0601-0800 Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
on one’s uppers
A
Someone who ison their uppershas very little money or not enough to cover their needs.
2
Q
trial and error
A
Attempting to achieve a satisfactory result by testing and eliminating various methods until the best one is found is calledtrial and error.
3
Q
take as read
A
Something that does not need to be discussed because it is already understood or agreed upon can betaken as read.
4
Q
go along for the ride
A
If you join a group of people you find interesting, without wanting to take an active part in their action, yougo along for the ride.
5
Q
shedlight
A
If youshed lighton something, you help to explain it or make it easier to understand; It was hoped that the testimony of the witnesses would shed light on the circumstances of the accident.
6
Q
make apigof yourself
A
If youmake a pig of yourself,you eat and drink too much.
7
Q
under (close)scrutiny
A
Someone or something that isunder (close) scrutinyis being watched or examined carefully.
8
Q
monkey business
A
An activity which is organised in a deceitful or dishonest way is calledmonkey business.
9
Q
grey matter (US: gray)
A
Grey matter refers to the brain, or the grey colour of brain tissue.
10
Q
come up in theworld
A
A person who hascome up in the worldis richer than before and has a higher social status.
11
Q
walk of life
A
A person’s profession or position in society is known as theirwalk of life.
12
Q
money spinner
A
If an activity is amoney spinner, it is a very successful way of making money.
13
Q
take cover
A
When someonetakes cover,they hide from a danger, or bad weather, in a place where they find protection.
14
Q
wind/wound up
A
If someone is so excited that they talk non-stop, they arewound up.
15
Q
get down to brass tacks
A
When peopleget down to brass tacks, they start to discuss the essential aspects of a problem or situation.
16
Q
lock, stock and barrel
A
Lock, stock and barrelmeans ‘everything’.
17
Q
more by accident than (by) design
A
Something which happensmore by accident than (by) designis done without deliberate intention.
18
Q
make inroads
A
If someone or somethingmakes inroads, for example in a new field or area, they advance successfully or make progress.
19
Q
on cloud nine
A
A person who ison cloud nineis very happy because something wonderful has happened.
20
Q
take therap
A
If youtake the rapfor something, you accept blame or punishment for it, even if you have not done it.
21
Q
gooffthe deep end
A
If a persongoes off the deep end, they become so angry or upset that they cannot control their emotions.
22
Q
save one’s skin/neck
A
If you manage to escape from serious danger or trouble, yousave your skin (or neck).
23
Q
cash in your chips
A
If youcash in your chips, you sell something, especially shares, either because you need the money or because you think the value is going to fall.
24
Q
hard and fast
A
Something which ishard and fastis inflexible or cannot be altered.
25
paid peanuts
If you are paid peanuts, you have a very low salary.
26
in the balance
If something is in the balance, the situation is uncertain and it is not clear what is going to happen.
27
off the cuff
If you speak off the cuff, you say something without any previous thought or preparation.
28
ride coattails
If you use your connections with someone successful in order to achieve fame or success for yourself, without any personal effort, youride their coattails.
29
ambulance chaser
A lawyer who finds work by persuading people injured in accidents to claim money from the person who caused the accident is called an'ambulance chaser'.
30
your guess is as good as mine
When talking to another person, 'your guess is as good as mine'means that neither of you knows the answer.
31
through thick and thin
If someone does something through thick and thin, they do it in spite of all the difficulties and problems.
32
cross to bear
A person who has a cross to bear have a serious problem or heavy responsibility that they must accept because they cannot change it.
33
press home
If you press something home, you insist on a point in a discussion or argument.
34
before your very eyes
If someone does something before your very eyes, they do it in front of you, without attempting to hide what they are doing.
35
at sixes and sevens
If someone is at sixes and sevens, they are in a state of confusion or not very well organised.
36
piece of the action
When someone wants a piece of the action, they want to participate in what other people are doing and benefit from it.
37
over dead body
This expression is used by someone who absolutely refuses to allow someone to do something.
