0801-1000 Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
grin and bear it
A
When faced with a difficult or unpleasant situation, if you say that someone willhave to grin and bear it, you mean that they will have to accept it without complaining.
2
Q
get into gear
A
When a person or activitygets(orcranks) into gear, they start to work or become effective.
3
Q
have you gone out of yourmind?
A
If you ask someone if they havegone out of their mind, you think they are crazy, foolish or insane.
4
Q
a breeze
A
To say that something wasa breezemeans that it was very easy or that everything went smoothly.
5
Q
never rains but it pours
A
This expression is used to comment on the fact that when something bad happens, other bad things often happen too, and make the situation even worse.
6
Q
blind someone with science
A
If someone tries toblind you with science, they confuse you with their knowledge by using difficult or technical words.
7
Q
set great store by
A
When you consider something to be very important or valuable, youset great store by it.
8
Q
nestegg
A
If you have anest egg,you have a reserve of money which you put aside for future needs.
9
Q
be/mean theworldto
A
When youareormean the world tosomeone, you are very important or precious to them.
10
Q
pull through
A
If youpull through, you recover from a serious illness.
11
Q
for the time being
A
If you talk about how a situation isfor the time being, you mean that it is temporary and will probably change in the future.
12
Q
asmuchuse as a handbrake on a canoe
A
This expression refers to something which is completely useless or serves no purpose.
13
Q
fit like a glove
A
If somethingfits like a glove, it fits you perfectly.
14
Q
it beats me!
A
This expression is used to express surprise at something that you find difficult to understand.
15
Q
speak softly and carry a big stick
A
If youspeak softly and carry a big stick,you express your views in a quite non-aggressive manner, but you make it clear that you are in a position to use force if necessary.
16
Q
come uptrumps
A
To say that someone hascome up trumpsmeans that they have achieved unexpectedly good results.
17
Q
opposite number
A
A person who holds the same position as oneself in another company or organisation is called one’sopposite number.
18
Q
have itchyfeet
A
A person whohas itchy feetis someone who finds it difficult to stay in one place and likes to move often and discover new places.
19
Q
small potatoes
A
Something that issmall potatoesis considered unimportant or insignificant.
20
Q
butter wouldn’t melt inmouth
A
If you say that someone looks as ifbutter wouldn’t melt in their mouth,you mean that they look completely innocent, but that they are capable of doing unpleasant things.
21
Q
caveat emptor
A
This Latin expression, which means ‘let the buyer beware’, is a warning to customers that goods are for sale ‘as is’.
22
Q
scared stiff
A
Someone who isscared stiffis so frightened that they are unable to move.
23
Q
mum’s the word
A
To say’mum’s the word’means that the subject or plan is a secret and must not be revealed.
24
Q
speak off the cuff
A
If yousay something off the cuff,you say it spontaneously, without previous thought or preparation.
25
tight squeeze
If you are in a tight squeeze, you are in a cramped or crowded situation.
26
dodge a bullet
If you dodge a bullet, you narrowly avoid a very serious problem or a disaster.
27
on the sly
If you do something on the sly, you do it secretly or furtively.
28
lump in your throat
If you have a lump in your throat, you have a tight feeling in your throat because of a strong emotion such as sadness or gratitude.
29
rotten apple
This term refers to a person who is considered to be dishonest or immoral and has a bad influence on others in the group.
30
in for a penny, in for a pound
This expression means that once you start doing something, you might just as well do it wholeheartedly and not stop at half-measures.
31
benefit of the doubt
If you give someone the benefit of the doubt, you choose to believe that the person is innocent, honest or telling the truth, because there is no evidence to the contrary.
32
in a stew
When someone is in a stew about something, they are worried and agitated.
33
go up in smoke
If a plan or project goes up in smoke, it is spoiled, fails, or ends before producing a result.
34
hit the road
When you hit the road, you begin a journey.
35
one's own undoing
If you do something that is the cause of your own failure, loss or downfall, it is your own undoing.
36
birds of a feather
To say that two people are birds of a feather means that they are very similar in many ways.
