English Idioms

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS
LEARNING IDIOMS IN 3 PARTS FROM THE

INTERNET RESEARCHES
BY CHAN DARAREAKSMEY
BY CHAN Darareaksmey

2014
IDIOMS 1
A
A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush:
Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for
more, because chances are you might lose everything.
A Blessing In Disguise:
Something good that isn't recognized at first.
A Chip On Your Shoulder:
Being upset for something that happened in the past.
A Dime A Dozen:
Anything that is common and easy to get.
A Doubting Thomas:
A skeptic who needs physical or personal evidence in order to
believe something.
A Drop in the Bucket:
A very small part of something big or whole.
A Fool And His Money Are Easily Parted:
It's easy for a foolish person to lose his/her money.
A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand:
Everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not
work out.
A Leopard Can't Change His Spots:
You cannot change who you are.
A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned:
By not spending money, you are saving money (little by little).
A Picture Paints a Thousand Words:
A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.
A Piece of Cake:
A task that can be accomplished very easily.

A Slap on the Wrist:
A very mild punishment.
A Taste Of Your Own Medicine:
When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others.
A Toss-Up:
A result that is still unclear and can go either way.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words:
It's better to actually do something than just talk about it.
Add Fuel To The Fire:
Whenever something is done to make a bad situation even worse
than it is.
Against The Clock:
Rushed and short on time.
All Bark And No Bite:
When someone is threatening and/or aggressive but not willing to
engage in a fight.
All Greek to me:
Meaningless and incomprehensible like someone who cannot read,
speak, or understand any of the Greek language would be.
All In The Same Boat:
When everyone is facing the same challenges.
An Arm And A Leg:
Very expensive. A large amount of money.
An Axe To Grind:
To have a dispute with someone.
Apple of My Eye:
Someone who is cherished above all others.
As High As A Kite:
Anything that is high up in the sky.

At The Drop Of A Hat:
Willing to do something immediately.
B
Back Seat Driver:
People who criticize from the sidelines, much like someone giving
unwanted advice from the back seat of a vehicle to the driver.
Back To Square One:
Having to start all over again.
Back To The Drawing Board:
When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.
Baker's Dozen:
Thirteen.
Barking Up The Wrong Tree:
A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve.
Beat A Dead Horse:
To force an issue that has already ended.
Beating Around The Bush:
Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.
Bend Over Backwards:
Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything.
Between A Rock And A Hard Place:
Stuck between two very bad options.
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:
To take on a task that is way to big.
Bite Your Tongue:
To avoid talking.
Blood Is Thicker Than Water:

The family bond is closer than anything else.
Blue Moon:
A rare event or occurance.
Break A Leg:
A superstitious way to say 'good luck' without saying 'good luck', but
rather the opposite.
Buy A Lemon:
To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops
running after you drive it away.
C
Can't Cut The Mustard :
Someone who isn't adequate enough to compete or participate.
Cast Iron Stomach:
Someone who has no problems, complications or ill effects with
eating anything or drinking anything.
Charley Horse:
Stiffness in the leg / A leg cramp.
Chew someone out:
Verbally scold someone.
Chip on his Shoulder:
Angry today about something that occured in the past.
Chow Down:
To eat.
Close but no Cigar:
To be very near and almost accomplish a goal, but fall short.
Cock and Bull Story:
An unbelievable tale.
Come Hell Or High Water:
Any difficult situation or obstacle.
Crack Someone Up:

To make someone laugh.
Cross Your Fingers:
To hope that something happens the way you want it to.
Cry Over Spilt Milk:
When you complain about a loss from the past.
Cry Wolf:
Intentionally raise a false alarm.
Cup Of Joe:
A cup of coffee.
Curiosity Killed The Cat:
Being Inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation.
Cut to the Chase:
Leave out all the unnecessary details and just get to the point.
D
Dark Horse:
One who was previously unknown and is now prominent.
Dead Ringer:
100% identical. A duplicate.
Devil's Advocate:
Someone who takes a position for the sake of argument without
believing in that particular side of the arguement. It can also mean
one who presents a counter argument for a position they do believe
in, to another debater.
Dog Days of Summer:
The hottest days of the summer season.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch:
Don't rely on it until your sure of it.

Don't Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth:
When someone gives you a gift, don't be ungrateful.
Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket:
Do not put all your resources in one possibility.
Doozy:
Something outstanding.
Down To The Wire:
Something that ends at the last minute or last few seconds.
Drastic Times Call For Drastic Measures:
When you are extremely desperate you need to take extremely
desperate actions.
Drink like a fish:
To drink very heavily.
Drive someone up the wall:
To irritate and/or annoy very much.
Dropping Like Flies:
A large number of people either falling ill or dying.
Dry Run:
Rehearsal.
E
Eighty Six:
A certain item is no longer available. Or this idiom can also mean, to
throw away.
Elvis has left the building:
The show has come to an end. It's all over.
Ethnic Cleansing:
Killing of a certain ethnic or religious group on a massive scale.
Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining:
Be optomistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
Everything But The Kitchen Sink:

Almost everything and anything has been included.
Excuse my French:
Please forgive me for cussing.
F
Feeding Frenzy:
An aggressive attack on someone by a group.
Field Day:
An enjoyable day or circumstance.
Finding Your Feet:
To become more comfortable in whatever you are doing.
Finger lickin' good:
A very tasty food or meal.
Fixed In Your Ways:
Not willing or wanting to change from your normal way of doing
something.
Flash In The Pan:
Something that shows potential or looks promising in the beginning
but fails to deliver anything in the end.
Flea Market:
A swap meet. A place where people gather to buy and sell
inexpensive goods.
Flesh and Blood:
This idiom can mean living material of which people are made of, or
it can refer to someone's family.
Flip The Bird:

To raise your middle finger at someone.
Foam at the Mouth:
To be enraged and show it.
Fools' Gold:
Iron pyrites, a worthless rock that resembles real gold.
French Kiss:
An open mouth kiss where tongues touch.
From Rags To Riches:
To go from being very poor to being very wealthy.
Fuddy-duddy:
An old-fashioned and foolish type of person.
Full Monty:
This idiom can mean either, "the whole thing" or "completely nude".
Funny Farm:
A mental institutional facility.
G
Get Down to Brass Tacks:
To become serious about something.
Get Over It:
To move beyond something that is bothering you.
Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed:
Someone who is having a horrible day.
Get Your Walking Papers:
Get fired from a job.
Give Him The Slip:
To get away from. To escape.

Go Down Like A Lead Balloon:
To be received badly by an audience.
Go For Broke:
To gamble everything you have.
Go Out On A Limb:
Put yourself in a tough position in order to support
someone/something.
Go The Extra Mile:
Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand.
Good Samaritan:
Someone who helps others when they are in need, with no
discussion for compensation, and no thought of a reward.
Graveyard Shift:
Working hours from about 12 0 am to 8 0 am. The time of the day
when most other people are sleeping.
Great Minds Think Alike:
Intelligent people think like each other.
Green Room:
The waiting room, especially for those who are about to go on a tv or
radio show.
Gut Feeling:
A personal intuition you get, especially when feel something may not
be right.
H
Haste Makes Waste:
Quickly doing things results in a poor ending.
Hat Trick:
When one player scores three goals in the same hockey game. This
idiom can also mean three scores in any other sport, such as 3
homeruns, 3 touchdowns, 3 soccer goals, etc.

