Idioms__IV Flashcards
To be tied up with something or someone.
(to be b…)
To be busy.
To be busy.
To be tied up with something or someone.
To be killing someone.
To be very painful.
To be very painful.
(to be k…)
To be killing someone.
A beauty.
A very good or vivid example of something; in this case, a really good example of a bad injury.
A very good or vivid example of something; in this case, a really good example of a bad injury.
( a b…)
A beauty.
To do a number on something.
To damage, destroy, or hurt something badly.
To damage, destroy, or hurt something badly.
(number)
To do a number on something.
A surefire way to do something.
A way that will definitely have a certain outcome or result.
A way that will definitely have a certain outcome or result.
(way)
A surefire way to do something.
To live something down.
To be allowed to forget about an embarrassing situation. This is used in the negative—to never or not live something down. A common way you’ll hear this expression is the phrase “I’ll never live this down!”
To be allowed to forget about an embarrassing situation.
(live)
To live something down.
This is used in the negative—to never or not live something down. A common way you’ll hear this expression is the phrase “I’ll never live this down!”
To outdo yourself.
To do something very well. To do better than you normally do.Note that this expression is often used in a sarcastic way.
To do something very well. To do better than you normally do.Note that this expression is often used in a sarcastic way.
(out…)
To outdo yourself.
A tall order.
An unusually difficult request.
An unusually difficult request.
(tall)
A tall order.
To be out of the question.
To be impossible to accomplish.
To be impossible to accomplish.
(out)
To be out of the question.
To be back in the saddle.
To return to your normal activities, especially after an illness or injury. To be back in control of your normal activities.
To return to your normal activities, especially after an illness or injury. To be back in control of your normal activities.
(back in)
To be back in the saddle.
To handle something.
To cope with ormanage a situation.
To cope with or to manage a situation.
(handle)
To handle something.
To be a piece of cake.
To be very easy.
To be very easy.
(piece)
To be a piece of cake.
To take it easy.
To do things slowly and carefully, without tiring yourself.
To do things slowly and carefully, without tiring yourself.
(easy)
To take it easy.
To baby someone or something.
To treat very carefully and with great sensitivity.
To treat very carefully and with great sensitivity.
(to ba…)
To baby someone or something.
To keep an eye on.
To watch carefully.
To watch carefully.
(eye)
To keep an eye on.
To get in touch with.
To contact, to talk to someone.
To contact, to talk to someone.
(in t…)
To get in touch with.
To drop by.
To visit someone.
To visit someone.
(to … by)
To drop by.
To follow up on something.
To address or check on a situation later.
To address or check on a situation later.
To follow up on something.
To tie the knot.
To get married.
To get married.
(tie)
To tie the knot.
To take the plunge.
To follow through on a big or life-changing decision. On the invitation, it has a double meaning. It refers both to a “plunge” into water at the beach party and to the fact that Matt and Allison will be getting married.
To follow through on a big or life-changing decision.
(take a …)
To take the plunge.
On the invitation, it has a double meaning. It refers both to a “plunge” into water at the beach party and to the fact that Matt and Allison will be getting married.
To get cold feet.
To be or become afraid to do something. To have second thoughts.Notice that you can also say “have cold feet.”
To be or become afraid to do something. To have second thoughts.
(cold)
To get cold feet.
Notice that you can also say “have cold feet.”
Stuffy.
Formal. Overly conservative in ceremony and style.
Formal. Overly conservative in ceremony and style.
(s…)
Stuffy.
To let your hair down.
To celebrate in a free and uninhibited way.
To celebrate in a free and uninhibited way.
(down)
To let your hair down.
To walk down the aisle.
To get married.
To get married.
(walk)
To walk down the aisle.
To not see something coming.
To not expect something. To be surprised by something.
To not expect something. To be surprised by something.
(see)
To not see something coming.
A turnout.
The number of people at an event.Notice that there’s also the verb “to turn out.”
The number of people at an event.
