2201-2400 Flashcards
1
Q
wool-gathering
A
A person who iswool-gatheringis daydreaming and not concentrating on what his happening; their thoughts are elsewhere.
2
Q
cutting edge
A
This expression refers to the newest, most advanced stage in the development of something.
3
Q
plan B
A
Plan Bis an alternative solution to be adopted if one’s original plan does not succeed.
4
Q
pass muster
A
If someone or somethingpasses muster,they are considered to be satisfactory or acceptable.
5
Q
backhanded compliment
A
A remark that appears to express admiration but could also be interpreted as an insult is called abackhanded compliment.
6
Q
go through the motions
A
If someonegoes through the motions, they do something because they have to, but without enthusiasm.
7
Q
fraught with danger
A
An activity or situation that is fraught with dangeris full of risks or serious difficulties.
8
Q
stew in your own juice
A
If you let someonestew in their own juice,you leave them to worry about the consequences of their own actions.
9
Q
catch somebody’s eye
A
If someonecatches you eye, you find them attractive.
10
Q
live beyond means
A
If someonelives beyond their means,they spend more money than they earn or can afford.
11
Q
use one’s noodle
A
If youuse your noodle,you use your brain or your common sense.
12
Q
look a sight
A
If a personlooks a sight,their appearance is awful, unsuitable or very untidy.
13
Q
put two and two together
A
Toput two and two together means to reach the right conclusion based on the information you have.
14
Q
penny for your thoughts
A
This phrase is used to ask someone what they are thinking about.
15
Q
make yourearsburn
A
If somethingmakes your ears burn,you are embarrassed by what you hear, especially if the conversation is about you.
16
Q
kick yourself
A
If you feel likekicking yourself,you are angry with yourself for something you have or have not done.
17
Q
done and dusted
A
When a project, task or activity isdone and dusted, it is completely finished or ready.
18
Q
go out the window
A
If a quality, principle or opportunitygoes out the window,it disappears, is lost or is abandoned.
19
Q
break a leg!
A
This is a humorous way of wishing someone good luck, especially among stage performers.
20
Q
shopping therapy
A
This term refers to the idea that buying things can make you feel better.
21
Q
make hackles rise
A
If someone or somethingmakes your hackles rise,they make you angry.
22
Q
better late than never
A
When someone does something late, this remark means that it is better to do it late than not do it at all.
23
Q
fast talker
A
A person who speaks quickly and easily but cannot always be trusted is called afast talker.
24
Q
take in your stride
A
When, in a difficult situation, youtake things in your stride, you deal with the situation calmly and without any special effort.
25
snowed under
Someone who is snowed under has so many things to do, usually work, that they unable to cope with it all.
26
think better of it
If you think better of something, you decide not to do something that you intended to do.
27
dumbing down
If something, such as a television programme or a film production, isdumbed down, it is deliberately made less intelligent or less demanding in order to attract a larger audience.
28
raring to go
If someone is raring to go, they are very eager and enthusiastic about the idea of doing something.
29
in the doldrums
To say that a person, a business or the economy in general is in the doldrums means that the situation is gloomy and that nothing new is happening.
30
get the jitters
If you get or have the jitters, especially before an important event, you become very nervous or anxious and begin to shake.
31
moot point
A subject which gives rise to argument or debate is called a moot point.
32
pretty as a picture
Someone who is (as) “pretty as a picture’ is very attractive or appealing in appearance.
33
good walls make good neighbours
This expression means that respecting one another's privacy helps create a good relationship between neighbours.
34
keep your shirt on!
If you tell somebody to keep their shirt on, you are asking them to calm down.
35
gut feeling
If you have a gut feeling about something, you have a strong intuition that you cannot explain, but you're sure that you are right.
36
big fish in a small pond
This term refers to an important or highly-ranked person in a small group or organisation.
37
in words of one syllable
If you explain something in words of one syllable, you use very simple language.
38
look the picture of health
To look the picture of health means to look extremely healthy.
