Idioms And Phrasal Verb And Collocation Flashcards
(263 cards)
1
Q
come down on one side of the fence or the other
A
to make a decision between two opposing points of view:
The election is next week, so you’ll have to come down on one side of the fence or the other by then
2
Q
be on the horns of a dilemma
A
to be unable to decide which of two things to do because either could have bad results
3
Q
a whole new ballgame
A
a completely different situation, often one that is difficult or that you know little about:
- We’d done a lot of climbing in Scotland but the Himalayas were a whole new ballgame.
4
Q
Beneath one’s dignity
A
If something is beneath your dignity, you feel that you are too important to do it:
- He felt cleaning the bathroom was beneath his dignity.
5
Q
the cherry on (top of) the cake
(the cherry on (top of) the sundae, the cherry on top)
A
something that makes something that is already good even better, or perfect:
1. For his career, the Olympic Games would be the cherry on the cake.
2. He put the cherry on top of the cake by scoring for the third time.
3. Finding this piece of evidence really was the cherry on the sundae for the prosecution’s case.
4. The garden is not our main reason for buying this house, but it’s the cherry on top.
6
Q
the icing on the cake
(US also the frosting on the cake)
A
something that makes a good situation even better:
1. I was just content to see my daughter in such a stable relationship but a grandchild, that really was the icing on the cake.
2. I love my job and getting public recognition is merely the icing on the cake.
7
Q
all is well
A
everything is in a good or acceptable state:
1. I hope all is well with Jack.
8
Q
the apple of someone’s eye
(old-fashioned)
A
the person who someone loves most and is very proud of:
- His youngest daughter was the apple of his eye
9
Q
show/teach someone the ropes
A
to show someone how to do a job or activity:
1. Lynn spent an afternoon showing the new girl the ropes.
10
Q
at any rate
(C2)
A
whatever happens:
- Well, I’m not going home on foot, at any rate.
something you say to show that you are going to say something more exactly:
- don’t think they liked my idea. At any rate, they weren’t very enthusiastic about it.
11
Q
burn the midnight oil
(C2)
A
to work late into the night
12
Q
like a kid with a new toy
(Informal)
A
very thrilled or excited about something new that one has got
13
Q
beat it!
(Idiom, slang)
A
Go away!
14
Q
Break the ice
(Informal, B2)
A
to make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other:
- Someone suggested that we play a party game to break the ice.
15
Q
lull someone into something US /lʌl/
(Phrasal verb with lull verb)
A
to make someone feel safe in order to trick them:
- Most exercise classes start gently, lulling you into thinking that you’re in good shape.
- Their promises lulled us into a false sense of security (= made us feel safe, when in fact we were not).
16
Q
make (a) nonsense of something
(C2, UK)
A
to make something appear stupid or wrong, or to spoil something:
- His repeated lack of promotion makes nonsense of the theory that if you work hard you’ll be successful.
17
Q
hold your horses
(old-fashioned informal)
A
used to tell someone to stop and consider carefully their decision or opinion about something:
- Just hold your horses, Bill! Let’s think about this for a moment.
18
Q
Search me!
(Informal)
A
something that you say when you do not know the answer to a question:
- “Where’s Jack?” “Search me!”
19
Q
Cool it
(Slang)
A
used to tell someone to become calm, rather than be angry or violent:
- Just cool it everyone, fighting won’t solve anything.
20
Q
double down
(Phrasal verb with double verb)
A
in the card game of blackjack, to double a bet (= amount of money risked) after seeing your first two cards, in exchange for only one more card
21
Q
at sea
A
confused:
I’m all/completely at sea with the new computer system.
22
Q
at sixes and sevens
(Old-fashioned, US)
A
in a confused, badly organized, or difficult situation:
- We’ve been at sixes and sevens in the office this week.
23
Q
all of a doodah
A
in a state of confusion:
- She’s all of a doodah about the wedding arrangements.
24
Q
All over the place
(B2, informal, also all the joint/ and all over the shop for UK)
A
in a lot of different places or in all parts of a place:
- You can buy T-shirts like this all over the place.
- There were dirty dishes and clothes all over the place.
- People were throwing up all over the joint.
Nobody sits around and watches TV together as a family any more - there are laptops and screens all over the shop.
(Informal)
not correct, regular, or well organized; changing a lot without reason:
- His drumming was all over the place.
- The team were all over the shop today.
- Shakespeare was all over the shop with his apostrophes.
25
sort something out
## Footnote
(Phrasal verb with sort verb)
**to separate one type of things from a group of things:**
Sort out any clothes you want to throw away and give them to me.
26
beyond someone's expectations
## Footnote
(Collocation (also beyond expectations, beyond expectation))
**much better than someone expected it to be:**
- The success of the club has gone beyond their expectations.
- We did so well - beyond all our expectations.
This was a victory beyond expectations.
27
win (something) hands down
## Footnote
((Also beat someone hands down))
**to win something/beat someone very easily:**
- She won the debate hands down.
- The last time we played tennis he beat me hands down.
28
leave a bad taste in someone's mouth
**If an experience leaves a bad taste in your mouth, you have an unpleasant memory of it:**
I think we all felt he'd been treated very unfairly and it left a bad taste in our mouths.
29
rub someone up the wrong way
## Footnote
(UK (US rub **someone the wrong way**))
**to annoy someone without intending to:**
As soon as they met they started to rub each other up the wrong way.
30
ruffle someone's feathers
**to upset or annoy someone:**
She knows how to ruffle his feathers.
