expressions idiomatiques Flashcards
To hang about
people went about their work as usual
In a fit of anger, he set ablaze important papers, and they got burned down in no time
since his promotion he has got a bit above himself: conceited
I have abstracted every penny from my bank account
Their holiday seems to have been a chapter of accidents
I disapprove of his actions, but he acted according to his lights
with one accord, the audience left in unison
by all accounts he is not very honest: in the opinion of most people
don’t leave early on my account
on no account he is a prophet: not for any reason whatsoever
Raju came within an ace of winning the match
play one’s ace: to do something clever which brings an advantage
The boss had just told Jenny yet again that he was dissatisfied with her work when she played her ace and told him that she was leaving to go to another job
acid test: playing against the professional will be acid taste
To some people very dry wine is an acquired taste : quelque chose qu’il faut apprendre à aimer
the pay increase was across the board:applying to all cases
It is difficult to obtain insurance coverage against acts of God such as earthquakes
act up: to behave badly, to act wrongly
Actions stations! The guests are arriving.
you can’t have it both ways as the actress said to the bishop : to draw attention to its possible sexual double meaning
I have forgetten my notes. I have to do ad -lib : en improvisant
ad nauseam : to an excessive degree, seemingly endlessly
he said he was my neighbour’s son, but I didn’t know him from Adam
making excuses for being late will just add fuel to the fire : to make a difficult situation worse
having given his first play a bad review, the critic added insult ot injury by ignoring his next one
add up : no one understands why he left so suddenly. it just doesn’t add up
he addressed himself to the task on hand
adept in : expert. He is quite adept in photography
in spite of hurdles he adhered to his stand in that matter
the thin skinned wisecracker in shakespeare’s production of Much Ado about Nothing.
As a man advances in life he becomes more serious and conscious.
she rarely wears dresses that show her figure to advantage
the economic regeneration of pakistan is still far afield
his wife was an accessory after the fact : complice par instigation
time and again : often
the staff are working against the clock to finish the order on time
despite her injury she lived to a ripe old age
she looks quite old but she is below the age of consent
a hidden agenda
what’s all this familiarity in aid of ?
she aired her grievances about her neighbours
there’s hostility in the air
one minute she was there, the next she disappeared into thin air
she’s really put on airs since she got promotion
they’ve been walking on air since they got engaged : être aux anges
all and sundry : everybody. The security guru mailed to all and sundry in Parliament House
we are all for having an extra holiday
all in: exhausted. The marathon runners are all in.
all in all : taking everything into consideration. We had some rain but all in all it was a good summer
all set : ready to go, prepared
there were ten cards and 30 people all told
it’s all up with the accused. he has been identified by an eyewitness
his present job is just a blind alley. There’s no hope hope of advancement
The government is facing defeat because of an unholy alliance between the extreme right and the extreme left of the party.
developped countries need to make allowances for poorer nations.
Alma mater : old university
he decided to go it alone in attempting to free her
I haven’t decided on the color, let alone buying the dress
x
next time when I go abroad I shall take my wife all along
worship of God is the Alpha and Omega of all the religions
we all felt that the daughters in the family were sacrificed on the altar of the son’s expensive education
to make amend
they took it amiss : to take offence. They took it amiss that they were not invited to the wedding although they could not have gone to it
he comes to my place ever and anon : now and them
of course you must stay and have dinner. I won’t take no for an answer
she’s found the perfect job, the answer to the maiden’s prayer ; exactly what one desires and is looking for
how they make their money is anyone’s guess
his postwar performances were anything but ghostly : not at all
one should always try to keep apace with time
husband and wife are poles apart
your mother will take you apart if you brake the window : scold
to be on the apex : to be on the highest point
the cafe served as an apology for the meal : poor example
to put up an appearance : to appear in person
to all appearances : judging only from what can be seen
to keep up appearances
the leather coat in the sale was a real apple of discord
in apple-pie order : she always leave the office files in apple-pie order
the apple of someone’s eye
upset the apple-cart : to spoil plans. The teenagers were going to have a party but the parents upset the apple-cart by coming home early.
tie to so’s apron strings
a street Arab : an uncared child in a large city
to argue out : simran could not argue Ramesh out of the argument he had entered into with Vivek
armed to the hilt or teeth . the tourists were armed to the teeth with guide books and cameras
to be up in arms
keep so at arm’s length : to avoid becoming too friendly
lay down one’s arm : stop fighting or opposing.
she could beat him at tennis with one arm tied behind her back
the chink in one’s armour
you can trust Bert to pay back the money which you lent him
as a rule : normally, usually
the search party found him as good as dead
as it were : used in making comparisons : he is as it were a marginal figure to her.
as of : from a certain date : the fees for admission in the school doubled as of previous year
rake over the ashes : to discuss things that are past. There’s no point in raking over the ashes of their relationship. They are divorced and that’s that.
you shouldn’t have hit that young man even if he was asking for it by making nasty comments.
at all costs : without fail
the football match was cancelled, so we were at a loose end all afternoon.
at issue : in dispute : I wish Sumit would strike to the point at issue
at one’s wit’s end
the actor’s popularity rating was at a low ebb : decline
you can also do it for 45 mnutes at a stretch
at one’s beck and call
business for miles around seems to be at a standstill
atone for : making up for deficiencies. Yatarah has to atone for his absence from factory by working overtime
the new girl in the office has all the men dancing attendance on her : to stay close
of no avail : of no use, without effect
to no avail : without success
he has to explore every avenue before he finally found a job to his liking
averse to : dislike for. John is averse to drinking liquors
awake to something : become aware of. the lioness awake to the danger around her : prendre conscience de
have a rude awakening : aware that a situation is not as good or pleasant as onr thinks. the young couple had soon a rude awakening
they’ve done away with all the old customs
get away with you!: I don’t believe you!
many a young man goes awry : to go astray
get the axe : to be dismissed. Elton is aware that his program might get the axe
have an axe hanging over one : the landlord is thinking of selling this flat and so we have an axe hanging over us at the moment.
to have an axe to grind : to have a personal, often selfish reason for being involved in something.
