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Ace up Your Sleeve I don't know how Henry is going to get his mom to buy him a bike, but I'm sure he has an ace up his sleeve. a surprise or secret advantage, especially something tricky that is kept hidden until needed Back in the 1500s most people didn't have pockets in their clothes, so they kept things in their sleeves. Later on, magicians hid objects, even small live animals, up their sleeves and then pulled them out unexpectedly to surprise their audiences. In the 1800s dishonest card players secretly slipped a winning card, often an ace, up their sleeves and pulled it out when nobody was looking to win the game |
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Achilles' Heel I'm an A student in math and science, but English is my Achilles' heel. the one weakness, fault, flaw, or vulnerable spot in one's otherwise strong character In the Iliad, the famous story about the Trojan War by the Greek poet Homer, Achilles was a great hero and warrior. However, he had one weak spot, the heel of one foot. When he was a baby, his mother wanted to be certain that her son could never be harmed, so she dipped little Achilles upside-down in the magical River Styx. Wherever the water touched his body, he became invulnerable. But since she was holding him by his heel, that part of him never got wet. Years later Achilles was killed in the Trojan War by an enemy who shot a poisoned arrow into his heel |
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Add Fuel to the Fire I was already angry with you, and when you forgot to pick me up, that really added fuel to the fire. to make a bad situation worse; to do or say something that causes more trouble, makes someone angrier "Thousands of years ago the famous Roman historian Livy used this expression. If you pour water on a fire, it goes out. But if you put fuel (like coal or wood) on a fire, you make it burn hotter and brighter. If "fire" represents any kind of trouble, then anything you do to make that trouble worse is "fuel." A similar expression is "fan the flames |
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Air Your Dirty Laundry in Public My upstairs neighbors fight a lot and air their dirty laundry in public. to talk about your private disagreements or embarrassing matters in public, usually while quarreling "Picture this: Instead of hanging your freshly washed laundry on a clothesline, you hang your dirty clothes out there in the air for all the world to see. Wouldn't that be embarrassing? Imagine that your "dirty laundry" represents secret personal matters and that "to air" them means to discuss them out loud for anyone to hear. Some people use "air your dirty linen in public |
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Albatross around Your Neck Everywhere I go, my mother makes me take my little bratty sister. She's an albatross around my neck. a very difficult burden that you can't get rid of or a reminder of something you did that was wrong "In 1798 the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote his most famous poem, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." In the poem a young sailor shoots a large seabird called an albatross. In those days that was considered very unlucky. Sure enough, a lot of bad things happen to the ship, and the crew blames the young sailor. They hang the dead bird around his neck." |
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All Ears You said you had something important to tell me. I'm all ears! eager to listen; sharply attentive; curious "The ear is the organ by which a person hears. So, if we figuratively say that you're "all ears," it means that at that moment you're keenly listening to whatever is being said. It's as if no other part of your body mattered except your ears. This idiom is about three centuries old." |
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All Thumbs Marco can't build the model of the atom for the science project. He's all thumbs. awkward and clumsy, especially with the hands Human beings and apes have thumbs; most other animals don't. A thumb helps the other fingers pick things up, turn dials, and do other fine motor tasks. But what if all your fingers were thumbs? You'd have a hard time picking up small objects, keyboarding a computer, doing art projects, and so on. That's why this expression means clumsy at doing physical tasks with your hands |
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Ants in Your Pants You never sit still. You must have ants in your pants. extreme restlessness; overactivity We can easily imagine where this saying came from. What if you actually had ants in your pants? You'd find it difficult to settle down. You'd keep squirming to get rid of the ants |
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Apple of Your Eye Kareem is the apple of my eye. a person or thing that is greatly loved, treasured, and adored "This saying is used in the Bible. Ancient people thought that the pupil of the eye was solid and shaped like an apple. The pupil ("apple of the eye") was precious because without it, you couldn't see." |
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As the Crow Flies Jennifer lives only a few blocks from school as the crow flies. by the shortest and most direct route; measured in a straight, direct line between two places "Most birds, including crows, fly to their destinations in a straight, direct line. They don't zigzag or take detours. Therefore, they get where they're going by the most direct route. People can't always travel as directly as a crow flying through the air. They must walk, drive, or ride following the twists and turns. Measuring distances "as the crow flies" is often unrealistic because five miles between two points in a straight line might be ten miles of twists and turns, hills, and obstacles." |
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Asleep at the Switch Shelley lost her job because she was asleep at the switch. not attending to one's job or failing to react quickly; not being alert This saying comes from the early days of the railroad (the mid-1800s). One of a trainman's most important duties was to switch a train from one track to another at exactly the right moment. If he fell asleep at the switch, the train might go off the tracks or crash. Today the meaning has been extended to anyone who isn't paying attention and fails to do a job at the right time |
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At the Drop of a Hat Olivia would have gone to the football game at the drop of a hat. right away; at once; without delay; willing at any moment "There are many ways to start a race or other sporting event: Shoot a gun, wave a flag, yell "Ready, set, go!" and so on. Years ago someone would drop a hat as the starting signal, and the contest would begin immediately. Today if anyone does anything (not just something athletic) eagerly and on the spur of the moment, we say it's done "at the drop of a hat |
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At the End of Your Rope I've tried everything, but nothing's worked. I'm at the end of my rope. at the limit of your ability, endurance, or patience to do something Imagine that you're trying to use rope to climb a mountain or a tree. You're at the end of your rope, and you can't achieve what you set out to do. Now just think of this expression in terms of any goal you are trying to accomplish, with or without an actual rope. You've run out of strength, power, or ideas on how to do more. Another possible origin of this saying is the fact that some farm animals are tied to a rope that will allow them to feed in a limited area, but not beyond |
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Ax to Grind Crystal always flatters me, but I think she has an ax to grind. something to gain for yourself for a selfish reason; flattery or trickery used to get a favor from another person "In the early 1800s a man wrote a story in a newspaper about how, when he was a boy, a man used flattery to trick him into sharpening the man's ax. The boy turned the heavy grindstone while the man held his ax against it because the man said the boy was a great ax grinder, smart and strong. The man didn't pay the boy or even thank him. Instead he scolded him for wasting time and being late for school. After that, people started using the expression "have an ax to grind" when they meant that anyone was seeking a particular goal solely for himself by flattering or tricking another person. Sometimes people say that they don't have an ax to grind to show that they are honest and aren't trying to trick you into doing anything for them." |
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Babe in the Woods Peter knew his way around junior high, but now in high school he's just a babe in the woods. a person who is inexperienced; a naive, trusting person "In 1595 a story called "The Children in the Wood" was published in England. It was about a greedy uncle who was supposed to be taking care of his rich niece and nephew. Instead, he hired two men to kill them so he could inherit their money. One of the men took pity on the children and left them in the woods rather than kill them. They did not survive. That's why we can say that inexperienced people or people that can't take care of themselves and can easily be misled or exploited are "babes in the woods |
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Back to Square One Our design for a solar-powered washing machine didn't work, so it's back to square one. return to the beginning because of a failure to accomplish the desired result "There are many board and street games that have squares or boxes. Each player must start at the first square and try to advance to the finish line or last box to win. If, for any reason, you have to go back to square one, you're starting over from the beginning. A similar saying is "back to the drawing board," where architects begin blueprints or sketches for each project. When a project fails to work out, you may have to start over again from the original drawings to improve your chances for success." |
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Backseat Driver I can fix this computer myself, but she always tries to be a backseat driver. a bossy person who tells another person what to do; a person who gives unwanted advice and directions "When automobiles became popular in the United States in the 1920s, many rich people rode around in the backseats of chauffeur-driven cars. The backseat passenger gave orders to the front-seat driver: where to go, what road to take, how fast to drive, and so on. Today "backseat driver" refers to any aggressive person, in or out of a car, who tries to tell others what to do." |
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Baker's Dozen At the garage sale, we charged 75¢ per baseball card or $9 for a baker's dozen. thirteen of anything for the price of twelve "A dozen of anything is twelve. Then why is a "baker's dozen" thirteen? Hundreds of years ago some English bakers cheated their customers by baking air pockets into loaves of bread, making them lightweight. In 1266 the English Parliament passed a law that said that bakers who sold underweight bread would be severely punished. To be sure they were selling enough bread to meet the new weight regulations, the bakers started giving thirteen loaves for every dozen a customer ordered." |
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Bark Is Worse than Your Bite The new director yells a lot, but her bark is worse than her bite. the way a person sounds is much more frightening than the way she or he acts; the threat is often worse than the action taken "This expression was used as far back as the mid-1600s. A dog barking ferociously sounds like he could actually bite your head off. But if the dog does not hurt you, then his "bark is worse than his bite |
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Bark Up the Wrong Tree Maria's uncle wanted to make her into a magician, but he was barking up the wrong tree. Her brother, Juan, was the one who loved tricks. to direct your attention or efforts toward the wrong person or thing; to have the wrong idea about something "During colonial times in America, raccoon hunting was a popular sport. Trained dogs would chase a raccoon up a tree and bark furiously at the base until the hunter came. Sometimes a raccoon could escape to the branches of another tree, leaving the dog barking up the wrong tree. Today, you can "bark up the wrong tree" if you're on a wrong course of action, have your attention redirected from your intended object, or choose the wrong person to deal with." |
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Batten Down the Hatches We'd better batten down the hatches: The weather service says a tropical storm is headed our way. to get ready for trouble; prepare for any emergency "This is a nautical term that comes from the early 1800s. On a ship, sailors prepared for stormy weather by nailing waterproofed pieces of canvas and wood (battens) over the entryways (hatches) to the cargo area below the main deck. Today you "batten down the hatches" when you prepare for any kind of trouble." |
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Beat a Dead Horse He tried to convince his sister, but he was beating a dead horse. to pursue a useless goal; to continue fighting a battle which has been lost; to keep arguing a point which has already been decided "This saying goes back to the ancient Roman playwright Plautus who used it in 195 b.c. in one of his plays. The dramatic performance was of trying to whip a dead horse to get up and carry the load it was supposed to be moving. This action was shown to accomplish nothing. Today we say that anyone pursuing an issue that is already settled is "beating a dead horse |
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Beat Around the Bush Stop beating around the bush. Whom are you taking to the dance? to avoid answering a question; to approach something carefully or in a roundabout way "This expression goes all the way back to the 1500s when hunters hired people called beaters to drive small animals out of the bushes so the hunters could get a better shot at them. The problem for the beaters was that they might drive the birds or rabbits or foxes out too soon. They had to be careful not to drive the animals into the open before the hunters arrived. So the beaters might use their long sticks "around the bush" rather than directly on it. Today, the expression "to beat around the bush" means talking about things in a roundabout way without giving clear answers or coming to the point." |
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Beat the Band When my sister told us that she was marrying Malcolm, everyone cheered to beat the band. with much noise, excitement, or commotion; very much, very fast; outdoing all others "This saying started in the late 1800s in Britain and then traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States. One explanation of its origin is that since a band is usually loud, exciting, and colorful, anything that "beats the band" must be louder, more exciting, and more colorful. The other explanation is that people sometimes run ahead of a marching band to beat it to a certain spot. This idiom can also be used to express amazement for any astonishing achievement, as in "She can drive the tractor and she's only eight years old. If that doesn't beat the band! |
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Beat Your Swords into Plowshares The prime minister would like them to beat their swords into plowshares and abandon all plans for war. to stop fighting and turn your attention toward peaceful activities "This is another of the many famous sayings that come from the Bible. In Isaiah 2:4 there appears the following sentence: "And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." Swords and spears represent weapons of war. Plowshares and pruning hooks represent farming tools, which are symbols for all peaceful activities. So when a modern nation "beats its swords into plowshares," it could be manufacturing passenger planes instead of bombers, or VCRs instead of military radar systems." |
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Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder Lenny thinks his dog's haircut is cool. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. there is no standard for beauty, so what one person likes or sees in someone or something is not necessarily what others see; different people have different opinions "Many writers in the past have stated the idea that what one person thinks is ugly, another person may think is beautiful. The "eye" is really the mind, thoughts, feelings, and emotions of the "beholder," or the person who is looking at the person or thing." |
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Bed of Roses Compared with my old school, this one is a bed of roses. a wonderful, pleasant situation or position; an easy, comfortable life "English poets have used this phrase for centuries. Roses are such lovely, sweet-smelling, soft-petaled flowers that a bed of them suggests a lovely, sweet, and soft condition. The meaning was stretched to mean any easy and comfortable situation in life. However, if you really think about it, roses have thorns and a real bed of roses would probably be anything but comfortable. A similar expression used today is "bowl of cherries |
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Bee in Your Bonnet Mr. Davis thinks he can teach us the trombone. He must have a bee in his bonnet. a crazy idea; an obsession with an idea "This 16th-century expression was originally "to have a head full of bees," but it changed to "bee in one's bonnet" in Robert Herrick's "Mad Maid's Song," a poem written in 1648. It sounds better this way because of alliteration—both words beginning with the same letter. If you have a crazy idea and can't talk about anything else, it's like having a bee stuck in your hat. A similar expression is to have "bats in your belfry |
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Beggars Can't Be Choosers Beggars can't be choosers. If you don't have money to go out for pizza, you'll have to eat in the cafeteria. needy people have to take whatever they can get and cannot be concerned about the quality if they cannot afford to buy it for themselves This proverb has been around since the mid-1500s. It means that people who need something but who have little or no control over their situations can't choose what they get. They have to accept what is offered |
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Behind the Eight Ball My father caught me napping in the hammock instead of mowing the lawn. I'm really behind the eight ball now. in trouble or out of luck; in a difficult position or in a bad situation with little hope of winning "This American idiom from the early 1900s comes from billiards. In the game kellypool you have to hit numbered balls into pockets of a billiard table in numerical order, except for ball number eight, which is to be pocketed last. However, if the eight ball is very close to the ball you're trying to hit, you're in trouble. That's a bad position to be in. Today we say that anyone "behind the eight ball" is experiencing a lot of bad luck. Other similar idioms are "in a pretty kettle of fish," "up a creek," "in a pickle," "in the dog house," and "in hot water |
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Bells and Whistles Our teacher says we're getting a new computer with all the latest bells and whistles: CD-ROM, modem, color printer, full multimedia. impressive accessories, especially flashy, high-technology features and frills, which may sometimes be more decorative than necessary "This modern phrase became popular with the development of many kinds of new electronic and computerized equipment. The "bells and whistles" represent all sorts of super high-tech features that you don't really need in a basic model but which make a product more fun to use (and more expensive). Note: "bells and whistles" don't have to make any sounds." |
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Better Half I'm not making a decision until I check with my better half. either partner in marriage "Puritans were English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who favored strict religious discipline. They said that each person was made up of two halves, body and soul, and that the soul was the better half because it was the spiritual side. Sir Philip Sidney, an English writer, said that a marriage was made up of two halves, and that the better half was the better spouse. Today when the phrase "better half" is used, it almost always means someone's wife, although there's no reason why a wife can't use the term to describe her husband. In either case, "better half" is a compliment." |
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Between a Rock and a Hard Place It's a tough choice between getting to the big game on time or waiting for Mr. Smith to call. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. being in a very tight spot and faced with a difficult decision "In this American saying from the early 20th century, you can picture someone actually squeezed between a rock and a hard place. He or she has to turn one way or the other, but neither way is very pleasant. A similar expression from an earlier time is "between the devil and the deep blue sea" (see next entry)." |
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Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Glenn had to choose between confessing that he hadn't studied or trying to fake it. He was between the devil and the deep blue sea. between two great dangers and not knowing what to do; in a very difficult position "In the early 17th century the heavy plank fastened to the side of a vessel as a support for guns was called the devil. Sometimes a sailor had to go out onto this plank to do repairs to the boat. In heavy seas he would be in great danger of falling overboard and drowning because he was between "the devil and the deep blue sea." Over the centuries the meaning of this expression expanded to include being between two equally difficult perils of any kind." |
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Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts Natasha is just giving you that CD because she wants one of your puppies. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts. be suspicious of presents from certain people who are just looking for something from you; be on guard against treachery in the disguise of a gift "The great ancient Roman writer Virgil used a similar sentence in his famous story of the Trojan War, the Aeneid. For ten years the Greek army tried in vain to conquer the city of Troy. Finally the Greeks pulled a rotten (but clever) trick on the Trojans. They pretended to sail back to Greece and left behind a huge wooden horse as a "gift." The Trojans brought the horse inside their city, but many Greek soldiers were hidden in the hollow belly of the horse. They came out at night, defeated the Trojans, and conquered the city." |
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Bird in the Hand Is Worth Two in the Bush Take this job now because you don't know if you'll get the other one. Remember that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. what you already have is better than what you might or might not get in the future; a guarantee is worth more than a promise "This saying began as an ancient Greek proverb. Aesop used it in some of his fables. The ancient Romans repeated it, and in the 1400s it was translated into English. It comes from the sport of hunting birds. Hunters thought that a bird that you had already captured ("in the hand") was better than two you hadn't yet caught ("in the bush"). Today we often hear the same advice; It is better to be content with what you already have than to reject it because you hope that something better will turn up." |
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Birds of a Feather Flock Together Everyone at that table plays soccer. I guess that birds of a feather flock together. people who have things in common, such as interests and ideas, usually hang out together; people who are alike often become friends "This saying, which is over 2,000 years old and comes from the Bible, is based on the observation that birds of the same species flock together on the ground as well as in the air. The meaning has been broadened over the years, so that "birds" means "people" and "of a feather" means "of the same type |
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Bite off More than You Can Chew You can't captain the team, edit the paper, and star in the play. Don't bite off more than you can chew. to take on a task that is more than you can accomplish; to be greedy, overconfident, or too ambitious by taking on more jobs or responsibilities than you can deal with at one time "Versions of this saying were used in Europe in the Middle Ages and ancient China. If you take a bite of food that's too big for your mouth, you won't be able to chew it. This idea came to mean undertaking ("biting off") a job that's too much for you to handle ("more than you can chew")." |
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Bite the Bullet The principal wants to see you in her office. Get ready to bite the bullet. prepare for an unpleasant experience; brace yourself to endure with courage something painful but necessary Many word experts think that this expression came from the 19th century medical practice of giving a wounded soldier a bullet to bite before he was operated on without anesthetics on the battlefield. Biting on the soft lead bullet was the way of dealing with the pain. It kept the soldier from screaming, which could distract the surgeon during the operation |
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Bite the Dust The spy bit the dust at the end of the book. to die; to fall in defeat; to fail to succeed "This cliché, which was often heard in early Western movies, is actually more than 2,000 years old and comes from a line in Homer's Iliad. It describes many dying warriors in the Trojan War falling to the earth and "biting the dust." If people fall with their faces in the dirt, you can think of them getting dust in their mouths. The idiom became popular in English in the mid-1800s." |
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Bite the Hand that Feeds You Eve just insulted the girl who is teaching her to ice-skate. That's biting the hand that feeds you. to turn against someone who helps you; to do harm to someone who does good things for you This saying, which has been used at least since the early 1700s, originally referred to a foolish and ungrateful dog that actually bit the hand of the owner who was feeding it. The meaning of this expression today has been extended to include people who turn against anyone who helps them. It has nothing to do with real food or actually biting anyone's hand |
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Bite Your Tongue Don't you dare say that to me! Bite your tongue, young man! take back or be ashamed of what you have said; struggle not to say something you want to say "It's easy to see where this saying came from. If you really put your tongue between your teeth as if you were biting it, you couldn't talk. So when people tell you to "bite your tongue," they are telling you to force yourself to be silent before you say something you shouldn't. Sometimes people say it after they've already blurted out what they shouldn't have. Then it means to take back the statement and keep quiet. A similar expression is "hold your tongue," which means you should remain silent." |
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Black Sheep of the Family Geraldine's the black sheep of the family. She's always causing trouble. the most unsuccessful, least admirable member of a family or similar group; a disgraced person This expression has been used at least since the early 1800s to describe a person who is a disgrace to a community or family. Shepherds did not like rare black sheep since their fleece could not be dyed any color and there weren't enough of them to sell black wool. Some people also thought that the black sheep frightened the rest of the flock and came from the devil. The saying changed over time to mean disfavored people in a family or group |
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Bleeding Heart Rob is such a bleeding heart. He'll donate to any charity that asks him for money! an extremely softhearted person who feels compassion or pity towards all people, including those who may not deserve sympathy "This controversial term comes from America in the 20th century. Some people say that government or private charities should do more to help relieve the suffering of the sick, the homeless, or the unemployed. These well-meaning citizens might be called "bleeding hearts" by others who feel that many people on welfare or charity should stop taking so much from others." |
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Blessing in Disguise Summer school may be a blessing in disguise. Next year you'll be ahead of your class. something that at first seems bad but turns out to be good; a hidden benefit "This saying was first used in a poem 200 years ago by a writer named James Hervey, and people have been using it since. When something looks like bad luck, it may turn out to be a false appearance (a "disguise") that hides something that's really useful or fortunate (a "blessing"). Of course, you don't know that at first because the blessing is in disguise." |
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Blind Leading the Blind Kurt, who spent his allowance in one day, is showing Bonnie how to budget her money. That's a case of the blind leading the blind! the uninformed attempting to inform others "This saying comes from a sentence in the King James Bible (Matthew 15:14), "And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Today we use it to describe people who are not actually blind, but who don't know how to do something and are trying to explain it to other people who don't know how to do it either." |
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Blood Is Thicker than Water Mrs. Penn chose her grandson instead of me to work in her store. I guess blood is thicker than water. one can expect more kindness from a family member than from a stranger; a person will do more for a relative than for anyone else "This saying, that means that family ties count more than friendship, comes from Germany in the 12th century. Perhaps it comes from the idea that water can evaporate without leaving a trace, but blood leaves a stain and is more permanent. This suggests that relatives ("blood") are more important ("thicker") than people who are not related ("water")." |
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Blow Your Own Horn When you fill out an application for a job, blow your own horn. to praise yourself; to call attention to your own merits (intelligence, skills, success, or abilities); to brag about yourself In ancient Roman times, a blare of trumpets announced the arrival of a great hero. So the blowing of horns meant someone important was coming. Today, people who blow (or toot) their own horns are boasting about their superior qualities. Sometimes you have to do that a little (when you apply for a job, for instance), but if you do it too much, you could be called a braggart |
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Blue Blood Steve is marrying a very rich girl from high society, a real blue blood. of high or noble birth; an aristocrat; from the upper class of society "Though this expression has been used in English since the early 1800s, it actually comes from an older Spanish saying. Old, aristocratic Spanish families used to boast that their skin was fairly light because they had not intermarried with the darker-skinned Moors. The Spaniards' veins showed through their skins as visibly blue in color. If their skin was darker because they had intermarried, the blood would not appear so blue. "Blue blood" is a translation of the Spanish words sangre azul. Today anyone can be called a blue blood if he or she is of noble birth, a member of high society, and so on. A related phrase is "upper crust" (see page 201)." |
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Bolt from the Blue Mr. Barnes's pop quiz hit us like a bolt from the blue. something sudden, unexpected, and shocking "This expression has been used since at least the early 1800s. Picture a calm, clear, blue sky. You'd probably be surprised, even startled, if a bolt of lightning suddenly cracked down. In the same way, any big surprise is like lightning shooting out of a clear, blue sky. You just don't expect it to happen. (Note: this expression usually refers to very bad news.) A related idiom is "out of the clear, blue sky" (see page 140)." |
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Born with a Silver Spoon in Your Mouth Fran always wants the finest, most expensive things. Was she born with a silver spoon in her mouth? born to wealth, comfort, and privilege A spoon made out of pure silver is expensive. Sometimes a silver spoon is given as a gift to a newborn baby. If a rich baby has many expensive things from the start of life, like a silver spoon (almost as if he or she were born with the spoon in his or her mouth), we can use this well-known idiom to describe that person. The phrase was used by Cervantes, the Spanish writer, in the early 1600s in the book Don Quixote |
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Bottom Line If we don't win this ball game, we're out of the playoffs. That's the bottom line. the most crucial fact; the net result "For hundreds of years accountants have added up the profits and losses of companies. The sum appears at the bottom line of a column of numbers. While "bottom line" still means a bookkeeping figure showing profit or loss, it has taken on a more general meaning since the mid-1900s, and now refers to any crucial decision or final result, financial or not." |
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Break a Leg On the night of the play, Holly's father told her to break a leg. good luck; do a great job in the show Saying this to a performer before a show has long been a theatrical tradition. It comes from an old German saying, Hals- und Beinbruch (break your neck and leg), and was shortened to just the leg. Perhaps it exists because of an old show business superstition that wishing someone good luck might cause just the opposite to happen, so you wish the performer bad luck to assure the opposite of that |
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Break the Ice Pierre was very shy when he met Cindy. He didn't know how to break the ice. to overcome the first awkward difficulties in a social situation by a friendly gesture; to ease the nervousness in a situation "As early as the late 1500s and early 1600s, writers like Shakespeare were using this expression. It originally came from navigation through waterways frozen over with ice. Special boats had to break through the ice, clearing the way before any ships could sail. The meaning was transferred to getting a conversation started or making an acquaintance. "Ice" in this idiom represents a cold or awkward feeling among people, especially strangers." |
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Bring Down the House When our principal came out on stage dressed like a North High student, she brought down the house. to get an audience to clap enthusiastically or laugh loudly "This saying, which comes from the theater, has been in common use since the 1700s. Performers have long referred to the audience in a theater, and the theater itself, as the "house." When a performer is a huge success, and the excited audience is cheering, laughing, and applauding so wildly that the roof of the theater seems to be shaking and about to fall in, he or she has "brought down the house |
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Bring Home the Bacon Both Richard and Samantha got jobs to bring home the bacon for their children. to support a family by working; to earn a living "There are two theories about where this expression came from. One was from the contest at early American county fairs of chasing after a greased pig. If you caught it, you could take it home as your prize. Another possibility is that it came from a practice in the early 1300s. A baron willed that if any married persons in Dunmow, England, swore at the church door that they had not had a single quarrel for a whole year and a day, they would get a free side of bacon to take home. The idiom "bring home the bacon" has, for hundreds of years, meant to score a point, win a game, or earn something of value, such as your salary." |
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Bug Off Helen told Max to bug off because he was being such a pest. to leave someone alone; go away; stop annoying someone "There was an expression in the late 1800s, "bugger off," that meant the same thing. Today's slightly shorter version is a rude slang expression, usually said by someone who is highly annoyed and wants the other person to leave him or her alone." |
| 58 |
Bug Someone I wish you would just stop bugging me and leave me in peace! to irritate, annoy, and bother someone a lot "This popular African-American idiom comes from the 1960s and is a handy expression when people are pestering you. It comes from baga and bugal, words in West African languages (Mandingo and Wolof) that mean "to annoy." By the way, in certain situations, "bug" can also mean to wiretap someone's phone so that his or her conversations can be listened in on." |
| 59 |
Bull in a China Shop Inviting the wrestling team to the ceramics exhibit was like letting bulls into a china shop. a clumsy person who deals too roughly with a delicate situation; a rough person who is near breakable things; a tactless person who says or does something that angers people or upsets their plans "Aesop, the famous ancient storyteller, once wrote a fable about a donkey in a potter's shop. Aesop's image was changed to a bull in a china shop when fine plates and dishes, called china, were first introduced into Europe in the 1500s. (Why was "donkey" changed to "bull"? Probably because a bull is so much bigger.)" |
| 60 |
Burn the Candle at Both Ends Ms. Murphy goes to college during the day and works in a restaurant at night. She's burning the candle at both ends. to overwork yourself mentally or physically and until you're exhausted "This was a French expression that came into English in the late 1500s. If you really took a candle and burned it at both ends, it would be used up twice as fast. That image changed to refer to people who work hard night and day and use up all their strength. We also say that you can "burn yourself out" this way." |
| 61 |
Burn the Midnight Oil I have a big test tomorrow morning, so I plan to burn the midnight oil tonight. to stay up very late at night studying or working This saying goes back to the days when lamps were lighted by oil and people went to bed earlier than they do today. When you burned the midnight oil in those days, you were up late working or reading by the light of an oil lamp |
| 62 |
Burn Your Bridges Behind You If you drop out of school now, you'll be burning your bridges behind you. to make a decision you cannot change; to commit oneself to a course of action In ancient military history, soldiers actually burned down the bridge they had just crossed so they wouldn't be tempted to turn back in a cowardly way. (It also kept the enemy from following them over the same bridge.) Julius Caesar burned bridges to toughen up his troops |
| 63 |
Bury the Hatchet Stop fighting, and bury the hatchet! to settle an argument; end a war; make peace; become friends after being enemies "This saying probably comes from American Indian tribes who would make peace with their enemies by holding a ceremony. They would actually bury tomahawks, hatchets, and other war weapons to show that the fight was over. If war broke out again, they would dig up the weapons. By the end of the 1800s the meaning of "bury the hatchet" was extended to include settling any kind of argument and making friends with your enemy." |
| 64 |
Bury Your Head in the Sand You're burying your head in the sand if you think that smoking isn't bad for your health. to ignore danger by pretending you don't see it; to hide from obvious signs of danger "An ostrich is a big, tough bird, but long ago people got the wrong idea about it. Since they saw ostriches with their heads in the dirt, they thought the ostrich was hiding from its enemies in the false belief that if you can't see your enemy, your enemy can't see you. The ostriches were actually looking for seeds or berries on the ground, or eating bits of sand, which help the birds digest their food. Today "bury your head in the sand" has come to mean refusing to either notice a problem or face up to reality." |
| 65 |
Busman's Holiday Freddy went back to his carpentry shop after spending all weekend building our treehouse. What a busman's holiday! spending your free time doing the same thing you do during working hours "In London, during the late 1800s and early 1900s, buses were pulled by horses. Some bus drivers loved their horses so much that on their days off from work, they would ride on their own buses just to make sure that other bus drivers took good care of the horses. This habit got to be called a "busman's holiday," and today it can be applied to anybody who does the same thing on free time as he or she gets paid to do at work." |
| 66 |
Busy as a Beaver Jeni is as busy as a beaver setting up her new computer. working very hard; extremely industrious "This saying comes from the 17th century. For hundreds of years the beaver has been a symbol of diligent work. Watch a beaver bustling about, busily cutting down trees with its teeth and energetically building a dam, and you'll easily see why. Alliteration (busy as a beaver) adds to the popularity of this simile. Related sayings: "busy as a bee" and "eager beaver |
| 67 |
Butter Someone Up Maybe if you butter up the math teacher, she'll raise your final grade. to flatter someone; to try to get a favor by praising someone "This saying comes from the simple act of buttering a slice of bread. When you take plain bread and lay on a thick coating of creamy butter, it's sort of like covering a person with praise and flattery. People often "butter" other people up when they want special help or favored treatment. Similar sayings: "to soft-soap" and "to sweet-talk |
| 68 |
Butterflies in the Stomach I can't sing a solo without getting butterflies in my stomach. a fluttery feeling in the stomach, usually caused by nervousness If people are anxious, have stage fright, or are troubled about what will happen next, they often experience dull spasms in their stomachs. Some people call this sensation the flutters. Others say they have a nervous stomach. Once a clever writer imagined butterflies in his stomach when he felt panicky or uneasy, and that creative metaphor caught on |
| 69 |
Button Your Lip Renee talked about her vacation so much that we finally told her to button her lip. to stop talking; be quiet "It's easy to picture where this 20th-century American expression came from. Imagine buttons on peoples lips. Someone who wanted you to stay quiet, keep a secret, and not say a word would tell you to button your lip. Today some people also use the expressions "button it up," "zipper your mouth," and "put a cork in it |
| 70 |
Buy a Pig in a Poke Have the used car looked over by a mechanic before you pay for it. Don't buy a pig in a poke. to buy something without seeing or examining it "A long time ago in England, a small bag or sack was called a poke. Farmers carried their pigs in pokes to sell at markets and county fairs. Sometimes customers were cheated by dishonest farmers who had actually put a runt (an undersized pig) or even a cat in the sack. The farmer said he couldn't open the bag to show the customer the pig because it might run away. So if you bought a "pig in a poke," you paid for something without examining it. Today the expression applies to any kind of item you buy sight unseen. See also "let the cat out of the bag," (see page 111)." |
| 71 |
By Hook or by Crook Justin is grounded, but he'll find a way to get to my party by hook or by crook. by any means possible (legal or not) Perhaps this idiom, which has been around at least since the 1300s, came from the idea that, as a last resort, you could get what you wanted by reaching it with a long hook or by stealing it like a crook. This expression owes some of its popularity to the fact that it rhymes |
| 72 |
By the Skin of Your Teeth Aaron dove off the dock just as it collapsed and escaped injury by the skin of his teeth. by an extremely narrow margin; with practically no room to spare; just barely "This expression, which was first mentioned in the Bible, has been popular in English since about the beginning of the 1800s. Your teeth sometimes have a film on them, especially when you wake up in the morning. If you think of this film as "skin," then you can see that the "skin of your teeth" is thin indeed. If you avoid some terrible calamity by a margin of safety so small that it's as thin as the skin of your teeth, you've had an extremely close escape." |
| 73 |
Call It a Day You've been working on that history report since before breakfast. Why don't you call it a day? to stop work for the day; to bring a project to an end for the time being "The idea expressed in this idiom is that a certain amount of work is enough for one day. When you've done that amount, you should "call it a day," meaning to declare that you've done a full day's work and that you're stopping." |
| 74 |
Call the Shots You may know all about glassblowing, but here in the gym, I call the shots. to make the decisions; to be in charge; to give orders "The origin of this expression is unclear, but it might refer to the officer in charge of soldiers in a battle. He gives the commands and calls the (gun) shots. The phrase also suggests the role of a coach of a basketball team who tells the players what plays to make and what (basketball) shots to take. Today we say that the person in charge of any kind of activity "calls the shots |
| 75 |
Call You on the Carpet My piano teacher called me on the carpet today. He could tell I hadn't practiced all week. to call a person before an authority for a scolding "There was an expression in Britain in the early 1800s, "to walk the carpet." That referred to a servant's being called into the parlor (which was always carpeted, unlike the servants' quarters) to be scolded by the master or mistress of the house. Later the saying was applied to an unlucky employee being called to the boss's office (also carpeted) to be bawled out. Today, if anyone in authority scolds you, you are being "called on the carpet" no matter how the floor is actually covered." |
| 76 |
Call Your Bluff They're bragging they can beat us badly. C'mon. Let's call their bluff. to demand that someone prove a claim; to challenge someone to carry out a threat "This early 19th-century American saying comes from card playing. In poker, a player makes bets according to what his hand is, compared to what he thinks others' are. When you bluff, you pretend you have a great hand of cards even when you don't, and you raise the bet to fake out the other players. If someone "calls your bluff," he or she challenges you by meeting or raising your bet ("to call" means to match a bet) to make you show the cards you really have." |
| 77 |
Calm Before the Storm The meeting may be peaceful now, but this is only the calm before the storm. a period of peace before a disturbance or crisis; an unnatural or false calm before a storm "There was an ancient Greek proverb that said "Fair weather brings on cloudy weather." Though that's not always true, people have noticed since the 1500s that there often was a period of stillness before a big storm. For over four centuries the meaning of this saying has been broadened to include any time of false peacefulness right before a violent outburst." |
| 78 |
Can't Fight City Hall The school board is determined to make the school year longer. You can't fight city hall. an ordinary person cannot win a struggle against an administrative system "In the United States, "city hall" represents the local government: the mayor, the legislative body, as well as the various agencies and departments. Today when we say "city hall" we mean any large organization such as a government, school system, or corporation. This expression claims that you can't fight city hall, but that's not always true. You can protest, picket, circulate petitions, make speeches, write letters, support candidates who express your views, or even run for mayor yourself!" |
| 79 |
Can't Hit the Side of a Barn Don't worry about being the target in the booth at the school carnival. These kids can't hit the side of a barn. to have terrible aim; to not be able to throw well enough to hit even a large target "The side of a barn is a large area, and if you can't hit something as big as that, your pitching arm must be terrible. This idiom became popular t in the United States in the early 1900s. It described baseball pitchers who couldn't throw the ball into the strike zone. Variations on this expression are "can't hit the broad side of a barn" and "can't hit a barn door |
| 80 |
Can't Hold a Candle To Anita can't hold a candle to Jon when it comes to tap dancing. to be second-rate in a certain skill; to be greatly inferior "In the 1500s, long before the days of good lighting, a servant called a "link-boy" held candles for people. This was considered a lowly job done by those who were thought to be inferior. If a link-boy did not know the roads or the layout of a theater, then he was said to be "not worthy to hold a candle to someone." Thus, the expression "can't hold a candle to" came to mean lower in order, rank, quality, or value." |
| 81 |
Can't See the Forest for the Trees My teacher catches all my grammar mistakes, but he misses my brilliant writing. He can't see the forest for the trees. to overlook the overall situation because of a focus on small details; to be so involved in details that you miss the whole picture "This idiom, which has been popular for many years, created this picture in the mind of the writer who invented it: a person in the country focuses so intently on each individual tree, leaf, branch, and twig, that she misses the splendor of the huge forest she's in. Afterwards, if someone asks her, "How did you like the forest?" she might answer, "What forest? All I saw were some trees." This saying means to be unable to understand the whole situation because you pay too much attention to the small parts." |
| 82 |
Carry Coals to Newcastle Taking flowers to the florist's daughter is like carrying coals to Newcastle. to do something unnecessary; to bring something to a place where it is already plentiful There are many coal mines in the English city of Newcastle. Coal is shipped out from this port to other places. Newcastle definitely doesn't need extra coal, so if you carry coals there, you are doing something totally unnecessary. Today the meaning of this expression includes similar situations like taking snowballs to people living near the North Pole |
| 83 |
Carry the Ball As for organizing the ski trip, Angel will carry the ball. to be in charge or be responsible; to make sure that a job gets done right This idiom comes from the world of sports, especially football. In many ball games, the most important person is the one who has the ball at the moment. This phrase expanded to include other areas of life, such as school, business, or government. The person holding the ball is the one responsible for the task |
| 84 |
Cast Pearls Before Swine Serving gourmet food to John is like casting pearls before swine. He likes fast food and jelly sandwiches. to waste something good or valuable on someone who won't appreciate or understand it "This expression comes from the Bible (Matthew 7:6) and was later used by famous writers such as William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. Giving pearls to swine, or pigs, would be foolish. The pigs want mud and food, not precious jewels. In a similar way, wasting something good on someone who won't be thankful for it is like "casting pearls before swine |
| 85 |
Cast the First Stone Don't criticize. You've done it yourself, so you shouldn't cast the first stone. to be the first to attack, blame, or criticize someone; to lead accusers against a wrongdoer "This is another saying that comes from the Bible. The apostle John writes that when people wanted to stone to death a woman accused of something immoral, Jesus said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." In other words, you shouldn't criticize how others behave unless you're perfect yourself." |
| 86 |
Cat Got Your Tongue? Why don't you answer me? Cat got your tongue? Is there a reason that you're not speaking? "By the mid-1800s this expression was popular in both the United States and Britain. No one is sure where it came from, but you can imagine that if a cat really got hold of your tongue, you wouldn't be able to say a word. Probably someone thought up this saying to ask, "Why don't you talk?" in a clever way, and it caught on." |
| 87 |
Catch More Flies with Honey than with Vinegar Ask her nicely. Remember, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. more can be accomplished by being pleasant than by being disagreeable "As early as the 1600s people were using different versions of this expression in many European languages. If you've ever had a fly buzzing around your house, you know that it is attracted to sweet things like honey. It doesn't like sour things like vinegar. In the same way, you're more likely to get what you want from people ("catch more flies") by being sweet and agreeable (like honey), rather than bitter and sharp (like vinegar)." |
| 88 |
Catch Someone Red-Handed Ashley's brother was caught red-handed at the scene of the crime. to catch someone in the act of doing something wrong "At first this expression referred to someone caught in the middle of a murder with blood on his or her hands ("red-handed"). Later the saying grew to mean any kind of wrongdoing, not just a criminal action. If you were nabbed sneaking one of your grandmother's freshly baked brownies, for instance, your fingers might be covered with chocolate, but you'd still be caught "red-handed |
| 89 |
Catch You Later I've got to get right home to baby-sit my sister. I'll catch you later. good-bye, I'll see or speak to you at another time "The verb "catch" has many meanings, including to capture, to trap, and to grasp or take hold of forcibly. In this late 20th century African-American expression, "catch" means to see or hear from you at a later time." |
| 90 |
Champ at the Bit Steve couldn't wait to go into sixth grade. On the first day of school, he was champing at the bit at 6:00 a.m. to be impatient to start; to be ready and enthusiastic to do something This saying, which has been used for at least 200 years, comes from horse racing. An eager racehorse champs, or bites, on the bit in its mouth at the start of a race. That shows that it is impatient with any delay and wants to be off and running. Today the meaning has been broadened to include not only horses at the starting gate but also anyone eager to start doing something |
| 91 |
Cheek by Jowl I thought that Omar and Mike had a fight, but I saw them today in the gym, cheek by jowl. very close together, side by side "William Shakespeare used a similar expression, "cheek by cheek," in his famous romantic comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream, written about 1595. "Cheek by jowl" was a variation invented two centuries later. "Jowl" is another word for the jaw or cheek. So if two people are together with one person's cheek right by another person's jowl, they're pretty close indeed." |
| 92 |
Chew Someone Out When Laurie's parents saw her report card, they really chewed her out. to scold severely or roughly; to bawl someone out Did you ever watch someone's mouth and lips moving furiously when they were harshly scolding you? Perhaps it reminded a writer years ago of fast chewing, and that's how this expression was born |
| 93 |
Chew the Fat My friend and I sat up half the night just chewing the fat. to have a friendly, informal talk; to chat in a relaxed way "In the late 1800s this expression was popular in the British army, and then it came to the United States. One possible origin might be that military and naval people were given tough meat to eat and they had to chew the fat of the meat as they talked. The action of chewing is like the action of speaking (see "chew someone out"). At any rate, if you're just hanging out, talking with your friends in an easy, relaxed way, you're "chewing the fat" (or "rag"). A similar expression is to "shoot the breeze |
| 94 |
Chew Up the Scenery Josh was chewing up the scenery in the principal's office, crying and screaming that he didn't do it. to overact; to exaggerate your emotions "This idiom comes from show business. Some actors carry on wildly, and in exaggerated, overemotional ways. A critic once wrote that this kind of uncontrolled theatrical behavior was like chewing up the scenery, and the criticism soon became a popular phrase. Today people can "chew up the scenery" wherever they show too much emotion to achieve a special effect." |
| 95 |
Chew Your Cud Don't bother your father right now. He's in the den chewing his cud over problems at work. to think deeply to oneself; to turn a matter over and over in your mind "In the mid-1500s a lot of people owned cows, sheep, and goats. These are animals that chew their cuds (food that is spit up from the stomach to the mouth and chewed again). It's a long process. A person lost in deep thought—pondering, reflecting, speculating—made a clever 16th-century writer think of an animal chewing its cud, and this saying was born. Sometimes it's shortened just to "chew over" a matter." |
| 96 |
Chicken Feed Mr. Baer loves his job at the museum, even though they pay only chicken feed. a very small or insignificant amount of money "This American barnyard saying came from the pioneer days. The grain for the chickens to eat had to be inexpensive. At one point in our country's history, "chicken feed" came to mean small coins. Today people use "chicken feed" when something costs only a little bit of money or they're getting low pay at work. "Chicken feed" sometimes means misleading information that is given to throw someone off the track." |
| 97 |
Chickens Come Home to Roost You'd better be careful what you say when you're angry. Chickens come home to roost. words or actions come back to haunt a person; evil acts will return to plague the doer "In 1810 the English poet Robert South wrote, "Curses are like young chickens; they always come home to roost." If you live on a farm, you'll know that chickens allowed to run around the barnyard come back to the chicken coop to sleep. In this expression the "chickens" are angry words or thoughtless actions. When they "come home to roost," they come back to cause trouble. In other words, everyone has to deal with the results ' of his or her own actions." |
| 98 |
Chill Out When Chris threw down the paddle after he lost the Ping-Pong game, the counselor told him to chill out. relax, calm down "When a person starts to get angry, we often use expressions like "steamed up" and "hot under the collar" to describe his or her emotions. If being heated up suggests being overly excited, then it's easy to see how the opposite means calm. "Chill out" is a recent African-American idiom, and so are other similar expressions like "take a chill pill" and "cool it |
| 99 |
Chip off the Old Block I never realized how much Felix looks like his father. He's a real chip off the old block. a child who resembles a parent in behavior, looks, or abilities. "This is an old expression. It's been popular for hundreds of years, and it may go back as far as the ancient Greeks. A "block" can be of wood or stone. If you chipped off a little piece of it, the chip would resemble the big block—for instance, in color and texture. In the same way, a child ("chip") might act or look like the parent ("the old block")." |
| 100 |
Chip on Your Shoulder Avoid Calvin today. He has a real chip on his shoulder. to be quarrelsome, aggressive, or rude; to be ready to fight "In the early 1800s American boys played the following game: One boy put a chip of wood or stone on his shoulder and dared another boy to knock it off. If he did, the two boys would fight. Today, if a person is edgy or looking for an argument, we say that he has a "chip on his shoulder," in reference to that old game." |
| 101 |
Chips Are Down Girls, the chips are down. If we don't win this game, we're out of the playoffs. the situation is urgent and has to be dealt with now "This saying appeared in the United States in the 19th century and comes from gambling, probably poker. Chips are small plastic disks used like money for betting. A gambler puts his chips in front of him to show that he is willing to risk a certain amount of money on a bet. When his pile of chips is down (that is, his money is low), his situation is bad, maybe even desperate. Today the expression "chips are down" refers to any critical situation in life, such as in sports, business, or politics, and not just card playing." |
| 102 |
Clam Up When the boss asked who had left the copy machine on all night, Caitlin clammed up. to refuse to talk; to become silent "An imaginative writer once thought that a person's lips were like the two halves of a clamshell. When it wants to, a clam can shut its shell tightly. That's what gave that writer the idea to write "clam up" to mean "to shut your lips, and keep information to yourself." Other similar idioms are "button up," "button your lip," (see page 24), and "zip your lips |
| 103 |
Clean Bill of Health The gas station that inspected Dad's old car gave it a clean bill of health. declaration of satisfactory, healthy condition, or proven innocence "In the 19th century people were often fearful that there might be diseases on ships that would dock in their cities. So health authorities had to inspect each ship before it could come near the wharf. If a ship was found to be free of disease, an official document called a "bill of health" was handed to the captain. Then the ship could dock. Today the expression refers to more than just medical health. If you've been accused of a crime, and then, after an investigation, were found not guilty, you're said to have been given "a clean bill of health |
| 104 |
Clear the Decks Before we can build our model for the science fair, we have to clear the decks of other homework. to get all of the minor details out of the way in order to focus on a major project This is another of the many idioms that began at sea. In the times of wooden sailing ships, before the 1700s, crews got ready for a battle at sea by fastening down all loose objects on the cluttered deck that might get in the way or cause injuries. By the 18th century the expression had a broader meaning: deal with and get rid of all small matters that might stand in the way of getting a big job done |
| 105 |
Clean as a Whistle The science lab is as clean as a whistle. completely free from dirt; perfectly neat "In one of his poems in the late 1700s, Robert Burns, a great Scottish poet, used a similar phrase, "as toom's a whissle" ("toom" meant "empty" then). The idea is that you can get the best, clearest, purest sound out of a whistle or any other wind instrument if you keep the reed (the part that makes the sound when you blow into it) completely free of dust and dirt. A similar expression is "clean as a hound's tooth |
| 106 |
Climb the Walls The assembly was so dull that all the kids were climbing the walls. to be frustrated or anxious during a challenging situation; to be unable to endure "Perhaps this expression came from the days when soldiers attacking a castle climbed the walls of the stronghold. They wanted to get out of the situation they were in and get on with the battle. Today we say that any person can be "climbing the walls" when he or she feels the need for relief from a frustrating situation." |
| 107 |
Clip Your Wings My father said that if I didn't start behaving, he was going to clip my wings. to end a person's privileges; to take away someone's power or freedom to do something "In ancient Rome thousands of years ago, people clipped the wings of pet birds so that they couldn't fly away. For centuries people have used the idiom "clip one's wings" to mean bringing a person under control." |
| 108 |
Cloak-and-Dagger Dad reads books on gardening, while Mom loves a good cloak-and-dagger story. concerning or involving spies, secret agents, intrigue and mystery; involving plotting and scheming "As early as the 1600s theatergoers in Spain and other countries loved seeing melodramas filled with exciting adventures, especially daring sword fights. Many of the characters in these dramas hid daggers or swords under their cloaks. After a while, these shows were called "cloak-and-dagger" plays. Now the term is used to describe any kind of entertainment that involves espionage, suspense, or other dramatic adventures." |
| 109 |
Close Shave Roberto bad a close shave. His coach almost caught him sneaking out of practice. a very narrow escape from danger "This American idiom comes from the early 19th century. The writer who coined this phrase saw the similarity between a close shave and a narrow escape from hazard. A close shave left your skin smooth, but if the blade came just a tiny bit closer, you'd be cut. Today, "close shave" implies a slender margin between safety and danger." |
| 110 |
Cold Feet Jerry wanted to ask Lynette to the dance, but he got cold feet. a fear of doing something; a loss of nerve or confidence; second thoughts "Since the early 1800s people have been saying that someone who lost his courage had cold feet. Maybe it came from the idea of soldiers running away from battle. Fear can cause a person to feel quickly chilled, especially in the feet. Also, "hot" has always suggested eagerness to do something. A "hot-blooded" person, for instance, is always ready for a fight or an adventure. So, it's easy to see how "cold feet" can suggest cowardice and fear." |
| 111 |
Cold Turkey I kicked the TV habit cold turkey. I took five books out of the library and covered my set with a blanket. the sudden stopping of any habit "This 20th-century American expression describes an instant withdrawal from any kind of habit, such as smoking, alcohol, drugs, or high-fat foods. If you totally quit your harmful behavior without any help, then you've quit "cold turkey." No one is quite sure why the words "cold" and "turkey" were joined this way. Since "cold" sometimes describes something unpleasant ("She gave me a cold stare," or "A cold chill ran down my spine," for example), then suddenly ending your bad, but pleasurable, habit could leave you cold. How the "turkey" gobbled its way into this idiom is anybody's guess." |
| 112 |
Come Again He had a heavy accent, so when he told me his name, I had to say, 'Come again?' I don't understand what you are saying, so please repeat yourself. "The verb "to come" has always meant to arrive or appear. In this 20th-century African-American expression, "come" takes on the meaning of "speak |
| 113 |
Come Apart at the Seams When Miriam found out that she wasn't going back to camp this summer, she came apart at the seams. to become so upset that all self-control is gone "A person doesn't actually have seams, of course, but think of a piece of clothing under great strain. Imagine a person trying to squeeze into a suit that was smaller than his or her size. The garment might come apart at the seams and rip open. Similarly, a nervous person under stress, could "come apart at the seams," or fall apart and break down." |
| 114 |
Come Up Smelling like a Rose Even though my sister forgot to do her chores last week, she still came up smelling like a rose. to get out of a possibly embarrassing or disgraceful situation without hurting your reputation, and maybe even improving it "This is a colorful 20th-century American expression. The writer who created it had in mind the image of a person who falls into a pile of garbage but manages to come up "smelling like a rose." Symbolically, this means the person gets into some kind of trouble, and through good fortune or cleverness, gets out again without damaging his or her good name." |
| 115 |
Cook Your Goose Loraine let the air out of Andrei's tires. That really cooked his goose. to put an end to; to ruin someone's plans "There is an old story about a medieval town under siege. The townspeople hung a goose from a tower as a symbol of stupidity meant to slight the enemy. But the gesture backfired when the attackers were so angered by the goose that they burned the whole town down, literally "cooking" the goose. Today, you "cook someone's goose" if you in any way spoil his or her plans or bring ruin." |
| 116 |
Cooking with Gas Yesterday, he didn't score a single point. But in tonight's game, he was really cooking with gas. performing with skill, energy, enthusiasm, and excellence "Years ago when people wanted to cook food, they had to first gather wood and get a fire going. When gas cooking became popular in the 20th century, so did this African-American expression. Today, all you have to do is turn a dial. It's fast, clean, and effortless. The same idea can be applied to people's actions. When someone says you're "cooking with gas," he or she is complimenting you about whatever you're doing. You're getting the job done with great expertise and energy." |
| 117 |
Cool as a Cucumber Roslyn was as cool as a cucumber when she got the award from the President of the United States. very calm; not nervous or emotional As early as the 1500s this expression was used to describe calm and composed people. When thermometers were invented, scientists showed that cucumbers are often 20 degrees cooler inside than the outside air |
| 118 |
Cool It I told Meryl and Micki to cool it and stop arguing. to relax, calm down; to stop being so excited or angry "This example of American slang, usually spoken as an irritated command, originated in the 1950s. When a person starts getting angry, a good piece of advice is to "cool it." Get control of yourself and relax." |
| 119 |
Cool Your Heels Poor Jerry. I just saw him cooling his heels outside the principal's office. to be kept waiting for a long time, usually by someone in power or authority "Your feet become warm or hot when you run or walk. But when you are forced to sit for a long time or stand in one place, the heels of your feet stay cool. That's why, since the early 1600s, the saying is that when someone keeps you waiting, you're "cooling your heels |
| 120 |
Cost an Arm and a Leg It cost him an arm and a leg to go to Hawaii, but Mr. Wong really needed the vacation. very expensive; high-priced, though possibly not worth the cost This popular mid-20th century American expression gets a lot of use as things get more expensive. Naturally, one's arms and legs are priceless, so what this saying implies is that if something is really expensive, then it's like paying for it with one of your limbs |
| 121 |
Crocodile Tears I begged and cried to go to the party, but Dad said I was crying crocodile tears. fake tears; false grief "Way back in ancient Rome (about a.d. 300), people were using this expression. About 1,000 years later, people enjoyed listening to a popular folktale about how crocodiles make loud weeping sounds to trap innocent prey who come close to see what all the wailing is about. The crocodiles supposedly weep fake tears even as they eat their victims. Later, British writers such as Shakespeare, Bacon, and Tennyson used "crocodile tears" to suggest insincere sympathy and pretended sorrow." |
| 122 |
Cross that Bridge When You Come to It How do you know they won't let you into the concert? Cross that bridge when you come to it. don't predict problems until they actually happen; don't worry about future events now; don't deal with a difficulty until you have to This expression is old, and no one today is sure of exactly when or where it originated. However, it's easy to see the idea behind it. If a bridge is ten miles down the road, you can't worry now about whether it is dangerous to cross until you get there. In the same way, there's no sense worrying about something ahead of time. Wait until it happens and then deal with it |
| 123 |
Cry over Spilled Milk I'm sorry your wallet fell overboard, but there's no use crying over spilled milk. to cry or complain about an event that has already taken place and can't be changed "This famous saying was first used by writers in the mid-1600s and popularized by Canadian humorist Thomas Haliburton around 1836. The idea behind it is that if milk spills out of a container, you can't get it back in again, so you might as well not cry over it. Note: Sometimes you'll see "spilled" spelled as "spilt." That's because this is an old idiom and "spilt" is an old spelling." |
| 124 |
Cry Wolf Don't worry if my little brother starts screaming that there's a ghost in his room. He always cries wolf. to give a false alarm of danger; to warn of a peril that you know is not real One of Aesop's most famous fables tells of a bored shepherd boy who falsely cried that a wolf was killing his sheep. When people came and found out there was no wolf threatening the sheep, they were annoyed. The shepherd did this once too often; one day when a real wolf came, no one came when he called out, and the wolf ate the sheep |
| 125 |
Cut Off Your Nose to Spite Your Face Don't stay home because your ex-girlfriend is going to the dance with Juan. Why cut off your nose to spite your face? to injure yourself out of anger toward another; to make a situation worse for yourself when angry with someone Some people were using this proverb in Latin as early as 1200. There may have been a story about cutting off part of a long, ugly nose, only to succeed in disfiguring the whole face. Apply that same idea to any spiteful action you commit against another person that ends up harming only you |
| 126 |
Cut the Mustard He was forty and many people thought he was too old to cut the mustard, but he hit over fifty homeruns. to be able to handle a job or fulfill the requirements "This is an example of late 19th-century American slang. "Mustard" meant the main attraction. If you could "cut the mustard," you could do something well. Why is it "cut" the mustard? Perhaps because mustard grows as a plant that has to be cut down, and if you can cut the mustard plant down, you must be a capable person. Another theory is that this expression comes from the military. There, "to pass muster" means to pass inspection, which may have changed over the years to "cut the mustard |
| 127 |
Cut Your Eyeteeth on Something Paula's been fooling around with cars since she was a kid. She cut her eyeteeth on them. to acquire wisdom; to gain valuable experience, often at a young age "When a baby's first teeth start growing in, the teeth are actually cutting through the gums. Children also chew on things in order to help new teeth break through the gum. Years ago the analogy of cutting teeth and having experiences early in life probably led a writer to create this expression. We think eyeteeth got their name because they are right under the eyes in the upper jaw. But no one knows why eyeteeth are mentioned in this expression since they're not the first teeth to grow in. Sometimes the saying is shortened to "cut your teeth" on something." |
| 128 |
Cutting Edge My brother works in nuclear physics. He's on the cutting edge of some pretty amazing discoveries. the forefront; the most advanced or important position, usually in science and technology "Scientific discoveries and technological advances throughout the 20th century have been incredible. Just as the cutting edge of a sharp knife makes contact before the rest of the knife when slicing through objects, a highly advanced discovery is said to be on the "cutting edge |
| 129 |
Dark-Horse Candidate Everyone was surprised when Pedro won the election because he was a dark-horse candidate. a contestant about whom little is known and who wins unexpectedly "There are at least three possible origins to this idiom and all come from horse racing in the early 1800s. The first is that a dark horse was a fast runner whose speed was kept secret ("dark") until the race started, and who, to everyone's surprise, won. The second is that an owner of a fast horse sometimes dyed its hair black as a disguise before a big race. The third is that a certain American horse trader fooled people by disguising his fast black stallion as an ordinary saddle horse. He rode the horse into town, arranged for a race, took bets on it, and always won. The term was introduced into American politics with the surprise win of President James Polk in 1844." |
| 130 |
Dead as a Doornail When Emily quit the show, the class play was as dead as a doornail. totally dead or hopeless; without a chance of success "A book in the mid-1300s first used this expression. Perhaps its origin was the image of a metal plate (called a doornail) being hit so many times by the door knocker that it had its life knocked out of it. Also, "dead as a doornail" contains alliteration, and so does this variation on the saying: "dead as a dodo" (an extinct bird). Either expression is a good way to describe something that is out of date or no longer in existence." |
| 131 |
Dead Duck When Sam finds out that Laura spilled the goldfish bowl, she's a dead duck. a person who is ruined; a person or project unlikely to continue or survive "This expression dates from the mid- to late-1800s. "Dead" has often referred to an idea, plan, project, or person that is ruined, or hopeless. "Duck" added alliteration to help the saying become popular." |
| 132 |
Dime a Dozen Anthony thought his old Hardy Boys books were rare, but they were a dime a dozen. very common and inexpensive; easy to get and available anywhere "In 1786 the U.S. Continental Congress officially named the ten-cent coin a "dime." The dime soon became a popular coin. Millions were minted. Everyone had them. Since they were so cheap, so abundant, and so common the phrase "a dime a dozen" became a natural way to describe any everyday thing that was easy to get and of small value. And "dime" and "dozen" begin with the same letter, which makes the saying catchy through alliteration." |
| 133 |
Do or Die Marcy was determined to win the gold medal, do or die! to succeed or fail completely; to take the chance of ruining oneself in trying to succeed "Do means to achieve or get something done. "Die" doesn't necessarily mean that your life will end if you don't accomplish what you set out to. It is an exaggeration. If you make a do-or-die effort, you're trying your hardest to succeed, no matter what obstacles might be in the way." |
| 134 |
Dog Days of Summer Sales of air conditioners are usually highest during the dog days of summer. the hottest and most humid days of summer, usually much of July and August "In ancient Roman times people who studied astronomy knew that I Sirius, the Dog Star, rose and set with the sun during the hottest weeks of the year, July through mid-August. People thought that the heat from the Dog Star combined with the heat from the sun to make those weeks extra hot. That's why people today call this uncomfortable time the "dog days." People tend to get bored and tired at this time because it's so hot outside." |
| 135 |
Dog-Eat-Dog World When Anna got her first job, she realized what a dog-eat-dog world it was. a way of life marked by fierce competition in which people compete ruthlessly for survival or success "This saying might go back as far as the 1500s. Sometimes savage dogs who were desperately hungry would fight bitterly for the same piece of food. A writer who observed this created the expression "dog-eat-dog world" to describe the willingness of some people to fight and hurt others in a merciless competition to get what they wanted. Today this phrase is usually used to describe the worlds of business and politics." |
| 136 |
Dog's Life Poor Mrs. Youngman. With that miserable job and those screaming children, she leads a dog's life. a bleak, harsh, terrible existence without much happiness or freedom Erasmus, a Dutch scholar and theologian, used this expression in his writings around 1542. Today there is a great effort to treat dogs humanely, so many dogs lead good lives. But dogs generally don't live as well as people. In some countries dogs are not kept as pets, and, in fact, it is common to eat them. So this expression has come to mean leading a poor or unhappy life |
| 137 |
Don't Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch I spent the money I planned to earn and then the job was canceled. I shouldn't have counted my chickens before they hatched. don't count on profits before you earn them or have them in hand Aesop once wrote about a woman carrying a basket of eggs. In her mind she figured how much she would get for the chickens when the eggs hatched and exactly how she would spend the money. She got so excited, she dropped her egg basket. Every egg smashed. Today we use this fable to warn people not to be confident of getting a result, realizing an ambition, or making a profit before it actually happens |
| 138 |
Don't Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth When Sandy complained about her present, her dad told her not to look a gift horse in the mouth. don't complain if a gift is not perfect; take what you've been given without criticism or emphasis on its worth "You can tell how old a horse is by looking at the size and shape of its teeth. What "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" means is that if you find too many faults with a gift by examining it too closely, you're sure to be disappointed and possibly insult the person who gave it to you." |
| 139 |
Don't Take any Wooden Nickels Have a good trip to Chicago, and don't take any wooden nickels. Don't let anyone cheat you or take advantage of you. "This popular American expression was first used in the early 1900s during the great migration from rural areas to the big cities. The phrase meant that one should beware of city slickers, people who would sometimes pass out counterfeit coins ("wooden nickels"). Soon wooden nickels came to represent any kind of trickery or double-dealing." |
| 140 |
Dot Your I's and Cross Your T's Mrs. Potter wants us to proofread our papers and dot all the i's and cross all the t's. to take great care over details An expression similar to this first appeared in books in the early 1500s. If you want good penmanship, you'd better be careful with things like the dots over the i's and the lines crossing the t's. Today this widely used saying refers to being extremely thorough by paying close attention to details in whatever you do |
| 141 |
Down in the Dumps After she lost the election, Kim was down in the dumps. sad and depressed "You might think that "dumps" in this saying refers to a garbage dump, but it doesn't. Some word experts think that "dumps" comes from old German words that meant "mental haze," "dullness," or "gloomy." So, if you're in a mental fog because you're so unhappy, you're definitely "down in the dumps." Note the alliteration in this idiom. Similar, older expressions are "down in the mouth" and "down-at-the-heels |
| 142 |
Down the Drain When her company went out of business, her money went down the drain. lost forever; wasted "In some places, water is more precious than oil or gold. Without water, crops can't grow and people can't live. Once water goes down the drain, it's gone and cannot be retrieved. Today we say that anything precious that's been wasted or lost has gone "down the drain |
| 143 |
Down the Hatch "Grandma handed me a glass of smelly medicine and said, "Down the hatch. swallow a drink in one gulp "People have used this expression for centuries. A ship's passengers, crew, and cargo pass through an opening in the deck called the hatch. Sometime in the mid-1500s a clever toastmaker, probably a sailor, realized that a drink going into a person's mouth was like things going into the hatch of a ship. He lifted a glass to his lips and said, "Down the hatch," and a new toast was born." |
| 144 |
Down-to-Earth Even though Rosie's parents are millionaires, they don't act snobbishly. They are really quite down-to-earth. practical; sensible; realistic "This expression dates from the first half of the 20th century. A person with his or her "head in the clouds" might be absentminded or full of daydreams. But a person who is "down-to-earth" is direct and practical. Earth is where useful things grow. It's where sensible people have their two feet firmly planted." |
| 145 |
Down-to-the-Wire I can't talk to you now. I'm down-to-the-wire on this research report. running out of time; at the very last minute This saying started in the early 1900s and became popular by the 1940s. It comes from horse racing and the real or imaginary wire marking the end of the race. Today we refer to that finish line when we say that a person working until the last possible moment on a project is coming down-to-the-wire. Sometimes this expression can also describe a person who is very low on money |
| 146 |
Draw the Line At My parents give me a lot of freedom, but they draw the line at letting me stay out late on school nights. to set a specific limit, especially about behavior For thousands of years, whenever land was being divided, a line was drawn to show the end of one person's property and the beginning of another person's. There might be trouble if people were not sure of the boundary lines. There are other possible origins from sports like cricket and tennis |
| 147 |
Dressed to the Nines When Ramon came into the gym on the night of the dance, he was dressed to the nines. wearing fashionable clothing; dressed to attract attention "There are a number of theories about the word "nines" in this idiom that dates back at least to the 18th century. Two possibilities are that nine is a mystical or sacred number in numerology (3 x 3) and represents perfection. Another theory is that the saying comes from an Old English expression "dressed to then eyne" which meant dressed fashionably from your toes right up to the eyes ("to then eyne"). Over time the letter "n" shifted one space to the right and "eyne" became "neyne" and eventually "nines." The saying is sometimes expressed as "dressed to the teeth" or "dressed to kill." Kill means to impress someone, not to murder them." |
| 148 |
Drive a Hard Bargain I had to trade him three of my best comic books for just one baseball card. He sure drives a hard bargain. to insist on hard terms in making an agreement that is often to your advantage; to buy or sell at a good price "This idiom goes back to Greek writings of a.d. 950. It made its way into English about 500 years later. To "drive" means to vigorously carry through some task; "hard" means tough." |
| 149 |
Drive You Crazy It drives me crazy if my little brother bangs on his drum when I'm on the phone. to make someone angry or confused; to make somebody very annoyed or frustrated "This popular expression originated in America in the 1900s. To "drive" has long meant to be in control of a situation (see "in the driver's seat" (see page 98) and "backseat driver" (see page 6). So if someone is doing something so annoying that it's making you lose your wits, then you're being driven "crazy, mad, nuts"—or even "up a wall |
| 150 |
Drop in the Bucket I've saved all month for a skateboard, but I still have only a drop in the bucket. a very small, insignificant amount "Sometimes this expression, which comes from the Bible (Isaiah 9:15), is "a drop in the ocean." It's easy to see that one little drop of water is close to nothing when compared with all the water in a bucket. In the same way, a small amount of anything is like a drop in the bucket when compared with the full amount that is needed or desired." |
| 151 |
Drop You Like a Hot Potato When she found out that Mark was lying to her, she dropped him like a hot potato. to get rid of something or somebody as quickly as possible "A hot potato stays hot for a long time because it contains a lot of water. If someone actually handed you a hot potato, you'd drop it quickly. If you didn't, you'd burn your hand. A writer in the early 19th century used this simile to mean to abandon, or drop, someone or something as fast as possible. "Hot potato" by itself means any embarrassing or dangerous problem." |
| 152 |
Dull as Dishwater Programs on that channel are as dull as dishwater. not inspiring; uninteresting "An earlier form of this English expression was "dull as ditchwater," meaning the muddy water of a ditch. Charles Dickens used it that way in a book in 1865 to describe something boring and tedious. Ditchwater is cloudy, and definitely not exciting. So is dishwater. The change in words probably occurred as a mispronunciation or a mistake in printing." |
| 153 |
Dutch Treat Peter and Tracy went Dutch treat to the movies. each person pays for his or her own food and entertainment "This expression came from American slang in the late 1800s. Some word experts think it was first used by people who observed the habits of Dutch immigrants, who were thrifty and saved their money. When people paid for their own food and entertainment, especially on a date, the practice was dubbed "Dutch treat." "Go Dutch" means the same thing." |
| 154 |
Dyed-in-the-Wool Mr. Freedman is a dyed-in-the-wool Republican and has never voted for a Democrat in his life. complete, permanent; stubborn "If wool is dyed while still in its raw state, the dye lasts longer than wool dyed after being spun or woven. At least since 1579 the idea of something being so deeply a part of something else that it wouldn't be easily changed was applied to people who had strong, unchangeable beliefs with the expression "dyed-in-the-wool." This saying was first used in the political sense in 1830 during the administration of Andrew Jackson." |
| 155 |
Early Bird Catches the Worm Sue slept overnight in front of the stadium in order to get concert tickets. The early bird catches the worm. a person who gets up early and starts a project ahead of others has the best chance of accomplishing his or her goal "Birds like to eat worms. If a bird arrives late where the worms are, it will probably go hungry. But the bird who gets there early is sure to get some food. In the 1600s the proverb "the early bird gets the worm" was written to show that human beings who don't delay in starting an undertaking will most likely get what they want." |
| 156 |
Easy as Pie I thought that getting my teacher to raise my grade would be as easy as pie. not difficult; requiring practically no effort "There are two similar modern idioms that mean extremely easy: "easy as pie" and "piece of cake." Why should they both relate to baked desserts? Perhaps to the people who coined the phrases, desserts were easier to make than other foods." |
| 157 |
Easy as Rolling off a Log Doug told me that learning how to work the ceramics kiln was as easy as rolling off a log. very, very easy; requiring little or no effort "In the United States in the 1830s, when this idiom was first used, logs were often floated down rivers from the forests to the lumber mills. Men held contests to see who could stand upright on a floating log the longest. Most men fell into the river because it's extremely difficult to remain standing on a floating log and extremely easy to fall off one. So anything that's effortless is "as easy as rolling off a log." This expression related to "easy as pie" (above)." |
| 158 |
Easy Come, Easy Go You spent all your birthday money in one morning? With you, it's easy come, easy go. something that is easily obtained, as money, can be lost or parted with just as easily This saying goes all the way back to the famous Canterbury Tales, written in the 1300s. The author, Geoffrey Chaucer, was saying that if you get something quickly and easily without really working hard for it, you'll probably spend or lose it just as quickly |
| 159 |
Eat Crow I made Jon admit that he was wrong, and now he has to eat crow. to be forced to do something very disagreeable; to acknowledge a mistake or defeat "This is a saying from the War of 1812 when an American officer was forced to eat a dead crow. People who have actually eaten a crow say that it tastes horrible. To be forced to "eat crow" is humbling and humiliating, like having to admit that you've done or said something terribly wrong. It's a little like eating humble pie (below)." |
| 160 |
Eat Humble Pie When he finds out how wrong he's been, he'll eat humble pie! to be apologetic or suffer humiliation; to act humble or admit guilt "This expression is very similar to "eat crow," but it comes from medieval times, when there really was a pie called an "umble" or "numble" pie. Umbles were the heart, liver, and entrails of deer and other animals, and only servants ate a pie made out of animals' guts. "Umble pie" was changed to "humble," which means lowly and meek. By the early 1800s the expression "eat humble pie" meant profusely apologizing for a humiliating error." |
| 161 |
Eat Out of Your Hand That kid will be eating out of my hand when I show him my new video game. to be very cooperative and submissive; to believe and obey someone without question This expression, from the 20th century, describes what a tame or trusting animal will do if you treat it right. The person who created this idiom applied the same idea to human beings who trust fully and obey without question. People don't actually eat out of anyone's hand, but they do behave like obedient animals sometimes |
| 162 |
Eat You Out of House and Home Matthew grew four inches, and he's eating his parents out of house and home. to be so expensive to feed and keep that the person paying cannot afford it "William Shakespeare used this famous saying in one of his plays around the year 1600, but it probably goes back as far as 2,000 years. "House" and "home" mean about the same thing, of course. Using them both in the one expression doubles the meaning." |
| 163 |
Eat Your Hat If we don't win this basketball game by at least twenty points, I'll eat my hat. a statement made when you are positive that something will happen Many great writers, including Charles Dickens, have used this expression. The idea behind it is that you are 100 percent certain that some event will take place (or not take place). If the opposite of what you publicly predict unexpectedly happens, you will do something ridiculous like eat your hat. Since you expect your prediction to come true, you feel safe in promising that you'll do something stupid if it doesn't |
| 164 |
Eat Your Heart Out After Elena lost the plane tickets, she ate her heart out over the mistake. to feel extremely unhappy about a hopeless situation; to make yourself sick with grief and worry "This expression goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks. The poet Homer used it in his famous epic poem the Odyssey. A person's heart has always been considered the center of his or her emotions. For instance, a person can be "brokenhearted," or have a "heart of gold." This idiom is saying that if you become thin and weak from sorrow, if your misery is making you sick, then it's as if you are figuratively eating your heart out. The expression can also mean to be extremely jealous. "When Marika got the lead in the school play, Fiona ate her heart out because she wanted it |
| 165 |
Eat Your Words He predicted that I'd fail biology, but I got a D. Now he'll have to eat his words. to have to take back what you said; to admit humbly that you were wrong "Words come out of your mouth. Food goes in to be eaten. If you've said something that turns out to be not true, maybe you wish you could take back those wrong words, put them back into your mouth, and eat them. A similar expression is "eat crow" (see page 54), but "eat your words" makes more sense." |
| 166 |
Egg on Your Face When Doug found out he had scored a touchdown for the other team, he had egg on his face. to be very embarrassed or humiliated for something foolish that you did or said This American saying is probably from the 1950s. It could have come from the image of a sloppy eater, humiliated because he or she has food, like egg, on his or her face. Or it could have come from the custom of rude audiences in the old days throwing raw eggs at performers they didn't like. To be standing on a stage in front of an angry crowd with egg on your face must have been mortifying |
| 167 |
Elbow Grease Put a little elbow grease into that job. Polish that car until it shines! hard, energetic manual labor "In Britain in the late 1600s people were using the term "elbow grease" to jokingly refer to the sweat worked up by strong, fast-moving work with one's arms, such as rubbing, polishing, and scraping." |
| 168 |
Eleventh Hour At the eleventh hour, just seconds before the curtain rose, Sybil finished painting the scenery. at the latest possible time, just before the absolute deadline This idiom comes from the Bible. The eleventh hour is the last hour before the end of the world. In the Bible, it was the last hour of sunlight with the twelfth hour bringing darkness. Some people delay so much, they sometimes finish a project at the last minute, or even the last second, just before the deadline passes |
| 169 |
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining Nancy missed the school bus, but every cloud has a silver lining. She also missed the math test. there is something good in every bad situation "This expression of hope was used by the English poet John Milton in 1634. He must have noticed that if the sun is behind a dark cloud, light shines out around the edges like a silver lining. With this idiom, Milton said that even the worst situation ("cloud") has something hopeful or more positive about it ("silver lining")." |
| 170 |
Every Tom, Dick, and Harry I wanted this to be a small, private party, but Victoria invited every Tom, Dick, and Harry. every person possible, especially very ordinary people "William Shakespeare used a phrase like this in one of his plays around 1600, but the last of the three names he used was Francis. In the early 1800s a lot of men were named Harry; that name replaced Francis and joined Tom and Dick, also common names, to stand for anybody and everybody, including ordinary people of low social status. "Tom, Dick, and Harry" is a put-down, usually spoken by a person who thinks that he or she is better than other people." |
| 171 |
Everything but the Kitchen Sink When Erin went away to college, she took everything but the kitchen sink. practically everything there is; every possible object whether needed or not "This expression was born in the early 20th century and became popular after World War II (the late 1940s). The kitchen sink is heavy, connected to pipes, and usually bolted down, so it's not easily movable. But if you took everything but the kitchen sink, you'd be taking virtually all there was. Related sayings are "from soup to nuts" (see page 69) and "from A to Z |
| 172 |
Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth Amanda took Mac's bicycle after he took her skateboard. That's what I call an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. revenge or punishment exactly like the original crime or offense This idea appears in the Old Testament of the Bible (Exodus 21:23) and is often used to sum up its stern code. This idiom suggests that every crime or injury should be punished or paid back with an equal exchange of hurtful actions |
| 173 |
Eyes in the Back of Your Head My teacher always knows when we're passing notes. He must have eyes in the back of his head. ability to sense what is happening outside one's field of vision; ability to know what happens when one's back is turned People's eyes are on the front of their faces, but there are people who seem to know what's going on behind them, as if they had eyes in the back of their heads |
| 174 |
Face the Music I was caught cheating and now I have to face the music. to endure the consequences of one's actions; to take what you have coming to you "This American saying was common in the mid-1800s. There are two theories about its origin. It could have come from the world of theater. Sometimes an audience didn't like a show. It took courage for a performer to stand on the stage and face the hostile audience and also the orchestra pit ("the music"). This idiom could also have come from the military world. If a soldier did something dishonorable, he was often dismissed from the army as the band played, "facing the music." Similar expressions are "pay the piper" and "take one's medicine |
| 175 |
Fair-Weather Friend You can't count on Liz to help you when you're in trouble. She's just a fair-weather friend. a person who is a faithful friend only when everything is going well but who deserts you in time of difficulty It's good when the weather is fair and lovely, with blue skies and mild breezes. It's bad when the weather turns foul. Apply the same idea to a friendship and you can see where this idiom came from. A fair-weather (good-time only) friend is the opposite of a friend in need (time of trouble) |
| 176 |
Famous Last Words Our music teacher said that we were sure to win the state choral championship—famous last words. a sarcastic response to a foolish statement that suggests that the speaker doesn't know what he or she is talking about "It is thought that people in the military made this phrase popular during World War II (in the 1940s) and that other people began using it after that. Throughout history, people have made declarations ("This is the war to end all wars") that were later proven to be untrue and perhaps even silly to have been said in the first place. Simple-minded statements were sometimes referred to as "famous last words of history." The phrase was shortened to "famous last words |
| 177 |
Fat Cat Maybe we can get some fat cats to contribute money for the new gym. a wealthy person; a rich benefactor "This term, which goes back to the 1920s in America, used to refer to rich people who gave big contributions to political candidates. "Fat" described both the size of their waistlines (because they could afford big meals) and the size of their wallets (stuffed with money). Where did "cat" come from? It rhymes with "fat," and rhyming sounds often help a saying become popular." |
| 178 |
Feast or Famine Last week we made over $100 on our car wash; this week only one car came. It's either feast or famine. great success or total failure; either too much or too little of something "This catchy phrase suggests the opposites of having too much or too little of something. "Feast" and "famine" are antonyms (words with opposite meanings) and also begin with the same sound (alliteration). This expression started out as "feast or fast" in the 1730s, but later "fast" was changed to "famine," which means about the same thing but doesn't sound as good with "feast." Why the switch of words? Nobody today really knows." |
| 179 |
Feather in Your Cap Winning the competition was quite a feather in my cap. a great achievement or special honor; an accomplishment to be proud of "It has been a custom of many different groups of people all over the world, including American Indians, to put a feather in the headgear of a warrior for each enemy defeated in battle. The more feathers in your cap, the greater your number of victories. Although the practice goes back to medieval times, the expression "feather in your cap" dates from just the early 17th century." |
| 180 |
Feather Your Nest The senator was accused of using his office to feather his own nest. to be more interested in taking care of yourself, providing for your own comfort, and making money rather than doing good for others "For millions of years birds have been lining their nests with soft feathers to make comfortable homes. Since the 1500s the expression "feather your nest" has been used to refer to greedy people who use the power of high positions to make life comfortable for themselves before they think of the well-being of others. The saying can also be used in a more positive way to mean decorating your home to make it more pleasant and comfortable." |
| 181 |
Feel Your Oats Ms. Blumenthal was dancing, laughing, and feeling her oats. to be in high spirits, energetic; to act in a proud way "This American expression from the early 19th century originated when a writer noticed that his horse always acted more lively and vigorous when it was well-fed with oats. The writer applied the idea to people, often older ones, and wrote that a peppy, active person was "feeling his oats |
| 182 |
Feet of Clay In American history we learned that many Presidents had feet of clay. a hidden fault of character; a weak point "In the Bible (Daniel 2:31-32), the king of a great empire once dreamed of a statue with a head of gold, a body of silver and brass, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay. The statue broke and its pieces blew away in the wind. The king's prophet interpreted the dream to mean that the empire would eventually break up. Even today, people who are highly regarded may have secret flaws of character ("feet of clay") that could ruin their reputations." |
| 183 |
Fiddle While Rome Burns The governor fiddled while Rome burned, doing nothing about crime, poverty, and pollution. do nothing or busy yourself with unimportant matters instead of taking action in an urgent situation "There's a famous legend that in a.d. 64 the emperor Nero stood on a high tower and played his lyre ("fiddle") while he watched Rome burn. The story may not be true, but it yielded this idiom that describes the behavior of anyone who, in a crisis, doesn't take action right away." |
| 184 |
Field Day Andrew has a field day playing with all the new toys in his uncle's store. to have unlimited opportunities; to have it all your own way; to go all out and experience success at something "In the 1800s people from schools, fire companies, businesses, and other organizations would participate in wholesome outdoor sports on a big playing field. They would play to their heart's content. Soon, to have a field day meant to indulge yourself in any way you wanted. Even today, some schools have a "field day |
| 185 |
Fifth Wheel If he comes with us, he'll just be a fifth wheel. an unneeded, extra person "This is a proverb that was first used in France in the 16th century. A unicycle has one wheel; a bicycle has two wheels; a tricycle has three wheels; and wagons and cars have four wheels. No vehicle needs five wheels. The fifth wheel is a surplus thing, good for nothing. In the same way, if two couples are going out on a double date, an extra person who tags along could be called a "fifth wheel |
| 186 |
Fight Tooth and Nail The counselor had to separate two campers who were fighting tooth and nail. to fight fiercely, furiously, and ferociously "This vivid expression goes far back to a Latin proverb that became a French saying centuries later and finally came into English in 1562. When wild animals fight, they bite and claw each other. Sometimes people fight fiercely, as if they were animals fighting a deadly battle "tooth and nail |
| 187 |
Fill the Bill The decorator said that a tall potted palm in this corner would fill the bill. to be just the perfect thing that is needed; to be very competent, effective "One of the many meanings of "bill" is a list of acts being presented in a theater. In the 1800s an audience expected to enjoy a full bill of singers, dancers, jugglers, and comedians. To be sure that the audience was satisfied with the evening's lineup, the theater manager sometimes added acts to "fill the bill." Today the meaning has broadened to anything or anyone that meets a need or is just right for a purpose." |
| 188 |
Finger in Every Pie Mrs. Simon has her finger in every pie when it comes to music, dance, and theater. lo have a part in something; to be involved in many matters, businesses, or activities "The image that possibly created this expression might be of a person who can't decide what pie he or she wants—blueberry, pecan, peach—so they stick a finger in every pie to get a taste of each. Think of each pie as a different business or project, and when you put your finger into a "pie," you have a part interest or responsibility in that activity. People often participate in many activities to make extra profit for themselves." |
| 189 |
Fish or Cut Bait Are you using that microscope or not? Fish or cut bait. do one thing or another, but stop delaying; make a choice; act now or give someone else a turn This idiom, popular since the 1800s, is a metaphor that refers to a person who holds a fishing rod but doesn't fish. Someone else could use that rod and catch some fish. The procrastinator might be asked to either drop the line into the water and fish, or cut the bait from the line and let another angler have a chance |
| 190 |
Fish Out of Water I want to help the new girl from Russia. She must feel like a fish out of water. a person who is out of his or her usual place; someone who doesn't fit in or is helpless in a situation For thousands of years people have known that a fish belongs in water. That's its natural habitat. So a person who is in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable setting will feel like a fish out of water |
| 191 |
Fit as a Fiddle My great-grandfather is nearly ninety, but he's still fit as a fiddle. in good health; in fine shape "This expression dates from at least the early 1600s. "Fit" has always meant "in good health." But why was it joined with "fiddle" in this simile? Probably because "fit" and "fiddle" are a good example of alliteration, and a fiddle that's fit (well tuned and in good shape) can play terrific music." |
| 192 |
Fix Your Wagon Maya borrowed my homework sheet and then left it at home. I'll fix her wagon. to get even with or to punish someone; to thwart or frustrate another or cause his or her failure in something "Some people think this idiom may have come from the days of the great westward migration in America in the 1800s, when the covered wagon was the main means of transportation. One meaning of the word "fix" is to take revenge upon or get even with. It might also mean tying up and holding secure, as in tying up a wagon so it cannot roll away. Today, "fix someone's wagon" means to plot against that person to do something bad to him or her." |
| 193 |
Flash in the Pan People thought she was going to be a great concert violinist, but Dana was just a flash in the pan. a temporary success which yields no long-term results; a person who fails to live up to earlier potential "In the 1600s there was a popular gun called a flintlock musket. When the trigger was pulled, sparks were supposed to make the gunpowder in a small pan on the gun go off and explode the main charge. But sometimes there was only a flash in the pan and no big explosion. Today a "flash in the pan" is any person who showed great early promise ("sparks") but who never lived up to his or her full potential ("explosion")." |
| 194 |
Flotsam and Jetsam I'm clearing out my room of all the flotsam and jetsam. a collection of mostly worthless and useless objects; odds and ends; any objects found floating or washed ashore; rubbish and refuse "The words "flotsam" and "jetsam" date from the early 1500s. Flotsam means all the wreckage and cargo floating in the ocean after a shipwreck. Jetsam is cargo and equipment floating in the water that was thrown overboard to lighten a ship in danger of sinking. By the 19th century these words meant any kind of junk or debris on land or sea, thrown out or not. The near-rhyming sound of the words helped make this idiom popular." |
| 195 |
Fly-by-Night The store where I bought that defective CD player was a fly-by-night operation. selling for quick profit then disappearing; a swindler or unreliable person Fly-by-night was an ancient term that described a woman who was thought to be like a witch. Witches were supposed to fly at night on brooms, and the term came to mean anyone who flies hurriedly from an activity. In the late 1800s this expression was made up to describe a person or business that sneaked away in the middle of the night to avoid paying bills or making good on promises to customers |
| 196 |
Fly by the Seat of Your Pants I had to entertain Dad's friends from Italy. I didn't know their language, so I just flew by the seat of my pants. to do something by instinct and feel without any earlier experience or instruction "This phrase was popular among members of the U.S. Army Air Corps in the 1930s. Often, there were few or no instruments on the planes and sometimes the instruments didn't work. So a pilot had to sit tight (on the seat of his pants) and fly an airplane by instinct. Today if you're doing any kind of project and there are no instructions, you may have to "fly by the seat of your pants." You proceed by intuition, natural talent, or common sense." |
| 197 |
Fly in the Ointment The food, the music, and the decorations were perfect, but her camera broke. That was the fly in the ointment. a small annoyance that spoils an otherwise pleasant situation This saying comes from the Bible (Ecclesiastes 10:1). Thousands of years ago, people realized that a tiny nuisance can sometimes ruin something pleasant. Ointment is a creamy substance that soothes, softens, or heals the skin. Finding a fly in the ointment would certainly ruin it |
| 198 |
Fly off the Handle When Dr. Anthony discovered that someone had sneaked a look at the report cards, he really flew off the handle. to lose your temper; to become furiously angry Many Americans in the early 1800s used handmade tools with axheads to chop down trees and build houses. The tools were often crudely made and the axhead would fly off the handle during furious chopping. The flying axhead is much like an angry person out of control |
| 199 |
Fly the Coop I tucked my little brother into bed, but the next time I looked, he had flown the coop. to escape; to leave suddenly and secretly "A coop is an enclosure or cage for poultry or small animals. If a chicken "flew the coop," it escaped its pen. In the late 1800s and early 1900s "coop" was also a slang word for jail, so this expression often referred to what an escaped prisoner did. Today it is used in connection with any person or animal that secretly escapes or runs away." |
| 200 |
Foam at the Mouth Dad was foaming at the mouth when he found out that Jerry had slipped out of the house. to be uncontrollably furious, like a mad dog "A dog with rabies or distemper foams at the mouth. A bubbly saliva forms around the lips, and the dog behaves in a crazy manner. As long ago as the 1400s people began describing furious people as "foaming at the mouth," as if they were mad dogs." |
| 201 |
Follow Your Nose When he asked me the way to the cafeteria, I told him to follow his nose. to go straight ahead in the same direction "This saying was being used as early as the 15th century, maybe even earlier. Your nose is in the middle of your face, pointing straight ahead of you. So, if you "follow your nose," you proceed directly ahead. This saying usually has nothing to do with the nose's ability to smell things. However, someone directing you to the school cafeteria, a perfume factory, or a skunk farm might also tell you to "follow your nose," even if you have to take three lefts and a right." |
| 202 |
Food for Thought The sign said, 'If all else fails, read the instructions.' That was food for thought. an interesting idea worth thinking about carefully "People have used this metaphorical saying since the early 1800s. In it, we think of the mind as a mouth that "chews" not food, but ideas. So ideas are the "food for thought." We sometimes use a related idiom, "to chew over an idea," which means to think about it seriously." |
| 203 |
Footloose and Fancy-Free He doesn't have a girlfriend right now. He's just footloose and fancy-free. not attached to anyone; not involved with anyone romantically; free "In the 16th century, "fancy" meant love and "fancy-free" meant that you weren't in love with anyone. In the late 17th century, "footloose" meant you were free to go anywhere. (Your foot was "loose," not tied to something.) Today the expression means you're not bound to any one place, job, or person." |
| 204 |
For the Birds That movie was for the birds. I'm sorry I wasted my money on it. worthless; useless; stupid "This American slang was popular among soldiers during the first half of the 1900s. Think of bits of food left on the ground after a picnic. They're not worth anything, except, of course, to birds looking for crumbs. In the same way, we say that anything or anyone bad or silly is "for the birds |
| 205 |
Forty Winks I just need forty winks and I'll be able to work all night. a short nap "Since the 1300s, "wink" has referred to sleep, but probably just a short period of sleep because when you wink you close and open your eyelids quickly. In the Bible and the works of William Shakespeare, the number forty didn't always mean the number after thirty-nine. It meant an indefinite number or "few." The phrase "forty winks" was first used in 1872 in an issue of the famous British humor magazine Punch." |
| 206 |
Four Corners of the Earth When John F. Kennedy died, people came to his funeral from the four corners of the earth. from all over the planet; all parts of a place "This saying first appeared in the New Testament of the Bible. Some ancient peoples thought that the planet Earth was flat and had corners. So when they referred to the "four corners of the earth," they meant some place near the edge of a rectangular map, the farthest ends of the world." |
| 207 |
From Soup to Nuts We've got acts in this talent show from soup to nuts: jugglers, acrobats, singers, magicians, tap dancers, you name it! the whole thing from beginning to end "For centuries any foods served at the beginning or end of a meal stood for the entire thing: the start and finish and everything in between. This expression was "from eggs to apples" and "from pottage to cheese." In the United States, in the middle of the 20th century, the expression developed into "from soup to nuts." At many meals, soup is often the first course and a dessert with nuts is sometimes the last. The expression docs not have to refer only to meals, however. It could be the selection of goods for sale or classes offered." |
| 208 |
From the Word Go Her mother did not like her boyfriend from the word go. from the very beginning "At the start of many races, someone shouts, "Ready, set, GO!" So, since the mid-1800s in the United States, "from the word go" has meant from the outset of something." |
| 209 |
Full of Beans After final exams, some of us were exhausted and others were full of beans. lively, happy and energetic, high-spirited "Just as the expression to "feel your oats" means to be lively and frisky, being "full of beans" is a similar food-related idiom. Eating lots of beans has a gastrointestinal effect on some people that may make them a little more lively. The origin may also be from the days when the racehorses were fed beans. This lively expression has been bouncing around since the 1800s." |
| 210 |
Full of Hot Air I don't believe a word he says. He's full of hot air. being foolish and talking nonsense; pompous; vain "When you talk, warm air comes out of your mouth. Large balloons that carry people in baskets are kept afloat by hot air. This idiom from the mid-1800s puts those two ideas together. If you want to describe a pompous person who is all puffed up (like a balloon), you could say he or she is "full of hot air" (that's coming out of his or her mouth)." |
| 211 |
Get a Handle on Something Rachel had a lot of trouble with geometry, but I think she's getting a handle on it. to find a way to understand or deal with something; to start to overcome a difficult problem or situation "This bit of American slang became popular in the mid-1900s. Did you ever try to lift up a heavy, bulky object that had no handles? How do you get a secure grip on it? The answer is to attach a handle to it. Today this expression refers to any difficulty you need to deal with or get control of. When you finally "get a handle on it," you start to solve the problem." |
| 212 |
Get a Kick Out of Something My grandmother really gets a kick out of playing these video games with me. to enjoy doing something; to get a thrill out of something "A famous songwriter, Cole Porter, made this 20th-century American saying popular in his 1934 song "I Get a Kick Out of You." The title means "I really enjoy being with you." In this expression "kick" has to do with a thrill, not striking something with your foot. There are two variations on this idiom; "get a bang out of something" and "get a charge out of something." All three words -kick, bang, charge—suggest something that will really shake you up." |
| 213 |
Get Away With Murder It's a darling cocker spaniel, but they let it get away with murder. to do something bad, wrong, or illegal and not get caught or punished This American expression from the late 20th century is really an exaggeration. It can refer to any offense, major or minor, that you're not punished for, such as chewing gum in class, cheating on a test, or stealing. But, figuratively speaking, if you can get away without being punished for murder, you can probably get away with less serious crimes |
| 214 |
Get Down to Brass Tacks Let's get down to brass tacks. How much does this computer cost? to go straight to the basic facts of the matter; begin the most important work or business; to get started with the essentials "Although this idiom has been widely used since the early 1900s, word experts are not sure what "brass tacks" stand for. The phrase might refer to copper bolts on a boat that have been scrubbed clean, or to brass-topped tacks used in the upholstery trade. If you get down to business by discussing the most basic, essential, and practical realities, then you're "getting down to brass tacks |
| 215 |
Get in on the Ground Floor Miss Cohen got in on the ground floor with a new women's clothing company. to be part of some big or important project or business at its start This saying probably originated in the financial world of the late 1800s. It's an advantage to get in at the beginning of an enterprise. As the company succeeds and prospers, so will you. After all, you were there at the start and helped it grow. The ground floor is where you enter a big building. After that, there's no place to go but up |
| 216 |
Get into the Swing of Things Anna didn't join in many activities at first, but now she's gotten into the swing of things. to become accustomed to routine activities "In the 1500s the phrase, "in full swing," meant to be very active in something. "Swing" could have come from the motion of a children's swing or a clock pendulum. In the 1800s a new expression developed that was based on the old one: "get into the swing of things." That meant getting involved with whatever was going on, especially socially." |
| 217 |
Get off the Hook I don't want to baby-sit tonight, so I hope my sister will get me off the hook. to free yourself or someone from a distasteful obligation; to get out of trouble; to evade a punishment "This expression comes from fishing. If a fish is caught on a hook, it desperately wants to be off the hook. In the same way, if people are in trouble, have unwanted obligations, or are about to be punished, they want to "get off the hook" by ridding themselves of all these burdens." |
| 218 |
Get Out of My Face You'd better get out of my face right now or you'll be sorry! stop standing in front of me in a provocative manner, close to my face, arguing with me, or disapproving of my actions This recent, vivid African-American expression means exactly what it says. Stop facing me in a way that causes trouble between us. Get away! Leave me alone! It is usually said in anger and with the understanding that if the other person doesn't stop talking and move away fast, he or she will suffer consequences |
| 219 |
Get Real Mrs. Gonzales isn't going to believe that weird excuse you gave her. Get real. face reality; think and act in a serious fashion; stop fantasizing In just two words, this strong, modern African-American expression is an order to give up illusions and white lies. Stop pretending and confront the real world |
| 220 |
Get Something off Your Chest Something is bothering me, and I want to get it off my chest. Please don't smoke here. to make known something that is bothersome, angering, or irritating, but kept secret for a time "Your heart is in your chest, and the heart "feels" emotions such as love and fear. So if some worry, criticism, or secret has been troubling you and you finally tell someone, you're getting it "off your chest" (out of your heart) at last." |
| 221 |
Get the Lead Out of Your Feet C'mon, you guys. Get moving. Get the lead out of your feet! to get busy; to move or work more quickly "This expression, which was used a lot in the American armed forces during the Second World War, suggested that if you were moving sluggishly or working slowly, it was as if you had lead, a heavy metal, in your feet. If you got it out, you could speed up your actions. Another version of this idiom is "Get the lead out of your pants |
| 222 |
Get the Sack I had a great job at Heavenly Hamburgers, but the boss gave me the sack. to be fired "There are many expressions that mean to be dismissed from work, including "get the ax," "get a pink slip," and "get your walking papers." "Get the sack" might go back as far as the 1500s. In those days workmen who traveled around from job to job carried all their tools in a sack. If a man was fired, he was told to get his sack, pack up his tools, and move on." |
| 223 |
Get to the Bottom of Something The principal vowed to get to the bottom of the graffiti on the walls. to find out the real cause of something; to uncover the hidden reason for something Writers were using this expression in the late 1500s. The bottom is usually the base or root. If you search and investigate enough, you'll get to the bottom of something. Then you'll know how it got started |
| 224 |
Get Under Your Skin It really gets under my skin when my parents clean up my room. to bother or upset someone "If something irritating like a bug gets under your skin, it can cause a bad rash and itching. In the same way, if a person does something that irritates or upsets you, he's "getting under your skin." The famous American songwriter Cole Porter put a different twist on this expression when he wrote "I've Got You Under My Skin" in 1936. He changed the expression to suggest romantic addiction instead of annoying irritation." |
| 225 |
Get-Up-and-Go Since Grandmother joined that health club, she's had a lot more get-up-and-go. energy and motivation; pep; enthusiasm; ambition "This early 20th-century American expression means just what it says: get up and go rather than sit still and do nothing. It probably started as a verb phrase ("I wish she would get up and go") and eventually turned into a noun ("She needs more get-up-and-go")." |
| 226 |
Get Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed Watch out! Mother got up on the wrong side of the bed. to awake with a bad temper or mood, feeling cross or grouchy "In the time of the ancient Romans the left side of anything was considered evil or menacing. In fact, the word "sinister" comes from the Latin word for "left." The ancient Romans thought bad luck would come to anyone who put his or her left foot down first when getting out of bed. The expression began as "got up left foot forward." The superstition that left was bad continued for centuries and gave birth to today's expression "get up on the wrong side of the bed |
| 227 |
Get Your Feet Wet Grace had never been in a play, but she took a small part just to get her feet wet. to have a first experience in something; to begin to do something for the first time "This expression has been used for centuries, as far back as the 1500s. Imagine a swimmer who is afraid of diving into the water. He tiptoes in slowly, just getting his feet wet so he can get used to the water. Then he can plunge in when he's ready. In the same way, we "get our feet wet" when we venture into new territory by having our first experience with something." |
| 228 |
Get Your Goat It really got my uncle's goat when he cooked for three hours and no one ate the meal. to annoy very badly; to make a person angry "This American expression dates from about 1900. It was a common practice to put a goat in the stall of a nervous racehorse to be its friend and keep it calm. If people wanted the horse to lose a race, they would sneak the goat out of the stall to upset the horse. There are several expressions that also mean to disturb or annoy someone: "get your dander up," "get your back up," and "get your hackles up |
| 229 |
Gift of Gab Uncle Frank really had the gift of gab. skill in talking, especially in an interesting and colorful way "As early as the late 1600s and early 1700s, British writers and speakers were using this phrase. There are a few theories about its origin. Middle Dutch was a language used from the middle of the 12th century through the 15th, and the word for foolish chatter was "gabbelen." In the Gaelic language (spoken by some people in Scotland and Ireland) the word for mouth is "gob," and over the years it may have changed to "gab," the English word that today means to talk a lot about small matters. So today, somehow, between "gabbelen" and "gob," we get the "gift of gab |
| 230 |
Gild the Lily She really doesn't need all that makeup. That's like gilding the lily. to spoil something that is already beautiful by adding something extra or not needed "William Shakespeare used a similar expression in his play King John: "to gild refined gold, to paint the lily...is wasteful and ridiculous excess." Over the years the saying got shortened to just "gild the lily." "Gild" means to cover with a thin layer of gold. Why did Shakespeare use "lily"? Because it is already a beautiful flower, and covering it with gold to make it more beautiful would be unnecessary." |
| 231 |
Give Me Five My little cousin always yells, 'Give me five!' to slap a person's hand as a hearty greeting or a sign of solid agreement "Five in this 20th-century African-American expression refers to fingers on your hand. Giving someone your five fingers (and your palm, too) is a common gesture when meeting. (A similar saying is "give me some skin.") This way of saying hello, showing harmony, or celebrating victory comes from a style of communication used in West Africa." |
| 232 |
Give Someone the Shirt off Your Back Mr. Perez would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. to be extremely generous "First used in the 1770s, this idiom is almost self-explanatory. If you saw a needy person in the street who was cold because he had no shirt, and you actually took your own shirt off and gave it to him, it would be an act of great kindness. Today, if you perform any act of self-sacrifice, we say it's like "giving the shirt off your back to someone |
| 233 |
Give Up the Ghost On the way to the theater, Ernesto's old car just gave up the ghost. to die; to stop running "This saying started in the Bible (Job 14:10). "Ghost" in this idiom doesn't mean a dead person. It means the soul, which is thought to leave the body when a person dies. So if somebody "gives up the ghost," he or she stops living; if something "gives up the ghost," it stops working." |
| 234 |
Give Your Eyeteeth for Something I'd give my eyeteeth to own a motorcycle like that. to want something very badly; to be willing to give up something valuable to get something else "Some people think eyeteeth got their name in the 1500s because the nerves of these teeth are close to the eyes. Eyeteeth are important because they're used for biting and chewing. If you want something so much that you are willing to sacrifice your eyeteeth for it, that thing must be extremely important to you. A similar expression is "to give your right arm" for something." |
| 235 |
Go Against the Grain It really goes against the grain when Nikolai says that a woman wouldn't make a good class president. to oppose natural tendencies; to oppose a person's wishes or feelings; to cause anger "This is another phrase that William Shakespeare popularized in one of his plays. The grain of a piece of wood is the direction of growth of the tree from which the wood came. If you were to saw that wood "against the grain" (across, rather than in the direction of, the wood fibers), it would be hard work. In the same way, anything that someone does or says that goes against the grain would definitely annoy or trouble you. To use another popular expression, it would "rub you the wrong way" (see page 165)." |
| 236 |
Go Along for the Ride Harriet swore that she didn't trash any lawns. She just went along for the ride. to watch but not take part in an activity; to keep someone company "This idiom was born in the late 1890s, at the beginning of the automobile age. Originally, it meant exactly what it said. If you had nothing better to do, you might go along with people for a ride in their car. The driver was doing something (driving the car) for a purpose (to get somewhere). You weren't doing anything, just sitting there in the car, looking out the window. Today we say that you're "going along for the ride" if you're joining an activity just to have something to do or just to be with other people." |
| 237 |
Go Bananas Come quick! Your brother has gone bananas. to be or go crazy "This saying comes from 20th-century America. Bananas are the food most associated with monkeys. When people think of monkeys ("monkey business," "more fun than a barrelful of monkeys," etc.) they think of silly, uncontrolled behavior. If a person is in a weird mood because he or she feels frustrated or bored with a situation, he or she might "go bananas" and start acting like a monkey." |
