American Idioms 3, A Flashcards
A banner year
A particularly good or successful time
“2004 was a banner year for astronomy”.
A blast from the past
Something that suddenly makes you remember an earlier time in your life
“Hearing that record again was a real blast from the past”.
A bolt from the blue
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”.
A bone of contention
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”.
A case in point
A good example of something;
“Supermarkets often charge too much for goods. Bananas are a case in point”.
A cat on a hot tin roof
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”.
A chip off the old block
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!”
A closed book
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”.
A feather in your cap
An achievement to be proud of
“It’s a real feather in our cap to be playing in the state championship”.
A heavy heart
A feeling of unhappiness
“With a heavy heart, she turned to wave the final goodbye”.
A hot hand
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”.
A kick at the can
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”.
A knee-slapper
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?”
A knight in shining armor
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”.
A knuckle sandwich
A punch in the mouth
“If you keep mocking me, you’re going to get a knuckle sandwich!”
A long haul
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”.
A means to an end
Something done to achieve something else
“I didn’t particularly like the job - it was just a means to an end”.
A narrow escape
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!”
A one-track mind
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”.
A rap on/over the knuckle
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”.
A safe pair of hands
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”.
A shiver down one’s spine
A frightened or excited feeling
“At its most terrifying, his writing sends shivers up and down my spine”.
A stitch in time saves nine
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”.
A walk in the park
Something that is very easy to accomplish
“It’s clear that the role is a walk in the park for the veteran actor”.
A whole raft off
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”.
A word to the wise
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”.
Above board
Honest and not trying to deceive anyone
“The deal was completely open and above board”.
Air one’s dirty laundry
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”.
Airy-fairy
Impractical and foolishly idealistic
“She’s talking about buying an old castle in Ireland. It all sounds a bit airy-fairy to me”.
Alive and kicking
Active and healthy
“I thought for sure that old dog wouldn’t survive the winter, but he’s still alive and kicking!”
All of a dither
In a nervous, confused, or agitated state
“We were all of a dither waiting to meet the president at our school rally”.
All-weather friend
A genuine friend or ally whose support remains constant regardless of good or ill fortune
An itchy palm
A strong desire for money, especially bribes
“Whenever he sees expensive luggage, the hotel doorman gets an itching palm”.
An uphill task
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”.
Argy–Bargy
Loud argument or disagreement that is not usually serious
“A bit of argy-bargy between actor and director”.
As fast as lightning
Incredibly quickly or speedily
As good as done
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”.
As keen as mustard
Very excited and enthusiastic
“Kids are always as keen as mustard to learn new things around them”.
As nice as ninepence
Neat and tidy looking
“Bob’s home is as nice as ninepence ever since he has got married”.
Asleep at the switch
Not to be alert on the opportunity
“The security guard fell asleep at the switch and a robber broke in”.
At (or on) the heels of
Following closely after
“He headed off with Sammy at his heels”.
At beck and call
Ready to obey someone
“Just imagine what it’s like to have a cook and a maid at your beck and call”.
At sixes and sevens
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”.
At the end of your rope
To have no more patience or strength
“I’m at the end of my rope with these kids!”
At the helm of
In control, in charge
“She is the first woman to be at the helm of this corporation.
At the outset
At the beginning
“I told him at the outset I wasn’t interested, still, he keeps pestering me.