31
set someone's teeth on edge
**If something, especially a noise, sets your teeth on edge, it annoys you very much:**
That DJ's voice really sets my teeth on edge.
32
Hack sb of
## Footnote
(Phrasal verb with hack verb mainly uk informal)
**to make someone feel annoyed:**
He leaves all the difficult stuff for me to do, and it really hacks me off.
33
you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink
## Footnote
(Saying)
**used to emphasize that you can make it easy for someone to do something, but you cannot force them to do it**
34
Watch someone’s back
**to be ready to protect or defend someone:**
On the trip, Tom watched my back in a lot of ways, and I watched his back.
She thanked all her colleagues throughout her career, who she said had always watched her back.
**Synonym:**
[have (got) someone's back](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/have-got-back)
35
polyculture US /ˈpɑː.liˌkʌl.tʃɚ/
## Footnote
(Uncountable, specialized, ENVIRONMENTAL)
**the practice of growing several different crops or keeping several different types of animal on an area of land:**
Crop rotation and polyculture echo the way plants grow in a forest.
_Compare:_
[monoculture](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/monoculture)
36
let someone have both barrels
## Footnote
(Informal, give someone both barrels, hit someone with both barrels)
**to attack, criticize, or punish someone very forcefully:**
- He arrived late to meet his girlfriend at the airport. She gave him both barrels.
- England football fans can expect to be hit with both barrels if they misbehave during next month's European Championship finals.
37
labour the point
**to try too hard to express an idea, feeling, or opinion, repeating it when this is not necessary:**
Look, there's no need to labour the point - I made a mistake - I admit it!
38
make room/space/way
## Footnote
(**C2**)
**If you make room/space/way for something or someone, you move your body or move other things, so that there is space for it or them:**
39
kill two birds with one stone
**to succeed in achieving two things in a single action**
40
Thorn in your side
## Footnote
(Thorn in the side of someone)
**someone or something that continually causes problems for you:**
41
jump down someone's throat
## Footnote
(Informal)
**to react angrily to something that someone says or does:**
42
Thrilled to bits
## Footnote
(Mainly UK informal)
**extremely pleased:**
43
jump/climb/get on the bandwagon
## Footnote
(**C2**)
**to become involved in an activity that is successful so that you can get the advantages of it yourself:**
The success of the product led many firms to try to jump on the bandwagon.
44
to the letter
**If you obey instructions or rules to the letter, you do exactly what you have been told to do, giving great attention to every detail:**
45
on the spot
## Footnote
(**C2**, phrase)
**at the place where an event is happening or has recently happened**
*Or*
**immediately**
46
All manner of something
**a lot of different types:**
47
(I'm so hungry), I could eat a horse
## Footnote
(Humorous)
**used to say that you are extremely hungry**
48
bread-and-butter issue
**a subject or problem that relates directly to most people's needs and interests:**
49
cut to the bone
**reduced to the lowest possible amount**
The company's expenses had been cut to the bone.
50
claw your way (somewhere)
**to move forwards with difficulty, especially by using stiff curved fingers to remove the things that are in your way:**
51
on all fours
**with your hands and knees on the ground:**
52
be in a (pretty) pickle
## Footnote
(old-fashioned (also UK be in a right pickle))
**to be in a difficult situation**
53
a frog in your throat
**difficulty speaking because your throat feels dry:**
54
have/put your head on the block
**to risk a bad thing happening to you by doing something or helping someone:**
55
Hit the shower
## Footnote
(Idiom)
**to go somewhere (such as a locker room) and use the showers there**
- The team hit the showers after practice
56
punch someone's lights out
## Footnote
(Informal)
**to hit someone repeatedly very hard**
57
put yourself in someone's place/position/shoes
**to imagine how someone else feels in a difficult situation:**
58
someone is going places
## Footnote
(Also someone will go places/far)
**someone will be successful:**
59
line (someone) up US /laɪn/
## Footnote
(**B2**, phrasal verb with line verb)
**to arrange people or things in a row or to stand in a row:**
60
be (caught) between a rock and a hard place
**to be in a very difficult situation and to have to make a hard decision**
61
a friend in need is a friend indeed
## Footnote
(*saying*)
**This means that a friend who helps you when you really need help is a true friend**
62
be climbing the walls
**to suffer unpleasant feelings, such as worry, in an extreme way:**
63
be for the high jump
**to be going to be punished for something you have done wrong**
64
be/come up against a brick wall
**to be unable to make more progress with a plan or discussion because someone is stopping you**
65
go through a bad/difficult/rough/sticky patch
## Footnote
(**C2**, informal)
**to experience a lot of problems in a period of your life:**
66
out of the frying pan into the fire
## Footnote
(Saying)
**said when you move from a bad or difficult situation to one that is worse**
67
bet the farm/ranch
## Footnote
(Us infomal)
**to risk everything :**
68
ponce about/around
## Footnote
(Uk informal offensive saying)
**If a man ponces about/around, he behaves or dresses more like a woman than like a man:**
69
lift someone's spirits
## Footnote
(Phrasal, informal)
**to make someone happier:**
70
man of his word
## Footnote
(Also **a woman of her word**)
**people who do what they say they will do:**
71
a means to an end
## Footnote
(**C2**, idiom)
**something that you do because it will help you to achieve something else:**
72
beyond one’s wildest dreams
## Footnote
(**C2**)
**to a degree or in a way you had never thought possible:**
73
in your mind's eye
## Footnote
(Idiom, **C2**)
**in your imagination or memory:**
74
heavy hitter
## Footnote
(**US Idiom**)
**someone or something that is very powerful or successful:**
75
run one’s mouth
## Footnote
(US informal disapproving)
**to talk too much, especially saying things you should not say:**
76
there's no turning back
## Footnote
(Idiom)
**used to say that you cannot decide to stop doing something you have planned, because of the action you have already taken:**
77
with (all due) respect
## Footnote
( idiom (also with (the greatest) respect) )
**used to express polite disagreement in a formal situation:**
78
be two sides of the same coin
## Footnote
(**Idiom** (also be **different/opposite sides of the same coin**) )
**If two things are two sides of the same coin, they are very closely related although they seem different:**
79
pass the torch (on)
## Footnote
(**Idiom**, mainly US)
**to give one's job, duties, etc., to another person**
80
have/throw a fit
## Footnote
(**Idiom**, informal)
**to become very angry or worried, often shouting a lot:**
81
you and whose army?
