2601-2800 Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
tear a strip off
A
If youtear a strip off someone,you reprimand them severely for doing something wrong.
2
Q
in retrospect
A
This expression refers to a past situation or event, particularly if your present opinion is different from the one you had at the time.
3
Q
get wires crossed
A
If peopleget their wires crossed,they misunderstand each other or are confused about what was said.
4
Q
on paper
A
To say that an idea, plan or scheme seems goodon papermeans that it looks good in theory or in writing but may not work when put into practice.
5
Q
drop like a hotpotato
A
If youdrop someone or something like a hot potato, you leave them or immediately stop associating with them.
6
Q
speak volumes
A
If somethingspeaks volumes, it expresses a reaction or opinion very clearly, with no need for words.
7
Q
hope against hope
A
If youhope against hope,you continue to hope even when the situation looks bad.
8
Q
stick something out
A
If youstick something out,you continue to endure it in spite of the difficulties or unpleasant aspects of the situation.
9
Q
rushed off yourfeet
A
If you arerushed off your feet, you are extremely busy.
10
Q
out of harm’s way
A
If you put somethingout of harm’s way, you put it in a safe place where it won’t be damaged.
11
Q
in the bag
A
People use this expression when it becomes obvious that success or victory is going to be achieved.
12
Q
not give the time of day
A
If you dislike someone so strongly that you ignore them and refuse to speak to them, you donot give them the time of day.
13
Q
up in the air
A
If something, such as a plan or decision, isup in the air, it has not been decided or settled yet.
14
Q
grasp at straws
A
If you are in a desperate situation and yougrasp at straws,you try any method, even if it has little chance of success, in an attempt to find a solution.
15
Q
put the kibosh on
A
If you do something to prevent a plan or activity from happening or developing, youput the kibosh on it.
16
Q
byvirtueof
A
The termby virtue ofmeans ‘due to’, ‘because of’ or ‘on account of’ something.
17
Q
come up roses
A
If thingscome up roses, the end result is successful or positive, even if there were difficult times.
18
Q
put the cart before the horse
A
A person whoputs the cart before the horseis doing things in the wrong order.
19
Q
ways and means
A
To say that there areways and meansof achieving something means that there are several methods which will produce the desired result.
20
Q
rub shoulders with
A
If yourub shoulderswith someone, you have an opportunity to meet and talk to that person, especially someone wealthy, famous or distinguished.
21
Q
throw goodmoneyafter bad
A
Someone who spends additional money on something that was already considered a bad investment is said tothrow good money after bad.
22
Q
crooked as a dog’s hind leg
A
To say that someone is ascrooked as a dog’s hind legmeans that they are very dishonest indeed.
23
Q
wide off the mark
A
If something is (or falls)wide off the mark,it is incorrect or inadequate, or it is not what was expected.
24
Q
hairy at the heel
A
A person who ishairy at the heelis thought to be untrustworthy or even dangerous.
25
pink elephants
This term refers to hallucinations or strange imaginary things seen by people as a result of heavy drinking or the use of narcotics.
26
hidden agenda
If a person or organisation has a hidden agenda, they have hidden interests or ulterior motives.
27
rob Peter to pay Paul
If someone robs Peter to pay Paul, they pay one debt with money borrowed from someone else, thus creating another debt.
28
pocket of resistance
A small group of people you resist change or disagree with a proposal form a pocket of resistance.
29
cloud on the horizon
A problem or difficulty that is predictable, or seems likely to arise in the future, is called a cloud on the horizon.
30
(press) panic button
If you hit or press the panic button, you raise the alarm too quickly or react too hastily in a difficult or stressful situation.
31
reach for the moon
If you reach for the moon, you are very ambitious and try to achieve something even it it is difficult.
32
common knowledge
When information is well-known to everyone (particularly in a community or group), it is called common knowledge.
33
make flesh/skin crawl
Something that makes your flesh (or skin) crawl fills you with disgust or makes you feel very nervous.
34
show of hands
A show of hands is a method of voting where people give their opinion by raising a hand.
35
at will
When it is possible to do something at will, you can do it as and when you please, wherever and whenever you wish, without limit or restriction.