37
go to hell in a handcart
If something is going to hell in a handcart, it is in a bad state and continues to deteriorate.
38
glowing terms
If you speak about something in glowing terms, you talk about it in a very positive way.
39
on one's uppers
Someone who is on their uppers has very little money or not enough to cover their needs.
40
fall on one's sword
If you fall on your sword, you accept the consequences of an unsuccessful or wrong action.
41
nip in the bud
If you nip a problem or an unacceptable situation in the bud, you stop it at an early stage, before it develops or becomes worse.
42
that ship has sailed
The expression 'that ship has sailed' means that a particular opportunity has passed by and now it's too late.
43
get your act together
If you get your act together, you organise your affairs better than you have done previously and deal with things more efficiently.
44
birthday suit
This humorous expression means that you are wearing nothing.
45
dead in the water
A plan or project that is dead in the water is at a standstill or has ceased to function and is unlikely to be reactivated in the future.
46
survival of the fittest
This expression means that the most able, or those best capable of adapting to particular conditions, will survive.
47
go postal
If someone goes postal, they lost their temper and express their anger in a violent way.
48
crack down on something
If the authorities crack down on something, they enforce the law by taking severe measures to restrict undesirable or criminal actions.
49
cry wolf
To cry wolf is to call for help when you are not really in danger.
50
start the ball rolling
If you start the ball rolling, you begin an activity in which other people will join.
51
(get it down to) a fine art
When you learn to do something perfectly, you get it down to a fine art.
52
up/down your alley
If something is (right) up or down your alley, it is exactly the sort of thing that will suit your tastes or abilities.
53
money for old rope
Money earned from a task that requires very little effort is called money for old rope.
54
make ends meet
If you find it difficult to pay for your everyday needs because you have very little money, it is hard for you to make ends meet.
55
cast a wide net
When trying to find something, if you cast a wide net, you cover an extensive area or use a wide range of sources.
56
cog in the machine
If you say that someone is a cog in the machine, you mean that, while they are necessary, they only play a small part in an organisation or plan.
57
made of money
A person who is made of money is very rich and can buy whatever they want.
58
token gesture
To make a token gesture means to show a small sign of appreciation.
59
gone with the wind
If something has gone with the wind, it has disappeared forever.
60
pull out all the stops
If you pull out all the stops, you do everything you can to make something successful.
61
leave somebody holding the baby.
If someone is left holding the baby, they are made responsible for a problem that others don't want to deal with.
62
put on the spot
If you put someone on the spot, you put them in a difficult position, for example by asking difficult questions which they cannot avoid.
63
on/in the cards
Something which is on the cards it very likely to happen.
64
lick one's wounds
When a person licks their wounds, they try to recover their confidence or spirits after a defeat, failure or disappointment.
65
go ballistic
When someone goes ballistic, they become very angry.
66
hunky-dory
Using the expression 'hunky dory' is an informal way of saying that everything is satisfactory and there are no problems.
67
take under yourwing
If you offer guidance and protection to someone younger or less experienced, you take them under your wing.
68
close but no cigar
This expression refers to an effort to do something which was a good attempt but not quite good enough to succeed.
69
speed networking
This term refers to a relatively new urban trend which consists in making a potential business contact by briefly talking to a series of people at an organised event and exchanging contact details.
70
make light work of
If a person makes light work of something, they do it very easily or with little effort.
71
pen mightier than sword
This expression means that words and communication have greater effect than war and fighting.
72
better safe than sorry
It's better to be too cautious than to be careless and have regrets later.
73
add insult to injury
To add insult to injury means to make a bad situation worse by harming or upsetting someone you have already harmed in some other way.
74
odds and ends
Odds and ends are small articles, or bits and pieces of all sorts, usually of little value.
75
milk of human kindness
Someone who has, or is full of, the milk of human kindness, is naturally kind and compassionate to others.
76
see the error of ways
When someone sees the error of their ways, they understand that what they are doing is wrong and accept to change their behaviour.
77
not up to scratch
Something which is not up to scratch fails to reach the expected standard.
78
push one's luck
If you push your luck, you try to get more than what you have already obtained and risk spoiling the situation.