## Footnote
(Informal, idiom)
**used as a reply to someone who has said that they will do something, to express your opinion that they could not do it because they are not strong enough or it is too difficult :**
“If you talk about me again, I'll make you pay." "______________?"
"I'll deal with them." "________________?"
82
Beat around the bush
## Footnote
(**C2**, also UK *beat about the bush*)
**to avoid talking about what is important:**
- Don't ___________ - get to the point!
83
a sea of something
## Footnote
(**Phrase**)
**a large amount or number of something:**
• The teacher looked down and saw a ___________
• It's been raining nonstop here for three days and I'm surrounded by a _________________
• The singer looked out over_____________
• The floor of the crater melted and turned into a ________________.
• In April, this whole meadow becomes _______________.
84
Jump the gun
**to do something too soon, especially without thinking carefully about it:**
• They've only just met - isn't it ______________ to be talking about marriage already?
85
nothing could be further from the truth
**used to say that what has been suggested is completely untrue:**
- People say we're splitting up, but. _________________________.
86
give someone/something the cold shoulder
## Footnote
(Collocation)
**To ignore or showing disinterest in someone**
87
[give (someone) the ax](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20%28someone%29%20the%20ax)
## Footnote
(Idiom, informal)
**to dismiss (someone) from a job : to fire (someone)**
88
give someone/something a run for their money
## Footnote
(Idiom)
**to not allow someone to win easily:**
• We're going to give the other candidate ___ ____________ her ________.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
** to be similar in quality to or almost better than someone or something:**
• He's so good at maths that he gives his teacher _____________________ .
• This small, independent cosmetics manufacturer gives the big brand____________
_______________.
89
under your belt
## Footnote
(Idiom)
**learned or succeeded in, and now a part of your experience:**
• Now that you’ve got the required courses _______________, you can take some electives.
90
Sth is not rocket science
## Footnote
(**Idiom**, humorous)
**used to say that you do not think that something is very difficult to do or to understand:**
• My coach always said, "___________ is not rocket science. It's about putting the ball in the basket."
91
**put the brakes on**
## Footnote
(idiom (also mainly UK put a brake on) )
**to slow down or stop an activity:**
• The city has put the brakes on further spending.
92
be in hot water
## Footnote
(** idiom** (also get into hot water) )
**to be in or get into a difficult situation in which you are in danger of being criticized or punished:**
• He found himself in ______________ over his comments about immigration.
93
(as) proud as a peacock
## Footnote
(**Idiom**)
**extremely proud:**
94
sweep something under the rug
## Footnote
(idiom US (UK sweep something under the carpet) )
**to hide a problem or try to keep it secret instead of dealing with it:**
• The committee is being accused of ____________ financial problems _____________to avoid embarrassment.
95
Out of touch
## Footnote
(**Idiom**)
**not informed or not having the same ideas as most people about something, so that you make mistakes:**
96
bring someone/something to their knees
## Footnote
(Idiom)
**to destroy or defeat someone or something:**
97
By the book
# Footnote
(Idiom)
**exactly as the rules tell you:**
• **go by the book** My lawyer always goes strictly by the book.
• This is a private deal - we don't have to do everything by the book.
98
all (one's) Christmases have come at once
## Footnote
(Idiom, also **all my Christmases have come at once**)
**Said when one is experiencing a an extraordinary amount of good fortune.** *Primarily heard in UK.*
• Wait, let me get this straight: the planning permission came through very quickly, the bank approved our second loan application, and the weather is supposed to stay sunny and dry for the next few months? Wow, all our Christmases have come at once!
99
like turkeys voting for Christmas
## Footnote
(Idiom, mainly UK)
**said to mean that it is very unlikely that someone will choose to do a particular thing because it would very obviously be bad for them**
• If we accept this proposal, it would be like turkeys voting for Christmas. It's just not going to happen.
100
(all) lit up like a Christmas tree
**1. Covered in or decorated with many bright lights.**
• They always have the bridge all lit up like a Christmas tree for the winter. It looks so beautiful when you drive over it in the dark.
• If you want to cycle at night, then make sure you're lit up like a Christmas tree before you get on the road.
• Thanks to that fancy new glow collar, Spike is all lit up like a Christmas tree on our nighttime walks now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**2. Very brightly or radiantly illuminated.**
• Isn't the new porch light a little bright? The whole house is lit up like a Christmas tree now.
101
the proof of the pudding (is in the eating)
## Footnote
(idiom saying (also the proof is in the pudding))
**said to mean that you can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it**
102
with bells on
## Footnote
(idiom US informal)
**To do something or go somewhere with bells on is to do it or go there eagerly:**
• "Are you coming to Paul's tonight." "Sure, I'll be there - with bells on."