36
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.
37
strange bedfellows
This expression refers to the unusual or unlikely association of two or more people, companies or states.
38
par for the course
If something is par for the course, it is typical of what to expect in that particular situation.
39
play into someone's hands
If you play into someone's hands, you do exactly what your opponent or enemy wants you to do, so that they gain an advantage over you.
40
put lipstick on a pig
This expression means that to 'dress up' something unappealing or ugly, in a vain attempt to make it look better, is like putting lipstick on a pig.
41
apple-pie order
If something is in apple-pie order, it is well organised or in perfect order.
42
stiff upper lip
If someone keeps a stiff upper lip, they contain their emotion and do not let others see their feelings.
43
take in good part
A person who takes something in good part reacts to it in a good-humoured way, without taking offence.
44
throw a wobbly / wobbler
When someone, usually a capricious person, throws a wobbly, they have a fit of nerves or bad temper and lose all self-control.
45
breathe down someone's neck
If someone is breathing down your neck, they are watching you too closely and making you feel uncomfortable.
46
(you can't) unring a bell
This expression means that you cannot undo what has been done, so you must live with the consequences of your actions.
47
good walls make good neighbours
This expression means that respecting one another's privacy helps create a good relationship between neighbours.
48
gentleman's agreement
When an agreement is neither written nor signed, because the two parties trust each other completely, it is called a gentleman's agreement.
49
(not) give house room
If you refuse to give house room to someone or something, you do not accept them into your home because you dislike or disapprove of them.
50
not to be sneezed at
Something that is not to be sneezed at should not be rejected or refused.
51
je ne sais quoi
This expression (in French: 'I don't know what') is used to refer to a good quality that is difficult to describe.
52
never looked back
If you say that you never looked back, you mean that after an event which changed your life for the better, you continue to be happy with the situation.
53
honour among thieves
This expression means that even criminals have a sense of loyalty and they respect a certain code of behaviour.
54
beat someone to the draw
If you beat someone to the draw, you react more quickly and manage to do something before they do.
55
see in a new light
If you see something in a new light, you view it in a way that makes you change the opinion you had before.
56
to a fault
To say that someone has a good quality to a fault means that they have a lot, or even too much, of that quality.
57
make cold calls
If you make cold calls, you telephone potential customers from a list of people you do now know.
58
clean slate
A clean slate is a record of your work or actions that does not show past mistakes and allows you to make a fresh start.
59
in the works
If something is in the works, it is currently being prepared or planned.
60
close shave
This term describes a situation where an accident or a disaster nearly happened.
61
mind/watch your language
This is said to warn someone to be careful what they say so as not to upset or offend anyone.
62
from the word go
This expression means from the very beginning of an activity.
63
more power to elbow
This is said to express praise or encouragement to someone for doing something.
64
half an eye
If you have or keep half an eye on something, you watch it without giving it your full attention.
65
throw in the towel
If you throw in the towel, you admit that you cannot succeed.
66
see colour of someone's money
If you want to see the colour of somebody's money, you want to be sure that the person in question has enough money to pay you before you accept to do something.
67
herd mentality
People with the herd mentality tend to do what everyone else does, no matter how ridiculous or stupid.
68
cross the line
If you cross the line, you go beyond the authorized limits and do something which is not acceptable.
69
elbow grease
If you use elbow grease, you need energy and strength to do physical work such as cleaning or polishing.
70
bitter pill to swallow
A bitter pill to swallow is something very difficult or unpleasant to accept.
71
give a piece of your mind
If you tell someone exactly what you think, in a very angry manner, yougive them a piece of your mind.
72
drop like flies
If people drop like flies, they fall ill or die in large numbers.
73
step into the breach
If you step into the breach, you do work that someone else is unexpectedly unable to do.
74
champ at the bit
Someone who is champing at the bit is ready and eager to start an activity, and is showing impatience at being delayed.
75
trial balloon
If you test something such as an idea, a project or a product, to see how people respond to it, you send up a trial balloon.
76
in smooth waters
A business or operation that is in smooth waters is making regular and easy progress.
77
talk the hind leg off a donkey
This expression is used to describe a very talkative person.
