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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

You have to do what you have to do

A

A man’s has to do what a man’s has to do

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2
Q

Now I can relax

A

Able to breathe freely again

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3
Q

do something very easily

A

do something blindfolded

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4
Q

Only take a limited amount of discomfort

A

Able to take only so much

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5
Q

power corrupts

A

Absolute power corrupts absolutely

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6
Q

You cannot prevent all things from going wrong

A

Accidents will happen

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7
Q

according to what you believe

A

According to my own light

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8
Q

Easily frightened

A

Afraid of one’s own shadow

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9
Q

When you want to express ah darn

A

Ah shucks

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10
Q

When you want to express you’re completely ready for something that has been cancelled or postponed

A

All dressed up and nowhere to go

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11
Q

And bad things started happening

A

And all hell broke loose

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12
Q

It’s part of what’s expected

A

All in a day’s work

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13
Q

It will happen one day

A

It will happen. All in good time

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14
Q

Ended well although not everything went as planned

A

All’s well that end well

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15
Q

All excited

A

All shook up

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16
Q

Even better reason or cause to do something

A

All the more reason

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17
Q

Everything comes to an end eventually

A

All things must pass

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18
Q

It’s all for the best

A

It’s all to the good

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19
Q

Very upset and sorry

A

All tore up about something

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20
Q

Please let me help you

A

Allow me

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21
Q

Changing between two persons or things

A

Alternating between someone or something

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22
Q

…and other miscellaneous things

A

And this and that

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23
Q

More than even what has been mentioned

A

And then some

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24
Q

When you want to imply two entities that are not similar

A

They’re like apples and oranges

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25
Q

Are everyday issues bothering you

A

Are things getting you down?