x
B
backhanded compliment : a supposed compliment that sounds more like criticism
backwater : an isolated place
she married him behind her father’s back
bend over backwards
break one’s back
he hasn’t finished the essay but he has broken the back of it
I had covered my back and got a copy of the email
he’s been flat on his back since the accident
get off so’s back : to stop harassing so
to get one’s own back : to take one’s revenge
have come a long way : to have changed or improved a great deal. Jatin has come a long way since he used to clean windows in our street
have one’s back to the wall : to be in a very difficult or desperate situation
know so or sthg like the back of one’s hand
to put one’s back into sthg : to put the greatest possible effort into sthg.
to see the back of so : to get rid of. he’ll be glad to see the back of his lodger
take a back seat : take an important or minor role : dressed in jeans, she is happy to take a back seat to the glamorous girls she draws.
the back of beyond : a very remote place
to turn one’s back on sthg : refuse to offer assistance
watch your back
a backhanded compliment
bring home the bacon : to earn money to support one’s family
badly off : without much money. they are too badly off to go on holiday
hit a bad patch : to encounter difficulties.
in bad odor : in disfavor
in so’s bad or black books
not half bad : quite good
they eventually came to us but with a bad grace
bag lady
bag of bones : extremely thin
bag of nerves
rise to the bait : to do what so has been trying to get one to do. I love trying to get them to unwind and they rise to the bait and that’s lovely
the fate of the old building is in the balance
on balance : considering everything. There are good points on each side but on balance I think the older man is the candidate
throw so off balance : the lecturer was thrown off balance by some of the questions of the audience
tip the balance
to set the ball rolling
the ball is in so’s court
slip on a banana skin : to do sthg that causes one humiliation. The politician thought that her speech was going well until she slipped on a banana skin and got the name of the town wrong
jump on the bandwagon
the bane of one’s life
under the banner : she won the battle under the banner of helping animals in distress
break the bank
baptism of fire
bare one’s soul
tell me the bare bones of the project
she got more than she bargained for and won by a very narrow margin
into the bargain : we bought their house and their car into the bargain
bark up the wrong tree
have so over a barrel
touch base with so : to be in contact with so, to talk to so. They only manage to touch base when they ‘re both home for Christmas
off one’s own bat : by oneself, without help
blind as a bat : having very poor eyesight
with bated breath : anxiously
on one’s beams ends : very short of money
fulll of beans : very lively, in good spirits.
the rent is due and they don’t have a bean
to spilll the beans : to reveal the secret or confidential information
bear down on so : to come towards in a threatening way
x
bear out : to confirm
bear up : to keep cheerful
beard the lion in its den: if you want to get a rise you’ll have to go the boss’s office and beard the lion in his den
beat a hasty retreat : to run away
beat so hollow : to defeat so soundly
beat so to it : to succeed in doing something before someone else can. he was going to pay the restaurant bill but his partner beat him to it.
off the beaten track : in an isolated position. She likes to live somewhere that is off the beaten track.
eager beaver : enthusiastic, hardworking person
work like a beaver : industriously
at so’s beck and call
bed of roses : comfortable, happy situation
get out of bed on the wrong side
have a bee in one’s bonnet
make a beeline for sthg : the children made a beeline for the table where the food was : go directly and quickly
think one or someone is the bee’s knees : very important
small beer : not sthg very important. Hs present job is very small beer
the waiter brought the food before we could say Jack Robinson
beggar description
beg the question : to take for granted the very point that requires to be proved; to fail to deal effectively with the point being discussed. Politicians are noted for their ability to beg the question
at one’s behest : on one’s order
behind closed doors : in secrecy
behind the scene : not in the open, in secrecy
fall behind : not keep up with
behold to : be obliged to
to the best of my belief : as far as I know
ring a bell : bring back vague memories
below the mark : not to the point, below the standard
to talk below one’s breath : silently
below the belt : unfair. to refer in public to his father being in prison was below the belt
tighten the belt : reduce one’s expenditure
round the bend : mad
to take to the bend : to escape from some danger by flight. The thieves took to the bend and never dared to come back.
give a wide berth
the child was beside himself with joy
beside the point
we’ll do our level best to try as hard as one can
get the better of so : to defeat: his son always gets the better of him at chess
this coat has seen better days. I need a new one
they strayed for the better part of four hours
they should think better of buying an expensive house
beyond the pale : not acceptable in good or polite society. Dinesh’s rude behaviour was beyond the pale.
this year’s meeting bids fair to be the largest we’ve ever held.
to bid fair : too promise fair. in our country small pox has almost disappeared, or rather it bids fair to disappear
to bide one’s time : to wait for a suitable opportunity
big guns : the most important people in an organisation.The big guns are having a board meeting.
the big Smoke : London
eat like a bird : eat a small amount of food
the early bird catches the worm
in/wearing your birthday suit
take the biscuit : to be much worse . He is always rude but his latest insult takes the biscuit
a bit on the side : Helen’s not only Frank’s secretary but his bit on the side also
take the bit between one’s teeth : to act on one own’s and cease to follow other people’s advice or suggestion
bite the bullet : do sthg unpleasant but unavoidable with courage. He can’t afford to take a reduction in salary but he’s going to have to bite the bullet and agree with it : prendre le taureau par les cornes
x
bear out : to confirm
bear up : to keep cheerful
bear garden : a noisy, rowdy place. with all those kids around their house is a bear garden
beard the lion in its den: if you want to get a rise you’ll have to go the boss’s office and beard the lion in his den
beat a hasty retreat : to run away
beat so hollow : to defeat so soundly
beat so to it : to succeed in doing something before someone else can. he was going to pay the restaurant bill but his partner beat him to it.
off the beaten track : in an isolated position. She likes to live somewhere that is off the beaten track.
