2401-2600 Flashcards
1
Q
back-room boys
A
This term refers to people who do important work but have no contact with the public. Back-room boys don’t always receive the credit they deserve for their work.
2
Q
blue around the gills
A
If a person looksblue around gills, (orgreenorpale) they look unwell or sick. You should sit down. You look a bit blue around the gills.
3
Q
pain in theneck
A
If you call someonea pain in the neck,you think they are very irritating or annoying. She’s a pain in the neck the way she keeps complaining!
4
Q
happy as Larry
A
If you are (as)happy as Larry,you are very happy indeed. My dad’s as happy as Larry at the week-end when we all arrive home.
5
Q
besideyourself
A
If you arebeside yourself(with an emotion), you lose your self-control because of the intensity of the emotion you are feeling. He was beside himself with grief when he lost his son.
6
Q
acquired taste
A
Something that you dislike when you first taste it, but begin to like after trying it several times, isan acquired taste. Tony has always loved olives, but for me it was an acquired taste.
7
Q
back to the wall
A
If you have yourback to the wall, you are in serious difficulty. With his back to the wall, the supplier had to accept the deal.
8
Q
in cahoots
A
If one person isin cahootswith another, they are working in close partnership, usually conspiring to do something dishonest. There was a rumour that the mayor was in cahoots with a chain of supermarkets.
9
Q
tell someone a thing or two
A
If youtell someone a thing or two,you express you thoughts (usually criticism) very clearly. ‘Let me tell you a thing or two about your son’s behaviour’ said John to the boy’s father.
10
Q
foam at the mouth
A
Someone whofoams at the mouthis extremely angry about something. The director was foaming at the mouth when he saw a picture of his children in the newspaper.
11
Q
stormy relationship
A
If you havea stormy relationshipwith someone, you have a lot of arguments and disagreements. After a very stormy relationship, they decided to separate.
12
Q
hearton sleeve
A
If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you allow others to see your emotions or feelings. You could see she was hurt - she wears her heart on her sleeve.
13
Q
smoke like a chimney
A
Someone who smokes a large amount of tobacco on a regular basis is said tosmoke like a chimney. My grandfather smoked like a chimney.
14
Q
tickledpink
A
If you aretickled pink,you are very pleased about something. My dad was tickled pink when he was asked to announce the winner.
15
Q
chase you (own) tail
A
Someone who ischasing their (own) tailis spending a lot of time and energy doing many things but achieving very little. He’s been chasing his tail all week collecting data but the report is still not ready.
16
Q
not in the same league
A
If something isnot in the same league,it is of much lower standard than something else. He had a good voice but he wasn’t in the same league as Pavarotti.
17
Q
head screwed on
A
Someone whohas their head screwedon is a sensible and realistic person. Don’t worry about him. He’s adventurous but he’s got his head screwed on.
18
Q
disaster written all over
A
If something, such as a plan or idea, hasdisaster written all overit, it is thought to be heading for complete failure, or will cause a lot of trouble. Mary’s idea of a holiday with her in-laws has disaster written all over it!
19
Q
tough cookie
A
A person who is atough cookieis one who is self-confident and ambitious and will do what is necessary to get what they want. I’m not worried about Jason’s future - he’s a tough cookie!
20
Q
horse of a different colour
A
To describe a person or a problem asa horse of a different colourmeans either that the person does things differently from others, or that the nature of the problem is entirely different. I expected to negotiate with the sales manager, but the chairman turned up - now he’s a horse of a different colour!
21
Q
paddle own canoe
A
If youpaddle your own canoe,you do what you want to do without help or interference from anyone. He decided to paddle his own canoe and set up his own business.
22
Q
middle of nowhere
A
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.
23
Q
test the waters
A
If youtest the water(s), you try to find out how acceptable or successful something is before becoming involved in it. You should go to a gym class to test the water before enrolling.
