EXPRESSIONS Flashcards
1
Q
AMONG OTHER THINGS
A
there are more facts but you don’t intend to mention them
2
Q
AROUND THE CLOCK
A
all day all night
3
Q
AS THICK AS THIEVES
A
very closely and secretively
4
Q
AT ONE’S EXPENSE
A
paid for by someone, with someone as the victim, esp. a joke
5
Q
AT ONE’S WITS END
A
perplexed, confused, flummoxed
6
Q
AT THE EXPENSE OF SOMEONE
A
make some look silly
7
Q
AT THE HELM
A
in charge, in command
8
Q
AT STAKE
A
at risk
9
Q
AT THE THOUGHT OF
A
in a situation in which someone is overwhelmed or affected emotionally by thinking about sth
10
Q
BACK IN A JIFFY
A
be back very soon
11
Q
BAIL AND WAIL
A
hit and run
12
Q
BALLS IN THE COURT
A
it’s time for someone to deal with a problem or make a decision, because other people have already done as much as they can
13
Q
BITE THE DUST
A
to fall so that your body hits the ground heavily
14
Q
BURY THE HATCHET
A
make peace
15
Q
BUST ONE’S BALLS
A
seriously irritate or nag someone; put lots of efforts in sth
16
Q
CALL SOMEONE’S BLUFFS
A
to make someone prove that what they are saying is true, or will really do what they say bc you don’t believe them
17
Q
CAST ASPERSIONS ON SOMEONE
A
to criticize or make damaging remarks or judgments about someone/sth
18
Q
CLEAR THE AIR
A
to make the air cooler, fresher and more comfortable, to remove the bad feelings between people
19
Q
COP A FEEL
A
touch someone in a sexual way without their permission
20
Q
CLOAK AND SCYTHE
A
Grim Reaper
21
Q
CREAM MY CORN
A
sth pisses you off so much, annoys someone else
22
Q
CUL VEO CUL QUIERO
A
monkey see monkey do
23
Q
CUT SOMEONE SOME LACK
A
not judge someone as severely as you usually would because they are having problems at the present time
24
Q
DOLCE FAR NIENTE
A
sweetness of doing nothing
25
**DOOM AND GLOOM**
pros & cons
26
**DRONE ON**
speak for a long time with a dull voice without saying anything interesting
27
**DROP THE BALL**
make an error, miss an opportunity
28
**DUE DILIGENCE**
process or effort to collect and analyze info before making a decision or conducting a transaction so a party is not held legally liable for any loss or damage
29
**FALL IN LINE**
conform with others or with accepted behaviours
30
**FEED THE FRENZY**
a fierce competition between people who try to get as much as possible of something, esp. talk about media
31
**FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL**
make a strenuous effort
32
**FLOAT SOMEONE'S BOAT**
to be what someone likes or interested in
33
**FLY FULL THROTTLE INTO THE HURRICANE**
sth done with great speed and enthusiasm into destruction
34
**JUMP UP AND DOWN**
extremely angry or excited about sth
35
**GET A COLD FEET**
feel too frightened to
36
**GET EVEN WITH SOMEONE**
to do sth equally bad to someone who has done sth bad to you
37
**GET UNDER SOMEONE'S SKIN**
to annoy someone
38
**GIVE OR TAKE**
possibly a little more or less than the amount mentioned
39
**GIVE SOMEONE AN EARFUL**
complain angrily to someone
40
**GO ROGUE**
behave erratically / dangerously, by disregarding the rules of the usual way of doing things
41
**GROW A PAIR**
become more courageous or resolute
42
**HANDS ARE TIED**
someone is unable to act freely bc something prevents it (usually rules or laws)
43
**HAVE EGG ON MY FACE**
be embarrassed
44
**HAVE A HEART IN A THROAT**
full of apprehension, excitement or fear
45
**HEDGE THE BETS**
| SYN. Sit on the fence
protect yourself against loss by supporting more than possible result or both sides in a competition
46
**UNTIL/WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER**
it will never happen, forever
47
**HOG THE LIMELIGHT**
attract more attention than anyone else present in the situation
48
**HOLD MY TONGUE**
remain silent
49
**HOLD SOMEONE ACCOUNTABLE FOR STH**
make someone responsible for what they do and demand a satisfactory reason for it
50
**IN A BIT OF A PICKLE**
in a difficult situation
51
**IN A STEW (ABOUT/OVER/FOR)**
excited, worried
52
**IN A TRANCE**
in a state of altered consciousness, somewhat resembling sleep, during which voluntary movement is lost
53
**IN FAVOUR OF**
in support or to the advantage of
54
**IN LIMBO**
in a situation where they seem to be caught between 2 stages & unclear what happens next
55
**IN OVER YOUR HEAD**
to be involved in a difficult situation that you cannot get out of
56
**IN TANDEM**
simultaneously
57
**KEEP THE LION'S SHARE**
keep the largest part while leaving very little for the others