Have an Axe to Grind:
To have a dispute with someone.
He Lost His Head:
Angry and overcome by emotions.
Head Over Heels:
Very excited and/or joyful, especially when in love.
Hell in a Handbasket:
Deteriorating and headed for complete disaster.
High Five:
Slapping palms above each others heads as celebration gesture.
High on the Hog:
Living in Luxury.
Hit The Books:
To study, especially for a test or exam.
Hit The Hay:
Go to bed or go to sleep.
Hit The Nail on the Head:
Do something exactly right or say something exactly right.
Hit The Sack:
Go to bed or go to sleep.
Hocus Pocus:
In general, a term used in magic or trickery.
Hold Your Horses:
Be patient.
I
Icing On The Cake:
When you already have it good and get something on top of what
you already have.

Idle Hands Are The Devil's Tools:
You are more likely to get in trouble if you have nothing to do.
If It's Not One Thing, It's Another:
When one thing goes wrong, then another, and another...
In Like Flynn:
To be easily successful, especially when sexual or romantic.
In The Bag:
To have something secured.
In The Buff:
Nude.
In The Heat Of The Moment:
Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.
In Your Face:
An aggressive and bold confrontation.
It Takes Two To Tango:
A two person conflict where both people are at fault.
It's A Small World:
You frequently see the same people in different places.
Its Anyone's Call:
A competition where the outcome is difficult to judge or predict.
Ivy League:
Since 1954 the Ivy League has been the following universities:
Columbia, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton,
and Harvard.
J
Jaywalk:
Crossing the street (from the middle) without using the crosswalk.
Joshing Me:
Tricking me.
K
Keep An Eye On Him:
You should carefully watch him.
Keep body and soul together:
To earn a sufficient amount of money in order to keep yourself alive .
Keep your chin up:
To remain joyful in a tough situation.
Kick The Bucket:
Die.
Kitty-corner:
Diagonally across. Sometimes called Catty-Corner as well.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
A quick and automatic response.
Knock On Wood:
Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid some bad luck.
Know the Ropes:
To understand the details.
L
Last but not least:
An introduction phrase to let the audience know that the last person
mentioned is no less important than those introduced before
him/her.
Lend Me Your Ear:
To politely ask for someone's full attention.
Let Bygones Be Bygones:
To forget about a disagreement or arguement.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie:
To avoid restarting a conflict.
Let The Cat Out Of The Bag:

To share a secret that wasn't suppose to be shared.
Level playing field:
A fair competition where no side has an advantage.
Like a chicken with its head cut off:
To act in a frenzied manner.
liquor someone up:
To get someone drunk.
Long in the Tooth:
Old people (or horses).
Loose Cannon:
Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not kept in
check.
M
Make No Bones About:
To state a fact so there are no doubts or objections.
Method To My Madness:
Strange or crazy actions that appear meaningless but in the end are
done for a good reason.
Mumbo Jumbo:
Nonsense or meaningless speech.
Mum's the word:
To keep quiet. To say nothing.
N
Nest Egg:
Savings set aside for future use.

Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You:
Don't hurt anyone that helps you.
New kid on the block:
Someone new to the group or area.
New York Minute:
A minute that seems to go by quickly, especially in a fast paced
environment.
No Dice:
To not agree. To not accept a proposition.
No Room to Swing a Cat:
An unsually small or confined space.
Not Playing With a Full Deck:
Someone who lacks intelligence.
O
Off On The Wrong Foot:
Getting a bad start on a relationship or task.
Off The Hook:
No longer have to deal with a tough situation.
Off the Record:
Something said in confidence that the one speaking doesn't want
attributed to him/her.
On Pins And Needles:
Anxious or nervous, especially in anticipation of something.
On The Fence:
Undecided.
On The Same Page:
When multiple people all agree on the same thing.
Out Of The Blue:
Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs.
Out On A Limb:
When someone puts themself in a risky situation.
Out On The Town:
To enjoy yourself by going out.
Over My Dead Body:
When you absolutely will not allow something to happen.
Over the Top:
Very excessive.
P
Pass The Buck:
Avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else.
Pedal to the metal:
To go full speed, especially while driving a vehicle.
Peeping Tom:
Someone who observes people in the nude or sexually active people,
mainly for his own gratification.
Pick up your ears:
To listen very carefully.
Pig In A Poke:
A deal that is made without first examining it.
Pig Out :
To eat alot and eat it quickly.
Pipe Down:
To shut-up or be quiet.
Practice Makes Perfect:
By constantly practicing, you will become better.
Pull the plug:
To stop something. To bring something to an end.
Pulling Your Leg:

Tricking someone as a joke.
Put a sock in it:
To tell noisy person or a group to be quiet.
Q
Queer the pitch:
Destroy or ruin a plan.
R
Raincheck:
An offer or deal that is declined right now but willing to accept later.
Raining Cats and Dogs:
A very loud and noisy rain storm.
Ring Fencing:
Seperated usual judgement to guarantee protection, especially
project funds.
Rise and Shine:
Time to get out of bed and get ready for work/school.
Rome Was Not Built In One Day:
If you want something to be completely properly, then its going to
take time.
Rule Of Thumb:
A rough estimate.
Run out of steam:
To be completely out of energy.
S
Saved By The Bell:
Saved at the last possible moment.
Scapegoat:

Someone else who takes the blame.
Scot-free:
To escape and not have to pay.
Sick As A Dog:
To be very sick (with the flu or a cold).
Sitting Shotgun:
Riding in the front passenger seat of a car.
Sixth Sense:
A paranormal sense that allows you to communicate with the dead.
Skid Row:
The rundown area of a city where the homeless and drug users live.
Smell A Rat:
To detect somone in the group is betraying the others.
Smell Something Fishy:
Detecting that something isn't right and there might be a reason for
it.
Son of a Gun:
A scamp.
Southpaw:
Someone who is left-handed.
Spitting Image:
The exact likeness or kind.
Start From Scratch:
To do it all over again from the beginning.
T
The Ball Is In Your Court:
It is your decision this time.
The Best Of Both Worlds:

There are two choices and you have them both.
The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall:
While the bigger and stronger opponent might be alot more difficult
to beat, when you do they suffer a much bigger loss.
The Last Straw:
When one small burden after another creates an unbearable
situation, the last straw is the last small burden that one can take.
The Whole Nine Yards:
Everything. All of it.
Third times a charm:
After no success the first two times, the third try is a lucky one.
Tie the knot:
To get married.
Til the cows come home:
A long time.
To Make A Long Story Short:
Something someone would say during a long and boring story in
order to keep his/her audience from losing attention. Usually the
story isn't shortened.
To Steal Someone's Thunder:
To take the credit for something someone else did.
Tongue And Cheek:
humor, not to be taken serious.
Turn A Blind Eye:
Refuse to acknowledge something you know is real or legit.
Twenty three skidoo:
To be turned away.
U
Under the weather:

Feeling ill or sick.
Up a blind alley:
Going down a course of action that leads to a bad outcome.
Use Your Loaf:
Use your head. Think smart.
V
Van Gogh's ear for music:
Tone deaf.
Variety Is The Spice Of Life:
The more experiences you try the more exciting life can be.
W
Wag the Dog:
A diversion away from something of greater importance.
Water Under The Bridge:
Anything from the past that isn't significant or important anymore.
Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve:
To openly and freely express your emotions.
When It Rains, It Pours:
Since it rarely rains, when it does it will be a huge storm.
When Pigs Fly :
Something that will never ever happen.
Wild and Woolly:
Uncultured and without laws.
Wine and Dine:
When somebody is treated to an expensive meal.
Without A Doubt:
For certain.

