Idioms 201-250

Question 1

give sb a chance # He didn’t give me a chance to say anything.

Question 2

to get straight to the point # I’ll come straight to the point. # I admire people who come straight to the point.

Question 3

to get down to the nitty-gritty /ˈnɪtɪˈɡrɪtɪ/ # And we get down to the nitty-gritty.

Question 4

not to put the cart before the horse # Tune the guitar first, then play it. Don’t put the cart before the horse.

Question 5

not to cry before you are hurt. # Stop crying before you’re hurt. Wait and see how she treats you at the birthday party.

Question 6

to put two and two together, to fill in the blanks # I put two and two together and realized that… # I think you can figure out who sent you the Valentine’s Day card: just put two and two together! # Sally didn’t tell Jorge what happened but he filled in the blanks.

Question 7

Now you’re talking my language!

Question 8

in the blink of an eye # In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Question 9

to catch your breath # Don’t try to talk, just sit down and catch your breath.

Question 10

Third time lucky,

Question 11

to think outside the box.

Question 12

to jump the gun # Don’t jump the gun; it’s best to live with someone a year before getting married. # I probably jumped the gun with announcing our engagement before everyone was there, but I was just too excited.

Question 13

to call in sick # One of our English-speaking tour guides has called in sick. # Ben called in sick and told his boss he would miss the meeting.

Question 14

to put you foot in it # I’ve really put my foot in it this time. I didn’t realize that was her husband!

Question 15

it’s no picnic # Being a single parent is no picnic, I can tell you.

Question 16

win-win # a win-win situation

Question 17

for a change # It’s nice to see her smile for a change. # Liz settled back in her seat, comfortably relaxed, enjoying being driven for a change. # I want to look nice, for a change.

Question 18

for better or for worse # For better or for worse, I’m going to quit my job.

Question 19

(it’s a) good thing, thank God, luckily # Good thing they didn’t go camping last weekend – the weather was terrible. # Thank God you’re all right! # Peter forgot to bring his phone, but luckily he remembered how to get to his friend’s house. # It’s a good thing you came.

Question 20

to spare/save sb’s blushes # He scored at the last minute, and spared England’s blushes.

Question 21

All set!

Question 22

in a strange way # She was staring at us in a strange way.

Question 23

once in a blue moon # I talk to my mother once in a blue moon on the telephone. # Once in a blue moon, you get a student like that.

Question 24

offhand # Do you know her phone number offhand? # Offhand, I’d say that there were around 40 # I can’t think of anyone offhand. # Can’t say off-hand, but I doubt it.

Question 25

time flies # My God, how time flies. # With three kids, time flies by. # Time flies when you’re having fun.

Question 26

Don’t try my patience /ˈpeɪʃəns/. / Don’t cross the line. / Don’t go too far.

Question 27

to set an example (for sb) # You have to set an example in front of the people. # You should be prepared to set an example of esponsibility. # You should set an example for your younger brothers.

Question 28

to run risks # If you drive during a storm you will run the risk of getting injured by falling trees.

Question 29

play by ear # I learned piano on my own, so I would play by ear.

Question 30

holy cow # Holy cow! What size is that diamond on your finger? # Holy cow! I came close to hitting that car in front of me! # Holy cow! That’s just amazing!

Question 31

it’s not my cup of tea # I’m glad you enjoy skiing, but I guess it’s just not my cup of tea. # Just not my cup of tea, that’s all.

Question 32

to move the goalposts # But it is too late for that now - you cannot move the goalposts during the game.

Question 33

to be as good as gold # She’s been as good as gold all morning.

Question 34

to be a piece of cake # The exam was a piece of cake. # Getting a loan was a piece of cake for Richard.

Question 35

to [feel | be] under the weather # I’m feeling a bit under the weather - I think I’m getting a cold.

Question 36

Bob’s your uncle # Just tell them you’re a friend of mine and, Bob’s your uncle, you’ll get the job. # A teaspoonful of baking powder, a splash of milk, a drop of vanilla essence and Bob’s your uncle.

Question 37

at this rate # He’s got five medals for diving already? At this rate he’ll be in the Olympics before he’s 16. # At this rate, she would be almost seven feet tall by then.

Question 38

in turn # He looked at all the horses in turn until he found one he wanted to ride. # The two of us drank from the bottle in turn until it was empty. # She spoke to each of the guests in turn.

Question 39

from memory # Each child was required to recite a verse from memory. # He drew the map from memory.

Question 40

to get cold feet # He was starting to get cold feet about the wedding. # She always gets cold feet before a performance. # Sally said I should try skydiving, but I got cold feet.

Question 41

fine line # There’s a fine line between genius and insanity. # As a parent, I knew that there was a fine line between panic and caution.

Question 42

go with the flow # Just relax and go with the flow!

Question 43

go down the wrong pipe # It went down the wrong pipe and he couldn’t stop stop coughing.

Question 44

to fold sth in half # Fold it in half.

Question 45

to lose track of sth # I’m sorry I’m late. I lost track of the time.

Question 46

to lose your mind # You just spent all that money on a pair of shoes? Have you completely lost your mind?

Question 47

not even once # That year Mother didn’t come to visit. not even once.

Question 48

silver bullet # There is no silver bullet for sustainable development. # He doesn’t expect to find a silver bullet that will cure all forms of asthma.

Question 49

to have a big heart # One who behaves like that must have a big heart.

Question 50

to have the last laugh # After so many people dismissed her, Lisa had the last laugh by moving to Hollywood and becoming a well-known character actress. # The singer is expecting to have the last laugh on his critics by selling over a million copies of his CD.