idioms Flashcards
Up in the air
Uncertain or unresolved.
when pigs fly
Something that will never happen
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Don’t judge someone or something based on appearance.
A bird in the hands is worth two in the bush
It’s better to have a small but certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may come to nothing.
A cat in the glove catches no mice
Sometimes you need to be tough or take risks to achieve something.
A chip in your shoulder
Feeling resentful or having a grudge.
A dime worth of a difference
Very little difference.
A flash in the pan
Something that shows potential or looks promising in the beginning but fails to deliver anything substantial.
A storm in a teacup
A lot of fuss over something trivial.
A tough row to hoe
A difficult task or challenge.
All bark no bite
Someone who talks tough but doesn’t act on their threats.
As cool as a cucumber
Very calm and composed.
Beat a dead horse
To continue a debate or insist on talking about a topic that has been thoroughly discussed or resolved.
Burn the candle at both ends
To overwork yourself by doing too many things, especially late at night and early in the morning.
Bite the hand that feeds you
To turn against someone who has helped you.
Burn your bridges
To destroy relationships or opportunities irreversibly.
Butterflies in your stomach
Feeling nervous
Caught between a rock and a hard place
Facing a dilemma with two unfavorable options.
Clean as a whistle
Spotless, very clean.
Close but no cigar: Almost achieving success, but not quite.
Cold turkey: Suddenly and completely stopping a habit.
Cry over spilt milk: To regret something that cannot be undone.
Curiosity killed the cat: Inquisitiveness can lead to trouble.
Dark horse: A person who is not well-known but unexpectedly wins or succeeds.
Dead ringer: An exact duplicate.
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth: Don’t question the value of a gift.
Down to the wire: At the last moment.
Almost achieving success, but not quite.
cry over spilt milk
To regret something that cannot be undone.
cold turkey
Suddenly and completely stopping a habit.
Curiosity killed the cat
Inquisitiveness can lead to trouble.
Dark horse
A person who is not well-known but unexpectedly wins or succeeds.
Dead ringer
An exact duplicate.
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
Don’t question the value of a gift.
Down to the wire: At the last moment.
