Idioms (Figurative Language) Flashcards
beat around the bush - My coach told me to stop beating around the bush and try to score!
to say/ do what you mean
aced the test - The contestant aced his audition.
got an A, did very well
face the music - If I carry too many plates and they fall and break, I will need to face the music with my boss.
accept punishment/ consequences
flew off the handle - When the ref called a bad foul, the basketball player flew off the handle and was sent to the locker room.
to get really mad
play it by ear - When I came back to school from being sick, I needed to play it by ear to complete the new project.
figure it out as you go
toe the line - You better toe the line with the substitute because the teacher is going to find out.
follow the rules, do what you’re supposed to do
beat you to the punch - In a race, I beat Joe to the punch.
did something first
look before you leap - When you go to a new place, you should look before you leap so you don’t hurt.
be careful when starting something new or unknown
lost my shirt on that deal - Peter lost his shirt on that deal when he bet on the team that lost the game.
to lose a lot of money
cat’s out of the bag - The cat’s out of the bag now that Tony likes April.
it’s no longer a secret
don’t put all of your eggs in one basket - Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket, you also have to do chores.
don’t put all of your effort into one project
a dozen irons on the fire - Tom has a dozen irons on the fire with his assignments next month.
to have a lot of projects underway
my back is to the wall - My back is to the wall, there’s nothing I can do to fix the sink.
there is nothing else I can do
six of one, half a dozen of the other - It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other whether I buy the Jordan’s or the Nike’s for basketball practice.
the choices are the same
rug pulled out from under me - I had the rug pulled out from under me when my friends gave me a birthday party.
to be totally surprised
