1801-2000 Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
blessing in disguise
A
This expression refers to something that is unpleasant at first but later turns out to have advantages.
2
Q
toing and froing
A
Someone who istoing and froingis either repeatedly going from one place to another and coming back, or is constantly changing their mind about something.
3
Q
dead cert
A
Something that is certain to happen or be achieved is adead cert.
4
Q
slip of thetongue
A
Aslip of the tongueis a small spoken error or mistake.
5
Q
dog’s breakfast
A
To describe something as adog’s breakfastmeans that it is a complete mess.
6
Q
run a mile
A
Someone who is anxious to avoid somethingruns a mile.
7
Q
drink like a fish
A
A person whodrinks like a fishis one who drinks a lot.
8
Q
green with envy
A
Someone who isgreen with envyis a person who is very envious.
9
Q
come in handy
A
To say that something maycome in handymeans that it may be useful some time or other.
10
Q
cork something up
A
If youcork upyour feelings or emotions, you fail to show or express them.
11
Q
set you back
A
The sum of money somethingsets you backis the amount it costs you.
12
Q
put afingeron something
A
If you are able to identify or understand something such as the cause of a problem or the solution to it, youput your finger on it.
13
Q
keepeyespeeled
A
Tokeep one’s eyes peeledmeans to watch out very carefully for something.
14
Q
let thecatout of the bag
A
If youlet the cat out of the bag, you reveal a secret, generally not intentionally.
15
Q
armchair critic
A
Anarmchair critic is someone who gives advice based on theory rather than practice.
16
Q
dive in headfirst
A
If you begin something enthusiastically, without thinking about the possible consequences, youdive in headfirst.
17
Q
look out for n°1
A
If you take care of yourself first, and look after your own interests rather than those of other people, youlook out for number one.
18
Q
take yourcouragein both hands
A
If youtake your courage in both hands, you make yourself do something very brave.
19
Q
throw caution to the wind
A
If youthrow caution to the wind, you start taking risks and stop worrying about the danger involved.
20
Q
reach for the moon
A
If youreach for the moon, you are very ambitious and try to achieve something even if it is difficult.
21
Q
out of character
A
If you do something that isout of character,it is unlike your usual behaviour or not what is expected from you.
22
Q
piece of cake
A
To refer to something asa piece of cakemeans that you consider it to be very easy.
23
Q
wear heart on sleeve
A
If youwear your heart on your sleeve,you allow others to see your emotions or feelings.
24
Q
sterner stuff
A
If someone is made ofsterner stuff, they have a strong character and are better able to deal with difficulties than others.
25
small potatoes
Something that is small potatoes is considered to be unimportant or insignificant.
26
get the hang of
When you get the hang of an activity, you now know how to do it correctly.
27
on pins and needles
If you are on pins and needles, you are very anxious or nervous about what is going to happen.
28
mint condition
Something that is in mint condition is in such perfect condition that it looks new or as good as new.
29
walk a tightrope
If a person is walking a tightrope, they are in a difficult or delicate situation where they must act carefully.
30
every dog has its day
This expression means that everyone can be successful at something at some time in their life.
31
kill with kindness
When you are excessive in your efforts to be helpful or generous, you can harm someone, or kill them with kindness.
32
face only a mother could love
This is a humorous way of saying that someone is ugly or unattractive.
33
holier-than-thou
The attitude of people who consider themselves to be more virtuous or morally superior to others can be called 'holier-than-thou'.
34
swishing (party)
Swishing is the name given to a recent fashion phenomenon - a party organised to swap second hand clothes.
35
lick into shape
If you make an effort to put someone or something into satisfactory condition or appearance, you lick them into shape.
36
wise up to
If you wise up or get wise to something, you become fully aware of the facts and are no longer fooled.
37
see red
If someone sees red, they suddenly become very angry or annoyed.
38
face the music
If you have to face the music, you have to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions.
39
labour of love
A task that is done for your own pleasure and satisfaction and not for reward or profit is called a labour of love.