24
Q
fit to be tied
A
If you arefit to be tied, you areextremely irritated, upset or angry. Harry was fit to be tied when his dog dug up the flowers he had planted.
25
black sheep
The black sheep is one who behaves very differently or badly, and is considered disreputable by the other members of the family. Joe was the black sheep of the family, always getting into trouble.
26
under one's belt
If you have something under your belt, you have acquired experience or have satisfactorily achieved something. You've got to have some work experience under your belt before you can hope to get a permanent job.
27
proof of the pudding
This expression means that something new can only be judged after it has been tested. I'm going to try out my new DVD player. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as we all know!
28
move the goalposts
During a course of action, if someone moves the goalposts they change the rules or conditions. Our objectives have been set for next year. Let's hope the boss doesn't move the goalposts halfway through.
29
deck out
If you deck out someone or something, you dress or decorate them in a special way. Paul decked out his car for the wedding.
30
scratch the surface
When you only scratch the surface of a problem or subject, you deal with only a small part of it. Some countries are only scratching the surface of their environment problems.
31
root and branch
If an action is performed thoroughly or completely, it is done 'root and branch'. The causes of the disease must be eliminated root and branch.
32
memory/brain like a sieve
Someone who has a memory (or brain) like a sieve has a very bad memory and forgets things easily. Oh, I forgot to buy the bread - I've got a brain like a sieve these days!
33
two peas in a pod
Two people who are like two peas in a pod are very similar in appearance. The two brothers are very alike - they're like two peas in a pod!
34
politically correct
When people are politically correct, they carefully choose the language they use in order to avoid offending particular groups of people. Most people today make a conscious effort to be politically correct.
35
put words in someone's mouth
If you claim that someone has said something, or suggest what they should say, you are putting words in their mouth. You're putting words in my mouth. I did not say I saw Mr. Brown. I said I saw his car!
36
miss the point
If you miss the point you fail to understand the essential part of what has been said. Sam missed the point. It's not the job that's the problem, it's the amount of work it involves for one person.
37
never a dull moment
When there is never a dull moment, something is always changing or happening. With four teenagers at home, there's never a dull moment!
38
small fry
People or organisations that are considered unimportant can be referred to as small fry. This term can also refer to young children. The police seized a large quantity of drugs, and some small fry, but not the organisers they were hoping to catch.
39
clear the way
If you clear the way, you allow something to happen by removing what was preventing it. Opening universities to women cleared the way fo them to have a career and participate actively in today's society.
40
open doors to/for
If something opens doors, it provides opportunities or possibilities for the future. A degree from a top university generally opens doors to major companies.
41
throw pearls to pigs
This expression means that it is wasteful to offer something valuable or useful to someone who does not understand or appreciate it. She had a beautifully trained voice but the audience didn't listen - talk about throwing pearls to pigs!
42
throw a wobbly/wobbler
When someone, usually a capricious person, throws a wobbly, they have a fit of nerves or bad temper and lose all self-control. He's very calm - not the sort of man to throw a wobbly if he doesn't have a clean shirt!
43
there for the taking
If something is there for the taking, it is easy to obtain. When our main competitor went out of business, the market segment was there for the taking.
44
disappear into thin air
If someone or something disappears into thin air, they vanish in a mysterious way. After being accused of embezzlement, the director disappeared into thin air.
45
neither fish nor fowl
People or things that are difficult to classify because they are neither one thing nor another are 'neither fish nor fowl'. Interns are neither fish nor fowl. They are neither students nor fully qualified practitioners.
46
words fail me
This expression is often used when someone is so shocked, surprised or touched by something that they don't know what to say. "What do you think of Bob's attitude?" "Words fail me!"
47
count your blessings
If you count your blessings, you focus your thoughts on all the good things in your life rather than on the negative ones. Whenever anyone in the family starts to complain, my mother always advises us to count our blessings.
48
live a lie
If you spend your life hiding something important about yourself, or inventing something which is not true, you live a lie. To hide his humble origins, he told his wife he had no family and spent his life living a lie.
