2601-2800 Flashcards
tear a strip off
If youtear a strip off someone,you reprimand them severely for doing something wrong. The teacher tore a strip off Charlie for not doing his homework.
in retrospect
This expression refers to a past situation or event, particularly if your present opinion is different from the one you had at the time. In retrospect, we were not aware of the effects on the environment.
get wires crossed
If peopleget their wires crossed,they misunderstand each other or are confused about what was said. We must have got our wires crossed. I thought we were to meet at the hotel.
on paper
To say that an idea, plan or scheme seems goodon papermeans that it looks good in theory or in writing but may not work when put into practice. His plan looks good on paper but I’m not convinced it will work.
drop like a hotpotato
If youdrop someone or something like a hot potato, you leave them or immediately stop associating with them. As soon as the article was published, she dropped him like a hot potato.
speak volumes
If somethingspeaks volumes, it expresses a reaction or opinion very clearly, with no need for words. The happy smile on the child’s face when he opened the box spoke volumes about my choice of gift.
hope against hope
If youhope against hope,you continue to hope even when the situation looks bad. The whole building was destroyed by fire. John’s parents are hoping against hope that he escaped in time.
stick something out
If youstick something out,you continue to endure it in spite of the difficulties or unpleasant aspects of the situation. Life is difficult here, but Luke is going to stick it out because he is determined to succeed.
rushed off yourfeet
If you arerushed off your feet, you are extremely busy. I’d love to have lunch with you but I’m rushed off my feet at work!
out of harm’s way
If you put somethingout of harm’s way, you put it in a safe place where it won’t be damaged. I’m going to put this glass bowl out of harm’s way so that it doesn’t get broken.
in the bag
People use this expression when it becomes obvious that success or victory is going to be achieved. An hour before the polling stations closed, victory seemed in the bag for the Conservative candidate.
not give the time of day
If you dislike someone so strongly that you ignore them and refuse to speak to them, you donot give them the time of day. Sarah’s parents dislike her boyfriend so much they won’t even give him the time of day!
up in the air
If something, such as a plan or decision, isup in the air, it has not been decided or settled yet. I can’t give you a definite answer yet; the project is still up in the air.
grasp at straws
If you are in a desperate situation and yougrasp at straws,you try any method, even if it has little chance of success, in an attempt to find a solution. In his search for a cure, he turned to a faith healer, knowing that he was grasping at straws.
put the kibosh on
If you do something to prevent a plan or activity from happening or developing, youput the kibosh on it. The bank’s refusal to grant him a loan put the kibosh on Jack’s project.
byvirtueof
The termby virtue ofmeans ‘due to’, ‘because of’ or ‘on account of’ something. The old lady got the most comfortable armchair by virtue of her age.
come up roses
If thingscome up roses, the end result is successful or positive, even if there were difficult times. After several disappointments, everything seems to be coming up roses for the tennis player this year.
put the cart before the horse
A person whoputs the cart before the horseis doing things in the wrong order. Building a school before knowing the age of the population is putting the cart before the horse.
ways and means
To say that there areways and meansof achieving something means that there are several methods which will produce the desired result. All ways and means will be used to provide assistance to the survivors.
rub shoulders with
If yourub shoulderswith someone, you have an opportunity to meet and talk to that person, especially someone wealthy, famous or distinguished. In her in public relations, she sometimes rubs shoulders with famous people.
throw goodmoneyafter bad
Someone who spends additional money on something that was already considered a bad investment is said tothrow good money after bad. Buying a second-hand computer and then spending money to have it repaired is throwing good money after bad!
crooked as a dog’s hind leg
To say that someone is ascrooked as a dog’s hind legmeans that they are very dishonest indeed. He can’t be trusted - he’s as crooked as a dog’s hind leg.
wide off the mark
If something is (or falls)wide off the mark,it is incorrect or inadequate, or it is not what was expected. The price offered was wide off the mark; it was sold for ten times more!
hairy at the heel
A person who ishairy at the heelis thought to be untrustworthy or even dangerous. Rumour has it that the owner of the club is a bit hairy at the heel.