| 238 |
Go Fly a Kite When he asked for her help, she told him to go fly a kite. go away; leave; stop bothering me "Imagine you're trying to do homework, and someone is really annoying you. There are a lot of expressions that you could shout at him that are similar to "Go fly a kite!": "Go jump in the lake!" "Go climb a tree!" "Go fry an egg!" You're telling the kid that he is a pest, and you're commanding him to go away and do something else. Flying a kite is an activity that should keep him busy so that you can get your work done." |
| 239 |
Go for Broke Instead of applying to several colleges, he went for broke and applied only to his first choice. to risk everything on one big goal or effort; to try as hard as possible "Since the 17th century "broke" has meant "without money." Two hundred years later, this idiom was created at the gambling tables. When a gambler "went for broke," he risked all his money at once in a wager. If he won, he was rich. If he lost, he was broke. Today, people who "go for broke" try as hard as possible to achieve a single goal." |
| 240 |
Go over Like a Lead Balloon I asked to go to Antarctica for vacation, but my idea went over like a lead balloon. to fail miserably This is a fairly recent expression. The writer who first used it imagined what would happen if you tried to float a balloon filled with lead. It would never get off the ground. In the same way, any project or attempt that fails miserably is like a lead balloon that doesn't go over a blade of grass, let alone a treetop. This expression is often applied to a joke that gets no laughs |
| 241 |
Go over with a Fine-Tooth Comb She went over the lawn with a fine-tooth comb, but she couldn't find her contact lens. to search with great care or attention "A fine-tooth comb has teeth spaced very closely together. It is often used to help find and comb lice, which are very tiny, out of people's hair. Figuratively speaking, if you search an area with a fine-tooth comb, you're examining and inspecting it with great care so you won't miss a thing, no matter how small. A related idiom is "leave no stone unturned" (see page 109)." |
| 242 |
Go to the Dogs He used to be a handsome movie star, but now he's gone to the dogs. to decline in looks or health; to be ruined or destroyed; to ruin oneself "As far back as the 1500s, food that was not thought suitable for human consumption was thrown to the dogs. The expression caught on and expanded to include any person or thing that came to a bad end, was ruined, or looked terrible. For a similar phrase, see "gone to pot" (below)." |
| 243 |
Gone to Pot This was once a beautiful park, but now it's all gone to pot. become ruined; to get worse and worse "This idiom from the 1500s originally referred to old or weak animals that couldn't breed, lay eggs, give milk, or pull wagons. They were more useful on the dinner plate than in the barnyard, so they were slaughtered and cooked in a pot. Now we describe anyone or anything as having "gone to pot" if the person or thing has worn out, is in bad shape, or can't do its job properly. Other similar expressions are "go to wrack and ruin" and "go to the dogs |
| 244 |
Goody-Two-Shoes Tamika is such a goody-two-shoes that everyone hates her. a person who thinks he or she is perfect and tries to be "In the middle 1700s there was a nursery tale called "The History of Little Good Two-Shoes." In it, a little girl who owned only one shoe was given another one. She went all over, showing off her pair of shoes, saying, "Two shoes." Today, a person who thinks he or she is perfect is sarcastically described as a "goody-two-shoes," after the title character of that book. A similar phrase is "goody-goody |
| 245 |
Grasp at Straws I guessed at half the answers on the biology test. I was just grasping at straws. to depend on something useless in a time of trouble; to make a hopeless effort to save yourself; to try something with little hope of succeeding "Ancient people made up this expression. They thought of a drowning person. He clutched frantically at reeds (hollow, strawlike grass) that grew on the banks of the river in a desperate, futile attempt to save himself. By the 1600s "clutching (or grasping) at straws" had become a popular proverb to express the idea of depending on something useless to help when there is trouble or danger." |
| 246 |
Gravy Train The kid was already asleep when he went to baby-sit. What a gravy train. a job that pays well for little work "This bit of American slang originated in the 1920s, when "gravy" was a slang word for easy money often gotten by illegal means. People who worked on railroad trains made up the phrase "gravy train." It referred to a good-paying job that was easy." |
| 247 |
Greek to Me The computer saleswoman explained how to install the CD-ROM, but it was Greek to me. too difficult to understand; unknown "William Shakespeare used this phrase in one of his plays, Julius Caesar. In the play, which takes places in 44 b.c., a Roman who spoke only Latin said that he had heard another man speaking Greek, but he could not understand what he was saying. It was "Greek to him." The expression caught on. Today, if you don't understand something you've heard or read because it is so complicated or technical, then it's "Greek to you |
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Green Thumb My uncle has a green thumb. You should see his roses. having a special talent for making flowers and green plants grow well "If you rubbed green plant leaves or parts between your fingers, you'd probably get chlorophyll, the green pigment of plants, on them. If a person loves gardening and has great ability to make plants grow, it's easy to see why people would say that he or she has a "green thumb |
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Green with Envy When Sun Lee sees my new roller blades, he'll be green with envy. extremely jealous "Colors often take on descriptive meanings. Red sometimes means angry. Blue describes sad and lonely feelings. And since about 1600, thanks to William Shakespeare, green has been associated with jealousy and desire. He referred to jealousy as "the green sickness" in his play Antony and Cleopatra." |
| 250 |
Grit Your Teeth I have to remove this splinter from your finger, so just grit your teeth. to not show one's feelings; to put up with a difficulty; to bear pain courageously "In 18th-century America this expression was becoming popular. The ancient Greeks had used a similar expression that translated as "set your teeth." One of the definitions of the verb "grit" is to clamp your teeth together tightly. When people are faced with a tough or painful job that demands a lot of physical or emotional strength, they may grit their teeth in determination. Related sayings are "bite the bullet" (see page 14) and "face the music" (see page 59)." |
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Gum Up the Works I had set the VCR when my little cousin shot his water pistol at it and gummed up the works. to cause a machine or a system to break down; make something go wrong or throw it into confusion "This expression was first used in the 1800s, when a lot of new machines were being invented. Most machinery had to be oiled well to work properly. Sometimes the oil got so thick and gummy that, instead of helping the machine run smoothly, it actually interfered with—or even stopped—the working of the machine. Today, anyone or anything that "gums up the works" ruins someone's plans or spoils any kind of undertaking." |
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Handle with Kid Gloves When you're speaking to Courtney, handle the subject of summer vacation with kid gloves. to treat gently and carefully "Kid gloves are made from the smooth hide of a young goat and are gentle to the touch. If you handle anything (like a fragile sculpture) or anyone (like your grumpy uncle) "with kid gloves," you're being careful and gentle. The last thing you want to do is break the sculpture or anger your uncle. You're making every attempt to avoid all possible problems." |
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Hand-to-Mouth Existence He lives a hand-to-mouth existence doing odd jobs around town. to spend your salary as fast as it's earned without saving any for the future "Writers were using this saying in the 16th century. Imagine a starving person who is given food. If he could, he'd save some for later, but because he's so hungry, he gobbles it all down. Every morsel goes directly from his hands into his mouth. Today we say that a person lives a "hand-to-mouth" existence (or "from hand to mouth") when he or she lives from day to day, spending every dollar earned without being able to put aside any savings for the future." |
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Handwriting on the Wall When the police questioned him, Phil saw the handwriting on the wall and confessed. a sign that something bad is going to happen; a warning of danger or trouble "This idiom originated in the Old Testament of the Bible. The King of Babylonia had a vision in which he saw a mysterious message written on the palace wall, "Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin." Daniel was sent for to explain the meaning of the strange words. When he arrived, he told the king that it was a warning that his kingdom would be conquered. In time the prophecy came true. Today we say that you can read or see the "handwriting on the wall" when you can see signs that misfortune is coming" |
| 255 |
Hang in There "My brother kept calling, "Hang in there, you can do it!" And I did!" to continue without giving up; to not lose faith or courage This American slang expression probably came from boxing. A fighter who's exhausted but doesn't want to give up might hang on the arms of his opponent or on the ropes around the ring. That way he'll stop getting punched and be able to rest for a few seconds so he can get himself back up and continue the fight. By using this expression, you don't actually have to be hanging on to something physical in order to make it through a tough situation or a difficult project |
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Hang Out Your Shingle After many years of training, she hung out her shingle, 'Nilda Sanchez, Animal Doctor.' to open a private office, especially a doctor's or lawyer's office, by putting up a sign over the door "In 19th-century America, when professional people opened private offices, they hung out signs that were often painted on a shingle, a thin piece of wood used to cover the roof or sides of a building. Today we use the phrase "hang out your shingle" to refer to the whole process of opening u your own office: renting the space, filling it with furniture, hiring help, and hanging up the sign that announces you're in business." |
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Hanging by a Thread You are not quite failing, but you are hanging by a thread. to be in a dangerous or unsafe position; to depend on something very small to save you "There's a myth that tells of a king in the 5th century b.c. who grew tired of being told how wonderful he was by a flatterer named Damocles. The king threw a magnificent banquet for Damocles, who was having a grand time until he looked at the ceiling. He was shocked to see a large sharp sword hanging by a single, thin hair, and pointing straight down at his head! He quickly learned his lesson: Power and happiness are not secure, and usually depend on the will or favor of someone else. Today, when people are in risky situations, we say they're "hanging by a thread |
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Hard Nut to Crack That last algebra problem was a hard nut to crack. a problem that's very difficult to understand or solve; a difficult person Benjamin Franklin used this expression, which had been popular once the early 1700s. In those days people didn't buy nuts that had already been cracked out of their shells. They had to do the cracking by hand, and some nuts were tough to crack. Later, the meaning came to include any kind of complicated jam or even a person who was hard to persuade |
| 259 |
Hat in Hand Hat in hand, I went to the judge pleading for mercy. to behave in a humble and sorry way; to beg or plead for a favor or a pardon "For centuries people have begged for money in public by holding out a container to passersby. Often it was a hat. Taking off your hat in the presence of others is an act of respect. So a person, even one without a hat, who is begging for favors or forgiveness is a person with his or her "hat in hand." A related saying is "pass the hat" (see page 143)." |
| 260 |
Have a Bone to Pick with You My new boss said she had a bone to pick with me and called me into her office. to have an argument or unpleasant matter to settle with someone "This saying goes back to the early 16th century, and is based on the image of people arguing over fine points like dogs picking over bones to get every last bit of meat. Others think it may have originated in the 19th century from the idea that two people can argue the way two dogs can fight over a bone. In either case, if someone has "a bone to pick" with you. it means he or she has a complaint about something you said or did." |
| 261 |
Have a Screw Loose That substitute gym teacher must have had a screw loose. to behave or look in a strange or foolish manner; to be odd and not ordinary During the machine age beginning around 1860, many contraptions were held together by nuts, bolts, and screws. If a screw came loose, the machine would not operate as it was supposed to. It might start to do all sorts of bizarre things. People aren't held together with screws, of course, but if they start acting weirdly, this expression might fit them perfectly |
| 262 |
Have Your Cake and Eat It Too You can either go to a movie or get pizza, but you can't have your cake and eat it too. to spend or use something up but still have it; to have two things when you must choose one "This saying started sometime in the 1540s. Once you've eaten a piece of cake, you don't have it anymore. So you have to make a decision to eat it or save it. In the same way, money that you've spent is money that you no longer have in your pocket. You have to choose what to do with what you have. The original version of this expression is "you can't eat your cake and have it too |
| 263 |
Have Your Heart in Your Mouth My heart was in my mouth when I reached the top of the roller coaster. to be extremely frightened about something "Homer used this expression thousands of years ago in his famous epic poem the Iliad. When you are terrified, your heart starts pounding violently and there's a choking feeling in your throat. Homer referred to that feeling as having "your heart in your mouth." For centuries that's the way many people have described the feeling of extreme terror or dread." |
| 264 |
Head and Shoulders Above Someone When it comes to aerobics, Lou is head and shoulders above everyone else. far superior; much better than When it was first used in the 1800s, this saying referred to height: a very tall person towers over a very short one. But over the years the meaning has been stretched to include any skill one has that is better than someone else's. So a five-foot person may be head and shoulders above a six-foot person in math, tap dancing, and writing stories |
| 265 |
Head Honcho Do what the head honcho tells you if you want to keep your job. the person in charge; the chief, boss, leader "The Japanese word hanchu means "squad leader" (han = squad, chu = chief). During the Korean War (1950-53), American soldiers changed the spelling to honcho, and added "head," probably because he ad honcho made a catchy phrase. Today, a head honcho is the principal of a school, the owner of a business, or anyone in charge." |
| 266 |
Head in the Clouds My report card said that I should pay more attention in class — that my head was usually in the clouds. absent-minded; daydreaming; lost in thought "In the mid-1600s the idea was first written that if you weren't aware of what was going on, if your mind was in a dreamy state, then your head was in the air. Later "air" was changed to "clouds" because air goes all the way down to the ground but clouds are usually high up. When your "head is in the clouds," it means your mind is definitely somewhere else." |
| 267 |
Head over Heels in Love He fell head over heels in love with his piano teacher. completely and helplessly in love "This expression goes back to the ancient Romans and means that being in love with someone makes one's emotions topsy-turvy, upside-down. For nearly 500 years, it was "heels over head." Then, the saying grew to suggest that being in love is like somersaulting." |
| 268 |
Heart's in the Right Place Kevin messes up sometimes, but his heart's in the right place. to be well-meaning and kindhearted; to have good intentions even though mistakes occur Everyone's heart is right in the middle of the chest. Since the heart is often considered the center of one's emotions and feelings, this expression means that even if what you try to do comes out wrong, your intentions are right |
| 269 |
Heavens to Betsy A 100-year-old woman just flew a plane by herself from New York to California. Heavens to Betsy! an expression of astonishment, amazement, and disbelief "This expression is a real mystery. We know what it means, and we think it originated in the United States in the late 1890s. But nobody today is 100 percent certain where it came from. Why "heavens"? Who was "Betsy"? Even the word expert who titled his book of curious sayings Heavens to Betsy! couldn't name the source." |
| 270 |
High Horse I wish that new girl in drama class would get down off her high horse. acting superior and arrogant as if you were better than other people "This saying goes back at least to the early 1700s. In the 14th century, during ceremonial marches and royal exhibitions, well-known people of high rank and superior position in society often rode on large horses that were taller than the average horse. From that custom grew the idea that a person who acts haughty, proud, or snobby is on a "high horse |
| 271 |
Highway Robbery Two hundred dollars for one night in a hotel? That's highway robbery! an extremely high price or charge for something "During the time of William Shakespeare and the early 16th century, it was common for travelers on the open road to be held up and robbed by armed highwaymen. With time, the phrase "highway robbery" came to be associated with charges for goods and services that were so expensive that the buyer felt that he or she was being robbed by the seller." |
| 272 |
Hit Below the Belt Saying I shouldn't be president of the Health Club because I'm a little overweight is really hitting below the belt. to use unfair tactics or be unsportsmanlike In 1865 in England, the Marquis of Queensberry laid down strict rules for boxing. One of the strictest was that you were not permitted to hit anyone below the belt line. Today that rule still holds in boxing, but the saying also means to act unfairly in any kind of contest, relationship, or activity |
| 273 |
Hit the Books I've got a major test tomorrow, so I better hit the books. study school assignments carefully; prepare for classes by reading and doing homework "This idiom says that when you really study hard, you "hit" the books. Why hit? Hit has many meanings. Among them are to come into contact with something forcefully ("The bomb hit its target") and to achieve something you desire ("He hit upon the right formula")." |
| 274 |
Hit the Hay It's been a long day, and now it's time to hit the hay. to go to bed "This slang expression was first used by homeless people who traveled from place to place on foot in the United States in the 1930s. In those days wanderers asked for odd jobs, often begged for money, and were always looking for a place to spend the night. Sometimes they slept on a pile of hay in a field or barn. When their heads "hit the hay," they were probably so tired that they fell asleep quickly. Today, wherever you sleep or whatever you sleep on, when you go to bed, you're hitting the hay." |
| 275 |
Hit the Jackpot Today I hit the jackpot: I got the highest grade on the spelling test. to be very lucky; to achieve amazing success "In 19th-century America, when this phrase was first used, if you "hit the jackpot" in a card game, you won all the money. Today the saying refers to any kind of lucky success in any area of life." |
| 276 |
Hit the Nail Right on the Head When she said that Kirk had the face of a movie star and the brain of a flea, she hit the nail right on the head. to be exactly correct about a description or come to the right conclusion "The ancient Romans had a similar saying in Latin, and the expression first appeared in English in a book printed in 1508. When hammering, if you hit the nail right on the head, and the nail goes straight in, you've done the job. So if you speak the most accurate words or come to the most sensible conclusion, you "hit the nail on the head |
| 277 |
Hit the Road Campers, it's time to hit the road on our fifteen-mile hike. to begin a journey, to leave "One definition of hit is "to make contact with." Unless you can fly, something must be in contact with the road when moving on it— the rubber on the tires, the soles of shoes, the hooves of the horse. So, when you start out on a journey overland, you're "hitting the road |
| 278 |
Hit the Roof When Chad's grandmother saw that he had used her fur coat in his science experiment, she hit the roof. to lose your temper suddenly; to become violently angry "This frequently used expression comes from early 20th-century America. Imagine a person becoming so angry that she explodes and her body actually hits the roof. It creates a dramatic picture of anger. Other similarly explosive expressions are "hit the ceiling," "blow your top," and "blow your stack |
| 279 |
Hit the Spot After that long hike through the desert, a cold soda hit the spot. to fully satisfy and refresh, especially with food or drink "This bit of American slang from the mid-1900s reminds one of "hit the nail right on the head" (see page 92). Imagine that there's a spot inside of you that is the main source of hunger and thirst. Whatever you eat or drink that satisfies your appetite and dry throat "hits the spot." It refreshes your spirits and picks up your strength." |
| 280 |
Hitch Your Wagon to a Star Even though Paul was small, he hitched his wagon to a star and made it to the top of the league. to aim high; to try to reach the highest level; to follow a great ambition "Some word experts think that the famous American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson first used this expression in an essay he wrote in 1870. "Hitch" means attach. "Wagon" stands for any vehicle that takes you places. "Star" symbolizes the highest place to which a person can aspire. So if you're ambitious and set high goals for yourself, you're "hitching your wagon to a star |
| 281 |
Hold the Fort Our teacher was late, so the teacher next door held the fort in our room until he showed up. to temporarily be responsible for watching over a place; to fight off trouble or keep watch "This expression comes from the military. It was widely used in books and early movies about the old West. Often when a fort was being attacked by enemies on the frontier or during the Civil War, the soldiers defending it were told, "Hold the fort. Don't give up. Help is on its way." Today you can "hold the fort" by watching the children in someone's house until a parent returns or by taking care of a store while the owner's away." |
| 282 |
Hold Your Horses Hold your horses. Why are you walking so fast? slow down; wait a minute; be patient "This 19th-century Americanism originated as an instruction to a carriage driver who was letting his team of horses go too fast. By pulling back on the reins, the driver could slow the horses to a stop. This was called "holding the horses." The saying might also have come from harness racing. Rookie drivers often started their horses too soon, and the starter had to yell, "Hold your horses!" Today the phrase refers to slowing down and being patient in whatever you're doing." |
| 283 |
Horse of a Different Color I gave her a bus token, but when she wanted me to pay for the movies, too, that was a horse of a different color. a different matter altogether; something from a different nature from that being noticed "William Shakespeare used a similar phrase in his play Twelfth Night, written in 1601. Some people think this expression may have come from betting on a racehorse of one color and then a horse of another color won. Whatever the origin of this saying, "horse" stands for an idea and "different color" (sometimes "another color") means a new thought. In the famous movie The Wizard of Oz (1939), Dorothy actually rode around in the Emerald City in a buggy pulled by a horse that kept changing colors. She was told that it was the "horse of a different color |
| 284 |
Hot under the Collar Better say good night. My father is starting to get hot under the collar. very angry; upset Though this expression became popular in the 1800s, it has been observed for centuries that when people become angry, their faces and necks tend to turn red. And under their collars, their necks are getting hot. You'd better watch out! They might blow their stacks |
| 285 |
If the Shoe Fits, Wear It Some students never clean up after art class. I'm not mentioning names, but if the shoe fits, wear it. If a remark applies to you, you should admit that it is true. "This proverb comes from an older expression popular in the 1700s, "If the cap fits, put it on." The "cap" referred to was a dunce cap. As the years went by, the "cap" in the saying changed to "slipper," perhaps because of the popularity of the story of Cinderella. A playwright in the early 1900s wrote, "If the slipper fits, wear it." Later "slipper" changed to "shoe." The idea is clear: Accept a comment that refers to you as you would wear a shoe that fits your foot." |
| 286 |
Ignorance Is Bliss The bad news can wait until tomorrow. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. it is better not to know bad news sometimes, especially if you're happy "Many writers over the centuries have expressed this idea. The Greek playwright Sophocles wrote it around 400 b.c. Nineteen hundred years later Erasmus, a Dutch scholar, quoted it. Then Thomas Gray, the British poet of the 1700s, used it in one of his poems. He wrote: "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." It has been a popular saying ever since." |
| 287 |
In a Nutshell In a nutshell, tell me what the show was about. in very few words; briefly; clearly and to the point A nutshell, even a big nutshell, is a small space. Not many words can fit into a nutshell, even if you write them in your smallest handwriting or type them |
| 288 |
In Hot Water Raul got in hot water with the coach when he missed three practices in a row. in serious trouble or in an embarrassing situation with someone of authority This popular expression was being used as early as the 1500s. It may refer to the fact that if you're cooking and you accidentally spill scalding water on yourself, you'll be in trouble. Or it could refer to the ancient custom of pouring a pot of boiling water on intruders as a way of chasing them off. In any case, hot water is definitely something you want to stay out of unless it's a bubble bath! |
| 289 |
In the Bag The quarterback thinks that the state championship is in the bag. certain of success; fixed "In the 1600s hunters used to stuff the small birds and animals they had shot into their game bags. A successful hunter had his catch "in the bag." Also, in cockfighting, the game birds were transported to the battle scene in bags. An owner, confident of his bird, would say that victory was "in the bag." By the first half of the 20th century this expression had come to mean a "sure win |
| 290 |
In the Doghouse My mother forgot it was my father's birthday, so she's in the doghouse. in disgrace or dislike; facing punishment This might have come from the old custom of banishing a bad dog outside to its doghouse. Or it could have originated with the story of Peter Pan, in which Mr. Darling treats the beloved pet dog badly and his children fly off with Peter Pan. Mr. Darling feels so guilty that he lives in the doghouse until his children return home |
| 291 |
In the Driver's Seat Now that Mr. Bender is retired from the company, his son is in the driver's seat. in control; in the position of authority "The person sitting in the driver's seat of a car is in charge of the driving. This American idiom from the 20th century, when cars became popular, can be extended from automobiles to any area of life. Whoever is in the driver's seat—the principal, the owner of the company, the President of the United States, and so on—is the person who "calls the shots" (see page 26). A related expression is "backseat driver" (see page 6)." |
| 292 |
In the Limelight Mario loves to be in the limelight. Wait until he sees his picture on the front page. at the center of attention "All theaters today have powerful electric spotlights that throw bright beams of light on featured performers. In many theaters, beginning in the 1840s, the beam was created by heating lime, a form of calcium oxide, until it produced brilliant white light. A strong lens directed it onto the dancer, juggler, actor, or singer on stage. Anyone "in the limelight" was the center of the audience's attention. Today, we say that a person who gets a lot of attention, especially from the media, is "in the limelight |
| 293 |
In the Pink I was pleased to see that old Zack's in the pink. in excellent health physically and emotionally "Centuries ago "pink" was the name for a popular garden flower. The meaning of the word changed over the years to mean a thing or person at its best. Then William Shakespeare used "pink" in one of his plays (around 1600) to mean perfection. And by the early 1900s, "pink" referred to health, probably because a rosy or pink complexion is a sign of good health." |
| 294 |
In the Same Boat Look, we're all in the same boat, and we've got to work together. in the same bad situation; sharing the same problem or difficulty Ever since this saying was first used by ancient Greeks, people have known that all passengers in the same boat, from a sailboat to an ocean liner, share the same possible risks. Over the centuries, the meaning of the expression came to include all people in similar, unpleasant circumstances on land, on sea, or in the air |
| 295 |
It Takes Two to Tango It takes two to tango. Who was your accomplice? two people are required to accomplish this deed "In the United States in the 1920s, the Latin American dance called the tango became popular, and so did this expression. Just as it takes two dancers to do the tango, there are certain activities that need the cooperation of two people in order to work. For many books, one person writes the words and another draws the pictures. There are a lot of other activities in which it "takes two to tango |
| 296 |
Jack-of-all-Trades Our handyman is a jack-of-all-trades. He can fix anything. a person who can do many different kinds of work well "A worker who is capable of doing many craft-type tasks well (painting, electrical work, plumbing, and so on) has been called a "jack-of-all-trades" since the 1600s. "Jack" is an informal word for "trade laborer." A longer version of this expression is "A jack of all trades and master of none," which means someone who knows how to do a lot of things pretty well but who is not an expert at any of them. The longer version started being used in the latter half of the 19th century." |
| 297 |
Jet Set My Aunt Ida, on her farm in Iowa, loves to read about the jet set. the wealthy, fashionable, and famous people who travel frequently "Jet refers to jet planes. "Set" is a group of people. After the introduction of travel by swift jet planes in the late 1950s, the term "jet set" caught on to describe rich and fashionable people who rarely stayed in one place for any length of time. They were always flying off to a party in Hollywood, or to a luxurious home in Spain. Today, to be a member of the jet set, you just have to be a member of high society. The fact that "jet" and "set" rhyme helped make this a widely used phrase." |
| 298 |
Jump down Your Throat All I said was, 'Could you not give us homework tonight, Mr. Brill,' and he jumped down my throat. to talk or scream at someone in a sudden, angry way "This saying has been popular since the early 1800s. If someone jumps at you, they suddenly and quickly spring off the ground. Your larynx and vocal chords, which produce speech, are located in your throat. So if you say something that angers someone, then he or she would be "jumping down your throat" by suddenly scolding you." |
| 299 |
Jump Off the Deep End Ed and Esther just met, but they're getting married. They're jumping off the deep end. to act emotionally without carefully thinking about the end result; to become deeply involved before you're ready to "People should not jump into the deep end of a swimming pool if they are not 100 percent sure that they can swim. It's better to start in the shallow end and swim to the deeper side. (See "get your feet wet, page 76.) But if people follow their emotions without much thought, they could be in deep water and in over their heads. Since the early 1900s "jump off the deep end" has also meant going into a rage or having a mental breakdown." |
| 300 |
Jump on the Bandwagon Last year nobody liked my idea of a school carnival. Now everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon. to become part of the newest activity because many other people are "Many years ago candidates for political office in the United States often rode through town in horse-drawn wagons on which a band was playing music to attract a crowd. If the candidate was popular, people would jump up onto his bandwagon to show their support. Today we say that people who are getting involved in any activity that looks like it's going to succeed are "jumping on the bandwagon |
| 301 |
Jump the Gun I couldn't wait to give my mother her Mother's Day gift, so I jumped the gun and gave it to her a week early. to do or say something before you should; to act prematurely or hastily "In the early 1900s this expression was "to beat the pistol." It referred to someone starting a race before the starter's pistol was fired Later the saying changed to "jump the gun," perhaps because of the repetition of the "u" sound in the middle of "jump" and "gun |
| 302 |
Keep a Stiff Upper Lip Even when the boss yelled at Nyasha for dropping the soup in the lady's lap, she kept a stiff upper lip. to be brave and not show emotion in a time of trouble "This American expression was first used in the early 1800s. When a person is frightened or angry or ready to burst into tears, his or her lips often tremble. So if you're told to "keep a stiff upper lip," someone wants you to hide your feelings. You may wonder why the idiom refers only to the upper lip and not to both lips. It might have to do with the fact that in the 1800s, when many men grew mustaches, a trembling upper lip was more noticeable. A similar expression is "keep your chin up |
| 303 |
Keep a Straight Face When you see Ms. Navarro's new haircut, try to keep a straight face. to keep from laughing "This is a recent idiom. When you laugh, your face wrinkles, your mouth opens wide, your eyebrows rise, and your facial muscles twist and turn. Your face is anything but "straight |
| 304 |
Keep Body and Soul Together He got a job that paid so little, he was barely able to keep body and soul together. to keep alive; to have just enough to survive "In the early 18th century, people were beginning to use this expression. Those who lose their money and possessions often also lose their self-respect. But if they earn just enough money to clothe, house, and feed themselves, though they may not have a fancy house or expensive things, at least they will always have their body and soul. A related idiom is "keep the wolf from the door" (see page 103)." |
| 305 |
Keep Something under Your Hat I'll tell you who won the election, but you've got to keep the results under your hat. to keep something secret This expression comes from the late 1800s, when many more men and women wore hats than they do today. Your head is under your hat. So if someone tells you to keep a bit of news under your hat, he or she is telling you to keep it in your head and not reveal it to anyone else |
| 306 |
Keep the Wolf from the Door He got two extra jobs just to keep the wolf from the door. to keep from suffering poverty or starvation "Wolves have always been extremely hungry, hunting animals. People are rightfully afraid of the big, bad wolf. Poverty and starvation are as scary as a wolf. Since the 16th century, people have been saying that if you have just enough to get by, you're "keeping the wolf from the door." A related idiom is "keep body and soul together |
| 307 |
Keep Up with the Joneses The man next door got a new car, so my cousin got one too. He has to keep up with the Joneses. to try to keep up with what your neighbors have socially and financially; to work hard to have possessions as good as your neighbors "In 1913 a popular comic strip called "Keeping Up with the Joneses" appeared in many American newspapers, starting with the New York Globe. The cartoon was about the experiences of a newly married young man, and the cartoonist based it on his own life. He chose the name Jones because it was a popular name in America. The name of the comic strip became a popular expression that meant to try hard to follow the latest fashion and live in the style of those around you." |
| 308 |
Keep Your Ear to the Ground Years ago my uncle kept his ear to the ground and invested in cable TV, and today he's a millionaire. to pay attention and be well-informed In the late 1800s, when this expression first came into use, European Americans and Native Americans often fought. To tell if the enemy was riding toward them on horseback, people would actually put an ear right to the ground. They could often hear the sound of the hooves of approaching horses. Today this expression means to watch and listen closely to signs that might show the way things will go in the future |
| 309 |
Keep Your Fingers Crossed We need a home run to win. Keep your fingers crossed. to wish for good luck and success for someone or something "This old American expression may come from the superstition that the cross works to keep away evil and bad luck. It may also come from children's games in which the players crossed their fingers to keep safe. Today, some people believe that if they cross their fingers when they tell a lie, the lie doesn't "count |
| 310 |
Keep Your Head above Water Business is bad this season, and Dad is barely keeping his head above water. to earn enough to stay out of debt and avoid financial ruin; to do just enough to keep up with all of one's responsibilities "In several idioms, water represents possible trouble. Think of "jump off the deep end" (see page 101), "between the devil and the deep blue sea" (see page 12), and "pour oil on troubled waters" (see page 149). The idiom "keep your head above water" hints at the risk of drowning. "Water," in this case, represents going bankrupt or being ruined financially." |
| 311 |
Keep Your Nose to the Grindstone My grandfather told me that if I wanted to succeed I had better keep my nose to the grindstone. to force oneself to work hard all the time; to always keep busy "Erasmus, a Dutch scholar, used a similar saying in the 1500s. A grindstone is a revolving stone disk used for polishing or sharpening tools or grinding grain. To see what you're doing while you work a grindstone you have to bend over it with your face close to the stone. The image of a person with his or her "nose to the grindstone" has come to mean working nonstop over a long period of time, often at a long and tiring job. The nose is used in many idioms: "by a nose," "keep your nose clean," "no skin off one's nose" (see page 126), "nose around in something," "nose out of joint," "on the nose," "pay through the nose (see page 144) |
| 312 |
Keep Your Shirt on The referee saw the two players shouting at each other and told them to keep their shirts on. to remain cool; to not become angry; to be patient In the mid-1800s, when this saying first came into use, a man who was going to get into a fistfight with someone often took his shirt off. It wasn't easy to fight in a stiff, starched shirt, and if you took it off, it wouldn't get wrinkled, dirty, or bloody |
| 313 |
Kick the Bucket During the summer my Mom's 1970 Thunderbird kicked the bucket. to die This expression was used in England as early as the 16th century. It came from the practice of hanging a criminal by having him stand on a bucket, putting a noose around his neck, and then kicking the bucket out from under him. Prisoners who committed suicide by hanging themselves in their cells sometimes kicked a bucket out from under their own legs. Today this slang expression can be applied to any manner of death |
| 314 |
Kick Up Your Heels On graduation night, Alex is going to kick up his heels until dawn. to celebrate and have a wonderful time This way of describing a happy person having great fun dates from the late 19th or early 20th century. The person who made it up was probably thinking of a lively horse prancing on its hind legs, or of a dancer lifting his or her legs as if jumping for joy |
| 315 |
Kill the Goose that Lays the Golden Eggs Don't be obnoxious to Aunt Ruthie when she gives you money. You'll kill the goose that lays the golden egg. to spoil or destroy something good out of stupidity, greed, or impatience "There's a fable by Aesop about a farmer who owns a goose that lays one golden egg at a time. The greedy farmer becomes impatient and kills the goose so he can get all the eggs that are in the goose at once. Of course, a dead goose can't lay anymore eggs, as the foolish farmer soon finds out. In 15th-century England, the plot of this well-known story helped create the famous phrase, "kill the goose that laid the golden eggs |
| 316 |
Kill Two Birds with One Stone At the library, Niko can kill two birds with one stone. He does his school work and sees his friends. to do two things by one action; to get two results with just one effort "There was a similar expression in Latin about 2,000 years ago, and "kill two birds with one stone" became popular in English many centuries later. It comes from hunting birds by throwing stones at them or shooting stones at them with a slingshot. If you actually killed two birds with just one stone, a practically impossible feat, you'd be carrying out two tasks with just a single effort." |
| 317 |
Knee-High to a Grasshopper Mr. Fernandez always reminds me that he knew me when I was just knee-high to a grasshopper. very young and, therefore, very short "This American expression was first recorded in 1814 as "knee-high to a toad." Some people said knee-high to a toad, mosquito, bumblebee, or duck. Some even said "splinter," which definitely doesn't have knees but is small. "Grasshopper" caught on about 1850 because they definitely have knees, and the saying stuck. To come up to the knee of a grasshopper, one would be less than an inch tall!" |
| 318 |
Knock on Wood So far, the new teacher doesn't give too much homework. Knock on wood. an expression said when knocking on wood in order to keep from having bad luck "In England people say "touch wood" when they want to head off bad luck. Although "knock on wood" is a popular expression, nobody today is certain of where it came from. Experts think it may have originated from the time of the ancient Druids, an order of Celtic priests in Ireland and Britain. Whatever the origin, you'll often see people knocking on wood to keep away bad luck or help prevent a change of fortune from good to bad." |
| 319 |
Labor of Love He didn't get paid for painting the nursing home. It was a labor of love. work done not for money but for love or a sense of accomplishment "In the New Testament of the Bible there is a phrase about work done for pleasure without profit, "your work of faith and labor of love." The English expression "labor of love" became popular around the 17th century, when many people worked at something because they loved doing it and not for money. Also, "labor" and "love" both begin with the letter "l," and that alliteration helped make the expression easy to remember." |
| 320 |
Laugh Out of the other Side of Your Mouth Once the news gets out that Sid bought votes to win the election, he'll be laughing out of the other side of his mouth. to be made to feel sorrow, annoyance, or disappointment after you felt happy; to cry at a change in luck after experiencing some happiness "This saying was being used in England in the 17th century. This expression might not seem to make much sense. When a person laughs, he or she does it from both sides of the mouth. You wouldn't laugh at all if you didn't feel happy. The key words in the phrase are "other side." The other side of happiness is sadness, and the idiom suggests that by laughing on the other or wrong side of your mouth, or face, your fortune has gone bad and your moment of happiness is over." |
| 321 |
Lay an Egg Who told Sam she could sing? She really laid an egg at the talent show. to give an embarrassing performance "This idiom comes from Britain, where cricket has been a popular game for centuries. If a team failed to score a single point, people said it had laid a duck's egg, an object that has the same shape as the 0 on the score-board. In the United States, toward the end of the 1800s, the saying "laid an egg" was applied to performers in vaudeville shows who bombed in front of the audience. In baseball slang, the expression for "zero" is "goose egg," and to get no score is to "lay a goose egg." Today you can "lay an egg" if you do anything that fails totally because nobody likes it." |
| 322 |
Lay Your Cards on the Table The mayor laid the cards on the table about his secret campaign funds. to reveal all the facts openly and honestly; to reveal one's purpose and plans This is another idiom that comes from playing cards. There are many games in which players have to put their cards on the table face up to show what cards they have been holding. When that happens, there are no secrets, the truth is out |
| 323 |
Lead You by the Nose My grandfather thinks he's boss, but everyone knows that Grandma really leads him by the nose. to dominate or control someone Animals, like cattle in the field or trained bears in a circus, are often led about by a rope attached to a ring in their noses. Phrases about being led by your nose first appeared in the Bible (Isaiah 37:29) and later in English about a.d. 170. By the 1500s the saying was carried over to people who were controlled by other people |
| 324 |
Leave No Stone Unturned She vowed that she would leave no stone unturned in finding out who let the air out of her tires. to make all possible efforts to carry out a task or search for someone or something "Euripides, a great playwright of ancient Greece, once told the legend of a Persian general who left a treasure in his tent and then lost a major battle. Someone went looking for the treasure but couldn't find it, so he went to the Oracle of Delphi for advice. The oracle said, Movere omnem lapidum which meant "Move every stone" in Latin." |
| 325 |
Leave Someone Holding the Bag When the teacher demanded to know who wrote the joke on the blackboard, Diego was left holding the bag. to force someone to take the blame when it should be shared This expression was known by many Americans in the 1780s. It might have come from a mean trick boys played on a new boy in town. They'd take him to the woods at night, give him a lantern and a bag, and tell him to wait for a bird that, attracted by the light, would fly into the bag. The rest of the boys would return home, knowing no bird would appear |
| 326 |
Left Out in the Cold Christina told everyone else about the party, hut she left me out in the cold. to not tell someone something; to exclude someone from a place or activity If someone locked the door and left you outside on a cold night, you would feel excluded and ignored. When this expression first became popular, it meant exactly that: literally being left outside in cold weather |
| 327 |
Lend an Ear I know you're very busy, but could you just lend me your ear for a minute? to listen and pay attention to "This saying, of course, doesn't really mean to lend someone your ears as you would lend him or her a pencil. In William Shakespeare's time, around 1600, it was a common way of asking that you listen to the person speaking. Shakespeare used this expression in the play Julius Caesar when he had his character Mark Antony shout to a noisy crowd of Romans at the funeral of the assassinated Julius Caesar, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." The crowd quickly quieted and listened to what Mark Antony had to say. The expression caught on." |
| 328 |
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Don't remind the director that you missed two rehearsals. Better to let sleeping dogs lie. to not make trouble if you don't have to; to not make someone angry by stirring up trouble This well-known proverb was used by many people in the 1200s. English writer Geoffrey Chaucer used it in one of his books in 1374, saying it was not good to wake a sleeping dog. Imagine that you come upon a sleeping dog. Since you don't know what will happen if you wake it up (it may pounce on you and bite you!), it would be much smarter to just let the hound dream on. In the same way, if right now everything is calm, it's better not to stir up anything that could cause trouble or danger. Leave well enough alone! |
| 329 |
Let the Cat Out of the Bag Carol's little brother let the cat out of the bag about her surprise party. to give away a secret "Centuries ago in England you might have bought a costly pig at a farmer's market. But if the merchant was dishonest and put a worthless cat into the bag instead of a piglet, you might not find out until you got home and let the cat out of the bag. Related expressions are "buy a pig in a poke" (see page 24) and "spill the beans" (see page 179) ." |
| 330 |
Let the Chips Fall where They May I will speak out against the new dress code and let the chips fall where they may. to do the right thing, as you see it, whatever the consequences might be This idiom was first used in the 1880s and referred to woodcutters who needed to concentrate on doing a good job instead of on where the small chips of wood fell from their axes |
| 331 |
Let Your Hair Down At my sleep-over party, Nina really let her hair down. to behave freely and naturally; to relax and show your true self This idiom started in the 1800s when many women wore their long hair pinned up in public and only let it down in private, especially just before they went to bed |
| 332 |
Light at the End of the Tunnel After many years of experiments on the phonograph, Edison saw the light at the end of the tunnel with the wax cylinder. a long-searched-for answer, goal, or success Imagine driving through a long, dark tunnel. You wonder when you'll ever get out. Then, far ahead, you see a tiny spot of light that marks the end of the tunnel. You know that if you keep going forward, the light will grow bigger and you will come out into the sunlight again. Now imagine that the tunnel represents a long period of hard work. The light represents the end of that work. It's still up ahead, but it gives you hope to continue your quest |
| 333 |
Like a Bump on a Log Don't just sit there like a bump on a log. Help me move this piano. inactive and not responding "Mark Twain, the author of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, among other great books, used this simile (a comparison often using "like" or "as") in 1863. A bump on a log is an immovable lump of wood. In this idiom it represents a fixed, motionless person." |
| 334 |
Like It or Lump It If you miss one word, you're out of the spelling bee. Like it or lump it. whether you like it or not; certain to happen "This American saying comes from the early 1800s. Where does "lump" come from? Perhaps from a verb in British dialect, "to lump," which means to look gloomy, sulky, and cranky. You can resent what happens, or you can try to like, or at least accept, something because it is certain to happen." |
| 335 |
Like Two Peas in a Pod Kyle and his brother are like two peas in a pod. identical; alike in looks and behavior A pod is a seedcase that holds beans or peas. When it is ripe, the pod splits open to let go of what's inside. Peas lying cozily in a pod seem alike in shape and color |
| 336 |
Little Pitchers Have Big Ears My big sister and her friends never tell secrets around me. They say that little pitchers have big ears. little children, listening to the conversations of older people, often hear and understand a lot more than people give them credit for The creator of this ancient saying imagined that the handles on the sides of a two-handled pitcher looked like human ears. The little pitchers in this idiom stand for small children, and having big ears means they are able to hear and understand things adults think they're too young to know |
| 337 |
Live High off the Hog Since Florence got a new job, she's been living high off the hog. to live in a rich style and own lots of expensive things This African-American expression suggests that eating pork chops and ribs, which come from the upper parts of a hog, are better than eating pig feet, chitlins (intestines), and other things that come from the lower parts |
| 338 |
Lock, Stock, and Barrel He sold everything—lock, stock, and barrel—and moved to California. the whole of something; all the parts of a thing; everything This saying originally referred to just the three main parts of a gun: the lock (the firing mechanism), the stock (the handle), and the barrel (the tube the bullet is fired through). By the early 19th century the expression came to mean all of anything or the whole works. The origin might also be in the old general store, which had a lock on the door to the stock, or goods, and a barrel on which business took place |
| 339 |
Lock the Barn Door after the Horse Is Out If you failed the quiz, why study? That's locking the barn door after the horse is out! to take careful precautions to do the right thing after it is too late This popular proverb can be found in many languages. It was first used in French in the 1100s and later appeared in English. If you put a prize horse into the barn for the night and then forgot to lock the door, it is possible that the next day you'll find the horse is gone or stolen. It would be pretty foolish to lock the barn door then, because the horse is already gone |
| 340 |
Long in the Tooth Grandma's boyfriend looks a little long in the tooth, even for her. old; aged "This 19th-century idiom comes from the barnyard. As a horse gets older, its gums move back and the teeth appear longer. So a horse that is "long in the tooth" is getting old. This expression was passed on to people." |
| 341 |
Look down Your Nose at Someone The eleventh-graders looked down their noses at us. to think of and treat people as if they were lower in quality or ability "From about 1700 "to look down" at someone meant to believe that you were better in quality or rank than another. "Nose" was added about 200 years later. The saying creates a clear image: A person who thinks he or she is above others actually looks down his or her nose at someone in a proud and self-important way." |
| 342 |
Lose Your Shirt Spiro lost his shirt betting against me in the frog-jumping contest. to lose everything, especially money "This 20th-century phrase refers to a huge loss of money or property because of a bad bet or poorly managed money. If you end up losing your shirt, it means you've lost practically everything. But the idiom started out meaning "to be very angry" and ready to fight." |
| 343 |
Low Man on the Totem Pole I may be low man on the totem pole, but someday I plan to be Chief Executive Officer. the lowest-ranking, least important person in a group or organization "Some Native American groups carve symbols, one on top of the other, into tall poles of wood. The symbols, called totems, are often human faces or figures, and the pole is called a totem pole. Although "lowest" often means "least" in phrases like "lowest pay" and "lowest score," the lowest face on a totem pole is not the least important. The person who created this idiom must have thought so by mistake. But few people realize the error when they use this popular saying." |
| 344 |
Lower the Boom When the counselor saw that the campers had put frogs in his bed, he lowered the boom on them. to scold or punish strictly; to make someone follow the rules A boom is a long pole used on ships that stretches upward to lift cargo high in the air. Booms are also used backstage in theaters to move scenery. If someone actually lowered a boom on your head, you might be knocked out! |
| 345 |
Mad as a Hatter Sean is as mad as a hatter, but he's my most interesting friend. completely crazy, strange, eccentric "Lewis Carroll created the character of the Mad Hatter in his classic book Alice in Wonderland. The expression "mad as a hatter" comes from the early 1800s. One possible origin is a snake called an adder. People in England thought that if you were bitten by an adder, its poison would make you insane. Some people pronounced "adder" as "atter," so if you acted crazy, you were as "mad as an atter," which later became "hatter." Another explanation of the expression's origin is that people who worked in felt-hat factories in the 1800s inhaled fumes of mercuric nitrate, and, as a result, developed twitches, jumbled their speech, and grew confused. The condition was sometimes mistaken for madness and may have given birth to the saying "mad as a hatter |
| 346 |
Mad as a Wet Hen When Tess realized that her brother had eaten all the cookies, she was as mad as a wet hen. very upset; extremely angry; ready to fight It doesn't really bother hens much when they get wet. This early 19th century expression probably resulted from a mistake or someone's imagination. It is not a barnyard reality |
| 347 |
Make a Federal Case out of Something I was looking at your test paper to see the date. Don't make a federal case out of it. to exaggerate the seriousness of something small; to make a big deal out of something "The federal courts and Supreme Court of the United States handle the most important issues of the law. So, if you overreact to something said or done, you're "making a federal case out of it," or making it more important than it needs to be." |
| 348 |
Make a Mountain out of a Molehill Your 'broken arm' was only a sprained wrist. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. to turn a small, unimportant issue into a big, important one; to exaggerate the importance of something "A mountain is huge; a molehill is small. The ancient Greeks had a saying, "make an elephant out of a fly," which became a proverb in French and German. By the mid-1500s people in England were saying "make a mountain out of a molehill," probably because "make," "mountain," and "molehill" all begin with "m," and alliteration helps make an expression fun to say and easier to remember." |
| 349 |
Make a Silk Purse out of a Sow's Ear Owen thinks that by polishing his old car, he can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. to create something valuable or beautiful out of something practically worthless or ugly "There are similar expressions in many languages; these sayings also use "good thing-bad thing" combinations (for instance, "good coat out of poor cloth," and "hunting horn out of a pig s tail"). An English version close to this idiom has been around since 1700. A silk purse is an elegant, expensive item made of fine, shiny fibers. A sow is an adult female pig. So if anyone can take a sow's ear and turn it into a silk purse, he or she might be able to take a bad situation and make something good out of it." |
| 350 |
Make Ends Meet On her salary, Jackie can hardly make ends meet. to earn just enough to live within one's income "What does "ends" mean in this expression? Some word experts think that in the 1600s it could have meant the sum total, the end of a column of figures that were added up. Others think that in the mid-1700s it meant the beginning and end of the financial year." |
| 351 |
Make Hay while the Sun Shines If you want a part in the show, you'd better put on your tap shoes and make hay while the sun shines. to make the best of a limited opportunity This proverb dates from the early to mid-1500s. Hay is made from grass that has been cut and dried. Rain will spoil cut grass, so farmers have to time it right and make hay on days when the sun is shining. This expression includes anything that should be done when the time is right, taking full advantage of an opportunity before it passes |
| 352 |
Make Heads or Tails out of Something Dad couldn't make heads or tails out of the instructions for taping shows with his new VCR. to understand how something works; to figure something out "Cicero, a Roman statesman and public speaker of the first century b.c., used a similar expression, "neither head nor feet." The current English saying comes from the 1600s. The head is the front or top of something. The tail is the end or bottom. So if you can make heads or tails out of something, you can understand it from beginning to end, from top to bottom. This expression is usually used in the negative ("They can't make...") because there are a lot of things in this world that are difficult to understand." |
| 353 |
Make No Bones about Something The substitute teacher made no bones about not liking hats worn in class. to speak directly, plainly, honestly, and without hesitation or doubt The origin of this old idiom, first used in print in 1548, is not clear. Some word experts have suggested that it came from the fact that if there are no bones in your soup, you can just swallow it without worrying about choking. That's like speaking plainly without worrying |
| 354 |
Make Waves I don't mean to make waves, but I don't agree with my curfew. to cause trouble; to upset matters; to create a disturbance "This 20th-century American saying refers to keeping waters still. If you want to sail peacefully on in your sailboat or float calmly on a raft, you don't want anybody making waves. That might rock the boat or even flip your raft over. A related idiom is "rock the boat" (see page 162)." |
| 355 |
Make Your Mouth Water Seeing those posters of Hawaii made my mouth water for a vacation on a beach. to look so attractive and desirable that it makes you want to have it very much; to want to eat or drink something that looks or smells delicious This expression was used as early as the mid-1500s, but since time began, people have known that the sight, smell, or even thought of food can make a person's salivary glands start up, causing the mouth to water. Though this saying is often used in connection with food or drink, it can really be used when looking forward to something that you want a lot |
| 356 |
Mess with Someone Don't even think of messing with the new teacher. She's tough. to annoy, argue with, hassle, or otherwise anger and irritate a person "This modern African-American expression is similar in meaning to "bug someone" (see page 20). "To mess" is to butt into other people's business or interfere with other people's lives." |
| 357 |
Mince Words Please don't mince words. Tell me exactly what you think of my painting. to not come right to the point and be honest; to use mild or vague words so as not to offend or hurt someone "William Shakespeare used this expression in some of his plays in the late 1500s, but it might have been in use before that. Originally "mince" meant to soften or lessen the force of certain words in order to be polite. Today, if you mince words or mince matters, you are not being honest and open." |
| 358 |
Mind over Matter Nancy ran in the track meet with a twisted ankle—a perfect example of mind over matter. the power of your mind is stronger than the body "Virgil, a Roman poet who was born in 70 b.c., used this expression in his famous poem, the Aeneid. "Mind" means brain, thoughts, and willpower. "Matter" means a physical object, and it can also mean trouble or difficulty. Notice also that "mind" and "matter" both begin with "m," and alliteration helps make a saying more popular." |
| 359 |
Mind Your P's And Q's Please try to mind your P's and Q's when the princess visits the school. to be extremely exact; be careful not to say or do anything wrong; mind your manners "This term was beginning to be used in the 1600s, and by the late 1700s it was very popular. The letters "p" and "q" can often be confused, so children learning to read and printers selecting type have to be careful with these letters. Another possibility comes from old English pubs where a list of the pints ("p's") and quarts ("q's") a drinker consumed were written on a blackboard to be paid for later. Finally, pieds and queues are dance steps that a French dancing instructor would teach his students to perform with care. There's no proof as to where this catchy saying originated, though." |
| 360 |
Miss the Boat If you're late to the interview, you'll miss the boat for the job. to lose an opportunity; to arrive too late and miss out on something This expression has been used by many people since about 1900, when there were no airplanes and many people traveled to far-off places by boat. If you arrived at the dock after the boat had sailed because you lost track of time, overslept, or were delayed, then you missed out |
| 361 |
Monkey Business No more monkey business! Settle down silliness or fooling around; dishonest or illegal activities; idiotic pranks "This expression has two meanings. One concerns comical behavior like that of a playful monkey. The other refers to sneaky, unlawful actions. So a student could be sent to the principal's office for monkey business, and a politician can be sent to jail for monkey business. This idiom, from 20th-century America, is like many other expressions that relate human behavior to animal behavior ("sly as a fox," "wise as an owl," and so on), and probably comes from an older expression, "monkeyshines," which dates from the 1820s." |
| 362 |
More than Meets the Eye Sherlock Holmes realized immediately that there was more to the murder than met the eye. there are hidden facts that can't be seen or understood right away This British cliché from the 1800s says that often things have deeper levels of meaning and importance than you can see at first. The full truth of a situation has to be thoroughly investigated. You might have to use a microscope or research skills to uncover the real facts of something |
| 363 |
More than One Way to Skin a Cat Scott tried every solution to the puzzle he could think of because he knew there was more than one way to skin a cat. there are several different ways of reaching the same goal "This American idiom has been in use since the mid-1800s, when removing animals' pelts was more common than it is today. Each person who skinned a cat or animal had his or her own particular way of doing it. Over the years the saying took on broader meaning, and now it can refer to the many methods of accomplishing goals. The original British expression was "there are more ways of killing a cat than choking it with cream |
| 364 |
Mum's the Word Don't tell anyone about the surprise for Mr. Glick. Remember, mum's the word. you must keep silent; don't tell anyone the secret "Since at least 1350 "mum" has meant silent. The word itself sounds like a person trying to talk with her lips shut tight. "Mum's the word" has been a popular expression since about 1700." |
| 365 |
Name Is Mud Everyone knows that it was Joseph who started the fight during the game. Now that we're disqualified, his name is mud. the person is in trouble, possibly doomed and worthless "In the 1700s "mud" was a slang word for "fool" or "stupid person" in England. Starting in the early 1800s, the saying "His name is mud" was used in the British Parliament to point out any member of Parliament who had disgraced himself." |
| 366 |
Necessity Is the Mother of Invention He created shoes with stilts so he could reach the ceiling. Necessity is the mother of invention. inventiveness or creativity is stimulated by need or difficulty "A phrase similar to this was used by people in ancient Greece, and today it is a proverb in Italian, French, German, and some other languages. The first use of it in English was in a British play in 1672. It's very popular all over the world, probably because it states a universal truth. If you urgently need something that you don't have, you will discover or invent it by using your imagination and skill. In this expression, "mother" means the creative source that gives birth to the invention." |
| 367 |
Need Something like a Hole in the Head Conchita needed a battery-operated, revolving-head spaghetti fork like she needed a hole in the head. to have no need for something at all "This bit of American slang comes from the 1940s. It is similar to older sayings that used the idea of not needing something that is totally unnecessary such as "I need this like I need a disease ... a cough ... a toad. . . ." and so on. The words "hole in the head" come from a Yiddish expression, loch in kop." |
| 368 |
Needle in a Haystack Looking for your contact lens in this shaggy rug will be like looking for a needle in a haystack. something hard or impossible to find; anything hopeless (in a search) "Since the early 1500s there have been similar expressions to describe things difficult to find: "like finding a needle in a meadow of hay" and "like finding a pin's head in a cartload of hay." In the mid-1800s the expression became "needle in a haystack." Sayings like these are popular in other languages, too. Finding anything in a haystack is hard, but finding a needle in one is nearly impossible." |
| 369 |
Nickel-and-Dime He said he worked for a big corporation, but it was really only a nickel-and-dime company. unimportant, small-time, trivial, petty "In this 20th-century African-American saying, "nickel-and-dime" refers to two of the smallest units of United States money. Anything that's "nickel-and-dime" is the opposite of "big bucks." Note: This expression can also be used as a verb meaning to act in a cheap manner, as in "He never takes her to fancy restaurants. He always nickels and dimes her |
| 370 |
Nitty-Gritty When you write your report, stick to the nitty-gritty. the specific heart of the matter; the practical details; the fundamental core of something "Grit means tiny, rough granules of stone or sand. Imagine you're trying to examine or explain something. Instead of wasting time on unimportant subjects, you concentrate on the grit, the small but basic and necessary points. "Nitty-gritty," a 20th-century African-American phrase, is a rhyming extension of the word "grit." "Grit" was stretched to "gritty" and was rhymed with "nitty" to make a colorful, fun phrase." |
| 371 |
No Dice I asked my father for a raise in my allowance, but he said, 'No dice!' refused; no! absolutely not "This 20th-century American saying must come from gambling games that use dice, but no one is sure about the original meaning. If there are no dice, there's no game, which should explain how this phrase came to mean "no! |
| 372 |
No Skin off Your Nose He doesn't care if I make the football team or not. It's no skin off his nose. of totally no concern to you whatsoever; it doesn't matter to you one way or the other "This American idiom dates to the 1920s. Originally, the expression was "no skin off my back." "Nose" is more suitable because if you stick your nose into somebody's business, you can get it hurt." |
| 373 |
No Spring Chicken Grandma can't run and play ball the way she used to. She's no spring chicken. not young anymore "This saying has been around since the early 1800s, and it almost always applied to women, although there's no reason it couldn't refer to men, too. A spring chicken is a really young chick, like a baby. The expression began as "now past a chicken," and the saying today is a variation of the original." |
| 374 |
Not Your Cup of Tea Please show me another hat. This one's not my cup of tea. not what one likes or prefers; not suitable; not to your taste "In Britain, tea has been an extremely popular drink since the mid-1700s. Even now many English people have a cup of tea every mid-afternoon, and there are many different flavors to choose from. In the late 1800s, people in England started saying that something they liked was their "cup of tea." Later, probably in the 1920s, the expression took on its present meaning." |
| 375 |
Nothing New under the Sun This expensive pasta is really just macaroni. There's nothing new under the sun. everything is just a little different but pretty much the same as an earlier invention "This expression was more fitting when it first appeared in the Bible. Then, amazing scientific discoveries weren't being announced almost every day. Today, you learn about new things in the world ("under the sun") all the time. This saying can also be used when you see something that's supposed to be new but is really a variation of something old. Advertisers try to convince us that their products are different from earlier items. But if you look closely, you may discover that in some cases there's "nothing new under the sun |
| 376 |
Nothing to Sneeze At He won the silver medal, not the gold. That's nothing to sneeze at. not small or unimportant; something to be taken seriously "In the early 1800s people were already using this saying. Perhaps it comes from the idea of turning your nose up at something or someone to express scorn or contempt. Since sneezes come from your nose, something that's "not to be sneezed at" should be treated as important and worthy." |
| 377 |
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained C'mon, try making that dive. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you don't try to do something, you'll never accomplish it "This old proverb states a commonsense truth: If you don't make an effort—even though you may be risking failure—you will never reach your goal. Nothing risked or dared ("ventured"), nothing attained ("gained")." |
| 378 |
Nutty as a Fruitcake I was convinced that Brian's uncle was as nutty as a fruitcake. crazy or extremely strange in behavior or dress "This widely used saying originated in America in the 1920s. "Nutty" was slang for crazy; a "nut" was an eccentric person who seemed abnormal in the way he or she appeared or dressed. Fruitcakes are made with plenty of nuts, so if a person is as "nutty as a fruitcake," he or she is really strange" |
| 379 |
Off the Beaten Track (Path) That restaurant's really off the beaten track but worth the trip. not well-known or used; an unfamiliar location; unusual; different "In the 1600s, when this idiom was first used, there were many dirt roads. As people walked or rode over them, the paths were beaten down by feet, horses' hooves, and wagon wheels. They looked well used. But if something was "off the beaten track" (or "path"), then few people traveled that way. We now use this expression to describe anything unusual, not often used, or not seen by many people." |
| 380 |
Off the Top of Your Head Right off the top of his head he listed all the state capitals in alphabetical order. stating something quickly and without thinking hard about it "In the middle of the 20th century, Americans started using this expression. Thoughts come from your brain, which is in the top of your head. So if you blurt out facts quickly without having to think about them, then you're talking "off the top of your head," as if right out of your brain." |
| 381 |
Off-the-Wall That new talk-show host is definitely off-the-wall. shocking; very unusual In handball, racquetball, and squash, a player hits the ball against the wall. When it comes off the wall, you don't always know where it's headed or what it's going to do. Some word experts think that's how this new expression, which describes unpredictable people or odd behavior, may have been thought up |
| 382 |
Off Your Rocker My boss is off his rocker. He wants me to be at work early the morning after the dance. crazy; silly; foolish; not thinking correctly "People have been using this phrase since the mid-1800s. "Rocker" in this idiom refers to a rocking chair, and there are at least two theories about how being "off your rocker" came to mean "crazy." If you fell off your rocking chair, it was a sign of being mentally unstable. "Rockers" are also the two curved pieces upon which the chair rocks. A rocking chair with a missing rocker moves strangely, like a person whose thinking is mixed-up. Other expressions with similar meanings are "off your nut" and "off your trolley |
| 383 |
Old Hat Let's try a new place for our next vacation. Dooley's Dude Ranch is so old hat. out-of-date; not new; too familiar; uninteresting In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when this phrase became popular, men and women wore hats much more than they do today. Most people wanted to keep up with the latest styles, and an old hat was no longer fashionable |
| 384 |
Old Wives' Tale Wearing garlic around your neck won't scare off evil. That's just an old wives' tale. a superstition; a belief or practice not based on fact "This idiom has a long history. Plato, a famous Greek philosopher who lived around 300 b.c., first used this phrase. In the 1300s it appeared in English. Then Erasmus, a Dutch scholar, put it in his writings in the 1500s. The "old wives" in this idiom refer to people during the olden days who gave advice based on superstitions. Some examples of these "tales" are feed a cold and starve a fever," "don't touch a frog or you'll get warts," and "it's bad luck to walk under a ladder |
| 385 |
On a Shoestring They tried to start a school band on a shoestring. on a strict budget; with or using very little money "No one today is quite sure about the origin of this idiom, although we know it started in America in the late 1800s. A "shoestring" is what we call a shoelace today. Perhaps the writer who first used this expression was comparing a tiny amount of money with a piece of string like a shoelace." |
| 386 |
On Cloud Nine Frances is on cloud nine since being named Junior Scientist of the Year. blissfully happy; joyous "Though this saying comes from the late 19th century, nine has been a mystical number for thousands of years, back to the time of the ancient Greeks. The saying originally was "on cloud seven," probably coming from "seventh heaven," the highest of the heavens in Jewish religious literature. Nine was then substituted, perhaps because it is a sacred Christian number. This is because three is a trinity and represents perfect unity, and nine is a trinity of trinities (3 x 3). Other idioms that express great joy also suggest being up high: "on top of the world" (see page 136), "walking on air" (see page 202), and so on." |
| 387 |
On Pins and Needles I was on pins and needles until I got the phone call that the plane had landed safely. waiting anxiously for something; extremely nervous; in great suspense "This saying was first used in the late 1800s. When you're waiting nervously for something to happen, you sometimes feel as if you can't sit still—like needles or pins are sticking you. A writer once said it was like being "on pins and needles," and the phrase stuck. Other expressions of nervousness are "butterflies in the stomach" (see page 24) and "on tenterhooks" (see page 132)." |
| 388 |
On Someone's Case His girlfriend was on his case because he started smoking again. to nag, find fault with, badger or scold someone constantly about his or her business, situation, circumstances "In this popular African-American idiom, "case" means your business or current situation in life. You often hear or read this expression either as a complaint that someone is on your case about something, or as a demand that someone get off your case about something." |
| 389 |
On Tenterhooks Steven waited on tenterhooks to see if he would win the award. uncertain, anxious, very tense; in painful suspense about how something will turn out "In the mid-1700s, when this saying originated, a tenter was a frame for stretching newly woven cloth. The "tenterhook" was a hook or bent nail that held the cloth to the tenter. At that time a person who was worried sick not knowing the outcome of a situation was said to be "on tenters," meaning that their emotions were stretched out tensely. Later the phrase became "on tenterhooks," which expressed even sharper and more intense feeling." |
| 390 |
On the Ball Mr. Hsu hired me because he thinks I'm really on the ball alert; effective; skillful; knowledgeable "This saying originated with British football—what we call soccer. It could also be said that a person is "on top of things." Also, in the all-American sport of baseball, a pitcher who was able to get something "on the ball" (like great speed) would be more likely to win the game. As ball games, including basketball, became more popular, so did this expression." |
| 391 |
On the Cuff Cosmo couldn't pay his bill, so he asked the owner to put it on the cuff. on credit; to be paid later "This expression probably came from the days when bartenders in old saloons wore stiff cuffs that detached from the end of their shirt sleeves. When customers wanted to pay for their drinks at a later date, the bartender often wrote the charges down on his cuffs. There is another, similar idiom, "off the cuff," that has a totally different meaning: to speak about or do something freely without thinking about it first." |
| 392 |
On the Double The coach told the players to get onto the field on the double. very quickly; immediately; at a fast pace "This is an old army command. When the person in charge wanted the soldiers to march twice as fast as normal, he'd holler, "On the double!" which meant to double the speed. Today, anyone can use this expression when he or she wants someone to hurry up." |
| 393 |
On the Fence Are you for or against the new honor code, or are you still on the fence? neutral; undecided; not choosing one way or the other "This popular expression from the early 1800s makes you think of a person actually sitting on a fence, body right in the middle, not completely on one side or the other, with one leg dangling over each side. In the same way, if a person straddles an issue without committing himself or herself, that's a person "on the fence |
| 394 |
On the Fritz We can't watch the game at my house because my TV is on the fritz., broken; out of order; not working "Though this expression is a recent one (the early 1900s), nobody today is quite sure how it got started. One word expert gave the following possible explanation. During World War I, a degrading term for a German soldier was "Fritz," a common German name (short for Friedrich). Something not working or ruined could be compared to the defeated Germans." |
| 395 |
On the Horns of a Dilemma Jose liked both girls who asked him to the dance, and he didn't want to hurt either. He was on the horns of a dilemma. having to choose between two undesirable courses of action or unpleasant things. "A bull can be a fierce animal, and nobody wants to be stuck on the sharp points of a bull's horns. But you feel that you're in that position if you are forced to decide between two possibly dangerous choices. A similar saying was used by people in the Middle Ages and by the Dutch scholar Erasmus around the year 1500. In medieval times a "dilemma" was a way of arguing in which one of two statements must be proved to be true." |
| 396 |
On the Hot Seat Mike was caught eating a candy bar at the weight loser's class— now he's really on the hot seat. in a difficult or uncomfortable position and subject to a lot of unpleasant questions and personal attacks "The "hot seat" in this expression refers to the electric chair. But you can be on—or in—the hot seat in a freezing cold room if you've been accused of doing something bad, or you've been caught in an embarrassing situation and people are questioning and criticizing you." |
| 397 |
On the Rocks I need a loan because my dog-walking business is on the rocks. financially ruined or wrecked; near disaster; finished "An unfortunate ship that has run aground and is on the rocks will eventually sink. In the 1800s the phrase "on the rocks" (meaning headed for disaster) was expanded to describe many areas of life, not just ships at sea. Note; There's also a totally different meaning for this saying. A person can order a drink "on the rocks." In this case, "rocks" mean ice cubes." |
| 398 |
On the Ropes Last summer, my ice cream store did a lot of business, but now, in the middle of winter, it's on the ropes. almost failing; on the verge of collapse; nearly ruined This phrase was first used in the 1800s and referred to boxers who were almost knocked out. They hung onto the ropes around the boxing ring so they wouldn't totally collapse. Later the saying was expanded to include any person, business, or situation that was in great difficulty or nearly ruined |
| 399 |
On the Spur of the Moment On the spur of the moment, I rode my bike fifteen miles for a slice of my favorite pecan pie. suddenly; acting without thinking about it first; impulsively "In the early 1800s, when this idiom was first being used, many people rode horses to get where they were going. Riders often wore short, spiked wheels, called spurs, on the heels of their boots. When they wanted to urge a horse to go faster, they pressed the spurs against its body. If an opportunity is like a spur that gets a person to do something impulsively without waiting, you can easily see how "on the spur of the moment" originated. Now, of course, it relates to any sudden decision to act and has nothing to do with horses." |
| 400 |
On the Warpath Mr. Ozawa is on the warpath because his car broke down again. in a very angry mood; infuriated "This phrase is from the mid-1800s and originally referred to Native Americans who were often at war with settlers or other tribes about land rights. The expression meant "going to war." By the end of the 19th century, the meaning had grown to mean being in a rage about anything." |
| 401 |
Once in a Blue Moon The teacher is tough, but once in a blue moon she doesn't give us homework. almost never; very seldom; hardly ever "On some nights when the bright part of the moon is a crescent, some people say the other part has a bluish color to it. This "blue moon" is rare. A similar expression was first used in the early 1500s and has been popular ever since." |
| 402 |
On Top of the World When Grandpa's girlfriend said that she'd marry him, he was on top of the world. feeling extremely happy "Many writers have used this famous expression since the early 1900s with the verb "sitting." "Down" has always suggested downhearted feelings such as sadness and depression (see "down in the dumps," page 48). But being "up" or "on top" has meant emotions such as delight and joy (see "walking on air," page 202, and "on cloud nine," page 131). "The world" represents everything, such as your life, your job, and your family. So, if you're sitting "on top of the world," you're overjoyed because of good health, success, and so on." |
| 403 |
One Good Turn Deserves Another I helped Jill fix her flat tire, and she gave me a ride. One good turn deserves another. one good deed should be paid back with another "This is an adage, a general truth that people have come to accept over many years. It dates as far back as the early 1400s and means that if you receive help from someone, it's only fair and proper that you help that person in return. The meaning of "turn" here is a deed or action. The same idea, but in a negative sense, appears in the idiom "eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" (see page 58)." |
| 404 |
One-Horse Town They got fed up with the noisy, crowded city, so they moved to a one-horse town out West. a place with few comforts and activities; a dull rural town This expression was first used in the 1850s when there were more horses than people in some American towns. If a town had only one horse, it must have been really small, with very little happening. This exaggerated saying became popular even though it is insulting. Now it can describe any business or project that's considered rather minor or dull |
| 405 |
One-Track Mind Paul has a one-track mind. All he ever thinks about is football, football, football. always thinking about only one subject Most railroads have at least two tracks so trains can go in different directions without crashing into one another. However, on a single-track railroad line, train traffic can move in only one direction at a time |
| 406 |
Open a Can of Worms If you mention my report card to my mother, you'll open a can of worms. to cause trouble; to set unpleasant events in motion "A can of worms might be fine to open if you are by the banks of a river on a summer's day getting ready to fish. But you wouldn't want to open it anywhere else; the situation might cause a lot of trouble! In this expression, "worms" are difficult or delicate issues. A related idiom is "let sleeping dogs lie" (see page 111)." |
| 407 |
Other Side of the Coin The new building is wonderful, but on the other side of the coin, it cost $10 million. opposite side or point of view "This metaphor has been around since the beginning of the 20th century and is widely used. Every coin has two sides, but you can see only one side at a time. Like a coin, every issue has more than one side to it. You have to know the "other side of the coin" to get the full story." |
| 408 |
Out in Left Field "Mary's suggestion, a "dress as your favorite vegetable" party, was way out in left field." unusual; crazy; totally wrong "Baseball became a popular sport in the United States in the 20th century, and this expression is based on one of the field positions. Left field is a long way from home plate and is one of the farthest outfield positions to which fewer balls are hit. If home plate is called "home" because it's a safe place where a player starts out from and hopes to come back to, then "left field" means something far from what's considered normal. It's really weird!" |
| 409 |
Out in the Boondocks She lives way out in the boondocks. in remote places; in rural regions; in sparsely populated areas "Tagalogs are native Filipinos who live in or near Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. In the Tagalog language, bundok means "mountain." The United States military forces stationed in the area of the Philippines in the first half of the 20th century extended the meaning of the word from mountain to any place that is far from heavily populated centers. Today, the saying is sometimes shortened to "in the boonies |
| 410 |
Out Like a Light Given a strong anesthetic, the patient was out like a light. fast asleep; suddenly unconscious "In America in the 20th century, when the wonders of electricity spread across the land, people could turn on and shut off lights with just a flick of a switch. By the middle of the century, "out like a light" was a way of saying that a person had fallen asleep very quickly or had been knocked out or drugged into unconsciousness in a matter of seconds." |
| 411 |
Out of Here Just one more shoe of cake and I'm out of here. good-bye; I'm going; I'm leaving This catchy, modern African-American saying means just what it says |
| 412 |
Out of Sight, Out of Mind She thought she'd miss her boyfriend when he went away, but it was out of sight, out of mind. if you don't see something for a long time, you'll eventually stop thinking about it "Homer, an ancient Greek poet, used this proverb in his famous epic the Odyssey in about 850 b.c. A similar saying was popular in English as early as the 1200s. The image is clear: what is missing from your view will soon be missing from your thoughts. The expression "absence makes the heart grow fonder" states the opposite idea." |
| 413 |
Out of the Clear Blue Sky Out of the clear blue sky, he asked her to marry him. suddenly and without any warning: totally unexpectedly "This late 19th-century expression is related to another saying, "a bolt from the blue" (see page 18). A bolt of lightning or sudden shower from a clear, blue sky would be unexpected. Sometimes this idiom is shortened to "out of the blue |
| 414 |
Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire First you were late. Now, you spilled glue all over the teacher's desk. You've jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. from a bad situation into one that is worse This proverb, popular in many languages, was used in English in the early 1500s. A piece of food being fried in a pan is hot enough, but falling out of the frying pan and into the fire is even worse! |
| 415 |
Out of the Mouths of Babes The four-year-old said, 'Aunt Roslyn, your dress is as pretty as a garden.' Out of the mouths of babes, you know. children can unexpectedly say very intelligent things "The full version of this saying is something like "out of the mouths of babes come smart ideas," but you don't have to say the whole thing for people to get the idea. Similar expressions originated in the Bible." |
| 416 |
Out of the Woods The doctor says Bob's condition has improved slightly, but he's not out of the woods yet. safe from trouble or danger "For centuries, at least back to ancient Roman times, people thought of the woods as a dark, mysterious, possibly dangerous place. If you were stuck in the woods, you could be in trouble. But if you got "out of the woods," you were safe. This expression can be used to mean being past any kind of critical phase in a risky situation or getting free of danger or trouble." |
| 417 |
Out on a Limb The mayor went out on a limb when he opposed the new sports center. taking a chance; in a dangerous position from which it is hard to withdraw or change This American saying dates from the late 1800s, when hunting animals in the woods was a more common activity than it is today. It probably referred to a hunted animal that climbed a tree and got itself stranded out on a limb where it could easily be shot. Later the idiom grew to describe any person who takes a risk that might lead to trouble |
| 418 |
Over a Barrel Jack is really over a barrel since he lost the only copy of the book he needed for his report. helpless; in someone's power; at a disadvantage There are a couple of possible explanations for this old idiom. One is that a person rescued from drowning was often laid over a barrel to help empty his or her lungs of water. The other is that a person about to be flogged, or whipped for a crime, was often tied over a barrel to hold him down |
| 419 |
Over the Hill A ninety-two-year-old man finished the marathon and proved he wasn't over the hill yet. past one's prime; unable to function as one used to; too old "Since at least the middle of the 20th century, writers have made comparisons between living your life and climbing a hill or mountain. When you're young and full of energy, you climb up the hill and head for the top. After that, as you come upon middle and old age, your body slows and you go down the hill, no longer able to do all the things you could do before. You're "over (the top of) the hill." But some old-timers would say, "I'd rather be over the hill than under it |
| 420 |
Over Your Head I warned Charles that he was in over his head, hut he wouldn't stop. a risky situation that will lead to certain failure; beyond your ability to understand something "This widely used expression has two meanings. One is that if you invest more money than you can afford in a risky business venture, then you're in "over your head" and probably on the road to financial disaster. In this case, you should try to "keep your head above water" (see page 104). The other meaning is that if a person tells a joke or makes a remark that you don't understand, it goes "over your head" rather than into your brain." |
| 421 |
Par for the Course Mr. Hernandez gave me a 'C.' The way he's been grading lately, that's about par for the course. just what was expected; normal; typical "In the 1920s this expression, which came from golf, was broadened to include other activities in life. In golf, "par" is the number of golf strokes it usually takes for a golf expert to play a course. That's how "par for the course" came to mean a typical or expected result. It usually has a slightly negative tone to it: "It took me three hours to get home in this blizzard, about par for the course." Related expressions are "up to par" (satisfactory) and "below par" (unsatisfactory)." |
| 422 |
Pass the Buck You've got to make the decision yourself. You can't pass the buck on this one. to pass on or make another person accept responsibility or blame for something one does not want to accept for his or her own "In a 19th-century American poker game, "buck" was a piece of buckshot (a shotgun pellet) or a pocketknife with a buckhorn handle. It was passed to you if you were the next dealer. By 1900, "passing the buck" meant shifting responsibility for something to another person. In 1949 President Harry Truman put a sign on his desk that read "The Buck Stops Here." That meant that he was accepting personal responsibility for all decisions that needed to be made and all actions that needed to be taken. He wasn't going to direct his problems to anybody else." |
| 423 |
Pass the Hat I need money for the amusement park. I may just have to pass the hat. to ask for contributions; to beg "At one time, hats were passed around at entertainment events by people asking for money. The custom might have originated with street minstrels who entertained people and then requested payment. And a hat is an excellent container in which to collect money. A related expression is "hat in hand" (see page 87)." |
| 424 |
Pay through the Nose In that restaurant, you'll pay through the nose for a meal. to pay too much for something "Here's an idiom from the 1600s. "Rhino" was once a slang word for money, but originally it was the Greek word for nose. The two words are similar in sound and their meanings might have come together to make this expression. Another possibility comes from Danish authorities charging Irish people a poll tax in the 9th century and cutting off or slitting the noses of those who failed to pay their taxes. There's also a gambling origin tied to "bleeding" a player—duping him to lose all his money. Now, if you "pay through the nose," you'd be paying an extremely expensive price for something. A related body-part saying is "pay an arm and a leg |
| 425 |
Pen Is Mightier than the Sword I'd rather be a writer than a general because the pen is mightier than the sword. writing is more powerful than fighting "This famous saying was first used in the 1600s. It started out as "the pen is worse than the sword." A pen and a sword have certain characteristics in common. Both are thin, pointed, and handheld. But history has shown that writers and statesmen using their pens have often had a greater effect on the course of events than military leaders and conquerors wielding swords. Think of the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, and other important writings that have changed the course of history more than wars have." |
| 426 |
Penny for Your Thoughts You seem so serious. A penny for your thoughts. What are you thinking? Tell me what is on your mind. Early in the 1500s, when people first started using this expression, a penny was worth more than it is today. So if you offered a penny to a person who was either thinking or daydreaming, you'd be offering a lot to know what was going on in his or her mind |
| 427 |
Penny-Wise and Pound-Foolish That was penny-wise and pound-foolish. You saved a dollar in car fare when you walked all the way home, but now you need new sneakers. careful in small matters but careless about important things; saving small amounts of money while wasting large amounts This was a well-known proverb by the early 1600s in England, where a pound is a unit of money. A penny was always worth much less than a pound. So the expression meant you were smart about things that were small and careless about things that were big |
| 428 |
People Who Live in Glass Houses Shouldn't Throw Stones He complained about her driving, but he's already had two accidents People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. you should not criticize others if you are just as bad as they are This saying became popular in the 1300s during the time of the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer, who used it in one of his books. If you lived in a glass house, you'd better hope that no one would throw stones at it! You should not judge other people if you have the same faults as they do |
| 429 |
Pie in the Sky Consuela thinks that if she goes to Washington, she'll meet the President and tell him her ideas. What a pie-in-the-sky idea! something not possible; an unrealistic hope "In 1906 an American union organizer wrote a song called "The Preacher and the Slave" that had the words:<br>Work and pray,<br>Live on the hay.<br>You'll get pie in the sky when you die!<br>(That's a lie.)<br>"Pie" meant decent working conditions and good wages. Union workers wanted those things while they were alive, not after they died. The song was popular, and the phrase "pie in the sky" came to mean promised pleasures that probably won't come true, or rewards that are given after you die." |
| 430 |
Piece of Cake Don't worry. Skateboarding down this hill is a piece of cake. an especially easy and pleasant task "This phrase could have come from an African-American dance contest in the mid-19th century. Contestants made up complex strutting movements, usually with high steps, and the winner won a cake. The dance was called the cakewalk, and the expression "that takes the cake" came from it. A related expression is "easy as pie |
| 431 |
Play Both Ends against the Middle Zack got the other two candidates to call each other names, and he got elected. How's that for playing both ends against the middle. to pit two opponents against each other in such a way as to benefit yourself; to use each of two sides for your own purpose In the 1800s there was a popular card game in America called faro, in which the dealer allowed a double bet by a player. The phrase was later applied to dishonestly using two opposing sides for one's selfish purposes |
| 432 |
Play Cat and Mouse Sherlock Holmes was toying with the suspect, playing cat and mouse with him. to fool or tease someone by pretending to let her or him go free and then catching her or him again "Cats are known for teasing mice by pretending to let them go and then grabbing them again. This game of capture and release might be repeated several times. Someone created the phrase "play cat and mouse" to suggest that human beings sometimes do the same thing: fool someone into thinking they're safe, and then pouncing. It also means to tease by keeping someone uninformed." |
| 433 |
Play Fast and Loose You told Linda you'd help her, but then you didn't show up. You shouldn't play fast and loose with your friends. to do whatever pleases you without caring about what will happen to others; to be undependable and careless; to act irresponsibly "This saying might have come from a 14th-century game in which tricksters cheated people at country fairs by challenging them to perform impossible tricks and then taking their money when they couldn't. The game involved loops in a piece of string or folds in a belt. In the late 1500s William Shakespeare used this phrase in some of his plays. People who "play fast and loose" promise to do one thing and then do another." |
| 434 |
Play Second Fiddle Why should Marianne play second fiddle to him? She's as smart as he is. to be a follower; to be in an inferior position "In an orchestra, there are the roles of first violin (or fiddle) and second fiddle. The person who plays "first violin" is supposed to be the most important musician in an orchestra. So, since at least the middle 1700s, when this saying was first used, "playing second fiddle" has meant to act the smaller part or be in a lower position rather than to be the leader." |
| 435 |
Play the Field I don't plan to date just one man. I'm going to play the field. to have many sweethearts or dates without going steady or committing yourself to one person "During the 19th-century, gamblers who wanted to increase their chances of winning money at a horse race bet on every horse except the favorite. This was called "playing the field" (of horses). Later the phrase was extended to other areas of life, especially dating." |
| 436 |
Play with Fire Threatening the bully in the neighborhood is really playing with fire. to take an unnecessary and dangerous risk; to court danger This expression has been commonly used for hundreds of years, at least since the late 1500s. The metaphor is clear: If you're being irresponsible about something dangerous and inviting disaster, it's like playing with fire. You're taking a big risk |
| 437 |
Point of No Return We can't cancel the show now. We've reserved the theater and sold tickets. We've reached the point of no return. the position or time after which it is impossible to go back, change your mind, or do something different During World War II, pilots knew that they had only enough fuel to fly a certain number of miles. The point when they would reach the crucial mark was called the point of no return. If they continued to fly on, they would not have enough fuel to return to their home base |
| 438 |
Poor as a Church Mouse The Richards used to be wealthy, but after the stock market crash in 1987, they were as poor as church mice. very poor; poverty-stricken "This simile first appeared in English in the 17th century. Originally it was "hungry as a church mouse" because a mouse that was so unlucky as to live in a church would find no food there. Churches in the 1600s had no kitchens to cook meals and no pantries to store food. A smart mouse would take up residence in the cellar of a house, restaurant, or grocery store. As years went by, "hungry" was changed to "poor," and the idiom became popular in many countries." |
| 439 |
Pot Calling the Kettle Black For you to say that I can't throw a ball is like the pot calling the kettle black. You're a terrible pitcher! the person criticizing another person's faults is guilty of same faults himself or herself "The theory about the origin of this idiom goes back to the early 1600s. It suggests that a pot and a kettle both got black from standing too long over an open fire. The pot couldn't fault the kettle for being blackened by smoke because the pot was the same color. In the same way, you can't criticize a person for something if the fault is one of yours, too. A similar idea is contained in the saying "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" (see page 145)." |
| 440 |
Pour Oil on Troubled Waters My brothers were having a terrible fight in the car, but my mother poured oil on troubled waters by saying they were both right. to calm an angry quarrel; to have a soothing effect through tact or skill in dealing with people As early as a.d. 731 this expression referred to the belief that if you poured oil on rough, stormy ocean waves, it would calm them. Now it means to smooth over a stormy or disturbed situation of any kind on land or sea |
| 441 |
Power behind the Throne The president's wife had so much influence on him that people knew she was the real power behind the throne. the actual, but unrecognized, person in charge "This saying was being used in England by the 1770s. "Throne" does not always stand for a royal position. It could mean the office of any leader. If someone else is telling the leader what to do, he or she could be called the "power behind the throne |
| 442 |
Proof of the Pudding Is in the Eating The car looks gorgeous, but the only way to know how it runs is to test drive it. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. success is measured by the final result This old proverb has been enormously popular since at least the 1600s, especially with British writers. The only way to know if a pudding is good and has turned out right is to taste it |
| 443 |
Pull a Fast One My sister pulled a fast one. She asked me to hold the brush. Then she left, and I had to finish painting the room. to deceive; to mastermind a trick or deception This expression originated in the English sport of cricket, and meant to bowl a fast ball. It probably became popular in the United States either in reference to a fast shuffle of cards or to the fastball in baseball, which usually comes when you're not expecting it |
| 444 |
Pull a Rabbit Out of a Hat We were hungry, but he found some cookies in his bag. It was like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. to produce something that is needed as if by magic; to unexpectedly find a solution to a problem "The magician's trick of pulling a live rabbit out of an empty top hat is very old, but this expression is relatively new (from about the 1930s). The meaning has been transferred from the specific (a magic trick) to the general (producing by surprise the answer to a difficulty). Sometimes this idiom is shortened, as in, "We didn't think we had a jack to fix the flat tire, but he just pulled one out of a hat |
| 445 |
Pull No Punches Tell me what you thought of my acting. Don't pull any punches. to hit as hard as possible; to attack with full force; to be perfectly honest; to not hold back This saying came originally from the sport of boxing. If a fighter pulled back on a punch, he held back, didn't hit as hard as he could, and landed a soft blow. By the 1930s this expression was being used about all sorts of activities. If you pulled your punches, you were careful not to hurt anybody. If you pulled no punches, you were completely honest, even if it might hurt someone's feelings |
| 446 |
Pull Out All the Stops Tonight I'm pulling out all the stops: candlelight dinner, violin music, champagne, the works! Then I'll ask her to marry me. to do everything possible to succeed; to do something as enthusiastically as you can This saying comes from the second half of the 19th century and refers to the workings of big organs. Church organs had many pipes that an organist played by pulling out knobs called stops. If you pulled out all the stops, you got the fullest, loudest, most ear-filling sound possible. That idea was carried over to other activities in life where one goes all out to succeed or enjoy an activity |
| 447 |
Pull Strings The movie is sold out, but since your uncle runs the theater, maybe you could pull strings and get us tickets. to exert behind-the-scenes influence; to secretly control others from a distance as if they were puppets Marionettes (string puppets) have been used to entertain people for centuries. A puppeteer, out of the sight of the audience, pulls the strings that make the puppets move |
| 448 |
Pull the Rug Out from Under You I asked Marcus to be my campaign manager, but he decided to support someone else and pulled the rug right out from under me. to unexpectedly withdraw support; to suddenly place somebody at a disadvantage; to ruin someone's plans, hopes, or dreams An American writer in the middle of the 20th century imagined a person standing on a rug, and then, all of a sudden, the rug pulled right out from under him or her. The person would be hurt or at a disadvantage lying on the floor. The writer applied that image to destroying someone's expectations or activities |
| 449 |
Pull the Wool Over Your Eyes Jacob tried to pull the wool over Ms. Jarvis's eyes by saying his dog had eaten his homework. to fool, deceive, or trick someone "In 19th-century Europe many men wore wigs made of wool. In British courts today, some lawyers and judges still wear them. If you pulled the wig over a person's eyes, he or she couldn't see what was happening and could easily be tricked. It was said that if a clever lawyer fooled a judge, he was "pulling the wool" over the judge's eyes. Now, we use this expression to describe any act of cheating or trickery." |
| 450 |
Pull Up Stakes After I finish this project, I'm pulling up stakes and moving to New Hampshire. to leave your home, job, or country and move to another location looking for something better This has been a well-used saying since at least the 17th century. Stakes (pointed pieces of wood) were often driven into the ground as markers to show the boundaries of an area of land. When you went out and pulled up the stakes, it often meant you were moving to a new location. This expression now refers to making a big move in one's life. When a circus left one town for another, the stakes that held the circus tents were pulled up, too |
| 451 |
Pull Your Leg Oh, don't get so annoyed at them for teasing you. They're just pulling your leg. to tease or fool someone; to jokingly try to lie to somebody By the late 1800s people sometimes tripped other people by catching their legs with a cane or running a string across the sidewalk. Sometimes it was just for fun; at other times robbers did it to steal from the victim after he or she had fallen |
| 452 |
Pull Yourself Together Calm down, pull yourself together, and fly this plane I to regain control over one's emotions and become calm after being very upset "There are many modern idioms that relate to becoming emotionally upset: "blowing one's top," "breaking down," "falling apart," "going to pieces," "losing one's head," and so on. All of them suggest that you lose control of your feelings. So, when people regain their composure and are calm again, they have pulled themselves together." |
| 453 |
Put All Your Eggs into One Basket Keith used all his savings to start a fishing business, but I told him not to put all his eggs into one basket. to risk everything you have at once on a single idea or plan; to commit all your resources at one time The idea for this idiom goes back to the 1600s when someone realized that if you put all your eggs into one basket and then dropped that basket, all your eggs would be smashed at once. Figuratively speaking, if you place all of your hopes and efforts on just one thing, you might lose everything |
| 454 |
Put Your Best Foot Forward When you go in for your interview, try to put your best foot forward. to make the best attempt possible; to do your best to make the greatest impression you can Although this saying has been around since at least 1500, no one today is quite sure how it originated. One possibility is that if one leg of your pants is torn or dirty and you're meeting someone new, you'd put the good foot forward to make the best first impression |
| 455 |
Put Your Finger on Something Ann knew the Civil War had taken place in the 1800s, but she couldn't put her finger on the exact dates. to identify something precisely; to point out or describe exactly "This idiom is easy to imagine: If you can actually put your finger right onto something, then you know exactly where it is. If you can recall something exactly (name, date, or specific fact), then you're "putting your finger on it |
| 456 |
Put Your Foot Down Max's mother put her foot down and demanded he be home by 10 p.m. to be firm or rigid about something "Versions of this expression started in the 1500s, but it became popular in the 1800s. Stomping your foot down to get someone's attention sometimes expresses a strong position or demand. If you state a rule and expect someone to obey it, you've "put your foot down |
| 457 |
Put Your Money where Your Mouth Is If you're so certain that you'll win the violin contest, why don't you put your money where your mouth is? to be willing to bet on or invest your money in something you support or believe in "Since about 1930 people in the United States have been challenging other people with this expression. "Mouth" represents talk. "Money" means action or investing. It's a way of saying that you should back up your words with action, often a bet or an investment of money, to prove that you really believe what you're saying. A ruder version of this idea is "Put up or shut up |
| 458 |
Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel Irving didn't give up when the work got hard. He put his shoulder to the wheel and finished. to make a great effort; to begin to work hard This idiom first appeared in the 1600s. The writer who thought it up imagined a wagon stuck in mud. As the horse pulled, the driver would have to put his shoulder to one of the back wheels and push to get the wagon rolling again. Starting in the 1700s, the saying included any kind of hard labor necessary to accomplish a task |
| 459 |
Q.T. (also QT and q.t.) She doesn't know about the surprise party, so keep it on the Q.T. quietly; secretly; without anyone knowing "Sometimes we abbreviate words by using their first and last letters. For example, the standard post office abbreviation for Maryland is MD, and for Kentucky, it's KY. In 1870 there was a popular ballad called "The Talkative Man from Poplar." In one of the lines the word "quiet" was shortened to "q.t." Some people think this abbreviation could have been used in earlier writings, but after 1870 "on the q.t." became a common phrase for "keep it quiet |
| 460 |
Quick on the Draw In math, she's always quick on the draw. ready, alert, and quick to respond or react; mentally fast; quick to grasp information; touchy, sensitive "In the American West of the mid-1800s many gunslingers prided themselves on how fast they could draw their pistols from their holsters and shoot. The idea of a "quick draw" caught on and was transferred to any kind of fast action, physical or mental, such as responding quickly, answering questions rapidly, or solving problems swiftly. Similar expressions are "quick on the trigger" and "quick on the uptake |
| 461 |
Quiet as a Mouse Quiet as a mouse, she slipped back into her dormitory after hours. silent or still; making very little noise; saying nothing; hushed, subdued "There are many similes in English that use animal traits, such as "sly as a fox" and "wise as an owl." "Quiet as a mouse" goes back to the late 1500s. Mice are quiet little animals who scurry almost noiselessly in search of food, especially in the dark of night." |
| 462 |
Rain Check The store had run out of the guitars that were on sale, so they gave us a rain check. a ticket stub allowing attendance at a future event in place of one that was canceled; a piece of paper from a store for buying a sold-out item at the sale price at a later date Rain checks were first issued at baseball games in the 1800s, and that's when this phrase became popular. If the game was rained out, you took your rain check ticket and used it to get a ticket for a future game at no extra cost |
| 463 |
Raining Cats and Dogs It's raining cats and dogs, and our picnic is ruined. to rain very heavily; to pour There are several theories about the origin of this popular idiom, which goes back at least to the middle 1700s in England. One comes from Norse mythology, in which dogs were associated with windy storms and cats were associated with rain. Also, in England in the 17th and 18th centuries, many cats and dogs drowned in floods caused by torrential rainstorms, and their bodies were found in the streets afterwards as if they had fallen from the sky with the rain |
| 464 |
Rain or Shine Kathy is going to her sister's wedding next Thursday, rain or shine. no matter what happens; whatever the weather is like Since at least the early 1600s people have been using this expression to declare that some activity will definitely take place regardless of the weather or any other unpredictable circumstances, bad or good |
| 465 |
Raise an Eyebrow It raised quite a few eyebrows when Sara showed up with her hair dyed purple and green. to surprise or shock people by doing or saying something outrageous; to cause somebody to show disapproval in his or her facial expression This fairly modern idiom represents what happens to a lot of people's faces when they see something that really startles them: They raise their eyebrows. This expression can suggest a person's emotional reaction to something surprising or shocking, even if it doesn't show on his or her face |
| 466 |
Raise Cain He raised Cain when he realized he had been overcharged. to be very angry, complain loudly, and make trouble "Though this saying originated in the middle 1800s, it refers to the story in the Bible about wicked Cain, who killed his brother Abel. Cain's name became associated with wild behavior. If you get furious enough to cause a loud disturbance and make trouble, then you're "raising Cain." Related sayings are "kick up a fuss," "raise the devil," and "raise the roof |
| 467 |
Rally Round the Flag To show we still love our team, let's rally round the flag, even if they lose. to come together to show support, especially in bad times "General Andrew Jackson first used this phrase at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 when he wanted his troops to come together ("rally") to fight the British Army in the War of 1812. The "flag" Jackson referred to was the U.S. flag, of course. (The United States won the war, and Jackson went on to become the seventh President of the country, 1829-37). Then the saying was included in the words to a song sung during the Civil War: "Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again. Shouting the battle cry of freedom." Today people use the expression to show support for anyone or anything in any situation." |
| 468 |
Rat Race Let's quit this rat race and backpack around the world. a fierce, unending, stressful competition in business or society "Rat racing isn't a sporting event. Rats do have a reputation for relentlessness, competitiveness, and speed. This expression's origin is a nautical phrase for a fierce tidal current; "rat" and "race" are forms of the French "ras," which means "tide-race." "Rat race" suggests a confusing, crowded, useless scramble for survival, and, unfortunately, many people use the phrase to describe their jobs and lives." |
| 469 |
Rats Abandoning a Sinking Ship Like rats abandoning a sinking ship, they switched to the other candidate when theirs began to lose. disloyal people who desert a failing enterprise before it's too late This idiom has been known since at least the 1500s. There was an old superstition among sailors that if they saw rats jumping off a ship that was still tied up in port, that was an omen that the ship would end in disaster. We now use this phrase to describe cowardly, unfaithful human beings who forsake something or someone they once supported because they think bad times are coming |
| 470 |
Read Between the Lines When Mr. Allen said he'd find a good part for me, I knew he meant I didn't get the leading role. I can read between the lines. to discern the true, hidden meaning or fact in any document or action "There are forms of cryptography (secret-message writing) in which cryptographers have to read between the lines of writing or read every other line to decode the real meaning of a message. This idiom suggests that sometimes people write or talk in such a way that their true intentions are hidden. If you "read between the lines," you will figure out the true, unexpressed meaning in an action or document." |
| 471 |
Read the Riot Act When I saw what my little sister had done to my stereo, I read her the riot act. to severely scold or warn someone "In 1714 the British Parliament passed what was called the Riot Act. It said if twelve or more people gathered "illegally, riotously, and tumultuously," a magistrate could command them to break up and leave just by reading the opening words of the Riot Act. If they didn't leave within an hour, they were guilty of breaking the law and were given a severe punishment. As the years went by, "reading someone the riot act" came to mean warning a person in the strongest possible terms of severe punishment if he or she did not stop a certain activity." |
| 472 |
Real McCoy That is a fake antique. This one's the real McCoy. the genuine article; something of good quality, compared to others; not a fake or copy "There are two good possibilities as to this idiom's origin. One is a boxer in the late 1800s who called himself Kid McCoy. (His real name was Norman Selby.) He was a great fighter and so popular that other boxers started calling themselves Kid McCoy. So Mr. Selby had to bill himself as "the real McCoy." Other word experts trace this idiom to Elijah McCoy (1843–1929), an African-American inventor who was best known for inventing lubricating parts for steam engines." |
| 473 |
Red-Carpet Treatment When the President arrived, he was given the red-carpet treatment. great respect and hospitality given to someone important; special treatment "There is an ancient custom of putting down a red carpet over which an important dignitary would walk when he or she arrived someplace. Even today, the red carpet is rolled out at public buildings to welcome important people. But if you welcome a person extravagantly, you're "rolling out the red carpet" even if you don't have a carpet at all." |
| 474 |
Red Herring In the scavenger hunt, 'See the bee in the old oak tree,' was a false clue, a red herring to throw us off the trail. something deliberately misleading to divert your attention from the main subject; something irrelevant that confuses an issue "A red herring is a fish that has been pickled (preserved in vinegar and spices) in such a way that it turns reddish. It has a strong smell. Centuries ago it was used to teach hunting dogs to follow a trail. It was dragged on the ground and the dogs followed its scent. Later, people who hated hunting dragged a red herring across the path of the fox the dogs were chasing. The dogs would get confused, stop following the fox, and follow the smell of the herring. Sometimes escaping crooks also used red herrings to cover up their own scents so the bloodhounds couldn't find them. "Red herring" has been a popular idiom since the 19th century." |
| 475 |
Red-Letter Day My father said that the day I was born was a red-letter day for him. a day remembered as especially happy and significant "In medieval times, religious festivals, holidays, and saints' days were printed in red ink on church calendars. (The other days were in black.) The "red-letter days" were the really special ones. Any day remembered because it's particularly pleasant or important can be called a red-letter day no matter what color ink it's printed in on your calendar." |
| 476 |
Red Tape Why can't the mayor just cut all the red tape and let us have a parade without a permit? excessive formality and time-consuming, rigid adherence to rules and regulations "Red ribbon was once used by lawyers and government employees to tie up bundles of legal documents. Before any official business could be transacted, the red tape had to be cut. We use "red tape" to refer to any kind of trivial and needless delay caused by time-consuming, bureaucratic work and office routines in an organization." |
| 477 |
Right off the Bat "All she said was, "How are you?" and right off the bat he told her all his troubles." immediately, spontaneously, and without delay This saying comes from the game of baseball in the late 1800s. As soon as a ball is hit by a bat, it flies away instantly, without a second's delay |
| 478 |
Ring a Bell I don't remember her face, but her name rings a bell. to sound familiar; to call something to mind; to stir a vague memory "This American idiom from the early 1900s suggests that there are many bells that ring to remind or instruct us to do things: doorbell (open the door), telephone bell (pick up the phone), school bell (come to class), toaster bell (take out the toast), clothes dryer bell (take out the clothes), and so on. So, if something such as a face, a name, a number, or a date "rings a bell," it causes you to remember something." |
| 479 |
Rock the Boat Lauren and Ellis got along just fine until Ellis rocked the boat by lighting up a cigar. to make trouble and disrupt a stable situation; to risk spoiling a plan; to create a disturbance "Since the 1920s this saying has been popular in both the United States and England. Imagine you're in a small boat. Everything's peaceful. Suddenly, someone or something rocks the boat. The boat may capsize or even sink! People who "rock the boat" cause trouble wherever they are." |
| 480 |
Roll with the Punches Try not to be too discouraged with your new job. Just roll with the punches awhile. to adjust to a difficult situation; to not let little annoyances bother you, in order to survive Every good boxer knows how to take evasive action to avoid the full force of an opponent's blow: He rolls with the punches. If he can't duck the blow entirely, he shifts his body and moves it in the direction of the punch to soften the impact. This boxing lesson can be applied to any situation in life |
| 481 |
Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss He's moved three times in three years, so he doesn't have any furniture or close friends. A rolling stone gathers no moss. a person who is always on the move or who changes jobs often will not be able to save or keep much "This ancient proverb, which appears in many languages, was made more popular when Erasmus, the famous Dutch theologian and scholar, used it in 1523. Moss is a green plant that usually grows in patches on a stone if it remains in one place for a long time. If the stone rolls, no moss will grow on it. "A rolling stone gathers no moss" is a warning to restless wanderers that they had better settle down somewhere or they might not have much to show for themselves over time." |
| 482 |
Rome Was not Built in a Day Don't give up on your model for the Young Inventors contest. Rome wasn't built in a day. a difficult or important goal or task cannot be achieved quickly or all at once "Rome, the beautiful city on the Tiber River in Italy, was the capital of the Roman Empire. It took centuries for Rome to be built to its full glory. There's a lesson in that. If "Rome wasn't built in a day," then you should be willing to persevere when you're working on a project. Major accomplishments don't happen overnight. Two similar proverbs are, "where there's a will, there's a way" and "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again |
| 483 |
Rotten Apple Spoils the Barrel A tiny group of kids starts fights in our school, and people think that one rotten apple spoils the barrel. one bad person or thing may spoil an entire group Benjamin Franklin included this saying in his Poor Richard's Almanack in 1736, but it goes all the way back to the mid-1500s. It is true that if you allow one apple in a barrel to rot, it may rot the other apples. Rottenness sometimes spreads. This thought has been transferred to people. One dishonest individual in a group can sometimes corrupt others |
| 484 |
Round Peg in a Square Hole Although Matt got a job in an auto repair shop, he's a round peg in a square hole. He doesn't know how to fix cars. a person whose abilities, character, or personality are not suited to his or her position "This familiar saying has been used since at least 1800 to describe people who just don't fit the situations they're in. They don't have the skills, the knowledge, or maybe the temperament. Sometimes the words in this expression are switched to "square peg in a round hole |
| 485 |
Rub Elbows with Someone On her last vacation Samantha went to Hollywood, where she says she rubbed elbows with a lot of stars. to be in the same place with others; to associate with people "In England people say "rub shoulders," but since about the middle 1800s Americans say "rub elbows." No matter, because if you're close enough to anyone so that your elbows or shoulders touch, you're pretty close. People today often brag that they "rubbed elbows" with someone famous." |
| 486 |
Rub the Wrong Way It certainly rubbed Mary Jane the wrong way when Mike asked her if she got her hair cut in a pet shop. to annoy and irritate someone; to handle someone insensitively "Since the mid-1800s people have been using this idiom to express the act of really irritating someone with something you said or did. This phrase may have originated from cleaning or preparing wood and making the mistake of going against its grain. Rubbing it the wrong way would make it rough and streaked. A related idiom is "against the grain" (see page 78)." |
| 487 |
Run Circles around Someone Isaac thinks he's a good math student, but Margaret could run circles around him. to easily do something far better than someone else "In the late 1800s the writer who made up this saying might have imagined two runners. One was so fast that he could actually run in circles ("rings") around his slower competitor and still win the race. Today if you can "run rings around" someone else, you're much better than he or she is in a skill." |
| 488 |
Run off at the Mouth Ms. Rosario was running off at the mouth again about the kids playing basketball in her backyard. to talk too much; to talk nonstop "This is a colorful, modern African-American expression. It calls to mind one definition of the verb "to run" that relates to water: to flow quickly. Imagine a flood of words gushing rapidly out of someone's mouth and you get the idea." |
| 489 |
Salt of the Earth Sonia is considered the salt of the earth. She volunteers for any job. a person or group considered to be the finest, most admirable, and noble "For thousands of years salt has been one of the most valuable, useful, and desired things. At one time, Roman soldiers were paid part of their salaries in salt (see "worth your salt," page 208). The expression "salt of the earth" is even found in the Bible (Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:13). It is a metaphor that describes the finest people on earth as being as significant as the extremely important commodity of salt." |
