Session 3 Flashcards
miss the boat
be too slow to take advantage of an opportunity
Did you miss the Bitcoin boat as well?
Are you guys talking about that game bundle? I missed that boat too.
knock sb/sth out of the park
to exceed expectations impressively
The new product launch was a huge success and really knocked it out of the park.
John’s report was so impressive that it knocked the competition out of the park.
face the music
to own up to consequences
After breaking the vase, my brother had to face the music and tell our parents.
The athlete knew he had failed his drug test and would have to face the music with his team and coach.
clear as mud
difficult to understand
Of course I love working with them! Their documentation is always clear as mud!
It’s still clear as mud, although she explained it five times already.
in the ballpark
used to describe a number that is close to the real value
‘How much do you make?’ ‘I can’t tell you the exact number, but it’s in the ballpark of 10 000$ a year.’
Our time estimate for this project was in the right ballpark.
cut to the chase
to talk about important things without wasting time
Cut to the chase! We have only 15 minutes left for this meeting.
I will cut to the chase because I assume everybody knows the background for this case.
have a chip on your shoulder
to be easily offended
He always has a chip on his shoulder, constantly complaining about everything.
She acts like she has a chip on her shoulder because no one invited her to the party.
hold your horses
wait and reconsider your decision
Just hold your horses. You don’t have to make the decision right now.
This is just a small dip, it will start going up again soon. Just hold your horses and don’t sell in panic!
see eye to eye
to have the same opinion on something
John and Jane saw eye to eye on the importance of environmental conservation.
It’s difficult for me and my sister to see eye to eye on politics.
throw in the towel
to give up
After years of pursuing a career, I decided to throw in the towel and focus on my family.
You cannot throw in the towel just now. It’s only one week left until your graduation.
to be on the ball
aware of the situation, knowledgeable
Don’t panic! I’m on the ball.
He is on the ball when it comes to this technology.
Get knuckles rapped
Receive a warning or a scolding
up to one’s ears
to be swamped
I’m up to my ears in work and deadlines.
The company was up to its ears in debt.
hair in the soup
to spoil a situation with a small issue
When giving a presentation, it’s important not to have any hair in the soup
If the singer hits any wrong notes during the concert, it’ll be like having hair in the soup for the audience.
have a head for something
to be able to deal with something easily
Man, I always had a head for business!
We need to find somebody with a head for marketing. Let’s admit it: we can’t sell anything!
have sb on the ropes
To have someone in a vulnerable, weak position, often in a competition or argument.
With the evidence against him, the prosecution had him on the ropes.
Her team had the opponents on the ropes in the final minutes of the game.
get out of someone’s hair
to stop bothering
Can you please get out of my hair while I’m trying to finish this report?
I need you to get out of my hair so I can focus on my work.
on someones dime
to be sponsored
I ordered an extra dessert since it was on my boss’s dime.
We can stay at the fancy hotel on her company’s dime.
get a bad rap
To unjustly criticize or disparage someone or something.
He’s got a bad rap by the media, but he’s really a great guy.
I think this book has got a bad rap; it’s much better than the reviews suggest.
throw the book at
to punish severely
I hope they throw the book at the person who stole my car.
The judge decided to throw the book at the reckless driver who caused the accident.
touchstone
an established standard or principle by which something is judged:
Until relatively recently, the Japanese car industry was the touchstone of international success.