40
like the cat that ate the canary
If, after an achievement or success, a person seems very self-satisfied or pleased with themselves, you can say that they look like the cat that ate the canary.
41
too much like hard work
An activity or task that requires too much effort is too much like hard work.
42
your money's worth
If you get your money's worth, you receive good value for the amount of money you spend.
43
wing it
To wing it means to improvise or to deal with a situation without preparation.
44
fight shy
If you fight shy of something, such as a task, a problem or a duty, you want to avoid doing it or you are unwilling to confront it.
45
in two shakes of a lamb's tail
To do something in two shakes of a lamb's tail means to do it very quickly.
46
(not) take no for an answer
Someone who will not take no for an answer is very insistent in the way they make their request or offer and is unwilling to accept a refusal.
47
on second thoughts
On second thoughts' means that after giving the matter more thought, you have changed your mind.
48
pigs might fly
The expression 'pigs might fly' expresses disbelief, or the idea that miracles might happen but are extremely unlikely.
49
beat/flog a dead horse
To say that someone is beating a dead horse means that they are wasting time and effort trying to do or achieve something that is impossible.
50
until hell freezes over
If you tell someone that they can do something until hell freezes over,you mean that they can do it forever but they won't obtain what they want.
51
bolt from the blue
To refer to something as a bolt from the blue means that it happened totally unexpectedly.
52
ugly as sin
This expression is used to refer to people or things that are considered to be very unattractive.
53
dust bunnies
Dust bunnies are clumps of dust, usually found on the floor, in corners or under furniture, in places where the housework is not done regularly.
54
shake like a leaf
If you shake like a leaf, you tremble with fear or nervousness.
55
run rings/circles around
If you show much more skill or ability than your opponent, you run rings (or circles) around them.
56
get the picture
A person who gets the picture understands what is being explained or described.
57
down in the mouth
When someone is down in the mouth, they look unhappy, discouraged or depressed.
58
see eye to eye
If you see eye to eye with somebody, you agree with them.
59
cat nap
If you have a short sleep during the day, you have a cat nap.
60
have your cake and eat it
To say that someone wants to have their cake and eat it means that they want the advantages of two alternative situations when only one is possible.
61
cry one's eyes out
If you cry your eyes out, you cry a lot and for a long time.
62
hell-bent on something
If you are hell-bent on doing something, you are recklessly determined to do it, even if it is dangerous or stupid.
63
false pretences
If you obtain something under false pretences, you deceive others by lying about your identity, qualifications, financial or social position, in order to get what you want.
64
take it on the chin
When you take it on the chin, you are brave and accept adversity, criticism or defeat without complaining.
65
weather the storm
If you weather the storm, you succeed in surviving a difficult period or situation.
66
there's nothing to it
If you say that there's nothing to it, you mean that something is very simple or easy to do.
67
salt of the earth
To describe someone as the salt of the earth means that they are kind, honest and reliable.
68
fall into one's lap
If something good falls into your lap, it happens to you without any effort on your part.
69
let sleeping dogs lie
If you tell someone to let sleeping dogs lie, you are asking them not to interfere with a situation because they could cause problems.
70
have the makings of
A person who has the makings of something has qualities and potential that could be developed.
71
cook somebody's goose
To cook somebody's goose means to spoil that person's chances of success.
72
lick/smack your lips
A person who is licking (or smacking) their lips is showing that they are excited about something and are eager for it to happen.
73
come to the crunch
To talk about what to do if or when a situation comes to the crunchmeans when it becomes critical and a decision has to be made.
74
put money where mouth is
If you put your money where your mouth is, not only do you express your interest, you give financial support to causes that you believe in.
75
get off the ground
If you get something off the ground, you put it into operation after having organised it.
76
one too many
Someone who has had one too many has drunk too much alcohol.
77
ring a bell
If something rings a bell, it sounds familiar, but you don't remember the exact details.
78
in two minds
If you are in two minds about something, you have difficulty deciding what to do.
79
dead to the world
A person who is dead to the world is fast asleep.
80
spitting image
If one person is the spitting image of another, they look exactly like each other.