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26
Q

Arguing simply to be difficult

A

Arguing for the sake of arguing

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27
Q

When you want to express something is done normally as a general procedure

A

It is done as a matter of course here

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28
Q

A grown person will act the way he or she was taught to act as a child

A

As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined

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29
Q

You have the suffer the consequences of what you do

A

As you make your bed, so you must lie in it

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30
Q

Speechless

A

At a loss for words

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31
Q

Should we go there someday soon

A

Should we go there at an early date

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32
Q

In the most positive judgement

A

At best …

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33
Q

I’m without worry or anxiety

A

I’m at ease

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34
Q

When first examined at an early stage

A

At first glance

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35
Q

a baby carried by an adult

A

Babe in arms

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36
Q

Naive or innocent person

A

Babe in the woods

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37
Q

Move backwards from a person or thing

A

Back away from

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38
Q

The most remote place

A

We went to the back of the beyond

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39
Q

Standing up again after a fall

A

Back on your feet

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40
Q

Getting yourself into a position where there is limited escape

A

Back yourself into a corner

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41
Q

starting from the start again

A

Back to the drawing board

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42
Q

you have to return to the basic instructions

A

Back to basics

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43
Q

time to return to work

A

Back to the salt mines

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44
Q

An unintended or ambiguous compliment

A

backhanded compliment

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45
Q

You want to express that you say negative things about someone

A

Bad mouth someone

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46
Q

You want to express that a person showed up with all her belongings

A

She showed up bag and baggage

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47
Q

You want to express that you have special techniques or methods

A

You have a bag of tricks

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48
Q

Forget that

A

Bag that

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49
Q

weighing one possibility against the other

A

Balancing something against something

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50
Q

To strike something repeatedly

A

Bang on

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51
Q

strike someone against something

A

Bang something into someone

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52
Q

Best I know with no exceptions

A

Best I know, bar none

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53
Q

Reveal something to someone

A

Bare something to you

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54
Q

You’re disgusting me

A

You’re barfing me out

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55
Q

Something to be used in a negotiation

A

Bargaining chip

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56
Q

I broke in on them

A

I barged in on them

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57
Q

Say something harshly to someone

A

Bark at someone

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58
Q

Move along rapidly

A

Barrel along

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59
Q

Someone is a tremendous amount of fun

A

Barrel of fun

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60
Q

You want to express that you will do a trade for trade

A

Barter for something

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61
Q

revelling in sth

A

Basking in sth

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62
Q

Departure response meaning goodbye and behave yourself

A

Be good

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63
Q

To be agreeable to participate in sth

A

To be game

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64
Q

Do what you ought to do before you do things that you want to do

A

Be just before you’re generous

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65
Q

A polite way of indicating that one should go first

A

Be my guest

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66
Q

You want to express that you’re not controlled by anybody

A

I’m my own master

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67
Q

Even if what you say is true,

A

Be that as it may, I’m still not going

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68
Q

Be responsible for your brother

A

Be your brother’s keeper

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69
Q

Be the most unlikely person to do something

A

Be the last person to do something

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70
Q

Want to imply that you feel an old resentment towards someone

A

Bear a grudge towards someone

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71
Q

degree of resemblance to something or someone

A

Bear a resemblance to something or someone

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72
Q

Sustain or encourage someone

A

Bear someone up

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73
Q

and I’m the one to be blamed

A

and I’m the one to bear the blame

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74
Q

withstand the worst part of something

A

beat the brunt of it

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75
Q

Close, attentive monitoring

A

bear watching

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76
Q

I was trying very hard to do it

A

I was beating my brains out to do it

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77
Q

I don’t want to waste time talking a great deal

A

I don’t want to beat my gums on it

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78
Q

I won over him

A

I beat him out

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79
Q

Do something before someone else catches up to do it

A

Beat him to the draw

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80
Q

Do something before the deadline

A

Beat the clock

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81
Q

Promote or support someone or something

A

Beat the drum for someone or something

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82
Q

A person who is beautiful may not have a pleasing personality

A

Beauty is only skin-deep

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83
Q

I was able to escape punishment

A

I was able to beat the rap

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84
Q

an easy life or luxurious situation

A

A bed of roses

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85
Q

Put someone to bed

A

Bed them

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86
Q

Complain about something

A

Beef about it

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87
Q

Soon

A

Before long

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88
Q

And almost immediately

A

And before you know it

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89
Q

I’ll like to disagree with this

A

I’ll beg to differ

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90
Q

Politely decline an invitation

A

I’ll have to beg this one off

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91
Q

That also invites the question : didn’t he cause all of his problems himself?

A

That also begs the question: didn’t he cause all of his problems himself?

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92
Q

Unable to be described

A

Beggars all description

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93
Q

If someone gives you what you ask for, you should complain about what you get

A

Beggars can’t be choosers

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94
Q

Begin to see the end of a long task

A

I’m beginning to see daylight

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95
Q

Begin to understand something

A

Begin to see the light

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96
Q

Luck of an inexperienced person

A

Beginner’s luck

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97
Q

Charm someone into

A

Beguile someone into

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98
Q

Start of the termination of something

A

Beginning of the end

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99
Q

Failed to do something at the appointed time

A

We’re behind schedule

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100
Q

Spend too much time on one item of discussion

A

Belaboring the point

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101
Q

Cause release of something which goes upward

A

Belch something up

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102
Q

Choose to accept something as true or not …

A

Believe it or not …

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103
Q

Runouts are usually false and sometimes the things you see can be misleading as well

A

Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see

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104
Q

You should believe me

A

Believe you me!

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105
Q

Drink an alcoholic drink rapidly

A

You just belted it down like that

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106
Q

Work very hard to achieve something

A

Bend over backwards to achieve something

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107
Q

Exceedingly contemptible

A

Maybe what you did what beneath contempt

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108
Q

Cheat a little bit without breaking the law

A

Bend the rules

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109
Q

Left without something or someone

A

So I was bereft of all hope

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110
Q

Irrelevant

A

Besides the point

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111
Q

If you attack your opponents, they will be so busy fighting off your attack, they will not be able to attack you

A

The best defense is a good offense

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112
Q

If you are too ambitious and try to make something better than you are capable of, you may ruin it

A

The best is the enemy of the good

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113
Q

A situation in which he can enjoy two different opportunities

A

The best of both worlds

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114
Q

The most satisfying experiences do not cost any money

A

The best things in life are free

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115
Q

Somethings should not be discussed

A

Something are better left unsaid

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116
Q

Doing something late is better than not doing it

A

Better late than never

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117
Q

An expression that comforts one for a minor failure

A

Better luck next time

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118
Q

Doing something late is better than not doing it

A

Better late than never

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119
Q

A better position if something were done

A

Better off

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120
Q

Unemployed

A

Between jobs

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121
Q

A group of very attractive young women

A

Bevy of beauties

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122
Q

Prejudicing someone against something

A

The event biased us against watching movies

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123
Q

A very large amount of money

A

He earns big bucks

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124
Q

Beyond what is needed or tolerable

A

It’s a bit much

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125
Q

People who live together should try hard to get along peacefully

A

Birds in their little nests agree

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126
Q

A really difficult person or thing

A

He’s really a bitch of a person

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127
Q

More than one can deal with

A

Maybe I bit off more than I could chew

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128
Q

To literally bite one’s nails from nervousness

A

Bite one’s nails

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129
Q

Struggle not to say something you really want to say

A

Bite your tongue

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130
Q

Speak sharply with great anger

A

I made some comment and he bit my head off

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131
Q

To do harm to someone who does good things for you

A

Bite the hand 🖐️ that feeds you

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132
Q

An expression said to someone who has just stated an unpleasant supposition that unfortunately may be true

A

Bite your tongue!

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133
Q

Having the same need, desire or obsession

A

Bitten by the same bug

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134
Q

Evil as described

A

He’s not as black as you painted him

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135
Q

Prevent the broadcast of specific television or radio program

A

Will they black out the game

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136
Q

Leave for a destination quickly

A

I’m blasting off

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137
Q

Do early work that others will follow up on

A

Blaze a trail

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138
Q

To feel the emotional pain that someone else is feeling

A

Bleed for someone

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139
Q

Replace a word or phrase in a radio or television broadcast with some sort of covering tone

A

Bleep something out

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140
Q

Be thankful that something happened

A

I bless my stars that it happened

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141
Q

If you don’t expect good things to happen, you will not be disappointed when they fail to happen

A

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed

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142
Q

Someone who is not capable of dealing with a situation is guiding someone else who is not capable of dealing with it

A

The blind leading the blind

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143
Q

To be overcome with happiness

A

Bliss out

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144
Q

People who are related have stronger obligations to each other than to people outside the family

