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30/4 Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

clear the air

A

remove suspicion, bad feeling

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2
Q

all along

A

from the beginning until now

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3
Q

all but

A

nearly, almost

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4
Q

all in

A

exhausted

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5
Q

all in all

A

when everything is considered

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6
Q

all the same

A

yet, however

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7
Q

all told

A

altogether, in total

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8
Q

be the apple of someone’s eye

A

be very precious to somebody

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9
Q

be up in arms

A

be very angry

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10
Q

for all

A

in spite of

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11
Q

for all I care

A

I don’t care

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12
Q

for all I know

A

as far as I know

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13
Q

in the act of

A

while performing the act

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14
Q

in the air

A

uncertain

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15
Q

make allowances for

A

take special circumstances into consideration

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16
Q

make amends for

A

try to compensate for a past action

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17
Q

of all people

A

used to express annoyance/surprise

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18
Q

on account of

A

because of

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19
Q

on no account

A

under/in no circumstances

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20
Q

on the air (#off the air)

A

broadcasting

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21
Q

on the alert

A

watchful and be prepared/on the lookout/expecting something

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22
Q

take something into account

A

consider something

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23
Q

on this/that account

A

for this/that reason

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24
Q

whet somebody’s appetite

A

make somebody eager to have/experience more

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25
Q

up in the air

A

existing, but not talked about

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26
Q

above board

A

honest

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27
Q

bark up the wrong tree

A

have a false idea about something

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28
Q

be broke

A

have no/very little money

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29
Q

be full of beans

A

be very lively

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30
Q

be in sb’s black books

A

be out of favour

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31
Q

beat about/around the bush

A

avoid saying what one means directly

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32
Q

behind bars

A

in prison

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33
Q

big-headed

A

conceited, boastful

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34
Q

black and blue all over

A

covered with bruises

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35
Q

blessing in disguise

A

sth which appears bad at first but then turns out favourably

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36
Q

blue-eyed boy/golden boy

A

a favoured person

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37
Q

bolt from the blue

A

suddenly

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38
Q

brainwave

A

sudden clear idea/thought

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39
Q

break even

A

show neither loss nor profit

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40
Q

browned off

A

fed up, bored

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41
Q

butter somebody up

A

flatter somebody

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42
Q

by and large

A

generally speaking

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43
Q

catch somebody red-handed

A

be caught while committing a crime

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44
Q

chip off the old block

A

somebody who is very like one of his parents

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45
Q

cost a bomb

A

very expensive

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46
Q

deal a blow to

A

damage one’s hopes

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47
Q

don’t hold your breath

A

don’t wait for somebody/something anxiously

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48
Q

drive a hard bargain

A

be a tough businessman

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49
Q

drop a brick

A

say something tactlessly

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50
Q

feel in one’s bones

A

feeling something instinctively

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51
Q

get your own back

A

take/get revenge

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52
Q

have a bee in one’s bonnet

A

have an obsession about something

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53
Q

have butterflies in one’s stomach

A

be very nervous about something

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54
Q

in black and white

A

in writing

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55
Q

in the balance

A

uncertain

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56
Q

kick the bucket

A

die

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57
Q

lay bare

A

make public

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58
Q

make a clean breast of

A

confess

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59
Q

make one’s blood boil

A

cause sb to become very angry

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60
Q

on the spur of the moment

A

without thinking about something

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61
Q

out of the blue

A

suddenly and unexpectedly

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62
Q

ring a bell

A

remind somebody of something

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63
Q

see the back of

A

be glad to see somebody leave

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64
Q

take the bull by the horns

A

deal with something boldly and directly

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65
Q

wet blanket

A

dull person who spoils people’s happiness

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66
Q

a piece of cake

A

something that is very easy to do

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67
Q

a red-letter day

A

a very important day

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68
Q

a wile-goose chase

A

a hopeless research

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69
Q

be caught red-handed

A

be caught while committing a crime

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70
Q

be on the cards

A

likely to happen

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71
Q

be over the moon

A

be happy

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72
Q

call somebody names

A

insult somebody

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73
Q

chair a meeting

A

presider over a meeting

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74
Q

crocodile tears

A

false tears

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75
Q

cross one’s mind

A

think of something

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76
Q

cut somebody dead

A

ignore somebody

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77
Q

different as chalk and cheese

A

totally different

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78
Q

down in the dumps

A

depressed/miserable

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79
Q

down the drain

A

wasted, lost

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80
Q

get a bit hot under the collar

A

get angry, upset or embarrassed

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81
Q

get a problem off one’s chest

A

tell somebody else about your problem

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82
Q

go to the dogs

A

not as good as in the past

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83
Q

have the cheek

A

dare to do something

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84
Q

keep one’s chin up

A

not be discouraged

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85
Q

let sleeping dogs lie

A

avoid mentioning a subject which could cause troubles

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86
Q

Lost cause

A

Hopeless situation/case

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87
Q

Off colour

A

Look/be slightly unwell

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88
Q

On the dole

A

Receiving unemployment benefit/social security

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89
Q

Play one’s cards right

A

Act cleverly

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90
Q

Show one’s true colours

A

Reveal one’s real character

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91
Q

With flying colours

A

With great success

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92
Q

Not count one’s chickens before they’re hatched

A

Not assume something before it happens

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93
Q

Be dying for something

A

Really want something

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94
Q

Be fit for

A

Be good enough for

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95
Q

Be worn out

A

Be very tired

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96
Q

Be green

A

Be inexperienced

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97
Q

Cook one’s goose

A

End one’s plans abruptly

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98
Q

Fair and square

A

honestly and according to the rules

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99
Q

Fall head over heels

A

Fall in love quickly

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100
Q

feel one’s ears burning

A

Have a feeling that someone is talking about you

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101
Q

gatecrasher

A

sb attending a party, event etc without an invitation

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102
Q

get off on the wrong foot

A

argue or disagree at the beginning of a relationship

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103
Q

give and take

A

a willingness between two people or groups to understand each other, and to let each other have or do some of the things they want