103
be like a kid in a candy store
## Footnote
(phrase US and Australian English)
**to be very happy and excited about the things around you, and often react to them in a way that is silly and not controlled:**
• You should have seen him when they arrived. He was like a kid in a candy store.
• Looking at all those cameras, I was like a kid in a candy store.
• She sounds like a kid in a candy store when she talks about the recording equipment they have.
• We took my dad to a boat show and he was like a kid in a candy store.
104
on your toes
## Footnote
(Idiom)
**Someone or something that keeps you on your toes forces you to continue directing all your attention and energy to what you are doing:**
• I work with people who are half my age so that **keeps** me on my toes.
105
Spill the beans
## Footnote
(**Idiom**)
**to tell people secret information:**
-So who spilled the beans about her affair with David?
106
strike your fancy
## Footnote
[idiom (also catch/tickle your fancy)]
**to seem interesting or pleasing to someone:**
1. She has enough money to buy anything that strikes her fancy.
107
get under someone's skin
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**to annoy someone:**
1. Jack really gets under my skin - he never buys anyone a drink.
108
slip of the tongue
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**something that you say by accident when you intended to say something else:**
1. I called her new boyfriend by her previous boyfriend's name - it was just a slip of the tongue.
109
tie the knot
## Footnote
**idiom** informal and **C2**
**to get married:**
1. So when are you two going to tie the knot?
110
as dry as a bone
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**extremely dry:**
1. I don't think he's been watering these plants - the soil is as dry as a bone.
Furthermore:
[bone-dry](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/vi/dictionary/english/bone-dry)
111
someone's heart sinks
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to feel _disappointed_ or to lose _hope_:**
1. My heart sank when I realized we couldn't afford the new house.
112
have bigger/other fish to fry
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to have something more important to do**
113
have something going for you
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**If you have something going for you, or if something has something going for it, there are certain advantages that will make the end result successful:**
1. have everything going for you They've got a happy marriage, great careers, wonderful kids - in fact they've got everything going for them.
114
in a heartbeat
## Footnote
**idiom**
**very quickly, without needing to think about it:**
1. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
115
(as) tough as nails
## Footnote
**idiom** (*also (as) hard as nails*)
**strong and very determined:**
1. She is a warm and friendly person, but she is also as tough as nails at work.
116
add fuel to fire
## Footnote
(**UK** also _add fuel to the flames_ or more popular _add insult to injury_)
**to make an argument or bad situation worse:**
- The discovery that the government was aware of the cover-up has really added fuel to the fire.
(Thêm dầu vào lửa)
117
long story short
## Footnote
**idiom** US
**used when you do not tell all the details:**
- Long story short, I got fired.
| **C1**
118
pull someone's leg
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to try to persuade someone to believe something that is not true, as a joke:**
- Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?
119
put a bug in someone's ear
## Footnote
**Idiom** and from US
**to give someone a subtle suggestion; hint**
- We put a bug in his ear about a new gymnasium
120
think on your feet
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to make a quick decision or give an answer quickly:**
- I'd never heard about the company before, so I had to think on my feet.
121
kick in the teeth
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**If you describe the way someone treats you as a kick in the teeth, you mean that that person treats you badly and unfairly, especially at a time when you need their support:**
- She was dismissed from her job, which was a real kick in the teeth after all the work she'd done.
122
Go spare
## Footnote
**Idiom** British, informal
**to become very angry or upset**
- My dad went spare when he found out what I'd done.
123
in/for the foreseeable future
## Footnote
**phrase**
**as far into the future as you can imagine or plan for:**
- I'll be living here for the foreseeable future.
- He asked me if there was any point in the foreseeable future when I'd like to have children.
Related:
[forseeable](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/vi/dictionary/english/foreseeable)
124
the dust settles
## Footnote
**idiom**
**If the dust settles after an argument or big change, the situation becomes calmer:**
- We thought we'd let the dust settle before discussing the other matter.
125
under your nose
## Footnote
**idiom**
**in the place where something belongs, or in an obvious place:**
- I’ve been looking for my keys and they were right here under my nose all the time.
126
night and day
## Footnote
**idiom** (also day and night)
**all the time:**
- They've worked night and day to publicize their campaign.
127
on the spot
## Footnote
**Phrase** and C2, also it's adjective can be _on-the-spot_
**immediately:**
- You can be sacked on the spot for stealing.
- The directors met with him and offered him the role on the spot.
- They threatened to shoot her on the spot.
128
too big for your boots
## Footnote
**idiom** UK informal (US _too big for your britches_)
**behaving as if you are more important than you really are:**
- He's been getting a bit too big for his boots since he got that promotion.
Related:
egomaniac
megalomaniac
129
come out of your shell
## Footnote
**idiom** (also **bring someone out of their shell**)
**If you come out of your shell, you become more interested in other people and more willing to talk and take part in social activities, and if someone brings you out of your shell, they cause you to do this:**
- Derek has really come out of his shell since he started working here.
130
take something with a grain of salt
## Footnote
**idiom** US (UK _take something with a pinch of salt_)
**to not completely believe something that you are told, because you think it is unlikely to be true:**
- You have to take everything she says with a grain of salt, because she tends to exaggerate.
131
all is well
## Footnote
**idiom**, also **B2**
**everything is in a good or acceptable state:**
- I hope all is well with Jack.
132
catch/capture lightning in a bottle
## Footnote
**idiom**, also mainly US
**to succeed in a way that is very lucky or unlikely**
- He caught lightning in a bottle with the success of his very first book.
133
lay the groundwork/basis/foundations for something
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to prepare for or start an activity or task:**
- This study lays the groundwork for understanding the nature of different mutations of the disease.