pink elephants
This term refers to hallucinations or strange imaginary things seen by people as a result of heavy drinking or the use of narcotics. No more drinks for me please, otherwise I’ll be seeing pink elephants!
hidden agenda
If a person or organisation has ahidden agenda, they have hidden interests or ulterior motives. I can guarantee that we have no hidden agenda. Our intentions have always been clear.
rob Peter to pay Paul
If someonerobs Peter to pay Paul,they pay one debt with money borrowed from someone else, thus creating another debt. David borrowed from a friend to pay his overdraft, a typical case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
pocket of resistance
A small group of people you resist change or disagree with a proposal forma pocket of resistance. The new boss wants to introduce job-sharing, but there’s a pocket of resistance in the sales department.
cloud on the horizon
A problem or difficulty that is predictable, or seems likely to arise in the future, is called acloud on the horizon. They are happily married and for the moment there appear to be no clouds on the horizon.
(press) panic button
If youhit or press the panic button, you raise the alarm too quickly or react too hastily in a difficult or stressful situation. Calm down! There’s no need to press the panic button yet!
reach for themoon
If youreach for the moon,you are very ambitious and try to achieve something even it it is difficult. Jenny is talented and ambitious; she always tends to reach for the moon.
common knowledge
When information is well-known to everyone (particularly in a community or group), it is calledcommon knowledge. You didn’t know the intern was Jack’s son? It thought it was common knowledge.
make flesh/skin crawl
Something thatmakes your flesh(orskin)crawlfills you with disgust or makes you feel very nervous. Just talking about snakes makes my flesh crawl!
show of hands
Ashow of handsis a method of voting where people give their opinion by raising a hand. How many people agree? Could we have a show of hands please?
at will
When it is possible to do somethingat will, you can do it as and when you please, wherever and whenever you wish, without limit or restriction. He’s so rich, he travel the world at will.
know which side your bread is buttered
If you knowwhich side your bread is buttered, you know where your interests lie or what will be to your advantage. Jack never argues with his father-in-law. He knows which side his bread is buttered.
strange bedfellows
This expression refers to the unusual or unlikely association of two or more people, companies or states. A car manufacturer and a bakery - strange bedfellows don’t you think?
par for the course
If something ispar for the course, it is typical of what to expect in that particular situation. I spent the week-end working on the project but nobody showed any appreciation. That’s par for the course in this firm.
play into someone’s hands
If youplay into someone’s hands,you do exactly what your opponent or enemy wants you to do, so that they gain an advantage over you. When the leaders of the protest movement became violent, they played right into the hands of the police.
put lipstick on apig
This expression means that to ‘dress up’ something unappealing or ugly, in a vain attempt to make it look better, islike putting lipstick on a pig. Flowers on that ugly old bridge would be (like putting) lipstick on a pig!
apple-pie order
If something isin apple-pie order, it is well organised or in perfect order. They made sure the house was in apple-pie order before their parents arrived back home.
stiff upper lip
If someonekeeps a stiff upper lip,they contain their emotion and do not let others see their feelings. When she heard the bad news, she kept a stiff upper lip.
take in good part
A person whotakes something in good partreacts to it in a good-humoured way, without taking offence. He got a lot of teasing about his promotion but he took it in good part.
throw awobbly / 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!
breathe down someone’s neck
If someone isbreathing down your neck, they are watching you too closely and making you feel uncomfortable. The atmosphere at work is not great; the boss keeps breathing down our necks all the time.
(you can’t)unringa bell
This expression means that you cannot undo what has been done, so you must live with the consequences of your actions.
good walls make good neighbours
This expression means that respecting one another’s privacy helps create a good relationship between neighbours. We try not to disturb the people next door. Good walls make good neighbours!
gentleman’s agreement
When an agreement is neither written nor signed, because the two parties trust each other completely, it is called a gentleman’s agreement. It was a gentleman’s agreement. I can’t change my mind now!
