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1 Remembering Vocab & Idioms > Idioms, Phrases, & Expressions > Flashcards

Idioms, Phrases, & Expressions Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

This idiomatic expression means to mingle with other people and socialize, especially higher ups.

A

Rub Elbows With

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2
Q

If you say someone is this, it implies that the person is a negative influence on others or is troublesome in nature.

A

A Bad Apple

“We should not punish everyone because of one bad apple.”

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3
Q

Said of correctly figuring out or solving a problem, as compared with computation.

A

Put Two and Two Together

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4
Q

Just Barely

A

By The Skin of Your Teeth

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5
Q

If your this, you think you’re better or more important than you really are. You are…

A

Full of Yourself

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6
Q

This means that someone has to give in or there has to be compromise.

A

To Blink

“Someone has to blink, or the two sides have to compromise.”

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7
Q

If you accuse someone of doing this, you are accusing them of deliberately dragging their feet and making something take longer than it needs to.

A

Slow Rolling

“Some analysts and lawmakers have accused the Air Force of slow-rolling the program in an attempt to see it quietly canceled, despite congressional enthusiasm for buying new attack planes.

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8
Q

If you say that you would like to be this on an occasion, you mean that you would like to hear what will be said or see what will happen while not being noticed.

A

A Fly on The Wall

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9
Q

If you are accused of doing this, you bring up the issue of race in order to get an advantage or to discredit the other person.

A

To Play The Race Card

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10
Q

This idiom refers to getting yourself in trouble. Don’t get yourself…

A

In a Pickle

“Seeing as the deadline was looming and Grace was yet to round up the project, she realised she was in a pickle.”

“Alice is definitely in a pickle as she didn’t meet her last month’s sales target. I hate being in a pickle as it makes me frustrated and stressed.”

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11
Q

If you make a mountain out of a molehill, you make a small problem seem to be a much bigger problem.

A

Make a Mountain Out of a Mole Hill

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12
Q

If you accuse someone of being this, you are saying that they have or show an obtuse insensitivity or lack of perception, particularly in matters of public sentiment, opinion, or taste.

A

Tone Deaf

“The White House long ago concluded that she is aloof and politically tone-deaf.

“At the time, I wondered how such an intelligent man could be so tone-deaf to the harsh realities facing the nation.”

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15
Q

This phrase was first used to emphasize a type of attraction that might cause someone’s destruction. The person in question is strongly attracted to something. It indicates that sometimes things that seem familiar and irresistibly inviting might hurt you.

A

Like a Moth to a Flame

“He drew women to him like moths to the flame”

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16
Q

Something that you say to someone in a difficult situation in order to encourage them to be brave and to try not to be sad.

A

Keep Your Chin Up

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17
Q

You can say something was this when it was exactly what was needed. It was…

A

Just What The Doctor Ordered

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18
Q

This card playing idiom refers to giving somebody an unfair advantage over another person.

A

To Stack The Cards Against Someone

“Even though the cards were stacked against them, they pulled off the win.”

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19
Q

If you are considered this, it means that you are calm and collected. You are…

A

As Cool As a Cucumber

She was as cool as a cucumber in the interview and impressed everyone.

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20
Q

This idiom refers to the easiest things to get or do. They are considered…

A

Low Hanging Fruit

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23
Q

If you accuse someone of doing this, you are saying that they are delaying or preventing the progress of something by acting in a deliberately slow manner.

A

Slow Walking

Mr. Mattis also quietly slow-walked a number of Mr. Trump’s proposals… In each case, he went through the motions of acquiescing to the White House — and then buried the plans in Defense Department red tape.

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24
Q

If you verbally torment someone because of a mistake they made you are guilty of…

A

Busting Their Chops

“People keep busting my chops over the embarrassing speech I made at the dinner. I wish they’d just forget it.”

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25
Q

To approach or discuss a matter without directly getting to the point, to put off getting to the point in a conversation.

A

To Beat Around The Bush

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27
Q

This idiom refers to an empty promise or dream. It is something very ambitious that will never happen. It is…

A

Pie in The Sky

“She wants to be a famous singer but that dream is just pie in the sky if you ask me.”

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28
Q

This idiom refers to easily and deftly manipulate someone to suit one’s own needs, ends, or benefits.

A

Play Like a Fiddle

“That travelling salesman played me like a fiddle. Now what am I going to do with all this junk that he convinced me to buy?”

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29
Q

If you can do this, you can persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous. You may be a good salesman. You can…

A

Sell Ice to Eskimos

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30
Q

People who do this are people who feel it’s important to show that they’re as successful as others (such as their rich neighbours, “The Joneses”).

A

Keep up With The Joneses

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31
Q

This idiom refers to something that is moving extremely slow.

Example: Traffic is moving…

A

At a Snails Pace

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34
Q

If you do this, you accept a difficult situation and try not to let it upset you. You…

A

Grin And Bear it

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35
Q

This idiom refers to urging someone to do something foolish.

A

To Egg Someone On

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37
Q

This idiom refers to someone or something in a competition that they are not expected to win. They are considered a…

A

Dark Horse

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38
Q

This idiomatic expression refers to risking something in a venture or undertaking. If you do this, you are said to…

A

Have Skin In The Game

I don’t have any skin in the game, so you can trust my opinion. I’m just trying to say what I think is best for you.

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39
Q

This is a proverb that means don’t risk everything on the success of one venture.

A

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

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40
Q

If you know these things, you know all the details about something and understand how it works.

A

The Ins and Outs

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41
Q

This idiom refers to having more important things to do. You have…

A

Bigger Fish to Fry

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43
Q

This idiom refers to hearing something from the person who has direct personal knowledge of it. You…

A

To Hear Something Straight From The Horses Mouth

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44
Q

This Idiom refers to something following very soon after something that previously occurred.

A

Comes On The Heels of

“Trump’s endorsement from the hip-hop star comes on the heels of Lil Pump publicly backing him as well … though Pump’s reasoning was all about his personal bottom line.”

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47
Q

If you say that someone is doing this, you mean that they are doing things in the wrong order. They are…

A

Putting The Cart Before The Horse

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48
Q

You can say this to indicate that everything is turning out very well for someone or for something.

A

Everything’s Coming up Roses

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49
Q

This idiom refers to having something that is neat and tidy in arrangement, everything is in the correct place and sterile.

A

Apple Pie Order

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50
Q

If you say something is this, you mean it isn’t really important. It was neither great nor poor, just average.

A

Nothing To Write Home About

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51
Q

If you accuse someone of doing this, you are saying that they are Intensifying or stirring up feelings and possibly exacerbating an already explosive situation.

