Idioms Flashcards
(104 cards)
1
Q
over the moon
A
extremely happy
2
Q
costs an arm and a leg
A
very expensive
3
Q
once in a blue moon
A
rarerly
4
Q
about to
A
ready to…
5
Q
Make up one’s mind
A
to decide - You’ll need to make up your mind quickly because the the waitress is coming
6
Q
Put up with
A
to endure without complaint
7
Q
A real flow
A
a failure - The Broadway play closed after just 4 days – it was a real flop.
8
Q
Save the day
A
to prevent a disaster or misfortune - We forgot to buy champagne for our New Year’s party, but Sonia brought some and really saved the day.
9
Q
(as) sharp as a tack
A
very intelligent - My friend got a scholarship to Yale. He’s as sharp as a tack
10
Q
Talk over
A
to discuss
11
Q
To change one’s mind
A
to change one’s opinion or decision - He changed my mind about this topic.
12
Q
Easier said than done
A
more difficult than you think - You want to climb Mount Everest? Easier said than done!
13
Q
To hang in there
A
to persevere / to not give up
14
Q
To keep one’s chin up
A
to stay positive - Even when he was unemployed and homeless,( Even in hard times) he managed to keep his chin up.
15
Q
as a last resort
A
As a final option, usually when preferable ones have failed. – I don’t like taking medicine. I will only take it as a last resort
16
Q
To look on the bright side
A
to be optimistic; to think about the positive part of a situation.
— • You lost your job? Look on the bright side, now you will have more free time.
17
Q
Out of work
A
unemployed; not working
18
Q
Right-hand man
A
the most helpful assistant or employee
19
Q
to slack off
A
to waste time - To be or become lazy; to procrastinate or avoid work or one’s duty. — I should have been working on my essay, but I decided to slack off for the weekend with my friends.
20
Q
beside the point
A
not relevant, not important – The reason you’re late is beside the point. The fact is, your dinner is now cold
21
Q
to buckle down
A
to start working seriously - work very hard, like a slave
22
Q
can’t stand
A
to hate
23
Q
to detest
A
to hate
24
Q
loathe
A
to hate
25
to have my heart set on
To have a strong (and sometimes inflexible) desire for something ---- We all had our hearts set on traveling to Spain for the summer --- My husband had his heart set on getting new furniture for the living room.
26
to hit the books
to start studying - I will hit the books for learning German
27
to go into
to enter a profession --- to go into publishing.
28
green with envy
kıskanmak
29
gung ho
Extremely enthusiastic and dedicated.- Heather is really gung ho about his new job.
30
head and shoulders above
outstandingly superior to --- In intelligence, he was head and shoulders above the others in his class"
31
to pay someone a compliment
to give someone a compliment
32
to be crazy about
Very enthusiastically fond of someone or something. ---
Teri is just crazy about her new boyfriend and won't stop talking about him.
I'm not crazy about that place, so can we go somewhere else for dinner?
33
cup of tea
Watching TV is not my cup of tea. I prefer listening to music.
Something one prefers, desires, enjoys, or cares about. Often used in the negative to mean the opposite.
34
down in the dumps
Sad or depressed.
Rob has been down in the dumps ever since Gloria broke up with him.
35
be down in the dumps
Sad or depressed.
Rob has been down in the dumps ever since Gloria broke up with him.
36
to drop by
uğramak, habersiz ... To come over and briefly visit or converse with someone at a future period in time.
If you still have questions on the material, why don't you drop by my office sometime, and we'll go over everything step by step.
37
to hang around
1. To linger some place without doing anything productive.
There are always kids hanging around the diner after school.
2. To spend time with someone.
I used to hang around with Chelsea a lot more before she started dating Drew.
38
have a good time - had a ball
enjoy oneself greatly;
"We had a ball at the party and didn't come home until 2 AM"
39
there's no accounting for taste
People like or dislike things for inexplicable reasons.
Some people like sunny days others like rainy days. There's no accounting for taste!
40
to cheer me up
to make me happy -- Grandpa could always cheer up Sarah when she was sad about something.
41
give me credit
1. To give someone praise or recognition.
We must give Samantha credit for getting the project finished on time.
2. You have to give John credit for the humility he shows regarding his financial success.
42
good thinking
good idea!
43
to have a heart of gold
To be very sincere, generous, and kind by nature.
1. Sefa has a heart of gold and always thinks of others before himself.
2. Sarah always goes out of her way to help everyone she can—she really has a heart of gold.
44
to make a bundle
to make a lot of money - We'll make a bundle if we can manage to secure a trading partner in China.
45
on edge
Anxious and tense
I feel on edge when I am distracted by others while studying
46
out of this world
Extraordinary; very exciting or impressive. Sometimes hyphenated, delicious.
1. Wow, that performance was out of this world!
2. This bakery sells some out-of-this-world desserts.
47
bright and early
In the early morning.