| 490 |
Save for a Rainy Day Ads from the bank keep advising people to save some money for a rainy day. to save for a time of need; to put something away for the future "Since the 16th century "rainy day" has meant a time of need, misfortune, hardship, and affliction. So if things are "sunny" for you now, don't waste everything you have. Put some away for a "rainy day" because circumstances may change." |
| 491 |
Saved by the Bell My sister was just about to show everyone an embarrassing picture of me when I was saved by the bell. The lights went out. rescued at the last possible moment from an embarrassing or dangerous situation If a boxer is being badly beaten or has been knocked down and the referee is counting to ten, the sound of the bell means he doesn't have to continue the fight. The round is over and he can rest for a little while. In the middle of the 20th century, this exclamation was transferred to any happy, last-minute rescue from a bad situation |
| 492 |
Saw Logs I could hear Dad sawing logs on the living room couch. to snore, to breathe loudly through your nose while you're sleeping soundly This is a sound-effect idiom. In the early 1900s a writer with a good ear for sounds was looking for an imaginative way to describe someone snoring with gusto. The sound of snoring reminded him of wood being sawed. Even today, cartoonists sometimes draw a picture of logs with a saw in them above the heads of sleeping people |
| 493 |
Scarce as Hen's Teeth During the holidays, seats on any flight were as scarce as hen's teeth. very, very rare or totally nonexistent "This 19th-century American expression—sometimes expressed as "scarcer than a hen's tooth"—comes right from the chicken coop, where hens are found. Hens don't have teeth. They grind up their food in their gizzards (stomachs). Since hen's teeth don't exist, what could be rarer than that?" |
| 494 |
Scrape the Bottom of the Barrel I rented the last car, and they really scraped the bottom of the barrel to find that one. to use whatever is left after the best have been taken; to be forced to use the remnants of something; to choose among the worst of something Many things are stored in barrels, and the dregs sink to the bottom. So, if you need something urgently and most of it has already been taken, you have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to get whatever you can. This idiom applies to having to take the worst of something because there's nothing good left |
| 495 |
Scratch the Surface Doctors have only scratched the surface in finding the cure for this disease. to just begin to deal with a problem; to deal with only a very small part of a subject "This well-used saying comes from the 1800s. In farming, to prepare the soil for planting you have to dig deeply. In archaeology, to uncover ancient treasures you often have to dig deeply. If, in any area, you only "scratch the surface," you'd be doing the task superficially. By the 1900s, this saying was transferred to all areas of life." |
| 496 |
Security Blanket My little brother took his old stuffed penguin to school. It was his security blanket. a person or a thing that an insecure individual holds onto for emotional comfort or psychological reassurance "Many young children cling to something (a blanket or favorite stuffed toy, for instance) because it makes them feel safe and gives them confidence. Charles M. Schulz, the American cartoonist who draws the popular comic strip "Peanuts," created a character named Linus who always drags around his "security blanket," a term that Schulz coined." |
| 497 |
See Eye to Eye My parents and I don't always see eye to eye about my allowance. to agree fully; to have the same opinion "This expression can be found in the Bible (Isaiah 52:8). Imagine two people, side by side, watching the same thing. Since they have the same view in mind, and since they're eye to eye (right next to each other), they will probably agree on what they're both experiencing. In the same way, people on opposite sides of the world can see "eye to eye" on an issue if they both think the same way about it." |
| 498 |
Sell like Hotcakes The footballs autographed by the state champion were selling like hotcakes. to sell quickly, effortlessly, and in quantity "Today at carnivals, circuses, and amusement parks, people can buy hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream. In the late 1600s, however, hot cakes (pancakes) made on a griddle were the best-selling items at fairs, benefits, and events. By the middle of the 1800s the expression "selling like hot cakes" was transferred to any product that was being rapidly bought up by the public." |
| 499 |
Set Your Teeth on Edge When my grandfather listens to the governor talk about the economy, it sets his teeth on edge. to cause annoyance or discomfort to someone You can find this saying in several places in the Bible. Have you ever bitten on a piece of tinfoil? Did someone ever scratch his or her fingernails on the chalkboard while you were close by? You probably felt a sharp, shuddering feeling that made you gnash your teeth together |
| 500 |
Settle an Old Score It took her two years, but Shirley finally settled an old score with Roger. to get back at; to get revenge for past wrongs "In 17th-century England, a bill was known as a "score." So if you settled your score, you paid what you owed on your back bills. This phrase is now applied to clearing up any problems with people, usually by getting even with them for bad things that they once did to you." |
| 501 |
Shake a Leg Shake a leg or you're going to miss the bus. to hurry up; to go faster; to speed up "This lively American expression from the late 1800s is an order to someone who is moving too slowly. When you remain still, your legs are motionless. So when somebody tells you to "shake a leg," that's a command to get going. This expression comes from the navy." |
| 502 |
Shape Up or Ship Out After he dropped his third tray of food, the owner told the new waiter that he'd better shape up or ship out. to correct your behavior, improve your performance, do your job satisfactorily, or get out "This sharp command was first uttered in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. It meant that a soldier, sailor, or marine had better conform to regulations and perform his tasks well ("shape up") or he would be sent overseas to a combat zone ("ship out"). After the war the expression was extended to include any area that demanded improved performance—or else!" |
| 503 |
Shoe Is on the Other Foot Once you drove right by me in the rain and didn't stop. Now the shoe is on the other foot. I'm driving, you're walking. the situation now is the opposite of what it once was; places are reversed "In the mid-19th century this expression was "the boot is on the other leg." You'll probably be surprised to learn that until the 1800s, there were no left or right boots or shoes. You could put either one on either foot, and if you kept putting the same shoe on the same foot, eventually the shoe would conform to the shape of that foot. If one day you accidentally put the wrong shoe on the wrong foot, the situation would be the opposite of what it had been. In the same way, if the boss becomes an employee and the employee becomes the boss, then "the shoe is on the other foot." The conditions are reversed." |
| 504 |
Shoot from the Hip In the interview, Perry just shot from the hip and got himself into a lot of trouble. to speak or act without first thinking about the consequences In the olden days of the Western gunfighters, it was quicker to shoot your revolver from the side of your hip as soon as you pulled it from the holster than it was to raise it higher and shoot. If you had a good aim, this method was fast and accurate. Later this idea was transferred to talking or acting aggressively, recklessly, and impulsively without thinking of the effect of your actions |
| 505 |
Shot in the Arm Mr. Reynolds was feeling pretty low in the hospital, but your card really gave him a shot in the arm. something that lifts your spirits, energy, and confidence This 1900s idiom originated with drug use involving hypodermic needles. Then, the saying meant a short boost or false hope. A shot of medicine can make someone feel better. In the same way, anything that renews your spirits, gives you a boost, and inspires, stimulates, or encourages you is like a shot in the arm |
| 506 |
Show Must Go On The bride had planned a wedding outdoors, and even when it rained, she insisted that the show must go on. the proceedings must continue regardless of any catastrophe or difficulty; nothing can stop what has been planned "The idea that you shouldn't let anything interrupt your big plans no matter what misfortune happens originated among stage performers. William Shakespeare wrote "Play out the play" in one of his works, and it has been a tradition in show business to put on the performance even if a lead actor is sick or the scenery has fallen down. In the 20th century this theatrical determination was transferred to anything in life that has to take place, no matter what." |
| 507 |
Show Your True Colors We thought Carl was a great guy until he showed his true colors by kicking his dog. to reveal what you are really like "For centuries ships have flown colorful flags to identify themselves. Sometimes a ship could fool an enemy by flying a false flag that looked friendly. That was called sailing "under false colors." Then, if the deceitful ship "showed its true colors," it hoisted its real flags and showed the enemy who it really was. In the same way, people who show their true colors today are exposing their real traits, qualities, and character." |
| 508 |
Sick as a Dog Janine can't come to class today. She's as sick as a dog. very sick; suffering miserably without an ailment "This popular simile dates from the 1500s or even earlier. Dogs are among the most popular animals in the world of idioms. Think of "a dog's life," "going to the dogs," "in the doghouse," "let sleeping dogs lie," "raining cats and dogs," "you can't teach an old dog new tricks," and so on. Since a dog is a common household pet that often eats things it shouldn't and gets sick, it's a natural choice for this idiom." |
| 509 |
Sight for Sore Eyes Mel was lost in the woods and getting hungry. All of a sudden he saw a sight for sore eyes—a park ranger at a hot-dog stand. a most welcome, unexpected sight; a pleasant surprise "In the 1700s an imaginative writer wrote that a welcome sight could figuratively cure sore eyes. What made the eyes "sore"? Some painful, worrisome, or distressing situation, most likely. Today, if you're in some kind of trouble, and into your view comes someone or something that can help, that's a "sight for sore eyes |
| 510 |
Sing for Your Supper Dad said I'd have to sing for my supper: Before he'd take me to the tennis match, I had to finish my homework. to perform a service in return for something one needs or wants "Starting in medieval times, it was common for a wandering, hungry minstrel to arrive at an English tavern and offer to sing poetry in exchange for a meal. By the early 1600s "sing for your supper" meant doing a favor or some kind of work in order to earn something you needed or desired." |
| 511 |
Sink or Swim I moved to a faraway city and had to sink or swim without my parent's help. to fail or succeed by one's own efforts without anyone's help or interference "If you fail at learning to swim, you'll sink, of course. If you succeed, you'll swim. A related idiom for managing to succeed is to "keep your head above water" (see page 104). There was also a cruel and bizarre old-time practice of throwing a person suspected of being a witch into deep water. The accused were usually women. If the woman sank (and drowned), she was innocent. If she floated, then the devil must have helped her and she was guilty. Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet, used the phrase "float or sink" in his writings in the 1300s." |
| 512 |
Sitting Duck Don't stay by yourself in the school yard after school. You'll be a sitting duck for all the bullies. someone or something likely to be attacked and unable to put up a defense "A duck hunter knows that if a duck is sitting still, it's a much easier target than a duck in flight. By the first half of the 20th century, the phrase "sitting duck" was transferred to any person who was an easy mark for someone who wanted to cheat or do him or her harm." |
| 513 |
Sitting Pretty Rosa finished her book report and now she's sitting pretty. to be in a lucky, superior, or advantageous position "This American colloquialism comes from the early 1900s. "Sitting" is a comfortable position and "pretty" is an adjective suggesting beauty or favor. To the person who made up this phrase, "sitting pretty" must have suggested an easy, favorable situation." |
| 514 |
Six of One and a Half Dozen of the Other I don't care if we eat Italian or Chinese food. To me, it's six of one and a half dozen of the other. one and the same; nothing to choose between; equal Charles Dickens, an English novelist, used this phrase in one of his books in 1852, but it has been known since the early 1800s. Six equals a half dozen, no matter which way you say it. So we can use this expression to refer to two things that offer no real choice because there's no real difference between them |
| 515 |
Skate on Thin Ice You'll be skating on thin ice if you wake me up tonight. to take a big chance; to risk danger; to start out on a hazardous course of action "Sometimes foolish people skate on thin ice just for the thrill of it. They think if they skate really fast, the ice might not crack. We use this expression to refer to any risky situation you might get yourself into. You could be in danger of suffering serious consequences. (Sometimes this expression is shortened to just "on thin ice.")" |
| 516 |
Skeleton in Your Closet Lizzie was close to being elected until her opponent exposed the skeleton in her closet. a shameful and shocking secret that people try to keep hidden "Nobody today really knows where this expression came from, although many 19th-century British writers used it in their books. There is a story about a man who killed his rival and hid the body in his closet to keep the secret from his neighbors. Eventually, they found out he had a "skeleton in the closet |
| 517 |
Sky's the Limit Order anything on the menu—the sky's the limit, there's no limit to what you can spend or how far you can go or what you can achieve The idea of the sky being the limit goes back to at least the 1600s; even then people saw no limit to the sky. The exact wording of this idiom in English is from the 1900s. It might have been used in gambling to indicate that there was no limit to the size of a bet someone could make. Today, you can apply this description to many other situations in life |
| 518 |
Sleep on It The boss said he'd tell me tomorrow if I got the job or not. He had to sleep on it. to put off making a decision until at least the next day so that you can think about it overnight "For thousands of years people have wanted to have extra time to make up their minds about issues. In the early 1500s someone decided to call this process "sleeping on it," and the expression has been popular ever since." |
| 519 |
Sling Hash To earn money for college, Laurie got a job slinging hash. to work as a waiter, waitress, or cook in a cheap, small restaurant serving inexpensive fast food "This saying from the mid-1800s describes a type of job. Waiters and waitresses in small diners, drive-ins, and fast-food restaurants didn't serve expensive, beautifully prepared meals. They would often quickly throw ("sling") plates of cheap food, such as browned meat, potatoes, and vegetables ("hash"), on the table. There are plenty of places today where servers are still slinging hash." |
| 520 |
Slow on the Draw Some of Albert Einstein's teachers thought he was a little slow on the draw. slow to understand or figure something out; slow to respond or react; not alert; not a deep thinker "In the American West of the 1800s you often had to be quick on the draw (get your pistol out of the holster fast) to stay out of trouble. If you drew your revolver slowly, you were a candidate for the undertaker. Eventually, the term "slow on the draw" was extended to include actions of the mind and not just the hand. Similar expressions are "slow off the mark" and "slow on the uptake |
| 521 |
Smell a Rat Although everything looked all right, the investigator smelled a rat. to be suspicious; to feel that something is wrong "Rats are among the most unpopular animals. When most people think of rats, they think of disgusting, wicked, horrible images. Cats have been sniffing out rats for thousands of years, and in the mid-1500s the phrase "smell a rat" was used for human beings who suspected ("smelled") that something illegal, evil, or sinful ("a rat") had taken place." |
| 522 |
Smell like a Rose Even though Sam causes all the trouble, he comes up smelling like a rose. to look good in a bad situation; to avoid a damaged reputation when involved with corruption; to appear pure and innocent Most people love the smell of roses, and there are many perfumes that try to capture their fragrance. The American writer who thought up this early 20th-century expression must have imagined someone who falls into something filthy such as a swamp and amazingly manages to come out smelling sweet |
| 523 |
Snake in the Grass What a snake in the grass he was! He was only pretending to be my friend. an unfaithful, untrustworthy, underhanded, and deceitful person; a traitor For thousands of years people have feared and hated snakes—at least since 37 b.c., when the great Roman poet Virgil used this expression. A snake is often not out in the open where you can see it; it's hiding in the grass |
| 524 |
Snug as a Bug in a Rug Grandma tucked her in, as snug as a bug in a rug, shut off the lights, and tiptoed out of the room. cozy and comfortable; safe and secure "For centuries writers have looked for clever ways to express feelings of warm comfort and contentment. In William Shakespeare's time (around the year 1600), people said "snug as pigs in pease-straw." But "snug as a bug in a rug" is a perfect expression because it contains three rhyming words. Benjamin Franklin used the phrase in a letter he wrote in 1772. The "bug" referred to was probably moth larvae or a carpet beetle peacefully snoozing inside a rolled-up rug (which in Franklin's time could have meant either a carpet or a blanket)." |
| 525 |
Soft-Soap Maura thought that if she soft-soaped the teacher, he'd cancel the test. to try to persuade by flattery or gentle urging "This phrase comes from the first half of the 1800s when an imaginative writer saw a figurative similarity between slithery, slippery soft soap and insincere flattery and coaxing. Trying to get people to do what you want by sweet-talking them is like coating them with soft, smooth soap. A related expression is to "butter someone up" (see page 23)." |
| 526 |
Sow Your Wild Oats Can you believe that our quiet, dignified grandfather sowed his wild oats when he was just out of college? to behave wildly and foolishly, especially when young The wild oat that grows is actually a weed. It is useless and, since at least 194 b.c., has been correlated to young people frittering their time away with silly or reckless activities |
| 527 |
Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child I'm glad I wasn't brought up in the old days when 'spare the rod and spoil the child' was acceptable. to physically punish children when they misbehave so they'll learn to behave properly in the future "This call for strict discipline appears in various wordings at least six different times in the Bible. It made its way into English in about the year 1000. Corporal punishment (hitting or whipping) with a stick, cane, or paddle used to be a popular way to rear a child. It was legal for schoolmasters to do it not too long ago. The fear among parents was that if they "spared the rod" and didn't swat their offspring when he or she was bad, they would "spoil the child |
| 528 |
Spick-and-Span The counselor wanted the bunk spick-and-span before we could get our snacks. extremely clean, tidy, neat "There are two possible explanations about the origin of this famous phrase. One comes from the Old Norse language. "Spick" meant trim or neat. "Spanny" was a word that meant absolutely new. In the 1500s the two words might have been put together to mean "new and neat." Another theory comes from the days of the great sailing ships. "Spick" was a spike or nail. "Span" was a wood chip. A "spick and span new" ship (the original wording) was one on which every spike and chip was brand-new. By the mid-19th century this idiom was popular in the United States. Its popularity was helped by its alliteration (spick-and-span)." |
| 529 |
Spill the Beans Don't spill the beans, but Adrienne is getting the art award. to give away a secret to someone who is not supposed to know it "A popular theory about the origin of this idiom goes back to the ancient Greeks and their secret societies. People voted you into these clubs by putting a white bean or a black bean into a jar (white = yes; black = no). The beans were supposed to be counted in secret, but if somebody accidentally (or purposefully) knocked over the jar and spilled the beans, the secret vote would be revealed. Another theory holds that this is an example of American slang from the early 1900s that combined two old words, "spill" (meaning "talk," from the 1500s) and "beans" (meaning "information," from the 1200s), into a new phrase. A related expression is "let the cat out of the bag" (see page 111)." |
| 530 |
Spitting Image You must be David's father. He's the spitting image of you. a perfect resemblance; an exact likeness "Originally this saying was "spit and image." ("Spit" was an old word that meant "likeness," but the original word might have been "spirit," shortened into "spit.") As the years went by, "spit and" was pronounced "spittin" and later became "spitting." The word seemed to fit because people said that a boy who looked a lot like his father could have been spit out of his father's mouth. Today, any relative can be the "spitting image" of any other relative. A related expression is "chip off the old block" (see page 34)." |
| 531 |
Split Hairs Aaron and his sister are always splitting hairs. He said there were forty-seven explosions in the movie; she said forty-six. to argue about small, unimportant differences "William Shakespeare used an expression similar to this in about 1600 in one of his plays, and "splitting hairs" has been widely used since the late 1600s. When the saying originated, it was thought to be impossible to split anything as fine as a hair." |
| 532 |
Stick-in-the-Mud We wanted a giant-screen TV, but Dad said the little one was good enough. What a stick-in-the-mud. a person with old-fashioned ideas who avoids anything new, ignores progress, and fights change "Although the idea behind this idiom goes back at least 500 years, the exact phrase "stick-in-the-mud" was first heard in the early 1700s. It probably came from the image of a wagon stuck in the mud. Soon people started describing a dull, overly careful person as a "stick-in-the-mud |
| 533 |
Stick to Your Guns You may be the only kid who thinks we need a longer school day, but I admire the way you stick to your guns. to stand firm and hold to one's position in the face of opposition; to stand up for your rights no matter what trouble you get into "At first this was a command to sailors manning the guns on military boats to stay at their posts even when the boat was besieged by enemies. Later, in the middle 1700s, the saying was extended to include anybody who persisted in holding onto his or her convictions. We usually have a good opinion of people who "stick to their guns," even if we don't always agree with them." |
| 534 |
Stick Your Neck Out You shouldn't have to be the only one to complain. Why should you stick your neck out? to take a bold or dangerous risk; to expose yourself to criticism This 20th-century Americanism probably originated in the 1930s and referred to a chicken or turkey that got its neck stretched out when put on the chopping block |
| 535 |
Still Waters Run Deep Antonia was a quiet student, but she was also brilliant. Still waters run deep. somebody can be more knowledgeable or emotional than he or she first appears to be; a silent person may be intelligent This English proverb has been used since the 15th century. It's similar to expressions that have been used by people in other countries and that date back to the ancient Romans. It's based on a fact of nature: The shallow water in a river runs fast but deep water is usually calmer. This expression is sometimes applied to quiet people who you think are safe, but who may be dangerous plotters, spies, and saboteurs |
| 536 |
Stir Up a Hornet's Nest Please don't stir up a hornet's nest with your proposal to ban gum chewing in school. to make many people furious; to cause trouble "This popular saying originated in ancient Rome; by the 1700s people were saying it in English. There's a sensible warning that says, "Let sleeping dogs lie," (see page 111). "Don't stir up a hornet's nest" is a good piece of advice, too. Provoking a nest full of dangerous, stinging hornets would be foolish and dangerous. If you stir people up with your ideas or opinions, they might be as furious." |
| 537 |
Straight from the Horse's Mouth I got it straight from the horse's mouth that there's going to be a pop quiz today. directly from the person or place that is the most reliable source or the best authority "If you want to know the age of a horse, you should examine the size and shape of its teeth. Someone trying to sell you a horse may say it's young, but if you get your information "straight from the horse's mouth," you should know for sure. This expression is relatively modern, dating only from the 1920s." |
| 538 |
Straight from the Shoulder This is straight from the shoulder: I don't want to room with you because you smoke. frankly, honestly "This is another well-known saying that comes from boxing. A prize fighter knows that a punch thrown straight from the shoulder is a full-force punch. It is quick, effective, and to the point. In the late 1800s this expression took on a wider meaning. If someone speaks to you in a sincere, honest way, even though it may upset you, he or she is speaking "straight from the shoulder." Other idioms that come from boxing are "hit below the belt" (see page 91), "on the ropes"(see page 135), and "pull no punches" (see page 151)." |
| 539 |
Straighten Up and Fly Right Learning to drive is serious business, so straighten up and fly right if you want your license. to stop behaving foolishly and start acting serious This popular modern African-American expression could relate to birds or even airplanes. Instead of flying in a curved or crooked way, perhaps as a joke, the bird or pilot should readjust his flight pattern, straighten out his course, and fly directly to his destination. People who waste their time in aimless pursuits could be given the same advice, figuratively speaking. Stop fooling around and try to achieve your goal |
| 540 |
Straw that Broke the Camel's Back That last mistake was the straw that broke the camel's back. one final problem or misfortune that, added to previous troubles, proves more than a person can bear "In 1677 there appeared the expression, "the last feather that breaks the horse's back," which suggested that a horse could carry only so much weight on its back. If the weight of even one feather was added, it might make the horse collapse. Charles Dickens, the famous English novelist of the 1800s, changed that saying to "the straw that broke the camel's back," and today it means that people can take only so much trouble before they reach the limit of their endurance. One additional burden on top of many others might be all it takes to overwhelm a person. This idiom is so well known that it is often shortened to just the "last straw" or "final straw |
| 541 |
Strike a Happy Medium She wanted ice cream, but her father wanted cake, so they struck a happy medium. They bought an ice-cream cake. to find a compromise to a problem; to find a sensible solution midway between two opposite desires To strike often means to hit upon something. The medium is the position that is midway between two extremes. So when people want different things, and they hit upon a compromise solution halfway between their opposite wishes, they've found a medium point that makes them both happy |
| 542 |
Strike while the Iron Is Hot Emily's standing there all alone. Why not strike while the iron is hot and ask her to the dance? to act at the most favorable time or moment to get the best results; to take advantage of favorable conditions "This metaphor goes back to ancient times. Geoffrey Chaucer, a poet of the 1300s, was one of many English authors who used it. Blacksmiths all know that iron is most workable when it is red hot. In order to form the right shape on the anvil, the blacksmith has to strike while the iron is hot. A related saying is "make hay while the sun shines" (see page 119)." |
| 543 |
Stuffed Shirt The chairman of the board is such a stuffed shirt. a self-important person who shows a lot of phony dignity "Although William Shakespeare used a similar expression ("stuffed man"), the version with "shirt" is from the early 1900s. It suggests a person who has a falsely high opinion of his or her own worth and who shows it. People like that are puffed up with their own grandiose feelings about themselves. It's as if they're stuffed with exaggerated self-importance." |
| 544 |
Swallow Hook, Line, and Sinker Louie swallowed that story about the ghost hook, line, and sinker. to believe a story completely without questioning it; to be very gullible "This American expression from the 1800s may be based on an older British saying from the 1500s, "to swallow a gudgeon." A gudgeon is a small fish, like a minnow, that was often used as bait by fishermen. An unlucky fish usually swallows just the bait on the hook, but if it also swallows the fishing line and the lead sinker as well, it has gobbled up a lot. That's like a trusting person who accepts anything and everything he or she is told without thinking about whether or not it's true." |
| 545 |
Swan Song We are going to the opera to hear Madame Scotto's swan song. the final, farewell performance of an actor or singer; one's last words or actions "In the myths of ancient Greece and in some poetry by William Shakespeare, you will find references to a swan that is mute or almost totally silent all its life, but that sings a lovely, sweet song just before it dies. In real life it doesn't happen that way (swans make sounds all their lives), but the story is nice and people enjoy it. Today, a performer's final appearance, an artist's last work, a scientist's last discovery, or an athlete's last game is often called a "swan song |
| 546 |
Sweep You off Your Feet Maria married Carlos, her millionaire boss. She just swept him off his feet. to make a favorable impression; to affect with strong emotion or enthusiasm; to overcome someone with feelings of love or happiness so strong that he or she can't resist you "This idiom comes from the 19th century and joins a list of sayings that relate being overwhelmed by feelings of love with being knocked down: "She's a knockout"; "He bowled her over"; "They got carried away with each other." These expressions suggest that sometimes emotions are so intense that you can't even remain standing when you're hit by one of them." |
| 547 |
Sweet Tooth With his sweet tooth, it will be nearly impossible for Jim to stay on a diet. a great desire to eat sweet foods, especially those with lots of sugar, such as jams, candies, and pastries "Even in the 1500s, when this famous idiom was first used, people loved sweets. This yearning was called having a "sweet tooth." Perhaps people thought that one tooth had a craving for salty foods, another for sour foods, and one for sweet foods. At first, "sweet tooth" referred to sweet meats, wines, and pastries, but today it is used to describe only a craving for cakes, pies, and other sugary foods." |
| 548 |
Take a Backseat When it comes to pottery, I take a backseat to Shelly. She's a whiz. to be in an inferior position; to take second place to another person who is in control "This idiom became popular in the United States in the middle 1880s. It comes from being in the back seat of a vehicle. When you're in the driver's seat, you're the boss, and in control. When you're in the back seat, you're in a secondary position. It's like "playing second fiddle" (see page 147)." |
| 549 |
Take a Powder He saw the teacher he'd had an argument with in the restaurant, so he took a powder. to leave quickly; to sneak or run out of a place "Many people were using this expression in the United States by 1925. Earlier, they said, "dust out of here" or "take a run-out powder" to mean to depart in a rush. The "dust" in the earlier saying referred to the dust kicked up by one's shoes in running away. The expression may have changed to "powder" because of the explosiveness of gunpowder. If you flee so you won't get caught for something, you're "taking a powder |
| 550 |
Take a Shine to Amazing. My mother really took a shine to my new pet iguana. to become fond of; to form a quick liking for someone or something "This American saying dates back to the 1880s and probably came from the earlier expression "to shine up to someone." That meant to behave nicely so someone will like you. Then they "take a shine" to you because of your appearance or personality. A similar saying is "to take a fancy to |
| 551 |
Take It to the Hoop He announced his candidacy for class president and took it to the hoop. to accomplish a project successfully; to do a great and thorough job This modern African-American expression comes from the game of basketball. If a player gets possession of the ball and takes it all the way to the hoop and makes a basket, he or she is succeeding perfectly at what he or she set out to do. The saying is also applied to any area of life in which you carry out an undertaking all the way to its successful conclusion |
| 552 |
Take off Your Hat to Someone Even with her arm in a sling, she cooked a marvelous meal. I have to take my hat off to her. to admire or praise someone for a notable accomplishment "In the middle of the 1800s, when this expression was born, many men wore hats. When a gentleman met a lady on the street, he tipped his hat as a gesture of respect. Today, even if you're not wearing a hat, you can say that you're "taking your hat off" to someone whose achievements you admire." |
| 553 |
Take Someone under Your Wing Each senior will be assigned a freshman to take under his or her wing during the first month of school. to help, guide, or protect someone The idea of a person offering protection to another person just as a mother bird takes her babies under the security of her wing was first mentioned in the Bible. In 1885 the famous Englishmen who wrote comic operas, Gilbert and Sullivan, further popularized the expression in a song from their musical The Mikado |
| 554 |
Take the Bitter with the Sweet The track meet was a bust, but you made a new friend. Learn to take the bitter with the sweet. to accept the bad things that happen along with the good "The famous English poet of the 14th century Geoffrey Chaucer first used this idea in one of his poems, and many other writers have since adopted the phrase. Of course, "bitter" represents bad happenings and "sweet" stands for good. Some people say that you have to take "the rough with the smooth," and that expression gets the message across just as effectively." |
| 555 |
Take the Bull by the Horns Take the bull by the horns. March into the office and explain what happened. to act bravely in a troublesome situation; to face up to a difficult challenge by taking decisive action "For centuries daring bullfighters called matadors have been seizing bulls by the horns to wrestle them to the ground. It happens on ranches and in rodeos, too. By 1800 this brave, but risky, action had been expanded symbolically to other areas of life. The "bull" stood for any kind of trouble or challenge." |
| 556 |
Take the Cake Ed's amazing triple play really took the cake. to deserve the highest award or prize A cake has been a popular prize at contests for many centuries. In the time of the ancient Greeks, the winner of the cake was the person who could stay awake the longest at an all-night party. In the late 1800s in the United States, the cake winners were the couple judged best in a dance contest. (The winning dance was called the cakewalk.) Since then, this African-American saying has meant being the best in any endeavor |
| 557 |
Take with a Grain of Salt Sally tends to exaggerate. Take what she says with a grain of salt. to not believe completely; to be doubtful Some word experts think this expression first appeared in Latin by a Roman scholar in the 1st century b.c. The report was of the discovery of an antidote to poison: Take it with a grain of salt (cum grano salis). Perhaps the saying refers to food that's not so tasty (like a story that's not so believable) being swallowed more easily with a little salt. Another possibility is that a single grain of salt isn't worth much, just like a story you don't think is completely true |
| 558 |
Talk through Your Hat Don't let what Eric said upset you. He's just talking through his hat. to talk nonsense; to say something without really knowing what you're talking about The origin of this idiom is not clear. Some people think that if people really talked through their hats, they'd look ridiculous, like the nonsense they were saying. If people tell you that you're talking through your hat, they obviously don't have a high opinion of your words |
| 559 |
That's the Way the Ball Bounces You promised to baby-sit on the night of Dana's party? Oh, well, that's the way the ball bounces. that's the way life is; that's fate; things sometimes turn out a certain way and you can't do anything about it "This American idiom dates back to the 1950s. A similar idiom is "that's the way the cookie crumbles." The alliteration in both sayings (ball bounces, cookie crumbles) contributed to the word choices. This saying makes clear that unpredictable things often happen in life, and you have to learn to live with and accept them. The French have a similar saying, C'est la vie ("That's life.") We also say, "That's the way it goes |
| 560 |
Through the Grapevine She heard through the grapevine that she was being considered for a big promotion. through the informal spreading of messages, gossip, rumors, or other confidential information from one person to another A grapevine is a long-stemmed plant that winds, climbs, and creeps from grape to grape to grape. In a similar way, news can travel from person to person to person, either spoken or written. This 20th-century African-American idiom could go as far back as the 1600s |
| 561 |
Throw a Curve My boss threw me a curve when he said I'd have to work late the night of the basketball play-offs. to surprise someone in an unpleasant way; to mislead or lie We get this expression from the American game of baseball in the 20th century. A tricky pitcher sometimes throws a curve ball that catches the batter off guard. This idiom can also mean lying to people to confuse or deceive them |
| 562 |
Throw a Monkey Wrench into the Works All the plans for the party were going smoothly until Tricia threw a monkey wrench into the works. to interfere with a smoothly running operation; to upset something in progress "In 1856 a tool was invented by a man named Monk and called Monk's wrench. Later the name was changed to monkey wrench. The sliding jaw of the tool reminded people of a monkey, and the nickname stuck. This American saying of the late 1800s presents the image of someone throwing a monkey wrench into machinery that's working perfectly and "gumming up the works" (see page 84)." |
| 563 |
Throw Caution to the Wind Pablo threw caution to the wind and went on the roller coaster. to be extremely daring; to take a huge risk; to act recklessly and hastily "The image of a brave person taking "caution" and fearlessly throwing it into the wind, where it's blown away, is an old one. We also use this expression to refer to the actions of a person who puts aside his or her fears to perform a brave deed." |
| 564 |
Throw Cold Water on Something I was looking forward to my vacation until you threw cold water on it by saying the place is loaded with mosquitoes. to say or do something discouraging; to dampen one's enthusiasm for something "For thousands of years the best way to put out a fire was to douse it with water. If fire, heat, and warmth all represent enthusiasm, excitement, and passion, then cold water must stand for whatever lessens those emotions. So, if you throw cold water on someone's plans, you're a "wet blanket" (see page 204)." |
| 565 |
Throw in the Towel You mustn't throw in the towel when the other team puts up great arguments. to give up; to admit that you're defeated; to quit There are always towels or sponges near a boxing ring to wipe the sweaty boxers between rounds. In Britain, in the middle 1800s, the manager or friend of a boxer who was being badly beaten would often throw the towel or sponge into the boxing ring or up into the air as a signal of surrender. That meant the fight was over |
| 566 |
Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater When John cleaned the garage, he threw away a new set of wrenches. That was throwing out the baby with the bathwater. to lose or throw out something valuable or useful when getting rid of something that is useless "This expression might have come from an old German proverb. By the turn of the 20th century, writers were using it in English. Imagine a parent who finishes bathing a baby in a tub and then throws the bathwater out with the baby still in it! That's like throwing away the most important part ("the baby") at the same time you're getting rid of whatever is not needed ("the bathwater")." |
| 567 |
Throw the Book at Someone Dan was expelled for writing on the walls. They really threw the book at him. to punish severely for breaking rules or the law; to give the maximum penalty "In this idiom the "book" is the law book, filled with all the penalties that a judge can impose on the wrongdoer. Imagine a judge figuratively throwing that whole, heavy law book at an offender of the law, hitting him or her with the worst possible punishments. That image was in the mind of the writer who coined this expression many years ago." |
| 568 |
Throw Your Hat into the Ring Dave threw his hat into the ring today. He's running for class secretary. to announce one's candidacy for election to office; to issue a challenge "Men used to challenge each other to prizefights in the United States in the early 19th century by taking off their hats and throwing them into a ring on the ground. That custom became the basis for this idiom. People who state that they are running for any elective office are "throwing their hats into the ring |
| 569 |
Throw Your Weight Around That kid is the new school bully. He likes to throw his weight around. to use one's power in a mean, threatening way; to be bossy or rough This popular saying from the early 1900s reminds us that big, heavy, or tall people can often be intimidating, especially if you're lightweight or short. Wrestlers, football players, and gangsters in movies are often heavyweights. So this saying came to mean to be bossy or tough |
| 570 |
Tickled Pink Bob was tickled pink when he got a Valentine from his dog. to be very amused or pleased; to be delighted, entertained, extremely happy "If you tickle someone, his or her face often turns pink. So, if someone is tickling you by doing or saying something so that you're giggling and your skin is getting reddish, then you're probably having a good time being "tickled pink." A similar expression is "tickled someone's fancy |
| 571 |
Tickle Your Funny Bone Jessica's hilarious antics always tickle my funny bone. to make you laugh; to amuse somebody "There's a bone in your upper arm at the back of your elbow that has the Latin name "humerus." Since that sounds like "humorous," people have been calling it the "funny bone" for many years. If you accidentally bump it, the sensitive nerve in your elbow tingles as if electricity were running through it. If you laugh at a joke, then, according to this expression, it's tickling your funny bone. (Sometimes the funny bone is called the "crazy bone.")" |
| 572 |
Tied to Someone's Apron Strings You can't be tied to your mother's apron strings all your life. to be dependent on someone, such as one's mother; to not be able to do anything without asking your mother "Years ago many women stayed home to work and care for the children and house. To keep their clothes clean, they wore aprons tied in the back with strings. If a grown man was controlled by his mother, it was often said that he was "tied to his mother's apron strings." Later, if he was under the strong influence of his wife, he was tied to her apron strings." |
| 573 |
Tighten Your Belt Sonny's boss won't give him a pay raise but his rent went up. Now he has to tighten his belt. to live on less money; to make sacrifices and lower one's standard of living If you have less money to spend, you'll probably buy less food. If you eat less, you'll probably lose weight. If you lose weight, you'll have to tighten your belt. That's what the person who created this saying had in mind |
| 574 |
Till the Cows Come Home I'll stand here till the cows come home unless you pay me back the money I lent you. for a long, long time This late 16th-century idiom probably refers to how cows take their sweet time to return from the fields to the barn. When you use this expression, you're describing a long passage of time using a barnyard image |
| 575 |
Tip of the Iceberg In chemistry, learning the symbols for the elements is just the tip of the iceberg. just a small part of a larger problem or a worse situation "An iceberg is a huge body of ice that has broken away from a glacier and is floating in the ocean. The "tip of the iceberg" is a well-known 20th-century metaphor that points out that the top is only a tiny part of a mountain of floating ice. An estimated 90 percent of an iceberg is hidden underwater." |
| 576 |
Tongue-in-Cheek Don't be insulted by what Roz said. She meant it tongue-in-cheek. intended as a joke; not serious; insincere; mocking This phrase may have been made up by an English humorist in the mid-1800s. You would have difficulty saying anything with your tongue in your cheek. Some people actually do poke their cheek with their tongue after making an insincere remark to show they were only kidding. It's a facial expression similar to winking after saying something that's meant to be taken as a joke |
| 577 |
Too Big for Your Britches I used to like George when he was a little kid, but now I think he's grown too big for his britches. conceited; swelled with self-importance; haughty "This is an old American expression that goes back more than 200 years. Britches (also spelled "breeches") is an old word for pants. If a person swelled with feelings of self-importance, he or she might burst right out of his or her clothes. Another version of this saying is "too big for your boots." A related idiom that captures the same puffed-up-with-self-worth idea is "stuffed shirt" (see page 184). Of course, you could also be rightfully proud of yourself or a loved one, and therefore be "bursting at the seams |
| 578 |
Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth The decorations look terrible because the committee couldn't agree on anything. Too many cooks spoil the broth. a project is set back rather than helped by too many organizers; the more people who work on one project, the worse it will turn out This old proverb goes back to the 1500s. The creator of this saying knew that one master chef can create a delicious meal. But if a whole bunch of people try to cook the meal at the same time, the food (broth) is sure to be ruined |
| 579 |
Top Banana Since the early days of vaudeville, Uncle Henny has been a top banana. the leading comedian in a variety show; a boss "Some word experts think this phrase may have started with an old comedy routine involving the sharing of bananas, but nobody is really sure. Today people call the chief comic in a musical comedy or television show the "top banana." Some people may also use the term humorously to refer to the boss in any group." |
| 580 |
Top Drawer Aunt Shirley always takes the family out to some top-drawer restaurant. the highest quality; the best The most likely origin of this 20th-century phrase is the top drawer of a dresser or bureau. Many people put their jewelry and other valuable possessions in the top drawer so that they can get them easily. From that custom comes this expression, which is used to describe people of the highest social status or anything that's the best in rank or quality |
| 581 |
Touch and Go It was touch and go for a while, but the vet says my rabbit will live. very risky, uncertain, or critical "This saying was first used in the 1800s and may have come from ships that came close to touching the bottom of the sea while in shallow water, or to touching other things that could sink them. These dangerous situations sometimes ended with narrow escapes. If the ship touched bottom but managed to go on, it had survived a "touch-and-go" situation. The term also referred to horse-drawn carriages, when there was a narrow escape from an accident after the wheels of two coaches touched. Today we use this phrase to describe any uncertain situation that could end either horribly or happily." |
| 582 |
Touch Something with a Ten-Foot Pole I won't touch that controversy with a ten-foot pole. to avoid at all costs; to stay far away from a difficult problem "A writer in the mid-1800s wanted a lively way to describe someone who didn't want to deal with a troublesome issue. The image of a person not wanting to touch something nasty even with a pole ten feet long came to mind, and this famous idiom was created. This saying is sometimes "touch something with a ten-foot bargepole." It is always used in the negative, with words such as won't, wouldn't, or don't, because it refers to something you don't want to have anything to do with." |
| 583 |
Trip the Light Fantastic Those kids in Mrs. Keys's tap-dance class really know how to trip the light fantastic. to dance "John Milton, the great English poet of the 1600s, made up this phrase in his poem "L'Allegro" in 1632. Readers thought that the phrase "trip the light fantastic" was a delightful way to describe dancing, and more than 360 years later, we're still using it." |
| 584 |
True-Blue The true-blue supporters of our team cheer for us even when we lose. very loyal, dependable, and faithful "This expression comes from an old proverb and has at least two possible origins. In the 17th century, blue was the color of many British groups: Scottish Covenanters, the Whig party, and even the varsity teams at Oxford and Cambridge universities. Anyone loyal and true to those groups wore something blue. Blue was also known as a true color because the blue thread made in Coventry, England, during the Middle Ages was highly regarded for holding its color. The blue dye didn't run, and so blue came to stand for faithfulness. Note also that "true" and "blue" rhyme, and rhymes often help an idiom become more widely used." |
| 585 |
Turn over a New Leaf If you haven't been feeling fit, maybe it's time to turn over a new leaf and start exercising. to correct one's behavior or attitude; to begin anew; to make a fresh start "In the 16th century, when this idiom was born, people referred to pages in a book as leaves. "Turning over a leaf" meant turning to a blank page in a workbook to begin a new lesson. What the expression suggested was that you can change your behavior for the future and begin again as if turning a new page in the book of your life." |
| 586 |
Turn the Other Cheek Patty keeps insulting you, and all you do is turn the other cheek. to let someone do something bad to you and not defend yourself or hit back; to meekly ignore abuse or injury This is a Biblical expression. In the New Testament, Jesus urged his followers to refuse revenge when someone provoked, insulted, or physically hurt them. If someone slapped you on one side of your face, you should not fight back with angry words or blows. Instead, be patient and turn your head to the other side |
| 587 |
Turn the Tables Notre Dame was beating us badly, but then we turned the tables on them and won! to reverse the situation; to make the opposite happen "This saying probably came from the early 1600s and has two possible origins. In some tabletop board games such as chess, checkers, and backgammon, the table was actually turned as part of the play. There were also tables that had two-sided tops. One side was polished smooth and used for eating; the other side was rougher and used for working on. You would turn the tabletop over when you needed to. Now when you "turn the tables" on someone, you're causing a complete reversal in the situation, usually to your advantage." |
| 588 |
Turn up Your Nose at Someone Since Barbara moved to the city, she turns up her nose at her old pals. to regard something with haughtiness; to be snobby; to show that someone or something is not good enough for you "Even in the 1500s, when this idiom was created, people showed scorn for things they considered beneath them by sneering or putting their noses in the air in a snooty way. That arrogant facial expression created the saying "turn your nose up," because that's what people did if they thought they were better than everyone else." |
| 589 |
Two-Faced How can you trust her? Vera's two-faced, if you ask me. false; dishonest "This expression comes from Roman mythology. The god Janus was the keeper of the gates of heaven. He had two faces so that he could be a better watchman. (It's like the expression, "two heads are better than one.") In the early 1600s a writer referred to someone who was a double-crosser as "two-faced." This captured the image of a lying person who tells you one thing and then tells your friend something else, or who smiles at you and then criticizes you to others." |
| 590 |
Under the Table The boxer was accused of accepting money under the table to lose the fight. in secret, dishonestly; not out in the open "Sometimes people who wanted to unlawfully influence public officials passed money under the table (not out in the open) as a bribe or payoff. Cheating card players often slipped cards under the table to their partners. During Prohibition in the United States (1920-33) selling liquor was illegal, but people could buy it secretly under the counter (where the police couldn't see). During World War II, the sale of many daily items was rationed (strictly limited), but some shopkeepers kept things under the counter (not out on the shelves) for their friends and relatives. So from many sources, the phrase "under the table" has come to describe any dishonest transactions done on the sly. An idiom that has the same meaning is "under the counter |
| 591 |
Under the Weather Ms. Capers will not be in today. She's feeling a little under the weather. sick; not well; in trouble with money "In the mid-1700s many people in the United States traveled by boat. In stormy weather, when the water was rough, a lot of people got seasick and were said to be suffering under the influence of bad weather. Soon the phrase was shortened to just "under the weather." The saying first appeared in a novel in 1850." |
| 592 |
Up a Creek Without a Paddle Holly lost her costume, and the play is tonight. She's up a creek without a paddle. in deep trouble and unable to do anything about it; in serious trouble Imagine being in a rowboat on a river or creek far from home and you lose your oar! That's the picture painted by this early 20th-century idiom |
| 593 |
Up Against the Wall Ben's up against the wall. He lost his job and can't make the payments on the house. in big trouble; in a difficult or desperate situation This example of American slang from the late 19th century probably refers to the practice of lining people up against walls for a variety of reasons. Suspected criminals stand against a wall in a police lineup. The police often make a person being arrested lean forward with his or her hands up against a wall. A robber may also hold his or her prey at gunpoint up against a wall to prevent the victim from escaping |
| 594 |
Upper Crust The poor student fell hopelessly in love with a girl from the upper crust. high society; social or financial elite; important people "This expression began to be widely used in the mid-1800s. The upper crust of a loaf of bread was considered the best, tastiest part. "Upper crust" came to mean the best class of people, the most elite in society, those with the highest intellectual, social, or economic status." |
| 595 |
Upset the Applecart Don't let Barry know about our plans for the ski trip or he'll upset the applecart. to spoil or interfere with a plan; to obstruct progress; to mess everything up by surprise or accident "From ancient Roman times comes this famous saying, although the Romans just said "cart." "Apple" was added to "cart" in the late 1800s because it helped create a metaphor for ruining something that was carefully arranged. Imagine a farmer or a vendor pushing a large cart piled high with apples on the way to market. Along comes some clumsy oaf who knocks over the cart and spills all the apples. The farmer's plan to sell his apples is spoiled." |
| 596 |
Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop Yesterday was part one of our exam, and now we're waiting for the other shoe to drop. to do something that completes an action; to wait in suspense for something to be finished The man who lives in the apartment above you is getting ready for bed. He takes off one shoe and drops it noisily on the floor. You wait anxiously below for the other shoe to drop; then you can fall asleep in peace and quiet. A 20th-century writer created this expression |
| 597 |
Walk on Eggs Jen was walking on eggs when she tried to return the necklace she had borrowed without asking. to be very cautious; to proceed warily This saying first appeared in Italy in the late 1500s. The writer who came up with the idiom must have had the following image in mind: A person stepping very carefully on a floor of eggs trying not to break a single shell. It can't be done, of course, even with hard-boiled eggs, but it gets across the idea of doing something with great caution |
| 598 |
Walking on Air When she found out that she was having a baby, Nancy left the doctor's office walking on air. to be exuberantly happy, excited, and joyful "This 20th-century expression plays on the idea that feeling down means you're sad or depressed, while feeling up means you're cheerful and glad. What's the highest you can be? Up in the air, of course. Similar idioms that equate being in the air with being happy are "on cloud nine" (see page 131) and "on top of the world" (see page 136)." |
| 599 |
Wash Your Hands of Something I'm tired of arguing with my lab partners, so I'm washing my hands of the science project. to withdraw from something; to end one's association or responsibility for something; to disavow, disclaim, or disown "This expression comes from the Bible. Pontius Pilate, a Roman official in Judea, announced that he could not save Jesus from being executed. He then washed his hands right in front of a crowd of people, saying that he was not guilty of Jesus' death. When you "wash your hands of something," you're not actually at a sink with soap and water. You're just saying that it's not your responsibility, or you don't want to be involved further." |
| 600 |
Watched Pot Never Boils Waiting for the mail carrier isn't going to make the letter come any sooner. A watched pot never boils. when waiting anxiously or impatiently for something to happen, it seems to take much longer If you put a fire under a pot of water, it will eventually boil, of course. But if you just stand there and watch the pot, it will seem to take forever for the boiling bubbles to first appear. Anxiety and impatience do not speed things up; they make them seem slower |
| 601 |
Water over the Dam Lost your ring last week? It's water over the dam now. something that is past and cannot be changed "Sometimes people say it's "water under the bridge," but wherever the water is going, once it has flowed on, it cannot come back. That's why an irretrievable, irreversible situation is described with this watery expression." |
| 602 |
Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve Everyone in the school knows Mel is in love with Ellen, because he wears his heart on his sleeve. to show one's emotions and feelings openly "William Shakespeare used this expression in his famous tragedy Othello around the year 1600. In those days, it was the custom for a young lady to tie a ribbon around the arm of her boyfriend. The boy then wore this favor on his sleeve, one of the most visible parts of his clothing, to display the feelings of his heart for all the world to see. Today, the feelings that you reveal by "wearing your heart on your sleeve" are often of love, but they could be another emotion too." |
| 603 |
Wet Behind the Ears Lisa wouldn't hire him as a manager because he was too wet behind the ears. young, inexperienced, and immature When a baby colt or calf is first born, it's wet all over with birth fluid. It quickly starts to dry, but the little indentation behind its ears stays wet the longest. Farmers always knew this, but some word experts think that in the early 20th century, officers in the American armed forces began using this barnyard expression to describe new soldiers. The saying is also a reference to a young animal that was washed by its mother |
| 604 |
Wet Blanket I hope Terry doesn't come to the amusement park with us—he's such a wet blanket. a person who spoils other people's fun by being depressing, dull, sour, nagging, or humorless This is an early 19th-century expression. Native Americans and others often put out their campfires with blankets they had dipped in the nearest river. If fire represents enthusiasm, excitement, passion, and joy, then the wet blanket that puts out the fire stands for a pessimist or spoilsport. A person acting like that will rain on your parade |
| 605 |
What's Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander If the girls team can't travel to the championship, neither should the boys team. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. a rule or method of treatment that applies to one person or group must also apply to others, especially your mate "A gander is a male goose, and according to this saying, what's appropriate for the female of the species is appropriate for the male, too. At first it may have been a call for equality between the sexes, but today "goose" and "gander" don't stand for "female" and "male" so much as any one person and another person. And "good" in this idiom can have a negative meaning." |
| 606 |
Wheel and Deal Sasha's uncle is an international businessman who wheels and deals all over the world. to skillfully and aggressively make big plans with important business, usually to earn a lot of money "The slang expression for an important person is "big wheel." A "wheeler-dealer" is an important person who makes substantial deals. The saying originated in gambling houses of the American West, where there were gamblers who were heavy betters at cards ("deal") and roulette ("wheel"). Sometimes this phrase refers to people who are big-time operators in tricky, perhaps dishonest, ways." |
| 607 |
When the Cat's Away, the Mice Will Play When the counselor left, we had a pillow fight. When the cat's away the mice will play. when the person in charge is absent, people will usually do as they please and take advantage of the freedom "This proverb appears in many languages and has been in use in English since the 1600s. If there's a cat in the house, the mice will tend to stay hidden. But if the cat is gone, the mice will feel safer and venture out. It's the same with people. When the authority figure (the "cat") is not there, the people being supervised (the "mice") run free." |
| 608 |
Where there's Smoke, there's Fire Kelly bought a new can of spray paint the day the graffiti appeared. She must have done it. Where there's smoke, there's fire. there is always a basis for a rumor, no matter how untrue it appears; suspicious things usually mean that something is wrong In some form or other, this expression has been around since at least 43 b.c., and started getting popular in the mid-1500s. There can never be a fire without some smoke. In this metaphorical saying, the smoke represents the suspicious clues to some wrongdoing and the fire is the dirty deed itself. So when there's evidence that something bad happened, it probably did |
| 609 |
White Elephant There's a white-elephant sale on Saturday. Bring all your junk to sell. any possession that is useless, unwanted, or costs a lot of money to keep There is a legend that in ancient Siam (now Thailand) a king once gave a rare white elephant to a person at his court whom he didn't like. Sounds like a nice gift, but the white elephant was considered sacred, couldn't be made to do any work, and cost a fortune to feed and tend. The courtier couldn't get rid of this big drain on his money because it was a gift from the king. In a short time, the unfortunate man was poor. That's probably what the king intended. The expression first was used in English in the late 1800s |
| 610 |
Wild-Goose Chase It's a wild-goose chase trying to discover who gave you this cold. a useless or hopeless search, especially because something does not exist or can't be found "William Shakespeare used this famous phrase in his play Romeo and Juliet, and it's been widely used since about 1600. It's practically impossible to catch a wild goose. It's like trying to capture a greased pig or find a "needle in a haystack" (see page 124). It also may refer to a kind of horse race in which each horse had to follow the erratic course of the leader. Such a race looks like wild geese following the leader in formation." |
| 611 |
With Flying Colors As expected, Peggy passed her tests with flying colors. with ease and great success; in triumph "Sometimes a naval ship or other vessel will sail into a port with many colorful flags (its "colors") gloriously flying from its masts. What a thrilling sight! That image was extended to describe people who do something marvelous and spectacularly successful." |
| 612 |
Without Batting an Eyelash Deepa accepted the award without batting an eyelash. without showing emotion or interest; impassive "To "bat" an eye was a way of saying "blink" in the early 1900s when this phrase first appeared. Usually a person who sees, hears, or experiences something unusual, scary, or fantastic will show some feeling, or at least blink. If that person is so cool, calm, and collected that he or she doesn't even bat an eyelash, then there's no outward show of emotion at all." |
| 613 |
Wolf in Sheep's Clothing The new landlord acts friendly, but he might be a wolf in sheep's clothing. somebody who appears to be harmless but is really dangerous The idea behind this saying appears in one of Aesop's fables and in the New Testament (Matthew 7:15). When most people think of a wolf, they think of a dangerous animal. A sheep is thought of as friendly, gentle, and harmless. So if a wicked wolf wanted to fool people into thinking he was a nice guy, he might disguise himself in a sheep costume |
| 614 |
Word of Mouth The movie got bad reviews, but it became popular by word of mouth. by one person telling another; by speaking, rather than writing "If people see something they like or don't like, such as a movie, TV show, play, or book, and they tell their friends about it, the news is being spread by "word of mouth" instead of by television commercials, newspaper advertising, billboards, and other kinds of publicity." |
| 615 |
Worth Your Salt In order to get a raise, you have to prove that you're worth your salt. deserving the pay or reward that you get "This 19th-century expression comes from an ancient practice. For thousands of years, salt, a common thing today, was rare and highly prized. The Roman army paid part of a soldier's wages in salt. Our word "salary" comes from the Latin word salarium, which means "salt money." So if you were a good, loyal, brave, hardworking soldier, you were worth what they paid you—salt. Now all hardworking employees are "worth their salt," regardless of how they're paid." |
| 616 |
Wrong Side of the Tracks Alex's mother was horrified when he started dating a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. from a less socially desirable part of town; the poor, unfashionable "In the early days of the railroads, about the middle of the 1800s, train tracks often divided a town into rich and poor sections. The better-off neighborhoods were sometimes built on the side of town where the smoke from trains didn't blow. So the "wrong side of the tracks" was a phrase that came to describe the socially and economically undesirable part of town." |
| 617 |
You Can Lead a Horse to Water but You Can't Make Him Drink We gave him a new shirt, but he still wears the ripped one. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. you can encourage, but not force, someone to do something This expression was first used in the 12th century, when riding a horse was the main way of traveling long distances. A horse owner knew that an animal needed to drink water, especially after a long ride on a hot day. But even though you could take your horse right to the banks of a cool, fresh spring, that didn't mean the stubborn horse would drink. For centuries that truth has been applied to people who do what they want to even though you try to persuade them otherwise |
| 618 |
You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks I tried to give Grandma my new recipe for spaghetti sauce, but she refused. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. people who find it difficult or impossible to change their ways or adjust to new ideas This is an old proverb based on some truth. Animal trainers have known for centuries that it's best to try to train an animal when it's young and not too set in its ways. An older animal likes doing things a certain way and will resist new methods |
| 619 |
be out of your mind The word mind often means memory, but it is also used in reference to normal, healthy mental activity. In the past, someone who was mentally ill was said to be out of their mind. The expression is now used to refer to someone who is behaving in a rash or crazy way. You can also be bored or terrified out of your mind. You must be out of your mind to agree to do a job like that. The pay is dreadful and you don't get much holiday. be out of your mind |
| 620 |
get bogged down in something A bog is an area of wet ground. If you are walking through a bog, you might get stuck in the mud, or bogged down. Figuratively, the phrase get bogged down in something means to become so involved with the details of something that you can't make progress. I've got so bogged down in revision that I can't sleep properly. I'll be really pleased when these exams are over. bogged down in |
| 621 |
out of the blue In this phrase, the blue is a reference to a clear sky. The presence of clouds may be a warning of rain or storms ahead, but a clear blue sky suggests a period of calm weather. Figuratively, if something arrives out of the blue, it comes without warning. Michael phoned me out of the blue and asked me for help. I didn't know he was having money problems, but I said I'd lend him $500. out of the blue |
| 622 |
the tip of the iceberg An iceberg is a huge mass of ice floating in the sea, usually one that has broken off from a glacier. Although an iceberg can rise above the water to a great height, a far larger part of it is submerged beneath the surface and is therefore invisible; you can only see the tip. The idiom refers to something which may seem small or manageable, but which is in fact only a part of a much larger problem or matter. Have you had your car fixed? - Oh no! That problem with the wheel was only the tip of the iceberg. The mechanic said it was too dangerous to drive at all. the tip of the iceberg |
| 623 |
a clean bill of health If an organization, industry, or project is given a clean bill of health, it has received official confirmation that it is operating correctly or is in a good condition. The idiom comes from the official document, known as the bill of health, given in the past to a ship's captain on leaving a port, stating whether at the time of sailing any infectious disease existed on board or in the port. A clean bill of health confirmed that the ship was free from infection. John's just been given a clean bill of health from the doctor. - Oh, that's good news. He had some heart trouble last year, didn't he? a clean bill of health |
| 624 |
be like a red rag to a bull If something is like a red rag to a bull, it is likely to make somebody very angry. The idiom comes from the traditional belief that the colour red made bulls angry, seen in the use of the red matador's cape in bullfighting. (In fact, bulls were probably attracted by the movement of the cape.) Mike's comment about tax reform was like a red rag to a bull! I don't think I've ever seen Pete so angry. - Well, you know you're not supposed to talk about politics at dinner parties. a red rag to a bull |
| 625 |
not ring true If something rings, it makes a clear, resonant sound such as that made by striking a metal object on something hard. In the past (and sometimes still today) this ringing sound was used as an indicator that certain precious metals, coins, or pieces of pottery or glass were of good and genuine quality. In the idiomatic use, if something doesn't ring true, you don't believe it, even though you cannot explain why. I don't trust that man. Something about him doesn't ring true. ring true |
| 626 |
turn over a new leaf In the past, the word leaf was used to mean one of the folds of a folded sheet of parchment or paper, especially the folds of paper (each containing two pages) that are cut to make a book. The figurative use of turn over a new leaf to mean 'make a new start' dates from the 16th century, but in the past could mean changing for the worse as well as the better. Now, if you turn over a new leaf, you change your life by stopping a bad habit, or becoming a better person. No more smoking, more exercise and lots of healthy food! This year I'm turning over a new leaf. I'll be the healthiest person you know, I promise! turning over a new leaf |
| 627 |
bored stiff If something is stiff it is rigid, and not easily bent. If you have done more exercise than usual and your muscles ache, you can say you are feeling stiff; you can also feel stiff if you've been sitting in one position for too long. In the expressions bored stiff and scared stiff the word stiff is used to give extra emphasis: it means you are extremely bored or scared. The idea is that you are so bored or scared that you cannot move. That was the worst film I've ever seen! Nothing interesting happened in two hours. I was bored stiff through most of it |
| 628 |
get to grips with something A grip is a tight hold or grasp of something with your hand. The word is also used figuratively to mean power or control. So if you get to grips with something, you manage to control or deal with it. (But you can also lose your grip if you let a problem or difficulty become too much for you.) I've got to get to grips with this new computer system. I don't even know how to send an email! |
| 629 |
packed in like sardines Sardines are small, silver fish that are often preserved in oil or salt water and sold in tins in which they are packed tightly together. If people are packed in like sardines, they fill an overcrowded space. We were packed in like sardines on the train to Delhi, and it was so hot! I was so glad I had a big bottle of water with me |
| 630 |
turn a blind eye to something This phrase is thought to have originated with Horatio Nelson, a British admiral who died in 1805. He is said to have deliberately put his telescope to his blind eye in order not to see a signal from his commander to discontinue action (the signal was made by waving a flag). He is said to have exclaimed 'I really do not see the signal'! If you turn a blind eye to something, usually something bad, you pretend not to see or notice it. If you turn a blind eye to Ian's behaviour, he'll keep on doing it. - I know, but what can I do? He's 16, if he doesn't want to do his homework, I can't make him |
| 631 |
at the end of your tether A tether is a rope used to tie an animal to something. If the animal is at the end of its tether, it cannot go any further. If a person is at the end of their tether, they have no patience or energy left to deal with something; they feel they cannot continue. Elizabeth has complained to the boss about how much work she has to do. This morning she walked out of the meeting in tears because Ben asked her to do another report. She's at the end of her tether. at the end of her tether |
| 632 |
a black sheep You very often see a black sheep among the white sheep in a field, and indeed there is an old English proverb: 'there's a black sheep in every flock'. The wool from black sheep was probably less valuable than the wool from white sheep, so black sheep would not have been welcomed. Today, if somebody is the black sheep of the family, their behaviour is considered by the family to be bad or embarrassing. I'll tell you a very strange story about my uncle. He was the black sheep of the family and my father, his brother, was the favourite son. One day when they were children … the black sheep |
| 633 |
nip something in the bud A bud is a flower or leaf that has not yet opened. The verb nip means to pinch or squeeze something, or to remove something by pinching it and breaking it off. If you nip the buds off a plant, you remove them so that they cannot open. If you nip something in the bud, you stop it before it becomes damaging. Stuart's school report is atrocious! He failed English and Maths and only got a C for Science. His teachers say he talks too much and never does his homework. We've got to nip his behaviour/this/this kind of behaviour in the bud and make sure he starts studying soon for his exams. nip his behaviour/this/this kind of behaviour in the bud |
| 634 |
full of beans An early (1870s) dictionary of English slang stated that somebody who had become rich, and behaved badly as a result, was full of beans. The dictionary said that the expression was first used by staff working in stables, perhaps with reference to the energetic behaviour of horses when fed with beans. Today the idiom is used approvingly to say that someone is full of energy and enthusiasm. Is that you whistling, John? You're in a very good mood this morning. What makes you so full of beans? full of beans |
| 635 |
at the crack of dawn The word crack was used in the 18th century to mean 'a moment', in reference to the time occupied by the crack, or shot, of a gun. It was used in at the crack of dawn (and sometimes at the crack of day) to express the idea of the moment when night becomes day. It is now used to mean 'very early in the morning'. I had to be up at the crack of dawn so I wouldn't miss my flight. at the crack of dawn |
| 636 |
fall off the back of a lorry When somebody says that something has fallen off the back of a lorry, they are using a euphemism. What they mean is that it has been stolen, or obtained in some other dishonest way. The expression is often used as a joke about something that is unusually cheap. This TV is very cheap. Did it fall off the back of a lorry? fall off the back of a lorry |
| 637 |
pull your weight This phrase comes from rowing. If you pull your weight when you are rowing a boat with other rowers, you are using the right amount of energy in proportion to the size of your body. In general use it means that you are working as hard as other people in your group or team. The boss is angry with you, Jim. If you don't pull your weight, you'll lose your job. pull your weight |
| 638 |
rip somebody off and a rip-off These are relatively recent phrases, which originated in America in the 1960s. Originally, if someone ripped somebody off, they stole something from them. Now it usually means to cheat somebody by charging too much for something. If something is a rip-off, it is more expensive than it should be. Michael paid $5,000 for his second-hand car. What a rip-off! A new one only costs $6,000. a rip-off |
| 639 |
as mad as a hatter In Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland (published in 1865) a hat-maker, or hatter, holds a tea party, in which he behaves in a very strange, or mad, way. Carroll was referring to the effects of mercury poisoning sometimes suffered in the past by hat-makers as a result of the use of mercurous nitrate in the manufacture of felt hats. Now, somebody who is eccentric or behaving in a strange way is described humorously as being as mad as a hatter. It says here that some British guy is going to eat nothing but cheese for a week to raise money for a cancer charity! He must be as mad as a hatter! as mad as a hatter |
| 640 |
close ranks When soldiers close ranks, they get closer together so that it is difficult for the enemy to get past them. Similarly, lines of policemen close ranks to control a crowd. From this a figurative sense has developed: when people close ranks, they join together to defend something that is important to them or to protect each other from criticism. The company's senior officials are closing ranks over the latest allegations that they were involved in bribery over trade contracts rumoured to be worth millions of pounds. closing ranks |
| 641 |
hatchet job A hatchet is a small, light axe with a short handle, for use with one hand. The term hatchet man originated in the US, and referred to someone who was paid to kill someone, originally using a hatchet for the purpose. It is now used figuratively to refer to a journalist who is employed to attack people's reputations, and so a hatchet job is a strong written attack on a person or their work. Did you read that article about the government's plans for the health service? - Yeah, the writer didn't think much of their ideas, did he? It was a real hatchet job. hatchet job |
| 642 |
in the doghouse In North American English a doghouse is a small house or shelter for a dog; the British English word is 'kennel'. On both sides of the Atlantic, if you are in the doghouse you have done something that has made someone angry– the expression is used humorously with reference to a badly behaved dog that has been shut in its kennel. Ha ha! Dad's in the doghouse because he forgot mum's birthday! in the doghouse |
| 643 |
behind bars The bars are the straight, strong rods of iron fixed across the window of a prison cell. So somebody who is behind bars is in prison. Did you hear? They put that politician behind bars for bribery. behind bars |
| 644 |
get (hold of) the wrong end of the stick The stick here is a stick with one end that has been carved or shaped, so that it can be used as a walking stick or similar tool. If you hold it by the wrong end you can't use it correctly. In the past, if you had the right or the wrong end of the stick, you had, or didn't have, the advantage in a bargain or contest. Now, the expression is used to refer to someone who has misunderstood a situation or a story. I was trying to explain to Tom why I couldn't see him yesterday, and he got the wrong end of the stick and thought I was breaking up with him! the wrong end of the stick |
| 645 |
the rat race Originally, in the 18th century, this referred to the practice of setting rats to race against each other, in order to lay bets on the winner. The rats wore ribbons of different colours to identify them. In the 20th century the term rat race was used by American soldiers and pilots to refer to planes flying closely together, whether in combat or racing for fun. Now, the rat race is the competitive struggle to earn good money and gain in status. I'm leaving the rat race to go travelling and hopefully find a more satisfying way to live. the rat race |
| 646 |
touch wood This originates from a children's game called 'Touch-wood' or sometimes 'Touch-iron'. This was a game in which players could be 'caught' while running between wooden or iron objects, but were 'safe' once they had reached and were touching one. Now you say touch wood (and you may try to find some wood to touch) after you have referred to something that has an uncertain outcome, in order to prevent something bad from happening. The plane lands at six so we should be home by eight–<span class= cloze >touch wood. touch wood |
| 647 |
be at loggerheads The first meaning of loggerhead was a stupid person– the word used today is 'blockhead'. The word came from logger, which was a heavy block of wood attached to a horse's leg to stop the horse from moving away, and head. It was also used of someone with a large head, and then became the name of an iron instrument with a long handle and a ball at the end, which was heated in an open fire and used for melting tar or heating liquids. Now, if you're at loggerheads with someone, you are locked in a dispute with them. It's possible that the iron instrument was sometimes used as a weapon, and that this may be the origin of the idiom. The trade union representatives are at loggerheads with the company's management over working conditions and pay. Neither side looks likely to compromise. at loggerheads |
| 648 |
bright as a button Someone who is bright as a button is clever and has a lively mind. The earliest record of the use of this expression is from the 18th century, in a text in which a woman's eyes were said to be 'as bright as de polish of the Birmingham button'. The repetition of the 'b' makes the idiom alliterative (= using the same letter or sound at the beginning of words that are close together). Isn't Janey's daughter sweet? She's as bright as a button, too–she can already say 'mum' and 'dad' and 'biscuit'! as bright as a button |
| 649 |
on tenterhooks A tenter was a frame on which fabric was stretched at the end of the manufacturing process, so that it dried evenly and without shrinking. It was fixed in position by tenterhooks, which were hooks fitted into the edges of the frame. The idiom makes figurative reference to the tension of the cloth: a person who is on tenterhooks is anxiously waiting to find out about something. I can't relax until I find out if I've got the job or not. It's driving me crazy. I'm on tenterhooks the whole time. on tenterhooks |
| 650 |
a whale of a time This expression originated in the United States. A whale is a very large animal, so if you have a whale of something, you have something in large quantities. If you have a whale of a time, you have a lot of fun, and a very good time. Do you want to see my holiday photos? - Oh, these are great! You look like you had a whale of a time. a whale of a time |
| 651 |
be out of your depth If you are swimming in the sea or a swimming pool and the water is too deep for you to put your feet on the bottom, you are out of your depth. The expression is used figuratively to refer to a situation that has become too complex for you to manage or understand. If you want my advice, don't do it. You'll be out of your depth in that kind of situation. be out of your depth |
| 652 |
break the ice Over the centuries this expression has been used both literally–in reference to ships breaking through the ice on frozen seas–and figuratively, meaning to make a start on a new activity or undertaking (we also say break ground in this sense). Now, if you do something that breaks the ice, you say or do something that makes people feel more relaxed at the beginning of a meeting or party. What can I do to break the ice at my dinner party? None of my friends know each other and I'm worried they'll be too shy to start chatting. break the ice |
| 653 |
get off on the wrong foot Over the centuries the word foot has been used in reference to walking or running. In figurative use, it refers to general progress: if something gets off on the right or wrong foot, it starts well or badly. It is often used in reference to meeting someone new, when if things don't go well the relationship can get off on the wrong foot. Try not to get off on the wrong foot with the new boss. So, no silly jokes, OK? get off on the wrong foot |
| 654 |
in your element An element is a part of a whole. In the past, before the scientific study of chemistry, people believed that everything in life was made from the 'four elements': earth, fire, wind and water. So if something was in its element, it was in its most natural state. From this developed the modern figurative sense: if you are in your element, you are somewhere where you are happy, or doing something that you are good at and enjoy. You'll be in your element when you go to university–you'll meet loads of new people with similar interests and make lots of new friends. in your element |
| 655 |
be a toss-up A toss-up (or toss) is the throwing of a coin to decide something–you say beforehand whether you choose heads or tails (the front or reverse of the coin). The way the coin falls is a matter of chance, and so, in the idiom, either of two outcomes is equally uncertain or equally possible. It's really a toss-up as to which of the two teams wins the Cup. They've both performed well this season, and all the players are on top form. a toss-up |
| 656 |
bury your head in the sand If you refuse to believe that a real problem exists, you are said to be burying your head in the sand. The idiom refers to the old belief that ostriches bury their heads in sand when being chased by predators, thinking that if they cannot see something then they themselves cannot be seen. Although there is no truth in this belief, the idiom is still in common use. You've got to stop burying your head in the sand, Tim! Your problems won't go away until you do something about them. burying your head in the sand |
| 657 |
have a field day In the past, a field day was a day on which military troops were gathered together for different exercises–it was a chance to demonstrate their skill. From this developed the sense of a day full of exciting events or opportunities. Today, if somebody has a field day, they do a lot of something they enjoy, though the idiom is often used in contexts in which this may cause problems for other people. Looks like the kids are having a field day with that new computer you got them for Christmas. I just hope it doesn't interfere with their schoolwork. having a field day |
| 658 |
on the grapevine This phrase originated in the American Civil War, when messages were sent across a distance by a system known as the 'grapevine telegraph'. It is now in general use to indicate the route by which a rumour or piece of information (often something secret or private) is passed: if you hear something on the grapevine, you have been told it informally. I heard on the grapevine that Ashley is getting married! - Really? I didn't even know she had a boyfriend! on the grapevine |
| 659 |
a piece of cake Eating a piece of cake is a very easy and pleasant thing to do. If somebody says that something is a piece of cake, they mean that it's very easy to do. You can also say it's as easy as pie. That geography exam was a piece of cake –I got 100%! a piece of cake |
| 660 |
down in the dumps Long ago the word dump used to mean a state of sadness or depression. It is no longer used in this sense, but the word survives in the plural in the expression down in the dumps. If you are down in the dumps, you are feeling low or depressed. What's wrong Sarah? You look a bit down in the dumps. down in the dumps |
| 661 |
lose face The most common meaning of face is the front part of the head, where your eyes, nose, and mouth are. But it can also be used to mean the visible part or surface of something, for example the front of a building, or the right side of a fabric or coin. From this developed the sense of outward appearance, and then 'reputation'. So if you lose face, you lose the respect of other people. Dan won't tell the boss his report is going to be late because he doesn't want to lose face. He's been working until 7 every evening. lose face |
| 662 |
sleep like a log A log is a thick, heavy piece of wood, cut from a tree. A log does not move, so if you sleep like a log, you sleep a deep and restful sleep, moving around very little or not at all. I'll catch an early flight to New York so I have more time there. I sleep like a log anywhere, so I can sleep on the plane. sleep like a log |
| 663 |
bite the bullet In the days before anaesthetics or painkillers, soldiers were given a bullet to bite on during medical operations. Now the idiom means to face up to something difficult with courage. I've just got to bite the bullet and ask for a raise. They can't fire me just for asking, can they? bite the bullet |
| 664 |
have a bee in your bonnet A bonnet was a woman's or baby's hat, with ribbons tied under the chin. If a bee got into your bonnet, it would have buzzed noisily and been very troublesome. The idiom is used figuratively to suggest that someone cannot stop thinking about something, and talks about it too much. I can't believe Carol is still talking about her noisy neighbours. - Yes, she' really got a bee in her bonnet about them, hasn't she? a bee in her bonnet |
| 665 |
propose a toast to somebody In the past people sometimes placed a small piece of toast, perhaps sweetened or spiced, in a glass of wine or other drink to add flavour. From this developed the idea that the name of a beautiful or popular woman would add sweetness to a drink, and so people would raise their glasses and call her name before drinking. Now, if you propose a toast to somebody, you ask the people at a party to wish somebody happiness and success by lifting their glasses and drinking. Ladies and gentlemen, quiet please! I would like to propose a toast to the very happy, very lucky bride and groom! propose a toast to |
| 666 |
step or move up a gear The gears in a car create and change the speed and power with which the car is moving. If you move up a gear, you enable the car to go faster. Figuratively, if you step or move up a gear, you start working more effectively or faster. This new ad campaign shows we are stepping/moving up a gear –our competitors better watch out! stepping/moving up a gear |
| 667 |
Smell a Rat feel that something is wrong How come the front door is open? Didn't you close it before we went shopping? I'm sure I did. I can't understand it. Frankly, I smell a rat. Me, too. I'm convinced that something is definitely wrong here. We'd better call the police |
| 668 |
Go to the Dogs become run-down Have you seen their house lately? It's really gone to the dogs. It's true that it has become run-down and in serious need of repair, but I'm sure that it can be fixed up to look like new. I guess with a little carpentry work and some paint it could look pretty decent |
| 669 |
Fishy strange and suspicious When the security guard saw a light in the store after closing hours, it seemed to him that there were something fishy going on. He called the central office and explained to his superior that he thought something strange and suspicious was occurring |
| 670 |
Take the Bull by the Horns take decisive action in a difficult situation Julie had always felt that she was missing out on a lot of fun because of her clumsiness on the dance floor. She had been putting off taking lessons, but she finally took the bull by the horns and went to a professional dance studio for help. She was tired of feeling left out and acted decisively to correct the situation |
| 671 |
Horse of a Different Color quite a different matter Eric likes to play jokes on his friends, but he makes sure that nobody is hurt by any of his pranks. A prank that hurts someone is a horse of different color! Being playful is one thing, but hurting someone by one's prank is quite a different matter |
| 672 |
Let the Cat Out of the Bag inform beforehand Bob was going to retire from teaching in June, and the foreign language department was planning on presenting him with some luggage at his retirement dinner. He wasn't supposed to know about it, but someone let the cat out of the bag. At dinner Bob acted surprised, even though someone had told him what he was getting before the official presentation |
| 673 |
For the Birds uninteresting an meaningless They went to a poetry reading, but they got bored and restless. As far as they were concerned, it was for the birds! They left during an intermission because they found the reading totally uninteresting and meaningless |
| 674 |
Straight From the Horse's Mouth from a reliable source How did you find out that Jill was engaged? I got the information from a very reliable source. You mean Jill told you so herself? That's right. I got it straight from the horse's mouth! |
| 675 |
Horse Around play around Did you hear about Dave's back injury? No. How did he get hurt? Well, after the coach left the gym he decided to stay and horse around on the parallel bars. He somehow lost his grip and fell on his back. That's too bad, but he shouldn't have been aimlessly playing around on the equipment without proper supervision |
| 676 |
Cat Got Your Tongue? can't talk Come on, Connie! Tell us what you think about our little ride down the rapids yesterday. Well, uh... Wasn't it exciting? I, uh... What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? If you must know, I'm keeping quiet because I was scared out of my wits! |
| 677 |
Get in Someone's Hair bother someone Children! Would you please stop making so much noise! And for heaven's sake, pick up your clothes and toys! It's hard enough trying to keep this house clean without your throwing your things all over the place! Clara, I know that the children get in your hair, but you should try not to let it upset you so much. Listen, Jim. I can't help it. The children bother me and make me very angry when they're so noisy and messy |
| 678 |
Shoot Off One's Mouth express one's opinions loudly Jim doesn't play tennis very much, but he's always shooting off his mouth about how good he is. Yet he's fooling nobody. Jim is somewhat of a braggart and everyone knows that he gives opinions without knowing all the facts and talks as if he knew everything about the game |
| 679 |
Jump Down Someone's Throat become angry with someone That's it, Greg! You'd better not come in after midnight again tonight! I know, dad. You don't have to jump down my throat! I told you that I'd make it home around 11:30. I don't intend to be late! Well, you've said that before and in you come at 2:30 in the morning. You can't blame me for getting angry and scolding you. I've got good reason |
| 680 |
Pay Through the Nose pay too high a price At last Mr. Smith came upon the rare stamp he had been seeking at an auction. Since many other stamp collectors would also be bidding for it, he realized that he would have to pay through the nose in order to have it. After considering the increasing value of the stamp, he decided that he would not mind paying such a high price for something so rare |
| 681 |
Tongue-In-Cheek not serious Why were you teasing Sonia about her new hairdo? She really took offense at what you said. I didn't mean to offend her. I was simply making a tongue-in-cheek remark when I said that it was too elaborate for a girl of her young, tender age. Well, she thought you were serious. She had no idea that you were just saying that as a joke. I'm really sorry. I suppose I owe her an apology |
| 682 |
Pull Someone's Leg fool someone Hey, Al. I was invited to be a judge for the Miss America Beauty Pageant! Oh, really? Come on, you're pulling my leg! No, honestly. Do you really think that I'm trying to fool you with a ridiculous story? Well, you've told me foolish stories before. I can assure you that this one is for real |
| 683 |
Play It by Ear improvise as one goes along Let's go to the movies, agreed? Sure. And what'll we do after that? Oh, I don't know. Let's play it by ear. Well, I would like to have a more definite plan of action. Don't be like that. It's always more fun not knowing what to expect and deciding what to do as we go along |
| 684 |
Stick Out One's Neck take a risk How come they're asking me to act as their guide through the jungle? Evidently they think you're the only one who can lead them to the lost temple. That jungle has danger lurking around every corner. Why should I stick my neck out for them? They didn't pay me for my services. They know that you would be taking a great risk and could possibly get hurt, but you're the only one with enough knowledge to take them to their destination. I'm sure you'll be amply rewarded |
| 685 |
Shake a Leg hurry! Mary, you always take such a long time to put on your makeup. Come on, shake a leg! I'll be finished in a minute. Be patient. You've got to hurry or else we won't arrive on time to see the last show |
| 686 |
All Thumbs clumsy Hey, Bea. Can you help me out? I don't seem to be able to button up the back of my dress. Sure. Let's see if I can do it for you. I guess I'm all thumbs because I'm so nervous. I'm already late for my date. Well, I suppose that being so nervous would make you clumsy and awkward. But don't worry. I'm sure your date will wait |
| 687 |
Not Have a Leg to Stand On to have no good defense for one's opinions or actions Tom maintains that the firm owes him some back wages for having worked overtime. However, he won't have a leg to stand on unless he can prove that he put in all those extra hours. He doesn't stand a chance of getting his money without a strong foundation of facts to support his position |
| 688 |
Get Off Someone's Back stop bothering someone Hey, John. I'm bored. Come on, let's go out and do something. Sorry, I'm right in the middle of studying for a physics exam. I won't be able to make it tonight. You've been studying for a long time. Why don't you take a break? Come on! Let's go! Forget studying for a while! Look! Get off my back! I can't go anywhere! OK. I'll stop bothering you only if you promise to let me know the minute you're finished |
| 689 |
Drive Someone Up a Wall annoy someone greatly Wow! What a great set of drums! Yeah, they're great, but I can't play on them when my folks are at home. They say I drive them up a wall with all the loud banging. I get the same thing at home. My folks tell me that I annoy them and get them really angry whenever I turn up the volume on my stereo |
| 690 |
String Someone Along lead someone on dishonestly Liz had high hopes of marrying Dean. When he ran off with another woman, she realized that he was just stringing her along. She had felt very strongly about him and was really hurt to see that he was deceiving her and had no intentions of ever marrying her |
| 691 |
Sell Someone Down the River betray someone I heard that poor Jud landed up in jail. Yeah. His so-called girlfriend sold him down the river and claimed the reward on him. I can't understand that. I thought she was devoted to him. She couldn't have been very devoted to him if she betrayed him and informed the police about his hiding place. That just goes to show you what people will do for money |
| 692 |
Leave Someone High and Dry abandon someone Say, Jill. I thought that John was going to help you do the dishes tonight. So did I. But he left me high and dry. Where did he go? Well, he got a call from some of pals at work to go bowling, and he left me alone to do all this work without any help at all! |
| 693 |
Sell Someone Short underestimate someone Just because he does not say very much is no reason to sell him short. Actually, he's a profound thinker and a most talented writer. People tend to underestimate him and not give him the credit he deserves because they think he's shy |
| 694 |
Show Job insincere talk The salesman tried to convince a group of investors that the properties he was selling would soon be worth much more money than he was asking. However, no one bought anything from him because they felt he was giving them a show job. No one was deceived by his insincerity and exaggerated claims about the worth of the properties |
| 695 |
Spill the Beans reveal a secret Did you know that Harry was going to take Kathy on a Caribbean cruise? Yes, I did. He was planning on surprising her with the tickets for their anniversary, but someone spilled the beans. What a shame! That was supposed to have been a surprise. Yes, it's too bad that someone told her about the trip beforehand and ruined Harry's surprise. That's OK. Her enthusiasm was not dampened in the least! |
| 696 |
Feed Someone a Line deceive someone Mr. Jones had been telling Louise how efficient she was and how much he admired her work at the office. He had promised her a promotion in the near future, but she soon discovered that he was feeding her a line when he passed her by and gave the promotion to someone less capable. Louise was acutely disappointed to find out that Mr. Jones was not telling her the truth, and that he was deceiving her |
| 697 |
On Ice set aside for future use We've been working on this sales report for some time now. Don't you think we should take a break for some dinner? Now that you mention it, I am kind of hungry. Let's put the report on ice awhile and grab a bite to eat. That's fine. I'd be happy to stop working on it and set it aside until we get some food. Great! Let's lock up and go |
| 698 |
Shoot the Breeze chat informally What are you going to be doing this afternoon? Oh, I don't have anything in particular in mind. Why don't you come over to my place? We can listen to some records and shoot the breeze. That sounds OK to me. I'd like to relax listening to music and visit and chat informally until my folks get back from shopping |
| 699 |
Bite the Dust go down in defeat Andy did exceptionally well in all of the track events, but he bit the dust in the high jump competition. Much to the disappointment of his fans, he went down in defeat, losing to a competitor from the visiting team |
| 700 |
Bend Over Backwards try very hard When Joan first started teaching she was afraid that she would have a lot of trouble getting used to the kids and to the faculty. Her fears turned out to be unfounded, since everybody bent over backwards to help her. Everyone tried very hard to help her feel comfortable and adjust to the school |
| 701 |
Hit the Hay go to bed Listen, Kim. We're going to be really busy with moving tomorrow, and we've got to get an early start. I guess you're right. We'll need all the rest we can get. What do you say we hit the hay now? Agreed. Let's go to bed and get a good night's sleep. It's going to be a long day |
| 702 |
Cough Up give unwillingly Say, Greg. Did you finally get that computer that you wanted so much? Not yet. I needed to raise a couple of hundred dollars more. Is it going to take you a while to raise the money? It would have taken me forever, but dad said he'd cough up the money I need since I'm going to be using the computer for my school work. May be it was difficult for your dad to give you the money — but then, he knows that it's for a good cause |
| 703 |
Jump the Gun to be hasty Denise was planning on telling her grandparents that the doctor said she was going to have twins, but when her dad found out he jumped the gun and told them before Denise could say a word. He was so excited that he became hasty and revealed the news before Denise had a chance to tell them |
| 704 |
Scratch Someone's Back return a favor Hey, Bea. I need some help stacking these boxes. Would you please give me a hand? OK. And I need some help tidying up the house. How about you helping me out after that? OK. If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. I know you don't like doing housework, but I'll help you with the boxes if you promise to return the favor. No problem. I'll even do the windows |
| 705 |
Hit the Ceiling become very angry Don's father hit the ceiling when he was informed that his son had been detained by the police for disorderly conduct. He became violently angry, since he had often warned his son not to keep company with that group of boys |
| 706 |
Fork Over hand over, give Hey, Dan. How come you're looking so sad? It's nothing, really. I unexpectedly bumped into Ralph and he asked me to fork over the ten bucks I owed him. Did he expect you to pay him back right then and there? Yes, he did. It was all the money I had, and I had to hand it over to him. Don't complain. After all, he did you a favor by lending it to you in the first place |
| 707 |
Turn Someone Off disgust someone How was your date with Marty last night? Well, it started off OK, but he really turned me off when we went for a snack after the movies. Did he say or do something to annoy you? Frankly, he disgusted me when he tried to talk with his mouth full. I don't blame you. That would have really bothered me too |
| 708 |
Go Fly a Kite go away! For the past three hours Jerry had been trying to convince Linda to go to the art exhibition with him. She had been refusing all along and finally in desperation she told him, “Go fly a kite!” Jerry didn't like to be told to go away in such a forceful manner. Nevertheless, he finally stopped trying to get Linda to attend the exhibition |
| 709 |
Kick the Bucket die It's been said that the old man knew of a buried treasure, but he kicked the bucket before telling anyone where it was. If the treasure exists, the old man unfortunately took the secret of its location with him when he died |
| 710 |
Raise a Stink protest strongly Listen! Don't try to use any of your sister's clothes without asking her first. She's liable to raise a stink if she finds something missing. I'm sure that there will be no problem. She's borrowed some of my things before, and I've never said anything. I really doubt that she will protest very strongly |
| 711 |
Wet Blanket dull or boring person who spoils the happiness of others James was not invited to go on the outing with the rest of the group because he's such a wet blanket. On many previous occasions he has kept others from enjoying themselves by his pessimism and lack of enthusiasm. It's understandable that no one wants him around |
| 712 |
Keep Under One's Hat keep something a secret Although the contestants were most anxious to know who won the prizes in the piano competition, the judges kept the results under their hats. They kept the results a secret so that the formal announcements could be made in public at the awards ceremony |
| 713 |
Up One's Sleeve concealed All right, Sara. We know that you're planning something big for Jean-Paul's birthday. Mind telling us just what you have up your sleeve? I wanted to make his birthday a very special event. Jean-Paul has a sister living in France, and I sent her an airplane ticket so that she could be here for his birthday. Boy! That is something special! We kind of guessed that you had some concealed plan and were waiting for the right time to reveal it. Well, I didn't want to say anything until I was sure she could come |
| 714 |
Dressed to Kill wear one's finest clothing The reception for the new Swedish ambassador at the Jenison's was quite lavish. Naturally, everybody was dressed to kill. Since it was a formal occasion, everyone was dressed in their finest, most elegant clothes |
| 715 |
Give Someone the Slip make a gateway The police were chasing the thief through the streets of the city, but he managed to give them the slip. No wonder. There were so many people around that the thief managed to escape by getting lost in the crowds |
| 716 |
Knock Someone's Socks Off enthuse and excite Hi, John. What's new? Oh, nothing too much with me, but you ought to see Alfredo's new car. It'll knock your socks off! So, he finally got that Italian sports car he's been dreaming about. He sure did! When you see all the custom features that it has, you'll get so enthused and excited you won't know what to do! Boy, I can hardly wait to go for a ride in it! |
| 717 |
Talk Thorough One's Hat make foolish statements We were discussing ethnic tradition and customs with Fred the other day, and he showed just how little he knew about other cultures. What do you mean? Well, he said that as far as he could tell, there wasn't much difference in behavior and temperament between the English and the Hispanics. It's plain to see that he was talking through his hat! True, but Fred thinks he's an authority on everything. It was difficult to convince him that he was talking ignorantly. He's got a reputation for making foolish, inaccurate statements |
| 718 |
Lose One's Shirt lose a great deal of money I happened to bump into Doug at lunch yesterday afternoon. What's new with Doug these days? He wasn't doing so well. For one thing, he told me he lost his shirt at the races. Doug has always liked to bet on the horses. I'm not surprised that he lost a great deal of money. Yeah. At this rate he'll never have a penny to his name! |
| 719 |
In Stitches laughing very hard Danny was hilarious at the party the other night. He had us all in stitches! I didn't realize that he was such a comedian. He's always been funny, but last night he outdid himself. He had us laughing so hard that it hurt our sides |
| 720 |
Dressed to the Teeth dressed elegantly Did you see Hilda at the party last night? Yes, I did. She was really dressed to the teeth! Well, she had on her finest, most elegant clothing because she was out to make a good impression on Bill |
| 721 |
Lemon something defective Have you seen Joanne's new car yet? Yeah. It looks good, but she's had nothing but problems with it. That's too bad. It sounds like she got a real lemon. She sure did! No sooner did she drive it home from the dealer's than it proved defective and started breaking down |
| 722 |
Out of the Woods out of danger Although Eric was well on his way to recovering from his bout with pneumonia, he was still not out of the woods. The doctors told him that he would have to take it easy and avoid exposure to cold, since he was not out of danger and difficulty yet |
| 723 |
Get Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed wake up in a bad mood What's the matter with Bernard today? He started shouting from the moment he stepped into the office. I don't know. He usually doesn't act that way at all. I guess he got up on the wrong side of the bed. Just because he woke up in a bad mood is no reason for him to be so cross and to go around shouting at everybody. Hopefully he'll relax as the day goes on. Amen! |
| 724 |
Out on a Limb in a risky position The members of the committee realized that their position against expanding the student aid program was an unpopular one, and that they were going out on a limb by voting against the program. Nevertheless, their position was justified to a certain extent. Although they knew that they were placing themselves in a risky position, they felt that other budgetary considerations were of greater urgency |
| 725 |
Eating Someone bothering or worrying someone Hey, Alice. What's been eating you lately? Don't you realize how rude and irritable you've become? I know. I'm really sorry for the way I've been acting. Well, why don't you tell me what has been bothering and upsetting you and maybe we can work your problem out together. I'll admit that it would help to talk to someone about it |
| 726 |
Get the Ax be dismissed, fired I feel sorry for Richard. He was feeling quite depressed when I ran into him. Did he tell you what was bothering him? Among other things, he informed me that he got the ax at work. That's strange. He's always been a conscientious worker. I wonder why they dismissed him from his job? Evidently he had a disagreement on company policies with one of the top executives |
| 727 |
In the Hole in debt Unfortunately, Peter had to sell his neighborhood hardware store. Because of competition from the bigger stores in the shopping center, he was going in the hole every month. His store was small and did not generate enough income to meet expenses. As a consequence, he was rapidly losing money and going into debt |
| 728 |
Bite the Bullet endure in a difficult situation We really had a frightening experience when we went hunting last month. What happened? We got lost in the wilderness and had to bite the bullet until help arrived. Did you manage OK? Barely. We weren't prepared for the cold weather and we couldn't find any shelter. We had to endure in a very trying situation. We almost froze by the time they found us |
| 729 |
Face the Music accept the consequences It's no wonder you have a stomachache. I told you not to eat so many green apples. You don't listen, and now you're going to have to face the music. The trouble with me is that I can't stop with just one or two, especially when they're so tart. I'll admit that I tend to forget that eventually I'm going to have to accept the consequences for what I've done. I sure hope it was worth it! |
| 730 |
Blow It fail at something How did you do on the history exam? I think I blew it! There was a section on the Civil War, and that's the chapter in the book that I studied the least. Well, at this point you can't really be sure that you completely failed the examination. You must have done okay on the rest of the test. Perhaps I didn't fail the entire exam, but I'm sure that I didn't do well |
| 731 |
At the End of One's Rope at the limit of one's ability to cope The Jones' housekeeper was completely useless! Poor Mrs. Jones felt that she was at the end of her rope when she walked into the house and saw the children crying and unfed, dirty dishes in the sink, and clothes strewn all over the place. She had had to leave the house and children in someone else's care while she was off on business. Now that she came back to all of this disorder and disarray, she felt that she had reached the limit of her ability to cope with the situation |
| 732 |
On One's Last Legs sick and failing Poor Mike. He was one of the greatest musicians I've ever known, but when I saw him the other day he looked like he was on his last legs. Yeah. He hardly plays any more. What made him give up his music? Apparently he lost confidence in himself at some point in his career, and he's been sick and failing ever since |
| 733 |
Hot Under the Collar extremely angry Did you see how Bill came in to work this morning? Did I ever! Boy, was he hot under the collar! What brought that on? He said that he was extremely angry because he got stuck in slow-moving traffic and arrived late for an important business meeting |
| 734 |
On the Line in danger of being lost Lately Tom's been more conscientious about the accuracy and quality of his work with the company. He was warned that his job was on the line because of his lack of concern for his duties. When Tom was alerted that he was in danger of losing his job, he began to take his obligations with the company more seriously |
| 735 |
For a Song for very little money Sara, I picked up the perfect chair for the living room the other day. That's wonderful. I know you've been looking for some time. Where did you finally come across what you wanted? I was really quite lucky. I got it for a song at a little furniture store. I was able to buy it for very little money because the owners of the store were right in the middle of their spring liquidation sale |
| 736 |
Make a Splash be successful and attract attention Do you remember Andre and Jack? Yes, I do. Weren't they working together on some kind of a novel? That's right. It was finally published and I understand that it made quite a splash both domestically and abroad. That's great news! They're both talented and hardworking. It's good to hear that the book was so successful and attracted such a great deal of attention |
| 737 |
Have the World by the Tail be successful and happy Marc finished school at the top of his class and he was offered an excellent position with an accounting firm. Now he feels that he has the world by the tail. Everything has been working out for him lately, and it's no wonder that he's feeling so successful and happy |
| 738 |
Sitting Pretty in a fortunate position I heard that Michael and Jennifer got a good price when they sold their house. Yes, they did. Now they're really sitting pretty. As a matter of fact, they're thinking of going on a long vacation. I wish I were in such a fortunate position. I haven't had a vacation in years |
| 739 |
Feel Like a Million Dollars feel wonderful I bumped into Nick at the barbershop yesterday. He looked great, but I noticed that he had a slight limp when he walked. I guess you didn't know that he had an operation on his knee. No, I didn't. How's he feeling? He says he's feeling like a million dollars now. Apparently the pain in his knee is all gone. It's good that he's feeling so wonderful. It must be a refreshing change not having to put up with all that discomfort |
| 740 |
Kick Up One's Heels celebrate The prerequisites for admission to the Theater Arts School are quite demanding, and those students who were finally accepted had reason to kick up their heels. It was only natural that those who made it through the exams and interviews would want to celebrate the occasion by going out and having a good time |
| 741 |
Bury the Hatchet make peace Somebody told me that you and Doug had been quarreling over the construction site of the new building. That's true, but we worked out the problem and decided to bury the hatchet. Glad to hear that. You guys have always worked well together. Well, once we came to the conclusion that we both had the same goal in mind, we put an end to our bitter feelings and made peace with each other |
| 742 |
Paint the Town Red carouse and have a good time How did you enjoy your vacation to Europe last summer? It was marvelous. I'll never forget the time we had when we were in Rome. There was no end to things to see and do. And how was the night life? Great! We painted the town red the first three nights we were there. Didn't that get to be pretty expensive? I guess so, but we were so excited by all that the city had to offer that we went out carousing without thinking about the cost |
| 743 |
Get Away Clean escape punishment After robbing a neighborhood bank, the robbers sped off in a waiting car and got away clean. In spite of all police efforts to apprehend them, the criminals were never caught and punished for their crime |
| 744 |
Come Alive brighten up and become active Up to now the guests at the party had been eating and making small talk, but when the rock band arrived, everyone came alive. When the band started playing all the latest rock hits, everybody brightened up and became very active |
| 745 |
Toot One's Own Horn boast Michael's last novel was a best seller. He has no need to toot his own horn about his literary accomplishments. His readers and critics alike will now become aware of his talent. He won't have to boast about his skill and success as a writer |
| 746 |
Stick to One's Guns maintain one's position In spite of the fact that it was inadvisable to have a controversial figure address the club, the chairman stuck to his guns and insisted that it would make good sense to hear the other side of the question before taking a vote on the issue. He maintained his opinion and position on the matter, even though a number of members tried to make him change his mind |
| 747 |
Get the Ball Rolling initiate action Look! You've been talking about repairing the roof for weeks now. Don't you think it's about time to get the ball rolling? I know, but I've been busy with other things. I promise I'll get to it this weekend. The time to start doing it is right now! According to the weather report it's supposed to rain tomorrow |
| 748 |
Mind One's P's and Q's take care in speech and action Listen, Larry. If you want an invitation to Clarissa's party you'd better mind your P's and Q's. But I haven't been doing anything to offend her. I'll tell you one thing. You're going to have to be careful of what you say and how you act around Susan. Come on! Susan and I are just friends. I know that, but Clarissa is the jealous type. She's liable to think that something is going on between the two of you |
| 749 |
Hang On persevere During the depression years the Smiths had a great deal of trouble with their business, but somehow or other they were able to hang on. Although they almost lost their store, they managed to persevere until things got better |
| 750 |
Give It One's Best Shot try hard Can you do anything about repairing this TV set? I'm not much of an electrician, but I'll give it my best shot. Many thanks. I'd be most appreciative. OK. I'll try my hardest to fix it, but I'm not promising that I'll succeed. At this point, I'll take all the help I can get |
| 751 |
Make Ends Meet pay one's bills It's almost impossible trying to keep up with the high cost of living. It's true. Things are so expensive nowadays that it's very difficult to make ends meet. You know, even with Lucie's salary, our combined income is hardly enough to pay all the bills |
| 752 |
Get the Jump on Someone get the advantage over someone Did you have a nice time at the school dance last night? To tell you the truth, I would have enjoyed myself more if I had been able to go with Teresa instead of Elena. Why didn't you ask Teresa in the first place? I was about to, but Benito got the jump on me. How did he manage to do that? He got the advantage over me by telling Teresa that if she went with him, he'd take her out to dinner and then to the dance in his brand new convertible. Well, now, she can hardly be blamed for accepting an offer like that! |
| 753 |
Pull Strings exert influence Steven had been unsuccessful in getting tickets for the opening game of the season. However, he pulled some strings with the manager of the team and got excellent seats. There's no doubt that he got the tickets only by exerting his influence with a person important enough to help him get what he wanted |
| 754 |
Spread Oneself Too Thin become involved in too many activities Although Teresa has always been an excellent student, her marks have been going down lately because she is spreading herself too thin. Beside spending a great deal of time in after-school sports, she got a part-time job as a clerk in a department store. It's only natural that her grades would suffer. She is becoming involved in so many activities that she cannot devote the time that it takes to excel in any one of them |
| 755 |
Go to Bat for Someone help out and support someone Is it true that Don got into some trouble at work last week? Yes, he did. He was reproached for not turning in his sales reports, but his secretary went to bat for him. What was she able to do? She helped him out a great deal by admitting that she had misplaced the reports that he gave her to be typed. So, it was her fault, not his. Right |
| 756 |
Duck Soup easy, effortless Can you help me hook up my new stereo equipment? I'm having quite a bit of trouble with all these connections. Sure. That's duck soup for me. Well, with all your experience in electronics, I have no doubt that it will be very easy for you to do. No problem. Glad to help out |
| 757 |
Money Talks money can influence people We've been waiting for three months to get delivery on our car, and people who put in their order after us have already gotten theirs. Well, money talks. Why don't you try giving the dealer a little something extra to move things along? I know full well that money has the power to influence people, but I refuse to pay extra for a service that is owed to me as a client. If you want to have your car maybe you'd better reconsider |
| 758 |
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie do not agitate a potential source of trouble You'd better not say anything to the owner of the building about painting your apartment. If I were you I'd let sleeping dogs lie. The last time you asked him to do some repairs, he raised your rent. You're telling me not to make trouble if I don't have to, but I'm going to risk making him angry, since I can no longer stand to look at the paint peeling off the walls |
| 759 |
Shape Up or Ship Out behave properly or leave! Al had been constantly reprimanded for being negligent on the job. Finally, in desperation his supervisors exclaimed, “Shape up or ship out!” Al admitted that he had not been taking his work seriously and realized that he should be more conscientious about his job or he would be discharged |
| 760 |
If the Shoe Fits, Wear It admit the truth Joe feels rather badly because he's always being criticized for his sloppy personal appearance. With reason. “If the shoe fits, wear it,” I always say. Still, I can't help feeling sorry for the guy. I know that what people say about him is true, and that he should admit it. He doesn't seem to want to improve his appearance. Evidently, he himself can't see anything wrong with the way he looks |
| 761 |
Different Strokes For Different Folks everyone has different interests and tastes It's hard to understand how Millie and Ron ever got together. She has always gone in for sailing and he can't stand to be on water. He enjoys the opera and she likes jazz. You know what they say: “Different strokes for different folks!” You don't have to tell me that everyone has different interests and tastes. I still can't figure out what attracted them to each other in the first place. Haven't you heard that opposites attract? |
| 762 |
Bark Worse Than One's Bite not as bad-tempered as one appears On occasion Mr. Hopkins speaks harshly to his students, especially when they fail to complete their homework assignment. Nevertheless, they all know that his bark is worse than his bite. He threatens to keep them after school and to inform their parents, but he's not really as bad-tempered as he appears |
| 763 |
Eyes Are Bigger Than One's Stomach take more food than one can eat Chris, why don't you finish eating that third helping of dessert? I guess my eyes were bigger than my stomach when I said I wanted more. I'm not surprised. The same thing happens to me. Sometimes, when I'm really hungry, I'll take more food than I can possibly eat |
| 764 |
Put One's Money Where One's Mouth Is follow through with a stated intention You've been promising to take us to Disneyland for the past two years. Since the kids are free, how about putting your money where your mouth is? You don't have to remind me. I have every intention of doing exactly what I said I'd do. But you yourself know that in the past we have been unable to go because of other financial obligations. Things have eased up and it looks like we'll be able to go this year |
| 765 |
The Early Bird Catches the Worm arriving early gives one an advantage Marc, the lines for the rock festival are going to be miles long! If you expect to get tickets for you and Marika, remember that old saying, “The early bird catches the worm.” I guess you're right. Marika is looking forward to the concert, and I'd hate to disappoint her. I'll get up real early to get a place at the head of the line. That way I'll get the tickets I want, for sure! |
| 766 |
People Who Live in Glass Houses Shouldn't Throw Stones one should not criticize when one is equally at fault Janet has often criticized her friend Lois for driving too fast, yet she herself has had her license suspended for exceeding the speed limit. Lois once tried to tell her that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, but it didn't do much good. Janet simply didn't accept the fact that she should not pass judgment on other people when she is just as bad as they are |
| 767 |
All's Well That Ends Well a successful outcome is worth the effort Hi, Benito. How are things going? Well, everything's OK now. Remember that teaching job for which I applied? Yes, I sure do. Well, I was finally hired, but I had a bit of a rough time before I got it. Between all that paperwork and all those interviews, I'm all worn out. Thank goodness it's all over. Great! All's well that ends well. After all that you went through, I'm happy to hear that things finally turned out satisfactorily for you. Yes. I'm happy, too. It was really worth the effort |
| 768 |
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Be happy with what you have. (What you have is worth more than what you don't have.) |
| 769 |
A cat may look at a king. All people are equal |
| 770 |
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. If a part of something is weak, then the whole thing is weak |
| 771 |
A change is as good as a rest. A good way to relax and avoid stress is to do something different or go somewhere different |
| 772 |
A drowning man will clutch at straws. If you are in a hopeless situation, you will try anything to get out of it - even if your chances of success are very, very small. To 'clutch' something is to take hold of it tightly |
| 773 |
A fool and his money are soon parted. If you are stupid you will never stay rich |
| 774 |
A friend in need is a friend indeed. People with problems expect their friends to help them |
| 775 |
A good conscience is a soft pillow. You will sleep well if you have done no wrong |
| 776 |
A good word costs no more than a bad one. It's as easy to praise someone as to criticize them |
| 777 |
A hedge between makes the friendship green. If you want to stay friends with someone, it's good to be a little distance and some secrets from them |
| 778 |
A light purse makes a heavy heart. If you are poor you will have worries and troubles |
| 779 |
A little labour, much health. If you work and are busy, you will have a healthy life |
| 780 |
A little learning is a dangerous thing. People who know a little are often more dangerous than those who know nothing |
| 781 |
A little pot is soon hot. Small people are quick to get angry or passionate |
| 782 |
A man is known by the company he keeps. You will be judged by the people that you spend most of your time with. In this proverb the word 'company' means 'people' |