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104
Q

have a frog in one’s throat

A

inability to speak due to nervousness

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105
Q

have the gift of the gab

A

be able to talk well, persuasively

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106
Q

hear it through/on the grapevine

A

find out information indirectly

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107
Q

in a flash

A

very quickly

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108
Q

it’s all Greek to me

A

a way of saying that you do not understand something that is said or written

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109
Q

keep a straight face

A

manage to look serious under difficult circumstances

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110
Q

keep an eye on sth

A

guard/protect sth

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111
Q

meet behind closed doors

A

meet secretly

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112
Q

one’s flesh and blood

A

family member

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113
Q

plenty more fish in the sea

A

used to tell someone whose relationship has ended that there are many other people that they could have a relationship with

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114
Q

put one’s foot down

A

to use your authority to stop something happening

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115
Q

put one’s foot in it

A

to say something by accident that embarrasses or upsets someone

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116
Q

take it easy

A

not work too hard/relax

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117
Q

take sb for granted

A

not appreciate sb because someone is too familiar

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118
Q

a bit of a dark horse

A

a person with hidden abilities

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119
Q

be for the high jump

A

about to be reprimanded/punished

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120
Q

be in two minds about

A

not be able to decide what to do

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121
Q

be sound asleep

A

sleep deeply

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122
Q

be the perfect image of somebody

A

look exactly like somebody

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123
Q

before one can say Jack Robinson

A

before one can say Jack Robinson

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124
Q

break the ice

A

ease the tension when one first meets people

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125
Q

eat one’s heart out

A

feel jealous/sad about something (followed by the name of a famous person, you are joking that you are even better than that person)

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126
Q

flog a dead horse

A

waste time doing something useless

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127
Q

fly off the handle

A

quickly become very angry

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128
Q

get out of hand

A

become out of control

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129
Q

get the hang of something

A

to learn how to do something, especially if it is not obvious or simple

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130
Q

go to one’s head

A

If something goes to someone’s head, it makes that person think that they are very important and makes them a less pleasant person

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131
Q

grey matter

A

brains; intelligence

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132
Q

hand in glove with sb

A

be in very close contact with sb

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133
Q

have a job to do sth

A

find sth difficult to do

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134
Q

have many irons in the fire

A

have lots of plans/possibilities in progress at the same time

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135
Q

have one’s heart in one’s mouth

A

be extremely anxious about something

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136
Q

have time on one’s hands

A

have free time

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137
Q

hold one’s horses

A

wait, be patient

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138
Q

ill at ease

A

embarrassed; uncomfortable

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139
Q

keep sth under one’s hat

A

keep sth secret

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140
Q

keep up with the Joneses

A

compete with others in status/material goods

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141
Q

lend sb a hand

A

give help to sb

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142
Q

like the back of one’s hand

A

be very familiar with sth

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143
Q

lose heart

A

Become discouraged

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144
Q

make head nor tail of

A

understand sth

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145
Q

off the cuff

A

without preparation

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146
Q

stew in one’s own juice

A

suffer the consequences of one’s own actions

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147
Q

straight from the horse’s mouth

A

from the most direct source

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148
Q

have sb’s hands full

A

be very busy with sth

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149
Q

sth comes in handy

A

be very useful/practical

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150
Q

strike gold

A

come across sth useful

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151
Q

take sth to heart

A

If you take criticism or advice to heart, you think about it seriously, often because it upsets you

