0001-0200 Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
zero in on something
A
If youzero in onsomething, you focus all your attention on that particular thing.
2
Q
dying for something
A
If you aredying for something, you have a strong desire for it!.
3
Q
cut it/cut things fine
A
If youcut it/cut things fine, you leave barely enough time to do something.
4
Q
sow wild oats
A
A person, usually a man, whosows their wild oatsgoes through a period of carefree pleasure-seeking while they are young.
5
Q
open-and-shut case
A
Anopen-and-shut caseis one where the facts are so clear that the matter can be dealt with or solved easily.
6
Q
even a worm will turn
A
This expression means that even someone who never complains will react to an intolerable situation.
7
Q
scream blue murder
A
People whoscream blue murdershout or complain very loudly as if something very serious has happened.
8
Q
leave no stone unturned
A
If you try everything possible in order to achieve or to find something, youleave no stone unturned.
9
Q
for the birds
A
If you think something isfor the birds, you consider it to be uninteresting, useless or not to be taken seriously.
10
Q
night owl
A
Someone who is lively and active at night and goes to bed very late is callednight owl.
11
Q
darkhorse
A
If you refer to someone asa dark horseyou mean that they are secretive or that little is known about them.
12
Q
oldest trick in the book
A
A well-known and much-used trick, which is still effective today, is called theoldest trick in the book.
13
Q
all hisgeeseare swans
A
This expression refers to someone who constantly exaggerates the importance or the qualities of somebody or something.
14
Q
horns of a dilemma
A
If you areon the horns of a dilemma, you are faced with a choice between two equally unpleasant options.
15
Q
bear fruit
A
If somethingbears fruit, it produces positive or successful results.
16
Q
run-of-the-mill
A
If something is described asrun-of-the-mill,there is nothing special or outstanding about it; it is just ordinary or average.
17
Q
spit in someone’s eye
A
If youspit in someone’s eye,you treat that person with disrespect or contempt.
18
Q
not a patch on
A
If something or someone isnot a patch onan other, they are not nearly as good.
19
Q
make an ass of yourself
A
If you behave so stupidly that you appear ridiculous, youmake an ass of yourself.
20
Q
nowhere to be found
A
If something isnowhere to be found,even after a thorough search, it is impossible to find it.
21
Q
(don’t) rock the boat
A
If you tell someonenot to rock the boat, you are asking them to do nothing that might cause trouble or upset a stable situation.
22
Q
open/reopen old wounds
A
If youopen or reopen old woundsyou revive memories of an unpleasant event, situation or dispute that took place in the past.
23
Q
feel on top of world
A
If youfeel on top of the world, you feel wonderful or ecstatic about something.
24
Q
quick as a dog can lick a dish
A
If you do something surprisingly fast, you do itas quick as a dog can lick a dish.
25
hair of the dog
Using as a remedy a small amount of what made you ill, for example a drop of alcohol when recovering from drinking too much, is called 'a hair of the dog that bit you'.
26
dead loss
Someone or something described as a dead loss is absolutely useless or a complete failure.
27
throw a spanner in the works
If someone or something throws a spanner (or a wrench) in the works,they do something that causes problems and prevents the success of a plan or event.
28
better still/worse still
This expression is used to emphasize that although something is good, bad, etc.
29
all the better for (something)
If you are all the better for something, you benefit from it or feel much better as a result of it.
30
ride it out ride out the storm
If you manage to survive a dangerous or very unpleasant situation, like a ship sailing through a storm, you ride it out.
31
struck dumb
If someone is struck dumb, they are unable to speak because they are so surprised, shocked or frightened by something.
32
pot luck
If you take pot luck, you accept whatever is available without knowing what it will be like.
33
fishing for compliments
When someone is obviously waiting for you to say something nice, they are fishing for compliments.
34
lose track of time
When you give all your attention to something and become so engrossed in it that you don't realize what time it is, you lose track of time.
35
come apart at theseams
To say that someone is coming apart at the seams means that they are extremely upset or under severe mental stress.
