Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Flashcards
Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.
Prov. If you come in, be prepared for the worst.
This is our cafeteria. Abandon hope, all ye who enter here!
*an A for effort
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
Abandon oneself to something
To yield to the comforts or delights of something.
The children abandoned themselves to the delights of the warm summer day.
Abandon ship
- Lit. to leave a sinking ship.
The captain ordered the crew and passengers to abandon ship. - Fig. to leave a failing enterprise.
A lot of the younger people are abandoning ship because they can get jobs elsewhere easily.
Abandon someone or something to someone or something
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.
Abbreviate something to something
and abbreviate something as something
- To make specific initials or an acronym out of a word or phrase. The phrase was abbreviated to ABC.
- to make something into a shorter version of itself. The act has been abbreviated to just a few minutes.
the ABCs of something
Fig. the basic facts or principles of something.
I have never mastered the ABCs of car maintenance.
Abduct someone from someone or something
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.
Abet someone in something
To help someone in some deed; to help someone do something illegal.
Surely you do not expect me to abet you in this crime!
Abide by something
To follow the rules of something; to obey someone’s orders.
John felt that he had to abide by his father’s wishes.
Abide with someone
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.
able to breathe (easily) again and able to breathe (freely) again
- 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. - Fig. able to relax and recover from a busy or stressful time; able to catch one’s breath.
Able to cut something
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.
Able to do something
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 ?
Able to do something blindfolded and able to do something standing on one’s head
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.
Able to do something with one’s eyes closed
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.
Able to fog a mirror
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!
Able to make an event
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.
Able to take a joke
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.
Able to take just so much and Able to take only so much
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.
Abound with someone or something
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.
*about one’s business
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!
*about to do something
In the process of doing something. (*Typically: be ~ ; get ~ .)
I’d better be about my yard work.
*an about-face (on someone or something)
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.
*above and beyond (something)
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.
above average
Higher or better than the average.
Max’s grades are always above average.
Above (doing) something [of someone]
Too mature or honorable to do something.
I thought you were above doing something so thoughtless.
above one’s bend and above one’s huckleberry
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.
above par
better than average or normal.
His work is above par, so he should get paid better.
above reproach
not deserving of blame or criticism.
Some politicians behave as though they are above reproach.
above someone
at a higher rank than someone else; serving as someone’s supervisor.
Ron is above Ginney, but he treats her like an equal.
above someone or something
to be in a position that is higher than someone or something.
The plane is now directly above us.
- above suspicion [for one]
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.
above the law
not subject to the law; immune to the law.
None of us is above the law. We have to obey all of them.
aboveboard
in the open; visible to the public; honest.
Don’t keep it a secret. Let’s make certain that everything is aboveboard.
*abreast of someone or something
- Lit. keeping even with someone or something. (be ~ ; get ~ ; keep~;stay~.)
IhadtorunhardtostayabreastofSally. - Fig. knowing the news about someone or something (be;get;keep;stay)
The press corps has to keep abreast of the president.
abscond with someone or something
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.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
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.
absent oneself from someone or something
to remain away from or avoid someone or some place.
Fred absented himself from the meeting, which he was certain would be boring.
*absent without leave
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.
an absent-minded professor
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.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
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.
Absolutely not!
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!
absolve someone from something and absolve someone of something
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.
absorb oneself in someone or something
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.
absorb someone in(to) something [of a person or a group of people]
to include someone in all the activities of the group; to integrate someone into something.
The club absorbed the new members into the organization.
absorb something in(to) something [of matter or substance]
to draw something into itself.
The sponge absorbed all the moisture into its fibers.
absorb something with something
to soak up a fluid with something.
Henry absorbed the spilled milk with a sponge.
abstain from something
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.
abstain from voting
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.
abstract something from someone or something
to steal something from someone or something. (Formal.)
The officer was found guilty of abstracting a rather large amount of money from the company.