78
take the floor
When someone takes the floor, they rise to make a speech or presentation.
79
put two and two together
A person who can put two and two together is capable of reaching the right conclusion based on the information they have.
80
pull no punches
If someone pulls no punches, they speak openly and honestly, holding nothing back.
81
recharge one's batteries
When you recharge your batteries, you take a break from a tiring or stressful activity in order to relax and recover your energy.
82
shed light
If you shed light on something, you help to explain it or make it easier to understand.
83
going places
To say that someone is going places means that they show talent and ability that will no doubt lead to a successful future.
84
stuck in a time warp
Something that has not changed at all from some time in the past, when everything else has, is caught or stuck in a time warp.
85
cut the ground from under someone's feet
When someone cuts the ground from under another's feet, they do something which weakens their position or spoils theiir plans.
86
a thin line
When there is a thin (or fine) line between feeling or situations, there is a point where it is difficult to distinguish between them.
87
get/take flak
If you get or take flak, you receive severe criticism for something you have done.
88
dust has settled
To say that the dust has settled means that the situation has become calmer after a series of unpleasant or chaotic events.
89
play a waiting game
If you play a waiting game, you deliberately delay taking action in order to be able to act more effectively later.
90
get worked up
If you get worked up about something, you become upset, annoyed or excited, often unnecessarily.
91
head over heels in love
When a person falls passionately in love with another, they are said to be head over heels in love.
92
in a world of your own
If you are in a world of your own, you are so preoccupied by your own concerns that you are unaware of what is happening around you.
93
get your act together
If you tell someone to get their act together, you mean that they need to organise their affairs more effectively in order to be more successful.
94
old dog for hard road
This expression means that experience is invaluable when one is faced with a difficult task.
95
business as usual
After an unpleasant or unexpected event, this expression means that everything is continuing in a normal way, in spite of the difficulties.
96
let one's hair down
If you suggest that someone should let their hair down, you are telling them to relax and enjoy themselves.
97
best bet
The action most likely to succeed is called one's best bet.
98
piece of cake
To refer to something as a piece of cake means that you consider it to be very easy.
99
on cloud nine
A person who is on cloud nine is very happy because something wonderful has happened.
100
with one voice
Two or more groups or organisations who are in complete agreement are said to speak with one voice.
101
make a mountain out of a molehill
If someone makes a mountain out of a molehill, they make a small, unimportant problem seem much more serious than it is.
102
knuckle down to
If someone knuckles down to something, they start to work on it seriously.
103
think outside the box
People who think outside the box try to find innovative ideas or solutions.
104
kangaroo court
A kangaroo court is an illegal tribunal set up by a group of people who have taken the law into their own hands and conduct trials which deny fundamental justice.
105
catch as catch can
This expression means that you try to get something in any way possible.
106
take the bull by the horns
To take the bull by the horns means that a person decides to act decisively in order to deal with a difficult situation or problem.
107
break out in cold sweat
If you break out in a cold sweat, you begin to perspire a lot, usually from anxiety.
108
throw it over the wall
If someone throws something over the wall, they deal with part of a problem or project, then pass the responsibility to another person or department without any communication or coordination.
109
pervert the course of justice
If a person perverts the course of justice, they tell a lie or prevent the police from finding out the truth about something.
110
take one's cue
When you take your cue from someone, you wait for a signal or follow someone's example, so as to know what to do yourself or when to act.
111
nothing ventured, nothing gained
You cannot expect to achieve anything is you risk nothing.
112
turn up one's nose
If you turn up your nose at something, you reject it because you think it is not good enough for you.
113
jump to conclusions
A person who jumps to conclusions reaches a decision or makes a judgement too fast, before taking the time to check out all the facts.
114
dressed up to the nines
Someone dressed up to the nines is wearing very smart or glamorous clothes.
115
tide has turned
When a trend has changed from one thing to another, the tide has turned.
116
chop and change
If you chop and change, you constantly change your opinion, plans or methods and often cause confusion.
117
take the sting out of something
If you take the sting out of something, you manage to reduce the severity or unpleasantness of something.
