idioms

Question 1

(say sth) OFF THE TOP OF (one’s) HEAD

Answer 1

= from memory or without much or careful consideration.

I know of two people who are coming off the top of my head, but I’m pretty sure more said they’d be here.

John can list the capital cities of all 50 states off the top of his head.

Question 2

BE/TAKE A LOAD OFF (one’s) MIND

Answer 2

= if you describe something as a weight off your mind or a load off your mind, you mean that a problem that you were previously worried about has now been solved and you are no longer anxious.

It’s a real weight off my mind, knowing I have a job to go to.

Knowing that the problem can be fixed — it’s such a load off my mind.

Question 3

BE AT (one’s) WITS’ END

Answer 3

= to be at a total loss, completely perplexed; so worried, confused, or annoyed that you do not know what to do next.

“Wits” here means mental capacity or ability to think.

She was at her wits’ end trying to figure out how to control her 14-year-old son.

Question 4

BE THE BRAINS BEHIND

Answer 4

= to be the person responsible for a certain plan, project or idea.

Sheila is the brains behind our new environmental initiative, so she deserves all the credit.

Question 5

COME FACE TO FACE WITH (sth)

Answer 5

= to confront or encounter someone or something directly.

I had been trying to avoid my math teacher, but then I came face to face with her in the cafeteria.

Question 6

CROSS (one’s) MIND

Answer 6

= if something crosses your mind, you suddenly think of it.

It crossed my mind that she might be lying about her age.

I certainly didn’t think of leaving. The idea never crossed my mind.

It didn’t even cross my mind that I might not win this fight.

Question 7

GIVE (sb) A PIECE OF (one’s) MIND

Answer 7

= to tell someone how one feels, often while expressing anger or frustration.

I had to give Sarah a piece of my mind after she left my car a mess for the third time this week.

Boy, the boss really gave me a piece of his mind after that awful meeting.

Question 8

GO TO (one’s) HEAD

Answer 8

= if something successful that someone has done goes to their head, they start to think that they are better or more intelligent than other people.

Ford is definitely not a man to let a little success go to his head. He knows he still has a lot to learn.

I think Jenny’s promotion went to her head.

Question 9

HAVE A GOOD MIND TO DO (sth)

Answer 9

= to be inclined or likely to do something.

I have a (good) mind to call them up and ask for a refund!

We had our meeting, and we have a (good) mind to give you another chance with this project.

Question 10

KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE

Answer 10

= to have an emotionless facial expression, especially in a humorous situation that could easily cause one to laugh.

It’s so hard to keep a straight face on camera when you have hilarious co-stars as I do.

Question 11

KEEP (one’s) WITS ABOUT (one)

Answer 11

= to stay calm and rational, especially in times of stress; be/remain quick to think and act in a demanding, difficult or dangerous situation.

Luckily, the teacher kept her wits about her and was able to evacuate all of her students from the burning building.

Mountaineering is dangerous, so you need to keep your wits about you.

Question 12

BANG (one’s) HEAD AGAINST A (brick) WALL

Answer 12

= to be attempting, continuously and fruitlessly, to accomplish some task or achieve some goal that is or seems ultimately hopeless.

I feel like I’ve been banging my head against a brick wall trying to understand this math equation.

Question 13

LOSE FACE

LOSS OF FACE

Answer 13

= the state or circumstance of having lost the respect of other people, as due to having done something improper or unacceptable.

England doesn’t want a war but it doesn’t want to lose face.

After my terrible loss of face in front of the in-laws, I knew I couldn’t return to their home for the foreseeable future.

Question 14

SAVE FACE

Answer 14

= to try to regain favourable standing after something embarrassing has happened.

I was late to the meeting but tried to save face by blaming an urgent call.

Rather than fire him outright, they let him save face by accepting his resignation.

Question 15

PUT (one’s) MIND TO

SET (one’s) MIND ON

Answer 15

= to give something one’s complete attention, determination, and effort.

You can still manage a B average if you put your mind to acing the final exam.

I know we can win this game, but we all have to put our minds to it.

I’ve set my mind on finding a job I really like.

Question 16

RACK (one’s) BRAINS

Answer 16

= to struggle to recall or think of something.

I’ve been racking my brains, but I still can’t remember what Lydia’s husband’s name is.

He racked his brains all weekend trying to think of a solution to the problem.

Question 17

SEE THE SIGHTS

Answer 17

= to visit or view noteworthy things or locations, especially those frequented by tourists as landmarks.

Ex.: We decided to spend the next day seeing the sights.

Question 18

BE A SIGHT TO BEHOLD

Answer 18

= an especially impressive, noteworthy, or remarkable person, event, or thing; something or someone who is very much worth seeing.

Ex.: Set against the backdrop of the Pyrenees, the magnificent hotel was a sight to behold.

Question 19

LOOK A SORRY SIGHT

Answer 19

= a sight that one regrets seeing; someone or something that is unpleasant to look at.

Ex.: The morning after the raucous wedding party, the hotel conference room looked a sorry sight.

Question 20

SET ONE’S SIGHTS ON (sb/sth)

Answer 20

= to identify, regard, or focus on someone or something as one’s goal.

Ex.: Joanna has decided she will set her sights on sailing across the Atlantic single-handed next year.

Question 21

LOSE SIGHT OF

Answer 21

1. To no longer be able to see someone or something due to increased distance from them or it or obstruction of the view.
   Ex.: We lost sight of the ground as the plane moved higher into the sky.
2. To forget about or neglect to focus on something.
   Ex.: Tourist operators often lose sight of the fact that local communities depend on them for their livelihood.

Question 22

OUT OF SIGHT

Answer 22

1. Hidden from or out of the range of vision.
   We need to keep out of sight until the burglars leave.
   I tried to wave down the ship, but I must have been out of sight.
2. (slang) Exceptional, remarkable, or incredible; excellent or superb.
   Wow, man, this party is out of sight!

Question 23

SHAKESPEARE IDIOMS

Answer 23

be greek to sb (not understand sth at all)
vanish into thin air (disappear without leaving a trace)
not budge an inch (not move, change in any way at all)
be tongue-tied (unable to speak from fear/confusion)
be a tower of strength (a dependable person)
fair play (honest or correct)
foul play (dirty or illegal)
not sleep a/one wink (not to sleep at all)
too much of a good thing (an excessive amount of sth that is otherwise enjoyable or beneficial)
the more fool you (were very foolish to do sth)
a foregone conclusion (inevitable result)
it’s high time (the appropriate time for sth)
it’s the long and short of it (the main facts or gist of sth)
game is up (the game, trick, or deception is at an end)
lie low (hide or take care not to make people notice of)
the crack of doom (the apocalypse, end of the world)
truth be known/told (to be honest; in actuality)
bid sb good riddance (welcome loss or departure of sth/sb unwanted)
send sb packing (to dismiss sb rudely or abruptly)
wish sb was dead as a door-nail (be definitely dead)
be a laughing stock (the subject of mockery)
for goodness’ sake (mild oath of exasperation)
it’s all one to sb (of no difference)