Idiomatic Expressions |1| Flashcards
hedge (one’s) bets
Not one to be complacent, the acclaimed Broadway superstar still hedges her bets by trying out for several roles.
to do things that will prevent great loss or failure if future events do not happen as one plans or hopes
h_____
bandy about
Our neighbors bandy about everybody’s business as if they’re trying to outdo the entertainment section of the morning paper.
to talk about something in a loose or gossipy manner
b_____
sticking point
The date for the reunion concert was a sticking point for the band members.
something that a group of people cannot agree on and thus stops them from making progress in a discussion
s_____
give (someone) a leg up
Parents give their children a leg up in life by teaching skills that can never be learned in a traditional academic setting.
help someone to achieve something and become successful, especially by giving them an advantage that other people do not have
g_____
dabble in (something)
When I was a little girl, I dabbled in Hawaiian hula dancing and watercolor painting.
to take a slight and not very serious interest in a subject; to try a particular activity for a short period
d_____
rose-colored glasses
If you think rich people live perfect lives, you need to take off your rose-colored glasses.
an unrealistic positive view of something or someone
r_____
go off on a tangent
Our Literature professor usually goes off on a tangent about reiki, and we have no idea why.
to begin discussing something that is not relevant to the main subject
g_____
a cut above the rest
This Michelin-starred ramen shop is definitely a cut above the rest!
better in quality than most others
a_____
ruffle some feathers
The producer’s demand to reshoot the scene which took three weeks to film ruffled some feathers.
to do something which annoys, irritates, or upsets other people.
r_____
be a slave to (something)
Coco is a slave to fashion, but her favorite will always be a little black dress.
to be unduly influenced by or care too much about something; to spend too much time or energy on something
b_____
run-of-the-mill
I’m sorry to say, but the show was absolutely run-of-the-mill!
mediocre; common, standard, or average
r_____
live in a bubble
Most introverts tend to live in a bubble.
to live in one’s own world, completely isolated from what is happening all around
l_____
hell-bent on (doing something)
Fred is hell-bent on visiting North Korea for his travel vlog.
to be extremely determined to do something, without considering the risks or possible dangerous results
h_____
do (someone) good
Our honeymoon for our 25th wedding anniversary did our marriage good.
to have a positive effect on someone
d_____
cut down
Cut down on caffeine if you wish to be less anxious.
to do or use less of something
c_____
