Idioms (Figurative Language) Flashcards
beat around the bush - My coach told me to stop beating around the bush and try to score!
to say/ do what you mean
aced the test - The contestant aced his audition.
got an A, did very well
face the music - If I carry too many plates and they fall and break, I will need to face the music with my boss.
accept punishment/ consequences
flew off the handle - When the ref called a bad foul, the basketball player flew off the handle and was sent to the locker room.
to get really mad
play it by ear - When I came back to school from being sick, I needed to play it by ear to complete the new project.
figure it out as you go
toe the line - You better toe the line with the substitute because the teacher is going to find out.
follow the rules, do what you’re supposed to do
beat you to the punch - In a race, I beat Joe to the punch.
did something first
look before you leap - When you go to a new place, you should look before you leap so you don’t hurt.
be careful when starting something new or unknown
lost my shirt on that deal - Peter lost his shirt on that deal when he bet on the team that lost the game.
to lose a lot of money
cat’s out of the bag - The cat’s out of the bag now that Tony likes April.
it’s no longer a secret
don’t put all of your eggs in one basket - Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket, you also have to do chores.
don’t put all of your effort into one project
a dozen irons on the fire - Tom has a dozen irons on the fire with his assignments next month.
to have a lot of projects underway
my back is to the wall - My back is to the wall, there’s nothing I can do to fix the sink.
there is nothing else I can do
six of one, half a dozen of the other - It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other whether I buy the Jordan’s or the Nike’s for basketball practice.
the choices are the same
rug pulled out from under me - I had the rug pulled out from under me when my friends gave me a birthday party.
to be totally surprised
the eleventh hour - I finished my class project at the eleventh hour.
at the last minute
once in a blue moon - I watch T.V. once in a blue moon.
infrequently/ not often
come rain or shine - I will go to my cousin’s birthday party come rain or shine.
no matter what happens
music to my ears - It was music to my ears when I started listening to Bob Marley.
you are glad/ makes you happy
rolled out the red carpet - During Christmas, my family rolled out the red carpet for us by showing me generosity and respect.
your hosts treated you special
don’t bite off more than you can chew - Don’t bite off more than you can chew in football practice today.
don’t take on more than you can handle
dirty look - My dad gave me a dirty look because I didn’t clean the dishes.
frowned/ angry
don’t bite the hand that feeds you - Don’t bite the hand that feeds you by getting frustrated when Kyle is only trying to help you with your math homework.
be nice to people who help you
people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones - My teammates shouldn’t tell me where to stand because people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
you shouldn’t criticize (tell others what to do) unless you are without fault (perfect)
