Idioms Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
A Piece of Cake
A
something easy to accomplish.
2
Q
Bite the Bullet
A
to face a challenging situation bravely.
3
Q
Break a Leg
A
wishing someone good luck, typically before a performance.
4
Q
Burn the Midnight Oil
A
to work late into the night.
5
Q
Cost an Arm and a Leg
A
something very expensive.
6
Q
Cry Over Spilled Milk
A
wasting time worrying about past mistakes.
7
Q
Cut Corners
A
doing something poorly to save time or money.
8
Q
Hit the Nail on the Head
A
To be exactly on point
9
Q
Let the Cat out of the Bag
A
reveal a secret.
10
Q
Miss the Boat
A
to lose an opportunity.
11
Q
Once in a Blue Moon
A
something that happens rarely.
12
Q
The Ball is in Your Court
A
it’s your decision or responsibility to do something now.
13
Q
Under the Weather
A
feeling ill or sick.
14
Q
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
A
to take on a task that is too big.
15
Q
Kill Two Birds with One Stone
A
to solve two problems with one single action.
16
Q
Pull Someone’s Leg
A
to joke or tease someone.
17
Q
The Best of Both Worlds
A
to enjoy two different opportunities at the same time.
18
Q
Speak of the Devil
A
the person we were just talking about shows up.
19
Q
Take It with a Grain of Salt
A
don’t take what someone says too seriously.
20
Q
You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
A
don’t judge someone’s worth or value by their appearance.
21
Q
Beating Around the Bush
A
avoiding the main topic.
22
Q
Bite the Dust
A
to fail or to fall down.
23
Q
Cut to the Chase
A
get to the point.
24
Q
Hit the Books
A
to study.
25
Kick the Bucket
to die.
26
Make a Long Story Short
tell something briefly.
27
Sit Tight
wait patiently.
28
Up in the Air
undecided or unresolved.
29
Give the Benefit of the Doubt
believe someone's statement, without proof.
30
Have a Blast
to have a great time.
31
Lose Your Touch
lose an ability or talent you once had.
32
Raining Cats and Dogs
raining heavily.
33
Save for a Rainy Day
save money for a time when it might be needed unexpectedly.
34
Barking up the Wrong Tree
seeking answers in the wrong place.
35
Beat a Dead Horse
to waste effort on something that has already been decided.
36
Close but No Cigar
nearly achieving success, but not quite.
37
Go Down in Flames
fail spectacularly.
38
Keep an Eye on
to watch or monitor closely.
39
Steal Someone's Thunder
take the attention or praise away from someone else.
40
Through Thick and Thin
under all circumstances, no matter how difficult.
41
Whole Nine Yards
everything possible or available.
42
Bend Over Backwards
to do whatever it takes to help.
43
Burst Your Bubble
to ruin someone's happy moment or expectations by bringing negative news.
44
Can't Hold a Candle To
not as good as someone else.
45
Go the Extra Mile
to make a special effort to achieve something.
46
Keep Your Chin Up
remain positive in a difficult situation.
47
Spill the Beans
reveal secret information unintentionally or indiscreetly.
48
Throw Someone Under the Bus
to sacrifice a friend or ally for personal gain.
49
Turn a Blind Eye
ignore undesirable information.
50
Beat Around the Bush
avoid talking about the main topic.
51
Elephant in the Room
An obvious problem or uncomfortable situation that people avoid talking about.
52
Throw in the Towel
Giving up when facing a difficult situation or challenge.
53
Take a Rain Check
Decline an offer or invitation but with the hope or promise to accept it at a later date.
54
Stepping Up to the Plate
Taking responsibility for a task or duty.
55
Bite Your Tongue
To avoid speaking, often due to a social reason.
56
The Last Straw
The final problem in a series that makes a situation impossible to tolerate.
57
Back to Square One
Having to start all over again.
58
Against the Clock
Rushed and short on time.
59
At the Drop of a Hat
Without any hesitation, instantly.
60
In the Heat of the Moment
Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.
61
Back to the Drawing Board
When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.
62
The Ball is in Your Court
It is up to you to make the next decision or step.
