Idioms Flashcards
A piece of cake
→ Something very easy to do
The exam was a piece of cake, I finished it in 10 minutes.
Break the ice
→ To start a conversation in an awkward or tense situation
She told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.
Hit the nail on the head
→ To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
Your analysis hit the nail on the head; that’s exactly the problem.
Spill the beans
→ To reveal a secret, usually accidentally
He accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.
Burn the midnight oil
→ To work or study late into the night
I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my assignment.
Under the weather
→ Feeling sick or unwell
I’m feeling under the weather today, so I’ll rest.
Bite the bullet
→ To endure a painful or difficult situation bravely
I had to bite the bullet and get the painful injection.
Jump on the bandwagon/ˈbændˌwæɡ.ən/
→ To start doing something that is popular or trending
Everyone is using that new app, so I decided to jump on the bandwagon too
Cry over spilt milk
→ To be upset over something that has already happened and cannot be changed
There’s no use crying over spilt milk; just learn from your mistake.
The ball is in your court
→ It’s your turn to take action or make a decision
I’ve given you all the information; now the ball is in your court.
In hot water
→ In trouble
Example: He is in hot water for breaking the school rules.
Throw caution to the wind
→ To take a risk without thinking
Example: He threw caution to the wind and spent all his savings on a car.
Burn the candle at both ends
→ To overwork and get exhausted
Example: She burns the candle at both ends, studying all night and working all day.
Go the extra mile
→ To do more than expected
Example: He always goes the extra mile to help his friends.
Hit the books
→ To study hard
Example: I need to hit the books before the test.
Keep your chin up
→ Stay positive in tough times
Example: Even after losing the match, he was told to keep his chin up.
A blessing in disguise
→ Something bad that turns out to be good
Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise because I found a better one.
Cut corners
→ To do something quickly by skipping steps
Example: He cut corners on his project, so the quality was poor.
Lose your touch
→ To lose a skill you once had
Example: After not painting for years, she felt she had lost her touch.
By the skin of one’s teeth
–> Barely succeeded in something/narrowly escaping/only just
It’s used when something happens with very little time, effort, or chance left.
Example:I missed the bus, but I caught the train by the skin of my teeth.
Hit the sack
→ To go to bed.
Example: I’m so tired, I’m going to hit the sack early tonight.
Pull someone’s leg
→ To joke or tease someone.
Example: I wasn’t serious—I was just pulling your leg!
Once in a blue moon
→ Something that happens very rarely.
Example: He only calls me once in a blue moon.
Let the cat out of the bag
→ To reveal a secret.
Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Call it a day
→ To stop working for the day.
Example: We’ve done enough work; let’s call it a day.
Bite off more than you can chew
→ To take on more work than you can handle.
Example: He bit off more than he could chew by agreeing to so many projects.
Throw in the towel
→ To give up.
Example: After failing the test twice, he decided to throw in the towel
Cut to the chase
→ To get to the main point quickly.
Example: Stop talking in circles and cut to the chase!
Add fuel to the fire
→ To make a bad situation worse.
Example: Instead of helping, his rude comments just added fuel to the fire
Jump the gun
→ To do something too soon, without thinking.
Example: He jumped the gun by announcing the project before it was approved.
Burn bridges
→ To damage relationships permanently
Example: He burned bridges with his boss by quitting without notice.
Kick the bucket
→ To pass away (informal)
Example: The old man finally kicked the bucket at the age of 95.
Turn a blind eye
→ To ignore something on purpose
Example: The teacher turned a blind eye to the students whispering in class.
Eat humble pie
→ To admit one’s mistake and apologize
Example: After realizing his error, he had to eat humble pie in front of everyone.
Break new ground
→ To do something innovative or different
Example: The scientist broke new ground with her medical research.
Put all your eggs in one basket
→ To risk everything on one plan
Example: Investing all your money in one stock is like putting all your eggs in one basket.
Water under the bridge
→ Past problems that are no longer important
Example: We had a fight last year, but it’s water under the bridge now.
Play devil’s advocate
→ To argue against something for the sake of discussion
Example: I don’t disagree with you, but let me play devil’s advocate for a moment.
Bury the hatchet
→ To end a conflict and make peace
Example: After years of rivalry, the two companies decided to bury the hatchet.
“Bite the dust”
→ To fail or be defeated
Example: Many small businesses bite the dust due to poor financial planning.
Beat around the bush
–> To avoid saying something directly.
Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth.
Read between the lines
–> To understand the hidden meaning in something.
Example: He didn’t say it directly, but if you read between the lines, you’ll see he is unhappy.
All ears
–> Fully listening and paying attention.
Example: Tell me about your trip—I’m all ears!
Back to square one
.
–> Starting over from the beginning.
Example: Our plan didn’t work, so we are back to square one
Bend over backward
–> To try very hard to help or please someone.
Example: She bent over backward to make her guests feel comfortable
Face the music
–> To accept the consequences of your actions.
Example: He broke the rules, and now he has to face the music.
Give someone the cold shoulder
–> To ignore or treat someone in an unfriendly way.
Example: She gave me the cold shoulder after our argument.
Keep something under wraps
–> To keep something a secret.
Example: The company is keeping the new product under wraps until the official launch.
Rock the boat
–> To cause problems or disrupt a situation.
Example: He didn’t want to rock the boat, so he stayed quiet during the meeting.
The last straw
–> The final problem that makes a situation unbearable.
Example: When he missed the deadline again, it was the last straw, and he was fired.
