Idioms Flashcards
very friendly with someone, sometimes in a way that makes people think you’ve got a secret
to be (as) thick as thieves
Jacob and Greg are as thick as thieves.
a friend who is only there for you when things are going well
a fair-weather friend
Abbie turned out to be a fair-weather friend.
people who spend a lot of time together
to be joined at the hip
Chloe and Charlotte have been joined at the hip recently!
to know someone very well
to know something/somebody inside out
I know Tamara inside out and I can guarantee she would never do that!
a person who comforts you when you’re sad
a shoulder to cry on
Paulo has always been a shoulder to cry on for me.
to socialise with someone who has the same lifestyle as you
to move in the same circles
Kate and I move in the same circles, so I know her quite well
to get on well immediately
to hit it off
Abdul and Clara really hit it off last night!
to agree with someone
to see eye to eye with someone
I see eye to eye with Chris about almost everything.
to end an argument and be friends again
to bury the hatchet
Oscar and I agreed to bury the hatchet.
to get rid of bad feelings between people, often with a discussion
to clear the air
Please come to my house later for a chat. We need to clear the air.
forgive someone or forget about something bad someone did
to let bygones be bygones
I want to let bygones be bygones and be friends again.
I don’t want to do anything anymore. I am fed up.
I’ve had enough
I’ve had enough of these kids screaming for one day.
you’ve asked something I don’t know the answer to, or said something I want to disagree with but can’t
You’ve got me there!
What’s the difference between fog and mist? - Hmm, you’ve got me there.
you’ve really messed up/done something wrong.
Now you’ve done it!
Oh, John have you broken it?! Now you’ve done it
to do sth.
to have something involved
When we were on holiday in Ibiza, there was a lot of partying involved.
what somebody likes or is interested in
to be someone’s scene/cup of tea
An evening at the opera isn’t everyone’s cup of tea
an opportunity to begin something again
a fresh start
When I moved to the city, it was a fresh start for me
to be in the same situation, usually a difficult one
to be in the same boat
You may think it’s just you, but we’re all in the same boat.
an experience or situation that people would fear or hate most
to be one’s idea of hell
couldn’t ever go to a jungle; that’s my idea of hell
to defend oneself when being teased or bullied by others
to not take (any) rubbish
I’m just not going to take any more of your rubbish!
to not be influenced by the opinions or expectations of other people
to be oneself
Sometimes you just need to learn to be yourself and not worry about what
to choose a particular direction in life
to go down the… path
After learning to play the guitar, he decided to go down the live music
when another person seems to be at a more advanced stage in their life despite being the same age or from the same background
to be behind someone in life
he never cared about his studies, and now he’s behind most his friends
to become able to act independently and with confidence
to find one’s feet
I have only recently started working here, so I’m still finding my feet.
to start to go bald
to thin on top
I’ve been thinning on top for a couple of years now
to put make-up on
to put one’s face on
Carrie spent a few minutes putting her face on every morning.
absolutely and totally gorgeous; used for men and women
drop-dead gorgeous
She looked drop-dead gorgeous last night
someone who is dressed perfectly and looks very neat
not a hair out of place
Anthony always looks perfect – never a hair out of place
dressed in your best clothes, or in really formal clothes, often for a special occasion, like a wedding
to be dressed (up) to the nines
Everyone was dressed up to the nines!
wearing really attractive clothes because you want to be noticed and admired, usually used to talk about women
to be dressed to kill
Ellie was dressed to kill last night!
an older woman dressed in a way that would better suit a younger woman; offensive
mutton dressed as lamb
That dress is young for me I don’t want to look like mutton dressed as l
to look very untidy or ridiculous in some way
to look a sight
It was blowing a gale and we looked a sight when we arrived at the pub
to look untidy and maybe dirty
to look like something the cat dragged in
Ben had been working on the farm and he looked like something the cat dr
someone is so skinny that you can see their bones
to be skin and bone
She was all skin and bone after her illness
wearing old, perhaps damaged, clothes because you don’t have much money. You can also use this adjective to describe places that are in a bad condition because they haven’t been looked after well
down-at-heel
She looked very down-at-heel.
