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 year.

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

Mantenha sua atenção, 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! Load = peso

Question 11

To catch someone’s eye

Answer 11

To attract someone’s attention.

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 muito rapidamente, geralmente na loteria mas não necessariamente)

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

To beat around the bush

Answer 18

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

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

Question 19

To bark up the wrong tree

Answer 19

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 20

Don’t cry over spilled milk

Answer 20

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 21

To put all your eggs in one basket

Answer 21

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 22

To kill two birds with one stone

Answer 22

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 23

The early bird catches the worm

Answer 23

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 24

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Answer 24

Don’t rely on something before it happens.

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

Question 25

Actions speak louder than words

Answer 25

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 26

Every cloud has a silver lining

Answer 26

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 27

To let sleeping dogs lie

Answer 27

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 28

The ball is in your court

Answer 28

It’s your turn to take action.

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

Question 29

A needle in a haystack

Answer 29

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

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

Question 30

To break the ice

Answer 30

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 31

On cloud nine

Answer 31

Being extremely happy. (Nas nuvens)

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

Question 32

A penny for your thoughts

Answer 32

Asking someone what they are thinking about.

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

Question 33

It’s raining cats and dogs

Answer 33

It’s raining heavily. (Está chovendo canivetes)

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

Question 34

A blessing in disguise

Answer 34

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 35

When pigs fly

Answer 35

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

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

Question 36

To hit the nail on the head

Answer 36

To be exactly right.
(Acertar em cheio)

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

Question 37

To bite the bullet

Answer 37

To face a difficult situation with courage.

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

Question 38

To cost an arm and a leg

Answer 38

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

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

Question 39

To let the cat out of the bag

Answer 39

To reveal a secret

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

Question 40

To kick the bucket

Answer 40

To die (Bater as botas)

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

Question 41

It’s a piece of cake

Answer 41

It’s very easy. (É moleza!)

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

Question 42

Break a leg!

Answer 42

Good luck! (Boa sorte!)

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

Question 43

Keep your eyes peeled

Answer 43

Fique de olho

“Keep your eyes peeled for any updates.”

Question 44

Don’t hold your breath

Answer 44

Não espere (que algo aconteça)

“He promised to call, but don’t hold your breath.”