49
dyed-in-the-wool
This expression is used to describe a person who has fixed, uncompromising, deep-felt beliefs to which they are committed. Bob and Jane are dyed-in-the-wool ecologists who use only biodegradable products.
50
low-hanging fruit
To refer to something as a low-hanging fruit means that it is a target that can be easily reached, or a goal that can be accomplished with a minimum of effort. Teenagers are low-hanging fruit for fashionable mobile devices.
51
go with the flow
If you go with the flow, you follow the general tendency and go along with whatever happens. When my colleagues organise an office party, I just go with the flow.
52
more than meets eye
This expression means that something is more complicated or more interesting than it first appears. They say it's just a disagreement, but we think there's more to it than meets the eye.
53
die with one's boots on
A person who dies with their boots on dies while still leading an active life. He says he'll never retire. He'd rather die with his boots on!
54
blue chip company
This term refers to a company with a solid reputation for the quality of its products and the stability of its growth and earnings. It's usually safe to invest in a blue chip company.
55
on a shoestring
If you do something on a shoestring, you do it with very little money. When I was a student I lived on a shoestring.
56
read between lines
To read between the lines means to understand the real meaning of what is written or said, without need for any further detail. Reading between the lines, I'd say that the situation is worse than expected.
57
below the belt
An action or remark described as below the belt is considered to be unfair or cruel. Politicians sometimes use personal information to hit their rivals below the belt.
58
sound hollow
If an explanation, apology or promise sounds hollow, it seems false or insincere. I don't think he's sorry at all. His apology sounded hollow to me.
59
not for all the tea in China
To say that you would not do something for all the tea in China means that you would not do it under any conditions. I wouldn't live there for all the tea in China.
60
send about one's business
If you tell someone, in an irritated or unfriendly way, to go away, you send them about their business. An insurance company representative keeps calling on my mother, but I told her to send him about his business.
61
put the squeeze on
If you put the squeeze on someone, you put pressure on them to force them to do something. Bob was reluctant to work with Ben until the boss put the squeeze on him.
62
French leave
If you leave an official or social event without notifying the person who invited you, you take French leave. Is Bill coming back for the closing speech or has he taken French leave?
63
pour oil on troubled waters
If a person pours oil on troubled waters, they do or say something to calm a tense situation. James is a good negotiator, and is always able to pour oil on troubled waters.
64
tried and tested
If a method has been tried and tested, it can be trusted because it has been used successfully in the past and is known to work. There's no risk involved. The method has been tried and tested.
65
chickens come home to roost
If you say that chickens have come home to roost, you mean that bad or embarrassing things done in the past by someone are now causing problems for that person. As tenants the couple were noisy and disorderly. Now they can't find a place to rent. The chickens have come home to roost!
66
here today, gone tomorrow
This is said of something which appears and disappears very quickly, or does not last long, The shops in this area change very often - here today, gone tomorrow.
67
bold as brass
Someone who is as bold as brass behaves without shame or embarrassment. Bold as brass, he refused the gift and handed it back to his mother-in-law.
68
by degrees
If something happens or develops by degrees, it happens gradually or little by little as time goes by. By degrees their business relationship turned into friendship.
69
not up to scratch
Something which is not up to scratch fails to reach the expected standard. The quality of the material is not up to scratch. We'll have to change our suppliers.
70
in seventh heaven
If you are in seventh heaven, you are extremely happy. Every time she wins a match, she's in seventh heaven!
71
dip toes in the water/ get one's feet wet
If you dip your toes in the water, or get your feet wet, you start to do something new or unfamiliar, or explore new territory for the first time. It will be a new experience for me, but I can't wait to get my feet wet!
72
swings and roundabouts
What you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts. This expression means that there are as many advantages as there are disadvantages, or what is lost in one area can be gained in another. The more you earn, the more tax you pay. It's swings and roundabouts.
