Idioms Flashcards
INF not yet free from the difficulties or problems
Not out of the woods
Ex. The situation is improving, but we’re not out of the woods yet
Deliberately become less actively involved in sth, and stop trying to control things.
Take a back seat
I’ll probably take a back seat and let him do most of the work.
Used to tell sb that you suddenly felt sad or worried about sth.
My heart sank
My heart sank when I saw the hotel room they’d given us.
Used to say that sth is true despite what you have just said.
Having said that
This city is not as good as I thought. Having said that, their public parks are well designed.
Used to say that sth happened very quickly and unexpectedly.
The next thing I knew
…and then the next thing I knew, the bird had flown away.
Used to say you’re not surprised that sth is true.
I thought as much
She said her son is getting divorced. I thought as much.
Very likely/ very happy/ very ready etc.
More than likely
They will more than likely lose the game.
I’d be more than happy to hear from you.
Find it very difficult to do sth
Be hard pressed/ pushed/ put to do sth
I’d be hard pressed to understand all the programming concepts.
Used to say that sb is in a bad mood
Got out of bed on the wrong side
Sth that makes you upset, angry, or embarrassed when sb mentions it.
A sore point
It’s a bit of a sore point because she got a low mark for it.
INF Accidentally say sth that embarrasses, upsets, or annoys sb
Put your foot in it
I put my foot in it, then.
Used to say that you think sb deserves sth unpleasant that happens to them.
It serves sb right (for doing sth)
It serves her right.
INF not do any work at all.
Not do a stroke of work.
She didn’t do a stroke of work.
Feel that a failure is your fault, or feel offended by sth/sb.
Take it/sth personally.
Don’t take it personally. She’s just in a bad mood.
To end up in a positive or comfortable position after being involved in a bad or difficult situation.
Land on one’s feet.
He landed on his feet with that job at the bank.
An expression of encouragement to persist or stay calm in a challenging situation.
Hang on in there.
It won’t be easy; you’ve just got to hang on in there.
If my memory is correct.
If my memory serves me correctly.
If my memory serves me correctly, the first moon landing was in 1969.
To maintain the same lifestyle as one’s neighbors or peers.
Keep up with the Joneses.
My sister’s just bought a new car. Basically, it’s just keeping up with the Joneses.
The final problem, setback, or source of irritation in a series that causes one to finally lost patience or for sth to stop working.
Proverb(諺語）: “It’s the last straw that breaks the camel’s back.”
He’s unreliable at the best of times, but forgetting my birthday was the last straw.
To be certain or confident (about sth).
Usually used as an imperative. (至關重要的/急迫/迫切）
Rest assured that …
You may rest assured that we will do everything we can to help.
Start doing sth and proceed quickly and successfully.
To hit the ground running.
He made it clear we were going to hit the ground running.
Admit you’ve been defeated and stop trying.
Not to throw in the towel.
I was determined not to throw in the towel.
Distinguish the able people from the less able people.
Sort out the sheep from the goats.
He said this competition would sort out the sheep from the goats.
He is not as aggressive as he sounds.
One’s words or demeanor is worse than one’s behavior.
His bark was worse than his bite.
Sue may be intimidating, but you’ll see soon enough that her bark is worse than her bite.
Pretend you feel confident and happy when you do not.
Put a brave face on it.
That made me feel very uneasy, but I put a brave face on it.
metaphorical meaning: Wait for an unsettled situation to become calm.
literal meaning : wait to be able to see more clearly.
Wait for the dust to settle.
I think we should wait for the dust to settle before we decide what to do.
meta: the person is in control of a situation.
literal: the person is literally in control of the vehicle.
Be in the driving seat.
She is in control of the situation.
INF Having serious problems and likely to fail.
On the ropes.
The minister is on the ropes now.
INF In a difficult situation.
In a tight corner / spot.
The boss found himself in a tight corner / spot.
Keeps one’s plans or ideas secret.
Plays one’s cards close to one’s chest.
I don’t understand why he always plays his cards so close to his.
Has a plan or idea he will keep secret until needed.
Got sth up in one’s sleeve.
He hasn’t told us everything. I think he’s got something up his sleeve.
Make use of an opportunity immediately because now is the best time to do it.
Strike while the iron is hot.
Now is the time to strike while the iron is hot.
Be sensitive about or feel offended by sth, as a result of sth that happened in your past.
Have a chip on your shoulder.
He always has a chip on his shoulder about the world has treated him unfairly.
Make sb less confident by saying or doing sth unexpected.
To diminish one’s enthusiasm, excitement, or positive outlook (about sth).
Take the wind out of sb’s sails.
It took the wind out of his sails to learn that nearly half of his bonus would go to taxes.
Learn how to do a particular job.
Learn the ropes.
This class is intense! They don’t even give you a chance to learn the ropes before they throw an exam at you.
Think in a similar way.
Be on the same wavelength.
That’s what I was going suggest! We must be on he same wavelength!
- You are mistaken about what someone else means. To have a miscommunication between on another.
- Of oneself, to be or become confused, mistaken, or mentally disordered (about sth).
Get your wires (lines) crossed / crossed wires
I’m sorry for bringing you the wrong order, I’ve been getting my wires crossed all day!
Be in a position of control or responsibility.
Be in the saddle.
Make sure to get good grades now, so that you’re in the saddle when it comes time to choose a college.
Control sth/sb carefully or strictly.
Keep a tight rein on sth/sb.
We try to keep a tight rein on our expenditures, but that’s not always possible.
Force yourself to do sth unpleasant or difficult that you have been avoiding.
Bite the bullet.
I guess we’d better bite the bullet and get this over with.
Go away quickly from an unpleasant place or situation.
Beat a hasty retreat.
- I beat a hasty retreat when I saw that shady group of guys standing by the jukebox.
- When the rain started, everyone on the field beat a retreat indoors.
To lose one’s composure and act emotionally or irrationally.
Lose one’s head.
You need to calm down before you talk to him. You don’t want to lose your head before finding out his side of the story.
To use one’s intelligence and intellectual ability; to think logically and rationally.
Use one’s head (loaf)
I know you can figure this out on your own. Use your head for a change!
To have sound judgment. INF One is sensible and realistic.
Have one’s head screwed on (right).
I always knew you had your head screwed on properly.
- Be very upset or offended by somebody’s critisism.
- Pay great attention to sb’s suggestions.
Take sth to heart.
I’m pleased to see that they have taken my suggestions to heart and followed my advice.
To do sth based on one’s own personal desire rather than for pragmatic or practical reasons.
Let one’s heart rule one’s head.
I think she knows that a relationship with him will eventually end in tears, but she’s letting her heart rule her head.