A

Fanning The Flames

“Rapaport seems to be unbothered by the backlash, instead choosing to fan the flames rather than expressing remorse: “EAT SHIT SnowFlakes.”

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51
Q

If you tell someone to not worry about the minor things, you are telling them to not do this.

A

Sweat The Details

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52
Q

This idiom refers to the basics or important parts of something. They are considered to be the…

A

Meat and Potatoes

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53
Q

This idiom refers to the difficulty in finding something really small among larger things. It is…

A

A Needle in a Haystack

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54
Q

If you are in trouble with another person, usually a fried or loved one, you are considered to be…

A

In The Dog House

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55
Q

This phrase sometimes refers to someone seeking publicity for a bad or selfish purpose. But in most uses it is neutral, assuming there’s no harm in people wanting a little bit of fame.…

A

15 MINUTES OF FAME

“A contestant misrepresented himself in order to get on a television show for his proverbial 15 minutes of fame.”

“We now live in a time when everyone clamors for their 15 minutes of fame via self-promotion on social media every day.”

“A raccoon in Minnesota got its 15 minutes of fame after climbing up the side of a skyscraper Tuesday.”

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57
Q

If you do this, you are so angry about something that you lose control of yourself and start screaming and shouting. You…

A

Fly Off The Handle

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58
Q

This idiom refers to getting upset over something that has already happened and cannot be changed. If you do get emotional over it you are…

A

Crying Over Spilled Milk

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61
Q

This idiom refers to many ways to do something, there are many ways to achieve a goal. There’s…

A

More Than One Way to Skin a Cat

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62
Q

This idiom refers to something that is flying off the shelves whether it is being given away or being sold. It is…

A

Selling Like Hot Cakes

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65
Q

This idiom refers to a powerful advantage that others cannot see, or is kept secret.”I like the excitement of a new idea and the surprise. As a comedian, that’s our ace in the hole. A joke is a surprise.”Microsoft thinks its cloud computing prowess is the ace up its sleeve that will help it pull ahead of Sony over the long-term.

A

Ace In The Hole

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66
Q

This idiomatic expression is said when an explanation, a reason or an argument is not sound, strong or logical. It is said to…

A

Not Hold Water

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67
Q

This is an idiomatic expression that refers to a better or more promising situation.

A

Greener Pastures

“The young ambitious girl emigrated to Canada seeking greener pastures where she can develop her career.”

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68
Q

This idiom refers to you having a hard time understanding or grasping something. It is …

A

All Greek to You

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69
Q

This means including everything; completely.

A

Lock, Stock, and Barrel

the only thing which had not been sold lock, stock, and barrel with the … house was this piano

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70
Q

If something you do is this, you do it because you believe in something or you are testing your belief in something. It usually involves taking a risk or doing something difficult.” It is…

A

An Act of Faith

“Hiring anyone in any profession is an act of faith…Ultimately you’ve got to trust the people that work for you and sometimes that trust is betrayed.”

“You know, if you invest in the stock market, it’s going to fluctuate, but you have shares in something…With bitcoin it just seems like an act of faith…”

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71
Q

This idiom refers to not seeing the whole situation clearly because you’re looking too closely at small details, or because you’re too closely involved. You…

A

Can’t See The Forest For The Trees

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72
Q

You can use this expression to show that you don’t care if something happens or not.

A

It’s No Skin Off my Nose

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73
Q

This idiom refers to something that is really easy to do. It’s so easy, it’s…

A

Like Taking Candy From a Baby

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75
Q

This idiom refers to going back to the start.

A

Back to Square One

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76
Q

This idiom refers to a plan or issue still to be settled; unresolved. If a situation is uncertain, it may be…

A

Up in The Air

“The future of the company is still up in the air.”

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77
Q

You can say a person or an organisation has this if they have lots of money.

A

Deep Pockets

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78
Q

These are considered small unimportant details or facts. They are…

A

Small Potatoes

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79
Q

If someone can’t see this, they are too involved in the details of a problem to look at the situation as a whole. They get so caught up in small details that they fail to see the bigger picture.

A

Can’t See The Forest For The Trees

It means that if you look at things one at a time, you might not realize that a branch of separate “trees” go together to make a “forest.

When you are too close to a situation you need to step back and get a little perspective. When you do you will notice there was a whole forest you couldn’t see before because you were too close, and focusing on the trees.

“The congressman became so involved in the wording of his bill that he couldn’t see the forest for the trees; he did not realize that the bill could never pass.”

“Smith is good at detail, but can’t see the forest for the trees.”

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80
Q

This idiom refers to a very small amount compared to the amount needed.

An effort or action having very little overall influence, especially as compared to a huge problem. It is just…

A

A Drop in The Bucket

A $100 donation from an individual is generous, but it is a drop in the bucket compared to the $100,000 fundraising goal.

“His contribution was just a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of the team.”

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82
Q

This idiom refers to something that will be happening for a long time. The phrase is often used to describe activities regarded as futile or unproductive.

A

Until The Cows Come Home

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83
Q

This expression refers to something that operates capably through the effective coordination of many parts. It is something that works very smoothly and effectively. It is a __________.

A

Well Oiled Machine“

“The office runs like a well-oiled machine.”

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83
Q

This idiom refers to talk about or describe (something) in a way that makes it seem more pleasant or acceptable than it is because you are afraid to call it like it is.

To truthfully manipulate a fact to make it sound less harsh and/or worse than the straight truth.
To..

A

Sugar Coat

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84
Q

If your in trouble or a difficult situation, you may be…

A

In Deep Water

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85
Q

This idiom refers to forcing yourself not to say something you really want to say.

A

To Bite Your Tongue

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86
Q

This phrase is similar to worth your pay. You are good or competent at the job or profession specified.

A

Worth Your Salt

“Any epidemiologist worth their salt would have predicted this pandemic.”

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87
Q

This idiom refers to money that is saved for the future. It is…

A

A Nest Egg

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88
Q

This idiom means that you don’t really know much about something. You don’t…

A

Don’t Know Beans About That

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89
Q

You can say something is this if it’s the way to reach a goal, or the way to achieve something.

A

A Means To An End

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90
Q

This idiom refers to everyone having good luck or success at some point in their lives. It is said that…

A

Every Dog Has It’s Day

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91
Q

If something is outside the bounds of acceptable behavior, it is considered…

A

Beyond The Pale

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92
Q

If you take great care to accommodate someone or do something nice for them, you…

A

Bend Over Backwards

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93
Q

This idiom means to make a humble apology and accept humiliation.

A

To Eat Humble Pie

“The teacher had to eat humble pie when she was the one who made errors in the final grades.”