X
X marks the spot:
A phrase that is said when someone finds something he/she has
been looking for.
Y
You Are What You Eat:
In order to stay healthy you must eat healthy foods.
You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover:
Decisions shouldn't be made primarily on appearance.
You Can't Take it With You:
Enjoy what you have and not what you don't have, since when you
die you cannot take things (such as money) with you.
Your Guess Is As Good As Mine:
I have no idea.
Z
Zero Tolerance:
No crime or law breaking big or small will be overlooked.
IDIOMS 2
act like an ape
MEANING: behave badly, wildly, foolishly
EXAMPLE:
He has been acting like an ape ever since his girlfriend left him.
bark up the wrong tree
MEANING: choose the wrong course of action
EXAMPLE:

He is barking up the wrong tree. He accuses me of causing the
computer problem but I was away at the time.
Her bark is worse than her bite
MEANING: someones words are worse than their action
EXAMPLE:
You shouldnt worry about her. Her bark is worse than her bite and
she is really a very nice person.
bet on the wrong horse
MEANING: misread the future
EXAMPLE:
He is betting on the wrong horse if he keeps supporting the other
city in their bid for the games.
bull in a china shop
MEANING: a person with no tact who upsets others or upsets plans
EXAMPLE:
He is like a bull in a china shop so you should be careful if you invite
him to your house for the weekend.
cash cow
MEANING: a good way to make money
EXAMPLE:
The new business is a great cash cow. We are making a lot of money
now.
cat get ones tongue
MEANING: cant speak because of shyness

EXAMPLE:
The cat must have got her tongue. She did not saying anything at
all.
cat nap
MEANING: a short sleep taken during the day
EXAMPLE:
I had a cat nap during the afternoon so I would feel refreshed in the
evening.
change horses in midstream
MEANING: make new plans or choose a new leader in the middle of
an important activity
EXAMPLE:
They have decided to change lawyers but I told them that they
shouldnt change horses in midstream.
copycat
MEANING: someone who copies another persons work etc.
EXAMPLE:
He is a copycat according to the other students in the class.
cry wolf
MEANING: give a false alarm; warn of a danger that is not there.
EXAMPLE:
He is crying wolf. There is no real danger or worry about the
electrical system causing a fire.

curiosity killed the cat
MEANING: being too nosy may lead a person into trouble
EXAMPLE:
You shouldnt worry about what he is doing. Remember curiosity
killed the cat.
dark horse
MEANING: a candidate little known to the general public
EXAMPLE:
He was a dark horse in the race to be President until he gave some
good speeches on TV.
dog-eat-dog
MEANING: ready or willing to fight and hurt others to get what one
wants
EXAMPLE:
It is a dog-eat-dog world outside the father said to his young son.
donkeys years
MEANING: a very long time
EXAMPLE:
I talked to my friend for a long time because I hadnt seen her in
donkeys years.
dumb bunny
MEANING: stupid or gullible person
EXAMPLE:

He really is a dumb bunny. I cant believe that he can do such stupid
things.
eager beaver
MEANING: a person who is always eager to work or do something
extra
EXAMPLE:
She is a real eager beaver and I am sure she will do very well in this
company.
eat like a horse
MEANING: eat a lot
EXAMPLE:
Her brother who is 18 years old eats like a horse.
every dog has his day
MEANING: everyone will have his chance or turn; everyone will get
what he deserves
EXAMPLE:
Dont worry about him. Every dog has his day and he will eventually
suffer for all the bad things that he is doing.
fraidy-cat
MEANING: someone who is easily frightened (used by children)
EXAMPLE:
The little boy called his friend a fraidy-cat because he wouldnt climb
the tree.
get on ones high horse
MEANING: behave with arrogance

EXAMPLE:
She is always getting on her high horse and telling people what to
do.
get off ones high horse
MEANING: begin to be humble and agreeable
EXAMPLE:
I wish that she would get off her high horse and begin to think about
how other people feel about things.
go ape
MEANING: become highly excited or angry
EXAMPLE:
He will go ape if he sees that you have not finished the work that
was due today.
go whole hog
MEANING: do something completely or thoroughly
EXAMPLE:
They went whole hog in their effort to make sure that the
convention was a success.
hit the bulls-eye
MEANING: reach the main point
EXAMPLE:
I think that he really hit the bulls-eye when he talked about the
problems with the regular staff.
hold ones horses
MEANING: wait, be patient

EXAMPLE:
Hold your horses for a moment while I make a phone call.
holy cow
MEANING: used to express strong feelings like astonishment,
pleasure or anger
EXAMPLE:
Holy cow he said as he saw the car that had hit the street lamp.
horse around
MEANING: rough or noisy play
EXAMPLE:
The teacher told the children to stop horsing around and get ready
for class.
horse of a different colour
MEANING: something totally separate and different
EXAMPLE:
Moving to a new location is a horse of a different colour. It was never
mentioned in any of our meetings.
horse trade
MEANING: hard and skilful bargaining
EXAMPLE:
We had to do a little horse trading but finally we reached a deal to
buy the new house.
in the doghouse
MEANING: in disgrace or disfavour

EXAMPLE:
He is in the doghouse with his wife because he went out drinking
three times last week.
kangaroo court
MEANING: a self-appointed group that decides what to do to
someone who is supposed to have done wrong.
EXAMPLE:
It was decided in a kangaroo court that he would have to pay for the
damage that he had caused to the school building.
lead a dogs life
MEANING: work hard and be treated unkindly
EXAMPLE:
He is leading a dogs life since he married the woman who everyone
told him not to.
let sleeping dogs lie
MEANING: dont make trouble if you dont have to
EXAMPLE:
You should let sleeping dogs lie and not ask him any questions about
the argument.
let the cat out of the bag
MEANING: tell something that is supposed to be a secret
EXAMPLE:
She let the cat out of the bag when she began talking about the
plans for the new department.

live high on the hog
MEANING: have the best of everything
EXAMPLE:
He has been living high on the hog since he changed jobs and
moved to Texas.
lock the barn door after the horse is gone
MEANING: be careful or try to make something certain after it is too
late
EXAMPLE:
Now he wants to try and fix his house but it is like locking the barn
door after the horse is gone. There was already a flood and the
damage is done.
look like the cat that swallowed the canary
MEANING: look very self-satisfied, look as if one just had a great
success
EXAMPLE:
You look like the cat that swallowed the canary. What happened?
make a mountain out of a molehill
MEANING: make something that is unimportant seem important
EXAMPLE:
You are making a mountain out of a molehill with your going on and
on about his mistake.
monkey business
MEANING: unethical or bad activity, mischief
EXAMPLE:

He should stop that monkey business and try to do the job the
correct way.
piggyback
MEANING: sitting or being carried on someones back and
shoulders
EXAMPLE:
The boy was riding piggyback on his fathers shoulders.
piggy bank
MEANING: a small bank (sometimes in the shape of a pig) for
saving money
EXAMPLE:
He has been putting money into his piggy bank to save for a bicycle.
play cat and mouse with someone
MEANING: tease or fool someone
EXAMPLE:
He is playing a cat and mouse game with his company about his
plans to quit or not.
put the cart before the horse
MEANING: do things in the wrong order
EXAMPLE:
I think that buying a ticket before we make any plans is putting the
cart before the horse.
rain cats and dogs
MEANING: rain very hard