38
strike right note
#VALUE!
39
have someone in your pocket
If you have influence or power over someone, you have them in your pocket.
40
get a foothold
If you get a foothold somewhere, you secure a position for yourself in a business, profession or organisation.
41
all skin and bone
If someone is all skin and bone, they are very thin or too thin.
42
never mind
When you 'never mind' to someone, you are telling them not to worry, that it is not important.
43
accidentally on purpose
If you do something intentionally, but pretend it was an accident, you do it accidentally on purpose.
44
on the breadline
People who live on the breadline have a very low income or barely enough money to survive.
45
in leaps and bounds
If you do something in leaps and bounds, you make rapid or spectacular progress or growth.
46
uphill battle
A person faced with an uphill battle has to struggle against very unfavourable circumstances.
47
nine-day wonder
An event which is a nine-day wonder causes interest, surprise or excitement for a short time, but it doesn't last.
48
in strict confidence
If you say something in strict confidence, you tell it as a secret not to be revealed.
49
dog-eat-dog
This expression refers to intense competition and rivalry in pursuit of one's own interests, with no concern for morality.
50
after the fact
If something is done after the fact, it done too late, after something has actually happened, especially a crime or an accident.
51
(be) spot on
If something is spot on, it is exactly right.
52
ready to drop
Someone who is ready to drop is nearly too exhausted to stay standing.
53
vanish into thin air
If something vanishes into thin air, it disappears completely in a mysterious way.
54
(not) get a word in edgeways
During a discussion, if you can't get a word in edgeways, you can't say something because the others are talking so much.
55
gift of the gab
To say that somebody has the gift of the gab means that they are able to speak confidently and easily.
56
few and far between
Items, places or events which are few and far between are rarely found or do not happen very often.
57
that's the way the cookie crumbles
#VALUE!
58
sneak preview/peek
A sneak preview (or sneak peek) is a special viewing of a film or art production given to a select audience before being shown to the general public.
59
unvarnished truth
If you present someone with plain facts, without trying to embellish or soften the reality, you give them the unvarnished truth.
60
dim view
If you take a dim view of something, you do not approve of it.
61
vote with one's feet
If you vote with your feet, your show your dislike or disapproval of something by leaving.
62
wash your hands of
If you wash your hands of a problem or situation, you refuse to deal with it any longer.
63
sleeping/silent partner
This term refers to a person who invests in a business without taking an active part in its management, and whose association with the enterprise is not public knowledge.
64
come to a head
If a problem or difficult situation comes to a head, it reaches a point where action has to be taken.
65
off the record
If you say something off the record, you do not want anyone to repeat it publicly.
66
all fingers and thumbs
If you are all fingers and thumbs, you are awkward and clumsy and do things incorrectly.
67
make a go of
When you make a go of something, you succeed in your enterprise or produce good results.
68
rob the cradle
If you rob the cradle, you have a romantic relationship with someone who is much younger than yourself.
69
industrial strength
This is a humorous way of referring to something which is very strong, powerful or concentrated.
70
what goes round comes round
This expression means that if you do something bad, something bad will happen to you eventually.
71
wait for the cat to jump
If you wait for the cat to jump, or to see which way the cat jumps, you delay taking action until you see how events will turn out.
72
money doesn't grow on trees
To say that money doesn't grow on trees means that it is not plentiful or easily obtained.
73
lash out
If you lash out at somebody, you attack them, usually verbally.
74
learn the ropes
If you learn the ropes, you learn how to do a particular job correctly.
75
on cue
If something happens on cue, it happens at exactly the appropriate or expected moment.
76
touch/knock onwood
This humorous expression, based on superstition, is used to avoid bad luck, often while touching something made of wood.
77
toot your own horn
If you toot your own horn, you like to boast about your abilities and achievements.
78
snail mail
This term refers to the standard system of mail delivery, or postal service, considered very slow compared to electronic mail.
79
think better of
If you think better of something, you decide not to do what you intended doing.