36
can't make omelette without breaking eggs
This expression means that it is impossible to make important changes without causing some unpleasant effects.
37
make a comeback
When someone makes a comeback, they succeed in returning to their former successful career.
38
cause a stir
If something causes a stir, it creates an atmosphere of excitement or great interest.
39
cost an arm and a leg
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive.
40
in the same boat
If two or more people are in the same boat, they are in the same unpleasant or difficult situation.
41
up/down one's alley
If something is (right) up or down your alley, it is exactly the sort of thing that will suit your tastes or abilities.
42
cover a multitude of sins
If something covers or hides a multitude of sins, it prevents others from seeing the less pleasant reality.
43
with one's eyes open
If you do something with your eyes open, you are fully aware of what you are doing.
44
plenty of other fish
To say this means that there are many other people just as good as the person mentioned.
45
darken someone's door
If you darken somebody's door, you come as an unwanted or unwelcome visitor.
46
last word
Something described as the last word is the most recent or most fashionable in its category.
47
siphon off
If someone siphons something off, they transfer something from one place to another, often illegally.
48
glass ceiling
This term refers to a discriminatory barrier perceived by women and minorities that prevents them from rising to positions of power or responsibility.
49
groan inwardly
If you groan inwardly, you feel like expressing despair, disapproval or distress, but you remain silent.
50
roll up one's sleeves
When you roll up your sleeves, you get ready for hard work.
51
that's the way the cookie crumbles
#VALUE!
52
come/get to thepoint
If you come or get the point, you reach or concentrate on the essential part or the heart of the matter.
53
bend the rules
If a person bends the rules, they change the rules in order to help somebody.
54
on the lookout
If you are on the lookout for something, you are constantly watchful and attentive so as not to miss it.
55
short fuse
When someone has a short fuse, they are likely to become angry easily or quickly.
56
fast track something
If you decide to fast track something, such as a task or project, you give it high priority so that the objective is reached as quickly as possible.
57
blood, sweat and tears
A project or action which involves blood, sweat and tears requires a lot of effort and hard work.
58
stick one's neck out
If a person sticks their neck out, they draw attention to themselves by saying or doing something that others are afraid to do.
59
edge of one's seat
Someone who is on the edge of their seat is very interested in something and finds it both extremely exciting and nerve-wracking.
60
knock/take wind out of sails
If someone or something knocks or takes the wind out of your sails,they make you feel less confident by doing or saying something that you do not expect.
61
straight as a ramrod
Someone who is (as) straight as a ramrod is a person who keeps a straight back and looks very serious.
62
collect dust
If something is collecting dust, it hasn't been touched or used for a long period of time.
63
bite someone's head off
If you bite someone's head off, you criticize them strongly (and perhaps unfairly).
64
never say die
You can say 'never say die' to encourage someone to persevere in their efforts and not give up or abandon their project.
65
wouldn't be caught dead
If someone says that they wouldn't be seen or caught dead in a particular place or doing something, they mean that they would be too ashamed or embarrassed.
66
sign of the times
This expression refers to something that shows the nature of today's society.
67
meet halfway
If you meet someone half way, you accept to make a compromise and give them part of what they are trying to obtain.
68
blow out of proportion
If you exaggerate the importance of something, you blow it out of proportion.
69
jury is still out
To say that the jury is still out means that something is under consideration but no decision has been reached yet.
70
fall at first hurdle
If you fall at the first hurdle, you fail to overcome the first difficulty encountered.
71
hit the dust
The expression hit the dust is a humorous way of referring to death.
72
get the message
When you get the message, you understand what someone is trying to tell you even if it is not stated clearly.
73
put shoulder to wheel
If you put your shoulder to the wheel, you start putting a lot of effort into a difficult task.
74
strike home
When somebody's comments or remarks strike home, they make you fully understand the situation.
75
bend the truth
If you bend the truth, you say something that is not entirely true.
76
give the run-around
If someone gives you the run-around, they deliberately give you confusing information or evasive answers.
77
rack one's brains
If you rack your brains, you try very hard to think of something or to remember something.
