Expressions 1 Flashcards
If someone hasn’t matured by the time they reach forty, they never will.
A fool at 40 is a fool forever
If something is too little, too late.
A day late and a dollar short
(USA) If something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late.
A small amount of knowledge can cause people to think they are more expert than they really are.eg. he said he’d done a course on home electrics, but when he tried to mend my table lamp, he fused all the lights! I think a little learning is a dangerous thing
A little learning is a dangerous thing
If you talk about your problems, it will make you feel better.
A problem shared is a problem halved
If you talk about your problems, it will make you feel better.
a classic or common example of something.
A textbook case
A textbook case, it is a classic or common example of something.
Some things work out in their own time, so being impatient and constantly checking will just make things seem longer.
A watched pot never boils
Some things work out in their own time, so being impatient and constantly checking will just make things seem longer.
more than what is expected or required.
Above and beyond
This means more than what is expected or required.
Better than average or normal
Above par
there’s definitely going to be an accident or it’s bound to go wrong. (‘Disaster waiting to happen’ is also used.)
Accident waiting to happen
you have something that will give you an advantage that other people don’t know about.
Ace up your sleeve
a newspaper columnist who gives advice to people having problems, especially personal ones.
Agony aunt
reveal aspects of your private life that should really remain private, by telling a secret, arguing in public, etc.
Air your dirty laundry in public
A shorthand for expressing a diversity of folks in a group
All ages and stipes
When someone talks tough but really isn’t
All bark and no bite
Things are indistinguishable in the dark so appearances don’t matter.
All cats are grey in the dark
there is chaos, confusion and trouble.
All hell broke loose
This means that there can be many different ways of doing something
All roads lead to Rome
nobody has an advantage or is ahead of the others.
All square
a person that somebody has had an emotional, usually passionate, relationship with, who is still looked on fondly and with affection.
An old flame
This expression means that is is better to try to avoid problems in the first place, rather than trying to fix them once they ari
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
they are agitated or excited about something and can’t keep still.
Ants in your pants
someone who offers advice but never shows that they could actually do any better.
An armchair critic is someone who offers advice but never shows that they could actually do any better.
(USA) Something that is rare as hen’s teeth is very rare or non-existent.
As rare as hen’s teeth
(USA) Something that is rare as hen’s teeth is very rare or non-existent.
This means that if you do bad things to people, bad things will happen to you, or good things if you do good things.
As you sow, so shall you reap
If someone will do something at the drop of a dime, they will do it instantly, without hesitation
At a drop of a dime
If something moves very slowly.
At a snail’s pace
If people are fighting, arguing or competing ruthlessly
At each other’s throats
(USA) If you have spare time but don’t know what to do with it.
At loose ends
If you cannot agree with someone and argue.
At odds
If you’re at a point where an important decision or choice has to be made.
At a crossroads
If you have no idea what to do next and are very frustrated.
At your wits’ end
If they don’t face reality and have unrealistic expectations of life.
Away with the fairies
Something or someone that amazes people in a slightly frightening but positive way.
Awe inspiring
If you have a grievance, a resentment and you want to get revenge or sort it out.
Axe to grind