81
face like a bulldog chewing a wasp
To say that someone has a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp means that you find them very unattractive because they have a screwed-up ugly expression on their face.
82
smash hit
A very successful performance in music, films, theatre, etc.
83
raw deal
If you say that someone got a raw deal, you think they were treated unfairly or badly.
84
to the letter
If you follow instructions or directions to the letter, you do exactly as is told or written.
85
white elephant
If you call something a white elephant, you consider it useless although it may have cost a lot of money.
86
go nuts
To say that a person has gone nuts means that they have become completely foolish, eccentric or mad.
87
worm's eye view
To offer a worm's eye view of a situation is to give your opinion based on what you see at close range from an inferior position, so it is therefore not a general view.
88
put out to pasture
To say that someone has been put out to pasture means that they have been forced to retire or give up their responsibilities.
89
prolong the agony
If someone prolongs the agony, they make an unpleasant or tense situation last longer than necessary.
90
quiet as a mouse
When someone is as quiet as a mouse, they make no noise at all.
91
cut corners
Cutting corners means not following the correct procedure in order to save time, effort or money (often with unsatisfactory results).
92
take with pinch of salt
To say that a piece of information should be taken with a pinch (or grain) of salt means that the information may not be accurate or true.
93
can't hold a candle
If one person (or thing) can't hold a candle to another, they are much less competent or do not perform as well as the other.
94
(all) hell broke loose
To say that (all) hell broke loose means that there was a sudden angry, noisy reaction to something.
95
lower than a snake's belly
To say that someone is lower than a snake's belly means that they are bad, dishonest or have very low moral standards.
96
sleep on it
If you take time (until the next day) to think something over before making a decision, you sleep on it.
97
make right noises
If you make the right noises, you behave as if you support or agree with something by making suitable or conventional remarks.
98
tall story
A tall story is a story which is difficult to believe because it sounds unlikely.
99
one good turn deserves another
If someone helps you, it is natural and right to help them in return.
100
be full of beans
A person who is full of beans is lively, healthy and active.
101
make a big thing of
If you attach a lot of importance to something, or make it a special occasion, you make a big thing of it.
102
quick/slow on the uptake
Someone who is quick or slow on the uptake is quick or slow to understand what is meant.
103
watch one's step
If you tell someone to watch their step, you are advising them to be careful how they behave in order to avoid getting into trouble.
104
play to the gallery
A person who plays to the gallery tries to gain popularity by behaving in a way that will appeal to the majority.
105
last but not least
When introducing a number of people, this expression is used to assure the audience that the last person mentioned is no less important than those previously named.
106
out of this world
To refer to something as out of this world means that you think it is extremely good or impressive.
107
rake over the ashes
When people rake over the ashes, they discuss an unpleasant event which took place in the past.
108
pester power
This term refers to the power children exert over their parents by continually nagging or pestering them until they accept to buy advertised toys or fashionable products.
109
cut a dash
If a person cuts a dash, they make a striking impression by their appearance and attractive clothes.
110
away with the fairies
Someone who is away with the fairies is in such a dreamy state that they are not totally in touch with reality and give the impression of being slightly mad.
111
get it down to a fine art
When, through practice or experience, you learn how to do something perfectly, you get it down to a fine art.
112
name (written) on it
If something has someone's name (written) on it, it is intended for that person or it is ideally suited to them.
113
creature comforts
This expression refers to modern conveniences (such as hot water or central heating) that make life comfortable and pleasant.
114
grab a bite to eat
If you grab a bite to eat, you get something to eat quickly.
115
the last straw!
This expression means that this is the latest unpleasant event and that you cannot tolerate the situation any longer.
116
shoe is on the other foot
When the circumstances have reversed and one person is now doing what the other did in the past, you can say that the shoe is on the other foot.
117
make the best of things
If you make the best of things, you react in a positive way to an unsatisfactory situation that you cannot change and do the best you can with it.
118
go Dutch
To go Dutch with somebody means to share the cost of something such as a meal or a concert.
