A
- on the point of doing something
She was about to leave when the phone rang.
- something that should have happened earlier
It is about time that you returned that book to me.
- forgetful
My grandfather is very absent-minded and often forgets his key.
- strictly by the rules, the usual and correct way to do something
According to Hoyle you are not allowed to enter this room but if nobody is here I think it will be okay.
- seem consistent or reasonable
The things that he said about his boss don`t really add up.
- early
We started the meeting ahead of time so we could go home early.
- make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret
The dinner party became uncomfortable when the host began to air his colleagues dirty laundry in public.
- all the time
I knew all along that he would not get the promotion.
- suddenly, without warning
All at once the fire alarm rang so we had to leave the building.
- the whole day
She has been sitting and waiting for the mail to arrive all day long.
- eager to listen to someone
Okay, I`m all ears, please tell me about the party.
- in summary, after considering everything
We had a few problems but all in all the meeting was successful.
- suddenly, without advance warning
All of a sudden it became cloudy and began to rain.
- okay, satisfactory
She said that it would be all right for me to bring my friend to the party.
- continually
She asks for money all the time but I don`t like to give it to her.
- have difficulty fixing things or working with one`s hands, clumsy
He is all thumbs when it comes to fixing things around the house.
- (cost) a large amount of money
His new car must have cost him an arm and a leg.
- one`s favorite
His youngest daughter is the apple of his eye.
- usually, as a habit
As a rule I usually get up at 7:00 AM every morning.
- to the extent or degree that
As far as I know he will be here in a few minutes.
- behave in a way that trouble is likely
He is asking for trouble if he misses another class.
- not alert to an opportunity
I think he was asleep at the switch. He didn`t even know that the job was available so he never applied for it.
- provided that, on condition that
As long as you promise to be careful you can borrow my car.
- by the most direct way, along a straight line between two places
As the crow flies it is about 6 kilometers between my house and my company.
- most of the time, as is the custom
As usual, she forgot to bring her book to class.
- in addition to
Please bring your swimming suit as well as your towell.
- until now, up to the present
As yet, she has not told me about her plans to leave the company.
- have opposite ways to do something, opposing goals
They are at cross purposes and are always arguing about what to do.
- be responsible or to blame for something
The truck driver was at fault in the terrible accident.
- at the beginning
At first she didn`t want to go to a movie but later she changed her mind.
- when first seen, without careful study
At first blush he seemed like a good worker but later we had many problems with him.
- basically, fundamentally
She is a very nice person at heart although many people dislike her.
- in one`s house
I`m sorry but I left my money at home. Can you lend me some money?
- finally, after a long time
I was waiting all morning for her call but at last it came.
- having a quarrel, opposing each other
We have been at loggerheads over their plans to build a new office complex.
- in disagreement
He has been at odds with his boss over the new sales territory.
- always ready to serve somebody
His eldest daughter is always at his beck and call when he spends an evening at home.
- at the limit of one`s ability to cope
I am at the end of my rope about what to do about my current situation at work.
The doctor attended to the other patient before he got to my mother.
- return to good financial or physical health
He is finally back on his feet after his company went out of business.
- withdraw from an agreement or promise
The company backed out of the deal with the foreign firm.
- go back to start a project or idea from the beginning
The boss doesn`t like our idea so I guess we must go back to the drawing board.
- help or rescue
The government has decided to bail out the troubled bank.
- be sure of, count on
You can bank on them to come and help the company.
- someone isn`t as bad as they sound
Don`t worry if he gets angry - his bark is worse than his bite.
- make a wrong assumption about something
The police are barking up the wrong tree in their investigation of that person.
- speak indirectly or evasively
Stop beating around the bush and give us your final decision.
- do something before others
He beat me to the punch and arrived at the interview first.
- have an idea that continually occupies one`s thoughts.
He has a bee in his bonnet over whether or not to build a new house or not.
- without someone`s knowledge
He is very angry because they borrowed the car behind his back.
- old fashioned
My aunt is a little behind the times.
- be responsible for something bad or unfortunate
He`s not to blame for breaking the computer.
- try very hard
If I can, I will bend over backwards to help you get a promotion in the company.