58
**KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR STH**
look out for something with particular attention
59
**KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF MY COOKIE JAR**
mind your own business
60
**KEEP ONE'S HEAD ABOVE WATER**
stay out of trouble, esp financial difficulties, or keep up with your work or other demands
61
**KICK ONE'S ASS TO THE CURB**
end a romantic relationship in an abrupt and often callous way
62
**KNOCK YOURSELF OUT**
make yourself tired by doing work
63
**KNUCKLE UNDER**
submit oneself to the authority
64
**LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED**
to do everything possible to find
65
**LIGHT UP A PIPE**
light a cigarette
66
**LOSE ONE'S MARBLE**
to start forget things and confused
67
**LOSE MOMENTUM**
to move more slowly
68
**MADE OF STERNER STUFF**
strong and determined
69
**NO GIMMICKS**
no tricks
70
**NOTCH ON THE BELT**
a remarkable success or achievement, esp one in a successive string, list or tally of other such ones
71
**OFF THE WAGON**
drinking alcohol again after a period of abstinence
72
**ON A ROLL**
have successful or lucky streaks
73
**ON A WHIM**
a sudden and unexplained wish or idea or change of mind
74
**ON STEROIDS**
much larger, stronger more extreme than normal
75
**SIT ON THE FENCE**
you really just can't decide
76
**ON THE FRITZ**
out of order
77
**ONE UP EACH OTHER OVER**
do sth better than the other to prove that you're better than them
78
**OVER THE HUMP**
over the worst, most difficult part of sth
79
**PAINT BY NUMBERS**
sth that is very easy to do and doesn't need skill
80
**PICK UP SOME SLACK**
to improve a situation by doing sth that someone else has not done or not completed
81
**PULL DOUBLES**
double workload (cover the other) or double shifts
82
**PROMISE SOMEONE MOONS AND STARS**
make extravagant promises that are unlikely to be fulfilled
83
**PUT A MUZZLE ON IT**
to prevent an animal from biting, eating, to restrain from speech, expression of opinion
84
**PUT SOMEONE IN THE NOOSE**
to deliberately do sth which will put you in danger or difficult situation
85
**PUT OUT TO STUD**
keep for breeding
86
**PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE**
to do things in the wrong order
87
**READ THE TEA LEAVES**
process of picking subtle clues combined with experience and intuition
88
**RIDE SOMEONE ELSE COATTAILS**
achieve sth bc of others' success, not by own efforts
89
**SING FOR MY SUPPER**
to do sth for so else to receive sth in return, esp food
90
**SPLIT THE DOUGH**
to complete strongly with someone and have a chance of soon defeating or replacing them
91
**SNAP AT SOMEONE'S HEELS**
accept hardship
92
**TAKE STH WITH A GRAIN OF SALT**
something can be right with this person but not that person, don't take all the advices
93
**TAKE A CRACK AT IT**
give it a whirl / try
94
**TAKE A DUMP**
going number 2
95
**TIE THE KNOTS**
Trip down the aisle = get hitched get married
96
Toss my cookies
throw up
97
Turn water into wine
turn sth bad into excellence
98
Turn the page
make a fresh start
99
YMMV (Your mileage may vary)
to state that you may have different opinion / experience
100
The bane of sth
that frequently makes them feel unhappy or unannoyed
101
The crux of
the most important part of the problem, issue, matter
102
The full monty
the most or best that you can have, do, get, or achieve, or all that you want or need
103
Throw in the towel
white flag hoisted
104
Walk on eggshells
be extremely cautious about one's words or actions
105
Up the ante
increase what is at stake or under discussion, especially in a conflict or dispute
106
Up to snuff
as good as it should be, of an acceptable standard
107
Up to par
feeling or performing as good as usual, with nothing wrong
108
Take a high road
follow the course of action which is the most moral and least likely to harm or upset other people
109
Take a plea
is an appeal or request for sth, made in an intense or emotional way
110
Take a whiz
urinate
111
Take in it strides
deal with something difficult in a calm way
112
Take it upon oneself
to do sth accept responsibility for sth without being asked to
113
Take up the hatchet
prepare for / go to war
114
The gloves are off
used for saying that people or groups are ready to fight, argue, compete, as hard as they can without showing any care or respect for each other
115
To and fro
a continuous or regular movement back and forward.