73
left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing
To say that 'the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing'means that within a group or organisation, communication is so bad that one person doesn't know what another person is doing.
74
cat can look at a king
This expression means that nobody is so important that an ordinary person cannot look at or be curious about them.
75
far cry from something
If one thing is a far cry from something else, they are very different from each other, especially in quality or size. My tiny apartment in New York was a far cry from my parents' spacious house.
76
drag one's feet
If you say that a person is dragging their feet, you think they are unnecessarily delaying a decision which is important to you. The government is dragging it's feet on measures to reduce pollution.
77
throw caution to the wind
If you throw 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.
78
can't make head or tail of
If you can't make head or tail of something, you can't understand it at all. Amy's message was so confusing. I couldn't make head or tail of it!
79
rest is history
This is a way of saying that there is need to finish a story because everyone knows what happened next. Facebook was launched in 2004, was initially restricted to students from Harvard, and the rest is history ...
80
at stake
Someone who has a lot at stake is in a risky situation, with a lot to be won or lost. He was nervous about signing the agreement because there was a lot at stake.
81
go the whole hog
When you go the whole hog, you do something thoroughly or completely. They put up a few decorations for Christmas, then they decided to go the whole hog and buy a tree and all the trimmings.
82
come to your senses
If you come to your senses you start to think clearly and behave sensibly. She finally came to her senses and realized that public transport was faster than driving in the city.
83
recipe for disaster
If you refer to a plan or idea as a recipe for disaster, you think it is likely to produce bad results. Our two families together for Christmas? Sounds like a recipe for disaster!
84
out like a light
If a person is out like a light, they are so tired that they fall asleep very quickly. As soon as his head touched the pillow, he was out like a light.
85
prick up one's ears
If you prick up your ears, you suddenly pay attention to what is being said. The children pricked up their ears when they heard the word 'ice-cream'.
86
gizmo
The term 'gizmo' refers to a gadget or any small technological item which is unusual or novel, and for which the proper term is unknown or forgotten.
87
straight from horse'smouth
If you learn something straight from the horse's mouth, the information is given to you by someone who is directly involved. "How do you know Sam has resigned?" "I got it straight from the horse's mouth - Sam told me himself!"
88
money for jam
A very easy way of earning money is called money for jam. All you've got to do is hand out brochures. It's money for jam!
89
much obliged
Some people use this expression to say that they are very grateful. "It's raining Mr. Brown - take my umbrella." "Much obliged."
90
black out
If you black out, you lose consciousness. When Tony saw the needle, he blacked out.
91
party is over
To say that the party is over means that a period of happiness, freedom, enjoyment etc. has come to an end, and life is going to return to normal. I had a wonderful time here but the party's over and I must get back to work.
92
dead man walking
A dead man walking is someone who will inevitably be in great trouble very soon, especially a person who is about to lose their job or position. Because of the way he handled the recent riots, the minister is a dead man walking.
93
spick and span
To refer to something, usually a place, as spick and span means that it is very clean, neat and tidy. The apartment must be spick and span before our guests arrive.
94
dead wood
The term dead wood refers to people or things which are no longer considered useful or necessary. The new manager wants to reduce costs by cutting out the dead wood.
95
dog with two tails
If someone is like a dog with two tails, they are extremely happy. When Paul won the first prize he was like a dog with two tails.
96
nitty-gritty
When people get down to the nitty-gritty, they begin to discuss the most important points or the practical details. I was interested in the project, but we didn't get down to the nitty-gritty until his partner arrived.
97
worth its weight in gold
Someone or something that is worth their weight in gold is considered to be of great value. We couldn't run the farm without him. He's worth his weight in gold.
98
buy a lemon
If buy something, especially a car, that is defective, unsatisfactory, constantly gives trouble or stops running after a short time, you buy a lemon. The car I bought was a real lemon. It broke down two weeks later.