I had to wake up bright and early to make sure I was at the airport in time for my 7 AM flight.
48
to give it a shot
to try something
1. "Do you want to try driving my car, to see how you like it?" B: "Yeah, sure, I'll give it a shot."
2 . I don't usually like hot tea, but it's so cold out that I gave it a shot today.
49
happy camper
Someone who is happy or content. Often used in the negative to indicate someone who is particularly unhappy, irritable, or displeased.
1. I could tell the crew members were not happy campers after having to work so late.
2. She was not a happy camper when her work permit application was denied.
50
mixed feelings
Positive and negative emotions that are experienced simultaneously and which are often in conflict with one another. I've got mixed feelings about starting college this fall: on the one hand, I can't wait to start the next chapter in my education, but, on the other, I will be so sad leaving my friends and family behind.
51
Needless to say
obviously
52
do not have a clue
To know absolutely nothing (in general, or about something specific).
1. My brother thinks he can maintain his social life after he has kids. He doesn't have a clue!
2. You don't have a clue how that thing works, do you?
53
to not sleep a wink
To not get any sleep.
| Our newborn son is rather colicky, so my wife and I haven't slept a wink the last few nights.
54
to work like a dog
to work very hard
55
a dime a dozen
common -
Reality Shows are a dime a dozen these days
Ubiquitous; so abundant or common as to hold little or no value. In Los Angeles, waiters trying to become famous actors are a dime a dozen.
56
hard times
I am going through hard times
57
made of money
very rich - I know you want the new phone, but the answer is no. I'm not made of money.
58
to make a splash.
To be very successful and garner a lot of public attention.
The low-budget indie movie is making a big splash with audiences worldwide.
The video game franchise was canceled after its latest entry failed to make a splash.
to win popularity quickly
59
pipe dream
an unrealistic hope
60
count on someone
rely on
61
get - have under one's belt
1. In one's scope of experience. to get experience
| Once you get a few more major league games under your belt, you'll feel more comfortable.
62
to kid around
to joke around - to tease
1. To engage in lighthearted behavior, such as making jokes; to joke around.
Grandpa loves to kid around with all the little ones—look, it's like he's one of them!
Boys, please stop kidding around and start working on the assignment.
63
a ballpark figure
An approximate number; an estimate.
| Do you have a ballpark figure for the cost of the renovations?
64
to figure out
to solve, to determine
65
sit tight
to wait patiently
1. To wait patiently without taking any immediate action.
2. I know you're anxious to hear how you did, but just sit tight—they'll let you know the results when they're r
66
to make a living
make a living
1. To earn enough money in order to support oneself financially.
2. If you quit your job at the hospital, how on earth will you make a living?
Right now, I have to work three jobs just to make a living.
67
out of the question
impossible -- Not possible; having no chance; not permitted.
Driving is out of the question as long as the engine is busted.
We've sunk too much time and money into this project as it is, so starting again from scratch is out of the question.
I'm sorry, but having a party here is absolutely out of the question.
68
worth (one's) while
Beneficial and not a waste of one's time.
1 - I was reluctant to do research at a different library, but it turned out to be totally worth my while, as they had a ton of books on my topic!
2 - Staying up late tonight won't be worth my while because then I'll be exhausted the whole rest of the week.
3 - Will you drive me to the party tonight? I'll make it worth your while—how about I do your chores for a week?
69
help out
to give assistance, to help
1. To aid someone in doing something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "help" and "out."
Can you help out with the bake sale?
Oh sure, I can help you out with that.
70
like pulling teeth
Said of something that is especially difficult, tedious, requires an extreme amount of effort, or is done in the most difficult or unpleasant way possible.
1 . With this new way of preparing vegetables, getting your kids to eat their greens is no longer like pulling teeth.
2 . It's been like pulling teeth trying to get my family members organized for this get together, but I think it will all be worth it!
71
to pitch in
to help
pitch in To help out; to contribute or assist. Jim is always willing to pitch in with any housework that needs doing. Let me know if I can pitch in at all.
72
things are looking up
Things are or appear to be improving or becoming more hopeful.
1 Things are looking up for families across the country as the economy continues to rebound.
2 I just found out that I got the job I wanted—things are really looking up!
73
to love the sound of your own voice
talk too much, usually without listening to other people.
talkative
1 Boy, he really loves the sound of his own voice—I didn't think he would ever stop talking!
2 . I know you love the sound of your own voice, but can I please say something now?
74
a creature of habit
One who prefers the comfort and reliability of routine and habitual behavior.
1. My brother is far too much a creature of habit to be up for something like backpacking across Europe.
2. I know we're told to shuck our routines and live spontaneously, but I'm a creature of habit—it's just easier when you know exactly how each day will pan out.
75
a live wire
2. A very lively or energetic person.
| Greg's such a live wire that it's tough to keep up with his stories!
76
a bright spark
A person who is regarded as clever or intelligent.