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152
Q

take to one’s heels

A

run away

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153
Q

the ins and outs

A

the details of an activity

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154
Q

the tip of the iceberg

A

small evident part of a much larger, concealed situation

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155
Q

at large

A

free, not caught

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156
Q

be in the know

A

be well-informed

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157
Q

bring to one’s knees

A

destroy, humble

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158
Q

bury one’s head in the sand

A

avoid or ignore reality/responsibility

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159
Q

come to a head

A

reach a point where some strong action has to be taken

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160
Q

drop sb a line

A

send sb a letter

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161
Q

fine kettle of fish

A

a very difficult and annoying situation

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162
Q

get rid of sth

A

give sth unwanted away

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163
Q

go to any lengths

A

do anything necessary to get sth you want

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164
Q

have kittens

A

be nervous/anxious about sth

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165
Q

keep one’s fingers crossed

A

hope that sth will turn out well

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166
Q

keep oneself to oneself

A

live quietly, privately

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167
Q

make a killing

A

have a sudden, great success/profit

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168
Q

make light of

A

treat sth as unimportant

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169
Q

make/earn a/one’s living

A

earn money

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170
Q

on the level

A

honest/sincere

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171
Q

pull one’s leg

A

tease or trick sb

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172
Q

shed light upon

A

give new/further information

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173
Q

sleep like a log

A

be sound asleep

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174
Q

the life and soul of sth

A

the most lively and amusing person present somewhere

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175
Q

the lion’s share

A

the biggest part/portion

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176
Q

turn over a new leaf

A

make a new start

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177
Q

with a view to doing sth

A

with the intention or hope of doing sth

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178
Q

a night owl

A

person who enjoys staying up late

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179
Q

be second to none

A

be the best

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180
Q

cross one’s mind

A

think of something

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181
Q

cry over spilt milk

A

grieve over sth that can’t be put right

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182
Q

every nook and cranny

A

everywhere

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183
Q

feel/be down in the mouth

A

feel discouraged/depressed

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184
Q

get a move on

A

hurry up

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185
Q

get on one’s nerves

A

irritate/annoy sb

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186
Q

have an early night

A

go to bed early

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187
Q

hit the nail on the head

A

say exactly the right thing

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188
Q

in a nutshell

A

Briefly, in a few words

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189
Q

lose one’s nerve

A

lose courage

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190
Q

make a name for oneself

A

become famous/respected for sth

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191
Q

make hay while the sun shines

A

take advantage of favourable circumstances

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192
Q

make money hand over fist

A

make a lot of money quickly and easily

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193
Q

make one’s getaway

A

escape

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194
Q

moon around

A

look miserable

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195
Q

null and void

A

invalid ; not legally binding

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196
Q

put sb’s name forward

A

nominate sb

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197
Q

put words into one’s mouth

A

pretend that sb has said sth that they haven’t actually said

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198
Q

slip one’s mind

A

forget about sth

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199
Q

work a miracle

A

make sth almost impossible happen

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200
Q

give the green light to sth

A

give permission to proceed with sth

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201
Q

a bitter pill to swallow

A

a difficult fact to accept

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202
Q

against all odds

A

despite the difficulties

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203
Q

be out of practice

A

lacking practice

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204
Q

come to the point

A

reach the main point in a discussion

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205
Q

fall into place

A

become clear

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206
Q

get the sack

A

be dismissed from one’s job

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207
Q

get the wrong end of the stick

A

misunderstand completely what has been said

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208
Q

golden opportunity

A

the best chance to gain sth

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209
Q

grease sb’s palm

A

bribe sb (to give someone money secretly so that they will make things happen in the way that you want)

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210
Q

grow out of sth

A

become too big for sth

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211
Q

have no option but

A

must; have no choice

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212
Q

In public

A

in the presence of other people

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213
Q

in the offing

A

likely to happen

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214
Q

off the point

A

irrelevant

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215
Q

once and for all

A

for the last time

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216
Q

out-and-out

A

complete, total

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217
Q

out in the open

A

(of secrets) revealed, known

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218
Q

out of print

A

(of books) not available anymore

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219
Q

out of the frying pan into the fire

A

from a situation to a worse/similar one

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220
Q

part and parcel of

A

basic part of

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221
Q

past one’s prime

A

growing old/not at one’s best

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222
Q

pop the question

A

make a proposal of marriage

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223
Q

short and sweet

A

brief but pleasant (usu ironic) (surprisingly short in a way that is pleasing)

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224
Q

status symbol

A

property/possession that shows sb’s high social rank wealth etc

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225
Q

take things to pieces

A

dismantle things (to separate something into smaller parts)

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226
Q

throw a party

A

have/hold a party

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227
Q

white elephant

A

useless/unwanted possession

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228
Q

an unknown quantity

A

person or thing that one has no experience of

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229
Q

as a last resort

A

when all else has failed

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230
Q

at close quarters

A

from a short distance

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231
Q

be in a quandary

A

be confused, undecided

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232
Q

beg the question

A

makes people want to ask a particular question

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233
Q

call it quits

A

give up/stop

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234
Q

cut sb to the quick

A

deeply hurt sb’s feelings

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235
Q

hit the roof

A

get very angry

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236
Q

in a rut

A

be stuck in a monotonous routine time

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237
Q

in the long run

A

after a long period of

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238
Q

it stands to reason

A

it is logical/obvious

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239
Q

keep sth quiet

A

keep sth secret

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240
Q

know the ropes

A

know all the details of sth

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241
Q

off the record

A

unofficially, not public

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242
Q

on the quiet

A

secretly

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243
Q

open to debate

A

not decided/settled

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244
Q

out of the question

A

impossible

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245
Q

put down roots

A

settle down

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246
Q

work to rule

A

adhere strictly to the rules as a form of protest

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247
Q

rack sb’s brains

A

think very hard about sth

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248
Q

a long shot

A

a wild guess/a risk

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249
Q

a memory like a sieve

A

a poor memory

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250
Q

be all at sea

A

be in a state of confusion

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251
Q

be in the same boat

A

be in the same (usu bad) situation

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252
Q

be in sb’s shoes

A

be in sb’s position

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253
Q

be the spitting image of sb

A

look exactly like sb

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254
Q

be/get soaked to the skin

A

be/get very wet

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255
Q

be/have a close shave

A

barely avoid an accident/a bad situation

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256
Q

behind the scenes

A

in secret

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257
Q

come out of one’s shell

A

gain personal confidence

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258
Q

does it show?

A

is it obvious?