99
like a scalded cat
If something or something moves like a scalded cat, they move very fast, usually because they are frightened or shocked. As soon as he saw the policeman, he ran off like a scalded cat.
100
get a grip on yourself
If you get a grip on yourself, you try to control your feelings so as to be able to deal with a situation. After the initial shock, Lisa got a grip on herself and called an ambulance.
101
hammer and tongs
If people are going at it hammer and tongs, they are arguing fiercely, with a lot of energy and noise. Our neighbours are going at it hammer and tongs again. They're constantly arguing.
102
in dire straits
If a person or organisation is in dire straits, they are in a very difficult situation. The loss of major contracts has put the company in dire straits.
103
wrap your brain around
If you concentrate on something in an effort to understand, you wrap your brain around it. I need a translation of this report urgently, so wrap your brain around it fast!
104
go hell for leather
If you go hell for leather, you go somewhere or do something very fast. I saw Tom going hell for leather towards the station.
105
to the best of one's ability.
When someone does something to the best of their ability, they do it as well as they possibly can. I felt nervous all through the interview, but I replied to the best of my ability.
106
tickle the ivories
This is a humorous way of talking about playing the piano. My grandfather loves playing the piano; he tickles the ivories whenever he can.
107
bait and switch
This term refers to a deceptive commercial practice of advertising a low-priced item to attract customers, then telling them that the product is out of stock and persuading them to buy a more expensive article. This store is famous for its bait and switch tactics.
108
be up in arms
If you are up in arms , you are very angry about something and protest very strongly. The population was up in arms over the demolition of the old theatre.
109
make headway
If you make headway, you make progress in what you are trying to achieve. Investigators have made little headway in their search for the causes of the catastrophe.
110
get cracking
When you get cracking, you start doing something immediately. I'd better get cracking or I'll never get my homework done.
111
face that would stop a clock
Someone who has a face that would stop a clock has a shockingly unattractive face. You'll recognize him - he's tall and thin, with a face that would stop a clock!
112
no smoke without fire
If many people say that something bad is happening, there is possibly some truth in it. Although no proof was ever found, people continue to say: 'There's no smoke without fire'.
113
blind leading the blind
This expression describes a person with very little ability trying to help or guide a person with no ability. Don't ask Sofia to translate it. She hardly speaks a word of English herself. It would be the blind leading the blind.
114
red herring
A red herring is a fact or argument introduced into a discussion which draws attention away from the main point. Look, bureaucracy is a red herring. How to deal with the crisis is the important issue today.
115
bite the dust
This expression is used to talk about death in a light-hearted way. It's a story about a cowboy who hits the dust during a train robbery.
116
reap the harvest
If you reap the harvest, you benefit or suffer as a direct result of past actions. When he won his first match, he began to reap the harvest of all the hard training.
117
act of God
This term refers to an natural event or accident, for which no person is responsible (such as an earthquake, lightning and similar acts of nature). The insurance company refused to pay for the damage because it was caused by an act of God.
118
give the once-over
If you give someone or something a quick visual examination, to see what they are like or to check if everything is all right, you give them the once-over. She gave the living-rom a quick once-over before opening the door to her guests.
119
hand on a platter
If someone get something easily, without having to make an effort to obtain it, it is handed to them on a platter. He was appointed sales director in his father's company. The job was handed to him on a platter.
120
fight like cat and dog
Two people who fight or argue like cat and dog frequently have violent arguments, even though they are fond of each other. They fight like cat and dog but they're still together after 30 years.
121
live out of suitcase
Someone who lives of a suitcase travels a lot, moving from place to place, and is therefore restricted to the contents of their suitcase. Sarah's job involves so much travelling that she lives out of a suitcase.
122
rub salt into wound
If you are in a difficult or unpleasant situation, and somebody rubs salt into the wound, they do or say something to make things worse. The separation from Julie was already difficult for Alex. Mentioning her new boyfriend just rubbed salt into the wound.