good-looking
to be easy on the eye
Ben is very easy on the eye.
ugly; offensive
a face only a mother could love
Rob was a lovely boy, but he had a face only a mother could love.
to imitate or follow the way someone does something
to follow one’s lead
It’s quite easy really; just follow my lead
that cannot be changed
hard and fast
There are no hard and fast rules about this
to be content with the way that you look or are
to be happy in one’s own skin
It took me many years to finally be happy in my own skin
to clean clothes using chemicals instead of water
dry-clean
I need to go and dry-clean this suit before the wedding
person wears something that looks strange, perhaps because it is out of fashion, or not suitable for the occasion
look out of place
He looked out of place at the wedding in a T-shirt
to no longer be single or dating
to be off the market
Is your sister looking for a date to the gala,or is she off the market?
the person one sees as being perfect or ideal for them
the (person) of (someone’s) dreams
We’ve been married for 50 years because she is the woman of my dreams
to have a feeling of extreme happiness
to be on cloud nine
Daniel has been on cloud nine since he received his promotion
to like something very much
to die for
The chocolate cake at Vesuvio’s is to die for!
to go as planned without any problems
to go off without a hitch
Our recent marketing efforts have gone off without a hitch!
used to ensure that the audience does not get the wrong idea about what you’re saying
don’t get me wrong
I really can’t stand this song! Don’t get me wrong, she’s a great singer
to go to sleep
to hit the sack
I couldn’t wait to hit the sack after my 12-hour travel day
to go home/to sleep early
(to call it) an early night
It seems the weather is getting worse; let’s call it an early night
completely in love with your significant other
head over heels (in love)
I don’t know what she saw in him, but she was head over heels!
to ask someone to marry you
to pop the question
We were at the beach last week, and Jacob popped the question!
to get married
to get hitched
My sister got hitched last week, and now she’s on her honeymoon.
to ask someone to marry you by putting one knee on the ground and offering a ring to your partner; usually done by men
to get down on one knee
When he got down on one knee, it was so romantic
used to describe that a couple is perfect for each other
a match/marriage made in heaven
George and Patty are truly a match made in heaven; I’ve never seen such
your partner; husband or wife.
better/other half
I would like for you all to meet Elena, my better half.
a person’s wedding day, or other important or significant day
the big day
Only one more week until your big day!
to request permission, typically from a family member, to marry a particular person
to ask for one’s hand (in marriage)
Mr. Taylor, I would like to ask for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage.
a traditional wedding, often in a church with the bride wearing a white dress
a white wedding
She didn’t want a white wedding; she wanted something more original.
to get married from the ancient Celtic tradition
to tie the knot
We tied the knot last year in Italy.
to say or express something in a very clear way, using few words
in a nutshell
To put it in a nutshell, we’re bankrupt
a meeting that you have arranged with a boyfriend or girlfriend or with somebody who might become a boyfriend or girlfriend
to go on a date
We’re going on a date next week
used when telling a story to say that you do not need to tell the end of it, because everyone knows it already
the rest is history
And so I agreed to meet him, and the rest is history
to deal with a situation in a calm way and not show what you are really feeling
to play it cool
I decided to play it cool and act like I had forgotten all about it
to do or say something to show that you want to move to the next stage of a relationship
to make the next move
We’ve been dating for a whilebut I think it’s time to make the next move
to express that there is no standard way to do something
there’s no textbook when it comes to
I’d like to give you some advice, but there’s really no textbook when it
used when you have failed to do something twice and hope that you will succeed the third time
third time lucky
After two defeats, I hope that they’ll be third time lucky
to rain heavily
to chuck it down
When I went outside, it was chucking it down out there.
to do something or make a decision at that exact time; immediately
do sth. there and then/then and there
We decided then and there to get married
a phrase that means that everyone has right to have their own ideas or choices in life
each to their own
I’m not personally a fan of model trains, but each to their own
to talk about something for a long time without coming to the main point
to beat around the bush
Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want.
