Phrases Flashcards

(43 cards)

1
Q

Take Someone’s Name In Vain

A

To use someone’s name in a way that shows a lack of respect.

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2
Q

Call Someone On The Carpet

A

To severely reprimand someone.

To come before an authority for censure or reproof.

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3
Q

One Foot In The Grave

A

To be near death through old age or illness.

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4
Q

Back In The Game

A

Once again active or able to succeed in something.

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5
Q

Still In The Game

A

To be still active or able to succeed in something.

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6
Q

Keep Someone In Countenance

A

To assist someone in remaining calm and confident.

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7
Q

Out Of Countenance

A

To be disconcerted or unpleasantly surprised.

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8
Q

Keep One’s Countenance

A

To maintain one’s composure, especially by refraining from laughter.

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9
Q

Keep One’s Feet

A

To manage not to fall.

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10
Q

Up One’s Game

A

To begin to perform at a higher level.

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11
Q

Of One’s Own Volition

A

By one’s own decision or offer.

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12
Q

War Of Attrition

A

A prolonged war or period of conflict during which each side seeks to gradually wear out the other by a series of small-scale actions.

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13
Q

Go To Pieces

A

To become so nervous or upset that one is unable to behave or perform normally.

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14
Q

Fall To Pieces

A

To break up, come apart, or disintegrate.

To lose one’s capacity to cope.

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15
Q

Go To Someone’s Head

A

To make someone dizzy or slightly drunk, usually with alcohol.

To cause someone’s sense of importance to become overinflated.

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16
Q

Chill One’s Blood

A

To horrify; terrify.

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17
Q

Take The Chill Off

A

To warm slightly.

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18
Q

Take The Fall

A

To receive blame or punishment, typically in the place of another person.

19
Q

Fall Between Two Stools

A

To fail due to the inability to choose between or reconcile two alternative or conflicting courses of action.

20
Q

Fall On One’s Sword

A

To sacrifice one’s pride or position, especially in defending another person.

21
Q

Fall Off A Cliff

A

To decrease very quickly and suddenly.

22
Q

Grist For The Mill

A

Something turned to advantage or use, such as experience, material, or knowledge.

23
Q

Wait For The Other Shoe To Drop

A

To await a seemingly inevitable
event, especially one that is not desirable.

24
Q

Knock Something Into A Cocked Hat

A

To utterly defeat or outdo something.

25
All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Go
Fashionably or smartly dressed for an anticipated occasion that does not take place.
26
Dead Long Years
Having died a long time ago.
27
Not Long For This World
Having little time left to do or enjoy something; soon to die.
28
Bell The Cat
Something that will be beneficial but is dangerous or difficult.
29
Behind The Game
To be lagging behind one's competitors or peers in the same sphere of activity.
30
Show The Flag
To make an official visit to a foreign port, especially as a naval vessel and a show of strength.
31
Fly The Flag
To be registered in a particular country and sail under its flag, especially when speaking of a ship. To represent or demonstrate support for one’s country, political party, or organization, especially when one is abroad.
32
Abjure The Realm
To swear an oath to leave a country or realm forever.
33
Goose Walking Over A Grave
An eerie premonition.
34
A Cat May Look At A King
Even a person of low status or importance has rights.
35
Like A Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
Very agitated or anxious.
36
Like The Cat That Got The Cream
Self-satisfied; having achieved one’s objective.
37
Put A Cat Among The Pigeons
To say or do something that is likely to cause trouble or controversy.
38
When The Cat's Away, The Mice Will Play
People will naturally take advantage of the absence of someone in authority to do as they like.
39
Mote In One's Eye
A fault in a person that is less serious than one in someone else who is being critical.
40
Cudgel One's Brains
To think hard, especially about a problem.
41
Dig In One's Heels
To resist stubbornly; refuse to give in.
42
Dig In
To break up and move something with a tool or machine, or with hands, paws, or snout. To protect oneself by making a trench or similar ground defense. To begin eating heartily. To begin doing or investigating something in earnest. To resist stubbornly; refuse to give in.
43
Drum Up
To try to obtain support or business by means of vigorous persuasion.