| 783 |
A miss is as good as a mile. A miss is a miss. Failure is failure. (It doesn't make any difference whether you missed by a little or missed by a lot.) |
| 784 |
A mouse may help a lion. Even weak people can help strong people sometimes. This proverb is based on one of Aesop's fables |
| 785 |
A new broom sweeps clean. A new boss (or a new method of doing something) clears away all the old problems. A 'broom' is a brush with a long handle |
| 786 |
A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse. This proverb is used when you want to tell someone that you have understood what they just said or implied - they don't have to say any more |
| 787 |
A proverb comes not from nothing. There is truth in proverbs |
| 788 |
A rolling stone gathers no moss. If you don't stay anywhere for very long, you will never be rich or have friends. moss is the short, thick, green grass that grows on rocks in wet places |
| 789 |
A stitch in time saves nine. If you fix a problem when it first arises, you will save yourself a lot of trouble later. A 'stitch' is what you make with a needle and thread in making or repairing clothes |
| 790 |
A watched pot never boils. Time passes more slowly for someone who is impatiently waiting for something to happen |
| 791 |
A word to the wise is enough. You only need to say a little (one word) to an intelligent person; he or she will understand you |
| 792 |
Absence makes the heart grower fonder. If you are apart from someone, you miss them and like them more. If you are 'fond of' something, you like it |
| 793 |
Accidents will happen. You can do nothing to avoid accidents. Everyone has accidents |
| 794 |
Actions speak louder than words. It's what you do that is important, not what you say |
| 795 |
After a storm comes a calm. Things will get better |
| 796 |
All cats are grey in the dark. Beauty is not important - everyone is the same inside |
| 797 |
All good things must come to an end. Nothing lasts forever |
| 798 |
All roads lead to Rome. There are many ways of doing something, but the end result will be the same |
| 799 |
All that glitters is not gold. What looks good or valuable be in fact be worthless. To glitter is to shine brightly |
| 800 |
All that is sharp is short. Bad luck doesn't last long |
| 801 |
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. You will be a boring person if you only stop work. dull means 'boring' |
| 802 |
All's fair in love and war. There are no rules for love or war. (People will be ruthless in love and war.) |
| 803 |
All's well that ends well. It doesn't matter if you have problems early in a project. It's the end result that counts |
| 804 |
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. You will not get sick if you regularly eat fruit |
| 805 |
Anger punishes itself. If you are angry you will do something stupid that will only hurt yourself |
| 806 |
Another day, another dollar. Work is hard and boring, but you have to do it because you need the money |
| 807 |
Appearances are deceptive. You can't judge the value of someone or something by what he/she/it looks like An alternative is: 'Appearances can be deceptive' |
| 808 |
Appetite comes with eating. The more we have, the more we want. Similar is: 'Much would have more.' |
| 809 |
Art is long, life is short. Good art lasts more than a single lifetime. (It takes more than a lifetime to become skilled in painting, music etc.) This proverb is often used in its Latin form: 'Ars longa, vita brevis.' |
| 810 |
As you make your bed, so shall you lie on it. You are responsible for your own happiness (or unhappiness). Similar is the proverb from the bible: 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' |
| 811 |
Ask no questions, hear no lies. I'm not going to tell you the truth, so don't even bother asking me |
| 812 |
Bad news travels fast. People are quick to pass on bad news |
| 813 |
Barking dogs seldom bite. People who make many threats rarely carry out the threats |
| 814 |
Be cruel to be kind. Sometimes it is necessary to treat someone severely for their own long-term benefit |
| 815 |
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone his their own idea of what is beautiful. To behold is to look |
| 816 |
Beggars can't be choosers. If you are in need of something you cannot be too critical of the help you receive |
| 817 |
Better a lie that heals than a truth that wounds. Sometimes the truth is too painful to be told |
| 818 |
Better be safe than sorry. Don't take a risk. You may regret it. Similar is: 'It's best to be on the safe side.' |
| 819 |
Better bend than break. Do not insist on doing things your own way. Change a little in order to avoid failure |
| 820 |
Better known than trusted. Be sure that you really know someone well before you put your trust in them. Similar is: 'First try, then trust.' |
| 821 |
Better late than never. It is better to do something late than not to do it at all |
| 822 |
Better the devil you know. You may be having problems but changing something might make them worse. This proverb is often heard as: Better the devil you know, than the devil you don't |
| 823 |
Better to ask the way than go astray. If you ask for advice or help, you won't make a mistake. To go astray means to get lost or make a mistake |
| 824 |
Better untaught than ill taught. It's better not to teach something at all than to teach it badly |
| 825 |
Between two stools one falls to the ground. If you cannot make up your mind, you will not succeed or achieve anything |
| 826 |
Birds of a feather flock together. People like to be with people of the same interests and habits. Of a feather means 'of the same species'. You will only very rarely see two different kinds of bird in one flock (group) |
| 827 |
Blood is thicker than water. Our family is more important to us than any friend |
| 828 |
Blood will have blood. People always want revenge |
| 829 |
Blue eyes, true eyes. You can trust someone who has blue eyes |
| 830 |
Boys will be boys. You must expect boys to do silly or risky things |
| 831 |
Cast not a clout till May be out. Do not put away your winter clothing until the end of may - the weather may still turn cold again. This proverb makes more sense in Scotland than California! |
| 832 |
Charity begins at home. You should help your own family before helping other people |
| 833 |
Cheats never prosper. Cheats never get rich or stay rich in the end. To prosper is to do well, become rich |
| 834 |
Children should be seen and not heard. Children are good to look at but tiresome to listen to |
| 835 |
Christmas comes but once a year. You cannot expect to get lucky more than once |
| 836 |
Cleanliness is next to godliness. Being clean is very important. (God will love you if you keep yourself and your house clean.) |
| 837 |
Cold hands, warm heart. People with cold hands are kind and loving |
| 838 |
Comparisons are odious. Do not judge someone by comparing them with other people. Odious means very bad |
| 839 |
Confess and be hanged. If you tell the truth, you will be punished for it |
| 840 |
Crime doesn't pay. In the end every criminal gets his punishment |
| 841 |
Curiosity killed the cat. It's risky or even dangerous to be too curious about something |
| 842 |
Cut your coat according to your cloth. Do not spend money you don't have. Do not have expensive ambitions if you have only little money |
| 843 |
Discretion is the better part of valour. It is better to be wisely cautious than foolishly brave. Discretion means 'being careful'; 'valour' is 'bravery' |
| 844 |
Divide and rule. You can take advantage of the disagreement between two people and control both of them. Most empires in history have been built up by following the precepts of this proverb |
| 845 |
Do as you would be done by. Treat others as you hope they will treat you |
| 846 |
Don't change horses in midstream. If you have started something one way, do not change to a different way. This will only bring problems |
| 847 |
Don't count your chickens until they are hatched. Don't make plans for the future before you are sure you will be able to do you intend. (You don't know what problems may arise.) To hatch is to come out of an egg - you don't know if the chicken inside the egg is alive or not. (One of many alternatives is: Don't sell the skin until you have caught the bear.) |
| 848 |
Don't cross the bridge until you come to it. There is no point in worrying now about things that might (or might not) happen in the future |
| 849 |
Don't cry over spilt milk. Don't get upset about something that has happened. It's too late to change it. Spilt can also be written 'spilled'. Similar is: 'It's too late to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted.' (To 'bolt' is to run away fast.) |
| 850 |
Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. When getting your revenge on someone, be sure that you are not in fact making things worse for yourself |
| 851 |
Don't cut the bough you are standing on. Don't do anything to take away the support you have or to cause yourself problems. A 'bough' is a branch of a tree |
| 852 |
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. If someone is trying to give you something, don't find fault with it |
| 853 |
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Don't risk all your money, hopes, etc. on one thing. (Have an alternative plan.) |
| 854 |
Don't put the cart before the horse. Don't get things mixed up or do them in the wrong order |
| 855 |
Don't take a sledgehammer to crack a nut. If you have a small problem, be careful you don't solve it with very heavy methods. Doing so may make things worse. Similar is: Take not a musket to kill a butterfly. (A 'sledgehammer' is a large, heavy hammer.) |
| 856 |
Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs. Don't tell me what to do or how to do it - I know already! |
| 857 |
Don't tell tales out of school. Don't talk about other people |
| 858 |
Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Do not reject an idea or plan completely just because it has a small problem |
| 859 |
Don't wash your dirty linen in public. Do not talk about family problems with outsiders. Linen is clothes and sheets to be washed |
| 860 |
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise. If you go to bed early you will be rich and clever and live a long life |
| 861 |
Early wed, early dead. If you marry young, you will die young |
| 862 |
Easier said than done. It's easier to say what you are going top do than to actually do it |
| 863 |
East, west, home is best. Everyone likes best the place in which they grew up. (It's good to travel but we like being at home most of all.) Similar is: 'Home is where the heart is.' |
| 864 |
Easy come, easy go. It's as easy to make money as to lose it. If you make money easily, you are more likely to spend it quickly. (Don't worry too much about money.) |
| 865 |
Eggs and oaths are easily broken. You would do well not to believe promises because promises are easily broken. An 'oath' is a solemn promise. Similar is: 'Promises are like pie-crust, made to be broken.' |
| 866 |
Empty vessels make the greatest sound. People who talk a lot usually have nothing interesting or important to say |
| 867 |
Enough is as good as a feast. There is no advantage in having more than you need. A 'feast' is a large meal with rich and expensive food |
| 868 |
Even a worm will turn. Even the poorest and most defenceless will tolerate only a certain amount of abuse or contempt |
| 869 |
Every cloud has a silver lining. There is something good in every bad situation. (Nothing is all bad.) |
| 870 |
Every day of thy life is a leaf in thy history. You are writing your own history book - one day after the next. Thy is an old-fashioned word for 'your'. 'Leaf' here means 'page', as in page of a book |
| 871 |
Every dog has his day. Everyone has good luck at some time or other |
| 872 |
Every door may be shut but death's door. Everyone will die |
| 873 |
Every family has a skeleton in the cupboard. Every family has a dark secret. Sometimes this proverb starts with 'everyone': 'Everyone has a skeleton in their cupboard.' |
| 874 |
Every little helps. Even a little help is better than no help at all |
| 875 |
Every man for himself. This proverb is often used in criticizing people who think only of themselves. This proverb often is found with a conclusion: 'Every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost.' |
| 876 |
Every man has his price. You can make anyone do something wrong if you pay them enough money |
| 877 |
Every man is his own worst enemy. People are more likely to be wronged or harmed by themselves than by others |
| 878 |
Every picture tells a story. Everything we see is evidence of what has happened, and how. Similar is: 'A picture says a thousand words.' |
| 879 |
Everything comes to him who waits. If you are patient, you will get what you want |
| 880 |
Experience is the best teacher. We learn best by doing things |
| 881 |
Faint heart never won fair lady. If you want to have a good-looking girlfriend, you must be prepared take a risk. Faint here means 'cowardly'; 'fair' is 'beautiful' |
| 882 |
Familiarity breeds contempt. When we know something (or someone) very well we start to take it for granted and then dislike it. Familiarity means 'knowing something well'; 'breeds' means 'creates' or 'makes'; 'contempt' means strong dislike' |
| 883 |
Finders keepers. If you find something, you are entitled to keep it |
| 884 |
Fine feathers make fine birds. It's important to dress well |
| 885 |
First things first. Do things in their correct order. Be patient. Similar is: You must learn to walk before you can run |
| 886 |
Fish and guests smell in three days. If you visit someone, do not stay too long. Similar is: 'Do not wear out your welcome' or 'Do not outstay your welcome.' |
| 887 |
Fools are wise as long as silent. If you keep quiet, people may think you are wise. As soon as you open your mouth, they will realize that you are not |
| 888 |
For want of a nail, the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe, the horse was lost. For want of a horse, the rider was lost. Pay attention to small details. They can be very important - and even save a life. In this case 'shoe' means 'horseshoe' |
| 889 |
Forbidden fruit is sweet. We always want most what we cannot have |
| 890 |
Forewarned is forearmed. If you know what is going to happen, you can prepare yourself for it. Armed in this case means 'having weapons' |
| 891 |
Forgive and forget. Forgive and then forget about the wrong that has been done to you. (Do not seek revenge. Do not hold a grudge.) |
| 892 |
Fortune favours the bold. If you are brave, you will have good luck. Fortune is 'good luck'; 'bold' is brave' |
| 893 |
Fortune is blind. There is no predicting who is going to have good luck and who bad. Similar is: 'Fortune is fickle.' |
| 894 |
Fortune is made of glass. Do not expect good luck to last for ever |
| 895 |
From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step. It is very easy to go from being wonderful to being stupid |
| 896 |
Give a dog a bad name and hang him. If you say enough bad (and untrue) things about a person, others will eventually come to believe you |
| 897 |
Give credit where credit is due. If someone has done something well, acknowledge this - even if you don't like them. In this proverb, 'credit' means something like 'praise'. Similar is: 'Give the devil his due.' |
| 898 |
Give someone an inch and they'll take a yard. If you are give to someone, they will abuse your kindness by wanting more and more. There are variations in the measurements used in this proverb: 'mile' instead of 'yard', etc |
| 899 |
Go to law for a sheep and lose your cow. It is very expensive to take your complaints to the law courts. You will probably lose more money than you win |
| 900 |
Good fences make good neighbours. It's a good idea not to be too friendly with your neighbour |
| 901 |
Good is the enemy of the best. Being satisfied with something that is good prevents us from achieving something that is even better |
| 902 |
Great boast, small roast. The more you say how good you are, the less you have to be proud of. Roast is the word for the large piece of meat usually eaten on a Sunday |
| 903 |
Great minds think alike. Great people have the same opinions. This proverb is often said in joke when someone agrees with you |
| 904 |
Great oaks from little acorns grow. Even the greatest of things started out small. An 'acorn' is the seed from which an oak tree grows |
| 905 |
Half a loaf is better than no bread. Even a little is better than nothing |
| 906 |
Handsome is as handsome does. It's not what you look like that is important; it's what you do |
| 907 |
Haste makes waste. If you work too hurriedly, you will spoil your materials and have to get or buy new ones |
| 908 |
He can who believes he can. If you believe you can do something, you will be able to do it. "Similar is: "Faith can move mountains." |
| 909 |
He that fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. If you run away from a fight, you have the chance to fight again. If you don't run away from a fight, you may end up dead! |
| 910 |
He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing. If you borrow from others you will bring unhappiness upon yourself. Sorrow is unhappiness |
| 911 |
He that has no children brings them up well. It is easy to give advice when you are not suffering from the problem yourself. (It is easy to tell other people how they should raise their children when you have none yourself.) |
| 912 |
He that travels far, knows much. You can learn a lot by travelling the world. The opposite is: 'Send a fool to France and he'll come back a fool.' |
| 913 |
He that wants health wants all. To be healthy is the most important thing in life |
| 914 |
He that would have the fruit must climb the tree. If you want something, you must work for it |
| 915 |
He who hesitates is lost. You must act quickly and decisively or you will fail |
| 916 |
He who laughs last laughs longest. Don't be too quick to laugh at someone; they may soon be laughing at you. An alternative is: He laughs best who laughs last |
| 917 |
He who pays the piper calls the tune. The person paying for a job has the right to say how and when it should be done |
| 918 |
He who would wish to thrive must let spiders run alive. If you want to have a happy and healthy life, do not kill spiders |
| 919 |
Health and wealth create beauty. It's easy to look good if you are healthy and rich |
| 920 |
Health is not valued until sickness comes. We don't realize how important health is until we become sick |
| 921 |
Honesty is the best policy. You will not have problems if you always tell the truth |
| 922 |
Honey catches more flies than vinegar. You will achieve more by being kind than by being sharp and critical. Vinegar is a sharp-tasting liquid used to marinate food |
| 923 |
Hope springs eternal. People never give up hope. Similar is: 'While there's life, there's hope.' |
| 924 |
Hunger breaks stone walls. The hungry will do anything to get food |
| 925 |
Hunger is the best sauce. Everything tastes good when you are hungry |
| 926 |
If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well. If you are going to do something, do it properly or don't do it at all |
| 927 |
If ifs and ans were pots and pans, there'd be no trade for tinkers. It's human nature to wish things were different from how they are. (We all have dreams, but few of them come true.) In the old days, a 'tinker' was someone who made or repaired metal pots and pans |
| 928 |
If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch. Do not follow or believe anyone who is equally as ignorant as you. This proverb is from the bible |
| 929 |
If the cap fits, wear it. You must accept criticism if criticism is justified |
| 930 |
If you don't like the heat, get out of the kitchen. If you can't tolerate pressure, don't take a stressful job |
| 931 |
If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas. If you associate with bad people, you will turn bad yourself. Fleas are the small insects that live in the fur of animals like cats and dogs |
| 932 |
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. Do not expect good workers if you pay them only a little money |
| 933 |
If you play with fire you get burned. If you do something risky, you must expect to get hurt |
| 934 |
If you want a thing done well, do it yourself. Do not rely on other people to do something for you. You yourself can do it best |
| 935 |
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The greatest compliment that you can pay to someone is to copy their habits and lifestyle |
| 936 |
In for a penny, in for a pound. If you start something, you must be prepared to finish it, even though it may be difficult or even dangerous |
| 937 |
In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Even moderately clever people will seem very intelligent if they are surrounded only by fools |
| 938 |
It never rains but it pours. Bad luck never comes alone. Bad things always happen together at the same time |
| 939 |
It takes all sorts. Everyone is different. Often this proverb is heard as: 'It takes all sorts to make the world.' |
| 940 |
It's a small world. This proverb is usually said when, by chance, we meet someone we know far away from home |
| 941 |
It's better to be born lucky than rich. It's better to be born lucky than rich |
| 942 |
It's better to travel hopefully than to arrive. The anticipation of an event is often better than the event itself. (For example, looking forward to Christmas is often better than the day itself.) |
| 943 |
Jack of all trades, master of none. If you try to do many different things, you will never do any of them very well |
| 944 |
Keep something for a rainy day. You need to save money now. You never know what problems or money needs are around the corner. This is often heard as 'Save for a rainy day.' |
| 945 |
Knowledge is power. If you know a lot, you will be in a strong position to achieve your aims |
| 946 |
Laughter is the best medicine. If you are feeling unwell, laugh. You will then feel better. (The best way to react to problems is to laugh at them.) |
| 947 |
Lean liberty is better than fat slavery. It's better to be poor and free than rich but dependent. Lean here means 'thin' |
| 948 |
Least said, soonest mended. If you don't say very much, you will not give insult, and so not have to apologize |
| 949 |
Leave no stone unturned. To achieve your aim you should try everything or consider every possibility |
| 950 |
Lend only that which you can afford to lose. If you lend something, you will probably not get it back. Similar is: 'He that lends, gives.' |
| 951 |
Let sleeping dogs lie. Do not do anything to make unnecessary trouble |
| 952 |
Liberty is not licence. Being a free person does not mean you are free to do whatever you want. Licence is permission; e.g., a driving licence, fishing licence, etc |
| 953 |
Life is like a candle in the wind. Life is fragile and can be lost in a moment |
| 954 |
Life is sweet. It's good to be alive. Similar is: 'Life is just a bowl of cherries.' |
| 955 |
Life means strife. No person can live without problems or unpleasantness |
| 956 |
Lightning never strikes twice. You can be very lucky (or unlucky) once, but it won't happen to you again. Also possible is: 'Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.' |
| 957 |
Like cures like. The best medicine for a disease is often a little of what caused it. (For example, a little alcohol in the morning is said to cure a hangover.) |
| 958 |
Like father, like son. Children like the same things and behave in the same way as their parents. "An alternative is: "The apple never falls far from the tree." |
| 959 |
Little strokes fell great oaks. You can succeed in even the most difficult tasks, if you do it step by step, little by little. Similar is: 'Constant dripping wears away the stone.' |
| 960 |
Little things please little minds. People of low intelligence or ambition are easily satisfied with trivial pleasures |
| 961 |
Live and let live. Live your own life; be tolerant of others |
| 962 |
Living well is the best revenge. If someone has done you wrong or harm, the best way to have your revenge is to be happy and successful |
| 963 |
Look after number one. Take care of yourself. Don't worry about others |
| 964 |
Look before you leap. Be careful before you do something. Think first about the consequences. leap means 'jump' |
| 965 |
Love is blind. If you are in love with someone, you think they are perfect. You do not see their faults |
| 966 |
Love makes the world go round. Without love the world would be a terrible place |
| 967 |
Love me, love my dog. If you want to love me, then you must love those who are close to me (and all my habits.) |
| 968 |
Love will find a way. If you are in love with someone, you will do everything for them (or to get to them) |
| 969 |
Lucky at cards, unlucky in love. Lucky at cards, unlucky in love |
| 970 |
Make hay while the sun shines. Do something while you have the opportunity. If you wait, it may be too late |
| 971 |
Man cannot live on bread alone. There is more to a good life than simply not being hungry. This proverb comes from the bible |
| 972 |
Many a true word is spoken in jest. A jest is a joke. Even jokes can contain truth. You may think someone is joking when he or she says something to you, but in fact there may be a lot of truth in what they are saying |
| 973 |
Many hands make light work. A job is done more quickly and easily if many people help |
| 974 |
Marry in haste, repent at leisure. If you marry too quickly, you will spend the rest of your life regretting it |
| 975 |
Might is right. People in power are always right - even when they are wrong! |
| 976 |
Mind your own business. Do not interfere in other people's affairs |
| 977 |
Misery loves company. It is easier to bear being unhappy when we know that others are unhappy too. Similar is: 'Two in distress make sorrow less.' |
| 978 |
Money is the root of all evil. Money is the cause of all the problems in the world |
| 979 |
Money talks. If you are rich, you will have power and influence |
| 980 |
More haste, less speed. If you do things in a hurry, you will make mistakes and have to start again. In the end this will make you slower. haste means 'hurry' |
| 981 |
Much coin, much care. People with a lot of money have a lot of worries |
| 982 |
Necessity is the mother of invention. When people need something badly enough, they will be creative enough to make it or find it |
| 983 |
Neither a lender nor a borrower be. You will have problems and regret it, both if you lend money and if you borrow money |
| 984 |
Never cry wolf. Do not say there is danger or a problem when there isn't. This proverb comes from the story of the shepherd boy who, for amusement, twice ran into his village shouting that a wolf was attacking the sheep. On the third occasion, when a wolf really was eating the sheep, none of the villagers believed his story |
| 985 |
Never do things by halves. If you are going to do something, put your heart into it |
| 986 |
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Do not procrastinate! |
| 987 |
Never say die. Do not give up. Keep trying. Similar is: 'If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again.' |
| 988 |
Never speak ill of the dead. Do not say bad things about someone who has died |
| 989 |
Ninety percent of inspiration is perspiration. All good ideas (and inventions) are based on a lot of hard work. Perspiration is sweat. You sweat when you work hard |
| 990 |
No news is good news. If we hear nothing from someone who has gone away, we can assume that everything is ok |
| 991 |
No pain, no gain. If you don't work hard at something (and maybe suffer a little), you will never achieve very much |
| 992 |
No rose without a thorn. Nothing is perfect. Similar is: 'No garden without its weeds.' |
| 993 |
Nothing dries sooner than tears. We soon forget or recover from past unhappiness |
| 994 |
Nothing is given so freely as advice. People like telling other people what they should do or how they should do it |
| 995 |
Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. If you want something badly enough, you will (work to) achieve it |
| 996 |
Nothing seek, nothing find. If you are not ambitious you will not be rich or successful. seek means 'look for' |
| 997 |
Nothing so bad but it might have been worse. You may have had a hard time, but it could have been even worse |
| 998 |
Nothing succeeds like success. Being successful in something gives you the confidence to make you successful in the next thing you try. This proverb is often used in a jealous way to explain why someone who is once successful continues to succeed even though their new work, in whatever field, does not deserve success |
| 999 |
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You will never achieve any success, if you do not at least try. To venture is to 'try' |
| 1000 |
Old habits die hard. When we are in the habit of doing something, it is very difficult to stop it |
| 1001 |
Once bitten, twice shy. If you have had a bad experience doing something, you will not try to do it again. Alternatively: 'The burnt child dreads the fire.' |
| 1002 |
One cannot love and be wise. Being in love makes people do foolish things |
| 1003 |
One good turn deserves another. If someone helps you, you should be ready to help them. In this proverb 'turn' means 'deed' or 'action' |
| 1004 |
One hour's sleep before midnight is worth two after. You should go to bed early |
| 1005 |
One lie makes many. Once you start lying, it's difficult to stop. A related proverb is: 'A liar should have a good memory.' |
| 1006 |
One man's meat is another man's poison. People have different tastes: in clothes, music, hobbies, etc. A proverb with a similar meaning is: 'There's no accounting for tastes.' |
| 1007 |
One rotten apple spoils the whole bunch. One person alone can have a bad influence on everyone around him or her |
| 1008 |
One swallow does not make a summer. Do not form a judgement about something or someone on the basis of a single piece of evidence |
| 1009 |
Opportunity seldom knocks twice. You will probably not get a second chance, so take the first one |
| 1010 |
Out of sight, out of mind. When we are apart from someone, we don't think about them or miss them. "There is a similar proverb: "Far from eye, far from heart." |
| 1011 |
Penny and penny laid up will be many. If you save money regularly - even very small amounts - you will one day be rich. Here 'laid up' means 'saved'. Similar are: 'Little and often fills the purse,' and 'Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.' |
| 1012 |
Penny wise, pound foolish. This is said of someone who watches every penny they spend |
| 1013 |
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Do not criticise others unless you are perfect yourself |
| 1014 |
Perfect is the enemy of the good. If you try too hard to make something perfect, you may end up with something that is not even very good. You will also waste a lot of time |
| 1015 |
Pigs might fly. This is said to someone who has an impossible dream or wish. A continuation of this proverb is: '.. If they had wings.' |
| 1016 |
Poverty is not a crime. Poverty is not the fault of the poor person, and nothing to be ashamed of |
| 1017 |
Practice makes perfect. If you want to do something very well, then you will need to practise and practise |
| 1018 |
Practise what you preach. You should do as you say. (Do not tell others how to behave but ignore the advice for yourself.) |
| 1019 |
Prevention is better than cure. It's better to prevent something bad happening than to try and put it right afterwards |
| 1020 |
Pride comes before a fall. The moment that you start feeling very pleased with yourself is the moment that things start to go bad. An alternative is: 'Pride goes before a fall.' |
| 1021 |
Rats desert a sinking ship. You cannot expect someone to stay loyal to you if you are having problems |
| 1022 |
Revenge is a dish that can be eaten cold. You may have to wait a long time to have your revenge on someone, but it will still be worth having |
| 1023 |
Rome was not built in a day. If you are engaged in a large project, you must be patient. You cannot expect to finish it quickly. Similar is: 'An oak is not felled at one stroke.' |
| 1024 |
Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. If you help me, I'll help you |
| 1025 |
Seeing is believing. People often don't believe something until they have seen it for themselves |
| 1026 |
Share and share alike. Share equally and fairly |
| 1027 |
Silence is golden. It is a very good thing to keep quiet. Similar is: 'A close mouth catches no flies.' |
| 1028 |
Slow but sure wins the race. If you do something slowly but steadily you will finish before someone who is quicker but keeps stopping. (Think of the race between the hare and the tortoise.) |
| 1029 |
Small is beautiful. Little things can be beautiful and valuable. Similar is: 'The best things come in small packages.' |
| 1030 |
Solitude is often the best society. It is good to be alone sometimes. Similar is: 'Better be alone than in bad company.' |
| 1031 |
Soon hot, soon cold. Passion that is quickly aroused dies as quickly |
| 1032 |
Soon learnt, soon forgotten. If you can learn something quickly and easily, it's not worth knowing and will soon be forgotten |
| 1033 |
Spare the rod and spoil the child. Children need strict discipline in order to grow into good people. A 'rod' is a stick used to hit children. 'Spare' in this proverb means 'not use' |
| 1034 |
Still waters run deep. Quiet people also have strong feelings or intelligent ideas |
| 1035 |
Strike while the iron is hot. Do something while the chance is there. If you wait, you may be too late |
| 1036 |
The best advice is found on the pillow. You have a better chance of solving a problem if you think about it again after a good night's sleep. a 'pillow' is where you lay your head in bed at night |
| 1037 |
The best doctors are Dr. Diet, Dr. Quiet and Dr. Merryman. If you want to get or stay healthy, you need to eat well, live peacefully and be cheerful. Merry means happy as in 'Merry Christmas' |
| 1038 |
The best mirror is an old friend. You can rely on good friends to tell you the truth about yourself |
| 1039 |
The best of men are but men at best. Even great people are only human |
| 1040 |
The bigger they are, the harder they fall. When successful people fail, their fall or failure is greater than that of 'ordinary' people. Similar is: 'The highest tree has the greatest fall.' |
| 1041 |
The bread never falls but on its buttered side. Expect things to turn out badly |
| 1042 |
The darkest hour is that before the dawn. Just when your situation seems as black as it can be is when things start to get better. Dawn is the start of the day, just as it gets light |
| 1043 |
The dead are always wrong. It's easy to criticize someone who is dead. They cannot defend themselves |
| 1044 |
The devil dances in an empty pocket. People with no money are more likely to commit a crime. Similar is: 'Poverty is the mother of crime.' |
| 1045 |
The devil finds work for idle hands to do. If you are bored, you are more likely to do something foolish or criminal. Idle means 'bored, lazy' |
| 1046 |
The devil looks after his own. This is said when someone you don't like has good luck |
| 1047 |
The early bird catches the worm. If you do something before others you will be rewarded |
| 1048 |
The exception proves the rule. This proverb is usually said on encountering something that is unusual, i.e. an exception to the usual rules. Strictly, the word 'proves' in this proverb means 'challenges' or 'tests' |
| 1049 |
The eye is bigger than the stomach. People always think they can eat more than they in fact can - particularly if the food looks or smells good |
| 1050 |
The first blow is half the battle. Getting started on something is the most important step in getting it done. In this proverb 'blow' means 'strike' or 'hit' |
| 1051 |
The fish begins to stink from the head. If there is corruption in an organization, it usually starts at the top with the bosses |
| 1052 |
The grass is always greener on the other side of the hill. People are never satisfied with what they have. (They think other people have more things or a better life than them.) This proverb is sometimes heard as: 'The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.' |
| 1053 |
The hand that gives, gathers. If you give to others who are in need, you will benefit yourself |
| 1054 |
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Mothers are the most important people in the world. A 'cradle' is a baby's bed |
| 1055 |
The last straw breaks the camel's back. It takes only a small, last thing to break the endurance of someone who has suffered much for a long time. An alternative is: 'The last drop makes the cup run over.' |
| 1056 |
The law is an ass. There are many laws that are stupid. Ass means 'donkey' |
| 1057 |
The leopard cannot change its spots. People act according to their character. (Usually said of 'bad' people acting badly.) A leopard is a big cat that kills other animals |
| 1058 |
The longest night will have an end. Even the worst of problems come to an end at last |
| 1059 |
The pen is mightier than the sword. You can influence people and history more by writing than by fighting |
| 1060 |
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. You don't know how good something is until you have tried it |
| 1061 |
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. A good intention is not enough. You must make sure that your action does not harm others |
| 1062 |
The squeaking wheel gets the grease. People who complain get attention. People who don't complain, get none. Grease is oil |
| 1063 |
The sun shines upon all alike. Everyone is born equal and has equal rights |
| 1064 |
The weaker goes to the pot. If you are weak, you are in danger of not being wanted or of being sacrificed. This proverb is based on the fact that weaker animals were more likely to be killed and eaten than strong ones. A similar proverb is: 'The weakest goes to the wall,' i.e., will be shot |
| 1065 |
There are plenty of fish in the sea. There are many women or men who you could marry (so forget about the one who has just left you.) |
| 1066 |
There are two sides to every question. Everyone has their own opinion. Nothing is completely black or white. Similar is: 'Every medal has its reverse.' |
| 1067 |
There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Sometimes the best thing is to say nothing |
| 1068 |
There is honour among thieves. Thieves do not betray each other |
| 1069 |
There is nothing new under the sun. Everything has already been thought or said before |
| 1070 |
There is truth in wine. When we drink we tell the truth (even if we don't intend to). This proverb is often used in its Latin form: 'in vino veritas' |
| 1071 |
There's a black sheep in every flock. In every family there is someone who is a bad or unpleasant person. Sheep are found together in a 'flock' |
| 1072 |
There's a thin line between love and hate. Love can easily turn to hate. (It's easier to hate someone we have first loved.) Similar is: 'Love and hate are blood relations.' |
| 1073 |
There's no fool like an old fool. Stupid people get even more stupid as they grow older |
| 1074 |
There's no smoke without fire. There's usually a bit of truth in every rumour |
| 1075 |
There's one law for the rich, and another for the poor. If you are rich you can get away with breaking the law |
| 1076 |
There's safety in numbers. You are more secure if you are one of a crowd. A small fish is safer in a shoal of a million fish than swimming alone |
| 1077 |
Third time lucky. This proverb expresses the superstition that we will have success on our third attempt at something |
| 1078 |
Time and tide wait for no man. You cannot stop time. The 'tide' is the coming in and going out of water on the beach |
| 1079 |
Time cures all ills. All pain will disappear if you wait long enough. Similar is: 'Time is the great healer.' |
| 1080 |
Time flies. You cannot stop time. Time seems to go by very quickly. The Latin equivalent is: 'Tempus fugit.' Similar is: 'Time has wings.' |
| 1081 |
Time is money. The longer it takes to do something, the more costly it will be |
| 1082 |
Time puts an end to love. All love dies in the end |
| 1083 |
Time will tell. It's too soon to know. We will have to wait for an answer |
| 1084 |
To err is human. Everyone makes mistakes. To err means to make a mistake; cf. 'error' |
| 1085 |
Tomorrow is another day. Maybe things will not be so bad tomorrow |
| 1086 |
Tomorrow never comes. Don't wait until tomorrow. Do it today |
| 1087 |
Too many cooks spoil the broth. If too many people are working on one job they will get in each other's way, and the result will be bad. broth is 'soup' |
| 1088 |
Touch wood; it's sure to come good. This proverb expresses the superstition that we will not bring bad luck on ourselves from what we say, if we touch a piece of wood. "The first two words of this proverb are used very often in spoken English. For example, someone might say: "I haven't been sick for ages - touch wood," and look for something wooden to touch. Often they will touch their head as a joke." |
| 1089 |
Truth will out. You cannot hide the truth for ever |
| 1090 |
Turn the other cheek. Accept the wrong that is done to you. Do not try to take revenge. This proverb is from the bible |
| 1091 |
Two heads are better than one. If you are trying to solve a problem, it's good to have someone to help you |
| 1092 |
Two wrongs don't make a right. If someone has done some bad or wrong to you, this does not mean that you should do something bad or wrong to him. An alternative is: Two blacks do not make a white |
| 1093 |
United we stand, divided we fall. We can only survive if we work together |
| 1094 |
Use it or lose it. If you don't use or practise something, you will lose your capability to do so. Similar is: 'Use legs and have legs.' |
| 1095 |
Variety is the spice of life. To make our lives interesting and worth living we need to do lots of different things |
| 1096 |
Virtue is its own reward. If you are good, you will feel good. Virtue is goodness |
| 1097 |
Walls have ears. You can expect anything you say to someone to be passed on to someone else |
| 1098 |
Waste not, want not. If you do not waste money, you will never be poor |
| 1099 |
Wedlock is a padlock. Married people have no freedom. A 'padlock' is what you use to secure your bike from thieves |
| 1100 |
Well begun is half done. If you make a good start on something, then you have taken the most important step to finishing it |
| 1101 |
What will be, will be. You cannot avoid fate or change the way that things are Also possible is: 'What must be, must be.' |
| 1102 |
What you don't know can't hurt you. Ignorance protects. Similar is: 'What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.' |
| 1103 |
What you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts. There are as many advantages as disadvantages in a situation. Swings and 'roundabouts' are constructions on a children's playground |
| 1104 |
What's done is done. You cannot change what has already happened. You cannot put back the clock |
| 1105 |
What's in a name? Names are not important; character is. This proverb is from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet |
| 1106 |
What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Treat everyone the same. Do not favour one person over another. A 'gander' is a male goose |
| 1107 |
When in Rome do as Romans do. If you go to a foreign place, you must behave in the same way as the local people do |
| 1108 |
When one door shuts, another opens. You'll get a second chance |
| 1109 |
When the cat's away the mice will play. If the boss or the teacher is not there, the employees or the students will play around instead of working |
| 1110 |
Who comes uncalled, sits unserved. If you visit someone unannounced, do not expect to receive food |
| 1111 |
Why keep a dog and bark yourself? If you employ others, get them to work for you. Why work yourself? |
| 1112 |
Will is no skill. It's not enough to want to do something, you have to be able to do it |
| 1113 |
Words cut more than swords. Words can hurt people more than weapons. The opposite is: 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.' |
| 1114 |
Words have wings and cannot be recalled. You cannot 'unsay' what you have just said |
| 1115 |
You a lady, I a lady. Who will milk the cow? The world needs workers. Not everyone can be upper-class, rich or idle |
| 1116 |
You can have too much of a good thing. Good can turn to bad if you have or do too much of it. Some people claim that you can't have too much of a good thing! |
| 1117 |
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. You cannot make someone do what they don't want to do |
| 1118 |
You can't get blood out of a stone. You can't do the impossible. (You cannot get money from someone who has none.) Similar is: 'You can't get a quart into a pint pot.' (A quart pot holds twice as much as a pint pot.) |
| 1119 |
You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. To achieve success you have to make difficult decisions (and possibly hurt yourself or others.) This proverb is often used to encourage people to act who are too concerned of the feelings of others |
| 1120 |
You can't make bricks without straw. You can't make nothing from nothing |
| 1121 |
You can't please everyone. People have different tastes and opinions, so you should not expect to please them all all of the time. The meaning of this proverb is expressed also in the much longer: 'You can please all of the people some of the time and you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.' |
| 1122 |
You can't take it with you when you die. Spend your money now. It's no use to you when you are dead. Similar, but much less common is: 'Shrouds have no pockets.' 'Shrouds are the clothes put on dead people.' |
| 1123 |
You can't teach an old dog new tricks. When people get old they cannot and do not want to change or learn new things |
| 1124 |
You can't tell a book by its cover. You can't judge the value of someone or something by what he/she/it looks like |
| 1125 |
You can't win them all. You cannot expect to always be successful. Similar is: 'Win some, lose some.' |
| 1126 |
You cannot have your cake and eat it. You cannot have everything. You have to make a choice. "This proverb is perhaps better understood: "You cannot eat your cake and still have your cake." |
| 1127 |
You cannot lose what you never had. You cannot lose what you never had |
| 1128 |
You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. If someone or something is bad, you will not be able to change them. They will give no pleasure or benefit. A 'sow' is a pig |
| 1129 |
You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from nesting in your hair. You cannot have a life without sadness, but you don't have to wallow in sadness. This is a Chinese proverb, but your webmaster likes it so much that he included it in this collection! |
| 1130 |
You cannot put an old head on young shoulders. Do not expect young people to behave wisely |
| 1131 |
You cannot put back the clock. Once something has happened, you cannot change it. You cannot go back and live in the past |
| 1132 |
You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. You cannot be both for and against something. (You cannot be loyal to two masters.) |
| 1133 |
Youth and age will never agree. Expect that the young and the old will have different opinions about things |
| 1134 |
a close shave a near accident or disaster - I had a close shave driving home last night. A deer ran across the road in front of me and I almost drove into a tree. - I was walking in the mountains when a rock crashed down onto the path behind me. I don't need another close shave like that! |
| 1135 |
a dark horse a person about whom little is known - Mary's a bit of a dark horse. Do you think she's got any chance of being elected? - He's a real dark horse. He sits in the corner at parties, saying very little to anyone, but he always seems to go home with the best-looking girl! |
| 1136 |
a dead loss completely useless - The new student is a dead loss. He can't even remember his phone number. - I wouldn't put any money on that horse. It's a dead loss |
| 1137 |
a fish out of water in an awkward or uncomfortable situation - I stopped going to German evening classes. I was the only man there and I felt like a fish out of water. - It was his first time in a big city and he felt like a fish out of water |
| 1138 |
a flash in the pan a short, bright success, that is unrepeated - They got to number one in the hit parade with their first song but it was just a flash in the pan. - You need real talent if you want to be anything more than a flash in the pan |
| 1139 |
a head start an advantage; the chance to be first - If you do some work in the summer that will give you a head start when the new school year begins. - Let's get up early tomorrow. Then we'll have a head start on all the traffic driving to the coast. If you start at the head (or front) of the race, you'll have a better chance of winning |
| 1140 |
a hot potato a controversial topic - The government decided not to try and ban public smoking - it was too much of a hot potato. - I wouldn't dream of discussing religion or politics with someone I met at a party - they are very hot potatoes |
| 1141 |
a leading light an important person or organization - She's a leading light in the animal rights movement. - I'm no leading light, but I do have an opinion and I think you should listen to it |
| 1142 |
a long shot a small chance; little chance - I know it's a long shot, but maybe your father will lend you the money. - He knew it was a long shot that he would find a shop open at that time of night, but he drove around looking for one anyway. If you shoot at a target from a long distance you have little chance of hitting it |
| 1143 |
a night owl someone who works or goes to bed late at night - I'm a night owl. I never get to bed before 2 o'clock in the morning. - We have a bit of a problem. I'm an early bird but my wife's a real night owl. The opposite of a night owl is an early bird. (An owl is a bird with large eyes that hunts at night.) |
| 1144 |
a piece of cake easy - Do you think you can do it? - Yeah, it will be a piece of cake. - I thought I'd have problems but it turned out to be a piece of cake |
| 1145 |
a red herring irrelevant or useless information (often said in order to distract someone from what really is important) - That's just a red herring. Can we please concentrate on our main business? - I hate sitting in meetings with him. He's always throwing in red herrings that bring us no further. A herring is a smoked fish |
| 1146 |
a short fuse a quick, bad temper - Don't mess with her. She's got a short fuse! - How can you live with someone who has such a short fuse. A fuse is the string that leads to a bomb. If the fuse is short you only have a short time before the bomb explodes |
| 1147 |
a shot in the arm a boost, encouragement, help - It was a real shot in the arm to know that my friend could lend me some money if I got into difficulties. - Does anyone know how to do this? I could use a shot in the arm! A shot is an injection that is given to protect you from disease or to cure you of it |
| 1148 |
a shot in the dark a guess; an attempt to achieve something with little chance of success - We could try looking in the phone book, but it will be no more than a shot in the dark. - (Guessing a computer password) I know it's a shot in the dark, but try his mother's middle name.. If you try to shoot an animal in the dark, you are not likely to hit it |
| 1149 |
a skeleton in the closet a dark and hidden secret from the past - If you want to become a politician these days, it's best not to have any skeletons in your closet. - Most people have a skeleton or two in the closet. A closet is a cupboard. Some people say a skeleton in the cupboard |
| 1150 |
a sledgehammer to crack a nut a method of solving a problem that is much stronger or more brutal than necessary - Let's not use a sledgehammer to crack a nut. We need to be careful not to make the situation worse. - Don't you think that expelling him from school for being late a few times is rather like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut. A sledgehammer is a large hammer used for breaking rocks. If you use it to crack a nut, you will not only break the shell of the nut but also destroy the nut inside |
| 1151 |
a soft touch someone who always agrees with other people and does whatever they ask - If you need some money, ask Jane. She's such a soft touch. - You've little chance that he'll do what you ask. He's anything but a soft touch |
| 1152 |
a square meal a large, filling meal - When I was in the army I sometimes didn't have a square meal for days at a time. - University students often return home at the weekend to get a square meal |
| 1153 |
a storm in a teacup a lot of worry or excitement about a situation that is not important - All this panic in the newspapers about bird flu - it's just a storm in a teacup. - If the headmaster thinks that the teachers' protests are nothing but a storm in a teacup, he's in for a big shock! |
| 1154 |
a taste of your own medicine bad treatment deservedly received for treating other people badly - It's time he had a taste of his own medicine. He can't just go around insulting people all the time. - She's always hitting her children for no reason. Someone needs to give her a taste of her own medicine. You can also say a dose of your own medicine |
| 1155 |
a tough nut a difficult problem or person - She's a tough nut. If she doesn't want to do something, nothing you can say will make her change her mind. - It's a tough nut to crack but if we all work together I think we can be successful. The expression is often used with the concluding words to crack |
| 1156 |
a white lie a small lie, or a lie said to avoid hurting someone's feelings - I told her I liked her new hat. It was a white lie, but I saw no reason to upset her. - If you are married it's sometimes necessary to tell white lies, otherwise you'd be fighting the whole time |
| 1157 |
after your own heart like you; with a similar personality and interests; someone you admire - John's a boy after my own heart. I do hope she'll marry him. - The new boss is a woman after my own heart. I'm sure she's going to be very successful |
| 1158 |
all mouth and trousers this expression is said of someone who talks a lot but never actually does anything useful or what they promise - Don't believe a word he says - he's all mouth and trousers. - The government promised to spend more money on schools, but it was all mouth and trousers. This expression is used mainly in British English. A variation is: All mouth and no trousers |
| 1159 |
another nail in the coffin the latest in a series of things that are damaging or killing someone or something - His forgetting her birthday was another nail in the coffin of their relationship. - Losing his job was the final nail in his coffin. He died 6 months later. A coffin is the box in which dead people are buried |
| 1160 |
at a pinch if absolutely necessary; with some difficulty - I could take you took the airport, at a pinch. But I really must be back by 10 o'clock. - At a pinch we could take John as well, but he'll have to sit on your knee |
| 1161 |
at odds in disagreement or dispute (with someone about something) - The government was at odds over how to deal with the situation. - For a long time we were at odds over whether we should get a dog, but now we both agree that it would be a bad idea |
| 1162 |
at sea confused - I'm still completely at sea in my new job. Nobody has time to explain what I should do. - I had to help him set up his new mobile phone. He's at sea with anything technical. You can also say all at sea |
| 1163 |
at your fingertips information or facts that you know and can tell others quickly and easily - No, I don't have the details at my fingertips, but you can look it up on the internet. - If you need to know anything about computers, ask Judy. She's got all the information at her fingertips. - I have everything at my fingertips and to obtain class notes I simply hit 'print'. - Having all this information at my fingertips means I don't have to go back to the email or website to review it when I'm deciding whether or not to attend school |
| 1164 |
behind the scenes privately; away from the public eye - The government finally announced their decision after months of discussions behind the scenes. - One day we may know what went on behind the scenes in the decision to go to war in Iraq |
| 1165 |
behind the times out-of-date; old-fashioned - Doesn't he know it's behind the times to kiss a woman's hand these days. - She still uses a typewriter to do her letters - I've never known anyone so behind the times |
| 1166 |
by the skin of your teeth to succeed but to very nearly fail - He stayed in school by the skin of his teeth. One more dispute with a teacher and he would have been expelled. - I caught the train by the skin of my teeth. I jumped into it just as it was pulling out of the station |
| 1167 |
can of worms a complicated and difficult situation or problem - I don't want to talk about it any more. It's nothing but a can of worms. - If you do that, you'll be opening a big can of worms |
| 1168 |
dressed to the nines dressed very smartly; (often too smart for the occasion) - She always comes to work dressed to the nines - do you think she likes to be noticed? - I felt really embarrassed at the party last night. Everyone else was dressed to the nines and I turned up in an old T-shirt! |
| 1169 |
eyes glued to something or someone watching something or someone intensely and for a long time - I don't think he likes the job. He seems to spend the whole day with his eyes glued to the clock. - She felt every man's eyes glued to her as she walked into the room. - The people in the audience now sit quietly without moving a muscle, their eyes glued on the judge. - I had my eyes glued on the approaching ball the entire time and was so caught up in the moment that I did not even see Moises Alou, much less that he may have had a play |
| 1170 |
for a song cheaply - I got this old table for a song at the antique market last weekend. - Was your new MP3 player very expensive? - Not at all. I bought it for a song on the internet |
| 1171 |
for good for ever - I left home for good when I was 17 years old. - New-born babies are usually wet behind the ears |
| 1172 |
from scratch from the beginning; starting again - When I started a new job I had to learn everything from scratch. - After the divorce she moved to a new city and started her life from scratch |
| 1173 |
from the horse's mouth information direct from the person who should know - How do you know that? - I got it from the horse's mouth. - I heard it from the horse's mouth that she's leaving her job and moving to Australia |
| 1174 |
get a life the expression said to someone who is behaving in a small, stupid or unrealistic way - When he said that he spends every evening in internet chat rooms, I told him to get a life. - Why don't you just get a life instead of criticizing every little thing I do? |
| 1175 |
head in the clouds unrealistic; unaware of the difficult situation you are in or the problems you are going to have - I don't have my head in the clouds, I kniow what's going on between you and your boss. - I've never known someone with his head so much in the clouds. He's in for a nasty surprise one day. - She'd always said he'd had his head in the clouds, but he hadn't understood what she meant until today. - It's time you took your head out of the clouds and realized what a mess you're in |
| 1176 |
in a nutshell in brief; to say it in a short way - To put it in a nutshell: I don't want to go and I won't go. - We've got to save money or the business will go bankrupt. That's it in a nutshell. The shell of a nut is a small object into which not very much will fit |
| 1177 |
in the cold light of day when you have time to think about something calmly and practically - Sorry, I can't tell you now. I need to think about it in the cold light of day. - When he had time to think about it in the cold light of day, he realized that he'd made a terrible mistake |
| 1178 |
in the fast lane (a life) full of excitement and activity - I've got too old for the fast lane. I just want to work in my garden and visit my children every now and again. - I'm tired of living here. I'm moving to New York and a life in the fast lane |
| 1179 |
in the firing line under attack or threat or criticism - I'd hate to be the boss. You're always in the firing line. - No, I won't tell her. I'm not going to put myself in the firing line |
| 1180 |
in the nick of time at the last possible moment - I got there in the nick of time. The chemist was just locking up. - She turned in her work in the nick of time. One day later and she would have failed the course |
| 1181 |
in your right mind sane; thinking sensibly; not being foolish - Are you in your right mind? You can't just walk in and tell the boss what you think of her. - Nobody in their right mind would think of climbing Everest without the proper equipment and support |
| 1182 |
in your shoes in your position - I wouldn't like to be in your shoes when the boss finds out it was you who sent the dirty emails. - Put yourself in my shoes. What do you think I should do? An alternative expression is in someone's boots |
| 1183 |
it's your funeral it's not a good idea and it will make trouble for you (but it will not affect me) - If you want to quit the job, it's your funeral. But don't come asking me for money. - He'll be very sorry if he does that, but it's his funeral. A funeral is the ceremony at which dead people are buried or cremated |
| 1184 |
like a cat on a hot tin roof nervous, agitated - Do you know what's wrong with her? She's been like a cat on a hot tin roof for the last two days. - I was like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for the letter to arrive |
| 1185 |
like water off a duck's back this expression is used for someone who is impervious to criticism; i.e. criticism does not worry or upset them - You can shout at him until you're blue in the face - it's like water off a duck's back. - I've told him a thousand times he has to work harder, but it's like water off a duck's back. A duck's feathers contain an oil which makes water flow right off them |
| 1186 |
money talks people with money have power and influence - She's rich enough to get whatever she want. Money talks! - Yes, I know that money talks. The problem is: I don't have any! |
| 1187 |
music to someone's ears this expression is said when someone hears what they like or are hoping to hear - It was music to my ears when they said they were getting rid of their dog. The wretched animal had been keeping me awake all night with its barking. - It was music to his ears when his boss told him that she would be moving to a new job |
| 1188 |
not your cup of tea you are not interested in it or don't enjoy it - Sorry, sport is just not my cup of tea. - I've never understood the fascination of computer games. Sitting in front of the screen for hours on end is certainly not my cup of tea |
| 1189 |
nothing to write home about not very interesting or exciting - We visited the old church on the edge of town, but it was nothing to write home about. - Her new book is quite entertaining, but nothing to write home about and certainly not as good as her last one |
| 1190 |
off the top of your head without thinking very much - How many people were at the party yesterday? - Off the top of my head, I'd say there were about 50. - It's no use talking off the top of your head. I need to know exactly |
| 1191 |
old hat old-fashioned; out of date - I don't agree with holding doors open for women, or offering them your seat in the bus. That's all old hat as far as I am concerned. - My son thinks that CDs are old hat; everyone now downloads MP3 files to their iPods |
| 1192 |
on a shoestring with very little money - My parents had to raise their children on a shoestring, but it never did us any harm. - It's difficult to enjoy life to the full if you are living on a shoestring year after year |
| 1193 |
on paper in theory (but not necessarily in practice) - It seems like a good idea on paper. But I don't think it's going to make us any money. - He looks good on paper, but does he have any experience in this kind of work? |
| 1194 |
on song to be doing well - When he's on song, no-one has a chance of beating him. - I haven't been on song for a long time now. This expression is often used to refer to sports players or teams |
| 1195 |
on the right lines doing something correctly or well - The new girl is on the right lines already. I think she's going to be a big success. - Are you sure we're on the right lines? I don't understand why we're having so many problems |
| 1196 |
on the rocks in trouble - Their marriage is on the rocks. I don't think it's going to last much longer. - The business was on the rocks after years of losing customers to internet stores |
| 1197 |
on the ropes near to failing or defeat - At the end of the first half the team were on the ropes, but they made a remarkable recovery and eventually won the game. - After many years of losing customers the corner store was well and truly on the ropes |
| 1198 |
on your last legs weak; about to fail or die - The company was on its last legs. The workers had been advised to look for new jobs. - The team had already played 65 games that season and was on its last legs |
| 1199 |
once in a blue moon only very rarely - Make the most of his visit. He only comes once in a blue moon. - My friend's much better than me at chess, but once in a blue moon I beat him |
| 1200 |
out of the frying pan and into the fire from one problem to another, bigger problem - Be sure you have made the right decision. You don't want to go out of the frying pan and into the fire. - She thought she could solve her problems by leaving her husband, but in fact she went out of the frying pan and into the fire |
| 1201 |
over the hill too old - Don't you think you're a little over the hill to be going to the disco every week. - He's not over the hill yet. I reckon he can play for two or three more years at the highest level |
| 1202 |
over the moon very happy - I'm over the moon about our new house. It's just perfect! - How do you feel about your performance? - Over the moon |
| 1203 |
over the top extreme, exaggerated, too much - I know it's cold, but don't you think it's rather over the top to be wearing three pairs of socks? - I was over the top in calling you a coward. Please accept my apologies |
| 1204 |
part of the furniture familiar; having been there for a long time; not noticed - Cameras are now part of the furniture on the streets on most big cities. - She treated me as if I were part of the furniture |
| 1205 |
pie in the sky unlikely to happen - He's sure he's going to get the job, but I know it's pie in the sky. - We wanted to buy a house in London, but we soon realized that it was just pie in the sky |
| 1206 |
plain as day obvious, clear - It's plain as day she likes him. Have you seen the way she looks at him when he walks through the cafeteria? - It's plain as day that he's not good enough. I don't know why he was employed in the first place |
| 1207 |
pull the other one an expression used to show that you don't believe what the other person has just told you - I just saw Michael Jackson at the bus stop. - Pull the other one! - When she said that she'd won the lottery, I told her to pull the other one. She's always trying to take me for a ride. This is based on the idiom to pull someone's leg = to try and trick them or play a joke on them. (The idiom in the second example sentence above, to take someone for a ride, has the same meaning.) |
| 1208 |
pulling teeth to be very difficult - Getting him to come to class on time is like pulling teeth. - I finally got them to sit quietly and listen, but it was like pulling teeth |
| 1209 |
red tape bureaucracy; unnecessary or petty rules - If you want to start a business in Germany, there's an enormous amount of red tape you have to go through. - Forget about it. I can't stand all the red tape just to get permission to build a garden shed |
| 1210 |
red-handed in the act of doing something wrong - She was caught red-handed as she tried to leave the store with the stolen watch. - The robbers were caught red-handed on video as they walked into the bank with their guns |
| 1211 |
six of one and half a dozen of the other this expression is used to refer to two things that are equal (equally bad or equally good) - It was a case of six of one and half a dozen of the other. Both courses of action had their problems. - What are you going to order, the fish or the meat? - I don't know. It's six of one and half a dozen of the other. The word dozen means 12. So, obviously, half a dozen is equal to 6 |
| 1212 |
the bottom line the most important or fundamental thing - The bottom line is: Do we have enough money? - Do you trust him not to do it again? That's the bottom line |
| 1213 |
the green light permission or approval to someone or something - I finally got the green light after I had asked her at least 10 times! - The headmaster has given us the green light for our demonstration about the war in Iraq |
| 1214 |
the light at the end of the tunnel the end of a difficult or unpleasant situation - It's been very hard for me but I think I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. - I know you been having an awful time but there's always light at the end of the tunnel |
| 1215 |
the nuts and bolts the details; practice as opposed to theory - It's time we got down to the nuts and bolts of how much it's going to cost and who is going to do it. - I know that she's an architect but I have little idea about the nuts and bolts of her job |
| 1216 |
the salt of the earth a good person; reliable and honest - You can trust him absolutely. His family is the salt of the earth. - I'm not sure I would believe everything she says - she's not exactly the salt of the earth. This expression comes from the bible |
| 1217 |
the tip of the iceberg the small, visible part of a large problem - Yes, I know he has spelling difficulties, but that's just the tip of the iceberg as far as his problems in English are concerned. - You think everything's now going to be ok, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. - But each of these is just the tip of the iceberg. Underlying each is a much larger, deeper, and more important mathematical idea. - The media would have been filled with speculation that the arrested man was only the tip of the iceberg of a much larger and more dangerous conspiracy. The Titanic sank when it hit an iceberg |
| 1218 |
the writing is on the wall there are strong signs that the situation is soon to turn bad or unpleasant - The writing was on the wall when he failed three tests in a row. - Can't you see the writing on the wall? With a cough like that you're going to get lung cancer if you don't stop smoking. - In today's damp conditions, we were never going to see Ullrich at his best, but the writing is very much on the wall as far as the German's hopes go. - The writing was all over the wall that Kerry was finished, all that one had to do was look |
| 1219 |
to bang your head against a brick wall to feel frustrated because you are failing to do what you want to do; to have no chance of succeeding - I've tried to tell her many times that she needs to start working harder, but I'm just banging my head against a brick wall. She takes no notice. - He's just banging his head against a brick wall - there's no chance of him succeeding. - My claim with Tesco car insurance was so frustrating that it felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall. - With people like this it makes you want to give it all up because you're only banging your head against a brick wall |
| 1220 |
to bark up the wrong tree to be making a mistake; to be doing the wrong thing - You're barking up the wrong tree if you think you can make him work by shouting at him. - For a long time I thought he was not very clever, but I realize now that I was barking up the wrong tree. - I'm not an expert, but are you sure you're not barking up the wrong tree here? - I think he's been barking up the wrong tree. I want to say, but I'm no good with words. I can't argue with him |
| 1221 |
to be a pain in the neck to be irritating and annoying - I'm glad they moved him out of my class. He was a real pain in the neck. - Why do you have to be such a pain in the neck? I've got better things to do than to keep hearing about your problems. - However I think my boyfriend's sister is going to be a right pain in the neck in the future. - The whole signing system certainly hasn't improved my user experience with Windows - it's been nothing but a pain in the neck |
| 1222 |
to be a paper tiger to seem to be powerful but this is not true - Don't be scared of her. She's just a paper tiger. - InterTel used to be one of the leading internet companies but now it's nothing but a paper tiger. - As I said, our boys were shocked by the low morale and they realized that the American soldier was just a paper tiger. - It was Chairman Mao himself who once described the United States as a paper tiger, and said China should never be afraid of the US |
| 1223 |
to be all ears to listen carefully; to be curious - She was all ears when I told her I'd discovered some interesting information about our boss. - Go on. Tell me what he said. I'm all ears. - I'm halfway through writing it; but if somebody has an equivalent or better solution, I'm all ears. - We told her we make special deals for the immigrants in the neighborhood and she was all ears |
| 1224 |
to be all thumbs to be clumsy and unskilled - It's no good asking him to help you fix the car - he's all thumbs. - Can you help me wire this plug? I'm all thumbs. - Unfortunately I'm all thumbs and couldn't begin to construct one myself. - Now I know why I'm all thumbs trying to fix those lights in my garage -- but that's another story completely! "Some people say "all fingers and thumbs." |
| 1225 |
to be an old hand to be experienced and good at something - If you need help, ask John. He's an old hand at fixing computers. - How did she manage to get him to behave so well? - Well, she's an old hand at dealing with difficult kids. - Having worked at the university for almost two years now, she's an old hand at her job. - I'm an old hand at this now, and answer most of the questions before they've asked them |
| 1226 |
to be at a loose end to be bored because you have time but nothing to do - If you're at a loose end you can help me in the garden! - We weren't due at the airport until 12.30 so we spent most of the morning at a loose end. - I enjoyed being in a model club again and as I was at a loose end during the day I became the 'Pro' for the club. - Like many young men of well-to-do families he was at a loose end after finishing school |
| 1227 |
to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to be born of rich parents - John will never have to worry about money. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. - How do you expect me to afford a house in London? I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. - I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. My partner was an ordinary working man. But there was a great security in my life. - She has never earned anything in her life; she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and requires the help of servants to remove it |
| 1228 |
to be caught on the wrong foot to be unpleasantly surprised by something - We were caught completely on the wrong foot. We expected them to put out a weak team, but in fact they played their best men. - In business you need to think ahead. You don't want to be caught on the wrong foot. - Paul and my wife had kept this a secret, and to be perfectly honest I was caught on the wrong foot. - Bosses don't like to be caught on the wrong foot in a room full of spectators |
| 1229 |
to be eating someone to be upsetting or angering someone - What's eating you? You've hardly said a word. - Nothing. Just leave me alone. - What's eating her today? She jumps down my throat at every little thing I say |
| 1230 |
to be flavour of the month to be popular (now, but maybe not next month) - Ok, she's flavour of the month now, but I can't see her lasting very long. - Everyone I know has got an iPod. - Yes, they're certainly flavour of the month right now. - Is this really a shift in the whole way that media are produced, or is it just flavour of the month? - Germany is not flavour of the month in the White House. But how concerned should Germans be about the disapproval of their great and powerful friend? |
| 1231 |
to be hand in glove (with someone) to work closely with someone; to not have any secrets from someone - Be careful what you say to John. He's hand in glove with the boss. - Well, you know why he gave him the job. They're hand in glove! - Max is always keen to talk up the idea that he and Bernie disagree and argue about lots of things, but fundamentally they're hand in glove. - The NFU (which over the years has been hand-in-glove with MAFF) also says it knows nothing about this |
| 1232 |
to be in two minds to be unsure or undecided - I'm in two minds about her. She seems to be friendly but she's made one or two very unpleasant comments. - I'm in two minds about the trip. I certainly need a holiday but it's going to be very expensive. - I apologise for the spelling mistake, I was caught in two minds whether to write synchronicities or just syncs and went for a mixture of both. - She was in two minds as to whether she should tell the Mother Superior about it |
| 1233 |
to be no picnic to be difficult or unpleasant - It's no picnic looking after three small children all day long. - We had to spend three days in the hut without electricity or running water. It was no picnic, I can tell you! - Writing it was no picnic. I'd never done anything like this before. - You realize this is not going to be a picnic and that you're not going to have the time of your life |
| 1234 |
to be on the tip of your tongue to know what you want to say but to not be able to remember it at the moment you want to say it - What was his name again? - Aaghh, it's on the tip of my tongue - Robinson or Robertson, .. oh God, what's happened to my memory? - It was on the tip of my tongue, but by the time I remembered it, the conversation had moved on. - It was on the tip of my tongue to say he looked young, but I realized how extremely naпve and human such a comment would seem. - The name of her affliction was on the tip of her tongue. Yes, that was it, Alzheimer's. Like me, she looked all right on the outside, but she, too, was unable to work anymore |
| 1235 |
to be one card short of a deck to be mentally slow; stupid - He's one card short of a deck. There's no chance he'll be able to do it. - Don't bothering asking her! She's several cards short of a deck. - After they both looked at me like I was one card short of a deck, I explained about TV Ontario's online tutoring service. - Nigel's description of the taxi driver being one bottle short of a crate was pretty accurate! A deck is a full set of playing cards. This expression is variable and used in a humorous way. E.g. He is several days short of a full month. She's one flower short of a bunch. They're two bottles short of a crate. And so on |
| 1236 |
to bear fruit to produce good results; to be successful - You have to be patient. You can't expect the project to bear fruit after just a few weeks. - It took a long time before the government's reforms bore fruit, but everyone now agrees that they made the right decision. - My attempts at soliciting a neighbor's help bore no fruit. - The recent wave of unprecedented anti-war protests could not stop bloodshed in Iraq and will never bear any fruit as long as we do not stop denying what the United States administration has so explicitly declared - a war on Islam |
| 1237 |
to beat a dead horse to keep on doing something after there is no point in doing so - You're just beating a dead horse. He's never going to change his mind. - I finally realized that I was beating a dead horse. Nothing I could say was going to make any difference. - Relying on new or existing manufacturing jobs to save the day down the road isn't just beating a dead horse, it's laying down beside it. - I also think that we may have reached the point of beating a dead horse ... so with thanks and love to all, I now respectfully close this thread. - The word beat in this idiom means hit. An alternative expression is to flog a dead horse. (Hitting a dead horse is not going to make it move!) |
| 1238 |
to bend someone's ear to talk to someone (for a long time) in order to get them to do what you want; to bore someone with a long monologue - I hate going to meetings with him. He always comes up to me afterwards and tries to bend my ear. - There's no point trying to bend my ear. I've made up my mind. - He bent my ear for a few hours and showed me all around his huge shop. - I once had my ear bent at length by a distinguished Russian writer, who was outraged by some very famous English versions from Russian poets |
| 1239 |
to bite off more than you can chew to attempt something that is too difficult - I think she's bitten off more than she can chew. She comes home tired and miserable every night. - Are you sure you're not biting off more than you can chew? You know nothing about computers and yet you've applied to be IT manager! - I am beginning to suspect that I bit off more than I could chew by starting this goddamn blog! - Having bitten off more than he can chew in Iraq, President Bush wants to start on Iran? If you bite off a large piece of meat, it will fill your mouth and you will find it difficult to chew and swallow it |
| 1240 |
to bite the dust to die; to fail or stop working - My computer's just bitten the dust, and I've only had it a few months. - Another one bites the dust is a famous song by Queen. - It bit the dust last fall and we replaced it with an HP laser printer, model 1300. - Many smaller firms have bitten the dust, but not Parkway, not yet. When a cowboy was shot and fell down dead, he 'bit the dust'. In other words, he fell to the ground face first into the dust |
| 1241 |
to bite your tongue to not say what you would really like to say; to keep quiet "- I had to bite my tongue when he said he how worried he was. He's such a liar! - You'll have to learn to bite your tongue. You can't just go shouting at the teachers every time they say something that annoys you. - I have had to bite my tongue on so many occasions that I'm surprised it's still in my mouth at all! - She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, "Why didn't you say so?" |
| 1242 |
to blow hot and cold to keep changing your mind or opinion about something - She's been blowing hot and cold about the idea for the last 3 months. I wish she would just make up her mind. - The Press has been blowing hot and cold on the new president. They don't yet know what to think of him. - I'm blowing hot and cold with it. Yesterday morning I hated it, then I loved it and now I'm just ambivalent about it. - He blew hot and cold on network news, helping to found and develop it, but willing to cast much of that work aside to avoid controversy |
| 1243 |
to blow your own horn to boast; to say how good you are - What I really dislike about her is how she's always blowing her own horn. - He shouldn't go around blowing his own horn like that. He'll only make himself unpopular. - He wasn't the kind of person who blew his own horn much but he was justifiably proud of his writings. - Remember, you can nominate libraries other than your own -- so if you don't feel ready to blow your own horn, put in a good word for your favorite colleague. The horn in question here is the musical instrument. An alternative is to blow your own trumpet |
| 1244 |
to break the ice to do or say something to ease a tense or uncomfortable situation - She tried to break the ice with a joke, but no-one felt like laughing. - Teachers often try to break the ice on the first day of the new school year by playing a game with the students. - This broke the ice and helped the players to meet other teams and get acquainted. - Tips: Breaking the Ice. Be the first person to extend your hand in a greeting. Offering a compliment usually warms things up |
| 1245 |
to breathe down someone's neck to be close behind someone; to watch and check someone's behaviour - Must you keep breathing down my neck when we go shopping? I like to be left in peace to decide what to buy. - The new boss has been breathing down my neck. She obviously doesn't trust me to do a good job |
| 1246 |
to breathe fire to show your anger - She started breathing fire when I came late for the third time in three days. - There's no need to breathe fire at me. It wasn't my fault. - You're the last person I expected to see tonight after the way Bubba breathed fire all over me. - He came in breathing fire and now he is just sitting back and watching while selfish Maina Kariuki continues to wreak havoc. Dragons breathe fire |
| 1247 |
to bring it home to someone to make someone realize or understand something - I watched a program on TV last night about teenage drinking. It brought it home to me the importance of setting a good example to your children. - I tried to bring it home to her that she was playing a dangerous game, but she wouldn't listen to me. - But the shoes brought it home to me that every single person who came here was not just a tattooed number but an individual human being with a past. - In the end, he makes the decision that his friends are worth everything and that's why he's there; finally bringing home to him what Anderson meant |
| 1248 |
to burn the candle at both ends to work and play very hard so that you are in danger of becoming ill - You're asking for trouble if you go on burning the candle at both ends like this. - Doesn't he realize he's a bit too old to be burning the candle at both ends? - Even though I was in really good shape until two years before I got sick, I was burning the candle at both end. I ate the wrong things and I wore myself out |
| 1249 |
to burn the midnight oil to stay up very late to get a piece of work finished - When I was studying for my final exams I often needed to burn the midnight oil. - I think I'll be burning the midnight oil this weekend. I've still got loads of work to do. - Because she had a term paper due the next morning, Paulette was burning the midnight oil to finish it on time. - It has been an awful week---you've worked yourself ragged, you've had to burn the midnight oil to get a major presentation out, the boss hated it, .... |
| 1250 |
to call a spade a spade to speak directly and bluntly; to avoid euphemisms - He's not afraid to call a spade a spade. If he doesn't like something, he will come right out and say it. - You sometimes need to be a little sensitive to other people's feelings - you can't always just call a spade a spade. - It's time to call a spade a spade. Yes, the attack on the AL rally was an attack on the entire country and an attack against democracy. - Horoscope: You don't know how to be diplomatic even in a dire situation; you like to call a spade a spade |
| 1251 |
to call it a day to stop (often after working hard for a long time) - Ok, time to call it a day. We've got no chance of success unless we get more help. - I've spent hours on this webpage, but I'm not going to call it a day until I'm finished. - Unfortunately, by then, I had developed my cramp, so I had to call it a day and head back home. - We decided afterwards that we didn't want to call it a day, so we've recruited the guitar talents of Justin Hagberg from war-metallers Allfather, and Shane |
| 1252 |
to call the shots to give the orders; to make the decisions - You had better remember who calls the shots around here. If you don't do what I ask you, you're out of a job! - It's clear who calls the shots in their marriage! - Most importantly, in an industry where men have always called the shots, these new heavyweights are women. - For me it is important to know who calls the shots. It certainly is not the UN |
| 1253 |
to catch your eye to see something that you find attractive, interesting or unusual "- There were many wonderful things to buy at the market, but what really caught my eye were the leather handbags. - She caught my eye as I was sitting there waiting for the bus. - A letter to the editor in the Summer 1988 issue of the Skeptical Inquirer caught my eye. It referred to an article called "The Aliens Among Us". - Stories about teen drivers always catch her eye because she is a mother." |
| 1254 |
to change horses in midstream to change your mind or your course of action in the middle of an activity - Sorry, you can't just change horses in midstream. You signed up for basketball and you must stay with it until the end of the season. - As soon as we realized that we were going to lose a lot of money we changed horses in midstream. - She was working on several important projects and it would be a huge blow to the company to have to change horses in midstream, but there was nothing she could do. It's not always good idea to change horses in the middle of a stream. You might fall in and get wet |
| 1255 |
to come out of your shell to be more sociable, less timid - Why don't you come to the party with me? It's time that you came out of your shell. - As a child she was very shy, but you should have seen her dancing on the tables at the disco last weekend. She's certainly come out of her shell! - Despite all he has been through Tommy has really come out of his shell in his foster home. - Tara had reverted to her shy quiet self, it was like she had never come out of her shell |
| 1256 |
to come to a head to reach a critical or dangerous state "- Things really came to a head when she fell drunk down the stairs. - The problem came to a head when they started accusing each other of lying. - The division between the two camps - rock enthusiasts and folk purists - came to a head when Dylan was booed for "going electric". - At some point, the issue will come to a head. If you ask me, the Yankees ought to consider moving Jeter to second." |
| 1257 |
to come under fire to be criticized - The government came under fire for its proposals to increase the cost of health insurance. - I'm surprised you didn't come under fire for your idea. Perhaps no-one understands the implications! - Gibson also came under fire for spending exorbitant amounts on alcohol and other refreshments in August of 2003. - They will come under fire if they ditch the FA Cup, but they will also be attacked if they jeopardise England's World Cup bid by snubbing FIFA. 'Fire' in this case means 'shooting fromn a gun' |
| 1258 |
to come unstuck to experience problems or difficulties - Her business came unstuck when the price of oil started to rise. - You'll soon come unstuck if you try to do everything by yourself. - The psychological ascendancy which he thereby established survived even the moment when he came horribly unstuck in the 11th game and lost his queen. - A movie that revolves purely around sex is sure to come unstuck eventually and this offering from writer/director/ producer Johnson is a prime example. In American English the expression is to come unglued. A stamp that falls off an envelope has come unstuck - from the verb to stick |
| 1259 |
to cross the line to start behaving in an unacceptable way - You really crossed the line when you started screaming at her. - The new film had a lot of violence and bad language, but I don't think it crossed the line. - In this case she knows she crossed the line of malicious and capricious female behavior and did so on purpose for some bizarre reason. - I feel it's my obligation to warn her about the possible disadvantages of doing this, but I don't want to cross the line and advise her in making a decision |
| 1260 |
to cross your mind to (suddenly) think of something; to occur to you - I was just about to buy the DVD when it crossed my mind that my friend had it and I could borrow it from her. - When didn't you tell me about the accident? - Sorry, it never crossed my mind. - It was a moment fit for the climax of the corniest Hollywood movie, yet as I watched, it suddenly crossed my mind that what I was witnessing was something special. - On this occasion however, it would have never crossed his mind that the two girls might be lying about the photographs |
| 1261 |
to cry over spilled milk to complain or be unhappy about something that has happened and cannot be changed. - What's the point in crying over spilled milk. There's nothing you can do about it. - Ok, my wife has left me and I've just crashed my car, but you won't see me crying over spilled milk. - Okay, so there's no point in crying over spilt milk, but can we please change some things here? - It is no use crying over split milk but one thing is sure - if this trend is not reversed, and reversed early, what will be India's fate in World Cup 2003? Once you have spilled milk it's impossible to get it back into the bottle |
| 1262 |
to cut no ice to not impress or influence someone - His apologies cut no ice with me. He had made one mistake too many and I told him to leave. - The manager's assurances cut no ice with the workers. They just didn't trust him any more. - He tried to use his dubious standing as The Resident Gophercatcher for an excuse, but that cut no ice with me. - The Sun's apology will cut no ice with Liverpudlians - and with good reason |
| 1263 |
to cut off your nose to spite your face to do something to hurt someone else (and not know or care that it will also harm you) "- If you do that you'll be cutting off your nose to spite your face. - He was so desperate to get his revenge on her that he didn't realize he was cutting off his nose to spite his face. - "Rani is cutting off her nose to spite her face," said Meera; "hurting herself as she punishes her parents. - Naw, staying where I was much longer would be cutting off my nose to spite my face." It is possible that you might not like the look of your face, but cutting your nose off is certainly not going to improve your appearance! |
| 1264 |
to do something on the off-chance to do something even though there is only a small chance that you will be lucky or successful - I stopped by his house on the off-chance he might be at home. He wasn't, of course! - I went into the shop on the off-chance that they would have what I was looking for. - I thought it would be a prudent move to play the lottery, on the off chance that our luck was overdue to change. - I must hit your blog at least five or six times on a Saturday evening, on the off chance of finding an update |
| 1265 |
to do something until you are blue in the face to not succeed in something despite trying many, many times - You can say that until you are blue in the face. It's not going to make me change my mind. - The government can warn people about travelling to Iraq until it is blue in the face, but there will always be one or two who are brave or stupid enough to go there anyway. - Maybe I've got genetics to thank for some of my results in the gym as well (although I'd argue otherwise until I was blue in the face). - Well, okay, she could shout it at Naraku until she was blue in the face and he wouldn't care |
| 1266 |
to drag your feet to do something slowly and unwillingly; to try and delay something - It's obvious why he's dragging his feet. He just doesn't want to do it. - I wish you'd stop dragging your feet. How will we ever get finished? - Elizabeth had started the process of restoring Mary to the Scottish throne but was dragging her feet as much as possible. - It makes me want to drag my feet and see what other manufacturers might come up with in the near future. An alternative is: to drag your heels |
| 1267 |
to draw a line under something to consider something as over or finished "- I think it's time for you to draw a line under your marriage. There are too many problems to solve. - I need to draw a line under my past. I've made a lot of mistakes, but I have to look to the future. - Sometimes, however, you will simply need to draw a line under an issue and ask the class to move on: "I'm afraid we simply do not have time to discuss this. - It was when I found her in bed with a one-night stand that I finally drew the line under all the arguments and petty squabbling." |
| 1268 |
to draw the line to stop; to know the point where something stops being ok and becomes not ok - That's the trouble with you. You never know where to draw the line. - If you don't help students, they will fail, but if you help them too much, they will also fail. It's very difficult to know where to draw the line. - We all have to decide where to draw the line. It is about living for Jesus in a world where Me first is the order of the day, where honesty and integrity are rare. - I camped on the land at women's music festivals, although I drew the line at eating the mysterious vegan mush that passed as festival food |
| 1269 |
to drive someone up the wall to irritate someone - My neighbour's new dog barks every time I walk past the house - it's really driving me up the wall. - Why can't you ever shut the door when you leave the room? It drives me up the wall. - Since changing, I have had almost no Spam but the Netsky virus is driving me up the wall. - There was only one thing that drove him up the wall...the masses of tiny flies that would forever pester him, getting into his eyes, nose and mouth. This expression is not usually used for serious things that make people very angry |
| 1270 |
to eat like a horse to eat a huge amount of food - I don't understand it. She eats like a horse but she never puts on any weight. - I ate like a horse after walking all day in the mountains. - And despite the fact that I was eating like a horse, I was never satiated. I was ravenous almost all day, every day, and was so screamingly hungry most of the time. - Vanessa pi$$es me off cos she eats like a horse but doesn't appear to get any fatter |
| 1271 |
to eat your words to have to admit that what one has said was wrong - She boasted that she was going to win the tennis tournament. Well, she really had to eat her words after losing in the first round. - I had to eat my words after predicting he would fail his exams. In fact, he got top scores! - Let us just say that Keek had to eat her words when she realized Mr. Reeves does have a knack for the bass. - I know I will not have to eat my words when I say that public sympathy for the nurses will not evaporate |
| 1272 |
to face something to stand in front of something; to be confronted with something - We've never faced such a difficult problem before. - If you have ever faced a class of unruly 15 year olds, you will know what I'm talking about. - I know it was difficult, so I appreciate how hard it was to share. I hope you will never have to face that kind of situation again. - The memories I have experienced in the last couple of years have been more difficult than anything else I have ever had to face |
| 1273 |
to face the music to be criticized or punished - I've made a mistake and now I'll just have to face the music. - She was caught stealing from the cash desk and now she's going to have to face the music. - Now, Frist can expect to face the music today in a speech before the Detroit Economic Club. - Being empathetic to everyone else's needs is certainly quite charitable, but at some point you need to face the music and look at yourself |
| 1274 |
to fall flat on your face to do something that severely embarrasses you; to fail completely - I might fall flat on my face but I've got to give it a try. - Don't even think about it - you're sure to fall flat on your face! - I went off to college, but instead of succeeding, I fell flat on my face! There was no way I could keep up with the work load using the reading skills I had. - Expectations are going to be high, both from others and myself; I don't want to fall flat on my face |
| 1275 |
to fall into your lap to get or achieve someone with no effort or by good luck - You can't just sit there waiting for Mr. Right to fall into your lap. You've got to get out and look for him! - The job just fell into my lap. I guess i was in the right place at the right time. - The job itself sort of just fell into his lap when Branford Marsalis left the post in 1995. - 2003 showed me how much good music does exist out there if you are prepared to put a little effort in and not expect it to fall into your lap. An alternative is to drop into your lap. (The lap is the top part of your upper legs.) |
| 1276 |
to fall on deaf ears to be unheard; to be rejected - I asked for an extra day's holiday, but my request fell on deaf ears. - Our all pleas for help have so far fallen on deaf ears. - But the warnings fell on deaf ears and by July 2005 dramatic pictures of the unfolding emergency began to play out in the world's media. - Iraq's Sunnis are not rallying behind the call for Jihad and that once genuine sovereignty and democracy comes to Iraq the call will fall on deaf ears |
| 1277 |
to fall on your feet to come out of a difficult situation without getting hurt or damaged - The gods must like him. No matter what difficulties he gets into, he always seems to fall on his feet. - Just as she ran out of money, she won top prize in the lottery. Talk about falling on your feet! - He always falls on his feet. How many close calls we have had since we joined forces: yet, thanks to his luck, we have come out first best every time. - With a stroke of luck, I fell on my feet when I chose a course entitled: 'Creative Writing for Women'. Cats that drop out of trees usually have the good luck (or instinct!) to fall on their feet |
| 1278 |
to feather your nest (to take advantage of your position) to get or save money in order to make your life comfortable - Some politicians are only interested in feathering their nests. - It's not fair to accuse me of feathering my nest. I have spent a lot of money on you and your family. - As for the tax collector, he may or may not have feathered his nest in collecting the taxes. - I'm not looking to feather my nest, I'm looking to make a difference one risk, one step, one issue at a time |
| 1279 |
to feel the pinch to suffer from problems (usually money problems) - I won't be able to go on holiday this year. I'm feeling the pinch at the moment. - Car manufactures are feeling the pinch of the current high price of oil. - However, like every other medium or small sized brewer, Gunther was feeling the pinch of competition from the large national brewers. - The US Treasury last week felt the pinch of a tight money market |
| 1280 |
to fight fire with fire to use risky methods to defeat or oppose someone or something - If they are going to increase our working hours, then we should go on strike. We have to fight fire with fire. - Our only hope is to fight fire with fire, but it will be dangerous. - Phil Vickery insists England need to fight fire with fire when they clash with Wales in their World Cup quarter-final showdown tomorrow. - Sure, I know it's easy to want to fight fire with fire and adopt their tactics of fear and smear |
| 1281 |
to find your feet to get used to a new situation - Be patient with him. He's only been here a couple of months and needs time to find his feet. - I wasn't given the chance to find my feet. I was put straight into the most difficult class. - I gradually found my feet and married someone I had met in Cuba who helped me greatly as I began to settle. - Having just found her feet again in the popular music scene, she obviously has a great team of people around her at Parlophone. The expression derives from the situation where a baby is just getting used to its body and learning to walk |
| 1282 |
to follow your nose to trust your instincts or first thoughts - You'll know when you've met the person you want to marry. You just have to follow your nose. - I got lost in the backstreets of Paris but I followed my nose and soon found the hotel again. - I have always followed my nose and so far, it has not let me down. - After being cooped up in the city for fifty weeks a year, she had just followed her nose until she had discovered a small hidden lake |
| 1283 |
to foul your own nest to do something that makes your own life unpleasant or difficult - If you do that you'll only be fouling your own nest. - Yes, we all like the comforts of modern life, but we don't seem to realize that we are fouling our own nest. Pollution has never been more of a problem than it is today. - My father was just moral enough to avoid fouling his own nest by fooling around with her with me on the premises |
| 1284 |
to get a kick out of something to enjoy it - He seems to get a kick out of making people look stupid. No wonder nobody likes him. - Some kids get a kick out of doing things that are stupid or dangerous. - At the same time, in real life I get no kick out of people admitting what I told them turned out to be the truth. - Gamers will probably get a huge kick out of smashing entire buildings to rubble |
| 1285 |
to get cold feet to become worried about something; to not want to do it any more - I had planned to emigrate to Australia but now I'm beginning to get cold feet about it. - You're getting married tomorrow. It's much too late to get cold feet! - The press jumped all over that and Paramount got cold feet about supporting the movie and pulled all the ads on it. - That is, as long as companies don't get cold feet about moving to Fargo or expanding their operations here because they fear they can't find enough workers |
| 1286 |
to get hold of the wrong end of the stick to misunderstand a situation or what someone has told you - No, you've got hold of the wrong end of the stick. It wasn't like that at all! - She's always getting hold of the wrong end of the stick. Sometimes I think she doesn't really listen to what I'm saying. - Either I didn't make myself clear or you've got hold of the wrong end of the stick. - Since you didn't appear to be listening very attentively, it's not surprising that you got hold of the wrong end of the stick |
| 1287 |
to get off on the wrong foot to start something in a wrong or bad way - He got off on the wrong foot on his very first day when he swore at the teacher. - Let me tell you what to do. It's important not to get off on the wrong foot. - Clearly I got off on the wrong foot with Mrs. Evans, but I guess most other people in the department felt the same way about her. - Calcavecchia got off on the wrong foot with a bogey on the first hole, but still maintained the lead at 14 under when Mayfair also bogeyed |
| 1288 |
to get out of hand to get out of control - His behaviour is getting out of hand. If he's not careful he'll be kicked out of school. - The street demonstrations in Paris quickly got out of hand. Thousands of cars were set on fire and over a hundred police were injured. - This whole thing of treating us like criminals is getting way out of hand. - Like most obsessions, this quickly got out of hand, and he now owns enough instruments for a full steel orchestra |
| 1289 |
to get something off your chest to talk about something that has been worrying you for a long time; to admit something you have done wrong - Can I talk to you? I've got something I'd like to get off my chest. - I have a feeling that you've got something you'd like to get off your chest - am I right? - If you don't want to pursue a friendship, then that's fine too, because you're entitled to your feelings, but I just needed to get it off my chest. - If there's something you need to get off your chest, let the world know through the Evening News's letters page |
| 1290 |
to get the picture to (come to) understand - Now I get the picture. She was just pretending to be sick all along. - First you have to press this button, then you type in your password. Do you get the picture? - Despite repeated attempts to communicate verbally with him, he didn't get the picture until I held up both of my hands with 10 fingers extended. - Please note: dogs are carnivores - they do not need either fruit or vegetables. - do you get the picture yet? |
| 1291 |
to get too big for your boots to believe you are more important than you really are "- He's getting too big for his boots. It's time someone told him he's not the boss around here. - Don't you think you're getting too big for your boots? After all, you are only the assistant secretary. - It could be said that teenage entrepreneur Oliver Bridge is getting too big for his boots. - She certainly has got too big for her boots if she is using the "don't you know who I am" phrase when getting into clubs, bars, restaurants etc." |
| 1292 |
to get up someone's nose to annoy or irritate - He's always asking me for money. It really gets up my nose! - Can you please stop that awful whistling. You're getting right up my nose! - This is just my opinion, don't let it get up your nose, I don't know you and you don't know me. - What does get up my nose a bit is the fact that again you've got this enormous multi-national company with unlimited resources cracking down on two people |
| 1293 |
to get wind of something to get to know about something (often unexpectedly and often about something that should be a secret) - There were massive demonstrations when the workers got wind of the company's plans to close the factory. - She was hoping that no-one would get wind of her intentions, but she was not clever enough. - Jail officials didn't get wind of it until they found a letter from one of Wendell's cellmates to a girlfriend. - Gore is apparently spreading this sort of garbage overseas where he probably thinks most Americans won't get wind of it |
| 1294 |
to get your feet under the table to settle down; to become established - It took me a long time to get my feet under the table, but now I feel really comfortable here. - Don't expect her to be able to do anything about it yet. She needs to get her feet under the table first. - Ill be swapping my springs just as soon as I get my feet under the table at my new place of work. - And barely had he got his feet under the table than he was peppering the newspapers with highly opinionated remarks |
| 1295 |
to get your feet wet to experience something for the first time; to get used to something "- I know it will be difficult at first, but you'll just have to get your feet wet. - Once I had got my feet wet, things didn't seem so bad after all. - I got my feet wet in college, writing instructions for the students using the computer labs. - "We were trying to give him an opportunity to get his feet wet," Wisconsin defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said of Aiello." |
| 1296 |
to get your fingers burned to experience unwanted or unpleasant results to a course of action - She invested all her money in a small internet company and really got her fingers burned when it closed down. - Don't worry. I'm not going to do it again. I got my fingers burned once already. - Having had her fingers burned once by her war correspondent partner, she's determined never to fall in love again |
| 1297 |
to get your goat to annoy or irritate you, to get on your nerves - It really gets my goat when you do that! - What really gets my goat is that he didn't even apologize. - He really got my goat. He'd miss rehearsals, stress out Heidi to no degree, and complain loudly during almost every rehearsal. - Whenever he got her goat, she'd start howling and yelling before taking a good swipe at him. A goat is an animal like a sheep, with a beard and horns. The goat is the animal associated with the devil |
| 1298 |
to get your teeth into something to become interested in something and keep on doing it (despite difficulties) - Once she gets her teeth into a problem, you know she's not going to give up until she's solved it. - I'm sorry I didn't manage to finish. I couldn't really get my teeth into it. - Once Jayavel had got his teeth into it, there was no stopping him. - I just couldn't get my teeth into it, despite the fact that the translucent Gong Li is my favourite screen temptress |
| 1299 |
to give someone a hand to help - Can you give me a hand moving this box? It's too heavy for me. - Will you give me a hand up the stairs? I've hurt my foot and can't make it by myself. - Talia gave me a hand so I know that the main page looks fine. However, if you run into any problems, just let me know. - They will give you a hand if you're having troubles and make you feel welcome. "Some people say: "Can you lend me a hand?" |
| 1300 |
to give someone a piece of your mind to criticize someone sharply for what they have said or done - Why did you let her say that? I would have given her a piece of my mind. - His parents gave him a piece of their mind when he told them that he'd dropped out of university. - I can't remember how we figured out he wasn't who he said he was, but I gave him a piece of my mind and alerted all concerned. - I'd like to give her a piece of my mind, but that just wouldn't be very nice of me considering she's still in grief mode |
| 1301 |
to give someone the cold shoulder to avoid, ignore or ostracize someone - She's given me the cold shoulder ever since I said I didn't like her new hairstyle. - Do you know why he's giving me the cold shoulder? - I think it's because you disagreed with him at the meeting. - I still have total feelings for him, and when I see him now, I don't know how to act. Do I give him the cold shoulder? It's so awkward, Help! ... - He then gave me the cold shoulder and continued his lively chat with Dolores |
| 1302 |
to give something a whirl to try something - I've never done anything like this before, but I'm prepared to give it a whirl. - Why don't you give it a whirl? You might find you like it! - I thought they were crazy but for $16.95 I decided to give it a whirl. - I gave it a whirl, but it wasn't to be. I'm just not the best person to be in charge of a general chat forum |
| 1303 |
to give the game away to reveal a secret - I'm getting her a new bike for her birthday, but please don't give the game away. - The government tried to keep the matter quiet but they had to give the game away after enormous pressure from the media. - And yesterday, in an unguarded moment, Rumsfeld gave the game away, when he disparaged David Kay's judgment on the status of the search for WMD. - Think about your footwear - if you're going to wear a suit don't give the game away by wearing your trainers! |
| 1304 |
to give up the ghost to stop trying or working - My computer has given up the ghost again. I really will have to buy a new one. - Are you haven't a birthday party this year? - No, so few people have come to my last parties that I've given up the ghost. - I had an HP932C printer for many years that I'd been happy with, but it gave up the ghost recently and needed to be replaced. - It can even be barely tolerable as long as your air conditioning unit doesn't give up the ghost |
| 1305 |
to go down like a lead balloon to be unpopular and unsuccessful - The company directors' idea went down like a lead balloon. The employees suspected it was a ploy to get them to work longer. - The government's plan to ban smoking in public places went down like a lead balloon with the bar and nightclub owners. - The decision by Ferrari to order Barrichello to give Michael the win went down like a lead balloon. The crowd reacted angrily and booed the German. - Sometimes I'll play a song that I think merits revival, and it goes down like a lead balloon, so I'll drop it hastily. In this expression lead is the heavy metal, pronounced as in the color red |
| 1306 |
to go in one ear and out the other (information that is) not remembered - I did tell him when he was supposed to be here, but it obviously went in one ear and out the other. - With her it's in one ear and out the other. You'll have to phone her the day before if you want her to remember. - Some of the men at the racetrack tried to talk me out of riding but it went in one ear and out the other. - Is it possible to discuss such a dry topic with your students without having the information go in one ear and out the other? |
| 1307 |
to go places to be successful - He's going places that boy. I've never taught anyone so clever and ambitious. - If we work harder and have a little luck, we can really go places. - It was a very interesting time for us - my work was very stimulating and the city was really going places. - I don't want to waste my time. I intend to go places, and am looking for people who are as well |
| 1308 |
to go through the mill to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation - She really went through the mill for a time when her husband left her, but she's feeling much better now. - We've been going through the mill a bit since we moved here. The climate is cold and the people are not very friendly. - Luckily for my brothers and I, we grew up in a sporting family and had a father who had been through the mill before us and knew how to prepare us. - She is going through the mill at the minute and needs lots of prayer to get through the next few months. You would not feel very happy if you were ground like corn between two millstones! You can also put someone through the mill |
| 1309 |
to go through the motions to do something with little energy or enthusiasm "- He attended the class every day, but he was just going through the motions. He never did very much work. - There's no point in just going through the motions. If you don't want to do it, then don't. But if you do, do it properly. - After school at practice I was just going through the motions without really excelling. - I mean, I don't want to go through the motions of putting up a Christmas tree because "that's the way it's always been done." |
| 1310 |
to go to pieces to get bad; to deteriorate; to break down - The poor woman went to pieces after her husband left her. - Is anything the matter? Your work has really gone to pieces since you got back from holiday. - She had them in her class, and this teacher totally went to pieces. I mean, she was just a nervous wreck from a simple question like that. - Well, Slinky is getting his 15 minutes of fame out of this . . let's hope it doesn't go to pieces |
| 1311 |
to go to pot to go bad; to deteriorate - You're really going to pot - you need to start eating more healthily and take some exercise from time to time. - This part of town has really gone to pot since they opened the new supermarket just around the corner. - I have discovered that my formerly beautiful handwriting has completely gone to pot, and besides, my hand cramps up very easily when I'm holding a pen. - When I couldn't play every day my game went to pot |
| 1312 |
to go to someone's head to make someone believe they are better or more important than they really are; to make someone conceited - It really went to her head when the headmaster praised her in front of the other teachers. Now she thinks she can tell everyone what to do. - Ok, you've been chosen to be Miss Frankfurt, but don't let it go to your head. - Lazenby`s ego went to his head. Instant success spoiled him before filming even began. She has to make sure that all the early adulation doesn't go to her head |
| 1313 |
to go to the dogs to get worse, to deteriorate - Your work is really going to the dogs. If you don't start working harder, you'll fail the course. - Manners these days are going to the dogs. Nobody says 'please' or 'thank you' any more or holds the door open for others. - Within 6 months things went totally to the dogs, - Advertising is going to the dogs. It's getting on everyone's nerves, especially since we're seeing it everywhere |
| 1314 |
to go to town to spend a lot of time, money or energy on something - When she discovers a new hobby that she likes, she really goes to town on it. - I decided to go to town for once in my life and I spent all my savings on a new sports car. - He really went to town on this cover. If I had known he was going to be so intense, I would just have drawn a stick figure. - First, I'll get the basic storyline out of the way before I go to town on what is awful about this movie |
| 1315 |
to hand it to someone to give some praise or credit for something - I've got to hand it to you. I didn't expect it but you did a really good job. - You have to hand it to Mary. She always keeps cool - even under the most intense pressure. - I have to hand it to her, she is doing a masterful job with Skye. - I had to hand it to him, Billy knew how to give a good pep talk. The expression must be used with have got to or have to as in the examples |
| 1316 |
to have a finger in the pie to be involved in something - I'm not surprised he's got his finger in the pie. He can't leave anything alone. - Can you keep it a secret please. I don't want her putting her finger in the pie. - Every arm of government seems to have had a finger in the pie. - I like to know what's going on around me and I prefer to have a finger in the pie. People who use this expression are usually showing disapproval. Would you like someone else's finger in your pie? |
| 1317 |
to have a frog in your throat to be unable to speak clearly because of a cold or strong emotion "- I've got a bit of a frog in my throat, so I'll have to speak quietly. - She had a frog in her throat so it was difficult to understand what she was saying. - Jon tried to speak, but he had a frog in his throat, and once again, the walls began to close in as his hands trembled. - I had a frog in my throat reading your article about "Many happy returns of the day" because l felt the same too." |
| 1318 |
to have a long face to look unhappy - Why the long face? Have you heard some bad news? - The spectators went home with long faces. They had not expected their team to lose. - Kandy had grinned during the wedding ceremony, but now she had a long face, and she looked like she was million miles away. - He had a long face on all the way to the Reeves mansion. 'Aww don't worry you'll find a girl to marry!' she joked |
| 1319 |
to have a lot on your hands to have a lot to do; to be busy - Sorry, I won't be able to come with you tomorrow. I have a lot on my hands at the moment. - There's no point asking him. He has a lot on his hands looking after two children by himself. - Sorry for the delay but I had a lot on my hands at work for the past few days. - They had a lot on their hands when they decided to make a movie based on some of the best books ever written. The expression is very common in the form: I've got too much on my hands |
| 1320 |
to have a lot on your plate to have many things to do or worry about - Sorry, I can't take on this new project. I've got enough on my plate as it is. - I know you've got a lot on your plate at the moment, but do you think you could help me move house next weekend. - I was going to join this year, but I had a lot on my plate, so I'm going to sign up next year. - We've forgotten all those long years we spent in exile, where we had to work for every donation and every vote, We had a lot on our plate back then |
| 1321 |
to have a nose for something to be good at understanding, finding or predicting something - She's always had a nose for the next big thing in clothes or music. - Can you help me choose a jacket for the party? You have a better nose than me! - Her fashion sense is way better than mine, and she has a nose for bargains at clothes shopping. - I think it may prove one of the most influential albums of the new century, and I have a nose for these things |
| 1322 |
to have a screw loose to behave strangely; to be crazy - Don't believe a word he tells you - he's got a screw loose. - You have a screw loose if you think I'm going to lend you any more money. - As we parted company in the hardware store, he still believed I had a screw loose. - Sounds like the guy has a screw loose, he definitely doesn't seem to have a clue about what the competition is doing |
| 1323 |
to have a sweet tooth to like sweet food - You should buy him chocolates for his birthday. You know what a sweet tooth he has! - I'm not keen on ice-cream or cake. I don't have much of a sweet tooth |
| 1324 |
to have a thin skin to be sensitive; to be easily upset or made angry - She's got such a thin skin. There's no way she'll be a successful politician. - Be careful what you say to him. He has a very thin skin. The opposite is: thick skin. Nothing you can say to a thick-skinned person will upset or anger them |
| 1325 |
to have a whale of a time to have a wonderful time - We had a whale of a time last week. Our boss was away and we just played video games all day. - The children were having a whale of a time - climbing all over the chairs, shouting and laughing |
| 1326 |
to have eyes in the back of your head to be alert and observant; to be aware of what is happening behind your back - You need eyes in the back of your head if you want to be a teacher of young children. - How do you expect me to know that. I haven't got eyes in the back of my head! |
| 1327 |
to have green fingers to be good at gardening - He's got green fingers. Everything in his garden is growing beautifully. - She's got the most wonderful garden. She must have been born with green fingers. - Do you have green fingers? Do plants grow big and strong under your care, or are you like me who can't seem to get any consistency at all? - I'd prefer to save my green fingers for a rainy day |
| 1328 |
to have kittens to become nervous or agitated - He'll have kittens if you tell him that! - She was having kittens until he finally phoned to say that he had arrived safely. A kitten is a baby cat |
| 1329 |
to have other fish to fry to have something more important (to do) - Let him do it if he wants. I have other fish to fry. - Ok, I'll help you. I have no other fish to fry at the moment. An alternative is: bigger fish to fry |
| 1330 |
to have someone's number to understand someone; to know about them - Don't expect you can fool me like that. I have your number! - I think she had my number from the first day I met her |
| 1331 |
to have something up your sleeve to be hiding something or keeping it secret - He's been very quiet lately. Do you think he has something up his sleeve? - Trust me. I have nothing up my sleeve! This expression is also used with have got or the verb to keep. (A sleeve is the arm of a shirt or jacket.) |
| 1332 |
to have two left feet to be awkward and clumsy - I wouldn't ask him to dance. He was born with two left feet. - She must have grown two left feet. She's always tripping over over falling down stairs. - The best part however was watching Jenna try to dance with her dad, either he has two left feet or she just can't ballroom dance. - I have two left feet so I'd just be walking in a clockwise circle |
| 1333 |
to have your head in the sand to be blind to what is going on around you - No wonder you don't know what's going on. You have your head in the sand the whole time. - It's time you took your head out of the sand and saw how she's cheating you. - I'm no racist, but I don't have my head in the sand like most liberals. - We knew Stalin had his head in the sand as the Nazi invasion approached in June 1941, but not how criminally deluded he was. The expression is often used with the verb to bury: Don't bury your head in the sand. (Ostriches are said to put their heads in the sand.) |
| 1334 |
to have your head screwed on to be sensible and realistic - I always thought she had her head screwed on. How could she make such a stupid mistake? - He'll be all right. He's got his head screwed on. - You deserve the very best, and any guy who had his head screwed on right would realise that. - I live alone, hold a steady job and believe I have my head screwed on pretty straight |
| 1335 |
to have your heart in the right place to be kind and thoughtful - She's always ready with help or a kind word. Her heart is in the right place. - His heart is in the right place, but he doesn't always realize that people don't want his help or advice. - His ambition may have outstretched his means, but at least his heart was in the right place. - She may come off as a prima donna in her interviews, but her heart is in the right place when it comes to her fans |
| 1336 |
to hit the nail on the head to make a comment that is exactly right - I agree with him 100%. He hit the nail right on the head! - She's just not good enough for the job. - Yes, you've hit the nail on the head. - Jeff had hit the nail on the head when he'd accused her of being afraid of the sea ever since their father had been lost out there. - As much as you would like to think you hit the nail on the head, you swung, missed and hit your thumb |
| 1337 |
to hit the road to start a journey; to start on your way to somewhere - OK, it's time to hit the road. My parents will be expecting me home soon. - We wanted to arrive early so we hit the road before breakfast. - We hit the road after we got Ben into dry clothes and made a stop at Camp 18 for lunch. - What with having breakfast and everything, I didn't hit the road until 11.30. This was not exactly the best way to eat miles and try to make up for lost time |
| 1338 |
to hit the roof to suddenly become very angry - She hit the roof when he told her he couldn't come after all. - My parents hit the roof when I told them I'd dropped out of college. - She'll hit the roof if she knows I paid this much for a pair of shoes. - When I tell the boss I don't want to do it, he's going to hit the roof, because he needs somebody training for it In order to qualify for some extra funding |
| 1339 |
to hold the fort to do a job for someone (e.g. while they are away or busy) - Can you hold the fort for me for a couple of hours? I've got to go out to the doctor's. - She just walked out and expected me to hold the fort with the children. A fort is a fortified building like a castle; or built by cowboys to keep out Indians |
| 1340 |
to hold your horses to wait; to slow down and take more time to think - Hold your horses! I haven't made up my mind yet - He needs to hold his horses. He'll have a lot of problems if he rushes into things |
| 1341 |
to jump down someone's throat to react angrily to something someone says or does - She's always jumping down my throat. Why can't she just leave me alone! - I only asked how she was, but she immediately jumped down my throat |
| 1342 |
to keep a straight face to avoid laughing - I couldn't keep a straight face when the teacher fell off his chair. - It's not easy to keep a straight face when he shouts at you like that. Doesn't he realize how stupid he looks? - So it comes as no surprise that leaders in both state political parties couldn't keep a straight face when they received a letter from the Colorado Bar. - I couldn't keep a straight face when I came down to see him floating in mid-air, or rather lying on the ceiling |
| 1343 |
to keep someone on their toes to keep someone working and concentrating - The new teacher really keeps her classes on their toes. No-one can have a little sleep at the back of the class like before. - He's starting to get a little lazy - he needs a new challenge to keep him on his toes. - With Brendan, we worked at a pace that kept us &on our toes, and that's exactly what we needed. - This defeat at the hands of Nadal is actually good for Federer because it will keep him on his toes |
| 1344 |
to keep someone posted to keep someone informed - I need to know what's going on while I'm away next week. - Don't worry. I'll keep you posted. - Could you keep me posted on any change in his condition? - Of course. I'll call you every day from the hospital. - On top of that, you did everything in your power to keep me posted about the delivery date of my job. - I have kept her posted on the great results I have had. ... Hopefully someone will see this and take notice and help get the word out |
| 1345 |
to keep something in mind to remember something (often advice or a warning you have been given) - Yes, it's a beautiful place but keep in mind that there are some parts of it that are not very safe for tourists. - Ok, you can go to the disco, but keep in mind that you need to be home by midnight. - But keep in mind that one bad review doesn't prove it's a low quality brand just as one stellar review doesn't prove it's a high quality brand. - She worked nights and days and seldom enjoyed any personal time because she kept in mind that her family needed the financial support. An alternative expression is bear in mind |
| 1346 |
to keep something under your hat to keep something secret - Did you know that she's going to marry John? - Yes, but keep it under your hat until they have put the announcement in the newspaper. - You're not going to be able to keep it under your hat for very long. People are sure to find out! - But, it MUST be kept hush-hush, you know? I mean, I don't mind telling YOU. But, you MUST keep it under your hat.....really...ok? - So I kept it under my hat, hoping all along that no one would discover it and snatch it out from under my feet before I got a chance to find it |
| 1347 |
to keep the lid on something to keep something secret; to keep something from getting out of control - The government tried to keep the lid on their plans to ban reduce spending on schools, but they were unsuccessful. - There will be trouble if you don't keep the lid on it. - He is a bit of a show-off and has a tendency to erupt at times but he managed to keep the lid on it. - There is a silent, secret but nonetheless deadly partnership between the drug lords and the bankers. How long can the capitalist government keep the lid on this? This idiom is often used in its alternative form to put the lid on something. (A lid is the flat object that is put on top of a pot.) |
| 1348 |
to keep your chin up to remain cheerful and optimistic - Keep your chin up. I'm sure things will soon get better! - After all the things that had gone wrong I found it very difficult to keep my chin up. - It can be difficult to keep your chin up when dealing with the symptoms of PCOS, but for the first time in a long time I have hope. - All my friends said it would never happen and I was starting to believe them, but I kept my chin up and remained open-minded |