- very upset or excited about something
He was beside himself with joy at winning the contest.
- not relevant to the subject that you are considering or discussing
"What you are saying is beside the point. We are not talking about salary now."
- misjudge a coming event, misread the future
I think that he bet on the wrong horse by putting all of his money into that new stock.
- be in a better situation than before
He would be better off if he sold his old car and bought a new one.
- outside the bounds of acceptable behavior
What they are doing is totally unacceptable and beyond the pale.
- patiently wait for an opportunity to occur.
He is biding his time as he waits to become president of the company.
- an important and powerful person
He is a big shot in the oil and gas industry.
- completely naked, no clothes on
The little boy was running down the street in his birthday suit.
- try to do more than one is able to do
I think I bit off more than I can chew by taking on the new assignment.
- endure in a difficult situation, face a difficult situation bravely
I have decided to bite the bullet and begin studying for my Master`s degree.
- be killed, break down, be defeated
I think that my car has finally bitten the dust.
- turn against a friend or supporter, repay kindness with wrong
He is biting the hand that feeds him if he continues to criticize and fight against his boss.
- someone who doesn`t understand something trying to explain it to others
It is like the blind leading the blind watching him try and explain how to operate the new computer.
- fail at something
I tried hard but I am sure that I blew the final math exam last week.
- praise oneself
He is always blowing his own horn and is very annoying at times.
- die down or calm down
The problem with the lost invoices has finally blown over and everyone is working hard again.
- very angry or upset, excited and very emotional
I argued with him until I became blue in the face but I couldn`t change his mind.
- a reason for quarrels, the subject of a fight
The family cottage was a major bone of contention when their father died.
- make someone go or leave, get rid of someone, dismiss
He was booted out of high school for smoking on the school grounds.
- born rich, provided from birth with everything you need
He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has never worked in his life.
- absolutely new
He was finally able to buy a brand-new car.
- stop working because of mechanical failure
The car broke down on the lonely road so nobody knew about it.
- analyze
We must break down these figures for further study.
- deal with something in a new way
The researchers were able to break fresh ground in their search for a cancer cure.
- win all the money at a casino gambling table
He didn`t really break the bank but he did win a lot of money.
- relax and start a conversation in a formal situation
Nobody was enjoying the party until the host finally was able to break the ice.
- tell some information first
He is planning to break the news to her about his transfer tomorrow.
- stop a relationship
She broke up with her boyfriend last June.
- work and earn money for your family
He is out bringing home the bacon and is very busy.
- make someone fully realize something
He was unable to bring home the importance of arriving early for the meeting.
- discover some new facts, make some new facts known
The lawyers were able to bring some new facts to light in the trial of the killer.
- persuade someone to agree with you
He was finally able to bring the other members of the committee into line.
- cause to develop rapidly
I don`t know what brought on his anger but you should avoid him until he calms down.
- cause much laughter in the audience
The comedian brought the house down with his jokes about the lost dog.
- recall something
Her perfect acting brought to mind some of the great actresses of the past.
- introduce a subject into a discussion
They brought up the subject at the meeting but nobody wanted to talk about it.
- raise or care for a child
My grandmother brought up ten children.
- be at the end of the line or in the last position
The runner from the other school was bringing up the rear in the school relay race.
- have no money
I spent all of my money on my holiday and I am now broke.
- review something one has already learned
I`m going to brush up on my English before my trip to New York.
- a brief encounter or experience with the police because of a crime
He had a brush with the law when he was young but now he is totally honest.
- someone who is clumsy and upset`s other people or plans
He was like a bull in a china shop when I saw him at the meeting last week.
- put on warm clothes, dress warmly
We bundled up and went for a walk in the park.
- money that you want to spend quickly
I just got paid today and this money is burning a hole in my pocket.
- burn completely (usually used for buildings)
The neighbor`s house burnt down completely during the night.
- do something that makes going back impossible
He burned his bridges behind him and is unable to work in the same industry again.
- work or play too hard without enough rest
He has been burning the candle at both ends with his work and his studies. That is why he became sick.
- study until very late at night
We burned the midnight oil for three nights in a row in order to study for the exam.
