British Idioms-1 Flashcards
A penny for your thoughts
A way of asking someone to share their thoughts with you.
Ex: I’ll give you a penny if you tell me your thoughts.
Actions speak louder than words
What someone actually does means more than what they say.
Ex: He promises to finish the project next week. It’s been three weeks already and, well, actions speak louder than words.
The ball is in your court
It means it is up to you to make the next move.
Ex: I’ve helped him in every way I can – the ball’s in his court now.
Beat around the bush
A typical British saying that means you’re purposely avoiding the topic/subject, not speaking directly about the issue.
Ex: If you want to ask me, just ask; don’t beat around the bush.
Ex: I know you’re nervous about asking for a raise, but don’t beat around the bush. Be confident and direct.
Biting (off) more than you can chew
A classic idiom meaning you’re trying to accomplish something that is too difficult for you.
Ex: With two additional jobs, Bill is clearly biting off more than he can chew.
Ex: I bit off more than I can chew when I decided to take on this extra project.
Best/greatest thing since sliced bread
It means that something is a good invention or innovation – a good idea or a good plan.
Ex: He thinks wireless Internet access is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Ex: I don’t think I could live without my smartphone I use it to do so many things it is the best thing since sliced bread.
Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning being too inquisitive can lead you to an unpleasant situation. Finding out an answer may ruin the question for you.
Ex:
Q: Hey, I wonder what’s down that street; it looks awfully dark and creepy.
A: Let’s not try to find out. Curiosity killed the cat.
Don’t give up your day job
A saying to imply you are not very good at something, so you shouldn’t try it professionally, or at all.
Ex:
Q: What did you think of my singing, then?
A: Er, don’t give up the day job!
Elvis has left the building
The show/thing/event/task has come to end – it’s over.
Ex: As soon as I submit this last report, Elvis will have officially left the building.
Ex: After the movie credits rolled, my friend leaned over and whispered, “Well, I guess Elvis has left the building.
Hit the sack
The sack would be your bed - and you hitting it would be you going to bed.
Ex: I’ve got to get up early tomorrow, so I’m going to hit the sack.
It takes two to tango
Meaning certain actions need more than one person to work successfully. A tango with one person is not as successful as one with two people involved so therefore, it takes two to tango.
Ex: She may want to argue, but it takes two to tango and I won’t stoop to her level.
Kill two birds with one stone
When you accomplish two tasks in one go.
Ex: So, if you need to go to the bank, and you drop your library books off on the way - you’ll be killing two birds with one stone.
Method in/to (someone’s) madness
Despite something sounding crazy/absurd there is, in fact, a structure or reasoning behind it.
Ex: At the start of his presentation, it seemed that he was out of his mind, but when he finished, we saw that there was a method in his madness.
Not playing with the full deck
Def 1: A saying to suggest someone/something lacks intelligence or common sense.
Ex: He may be an influential person, but some of the things he does give the impression that he is not playing with a full deck.
Def 2: To not be completely honest in a contest or discussion and therefore have an unfair advantage over other people.
Ex: This guy is either very clever or he’s not playing with a full deck.
See eye to eye
When two or more people agree on something. You see eye to eye because you have the same views.
Ex: Though they work as a team, they often don’t see eye to eye on most issues.
Ex: His father and he see eye to eye on most things.
Speak of the devil
Used when the person in question arrives right in the queue - as if they knew you were talking about them.
Ex: Did you see Bob today? Oh, there he comes! Speak of the devil.
Steal (someone’s) thunder
To take credit for someone else’s work or to take the limelight where it’s not deserved.
Ex: They all worked together on the project, but while submitting it, one of them stole the thunder.
Ex: Somebody stole my thunder by leaking the designs I had made on the internet.
Taste of (someone’s) own medicine
Tasting your own medicine is when you get treated the way you’ve been treating others.
Ex: He is always late for appointments and keeps people waiting, so we decided to give him a taste of his own medicine.
Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning you have no idea. You simply know as much as the next person.
Ex:
Q: Do you know what he is doing?
A: Your guess is as good as mine.
Ex:
Q: How long do you think we should have to wait for the bus?
A: Your guess is as good as mine.
Have another/more than one string to (someone’s) bow
To have more than one interest, skill, or resource that you can use if you need to.
Ex: I enjoy my work, but I’d like to have another string to my bow in case I lose my job.
Ex: She is a multi-talented woman with many strings to her bow.
Catch someone red-handed
To catch someone while they are doing something wrong.
Ex: The teacher caught the student red-handed trying to cheat on the test.
Jump on the bandwagon
To join an activity that has become popular.
Ex: When healthy eating became popular, many people jumped on the bandwagon.
Go the extra mile
To make an extra effort.
Ex: Our teachers always go the extra mile to help students understand difficult topics.
Straight from the horse’s mouth
Information from the person who knows best.
Ex: I heard about the university’s new policy straight from the horse’s mouth – the vice-chancellor told us herself.
Once in a blue moon
Very rarely.
Ex: I only eat fast food once in a blue moon; I usually cook at home.
Let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret by mistake.
Ex: I let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party when I asked her what cake she liked.