(not) give house room
If you refuse togive house roomto someone or something, you do not accept them into your home because you dislike or disapprove of them. I wouldn’t give house room to that painting - it’s grotesque!
not to besneezedat
Something that isnot to be sneezed atshould not be rejected or refused. If I were you I’d accept the proposal. An offer like that is not to be sneezed at.
je ne sais quoi
This expression (in French: ‘I don’t know what’) is used to refer to a good quality that is difficult to describe. The place has a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ that really attracts me.
never looked back
If you say that younever looked back, you mean that after an event which changed your life for the better, you continue to be happy with the situation. Since the day she decided to work from home, she has never looked back.
honour among thieves
This expression means that even criminals have a sense of loyalty and they respect a certain code of behaviour. The bank robber refused to reveal the names of his accomplices which shows that there is honour among thieves.
beat someone to the draw
If youbeat someone to the draw, you react more quickly and manage to do something before they do. Ross was determined to be the first to arrive. He managed to beat the others to the draw.
see in a newlight
If yousee something in a new light,you view it in a way that makes you change the opinion you had before. After listening to my colleague, I began to see things in a new light.
to a fault
To say that someone has a good qualityto a faultmeans that they have a lot, or even too much, of that quality. My aunt is generous to a fault, always ready to help anyone who claims to be in need.
make cold calls
If youmake cold calls,you telephone potential customers from a list of people you do now know. In my first job I had to make cold calls using the telephone directory.
clean slate
Aclean slateis a record of your work or actions that does not show past mistakes and allows you to make a fresh start. He was able to rebuild his life with a clean slate.
in theworks
If something isin the works,it is currently being prepared or planned. A reorganisation of the company is in the works.
close shave
This term describes a situation where an accident or a disaster nearly happened. I almost hit the child who ran out in front of my car. It was a close shave.
mind/watch your language
This is said to warn someone to be careful what they say so as not to upset or offend anyone. Your grandfather doesn’t tolerate rudeness, so mind your language when we go to visit him!
from thewordgo
This expression means from the very beginning of an activity. Right from the word go he was rejected by the rest of the group.
more power to elbow
This is said to express praise or encouragement to someone for doing something. “I’ve left my job and I’m going to work free-lance from now on.” “Well, more power to you!”
half an eye
If you have or keephalf an eyeon something, you watch it without giving it your full attention. She kept half an eye on the TV screen while she was preparing dinner.
throw in the towel
If youthrow in the towel, you admit that you cannot succeed. After unsuccessfully competing in several championships, she decided to throw in the towel and go back to college.
see colour of someone’smoney
If you want tosee 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.
herd mentality
People with theherd mentalitytend to do what everyone else does, no matter how ridiculous or stupid. One example of herd mentality is when people rush to get on the first bus when there are several empty ones waiting.
cross the line
If youcross the line, you go beyond the authorized limits and do something which is not acceptable. He has an unpleasant habit of telling jokes that really cross the line.
elbow grease
If you useelbow grease, you need energy and strength to do physical work such as cleaning or polishing. It took a considerable amount of elbow grease to renovate the old house.
bitterpillto swallow
Abitter pill to swallowis something very difficult or unpleasant to accept. Losing his job after organizing the merger was a bitter pill to swallow.
give a piece of your mind
If you tell someone exactly what you think, in a very angry manner, yougive them a piece of your mind. Jack was so irritated by his neighbours’ behaviour that he decided to give them a piece of his mind.
drop like flies
If peopledrop like flies, they fall ill or die in large numbers. There’s a ‘flu epidemic right now. Senior citizens are dropping like flies.
step into the breach
If youstep into the breach,you do work that someone else is unexpectedly unable to do. Steve stepped into the breach when his colleague had a car accident.
champ at the bit
Someone who ischamping at the bitis ready and eager to start an activity, and is showing impatience at being delayed. The press conference was delayed for such a long time that the journalists were champing at the bit.
trial balloon
If you test something such as an idea, a project or a product, to see how people respond to it, yousend up a trial balloon. The idea seemed excellent but when they sent up a trial balloon the reaction was very negative.