78
megaphone diplomacy
If the media, through press releases, interviews and announcements, is instrumental in facilitating dialogue between two or more countries, this is called megaphone diplomacy.
79
hard time
If you give someone a hard time, you annoy them or make things difficult for them.
80
elbow room
If you need some elbow room, you need more space to move.
81
pass the buck
If you say that someone is passing the buck, you are accusing them of not taking responsibility for a problem and letting others deal with it instead.
82
full of piss and vinegar
People who are full of piss and vinegar are very lively, boisterous or full of youthful vitality.
83
behind bars
Someone who is behind bars is in prison.
84
go pear-shaped
If a plan or project goes pear-shaped, it either goes wrong or it produces an undesirable result.
85
like cat and dog
Two people who fight or argue like cat and dog frequently have violent arguments, even though they are fond of each other.
86
give a hard time
If you give someone a hard time, you annoy them or make things difficult for them.
87
give benefit of doubt
If you give someone the benefit of doubt, you choose to believe that they are innocent, honest or telling the truth because there is no evidence to the contrary.
88
cut to the quick
If you cut someone to the quick, you hurt their feelings or offend them deeply.
89
tear hair out
If someone is tearing their hair out, they are extremely agitated or distressed about something.
90
with bells on
If you go somewhere with bells on, you are delighted and eager to go there.
91
truth will out
This expression means that despite efforts to conceal the facts, the truth cannot be hidden forever.
92
hit the hay (or sack)
When you hit the hay (or hit the sack), you go to bed.
93
keep your ear to the ground
If you keep your ear to the ground, you make sure that you are aware of all that is happening and being said.
94
bury head in sand
If you bury your head in the sand, you refuse to face the unpleasant reality by pretending that the situation doesn't exist.
95
bend over backwards
If you bend over backwards, you try very hard to do something, especially to please somebody.
96
got it made
Someone who has got it made is so happy and successful in life that they have no worries.
97
rubber hits the road
The moment when you put a theory into practice, or actually apply what you have learned, is when the rubber hits the road.
98
head and shoulders above
To say that one person is head and shoulders above the others means that they are much better than the rest of them.
99
eat out of someone's hand
If you eat out of somebody's hand, you are eager to please and will accept to do anything that person asks.
100
fly on the wall
A person who watches a situation without being noticed is called a fly on the wall.
101
friends in high places
If you know important or influential people in business or government, you have friends in high places.
102
take a rain check
To say that you take a rain check means that you cannot accept an invitation or offer now, but you will be happy to accept it later.
103
no dice
If someone asks you for something and you reply 'no dice!', you mean that it is impossible or it can't be done.
104
play by the rules
If you play by the rules, you behave in a fair and honest way with people.
105
cry wolf
To cry wolf is to call for help when you are not really in danger.
106
(not a) wink of sleep
If someone doesn't get a wink of sleep, they don't sleep a all.
107
cat's lick
A cat's lick means a very quick wash.
108
over the moon
If you are over the moon about something, you are very happy about it.
109
cool as a cucumber
A person who is as cool as a cucumber is not anxious, but relaxed and non-emotional.
110
that takes the biscuit!
This expression refers to something very annoying or irritating.
111
cross that bridge when we come to it
This is another way of saying 'we will deal with that problem when it occurs and not worry about it before'.
112
happy as a flea
If someone is (as) happy as a flea in a doghouse, they are very happy and contented.
113
right up your alley
If something is right up your alley, it is the sort of thing you like or have knowledge about.
114
(no) skin off one's nose
To use this expression means that you don't care if something happens.
115
clinch a deal
In a business relationship, if you clinch a deal, you reach agreement on a proposal or offer.
116
go overboard
If you go overboard, you are over-enthusiastic about something and do too much or behave in an excessive way.
117
load/weight off your mind
If something takes a load off your mind, it brings great relief because a problem has been solved.
118
best of one's ability
When someone does something to the best of their ability, they do it as well as they possibly can.
119
business before pleasure
This expression means that it is considered preferable to finish one's work before going to relax and enjoy oneself.