- burn completely (usually things not buildings)
The uniforms burned up in the fire.
- refuse to see or face something, keep from seeing or knowing something unpleasant
He always buries his head in the sand and never wants to deal with his family problems at all.
- stop quarreling and become friendly with someone
He decided to bury the hatchet with his brother and they are now on friendly terms again.
- flatter someone
He is trying to butter up his boss so that he can leave early on Friday.
- buy something without seeing it or knowing if it will be satisfactory
You shouldn`t buy that car without first inspecting it. It is like buying a pig in a poke.
- on the whole, considering everything
By and large we had a good meeting even though it was a little short.
- before long
By and by they will come and we can go out for dinner.
- greatly, by a great margin
He is by far the smartest person in the company.
- irregularly, with many stops and starts
By fits and starts the company was finally able to begin business.
- in any way necessary
She says that she will go to Italy this year by hook or by crook.
- incidentally
By the way, could you please bring your computer tomorrow.
- by a very small margin, barely
I made the application date for the job by the skin of my teeth.
idiom Quizzes - B
Choose an idiom at the bottom to replace the expression in the brackets below:
(a) bank on (b) brush up on (c) better off (d) bring to mind
(a) biting off more than he can chew (b) breaking the news (c) bringing the house down (d) beating around the bush
(a) brings up the rear (b) barks up the wrong tree (c) burns his bridges behind him (d) bends over backwards
(a) go back to the drawing board (b) bury the hatchet (c) by the skin of my teeth (d) bring to mind
(a) bailed out (b) beat around the bush (c) broke down (d) broke up with
(a) behind the times (b) brand new (c) broke (d) better off
(a) backed out (b) banked on (c) broke (d) behind the times
(a) blown over (b) beating around the bush (c) backing out (d) better off
(a) burn the candle at both ends to (b) break the news to (c) bend over backwards to (d) burn the midnight oil to
(a) bit off more than I can chew (b) broke the bank (c) brought to mind (d) had a brush with the law
(a) blow over (b) back out (c) bank on (d) bring to mind
(a) behind the times (b) barking up the wrong tree (c) biding her time (d) bailing her out
The handbag that she lost was (totally new).
(a) back to the drawing board (b) beside herself (c) better off (d) brand new
(a) burnt down (b) brought up (c) broke fresh ground (d) beat around the bush
- an action that may fail but has a good chance to succeed
They took a calculated risk when they opened the new store but it has been very successful.
- speak bluntly
He was calling a spade a spade when he began to criticize his employee for being lazy.
- come and get someone
Could you please come and call on me before you go to the game.
- stop, finish
He called it quits and went home for the day.
- the need to go to the toilet
He is answering the call of nature and can`t talk to you for a few minutes.
- cancel
The game was called off because of the rain.
- visit someone
I plan to call on my brother when I am on my holidays.
- ask someone to participate or contribute something
The teacher called on me three times to answer questions in the class.
- call someone before an authority to be scolded or reprimanded
He was called on to the carpet by his boss for losing the major sale.
- challenge someone to prove what they say is true
I decided to call his bluff and asked him to show me the evidence.
- be in charge, give orders
He is now calling the shots and is in control of the company.
- telephone
He said that he would call up his parents tomorrow night.
- relax
She finally calmed down after the accident.
- destroy the effect of something
The benefits of her exercise were cancelled out by her always overeating.
- a complicated situation or problem
The lawsuit opened up a can of worms for the company.
- unable to judge or understand the whole picture because you are looking at the small parts of it
He has no real understanding of most problems as he always fails to see the forest for the trees.
- a plan or argument kept back to be produced if needed
I think that he has a card up his sleeve and will be able to help us later.
- send something to one person at the address of another person
I sent the parcel to her in care of her friend at the university.
- the promise of reward and threat of punishment at the same time
The trade negotiators took a carrot and stick approach to the automobile talks.
- lose control or judgement due to strong feelings
I got a carrried away and began to yell at her for losing my textbook.
- continue, keep doing as before
We were permitted to carry on with the party after we had talked to the landlord.
- put into action, accomplish
The move to the new headquarters was carried out with a minimum of problems.