39
a storm in a teacup
To refer to something as a storm in a teacup means that people are making a lot of unnecessary fuss or getting excited about something unimportant.
40
head start
If you have a head start, you have an advantage that enables you to make progress more quickly and have a greater chance of success.
41
chicken out
If you chicken out of something, you decide not to do something because you are afraid.
42
on the spur of the moment
If you do something on the spur of the moment, you do it as soon as you think of it, spontaneously, without any planning.
43
break the ice
A person who breaks the ice is someone who does or says something to make people relax in an uncomfortable situation.
44
backseat driver
A passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice to the driver is called a backseat driver.
45
bottom line
If you use the term bottom line in an explanation or discussion , you refer to the most essential point or the conclusion reached.
46
bite the hand that feeds you
If you bite the hand that feeds you, you are unfriendly or do harm to someone who is kind to you.
47
blind alley
If you go up a blind alley, you follow an ineffective course of action which leads nowhere or produces no results.
48
put in a good word
If you put in a good word for someone, you say positive things in support of that person in order to help them.
49
get the show on the road
If you manage to put a plan or idea into action, you get the show on the road.
50
come out of the woodwork
When things, or people, come out of the woodwork, they appear or emerge unexpectedly, as if from nowhere, and usually in large numbers.
51
shopping spree
If you go on a shopping spree, you enjoy a lively outing, usually with much spending of money.
52
identity theft
The crime of using another person's personal information (name, credit card number, etc.
53
before the ink is dry
If people reach an agreement, and then change their minds immediately afterwards, the change occurs 'before the ink is dry'.
54
cross your mind
If an idea or thought crosses your mind, you suddenly think of it.
55
steal the show
A person who steals the show gets more attention or praise than the other participants.
56
all along
If something has existed or been somewhere all along, it has been there all the time, from the beginning.
57
glutton for punishment
If you say that someone is a glutton for punishment, you express your surprise that they continue to do something which they find unpleasant or difficult.
58
above and beyond the call of duty
If a person does something which is over and above the call of duty, they show a greater degree of courage or effort than is usually required or expected in their job.
59
top dog
To say that a person, group or country is top dog means that they are better or more powerful than others.
60
get off my back!
If you tell someone to get off your back, you are annoyed and ask them to stop finding faults or criticizing you.
61
gloves are off
This expression is used when there are signs that a fight is about to start.
62
all things to all people
If you are all things to all people, you please or satisfy everyone.
63
(no) spring chicken
To say that someone is no spring chicken means that they are quite old or well past their youth.
64
it never rains but it pours
This expression is used to comment on the fact that when something bad happens, other bad things often happen too, and make the situation even worse.
65
buckle down
If you buckle down, you apply yourself with determination to hard work and give it hour full attention.
66
save your breath
If you tell someone to save their breath, you are telling them not to waste their time speaking because their words will have no effect.
67
take a dim view
If you take a dim view of something, you dislike or disapprove of it.
68
high and dry
If you are left high and dry, you find yourself in a difficult situation without help or resources.
69
go/put through themill
If you go (or are put) through the mill, you experience a very difficult period, or are exposed to rough treatment.
70
at loggerheads
If you are at loggerheads with a person or organisation, you disagree very strongly with them.
71
heart misses a beat
If your heart misses (or skips) a beat, you have sudden feeling of fear or excitement.
72
simplicity itself
Something that is simplicity itself is extremely easy to do.
73
take stock of the situation
If you take stock of a situation you assess all the aspects in order to form an opinion.
74
lick and promise
If you give something a lick and a promise, you make a quick attempt to clean it, with the intention of doing it more thoroughly later.
75
get a rise out of
If you make someone react angrily by jokingly saying something that you know will irritate them, you get a rise out of them.
76
dead as a doornail
This expression is used to stress that a person or thing is very definitely dead.
77
on the up and up
A person who is on the up and up is becoming increasingly successful.
78
pick up steam
If a project or process picks up steam, it starts to develop or become more active.
79
keep wolf from door
To keep the wolf from the door you need to have enough money to buy food and other basic essentials in order to survive.
