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English idioms (without example) > 2001-2200 > Flashcards

2001-2200 Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

of no avail

A

Something which isof no availis not at all helpful or useful.

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2
Q

talk shop

A

If youtalk shop,you talk about your work or business in a social situation with someone you work with, and make the conversation boring for the others present.

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3
Q

go torackand ruin

A

If somethinggoes to rack and ruin,it deteriorates or falls into serious decline until it reaches a state of complete destruction.

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4
Q

thin on the top

A

If someone, usually a man, isthin on the top, they are losing their hair or going bald.

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5
Q

stand on ceremony

A

When peoplestand on ceremony,they behave in a very formal way.

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6
Q

come to grief

A

If someone or somethingcomes to grief, they either have an accident, are destroyed or end in failure.

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7
Q

take one’s life into one’s hands

A

To say that someone istaking their life in their handsmeans that they are taking the risk of being killed.

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8
Q

hold on for dear life

A

If youhold (orhang) on for dear life,you grip something firmly so as not to fall.

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9
Q

play possum

A

When someoneplays possum, they pretend to be dead or asleep in order to avoid something they don’t want to do.

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10
Q

keep head above water

A

To keepone’s head above watermeans to try to survive by staying out of debt, for example a small business.

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11
Q

safe bet

A

To say that something isa safe betmeans that it is very likely to happen.

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12
Q

watch like a hawk

A

If youwatch someone like a hawk,you keep your eyes on them or watch them very carefully.

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13
Q

help a lame dog

A

If youhelp a lame dog over a stile,you help someone who is in difficulty or trouble.

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14
Q

cheesed off

A

If someone ischeesed offwith something, they are annoyed, bored or frustrated.

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15
Q

make mincemeat of

A

If youmake mincemeat ofsomeone or something, you completely and utterly defeat or destroy them.

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16
Q

cap in hand

A

If you do somethingcap in hand, you ask for something in a very respectful manner.

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17
Q

good riddance!

A

This expression is used to express relief at becoming free of an unpleasant or unwanted person or thing.

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18
Q

hot potato

A

Ahot potato isa very sensitive and controversial matter which is difficult to deal with.

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19
Q

wildgoosechase

A

If someone is sent on awild goose chase, they waste their time looking for something that there is little chance of finding.

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20
Q

pillar to post

A

If a person, usually someone in difficulty, goesfrom pillar to post,they move constantly from place to place.

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21
Q

fall on one’ssword

A

If youfall on your sword, you accept the consequences of an unsuccessful or wrong action.

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22
Q

on thelevel

A

If you say that someone is on the level, you are referring to a truthful or honest person.

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23
Q

heavens open

A

When theheavens open, it suddenly starts to rain heavily.

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24
Q

hit the spot

A

If somethinghits the spot,it is exactly what is needed or wanted.

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25
Q

all told

A

All toldmeans the final number, when everything has been counted.

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26
Q

feel the pinch

A

When someonefeels the pinch, they begin to suffer from a lack of money.

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27
Q

blow up in your face

A

When working on a plan or project, if it suddenly goes wrong or fails, itblows up in your face.

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28
Q

gutter press

A

This term refers to newspapers that print a lot of sensational stories about people’s private lives.

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29
Q

get on your high horse

A

If youget on your high horse,you start behaving in a haughty manner, as though you should be treated with more respect.

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30
Q

under theweather

A

If you areunder the weather,you are not feeling very well.

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31
Q

work like a charm

A

If something such as a product or methodworks like a charm,it functions very well or has the desired effect.

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32
Q

twist in the wind

A

If someone is left totwist in the wind, they are left to face a difficult situation without any assistance or support.

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33
Q

die is cast

A

To say that thedie is castmeans that an irrevocable decision has been made that will determine the future.

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34
Q

loose end

A

A person who isat a loose endhas some spare time, and feels quite bored by having nothing in particular to do.