without missing a beat : without hesitating, or reacting to sthg surprising. The first exam was a great del harder than Jess thought it would be, but without missing a beat she went on to sit the rest of them
eager beaver : enthusiastic, hardworkig person
work like a beaver : industriously
at so’s beck and call
bed of roses : comfortable, happy situation
get out of bed on the wrong side
have a bee in one’s bonnet
make a beeline for sthg : the children made a beeline for the table where the food was : go directly and quickly
think one or someone is the bee’s knees : very important
small beer : not sthg very important. Hs present job is very small beer
the waiter brought the food before we could say Jack Robinson
beggar description
beg the question : to take for granted the very point that requires to be proved; to fail to deal effectively with the point being discussed.Politicians are noted for their ability to beg the question
at one’s behest : on one’s order
behind closed doors : in secrecy
behind the scene : not in the open, in secrecy
fall behind : not keep up with
behold to : be obliged to
to the best of my belief : as far as I know
ring a bell : bring back vague memories
I’ve had a bellyful of Meg’s complaints; it’s your turn to listen to her now
below the mark : not to the point, below the standard
to talk below one’s breath : silently
below the belt : unfair. to refer in public to his father being in prison was below the belt
tighten the belt : reduce one’s expenditure
round the bend : mad
to take to the bend : to escape from some danger by flight. The thieves took to the bend and never dared to come back.
give a wide berth
the child was beside himself with joy
beside the point
we’ll do our level best to try as hard as one can
put one’s best foot forward : to make the best attempt possible
get the better of so : to defeat: his son always gets the better of him at chess
this coat has seen better days. I need a new one
they strayed for the better part of four hours
they should think better of buying an expensive house
beyond the pale : not acceptable in good or polite society. Dinesh’s rude behaviour was beyond the pale.
this year’s meeting bids fair to be the largest we’ve ever held.
to bid fair : too promise fair. in our country small pox has almost disappeared, or rather it bids fair to disappear
to bide one’s time : to wait for a suitable opprtunity
big guns : the most important people in an organisation.The big guns are having a board meeting.
the big Smoke : London
a bird of passage
eat like a bird : eat a small amount of food
the early bird catches the worm
in/wearing your birthday suit
take the biscuit : to be much worse . He is always rude but his latest insult takes the biscuit
a bit onthe side : Helen’s not only Frank’s secretary but his bit on the side also
take the bit between one’s teeth : to act on one own’s and cease to follow other people’s advice or suggestion
bite the bullet : do sthg unpleasant but unavoidable with courage. He can’t afford to take a reduction in salary but he’s going to have to bite the bullet and agree with it.
x
bite the dust : to die or cease to operate or function. The TV show set inside a funeral home is about to bite the dust : mordre la poussière, tomber à l’eau
a bitter pill to swallow : when he got engaged to someone else it was a bitter pill for her to swallow
black sheep
as you may recall, Mell Brook shot the picture in black and white as a throwback to the horror film genre of a bygone era
draw a blank : faire chou blanc
wet blanket : a dull person who makes other people feel depressed.
getting the sack was a blessing in disguise
it all happened in the blink of an eye
the computer set was on the blink again
you can’t blink the fact that all the evidence point to his being the murdered
though clearly upset he bravely blinked back his tears
in cold blood : deliberately
blot your copybook : spoil a previously good record :
a blot on the landscape : an ugly building
he keeps blowing hot and cold : d’humeur changeante
blow the gaff : to tell sthg secret. he blew the gaff on his fellow burglar
to blow the whistle on so : to report so’s wrongdoing so that it will be stopped. He blew the whistle on the smugglers.
blue-eyed boy
bluestocking
once in a blue moon : hardly ever
out of the blue : without warning
call so’s bluff
to blunt the edge : to make weak or ineffectual, to weaken : our force blunted the edge of the enemy’s advance by blowing up a bridge
take the edge of : gâter ( plaisir ); calmer ( pain )
his dreams of going to university have gone by the board with the death of his father
in the same boat
miss the boat ; to fail to take advantage of an authority
rock the boat : to do sthg to endanger or spoil a comfortable or happy situation
bob a curtsy : curtsy quickly. The maid bobbed a curtsey to the queen before leaving the room
keep body and soul together : support life. having lost his job he found it difficult to keep body and soul together
over my dead body : against my strong oppositon. he can appropriate that property over my dead body
the mind boggles to think that he could be the culprit
to make bold : to take the liberty, to be bold. Everybody was silent but Suresh made bold to put before the officer all the grievances
be/make so bold : used specially when politely asking a question or making a suggestion which you hope will not offend anyone. may I make so bold sir, as to suggest that you try the grilled fish
a bolt from the blue :something very sudden and unexpected
a bone of contention. the state of the room is a bone of contention between her and her mother
he said that he has a bone to pick with him for going with his girfriend
make no bones about something : restraint about
bring so to book : to make so explain or be punished for his or her actions
by the book : strictly according to the rules
to cook the books : to alter accounts or financial records. He had been cooking the books and so they did not know money had gone missing
to read so like a book : to understand completely, not to be deceived by someone. I know that he is planning something nasty, I can read him like a book
to throw the book at so : to criticize or punish, to charge so with several crimes at once. The judge threw him the book. He’s got a ten-year sentence
to throw a book at so : to reprimand. The book was thrown at us, each time we tried to bring up the topic
The woman got the book for stealing
pull so’s up by one’s bootstraps : to become successful through one’s efforts
the old man has been on the booze again : period of drinking
border on : the faces of the two sisters border on each other
Bhutan borders upon India
my house borders with his house
not born yesterday : ignorant like a child
borne in upon one : one is forced to realize. It was gradually borne in upon Sunil that his job was leading him nowhere and that he had better change it
crack a bottle : to open a bottle
hit the bottle
x
the bottom line : the most important point. The bottom line in the negotiations with the kidnappers is the safety of the children
The result or outcome : after prolonged negotiations the bottom line was that both sides agreed to a compromise
bound up in : very busy with. The professor seems bound up in his lab work
by leaps and bounds : very rapidly
bow and scrape : to behave respectfully
have more than one string in one’s bow
box on the ears : Rita gave the teasing boy a box on the ears
cudgel or rack one’s brains
pick so’s brains : to find out so’s ideas so that one can put them to one’s own use
to branch off : road : s’embrancher, bifurquer; topic: dévier
To branch out on one’s own : se mettre à son compte
get down to brass tacks
put a brave face on sthg; to put on a brave face
brazen it out : show no signs of being ashamed or sorry when one is dicovered doing sthg wrong
know wich side one’s bread is buttered : to know the course of action that is to one’s great advantage
on the breadline
break of day
break the bank : to leave oneself or so without any money. You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a meal
break the ice
make a break: to attempt to escape
make a clean breast of : full confession
beat one’s breast : show remorse for one’s mistake
save your breath. he’ll leave school if he wants to: to stop talking since one’s words are having no effect
breathe one’s last
drop a brick : to say something tactless or undiplomatic. she certainly dropped a brick when she introduced the boss’s wife as the cleaner
hold no brief for so or sthg : not to support or defend : I hold no brief for these new methods
you might not like the job, but look on the bright side. It’s well
to bring round : persuade so to do sthg : he was reluctant to participate but we brought him round eventually
brush up on sthg : to refresh one’s knowledge of sthg. Your should brush up on your French before you go on holiday.