118
throw dust in eyes
If you throw dust in someone's eyes, you prevent them from seeing the truth by misleading them.
119
all systems go
When everything is ready for an activity or event to begin, you can say that 'all systems go'.
120
go great guns
If someone or something is going great guns, they are doing very well.
121
tick the right boxes
If something ticks all the right boxes, it is perfect for you because it meets all your criteria.
122
short shrift
If someone or something gets short shrift, they are given little attention or sympathy.
123
take the easy way out
If you take the easy way out, you choose the easiest way to deal with a difficult situation, even if it is not the best solution.
124
remains to be seen
If something is still unknown or a decision has not yet been taken, itremains to be seen.
125
grease the skids
When you grease the skids, you facilitate something or smooth the way for its success.
126
miss the boat
If you miss the boat, you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you don't act quickly enough.
127
put words in mouth
If you claim that someone has said something, or suggest what they should say, you are putting words in their mouth.
128
weal and woe
This expression refers to the good and bad times, the joys and sorrows, or prosperity and misfortune.
129
touch and go
If something is touch-and-go, the outcome or result is uncertain.
130
up for grabs
If something is up for grabs, it is available for anyone who wants to compete for it.
131
hit/strike pay dirt
If you hit pay dirt, you are lucky and suddenly find yourself in a successful money-making situation.
132
sugar the pill
If you sugar the pill, you try to make some unpleasant news more acceptable by saying something pleasant at the same time.
133
bow and scrape
To say that someone is bowing and scraping means that they are being excessively polite or servile.
134
seeing is believing
This expression means that when you see something you can be sure it exists, or that what you have been told is really true.
135
put pants on one leg at a time
To say that someone puts their pants on one leg at a time means that the person is a human being no different from enyone else.
136
smokestack industry
Industries involved in heavy manufacturing such as the production of iron and steel, especially if they cause a lot of pollution, are calledsmokestack industries.
137
answer the call of nature / nature's call
When a person answers the call of nature, they go to the toilet.
138
carry the torch
If you carry the torch, you have strong feelings for someone with whom you do not or cannot have a relationship.
139
no accounting for taste
This expression is used to indicate surprise at another person's likes or dislikes.
140
state of the art
If something is described as state-of-the-art, it is the most advanced model currently available, incorporating the latest and best technology.
141
fact of the matter is
This expression is used to emphasize the reality of a situation, or what is really true.
142
chew the fat
If you chew the fat with somebody, you chat in an informal way about unimportant things.
143
rule of thumb
A rule of thumb is a general rule which is a handy way of measuring or calculating something.
144
kick up a fuss
A person who kicks up a fuss creates a disturbance, especially by complaining or protesting about something.
145
meet-and-greet
This term refers to a reception (often informal) where a public figure or important person can introduce themselves and talk to the guests.
146
mind your own business! (rude)
Telling someone to mind their own business is a (rude) way of saying that they are too interested in what others are doing, or that they are interfering in something that does not concern them.
147
lion's share
The lion's share of something is the largest portion, or the best part.
148
drop like a hot potato
If you drop someone or something like a hot potato, you leave them or immediately stop associating with them.
149
first out of the gate
If you are first out of the gate, you are the first to make a start at something that others have also accepted to do.
150
far from me be it
This expression means that the speaker does not feel in a position to say or do something.
151
give the rough edge of your tongue
If you give the (rough) edge of your tongue, you scold someone severely or speak to them very aggressively or rudely.
152
raise eyebrows
Someone who raises their eyebrows at something shows surprise or disapproval by the expression on their face.
153
can't put new winein old bottles
This expression means that you should not try to combine new concepts or innovations with an old or long-established framework or system.
154
jog someone's memory
When you help someone to remember something they have forgotten, you jog their memory.
155
nailing jelly to the wall
To say that something is like nailing jelly to the wall means that it is extremely difficult to do, if not impossible.
156
luck of the draw
To refer to something that happens as the luck of the draw means that it is the result of pure chance, with no possibility of choice.
157
last straw
This expression means that this is the latest unpleasant event and that you cannot tolerate the situation any longer.
158
put out feelers
Before doing something, if you try to discover what other people thnk about it by making discreet enquiries, you put out feelers.
