Idioms And Phrasal Verb And Collocation Flashcards
come down on one side of the fence or the other
to make a decision between two opposing points of view:
The election is next week, so you’ll have to come down on one side of the fence or the other by then
be on the horns of a dilemma
to be unable to decide which of two things to do because either could have bad results
a whole new ballgame
a completely different situation, often one that is difficult or that you know little about:
- We’d done a lot of climbing in Scotland but the Himalayas were a whole new ballgame.
Beneath one’s dignity
If something is beneath your dignity, you feel that you are too important to do it:
- He felt cleaning the bathroom was beneath his dignity.
the cherry on (top of) the cake
(the cherry on (top of) the sundae, the cherry on top)
something that makes something that is already good even better, or perfect:
1. For his career, the Olympic Games would be the cherry on the cake.
2. He put the cherry on top of the cake by scoring for the third time.
3. Finding this piece of evidence really was the cherry on the sundae for the prosecution’s case.
4. The garden is not our main reason for buying this house, but it’s the cherry on top.
the icing on the cake
(US also the frosting on the cake)
something that makes a good situation even better:
1. I was just content to see my daughter in such a stable relationship but a grandchild, that really was the icing on the cake.
2. I love my job and getting public recognition is merely the icing on the cake.
all is well
everything is in a good or acceptable state:
1. I hope all is well with Jack.
the apple of someone’s eye
(old-fashioned)
the person who someone loves most and is very proud of:
- His youngest daughter was the apple of his eye
show/teach someone the ropes
to show someone how to do a job or activity:
1. Lynn spent an afternoon showing the new girl the ropes.
at any rate
(C2)
whatever happens:
- Well, I’m not going home on foot, at any rate.
something you say to show that you are going to say something more exactly:
- don’t think they liked my idea. At any rate, they weren’t very enthusiastic about it.
burn the midnight oil
(C2)
to work late into the night
like a kid with a new toy
(Informal)
very thrilled or excited about something new that one has got
beat it!
(Idiom, slang)
Go away!
Break the ice
(Informal, B2)
to make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other:
- Someone suggested that we play a party game to break the ice.
lull someone into something US /lʌl/
(Phrasal verb with lull verb)
to make someone feel safe in order to trick them:
- Most exercise classes start gently, lulling you into thinking that you’re in good shape.
- Their promises lulled us into a false sense of security (= made us feel safe, when in fact we were not).
make (a) nonsense of something
(C2, UK)
to make something appear stupid or wrong, or to spoil something:
- His repeated lack of promotion makes nonsense of the theory that if you work hard you’ll be successful.
hold your horses
(old-fashioned informal)
used to tell someone to stop and consider carefully their decision or opinion about something:
- Just hold your horses, Bill! Let’s think about this for a moment.
Search me!
(Informal)
something that you say when you do not know the answer to a question:
- “Where’s Jack?” “Search me!”
Cool it
(Slang)
used to tell someone to become calm, rather than be angry or violent:
- Just cool it everyone, fighting won’t solve anything.
double down
(Phrasal verb with double verb)
in the card game of blackjack, to double a bet (= amount of money risked) after seeing your first two cards, in exchange for only one more card
at sea
confused:
I’m all/completely at sea with the new computer system.
at sixes and sevens
(Old-fashioned, US)
in a confused, badly organized, or difficult situation:
- We’ve been at sixes and sevens in the office this week.
all of a doodah
in a state of confusion:
- She’s all of a doodah about the wedding arrangements.
All over the place
(B2, informal, also all the joint/ and all over the shop for UK)
in a lot of different places or in all parts of a place:
- You can buy T-shirts like this all over the place.
- There were dirty dishes and clothes all over the place.
- People were throwing up all over the joint.
Nobody sits around and watches TV together as a family any more - there are laptops and screens all over the shop.
(Informal)
not correct, regular, or well organized; changing a lot without reason:
- His drumming was all over the place.
- The team were all over the shop today.
- Shakespeare was all over the shop with his apostrophes.
sort something out
(Phrasal verb with sort verb)
to separate one type of things from a group of things:
Sort out any clothes you want to throw away and give them to me.
beyond someone’s expectations
(Collocation (also beyond expectations, beyond expectation))
much better than someone expected it to be:
- The success of the club has gone beyond their expectations.