79
take a chance
If you take a chance on something, you take action in the hope of success even though you know that the result may be negative.
80
lesser of two evils
If you choose the lesser of two evils, you opt for the less unpleasant of two poor options.
81
split hairs
If you split hairs, you pay too much attention to differences that are very small or unimportant.
82
hot potato
A hot potato is a very sensitive and controversial matter which is difficult to deal with.
83
lick somebody's boots
To say that one person licks another person's boots means that they are trying to please that person, often in order to obtain something.
84
excuse my French
This expression is used as an apology for using crude or offensive language.
85
left hanging in the air
If a problem or issue is left hanging in the air (or in mid-air), no decision has been taken so it remains without a solution.
86
can't fight the city hall
This expression means that it is useless to try to win a battle against a politician, establishment or bureaucracy in general.
87
keep up with Joneses
Someone who tries to keep up with the Joneses tries to have the same possessions or social achievements as someone else.
88
knickers in a twist
If you get your knickers in a twist, you are angry, nervous or upset faced with a difficult situation.
89
in the eye of thestorm
A person or organisation who is in the eye of the storm is deeply involved in a difficult situation which affects a lot of people.
90
cat in hell's chance
To say that there is not a cat in hell's chance of someone doing or achieving something means that there is no chance at all.
91
bite your tongue
If you bite your tongue, you stop yourself from saying what you really think.
92
grease somebody's palm
If you accuse someone of greasing somebody's palm, you are accusing them of giving money to someone in order to gain an unfair advantage or to obtain something they want.
93
golden handcuffs
The term golden handcuffs refers to a large sum of money or a generous financial arrangement granted to an executive as an incentive to stay in their job, or to ensure long-term cooperation after their departure.
94
screw loose
If someone has a screw loose, their behaviour is strange and they appear slightly mad.
95
(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.
96
by hook or by crook
If you say that you will do something by hook or by crook, you mean that you will succeed in doing it in whatever way is necessary, whether it is honest or not.
97
play second fiddle
If you play second fiddle to another person, you accept to be second in importance to that person, or have a lower position.
98
force someone's hand
If you force someone's hand, you make them do something unwillingly or sooner than planned.
99
one in the eye
If an event or development is an unexpected defeat or disappointment for someone, it is one in the eye for that person.
100
white lie
If you tell a white lie, you say something which is not true in order to protect someone or to avoid hurting their feelings.
101
crack the whip
If you crack the whip, you use your authority to make someone obey you or work more efficiently, usually by threatening them.
102
show someone the ropes
If you show someone the ropes, you teach or explain to them how to do a particular job.
103
blot one's copy-book
Someone who blots their copy-book does something to spoil their good record or reputation.
104
strike while the iron is hot
If you strike while the iron is hot, you act immediately because now is the ideal time to do it.
105
know which side your bread is buttered
If you know which side your bread is buttered, you know where your interests lie or what will be to your advantage.
106
sweet nothings
Pleasant but unimportant words that lovers say to each other are calledsweet nothings.
107
all your eggs in one basket
If you have all your eggs in one basket, you depend on one plan or one source of income.
108
nothing succeeds like success
This expression means that success often leads to further successes.
109
make a song and dance
If someone complains in an annoying way or becomes unnecessarily excited about something unimportant, they make a song and dance about it.
110
put through one's paces
If you put someone or something through their paces, you test their ability to do something by making them perform certain actions.
111
close as an oyster
Someone who is as close as an oyster will never reveal something told in confidence or betray a secret.
112
for the time being
If you talk about how a situation is for the time being, you mean that it is temporary and will probably change in the future.
113
go haywire
If something goes haywire, it becomes disorganised or goes out of control.
114
get the show on the road
If you manage to put a plan or idea into action, you get the show on the road.
115
hold all the aces
A person who holds all the aces is in a very strong position because they have more advantages than anyone else.
116
go through the mill
If you go through the mill, you experience a very difficult period, or are exposed to rough treatment.
117
sail through
If you sail through something, for example a test or an exam, you succeed in doing it without difficulty.
