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Idioms Flashcards

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1
Q

A Piece of Cake

A

something easy to accomplish.

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2
Q

Bite the Bullet

A

to face a challenging situation bravely.

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3
Q

Break a Leg

A

wishing someone good luck, typically before a performance.

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4
Q

Burn the Midnight Oil

A

to work late into the night.

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5
Q

Cost an Arm and a Leg

A

something very expensive.

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6
Q

Cry Over Spilled Milk

A

wasting time worrying about past mistakes.

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7
Q

Cut Corners

A

doing something poorly to save time or money.

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8
Q

Hit the Nail on the Head

A

To be exactly on point

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9
Q

Let the Cat out of the Bag

A

reveal a secret.

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10
Q

Miss the Boat

A

to lose an opportunity.

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11
Q

Once in a Blue Moon

A

something that happens rarely.

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12
Q

The Ball is in Your Court

A

it’s your decision or responsibility to do something now.

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13
Q

Under the Weather

A

feeling ill or sick.

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14
Q

Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

A

to take on a task that is too big.

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15
Q

Kill Two Birds with One Stone

A

to solve two problems with one single action.

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16
Q

Pull Someone’s Leg

A

to joke or tease someone.

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17
Q

The Best of Both Worlds

A

to enjoy two different opportunities at the same time.

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18
Q

Speak of the Devil

A

the person we were just talking about shows up.

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19
Q

Take It with a Grain of Salt

A

don’t take what someone says too seriously.

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20
Q

You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

A

don’t judge someone’s worth or value by their appearance.

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21
Q

Beating Around the Bush

A

avoiding the main topic.

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22
Q

Bite the Dust

A

to fail or to fall down.

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23
Q

Cut to the Chase

A

get to the point.

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24
Q

Hit the Books

A

to study.

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25
Q

Kick the Bucket

A

to die.

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26
Q

Make a Long Story Short

A

tell something briefly.

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27
Q

Sit Tight

A

wait patiently.

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28
Q

Up in the Air

A

undecided or unresolved.

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29
Q

Give the Benefit of the Doubt

A

believe someone’s statement, without proof.

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30
Q

Have a Blast

A

to have a great time.

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31
Q

Lose Your Touch

A

lose an ability or talent you once had.

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32
Q

Raining Cats and Dogs

A

raining heavily.

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33
Q

Save for a Rainy Day

A

save money for a time when it might be needed unexpectedly.

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34
Q

Barking up the Wrong Tree

A

seeking answers in the wrong place.

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35
Q

Beat a Dead Horse

A

to waste effort on something that has already been decided.

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36
Q

Close but No Cigar

A

nearly achieving success, but not quite.

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37
Q

Go Down in Flames

A

fail spectacularly.

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38
Q

Keep an Eye on

A

to watch or monitor closely.

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39
Q

Steal Someone’s Thunder

A

take the attention or praise away from someone else.

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40
Q

Through Thick and Thin

A

under all circumstances, no matter how difficult.

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41
Q

Whole Nine Yards

A

everything possible or available.

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42
Q

Bend Over Backwards

A

to do whatever it takes to help.

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43
Q

Burst Your Bubble

A

to ruin someone’s happy moment or expectations by bringing negative news.

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44
Q

Can’t Hold a Candle To

A

not as good as someone else.

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45
Q

Go the Extra Mile

A

to make a special effort to achieve something.

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46
Q

Keep Your Chin Up

A

remain positive in a difficult situation.

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47
Q

Spill the Beans

A

reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly.

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48
Q

Throw Someone Under the Bus

A

to sacrifice a friend or ally for personal gain.

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49
Q

Turn a Blind Eye

A

ignore undesirable information.

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50
Q

Beat Around the Bush

A

avoid talking about the main topic.

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51
Q

Elephant in the Room

A

An obvious problem or uncomfortable situation that people avoid talking about.

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52
Q

Throw in the Towel

A

Giving up when facing a difficult situation or challenge.

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53
Q

Take a Rain Check

A

Decline an offer or invitation but with the hope or promise to accept it at a later date.

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54
Q

Stepping Up to the Plate

A

Taking responsibility for a task or duty.

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55
Q

Bite Your Tongue

A

To avoid speaking, often due to a social reason.

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56
Q

The Last Straw

A

The final problem in a series that makes a situation impossible to tolerate.

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57
Q

Back to Square One

A

Having to start all over again.

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58
Q

Against the Clock

A

Rushed and short on time.

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59
Q

At the Drop of a Hat

A

Without any hesitation, instantly.

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60
Q

In the Heat of the Moment

A

Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.

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61
Q

Back to the Drawing Board

A

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

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62
Q

The Ball is in Your Court

A

It is up to you to make the next decision or step.

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63
Q

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

A

Accusing the wrong person or pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought.

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64
Q

Beat a Dead Horse

A

To continue a discussion about a topic that has already been resolved.

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65
Q

Be All Ears

A

To be eager and ready to listen.