A

Blood runs thicker than water

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145
Q

The signs of great personal effort

A

After years of blood, sweat and tears

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146
Q

A person whose ancestors had certain characteristics often bad ones will eventually turn out to be similar

A

Blood will tell

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147
Q

Showing signs of struggle but not defeated

A

Bloody but unbowed

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148
Q

Develop or grow quickly

A

Blossom forth

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149
Q

A sight that spoils the look of a place

A

A blot on the landscape

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150
Q

Changeable or uncertain about something

A

You keep on blowing hold and cold about this. Make up your mind

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151
Q

Forget something or someone

A

Blot something or someone out

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152
Q

Lose strength and stop

A

It would blow itself out

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153
Q

Brag

A

Blow one’s own horn

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154
Q

To overwhelm a person

A

Blow someone away

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155
Q

report someone’s wrongdoing

A

Blow the whistle on someone

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156
Q

Angry outburst

A

Blowup

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157
Q

Detailed description

A

Blow by blow description

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158
Q

Get out of a difficult situation by deception

A

Bluff his way out of it

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159
Q

Mislead or deceive someone into doing something

A

He’s bluffing you into doing it

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160
Q

Foretell or portend fortune or misfortune for someone or something

A

Things are not boding well for the future of the company

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161
Q

Sudden surprise

A

Bolt from the blue

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162
Q

Ask someone many questions

A

Bombard someone with questions

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163
Q

Make transportation arrangements for someone

A

Book someone through

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164
Q

Make transportation arrangements for someone

A

Book someone through

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165
Q

To say something very loud

A

Boom something out

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166
Q

Born to an unmarried mother

A

Born out of wedlock

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167
Q

Born into wealth and privilege

A

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth

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168
Q

Make trouble for oneself

A

Borrow trouble

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169
Q

Close friend

A

Bosom buddy

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170
Q

Drinking alcohol

A

He tried to stay away from the bottle

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171
Q

The final outcome is

A

The bottom-line is

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172
Q

Something of the lowest quality

A

The bottom of the barrel

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173
Q

To reach the worst part of something

A

My problems seem to be bottoming out

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174
Q

An expression said as a toast when people are drinking together

A

Here’s to you

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175
Q

Yield to someone’s demands

A

Bow to someone’s demands

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176
Q

To reduce the number of one’s alternatives

A

Box someone in

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177
Q

A private group of men who make decisions usually political decisions

A

The backroom boys

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178
Q

Boys are expected to be irresponsible or boisterous

A

Boys will be boys

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179
Q

When things go wrong they go completely wrong

A

The bread always falls on the buttered side

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180
Q

Food is necessary for people to survive

A

Bread is the staff of life

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181
Q

A letter or note written to follow up on a visit

A

A bread-and-butter letter

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182
Q

End a habit

A

Break the habit

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183
Q

Goodluck

A

Break a leg!

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184
Q

To be the first to broadcast the story of an event

A

Break a story

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185
Q

Sever a relationship with another person

A

Break free from someone

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186
Q

Interrupt someone’s conversation

A

Feel free to break in if it’s an emergency

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187
Q

Stop fighting, stop arguing

A

Break it up

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188
Q

Begin to do something no one else has done

A

Break new ground

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189
Q

Utter or emit laughter, a cry or a shout

A

I broke out with laughter and cheer

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190
Q

Force someone to give up

A

They wanted to break him down

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191
Q

Cushion a person falling

A

Break someone’s fall

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192
Q

The point at which nerves or one’s mental state can endure no more.

A

Breaking point

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193
Q

Sigh in a way that signals one’s relief that something is coming to an end

A

Breathing a sigh of relief

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194
Q

To represent an approaching deadline

A

The deadline is breathing down my neck

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195
Q

One’s character or lack of it will become known

A

I feel like it’s breeding that will tell

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196
Q

Jokes and humorous stories are funnier when they are short

A

Brevity is the soul of wit

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197
Q

To do something that will serve temporarily

A

We could bridge the gap by buying a car

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198
Q

To cause someone to behave in the best manner

A

Bring out the best in someone

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199
Q

Help someone euphoric become more realistic

A

It brought all of us down to earth

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200
Q

To cause sth to be seen

A

Bring into view

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201
Q

Help someone endure something

A

Bring someone through

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202
Q

Attempt to get people to agree with one another

A

I tried to bring them together

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203
Q

Make something happen

A

I feel like I can bring that about

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204
Q

Cause sth to happen

A

Oh we can bring it off

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205
Q

To complete sth successfully

A

We’ve brought it to a successful conclusion

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206
Q

Demonstrate one’s anger

A

Bristling with anger

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207
Q

Wishes or desires that cannot be fulfilled

A

Broken dreams

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208
Q

Fret or be depressed about something

A

Brood about

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209
Q

To make someone angry

A

You really brown me off

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210
Q

To look or survey different items of reading material

A

Browse among

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211
Q

A very bright and promising young person

A

A budding genius

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212
Q

Become overly familiar or friendly with someone

A

Buddy up

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213
Q

Develop something superior to a device that is rarely used

A

Build a better mousetrap

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214
Q

Make plans that can never come true

A

Build castles in Spain

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215
Q

An expression that praises someone’s courage
Mostly sarcastic

A

Bully for you

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216
Q

Well-built

A

That house is built like a brick outhouse

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217
Q

Bullies will only intimidate people who are much weaker than they are because they’re afraid of losing a fight

A

A bully is a coward

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218
Q

A punch from a closed fist 🤛

A

A bunch of fives

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219
Q

To chastise one severely or excessively

A

I made a simple mistake and you’re burning me at the stake for it

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220
Q

To create future problems for oneself

A

Aren’t we burning bridges in front of us ?