- The initial negotiations are seen as laying the basis for more detailed talks
134
drop the ball
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to make a mistake, especially by not taking action or dealing with something that should have been planned for:**
- For God's sake don't drop the ball on this - we're relying on you.
- The government has dropped the ball, he says, and should have seen this coming.
- I'll freely admit to dropping the ball on this occasion but I'll fix it.
135
go overboard
## Footnote
**idiom** informal, also **C2**
**to do something too much, or to be too excited or eager about something:**
- I don't think there'll be more than six people eating, so I wouldn't go overboard with the food.
136
knock sb/sth out of the park
## Footnote
**idiom** (also **hit sb/sth out of the park**) also informal
**to do something much better than someone else, or to be much better than someone or something else:**
- Hotel Ferrero knocks everyone out of the park with their breakfast.
- The BBC is hitting them all out of the park at the moment, in children's drama at least.
137
throw someone under the bus
## Footnote
**idiom** and also informal
**to do something harmful to someone else in order to gain an advantage for yourself:**
- He has been accused of throwing fellow Republicans under the bus for his personal agenda.
- I'm not going to throw my friend under the bus for something he did 25 years ago.
138
get your mind around sth
## Footnote
**idiom** (also _get your head around sth_); (US also _wrap your mind around sth_)
**to succeed in understanding something difficult or strange:**
- I find it hard to get my mind around such complex issues.
139
put/set someone right
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to stop someone believing something that is not true, or to correct someone by telling them the truth:**
- She thought she wouldn't have to work hard, but we soon put her right on that. ____________________________________________________________________________
**to make someone feel better:**
- A good night's sleep will soon put you right.
140
locked and loaded
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**1. Loaded with ammunition and prepared to be fired.**
- Are those guns locked and loaded? Because the enemy's a-comin'.
**2. Prepared; ready.**
- A: "Please tell me you have all those pamphlets ready for the presentation tomorrow." B: "Yep—locked and loaded!"
140
at someone's beck and call
## Footnote
**idiom**
**always willing and able to do whatever someone asks:**
- Go and get it yourself! I'm not at your beck and call, you know.
140
not the sharpest tool in the shed
## Footnote
**Idiom**, note this is from a book of idioms so use this carefully
**Not intelligent; dim-witted or prone to stupidity.**
- His new boyfriend isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he's pretty good looking!
- I wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed in school, but I still managed to find a profession I loved.
141
burn your boats/bridges
## Footnote
**idiom**
**If you are in a situation and you burn your boats/bridges, you destroy all possible ways of going back to that situation.**
142
on your last legs
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**A person who is on their last legs is very tired or near to death:**
- We'd been out walking all day and I was on my last legs when we reached the hotel.
- It looks as though her grandfather's on his last legs.
143
the ball's in someone's court
## Footnote
**idiom**
**it is time for someone to deal with a problem or make a decision, because other people have already done as much as they can:**
- I've helped him in every way I can – the ball's in his court now.
144
On the ball
## Footnote
**idiom**
**If you are on the ball, you are be quick to understand and react to things:**
- I didn't sleep well last night and I'm not really on the ball today.
145
move the needle
## Footnote
**Idiom** and informal
**To cause a noticeable change in something. The imagery refers to the pointer ("needle") on a measuring instrument, which moves to indicate the level that has been reached.**
- It seems all my efforts to get in good with the CEO have done little to move the needle in my favor.
146
get your act together
## Footnote
**idiom** informal and also **C2**
**to start to organize yourself so that you do things in an effective way:**
- She's so disorganized - I wish she'd get her act together.
147
in a pinch
## Footnote
**idiom** US (UK **at a pinch**)
**Something that you can do in a pinch can be done if it is really necessary, but it will be difficult, not perfect, or not what you would really like:**
- I need $20,000 to set up the business, but I suppose $15,000 would do in a pinch.
148
touch/strike/hit a (raw) nerve
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to upset someone:**
149
thread the needle
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**verb To pass, or pass something, through a narrow space between two things.**
- The quarterback really threaded the needle between those two defenders with that pass.
150
make ends meet
## Footnote
**idiom**, **C1** also (Indian English make both ends meet)
**To have just enough money to pay for the things that you need**
151
chip (something) in US /tʃɪp/
## Footnote
**phrasal verb** with chip **verb** [ I or T ]
**to give some money when several people are giving money to pay for something together:**
- They all chipped in £100 and bought their mother a trip to Greece.
Or **to mean to interrupt a conversation**:
- Sorry I am just gonna chip in your conversation a bit, just for an interview.
152
Do the trick
## Footnote
**Idion** Informal and **C2**
**If something does the trick, it has the necessary or wanted effect:**
- **should/ought to do the trick** This sauce needs more flavour I know, some lemon juice should/ought to do the trick.
153
dig someone's own grave
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to do something that causes you harm, sometimes serious harm:**
- She dug her own grave when she made fun of the boss.
154
rule of thumb
## Footnote
**idiom**
**a broadly accurate guide or principle, based on experience or practice rather than theory.**
- A good rule of thumb when you are studying is to always clean your room.
155
push your luck
## Footnote
**Idiom**, (also push it)
**to try too hard to get a particular result and risk losing what you have achieved:**
- She's agreed to help on Saturday, but I think I'd be pushing my luck if I asked her to be here the whole weekend.
156
out (of) the (starting) gate
## Footnote
**Idiom**, informal
**At or from the very starting position.**
- Out the gate, the company's latest video game console has proven wildly popular.
- We're aiming to be the first one out of the gate with mixed-reality technology.