123
put on ice
If a project or plan is put on ice, all further action has been suspended or postponed for an indefinite period of time. Plans for the nuclear power station have been put on ice.
124
between the devil and the deep blue sea
If you are between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a situation where there are two equally unacceptable alternatives. When the new product didn't take off, the company was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea : abandon the product or start a new marketing campaign.
125
chill wind
If you face or feel the chill wind of something, you are beginning to encounter the problems or trouble it causes. Many building companies are facing the chill wind of the recession.
126
written all over your face
When someone's feelings or thoughts are very clear, you can say that they are written all over their face. Her affection for her grandson was written all over the old lady's face.
127
cut the cackle
If you tell a group of people to cut the cackle, you are asking them to stop talking aimlessly and start dealing with more important or serious matters. OK. It's time to cut the cackle and get down to business
128
run down
A person who is run down is in poor physical condition. She's completely run down from lack of proper food..
129
cut no ice
If something cuts no ice, it has no effect or makes no impression on someone. Her explanation cut no ice with the teacher who said he would tolerate no more unjustified absences.
130
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. You should put your house in order before telling me what to do!
131
look the picture
If someone looks the picture, they look very pretty. The little girl looked the picture in her new dress.
132
top of your lungs
If you shout at the top of your lungs, you shout as loudly as you possibly can. The place was so noisy that I had to shout at the top of my lungs to be heard.
133
come in all shapes and sizes
Something that can be found in many different forms, types or varieties, comes in all shapes and sizes. Computers come in all shapes and sizes these days.
134
yoke around one's neck
An obligation, commitment or restraint that becomes an oppressive burden is called a yoke around one's neck. When John lost his job, the repayments on the house became a yoke around his neck.
135
go nuts
To say that a person has gone nuts means 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!
136
hammer home
If you hammer home a point or an argument, you repeat it often to make sure that it is fully understood. The police hammered home the dangers of drinking and driving.
137
battle lines are drawn
This expression is used to say that opposing groups are ready to defend the reason behind the conflict. The battle lines have been drawn between those who accept the changes and those who are against the proposed reforms.
138
put someone on the spot
If you put someone on the spot, you put them in a difficult position, for example by asking difficult questions which they cannot avoid. The reporter was put on the spot when he was asked to reveal his source.
139
even keel
A situation or person who stays on an even keel manages to remain calm, stable and untroubled in all circumstances. She managed to keep her life on an even keel in spite of the difficulties.
140
silver-tongued
A silver-tongued person is a smooth talker who speaks so convincingly that they manage to persuade others to do what they want. A silver-tongued salesman persuaded my mother to buy a new washing machine although the one she had was fine!
141
strike gold
If you strike gold, you find exactly what you need : satisfaction, wealth, happiness, etc. I think she struck gold this time in her new job. It suits her perfectly.
142
upper hand
If a person or organisation gets or gains the upper hand, they take control over a situation. The authorities claim to have the upper hand in the fight against drinking and driving.
143
live high off the hog
Someone who lives high off the hog has a lot of money and a very comfortable lifestyle. Now he's wealthy and living high off the hog.
144
love me, love my dog
This expression means that if someone loves you, they must love everything about you, including everyone and everything you love. Harry didn't like Sally's best friend, but Sally said : 'love me, love my dog!'
145
no great shakes
To say that someone or something is no great shakes means that they are useless, ineffective or not very good. He's a good actor but his last film was no great shakes.
146
make nothing of
If you make nothing of something, you attach no importance to it. I took him an hour to walk to the station but he made nothing of it.
147
fit as a fiddle
A person who is as fit as a fiddle is in an excellent state of health or physical condition. My grandfather is nearly ninety but he's as fit as a fiddle.
148
if memory serves well
If your memory serves you well, you remember correctly or you have not forgotten any details. You're Stella's daughter, if my memory serves me well.
