Idioms & Metaphorical Language

Question 1

“…”

Answer 1

Meanings:

• The word/phrase should not be taken literally
• The word/phrase is introduced for the first time, or in an unusual context

Examples:

• The factory employs several people who add defects and rough edges to its popular line of “antique” furniture (The furniture is not really antique)
• The company has sent its top people to ethics training and course on Aristotle in an attempt to build a “philosophically correct’ business (The idea of “philosophically correct” is weird in business)

Question 2

account for

Answer 2

Meanings:

• to take into consideration, or make adjustments based on
• to cause

Different from:

• give an account for, which means explain

Examples:

• I accounted for the fact that Joe is always late by telling him to meet us at 1:30 when the event is really at 2 (means compensate for)
• I did get us the meeting, but Ellen’s hard work accounted for the rest of our success (means cause)

Question 3

a given

Answer 3

Beware! A given is different from the use of given.

Meaning:

• Something taken for granted. (Something assumed, that does not need a proof)

Examples:

• When planning my wedding, it was a given that my parents would invite anyone they wanted, since they were paying for everything.
• It’s a given that everyone here is against human trafficking.

Question 4

albatross

Answer 4

Meanings:

• A constant burden or worry (Idiom)
• A bird (literal)

Example:

• The city has done an admirable job rebuilding its infrastructure and marketing itself, but the crime rate continues to be an _albatross around the_ city’s _neck_ in trying to attract tourists.

Question 5

all but

Answer 5

Meaning:

• Almost certainly

Example:

• Your objections arrived too late; the matter is all but decided

Question 6

And yet

Answer 6

Meaning:

• stronger way of saying yet.
• Indicates a surprising twist, ironic realization, etc.

Usually used at the beginning of a sentence.

Example:

• The company was lauded for its commitment to the environment. And yet its employees regularly fly in private jets, creating carbon footprints that would embarrass any true environmentalist.

Question 7

aside from

Answer 7

Meaning:

• In addition to

Example:

• Aside from the obvious financial benefits of investing in a socially responsible fund, you can rest assured that your money is used to maximize social good.

Question 8

(adj.) as it is, …

Answer 8

Usage:

• What comes before the comma is in contrast with what comes after.

Examples:

• Charming as she is, I don’t want to be friends with her anymore.
• As pleased as we are to see more minorities on the board than ever before, discrimination in hiring and promotion is still a serious problem.

Question 9

as well as

Answer 9

Indicates, depending on context, either:

• and
• to emphasize something
• to contrast what said before

Example:

• You know what I discovered? My French teacher speaks Chinese, as well as French!

Question 10

arms race

Answer 10

Meaning:

• a competition with a “more more more!” meantality, often not entirely rational (Idiom)
• competition between two countries to built up the best and largest supply of weapons (literal meaning - often associated w/ Cold War)

Example:

• Analysts carefully watched stock prices as the two Internet giants competed in an arms race, exxpanding rapidly by buying up smaller companies with little due diligence

Question 11

at best

Answer 11

Meaning:

• At the most (not more than)

Examples:

• The seminar drew 20 people at best (not more than 20 people attended)
• My college algebra teacher can barely factor a polynomial! He is qualified to teach elementary school math, at best

Question 12

at fault

Answer 12

Meaning:

• Guilty

Example:

• The insurance company is investigating who is at fault for the collision.

Question 13

at loggerheads

Answer 13

Meaning:

• in conflict, at a standstill (idiom)
• a kind of turtle (literal)
• a foolish person (archaic)

Example:

• The strike is not likely to end soon - the transit authority and the union representatives have been at loggerheads for weeks

Question 14

at odds

Answer 14

Meaning:

• In conflict

Example:

• The teacher’s unioin and the state government are always at odds

Question 15

at once

Answer 15

Meanings;

• Immediately
• At the same time

Examples:

• Once the hurricane veered near the coast, the governor ordered that we evacuate at once. (meaning: now)
• We’ve received three proposals that are all excellent, but we can do them at once. (meaning: at the same time)

Question 16

the better part

Answer 16

Meaning:

• the largest or longest part

Beware! It does NOT have to be good! “Better” is not impying positive connotations

Examples:

• For the better part of human history, slavery has been a reality (Slavery is NOT good, but alas it existed for most of human history)
• When the oil magnate died, he left the better part of his fortune to his third wife, and only a small sliver to his children

Question 17

beside the point

Answer 17

Meaning:

• Irrelevant, off-topic

Question 18

bite the hands that feed you

Answer 18

Meaning:

• Damaging the source of your profit/well being

Example:

• The music industry bites the hand that feeds it when it penalizes the consumers who share (and therefore publicize) their favorite songs with friends.

Question 19

brook

Answer 19

Meaning:

• Tolerate, allow.
• It is often followed by “no”.

Examples:

• The dictator will not brook dissent.
• The dictator will brook no dissent. (more common)