EXAMPLE:
It has been raining cats and dogs all day.
rat out on
MEANING: desert or betray someone
EXAMPLE:
He ratted out on his friends and now they wont talk to him.
rat race
MEANING: rushing around, confusing way of living that does not
seem to have a purpose
EXAMPLE:
He is tired of living in the rat race every day and plans to quit his job
soon and do something else.
road hog
MEANING: car driver who takes more than his share of the road
EXAMPLE:
The person in front of me on the highway was a road hog but I tried
not to get angry.
sacred cow
MEANING: a person or thing that is never criticized or changed
even if it should be
EXAMPLE:
The school lunch program is a sacred cow which they will never
change.
scaredy-cat
MEANING: someone who is easily frightened (used by children)

EXAMPLE:
The children were calling their friend a scaredy-cat because she
wouldnt go into the empty house.
smell a rat
MEANING: be suspicious, feel that something is wrong
EXAMPLE:
I smell a rat. There is something wrong with his relationship to the
bankers.
straight from the horses mouth
MEANING: directly from the person or place where something
began
EXAMPLE:
I heard straight from the horses mouth that she will be leaving the
company next week.
straw that breaks the camels back
MEANING: a small trouble which follows other troubles and makes
one become angry or do something
EXAMPLE:
Her accusing me of not working hard enough was the straw that
broke the camels back so I finally asked for a transfer to another
section of the company.
tail between ones legs
MEANING: feel beaten, ashamed (after a scolding etc.)
EXAMPLE:
He left the meeting with his tail between his legs after he was
criticized by the president.

take the bull by the horns
MEANING: take decisive action and not worry about the results
EXAMPLE:
My aunt decided to take the bull by the horns and begin
preparations for the family reunion.
talk until the cows come home
MEANING: talk for a long time
EXAMPLE:
We can talk until the cows come home this weekend at the lake.
throw someone to the wolves
MEANING: send someone into danger without protection
EXAMPLE:
He decided to throw his co-worker to the wolves when he asked him
to go and see the other company.
turn tail
MEANING: run away from trouble or danger
EXAMPLE:
We decided to turn tail and leave the pub before there was a fight.
wildcat strike
MEANING: a strike spontaneously arranged by a group of workers
EXAMPLE:
There was a wildcat strike at the factory and over 100 people
walked off the job.

wolf in sheeps clothing
MEANING: a person who pretends to be good but really is bad
EXAMPLE:
Be careful of that man. He is a wolf in sheeps clothing.
IDIOMS 3
1. as easy as pie means "very easy" (same as "a piece of cake")
Example: He said it is a difficult problem, but I don't agree. It
seems as easy as pie to me!
2. be sick and tired of means "I hate" (also "can't stand")
Example: I'm sick and tired of doing nothing but work. Let's go
out tonight and have fun.
3. bend over backwards means "try very hard" (maybe too
much!)
Example: He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but
she never seemed satisfied.
4. bite off more than one can chew means "take responsibility
for more than one can manage"
Example: John is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he
plays sports and works at a part-time job. It seems he has bitten off
more than he can chew.
5. broke means "to have no money"
Example: I have to borrow some money from my Dad. Right now,
I'm broke.
6. change one's mind means "decide to do something different
from what had been decided earlier"
Example: I was planning to work late tonight, but I changed my
mind. I'll do extra work on the weekend instead.
7. Cut it out! means "stop doing something bad"
Example: That noise is really annoying. Cut it out!
8. drop someone a line means "send a letter or email to
someone"
Example: It was good to meet you and I hope we can see each
other again. Drop me a line when you have time.
9. figure something out means "come to understand a problem"
Example: I don't understand how to do this problem. Take a look at
it. Maybe you can figure it out.
10. fill in for someone means "do their work while they are away"
Example: While I was away from the store, my brother filled in for
me.

11. in ages means "for a very long time"
Example: Have you seen Joe recently? I haven't seen him in ages.
12. give someone a hand means "help"
Example: I want to move this desk to the next room. Can you give
me a hand?
13. hit the hay means "go to bed" (also "hit the sack")
Example: It's after 12 o'clock. I think it's time to hit the hay.
14. in the black means "the business is making money, it is
profitable"
Example: Our business is really improving. We've been in the
black all year.
15. in the red means "the business is losing money, it is
unprofitable"
Example: Business is really going poorly these days. We've been in
the red for the past three months.
16. in the nick of time means "not too late, but very close!"
Example: I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time. It's a
good thing, because I really need this medicine!
17. keep one's chin up means "remain brave and keep on trying"
Example: I know things have been difficult for you recently,
but keep your chin up. It will get better soon.
18. know something like the back of your hand means "know
something very, very well"
Example: If you get lost, just ask me for directions. I know this part
of town like the back of my hand
19. once in a while means "sometimes, not very often"
Example: Have you been to the new movie theater? No, only see
movies once in a while. I usually stay home and watch TV.
20. sharp means "exactly at a that time"
Example: I'll meet you at 9 o'clock sharp. If you're late, we'll be in
trouble!
21. sleep on it means "think about something before making a
decision"
Example: That sounds like a good deal, but I'd like to sleep on
it before I give you my final decision.
22. take it easy means "relax"
Example: I don't have any special plans for the summer. I think I'll
just take it easy.
23. to get the ball rolling means "start something, especially
something big"
Example: We need to get this project started as soon as possible.
I'm hoping you will help me get the ball rolling.

24. up to the minute means "the most recent information"
Example: I wish I knew more about what is happening in the capital
city. We need more up to the minute news.
25. twenty-four/seven means "every minute of every day, all the
time"
Example: You can access our web site 24/7. It's very convenient!
26. all of a sudden means "unexpectedly", used to describe
something that happens very quickly
Example: He had just gone to bed when all of a sudden the phone
rang.
27. be all ears means "eager and ready to listen"
Example: Go ahead and speak. I'm all ears!
28. be fed up with means "to hate something now, even though I
may have liked it before"
Example: I'm fed up with my job! I think I should start looking for a
new one.
29. to bug means "to bother someone". (American English)
Example: Hey, stop tapping your fingers. It's really bugging me!
30. a cinch means something that is very easy to do
Example: I didn't think I could run five kilometers, but with the right
preparation, it was a cinch.
31. cost an arm and a leg means "very expensive"
Example: I'd really like a new car, but they all cost an arm and a
leg.
32. to cram means "to study hard a few days before a test"
Example: If you had studied hard for the past four months, you
wouldn't have to cram so much this weekend.
33. fresh out of something means "to have no more of
something"
Example: I have to go buy some more milk. It seems we're fresh
out now.
34. to get it (often negative) means "to understand"
Example: What did the teacher say? I didn't get it. Did you?
35. got a minute? means "Do you have time right now?"
Example: Hey, Joe, got a minute? I have something to show you.
36. give someone a hand means "help someone"
Example: Could you give me a hand moving this table? It's quite
heavy.
37. grab a bite to eat means "quickly go get something to eat"
Example: I'm going to go grab a bite. I'll be back in a few minutes.
38. drive someone up a wall (or "drive someone crazy") means
"to make someone very angry"