- We did so well - beyond all our expectations.
This was a victory beyond expectations.
win (something) hands down
((Also beat someone hands down))
to win something/beat someone very easily:
- She won the debate hands down.
- The last time we played tennis he beat me hands down.
leave a bad taste in someone’s mouth
If an experience leaves a bad taste in your mouth, you have an unpleasant memory of it:
I think we all felt he’d been treated very unfairly and it left a bad taste in our mouths.
rub someone up the wrong way
(UK (US rub someone the wrong way))
to annoy someone without intending to:
As soon as they met they started to rub each other up the wrong way.
ruffle someone’s feathers
to upset or annoy someone:
She knows how to ruffle his feathers.
set someone’s teeth on edge
If something, especially a noise, sets your teeth on edge, it annoys you very much:
That DJ’s voice really sets my teeth on edge.
Hack sb of
(Phrasal verb with hack verb mainly uk informal)
to make someone feel annoyed:
He leaves all the difficult stuff for me to do, and it really hacks me off.
you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink
(Saying)
used to emphasize that you can make it easy for someone to do something, but you cannot force them to do it
Watch someone’s back
to be ready to protect or defend someone:
On the trip, Tom watched my back in a lot of ways, and I watched his back.
She thanked all her colleagues throughout her career, who she said had always watched her back.
Synonym:
polyculture US /ˈpɑː.liˌkʌl.tʃɚ/
(Uncountable, specialized, ENVIRONMENTAL)
the practice of growing several different crops or keeping several different types of animal on an area of land:
Crop rotation and polyculture echo the way plants grow in a forest.
Compare:
monoculture
let someone have both barrels
(Informal, give someone both barrels, hit someone with both barrels)
to attack, criticize, or punish someone very forcefully:
- He arrived late to meet his girlfriend at the airport. She gave him both barrels.
- England football fans can expect to be hit with both barrels if they misbehave during next month’s European Championship finals.
labour the point
to try too hard to express an idea, feeling, or opinion, repeating it when this is not necessary:
Look, there’s no need to labour the point - I made a mistake - I admit it!
make room/space/way
(C2)
If you make room/space/way for something or someone, you move your body or move other things, so that there is space for it or them:
kill two birds with one stone
to succeed in achieving two things in a single action
Thorn in your side
(Thorn in the side of someone)
someone or something that continually causes problems for you:
jump down someone’s throat
(Informal)
to react angrily to something that someone says or does:
Thrilled to bits
(Mainly UK informal)
extremely pleased:
jump/climb/get on the bandwagon
(C2)
to become involved in an activity that is successful so that you can get the advantages of it yourself:
The success of the product led many firms to try to jump on the bandwagon.
to the letter
If you obey instructions or rules to the letter, you do exactly what you have been told to do, giving great attention to every detail:
on the spot
(C2, phrase)
at the place where an event is happening or has recently happened
Or
immediately
All manner of something
a lot of different types:
(I’m so hungry), I could eat a horse
(Humorous)
used to say that you are extremely hungry
bread-and-butter issue
a subject or problem that relates directly to most people’s needs and interests:
cut to the bone
reduced to the lowest possible amount
The company’s expenses had been cut to the bone.