63
Barking Up the Wrong Tree
Accusing the wrong person or pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought.
64
Beat a Dead Horse
To continue a discussion about a topic that has already been resolved.
65
Be All Ears
To be eager and ready to listen.
66
Bent Out of Shape
To become greatly upset or offended.
67
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
In a difficult situation where there are two equally tough options.
68
Bite the Hand That Feeds You
To treat someone badly who has helped you in some way.
69
Break the Ice
To initiate a conversation or break down social awkwardness.
70
Burn Bridges
To destroy one's path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc., particularly intentionally.
71
By the Skin of Your Teeth
Just barely; narrowly.
72
Caught Red-Handed
To be caught in the act of doing something wrong.
73
Cold Feet
To have nervousness or fear before a big event.
74
Cry Over Spilt Milk
To remain upset about a past loss.
75
Cup of Tea
Something one enjoys or does well.
76
Cutting Corners
Doing something poorly in order to save time or money.
77
Down to the Wire
Until the last moment.
78
Feeling Under the Weather
Feeling sick.
79
Hit the Nail on the Head
Do or say something exactly right.
80
In Over Your Head
Involved in a difficult situation that you can't handle.
81
Kill Two Birds with One Stone
Solve two problems with one action.
82
Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Reveal a secret.
83
No Pain, No Gain
You have to work hard for what you want.
84
On Thin Ice
In a precarious or risky situation.
85
Pulling Someone's Leg
Joking or teasing someone.
86
See Eye to Eye
Agree with someone.
87
Take with a Grain of Salt
Don't take what someone says too seriously.
88
The Ball is in Your Court
It's your decision or responsibility to do something now.
89
Up in the Air
Decisions or plans that are not yet finalized.
90
Bite the Bullet
Face up to unpleasant reality.
91
Break a Leg
A saying for wishing good luck.
92
Cross Your Fingers
To hope that things will happen the way you want them to.
93
From Scratch
From the beginning, starting with no prior preparation or knowledge.
94
In Hot Water
In trouble.
95
Keep Your Cool
Stay calm.
96
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
To take on a task that is way too big.
97
Call It a Day
Stop working for the day.
98
Cut Someone Some Slack
Don't be so critical.
99
Get Out of Hand
Become unmanageable.
100
Have Your Work Cut Out
Having a lot of work to do.
101
Jump to Conclusions
Judge or decide something without having all the facts.
102
Look on the Bright Side
Look for the positive aspects in a tough situation
103
Make Ends Meet
Earn just enough money to live on
104
Out of the Blue
Unexpectedly
105
Read Between the Lines
Understand the hidden meaning
106
Ride out the Storm
Get through a difficult situation
107
See the Light
Realize the truth or understand something you didn't before
108
Take a Backseat
Choose not to take an active role
109
The Ball is in Your Court
It's your responsibility to make the next move
110
Up in Arms
Angry and complaining about something
111
Wild Goose Chase
A hopeless pursuit or search
112
Kick the Bucket
To die
113
Take the Bull by the Horns
To face a challenge or problem head-on in a confident or fearless manner
114
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Visuals can convey what might take lots of text
115
Go Down in Flames
Fail spectacularly
116
Bite the Dust
Fail, or be defeated or eliminated
117
Barking Up the Wrong Tree
Pursuing a misguided course of action
118
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Avoid stirring up old conflicts
119
Cast Pearls Before Swine
Offer valuable things to someone who can't appreciate them
120
Straight from the Horse's Mouth
Information directly from the original source
121
Hit the Hay
Go to bed
122
Through Thick and Thin
In good times and bad times
123
Bite Your Tongue
To avoid talking
124
Cat Got Your Tongue
Asked to a person who is at loss of words
125
Throw in the Towel
Giving up
126
Turn Over a New Leaf
Making a fresh start or changing your behavior for the better
127
Go the Extra Mile
Doing more than what is required or expected
128
Bark is Worse than the Bite
Someone's actions are not as bad as their threats
129
A Piece of Cake
Something that is easy to do
130
A Leopard Can't Change Its Spots
People can't change their essential nature
131
Head Over Heels
Deeply in love or very excited about something
132
Chip on Your Shoulder
Having a grudge or grievance about something
133
Cry Over Spilled Milk