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96
Q

If someone tells you to do this, they are telling you to face a challenge or danger boldly. Just go for it.

A

Take The Bull by The Horns

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100
Q

This idiom refers to a mild infatuation or crush.

A

Puppy Love

“Most teenagers are quick to fall in love and expect it to last a lifetime, but of course it is puppy love and they soon fall out of it.”

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101
Q

This idiom refers to someone who is very similar in character to one of their parents, usually their father.

A

A Chip Off The Old Block

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102
Q

This idiom refers to a change from one direction to the opposite one. It is an…

A

About Face

But if Apple does release a stylus, it would represent yet another about-face for the company. The late Apple CEO Steve Jobs famously hated styluses…

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106
Q

If you do this, you are overly careful in your approach to something.

A

Err on The Side of Caution

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107
Q

You can say that you had to do this if you had to complete a lot of tasks before being permitted to do something.

A

Jump Through Hoops

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108
Q

This is a colorful way of saying a lot of money or a high price.

A

An Arm and a Leg

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109
Q

This idiom refers to something that is really easy to do. It is…

A

As Easy Pie

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110
Q

This card playing idiom refers to showing no expression on your face as to not give anything away.

A

Poker Face

“The politician had a poker face when he tried to defend himself against the scandal.”

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111
Q

This idiom refers to a person or organization so powerful that it can act without regard to the rights of others or the law.

A

The 800 Pound Gorilla

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111
Q

This expression refers to being In a gloomy or depressed mood. “After losing the student election, Jack really felt __________.”

A

Down In The Dumps

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111
Q

This card playing idiom refers to describing something as it really is, to speak plainly and tell the truth even if it is not pleasant.

A

To Call a Spade a Spade

I decided to call a spade a spade and tell our supervisor what I think is wrong with our workplace.”

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112
Q

These idioms refers to being very, very happy about something. You are in

A

Seventh Heaven

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113
Q

This idiom refers to being upset and frustrated because you’ve tried everything you can think of to solve a problem, and nothing has worked.

A

At Your Wits End

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114
Q

This idiom refers to something that is bad but not as bad as something else.

A

Lesser of 2 Evils

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115
Q

Cheap or plentiful

A

A Dime a Dozen

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116
Q

This idiomatic expression means that every difficult or sad situation has a comforting or more hopeful aspect, even though this may not be immediately apparent.

A

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

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117
Q

If you are this, your attention is on the speaker and you are listening closely.

A

All Ears

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118
Q

This is a metaphor suggesting an amount of separation, keeping one thing or person away from another. It is…

A

At Arms Length

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119
Q

This idiom refers to quickly stop being involved with someone or something because you stop liking that person or thing or you think they will cause problems for you later on down the road.

To abandon someone or something suddenly and completely, sometimes to avoid potential problems. You…

A

Drop Them/It Like a Hot Potato

To abandon as quickly as possible; to ditch. The simile is based on the fact that potatoes, which hold a fair amount of water, retain heat very well, as anyone who has so burned his or her fingers will testify.

The figurative hot potato is likely to be an embarrassing subject or ticklish problem. The term originated as a colloquialism in the early nineteenth century. It probably was a cliché by the time W. Somerset Maugham wrote, “She dropped him, but not like a hot brick or a hot potato,” meaning that she let him down gently.

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120
Q

This idiom refers to an important or enormous topic, question, or controversial issue that is obvious or that everyone knows about but no one mentions or wants to discuss because it makes at least some of them uncomfortable or is personally, socially, or politically embarrassing, controversial, inflammatory, or dangerous.

A

The Elephant in The Room

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121
Q

This idiom refers to getting information from someone well-informed (about a particular topic).

A

Pick Someone’s Brains

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122
Q

This idiom refers to hearing something (usually secretive or unknown) from someone (not named).

A

A Little Bird Told Me…

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124
Q

If you give someone this, you give them freedom to do whatever they want in a situation.

A

Carte Blanche

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125
Q

This means to raise the required payment, or increase something.

A

Up The Ante

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126
Q

This idiom refers to being questioned in great detail about something.

A

To Get The Third Degree

“My boyfriend is so controlling that I always get the third degree if I goanywhere or see anyone without him.”

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127
Q

This idiom means to distinguish valuable people or things from worthless ones. To…

A

Separate The Wheat From The Chaff

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128
Q

This idiom refers to dressing up something unappealing in a vain attempt to make it look better.

A

Putting Lipstick on a Pig

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130
Q

This idiom refers to seeing things clearly when they are in the past.

A

Hindsight is 20-20

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132
Q

This is a pejorative term meaning to comment on or explain something to a woman in a condescending, overconfident, and often inaccurate or oversimplified manner.

A

To MansplainIn

“In the 1984 debate, Bush not only refused to call Ferraro by her correct title — calling her Mrs. Ferraro rather than Congresswoman Ferraro — but he also mansplained everything to her.”

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133
Q

This idiom means you can’t have something both ways. You can’t have the best of both worlds. You can’t have the two mutually exclusive things you desire at once.

A

You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

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135
Q

This idiom refers to an unusual or false quiet period before a period of upheaval. It is…

A

The Calm Before The Storm

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136
Q

If you say this, you’re saying that the expression on someone’s face is showing their true feelings or thoughts.

A

It’s Written All Over Your Face

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137
Q

If you say that you did not mean something you said earlier or say that you have changed your opinion, you have __________.

A

Backtracked

“Avenatti told Stormy that all the proceeds from the go fund me campaign he had set up would be going directly to her but later backtracked after it had raised over 5 million.”

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138
Q

When people’s tempers do this, people get increasingly angry and are ready to fight.

A

Boil Over

139
Q

You can say the result of something is this, if everyone knows what it’s going to be before it happens. It’s a…

A

Foregone Conclusion

140
Q

This idiom refers to a futile attempt to control or organize a group of people who are all over the place. It’s like…

A

Herding Cats

141
Q

If something is this, it has no chance of succeeding or of making any progress.

A

Dead In The Water or Dead on Arrival

142
Q

This idiom refers to a state of extreme, euphoric happiness. You are said to be on…

A

Cloud 9

“Ever since Mary got her promotion at work, she’s been on cloud nine.”

143
Q

This idiom refers to stopping a bad situation from becoming worse by taking action at an early stage of its development. It could also refer to good plans that may be terminated for one reason or another.

A

To Nip Something In The Bud

“When the kid shows the first signs of misbehaving, you should nip that bad behavior in the bud.”

“A guy at home wasn’t necessarily the same guy at work, especially when the fellow in question was ambitious and faced with a sudden obstacle that might nip all his big plans in the bud.”