to end a situation which is causing someone to suffer, usually by telling them something they have been waiting anxiously to hear
to put sb. out of their misery
I suppose that I’d better put them out of their misery
to use one word to express your feeling about something
to describe sth. in one word
If I could describe it in one word -heaven
in a quiet manner, almost inaudible
under one’s breath
She came out of the cold water, muttering swear words under her breath
idiom to express that time passes quickly, especially when you are fully enjoying yourself or not paying attention
time flies (when you’re having fun)
I can’t believe I am already in my thirtiestime flies when you’re having
other people’s situations or possessions always seem better than your own, even when that is not necessarily true
the grass is always greener on the other side
I often think that my life would have been better in spain; the grass is
to talk about happy memories from our past
to take a trip/stroll/walk down memory lane
E. saw her best friend from school ; I’m sure they had a nice stroll dow
to describe someone who is very young and lacks experience
to be wet behind the ears
We thought we knew what we were doing, but we were wet behind the ears.
to refer to someone who feels defenceless because of being young, innocent or naive, often in new or potentially dangerous situations
a babe in the woods
I felt like a babe in the woods when I started secondary school, but I q
someone or something has suddenly appeared in our lives that reminds us of the past
a blast from the past
Is this the Spice Girls?! What a blast from the past!
on or very close to the line that joins two countries
on the border
I grew up in a small village on the border between England and Wales
to use or accept something that is not really good enough
to make do
We were in a hurry so we had to make do with a quick snack
using very little money
on a shoestring
My parents were quite poor, so we had to live on a shoestring budget
to be in a financial position to afford things that someone with a lower income might not be able to
to have the better things in life
Now that your dad has got a promotion, we might be able to have some of
to be careful about how much money you spend as money is limited
to work to a budget
When I was in university, I had to work to a really tight budget.
to be beaten with a stick as punishment for doing something wrong
to get the cane
n my day, that kind of talk would have got you the cane
to start behaving in a way that is strange or unacceptable, for example drinking a lot or taking drugs
to go off the rails
She went completely off the rails after her sister died
that person is always available to give help or support when needed
sb’s. door is always open
If you ever need any help, my door is always open
an expression to say that we passing on new information we heard from someone
a little bird told me
A little bird told me that it’s your birthday today
to take initiative and seize an opportunity
to take the bull by the horns
I took the bull by the horns and asked my boss for a promotion
to be very careless in a delicate situation
to be like a bull in a china shop
Watch Matthew around your car, he’s like a bull in a china shop!
to tell someone to wait and not be so impatient
hold your horses
Hold your horses; we have plenty of time until the train leaves
to describe that the information you are given is first-hand, the person giving it to you is directly involved, and therefore you can trust it’s authentic
to be/come (straight) from the horse’s mouth
Simon’s quit, I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth!
to follow a particular course of action
to lead one down that route
Well, growing up in a family of artists led me down that route
a dream that is not practical or unattainable
pipe dream
This isn’t some pipe dream; we’re going build the biggest clothing brand
to indicate the need to ask a question
to pose an interesting question
The report poses several interesting questions related to our current ed
to make an opinion based on how something looks or from a first impression
to judge a book by its cover
to experience a difficult or challenging situation
to go through a hard time
to spend a lot of money
to push the boat out
You guys really pushed the boat out on this wedding!
to do something to the best of a person’s ability
to do one’s best
We did our best, but our boss still wasn’t satisfied
to make a deliberate attempt at something
to make a conscious effort
We make a conscious effort to eat together as a family at least five tim
difficult to forget about or change
hard to let go
I always had beans on toast for dinner on Saturdays, and it’s hard to le
according to what people say
by all accounts
By all accounts, Rome is spectacular in the autumn
to wish someone a good night’s sleep
sleep tight
See you tomorrow, sleep tight!
to reach a very lively or productive level (of an event or activity)
to be in full swing
We arrived at 9, and the party was in full swing!