116
Toss/Throw yourself off the cliff
when a scary but great opportunity arises, don’t overthink it
117
Give someone an edge
give someone an advantage
118
In a good hand
in the care of a person who are able to do so well
119
In one's element
in a situation or environment that one particularly likes and in which one can perform well
120
**IN SPADES**
in large amounts or to a very great degree
121
Pings and dings
little interruption during the day
122
Set the ball rolling
make a great start
123
Shoot straight/square
shoot from the hip speak honestly or directly, without sugarcoating
124
Shove sth down so's throat
to force someone to accept or like sth unpleasant
125
Shy of sth
lack of sth
126
**SICK AS A DOG**
very ill, with lots of vomitting
127
**SLIT MY WRIST**
attempt to kill oneself by cutting one’s wrists
128
**SMART AS A WHIP**
very smart
129
**SNAP AT ONE'S HEELS**
to complete strongly with someone and have a chance of soon defeating or replacing them
130
**STRIPPED BARE**
peeled empty
131
**STICK TO ONE'S GUNS**
to maintain one's opinions or intentions in spite of opposition
132
**STUCK IN A RUT**
feel emotionally stagnant and lacks motivation for daily tasks
133
**UNDER ONE'S BELT**
learned or succeeded in, and now a part of your experience
134
**WALK ON THIN ICE**
To act or proceed with great care, caution, and consideration so as not to upset someone or trigger some imminent disaster.
135
**WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE**
used to refer to events / situations that are in the past and consequently no longer to be regarded as important or as a source of concern
136
**WHACK / RAP FOR / ON THE KNUCKLES**
the act of speaking to someone severely or angrily bc of sth they have done or failed to do
137
**WORK/SLOG MY GUTS OUT**
work as hard as you can
138
**DO STH AT YOUR PERIL**
Do sth that's very dangerous for you
139
**STICK OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB**
Noticeable, in a way that looks unusual or inappropriate
140
**SILVER BULLET**
A quick solution to a difficult problem
141
**FOR GOOD & ILL**
it's out of anyone's control
142
**SPELL DOOM**
lead to the failure or end of sth
143
**ON A POWER TRIP**
An activity or way of behaving that makes a person feel powerful
144
**IN THE PIPELINE**
awaiting completion or processing; being developed
145
**MAKE THE CUT**
doesn't pass the requirements
146
**PAINT THE TOWN RED**
to go out and enjoy yourself by drinking alcohol, dancing, laughing with friends
147
**GIVE A FURRY CRACK AT A RAT**
I don't give a damn
148
**TALL DRINK OF WATER**
The person is generally long legged, and very attractive
149
**KICK MY SHINS**
A thoroughly devastating or disappointing setback or failure
150
**PICK THE BONE**
have something to quarrel or complain about
151
**ON THE HOOK**
to be caught in a bad situation or to owe money
152
**BEND OVER BACKWARDS**
to try very hard to do something good or helpful
153
# ```
**CAST A BLIGHT ON**
Sth that spoils or has a bad effect on sth for a long run
154
**BLUDGEON SOMEONE INTO DOING STH**
Force someone to do sth (bludgeon someone into doing sth)
155
**BREAK LOOSE**
To become able to move around freely
To stop being affected by sth that limits what you can do
To start to happen suddenly
156
**CALL THE SHOTS**
To be the person who controls / organizes a situation
157
**DESCRIBE TO A TEE**
describe exactly right
158
**SEE EYE TO EYE**
agree with each other
159
**IN FINE FETTLE**
State of condition of health, fitness, wholeness
160
**GO TO TOWN ON**
Do sth thoroughly, enthusiastically, extravagantly
161
**IN HINDSIGHT**
The ability to understand, after sth has happened, why or how it was done and how it might have been done better
162
**IN LIEU OF**
To replace it or substitute for it
Instead of
163
**IN RETROSPECT**
When looking back on a past event or situation
164
**IN TATTERS**
Torn in pieces, in shreds
165
**L'CHAIM!**
To life!
