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Idioms > Idioms: A > Flashcards

Idioms: A Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

This idiom is used to describe a situation that is easy, comfortable, and pleasant. It is…

A

A Bed of Roses

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2
Q

If the actions of someone are said to be too little, too feeble, and too late to achieve the desired effect or be of any use, then they are said to be…

A

A Day Late And a Dollar Short

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3
Q

Something that has been organized to impress. An elaborate presentation, which may be a pointless waste of time.

A

A Dog And Pony Show

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4
Q

This idiom is used to refer to someone who resembles their parent in character or appearance.

A

A Chip Off The Old Block

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5
Q

This idiom refers to someone or something that is very different from someone or something else. It is…

A

A Far Cry From

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6
Q

This idiom refers to a situation or person who is difficult to deal with, understand, or influence. He is…

A

A Hard Nut to Crack

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7
Q

This idiom refers to someone who is in a state of extreme disorder or disaray. They are disorganized and disheveled. They are…

A

A Hot Mess

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8
Q

A weak and fragile structure, plan, or organization

A

A House Of Cards

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9
Q

Something that is very shocking and disappointing, especially at a time when you need moral support can be considered this.

A

A Kick In The Teeth

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10
Q

A thing that is not valued or important in itself but is useful in achieving an end goal. It is…

A

A Means to an End

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11
Q

This idiom refers to being forced to accept the unpleasant truth or reality. It is…

A

A Rude Awakening

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12
Q

A person or situation that is a complete disaster. An utter disaster or mess.

A

A Train Wreck

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13
Q

A person who is so fat and/or disgusting that the very sight of them invokes images of a large vat filled with congealed animal fat.

A

A Tub Of Lard

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14
Q

A person who spoils other people’s fun by failing to join in with or by disapproving of their activities.

A

A Wet Blanket

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15
Q

This idiom means to change your opinion and go in the opposite direction.

A

An About Face

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16
Q

If someone is this, they are not subject to the rules or the laws of society. They are…

A

Above The Law

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17
Q

This expression refers to a vulnerable area or weak spot, in an otherwise strong situation could cause your downfall or failure. It is someone’s…

A

Achilles Heel

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18
Q

If something is this, it relates to all without exception.

A

Across The Board

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19
Q

If someone is guilty of this, they say or do something to upset or hurt you a second time, after you’ve already been upset or hurt somehow. They are…

A

Adding Insult to Injury

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20
Q

This idiom refers to making a situation worse or more intense. You are…

A

Adding Fuel To The Fire

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21
Q

This idiom refers to accomplishing something even though the cards were stacked against you. There were many problems and it didn’t seem possible to do, but you made it happen…

A

Against All Odds

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22
Q

This idiom refers to doing something which may not have been the best decision, even though your inner voice was telling you not to do it. Regardless, you did it…

A

Against Your Better Judgement

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23
Q

You are considered to be this if you have an advantage over your competitors in any activity in which you try to do better than others, such as in business, academia, sports, etc.

A

Ahead of The Game

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24
Q

This idiom refers to when someone talks tough but really isn’t, they are all..

A

All Bark And No Bite

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25
Q

This idiom refers to that which seemed certain or foreseeable in the future but is now completely unpredictable. Also Referring to an agreement that has broken down, been reneged upon, or is no longer valid.

A

All Bets Are Off

“The team seemed poised for a deep playoff run, but now that their star player is injured, all bets are off.”

“All bets are off on the proposed tax measure, as members in congress have failed to come up with a bipartisan solution.”

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26
Q

Someone who is physically very strong but not very intelligent is considered to be…

A

All Brawn And No Brain

“He’s a really impressive player to watch, but he’s all brawn and no brain.”

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27
Q

If you tell someone you are this, you are saying that you are being attentive and listening very carefully.

A

I’m All Ears

28
Q

When there is a need for this, everyone must help, especially when there is a lot of work to do in a very short amount of time.

A

All Hands on Deck

29
Q

If something is considered this, it is not real. It is in your imagination.

A

Its All In Your Head.

“Don’t be silly. Nobody is trying to take your job. It’s all in your head!”

30
Q

If you say that this happened, you mean that there was a sudden angry or noisy reaction to something. It resulted in people going crazy and it may have caused an uproar.

A

All Hell Broke Loose

“All hell broke loose when it was announced that the plant was going to close down.”

31
Q

This expression means all that stuff, other similar things, or everything of that kind.

A

All That Jazz

“Let’s take out the tinsel, lights, and all that jazz to decorate the Christmas tree.”

“I really love the holidays with the festive decorations, cheerful music and all that jazz.”

32
Q

When something is considered this, it has become very popular or trendy. It is…

A

All The Rage

“Sending tweets is all the rage these days, both among individuals and companies.”

33
Q

This idiom refers to an advantage or resource kept hidden until needed. It is…

A

An Ace In The Hole

34
Q

If you have this up your sleeve, you have something in reserve that you can use to gain an advantage.

A

An Ace Up Your Sleeve

“I’m well prepared for the negotiations. I have an Ace up my sleeve.”

35
Q

If you do this, you are in a very strong position because you have more advantages than everyone else. You…

A

To Hold All The Cards/Aces

“Given high unemployment figures in the country, employers hold all the aces.”