all-encompassing and inclusive of everyone involved
across the board
The government needs to increase the minimum wage across the board
to be in a risky position
to be skating on thin ice
Don’t forget her birthday; you’re already skating on thin ice!
to have renewed energy and to continue at something we had
second wind
I was not enjoying the hike, but after stopping at the stream, I got a s
to make something start to happen
to get the ball rolling
What shall we do for New Year’s Eve? We need to get the ball rolling
to have a chance of winning or succeeding after temporarily not competing
to be back in the game
Jane says that she’s over her divorce and she’s back in the game; let’s
no problem
no sweat
We’ll find a new flat by May, no sweat!
to be very attentive and quick thinking
to be on the ball
Sienna’s only six, but she’s really on the ball!
used to let someone know they can make the next move
the ball is in one’s court
I sent our proposals to the agency, and now the ball’s in their court
to win extremely easily
to win hands down
The reds were miles better and won the game hands down.
to be completely devoted to something
to live and breathe
She lived and breathed football, spending all her free time playing or w
to have a few moments of free time
to have a spare moment
Whenever I have a spare moment, I like to go for a run
wanting to do or liking something
to be keen on
Both my children aren’t very keen on carrots
to make something seem insignificant in comparison
to put sth. to shame
His sales figures this month put everyone else’s to shame
from head to foot
from top to toe
She was dressed from top to toe in designer clothes
to start running or exercising
to hit the tracks
I always hit the tracks first thing every morning to stay in shape
to do something once and then move on
one and done
This is not a one and done process
the opposite end of a range of possibilities
the other end of the spectrum
I prefer something at the other end of the spectrum
to receive value for the money spent
to get one’s money’s worth
We really got our money’s worth at the buffet
when two or more parties come to an agreement
to strike a deal
Lukaku and Inter Milan strike a deal for his return.
to bring issues to someone’s attention
to raise a question
Key ministers raised questions on the new financial plan.
to try something slowly and carefully because you’re not sure if you’ll be successful
to dip one’s toes into
We’ve been dipping our toes into investing recently.
a person who can do many different things, though may not do all of them well
a jack of all trades
Alison is a real jack of all trades –she repairs loads of things around
o be involved in many things at the same time
to have one’s fingers in a lot of pies
I’ve got my fingers in a lot of pies at the moment with all of these dif
to treat someone badly without thinking about how it affects them
to walk all over
Her children walk all over her
to add some rude or disrespectful remarks in order to create more interest
to add a bit of sauce
They put in some more details to add a bit of sauce.
to get the maximum benefit or advantage from something
to get the most value from
How can I get the most value from this course?
to have something unexpectedly taken away or to have something suddenly disappear
to get the rug pulled out from underneath one
When Instagram switched to favouring reels, I got the rug pulled out fro
to completely change sth. and to cause it to be the opposite of what it was
to turn sth on its head
The introduction of social media really turned how people communicate on
partially or to a limited degree
to a certain extent
I agree with you to a certain extent
to be difficult for somebody to accept or agree with
to not sit well with sb
The manager’s decision to change suppliers didn’t sit well with many of
to cost too much. Often used as ‘to not break the bank’, meaning something doesn’t cost very much money.
to break the bank
It only costs a few pounds. It’s hardly going to break the bank!
a warning to be careful with money because it’s not easy to come by
money doesn’t grow on trees
Turn that light off! Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know.
to have rich parents and to have been rich from birth
to be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth
Ophelia was born with a silver spoon in her mouth
to save money for a time when you will really need it unexpectedly
to save money for a rainy day
It’s a good idea to save some money for a rainy day
to have lots of money
to be rolling in it
Farhad is rolling in it now that his business has become successful
to pay for something, especially something that costs a lot of money
to foot the bill
My dad had to foot the bill when my brother crashed his car
to not have enough money, maybe because you’re earning less or because prices have gone up
to feel the pinch
We’re really feeling the pinch since Paul lost his job.
to go from being very poor to being rich. Used as an adjective with hyphens: ‘rags-to-riches’
(from) rags to riches
Aladdin is a classic rags-to-riches story