118
drastic times call for drastic measures
When faced with a difficult situation, it is sometimes necessary to take actions which in normal circumstances would appear extreme After Johnny's third accident, his father confiscated his car.
119
while the going is good
If you take action while the going is good, you do something before the situation changes and it is no longer possible.
120
no end
This expression is another way of saying 'very much'.
121
fit the bill
If someone or something fits the bill, they are exactly right for a particular situation.
122
do the trick
If something does the trick, it does exactly what is needed, or achieves the desired effect.
123
stand up for
When you defend or support a person, a belief or an idea, you stand up for them.
124
tighten your belt
If you need to tighten your belt, you must spend your money carefully because there is less available.
125
dead as a dodo
To say that something is (as) dead as a dodo means that it is unquestionably dead or obsolete, or has gone out of fashion.
126
boil the ocean
To boil the ocean means to waste time on a task or project that is unnecessary, not worth doing or impossible to achieve.
127
out of the frying pan into the fire
This expression means to go from one difficult situation to another one which is usually even worse.
128
go off the deep end
A person who goes off the deep end becomes suddenly very angry or emotional.
129
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.
130
fight an uphill battle
A person faced with an uphill battle has to struggle against very unfavourable circumstances.
131
shank's pony
If you go somewhere on Shank's pony, you have to walk rather than travel by bus, car, etc.
132
make no bones about it
If you make no bones about something, you don't hesitate to say something in a frank and open way.
133
that's the way the ball bounces
#VALUE!
134
quick temper
Someone who has a quick temper gets angry very easily.
135
blow away the cobwebs
If something blows away the cobwebs, it makes you feel more lively and refreshes your ideas.
136
make a killing
If you say that someone has made a killing you mean that they have had great financial success.
137
out of your depth
If you are out of your depth, you are in a situation which is too difficult for you, or which you know little about.
138
risk life and limb
If you risk life and limb, you are in danger of death or serious injury.
139
throw pearls to pigs/ cast pearls before swine
This expression means that it is wasteful to offer something valuable or useful to someone who does not understand or appreciate it.
140
step on someone's toes
If you annoy or irritate someone by intervening in a situation that is their responsibility, you step on their toes.
141
strike a false note
If you strike a false note, you do something wrong or inappropriate.
142
on the off-chance
If you do something on the off chance, you think there might be a slight possibility of success.
143
break the mould
If you change what people expect from a (traditional) situation, especially by doing something original, you break the mould.
144
work your fingers to the bone
A person who works their fingers to the bone is extremely hardworking.
145
just what the doctor ordered
If something is just what the doctor ordered, it is extremely pleasant and will help you feel better.
146
give the shirt off one's back
This expression is used to describe a kind-hearted or generous person who would give you anything he/she owns to help you.
147
talk nineteen to the dozen
Someone who talks nineteen to the dozen speaks very quickly.
148
of the first water
Something that is of the first water is of the finest or most exceptional quality (like being compared to a diamond).
149
stop dead in one's tracks
If you stop dead in your tracks, you stop suddenly because you are frightened or totally surprised.
150
beyond the shadow of a doubt
This expression is used to indicate absolute certainty about something.
151
abbreviated piece of nothing
This slang expression refers to someone who is considered to be insignificant or worthless.
152
spread like wildfire
If something such as news, rumours or gossip spreads like wildfire, it becomes widely known very fast.
153
pot calling the kettle black
This expression is used in a situation where a person with a fault criticizes someone else for having the same fault.
154
open secret
A fact that is supposed to be a secret but is actually widely known is called an open secret.
155
earn while you learn
This expression refers to the possibility of earning a salary while in training.
156
in essence
The term in essence means 'basically', fundamentally' or 'essentially' and refers to the most important or essential facts.
157
take to something like a duck to water
If you take to something like a duck to water, you do it naturally and easily, without fear or hesitation.
158
eat someone alive
If you criticize someone severely because you are angry with them, you eat them alive.
159
make a beeline for
If you make a beeline for something, you hurry directly towards it.
160
look daggers
Someone who looks daggers at another looks at them very angrily.
