2201-2400 Flashcards
wool-gathering
A person who iswool-gatheringis daydreaming and not concentrating on what his happening; their thoughts are elsewhere. Justin spent the whole afternoon wool-gathering. He must be in love!
cutting edge
This expression refers to the newest, most advanced stage in the development of something. The company is at the cutting edge of aeronautics.
plan B
Plan Bis an alternative solution to be adopted if one’s original plan does not succeed. The idea is to get a caterer to provide the food. If that’s too expensive, plan B is to organise a buffet with the help of friends.
pass muster
If someone or somethingpasses muster,they are considered to be satisfactory or acceptable. The interview went well. I hope I’ll pass muster.
backhanded compliment
A remark that appears to express admiration but could also be interpreted as an insult is called abackhanded compliment. He said my presentation was “surprisingly clear”. How’s that for a backhanded compliment!
go through the motions
If someonegoes through the motions, they do something because they have to, but without enthusiasm. After his wife died, he tried to continue life as before, but he just went through the motions.
fraught with danger
An activity or situation that is fraught with dangeris full of risks or serious difficulties. His journey across the mountains was fraught with danger.
stew in your own juice
If you let someonestew in their own juice,you leave them to worry about the consequences of their own actions. Ricky spent last night in prison for starting a fight - let him just stew in his own juice!
catch somebody’s eye
If someonecatches you eye, you find them attractive. The pretty girl near the door caught his eye.
live beyond means
If someonelives beyond their means,they spend more money than they earn or can afford. The cost of living was so much higher in New York that he was soon living beyond his means.
use one’s noodle
If youuse your noodle,you use your brain or your common sense. How did I figure that out? I just used my noodle!
look a sight
If a personlooks a sight,their appearance is awful, unsuitable or very untidy. She looks a sight in that dress!
put two and two together
Toput two and two together means to reach the right conclusion based on the information you have. When she saw Jill and Ben holding hands, it wasn’t hard to put two and two together!
penny for your thoughts
This phrase is used to ask someone what they are thinking about. You look pensive. A penny for your thoughts.
make yourearsburn
If somethingmakes your ears burn,you are embarrassed by what you hear, especially if the conversation is about you. The comments I overheard made my ears burn.
kick yourself
If you feel likekicking yourself,you are angry with yourself for something you have or have not done. I could have kicked myself for forgetting Emily’s birthday.
done and dusted
When a project, task or activity isdone and dusted, it is completely finished or ready. I’ve nearly finished preparing the presentation. When it’s all done and dusted I’ll be able to relax.
go out the window
If a quality, principle or opportunitygoes out the window,it disappears, is lost or is abandoned. When the plant closed down, all hopes of finding a job went out the window.
break a leg!
This is a humorous way of wishing someone good luck, especially among stage performers. So tonight’s the opening night? Break a leg!
shopping therapy
This term refers to the idea that buying things can make you feel better. A little shopping therapy can usually cheer up bored teenagers.
make hackles rise
If someone or somethingmakes your hackles rise,they make you angry. Her constant criticism really makes my hackles rise!
better late than never
When someone does something late, this remark means that it is better to do it late than not do it at all. Do you know what time it is? You promised you’d come early to help me - but better late than never I suppose!
fast talker
A person who speaks quickly and easily but cannot always be trusted is called afast talker. The salesman was a fast talker who persuaded the old lady to buy a new washing machine.
take in your stride
When, in a difficult situation, youtake things in your stride, you deal with the situation calmly and without any special effort. When the take-over was announced, Tom stayed calm and took it in his stride.