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259
Q

give sb the slip

A

escape from sb

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260
Q

go for a song

A

be sold very cheaply

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261
Q

go without saying

A

be a foregone conclusion (used to mean that something is obvious)

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262
Q

hit the sack

A

go to bed

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263
Q

live out of a suitcase

A

travel often/not have a permanent home

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264
Q

make quite a scene

A

become angry in a dramatic way

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265
Q

on a shoe string

A

on a very small budget

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266
Q

pull a few strings

A

use influential contacts in order to obtain an advantage

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267
Q

pull one’s socks up

A

make a greater effort

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268
Q

sleep on it

A

think about sth

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269
Q

smell a rat

A

suspect that sth is wrong

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270
Q

spill the beans

A

reveal a secret/the facts

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271
Q

stand in sb’s way

A

prevent sb from doing sth

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272
Q

take… with a pinch of salt

A

not believe sth completely

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273
Q

the last straw

A

the last and worst episode in a chain of bad experiences

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274
Q

thick-skinned

A

insensitive

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275
Q

(by) trial and error

A

learning from one’s mistakes

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276
Q

be ahead of one’s time

A

have modern ideas

277
Q

be (as) thick (as a brick)

A

be stupid

278
Q

be tickled pink

A

be really pleased

279
Q

come to a standstill

A

not progress/stop

280
Q

come to terms with

A

accept a difficult situation

281
Q

for the time being

A

temporarily

282
Q

in a tick

A

shortly, soon

283
Q

in the nick of time

A

just in time

284
Q

kill time

A

pass time while waiting for sb/sth

285
Q

lay the table

A

prepare/set the table for a meal

286
Q

not be one’s cup of tea

A

not suit one’s taste

287
Q

on second thoughts

A

having changed one’s mind

288
Q

out of turn

A

not in the correct order/time

289
Q

paint the town red

A

have a great time

290
Q

play truant

A

stay away from school without permission

291
Q

put two and two together

A

to guess the truth about a situation from what you have seen or heard

292
Q

red tape

A

unnecessary bureaucracy

293
Q

take one’s time

A

not to hurry

294
Q

through thick and thin

A

whatever happens (in good times and bad times)

295
Q

touch and go

A

with uncertain result

296
Q

Be all very well

A

appear satisfactory but in fact not be

297
Q

be on the up and up improve steadily

A

improve steadily

298
Q

Be up and about

A

have recovered from an illness

299
Q

drive (sb) up the wall

A

make sb angry/annoy sb

300
Q

frosty welcome
Be in a bad mood

A

unfriendly reception

301
Q

get out of bed on the wrong side

A

Be in a bad mood

302
Q

get wind of

A

receive information about sth indirectly

303
Q

give vent to

A

express sth freely

304
Q

give way to

A

give in/yield (to be replaced by something, especially because it is better, cheaper, easier, etc)/ to finally agree to what someone wants, after refusing for a period of time

305
Q

not hold water

A

not seem reasonable or in accordance with the facts

306
Q

make a flying visit

A

make a quick trip

307
Q

make waves

A

cause trouble

308
Q

no/little wonder

A

not surprising

309
Q

quick/slow on the uptake

A

quick/slow to understand

310
Q

set in one’s ways

A

fixed in one’s habits/routines

311
Q

speak volumes

A

be strong evidence of sb’s feelings

312
Q

under the weather

A

depressed/unwell

313
Q

up and coming

A

likely to be successful

314
Q

ups and downs

A

good things alternating with bad ones

315
Q

wet behind the ears

A

inexperienced

316
Q

an old wives’ tale

A

false belief (usually about health)

317
Q

be born yesterday

A

be easily deceived/naive

318
Q

beat sb black and blue

A

hit sb repeatedly until bruised

319
Q

go back on one’s word

A

not fulfil a promise (keep one’s word)

320
Q

have a yellow streak

A

be a coward (often scared or not very brave)

321
Q

not have it both ways

A

refuse to make a decision between two pleasant things (usu in expression “You can’t have it both ways!”)

322
Q

in the red

A

owe money to a bank (opp: in the black)

323
Q

see red

A

suddenly become very angry

324
Q

green belt

A

the area on the outskirts of a town adjoining the country

325
Q

pitch black

A

very dark

326
Q

black tie

A

formal clothing

327
Q

green with envy

A

very jealous

328
Q

green (matter/issue)

A

concerned with ecology

329
Q

have words with sb

A

have an argument

330
Q

have/keep one’s wits about one

A

be alert and able to deal with difficulties

331
Q

in deep water

A

in trouble/difficulty

332
Q

make sb’s day

A

make sb very happy

333
Q

see/look at sth through rose-coloured spectacles

A

see sth from an unrealistically positive point of view

334
Q

the black sheep of the family

A

a disgraced family member

335
Q

the pot calling the kettle black

A

accusing sb of a fault one has oneself

336
Q

until one is blue in the face

A

as hard/long as one possibly can (usu without success) (wasting your efforts because you will get no results)

337
Q

red herring

A

sth which distracts you from sth important

338
Q

(fight) like cat and dog

A

Disagree (violently)

339
Q

Like a bull in a china shop

A

behave in a clumsy/awkword

340
Q

Make a dog’s dinner of something

A

Make a mess of something

341
Q

a bear with a sore head

A

irritated/in a bad mood

342
Q

a different kettle of fish

A

a totally different situation etc from the one just mentioned

343
Q

a dog’s life

A

a difficult, hard life

344
Q

a fish out of water

A

sb who feels uncomfortable/in unfamiliar surroundings

345
Q

a red rag to a bull

A

action, comment etc liable to provoke sb

346
Q

a sitting duck

A

an easy target

347
Q

as busy as a bee/a busy bee

A

(sb) very busy

348
Q

as the crow flies

A

in a direct line/by a direct route

349
Q

be in the doghouse

A

be out of favour, in trouble

350
Q

dog eat dog

A

used to describe a situation in which people will do anything to be successful, even if what they do harms other people

351
Q

dog-eared (of books)

A

with the corners bent and turned down through use

352
Q

donkey work

A

boring, monotonous work

353
Q

donkey’s years

A

a long time

354
Q

kill two birds with one stone

A

achieve two things with one action

355
Q

let the cat out of the bag

A

reveal a secret

356
Q

like water off a duck’s back

A

having no effect

357
Q

make a fool of oneself

A

make oneself look stupid/embarrassed/curious

358
Q

make a mountain out of a molehill

A

to make a slight difficulty seem like a serious problem

359
Q

no room to swing a cat

A

said about a place or space that is very small.