166
**AT PLAY**
In effective or current operation, action, or force
167
**A GREEN THUMB**
good at planting
168
**STH IS A LITMUS TEST OF STH**
It's an effective way to prove / measure it
169
**MAKE SOMEONE TICK**
The things that cause someone to behave a certain way
170
**OFF THE BOOKS**
Not reported or recorded
171
**OUT OF WHACK**
Out of order
172
**LIKE PULLING TEETH**
Very difficult or frustrating
173
**CRY LIKE A WUSS**
174
**THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW**
The honest and morally acceptable way of living.
175
**THROW A SHOE AT SOMEONE**
add insult to injury
176
**HIT A SNAG**
Unexpected / hidden obstacle or drawback
177
**SUCK WIND**
To breath hard after exertion or unable to catch your breath after an activity
178
**ON THE DOWN-LOW**
Done secretly and not discussed, so that only a small number of people know about it
179
**GET CRACKING**
act quickly and energetically
180
**SECOND BASE**
touching above the waist
181
**TIME PERMITTING**
Limited amount of time available
182
**COOL YOUR JETS**
To become calm and not so excited or worried
183
**GIVE SOMEONE FLAK**
Give criticism, unfavourable judgement
184
**IN THE THROES OF SOMETHING**
In the middle of doing or dealing with something very difficult or painful
185
**OUT OF ONE'S DEPTH**
They are in a situation that is much too difficult for them to be able to cope with it
186
**BEND OVER BACKWARDS**
To try very hard to do something
187
**CRACK A JOKE**
To tell a joke
188
**GO OUT FOR A RIP**
To go out and have an easy-going, laid-back time
189
**DRIVE A WEDGE**
Cause disagreement or anger between (people who had been friendly before)
190
**TAKE/PLEAD THE FIFTH**
Something that you say in order to tell someone you are not going to answer a question
191
**SHOOT THE MOON AND LAND AMONG THE STARS**
We should aim for the highest possible achievement, something that may seem unattainable or beyond our grasp. But even if we don't reach the moon, the quote tells us that we will still land among the stars
192
**OFF THE RACES**
In or into a process of energetic engagement in some activity
In or into a phase of conspicuously increasing satisfaction or success
193
**BE IN BREACH OF STH**
To be breaking a particular law or rule
194
**SPIN A TALE**
make up a story
195
**ON THE FLY**
on the run
196
**DOWN IN THE DUMBS**
depressed, weary
197
**AT A STANDSTILL**
A situation or condition in which there is no movement or activity at all
A plateau
198
**IN THE CROSSHAIRS**
In a situation in which you are the target or victim of somebody's anger, violence or blame
199
**FAIR AND SQUARE**
honestly and straightforwardly
200
**MAKE A PASS AT**
Do sth to initiate romantic or sexual relationship with someone
201
**(REMAIN) AT SOMEONE'S DISPOSAL**
Able to use whenever you want
202
**RUN AMOK**
To behave without control in a wild or dangerous manner
203
**GO TO LENGTHS**
Try very hard to achieve something
204
**PASS THE BATON**
pass the responsibility to
205
**ON THE NOSE**
Exactly right (amount time or money)
206
**HOLD ONE'S HOOCH / LIQUOR**
drink intensively without being drunk
207
**NAIL IN THE COFFIN**
An event that causes the failure of something that had already started to fail
208
**HALF-MAST**
flag being halfway down the pole, as an expression of sadness
209
**COLD TURKEY**
Abrupt cessation of addictives
210
**CHASE OUR TAILS**
spend lots of time doing sth but not achieving sth
211
**NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT**
not very good, appealing or not special
212
**EAT MY WEIGHT IN**
eat a large amount of sth
213
**MAKE A PASS AT**
flirt
214
**BECK AND CALL**
be at service
| beckoning call
215
**DO THE DEED**
Have sex
216
**IN RECEIPT OF**
having received from
217
**DO THE DEED**
have sex
218
**ROLLICKING**
exuberantly lively and amusing
219
**BITE THE BULLET**
force yourself to do sth unpleasant and difficult
220
**ON THE SIDELINES**
not get yourself involved in sth
221
**BUTTER A WRONG BREAD**
put efforts on the wrong things
222
**DO A NUMBER ON**
injure someone / sth
make someone emberrass or hurt
