1401-1600 Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
all the rage
A
When something isall the rage, it has become very popular or trendy.
2
Q
be-all and end-all
A
To say that something is not thebe-all and end-allmeans that it is not what matters most or what is most essential.
3
Q
necessary evil
A
If you say that something is anecessary evil,you don’t like it but you understand that it has to exist and be accepted.
4
Q
in thetwinkling of an eye
A
This expression means ‘very fast’ or ‘instantaneously’.
5
Q
hang on for dear life
A
If youhang (or hold) on for dear life,you grip something firmly so as not to fall.
6
Q
spanner in the works
A
If someone or somethingthrows a spanner (or a wrench) in the works,they do something that causes problems and prevents the success of a plan or event.
7
Q
zero tolerance
A
If an activity or a certain type of behaviour is givenzero tolerance, it will not be accepted, not even once.
8
Q
crank into gear
A
When a person or activity cranks (or gets) into gear, they start to work or become effective.
9
Q
leaps and bounds
A
If you do somethingin leaps and bounds,you make rapid or spectacular progress or growth.
10
Q
toss up
A
When there are two options or possibilities to choose from, and both are equally good, the choice between the two is called atoss-up(like tossing a coin).
11
Q
best of bothworlds
A
If a person has thebest of both worlds, they have the benefits and advantages of two different things.
12
Q
keep under wraps
A
If something iskept under wraps,it is held secret and not revealed to anyone.
13
Q
wash onesdirtylinen in public
A
Towash one’s dirty linen in publicmeans to talk about unpleasant personal matters in the presence of others.
14
Q
nothing doing
A
This term means that there is no way you would accept to do what is proposed.
15
Q
fit of pique
A
Someone who reacts by showing their resentment or annoyance when their pride has been wounded, or they feel insulted, is said to have afit of pique.
16
Q
get on in years
A
Someone who isgetting on in yearsis growing old.
17
Q
rake in themoney
A
If yourake in the money,you make money in large quantities.
18
Q
keen as mustard
A
If someone isas keen as mustard, they are very eager, enthusiastic or motivated.
19
Q
pick up the pieces
A
After a disastrous event, if youpick up the piecesyou do what you can to get the situation back to normal again.
20
Q
sell like hot cakes
A
Things thatsell like hot cakessell quickly or in large quantities.
21
Q
get the jitters
A
If youget (orhave) the jitters,especially before an important event, you become very nervous or anxious and begin to shake.
22
Q
cream rises to the top
A
Someone or something exceptionally good will eventually attract attention or stand out from the rest, just ascream rises to the topin coffee or tea.
23
Q
blow the whistle
A
If you report an illegal or socially-harmful activity to the authorities, and give information about those responsible for it, youblow the whistleor you are awhistle-blower.
24
Q
time-honoured practice
A
A custom that is universally respected, or a traditional way of doing something, is calleda time-honoured practice.
25
brains behind something
Someone who is the brains behind a project or action is the person thought to have planned and organised everything.
26
saving grace
A person who has a saving grace has a quality that prevents them from being totally bad.
27
on the rack
If you are in a stressful situation, having to answer a lot of questions or wait for a decision, you are on the rack.
28
be my guest
This expression is used to give someone permission to do something.
29
bated breath
If you wait for something with bated breath, you are both anxious and excited about an imminent event.
30
on the wagon
Someone who is on the wagon is no longer drinking alcohol.
31
come out in the wash
This expression is used to tell someone not to worry about a mistake or problem because it won't have any serious effect and everything will work out all right.
32
stumbling block
A problem or obstacle that prevents you from achieving something is a stumbling block.
33
beyond one's wildest dreams
If something is beyond your wildest dreams, it is better than you imagined or hoped for.
34
on the home stretch
To say that you are on the home stretch means that you are approaching the end of something such as a task, a race or a journey.
35
mean business
If someone means business, they are serious about what they announce.
36
half a mind
If you have half a mind to do something, you are thinking seriously about it but have not yet reached a decision.
37
have the world by its tail
Someone who has the world by its tail is very successful and has many opportunities to choose from.
