Idioms Flashcards
eat humble pie
After making a rude comment, John had to eat humble pie and apologize to his colleague in front of everyone.
to admit one’s mistake or wrongdoing and apologize, often in a humiliating way
sword of Damocles
The threat of layoffs has been hanging over our department like the sword of Damocles, causing a lot of stress and anxiety.
a situation or problem that could result in a catastrophic outcome at any moment
crocodile tears
The politician shed crocodile tears during his speech, but no one believed that he genuinely cared about the issue.
insincere or fake tears, usually shed for show or to manipulate others
throw down the gauntlet
The CEO threw down the gauntlet and challenged his rival to a public debate on the company’s future.
to challenge someone to a fight or contest, often in a confrontational way
stock in trade
Writing and editing are the journalist’s stock in trade, and she is highly skilled in both areas.
one’s typical or usual set of skills or tools, often used to describe a profession or trade
I’m from Missouri
When the salesman tried to sell her the product, she told him she was from Missouri and wanted to see some evidence first.
a phrase indicating skepticism or a demand for proof, often used when someone is unconvinced or skeptical of something
cause celebre
The trial became a cause celebre, with media outlets across the country covering every detail of the proceedings.
a controversial or highly publicized case or issue that attracts a lot of attention and discussion
sour grapes
John said he didn’t care about the promotion, but we all knew he was just sour grapes because he didn’t get it.
to criticize or belittle something that one cannot have or achieve, often due to jealousy or resentment
spill the beans
When her friend asked about her surprise party, Jane accidentally spilled the beans and ruined the surprise.
to reveal a secret or confidential information
pay the piper
After years of neglecting her health, Susan finally had to pay the piper and undergo an expensive medical procedure.
to face the consequences of one’s actions or decisions, often in a negative or costly way
feather one’s nest
The corrupt politician used his position to feather his own nest, accepting bribes and kickbacks from businesses in exchange for political favors.
to accumulate wealth or benefits for oneself, often by exploiting others or engaging in unethical practices
wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
Mary always wears her heart on her sleeve, and her coworkers know exactly how she feels about everything.
to be open and transparent about one’s emotions, often to the point of vulnerability
take the bull by the horns
Instead of avoiding the problem, Jack decided to take the bull by the horns and confront his boss about the unfair treatment.
to confront a difficult or challenging situation head-on, with courage and determination
bury the hatchet
After years of feuding, the two families decided to bury the hatchet and come together for a reconciliation dinner.
to make peace or reconcile with someone, often after a period of conflict or tension
woolgathering
Instead of studying for her exams, Susan spent the afternoon woolgathering and imagining her future as a famous actress.
to daydream or let one’s mind wander, often to the point of distraction or neglecting one’s duties
in a bee line
After getting lost in the forest, they decided to make a beeline for the river and follow it back to their campsite.
to travel directly and swiftly, without detours or distractions
draw in one’s horns
After losing her job, Sarah had to draw in her horns and be more frugal with her spending.
to become more cautious or reserved, often in response to a setback or failure
under the wire
The student finished her exam just under the wire, with only seconds to spare before time ran out.
to accomplish something just in time, often with little margin for error or delay
play possum
When the predator approached, the rabbit played possum and lay still, hoping to avoid detection.
to feign death or unconsciousness, often as a defensive mechanism or strategy
left holding the bag
After the party, Jane was left holding the bag and had to clean up the mess by herself, while everyone else had gone home.
to be left with the responsibility or consequences of something, often unfairly or unexpectedly
two strings to one’s bow
James is a talented musician, but he also has a degree in computer science, so he has two strings to his bow.
having two alternative plans or skills to rely on
plea bargain
The defendant agreed to a plea bargain to avoid a lengthy trial and a possible maximum sentence.
an agreement between a defendant and prosecutor in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence
the distaff side
The distaff side of the family had a strong tradition of entrepreneurship and had founded several successful businesses over the years.
referring to women or the female branch of a family
get down off a high horse
Tom needs to get down off his high horse and stop acting like he’s better than everyone else.
to stop behaving arrogantly or condescendingly towards others
as broad as it is long
When deciding whether to take the highway or the backroads, it’s as broad as it is long, they’ll both take the same amount of time.
having little difference between two options or choices
split hairs
Let’s not split hairs over the exact wording of the agreement, the important thing is that we reach a consensus.
to argue over small and unimportant details
break the ice
Sara decided to break the ice at the party by starting a game and getting everyone involved.
to do or say something to relieve tension or awkwardness in a social situation
white elephant
The old mansion was a white elephant that no one wanted to buy because of the high upkeep cost and its poor condition.
an expensive and burdensome possession or venture that has little or no value or use
on the spur of the moment
When John proposed to his girlfriend, it was completely on the spur of the moment, he hadn’t planned it at all.
to do something without much forethought or planning
forty winks
After a long day of work, Tom took forty winks on the couch before starting dinner.
a short nap or a moment of rest or sleep
cold shoulder
After the argument, Sarah gave her friend the cold shoulder and didn’t speak to her for days.
to intentionally ignore or treat someone with hostility or indifference
ivory tower
Some critics say that academics who work in ivory towers are out of touch with the real world.
a place or situation that is isolated from the practical or real world and deals only with theoretical ideas or concepts
hit the nail on the head
When my car broke down, my mechanic hit the nail on the head and quickly diagnosed the problem.
to correctly identify or understand the exact issue or problem
take a leaf out of someone’s book
If you want to be successful in business, you should take a leaf out of Elon Musk’s book and focus on innovation and disruption.
to imitate or copy someone’s successful behavior or strategy
pull up stakes
After living in the city for years, Sarah decided to pull up stakes and move to the countryside to start a new life.