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221
Q

To be quietly and intensely angry

A

Burning with a low blue flame

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222
Q

If something has hurt you once, you avoid it after that

A

A burnt child dreads the fire

223
Q

Come into view suddenly

A

Burst into sight

224
Q

Appear suddenly in a location

A

So he suddenly burst onto the scene

225
Q

Ignore or hide from obvious signs of danger

A

Bury your head in the sand

226
Q

He loves me a great deal or amount

A

Yeah he loves me a bushel and a peck

227
Q

You should finish your work before starting to relax and enjoy yourself

A

Business before pleasure

228
Q

The part or end of something that actually does the work or carries the procedure

A

The business end of something

229
Q

Not busy at all

A

Yeah you’re as busy as a hibernating bear

230
Q

If it were not for someone or something

A

But for the dream, we would have given up a long time ago

231
Q

The reason for or aim of a joke

A

Butt of a joke

232
Q

Someone is acting as if innocent

A

You’re acting as though butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth

233
Q

To provide extra support

A

Buttress something up

234
Q

Buy something without seeing it first

A

So you bought it sight unseen

235
Q

Encourage trouble

A

Buy trouble

236
Q

Just barely or by a very small distance

A

By a hair’s breadth

237
Q

By a great distance

A

You’ve missed it by a mile

238
Q

According to what people are saying

A

By all accounts

239
Q

At some time in the future or as time passes

A

By and by

240
Q

Generally or usually

A

By and large

241
Q

On foot

A

By ankle express

242
Q

By any way possible

A

By any means

243
Q

Achieve it by means of that thing

A

I did it by dint of hard work

244
Q

Owing to a tendency to do something that has become a habit

A

I just did it by force of habit

245
Q

With the use of something

A

By means of a car

246
Q

Absolutely not or certainly not

A

By no means

247
Q

Following the rules exactly

A

By the book

248
Q

By memorization

A

By rote

249
Q

One day at a time

A

I’ll rent this room by the day

250
Q

At each hour or once each hour

A

By the hour

251
Q

One month at a time

A

By the month

252
Q

A phrase indicating that the speaker is introducing parallel or closely contrasting information

A

By the same token

Tom: I really got cheated! Bob: You think they’ve cheated you, but, by the same token, they believe that you’ve cheated them

253
Q

Goodbye for now

A

Bye for now

254
Q

Via something

A

By way of something

255
Q

By speaking rather than writing

A

By word of mouth

256
Q

To speak frankly about something

A

Oh but if we’re calling a spade a spade, we’re not that close

257
Q

Coax or persuade someone

A

Cajole someone into

258
Q

Think about a plan or something

A

Let me calculate on this a little bit

259
Q

Demand that something be stopped

A

We called a halt to it

260
Q

Telephone a number of different people

A

Call around

261
Q

He decides on the course of action

A

He calls the shots

262
Q

Call one’s place of work to say that one is ill

A

Call in sick

263
Q

To announce that one is quitting

A

I’m calling it quits on this one

264
Q

The need to go to the lavatory

A

Answering nature’s call

265
Q

It requires

A

This job calls on your creative abilities

266
Q

Speak loudly to get someone’s attention

A

Call out to

267
Q

To examine or re-examine the qualifications of someone or something or call doubts on something