- I was a bit slow out of the starting gate to find what I wanted to study in college, but by my second year I felt really confident in my degree
157
Blow the whistle
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to tell people publicly about something bad that someone is doing**
158
be a dime a dozen
## Footnote
**idiom** US (UK **be two/ten a penny**)
**to be common and/or of very little value:**
• Books like this are a dime a dozen.
159
Cheap as chips
## Footnote
**Idiom**, informal
**Very inexpensive**
- There are no shortage of brilliant people, they are cheap as chips.
160
The willies
## Footnote
**Phrase**, plural noun
**a feeling of nervousness and fear, especially caused by something strange or threatening:**
- **give someone the willies** Spending a night in the house alone always **gives me the willies.**
- **get the willies** Seeing something in the shadows, I suddenly **got the willies** and ran.
- I find him creepy - he gives me the willies.
- I really didn't like that book - it gave me the willies.
- I get the willies just thinking about that place.
- Anything related to blood gives me the willies.
161
take to something like a duck to water
## Footnote
**Idiom**, informal
**to discover when you start to do something for the first time that you have a natural ability to do it:**
• He took to fatherhood like a duck to water.
• This influencer takes tricycling like a duck to water.
162
put your finger on something
## Footnote
**Idiom**, **C2**
**to discover the exact reason why a situation is the way it is, especially when something is wrong:**
- There's something odd about him, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
165
a needle in a haystack
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**something that is impossible or extremely difficult to find, especially because the area you have to search is too large:**
• Finding the piece of paper I need in this huge pile of documents is like **looking for/trying** to find a needle in a haystack
166
**the straw that breaks/broke the camel's back**
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**the last in a series of bad things that happen to make someone very upset, angry, etc.**
• It had been a difficult week, so when the car broke down, it was the straw that broke the camel's back.
167
It will never fly
## Footnote
**Idiom**
There's no chance that something will work or be successful or accepted.
• He wants to work from home full time, but it will never fly with the bosses.
• That kind of excuse may have worked in high school, but it will never fly here. The deadline for the paper is tomorrow, no extensions.
168
start (something) off
## Footnote
**Phrasal verb** with start **verb**
**B1**
**to begin by doing something, or to make something begin by doing something:**
• She started off the meeting with the monthly sales report.
• I'd like to start off by thanking you all for coming today.
169
do/make a good/bad job of something
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**C2**
**to do something well/badly:**
• I'm not going to let him repair my bike again because he made a really bad job of **it** last time.
• The dry cleaner's did a good job of remov**ing** that oil stain from my shirt.
170
Rain on someone’s parade
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**to do something that spoils someone's plans:**
• I'm sorry to rain on your parade but you're not allowed to have alcohol on the premises.
171
Look daggers at someone
## Footnote
**Idiom** • informal
**To look angrily at someone**
172
on the nose
## Footnote
**idiom**
**exactly right, often an exact amount of money or time:**
- Her description of the play was right on the nose.
173
difficult hurdle
**Collocation**
174
tilt at windmills
## Footnote
**Idiom** Literary
**to fight enemies who do not really exist**
175
A slap on the wrist
## Footnote
**phrase** informal
**a gentle warning or punishment:**
- **give someone a slap on the wrist** The police officer gave Minna a slap on the wrist for not wearing her seat belt.
- You'll probably get a slap on the wrist but nothing worse.
- It seems extraordinary that these people will face no more than a slap on the wrist.
- We need to make sure that criminals like these get more from the authorities than a slap on the wrist.
- He escaped a lengthy prison sentence with a light slap on the wrist.
See also
**slap** noun (HIT)
176
take the piss
## Footnote
**idiom** UK offensive
**to be very annoying and unfair:**
- £10 for a burger - that's taking the piss!
- While some people actually don't realize their behaviour causes others discomfort, others just like to take the piss
177
bite the bullet
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**to force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult, or to be brave in a difficult situation:**
- I hate going to the dentist, but I'll just have to bite the bullet
178
ride the short bus
## Footnote
US slang, derogatory, education
**To participate in a special education program, such as for those with learning disabilities**
179
**drive a wedge between someone**
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to damage the good relationship that two people or groups of people have:**
• It doesn't make sense to let things that happened in the past drive a wedge between us now.
180
to do someone a solid
## Footnote
**Idiom**, US, informal
**to do something kind or helpful for someone:**
• Anyone care to do me a solid and tell me if I can claim this on my taxes?
• Do me a solid and stop talking.
181
the sky is the limit
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**there is no limit:**
182
out on a limb
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**having an opinion that is different from most people's and is unpopular:**
• go out on a limb She's going out on a limb in criticizing her own party leadership.
___________________________________________
**in a situation where something bad could happen to you and you are not well protected:**
183
go off the deep end
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to get very angry about something or lose control of yourself**
Synonyms:
Fly off the handle
Blows one top
184
A can of worms
## Footnote
**(Phrase)**
**a situation that causes a lot of problems for you when you start to deal with it:**
- _open a can of worms_ Corruption is a serious problem, but nobody has yet been willing to open up that can of worms.
185
grind someone's gears
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to annoy someone:**
- What really grinds my gears is when people talk behind your back.
186
keep your head down
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to avoid trouble:**
187
wheel something out US /wiːl/
## Footnote
phrasal verb with wheel verb disapproving
**to use something or someone that you have used many times before in a way that is boring for other people:**
- Every time we have this argument you wheel out the same old statistics, and I'm still not convinced!