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35
Q

been there, done that

A

The expression is used to indicate that the speaker is familiar with the situation mentioned.

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36
Q

if the cap fits wear it

A

You can say’if the cap fits, wear it’to let someone know that the critical remark they have just heard applies to them.

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37
Q

up-to-the-minute

A

Something that isup-to-the-minuteis the very latest or most recent version available.

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38
Q

foul one’s own nest

A

If you act in a way that harms your own interests, your position or your reputation, youfoul your own nest.

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39
Q

life of riley

A

A person wholives the life of Rileyhas a comfortable and enjoyable life, without having to make much effort.

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40
Q

in the dark

A

If someone is kept or leftin the darkabout something, they are not informed about it.

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41
Q

throw a bone

A

If youthrow someone a bone,you say something kind or reward them in some way to make them feel good.

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42
Q

knee-high to a grasshopper

A

This term refers to a very young or small child.

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43
Q

on the dole

A

A person who receives financial assistance from the government when they are unemployed ison the dole.

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44
Q

ahead of thepack

A

If a person or organisation isahead of the pack,they are better or more successful than their rivals.

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45
Q

road rage

A

Aggressive driving habits sometimes resulting in violence against other drivers is calledroad rage.

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46
Q

on the back burner

A

If you put a project or issueon the back burner, you decide to deal with it at a later date because you do not consider it to be that urgent or important.

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47
Q

takes two to tango

A

You say this when you think that a difficult situation cannot be the fault of one person alone.

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48
Q

take your courage in both hands

A

If youtake your courage in both hands,you make yourself do something very brave.

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49
Q

wind up in the wrong hands

A

If somethingwinds up in the wrong hands,it comes into the possession of someone undesirable, for example an opponent or a competitor.

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50
Q

have you gone out of your mind?

A

If you ask someone if theyhave gone out of their mind,you think they are crazy, foolish or insane.

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51
Q

power behind the throne

A

Someone with no apparent authority who has great influence over the person officially in charge is said to bethepower behind the throne.

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52
Q

juggle frogs

A

A person who isjuggling frogsis trying to deal with many different tasks at the tame time and finding the situation difficult.

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53
Q

one hand washes the other (and together they wash the face)

A

This expression means that when people cooperate and work well together, there is a better chance of a achieving results.

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54
Q

keep a low profile

A

A person whokeeps a low profiletries not to attract public attention.

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55
Q

teeth chattering

A

Ifyour teeth are chattering,you are extremely cold.

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56
Q

dry (or dummy) run

A

If you organise a rehearsal, a trial exercise or a practice session of something, in realistic conditions, to see how well it will work before it is launched, you do adry run.

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57
Q

put therecordsstraight

A

If youput or set the records straight, you provide facts or an explanation to correct a mistake or misunderstanding.

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58
Q

trade secret

A

This term refers to the secrecy of a company’s production methods but is often used teasingly.

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59
Q

handbrake on a canoe

A

Is something isas much use as a handbrake on a canoe, it is completely useless or serves no purpose.

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60
Q

show one’s true colours

A

When a personshows their true colours, their behaviour reveals their real nature, with their qualities and/or weaknesses.

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61
Q

green fingers

A

To havegreen fingersmeans to be good at gardening.

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62
Q

breaking and entering

A

This term refers to the fact of entering a building or home illegally by breaking open a window, door, etc.

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63
Q

dwell on something

A

If someonedwells on something, they think or talk about it all the time.

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64
Q

cry one’seyesout

A

If youcry your eyes out, you cry a lot and for a long time.

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65
Q

none the wiser

A

If you do not know more about something after hearing or reading an explanation, or if you fail to find information on the subject, you arenone the wiser.

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66
Q

raining cats and dogs

A

If it’sraining cats and dogs, it is raining very heavily.

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67
Q

chance in a million

A

Achance in a millionis a very small chance, or no chance at all, that something will happen.

