Idioms Flashcards
Ebb and Flow
to decrease and then increase, as with
tides; a decrease followed by an increase, as with tides.
Ex. The fortunes of the major political parties tend to ebb and flow over time. The ebb and flow of democracy through history is a fascinating subject.
harp on someone or something
to keep talking or complaining about someone or something; to refer to someone or something again and again.
Ex. I wish you would quit harping on Jeff all the time. He couldn’t be all that bad. Stop harping on my mistakes and work on your own.
take something with a grain of salt
to consider something to be not completely true or right
Ex. I’ve read the article, which I take with a grain of salt.
Roll with the punches
To adjust to a difficult situation; to not let little annoyances bother you, in order to survive.
Ex. The poor woman has been jeered at and threatened with her life, but she just rolls with the punches.
Nip something in the bud
to put an end to something before it develops into something larger.
Ex. I wanted to nip that little romance in the bud. The whole idea was nipped in the bud.
Affinity for someone or something
a strong preference for something; a strong liking for something.
Ex. Mary’s affinity for classical music accounts for her large collection of recordings.
a means to an end
something that you are not interested in but that you do because it will help you to achieve something else (not used with the )
Ex. Mike doesn’t have any professional ambitions. For him, work is just a means to an end.
Know the Ropes:
To understand the details.
Level playing field:
A fair competition where no side has an advantage.
Water Under The Bridge:
Anything from the past that isn’t significant or important anymore; something that has happened and cannot be changed.
Ex: should probably have asked for more money when I was offered the job, but, hey, that’s water under the bridge now.
The Whole Nine Yards:
Everything. All of it.
On The Fence:
Undecided about something.
Ex. Ann is on the fence about going to Mexico. I wouldn’t be on the fence. I’d love to go.
Turn A Blind Eye:
Refuse to acknowledge something you know is real or legit.
Method To My Madness
Strange or crazy actions that appear meaningless but in the end are done for a good reason.
In over your head
You are in over your head when you face a challenge you are not able to meet.
Ex. The new PR Manager felt like she was in over her head during her first week at the new job.
Taken aback:
Surprised and confused
Ex. When Mary told me the news, I was taken aback for a moment. When I told my parents I was married, they were completely taken aback.
Run its course
If something runs its course, it continues naturally until it has finished
Ex. The trolling on this site is ridiculous. We’re just going to let it run its course.
I’m glad Tebow-mania and Linsanity have run its course.
Looking at things through jade-colored glasses:
This is when you unfairly judge a situation because of your past indiscretions and/or life experiences.
Ex. Quit seeing it through your jade-colored glasses.
That’s neither here nor there
If a fact is neither here nor there, it is not important (not of importance; irrelevant)
Ex. Whether they go or not is neither here nor there as far as I’m concerned.
Cut to the chase.
“Cut to the chase” is a saying that means to get to the point without wasting time.