in smooth waters
A business or operation that isin smooth watersis making regular and easy progress. The company seems to be in smooth waters these days.
talk the hind leg off a donkey
This expression is used to describe a very talkative person. It’s difficult to end a conversation with Betty. She could talk the hind leg off a donkey!
take the floor
When someonetakes the floor,they rise to make a speech or presentation. ‘When I take the floor, my speech will be short.’ he said.
put two and two together
A person who canput two and two togetheris capable of reaching the right conclusion based on the information they have. Forget your explanation. She won’t believe you. She can put two and two together!
pull no punches
If someonepulls no punches, they speak openly and honestly, holding nothing back. The doctor pulled no punches. He explained in detail the risks of the operation.
recharge one’s batteries
When yourecharge your batteries,you take a break from a tiring or stressful activity in order to relax and recover your energy. Sam is completely overworked. He needs a holiday to recharge his batteries.
shed light
If youshed lighton something, you help to explain it or make it easier to understand. It was hoped that the testimony of the witnesses would shed light on the causes of the accident.
going places
To say that someone isgoing placesmeans that they show talent and ability that will no doubt lead to a successful future. Even at college it was obvious that Paul was going places.
stuck in atimewarp
Something that has not changed at all from some time in the past, when everything else has, is caught orstuck in a time warp. This place seem to be stuck in a time warp. It’s exactly as it was in the 1950’s.
cut the ground from under someone’s feet
When someonecuts the ground from under another’s feet, they do something which weakens their position or spoils theiir plans. When we launched the new product, we cut the ground from under our competitors’ feet.
a thin line
When there isa thin(orfine)linebetween feeling or situations, there is a point where it is difficult to distinguish between them. There’s a thin line between showing concern and being indiscreet - so don’t overdo it!
get/take flak
If yougetortake flak, you receive severe criticism for something you have done. He got a lot of flak for the way he handled the situation.
dust has settled
To say that thedust has settledmeans that the situation has become calmer after a series of unpleasant or chaotic events. After her difficult divorce, she waited until the dust had settled before making any plans.
play a waiting game
If youplay a waiting game, you deliberately delay taking action in order to be able to act more effectively later. The cat keeps its eye on the bird, carefully playing a waiting game.
get worked up
If youget worked upabout something, you become upset, annoyed or excited, often unnecessarily. It’s his first day at school tomorrow and he’s all worked up about it.
head over heels in love
When a person falls passionately in love with another, they are said to behead over heels in love. Tony’s only interest at the moment is Maria. He’s head over heels in love with her!
in aworldof your own
If you arein a world of your own,you are so preoccupied by your own concerns that you are unaware of what is happening around you. Dad’s out there in the garden in a world of how own.
get your act together
If you tell someone toget their act together, you mean that they need to organise their affairs more effectively in order to be more successful. You’d better get your act together if you want to find a job!
old dog for hard road
This expression means that experience is invaluable when one is faced with a difficult task. The case calls for an experienced lawyer, an old dog for a hard road.
business as usual
After an unpleasant or unexpected event, this expression means that everything is continuing in a normal way, in spite of the difficulties. It was business as usual at the supermarket the day after the hold-up.
let one’s hair down
If you suggest that someone shouldlet their hair down, you are telling them to relax and enjoy themselves. Come on! We’re not in the office now. You can let your hair down!
best bet
The action most likely to succeed is called one’sbest bet. Your best bet would be to try calling him at home.
piece of cake
To refer to something asa piece of cakemeans that you consider it to be very easy. The English test was a piece of cake!
on cloudnine
A person who ison cloud nineis very happy because something wonderful has happened. When the boss announced my promotion, I was on cloud nine!
with onevoice
Two or more groups or organisations who are in complete agreement are said to speakwith one voice. For once the government and the trade unions are speaking with one voice.
make a mountain out of a molehill
If someonemakes a mountain out of a molehill,they make a small, unimportant problem seem much more serious than it is. Stop making mountains out of molehills! It’s not a major problem.
