Idiomatic Expressions Flashcards
She was tickled pink by the good news
Made very happy
You were hands down the best player on the team
There was no competition
I’ve been feeling pretty down in the dumps lately
Sad or depressed
I’m feeling sick as a dog!
Very sick
I’ve been feeling under the weather
Not well
Rise and shine!
Wake up and be happy!
Close, but no cigar.
You were very close, but you did not make it.
I could play outside till the cows come home
For a very long time
Wow! It’s raining cats and dogs out there!
Very hard rain
That sound is driving me up the wall!
Making me very annoyed
This assignment is a piece of cake.
Very easy
Although he broke the rules, he was only given a slap on the wrist.
A mild punishment
This shirt costs an arm and a leg.
It is extremely expensive.
Yikes! This shirt costs an arm and a leg.
It is extremely expensive.
No, I was just pulling your leg.
Just joking
It’s Greek to me!
I don’t understand.
Keep your chin up.
Be happy.
Hold your horses
Be patient.
We’re all in the same boat.
All of us are in the same position.
He’s a bit of a loose cannon.
Unpredictable
I will clean my room when pigs fly.
Never
About time
Nearly time, high time
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
our feeling for those we love increases when we are apart from them
He has been acting all high and mighty ever since he chased away that burglar.
To act proudly and arrogantly
Actions speak louder than words
it’s better to do something about a problem than to talk about it
Bill, stop throwing rocks! Act your age!
To behave in a more mature way
He added fuel to the fire by bringing up old grudges while they were arguing.
To make a bad problem even worse
(To) add insult to injury
To make a bad situation even worse
They were working against the clock to finish the project.
attempt to do something as fast as possible, usually in order to make a deadline
All thumbs
Awkward. Clumsy.
A little bird told me
they don’t want you to know who told them
All in a day’s work
Typical; normal; par for the course.
(From) all walks of life
(From) all social, economic, and ethnic groups.
ex. “People from all walks of life voted for him, but he still lost the presidential election.”
Apple of someone’s eye
Someone’s favorite person (and sometimes thing).
Armed to the teeth
Heavily armed.
ex. “The rebels were armed to the teeth.”
At all hours (of the night)
Very late at night, throughout the night.
ex. “Her boyfriend would call her at all hours of the night.”
At each other’s throats
Fighting or arguing hard.
A bitter pill
An unpleasant situation or information that must be accepted
A dime a dozen
Anything that is common, inexpensive, and easy to get or available anywhere
Ace in the hole
A hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage
Achiles’ heel
A fatal weakness in spite of overall strength
All ears
Listening intently; fully focused or awaiting an explanation
Apple of discord
Anything causing trouble, discord, or jealousy
At the drop of a hat
Without any hesitation; instantly.
