Phrases Flashcards

1
Q

Take Someone’s Name In Vain

A

To use someone’s name in a way that shows a lack of respect.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Call Someone On The Carpet

A

To severely reprimand someone.

To come before an authority for censure or reproof.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

One Foot In The Grave

A

To be near death through old age or illness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Back In The Game

A

Once again active or able to succeed in something.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Still In The Game

A

To be still active or able to succeed in something.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Keep Someone In Countenance

A

To assist someone in remaining calm and confident.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Out Of Countenance

A

To be disconcerted or unpleasantly surprised.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Keep One’s Countenance

A

To maintain one’s composure, especially by refraining from laughter.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Keep One’s Feet

A

To manage not to fall.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Up One’s Game

A

To begin to perform at a higher level.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Of One’s Own Volition

A

By one’s own decision or offer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

War Of Attrition

A

A prolonged war or period of conflict during which each side seeks to gradually wear out the other by a series of small-scale actions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Go To Pieces

A

To become so nervous or upset that one is unable to behave or perform normally.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Fall To Pieces

A

To break up, come apart, or disintegrate.

To lose one’s capacity to cope.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Go To Someone’s Head

A

To make someone dizzy or slightly drunk, usually with alcohol.

To cause someone’s sense of importance to become overinflated.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Chill One’s Blood

A

To horrify; terrify.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Take The Chill Off

A

To warm slightly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Take The Fall

A

To receive blame or punishment, typically in the place of another person.

19
Q

Fall Between Two Stools

A

To fail due to the inability to choose between or reconcile two alternative or conflicting courses of action.

20
Q

Fall On One’s Sword

A

To sacrifice one’s pride or position, especially in defending another person.

21
Q

Fall Off A Cliff

A

To decrease very quickly and suddenly.

22
Q

Grist For The Mill

A

Something turned to advantage or use, such as experience, material, or knowledge.

23
Q

Wait For The Other Shoe To Drop

A

To await a seemingly inevitable
event, especially one that is not desirable.

24
Q

Knock Something Into A Cocked Hat

A

To utterly defeat or outdo something.

25
Q

All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Go

A

Fashionably or smartly dressed for an anticipated occasion that does not take place.

26
Q

Dead Long Years

A

Having died a long time ago.

27
Q

Not Long For This World

A

Having little time left to do or enjoy something; soon to die.

28
Q

Bell The Cat

A

Something that will be beneficial but is dangerous or difficult.

29
Q

Behind The Game

A

To be lagging behind one’s competitors or peers in the same sphere of activity.

30
Q

Show The Flag

A

To make an official visit to a foreign port, especially as a naval vessel and a show of strength.

31
Q

Fly The Flag

A

To be registered in a particular country and sail under its flag, especially when speaking of a ship.

To represent or demonstrate support for one’s country, political party, or organization, especially when one is abroad.

32
Q

Abjure The Realm

A

To swear an oath to leave a country or realm forever.

33
Q

Goose Walking Over A Grave

A

An eerie premonition.

34
Q

A Cat May Look At A King

A

Even a person of low status or importance has rights.

35
Q

Like A Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

A

Very agitated or anxious.

36
Q

Like The Cat That Got The Cream

A

Self-satisfied; having achieved one’s objective.

37
Q

Put A Cat Among The Pigeons

A

To say or do something that is likely to cause trouble or controversy.

38
Q

When The Cat’s Away, The Mice Will Play

A

People will naturally take advantage of the absence of someone in authority to do as they like.

39
Q

Mote In One’s Eye

A

A fault in a person that is less serious than one in someone else who is being critical.

40
Q

Cudgel One’s Brains

A

To think hard, especially about a problem.

41
Q

Dig In One’s Heels

A

To resist stubbornly; refuse to give in.

42
Q

Dig In

A

To break up and move something with a tool or machine, or with hands, paws, or snout.

To protect oneself by making a trench or similar ground defense.

To begin eating heartily.

To begin doing or investigating something in earnest.

To resist stubbornly; refuse to give in.

43
Q

Drum Up

A

To try to obtain support or business by means of vigorous persuasion.