to brush off : to be rejected or refused abruptly ( offer ) écarter ( threat, incident )
pass the buck : pass on responsibility
to come down in buckets
kick the bucket : to die
nip in the bud
he set out on the trip on a tight budget
in the buff : naked
bulk large : seems important. this era bulks large in the opinion of the historians
like a bull in a china shop : in a very clumsy way. She went charging off like a bull in a china shop and knocked my papers to the floor.
take the bull by the horns : to tackle boldly : if you want to stop the noise, you’ll have to take the bull by the horns and complain
get the bullet : to be dismissed or discharged
a bundle of nerves
bury the hatchet
many firms went bust
butterfingers : a person who often drops things
have butterflies in one’s stomach : to have a fluttering sensation in one’s stomach as a sign of nervousness
to buy time : delay sthg that is about to happen
give a buzz
by all appeareance, by all means : certainly
“May I come in sir? By all means”
by dint of : because of, owing to . by dint of hard work
by and by : before long; soon: things will be better
by the sweat of one’s brow
by turns enraptured and wrily sceptical, she refuses to yield her virginity right away
by/ in virtue of the fact : owing to
the only way to secession is by way of a national referendum
by word of mouth
x
C
cut the cackle
in cahoots with so
raise Cain : make a great deal of noise or fuss
icing on the cake : être la cerise sur le gâteau
sell like hot cakes
call it quits
the calm before the storm
carry the can
burn the candle at both ends
if the cap wears it : if what has been said applies to you , then you should take note of it. I simply said that honesty is not common these days but if the cap fits wear it
to cap it all
make capital out of sthg : to make use of sthg for one’s own advantage : the counsel for the defence made capital out of the witnesse’s nervousness
get one’s cards : dismiss . The clerk got his cards for stealing money
play one’s cards close to one’s chest : to be secretive about one’s plan. i think that they are moving overseas but they are playing their cards close to their chest
the cards are stacked against him finding a job but he has no qualifications
sweep sthg under the carpet. They try to sweep under the carpet the fact that their son’s in prison
they are rolling out the red carpet: respectful treatment. They‘ve invited the boss and his wife to dinner
carrot and stick: reward and punishment as a method of persuasion.
the headmaster uses a policy of carrot and sticks with the pupils
carry the torch for so : to be in love with so especially with so who does not return it. She’s carried the torch for the boss for years but he doesn’t even notice her
put the cart before the horse : to do or say thing in the wrong order
be given carte blanche : complete freedom
Casnova ; a man who has relationships with many women. He’s a real Casanova
Cassandra :a person who makes predictions about unpleasant future events but who is never believed. She’s a real Cassandra, she’s always seeing gloom ahead.
cast the first stone: to be the first person to criticize
she builds castles in the air about being a princess
curiosity killed the cat
let the cat out of the bag
she can’t stay at their daughter’s house. There’s not enough room to swing a cat
play cat and mouse : to treat so in such a way that she does not know what is going to happen at any time The terrorists were playing cat and mouse with their hostages.
the cat’s pyjamas or whiskers : a person who is very highly regarded. He thinks he’s the cat’s pyjamas in his new sports car
when the cat’s away the mice will play
catch so napping : the early winter caught them napping. They had no fuel for the fire
catch 22 situation : a situation in which one can never win or from which or from which one can never escape, being constantly hindered by a rule or restriction that itself changes to block any change in one’s plans.
to make it a common cause
to cave in: to yield
to cavil at to raise frivolous objections; to jest: ergometer
caviar to the general: être réservé à l’élite something considered to be too sophisticated to be appreciated by ordinary people. Only intellectuals read his books. They are caviar to the general
the workers at the factory were working without cease
to go through the ceiling: to rise very high, to soar. House prices went through the ceiling
hit the ceiling or roof: to lose one’s temper completely
to cement relations
to stand on ceremony : to behave in a formal manner. You can take your jacket off. You don’t to stand on ceremony
chalk it up to experience : accept the inevitability of sthg. You won’t get your money back from the con-man. You might as well chalk it up to experience
not by a long chalk : not by a long way, by no means. They haven’t given up yet, not by a long chalk
chance it : to take a risk. I won’t take an umbrella. I think I’ll chance it
fancy one’s chances : to think that one is highly likely to succeed. Even with so many top-class competitors he still fancies his chances
have a sporting chance : have a reasonable chance of success. Many experienced people have applied for the job but with his qualifications he has at least a sporting chance
not to have a ghost of a chance
we went to the theatre on the off-chance of getting a seat
change horses in mid-stream : change one’s opinions
x
change one’s tune : change one’s attitude or opinion
ring the changes : to add variety by doing or arranging things in a different ways. She cannot afford new furniture but she rings the changes by shifting the furniture around from room to room
out of character : not in accordance with a person’s social behavior: I can’t believe that she was rude to you, for it is complety out her character
trump a charge
the police lay the theft of the jewels to the smuggler’s charge
take charge : now that you are a monitor, take charge of the class.
