Idiomes Flashcards
Under the weather
To feel ill
How do you use it? In England we love to talk about the weather and will do so often, but don’t be fooled by this common phrase. If someone says they’re feeling under the weather, your response should be ‘I hope you feel better!’, not ‘Would you like to borrow my umbrella?’.
Spill the beans
To give away a secret
How do you use it? If you told someone about their own surprise party, you’d have ‘spilled the beans’ or even ‘let the cat out of the bag’. The secret is out.
The ball is in your court
It’s up to you
How do you use it? It’s your move now, but this idiom refers to life rather than a sport. If you’ve got the ‘ball,’ the decision is yours and someone is waiting for your decision.
Break a leg
To wish someone luck
How do you use it? This idiom is not at all threatening. Often accompanied by a thumbs up, ‘Break a leg! ’is an encouraging cheer of good luck. It originates from when successful theater performers would to bow so many times after a show that they would break a leg.
Sat on the fence
To be undecided
How do you use it? If you’re sat on the fence, you’ve not decided which side of an argument you agree with. ‘I’m on the fence about hot yoga classes,’ translates as ‘I’m not sure whether I enjoy yoga in a sauna yet.’
Pull someone’s leg
To play a practical joke
How do you use it? This is the perfect phrase to learn if you’re a fan of practical jokes. ‘Pull their leg’ is similar to ‘wind someone up’. Use it in context: ‘Relax, I’m just pulling your leg!’ or ‘Wait, are you pulling my leg?’.
Through thick and thin
To be loyal no matter what
How do you use it? Often used to describe families or BFFs, ‘through thick and thin’ means that you’re by each other’s side no matter what happens, through the bad times, as well as the good.
It’s the best thing since sliced bread
It’s really, really good
How do you use it? Sliced bread must have revolutionised life in England because it’s since been used as the ultimate benchmark for things that are great. We love it almost as much as tea.
Once in a blue moon
Rarely
How do you use it? This charming phrase is used to describe something that doesn’t happen often. Example: ‘I remember to call my parents from my study abroad trip once in a blue moon.’
Take it with a pinch of salt
Don’t take it too seriously
How do you use it? ‘I heard that elephants can fly now, but Sam often makes up stories so I take everything he says with a pinch of salt.’
Come rain or shine
No matter what
How do you use it? You guarantee to do something, regardless of the weather or any other situation that might arise. ‘I’ll be at your football game, come rain or shine’.
Go down in flames
To fail spectacularly
How do you use it? This phrase is fairly obvious. ‘That exam went down in flames, I should have learned my English idioms.’
You can say that again
That’s true
How do you use it? Generally exclaimed in agreement. When a friend says ‘Ryan Reynolds is gorgeous!’, you can reply ‘You can say that again!’
Jump on the bandwagon
Following a trend
How do you use it? When a person joins in with something popular or does something just because it’s cool. See this brunch-based example: ‘She doesn’t even like avocado on toast. She’s just jumping on the bandwagon.’
See eye to eye
To agree completely
How do you use it? We’re not suggesting a staring contest – to see eye to eye with someone is to agree with the point they’re making.
As right as rain
Perfect
How do you use it? Another weather-based idiom, but this one is slightly trickier. We moan about the rain, but ‘right as rain’ is actually a positive comment. ‘I’m as right as rain!’ may be exclaimed with glee when asked if everything is okay, and it is.
Beat around the bush
Avoid saying something
How do you use it? Beating around the bush is when you speak nonsense, avoiding a question because you don’t want to express your opinion or answer truthfully.
Hit the sack
Go to bed
How do you use it? This idiom is super easy to learn to use. ‘I’m exhausted, it’s time for me to hit the sack!’
Miss the boat
It’s too late
How do you use it? Use this when you let an opportunity or deadline pass by. ‘I forgot to apply for that study abroad program, now I’ve missed the boat.’
By the skin of your teeth
Just barely
How do you use it? ‘Phew, I passed that exam by the skin of my teeth!’ Hopefully you’ll ace your exams, but if you only just pass you can whip out this idiom.
