Idioms of Past Papers Flashcards
Carry out
Accomplish, bring to a conclusion
They carried out the mission successfully.
Taken over
Assume control, management, or possession of
The pilot told his co-pilot to take over the controls.
Bring about
cause
She hopes to bring about a change in his attitude.
Beat out
Knock into shape by beating
He got to the head of the line, beating out all the others.
Bear with
Put up with, make allowance for
He’ll just have to bear with them until they decide.
**It may also be used as an imperative.
Bear with me—I’m getting to the point.
To fall back on something/fall back upon
To fall through
I fall back on old friends in time of need.
To fall through
Fail
I hope our plans won’t fall through.
On right earnest
seriously
The government should take the matter of water scarcity on the right earnest
Vested interests
A personal stake in something
She has a vested interest in keeping the house in her name.
Turn to account
Use for one’s benefit
He turned the delay to good account, using the time to finish correspondence.
To beat the air/beat the wind
Continue to make futile attempts, fight to no purpose
The candidates for office were so much alike that we thought our vote amounted to beating the air.
To break a lance with
To engage in a tilt or contest
To foul of, (foul play)
Unfair or treacherous action, especially involving violence
The police suspected he had met with foul play
To keep open house
To entertain friends at all times, to be hospitable
To have a finger in the eye
Have an interest in or meddle in something
When all is said and done/ After all is said and done
In the end, nevertheless
When all’s said and done, doctor did what they could for Joe, but he was too ill to survive.
An axe to grind
A selfish aim or motive
The article criticized the new software, but the author had an axe to grind, as its manufacturer had fired his son
Turn a new leaf
Make a fresh start, change one’s conduct or attitude for the better
He promised the teacher he would turn over a new leaf and behave himself in a class
Burn the candle at both ends
Exhaust one’s energies or resources by leading a hectic life
John’s been burning the candle at both ends for weeks, working two jobs during the week and a third on weekend
Leave in the lurch
Desert or leave alone and in trouble, refuse to help or support someone
He left me in the lurch when he didn’t come over to help me although he had promised to earlier in the day.