charity begins at home
work like a charm : to be very effective. His efforts to persuade her to go out with him worked like a charm
chase rainbows
they sold their house on the cheap
he’s really cheesed off with his present job : en avoir marre de
get sthg off one’s chest : to tell so about something that is upsetting, worrying one : vider son sac
pull so’s chestnuts out of the fire : to rescue from a difficult or dangerous situation, often by putting oneself in danger
chew the cud : think deeply about sthg. I’ll have to chew the cud a lot before deciding wether or not to move house
chew the fat : to have a discussion or conversation. Let’s not rush out anywhere. I think we should chew the fat first
chicken-feed : sthg of little value. They paid her chicken-feed for that valuable desk
chickens come home to roost : misdeeds, mistakes that come back with an unpleasant effect on the person who performed the misdeed, especially after a considerable time. He told everyone that he had never been married, but his chickens come home to roost when his ex-wife turned up
count one’s chickens before they are hatched
child’s play
to be in one’s second childhood
chilled to the bone/ marrow
smoke like a chimney
keep one’s chin up : not to show feelings of depression, worry or fear. I know it’s difficult to find a job but you should keep your chin up and go on trying
to stick one’s chin out : to show determination in opposing so or something
take it on the chin : to accept or to suffer sthg with courage. he was upset when she broke their engagement but he took it on the chin and went with other girls
chip off the old block
have a chip on one’s shoulder : to have an aggressive attitude and act as if everyone is going to insult or ill-treat because one feels inferior. he has a chip on his shoulder about his lack of education
have had one’s chips : to have had, and failed at , all the chances of succss one is likely to get : if he fails the exam this time he’s had his chips because he’s not allowed to resit it
when the chips are down
To be spoilt for choice : avoir l’embarras du choix
something about his voice struck a chord : be familiar in some way
touch a chord
square the circle
vicious circle
drop a clanger
in a class by oneself, in a class of its own. The ice-cream in that shop is in a class by itself
a clean slate : a record free of any discredit; an opportunity to make a fresh start : he has paid the penalty for his wrongdoing and now starts the job with a clean slate
cleanliness is next to godliness
come clean : to tell the truth about sthg especially after lying about it
keep one’s nose clean : to keep out of trouble
We are clean out of bread
make a clean breast of sthg : to admit sthg especially after after having denied it. At first they said that they haven’t been involved but they made a clean breast of it
the burglar picked his house clean
The bullet went clean trough his shoulder : la balle lui a littéralement traversé l’épaule
I’ll have to come clean
take so to the cleaners : plumer quelqu’un
clear as crystal : it’s clear as crystal that he’s in love vith her
clear as mud : not at all easy to understand or grasp. He tried to explain but his explanation was clear as mud
in the clear : free from suspicion. The police suspected him but he has an alibi so he’s in the clear
steer clear of so or sthg : you should clear away from badly lit streets
the cost is clear : la voie est libre
the danger or dificulty is now past. She dosn’t want to go into the house when her father’s there, so tell her when he’s gone out and the coast is clear
to clinch the issue
clip so’s wings : she used to go out every night but her wings have been clipped since she had a baby
x
put back the clock or turn the cloack back
regular as clockwork
behind close doors : in secret
he had a close shave when his car skidded out of control and ran into a wall
at close quarters : very close, from a position nearby. I thought she was very young but when you look at close quarters she looks quite gold
too close to comfort : so near that one feels uncomfortable, worried . The meeting is a bit close for comfort since I haven’t prepared the notes for it yet
her mother’s illness cast a cloud over their holiday
every cloud has a silver lining
have one’s head in the clouds
on cloud nine : extremely happy
under a cloud : under suspiscion, in trouble. He left his previous job under a cloud
in clover : in great comfort
be clued on sthg : to be very well informed. You have to be clued up on computers to get the job
not to have a clue about
carry, take coals to Newcastle : to do sthg that is completely uninteresting
haul so over the coals : to scold so very severely. The shop assistant was hauled over the coals for being rude to a customer
cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth. To organize one’s ideas and aims, particularly one’s financial aims, so that they are within the limits of what one has or possesses.
turn one’s coat : to change ideas
blow away the cobwebs : to make so feel more energetic and alert after feeling rather tired and dull : I’m going to take a walk by the sea to try to blow a few cobwebs away
a cock-and-bull story. She told me some cock-and bull story about finding the money in a waste-paper basket
cock a snook at so : to express one’s defiance or contempt. Now that he has the job he can cock a snook at his former employer
a cog in the wheel : he boasts about his job in the international company but he’s really just a cog in the wheel.
pay so back in his own coin
the other side of the coin : the opposite argument, point of view
cold comfort : no consolation at all
get cold feet : to become nervous and change one’s mind about involved in sthg. He was going to row the Atlantic but got cold feet at the last minute
to give so the cold shoulder : to act in an unfriendly way to so by ignoring her
the new dance group left the audience cold
make so’s blood run cold
pour or throw cold water on sthg. We were all looking forward to the dance but the organizer poured cold water on the idea by saying it would run at a loss
stone cold : extremely cold. The soup’s supposed to be hot but it’s stone cold
hot under the collar : angry, very excited
to collect oneself
a horse of a different collar
change color : to become very pale
off-color : unwell
show oneself in one’s true collars
with flying collars : wit great success
come a cropper : to suffer misfortune, to fail. He came a cropper when he bought a hotel without knowing anything about the business
come off it : don’t be ridiculous
come to grief
he nearly came to grief in the final exam : il a failli tout rater
( in sports, competition) : avoir un accident , perdre
come to that : en fait
taking into consideration other facts. She’s not qualified for the job but come to that he’s not qualified for it either
come unstuck : to fail, to suffer a major setback. our holydays plans have come unstuck. I have to work that week’
to commit oneself : Sunil has committed himself to help Sanju out of difficulties
to commit to memory
the common touch : the ability to get on well with ordinary people: avoir de la simplicité
The commons : le peuple
In common parlance : dans le langage courant
When it comes to cooking, no one can touch him : personne ne peut l’égaler
Even though they parted ways, they have been in communication with other
to return the compliment
left-handed compliment : false praise. He paid her a left-handed compliment by remarking that her make-up made her look ten years younger.
pro and con : one should weigh the pros and cons of any proposal before going in for it
jump to conclusions
in mint condition : as good as new
on no condition : not at all : you must on no condition go out without your cardigan
x
a name to conjure with : un nom qu’on évoque avec respect
a contradiction in terms : he is a cynic and thinks that a happy husband is a contradiction in terms
to be conversant with
to enter into controversy
suit one’s convenience
to carry conviction
cool as a cucumber
she always keeps her cool in a crisis
lose one’s cool
cop it : to be scolded or punished to die. Three of the terrorists copped it in te attack
carbon copy : a person or thing that is very like someone or something. he’s new girlfriend’s a carbon opy of his previous one.