146
Q

This is said to someone who must accept the unpleasant results of something they have done.

A

You Can Sleep in The Bed You’ve Made

147
Q

This card playing idiom refers to having a secret advantage that one can play when ready. It is like in poker and a player hides a card up his sleeve until the perfect moment.

A

To Have a Card Up Your Sleeve

148
Q

This idiom refers to something that is at the height of its popularity. It is…

A

All The Rage

“My parents used to love the Beatles. They were all the rage when they were teenagers.”

149
Q

This is used to describe official routines or procedures marked by excessive complexity which results in delay or inaction.

A

Red Tape

“But Mr. Mattis also quietly slow-walked a number of Mr. Trump’s proposals… In each case, he went through the motions of acquiescing to the White House — and then buried the plans in Defense Department red tape.”

“pompous officials (often lowly clerks) in love with red tape who delight in obstructing the expedition of what should be simple procedures.”

150
Q

This idiom refers to not be good or effective enough. Someone…

A

Doesn’t Cut The Mustard

“Give me the bigger hammer. This little one just doesn’t cut the mustard.”

“I didn’t cut the mustard as a hockey player.”

“If you can’t cut the mustard, your not going to make the team.”

“The boss fired him because he couldn’t cut the mustard.”

152
Q

This idiom refers to doing or saying something in order to show that you want to end a disagreement with someone and that you are looking to reconcile.

A

To Hold Out An Olive Branch

153
Q

Someone accused of doing this has made an avowal of advocacy, adherence, or allegiance that is expressed in words but not backed by deeds. They are all talk.

A

Paying Lip Service

“She paid lip service to blue-collar workers, but she did nothing to help them.”

“So far all we’ve gotten from him is lip service.”

154
Q

This word refers to a word or phrase expressing a negative connotation, a low opinion, or a lack of respect toward someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hostility, or disregard.

A

Pejorative

154
Q

If you say that something is this, you mean that it is a part of the character of the person, thing, or situation that you are talking about and cannot be avoided. Negotiations always get tougher towards the end. That’s…

A

That’s The Nature of The Beast

156
Q

This idiom refers to something that hasn’t been fully thought through. It’s poorly developed or carried out.

A

Half Baked

158
Q

If you are no longer in trouble due to some legal or work issue then you are safely…

A

Out of The Woods

159
Q

You can say this before saying what you’ll do if things don’t go as well as you’d like, and you’re forced to do something that you’d rather not do.

A

If Push Comes to Shove

160
Q

This idiom refers to a diagonal direction.

A

Kitty Corner

The gas station is kitty corner to the WaWa.

161
Q

To do nothing or to have nothing useful to do while you are waiting for something to happen.

A

To Twiddle Your Thumbs

162
Q

Criticisms of or warnings to a particular person that have no effect on that person.

A

Like Water Off a Ducks Back

163
Q

If you say something is this, you think it’s an overreaction to something that shouldn’t have caused so much trouble.

A

Much ado About Nothing

164
Q

This idiom refers to a fierce, competitive struggle for power, position, status, etc.

A

The Rat Race

166
Q

This idiom usually refers specifically to someone who watches a whole lot of TV. They may be lazy.

A

A Couch Potato

167
Q

This term is used to describe a highly admired person or thing. When someone or something is the best or close to it. Something outstanding. Synonyms include The Bees Knees.

A

The Cat’s Meow

“After becoming the cat’s meow, Grumpy Cat earned her human millions of dollars.”

168
Q

If someone has to do this, they have to accept the consequences of doing something wrong.

A

Face The Music

170
Q

This card playing idiom refers to revealing something that has been kept a secret. To be open and honest about one’s opinion.

A

To Lay Your Cards on The Table

“I am going to go in there, lay all my cards down on the table and tell him how I truly feel.”

171
Q

This idiom is used to refer to forces or influences that inhibit progress.

A

Headwinds

“Power-plant construction is facing headwinds in the U.S. as renewable energy projects and slack demand throw the economics of new generators into question.

“For generations, the tribe has been leaning into cultural headwinds to preserve a language on the brink of extinction.”

“The plan faces political headwinds from both sides of the aisle.”

172
Q

This idiom refers to sensing weakness or vulnerability and be ready to attack. You…

A

Smell Blood (In The Water)

Example: The opposition party smelled blood after the president was hit with corruption charges.

173
Q

This is used to describe an utter disaster or mess, a disastrous calamity or source of trouble.

It can also be used to describe a person who parties their way to disaster – an architect of their own misfortune. They go out and drink all the time and end up with me In places they can’t remember. Also known as a hot mess.

A

A TRAIN WRECK

“The woman can’t ever get a good man, a good job, or education. Her life sucks. She is a trainwreck!”

173
Q

This idiom is used to describe something or someone that one thinks is very good, useful, etc. It could be a new invention that is likely to improve people’s lives significantly or
something that is thought to be very good.

A

Greatest/Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

“He thinks wireless Internet access is the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

“Have you checked out this cool new app? I think its the best thing since sliced bread.”

174
Q

This expression is a form of disgust or revulsion. It may refer to something that creeps you out.

A

Ick Factor

“Donald Trump has also publicly spoken of Ivanka in terms that many find to be totally inappropriate on many, many occasions. Here are just some of the times Donald Trump upped the ick factor when it came to how he treated Ivanka.”

175
Q

This idiom refers to wasting one’s time or energy idly or frivolously; to neither progress nor regress, but remain in a fixed, neutral position. You are just…

A

Spinning Your Wheels

“They kept me on to manage what’s left of this division, but to be honest, I’ve just been spinning my wheels here for the last couple of years.”

176
Q

This means to get moving and start working on something. To…

A

Get Your Ass in Gear

177
Q

If you’re doing this, you’re functioning as well as you possibly can.

A

Firing on All Cylinders

178
Q

Doing something wrong in response to another wrong is not justified.

A

Two Wongs Don’t Make a Right

179
Q

This card playing idiom refers to receiving as much or more than you could want of something.

A

In Spades

“The sick child received get well cards in spades when the radio station talked about his illness.”

180
Q

This idiom refers to a dilemma or difficult circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions.

Also known as a vicious cycle - two or more conditions require the other conditions to be fulfilled, but these other conditions also require the original condition to be fulfilled. In simple terms, this means neither can get fulfilled without the other. A needs B needs A.

A

A Catch 22

For example, a homeless person needs to find a job so that they can afford somewhere to live, but they cannot apply for a job because they have nowhere to live – this is a Catch-22 situation.

183
Q

If something is filling and nutritious it is said to

A

Stick to Your Ribs

184
Q

If someone does this, they cause a lot of trouble or stir things up a lot.

