Session 1 Flashcards
bend over backwards
make a great effort to achieve something
throw the kitchen sink at sth
To use all available means or resources to achieve a goal or solve a problem.
From the horse’s mouth
If you hear something (straight) from the horse’s mouth, you hear it from the person who has direct personal knowledge of it.
get cold feet
to hesitate or be nervous
get cold feet
to hesitate or be nervous
bring home the bacon
to provide for family with work
blow my hair back
to amaze or excite
The excitement of jumping out of an airplane really blew my hair back.
your guess is as good as mine
I don’t know
go back to the drawing board
to start over
This newsletter wasn’t a good idea. I’m afraid we need to go back to the drawing board.
mind the store
.
pay attention to something or be responsible for it
She asked her sister to mind the store while she ran some errands
Cut to the quick
This archaic idiom describes delivering an emotional blow so sharp and personal that it metaphorically “cuts” to the most sensitive part of a person.
speak someone language
to adapt communication
As a business owner, it’s important to speak your customers’ language in order to sell your products effectively.
go with one’s gut
to trust your intuition
When it comes to choosing a career, I always go with my gut feeling and follow my passion.
as cool as a cucumber
Calm and composed, especially in stressful situations.
Even during the intense negotiations, he was as cool as a cucumber.
get a wild hair
to have a spontaneous urge
I don’t know why, but I suddenly got a wild hair to dye my hair pink.
My friend got a wild hair to go skydiving on her 70th birthday.
have a big mouth
to talk indiscreetly
I shouldn’t have told her about the surprise party - I have a big mouth.
He always brags about his abilities - he has a big mouth.
on the fritz
not functioning properly
My car’s engine is on the fritz and I need to take it to the mechanic.
HODL
Hold on to dear life
have it made in the shade
to live easily and comfortably
After winning the lottery, she really had it made in the shade.
meet sb’s end
to face consequences
He was warned about his reckless driving, but he refused to listen and met his end in a fatal car crash.
The robber met his end when he was caught and sentenced to life in prison
Elephant in the room
a “significant problem or controversial issue which is obviously present but ignored … usually because it is more comfortable to do so.
off the dome
Something said or done spontaneously, without preparation or rehearsal.
He’s great at improvising lyrics off the dome.
Her speech was entirely off the dome, and yet it was brilliant.
right off the bat
to start without delay
I knew right off the bat that he was lying to me.
We hit it off right off the bat and have been friends ever since.
eleventh hour
last-minute
The team managed to secure the win in the eleventh hour with a last-minute goal.
scratch your own itch
to self-sufficiently satisfy oneself
I don’t need anyone’s help, I can scratch my own itch.
Make a beeline
“to head directly toward something as quickly as possible,”
through thick and thin
loyal and supportive in any situation
My best friend has been there for me through thick and thin.
I promised to stand by my partner through thick and thin.
through thick and thin
loyal and supportive in any situation
My best friend has been there for me through thick and thin.
I promised to stand by my partner through thick and thin.
sat on the fence
to be indecisive and not take a side on an issue
Jack was sitting on the fence for a long time before finally deciding which college to attend.
sth raises eyebrows
some action that is shocking or surprising, often in a negative way
His new look raised many eyebrows. Pink definitely doesn’t suit him.
I told you marrying her might raise some eyebrows.
leave out to dry
abandon without assistance
He forgot to pay the electricity bill, and now we’re left out to dry in the dark.
She promised to help me with my project, but at the last minute, she left me out to dry
Schoolboy football
Game or situation where people have a short term vision and follow the immediate goals, losing the long term goals from sight
Schoolboy football
Game or situation where people have a short term vision and follow the immediate goals, losing the long term goals from sight
rubber stamp
- verb To approve of something without careful consideration of it.
Please don’t rubber stamp these applications—check each one thoroughly - noun One who approves of something without careful consideration of it.
Oh, Joel is just a rubber stamp—I doubt he has strong feelings about this issue one way or another. - noun The act of approving something in such a manner.
Who cares what that proposal actually says? It just needs a rubber stamp.
get one’s juices flowing
to become inspired
The coach’s inspiring pep talk really got our juices flowing, and we went out and won the game.
A good cup of coffee in the morning always gets my juices flowing for the day ahead.
down the drain
something is going to waste
If we don’t push harder, all the work will go down the drain.
Thank you very much! All my savings went down the drain because of your advice!
late to the party
to arrive late
I just started watching Game of Thrones and I know I’m so late to the party.
Everyone at the office already knew about the new project but I was late to the party and had no idea.
by the skin of your teeth
to narrowly avoid sth
I almost missed my flight, but I made it by the skin of my teeth.
The team won the game by the skin of their teeth after scoring in the last few seconds.
play/hold/keep one’s cards close to the/one’s chest/vest
to be secretive or cautious
Jane never reveals her true intentions to her colleagues because she always plays her cards close to her chest.
The CEO of the company has kept his cards close to his vest regarding his plans for the future.
make a name for yourself
to gain recognition
She hoped to make a name for herself in the fashion industry.
He tried to make a name for himself by winning the prestigious award.