Timmy's the bright spark of the family—he graduated at the top of his class.
Some bright spark at the auto repair shop forgot to tighten the lugnuts on my wheels after he rotated my tires.
77
a soft touch
INF a person from whom you can easily get money because they are kind or easy to deceive.
Julia is a soft touch—we can get her to help us with this prank.
78
the salt of the earth
reliable person
"She's a lovable person, the salt of the earth".
She is the salt of the earth, a brilliant person.
"I love analysts — they're the salt of the earth," he told Gabbard.
Don't worry, even with all his success, Robert is still the salt of the earth. He donates most of his salary to charity and volunteers weekly at the hospital.
79
the scum of the earth
baş belası -
The absolute worst kind of person or people.
The people who carried out those atrocities are the scum of the earth.
80
a nasty piece of work
A difficult or disagreeable person or thing.
His secretary is a nasty piece of work, always snapping at people for no reason.
I know you're not excited about this family vacation, but please, don't be a nasty piece of work the whole time.
This virus is a nasty piece of work. It's already infected millions of users.
81
a cold fish
a person who shows little emotion or seems unfriendly.
The manager decided not to hire Bill as the store greeter because he came across like a cold fish during the interview.
He's a bit ofa cold fish. He hardly every speaks to us or even smiles.
He acts like a cold fish
82
have sb's best interests at heart
care about sb and want to improve their situation.
All mums have the family's best interests at heart,
83
go out of your way
2. To make more effort than is required or expected (to help or benefit someone else).
You need to thank Monica—she really went out of her way to get you this job interview.
I'd appreciate your help with that if you can get to it, but don't go out of your way.
84
shoulder to cry on
One who provides comfort to another during a difficult time.
Janine needed a shoulder to cry on after she lost her job, so she came over to my apartment.
If she wants a shoulder to cry on, offer one.
"The women want a shoulder to cry on".
85
go to great lengths to do sth
To put in a lot of effort, energy, or work to achieve something.
some sites go to great lengths to promote loyalty.
We went to great lengths to ensure that this film was historically accurate.
I appreciate that the tutor went to great lengths to make sure I understood the assignment
86
turn to
2. To seek or rely on someone or something as an aid or for assistance through a difficult situation.
1 - - - My mom is someone that I can always turn to in times of need.
2 - - - I turned to my car's manual when I couldn't figure out what that weird dashboard light meant.
3 - - - I wish you wouldn't turn to alcohol when you're stressed about work.
87
set him apart from other friends
make sb different from or better than others.
But what sets her apart from the other mums is her concern for others.
set (one) apart (from someone)
To make one noticeable or remarkable (in comparison to someone else); to distinguish one.
The author's brilliant wit really sets her apart from other contemporary writers today.
He's an average enough kid in most ways, but his encyclopedic knowledge of insects sets him apart.
88
give/lend a helping hand
help sb
89
thank your lucky stars
feel very grateful and lucky about sth.
Steven is my best and oldest friend and I thank my lucky stars that he is still in my life.
90
to have things her own way
get or do what you want, even when other people want sth different
my sister always wants to have things her own way,
91
not lift a finger
To not do anything at all; to not take any action. Typically due to refusal or unwillingness.
My sister never lifts a finger to help around the house;
I am not lifting a finger until you kids start doing your fair share of the housework.
The government has made it clear that it won't life a finger to help with the conflict in the region.
He hasn't lifted a finger since he got here. He's been no help at all.
92
take it for granted
bir şeyi sorgusuz sualsiz kabul etmek.
1. To consider something as being innately or unfailingly true, correct, real, or available.
The plenitude of our natural resources has resulted in most people taking them for granted for most of human history.
I guess I just took your support for granted, because I thought you would be there for me no matter what.
93
all the rage
very popular
Disco music was all the rage in the 1970s.
I can't believe that stupid dance is all the rage right now.
94
know his / her stuff
To be very knowledgeable or skilled in some area.
| I think Nicole is our best candidate for the job—she really knows her stuff when it comes to corporate accounting.
95
to lend a hand
to help
96
to be out of practice
Not having done something in a long time, and no longer skillful as a result.
I wanted to play songs on the guitar for my brother's wedding, but I was too out of practice.
97
to pick up
to acquire, to learn
98
too many cooks spoil the broth
too many people involved in activity can ruin it
99
work one's tail off
to work hard
I worked my tail off to get done on time. You spend half your life working your butt off—and for what?
100
crunch time
A critical period of time characterized by a heightened pressure to succeed, usually at or near the end of a given situation or undertaking.
May is crunch time for many students. It is when they have their final exams.
101
go ahead
to continue,
102
head over heels in love
very much in love
103
nuts about
to like very much
Ted has every single Metallica album . he is nuts about that band
104
to have a one track mind
having all thoughts directed to just one thing
Ryan thinks about football all the time. He's got a one track mind.
