Idioms Flashcards
A drop in the ocean
T: Una gota en el océano
D: A very small amount that will not have much effect.
E: The cost of a hotel for one night is a drop in the ocean for a big company like that.
A home from home
T: Como en casa
D: A place where you feel as relaxed as you do in your own home
E: Being with you is a real home from home.
A leopard can’t change its spots
T: Aunque el mono se vista de seda, mono se queda
D: Used for saying that someone will never change their behaviour or character.
E: Jimmy says he’s changed, but a leopard can’t change its spots, you know.
A sight for sore eyes
T: Un regalo para la vista
D: Someone or something that you are very pleased to see.
E: You’re a sight for sore eyes! Thank goodness you’re here.
A stitch in time (saves nine)
T: Más vale prevenir que curar
D: Used for saying that it is better to solve a problem now, rather than leave it until later when it may be more difficult to deal with.
E: If there’s a problem with your car, it’s better to get it looked at now. You know what they say: ‘a stitch in time…’
A stone’s throw (away / from)
T: Muy cerca
D: Very close (to)
E: Where we live is only a stone’s throw from the park.
Achilles’ heel
T: Punto débil
D: A weak feature of someone or something that could cause failure or be attacked.
E: She’s an extremely talented politician, but her Achilles’ heel may be her inability to prioritise.
Add fuel to the fire
T: Echar leña al fuego
D: Make a bad situation worse
E: Your refusing to discuss with Colin is just adding fuel to the fire, in my opinion.
All in good time
T: Todo a su tiempo
D: Used for telling someone to wait for something and not try to make you hurry.
E: You will get the report when it’s finished. All in good time!
All mod cons
T: Con todas las comodidades
D: All modern conveniences, the machines and pieces of equipment in your house that make life easy and confortable.
E: I’d quite like to move to a place that has all mod cons.
An act of God
T: Sucesos impredecibles
D: An event such as a flood, lightning or an earthquake that is produced by natural forces, and that people have no control over.
E: The insurance doesn’t cover acts of God.
As the crow flies
T: En línea recta
D: In a straight line (used for measuring distance).
E: It’s about 200 miles as the crow flies.
At a loose end
T: No tener nada mejor que hacer.
D: With nothing in particular to do.
E: If you’re at a loose end this weekend, why don’t we get together?
At the drop of a hat
T: En un abrir y cerrar de ojos
D: Immediately or in a way that shows that you have no doubts about doing something.
E: Let me know if you need help and I’ll be there at the drop of a hat!
Be born with a silver spoon in your mouth
T: Nacer en una cuna de oro
D: Have advantages because you come from a rich family.
E: I’ve always had to work hard because I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth.