Idiomatic Expressions

Question 1

To be in dire straits

Answer 1

To be in a very bad or difficult situation.

Question 2

To come out of left field

Answer 2

To be very surprising and unexpected.

That question came out of left field.

Question 3

Running to the hills

Answer 3

To leave quickly from somewhere

The haunted house sent me running to the hills!

Question 4

What in tarnation… ?

Answer 4

De que diabos… ?

What in tarnation are you laughing at?

Question 5

To not find hide or hair

Answer 5

To not see someone at all over a period of time.

I haven’t seen hide nor hair of her since last Friday.

Question 6

Driving me nuts

Answer 6

To make (someone) very irritated, angry, or annoyed.

Your constant complaining drives me nuts!

Question 7

Stay tuned

Answer 7

Continue assistindo; Não mude de canal

Mas não necessariamente usado num contexto de mídia (rádio, TV, etc.)

Question 8

On top of your game

Answer 8

A master, an expert

The golf player is on top of his game.

Question 9

Get a grip

Answer 9

To make an effort to control your emotions and behave more calmly.

Get a grip, man!

Question 10

Take a load off

Answer 10

Relax

Welcome! Grab a drink, take a load off, and enjoy!

Question 11

To catch someone’s eye

Answer 11

To attract someone’s attention. (Chamar a atenção de alguém)

The colorful display in the shop window caught my eye.

Question 12

To keep an eye on

Answer 12

To watch or monitor something or someone closely. (Ficar de olho em)

Can you keep an eye on my bag while I use the restroom?

Question 13

To miss the boat

Answer 13

To miss an opportunity or chance to do something. (Perder a oportunidade)

I wanted to invest in Bitcoin, but I missed the boat.

Question 14

To take a backseat

Answer 14

To take a secondary or less prominent role. (Ficar em segundo plano)

The CEO took a backseat and let the new team lead the project.

Question 15

To go the extra mile

Answer 15

To make extra effort or do more than what is expected.
(Dar um passo a mais)

The hotel staff went the extra mile to ensure the guests had a nice stay

Question 16

To hit the jackpot

Answer 16

To achieve a great success or gain a substantial amount of money. (Ganhar na loteria)

Sarah hit the jackpot when she found Tom.

Question 17

Out of the frying pan and into the fire

Answer 17

Escaping one problem only to enter a worse one. (Saltar da frigideira para o fogo)

“He thought leaving his old job would be good, but he went out of (…)

Question 18

A picture is worth a thousand words

Answer 18

A visual representation can convey complex ideas. (Uma imagem vale mais do que mil palavras)

“Instead of explaining it, let me show you. A picture is worth (…)”

Question 19

To beat around the bush

Answer 19

Avoiding the main topic or being indirect. (Enrolar/Encher linguiça)

“Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think.”

Question 20

The apple of my eye

Answer 20

Something or someone cherished and loved.

“Her little daughter is the apple of her eye.”

Question 21

To bark up the wrong tree

Answer 21

Accusing or looking in the wrong direction. (Latir para a árvore errada)

If you think I took your book, you’re barking (…). I haven’t seen it.

Question 22

Don’t cry over spilled milk

Answer 22

Don’t dwell on past mistakes or misfortunes. (Não adianta chorar sobre o leite derramado)

“I made a mistake, but there’s no use crying (…). Let’s move on.”

Question 23

To put all your eggs in one basket

Answer 23

To rely entirely on one thing, which is risky. (Colocar todos os ovos na mesma cesta)

“Investing all your money in a single stock is like putting all (…)”

Question 24

To kill two birds with one stone

Answer 24

Accomplish two things with a single action. (Matar dois coelhos com uma cajadada só)

“By studying during my commute, I can kill two birds with one stone.”

Question 25

The early bird catches the worm

Answer 25

Those who act promptly have an advantage. (Deus ajuda quem cedo madruga)

“She always arrives at work early. The early bird catches the worm.”

Question 26

When in Rome, do as the Romans do

Answer 26

Adapt to the customs and culture of the place you’re in. (Onde quer que estejas, age como os que lá estão)

“I know it’s different, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Question 27

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Answer 27

Don’t rely on something before it happens.

“I know you’re excited about the promotion, but don’t count your chicken

Question 28

Rome wasn’t built in a day

Answer 28

Great things take time.
(Roma não foi construída num dia)

“Learning a new skill takes time and effort. Remember, Rome…

Question 29

Actions speak louder than words

Answer 29

What a person does is more important than what they say. (As ações valem mais que as palavras)

“He keeps promising to help, but actions speak louder than words.”

Question 30

Every cloud has a silver lining

Answer 30

There is something positive in every negative situation. (Não há mal que não traga algum bem)

“She lost her job. Every cloud (…), and she started her own business.”

Question 31

To let sleeping dogs lie

Answer 31

Don’t stir up unnecessary trouble.
(Deixe os cachorros dormirem)

“I know you have a disagreement with him, but it’s best to let (…).”

Question 32

The ball is in your court

Answer 32

It’s your turn to take action.

“I’ve presented my proposal, and now the ball (…) to make a decision.”

Question 33

A needle in a haystack

Answer 33

Something that is very difficult to find.
(Uma agulha no palheiro)

“Finding a specific book in that library is like searching for a (…)

Question 34

To break the ice

Answer 34

To start a conversation or to make a social situation more relaxed. (Quebrar o gelo)

“He told a joke to break the ice at the party.”

Question 35

On cloud nine

Answer 35

Being extremely happy. (Nas nuvens)

“She was on cloud nine after receiving the job offer.”

Question 36

A penny for your thoughts

Answer 36

Asking someone what they are thinking about.

“You seem lost in thought. A penny for your thoughts?”

Question 37

It’s raining cats and dogs

Answer 37

It’s raining heavily. (Está chovendo canivetes)

“We can’t go outside; it’s raining cats and dogs!”

Question 38

A blessing in disguise

Answer 38

Something that seems bad but has a good outcome. (Um mal que vem para o bem)

“Losing my job was a blessing in disguise because I found a better one.”

Question 39

When pigs fly

Answer 39

Something that is highly unlikely to happen.
(Quando galinhas tiverem dentes)

“Sure, I’ll lend you my car when pigs fly.”

Question 40

To hit the nail on the head

Answer 40

To be exactly right.
(Acertar em cheio)

“She hit the nail on the head when she guessed the correct answer.”

Question 41

To bite the bullet

Answer 41

To face a difficult situation with courage.

“He knew surgery was necessary, so he bit the bullet and did it.”

Question 42

To cost an arm and a leg

Answer 42

To be very expensive. (Custar os olhos da cara)

“I really wanted that designer handbag, but it cost an arm and a leg.”

Question 43

To let the cat out of the bag

Answer 43

To reveal a secret

“She accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”

Question 44

To kick the bucket

Answer 44

To die (Bater as botas)

“He kicked the bucket last night after a long illness.”

Question 45

It’s a piece of cake

Answer 45

It’s very easy. (É moleza!)

“Don’t worry about the test. It’s a piece of cake.”

Question 46

Break a leg!

Answer 46

Good luck! (Boa sorte!)

“You have an important audition tomorrow. Break a leg!”