Example: My neighbor practices the piano every night, but he's
terrible. It's driving me up the wall!
39. to hang on means "to wait"
Example: Hang on a few minutes. I have to make a phone call and
then I'll be able to join you for lunch.
40. hard headed means "stubborn" or "unwilling to change an
opinion or idea
Example: I can't work with Joe any more. He's so hard headed!
41. have a change of heart means "change a previous decision"
Example: I thought I would change jobs, but now that my boss is
treating me with more respect, I've had a change of heart.
42. have mixed feelings about something means "to be
uncertain"
Example: I have mixed feelings about Joe. He's a very good
teacher, but he has a very strange sense of humor!
43. head out for means "to start on a long trip" (but it could be
within a big city)
Example: We're heading out for the countryside to pick some
apples. Would you like to join us?
44. How come? means "Why?"
Example: How come we don't go to the movies any more? I guess
we're too busy to enjoy ourselves these days.
45. keep in touch (or "stay in touch") means "do not stop
communicating - send letters or call sometimes"
Example: Don't forget to keep in touch. I want to know how you're
doing while you're away.
46. be kidding means "to joke or tease someone in a playful way"
Example: No, I don't really have three wives - I was just kidding!
47. look down on means "think somone or something is not good
enough"
Example: We shouldn't look down on people just because they
don't have as much money as we do.
48. make ends meet (often used negatively) means "to have
enough money to buy everything we need"
Example: Even though I make more money than last year, we just
can't seem to make ends meet.
49. miss the boat means "to miss an opportunity"
Example: The sale ends today at noon. If we don't hurry, we're
going to miss the boat!
50. next to nothing means "to cost very little"
Example: I went to the new discount store and bought these new
shoes for only five dollars. That's next to nothing!
IDIOMS 4
ring a bell
A: Do you know April

ONeil?
B: Hmm. Maybe. That
name rings a bell.
on the one hand On the one hand,

/ on the other
Peters roommate is
hand
kind. On the other
hand, hes quite
messy.
Definition
= is familiar to you
but you can't
remember where you
heard it
Definition
= (expression used to
when considering the
advantages and
disadvantages of sth)
have/keep an
open mind
I tried to keep an open Definition

mind about Allan even
though Id heard some = be openminded
bad things about him.
on the tip of
your tongue
His name was on the

Definition
tip of my tongue but
I couldnt remember it. = used to say you
are almost able to
remember
something, but you
can't
a hangover
(noun) / hungover (adj)
Tyler was too hungover from last nights

party to go to work.
Definition
~ish
Lets meet around

4ish.
Definition
= unwell from
drinking too much
alcohol on the
previous day
= used to make sth

more vague and less
exact
fed up
Im fed up with my
Definition

neighbours dog.
= so angry that you
can no longer tolerate
any more of sth
Big deal!
Give sb a hand
let the cat out

of the bag
give it a shot
No way!
The more the

merrier.
give it your all
It takes you 15
minutes to walk to
school? Big deal!
Definition
My dad gave me a
hand with my
homework.
Definition
It was going to be a
surprise party, until
Todd let the cat out of
the bag.
Definition
If you think you can

make the team, then
give it a shot.
Definition
A: George, Im
pregnant.
B: No way!
Definition
A: Can I invite my
brother?
B: Sure. The more the
merrier.
Definition
Even though I lost the

race, I gave it my all.
Definition
= a sarcastic
expression meaning
that sth is actually
NOT a big deal.
= helped you
= told the secret so

other people found
out too early
= give it a try
= similar to "that
can't be possible!" / "I
don't believe you!"
= used to say that

the more of sth there
is, the better it will
be.
= tried your hardest

first-hand
I saw the accident

happen, first-hand.
Definition
= you experienced it
personally
a dead end
Lets not take this

Definition
path. It leads to a dead
end.
= a place with only
an end
time flies
Time flies when your

having fun.
Definition
= time passes quickly
pull sbs leg
You have 6 brothers? Definition

Youre pulling my leg!
= same as "You're
joking!"
have sth on
your mind
When Dana has

something on her
mind, she likes to go
for a long walk by
herself.
Definition
= to have a certain
topic in your thoughts
keep track
I use my watch to keep Definition

track of time.
= to monitor the time
from scratch
My aunt made the

cake from scratch.
Definition
= from nothing
(without any alreadyprepared materials)
off the top of

your head
He asked me to tell
Definition
him a joke, but I
couldnt think of one
= using only the
off the top of my head. ideas you have in
your head at that
moment
learn your
lesson
The boy learned his

Definition
lesson. Hell never play
keep/bear in
mind
with fire again.
= to learn sth
important about life
from making a
mistake/doing
something wrong
The professor told his

students to keep in
mind that they only
have 50 minutes to
complete the test.
Definition
= not forget;
remember
speak your mind Timmy was afraid to

Definition
speak his mind in front
of his schoolmates.
= say what you
honestly feel
Just my luck!
It rained on my only
day off. Just my luck!
Definition
= expression used
when sth unlucky
happens to you. It
implies that unlucky
things happen to you,
thus your luck is bad
luck
Theres nothing Why dont you make a Definition

to it.
simple website for your
business? Theres
= it's very easy; it's a
nothing to it.
piece of cake
get out of hand
The house party got

Definition
out of hand, so we had
to call the police.
= got out of control
cut a long story To cut a long story

short
short, Lisa and I have
had some interesting
experiences together.
Definition
= to make a long
story shorter so it
takes less time to say

a piece of cake
The test was a piece of Definition

cake. I finished it in 20
minutes.
= very easy
break the ice
At the start of the

Definition
meeting, Mike tried to
break the ice by telling = to initiate social
a joke.
interaction/conversati
on. (Note: the ice is
that cold feeling
when no one is
talking or people
dont know each
other. You break the
ice by beginning to
speak or starting an
activity (e.g. telling a
joke, or doing a
warm-up activity))
go out of your
way to do sth
I went out of my way

to help Jenny find an
apartment, and she
didnt even say
thanks!
Definition
= to take extra time
to make an additional
effort to do sth
cross your mind The thought never

Definition
even crossed my mind.
= to think about sth;
to consider sth
road rage
I dont like being in the Definition

car with Gary. He has
difficulty controlling his = extreme anger
road rage.
when driving
go on about
The old man went on

about his school days
for nearly an hour.
Definition
= to speak for too
long about sth
uninteresting

slip your mind
I was going to return

Definition
the library books today
after work, but the
= used to say you
thought slipped my
forgot to do sth
mind.
have/throw a fit The baby threw a fit

when I took his toy
away.
Definition
The ball is in
your court
Definition
The ball is in their

court now. Lets wait
for their decision.
= to get angry and

begin acting like an
angry child
= used to say that

YOU now have control
of the situation
make your day
Finding a fifty-dollar bill Definition

on the ground made
my day.
= used to say that
sth made your day
special (and great).
a rip off / to rip

sb off
Six dollars for a cup of Definition

coffee?! What a rip off!
= sth very overpriced
get a kick out of I get a kick out of

Definition
sth
reading science fiction
novels.
= to get enjoyment
from sth
catch sbs eye
jump the gun
The bright
advertisement caught
my eye.
Definition
I jumped the gun and

asked Gail to marry
me. She said she
wasn't sure what to
Definition
= to grab sb's
attention and make
them look at sth
= to do sth too soon.

