American Idioms 3, A

Question 1

A banner year

Answer 1

A particularly good or successful time

“2004 was a banner year for astronomy”.

Question 2

A blast from the past

Answer 2

Something that suddenly makes you remember an earlier time in your life

“Hearing that record again was a real blast from the past”.

Question 3

A bolt from the blue

Answer 3

Something important or unusual that happens suddenly or unexpectedly

“The resignation of the chairman came like a bolt from the blue. a bolt from the blue”.

Question 4

A bone of contention

Answer 4

Something that two or more people argue about strongly over a long time

“Jerry leaving his dirty dishes in the sink for days became a bone of contention between him and his roommate”.

Question 5

A case in point

Answer 5

A good example of something;

“Supermarkets often charge too much for goods. Bananas are a case in point”.

Question 6

A cat on a hot tin roof

Answer 6

One who is anxious and unable to sit still or relax

“Waiting for the doctor to call with her test results, she’s been like a cat on a hot tin roof all day”.

Question 7

A chip off the old block

Answer 7

Someone whose character or personality resembles that of their parent

“Mike’s automotive repair skills really rival those of his father. He’s a real chip off the old block!”

Question 8

A closed book

Answer 8

Someone or something that is difficult to know or understand

“She’s such a private person that I don’t know much about her. I guess she’s a closed book”.

Question 9

A feather in your cap

Answer 9

An achievement to be proud of

“It’s a real feather in our cap to be playing in the state championship”.

Question 10

A heavy heart

Answer 10

A feeling of unhappiness

“With a heavy heart, she turned to wave the final goodbye”.

Question 11

A hot hand

Answer 11

A continuous period of great success, luck, or fortune; a winning streak

“I’m not usually any good at poker, but I had a hot hand last night”.

Question 12

A kick at the can

Answer 12

An opportunity to do, try, or achieve something

“He might not have been elected to office this term, but he’ll likely look for another kick at the can in November”.

Question 13

A knee-slapper

Answer 13

A hilarious joke, especially one that evokes loud and prolonged laughter

“My uncle told me a real knee-slapper the other day! Do you want to hear it?”

Question 14

A knight in shining armor

Answer 14

Someone who saves you from a difficult or dangerous situation

“Thank you so much for fixing my flat tire. You are a knight in shining armor”.

Question 15

A knuckle sandwich

Answer 15

A punch in the mouth

“If you keep mocking me, you’re going to get a knuckle sandwich!”

Question 16

A long haul

Answer 16

Something that takes a lot of time and energy

“When given the choice, Peter told his boss that he wouldn’t quit so soon. He’s in it for the long haul”.

Question 17

A means to an end

Answer 17

Something done to achieve something else

“I didn’t particularly like the job - it was just a means to an end”.

Question 18

A narrow escape

Answer 18

A situation in which danger or problems are barely avoided

“That guy barely made it over the tracks before the train came. What a narrow escape!”

Question 19

A one-track mind

Answer 19

To think about one particular thing and nothing else

“My sister has a one-track mind, only thinking about how something can further her career”.

Question 20

A rap on/over the knuckle

Answer 20

The act of speaking to someone severely because of something they have done or failed to do

“I got a rap on the knuckles for not finishing my essay on time”.

Question 21

A safe pair of hands

Answer 21

Someone whom you can trust to do an important job well, without making mistakes

“That struggling company really needs a leader who is a safe pair of hands and can make some positive changes”.

Question 22

A shiver down one’s spine

Answer 22

A frightened or excited feeling

“At its most terrifying, his writing sends shivers up and down my spine”.

Question 23

A stitch in time saves nine

Answer 23

Not wait to deal with a specific problem or you risk it getting much worse later on

“John said to his brother, “ You better bring your car to the shop while it’s still running because a stitch in time saves nine”.

Question 24

A walk in the park

Answer 24

Something that is very easy to accomplish

“It’s clear that the role is a walk in the park for the veteran actor”.

Question 25

A whole raft off

Answer 25

A very large number or collection of people or things

“We had a whole raft of problems on opening night, but I think most of the issues have been resolved”.

Question 26

A word to the wise

Answer 26

Used to say that one is about to give someone advice or a warning

“A word to the wise - don’t use Amy’s baby shower as an opportunity to announce your engagement”.

Question 27

Above board

Answer 27

Honest and not trying to deceive anyone

“The deal was completely open and above board”.

Question 28

Air one’s dirty laundry

Answer 28

To make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret

“I don’t understand why people go on talk shows and air their dirty laundry in public”.

Question 29

Airy-fairy

Answer 29

Impractical and foolishly idealistic

“She’s talking about buying an old castle in Ireland. It all sounds a bit airy-fairy to me”.

Question 30

Alive and kicking

Answer 30

Active and healthy

“I thought for sure that old dog wouldn’t survive the winter, but he’s still alive and kicking!”

Question 31

All of a dither

Answer 31

In a nervous, confused, or agitated state

“We were all of a dither waiting to meet the president at our school rally”.

Question 32

All-weather friend

Answer 32

A genuine friend or ally whose support remains constant regardless of good or ill fortune

Question 33

An itchy palm

Answer 33

A strong desire for money, especially bribes

“Whenever he sees expensive luggage, the hotel doorman gets an itching palm”.

Question 34

An uphill task

Answer 34

Something that is very difficult to do and needs a lot of and determination

“Rehabilitation of the affected population will be an uphill task for the government”.

Question 35

Argy–Bargy

Answer 35

Loud argument or disagreement that is not usually serious

“A bit of argy-bargy between actor and director”.

Question 36

As fast as lightning

Answer 36

Incredibly quickly or speedily

Question 37

As good as done

Answer 37

Finished in every practical or functional sense, almost completely done

“This project is as good as done, so I’m going home for the night”.

Question 38

As keen as mustard

Answer 38

Very excited and enthusiastic

“Kids are always as keen as mustard to learn new things around them”.

Question 39

As nice as ninepence

Answer 39

Neat and tidy looking

“Bob’s home is as nice as ninepence ever since he has got married”.

Question 40

Asleep at the switch

Answer 40

Not to be alert on the opportunity

“The security guard fell asleep at the switch and a robber broke in”.

Question 41

At (or on) the heels of

Answer 41

Following closely after

“He headed off with Sammy at his heels”.

Question 42

At beck and call

Answer 42

Ready to obey someone

“Just imagine what it’s like to have a cook and a maid at your beck and call”.

Question 43

At sixes and sevens

Answer 43

In a confused, badly organized, or difficult situation

“We’ve been at sixes and sevens in the office this week as the deadline is fast approaching”.

Question 44

At the end of your rope

Answer 44

To have no more patience or strength

“I’m at the end of my rope with these kids!”

Question 45

At the helm of

Answer 45

In control, in charge

“She is the first woman to be at the helm of this corporation.

Question 46

At the outset

Answer 46

At the beginning

“I told him at the outset I wasn’t interested, still, he keeps pestering me.