A

I feel like what he said could be called to question

268
Q

Demand that someone proves a claim

A

I’ll call your bluff

269
Q

Ask one to explain or justify one’s behaviour

A

He called him to account

270
Q

Formally request that something be returned

A

He asked that the cars be called in

271
Q

Cancel an event

A

Call off

272
Q

Summon information from a computer

A

Call up

273
Q

Choose someone to do or help with a particular task

A

Call on Kwesi. He could help

274
Q

I can definitely do it

A

Can do

275
Q

Shut up

A

Can it

276
Q

Can just forget about something

A

I feel he can just whistle for it. It’s unlikely that it’ll happen

277
Q

A set of problems or an array of difficulties

A

It’s a can of worms

278
Q

Someone who is likely to die

A

A candidate for a pair of wings

279
Q

Working for other people all the time

A

Can’t call your soul your own

280
Q

Unable to sing a simple melody or lack musical ability

A

I cannot carry a tune

281
Q

Unable to do the job

A

I can’t hack it

282
Q

Unable to choose any but one course of action

A

Can’t help but to go there

283
Q

Not to be equal with someone

A

Can’t hold a candle to him

284
Q

I am not sure

A

Can’t say I do, can’t say I don’t

285
Q

Can’t function often because of a strong emotion

A

Can’t see straight

286
Q

Unable to tolerate something

A

I’m not able to stand the sight of those things

287
Q

To be very eager as if to be unable to endure the wait for something to happen

A

Can’t wait

288
Q

Exploit something such as an opportunity or talent

A

Capitalize on it

289
Q

Stimulate someone’s imagination

A

Capture someone’s imagination

290
Q

To have no regard for something

A

For me I care nothing about opinions

291
Q

To be very influential to someone or a group of people

A

Your argument doesn’t carry a lot of weight

292
Q

Never reveal a secret

A

Carry a secret to the grave

293
Q

To be in love with someone who is not in love with you

A

You’re still carrying a torch for Jane

294
Q

To do something that is redundant or duplicative

A

Carrying coals to Newcastle

295
Q

Manage to continue or endure in spite of problems

A

Carry on somehow

296
Q

Continue on to some place or what you were doing

A

Oh carry on

297
Q

To do one’s share or one’s responsibility

A

We each have to carry our own weight

298
Q

Have in mind the memory or sense of presence of another person with oneself

A

She carries around her brother with her in her memories

299
Q

To be the source of transportation for someone

A

Carry someone around

300
Q

Bring or take something with you

A

Carry it along

301
Q

Take something back to where it came from

A

Carry something back

302
Q

To sustain someone (as someone’s expenses or needs) during something

A

Can this carry you through?

303
Q

To continue to do something as a tradition

A

We intend to carry this celebration on as long as the family can gather for the holidays

304
Q

To be in charge or to be considered reliable enough to make sure that a job gets done

A

Why don’t you carry the ball for us

305
Q

To win a competition or argument

A

You carried/won the day

306
Q

To lead

A

To carry the torch

307
Q

To appear or behave as if burdened by all the problems in the whole world

A

You look like you’re carrying the whole world on your shoulders

308
Q

Freedom or permission to act as one wishes or thinks necessary

A

Given carte blanche

309
Q

The incorrect identification of someone

A

It’s a case of mistaken identity

310
Q

Permanent or not subject to change

A

It hasn’t been carved in stone yet but it looks like it’s going to be

311
Q

A situation where people who don’t know how to do something try to teach other people

A

This is a case of the blind leading the blind

312
Q

To make a rude and insulting remark

A

I don’t like to cast aspersions on others

313
Q

Act generous because you feel it is right and not because you expect a reward

A

I’m just casting my bread upon the waters

314
Q

Tilt your head downward most often used to imply or signify shame

A

Cast your eyes down

315
Q

To join in with someone or a group

A

He cast his lot in with the others

316
Q

Choose someone to play a particular role in a play

A

Cast him as the young singer

317
Q

Dispose someone

A

So you guys casted him aside

318
Q

No one is so important that an ordinary person cannot look at him or her

A

Fred: You shouldn’t stare at me like that. I’m your boss
Jill: A cat can look at a king

319
Q

Sometimes you cannot get what you want by being careful and polite

A

A cat in gloves catches no mice

320
Q

Thrust someone into something such as fame, glory, etc

A

So it catapulted her into the spotlight

321
Q

Become popular

A

We have to advertise before it catches on

322
Q

To get some sleep

A

Catch some zZs

323
Q

To attempt to speak or deal with someone at a time inconvenient for that person

A

I caught him at a bad time

324
Q

To discover the truth about someone’s deception

A

He wanted to catch me out but I stuck to my story

325
Q

A hidden problem associated with something

A

But there’s a catch to it

326
Q

Left without money temporarily

A

Caught short

327
Q

Deeply involved in something or actively participating in something

A

I’m caught up in something but I’d be done soon

328
Q

Cause a shock or dismay in people

A

Cause raised eyebrows

329
Q

Warn someone against something

A

Caution someone about something

330
Q

To make someone or something the central point in something

A

It centers around your ability to keep silent

331
Q

Someone whom you know but do not wish to name

A

A certain party

332
Q

A successful group or team relies on each member doing well

A

A chain is no stronger than its weakest link

333
Q

Sequence of holders of responsibility in a hierarchy

A

Chain of command

334
Q

To explain something carefully to someone as if one were talking about a chalk drawing

A

I just want to chalk out the details

335
Q

To try doing something while being aware of the risk involved

A

You want to chance it?

336
Q

The likelihood is

A

Chances are

337
Q

To be sold or passed from owner to owner

A

How many times has it changed hands

338
Q

Make major changes in an activity that has already begun

A

Change horses in midstream

339
Q

Addition of some variety in one’s life, routine or abode

A

Going for a jog every morning will be a change of pace

340
Q

Move to a different place where the surroundings are different

A

A change of scenery

341
Q

To alternate in doing something

A

Let’s change off every 30 minutes

342
Q

To take off a set of clothing and put on another

A

I have to change out of these clothes

343
Q

Trade or exchange situations or locations with someone

A

I wouldn’t want to change places

344
Q

Very specifically detailed

A

He gave chapter and verse of his associate’s activities

345
Q

Seriously harming someone’s reputation

A

Character assassination

346
Q

Run wildly into a place

A

Charge into a place

347
Q

Move quickly forward to attack someone or something

A

Charge at someone

348
Q

Use very charming behavior to persuade someone to do something

A

Charm the pants off someone

349
Q

To try to scare off someone or something

A

The squirrel chattered away at the crow

350
Q

To get something from someone by deception

A

You’re trying to cheat me of what is rightfully mine

351
Q

Inquire of someone again at a later time

A

Check back with him

352
Q

To be correctly represented

A

Checks out
Everything you told me checks out with what other witnesses said

353
Q

To go to the bathroom

A

I think it’d be better if I checked out the plumbing before we got on the highway

