Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Question 0

Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.

Answer 0

Prov. If you come in, be prepared for the worst.

This is our cafeteria. Abandon hope, all ye who enter here!

Question 1

*an A for effort

Answer 1

Fig. acknowledgement for having tried to do something, even if it was not successful. (*Typically: get ~ ; give someone ~ .)
The plan didn’t work, but I’ll give you an A for effort for trying

Question 2

Abandon oneself to something

Answer 2

To yield to the comforts or delights of something.

The children abandoned themselves to the delights of the warm summer day.

Question 3

Abandon ship

Answer 3

1. Lit. to leave a sinking ship.
   The captain ordered the crew and passengers to abandon ship.
2. Fig. to leave a failing enterprise.
   A lot of the younger people are abandoning ship because they can get jobs elsewhere easily.

Question 4

Abandon someone or something to someone or something

Answer 4

To leave a person, living creature, or thing to the care of someone or something; to give up someone or something to someone or something.

They had to abandon the dogs to the storm.

Question 5

Abbreviate something to something

and abbreviate something as something

Answer 5

1. To make specific initials or an acronym out of a word or phrase. The phrase was abbreviated to ABC.
2. to make something into a shorter version of itself. The act has been abbreviated to just a few minutes.

Question 6

the ABCs of something

Answer 6

Fig. the basic facts or principles of something.

I have never mastered the ABCs of car maintenance.

Question 7

Abduct someone from someone or something

Answer 7

To take away or kidnap a person from someone or from a particular place, usually in secret.
The thugs abducted the child from her mother.

Question 8

Abet someone in something

Answer 8

To help someone in some deed; to help someone do something illegal.
Surely you do not expect me to abet you in this crime!

Question 9

Abide by something

Answer 9

To follow the rules of something; to obey someone’s orders.

John felt that he had to abide by his father’s wishes.

Question 10

Abide with someone

Answer 10

To remain with someone; to stay with someone. (Old and stilted. Primarily heard in the church hymn Eventide.)

You are welcome to abide with me for a while, young man.

Question 11

able to breathe (easily) again and able to breathe (freely) again

Answer 11

1. Lit. able to breathe clean, fresh air with no restriction or obstruction.
   After I got out of the dank basement, I was able to breathe easily again.
2. Fig. able to relax and recover from a busy or stressful time; able to catch one’s breath.

Question 12

Able to cut something

Answer 12

Fig. to be able to manage or execute
something. (Often negative. Able to can be replaced with can.)
We thought he could handle the new account, but G he is simply not able to cut it.

Question 13

Able to do something

Answer 13

To have the strength or skill to do something. (Able to can be replaced with can.)
Are you able to carry those bags by yourself ?

Question 14

Able to do something blindfolded and able to do something standing on one’s head

Answer 14

Fig. able to do something very easily, possibly without even looking. (Able to can be replaced with can.)

Bill boasted that he could pass his driver’s test blindfolded.

Question 15

Able to do something with one’s eyes closed

Answer 15

Fig. able to do something very easily, even without having to think about it or look at it. (Always affirmative. Able to can be replaced with can.)

It’s easy. I can do it with my eyes closed.

Question 16

Able to fog a mirror

Answer 16

Fig. Inf. alive, even if just barely. (Usually jocular). (Able to can be replaced with can.)

Look, I don’t need an athlete to do this job! Anybody able to fog a mirror
will do fine!

Question 17

Able to make an event

Answer 17

Able to attend an event. (Able to can
be replaced with can.)

I don’t think I’ll be able to make your party, but thanks for asking me.

Question 18

Able to take a joke

Answer 18

To be able to accept ridicule good- naturedly; to be able to be the object or butt of a joke willingly. (Able to can be replaced with can.)
Better not tease Ann. She can’t take a joke.

Question 19

Able to take just so much and Able to take only so much

Answer 19

Able to endure only a limited amount of discomfort or unpleasantness. (Able to can be replaced with can.)

Please stop hurting my feelings. I’m able to take just so much.

Question 20

Abound with someone or something

Answer 20

To be plentiful with particular persons, other living beings, or objects.

The world abounds with talented people who are too shy to develop their talents.

Question 21

*about one’s business

Answer 21

Busy doing something. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; go ~.)
Why are you still in the house? It’s time to be about your business.
Why are you just standing there? You’d better get busy doing something!

Question 22

*about to do something

Answer 22

In the process of doing something. (*Typically: be ~ ; get ~ .)

I’d better be about my yard work.

Question 23

*an about-face (on someone or something)

Answer 23

Fig. a reversal of attitude or action. (*Typically: do ~ ; have ~ .)