80
make a mint
If someone makes a mint, they make a large amount of money.
81
go off the rails
If someone goes off the rails, they go out of control and begin to behave in a manner that is unacceptable to society.
82
fat chance
The expression fat chance is used to indicate that something is not very likely to happen.
83
money burns a hole in your pocket
To say that money burns a hole in somebody's pocket means that they are eager to spend it quickly or extravagantly.
84
deaf ear
If you turn a deaf ear to something, you refuse to listen.
85
come with the territory
To say that something comes with the territory means that it has to be accepted as part of a job or responsibility, even if it is unpleasant.
86
golden rule
The most important rule or principle to be remembered when doing something is called the golden rule.
87
catch redhanded
If a person is caught red-handed, they are caught while they are doing something wrong or illegal.
88
not for all the world
If you say that you would not to something for (all) the world, you mean that you never do it, no matter what you were offered.
89
sign own death warrant
If you do something that causes your own downfall, or prevents you from being successful, you sign your own death warrant.
90
over the moon
If you are over the moon, you are absolutely delighted.
91
safe side
If you do something to be on the safe side, you do it as a precaution, to avoid any risks.
92
hold one's own
If you can hold your own, you are well able to defend yourself when under attack.
93
put on the long finger
If you put something on the long finger, you postpone it indefinitely.
94
call it quits
When people temporarily stop doing something or put an end to an activity, they call it quits.
95
millstone around neck
Something described as a millstone around your neck refers to a problem or responsibility that becomes a burden and a source of worry.
96
ride roughshod over
If you ride roughshod over something, you behave in a harsh or thoughtless manner, or you treat a situation with contempt.
97
put/lay one's cards on the table
If you put your cards on the table, you speak honestly and openly about your feelings and intentions.
98
carve out a niche
A person or company who carves out a niche concentrates on a particular segment of the market, to which they supply a product or service, and develop their expertise in that area.
99
drive up the wall
If somebody or something drives you up the wall, they do something that greatly annoys or irritates you.
100
change the face of
When an innovation, discovery or event changes the face of something, it alters it completely or in a major way.
101
fly in the face of
If an action or statement flies in the face of something, it is completely opposite to what is usual or expected.
102
clip someone's wings
If you clip someone's wings, you do something to restrict their freedom.
103
pushing up the daisies
To say that someone is pushing up the daisies means that they are dead.
104
call it a day
To sey 'let's call it a day' is a way of suggesting that it is time to stop doing something, usually because of tiredness.
105
month of Sundays
This expression is an amusing way of referring to a very long period of time.
106
take two to tango
You say this when you think that a difficult situation or argument cannot be the fault of one person alone.
107
be murder
If something is murder, it is very difficult or uncomfortable.
108
cross someone's path
If you meet somebody, usually unexpectedly or by chance, you cross their path.
109
hold your horses
If you tell someone to hold their horses, you think they are doing something too fast and should slow down and not rush into further action.
110
in the pink of health
If you are in the pink of health, you are in excellent physical condition.
111
on all fours
If you are on all fours, you are down on your hands and knees.
112
parting shot
A parting shot is a final remark, often incisive or disparaging, made just as one is leaving.
113
eleventh hour
If something happens at the eleventh hour, it happens when it is almost too late, or at the last possible moment.
114
rather you than me
This expression is used to express sympathy with someone who has to do something unpleasant or difficult, and you would not like to be in their situation.
115
stop the rot
When you prevent a situation from deteriorating, especially in business or politics, you stop the rot.
116
drum into someone's head
If you teach something to someone through constant repetition, youdrum it into their head.
117
hit and run accident
When the driver of a vehicle hits another vehicle without stopping to provide help, identification or insurance, and fails to report the accident to the police, the collision is called a hit-and-run accident.
118
(fight) tooth and nail
If you fight tooth and nail for something, you fight with all your energy.
119
keep in proportion
If you react to a situation in a sensible way, without exaggerating the importance or seriousness of the facts, you keep things in proportion.
