English idioms

Question 1

A blessing in disguise

Answer 1

a good thing that seemed bad at first.

Dutch translation: geluk bij ongeluk

Sentence example: Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise

Question 2

A dime a dozen

Answer 2

something common.

Sentence: Jan, girls like that are a dime a dozen

Question 3

Beat around the bush

Answer 3

Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable.

Dutch translation: rond de pot draaien.

Sentence: Quit beating around the bush and tell me what you really want.

Question 4

Better late than never

Answer 4

Better to arrive late than not to come at all

Dutch translation: Beter laat dan nooit.

Sentence: I am happy that you have come, better late dan never.

Question 5

Bite the bullet

Answer 5

To get something over with because it is inevitable.

Dutch translation: zure appel doorbijten.

Sentence: When the time comes, I’ll bite the bullet and take my punishment without a fuss.

Question 6

Break a leg

Answer 6

Good luck

Question 7

Call it a day

Answer 7

Stop working on something.

Sentence: I’m getting a bit tired now - let’s call it a day.

Question 8

Cut somebody some slack

Answer 8

Don’t be so critical

Sentence: Because it was the last day of class, the teachers cut us some slack.

Question 9

Cutting corners

Answer 9

Doing something poorly in order to save time or money.

Sentence: I don’t like to cut corners when I have company for dinner.

Question 10

Easy does it

Answer 10

Slow down.

Sentence example: Sandra: I asked him for a simple drawing! To be honest, I am so angry right now. Andrew: Easy does it, Sandra. We will make sure he refunds the money.

Question 11

Get out of hand

Answer 11

Get out of control

Question 12

Get something out of your system

Answer 12

Do the thing you’ve been wanting to do so you can move on

Question 13

Get your act together

Answer 13

Work better or leave

Question 14

Give someone the benefit of the doubt

Answer 14

Trust what someone says

Question 15

Go back to the drawing board

Answer 15

Start over

Sentence example: We need to go back to the drawing board, and we need to become involved in those issues.

Question 16

Hang in there

Answer 16

Don’t give up

Question 17

Hit the sack

Answer 17

Go to sleep

Question 18

It’s not rocket science

Answer 18

It’s not complicated

Question 19

Let someone off the hook

Answer 19

To not hold someone responsible for something

Question 20

Make a long story short

Answer 20

Tell something briefly

Question 21

Miss the boat

Answer 21

It’s too late

Question 22

No pain, no gain

Answer 22

You have to work for what you want

Question 23

On the ball

Answer 23

Doing a good job.

Sentence example: She really is on the ball; she’s bought houses at auctions so she knows what she’s doing.

Question 24

Pull someone’s leg

Answer 24

To joke with someone

Question 25

Pull yourself together

Answer 25

Calm down

Question 26

So far so good

Answer 26

Things are going well so far

Question 27

Speak of the devil

Answer 27

The person we were just talking about showed up!

Question 28

That’s the last straw

Answer 28

My patience has run out

Question 29

The best of both worlds

Answer 29

An ideal situation

Question 30

Time flies when you’re having fun

Answer 30

You don’t notice how long something lasts when it’s fun

Question 31

To get bent out of shape

Answer 31

To get upset.

Sentence example: They stopped inviting him to the gatherings, and he really got bent out of shape about it.

Question 32

To make matters worse

Answer 32

Make a problem worse.

Sentence example: Don’t let yourself despair; this will only make matters worse

Question 33

Under the weather

Answer 33

Sick.

Sentence example: I did not go to work today, as I was feeling a bit under the weather.

Question 34

We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it

Answer 34

Let’s not talk about that problem right now

Question 35

Wrap your head around something

Answer 35

Understand something complicated

Question 36

You can say that again

Answer 36

That’s true, I agree

Question 37

Your guess is as good as mine

Answer 37

I have no idea

Question 38

Irish goodbye

Answer 38

A slang phrase rumored to have originated in the Northeast, an “Irish goodbye” refers to a person ducking out of a party, social gathering or very bad date without bidding farewell. Other common names for the same type of silent departure include “French exit” and “Dutch leave” – all of which hint at negative ethno-cultural stereotyping.

Sentence: Brought me love and friendship. Exposed me to some incredible highs and horrific lows. Got me into therapy when it was still a dirty word in Ireland. Was I really going to pull an “Irish goodbye” now that things had got real

Question 39

Acid test

Answer 39

proves the effectiveness of something.

Sentence example: The acid test of a good driver is whether he or she remains calm in an emergency.

Question 40

Actions speak louder than words

Answer 40

People’s intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say.

Sentence example: She keeps promising that she’ll finish the project next week. It’s been three weeks already and, well, actions speak louder than words.

Question 41

Add insult to injury

Answer 41

To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavourable situation.

Sentence example: The company rejected his application for a job, and to add insult to injury, refused to pay his expenses.

Question 42

beacon of light

Answer 42

If someone acts as a beacon to other people, they inspire or encourage them.

Sentence example: Khabib is a beacon of light for the changing tone of MMA.

Question 43

hell’s bells and buckets of blood

Answer 43

(Dammit) Oh, hell’s bells and buckets of blood! I forgot my keys.