Worry about past mistakes which can't be changed
134
A Drop in the Bucket
A very small part of something big or whole
135
Costs an Arm and a Leg
Something is very expensive
136
The Last Straw
The last in a series of irritations that finally makes you lose patience
137
On Cloud Nine
Extremely happy
138
Once in a Blue Moon
Happens very rarely
139
When Pigs Fly
Something that will never happen
140
A Breath of Fresh Air
Something refreshing or new
141
Cold Feet
To hesitate because of fear or uncertainty
142
Burning the Midnight Oil
Working late into the night
143
Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Don't risk everything on the success of one venture
144
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Every negative situation has the potential to result in or produce something positive or beneficial
145
Cut to the Chase
Leave out unnecessary details and get to the point
146
Hold Your Horses
Slow down, be patient
147
Saved by the Bell
Rescued from a difficult situation at the last moment
148
Let the Chips Fall Where They May
Let events happen as they will, and not to interfere
149
Under the Weather
Feeling slightly ill
150
Bite the Bullet
To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage
151
Off the Hook
No longer have to deal with a difficult situation
152
Bent Out of Shape
Upset or offended
153
A Blessing in Disguise
A good thing that seemed bad at first
154
Throw in the Towel
Give up
155
Burning Bridges
Destroy one’s path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc., particularly intentionally
156
Up in the Air
Undecided, uncertain, not resolved
157
Raining Cats and Dogs
Raining very heavily
158
Beat Around the Bush
Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable
159
Bury the Hatchet
Make peace; end a quarrel, settle one’s differences to become friends again
160
Pulling Your Leg
Teasing or joking around
161
Hit the Sack
Go to bed or go to sleep
162
Kick the Bucket
Die
163
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
To avoid restarting a conflict
164
Miss the Boat
It's too late
165
No Pain, No Gain
You have to work for what you want
166
The Real McCoy
The genuine thing; the real deal
167
Ring a Bell
Sound familiar
168
Throw Someone Under the Bus
Sacrifice someone else's interests or blame someone for your own gain
169
Take It with a Grain of Salt
Don't take it too seriously, or, it might not be 100% true
170
Through the Grapevine
Hear about something through gossip or unofficial channels
171
Under the Radar
Not getting noticed, intentionally or not
172
The Whole Nine Yards
Everything. All of it
173
You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover
Decisions shouldn’t be made primarily on appearance
174
A Dime a Dozen
Something very common and not having much value
175
A Penny for Your Thoughts
A way of asking what someone is thinking
176
Break a Leg
Good luck (especially in performances)
177
A Sight for Sore Eyes
Something you're glad to see
178
The Ball is in Your Court
It's up to you to make the next decision or step
179
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
Take on more than one can handle
180
Blessing in Disguise
Something good that seemed bad at first
181
Burn the Midnight Oil
Work late into the night
182
Caught Between Two Stools
When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives
183
Cut Corners
Doing something poorly to save time or money
184
Devil's Advocate
To present a counter argument
185
Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Diversify your risk by not putting all your resources in one place
186
Drastic Times Call for Drastic Measures
Extreme circumstances or situations require extreme actions
187
Elvis has Left the Building
The show or event has come to an end
188
Every Cloud has a Silver Lining
Even difficult times will lead to better days
189
Feel a Bit Under the Weather
Feeling slightly ill
190
Give the Benefit of the Doubt
Believe someone's statement, without proof
191
Hit the Nail on the Head
Do or say something exactly right
192
In the Heat of the Moment
Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment
193
Jump on the Bandwagon
Join a popular trend or activity
194
Keep Something at Bay
Keep something away
195
Kill Two Birds with One Stone
Accomplish two different things at the same time
196
Last but not Least
An introduction for an important point or participant that is coming last
197
Let Bygones be Bygones
To forget about a disagreement or argument
198
Miss the Boat
It's too late
199
Not a Spark of Decency
No manners
200
Not Playing with a Full Deck
Someone who lacks intelligence