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68
Q

turn over a new leaf

A

If a personturns over a new leaf,they decide to change their behaviour and lead a better life.

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69
Q

take agander

A

If youtake or have a gander at something, which is generally new or unusual, you have a look at it or go to check it out.

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70
Q

rooted to the spot

A

If you are so shocked, surprised or scared that you arerooted to the spot, you reaction is so strong that you are unable to move.

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71
Q

smalldog, tall weeds

A

This expression is used to refer to someone who does not have the ability or the resources necessary to perform a task.

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72
Q

keep alidon

A

If youkeep the lid on something,you hide it or control it to prevent people from finding out about it.

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73
Q

hang in there

A

This expression is used to encourage someone to persevere and not give up in spite of the difficult circumstances.

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74
Q

number cruncher

A

This is a humorous way of referring to someone who is an accountant or who is very good at working with numbers and calculations.

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75
Q

olive branch

A

If a person or organisation holds outan olive branchto another, they show that they want to end a disagreement and make peace.

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76
Q

spinach cinema

A

Films that are neither exciting nor interesting but are considered educational or uplifting, in the same way as certain foods are good for your health, are referred to asspinach cinema.

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77
Q

if push comes to shove

A

The expression’if push comes to shove’refers to what you will do if the situation becomes critical and you have to take action.

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78
Q

suss out

A

If yoususs out something,such as a problem or a situation, you examine it and manage to understand it.

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79
Q

lose the plot

A

If a situation becomes so confusing that you are unable to understand what is happening or what you are supposed to do, youlose the plot.

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80
Q

broad strokes

A

If something is described or defined with/inbroad strokes, it is outlined in a very general way, without any details.

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81
Q

needs must (when the devil drives)

A

The expression’needs must (when the devil drives)’means that you are sometimes forced by circumstances to do something that you do not want to do.

82
Q

noflieson (someone)

A

To say that there areno flies on someonemeans that they are quick to understand and cannot be tricked or deceived easily.

83
Q

turn the tables

A

If youturn the tableson a person or organisation, you reverse the situation so as to be in a position of superiority.

84
Q

life is just a bowl of cherries

A

This expression means that life is pleasant and uncomplicated.

85
Q

beside thepoint

A

If something isbeside the point, it does not relate to the topic or is irrelevant.

86
Q

keep yourshirton!

A

If you tell somebody tokeep their shirt on, you are asking them to calm down.

87
Q

sign on dotted line

A

If yousign on the dotted line,you formally give your consent to something by signing an official document.

88
Q

keepfeeton ground

A

A person whokeeps their feet on the groundcontinues to act in a sensible and practical way, even if they become successful.

89
Q

get/give the all clear

A

If you are allowed to do something after a check-up to make sure that everything is all right, youget the all clear.

90
Q

hear through the grapevine

A

If youhear of something through the grapevine, you learn about it informally, for example through friends or colleagues.

91
Q

crying need

A

When there is a great lack of something which is urgently needed, there is acrying needfor it.

92
Q

one-upmanship

A

This term refers to the art of gaining and keeping an advantage over other people.

93
Q

law of the jungle

A

A situation in which people are prepared to use unscrupulous methods in order to succeed or survive is called thelaw of the jungle.

94
Q

spin doctor

A

Aspin doctoris a press agent or a public relations officer employed to promote a favourable interpretation of events in business or politics.

95
Q

punch above your weight

A

If youpunch above your weight, you try to perform at a level that is beyond your ability.

96
Q

whistle-blower

A

If you report an illegal or socially harmful activity to the authorities, and give information about those responsible for it, you are awhistle-blower.

97
Q

bandit territory

A

A geographical area where law enforcement is practically impossible, because people ignore all rules, is called ‘bandit territory’.

98
Q

the pits

A

If something is referred to asthe pits,it is considered to be absolutely the worst.

99
Q

blow hot and cold

A

If youblow hot and coldabout something, you constantly change your opinion about it.