36
Q

This idiom refers to a potentially disastrous situation, often caused by negligence or insufficient precaution. It is…

A

An Accident Waiting To Happen

37
Q

If you are guilty of this, you have a grievance, a dispute, or resentment that you want to take up with someone. You either want to get revenge or you want to sort it out.

A

An Ax to Grind

38
Q

This idiom refers to any kind of common, undistinguished person; anyone at all, indiscriminately.

A

Any Tom, Dick, And Harry

“We don’t want just any Tom, Dick or Harry marrying our daughter.”

“Kate’s mom made it clear that she doesn’t want to invite any Tom, Dick, and Harry to her wedding.”

39
Q

If you say that things are this, you are saying that everything is neat, tidy, well organized, and in perfect order.

A

Apple Pie Order

40
Q

If you are guilty of this, you do or say something to spoil a satisfactory plan or situation.

A

Upset The Apple Cart

“I hope Julie doesn’t attend the meeting, she could upset the Apple cart.”

41
Q

This idiom refers to people who claim to know all the answers to a problem, situation or scenario but have little or no experience or a real understanding of it. They are…

A

Armchair Expert or Arm-chaired And Dangerous

42
Q

This idiom refers to keeping people at a certain distance which makes it difficult to establish a dialogue or relationship with them.

A

To Keep Someone At Arms Length

43
Q

If someone is this, they don’t get worried by anything. They maintain composure and don’t let things bother them in a tense situation. They are…

A

As Cool as a Cucumber

44
Q

If you describe something as this, you are saying that it is very easy.

A

As Easy as Pie

Its Like Taking Candy From a Baby

45
Q

Someone who does silly or stupid things that may result in problems later on down the road due to those silly or stupid things are said to be doing this…

A

Asking For Trouble

46
Q

If something or someone moves at this speed, things are happening very slowly. They are moving…

A

At A Snails Pace

“The work is progressingat a snails pace.”

“Traffic is moving at a snails pace.”

47
Q

People or groups who are always available and ready to do what you want or need them to do, are said to be…

A

At Your Beck And Call

48
Q

This idiom refers to someone who has a lot of skin in the game, and is in a risky situation with a lot to be won or lost. They have a lot…

A

At Stake

49
Q

This idiom refers to someone who occupies the lowest or most basic position or is hired at entry level. They are considered to be…

A

At The Bottom Of The Ladder

“In their first job, most people start at the bottom of the ladder.”

50
Q

This idiom refers to someone who will do something instantly, without any hesitation. They do something…

A

At The Drop of a Dime

51
Q

This idiom refers to doing something immediately, without preparation or planning.

A

At The Drop of a Hat

52
Q

This expression refers to the current point reached in a process, activity, or developing situation.

A

At This Stage of The Game

“At this stage of the game, I think any further intervention would be unwise. Let’s wait and see how things develop.

53
Q

If you are this, you may be completely puzzled, perplexed, worried, exhausted and not know what to do next. You are…

A

At Your Wits Ends

54
Q

A chaotic or disastrously mishandled/mismanaged situation. It is one step below a train wreck.

A

A Dumpster Fire.

55
Q

Something that is not this, is not as good as its reputation suggests.

A

All It’s Cracked Up To Be

56
Q

If something you do is this, you do it because you believe in something or you are testing your belief in something—such as religion, an idea, a person or group. It usually involves taking a risk or doing something difficult.

A

An Act of Faith

57
Q

This idiom means continuing a long time, or repeatedly—so much that it might make us sick.

A

Ad Nauseam

58
Q

This idiom refers to opposing a force or tendency. It is contrary to the natural inclination or feeling of someone or something.

A

Against The Grain

“It takes courage togo against the grain and stand up for what you believe in.”

“Lidcombe goes against the grain of conventional therapy, which seeks to address the stuttering indirectly and to avoid making stutterers self-conscious.”

59
Q

This proverb means that if there is a happy ending, previous problems do not matter.

A

All’s Well That Ends Well (Proverb)

60
Q

This idiom means similar to something else.

A

Along The Lines of

“There’s little appetite or political will for another foreign war along the lines of Iraq, and understandably so.”

“We told the architect we want a design along the lines of his own house but smaller.”

61
Q

This idiom is a colorful way of saying a lot of money or a high price. It’s going to cost…

A

An Arm And a Leg

62
Q

This idiom means by chance, in the unpredictable way that things happen.

A

As Luck Would Have It

“Tom said that his father requested that the flag be flown at least once a year, something that Tom usually did over Memorial Day. As luck would have it, there was rain in May so he decided to fly it over the July 4th holiday instead.”

63
Q

This idiom is another way to say anyway or anyhow, regardless of the preceding statements.

A

At Any Rate

“Coke reacts very violently when you add salt and it fizzes completely out of control…At any rate, this experiment is something you can do safely in your own house.”

64
Q

This idiom refers to the Initial evaluation of something before thinking about it deeper or looking at it longer.

A

At First Glance

65
Q

Something outstanding or unique of its kind. Often used in the context of troublesome, difficult, challenging, or problematic.

A

A Doozy

“Man, that closed book test was a doozy! I had to think about each question for like a minute or two!”

66
Q

A controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with and is likely to cause quarrels and disagreements.

A

A Hot Potato

67
Q

A way that is certain to get successful or expected results.

A

A Sure Fire Way

Idioms (1 decks)

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