idioms and phrasal verbs Flashcards
remain in good health
to stay healthy
one of the secrets of remaining in good health is to choose a diet that is high in fiber and low in fat
have the lead
to be in the winning position in a race or competition
The biker has the lead, but the bikers from russia and Peru are close behind.
phrasal verb of kick.
transitive
kick off
to mark the beginning of
kick off the campaign
intransitive verb
add up (to)
to result in, to reach a total
they may add up to something that will change the world.
phrasal verb of crack
crack (someone) up
to suddenly laugh a lot, or to make someone suddenly laugh a lot
There’s something about that movie, it cracks me up every single time I watch it. No matter how many times I’ve re-watched it.
phrasal verb
root for
to express or show support for (a person, a team, etc.)
Remember that we’re all rooting for you.
idiom
cheer (someone or something) up
to make them happier
Andy was having a bad day, so his wife cheered him up.
phrasal verb of drop
drop out of fashion
to become unpopular
European tulips dropped out of fashion
idiom
swallow your pride
to decide to do something although it will make you feel embarrassed or ashamed
I will admit that it is hard for me to swallow my pride and recognize when I have been mistaken
intransitive verb
step down
to withdraw from one’s position or occupation
he stepped down as party leader a week ago
idiom
catch some rays
to sit or lie in the sun
I’m going out to catch a few rays before lunch.
idiom
It’s been ages!
A lot of time has passed! It has been a long time!
Hey! what’s up? it’s been ages since we’ve seen eachother
idiom
pull strings
to secretly use the influence you have over important people in order to get something or to help someone
پارتی بازی کردن
I may be able to pull a few strings if you need the document urgently
idiom
have a lot on one’s plate
to have something, usually a large amount of important work, to deal with
stay on top of things
To remain completely in control of, aware about, or on schedule with something.
idiom
find your way around something
to become familiar with a place or organization and able to act effectively within it
I’m just trying to find my way around a busy work schedule and find some time for myself
idiom
cost someone a pretty penny
to cost a lot of money
گرون تموم شدن
. A car like that costs a pretty penny, so I can’t afford it
phrasal verb with put
put yourself across
to express ideas and opinions in a way that people can understand them and know what type of person you are
منظور خود را رساندن
I don’t think I managed to put myself across very well in my interview.
make do (with)
manage with the limited or inadequate means available
چاره کردن
We didn’t have cupboards so we made do with boxes.
phrasal verb with embark
embark on
to start something
we’ve grown to seek pleasure, quick wins without the journey, the rollercoaster, the pursuit, without truly embarking on the journey that is happiness.
in a pickle
in a difficult situation or in a quandary
In a tight spot
- In a fix
- In a bind
- In trouble
- In a jam
در هچل و دردسر افتادن
have a hunch
to have a feeling/an idea that is based on feeling and for which there is no proof
the doctor had a hunch that the new medicine would be successful
phrasal verb
rest against
lean on them so that they support the weight of your body
informal
go easy on
to treat (someone) in a way that is not harsh or demanding
The students might respond better if the teacher went (a little) easy on them.
transitive verb
call down
to cause or entreat to descend
informal
up the (/a) creek
in a difficult situation
If any more people quit, we’ll really be up the creek.
boggles my mind
shocks me, confuses me
phrase of ice
on thin ice
in a precarious or risky situation.
لبه تیغ قرار داشتن
Don’t be late again, Hugo – you’re skating on thin ice.
phrase of rain check
take a rain check
politely decline an offer, with the implication that one may take it up at a later date.
they wanted me to come along for the ride but I took a rain check
in the wind
- If something is in the wind, people are talking about it and it may happen, but no one is sure, possible
- If someone is in the wind, they are missing, especially after escaping
1; Your promotion is in the wind.
2; The suspects are in the wind.
To leave no stone unturned
to do everything possible to find something or to solve a problem.
spill the beans
to disclose a secret
بند را آب دادن
So who spilled the beans about her affair with David?
add insult to injury
act in a way that makes a bad situation worse.
نمک روی زخم پاشیدن
They told me I was too old for the job, and then to add insult to injury, they refused to pay my expenses!
on cloud nine
totally happy, on top of the world
He’s been on cloud nine ever since she agreed to marry him.
rule of thumb
حساب سرانگشتی، برحسب تجربه
The rule of thumb for making good use of a metaphor is to compare what is said with what is meant.
miss the boat
fail to take advantage of an opportunity
He missed the boat when he did not apply for the job on time.
intransitive verb
tag along
to follow another’s lead especially in going from one place to another
(preposition: after)
The family dog tagged along after the children wherever they went.
phrase of salt
take something with a pinch of salt
regard something as exaggerated
I take anything he says with a large pinch of salt
phrase of smoke
smoke and mirrors
Something that is described as smoke and mirrors is intended to make you believe that something is being done or is true, when it is not
The new budget isn’t smoke and mirrors; it’s an honest attempt to reduce the deficit.
phrase
to and fro
back and forth
He was like a caged animal, pacing to and fro.
idiom
have a whale of a time
to enjoy yourself very much
he enjoyed the party, danced, drank, and generally had a whale of a time
idiom
have a finger in the pie
to be involved in something, often when your involvement is not wanted
نخود هر آش شدن
He very much likes to have a finger in every pie.
informal phrase
bite the bullet
to get something over with, to do something no matter how unpleasant and unsatisfying it may be
decisions have to be taken and as director you have got to bite the bull
noun
hustle and bustle
noisy activity
We escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city for the weekend.
idiom
not see hide nor hair of someone
to not see someone for a while
He retired last June, and his coworkers have seen neither hide nor hair of him since.
idiom
keep your nose clean
Her husband is keen to keep his nose clean.
to avoid getting into trouble
I’d only been out of prison three months, so I was trying to keep my nose clean.
idiom
not be born yesterday
I wasn’t born yesterday to believe such a hoax.
to not be stupid or easy to decieve
You don’t fool me - I wasn’t born yesterday.
idiom
plain as day
very clearly
مثل روز روشن، به روشنی روز
The answer is (as) plain as day.
phrase of bead
get a bead on
to fully understand and get
fully understand or make sense of
idiom
open a can of worms
to create a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems
اومد ابروش رو درست کنه زد چشمش رو کور کرد!
My uncle tried repairing the plumbing himself but he only opened a can of worms.
idiom
a green thumb
the ability to make plants grow
Mr. White has a green thumb. His garden is always beautiful.
down in the dumps
depressed and sad
Dad is really down in the dumps.
Don’t bank on it
Don’t rely on that to happen, don’t expect it to happen
روش حساب نکن
I wouldn’t bank on him being there.
I had banked on getting a raise this year.