360
Q

play cat and mouse with sb

A

Keep sb in a state of uncertain expectation treating them alternatively cruelly and kindly

361
Q

put the cat among the pigeons

A

cause trouble/controversy

362
Q

rain cats and dogs

A

Rain heavily

363
Q

swim like a fish

A

Swim very well

364
Q

talk the hind legs off a donkey

A

talk for a long time, uninterrupted

365
Q

the rat race

A

the competitive nature of modern urban life

366
Q

until the cows come home

A

for a long time

367
Q

mutton dressed as lamb

A

dress in a style younger /inappropriate to your age

368
Q

sour grapes

A

say unpleasant comments because of jealousy

369
Q

sweet tooth

A

enjoy eating sweet things

370
Q

get nowhere fast

A

make no/little progress

371
Q

pay sb’s way

A

contribute your share of a bill/budget

372
Q

white-collar job

A

office/clerical work

373
Q

fly on the wall

A

see/hear sth in a situation which does not
involve you

374
Q

Achilles heel

A

weakest point of sb’s character

375
Q

wash sb’s hands of sb

A

refuse to be involved with sb

376
Q

a pain in the neck

A

annoying person/thing

377
Q

be all fingers and thumbs

A

be awkward, clumsy

378
Q

get cold feet

A

lose courage to do sth

379
Q

give sb the cold shoulder

A

ignore/shun sb

380
Q

have a cheek/nerve

A

act/speak boldly or impudently

381
Q

have a sharp tongue

A

tend to say unkind or hurful things

382
Q

have an eye for

A

be a good judge of sth

383
Q

look down one’s nose at sth/sb

A

feel/act superior to sb

384
Q

lose one’s head

A

lose self control

385
Q

put one’s heart and soul into sth

A

be devoted to sth

386
Q

tongue in cheek

A

intend it to be understood as a joke, although you might appear to be serious

387
Q

tooth and nail

A

fiercely

388
Q

turn a blind eye to sth

A

ignore

389
Q

not lose any sleep over sth

A

not worry about sth

390
Q

jack of all trades

A

sb who is able to do a variety of jobs

391
Q

a storm in a teacup

A

a lot of fuss about sth that is not important

392
Q

bring sth home to sb

A

make sb understand how important/ serious sth is

393
Q

bite off more than sb can chew

A

try to do sth which is too difficult

394
Q

in clover

A

living a luxurious/comfortable life

395
Q

face the music

A

be criticised/punished for sth you have done

396
Q

In abeyance

A

Halted temporarily

397
Q

be of/have no fixed abode

A

be homeless

398
Q

out and about

A

1) outdoors
2) travelling from one place to another

399
Q

in the abstract

A

in a general way

400
Q

of its own accord

A

automatically

401
Q

agree to differ/disagree

A

stop arguing because there is no chance of agreement

402
Q

in arrears

A

have not paid the money they owe

403
Q

cast aspersions

A

criticise

404
Q

cost an arm and a leg

A

be very expensive

405
Q

be thrown off balance

A

be surprised/confused

406
Q

on the ball

A

alert

407
Q

below the belt

A

cruel and unfair

408
Q

be beside oneself with anger/excitement

A

to be extremely angry/excited

409
Q

bide one’s time

A

wait for a good opportunity

410
Q

in the black

A

not owing anybody any money (in the red)

411
Q

blaze a trail

A

Discover/explore something new

412
Q

on the blink

A

stop working properly (of electrical equipment)

413
Q

go by the board

A

be rejected/ignored/ no longer possible

414
Q

cut to the bone

A

reduced to the/a minimum

415
Q

out of bounds

A

prohibited, forbidden (place)

416
Q

pick someone’s brains

A

ask sb to help with a problem/extract information from an expert

417
Q

make common cause with sb

A

act together to achieve aim

418
Q

Rise to the challenge

A

act and be successful even though sth is new

419
Q

give chapter and verse

A

give every exact detail

420
Q

big cheese

A

person with important job/position

421
Q

take sth on the chin

A

bravely accept criticism, punishment, etc

422
Q

chop and change

A

keep changing (your mind)