A

Make Waves

185
Q

This idiom refers to something that has already happened or been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept it. It is…

A

Fait Accompli

“It’s Fait Accompli. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

186
Q

This idiom refers to a problem that is difficult to solve, a person that is difficult to deal with, someone or something that is difficult to understand, or a person that is hard to get to know or to get close to.

A

A Hard Nut to Crack

“The new boss is really hard to figure out. He’s going to be a tough nut to crack.

“Good luck trying to get the new guidelines past the head teacher. He’s a hard nut to crack.”

“Alison has been dating Stan for two years and she still feels like she doesn’t know him at times. He must be a tough nut to crack.”

“My father loves doing the crossword every day. Sometimes he gets a clue that is a hard nut to crack.The mysterious murder case seems a hard nut to crack for police as the officials are still groping in the dark.”

187
Q

This idiom refers to a minor punishment, especially one for a serious crime.

A

Slap On The Wrist

“The mayor’s son was arrested for dealing drugs, but he got just a slap on the wrist.”

188
Q

This idiom refers to doing something immediately, without planning.

A

At The Drop of a Hat

189
Q

If you are deliberately trying to stay as far away from something you probably wouldn’t…

A

Touch It With a 10 Foot Pole

190
Q

This idiom is used to describe a town or village that is very small. The image is that nothing ever happens in the town, it is boring and quiet. It is a…

A

One Horse Town

“I grew up in a one-horse town. I moved away at the first chance I had.”

191
Q

This idiom refers to making a bad problem worse, or making an argument more intense. You are __________.

A

Adding Fuel to The Fire

“Arresting the communal leader in such a tense situation will only add fuel to the flames.

“At the time she doubted him of cheating on her, seeing him with another girl only added fuel to the flames.”

“His parents were already angry when he flunked the class. When they saw him drunk, it only added fuel to the flames.”

192
Q

If you hurt or offend someone who helps or supports you, you are guilty of…

A

Biting The Hand That Feeds You

194
Q

This card playing idiom refers to existing circumstances or conditions that will help a person be successful. The cards are __________.

A

To Have The Cards Stacked in Your Favor

“With her experience and connections, the cards are stacked in her favor. She shouldn’t have any problem getting that job.”

195
Q

This card playing idiom refers to making the best use of the resources at your disposal in order to get what you want or have a situation be advantageous to you. You have to __________.

A

Play Your Cards Right

“If you play your cards right, you could land this business deal.”

196
Q

This is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement.

A farewell appearance or final act or pronouncement. It is the last time that someone does something for which they are famous.

A

Swan Song

198
Q

This idiom means that what is good for a man is equally good for a woman or what a man can have or do, so can a woman have or do.

It is Used to say that one person or situation should be treated the same way that another person or situation is treated.

A

What’s Good For The Goose is Good For The Gander

199
Q

These idiom refers to an occurrence or an event that will never happen.

It will not happen in this lifetime or a time in the unforeseeable distant future; not a chance.

A

It Will be a Cold Day in Hell

When Hell Freezes Over

A Snowballs Chance in Helli

When Pigs Fly

200
Q

This is a derogatory word for a person who is so fat and/or disgusting that the very sight of them invokes images of a giant vat filled with congealed animal fat. Synonyms include hippo, heifer, and fat bastard.

A

A Tub of Lard

“Kate is so disgusting. What the hell does that tub of lard think she is doing. She is not hot enough to get away with wearing that.”

203
Q

This phrase is used to go back or recall to mind, something in the past.

A

Harkens Back

“This place caters to Americans and harkens back to days when the town attracted famous celebrities.

“Greenberg worked very closely with the laboratory which harkened back to his earliest days in the film business.”

204
Q

If you are very busy and currently have a lot of responsibilities, you are said to…

A

Have a Lot on Your Plate

205
Q

When you say that someone is this, you are saying that they are crazy or insane. Maybe unhinged. An Idiom.

A

Out to Lunch

205
Q

This is considered an adynaton, a way of saying that something will never happen. The phrase is often used for humorous effect, to scoff at over-ambition. There are numerous variations on the theme; when an individual with a reputation for failure finally succeeds, onlookers may sarcastically claim to see a flying pig.

A

When Pigs Fly

206
Q

This is an expression describing a person or thing that is distinctly inferior to someone or something else.

A

Can’t Hold a Candle To

207
Q

This idiom is normally used to mean that the bad things that someone has done in the past have come back to haunt the individual or bite them in the butt. This expression is similar to “what goes around, comes around” and basically means that the consequences of one’s evil actions catch up in a negative way.

A

Chickens Come Home To Roost

208
Q

If you flatter someone in the hopes of receiving special treatment, you are guilty of…

A

To Butter Someone Up

209
Q

This idiom refers to a humorous or sarcastic statement expressed in a mock serious manner.

A

Tongue in Cheek

210
Q

This idiom means to get things in order.

A

Get Your Ducks in a Row

212
Q

If you do this, you are doing something in a perfunctory way, without any enthusiam or commitment. Simulating an action.

A

Going Through The Motions

“Mr. Mattis also quietly slow-walked a number of Mr. Trump’s proposals… In each case, he went through the motions of acquiescing to the White House — and then buried the plans in Defense Department red tape.

212
Q

This idiom refers to a benefit that is available now is more valuable than some possibly larger future benefit. For example, Bob thinks he might do better in a bigger firm, but his wife insists he should stay, saying that a __________.

It’s used to say that it is better to hold onto something one has than to risk losing it by trying to get something better.

A

A Bird in The Hand is Worth Two in The Bush

212
Q

This idiom is used to emphasize that you can make it easy for someone to do something, but you cannot force them to do it.

A

You can Lead a Horse to Water, But You Can’t Make Him Drink

213
Q

If you do this, you do something very carefully to make sure you haven’t made any mistakes.

A

Dot Your i’s And Cross Your T’s

215
Q

This idiom is used to call attention to someone who has entered the room or area.

A

Look What The Cat Dragged In or Speak of The Devil

216
Q

If you speak this way, you say something without having prepared or thought about your words first.

A

You speak off the cuff

“Maybe Barron got caught with an illicit Juul in his school bag by the Secret Service. Or maybe there’s some weird Maury Povich stuff going on that America hasn’t been clued in on. Or maybe Donald Trump was just speaking off the cuff, as he does from time to time.”

216
Q

This idiom refers to being motivated by a specific purpose or opinion, usually hidden and selfish. To have a dispute to take up with someone or, to have an ulterior motive.

A

Have An Ax to Grind

“I think he is gunning for the top job because he has an axe to grind with some of his colleagues.”