120
easy as pie
Something that is (as) easy as pie is very easy to do.
121
flash in the pan
If you refer to somebody's success as a flash in the pan, you mean that it is not likely to be repeated.
122
use one's noodle
If you use your noodle, you use your brain or your common sense.
123
best of both worlds
If a person has the best of both worlds, they have the benefits and advantages of two different things.
124
case in point
This term refers to an example which serves to illustrate, support or prove a point which is currently under discussion.
125
fall on deaf ears
If something you say falls on deaf ears, it is either ignored or attracts no attention.
126
train of thought
A sequence of connected ideas is called a train of thought.
127
clear the air
If you decide to clear the air, you try to remove the causes of fear, worry or suspicion by talking about the problem openly.
128
get cold feet
If you get cold feet about something, you begin to hesitate about doing it; you are no longer sure whether you want to do it or not.
129
matter of time
If you say that it is only or just a matter of time before (or until) something happens, it is certain to happen or will inevitably take place, although you do not know when.
130
keep your back covered
If you do something in case a problem arises later for which you might be blamed, you keep your back covered.
131
sea legs
A person who has sea legs is used to walking on a moving ship, or has the ability to adjust to a new situation.
132
go the extra mile
If you go the extra mile, you do more than what is expected of you.
133
heart of the matter
The most important part or aspect of a situation is called the heart of the matter.
134
live in clover
Someone who lives in clover has enough money to lead a very comfortable life.
135
plug something
If you promote something by talking about it favourably, for example during a radio or TV interview, you plug it.
136
make it snappy
If someone tells you to make it snappy, they are asking you very sharply to hurry up or be quick about something.
137
horse sense
Someone who has horse sense is a practical thinker who has the ability to make sensible decisions.
138
silver lining
A silver lining refers to the good or pleasant side-effects of an unpleasant situation.
139
take the biscuit
This expression refers to something very irritating or annoying.
140
five o'clock shadow
This expression refers to a patch of stubble on the face of a man who hasn't shaved for at least a day.
141
make a point of
If you make a point of doing something, you make an effort to do what you think is the right thing to do.
142
rough diamond
A person who is good-natured but lacks polished manners and/or education is said to be a rough diamond.
143
not sleep a wink not get a wink of sleep
If someone doesn't get a wink of sleep, they don't sleep a all.
144
wrapped up in cotton wool
Someone who is wrapped up in cotton wool is over-protected from dangers and risks.
145
leave well alone
If you leave well alone, you decide not to interfere with or change something that is acceptable or adequate.
146
tide over
If you tide someone over, you support them through a difficult period for a certain length of time.
147
pour your heart out
If you pour your heart out to someone, you express your feelings freely.
148
sticky fingers
Someone who has sticky fingers has a tendency to steal.
149
dressed up to nines
To describe someone as dressed up to the nines means that they are wearing very smart or glamorous clothes.
150
makes your blood run cold
If something makes your blood run cold, it shocks or scares you a lot.
151
pour cold water on
If you pour cold water on someone's plans, opinions or ideas, you discourage them by showing little enthusiasm or expression your misgivings.
152
at all costs
If you are determined to obtain or achieve something at all costs, you want it regardless of the expense, effort or sacrifice involved.
153
make blood boil
If something makes your blood boil, it makes you really angry.
154
prod into (doing)
If you prod someone into doing something, you make a hesitant person do something that they are reluctant to do.
155
fight tooth and nail
If you fight tooth and nail for something, you fight with energy and determination.
156
penny drops
When a person has difficulty understanding or realizing something, and then the penny drops, they finally understand.
157
fit for purpose
Something that is suitable for a particular function and is fully operational is said to be fit for purpose.
158
harebrained idea
A harebrained idea is an idea or suggestion that is considered to be silly, foolish or totally impractical.
159
name is mud
To say that a person's name is mud means that they have acquired a bad reputation because of something they have done or said.
160
brain drain
The departure of highly qualified people (scientists, engineers, etc.