119
fly off the handle
A person who flies off the handle becomes suddenly very angry.
120
get down to brass tacks
When people get down to brass tacks, they start to discuss the essential aspects of a problem or situation.
121
see 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.
122
work the system
People who work the system learn how a state or public organisation works in order to benefit as much as possible from the system.
123
paper trail
If a person or organisation leaves a paper trail, they leave evidence in writing or in document form that will serve as proof of their actions.
124
play by ear
To play by ear means to improvise or act without preparation, according to the demands of the situation.
125
all that jazz
This expression means 'all that stuff', 'other similar things', or 'everything of that kind'.
126
keep a stiff upper lip
If a person keeps a stiff upper lip, they contain their emotion and do not let other people see their feelings.
127
walk on air
When you are happy or excited because of a pleasant event that makes you feel as if you were floating, you are walking on air.
128
every nook and cranny
Every nook and cranny means every possible part of a place.
129
any port in a storm
When you are in difficulty, any port in a storm refers to a solution you accept which in normal circumstances you would find unacceptable.
130
overplay your hand
If you overplay your hand, you are overconfident and spoil your chances of success by trying to obtain too much.
131
at your wits' end
If you are at your wits' end, you are very worried about something and do not know what to do.
132
in over your head
If you are in over your head, you are involved in something that is too difficult for you to handle.
133
door swings both ways
If you say that the door swings both ways, you mean that the same principle or argument applies to both sides of a situation.
134
sit on the fence
If you sit on the fence, you avoid taking sides in a discussion or argument.
135
save face
When someone saves face, they manage to avoid humiliation or embarrassment and preserve their dignity and the respect of others.
136
in a pickle
If you are in a pickle, you are in a difficult situation and need help.
137
blink of an eye
If something happens in the blink of an eye, it happens nearly instantaneously, with hardly enough time to notice it.
138
on the mend
Someone who is on the mend is getting better after an illness.
139
cat's whiskers (also: cat's pyjamas)
This expression refers to someone who considers themselves to be better than others in a particular area : beauty, competence, intelligence, sport, etc.
140
rolling in money
Someone who is very wealthy or has access to great amounts of money is rolling in money.
141
racked with pain
When someone is suffering from severe pain, they are racked with pain.
142
common ground
This expression refers to an area of shared beliefs, interests or mutual understanding between people or groups who often have disagreements.
143
itching (or itchy) palm
Someone who has an itching palm is greedy for money, for example tips or commission (as if putting money in the palm of their hand would ease the itch).
144
could eat a horse
To say that you could eat a horse means that you are very hungry.
145
cat in gloves catches no mice
This expression means that if you are too careful and polite, you may not obtain what you want.
146
on the up and up
If you are on the up and up, you are becoming increasingly successful.
147
do more harm than good
If the effect of an action is more damaging than helpful, it does more harm than good.
148
Chinese whispers
This expression refers to a process by which a message or piece of information (especially gossip, rumours or scandalous news) is passed on from one person to another, and changes along the way, so that the final version is often very different from the original.
149
as the crow files
This expression refers to distance measured in a straight line.
150
behind the times
A person who is behind the times has old-fashioned ideas and does not keep up with modern life in general.
151
pick a fight
Someone who picks a fight deliberately looks for an opportunity to start a quarrel or begin an argument.
152
mix business with pleasure
When people mix business with pleasure, they combine work and leisure or social activities.
153
twist someone's arm
If you twist someone's arm, you make them do something, without using physical force.
154
have the world at your feet
If you have the world at your feet, you are extremely successful and greatly admired.
155
steamed up
If someone gets steamed up about something, they become very angry, excited or enthusiastic about it.
156
put on your thinking cap
If you tell someone to put their thinking cap on, you ask them to find an idea or solve a problem by thinking about it.
157
cat and dog life
A life in which partners are constantly or frequently quarrelling is called a cat-and-dog life.
158
throw something together
If you throw something together, you make or produce something quickly and without effort.
159
like clockwork
To say that someone or something goes, runs or behaves like clockwork means that everything happens exactly as expected.