354
Q

To talk something over usually while eating

A

Maybe we can chew it over at lunch

355
Q

Choose something very carefully

A

Cherry-pick 🍒

356
Q

To allow one to pass after checking their identity

A

Check someone or something through

357
Q

Encourage someone or a group to continue to do well as by cheering

A

Cheer her on

358
Q

To chat or gossip

A

They were just chewing the fat

359
Q

The person in charge of practically everything

A

He’s the chief cook and bottom washer. He does everything

360
Q

People’s personalities form when they are children

A

The child is father of the man

361
Q

Something very easy to do

A

Child’s play

362
Q

Cowardly

A

Maybe he’s chicken-hearted

363
Q

Calm down

A

Cool out

364
Q

To add a comment to the discussion

A

He chimed in with a suggestion

365
Q

To break off in small chips

A

Chip away

366
Q

To contribute money for a gift for someone

A

Would you like to chip in with a few bucks on a gift for Carol

367
Q

To use deception to get a share of something

A

I want to chisel in on the deal

368
Q

Stop someone in the middle of a sentence or speech

A

Chop someone off

369
Q

To eat something usually quickly or without good manners

A

Chow it down

370
Q

To tap someone, as a child, lightly under the chin, as a sign of affection

A

He chucked me under the chin

371
Q

Things have not yet reached the end

A

Church doesn’t close till they’re done singing bro. Sit down and observe the match

372
Q

In unusual situations, people are allowed to do unusual things

A

Circumstances alter cases

373
Q

To make something travel through something

A

We circulated it through the members of the class

374
Q

To move at random within a gathering of people or thing

A

He circulated among them serving drinks

375
Q

To honor someone for doing something

A

They cited her for her hard work

376
Q

To charge someone for breaking the law

A

They cited him for driving too fast

377
Q

It never hurts you to be polite

A

Courtesy costs nothing

378
Q

To say nothing

A

I just decided to clam up

379
Q

Raise a great outcry against something

A

Clamor against something

380
Q

Wage a battle or a war against

A

Clash against

381
Q

A physician’s determination that a person is in good condition, especially following an illness or surgery

A

She got/has a clean bill of health from the doctor

382
Q

To reform your conduct or improve your performance

A

Clean your act up

383
Q

Broad movement clearing or affecting everything in its pathway

A

Everybody got a pay rise. It was a clean sweep

384
Q

Beat someone up

A

Clean the floor up with someone

385
Q

Having to do with a person (usually male) who is neat and tidy

A

Oh yeah he’s a clean-cut guy

386
Q

Very clear or transparent

A

Clear as crystal

387
Q

Not clear at all

A

I did all the reading but it’s still clear as mud

388
Q

A situation where progress is made without any difficulty

A

Oh yeah it was smooth sailing

389
Q

To show that a person is innocent or to exonerate someone of a crime

A

They’ve been able to clear themselves of the charges

390
Q

To prove that someone is not guilty

A

Clear someone’s name

391
Q

To approve the release of something so it can be published

A

Clear it for publication

392
Q

Get out of the way because someone or something is coming through and needs room

A

Clear the way

393
Q

To hold on tightly to each other

A

Cling together

394
Q

Reduce it put an end to someone’s privileges

A

You had better learn how to behave or I’ll clip your wings

395
Q

Hide or conceal something or someone in secrecy

A

I like to cloak my life in secrecy

396
Q

Involving secrecy or plotting

A

Great deal of cloak-and-dagger stuff

397
Q

To record someone’s time of arrival

A

Clock in

398
Q

Someone who’s always looking at the clock anticipating when something will be over

A

Clock-watcher

399
Q

To obstruct a channel

A

The leaves will clog the gutter up

400
Q

To constipate someone

A

This food clogs me up

401
Q

To formally conclude bargaining

A

Should I close the deal

402
Q

To seal the bargain for the sale of something

A

The salesman closed the sale and that was it

403
Q

Within reach

A

It should be close at hand

404
Q

Very close

A

We’re close enough to use the same toothpick

405
Q

Done just well enough

A

Close enough for government work

406
Q

To formally complete the sale and transfer of property especially real estate

A

We closed on the new house in April

407
Q

To ignore something or to pretend that something is not happening

A

Just close your eyes on it

408
Q

A narrow escape

A

That was a close call

409
Q

Prevent someone from getting into something

A

I entered but they closed everyone out after me, in the line

410
Q

Shut the door on someone

A

Close the door on him

411
Q

To quit working for the day or forever

A

Let’s close up shop

412
Q

Affecting one personally and intimately

A

It was a bit close to home

413
Q

Dress someone in something

A

Clothe someone in something

414
Q

People judge you according to what you dress

A

Clothes make the man

415
Q

To put someone into a private room with someone else for the purposes of conducting business

A

I want to closet myself with her

416
Q

For something once clear to become opaque

A

My vision seems to be clouding over

417
Q

To join with someone in acting silly or to act silly together

A

The boys are just clowning around (with one another)

