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English idioms Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

D: A phrase used when something does not make sense or is inconsistent.

Ex: “His explanation does not add up; I need more details.”

A

It does not add up

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2
Q

informal expression that may refer to a preference for people with a big appetite or larger physique.

Ex: “I like big belly; it shows you enjoy life and good food!”

A

I like big belly

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3
Q

used to indicate that someone is getting closer to the correct answer or understanding.

Ex: “With your last guess, I can say you’re getting warmer!”

A

I’m getting warmer

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4
Q

To become annoyed or frustrated with something after a prolonged experience.

Ex: “I’m starting to get fed up with the constant delays in the project.”

A

Get fed up

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5
Q

indicating that a situation has escalated or gotten out of control quickly.

Ex: “What started as a small argument snowballed into a full-blown fight.”

A

Things kind of snowballed

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6
Q

you are in a position to take the opportunities that life has to offer.
“I can do anything I want to, the world’s my oyster”

A

The world is your oyster

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7
Q

D: An idiom indicating that a situation has worsened or deteriorated.

Ex: “We thought the meeting would go well, but it went south quickly.”

A

The whole thing went south.

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8
Q

D: A remark that acknowledges strong support or approval from someone.

Ex: “When the CEO praised your work, that’s quite an endorsement for your promotion.”

A

That’s quite an endorsement.

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9
Q

D: An expression indicating that someone’s situation is worsening.

Ex are going downhill for you if you don’t change your habits.”

A

Things are going downhill for you.

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10
Q

D: An admonition to someone who is being arrogant or self-centered.

Ex: “You really need to get over yourself; not everything is about you.”

A

Get over yourself.

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11
Q

D: Used to indicate that someone should not criticize others if they have made similar mistakes.

Ex: “You all seem quick to judge; remember, he who is without sin can throw the first stone.”

A

Throw the first stone.

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12
Q

D: An expression used to indicate someone’s lack of interest or enthusiasm.

Ex: “You seem disinterested at best; are you really okay with this plan?”

A

You seem disinterested at best.

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13
Q

D: Used to express surprise at someone’s unexpected arrival.

Example: “Well, look what the cat dragged in! I didn’t expect to see you here!”

A

Look what the cat dragged in.

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14
Q

D: This idiom emphasizes that some actions or situations require the involvement of two people.

Ex: When a heated argument broke out between John and Sarah, their friend reminded them, “It takes two to tango. Both of you need to calm down and take responsibility for this.

A

It takes two to tango

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15
Q

D:This idiom emphasizes that some actions or situations require the involvement of two people.

Ex:Remember, no man is an island. We all need support sometimes.

A

No man is an island.

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16
Q

D: The expression is often used to describe someone who is not mentally stable.

Ex: He’s always saying the craziest things, he must be missing a few screws.

A

Missing a few screws

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17
Q

D: The expression is used to describe someone who is the best at what they do

Ex: I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I’m pretty good at problem-solving.

A

Sharpest tool in the shed

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18
Q

D: This expression is used to describe someone who is not very intelligent.

EX: She’s a couple of bricks short of a load if she thinks she can get away with that.

A

A couple of bricks short of a load

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19
Q

D: The expression “lost her marbles” is used to describe someone who has become irrational or crazy.

Ex: She was rambling on and on, I think she lost her marbles.

A

Lost her marbles

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20
Q

d: It means that making lots of money is easy. In other words, it is as if the money is there to be taken and all that you or the person need to do is rake it in.

Ex: My friend Bo is raking in the dough as a freelancer.

A

Raking in the dough

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21
Q

D: information that comes directly from a reliable or authoritative source.

Ex: I heard the news straight from the horse’s mouth - the CEO himself.

A

Straight from the horse’s mouth

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22
Q

D: To describe or identify something exactly right.

Ex: You hit the nail on the head with your analysis of the situation.

A

Hit the nail on the head

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23
Q

D: To reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept confidential.

Ex: I can’t believe you spilled the beans about the surprise party! Now it’s not a surprise anymore.

A

Spill the beans

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24
Q

D: It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.

Ex: I’ve made my offer, now the ball is in your court to decide if you want to accept it.

A

Ball is in your court

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25
Q

D: To feel unwell or sick.

Ex: I can’t come to work today, I’m feeling a bit under the weather.

A

Under the weather

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26
Q

D: To spend a lot of money, often more than one can afford.

Ex: I’d love to go on a luxury vacation, but it would break the bank.

A

Break the bank

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27
Q

D: Something that is common and easy to find.

Ex: Those cheap souvenirs are a dime a dozen in touristy areas.

A

A dime a dozen

28
Q

D: Something that happens very rarely.

Ex: I only see my old friends from college once in a blue moon since we all live in different cities.

A

Once in a blue moon

29
Q

D: To reveal a secret or disclose something that was meant to be kept private.

Ex: I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about Sarah’s surprise birthday party.

A

Let the cat out of the bag

30
Q

D: to pursue the wrong course of action or to have a mistaken belief about something.

Ex: If you think I took your book, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I haven’t seen it.

A

Barking up the wrong tree

31
Q

D: to go to bed or go to sleep.

Ex: It’s getting late, I think it’s time to hit the hay.

A

Hit the hay

32
Q

D: to make a mistake or fail to do something that was expected or required. It’s often used in contexts where someone fails to fulfill their responsibilities or commitments, leading to negative consequences.

Ex: The marketing team dropped the ball by forgetting to promote the event, resulting in low attendance and disappointment.

A

Drop the ball

33
Q

D: To feel uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation or environment. It implies a sense of awkwardness or unfamiliarity.

Ex: As a city dweller visiting the countryside, I felt like a fish out of water, not knowing how to milk a cow or chop wood.