100
Q

out of your pocket

A

If you pay for somethingout of your own pocket, you cover the cost with your own money.

101
Q

new lease of life

A

A person who has anew lease of lifehas a chance to live longer or with greater enjoyment or satisfaction.

102
Q

turn a deafear

A

A person whoturns a deaf earto something such as a request or a complaint refuses to pay attention to it.

103
Q

wise after the event

A

When someone realizes, after somethinghas happened, what could have been done to prevent it from happening, they arewise after the event.

104
Q

pluck out of the air

A

Topluck something out of the airmeans to say a name, date, number, etc.

105
Q

bag of tricks

A

If you use your (whole) bag of tricks to do something, you try (all) the clever methods you know in order to succeed.

106
Q

(no)hardfeelings

A

If you haveno hard feelings,you feel no resentment or bitterness about something.

107
Q

water down

A

If youwater downsomething such as a report, declaration or proposal, you try to make it weaker or less likely to cause anger.

108
Q

have down pat

A

If you memorize or practice something until you know it perfectly or have it exactly right, you have it down pat.

109
Q

live wire

A

Someone who is highly vivacious, energetic and full of enthusiasm is alive wire.

110
Q

let offsteam

A

A person wholets off steamreleases surplus energy or strong feelings either through intense physical activity or by talking in an unrestrained manner.

111
Q

know which way the wind is blowing

A

This expression means that it is advisable to know how a situation is developing in order to be prepared for any changes.

112
Q

the world is youroyster

A

This expression means that you are free and able to enjoy the pleasures and opportunities that life has to offer.

113
Q

light at end of tunnel

A

If you see light at the end of the tunnel,you see signs of hope for the future after a long period of difficulty.

114
Q

jump down throat

A

If someonejumps down another person’s throat,they suddenly start shouting at them in a very angry manner.

115
Q

explore all avenues

A

If youexplore all avenues, you try out every possibility in order to obtain a result or find a solution.

116
Q

cut from the same cloth

A

If two people arecut from the same cloth, they are very similar in character or behaviour.

117
Q

out of your depth

A

If you areout of your depth,you are unable to understand a subject or deal with a situation because it is too difficult for you.

118
Q

get someone’sdrift

A

If youget someone’s drift, you understand in a general way what they are trying to say.

119
Q

come to a bad end

A

If someonecomes to a bad end, their actions lead to disastrous consequences which are sometimes deserved or predictable.

120
Q

stop at nothing

A

Someone who wouldstop at nothingwould do anything, even something illegal or immoral, to obtain what they want.

121
Q

take unawares

A

If somethingtakes you unawares,it surprises you because you were not expecting it.

122
Q

hit the nail on the head

A

When youhit the nail on the head,you are absolutely right about something or have guessed the exact nature of a problem or situation.

123
Q

eagle eyes

A

Someone who haseagle eyessee or notices things more easily than others.

124
Q

no-go area

A

Ano-go areais an area, particularly in a city, where it is dangerous to go.

125
Q

hand in hand

A

If two or more thingsgohand in hand, they are associated or often happen at the same time.

126
Q

look down one’s nose

A

If someonelooks down their noseat a person or thing, they consider that person or thing as inferior.

127
Q

suit every pocket

A

This term refers to the amount of money you are able to spend or the price you can afford.

128
Q

take shape

A

When something such as a plan or project begins totake shape,it starts to become organised and acquire a definite form.

129
Q

go off on a tangent

A

If someonegoes off on a tangent, they change the subject completely in the middle of a speech or conversation.

130
Q

bone of contention

A

Abone of contentionis a matter or subject about which there is a lot of disagreement.

131
Q

by no stretch of the imagination

A

The expression’by no stretch of the imagination’means ‘however hard you may try to believe or imagine it’.

132
Q

smooth the path

A

Tosmooth the pathfor something means to make progress easier or enable it to happen.

133
Q

in the long run

A

This term refers to something that will have effect over or after a long period of time.