418
Q

Inform someone of something

A

Please clue me in on what’s happening

419
Q

Surround someone or something

A

Cluster around

420
Q

To continue to seek solutions, ideas, or hopes that are insubstantial

A

You’re just clutching at straws

421
Q

There is no visible danger

A

The coast is clear

422
Q

Someone who acts more important than others in a group

A

Cock of the walk

423
Q

To exist agreeably or tolerably with or at the same time as someone or something

A

Co-exist with something

424
Q

A book that is more suitable for display than for reading, typically, an oversize, illustrated book left on the coffee table for visitors to examine

A

A coffee-table book

425
Q

To create a new expression

A

To coin a phrase

426
Q

To match something or for something to happen at the same time as something else

A

The pattern coincides with the pattern we see on the carpet

427
Q

No comfort or consolation at all

A

She knows that but that’s cold comfort
It’s cold comfort to her that others also failed

428
Q

A person who is distant and unfeeling

A

A cold fish

429
Q

To work together on something with someone or a group

A

We could collaborate with them

430
Q

To fall into a kind of despair

A

He collapsed into depression

431
Q

To look all over or all through something

A

I combed through all the drawers but I didn’t find it

432
Q

Will not be surprising

A

It came as no surprise that he was lying

433
Q

To return without anything

A

Don’t come away empty-handed

434
Q

To go away or travel with someone

A

Come away with me for a ride

435
Q

Come visit me again

A

Come back and see me

436
Q

The consequences of a bad decision can affect one negatively later

A

It’s a decision that could return to haunt you

437
Q

To return to someone’s consciousness

A

Everything you said and all the memories just came back to me

438
Q

Come back again sometime when your visit can be longer

A

Come back when you can stay longer

439
Q

To break up a pair of lovers

A

I don’t want to come between Terri and Jeff

440
Q

To travel by a specific means

A

We came by train

441
Q

A letdown

A

It’s hard to recover from a comedown like that

442
Q

To begin to recover from the effects of alcohol or drug intoxication

A

She came down slow from her addiction

443
Q

To descend through inheritance

A

It came down to me from my grandmother

444
Q

To become realistic

A

Come down to earth

445
Q

To advance from a losing position

A

They came from behind and won

446
Q

To return to the original position or state of affairs

A

When things come full circle, we’ll go

447
Q

To be useful

A

Come in handy

448
Q

To become second to someone or something

A

Come off second best

449
Q

Stop it or stop doing that

A

Come on

450
Q

To project someone’s image as something

A

It could come on as

451
Q

To begin work at one’s scheduled time

A

When do you come on duty

452
Q

Get into the water and swim

A

Come on in, the water’s fine

453
Q

Attempt to interest someone romantically

A

He tried to come on to me

454
Q

To announce that one is opposed to someone or something

A

He came out against corruption

455
Q

To come from an unexpected place

A

Come out left field

456
Q

To end with less than one started with

A

To come out of the little end of the horn

457
Q

Arrive at home to something or someone

A

You will come home to it

458
Q

Could prove useful

A

It could come in handy

459
Q

To seek shelter from the rain

A

Come in out of the rain

460
Q

To become notable or renowned

A

Come into prominence

461
Q

Become an important factor in something

A

All the hard work will come into play in the exams

462
Q

To get some money unexpectedly, usually by inheritance

A

Come into a (small) fortune

463
Q

To experience something unpleasant or damaging

A

Otherwise at the end he could come to grief because he did not follow instructions

464
Q

End badly

A

Come to no good

465
Q

Occur or turn out as expected

A

Come into fruition

466
Q

Learn to accept someone or something

A

Come to terms with something or someone

467
Q

Arrive and provide assistance to someone

A

Come to her assistance

468
Q

Resulted in this situation?

A

So it has come to this?

469
Q

To stop what one is doing for a different activity or rest

A

Come up for air a little bit

470
Q

To end up looking good or respectable after being involved in a notorious affair

A

I was surprised that he came up smelling like a rose after his colleagues investigated him

471
Q

To rise to a position of leadership by working up through the sequence of lower position

A

He came up through the ranks

472
Q

No matter what might happen

A

Come what may

473
Q

To be as good as someone expected

A

She came up to my expectations

474
Q

To be expected under circumstances like this

A

There is a lot of paperwork in this job. Oh, well, I guess it comes with the territory

475
Q

To be in the category of something

A

This doesn’t come within my area of expertise

476
Q

Significant events are often preceded by signs that they are about to happen

A

Coming events cast their shadows before

477
Q

Praise someone for doing something

A

We could commend him for the help

478
Q

To share one’s misery with someone who is also miserable

A

I wanted to commiserate with him

479
Q

A similar pattern or idea to a series of events

A

All of these incidents are related. There is a common thread to all this

480
Q

To experience wordless or spiritual communication with something

A

I like to commune with my inner self

481
Q

Counteract to make up for something

A

Compensate for

482
Q

To conform to something

A

We could comply to what they’ve said

483
Q

To yield to something or a group

A

We could concede to his demands

484
Q

Reduce something to something

A

I think we can condense this to a page

485
Q

Trust someone with one’s secrets

A

Confide in

486
Q

People sometimes fear to do what they want or what they believe is necessary because they think it is wrong

A

Conscience does make cowards of us all

487
Q

To call someone into the military service

A

He was conscripted into the army

488
Q

To have sex with

A

It is rumored that she consorted with numerous men

489
Q

Noticeably absent

A

Class prefect didn’t come for the class meeting. He was conspicuous by his absence

490
Q

Join someone in a plot against someone or something else

A

So they were conspiring against me

491
Q

Persistence accomplishes things

A

Constant dropping wears away a stone. So, I’ll continue to persist

492
Q

To ask someone about something to someone

A

Maybe you could consult with Joe

493
Q

If you are mentally at peace, you will always feel that you have enough of everything, and will not have to strive to get more

A

A contented mind is a perpetual feast

494
Q

To keep going by starting to do something else or the next step

A

You are doing very well in this piano lesson. You can continue by playing the other sonata

495
Q

A statement containing a seeming contradiction

A

Isn’t that a contradiction in terms?

