2801-end Flashcards
fight a losing battle
If someone isáfighting a losing battle, they are trying to do something even when there is little chance of succeeding. The headmaster is fighting a losing battle trying to ban mobile phones at school.
streets ahead
If a person or organisation isástreets aheadáof another, they are much better or more advanced. In measures to preserve the planet, the Scandinavians are streets ahead of us.
Chinese arithmetic
If something is very complicated or difficult to understand, it is said to be likeáChinese arithmetic. When he tried to explain the rules of the game to me, it was like Chinese arithmetic!
kindred spirit
People who have a lot in common and share the same beliefs, attitudes and feelings areákindred spirits. The immediately felt they were kindred spirits and became close friends.
hard as nails
A person who is (as)áhard as nailsáis unsentimental and shows no sympathy. Don’t expect any sympathy from him.á He’s as hard as nails.
how the other half lives
This expression refers to the way of life of another social group. particularly people who are much richer or poorer than oneself. He prefers not to know how the other half lives.
dig one’s own grave
A person whoádigs their own graveádoes something which causes their own downfall. If you drop out of college now, with such high unemployment, you’ll be digging your own grave.
fiirst come first served
This expression means that there will be no favouritism or preferential treatment. People will be served strictly in the order they arrive. Tickets for the match will be sold on a ‘first come first served’ basis.
take leave of your senses
To say to someoneá’have you taken leave of your senses?’ámeans that you think their behaviour is crazy. You’re going skiing in this blizzard? Have you taken leave of your senses?
throw a tantrum
If a person, especially a child,áthrows a tantrum,áthey become angry and behave in an unreasonable way. My sister’s little boy is always throwing tantrums - he’s thoroughly spoilt!
out of circulation
Someone who isáout of circulationáis unavailable or not joiningá in activities with others. I’m going to do a summer course in Newá York, so I’ll be out of circulation for a while.
cover your tracks
If youácover your tracks, you conceal or destroy evidence of what you have been doing or where you have been. Charlie was sorry he hadn’t covered his tracks better when his wife discovered he had been unfaithful.
down the drain
To say that money, time or energy has goneádown the drainámeans that it has been wasted or lost. His years of research went down the drain when the company went bankrupt.
win-win
The termáwin-winárefers to a situation or proposition where both or all parties benefit from the outcome. There were smiles all round when the contract was signed - it was a win-win situation.
brain like a sieve
Someone who has aábrain like a sieveáhas 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!
the sky’s the limit
To sayáthe sky’s the limitámeans that there is no limit to the possibility of success or progress for someone or something. “How successful do you think the project will be?” “Who knows … the sky’s the limit!”
nice as pie
If a person isáas nice as pie, they are surprisingly kind and friendly. After our argument, she was as nice as pie!
dog’s life
People use this expression when complaining about a situation or job which they find unpleasant or unsatisfactory. It’s a dog’s life working in the after-sales department.
back-of-the-envelope calculation
This expression refers to a quick approximate calculation done informally, as on the back of an envelope. I don’t need the exact amount.á Just give me a back-of-the-envelope calculation.
follow suit
If youáfollow suit, you do the same as another person has just done. The first robber held up his hands, then the other two followed suit.
a stone’s throw away
To say that something isáa stone’s throw awayámeans that it is just a short distance away. It’s a residential area but the shops are just a stone’s throw away.
bane of one’s life
To say that something is theábane of your lifeámeans that it is the cause of your problems or your unhappiness. The heating system is always breaking down. It’s the bane of my life!á
shot in the dark
To refer to a question or statement as aáshot in the darkámeans that it is a complete guess, but at the same time it might be close to the truth. He didn’t know which players had been selected, so mentioning Carter’s name was just a shot in the dark..
square peg in a round hole
To say that a person isáa square peg in a round holeámeans that they are not suitable for the job they are doing or the situation they are in. He was a bad choice for the job - a square peg in a round hole.
cloud cuckoo land
This expression refers to an imaginary unrealistic place where everything is perfect and impossible things can happen. Anyone who thinks these measures are going to solve the crisis is living in cloud-cuckoo-land!
dicey situation
Any situation that is potentially risky or dangerous is called aádicey situation. The politician put himself in a dicey situation by getting involved with an intern.
for crying out loud
This expression is used to show irritation, exasperation or anger. For crying out loud, turn that television off!
sweetheart deal
The termásweetheart dealáis used to refer to an abnormally lucrative arrangement between two parties. Opponents say the contract was awarded to the builder as part of a sweetheart deal, and is therefore illegal.
red flag to a bull
To say that a statement or action is like aáred flag to a bullámeans that it is sure to make someone very angry or upset. Don’t mention Tom’s promotion to Mike.á It would be like a red flag to a bull!
chime in
If youáchime in, you interrupt or join a conversation, especially to repeat or agree with something. As I explained to the bus driver what had happened, the other passengers chimed in and gave their version.
raise the roof
When peopleáraise the roof,áthey make a lot of noise by cheering, shouting, whistling or clapping their hands. The concert was such a success, the audience raised the roof.
even the score
When a person decides toáeven the score, they try to get their revenge on someone who has cheated or done them harm. When Jack discovered that Bob had cheated, he was determined to even the score.
sell ice to Eskimos
This expression is used to describe a person who has the ability to persuade someone to accept something totally unnecessary or useless.á It’s not surprising he was named ‘salesman of the year’. He could sell ice to Eskimos!
tip of the iceberg
Theátip of the icebergáis the part that is known of a problem or situation which is thought to be much more serious. Journalists say that the report on corruption only examines the tip of the iceberg.
blow a fuse
If youáblow a fuse, you suddenly lose your temper and become very angry. Charlie blew a fuse yesterday then he discovered that his ipod had been stolen.
sweep underárug
If youásweep something under the rugá(or carpet), you try to hide it because it is embarrassing. They tried unsuccessfully to sweep the scandal under the rug.
thinly veiled
If something such as a feeling or reaction isáthinly veiled,áit is barely hidden. His disappointment was thinly veiled when he saw what he had won.
fiddling while Rome burns
To say that someone isáfiddling while Rome burns means that they are doing unimportant things while there are serious problems to be dealt with. His visit to the trade fair was ‘fiddling while Rome burns’ according to the strikers.
