Learn idioms with music Flashcards
Full list of songs: https://spoti.fi/4hrhgdq
hit the roof
To become very angry and usually, show your anger by shouting at SB.
She hit the roof when her neighbors played their stereo at full volume for the fourth consecutive night.
- Song: Kissing Candice - Hit The Roof (2017)
1. Hit the roof. Hit the roof. Hit the roof. Tie me down ‘cause I’m about to blow.
2. Hit the roof. Hit the roof. Hit the roof. Light a match and burn this sucker down.
Already feeling angry? There is no way you don’t remember the meaning of this idiom after this 3:22 minutes of rage.
rack SB’s brains
To try very hard to remember or think about STH for a long time.
He had to rack his brains to remember where he had left his spare car keys.
- Song: Dirty Jameson - Racking my Brain (2015)
1. Maybe I’m crazy. Maybe insane. But now I’m left here racking my brain ever since I lost you. - Song: Brent James and the Vintage Youth - Rackin’ my Brain (2014)
1. I’ve been rackin’ my brain just wondering what to do. I’ve been rackin’ my brain just to try to get to you.
off the record
To not intend STH that people said, repeated, or published, for example in newspapers or meetings, with their names attached to it to be considered as STH official.
My boss couldn’t tell me anything officially, but off the record, he told me a promotion was imminent.
- Song: IVE - Off the Record (2023)
1. Now, we’re in private mode. Off the record night. This late night conversation won’t come to an end.
Off the record: This song is half sung in Japanese, but hush! Don’t tell anybody!
stuck in a rut
To live a boring and too fixed way of life in one particular type of job, way of thinking and doing STH, etc. that is difficult to change.
After working in the same office for ten
years, he felt he was in a rut.
- Song: Stereophonics - Stuck in a rut (2009)
1. You’re stuck in a rut, you’re wasting days. Time don’t wait so make your choice: either go or stay.
2. You’re stuck in a rut and your life is forgotten. - Song: Green Day - F.O.D. (1994)
1. Stuck down in a rut of dislogic and smut. A side of you well hid.
in the long run
After a long period of time that is far away in the future.
This may be an expensive purchase now, but, in the long run, it will save us a lot of money.
- Song: Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven (1971)
1. Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there’s still time to change the road you’re on.
it stands to reason (that)…
Used to say that STH is obvious, seems likely to be true, or is completely clear to any sensible person who thinks about it from the facts.
You’ve eaten so much that it stands to reason you feel sick
- Song: Love Transfusion - Stands to Reason (2018)
1. Looking through the mirror and you might find something bad. Stands to reason you’re gonna cry.
2. You’re no Cinderella or the princess of the ball. Just like Humpty Dumpty you’re bound to take a fall. Stands to reason you’re gonna cry.
3. Laughing on the outside isn’t really what you feel. Stands to reason you’re gonna cry.
as a last resort
STH that will be done to get out of a difficult situation or for solving a problem when there are no other possible methods because it cannot be found another way if everything else fails.
I’d been unable to contact her for three days, so, as a last resort, I drove the thirty miles to her house to see what was going on.
- Song: Papa Roach - Last Resort (2000)
1. Cut my life into pieces. This is my last resort. Suffocation, no breathing. Don’t give a fuck if I cut my arm bleeding.
put down roots
To start to feel that a place where you have moved to live is your home, take part in activities there, and make a lot of new friends.
Having lived and worked in more than a
dozen countries, he thought it was about
time he put down roots in one place.
- Song: Martin Harley - Putting Down Roots (2019)
1. I’m young enough to know there’s a long way to go. I’m putting down roots.
2. Wrap my flag on the pole. Let everybody know I’m putting down roots.
at close quarters
When STH happens inside a small space or is done from a short distance away. // To do STH very near to a particular person or thing.
Although the antique table looked nice from across the room, at close quarters, you could see how badly damaged it was.
Well, this song doesn’t actually have any lyrics. But if it doesn’t make you feel as if you were at close quarters with someone, then I don’t know what does!
cut to the quick
To hurt SB’s feelings deeply and make them feel extremely upset by doing or saying STH cruel that offends them gravely, such as a remark or criticism.
He was cut to the quick by her comment
that his previous novel was infinitely
better than his new one.
- Song: The Residents - Cut to the Quick (2020)
1. Now I’m in the dark all alone. Cut to the quick and beat to the bone.
This is also used to say “ir al grano”.
call it quits
To decide to stop doing STH or stop being involved in STH
If the gardening business doesn’t pick up
soon, I’m going to call it quits and get
another job.
- Song: Arctic Monkeys - One Point Perspective (2018)
1. I fantasise, I call it quits. I swim with the economists.
be out of the question
To be completely impossible, unthinkable, unacceptable, or not allowed and therefore not worth discussing.
It is out of the question that you should
drive the car without your license.