- save for another time
We plan to carry over the summer swimwear until next year.
- take the most important or difficult part in an action or business
The vice-president was forced to carry the ball while the president was away.
- win or be successful
His fine performance in our company carried the day for us.
- show loyalty to a cause or a person
He has been carrying the torch for the candidate for a long time.
- put a plan into action
The company carried through with their plan to layoff 300 workers.
- an example that proves something or helps to make something clear
What he just said was a case in point about what I have been saying all year.
- a good source of money
His new business is a great cash cow. I think that he is really making a lot of money.
- exchange something for money
We decided to cash in the coupons because we needed some money.
- see and profit by a chance
The small town cashed in on their success with the winter Olympics.
- money paid when something is bought
It was a cash deal and we were forced to pay cash on the barrelhead.
- waste something valuable on someone who doesn`t appreciate it
Giving her the gold earrings was casting pearls before swine.
- be the first to blame someone
He was the one to cast the first stone and now he is having a major fight with his neighbor.
- daydreams
She is always building castles in the air and is very unrealistic.
- a burglar who enters a building by climbing a wall etc.
We lost our stereo when a cat burglar entered our apartment.
- can`t talk
I think that the cat has got her tongue. She hasn`t said anything at all since the meeting started.
- a situation where whatever you do the outcome will be bad, a no-win situation
It was a catch-22 situation where if I went to work there would be problems but if I didn`t go to work ther would be more problems.
- become sick with a cold
I caught a cold because of the rain and the cold weather.
- in any way possible
We are in the middle of moving house so the meals when you visit will be catch-as-catch-can.
- understand, learn about
It was difficult to catch on at first but finally I was able to understand the math problem.
- become popular
Recently ballroom dancing has begun to catch on among many people.
- stop to rest and regain one`s normal breathing
After running from the station it took a moment to catch my breath.
- attract one`s attention
I tried to catch her eye but she didn`t notice me.
- find someone in the middle of doing something wrong
He caught the boy red-handed when he was stealing the candy.
- become even with someone (in a race or in schoolwork etc.)
I think it`s too late to catch up with the rest of the class now.
- not having enough of something when you need it (usually money)
I was caught short last week and couldn`t pay the weekly food bill.
- to weaken and be forced to give up
The company finally caved in to the union`s demand for more money.
- record
The stock prices of the company chalked up a big gain last week.
- make new plans or choose a new leader in the middle of an important activity
They decided to change horses in midstream and that is probably why they lost the election.
- change the way one feels about something
She had a change of heart and decidecided to let her child go to the circus.
- change one`s decision
He changed his mind and said that he would not go to the movie tonight.
- make a change in one`s story,statement or opinions
He has begun to change his tune recently and is beginning to agree that we need to do things a little differently.
- be responsible for an activity or group of people
He is in charge of selling tickets for the school dance.
- be unfaithful to someone
He recently began cheating on his wife which was the main cause of their divorce.
- rudeness, impudence
She had the cheek to tell me that she was sick and couldn`t come to work today.
- side by side, in close intimacy
They were walking down the stairs cheek by jowl when the alarm sounded.
- chat
The two men were chewing the fat on the porch of the house.
- scold roughly
The teacher chewed out the student for talking in class.
- a small amount of money
What he sold his car for was chicken feed compared to the amount of money that he has in the bank.
- stop doing something because of fear
He chickened out of jumping into the lake from the high diving board.
- words or acts come back to cause trouble for a person
Her chickens have finally come home to roost and she must now take responsibility for what she has done.
- join in (a song or conversation)
We were having a nice conversation until she chimed in and started complaining about everything.
- contribute or pay jointly
We all chipped in and bought our father a present.
- person who looks or acts like one of his parents
His son is a chip off the old block and acts exactly like his father.
- the time when one faces the greatest obstacles
When the chips were down he went to his father for advice and received his encouragement.
- stop talking
She clammed up as soon as her boyfriend entered the room.
- the assurance that an animal or person is healthy
The astronaut was given a clean bill of health before he began training.
- having no errors, past acts that are all good
He started off with a clean slate and has never caused any problems for the company.