120
free ride
Someone who gets a free ride benefits from a collective activity without participating in it.
121
give the coldshoulder
To give someone the cold shoulder means to deliberately ignore them.
122
hold the reins
The person who holds the reins is someone who is in complete control of a company, firm or organisation.
123
stab in the back
If someone stabs you in the back, they betray you by doing something harmful to you when you thought you could trust them.
124
tongue-lashing
When you scold someone severely, you give them a tongue-lashing.
125
thick as thieves
To say that two people are as thick as thieves means that they are very close friends who are very loyal to each other.
126
flight of fancy
To refer to an idea or plan as a flight of fancy means that it is very imaginative but not at all practical or sensible.
127
all thumbs
If you are all (finger and) thumbs, you are awkward and clumsy and do things incorrectly.
128
by word of mouth
Information passed on through conversation is transmitted by word of mouth.
129
cut and dried
If you refer to a situation, problem or solution as cut and dried, you mean that it is clear and straightforward with no likely complications.
130
second nature
If something you do is second nature to you, it is something that you do easily or automatically because you have done it so often or for so long.
131
(in) bad shape
A person who is in bad shape is in poor physical condition.
132
chips are down
This expression refers to people's behavior in a difficult or dangerous situation when action must be taken.
133
beef something up
If you beef something up, you improve it by making it stronger or more substantial.
134
skin a cat
The expression 'there's more than one way to skin a cat' means that there are many different ways of achieving something.
135
full as a tick
If someone is (as) full as a tick, they have eaten or drunk too much.
136
keep under your hat
To keep something under one's hat means to keep a secret.
137
laugh all the way to the bank
A person who makes a lot of money easily, especially through someone else's stupidity, is said to laugh all the way to the bank.
138
the mind boggles
The expression 'the mind boggles' is used as a reaction to something that you find amazing or difficult to understand.
139
on the bottle
A person who drinks alcohol often and regularly is on the bottle.
140
prepare the ground
When you prepare the ground, you try to make it easier for a future event or action to happen or be accepted.
141
badger someone
If you badger someone into doing something, you persistently nag or pester them until you obtain what you want.
142
(not) hold water
If an explanation or argument does not hold water, it does not stand up to critical examination and can be shown to be unfounded.
143
on the ball
If you are on the ball, you are aware of what is happening and are able to deal with things quickly and intelligently.
144
square deal
A transaction that is fair and honest, or an equitable arrangement, is called a square deal.
145
take the plunge
If you take the plunge, you finally decide to venture into something you really want to do, in the spite of the risks involved.
146
stick out a mile
If something sticks out a mile, it is very obvious or very easy to see.
147
unmitigated disaster
An unmitigated disaster is a complete failure or a total catastrophe.
148
let slip through fingers
If you let something slip through your fingers, such as a good opportunity, you fail to obtain it or keep it.
149
on the fly
If you do something on the fly, you do it quickly, without thinking much about it, while doing something else.
150
couch potato
If you refer to someone as a couch potato, you criticize them for spending a lot of time sitting and watching television.
151
done thing
The correct way to behave in a particular social situation is called thedone thing.
152
fly-by-night
A fly-by-night person, business or venture is considered untrustworthy because they operate briefly and disappear overnight I bought it in one of those fly-by-night stores and now I can't exchange it.
153
bang one's head against a brick wall
If you bang or knock your head against a brick wall, you continue vainly to try to achieve something in spite of several unsuccessful attempts.
154
hard of hearing
If someone is hard of hearing, they can't hear very well.
155
shrinking violet
A person referred to as a shrinking violet is a timid or shy person.
156
in the lurch
If something leaves you in the lurch, it leaves you in a difficult or embarrassing situation.
157
take pains
If you take pains to do something, you try very hard or make a special effort to do it as well as possible.
158
can't see the wood for the trees
If someone can't see the wood for the trees, they are so concentrated on the details that they can't see the situation as a whole.
159
tight spot
Someone who is in a tight spot is in a very difficult situation.
