Idioms, expressions and useful phrases

Question 1

with the help of; by using. “supplying water to cities – – – aqueducts”

(Expression)

Answer 1

By means of

Question 2

have a subduing or inhibiting effect on. “he – – – – her youthful excitement”

(Expression)

Answer 2

put a damper on

Question 3

Figure out one’s position or situation relative to one’s surroundings. She’s still new to the company and needs time – – – –

(Expression)

Answer 3

To find her bearings

Question 4

special ingenious techniques used in a profession or craft, especially those that are little known by outsiders

(Expression)

Answer 4

tricks of the trade

Question 5

(of a television series or film) reach a point when far-fetched events are included merely for the sake of novelty, indicative of a decline in quality.

(Expression)

Answer 5

jump the shark

Question 6

relating to or derived by reasoning from self-evident propositions. There’s no – – reason to think your expenses will remain the same in a new city.

(Expression)

Answer 6

a priori

Question 7

Exceeding expectations or requirements. The young officer went – – – when he repaired the old woman’s home

(Expression)

Answer 7

Above and beyond

Question 8

Some essential or fundamental part or aspect. Dealing with tantrums is – – – of raising a toddler.

(Expression)

Answer 8

Part and parcel

Question 9

In one group or body; all together. For example, The activists marched – – to the capitol.

(Expression)

Answer 9

En masse

Question 10

To be ignored.

The suggestion – –––

(Expression)

Answer 10

Fall on deaf ears

Question 11

As a piece of wisdom, it indicates that even the least perceptive person can be right about something now and again

(Expression)

Answer 11

Even A broken clock is correct twice a day

Question 12

used in speech to give stress to a statement that one is making so that a preceding or following statement will not be misunderstood . EXAMPLE: His advice wasn’t very helpful. I’m not criticizing him, – –

(Expression)

Answer 12

Mind you

Question 13

to become completely involved in something: She got some books out of the library and – – in Jewish history and culture. NOT HERSELF, THOUGH

(Expression)

Answer 13

Immerse yourself

Question 14

to salute/give public recognition to someone or something

Expression

Answer 14

to pay tribute to

Question 15

to cause one to oppose another, turn against one another (between people)

(Expression)

Answer 15

to drive a wedge between

Question 16

to hope things will happen the way one wants them to

Expression

Answer 16

to cross one’s fingers

Question 17

to not understand one another correctly (between/among people)

(Expression)

Answer 17

to get one’s wires/lines crossed

Question 18

a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm, as for punching

(Expression)

Answer 18

clenched fist

Question 19

to declare war, start a battle

Expression

Answer 19

to wage war

Question 20

something that almost happened

Expression

Answer 20

close call

Question 21

to prevent a clear view of truth/reality

Expression

Answer 21

to cloud one’s judgment

Question 22

to praise with enthusiasm

Expression

Answer 22

to sing one’s praises

Question 23

to know something is true without proof

Expression

Answer 23

to feel something in one’s bones

Question 24

to be incorrect, flawed, such as a statement or opinion

Expression

Answer 24

to not hold water

Question 25

to consider as believable or trustworthy

Expression

Answer 25

to give/lend credence

Question 26

a single sum of money that serves as complete payment

Expression

Answer 26

lump sum

Question 27

(literal) to eat or gobble something up; (figurative) to engulf or contain something

(Expression)

Answer 27

to swallow up

Question 28

not knowing is better than knowing and worrying

Expression

Answer 28

ignorance is bliss

Question 29

to be determined to do something; to decide to achieve something

(Expression)

Answer 29

to set one’s heart on something

Question 30

very simple

Expression

Answer 30

a piece of cake

Question 31

to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem

Expression

Answer 31

to hit the nail on the head

Question 32

almost too late

Expression

Answer 32

in the nick of time

Question 33

rarely

Expression

Answer 33

once in a blue moon

Question 34

obvious, clear

Expression

Answer 34

plain as day

Question 35

to prevent a small problem from getting worse by stopping it soon after it starts

(Expression)

Answer 35

to nip it in the bud

Question 36

to be very obvious; to be easily noticed as different

Expression

Answer 36

to stick out like a sore thumb

Question 37

to disregard

Expression

Answer 37

to shrug off

Question 38

to learn about something by reading a lot

Expression

Answer 38

to read up on something

Question 39

to continue doing something without thinking about other possibilities
People tend to just – – – – – until something goes wrong.

(Expression)

Answer 39

Go in their own merry ways

Question 40

Acquire (or have) influence with someone in authority.

For example, The only way they’ll allow us to film the play is if we get an – with the director

We should have no problem, since Dad has an – with the inspector

(Expression)

Answer 40

To get an in

also, have in with

Question 41

(of doing something) Go to go to the trouble (of doing something).

(Expression)

Answer 41

Go to the bother

Question 42

1. A phrase that prefaces a comment indirectly related to the topic being discussed.

Today we will be discussing the electoral college, but, – – –, did anyone see the debate last night?

2. Said quietly to certain people, not an entire group. “Wow, the lead sure needs acting lessons,” my mother muttered – – – when intermission began.

(Expression)

Answer 42

As an aside

Question 43

to stop a process from working smoothly

Expression

Answer 43

Gum up the process

gum up the works

Question 44

To blend in into a social circle (NOT CONFIRMED)

Expression

Answer 44

I’m passing

Question 45

a flight that takes off late at night and arrives early in the morning, usually taking off after 9 p.m. and arriving by 5 or 6 a.m.

