Unit 5 Flashcards
be taken with a pinch/grain of salt
used to warn somebody not to believe something completely
at death’s door
about to die
full of beans/life
(of a person) having a lot of energy, energetic
go downhill
He’s been going slowly downhill since he came out of hospital.
get worse in quality, health, etc.
uphill battle, struggle, task, etc.
an argument or a struggle that is difficult to win and takes a lot of effort over a long period of time
nothing but skin and bone
very thin
a shadow/ghost of your former self
not have the strength, influence, etc. that you used to have
up and about/around
feeling well enough to get out of bed and move around
up and down
sometimes happy and sometimes sad
up and running
working fully and correctly
up-and-coming
likely to be successful and popular in the future
as strong as an ox
very strong and fit
ripe old age
very old age
kick the bucket
die
alive and kicking
still alive and active
touch and go
uncertain
the writing is on the wall|the handwriting on the wall
used when you are describing a situation in which there are signs that something is going to have problems or that it is going to be a failure
hold your own (against somebody/something) (in something)
She can hold her own against anybody in an argument.
remain in a strong position when somebody is attacking you, competing with you, etc.
grin/smile/beam from ear to ear
smile broadly
there’s life in the old dog yet
one is still physically/mentally energetic despite old age
as blind as a bat
blind or unable to see well
have got one foot in the grave
to be near death
run out of steam
lose the energy that one had previously