claw your way (somewhere)
to move forwards with difficulty, especially by using stiff curved fingers to remove the things that are in your way:
on all fours
with your hands and knees on the ground:
be in a (pretty) pickle
(old-fashioned (also UK be in a right pickle))
to be in a difficult situation
a frog in your throat
difficulty speaking because your throat feels dry:
have/put your head on the block
to risk a bad thing happening to you by doing something or helping someone:
Hit the shower
(Idiom)
to go somewhere (such as a locker room) and use the showers there
- The team hit the showers after practice
punch someone’s lights out
(Informal)
to hit someone repeatedly very hard
put yourself in someone’s place/position/shoes
to imagine how someone else feels in a difficult situation:
someone is going places
(Also someone will go places/far)
someone will be successful:
line (someone) up US /laɪn/
(B2, phrasal verb with line verb)
to arrange people or things in a row or to stand in a row:
be (caught) between a rock and a hard place
to be in a very difficult situation and to have to make a hard decision
a friend in need is a friend indeed
(saying)
This means that a friend who helps you when you really need help is a true friend
be climbing the walls
to suffer unpleasant feelings, such as worry, in an extreme way:
be for the high jump
to be going to be punished for something you have done wrong
be/come up against a brick wall
to be unable to make more progress with a plan or discussion because someone is stopping you
go through a bad/difficult/rough/sticky patch
(C2, informal)
to experience a lot of problems in a period of your life:
out of the frying pan into the fire
(Saying)
said when you move from a bad or difficult situation to one that is worse
bet the farm/ranch
(Us infomal)
to risk everything :
ponce about/around
(Uk informal offensive saying)
If a man ponces about/around, he behaves or dresses more like a woman than like a man:
lift someone’s spirits
(Phrasal, informal)
to make someone happier:
man of his word
(Also a woman of her word)
people who do what they say they will do:
a means to an end
(C2, idiom)
something that you do because it will help you to achieve something else:
beyond one’s wildest dreams
(C2)
to a degree or in a way you had never thought possible:
in your mind’s eye
(Idiom, C2)
in your imagination or memory:
heavy hitter
(US Idiom)
someone or something that is very powerful or successful:
run one’s mouth
(US informal disapproving)
to talk too much, especially saying things you should not say:
there’s no turning back
(Idiom)
used to say that you cannot decide to stop doing something you have planned, because of the action you have already taken:
with (all due) respect
( idiom (also with (the greatest) respect) )
used to express polite disagreement in a formal situation:
be two sides of the same coin
(Idiom (also be different/opposite sides of the same coin) )
If two things are two sides of the same coin, they are very closely related although they seem different:
pass the torch (on)
(Idiom, mainly US)
to give one’s job, duties, etc., to another person
have/throw a fit
(Idiom, informal)
to become very angry or worried, often shouting a lot:
you and whose army?
(Informal, idiom)
used as a reply to someone who has said that they will do something, to express your opinion that they could not do it because they are not strong enough or it is too difficult :
“If you talk about me again, I’ll make you pay.” “______________?”
“I’ll deal with them.” “________________?”
Beat around the bush
(C2, also UK beat about the bush)
to avoid talking about what is important:
- Don’t ___________ - get to the point!
a sea of something
(Phrase)
a large amount or number of something:
• The teacher looked down and saw a ___________
• It’s been raining nonstop here for three days and I’m surrounded by a _________________
• The singer looked out over_____________
• The floor of the crater melted and turned into a ________________.
• In April, this whole meadow becomes _______________.
Jump the gun
to do something too soon, especially without thinking carefully about it:
• They’ve only just met - isn’t it ______________ to be talking about marriage already?
nothing could be further from the truth
used to say that what has been suggested is completely untrue:
- People say we’re splitting up, but. _________________________.
give someone/something the cold shoulder
(Collocation)
To ignore or showing disinterest in someone
(Idiom, informal)
to dismiss (someone) from a job : to fire (someone)
give someone/something a run for their money
(Idiom)
to not allow someone to win easily:
• We’re going to give the other candidate ___ ____________ her ________.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
** to be similar in quality to or almost better than someone or something:**
• He’s so good at maths that he gives his teacher _____________________ .
• This small, independent cosmetics manufacturer gives the big brand____________
_______________.
under your belt
(Idiom)
learned or succeeded in, and now a part of your experience:
• Now that you’ve got the required courses _______________, you can take some electives.
Sth is not rocket science
(Idiom, humorous)
used to say that you do not think that something is very difficult to do or to understand:
• My coach always said, “___________ is not rocket science. It’s about putting the ball in the basket.”
put the brakes on
(idiom (also mainly UK put a brake on) )
to slow down or stop an activity:
• The city has put the brakes on further spending.
be in hot water
(** idiom** (also get into hot water) )
to be in or get into a difficult situation in which you are in danger of being criticized or punished:
• He found himself in ______________ over his comments about immigration.