cut corners : to use less money, effort, time
drive into a corner : to force so into a dangerous situation
from all corners of the earth
in a tight corner. They were in a tight corner with their escape route cut off by their enemy
turn the corner : to begin to get better or improve. The accident victim was very ill but he has turned the corner at last
cost an arm and a leg
under the counter : secretely or illegally. When meat was rationed he used to supply his richer customers under the counter
go to the country : to hold a general election
pluck up or screw up courage : to force oneself to be brave :
laugh so out of court : not to give serious consideration. Management laughed our request for promotion out of court
pay court to so : to try to gain the love of so. The prince is paying court to a foreign princess
the ball is in so’s court
rule sthg out of court
send so to Coventry : to refuse to associate with so. His colleagues sent him to Coventry for working during the strike
a fair crack of the whip: a fair share, a fair chance of doing sthg. The children were supposed to take turns at playing on the swing but the little ones didn’t get a fair crack of the whip
a hard nut to crack
get cracking : to start moving, working, etc, quickly. you’d better get cracking or you’ll miss your train
why not have a crack at the competition?
cramp one’s style : he hates playing cricket in summer, it cramps his style
a crashing bore : the chief guest at the party was a crashing bore : un sacré raseur
to create a scene
creature comforts : things that contribute to one’s physical well-being
up the creek : in serious difficulties. we’ll be up the creek if the car breaks down here
give so the creeps : to arouse dislike
make so’s flesh creep : to arouse fear. The eerie howling made my flesh creep
be riding on the crest of a wave : be going through a successful period
crocodile tears
cross the Rubicon : to do sthg that commits one to a course of action that cannot be undone. He has crossed the Rubicon. He has sent in his letter of resignation.
to have a cross to bear : porter sa croix
to be crossed in love : avoir une déception amoureuse
talk at cross purposes
to make somebody eat crow : to have to admit or accept that one was wrong : faire rentrer à quelqu’un ses mots dans la gorge
when it comes to the crunch
a crying shame
a far cry from sthg
cry out for sthg : to be badly in need of sthg. The old house is in a bad state. It’s crying out for a new coat of paint.
cry over spilt milk : there’s no use crying over spilt milk
cudgel one’s brains
to take up the cugel on behalf of so : to support so vigourously. She’s taken up the cudgels on behalf of children’s rights
take one’s cue from so : to copy so’s reactions
off the cuff : without preparation
not be one’s cup of tea : not be sthg which one likes or appreciate
cupboard love : pretended affection showed for a person because of the things she gives them
a curate’s egg : things with both good and bad aspect
curry favor with so. The girl thinks that she will pass the test if she curries favor with the teacher.
x
curtain lecture : a private scolding, especially one given by a wife to husband
curtain raiser : something that begins or acts as an introduction to sthg. Her appearance on the school stage was a curtain raiser for a long and successful career as an actress
I was thrown by the news : j’ai été désarçonné par la nouvelle
a cut above sthg : rather better than so the office workers think they are a cut above the factory workers
be at the cutting edge
cut a long story short
cut and dried : settled and definite. We cannot change our plans, they are cut and dried
cut both ways
cut corners
cut so dead
the lorry cut across my path : couper la route
to cut down a side street : couper par une petite rue
cut so down to size
cut it fine : to allow hardly enough time to do or get sthg. You are cutting it a bit fine. you might miss the bus
cut it out : to stop doing. The children were teasing the cat but I told them to cut it out
cut no ice
cut up : upset . She’s cut up about the death of her dog
not cut out for sthg : not naturally suited to. he wants to be a doctor but he is not cut out for medecine
firing on all cylinders : working or operating at full strength.
etre au meilleur de sa forme
D
damp : put a damper on : to reduce the enjoyment
dance to a different tune / to change one’s tune : changer d’avis
at first she refused to leave but she danced to a diferent tune when the police arrived
to dance to sb’s tune : se plier aux exigences de qqn
in the dark : lacking knowledge
to keep someone in the dark about something : cacher quelque chose à quelqu’un
not darken so’s door : not to dare to visit
when his daughter stole his money he told her not to darken his door again
: ne plus remettre les pieds
cut a dash : to wear very smart clothes
call it a day : s’arrêter là
carry the day : the lawyer’s argument carried the day : avoir le dessus
day in, day out : everyday without exception
I thought the cinema had its day but it has been revived
name the day : to announce the date of one’s wedding
seize the day :
a dead end : impasse
that factory’s job is a dead end. You have no prospects
a dead loss :
he’s a dead loss as a teacher
at dead of night :
the broker broke in at dead of night
cut so dead : to ignore completely
dead beat : exhausted
I’m dead beat after walking up that hill
dead set on :
his son is dead set on going to university
deaf as a post
fall on death ears
stone deaf
a raw deal : unfair treatment
the younger son got a raw deal when his father’s estate was divided
a square deal :
I don’t think that I got a fair deal when I bought that car
a death trap :
a building that is in a dangerous state
dice with death
sign one’s own death warrant : bring about one’s own downfall
in deep water : in great difficulties or trouble
in deference to his old age
to bid defiance :
out of one’s depth : cannot cope
the child is out of his depth in class
get one’s just deserts
have designs upon so
leave so to his own devices
play the devil’s advocate
load the dice against so :
since he has no qualifications the dice are loaded against him
split the difference
he’s digging his heels in and refused to go
x
on the horns of a dilemna : the old lady is on the horns of a dilemna : she can’t decide which of her grandchildren’s invitations to accept
take a dim view on sthg :
the boss takes a dim view of his employee’s inability to get to work on time
do the dirty on : to treat so in an unfair, dishonest way
he did the dirty on his friend and told the police about her part in in the crime
within striking distance :
he was within striking distance of the town when he collapsed
pay dividends : to bring advantages at a later time
all your hard work will pay dividends when you pass your exams
do one’s level best
done for
we’re done for. Our enemies are gaining on us
do the honors : to act as host
his wife did the honours and poured the cocktails
do time : serve a prison sentence
do sth up : to renovate or decorate
we’re doing up an old coach house
not the done thing
nothing doing
in the doldrums : feeling depressed
done/coked to a turn
lay sth at so’s door
the police are trying to lay the crime at his door
on so’s doorstep
a dose of one’s own medecine : he’s always bullying the younger boys but he got a dose of his own medecine when one of his brothers beat him up
on the dot :
they arrived on the dot for the meeting
at the double : very quickly
down at heel : untidy, uncared for
she’s a bit down at heel but she can’t afford to buy new dress
to cool/ kick one’s heels : poireauter
down in the dumps, down in the mouth : depressed
he’s always down in the dumps in the winter
down the drain : completely wasted
sth went down with my computer and I lost all my material.That was a day down the drain
down-to-earth : practical
get down to :
the exams are next week. You’ll have to get down to some revising
go downhill : get worse and worse
the old lady’s gone downhill mentally since I last saw her
drag so’s reputation through the mud
work like a dream : the plan for the surprise party last week worked like a dream
dressed to kill
dressing :
the boss gave Ravi a good dressing for being late
drink like a fish : alchoolic drink
at the drop of a hat : immediately
do drop in if you are passing
drop off ; fall asleep
drop out ; to leave school
to drown one’s sorrow : to take alchoolic drink
a lame duck : a weak or inefficient person
he’s just a lame duck who is relying on you too much
shake the dust from one’s feet : to leave somewhere, usually gladly
throw dust in so’s eye : to attempt to confuse or deceive so : embrouiller quelqu’un
go dutch : to share expenses
I accept your dinner invitation if you go dutch
duty bound to
to dwell upon : to speak at some length
E
eager beaver : so who is very enthusiastic : être zélé
pin back one’s ears : to listen attentively
play it by ear : to deal with matters as they arise : improviser
prick up one’s ears
up to one’s ears in sthg : deeply involved
I’m up to my ears in work this year
stand at ease : stand in a relaxed position
ease up on sthg : be moderate with
he was asked to ease up on his drinks
easy : go easy on so or sthg : not to treat too sternly
go easy on the child, she didn’t mean to spill the coffee
x
ebb: at a low ebb: in a poor or depressed state : être au plus bas
edge : to have a few rough edges: to have a few faults
get a word in edgeways
Push so over the edge : unable to cope
take the edge of something: to make less sharp his smile took the edge of his criticism
elbow grease : hard physical work
It will take elbow grease to get a shine on this table
elbow room:
I need elbow room in kitchen
give so the elbow : to end a relationship with someone
at the eleventh hour : at the last possible hour
The end of the line : the point beyond which survival is impossible
Their marriage has reached the end of the line
he is honest to the core
get even with someone: be revenged on
get, keep on an even keel : keep steady and calm, with no sudden changes
my finances are back on an even keel : mes finances sont revenues à la normale
he is on a more even keel now : il est plus équilibré qu’auparavant
a sight for sore eyes : a pleasant or welcome sight
eye-opener : something which reveals an unexpected fact :
when he stood up to the bully, it was a real eye-opener to her. She’d thought she was a coward
make eyes at someone: to look at with sexual interest
not to bat an eyelid : not to show any surprise or distress
raise a few eyebrows: to surprise or shock some people
The vicar’s daughter’s plunging neckline raised a few eyebrows at he church fete
eyeball to eyeball : face to face
F
face the music
fly in the face of something: to oppose or defy
she takes pleasure in flying in the face of convention
in the face of :
She succeeded in the face of great hardship
make, pull a face :
She made a face behind her father’s back
Put a brave face on it
I’m nervous about the interview, but I’m putting a brave face on it
facts of life :
to tell the children the facts of life
not to have the faintest: not the slightest idea
I have not the faintest who he is
By fair means or foul : by any methods whatsoever
fair and square : fair, directly
he hit him fair and square on the nose
fair game : a person or thing that is considered reasonable to attack
Politicians are fair game to the members of the press
fair weather friends
fall about : to be fairly amused
The children fell about at the clown antics
fall flat : to have no effect
The comedian’s jokes fell completely flat
fall foul of :
He fell foul of the law
In the family way : pregnant
run in the family :
Violence runs in that family
Pull a fast on someone: to deceive
To a fault : to a great extent
He’ generous to a fault
Make the feathers fly : to cause trouble or a quarrel
Fed up to the back teeth : extremely bored
feel in one’s bones : by instinct
I feel in my bones that he was lying
find one’s feet : be able to cope with a situation
fall, land on one’s feet : to be successful after a period of misfortune
have both feet on the ground
mend fences: to put things right after a quarrel
In fine/ good fettle : healthy and cheerful
fever pitch
The audience was at fever pitch
The passengers were pitched forward
to pitch sb an excuse : débiter une excuses quelqu’un
few and far between: very rare
The circumstances that pitched him into the political arena
fit as a fiddle
play second fiddle to someone: to be in a subordinate position
have a field day : to have a very busy, successful day
the journalists had a field day when the prime minister resigned
To make it a day : profiter de la journée
to care a fig : to take no notice
fight shy of : avoid something
he’s been fighting shy of telling her he’s living
A figment of somebody’s imagination
x
have had one’s fill :
he says he has had his fill of this boring job
To go through something with a white- tooth comb : to search very carefully
You must go through the contract with a fine-tooth comb
have something at one’s fingertips: to know thoroughly
To let something slip through one’s fingers: to lose advantage, opportunity often by one’s inaction
work one’s fingers to the bone : to work extremely hard
to give the finishing touch : to complete
under fire : attacked
the new traffic plans have come under fire from several organisations
In the first flush
he offered to work overtime in the first flush of enthusiasm
a queer fish : strange or eccentric
like a fish out of water
In a fix : in an awkward situation:
I’m in a fix now that I’ve lost my wallet
to fizzle out : to fail to achieve
his efforts to secure the job fizzled out for want of some push
fan the flame : to make a difficult situation worse
a flea in one’s ears : a sharp scolding
he got a flea in his ears from the teacher for being late
a thorn in one’s flesh : a source of annoyance
flesh spots : luxurious living
She’s enjoying the flesh spots of the Bahamas
A flight of fancy
have a fling : to have a short sexual relationship with someone
take the floor : to rise to make a public speech
To begin to dance
The family took the floor to do the tango
flotsam and jetsam : rejected by society
go with the flow : to be relaxed and not worry about what you should do
he’s very stubborn so there’s really no point in changing his mind. It’s best to just go with the flow
would like to be a fly on the wall : would link to be present and hear what is going on
get off to a flying start : to have a very successful beginning
foam at the mouth : to be very angry
follow suit
food for thought
follow in someone’s footsteps
to have one foot in the grave
for that matter : in connection with that
for the asking :
The money is there for the asking : l’argent est la pour qui le demande
If you want to borrow some books from the collection, it’s yours for the asking
force of circumstance :
He claimed he turned to crime through force of circumstance
A force to be reckoned with
be, come to the fore: his political opinions have been bought to the fore
foregone conclusion: opinion formed before investigation
speak with a forked tongue: to tell lies
forlorn hope
On form : in good condition
true to form
foul play
free-for-all : an argument or fight in which everyone joins in an uncontrollable way
give someone a free hand
Scot-free : unheard or unpunished
take French leave : to stay away from work without permission
have a frog in one’s heart : to be hoarse
to be full of oneself
to be full of beans
that’s my funeral : c’est mon problème
that’s my funeral, and I must deal with it
fuss : to complain vigorously
she got her money back from the shop because she made a fuss
make a fuss of someone: to show a lot of affection
she always makes a fuss of her grandchildren
x
G
generous to a fault too generous. My favourite uncle is generous to a fault.