say.
give sb a piece
of your mind
The angry worker gave Definition

his boss a piece of his
mind.
= to speak angrily to
sb about sth bad they
have done
cross your
fingers
Kate crossed her

fingers and hoped it
wouldnt rain on her
wedding day.
Definition
= (Westerners cross
their fingers when
they want good luck)
cost (sb) an arm The designer handbag

and a leg
cost her an arm and a
leg.
Definition
be in hot water
Ken was in hot water

about forgetting his
wedding anniversary.
Definition
Susan is really in a
bind. She has two
essays due tomorrow
and she hasn't started
either of them.
Definition
The film on global

warming was a real
eye-opener for Tom.
Definition
in a bind
an eye-opener
= to cost a LOT of
money
= to be in trouble
= in a difficult
situation; stuck in a
difficult situation
= sth that makes you

see or think about sth
differently from then
on
let off steam
Ted plays squash when Definition

he needs to let off
steam.
= to release anger
and frustration
read between
the lines
You can figure out the

authors opinion by
Definition

reading between the
lines.
= to find the hidden

meaning in sth that is
written or said
We went all out and

booked a five-star
hotel for our trip.
Definition
Marks comment was

out of line. He
shouldnt have said
that to a client.
Definition
My manager is on my
back about being at
work on time.
Definition
would not be
seen/caught
dead
I wouldnt be seen
dead wearing an ugly
dress like that.
Definition
have mixed
feelings
Larry has mixed

Definition
feelings about his new
job.
= to be unsure about
sth
draw a blank
When asked for her

Definition
postal code, Amy drew
a blank.
= to be unable to
remember anything
You name it.
A: Daddy, can I have

Definition
anything on the menu?
B: Sure. You name it,
= synonym of
you got it.
'whatever you want';
go all out
out of line
be on sbs back
= to use all of your

energy or resources
(e.g. money in the
above example) to do
sth
= inappropriate; not
in accordance with
how sb is supposed to
behave
= to persistently urge
sb to do (or not to do)
sth
= used to say that

you would NEVER do
sth

anything
know your stuff
Jim has been a

Definition
mechanic for 20 years.
He really knows his
= to know sth well
stuff.
left, right and

centre
Businesses were
closing in town left,
right and centre.
Definition
After seeing a mouse

on the floor, I had a
change of heart about
eating at the
restaurant.
Definition
a change of
heart
= everywhere
= a change of feeling;
used to say you
changed your mind
about sth
a long haul
Peter told his boss that Definition

he wouldnt quit. Hes
in it for the long haul. = the long road; the
option that takes the
most time
be man enough
George was the only

one man enough to
admit he had made a
mistake.
Definition
= strong enough in
character, or strong
enough as a man
be second to
none
The apple pie at this

Definition
restaurant is second to
none.
= the best
know/learn the
ropes
It took me a month to
learn the ropes at my
new job.
Definition
The new employee,
Definition
a breath of
= the process of
learning about sth so
you are comfortable
with it

fresh air
Gail, is a breath of
fresh air in the office.
= sth new that adds

life and energy to a
situation
get your act

together
The coach told me that Definition

if I didnt get my act
together, Id be kicked = start behaving
off the team.
properly
set your heart

on sth
Eric has his heart set

on participating in the
Olympics.
Definition
Keith took it for

granted that his
girlfriend would always
stay with him. Then,
one day, she was
gone.
Definition
take sb/sth for

granted
= to be firmly
resolved to do sth
= to assume too
confidently that you'll
have sth in the future
or forever
play it by ear
A: How long will you

Definition
stay in Australia?
B: Im not sure. Im just = to improvise; to not
going to play it by ear. make a plan but
decide what to do as
you do it
put all your

eggs in one
basket
Greg invested his

money in a few
different areas. He
didnt want to put all
his eggs in one basket.
Definition
Birds of a
feather (flock
together)
A: Its funny that all of

Kates friends are
attractive.
B: So is she. I guess
birds of a feather flock
Definition
= to put all of sth you

have in the same
area (note: generally
viewed as a bad thing
to do)
= similar people tend

to spend time with
each other.

together.
have second
thoughts
Im starting to have
Definition
second thoughts about
my new apartment.
= to have doubts
pay the price for Dont touch my stuff. If Definition

sth
you do, youll pay the
price.
= to suffer as a
consequence of doing
sth
a basket case
Darryls ex-wife is a
total basket case.
Definition
= a crazy person; a
nut
on the dot
We arrived at 8 oclock Definition

on the dot.
= exactly
not have a clue
I dont have a clue

where Nunavut is.
Definition
= to have no idea or
absolutely no
knowledge (about
sth)
have a shot at
Our team has a shot at Definition

winning the
championship.
= has a chance
the word spread It took only an hour for Definition

word to spread around
the office that John had = for some news to
been fired.
spread ("the word" =
some news)
safe and sound
I arrived home from

my trip safe and
sound.
Definition
= safe

be a pain (in the My brother is a real
neck)
pain in the neck
sometimes.
Definition
be in the same
boat
Definition
The governments of
Portugal and Greece
are in the same boat.
They both need
financial assistance.
= to be
annoying/irritating
= to be in the same
situation
be/feel at home After two years, James Definition

felt at home in Prague.
= to feel comfortable,
as if you were in your
home or hometown
be in sbs good
books
Ryan is not in his

fathers good books
right now because he
scratched his car.
Definition
= to be on someone's
good side; to be
thought of as
someone's friend or
ally
get out of bed

on the wrong
side
Id avoid talking with

Definition
Bob today. He mustve
got out of bed on the
= to wake up in a bad
wrong side.
mood
up-and-coming
Roger is an up-andcoming hockey player

from Toronto.
Definition
Youd better get into

gear or youll be late.
Definition
get into gear
= young and rising to

the top; new and
becoming successful
= hurry up; start

moving at a faster
speed
out of the blue
One day, out of the
Definition

blue, I received a letter
from my former
= unscheduled;
schoolmate.
without previous
warning
set the record
straight
In a TV interview, the
politician set the
record straight about
his experiences in the
military.
Definition
The security guard

kept an eye on the
suspicious man.
Definition
Because of a grey area

in his job description,
Peter was not exactly
sure what all of his
responsibilities were.
Definition
Luckily for her, the

policeman let Jane off
the hook for parking
her car in a no-parking
zone.
Definition
out of sight, out Jim was happy when

of mind.
his ex-girlfriend moved
out of his apartment
out of sight, out of
mind.
Definition
give sb the cold Ted gave his exshoulder

girlfriend the cold
shoulder when he saw
her at the party.
Definition
keep an eye on
a grey area
get/let sb off
the hook
= to clarify what is
true/factual about a
story or thing
= watch closely;
monitor
= a vague area; an
unclear area; an area
that is neither black
nor white
= to let someone go
free instead of
holding them
responsible for sth
bad
= this means that if

you do not see
someone regularly,
you will stop thinking
about them.
= to ignore sb
The ins and outs It took Alan a year to

learn all the ins and
outs of his job.
Definition
line of work
Definition
The fireman said that

injuries were common
in his line of work.
= to know all aspects

of sth; to know
completely how sth
works
= job field; type of

work
make do
I forgot to buy
Definition
groceries so I had to
make do with what was = to survive/get by
left in the fridge.
with what you have
at that moment
get sth off your

chest
A: Keith, theres
something I need to
get off my chest.
B: Whats bothering
you? Tell me.
know sth like