223
**TURN OVER A NEW LEAF**
Change your behavior in a positive way
224
**HOLD DOWN THE FORT**
have reponibility for someone while they're away
225
**FACE THE MUSIC**
Accept criticsm and punishment you've done
226
**RACK ONE'S BRAIN**
think very hard
227
**RAIN ON SOMEONE'S PARADE**
do sth to spoil one's plan
228
**MAKE-OR-BREAK**
make sth success or fail
229
**HOME AND DRY**
sure of succeeding or wining
230
**FROM THE OUTSET**
from the beginning
231
**RAISE THE BAR**
set higher standard, raise the expectations
232
**BUBBLE OF TENSION**
the blow-up of tension, big event
233
**BOYS WILL BE BOYS**
it's not surprising that boys stay noisy and energetic
234
**PASS THE TORCH**
give a job, duty, etc to another person
235
**OUT OF CONVENIENCE**
done bc it's more useful and convenient, or on the way
236
**AT FIRST GLANCE**
237
**HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD**
describe exactly what causes a situation or problem
238
**IN YOUR CROSSHAIRS**
a target for someone who intends to catch, arrest, stop or harm you
239
**PUT SOMEONE IN BULLSEYE**
single one out for criticism instead of distributing attentions fairly
240
**THE BANE OF**
sth that frequently makes them unhappy or annoyed
241
**FALL FLAT**
not funny or entertaining, fail to produce expected effect
242
**IN THE WAKE OF STH**
if sth happens in the wake of sth else, it happens after and often bc of it
243
KEENER EDGE TO STH
The competition has become more intense and challenging
244
OUT OF SPITE
deliberately hurt someone bc they have hurt you
245
ALL THE RAGE
very popular at a particular time
246
SHAVE STH OFF STH
Reduce something by the stated amount
247
SHAVE STH OFF STH
Reduce something by the stated amount
248
PRAY TELL
Please explain
249
ALL HELLS BREAK LOOSE
Situation which suddenly becomes violent and noisy with people arguing fighting
250
251
TAKE A STANCE
Believe strongly about it one way or the other
252
IN THE ZONE
happy or excited bc you doing sth skillfully and easily
253
PUT ONE’S 2 CENTS IN
contribute your opinion
254
TAKE A STANCE
adopt a specific position or viewpoint
255
TAKE A STAND
active and vocal commitment to position or belief, willing to defend
256
EAGLE EYE
close watch
257
EAGLE EYE
close watch
258
CARDINAL SIN
a serious error of judgement
259
AT THE TENDER AGE OF
at the young age of
260
TAKE / LET ITS COURSE
allow sth or someone complete its natural development without interference
261
RUB ON THE WRONG WAY
Annoy someone without intention
262
OFF THROUGH CHARTS
at a very high level
Extremely popular or successful
263
THROUGH THE ROOF
Rise a very high level
Get very angry
264
OUT OF YOUR DEPTH
not having the knowledge, experience or skills to deal with a particular subject or situation
265
TAKE A KNEE
go down on one knee
266
A DEAD DUCK
someone or sth that is very unlikely to be successful, esp bc of a mistake or bad judgement
267
GOLDEN HANDSHAKE
A payment given to someone who is laid off or retires early
268
WALKING PAPERS
notice of dismissal from a job
269
GREASE ONE’S PALM
to secretly give someone money to persuade them to do sth for you
270
STICKS AND STONES (MAY BREAK MY BONES, BUT WORDS CAN NEVER HURT ME)
Said in order to show that people can’t be hurt by unpleasant things that are said to them
271
RUB ONE THE WRONG WAY
annoy someone without intending to
272
(LET NATURE) TAKE ITS COURSE
allow someone or sth to live or die naturally
273
WHET ONE’S APPETITE
increase one’s interests or wish for sth, by giving them some experience of it
274
A SLEW OF
a large number of sth
275
PAY HOMAGE TO
deep respect and often praise shown for a person or a god
276
STEER CLEAR OF
avoid someone or sth that seem unpleasant, dangerous or problematic
277
AN ELEPHANT IN A ROOM
an obvious problem or difficult situation that people don’t want to talk about
278
PUNT THE CALL
Delay making a decision or to pass responsibility for making a decision onto someone else
279
THE DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
beautiful, high profile woman who get saved by a male hero