161
kick the bucket
To kick the bucket is a lighthearted way of talking about death.
162
like a deer/rabbit caught in the headlights
When you are so surprised that you are momentarily confused or unable to react quickly, you are like a deer (or a rabbit) caught in the headlights.
163
look the part
If you look the part, your appearance makes you ideally suited for a particular job or role.
164
bee in one's bonnet
Someone who has a bee in their bonnet has an idea which constantly occupies their thoughts.
165
all systems go
When everything is ready for an activity or event to begin, you can say that all systems go.
166
white as a ghost
A person who is as white as a ghost looks very pale and frightened.
167
cream of the crop
This expression refers to the best people or things in a particular group.
168
blockbuster
Something that is outstanding, impressive or particularly successful, such as a film or a book ,is called a blockbuster.
169
risk life and limb
If you risk life and limb, you are in danger of death or serious injury.
170
footloose and fancy free
A person who is footloose and fancy free has few responsibilities or commitments of any kind and feels free to do as they please.
171
not for love or money
If you say that you cannot or will not do something for love or money, you mean that you will not do it under any circumstances.
172
point of no return
When you reach the point of no return, you must continue what you have started, because you have gone so far that it is impossible to go back.
173
put in a good word
If you put in a good word for someone, you say positive things in support of that person in order to help them.
174
carry the can
If you carry the can for another person, you accept blame or take responsibility for something that goes wrong, even if it is not your fault or only partly.
175
learn the hard way
If you learn the hard way, you learn through your own experience, good and bad, rather than from the advice or guidance of others.
176
ripple effect
When an action has an effect on something, which in turn effects something else, it is said to have a ripple effect.
177
(caught with) pants down
If you are caught with your pants down, you are caught doing something bad or forbidden.
178
heart sinks
If your heart sinks, you feel very unhappy and despondent.
179
go belly up
If a business or project goes belly up, it is unsuccessful or goes bankrupt.
180
rake in the money
If you rake in the money, you make money in large quantities.
181
on the safe side
If you do something to be on the safe side, you do it as a precaution, to avoid any risks.
182
it's a steal!
If you find something that you want for a very low price, much lower than what it is worth, you can say 'it's a steal!'.
183
herding cats
This expression refers to the difficulty of coordinating a situation which involves people who all want to act independently.
184
drive a hard bargain
A person who drives a hard bargain always makes sure they gain advantage in a business deal.
185
take a back seat
If you take a back seat you choose to have a less important function and become less involved in something.
186
run riot
If people run riot, the behave in a frenzied, uncontrolled manner, running around in all directions.
187
claw one's way back
In a situation which has deteriorated, if you claw your way back, you gradually regain your former position through determination, energy and hard work.
188
cross the Rubicon
If you cross the Rubicon, you make an irreversible decision or commit to a course of action that cannot be changed.
189
got out of business
If a shop, firm or enterprise goes out of business, it closes down or goes bankrupt.
190
get your skates on
If you tell someone to get their skates on, you want them to hurry up.
191
heat is on
To say that the heat is on means that you are under a lot of pressure to get something done, usually within a time limit.
192
skating on thin ice
If you are skating on thin ice, you are doing or saying something risky, or something that could cause trouble.
193
on the uptake
Someone who is quick or slow on the uptake is quick or slow to understand what is meant.
194
passing fancy
If you have a passing fancy for something, you become fond of it for a short time.
195
bitter pill to swallow
Something very unpleasant or difficult to accept is a bitter pill to swallow.
196
make yourself scarce
If you make yourself scarce, you leave a place in order to avoid an embarrassing situation.
197
price oneself out of the market
If you price yourself out of the market, you charge such a high price for your goods or services that nobody wants to buy them.
198
on hand
I something, such as supplies or people, are on hand, they are present or readily available.
199
dead set against
If you are dead set against something, you are strongly opposed to it.
200
lights on but no one home
This is a humorous way of referring to someone who is lacking intelligence or sanity, or to someone who is simply preoccupied and not paying attention.