(t…)
A turnout.
Notice that there’s also the verb “to turn out.”
To get hitched.
To get married. These days, this expression is an informal, humorous, and exaggerated way to say “to get married.”
To get married. These days, this expression is an informal, humorous, and exaggerated way to say “to get married.”
(to get h..)
To get hitched.
To pop the question.
To propose marriage to someone.
To propose marriage to someone.
(pop)
To pop the question.
To lose your nerve.
To lose courage.
To lose courage.
(lose)
To lose your nerve.
To turn someone or something down.
To say “no” to someone or something.
To say “no” to someone or something.
(turn)
To turn someone or something down.
To settle on something.
To decide something after discussion, consideration, or negotiation.
To decide something after discussion, consideration, or negotiation.
(to se…)
To settle on something.
To count on something.
To depend on something happening. To be sure something will happen.
To depend on something happening. To be sure something will happen.
(to c… on)
To count on something.
To bail.
To leave a person or quit a project earlier than expected. You can also say “to bail out on someone or something.”
To leave a person or quit a project earlier than expected. You can also say “to bail out on someone or something.”
(to b…)
To bail.
To beat around the bush.
To be indirect in approach in order to avoid confrontation.
To be indirect in approach in order to avoid confrontation.
To beat around the bush.
To give it to someone straight.
To be direct and honest with someone.
To be direct and honest with someone.
(give…)
To give it to someone straight.
To bully someone into something.
To force someone to do something.
To force someone to do something.
( to bu… )
To bully someone into something.
To throw someone for a loop.
To surprise someone. To confuse someone with something unexpected.
To surprise someone. To confuse someone with something unexpected.
(throw)
To throw someone for a loop.
To do a 180.
To change in a drastic way. To turn completely around.
To change in a drastic way. To turn completely around.
(to do a …)
To do a 180.
To play the field.
To date many different people.
To date many different people.
(play)
To play the field.
To settle down.
To grow comfortable and content in a routine or situation, especially in a relationship with another person. Often, this implies growing older andmore responsible, or less fun-loving and free, depending on how you look at it!
To grow comfortable and content in a routine or situation, especially in a relationship with another person.
(down)
To settle down.
Often, this implies growing older andmore responsible, or less fun-loving and free, depending on how you look at it!
To be a wake-up call.
To be something that changes your view of what is important or possible.
To be something that changes your view of what is important or possible.
(call)
To be a wake-up call.
To be seeing someone.
To date someone informally.
To date someone informally.
(to be s…)
To be seeing someone.
To hand it to someone.
To acknowledge someone’s achievement.
To acknowledge someone’s achievement.
(to ha…)
To hand it to someone.
To get something on track.
To make decisions and take actions about something that will lead to a favorable outcome.
To make decisions and take actions about something that will lead to a favorable outcome.
(on t….)
To get something on track.
To clean up.
To make a very large profit, to make a lot of money.
To make a very large profit, to make a lot of money.
( c… up)
To clean up.
To take your time doing something.
To not rush. To do something slowly and carefully.
To not rush. To do something slowly and carefully.
(time)
To take your time doing something.
To be burned.
To be betrayed, fooled, or hurt, especially after expecting a positive outcome.
To be betrayed, fooled, or hurt, especially after expecting a positive outcome.
( to be b…)
To be burned.
To eye something up.
To look at, examine, or consider visually.
To look at, examine, or consider visually.
(e… up)
To eye something up.
To chomp at the bit.
To be very anxious or eager to do something.
To be very anxious or eager to do something.
(bit)
To chomp at the bit.
To strike while the iron’s hot.
To take advantage of a favorable opportunity.
To take advantage of a favorable opportunity.
(hot)
To strike while the iron’s hot.
To talk something over.
To discuss carefully in order to come to a decision.
To discuss carefully in order to come to a decision.
(talk)
To talk something over.
To make yourself scarce.
To leave, to move away from someone. Rude when said to someone else.
