Idioms Flashcards
A little bird told me
Meaning: Someone told me, but I can’t say who
To kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: Achieve two aims at once.
You eat like a bird
Meaning: You don’t eat a lot
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning:
Don’t risk everything on the success of one venture.
Example:
Asset allocation works on a very simple principle: don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Be all ears
Meaning:
Be listening eagerly, paying attention.
Examples:
I’m all ears, tell me about it
We were all ears after he had announced himself and flashed his warrant card.
All in a day’s work
Meaning:
(of something unusual or difficult) accepted as part of someone’s normal routine or as a matter of course.
Examples:
I have been doing it for 30 years so it is all in a day’s work.
For him and his business partner, environmental disasters are all in a day’s work.
All hell broke loose
Meaning:
If all hell breaks loose, a situation suddenly becomes violent and noisy, especially with people arguing or fighting
Examples:
Suddenly, all hell broke loose; there was gunfire and explosions everywhere.
When the final whistle blew all hell broke loose.
All over the map
Meaning:
In a disorganized or confused state.
Examples:
They both have economic policies that are all over the map
All eyes are on something/someone
Meaning:
Used to convey that a particular person or thing is currently the focus of public interest or attention.
Examples:
All eyes are on the hot spots of eastern Europe.
All eyes are on the president to see how he will respond to the challenge to his leadership.
Once in a blue moon
Meaning:
Very rarely
Examples:
I visit my sister once in a blue moon.
He comes round once in a blue moon
Feeling Blue
Meaning:
Feeling sad, depressed.
Examples:
I’m feeling blue
Out of the blue
Meaning:
Without warning; unexpectedly
Examples:
He called me yesterday, out of the blue, basically to offer me some work.