| 1349 |
to keep your feet on the ground to stay calm and realistic "- You need to keep your feet on the ground. Just because you have acted in a TV commercial doesn't mean you are going to be the next Hollywood star. - It's difficult to keep your feet on the ground when everyone is telling you how wonderful you are. - Then Grisham added: "...and when it's all over I hope I can say it was a whole lot of fun, but I kept my feet on the ground and I didn't change." - Observers say that Federer's success lies in his ability to keep his feet on the ground in the dizzying whirl of tennis." |
| 1350 |
to keep your fingers crossed to wish or hope for good luck - Good luck. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for you. - Keep your fingers crossed that everything goes OK. - From Friday night until Sunday evening I constantly rotated ice and a hot water bottle on my injury and kept my fingers crossed that I would be able to run. - I am corresponding with some European booking agents and deejays too, so keep your fingers crossed for us |
| 1351 |
to keep your nose clean to stay out of trouble - Make sure you keep your nose clean. You don't want any problems with the police or the drug gangs. - I tried to keep my nose clean, but it was difficult when all my friends were out at bars or clubs all night. - Fall and winters, I hit the books and kept my nose clean, working toward a degree to make my mother happy. - They are currently hiding out because Luke couldn't keep his nose clean and got caught in a money laundering scam |
| 1352 |
to keep your nose to the grindstone to keep working hard - If you want to pass your exams. You'll just have to keep your nose to the grindstone. - The new boss is very strict. She certainly keeps everyone's nose to the grindstone. - At the very least, the pressure I feel has kept my nose to the grindstone for the last month. - It is highly demoralizing when a subordinate has to keep his nose to the grindstone while the boss just ambles around the office all day shooting the breeze. A grindstone is a stone used for sharpening knives |
| 1353 |
to keep your shirt on to not be angry; to keep calm - Ok, keep your shirt on. It's not as bad as it seems. - I'm not going to ask you for money, so you can keep your shirt on. This expression is usually found in the imperative (command) form. (An alternative is: Keep your hair on!) |
| 1354 |
to knock someone for six to surprise or shock someone "- It knocked us for six when we were told that the company was closing down. - She knocked me for six when she told me she was pregnant. - Then I saw the headline - I didn't even bother going to read it - and that just shocked me, knocked me for six. - To target an old lady in this way is unforgivable. "She's 91 years old and is a tough old bird, but this really did knock her for six." Six is the highest score you can make when hitting a cricket ball |
| 1355 |
to know something by heart to have learned something completely - It's not usual these days for children at school to have to learn poems by heart. - I know it by heart - I've done it a thousand times already. - She had told that story so often that Jess knew it by heart. - You make me cry..... such beautiful words, I do not deserve them. Thank you so much. I think I'll read this comment that many times I will know it by heart |
| 1356 |
to know something inside out to know all about something (or someone) - I'll show you around. I know the place inside out. - Ask John to help you. He knows cars inside out. - I really thought that after owning this unit for 4 years, I really knew it inside out. I was wrong. - I suggest you ask the authors of the script as they will know it inside out |
| 1357 |
to know the score to know the truth or the real facts - There's no point pretending you have no money. I know the score. - He must know the score by now - this has been going on for months. - Even though I may deny certain truths for the sake of comfort, deep down I know the score. - Well, it's pure speculation, but he's been around for two hundred years, so I assume he knows the score |
| 1358 |
to lay it on the line to say something clearly and forcefully - I'm going to lay it on the line to you. One more mistake and you're off the team! - The doctor laid it on the line that if I didn't stop smoking I'd be dead in 6 months. - If I become terminally ill, I hope my doctor will lay it on the line, and give me his best estimate of how much time I have left. - While other commentators may hedge, the 70-year-old Rukeyser lays it on the line bluntly, often with impish wit |
| 1359 |
to lead someone by the nose to control someone (so that they do what you want them to do) - Don't let her lead you by the nose any more. It's time your took control of your own life. - The teacher allowed himself to be led by the nose by some of the tough boys in the class. - The first three months, they could have led me by the nose anywhere they wanted to take me and I'd go willingly. - She had made her choice to continue on her adventure and it wasn't up to him to lead her by the nose |
| 1360 |
to lead someone up the garden path to deceive someone (often over a long period of time) - How long have you been leading me up the garden path? - She keeps promising to loan me the money, but I think she's just leading up the garden path. You can also lead someone down the garden path |
| 1361 |
to let sleeping dogs lie to walk away from trouble; to do nothing to cause unnecessary trouble - Why can't you just let sleeping dogs lie? There's no need to say anything to anyone. - If only you had just let sleeping dogs lie. Then we wouldn't be in all this trouble now! It's not a good idea to wake a sleeping dog. It might bite you! |
| 1362 |
to let the cat out of the bag to give away a secret - I didn't want to tell anyone until I was sure, but she let the cat out of the bag. - Whatever you do, don't let the cat out of the bag. We'll have big problems if anyone finds out yet |
| 1363 |
to lie through your teeth to tell big and obvious lies - Michael Jackson invited us backstage after the concert, he said, lying through his teeth. - Don't believe a word she says - she's lying through her teeth |
| 1364 |
to live from hand to mouth to exist with very little money - When my mother was young she had to live from hand to mouth. Neither of her parents had work. - When I was a student I lived from hand to mouth. I never knew where the next dollar was coming from |
| 1365 |
to look after number one to look after yourself only; to not care about other people - Don't expect her to help you - she only ever looks after number one. - The company directors were looking after number one. They didn't care that many of the workers would lose their jobs |
| 1366 |
to look down your nose to show disrespect or disdain for someone or something - There's no need to look down your nose at him just because he comes from a poor family. He's every bit as intelligent as you. - It's all very well to look down your nose at the way she dresses, but she doesn't have as much money as you |
| 1367 |
to lose face to lose self-respect or other people's respect - No I can't break my promise. I don't want to lose face. - She lost face when her boss criticized her in front of the other workers. This is a direct translation of a Chinese expression |
| 1368 |
to make a face to show your thoughts or emotions by moving parts of your face - She made an angry face when I told her she couldn't go to the disco. - I didn't want to upset her, but the smell was so bad in the room that I couldn't help making a face. An alternative is: to pull a face. The expression is normally used only when the face-puller wants to show annoyance or disgust |
| 1369 |
to make a killing to make a lot of money; to make a big profit - She made a killing in the 1990s but lost it all again in the dotcom crash. - You will never make a killing if you are not prepared to take any risks |
| 1370 |
to make a meal of something to spend more time, worry or energy on something than is necessary - Ok, I said I was sorry. There's no need to make such a meal of a tiny mistake. - All she had to do was buy a new one. I don't understand why she had to make a meal of it |
| 1371 |
to make a mountain out of a molehill to make a small problem into a large one - Don't make such a mountain out of a molehill. Everything's going to be all right. - Take no notice of her - she's always making a mountain out of a molehill A mole is a small, black animal that lives underground. It lives little piles of earth called molehills when it digs to the surface |
| 1372 |
to make a pig's ear of something to make a mess of something; to spoil or ruin something - I went to a new hairdresser last week but he really made a pig's ear of my hair. I won't be going to him again. - Why do you always make such a pig's ear of things? Can't you ever concentrate on what you're doing? |
| 1373 |
to make a rod for your own back to do something that causes problems for yourself - If she marries that loser she's just making a rod for her own back. - If you invite people to comment on your proposals you will just be making a rod for your own back |
| 1374 |
to make ends meet to have enough money for daily needs - My grandfather was unemployed for many years so as you can imagine my grandparents found it hard to make ends meet. - I don't know how I'm going to make ends meet if the cost of food and petrol keeps going up |
| 1375 |
to make heavy weather of something to take more time and trouble to do something than expected - She's making heavy weather of her report - I don't think she'll be finished in time. - It's a mystery why he had to make such heavy weather of the homework. It should have been very easy |
| 1376 |
to make someone's mouth water this expression is used for something that people find very appealing and attractive - It makes my mouth water to think how much money I'll be earning in the new job. - The prospect of inheriting a villa by the sea made his mouth water |
| 1377 |
to make the right noises to say the right things (to make promises) - The government is making the right noises, but I don't really trust them to actually do something. - It's not enough to just make the right noises, you actually have to do something! - Korea has made the right noises but action speaks louder than words. - On e-commerce, the government is making all the right noises. But what has it achieved? |
| 1378 |
to make your toes curl to embarrass someone - It made my toes curl when the presenter started to talk about her terrible childhood. - The so-called comedian made my toes curl - he was just awful! |
| 1379 |
to not bat an eyelid to not get agitated or excited; stay calm - She didn't bat an eyelid, even when he told her he'd wrecked her car. - The restaurant bill was $350 for the two of them, but he paid it without batting an eyelid. - Amazing how you can go home after work, slump in front of the TV for 6 hours solid before going to bed and no-one would bat an eyelid, but if you do it at the computer there must be something wrong with you! "You must use this expression with 'not'. You cannot say "I batted an eyelid" to mean "I got agitated" or "I lost my calm"." |
| 1380 |
to not give a hoot to not care or worry at all - I don't give a hoot what you think. I'm going to do it anyway. - The managers don't give a hoot about the workers. They are only interested in making as much money as possible. A hoot is the sound made by an owl |
| 1381 |
to not have a leg to stand on to be in a very weak position; to have no justification for doing something - She can't just kick you out of the house like that. She doesn't have a leg to stand on. - You don't have a leg to stand on. Nobody saw what happened so it's your word against mine |
| 1382 |
to not have a prayer to have no chance - He thinks he's going to beat me at chess, but he doesn't have a prayer! - She doesn't have a prayer of making the soccer team |
| 1383 |
to not have the heart to not be brave enough to do something (often because this will hurt someone else) - I didn't have the heart to tell her that she wasn't good enough. - I should have told her that she had no chance of being chosen, but I didn't have the heart. - I didn't have the heart to say goodbye And heaven knows a thousand times I tried. - While I was deeply flattered by that, I didn't have the heart to tell him that I sincerely doubt that there's anyone in the Bush administration reading my blog |
| 1384 |
to not have the stomach for something to not feel interested, strong or brave enough to so something - No, forget it. I don't have the stomach for an argument with her. - I'd really like to visit New Zealand but I don't have the stomach for the endless journey to get there. An alternative is to use stomach as a verb: I watched bull-fighting once, but I couldn't stomach it |
| 1385 |
to not lift a finger to do nothing - She didn't lift a finger to help in the house while I was away. - You never lift a finger around here. Why should I have to do all the work? An alternative expression is raise a finger |
| 1386 |
to not put it past (someone) to not be surprised if (someone) .. - You need to be careful. I wouldn't put it past him to go straight to the boss and tell her what you said. - I wouldn't put it past her to turn up in a bikini. You know how crazy she is. This idiom is almost always used with the starting words: I wouldn't |
| 1387 |
to not see the wood for the trees to be so involved in details that you don't see what's really important - I realize now that I wasn't seeing the wood for the trees. How could I have been so blind? - He always gets bogged down in petty arguments. It seems he can never see the wood for the trees |
| 1388 |
to open someone's eyes to make someone aware of something - When I walked through the bus station for the first time at night it really opened my eyes to the drug problem in the city. - The street demonstrations opened the government's eyes to the strength of feeling about the issue |
| 1389 |
to pay through the nose to pay more for something than it is worth - He paid through the nose for his new computer. If he'd just asked me I could have got him a much cheaper one. - If you buy from there, you'll pay through the nose. - I'm not going to that restaurant any more. The food is quite cheap, but you have to pay through the nose for a decent bottle of wine. - I paid through the nose for the painting - but I liked it so much that I had to have it! |
| 1390 |
to pick nits to criticize small and unimportant details - She's always picking nits with my ideas, but she never has any good ones of her own. - I know this will seem like picking nits, but don't you think it's a little expensive? Monkeys pick nits from the fur of their fellow monkeys |
| 1391 |
to pick up the pieces to (try to) return to normal after something bad has happened - It took him a long time to pick up the pieces after he lost his job. - We need to help Jane pick up the pieces again - she's suffering badly from the death of her mother |
| 1392 |
to play for time to try and delay something - Will you please stop playing for time and tell me what you have decided. - He said he needs to ask his wife first, but I think he's just playing for time and he doesn't intend to help us at all |
| 1393 |
to play it by ear to do things without planning; to improvise - Where are we going to stay? - I don't know; we'll play it by ear when we arrive. - You can't just play this one by ear. If you want to do a good job, you need to do some thinking first |
| 1394 |
to play second fiddle to have a less important job; to be less important - She's moved to a new department and is finding it difficult to play second fiddle. - I like to be my own boss. I'm not very good at playing second fiddle. A fiddle is a violin. People usually prefer to play first fiddle |
| 1395 |
to play with fire to put yourself into danger; to do something dangerous or unwise - You're playing with fire if you intend driving home after drinking so much. - Doesn't she realize she's playing with fire? Sooner or later there's going to be a terrible accident |
| 1396 |
to point the finger at someone to blame or accuse someone - You have to point the finger at her parents. If they have treated her better I'm sure she wouldn't be having such problems today. - I don't want to point the finger at anyone, but I do want to know how it happened |
| 1397 |
to pour oil on troubled waters to calm an angry or tense situation - Things are getting a little dangerous. The government needs to do something to pour oil on troubled waters. - We need someone who can pour oil on troubled waters. She is likely to do exactly the opposite! |
| 1398 |
to practise what you preach to do as you say - You need to practise what you preach. You can't shout at your students for being late to class when you come late to every meeting. - It's not always easy to practise what you preach! |
| 1399 |
to pull no punches to talk bluntly and critically - I pulled no punches. He had to know how serious the situation is, and I told him! - She certainly pulled no punches in telling her workers how about the risks to the company if they didn't start working more productively. A boxer who pulls his punch doesn't hit his opponent as hard as he could |
| 1400 |
to pull someone's leg to play a trick or a joke on someone - Are you pulling my leg? - No, I mean every word of what I say. - Don't take it too seriously; she's only pulling your leg |
| 1401 |
to pull the plug to stop supporting or financing something - I've decided to pull the plug on the building project. We just cannot afford it. - I can't believe it. He pulled the plug on us just as we were having some success at last. If you pull a plug out of a socket, you interrupt the electricity supply |
| 1402 |
to pull your socks up to start working harder - You'd better start pulling your socks up or you're going to fail the course. - He was doing badly at first, but then he really pulled his socks up, and ended up at the top university |
| 1403 |
to pull your weight to work as hard as you should or as hard as everyone else - You need to start pulling your weight. Why should everybody else have to do your job for you? - If he doesn't start pulling his weight, the whole project is in danger of failing |
| 1404 |
to put it past (somebody) to not be surprised if (somebody) did something bad, stupid, dangerous, nasty, etc. - You know she's thinking of marrying that junkie boyfriend of hers. - I wouldn't put it past her! - I wouldn't put it past him to come dressed as a banana. You know how crazy he is! It would be unusual to start this idiom with any words other than I wouldn't .. |
| 1405 |
to put someone in their place to show someone they are not as important or clever as they think - The boss really put him in his place when he asked to lead the next project. - That boy is getting a little too arrogant - he needs putting in his place |
| 1406 |
to put someone or something in the shade to make someone or something seem less good or important - I thought Jane's presentation was good, but Simon's really put hers in the shade. - I felt sorry for him - he worked hard and did fairly well, but his enormously-talented brother put him in the shade |
| 1407 |
to put someone through the hoops to make someone do unnecessary and irritating things - She likes to put the new employees through the hoops. It shows them who's boss. - If you want to start a new business in Germany they put you through a thousand hoops. It's a wonder that anyone ever tries! At a circus tigers and other animals are trained to jump through hoops. (There are an number of variations on this idiom: to go through the hoops, to jump through the hoops, etc.) |
| 1408 |
to put someone's nose out of joint to upset or offend someone - It really put her nose out of joint when he turned up at her party, uninvited. - He had his nose put right out of joint at the last meeting - nobody at all agreed with his proposal |
| 1409 |
to put something on ice to postpone doing something or making a decision about it - I'm afraid we have no money left. We'll have to put the project on ice for a little while. - You need to put your plans on ice while you're at college. You can always try again when you are finished |
| 1410 |
to put the cart before the horse to do things in the wrong order - Aren't you putting the cart before the horse? Surely we first need to decide if we have enough money. - Planning your honeymoon before you've even asked her to marry you is rather putting the cart before the horse! In the days before cars and trucks, horses were used to pull carts containing people or things |
| 1411 |
to put the cat among the pigeons to cause trouble or panic - He really put the cat among the pigeons when he claimed that the directors had been lying. - I don't want to put the cat among the pigeons, but did you know that they not going to loan us the money after all. Pigeons are the birds you see on the squares of European cities. They fly off in a hurry when a cat (or a person) approaches. (An alternative verb is: set |
| 1412 |
to put the screws on someone to put pressure on someone - I told the boss I didn't want to work at the weekend, but he put the screws on me, and I ended up working all Saturday and Sunday. - If she doesn't start coming to class on time, I think we'll have to put the screws on her |
| 1413 |
to put the wind up someone to scare or worry someone - It really put the wind up him when his wife threatened to walk out. - The new boss has really put the wind up his employees. No-one dares to come late any more! |
| 1414 |
to put two and two together to realize; to understand the truth about something - The boy never said that he was a smoker, but his mother put two and two together when she found a cigarette lighter in his room. - I finally put two and two together when she said was not planning a holiday this year |
| 1415 |
to put words into someone's mouth to tell someone that they said or meant one thing whereas they think they said or meant a different thing - No, that's not what I meant at all. Don't put words into my mouth. - She accused me of putting words into her mouth, but I was only repeating exactly what she had told me two days before |
| 1416 |
to put your feet up to relax - You've been working hard all day. Why don't you go and put your feet up for a while. - You've got too much to do. There's no time to put your feet up! |
| 1417 |
to put your finger on something to be able to understand, explain or identify something - I know there's something wrong, but I just can't put my finger on it. - It wasn't until much later that she was able to put her finger on it - her daughter had been lying all along |
| 1418 |
to put your foot down to use your authority to stop something happening - Her parents put their foot down when the daughter came home after midnight, drunk. She was not allowed out for the next month. - It's time you put your foot down. You can't just let him speak to you like that! |
| 1419 |
to put your foot in it to say or do something embarrassing - I really put my foot in it when I asked about her husband. I didn't know that he's walked out on her. - He's always putting his foot in it. He seems to have a real talent for embarrassing both himself and other people. The full expression is to put your foot in your mouth |
| 1420 |
to put your money where your mouth is to not just talk about what is right but also to do something about it (usually by spending money) - If the government is really serious about improving our schools, it needs to put its money where its mouth is. - With him it's all just talk. He never puts his money where his mouth is |
| 1421 |
to put your neck on the line to take a risk (for example, of losing money or reputation) - I'm not going to put my neck on the line for her. She has never done me any favours. - He put his neck on the line when he admitted to taking drugs as a student |
| 1422 |
to put your shirt on something to bet; to take a risk (usually with money) - I'm pretty sure she's going to get the job, but I wouldn't put my shirt on it. - I put my shirt on a small internet company in California, but I lost all my money in the dotcom crash |
| 1423 |
to put your shoulder to the wheel to make an effort - If you are not willing to put your shoulder to the wheel, don't be surprised if you fail your exams. - We should be able to finish the job by Friday if we all put our shoulders to the wheel |
| 1424 |
to read between the lines to understand something even when it is not clearly written or stated - I know she doesn't love me any more. I can read between the lines. - The bosses did not say outright that the factory would have to close, but the workers could read between the lines |
| 1425 |
to reinvent the wheel to do something unnecessary - We've done all this before. Why do we need to reinvent the wheel? - There's no need to reinvent the wheel here. The old system is perfectly fine for a few years yet |
| 1426 |
to rub shoulders with someone to know someone; to be or be friends with someone - I wouldn't do anything to annoy her. She rubs shoulders with the president's wife. - The last thing I want is to rub shoulders with those obnoxious rich kids. Americans rub elbows not shoulders |
| 1427 |
to rub someone up the wrong way to annoy someone - There's something about her that rubs him up the wrong way. - If you continue to rub me up the wrong way like this, I'm going to have to report you to the boss |
| 1428 |
to run out of gas to lose energy or enthusiasm; to feel tired - After writing 9 books in the first 10 years of his career, he ran out of gas and only managed 3 more vefore he died. - If you don't start getting more sleep, you're soon going to run out of gas |
| 1429 |
to run rings around someone to defeat someone easily; to show how superior you are to somebody - Don't expect to beat her at tennis. She can run rings around people twice her age. - The governing party ran rings around the opposition in the recent election |
| 1430 |
to see beyond the end of your nose to be able to think about other people as well as yourself; to be able to think of the future as well as the immediate present - She doesn't realize the effect she's having on other people. She's never been able to see beyond the end of her nose. - You are soon going to run into problems if you don't begin to see beyond the end of your nose. This expression is often used in its shorter form: to see beyond your nose |
| 1431 |
to see eye to eye to agree; to get on with someone - It's not a good idea to ask both John and Mike to your party. They don't see eye to eye. - He doesn't see eye to eye with his father. They're always arguing about something or other. This expression is typically used in the negative, as in the example sentences |
| 1432 |
to see red to be or become angry - I see red if anyone tries to tell me what to do or how to live. - The teacher saw red when I fell back off my chair for the third time that lesson. This expression comes from bull-fighting in which the red cloth enrages the bull |
| 1433 |
to see the light to come to understand something - For a long time he didn't realize that she was cheating him, but I think he's finally seen the light. - She's very sharp. It didn't take her long to see the light |
| 1434 |
to send someone packing to send someone away; to reject someone's request - She asked me to lend her some more money, but I sent her packing. She still owes me $100 from last month. - The student wanted more time to do his essay, but the teacher sent him packing |
| 1435 |
to set your heart on something to want something very much - She had set her heart on a job in television. - I've set my heart on a new mountain bike, but I don't have the money to buy one yet |
| 1436 |
to set your teeth on edge to find something extremely irritating or unpleasant - It sets my teeth on edge how you can never shut the door after you. - There's something about him that really sets my teeth on edge |
| 1437 |
to shoot down in flames to severely criticize someone; to reject their idea or proposal - I thought it was a good idea, but the boss shot it down in flames. - She shot me down in flames when I suggested asking my parents to look after the children |
| 1438 |
to shoot the messenger to be angry at someone who brings you bad news - There's no need to shoot the messenger. It wasn't me who made the mistake! - Why are you shooting the messenger? It's her you should be angry with |
| 1439 |
to shoot your mouth off to talk loudly, publicly and often in a boastful way - Please don't go shooting your mouth off until the contract has finally been signed. - He'd been shooting his mouth off about how good he is but when he actually started to play he was awful! |
| 1440 |
to shoot yourself in the foot to do something that hurts yourself - She really shot herself in the foot when she criticized the boss in the meeting. He gave her extra work to do! - Be careful you are not shooting yourself in the foot. You don't know what his reaction will be |
| 1441 |
to show someone the ropes to show someone what to do - Don't worry if this is all new to you. I'll show you the ropes. - I've never done anything like this before. I hope someone will be able to show me the ropes |
| 1442 |
to sit on the fence to be undecided; to not make a decision - Are you going to vote for us or not? You can't just sit on the fence. - Do you mind if I sit on the fence for a little while longer? I can't make up my mind at the moment |
| 1443 |
to skate on thin ice to be in a dangerous situation; to be taking a risk - She's skating on very thin ice. The next little mistake and she's out of a job. - Doesn't he know that he's skating on thin ice? People are not going to tolerate his bad behaviour for ever |
| 1444 |
to smell a rat to see something suspicious in what someone says or does - I smelled a rat as soon as she started trying to be nice to me. - I smell a rat. I can't believe he is really as honest as he pretends |
| 1445 |
to split hairs to make small, petty and unnecessary comments or distinctions between things "- I didn't say I was angry. I said I was annoyed. - That's just splitting hairs. - It depends what you mean by the word "mean". - Oh, I do wish you would stop splitting hairs!" |
| 1446 |
to stand on your own two feet to be independent; to succeed without help - You're 23 now. It's time you learned to stand on your own two feet. - You have to let the new teacher stand on her own two feet. You can't keep rushing in every time she has a problem with a student |
| 1447 |
to steal someone's thunder "to "steal" the praise or attention given to another person" - She really stole his thunder when she said that in fact it was her who thought of the idea in the first place. - I don't want to steal your thunder, but I really do think you could mention that I helped you with part of the project |
| 1448 |
to step out of line to do something different from other people (often something wrong or inappropriate) - The moment you step out of line you're going to lose your job. Have you understood that? - I stepped out of line a few times when I was young and it doesn't seem to have done me any harm |
| 1449 |
to stick out like a sore thumb to be very obvious and noticeable - Can't you see she's pregnant? It sticks out like sore thumb! - That new building in the town center sticks out like a sore thumb - it's so ugly |
| 1450 |
to stick your neck out to take a risk; to make a bold prediction - I'll stick my neck out and say that a team from Africa will win the next World Cup. - What's the point in sticking your neck out? You have nothing to gain and everything to lose |
| 1451 |
to stick your nose into something to interfere in or be curious about something - Don't try to stick your nose in. It has nothing to do with you. - He's always trying to stick his nose into my affairs. I wish he'd just leave me alone. This expression can be used with the verb to poke: to poke your nose into something. If you do this, you may well be told: Keep your nose out of it! |
| 1452 |
to strike while the iron is hot to take advantage of an opportunity while it is still open to you - House prices are very low at the moment. You need to strike while the iron is hot. - Yes, I know. I should have struck while the iron was hot, but it's too late to cry about it now. A blacksmith strikes (and shapes) a piece of iron when it's red hot. He cannot shape it when it is cold |
| 1453 |
to swallow the pill to accept a bitter or unpleasant situation; to make a difficult or unpleasant decision - You'll just have to swallow the pill and tell him you don't want to see him any more. - I had to swallow the pill and sell my house. Otherwise I would have had to go to prison. The expression is often used in the form: That was a bitter pill to swallow |
| 1454 |
to swallow your pride to have to do something you find shameful or distressing - I'm sorry, you'll just have to swallow your pride and apologize to her. - I had to swallow my pride and admit that I'd made a bad mistake |
| 1455 |
to sweep under the carpet to hide something; to keep something secret - It's no use trying to sweep it under the carpet. We have a problem and we have to deal with it. - She tried to sweep the fact she used to be a drug addict under the carpet |
| 1456 |
to take a back seat to allow others to take control or make decisions - I'm quite happy to take a back seat and let her make all the decisions. - The doctor recommended that I take a back seat until I have fully recovered from my illness If you sit in the back seat of a car, you allow someone else to drive it |
| 1457 |
to take a leaf out of someone's book to follow someone's example; to copy their good or sensible behaviour - Why don't you take a leaf out of her book? She doesn't need to drink herself stupid, but she still can have a great time. - I took a leaf out of his book and started jogging every day. I feel much healthier now. Leaf is another word for the page of a book |
| 1458 |
to take a raincheck this expression is used to politely reject an offer or invitation - Would you like to go to the movies tonight? - I'll have to take a raincheck; I've got too much work to do. - I'm completely exhausted. Do you mind if I take a raincheck. This is much more common in American English than British English |
| 1459 |
to take it lying down to show no reaction to an insult or threat - You let him walk all over you. Are you just going to take it lying down? - She wants to kick me off the team, but I'm not going to take it lying down |
| 1460 |
to take no prisoners to act in a ruthless way, not caring about the effects on other people - The new headmaster took no prisoners. Five of the older teachers were told they were no longer needed. - If you want me to save the company money, don't expect me to take any prisoners. This expression derives from the situation in a war where the victorious army kills the defeated opposing soldiers rather than taking them prisoner |
| 1461 |
to take someone down a peg or two to make clear to someone that they are not as good or clever as they think - He's started trying to tell everyone what to do. I think he needs taking down a peg or two. - She's always going on about how wonderful she is. I'd really like to take her down a peg or two. A peg is a small piece of wood or plastic; e.g. used to keep clothes on a washing line |
| 1462 |
to take someone for a ride to trick or deceive someone - Are you trying to take me for a ride? I don't believe a word you're saying. - She's taking you for a ride. She's no intention of giving you the house |
| 1463 |
to take someone under your wing to look after someone; to take care of them - Could you take the new girl under your wing? This is her first job and she seems very nervous. - I don't need you to take me under your wing. I'm perfectly capable of standing on my own two feet. The mother bird takes her chicks under its wing to protect them |
| 1464 |
to take something to heart to allow something to affect or upset you deeply - You shouldn't take it so much to heart. You are better off without her. - She really took it to heart that he had forgotten their wedding anniversary |
| 1465 |
to take something with a pinch of salt to be suspicious of what you hear; to not believe everything you hear - You need to take what she says with a pinch of salt. She's known to bend the truth. - He told me he was a tennis champion in his younger days. But I've learned to take everything he says with a pinch of salt. In American English it is usual to refer to a grain of salt |
| 1466 |
to take the plunge to take a risk; to do something even though it is unpleasant, difficult or dangerous - If you really like him, why don't you take the plunge and ask him out. Maybe he's too shy to ask you! - I'd really like to quit my job and start again somewhere else but I'm too scared to take the plunge. To plunge means to dive, e.g. into water |
| 1467 |
to take the rough with the smooth to accept both the good and the bad aspects of something - You can't expect to like everything about your new job - you have to take the rough with the smooth. - Ok, it's not perfect, but he needs to learn to take the rough with the smooth |
| 1468 |
to take the words out of someone's mouth to say exactly what someone was about to say "- "What an awful dress she's wearing!" - "You took the words right out of my mouth!" - I was going to thank him for a wonderful evening but he took the words right out of my mouth." This expression is used almost always in the past simple tense, with the word right |
| 1469 |
to take your hat off to someone to express admiration to someone for what they have said or done - I take my hat off to you. I didn't think that you were good enough but you've done a great job! - You've got to take your hat off to her. She was very brave to tell the boss what's been going wrong |
| 1470 |
to talk shop to talk about your work; usually when you are not actually at work - If you are a teacher and you are married to a teacher it's difficult not to talk shop in the evenings. - The last thing I want to do in my lunch hour is to talk shop with my colleagues. I prefer to sit in the park and read my newspaper! |
| 1471 |
to talk through your hat to talk nonsense - Don't believe a word of it. He's talking through his hat. - She's talking through her hat. She knows nothing about computer networks |
| 1472 |
to tell someone where to get off to tell someone, strongly and possibly rudely, to stop what they are saying - I told him where to get off as soon as he suggested that I need to see a doctor. - Why do you let her talk to you like that? If she said that to me, I'd tell her where to get off |
| 1473 |
to throw good money after bad to spend more money in an unwise attempt to recover money lost - No, he's not going to get another cent from me. I don't intend to throw good money after bad. - If you do that you'll just be throwing good money after bad |
| 1474 |
to throw in the towel to give up; to stop trying - Don't throw in the towel now. One last effort and you'll succeed. - I'm thinking of throwing in the towel. I've got no chance of winning and a big chance of getting hurt. When a boxer is getting badly hurt in a boxing match, his trainer throws a towel into the ring to stop the fight. (A towel is a cloth used to dry the face or body.) |
| 1475 |
to throw the baby out with the bathwater to get rid of good things along with bad things when trying to improve a situation; to start again unnecessarily - Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. I know we have to save some money but we don't need to start all over again. - Our computer system has a few problems but we can fix them without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. You usually want to get rid of the bathwater but to keep your baby! |
| 1476 |
to thumb your nose at someone or something to show disrespect or disdain for someone or something - He always thumbed his nose at his teachers. Nothing they could say or do had any effect on him. - In some countries it is dangerous to thumb your nose at the religious or political authorities |
| 1477 |
to treat someone with kid gloves to treat someone very carefully (because they are fragile or sensitive) - You've been treating him with kid gloves for too long and it's not doing him any good! - You have to treat her with kid gloves. She gets upset at the slightest hint of criticism. In this expression the word kid means the soft leather made from a baby goat. (It is also possible to say handle instead of treat.) |
| 1478 |
to turn a blind eye to ignore; to do nothing - I'm sorry. It's impossible to turn a blind eye when someone is having such problems. - If you turn a blind eye to his rudeness, it's only going to get worse. - Overall, however, what is significant is that the police initially turn a blind eye to the violence of the right wing. - For anyone to turn a blind eye, as Novogrodsky did in his letter, to a few simple, quite obvious facts is to me inexcusable |
| 1479 |
to turn over a new leaf to start again and do things better - It's time you turned over a new leaf. If you carry on the way you are, you're going to end up in hospital. - He turned over a new leaf when he met the girl he wanted to marry. Leaf is another word for the page of a book |
| 1480 |
to turn your nose up to reject or show disapproval of something - There's no reason to turn your nose up just because you don't like it. - My ex-wife had always turned her nose up at my family. She thought they were too low class for her. - I'm not going to turn my nose up at it just because it was cheap |
| 1481 |
to twist someone's arm to apply pressure to someone (to make them agree to what your want) - At first she didn't want to do it, but after twisting her arm a little, she agreed. - I know this will seem like twisting your arm, but if you don't stop, I shall have to report you to the boss |
| 1482 |
to wash your hands of someone or something to have nothing more to do with someone or something - No, it's not my problem any more. I washed my hands of it long ago. - If you come home drunk one more time, I'm going to wash my hands of you once and for all |
| 1483 |
to wind someone up to irritate someone by tricking them or playing a joke on them - Why did you do that? Are you trying to wind me up? - He's always trying to wind up the boss. He'll get himself the sack one day. In this expression wind rhymes with find |
| 1484 |
to work your fingers to the bone to work very hard (for a long time) - You just sit around while I work my fingers to the bone. Well, I'm not going to do it any more. - I've worked my fingers to the bone for the last three months and now I need a long holiday |
| 1485 |
tongue in cheek meant to be funny or ironic - What I said was tongue in cheek. I didn't mean to upset anyone. - Don't take what he said seriously - I sure he was being tongue in cheek |
| 1486 |
touch wood you use this expression when you say how things are going well for you and you don't want to bring yourself bad luck - I've never had to go to hospital, touch wood. - Touch wood, I won't have any problems at the dentist tomorrow. Most people actually try to touch something made of wood when they say this expression |
| 1487 |
under the weather not feeling very well - Sorry, I don't think I'll be able to play tennis tonight. I'm feeling a little under the weather. - She had been under the weather all day so she decided not to go to the party as planned |
| 1488 |
under your thumb in your power; under your control - He's really under his wife's thumb. He won't do or say anything without asking her first. - In some countries the media is firmly under the thumb of the government |
| 1489 |
up to your eyes to be very busy or occupied; to have a lot of - Sorry, I won't be able to come tomorrow. I'm up to my eyes at the moment. - I feel sorry for her. She's up to her eyes in problems at work, and it's making her ill. - I've been up to my eyes in several projects and out of town on others, so my email has built up. - I was a typical housewife, up to my eyes in washing-up and nappies. An alternative is up to my ears |
| 1490 |
water under the bridge you use this expression to say that something is finished and there is no point or need to think or worry about it any longer - We use to argued every time we saw each other, but that's now water under the bridge. - I tried to apologize for what I'd said, but he was good enough to tell me that it was water under the bridge for him |
| 1491 |
wet behind the ears naпve; inexperienced - Didn't he realize it was a spam? How could he be so wet behind the ears? - Don't be so wet behind the ears. She doesn't love you; she's just after your money! When a baby is born, it is wet behind the ears |
| 1492 |
wet blanket a boring person - She's a real wet blanket. She never wants to do anything or go anywhere. A blanket is put on the bed to keep you warm at night. Sleeping under a wet blanket would not be a very pleasant experience! |
| 1493 |
wide of the mark not true or accurate - Your criticism is wide of the mark. I think you should apologize. - There are rumours that I'm resigning but these are wide of the mark |
| 1494 |
with your eyes closed very easily - What's the big deal. I could do it with my eyes closed. - No, you need to concentrate. This is not a job that you can do with your eyes closed. An alternative is: with your eyes shut |
| 1495 |
you can say that again you use this expression when you want to show absolute agreement with what the speaker has just said - Wow, he was lucky! - You can say that again! - I don't think that was a very good idea. - You can say that again! |
| 1496 |
your ears are burning you think people are talking about you - My ears are burning. Were you just talking about me? - We were just saying what a good job you did yesterday. Were your ears burning? |
| 1497 |
your heart is in your mouth you very anxious or nervous about something bad or unpleasant that you think will soon happen - My heart was in my mouth when she walked onto the stage. But she gave a wonderful performance. - Her heart was in her mouth when she saw the boy climbing the tree. She thought he was going to fall any second |
| 1498 |
your heart isn't in it you are not really interested or enthusiastic about something - I've started having piano lessons, but my heart isn't in it. - She tried to learn Russian but her heart wasn't really in it and she gave up after a couple of months. - But there was something else wrong with that business, and it took a while before I could see it. I got another job, the pay was good, the benefits were great... but my heart wasn't in it. - I dutifully helped my little brother prepare milk and cookies for Santa, but my heart wasn't in it |
| 1499 |
your name is mud you are not popular; everyone is complaining about you or talking critically about you - My name is mud after I forgot my wife's birthday for the second year in a row! - No, I won't ever buy anything from that store again. Their name is mud after they tried to sell me a used computer |
| 1500 |
act up to misbehave - I think the reason he's acting up is because his parents are going through a painful divorce. - If she doesn't stop acting up, I'm going to have to call her parents |
| 1501 |
add up to make sense - He says he want to run the Frankfurt marathon next year, but all he does is lie on the couch eating junk. It doesn't add up! - Now it adds up. You were cheating on me the whole time |
| 1502 |
answer to to fit or match a description or name - Does anyone who works here answer to the name of Gertrude? - Sorry, I don't know of anyone who answers to that description |
| 1503 |
ask for to provoke and deserve punishment - You're asking for trouble if you keep misbehaving like that. - Why did you shout at her? - She asked for it! |
| 1504 |
back off to withdraw or retreat - You don't know when to back off. Can't you see how much you have upset her? - I would back off if I were you. You could lose a lot of money |
| 1505 |
back out to change your mind and not do what you had previously promised or intended to do - John had put his name down for the ski trip but had to back out at the last minute when he hurt his leg. - Sorry, you signed the contract. It's too late to back out now. Back out and 'pull out' are synonyms |
| 1506 |
back up to help or support (agree) - You need to find a little more evidence to back up your theory. - Believe me, I tried my best. John will back me up. He was there the whole time |
| 1507 |
be after to want to have or get - Don't believe a word he says. He is only after your money. - I am after an unusual present for my wife. Do you have any ideas? |
| 1508 |
be cut out for to be good enough for - She's not quite cut out for the job as a teacher. She knows her stuff but cannot keep control of the class. - If anyone is cut out to be a leader, it's him! |
| 1509 |
be in for a surprise is coming; you will soon have a surprise - He is in for a shock if he thinks he can stroll in late every day. - You believe that you can pass your exams without doing any work. Well, let me tell you that you are in for a big surprise. An alternative is to be in for a shock. What is coming is usually unpleasant! |
| 1510 |
be not on to be unacceptable - Your behaviour is just not on. - You can't do that. It's just not on |
| 1511 |
be up to to be good enough - I'm thinking of applying to be project leader, but I'm not sure if I am up to it. - She wants to be a concert musician, but I'm afraid she is not up to it. This expression is more usual in the negative |
| 1512 |
be up to be wrong - What is up with him today? - She hasn't spoken to me for the last 3 days. I think something is up |
| 1513 |
bear with to be patient; wait - You will have to bear with him for a while. He's having hard time. - Bear with me. I'll be ready for you in a minute. You can use this verb as a noun: a rip-off |
| 1514 |
blow over to pass or finish - The government are just waiting for the scandal to blow over. - At first everyone got very agitated but the fuss soon blew over. Literally, storms blow over |
| 1515 |
blow up to explode - The house blew up when gas escaped from a pipe. - A bomb blew up in the market square injuring 5 people |
| 1516 |
boil over to get out of control; to become angry or dangerous - The situation in the slums of Paris is getting worse. The government is worried it's going to boil over at any moment. - Their bad relationship boiled over into outright war |
| 1517 |
boot out to get rid of someone or something - If you keep on arriving late to work, they're going to boot you out. - He was booted out of the team after staying up all night drinking |
| 1518 |
bottle out to not do what you wanted or promised to do (often because it was dangerous or difficult) - John signed up for bungee jumping but he bottled out at the last minute. - You can't bottle out now just because things are getting a little harder |
| 1519 |
bounce back to recover from a problem or illness - No matter what bad things happen to her, she always manages to bounce back very quickly. - You're strong. You'll soon bounce back. Don't worry |
| 1520 |
bound to to be sure to - You're bound to fail unless you start working harder. - Anyone who regularly takes drugs is bound to have medical problems sooner or later |
| 1521 |
bowl over to enthuse or surprise - She looked wonderful. She walked into the room and just bowled everybody over. - You'll bowl everyone over in that dress. You look wonderful! The expression comes from the game of bowling in which the goal is to bowl over (knock down) the pins |
| 1522 |
break down to start crying - She broke down when she heard her dog had been injured in the accident. - He found it difficult not break down as he was telling about his expreiences in the war |
| 1523 |
break in to wear clothes (especially shoes) until they are comfortable - I didn't have time to break in my new boots, and now I've got blisters all over my feet. - Be sure to break in those new shoes before your walking holiday |
| 1524 |
break out to start (usually a problem) - News report: Riots broke out on the streets of Paris yesterday when two young men were killed while being chased by the police. - How did the fight break out in the playground yesterday? |
| 1525 |
bring about to make happen - It is difficult to know how to bring about an end to the fighting in Iraq. - Getting impatient is not going to bring about an answer to the problem |
| 1526 |
bring off to succeed - I will be very surprised if you can bring it off. - He was very good, but he didn't quite bring it off |
| 1527 |
bring round to make someone (change their opinion) and agree with you - At first John didn't want to come with us, but we managed to bring him round. - Don't try to bring me round. I've made up my mind and I'm not going to change it |
| 1528 |
bring up to mention an issue - I don't like to bring this up, but you still owe me some money. - We must remember to bring the matter up at the next meeting |
| 1529 |
bring up to raise a child - Her parents went missing in the war so she was brought up by her grandparents. - I was brought up to respect my parents |
| 1530 |
brush off to ignore or reject - I offered to help him, but he just brushed me off. - She's very strong. No matter what bad things happen to her, she brushes it all off |
| 1531 |
burn out to lose energy and enthusiasm - You're going to burn yourself out if you don't soon have a holiday. - He was such an energetic teacher, but he burned out before he was 40 |
| 1532 |
butter up to flatter someone in the attempt to get something from them - It's no good trying to butter me up. You're not going to the party and that's it! - I knew that she was trying to butter me up |
| 1533 |
call off to cancel - The football match was called off because of the heavy snow. - I think we're going to have to call off the trip. Not enough people have signed up for it |
| 1534 |
carry off to succeed (unexpectedly) in something difficult or demanding - I didn't believe she could do it, but she carried it off with no problem at all. - No, I don't think I can carry it off. I don't feel strong enough |
| 1535 |
carry on to continue - If you carry on working so well, you are sure to pass your exams. - I couldn't carry on pretending that everything was ok |
| 1536 |
carry out to do - The government plans to carry out an investigation into the link between alcohol and crime. - For my science project I have to carry out a survey of the eating habits of grade 8 students |
| 1537 |
catch on to become successful - It's a clever idea, but I don't think it will catch on. - She had been experimenting for many years before she finally found something that caught on |
| 1538 |
catch on to understand - It took me a long time to catch on but now I know why she did it. - She didn't catch on immediately, and when she did, she was not happy! "Also possible is "cotton on"." |
| 1539 |
catch up on to inform oneself of missed information or do missed work - I'd been away for a few weeks and needed to catch up on the latest news. - If you are absent from school, make sure you catch up on the work you missed while you were away |
| 1540 |
chance on to find something unexpectedly - While I was surfing the internet the other day I chanced on an interesting website about phrasal verbs. - I chanced on a beautiful lamp while shopping in a Baghdad market. "To refer to an unexpected meeting with a person "bump into" or "run into" are more usual." |
| 1541 |
chat up to talk to someone you like with the intention of having them as your boy- or girlfriend - Stop trying to chat me up. I've got a steady boyfriend. - If you like her so much why don't you go over and chat her up? |
| 1542 |
chicken out to be too afraid or unwilling to do something - Somehow I knew that he'd chicken out at the last moment. - Sorry. You promised. You can't chicken out now |
| 1543 |
chip in to make a contribution - If we all chip in, we'll be able to get her a nice present. - We needed help moving house but he refused to chip in |
| 1544 |
clear off to go away "- Some guy came the door asking for money. I told him to "*Clear off." - Clear off. I never want to see you again." |
| 1545 |
clear up to get better - I've been ill with the flu for the last week, but I think it's clearing up now. - The weather looks like it's finally clearing up |
| 1546 |
climb down to retreat or admit you were wrong - He had to climb down when we looked up the information on the internet. - No. I'm not going to climb down. I'm right and you know it! |
| 1547 |
club together to put money - We decided to club together to buy her a bunch of flowers. - Unless we all club together, we will never have enough money to pay for the trip |
| 1548 |
come across as to give the impression - She always comes across as sweet and innocent, but I know what she's really like! - He doesn't come across as very intelligent. Did he really go to Harvard? |
| 1549 |
come across to find, see or meet someone or something unexpectedly - I came across an interesting article in the newspaper this morning. - Did you come across anyone you knew on the beach last night? |
| 1550 |
come along to hurry (usually said as a command to someone) - Come along! I haven't got all day! - Come along now. Time for bed! |
| 1551 |
come by to find or get - Where did you come by that old vase? - On holiday in Rome. - If you take enough trouble on the internet, it's possible to come by some real bargains |
| 1552 |
come down with to fall ill - Sorry, I won't be able to play tennis today. I think I've come down with a cold. - She's not very healthy. She seems to come down with every illness that's going around. You can also say go down with |
| 1553 |
come off to be successful - I didn't think it would work but it came off beautifully. - I don't think your plans to start your own business have any chance of coming off |
| 1554 |
come out with to say - Don't come out with such feeble excuses. If you don't want to visit us, just say so. - He came out with the most ridiculous reason for forgetting his homework |
| 1555 |
come to to regain consciousness - It took him more than 20 minutes to come to after falling off his motorbike. - She fell out of the tree and never came to |
| 1556 |
come up with to suggest or say or develop - This British company has come up with a way to block email spam. - I have come up with a nice idea for making some quick money |
| 1557 |
come up to happen (usually unexpectedly) - Sorry, I won't be able to play tennis tomorrow. Something has come up. - Has anything like this ever come up before? |
| 1558 |
count on to rely on - Can I count on you to keep your promise? - I wouldn't count on him paying you the money back. He's not very reliable |
| 1559 |
crack down on to use strong authority - The school needs to crack down on students who are late to class. It's becoming a big problem. - The town council has decided to crack down on kids drinking in the market square |
| 1560 |
cry off to cancel or reject an invitation - I had to cry off at the last moment. He wasn't very happy. - If you need to cry off, please call me and let me know |
| 1561 |
cut out to stop - We were making a lot of noise in class yesterday and the teacher told us to cut it out. - You'll end up with lung cancer if you don't cut out smoking |
| 1562 |
dawn on to (finally) realize - I didn't understand why he'd done that. Then it dawned on me that he didn't know what had happened. - It didn't dawn on me who she was until I got home. Dawn is the time of day when the sun rises |
| 1563 |
die down to decrease - Interest in watching TV has died down since the coming of the internet. - I'm not going to continue until the noise in here has died down |
| 1564 |
dish out to criticize or punish someone - He's always ready to dish it out, but he gets all upset if anyone criticizes him. - Are you really going to just let her keep dishing it out like that? |
| 1565 |
do away with to abolish or stop - The school has decided to do away with the candy machine in the cafeteria. The students were buying too much junk food. - You can't make people work harder just by doing away with their coffee break |
| 1566 |
do in to make tired or unhappy - All this working late is doing me in. - You'll do me in if you don't stop complaining all the time. This expression is often said in a joking way |
| 1567 |
do out of to cheat someone of what is rightfully theirs - My brother and I don't speak any more. He tried to do me out of the money our father left us. - She did me out of top score in the test by copying answers from the back of her hand |
| 1568 |
do up to improve the appearance or quality of something - I've spent the last 3 weeks doing up the house. We want to try and sell it in the summer. - I've got a hair appointment tomorrow. I need to do myself up for the job interview |
| 1569 |
do up to tie or fasten (laces, buttons or a zip) - Your shoes are untied. Do them up! - Can you help me do up my jacket? My hands are too cold to pull the zip |
| 1570 |
do without to relinquish or live without something - I'm not sure I could do without my computer and the internet. - Sorry, there's no more beer. You'll just have to do without until we I go shopping tomorrow. You can also say go without |
| 1571 |
doll up to make yourself look good - She was dolled up in the latest fashion. - Sorry, I've no time to help you now. I need at least 2 hours to doll myself up for the party! |
| 1572 |
drag on to go on for a long time and therefore be boring - The meeting dragged on for half the morning without reaching any decisions. - I was bored. The lesson seemed to drag on for ever |
| 1573 |
drag out to take a long time to finish - Young children can always find a way to drag out the time until they have to go to bed. - She dragged out her lunch until it was time for the next lesson. She obviously didn't want to come outside with us |
| 1574 |
draw on to approach or pass slowly (used with expressions of time) - Winter is drawing on. It's time to get some wood in for the fire. - The more the evening drew on, the more nervous we got waiting for her to arrive |
| 1575 |
dream up to invent, imagine or have an idea for - She said that she was being followed home every day, but I think she was just dreaming it up. - Don't pay him any attention. He's always dreaming up crazy ideas to get rich quick |
| 1576 |
drink in to respond positively to something or pay a lot of attention to it - I love to stand in the middle of St Peters Square in Rome just drinking in the atmosphere. - He's such a wonderful speaker. I sat there drinking in every word |
| 1577 |
drop off to fall asleep - I lay awake worrying for hours last night and didn't drop off until just before dawn. - What time did you finally drop off last night? - It was well after midnight |
| 1578 |
drop off to let someone out of a car - Can you drop me off at the supermarket on the way home? - Drop me off here. I'll walk the rest of the way |
| 1579 |
drum up to raise (interest or support) - I'm finding it difficult to drum up enough people to help me move house. - At election time politicians are often seen on the streets trying to drum up support for their party |
| 1580 |
egg on to encourage - We tried to egg him on, but he was too cautious to accept the offer. - I know it was John who broke the computer but you were the one egging him on |
| 1581 |
eye up to look at someone (or something) in a way that shows that you find them attractive - He sits there in the cafeteria all lunch eyeing her up from across the room. Doesn't he know what a fool he's making of himself? - I couldn't help eyeing up the expensive jacket in the shop window. Ogle, one of your author's favourite words, is a synonym for 'eye up' |
| 1582 |
face up to to accept an unpleasant truth or situation - You need to face up to the fact that you are never going to be good enough. - If she doesn't start facing up to what drink is doing to her, she's going to end up in hospital |
| 1583 |
fall about to laugh loud and long - We just fell about when he told us what she had said to him. - You're not really going to wear that hat, are you? Do you want people falling about in the streets? |
| 1584 |
fall behind to not make the same progress as others or as planned - It's no surprise that she's falling behind. She been absent so many times this year. - The government is falling behind in its efforts to reduce drug use |
| 1585 |
fall for to be attracted to - I fell for her the moment she waked into the room. - He's always falling for the wrong girl. Why doesn't he marry someone from the village? |
| 1586 |
fall for to be deceived - You didn't fall for it, did you? How totally stupid. - Don't expect me to fall for your excuse. I wasn't born yesterday! |
| 1587 |
fall off to decrease - His efforts have fallen off since the winter vacation. Is anything wrong? - The business is not doing so well. Interest in our products has fallen off in recent months |
| 1588 |
fall out to stop liking - I've fallen out with my boyfriend. I never want to see him again. - Have you seen Jane recently? - No, we fell out over a holiday we'd planned together. You often fall out with someone after an argument |
| 1589 |
fall through to fail; to not be completed as hoped - I wanted to go away for the weekend, but my plans fell through when my mother became sick. - Our new business fell through when the bank refused to lend us any more money |
| 1590 |
feel up to to feel able to do something - Sorry, I don't feel up to helping you in the garden. I didn't sleep very well last night. - I'm not going to the party tonight. I don't feel up to it |
| 1591 |
figure out think of the solution to a problem or question - How did you figure out that he was the one who trashed your locker? - It took me a while to figure out the best route to take to work |
| 1592 |
fill in to inform - Can you fill me in on what was agreed at the meeting yesterday. - Fill me in on what happened next. I'm dying to know what he said! |
| 1593 |
fob off to try and get someone to accept something - The doctor tried to fob me off with some headache pills, but I knew there was something more seriously wrong. - Don't try to fob me off with some feeble excuse about your car not starting |
| 1594 |
fold up to close or stop working (often a business that has been unsuccessful) - We struggled on for 2 years but had to fold up after the bank refused to extend our loan. - Many young businesses folded up when the dot.com bubble burst |
| 1595 |
fork out to pay money for something - How much did you fork out for your new bike? - I'm not prepared to give him any more money. I already had to fork out for the repairs when he crashed his car |
| 1596 |
get about to visit many places - You get about a lot. Is there anywhere you haven't been? - I've been working too hard to get about very much in the last couple of years. You can also say get around |
| 1597 |
get across to make someone understand - I couldn't get it across to her why I wanted to change jobs. - I spent an hour telling him that he was making a mistake but I couldn't get it across |
| 1598 |
get ahead to make progress - You will never get ahead unless you make more effort. - If you want to get ahead, you should change jobs. You have no prospects where you are |
| 1599 |
get along with to have a friendly relationship with someone - How do you get along with your boss? She seems very unfriendly to me. - I don't really get along with my new English teacher. She's too critical for me. Also possible is 'get on with' |
| 1600 |
get at to be unpleasant to someone - Don't get at me just because you made a mistake. - Why are you always getting at her? She's just doing her job |
| 1601 |
get at to mean - What are you getting at? I don't understand a word you're saying. - What was he getting at when he said that no-one knows the real reason they broke up? "Get at" with this meaning is usually used only in the continuous "-ing" form." |
| 1602 |
get away with to not be punished or reprimanded for something bad that you have done - He will not get away with drinking and driving for ever. One day the police will stop him. - I forgot to bring my homework to class, but I got away with it because the teacher was absent |
| 1603 |
get away to take a short holiday - I've been working so hard that I haven't been able to get away for several months. - You're looking very tired. Why don't you try to get away for a few days? You say Get away! to express surprise: She's just won the lottery! - Get away! |
| 1604 |
get behind to support or encourage - If you don't get behind me, who will? - Mary's having a difficult time at the moment. We all need to get behind her |
| 1605 |
get by to have just enough money to live on - We don't have very much money, but we sell vegetables from the garden so we get by. - I don't know how I'm going to get by. Everything is so expensive here |
| 1606 |
get down to leave the table after eating - Can I please get down? - No, you haven't finished your greens. - When I was a child, we were not allowed to get down from the table until everyone had finished. Greens are vegetables |
| 1607 |
get in to arrive - What time does your train get in? - We've got plenty of time. The train doesn't get in until 6.30 |
| 1608 |
get into to start to like - My friend keeps playing his German heavy metal music for me. But I'm finding it hard to get into it. - It took me a long time to get into chess, but now I play almost every day |
| 1609 |
get off with to start a relationship with - Don't try to get off with me. I'm not interested. - I'll break your neck if you get off with my brother. This verb is more common in British English (among young people) |
| 1610 |
get on for to be close to a time - Time for bed. It's getting on for 8 o'clock. - It was getting on for midnight, but we hadn't found the problem so there was no chance of going home |
| 1611 |
get on with to continue; to not stop; to start again - Please get on with your work. You have no time to talk. - Sorry, I can't stop now. I need to get on with my marking or I'll still be sitting here at midnight! |
| 1612 |
get on to be doing, working or succeeding - How are you getting on in your new job? - Fine, thanks! - How are you getting on, Masato? - Not very well. There are too many words I don't understand |
| 1613 |
get on to have a (friendly) relationship with someone - I'm afraid I don't get on very well with my parents. - Do you and your sister get on? |
| 1614 |
get over to recover from - It took me much longer than expected to get over my foot injury. - Has she got over her broken romance yet? |
| 1615 |
get round to to (finally) have or find time to do something - I really must get round to cutting the grass. It must be almost 30cm high! - When are you going to get round to cleaning your room? It's in a real mess. You can also say get around to, |
| 1616 |
get through to to make someone understand - I warned him many times that he was in danger of failing, but I couldn't get it through to him. - What will it take to get it through to you that we are finished? |
| 1617 |
get to to annoy or irritate - There's something about her that really gets to me. - I know he's an idiot, but don't let him get to you |
| 1618 |
get up to to do (often something you shouldn't) - What did you get up to while I was away yesterday? The house is in a complete mess. - If you get up to anything stupid while I'm out of the room, I'll send you to the headmaster |
| 1619 |
give away to reveal (usually a secret) - Whatever you do, don't give it away that I like him. - If you give away that I wasn't really sick yesterday, I'll break your neck! |
| 1620 |
give in to surrender or stop - Do you surrender? - No, I will never give in! - I had to give in. I knew I had no chance of winning |
| 1621 |
give up on to relinquish or lose (belief) - She's given up on the idea of moving to London. She says it's too expensive. - I've given up on him. He's disappointed me too many times already |
| 1622 |
give up to stop doing something - My new year's resolution is to give up smoking. - I think I'll have to give up playing golf. It's killing my back |
| 1623 |
go ahead to proceed - I'm thinking of applying for a job. - Go ahead. The change will do you good. - May I take another cake? - Go ahead! This expression is often used alone as a way of granting a request |
| 1624 |
go along with to do as someone wants (even though you may not really want to) - Ok, I'll go along with you until you prove me wrong. - I wish I hadn't gone along with his crazy idea. It got us into real trouble |
| 1625 |
go back on to break a promise - You promised to help me move house. You can't go back on it now. - She went back on her promise to repay the money as soon as possible |
| 1626 |
go for to like - I don't really go for sports. - I don't go for horror films. I can never sleep afterwards. This verb is not often used in any tense other than the present simple. (You can also say go in for.) |
| 1627 |
go in for to like or enjoy - I don't go in for sport. Ever time I play something I seem to get hurt. - I've never gone in for visiting churches or museums. I'd rather lie on the beach and read a book |
| 1628 |
go off to explode - Three bombs went off in the center of London yesterday. - Don't play with fireworks. They may go off in your hands |
| 1629 |
go off to go bad (food) - I wouldn't eat that cheese if I were you. I think it's gone off. - The milk's gone off. Can you buy some more on the way home? |
| 1630 |
go off to stop liking - I went off cheese when I was served fondue every day on holiday in Switzerland. - I've gone off my teacher ever since she shouted at me for no reason |
| 1631 |
go on about to talk about something for so long (or again and again) that it becomes boring to the listener - He went on about how things were much harder when he was a child. - Oh will you stop going on about it! I told you I was sorry and there's nothing more I can say |
| 1632 |
go on to happen - What's going on? - Nothing. We're just playing. - Is anything interesting going on at the weekend? |
| 1633 |
go over to look at or check - I'll go over your work after school. I'm too busy now. - Can you go over this report for me? I'm not sure if all my facts are right |
| 1634 |
go through with to finish an unpleasant task - I really don't want to do it, but I know I have to go through with it. - You don't need to go through with it if you don't want to. Nobody is forcing you |
| 1635 |
go through to experience (usually something unpleasant) - You have no idea what I'm going through. - He's going through a very difficult time at the moment. Please be patient with him |
| 1636 |
grow on to become liked - I didn't like German pop music at first, but it has grown on me. - I see that cheese has grown on you. You never used to like it |
| 1637 |
grow out of to stop liking - Does he really still like playing with trains? At 38 you'd think he would have grown out of it by now. - I used to like going for a drink after work, but I grew out of it when I changed jobs |
| 1638 |
grow up to behave like an adult - Isn't it about time you grew up? - Oh do grow up! You're 32 but you're acting more like a 12 year old |
| 1639 |
hand on to give to another person - If you can't use these books, maybe you could hand them on to the library. - Please hand these letters on to the secretary on your way home today |
| 1640 |
hand out to give - Can you please hand out the tests? - There was someone at the school gate handing out a free newspaper. A hand-out is a paper sheet commonly given by teachers or presenters to their students or audience |
| 1641 |
hand over to pass on responsibility for something - He's getting very old. It's time for him to hand the business over to his son. - I don't think it's time to hand the class over to the student teacher. She's just not ready yet |
| 1642 |
hang around to wait - I'm not going to hang around for you any more. If you're not ready at 3 o'clock, I'm going! - I had to hang around for 2 hours until her meeting was over |
| 1643 |
hang on to wait (or used as an expression to ask someone to wait) - Hurry up. I can't hang on all day. - Could you hang on just a little longer? I'm sure she'll be here soon |
| 1644 |
hang out to be in place (with nothing particular to do) - Where do you hang out at the weekends? - Many young people like to hang out with their friends in the local park. This verb has a commonly used noun form hang-out |
| 1645 |
hang up to end a phone call - Don't hang up. I haven't finished yet. - Someone called me three times last night, but as soon as I answered, they hung up. To finish a telephone call on an old telephone, you had to hang part of the phone on a hook |
| 1646 |
harp on to keep talking about something - Don't keep harping on that old jacket I used to wear. At the time it was very fashionable. - Ok, I know I made a mistake, but don't harp on about it. A harp is a large string instrument |
| 1647 |
have in for to want to harm someone - I think my teacher has it in for me. She's always shouting at me in class for no reason. - Have you got it in for me? - No, you're just imagining things |
| 1648 |
have on to deceive or trick someone - Are you having me on? - No, I'm being deadly serious! - She's just having you on. She doesn't really mean it |
| 1649 |
head for to go (be going) towards a place or situation - You're heading for trouble if you don't watch out. - The ship rounded the cliff and headed for the port |
| 1650 |
head off to prevent - If you check your car regularly, you can head off problems before they arise. - A large number of police were sent to the town square to head off an illegal demonstration |
| 1651 |
hear out to listen until someone has stopped speaking - Hear me out. I haven't finished yet. - Why do you never hear me out? |
| 1652 |
hit on to find or think of - We'd been working on the project for 6 months when we hit on the idea of asking my grandfather. - Sometimes taking a rest can help you hit on the right way to continue |
| 1653 |
hold forth to talk for a long time (and bore people) - John was holding forth again when I walked in. I walked out again as soon as possible! - Ok, you can stop holding forth. I get the picture! |
| 1654 |
hold out to wait (often in a difficult or dangerous situation) - The soldiers held out for 3 days, but the enemy was too strong for them. - The managers wanted to give the workers a 3% rise in salary, but the union was holding out for 5% |
| 1655 |
hold up to delay - Sorry I'm late. I was held up by heavy traffic through the town. - All the planned departures were held up because of thick fog over the airport |
| 1656 |
horse around to do stupid things - Stop horsing around and get back to your work. - It's no surprise that people don't take you seriously if you horse around all the time |
| 1657 |
hush up to keep something a secret; to keep someone quiet - He tried to hush up his drinking problem, but she found out in the end. - Don't you dare try to hush me up. I'll tell him exactly what I want |
| 1658 |
itch for to want something a lot - She's itching for a fight. She can't wait to give him a piece of her mind. - I'm itching for a new job. My present one bores me to tears! |
| 1659 |
jump at to be keen to accept an opportunity or offer - I'd jump at the chance of working in the music business, but I've got no talent. - I suggested having a camping holiday this year, and she jumped at the idea |
| 1660 |
jump on to attack or criticize - I thought I had made a good proposal, but everybody at the meeting jumped on it. - It's not fair to jump on me like that. It isn't my fault |
| 1661 |
keep at to continue (to do something difficult) - I know English is difficult, but if you keep at it, you're sure to get better. - We had problems cutting down the huge old tree in our garden, but we kept at it all afternoon, and it finally fell just before dark |
| 1662 |
keep up with to stay up-to-date - I'm finding it difficult to keep up with all the changes in modern technology. I haven't even got a mobile phone yet! - If you are a teacher, it's important to keep up with the latest research in your subject |
| 1663 |
keep up to continue - Keep up the good work and you are sure to pass your test. - It's difficult to keep up your efforts if all you get is criticism |
| 1664 |
kick off to start - What time does the meeting kick off? - The party didn't really kick off until well after midnight. The expression comes from soccer, in which the match starts with the first kick of the ball |
| 1665 |
kiss up to to try and win someone's favour - I hate the way she's always kissing up to her teacher. Doesn't she know how unpopular she's making herself? - If you want promotion, you're going to have to kiss up to your boss, like it or not |
| 1666 |
knock off to finish work - Sorry, I won't be able to make it. I don't knock off until 6.30. - Do you knock off earlier on Fridays? |
| 1667 |
knock off to stop - Oh, knock it off. You are beginning to get on my nerves. - If you don't knock off complaining al the time, I'm going home without you |
| 1668 |
lay into to criticize severely - Then he started laying into me for forgetting to buy pizza on the way home. - The coach really laid into the team for playing so badly |
| 1669 |
lay off to dismiss workers - If the school does not manage to attract more students, it may have to lay off some of the teachers. - We cannot afford a cleaner any more. We are going to have to lay her off |
| 1670 |
leave out to stop - Can you please leave it out. I'm trying to concentrate. - You can leave out the sob stories. I'm not going to give you any money! (A sob story is a story you say to someone in the hope that they will feel sorry for you.) |
| 1671 |
let down to disappoint - You really let me down. Why didn't you call to say you couldn't help? - Many students work very hard because they don't want to let their parents down |
| 1672 |
let in on to allow to participate - I had an idea they were planning a secret celebration, but they wouldn't let me in on it. - Can you let me in on the joke? I don't understand what's so funny |
| 1673 |
let off to explode a firework or bomb - Make sure your pets are inside the house when you let off fireworks. - The terrorists let off a bomb just as people were coming out of the cinema |
| 1674 |
let off to not punish - I forgot my homework but the teacher let me off because it was the first time this term. - No, I'm not going to let you off. You did something very stupid and now you have to pay for it |
| 1675 |
let on to reveal information - We planning a secret party for John on Friday. Please don't let on. - Whatever you do, don't let on that I like her |
| 1676 |
let up to stop - The rain has not let up all afternoon. - Don't let up now. You're almost finished |
| 1677 |
line up to plan something or get it ready - I had lined up a large variety of food and drink for the barbecue, but the weather was bad all weekend and it had to be cancelled. - Have you got anything lined up for the weekend? |
| 1678 |
live down to compensate for (or make people forget) bad behaviour - She'll never live down the fact that she once worked as a stripper. - Don't tell anyone that I used to like the Spice Girls. I'd never live it down! |
| 1679 |
live up to to meet expectations - They had such high hopes for me. It was impossible to live up to them. - His reputation is very high. I'm not sure he is going to be able to live up to it |
| 1680 |
long for to want or look forward to something - I'm longing for the summer vacation. I really need a rest. - I'm longing for an excuse to punch him on the nose! |
| 1681 |
look after to take care of someone or something - My grandmother is too old to look after herself any more. - Can you look after my cat while I'm away? |
| 1682 |
look into to investigate; to try to find the answer to a problem - The police are looking into the woman's disappearance. They don't know yet if a crime has been committed. - My computer's been acting strangely recently. - I'll look into it tomorrow when I have more time |
| 1683 |
look out to be aware of danger - If you're going to swim in that river, you need to look out for crocodiles! - Look out! That motorbike is on the wrong side of the road |
| 1684 |
look up to to respect and admire - I really look up to my grandfather. He's had a very difficult life, but he's always cheerful. - These days young people are more likely to look up to sports stars than their parents or teachers |
| 1685 |
look up to improve - Life was hard when we first moved here, but now things are looking up. - She had some problems when she first joined the class, but now everything is looking up for her |
| 1686 |
look up to visit a person or place (often after a long period of time) - Be sure to look me up next time you're in Frankfurt. - I wanted to look up my old girlfriend but she wasn't living there any more |
| 1687 |
luck out to have a lot of luck - I could have been killed in the accident. I guess I really lucked out. - I lucked out at the station yesterday. Although I got there late, my train was delayed and I jumped on just as it was leaving the platform. This phrasal verb is more common in American English than in British English. (Some people use the expression to mean its opposite: to run out of or have no luck |
| 1688 |
lump together to put in the same category as another person or thing - Don't lump me together with Sharon. We may be sisters, but we have totally different opinions. - You can't just lump all the students together in the same class. Some of them have much better English than others |
| 1689 |
make do with to (have to) be satisfied with something or someone - I couldn't find the screwdriver so I had to make do with an old knife. - Sorry, you're not going to find anyone better, so you'll have to make do with me! - I can't drive you to work today. - That's ok. I'll make do with the bus |
| 1690 |
make for to go towards - Many spectators make for the exits before the end of a football match so they don't get caught in the rush. - It's starting to rain. Let's make for that hut and rest until it stops |
| 1691 |
make of to think of; have an opinion of - What do you make of his behaviour recently? Do you think he's been secretly drinking? - I don't know what to make of her. One minute she's friendly and the next she's incredibly rude |
| 1692 |
make out to pretend or intend to deceive - She made out that she was working, but I know that she was on the chat site. - It's no use trying to make out you've got no money. I don't believe you! |
| 1693 |
make over to improve something by changing it - We've decided to make over the basement of our house. It's needs more light. - All of the pictures of models in fashion magazines are made over. Make-over programmes are currently very popular on television |
| 1694 |
make up to invent - No, I don't believe you. I think you're making it up. - He made up some stupid excuse about his dog eating his homework |
| 1695 |
make up to settle an argument; to become friends again - Isn't it about time you made up with your father? It was such a stupid disagreement in the first place. - I have no intention of making up with her unless she apologizes for what she said |
| 1696 |
mess about to treat someone badly (often by being unreliable or unfaithful) - If you don't stop messing me about, I'm going to walk right out on you. - Don't let her mess you about like that. Show her who's boss! |
| 1697 |
mess up to spoil - If you're not careful, you'll mess up the whole project. - Don't play football in your tennis shoes. You'll mess them up |
| 1698 |
mind out to be careful - Mind out! You're spilling your coffee on the floor. - You're going to have a nasty accident if you don't mind out. A synonym is look out |
| 1699 |
mix up to confuse - I mixed you up with your twin. Sorry. - Somehow I got my dates mixed up and forgot to send her a birthday card. A mix-up is a mistake due to a misunderstanding |
| 1700 |
mouth off to talk angrily about something or someone - I keep away from her as much as I can. She's always mouthing off about something or other. - There's no need to mouth off to me. It wasn't my fault! |
| 1701 |
move on to forget the past and its problems or sadness - Your dog dies over three years ago. Isn't it time to move on? - I know I should forget about her, but I'm finding it really difficult to move on |
| 1702 |
nip out to go out for a short time - I'm just nipping out to get some more milk. - Where's Emiko? - She just nipped out. She'll be back in a minute |
| 1703 |
nod off to fall asleep - I usually nod off on the sofa after dinner. - Some of my history lessons are so boring that it's difficult to stop myself nodding off |
| 1704 |
nose around to look at or for something curiously - Have you been nosing around in my room? Things are not where I put them. - When I visit a new city I like to nose around in the markets to see what I can buy. Also possible is 'nose about' |
| 1705 |
own up to admit - I knew that one of them had used my computer, but neither owned up. - If it was you that broke the window, I think it would be best to own up before they find out from someone else |
| 1706 |
pack in to stop doing something - Pack it in. You're getting on my nerves. - My boyfriend and I have decided to pack it in. We just didn't have very much to say to each other any more |
| 1707 |
pack up to stop (working) - My television has just packed up again. Time to get a new one. - When do you pack up? - Not until 6.30 |
| 1708 |
pass away to die - Our dear grandmother passed away at the weekend. - She gave all her money to charity before she passed away. "This expression is used as a euphemism by speakers who want to avoid the word "die"." |
| 1709 |
pass out to lose consciousness - I nearly passed out in town today. It was so unbearably hot. - She passed out after cutting her finger very deeply with a kitchen knife |
| 1710 |
pass up to decline - I decided to pass up the chance of promotion because I didn't want to move to a different city. - If you pass up this offer, you may not get another one |
| 1711 |
pencil in to (promise to) include someone in a group or activity. - I'd really like to learn how to snowboard. Can you pencil me in? - Can I put my name down for the school committee? - I've already pencilled you in! |
| 1712 |
perk up to get better or become happier and more lively - For a long time our business was not going very well, but now things have started to perk up. - John perked up when I told him I'd help him |
| 1713 |
peter out to slowly get weaker or smaller - Interest in the new activity petered out after only a few weeks. - At first he wrote her hundreds of emails but these petered out when he had to move to a different city |
| 1714 |
pick at to eat slowly and without enthusiasm - Don't pick at your food. If you don't want it, throw it away. - Have you seen the way she picks at her food. No wonder she's so thin! |
| 1715 |
pick on to choose someone for ill-treatment - Why does she always pick on me? I'm not the only one who's talking in class. - Schoolchildren often pick on others to make themselves feel stronger or more popular |
| 1716 |
pick up to (stop the car and) take someone with you - Don't forget it's your turn to pick up the children after school! - Can you pick me up by the post office tomorrow? I've got to send an urgent parcel before work |
| 1717 |
pick up to get better - Your work has picked up a lot in the last few weeks. - Interest in reading among young people has picked up since the arrival of the Harry Potter books |
| 1718 |
pick up to get or learn - She's got a real talent for picking up languages. - Where did you pick up your knowledge of cars? |
| 1719 |
pin down to make someone be exact or truthful about something - I keep asking him, but he refuses to be pinned down. - Try to pin her down, will you. I've got to know one way or another if she's going to come or not |
| 1720 |
pipe down to be quiet, shut up - Oh will you please pipe down! I've had enough of your whining. - If you don't pipe down I'm going to wring your neck! |
| 1721 |
piss about to do stupid things (to someone) - Stop pissing about and help me with this box. - If you don't stop pissing me about, I'm walking out and never coming back. Many people would consider this expression offensive and avoid using it |
| 1722 |
pitch in to work together - We'll get this job done much more quickly if we all pitch in. - We asked them to help us but they refused to pitch in |
| 1723 |
play around to act in a silly way - If you don't stop playing around, I'm going to send you out of the room. - Why don't you act your age instead of playing around the whole time? |
| 1724 |
play at to fool around or make bad decisions - What are you playing at. You're going to break it! - I don't know what he's playing at. He'll to lose his job if he's not careful |
| 1725 |
play down to (try to) make something seem less important than it really is - He was careful to play down the fact that he had been fired from his previous job. - Don't try to play his unreliability down. One of these days it's going to cost him his place in the team |
| 1726 |
play up to misbehave or not work properly - My computer is playing up again. I really must get a new one. - Jack's been playing up in class recently. I think I'll have to call his parents |
| 1727 |
point out to say (something that the conversation partner did not know or realize) - I would just like to point out that we haven't had a break since 10.30. - I do need to point out that she's only been learning English for a few months |
| 1728 |
pop up to appear - I hate it when windows keep popping up when I'm surfing the internet. - Her name kept popping up in the conversation |
| 1729 |
press on to continue (despite difficulty or disappointment) - It started to rain heavily, but we decided to press on. We wanted to get home before dark - She pressed on with her idea, although everyone said that she was sure to fail |
| 1730 |
pull apart to criticize strongly - Why do you need to pull everything I do apart? - I thought I'd written a good essay, but the teacher really pulled it apart |
| 1731 |
pull off to succeed at something (difficult) - John's the one person I know who can pull it off. - I have no idea how she managed to pull it off. I didn't think she was good enough! |
| 1732 |
pull through to survive a difficult or dangerous situation - John's very sick but his doctors have told us he's going to pull through. - My father helped us pull through when we were struggling with money problems at the start of our marriage. "Pull round" is an alternative to pull through an illness." |
| 1733 |
pull together to get control of oneself; to calm down after been angry or upset - You need to pull yourself together. There's really no need to get so agitated about it. - If he doesn't pull himself together, he's going to end up in big trouble. - Pull yourself together. It's not the end of the world. - If she doesn't pull herself together very soon, she's going to lose her job |
| 1734 |
pull up to stop a car - As I was walking home yesterday, a police car pulled up at the house opposite. - I was standing by the road hitchhiking for more than an hour before one of the cars finally pulled up |
| 1735 |
push around to use superior power to get someone to do what you want - Don't try to push me around just because I'm new here. You're not my boss. - Why does he let her push him around like that? I would walk out of the door |
| 1736 |
put by to save for the future - I'm putting some money by each month for a new car. - If you are sensible you will starting putting part of your salary by while you are young |
| 1737 |
put down to to attribute (as the reason for something) - Why has she been so miserable recently? - I put it down to her new boss. He's very rude to her. - Don't try and put your bad grade down to your cold. You know you could have studied harder! - He's been behaving very strangely in school recently. I put it down to problems with his parents |
| 1738 |
put down have killed, usually an old, sick animal - We had to have our old cat put down. She was in terrible pain and unable to walk. - The horse broke its leg in the race and had to be put down |
| 1739 |
put down make someone feel useless, stupid or inferior - I hate my math teacher. She is always putting me down in front of the rest of the class. - Don't you ever put me down in front of my friends like that again! |
| 1740 |
put forward to propose - You will need to put forward a plan for improvement, otherwise we will have to ask you to leave the school. - The government has put forward a proposal to reduce drug-taking among young people |
| 1741 |
put off to deter someone from doing something - I was going to book a snowboard holiday, but my friend put me off the idea when she told me how dangerous it is. - I don't want to put you off. But that meat has been in the fridge for at least two weeks |
| 1742 |
put off to postpone - The football match had to be put off until the following week. - We had to put off the party until my wife had recovered from her illness |
| 1743 |
put on to tease or trick someone - Did he really win a million dollars? You're not putting me on, are you? - Don't you believe a word he says. You know how he likes to put people on! |
| 1744 |
put up with to tolerate - I don't know how you put up with his constant rudeness! - I've decided to move away from the city. I'm finding it ever harder to put up with the noise of traffic passing my bedroom window every night |
| 1745 |
put up to give someone somewhere to stay; give them a bed for the night - Can you put me up for a couple of days? My wife has kicked me out of the house! - Will you be staying in a hotel? - No, my brother lives near the conference centre and has offered to put me up |
| 1746 |
rake up to reveal and talk about unpleasant facts about something or someone - Why did you have to rake up that business about the divorce. Didn't you see how upset she was? - Politicians are always trying to rake up embarrassing details about their opponents' private affairs |
| 1747 |
ride on to depend on - A lot is riding on his answer. - I couldn't make up my mind. I knew that the success of the business was riding on my decision |
| 1748 |
rip off to cheat (often to sell something at an inflated price) - Don't let him rip you off. It's not worth more than about $20. - I got ripped off badly on holiday. I bought what I thought was a genuine Rolex and it turned out to be a cheap imitation. - Don't trust him. He's trying to rip you off. - I really got ripped off with my new car. I paid twice as much as it is worth |
| 1749 |
roll up to come - What time did you roll up this morning? - He rolled up half an hour late, and then the first thing he did was make himself a cup of coffee. People who roll up are often not worried about being on time |
| 1750 |
root for to be cheering for or in support of someone or something - I've reached the finals of the tennis tournament. Will you come and root for me? - Good luck in your driving test. I'll be rooting for you! |
| 1751 |
rope in to include someone (often in order to help) - It's no use trying to rope me in. I'm not going to come and that's that! - We don't have enough people to help at the festival. Maybe we can rope in a few of the parents |
| 1752 |
rub in to remind someone again and again of their inferiority or problems - Yes, I know you won. There's no need to rub it in. - She always rubbing in the fact that she went to a better university than me |
| 1753 |
rule out to exclude - You can rule me out. I won't be able to come after all. - The school has not yet ruled out the idea of introducing a uniform for all students |
| 1754 |
run down to criticize - Why are you always running him down? He doesn't deserve it. - You won't be popular if you keep running people down like that |
| 1755 |
run into meet by chance - I ran into John on the way home. He says to give you his best wishes. - She started avoiding the discos and clubs because she didn't want to run into her old boyfriend. "You can also say "bump into"." |
| 1756 |
run out to have no more of something - We've run out of milk. Can you buy some on the way home? - Some geologists predict that the world will run out of oil before the end of this century |
| 1757 |
sail through to pass very easily - She sailed through university and got a top job in law. - John sailed through the interview. He's such a convincing speaker |
| 1758 |
scrape through to pass a test with difficulty - Did you pass the test? - Yes, just about. I scraped through with lowest score. - If you start working harder, you might just scrape through your end of year test. Scrape is what you do when you run your knife over the surface of a carrot to remove its top layer |
| 1759 |
screw up to do something badly - Did you pass your driving test? - No, I screwed up badly. - This is your last chance. Don't screw it up. Some people think this expression is a little vulgar |
| 1760 |
see off to defeat or overcome a difficult opponent or problem - They were difficult opponents, but we managed to see them off in the last part of the game. - He fought very hard against his illness, but in the end he was not able to see it off |
| 1761 |
see through to finish - Now that we've started, we have to see it through. - In the end we just didn't have the energy to see the project through |
| 1762 |
see through to not be deceived by someone; to understand their true intentions - She told me she had a doctor's appointment after work, but I saw right through her. I knew she had arranged to meet her boyfriend. - Don't try to lie to me. You know I can see right through you |
| 1763 |
see to to fix or deal with a problem - My computer's not working. Can you help me? - I'll see to it in the morning. - If you don't see to that hole in your roof, you'll have water coming through in the next storm |
| 1764 |
sell up to sell your house or business - When parents became ill, we sold up and moved in with them. - If we don't start making some money soon, we're going to have to sell up |
| 1765 |
send down to put in prison - She was sent down for 3 years for smuggling heroin. - You'll be sent down for a long time if the police catch you doing that |
| 1766 |
send up to trick or make fun of someone (often by imitating them in an exaggerated way) - John's always sending up the boss. I'm sure he'll get the sack if she ever finds out. - Are you trying to send me up? - No, I'm being deadly serious! |
| 1767 |
set aside to keep in reserve - We're setting aside some money each month to pay for our children's education. - You should set these books aside. Maybe your children will want to read them one day |
| 1768 |
set in to start and look like continuing (often something unwelcome) - Winter has set in early this year. - His depression had set in when he lost his job, and he never managed to shake it off again |
| 1769 |
set off to start a journey - We need to set off early tomorrow. I want to miss most of the traffic. - What time do you set off for school? |
| 1770 |
set out to start a journey - Columbus set out from Spain in 1492 to find a way to reach the east by sea. - What time do we need to set out tomorrow? |
| 1771 |
shake off to lose or get rid of something (often an illness) - I've had this cold for the last three weeks. I just can't seem to shake it off. - Smoking is not a habit that is easy to shake off |
| 1772 |
shake up to make big changes - The new boss started shaking things up the moment he stepped through the door. - I think the students need shaking up a little. Some of them are getting complacent. This is often used in noun form: a shake-up, |
| 1773 |
shell out to pay money for something - How much did you shell out for your new car? - I shelled out a lot of money for this jacket. Then I was told it's not real leather! |
| 1774 |
shop around to take time in looking for something (to buy) - I intend to shop around before I get married. - The internet has made it a lot easier to shop around. This expression is often used in the sense of having lots of partners in the hope of finding someone suitable to marry |
| 1775 |
show off to act or talk in such a way that you want everyone to look at you (and think how good you are) - He likes to show off what a good skateboarder he is, but in fact his brother is much better than him. - Oh do stop showing off! Who are you trying to impress? |
| 1776 |
show up to come - I bet he's going to show up late again - like he usually does on a Monday morning! - How many people showed up at the meeting yesterday? |
| 1777 |
shut up to stop talking or make someone stop talking - Ok, you've had your say. Now will you just shut up! - He's difficult to shut up once he's got a few drinks inside him. Americans tend to find the command Shut up! more offensive than Britons |
| 1778 |
sink in to gradually become understood or accepted (usually an unpleasant fact) - It took a long time to sink in that she had gone and was never coming back. - When's it going to sink in? You're no good and you never will be! - It didn't sink in what she meant until I got home |
| 1779 |
sit by to do nothing while an unpleasant situation exists or an unpleasant thing happens - Are you just going to sit by and watch her drink herself to death? - I couldn't just sit by and let them keep abusing the poor child |
| 1780 |
sit on to not finish work on something - I've been sitting on my homework for the last week. Now I'm going to have to work all day to get it done. - The committee's been sitting on the problem for over a year. I don't think they ever intend to do anything about it |
| 1781 |
sit out to wait until an unpleasant or difficult situation has finished - The families trapped by the flood had to sit it out for three days until they were rescued by the army. - You'll just have to sit it out. She won't be your boss for ever |
| 1782 |
size up to look at someone (and judge them their qualities or abilities) - At the start of the fight the two boxers were sizing each other up from across the ring. - I could see that she was sizing me up, and I didn't like it! |
| 1783 |
sleep on to delay making a decision about something - Sorry, I can't tell you today. I need to sleep on it. - Maybe you should sleep on the idea for a little while. You want to make sure you're not making a mistake |
| 1784 |
slip up to make a mistake - She really slipped up when she agreed to marry that slob. - Try not to slip up this time. We can't afford any more costly mistakes |
| 1785 |
snap up to take quick advantage of an opportunity (often: to buy) - It was such a bargain that I snapped it up before thinking about whether I actually needed it. - Do you have any more of the mobile phones on offer in your advertisement? - Sorry, they were all snapped up the first day they went on sale |
| 1786 |
snow under to give too much work to do - Our history teacher snowed us under with work for the weekend. - Sorry, we can't meeting tomorrow. I'm completely snowed under at the moment. - I'd help you if I weren't so snowed under myself. The expression is most often used as in the last two example sentences |
| 1787 |
sort out to find the solution to a problem - I know it seems impossible but I'll help you to sort things out. - We have to sort ourselves out otherwise there's no hope that our marriage will last. - If you don't sort yourself out, you're going to get kicked out of school |
| 1788 |
speak up to talk loudly - Can you please speak up? I can't hear a word you're saying. - When giving a presentation, it's important that you speak up |
| 1789 |
spell out to explain something carefully - Can you spell out why you did such a stupid thing? - I'm not going to spell it out to you again. You need to listen more carefully next time |
| 1790 |
spin out to make something last as long as possible - He spun out his holiday photographs show for over an hour. I've never been so bored in all my life. - Can you spin out your presentation for another few minutes? The next speaker is not here yet |
| 1791 |
splash out to spend a lot of money - We splashed out on a new car although we couldn't really afford it. - If I win the lottery I'm going to splash out on a house in the south of France |
| 1792 |
sponge off to take money from someone else because you are mean or too lazy to work yourself - How long's he going to carry on sponging off his parents? Why don't they just kick him out? - Some unemployed people prefer to sponge off the state rather than make a real effort to look for a job. "Also possible is "sponge on"." |
| 1793 |
stamp out to stop by force or authority - The school is thinking of ways to stamp out the graffiti that has been appearing on the walls of the boys' toilets. - You can't stamp out drug-taking just by putting more people into prison |
| 1794 |
stand for to represent - What does this symbol stand for? - Our school stands for respect and discipline, and don't you forget it! |
| 1795 |
stand in to substitute for - We need to find someone to stand in for John while he's in hospital. - Can you stand in for Mary today? She on a business trip |
| 1796 |
stand out to be obvious or noticeable - All students in the class are good, but she really stands out. - There are many reasons why she failed the course, but what stands out is her repeated absence from class. The adjective outstanding means excellent |
| 1797 |
stand up for to support or defend - There was a demonstration on the streets of London yesterday to stand up for animal rights. - If you don't stand up for yourself, nobody else will! |
| 1798 |
step down to resign or retire - The director had to step down after it was discovered that he had been lying. - I don't intend to step down yet. I've got enough energy to keep going for a few more years yet |
| 1799 |
step up to increase - You need to step up your efforts or you're going to fail the course. - The factory needed to step up production to meet the increased demand for its product |
| 1800 |
stick around to stay or wait - Sorry, I can't stick around. My wife's expecting me home before six o'clock. - Stick around and you might see some fun. John said he's going to set off the fire alarm! |
| 1801 |
stick to to continue doing something (often unpleasant) - I know German grammar is difficult but if you stick to it, you'll find it will fall into place. - He never sticks to anything. As soon as the going gets tough, he gives up! |
| 1802 |
stick up for to defend or protect - You need to stick up for yourself. Don't let him speak to you like that. - If you don't stick up for me, who will? |
| 1803 |
stop by to visit - Stop by next time your in town. We're usually at home on Sundays. - You said you were in the area. Why didn't you stop by? - Sorry, I just didn't have the time |
| 1804 |
string along to deceive someone over a longer period - He pretended he was in love with her, but he was just stringing her along. - Don't try to string me along. I know you're only after my money |
| 1805 |
sweat out to wait until an unpleasant situation has ended - We were cut off by the snow storm and had to sweat it out for 3 days until the roads were opened again. - I know things are difficult for you at the moment, but you'll just have to sweat it out until the new year |
| 1806 |
tag along to go with someone - I'm going shopping. - Great! Do you mind if I tag along? - Why does she always have to tag along? Can't she see we don't want her? |
| 1807 |
tail off to decrease - Your efforts have started to tail off recently. Is anything wrong? - At first many people wanted to buy our products, but then the interest started to tail off |
| 1808 |
take after to be like or act like - She takes after her brother. He was always late for class; she's always late for class. He was lazy and rude; she's lazy and rude! - Some people say I take after my father, but I don't think I'm at all like him |
| 1809 |
take down to write "- The police arrived shortly after the accident to take down the details. - Police warning to a suspect: "Anything you say may be taken down and used in evidence against you." |
| 1810 |
take in to deceived or trick - Don't be taken in by his sweet words. He's only after your money! - I'm not going to let myself be taken in any more by your lies |
| 1811 |
take in to look at (enjoy) - There's nothing I like better on holiday than lying on the beach taking in the sunset. - It's difficult to take in the sights of London when you've just had your passport stolen! |
| 1812 |
take it upon (oneself) to give oneself a job (often that is unnecessary or unappreciated) - He's taken it upon himself to point out the mistakes in the emails he receives. - Why do you take it upon yourself to criticize everything I say or do? You can say 'on' instead of 'upon'. E.g. She took it on herself to inform the boss |
| 1813 |
take off to become successful or popular - Our business only really took off after we started to sell on the internet. - Watching TV on a mobile phone has never taken off |
| 1814 |
take off to go into the air (especially an airplane) - Despite the thick fog the airplane took off on schedule. - Large airplanes like the Airbus need a huge amount of power in order to take off |
| 1815 |
take off to imitate, usually in a way to make fun of someone - He can take off his teachers perfectly. He'll be on TV one day! - Important politicians have to get used to being taken off on TV for the amusement of the viewers |
| 1816 |
take on to employ - Our business became so successful that we had to take on some new workers. - She was only taken on because the boss wanted an attractive secretary |
| 1817 |
take on to fight or challenge a difficult or dangerous problem or person - Don't try to take him on. You've no chance of beating him! - The government's main task is to take on the high rate of unemployment among young people |
| 1818 |
take out on to work off anger or frustration on another person - There's no need to take it out on me just because you didn't get the job. - I'd stay away from her today, if I were you. She's looking for someone to take it out on |
| 1819 |
take over to gain control of something (often a business) - Most British car manufacturers have been taken over by foreign companies. - Let me take over now. You're making a real mess of things! |
| 1820 |
take place to happen - When does the next dance take place? - A large demonstration took place on the streets of Frankfurt yesterday |
| 1821 |
take to to like or begin to like - I didn't take to him at first, but when you get to know him, he's really nice. - I can't take to her at all. I find her incredibly rude and bossy. This phrasal verb is usually used in the negative as in the example sentences |
| 1822 |
take up on to accept an invitation or offer - Can I take you up on your offer of a lift to the airport. My brother can't drive me after all. - Sorry, I won't be able to take you up on your invitation. I have just too much to do at the moment |
| 1823 |
take up to start - I'm going to take up golf when I retire. - At what age did you take up chess? |
| 1824 |
talk back to respond rudely - You'll get yourself into big trouble if you talk back to teachers like that. - When the boss starts criticizing me, it's all I can do to stop myself talking back |
| 1825 |
talk into to persuade - I didn't really want to go but she talked me into it. - No matter what you say, you will not talk me into dancing with you! |
| 1826 |
talk round to make someone change their mind - I didn't want to go, but in the end they managed to talk me round. - You can say whatever you want, but I doubt that you will be able to talk her round |
| 1827 |
talk up to talk enthusiastically about something - She talked up her new job, but I think she's sorry she left her last one. - You can talk up a new car all you like, but we just can't afford one |
| 1828 |
tear into to criticize angrily and strongly - My teacher was in a terrible mood today. He tore into a boy who had forgotten to bring his homework. - Why did you tear into him like that? He didn't do anything wrong |
| 1829 |
tell off to reprimand - The teacher told me off for being late again. - Why tell me off? I wasn't my fault |
| 1830 |
tell on to reveal information to an authority - Children who tell on others can quickly become very unpopular. - If you tell on me, I'll never be your friend again |
| 1831 |
think up to solve a problem or difficult situation with a clever or imaginative idea - You'd better think up a good excuse very quickly or you're in big trouble. - Let's ask John. He's good at thinking up solutions to tricky problems |
| 1832 |
throw back to drink very quickly - He threw back one drink after another and then collapsed on the bed. - You'll pass out if you keep on throwing back the vodka like that |
| 1833 |
throw up to be sick - I feel terrible. I think I'm going to throw up. - If you're going to throw up, can you please do it in the bathroom. This expression is more acceptable in American English. To many Britons it sounds vulgar |
| 1834 |
tick off to reprimand gently - My teacher ticked me off for looking out of the window while she was talking to the class. - I ticked off my mother for boasting about my successes to her neighours |
| 1835 |
touch down to land (of a plane) - The plane touched down exactly on time. - The helicopter pilot looked for a safe place to touch down in the mountains |
| 1836 |
touch up to improve the appearance of something - I need to touch up my car. I scratched the wing while driving into the garage. - Most fashion photos are touched up these days with a computer graphics program |
| 1837 |
toy with to consider an idea but not very seriously - We're toying with the idea of emigrating, but it's a big risk. - I'm toying with a plan to set up a web business |
| 1838 |
trip up to make a mistake - I tripped up on the last question of the math test. I didn't read it carefully enough. - If you work a little more carefully there is less chance that you will trip up |
| 1839 |
try on to attempt to trick or deceive someone - You can try it on all you like, but don't expect me to believe a word you're saying. - Sorry, I was only trying it on. I didn't really mean what I said. The expression must be used with it as in the example sentences |
| 1840 |
try out for to be tested for a sports team - Are you going to try out for the basketball team? - Next year, when I taller! - I tried out for the tennis team, but they said I wasn't good enough. Sports tests are called try-outs |
| 1841 |
try out to test - Some sports shops will let you try out a tennis racquet before you decide to buy it. - The school is thinking of trying out the idea of abolishing homework |
| 1842 |
tune out to stop listening - I always tune out when my father starts talking about the good old days. - I tried to tune the teacher out, but she kept asking me questions |
| 1843 |
turn down to reject - I asked her if she wanted to dance, but she turned me down. - I'm afraid I'm going to have to turn down your offer for the car. It's worth more than that! |
| 1844 |
turn in to give to somebody - I have to turn in my report to the boss by Friday. - Am I stupid! I spent 3 hours doing my homework and then I forgot to turn it in! To turn in also means to go to bed |
| 1845 |
turn off to disinterest or disgust - Women with false eyelashes and lots of make-up have always turned me off. - He turned me right off when started smoking before I had finished eating. The verb can also be used in noun form: It was aright turn-off? |
| 1846 |
turn out to become (in the end) - Five years ago I decided to change jobs and it's turned out very well. I'm much happier now. - The party started slowly, but it turned out to be the best evening I have had in a long time! |
| 1847 |
turn out to come or attend - We'd hoped a lot of people would turn out, but most stayed at home because of the terrible weather. - Not many people turned out at the opening concert of the German heavy metal band. The verb can also be used in noun form: Was there a good turn-out at the dance yesterday? |
| 1848 |
turn up to come; to be found - If she doesn't turn up in the next five minutes, I'm going to call the police. - Don't worry about your calculator. I'm sure it will turn up soon |
| 1849 |
use up to use all of something - Have you used up all the milk? - Yes, sorry! - Some scientist predict that we will have used up all the earth's oil by the end of the century |
| 1850 |
wait up to not go to bed - Don't wait up for me. I won't be home until after midnight. - Parents usually wait up until their children come home at night. They can't sleep unless they know they have arrived home safely |
| 1851 |
walk off with to take without permission; to steal - Someone's walked off with my notebook! - She walked off with the jacket hanging in the shop window. - Somebody's walked off with my electronic dictionary! - He strolled into the classroom and walked off with a notebook computer lying on the table near the door |
| 1852 |
walk out on to leave someone (usually for ever) - Where's Julia? - I don't know. She walked out on me two weeks ago and I haven't seen her since. - Why don't you just walk out on him? He's making you unhappy and that's never going to change |
| 1853 |
wear down to make weaker - Those kids are starting to wear me down. They've got too much energy! - The months of her illness really wore her down |
| 1854 |
wear off to stop having an effect - If you take pain-killing drugs over a longer period, their effect soon wears off. - I need some need sleeping pills. These ones are beginning to wear off |
| 1855 |
win over to succeed in getting someone to agree with you or like you - It's no use trying to win me over. I've made up my mind and that's it. - After months of asking he finally won her over. They're getting married next month! |
| 1856 |
wind down to relax - I like to wind down with a glass of wine after dinner. - You need to wind down a bit. You're taking it far too seriously |
| 1857 |
wind up to do or say something to trick or irritate someone - Don't take any notice of him. He's just trying to wind you up. - Are you winding me up? - No, every word I said is true! |
| 1858 |
work out to (come to) understand - I can't work out how he came top in the grammar test. He never studied at all. - I haven't really worked out why you decided to quit university |
| 1859 |
work out to exercise - I'm putting on too much weight. I need to start working out. - Do you know where John is? - Yes, he's in the gym working out |
| 1860 |
work up to annoy (get annoyed or agitated or upset) - Don't let it work you up. There's nothing you can do about it. - Why are you getting so worked up about it? It's hardly important |
| 1861 |
worm out to get information (often from someone who is unwilling to give it) "- It took me a while to worm out the truth, but she finally admitted to copying her essay from the internet. - I'm trying to worm out why he's been getting home so late, but all he says is "heavy traffic." I don't believe him!" |
| 1862 |
wrap up to finish or stop - We'll need to wrap up the meeting pretty soon. The building closes in 15 minutes. - My ESL teacher likes to wrap up the lesson with a joke |
| 1863 |
write off to decide that someone or something is useless and not worth time or trouble - Don't write me off yet. I promised I'd do it and I will. - I had to write him off. He was unreliable and I just couldn't trust him |
| 1864 |
write off to destroy a car - I almost wrote my car off when I drove into a tree. Luckily there was hardly any damage. - The drunken driver wrote off his motorbike when he hit a traffic light. This verb is often used in noun form: The car was a write-off |
| 1865 |
zero in on to concentrate your attention on a topic or problem - Before we break for lunch we need to zero in on John's question about sick leave. - I'd like us to agree in general what we should do before we start to zero in on the details |
| 1866 |
to get in/to get on to enter or to board a vehicle To get in is used for cars; to get on is used for all other forms of transportation. It's easiest to get in the car from the driver's side. The door on the other side doesn't work well. I always get on the bus to work at 34th Street. |
| 1867 |
to get out of/to get off to leave or to descend from a vehicle To get out of is used for cars; to get off is used for all other forms of transportation. Why don't we stop and get out of the car for a while? Helen got off the train at the 42nd Street terminal. |
| 1868 |
to put on to place on oneself (usually said of clothes) Mary put on her coat and left the room. Put your hat on before you leave the house. |
| 1869 |
to take off to remove (usually said of clothes) John took off his jacket as he entered the office. Take your sweater off. The room is very warm. |
| 1870 |
to call up to telephone (also: to give someone a call) To call can be used instead of to call up, as in the first example below. I forgot to call up Mr. Jones yesterday. I'd better call him now. Call me up tomorrow, Jane. We'll arrange a time to have lunch together. I promise to give you a call as soon as I arrive in New York. |
| 1871 |
to turn on to start or cause to function (also: to switch on) Please turn on the light; it's too dark in here. Do you know who turned the air conditioning on? |
| 1872 |
to turn off to cause to stop functioning (also: to switch off, to shut off) Turn on and turn off, as well as their related forms, are used for things that flow, such as electricity, water, gas, etc. Please turn off the light when you leave the room. Are you really listening to the radio, or should I turn it off? |
| 1873 |
right away very soon; immediately (also: at once) Dad says that dinner will be ready right away, so we'd better wash our hands and set the table. Tell Will to come to my office right away. I must see him immediately. Stop playing that loud music at once! |
| 1874 |
to pick up to lift from the floor, table, etc., with one's fingers Harry picked up the newspaper that was on the front doorstep. Could you pick your toy up before someone falls over it? |
| 1875 |
sooner or later eventually, after a period of time If you study English seriously, sooner or later you'll become fluent. I'm too tired to do my homework now; I'm sure I'll do it sooner or later. |
| 1876 |
to get up to arise, to rise from a bed; to make someone arise For the last definition a noun phrase must separate the verb and particle. Carla gets up at seven o'clock every morning. At what time should we get the children up tomorrow? |
| 1877 |
at first in the beginning, originally At first English was difficult for him, but later he made great progress. I thought at first that it was Sheila calling, but then I realized that it was Betty. |
| 1878 |
to dress up to wear formal clothes, to dress very nicely We should definitely dress up to go to the theater. You don't have to dress up for Mike's party. |
| 1879 |
at last finally, after a long time We waited for hours and then the train arrived at last. Now that I am sixteen, at last I can drive my parents' car. |
| 1880 |
as usual as is the general case, as is typical George is late for class as usual. This seems to happen every day. As usual, Dora received first prize in the swimming contest. It's the third consecutive year that she has won. |
| 1881 |
to find out get information about, to determine This idiom is separable only when a pronoun is used, as in the second example. Will you please try to find out what time the airplane arrives? I'll call right now to find it out. |
| 1882 |
to look at give one's attention to; to watch The teacher told us to look at the blackboard and not at our books. I like to walk along a country road at night and look at the stars. |
| 1883 |
to look for to try to find, to search for An adverb phrase such as all over can be put between the verb and preposition, as in the second example, however, the idiom cannot be separated by a noun or pronoun. He's spent over an hour looking for the pen that he lost. So there you are! We've looked all over for you. |
| 1884 |
all right acceptable, fine; yes, okay This idiom can also be spelled alright in informal usage. He said that it would be all right to wait in her office until she returned. Do you want me to turn off the TV? Alright, if you insist. |
| 1885 |
all along all the time, from the beginning (without change) She knew all along that we'd never agree with his plan. You're smiling! Did you know all along that I'd give you a birthday present? |
| 1886 |
little by little gradually, slowly (also: step by step) Karen's health seems to be improving little by little. If you study regularly each day, step by step your vocabulary will increase. |
| 1887 |
to tire out to make very weary due to difficult conditions or hard effort (also: to wear out) The hot weather tired out the runners in the marathon. Does studying for final exams wear you out? It makes me feel worn out! |
| 1888 |
to call on to ask for a response from; to visit (also: to drop in on) Jose didn't know the answer when the teacher called on him. Last night several friends called on us at our home. Why don't we drop in on Sally a little later? |
| 1889 |
never mind don't be concerned about it; ignore what was just said "When he spilled his drink on my coat, I said, ""Never mind. It needs to be cleaned anyway."" So you weren't listening to me again. Never mind; it wasn't important." |
| 1890 |
to pick out to choose, to select Ann picked out a good book to give to her brother as a graduation gift. Johnny, if you want me to buy you a toy, then pick one out now. |
| 1891 |
to take one's (my, his, your, etc.) time to do without rush, not to hurry This idiom is often used in the imperative form. (See the first example) There's no need to hurry doing those exercises. Take your time. William never works rapidly. He always takes his time in everything that he does. |
| 1892 |
to talk over to discuss or consider a situation with others We talked over Carla's plan to install an air conditioner in the room, but we couldn't reach a decision. Before I accepted the new job offer, I talked the matter over with my wife. |
| 1893 |
to lie down to place oneself in a flat position, to recline If you are tired, why don't you lie down for an hour or so? The doctor says that Grace must lie down and rest for a short time every afternoon. |
| 1894 |
to stand up to rise from a sitting or lying position (also: to get up) When the president entered the room, everyone stood up. Suzy, stop rolling around on the floor; get up now. |
| 1895 |
to sit down to be seated (also: to take a seat) We sat down on the park bench and watched the children play. There aren't any more chairs, but you can take a seat on the floor. |
| 1896 |
all (day, week, month, year) long the entire day, week, month, year I've been working on my income tax forms all day long. I've hardly had time to eat. It's been raining all week long. We haven't seen the sun since last Monday. |
| 1897 |
by oneself alone, without assistance Francis translated that French novel by himself. No one helped him. Paula likes to walk through the woods by herself, but her brother prefers to walk with a companion. |
| 1898 |
on purpose for a reason, deliberately This idiom is usually used when someone does something wrong or unfair. Do you think that she didn't come to the meeting on purpose? It was no accident that he broke my glasses. He did it on purpose. |
| 1899 |
to get along with someone (something) to associate or work well with; to succeed or manage in doing (also: to get on with someone or something) Terry isn't getting along with her new roommate; they argue constantly. How are you getting on with your studies? |
| 1900 |
to make a difference (to someone) to be of importance (to), to affect This idiom is often used with adjectives to show the degree of importance. It makes a big difference to me whether he likes the food I serve. Does it make any difference to you where we go for dinner? No, it doesn't make any difference. It makes no difference to Lisa either. |
| 1901 |
to take out to remove, to extract; to go on a date with (also: to go out with) Students, take out your books and open them to page twelve. Did you take Sue out last night? No, she couldn't go out with me. |
| 1902 |
to take part in to be involved in, to participate in (also: to be in on) Martin was sick and could not take part in the meeting yesterday. I didn't want to be in on their argument, so I remained silent. |
| 1903 |
at all to any degree (also: in the least) This idiom is used with the negative to add emphasis to a statement. "Larry isn't at all shy about expressing his opinions. When I asked Donna whether she was tired, she said, ""Not in the least. I'm full of energy.""" |
| 1904 |
to look up to locate information in a directory, dictionary, book, etc. Ellen suggested that we look up Lee's telephone number in the directory. Students should try to understand the meaning of a new word from context before looking the word up in the dictionary. |
| 1905 |
to wait on someone to serve in a store or restaurant "A very pleasant young clerk waited on me in that shop. The restaurant waitress asked us, ""Has anyone waited on you yet?""" |
| 1906 |
at least a minimum of, no fewer (or less) than I spend at least two hours every night on my studies. Mike claims that he drinks at least a quart of water every day. |
| 1907 |
so far until now, until the present time (also: up to now, as of yet) This idiom is usually used with the present perfect tense. So far, this year has been excellent for business. I hope that the good luck continues. How many idioms have we studied in this book up to now? As of yet, we have not had an answer from him. |
| 1908 |
to take a walk, stroll, hike, etc. to go for a walk, stroll, hike, etc. A stroll involves slow, easy walking; a hike involves serious, strenuous walking. Last evening we took a walk around the park. It's a fine day. Would you like to take a stroll along Mason Boulevard? Let's take a hike up Cowles Mountain this afternoon. |
| 1909 |
to take a trip (to) to go on a journey, to travel I'm so busy at work that I have no time to take a trip. During the summer holidays, the Thompsons took a trip to Europe. |
| 1910 |
to try on to wear clothes to check the style or fit before buying He tried on several suits before he picked out a blue one. Why don't you try these shoes on next? |
| 1911 |