496
Q

In spite of something that seems to suggest otherwise

A

Contrary to public opinion, I am not a nice person

497
Q

To examine people or things in a way that will show their differences

A

Contrast Sally with Sam
Contrast the busy geometry of a Gothic cathedral to the simple lines of an old Saxon castle

498
Q

Power to direct or manage something

A

Have more control over

499
Q

To be different from someone

A

Alia’s cherry attitude contrasts with Arabia’s gloomy attitude

500
Q

To be in charge of the money

A

He controls the purse strings

501
Q

To recuperate from a disease

A

I’m now convalescing from it

502
Q

To pronounce someone guilty of something

A

Convict him of it

503
Q

To arrange a plan or to do something with someone

A

Maybe we could cook something up

504
Q

To cook something perfectly

A

I can’t cook it to perfection

505
Q

To cheat in book-keeping

A

Cook the books

506
Q

Contrived

A

It sounds cooked up

507
Q

Very calm and poised

A

Cool, calm and collected

508
Q

The idea or influence of less emotional people prevail

A

Cooler heads prevail

509
Q

To plead guilty for a lesser charge

A

He was trying to cop a plea

510
Q

Withdraw from doing something

A

I copped out of it

511
Q

To obtain a monopoly of something

A

Corner the market

512
Q

To agree to someone

A

It’s not like I’m cottoning to your way of thinking

513
Q

To express something in a carefully chosen way

A

So I decided to couch my words in a diplomatic manner

514
Q

To want or need someone or something

A

I could do with a drink right now

515
Q

Totally happy

A

I couldn’t be happier

516
Q

Unable to care at all or it does not matter at all

A

I could care less

517
Q

Exclude someone from something

A

Count him out

518
Q

Treat or think of something as being a certain thing

A

I count this as a win

519
Q

A great distance

A

A country mile

520
Q

The procedures or sequence of an action that someone will follow to achieve a specific goal

A

So what’s the course of action

521
Q

People in love with each other often have to overcome difficulties in order to be together

A

The course of true love never did run smooth

522
Q

Flow rapidly through something

A

It could help us to course through it

523
Q

To deal with much information or more facts

A

Today we’ve covered a lot of ground

524
Q

To make excuses for someone

A

Cover for me

525
Q

To conceal one’s past activities

A

Cover his tracks

526
Q

To deal with every detail concerning a topic

A

Her talk really covered the waterfront

527
Q

To deal with all matters relating to a topic

A

He covered the territory in one hour

528
Q

To intimidate someone into doing something through the use of guilt and shame

A

You can’t cow me into doing it

529
Q

Cowards are often afraid that they are going to die, so that they often feel what it is like to die while brave people only feel the fear of death when they are really about to die.

A

Cowards die many times before their deaths

530
Q

To try to increase one’s influence with someone by being extra nice and friendly

A

He tried to cozy up with me

531
Q

To become strict at enforcing rules about something

A

They are trying to crack down on us

532
Q

To open a book to study

A

To crack a book

533
Q

To have a mental or emotional collapse because of continued work or stress

A

Don’t crack under the strain from all the learning

534
Q

To study hard for an exam

A

I have to cram for the test now

535
Q

Stuff someone into something

A

Can you cram seven kids into that car

536
Q

To open the window or door a very small amount

A

Crack the window or door open

537
Q

To limit someone in someway

A

To tell him that would really be cramping his style

538
Q

To fall spectacularly

A

They crashed and burned just as they predicted

539
Q

A short and intense training course on something

A

A crash course in genetics

540
Q

Spend the night at someone’s place

A

I’m crushing with him

541
Q

To go back to someone humbly perhaps asking for forgiveness

A

You’re crawling back to me

542
Q

The best of all

A

The cream of the crop

543
Q

Stupid or insane

A

Crazy in the head

544
Q

Very fond of someone or something

A

You’re very crazy about it

545
Q

Full of something

A

The place is crawling with insects

546
Q

Sickly people often live longer than healthy ones

A

The creaking door hangs the longest

547
Q

To wrinkle one’s clothing

A

You will crease it up

548
Q

Things that make people comfortable

A

All the creature comforts were there

549
Q

To cause an outburst or sensation

A

Create an uproar

550
Q

To move slowly and carefully underneath something

A

I was creeping under the table

551
Q

A state of anxiety or uneasiness

A

It gives me the creeps

552
Q

Crime will ultimately not benefit a person

A

Crime doesn’t pay

553
Q

Worry excessively about something before it happens

A

There is no sense in crossing that bridge before you come to it

Idioms (2 decks)

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