Idiom List 2 Flashcards

1
Q

Cut a person some slack

A

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.

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2
Q

First-rate

A

Of high quality

The accommodations in that hotel were first-rate.

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3
Q

Off base

A

Missing the point, not understanding

I don’t think she watched the news program properly; the conclusions she drew were way off base.

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4
Q

Touch base with

A

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.

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5
Q

Keep one’s options open

A

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.

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6
Q

Bring the fact home to someone

A

To make (the reality of something) clear

This book finally brought the complexity of the issue hone to me.

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7
Q

Bring new information to light

A

To reveal; to uncover

Their study brought to light some long-forgotten manuscripts.

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8
Q

See the light

A

To finally realize something after serious consideration

I thought he would never agree with me, but eventually he saw the light.

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9
Q

Look up

A

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.

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10
Q

Look up to

A

To have respect and admiration for someone

He had always looked up to his uncle, who was a teacher.

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11
Q

Give someone free rein

A

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.]

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12
Q

Rein someone in

A

To control (someone’s( behavior closely

Whenever she began to stray from the task our supervisor reined her in.

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13
Q

Give her story the benefit of the doubt

A

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.

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14
Q

Hold one’s own

A

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.

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15
Q

Hold one’s tongue

A

To stay silent; to refrain from speaking

He was upset and wanted to say something, but he held his tongue.

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16
Q

Bring something to mind

A

To be reminiscent of (something); to remind

This dish brings to mind a meal I once had in Paris.

17
Q

Set the record straight

A

To correct a false; to provide accurate information

The media initially reported that escaped animal was a tiger, but zoo officials set the record straight by announcing that it was a kangaroo.

18
Q

Use up a resource

A

To consume (something) completely

I couldn’t brush my teeth this morning because my brother had used up the toothpaste.

19
Q

Size up the competition

A

To evaluate or assess

The dogs growled and walked in circle, sizing each other up.