to think over to consider carefully before deciding I'd like to think over your offer first. Then can we talk it over tomorrow? You don't have to give me your decision now. Think it over for a while. |
| 1912 |
to take place to occur, to happen according to plan The regular meetings of the committee take place in Constitution Hall. I thought that the celebration was taking place at John's house. |
| 1913 |
to put away to remove from sight, to put in the proper place Please put away your papers before you open the test booklet. John put the notepad away in his desk when he was finished with it. |
| 1914 |
to look out to be careful or cautious (also: to watch out) Both of these idioms can occur with the preposition for. """Look out!"" Jeffrey cried as his friend almost stepped in a big hole in the ground. Look out for reckless drivers whenever you cross the street. Small children should always watch out for strangers offering candy." |
| 1915 |
to shake hands to exchange greetings by clasping hands When people meet for the first time, they usually shake hands. The student warmly shook hands with his old professor. |
| 1916 |
to get back to return Mr. Harris got back from his business trip to Chicago this morning. Could you get the children back home by five o'clock? |
| 1917 |
to catch cold to become sick with a cold of the nose or throat If you go out in the rain, you will surely catch cold. How did she ever catch cold in such warm weather? |
| 1918 |
to get over to recover from an illness; to accept a loss or sorrow It took me over a month to get over my cold, but I'm finally well now. It seems that Mr. Mason will never get over the death of his wife. |
| 1919 |
to make up one's (my, his, your, etc.) mind to reach a decision, to decide finally Sally is considering several colleges to attend, but she hasn't made up her mind yet. When are you going to make up your mind about your vacation plans? |
| 1920 |
to change one's (my, his, your, etc.) mind to alter one's decision or opinion We have changed our minds and are going to Canada instead of California this summer. Matthew has changed his mind several times about buying a new car. |
| 1921 |
for the time being temporarily (also: for now) For the time being, Janet is working as a waitress, but she really hopes to become an actress soon. We're living in an apartment for now, but soon we'll be looking for a house to buy. |
| 1922 |
for good permanently, forever Ruth has returned to Canada for good. She won't ever live in the United States again. Are you finished with school for good, or will you continue your studies some day? |
| 1923 |
to call off to cancel The referee called off the soccer game because of the darkness. The president called the meeting off because she had to leave town. |
| 1924 |
to put off to postpone Many students put off doing their assignments until the last minute. Let's put the party off until next weekend, okay? |
| 1925 |
in a hurry hurried, rushed (also: in a rush) Alex seems in a hurry; he must be late for his train again. She's always in a rush in the morning to get the kids to school. |
| 1926 |
under the weather not feeling well, sick John stayed home from work because he was feeling under the weather. When you catch cold, you feel under the weather. |
| 1927 |
to hang up to place clothes on a hook or hanger; to replace the receiver on the phone at the end of a conversation Would you like me to hang up your coat for you in the closet? The operator told me to hang the phone up and call the number again. |
| 1928 |
to count on to trust someone in time of need (also: to depend on) I can count on my parents to help me in an emergency. Don't depend on Frank to lend you any money; he doesn't have any. |
| 1929 |
to make friends (with) to become friendly with others Patricia is a shy girl and doesn't make friends easily. During the cruise Ronald made friends with almost everyone on the ship. |
| 1930 |
out of order not in working condition The elevator was out of order, so we had to walk to the tenth floor of the building. We couldn't use the soft drink machine because it was out of order. |
| 1931 |
to get to to be able to do something special; to arrive at a place, such as home, work, etc. For the second definition, do not use the preposition to with the words home or there. The children got to stay up late and watch a good movie for the family. I missed the bus and couldn't get to the office until ten o'clock. When are you planning to get home tonight? |
| 1932 |
few and far between not frequent, unusual, rare The times that our children get to stay up late are few and far between. Airplane travel is very safe because accidents are few and far between. |
| 1933 |
to look over to examine, to inspect closely (also: to go over, to read over, to check over) Go over is different from the other forms because it is not separable. I want to look my homework over again before I give it to the teacher. The politician went over his speech before the important presentation. You should never sign any legal paper without checking it over first. |
| 1934 |
to have (time) off to have free time, not to have to work (also: to take time off ) The related form to take time off is used when someone makes a decision to have free time, sometimes when others might not agree with the decision. Every morning the company workers have time off for a coffee break. Several workers took the afternoon off to go to a baseball game. |
| 1935 |
to go on to happen; to resume, to continue (also: to keep on) Many people gathered near the accident to see what was going on. I didn't mean to interrupt you. Please go on. The speaker kept on talking even though most of the audience had left. |
| 1936 |
to put out extinguish, to cause to stop functioning To put out has the same meaning as to turn off (Lesson 1) for a light fixture. No smoking is allowed in here. Please put out your cigarette. The fire fighters worked hard to put the brush fire out. Please put out the light before you leave. Okay, I'll put it out. |
| 1937 |
all of a sudden suddenly, without warning (also: all at once) All of a sudden Ed appeared at the door. We weren't expecting him to drop by. All at once Millie got up and left the house without any explanation. |
| 1938 |
to point out to show, to indicate, to bring to one's attention What important buildings did the tour guide point out to you? The teacher pointed out the mistakes in my composition. A friend pointed the famous actor out to me. |
| 1939 |
to be up to expire, to be finished This idiom is used only with the word time as the subject. """The time is up,"" the teacher said at the end of the test period. We have to leave the tennis court because our hour is up; some other people want to use it now." |
| 1940 |
to be over to be finished, to end (also: to be through) This idiom is used for activities and events. After the dance was over, we all went to a restaurant. The meeting was through ten minutes earlier than everyone expected. |
| 1941 |
on time exactly at the correct time, punctually I thought that Margaret would arrive late, but she was right on time. Did you get to work on time this morning, or did rush hour traffic delay you? |
| 1942 |
in time to (do something) before the time necessary to do something We entered the theater just in time to see the beginning of the movie. The truck was not able to stop in time to prevent an accident. |
| 1943 |
to get better (worse, etc.) to become better, worse, etc. Heather has been sick for a month, but now she is getting better. This medicine isn't helping me. Instead of getting better, I'm getting worse. |
| 1944 |
to get sick (well, tired, busy, wet, etc.) to become sick, well, tired, busy, wet, etc. This idiom consists of a combination of get and various adjectives. Gerald got sick last week and has been in bed since that time. Every afternoon I get very hungry, so I eat a snack. |
| 1945 |
had better (do something) should, ought to, be advisable to This idiom is most often used in contracted form (I'd better). I think you'd better speak to Mr. White right away about this matter. The doctor told the patient that he'd better go home and rest. |
| 1946 |
would rather (do something) prefer to (also: would just as soon (do something) as (do something else)) Would you rather have the appointment this Friday or next Monday? I would just as soon go for a walk as watch TV right now. |
| 1947 |
to call it a day/night to stop working for the rest of the day/night Herb tried to repair his car engine all morning before he called it a day and went fishing. We've been working hard on this project all evening; let's call it a night. |
| 1948 |
to figure out to solve, to find a solution; to understand How long did it take you to figure out the answer to the math problem? I was never able to figure it out. |
| 1949 |
to think of to have a (good or bad) opinion of This idiom is often used in the negative or with adjectives such as much and highly. I don't think much of him as a baseball player; he's a slow runner and a poor hitter. James thinks highly of his new boss, who is a kind and helpful person. |
| 1950 |
to be about to do something to be at the moment of doing something, to be ready This idiom is often used with the adverb just. I was just about to leave when you telephoned. Oh, hi, John. We're just about to eat dinner. |
| 1951 |
to turn around to move or face in the opposite direction; to completely change the condition of The man turned his car around and drove back the way he came. The company has been very successful since the new business manager was able to turn it around. |
| 1952 |
to take turns (doing something) to alternate, to change people while doing something During the trip, Darlene and I took turns driving so that neither of us would tire out. I have to make sure that my two sons take turns playing the video game. |
| 1953 |
to pay attention (to) to look at and listen to someone while they are speaking, to concentrate Please pay attention to me while I'm speaking to you! You'll have to pay more attention in class if you want to get a good grade. |
| 1954 |
to brush up on something to review something in order to refresh one's memory Before I traveled to Mexico, I brushed up on my Spanish; I haven't practiced it since high school. In order to take that advanced mathematics class, Sidney will have to brush up on his algebra. |
| 1955 |
over and over (again) repeatedly (also: time after time, time and again) The actress studied her lines in the movie over and over until she knew them well. Children have difficulty remembering rules, so it's often necessary to repeat them over and over again. Time and again I have to remind Bobby to put on his seatbelt in the car. |
| 1956 |
to wear out to use something until it has no value or worth anymore, to make useless through wear When I wear out these shoes, I'll have to buy some that last longer. What do you do with your clothes after you wear them out? |
| 1957 |
to throw away to discard, to dispose of I generally throw away my clothes when I wear them out. Don't throw the magazines away; I haven't read them yet. |
| 1958 |
to fall in love to begin to love This idiom is used with the expression at first sight to indicate a sudden interest in love. Ben and Sal fell in love in high school, and got married after graduation. Have you ever fallen in love at first sight? |
| 1959 |
to go out to stop functioning; to stop burning; to leave home or work (also: to step out) The lights went out all over the city because of an electrical problem. The campers didn't have to put out the fire because it went out by itself. Gary isn't here right now; he went out to the store for a moment. I have to step out of the office briefly to pick up a newspaper. |
| 1960 |
out of the question impossible, not feasible Stephen told Deborah that it was out of the question for her to borrow his new car. Don't expect me to do that again. It's absolutely out of the question. |
| 1961 |
to have to do with to have some connection with or relationship to Ralph insisted that he had nothing to do with breaking the window. What does your suggestion have to do with our problem? |
| 1962 |
to wake up to arise from sleep, to awaken Compare wake up and get up (Lesson 1) as used in the first example. Marge woke up this morning very early, but she did not get up until about ten o'clock. My alarm clock wakes me up at the same time every day. |
| 1963 |
to be in charge (of something) to manage, to have responsibility for Jane is in charge of the office while Mrs. Haig is on a business trip. Who is in charge of arrangements for the dance next week? |
| 1964 |
as soon as just after, when As soon as it started to snow, the children ran outside with big smiles on their faces. I'm busy now, but I'll meet you as soon as I've finished this work. |
| 1965 |
to get in touch with to communicate with, to contact You can get in touch with him by calling the Burma Hotel. I've been trying all morning to get in touch with Miss Peters, but her phone is always busy. |
| 1966 |
to have a good time to enjoy oneself We all had a good time at the class reunion last night. Did you have a good time at the park? I really enjoyed it. |
| 1967 |
in no time very quickly, rapidly This idiom can be used with the idiom at all to add emphasis to the certainty of the statement. Mac said that he'd be ready to leave in no time. We thought that the meeting would take two hours, but it was over in no time at all. |
| 1968 |
to cut down on to reduce, to lessen (also: to cut back on) In order to lose weight, you have to cut down on your intake of sugar. The doctor told me to cut back on exercise until my back injury heals. |
| 1969 |
quite a few many Quite a few students were absent yesterday; in fact, more than half of them were not there. We did not expect many people to attend the affair, but quite a few of our friends actually came. |
| 1970 |
used to formerly did, had the habit of This idiom is used to indicate a past situation, action, or habit that does not exist in the present. The idiom is always followed by a simple verb form. I used to live in New York, but I moved to California two years ago. Kim used to smoke cigarettes, but she stopped the habit last month. |
| 1971 |
to be used to be accustomed to This idiom refers to a situation, action, or habit that continues in the present. The idiom is always followed by a noun or gerund phrase. He is used to this climate now, so the changes in temperature do not affect him much. I am used to studying in the library, so it's difficult for me to study at home now. |
| 1972 |
to get used (to something) to become used to, to become adjusted to This idiom describes the process of change that allows someone to be used to a situation, action, or habit. It took Yoshiko a long time to get used to the food that her American host family served her. Mark can't seem to get used to wearing contact lenses; recently he's been wearing his glasses a lot. |
| 1973 |
back and forth in a backward and forward motion The restless lion kept pacing back and forth along the front of its cage. Grandmother finds it relaxing to sit in her rocking chair and move back and forth. |
| 1974 |
to make sure to be sure, to ascertain (also: to make certain (of)) Please make sure that you turn off the radio before you go out. Could you make certain of the time? I don't want to miss that TV show. |
| 1975 |
now and then occasionally, sometimes (also: now and again, at times, from time to time, off and on, once in a while) Both now and then and once in a while can be preceded by the adjective every. Another idiom with the same meaning and form is every so often. I don't see him very often, but (every) now and then we arrange to have lunch together. Gary gets a cold (every) once in a while even though he takes good care of himself. Every so often my brother and I get together for a camping trip. I like to sleep late in the morning from time to time. |
| 1976 |
to get rid of to eliminate, to remove; to discard, to throw away Jerry tried hard to get rid of the stain on his shirt, but he never succeeded. The stain was so bad that Jerry finally had to get rid of his shirt. |
| 1977 |
every other (one) every second (one), alternate (ones) I play tennis with my father every other Saturday, so I usually play twice a month. There were twenty problems in the exercise, but the teacher told us only to do every other one. Actually, doing ten problems was difficult enough. |
| 1978 |
to go with to match, to compare well in color or design; to date, to accompany (also: to go out with) For the first definition, adverbs such as well and poorly are often used. That striped shirt goes well with the gray pants, but the pants go poorly with those leather shoes. Eda went with Richard for about six months, but now she is going out with a new boyfriend. |
| 1979 |
first-rate excellent, superb The food served in that four-star restaurant is truly first-rate. The Beverly Hills Hotel provides first-rate service to its guests. |
| 1980 |
to come from to originate from This idiom is commonly used in discussion of one's home town, state, or country. What country in South America does she come from? She comes from Peru. I just learned that he really comes from Florida, not Texas. Where did this package come from? The mail carrier brought it. |
| 1981 |
to make good time to travel a sufficient distance at a reasonable speed The adjective excellent can also be used. On our last trip, it rained the entire time, so we didn't make good time. We made excellent time on our trip to Florida; it only took eighteen hours. |
| 1982 |
to mix up to stir or shake well; to confuse, to bewilder For the second definition, the passive forms to be mixed up or to get mixed up are often used. You should mix up the ingredients well before you put them in the pan. The teacher's poor explanation really mixed the students up. The students think it's their fault that they are mixed up so often. |
| 1983 |
to see about to give attention or time to (also: to attend to, to see to) Who is going to see about getting us a larger room for the meeting? I'll see to arranging music for the wedding if you attend to the entertainment. |
| 1984 |
to make out to do, to succeed, to progress Charlie didn't make out very well on his final examinations. He may have to repeat one or more classes. How did Rachelle make out on her acting audition in Hollywood yesterday? |
| 1985 |
by heart by memorizing He knows many passages from Shakespeare by heart. Do you know all the idioms you have studied in this book by heart? |
| 1986 |
to keep out not to enter, not allow to enter "There was a large sign outside the door that said, ""Danger! Keep out!"" I've told you to keep the dog out of the house." |
| 1987 |
to keep away (from) to stay at a distance (from); to avoid use of (also: stay away from) "Please be sure to keep the children away from the street! The signs on the burned-out house said, ""Keep Away! Danger Zone."" It's important for your health to stay away from dangerous drugs." |
| 1988 |
to find fault with to criticize, to complain about something It is very easy to find fault with the work of others, but more difficult to accept criticism of one's own work. Mrs. Johnson is always finding fault with her children, but they really try to please their mother. |
| 1989 |
to be up to to be responsible for deciding; to be doing as a regular activity The second definition is most often used in a question as a form of greeting. I don't care whether we go to the reception or not. It's up to you. Hi, George. I haven't seen you in a while. What have you been up to? |
| 1990 |
ill at ease uncomfortable or worried in a situation Speaking in front of a large audience makes many people feel ill at ease. My wife and I were ill at ease because our daughter was late coming home from a date. |
| 1991 |
to do over to revise, to do again A noun or pronoun must separate the two parts of this idiom. You'd better do the letter over because it is written so poorly. Jose made so many mistakes in his homework that the teacher made him do it over. |
| 1992 |
to look into to investigate, to examine carefully (also: to check into) The police are looking into the matter of the stolen computers. The congressional committee will check into the financial dealings of the government contractor. |
| 1993 |
to take hold of to grasp, to grip with the hands You should take hold of the railing as you go down those steep stairs. The blind man took hold of my arm as I led him across the street. |
| 1994 |
to get through doing something, to get through with something to finish, to complete This idiom is followed either by the -ing form of a verb (a gerund) or by the preposition with. I didn't get through studying last night until almost eleven o'clock. At what time does your wife get through with work every day? |
| 1995 |
from now on from this time into the future Mr. Lee's doctor told him to cut down on eating fatty foods from now on, or else he might suffer heart disease. I'm sorry that I dropped by at a bad time. From now on I'll call you first. |
| 1996 |
to keep track of to keep or maintain a record of; to remember the location of Steve keeps track of all the long-distance telephone calls related to his business that he makes from his home. With seven small children, how do the Wilsons keep track of all of them? |
| 1997 |
to be carried away (by, with) to be greatly affected by a strong feeling This idiom can also be used with get instead of be. Paula and Leanne were carried away by the sad movie that they saw together. James got carried away with anger when his roommate crashed his new car into a telephone pole. |
| 1998 |
up to date modern, current, timely Hyphens (-) separate the parts of this idiom when it precedes a noun form, as in the third example. The verb to update derives from this idiom. The president insisted that the company bring its aging equipment up to date. This catalog is not up to date. It was published several years ago. The news program gave an up-to-date account of the nuclear accident. The newscaster said that he would update the news report every half hour. |
| 1999 |
out of date not modern, not current, not timely; no longer available in published form Again, hyphens separate the parts of this idiom when it precedes a noun form as in the second example. The passive verb to be outdated derives from this idiom. Many people buy new cars when their old cars become out of date. I don't know why Gene likes to wear out-of-date clothing. His clothes are so outdated that even his girlfriend hesitates to be seen with him. This book can't be ordered any more because it is out of date. |
| 2000 |
to blow up to inflate, to fill with air; to explode, to destroy (or be destroyed) by explosion Daddy, could you please blow up this balloon for me? When the airplane crashed into the ground, it blew up immediately. The military had to blow the missile up in midair when it started to go the wrong way. |
| 2001 |
to catch fire to begin to burn Don't stand too close to the gas stove. Your clothes may catch fire. No one seems to know how the old building caught fire. |
| 2002 |
to burn down to burn slowly, but completely (usually said of candles); to destroy completely by fire There was a large amount of wax on the table where the candles had burned down. The fire spread so quickly that the firefighters could not prevent the whole block of buildings from burning down. |
| 2003 |
to burn up to destroy completely by fire; to make angry or very annoyed (also to tick off) To burn up and to burn down (previous idiom) share the same definition but also have different definitions. She didn't want anyone to see the letter, so she burned it up and threw the ashes away. It really burns me up that he borrowed my car without asking me first. Mike got ticked off that his friends never offered to help him move to his new apartment. He had to do everything himself. |
| 2004 |
to burn out to stop functioning because of overuse; to make tired from too much work This light bulb has burned out. Could you get another one? Studying all day for my final exams has really burned me out. |
| 2005 |
to make good to succeed He is a hard worker, and I'm sure that he will make good in that new job. Alma has always made good in everything that she has done. |
| 2006 |
stands to reason to be clear and logical This idiom is almost always used with the pronoun subject it and is followed by a that clause. It stands to reason that a person without experience cannot do the work as well as an experienced one. It stands to reason that he isn't going to pass the course if he never studies. |
| 2007 |
to break out to become widespread suddenly An epidemic of measles broke out in Chicago this past week. If a nuclear war ever breaks out, it is unlikely that many people will survive. The news says that a large fire has broken out in a huge chemical plant. |
| 2008 |
as for regarding, concerning (also: as to) As for the money, we will simply have to borrow some more from the bank. There is no doubt as to her intelligence; she's the smartest one in the class. |
| 2009 |
to feel sorry for to pity, to feel compassion for (also: to take pity on) Don't you feel sorry for someone who has to work the night shift? I helped drive Pierre around when he broke his foot because I took pity on him. |
| 2010 |
to break down to stop functioning Compare this idiom with to burn out in Lesson 12. To burn out means that electrical equipment becomes hot from overuse and stops functioning. To break down means that something stops functioning mechanically, whether from overuse or not. I just bought my new car yesterday and already it has broken down. The elevator broke down, so we walked all the way up to the top floor. |
| 2011 |
to turn out to become or result; to appear, to attend (also: to come out) The noun form turnout derives from the second definition of the idiom. Most parents wonder how their children will turn out as adults. Hundreds of people came out for the demonstration against new taxes. What was the turnout for the public hearing on the education reforms? |
| 2012 |
once in a blue moon rarely, infrequently Snow falls on the city of San Diego, California, once in a blue moon. Once in a blue moon my wife and I eat at a very expensive restaurant. |
| 2013 |
to give up to stop trying; to stop a bad habit; to surrender I'm sure that you can accomplish this task. Don't give up yet! If you give up smoking now, you can certainly live a longer life. The soldiers gave themselves up in the face of stronger enemy forces. |
| 2014 |
to cross out to cancel by marking with a horizontal line The teacher crossed out several incorrect words in Tanya's composition. I crossed the last line out of my letter because it had the wrong tone to it. |
| 2015 |
to take for granted not to appreciate fully; to assume to be true without giving much thought A noun or pronoun often follows the verb take. John took his wife for granted until once when he was very sick and needed her constant attention for a week. He spoke English so well that I took it for granted he was an American. He took for granted that I wasn't American because I spoke English so poorly! |
| 2016 |
to take something into account to consider a fact while evaluating a situation Again, a noun or pronoun often follows the verb take. The judge took the prisoner's young age into account before sentencing him to three months in jail. Educators should take into account the cultural backgrounds of students when planning a school curriculum. |
| 2017 |
to make clear to clarify, to explain Please make clear that he should never act so impolitely again. The supervisor made it clear to the workers that they had to increase their productivity. |
| 2018 |
clear-cut clearly stated, definite, apparent The president's message was clear-cut: the company had to reduce personnel immediately. Professor Larsen is well known for his interesting and clear-cut presentations. |
| 2019 |
to have on to be wearing How do you like the hat which Grace has on today? When Sally came into the room, I had nothing on except my shorts. |
| 2020 |
to come to to regain consciousness; to equal, to amount to At first they thought that the man was dead, but soon he came to. The bill for groceries at the supermarket came to fifty dollars. |
| 2021 |
to call for to require; to request, to urge This cake recipe calls for some baking soda, but we don't have any. The members of Congress called for new laws to regulate the banking industry. |
| 2022 |
to eat in/to eat out to eat at home/to eat in a restaurant I feel too tired to go out for dinner. Let's eat in again tonight. When you eat out, what restaurant do you generally go to? |
| 2023 |
cut and dried predictable, known beforehand; boring The results of the national election were rather cut and dried; the Republicans won easily. A job on a factory assembly line is certainly cut and dried. |
| 2024 |
to look after to watch, to supervise, to protect (also: to take care of, to keep an eye on) Grandma will look after the baby while we go to the lecture. Who is going to take care of your house plants while you are away? I'd appreciate it if you'd keep an eye on my car while I'm in the store. |
| 2025 |
to feel like to have the desire to, to want to consider This idiom is usually followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb used as a noun). I don't feel like studying tonight. Let's go to a basketball game. I feel like taking a long walk. Would you like to go with me? |
| 2026 |
once and for all finally, absolutely My daughter told her boyfriend once and for all that she wouldn't date him anymore. Once and for all, John has quit smoking cigarettes. |
| 2027 |
to hear from to receive news or information from To hear from is used for receiving a letter, telephone call, etc., from a person or organization. I don't hear from my brother very often since he moved to Chicago. Have you heard from the company about that new job? |
| 2028 |
to hear of to know about, to be familiar with; to consider The second definition is always used in the negative. "When I asked for directions to Mill Street, the police officer said that she had never heard of it. Byron strongly disagreed with my request by saying, ""I won't hear of it!""" |
| 2029 |
to make fun of to laugh at, to joke about They are making fun of Carla's new hair style. Don't you think that it's really strange? Don't make fun of Jose's English. He's doing the best he can. |
| 2030 |
to come true to become reality, to prove to be correct The weatherman's forecast for today's weather certainly came true. Everything that the economists predicted about the increased cost of living has come true. |
| 2031 |
as a matter of fact really, actually (also: in fact) Hans thinks he knows English well but, as a matter of fact, he speaks very poorly. I didn't say that. In fact, I said quite the opposite. |
| 2032 |
to have one's way to arrange matters the way one wants (especially when someone else doesn't want the same way) (also: to get one's way) My brother always wants to have his way, but this time our parents said that we could do what I wanted. If Sheila doesn't get her way, she becomes very angry. |
| 2033 |
to look forward to to expect or anticipate with pleasure This idiom can be followed by a regular noun or a gerund. We're greatly looking forward to our vacation in Mexico. Margaret never looks forward to going to work. |
| 2034 |
inside out with the inside facing the outside Someone should tell little Bobby that his shirt is inside out. The high winds ruined the umbrella by blowing it inside out. |
| 2035 |
upside down with the upper side turned toward the lower side The accident caused one car to turn upside down, its wheels spinning in the air. One of the students was only pretending to read her textbook; the teacher could see that the book was actually upside down. |
| 2036 |
to fill in to write answers in; to inform, to tell For the second definition, the idiom can be followed by the preposition on and the information that someone is told. You should be careful to fill in the blanks on the registration form correctly. Barry was absent from the meeting, so I'd better fill him in. Has anyone filled the boss in on the latest public relations disaster? |
| 2037 |
to fill out to complete a form This idiom is very similar to the first definition above. To fill in refers to completing various parts of a form, while to fill out refers to completing a form as one whole item. Every prospective employee must fill out an application by giving name, address, previous jobs, etc. The teenager had some trouble filling the forms out by himself, so his mother helped him. |
| 2038 |
to take advantage of to use well, to profit from; to use another person's weaknesses to gain what one wants I took advantage of my neighbor's superior skill at tennis to improve my own ability at the game. Teddy is such a small, weak child that his friends take advantage of him all the time. They take advantage of him by demanding money and making him do things for them. |
| 2039 |
no matter regardless of This idiom is a shortened form of it doesn't matter. It is followed by a question word such as how, where, when, who, etc. No matter how much money he spends on his clothes, he never looks well dressed. No matter where that escaped prisoner tries to hide, the police will find him sooner or later. |
| 2040 |
to take up to begin to do or study, to undertake; to occupy space, time, or energy After today's exam, the class will be ready to take up the last chapter in the book. The piano takes up too much space in our living room. However, it would take too much time up to move it right now; so we'd better wait until later. |
| 2041 |
to take up with to consult someone about an important matter The important matter follows the verb take, while the person consulted follows with. Can I take the problem up with you right now? It's quite urgent. I can't help you with this matter. You'll have to take it up with the manager. |
| 2042 |
to take after to resemble a parent or close relative (for physical appearance only, also: to look like) Which of your parents do you take after the most? Sam looks like his father, but he takes after his mother in personality. |
| 2043 |
in the long run eventually, after a long period of time This idiom is similar in meaning to sooner or later (Lesson 1). The difference is that in the long run refers to a more extended period of time. In the long run, the synthetic weave in this carpet will wear better than the woolen one. You won't have to replace it so soon. If you work hard at your marriage, you'll find out that, in the long run, your spouse can be your best friend in life. |
| 2044 |
be in touch (with) having contact James will be in touch with us soon to relay the details of the plan. I certainly enjoyed seeing you again after all these years. Let's be sure to keep in touch. |
| 2045 |
out of touch with not having contact; not having knowledge of Marge and I had been out of touch for years, but then suddenly she called me up the other day. Larry has been so busy that he seems out of touch with world events. |
| 2046 |
on one's toes alert, cautious This idiom is usually used with the verbs stay and keep. It's important for all the players on a soccer team to stay on their toes. We'd better keep on our toes while we're walking along the dark portions of this street. |
| 2047 |
to get along to make progress; to manage to live in a certain state of health Juan is getting along very well in his English studies. How is Mr. Richards getting along after his long illness? |
| 2048 |
hard of hearing partially deaf, not able to hear well You'll have to speak a little louder. Mrs. Evans is hard of hearing. Please don't shout. I'm not hard of hearing. Listening to loud music too much can make you hard of hearing. |
| 2049 |
to see eye to eye (on something/with somebody) to agree, to concur I'm glad that we see eye to eye on the matter of the conference location. A husband and wife don't always see eye to eye with each other, but a good marriage can survive small disagreements. |
| 2050 |
to have in mind to be considering, to be thinking I don't want to see a movie now. I have in mind going to the park. It's up to you what we eat tonight. Do you have anything in mind? |
| 2051 |
to keep in mind to remember, not to forget (also: to bear in mind) Please keep in mind that you promised to call Stan around noon. I didn't know that Paula doesn't like vegetables. We should bear that in mind next time we invite her for dinner. |
| 2052 |
for once this one time, for only one time For once I was able to win a game of golf against Steve, who is a much better player than I am. Dad, for once would you please let me drive the new car? |
| 2053 |
to go off to explode, to sound as an alarm; to leave suddenly without explanation The accident happened when a box of firecrackers went off accidentally. For what time did you set the alarm clock to go off tomorrow morning? Vince went off without saying good-bye to anybody; I hope he wasn't angry. |
| 2054 |
to grow out of to outgrow, to become too old for, to be a result of He still bites his nails now and then, but soon he'll grow out of the habit. The need for the salary committee grew out of worker dissatisfaction with the pay scale. |
| 2055 |
to make the best of to do the best that one can in a poor situation If we can't find a larger apartment soon, we'll just have to make the best of it right here. Even though the Martinez family is having financial problems, they make the best of everything by enjoying the simple pleasures of life. |
| 2056 |
to cut off to shorten by cutting the ends; to disconnect or stop suddenly The rope was two feet longer than we needed, so we cut off the extra length. The operator cut our long-distance phone conversation off after two minutes. |
| 2057 |
to cut out to remove by cutting; to stop doing something (for the second definition, also: to knock it off) For the second definition, the idiom is usually separated by the pronoun it. The child likes to cut out pictures from the newspaper and to paste them in a notebook. He kept bothering her, so finally she told him to cut it out. However, he wouldn't knock it off until her larger brother appeared. |
| 2058 |
to blow out to explode, to go flat (for tires); to extinguish by blowing On our trip to Colorado, one of the car tires blew out when it hit a large hole in the road. Little Joey wasn't able to blow all the candles out, so his big sister helped him. |
| 2059 |
to become of to happen to (a missing object or person) This idiom is always used in a clause beginning with what. What has become of my pencil? I had it ten minutes ago, but now I can't find it. I wondered what became of you. I looked around the shopping center for two hours, but I couldn't find you at all. |
| 2060 |
to shut up to close for a period of time; to be quiet, to stop talking The second definition of this idiom is impolite in formal situations. During the hurricane, all the store owners shut their shops up. Bob's sister told him to shut up and not say anything more about it. The student got into big trouble for telling his teacher to shut up. |
| 2061 |
have got to have, to possess Curtis has got a bad cold. He's sneezing and coughing a lot. How much money have you got with you right now? |
| 2062 |
have got to must (also: have to) She has got to go to Chicago today to sign the contract papers. I have to be back home by two o'clock or my wife will feel ill at ease. |
| 2063 |
to keep up with to maintain the same speed or rate as Frieda works so fast that no one in the office can keep up with her. You'll have to walk more slowly. I can't keep up with you. |
| 2064 |
on the other hand however, in contrast Democracies provide people many freedoms and privileges. On the other hand, democracies suffer many serious problems such as crime and unemployment. My sister takes after my father in appearance. On the other hand, I take after my mother. |
| 2065 |
to turn down to reduce in brightness or volume; to reject, to refuse Please turn down the radio for me. It's too loud while I'm studying. Laverne wanted to join the military but the recruiting officer turned her application down because Laverne is hard of hearing in one ear. |
| 2066 |
fifty-fifty divided into two equal parts Let's go fifty-fifty on the cost of a new rug for our apartment. The political candidate has a fifty-fifty chance of winning the election. |
| 2067 |
to break in gradually to prepare something for use that is new and stiff; to interrupt (for the second definition, also: to cut in) It is best to break a new car in by driving it slowly for the first few hundred miles. While Carrie and I were talking, Bill broke in to tell me about a telephone call. Peter, it's very impolite to cut in like that while others are speaking. |
| 2068 |
a lost cause a hopeless case, a person or situation having no hope of positive change It seems that Charles will never listen to our advice. I suppose it's a lost cause. The police searched for the missing girl for two weeks, but finally gave it up as a lost cause. Children who have committed several crimes as teenagers and show no sorrow about their actions are generally lost causes. |
| 2069 |
above all mainly, especially Above all, don't mention the matter to Gerard; he's the last person we should tell. Sheila does well in all her school subjects, but above all in mathematics. Her math scores are always over 95 percent. |
| 2070 |
to do without survive or exist without something (also: to go without) With prices so high now, I'll have to do without a new suit this year. As a traveling salesperson, Monica can't do without a car. It's a shame that so many poor people in the world have to go without basic necessities of life such as nutritious food and suitable shelter. |
| 2071 |
according to in the order of; on the authority of The students on the football team were ranked according to height, from shortest to tallest. According to my dictionary, you are using that word in your essay incorrectly. |
| 2072 |
to be bound to do something to be certain to do something, to be sure to do something This idiom is used when the occurrence of an event seems inevitable or unavoidable. We are bound to be late if you don't hurry up. With the economy improving now, their business is bound to make more money this year. |
| 2073 |
for sure without doubt (also: for certain) In the dark, I couldn't tell for sure whether it was Polly or Sarah who drove by. I know for certain that Gene will move back to Washington next month. |
| 2074 |
to take for to perceive or understand as This idiom is usually used when someone is mistakenly perceived. A noun or pronoun must separate the idiom. Because of his strong, muscular body, I took him for a professional athlete. As it turns out, he doesn't play any professional sports. What do you take me for — a fool? I don't believe what you're saying at all. |
| 2075 |
to try out to test, to use during a trial period You can try out the new car before you decide to buy it. I can let you try the computer out for a few days before you make a decision. |
| 2076 |
to tear down to destroy by making flat, to demolish The construction company had to tear down the old hotel in order to build a new office building. The owners had to tear the house down after it burned down in a fire. |
| 2077 |
to tear up to rip into small pieces Deidre tore up the letter angrily and threw all the pieces into the trash can. He told the lawyer to tear the old contract up and then to prepare a new one. |
| 2078 |
to go over to be appreciated or accepted This idiom is usually followed by the adverb well. (In Lesson 6 this idiom has the meaning to review, as in the second sentence of the second example below.) The teacher's organized lessons always go over well with her students. The comedian's jokes weren't going over well; the audience wasn't laughing much at all. I think that the comedian should go over his material more carefully before each act. |
| 2079 |
to run out of to exhaust the supply of, not to have more of We ran out of gas right in the middle of the main street in town. It's dangerous to run out of water if you are in an isolated area. |
| 2080 |
at heart basically, fundamentally This idiom is used to describe the true character of a person. James sometimes seems quite unfriendly, but at heart he's a good person. The Fares often don't see eye to eye, but at heart they both love each other very much. |
| 2081 |
be about to do smth ready to, just going to We were about to leave the house when the phone rang. I'm sorry that I broke in. What were you about to say? |
| 2082 |
to bite off to accept as a responsibility or task This idiom is often used when one accepts more responsibility than one can handle alone. It is usually used in the form to bite off more than one can chew. When I accepted the position of chairman, I didn't realize how much I was biting off. When James registered for 18 units in his last semester at college, he bit off more than he could chew. |
| 2083 |
to tell apart to distinguish between (also: to pick apart, to tell from) The two brothers look so much alike that few people can tell them apart. That copy machine is so good that I can't pick the photocopy and the original apart. Most new cars are very similar in appearance. It's almost impossible to tell one from another. |
| 2084 |
all in all considering everything There were a few problems, but all in all it was a well-organized seminar. Leonard got a low grade in one subject, but all in all he's a good student. |
| 2085 |
to pass out to distribute (also: to hand out); to lose consciousness The verbal idiom to hand out can be made into the noun handout to refer to items that are distributed in a class or meeting. Please help me pass out these test papers; there must be a hundred of them. Alright, students, here are the class handouts for this week. The weather was so hot in the soccer stadium that some of the fans in the stands passed out. |
| 2086 |
to go around to be sufficient or adequate for everyone present; to circulate, to move from place to place We thought that we had bought enough food and drink for the party, but actually there wasn't enough to go around. There's a bad strain of influenza going around right now. Have you gotten your flu shots yet? Mike has been going around telling people that he was accepted to Harvard University. Do you believe him? |
| 2087 |
to be in (the/one's) way to block or obstruct; not to be helpful, to cause inconvenience (for both, also: to get in the/one's way) Jocelyn couldn't drive through the busy intersection because a big truck was in the way. Our small child tried to help us paint the house, but actually he just got in our way. |
| 2088 |
to put on to gain (pounds or weight); to present, to perform Bob has put on a lot of weight recently. He must have put at least fifteen pounds on. The Youth Actor's Guild put on a wonderful version of Romeo and Juliet at the globe Theater. |
| 2089 |
to put up to construct, to erect; to lift, to raise upwards The construction company is tearing down that old office building in order to put up a new one. Please put your hand up if you have never studied English grammar before. |
| 2090 |
to put up with to tolerate, to accept unwillingly The employee was fired because his boss could not put up with his mistakes any longer. While I'm studying, I can't put up with any noise or other distractions. |
| 2091 |
in vain useless, without the desired result All the doctors' efforts to save the injured woman were in vain. She was declared dead three hours after being admitted to the hospital. We tried in vain to reach you last night. Is your phone out of order? |
| 2092 |
day in and day out continuously, constantly (also: day after day; for longer periods of time, year in and year out and year after year) During the month of April, it rained day in and day out. Day after day I waited for a letter from him, but one never came. Year in and year out, the weather in San Diego is the best in the nation. |
| 2093 |
to catch up to work with the purpose of fulfilling a requirement or being equal to others The idiom is often followed by the preposition with and a noun phrase. It is similar in meaning to keep up with from Lesson 17. The student was absent from class so long that it took her a long time to catch up. If you are not equal to others, first you have to catch up with them before you can keep up with them. |
| 2094 |
to hold still not to move Please hold still while I adjust your tie. If you don't hold that camera still, you'll get a blurred picture. |
| 2095 |
to know by sight to recognize This idiom is used when the person has been seen previously but is not known personally. The person must be used to separate the idiom. I have never met our new neighbors; I simply know them by sight. The woman said that she would know the thief by sight if she ever saw him again. |
| 2096 |
to be the matter to be unsatisfactory, to be improper, to be wrong In a question, this idiom is used with what or something. In an answer, something or nothing is usually used. A: What is the matter, Betty? You look very upset. B: Yes, something is the matter. I've lost my purse! A: Is something the matter, Charles? You don't look well. B: No, nothing is the matter. I'm just a little under the weather. |
| 2097 |
to bring up to rear, to raise from childhood; to mention, to raise an issue, to introduce a topic Parents should bring up their children to be responsible members of society. Sarah wanted to bring the scheduling problem up at the club meeting, but finally she decided against doing so. One of the students brought up an interesting point related to the subject in our textbook. |
| 2098 |
to get lost to become lost; to go away in order not to bother The second definition provides a very informal, even rude, meaning that should be used only with close friends. It is sometimes used in a joking manner. While driving in Boston, we got lost and drove many miles in the wrong direction. Todd kept bothering me while I was studying, so I told him to get lost. Lisa joked that she wanted her sister to get lost forever. |
| 2099 |
to hold up to delay, to make late; to remain high in quality A big accident held up traffic on the highway for several hours. Deidre is amazed at how well her car has held up over the years. |
| 2100 |
to run away to leave without permission; to escape The young couple ran away and got married because their parents wouldn't permit it. That cat is just like a criminal — it runs away from anyone who tries to come near! |
| 2101 |
to rule out to refuse to consider, to prohibit Heather ruled out applying to college in Texas because she would rather go to school in Canada. I'd like to watch a good movie on TV tonight, but a ton of homework rules that out. |
| 2102 |
by far by a great margin, clearly Jacquie is by far the most intelligent student in our class. This is by far the hottest, most humid summer we've had in years. |
| 2103 |
to see off to say good-bye upon departure by train, airplane, bus, etc. (also: to send off) A noun or pronoun must divide the idiom. We are going to the airport to see Peter off on his trip to Europe. When I left for Cincinnati on a business trip, no one came to the train station to send me off. |
| 2104 |
to see out to accompany a person out of a house, building, etc. A noun or pronoun must again divide the idiom. The Johnsons were certain to see their guests out as each one left the party. Would you please see me out to the car? It's very dark outside. |
| 2105 |
no wonder it's no surprise that, not surprisingly This idiom derives from reducing it is no wonder that… No wonder the portable heater doesn't work. It's not plugged into the electrical outlet! Jack has been out of town for several weeks. No wonder we haven't seen him recently. |
| 2106 |
to go up to increase (also: to drive up); to be constructed, to be erected The second definition is the same as the one for to put up in Lesson 19, except that to go up is not used with a noun object. Economists are predicting that consumer prices are going up. Inflation always has a tendency to drive up the cost of products. A new office is going up in the downtown area. A major construction company is putting it up. |
| 2107 |
to go up to to approach (also: to come up to, to walk up to, to run up to, to drive up to, etc.) The related forms have the same meaning, but the type of movement is different. After the lecture, several people in the audience went up to the speaker to congratulate her. The little girl came up to me and shook my hand as if she had known me for years. Bill's friend didn't want to admit that they had gotten lost, but finally he agreed to drive up to a gas station and inquire about the correct route. |
| 2108 |
to hand in to submit or deliver something that is due Every student has to hand in an original composition each week of the semester. All the salespeople hand their weekly reports in on Friday. |
| 2109 |
in case in order to be prepared if "When the idiom occurs at the end of the sentence (the second example), then the meaning is in order to be prepared if something happens. The ""something"" might be an accident, a delay, etc." You'd better close the windows in case it rains. We should be sure to leave for the airport early, just in case. Cynthia, take one of your books in case you have some time to read on our trip. |
| 2110 |
to take apart to disassemble, to separate the parts of something A noun or pronoun usually divides this idiom. It is much easier to take a watch apart than it is to assemble it. The engine had a serious problem, so the mechanic had to take it apart completely in order to fix it. |
| 2111 |
to put together to assemble A noun or pronoun usually divides this idiom. The preposition back is used when something has been disassembled and then is being reassembled, as in the second example. Todd followed the directions on the box but he couldn't manage to put the bicycle together properly. After the teenager took the broken video game apart and fixed it, he was unable to put it back together again. |
| 2112 |
to be better off to be in a more favorable condition or situation The opposite of this idiom is to be worse off. Jim would be better off staying at home because of his cold. You'd be much better off working in an office than in a factory. The economies of some nations are worse off than they were several decades ago. |
| 2113 |
to be well-off to have enough money to enjoy a comfortable life, to be rich (also: to be well-to-do) They live in the best section of town in a large home; they are very well-off. By the time I reach the age of fifty-five, I hope to be well-to-do and to travel frequently. |
| 2114 |
to take by surprise to surprise, to amaze, to astonish A noun or pronoun usually divides this idiom. The offer of a high-paying position with another company took me by surprise. The president's announcement that the university was in financial trouble didn't take anyone by surprise. |
| 2115 |
to keep in touch with to maintain contact with (also: to stay in touch with) This idiom should be compared with to get in touch with in Lesson 9. You can telephone me every few days, and in that way we can keep in touch with each other. He promised to stay in touch with us while he was abroad. However, we were very disappointed that he never did get in touch with us. |
| 2116 |
to name after to give the same name as another Helen's parents named Helen after her grandmother. My grandson is named after Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States. |
| 2117 |
to hold on to grasp tightly or firmly; to wait, to be patient The second definition is often used when someone is talking on the telephone. The little girl held on to her mother's hand and refused to let go as they walked through the large crowd of people. (on the telephone) Could you please hold on a moment while I get a pencil and paper? Come on, Mike, hold on. I can't get ready so quickly. |
| 2118 |
to stop by to visit or stop somewhere briefly in order to do something James had to stop by the registrar's office to submit a transcript request form. Let's stop by the supermarket and pick up a few grocery items. |
| 2119 |
to drop (someone) a line to write a note to someone As soon as I get to Florida, I'll drop you a line and tell you about my new job. If you have time, drop me a line now and then while you're traveling. |
| 2120 |
to come across to meet or find unexpectedly (also: to run across); to be perceived or judged as (also: to come off) While Cheryl was cleaning the attic, she came across some very old coins. It took her by surprise to run across something like that. Jeff's boss comes across as a tough, unpleasant person, but actually Jeff says that he is a good employer. Some people come off quite differently than they really are. |
| 2121 |
to stand for to represent, to signify; to tolerate The second definition is usually used in a negative sense. The meaning is the same as to put up with in Lesson 19. On the American flag, each star stands for one of the fifty states, and each stripe stands for one of the original thirteen colonies of the 1800s. The citizens wouldn't stand for the increase in crime in their city, so they hired more police officers and built another jail. |
| 2122 |
to stand a chance to have the possibility of accomplishing something This idiom is often used with an adjective such as good or excellent. It also occurs in the negative, sometimes with the adjective much. The New York baseball team stands a good chance of winning the World Series this year. Because John doesn't have any previous work experience, he doesn't stand a chance of getting that job. The woman injured in the serious train accident doesn't stand much chance of surviving. |
| 2123 |
to take pains to work carefully and conscientiously She takes pains to do everything well; she's our best employee. He took great pains with his last assignment because he needed to get an excellent grade to pass the class. |
| 2124 |
to look on to watch as a spectator, to observe Hundreds of people were looking on as the police and firefighters rescued the passengers in the wrecked train. I stayed with my son at his first soccer practice and looked on as the coach worked with the boys. |
| 2125 |
to look up to to admire, to respect greatly Children will most certainly look up to their parents if the children are brought up well. Everyone looks up to the director of our department because he is a kind and generous person. |
| 2126 |
to look down on to feel superior to, to think of someone as less important People who are in positions of power should be careful not to look down on those who work for them. Why does Alma look down on Mario; just because his family is so poor? |
| 2127 |
to take off to leave the ground (for airplanes); to leave, often in a hurry The noun form takeoff derives from this idiom. The plane took off over an hour late. The passengers had to buckle their seatbelts during takeoff. Do you have to take off already? You just arrived an hour ago! |
| 2128 |
to pull off to succeed in doing something difficult; to exit to the side of a highway The group of investors pulled off a big deal by buying half the stock in that company. I wonder how they pulled it off before the company could prevent it. The motorist pulled off when the police officer turned on the red lights and the siren. |
| 2129 |
to keep time to operate accurately (for watches and clocks) This idiom is usually used with adjectives such as good and perfect. Although this is a cheap watch, it keeps good time. The old clock keeps perfect time; it's never fast or slow. |
| 2130 |
to make do with to manage, to cope This idiom is used when a person must accept a substitute that is not the most suitable. Pearl doesn't have a clean blouse so she has to make do with the one she wore yesterday. During difficult economic times, many people have to make do with less. |
| 2131 |
to give birth to to bear a human being or animal Jane's mother has just given birth to twin girls. The zoo's Siberian tiger just gave birth to a baby cub. |
| 2132 |
close call a situation involving a narrow escape from danger (also: close shave) Bob, that car nearly hit us! What a close call. We had a close call when a small fire in our kitchen almost spread to the rest of the house. |
| 2133 |
to get on one's nerves to annoy or disturb (also: to bug) Laura loves to talk to anyone. Sometimes her chatter really gets on my nerves. Jack asked his neighbor to turn down the stereo because it was bugging him and he couldn't concentrate. |
| 2134 |
to put down to suppress, to quell; to criticize unfairly The police arrived just in time to put down the disturbance before it got very serious. Fred tries his best at playing tennis. You shouldn't put him down like that. |
| 2135 |
to go for to be sold at a certain price; to seek or strive for This dress probably goes for about $50, don't you think? Peter was going for first place in the swim meet, but he wasn't able to do better than third place. |
| 2136 |
to go in for to have as an interest, such as a sport or hobby (also: to go for, to be into, to get into) Hal goes in for tennis while his wife goes in for painting and sculpture. What sports are you into? I don't have any time to get into sports. |
| 2137 |
to stay up to remain awake, not to go to bed I want to stay up tonight and watch a late movie on TV. He stays up every night until after one o'clock, preparing his homework. |
| 2138 |
to stay in to remain at home, not to go out An idiom with the opposite meaning is to stay out. On a rainy day, I like to stay in and read. Young people are able to stay out late at night and get very little sleep. |
| 2139 |
to take over to assume control or responsibility for; to do or perform again The meaning of the second definition is almost the same as do over in Lesson 11. Also for the second definition, a noun or pronoun must divide the idiom. That large investment company specializes in taking over smaller businesses that are in financial trouble. Most students didn't do well on the important test, so the instructor let them take it over. Little Mikey didn't have much chance to hit the baseball during practice, so the coach let him take his turn over. |
| 2140 |
to show up to appear, to arrive; to be found or located (also for the second definition: to turn up) It really gets on my nerves that Ursula shows up late for every meeting. Willie hopes that the watch he lost last Sunday shows up soon. We've looked everywhere for that book, but it hasn't turned up yet. |
| 2141 |
to clean out to empty, to tidy by removing; to steal, to rob; to buy or purchase all of something It's time for you to clean out your closet so that you can store more things in there. A burglar entered my apartment while I was gone and cleaned me out. He took over $200 in cash and jewelry. Thousands of shoppers cleaned out the store that had gone bankrupt and was selling all its remaining products at very reduced prices. |
| 2142 |
to knock out to make unconscious; to impress or attract greatly This idiom can be made into the noun form knockout for both definitions. The prizefighter knocked out his opponent with one punch in the first five seconds of the first round. It was the fastest knockout in boxing history. Linda's beautiful appearance and slender figure really knock me out. Isn't she a real knockout tonight? |
| 2143 |
to knock oneself out to work very hard (sometimes too hard) to do something A reflexive pronoun must divide the idiom. She really knocked herself out trying to pass that difficult class. Don't knock yourself out during practice. Save your strength for the competition later. |
| 2144 |
to carry out to accomplish, to execute (also: to go through with) It's easy to write down a plan for losing weight, but much harder to carry it out. Charles promised to go through with his plan to enroll in graduate school and get an advanced degree. |
| 2145 |
to run into to meet someone unexpectedly; to crash or collide into (also: to bump into) It was a shock to run into an old friend from high school recently. The drunk driver was slightly injured when he ran into a telephone pole. |
| 2146 |
to set out to start traveling toward a place (also: to set off, to head out); to arrange or display neatly (also: to lay out) We set out for the top of the mountain at dawn. Unfortunately, as we set off, it started to snow heavily, so we decided to head out again later. The children tried to set out the dishes on the table, but their dad had to help to lay the dishes out properly. |
| 2147 |
to set out to do something to intend to, to act purposefully to We set out to paint the house in one day but quickly realized that it would be impossible to do so. Janet set out to compete for the large scholarship grant by writing a good essay. |
| 2148 |
to draw up to create by drawing, such as a map; to prepare documents or legal papers Max asked me to draw up a map to the party so that he wouldn't get lost. Our lawyer agreed to draw the contract up as soon as possible. |
| 2149 |
give and take compromise, cooperation between people Give and take is an important element of a successful marriage. Most business negotiations involve give and take between the parties involved. |
| 2150 |
to drop out of to stop attending; to withdraw from This idiom can be made into the noun form dropout. Some students drop out of secondary school early in order to get jobs. However, such dropouts often regret their decision later in life. Two more baseball teams have dropped out of the youth league due to a lack of players. |
| 2151 |
to believe in to accept as true, have faith in Some people believe in being honest in all human affairs, while others accept the need to lie in order to get one's way. Throughout the history of man, some cultures have believed in one god while others have believed in the existence of many gods. |
| 2152 |
to cheer up to make happier, to feel less sad We all tried to cheer up the little boy when he started to cry. After the death of Deanne's husband, it was difficult to cheer her up at all. |
| 2153 |
to make sense to be sensible or reasonable It makes sense to wait until a sunny day to visit the park together. That Jimmy ran away from home suddenly doesn't make sense to any of us. |
| 2154 |
to burst out to depart quickly (also: to storm out); to act suddenly For the second definition, this idiom is usually followed by a gerund form such as laughing, crying, singing, etc. Faye and Debbie were so angry at each other that one of them burst out the front door of the house and the other stormed out the back door. It was so funny to see a little baby in the audience burst out crying when the choir group burst out singing at the start of the recital. |
| 2155 |
to get away to get free, to escape We always try to get away from the noise and heat of the city for a month or two each summer. No one knows how the suspected criminal got away from the police. |
| 2156 |
to get away with to avoid punishment for Jonathan tries to get away with coming late to work almost every day; someday he'll suffer the consequences. Terence can't continue to put his friends down like that and expect to get away with it forever. |
| 2157 |
to serve (someone) right to receive one's just punishment This idiom is usually used at the beginning of a sentence after the subject it. Compare the following examples with those in the previous idiom above. It serves Jonathan right to be fired from his job. It serves Terence right that none of his friends are willing to help him move to a new apartment. |
| 2158 |
to keep up to prevent from sleeping; to continue maintaining (speed, level of work, condition, etc.) Could you please turn down the TV volume? You're keeping up the children. If we can keep up this speed, we should arrive there in about two hours. James is so proud of his daughter for getting mostly A's in school. He's certain that she can keep up the good work. The Federal Reserve Bank hopes to keep the value of the dollar up at least through the rest of the year. |
| 2159 |
to keep up with to have current knowledge of; to understand as an explanation This idiom should be compared to the meaning of to keep up with in Lesson 17. Evan keeps up with world affairs by reading a news magazine each week. I understand a lot of the Spanish language, but I can't keep up with the fast conversation in this Mexican film. |
| 2160 |
to stand out to be easily visible or noticeable (also: to stick out) This idiom is used for someone or something that is different from all others. Her bright red hair makes her stand out from others in the group. Brandon Styles is a tall, distinguished gentleman who sticks out in any crowd. |
| 2161 |
to let on to reveal or tell what you know, to hint We are going to the movies tonight and we don't want Doris to go. If you see her, make sure not to let on. They asked me not to let on to Ted that we're planning the birthday party; it's supposed to be a big surprise. |
| 2162 |
to go wrong to fail, to result badly Something went wrong with the engine, so we had to have the car towed to a garage. Shawn should have been here over an hour ago; I'm certain that something went wrong. |
| 2163 |
to meet (someone) halfway to compromise with someone Steve wanted $4,500 for his car, and Gwen offered $4,000. They met each other halfway and agreed on $4,250. After a long process of give and take, the owners of the company agreed to meet the workers halfway by providing some additional health benefits but no wage increase. |
| 2164 |
to check up on to examine with the purpose of determining condition (also: to check on) This idiom has the related noun form checkup. The government always checks up on the background of employees who are hired for sensitive military projects. The doctor wants me to have a thorough medical checkup as part of a preventive medicine program. |
| 2165 |
to stick up to point or place upwards; to rob You should put some water on your hair. It's sticking up in the back. A masked thief stuck up a grocery store in the neighborhood last night. |
| 2166 |
to come about to happen I didn't find any explanation in the newspaper about how the political coup came about. The flood came about as a result of the heavy winter rains. |
| 2167 |
to bring about to cause to happen This idiom is used to indicate who or what caused something to come about. John brought about the accident because of his carelessness. The heavy rains we have each spring bring about serious flooding. |
| 2168 |
to build up to increase slowly, to make stronger gradually They built up their savings account so that they could buy a new house. The professional athlete exercises regularly to build her strength up. |
| 2169 |
to die down to decrease, to lessen in strength The hurricane became a less serious tropical storm when its winds died down. We let the fire in the fireplace die down and enjoyed watching the embers as they glowed in the dark. |
| 2170 |
to fade away to diminish gradually in time or distance The memory of that unpleasant experience has slowly faded away. The music of the band gradually faded away as the parade passed down the street. |
| 2171 |
to die out not to exist anymore; to be in the process of disappearing Scientists still are not sure exactly why the dinosaurs died out. That strange, new style of dancing is slowly dying out. |
| 2172 |
to make out to read or see clearly; to prepare a legal document, such as a will, a check, etc. The letter was so poorly handwritten that I couldn't make out many of the words. Harold, please make the check out to Acme Piano Company. |
| 2173 |
to live up to to fulfill (a standard or promise) It was clear that the lazy student would never live up to his family's expectations. It surprised us that the car salesperson lived up to all the promises he made. |
| 2174 |
to stick to to adhere to (a promise), to follow or obey (a set of rules, procedures, etc.) He made a promise to his wife to quit smoking and drinking, and so far he has stuck to it. All organizations expect their employees to stick to established work rules and procedures. If you try hard to stick to your principles, then you'll be able to live up to them. |
| 2175 |
to stick it to somebody to cheat, to take unfair advantage of (also: to rip off, the ripoff) Be careful in doing business with that salesperson. He'll stick it to you at the first opportunity. The car dealership certainly ripped me off when I bought this car. It has caused me trouble constantly. You paid over $400 for that jacket? What a ripoff! |
| 2176 |
to stand up for to insist on, to demand; to defend, to support If you don't stand up for your rights in court, the lawyers will try to stick it to you. Frank stood up for his friend, who was being put down by other teenagers nearby. |
| 2177 |
to cut corners to economize, to save money Most students live on limited budgets and have to cut corners whenever possible. The Livingstons have nine children, so it is essential that they cut corners at all times. |
| 2178 |
to take on to employ, to hire; to accept responsibility for, to undertake That factory is taking a lot of new employees on for its new production line. Would you be willing to take on the task of organizing the next company picnic? |
| 2179 |
to take down to remove from an elevated place; to write what is said, to note We should take the pictures down from the wall and clean off the dust. The secretary took down everything that was said at the meeting. |
| 2180 |
to fall through to fail to materialize, not to succeed This idiom is usually used with the noun plan or plans as the subject. Our plan to travel to Europe last summer fell through when we were unable to save up enough money. Felix made plans to have a party for everyone in his office, but they fell through at the last moment. |
| 2181 |
to fall behind to lag, to fail to keep up (also: to get behind) Eve fell behind in her studies and finally had to drop out of school. If you get behind in your car payments, the finance company may repossess it from you. |
| 2182 |
to give in to surrender, to stop resisting Completely surrounded by our soldiers, the enemy finally gave in. Management gave in to the strikers' demands and agreed to a shortened work week. |
| 2183 |
to give off to release, to produce When water boils, it gives off steam. The flowers in this garden give off a strange odor. |
| 2184 |
to give out to distribute; to become exhausted or depleted (also: to run out) The first definition has the same meaning as the second definition of to pass out in Lesson 19. An usher stood at the door of the theater giving out programs. I couldn't finish the ten-mile race because my energy gave out. Jeff plans to stay in Las Vegas and gamble until his money runs out. |
| 2185 |
to have it in for to want revenge on, to feel hostile towards (also: to hold a grudge against) Martina expects to lose her job because her boss has had it in for her for a long time. The teacher has held a grudge against Al ever since the time that he insulted her in front of the class. |
| 2186 |
to have it out with to quarrel with, to confront I am going to have it out with Jack about all the times that he has told us lies. Ben had it out with his roommate about coming back home so late and making a lot of noise. |
| 2187 |
to hold off to delay, or to be delayed, in occurring This idiom has the same meaning as to put off in Lesson 5 when a noun or pronoun is used as an object, as in the second example. If the rain holds off for a few more days, they can finish planting the rest of the crop. The judge agreed to hold off making a decision until new evidence could be introduced into court. |
| 2188 |
to hold out to endure, to be sufficient; to survive by resisting; to persist in one's efforts The first definition for to hold out has the opposite meaning of the second definition for to give out (seventh idiom, this lesson). If our supply of food and water holds out, we plan to camp here for another week. However, whenever it gives out, we'll have to leave. That nation's troops cannot hold out much longer against the superior forces of the enemy. The valuable football player held out for more money before signing a new contract with his team. |
| 2189 |
to hold over to extend, to keep for a longer time They are going to hold over that movie for another week because so many people are coming to see it. Let's hold discussion of this problem over until our next meeting. |
| 2190 |
to let up to slacken, to lessen in intensity; to relax or ease one's effort (also: related idiom: to take it easy) If the rain doesn't let up soon, we won't be able to have our picnic. When Jane is working, she never lets up for a moment. Jane should take it easy or she'll get exhausted. |
| 2191 |
to lay off to abstain from, stop using as a habit; to release or discharge from a job (also: related idiom: to let go) If you're trying to lose weight, you should lay off sweet things. If business continues to be slow, we will have to lay off some workers. It will be necessary to let the youngest employees go first. |
| 2192 |
to bring out to show or introduce (to the public); to make available Most automobile companies bring out new models each year. My mother brought some snacks out for my friends and me to have. |
| 2193 |
to bring back to return a bought or borrowed item (also: to take back) To bring back is used when you are speaking at the place that an item is bought or borrowed; To take back is used when speaking at another place. Ma'am, our store policy is that you can bring back the dress as long as you have your sales receipt. You can borrow my car if you promise to bring it back by six o'clock. I have to take this book back to the library today. |
| 2194 |
to wait up for to wait until late at night without going to bed Don't wait up for me. I may be back after midnight. We waited up for our son until two o'clock in the morning before we called the police. |
| 2195 |
to leave (someone or something) alone not to disturb, to stay away from (also: to let alone) Leave the baby alone for a while and she may go to sleep. After the cat had scratched Peter twice, he let it alone. |
| 2196 |
let alone and certainly not (also: not to mention, to say nothing of) Let alone is used after negative forms. The example that follows let alone is much less possible than the example that precedes let alone. I'm too sick today to walk to the kitchen, let alone go to the zoo with you. He doesn't even speak his own language well, let alone French. |
| 2197 |
to break off to terminate, to discontinue After war began, the two countries broke off diplomatic relations. Elsa and Bob were once engaged, but they have already broken it off. |
| 2198 |
to wear off to disappear gradually My headache isn't serious. It will wear off after an hour or so. The effect of the painkilling drug didn't wear off for several hours. |
| 2199 |
to wear down to become worn gradually through use (also: to wear away, to wear through) Compare with to wear out (to become useless from wear) in Lesson 8. If you drag your feet while you walk, you'll wear down your shoes quickly. The pounding of ocean waves against the coast gradually wears it away. Johnny has worn through the seat of his pants. Helga threw away that dress because she had worn it out. |
| 2200 |
on the whole in general, in most ways (also: by and large) He is, on the whole, a good student. By and large, I agree with your suggestions. |
| 2201 |
touch and go risky, uncertain until the end The complicated medical operation was touch and go for several hours. The outcome of the soccer final was touch and go for the entire match. |
| 2202 |
to work out to exercise; to develop, to devise (a plan) Jane works out at the fitness center every other morning before going to school. The advertising department worked out a plan to increase company sales. We couldn't come up with a good plan for solving the problem, but we agreed to work it out at a later date. |
| 2203 |
to back up to drive or go backwards; to defend, to support; to return to a previous thought I couldn't back my car up because there was a bicycle in the driveway behind me. Ursula asked her friends to go back her up when she went to court to fight a ticket for an illegal lane change on the highway. Wait a minute. Could you back up and say that again? |
| 2204 |
to back out to drive a vehicle out of a parking space; to withdraw support, to fail to fulfill a promise or obligation The parking lot attendant had to back another car out before he could get to mine. We were all ready to sign the contracts when one of the parties to the agreement backed out. |
| 2205 |
to have one's heart set on to desire greatly, to be determined to She has her heart set on taking a trip abroad. She's been thinking about it for months. Todd has his heart set on going to medical school and becoming a doctor. |
| 2206 |
to buy up to buy the complete stock of Before the hurricane struck, residents bought up all the food and water in local stores. The government plans to buy up all surplus grain in order to stabilize the price. |
| 2207 |
to buy out to purchase a business or company; to purchase all of a person's shares or stock This idiom is similar in meaning to take over in Lesson 23. Larger companies often buy out smaller companies that are having financial difficulties. Mr. Lee has been trying for some time to buy his partner out so that he can control the company by himself. |
| 2208 |
to sell out to sell all items; to arrange for the sale of a company or business That store is closing its doors for good and is selling out everything this weekend. If my new business enterprise is successful, I'll sell it out for a few million dollars. |
| 2209 |
to catch on to become popular or widespread; to understand, to appreciate a joke This idiom is often used with the preposition to for the second definition. Fashions of the past often catch on again among young people. When the teacher speaks quickly like that, can you catch on easily? His joke was very funny at the time, but when I told it to others later, nobody seemed to catch on. I had to tell the joke again before anyone could catch on to it. |
| 2210 |
to be cut out for to have the necessary skills or talent for The idiom is most often used in the negative or in questions. John is certainly not cut out for the work of a trial lawyer. Are you certain that you are cut out for that kind of job? |
| 2211 |
to throw out to discard; to remove by force; to refuse to consider, to reject Instead of throwing out our paper waste in the office, we should recycle it. When a fight broke out between two people on the dance floor, the management threw them out. The judge threw the case out because there was insufficient evidence to try the defendant successfully. |
| 2212 |
to throw up to erect or construct quickly; to vomit The Red Cross threw up temporary shelters for the homeless victims of the earthquake. The ill patient is unable to digest her food properly, so she is throwing all of it up. |
| 2213 |
to clear up to make understandable (also: to straighten out); to become sunny The teacher tried to clear up our confusion about the meaning of the difficult paragraph in the reading. It's rather cloudy this morning. Do you think that it will clear up later? |
| 2214 |
to slow down to go, or cause to go, more slowly (also: to slow up) This idiom can be used both with and without an object. The car was going so fast that the motorist couldn't slow it down enough to make the sharp curve. You're eating too fast to digest your food well. Slow down! Slow up a bit! You're talking so quickly that I can't catch on well. |
| 2215 |
to dry up to lose, or cause to lose, all moisture; to be depleted Every summer the extreme heat in this valley dries the stream up. All funds for the project dried up when the local government faced a budget crisis. |
| 2216 |
to dry out to lose, or cause to lose, moisture gradually; to stop drinking alcohol in excess (also: to sober up) Martha hung the towel outside on the clothesline in order to dry it out. Some people go to alcohol recovery centers in order to dry out. |
| 2217 |
to be up to (something) to be doing something; to be planning or plotting something, scheming The first definition usually takes the form of a question. Hi, Jake. I haven't seen you in a long time. What have you been up to? Those boys hiding behind the building must be up to something bad. |
| 2218 |
to beat around the bush to avoid discussing directly, to evade the issue Our boss beats around the bush so much that no one in the office knows exactly what he wants us to do. Instead of beating around the bush, Melinda explained her objection in very clear terms. |
| 2219 |
to come to an end to end, to stop This idiom is used with finally and never when some activity lasts too long. The meeting finally came to an end at ten o'clock in the evening. Even though my friend seemed to enjoy the movie, I thought that it would never come to an end. |
| 2220 |
to put an end to to cause to end, to terminate in a definite manner (also: to do away with) The dictatorial government put an end to organized opposition in the country by making it illegal to form a political party. It may never be possible to do away with all forms of prejudice and discrimination in the world. |
| 2221 |
to get even with to seek revenge, to retaliate This idiom is similar in meaning to to have it in for in Lesson 27. Bill has had it in for his boss for a long time. He told me he's planning to get even with his boss by giving some company secrets to a competitor. I want to get even with Steve for beating me so badly in tennis last time. The scores were 6-1 and 6-2. |
| 2222 |
to fool around to waste time (also: to screw around); to joke, not to be serious The teacher got angry because her students were fooling around and couldn't finish their work before the end of class. Sometimes I wish that Pat would stop fooling around so much and talk about something more interesting to others. |
| 2223 |
to look out on to face, to overlook We really enjoy our new apartment that looks out on a river. Their rear window looks out on a lovely garden. |
| 2224 |
to stir up to cause anger; to create (trouble or difficulty) The senseless murder of a small child stirred up the whole neighborhood. The boss is in a bad mood today so don't stir her up with any more customer complaints. |
| 2225 |
to take in to visit in order to enjoy; to decrease the size of clothes; to deceive, to fool We decided to take in Toronto on our trip to Canada, and that is where we took in the most memorable outdoor stage play we have ever seen. Lois lost so much weight that she had her skirts and slacks taken in by her tailor. The fraudulent investment advisor took everyone in with his sincere manner and generous promises. Most investors lost all their money. |
| 2226 |
to go through to undergo, to experience; to consume, to use (also: to use up) The first definition is used when someone is having some hardship or difficulty. I can't believe what she went through to get that job. She had four interviews with the hiring committee in one week! Frank said that they had gone through all the toilet paper in the house, but Steve couldn't believe that they had used it all up. |
| 2227 |
to go without saying to be known without the need to mention This idiom occurs with a that-clause, often with the pronoun it as the subject. It goes without saying that you shouldn't drive quickly in bad weather. That he will gain weight if he continues to eat and drink so much goes without saying. |
| 2228 |
to put (someone) on to mislead by joking or tricking This idiom is usually used in a continuous tense form. A noun object must divide the idiom. Don't worry. I wouldn't expect you do all that work by yourself. I'm just putting you on. Jack can't be serious about what he said. He must be putting us on. |
| 2229 |
to keep one's head to remain calm during an emergency When the heater caused a fire, Gloria kept her head and phoned for assistance right away; otherwise, the whole house might have burned down. When the boat starting sinking in heavy seas, the crew members kept their heads and led the passengers to the lifeboats. |
| 2230 |
to lose one's head not to think clearly, to lose one's self-control When Mel saw a dog in the street right in front of his car, he lost his head and drove onto the sidewalk and into a tree. If the politician hadn't gotten stirred up and lost his head, he never would have criticized his opponent unfairly. |
| 2231 |
narrow-minded not willing to accept the ideas of others (the opposite of narrow minded is broad-minded) Narrow-minded people tend to discriminate against groups of people with which they have nothing in common. Ted is so broad-minded that he has almost no standards by which he judges others. |
| 2232 |
to stand up to withstand use or wear; to fail to appear for a date or social engagement My old car has stood up well over the years. I haven't had any major problems at all. Janet was very angry because her new boyfriend stood her up on their second date. She waited over an hour for him before returning home. |
| 2233 |
to get the better of to win or defeat by gaining an advantage over someone Jim doesn't seem very athletic at tennis, but if you're not careful, he'll get the better of you. Lynn gets frustrated when Bruce gets the better of her in arguments. No matter what she says, he always has a clever response. |
| 2234 |
to break loose to become free or loose, to escape During the bad storm, the boat broke loose from the landing and drifted out to sea. One bicyclist broke loose from the pack of racers and pulled ahead towards the finish line. |
| 2235 |
on edge nervous, anxious; upset, irritable Cynthia was on edge all day about the important presentation she had to give to the local citizens group. I don't like being around Jake when he's on edge like that. Someone should tell him to calm down and relax. |
| 2236 |
to waste one's breath not be able to convince someone This idiom is used when someone is wasting time trying to convince another person. The idiom to save one's breath is related and means not to waste effort trying to convince someone. Don't argue with Frank any longer. You are wasting your breath trying to get him to agree with you. I have already decided what I'm going to do. You can't change my mind, so save your breath. |
| 2237 |
to cut short to make shorter, to interrupt The moderator asked the speaker to cut short his talk because there wasn't much time remaining for questions from the audience. We were very unfortunate when we received bad news from home that forced us to cut our trip short. |
| 2238 |
to step in to become involved or concerned with something; to enter a place for a brief time (also: to step into) When the children started fighting on the play-ground, a teacher had to step in and stop the fight. The supervisor asked one of the employees to step in her office for a moment. Would you step into the hallway so that I can show you the information posted on the bulletin board? |
| 2239 |
to step down to retire or leave a top position, to resign Next May the principal will step down after thirty-five years of service to the school. The angry shareholders wanted the company president to step down because of the stock scandal. |
| 2240 |
to step on to treat severely, to discipline; to go faster, to work more quickly For the second definition, the idiom is followed by the pronoun it. Sometimes it's necessary to step on children when they do something dangerous. We're going to be late for the movies. You'd better step on it! |
| 2241 |
a steal very inexpensive, a bargain This idiom is often used in an exclamation using what. I can't believe that I paid only $2,000 for this three-year-old car. What a steal! Scott considered it a steal when he bought a complete bedroom set for only $99. |
| 2242 |
to play up to to behave so as to gain favor with someone The other students in the class resent Jim because he plays up to the teacher in order to get better grades. When my children asked me to go shopping for a new video game, I knew why they had been playing up to me all morning. |
| 2243 |
more or less approximately, almost; somewhat, to a certain degree Although your bedroom feels smaller, it's more or less the same size as mine. Ted more or less agreed with our decision to put off the meeting until more members could show up. At least he didn't object strongly. |
| 2244 |
to screw up to confuse, to scramble; to cause problems in Chris had trouble finding Jane's apartment because the addresses of the buildings screwed him up. Instead of fixing the television set, the technician screwed it up even more. |
| 2245 |
to goof up to perform badly, to make a mistake (also: to mess up, to slip up) I really goofed up on the exam today; did you mess up, too? Karen slipped up when she forgot to deposit money into her checking account. |
| 2246 |
to go off the deep end to get very angry and do something hastily Just because you had a serious argument with your supervisor, you didn't have to go off the deep end and resign, did you? When Dan's wife demanded a divorce, he went off the deep end again. This time he was shouting so that the whole neighborhood could hear. |
| 2247 |
to lose one's touch to fail at what one used to do well Milton used to be the best salesman at the car dealership, but recently he seems to have lost his touch. I used to play tennis very well, but today you beat me easily. I must be losing my touch. |
| 2248 |
in hand under firm control, well managed The copilot asked the pilot if he had the plane in hand or whether he needed any help navigating through the severe thunderstorm. The police officer radioed to the station that she had the emergency situation in hand and didn't require any assistance. |
| 2249 |
on hand available, nearby This idiom is often followed by in case. I always keep some extra money on hand in case I forget to get cash from the bank. The concert organizers arranged to have some security guards on hand in case there were any problems during the performance. |
| 2250 |
to kick (something) around to discuss informally (over a period of time) (also: to toss around) At first my friends were reluctant to consider my suggestion, but they finally were willing to kick it around for a while. Herb thought that we should kick around the idea of establishing a special fund for supporting needy members of the club. |
| 2251 |
be on the ball be attentive, competent, alert Jim was the only one who caught that serious error in the bookkeeping statements. He's really on the ball. Ella was certainly on the ball when she remembered to reconfirm our flight arrangements. All the rest of us would have forgotten. |
| 2252 |
to make up to meet or fulfill a missed obligation at a later time; to create, to invent (an idea); to apply cosmetics to; to comprise, to be composed of Note that all of the definitions are separable except the last one. The teacher allowed several students who missed the exam to make it up during the next class. The little boy made up a bad excuse for wearing his dirty shoes in the house, so his mother punished him. Dee was able to make her face up in half the normal time because she didn't use much makeup. Two separate bodies — the House of Representatives and the Senate — make up the Congress of the United States. |
| 2253 |
to make up with to resolve differences with This idiom is used for differences of opinion between friends and lovers. Gundula made up with her roommate after their serious misunderstanding about arrangements for the party. After the bad quarrel the two lovers kissed and made up with each other. |
| 2254 |
to pull together to gather, to collect (information); to gain control of one's emotions A reflexive pronoun must be used for the second definition. The reporter pulled together information from several sources in preparing the newspaper article. Mr. Simpson was so frightened when he heard footsteps behind him on the lonely, dark street that it took several minutes to pull himself together. |
| 2255 |
to be looking up to appear promising or optimistic, to be improving This idiom is used in a continuous tense, very often with the subject things. The board chairman is glad to report that things are looking up for the company after several years of declining sales. Prospects for building that new library in the downtown area are looking up. |
| 2256 |
to kick the habit to stop a bad habit Once a child becomes accustomed to chewing his nails, it's difficult to kick the habit. The doctor advised the heavy cigarette smoker that her heart had become damaged and that she should kick the habit right away. |
| 2257 |
to cover up to conceal, to hide This idiom is used for events which are potentially embarrassing to one's reputation, as well as against the law. The noun coverup can be formed. The office worker tried to cover up his crimes, but everyone knew that he had been stealing office supplies all along. The political coverup of the bribery scandal failed and was reported by all the major media. |
| 2258 |
to drop off to fall asleep; to take to a certain location; to decrease (for the third definition, also: to fall off) My mother dropped off during the boring television show; her head was nodding up and down. I don't mind dropping you off at the store on my way to work. Business has been dropping off rapidly recently, but fortunately it hasn't been falling off as quickly as for our competitors. |
| 2259 |
to turn over to place upside down; to flip, to turn upside down; to pass or give control to someone The teacher asked the students to turn the answer sheet over and to write a short essay on the back. The car was going too fast around the corner and turned over twice. Mr. Collins has decided to turn over his jewelry store to his son at the end of the year. |
| 2260 |
to go through channels to send a request through the normal way This idiom can be used with the adjective proper. If you go through proper channels in this company, it's sometimes impossible to get anything done quickly. The police told the important civic leader that even she had to go through channels in reporting the burglary of her house. |
| 2261 |
the last straw the final event in a series of unacceptable actions This idiom is always used with the definite article the. When John asked to borrow money from me for the fourth time, it was the last straw. I finally told him that I couldn't lend him any more. I can't believe that my roommate left the door to our apartment unlocked again. It's the last straw; I'm moving out. |
| 2262 |
to get cold feet to become unable or afraid to do something This idiom is usually used in the case of an important or dangerous action. Karl was supposed to marry Elaine this weekend, but at the last moment he got cold feet. Only one of the rock climbers got cold feet when the group reached the base of the hundred-meter cliff. |
| 2263 |
to trade in to receive credit for the value of an old item towards the purchase of a new item This idiom is used to form the noun trade-in. The car dealership offered me $1,000 for my old car if I traded it in for a new model. The appliance company was offering a $50 trade-in during the special promotion for its new line of refrigerators. |
| 2264 |
face-to-face direct, personal; directly, personally (written without hyphens) This idiom can be used both as an adjective (the first definition) and as an adverb (the second definition). The workers' representatives had a face-to-face meeting with the management to resolve the salary issue. The stepmother and her teenage son talked face to face about his troubles in school. |
| 2265 |
to be with (someone) to support, to back (also: to go along with); to understand or follow what someone is saying Although others thought that we shouldn't go along with Jerry, I told Jerry that I was with him on his proposal for reorganizing the staff. After turning left at the traffic light, go two blocks and turn right on Madison. After three more blocks, turn right again. Are you still with me? |
| 2266 |
to be with it to be able to focus or concentrate on (also: to get with it) To be with it in the negative has the same meaning as to feel out of it. The related form to get with it is used in commands. Jack's really with it today. I've never seen him play such good soccer. You've done only a small amount of work in two hours. You're not with it today, are you? It's no excuse to say that you feel out of it. We need everyone's help on this, so get with it! |
| 2267 |
to fall for to fall in love quickly; to be fooled or tricked by Samantha and Derek never expected to fall for each other like they did, but they got married within two weeks of having met. The Masons wanted to believe their son, but unfortunately they had fallen for his lies too many times to be deceived once again. |
| 2268 |
it figures it seems likely, reasonable, or typical This idiom is either followed by a that-clause or by no other part of grammar. It figures that the children were willing to help with the yardwork only if they received a reward for doing so. When I told Evan that his secretary was unhappy about not getting a raise, he said that it figured. |
| 2269 |
to fill (someone) in to inform, to give background information to (also: to clue in) This idiom is often followed by the preposition on and a noun phrase containing the pertinent information. Could you fill me in on what is going to be discussed at tomorrow's meeting? Not having been to the convention, my associate asked me to clue him in on the proceedings. |
| 2270 |
to make (someone) tick to motivate to behave or act in a certain way This idiom is used within a what-clause. If a salesperson knows what makes a customer tick, he will be able to sell a lot of merchandise. It's been impossible for us to figure out what makes our new boss tick. One moment she seems pleasant and then the next moment she's upset. |
| 2271 |
to cover for to take someone's place temporarily, to substitute for; to protect someone by lying or deceiving Go ahead and take your coffee break. I'll cover for you until you return. The criminal made his wife cover for him when the police asked if the man had been home all day. She swore that he had been there. |
| 2272 |
to give (someone) a break to provide a person with another opportunity or chance; not to expect too much work from; not to expect someone to believe Command forms are most common with this idiom. For the third definition, the pronoun me must be used. "The driver pleaded with the police officer to give him a break and not issue him a ticket for speeding. When the students heard how much homework the teacher wanted them to do over the holiday, they begged, ""Give us a break, Professor Doyle!"" Oh, Jim, give me a break! That's a terrible excuse for being late." |
| 2273 |
to bow out to stop doing as a regular activity, to remove oneself from a situation The related idiom to want out indicates that someone desires to bow out. She bowed out as the school's registrar after sixteen years of service. One of the two partners wanted out of the deal because they couldn't agree on the terms of the contract. |
| 2274 |
to pin on to find guilty of a crime or offense (also: to hang on) This idiom is divided by a noun phrase containing the crime or offense. The accused person is mentioned after the preposition on. "The prosecuting attorney tried to pin the murder on the victim's husband, but the jury returned a verdict of ""not guilty."" I wasn't anywhere near the window when it got broken. You can't pin that on me." |
| 2275 |
to get a rise out of to provoke a response from This idiom is usually used when someone is teased into responding in anger or annoyance. You can kid me all day about my mistake, but you won't get a rise out of me. I got a rise out of Marvin when I teased him about his weight. Marvin weighs over two-hundred pounds. |
| 2276 |
to stick around to stay or remain where one is, to wait This idiom is used when someone is waiting for something to happen or for someone to arrive. Todd had to stick around the house all day until the new furniture was finally delivered in the late afternoon. Why don't you stick around for a while and see if Sarah eventually shows up? |
| 2277 |
to pick up the tab to pay the cost or bill This idiom applies when someone pays for the cost of another person's meal, tickets, etc. The advertising manager is flying to Puerto Rico for a conference, and her firm is picking up the tab. The government picked up the tab for the visiting dignitary. It paid for all of the lodging and meals, as well as transportation, during his stay. |
| 2278 |
by the way incidentally This idiom is used when someone thinks of something further in the course of a conversation. Movies are my favorite form of entertainment. Oh, by the way, have you seen the new picture that's playing at the Bijou? Vera's been divorced for three years now. She told me, by the way, that she never plans to remarry. |
| 2279 |
to go to town to do something with enthusiasm and thoroughness Our interior decorator really went to town in remodeling our living room. I'm afraid to ask how much it's going to cost. Charlie really went to town on his research project. He consulted over forty reference works and wrote a ninety-page report. |
| 2280 |
to let slide to neglect a duty; to ignore a situation Terry knew that she should have paid the electric bill on time instead of letting it slide. Now the utility company has turned off her service. When he tried to get a rise out of me by mentioning my failure to receive a promotion at work, I just let it slide. |
| 2281 |
search me I don't know (also: beats me) This idiom is used informally, usually as a command form. "When Elmer asked his wife if she knew why the new neighbors left their garage door open all night, she responded, ""Search me."" When I asked Dereck why his girlfriend wasn't at the party yet, he said, ""Beats me. I expected her an hour ago.""" |
| 2282 |
to get off one's chest to express one's true feelings This idiom is used when someone has long waited to express themselves. Ellen felt a lot better when she finally talked to a counselor and got the problem off her chest. Faye hasn't shared her concern about her marriage with her husband yet. I think that she should get it off her chest soon. |
| 2283 |
to live it up to spend money freely, to live luxuriously Kyle and Eric saved up money for two years so that they could travel to Europe and live it up. After receiving a large inheritance from a rich aunt, I was able to live it up for years. |
| 2284 |
to liven up to energize, to make more active (also: to pick up) The teacher occasionally took the class on field trips just to liven things up a bit. The animals in the zoo began to liven up when evening came and the temperatures dropped. Many people have to drink coffee every morning just to pick themselves up. |
| 2285 |
to have a voice in to share involvement in The new vice-president was promised that she would have a voice in developing the company's international expansion. The students are trying to have a voice in college affairs by gaining representation on administrative committees. |
| 2286 |
to check in to register at a hotel or motel; to leave or deposit for transporting or safekeeping The adjective form check-in derives from this idiom. Courtney arrived in town at mid-day and promptly checked in at the Plaza Hotel. The hotel permitted an early check-in time. There were dozens of people at the airline counters waiting to check their bags in for their flights. |
| 2287 |
to check out to pay the bill at a hotel or motel and then leave; to investigate, to examine The adjective form check-out derives from this idiom. The latest you should check out of the hotel is 12 noon. However, in your case, we can set a special check-out time of 2:00 P.M. The police received a call from someone claiming to have witnessed a murder. The police sent two detectives to check the call out right away. |
| 2288 |
to take somebody at one's word to accept what one says as true, to believe When he offered to be responsible for the fund raiser, I took him at his word. Now he's saying that he's not available to do it. You should be careful about taking her at her word. She's been known to say one thing but to do another. |
| 2289 |
to serve (the/one's) purpose to be useful, to suit one's needs or requirements I don't have a screwdriver to open this, but I think that a knife will serve the purpose. Jane prefers working to studying, so it served her purpose to drop out of school and take that job. |
| 2290 |
in the worst way very much, greatly Jim and Claudia want to have children in the worst way. They are trying very hard to conceive. Because Umer has relatives in Turkey, he wants to visit there in the worst way. |
| 2291 |
to cop out to avoid one's responsibility, to quit This idiom is an informal version of the second definition to back out (lesson 29). The noun form copout means an excuse for avoiding responsibility. Evelyn had agreed to help us with arrangements for the party, but she copped out at the last minute. I can't believe that Cindy offered such an explanation for failing to show up. What a poor copout! |
| 2292 |
to line up to form a line; to arrange to have, to manage to obtain The moviegoers lined up in front of the theater showing the most popular film of the summer. Rob is going to schedule the famous author to speak at the convention if he can line her up in time. |
| 2293 |
to lose one's cool to get excited, angry, or flustered Despite the boos from some in the audience, the actors on stage never lost their cool. Although the group of skiers were in danger from an apparent avalanche, their ski guide never lost his cool. |
| 2294 |
to leave open to delay making a decision on In making up the job announcement, the firm decided to leave the salary open until a qualified candidate was found. We know that the annual summer camp will be held in August, but let's leave the exact dates open for now. |
| 2295 |
to turn on to interest greatly, to excite The idiom with the opposite meaning is to turn off. These idioms are used to form the nouns turnon and turnoff. Does great art turn you on? I find going to a museum and viewing classic works of art a real turnon. Going to a bar and having silly conversation with strangers really turns me off. In fact, most bar scenes are really turnoffs to me. |
| 2296 |
to miss the boat to lose an opportunity, to fail in some undertaking The precious metals market was looking up several months ago, but unfortunately most investors missed the boat. Mr. Vlasic's new business went bankrupt within a short time. He really missed the boat by opening a tanning salon near the beach. |
| 2297 |
to think up to invent, to create (also: to dream up) This idiom is often used for an unusual or foolish thought. Who thought up the idea of painting the living room walls bright red? When asked by the teacher why she was late, the student dreamed up a plausible excuse. |
| 2298 |
to throw (someone) a curve to introduce an unexpected topic, causing embarrassment The first week of class was going very well until a student threw the teacher a curve by suggesting that the textbook was too difficult. The director asked us in advance to stick to the meeting agenda and not to throw him any curves. |
| 2299 |
to make waves to create a disturbance, usually by complaining This idiom is similar in meaning to the previous idiom, but the emphasis is on the aspect of complaining rather than causing embarrassment. In most companies, an employee who makes waves is not appreciated. The meeting was going smoothly until one of the participants made waves about the newly revised compensation package. |
| 2300 |
to carry on to continue as before; to conduct, to engage in; to behave in an immature manner Even in the face of disaster, the inhabitants carried on as though nothing had happened. The business associates decided to carry on their discussion in the hotel bar instead of the conference room. I can't believe that John carried on so much just because his dog died. He looked depressed and cried for weeks after it happened. |
| 2301 |
not on your life absolutely not (also: no way) This idiom is used as a kind of exclamation by itself. "You're asking me to invest in that poorly rated company just because you know the son of the president? Not on your life! When a friend tried to get Mark to jump out of a plane with a parachute, he immediately responded, ""No way!""" |
| 2302 |
to cover ground to be extensive, to discuss much material Forms such as a lot of, too much, too little are used before the noun ground. That national commission's report on urban ghettos covers a lot of ground. Many of the recommendations are too costly to implement. In his first lecture on Greek philosophers, I thought that our professor covered too little ground. |
| 2303 |
to mind the store to be responsible for an office while others are gone It seems that all of our employees are taking a lunch break at the same time. I wonder who's minding the store. Lynne agreed to mind the store while the others went outside to watch the parade passing by. |
| 2304 |
to throw the book at to punish with full penalty, to be harsh on Because the criminal was a repeat offender, the judge threw the book at him with heavy fines and a long prison term. My boss threw the book at me when he discovered that I had been using company time for personal business. I was severely reprimanded and forced to make up the lost time. |
| 2305 |
to put one's foot in to say or do the wrong thing This idiom is used with the noun phrase one's mouth or the pronoun it. Fred really put his foot in his mouth when he called his supervisor by the wrong name. I really put my foot in it when I forgot my girlfriend's birthday and didn't buy her anything. She almost lost her cool. |
| 2306 |
to be up for grabs to become available to others This idiom is used when something is highly desirable to many other people. When one of the full-time contract instructors stepped down, her nice office overlooking the river was up for grabs. Did you know that Senator Stone is retiring and that her Senate seat is up for grabs? |
| 2307 |
to show off to display one's ability in order to attract attention; to let others see, to expose to public view This idiom can form the noun showoff for the first definition. Elizabeth is an excellent swimmer, but I don't like the way she shows off in front of everyone. It's very obvious that she enjoys being a showoff. Jacquie showed her large wedding ring off to all her friends. |
| 2308 |
to learn the ropes to become familiar with routine procedures at work or school The job applicant didn't have much previous experience or knowledge, but she seemed intelligent enough to learn the ropes quickly. It took the new schoolteacher a year to learn the ropes regarding administrative and curricular matters. |
| 2309 |
to keep one's fingers crossed to hope to have good results, to hope that nothing bad will happen This idiom reflects the way people cross their fingers to hope for good luck. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we got passing grades on that college entrance exam. Jerry kept his fingers crossed that the good weather would hold up for the picnic he was planning for the coming weekend. |
| 2310 |
to land on one's feet to recover safely from an unpleasant or dangerous situation After a series of personal and professional difficulties, it's amazing that George has landed on his feet so quickly. Some young adults get into so much trouble at school that they are never able to land on their feet again. They drop out before graduating. |
| 2311 |
to dish out to distribute in large quantity; to speak of others in a critical manner Mary's mom dished out two or three scoops of ice cream for each child at the birthday party. Larry can't seem to take any criticism of his actions but he certainly likes to dish it out. |
| 2312 |
to get through to to communicate with, to make someone understand (also: to break through to) "This idiom has the meaning of to make someone ""catch on"" (Lesson 29, eighth idiom, the first definition)" Some of the students in my reading class understand English so poorly that it is difficult to get through to them. The doctors have never succeeded in breaking through to Mr. Ames, who is a silent and secretive patient. |
| 2313 |
to keep one's word to fulfill a promise, to be responsible An idiom with the opposite meaning is to break one's word. Suzanne kept her word to me not to let on to others that I intend to step down next month. Thomas always intends to keep his word, but invariably the end result is that he breaks his word. He just isn't capable of being a responsible person. |
| 2314 |
to be over one's head to be very busy, to have too much to do (also: to be up to one's ears); to be beyond one's ability to understand I'd love to take a week off for a hiking trip, but at the moment I am over my head in work. Maybe next week when I'm only up to my ears! It was impossible for the tutor to get through to Bill about the physics problem because the subject matter was over Bill's head. |
| 2315 |
to ask for to deserve, to receive a just punishment (also: to bring upon) If you drink alcohol and then drive a car, you're only asking for trouble. Don't complain about your cut in salary. You asked for it by refusing to heed our repeated warnings not to be late and inefficient. |
| 2316 |
to be a far cry from to be very different from I enjoyed visiting Seattle, but it was a far cry from the ideal vacation spot I expected. Ned is enjoying his new job, but his responsibilities are a far cry from what he was told they would be. |
| 2317 |
by all means certainly, definitely, naturally (also: of course); using any possible way or method If the Johnsons invite us for dinner, then by all means we have to return the invitation. Of course, we don't have to invite their children, too. In order to ensure its survival, the ailing company has to obtain an infusion of cash by all means. |
| 2318 |
to get out from under to restore one's financial security, to resolve a difficult financial obligation After years of struggling to get ahead, the young couple finally got out from under their debts. The ailing company, succeeding in obtaining the necessary cash, was able to get out from under its financial burdens. |
| 2319 |
to take the bull by the horns to handle a difficult situation with determination This idiom is usually used when someone has been postponing an action for some time and finally wants or needs to resolve it. After three years of faithful service, Jake decided to take the bull by the horns and ask his boss for a raise. Vic has been engaged to Laura for a long time now, and I know that he loves her. He should take the bull by the horns and ask her to marry him. |
| 2320 |
to give (someone) a hand to assist, to aid, to help (also: to lend someone a hand) Would you give me a hand lifting this heavy box? When Terry's car broke down at night on the highway, no one would stop to lend her a hand. |
| 2321 |
to give (someone) a big hand to clap one's hands in applause, to applaud After the talented new vocalist had sung her number, the audience gave her a big hand. Should we give a big hand to each beauty contestant is as she is introduced, or should we wait until all the introductions are finished? |
| 2322 |
to goof off to waste time, to be idle Some of the workers in our office always goof off when the boss is out. On Saturday afternoons, I like to go to a movie or just goof off at home. |
| 2323 |
to talk back to to answer in a rude manner, to speak disrespectfully Billy, if you talk back to me like that once more, you're going to spend the rest of the day in your room. The school principal had to reprimand the child for talking back to her teacher. |
| 2324 |
to be in to be popular or fashionable; to be available at one's work or home Most young people tend to want anything that is in at the time, but a few don't care about current trends. Could you please tell me when Mrs. Zachary will be in? I'd like to talk to her soon. |
| 2325 |
to be out to be unpopular or no longer in fashion; to be away from one's work or home These days, designer jeans are in and long skirts are out. I'm sorry, Mr. Jensen is out at the moment. Could I take a message? |
| 2326 |
to draw the line at to determine to be unacceptable, to refuse to consider I don't mind helping him with his homework, but I draw the line at writing a term paper for him. The conference organizers tried to accommodate the needs of the various interest groups, but they drew the line at extending the conference by two days. |
| 2327 |
to get out of line to disobey or ignore normal procedures or rules (also: to step out of line) When a child gets out of line in that teacher's class, she uses the old-fashioned method of making the child sit in the corner of the room. Any employee who steps out of line by coming to work in an unacceptable condition will be fired. |
| 2328 |
dry run rehearsal, practice session The college president requested a dry run of the graduation ceremony in order to ensure that all aspects went smoothly. Before the manager presented the reorganizational plans to the board of directors, he did several dry runs of his presentation. |
| 2329 |
to play by ear to play music that one has heard but never read; to proceed without plan, to do spontaneously The pronoun it is often used with the second definition. That pianist can play most popular music by ear. She never needs to read sheet music. My husband wanted to plan our trip carefully, but I argued that it was more fun if we played it by ear. |
| 2330 |
to be in (someone's) shoes to be in another person's position, to face the same situation as another person If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't take too many classes this semester. When his boss finds out about that accounting error, I wouldn't want to be in his shoes. |
| 2331 |
to keep after to remind constantly, to nag Lynn always has to keep after her children about cleaning up their rooms and doing chores around the house. Lon is so forgetful that it's necessary to keep after him about every little thing. |
| 2332 |
to fix up to repair or put back in good condition; to arrange a date or an engagement for another person Instead of buying an expensive new home, we decided to buy an older home and fix it up ourselves. Since my visiting friend didn't have a date for dinner, I fixed her up with a male friend of mine. They got along very well together. |
| 2333 |
to be had to be victimized or cheated "When the jeweler confirmed that the diamonds that the woman had purchased abroad were really fake, she exclaimed, ""I've been had!"" The angry customer complained about being overcharged at the store, asserting that this was the third time that he had been had." |
| 2334 |
bark up the wrong tree verb be mistaken/direct one's attention towards the wrong thing or person A: The police came to my house today and accused me of stealing a diamond necklace. They said it had been taken from Lady Badger's house at 1.00 am. B: And had you done it? A: No, they were barking up the wrong tree as usual. I was miles away robbing a bank in Manchester at 1.00 am! This expression originates from racoon hunts in America during the 19th century. The racoon is a wild animal which is about the same size as a cat and its fur used to be highly prized. The hunters' dogs would chase a racoon up a tree and then lie at the bottom barking. When they found the dogs the hunters would know which tree the racoon was hiding in. However, if the dogs had made a mistake and there was no racoon in the tree, they were barking up the wrong tree. Historical Idioms |
| 2335 |
be on cloud nine verb be very happy/elated A: I asked my wife to post off a coupon for the lottery so we could have a chance to win a million pounds. We've never done it before but I had a lucky feeling. I couldn't believe it when my wife told me we'd won. B: That's incredible! You must have been on cloud nine. A: Yes I was, until my wife remembered that she had forgotten to post the coupon. So we haven't won anything! This expression originates from the US weather bureau which identifies different types of cloud. The highest type, which is found at over 10 000 metres, is called cloud nine. The association with happiness is through a play on words because high can also mean euphoric or elated. Historical Idioms |
| 2336 |
be on tenterhooks verb wait anxiously for something A: I heard that you went to a haunted house and took photos of a ghost. B: Yes, I took them straight to the chemist and was on tenterhooks all week waiting for them to be developed. A: How exciting! So now you have proof that ghosts exist. B: No. Unfortunately the chemist threw them away. He said that every one had a strange white shape on it and so he thought I wouldn't want them. This expression comes from the traditional method of cloth-making. Part of the process involved drying the cloth by stretching it over a wooden frame and securing it with hooks which were called tenterhooks. The cloth was stretched as much as possible so that it was under very great tension. The expression used today compares the tension of the cloth to the tension felt when one is very anxious. See: CLIFFHANGER which describes a dramatic or anxious situation of which the outcome is uncertain. Historical Idioms |
| 2337 |
be up to scratch verb be of an acceptable/desired standard A: I think you should go to the optician and find out if your eyesight is up to scratch. B: Why do you say that? A: Weil last week I saw you talking to a lamp-post and asking it round for dinner! Boxing was a common sport during the 18th and 19th centuries, but the rules were very different from those of today. The fight was not divided into bouts of a few minutes but continued non-stop until one of the men was knocked to the floor. Both fighters then had to go to a mark which had been scratched in the middle of the ring. If a man had been so badly injured that he could not come up to scratch within thirty seconds, he lost the fight and his opponent won. The expression is often used in the negative — for example, She wanted to be a singer but her voice wasn't up to scratch. Other common forms are: bring something up to scratch and come up to scratch. Historical Idioms |
| 2338 |
blarney noun persuasive/flattering/charming talk which is probably unreliable or untrue A: Did you hear about Mrs Readies, the rich widow? She met a wealthy businessman on holiday and married him. B: Is she happy? A: No, her husband was talking a lot of blarney. He isn't a businessman at all. He's an unemployed postman. It seems he only married Mrs Readies for her money! The Blarney Stone is a rock set in the wall of Blarney Castle in Ireland. Tradition says that if you kiss the stone you will have the ability to charm and persuade people with your words. The tradition originates with McCarthy Mor who was the Lord of the castle. In 1602 he was attacked by English forces who demanded his surrender. Instead of admitting defeat immediately, McCarthy Mor kept giving the British excuses in order to delay his defeat. Because of his persuasive talking it took months before he surrendered. Historical Idioms |
| 2339 |
blow hot and cold verb continually change one's mind about something/someone A: I can't understand it. First my wife says she wants to go to Paris with me and then she doesn't. Why do you think she's blowing hot and cold? B: Well it's a lovely romantic idea to take her there but perhaps she's worried that it will cost you a lot of money — hotels, air tickets, restaurants... you know. A: No, it can't be that. She'll be paying for everything! This expression originates from one of the famous fables written by the ancient Greek author, Aesop. The story is about a man who meets a demon (small devil) in a wood. The man blows on his hands to warm them and so the demon invites him home and gives him a bowl of hot soup. When the man starts blowing on his soup to cool it the demon is terrified and throws him out of the house. The reason is that he is frightened of anything which can blow hot and cold from the same mouth! Historical Idioms |
| 2340 |
blue stocking noun a woman who is very intellectual or academic A: My brother's fiancee is definitely a blue stocking — quite honestly I'm surprised she wants to marry him. Sam left school at fourteen and has never read a book in his life! B: That's true, but on the other hand he does look like that tall, handsome actor, Tom Hunk! Lady Elizabeth Montagu lived in London during the 18th century and held ‘intellectual' parties at her home. Instead of gambling and gossiping, the guests listened to lectures given by learned people. A favourite speaker was the academic Benjamin Stillingfleet who talked about natural history and always wore blue stockings. As intellectual parties became popular, blue stocking clubs started all over London and their members wore blue stockings in admiration of Stillingfleet. The reason that the expression is now only used to describe women may be because of the evolution of stockings. In the 18th century these were garments for both men and women. Today, stockings are only worn by women. Historical Idioms |
| 2341 |
buff noun a person who is devoted to a particular subject and therefore knows a lot about it/a knowledgeable enthusiast A: My son Fred goes to the cinema every night. He hasn't missed a day for three years. B: How interesting, I didn't know your son was a film buff. A: He doesn't know anything at all about films — he works in the box office selling tickets! The word originated in the last century in New York City where amateur firefighters helped the official firemen to put out blazes. The amateur enthusiasts were called buffs because of their coats which were made out of buff leather. This was a pale yellow leather made from buffalo hide. Today its meaning has widened so that one can use it to describe people who are interested in many different subjects; you could meet a wine buff, a music buff, a football buff or a chess buff for example. Historical Idioms |
| 2342 |
business as usual noun continuing as normal A: I've been a fortune-teller for thirty years so I was heartbroken when I lost my crystal ball. I went to see my friend Madame Jo-Jo who reads Tarot cards. B: Was she able to predict where you would find your crystal ball? A: No, but she did lend me her spare pack of Tarot cards — so now it's business as usual! The wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, is responsible for this expression. He first used it in a speech in 1940 during the Second World War, just after London had been bombed heavily. He said, ‘The maxim of the British people is “business as usual”' — meaning that the population would carry on a normal life despite the bombs. Soon notices with the phrase appeared on buildings throughout the city — shops, offices, post offices and banks. Today it is not associated with war, but it is used to describe life continuing as normal despite problems or disasters. Historical Idioms |
| 2343 |
buttonhole someone verb talk to someone who does not want to listen A: How was the party? B: Not very good. A dreadful young man buttonholed me and told me his life story. It took two hours! A: Never mind, it could have been worse. He could have been an old man and then it would have taken even longer! This verb was originally to buttonhold and meant to hold on to the buttons of someone's coat. The idea was to sell goods to a reluctant customer by stopping him from walking away! Over the years the verb has become buttonhole and its meaning has grown to include talking to someone on any subject which the listener does not want to hear. Historical Idioms |
| 2344 |
carry the can verb take responsibility or blame for something A: My friend Fred and I took my grandmother's old dog Shep for a walk in the park. Unfortunately, on the way home Shep was run over by a bus! Fred told me I would have to carry the can for the accident. B: Your grandmother must have been very angry with you. A: Well, I went to the petshop and bought a young dog which looked just like Shep. My grandmother couldn't tell the difference. She said that she'd never seen him so full of energy and asked me to take him out for walks more often! This was originally a military expression. A group of soldiers would elect one man, usually of the lowest rank, to fetch beer for everyone. He would carry it in a large can (metal container) which he had to return at the end of the evening. So the man who carried the can took responsibility for it. Now the phrase can be applied to anyone who has to take the responsibility or blame for something — rightly or wrongly. Historical Idioms |
| 2345 |
catch someone on the hop verb catch someone unprepared/surprise someone A: Debbie had a baby a week after marrying Derek Dim. Derek didn't even know his wife was pregnant. B: Yes, the baby caught him on the hop — he thought Debbie was just very fat! The hop is a flower which is used in the brewing of beer and is traditionally grown in the county of Kent in south-east England. Just after the Second World War, hoppicking was a popular holiday for working-class Londoners as it was often the only chance they had to enjoy the countryside. It was a cheap family holiday which lasted the whole summer. Unfortunately, most men worked in jobs which gave only a few days holiday a year, and so they had to invent an excuse in order to go hop-picking. Sometimes the employer discovered the truth and caught a man on the hop, or in other words, caught him picking hops. It is very common to use this expression in the passive. For example, Make sure everything is ready well in advance otherwise you will be caught on the hop. Historical Idioms |
| 2346 |
the chips are down a point during an important situation when you are forced to make a decision or take action A: I heard about a woman who survived a plane crash in the jungle and had to live for three weeks on worms and insects! I could never do that — I'd rather starve to death. B: I disagree. I think that if the chips were down you'd eat anything. A: Perhaps you're right. After all I do eat your cooking! This expression originates from gambling. Bets are sometimes placed in the form of plastic counters called chips. When the chips are down or placed on the table the game is at a critical point because the players have committed their money. Historical Idioms |
| 2347 |
