Idioms and Phrases Flashcards
BEAT ABOUT/AROUND THE BUSH
Avoiding the main topic // Speak in a round-about manner // speaking vaguely to avoid talking about it
SPILL THE BEANS
Disclose the secrets accidentally
COST AN ARM AND A LEG
Very expensive // A large amount of money
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
Rarely and infrequently // occasionally
FACE THE MUSIC
To accept punishment for mistake // Get reprimanded // to bear the consequences // Accept the blame
UNDER THE WEATHER
To not feel well // To feel sick or unhealthy // To be in low spirits
A BOLT FROM THE BLUE
Something unexpected and unpleasant // A complete surprise // A sudden calamity // An unexpected disaster
BURY THE HATCHET
To make peace // To end a quarrel
WILD GOOSE CHASE
A worthless hunt or chase // Futile search// Unprofitable adventure
AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR
At the very last moment // Just before the deadline
BLOW ONE’S OWN TRUMPET
Praise oneself // Talk boastfully about oneself // to boast about their achievements
BREAK THE ICE
Initiate something // to start a conversation // To make someone comfortable // To break a painful silence
GET INTO HOT WATER
To get into trouble // To be in a difficult situation in which you can be criticised
HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD
Say or do something exactly right // to find exactly the right answer
HAVE AN AXE TO GRIND
A private interest to serve // To have an ulterior motive
TO SMELL A RAT
Suspect a trick or deceit // detected something wrong
CALL IT A DAY
Decide or agree to stop doing something // to give up work and go back to home
GIFT OF THE GAB
Ability to speak eloquently // Talks well and persuasively // Ability to convince
SEE EYE TO EYE
Be in full agreement
SIT ON THE FENCE
To remain neutral, to refuse to take sides in a dispute // halting between two opinions
TO FLOG/BEAT A DEAD HORSE
To attempt to do the impossible // waste energy on an unalterable situation // a futile effort
A BLESSING/BOON IN DISGUISE
An apparent misfortune that eventually has good results // A hidden favour
A FISH OUT OF WATER
An uncomfortable, unfamiliar or unsuitable position or situation // A person out of accustomed
AT THE DROP OF A HAT/DIME
Without any hesitation // instantly // without having planned beforehand
HOLD YOUR HORSES
Be patient // Slow down // To restrain oneself
IT’S RAINING CATS AND DOGS
Raining extremely heavily // A very heavy downpour
LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED
Try every possible course of action in order to achieve something
LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG
Reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake
A HARD NUT TO CRACK
Difficult task // A tough challenge // A difficult person // An inflexible person who is hard to convince
A RED LETTER DAY
An important day // a day that is pleasantly noteworthy or memorable // happy and significant day
ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE/FLAMES
Make things worse // worsened the difficult situation
CRY OVER SPILT MILK
To complain about a loss from the past // Feeling sorry over a mistake that cannot be changed or rectified
THROUGH THICK AND THIN
Support under all circumstances // in times of good and bad fortune
TO END IN SMOKE
To come to nothing // end without any practical result
ALL AT SEA // FEEL AT SEA
Puzzled // state of confusion // lost and confused
BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW
Take on more responsibility than one can handle
BITE THE BULLET
To force yourself to do something unpleasant // To get something over with because it is inevitable
ON CLOUD NINE
Extremely happy and excited
SNAKE IN THE GRASS
An unreliable and deceitful person // A treacherous person // A secret enemy
TO MISS THE BOAT/BUS
To miss an opportunity // lose an opportunity
TO TURN A DEAF EAR
Disregard // refused to obey // to be indifferent // neglect
READ BETWEEN THE LINES
Understand the hidden meaning // find more meaning than the words appear to express
A PIECE OF CAKE
A very easy task
BY FITS AND STARTS
Unsteady // irregularly
BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS
Very quickly // rapidly // Swiftly
COCK AND BULL STORY
An unbelievable or absurd story
GIVE SOMEONE THE COLD SHOULDER
Deliberately ignore, avoid or be unfriendly towards someone
IN A NUTSHELL
Briefly and concisely // In a short, clear way // To describe in few words
IN THE SAME BOAT
In the same unpleasant or difficult situation
PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER
To calm oneself down and begin to think or act appropriately
A DARK HORSE
An unexpected winner // someone who unexpectedly succeeds // an unknown entry // a competitor of unknown capabilities
A DIME A DOZEN
Very common and of no particular value // Anything that is common and easy to get
A STONE’S THROW AWAY
A very short distance
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
An idea has been unsuccessful and that a new one must be devised // plan it all over again
BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE
Trying to do something in a way that will not work // accuse or denounce the wrong person
BE ALL EARS
Listening intently // To be ready and eager to listen
BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL
To work or study till very late in the night // To work very hard
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
Reminds them of one’s father // someone similar in character or behaviour to one’s father // Resembling parents
GET OUT OF HAND
To become uncontrollable // get out of control
PULL SOMEONE’S LEG
To make fool of // playing a joke with someone // To tease someone
TAKE WITH A PINCH/GRAIN OF SALT
Not believe completely something that you are told // To listen to something with considerable doubt
THE LION’S SHARE
The biggest and best part of a whole // The greatest and most desirable portion of something
TO FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL
To make every possible effort // To fight furiously and fiercely, with all one’s strength and effort
TO HIT THE SACK
To prepare for sleep // to go to bed
UNDER A CLOUD
Under suspicion
AS FIT AS A FIDDLE
Strong and healthy // In a perfectly healthy condition
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
A situation wherein someone has the privilege of enjoying two different opportunities // all the advantages // An ideal situation
BY HOOK OR BY CROOK
By any means, good or bad // Using whatever methods are necessary // In whatever way one can
BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH
By the narrowest margin // Having a narrow escape // To just barely manage to achieve something
EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING
Every unpleasant situation has a positive side // Something promising is there in any difficult situation
GREASE THE PALM
To bribe discreetly // to bribe someone
HAND IN GLOVE // HAND AND GLOVE
In close association // in partnership for something dishonest // Very intimate terms
IN HIGH/GOOD SPIRITS
Full of hope and enthusiasm // Joyful // Cheerful and elated
KEEP AT ARM’S LENGTH
To be at a distance with someone // Avoid being friendly with someone
STRAIN EVERY NERVE
Work very hard // to make utmost efforts
THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND
To do something without worrying about the risk // To behave recklessly
TO EAT A HUMBLE PIE
To accept defeat // suffer humiliation // had to yield under pressure // To apologise humbly
AT ONE’S WIT’S END
Completely confused or perplexed
BUILD CASTLES IN THE AIR
Daydream // Have unrealistic ideas // to create impossible dreams or hopes
BURN ONE’S BRIDGES/BOATS
To destroy all relations // to make it impossible to return to the previous situation later
CATCH RED-HANDED
To catch someone doing something illegal // Caught in the act of committing the crime
CLOSE SHAVE
Narrow escape from danger or disaster
DON’T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH
Don’t make plans based on events that have not yet happened
FULL OF BEANS
Lively and energetic // Full of energy
GO THE EXTRA MILE
Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand // To make an extra effort
INS AND OUTS
Secrets the detailed or complicated facts of something // Full details
SPICK AND SPAN
Very neat, clean, or tidy
TO GET COLD FEET
To experience nervousness or anxiety before one attempts to do something
TURN A BLIND EYE
To ignore a situation, facts or reality
UP IN ARMS
to be angry // protesting vigorously about something // In rebellion
WEARS HIS HEART ON HIS SLEEVE
Expresses his feelings openly // To show your true emotions
WHITE ELEPHANT
Costly and troublesome possession useless to its owner
A MAN OF LETTERS
Proficient in literary art // Scholar // A well educated and a wise person
A STORM IN A TEACUP
Big fuss over a small matter // A lot of anger/excitement or worry about trivial things
ADD INSULT TO INJURY
To further a loss with mockery to worsen an unfavourable situation // Make a bad situation even worse
APPLE OF ONE’S EYE
