Idioms and Phrases Flashcards
as useful as a chocolate teapot
not useful at all
to beat around the bush
to talk about lots of unimportant things because you want to avoid talking about what is really important (if we don’t beat around the bush, it means we get straight to the point, and we don’t worry about hurting feelings)
to stick to your guns
to continue to have your beliefs or continue with a plan of action, even if other people disagree with you
to go along (with)
to (sometimes reluctantly) accept or agree with a decision, rule, opinion, etc.
Example:
I’m going to go along with the rules for now.
to feel under the weather
to feel ill or unwell
Example:
I didn’t go into school today because I was feeling a bit under the weather. I hope to feel better tomorrow!
to pull oneself together
to decide to do something difficult or unpleasant that you have been avoiding
Examples:
I know you’re stressed out, but you need to pull yourself together and get this report done!
I hope she pulls herself together soon. We need her to be focused.
to bite the bullet
to decide to do something difficult or unpleasant that you
have been avoiding
Example:
I have been avoiding organising my finances, but I need to bite the
bullet and open that spreadsheet!
to wolf something down
to eat something really quickly
Example:
He wolfed down 2 plates of lasagne and still had room for dessert!
A dime a dozen
Not valuable
Example:
I’m sorry but your stamp collection isn’t worth anything. Most of
them are a dime a dozen!
to add insult to injury
to make something bad even worse
Example:
He broke up with me and then, to add insult to injury, he started
dating my sister.
to throw caution to the wind
to act without thinking of the consequences
Example:
I was initially worried she would reject me, but soon I threw
caution to the wind and asked her out.
the ball is in your court
it is up to you to make the next move
Example:
I’ve done as much as I can. The ball is in your court now
to be down on your luck
to be experiencing a period of bad luck
Example:
I really hope that things improve for you. You’ve been down on your luck and you don’t deserve it!
to give someone the benefit of the doubt
to decide that you will believe someone, even though you are not sure that what the person is saying is true/honest
Example:
I’m not sure if he’ll be able to deliver on his promises but I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt!
to be on the ball
to be organised and alert
Example:
You won’t be able to fool him. He is pretty on the ball when it comes to the latest tricks and scams!
to be over the moon
to be very happy
Example:
I was over the moon when I found out that my favourite band was going to play in my city!
to be on cloud 9
to be elated
Example:
After our wedding day we were on cloud nine. It was so lovely to finally tie the knot!
** elated: happy, delighted
to lose your touch
to lose an ability or talent that you once had
Example:
I lost touch with him when he joined the Air Force
to go from rags to riches
to go from being poor to having a lot of money
Example:
I admire her because she had gone from rags to riches. She had nothing, but now she is very successful.
to get into deep water
to be in trouble or difficulty
Example:
He got into deep water when he borrowed money from a loan shark.
as fresh as a daisy
used to describe someone who is full of energy and enthusiasm
to tighten one’s belt
to try to spend less money or use fewer resources
Example:
We’ll need to tighten our belt if we want to save a good house deposit.
a sharp cookie
someone who is smart or confident in their decisions
Example:
That Albert Einstein was one sharp cookie!
to go bananas
to act in a crazy manner
Example:
The boy started to go bananas when his mom didn’t give him a toy.
to bring home the bacon
to earn money especially as it relates to a family
Example:
My wife brings home the bacon while I watch the kids.
a bad egg
a person who is often in trouble
Example:
You shouldn’t spend time with those bad eggs. They are a bad influence.
to spice things up
to make something more exciting
Example:
I quit my job and moved to Thailand. I just wanted to spice things up.
to take with a pinch of salt
to not believe something entirely
Example:
Your mum knows a lot but take her advice with a pinch of salt, she’s not a doctor.
butter (someone) up
to be extremely nice, usually to get something in return
Example:
I will need to butter up my boss before asking for that extra day off.
in the dark
unaware, to no have the information.
Example:
We had to keep her in the dark about the surprise party.
to see red
to be very angry
Example:
I saw red when the shopkeeper tried to scam my mother!
true colours
one’s true self
Example:
I saw her true colours when I overheard her talking to her children. She definitely has anger issues.
to pass with flying colours
easily
Example:
They passed their final exam with flying colours.
to get caught red-handed
to be caught in a guilty act
Example:
I caught my son red-handed taking cookies out of the cookie jar.
up to speed
fully informed of all current information
Example:
Make sure that Matthew is up to speed. He is giving the presentation in 20 minutes.
get the ball rolling
to start on a task
Example:
The Smiths want the documents ready by tomorrow so let’s get the ball rolling.
to back to the drawing board
start over
Example:
My boss didn’t like my design so now it is back to the drawing board.
ahead of the curve
ahead of current thinking or trends
Example:
What is the latest viral trend? We need to stay ahead of the curve for this next video.
up to snuff
of the expected standard
Example:
His work was not up to snuff so he was fired.
change of pace
something out of the ordinary
Example:
Let’s have our meeting at the coffee shop for a change of pace.
to miss the mark
to not reach a certain goal
Example:
The most recent marketing campaign really missed the mark.
not going to fly
will not work as intended
Example:
That kind of attitude isn’t going to fly in this office.
out on a limb
at risk
Example:
I put myself out on a limb at the meeting but it paid off, they loved my ideas!
** limb: an arm or leg of a person or four-legged animal, or a bird’s wing.
make someone’s day
to make someone feel happy (the best thing that happens to them that day)
Example:
When my neighbors surprised me with homemade chocolate chip cookies, it really made my day.
to be bursting with (joy/anger)
to be so filled with happiness that you are unable to contain it
Examples:
I was bursting with anger after they fired me from my job.
My kids burst with joy when we told them we were going to the theme park over the weekend.
to brighten up my day
make someone feel happier, improve their mood
Example:
Finding $20 on my way home really brightened up my day!
to be the icing on the cake
to make a good situation even better, or the opposite meaning.
Example:
Having all of you here for my birthday has really been wonderful. This gift is icing on the cake.
to feel like a million dollars
to look or feel very good or attractive, especially if you are wearing something expensive or luxury
Example:
Wow, I feel like a million dollars in this new suit!
to be in high spirits
be very happy or excited and in a very good mood after a success.
Example:
Ellen’s been in high spirits ever since she found out she got the lead in the school play.
to have a mind like a sieve
to describe that a person has a bad memory and often forgets things
Example:
John has a mind like a sieve—I had to leave him three separate reminders about the play tomorrow night!
to be music to my ears
something that is pleasing to hear, such as good news
Example:
School being closed for a snow day was music to my kids’ ears.
to lighten one’s mood
to make someone feel less worried and more cheerful
Example:
As a middle child, I think my role is to lighten the mood in my family.
frame of mind
your mood or the way you feel about something
Examples:
I’m always in a much better frame of mind if I have a chance to unwind after work.
You’ve got to improve your frame of mind if you want to get that job. No one’s going to hire someone who isn’t confident in their own abilities!
to have the time of your life
to really enjoy yourself, as if it is the best experience in your whole life.
Examples:
I traveled to France for the first time last summer, and I had the time of my life!
A: “Did the kids enjoy the circus?” B: “Oh, they had the time of their lives!”