knuckle down to
If someoneknuckles down to something, they start to work on it seriously. If you want to succeed, you’ll have to knuckle down to some serious work.
think outside the box
People whothink outside the boxtry to find innovative ideas or solutions. Our competitors are more creative than us - they really think outside the box!
kangaroo court
Akangaroo courtis an illegal tribunal set up by a group of people who have taken the law into their own hands and conduct trials which deny fundamental justice. Calm down please! Is this a meeting or a kangaroo court?
catch as catch can
This expression means that you try to get something in any way possible. It’s difficult to get much sleep with the new baby - it’s catch-as-catch-can these days!
take the bull by the horns
Totake the bull by the hornsmeans that a person decides to act decisively in order to deal with a difficult situation or problem. When the argument turned into a fight, the bar owner took the bull by the horns and called the police.
break out in cold sweat
If youbreak out in a cold sweat, you begin to perspire a lot, usually from anxiety. I get nervous at the dentist’s and usually break out in a cold sweat.
throw it over the wall
If someonethrows something over the wall,they deal with part of a problem or project, then pass the responsibility to another person or department without any communication or coordination. You can’t just manufacture a product then throw it over the wall to the sales department!
pervert the course of justice
If a personperverts the course of justice,they tell a lie or prevent the police from finding out the truth about something. The suspect was accused of trying to pervert the course of justice.
take one’s cue
When youtake your cuefrom someone, you wait for a signal or follow someone’s example, so as to know what to do yourself or when to act. The waiter took his cue from Jack and starting serving the drinks.
nothing ventured, nothing gained
You cannot expect to achieve anything is you risk nothing. He’s going to ask his boss for a promotion even though he has little chance of obtaining satisfaction. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
turn up one’s nose
If youturn up your noseat something, you reject it because you think it is not good enough for you. He’s out of work, but he turns up his nose at any job he’s offered.
jump to conclusions
A person whojumps to conclusionsreaches a decision or makes a judgement too fast, before taking the time to check out all the facts. We haven’t got the full story yet so let’s not jump to conclusions.
dressed up to the nines
Someonedressed up to the ninesis wearing very smart or glamorous clothes. Caroline must be going to a party - she’s dressed up to the nines.
tide has turned
When a trend has changed from one thing to another,the tide has turned. Before, people wanted to live in residential suburbs; now the tide has turned and warehouses are being converted into fashionable loft apartments.
chop and change
If youchop and change, you constantly change your opinion, plans or methods and often cause confusion. Don’t chop and change all the time - just make up your mind!
take the sting out of something
If youtake the sting out of something,you manage to reduce the severity or unpleasantness of something. A comforting voice and sympathetic attitude can take the sting out of bad news.
throwdustin eyes
If youthrow dust in someone’s eyes, you prevent them from seeing the truth by misleading them. He threw dust in the old lady’s eyes by pretending to be a police officer, then stole her jewellery.
all systems go
When everything is ready for an activity or event to begin, you can say that’all systems go’. We’ve got an office, a telephone and the internet - so on Monday it’s all systems go!
go great guns
If someone or something isgoing great guns,they are doing very well. Fred’s night club is going great guns. It’s becoming hard to get in!
tick the right boxes
If somethingticks all the right boxes,it is perfect for you because it meets all your criteria. We’re in luck! We visited an apartment today that ticks all the right boxes!
short shrift
If someone or somethinggets short shrift,they are given little attention or sympathy. When the boss is very busy, he gives short shrift to anyone who bothers him.
take the easy way out
If youtake the easy way out, you choose the easiest way to deal with a difficult situation, even if it is not the best solution. The weather conditions were so bad that Mary took the easy way out and cancelled her appointment.
remains to be seen
If something is still unknown or a decision has not yet been taken, itremains to be seen. The construction of a new hospital has been voted, but the exact location remains to be seen.
grease the skids
When yougrease the skids, you facilitate something or smooth the way for its success. Lunch was organised for the delegates before the meeting in order to grease the skids for the negotiations.