423
Q

strike a chord

A

make sb feel sympathy/enthusiasm

424
Q

claim to fame

A

thing which makes sb unusual/important

425
Q

come clean

A

admit the truth; confess

426
Q

steer/stay clear of

A

Avoid sb/sth

427
Q

part company with

A

end association

428
Q

cut corners

A

to do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way

429
Q

not all it’s cracked up to be

A

not as good as people say it is/overestimated

430
Q

cramp one’s style

A

restrict one’s behaviour in some way

431
Q

Hold/keep in check

A

control; prevent from becoming too powerful

432
Q

put a damper on

A

ruin sth or make it less enjoyable

433
Q

be in the dark about sth

A

be unaware of sth

434
Q

don’t give up your day job

A

continue to do sth you know rather than trying sth new

435
Q

in broad daylight

A

in full view of the public/easily seen

436
Q

deal a blow to sb or sth

A

cause sb great difficulty or spoil their plans

437
Q

be on the defensive

A

protect oneself because one feels insecure or threatened

438
Q

by definition

A

because of its own features

439
Q

(for) donkey’s years

A

(for) a very long time

440
Q

on the dot

A

punctual, exactly on time

441
Q

lend an ear

A

listen to sb in a careful and sympathetic way

442
Q

play it by ear

A

act in a situation by responding to events rather than according to plan

443
Q

ease off

A

reduce in degree, speed or intensity

444
Q

at the cutting edge

A

of the forefront of (eg. technology), modern

445
Q

on edge

A

tense/nervous/ anxious

446
Q

to no effect

A

unsuccessful; ineffective

447
Q

(not) see eye to eye with sb

A

(dis)agree with sb

448
Q

have an eye for

A

be good at judging, the worth/quality of sth

449
Q

more to sth/sb than meets
the eye

A

sth/sb is more important/interesting than is first seen

450
Q

be/have at one’s fingertips

A

be/have easily available/ have free access to

451
Q

blow a fuse

A

become very angry/lose one’s temper

452
Q

come to the fore

A

become important or popular

453
Q

put on a brave face/put a brave face on a situation

A

try to hide one’s disappointment

454
Q

without fail

A

do sth no matter what

455
Q

in the flesh

A

in person

456
Q

few and far between

A

scarce/rare

457
Q

in full flow

A

(talking) at length

458
Q

bear fruit

A

be successful

459
Q

on the face of it

A

judging by how sth appears

460
Q

point the finger of suspicion

A

blame sb for sth

461
Q

see fit

A

think suitable or right

462
Q

flat broke

A

penniless

463
Q

not have the foggiest idea

A

not know sth at all

464
Q

get cold feet

A

be nervous or frightened because sth might fail

465
Q

by/from force of habit

A

used to doing sth without thinking

466
Q

gain ground

A

make progress/become more popular

467
Q

beat ab at their own game

A

to defeat/do better than sb in an activity considered their strength

468
Q

give the game away

A

reveal a secret or one’s feelings

469
Q

throw down the gauntlet

A

challenge sb

470
Q

gild the lily

A

spoil sth beautiful by additions

471
Q

Fit like a glove

A

fit perfectly

472
Q

move the goalposts

A

change the rules or demands of a situation

473
Q

have a lot going for you

A

have a lot of advantages

474
Q

as good as

A

almost

475
Q

up for grabs

A

available to those who are interested

476
Q

dig one’s own grave

A

cause one’s own failure

477
Q

grind to a halt

A

slowly stop/come to an end

478
Q

come/get to grips with

A

consider seriously and start to take action

479
Q

get off the ground

A

begin or start functioning

480
Q

come to grief

A

sth is unsuccessful

481
Q

make a go of sth

A

have some success

482
Q

for good

A

permanently

483
Q

Stick to one’s guns

A

keep to your opinion

484
Q

meet (sb) halfway

A

come to an agreement/ compromise

485
Q

come under the hammer

A

sth is sold at auction

486
Q

let your hair down

A

relax and enjoy yourself

487
Q

to make/lose money hand over fist

A

acquire/lose a lot of money very quickly

488
Q

give sb a free hand

A

allow sb to do as they wish

489
Q

know (sth) off-hand

A

(know sth) without asking or looking it up

490
Q

have to hand it to sb

A

admire sb and think they deserve praise

491
Q

keep out of harm’s way

A

keep out of danger

492
Q

fly off the handle

A

lose your temper very suddenly

493
Q

do sth at the drop of a hat

A

be willing/happy to do sth, do sth quickly

494
Q

not to make head (nor) tail of sth

A

not to understand sth at all

495
Q

make headway

A

make progress

496
Q

take heart from sth

A

feel encouraged by or optimistic about sth

497
Q

make a hash of sth

A

do sth very badly

498
Q

to one’s heart’s content

A

(do) as much or as often as one wants

499
Q

strike/hit home

A

(of situation) be accepted as real even though it is painful/ achieve the intended effect

500
Q

after hours

A

outside regular business hours

501
Q

from/since time immemorial

A

for a long time/throughout history

502
Q

take the initiative

A

be the first person to act

503
Q

add insult to injury

A

make things even worse

504
Q

make inroads into

A

affect sth negatively or destructively

505
Q

to all intents and purposes

A

practically/in effect

506
Q

in the interests of

A

in order to achieve a certain aim

507
Q

in the interim

A

in the time between two particular periods or events

508
Q

take issue with sb

A

disagree and start arguing

509
Q

have/get itchy feet

A

have a strong desire to travel

510
Q

be in jeopardy

A

be in danger

511
Q

in a jiffy

A

quickly

512
Q

jog one’s memory

A

make one remember sth

513
Q

jump for joy

A

extremely pleased or happy

514
Q

reserve judgement on sb/sth

A

postpone giving an opinion before more is known

515
Q

do sb/sth justice

A

to treat someone or something in a way that is fair and shows their or its true qualities)

516
Q

rough justice

A

unfair or unjust treatment

517
Q

(be) on an even keel

A

working or progressing steadily, to regularise sth

518
Q

on a knife-edge

A

situation where nobody knows what will happen next/extremely exciting

519
Q

knock sb dead

A

impress sb greatly

520
Q

tie oneself in knots

A

get confused

521
Q

safe in the knowledge

A

confidently (because a prior condition has been met)