Someone very precious or dear
BACK TO SQUARE ONE
To return to the starting point // Having to start all over again
BAD BLOOD
Angry feeling // enmity // ill feeling // Hostility between people
BALL IS IN YOUR COURT
It is up to you to make the next decision or step // To be responsible for further action
BLACK SHEEP
One who is not accepted as part of a family or group because of one’s bad conduct // Person with bad reputation
CHICKEN- HEARTED
Timid // Cowardly // Easily frightened
FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS
Friends in good times // supports only when easy and convenient
FOR GOOD
Permanently // forever
IN BLACK AND WHITE
In writing // written down or in print
IN THE NICK OF TIME
Just in time // At the last possible moment
LEAVES YOU IN THE LURCH
Leave someone in a helpless condition // desert someone in his difficulties
OUT OF THE BLUE
Completely unexpectedly // Suddenly and without prior warning
TAKE TO ONE’S HEELS
To run away // ran away in fear // ran off
TO JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON
To follow popular trends // Get involved in an activity because it is likely to succeed
A BIRD’S EYE VIEW
A general view from above // Aerial view // Good and comprehensive idea // An overall view
A CAKEWALK
An easy achievement // An easy task or victory
A FOOL’S PARADISE
Being happy for foolish reasons // a state of happiness based on a person’s not knowing about potential trouble
A LEOPARD CAN’T CHANGE ITS SPOTS
It is impossible for one to change one’s character
A MAN OF STRAW
A man of no substance // A weak or cowardly person
A WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING
Hypocrite // a dangerous person pretending to be harmless
CHILD’S PLAY
Something that is very easy to do // a very easy task
COOL AS A CUCUMBER
Not nervous or emotional // to be calm and composed // cool as ice
CUT CORNERS
To save money, time or effort when doing something by not including some parts // Do something perfunctorily so as to save time or money
CUT THE MUSTARD
To perform well // To succeed
DRAW A LINE
To fix a limit // Accept something up to a particular point // To stop before a point where something okay gets not okay
FEATHER ONE’S OWN NEST
Make money in an improper way // to profit in a dishonest way // promote their own interest
GET A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE
To be given the same treatment that you have given to others
HAVE BIGGER/OTHER FISH TO FRY
Some more important work to attend to
HERCULEAN TASK
Very difficult task
KICK THE BUCKET
To die
KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE
To serve two purposes at one time // To achieve two results with a single effort
NIP IN THE BUD
To stop something at the start // To stop something before it has an opportunity to develop
SELLING LIKE HOT CAKES
To have a very good sale // To sell quickly
SHED CROCODILE TEARS
To pretend to be sympathetic // to pretend grief // False tears
TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS
To handle difficulties // To deal with a difficult or danger situation in a very direct or confident way
THE LAST STRAW
Final problem in the series // A minor difficulty but coming on top of a series of difficulties, that makes a situation unbearable
TO CALL A SPADE A SPADE
To be frank // Say the truth about something, even if it is not pleasant
TO KEEP AN EYE ON
To watch someone or something carefully // To be cautions
A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH
Having something for certain is better than the possibility of getting something better
A BONE OF CONTENTION
Cause of dispute/quarrel // Point of an argument
A GREEN HORN
An inexperienced man
A MARE’S NEST
A difficult/complicated situation // A false invention
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
What you do is more important than what you say // What you do reveals the real you // Intentions can be judged by people’s actions
ALL AND SUNDRY
Everybody without distinction // All included
AT A SNAIL’S PACE
Do something very slowly
AT DAGGERS DRAWN
Enemies // To be bitterly hostile // Being at loggerheads
BACKSEAT DRIVER
Interfering in affairs without having knowledge // A person who offers unsolicited advice
BLAZE A TRAIL
To lead the way as a pioneer // to initiate something new // To start a movement
BREAK A LEG
To wish good luck // Perform well
CUT TO THE CHASE
To start talking about the important aspects of something // come to the point
EATS LIKE A HORSE
Eats a lot of food
EYE WASH
A deception // A pretence