- calm down and remove a misunderstanding
We had a big argument so I think it is time to clear the air.
- clear away things and prepare for action
Let`s clear the decks and get everyone out of the house so we can begin work.
- solve or explain (a problem etc.)
They finally cleared up the problem that I was having with my salary at work.
- sports event or movie where the outcome is uncertain until the very end
The playoff game was a cliffhanger and one of the most enjoyable games of the year.
- be so bored that you become anxious and frustrated
She began to climb the wall after only a few days at her new job.
- a low-class business where people are cheated
They went into a clip joint near the bus station and had to pay a lot of money.
- limit one`s activities or possibilities
They decided to clip his wings and took away his expense account.
- an accident almost happens (but doesn`t happen)
I had a close call this morning when the truck almost hit me.
- come together for fighting, unite and work together
They decided to close ranks and stop arguing among themselves
- near to someone`s personal feelings, wishes or interests
What I said about her work habits must have hit close to home as she seemed to become very quiet suddenly.
- no danger is in sight, no one can see you
When the coast was clear we decided to enter the building.
- bring something of which there is plenty
Bringing extra food to the farmer`s picnic was like bringing coals to Newcastle.
- you are not important but only a small part of a large organization
The employees felt like they were only cogs in a machine so the atmosphere at the company was not very good.
- a sudden short period of cold weather (usually in winter)
The cold snap lasted for five days.
- stop using drugs (heroin etc.) abruptly and without medical aid
Although she was able to stop using drugs cold turkey she was very sick for awhile.
- fail
I think that he has come a cropper in the horse competition and that is why he is sad.
- find something or meet someone by chance
I came across an interesting story in the newspaper the other day.
- please repeat, please say that again
Come again. I didn`t hear you the first time.
- brighten up and become active
She finally came alive and began to enjoy the party.
- make progress, thrive
The work on our new house is coming along very well at the moment.
- make great progress
He has come a long way and has learned many things about his new company.
- return to the place you are now
She came back from her holidays last week.
- return to one`s memory
I can`t remember clearly the events of last year but slowly everything is coming back to me.
- become popular again
Recently bell-bottom pants have come back into fashion.
- disrupt the relationship between (two people)
His constant interfering finally came between his brother and his wife.
- get, obtain, acquire
She came by a lot of money recently and is now enjoying her life.
- tell the truth
The president of the company was forced to come clean and tell what really happened to the business.
- a lowering in status, income, influence or energy
Her new job was a real come-down from her last one so she was not very happy.
- scold or punish severely
The police have been coming down very hard on drunk drivers recently.
- stop imagining or dreaming, think and behave as usual
He has finally come down to earth and is preparing seriously to look for a job.
- become sick with or catch a cold etc.
Her mother came down with a cold so was unable to attend the dinner.
- be a native of a place
Several of the students in the class come from Mexico.
- completely opposite from one`s starting point
They have come full circle since the new president started at the university.
- no matter what happens
Come hell or high water I plan to go to the concert next week.
- prove to be useful
I think that the small hammer will come in handy to fix the desk.
- receive, get possession of
They came into a lot of money which they donated to charity.
- become fashionable
She says that although bell-bottom pants have come into fashion again she will never wear them.
- become to perform or work well because of good circumstances
He has really come into his own as a basketball player since he changed positions.
- be successful
The party came off without any problems so everyone was very happy.
- overwhelm with excessively strong language or personality
He came on too strong during the job interview and was unable to get the job.
- say, make known
The child has recently come out with many strange and funny expressions.
- begin or learn to do or feel something
At first I disliked her a lot but recently I have come to accept her.
- regain consciousness
She came to a couple of hours after the accident.
- begin to fight
They almost came to blows when they were trying to fix the car.
- have a bad accident or disappointment
He has recently come to much grief because of his son`s problems with the police.
- struggle (successfully) with an idea or problem
She has finally been able to come to grips with her husband`s drinking.
- be discovered, become known
It has recently come to light that the company has lost millions of dollars.
- end in failure
All his efforts to help his sister find a job came to nothing.
- begin to think clearly or act sensibly
He finally came to his senses and decided to buy a cheaper car rather than borrow a lot of money for an expensive one.