To leave, to move away from someone. Rude when said to someone else.
(make sc…)
To make yourself scarce.
A dream come true.
Something wonderful, something so good it’s as though it came out of a dream.
Something wonderful, something so good it’s as though it came out of a dream.
(true)
A dream come true.
To keep in mind.
To remember. To consider.
To remember. To consider.
(keep)
To keep in mind.
To talk something up.
To praise something verbally. To speak highly of something or exaggerate its value.
To praise something verbally. To speak highly of something or exaggerate its value.
(up)
To talk something up.
To come through.
To happen, to materialize, to become a real event.
To happen, to materialize, to become a real event.
(come t…)
To come through.
To fall on deaf ears.
To be pointless to mention, suggesting that the person you’d like to talk to won’t care about your complaint, opinion, or problem.
To be pointless to mention, suggesting that the person you’d like to talk to won’t care about your complaint, opinion, or problem.
(deaf)
To fall on deaf ears.
To jump down someone’s throat.
To overreact and attack someone verbally.
To overreact and attack someone verbally.
(jump)
To jump down someone’s throat.
Cornered.
Threatened. Feeling as if you don’t havemany options left.
Threatened. Feeling as if you don’t havemany options left.
(co…)
Cornered.
To not hold your breath.
To not wait for something to happen with much hope.
To not wait for something to happen with much hope.
(hold)
To not hold your breath.
To keep a low profile.
To do nothing that would draw attention to you or distinguish you from others.
To do nothing that would draw attention to you or distinguish you from others.
(keep)
To keep a low profile.
Pink slip.
Notification that you’ve been fired. The full expression is “to get a pink slip.”
Notification that you’ve been fired.
(pink)
Pink slip.
The full expression is “to get a pink slip.”
Written in stone.
Fixed, firm, unchangeable.
Fixed, firm, unchangeable.
(stone)
Written in stone.
To keep up with something or someone.
To go at the same speed or pace, to be aware of changes or current conditions.
To go at the same speed or pace, to be aware of changes or current conditions.
(to k… up)
To keep up with something or someone.
To be bushed.
To be very tired.
To be very tired.
(be bu…)
To be bushed.
To have a blast.
To have a lot of fun, to have a great time.
To have a lot of fun, to have a great time.
(a bl…)
To have a blast.
To be a pushover.
To be easily convinced or persuaded.
To be easily convinced or persuaded.
(be a pu…)
To be a pushover.
Set on something.
Fixated on something and determined to have it.
Fixated on something and determined to have it.
( s… on)
Set on something.
To have a fit.
To have a temper tantrum. To lose control of your emotions. To display your anger.
To have a temper tantrum. To lose control of your emotions. To display your anger.
(have a f…)
To have a fit.
To cave in.
To give in. To allow yourself to be persuaded or tempted.
To give in. To allow yourself to be persuaded or tempted.
( c… in)
To cave in.
To buckle.
To be persuaded, to change your mind.
To be persuaded, to change your mind.
(to b…)
To buckle.
To have someone wrapped around your finger.
To cause someone to be obedient to you. To influence someone very greatly, to exert far toomuch influence on someone.
To cause someone to be obedient to you. To influence someone very greatly, to exert far toomuch influence on someone.
(wrapped)
To have someone wrapped around your finger.
To be hooked.
To enjoy something very much, to be convinced of something. In the context of drugs or alcohol, “hooked” can also mean “addicted.”
To enjoy something very much, to be convinced of something.
(be h…)
To be hooked.
In the context of drugs or alcohol, “hooked” can also mean “addicted.”
When it comes to something.
Regarding, with regard to, or concerning something.
Regarding, with regard to, or concerning something.
(when…)
When it comes to something.
To run into somebody.
To meet somebody unexpectedly.
To meet somebody unexpectedly.
(into)
To run into somebody.
To have one on the way.
To be pregnant. To be expecting a child.
To be pregnant. To be expecting a child.
