Idioms till May 17, 2024 Flashcards
lowballer
A person who makes a very low offer to start a negotiation. He tried to buy the car like a lowballer.
by the skin of your teeth
Barely managing to do something. We made it to the meeting by the skin of our teeth.
hope for the best, prepare for the worst
Be optimistic but ready for bad outcomes. We hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
stuck in a traffic jam
Unable to move due to heavy traffic. We were stuck in a traffic jam for hours.
to break you down
To reduce someone’s resolve. He was trying to break me down with his constant criticism.
stormed out
Left angrily. She stormed out of the room after the argument.
low-balling
Offering a lower price than what is expected. They were low-balling us during the negotiation.
sob story
A story intended to elicit sympathy. He hit me with a sob story about his financial troubles.
to make oneself feel at home
To act as if one is comfortable and relaxed as at one’s own home. Please, make yourself feel at home.
easier said than done
Something that is easy to talk about but hard to do. Quitting smoking is easier said than done.
to stand one’s ground
To refuse to change one’s position. She stood her ground despite the pressure.
make ends meet
To manage financially. It’s hard to make ends meet on a small salary.
that’s what she said
A joke implying a sexual double entendre. “It’s so hard!” - “That’s what she said.”
you can’t write this stuff
When real life is as dramatic as fiction. The events were so unbelievable, you can’t write this stuff.
not all heroes wear capes
Ordinary people can do heroic things. The nurse worked tirelessly during the pandemic; not all heroes wear capes.
ding-dong ditch
Ring the doorbell and run away as a prank. The kids were playing ding-dong ditch.
to lock down
To confirm or settle on something. We need to lock down the dates for the event.
edge of my seat
To be very excited or nervous because of the tension or suspense. Example: This movie kept me at the edge of my seat.
cliff hanger
A story or event with a strong element of suspense. Example: They always leave you with a cliff hanger at the end of each episode.
doctor up
To alter or make changes to something to improve it or make it more acceptable. Example: They doctored up the report to make it look better.
full proof plan
A plan that is guaranteed to succeed. Example: It’s a full proof plan; nothing can go wrong.
in their right mind
To be sane or rational. Example: Anyone in their right mind would help a friend in need.
pin it on
To blame someone for something. Example: He’s trying to pin the mistake on me, but it wasn’t my fault.
show their true colors
To reveal one’s true character or intentions. Example: She showed her true colors when she refused to help us.
shine/put the spotlight on
To highlight or draw attention to something or someone. Example: I want to shine the spotlight on the achievements of our team.
shout at
To yell or raise one’s voice angrily. Example: He was shouting at the monkeys to get off the car.
tightrope walker
Someone who is walking on a tightrope, often used metaphorically for someone in a precarious or risky situation. Example: He’s like a tightrope walker, balancing so many responsibilities.
burst out
To suddenly start (e.g., laughing, crying). Example: She burst out laughing at the joke.
save the best for last
To keep the best or most enjoyable thing until the end. Example: I always save the best part of the meal for last.
come across
To give an impression or to encounter. Example: He comes across as very confident. / I came across an old friend in the market.
put the nail in the coffin
To cause the end or failure of something. Example: The last scandal put the final nail in the coffin of his career.
at the edge of
At the border or boundary. Example: The village is at the edge of the forest.
get burnt out
To become very tired or sick from working too hard. Example: She got so burnt out from working long hours every day.
can of worms
A complicated, troublesome situation. Example: Discussing politics at the dinner table can open a can of worms.
pot calling the kettle black
A situation where someone criticizes another for a fault they also possess. Example: Accusing me of being lazy is like the pot calling the kettle black.
wreak havoc
To cause chaos or destruction. Example: The storm wreaked havoc on the coastal towns.
to shine a spotlight on
To draw attention to or highlight something. Example: The documentary shines a spotlight on the issue of climate change.
without question
Undoubtedly, without any doubt. Example: He loves his dog without question.
day in and day out
Continuously, regularly over a long period. Example: He works day in and day out to support his family.
forfeit
To lose or give up something as a penalty. Example: They had to forfeit the match due to a rules violation.
nail in the coffin
An event that causes the failure of something. Example: Losing the contract was the final nail in the coffin for the company.
show off
To display something one is proud of to gain admiration. Example: He was showing off his new car to his friends.
made up
To reconcile or become friends again after a disagreement. Example: They argued but soon made up.
make out
To kiss and engage in physical intimacy. Example: The couple was making out in the corner of the party.
runs in the family
A trait or characteristic that is common in the family. Example: Being good at math runs in the family.
once in a blue moon
Very rarely. Example: We only go out to eat once in a blue moon.
cry over spilt milk
To regret something that cannot be undone. Example: It’s no use crying over spilt milk; let’s just move on.
let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret. Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
call it a day
To stop working on something. Example: Let’s call it a day and go home.
In my circle
The people I regularly associate with. “I have young people in my circle.”
Balls of steel
Extreme courage and determination. “She has balls of steel; she can get through anything.”
Shoot the breeze
To have a casual conversation. “We spent 5 hours shooting the breeze.”
Standstill
A situation where no progress is being made. “We had a mini-debate, but nobody won or lost, so we came to a standstill.”
Throw (someone) under the bus
To betray or sacrifice someone for personal gain. “You will save your room, but burn down the whole house by throwing him under the bus.”
Catch a whiff of
To smell something briefly or faintly. “I caught a whiff of apple pie.”
Disposable income
Money that is available to spend on non-essential items. “People with disposable income can afford luxury items.”
More than one way to skin a cat
There are many ways to achieve the same goal. “Don’t worry if this method doesn’t work; there’s more than one way to skin a cat.”
At all costs
Do whatever is necessary to achieve something. “We must win this contract at all costs.”
Back burner
To delay dealing with something until a later time. “We’ll put this project on the back burner for now.”
Pick your battles
To choose which issues or problems to focus on. “You can’t fight every issue; you need to pick your battles.”
Dead issue
A topic or problem that is no longer relevant or worth discussing. “Let’s not bring that up again; it’s a dead issue.”
Do more harm than good
To cause more damage than benefits. “Interfering now might do more harm than good.”
Every dog has its day
Everyone will have a chance for success or luck at some point. “Don’t worry, your time will come; every dog has its day.”
Pot calling the kettle black
Criticizing someone for a fault one also possesses. “He accused her of being lazy, which is the pot calling the kettle black.”