188
off the top of your head
## Footnote
**idiom**
**from the knowledge you have in your memory:**
189
jump for joy
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to be extremely happy:**
- "So how did Robert take the news?" "He didn't exactly jump for joy."
190
horse around
## Footnote
phrasal verb, informal
**to behave in a silly and noisy way:**
- He was horsing around in the kitchen and broke my favourite bowl.
191
blow the whistle on someone/something
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to tell people publicly about something bad that someone is doing**
192
be your pride and joy
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to be something or someone that is very important to you and that gives you a lot of pleasure:**
- He spends hours cleaning that motorcycle - it's his pride and joy.
193
be out of the woods
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to no longer be in danger or difficulty:**
- The project has been given funding for another year, but it's not out of the woods yet.
194
hit the hay/sack
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to go to bed in order to sleep:**
- I have a busy day tomorrow, so I think I'll hit the sack.
195
grasping at straws
## Footnote
**idiom**
**trying to find some way to succeed when nothing you choose is likely to work:**
- We searched all the backup tapes, trying to find the missing files, but we knew we were grasping at straws.
**trying to find a reason to feel hopeful in a bad situation:**
196
leg it
## Footnote
**phrase**, UK informal
**to run away especially in order to escape from something:**
- They legged it round the corner when they saw the police coming.
197
go belly up
## Footnote
**idiom** informal (UK also turn belly up)
**If a company or plan goes belly up, it fails:**
- The business went belly up after only six months.
198
get a/your foot in the door
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to enter a business or organization at a low level, but with a chance of being more successful in the future:**
- Making contacts can help you get a foot in the door when it comes to getting a job.
199
on the back burner
## Footnote
**idiom**
**If something is on the back burner, it is temporarily not being dealt with or considered, especially because it is not urgent or important:**
- We've all had to put our plans on the back burner for a while.
200
be privy to something
## Footnote
**phrase**
**to be told information that is not told to many people:**
- I was never privy to conversations between top management.
201
have a field day
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to take advantage of an opportunity to do something you enjoy:**
- The newspapers had a field day when the wedding was announced (= they wrote a lot about it and printed many photographs of it).
202
stick your neck out
## Footnote
**idiom**
**To take a risk**
203
count your blessings
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to be grateful for the good things in your life, often to stop yourself becoming too unhappy about the bad things**
204
have a crack
## Footnote
**collocation** informal (**US also take a crack**)
**to have or get an opportunity to attempt to do something:**
205
spread like wildfire
## Footnote
**idiom**
**If disease or news spreads like wildfire, it quickly affects or becomes known by more and more people:**
-Once one child in the school has the infection, it ________________________
206
up in the air
## Footnote
**idiom**
**it is uncertain, often because other matters have to be decided first:**
Opposite:
In the air (meaning):**you feel that it is happening or about to happen:**
207
nose in the air
## Footnote
**idiom**
**used to describe the way someone behaves when they think they are better than other people and do not want to speak to them:**
- She walked past me with her nose in the air.
Synonym:
Getting too big for one's boots
208
a nip in the air
## Footnote
Idiom
**a feeling of cold:**
209
be on/off (the) air
## Footnote
**phrase**
**(not) broadcasting on radio or television:**
210
(up) to the hilt
## Footnote
**idiom**
**Something that is done (up) to the hilt is done completely and without any limits:**
211
have something on your plate
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to have something, usually a large amount of important work, to deal with:**
- She's got a lot on her plate - especially with two new projects starting this week.
- **have (more than) enough** on your plate The aid agencies have (more than) enough on their plate without having unnecessary visitors to take care of.
212
take someone aback
## Footnote
**phrasal verb** with take verb
**to surprise or shock someone so much that they do not know how to behave for a short time:**
213
by leaps and bounds
## Footnote
**idiom**
**very quickly:**
214
be a tall order
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**to be something that is difficult to do:**
215
the world is someone's oyster
## Footnote
**idiom**
**If the world is your oyster, you can do what you want or go where you want:**
216
cut to the chase
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**to talk about or deal with the important parts of a subject and not waste time with things that are not important:**
Opposite of **to beat around the bush**
217
on the fly
## Footnote
**idiom**, informal
**If you do something on the fly, you do it quickly, often while you are doing something else, without preparing and without thinking too much about how it should be done:**
- This new rule seems to have been created on the fly.
(Specialized computing term)
**without interrupting a computer program that is already running:**
218
play cat and mouse
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to try to defeat someone by tricking that person into making a mistake so that you have an advantage over them:**
- The 32-year-old singer spent a large proportion of the week playing cat and mouse with the press.
219
to the brink of something
## Footnote
**Collocation**
**If you go to the brink of something, you become very close to doing or having it:**
- Extreme stress had driven him to the brink of a nervous breakdown.
- They have gone from complete obscurity to the brink of becoming a global brand.
220
on the face of it
(On its face)
## Footnote
**idiom**
**used when you are describing how a situation seems when you first consider it, usually before going on to say that this is not the true situation:**
- On the face of it, it seems like a bargain, but I bet there are hidden costs.
- On its face, such an idea might seem odd.
221
would do well to do something
## Footnote
**collocation**
**used to say that something is the right or wisest thing to do:**
222
in due time
## Footnote
**idiom**
**eventually at an appropriate time**
223
In no time (at all)
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**very quickly**
224
hand something down
## Footnote
phrasal verb with hand verb [ T ], Also hand something down
**to give something to someone younger than you in the family because you want them to have it or because you no longer need it:**
• This necklace was handed down to my mother by my grandmother
225
pluck up your courage
## Footnote
**Idiom** (also pluck up (the) courage to do something)
**to force yourself to be brave enough to do something, although you are frightened or worried about it:**
226
In (All) fairness
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**considering everything that has an effect on a situation, so that a fair judgment can be made:**
• In all fairness, he has been a hard worker.