(as) proud as a peacock
(Idiom)
extremely proud:
sweep something under the rug
(idiom US (UK sweep something under the carpet) )
to hide a problem or try to keep it secret instead of dealing with it:
• The committee is being accused of ____________ financial problems _____________to avoid embarrassment.
Out of touch
(Idiom)
not informed or not having the same ideas as most people about something, so that you make mistakes:
bring someone/something to their knees
(Idiom)
to destroy or defeat someone or something:
Footnote
By the book
(Idiom)
exactly as the rules tell you:
• go by the book My lawyer always goes strictly by the book.
• This is a private deal - we don’t have to do everything by the book.
all (one’s) Christmases have come at once
(Idiom, also all my Christmases have come at once)
Said when one is experiencing a an extraordinary amount of good fortune. Primarily heard in UK.
• Wait, let me get this straight: the planning permission came through very quickly, the bank approved our second loan application, and the weather is supposed to stay sunny and dry for the next few months? Wow, all our Christmases have come at once!
like turkeys voting for Christmas
(Idiom, mainly UK)
said to mean that it is very unlikely that someone will choose to do a particular thing because it would very obviously be bad for them
• If we accept this proposal, it would be like turkeys voting for Christmas. It’s just not going to happen.
(all) lit up like a Christmas tree
1. Covered in or decorated with many bright lights.
• They always have the bridge all lit up like a Christmas tree for the winter. It looks so beautiful when you drive over it in the dark.
• If you want to cycle at night, then make sure you’re lit up like a Christmas tree before you get on the road.
• Thanks to that fancy new glow collar, Spike is all lit up like a Christmas tree on our nighttime walks now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Very brightly or radiantly illuminated.
• Isn’t the new porch light a little bright? The whole house is lit up like a Christmas tree now.
the proof of the pudding (is in the eating)
(idiom saying (also the proof is in the pudding))
said to mean that you can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it
with bells on
(idiom US informal)
To do something or go somewhere with bells on is to do it or go there eagerly:
• “Are you coming to Paul’s tonight.” “Sure, I’ll be there - with bells on.”
be like a kid in a candy store
(phrase US and Australian English)
to be very happy and excited about the things around you, and often react to them in a way that is silly and not controlled:
• You should have seen him when they arrived. He was like a kid in a candy store.
• Looking at all those cameras, I was like a kid in a candy store.
• She sounds like a kid in a candy store when she talks about the recording equipment they have.
• We took my dad to a boat show and he was like a kid in a candy store.
on your toes
(Idiom)
Someone or something that keeps you on your toes forces you to continue directing all your attention and energy to what you are doing:
• I work with people who are half my age so that keeps me on my toes.
Spill the beans
(Idiom)
to tell people secret information:
-So who spilled the beans about her affair with David?
strike your fancy
[idiom (also catch/tickle your fancy)]
to seem interesting or pleasing to someone:
1. She has enough money to buy anything that strikes her fancy.
get under someone’s skin
Idiom
to annoy someone:
1. Jack really gets under my skin - he never buys anyone a drink.
slip of the tongue
Idiom
something that you say by accident when you intended to say something else:
1. I called her new boyfriend by her previous boyfriend’s name - it was just a slip of the tongue.
tie the knot
idiom informal and C2
to get married:
1. So when are you two going to tie the knot?
as dry as a bone
Idiom
extremely dry:
1. I don’t think he’s been watering these plants - the soil is as dry as a bone.
Furthermore:
bone-dry
someone’s heart sinks
idiom
to feel disappointed or to lose hope:
1. My heart sank when I realized we couldn’t afford the new house.
have bigger/other fish to fry
idiom informal
to have something more important to do
have something going for you
Idiom
If you have something going for you, or if something has something going for it, there are certain advantages that will make the end result successful:
1. have everything going for you They’ve got a happy marriage, great careers, wonderful kids - in fact they’ve got everything going for them.
in a heartbeat
idiom
very quickly, without needing to think about it:
1. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
(as) tough as nails
idiom (also (as) hard as nails)
strong and very determined:
1. She is a warm and friendly person, but she is also as tough as nails at work.
add fuel to fire
(UK also add fuel to the flames or more popular add insult to injury)
to make an argument or bad situation worse:
- The discovery that the government was aware of the cover-up has really added fuel to the fire.