“Some new reports may be biased because the reporters have an axe to grind.”

217
Q

This card playing idiom refers to being in a controlling position or in a position of advantage. You __________.

A

To Hold All The Cards

“I can’t win. She is holding all the aces and she knows it.”

218
Q

This is an idiom that refers to a catch or mysterious element hidden in the details, meaning that something might seem simple at a first look but will take more time and effort to complete than expected.

A

The Devil is in The Details

219
Q

If you do this, you try doing something for the first time, usually for fun.

A

Give it a Whirl

220
Q

This idiom means to not expect what is under discussion to happen soon. Don’t…

A

Don’t Hold Your Breath

221
Q

When someone says this, it means that there’s no point in changing someone’s established routine. They may also say that it’s very difficult to teach a new task to someone, almost impossible.

Example: My mom won’t learn how to use the computer. I guess…

A

You Cant Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

222
Q

If you conform to certain rules or standards, then you…

A

Tow The Line

223
Q

If you disrupt or ruin a plan you are…

A

Upsetting The Apple Cart

225
Q

If you do this, you say or do something that offends someone else.

A

To Put Your Foot In Your Mouth

“He put his foot in his mouth when he called her the wrong name for the second time that day.”

226
Q

This idiom refers to a situation, activity, or lifestyle that is easy and comfortable. It is considered…

A

A Bed of Roses

227
Q

This expression can be said of someone who is stiff, stern, uptight, or humorless. They…

A

Have a Stick Up Their Ass

228
Q

This word refers to something that is not likely to offend or arouse strong feelings or hostility. It is an innocent question/statement.

A

Innocuous

“One otherwise innocuous question became an excruciating case study in awkwardness, however, when Trump weighed in on what his daughter may have inherited from him, personality-wise.”

228
Q

This idiom refers to something happening at the last possible moment just before the deadline or end.

A

Eleventh Hour

229
Q

This idiom is used to describe a weak and fragile structure, plan, or organization, something that could topple over or fail at any time.

A

A House of Cards

230
Q

If you get this, something bad happens to you or you feel that you’ve been treated poorly.

A

A Kick In The Teeth

231
Q

This idiom refers to getting two things done at once. You can…

A

Kill Two Birds With One Stone

232
Q

This idiom refers to going straight for something you are interested in. You…

A

Make a Beeline

235
Q

This card playing idiom refers to not telling anyone what you plan on doing. To keep your plans a secret. You are __________.

A

Keeping Your Cards Close To Your Chest.

“He keeps his cards close to his chest, I have no idea who he has selected for the position.”

235
Q

If you are saying that someone is this, it means bay they make a lot of threats but don’t really act on them. They may seem scary or intimidating, but they’re totally harmless.

Example: My boss yells a lot, but he’s really…

A

All Bark and No Bite

235
Q

If you get the greatest percentage of something, you…

A

Get The Lions Share

236
Q

To do something because you are angry, even if it is not in your best interest.

A

To Cut Your Nose Off to Spite Your Face

237
Q

This idiom is used to describe talking with someone in a friendly and informal way.

A

To Chew The Fat

“We sat in a bar most of the evening just chewing the fat.”

237
Q

This idiom means including all parts or categories, usually with no exceptions.

A

Across The Board

“Much to the delight of the employees, a significant wage hike was announced across the board.”

“The government decided to raise taxes across the board, drawing the ire of the general public.

“As a result of the new policies, improved performances were seen across the board.”

237
Q

This idiom refers to revealing a secret. If you reveal the secret when your not supposed to, you are…

A

Letting The Cat Out of The Bag

238
Q

This idiom refers to a thing that is desired all the more because it is not allowed. It could also be an immoral or illegal pleasure. It could be the boss’s daughter. It is considered…

A

Forbidden Fruit

She had a crush on her friend’s boyfriend but he was forbidden fruit.

239
Q

If you say something is this, you don’t like it but you understand that it has to be accepted sometimes or it has to exist.

A

A Necessary Evil

240
Q

This is a pejorative term for someone perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is appropriate or necessary. A common stereotype is that of a white woman who uses her privilege to demand her own way at the expense of others. Depictions also include demanding to “speak to the manager”, being racist, being anti-vaccination, or sporting a particular bob cut hairstyle. As of 2020, the term was increasingly being used as a general-purpose term of disapproval for middle-aged white women.

A

Karen

240
Q

This term is used to indicate that an action or beliefs opposes or contradicts accepted ideas or rules. To be or act in clear conflict with or opposition to something else.

A

To Fly In The Face of

“I can’t believe you said something so awful. It flies in the face of everything we stand for!”

“They want to change the entire direction of the project, completely flying in the face of all the hard work we’ve done so far.”

“Her controversial new theory flies in the face of everything we know about quantum mechanics.”

“Scientific principles that seem to fly in the face of common sense.”

241
Q

This idiom refers to revealing something, usually a secret.

A

To Spill The Beans

She kept asking me to spill the beans but I didn’t want anyone to know I was pregnant yet.

241
Q

This idiom refers to acquiring something easily, usually without any effort on the receiver’s part. It is something that is usually given to someone because of their relationship with the person in charge.

A

To Be Handed Something on a Silver Platter

The CEO’s daughter was given the internship since she always got everything handed to her on a silver platter.

242
Q

If you accuse someone of doing this, you are saying that they are taking less than desirable measures to make something happen. They may be starting something with no intention of finishing.

A

Half-Stepping

“Each year, US officials swear that the Iraqi military is getting ever closer to combat readiness, but the half-steps that military takes under American tutelage never seem to get it into fighting shape.”

242
Q

This is used as a metaphor meaning fatal weakness, but often its meaning is weakness, not necessarily fatal.

A

Achilles Heel

“The corrupt minister is regarded as the government’s Achilles heel and is expected to resign.”

“Though he was a good person, his short temper was his Achilles heel.”

“The tennis player had a great serve, but his returns were not as good and that could prove to be his Achilles heel.”

242
Q

This idiom refers to a person trying to abandon their responsibility or commitment in a way that is sneaky or cowardly. They are trying to…

A

Weasel Their Way Out of Something

242
Q

If you make a suggestion to do this, it means not to talk about things in the past that might cause problems if you mention them today. You should…

A

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

242
Q

f you quit something such as a habit like coffee, smoking, drinking, etc in this manner, it it means you stop completely. You…

A

Quit Cold Turkey

242
Q

This idiom refers to a big clumsy person.

A

A Bull in a China Shop

242
Q

This idiom refers to going after something that you are not likely to get, or a pursuit that is a waste of time because it is unlikely to succeed.

