General Flashcards
(126 cards)
1
Q
to be useful
A
to come in handy
I’ll put these bottles in the cupboard they might come in handy some day.
1
Q
run/go like clockwork The party went like clockwork.
A
to happen exactly as planned, without any trouble (When things go right)
2
Q
to come in handy
I’ll put these bottles in the cupboard they might come in handy some day.
A
to be useful
2
Q
to happen exactly as planned, without any trouble (When things go right)
A
run/go like clockwork The party went like clockwork.
3
Q
the rare occurrence of a counterexample to a rule, used to underscore that the rule exists
A
the exception proves the rule
I know that what I have said doesn’t apply to him, but I think in this case the exception proves the rule.
4
Q
the exception proves the rule
I know that what I have said doesn’t apply to him, but I think in this case the exception proves the rule.
A
the rare occurrence of a counterexample to a rule, used to underscore that the rule exists
5
Q
very fast
A
as quick as lightning
The dog grabbed the meat and was out of the shop as quick as a lightning.
6
Q
as quick as lightning
The dog grabbed the meat and was out of the shop as quick as a lightning.
A
very fast
7
Q
mark something up / down
This coat has been marked down from $10 to $8.
A
to reduce or raise the price of something
8
Q
to reduce or raise the price of something
A
mark something up / down
This coat has been marked down from $10 to $8.
9
Q
be at the bottom of
What’s at the bottom of these nasty rumours?
A
to be a cause of something
usually bad things
10
Q
to be a cause of something usually something bad
A
be at the bottom of
What’s at the bottom of these nasty rumours? “
11
Q
until / till / to the bitter end
The play was very boring, but we stayed until the bitter end.
A
to the limit of one’s efforts to the last extremit
12
Q
**to the limit of one’s efforts to the last extremit **
A
until / till / to the bitter end
The play was very boring, but we stayed until the bitter end.
13
Q
have the best of both worlds
Women with children who have a job they can do at home are often thought to have the best of both worlds.
A
to have the best aspects of one choice and the best aspects of another choice when you have been asked to select between two choices
14
Q
to have the best aspects of one choice and the best aspects of another choice when you have been asked to select between two choices
A
have the best of both worlds
Women with children who have a job they can do at home are often thought to have the best of both worlds. “
15
Q
You’re talented, young, healthy and wealthy the world’s your oyster!
A
the world is his oyster
about someone who is very talented and can take up the whole world quite easily;
16
Q
the world is his oyster
You’re talented, young, healthy and wealthy the world’s your oyster!
A
about someone who is very talented and can take up the whole world quite easily;
17
Q
rule of thumb
I usually work by rule of thumb.
A
a means of estimation made according to a rough and ready practical rule, not based on science or exact measurement;
18
Q
a means of estimation made according to a rough and ready practical rule, not based on science or exact measurement;
A
rule of thumb
I usually work by rule of thumb.
19
Q
in short order
When the burglar saw the police car he left the shop in short order.
A
immediately
20
Q
immediately
A
in short order
When the burglar saw the police car he left the shop in short order.
21
Q
have a good innings
She had a good innings she lived to be ninety-two.
A
to live happy ever after or the be successful for a long period of time
22
Q
to live happy ever after or the be successful for a long period of time
A
have a good innings
She had a good innings she lived to be ninety-two.
23
it's my funeral
If he wants to do something illegal, that's his funeral, but there's no reason why you should get involved.
it's my problem, you don't need to worry about it;
24
it's my problem, you don't need to worry about it
it's my funeral
If he wants to do something illegal, that's his funeral, but there's no reason why you should get involved.
25
fair do's / fair's fair
Fair's fair now it's your time to do the washing up.
something that you say in order to tell someone that you think something is fair;
26
something that you say in order to tell someone that you think something is fair
fair do's / fair's fair
Fair's fair now it's your time to do the washing up.
27
dressed to kill
She was dressed to kill for this party.
dressed in their best clothes and looking stunning
28
dressed in their best clothes and looking stunning
dressed to kill
She was dressed to kill for this party.