38
feet of clay
If someone who is admired is found to have a weakness, fault or defect of character, they are said to have feet of clay.
39
my dogs are barking
When a person says that their dogs are barking they mean that their feet are hurting.
40
take the words out of someone's mouth
If you say exactly what someone else was going to say, you take the words out of their mouth.
41
show of hands
A show of hands is a method of voting where people give their opinion by raising a hand.
42
cast-iron stomach
If you can eat all sorts of food and drink what you like, without any indigestion, discomfort or bad effects, it is said that you have a cast-iron stomach.
43
let bygones be bygones
If you let bygones be bygones, you decide to forget about past disagreements.
44
light years ahead
If someone or something is light years ahead, they are far more advanced in terms of development or progress.
45
busman's holiday
A busman's holiday is when you spend your spare time or your holidays doing the same sort of activity as you do in your job.
46
fair and square
If something is obtained or won fair and square, it is done in an honest and open manner, the rules are respected and there is no cheating or lying.
47
like a house on fire
Two people who get on like a house on fire have similar interests and quickly become good friends.
48
free lunch
The expression 'there's no such thing as a free lunch' means that nothing is free.
49
hand it to someone
If you hand it to someone, you admit, perhaps unwillingly, that they deserve credit or praise for their achievements.
50
chase rainbows
Someone who is chasing rainbows is trying to get something they will never obtain.
51
life and soul of the party
The life and soul of the party is the most lively and amusing person present at an event.
52
hit the ground running
If someone hits the ground running, they are ready and eager to start immediately on a new activity.
53
let the cat out of the bag
If you let the cat out of the bag, you reveal a secret, often unintentionally.
54
lead up garden path
If someone leads you up the garden path, they deceive you by making you believe something which is not true.
55
hard up
If you are hard up, you have very little money.
56
put your heart into
If you put your heart (and soul) into something, you are very enthusiastic and invest a lot of energy and hard work in it.
57
come rain or shine
If a person does something come rain or shine, they do it regularly, whatever the circumstances.
58
give the game away
If you give the game away, you reveal a secret or a plan, often unintentionally.
59
sleep like a log
If you sleep like a log, you sleep deeply or soundly.
60
scare the daylights out of
If something scares the (living) daylights out of you, it terrifies you.
61
take a dim view of
If you take a dim view of something, you disapprove of it.
62
up and about
If someone is up and about, they are out of bed or have recovered after an illness.
63
hive of activity
A place where there are lots of things happening, and everyone is very busy, is called a hive of activity.
64
my way or thehighway
It you say to someone 'it's my way or the highway', you are telling that person that either they accept what you propose or they leave the project.
65
try someone's patience
If you find it difficult to be patient with someone because of their irritating attitude or behaviour, you can say that they are trying your patience.
66
in trouble with the law
If someone is in trouble with the law, they are being questioned by the police in connection with something illegal or criminal.
67
have an ace up your sleeve
If you have an ace up your sleeve, you have something in reserve with which you can gain an advantage.
68
doggie bag
A bag provided by a restaurant so that you can take the leftover food home with you is called a doggie (or doggy) bag.
69
tech savvy
People who are tech savvy have sufficient technical knowledge and skills to be comfortable using computers and other electronic devices.
70
crux of the matter
The main point or the most vital element of a discussion or argument is called the crux of the matter.
71
stir-crazy
If a person goes stir-crazy, they become very agitated or nervous because they have been confined to a place for too long.
72
get wind of
If you get wind of something, you hear about something you were unaware of, usually a private or secret matter.
73
send a shiver down your spine
If something sends a shiver down your spine, it makes you feel anxious, nervous or excited.
74
play second fiddle
If you play second fiddle to someone, you accept to be second in importance to that person, or have a lower position.
75
nurse/bear a grudge
If you nurse/bear a grudge against someone, you have a feeling of resentment or ill-will towards them.
76
hold good
If something such as a statement, saying or theory holds good, it continues to be true, valid or applicable.
77
join the club!
By saying to somebody 'join the club!', you express sympathy for an unpleasant experience that you have had too.