She did an about-face on her rule about not eating in the living room. Now we can do it if we want.

Question 24

*above and beyond (something)

Answer 24

More than is required; greater than the required amount. (*Typically: be ~ ; go ~ .)
The English teacher helped students after school every day, even though it was beyond the call of duty.

Question 25

above average

Answer 25

Higher or better than the average.

Max’s grades are always above average.

Question 26

Above (doing) something [of someone]

Answer 26

Too mature or honorable to do something.

I thought you were above doing something so thoughtless.

Question 27

above one’s bend and above one’s huckleberry

Answer 27

Rur. beyond one’s ability.

Fixing those new cars with computers in them is above my bend.

Joe’s a good cook, but fancy desserts are above his huckleberry.

Question 28

above par

Answer 28

better than average or normal.

His work is above par, so he should get paid better.

Question 29

above reproach

Answer 29

not deserving of blame or criticism.

Some politicians behave as though they are above reproach.

Question 30

above someone

Answer 30

at a higher rank than someone else; serving as someone’s supervisor.

Ron is above Ginney, but he treats her like an equal.

Question 31

above someone or something

Answer 31

to be in a position that is higher than someone or something.

The plane is now directly above us.

Question 32

• above suspicion [for one]

Answer 32

to be honest enough that no one would suspect one; in a position where one could not be suspected.(*Typically: be ~ ; keep oneself ~ ; remain ~ .)

The general is a fine old man, completely above suspicion.

Question 33

above the law

Answer 33

not subject to the law; immune to the law.

None of us is above the law. We have to obey all of them.

Question 34

aboveboard

Answer 34

in the open; visible to the public; honest.

Don’t keep it a secret. Let’s make certain that everything is aboveboard.

Question 35

*abreast of someone or something

Answer 35

1. Lit. keeping even with someone or something. (be ~ ; get ~ ; keep~;stay~.)
   IhadtorunhardtostayabreastofSally.
2. Fig. knowing the news about someone or something (be;get;keep;stay)
   The press corps has to keep abreast of the president.

Question 36

abscond with someone or something

Answer 36

to steal or run away with someone or something; to make off with someone
or something in secret.

The boys absconded with all the dessert.

Question 37

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Answer 37

Prov. You will like someone or something better if that person or thing is far away.
Ever since Carla’s boyfriend moved away, she can’t stop thinking about him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Question 38

absent oneself from someone or something

Answer 38

to remain away from or avoid someone or some place.

Fred absented himself from the meeting, which he was certain would be boring.

Question 39

*absent without leave

Answer 39

absent from a military unit with- out permission; absent from anything without permission. (AWOL is an abbreviation. *Typically: be ~ ; go ~ .)
The soldier was taken away by the military police because he was absent without leave.

Question 40

an absent-minded professor

Answer 40

a bumbling professor who overlooks everyday things.

Fred is such an absent- minded professor. He’d forget his head if it wasn’t screwed on.

Question 41

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Answer 41

Prov. One who has total authority is very likely to abuse his position.
We thought that Johnson would be a responsible mayor, but within a year of taking office, he was as bad as all the rest. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Question 42

Absolutely not!

Answer 42

a strong denial or refusal. (Compare this with Definitely not!)

Bob: Can I please have the car again tonight?
Father: Absolutely not! You can’t have the car every night!

Question 43

absolve someone from something and absolve someone of something

Answer 43

to prove that an accused person is innocent of something; to demonstrate that someone is not responsible for something.

Bob attempted to absolve himself of the crime.

Question 44

absorb oneself in someone or something

Answer 44

Fig. [for someone] to become very interested or preoccupied with something or someone else’s interests.

Tom would often absorb him- self in his children’s activities on weekends.

Question 45

absorb someone in(to) something [of a person or a group of people]

Answer 45

to include someone in all the activities of the group; to integrate someone into something.

The club absorbed the new members into the organization.

Question 46

absorb something in(to) something [of matter or substance]

Answer 46

to draw something into itself.

The sponge absorbed all the moisture into its fibers.

Question 47

absorb something with something

Answer 47

to soak up a fluid with something.

Henry absorbed the spilled milk with a sponge.

Question 48

abstain from something

Answer 48

to avoid some activity or the use of some substance, such as alcohol, drugs, sex, or food.

They abstained from hard liquor and any other kind of intoxicants.

Question 49

abstain from voting

Answer 49

to choose not to vote either for or against a proposition or nominee.

I will have to abstain from voting since I cannot make up my mind.

Question 50

abstract something from someone or something

Answer 50

to steal something from someone or something. (Formal.)

The officer was found guilty of abstracting a rather large amount of money from the company.