149
call someone's bluff
If you call someone's bluff, you challenge them to do what they threaten to do (while believing that they will not dare to do it). After the neighbour's threats to demolish the fence, when Jack decided to call his bluff, there were no more complaints.
150
smoking gun
A smoking gun is a piece of evidence or the indisputable sign of someone's guilt. The fingerprints left on the door-handle was the smoking gun that enabled the police to arrest him.
151
in raptures
If you are in raptures about something, you are delighted or very enthusiastic. Caroline is in raptures about her new apartment.
152
on the sly
If you do something on the sly, you do it secretly or furtively. He made such quick progress that the others suspected him of having private lessons on the sly.
153
household name
When the name of something becomes very familiar because it is so often used, it is called a household name or word. The product was so successful that its name became a household word in no time.
154
see the colour of money
If you want to see the colour of somebody's money, you want to be sure that the person in question has enough money to pay you before you accept to do something. I want to see the colour of his money before shipping the goods.
155
in the pipeline
If something is in the pipeline, it is currently in progress or being organised. A new talk show is in the pipeline at the moment.
156
down in the dumps
Someone who is down in the dumps is depressed or feeling gloomy. Alex has been down in the dumps since he failed his exam.
157
not in one's right mind
Someone who is not in their right mind is not behaving in a logical or sensible way. Julie wasn't in her right mind the day she bought that outfit. It doesn't suit her at all!
158
in safe hands
If something is in safe (or good) 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't worry, he'll be in safe hands.
159
black market
The black market refers to the illegal buying and selling of goods or currencies. Be careful of what you buy on the black market - it's not always good quality.
160
teach someone a lesson
If you teach somebody a lesson, you do something to punish them for behaving badly and make them understand that they should not do it again. The next time she arrives late, she'll find the door closed. That'll teach her a lesson!
161
pick brains
If you pick someone's brains, you ask questions about a particular subject in order to obtain advice or information. Could we have lunch together? I'd like to pick your brains about something.
162
back to the salt mines
Saying that you have to go back to the salt mines is a humorous way of talking about returning to work, usually with some reluctance. We get two days off at Christmas and then it's back to the salt mines!
163
think on one's feet
A person who thinks on their feet is capable of making good decisions without previous thinking or planning. Good lawyers need to be able to think on their feet when pleading a case.
164
sublime to ridiculous
If something goes from the sublime to the ridiculous, it deteriorates in quality from serious or admirable to absurd or unimportant. An opera followed by a Mr. Muscle contest is going from the sublime to the ridiculous!
165
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!
166
call a spade a spade
A person who calls a spade a spade speaks openly and truthfully about something, especially difficult matters. What I like about the new manager is that he calls a spade a spade - it makes things so much easier for everyone.
167
trip down memorylane
If you take a trip (stroll or walk) down memory lane, you remember pleasant things that happened in the past. Every Christmas is a trip down memory for the family when our parents take out the photograph albums.
168
tar with the same brush
When a person is tarred with the same brush, they are regarded as having the same faults or bad qualities as those they associate with. Don't hang around with those guys or you'll be tarred with the same brush.
169
at a loss
If a person is at a loss, they don't know what to say or do in a particular situation. Teachers are at a loss to know how to deal with the increasing violence in schools.
170
come out of one'sshell
To come out of one's shell means to be less shy or more talkative and outgoing. Gradually the new student started to come out of her shell.
171
live up to reputation
If someone or something lives up to its reputation, it is as good, or as bad, as people say. The guesthouse lived up to its reputation; the owners were as friendly and hospitable as we had been told.
172
no hard feelings
If you have no hard feelings, you feel no resentment or bitterness about something. When Alan was promoted instead of Steve, he said to Steve : 'No hard feelings I hope.'
173
make sense of
If you make sense of something, you understand it or find the meaning. I couldn't make sense of the instructions.
174
no use crying over spilt milk
This expression means that it is useless to complain or have regrets about something that is done and cannot be changed. Sometimes I regret not accepting the offer, but it's no use crying over spilt milk.