78
play for time
If you play for time, you try to delay or prevent something from happening in order to gain an advantage.
79
off the top of your head
To say something off the top of your head means that you are giving an immediate reaction, and not a carefully considered opinion, so it might not be correct.
80
lipstick on a pig
This expression means that trying to 'dress up' something unappealing or ugly, in a vain attempt to make it look better, is like putting lipstick on a pig.
81
social butterfly
A person who has a lot of friends and acquaintances and likes to flit from one social event to another is called a social butterfly.
82
elephant in the room
A problem that no one wants to discuss, but is so obvious that it cannot be ignored, is called an elephant in the room.
83
there'll be the devil to pay
This is a way of announcing that there will be trouble if something happens.
84
coast is clear
To say that the coast is clear means that there is no danger in sight or that nobody can see you.
85
get the picture
A person who gets the picture understands what is being explained or described.
86
no fixed abode
A person of no fixed abode has nowhere permanent to live.
87
Pyrrhic victory
A victory that is obtained at a tremendous cost, or causes such a great loss that it is not worth winning, is called a Pyrrhic victory.
88
take a turn for the worse
If a person who is ill takes a turn for the worse, their illness becomes more serious.
89
(at) top of one'slungs
If you shout at the top of your lungs, you shout as loudly as you possibly can.
90
tie the knot
When two people tie the knot, they get married.
91
credibility gap
The extent of disbelief, of the difference between what you are asked to believe and what you are able to believe, is called a credibility gap.
92
variety is the spice of life
This expression means that life is more interesting when you try to do different things.
93
price you have to pay
The price you have to pay is what you have to endure in return for something you gain or achieve.
94
dribs and drabs
If something comes in dribs and drabs, it arrives little by little, in small amounts or numbers.
95
too many chiefs,not enough Indians
This expression refers to a situation where there are too many people giving instructions and not enough people doing the work.
96
get your priorities right/straight
If you put things in the right order of importance, you get your priorities right.
97
in keeping with
If something is in keeping with, for example, a style or tradition, it is suitable or appropriate in a particular situation.
98
eyes like a hawk
If you've got eyes like a hawk, you have good eyesight and notice every detail.
99
feeding frenzy
A situation in which a lot of people attack, pursue or compete with each other in an excited or frantic way, because they all want to obtain something, is called a feeding frenzy.
100
it will never fly
To say that something will never fly means that it will not be successful.
101
bite the dust
The expression 'bite' or 'hit the dust' is a humorous way of referring to death.
102
a lot on your plate
If someone has a lot on their plate, they are extremely busy or have several problems to handle at the same time.
103
give rough edge oftongue
If you give the (rough) edge of your tongue, you scold someone severely or speak to them very aggressively or rudely.
104
open the floodgates
If someone or something opens the floodgates, they release something that had previously been held under control.
105
on the fence
When faced with a choice, a person who is on the fence has not yet reached a decision.
106
off someone's Christmas list
This expression means that you are no longer on friendly terms with someone.
107
blow a gasket
When a furious person blows a gasket, they explode with anger.
108
spin a yarn
If you spin a yarn, you tell a story, usually a long improbable one, with distorted truths.
109
shoot yourself in the foot
If you shoot yourself in the foot you do or say something which is against your own interests.
110
harp on
If you harp on (about) something, you tire others by talking continuously and tediously about it.
111
put in the picture
If you give somebody all the information necessary to enable them to fully understand a situation, you put them in the picture.
112
get your knickers in a twist
If you get your knickers in a twist, you are angry, nervous or upset faced with a difficult situation.
113
last legs
If someone or something is on its last legs, they are in a very weak condition or about to stop working or die.
114
shop till you drop
If you shop till you drop, you go shopping for a very long time, until you are exhausted.
115
talk nineteen to the dozen
If someone talks nineteen to the dozen, they speak very quickly.
116
safety in numbers
This expression means that being part of a group makes people feel more secure and more confident when taking action.
117
roll with the punches
When someone has to roll with the punches, they have to deal with a difficult situation by being flexible.
