defintitions/ Idioms Flashcards
(72 cards)
Backing the wrong horse
making a bad decision; to support something or someone that cannot or does not win or succeed. ex: I knew that our company was backing the wrong horse but we continued to invest in Uruguay.
Two shakes of a lamb’s tail
in a very short period of time; very quickly ex: When I stepped out for coffee, I promised that I would be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail
donkey’s years
a very long time ex: I met my old school friend yesterday, I hadn’t seen her in donkey’s years
a white elephant
a useless but expensive investment The even stadium was a white elephant because nobody ever used it.
carry out
to complete; to put something into action, to accomplish something ex: the company needs to carry out some market research before it can launch the new product
accounts for
to provide an explanation or answer for ex: a huge summer sale accounts for the large crowd waiting in front of the department store
Incognito definition
having one’s true identity concealed “in order to observe, you have to be incognito”
presumptuous definition
failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate; arrogant, bold, overconfident “I hope I won’t be considered presumptuous if i offer some advise”
Digress definition
leave the main subject temporarily in speech or writing. to get off of the subject “I have digressed a little from my original plan”
Badger (someone) Idiom
to get someone to do something by repeated questions or by bothering them ex: I always have to badger my friend in order to make him return my music CDs.
Let sleeping dogs lie
to not make trouble if you don’t have to “the issue is now closed so we should let sleeping dogs lie.
A bee in their bonnet
to have a fixed idea that stays in one’s mind “the CEO has a bee in his bonnet about flying business class, he thinks we should fly economy”
Last-ditch
is a final effort, usually to avoid disaster. “A last-ditch naval evacuation”
astute definition
marked by clever intelligence. sharp, clever. “an astute businessman”
Blunder
to make a serious mistake. stupid or careless mistake “the mayor and the City Council have blundered in an ill-advised campaign”
diligent
hardworking and persevering
Persevering
continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success. Persist “his family persevered with his treatment”
Vouch
assert or confirm as a result of one’s own experience. confirm, affirm “I can not vouch for that Doctor’s work, because I have never seen his outcomes”
Precinct
a district of a city or town as defined for police purposes. “the police station situated in a precinct.
quilled
form (fabric) into small cylindrical folds.
amnesia
a partial or total loss of memory
shaman
a person regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of good and evil spirits, especially among some peoples of northern Asia and North America. Typically such people enter a trance state during a ritual, and practice divination and healing.
rez
a North American Indian reservation
sinew
a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament