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66
Q

Bent Out of Shape

A

To become greatly upset or offended.

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67
Q

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

A

In a difficult situation where there are two equally tough options.

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68
Q

Bite the Hand That Feeds You

A

To treat someone badly who has helped you in some way.

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69
Q

Break the Ice

A

To initiate a conversation or break down social awkwardness.

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70
Q

Burn Bridges

A

To destroy one’s path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc., particularly intentionally.

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71
Q

By the Skin of Your Teeth

A

Just barely; narrowly.

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72
Q

Caught Red-Handed

A

To be caught in the act of doing something wrong.

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73
Q

Cold Feet

A

To have nervousness or fear before a big event.

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74
Q

Cry Over Spilt Milk

A

To remain upset about a past loss.

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75
Q

Cup of Tea

A

Something one enjoys or does well.

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76
Q

Cutting Corners

A

Doing something poorly in order to save time or money.

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77
Q

Down to the Wire

A

Until the last moment.

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78
Q

Feeling Under the Weather

A

Feeling sick.

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79
Q

Hit the Nail on the Head

A

Do or say something exactly right.

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80
Q

In Over Your Head

A

Involved in a difficult situation that you can’t handle.

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81
Q

Kill Two Birds with One Stone

A

Solve two problems with one action.

82
Q

Let the Cat Out of the Bag

A

Reveal a secret.

83
Q

No Pain, No Gain

A

You have to work hard for what you want.

84
Q

On Thin Ice

A

In a precarious or risky situation.

85
Q

Pulling Someone’s Leg

A

Joking or teasing someone.

86
Q

See Eye to Eye

A

Agree with someone.

87
Q

Take with a Grain of Salt

A

Don’t take what someone says too seriously.

88
Q

The Ball is in Your Court

A

It’s your decision or responsibility to do something now.

89
Q

Up in the Air

A

Decisions or plans that are not yet finalized.

90
Q

Bite the Bullet

A

Face up to unpleasant reality.

91
Q

Break a Leg

A

A saying for wishing good luck.

92
Q

Cross Your Fingers

A

To hope that things will happen the way you want them to.

93
Q

From Scratch

A

From the beginning, starting with no prior preparation or knowledge.

94
Q

In Hot Water

A

In trouble.

95
Q

Keep Your Cool

A

Stay calm.

96
Q

Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

A

To take on a task that is way too big.

97
Q

Call It a Day

A

Stop working for the day.

98
Q

Cut Someone Some Slack

A

Don’t be so critical.

99
Q

Get Out of Hand

A

Become unmanageable.

100
Q

Have Your Work Cut Out

A

Having a lot of work to do.

101
Q

Jump to Conclusions

A

Judge or decide something without having all the facts.

102
Q

Look on the Bright Side

A

Look for the positive aspects in a tough situation

103
Q

Make Ends Meet

A

Earn just enough money to live on

104
Q

Out of the Blue

A

Unexpectedly

105
Q

Read Between the Lines

A

Understand the hidden meaning

106
Q

Ride out the Storm

A

Get through a difficult situation

107
Q

See the Light

A

Realize the truth or understand something you didn’t before

108
Q

Take a Backseat

A

Choose not to take an active role

109
Q

The Ball is in Your Court

A

It’s your responsibility to make the next move

110
Q

Up in Arms

A

Angry and complaining about something

111
Q

Wild Goose Chase

A

A hopeless pursuit or search

112
Q

Kick the Bucket

A

To die

113
Q

Take the Bull by the Horns

A

To face a challenge or problem head-on in a confident or fearless manner

114
Q

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

A

Visuals can convey what might take lots of text

115
Q

Go Down in Flames

A

Fail spectacularly

116
Q

Bite the Dust

A

Fail, or be defeated or eliminated

117
Q

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

A

Pursuing a misguided course of action

118
Q

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

A

Avoid stirring up old conflicts

119
Q

Cast Pearls Before Swine

A

Offer valuable things to someone who can’t appreciate them

120
Q

Straight from the Horse’s Mouth

A

Information directly from the original source

121
Q

Hit the Hay

A

Go to bed

122
Q

Through Thick and Thin

A

In good times and bad times

123
Q

Bite Your Tongue

A

To avoid talking

124
Q

Cat Got Your Tongue

A

Asked to a person who is at loss of words

125
Q

Throw in the Towel

A

Giving up

126
Q

Turn Over a New Leaf

A

Making a fresh start or changing your behavior for the better

127
Q

Go the Extra Mile

A

Doing more than what is required or expected

128
Q

Bark is Worse than the Bite

A

Someone’s actions are not as bad as their threats

129
Q

A Piece of Cake

A

Something that is easy to do

130
Q

A Leopard Can’t Change Its Spots

A

People can’t change their essential nature

131
Q

Head Over Heels

A

Deeply in love or very excited about something

132
Q

Chip on Your Shoulder

A

Having a grudge or grievance about something

133
Q

Cry Over Spilled Milk

A

Worry about past mistakes which can’t be changed

134
Q

A Drop in the Bucket

A

A very small part of something big or whole

135
Q

Costs an Arm and a Leg

A

Something is very expensive

136
Q

The Last Straw

A

The last in a series of irritations that finally makes you lose patience

137
Q

On Cloud Nine

A

Extremely happy

138
Q

Once in a Blue Moon

A

Happens very rarely

139
Q

When Pigs Fly

A

Something that will never happen

140
Q

A Breath of Fresh Air

A

Something refreshing or new

141
Q

Cold Feet

A

To hesitate because of fear or uncertainty

142
Q

Burning the Midnight Oil

A

Working late into the night

143
Q

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

A

Don’t risk everything on the success of one venture

144
Q

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

A

Every negative situation has the potential to result in or produce something positive or beneficial

145
Q

Cut to the Chase

A

Leave out unnecessary details and get to the point

146
Q

Hold Your Horses

A

Slow down, be patient

147
Q

Saved by the Bell

A

Rescued from a difficult situation at the last moment

148
Q

Let the Chips Fall Where They May

A

Let events happen as they will, and not to interfere

149
Q

Under the Weather

A

Feeling slightly ill

150
Q

Bite the Bullet

A

To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage

151
Q

Off the Hook

A

No longer have to deal with a difficult situation

152
Q

Bent Out of Shape

A

Upset or offended

153
Q

A Blessing in Disguise

A

A good thing that seemed bad at first

154
Q

Throw in the Towel

A

Give up

155
Q

Burning Bridges

A

Destroy one’s path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc., particularly intentionally

156
Q

Up in the Air

A

Undecided, uncertain, not resolved

157
Q

Raining Cats and Dogs

A

Raining very heavily

158
Q

Beat Around the Bush

A

Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable

159
Q

Bury the Hatchet

A

Make peace; end a quarrel, settle one’s differences to become friends again

160
Q

Pulling Your Leg

A

Teasing or joking around

161
Q

Hit the Sack

A

Go to bed or go to sleep

162
Q

Kick the Bucket

A

Die

163
Q

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

A

To avoid restarting a conflict

164
Q

Miss the Boat

A

It’s too late

165
Q

No Pain, No Gain

A

You have to work for what you want

166
Q

The Real McCoy

A

The genuine thing; the real deal

167
Q

Ring a Bell

A

Sound familiar

168
Q

Throw Someone Under the Bus

A

Sacrifice someone else’s interests or blame someone for your own gain

169
Q

Take It with a Grain of Salt

A

Don’t take it too seriously, or, it might not be 100% true

170
Q

Through the Grapevine

A

Hear about something through gossip or unofficial channels

171
Q

Under the Radar

A

Not getting noticed, intentionally or not

172
Q

The Whole Nine Yards

A

Everything. All of it

173
Q

You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

A

Decisions shouldn’t be made primarily on appearance

174
Q

A Dime a Dozen

A

Something very common and not having much value

175
Q

A Penny for Your Thoughts

A

A way of asking what someone is thinking

176
Q

Break a Leg

A

Good luck (especially in performances)

177
Q

A Sight for Sore Eyes

A

Something you’re glad to see

178
Q

The Ball is in Your Court

A

It’s up to you to make the next decision or step

179
Q

Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

A

Take on more than one can handle

180
Q

Blessing in Disguise

A

Something good that seemed bad at first

181
Q

Burn the Midnight Oil

A

Work late into the night

182
Q

Caught Between Two Stools

A

When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives

183
Q

Cut Corners

A

Doing something poorly to save time or money

184
Q

Devil’s Advocate

A

To present a counter argument

185
Q

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

A

Diversify your risk by not putting all your resources in one place

186
Q

Drastic Times Call for Drastic Measures

A

Extreme circumstances or situations require extreme actions

187
Q

Elvis has Left the Building

A

The show or event has come to an end

188
Q

Every Cloud has a Silver Lining

A

Even difficult times will lead to better days

189
Q

Feel a Bit Under the Weather

A

Feeling slightly ill

190
Q

Give the Benefit of the Doubt

A

Believe someone’s statement, without proof

191
Q

Hit the Nail on the Head

A

Do or say something exactly right

192
Q

In the Heat of the Moment

A

Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment

193
Q

Jump on the Bandwagon

A

Join a popular trend or activity

194
Q

Keep Something at Bay

A

Keep something away

195
Q

Kill Two Birds with One Stone

A

Accomplish two different things at the same time

196
Q

Last but not Least

A

An introduction for an important point or participant that is coming last

197
Q

Let Bygones be Bygones

A

To forget about a disagreement or argument

198
Q

Miss the Boat

A

It’s too late

199
Q

Not a Spark of Decency

A

No manners

200
Q

Not Playing with a Full Deck

A

Someone who lacks intelligence

English Phrases + Idioms (3 decks)

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