get a good run for one’s money to receive what one deserves, expects, or wants; to be well compensated for effort, money
get a slap on the wrist to get a light punishment (for doing some- thing wrong). (Informal.) He created quite a disturbance, but he only got a slap on the wrist.
get a tongue-lashing to receive a severe scolding. I really got a tongue-lashing when I got home.
get a word in (edgeways)
get back on one’s feet : to become independent again; to become able to move around again. (Note the variations with own and two in the examples.)
He was sick for a while, but now he’s getting back on his feet.
get butterflies in one’s stomach : avoir le trac
get by (on a shoe-string) to manage to live (on very little money). For the last two years, we have had to get by on a shoe-string.
get carried away to be overcome by emotion or enthusiasm (in one’s thinking or actions). Calm down, Jane. Don’t get carried away. Here, Bill. Take this money and go to the sweet-shop, but don’t get carried away.
get cold feet to become timid or frightened. (Also with have. See the note at get a black eye.) I usually get cold feet when I have to speak in public.
get down to brass tacks to begin to talk about important things. (Informal.)
Let’s get down to brass tacks. We’ve wasted too much
get into full swing to move into the peak of activity; to start mov- ing fast or efficiently. (Informal.) In the summer months, things really get into full swing around here.
get into the swing of things to join in the routine or the activi- ties. (Informal.)
Come on, Bill. Try to get into the swing of things.
get off lightly to receive very little punishment (for doing some- thing wrong). It was a serious crime, but Mary got off lightly.
get off to a flying start to have a very successful beginning to something. The new business got off to a flying start with those export orders.
get one’s come-uppance to get a reprimand; to get the punish- ment one deserves. Tom is always insulting people, but he finally got his come-uppance.
get one’s fill of someone or something to receive enough of someone or something. (Also with have. See the note at get a black eye.) You’ll soon get your fill of Tom. He can be quite a pest.
get one’s fingers burned to have a bad experience. (Also used literally.) I tried that once before and got my fingers burned. I won’t try it again.
get one’s just deserts to get what one deserves. I feel better now that Jane got her just deserts. She really insulted me.
get one’s money’s worth to get everything that has been paid for; to get the best quality for the money paid. Weigh that pack of meat before you buy it. Be sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
get one’s second wind (Also with have. See the note at get a black eye.) 1. for one’s breathing to become stabilized after exerting one- self for a short time. John was having a hard time running until he got his second wind.
get on the good side of someone to get into someone’s favour. You had better behave properly if you want to get on the good side of Mary.
get out of the wrong side of the bed to get up in the morning in a bad mood. What’s wrong with you? Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed today?
get someone off the hook to free someone from an obligation. (Informal.) Thanks for getting me off the hook. I didn’t want to attend that meeting. I couldn’t get Tom off the hook by myself. also: get off the hook to get free from an obligation. She did every- thing she could to get off the hook.
get something off one’s chest to tell something that has been bothering you. (Also with have. See the note at get a black eye.) I have to get this off my chest. I broke your window with a stone. I knew I’d feel better when I had that off my chest.
get the brush-off to be ignored or sent away; to be rejected. (Infor- mal.) Don’t talk to Tom. You’ll just get the brush-off.
get the hang of something to learn how to do something; to learn how something works. (Informal. Also with have. See the note at get a black eye.) As soon as I get the hang of this computer, I’ll be able to work faster.
get the last laugh to laugh at or ridicule someone who has laughed at or ridiculed you; to put someone in the same bad position that you were once in. (Also with have. See the note at get a black eye.) John laughed when I got a D on the final exam. I got the last laugh, though. He failed the course.
give someone the runaround to give someone a series of excuses, delays, and refer- rals. If you ask to see the manager, they’ll give you the runaround.
he’s giving me the runaround : il se defile
getting on (in years) growing older. Grandfather is getting on in years. Yes, he’s really getting on.
get to the bottom of something to get an understanding of the causes of something. We must get to the bottom of this problem immediately.
get under someone’s skin to bother or irritate someone. (Infor- mal.) John is so annoying. He really gets under my skin.
get wind of something to hear about something; to receive infor- mation about something
gild the lily : en faire trop
to add ornament or decoration to something which is pleasing in its original state; to attempt to improve something which is already fine the way it is. give a good account of oneself to do (something) well or thor- oughly.
give a good account of oneself to do (something) well or thor- oughly. John gave a good account of himself when he gave his speech last night.
give ground to retreat (literally or figuratively). When I argue with Mary, she never gives ground. I approached the barking dog, but it wouldn’t give ground.
give someone a piece of one’s mind to reprimand or scold some- one; to tell someone off. I’ve had enough from John. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind. Sally, stop it, or I’ll give you a piece of my mind.
x