(Thêm dầu vào lửa)
long story short
idiom US
used when you do not tell all the details:
- Long story short, I got fired.
C1
pull someone’s leg
idiom informal
to try to persuade someone to believe something that is not true, as a joke:
- Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?
put a bug in someone’s ear
Idiom and from US
to give someone a subtle suggestion; hint
- We put a bug in his ear about a new gymnasium
think on your feet
idiom
to make a quick decision or give an answer quickly:
- I’d never heard about the company before, so I had to think on my feet.
kick in the teeth
idiom informal
If you describe the way someone treats you as a kick in the teeth, you mean that that person treats you badly and unfairly, especially at a time when you need their support:
- She was dismissed from her job, which was a real kick in the teeth after all the work she’d done.
Go spare
Idiom British, informal
to become very angry or upset
- My dad went spare when he found out what I’d done.
in/for the foreseeable future
phrase
as far into the future as you can imagine or plan for:
- I’ll be living here for the foreseeable future.
- He asked me if there was any point in the foreseeable future when I’d like to have children.
Related:
forseeable
the dust settles
idiom
If the dust settles after an argument or big change, the situation becomes calmer:
- We thought we’d let the dust settle before discussing the other matter.
under your nose
idiom
in the place where something belongs, or in an obvious place:
- I’ve been looking for my keys and they were right here under my nose all the time.
night and day
idiom (also day and night)
all the time:
- They’ve worked night and day to publicize their campaign.
on the spot
Phrase and C2, also it’s adjective can be on-the-spot
immediately:
- You can be sacked on the spot for stealing.
- The directors met with him and offered him the role on the spot.
- They threatened to shoot her on the spot.
too big for your boots
idiom UK informal (US too big for your britches)
behaving as if you are more important than you really are:
- He’s been getting a bit too big for his boots since he got that promotion.
Related:
egomaniac
megalomaniac
come out of your shell
idiom (also bring someone out of their shell)
If you come out of your shell, you become more interested in other people and more willing to talk and take part in social activities, and if someone brings you out of your shell, they cause you to do this:
- Derek has really come out of his shell since he started working here.
take something with a grain of salt
idiom US (UK take something with a pinch of salt)
to not completely believe something that you are told, because you think it is unlikely to be true:
- You have to take everything she says with a grain of salt, because she tends to exaggerate.
all is well
idiom, also B2
everything is in a good or acceptable state:
- I hope all is well with Jack.
catch/capture lightning in a bottle
idiom, also mainly US
to succeed in a way that is very lucky or unlikely
- He caught lightning in a bottle with the success of his very first book.
lay the groundwork/basis/foundations for something
idiom
to prepare for or start an activity or task:
- This study lays the groundwork for understanding the nature of different mutations of the disease.
- The initial negotiations are seen as laying the basis for more detailed talks
drop the ball
idiom informal
to make a mistake, especially by not taking action or dealing with something that should have been planned for:
- For God’s sake don’t drop the ball on this - we’re relying on you.
- The government has dropped the ball, he says, and should have seen this coming.
- I’ll freely admit to dropping the ball on this occasion but I’ll fix it.
go overboard
idiom informal, also C2
to do something too much, or to be too excited or eager about something:
- I don’t think there’ll be more than six people eating, so I wouldn’t go overboard with the food.
knock sb/sth out of the park
idiom (also hit sb/sth out of the park) also informal
to do something much better than someone else, or to be much better than someone or something else:
- Hotel Ferrero knocks everyone out of the park with their breakfast.
- The BBC is hitting them all out of the park at the moment, in children’s drama at least.
throw someone under the bus
idiom and also informal
to do something harmful to someone else in order to gain an advantage for yourself:
- He has been accused of throwing fellow Republicans under the bus for his personal agenda.
