Idioms and Expresions UNIT 2 Flashcards
A tendency or habit that become a characteristic or instintive
Become/be second nature
Do something saving time or money
Cut corners
Be especially careful in order to avoid something unpleasant (estar del lado de la seguridad)
(just) to be on the safe side
Act to prevent
Trake precautions
To do something in accordance with rules ir regulations
To do things by the book
A net placed to catch an acrobat or similar performer in case of a fall
Safety net
To try to protect someone too carefully
Wrap someone in cotton wool
Full of unpleasant things such as problems or dangers
Be fraught with danger
Do a set of actions that is the official or accepted way of doing something
Do the correct procedue
To be especially careful rather than taking a risk or making a mistake (errar del lado de la precacucion)
Err on the side of caution
When you think it is best not to take risks even when it seems boring or difficult to be careful
Better to be safe than sorry
To become familiar with and confident in a new situation
Find my feet
To do something that spoils a situation for yourself
Shoot herself in the foot
To say something that causes someone to be embarrassed, upset, or hurt especially when the speaker did not expect that reaction
To put your foot in it
To do the same work or achieve the same success as someone else before you
Follow in someone’s footsteps
To move in a very awkward way when dancing
I’ve got two left feet
To start a relationship or activity badly
Get/start off on the wrong foot
Be involved with two groups with different or opposing views
To have a foot in both camps
To suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do, especially something important such as getting married
To get cold feet
To pay for something, esp. something expensive
To foot the bill
To enter a business or organization at a low level, but with a chance of being more successful in the future
To get one’s foot in the door
To relax, especially by sitting with your feet supported above the ground
To put one’s feet up
To spend less money than you did before because you have less money
Tighten one’s belt
To have just enough money to pay for the things that you need
To make ends meet
To waste money by spending it on something useless
Throw money down the drain