- Song: Gilbert O’Sullivan - Out of the Question (1972)
1. If you want me, it’s really out of the question.
open to debate
When people have different opinions and ideas about a matter that cannot be proved to be certain or be firmly decided yet.
Whether the advertising campaign will increase sales is open to debate
- Song: Roger Taylor - Pressure On (1998)
1. The price is not right or open to debate. Besides, I’m worried about my weight,
STH begs the question
When a statement or situation makes SB want to ask a particular question that has not yet been answered as a reaction or response.
Jerry’s sudden acquisition of a sports car begs the question; where did he get the money to buy it?
- Song: Andrew Bird ft. Fiona Apple - Left Handed Kisses (2016)
1. But it begs the question, how did I ever find you drifting gently through the gyre of the great Sargasso sea, Atlantic Ocean?
it goes without saying (that)…
Used to say that STH is so clearly true, very obvious, or easy to predict that it does not need to be said or explained.
It goes without saying that he’ll get the role in the play; after all, he’s perfect for it.
- Song: Post Malone ft. Brad Paisley - Goes Without Saying (2024)
1. It goes without saying she ain’t coming back. It goes without saying she put me in the past.
It goes without saying that you are goddamn passing the final exam!
be in SB’s shoes
To be in or imagine that you are in SB else’s situation, especially when it is a bad, an unpleasant, or a difficult one.
If you were in her shoes, you’d understand why she made that decision.
- Song: Linkin Park - Numb (2003)
1. I don’t know what you’re expecting of me, put under the pressure of walking in your shoes.
smell a rat
To suspect that STH wrong or dishonest about a situation is happening.
She smelled a rat when her husband started coming home late.
- Song: The White Stripes - I Think I Smell a Rat (2001)
1. All you little kids seem to know where it’s at. Oh, I think I smell a rat.
soaked to the skin
To be/get completely wet.
I went out in the downpour without my umbrella and got soaked to the skin.
- Song: Nirvana - Come As You Are (1991)
1. Come, doused in mud, soaked in bleach, as I want you to be.
Technically, it doesn’t say “soaked to the skin”, but you have “soaked in (something)”, and that’s enough for me.
pull SB’s socks up
To make an effort to improve your way of studying, performance, work, or behavior because it is not good enough, or tell SB that they should start doing like this.
He told his son that he ought to pull up his sock or he’d never make a success of himself.
- Song: The Beatles - I’ve Got a Feeling (1970)
1. Everybody had a good year. Everybody let their hair down. Everybody pulled their socks up. Everybody put their foot down.
take STH with a pinch of salt
Used to warn SB that they should not always completely believe STH that SB else says because it is unlikely to be accurate or true.
He tends to exaggerate, so take everything he says with a pinch of salt.
- Song: Radiohead - A Wolf at the Door (2003)
1. Take it with the love it’s given. Take it with a pinch of salt. Take it to the taxman.
show / it shows
When a feeling, attitude, or personal quality can be clearly seen or noticed, or when SB/STH let a feeling, attitude, or personal quality be clearly seen or noticed.
Did It show that I was bored during the meeting? I tried to act as if I was interested.
- Song: High School Musical - We’re All in This Together (2006)
1. We’re all in this together and it shows when we stand hand in hand. Make our dreams come true.
make a scene
To embarrass people in a loud angry argument in a public place by showing bad manners.
Her father made quite a scene when she came home two hours later than she was supposed to.
- Song: Shinedown - For my Sake (2012)
1. Stop slowing me down. Stop holding me up. We’re making a scene. Enough is enough.
sleep on it
To not make a decision about STH important until the next day, so that you have time to think about it.
I’ll sleep on it and give you my decision tomorrow.
- Song: Doja Cat - Sleep on It (2016)
1. She a sleep on it. She a sleep on it. She a sleep on it. She a sleep on it. - Song: Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave your Lover (1975)
1. She said: “Why don’t we both just sleep on it tonight? And I believe in the morning you’ll begin to see the light.”
Bonus track: Spanglish (2004) - Sleep on It Scene
the last straw
The last final thing in a series of annoying or unpleasant things that finally makes you give up, get angry etc, or that makes it impossible for you to accept a bad situation any longer.
After having a terrible day at work, it was the last straw when her car broke down on the way home.
- Song: Taylor Swift - You’re Not Sorry (2008)
1. You don’t have to call anymore. I won’t pick up the phone. This is the last straw. Don’t wanna hurt anymore.
give SB the slip
To escape from SB who is following or chasing you.
The man who gave the police the slip wasn’t apprehended until a week later.
- Song: Blondie - One Way or Another (1978)
1. One way or another, I’m gonna lose ya. I’m gonna give you the slip, a slip of the hip or another.
One Direction’s version (2013) does not include this bit on their cover!
be the spitting image of SB
To look exactly like SB else.