- I’m not going to throw my friend under the bus for something he did 25 years ago.
get your mind around sth
idiom (also get your head around sth); (US also wrap your mind around sth)
to succeed in understanding something difficult or strange:
- I find it hard to get my mind around such complex issues.
put/set someone right
idiom informal
to stop someone believing something that is not true, or to correct someone by telling them the truth:
- She thought she wouldn’t have to work hard, but we soon put her right on that. ____________________________________________________________________________
to make someone feel better:
- A good night’s sleep will soon put you right.
locked and loaded
Idiom
1. Loaded with ammunition and prepared to be fired.
- Are those guns locked and loaded? Because the enemy’s a-comin’.
2. Prepared; ready.
- A: “Please tell me you have all those pamphlets ready for the presentation tomorrow.” B: “Yep—locked and loaded!”
at someone’s beck and call
idiom
always willing and able to do whatever someone asks:
- Go and get it yourself! I’m not at your beck and call, you know.
not the sharpest tool in the shed
Idiom, note this is from a book of idioms so use this carefully
Not intelligent; dim-witted or prone to stupidity.
- His new boyfriend isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s pretty good looking!
- I wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed in school, but I still managed to find a profession I loved.
burn your boats/bridges
idiom
If you are in a situation and you burn your boats/bridges, you destroy all possible ways of going back to that situation.
on your last legs
idiom informal
A person who is on their last legs is very tired or near to death:
- We’d been out walking all day and I was on my last legs when we reached the hotel.
- It looks as though her grandfather’s on his last legs.
the ball’s in someone’s court
idiom
it is time for someone to deal with a problem or make a decision, because other people have already done as much as they can:
- I’ve helped him in every way I can – the ball’s in his court now.
On the ball
idiom
If you are on the ball, you are be quick to understand and react to things:
- I didn’t sleep well last night and I’m not really on the ball today.
move the needle
Idiom and informal
To cause a noticeable change in something. The imagery refers to the pointer (“needle”) on a measuring instrument, which moves to indicate the level that has been reached.
- It seems all my efforts to get in good with the CEO have done little to move the needle in my favor.
get your act together
idiom informal and also C2
to start to organize yourself so that you do things in an effective way:
- She’s so disorganized - I wish she’d get her act together.
in a pinch
idiom US (UK at a pinch)
Something that you can do in a pinch can be done if it is really necessary, but it will be difficult, not perfect, or not what you would really like:
- I need $20,000 to set up the business, but I suppose $15,000 would do in a pinch.
touch/strike/hit a (raw) nerve
idiom
to upset someone:
thread the needle
Idiom
verb To pass, or pass something, through a narrow space between two things.
- The quarterback really threaded the needle between those two defenders with that pass.
make ends meet
idiom, C1 also (Indian English make both ends meet)
To have just enough money to pay for the things that you need
chip (something) in US /tʃɪp/
phrasal verb with chip verb [ I or T ]
to give some money when several people are giving money to pay for something together:
- They all chipped in £100 and bought their mother a trip to Greece.
Or to mean to interrupt a conversation:
- Sorry I am just gonna chip in your conversation a bit, just for an interview.
Do the trick
Idion Informal and C2
If something does the trick, it has the necessary or wanted effect:
- should/ought to do the trick This sauce needs more flavour I know, some lemon juice should/ought to do the trick.
dig someone’s own grave
idiom
to do something that causes you harm, sometimes serious harm:
- She dug her own grave when she made fun of the boss.
rule of thumb
idiom
a broadly accurate guide or principle, based on experience or practice rather than theory.
- A good rule of thumb when you are studying is to always clean your room.
push your luck
Idiom, (also push it)
to try too hard to get a particular result and risk losing what you have achieved:
- She’s agreed to help on Saturday, but I think I’d be pushing my luck if I asked her to be here the whole weekend.
out (of) the (starting) gate
Idiom, informal
At or from the very starting position.
- Out the gate, the company’s latest video game console has proven wildly popular.
- We’re aiming to be the first one out of the gate with mixed-reality technology.
- I was a bit slow out of the starting gate to find what I wanted to study in college, but by my second year I felt really confident in my degree
Blow the whistle
idiom
to tell people publicly about something bad that someone is doing
be a dime a dozen
idiom US (UK be two/ten a penny)
to be common and/or of very little value:
• Books like this are a dime a dozen.