A

To Be Sent on a Wild Goose Chase

243
Q

This is a clue or piece of information which is or is intended to be misleading or distracting and draw attention away from the real facts of a situation.

A

A Red Herring

“”The book is fast-paced, exciting, and full of red herrings”

You might also hear this word used in the context of literature or film: a red herring in crime fiction is the conspicuous clue or suspicious character simply there to mislead you from working out who the real villain is. The sense of red herring as a deliberate distraction actually comes from the literal sense — the fish, which turns red when smoked. Red herring was used in training hounds, to identify the dogs who could detect a scent without being distracted by the stinky fish.

244
Q

As luck would have it means by chance; in the unpredictable way that things happen.

A

As Luck Would Have It

244
Q

This idiom refers to being grateful and accepting of a gift and not try to evaluate the value of it. Don’t question the value of a gift. The proverb refers to the practice of evaluating the age of a horse by looking at its teeth. Don’t…

A

Don’t Look a Gift Horse in The Mouth

244
Q

This idiom refers to having a subordinate role to someone or something; be treated as less important than someone or something.

A

To Play Second Fiddle

245
Q

This phrase is often used when you try to solve a problem or answer a question, but you only create more problems or more questions.

A

Open a Can of Worms

Some also believe that “can of worms” is a modern version of the idiom, “Pandora’s box.”

Pandora’s box comes from an old myth, and it also means to create a new set of problems.

Example: You’ve opened a real can of worms here.

246
Q

This expression refers to a situation reaching a point where something must be done. To culminate or reach a crisis.

A

Coming to a Head

“Before Donald Trump’s political ambitions truly came to a head, he and Ivanka appeared on The Wendy Williams Show to talk about then-First Lady Michelle Obama’s new hairstyle, among other things, in 2013.”

“Things hadn’t been good between us for a while and this incident just brought it to a head.”

246
Q

Take on a project that you can’t finish or take on too many responsibilities.

A

Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

248
Q

This card playing idiom refers to forcing someone to prove that what they are doing or saying is true, to make someone prove that they will really do what they say they will do- usually because you do not believe them

A

To Call Someones Bluff

“My girlfriend always said that she did not want to get married so I called her bluff and asked her to marry me. She said yes.”

248
Q

Describing someone as this means the person has only one ability or good quality that he/she is known for, and doesn’t have any other talents or abilities. They are considered a…

A

One Trick Pony

248
Q

This idiom refers to the practice of trying to stop something that persistently occurs in an apparently random manner at the point where the occurrence is noticed. It is annoying and can become tiresome but may also be futile because of the frequency of occurrence. It is basically one big game of…

A

Whack a Mole

248
Q

If you do this, you cause someone or a group of people to become annoyed, upset, or offended. You have…

A

Ruffled Someone’s Feathers

249
Q

If you tell someone to do this, you want them to get straight to the main point of what they are saying.

A

Cut to The Chase

250
Q

This idiom refers to comparing things that are different, leading to an incorrect conclusion.

A

Apples and Oranges

251
Q

To not like something because you think it is not good enough for you.

A

To Turn Your Nose up At

252
Q

This refers to an utterly calamitous or mismanaged situation or occurrence. A disaster. It is slightly better than a train wreck.

A

A DUMPSTER FIRE

252
Q

If you tell someone not to have this, you are telling them not to get upset over something so minor and trivial. Saying this minimizes both the activity itself and the person’s feelings who is upset.

A

Don’t Have a Cow

“Jimmy had a cow when he learned that his best friend, John, had plagiarized his term paper and passed it off as his own writing.”

252
Q

This idiom refers to being extremely cautious about one’s words or actions around someone or other people. You are…

A

Walking on Egg Shells

252
Q

This idiom refers to summarizing something in as few words as possible. A similar phrase is “to make a long story short.”

A

In a Nutshell

253
Q

This card playing idiom refers to someone who is unpredictable.

A

A Wild Card

“She is such a wild card. It is hard to say who she will vote for.”

253
Q

This expression refers to something that you wish you never heard. You can’t…

A

Unhear it

255
Q

This idiom alludes to someone exposed to an uncomfortable, awkward, or unusual situation. You are not relaxed and may be nervous. They are not in their natural habitat.

A

Like a Fish Out of Water

This expression makes reference to the fact that fish cannot survive on dry land for a long time which is out their habitat.The natural place for a fish to live is in the water – if a fish is outside the water, it would feel very uncomfortable! If you feel “like a fish out of water,” it means that you are very uncomfortable in a particular situation or environment.

255
Q

If you are in a place where it is crowded and everyone is shoulder to shoulder, you may be…

A

Packed Like Sardines

256
Q

To stay so close to someone, watching everything that they do, that it’s annoying.

A

To Breathe Down Someones Neck

257
Q

This idiom refers to a situation going from bad to worse.

A

Out of The Frying Pan And Into The Fire

257
Q

This idiom is used when you want to refer to something that is much different from something else. It is usually combined with the word “from.”

“The apartment they live in now is a __________ from the huge mansion they once used to have.”

A

A Far Cry

“He is a great player, but it is time for him to retire. His recent performances are a far cry from what they used to be during his peak years.”

257
Q

If you laugh hard and uncontrollably you may…

A

Bust a Gut

“When Jack showed up at the party in a clown suit, I thought I was going to bust a gut laughing.”

258
Q

If you do this, you are following the wrong line of thought, or making false assumptions or mistakes.

You may be pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action. You may be completely misunderstanding something. You are…

A

Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Barking up the wrong tree is an idiomatic expression in English, which is used to suggest a mistaken emphasis in a specific context. The phrase is an allusion to the mistake made by dogs when they believe they have chased a prey up a tree, but the game may have escaped by leaping from one tree to another.

259
Q

This idiom means that you have a private or selfish reason for doing something. It means that you have have an ulterior motive or have a strong opinion or point of view about something. It can also mean that you have a dispute to take up with someone.

You have a problem with someone, or a complaint against them, which you’d like to discuss.

A

Axe To Grind

“Simply stated, he is a disgruntled, disgraced and dishonest ex-employee with an ax to grind.”

“He should not become the chairman of the committee as he has too many axes of his own to grind.

“I think he is gunning for the top job because he has an axe to grind with some of his colleagues.”

“Some new reports may be biased because the reporters have an axe to grind.”

259
Q

This idiom refers to the seemingly minor or routine action that causes an unpredictably large and sudden reaction, because of the cumulative effect of small actions.It is the latest in a series of unpleasant or undesirable events, and makes you feel that you cannot tolerate a situation any longer.

