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Grammer main 4 > idioms > Flashcards

idioms Flashcards

1
Q

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

A

having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more, because chances are you might lose everything

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2
Q

a bitter pill

A

a situation or information that is unpleasant but must be accepted

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3
Q

a blessing in disguise

A

something good that is recognised at first

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4
Q

a breath of fresh air

A

a new, fresh, and imaginative approach, a change that feels good

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5
Q

a chip on your shoulder

A

being upset for something that happened in the past

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6
Q

a clean bill of health

A

when you examine someone or something and state that they are healthy, in good condition, or legal

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7
Q

a dime’s worth

A

an insignificant amount

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8
Q

a doubting thomas

A

a skeptic who needs physcial or personal evidence in order to belive something

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9
Q

a drop in the bucket

A

a very small part of something big or whole

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10
Q

a fool and his moeny are soon parted

A

this means that stupid people spend money without thinking about it enough

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11
Q

a house divided against itself cannot stand

A

everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not work out

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12
Q

a leopard can’t change its spots

A

a person’s character, especially if it is bad, will not change, even if they pretend it has

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13
Q

a man of action

A

a man who is inclined to act first rather than think about things and discuss them.

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14
Q

a man of few words

A

a man who doesn’t speak much. a man of action ?

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15
Q

a penny saved is a penny earned

A

by not spending money, you are saving money.

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16
Q

a picture paints a thousand words

A

a visual presentation is far more descriptive than words

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17
Q

a piece of cake

A

easy task

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18
Q

a roof over your head

A

a place to live

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19
Q

a slap of the wrist

A

a very mild punishment

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20
Q

a taste of your own medicine

A

when you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others

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21
Q

a whole new ball game

A

a completely different situation

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22
Q

achilles heel

A

said about a strong situation which contains element of vulnerability

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23
Q

act of god

A

something that occurred, such as an accident which no human is responsible. a natural disaster such as a storm, earthquake?!! erhm don’t make sense to me

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24
Q

ace in the hole

A

a hidden or secret strength, or unrevealed advantage

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25
Q

actions speak louder than words

A

it’s better to actually do something than just talk about it

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26
Q

adam’s ale

A

water

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27
Q

add insult to injury

A

to further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavourable situation

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28
Q

against the clock

A

rushed and short on time

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29
Q

age before beauty

A

used humorously or lightheartedly, and usually said by a younger person to an older friend or relative out of mock pity for being so much older and .

30
Q

ahead of one’s time

A

innovative and radical by the standards of the time

31
Q

alive and kicking

A

to continue to be well, healthy or successful

32
Q

all bark and no bite

A

when someone is threatening and or aggresive but not willing to engage in a fight

33
Q

all Greek to me

A

meaningless and incomprehensible like someone who cannot read,speak, or understand the Greek language would be

34
Q

all in the same boat

A

when everyone is facing the same challenges

35
Q

an act of war

A

an act which is considered violent enough to cause war

36
Q

an arm and a leg

A

a lot of money

37
Q

an axe to grind

A

to have a dispute with someone

38
Q

all that glitters is not gold

A

appearance is sometimes misleading. Things that appear valuable or worthwhile might not be as good as they look

39
Q

an eye for an eye

A

suggests that punishment should equal the crime

40
Q

back seat driver

A

someone giving unwanted advice

41
Q

back the wrong horse

A

to support someone or something that later cannot be successful.

42
Q

back to the drawing board

A

when an attempt fails and it’s time to start all over

43
Q

back to square one

A

having to start all over again

44
Q

bad blood

A

unpleasant feeling between different people

45
Q

bad egg

A

bad person

46
Q

bag of bones

A

an extremely thin person

47
Q

bag of tricks

A

a set of techniques and methods

48
Q

bakers’ dozen

A

thirteen

49
Q

ball of fire

A

a person who is especially hard- working, high achieving, ambitious, or active

50
Q

call a spade a spade

A

to be truthful about something, even if it is rude or unpleasant

51
Q

call it a day

A

To stop working for the rest of the day

52
Q

call off the dogs

A

said when you want someone to stop criticizing you

53
Q

call someone names

A

to call someone by unpleasant, abusive or insulting names

54
Q

calm before the storm

A

a quiet period immediately before a period of great activity or trouble

55
Q

go for broke

A

risk everything in an all-out effort.

“I decided to go for broke and turn professional and see how I got on”

56
Q

get down to brass tacks

A

to start to discuss or consider the most important details or facts about something We finally got down to brass tacks and decided to work out a schedule for the project.

57
Q

coming down to the wire

A

used to denote a situation whose outcome is not decided until the very last minute.
“it was probable that the test of nerves would go down to the wire”

58
Q

cut the mustard

A

come up to expectations; reach the required standard

59
Q

know the ropes

A

have experience of the appropriate procedures

60
Q

out on a limb

A

-isolated.

-in or into a position where one is not joined or supported by anyone else.
“I wouldn’t go out on a limb like this if I didn’t have the data to justify it

61
Q

here goes nothing

A

—used when one is about to try doing something new, difficult, or unpleasant I’ve never skied before, so here goes nothing

62
Q

finally got around

A

to find time to do something

63
Q

look a gift horse in the mouth

A

find fault with something that has been received as a gift or favour.

64
Q

going against the grain

A

different from what is normal or usual It takes courage to go against the grain and stand up for what you believe in.

65
Q

right from the horse’s mouth

A

If you hear something (straight) from the horse’s mouth, you hear it from the person who has direct personal knowledge of it. Experiencing and suffering.

66
Q

have an axe to grind

A

-to have a strong personal opinion about something that you want people to accept and that is the reason why you do something:

Environmentalists have no political axe to grind - they just want to save the planet.

67
Q

pay through the nose

A

pay much more than a fair price

68
Q

spin a yarn

A

tell a story

69
Q

green-eyed

A

jealous

70
Q

chivalrous

A

A chivalrous man is polite, honest, fair, and kind towards women

71
Q

deride

A

contempt for , ridicule, mock

72
Q

elbow her way

A

To force one’s way in, to, or through a crowded place, as by pushing other people with one’s elbows.

Grammer main 4 (21 decks)

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