29
cut corners
You can't cut corners if you want the building to be of good quality
to do something in the easiest, quickest, or cheapest way, often harming the quality of your work
30
to do something in the easiest, quickest, or cheapest way, often harming the quality of your work
**cut corners**
You can't cut corners if you want the building to be of good quality
31
**many happy returns (of the day)**
He visited his mother on her birthday to wish her many happy returns.
to wish somebody all the best
32
to wish somebody all the best
**many happy returns (of the day)**
He visited his mother on her birthday to wish her many happy returns.
33
a slap on the wrist
He got a slap on the wrist for not coming to work, but nobody was really angry.
to get a light punishment (for doing something wrong)
34
to get a light punishment (for doing something wrong)
35
**a bit of stuff**
He went to the party with a flashy looking bit of stuff he had picked up in a pub.
a sexually attractive woman (slang)
36
a sexually attractive woman (slang)
a bit of stuff
He went to the party with a flashy looking bit of stuff he had picked up in a pub.
37
tooth and nail
They fought for a new shirt tooth and nail.
with every available resource; with unrelenting effort
38
with every available resource; with unrelenting effort
tooth and nail
They fought for a new shirt tooth and nail.
39
not to turn a hair
She didn't turn a hair when the madman ran towards her waiving a knife.
to remain calm, do not show any emotion
40
to remain calm, do not show any emotion
not to turn a hair
She didn't turn a hair when the madman ran towards her waiving a knife.
41
in one's mind's eye
I can see the place where we spent our holidays in my mind's eye.
in imagination
42
in imagination
**in one's mind's eye**
I can see the place where we spent our holidays in my mind's eye.
43
mind one's p's and q's
Mind your p's and q's so you don't annoy him!
to do something very carefully or behave in a very polite way
44
to do something very carefully or behave in a very polite way
mind one's p's and q's
Mind your p's and q's so you don't annoy him!
45
**take leave of one's senses**
What did she say to you? She must have taken leave of her senses!
to go crazy
46
to go crazy
**take leave of one's senses**
What did she say to you? She must have taken leave of her senses!
47
a sitting target / duck
He wants to criticise someone and I'm afraid that his secretary is a sitting duck.
a defenceless victim
48
a defenceless victim
a sitting target / duck
He wants to criticise someone and I'm afraid that his secretary is a sitting duck.
49
**at sixes and sevens**
One day before the wedding the whole house was at sixes and sevens.
in a total disarray
50
in a total disarray
**at sixes and sevens**
One day before the wedding the whole house was at sixes and sevens.
51
**have no stomach for (something)**
I had no stomach for the fight.
to not feel brave or determined enough to do something unpleasant
52
to not feel brave or determined enough to do something unpleasant
**have no stomach for (something)**
I had no stomach for the fight.
53
**pull out all the stops**
He pulled out all the stops to catch the criminal.
to do everything you can to make something successful
54
to do everything you can to make something successful
**pull out all the stops**
He pulled out all the stops to catch the criminal.
55
**in cold storage**
The killer walked up and shot the woman in cold storage.
intentionally and without emotion
56
intentionally and without emotion
**in cold storage**
The killer walked up and shot the woman in cold storage.
57
**be on tenterhooks**
We were all on tenterhooks waiting to hear the result of the general election.
anxiously waiting for news about someone or something
58
anxiously waiting for news about someone or something
**be on tenterhooks**
We were all on tenterhooks waiting to hear the result of the general election.
59
**He couldn't hit a barn door from 10 paces.**
دروازه خالی رو نمیتونه گل بزنه
60
دروازه خالی رو نمیتونه گل بزنه
61
Make yourself at home
Be comfortable
62
Be comfortable
Make yourself at home
63
**works like a dream**
Everything had happened as it was meant to. Oscar's plan had worked like a dream. Our new car goes like a dream.
this means a plan succeeded absolutely perfectly (When things go right)
64
this means a plan succeeded absolutely perfectly (When things go right)
**works like a dream**
Everything had happened as it was meant to. Oscar's plan had worked like a dream. Our new car goes like a dream.