80
make no bones about
If you make no bones about something, you don't hesitate to say what you think in a frank and open way.
81
there wasn't a soul
To say that there wasn't a soul means that there was nobody.
82
hustle and bustle
This term refers to busy energetic activity in an atmosphere of general excitement.
83
hitch one's wagon to a star
Someone who hitches their wagon to a star has great ambitions and is very determined to reach their goal.
84
too many chiefs, not enough indians
This expression refers to a situation where there are too many people giving instructions and not enough people doing the work.
85
like something thecat dragged in
If you compare a person or thing to something the cat dragged in,you think they they look dirty, untidy or generally unappealing.
86
writing on the wall
This refers to a situation where there are signs showing that a problem is going to occur.
87
beat a hasty retreat
Someone who beats a (hasty) retreat runs away or goes back hurriedly to avoid a dangerous or difficult situation.
88
eat the frog/eat thatfrog!
This expression is used to encourage someone do the most difficult or most unpleasant task of the day first, before anything else, rather than avoiding or postponing it.
89
fall off the back of a lorry
Goods that have fallen off the back of a lorry are stolen goods.
90
hot under the collar
If you get hot under the collar, you feel annoyed, indignant or embarrassed.
91
make a monkey out of
If you humiliate someone by making them appear ridiculous or foolish, you make a monkey (out) of that person.
92
on the QT
If something is done on the QT, it is done quietly or discreetly.
93
walk on eggshells
If you walk on eggshells with someone, you are careful not to hurt or offend them.
94
spiral out of control
When difficulties or costs spiral out of control, they get worse or increase continuously, creating a situation that becomes difficult to manage.
95
long row to hoe
A difficult task, assignment or undertaking that will take a long time is a long row to hoe.
96
runs in the family
This refers to a physical or moral characteristic that is common to many members of a family.
97
blood out of a stone
This expression refers to something that is very difficult to obtain.
98
polish off
If you polish something off, you finish it quickly or easily.
99
silver surfer
A silver surfer is an elderly person who uses the internet.
100
if you can't stand the heat
The expression 'if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen'means that if you feel there is too much pressure, you can leave.
101
hair's breadth
If you avoid or miss something by a hair's breadth, you only just manage to escape from a danger.
102
spare-part surgery
Spare-part surgery refers to surgery in which a diseased or non-functioning organ is replaced with a transplanted or artificial organ.
103
sticking point
A sticking point is a controversial issue that causes an interruption or blocks progress in discussions or negotiations.
104
(not) do justice to
Something that does not show the true value of someone or something does not do justice to them/it.
105
take down a peg
If you take someone down a peg, you make that person realize that they are not as important as they think they are.
106
light bulb moment
A light bulb moment is when you have a sudden moment of inspiration, comprehension or realization.
107
rough and ready
Something which is rough and ready is adequate but rather rudimentary or unrefined.
108
sight for sore eyes
This expression refers to a person or thing that you are happy to see.
109
touch base
If you touch base with someone, you make contact or renew communication with them.
110
fresh as a daisy
Someone who is (as) fresh as a daisy is lively and attractive, in a clean and fresh way.
111
hide multitude of sins
If something hides (or covers) a multitude of sins, it prevents people from seeing the less pleasant reality.
112
find one's feet
To say that someone in a new position is finding their feet means that they are learning what to do and gaining self-confidence.
113
scarce as hen's teeth
To say that something is as scarce as hen's teeth emphasizes that it is extremely rare, to the point of non-existence.
114
can't make omelette
This expression means that it is impossible to make important changes without causing some unpleasant effects.
115
put a damper on
If someone or something puts a damper on a situation or event, they make it less successful or enjoyable.
116
sting someone for
If you sting someone for an amount of money, you make them pay for something, usually in a deceitful manner.
117
take the bloom off something
If an incident or event takes the bloom off something, it spoils it or makes it less enjoyable.
118
hand in glove
Two or more people who are in collusion, or work in close association, are said to be hand in glove.