cliffhanger noun a dramatic or frightening moment when one does not know what will happen next A: The captain announced the ship had hit something and was sinking. There was only one hour to get all the passengers and crew into the lifeboats. No one was sure if it could be done — it was a real cliffhanger. B: How terrifying. Who could have expected such a disaster? A: Well I must admit I was a little suspicious when I first boarded the ship and found it was called The Titanic!. The American actress Pearl White starred in a TV series called ‘The Perils of Pauline'. Each episode would end with Pauline in a dangerous situation so that the audience would want to watch the next one to see what happened. In one episode Pauline was hanging on the edge of a cliff and this inspired the expression. Cliffhangers and cliffhanger endings are still used in TV drama series today. The expression can also describe situations in real life which are dramatic and uncertain. See: BE ON TENTERHOOKS which means wait anxiously for something. Historical Idioms |
| 2348 |
eat humble pie verb be very submissive after regretting an action or words A: Last week Charles accused his new secretary, Fiona, of stealing his wallet. It disappeared from his briefcase during lunchtime. B: How awful! I expect she lost her job immediately. A: No, Charles gave her a pay rise. The next day he found his wallet at home. It hadn't been stolen after all, so he had to eat humble pie all week and offer Fiona more money before she agreed to stay! In the Middle Ages umbles were the unpleasant but edible parts of a deer which were cooked in a pie. The best deer meat was eaten by the rich, whereas the umble pie was eaten by their servants who were of a lower social class. Over time the word umble became confused with the word humble which means meek or submissive to give the current expression. It is often used in the following forms, have to eat humble pie and make someone eat humble pie. See: KOWTOW which also means to behave humbly, but if you kowtow to someone, there is not a clearly defined reason for being submissive. Historical Idioms |
| 2349 |
give someone short shrift verb give someone very little of one's time due to impatience or annoyance A: When Mrs Tomlin takes her cat to the vet he spends ages with her, but when I go he gives me short shrift. B: Perhaps he likes Mrs Tomlin's cat better than yours. A: But I haven't got a cat, I've got a poisonous snake! In the Middle Ages a prisoner who had been condemned to death was allowed a short time to confess to a priest before the execution. The Old English word for confession was shrift and so short shrift was the short confession that the prisoner made in order to receive forgiveness from God. Historical Idioms |
| 2350 |
give someone the cold shoulder verb treat someone in a cold way/shun someone A: Don't bother to ask Mr Brown to help with the charity event — he always gives everyone the cold shoulder. B: Oh I'm sure he'll offer to help if I ask. A: Why is that? B: Because I'm his bank manager and he's overdrawn this month! This expression is thought to come from a way of showing a guest he was not wanted! A welcome guest would be offered a delicious hot meal but an unwanted one would receive only cold food. Shoulder is a word for a cut of meat — for example, a shoulder of lamb — and so the phrase to give someone the cold shoulder literally meant to give someone cold meat — not a very appetising meal! A derivation from this expression which has the same meaning is the shorter phrase cold shoulder someone. Historical Idioms |
| 2351 |
Heath Robinson adjective strange-looking/appearing to be homemade or improvised (used about machinery/ vehicles) A: Bob's father wouldn't buy him a VW for his birthday so Bob built himself a Heath Robinson car out of a bath, a motor bike engine and six bicycle wheels! He was really pleased with the result. B: But surely it wasn't as good as a VW car. A: No it wasn't, but Bob's father was so embarrassed every time his son drove around in it that he agreed to buy him a proper car! W Heath Robinson was a British artist who lived from 1872 to 1944. He became famous for his incredible cartoon drawings about inventors and their mad inventions. Today his name has entered the English language to describe any machinery or contraption which looks like part of one of his cartoons. Historical Idioms |
| 2352 |
Hobson's choice noun a situation in which there appears to be a choice when actually there is none at all A: Have you been to that chic new restaurant yet? I've seen the menu and there seems to be lots of delicious food. B: Take my advice — don't go. The menu looks very varied but it's always Hobson's choice. They never have anything available but fish and chips! This expression was inspired by an Englishman called Thomas Hobson who lived in Cambridge during the early 17th century. He earned his living by working as a liveryman, hiring out horses to many of the university students. To make sure that every horse was used equally Hobson invented a special system. When a customer came to the stables, Hobson insisted that he chose the horse nearest the door. So although there were in theory many horses to choose from, in reality there was only one choice! Common forms of the expression are: It's Hobson's choice (as in the example above) or take Hobson's choice. Historical Idioms |
| 2353 |
keep up with the Joneses verb always buy/do what one's friends and neighbours buy/do in order to seem as rich as they are A: Marcia is always trying to keep up with the Joneses. When she found that all her friends had a car, she immediately bought one herself. It was such a silly thing to do. B: Personally I find a car very useful. Why do you think it was silly? A: Because Marcia can't drive. Arthur R Momand, an American cartoonist, started writing a comic strip for the New York Globe in 1913 and it ran for 28 years. It was called ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses' and came from his own experience of married life in Cedarhurst, Long Island where he had to buy things just to be equal to or keep up with his neighbours. Historical Idioms |
| 2354 |
let the cat out of the bag verb reveal a secret by mistake A: I hid the money from the bank robbery in Gertie Gossip's house and told her to keep it a secret. But a week later she told her boyfriend by mistake. B: I'm not surprised she let the cat out of the bag — she never thinks before she speaks. Don't worry I'll go and see her boyfriend and tell him to keep quiet. What's his name? A: Detective Inspector Handcuff! Many country fairs used to sell piglets which were put in bags so that they could be carried home. Unfortunately some of the traders were not honest and put a cat, which was less valuable, into the bag instead of a piglet. It wasn't until the customer returned home that the cat was let out of the bag and the secret was revealed. Historical Idioms |
| 2355 |
look a gift horse in the mouth verb be ungrateful for an unexpected opportunity/bonus A: The Managing Director told me this afternoon that I could have a company car — a VW. But when I told him I would prefer a Ferrari he became very angry. B: I'm not surprised. After all you were looking a gift horse in the mouth! You probably won't get anything now. A: Yes I will. He told me I could have a bicycle. As a horse grows older, its gums recede and make its teeth look longer. So if someone looks inside a horse's mouth he is trying to check its age. The expression therefore described a situation in which someone found fault with a horse which was a gift. Nowadays the expression can be used in any situation in which somebody shows ingratitude for an unexpected present or opportunity. If the phrase is used as a command, it always takes the negative form: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Historical Idioms |
| 2356 |
mind your Ps and Qs verb be careful to be well behaved and polite A: I'm going to have lunch with the Queen at the Palace. B: You'll have to mind your Ps and Qs. I've heard that she can be offended if visitors do or say the wrong thing. A: Don't worry. If I make a mistake, I'll offer to give her a ride on the back of my motorbike! This expression has two possible origins. It could relate to the old custom of recording the number of beers a customer had to drink. ‘P' stands for pint and ‘Q' for quart. A quart is two pints. English pubs do not use this measure now. Customers had the number and size of their drinks recorded by the barman using either a ‘P' or a ‘Q'. Before the customer left the pub he would be asked to mind his Ps and Qs or in other words, to pay his bill. The second theory is that it was a warning to printers who used to put together metal blocks to make up a page of text. Each metal block had a letter on it which was backwards so that when printed it would appear the right way. Obviously, this meant it was very easy to mix up a ‘p' with a ‘q'. Historical Idioms |
| 2357 |
money for old rope noun money for doing very little A: Mrs Hallawell asked me to babysit for her last night. She said her baby, Francis, was very quiet and would sleep all the time. I thought it would be money for old rope but I'm never going to do that again. B: Babies can be very difficult to look after. A: No, he was fine but Mrs Hallawell's dog, Fang, didn't stop barking all night! In the Middle Ages hanging was a common death penalty. The hangman was the one who placed the noose around the neck of the condemned person and carried out the execution. He was paid for the job but could make extra money afterwards by cutting the rope into small pieces and selling them to the spectators. People used to think that the rope would bring them luck. Historical Idioms |
| 2358 |
one for the road noun one last drink, usually alcoholic, before leaving a pub, house etc A: It's a pity you have to leave the party so soon. If you're not in a hurry how about one for the road? B: Yes of course I can stay a little longer. A: Great. I've just invented a special cocktail. It's warm beer mixed with orange juice, whisky and strawberry jam! B: Err... Actually I think I'll go now. I've just realised that I forgot to feed the cat. Goodbye! In London during the Middle Ages, prisoners who were condemned to death would be taken from the Old Bailey prison (now law courts) to Tyburn (now Marble Arch). The journey was along the straight road from the City to the West End in a wagon pulled by a horse. Before leaving, it was traditional for the prisoners to visit the pub opposite the Old Bailey. In the pub, the Magpie and Stump, they could have a large glass of beer or one for the road. The prisoners would arrive at Tyburn drunk and therefore would not worry about the execution to come! Historical Idioms |
| 2359 |
pay through the nose verb pay a high price for something which is not worth it A: It's my father's birthday next weekend, so I've invited him to London. I want to find him a really good hotel — the price doesn't matter. Do you know one? B: Well everyone says you pay through the nose at ‘The Castle' but it is a lovely hotel. I would choose that if you're sure the price doesn't matter. A: That sounds perfect, I'm sure my father can afford it! This expression relates to a tax imposed by the Danes on the Irish during the 9th century. The punishment for not paying the tax was to have your nose slit open with a knife as an example to others. See: RIP-OFF which is a slang term meaning cheat someone by making them pay through the nose. Historical Idioms |
| 2360 |
run the gauntlet of something/someone verb suffer an attack/pressure/criticism A: Did you hear about Freda Fib? Apparently she had to run the gauntlet of dozens of newspaper reporters when she arrived at a charity dinner in a real fur coat. B: But lots of people wear real fur, why did they decide to pick on Freda. A: Well, the dinner was in aid of the local animal rights group! Although gauntlet is an English word meaning glove, this expression has nothing to do with either England or gloves. It originates from the Swedish expression, gatlopp (gata means gate and lopp means course) which was a military punishment in the 17th century. Two lines of soldiers would stand facing each other and hit the punished man as he ran between them. Now running the gauntlet can refer to any situation which is unpleasant to bear because of the way you are treated. Historical Idioms |
| 2361 |
sour grapes noun bitter comments about something which one wants but cannot have A: That's a beautiful salmon you've caught. It must weigh over five kilos! Are you going to have it for dinner? B: Well I was, but when I showed it to Mr Surly he told me it was diseased and that it would be dangerous to eat. A: Don't listen to him — it's just sour grapes. He's fished in that river for years and he's never caught anything larger than an old boot! Aesop, the ancient Greek author wrote one of his many fables about a fox. The fox tries to reach a bunch of delicious grapes which is just out of his reach. After trying for many hours he eventually gives up. As he walks away he says to himself that the grapes are not worth having because they are probably sour. Of course the fox only has this opinion because he cannot have them — his opinion is just sour grapes. Remember that the expression is never used in the singular (sour grape). Historical Idioms |
| 2362 |
steal someone's thunder verb spoil the effect of someone's actions or words by doing the same or better first A: In December I decided to wear a big hat with the words HAPPY CHRISTMAS on it. I thought that it would surprise everyone when I walked into the local bank. B: And did it? A: Not at all! I found that they'd stolen my thunder. The cashiers were in special fancy dress costumes — even the bank manager was dressed as a Charlie Chaplin! So no one even noticed me! This expression was first used by an English playwright called John Dennis who lived at the beginning of the 18th century. For one of his plays he invented a way to create the noise of thunder. Although the play itself was a disaster and soon closed, everyone loved the thunder sound effect! It was used by others so much that Dennis said, ‘Damn them! They will not let my play run, but they steal my thunder'. Historical Idioms |
| 2363 |
stick one's neck out verb do/say something which carries a high risk of failure, trouble or embarrassment A: The Prime Minister stuck his neck out today and promised that the unemployment figures will be halved by the end of this year. B: That's good news — but what if he's wrong? A: He'll be unemployed! In the Middle Ages prisoners who were given the death sentence were often beheaded. The condemned person had to kneel down and place his neck or stick his neck out on a block of wood. The executioner then chopped off his head with an axe! Today the risk of sticking your neck out is not death but the result may still be unpleasant if you are wrong or fail! Historical Idioms |
| 2364 |
toe the line verb obey orders/accept the policy or ideas of a group A: My friends are going on a protest march in Trafalgar Square. They say it's very important and they expect me to come too. The problem is, I don't really want to. B: Don't worry. You don't have to toe the line. Just tell your friends you're going to do something else. What's the march about anyway? A: Human rights! This expression comes from the House Of Commons, in the British Parliament, where two red lines are painted on the floor separating the members of the government from the opposition. A Member of Parliament who speaks is allowed to stand on the line but not to cross it. Originally the lines were set two sword lengths apart at a time when the MPs were allowed to take weapons into the room. If two MPs from opposing sides drew their swords they wouldn't be able to touch each other without crossing the line and breaking the rules of the House. Historical Idioms |
| 2365 |
turn the tables on someone verb reverse the situation in which one is at a disadvantage so one is in a superior position A: When we were children we decided to have a competition and see who would become a millionaire first. B: George has always earned much more than you — it's obvious that he'll be the one to do it. A: Yes that's what I used to think but now I've turned the tables on him. Yesterday a solicitor rang me and said that a distant cousin has died, leaving me one million pounds! This expression comes from the playing of board games such as chess and draughts. The games were originally played on special tables. If one player was losing and literally turned the table on his opponent then he would win the game. It is often used in the passive — for example, The tables were turned when I sent him the letter. Remember that the expression is never used in the singular (turn the table). See: TASTE OF ONE'S OWN MEDICINE which refers to the reversal of unpleasant situations. Historical Idioms |
| 2366 |
underdog noun someone who is almost certain to fail/lose a competition/argument/war etc A: Kevin Klumsy is the British entry at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships this year. He'll be the underdog as usual. B: Why do you say that? He might win! A: Well, for a start he's very shortsighted and has a wooden leg! An underdog can be a person, animal or country. A common way of using it is in the expression support the underdog. One theory about its origin is that it came from the time when dogfighting was popular. The dog who was strongest was called the top dog (which can be used of people today) and the animal who was more likely to lose was called the under dog. ‘The Under Dog In The Fight' is a 19th-century song which ends: But for me, I shall never pause to ask Which dog may be in the right, For my heart will beat, while it beats at all, For the under dog in the fight. Historical Idioms |
| 2367 |
upset the applecart verb spoil a plan, arrangement or expected course of events A: Did you go to Veronica Vain's wedding? I heard it was going to be the most spectacular social event of the year. B: Yes it was. On the morning of the wedding the groom upset the applecart by saying he couldn't go through with the marriage and wanted it all stopped. A: Oh no! What happened to the bride? B: Well, Veronica didn't want to disappoint the guests or waste the huge cake, so she married me instead! In the days when apples were taken to market in a cart along badly-made roads, it was easy for one of the cartwheels to become stuck in a hole. This would cause the cart to tip up or be upset unexpectedly and spill the apples on the ground. It is this image which is captured in the expression which is used today. Inanimate things as well as people can upset applecarts. For example, The discovery upset the applecart or His opinion upset the applecart. It is also common to use an adjective to make the phrase more informative. For example, upset the financial applecart or upset the domestic applecart. Historical Idioms |
| 2368 |
white elephant noun something which is expensive but useless/something which is costly to keep and has no apparent benefit A: I don't like my brother so when my uncle died and left him his MG sports car in his will, I was really pleased. B: That's funny! Weren't you jealous? A: No, not at all. You see the car is a complete white elephant; it uses an enormous amount of petrol and breaks down all the time. It's costing my brother a fortune. This expression comes from Thailand where a long time ago there was a custom which the king would follow. Every time a white elephant was born in the country, the king would claim the rare animal immediately and keep it for himself. However if someone made the king angry or displeased him he would give the white elephant to that person. The reason was that the elephant was very expensive to look after and so would very quickly ruin the person who had annoyed the king. Historical Idioms |
| 2369 |
NEW IDIOMS All languages change; words are forgotten or alter their meanings; new words are invented. During the last ten years there have been many inventions which have become popular enough to gain a place in the language. Many of these words have been spread through the media — television and newspapers in particular. This section will introduce you to a selection of commonly-used new words, some of which have become firmly established and are certain to still exist in ten years time. bimbohigh-flyerbuzzwordhypecouch potatojunk food/junk mailculture shockmoonlightDIYnightmare scenariodoshsell-by dateflagshipsquatterflavour of the monthstate-of-the-artfreebiethinking man/woman's (the)ghetto blastertoyboygolden parachuteuser-friendlyheadhuntyuppie |
| 2370 |
bimbo noun a young woman who is not very intelligent but is particularly attractive A: Frank's new wife Marie looks exactly like the film star Marilyn Monroe. She's got blonde hair and always wears sexy clothes. B: She sounds like a bimbo to me. I thought Frank preferred intellectual women. What do they talk about? A: Marie is certainly not a bimbo — she's very brainy and works as a scientist. Most of the time they talk about nuclear physics! This word was originally used in America in the first part of this century. It was short for the Italian bambino meaning baby. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that the word became popular again and found its new meaning of an attractive but stupid young woman. A variation is himbo which can be used to describe a man with similar characteristics. See: TOYBOY which describes a young man who is attractive. New Idioms |
| 2371 |
buzzword noun a new word or expression which is fashionable A: I've just started work in a record company and I can't understand a word anyone there says. B: Well there are so many buzzwords in the music industry, it takes time to learn them all. A: No that's not the problem. It's because they play music so loudly, I can't hear anyone speak! Examples of Sixties buzzwords are cool and groovy (very good, enjoyable); examples of Eighties buzzwords are street cred (in touch with fashion/ideas/opinions of the young people) and power dressing (dressing in clothes which indicate authority/ power) and examples of Nineties buzzwords are green (not harmful to the environment) and ozone-friendly (not harmful to the ozone-layer which protects the earth from the sun). Buzzwords often go out of fashion very quickly. New Idioms |
| 2372 |
couch potato noun someone who is very inactive and spends most of their time watching television A: I went jogging eight weeks ago and broke my ankle. The doctor told me to stay at home and rest until it healed. All I could do was watch TV. B: How frustrating. When will you be able to jog again? A: Actually my ankle has already healed but I enjoy being a couch potato so much I've decided to give up jogging altogether! This expression comes from America. Couch is another word for sofa or settee and potato refers to the idea that a person who just sits and watches TV becomes like a vegetable. Vegetable is a term for a person who cannot function as a normal human being, for instance, someone who cannot talk, move or think due to illness or injury. New Idioms |
| 2373 |
culture shock noun feeling uncomfortable in a strange country or place because of the different habits and way of life A: Bobby is nine years old and has lived in London all his life. When his parents took him to the countryside for the first time it was a complete culture shock. B: What was he most surprised by? A: The cows. He'd thought that milk came from bottles! This expression refers to any environment which is new and very different from one's own, and is therefore a shock. New Idioms |
| 2374 |
DIY /diː aɪ waɪ/ noun/adjective household repairs or improvements which are done by oneself rather than by a professional or, able to be used easily without specialist skills or help from a professional A: We'd never done any DIY before, but when we moved into the dilapidated old house on the hill we decided to do the repair work ourselves. We thought that it would save money. B: That was a good idea. How much did you save? A: Well, by the time we'd bought all the tools we needed, such as saws, hammers, drills, chisels, screwdrivers and paintbrushes, we'd spent a fortune. So we didn't save anything at all! This expression is an acronym standing for ‘Do It Yourself' and was originally used by shops selling materials needed for home improvements and repairs such as putting up shelves or painting a wall, for example. The idea was that instead of paying a professional such as a plumber, builder or electrician you could do it yourself and save money. As a noun DIY can only refer to household improvements or repairs. For example, My bobby is DIY. However, it can also, as an adjective, refer to other types of tasks or objects. For example, I've bought a DIY dentistry kit to take on holiday with me or DIY heart tests are now available in shops. In this second meaning, DIY refers to something which normally requires a professional or expert (dentist, doctor, lawyer, architect etc) but which has been changed to a form suitable for the amateur. It therefore cannot be used to describe everyday things like televisions, computers or cars. See: USER-FRIENDLY which also can describe a machine which is simple to use. New Idioms |
| 2375 |
dosh noun money A: Your husband looks very depressed at the moment. Is it money worries? B: Yes it is. I've just started my own company and I'm making far more dosh than he is! Once a working-class word, dosh is now also used by young middle-class people. It generally refers to large amounts of money needed to buy such things as Porsches, houses and luxurious holidays. Yuppies and high-flyers often use it when talking about income. For example, My new job pays £75 000 a year — that's a lot of dosh. New Idioms |
| 2376 |
flagship noun something which represents the best that can be offered A: The ‘beard tax' was the flagship of the last government. They said it was an important contribution to society. I agree with them. B: But nobody likes new taxes and a tax on men's beards seems very unfair. Why do you agree with them? A: Because it was so unpopular they lost the next election! A flagship is the most important ship in a fleet. The expression can now be used to describe the most important or prestigous item of a series or group. For example, a radio programme, department store or publication can be a flagship. New Idioms |
| 2377 |
flavour of the month noun currently popular/famous for a short while A: Harry used to have no friends but now people phone him all the time to invite him to the pub. B: Why is he suddenly flavour of the month? A: Because he's started paying for everyone's drinks! This expression is thought to come from American ice-cream parlours which promote a different flavour every month. Another variation is flavour of the week which refers to something which is popular or famous for an even shorter time! New Idioms |
| 2378 |
freebie noun something which is given free, often in return for possible favours in the future A: I work as a journalist for a magazine about wine. The salary is quite low but there are lots of freebies. Most weeks I'm sent two or three bottles of wine by shops who want me to write articles about them. But there's one problem. B: What's that? A: I don't drink alcohol! This expression was originally associated only with journalists. As part of a promotion for a record, book, film or play, journalists are entertained with parties and given free samples and promotional material. Although there is no charge for these things the promoters will expect the journalists to repay them by providing free publicity in newspapers and magazines. It can now be used more widely to refer to other situations in which something is given free with the hope of a response from the receiver. For example, if you buy a magazine and find a freebie inside (a sachet of shampoo perhaps) the manufacturer who has provided it hopes you will buy his product. New Idioms |
| 2379 |
ghetto blaster noun a type of portable cassette player which can play music extremely loudly A: My grandmother loves music but she's getting deaf and couldn't hear her record player very well. She's solved the problem now. B: What did she do — buy a hearing aid? A: No. A ghetto blaster. This expression came from America and became popular during the 1980s. Ghetto means a poor, urban area and blast means an explosion — in this case of noisy music. They are popular with young men, who carry them around in city streets (often in deprived areas). The volume is designed to impress other people rather than to entertain! New Idioms |
| 2380 |
golden parachute noun a contract which is given to important executives so that they receive a large sum of money if they lose their job A: I'm going to open a bottle of champagne to celebrate. My company has just been bought by another one and I'm going to lose my job. B: But that's awful. Why are you celebrating? A: Because I've got a golden parachute. When I leave at the end of the week I'll receive a huge cheque! This expression is a variation on golden handshake which was first used in the 1950s to describe a gift of money given by a company to an employee when he left the company or retired. In the Eighties golden parachute was invented to describe special contracts for executives who wanted protection if they lost their job — and high salary! New Idioms |
| 2381 |
headhunt verb fill a vacancy for a job by directly approaching someone who is already working for another company A: I'm worried about my job. All the people who have held this post before me have been headhunted. B: Why are you worried? All people who are good at their job are headhunted. A: Yes I know. The problem is that I've been working here for five years and not a single headhunter has approached me! This expression usually refers to the treatment of very highly paid executives, often heads of departments within companies. Someone who looks for candidates for executive jobs is a headhunter. New Idioms |
| 2382 |
high-flyer noun an exceptionally talented professional person who receives rapid promotion A: Jamie is a high-flyer who works in an advertising company. Last week he announced that he was going to give it all up and become a farmer. B: I suppose he realised there are more important things than money. When is he leaving the company? A: He's not. His boss was so worried about losing him that he gave him a £30 000 pay rise and Jamie has decided to stay. This expression always refers to people who have exceptional ability in a particular field and therefore rise very quickly through an organisation. See: YUPPIE which describes a professional person who is a potential high-flyer. New Idioms |
| 2383 |
hype verb over-expose in the media in order to advertise/promote a film, book, person etc A: We told the record company that we didn't want them to hype our band, ‘The Kangaroos'. B: Yes, hyping bands is a complete waste of money. If the music is good enough then people will buy the records. So how many have you sold? A: None! This expression originated in America and is thought to be a short form of hyperbole which means deliberate exaggeration. It can also be used as a noun. For example, It's amazing the way some people believe the hype about Hollywood films. New Idioms |
| 2384 |
junk food/junk mail noun/noun unhealthy food which has many additives and high fat content unwanted post A: I've decided to give up junk food. I'm going to eat healthy meals instead, lots of fresh vegetables, whole-meal bread and brown rice. B: Oh dear. Dan and I were going to ask you if you wanted to come with us. We're going out to buy hamburgers with lots of chips. When does your new diet start? A: Tomorrow! Junk is another word for rubbish. It comes from the Latin word juncus meaning rush, a type of plant which used to be made into rope. Originally junk was used by sailors to describe old pieces of rope, and eventually the word became associated with anything old and generally unwanted. For example, junk shops are shops which sell old things which are not very valuable (furniture, clocks, books etc). Therefore junk food is literally rubbish food. It is used to describe food which is bought from takeaway shops and supermarkets and eaten with little or no preparation. This type of food usually has very low nutritional value. A related expression is junk mail which describes unwanted post from companies and organisations. If you pick up an envelope which says on the outside You have won a fantastic prize or Open this and find out how you can win £1 million — it is definitely junk mail! New Idioms |
| 2385 |
moonlight verb do another job as well as one's normal one A: I don't earn enough money as a nurse so I moonlight as a waitress in the evenings. B: Does it cause any problems? A: Yes sometimes I get confused. The other day I gave a patient in the hospital a menu and took the temperature of a customer in the restaurant! This word describes the doing of a second job which is normally secret in some way — perhaps from the first employer or from the taxman! New Idioms |
| 2386 |
nightmare scenario noun the most awful series of events that can be imagined A: I'm very worried about nuclear weapons. If every country has them I don't see how we can avoid the nightmare scenario of a world war which destroys the whole Earth. There's only one solution. B: What's that? A: Move to another planet! This expression was first used during the Gulf War in 1991. The Americans and their allies were using military force against Iraq, which had occupied its neighbour Kuwait. According to the Americans, the nightmare scenario was the possibility of Iraq retreating very quickly from Kuwait without being defeated. This would mean that the Iraqi army would still be powerful and able to attack again in the future. New Idioms |
| 2387 |
sell-by date noun the point at which something is no longer at its best and is beginning a natural decline A: Most footballers are past their sell-by date at thirty-five but Bobby is still a brilliant player. In his last match he scored four times — there was only one problem. B: What was that? A: They were own goals! This term was first used during the early 1970s to indicate when a food product should be sold. The sell-by date is printed on edible products in shops so that the consumer can check their freshness. Food which is past its sell-by date cannot legally be sold. Today the expression is also used in a wider, and slightly humorous, way to describe anything which is past its best, or anyone — as in the example above. New Idioms |
| 2388 |
squatter noun a person who lives in an unused house without the owner's permission and without paying rent A: I've been a squatter for fifteen years but now I've decided to B: Is it because you feel that it's immoral to live in someone else's property? A: No, it's because I've saved so much money through not paying any rent that I can afford to buy a flat of my own now! The word originated in Australia in the middle of the last century to describe groups of people, generally convicts, who settled in remote areas and claimed the land for themselves. It has commonly been used since the 1970s to describe people living illegally in empty houses. The properties which squatters use are nearly always owned by organisations rather than individuals and are often in a state of disrepair. Other forms are the verb squat and the noun a squat which refers to the building. New Idioms |
| 2389 |
state-of-the-art adjective the best technology which is currently available/can be achieved A: Do you like my new state-of-the-art TV. It has a clock, calendar, radio and video; it tells you the temperature of the room and can even measure your blood pressure. There's just one problem. B: What's that? A: I don't know how to turn it on! This adjective can be used to describe any type of technical or electrical equipment. For example, radios, hi-fi, cameras, televisions, videos, computers, cars, aeroplanes, satellites etc. New Idioms |
| 2390 |
the thinking man/woman's adjective attractive to intellectuals and intelligent people A: My wife has started watching that TV programme about the history of philosophy. B: My wife likes that too. Personally I find the man who presents it — Professor Peters — very boring, but apparently he's popular. A: I've heard that most of the audience is female so perhaps Professor Peters is the thinking woman's sex symbol! According to the writer Fritz Spiegl, this expression was first used to describe a female English TV presenter. She was called, humorously, the thinking man's crumpet (crumpet is slang for attractive woman) which referred to the fact that she was both intelligent and attractive. Now the expression can be used in other forms. For example, the thinking man's newspaper. New Idioms |
| 2391 |
toyboy noun boyfriend of an older, usually rich, woman A: Hello Vera. I've heard that a young man is staying at your house at the moment. B: That's right, his name is Keith and he's staying for the weekend. A: I know you aren't married, Vera, but you must remember that you are over sixty now. Don't you think you're too old to have a toyboy? B: Toyboy! Keith is my nephew, Mrs Gossip! This word was invented during the 1980s by the tabloid (popular) newspapers who follow the private lives of the rich and famous. They noticed that many middle-aged film stars had boyfriends who were twenty or thirty years younger than themselves. Because the women paid for everything from meals and clothes to hotels and houses, the tabloids believed that the boyfriends were like possessions or toys. Therefore they described the men as toyboys. See: BIMBO which describes a young attractive woman. New Idioms |
| 2392 |
user-friendly adjective easy to operate/use A: We need a new complaints procedure which is simple and clear. Can you think of a user-friendly system? B: Well, at the moment customers have to fill in five different forms which are difficult to understand. How about if they just went to your office and told you about their complaint in person? A: Oh no, that's too user-friendly. This expression was originally invented to describe a computer which was simple to use and did not need any specialised knowledge. It can be used for machines other than computers, systems (as above) and can even describe people for humorous effect. This expression inspired the word ozone-friendly. It is used by manufacturers to describe products which do not destroy the ozone layer which is the layer of gas around the earth that keeps out most of the harmful rays of the sun. For example, Is this hairspray ozone-friendly? See: DIY which can also describe things which are easy to do. New Idioms |
| 2393 |
yuppie noun young rich person who works in a well paid job — especially in finance, advertising or marketing A: There's a new shop in the High Street which sells beautiful but very expensive clothes. All the yuppies go there. B: How do you know that? A: Because there are always at least two BMWs and one Porsche parked outside! Yuppie is an acronym based on ‘Young Urban Professional Person'. It was invented in America and became popular in Britain during the 1980s. It's fame spread through such books as ‘The Yuppie Handbook' which described this social group and its status symbols. A yuppie is said to like to drive a VW Golf GTi, BMW or Porsche, write with a Mont Blanc pen, visit winebars, carry a Filofax/personal organiser, own a mobile telephone, wear a Rolex watch and designer clothes, be a member of a health club and go on skiing holidays every winter! The word can also be used as an adjective. For example, This part of London is a very yuppie area. See: HIGH-FLYER which describes a professional person who is very successful. New Idioms |
| 2394 |
HUMOROUS IDIOMS When you are tired of trying to learn new vocabulary, look at this section. It brings together expressions which look and sound ridiculous — mumbo-jumbo, fuddy-duddy, chock-a-block! However they are real words and some of them can even be used in quite formal written English such as articles, reports or essays. chock-a-blockmumbo-jumboclaptrapnamby-pambyding-dongpooh-poohfuddy-duddyriff-raffgobbledegookslapdashhotchpotchtit for tathumdrumtopsy-turvyhurly-burlywhodunnit |
| 2395 |
chock-a-block adjective completely full/squashed together in a limited space A: Excuse me, I want to get past. I must get to the platform. B: Don't bother. It's chock-a-block with passengers because there's a delay. Apparently the train can't leave the station. A: Yes I know. I'm the train driver! This expression originates from nautical slang. The word chock refers to a ring-like device through which ropes are passed and block refers to two pieces or blocks of wood which are pulled together. They are both part of a block and tackle, a mechanism which is used on ships to hoist or lift heavy loads. Humorous Idioms |
| 2396 |
claptrap noun insincere, foolish talk/nonsense A: What do you think of Linda's painting? B: I like it. She said that she used only blue paint in order to indicate a sad, lonely mood. it's a very clever idea. A: Don't listen to that claptrap. Linda used blue paint because it was the only colour she had! This word comes from the theatre of the early 18th century. It referred to any trick that the playwright used to make the audience clap — in other words a trap for claps! Today it has completely lost its theatrical associations and is only used to describe opinions or information which give the impression of being important but are in fact worthless. See: MUMBO-JUMBO which can describe meaningless ideas and beliefs as well as language. GOBBLEDEGOOK which describes complicated language which is difficult to understand. Humorous Idioms |
| 2397 |
ding-dong noun loud argument A: Maureen and Richard are having a ding-dong. Richard wants to keep a pet and Maureen says that their flat is too small. They've been shouting at each other for over an hour. B: I think Maureen is being unreasonable, they must have room for a pet. What does he want — -a cat? A: No, an elephant! This slang expression refers to arguments which are very loud and possibly physically violent. It cannot be used to describe a minor disagreement with someone. Humorous Idioms |
| 2398 |
fuddy-duddy noun someone or something which is very old-fashioned/conservative/boring A: I'd like to buy a suit please. It's for my new job in an accounts department. B: Here's a grey one, Sir, and it's in the latest fashion — everyone's wearing them. A: Oh dear, that's not quite what I had in mind. I hope you don't think I'm a fuddy-duddy but do you have anything without orange and purple spots! In the past, men who worked in the church were often qualified as Doctors of Philosophy as well as Doctors of Divinity. If a man were both, the letters after his name were PhD, DD. Naturally a clergyman was very conservative in his behaviour and attitudes and so the letters PhD, DD led to the invention of the word fuddy-duddy. It is important to remember that it is not regarded as a compliment! Humorous Idioms |
| 2399 |
gobbledegook noun complicated/obscure/meaningless language (written or spoken) A: My solicitor has sent me a letter which says something about £450! The problem is that he's used so much jargon I can't understand it. I really hate gobbledegook — can you help? B: Yes of course. I used to be a solicitor myself so I'm sure I can tell you what it means. Let's see... Yes, he says that you owe him £450. A: Are you sure? Oh dear. I don't want to understand gobbledegook. This word was invented by Maury Maverick, an American politician. He was very tired of language which was unnecessarily complicated and hard to understand and so decided to think of a name to describe it. In English the sound a turkey makes is gobble and the image of this stupid bird making a sound no one can understand gave Maverick the idea for gobbledegook. See: MUMBO-JUMBO which can describe meaningless ideas and beliefs as well as language. CLAPTRAP which describes foolish talk. Humorous Idioms |
| 2400 |
hotchpotch noun a mixture of different things or ideas which do not go together A: I hate writing reports but my boss says I should do more. What do you think of the latest one I've done? B: To be honest it's a hotchpotch of ideas and opinions. I don't think your boss will like it at all. A: That's wonderful. It means she'll never ask me to write one again! The origin of the word is hotchpot which comes from the French hochepot which was used to describe a dish made of a mixture of lots of different ingredients. An alternative form of this word is hodgepodge which has an identical meaning. Humorous Idioms |
| 2401 |
humdrum adjective boring/ordinary / repetitive A: Betty Boring leads a realty humdrum life. She spends twelve hours a day at the factory, putting chocolates into boxes. At the weekends she stays at home and watches television all day. B: That sounds very depressing. Why does she look so happy all the time? A: Betty says it's because she's a humdrum person. The origin of this word is a mystery but it is thought to have a connection with hum which can describe a continuous unchanging sound and therefore imply that something is monotonous or uninteresting. Humorous Idioms |
| 2402 |
hurly-burly noun intense, noisy activity A: My grandmother goes to Morello Market every day. She's there when it opens and doesn't leave until it closes. B: Yes I've heard that it's a very good market. It's very busy with lots of stalls selling everything from food to antiques. Does your grandmother go early so that she can buy the best things? A: No she doesn't buy anything. She only goes because she enjoys the hurly-burly! This expression is based on the word hurling (now meaning throwing with force) which once described the sound of thunder and strong wind. It was originally rhymed with the nonsense word burling in the phrase hurling and burling before it developed to its present form. Hurly-burly is normally used to describe a busy, active atmosphere which is caused by the presence of lots of people, for example, the hurly-burly of London. It cannot be used to describe intense activity carried out by one person. See: BROUHAHA which also describes noisy activity. Humorous Idioms |
| 2403 |
mumbo-jumbonoun noun language, ideas, beliefs which are either too complicated and difficult to understand or nonsensical A: I met a scientist last week who explained Einstein's ‘Theory of Relativity' to me. B: I've always been interested in that. What's it all about then? A: I don't know. He talked a lot of mumbo-jumbo about space and time and I didn't understand a word! When British merchants visited West Africa in the 18th century, they discovered tribes who worshipped a god called Mama Dyumbo. Because they didn't believe in the god themselves, the merchants thought that the Africans' religion was silly and meaningless. They called it mumbo-jumbo (their pronunciation of Mama Dyumbo) and the expression became part of the English language. See: GOBBLEDEGOOK which can also describe meaningless language, but not ideas or beliefs. CLAPTRAP which describes foolish talk. Humorous Idioms |
| 2404 |
namby-pamby adjective weak sentimental A: My boyfriend says that he wants me to give up smoking. He says that I must choose between him and cigarettes. Do you think he'd be happy if I just smoked less? B: No, I don't think so. You need to be brave and make a clear decision. It's no good being namby-pamby. A: Yes you're right. I'll tell my boyfriend that I can't see him anymore! Ambrose Phillips was an 18th century writer and politician who liked to write poetry. Unfortunately he was not very good! Another writer, called Henry Carey, gave Ambrose the nickname Namby-Pamby after he wrote a very sentimental poem for Lord Carteret's children. Over the years the nickname has become part of the English language and can be used to describe a person or action which is feeble. Humorous Idioms |
| 2405 |
pooh-pooh verb completely turn down/treat with contempt an idea or suggestion without further consideration or discussion A: I asked my parents if I could go to Australia with my friends but they pooh-poohed the idea. They said that I wasn't old enough to travel so far on my own. B: How did you change their mind? A: I told them I'd pay for the trip myself! One of the first known appearances of this word was in Shakespeare's play, ‘Hamlet' in the form puh: ‘Affection, puh! You speake like a greene girle.' During the 17th century the word became a double word — pooh-pooh — in order to provide greater emphasis. Humorous Idioms |
| 2406 |
riff-raff noun undesirable and untrustworthy people who are of a low social class A: Would you like to go to the Queen's Head pub? B: I don't think so. It seems to attract all kinds of riff-raff. Why on earth do you want to go? A: I'm meeting my friends there! This word is normally used to refer to a group of people. Its origin is the Old French expression rif et raf which meant everyone/one and all. Humorous Idioms |
| 2407 |
slapdash adjective inefficient/of a low standard A: I paid two decorators to paint my flat. What do you think? B: It looks like a really slapdash job to me — I think you should ask for your money back. They obviously aren't very experienced. A: But they must have lots of experience — they are both over ninety years old! This word is based on the phrase a slap and a dash. The verbs slap and dash both indicate hurry and communicate the idea of not being careful. Humorous Idioms |
| 2408 |
tit for tat an unpleasant action given in return for one received A: Andrew was furious when I got the job which he wanted. He came round to my house with a ladder in the middle of the night to splash red paint over my windows. B: That's outrageous. If I were you I would go round to his house and pour paint over his car. A: No, I don't believe in tit for tat. Anyway Andrew fell off the ladder and broke his leg — so now he's even more angry! In the 16th century tip and tap both meant a hit or a blow. The expression tip for tap therefore meant a blow in exchange for a blow. Over the time the spelling has altered to the current tit for tat. Humorous Idioms |
| 2409 |
topsy-turvy adjective chaotic/upside down reversed/having changed places A: When we returned home from holiday last night we found everything was topsy-turvy. Books and furniture had been thrown around, plates and glasses had been smashed — the flat was a complete mess. B: Oh my goodness, you must tell the police immediately that you've been burgled. A: But it wasn't a burglary. Our daughter had thrown a party for her friends while we were away! This expression comes from two words, top and the Old English verb terve which meant turn or turn over. It was used by Charles Dickens in one of his stories: ‘A chaos of carts, overthrown and jumbled together lay topsy-turvy at the bottom of a ... hill.' Apart from describing confusion and disorder, the word can also be used to refer to two things which have reversed their position, for example, I dreamt that I was in a topsy-turvy world last night. The sky was green and the grass and trees were blue. Humorous Idioms |
| 2410 |
whodunnit noun a detective novel or play A: My Aunt Nellie loves to read whodunnits so I send her an Agatha Christie each birthday. She's read about so many murders over the years she must be an expert by now. B: Yes I'm sure. How is her husband, Uncle George? Do you send him presents as well? A: Now that's strange. You know I haven't heard from him for ages! This expression is an abbreviation of the question ‘Who has done it?' This of course means ‘Who did the murder?' All crime novels and plays contain this puzzle which the reader attempts to solve. Humorous Idioms |
| 2411 |
FOREIGN IDIOMS One of the reasons why there are so many words in the English language is that a large number of them are ‘borrowed' from other languages. These expressions have been absorbed to become part of the English vocabulary. However, you will find that all the pronunciations are ‘anglicised' — in other words they are spoken with an English accent, as if they are English words. ad nauseamforteau faitkowtowbete noiremachoblasepaparazziblitzper sebrouhahapiece de resistancecarte blanchepost mortemcliche/clichedraconteurcreme de la cremestatus quofaux pastete-a-tete |
| 2412 |
ad nauseam /æd ˈnɔːziəm/ adverb endlessly/in excess/too much A: The English are lucky that they have such bad weather. B: Why is that? A: Because it's the only subject they can talk about — they discuss it ad nauseam! This Latin expression literally means to the point of sickness. It is important to remember that it generally refers to something which is unpleasant. For example, I love oysters. I could eat them ad nauseam. — is wrong; but, No one in my family likes sausages but they're all my mother can cook. We eat them ad nauseam. — is right. Foreign Idioms |
| 2413 |
au fait /əʊ ˈfeɪ/ adjective knowledgeable about a subject or situation A: Doctor Quack told me he was au fait with the latest medical discoveries and so I thought he would give me something very special to stop my earache. B: I never go to Doctor Quack when I'm ill. I've heard that he isn't a qualified doctor at all, but a greengrocer. A: Really? So that's why he gave me a bag of apples instead of some medicine! This French expression is used to describe knowing about something rather than knowing how to do something. There are two ways it can be used. First, when referring to someone who has great knowledge about a topic or subject — for example, Henry is au fait with American law. Second, when describing someone who is simply aware of a situation — for example, Are you au fait with what has happened? Foreign Idioms |
| 2414 |
bête noire /bet ˈnwɑː/ noun something or someone one hates/detests A: Gardening never stops; every day something has to be done — weeding, pruning, digging, planting... B: Yes, I can see you work really hard; the garden looks beautiful. A: Actually gardening is my bête noire so I never do any. I pay my gardener, Mr Rake, to do it all for me! This expression literally means black beast in French. The plural form in English is bête noires. Foreign Idioms |
| 2415 |
blasé /ˈblɑːzeɪ/ adjective unmoved/unexcited by something because one has experienced it many times already A: I find it difficult to choose a holiday. I travel abroad as part of my job so flying to America or the Far East is like driving to the shops for me. B: Yes I see what you mean. Visiting so many exotic countries would make anyone blasé. So where do you go? A: I've found a unique holiday destination which only I know about. I stay with my mother down the road! This word comes from the French verb blaser which means cloy (become unpleasant because of having too much of something). It was originally used to describe people who are bored with something because they have experienced it many times before. However the meaning has expanded and the word can also refer to someone who is unimpressed by something even if it is a first time experience. For example, I thought my young son would find his first visit to the circus exciting but he was very blasé about it. See: CLICHÉ which describes something which has been overused. Foreign Idioms |
| 2416 |
blitz /blɪts/ noun intensive effort or fierce attack A: I decided to have a blitz on my clothes and threw away all the ones I didn't want any more. It's not something I'm going to do again for a very long time... B: Why? Because it took hours to do? A: No. Because it was so expensive. When I'd finished I found I didn't have anything left except a pair of socks — so I had to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe! This is the shortened form of the German word Blitzkrieg which means literally lightning war. It was used during the Second World War to describe the intensive air attacks carried out on Britain. The British adopted the word and called the attacks ‘The Blitz'. After the war, the word came to be used to describe any fierce, concentrated effort. It can also be used as a verb. For example, The government are going to blitz small businesses with information about fire regulations. Foreign Idioms |
| 2417 |
brouhaha /ˈbruːhɑːhɑː/ noun loud noises due to intense activity or a long and heated argument A: What's the matter with Harry? He's in such a bad mood. B: Oh, there's been a bit of a brouhaha because I left a tube of glue in the bathroom. A: What's so awful about that? B: He mistook it for toothpaste and brushed his teeth with it! This French word imitates a loud noise: it sounds like the noise it is describing. The use of the sound of a word to imitate what the word refers to is called onomatopoeia. Hiss and buzz are other examples of onomatopoeia. See: HURLY-BURLY which also describes intense noisy activity. Foreign Idioms |
| 2418 |
carte blanche /kɑːt ˈblɑːnʃ/ noun freedom to decide everything/anything A: The new art gallery is certain to look awful. I've heard that the architects, ‘Devastating Designs', have been given carte blanche. B: Some modern architecture is very attractive — so it might not look as bad as you think. What was their last building like? A: A rabbit hutch! This French expression literally means blank sheet of paper. It originated from the military tradition of giving a blank piece of paper to the leader of a beaten army. The leader had to sign his name on the paper so that the victors could write above it all the conditions which they wanted. Obviously anything could be written so the defeated side were giving the victors carte blanche. Foreign Idioms |
| 2419 |
cliché/clichéd /ˈkliːʃeɪ/ˈkliːʃeɪd/ noun/adjective an idea/expression/action which is unoriginal/overused A: I only work in an office, but I've always wanted to be one of those filmstars and go to glamorous parties every night. It must be wonderful living in Hollywood. I really envy them. B: That's a very clichéd image. Actually most stars stay at home in the evening and go to bed early because they have to be on the filmset by six in the morning. A: Weil in that case they probably envy me! This French word can be either used as a noun or an adjective. For example, Your schooldays are the happiest days of your life is a cliché or The film had a clichéd ending. See: BLASÉ which describes the attitude of someone who experiences something so many times they feel it is clichéd. CORNY which also means unoriginal but in a sentimental way. Foreign Idioms |
| 2420 |
crème de la crème /krem də lɑː ˈkrem/ noun the very best/the elite A: My friend Doris is going to the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. The crème de la crème will be there — Lords, Ladies, Dukes and Duchesses — it'll be so exciting. B: How did she get an invitation? Doris works in a hotel kitchen; she's not a Duchess. A: They asked her to make the cucumber sandwiches! This French expression means cream of the cream. The cream is the best part of the milk and therefore the cream of the cream is the absolute best. The expression can be used to describe objects or people. If you look in The Times newspaper you will find a job section called ‘Crème de la Crème'. It advertises very highly paid secretarial jobs. Foreign Idioms |
| 2421 |
faux pas /fəʊ ˈpɑː/ noun embarrassing social mistake A: I had a drink with our new neighbour, Mrs Zambuni. We talked about all sorts of things, even politics. I said that all politicians were liars and should be put in prison! B: Oh dear you've made a huge faux pas. Her father has been a Member of Parliament for twenty-five years! Meaning false step, this French expression only describes mistakes which are made in a social situation, for example, at a meeting or party. Foreign Idioms |
| 2422 |
forte /ˈfɔːteɪ/ noun strength/talent A: I'm arranging a retirement party for my father who's sixty- five this month but I'm very worried he won't enjoy it. B: Leave it to me — parties are my forte. All we need to do is provide music, food and alcohol and avoid anything he doesn't like. What things does your father hate the most? A: Music, food and alcohol! This Italian word, meaning strong, is used as a word for someone's most outstanding ability. Foreign Idioms |
| 2423 |
kowtow /kaʊˈtaʊ/ verb behave humbly and obey someone without question A: My boss expects me to kowtow to him all the time. The other day he dropped an envelope on the floor and told me to pick it up. I was so angry I told him to do it himself so he picked it up and locked it in his desk. B: Weil done. I'm sure that taught him a lesson. A: And me. My wages were in that envelope! This expression was brought back from China by early European explorers. It comes from the two Mandarin words kou (strike) and tou (head). The literal meaning is kneel down before a superior and touch the ground with one's head. Today the expression implies that someone's behaviour is too meek or humble so it cannot be used as a compliment! See: EAT HUMBLE PIE which has a similar meaning but although both expressions describe humble behaviour there is one important difference. If you eat humble pie you are regretting a previous action. If you kowtow there is not a clearly defined reason for acting humbly. Foreign Idioms |
| 2424 |
macho /ˈmætʃəʊ/ adjective aggressively masculine A: My husband said he wouldn't help with the housework because it wasn't macho. I was very surprised because I didn't think he worried about that sort of thing. B: If a man has a very masculine job — like being a lorry driver — he can feel silly doing things which are traditionally associated with women. A: Yes I know what you mean, but my husband is a ballet dancer! This is a Mexican-Spanish word derived from the Latin, masculus, meaning simply male. However, American journalists in the late 1950s began to use the word to suggest excessive or aggressive maleness and this is the meaning it now holds in English. The noun is machismo. Foreign Idioms |
| 2425 |
paparazzi /pæpəˈrætsi/ noun showbusiness photographers who follow the rich and famous anywhere to get a good picture A: Mr Feature, there are dozens of paparazzi outside the restaurant. Could I suggest you leave by the back door? B: Thank you, waiter. I must admit it's such a bore to find one's photo on the front page of the newspapers. A: Actually sir, they're waiting for Miss Blockbuster at the next table. She told me that she's happy for them to take photos of her but she doesn't want you to get in the way! This type of photo-journalism was invented by Italian photographers in Rome who waited outside fashionable night clubs and restaurants. The idea was to take photographs of celebrities unexpectedly and without their permission in order to get unusual pictures to sell to magazines and newspapers. The word paparazzi means buzzing insects and indicates the annoyance which the photographers cause their victims. Foreign Idioms |
| 2426 |
per se /pɜː ˈseɪ/ when considered without taking other factors into account A: It's not that I want to leave home per se, Mother. I promise you I've always been very content here. B: Then why are you going? We've always let you bring friends round, play music in your room and even stay out late. A: Yes I know, but this morning we received a letter which said our house was going to be knocked down to make way for a motorway! This Latin expression is normally used with a negative, as in the example above. It indicates that you are about to explain the additional factors which alter a situation. A common way of using it is to qualify an assumed disadvantage or negative judgement. For example, I'm sorry we can't give you a job. It's not that your are too expensive per se, it's rather that the company cannot afford to take on new staff at the moment. Foreign Idioms |
| 2427 |
pièce de résistance /ˈpies də reˈzistɑːns/ noun the best one of several similar things which someone has made/done/created A: Lily has redecorated the whole house. Every room now has new curtains, carpets and wallpaper but the pièce de résistance Is definitely the garage. B: What has she done to it — given it a new coat of paint? A: No, she's converted it into a swimming pool! This French phrase was originally an artistic expression for the best piece of work (painting, sculpture etc) in a series. However in English it can be used to describe any type of object in a collection, for example, the best dish in a meal or the best song in an opera. Foreign Idioms |
| 2428 |
post mortem /pəʊst ˈmɔːtəm/ noun analysis/examination of an event which has happened A: When I lost the tennis match my coach wanted a post mortem. I would have liked to forget all about it and concentrate on my next match. B: It's a good idea to discuss your mistakes. I'm sure the post mortem helped you. What did your coach say? A: She advised me to give up tennis entirely! This Latin phrase means after death. When a doctor examines a dead body to find out the cause of death he carries out a post mortem but the phrase is now commonly used in many other situations as well. Because of its original meaning however, it usually refers to events which are unpleasant. Foreign Idioms |
| 2429 |
raconteur /rækɒnˈtɜː/ noun a person who is good at telling long, interesting, amusing stories or anecdotes A: Most people prefer listening to the sound of their own voice rather than other people's. B: Yes, that's true. That's why I always say that if someone else tells a very long story they are a bore, but if you tell one yourself then you're a raconteur! Raconteur originates from the French verb raconter which means tell. It is regarded as a great compliment if you call someone a raconteur so be sure they deserve it! Foreign Idioms |
| 2430 |
status quo /steɪtəs ˈkwəʊ/ noun the current or existing situation/harmony A: Some Londoners moved to the small village of Brightly because they didn't like the unfriendly atmosphere of a big city. B: I've heard that people who live in the country don't like strangers. They prefer to maintain the status quo. So how did the villagers react to the new arrivals? A: They were so unfriendly that after six months the Londoners decided to move back to the capital again! This Latin expression is always used with the (the status quo) and refers to situations which have existed unchanged for a long time. It usually describes situations which are stable, calm and harmonious. For example, The revolution disturbed the status quo on the small island. The most commonly used phrases are: keep/maintain/preserve the status quo and disturb/change/alter the status quo. Foreign Idioms |
| 2431 |
tête-à-tête /tet ə ˈtet/ noun a private/intimate conversation between just two people A: I don't like Chris — he has no sense of humour. B: That's rubbish. I saw you having a tête-à-tête with him last night. You looked really amused. A: Yes I know. Just before he sat down next to me I noticed there was a great lump of chewing gum on the chair! This French expression literally means head to head. It describes the tendency for two people to lean their heads near to each other when talking so that others cannot hear. Foreign Idioms |
| 2432 |
SLANG ‘Slang' is not thought of as proper English but everyone uses it! It is most popular as a spoken rather than a written language and generally used in informal situations. It is only safe to use ‘slang' with friends or people you know very well. Two expressions in this section (rabbit and have a butchers) are cockney rhyming slang. This used to be a secret language in the East End of London. It was spoken by criminals who didn't want other people to find out about their illegal plans and activities. Some of the expressions eventually became so popular that they began to be used by everybody. be bunged upiffybonkerskick the bucketboozeold bangerbumfplonkburn oneself output a sock in itclapped-outrabbitcornyrip someone off/a rip-offduff someone upspare tyrefive o'clock shadowtear someone off a stripflogwet blanketgungewhingehave a butchers at somethingwind someone up |
| 2433 |
be bunged up verb be unable to breathe properly due to a cold A: Doctor, I'm very ill — please help me. I have a bad headache, a high temperature, I'm bunged up and I'm tired ail the time. B: This is obviously your first visit to Britain. A: Why do you say that? B: Because if you had been here before you'd know that all you have is a British cold! A bung is a stopper (like a cork in a wine bottle) and so bunged up is another expression for blocked up. The phrase can be used to describe anything which is blocked. For example, the drain is bunged up. However when applied to people it refers to the cold symptom of being unable to breathe properly. Slang |
| 2434 |
bonkers adjective mad or crazy; very excited A: Alison is going to spend the next twelve months travelling around the world. B: What a great idea. Are you going to go with her? A: No, certainly not, I think she's bonkers. She's travelling the whole way on a bicycle! The example illustrates one meaning of the word. The second meaning, very excited, is used in the phrase go bonkers. For example, All the Italians went bonkers when they won the football match. Slang |
| 2435 |
booze noun (uncountable) alcoholic drink A: We have to go through customs when we land. Do you have much to declare? B: No, nothing. A: What about all that booze you bought? B: I've put it in your suitcase! This word can also be used as a verb. To booze means to drink too much. Another related word is boozer. This can mean a pub or a heavy drinker. Slang |
| 2436 |
bumf noun printed information/advertisements/brochures (often unwanted) A: The estate agent sent me some bumf about a house. It said it was ‘uniquely situated' so I went to see it. B: That sounds very interesting. What was so unique about its situation then? A: It was next to a motorway! This word was originally 19th-century slang for toilet paper. Today it still has a connection with paper although now it refers to documents, brochures or leaflets of all kinds. Despite its past it is not an impolite word and can be used in any circumstances! Slang |
| 2437 |
burn oneself out verb use up all one's energy over a long period A: Miss Williams, I think you're working far too hard. You arrive at the office no later than 8 o'clock every morning. If you're not careful you'll burn yourself out. B: But I enjoy my work Mr Meaney, so I don't mind long hours. A: Well in that case, would you mind coming in at 7 o'clock from now on? I'm sure I can find you lots more work to do! This expression is normally used to describe using up too much energy through overwork and implies that someone is trying to achieve too much too soon. It is important to remember that one cannot burn oneself out in an hour or an afternoon; it must take place over a long time — weeks, months or years. See: CLAPPED-OUT which means worn out, exhausted. Slang |
| 2438 |
clapped-out adjective old, worn-out and possibly broken (object) very tired, worn-out (person) A: Did you have a nice holiday? B: Not really. Every day my boyfriend insisted that we swim twenty lengths before breakfast, run ten miles before lunch and walk for three hours in the mountains in the afternoon. I feel really clapped-out. A: Yes, you do look rather pale and tired. What you need is a holiday — only next time remember to leave your boyfriend behind! This expression can be used to describe either objects, such as cars, bicycles, watches etc, or less usually, people. When using it for describing objects be careful not to use it simply as a substitute for broken as it can only refer to things which are old. So, My new car has broken down — it's clapped out is wrong. But, My old car keeps breaking down — it's clapped-out is right. If using it to describe a person, it is important to be aware that it is not very polite. See: BURN ONESELF OUT which can be used to describe using up all one's energy over a long period. Slang |
| 2439 |
corny adjective unoriginal due to being overused and sentimental A: I've written a short story but I don't know how to end it. I was thinking of making the two main characters get married and live happily ever after. B: Oh no, that's a really corny ending — it's been done a hundred times before. A: Not by me — it's my first story! This word originally described rural American audiences with simple, unsophisticated tastes. Because the farmers grew corn, they were known as corn-fed and the humour they liked came to be known as corny. Today you can use the word to describe many things. For example, corny jokes, corny films, corny tastes. See: CLICHE which also describes something which is unoriginal. Slang |
| 2440 |
duff someone up verb hit someone many times/beat someone up A: Muggerstown is the most dangerous place in the world. I really worry about the old ladies who live here. If you walk along a dark street late at night, you're almost certain to get duffed up. B: Yes, but most big cities have that sort of problem. Why do you think Muggerstown is so bad? A: Because it's the old ladies who duff people up! This expression is used to describe violence which is quite severe but not extreme or fatal. It can be used in the making of humorous threats, for example, If you don't shut up, I'll come over there and duff you up. Slang |
| 2441 |
five o'clock shadow noun the beard which grows in a day after a man shaves in the morning A: My beard grows faster than other men's. B: How do you know that? A: Because I always get a five o'clock shadow by two in the afternoon! The word shadow refers to the way in which a slight growth of beard turns a man's chin slightly blue. Slang |
| 2442 |
flog verb sell A: I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that I managed to sell your old desk to the antique shop for a hundred pounds. B: That's great. What's the bad news? A: I was in the shop this afternoon and saw the dealer flog it to a customer for a thousand! Flog can also mean beat or whip harshly and persistently. The meaning of sell derives from the same idea of extreme persistence. In other words, someone who flogs something is trying hard to be persuasive and will probably never give up. Slang |
| 2443 |
gunge noun a sticky mess A: The meal was fantastic until the last course. We were given some brown gunge in a glass that looked and tasted like mud. B: What was it? A: I hope I never find out! This word can be used to describe any unpleasant substance which is half-way between a liquid and a solid. It is thought that it may have derived from a combination of the word goo, a sticky substance, and sponge, a squashy, damp substance. Slang |
| 2444 |
have a butchers at something verb look A: Can I have a butchers at the newspaper? That one has lots of interesting stories about people's private lives. I love reading gossip. B: I don't think you should look at it A: Why not? B: Because it's got a picture of you on the front page! This expression comes from cockney rhyming slang. The original phrase is butcher's hook which rhymes with look. It is always used in its shortened form. Slang |
| 2445 |
iffy adjective gone off/rotten (food) stolen (goods) dishonest/almost illegal (action) A: I'm worried about the fish we ate last night. B: Yes it did smell iffy, but when you gave it to the cat he liked it. Animals always know if food is safe to eat so what's the problem? A: The cat's just died! A: I was offered a Rolex watch by a friend for only £50. It's definitely a real one so I'm thinking of buying it. B: Don't! If it's that cheap and it's not an imitation, it must be iffy. What is this friend of yours like? A: I don't know much about him. He's just come out of prison! A: Eric has opened fifty bank accounts all over the country. He says it will mean that he'll pay less tax. B: That sounds a bit iffy to me. Surely one person isn't allowed to have so many accounts. A: It's all right — they're all in different names! This flexible word can be used in three different ways — however, they all have the meaning not acceptable in common. Its origin probably lies with the word if which implies doubt and uncertainty — a characteristic of all the above meanings. Slang |
| 2446 |
kick the bucket verb die A: I'd like to live to one hundred years old. B: It's not that difficult. You just have to be careful about what you eat — no meat, alcohol or chocolates — and take plenty of exercise. A: If that's the only way to do it I think I'd prefer to eat what I want, not take any exercise and kick the bucket at sixty! This expression is always thought of as humorous and is generally used to make people laugh. However the two theories to explain its origin are not funny at all! The first theory is that the phrase comes from the old method of killing pigs at a market. The dead animal would be hung upside down and its feet tied to a length of wood known as a bucket. The pig's feet would therefore knock or kick against the bucket. The other theory comes from a method of committing suicide by standing on a bucket with a noose of rope around the neck. The person kicked the bucket away in order to hang himself. You can decide which you think sounds more believable! Slang |
| 2447 |
old banger noun an old, dirty car which is almost worn-out A: I have to visit my mother every month. She lives in the country and it takes hours to travel there by train. B: Why don't you buy yourself an old banger — it wouldn't cost very much. Then your journey would be much quicker and easier. A: I don't think that's a good idea. My mother would expect me to visit her every week if I did that! The expression derives from the fact that an old car often backfires and makes loud bangs. It must always be used in its full form because a banger without old is a slang word meaning sausage! Slang |
| 2448 |
plonk noun cheap wine A: All the guests had brought superb wines. Some of the vintages were twenty years old. B: What did you take? A: A bottle of plonk from the supermarket! This word is thought to have been invented during the First World War by soldiers who turned the French phrase vin blanc (white wine) into the humorous plonk. It can be used to describe any wine, red or white, which is not of good quality. Slang |
| 2449 |
put a sock in it verb shut up/quieten down A: My son Jim is going to be an opera singer. B: That's nice. You must feel very proud to have someone musical in the family. A: Not really. He practises every day at 3 in the morning so I'm always telling him to put a sock in it! This expression is said to come from the time of the gramophone (old-fashioned record player). In its early days there was no way of controlling the volume of the sound which came from a large horn. So the only way to make the noise quieter was to place a sock inside the horn — to put a sock in it. Today the expression is used to ask someone to be quiet and one of its most common forms is the exclamation: Put a sock in it! Slang |
| 2450 |
rabbit verb talk too much A: My father said he would give my mother £50 if she could keep quiet for half an hour. B: What happened, did she do it? A: Yes, but she was so excited that she'd won, she didn't stop rabbiting about it all week! The word comes from cockney rhyming slang; rabbit and pork means talk. It is one of the cockney terms which has become so popular that it has spread into everyday language. Variations are: rabbit away about something and rabbit on about something. Slang |
| 2451 |
rip someone off / a rip-off verb/noun cheat someone something which is not worth its price A: Do you like my new leather jacket — it cost one thousand pounds. B: One thousand pounds just tor a jacket! That's a rip-off. A: The man in the market said it was the very best quality leather. B: I know that man — he rips everybody off. He should have said ‘best quality plastic'. Your jacket isn't even real leather! The expression can be used as a verb or a noun. See: PAY THROUGH THE NOSE which also describes paying too much for something. Slang |
| 2452 |
spare tyre noun excess fat around the waist A: Stanley didn't sunbathe during the whole holiday. He said he had forgotten his swimming trunks but that was just an excuse. B: What was the real reason? A: He's a little overweight and he didn't want anyone to see his spare tyre! The expression describes the appearance of the layer of fat which develops — usually in middle age — around the waist. The origin of the word is the spare tyre which is kept in the boot of a car for emergencies. Obviously the shape and appearance of a rubber tyre is similar to the roll of fat around the waist! Slang |
| 2453 |
tear someone off a strip verb talk to someone angrily A: The next time I see Charlie I'm going to tear him off a strip. I lent him a book called ‘Improve Your Memory' and he hasn't given it back. He's had it for over a year now. B: Why doesn't he return it? A: He says he keeps forgetting! This is based on the Old English verb tear which meant rage/be violently angry. As is quite common in the evolution of a word, it has become confused with the more modern version, nowadays tear means pull apart/rip. Slang |
| 2454 |
wet blanket noun someone who spoils others' fun by being miserable or unenthusiastic A: No one likes Bill because he's such a wet blanket. B: What's wrong with him? A: Weil, last time we took him to a disco he complained to the manager that the music was too loud! The expression is based on the idea that a wet blanket is used to put out fires. Fires represent excitement and passion so a wet blanket represents something which is boring and dull. Slang |
| 2455 |
whinge verb complain without good reason/whine A: I gave Eric a full-time job in my company. It was a big mistake. This morning he came to see me and whinged that working thirty-five hours a week was too much. B: But thirty-five hours is a normal working week. How many hours does Eric work now? A: None — I've given him the sack! This word implies that someone complains over and over again. It also indicates that the person is behaving in an immature way, like a spoilt child — so it is not complimentary! Slang |
| 2456 |
wind someone up /waɪnd .../ verb tease someone A: My goodness, there's a huge black insect on your head. It's got five pairs of eyes and hairy legs. B: How horrible! Please get it off me! Quickly! A: No don't worry, I'm winding you up. There's nothing there at all! The expression comes from the action of winding up a clock in order to make it go. The idea of being in control is carried over to its slang use. One can control or affect the behaviour of a person by winding him up. Slang |
| 2457 |
PROVERBS Proverbs are wise sayings, often warnings, which have been passed from generation to generation. Nobody knows exactly when they were first used or who invented them but their advice will never be out of date. Sometimes a proverb is so well-known that only the first half of it is used—for example, It's the last straw instead of It's the last straw that broke the camel's back. You will probably find that you can think of proverbs in your own language which have the same meaning as some of these, but are expressed in a different way. For example, while the English say, Don't count your chickens before they hatch, the Germans say, Don't count your money before you have it. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bushdon't count your chickens before they hatcheasier said than doneeasy come, easy gogo from the sublime to the ridiculousit's no use crying over spilt milklast straw that broke the camel's back (the)let sleeping dogs lieonce bitten, twice shyone swallow doesn't make a summerstrike while the iron is hotthere's no smoke without firetruth is stranger than fictionyou can't have your cake and eat it |
| 2458 |
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush it is foolish to risk everything one has for the possibility of something better A: A film director offered me a part in a film. He said it could make me into a star overnight. B: Take my advice; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. You have a good office job at the moment — why risk losing that for a film which might not be a success? A: Because the director is Steven Spielberg! A common form of this proverb is the phrase, It's a case of a bird in the hand ... Proverbs |
| 2459 |
don't count your chickens (before they hatch) don't assume a good result before you know there is one A: I've booked a honeymoon for Lisa and myself. We're going to Barbados in the Caribbean. B: Aren't you counting your chickens before they're hatched? She hasn't even agreed to marry you yet! As the expression is so long, it is often shortened to Don't count your chickens! especially when used as an exclamation. See: ONE SWALLOW DOESN'T MAKE A SUMMER which advises caution, even though one good thing has already happened; in the case of don't count your chickens, caution is advised and nothing good has happened yet. Proverbs |
| 2460 |
easier said than done extremely difficult to do A: I've just flown over from America with Confusion Airlines. The flight was a nightmare — everything went wrong. B: Never mind madam, you're here at last in London. The White Horse Hotel will look after you much better. Shall I take your luggage to your room? A: That's easier said than done. Thanks to Confusion Airlines my luggage is in Nairobi! Proverbs |
| 2461 |
easy come, easy go anything which is acquired with little effort can be easily and quickly lost A: Yesterday my husband went shopping and spent £50 000 of my money. B: That's dreadful — you must be really angry with him. A: Not at all. I won the money at a casino last week so I feel its easy come, easy go! Proverbs |
| 2462 |
go from the sublime to the ridiculous move from one situation which is wonderful or perfect to another which is absurd or awful A: The ceremony for the coronation was incredible. The King wore beautiful robes and the cathedral was full of people, music and flowers. B: What happened after he was crowned? A: It went from the sublime to the ridiculous. The King came out of the cathedral and rode back to his palace on a bicycle! The original proverb was from the sublime to the ridiculous is only one step. It is often used in the exclamation, Talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous! Proverbs |
| 2463 |
it's no use crying over spilt milk there's no point in regretting something which cannot be changed A: I left the roast chicken on the table for just five minutes, but when I came back the dog had eaten it all. If only I hadn't left it there — it was such a silly thing to do. B: Look, there's no use crying over spilt milk. We'll have something else for dinner instead. What is there in the fridge? A: Just a tin of dog food! Common variations of this proverb are It's no good crying over spilt milk. or There's no point crying over spilt milk. and the command, Don't cry over spilt milk. Proverbs |
| 2464 |
the last straw (that broke the camel's back) a final problem or setback which makes a situation completely unbearable A: I've had very bad luck this year. My wife has left me, my mother has been kidnapped, I've lost my job and my house has been knocked down to make way for a motorway. B: No wonder you look so unhappy. A: Yes, but when my pet mouse died this morning it was the last straw! This saying is often shortened to the last (or final) straw or the straw that broke the camel's back. It is found in Charles Dickens' book, ‘Dombey and Son' in which he wrote ‘As the last straw breaks the laden camel's back, this piece of information crushed the sinking spirits of Mr Dombey.' Proverbs |
| 2465 |
let sleeping dogs lie do not interfere with or change something which may cause problems if it is disturbed or alerted A: I knew the hotel was haunted but I didn't tell Jerry. I thought it was best to let sleeping dogs lie. B: Yes of course, he might have been very frightened by the thought of ghosts. A: Not at all — that's the problem. He would have spent the whole night trying to find them and disturbing all the guests! Proverbs |
| 2466 |
once bitten, twice shy reluctant to repeat an action or experience which has had an unpleasant result in the past A: Why don't you bet on Golden Lad — he's a wonderful horse? I'm putting £50 on him because I'm sure he'll win. B: It's a case of once bitten, twice shy. You told me to bet on Blue Lightning last week and he came last. A: Yes I know, but he did very well for a horse with only three legs! Proverbs |
| 2467 |
one swallow doesn't make a summer one success doesn't guarantee complete success A: Today a woman telephoned to ask me to design her wedding dress. She said she wanted it to be the most luxurious and lavish creation I could think of. B: That's fantastic — your first order! I know one swallow doesn't make a summer but I'm sure your fashion business will soon take off now. So have you started work on this incredible dress? A: No. When I told her how much it would cost, she said she'd buy one from the local department store instead! This proverb is based on the fact that swallows (a type of bird) migrate to Britain for the summer — therefore their arrival is a sign that the season has started. However, the proverb warns that you must not assume that it is summer just because you see one swallow — there have to be lots of them! One swallow is a metaphor for one good thing or sign and summer is a metaphor for complete success. See: DON'T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH which also advises caution. Proverbs |
| 2468 |
strike while the iron is hot act immediately to take advantage of an ideal situation A: I've been thinking of asking John to marry me for weeks. Today he seems to be in a really good mood so I'm going to strike while the iron is hot. By the way, do you know why he's so happy at the moment? B: Yes, I'm afraid I do. You see John proposed to me this morning and I accepted. We're going to be married in the spring! This proverb comes from the blacksmiths' profession. Blacksmiths make metal shoes and nail them to horses' hooves. As the horseshoe needs to be a perfect fit, it is heated in a fire and then hit with a hammer to make the right shape. Obviously the metal must be hit while it is still hot and easy to bend. Proverbs |
| 2469 |
there's no smoke without fire there is always some truth in a rumour A: My neighbour says 96-year-old Mr Batty is leaving his whole fortune to his cat, but I don't believe it. B: I agree it seems ridiculous, but there's no smoke without fire. A: That's true. Actually, I've got two cats myself. Do you think if I introduce them to Mr Batty, he might leave some money to them too? Proverbs |
| 2470 |
truth is stranger than fiction real life can be more incredible than anything which can be imagined A: Do you remember that I lost my ring? Well, it's been found. B: I don't believe it. You dropped it over the edge of a boat and it fell into the sea. A: Yes I know, but truth is stranger than fiction. Our neighbour likes to go fishing and yesterday he caught an enormous cod. When he cut it up he noticed something gold in its stomach. The fish had eaten my ring! Proverbs |
| 2471 |
you can't have your cake and eat it you must choose between two things as it is impossible to have both at the same time A: My wife is the actress Sara Silk. She says she likes being famous but hates it when people stop her on the street to ask for an autograph. It's a big problem. B: Tell her she can't have her cake and eat it. If you're famous you must accept that people will recognise you. A: But the problem is they don't recognise her. People always mistake her for her rival Vicky Velvet! A common way of using this proverb is the expression: try to have your cake and eat it. For example, Oh, her! She always tries to have her cake and eat it. Proverbs |
| 2472 |
SIMILES AND METAPHORS This section is a collection of some of the most useful and common similes and metaphors. Such expressions can be inventive and original but the most common ones are familiar enough to be cliches (see Foreign idioms section!) They are expressions which everyone understands instantly. They give information about behaviour, reactions, opinions and so on, without long explanations. Although similes and metaphors have the same purpose, they are expressed in different ways. A simile is an expression which compares what you are talking about to an apparently unconnected object or situation. For example, To Jenny, the bad news was like water off a duck's back likens the effect of the bad news to the way water runs quickly off a duck's feathers. Water seems to have no effect on a duck — it soon shakes it off and looks dry again. In the same way the bad news has no effect on Jenny — it is soon shaken off and forgotten. All similes take the form as ... as ... or like... A metaphor is a comparison which does not use like or as. For example, if you tell someone to grasp the nettle, you are comparing the activity of holding a plant which stings when touched, to what you wish them to do. In other words, the metaphor grasp the nettle describes doing something very unpleasant which takes courage! as cool as a cucumberas light as a featheras regular as clockworkas thick as two short planksbe unable to see the wood for the treesget on like a house on firegrasp the nettlein a nutshelllike a red rag to a bulllike water off a duck's backmake a beeline for somethingmake a mountain out of a molehillpour cold water on somethingskeleton in the cupboardstorm in a teacuptaste of one's own medicine (a) |
| 2473 |
as cool as a cucumber calm/not worried/in control A: Miss Wrinklle, the old age pensioner, was watching television when a man broke into her house. B: Poor woman, she must have been terrified. A: Actually, Miss Wrinklle was as cool as a cucumber. She hit the man over the head with her walking stick and immediately called the police! Similes and Metaphors |
| 2474 |
as light as a feather extremely light A: Have you moved that box yet? B: No, you told me it was as light as a feather but it's so heavy I can't lift it. A: It is as light as a feather — It's only the things inside which are heavy! Similes and Metaphors |
| 2475 |
as regular as clockwork very regular/habitual A: Mr Bolton comes to the bank every day to draw out £1000 in cash. He arrives at 10 o'clock as regular as clockwork but yesterday he didn't come at all. B: How strange. What had happened? A: He hadn't got any money left in his bank account! Similes and Metaphors |
| 2476 |
as thick as two (short) planks very stupid/unintelligent A: I've been looking for my keys everywhere but I can't find them. Have you seen them? B: Honestly, you're as thick as two short planks! You're holding them in your hand! This expression, which can also be shortened to as thick as two planks, makes a pun of thick which means stupid as well as the more normal meaning (ie the opposite of thin). Similes and Metaphors |
| 2477 |
be unable to see the wood for the trees be unable to see the important points of a situation due to concern over unimportant details A: It took me six months to solve the murder inquiry. B: Really? Why did it take so long, Inspector Kosh? A: There were so many confusing facts that for a long time I couldn't see the wood for the trees. However, my wife is now under arrest! Similes and Metaphors |
| 2478 |
get on like a house on fire enjoy the company of someone very much A: My father met my new boyfriend, Rodney, last week. B: Oh dear, I'm sure that didn't go very well. Your father doesn't like young men with red and green hair. A: Actually they got on like a house on fire. They discovered that they both like opera and talked about it all afternoon! Similes and Metaphors |
| 2479 |
grasp the nettle deal with a problem quickly and directly even though it may require some courage A: I borrowed Harry's best suit for a job interview. Unfortunately, afterwards I spilt black ink on it and now it's ruined. B: My advice is to grasp the nettle and tell Harry what's happened. The longer you don't tell him about it the more angry he'll be when he finds out. A: Yes, you're right — I must do it. But how do I tell him about the interview? It was for his job! A nettle is a plant which grows wild and can sting if touched. The only way to avoid being hurt is to take hold of it quickly and grasp it firmly. Obviously this takes some courage! Similes and Metaphors |
| 2480 |
in a nutshell essentially/very concisely A: What's the matter with the plane? B: In a nutshell, the problem is that one wing has dropped off and both engines have stopped. A: Oh no! What shall we do, Captain? B: Well, you'd better tell the stewardess to cancel the film. There won't be time for it now! Similes and Metaphors |
| 2481 |
like a red rag to a bull infuriating/causing great anger A: Last week I took a pair of new shoes back to the shoeshop because the heels had fallen off. I talked to the manager but he refused to give me my money back. B: That wasn't fair. How annoying. A: Yes I know. So when he said: ‘Leave the shop or I'll call the police', it was like a red rag to a bull and I hit him over the head with my handbag! Bulls are traditionally thought to be enraged by the colour red, which is why Spanish matadors use a cloak with a red lining for bullfights. However, the belief is a false one as bulls, like most animals, are colour-blind. When a bull approaches the matador it is attracted by the movement of the cloak and not by its colour. Similes and Metaphors |
| 2482 |
like water off a duck's back be unaffected by an unpleasant experience A: Anita Tutu, the ageing ballerina, is starring in a new production of ‘Swan Lake'. All the newspaper critics said she was too old and should retire. B: Oh dear, I'm sure Miss Tutu was very upset when she read the reviews. A: No, the comments were like water off a duck's back to Anita. She invited all the critics to her house and told them she was still the best dancer in the world! It's very common to shorten the saying by omitting like. For example, It was water off a duck's back to Anita. Similes and Metaphors |
| 2483 |
make a beeline for something go directly to something A: There's Gary Girth. He looks much thinner than when I last saw him. B: Yes, he's lost over thirty kilos by eating only carrots and lettuce for three months. He says he's going to lose another twenty kilos by Christmas. A: Then why is he making a beeline for that enormous chocolate cake covered in cream? Bees spend the day flying from flower to flower to collect pollen. However, in the evening they return to their hives as quickly as possible and therefore fly in a straight line. They make a beeline for home. Similes and Metaphors |
| 2484 |
make a mountain out of a molehill make a small problem seem very important/exaggerate a minor difficulty A: Doctor, I'm really frightened. I've just come back from Africa and I'm sure I've caught malaria. I sneezed twice this morning. B: Now Mr Worrier, you're making a mountain out of a molehill. All you have is a head cold! A mole is a small wild animal which lives under the ground and digs tunnels through the soil. It leaves small heaps of soil on the surface of the ground and these are known as molehills. Similes and Metaphors |
| 2485 |
pour cold water on something make negative and unhelpful comments about something A: I talked to the bank manager today about opening a shop for the Eskimos in North Alaska. B: Did he pour cold water on the idea? A: Yes, he said it wasn't possible to lend me money for the venture because he didn't think Eskimos would be interested in buying fridges! Similes and Metaphors |
| 2486 |
skeleton in the cupboard an embarrassing secret from someone's past A: I feel very sure of being the next Prime Minister of England. B: Yes Mr Minor. But do you have any comments to make about the affair you had a year ago with Betty Buff, the film actress? A: Oh that. Well everyone has a skeleton in the cupboard. I don't know what all the fuss is about! Similes and Metaphors |
| 2487 |
storm in a teacup a small problem which is exaggerated A: This is disgraceful. I'm not paying the bill and I'm going to tell all my friends never to come to this restaurant again. B: Surely there's no need for that, sir — this is just a storm in a teacup. A: Not at all. Finding an old sock in my bowl of soup is a very serious matter! Similes and Metaphors |
| 2488 |
a taste of one's own medicine unpleasant action or words in return for an identical or similar experience A: I'm having a party. There'll be loud music playing until dawn. Would you like to come? B: I don't understand. You hate loud music. A: Yes you're right, but my neighbour keeps having noisy parties which wake me up so I've decided to give him a taste of his own medicine! See: TURN THE TABLES which describes the reversal of good fortune with someone else. Similes and Metaphors |
| 2489 |
a couple of two persons and things joined or related in some way He arrived a couple of days ago. Bobby has a couple of pens in his pocket. A: Have you been to Europe? B: Yes, a couple of times. The monkey has a couple of bananas. |
| 2490 |
a long time ago once upon a time; many years ago; ages ago; long ago A long time ago, there were no airplanes. My grandfather was a pilot a long time ago. A: When did you go to Germany? B: I went to Germany a long time ago, in 1963. A long time ago, dinosaurs lived on the earth. |
| 2491 |
a lot of a large amount or number of something; lots of; plenty of The millionaire has a lot of money. A lot of students were absent because of the flu. A: Why aren't you feeling well? B: I think it's because I ate a lot of chocolate today. He has a lot of hair. |
| 2492 |
a pair of two things of the same kind used together She wants to buy a pair of beautiful gloves. I need a pair of socks. A: What are you going to buy when you go shopping? B: I'm going to buy a pair of earrings. I bought two pairs of shoes, one for my brother and the other for my sister. |
| 2493 |
above all (else) most importantly; most of all “Above all, you should obey your parents,” said my grandfather. Above all, a soldier must be brave. A: What did you like about this book? B: It was interesting and exciting, but above all, it was funny. You must not smoke or drink. Above all, you must exercise. |
| 2494 |
according to as shown or said by According to this book, elephants are endangered. According to my mother, television is bad for you. A: Where are we? B: According to this map we're somewhere between Johnson Street and Second Avenue. According to scientists, the earth is becoming warmer. |
| 2495 |
after all in spite of what was expected; nevertheless; in the end He went with them after all. The small country won the battle after all. A: Who were you just talking to? B: I thought it was someone I know from college but it wasn't her after all. The tortoise won the race after all. |
| 2496 |
again and again often; repeatedly; over and over again While babies learn to walk, they fall again and again. The child wanted to hear the same story again and again. A: This computer game is really fun! B: I think so, too. I want to play it again and again. I told you again and again not to touch the electric fence! |
| 2497 |
agree with have the same opinion as; share one's view The teacher agreed with the students. Sharon agreed with her friend. A: Some people didn't like the movie, but I thought it was interesting. B: I agree with you. It was very interesting. I agree with you. There's something strange about him. |
| 2498 |
all of a sudden all at once; suddenly; unexpectedly; without warning All of a sudden, the dog began to bark loudly. All of a sudden, the earth began to shake. A: How did you break your leg? B: I was riding my bicycle, when all of a sudden I hit a bump and fell off. All of a sudden, it started to rain very hard. |
| 2499 |
all over the world throughout the world; worldwide; everywhere English is spoken all over the world. Mozart is famous all over the world. A: I wish I could travel all over the world. B: That would be a lot of fun! Ants live all over the world. |
| 2500 |
all the time constantly; always Midori practices the violin all the time. Mark chews gum all the time. A: He looks very happy today. B: He looks happy all the time. He is tired all the time. |
| 2501 |
all the way the whole distance; the whole way The car broke down and we had to walk all the way home. Sue was late. She ran all the way to school. A: Can you run all the way around the soccer field? B: No I can't. I can only run halfway around it, then I'm too tired to keep running. The road goes all the way across the field. |
| 2502 |
and so on and so forth; and the like Potatoes, onions, carrots and so on are vegetables. There are many countries in Africa: Zambia, Kenya, Togo, and so on. A: What do you feed your pet snake? B: Small animals like mice, frogs, lizards, and so on. They were always arguing. “I'm the fastest.” “No, I'm the fastest!” “No way!” and so on. |
| 2503 |
arrive at/in get to; come to; reach They arrived at the restaurant. The train arrived at the station. A: When will we get to the airport? B: We should arrive at the airport in five minutes. Make sure you arrive at the house before 6:00. |
| 2504 |
as a result so; consequently She studied hard. As a result, she got an A on the test. Many roads were flooded, and, as a result, there were some delays. A: Did you study for the test? B: No, and, as a result, I got a bad grade. He ate too much. As a result, he got fat. |
| 2505 |
as well as in addition to I play tennis on weekdays as well as on Saturdays. There were adults as well as children in the park. A: Would you like a hamburger or some chicken? B: I'm really hungry. I'd like both as well as some cola. I like apples as well as peppers. |
| 2506 |
ask for request; wish for; demand For his birthday, Don asked for a new toy truck. The chef asked for a spoon. A: I asked for some money but my father said no. B: That's too bad. Now we can't go to see the movie tonight. The magic genie will give you anything you ask for. |
| 2507 |
at a time at one time; at once; at the same time The children went down the slide two at a time. The elevator holds five people at a time. A: Can you help me move these boxes? B: Yes, but they're heavy, so let's move them one at a time. They took showers one at a time. |
| 2508 |
at any time at any moment; any time The library is open 24 hours a day. I can study there at any time. People can call the police at any time. A: Can I visit you at three o'clock on Saturday? B: I'll be home all day. You can visit at any time. She may give birth at any time. |
| 2509 |
at first initially; in the beginning She was afraid of dogs at first. Now she loves them. They didn't like cheese at first. A: Do you like studying English? B: At first I thought it was boring, but now I like it. At first, I thought all Americans would be big and strong. |
| 2510 |
at last finally, in the end After many years of war, there was peace at last. Robinson Crusoe was home at last. A: Did you finish cleaning your room? B: Yes! After two hours of cleaning I finished at last. At last the sun came up over the horizon. |
| 2511 |
at least not less than You need to stay in bed for at least three days. Most people have been in love at least once. A: How many times have you been to the ocean? B: I've been there at least six times, maybe more. Some people recommend eating an apple at least once a day. |
| 2512 |
at once immediately; right away When we heard the fire alarm, we left at once. She went to her sick mother at once. A: Can I give you the money next week? B: No! I need it at once! Please come to my house now and pay me. Son! Come back here at once! |
| 2513 |
at the top of at the highest part of I saw a flag at the top of the building. He was standing at the top of the stairs. A: What's at the top of the mountain? B: There's a place to sit down and have some water. He graduated at the top of the class |
| 2514 |
be about to be almost doing; be just going to He was about to fall asleep when the telephone rang. Look at the dark clouds; it is about to rain. A: Why didn't you go in the water? B: I was about to go in, but then I saw a jellyfish and ran away. He was about to push the button. |
| 2515 |
be absent from is missing from; be away from Mr. Jones was absent from the meeting. Our teacher is absent from school today because she is getting married. A: Why were you absent from school yesterday? B: I was sick, so I had to stay home. He was absent from class because he was sick. |
| 2516 |
be afraid of have fear of; be fearful of Children are afraid of the dark. The bird was afraid of flying at first. A: Why don't you like fishing? B: I'm afraid of the water. Many people are afraid of snakes. |
| 2517 |
be angry with be upset with; be mad at Cain was very angry with his brother, Abel. The police officer was angry with the drunk driver. A: Why was the teacher angry with the class? B: None of the students read the book. The father was angry with his son. |
| 2518 |
be anxious about be nervous about; be worried about The president was anxious about meeting the reporters. Mr. Gates was anxious about the job interview. A: Are you anxious about going to the dentist? B: Yes! I don't like going to the dentist. It makes me nervous. The boy was anxious about taking the test. |
| 2519 |
be anxious to want strongly; be eager to; be keen to; would love to The students are anxious to know the answer. When we saw the dark clouds, we were anxious to get home. A: I'm anxious to go to the amusement park this weekend. B: Me too. It's going to be fun! The puppy is anxious to eat his dinner. |
| 2520 |
be covered with have a lot on the surface My desk is covered with papers. The ground was covered with snow. A: Do you like cake? B: Yes, especially if it's covered with frosting! After sleeping in the woods, he was covered with insect bites. |
| 2521 |
be crowded with have many things in one place; be full of; be packed with The subway was crowded with people. The shelf was crowded with books. A: Why is this store so crowded with people? B: It's crowded because there's a big sale today. The room was crowded with aliens. |
| 2522 |
be different from be not the same as; differ from My dog is different from yours. Canadians are different from Americans in many ways. A: Is Korean food different from Chinese food? B: Yes. Korean food is much spicier. He always knew he was different from the others. |
| 2523 |
be disappointed with be unhappy with The teacher was disappointed with my low grade. When we lost the game, the coach was disappointed with my team. A: I'm disappointed with my test score. B: Me too. I only got a 64. The woman was disappointed with her puppy. |
| 2524 |
be divided into be separated into; be split into The essay was divided into three parts. The money was divided into three bags. A: The pizza is divided into eight pieces. B: Great! There are eight people, so everybody can have one piece. The juice was divided into 2 glasses. |
| 2525 |
be dressed in have clothes on; be clothed in; wear The prince was dressed in fine clothes. The bride was dressed in a white gown. A: Why are you dressed in your winter coat? B: I'm going to buy some ice cream. He is dressed in a shirt and tie. |
| 2526 |
be excited about be happy about; be enthusiastic about; look forward to; be thrilled about The fans were excited about the game. The children were excited about going to the zoo. A: I'm excited about the party on Friday. B: Me too. I love birthday parties. I'm excited about the concert! |
| 2527 |
be familiar with know well; be used to; be comfortable with She is familiar with Russian culture. I am not familiar with this brand of computer. A: Do you know where the post office is? B: No, I don't. Let's ask someone who's familiar with this part of town. The pigs are familiar with each other. |
| 2528 |
be famous for be well known for; be noted for Thomas Edison is famous for his inventions. Shakespeare is famous for his plays. A: What shall we order to eat? B: I'd like to order pizza. This restaurant is famous for it. He is famous for having the world's longest fingernails. |
| 2529 |
be filled with have a lot of the same thing inside; be full of This donut is filled with cream. The book was filled with pictures. A: Wow! This garden is filled with flowers. B: It's beautiful. The bowl is filled with grapes. |
| 2530 |
be fond of get a lot of pleasure from; like; enjoy; love Romeo and Juliet were very fond of each other. My grandmother and grandfather are fond of me. A: Have you heard of Picasso? B: Yes, I am fond of his paintings. He's really fond of baseball. |
| 2531 |
be full of have many things inside; be filled with; be packed with Her basket was full of apples. The vase is full of beautiful flowers. A: Why is your bag so heavy? B: It is full of books. The box is full of toys. |
| 2532 |
be good at be skilled or talented at Mike is good at languages. Jane is good at sports. A: You are very good at basketball. B: Not really, but I have fun playing it. He's good at mathematics. |
| 2533 |
be impressed by feel admiration for; be moved by; be touched by She was impressed by his strength. I was impressed by the size of the house. A: Did you enjoy the art gallery? B: Yes, I did. I was impressed by all the beautiful paintings. We were impressed by his singing. |
| 2534 |
be in trouble get into trouble; be in a difficult situation If you don't clean your room, you'll be in trouble The student was in trouble for cheating on the test. A: Why are you in the teacher's office? Are you in trouble? B: Yes I am. I did not do my homework last night. She is always in trouble. |
| 2535 |
be interested in be eager to; be attracted by; like I'm very interested in astronomy. When she was young, Josephine Baker was interested in dance. A: I am interested in learning how to play tennis. B: I can help you. I have been playing for a few years. That's ‘Weird Eddie.' He's only interested in insects. |
| 2536 |
be known for be recognized by The tree is known for its delicious fruit. The girl was known for having long hair. A: Where is Joe? We've been waiting for 25 minutes. B: Well, he is known for being late. The tree frog is known for its green color. |
| 2537 |
be late for arrive after the expected time The groom was late for the wedding. The boss was late for the meeting. A: Why are you driving so fast? B: I am going to be late for the concert. He is late for work. |
| 2538 |
be made of consist of; be made up of; be composed of My pants are made of cotton. Jam is made of sugar and fruit. A: Is this bottle made of glass? B: No, I think it is made of plastic. The house is made of brick. |
| 2539 |
be over come to the end; be finished; be done The meeting was over at 11 o'clock. When is the movie going to be over? A: What time will this class be over? B: It will finish at three o'clock. Don't worry! The ride will be over soon! |
| 2540 |
be pleased with be satisfied with; be happy with; be delighted with I was pleased with the quick service. She was pleased with the new wallpaper. A: Wow! That is a nice picture you are painting! B: Thanks. I hope my art teacher will be pleased. You should be pleased with your grades. |
| 2541 |
be proud of feel pleased about; take pride in They were very proud of their son. I am proud of my country. A: I got an A on the test. B: I'm very proud of you! The boy is proud of his painting. |
| 2542 |
be ready to be prepared to She isn't ready to go yet. They were ready to go camping. A: Are you ready to go to school? B: No, I have to eat breakfast first. The spider is ready to eat. |
| 2543 |
be responsible for have to take care of; be in charge of; have responsibility for A shepherd is responsible for his sheep. The doctor is responsible for his patient. A: Are you responsible for your little sister today? B: Yes I am. If she does anything bad, my parents will be angry at me! He is responsible for the whole group. |
| 2544 |
be satisfied with be happy with; be content with My father is satisfied with his new car. Miss Johnson is not satisfied with her job. A: Are you satisfied with your meal? B: Yes, it tastes very good. The snake was satisfied with his meal. |
| 2545 |
be similar to have many things in common with; be like; resemble A turtle is similar to a tortoise. A leopard is similar to a tiger. A: Look! Is that your mom's car? B: No, it's not. But it is similar to her car. It is the same size and color. Wasps are similar to bees. |
| 2546 |
be supposed to be expected to; be scheduled to The meeting is supposed to begin at 2 p.m. What time is the show supposed to start? A: Do you want to play soccer this afternoon? B: I do, but I can't, because I am supposed to meet my uncle at two o'clock. You were supposed to save half the cake for me! |
| 2547 |
be sure of have no doubt about Willy was sure of his answer. She isn't sure of the time of the party. A: Are you sure Rita wants the green shirt? B: I am sure of it. Yesterday she told me she wanted it. The girl was sure of which puppy she wanted |
| 2548 |
be surprised by (at) be taken aback by; express surprise at; be astonished at Mr. Scrooge was surprised by the ghost. Nancy Drew was surprised at the noise. A: I am surprised by Nick's kindness these days. B: Me too. Last year he was a very mean boy. She was surprised by her son's new hairstyle. |
| 2549 |
be thankful for appreciate; be grateful for The beggar was thankful for the coin. The criminal was thankful for the judge's mercy. A: Some people sleep in the subway station because they don't have a house or a bed. B: That would be terrible. I am very thankful for my home. The baby kangaroo is thankful for his mother's love and care. |
| 2550 |
be used to be familiar with; be accustomed to She is used to getting up early in the morning. Tarzan was used to living in the jungle. A: You've lived in Mexico for six months. How do you like it? B: I like it, but my stomach isn't used to Mexican food yet! It doesn't hurt anymore. I guess I'm used to it. |
| 2551 |
be willing to be happy to; be inclined to; be prepared to Sam was willing to lend money to his friend. Miss Eyre was willing to teach in the small school. A: Are you willing to help me with my chemistry homework? B: Yes I am, but I am busy right now. I will help you tonight. The soldier was willing to defend his country. |
| 2552 |
be worried about be anxious about; be concerned about The farmer was worried about the weather. He is worried about his health. A: I am worried about our dog. B: Me too. He hasn't eaten for three days. I am worried about the baby! |
| 2553 |
be worth (~ing) be useful enough to; equal in value to The hotel is great! It's worth staying an extra night. Our car is old, but it's worth keeping. A: Is this movie worth watching? B: No it's not! I saw it last night, and it was terrible. Diamonds are expensive, but some people think they are worth buying. |
| 2554 |
because of due to; as a result of; owing to; on account of He can't ride the bicycle because it has a flat tire. We couldn't go because of the weather. A: Did you play baseball yesterday? B: No I didn't. We couldn't play because of the rain. She is happy because of her new sweater. |
| 2555 |
before long in a short time; pretty soon Dinner will be ready before long. Before long, Sandy will graduate from high school. A: The weather is getting colder. B: Yes it is, and before long I think it will start to snow. Before long, you'll be a big rabbit like me! |
| 2556 |
belong to be owned by; be the property of The yacht belonged to Mrs. Vanderbilt. This business belongs to me. A: Does this bag belong to Max? B: No it doesn't. It is Kathy's bag. The teddy bear belongs to my little brother. |
| 2557 |
between you and me just between us; confidentially; off the record Between you and me, I think Greg is handsome. Between you and me, I think the food here is terrible! A: Please don't tell anybody the story I just told you. B: I won't tell anybody else. I'll keep it between you and me. Between you and me, I think there's something wrong with that guy. |
| 2558 |
blow out put out a fire; extinguish The wind blew out the fire. He blew out the candle before going to bed. A: Oh no! Why is it so dark in here? B: The wind blew out our candles. Make a wish when you blow out the candle. |
| 2559 |
break away from escape from; get away from; break free from He broke away from the crowd. The dog broke away from its owner. A: How did Sylvia win the race? B: She was with the other runners, then she broke away from them and crossed the finish line first! He wanted to break away from the group. |
| 2560 |
break out occur with suddenness or force; happen He was just a child when war broke out in his country. A fight broke out at the baseball game A: Why were you late for work today? B: A fire broke out in my apartment this morning. Suddenly, an argument broke out. |
| 2561 |
bring about cause to happen; lead to; result in Years of stress brought about his illness. Hard work brought about his success. A: The weather is warmer this summer than it has been in the past. Why is that? B: I don't know. Some people think the warmer weather was brought about by air pollution. Rain in July will bring about floods. |
| 2562 |
bring in get in; call in Make sure that you don't bring in dirt. “Bring in the next patient,” said the doctor. A: Oh no! It's starting to rain on our picnic! B: No problem! I will carry the hamburgers to the house, and you can bring in the cake. My dog brings in the newspaper every morning. |
| 2563 |
bring out reveal something to someone The old woman brought out a gold ring. Bring out the two men. A: I'm going to get an orange from the refrigerator. Do you want anything? B: Yes. Could you bring out some watermelon, please? He brought out a picture of his girlfriend. |
| 2564 |
by oneself alone; on one's own The girl went to the movie by herself. After a few days of practice, the children could swim by themselves. A: I want to go to the library by myself. B: Why? A: I have a lot of studying to do and don't want to be disturbed. He likes to play by himself. |
| 2565 |
by the way incidentally; in addition By the way, may I borrow some money? By the way, when are you going to America? A: I heard that you're moving to a new house. B: Yes. By the way, do you need a sofa and some chairs? By the way, her father is a doctor. |
| 2566 |
by way of by going through; via We sailed to Europe by way of the Mediterranean Sea. They came to North America by way of a land bridge. A: Did the teacher say that I have to read that book? B: No. She said by way of suggestion that you should read it. You can get to Dundas by way of Lion Street. |
| 2567 |
call off stop a planned event; cancel The boss called off the meeting. It rained so they called off the baseball game. A: They had to call off the soccer game yesterday. B: How come? A: One of the teams didn't have enough players. He had to call off the birthday party because he felt sick. |
| 2568 |
call on visit; come to see She called on me but I wasn't home. Do you have time to call on your grandmother? A: Where is Donald? I thought he was going to play soccer with us tonight. B: He was going to, but some relatives called on him unexpectedly. He went to call on his friend. |
| 2569 |
call up telephone; contact by telephone He called me up at 2:30 in the morning. I always call up my grandmother on her birthday. A: I am hungry, but I don't want to cook. B: I am hungry too. Let's call up the pizza place and order a cheese pizza. He called up for more bananas. |
| 2570 |
calm down become quiet; cool down After the storm, the sea calmed down. The child calmed down when we gave him his teddy bear. A: Help! There's a spider on the desk! B: Calm down. It is not going to hurt you. Some people have a cup of tea when they need to calm down. |
| 2571 |
can't afford be unable to pay for; don't have enough money I can't afford to buy a Mercedes Benz. He can't afford a new suit. A: Mom, can you buy me that computer? B: I'd like to, but I can't afford it. It's too expensive. I'd love to buy that house, but I can't afford it. |
| 2572 |
can't help ~ing can't avoid; be unable to stop; have no choice but to; can only Susan couldn't help eating all the cookies. I can't help falling in love with her. A: Please don't laugh at me when I sing! B: I can't help it. You sound really funny! They can't help laughing at his strange appearance. |
| 2573 |
can't stand dislike intensely; can't tolerate; can't bear; hate She can't stand traffic jams. They like pickles, but they can't stand mustard. A: Let's go see the new James Bond film. B: No, thanks. I can't stand action movies! I can't stand opera music. |
| 2574 |
care for look after; take care of Most people don't care for their house plants properly. Janet appreciated the way Rick cared for her when she was sick. A: How should I care for this plant? B: You have to give it water every day. The mother cares for her child. |
| 2575 |
catch up with come up with; overtake I missed a week of school, so I had to catch up with my class. We ran to catch up with Larry. A: Your team is really far behind. B: Yes. I don't think we can catch up with yours. He just couldn't catch up with her. |
| 2576 |
check in register at a hotel, or an airport, etc.; sign in You must check in at the front desk. Please check in with me when you get here. A: What time does your plane for Paris leave? B: It leaves at ten o'clock, but I have to check in by eight o'clock. When you arrive, check in by signing your name on the list. |
| 2577 |
cheer up get in a better mood; help someone feel happier; lighten up He cheered up when he got a card and flowers. Cheer up! Tomorrow, things will be better. A: Where are you going? B: I am going to Ann's house. She is sad because her dog died, so I am going to try to cheer her up. He is trying to cheer up his friend. |
| 2578 |
come by pay a visit to; drop by; stop by The mailman usually comes by at ten o'clock. Ellen will come by this afternoon. A: Do you want to come by my house and see my new CD player? B: Sure, but I can only stay for a few minutes. Why don't you come by my leaf sometime? |
| 2579 |
come out of leave a place The bear came out of the cave. She finally came out of the room. A: Come out of the sun before you get a sunburn. B: That's a good idea. I'll sit in the shade with you. The frog was still wet after he came out of the water. |
| 2580 |
come over pay a short visit Danny comes over to play after school. Jack, why don't you come over for dinner? A: Do you want to come over to my house this weekend? B: That sounds fun! Thank you for inviting me. She liked it when her grandfather would come over on Sundays. |
| 2581 |
come true happen as wished Joe's dream at last came true. I hope all your dreams will come true. A: I can't believe I won a trip to Europe! It is like a dream come true. B: Wow! You are really lucky. Some people think that a four-leaf clover will make your dreams come true. |
| 2582 |
come up to reach; approach I got more and more nervous as I came up to the door. The man came up to me and asked me for money. A: How deep is the water in the swimming pool? B: Not very deep. It only comes up to my waist. The grass came up to his knees. |
| 2583 |
congratulations on praise Congratulations on your new baby! Congratulations on graduating from high school! A: Congratulations on winning the speech contest! B: Thank you. It was a great contest and I'm surprised I won. Congratulations on your birthday! |
| 2584 |
consist of be made (up) of; be composed from; comprise The package consisted of three books, some photos, and a candy bar. The United Kingdom consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. A: What did your English test consist of? B: It consisted of 30% speaking, 30% listening, and 40% writing. A common fast-food meal consists of a hamburger, fries, and a drink. |
| 2585 |
cooperate with work together; act together Our team lost because we didn't cooperate with each other. Sally cooperated with Paul on the science project. A: Why don't you want to be Bill's partner any longer? B: We can't cooperate with each other. They always cooperate with each other. |
| 2586 |
cope with deal successfully with; manage successfully I think I can cope with my new schedule. She has to cope with traffic every day. A: You look really sick. Do you want to go to see a doctor? B: I can cope with the pain until tomorrow. It's eleven o'clock and too late to go now. The mother is finding it hard to cope with her troubled son. |
| 2587 |
count on depend on; rely on; trust You can count on him to do good job. I can count on my parents for support. A: I'd be happy to help you study. B: Thanks. I can always count on you. The politician said, “You can count on me!” |
| 2588 |
cry out for ask for; call for They are all crying out for change. Children often cry out for a candy. A: What did you do when the man stole your purse? B: I cried out for help and a security guard caught the thief. When the baby was hungry, she cried out for food. |
| 2589 |
cut off remove; cut away She cut off all her hair. First, the cook cut off the fish's head. A: I want to eat this apple, but it looks rotten. B: Just cut off the rotten part and eat the rest. The boy cut off his sister's hair. |
| 2590 |
dash off leave very quickly; run off; hurry He dashed off to deliver the message. She dashed off because she was late. A: Will May be gone for a long time? B: No, she just dashed off to the store to buy some milk. The rabbit dashed off into the forest. |
| 2591 |
depend on trust; rely on; count on; be dependent on The blind man depended on his dog. The old woman depended on her son. A: I'll drive you to the airport. B: Please don't forget! I'm depending on you. When they are young, the fish depend on their mother. |
| 2592 |
die out stop existing; disappear completely; become extinct Mammoths died out a long time ago. I wish all the mosquitoes would die out. A: Why did the dinosaurs die out? B: Because the weather got very cold. We must protect whales if we don't want them to die out. |
| 2593 |
differ from be not the same as; be different from My opinion differs from hers. The new house differs from the old one in many ways. A: How does this bicycle differ from the other one? B: This one has a more comfortable seat. Red and green apples differ from each other in taste. |
| 2594 |
dispose of get rid of; throw out Bill disposed of the old bottles. The murderer tried to dispose of his knife. A: This fruit is almost rotten. B: Let's dispose of it before it starts to smell bad. It is dangerous to dispose of a lit cigarette in a garbage can. |
| 2595 |
do badly in not be successful in; do poorly in She did not study, so she did badly on her test. The basketball player did badly in the game because of his injury. A: Do you get good grades in school? B: My grades are good except for history. I usually do badly in that class. I always do badly in mathematics. |
| 2596 |
do one's best try hard; give one's best He did his best to stop the water. Although I didn't win, I was happy because I did my best. A: I am not very good at math. B: Don't worry. Just study hard and do your best and you will do alright. The teacher told him, “Just do your best!” |
| 2597 |
do one's homework do schoolwork outside of class (at home) I usually do my homework at the library. He always does his homework before watching TV. A: What are you going to do after school? B: I am going to do my homework. He is doing his homework. |
| 2598 |
do well in be successful in; do a good job My sister always does well in math. Bonnie did well in the race. A: How can I do well in science class? B: You should review your notes every day and make sure you do all your homework. He does very well in school. |
| 2599 |
don't mention it There's no need for thanks A: I appreciated the card you sent me. B: Don't mention it. A: Thanks a lot. B: Don't mention it. I was glad to help. A: Thanks for giving me a ride home. B: Don't mention it. I'm happy I could give you a ride. When I thanked him for the gift, he said, “Don't mention it!” |
| 2600 |
dream of wish or hope for; dream about The Wright brothers dreamed of making a flying machine. Pinocchio dreamed of becoming a real boy. A: In winter I like to dream of hot, sunny places. B: Me too. I like hot weather more than cold weather. He often dreams of being big and strong. |
| 2601 |
drop by go to see; pay a short visit; stop by My neighbor dropped by with an apple pie. Eddie dropped by yesterday to say goodbye. A: Can we go to the department store now? B: Okay, but I have to drop by the bank first to get some money. I dropped by at 3:00, but you weren't home. |
| 2602 |
drop off deliver something or leave someone somewhere My mother dropped me off at school on her way to work. Laura dropped off the books at the library. A: Where are you going? B: I'm going to drop off my rollerblades at Sue's house. She is going to use them tomorrow. I have to drop off the package today. |
| 2603 |
enjoy oneself have a happy experience; have a good time; have fun We enjoyed ourselves at Disney World. He enjoyed himself at the picnic. A: Enjoy yourself on your vacation! B: Thank you. I think it will be great! They always enjoy themselves. |
| 2604 |
fall in love with develop strong romantic feelings (for) The young girls fell in love with the rock star. Anthony fell in love with Cleopatra. A: Does Wally like Sue? B: Yes, he really likes her. He has fallen in love with her, and he wants to marry her. I fell in love with her the first time I saw her. |
| 2605 |
far from be a long way from a place He lives in a town, not far from his father. The forest was not far from Athens. A: Is your house far from the supermarket? B: No it isn't. It takes five minutes to walk there. The house is far from the city. |
| 2606 |
feel like be inclined to; desire; want She feels like crying because she lost her job. After the long walk, he felt like taking a shower. A: Do you feel like watching a video tonight? B: No, I feel like going bowling. I feel like having a snack! |
| 2607 |
figure out understand; solve; make out I figured out how to save money on my electric bill. Oedipus figured out the answer to the riddle. A: I can't figure out where I put my glasses. B: Look on your head! You can use a calculator to figure out math problems. |
| 2608 |
fill (up) ~ with make full; fill I filled up the tank with gas. We filled up the box with old pictures. A: How much juice do you want? B: I'm very thirsty. Please fill up my cup. Please fill up the glass with milk. |
| 2609 |
find out learn; get information She wanted to find out the name of the book. Diane found out where the money was. A: What time does the store close? B: I'll call and find out. I want to find out if she has a boyfriend. |
| 2610 |
for a long time for many minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or years, etc. He has been waiting for a long time. Miss O'Hara has owned this land for a long time. A: Have you been playing the piano for a long time? B: No, I've only been playing for three months. He hasn't cut his beard for a long time. |