HAVE A CHIP ON ONE’S SHOULDER
To be upset for something that happened in the past // nurse a grudge // a feeling of relentless // To be easily angered
HOBSON’S CHOICE
No real choice at all // An apparently free choice where there is no real alternative
IN SEVENTH HEAVEN
Extremely happy // in delight
IN THE LONG RUN
Eventually, after a long period of time/Ultimately // In the end
IT’S GREEK TO ME
Incomprehensible // I cannot understand anything
JUMP THE GUN
Start something too soon or act hastily // said it before it was the right time
LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
Do not bring up an old controversial issue // To leave things as they are in order to avoid trouble
LIVE FROM HAND TO MOUTH
To have enough money to live on and nothing extra // miserably // consuming daily what little is earned
MAKE NO BONES ABOUT
Did not have any hesitation in // To state something clearly
ON TENTERHOOKS
In suspense and anxiety // anxious
PLAY IT BY EAR
To do something without special preparation // To improvise
POUR/THROW COLD WATER
To discourage by showing indifference
TO BURN ONE’S FINGERS
To suffer unpleasant consequences as a result of one’s actions
TO CRY WOLF
To ask for help when you don’t need it // To raise a false alarm
TO GO/RUN AROUND IN CIRCLES
To waste one’s time and energy doing trivial things // To keep doing something without achieving much // Make no progress in an argument or discussion
TO KEEP THE WOLF AWAY FROM THE DOOR
To keep off starvation
TO MAKE UP ONE’S MIND
To decide what to do // Decide firmly
TO PUT A SPOKE IN ONE’S WHEEL
To put a difficulty in the way of progress // thwarted in the execution of the plan
TO TAKE TO TASK
Punished // to rebuke // to scold someone // get an official reprimand
TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF
To change one’s behaviour for better // To begin again
A CLOSE-FISTED PERSON
A miser
A SEA CHANGE
A profound or notable transformation // Complete transformation
A WET BLANKET
A person who discourages enjoyment or enthusiasm // someone who prevents other people from having fun
ABOVE BOARD
Honest and frank // without any secret
ACHILLES’ HEEL
A weakness or vulnerable point
AGAINST THE CLOCK
Work very fast to complete something within a deadline // work in great hurry, as fast as possible
BE IN THE RED
To be in a loss or debt // To owe money to a bank
BED OF ROSES
A pleasant situation // An enjoyable state
BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER
Persons of same character or interests // similar in many ways
BITE THE DUST
Suffer a defeat // to die
CARRY THE DAY
Win a victory // becomes the winner
CATCH A TARTAR
To deal with someone or something that proves unexpectedly troublesome or powerful // To catch a dangerous person
CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN YOU COME TO IT
Deal with something only when necessary // deal with a problem when and if it arises
CROSS YOUR FINGERS
To hope that things will happen in the way that you want them to // To wish for good luck or success
CRY FOR THE MOON
To make an impractical, unreasonable or unattainable request // To aspire to possess something beyond one’s reach
DON’T (OR NEVER) JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
We should not judge something primarily by its outward appearance
DONKEY’S YEARS
A very long time
EASIER SAID THAN DONE
Be more easily talked about than put into practice // Not as easy as it appears to be
FALL FLAT
To fail to produce intended effect // to have no effect // Unsuccessful
FEATHER IN ONE’S CAP
A new and additional distinction // an accomplishment to be proud of
FORTY WINKS
A short nap/sleep during the day
FROM RAGS TO RICHES
To go from very poor to being very wealthy
GET ON SOMEBODY’S NERVES
To be an irritant // annoys me
GIVE A PIECE OF ONE’S MIND
To rebuke someone strongly // one’s mind speaking sharply // scolding // To reprimand
GO DOWN LIKE A LEAD BALLOON
To be received badly by an audience
GO TO THE DOGS
To be ruined // Deteriorate shockingly
GREEN THUMB
To have a natural interest in gardening
HUE AND CRY
A noisy expression of anger // Protest // loud clamour
ILL AT EASE
To feel uncomfortable or worried in a situation
LEARN/KNOW THE ROPES
Learn to do particular jobs // Be informed about the details // To know how to do a job or task properly
LEND ME YOUR EAR
To politely ask for someone’s full attention // to pay attention to
LOSE YOUR MARBLES
To become mentally deficient // Become insane
ON THIN ICE
In a precarious/dangerous or risky situation