160
devil makes hard work for idle hands
This expression means that people who do not have enough to do are often tempted to do something wrong.
161
speak ill of someone
If you speak ill of someone, you say bad or unkind things about them.
162
on the cusp
On the cusp refers to a point in time that marks a transition or the beginning of a change.
163
take the bread out of somebody's mouth
If you take the bread out of somebody's mouth, you take away their means of earning a living.
164
take down a peg
If you take someone down a peg, you make that person realize that they are not as important as they think they are.
165
smoke and mirrors
An attempt to conceal or distort the truth (like a magician) in order to confuse people is called smoke and mirrors.
166
go spare
If you go spare you lose your temper completely.
167
red light district
An area of a town or city where there is a concentration of sex shops, prostitution, strip clubs, etc.
168
born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
A person who is born with a silver spoon in their mouth is born into a very rich family.
169
let slip through fingers
If you let something slip through your fingers, such as a good opportunity, you fail to obtain it or keep it.
170
packed like sardines
If a group of people are packed like sardines, they are pressed together tightly and uncomfortably because there is not enough space.
171
down to the wire
If something such as project or a match goes down to the wire, the situation can change up until the last possible moment.
172
heart set on something
Someone who has their heart set on something wants it very much.
173
put one's foot down
To put one's foot down means to exert authority to prevent something from happening.
174
bite off more than you can chew
If you bite off more than you can chew, you try to do something that is too difficult for you, or more than you can manage.
175
necessary evil
If you say that something is a necessary evil, you don't like it but you understand that it has to exist and be accepted.
176
throw/toss one'shat in the ring
If you throw or toss your hat in the ring, you announce that you are going to enter a competition or take up a challenge.
177
down at heel
A person who is down-at-heel is someone whose appearance is untidy or neglected because of lack of money.
178
scrimp and save
If you scrimp and save, you spend as little as possible over a certain period of time in order to save money.
179
keep someone at arm's length
If you keep someone at arm's length, you do not allow yourself to become friendly with them.
180
tough as old boots
If something, specially meat, is (as) tough as old boots, it is hard to cut and difficult to chew.
181
window shopping
When people go window shopping, they look at things in shop windows, without actually purchasing anything.
182
draw a blank
If you look for or try to remember something, and draw a blank, you fail to find it.
183
nest egg
If you have a nest egg, you have a reserve of money which you put aside for future needs.
184
can't put new wine in old bottles
This expression means that you should not try to combine new concepts or innovations with an old or long-established framework or system.
185
devil is in the details
This expression refers to a task or a job which appears simple but is in fact more difficult to accomplish.
186
get on like a house on fire
Two people who get on like a house on fire have similar interests and quickly become good friends.
187
look on bright side
If you look on the bright side, you view a mostly unpleasant situation in a positive and optimistic way and the see the favourable aspects.
188
cramp someone's style
If you cramp someone's style you do something to prevent them from behaving freely, or performing to the best of their ability.
189
by the same token
If you apply the same rule to different situations, you judge them by the same token, or in a similar way.
190
best foot forward
If you put your best foot forward, you do something as fast as you can.
191
swallow the bait
If you swallow the bait, you accept an offer made specially to persuade you to do something.
192
heart's content
If you do something to your heart's content, you do it as much and for as long as you want.
193
make light of
If you make light of something, you behave as though it is less serious than it really is.
194
useful as a chocolate teapot
Something which is of no practical use at all is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
195
hang on by fingernails
When you hang on by the fingernails, you succeed in continuing to do something in a very difficult situation.
196
walk into lion's den
If you walk into the lion's den, you find yourself in a difficult situation in which you have to face unfriendly or aggressive people.
197
give a tongue-lashing
When you scold someone severely, you give them a tongue-lashing.
198
movers and shakers
The term movers and shakers refers to people in power who take an active part in making things happen.
199
method in madness
This expression means that someone's behaviour is not as irrational as it seems.
200
fair-weather friend
Someone who acts as a friend when times are good, and is not there when you are in trouble, is called a fair-weather friend.