to leave one’s current home, job or location and move elsewhere
keep a stiff upper lip
Despite the loss of his job, Tom kept a stiff upper lip and remained optimistic about his future.
to remain brave and composed in difficult situations and not show one’s emotions
tighten one’s belt
After the pay cut, Jane had to tighten her belt and cut back on her expenses to make ends meet.
to reduce expenses and live within one’s means
by hook or by crook
The company’s CEO was determined to win the contract by hook or by crook, even if it meant bribing the officials.
to achieve a goal by any means necessary, even if it involves unethical or illegal actions
a sacred cow
Some politicians consider healthcare reform a sacred cow that should not be touched, even though it has flaws that need to be addressed.
an idea, custom, or institution that is considered too important or valuable to be criticized or changed
live in a fool’s paradise
Even though he was failing most of his classes, Tom lived in a fool’s paradise and believed he could pass his exams without studying.
to be overly optimistic or unrealistic about a situation, ignoring potential problems or difficulties
a pretty kettle of fish
When the party ended early because of a power outage, it was a pretty kettle of fish trying to get everyone home safely.
a troublesome or chaotic situation
do one’s heart good
Hearing that her son got a promotion at work did her heart good and made her feel proud.
to make one feel happy and satisfied
burn the midnight oil
Jane had to burn the midnight oil to finish her research paper before the deadline.
to stay up late working or studying
build upon sand
The company’s strategy was built upon sand and was bound to fail because they didn’t take into account changes in the market.
to base something on unstable or unreliable foundation
flog a dead horse
Trying to convince the customer to buy the product after they’ve already said no is like flogging a dead horse.
to continue pursuing a task or goal that has no chance of success
straight from the shoulder
Sarah told her friend straight from the shoulder that she thought her new boyfriend was a bad influence.
to speak frankly or honestly, without holding back
a pig in a poke
Buying a used car without inspecting it first is like buying a pig in a poke.
a purchase or deal that is made without inspecting the item or knowing its true value or quality
Pyrrhic victory
Winning the legal battle cost the company a lot of money, and the damage to their reputation was irreparable. It was a Pyrrhic victory.
a victory that comes at such a high cost that it is more of a defeat than a win
carry the day
Despite the initial setbacks, the team’s determination and hard work helped them carry the day and win the championship.
to win or be successful, especially against opposition
feeling no pain
After drinking several beers, John was feeling no pain and was having a good time at the party.
being drunk or intoxicated
take down a peg
After being scolded by the boss, John was taken down a peg and realized that he needed to improve his work.
to humble or deflate someone’s ego or pride
red-letter day
Graduation day was a red-letter day in Jane’s life, as it marked the end of her college years and the beginning of her professional career.
a memorable or significant day
one swallow does not make a summer
Winning the first game of the season is good, but one swallow does not make a summer. The team needs to maintain their performance to be successful.
one good event does not necessarily mean a good trend
swap horses in midstream
It’s never a good idea to swap horses in midstream, but the company had to make some changes to stay competitive in the market.
to change course or plans in the middle of a project or process
on the carpet
When John was caught sleeping on the job, he was called on the carpet by his supervisor and given a warning.
to be scolded or reprimanded
fair-weather friend
Jane realized that her friend was a fair-weather friend when she stopped talking to her after Jane lost her job.
someone who is only a friend when things are going well
wash dirty linen in public
It’s not appropriate to wash dirty linen in public and discuss personal matters in front of others.
to discuss private or personal matters in a public setting
the lion’s share
John received the lion’s share of the inheritance because he was the oldest son.
the majority or the largest portion of something
philadelphia lawyer
The defense team hired a Philadelphia lawyer to represent them in the high-profile case.
a lawyer who is exceptionally skilled or knowledgeable
whitewash
The company tried to whitewash the scandal by releasing a statement that didn’t fully disclose the extent of their involvement.
to cover up or conceal negative information or wrongdoing
the world, the flesh, and the devil
When she was struggling to resist temptation, Sarah reminded herself of the dangers of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
the three main sources of temptation or evil
put the cart before the horse
If we start building the house before we have a plan, we’ll be putting the cart before the horse.
to do things in the wrong order
be at large
The suspect is still at large and the police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
to be free or at liberty, often after being captured or imprisoned
It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good
Although the storm caused a lot of damage, it brought in fresh air and cleared up the pollution in the city. It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good.
even a bad situation can benefit someone
a lick and a promise
When she was running late, Sarah gave the kitchen a lick and a promise, hoping to clean it more thoroughly later.
to do something hastily or superficially
on tenterhooks
The employees were on tenterhooks waiting for the announcement about layoffs.
anxious or nervous about what might happen
in apple-pie order
in perfect or excellent order
on the qui vive
The guard was on the qui vive and noticed the intruder before they could enter the building.
alert or watchful, especially for danger
the first water
The diamond was of the first water and was highly sought after by collectors.
of the highest quality or excellence
blow hot and cold
John was blowing hot and cold on whether to accept the job offer or not.
to have conflicting feelings or opinions, or to alternate between them
strike while the iron is hot
When the company announced a job opening, John knew he had to strike while the iron was hot and submit his application immediately.
to take advantage of an opportunity while it is available
loaded for bear
The team was loaded for bear and ready to tackle the tough opponent in the championship game.
prepared or ready for a difficult or challenging situation
lock, stock, and barrel
The family decided to move lock, stock, and barrel to a new city.
completely or entirely
a fly in the ointment
Everything was going smoothly until a fly in the ointment appeared, causing a delay in the project.
a small problem that spoils an otherwise positive situation