- to happen, occur
It came to pass that the company was never able to recover from their financial problems.
- reach an agreement
We came to terms with the bank and were able to buy the house.
- be direct
His speech was interesting but he never really came to the point.
- produce or find a thought, idea or answer
Please try to come up with a name for the new magazine.
- a friendly manner with everyone
He has a nice common touch and everyone likes him a lot.
- fall asleep quickly with great fatigue
As soon as we returned from the hike I conked out in front of the TV.
- ruin one`s chances
She really cooked her own goose and has no chance of getting the new job.
- invent, plan and put something together
I don`t know what kind of plan she is cooking up now but it should be quite interesting.
- very calm and brave, not worried or anxious
She was as cool as a cucumber when her canoe turned over in the river.
- be kept waiting because of another`s rudeness
He was forced to cool his heels for an hour in the waiting room before his boss would talk to him.
- plead guilty to a crime in order to get a lesser penalty
He was forced to cop a plea when the evidence against him became too strong to dispute.
- avoid doing something that you were planning to do
He copped out from our plan to go to to the beach for the day.
- someone who copies another person`s work or their actions
The little boy was accused of being a copycat by the other children.
- give unwillingly
He finally coughed up enough money to pay for the accident.
- depend on
You can never count on him to do anything right.
- assume that something will be successful before it is certain
Don`t count your chickens before they`re hatched. You`re spending your money and you don`t even have a job yet.
- leave something out of a plan, exclude
Please count me out of your plans to go skiing for the weekend.
- hide or not say where one has been or what one has done
He was trying to cover his tracks but it was easy to see where he had recently been.
- hide something wrong or bad
They tried to cover up the facts regarding the illegal election campaign funds.
- try to be friendly to someone
I don`t know what he wants but recently he has been trying to cozy up to me.
- tell a joke
He was a lot of fun at the party because he was always cracking jokes.
- let a smile show on one`s face
He never cracked a smile during the whole meeting.
- enforce laws or rules strictly
The school principal decided to crack down on people running in the halls.
- daybreak, early in the morning
We got up at the crack of dawn to go fishing.
- an eccentric person with ideas that don`t make sense to others
He is a total crackpot and you never know what he will do next.
- try to make someone work hard or obey you by threatening them
We had to crack the whip in order to get the job finished by the weekend.
- pay for something not in cash
He decided to buy the stereo on credit.
- burst into laughter
I cracked up when he started talking about the incident with the taxi driver.
- limit one`s talk or action
Working in the new section is beginning to cramp my style a little.
- enter without a ticket or without paying or with no invitation
Many people didn`t have a ticket for the concert so they decided to crash the gate.
- the top choice
When they hire new employees they always look for the cream of the crop.
- a strong feeling of fear or disgust
I get the creeps every time that I see a dead animal.
- crawl quietly towards
The thief crept up on the elderly women at the supermarket.
- a show of sorrow that is not really felt
He said that he was very sorry but his tears were just crocodile tears.
- appear or happen unexpectedly
I will meet you early next week unless something crops up that keeps me busy.
- think and worry about future events or problems before they happen
We shouldn`t worry about that problem now. We can cross that bridge when we come to it.
- promise that what you are saying is true
I promise that I will pay you back the money next week. Cross my heart and hope to die.
- think of, occur to someone
It just crossed my mind that I would probably see him in the evening so I didn`t phone him.
- eliminate by drawing a line through something
Please cross out that amount and put in the correct amount.
- something you must do or continue with even though you are suffering
Looking after my sister`s children every day is my cross to bear.
- need something badly, be lacking
The new room that he built cries out for a new set of furniture.
- cry or complain about something that has already happened
Don`t cry over spilt milk. You can never change the past.
- admit defeat or that one has lost
He finally had to cry uncle when the other wrestler pinned him to the mat.
- warn of danger that is not there
He has been crying wolf for years about various things and now nobody believes him.
- something one enjoys, special interest
It`s not really my cup of tea so I think I will stay home and not go to the art gallery.
- being too nosy and interested in other peoples business may lead a person into trouble
Don`t keep asking so many questions. Remember curiosity killed the cat.
