Idioms Flashcards
The pen is mightier than the sword (X)
Someone’s opinion, and the act of sharing it, can have more power than physical force or violence.
Said to emphasize that thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than the use of force or violence
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire (X) –> USA saying
There’s no smoke without fire –> UK saying
If you her rumours or something indicates the beginning of a story, that might not be everything to it. Behind rumours there is something bigger.
If unpleasant things are said about someone or something, there is probably a good reason for it
Spread like wildfire (X)
When a new is known by a lot of people very fast. For example: Secret weddings.
Cutting Edge (X)
Something very innovative and new.
On cloud nine (X)
Feeling extremely happy.
On pins and needles (X)
Feeling anxious or nervous.
Fresh as a daisy (X)
Feeling energetic and lively
Get bent out of shape
You become annoyed or upset about something that is usually not that important or cannot be avoided.
I’m not getting bent out of shape because people don’t respect my opinion. I’m used to that.
At the end of your tether
You are desperate, you don’t know what to do / Having no strength or patience left
By six o’clock after a busy day I’m at the end of my tether.
Fool’s paradise
Happiness predicated on ignoring potential problems or troubles (pensemos en las Kardashian y su fiesta Covid-no-friendly).
It’s on the tip of my tongue
When you are about to remember something.
To beat about / around the bush
To approach or discuss a matter without directly getting to the point, to put off getting to the point in a conversation
Don’t beat around the bush - get to the point!
No news is good news
If you don‘t hear any news it means nothing is wrong.
Calm before the storm
A quiet and peaceful time before something with great activity or difficulty happens.
Every cloud has a silver lining
There’s something good in every bad situation.
Steal someone’s thunder
To take attention away from someone on their special day i.e. a wedding or birthday.
Rain on someone’s parade
To do or say something that spoils someone’s plans or draws attention to the negative aspects of their plans.
I’m sorry to rain on your parade but you’re not allowed to have alcohol
Turn a blind eye (to)
To ignore something and pretend not to see it. (Muy buena para cosas de política y así).
The mayor has turned a blind eye TO the city’s homelessness problem.
To feel blue
Deep sadness or depression. (Esta era facilina, gracias Miss Swift)
Alive and kicking / well
Well and healthy.
Traditional jazz is still alive and well in Chicago.
Under the weather
Not feeling very well
The lesser of two evils
The less unpleasant of two choices, neither of which is good
Keep your word
Do what they said they would
Keep your cool
Remain calm
Nicole managed to keep her cool
Keep an eye out for something / somebody
remain vigilant for = estar pendiente
Keep an eye out for the waiter. If you see him, can you ask for the bill?
Keep a low profile
Try not to be noticed
Keep track of
Maintain record of
Lose track of
Not keep up to date with [sth]
Keep [sb] posted
Update regularly
I’ll keep you posted on what’s happening on Friday night.
Keep a straight face
Stop yourself smiling or laughing
Keep your fingers crossed
Wish for good luck
Keep an eye on sb / sth
Watch carefully = cuidar, vigilar
When cooking soufflés, you need to keep an eye on them so they don’t fall
Lose touch
Not keep in contact
The proof is in the pudding
You can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it
To go from rags to riches (X)
Going from poverty to wealth very quickly
“Marta went from rags to riches when she won the lotery last month, she now lives in the center of Oviedo”
To get away from it all (X)
To escape from your daily problems, usually in the form of holidays.
“I was very stressed, I needed to get away from it all, so I planned a trip to Canarias”
To catch the sun (X)
Same as “To hit the road”, to go on a vacation.
Can also be used in the sense of getting sunburnt.
The more the merrier
Literally “Cuantos más mejor”. Usually used for family gatherings in important holidays.
To be the life of the party (X)
The person who is always at the center of every party . They are very extroverted and always have loads of fun.
Money is the root of all evil
Said to mean that greed is the cause of a particular problem or the cause of society’s problems in general
Time is money
Do not waste time
Wake up, you guys! Time is money!
Where there’s muck there’s money / brass
Said to mean that a lot of money can be made from business activities that are dirty or unpleasant
Out of the blue
without warning, surprising
The government announced out of the blue that there would create a new law.
Be a backseat driver
a person who gives unwanted advice or criticism, esp. to the driver of a car
In the dumps
Miserable
Elain has been in the dumps after her betrohal ended.
On the spur of the moment
Take a decision suddenly, without thinking
We got married on the spur of the moment