159
walking on air
When you are happy and excited because of a pleasant event that makes you feel as if you are floating, you are walking on air.
160
wet behind the ears
Somebody who is wet behind the ears is inexperienced or immature.
161
sit up and take notice
A person who sits up and takes notice become alert and attentive.
162
gnomes of Zurich
This is a disparaging term for Swiss bankers who control a lot of money, are said to be uninterested in the provenance of funds and protect their clients' identity.
163
burn your fingers
If you burn your fingers (or get your fingers burnt), you suffer financially as a result of foolish behaviour.
164
just what the doctor ordered
If something is just what the doctor ordered, it is exactly what is needed and will make you feel better.
165
rear its ugly head
If something unpleasant reappears after lying dormant for some time, itrears its ugly head.
166
keep body and soul together
If someone is able to keep body and soul together, they manage to survive.
167
crocodile tears
To shed crocodile tears means to shed false tears or show insincere grief.
168
all ears
To say that you are all ears means that you are listening very attentively.
169
thorny issue
If you are faced with a thorny issue, you have to deal with a difficult or unpleasant problem.
170
happy camper
Someone who is a happy camper is generally content or satisfied with what is happening in their lives and has no complaints.
171
big cheese
This expression refers to a person who has a lot of power and influence in an organisation.
172
led by the nose
Someone who is led by the nose is dominated or controlled by a person or group who makes them do exactly what they want.
173
the worse for wear
If someone or something is the worse for wear, they are in poor condition, either worn, damaged or tired.
174
cost the earth
If something costs the earth, it is very expensive indeed.
175
in inverted commas
When describing something, if you use a word which you say is 'in inverted commas', you indicate that the word is not quite true or appropriate.
176
hard to come by
Something that is hard to come by is rare or difficult to find.
177
long in the tooth
A person who is long in the tooth is a bit too old to do something.
178
hook, line and sinker
If you fall for a story or an explanation hook, line and sinker, you completely believe it.
179
wolf in sheep's clothing
To describe someone as a wolf in sheep's clothing means that although they look harmless, they are really very dangerous.
180
chinwag
If you have a chinwag with someone, you have an opportunity to chat with each other.
181
six of one and half a dozen of the other
This expression means that there is no real difference between two choices; both are equally good or equally bad.
182
paper over cracks
To say that someone is papering over the cracks means that they are concealing a problem rather than dealing with it effectively.
183
line of least resistance
If you opt for the line of least resistance, you choose the easiest way of doing something.
184
eat humble pie
If you eat humble pie, you are forced to admit that you were wrong and apologize.
185
take your mind off
If an activity takes your mind off something that is worrying you, it helps you to stop thinking about it for a while.
186
rant and rave
If you rant and rave about something, you protest noisily and forcefully.
187
doom and gloom
A general atmosphere of pessimism, and a feeling that the situation is not going to improve, is referred to as doom and gloom.
188
fine tuning
Small changes to something to improve it or make it work better are called fine tuning.
189
burning question
What everyone is asking, and what we all want to know about, is called the burning question.
190
home truths
If you tell somebody some home truths, you tell them some unpleasant facts about themselves which are often difficult to accept.
191
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.
192
sell down the river
If you sell someone down the river, you betray a person who trusts you.
193
forewarned is forearmed
This expression means that if you know something is going to happen, you can be prepared for it.
194
hold your breath
If someone is holding their breath, they are waiting anxiously or excitedly for something to happen or be announced.
195
kiss goodbye to something
If you accept as certain that you will not get something that you want, you kiss (or say) goodbye to it.
196
neck and neck
In a contest or competition, when two competitors reach the same level, they are neck and neck, so it is impossible to say who will win.
197
in someone's good/bad books
If you are in somebody's good or bad books, you have their approval or disapproval.
198
learning curve
The length of time needed to learn something new is called thelearning curve.
199
go against the tide
If you go against the tide (or the stream), you refuse to conform to current trends, or the opinions or behaviour of other people.
200
change horses in midstream
If you change horses in midstream, you change your plan, or choose a new leader, in the middle of an important activity.