(Expression)

Answer 45

On the redeye\taking a redeye

Question 46

To be thoroughly fatigued or physically exhausted. After two hours in the gym and another hour swimming, I – – by the time I got home.

(Expression)

Answer 46

I’m beat

Question 47

Crazy; mentally unsound; extremely foolish.

I’m going to go – my – if I have to hear that song one more time! I think Jane’s grandmother is a little – her – these days. You must be – your – if you think that’s a good idea!

(Expression)

Answer 47

Off the rocker

Question 48

an expression that means that you should praise someone who deserves it, although you might dislike some things about them:

(Expression)

Answer 48

Credit where credit is due

Question 49

literary to happen after a period of time

Expression

Answer 49

If that came to pass

Question 50

to make contact with someone.

Expression

Answer 50

Wanna touch base before we go

Question 51

to create an unpleasant situation or mood

Expression

Answer 51

Might cast a pall

His comments cast a pall over the meeting.

Question 52

using secret or dishonest methods to achieve something, and hoping that people do not realize what is happening

(Expression)

Answer 52

I took the back door in

They managed to sneak the legislation in through the back door.

Question 53

Someone who never settled in a relationship

Expression

Answer 53

Could not be hitched

Question 54

(idiomatic) Quickly or in great quantity, especially in reference to earning money. quotations ▼

(Expression)

Answer 54

Hand over fist

He didn’t earn much, but the company seemed to rake in money hand over fist.

Question 55

Sometimes used in conversation to introduce a comment that has no bearing on the current subject.

(Expression)

Answer 55

Apropos over nothing

Question 56

To not be unsettled, delayed, or interrupted by something.

Expression

Answer 56

Take this in stride

You have to learn how to take criticism in your stride if you want to be successful in this business. I didn’t think she’d want to go back to work so soon after her mother’s funeral, but she just took it in her stride.

Question 57

If you _ __ ___, you take the most extreme or risky of the possible courses of action in order to try and achieve success.

[informal] It was a sharp disagreement about whether to _ __ ___ or whether to compromise.

(Expression)

Answer 57

Let’s go for broke

If you go for broke, you take the most extreme or risky of the possible courses of action in order to try and achieve success. [informal] It was a sharp disagreement about whether to go for broke or whether to compromise.

Question 58

You use the phrase ‘_ _ __ __’ to indicate that something is being pushed forward as fast as possible.

Example of use: “I put the __ _ _ _ and finished my essay two days early.

(Expression)

Answer 58

Pedal to the metal

You use the phrase ‘Pedal to the Metal’ to indicate that something is being pushed forward as fast as possible.

Example of use: “I put the pedal to the metal and finished my essay two days early.

Question 59

_ _ _ _ _ _.

BRITISH. If you have _ _ _ _ _ _. you are keeping control of a situation in a calm and reliable way.

(Expression)

Answer 59

Steady-on-the-tiller

a steady hand on the tiller. BRITISH. If you have a steady hand on the tiller, you are keeping control of a situation in a calm and reliable way.

Question 60

_ __ _ __

to blame someone or make them responsible for a problem that you should deal with:

She’s always trying _ _ _ _ and I’m sick of it!

(Expression)

Answer 60

To pass the buck

to blame someone or make them responsible for a problem that you should deal with:

She’s always trying _ _ _ _ and I’m sick of it!

Question 61

phrase [VERB inflects]

If you say that someone has _ _ _ _ _, you mean that their mind has stopped working in a normal way and their behaviour has become very strange as a result. [informal]

(Expression)

Answer 61

Gone off the deep end

phrase [VERB inflects] If you say that someone has gone off the deep end, you mean that their mind has stopped working in a normal way and their behaviour has become very strange as a result. [informal]

Question 62

I’m pretty __ today

1. To be physically, mentally, or emotionally exhausted.

After two hours in the gym and another hour swimming, I was _ by the time I got home.

I’m already pretty _ from writing essays, and I still have another one to write for tomorrow.

2. To be in a bad condition or totally destroyed.

I wish I could have the repairs finished sooner, but I’m afraid your engine’s _.

Between dealing with mounting debt, my four children, and my recent divorce, my nerves are pretty _ at the moment.

4. Of resources, money, etc., to be wasted, spent, or used up.

I can’t believe my entire budget for a week in Las Vegas was _ in the first day!

(Expression)

Answer 62

I’m pretty shot today

1. To be physically, mentally, or emotionally exhausted.
   After two hours in the gym and another hour swimming, I was shot by the time I got home.
   I’m already pretty shot from writing essays, and I still have another one to write for tomorrow.
2. To be in a bad condition or totally destroyed.
   I wish I could have the repairs finished sooner, but I’m afraid your engine’s shot.

Between dealing with mounting debt, my four children, and my recent divorce, my nerves are pretty shot at the moment.

4. Of resources, money, etc., to be wasted, spent, or used up.
   I can’t believe my entire budget for a week in Las Vegas was shot in the first day!

Question 63

Definition of _ _ _.

1 : a distance discouraging personal contact or familiarity

I kept former friends _ _ _ now.

2 : the condition or fact that the parties to a transaction are independent and on an equal footing.

(Expression)

Answer 63

At arm’s length

Definition of At arm’s length

1 : a distance discouraging personal contact or familiarity

I kept former friends At arm’s length now.

2 : the condition or fact that the parties to a transaction are independent and on an equal footing.

Question 64

___ ___ ____

It means control your excitement because you’re too excited.

(It’s sarcastic.)

(Expression)

Answer 64

Curb your enthusiasm

It means control your excitement because you’re too excited.

(It’s sarcastic.)