Paul is the spitting image of his father. Even his mannerisms are the same.
- Song: Eminem - When I’m Gone (2005)
1. Then turn right around on that song and tell her you love her and put hands on her mother, who’s a spitting image of her.
(not) stand in SB’s way
To (not) prevent SB from doing STH.
Laura’s parents assured her that they would not stand in her way if she wanted to become a pilot, and would in fact help her.
- Song: Elvis Presley - I’ll Never Stand in your Way (1954)
1. If you found someone new who means more than me to you, I’ll never stand in your way.
be a long shot
Used to say that a plan is worth trying, even though you think it is unlikely to succeed.
Arresting that woman was a long shot as there was so little evidence against her, but in the end she turned out to be the ringleader of the gang.
- Song: Kelly Clarkson - Long Shot (2009)
1. It’s a long shot, but I say ‘Why not’. If I say ‘Forget it’, I know that I’ll regret it.
spill the beans
To tell SB STH that should be kept secret or private.
Although her friend asked her not to tell anyone about her secret wedding plans, she spilled the beans and soon everyone knew.
- Song: The Rolling Stones - Loving Cup (1972)
1. Yes, I am nitty-gritty and my shirt’s all torn, but I would love to spill the beans with you till dawn.
Bonus track: How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014) - Spill the Beans Scene
lay the table
To put a cloth, knives, plates, and forks, etc. on a table in preparation before a meal.
Will someone lay the table please?
-
Song: Taylor Swift - tolerate it (2020)
1. I wait by the door like I’m just a kid. Use my best colors for your portrait. Lay the table with the fancy shit. And watch you tolerate it.
red tape
Official rules and procedures that seem unnecessary and complicated and prevent things from being done quickly and easily.
With so much red tape involved, it’s very difficult for foreigners to obtain a work permit.
- Song: Muse - Uprising (2009)
1. Another promise, another seed, another packaged lie to keep us trapped in greed. With all the green belt wrapped around our minds and endless red tape to keep the truth confide.
touch and go
Used to say that the result of a situation in which there is a serious risk is uncertain and that there is a possibility that STH bad or unpleasant will happen or succeed.
“Will he live?” asked the nurse. “Well, it’s touch-and-go whether he will or not.”
- Song: Taylor Swift - State of Grace (2012)
1. I’m walking fast through the traffic lights. Busy streets and busy lives. And all we know is touch and go. We are alone with our changing minds.
put two and two together
To understand and guess the meaning of STH that SB has heard or seen, or to guess for oneself the truth about a situation from what they have heard or seen by using the information that they have available.
Although she didn’t say anything directly, we put two and two together and realised that she was about to resign.
- Song: Spice Girls - Say You’ll Be There (1996)
1. If you put two and two together, you will see what our friendship is for.
through thick and thin
To always support or stay with SB in good times and bad times, even when there are problems or difficulties, or although the conditions or circumstances are very bad
“Don’t ever leave me”, pleaded Sally. “Don’t worry, we’lI be together through thick and thin”, answered Jim.
- Song: Echo & the Bunnymen - The Killing Moon (1984)
1. Fate up against your will. Through the thick and thin, he will wait until you give yourself to him.
🇦🇷 A Talleres yo lo amo, lo sigo a todos lados. En las buenas y en las malas, siempre contás con tu hinchada.
🇬🇧 I love Talleres, I follow it everywhere. Through thick and thin, you can always count on your fans.
(be) ahead of SB’s/STH’s time
To have the newest or most ideas, opinions, methods, designs, technology or ways of living a long time before most other people use or start to think in the same way.
The inventor was ahead of his time when he invented a space rocket in the last century.
- Song: The Tragically Hip - Ahead by a Century (1996)
1. You are ahead by a century.
Does it ring a bell? It was the opening song of Anne With an E.
Notice the use of the preposition ‘by’ to denote the time that person is ahead OF their time.
in the nick of time
At the last possible moment, just before STH bad happens or before it is too late, so that you manage to avoid it, but only just.
The paramedics men arrived in the nick of time to resuscitate the heart attack victim.
- Song: Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do (2017)
1. But I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time.
kill time
To spend time doing STH that keeps you busy and is not important while you are waiting to do STH important or waiting for STH else to happen.
They went for a walk to kill time while they waited for the ferry.
- Song: Billie Eilish - all the good girls go to hell (2019)
1. Standing there, killing time. Can’t commit to anything but a crime.
🇦🇷 La vida sin problemas es matar el tiempo a lo bobo. Si un dios bobeta, bim-bum-bam, toca tu rocanrol lacrimógeno. (Patricio Rey y sus Redonditos de Ricota - Luzbelito)
🇬🇧 Life without problems is killing time dumbly. If a goofy god, bim-boom-bam, plays your tearful rock and roll (Patrice King and his Little Ricotta Ravioli - Luzbelito).