Takeshi knows the
the back of your streets of Kyoto like
hand
the back of his hand.
Definition
= to say something
serious or difficult
that you have been
thinking about for a
while.
Definition
= to be very familiar
with sth
in the bag
After scoring their

Definition
fourth goal, the victory
was in the bag.
= certain to be
secured/obtained;
be on the ball
Greg isnt on the ball

today. He keeps
making silly mistakes.
Definition
Tara and Mike have

been seeing each
Definition
off and on / on
and off
= to be thinking well
and reacting quickly

other off and on for a
year now.
= intermittently
for the time

being
I plan to move into my Definition

own apartment in
September. For the
= just for the present
time being, Im staying moment
with friend Doug.
burn your
bridges
Jack tried to be kind to

his boss when he quit
in job because he
didnt want to burn his
bridges.
Definition
= ruin a relationship,
resulting in you being
unable to return
somewhere
get/be given the Alan got the sack for

Definition
sack / sack
repeatedly coming into
(verb)
work late.
= to be fired
on the back
burner
The project was put on Definition

the back burner while
the company focused = set as a lower
on a more immediate priority
problem.
get cold feet
Its normal to get cold

feet before your
wedding day.
Definition
After being fired and

then kicked out of his
apartment, Jake really
Definition
hit rock bottom
= to become
nervous/frightened
right before sth you
had planned to do
= to be in the lowest

hit rock bottom.
situation, e.g. without

money or friends. to
be in the unhappiest
situation of your life
talk shop
Everyone agreed not

Definition
to talk shop at the staff
party.
= to talk about workrelated things
start/get the
ball rolling
Its time we start the

ball rolling on the new
project.
Definition
Janice took a position

as an administrative
assistant to get her
foot in the door at the
famous fashion
company.
Definition
Lloyd comes from a

well-to-do family. His
friends often ask to
borrow money from
him.
Definition
get your foot in

the door
well-off / wellto-do
= to take the first

step to begin a
process
= to complete the
first step towards
achieving an
opportunity
= rich; wealthy
pull your weight Lisa had to work extra

hard because a few
members of the team
werent pulling their
weight.
Definition
a gut feeling
Definition
I have a gut feeling

that something bad is
= to do your share of
the work; to
contribute your share
of effort

going to happen today. = an intuitive feeling
if need be
If need be, we can take Definition

a taxi home.
= If necessary,..
in the middle of Their car broke down in Definition

nowhere
the middle of nowhere.
= in a place far away
from anywhere
known to you
go with the flow Jake didnt want to go
to another bar, but
everyone else did, so
he went with the flow.
Definition
= to let yourself to be
guided by the choices
of others
play your cards

right
If Linda plays her cards Definition

right, she could be the
department manager
= make the
by next year.
appropriate
moves/choices
follow in sbs
footsteps
Bill chose to follow in

his fathers footsteps
and become a dentist.
Definition
have your heart Alan has his heart set

set on sth
on participating in the
2020 Olympics.
Definition
You can say that A: I met your boss

again!
today. Hes a real jerk.
B: You can say that
again!
Definition
= follow someone
else's path
= to be firmly
resolved to do sth
= expression that
means that you
definitely agree with
what was just said.

Im all ears
small talk
A: Doug, Ive
discovered the
meaning of life.
B: Really? Im all ears.
Definition
After some small talk,

the interview began.
Definition
= I'm listening
intently.
= discussion about
light topics such as
the weather
put sth on hold
Greg had to put his

Definition
weekend plans on hold
and go into the office
= to postpone sth
on Saturday for a few
hours.
common ground The two boys had

Definition
some common ground:
they both loved
= something held in
football.
common; a common
interest or trait
politically
(in)correct
Marcel told a politically Definition

incorrect joke at the
company party. No one = politically correct =
laughed.
worded in a sensitive
way that will not
harm the audience
have had it up
to here
Ive had it up to here

with this mess! Clean
your room now!
Definition
= I'm fed up; I've had
enough; something
said when you cannot
handle anymore of
something that is
aggravating you

have your work
cut out
If we want to finish this Definition

by Friday, then weve
really got our work cut = expression that
out for us.
means you have a lot
of work to do in little
time
get the picture
A: The fight was

horrible. One man kept
punching the other
again and again and
again
B: OK. Thats enough. I
get the picture.
Definition
Mike and his father

dont see eye to eye
on the issue of
abortion.
Definition
see eye to eye
= to understand what
is being illustrated or
explained
= to agree on sth; to
have the same views
on sth
call it a day
Its already 6 pm. Lets Definition

call it a day.
= expression said
near the end of a day
which means "That's
enough for today.
Let's end and go
home."
twist sbs arm
I really had to twist my Definition

sisters arm to get her
to pick me up from the = to make a great
airport.
effort to convince sb
to do sth for you
bring sth to
light
The report brought

some previously
unknown facts to light
about the causes of
Definition
= to make something
previously unknown

cancer.
become known
be in the dark /
keep sb in the
dark
Most of the employees Definition

were kept in the dark
about the merger until = to be uninformed;
the last minute.
to not be told know
what's happening
go up in smoke
After breaking his leg,

Darryls dream to play
professional hockey
went up in smoke.
Definition
After his wife divorced

him, Victors life really
went downhill.
Definition
With the World Wide

Web, people have a
vast amount of
information at their
fingertips.
Definition
go downhill
at your
fingertips
poke fun at
= to be wasted; to
become impossible;
when the chances of
sth happening burn
away
= decline; become
worse
= directly accessible
The kids poked fun at Definition

George because he
was wearing his t-shirt = to make fun of sb
backwards.
Easier said than A: You should get a

done.
girlfriend whos
beautiful AND kind.
B: Easier said than
Definition
= expression that
means that sth is
the bottom line
call the shots
know/learn sth
by heart
done.
much easier to SAY

than actually
accomplish.
A: Doctor, whats the

bottom line?
B: If you dont quit
smoking, youll die
within a year.
Definition
The boss told Janet to

call the shots while he
was away.
Definition
Hank knows every

Elvis song by heart.
Definition
= the final result
= to make the
decisions
= to memorize sth
get a move on
If we dont get a move Definition

on, well miss the bus.
= to start moving; to
start going
miss the point
You missed the point.