119
fait accompli
This French expression refers to something that has been done and cannot be changed.
120
half the battle
This expression refers to a significant part of the effort or work needed to achieve something.
121
clap eyes on
If you clap eyes on someone or something, you actually see them.
122
get back into shape
To get yourself back into shape, you need to take exercise in order to become fit and healthy again.
123
whale of a time
When people have a whale of a time, they enjoy themselves a lot.
124
thin end of the wedge
To refer to an event or action as the thin end of the wedge means that it is thought to be the beginning of something that will become more serious.
125
wave a dead chicken
When faced with a serious problem, if you take steps that you know in advance will be futile, to show that you made an effort, you wave a dead chicken.
126
golden handshake
A golden handshake is a generous sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire (sometimes given to encourage early retirement).
127
wish the ground would swallow you up
When you are so embarrassed by something that you would like to disappear, you wish the ground would swallow you up.
128
get your fingers burnt
If someone gets their fingers burnt, they suffer as a result of an unsuccessful action and are nervous about trying again.
129
clean as a whistle
Something as clean as a whistle is extremely clean.
130
lame duck
A person or organisation in difficulty and unable to manage without help is called a lame duck.
131
sitting pretty
Someone who is sitting pretty is in a good or fortunate situation, especially compared to others who are not so lucky.
132
pick up the tab
If you pick up the tab, you pay the bill or pay the cost of something.
133
on the fly
If you do something on the fly, you do it quickly, without thinking much about it, while doing something else.
134
soften the blow
When someone tries to soften the blow, they do something to make an unpleasant event or action easier to accept.
135
sticky fingers
Someone who has sticky fingers has a tendency to steal.
136
one-track mind
If you have a one-track mind, you have a tendency to think about only one subject.
137
two's company, three's a crowd
This is said of two people, particularly lovers, who would prefer to be alone together rather than to have someone else with them.
138
last thing on one's mind
If you say that something is the last thing on your mind, you mean that it is not an important matter at all, especially when you have more serious problems to consider.
139
golden opportunity
A golden opportunity is a favourable time or an excellent occasion which should not be missed.
140
face like thunder
If someone has a face like thunder, they look very angry.
141
get someone's drift
If you get someone's drift, you understand in a general way what they are trying to say.
142
know someone inside out
If you know someone inside out, you know them very well.
143
next to nothing
The term 'next to nothing' means a very small amount or almost nothing.
144
pregnant pause
A pregnant pause is a moment of silence full of unexpressed meaning.
145
barefaced liar
Someone who lies easily, with a total lack of shame, is called abarefaced liar.
146
dry as dust
Something that is as dry as dust is very dry indeed.
147
on the pig's back
A person who is on the pig's back is in a state of luck and everything is going well for them.
148
eagle eyes
Someone who has eagle eyes see or notices things more easily than others.
149
face value
If you take something at its face value, you assume that it is genuinely what it appears to be.
150
whatever floats your boat
Although you don't quite agree with someone, it's their choice and you think they should so whatever makes them happy.
151
straight face
If you keep a straight face, you look serious although you really want to laugh.
152
devil's advocate
During a discussion or debate, if you play devil's advocate, you pretend to be against an idea or plan in order to determine the validity of the arguments in favour of it.
153
a notch above
Something that is a notch above something else is a little better in every way.
154
tongue-tied
If you are tongue-tied, you have difficulty in expressing yourself because you are nervous or embarrassed.
155
in one's own sweet time
If you do something in your own sweet time, you take as long as you please to do it in spite of the orders or wishes of others.
156
running battle
If two people or groups have a running battle with each other, they argue or disagree about something over a long period of time.
157
wear thin
Something that is wearing thin is decreasing or losing its interest.
158
not a patch on
If something or someone is not a patch on an other, they are not nearly as good.
159
get the message
If you get the message, you understand what someone is trying to tell you, even if it is expressed in actions or gestures rather than words.
160
the works
Something that has the works contains everything that is possible, or the full range of options.