522
Q

by and large

A

to a great extent/generally exaggerated

523
Q

larger than life

A

exaggerated

524
Q

on its last legs

A

in weak or poor condition/ needing replacement

525
Q

lay it on thick

A

exaggerate

526
Q

lay sb low

A

make sb ill or weak, confine them to bed

527
Q

improve by/in leaps and bounds

A

improve/increase very rapidly

528
Q

do sth at length

A

take a long time to do/do sth in great detail

529
Q

follow/obey to the letter

A

follow (e.g. instructions) exactly without question

530
Q

on the level

A

sincere, truthful

531
Q

make light of sth

A

treat sth as though it is not serious when in fact it is

532
Q

bring into line with

A

make sb/sth comply with a standard/behaviour

533
Q

draw the line

A

refuse to do/tolerate sth

534
Q

put sth on the line

A

risk, endanger

535
Q

be lost on sb

A

have no effect on sb/not to be understood by sb

536
Q

not for love nor money

A

by no means/for no reason

537
Q

like it or lump it

A

whether you like it or not

538
Q

leave sb in the lurch

A

abandon/let sb down

539
Q

make do with sth

A

to use what is available although it is not enough or what you wanted

540
Q

give sb their marching orders

A

dismiss sb

541
Q

meet one’s match

A

compete with sb as good as/better than you

542
Q

mean well

A

try to be kind/helpful

543
Q

living beyond one’s means

A

spending more than you can afford

544
Q

on the mend

A

recover from (illness/injury)

545
Q

mend one’s way

A

begin to behave well

546
Q

to put it mildly

A

used for saying that something is much more extreme than your words suggest

547
Q

miles away

A

deep in thought

548
Q

mint condition

A

perfect condition

549
Q

give sth a miss

A

decide not to do sth or go to a place

550
Q

sb gets their money’s worth

A

sb gets sth which is worth its price/the effort put in it

551
Q

name names

A

identify sb who has done sth (usually immoral or illegal)

552
Q

name of the game

A

the most important aspect

553
Q

come naturally to sb

A

be very easy for sb to do

554
Q

nearest and dearest

A

close relatives/friends

555
Q

risk one’s neck

A

put oneself in danger (physically or metaphorically)

556
Q

touch a nerve

A

mention a sensitive subject

557
Q

nest egg

A

sum of money saved for a particular purpose

558
Q

slip through the net

A

avoid being caught by a system/trap

559
Q

none the wiser

A

know nothing more than before

560
Q

poke one’s nose into sth

A

try to interfere in sth

561
Q

hand/give in one’s notice

A

resign

562
Q

have occasion to do sth

A

it is necessary to do sth

563
Q

rise to the occasion

A

overcome a difficult situation by doing everything necessary to succeed

564
Q

a drop in the ocean

A

so minimal or trivial as to have little effect

565
Q

on the offchance

A

hoping that something may be possible, although it is not likely

566
Q

every so often

A

occasionally

567
Q

not on

A

unacceptable (of behaviour)

568
Q

only too (+ adi)

A

more than (used for emphasis)

569
Q

opt out

A

withdraw from sth

570
Q

in good order

A

in good condition

571
Q

made to order

A

specially made, not from stock

572
Q

at/from the outset

A

from the very beginning

573
Q

over and above

A

more than or in addition to an amount

574
Q

over to

A

passing on to when introducing another speaker on the air

575
Q

go overboard

A

to do something too much, or to be too excited or eager about something

576
Q

to overflowing

A

so full of people or things that no more can fit in

577
Q

overstep the mark

A

behave in an unacceptable way

578
Q

own up

A

admit/confess

579
Q

get your own back

A

get/take revenge

580
Q

at one’s own pace

A

at a speed which is comfortable for one

581
Q

go to great pains

A

try hard to do sth because it is Important

582
Q

fool below/under par

A

feel tired and unable to work

583
Q

pass up

A

not take a chance or opportunity

584
Q

in passing

A

đề cập qua một vấn đề, hoặc tình cờ nhắc đến

585
Q

not put it past sb

A

not be surprised if sb did sth they shouldn’t

586
Q

not a patch on

A

not nearly as good as; not comparable

587
Q

bring sb down a peg or two

A

reduce sb to their true status

588
Q

phase in

A

introduce gradually

589
Q

say your piece

A

give your view or opinion

590
Q

pile up

A

mount up

591
Q

feel the pinch

A

be in a difficult financial situation

592
Q

play at

A

do sth others don’t understand

593
Q

take the plunge

A

take a/the risk

594
Q

pluck up the courage

A

make an effort to be brave

595
Q

plumb new depths

A

be worse than ever

596
Q

go to pot

A

deteriorate

597
Q

keep sb posted

A

keep sb informed

598
Q

pit your wits against sb (or sth)

A

compete with sb (or sth) in intelligence/a test of knowledge

599
Q

at a premium

A

at a higher price than usual because it is scarce
wanted/needed but difficult to get/ achieve