miss the boat
If youmiss the boat, you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you don’t act quickly enough. I managed to get my order through before the end of the special offer - but I nearly missed th boat!
put words in mouth
If you claim that someone has said something, or suggest what they should say, you areputting words in their mouth. You’re putting words in my mouth. I didnotsay I saw Mr. Brown. I said I saw hiscar!
weal and woe
This expression refers to the good and bad times, the joys and sorrows, or prosperity and misfortune. We all get our share of weal and woe in life.
touch and go
If something istouch-and-go, the outcome or result is uncertain. Dave’s life is out of danger now, but it was touch-and-go after the operation.
up for grabs
If something isup for grabs, it is available for anyone who wants to compete for it. You should enter the competition - there’s $20000 in prizes up for grabs.
hit/strike pay dirt
If youhit pay dirt, you are lucky and suddenly find yourself in a successful money-making situation. Charlie finally hit pay dirt with his latent invention.
sugar the pill
If yousugar the pill,you try to make some unpleasant news more acceptable by saying something pleasant at the same time. When Tim’s parents announced that he was going to boarding school, they tried to sugar the pill by telling him he’d be home at the week-ends.
bow and scrape
To say that someone isbowing and scrapingmeans that they are being excessively polite or servile. The President was greeted with much bowing and scraping.
seeing is believing
This expression means that when you see something you can be sure it exists, or that what you have been told is really true. Mark says bananas grow in his garden, but seeing is believing!
put pants on one leg at a time
To say that someoneputs their pants on one leg at a timemeans that the person is a human being no different from enyone else. Don’t be scared to speak to him. He puts his pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us!
smokestack industry
Industries involved in heavy manufacturing such as the production of iron and steel, especially if they cause a lot of pollution, are calledsmokestack industries. Smokestack industries are no longer authorized in residential areas.
answer the call of nature / nature’s call
When a personanswers the call of nature, they go to the toilet. I had to get up in the middle of the night to answer the call of nature.
carry the torch
If youcarry the torch, you have strong feelings for someone with whom you do not or cannot have a relationship. He’s been carrying the torch for Julie since their college days, before she married Ted.
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 is short, fat, bald and poor … there’s no accounting for taste!
state of the art
If something is described asstate-of-the-art,it is the most advanced model currently available, incorporating the latest and best technology.
fact of the matter is
This expression is used to emphasize the reality of a situation, or what is really true. His mother thinks Sammy needs help with his homework, but the fact of the matter is : Sammy is just lazy!
chew the fat
If youchew the fatwith somebody, you chat in an informal way about unimportant things. It’s amazing the amount of time my grandparents can spend chewing the fat with their neighbours.
rule of thumb
Arule of thumbis a general rule which is a handy way of measuring or calculating something. As a rule of thumb, use one third vinegar and three thirds oil to make a salad dressing.
kick up a fuss
A person whokicks up a fusscreates a disturbance, especially by complaining or protesting about something. The service was so slow in the restaurant that several customers began to kick up a fuss.
meet-and-greet
This term refers to a reception (often informal) where a public figure or important person can introduce themselves and talk to the guests. The new mayor is going to schedule a meet-and-greet reception for the residents.
mind your own business!(rude)
Telling someone tomind their own businessis a (rude) way of saying that they are too interested in what others are doing, or that they are interfering in something that does not concern them. Don’t tell me what to do - just mind your own business!
lion’s share
Thelion’s shareof something is the largest portion, or the best part. He left very little money to his children; the lion’s share was donated to charity.
drop like a hot potato
If youdropsomeone or somethinglike a hot potato, you leave them or immediately stop associating with them. As soon as the article was published, she dropped him like a hot potato.
first out of the gate
If you arefirst out of the gate,you are the first to make a start at something that others have also accepted to do. Sandra was so enthusiastic about the project that she was first out of the gate.
far from me be it
This expression means that the speaker does not feel in a position to say or do something. (Usually said before giving advice or expressing an opinion.) Far be it from me to chose your friends, but I think you should avoid that man.