The book was about
the problems of
capitalism, not how to
make money.
Definition
= to fail to grasp the
most important part
of sth
hold/stand your Although their enemy Definition

ground
outnumbered them,
the soldiers stood their = to stay in your
ground.
position without
running away.
be childs play
The tennis match was

childs play for Ben.
Definition

= a piece of cake;
something so easy a
child could do it
be only a matter The scientist said its
of time
only a matter of time
before a big
earthquake hits
California.
Definition
push your luck
Definition
A: Dad, can I have

another ice cream
cone?
B: Dont push your
luck, kid.
= used to say that

sth will inevitably
happen (sooner or
later)
= to expect
continued good
fortune
raise (a few)
eyebrows
Francines short skirt

Definition
raised a few eyebrows.
= to make people
slightly shocked or
surprised
a matter of
opinion
The best restaurant in

Europe is, of course, a
matter of opinion.
Definition
A: Tyler is such a
selfish guy.
B: Be that as it may,
hes your brother. You
have to love him.
Definition
If push comes to
shove, Ill be here to
support you.
Definition
be that as it
may
if/when push
comes to shove
= sth that is
subjective
= expression that
means "even though
that is true" / "even
so, .."
= if/when the
situation becomes

difficult/intense
against your
better
judgement
Against his better

judgement, Jim let his
friend drive home
drunk.
Definition
add insult to
injury
To add insult to injury, Definition

Gregs wife left him for
his best friend.
= to make an
insulting situation
even worse
the last straw
When the boss told me Definition

to come in to work on
Saturday, that was the = the final thing that
last straw.
causes sth to collapse
or sb to lose their
temper/get angry
be up in the air
Jims vacation plans

were still up in the air.
= sth you did even

though, at that time,
you thought it was
wrong thing to do
Definition
= for sth to be
undecided;
undetermined
not have the

I dont have the
faintest/foggiest faintest idea where
idea
Wollongong is.
Definition
the icing on the Paula enjoyed the

cake
concert, and getting to
meet the artist
backstage after the
show was the icing on
the cake.
Definition
get/jump/leap
on the
= to not know sth at

all
= an additional thing
that makes sth good
become great
Janet doesnt normally Definition

watch hockey but she

bandwagon
jumped on the
bandwagon because
her citys team was in
the playoffs.
= to join the crowd;

to do what most
other people are
doing
the fine/small
print
My father reads the

fine print on every
contract he signs.
Definition
= the information
typed in a smaller
font, usually on a
contract
stuck/be in a rut The singer was stuck in Definition

a rut. All of her recent
songs sounded the
= to be in a situation
same.
in which you cannot
make any progress
run-of-the-mill
Kate is a waitress at a Definition

run-of-the-mill bar and
restaurant in London. = typical
face the music
Tina knew that one day

her parents would see
her tattoo and then
shed have to face the
music.
Definition
Bodyguards kept the

reporters at bay while
the movie stars
entered the theatre.
Definition
to keep sth/sb
at bay
be up in arms
= to take
responsibility for what
you have done
= to keep a threat
away from coming
too near
People were up in arms Definition

[about/over] the
governments plan to
= in an uproar; very
raise the retirement
angry
age.

bite your
tongue
Jack bit his tongue

while his manager
criticized his
performance.
Definition
= to refrain from
saying sth because
you don't think it
would be a good idea
leave a lot to be The design of our

Definition
desired
office building leaves a
lot to be desired.
= is unsatisfactory
off the beaten
track
pick sbs brains
whet your
appetite
sour grapes
a blessing in
disguise
Mike and Mary had

dinner a quiet
restaurant off the
beaten track in Paris.
Definition
Mike is a marketing
genius. People often
invite him to lunch or
dinner so they can pick
his brains.
Definition
The 30-second trailer

was designed to whet
peoples appetites.
Definition
A: People with nice

cars just want
attention.
B: That sounds like
sour grapes because
you cant afford one.
Definition
Losing his job turned

out to be a blessing in
disguise. Afterward,
Definition
= away from the area

most people visit/go
= to ask someone
many questions so
you can learn from
him/her
= to make people
want more; to
stimulate your
appetite so you
desire more
= expression that
means something
was said out of
jealousy
= a good thing that

Roger found his dream first appears as a bad
job.
thing
give sb the
benefit of the
doubt
I told the teacher that

it wasnt me who broke
the window.
Thankfully, he gave me
the benefit of the
doubt.
Definition
= to choose to
believe sth good
about sb instead of
believing sth bad
(when you have the
choice to believe
either)
jog sbs memory Jeff said he couldnt

remember the songs
lyrics, but hearing the
first few words jogged
his memory.
Definition
foot the bill
Definition
George agreed to foot

the bill for dinner.
= to make sb
remember sth
= to pay the bill for

sth
have it in for sb A: Why are you hiding
from your brother?
B: He has it in for me.
He knows I lost his
football.
Definition
= to be very angry at
sb
be in the red
The company has been Definition

in the red since
September.
get/catch wind
of sth
Once the school

principal caught wind
of the problem, she
called a teachers
meeting.
Definition
= to learn about
some news;

a rule of thumb
be on the same
wavelength
up to speed
play devils
advocate
bend/lean over
backwards
pass the buck
As a rule of thumb, I
dont eat food that
smells bad.
Definition
The group members

were all on the same
wavelength, so they
were able to finish
their project quickly.
Definition
After her holiday, it

took Kate a few hours
to get back up to
speed on the recent
developments in her
company.
Definition
Although Jim is against

the death penalty, he
told his friend he was
for it just to play
devils advocate.
Definition
Lisa bent over

backwards to get her
brother a job in her
company, so she was
surprised to learn he
quit today.
Definition
The politician passed

the buck onto
someone else instead
of accepting
responsibility for the
problem.
Definition
take the plunge Jerry has finally
= a personal principle
= to think in a similar
way to others
= to be updated; to
not be behind; to
have all the current
information
= to argue against sb
just so you can hear
your opponent's
reasoning
= to make a great
effort to do sth or
help sb
= to pass blame onto

sb else
Definition

decided to take the
plunge. Tomorrow he's = begin an
going to start looking
important/difficult
for an office job.
task that youve been
thinking about for a
long time (note: to
plunge is into dive
into something)
call sbs bluff
When Mike heard his

friend say she knew all
of the worlds capitals,
he called her bluff and
asked her to name the
capital of Mozambique.
Definition
Tim has had a chip on

his shoulder about
businesswomen since
he lost his job to a
woman three years
ago.
Definition
Jim found it hard to

focus on his work with
his boss breathing
down his neck.
Definition
climb to the top

of the
career/corporat
e ladder
Having children can be

an obstacle for women
who want to climb (to
the top of) the
corporate ladder.
Definition
red tape
Marks visa application Definition

was held up for six
months because of red = rules and
tape.
regulations that
prevent you from
achieving sth easily
have a chip on
your shoulder
breathe down
sbs neck
= to make sb prove
that what they are
saying is true
= to have anger
about sth that
happened in the past
= to watch sb very
closely (often in an
annoying way)
= to advance in a
company by being
promoted to the top

give sb free rein When his father died, Definition
Mark was given free
rein to do whatever he = to give sb full
liked with the family
control of sth
business.
the be-all-andend-all
Getting into Harvard

Law School became
the be-all-and-end-all
of Tonys existence.
Definition
= the only thing that
matters; sth so good
that it will end the
search for sth better
blow sth out of

proportion
The media blew the

Definition
story out of proportion.
= exaggerate sth; to
make sth seem much
more significant that
it really is
bury the
hatchet
Susan and Mike agreed

that it was time to bury
the hatchet. They
apologized and
decided to be friends
again.
Definition
= to stop fighting
and become friendly.
(A hatchet is a small
axe.)

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LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING IDIOMS IN 3 PARTS FROM THE

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

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Crack Someone Up:

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Everything But The Kitchen Sink:

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Flip The Bird:

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LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

Let The Cat Out Of The Bag:

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

Pulling Your Leg:

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

A: Do you know April

on the one hand On the one hand,

I tried to keep an open Definition

His name was on the

Tyler was too hungover from last nights

Lets meet around

= used to make sth

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

let the cat out

The more the

give it your all

If you think you can

Even though I lost the

= told the secret so

= used to say that

= tried your hardest

LEARNING ENGLISH IDIOMS

I saw the accident

Lets not take this

Time flies when your