134
Q

no holds barred

A

This expression, which derives from wrestling, is used to describe something done with no restraints, limits or rules of conduct.

135
Q

an accomplished fact (also ‘fait accompli’)

A

Something that has been done or completed, before those affected by it can intervene or change it, is called anaccomplished fact.

136
Q

trilemma

A

This term is used for a situation which is even more difficult than a dilemma, because a choice must be made between three options that seem equally undesirable.

137
Q

hold the field

A

If somethingholds the field,it has not been replaced and remains valid or is still in use.

138
Q

lose the thread

A

If youlose the threadof a conversation or story, you are unable to follow it.

139
Q

lose your touch

A

If youlose your touch,youno longer have the ability to do something skillfully.

140
Q

swim against the tide

A

A person who is doing or saying the opposite to most other people is said to beswimming against the tide.

141
Q

stuck in a time warp

A

Something that has not changed at all from some time in the past, when everything else has, is caught orstuck in a time warp.

142
Q

moremoneythan sense

A

If you havemore money than sense, you have a lot of money which you waste by spending it in a foolish manner.

143
Q

foot in the grave

A

A person who is either very old or very ill and close to death has onefoot in the grave.

144
Q

face like a wet week-end

A

If someone has aface like a wet week-end, they look sad and miserable.

145
Q

flea in one’s ear

A

After an attempt at something, if you are sent away witha flea in your ear, you are angrily reprimanded or humiliated.

146
Q

hit the airwaves

A

When someonehits the airwaves, they go on radio and/or TV to be interviewed or to promote something.

147
Q

paint into a corner

A

If youpaint yourself into a corner, you put yourself into a situation that restricts what you can do or say.

148
Q

fly off the handle

A

A person whoflies off the handlebecomes suddenly very angry.

149
Q

(put) skin in the game

A

If youput skin in the game, you show your confidence in a company by making a considerable investment or afinancial commitment.

150
Q

bear the brunt

A

A person whobears the bruntof something is the one who suffers the most when something bad or unpleasant happens.

151
Q

go to extremes

A

People whogo to extremesbehave in a way that lacks moderation.

152
Q

dice are loaded

A

If everything seems to work to your disadvantage, and you are not likely to succeed, thedice are loaded against you.

153
Q

not the only pebble on the beach

A

To say that someone isnot the only pebble on the beachmeans that they are not the only person worth considering.

154
Q

(at) first hand

A

If you experience something yourself directly, without any intermediary, you experience it(at) first hand.

155
Q

same page/wavelength

A

If you areon the same pageorthe same wavelengthas someone else, you have the same understanding or think in a similar way.

156
Q

dog in the manger

A

A person referred to as adog in the mangeris someone who stops others from enjoying something he/she cannot use or doesn’t want.

157
Q

do a double take

A

Someone whodoes a double take looks again in surprise at something unexpected.

158
Q

tail wagging the dog

A

This expression refers to a situation where there is a reversal of roles, with the small or minor element having a controlling influence on the most important element.

159
Q

turn turtle

A

If a boatturns turtle,it capsizes or turns upside down in the water.

160
Q

wheels fall off

A

When a situation gets out of control and everything starts to go wrong,the wheels fall off.

161
Q

wipe the slate clean

A

If youwipe the slate clean,you make a fresh start and forget all past offences, disagreements or mistakes.

162
Q

pull a fast one

A

Topull a fast onemeans to gain an advantage over someone by deceiving them.

163
Q

get the sack / be sacked

A

If someonegets the sack, they lose their job, usually because they have done something wrong.

164
Q

(not) havelegto stand on

A

To say that someonedoesn’t have a leg to standon means that they can’t prove what they say.

165
Q

chink in someone’s armour

A

If someone has achink in their armour, they have a weakness that other people can take advantage of.

166
Q

go through the roof

A

If someonegoes through the roof,they become very angry.