65
**go according to plan**
Events of this type rarely go according to plan.
to happen in the way you intend (When things go right)
66
to happen in the way you intend (When things go right)
**go according to plan**
Events of this type rarely go according to plan.
67
**up and running**
The engineer soon got the air-conditioning **up and running** again.
If something, especially a system or a machine, is up and running it is operating (When things go right)
68
If something, especially a system or a machine, is up and running it is operating (When things go right)
**up and running**
The engineer soon got the air-conditioning **up and running** again.
69
**fall into place**
If you plan the project well, then everything should **fall into place**.
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Once I discovered that the woman whom he had been dancing with was his daughter, everything **fell into place**.
When things fall into place, they happen in a satisfactory way, without problems (When things go right)
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
When events or details that you did not understand before fall into place, they become easy to understand (When things go right)
70
When things fall into place, they happen in a satisfactory way, without problems (When things go right)
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
When events or details that you did not understand before fall into place, they become easy to understand (When things go right)
**fall into place**
If you plan the project well, then everything should **fall into place**.
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Once I discovered that the woman whom he had been dancing with was his daughter, everything **fell into place**.
71
**is/are looking up**
I hope things will start **to look up** in the new year.
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Our financial situation **is looking up** at last.
this means they are looking very positive (When things go right)
72
this means they are looking very positive (When things go right)
**is/are looking up**
I hope things will start **to look up** in the new year.
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Our financial situation **is looking up** at last.
73
Oh no! That’s all we needed!
(in response to news that makes current problems even worse) (When things go wrong)
74
(in response to news that makes current problems even worse) (When things go wrong)
Oh no! That’s all we needed!
75
That’s the last thing we wanted to hear!
( in response to news that fulfills your worst fears) (When things go wrong)
76
( in response to news that fulfills your worst fears) (When things go wrong)
That’s the last thing we wanted to hear!
77
This is like a bad dream!
( when one bad thing after other happens in quick succession) (When things go wrong)
78
( when one bad thing after other happens in quick succession) (When things go wrong)
This is like a bad dream!
79
It’s a real nightmare.
( used very generally for traffic jams ) (When things go wrong)
80
( used very generally for traffic jams ) (When things go wrong)
It’s a real nightmare.
81
What a pain!
(very general…for something that causes difficulty) (When things go wrong)
82
(very general…for something that causes difficulty) (When things go wrong)
What a pain!
83
It’s the calm before the storm.
( when things are quiet, but you fear they are about to change) (When things go wrong)
84
( when things are quiet, but you fear they are about to change) (When things go wrong)
It’s the calm before the storm.
85
When she said her name was Bloor it **threw me completely**.
( I did not know how to respond) (Confusing situations or situations you don’t understand)
86
( I did not know how to respond) (Confusing situations or situations you don’t understand)
When she said her name was Bloor it **threw me completely**.
87
The event he organized was **complete shambles**.
(a totally disorganized event) (Confusing situations or situations you don’t understand)
88
(a totally disorganized event) (Confusing situations or situations you don’t understand)
The event he organized was **complete shambles**.
89
It’s **a mystery** to me, how people know my private life.
(something that I cannot understand) (Confusing situations or situations you don’t understand)
90
(something that I cannot understand) (Confusing situations or situations you don’t understand)
It’s **a mystery** to me, how people know my private life.
91
I am sorry we must have got our wires crossed.
(a miscommunication/ a misunderstanding) (Confusing situations or situations you don’t understand)
92
(a miscommunication/ a misunderstanding) (Confusing situations or situations you don’t understand)
I am sorry we must have got our wires crossed.
93
We can’t see the **wood for the trees**.
(too much detail prevents us to see the overall situation) (Confusing situations or situations you don’t understand)
94
It’s nothing it’s just a storm in the teacup.