A penny for your thoughts
A way of asking someone to share their thoughts with you. For example: ‘I’ll give you a penny if you tell me your thoughts’
Actions speak louder than words
What someone actually does means more than what they say.. So someone actually handing you a bunch of flowers rather than just saying ‘ah I’ll get you some flowers tomorrow’.
An arm and a leg
A phrase used to massively over exaggerate when something might be overly priced. For example: ‘This pint cost me an arm and a leg!!’ When in reality they’re just paying an extorniate amount than what they’re used to.
Back to the drawing board
Used to indicate that an idea, scheme or proposal has been unsuccessful and that a new one should be devised.
The ball is in your court
when someone says the ball is in your court it means it is up to you to make the next move.
Barking up the wrong tree
You’re looking in the wrong place – accusing the wrong person or pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought.
Beat around the bush
A typical British saying meaning you’re purposely avoiding the topic in subject, not speaking directly about the issue.
Biting more than you can chew
A classic idiom meaning you’re trying to accomplish something that is too difficult for you.
You can’t judge a book by its cover
A classic saying meaning one should not judge something or someone by how it looks - it’s what’s on the inside/content that counts most (obviously).
Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning being too inquisitive can lead you to an unpleasant situation. Finding out an answer may in fact ruin the question for you.
Don’t count your chickens before your eggs have hatched
Basically don’t make plans for something that might not happen. For example, don’t spend all your birthday money before you get it - as you might not get any at all.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Don’t put all your hope/resources in one possibility, loose the basket and you’re left hopeless.
Don’t give up your day job
A saying to imply you are not very good at something, so you shouldn’t try it professionally, or at all.
Elvis has left the building
The show has come to end – it’s over
It takes two to tango
Meaning certain actions need more than one person to work successfully. A tango with one person is not as successful as one with two people involved so therefore, it takes two to tango.
Kill two birds with one stone
When you accomplish two tasks in one go. So if you need to go to te bank, and you drop your library books off on the way - you’ll be killing two birds with one stone.
Method to my madness
Despite something sounding crazy/absurd there is in fact a structure or reasoning behind it.
Not playing with the full deck
A saying to suggest someone/something lacks intelligence or common sense.
Speak of the devil
Used when the person is question arrives right on queue - as if they knew you we’re talking about them.
Steal someone’s thunder
To take credit for someone else’s work or to take limelight where it’s not deserved.
Taste of your own medicine
Tasting your own medicine is when you get treated the way you’ve been treating others.
Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning you basically have no idea. You simply know as much as the next person.
Blessing in disguise
Something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good happening later.
Example: When her boyfriend dumped her, it was a blessing in disguise for Sarah, because otherwise she would never have met the man who is now her husband.
Give someone the cold shoulder
To intentionally ignore someone or treat someone in an unfriendly way.
Example: He has been giving me the cold shoulder since this morning.
The best of both worlds
A situation in which you can enjoy the advantages of two very different things at the same time.
Example: She works in the city and lives in the country, so she gets the best of both worlds.
Let the cat out of the bag
To allow a secret to be known, usually without intending to.
Example: I wanted to keep my new job a secret, but my mother let the cat out of the bag.
Once in a blue moon
Not very often.
Example: I work in a foreign country. So, I only see my parents once in a blue moon.
On cloud nine
To be extremely happy and excited.
Example: The grandmother was on cloud nine to see her grandson after a long time.
Through thick and thin
If you support or stay with someone through thick and thin, you always support or stay with them, even if there are problems or difficulties. Example: My best friend has stayed with me through thick and thin.
Pull someone’s leg
To tell someone something that is not true as a way of joking with the person.
Example: Don’t be upset. I was just pulling your leg.
Action speaks louder than words
What you do is more important and shows your intentions and feelings more clearly than what you say.
Example: Politicians are all the same, all talk but no work; do they realise that actions speak louder than words?
Under the weather
If someone is or feels under the weather, they feel ill.
Example: I missed school as I was feeling a bit under the weather.
Bite of more than you can chew
Try to do something that is too difficult for you.’
Example: I think she has bitten off more than she can chew by signing up so many new projects.
Cost an arm and a leg
To be extremely expensive.
Example: New cars cost an arm and a leg. I simply can’t afford one.
Break the ice
To make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other
Example: Word games are great to break the ice with new students.
It’s a piece of cake
Something that is easy to do.
Example: My homework was a piece of cake.
Hit the hay
If someone says they’re going to hit the hay, it means they are going to bed. It reflects a need for rest, possibly due to emotional exhaustion or weariness.
After a long day at work, I can’t wait to hit the hay and get some good sleep.
Bite the bullet
To bite the bullet is to endure a painful or difficult situation with courage and resilience, often involving facing uncomfortable emotions or challenges.
I had to bite the bullet and apologize even though I didn’t think I was wrong.
Cry over spilled milk
Crying over spilled milk means to dwell on past mistakes or misfortunes, often implying that it’s unproductive to worry about things that cannot be changed.
There’s no use crying over spilled milk; let’s focus on finding a solution.
Throw in the towel
If someone throws in the towel, they give up or surrender, often due to emotional exhaustion or the feeling that the effort is no longer worth it.
After hours of trying to fix the computer, I finally threw in the towel and called for professional help.
On cloud nine
Being on cloud nine indicates a state of extreme happiness or euphoria, often resulting from positive emotions or experiences.
Winning the championship had me on cloud nine for weeks.
In the same boat
Being in the same boat means sharing a similar situation or predicament with others, usually involving common emotions or challenges.
We’re all in the same boat, dealing with the stress of upcoming exams.
Over the hill
Over the hill
If you’re getting older (especially over 50) and can’t be as physically or socially active as you used to be, you might say you’re over the hill. Be careful with this idiom, though, since it’s rude to say it about someone else.
Hi
I had to slow down after my knee surgery, but I don’t think I’m over the hill just yet.
Hit the books
Literally, hit the books means to physically hit your reading books, but this phrase is actually used to say that you’re going to study.
Sorry, but I can’t watch the game with you tonight. I have to hit the books.
Off the chain
If you watch “America’s Got Talent,” you may have heard host Mel B exclaim that an act was “off the chain!” That means it was especially exciting or impressive—usually in a good way, though the expression can also mean “out of control.”
The Taylor Swift concert was off the chain
Face the music
If someone tells you to face the music, they want you to deal with the reality of a situation and accept all the consequences.
You need to face the music. You failed because you didn’t study, so you need to take the class again next semester.
On the ball
If you’re on the ball, it means that you’re very quick to understand things or react quickly (and correctly) to a situation.
Wow, you’ve already finished your assignments? They aren’t due until next week. You’re really on the ball.
Ring a bell
When someone says something that you may have heard before, but don’t remember entirely, you can use this phrase to let them know it’s familiar but you may need a reminder.
That name rings a bell, but I can’t quite remember where I know her from.
Blow of steam
If you’re experiencing some strong feelings and need to calm down, you can blow off steam by doing something to get rid of the stress.
If my mom gets mad, she’ll usually go on a run to blow off some steam.
Cut the chase
When somebody tells you to cut to the chase, it means that you’ve been talking too long and you need to get to the point. Be careful how you use this idiom; it could be rude or disrespectful if used with someone like a boss or teacher.
Hi, guys. We don’t have much time here, so I’m going to cut to the chase.
Pitch in
This phrase may once have had a literal meaning to do with farm work (think pitchfork), but it isn’t used that way now. Figuratively speaking, it means to contribute (give) or to join in.
Let’s all pitch in a few dollars so we can buy Sally a really good present for her birthday.
Cutting corners
Cutting corners refers to trying to save money by finding cheaper or quicker ways of doing something, often with the risk of sacrificing quality.
We need to finish this project on time, but let’s be careful not to cut corners and compromise its quality.
Break the bank
If something breaks the bank, it means it is extremely expensive or costs more than one can afford.
I’d love to go on a luxury cruise, but the prices for those trips would break the bank.
Foot the bill
To foot the bill is to pay for something, usually a substantial expense.
Since it was my idea to eat at the expensive restaurant, I’ll gladly foot the bill.