161
fish out of water
If you feel like a fish out of water, you feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.
162
(not) lift a finger
Someone who does not lift a finger makes no effort to help or provide assistance when it is needed.
163
headless chicken
If a person rushes about like a headless chicken, they act in a disorderly way, without thinking or analyzing the situation carefully.
164
go against the grain
If something goes against the grain, it is difficult to accept because it is very different from what is considered normal or natural.
165
last resort
To say that you would so something as a last resort means that it is the last thing you would do if you were desperate and all other courses of action had failed.
166
spoon feed
If a person is spoon-fed, they are helped too much rather than encouraged to think by themselves or use their own initiative.
167
beat/knock the (living) daylights
If a person beats the (living) daylights out of another, they hit them very hard and repeatedly.
168
wound up
If someone is so excited that they talk non-stop, they are wound up.
169
a cut above
Someone or something that is a cut above the others is better or of higher quality.
170
about turn/about face
This term refers to a complete change of opinion or policy.
171
eyes in back of head
If someone has eyes in the back of their head, they are very observant and notice everything happening around them.
172
the mind boggles
The expression 'the mind boggles' is used as a reaction to something you find amazing or difficult to understand.
173
hang out to dry
If you abandon someone who is in difficulty, without giving any assistance or support, you hang them out to dry.
174
sing a different tune
If somebody sings a different tune, they change their opinion about something, or their attitude towards something.
175
reduce to tears
If your behaviour or attitude makes someone cry, you reduce them to tears.
176
place in the sun
If you find a place in the sun, you reach a position which provides you with wealth and happiness, or whatever you have been hoping to obtain in life.
177
lip service
If you pay lip service to an idea or cause, you give verbal support or approval, but fail to actually do anything.
178
tongues are wagging
When tongues are wagging, people are beginning to spread gossip or rumours, often about someone's private life.
179
deep down
If you talk about how someone is, or feels, deep down, you are describing what they are like or what they really feel deep inside, behind the outward appearance.
180
scales fall from your eyes
When the scales fall from your eyes, you finally understand the truth about something.
181
free hand
If you have a free hand, you have permission to make your own decisions, especially in a job.
182
in cahoots with someone
If one person is in cahoots with another, they are working in close partnership, usually conspiring to do something dishonest.
183
steal a march
If you steal a march on someone, you do something in an unexpected or secret way that enables you to gain an advantage over them.
184
all shapes and sizes
Something that can be found in many different forms, types or varieties, comes in all shapes and sizes.
185
caught red-handed
If a person is caught red-handed, they are caught while they are doing something wrong or illegal.
186
cold turkey
This term means to immediately and completely stop an addictive substance, a regular activity or a behavioural pattern, instead of ending it gradually.
187
sink one's teeth into
If you sink your teeth into something, you do it with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
188
drop a bombshell
If you drop a bombshell, you make an unexpected announcement which will greatly change a situation.
189
at odds
If one person is at odds with another, they disagree with each other.
190
rise to the occasion
If you rise to the occasion, you manage to do something successfully in difficult circumstances.
191
in bad shape
A person who is in bad shape is in poor physical condition.
192
tie yourself up in knots
If you tie yourself up in knots, you become totally confused or confuse others when trying to explain something.
193
foot in the door
To say that someone has a foot in the door means that they have a small but successful start in something and will possibly do well in the future.
194
jump the lights
If you continue driving when the traffic lights turn red, you jump the lights.
195
by degrees
If something happens or develops by degrees, it happens gradually or little by little as time goes by.
196
have a finger in every pie
If someone has a finger in every pie, they are involved in many activities.
197
eyes on stalks
If your eyes are on stalks when you look at something, they are wide open with surprise or amazement.
198
close call
If something happens, or is avoided or missed, with very little margin, it is called a close call.
199
put house in order
If you tell someone to put their house in order, you are saying that they should organise their own affairs or take care of their own problems before giving advice to other people.
200
automatic pilot
If you are on automatic pilot, you do something without thinking about it or having to pay attention, because you do it regularly.