(way)
To have one on the way.
A piece of work.
A complicated, interesting, or amusing person. Often said ironically.
A complicated, interesting, or amusing person. Often said ironically.
(a p.. of)
A piece of work.
A chip off the old block.
Said of children when they greatly resemble one of their parents in personality or behavior.
Said of children when they greatly resemble one of their parents in personality or behavior.
(old)
A chip off the old block.
You don’t say.
An expression used to show mild surprise, like saying “really?” This can also be a sarcastic expression, to show that you don’t find something as interesting as someone else does.
An expression used to show mild surprise, like saying “really?” This can also be a sarcastic expression, to show that you don’t find something as interesting as someone else does.
(don’t)
You don’t say.
Hard headed.
Stubborn.
Stubborn.
(hard)
Hard headed.
Up to something.
Involved in some kind of mischief. Planning something.
Involved in some kind of mischief. Planning something.
(u… to)
Up to something.
Something else.
An expression meaning “something noteworthy” or “something interesting or worth discussion.”
An expression meaning “something noteworthy” or “something interesting or worth discussion.”
(s… e…)
Something else.
To take after.
To have the same traits or characteristics as another person.
To have the same traits or characteristics as another person.
(take)
To take after.
To have a taste of one’s own medicine.
To be on the receiving end of behavior that one has subjected others to.
To be on the receiving end of behavior that one has subjected others to.
(taste)
To have a taste of one’s own medicine.
To pay the piper.
To suffer the consequences of your actions, after a long time of not suffering any consequences.
To suffer the consequences of your actions, after a long time of not suffering any consequences.
(pay)
To pay the piper.
On the ball.
Ready, alert, highly prepared.
Ready, alert, highly prepared.
(ball)
On the ball.
To turn your back on someone.
Literally, to turn away from or look the other way. Note that this expression can also be used figuratively, meaning to abandon or stop caring about someone.
Literally, to turn away from or look the other way.
(back)
To turn your back on someone.
Note that this expression can also be used figuratively, meaning to abandon or stop caring about someone.Literally, to turn away from or look the other way. Note that this expression can also be used figuratively, meaning to abandon or stop caring about someone.Literally, to turn away from or look the other way. Note that this expression can also be used figuratively, meaning to abandon or stop caring about someone.
To be at something.
To engage or take part in something. Notice that you can also say “keep at” something, meaning to continue to take part in something.
To engage or take part in something.
(to be …)
To be at something.
Notice that you can also say “keep at” something, meaning to continue to take part in something.
To be green.
To be new or inexperienced.
To be new or inexperienced.
(g..)
To be green.
To be a shoo-in.
To be the best ormost likely candidate for something.
To be the best or most likely candidate for something.
(-in)
To be a shoo-in.
To make someone’s day.
To cause someone great happiness, joy, or pride.
To cause someone great happiness, joy, or pride.
(make)
To make someone’s day.
A catch.
A drawback or negative quality that might not be obvious.
A drawback or negative quality that might not be obvious.
(c)
A catch.
A catch.
In other contexts, “a catch” is a person who would be good to date.
A person who would be good to date.
(c)
A catch.
To be hung up on something.
To find fault with something, to identify a weakness or a drawback in something.
To find fault with something, to identify a weakness or a drawback in something.
(h.. on)
To be hung up on something.
At your fingertips.
Readily available.
Readily available.
(at …)
At your fingertips.
To lose your shirt.
To become financially ruined. To lose a lot of money.
To become financially ruined. To lose a lot of money.
(lose your …)
To lose your shirt.
To nail someone.
To hit or do damage to someone.
To hit or do damage to someone.
(to n…)
To nail someone.
To pull over.
To drive one’s car to the side of the road in order to stop.
To drive one’s car to the side of the road in order to stop.
(over)
To pull over.
To swap information.
To exchange names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance company information, especially after a car accident.
To exchange names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance company information, especially after a car accident.
(to s…)
To swap information.
