Idiom 6 Flashcards
At the drop of a hat
if you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it suddenly and easily, often without any preparation
Ex. I can’t go rushing off to Florida at the drop of a hat. We now have a situation where laws may be changed at the drop of a hat.
count your blessings
to think about the good things in your life, often to stop yourself becoming too unhappy about the bad things
Ex. School children today should count their blessings. At least they’re not beaten for talking in class as we were.
by word of mouth
if you hear information by word of mouth, you hear it from other people and not from the radio or television or from reading newspapers
Ex. I think she heard about the job by word of mouth.
keen on someone or something and keen about someone or something
to be enthusiastic about someone or something
Ex. I’m not too keen on going to Denver. Sally is fairly keen about getting a new job. Mary isn’t keen on her new boss.
Tall order
Something that is likely to be hard to achieve or fulfill is a tall order.
hit the nail on the head
to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
Ex. I think Mick hit the nail on the head when he said that what’s lacking in this company is a feeling of confidence.
privy to something
. knowledgeable about something secret or private
Ex. The reporter became privy to the senator’s evil plan. Why are you privy to this secret information?
someone’s point is well taken
someone’s idea or opinion is accepted and appreciated.
Ex. Your point is well taken and I will see that it is not forgotten.
shore up something also shore something up
to make something stronger by supporting it
Ex. Part of the roof collapsed, and emergency workers had to shore up walls to prevent further damage. Central banks try to shore the economy up by lowering interest rates.
You reap what you sow
something that you say which means everything that happens to you is a result of your own actions
Ex. If you treat your friends like that, of course they drop you. You reap what you sow in this life.
vouch for someone or something
to support or back someone or something; to endorse someone or something.
Ex. I can vouch for Tom. Irene will vouch for my honesty.
liken someone or something to someone or something
to compare someone or something to someone or something, concentrating on the similarities.
Ex. He is strange. I can only liken him to an eccentric millionaire. The poet likened James to a living statue of Mercury.
at any rate
in any case; anyway
Ex. At any rate, what were we talking about? At any rate, I don’t think you should quit your job.
jibe with something
[for something] to agree with something.
Ex.Your story doesn’t jibe with what we heard from the arresting officer. Her tale jibes with yours quite well.
come hell or high water
no matter what happens
Ex. I’ll be there tomorrow, come hell or high water. Come hell or high water, I intend to own my own home.
keep your eyes peeled
to watch very carefully for something
Ex. Keep your eyes peeled for a signpost.
know someone or something like the back of one’s hand
to know someone or something very well.
Ex. Of course I know John. I know him like the back of my hand.
uphill battle
a hard struggle
Ex. Convincing the senator to see our point of view was an uphill battle, but we finally succeeded.
If memory serves
if I am remembering correctly
Ex. If memory serves, there will be flags and parades for the Olympic opening ceremonies
leave someone high and dry
to leave someone unsupported and unable to maneuver; to leave someone helpless
Ex. All my workers quit and left me high and dry.
leave a lot to be desired
to be lacking something important; to be inadequate. (A polite way of saying that something is bad.)
Ex. This report leaves a lot to be desired. I’m sorry to have to fire you, Mary, but your work leaves a lot to be desired
take something to heart
to consider that some comment is significant to oneself.
Ex. Mary listened to Bob’s advice and took it all to heart. All Sue’s advice was taken to heart by the show committee.
(just) for the hell of it
if you do something for the hell of it, you do it only because you want to, or because you think it is funny
Ex. I decided to dye my hair bright green, just for the hell of it.
open (up) a can of worms
to create a situation that will cause trouble or be unpleasant
Ex. The investigation into how these expensive trips were paid for certainly opened a can of worms.