• *+in fairness to** In fairness to Diana, she has at least been honest with you.
227
Have money to burn
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**to spend a lot of money on things that are not necessary:**
I don't know what her job is but she certainly seems to have ____________________
228
in the end
## Footnote
**phrase**
**finally, after something has been thought about or discussed a lot:**
229
shoulder US /ˈʃoʊl.dɚ/
## Footnote
**noun**
**Aside from describing a top part of our body, it is also to mean to carry something or accept something**
- **to shoulder responsibility**
- **To shoulder someone's pack**
230
a shoulder to cry on
## Footnote
**idiom** **C2**
**someone who is willing to listen to your problems and give you sympathy, emotional support, and encouragement:**
-**Need** a shoulder to cry on
231
someone/something won't bite
## Footnote
**idiom** humorous
**used to say that someone does not need to be frightened of a particular person or thing:**
- Just go and ask her - she won't bite.
232
bundle of joy
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**a baby:**
233
**a bundle of laughs**
## Footnote
**Idiom**, informal
**a funny, entertaining person or situation:**
234
**a bundle of nerves**
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**someone who is extremely nervous and worried:**
**A bundle of something is to mean a lot of**
235
go a bundle on something
## Footnote
**Idiom** UK informal
**to like something very much:**
-*Usually in negative* I don't go a bundle on his taste in clothes.
236
make a bundle
## Footnote
**Idiom**, informal
**to make a lot of money**
237
A bundle of fun
## Footnote
**phrase**, informal, often ironic
**Something that is extremely amusing or pleasant**
238
jog someone's memory
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to make someone remember something:**
239
run on
**If an event runs on, it continues for longer than expected:**
- **run on for** The game/speech/discussion ran on for hours.
**If time runs on, it seems to pass quickly:**
- **time runs on** Time's running on - let's get this job finished soon!
**to talk for a long time, especially too long a time:**
- The president talk ran on for longer than usual
240
bury the hatchet
## Footnote
**idiom**
**to stop an argument and become friends again:**
241
put something off
## Footnote
**phrasal verb** with put **verb**, present participle putting | past tense and past participle put
**to decide or arrange to delay an event or activity until a later time or date:**
Synonym:
postpone
delay
242
green initiative
Collocation
243
twist and turn
## Footnote
**idiom**
1
: **to curve or change direction often**
The road along the coast twists and turns.
2
: **to move with twisting motions : to be restless and to change position often**
A little boy was twisting and turning in the seat behind me.
244
bang for the buck
## Footnote
**idiom**
**value in return for your money:**
Synonym:
To get your money's worth
245
someone's bark is worse than his/her bite
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**To mean they are not as unpleasant or frightening as they seem:**
-Don't let her frighten you. Her ____________________
246
go toe to toe
## Footnote
**idiom** (also **stand toe to toe, be toe to toe**)
**to be willing or able to compete or fight with someone in a strong, forceful, determined way:**
247
toe the line
## Footnote
**Idiom**
**to do what you are expected to do without causing trouble for anyone:**
248
from head to toe
## Footnote
**idiom (UK also from head to foot)**
**completely covering your body:**
249
step/tread on someone's toes
## Footnote
**idiom**
**To mean you say or do something that upsets or annoys that person, especially by involving yourself in matters that are not your responsibility.**
250
breathe down someone's neck
## Footnote
**idiom** disapproving
**to stay close to someone, watching everything that they do:**
- It's awful having a boss who breathes down your neck all the time.
251
breathe your last
## Footnote
**idiom literary**
**to die:**
Synonym:
Kick the bucket
Bite the dust
252
hard to please or hard-to-please
## Footnote
**Collocation or adjective**
**Demanding**
253
stand/stick out like a sore thumb
## Footnote
**idiom** informal
**If someone or something stands/sticks out like a sore thumb, everyone notices them because they are very different from the people or things around them:**
254
the emperor's new clothes
## Footnote
**idiom**
**used to describe a situation in which most people praise or seem to believe something that is false or has no value, because they are afraid to go against the general opinion. This refers to a story in which an emperor (= a powerful ruler) is sold new clothes that do not really exist, and nobody except a young boy is willing to say publicly that the emperor is naked:**
- His story were obviously false, but like emperor's new clothes. No one dared to question it.
255
bend the knee
## Footnote
Or bow the knee
**submit**
- Our country will no longer bend the knee to foreign powers
256
on the dot
## Footnote
**idiom**, **C2**
**exactly at the stated or expected time:**
-On the dot of
257
under the weather
## Footnote
**idiom** informal, **C2**
**feeling ill:**
- Feeling a bit under the weather
258
give someone the creeps
## Footnote
**phrase**
**to cause someone to have uncomfortable feelings of nervousness or fear:**
259
fill something to the brim
## Footnote
**Collocation**
**to put a substance, especially a liquid, into a container so that it comes up to the very top edge of it:**
260
overstay your welcome
## Footnote
**phrase**, (UK meaning **outstay your welcome**) **C2**, **mainly US**
**to stay too long:**
261
doom and gloom
## Footnote
**collocation** ( also **gloom and doom**)
**bad news and unhappiness:**
262
give/get the boot
## Footnote
**Phrase**
**To get kicked**:
- After one year or so at this company, she gets the boot for not making the status quo
263
hustle and bustle
## Footnote
**phrase**
**noise and activity:**
- The hustle and bustle of the New York city.