(a lot of fuss) (Resolving difficulty (or failing to do so))
95
That was a close call/thing.
(It was almost a disaster) (Resolving difficulty (or failing to do so))
96
We solved the problem at the eleventh hour.
( at the very last minute) (Resolving difficulty (or failing to do so))
97
It was all just brushed under the carpet.
(never resolved, never mentioned again) (Resolving difficulty (or failing to do so))
98
(too much detail prevents us to see the overall situation) (Confusing situations or situations you don’t understand)
We can’t see the **wood for the trees**.
99
(a lot of fuss) (Resolving difficulty (or failing to do so))
It’s nothing it’s just a storm in the teacup.
100
(It was almost a disaster) (Resolving difficulty (or failing to do so))
That was a close call/thing.
101
( at the very last minute) (Resolving difficulty (or failing to do so))
We solved the problem at the eleventh hour.
102
(never resolved, never mentioned again) (Resolving difficulty (or failing to do so))
It was all just brushed under the carpet.
103
You kiss my cheek only to finger my ass.
:))
104
**cruising for a bruising**
(informal heading or looking for trouble.)
105
add insult to injury
to ask our members to accept a pay cut **adds insult to injury**
(act in a way that makes a bad situation worse)
106
**be in retard**
I **was in retard** of them in real knowledge
British formal behind in terms of development or progress.
107
**Look down on**
My mother had social pretensions and **looked down** on most of our neighbours
to regard with scorn or disdain, to feel superior to someone or something - regard (someone) with a feeling of superiority
108
(informal heading or looking for trouble.)
**cruising for a bruising**
109
(act in a way that makes a bad situation worse)
add insult to injury
to ask our members to accept a pay cut **adds insult to injury**
110
British formal behind in terms of development or progress.
**be in retard**
I **was in retard** of them in real knowledge
111
to regard with scorn or disdain, to feel superior to someone or something - regard (someone) with a feeling of superiority
**Look down on**
My mother had social pretensions and **looked down** on most of our neighbours
112
**Smile on sth/sb (literary)**
(Phrasal verb)
To feel positive about something or someone, or to treat them in a very positive way.
113
(Phrasal verb)
To feel positive about something or someone, or to treat them in a very positive way.
**Smile on sth/sb (literary)**
114
search your heart
کلاه خود را قاضی کردن
115
کلاه خود را قاضی کردن
search your heart
116
play with fire
Dating the boss’s daughter is playing with fire.
to do something that could have a very dangerous or harmful result
با دم شیر بازی کردن
117
to do something that could have a very dangerous or harmful result
با دم شیر بازی کردن
play with fire
Dating the boss’s daughter is playing with fire.
118
catch somebody with their pants down
مچ کسی را گرفتن
119
مچ کسی را گرفتن
catch somebody with their pants down
120
**look into**
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
One of our customers hasn't received her order yet. Could you **look into it** and try to find out what happened?
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
My car was stolen last week. The police say they're **looking into it**, but I'd be surprised if they catch the thief.
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
I told my lawyer about how the hospital had overcharged me, and he said he'd look into
1-my money
2-my doctor
3-my case
If you look into something, you investigate it or you try to find out more about it
**Synonym:** investigate, examine
For example:
121
**come into leaf/flower/blossom**
The roses are just **coming into flower**.
برگ (رشد) دادن/گل دادن(شکفتن)/شکوفه کردن
122
برگ (رشد) دادن/گل دادن(شکفتن)/شکوفه کردن
**come into leaf/flower/blossom**
The roses are just **coming into flower**.
123
**Mark my words**
## Footnote
They’re going to regret firing me, **you mark my words**!
یک روز خودت می فهمی! یادت باشه
## Footnote
means: used to tell someone that they should pay attention to what you are saying
124
یک روز خودت می فهمی! یادت باشه
means: used to tell someone that they should pay attention to what you are saying
**Mark my words**
## Footnote
They’re going to regret firing me, **you mark my words**!
