Idioms #1 Flashcards
Ants in one’s pants
People who have ants in their pants are very restless
or excited about something
“I wish he’d relax. He’s got ants in his pants
about something today!”
Dial it back
If you dial it back, you reduce the intensity of something
or tone it down.
When Lucas started getting all excited his mother said :
“Hey Lucas, dial it back a bit!”
Eager beaver
The term eager beaver refers to a person who is hard-working
and enthusiastic, sometimes considered overzealous.
“The new accountant works all the time - first to arrive and
last to leave - a real eager beaver!”
Fling yourself into something
If you fling yourself into an activity, you do it with a lot of
energy and enthusiasm.
“Ever since she flung herself into the anti-pollution
campaign, she rarely has a free moment!”
Go the extra mile
Hold your horses
Can’t make an omelette without
breaking eggs
Change the face of something
Come with the territory
To say that something comes with the territory means that it
has to be accepted as part of a job or responsibility, even if it is
unpleasant.
“A successful actor has to expect intensive media coverage -
it comes with the territory!”
Cut both ways
Something that cuts both ways has both a positive and a negative
effect at the same time.
“Banning cars in the town centre can cut both ways : less traffic
congestion but fewer customers in the shops.
Devil to pay
This expression means that there will be trouble as a result of
something.
“There’ll be the devil to pay if you break anything!”
Argue the toss
If you argue the toss, you dispute a decision or choice which has
already been made.
“The final choice was made yesterday, so don’t argue the toss now! “