161
for that matter
This term is used to add something that is also true.
162
juggling act
If you do a juggling act, you try to do different things in a way that is satisfactory for all concerned.
163
have kittens
To say that you're going to have kittens is a dramatic way of expressing worry, anxiety or fear.
164
against one's better judgement
If you do something, even though you feel it is not a sensible thing to do, you do it against your better judgement.
165
throw money at
If you throw money at something, you try to solve a problem by spending money on it, without using any other methods.
166
lie way in/out
If you obtain something or get out of a situation by telling lies, you lie your way in or out of it.
167
chill out
When people chill out, often after a period of heavy work or nervous tension, they do something that helps them to calm down and relax for a while.
168
turn a blind eye
If you turn a blind eye to something, you pretend not to notice what someone is doing.
169
your guess is as good as mine
When talking to another person, your guess is as good as minemeans that neither of you knows the answer.
170
slice of the cake
When people feel entitled to a share of the profits or benefits, they want a (larger) slice of the cake.
171
tomorrow's another day
This expression means that even if everything is not satisfactory at present, there will be opportunity for things to improve.
172
wear out one's welcome
If someone wears out their welcome, they stay too long as a guest, causing inconvenience to their host.
173
get one's just deserts
When someone gets their just deserts, they are rewarded or punished according to what they deserve.
174
out like a light
If a person is out like a light, they are so tired that they fall asleep very quickly.
175
in essence
The term 'in essence' means 'basically', fundamentally' or 'essentially', and refers to the most important or essential facts.
176
make or break
Circumstances or events that will make or break someone or something will cause either total success or total ruin.
177
right/wrong foot
To get off (or start off) on the right/wrong foot means to start a relationship well or badly.
178
get your feet wet
If you get your feet wet, you start to do something new or unfamiliar or explore new territory for the first time.
179
champagne taste on a beer budget
Someone who likes expensive things that they cannot afford haschampagne taste on a beer budget.
180
dead duck
This expression refers to a project or scheme which has been abandoned or is certain to fail.
181
over-egg the pudding
If you try to improve something excessively by adding unnecessary details, you over-egg the pudding.
182
whiz kid
A whiz kid is someone, usually young, who is very talented and successful at doing something.
183
live to fight another day
This expression means that even though you have had a negative experience, you will have another chance in the future to try again.
184
other side of the coin
When you want to mention a different or contradictory aspect of a situation, you refer to the other side of the coin.
185
when in Rome, do as the Romans do
This expression means that you should adopt the customs of the people or country you are visiting, and behave in the same way.
186
iron fist/hand
This expression is used to describe someone who, behind an appearance of gentleness, is inflexible and determined.
187
smoke signals
To say that there are smoke signals means that there are indications that something is probably going to happen.
188
murphy's law
Referring to Murphy's law expresses a sentiment of bad luck and the idea that if anything can go wrong, it will.
189
in the nick of time
If something happens in the nick of time, it happens at the last minute, when it is nearly too late.
190
say a mouthful
If you make an important or lengthy remark, you say a mouthful.
191
why keep a dog and bark yourself?
This expression means that if someone or something can do a task for you, there's no reason to do it yourself.
192
send packing
If you send someone packing, you tell them to leave, in a very forceful and unfriendly way.
193
in the first place
Something that is done or said in the first place is done or said at the beginning, before anything else.
194
put in one's place
If someone causes offence or irritation by speaking or behaving in an inappropriate manner, you put them in their place by letting them know that they are not as important as they seem to believe.
195
wrapped up in
If you wrapped up in an activity, you are totally concentrated on it.
196
pull (someone's) leg
If you pull somebody's leg, you tease them by telling them something that is not true.
197
make your way to
If you make your way to a destination, you manage to get there without difficulty.
198
run a taut ship
When a group or organisation is run in a well-ordered and disciplined manner, the person in charge runs a taut (or tight) ship.
199
(like the) back of one's hand
If you know something like the back of your hand, you are very familiar with it and know it in detail.
200
a rude awakening
If you get a rude awakening, you are forced to accept the unpleasant truth or reality.