118
stiff upper lip
If a person keeps a stiff upper lip, they contain their emotion and do not let other people see their feelings.
119
feed someone a line
If you feed someone a line, you tell them something that may not be quite true, often as an excuse.
120
pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered
You should be satisfied when you have enough; if you are too greedy, like a hog, you risk losing everything.
121
starter marriage
A starter marriage is a short-lived first marriage that ends in divorce with no kids, no property and no regrets.
122
enough said
This expression is used to indicate that you completely understand the situation and you do not need any further details.
123
full of hot air
Someone who is full of hot air is full of nonsense and talks a lot without saying anything worthwhile.
124
cheap shot
A cruel, unfair or unwarranted comment or verbal attack is called acheap shot.
125
in the offing
Something that is in the offing is likely to appear or happen soon.
126
land on your feet
If you land on your feet, you make a quick recovery after a difficulty such as a business failure, an illness, a loss, etc.
127
once bitten twice shy
This is said by someone who has had an unpleasant experience which has made them more cautious.
128
stool pigeon
A person who acts as an informer, especially one who gives information to the police or the authorities, is called a stool pigeon.
129
stem the tide
If you stem the tide (of events), you stop the development of something bad or undesirable.
130
no picnic
An activity or task that is no picnic is unpleasant or difficult.
131
fair hearing
When accused of wrongdoing, if someone gets a fair hearing, they get an opportunity to present evidence or give their side of the story, usually in court.
132
stick on one's throat
If something sticks in your throat (or craw), it is very difficult to accept and makes you angry or resentful.
133
fishing expedition
If someone is on a fishing expedition, they are trying to obtain information in any way possible.
134
overshoot the mark
If you make a mistake as a result of misjudging something (situation, distance, amount, etc.
135
go hand in hand
If two or more things go hand in hand, they are associated or often happen at the same time.
136
throw dust in someone's eyes
If you throw dust in someone's eyes, you prevent them from seeing the truth by misleading them.
137
hit the panic button
When you hit or press the panic button, you raise the alarm too quickly or react too hastily in a difficult or stressful situation.
138
make light work
If a person makes light work of something, they do it very easily or with little effort.
139
get a raw deal
If you say that someone got a raw deal, you think they were treated unfairly or badly.
140
walk and chew gum
If you can walk and chew gum (at the same time), you are able to do more than one thing at a time.
141
wonders will never cease
This saying is used to express pleasure or surprise at something.
142
go overboard
If you go overboard, you are over-enthusiastic about something and do too much or behave in an excessive way.
143
fall into place
When different elements fall into place, they fit well together or become organised so that progress can be achieved in a satisfactory manner.
144
alter ego
The term alter ego, which in Latin means 'other self', refers to a very close and trusted friend who is very like yourself.
145
off the cuff
If you speak off the cuff, you say something without any previous thought or preparation.
146
much of a muchness
This expression means 'very similar' or 'almost alike'.
147
eager beaver
The term eager beaver refers to a person who is hardworking and enthusiastic, sometimes considered overzealous.
148
with flying colours
To achieve something with flying colours means to do it very successfully.
149
can't hold a candle to
If one person can't hold a candle to another, they are much less competent or do not perform as well as the other.
150
wouldn't be caught dead
If someone says that they wouldn't be caught or seen dead in a particular place or doing something, they mean that they would be too ashamed or embarrassed.
151
mouse potato
This term refers to a person who spends a lot of time in front of the computer.
152
bare one's soul
If you bare you soul (or heart) to someone, you reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings to them.
153
calculated risk
A calculated risk is a risk taken with full knowledge of the dangers involved.
154
have a brush with
When you have a brush with something, such as the law, you encounter or experience it briefly.
155
a stitherum
Someone who is (all) in a stitherum is excited, agitated or confused about something.
156
straight as an arrow
Someone who is as straight as an arrow is a morally upright person who is extremely honest.
157
rue the day
If you rue the day you did something, you bitterly regret what you did that day.
158
no two ways about it
To say that there are no two ways about something means that there is only one suitable ay of dealing with something.
