Idioms Flashcards
(67 cards)
What does ‘Lily-livered’ mean?
Weak and cowardly.
What does ‘To kick the bucket’ mean?
To die.
What does ‘Miss the boat’ mean?
To miss an opportunity.
What does ‘To bell the cat’ mean?
To face risk.
What does ‘A storm in a teacup’ mean?
A situation in which people are very angry or upset about something that is not important.
What does ‘Sharp practice’ mean?
Crafty or deceitful dealings, especially in business.
What does ‘Rule to roost’ mean?
To dominate.
What does ‘Keep someone at arm’s length’ mean?
To not allow someone to become too friendly with you.
What does ‘To tie someone (up) in knots’ mean?
To confuse someone and make them unable to explain something clearly.
What does ‘Scrape the barrel’ mean?
To do something that you do not want to do because you have no other option.
What does ‘A dime a dozen’ mean?
Very common and of no particular value.
What does ‘Beat about the bush’ mean?
To avoid getting to the point of an issue.
What does ‘To prime the pump’ mean?
To stimulate the growth or success of something by doing something, usually supplying it with money.
What does ‘Back against the wall’ mean?
To be in a difficult situation from where escape is difficult.
What does ‘To walk on the air’ mean?
To feel extremely excited or happy.
What does ‘Bad iron’ mean?
Bad luck.
What does ‘By the skin of your teeth’ mean?
Just barely/by a very narrow margin; only just.
What does ‘Through thick and thin’ mean?
Under all circumstances, no matter how difficult.
What does ‘Blessing in disguise’ mean?
Something that seems bad or unlucky at first but causes something good to happen later.
What does ‘To be in two minds’ mean?
To be uncertain.
What does ‘Fall foul of’ mean?
To get into trouble because of failing to do what is required by (the law, a rule, etc.).
What does ‘Gift of the gab’ mean?
The ability to speak with eloquence and fluency.
What does ‘Get into a scrape’ mean?
Involved in a problem.
What does ‘Blow something out of proportion’ mean?
To treat a particular event or problem far too seriously.
