fight.
mix business with pleasure
When peoplemix business with pleasure, they combine work and leisure or social activities. Seminars or training sessions that include leisure activities are a good way of mixing business and pleasure.
twist someone’s arm
If youtwist someone’s arm,you make them do something, without using physical force. He didn’t have to twist my arm when he invited me out for dinner - I was happy to accept!
have theworldat your feet
If youhave the world at your feet,you are extremely successful and greatly admired. The talented young actress has the world at her feet.
steamed up
If someonegets steamed upabout something, they become very angry, excited or enthusiastic about it. Calm down - there’s no need to get all steamed up about it!
put on your thinking cap
If you tell someone toput their thinking capon, you ask them to find an idea or solve a problem by thinking about it. Now here’s this week’s quiz; it’s time to put your thinking caps on!
catand dog life
A life in which partners are constantly or frequently quarrelling is called acat-and-dog life. They lead a cat-and-dog life. I don’t know why they stay together.
throw something together
If youthrow something together, you make or produce something quickly and without effort. Why don’t you stay for dinner - I’ll throw something together!
like clockwork
To say that someone or something goes, runs or behaveslike clockworkmeans that everything happens exactly as expected. Meals are always served on time. In their home everything runs like clockwork.
in safehands
If something isin safe hands, it is being looked after by a reliable person or organisation, and is therefore at no risk. I’ll look after Jamie while you go shopping. Don’ worry - he’ll be in safe hands.
pop one’s clogs
This is a euphemistic way of saying that a person is dead. Nobody lives in that house since old Roger popped his clogs.
strike pay dirt
If youstrike pay dirt,you are lucky and suddenly find yourself in a successful money-making situation. Charlie finally struck pay dirt with his latest invention.
sharp cookie
Someone who is not easily fooled or deceived is asharp cookie. You can’t fool my grandmother. She’s a sharp cookie!
fever pitch
If a situation or feeling reachesfever pitch,it becomes very intense and exciting. Reaction to the affair has reached fever pitch all over the country.
sling mud
To say that someone isslinging mudat another person means that they are trying to damage that person’s reputation by saying bad things about them. During election campaigns, candidates often sling mud at each other.
turn on/up the heat
If youturn onorup the heaton someone, 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 up the heat.
in one’smind’seye
If you can visualize something, or see an image of it in your mind, you see itin your mind’s eye. I can see the village in my mind’s eye but I can’t remember the name.
there’s no accounting for taste
This expression is used to indicate surprise at another person’s likes or dislikes. She fell in love with a guy who’s short, fat, bald and poor … there’s no accounting for taste!
win by a nose
When there is a very slight difference between the winner and the other competitors, victory iswon by a nose. One second ahead of the others, he won by a nose.
smack/lick one’s lips
To say that a person issmacking or licking their lipsmeans that they are showing that they are excited about something and are eager for it to happen. They were smacking their lips at the idea of the money they were going to make.
landslide victory
The victory of a candidate or a political party by an overwhelming majority is calleda landslide victory. Major newspapers predict a landslide victory for the Democratic Party.
move heaven and earth
To say that you willmove heaven and earthmeans that you are prepared to do everything that is possible to achieve something. I promise I will move heaven and earth to get a work permit for you.
under your thumb
If someone isunder your thumb,they are completely under your control or influence. Nobody ever protests. He has the whole group under his thumb.
asleep at the wheel
If you say that someone isasleep at the wheel,you mean that they are not sufficiently attentive, especially at a critical moment when vigilance is required. When the firemen arrived too late at the scene, the night watchman was accused of being asleep at the wheel.
quart into a pint pot
To say that youcan’t put a quart into a pint potmeans that you cannot fit something too big into a small space, or thatyou are trying to do something impossible. You’ll never get that into the suitcase. You can’t put a quart into a pint pot!
top notch
To say that something istop notchmeans that it is of the highest possible quality or standard. The hotel was wonderful and the service was top notch.
travel light
When youtravel light,you travel with as little luggage as possible. If you intend to go trekking, you’d better travel light.
worlds apart
When two people or things are very different, they areworlds apart.As regards our political opinions, we are worlds apart.
spare tyre
If a person hasa spare tyre,they have a roll of flesh around the waist. I’d better go on a diet - I’m getting a spare tyre!
all thumbs / all fingers and thumbs
If you areall fingers and thumbs, you are awkward and clumsy and do things incorrectly. Would you mind wrapping this for me? I’m all fingers and thumbs!
barking up the wrong tree
A person who isbarking up the wrong treeis doing the wrong thing, because their beliefs or ideas are incorrect or mistaken. The police are barking up the wrong tree if they think Joey stole the car - he can’t drive!
plastic smile
A person witha plastic smileis wearing a forced smile which makes them appear happier that they really are. A receptionist greeted customers with a plastic smile.
take for a ride
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!
in the middle of nowhere
If a place isin the middle of nowhere, it is in a remote area, far from towns, villages or houses. The campsite was in the middle of nowhere so I couldn’t send you a postcard.
smooth ruffled feathers
If yousmooth someone’s ruffled feathers,you make that person feel less angry or offended. Tom took the criticism badly but James managed to smooth his ruffled feathers.
carry weight
If a person or organisationcarries weight,they are influential or important. I’m glad she’s on our side - her opinion carries a lot of weight.
pat answer
A simplified response that is memorized or prepared in advance is called apat answer. Many journalists at the press conference found his pat answers totally frustrating.
under the knife
If a person goesunder the knife, they have surgery. I’m not worried about the anaesthetic. I’ve been under the knife several times.
likepullingteeth
Something that islike pulling teethis extremely difficult to obtain, especially if trying to extract information from someone. Getting him to talk about his job was like pulling teeth!
(not) hair out of place
If someone doesnot have a hair out of place, their appearance is perfect. Angela is always impeccably dressed - never a hair out of place.
preaching to the converted
A person whopreaches to the convertedis encouraging people to support an idea that they already agree with. Talking to athletes about the virtues of sport is preaching to the converted.
meet your maker
This expression is used to say (often humorously) that someone has died. Poor old Mr. Potter has gone to meet his maker.
from the word go
The expression’from the word go’ means from the very beginning of an activity. Right from the word go he was rejected by the rest of the group.
eat a horse
If you say that youcould eat a horseyou mean that you are very hungry. Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving. I could eat a horse!
(not) give a hang
If you do notgive a hangabout something, you are totally indifferent to it and do not care at all about it. I’m not interested in football so I don’t give a hang about which team wins.
day late and a dollar short
If something isa day late and a dollar short, it comes too late and is not good enough. They offered me an internship when I had already found a job - a day late and a dollar short!
rough justice
Treatment or justice that does not seem fair, or is too severe, is called ‘rough justice’, especially if it is not legal. The way the player was treated by the media was very rough justice!
twiddle one’s thumbs
A person whotwiddles their thumbshas nothing to do, or is doing nothing useful. Go and help your father! You can’t sit there all day twiddling your thumbs!
cross theline
If youcross the lineyou go beyond the authorized limits by doing something unacceptable. He has an unpleasant habit of telling jokes that really cross the line.
easier said than done
To say that something iseasier said than donemeans that what is suggested sounds easy but it is more difficult to actually do it. Put the TV aerial on the roof? Easier said than done!