Cheap as chips
Idiom, informal
Very inexpensive
- There are no shortage of brilliant people, they are cheap as chips.
The willies
Phrase, plural noun
a feeling of nervousness and fear, especially caused by something strange or threatening:
- give someone the willies Spending a night in the house alone always gives me the willies.
- get the willies Seeing something in the shadows, I suddenly got the willies and ran.
- I find him creepy - he gives me the willies.
- I really didn’t like that book - it gave me the willies.
- I get the willies just thinking about that place.
- Anything related to blood gives me the willies.
take to something like a duck to water
Idiom, informal
to discover when you start to do something for the first time that you have a natural ability to do it:
• He took to fatherhood like a duck to water.
• This influencer takes tricycling like a duck to water.
put your finger on something
Idiom, C2
to discover the exact reason why a situation is the way it is, especially when something is wrong:
- There’s something odd about him, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
a needle in a haystack
Idiom
something that is impossible or extremely difficult to find, especially because the area you have to search is too large:
• Finding the piece of paper I need in this huge pile of documents is like looking for/trying to find a needle in a haystack
the straw that breaks/broke the camel’s back
Idiom
the last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset, angry, etc.
• It had been a difficult week, so when the car broke down, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
It will never fly
Idiom
There’s no chance that something will work or be successful or accepted.
• He wants to work from home full time, but it will never fly with the bosses.
• That kind of excuse may have worked in high school, but it will never fly here. The deadline for the paper is tomorrow, no extensions.
start (something) off
Phrasal verb with start verb
B1
to begin by doing something, or to make something begin by doing something:
• She started off the meeting with the monthly sales report.
• I’d like to start off by thanking you all for coming today.
do/make a good/bad job of something
Idiom
C2
to do something well/badly:
• I’m not going to let him repair my bike again because he made a really bad job of it last time.
• The dry cleaner’s did a good job of removing that oil stain from my shirt.
Rain on someone’s parade
Idiom
to do something that spoils someone’s plans:
• I’m sorry to rain on your parade but you’re not allowed to have alcohol on the premises.
Look daggers at someone
Idiom • informal
To look angrily at someone
on the nose
idiom
exactly right, often an exact amount of money or time:
- Her description of the play was right on the nose.
difficult hurdle
Collocation
tilt at windmills
Idiom Literary
to fight enemies who do not really exist
A slap on the wrist
phrase informal
a gentle warning or punishment:
- give someone a slap on the wrist The police officer gave Minna a slap on the wrist for not wearing her seat belt.
- You’ll probably get a slap on the wrist but nothing worse.
- It seems extraordinary that these people will face no more than a slap on the wrist.
- We need to make sure that criminals like these get more from the authorities than a slap on the wrist.
- He escaped a lengthy prison sentence with a light slap on the wrist.
See also
slap noun (HIT)
take the piss
idiom UK offensive
to be very annoying and unfair:
- £10 for a burger - that’s taking the piss!
- While some people actually don’t realize their behaviour causes others discomfort, others just like to take the piss
bite the bullet
Idiom
to force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult, or to be brave in a difficult situation:
- I hate going to the dentist, but I’ll just have to bite the bullet
ride the short bus
US slang, derogatory, education
To participate in a special education program, such as for those with learning disabilities
drive a wedge between someone
idiom
to damage the good relationship that two people or groups of people have:
• It doesn’t make sense to let things that happened in the past drive a wedge between us now.
to do someone a solid
Idiom, US, informal
to do something kind or helpful for someone:
• Anyone care to do me a solid and tell me if I can claim this on my taxes?
• Do me a solid and stop talking.
the sky is the limit
Idiom
there is no limit:
out on a limb
Idiom
having an opinion that is different from most people’s and is unpopular:
• go out on a limb She’s going out on a limb in criticizing her own party leadership.
___________________________________________
in a situation where something bad could happen to you and you are not well protected:
go off the deep end
idiom informal
to get very angry about something or lose control of yourself
Synonyms:
Fly off the handle
Blows one top