159
(not) turn a hair
If someone does not turn a hair, they show no emotion in circumstances where a reaction is expected.
160
at stake
Someone who has a lot at stake is in a risky situation, with a lot to be won or lost.
161
(not) let grass grow under your feet
If someone does not let the grass grow under their feet, they do not delay in getting something done.
162
on course
If you are on course for something, you are likely to achieve it.
163
barefaced liar
Someone who lies easily, with a total lack of shame, is a barefaced liar.
164
feather one's nest
To say of someone that they are feathering their nest means that they are taking advantage of their position in order to obtain money and enjoy have a comfortable life.
165
drag one's feet
If you drag your feet, you delay a decision or participate without any real enthusiasm.
166
split hairs
If you split hairs, you pay too much attention to differences that are very small or unimportant.
167
up and running
If a business or a project is up and running, it has started and is fully operational.
168
out on a limb
If you go out on a limb, you do something risky or unsupported by others, which leaves you in a difficult position.
169
add fuel to the flames
If you add fuel to the flames, you do or say something that makes a difficult situation even worse.
170
butter somebody up
When you butter someone up, you flatter them or you are very nice to them, especially if you want to obtain something.
171
at the outside
When talking about the length of time or the amount of money necessary to do something, at the outside indicates the highest estimate or the largest amount.
172
walk a tightrope
If a person is walking a tightrope, they are in a difficult situation where they must act carefully.
173
set in stone
When something is set in stone, it is permanent and cannot be changed in any way.
174
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.
175
bricks and mortar bricks and clicks
An established trading company (office/shop) is referred to as a'brick-and-mortar' business.
176
weak at the knees
Someone who is weak at the knees is (temporarily) barely able to stand because of emotion, fear or illness.
177
rats in the attic
If you say that someone has rats in the attic, you mean that they are a bit mad or that their behaviour is eccentric.
178
pie-eyed
Someone who is pie-eyed is completely drunk.
179
separate sheep from goats
If you separate the sheep from the goats, you examine a group of people and decide which are suitable and which are not.
180
jazz something up
If you jazz something up, you add something to try to improve it or make it more stylish.
181
at a snail's pace
If something moves at a snail's pace, it moves very slowly.
182
take lying down
If you take something lying down, you suffer as a result of an offensive act without reacting or protesting.
183
neither here nor there
Something which is neither here nor there is considered to have no effect on the situation.
184
go off with a bang
If something such as an event or performance goes off with a bang, it is very successful.
185
fall from grace
To say that someone has fallen from grace means that they have done something wrong, immoral or unacceptable, and as a result have lost their good reputation.
186
smell a rat
To say 'I smell a rat' means that you suspect that something is wrong, or that someone is doing something dishonest or incorrect.
187
apron strings
If one person is tied to another's apron strings, they remain dependent at an age when they should be independent.
188
up in arms
If you are up in arms about something, you are very angry.
189
play cat and mouse
To play cat and mouse with someone means to treat them alternately cruelly and kindly, so that they do not know what to expect.
190
head on a platter
If someone makes you so angry that you want them to be punished, you want their head on a platter.
191
shouting match
An argument or debate where people shout loudly at each other is called a shouting match.
192
quick off the mark
If someone is quick off the mark, they are quick to react to an event or take advantage of an opportunity.
193
upper hand
If a person or organisation gains or gets the upper hand, especially in a fight or competition, they take control over something.
194
firing line
Someone who is in the firing line is in a position to be criticized because of their responsibilities or the position they hold.
195
funny business
A business which is conducted in a deceitful, dishonest or unethical manner is called funny business.
196
good turn
If you do someone a good turn, you act in a helpful way.
197
there's one born every minute
This expression means that there are many people in the world who are stupid or easily fooled.
198
that's going too far!
If you go too far, you do something that is considered extreme or unacceptable.
199
make a virtue of necessity
If someone does something commendable, not deliberately but because they have no choice, and pretends to be doing it willingly and happily, they make a virtue of necessity.
200
prime of one's life
The prime of one's life is the time in a person's life when they are the most successful, or in their best physical condition.