give the rough edge of your tongue
If yougive the (rough) edge of your tongue, you scold someone severely or speak to them very aggressively or rudely. My boss was so angry that I really got the rough edge of his tongue.
raise eyebrows
Someone whoraises their eyebrowsat something shows surprise or disapproval by the expression on their face. When the boss arrived in jeans, there were a lot of raised eyebrows.
can’t put newwinein old bottles
This expression means that you should not try to combine new concepts or innovations with an old or long-established framework or system. You’ll never get that program to work on your father’s old computer. You can’t put new wine in old bottles!
jog someone’s memory
When you help someone to remember something they have forgotten, youjog their memory. You don’t remember who was with us that day? Here’s a photograph to jog your memory.
nailing jelly to the wall
To say that something is likenailing jelly to the wall means that it is extremely difficult to do, if not impossible. Keeping track of his movements is like nailing jelly to the wall.
luck of the draw
To refer to something that happens asthe luck of the drawmeans that it is the result of pure chance, with no possibility of choice. The samples distributed varied in size and value; it was the luck of the draw.
last straw
This expression means that this is the latest unpleasant event and that you cannot tolerate the situation any longer. After a long day of negotiations with the protesters, the traffic jam was the last straw!
put out feelers
Before doing something, if you try to discover what other people thnk about it by making discreet enquiries, youput out feelers. The politician put out feelers to test public reaction to his proposals.
walking on air
When you are happy and excited because of a pleasant event that makes you feel as if you are floating, you arewalking on air. Sophie has been walking on air since her painting won the first prize.
wet behind the ears
Somebody who iswet behind the earsis inexperienced or immature. Scott shouldn’t be given that job. He’s still a bit wet behind the ears.
sit up and take notice
A person whosits up and takes noticebecome alert and attentive. The announcement of the winner made everyone sit up and take notice.
gnomes of Zurich
This is a disparaging term for Swiss bankers who control a lot of money, are said to be uninterested in the provenance of funds and protect their clients’ identity. The gnomes of Zurich refuse to cooperate with the investigating officials.
burn your fingers
If youburn your fingers(orget your fingers burnt), you suffer financially as a result of foolish behaviour. Jack got his fingers burnt playing on the stock market.
just what the doctor ordered
If something isjust what the doctor ordered, it is exactly what is needed and will make you feel better. A week-end in the sun - just what the doctor ordered!
rear its ugly head
If something unpleasant reappears after lying dormant for some time, itrears its ugly head. It is feared that fascism is rearing its ugly head again in some countries.
keep body and soul together
If someone is able tokeep body and soul together, they manage to survive. He was unemployed and homeless, but somehow he managed to keep body and soul together.
crocodile tears
To shedcrocodile tearsmeans to shed false tears or show insincere grief. Caroline pretended to be sad but we all knew her tears were crocodile tears.
all ears
To say that you areall earsmeans that you are listening very attentively. Of course I want to know - I’m all ears!
thorny issue
If you are faced witha thorny issue,you have to deal with a difficult or unpleasant problem. Copyright and content duplication are thorny issues these days.
happy camper
Someone who is ahappy camperis generally content or satisfied with what is happening in their lives and has no complaints. With his new job and his new car, Andy is a happy camper.
big cheese
This expression refers to a person who has a lot of power and influence in an organisation. Tom’s father is a big cheese in the oil industry.
led by the nose
Someone who isled by the noseis dominated or controlled by a person or group who makes them do exactly what they want. Jack has always been led by the nose by his mother.
theworsefor wear
If someone or something isthe worse for wear,they are in poor condition, either worn, damaged or tired. He came back from New York rather the worse for wear!
cost the earth
If somethingcosts the earth, it is very expensive indeed. She wears designer clothes that must cost the earth!
in inverted commas
When describing something, if you use a word which you say is ‘in inverted commas’, you indicate that the word is not quite true or appropriate. We were served a ‘meal’, in inverted commas, but we were too hungry to complain.
hard to come by
Something that ishard to come byis rare or difficult to find. Experienced carpenters are hard to come by these days.
