Idiom List 2 Flashcards
Cut a person some slack
To give someone a break, to be understanding
My boss knew that i was going through a hard time, so when i missed the deadline he cut me some slack.
First-rate
Of high quality
The accommodations in that hotel were first-rate.
Off base
Missing the point, not understanding
I don’t think she watched the news program properly; the conclusions she drew were way off base.
Touch base with
Check in with
Even if my manager is having a buy week, he always makes time to touch base with me and catch on my project work.
Keep one’s options open
To avoid doing anything that might rule out a future course of action
She will probably matriculates to State University, but she’s keeping her options open until she has gotten a response from all of the schools she applied to.
Bring the fact home to someone
To make (the reality of something) clear
This book finally brought the complexity of the issue hone to me.
Bring new information to light
To reveal; to uncover
Their study brought to light some long-forgotten manuscripts.
See the light
To finally realize something after serious consideration
I thought he would never agree with me, but eventually he saw the light.
Look up
To show signs of improvement
She had more tests done and the doctors say her health is looking up.
To seek information about (something) in a reference work.
I looked up the words i didn’t know in a dictionary.
Look up to
To have respect and admiration for someone
He had always looked up to his uncle, who was a teacher.
Give someone free rein
To put few restrictions on the behavior of (someone)
The new teacher gives the students free rein to study whatever they want.
[a rein is the strap used to control a horse while riding.]
Rein someone in
To control (someone’s( behavior closely
Whenever she began to stray from the task our supervisor reined her in.
Give her story the benefit of the doubt
To assume that (a person or statement) is truthful until proven otherwise
His alibi is suspicious, but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt until we know more.
Hold one’s own
To perform reasonably well in a challenging situation
The other runners in the race are much more experienced, but she is holding her own and will probably finish right in the middle.
Hold one’s tongue
To stay silent; to refrain from speaking
He was upset and wanted to say something, but he held his tongue.