175
grin like a Cheshire cat
When someone has a smile on their face because they are happy or satisfied about something, they grin like a Cheshire cat. I knew she had succeeded when I saw her with a grin like a Cheshire cat.
176
on ice
If a project or plan is put on ice, all further action has been suspended or postponed for an indefinite period of time. Plans for the nuclear power station have been put on ice.
177
one over the eight
If a person has one over the eight, they are slightly drunk. Don't listen to him. Can't you see he's one over the eight!
178
cheek by jowl
When people are cheek by jowl, they are crammed uncomfortably close together. The refugees are living cheek by jowl in a temporary camp.
179
like ships that pass in the night
This expression refers to people who meet briefly and are not likely to meet again. The two men met one, like ships that pass in the night, and never met again.
180
stick out like a sore thumb
If something sticks out like a sore thumb, it is very obvious or visible in an unpleasant way. The modern building sticks out like a sore thumb among the old houses.
181
fool's paradise
If someone is living in a fool's paradise, they are in a state of contentment that will not last because their happiness is based on illusion or false hope. Lisa is living in a fool's paradise if she thinks her boss is going to marry her.
182
avowed intent
When someone makes a public declaration of their objective or goal, this is their avowed intent. The avowed intent of the new government is to reduce unemployment.
183
in one's element
When you are in your element, you are doing something that you do well, and you are enjoying yourself. My brother, who is an estate agent, was in his element house-hunting for our parents.
184
last legs
If you are on your last legs, you are in a very weak condition or about to die. I was so sick that I felt as though I was on my last legs!
185
foot in one's mouth
If you put your foot in your mouth, you do or say something that offends, upsets or embarrasses someone else. She really put her foot in her mouth when she mentioned the housewarming party - Andy hadn't been invited!
186
make no bones about something
If you make no bones about something, you don't hesitate to say something in a frank and open way. I made no bones about it. I told him his offer was unacceptable.
187
down to earth
Someone who is down to earth is not a dreamer but a realistic and practical person who has sensible reactions and expectations. Don't ask Suzy for help. She's fun, but not very down to earth.
188
daylight robbery
The term daylight robbery is used when the price of something is thought to be much too high. $10 for an orange juice? That's daylight robbery!
189
chicken feed
An amount of money considered small or unimportant is calledchicken feed. I got a job during the holidays but the pay was chicken feed.
190
just around the corner
If something is just around the corner, it will happen very soon. With spring just around the corner, the new collection should begin to sell.
191
gatecrash
If someone gatecrashes, they attend a private social event without being invited. We need volunteers to keep an eye out for gatecrashers tonight.
192
leave high and dry
If you are left high and dry, you find yourself in a difficult situation without help or resources. When her husband walked out on her, Amanda was left high and dry with two kids to raise.
193
make someone see reason
If you make someone see reason, you persuade them to stop acting foolishly and behave more sensibly. He wanted to drop out of medical school in his fourth year but his uncle managed to make him see reason.
194
one hand washes the other (and together they wash the face)
This expression means that when people cooperate and work well together, there is a better chance of a achieving results.
195
waiting for a raindrop in the drought
When someone is waiting for a raindrop in the drought, they are waiting and hoping for something that has little chance of happening. For many people, finding a job these days is like waiting for a raindrop in the drought.
196
hear a pin drop
To say that you could hear a pin drop means that it is so silent you could hear the slightest noise. People were listening so intently that you could hear a pin drop.
197
do a world of good
If something does you a world of good, it is beneficial and makes you feel a lot better. Why don't you go away for a few days? A break would do you a world of good.
198
eat crow
If you eat crow, you admit that you were wrong about something and apologize. He had no option but to eat crow and admit that his analysis was wrong.
199
get something off the ground
If you get 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.
200
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 wishes of others. OK, I'll do it - but in my own sweet time!