A

The Straw That Broke The Camel’s Back

“The crisis could be the last straw for many of the world’s poorest people. Then came the recession. Revenues dropped, but the straw to break the camel’s back was the war.”

259
Q

This expression refers to what is normal or expected in any given circumstances. You may not pleased with it but it is what you expected to happen.

A

Par For The Course

“Long hours are par for the course.”“I had an appointment to see my doctor at three but I had to wait an hour. I know waiting is par for the course when it comes to doctors, but it still annoys me.“Bill hasn’t paid his rent on time, but that’s par for the course. He’s always late.”

259
Q

This idiom refers to a situation in which somebody comments on or accuses someone else of a fault which the accuser shares.

A

The Pot Calling The Kettle Black

“I think it’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black when she says he is obsessive.

259
Q

This idiom refers to something that just doesn’t make sense.

A

Doesn’t Add Up

“I was also very far from being the only journalist to notice that the Bush administration’s case for Saddam Hussein’s imaginary ‘weapons of mass destruction’ didn’t add up.”

259
Q

This idiom refers to people dying or falling down, or quitting in large numbers. They are…

A

Dropping Like Flies

259
Q

This idiom refers to someone becoming quiet all of a sudden and refuses to talk or respond.

A

Clam Up

“Whenever she asks her teenager about his activities, he clams up.”

This term alludes to the tightly closed valves of a live clam.

259
Q

This idiom refers to being excited or crazy. You are going…

A

Go Bananas

The dog was going bananas when the cat came into the house.

259
Q

This idiom refers to getting favorable results from something. If you put in hard work, your efforts should…

A

Bear Fruit

259
Q

If someone tells you to do this, they are telling you to stop daydreaming or fantasizing and focus on reality.

A

Get Your Head Out of The Clouds

“Come on, man, get your head out of the clouds—we only have an hour left to cram for the test!”

259
Q

To shock people

A

To Raise Eyebrows

259
Q

If you verbally harass or tease someone, you are guilty of…

A

Busting Their Balls

“Hey, I told the boss you were looking for a new job. -”Really? How could you do that? – I didn’t. I’m just busting your balls.”

260
Q

This idiom means to be in a tough situation with limited options. Your…

A

Back Against The Wall

261
Q

If you have a desire to catch somebody in order to hurt them or punish them, you are…

A

After Blood

261
Q

If you do this in a conflict or a contest, you use the same methods or “weapons” as your opponent. You…

A

Fight Fire With Fire

262
Q

When someone tells you to do this, they are saying to regard something as exaggerated; believe only part of something. Have some skepticism. Whatever they are saying may not be 100% true. Don’t take something too seriously.

A

To Take Something With a Grain of Salt“

Before elections, all parties make a lot of promises. They are best taken with a grain of salt.”

“This piece of news appears to be a blown up account of what actually happened. I’ll take it with a grain of salt.”

263
Q

This idiom refers to avoiding a particular situation by pretending that it doesn’t exist.

A

To Bury Your Head In The Sand

263
Q

If you are this, you are successful or in a good position to succeed. The phrase often refers to financial situations but may be used in other competitive situations.

A

Ahead of The Game

263
Q

This idiomatic expression refers to engaging in an activity that’s so futile as to be a complete waste of time.

A

To Piss Into The Wind

“Don’t waste your time trying to talk to Wanda about her spending habits. You’re pissing into the wind.

264
Q

If you have this in your closet, it means you have are hiding a shocking secret about yourself.

A

Skeleton in The Closet

265
Q

This idiom refers to something positive that happens in an already very good situation but sometimes something quite bad that happens in an already very bad situation. It is considered…

A

The Icing On The Cake

266
Q

This idiom refers to wasting energy on a lost cause or to keep talking about a situation that cannot be changed because it has already been discussed or decided. If you do this, you are guilty of…

A

Beating a Dead Horse

267
Q

If someone does this, they join a movement or follow a fashion that has recently become popular.

A

Jump on The Band Wagon

268
Q

This idiom refers to something worth considering. It is…

A

Food For Thought

“Here is some food for thought…”

“The manager’s meeting today has given me a lot of food for thought about whether I want to continue working in this company.”

269
Q

This idiom refers to suffering an indignity or act of disrespect (an insult) after being harmed (injured) in some other way.

A

Add Insult To Injurt

Add insult to injury is a cliché, used frequently and often thoughtlessly.

“It was also a trip when my son, operating the boat, managed to knock three holes in the bottom by hitting a piece of an old dead tree. Adding insult to injury was two flat tires on the trailer during the trip home.”

“Shares of Chicago Bridge & Iron dropped 11%, adding to losses that have cost the stock nearly half its value just since the beginning of August…Adding insult to injury today was a downgrade from analysts at Jefferies, which reduced their rating on the stock from buy to hold.”

270
Q

Said of two people who are very similar (or, in the case of the second expression, often in each other’s company)

A

Two Peas in a Pod

271
Q

If you do this, you change your opinion, position, or message about something.

A

Change Your Tune

272
Q

This word means to fall or stop on so as to crush. To completely suppress.

A

Squelch

The day before the election, he had given briefings every few hours, describing how the usual tribulations of the day were being dealt with, and squelching rumors. “It’s just another Tuesday on the internet,” he said with a shrug when asked about some of the misinformation.

273
Q

This word means to be marked my stubborn determination. Having or showing tenacity and grim persistence.

A

Dogged

“The president’s dogged refusal to concede and his refusal to allow transition processes for President-elect Joe Biden, as required by law, is tarnishing America’s image as the world’s leading democracy.”

274
Q

This word refers to criticism or opposition.

A

Flak

“But first, how does this keep happening?Another botched art restoration in Spain is gettingflak online because it looks like… Mr. Potato Head.”

275
Q

This adjective is very bold — if you are described as this, you are daring and unconventional! You could also be described as recklessly bold as well as rash.

Synonyms include bold, brash, brazen, cheeky, cocksure, cocky, and sassy.

A

Audacious

“The president’s push to prevent states from certifying electors and get legislators to override voters’ will eclipses even the bitter 1876 election as an audacious use of brute political force.”

276
Q

This word means to have no precedent. An earlier occurrence of something similar.

A

Unprecedented

“President Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election are unprecedented in American history.”

277
Q

To make an official decision about who is right in (a dispute) : to settle judicially

A

Adjudicate
Adjudicated

“The school board will adjudicate claims made against teachers.”

“The claims will be adjudicated by a judge.”

278
Q

To make an official decision about who is right in (a dispute) : to settle judicially

A

Adjudicate
Adjudicated

“The school board will adjudicate claims made against teachers.”

“The claims will be adjudicated by a judge.”

1 Remembering Vocab & Idioms (2 decks)

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