167
Q

pack of lies

A

A large number of untruthful statements is referred to asa pack of lies.

168
Q

bite one’s tongue

A

If youbite your tongue, you try not to say what you really think or feel.

169
Q

go topieces

A

If yougo to pieces, for example after a terrible shock, you are so upset or distressed that you cannot lead a normal life.

170
Q

hem and haw

A

When someonehems and haws,they are very evasive and avoid giving a clear answer.

171
Q

(of) no fixed abode

A

A personof no fixed abode has nowhere permanent to live.

172
Q

the picture of health

A

Someone wholooks the picture of healthlooks extremely healthy.

173
Q

have something on the brain

A

If youhave something on the brain, you think or talk abut it all constantly.

174
Q

on the mend

A

If someone or something ison the mend, they are improving after an illness or a difficult period.

175
Q

nolovelost

A

To say that there is no love lostbetween two people or organisations means that they do not like each other at all.

176
Q

no spring chicken

A

To say that someone isno spring chickenmeans that they are quite old or well past their youth.

177
Q

not the brightest bulb in the box not the sharpest knife in the drawer not the sharpest tool in the shed

A

‘Sharp’ and ‘bright’ both mean ‘clever’ or ‘intelligent’.

178
Q

up to par

A

If something isup to par,it meets the required standard.

179
Q

soft spot

A

If youhave a soft spotfor someone or something, you particularly like them.

180
Q

go down in history

A

This expression refers to an event that is so important or unusual that it will be recorded in history.

181
Q

blind as a bat

A

Someone whose vision is very poor, or who is unable to see anything, is (as)blind as a bat.

182
Q

skeleton staff/crew

A

If a business or organisation works witha skeleton staff,it is run with the smallest number of people necessary.

183
Q

where theshoepinches

A

When people talk about’where the shoe pinches’, they are referring to an area that is often a source of problems or difficulties.

184
Q

come into one’s own

A

When youcome into your own, you finally obtain rightful recognition of your ability or talent and begin to have success.

185
Q

not have a stitch on

A

Someone who doesnot have a stitch onis wearing no clothes and is therefore completely naked.

186
Q

high horse

A

If you geton your high horse, you start behaving in a haughty manner, as though you should be treated with more respect.

187
Q

keep one’s feet on the ground

A

A person whokeeps their feet on the groundcontinues to act in a sensible and practical way, even if they become successful.

188
Q

bats in the belfry

A

If you say that somebody hasbats in the belfry, you mean that they are eccentric or crazy.

189
Q

give as good as you get

A

This expression means that you are prepared to treat people as badly as they treat you, and fight for your beliefs.

190
Q

get on one’snerves

A

If youget on someone’s nerves,you annoy or irritate them a great deal.

191
Q

all things being equal

A

This expression refers to a probable situation if, in all other ways, the conditions remain unchanged or equal.

192
Q

bottom fell out

A

When something causes a plan, project or venture to collapse or fail, thebottom falls outof it.

193
Q

play the market

A

If youplay the market, you buy stocks and shares in the hope of making a profit when you sell them.

194
Q

shape up or ship out

A

This expression is used to warn someone that if they do not improve, they will have to leave their job.

195
Q

moment of truth

A

A critical or decisive time when you face the reality of a situation, and find out if your efforts have succeeded, is called themoment of truth.

196
Q

jaw drops

A

If someone’sjaw drops,they show total amazement.

197
Q

get your hands dirty

A

If youget your hands dirtyin your job, you become involved in all aspects of it, including work that is physical, unpleasant or less interesting.

198
Q

keep a level head

A

If youkeep a level head, you remain calm and sensible no matter how difficult or distressful the situation may be.

199
Q

grey area

A

To refer to something asa grey areameans that it is not clear or easy to define, and is therefore difficult to deal with.

200
Q

ants in one’s pants

A

People who haveants in their pantsare very restless or excited about something.

English idioms (without example) (15 decks)

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