A

Fish out of water

34
Q

D: to get to the main point or important part of something without wasting time on unnecessary details.

Ex: Instead of going through all the details, let’s cut to the chase and discuss the bottom line.

A

Cut to the chase

35
Q

D: give up or surrender, typically after facing difficulties or realizing they cannot succeed. It’s derived from boxing, where a fighter’s coach throws a towel into the ring to signal surrender.

Ex: After struggling for years to make the business profitable, the owner finally threw in the towel and closed shop.

A

Throw in the towel

36
Q

D: refers to overcoming initial shyness or awkwardness in social situations.

Ex: During the awkward silence at the party, Alex told a joke to break the ice and get people talking.

A

Break the ice

37
Q

D: means it’s extremely expensive. This idiom is used to emphasize the high price of something, often in a figurative sense.

Ex: Buying a luxury car like that would cost an arm and a leg; I’d rather invest in something more practical.

A

It costs an arm and a leg

38
Q

D: to work late into the night, usually to complete a task or meet a deadline. It implies dedication, hard work, and sacrifice.

Ex: With the deadline approaching, the team burned the midnight oil to finish the project on time.

A

Burn the midnight oil

39
Q

D; starting something with great energy, enthusiasm, and efficiency.

Ex: After being promoted to manager, Jack hit the ground running, implementing new strategies and improving efficiency from his first day on the job.

A

Hit the ground running

40
Q

D; to endure a painful or difficult situation with courage and resolve.

Ex: Despite the pain, Sarah bit the bullet and went through with the challenging surgery.

A

Bite the bullet

41
Q

D: joining a popular trend or activity. It’s often used to describe someone who adopts a belief or supports something simply because it’s popular or fashionable at the moment.

Ex: When the new diet trend emerged, everyone in the office jumped on the bandwagon and started following it without considering its long-term effects.

A

Jump on the bandwagon

42
Q

D: someone who is difficult to control, especially a child.

Ex: Your mother is a quiet handful.

A

Quite a handful

43
Q

D: up to maximum volume

Ex: all the way up to 11.

A

Up to 11

44
Q

D: to talk about oneself or one’s achievements, especially in a way that shows pride or too much pride.

Ex: I don’t typically toot my own horn. It’s never been my style.

A

Toot my own horn

45
Q

D: people with a natural habit of waking early, and often also going to bed before it gets too late.

A

Early bird

46
Q

D: the process of transferring knowledge from a large model to a smaller one.

Ex: the STAGE Academy is the distillation of all my learning, knowledge, training, trial and error, and experiences over the past 12 years.

A

Distillation learning

47
Q

D: to allow (someone) to know (a secret).

Ex: He said he’d let me in on a secret if I promised not to tell anyone else.

A

I’ll let you in on a secret

48
Q

D: means that if you allow someone to get away with a small wrong, they may push boundaries and take advantage of the situation more significantly.

Ex: Jane let her friend borrow her car for an hour, but instead, her friend kept it all day without asking. Jane realized, “Give someone an inch, and they’ll take a mile.”

A

Give someone an inch, and they’ll take a mile.

49
Q

D: This proverb emphasizes that even small issues, if ignored, can grow into much bigger problems.

Ex: The company ignored small customer complaints, thinking they weren’t important. Over time, these issues piled up and led to major losses. The CEO finally understood the meaning of “a small leak will sink a great ship.”

A

A small leak will sink a great ship.

50
Q

D: Though often used positively, this can also imply that even minor negative actions can escalate into much larger consequences.
EX: What began as a few employees taking extra office supplies eventually turned into widespread theft throughout the company. The manager regretted not stopping it earlier, thinking, “Start small, end big.”

A

Start small, end big.

51
Q

Out of difficulties, danger or trouble.

A

Out of the woods

52
Q

D: : to do things in the wrong order
People are putting the cart before the horse by making plans on how to spend the money before we are even certain that the money will be available.

A

Put the cart before the horse

53
Q

D: : to make the first step toward a goal by gaining entry into an organization, a career, etc.
He took a job as a secretary to get his foot in the door.

A

Get one’s foot in the door

54
Q

D to act spontaneously and according to the situation. It means you have no game plan.
“we’ll just have to play it by ear until we can get something definite sorted out.”

A

Play it by ear

55
Q

D: to cleverly escape a difficult situation.

A

Snake your way out

56
Q

D: reject or dismiss something quickly.
you always bat away nice things people say to you.

A

Bat away

57
Q

D: being tough and not showing emotions.

A

Hard as nails

58
Q

D: means if you can’t manage pressure or stress, you should leave the situation.

A

If your can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen

59
Q

D: to walk with confidence and happiness.
There’s been a definite spring in his step ever since he met Joanna.

A

Spring in your step

60
Q

D: a weak spot in someone’s character or action
A single chink in our armor at the negotiating table means we could lose out badly.

A

Chinks in your armor

61
Q

D: to do something for a long time without any effect.
I could sit here and argue with you till the cows come home, but it wouldn’t solve anything.

A

Till the cows come home

62
Q

D: someone who creates a positive atmosphere and mood.
He’s a vibe smith for sure.

A

Vibe smith

63
Q

D: keeping your ideas and plans secret.
I tend to hold my cards close to my chest when it comes to my private life.

A

Holding your cards close to your chest.

64
Q

D: don’t discuss or argue about your private matter.

A

Don’t wash your dirty linen in front of people.

65
Q

D: to increase the pressure on someone to make them do what you want.
NATO is turning the screw on the president and piling on the pressure.

A

Turn the screws on me

66
Q
A

flash in the pan

English words (5 decks)

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