June 2 Flashcards
flying by the seat of my pants
things are not planned/ organized / expected.
I don’t know yet what i’ll be doing during my holidays in Europe. I think i’ll let myself fly by the seat of my pants.
beat around the bush
To talk about something without mentioning it directly or avoid getting to the core of the subject–to try to bring up a subject in a roundabout way.
Well, Joe, I heard you were thinking about selling your car…
instead of
So, Joe, how much did you want for that Explorer of yours?
beat the bushes
to try very hard to get or achieve something
e.g. She’s not out there beating the bushes for a job - she’s just as happy not working.
reach around
n: the performance of the act of masterbating a sexual partner, usually while the person performing this act is simultaneously performing doggy style, anal sex, or spooning on the same partner as the person on top.
rusty trombone
To get rimmed whilst recieving a hearty reach round, thus resembling a trombone player in full chorus.
Phoebe’s rendition on my rusty trombone last night, was so moving, it bought a tear to my eye.
mojo
The word originally means a charm or a spell. But now its more commonly said meaning sex appeal or talent.
“I can get any girl if I just use a bit of the old mojo”
hell for leather
Also hell-for-leather. To ride or race at a breakneck speed. To ride recklessly or with abandon.
While racing my Honda CBR, I came around that corner riding hell for leather.
salt and pepper
a mixture of black and white
George Clooney has salt and pepper hair.
come to a head
Fig. [for a problem] to reach a critical or crucial stage.
At the end of the week, everything came to a head and Sam was fired.
give a free hand
to allow someone to do whatever they think is necessary in a particular situation (often + to do sth)
His manager had given him a free hand to make whatever changes he felt necessary.
dole out
(to someone ) to distribute something to someone.
The cook doled the oatmeal out to each camper who held out a bowl.
Please dole out the candy bars, one to a customer.
spent
Expression of tiredness following a strenuous event (mentally or physically)
After Sex: AAANNDDD I’m spent!
tony
fashionable among wealthy or stylish people.
“a tony restaurant”
slow burn
An insult that doesn’t sink in for awhile.
When Jasmine figured out that slow burn comment from the girl at the bar, she was so pissed.
cocksure
A condition of extreme (sometimes foolish) confidence or boldness pertainng to or having to do with the size of one’s penis (“cock”)
Only the most cocksure rookie was willing to stand up to the captain of the football team.
gift of gab
The ability to talk anyone into anything.
Damn, That nigga got the gift of gab cuz he can get out of anything
chafe at
Fig. to be irritated or annoyed at something.
Jane chafed at the criticism for a long time afterward.
thumb one’s nose
(figuratively) To act disrespectfully, especially by flouting the object of disrespect.
Richard Feynman delighted in thumbing his nose at bureaucracy.
on the rocks
Fig. in a state of ruin or bankruptcy.
e. g. That bank is on the rocks.
e. g. Don’t put your money in it. My finances are on the rocks just now.
two can play that game
Real meaning: when someone does harm to you, you can do the same to them.
Rick: So, Mike stole Shelly from me; Well, two can play at that game!
keep your powder dry
Prov. Have faith that God will make sure that you win a conflict, but be prepared to fight well and vigorously. (Supposed to have been said by Oliver Cromwell; powder means gunpowder.)
Bill: Am I going to win my lawsuit? Alan: All you can do is put your trust in God, and keep your powder dry.
shit hit the fan
Used primarily to describe a set of circumstances where events became inflamed to a point that control was lost.
Her insults rolled of me like water but the shit hit the fan after she claimed to possess information leading to proof that my Mother wore Army boots.
merry men
The Merry Men are the group of outlaws who follow Robin Hood in English literature and folklore.
jump the gun
You jump the gun when you start doing something before the appropriate time.
Sorry I jumped the gun by telling Carol the news before checking with you
go to bat for someone
Fig. to support or help someone.
I tried to go to bat for Bill, but he said he didn’t want any help.
ho hum
So-So, not great, not bad, not good
that movie was ho-hum
bon mot
french: A clever saying, phrase or witticism; often, a witty riposte in dialogue.
rap someone on the knuckles
to strike someone on the knuckles.
As punishment, she rapped him across the knuckles.
send to the showers (locker room)
Fig. to order a player from the playing field, thus ending the player’s participation for the day.
The coach had sent four players to the showers before the end of the game.
take a run at someone
To approach or assault with a view to capture or seduction.
I wouldn’t take a client of mine into the place, unless he was such a close associate that nobody was going to take a run at him (1970s+)
put something to bed
Fig. to complete work on something and send it on to the next step in production, especially in publishing.
(From put someone to bed.) This week’s edition is finished. Let’s put it to bed.
walk on eggshells
Fig. to be very diplomatic and inoffensive.
I was walking on eggshells trying to explain the remark to her without offending her further.
it’s my neck in the noose
I’m the one who’s going to be punished for that.
HoC: If you’re going to put my neck in the noose, look me in the eye while you do it.
plough through something
Fig. to work through something with determination.
e.g. She plowed through the book to learn everything she could.
make light of something
to treat something as if it were unimportant or humorous.
I wish you wouldn’t make light of his problems.
grate on someone
to annoy someone; to rub someone the wrong way.
Your negative attitude really grates on me. Everything you say grates on me.
hitch your wagon to someone
to try to become successful by becoming involved with someone or something that is already successful or has a good chance of becoming successful.
She hitched her wagon to a rising young star on the music scene.
above the fray
not involved in a particular argument.
The president will try to stay above the political fray.
put the cart before the horse
Fig. to have things in the wrong order; to have things confused and mixed up. (Also with have.)
You’re eating your dessert first! You’ve put the cart before the horse.
top brass
the most important or high-ranking officials or leaders, as in politics, industry, etc.