160
in safe hands
If something is in safe hands, it is being looked after by a reliable person or organisation, and is therefore at no risk.
161
pop one's clogs
This is a euphemistic way of saying that a person is dead.
162
strike pay dirt
If you strike pay dirt, you are lucky and suddenly find yourself in a successful money-making situation.
163
sharp cookie
Someone who is not easily fooled or deceived is a sharp cookie.
164
fever pitch
If a situation or feeling reaches fever pitch, it becomes very intense and exciting.
165
sling mud
To say that someone is slinging mud at another person means that they are trying to damage that person's reputation by saying bad things about them.
166
turn on/up the heat
If you turn on or up the heat on someone, you put pressure on them in order to obtain what you want.
167
in one's mind's eye
If you can visualize something, or see an image of it in your mind, you see it in your mind's eye.
168
there's no accounting for taste
This expression is used to indicate surprise at another person's likes or dislikes.
169
win by a nose
When there is a very slight difference between the winner and the other competitors, victory is won by a nose.
170
smack/lick one's lips
To say that a person is smacking or licking their lips means that they are showing that they are excited about something and are eager for it to happen.
171
landslide victory
The victory of a candidate or a political party by an overwhelming majority is called a landslide victory.
172
move heaven and earth
To say that you will move heaven and earth means that you are prepared to do everything that is possible to achieve something.
173
under your thumb
If someone is under your thumb, they are completely under your control or influence.
174
asleep at the wheel
If you say that someone is asleep at the wheel, you mean that they are not sufficiently attentive, especially at a critical moment when vigilance is required.
175
quart into a pint pot
To say that you can't put a quart into a pint pot means that you cannot fit something too big into a small space, or that you are trying to do something impossible.
176
top notch
To say that something is top notch means that it is of the highest possible quality or standard.
177
travel light
When you travel light, you travel with as little luggage as possible.
178
worlds apart
When two people or things are very different, they are worlds apart.
179
spare tyre
If a person has a spare tyre, they have a roll of flesh around the waist.
180
all thumbs / all fingers and thumbs
If you are all fingers and thumbs, you are awkward and clumsy and do things incorrectly.
181
barking up the wrong tree
A person who is barking up the wrong tree is doing the wrong thing, because their beliefs or ideas are incorrect or mistaken.
182
plastic smile
A person with a plastic smile is wearing a forced smile which makes them appear happier that they really are.
183
take for a ride
To take someone for a ride means to cheat or deceive them.
184
in the middle of nowhere
If a place is in the middle of nowhere, it is in a remote area, far from towns, villages or houses.
185
smooth ruffled feathers
If you smooth someone's ruffled feathers, you make that person feel less angry or offended.
186
carry weight
If a person or organisation carries weight, they are influential or important.
187
pat answer
A simplified response that is memorized or prepared in advance is called a pat answer.
188
under the knife
If a person goes under the knife, they have surgery.
189
like pulling teeth
Something that is like pulling teeth is extremely difficult to obtain, especially if trying to extract information from someone.
190
(not) hair out of place
If someone does not have a hair out of place, their appearance is perfect.
191
preaching to the converted
A person who preaches to the converted is encouraging people to support an idea that they already agree with.
192
meet your maker
This expression is used to say (often humorously) that someone has died.
193
from the word go
The expression 'from the word go' means from the very beginning of an activity.
194
eat a horse
If you say that you could eat a horse you mean that you are very hungry.
195
(not) give a hang
If you do not give a hang about something, you are totally indifferent to it and do not care at all about it.
196
day late and a dollar short
If something is a day late and a dollar short, it comes too late and is not good enough.
197
rough justice
Treatment or justice that does not seem fair, or is too severe, is called 'rough justice', especially if it is not legal.
198
twiddle one's thumbs
A person who twiddles their thumbs has nothing to do, or is doing nothing useful.
199
cross the line
If you cross the line you go beyond the authorized limits by doing something unacceptable.
200
easier said than done
To say that something is easier said than done means that what is suggested sounds easy but it is more difficult to actually do it.