600
Q

press on/ahead

A

continue determinedly

601
Q

be/have a qualified success

A

be partially successful

602
Q

give sb no quarter

A

show no mercy

603
Q

a race against time

A

work fast in order to do sth on time

604
Q

lose one’s rag

A

try hard to think

605
Q

rain or shine

A

in any circumstances

606
Q

ram home sth

A

become angry

607
Q

go on the rampage

A

rush about violently

608
Q

raring to go

A

eager to do sth or go somewhere

609
Q

have/get a raw deal

A

be treated unfairly

610
Q

take it as read

A

accept sth as true without question

611
Q

recharge your batteries

A

take a break to renew/ refresh yourself

612
Q

on reflection

A

after careful thought

613
Q

be well rid of sb

A

better off without sb or sth

614
Q

be taken for a ride

A

be deceived/cheated

615
Q

be as right as rain

A

recover from an illness

616
Q

hit the road

A

begin a journey

617
Q

do a roaring trade

A

sell a lot of sth

618
Q

take the rough with the smooth

A

accept unpleasant as well as pleasant situations

619
Q

rub sth in

A

insist on reminding sb of sth unpleasant or embarrassing

620
Q

up and running

A

operating normally

621
Q

(to) be on the safe side

A

do sth to prevent the possibility of sth bad happening

622
Q

not one’s scene

A

not like/enjoy sth

623
Q

settle a score

A

take revenge

624
Q

without a shadow of (a) doubt

A

without any doubt

625
Q

talk shop

A

Talk about work or business

626
Q

if push comes to shove

A

if a situation becomes really bad/difficult

627
Q

get on the wrong/bad side of sb

A

do sth to annoy sb

628
Q

a sore point with sb

A

sth that makes sb angry or embarrassed

629
Q

spick and span

A

clean and tidy

630
Q

enter into the spirit of sth

A

take part in sth with enthusiasm

631
Q

in the spotlight

A

receiving a great deal of public attention

632
Q

be/get in a state

A

be very nervous/upset about sth

633
Q

in stitches

A

unable to stop laughing

634
Q

in store for one

A

about to happen in near future

635
Q

take sth by storm

A

be extremely successful or popular

636
Q

get into the swing of sth

A

get involved/get into the rhythm

637
Q

in sync

A

well matched/work simultaneously as it should
(opp: out of sync badly matched not simultaneous as it should)

638
Q

turn tail

A

turn and run away

639
Q

In tandem with

A

together with, simultaneously

640
Q

go off at a tangent

A

suddenly change subject or course of action

641
Q

(be) on target

A

make good progress

642
Q

in bad/poor taste

A

offensive/insulting

643
Q

cup of tea

A

sth one likes

644
Q

get one’s teeth into sth

A

throw oneself into sth because it is interesting, complex and makes you think hard

645
Q

put sth to the test

A

gauge how effective sth is by putting it into practice

646
Q

thick and fast

A

happening quickly in large numbers

647
Q

under one’s thumb

A

under sb’s control

648
Q

toe the line

A

obey the rules

649
Q

keep sb on their toes

A

make/keep sb alert

650
Q

lower the tone of sth

A

make a place or event seem less respectable

651
Q

tongue in cheek

A

not serious, in fun

652
Q

to down tools

A

to stop working

653
Q

be on top of the world

A

be happy

654
Q

(sth) gets on top of sb

A

sth depresses sb/is too much to cope with

655
Q

travel light

A

travel without much luggage

656
Q

tread water

A

be in a position where no progress is being made

657
Q

a trifle

A

slightly/to a small extent

658
Q

the ultimate in

A

the best/most advanced

659
Q

catch/take unawares

A

happen when you are least expecting it

660
Q

unbeknown to sb

A

when sb is unaware of sth

661
Q

In no uncertain terms

A

clearly and unmistakably

662
Q

be given to understand that

A

be informed about sth but not directly

663
Q

come unstuck

A

fail badly in sth you are trying to achieve

664
Q

be up against sth

A

have a difficult situation or problem to deal with

665
Q

be quick on the uptake

A

able to understand things quickly, clever

666
Q

not be up to much

A

of poor quality

667
Q

have its uses

A

have advantages of benefits

668
Q

to the utmost

A

to the greatest extent

669
Q

do sth in vain

A

not succeed in sth

670
Q

banging your head against a brick wall

A

frustrated because sb is stopping you from making progress in sth

671
Q

sb or sth is driving you up the wall

A

sb or sth is annoying and irritating you

672
Q

have a whale of a time

A

to enjoy oneself very much

673
Q

put years on sb

A

make sb look or feel much older

674
Q

as yet

A

up until the present time

675
Q

go from bad to worse

A

become more unpleasant

676
Q

if the worst comes to the worst

A

if the situation develops in the most unfavourable way possible

677
Q

act on

A

to take action as a result of advice, information, etc.

678
Q

act up

A

​to behave badly

679
Q

answer (sb) back

A

speak rudely to sb

680
Q

answer back

A

defend oneself

681
Q

answer to

A

-to have to explain to someone why you did something
-be under the command of sb/have the characteristics described
-have a particular name

682
Q

be in for it

A

be about to receive punishment/trouble

683
Q

be in with

A

be in favour with

684
Q

be out

A

(1) be in bloom, (2) be extinguished (make a fire or light stop burning or shining, make an idea or feeling stop), (3) be removed, (4) be absent (from home or work), (5) be wrong in calculation, (6) be unfashionable

685
Q

bear on

A

be relevant to

686
Q

Bear with

A

Be patient

687
Q

answer for

A

be responsible for sth/pay for sth/vouch for (firmly believe that something is true or good because of your experience or knowledge of it)

688
Q

back down

A

cease to oppose

689
Q

back out of

A

withdraw from

ENGLISH (26 decks)

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