| 2611 |
for a while for a time; a while We have been sitting here for a while. I worked in that company for a while. A: I'm going to the store. Do you want to join me? B: No, I think I'll stay here and read for a while. He has been underwater for a while. |
| 2612 |
for example for instance; as an example; say I like sweet food. For example, I eat ice cream every day. We are different. I am older, for example. A: You said that Fred insults you. How does he insult you? B: Well, for example, yesterday he said that I was stupid. All of us are familiar with mammals. A cow, for example, is a mammal. |
| 2613 |
for some time for a period of time We have been waiting for some time. This song has been popular for some time. A: Have you seen Philip recently? B: No, I haven't seen him for some time. The fish hasn't moved for some time. |
| 2614 |
for sure certainly; surely; for certain That girl will win the math contest for sure. You will get the job for sure. A: Is your sister going to help you clean the house? B: Yes. She said she would help me for sure. The girl will beat the boy for sure. |
| 2615 |
for the first time first; the initial time The boy from Brazil saw snow for the first time. She flew in an airplane for the first time. A: Have you been to that restaurant before? B: No. I'm going for the first time . He is getting kissed for the first time. |
| 2616 |
for the time being for the moment; for now; for the present She is sick, so she must stay in bed for the time being. His car is in the shop, so he's using mine for the time being. A: Where do you live? B: I'm living at my uncle's house for the time being, but I'm going to move into my own place next month. It's raining. Let's stay inside for the time being. |
| 2617 |
from now on from now onwards; starting now and continuing From now on, I'm free! I promise to be good from now on. A: From now on I'm going to exercise every day. B: That's a good idea! You're going to be very healthy From now on, maybe you won't play in the street! |
| 2618 |
from time to time sometimes; at times; once in a while; every now and then; occasionally From time to time, I enjoy going to the opera. The department store has a sale from time to time. A: Do you see your grandmother often? B: No I don't. She lives in another city, so I only see her from time to time. From time to time, he likes to go fishing. |
| 2619 |
generally speaking in general; by and large; as a rule; on the whole Generally speaking, Mexican food is very spicy. Generally speaking, people hate going to the dentist. A: Do you like sweet food? B: Generally speaking no, but I do like a few sweet things like ice cream and juice. Generally speaking, dogs are friendly animals. |
| 2620 |
get back return; come or go back Dorothy wanted to get back to Kansas. I don't know how to get back to the hotel. A: When will you get back from your trip? B: I'll return in two weeks. I need to get back home before dark. |
| 2621 |
get in touch with communicate with; connect; contact They can get in touch with me at this address. I've been trying to get in touch with him for weeks. A: We haven't talked to Julie recently. We should get in touch with her. B: Good idea. Let's call her tonight. He gave me his business card, so I can get in touch with him. |
| 2622 |
get involved in be a part of; take part in; participate in She wanted to get involved in her school dance team. I don't usually get involved in politics. A: Roman and Carla are broke. Should we try to help them? B: No. It's not our problem, so let's not get involved in it. He didn't want to get involved in their argument. |
| 2623 |
get married to marry Prince Charles got married to Lady Diana Spencer. Sally will get married to Tom in March. A: Who is your brother going to marry? B: He's getting married to a girl he's been dating for a few years. Her parents didn't want her to get married to a mosquito. |
| 2624 |
get off leave a vehicle The old lady is getting off the bus. He got off the subway at the wrong stop. A: How can I get to your house from here? B: Take bus number seven and get off at the third stop. The spider got off the ball. |
| 2625 |
get on board; enter a vehicle He got on his horse and rode away. We got on the bus in front of City Hall. A: Can you wait while I go to the bathroom? B: No, the train is about to leave, so we have to get on now. You'll have to use the bathroom on the train. The spider got on the ball. |
| 2626 |
get out (of) exit; leave; go out (of) My father said to the dog, “Get out.” Get out of my room right now! A: Thanks for giving me a ride to the library. B: No problem! I'll stop the car in front of the library and you can get out quickly. Get out of here! |
| 2627 |
get rid of remove; dispose of; throw away I want to get rid of the ants in my room. My mother got rid of her old dresses. A: Can we get rid of these old books? B: Yes. I don't want them anymore. He must get rid of his cold. |
| 2628 |
get tired of become bored with; get sick of She got tired of hearing the song over and over. He got tired of waiting, so he went home. A: I am getting tired of studying. B: Why don't you take a break? I will never get tired of hamburgers. |
| 2629 |
get to arrive at; reach Just ring the bell when you get to the door. I got to the store before it closed. A: How do you get to school everyday? B: I take the bus. When he got to the house, it was snowing. |
| 2630 |
get together gather; meet We often got together at the cafe. Let's get together on Friday night. A: Let's get together on Saturday. B: Okay! Maybe we can go to a movie together. Everyone said that they should get together. |
| 2631 |
get up get out of bed; leave bed after sleeping I have to get up early to catch the train. Time to get up! A: What time do you get up? B: Usually at 7:30, but on weekends I get up later. It's hard for him to get up in the morning. |
| 2632 |
get well become healthy; get over an illness I hope you get well! She got well faster than anticipated. A: My sister is sick, so I'm going to bring her some medicine. B: Tell her I hope she gets well soon. He received a get-well card. |
| 2633 |
give a hand help; assist; lend a hand He gave her a hand with the yard work. They gave the boy a hand with the big box. A: This table is really heavy. Can you give me a hand moving it? B: Sure, I can help you. Can someone give me a hand with this? |
| 2634 |
give away donate; hand out I wanted to sell my old radio, but I think I will just give it away. The company gave away free samples. A: Wow! You have a lot of books! B: I have too many. I think I should give away a lot of them. He gave away his last dollar. |
| 2635 |
give back return; hand back When are you going to give back my CD? She borrowed my car, but she hasn't given it back. A: Can I borrow your bicycle? B: Yes, as long as you give it back by five o'clock. He had to give back the stolen money. |
| 2636 |
give it a try try it; give it a go; give it a shot She decided to give it a try. I haven't played golf, but I'll give it a try. A: Have you had Mexican food? B: No, but I'd like to give it a try sometime. Why don't you give it a try? |
| 2637 |
give up stop; abandon She did not give up hope of finding her dog. Don't give up! Keep trying! A: Learning to play the guitar is really hard. B: Don't give up! You will learn if you keep practicing. He should give up smoking. |
| 2638 |
go away leave a place; get away Please don't go away. I hope your stomachache will go away soon. A: What a gloomy day! B: Yeah. I wish those clouds would go away. Go away! |
| 2639 |
go off leave; go somewhere with a purpose Dorothy went off to have her car washed. She went off without even saying goodbye. A: Why is Mrs. Jones crying? B: Her son went off to fight in the war. The camel went off across the desert to find water. |
| 2640 |
go on continue; not stop; last This cold weather has gone on for too long! The argument went on for a few minutes. A: This movie was really boring. B: Yes, it just seemed to go on for hours. The road goes on for many miles. |
| 2641 |
go on a picnic bring some food and eat it outside Let's go on a picnic. I haven't gone on a picnic for years. A: What do you want to do this weekend? B: It's going to be sunny on Saturday, so I'd like to go on a picnic. He is going on a picnic. |
| 2642 |
grow up become an adult; mature I grew up in a China and then moved to America. My son has grown up so fast. A: What kind of job do you want to have when you grow up? B: Actually, I would like to become a dentist. When he grows up, he will be a strong lion. |
| 2643 |
had better should; ought to You'd better not work too late. She had better study if she wants to pass the test. A: Do you want to play computer games with me? B: I'd like to, but I'd better finish my homework. If you want to work here, you had better get a haircut! |
| 2644 |
hand in give in; submit Please hand in the report by Friday. Even though she wasn't finished, she had to hand in the project. A: What are you writing? B: I'm writing an essay that I have to hand in to my teacher tomorrow. After 60 minutes, the students had to hand in their tests. |
| 2645 |
hang up put away something, especially clothes, on a hook or hanger Please hang up your wet towels! Jerry hung up his Elvis costume after the show. A: Where should I put my jacket? B: You can hang it up in the closet. Hang up your coat on the wall. |
| 2646 |
have a good time enjoy oneself; have fun The tourists had a good time in Paris. I had a good time at the party. A: Have a good time at the birthday party! B: Thanks, I think it will be fun. The aliens like to have a good time. |
| 2647 |
have no idea don't know; not have a clue She has no idea when the meeting is. They had no idea that the earth was round. A: I have no idea how to use this digital camera. B: Read the instruction booklet. That'll help you. I have no idea why he is wearing this. |
| 2648 |
have to do with be closely connected with; be related to The newspaper article has to do with the Queen's visit to Africa. The mother hoped that her son had nothing to do with the broken window. A: What does math have to do with real life? B: Well, studying math helps us to add and subtract money, and many other things. These symbols all have to do with mathematics. |
| 2649 |
have trouble (with) have a problem; have difficulty I am having trouble with this math homework. The soccer player had trouble with his knee. A: How are your tennis lessons? B: Good, but I'm having trouble with my serve. He is having trouble with his battery. |
| 2650 |
hear from receive news from I haven't heard from Dave recently. It's nice to hear from you. A: Has Mary called you since she went to China? B: Not yet. If I don't hear from her soon I'm going to start worrying. He is waiting to hear from the doctor about his tests. |
| 2651 |
hear of know about; hear about I have never heard of an earthquake in this city. Yes, I've heard of that restaurant. I think it's in the north end of town. A: Let's go see a movie sometime. B: Okay. If I hear of a good one I'll tell you. Have you ever heard of a two-headed snake? |
| 2652 |
help oneself (to) take what one wants Help yourself to the cake. At the buffet, everyone helps themselves. A: Please help yourself to some pie. B: Thank you. It looks delicious. He is helping himself to a cookie. |
| 2653 |
here you are here you go; here it is A: Could I use your pen? B: Sure, here you are. A: I would like a chocolate ice cream cone, please. B: Here you are. A: Can I have a sip of your water please? B: Sure. Here you are. Here you are! |
| 2654 |
hold on wait; hold the line Hold on, I'm coming! Please hold on while I find your file. A: Here is the pizza you ordered. B: Hold on. I'll go get my wallet. We had to hold on while the traffic light was red. |
| 2655 |
hold up lift; raise; put up The soldier was holding up the flag. The class became silent when the teacher held up his hand. A: What do you do at your new job? B: I stand on the sidewalk and hold up a sign advertising the restaurant. He held up the mouse for everyone to see. |
| 2656 |
hurry up do something quickly Hurry up, or we will be late! You will miss the bus if you don't hurry up. A: Let's hurry up and finish before dinner. B: Good idea. I'm hungry! Hurry up! |
| 2657 |
in a hurry in haste; in a rush Why are you in such a hurry? Don't be in such a hurry. A: Why are you in a hurry? B: My piano lesson starts in five minutes, so I have to run if I don't want to be late. He is in a hurry. |
| 2658 |
in a moment in a short time; in a second/minute; soon I'll be with you in a moment. She'll be back in a moment. A: Can I have a large cola please? B: Yes. I'll bring it to you in a moment. He will be asleep in a moment. |
| 2659 |
in case of in the event something happens; if In case of an emergency, press the red button. In case of fire, do not use the elevator. A: Please call 911 in case of a robbery. B: Okay. I'll remember that. Take an umbrella in case of rain. |
| 2660 |
in fact as a matter of fact; actually; in reality I really like you. In fact, I love you! It rained a lot yesterday. In fact, it was the wettest day of the year so far. A: This is a great birthday party. Is Heinrich going to come too? B: Yes, he is. In fact, here he comes now! In fact, there is no ‘dark side' of the moon. |
| 2661 |
in front of before; ahead of The conductor stood in front of the orchestra. She stood in front of the mirror. A: I'll meet you in front of the school at three o'clock. B: Okay. I'll see you then. There is a dinosaur in front of the house. |
| 2662 |
in general as a whole; overall; for the most part In general, I like cats. In general, Asian food is less fattening than western food. A: Do you like France? B: I like Europe in general, because each country is interesting. The movie was, in general, not very interesting. |
| 2663 |
in harmony (with) in a friendly relationship with; in accord with Dogs live in harmony with humans. The two countries worked in harmony. A: I'm glad that Jack and Jill got married. B: Yes. I hope that they can live in harmony. It is important that we live in harmony with nature. |
| 2664 |
in honor of giving respect to; remembering They had a party in honor of the man's retirement. The president gave a speech in honor of the soldiers. A: My parents have been married for twenty five years. B: You should have a party in honor of their anniversary. We lit the candle in honor of our grandmother. |
| 2665 |
in just a minute in a short time; shortly We will be leaving in just a minute. The movie will be starting in just a minute. A: Can you help me with this program? B: I'll be there in just a minute. In just a minute, it will be midnight. |
| 2666 |
in search of trying to find; looking for We went in search of a good Italian restaurant. They went to Africa in search of the white elephant. A: It's late. Why are you here at the store? B: We were watching a video and we got hungry, so we're here in search of snacks. The helicopter went in search of the people missing in the mountains. |
| 2667 |
in silence silently; not speaking; without a sound They walked down the road in silence. The family ate in silence. A: Do you mind if I turn on the radio? B: Actually, I prefer to study in silence. The boy behaved badly, so his mother made him sit in silence. |
| 2668 |
in the meantime meanwhile; while My car is in the shop. I am using my sister's in the meantime. I will be late for the meeting. In the meantime, discuss next month's agenda. A: I know we should go to the store, but first I have to wash these clothes. B: Okay, I'll read my book in the meantime. He had to wait for the bus. In the meantime, he read the paper. |
| 2669 |
in the middle of at the center of; in the midst of He was standing in the middle of the street. She turned off the TV in the middle of the show. A: What were you doing when I called you? B: I was in the middle of studying for tomorrow's big test. The scarecrow is in the middle of the field. |
| 2670 |
in vain for nothing; fruitless; vainly The trip was cancelled. He had packed in vain. She washed her car in vain. It rained that afternoon. A: This is an important game. We have to win it. B: I know. If we don't win, our three months of practicing will have been in vain. He tried in vain to get more food from the table. |
| 2671 |
instead of in place of; rather than; in preference to She went to New York instead of Paris. They met on Sunday instead of Saturday. A: Let's go on a picnic instead of watching a movie. B: Okay. It's a nice day to be outdoors. He chose the hamburger instead of the pizza. |
| 2672 |
just in time almost not in time; at the last minute You are just in time for dinner. She got to the airport just in time to catch her plane. A: Wow! It's raining hard. We came in the house just in time. B: I know! If we would have stayed outside one more minute, we would be very wet right now. The policeman caught the thief just in time. |
| 2673 |
keep away (from) avoid; stay away Keep away from that old house! The shy boy kept away from the other children. A: Why did mom tell us to keep away from that dog? B: Because that dog is dangerous! It bit three kids last summer. There are some areas that swimmers should keep away from. |
| 2674 |
keep in mind don't forget; remember; bear in mind I'll keep that in mind. Keep in mind that you've got a meeting at 3:00. A: I'm going to play soccer with my friends this afternoon! B: Okay, but keep in mind that dinner is at 6:00. Keep in mind that he usually eats with chopsticks. |
| 2675 |
keep in touch continue to communicate; stay in contact (with) They kept in touch for twenty years. Please keep in touch while you are traveling. A: I'm going to live in America next year. B: After you go, please keep in touch with me. He gave me his phone number so we could keep in touch. |
| 2676 |
keep on do not stop; continue His alarm went off, but he kept on sleeping. It's late, but I have to keep on working. A: Why did you sell your parrot? B: He kept on singing Elvis songs. Keep on pushing! |
| 2677 |
keep an eye on watch; monitor I'm going to the bathroom. Please keep an eye on my bag. My parents are gone, so I have to keep an eye on my little brother. A: Keep an eye on the time. I have to leave at midnight. B: OK. It's only 11:15 now. They wanted to keep an eye on the strange newcomer. |
| 2678 |
keep out (of) stay out (of) The children were kept out of the graveyard. The high fence kept wolves out of the farm. A: Why did you keep out of the game? B: I don't know how to play very well. Keep your hands out of my honey! |
| 2679 |
laugh at ridicule; sneer The thoughtless teacher laughed at the student when he made a mistake. They laughed at him when he tripped. A: Why is Jimmy crying? B: The other children laughed at his haircut. People always laugh at his nose. |
| 2680 |
lead to go to a particular place The guide will lead us to the village. The dog led the police officer to the robber's house. A: Where does this stairway go? B: It leads to the parking garage. The road leads to the castle. |
| 2681 |
leave out exclude; miss out; omit He packed his suitcase, but he left out one pair of socks. This argument is between you and me. Leave my brother out of it. A: Do you want a hamburger? B: Yes I do, but please leave out the pickles. The message was nice, but they left out the A's! |
| 2682 |
listen to give attention in order to hear; hear She listens to the radio on her way to work. We sat outside and listened to the birds singing. A: Why is Rita doing so badly in school? B: She never listens to her teacher. He likes to listen to music. |
| 2683 |
little by little slowly; bit by bit; gradually Peter learned Spanish little by little. Little by little, they built their house. A: Your computer is expensive. How did you buy it? B: I worked for three years and saved my money little by little. Little by little, the snail moved along the road. |
| 2684 |
live on keep oneself alive with food or money; survive (on) The poor man lived on bread and water. In college, I lived on only $50 a week. A: Let's go out for a nice dinner. B: Good idea! I am tired of living on spaghetti and water! The bird lives on worms. |
| 2685 |
long for want very much The orphan longed for a home. He longed for a motorcycle of his own. A: I'm longing for the ocean. B: Okay. Let's go to the beach. She longs for romance. |
| 2686 |
look after care for; take care of I had to look after my little sister. Please look after my plants while I am gone. A: I'll be gone for one week. Will you look after my dog? B: Yes. I'll give him food and walk him every day. She must look after her puppy. |
| 2687 |
look around look in all directions We looked around the room for the remote. The new student looked around the class. A: I still haven't found my bag! B: Look around at school tomorrow. Maybe it's there. He is looking around for bananas. |
| 2688 |
look at have a look at; take a look at; stare at The doctor looked at the X-ray. Dawn looked at the painting. A: Look at those beautiful flowers! B: Wow! I don't think I've seen any like those before. They looked at each other for a long time. |
| 2689 |
look down on despise; think you're better than someone else The scholar looked down on the farmer. The rich man looked down on the beggar. A: Why do those rich kids look down on Sarah? B: Because Sarah's family is poor and she wears old clothes. He was often looked down on for being different. |
| 2690 |
look for try to find; search for; seek What are you looking for? Can you help me look for my glasses? A: Can I help you? B: Yes. I'm looking for the restroom. He's looking for grass to eat. |
| 2691 |
look forward to anticipate; wait happily for I am looking forward to my new job. We are looking forward to leaving this town. A: I'm looking forward to our vacation next month. B: Me too. It's going to be fun! He is looking forward to the game. |
| 2692 |
look like resemble; have the appearance of; take after A tiger looks like a big cat. That guy looks like my brother. A: Can you see that cloud?! B: Wow! It looks like an elephant! Sometimes, people look like their pets. |
| 2693 |
look out be careful; take care; watch out You must look out for cars when you cross the street. Look out! That rock is about to fall! A: Look out! You almost stepped on my mouse. B: Sorry. I didn't see it. Look out! |
| 2694 |
look through search many things to find something I looked through the drawer for an eraser. The woman looked through her purse for her car keys. A: Did you find any mistakes when you looked through my essay? B: Yes, I found a couple. She looked through the whole house until she found her spider. |
| 2695 |
look up to admire; respect Jim looked up to his brave friend. We all look up to our grandfather. A: Why do you look up to Tim so much? B: Because he is a brave, honest and humble person. The boy really looks up to his older brother. |
| 2696 |
make friends with form a relationship with I made friends with the new boy in school. It can be hard to make new friends. A: I'm going to go to a new school next year and I'll miss my friends. B: Don't worry. You'll make friends with people at your new school too! The monkey wants to make friends with the snake. |
| 2697 |
make fun of make unkind jokes about; tease; pull one's leg; make a fool of She made fun of my ugly shoes. The other reindeer made fun of Rudolph's red nose. A: Ha-ha-ha! You can't ski! B: Don't make fun of me! This is my first time skiing. Everyone made fun of him. |
| 2698 |
make oneself at home make oneself comfortable; relax Come in! Make yourself at home. I made myself at home in my friend's apartment. A: Can I use one of your towels? B: Sure! You can use anything you need. Make yourself at home. He is making himself at home on the sofa. |
| 2699 |
make sense have a clear meaning; be understandable It makes sense to stop smoking. The sentence makes no sense. A: Does that make sense? B: No, it doesn't. Maybe if you explain it again I'll understand. His words didn't make sense. |
| 2700 |
make the most of use to the greatest advantage She is making the most of a bad situation. I only have ten dollars. I'll have to make the most of it. A: It's too bad that you have to leave soon. B: I know. Let's just try to make the most of our time together. He is making the most of his arms to build his house quickly. |
| 2701 |
make up invent; fabricate My grandfather makes up funny songs. I didn't want to tell the man my real name, so I made up a name. A: You'll be late for school. What will you tell the teacher? A: I'll make up an excuse. He often made up stories. |
| 2702 |
make up for compensate for She had to work overtime to make up the days of work she missed. He missed his daughter's birthday, so he tried to make up for it with a big gift. A: Why did you buy my lunch today? B: I wanted to make up for being late last week. She started slowly, so she is trying to make up for lost time. |
| 2703 |
make up one's mind decide; make a decision; resolve You have to make up your mind! I can't make up my mind! A: Is Jill going to study in America or Canada? B: She made up her mind to study in Canada. He is trying to make up his mind. |
| 2704 |
make up (with) become friends again with; reconcile I don't think I can ever make up with him. Newlyweds fight and make up often. A: Why are you going to go to a movie with Tom? I thought you were angry at him. B: I was angry at him, but we made up with each other. Now we're good friends again! After a big argument, they wanted to make up with each other. |
| 2705 |
make use of utilize; take advantage of He made use of the wood and built a house. Can you make use of some old chairs? A: Is Ben making use of his math skills? B: Yes he is. He works at a bank. Farmers make use of the land. |
| 2706 |
no problem easy; no trouble; it doesn't matter; It should be no problem to find tickets for the game. She said it was no problem to pick me up. A: Thanks for the cookie! B: No problem. I have a whole bag of them. He hopes that fixing the window will be no problem. |
| 2707 |
nothing but only; no more than; merely; just That boy is nothing but trouble. There was nothing but old cheese in the refrigerator. A: Your car looks nice. Is it a good car? B: No. I bought it two years ago and it has given me nothing but problems. Robbers are nothing but bad. |
| 2708 |
now and then sometimes; occasionally; once in a while; at times; from time to time He likes to watch a movie now and then. Now and then there are concerts in the park. A: Do you come to this restaurant often? B: No. I only come here now and then. Now and then he likes to sing. |
| 2709 |
of course yes; certainly; sure; no problem If you are busy, you don't have to come, of course. “Can we go to the concert?” “Of course we can.” A: Do you like soccer? B: Of course I like soccer! That's why I play it every day! Of course I like your new hairstyle! |
| 2710 |
on and on without stopping; continuously They worked on and on through the night. It rained on and on for days. A: Did your aunt call last night? B: Yes! She talked on and on for three hours! The road goes on and on. |
| 2711 |
on foot by walking You can go everywhere on foot in my town. They had to go on foot after their car broke down. A: Do you go to school by bus? B: No, I don't. I go on foot. He made the journey on foot. |
| 2712 |
on purpose deliberately; intentionally He missed the school bus on purpose because he didn't like school. She broke the cup on purpose. A: Hey! Did you hit me on purpose? B: No I didn't. It was an accident. I'm sorry I spilt the drink. It wasn't on purpose. |
| 2713 |
on schedule without delay; on time The meeting did not start on schedule. I hope that my plane is on schedule. A: Will the train be late today? B: No, it will arrive on schedule. The bus usually arrives on schedule. |
| 2714 |
on the contrary no; not at all “Are you cold?” “On the contrary! I'm quite warm!” You don't look exhausted. On the contrary, you seem very healthy! A: Was that movie bad? B: On the contrary, it was the best movie I've ever seen! He's not lazy. On the contrary, he's very active. |
| 2715 |
on the/one's way going or coming; during the journey On the way to work this morning she saw a deer. I will stop by the post office on my way home. A: We don't have any milk. Can you buy some today? B: Okay. I'll buy some on the way home from school today. There is a gas station on the way to the next city. |
| 2716 |
on the weekend on Saturdays and Sundays We used to go hiking on weekends. I take my son to the park on the weekend. A: What are you going to do on the weekend? B: I'm going to play soccer on Saturday and go to church on Sunday. They are going fishing on the weekend. |
| 2717 |
on time on schedule; punctually Most of the people came on time. This train is always on time. A: Let's go to school now. I don't want to be late for class. B: Don't worry. We'll be on time. He wanted to get to his meeting on time. |
| 2718 |
once in a while sometimes; occasionally; now and then; at times My old friend calls me once in a while. Once in a while, he goes to rock concerts. A: Do you like to go to movies? B: No, but I rent a video once in a while. Once in a while, I like to eat seafood. |
| 2719 |
out of breath breathless; hard to breathe She was out of breath after running up the stairs. By the time we reached the top, we were out of breath. A: Why are you out of breath? B: Because I ran here from my house. After running so long, he was out of breath. |
| 2720 |
out of date outdated; old-fashioned My computer is already out of date. Don't take medicine that is out of date. A: I can't find the new road on this map. B: It's probably out of date. His haircut is out of date. |
| 2721 |
pass by go past I saw a big dog passing by my house around two o'clock. People along the street waved as the parade passed by. A: Do you know where Ann's house is? B: Yes, I do. I pass by it every day when I walk home from school. He said hello as he passed by his friend. |
| 2722 |
pass out faint; become unconscious She hit her head on the tree and passed out. You will pass out if you hold your breath for too long. A: Is he sleeping? B: No, he saw some blood and passed out! He is passing out. |
| 2723 |
pay a visit visit; call on; pay a call; go to see We paid a visit to our relatives. Let's pay a visit to them sometime. A: Let's pay a visit to Kevin. B: Good idea! I haven't seen him for a long time. I will pay a visit to my grandma tomorrow. |
| 2724 |
pay attention to focus on; concentrate on He was not paying attention in class. Pay attention to me! A: Does he pay attention to the teacher in class? B: No, he doesn't. He only talks to his friends and draws pictures on his desk. You should pay attention to road signs when you are dri- ving. |
| 2725 |
pick out choose; single out She picked out a nice dress for the party. I picked out the best apple in the basket. A: I want to buy a shirt, but I don't know which color to get. B: I'll help you pick out a color! Pick out one you like! |
| 2726 |
pick up lift He picked up the pen and wrote a letter. She picked up her hat and put it on. A: This room is a mess! Pick up your toys. B: OK, Mom. I will. Pick up the hammer. |
| 2727 |
piece by piece bit by bit; one by one; piecemeal She ate the whole cake piece by piece. He picked up the broken dish piece by piece. A: How did they move that big sculpture? B: They took it apart and moved it piece by piece. He put the puzzle together piece by piece. |
| 2728 |
play a trick on play a joke on; play tricks on He got in trouble for playing a trick on his sister. Don't ever play a trick on me again! A: I like to untie my brother's shoes, hide his pencils, and put frogs in his bed. B: That's not nice! Do you always play tricks on him? The dog is playing a trick on the cat. |
| 2729 |
protect A from B shield A from B The helmet protected his head from injury in the crash. Our dog protects our home from robbers. A: Why do you put a fence around your flowers? B: It protects them from hungry rabbits. A good coat can protect you from the cold. |
| 2730 |
prove to be turn out to be The man proved to be criminal. She proved to be an unfaithful friend. A: Why was the man let out of jail? B: The fingerprints on the gun proved to be someone else's. He proved to be the strongest. |
| 2731 |
put down set something on a surface When he finished the letter, he put down his pencil. The bag was too heavy, so I put it down. A: Where do you want this box? B: Just put it down by the door, thanks. Put down the wire! |
| 2732 |
put off delay; postpone; defer Don't put off doing your homework. You should not put it off until tomorrow. A: Do you like cleaning your room? B: No. I put it off as long as possible. He put off washing his shirt for too long! |
| 2733 |
put on get dressed in; wear; have on The girl put on her glasses to read. She put on her swimming suit. A: Let's go for a walk. B: OK. Let me put on my shoes. He put on his helmet before the game started. |
| 2734 |
put together join parts together; assemble The boy put together a model airplane. Let's put together that puzzle. A: I think we should put together a ski club. B: Good idea. I'll ask my friends at work. He put together a house of cards. |
| 2735 |
put up with suffer without complaining; stand; tolerate She likes cats, but can't put up with their hair. He refuses to put up with people who smoke in the bathroom. A: Ha-Ha! You're stupid. You can't do math! B: Stop it! I can't put up with your teasing me anymore. I can't put up with cockroaches. |
| 2736 |
quite a few many; not a few; a number of; a lot of There were quite a few people at the park. There are quite a few good movies at the cinema. A: About fifty people went to Kim's birthday party. B: Wow! That's quite a few people! There are quite a few fish in the group. |
| 2737 |
remind A of B make A think of B; be reminiscent of; evoke The picture reminds him of home. She reminds me of a movie star. A: Why does this song remind you of your grandfather? B: Because it was his favorite song. He reminds me of his father. |
| 2738 |
remove A from B get rid of; take away from I removed his name from the list. He removed the ring from his finger. A: Whose shoes are those? B: They're mine. I'll remove them from the room. She wanted to remove the lock from the door. |
| 2739 |
result from be caused by; arise from The flood resulted from too much rain. The fire resulted from a cigarette in the garbage can. A: Why did you do poorly on the test? B: It resulted from my not studying last night. A big stomach can result from eating too much. |
| 2740 |
right away immediately; without delay; at once; right now She has to go to hospital right away! Stay there! I am coming right away! A: Can you stay for a few more minutes? B: Sorry. I have to leave right away. He needs help right away |
| 2741 |
run across find or meet by chance; come across; encounter; discover She ran across her old boyfriend at the store. If you run across that file, please let me know. A: When did you find this great article? B: I ran across it in yesterday's newspaper. He was surprised to run across the old record in his friend's collection. |
| 2742 |
run after chase; follow The kids ran after the ice cream truck. The cat ran after the dog! A: Why is the police officer running after that man? B: Because he stole that woman's purse. The monster ran after the boy. |
| 2743 |
run away leave a place quickly; escape He ran away from the bear. The boy ran away from home. A: Do you have any pets? B: I had a puppy, but it ran away two weeks ago. They had to run away. |
| 2744 |
run out of use up; finish; exhaust Oh no! The store ran out of bread! I ran out of money at the casino. A: Why did the car stop?! B: Because we just ran out of gas! We've run out of water. |
| 2745 |
see off say goodbye to We went to see my sister off at the airport. Can I come and see you off? A: I'm leaving for China tomorrow morning. B: Okay. I'll be there at the airport to see you off. He came to see his friend off on his journey. |
| 2746 |
set up build; put up He set up a hot dog stand at the fair. The campers set up their tent. A: Have you used the new computer that you got last week? B: No, I haven't. It's still in the box because I don't know how to set it up! They set up the bowling pins. |
| 2747 |
shake hands with hold someone's hand and move it up and down as a greeting The president shook hands with the prime minister. I had the chance to shake hands with the movie star! A: Do American people bow when they meet each other for the first time? B: No they don't. They shake hands with each other They are shaking hands with each other |
| 2748 |
show off show proudly; display proudly He showed off his new shoes at school. The girl showed off her report card to her brother. A: Look! I got an A on my test! B: Stop showing off! She wanted to show off her expensive coat. |
| 2749 |
show up arrive at a place; turn up She showed up three hours late. The man didn't show up for work. A: Is Nate coming to the party tonight? B: Yes. He said he would show up around 7:00. The owl showed up late at night. |
| 2750 |
side by side next to each other The trees grew side by side along the river. They sat side by side on the bench. A: Do you sit next to Amy at school? B: Yes I do. We sit side by side at the same desk. They walked side by side. |
| 2751 |
slow down become slower; reduce speed The train slowed down as it reached the station. She slowed down when she drove by the children. A: Please slow down! You're walking too fast. B: Sorry. I'll walk more slowly. He should slow down. |
| 2752 |
so far thus far; up to now The weather has been dry so far this year. I have met three new people so far. A: Are you almost finished with that book? B: No. I've only read two chapters so far. He's eaten seven hot dogs so far. |
| 2753 |
sooner or later in the end; eventually; in time The police will catch the thief sooner or later. Don't worry. She'll be here sooner or later. A: I love getting into movies for half-price. B: Be careful. Sooner or later they are going to find out that you're not a college student! Sooner or later, he's going to hurt himself. |
| 2754 |
speak ill of say bad things about; speak badly of; condemn The workers spoke ill of the factory owner. She spoke ill of the man who had married her friend. A: Why does everybody speak ill of Katie? B: Because she is greedy and unkind. He began to speak ill of his ex-girlfriend. |
| 2755 |
speak well of say good things about; speak highly of; praise The boss spoke well of the new worker. The teacher speaks well of your son. A: Do people speak well of her? B: Yes they do. They say she's very patient and kind. He always speaks well of his parents. |
| 2756 |
spend on use money to pay for something He spends all his money on gambling. I spent too much money on that trip to Hawaii. A: How much do you spend on food each week? B: About $50, I guess. How about you? How much did you spend on your pants? |
| 2757 |
stand for represent; mean; be a sign of The heart stands for love. In China the color red stands for good luck. A: What does your middle initial stand for? B: The S is for Simon. It was my grandfather's name The dove stands for peace. |
| 2758 |
stay up not go to bed; remain awake The children were not allowed to stay up after 9:00. He had to stay up late to study last night. A: I went to sleep at 3:00 am last night. B: Wow! You stayed up late! The boy stayed up late playing video games |
| 2759 |
stick to follow; adhere to I tried playing the guitar, but I think I will just stick to piano. Her doctor said that she should stick to her current diet plan. A: I promised my parents I would study tonight, but I want to play computer games! B: Don't play computer games. Stick to your promise! The fish should stick to water. |
| 2760 |
such as for example; like; say The store sells electronic goods such as radios, computers, and cameras. We visited many cities in Italy such as Rome, Venice, and Milan. A: What does your dad sell in his store? B: He sells sporting goods, such as basketballs, bicycles, and shoes. Animals such as monkeys and gorillas are primates. |
| 2761 |
take advantage of make use of; profit from He took advantage of the low prices and bought a dozen pens. The kids took advantage of the holiday and went to the zoo. A: Bob works at a CD store. He can give us a discount! B: We shouldn't take advantage of him. We should take advantage of the nice weather and go to the beach. |
| 2762 |
take after look like; resemble She really takes after her mother. You really take after your grandfather. A: Joe is an excellent soccer player. B: He takes after his father. He is very good at sports. The boy takes after his father. |
| 2763 |
take care of look after; keep an eye on; protect The nurse took care of the sick patient. My mother takes good care of me. A: I'll be gone for one week. Can you take care of my cat? B: Yes. I'll give her food and water, and play with her every day. You must promise to take care of them. |
| 2764 |
take lessons learn The children take piano lessons. I took lessons in dancing. A: How did she learn to play the guitar so well? B: She took lessons for six years. He is taking singing lessons. |
| 2765 |
take off rise in flight; leave She took off before I could say goodbye. The plane will be taking off on time. A: Let's go for a drive in the country. B: Okay! After I finish eating we'll take off! The helicopter is ready to take off. |
| 2766 |
take part in be involved in; join in; participate in It is an honor to take part in the Olympics. She wanted to take part in the meeting. A: Are you going to take part in the science fair on Saturday? B: I want to, but I can't. I'm going to my grandmother's house on Saturday. I'm sorry, I don't think you can take part in our game. |
| 2767 |
take place occur; happen; come about The 2000 Olympics took place in Sydney, Australia. The conference will take place at the Hyatt Hotel. A: Where will the school picnic be tomorrow? B: It'll take place at Simon's Park. An eclipse takes place every few years. |
| 2768 |
take pride in be proud of; pride oneself on I take pride in my painting. She took pride in her son's good grades. A: Your mom always makes delicious food! B: Yes, she takes pride in her cooking. He takes pride in his work. |
| 2769 |
talk over talk about; speak about; discuss They talked over the plan. We talked over an idea for the next party. A: Can you go to the concert with us on Saturday night? B: I'm going to talk it over with my dad tonight. They decided to talk over their problem. |
| 2770 |
take turns do one after another; do by turns; alternate We take turns watching the baby. She took turns with her brother on the sled. A: It's going to be a long trip. B: Let's take turns driving. They took turns skipping. |
| 2771 |
thanks for said to show gratitude for something Thanks for all your help. Be sure to say thanks for the wonderful dinner. A: Thanks for helping me clean my room! B: No problem. Now let's go outside and play. He says thanks for repairing his spaceship. |
| 2772 |
think about recall or imagine fondly; dream of During the storm, I thought about sunshine. She thinks about her trip to Paris often. A: Do you miss your grandmother? B: Yes, I do. I think about her every day. He can't stop thinking about the girl. |
| 2773 |
think of create a picture or idea in your imagination He couldn't think of the answer. Can you think of a better way? A: Can you think of a nice place for a vacation? B: How about Hawaii? He thought of a good idea for lunch. |
| 2774 |
throw away get rid of something; throw out I don't want to throw away this old chair. He was angry because she threw away his favorite old hat. A: Can I throw away these boxes. B: Yes you can. I don't need them. Please throw away your garbage. |
| 2775 |
to tell the truth to be honest; to be frank; in all honesty; honestly; frankly To tell the truth, I don't like her at all. To tell the truth, I got up late this morning. A: How about pizza for dinner? B: To tell the truth, I don't like pizza. Can we eat something else? To tell the truth, I ate the sheep. |
| 2776 |
try on put on clothes to check the style or fit Can I try these shoes on? He tried on the shorts, but they were too big. A: I like these pants, but I think they're too small. B: Try them on. Maybe they'll fit. He is trying on a new sweater. |
| 2777 |
turn off switch off; shut off; disconnect; unplug Please turn off the TV. I forgot to turn the stove off! A: Are you using the computer? B: No, you can turn it off. Turn off the lights. |
| 2778 |
turn on start the flow of power I want to turn on the air conditioner! Could you turn the fan on, please? A: Let's listen to some music! B: Okay! I'll turn on the radio. Turn on the lights. |
| 2779 |
wait for hold on; hang on; await What are you waiting for? I have to wait for my clothes to dry. A: He said he'd be here at 8:00, but it's 8:30. Should we wait for him? B: Yes. Maybe he got lost. He is waiting for the bus. |
| 2780 |
wake up arise from sleep; become awake Wake up! You're late for work! She woke up in the middle of the night. A: Be quiet! You'll wake up the baby! B: Sorry. I'll practice my trumpet outside. It is time for him to wake up. |
| 2781 |
watch out look out; be careful; beware Watch out! There is a bee on your arm! The old monkey is very mean, so watch out! A: I'm going for a bike ride. B: Watch out for cars! Watch out for that hole! |
| 2782 |
wear out make useless; damage He wore out two pairs of socks last year. She wears her pants out very quickly. A: Wow! Your shoes have a lot of holes! B: I know. They wore out because I walked five miles in them everyday. The girl wore out the doll. |
| 2783 |
what's the matter (with) what's the problem; what's wrong; what's the trouble Please tell me what's the matter with my dog. She's crying. What's the matter with her? A: You don't look good. What's the matter? B: I have a bad headache and I'm very tired. Mommy says, “What's the matter?” |
| 2784 |
worthwhile to/~ing worth the time and effort spent It is worthwhile to study a foreign language. She thinks it is worthwhile saving money. A: I haven't been to the new aquarium. Would it be worthwhile to go? B: Yes! They have many beautiful fish and other interesting animals there. It would be worthwhile to stop smoking. |
| 2785 |
would like to have a desire to do; want to; wish She would like to become a doctor. They would like to go to the beach. A: I would like to see that new movie. Do you want to go? B: Yes. Let's go this weekend. The rabbit would like to fly. |
| 2786 |
would rather would prefer to; would sooner; prefer I would rather live in a house than in an apartment. She would rather be fishing. A: Would you rather go swimming or play computer games today? B: I would rather go swimming. He would rather eat Chinese food. |
| 2787 |
write back reply by letter; answer; acknowledge Have you written back to your grandmother? Please write back to me! A: Have you heard from Ted yet? B: Yes. He sent me a letter last week, and I'm going to write back to him tonight. I have to write back to my friend. |
| 2788 |
write down make a note of; put down; take down Please write down this number. Her mother told him about his family history and he wrote it down. A: May I have your telephone number? B: Yes, I'll write it down for you. He wrote down the directions. |
| 2789 |
be composed of comprise; be made of The class was composed of students from the US, Canada, and England. Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. A: That's a very interesting sculpture. B: Yes, it's composed of wood, glass, and old shoes. Our crumbs are composed of only the finest ingredients! |
| 2790 |
clean off clear; take everything off You should clean off your desk. It's very dirty. He cleaned off the shelf so that his new roommate could use it. A: When is dinner? B: In a few minutes. Please help me clean off the table. I think you need to clean off your windshield. |
| 2791 |
come across find by chance I came across some old photographs at my parent's house. She came across her favorite singer's latest album at the record store. A: Please check my homework. B: Sure. If I come across any mistakes, I'll tell you. I came across this in the backyard. Does anyone know what it is? |
| 2792 |
dress up wear fancy clothes for a special occasion Many children dress up as ghosts and monsters on Halloween. Do I need to dress up for dinner at your parent's house? A: Why did you buy that suit? B: I want to dress up for the party. Oh... that's just crazy Willy. He likes to dress up. |
| 2793 |
fall asleep go to sleep Don't fall asleep when you are driving! He falls asleep in class almost every day. A: You look really tired. B: I couldn't fall asleep last night. Now is not the time to fall asleep! |
| 2794 |
fill out write all of the information needed on a form or application Everyone has to fill out a customs form when they enter a country. Can you help me fill out this form? I don't understand it. A: I'd like to apply for a credit card. B: OK. Just fill out this form and sign it. Please fill out the form. |
| 2795 |
in retrospect looking back at the past In retrospect, I should have studied harder in high school. You can see all of your past mistakes easily in retrospect. A: Wow, I am so full! B: Me, too. In retrospect, we should have ordered only one pizza. In retrospect, maybe the haircut wasn't such a good idea. |
| 2796 |
on the whole in general; all things considered On the whole, I enjoyed my time in the United States. Although there were some slow parts, on the whole the movie was good. A: What did you think of the test? B: On the whole, I felt it was quite easy. On the whole, I really enjoyed my trip to Canada. |
| 2797 |
set out leave; begin a journey He set out for the market early in the morning. She packed everything in her car and set out for California. A: Did Bob leave already? B: Yeah, he set out early this morning. In the morning, he set out for the park across the street. |
| 2798 |
wait on serve someone in a restaurant The man who waited on us last night had a French accent. How many tables can you wait on at the same time? A: Excuse me, no one has waited on us yet. B: I am very sorry. I'll get a waiter right away. I hate waiting on pigs. |
| 2799 |
be crazy about like or enjoy in an extreme way She is crazy about tennis. She plays every day. My brother is crazy about movies. He spends all of his money going to see them. A: I love buying new clothes. B: Me, too. I'm crazy about shopping! He's always been crazy about tomatoes. |
| 2800 |
call it a day stop working Let's call it a day! Bill, you've been here for 10 hours! You should call it a day and go home. A: It's 7:30. Let's call it a day. B: Good idea. See you tomorrow. I think you should call it a day. |
| 2801 |
concentrate on focus attention toward It's too noisy here. I can't concentrate on my homework. He had to concentrate on the song to hear the words. A: Just concentrate on hitting the ball. B: OK, coach. Concentrate on the road! |
| 2802 |
get along with be friendly with; live or work well together Everyone in my family gets along well with each other. She does not get along with her mother-in-law. A: Why aren't you going to Beth's party? B: I don't get along with her. I think it's time we tried to get along with each other. |
| 2803 |
have a point said when you agree with someone's opinion My sister says that I need to spend more time with my family. She has a point. “That girl only seems stuck-up because she is shy.” “You have a point there.” A: The blue shirt looks better, but it's more expensive. B: You have a point. It's spicy! You may have a point. I'll use less pepper next time. |
| 2804 |
more often than not usually More often than not, he spends his holidays with his parents. She works late more often than not. A: We'd better take an umbrella. B: Right. It rains more often than not this time of year. More often than not, I have sea food for dinner. |
| 2805 |
never mind forget; pay no attention to Never mind the car's color. It runs great! Didn't you wash the dishes yet? Never mind. I'll do them myself! A: Sorry, we don't have leather bags. B: Never mind. I'll look in another store. Never mind your hair. You're in the army now! |
| 2806 |
take a look at look at to evaluate The doctor took a look at her foot to see if it was broken. Please take a look at my essay and let me know what you think of it. A: Something's wrong with the car. B: I'll take a look at it after lunch. Take a look at that! |
| 2807 |
turn out finally be; end up The weather looked bad this morning, but it turned out to be a nice day. He tried to cook a special dinner for his girlfriend, but it didn't turn out well. A: Good luck with your new project. B: Thanks! I'll let you know how it turns out. It turned out to be a sunny day. |
| 2808 |
wrap up finish; bring to an end The senator wrapped up his speech by quoting the president. The party wrapped up around 3 a.m. after the beer ran out. A: It's almost lunchtime. B: OK. Let's wrap up and go out to eat. I want to wrap up the team tryouts by comparing your heights. Stand together. |
| 2809 |
bring up start to talk about something I hate to bring this up, but you have some food between your teeth. When my mother is mad at me she always brings up the time I forgot her birthday. A: I really don't like the new coffee machine. B: You should bring it up at the next staff meeting. I hate to bring it up, but some of the others said that there is something strange about you. |
| 2810 |
by all means said to encourage a person do to something “May I have some more chicken?” “By all means!” By all means, take your time and look around the store. A: Could I borrow your pen? B: By all means! May I have another piece? By all means! |
| 2811 |
by chance not planned; luckily By chance, the first birthday card she read was from her brother. They met by chance while they were both vacationing in Hawaii. A: Where did you get your cat? B: I found him by chance in the park. They met, by chance, at the supermarket. |
| 2812 |
carry on continue After the storm passed, we carried on painting the house. When the announcement was finished, the class carried on with the lesson. A: Is everyone back from lunch? B: Yes. Let's carry on with the meeting. OK, now there's nothing to see here. Please carry on with your day. |
| 2813 |
draw the line at say some point is the limit My parents let me use the car, but they draw the line at allowing me to take long trips. I don't mind sharing a room, but I draw the line at sleeping in the same bed. A: Let's go to a nightclub. B: OK, but I draw the line at doing disco! Son, isn't there somewhere we should draw the line? |
| 2814 |
fix up repair; make nice or good again They fixed up the office by putting in new carpet and painting the walls. It would cost more to fix up this old boat than to buy a new one. A: Is John going to buy a new house? B: No, he's going to fix up his old one. It's a good car, but you may need to fix it up a bit. |
| 2815 |
get lost become confused about one's location We got lost on the way to the theater. The directions were not clear, so we got lost. A: Why are you late? B: I got lost on the way. They got lost in the snow storm. |
| 2816 |
high time time for some action that has been postponed too long I think it's high time we fix the heater. I'm freezing! My mother said it was high time that I got my hair cut and found a job. A: It's high time you cleaned your room! B: Yes, Mom. I'll do it right away. It's high time we got out of here! |
| 2817 |
lose one's temper become angry He lost his temper and hit the table with his fist. It is dangerous to lose your temper while driving. A: What happened to your hand? B: I lost my temper and punched the wall! Don't make me lose my temper! |
| 2818 |
pull over move one's vehicle to the side of the road and stop She pulled over to take a picture of the beautiful scenery by the highway. The police officer yelled at the driver, “Pull over!” A: I think we're lost. B: Let's pull over and look at the map again. Could you pull over? I need to use a washroom! |
| 2819 |
a steal very cheap; a very good price My friend sold me his old car. It was a steal! The land next to the river is a steal! You should buy it. A: I just bought a DVD player for $95! B: Wow! What a steal! Wow! What a steal! |
| 2820 |
at hand near (time or space) Christmas is at hand. I have to buy gifts for my family. When I was a child, my mother was always close at hand. A: I fear that war is at hand. B: Don't worry. I'm sure the countries will reach an agreement. The game is at hand. Now get in there and do your best. |
| 2821 |
get better improve His cold got better after he took a day off work. Her singing will get better if she practices every day. A: This movie is boring! B: Don't worry. It gets better. Don't worry. You'll get better. |
| 2822 |
more or less approximately; almost My cousin and I are more or less the same age. The airline tickets were more or less the same price. A: Which shirt is better? B: They are more or less the same quality. The male and female fish look more or less the same. |
| 2823 |
on hand near and ready for use Do you have any bandages on hand? I cut myself. There is a representative on hand twenty-four hours a day to help customers. A: There's going to be five extra people at the party. B: No problem. We have plenty of food on hand. Do you have any water on hand? |
| 2824 |
on one's own without help from others She has lived on her own since she was twenty-two. He cooked this whole meal on his own without any help from his mother. A: Do you need help fixing the sink? B: No, thanks. I can do it on my own. Little Jimmy was proud of his sculpture of a giraffe, which he'd made on his own. |
| 2825 |
refer to A as B use the name B for A He referred to his classmate as his friend even though they only studied together. Many people refer to this book as the author's greatest work. A: What did your teacher say about your paper? B: He referred to it as the work of a genius! Stop referring to me as your ‘man.' I'm not your ‘man'! |
| 2826 |
take one's time slowly; in a relaxed way She took her time and made sure she did not make any mistakes on the test. He is taking his time getting ready. He wants to look nice. A: I'll be there as soon as I can! B: Take your time. The movie doesn't start until 3:00. OK, Billy. Now, take your time and decide. |
| 2827 |
think highly of have a good opinion of Her teacher thought highly of her ability to draw. He doesn't think very highly of his neighbors. A: Mr. Henry is such a great teacher! B: Yes. All the students think highly of him. You don't think highly of me, do you? |
| 2828 |
try out do or use to see if something works correctly Don't buy the bike until you try it out first. I tried out several software programs, but none of them were good. A: Your skateboard looks really fun. B: It is! Why don't you try it out? We're ready to try it out. |
| 2829 |
as of yet until this time; so far As of yet, he has not been paid by the company. The date for the final test has not been announced as of yet. A: Are the new computers in? B: I'm sorry, sir. They have not arrived as of yet. As of yet, she's never had a boyfriend. |
| 2830 |
at one's fingertips easily available; at hand I don't have that information at my fingertips right now. Can you wait a minute? Keep all of your important papers at your fingertips at all times. A: Wow! Your Palm Pilot is really great! B: Yeah. It keeps important information right at my fingertips. He has the information at his fingertips. |
| 2831 |
brand-new never used; totally new Their brand-new car was stolen yesterday. I bought a brand-new stereo to go with my television and DVD player. A: Your shoes look very clean. B: Actually, they're brand-new. It's my brand new refrigerator! |
| 2832 |
cut in go in front of someone unfairly; interrupt someone talking I hate it when people cut in line at the movies. She was telling a joke, but her brother cut in and told the rest of it. A: That man just cut in front of us! B: How rude! I hate when people cut in line! |
| 2833 |
dwell on worry about or consider for a long time She could not help dwelling on the fact that her mother was sick. I know you lost your wallet, but try not to dwell on it. A: I can't stop thinking about my old girlfriend. B: Don't dwell on her. I'm sure you will find love again. I know you got a bad grade, but try not to dwell on it. |
| 2834 |
get a hold of contact; reach He couldn't get a hold of his friend to tell him the plans were changed. Please write down a phone number where we can get a hold of you. A: Did you get a hold of Mike? B: No. His line was busy Hello. Jimmy? You'll never believe who I got a hold of! |
| 2835 |
learn (something) by heart memorize; study to know without thinking She can't read music, so she learns all the songs by heart. I had to learn the whole book by heart in elementary school. A: How did you remember all those math equations? B: I learned them by heart. He's my favorite! I've learned all his songs by heart! |
| 2836 |
mix up confuse I mixed up your names. Could you say that again? The office mixed up the addresses and sent the wrong forms to the two customers. A: You are supposed to come tomorrow, not today. B: Sorry! I mixed up the dates. I often mix up my friends' phone numbers. |
| 2837 |
take by surprise surprise; come without warning His friend's visit took him by surprise. When he asked her to marry him, he took her completely by surprise. A: I can't believe that your mother joined the army! B: Yes. She took us all by surprise. The phone call took him by surprise. |
| 2838 |
take time off miss work for some time with permission I have to take time off next week to go to the doctor. Our company is very strict about taking time off. A: Why don't we go to Paris next weekend? B: I'm not sure if I can take time off work. She took time off to enjoy a vacation in the sun. |
| 2839 |
as a rule most of the time; normally You should eat less meat and more vegetables, as a rule. As a rule, the teacher does not like it when students leave early. A: Do you think I can eat this banana? B: Well, as a rule, eating is not allowed on the subway. You should wash your white clothes and colored clothes separately, as a rule. |
| 2840 |
be at a loss be unable to think She was at a loss about what to do with the elephant in the backyard. I know the man you are talking about, but I'm at a loss to think of his name. A: I am at a loss as to what to cook for dinner. B: Let's order pizza! I'm at a loss for words. |
| 2841 |
come up with think of When did you come up with that idea? He came up with a plan to solve the problem. A: You named your dog Tweety? B: It's the best I could come up with! We have to come up with a plan. |
| 2842 |
for short a shorter way to say a name My name is Alexander, but you can call me Alex for short. I work for Seattle Auto Company or SAC for short. A: What kind of car is that? B: It's a sport utility vehicle---SUV for short. This is my friend Koronotino Calenotangas. His friends call him KC for short. |
| 2843 |
in spite of regardless of something; despite In spite of the bad weather, we will go hiking. The company kept hiring new employees in spite of its decreasing sales. A: How was your trip to Mexico? B: I had a great time in spite of the hurricane! In spite of the rain, they went to the beach. |
| 2844 |
look to A for B turn and ask A to give B You should look to your parents for help if you don't have enough money. He looked to his best friend for advice when he needed a job. A: Don't worry about the test. We can study together. B: It's nice to know that I can look to you for help. Thanks! She usually looks to her parents for support. |
| 2845 |
neither A nor B both A and B do not or are not Neither I nor my sister is as beautiful as my mother. She looked for her professor, but he was neither in his office nor in the classroom. A: Neither Jim nor Amy are going to the movie. B: I guess it's just the two of us then. Neither I nor my brother is as tall as our father. |
| 2846 |
point out indicate The waiter pointed out the chef's special on the menu. He pointed out the places he visited on the map. A: Wow! That girl is really ugly! B: I should point out that she's my sister. Excuse me. Could you point out a barbershop? |
| 2847 |
run into meet by chance I often run into people I know at the bus stop. While I was in Hollywood, I ran into a famous actor in the supermarket. A: What took you so long at the store? B: I ran into my old elementary school teacher. I had a feeling I'd run into you! |
| 2848 |
when it comes to regarding; when dealing with When it comes to explaining difficult subjects, she is the best teacher. He doesn't know very much when it comes to cars. A: Can you help me install this computer program? B: Sorry. When it comes to computers, I am a real dunce. He doesn't know very much when it comes to mathematics. |
| 2849 |
add to make larger; increase The flooding only added to the problems caused by the storm. The new research will add to our understanding of genetics. A: Mom, why are you giving me your dirty socks? B: I want to add to your collection. Eating lots of chocolate will only add to your acne problem. |
| 2850 |
day after day every day for a long time Day after day, she waited for a letter, but none came. He walked past the house day after day without really noticing it. A: How can that old man just sit in the park day after day? B: That's a statue. Day after day, he waited for her to call back. |
| 2851 |
go through experience something unpleasant He went through some medical tests last week. When we travel, we always go through the same argument about where to stay. A: Let's go on the roller coaster one more time! B: No thanks. I don't want to go through that again. She went through a stressful time last year. |
| 2852 |
have to must We have to buy more bread. I have to finish this paper by Monday. A: Can you go to the movies with me? B: Sorry. I have to babysit tonight. I have to eat. |
| 2853 |
hit upon suddenly think up I hit upon a great idea for Amy's party while I was walking to school today. How old was Einstein when he hit upon the idea of relativity? A: This banana pizza is delicious! B: Thanks. I hit upon the idea while at the zoo yesterday. He hit upon a great idea for a birthday gift. |
| 2854 |
in short briefly; in summary In short, I believe everyone should vote against the new tax. In short, I don't want to work here anymore. A: What did you think of the movie? B: Well, in short, it was the worst movie I've seen this year. He's cute, funny, rich, and single. In short, he's perfect! |
| 2855 |
of one's own accord without being asked My brother decided to clean the house of his own accord. Her parents were going to tell her to get a job, but she got one of her own accord. A: Did you put the cat outside? B: No, he opened the door and went out of his own accord. He washed the dishes of his own accord. |
| 2856 |
once and for all forever; for good; finally I am going to get rid of those cockroaches once and for all! He decided to stop smoking once and for all. A: Where are you going with that hammer? B: I am going to make that car alarm stop once and for all! He decided to take care of his nose-hair problem once and for all. |
| 2857 |
give rise to cause something to happen The meeting gave rise to some new plans for the future of the company. The heavy rain gave rise to an increase in the number of mosquitoes. A: I don't think we should leave the dog and cat alone together. B: You're right. It could give rise to problems. Your new hair style might give rise to some problems. |
| 2858 |
resign oneself to accept a situation as unchangeable She resigned herself to working in her father's company. You don't have to resign yourself to the same kind of life your parents had. A: Aren't you upset about your test score? B: No. I just resigned myself to being a poor student! He resigned himself to working at the amusement park because he needed the money. |
| 2859 |
at times sometimes; there are times when At times, I wish I had studied something other than medicine. At times, he can be very cruel. A: How do you like working in the circus? B: It's OK. But, at times, I feel a little bored. At times, I feel different. |
| 2860 |
be likely to will probably It is likely to snow this afternoon. Drive carefully. Someone is likely to ask for your business card. Do you have any? A: Let's order some pizza. B: It's not likely to be open this early in the morning. It's likely to rain this afternoon. |
| 2861 |
be opposed to against; not for; not in favor of My mother was always opposed to my father's smoking. I am not opposed to his joining us for the weekend. A: Why does Bill only shower once a week? B: He is opposed to wasting water. I've always been opposed to eating beef. |
| 2862 |
by accident without planning; by luck (good or bad) By accident, he hit the wrong button on the keyboard and lost his file. She walked into the bathroom by accident while he was in there. A: What happened to my car? B: I scratched it by accident. Sorry! It happened by accident. |
| 2863 |
come from originate in some place Where did your ancestors come from? These bananas come from Brazil. A: Where did all these books come from? B: The library was selling its old books. Where did it come from? |
| 2864 |
feel for have sympathy for She felt for the people starving in Africa, so she sent money to the charity. I really feel for homeless people. A: Poor Tom! His pet iguana died. B: Yeah. I really feel for him. I feel for those guys. |
| 2865 |
for the sake of to benefit or improve something For the sake of time, we won't discuss the new budget at this meeting. He had to quit smoking for the sake of his health. A: Please don't try to cook anymore. B: OK. I will stop for the sake of our relationship. He works hard for the sake of his family. |
| 2866 |
get away with avoid punishment He thought he could get away with hiding a card in his sleeve, but he got caught. She pretended she was a student to get the discount, and she got away with it! A: Did you hear that Sarah cheated on the test and got an A? B: I can't believe she got away with it! You'll never get away with this. |
| 2867 |
stand a chance have an opportunity to succeed The players on the other team are all over six feet tall. We don't stand a chance! I really want to ask her on a date. Do you think I stand a chance? A: I can build the house by myself! B: Hah! You don't stand a chance without me! He doesn't stand a chance. |
| 2868 |
without question for sure; for certain Without question, that is the best movie I have ever seen! The test was, without question, the most difficult test of the year. A: What do you think of my painting? B: You are, without question, the most talented painter I know. Without question, that was the best meal I've had all this year! |
| 2869 |
as usual in the normal way He is going to be late as usual. As usual, I brushed my teeth right after I ate dinner. A: Where is Matt? B: He's playing computer games as usual. As usual, he was talking about himself. |
| 2870 |
back up move backwards My father had to back up because the car in front of him broke down. Could you please back up? You are standing too close. A: I would like to get the trees in the photo, too. B: OK. I'll just back up a little. Back up! |
| 2871 |
be cut out for have the correct qualities for I don't know if I'm cut out for graduate school. Nobody thought she was cut out for the army, but she became an officer. A: I didn't know that Dave is afraid of flying. B: Yeah, I don't think he's cut out to be a pilot. I don't think he's cut for swimming! |
| 2872 |
catch on realize; understand It took him a few minutes to catch on to the joke. Don't worry. Just follow me, and you'll catch on in no time. A: Wow. You learned how to juggle in one day? B: Yes. I caught on to it quickly. Don't worry. You'll catch on soon! |
| 2873 |
for ages for a long time We haven't visited our grandparents for ages. That actor hasn't made a movie for ages. A: How's your cat? B: I don't know. I haven't seen it for ages. He hasn't cut his beard for ages. |
| 2874 |
hand over give to another This is a robbery! Hand over all of your money! The old man decided to hand over his business to his sons. A: Alright! Hand over my keys! B: I don't have them! Hand over the food! |
| 2875 |
serve one right be the correct punishment for one It would serve him right if she never spoke to him again. Her talk show was cancelled. It serves her right for being so rude to her guests. A: Billy had to do extra homework because he came late to class. B: Serves him right! It serves you right! |
| 2876 |
take apart separate something into pieces I took apart the fan and put in a new motor. He takes apart cars and sells the engines. A: Why did you take apart the computer? B: I was looking for a file. He had to take apart the robot. |
| 2877 |
turn down decline; say “no” She asked him to go out with her, but he turned her down. I invited her to join us, but she turned down my invitation. A: I tried to join the band, but they turned me down. B: Maybe you should learn how to sing first. She always turned him down. |
| 2878 |
work out exercise doing aerobics or weight lifting How often do you work out each week? I don't really like to work out, but I do like to play tennis and basketball. A: Do you work out? B: Yes. I run to the donut shop every morning. He decided it was finally time to start working out. |
| 2879 |
abide by obey; follow You have to abide by the rules or they will make you leave. He refused to abide by the wishes of his parents. A: Why didn't you abide by the speed limit? B: I'm sorry, officer. I was late for my driving class. You have to abide by my rules if you want to live in my house. |
| 2880 |
apart from except Apart from the size of the bedroom, I really liked the apartment. She enjoyed her visit to England, apart from the weather. A: What do you think of my car? B: Apart from the pink paint, I think it's great. Apart from the food, he really enjoyed his trip. |
| 2881 |
as if in the manner of He acted as if nothing was wrong. Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today. A: You look as if you are nervous. B: I am. This is my first time bungee-jumping! He looked as if he was angry. |
| 2882 |
go for try to do If you don't try, you will never know if you can do it. Go for it! Their mother went for a university degree at the age of fifty-two. A: Why is Tom trying to eat 30 donuts? B: He's going for a world record. Go for it. |
| 2883 |
go without saying obviously; everyone knows “Will it snow this winter?” “That goes without saying.” It goes without saying that you have to attend class to get a good grade. A: You should wear a seat belt when you drive. B: That goes without saying. It goes without saying that there will be beer at the party. |
| 2884 |
keep one's fingers crossed wish for good luck We kept our fingers crossed as they announced the results of the contest. Good luck! I'll keep my fingers crossed. A: Are you going to ask her for a date tomorrow? B: Yeah. Keep your fingers crossed! The operation is almost complete. He looks like he's going to be fine. I'll keep my fingers crossed. |
| 2885 |
make sure check to be sure He made sure to lock the door when he left. Who makes sure that these computers are turned off at night? A: I am going to Hawaii this summer. B: Make sure to take lots of sun screen! Make sure you blow out the candle before you go to bed. |
| 2886 |
run over drive over something I ran over a snake in the road this morning. A bicyclist ran over her toe! A: What happened to my flowers? B: That boy ran over them on his bike. You've got to be careful when you cross the road. You don't want to get run over! |
| 2887 |
take up use space or time Painting a house takes up a lot of time. That old sofa takes up a lot of space. Let's get rid of it. A: I'm sorry to take up so much of your time, doctor. B: No problem. I'm glad you are feeling better. The sofa takes up a lot of space in the living room. |
| 2888 |
tend to usually do; have the habit of His boss tends to worry about every little thing. Traffic tends to get heavy around five in the evening. A: I'm going to take a jacket to the movies. B: Good idea. It tends to be cold in the theater. Dogs tend to be friendly and loyal to their owners. |
| 2889 |
blow up explode The bomb blew up, but no one was hurt. Don't put that can near the fire or it might blow up. A: How did the fire start? B: The old gas heater blew up. I ate so much. I feel like I'm going to blow up! |
| 2890 |
bring back return; cause to return He brought back the video that he had borrowed from me. The picture brought back memories of her childhood. A: Can I borrow your car? B: Sure. But bring it back before 5:00, please. The song brought back some old memories. |
| 2891 |
burn down completely destroy by fire The school burned down in 1910. Help! The church is burning down. A: What happened to all the trees? B: They burned down in the forest fire last year. If you play with matches, you could burn down the house. |
| 2892 |
catch fire start to burn The wood was wet, so it didn't catch fire very easily. His clothes caught fire because he stood too close to the stove. A: Let's move the candles away from the window. B: You're right. The curtains might catch fire. The log caught fire immediately. |
| 2893 |
come to reach When you come to the end of this part of the test, stop. If you come to a word you don't know, use a dictionary. A: Excuse me. How can I get to Tom's Market? B: Go straight. When you come to the intersection, turn right. How did things come to this? |
| 2894 |
for the most part generally For the most part, I enjoyed the time I spent in the country. For the most part, she was satisfied with her performance. A: How's your new job? B: It's very interesting for the most part. For the most part, I really enjoyed my trip. |
| 2895 |
make one's way go in the direction of (with purpose) He made his way to the front of the line. They made their way from California to Texas along Route 66. A: I can't get a good look at the band. B: Let's make our way to the front. They made their way across the country. |
| 2896 |
no matter make no difference I can't get an “A” in the class no matter how well I do on the final exam. You don't have any money? No matter. You can pay me next time. A: No matter what I try, I can't start my computer! B: Is it plugged in? No matter how much I comb my hair, it always looks messy! |
| 2897 |
sort of kind of; a little This restaurant is sort of expensive. Do you want to go somewhere else? I'm sort of tired. Can I meet you some other time? A: Have you ever had shark? B: Yes. It tastes sort of like chicken. The juice tastes sort of strange. |
| 2898 |
tear down destroy something that was built I heard they are going to tear down the old stadium. The workers had to tear down everything and start again. A: I'm glad they tore down the wall. B: Me, too. The view is much better! They want to tear down the old apartments to build new ones. |
| 2899 |
be free to have the opportunity to She was free to choose any dish on the menu. You are free to leave as soon as you finish the test. A: Where would you like me to sit? B: You're free to sit where you like. At my school, students are free to use computers after class. |
| 2900 |
become of happen to; occur Do you know what became of that singer? I haven't heard about him for ages. Many people wonder what's become of our sense of decency. A: What will become of that old car? B: I think they will sell it to a museum. Don't give up your dreams. Just look at what became of Mickey! |
| 2901 |
die of be the cause of death I almost died of embarrassment when my swimming suit came off. The trees died of poison in the soil from the nearby factory. A: My parrot died of old age. B: I'm sorry to hear that. We are all going to die of something! |
| 2902 |
furnish A with B provide B to A The school furnished the students with new desks. The speaker furnished everyone at the presentation with a copy of his latest book. A: How's your job going? B: Great! My company furnished me with a new laptop computer. The hotel furnished us with free drinks all week. |
| 2903 |
keep track of watch or count The teacher had a hard time keeping track of all the children. Let's keep track of how much we spend on food during our vacation. A: How many hamburgers did you eat? B: I couldn't keep track of them all! She's always busy keeping track of her children. |
| 2904 |
no way I don't believe it You are forty years old? No way! You look so young! You met Elizabeth Taylor? No way! A: Did you hear that aliens have landed in L.A.? B: No way! He's on the weight lifting team? No way! |
| 2905 |
on the other hand but; looking at the other side of the situation New York is very romantic. On the other hand, it is very cold in the winter. Restaurants have a nice atmosphere. On the other hand, eating out is expensive. A: The new house is smaller than the old one. B: But on the other hand, it is in a better neighborhood. He likes eating cookies. On the other hand, he usually gets a rash from them. |
| 2906 |
stand to reason be a logical conclusion; obviously follow It stood to reason that the criminal should be punished. It stands to reason that if you eat too much, you will gain weight. A: It's starting to rain. B: It stands to reason that we should close the window. It stands to reason that if you study hard, you will do well in school. |
| 2907 |
turn up suddenly appear after being lost or missing My wallet turned up in the lost-and-found office. Please call me if my car keys turn up. A: Did you find your missing dog? B: Yeah. He turned up last night. This turned up in the mail today. |
| 2908 |
what if in the event that; suppose that What if you won the lottery? What if I get sick? A: What if I get sick? Who will take care of me? B: Call your mother. She just lives across town. What if no one comes to our party? |
| 2909 |
at first glance after a quick look The problem looked easy at first glance. At first glance, she seemed to be very young. A: What do you think of my drawing? B: At first glance, it looks like a monkey in a suit. At first glance, he looked similar to his brother. But now, I can see the difference. |
| 2910 |
attend to take care of She had to attend to the guests in the other room. The staff attended to our every need at the resort. A: I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that I have to leave. B: No problem. I have some things to attend to as well. She attended to her guests. |
| 2911 |
back and forth go and come between two places The dog ran back and forth across the yard. The tennis players hit the ball back and forth for almost five minutes. A: So you work in New York, but you live in Vermont? B: Yes. I drive back and forth every weekend. Back and forth! Back and forth! |
| 2912 |
be no use -ing does not change the situation It's no use getting upset over a broken glass. I tried to cheer her up, but it was no use talking to her. A: It's no use trying to fix that old TV again! B: You're right. Let's buy a new one. It's no use getting upset over an ex-girlfriend. |
| 2913 |
clear-cut easily seen; clear That is the most clear-cut explanation of the theory I have ever heard. There did not seem to be any clear-cut solution to the problem. A: If you don't like your job, just quit! B: It's not so clear-cut. My boss is also my father-in-law. It looks like we have a clear-cut winner! |
| 2914 |
drive one crazy make angry; bother or annoy These mosquitoes are driving me crazy! He was trying to drive her crazy on purpose. A: That noise is driving me crazy! B: Sorry. I'll practice my violin somewhere else. He's beginning to drive me crazy. |
| 2915 |
fed up with sick of; at the limit of one's endurance She was fed up with living in such a small apartment. Aren't you fed up with having to work so much overtime? A: I am fed up with eating ham every day! B: OK. Tomorrow we'll have bacon. I'm fed up with your behavior! |
| 2916 |
play a part in have an effect on something; be involved with The bad weather played a part in our decision to cancel the picnic. Education plays an important part in success. A: How did you put out the fire so quickly? B: Volunteer fire fighters played a part in stopping the fire. Regular exercise plays a part in staying healthy. |
| 2917 |
take into account consider She didn't take into account the fact that the bank was closed on Saturdays. Did you take into account the possibility that some people don't like seafood? A: I made reservations at the Milton Hotel for dinner. B: Did you take into account that we only have $20!? He didn't take into account the possibility that the bus might be late. |
| 2918 |
turn into become; change to The conversation turned into an argument. The frog turned into a handsome prince. A: Your puppy really eats a lot! B: Yes. He's going to turn into a big dog someday They say when I drink, I turn into a monster. |
| 2919 |
be bound to be certainly going to My parents are bound to disagree with my decision to join the circus. The table was bound to break from all the weight put on it. A: What do you think Dad will say about the broken window? B: He's bound to be angry. My parents are bound to disagree, but I've decided I'm moving to New York. |
| 2920 |
day in and day out every day; all the time Day in and day out, our next door neighbors argued. The rain fell day in and day out, flooding the small town. A: Why does Tim look so tired? B: He's been studying day in and day out for the big test. Day in and day out, clouds hung over the village. |
| 2921 |
for sale able to be bought; selling The car that I saw for sale yesterday has already been sold. You can find good fruits and vegetables for sale on the street during the summer. A: Why is your new boat for sale? B: My wife gets seasick! They put their house up for sale. |
| 2922 |
give birth (to) have (a child) Sally gave birth to twins last week. How many puppies does a dog usually give birth to at one time? A: I want to have my baby in a hospital. B: I would rather give birth in my own home. She is about to give birth to her baby. |
| 2923 |
give in surrender; agree to someone's persuasion He kept asking until I finally gave in and invited him to join us. The protesters said they would not give in until all of their demands were met. A: That big guy keeps telling me to do his homework. B: Don't give in! He gave in to his parents' demands and cut his hair short. |
| 2924 |
hand out give to many people Our teacher will hand out the final grades for the class on Friday. The store was handing out free samples of cake to the customers. A: Hey! Where did you get that donut? B: They are handing out free food at the store. The store was handing out free cosmetics samples. |
| 2925 |
in one's way blocking; hindering The box was in my way, so I had to move it. She could not see the moon because the trees were in her way. A: Excuse me. Your chair is in my way. B: Sorry! I can't see anything. This big guy is in my way. |
| 2926 |
make a difference be important to; affect The new paint makes a big difference. Your house looks great now! It won't make much difference if we take the other road. A: I don't like black and white movies. B: Me neither. I think the color makes a difference. The doctor said that these pills will make a big difference. |
| 2927 |
tell A from B know the difference between It was impossible to tell the real painting from the fake one. When they are wearing the same clothes, I can't tell one twin from the other. A: Did you know that Sally is color blind? B: Yeah. She can't tell green from blue. I can't tell the real fruit from the plastic one. |
| 2928 |
upside down the top toward the ground Somebody hung the picture upside down. The plane flew upside down for a few seconds. A: What are you going to do with those roses? B: I am going to hang them upside down to dry. The sign was upside down. |
| 2929 |
as soon as right after; when As soon as you delete a worthless file, you'll need it. As soon as the sun rises in the morning, the farmer starts working. A: Are you coming to lunch? B: I'll be there as soon as I finish this. I'll be there as soon as I can! |
| 2930 |
attribute A to B say A is a result of B Scientists attribute the warm weather to pollution. Many of the deaths in the earthquake were attributed to poor construction. A: Why are your shoes in my yard? B: I attribute that to your dog! Most people attribute the good economy to the new president. |
| 2931 |
be apt to be likely to; will probably Without a map, you are apt to get lost on the small, confusing streets. He is apt to fail the test because he didn't study. A: Let's go shopping! B: It's a holiday. Stores are apt to be closed. He is apt to be late for class because he has a night job. |
| 2932 |
cut down on reduce; do/have less We cut down on driving because the price of gasoline is too high. She cut down on eating snacks between meals. A: Why don't you want some cake? B: My dentist told me to cut down on sugar. After that night, he decided to cut down on alcohol. |
| 2933 |
end up finally be; be in the end They ended up working on the project all night because of the deadline. The extra food at the party ended up in the garbage. A: Let's climb over the fence and touch the tiger! B: No thanks. I don't want to end up as lunch. The ice-cream ended up on the floor. |
| 2934 |
get over recover from; overcome It took her almost a week to get over her jet lag from the long flight. She got over her old boyfriend very quickly and started dating a new boy. A: How did you get over your cold so fast? B: I ate 30 oranges a day for 3 days. Buddy, get over it. |
| 2935 |
get used to be accustomed to; be familiar and comfortable with After I got used to waking up early, I enjoyed my extra time in the morning. How long did it take you to get used to living in your new apartment? A: It's almost midnight. Aren't you tired? B: No. I'm used to going to bed late. It will take a long time to get used to her! |
| 2936 |
in comparison with looking at in order to see the difference In comparison with her first book, the author's second book was not very good. This rock is heavy in comparison with its size. A: Your house is so small. B: Yes, but in comparison with my old house, it's a palace! The weather in the South is usually wetter in comparison with the North. |
| 2937 |
in no time very quickly If you make a few American friends, you can improve your English in no time. In no time, the firefighters arrived at the fire. A: Are we almost there? I am so hungry! B: Don't worry. We'll be there in no time. The police arrived in no time. |
| 2938 |
used to occurring or existing in the past My family used to eat dinner together, but now we are too busy. The excuse for missing homework used to be “the dog ate it.” Now it's “the disk was erased.” A: What is your favorite sport? B: I used to like squash, but now I like racquetball. She used to have straight hair. |
| 2939 |
beats me I don't know. “Do you know who this book belongs to?” “Beats me.” It beats me why anyone would want to live in Antarctica. A: Where is Jim today? B: Beats me. Beats me! |
| 2940 |
date back to come from the past time This painting dates back to the first century. Some buildings in Europe date back several hundred years. A: Professor, how old is that Viking ship? B: It dates back to the 14th century. The book dates back to the 19th century. |
| 2941 |
have access to have the ability to get; have permission to enter Only employees have access to this part of the factory. You need his password to have access to his e-mail account. A: This hotel room is very nice. B: We also have access to the fitness center. You need to type in your password to have access to the file. |
| 2942 |
might as well may as well; why not? I might as well go with you. I have nothing else to do. Nobody is going to eat the rest of the cake. You might as well throw it out. A: The movie doesn't start for another 10 minutes. B: We might as well get some popcorn while we're waiting. My next class doesn't begin for 45 minutes. I might as well do some studying. |
| 2943 |
lead the way walk first to show the way She led the way to the mansion's dining room. If you follow me, I will lead the way to a brighter future! A: I am afraid to go into that dark building! B: Don't worry. I'll lead the way. Maybe you should lead the way. |
| 2944 |
let down sad; disappointed I was let down by the second movie in the series. The first one was so good! Please don't let me down. I am counting on you. A: I can't believe that your girlfriend forgot your birthday! B: Yeah. I feel really let down. You really let me down. |
| 2945 |
not at all not in any way The peppers were not spicy at all. “Would you mind giving me a ride home?” “Not at all.” A: Do you think this dress is ugly? B: Not at all! Do you mind? No, not at all. |
| 2946 |
put out extinguish a flame or fire The fire fighters put out the fire before it spread to other houses. Be sure to put out the candles before you leave. A: Sir, please put out your cigarette. B: Sorry. I didn't know this was a non-smoking area. Don't forget to put out the fire before you go to sleep. |
| 2947 |
stand out be very noticeable With that green hair, she really stands out in the crowd. The white puppy stands out among the black ones. A: Was it easy to find the house? B: Yeah. The pink paint really makes it stand out! He really stands out! |
| 2948 |
think over consider before deciding Take some time to think over my suggestions. She thought over the offer from her boss for several days. A: Have you decided what to order? B: No. I need more time to think it over. He had to carefully think over his next move. |
| 2949 |
a far cry from very different from This hotel is a far cry from the last place we stayed. It's much nicer here! The food here is a far cry from real Chinese food. A: This beach is so dirty! B: Yeah. It's a far cry from the picture in the magazine. It's a far cry from the kind of pizza I usually eat. |
| 2950 |
be better off have more opportunity, be in a nicer position You would be better off living with your parents while you are in college. Women are better off now than they were one hundred years ago. A: It's raining very heavily. B: You'd be better off staying here until it stops. You're better off without him. |
| 2951 |
be out of the question impossible; forbidden Don't ask me if you can go. It is out of the question. She knew that leaving work early was out of the question. A: Dad, can I quit school and become a professional wrestler? B: That's out of the question! Forget it! It's out of the question. |
| 2952 |
get through be able to communicate with someone She was on hold for fifteen minutes before she finally got through to the operator. The storm damaged the phone line so I can't get through to my parents' house. A: Have you gotten through to Kim yet? B: No. The line is still busy. I tried to call but I couldn't get through. |
| 2953 |
ill at ease not comfortable He always felt a little ill at ease in crowded elevators. The hostess tried to make sure none of her guests felt ill at ease at the party. A: I feel ill at ease with you driving a motorcycle. B: Don't worry, Mom. I'll be careful. Her father made him feel ill at ease. |
| 2954 |
in charge of leading; controlling Can you tell me who is in charge of cleaning the office at night? No one was in charge of the project, so it was never completed. A: What do you do at your job? B: I'm in charge of sales and marketing. You'll be in charge of the ceiling. |
| 2955 |
look into investigate; check to see if something is possible He was looking into going to medical school. I don't know much about that subject, but I'll look into it when I have time. A: Why don't we see if we can stay an extra day? B: Good idea. I'll look into it. Your ray-gun was stolen at 8:00 p.m.? I'll look into this right away. |
| 2956 |
think nothing of it It is/was no trouble. (You're welcome.) “Thank you for helping me.” “Think nothing of it.” “I appreciate what you did.” “Think nothing of it.” A: Thanks for saving me from that hungry bear! B: Think nothing of it. Thank you! Think nothing of it. |
| 2957 |
think up imagine; have an idea quickly She was always thinking up new ways to make extra money. He had to think up an excuse for being late. A: Let's think up a way to surprise Dan on his birthday. B: How about inviting all his old girlfriends? He thought up a great idea. |
| 2958 |
what's up How are you? “Jim, how is it going?” “What's up, Bob?” “What's up, Sam?” “Not much, Mark. What's up with you?” A: Hi Sarah! What's up? B: Oh, nothing much. Just waiting for the bus. Hi! What's up? |
| 2959 |
catch a cold get a cold; come down with a cold My mother told me to always wear a hat so I wouldn't catch a cold. He walked home in the rain without an umbrella and caught a cold. A: What's wrong with you? B: I caught a cold. Achoo!! He caught a cold last weekend. |
| 2960 |
close call almost be in danger; almost get hurt It was a close call, but we managed to keep the cat alive. I had a close call crossing the street today. A car almost hit me! A: The firefighters saved me just before the house blew up! B: Wow! That was a close call! That was a close call! |
| 2961 |
do without manage while lacking She didn't have money for a drink, so she did without one. He couldn't do without his cell phone, so he had to go home and get it. A: I forgot to bring my hair dryer! B: Don't worry. I think you can do without it. Looks like we'll have to do without rain again today. |
| 2962 |
dry out become dry after some time The ground in the desert dries out very quickly after a heavy rain. Hang that wet towel on the back of the chair so it will dry out. A: What should we do with all these grapes? B: Let's dry them out and make raisins. Your plants will dry out if you don't give them water. |
| 2963 |
fool around play; have fun “What are you kids doing out there?” “We're just fooling around.” Don't fool around with matches. You could start a fire. A: Why did Jimmy have to stay after school? B: He was fooling around in class. They always fool around when they should be studying. |
| 2964 |
get nowhere with not progress or succeed using something I was getting nowhere with my project, so I took a break. She got nowhere with the problem until a friend gave her an idea. A: Do you need some help? B: Yes, thanks! I am getting nowhere with this math problem! I am getting nowhere with my homework. |
| 2965 |
hold back make something stay in the same place We tried to hold back the flood, but there was too much water. When she passed other people with dogs, she had to hold back her dog. A: Did you shake hands with the president? B: No. His body guards held back the crowd. They had to hold him back. |
| 2966 |
in time before the limit of some time We got to the theater in time to see the previews. He ran, but he didn't arrive in time to catch the train. A: Did Amy miss her flight? B: No, she got there just in time! He didn't arrive in time to catch the bus. |
| 2967 |
pay off bring a good result I passed the test! All that extra studying paid off! Private piano lessons are expensive. Do you think they will pay off? A: Wow! You look great! B: Thanks. Joining that health club really paid off. All that time at the gym really paid off! |
| 2968 |
succeed in achieve the result one hopes for The only way to succeed in medical school is to study day and night. He succeeded in building a very successful company before he reached the age of thirty. A: I don't think I can succeed in math class. B: Don't worry. I'll help you study! He succeeded in getting the promotion. |
| 2969 |
all in all looking at everything All in all, I think the meeting went very well. All in all, she just doesn't seem like the right person for the job. A: How was your trip to China? B: All in all, it was a great experience! All in all, he just doesn't seem normal. |
| 2970 |
burst out suddenly do (usually with a loud noise) He burst out laughing when his friend walked in the room. My mother burst out crying when she met me at the airport. A: Why is your girlfriend mad at you? B: I burst out laughing when I saw her new hairstyle. He suddenly burst out singing. |
| 2971 |
change one's mind switch one's opinion about something She changed her mind and bought the dress that was on sale. If you read this book, it will change your mind about eating eggs. A: Have you changed you mind about going to dinner? B: Yes, sorry! I just don't have time tonight. I changed my mind and decided on green instead of blonde. |
| 2972 |
criticize A for B indicate the bad point B about A His co-workers criticized him for being arrogant. Many people criticized the president for not standing by his principles. A: The old manager never did any work. B: Yeah. Lots of people criticized him for being lazy. They always criticized him for being slow. |
| 2973 |
cross out cancel by drawing lines across She crossed out her ex-boyfriend's name in her diary. He crossed out the mistake in the essay. A: Why did you cross out Kelly's number in your book? B: That's her old phone number. He crossed out “like” and wrote “love.” |
| 2974 |
get the better of have power to force one to do His conscience got the better of him, so he called her to apologize. I had to open the package. My curiosity got the better of me. A: That guy at work is driving me crazy! B: Don't let him get the better of you! My curiosity got the better of me, and I opened the letter. |
| 2975 |
in regard to concerning In regard to your request, we are sending you information about our new product. She called in regard to the job opening in the advertising department. A: In regard to your last test, I think you could have done better. B: I know. I will study harder next time. In regard to your question, the answer is yes. |
| 2976 |
look over read or see quickly to check Did you look over that report I left on your desk? The teacher said he would look over our essay to give us suggestions. A: Let's look over our travel plans again. B: Why? We're just going to the store. He had to look over some papers before leaving work today. |
| 2977 |
name A after B give A the same name as B My parents named me after my grandfather. She named her cat after a cartoon character. A: Why is your town called Bismarck? B: It's named after a kind of donut. This is your great-uncle Jim. You were named after him. |
| 2978 |
stick around wait Stick around! We'll be right back! He stuck around until his friend got off work. A: Hey, look! Those policemen just ran into that store. B: Let's stick around and see what happens. Why don't you stick around? |
| 2979 |
all along the whole time He knew about the surprise party all along. The machine was not plugged in all along. A: Who sent you all those secret love notes? B: I thought it was John, but it really was Jim all along. She knew all along that they would get together. |
| 2980 |
be true of correct when talking about These statistics are true of high school students, but not university students. That stereotype is not true of all women. A: I hate dogs! They are always so noisy. B: But that's not true of all dogs. Mine is very quiet. This stereotype is not true of all Americans. |
| 2981 |
cut out stop I am trying to cut out drinking during the week. Cut it out! A: What do you think of my new dance moves? B: Cut it out! I'm trying to study! You should really cut out smoking that stuff. |
| 2982 |
every so often sometimes Every so often he goes to a movie by himself. We hear from our friends in Canada every so often. A: Do you like sports? B: No, but every so often I go hiking. Every so often he feels homesick. |
| 2983 |
on account of because of She didn't call us on account of the fact she was busy. On account of the hot weather, we stayed indoors. A: On account of you, there's no pizza left for me! B: Sorry. I was really hungry! The game was cancelled on account of the rain. |
| 2984 |
pass away die My grandmother passed away last year. When did he pass away? A: Why is the shoe store closed today? B: The owner passed away this morning. The fish passed away last night. |
| 2985 |
speak up say aloud I can't hear you. Speak up. No one spoke up in class, so the teacher asked the question again. A: Sorry, I didn't hear you. Could you speak up, please? B: I said your stereo is turned up too loud! I can't hear you. Could you please speak up? |
| 2986 |
stay put not move I will go and look for him, but you stay put. He stayed put in his company even though many of his co-workers quit. A: Jake is on the phone. He just arrived at the airport. B: Tell him to stay put. I'll go pick him up. Stay put! |
| 2987 |
suffer from be ill with or bothered by My mother suffers from depression. People who use computers all the time often suffer from back problems. A: Why are you wearing a hat today? B: I am suffering from bad hair. He suffers from severe headaches. |
| 2988 |
under the weather a little sick I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Are you feeling under the weather? A: Why are you going home early? B: I feel a bit under the weather. She missed the party because she was feeling under the weather. |
| 2989 |
amount to total All of the money we collected amounts to two hundred dollars. Sales during the Christmas season amount to half of the store's yearly profits. A: All our work today doesn't seem to amount to much. B: Yeah. I don't think we'll ever finish painting this house! The list amounts to twelve dollars. |
| 2990 |
at (the) most a certain amount and no more I plan to study for two hours at the most. At most, the boat can hold ten people. A: How long will this flight take? B: Four hours at the most. I can only drink, at most, 4 or 5 shots of whiskey before I get sick. |
| 2991 |
be broke not have any money He was broke, so he borrowed money from his roommate. How can you be broke already? You just got paid! A: Hey, let's go out to eat tonight. B: I can't. I'm broke. He couldn't go to the movies because he was broke. |
| 2992 |
come to an end end; finish We left before the movie came to an end. The war came to an end soon after the bomb was dropped. A: It's been raining for a week! I'm going crazy! B: Don't worry. It will come to an end tomorrow. When the party came to an end, there was a big mess to clean up. |
| 2993 |
deal with handle; interact with How do you deal with all the stress at work? She is avoiding him because she doesn't want to deal with him. A: I can't deal with all this noise! B: Maybe you should get a different job. I don't think I can deal with this every day! |
| 2994 |
either A or B one of; not both I will go to either Mexico or Canada for my vacation. You can have either cheese or sour cream on your baked potato. A: You can either ride with me or with your mother. B: I'll go with Mom. She's a better driver! With any main dish, you can choose either soup or salad on the side. |
| 2995 |
fall short of not achieve a result or meet an expectation The movie really fell short of my expectations. Although the runner's time was good, it fell short of the world record. A: Business is not as good this year. B: Yes. We fell short of our goal of selling 1,000 pizzas. The team fell short of their dream of winning the championship. |
| 2996 |
in need (of) needing; suffering without This apartment is in need of a good cleaning. Our club is in need of a new president because the old one quit. A: Hey, I can see your toes! B: I am in need of some new socks. After trying that spicy dish, he was in need of some water. |
| 2997 |
or so approximately There were fifty or so people at the wedding. Cook the chicken for twenty minutes or so. A: When will Bob arrive? B: He'll be here in about an hour or so. Remember to stir the spaghetti sauce every 15 minutes or so until it is ready. |
| 2998 |
pay back return borrowed money He still hasn't paid back the money he owes me. Thanks for the money! I'll pay you back as soon as I can. A: Why are you working three jobs? B: I have to pay back the money I borrowed from the bank. Now I can pay back my loan! |
| 2999 |
as far as to the limit of something As far as I know, she was not planning to come to the meeting. From the top floor you can see as far as the river. A: Can I get a ride from you? B: Sure. I can take you as far as Chicago. As far as I know, this is the right place. |
| 3000 |
be up to one be one's choice “What do you want to do?” “It's up to you.” It was up to me to choose the university I wanted to attend. A: Do you think you can leave work early? B: It's up to my boss. It's up to you. I'll eat anything! |
| 3001 |
carry out take something out of a place I saw him carrying out the trash this morning. She helped him carry out the boxes. A: The taxi will be here in a few minutes. B: Let's carry out your luggage. He carried out the sofa. |
| 3002 |
follow up on get more information about; take additional action He decided not to follow up on the job offer. Did you follow up on that complaint about the leaky water pipe? A: Did you call that person who wanted to buy the house? B: Sorry. I didn't have time to follow up on it. Remember to follow up on the reports. |
| 3003 |
get even with have revenge He wanted to get even with her for making him look foolish. There is no point in trying to get even with anyone. Revenge is an endless cycle. A: What are you doing with that water balloon? B: I'm going to get even with my sister for scratching my CD. He wanted to get even with the fisherman. |
| 3004 |
in light of because of In light of the new evidence, the judge dismissed the court case. In light of the recent thefts, the company is increasing security. A: Why don't you want to go out dancing? B: In light of my recent test grade, I'd better stay home and study. In light of the new information, he had to re-think the situation. |
| 3005 |
no wonder now I understand why She was sick. No wonder she looked so bad yesterday. No wonder the TV doesn't work! It's not plugged in. A: Kristin just got back from her trip to Hawaii. B: No wonder she's so tan! There's a bowling ball in the box. No wonder it's so heavy! |
| 3006 |
now that because now Now that I have some free time, I plan to do a lot more reading. He is going to start buying stock now that the market is low. A: Now that I have been exercising, I feel great! B: Really? I feel more tired. Now that she has free time, she can work in her garden. |
| 3007 |
up to now until now Up to now, the weather has been very warm for this time of year. The writer has published five books up to now. A: I made pigs foot soup! Are you hungry? B: I was up to now. Up to now, I always thought you were a vegetarian! |
| 3008 |
use up use completely; drain If you use up the milk, please buy some more. Who used up all the toothpaste! A: I use up three tubes of gel every month! B: Maybe you should get a haircut. Who used up all of the toilet paper? |
| 3009 |
be concerned about be worried about He was concerned about his hair because a lot of it fell out. Aren't you concerned about the world population? A: I am concerned about Jenny. B: Me, too. She hasn't come to work for three days. I'm concerned about you. |
| 3010 |
break down stop working (for a machine) When the car broke down, they had to get out and walk. I'm sure our refrigerator is going to break down. It's over twenty years old. A: What's wrong with the copy machine? B: It broke down yesterday. The bus broke down at the side of the road. |
| 3011 |
get stuck be unable to move Her boot got stuck in the mud while she was hiking. I got stuck on the third problem, so I couldn't finish the homework. A: This ring got stuck on my finger! B: Try putting some butter on it. He got stuck in the mud. |
| 3012 |
have nothing to do with not be related to; have no connection to The hot weather this summer has nothing to do with global warming. Our professor's lectures have nothing to do with the topics in our textbook. A: I think you are sick because you ate all that cheese. B: That has nothing to do with it! Stay out of it. This has nothing to do with you! |
| 3013 |
look on A as B think A as B Do you look on your career as being fulfilling? The class looks on the teacher as a friend. A: Can you join us for a game of golf? B: No. My wife looks on golf as a waste of time and money. He looks on his brother as a role model. |
| 3014 |
put away put in a safe place; hide or store I put my skis away for the summer. She put away her jewelry in a box in the back of her closet. A: Are those the gifts for Matt's party? B: Yeah. I have to put them away before he gets home. Where did you put away my old comic books? |
| 3015 |
relieve A of B take B from A The teacher relieved him of his pocket knife. Those books look heavy. Let me relieve you of some of them. A: Why are you home so early? B: I am feeling sick, so my boss relieved me of my duties tonight. She relieved her friend of his keys because he was drunk. |
| 3016 |
take for granted assume; expect I took it for granted that my alarm clock would wake me up. Many people took it for granted that the economy would continue to do well. A: Why are you taking your umbrella? B: I don't take it for granted that it will stay sunny. Don't take the nice weather for granted. |
| 3017 |
to say nothing of not to mention; need not describe because it is obvious The soups there are delicious, to say nothing of the desserts. The library at our university is beautiful, to say nothing of the music hall. A: How was your trip? B: The weather was wonderful, to say nothing of the food! Their coffee is delicious, to say nothing of their cakes! |
| 3018 |
trade in exchange for another (usually for a better or newer one) The car dealer only gave her $1,000 when she traded in her car. I want to trade in my motorcycle for a faster one. A: Do you think I could trade in my bike for a new one? B: I think you should just give it away. It is almost impossible to trade in an old computer. |
| 3019 |
as for concerning; in regard to As for me, I would rather stay home tonight and watch television. You can come in. As for the dog, he has to stay out. A: I am going to the nightclub with Jim and Terry. B: Do what you like. As for me, I am going to bed! I get along with most of my family. As for my sister, we fight a lot. |
| 3020 |
deal in focus on selling This website deals in computer hardware, not software. Our shop only deals in imported goods from China. A: Do you have any large size hats? B: Sorry, we don't. We mostly deal in children's clothes. This store deals in pets. |
| 3021 |
dream up think up; have an original or unique idea It's amazing how he dreamed up the idea for the movie. She dreamed up the idea of using stamps as wallpaper. A: Did you hear that Will made a house out of an old train car? B: Wow! He dreams up such interesting things! I wonder how he dreams up these things. |
| 3022 |
find fault with criticize; find something to complain about My friend always finds fault with my cooking. His boss found fault with much of his work, so he got fired. A: Why don't you like the new art teacher? B: He's always trying to find fault with my paintings. They're always finding faults with his girlfriend. |
| 3023 |
get out of avoid; escape from She had a note from her doctor to get out of class. I think there is going to be trouble. Let's get out of here! A: I have a headache. I think I should lie down. B: Liar! You're just trying to get out of mowing the lawn! Let's get out of here! |
| 3024 |
go wrong produce a bad result Something went wrong with the computer, so the system crashed. If anything goes wrong, give me a call and I'll be happy to come and help. A: Why is this spaghetti blue? B: Something went wrong with the recipe. Take this emergency money just in case anything goes wrong. |
| 3025 |
in addition to along with; besides In addition to flowers, I am also allergic to chicken. She enjoys playing the piano in addition to singing. A: In addition to getting fired, I had a flat tire on the way home. B: Sounds like you had a terrible day! He coaches basketball in addition to his office job. |
| 3026 |
mess up make a mistake in He messed up the recipe, so the food tasted terrible. How could you mess up the plan? It was so easy! A: I really messed up! I forgot my wife's birthday! B: Don't worry. Just buy her some flowers and say you're sorry. Why do you always mess up everything? |
| 3027 |
sell out sell all of; have no more because all are sold The movie sold out the first weekend it was in theaters. She needed to buy some fish, but the store was sold out. A: Do you have any more DVD players? B: Sorry, we are all sold out. Sorry. We're all sold out. |
| 3028 |
thanks to because of Thanks to faster data transfer, you can watch movies on the Internet. Thanks to a few bad students, the teacher canceled the class picnic. A: Wow! You got $50 dollars from you grandmother? B: Yes. Thanks to her, I can go to the concert. Thanks to his new shoes, he plays soccer very well. |
| 3029 |
anything but all others except I can watch anything but horror movies. He said he would do anything but go out dancing tonight. A: What do you want to listen to? B: Anything but jazz. I can eat anything but fish. |
| 3030 |
go Dutch each pay for himself/herself We went out to dinner last night, but it wasn't a date. We went Dutch. I hate to go Dutch. I'll pay this time. You pay next time. A: Thanks for dinner. Let my pay. B: How about we go Dutch? They decided to go Dutch on their date. |
| 3031 |
hang out spend time some place Teenagers like to hang out at the park. I usually hang out at my friend's house after school. A: Hey Joe, what are you doing tonight? B: I'm just going to hang out at Kevin's house. They always hung out at the mall. |
| 3032 |
in accordance with following; matching The new laws are not in accordance with the old laws. The company completed all work in accordance with its contract. A: Why is your hair so short? B: I had to cut it in accordance with army rules. In accordance with the law, young children are not allowed to smoke. |
| 3033 |
in terms of comparing with; by the standard of In terms of cheap vacations, this is one of the best deals you will find. The book was not very useful in terms of teaching grammar. A: Which car is better? B: In terms of speed, the BMW is much better than the Ford. The manual was not helpful in terms of finding the problem. |
| 3034 |
keep one's word fulfill one's promise She promised to call me, but she did not keep her word. It drives me crazy when people don't keep their word. A: Remember, you promised to wash the car. B: Don't worry. I'll keep my word. I promise! He always keeps his word. |
| 3035 |
lay off quit; stop Lay off those drums! I'm trying to sleep! When are you going to lay off smoking? It's bad for you. A: Oh, no! I've gained six pounds! B: Why don't you lay off snacks for a while? Lay off! |
| 3036 |
live up to meet one's expectations The movie did not live up to all the good reviews. The hotel really lives up to its reputation. It's excellent. A: Why did you change universities? B: Clown College really didn't live up to my expectations. He was worried about living up to his family's expectations. |
| 3037 |
see eye to eye agree; from the same point of view They saw eye to eye on almost every part of the project, so it was approved. She doesn't always see eye to eye with her husband about money. A: I guess we don't see eye to eye on the price. B: No, we don't. You're asking too much. Do we see eye to eye on this issue? |
| 3038 |
settle down become still or relaxed The children did not settle down and go to sleep until after midnight. Settle down! It's just a little spider! A: I can't get to sleep. Why don't those dogs settle down? B: Maybe they are barking at a burglar! You kids had better settle down or else! |
| 3039 |
drop someone a line write a letter to someone When you get to Rome, drop me a line. She dropped him a line explaining why she hadn't called him. A: Drop me a line sometime. B: Yes. Let's keep in touch. He decided to drop her a line. |
| 3040 |
how come why How come this report is late? You're not coming to the party? How come? A: I heard you weren't coming to the game. How come? B: I hurt my knee making toast this morning. How come you don't eat chicken? |
| 3041 |
in brief in short; in summary In brief, this is the singer's best album. In brief, you must find my client not guilty. A: What was the result of the meeting? B: In brief, we are going to move to Mexico. Dogs are happy, loyal, and friendly. In brief, they make great pets. |
| 3042 |
keep off not go on; stay off Please keep off the carpet with your dirty shoes. We have to keep off the bench until the paint is dry. A: Please tell your kids to keep off the furniture. B: I will. Sorry, Mr. President. Keep off the grass. |
| 3043 |
let go of release He slowly let go of her hand, and she walked away. Don't let go of the rope! I'll fall! A: Let go of my purse! B: Sorry! I thought it was mine. Let go of me! |
| 3044 |
lie down lie; recline I am just going to lie down and rest for a few minutes. The doctor told him to lie down on the examining table. A: Where's Bill? B: He's lying down on the couch. He decided to lie down for a few minutes. |
| 3045 |
on behalf of for; in someone's place (instead of) She is collecting money on behalf of children in Africa. I am calling on behalf of Congressman Jones to ask for your support. A: Why are you going to New York? B: I'm going there on behalf of the manager. He's too sick to go. On behalf of flies everywhere, I want to thank you! |
| 3046 |
owing to because of Owing to the rough water today, we can't go sailing. He had to go home early owing to a severe headache. A: Why aren't you in Atlanta? B: My plane can't leave, owing to bad weather. Owing to the bad weather, the picnic was cancelled. |
| 3047 |
rule out decide that something is not possible I can rule out that the gift is a stereo because the box is too small. She ruled out going to Alaska because she didn't like cold weather. A: Who left the door unlocked last night? B: Well, we can rule out Mike. He's out of town. He ruled out cooking spaghetti because he didn't have enough pasta. |
| 3048 |
yield to allow something to happen I yielded to my girlfriend's demands for a ring. The president yielded to pressure from the people to cut taxes. A: How were the negotiations? B: Great! They yielded to our demand for a lower price! She yielded to his demands for a cookie. |
| 3049 |
as a matter of fact actually; in fact I know the man in the picture very well. As a matter of fact, he is my father. I like animals. As a matter of fact, I own a pet store. A: Have you seen Rachel? B: Yes, I have. As a matter of fact, she's waiting in your office. Everything was going wrong that day. As a matter of fact, the day was about to get worse. |
| 3050 |
at random not in any order; without plan The police stopped cars at random to check if the drivers had insurance. We will choose a number at random, and the person with that number will win! A: How did you get to be the captain of the team? B: They just picked at random. The lottery numbers were picked at random. |
| 3051 |
in favor of support or approve of something Although I want to join the army, my parents are not in favor of it. After the big test, we were all in favor of going out for a drink. A: Why didn't you vote for him? B: Because he is in favor of raising taxes. His parents are not in favor of his career choice. |
| 3052 |
keep up continue You're doing a great job! Keep up the good work. She wanted to keep up swimming every day, but she was too busy. A: I am really nervous about the test. B: Just keep up a positive attitude, and you will do fine! Keep up the good work! |
| 3053 |
make a point of do something deliberately He made a point of telling everyone he studied at Harvard. We should make a point of bringing this problem up at the next meeting. A: I think that Harry is mad at us. B: Yeah. He made a point of not talking to us at lunch. He made a point of explaining everything he knew about the subject in class. |
| 3054 |
make room for provide space for We need to make room on the shelf for these books. Can you make room in the trunk of your car for one more bag? A: Can I ride with you? B: Maybe we can make room if one person sits on someone's lap. Hey. Do you think we can make room for my friend? |
| 3055 |
on the spot right there; immediately He got the job on the spot. She had to think of an answer on the spot. A: Where's your dog? B: A man offered me $500 for it, so I sold it to him on the spot! He got caught with the stolen money, so he had to think of an excuse on the spot. |
| 3056 |
sum up in summary; finish in short He will sum up his speech with a joke. To sum up, I would just like to congratulate the bride and groom and wish them many happy years together. A: How was your trip to the desert? B: I would sum up the experience by saying it was very hot! The last page of the report sums up all of the research. |
| 3057 |
waste one's breath say something of no use She won't go out with you. Don't waste your breath asking her. He explained the grammar rule over and over, but he was wasting his breath. They didn't understand it. A: I'm going to ask Dad if I can go to Rome with my girlfriend. B: Don't waste your breath. Don't waste your breath. I'll never take you back! |
| 3058 |
you bet Sure; Yes “Are you free tonight?” “You bet!” “Would you like some more pizza?” “You bet!” A: Do you want to see a movie? B: You bet! Call me! You bet! |
| 3059 |
come about happen A chance like this doesn't come about every day. I hope a solution to the problem will come about soon. A: How did the problem with the stove come about? B: I was trying to melt my jewelry. How did that come about? |
| 3060 |
do away with end; get rid of The company is going to do away with paid overtime hours. I am going to do away with all this old furniture and buy new things. A: Why don't we sell the old piano and get a new one? B: I could never do away with it! My grandmother gave it to me. I must do away with the mouse that lives in my basement. |
| 3061 |
in advance before; ahead of time You should make reservations in advance. His girlfriend was coming, so he cleaned the house in advance. A: It's a very popular hotel. Are you sure you can get in? B: Don't worry. I booked a room three months in advance. It looked like a storm was coming, so I wanted to close the windows in advance. |
| 3062 |
from scratch from nothing; from basic or simple ingredients This bread was made from scratch, not from a prepared mix. We had to start from scratch when the computer disk failed. A: These cookies are great! B: Thanks. I made them myself from scratch. She made the pastry from scratch. |
| 3063 |
in the long run after a long time In the long run, too much beef can cause serious health problems. You will make more money in the long run if you go to university now. A: Let's fix that leaky pipe right away. B: Yes. If we do it now, we'll have less trouble in the long run. You will have problems in the long run if you keep drinking so much. |
| 3064 |
on average looking at the average case On average, the price of computers has gone down. Most people eat fast food twice a week on average. A: How much sleep do you get on average? B: About seven hours a night. On average, the cost of living in the city is higher than in the country. |
| 3065 |
set aside put apart; place out of the way I set aside half of the donut to eat later. The government has set aside money especially to deal with this problem. A: Our trip is coming up fast. B: You're right. Let's set aside some time to plan tomorrow night. He set aside his book and paid attention to his son. |
| 3066 |
settle for accept instead of something better There was no soda, so he settled for water. We had to settle for the smaller apartment because it was closer to my office. A: Sorry, we don't have any red caps. B: That's OK. I'll settle for a green one instead. Would you settle for a hamburger instead of a steak? |
| 3067 |
so far, so good everything is fine up to this time “How is your project going?” “So far, so good.” “How is your son doing in college?” “So far, so good.” A: How's life with the new baby? B: So far, so good. How do you like the new job? So far so good. |
| 3068 |
take over take control; take responsibility A national bank took over the local bank last month. If you are tired from driving, I can take over for a while. A: I am getting tired of mowing the lawn. B: I'll take over this week so you can have a break. I can take over if you are tired. |
| 3069 |
as to about; related to She was given no explanation as to why her electricity was cut off. We have information as to the location of the missing boy. A: What were you and that man talking about? B: He gave me some tips as to where I could find a good used car. I was given no explanation as to why my hair is turning blue. |
| 3070 |
by and large overall; on the whole By and large, the public transportation in New York City is very reliable. It was a good performance by and large. A: How was business last year? B: By and large it was successful. By and large, the food is very good at that restaurant. |
| 3071 |
due to because of Due to the strike, the subway is not running today. The game was canceled due to the storm. A: Why aren't you at the picnic? B: It was cancelled due to high winds. Due to the amount of alcohol he drank, he couldn't drive home. |
| 3072 |
fall behind be late; be behind They fell behind schedule and could not meet the deadline. She fell behind at work because her computer crashed. A: How did your team do? B: They fell behind in the second half and lost the game. She fell behind in school because she was sick for a few weeks. |
| 3073 |
lose track of not be aware of; not pay attention to I always lose track of how much I spend on clothes. He lost track of his dog in the crowded park. A: This vacation is so relaxing! B: Yes. I've lost track of the days! It's easy to lose track of time when you're reading a good book. |
| 3074 |
make believe pretend to be true I used to make believe I could walk on water. She made believe she was sick so that her mom would not make her go to school. A: Why is your son wearing a pot on his head? B: He's making believe that he's a robot. She used to make believe she could fly. |
| 3075 |
on no account never; in no instance On no account should you open the door if you don't know who is there. On no account should you give your credit card number to strangers. A: I can't believe there was a worm in your hamburger! B: On no account I am going to eat at that place again! On no account should you mix electricity and water. |
| 3076 |
originate from come from; start from The legend originated from the Native American tribes in the southwest. The letter originated from Paris. A: My grandparents were from Germany. B: My ancestors originated from Norway. He was sure that the e-mail message originated from someone in the office. |
| 3077 |
pull one's leg trick or fool one You're not a spy. You're pulling my leg! He told her he was French, but he was pulling her leg. A: Stop pulling my leg! B: I'm serious! There is a snake in my house! Come on. You're pulling my leg! |
| 3078 |
throw up vomit If you drink too much, you will throw up. The baby threw up on her grandfather's suit. A: Did you see Bill and Monica kissing at the party last night? B: Yes. It made me want to throw up! He threw up at the party last night. |
| 3079 |
be well off rich They aren't very well off, but they're happy. He was well off until he lost all of his money in a bad investment. A: I heard that Carol's folks are well off. B: Yes. Her mother is a fashion designer. Mr. Sanchez is well off. |
| 3080 |
for good finally; forever He plans to move to New York for good. They closed their store downtown for good. A: Good news! I quit smoking for good! B: Congratulations! Now, what about your gambling? Our relationship is over for good. |
| 3081 |
let alone never mind; even less I can barely afford this apartment, let alone a house. She won't do any typing, let alone organize the filing. A: Would you like to be on our baseball team? B: Me? Hah! I can barely throw a ball, let alone hit one. He can't even swim, let alone work as a lifeguard! |
| 3082 |
look back on remember There are many good memories I can look back on from high school. She doesn't like to look back on her life in Arizona. A: When you look back on your life, do you have any regrets? B: Yeah. I wish I hadn't invested all that money in stocks. He sometimes looks back on his childhood. |
| 3083 |
lose one's head act irrationally (from anger or worry) He lost his head when she told him she was leaving. In an emergency, it is important not to lose your head. A: Ted, that bear is coming right at us! B: Don't lose your head! Just pretend to be asleep, and it will go away. In an argument, it's important not to lose your head. |
| 3084 |
make faces move one's eyes and mouth to create a silly or funny appearance The baby laughed when I made faces at him. Don't make faces! Just eat your broccoli. I don't care if you don't like it. A: Why were you arrested? B: I made faces at the queen. He's always making faces at the girls. |
| 3085 |
regardless of no matter; without considering She plans to go to Spain regardless of the cost. Regardless of what other people thought, he quit his job and joined the circus. A: Steve is a crazy guy! B: Yeah. He plays with crocodiles regardless of the danger. He decided to wear his favorite outfit regardless of what the others thought. |
| 3086 |
result in lead to; cause The earthquake resulted in the deaths of thirty people. Smoking often results in health problems. A: Speeding could result in a traffic fine. B: I know, but we're late for the wedding! Coming to work late again will result in him losing his job. |
| 3087 |
stand up to fight; be against (usually someone stronger) You can't let them push you around like that. Stand up to them! She finally stood up to her mother and told her she was old enough to get married. A: I want to be a dancer, but my father says I have to join the army. B: I think you should stand up to him and tell him what you really want. I just can't stand up to my father. |
| 3088 |
what for why “She gave me five dollars.” “What for?” “I have to go back to the office.” “What for?” A: Let's give Jimmy some money for his birthday. B: What for? He'll just waste it on video games. Here. I got you this! What for? |
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