long in the tooth
A person who islong in the toothis a bit too old to do something. She’s a bit long in the tooth for a cabaret dancer, isn’t she?
hook, line and sinker
If you fall for a story or an explanationhook, line and sinker, you completely believe it. I didn’t think he’d believe my story, but he fell for it hook, line and sinker!
wolf in sheep’s clothing
To describe someone asa wolf in sheep’s clothingmeans that although they look harmless, they are really very dangerous. Be careful. He looks kind but in fact he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
chinwag
If youhave a chinwagwith someone, you have an opportunity to chat with each other. “How about having lunch together on Friday?” “OK, good idea, we can have a good old chinwag!”
six of one and half a dozen of the other
This expression means that there is no real difference between two choices; both are equally good or equally bad. I didn’t know who to vote for. It was six of one and half a dozen of the other!
paper over cracks
To say that someone ispapering over the cracksmeans that they are concealing a problem rather than dealing with it effectively. The measures taken to reduce unemployment are just paper over the cracks.
line of least resistance
If you opt forthe line of least resistance, you choose the easiest way of doing something. To make sure the children would stay inside, he chose the line of least resistance and rented a film.
eat humblepie
If youeat humble pie,you are forced to admit that you were wrong and apologize. After openly criticizing Bill’s work, Fred had to eat humble pie when Bill was elected ‘salesman of the year’.
take your mind off
If an activitytakes your mind off somethingthat is worrying you, it helps you to stop thinking about it for a while. Sarah was worrying about the result of the test so Tom took her to the cinema to take her mind off it.
rant and rave
If yourant and raveabout something, you protest noisily and forcefully. The old man ranted and raved about the new waste collection system, but he had to accept it.
doom and gloom
A general atmosphere of pessimism, and a feeling that the situation is not going to improve, is referred to asdoom and gloom. Fortunately it’s not doom and gloom for all businesses, in spite of the economic situation.
fine tuning
Small changes to something to improve it or make it work better are calledfine tuning. We are still fine-tuning our new website and appreciate your patience.
burning question
What everyone is asking, and what we all want to know about, is called theburning question. Who leaked the information? That’s the burning question!
home truths
If you tell somebody somehome truths, you tell them some unpleasant facts about themselves which are often difficult to accept. David needs to be told some home truths, whether he likes it or not!
safe hands
If something isin safe hands, it is being looked after by a reliable person or organisation, and is therefore at no risk. I’ll look after Jamie while you go shopping. Don’ worry - he’ll be in safe hands.
sell down the river
If yousell someone down the river,you betray a person who trusts you. When the trade union signed the salary agreement, the workers felt they had been sold down the river.
forewarned is forearmed
This expression means that if you know something is going to happen, you can be prepared for it. The Chairman is going to attend the meeting tomorrow. Your presentation had better be good. Forewarned is forearmed!
hold your breath
If someone isholding their breath,they are waiting anxiously or excitedly for something to happen or be announced. I went for a second interview today - now I’m holding my breath!
kiss goodbye to something
If you accept as certain that you will not get something that you want, youkiss (orsay) goodbye to it. There will be no bonus this year, so I can kiss goodbye to that car I wanted!
neck and neck
In a contest or competition, when two competitors reach the same level, they areneck and neck, so it is impossible to say who will win. At the moment the two teams are neck and neck for the Word Cup.
in someone’s good/bad books
If you arein somebody’s good or bad books, you have their approval or disapproval. I’m in my wife’s bad books at the moment because I forgot our wedding anniversary.
learning curve
The length of time needed to learn something new is called thelearning curve. The new system has a long learning curve so we’ll have to give the staff time to get used to it.
go against the tide
If yougo against the tide(or thestream), you refuse to conform to current trends, or the opinions or behaviour of other people. Bill can be difficult to work with; he constantly goes against the tide.
change horses in midstream
If youchange horses in midstream, you change your plan, or choose a new leader, in the middle of an important activity. Let’s go through with the original plan; it’s risky to change horses in midstream.