- flatter someone to get his help or friendship
He has been working hard to curry favor with the other members of the committee.
- cross or go through something instead of going around
We decided to cut across the field because we were in a hurry to get to school.
- completely decided, prearranged
The decision was cut and dried and nobody asked for our opinion.
- use fewer or use less
We were forced to cut back on the number of people who were invited to the party.
- serve both sides of an argument
What he said cuts both ways and we should carefully think about it.
- economize
We will have to cut corners in order to save some money for our holiday.
- use less of something
Recently he has cut down on his drinking in order to start his new health program.
- prove that someone is not as good as he thinks
I was able to cut him down to size when I criticized what he said at the meeting.
- stop someone from saying something, disconnect someone on the phone
I tried to tell him about the accident but he cut me off before I had a chance.
- make things worse for oneself because one is angry at someone else
He is cutting off his nose to spite his face. Taking revenge on his neighbor will only cause more problems for himself.
- eliminate
She decided to cut out chocolate in order to lose weight.
- reach the required standard
He doesn`t cut the mustard and will never be able to work here.
- talk or act differently (usually better) because things have changed
He has begun dancing to a different tune now that he knows that his head salesman is thinking of quitting.
- a candidate little known to the general public
At first he was a dark horse candidate but he later won the election.
- do or finish quickly, leave quickly
I will dash off a letter now but then I must go to work.
- become clear
It finally dawned on me as to why he was angry.
- continually
We worked day and night to finish the project before the end of the month.
- regularly, all the time
He goes to that restaurant day in and day out and never gets tired of it.
- exactly in front, before
There was a truck dead ahead so we put on the car brakes suddenly.
- very dead
The man was dead as a doornail as we could see after the accident.
- a person who never pays his debts
There is a policy to penalize deadbeat fathers by the local government.
- exact middle
He was able to hit the target dead center.
- person or thing in a hopeless situation or condition
He is a dead duck and has no hope of recovering his former position.
- the closed end of a road or an impasse
The negotiations between the team and the owners have come to a dead end.
- with an expressionless or emotionless face
He had a deadpan expression when he told us the story.
- determined not to do something
They are dead set against their son going to Europe for a year.
- very tired, exhausted
I was dead tired so I went to bed as soon as I got home.
- fast asleep
The little boy was dead to the world when his father took him out of the car.
- dressed in fancy clothes
She was all decked out in her best clothes for the party.
- throw away, dispose of
I decided to deep-six the videos as I didn`t want them any longer.
- serious trouble or difficulty
He will be in deep water if he doesn`t tell us where he spent the money.
- succeed in doing what is expected well
He is the best manager that we have ever had. He knows how to deliver the goods.
- unworried, not caring what happens
He has a devil-may-care attitude to his job and nothing ever bothers him.
- come slowly to an end, grow weaker
When the sound of the music finally died down we were able to get to sleep.
- die one after another until the number is small
The house plants began to die off as soon as he moved to a new apartment.
- die or disappear slowly until all gone
Dinosaurs died out millions of years ago.
- begin eating
Let`s dig in and eat before everything is cold!
- common, easy to get and of little value
Used books are a dime a dozen so don`t worry if you can`t sell them.
- a look that shows dislike or disapproval
His mother gave him a dirty look when he smoked the cigarette.
- serve food from a large bowl or plate
He began to dish out the food as soon as the guests arrived.
- treat or criticize roughly
He likes to dish out criticism to others but he doesn`t like to hear criticism about himself.
- look again in surprise at someone or something
She did a double take when she saw her old boyfriend with another woman.
- do harm to, make ugly or useless
He really did a job on the plans for the new house that he was working on.
- put an end to, stop, get rid of
The company has decided to do away with having fixed holidays every year.
- ready or willing to fight and hurt others to get what you want
It is a dog-eat-dog world out in the world of advertising and public relations.
- to ruin, destroy
He quickly did in the new shoes that he received for his birthday.
- to make tired, exhaust
He was really done in by the time that he finished the marathon.
- dress in fancy clothes
She was all dolled up for the party at the downtown hotel.
- ruined, defeated, dying
I think that the team is done for as far as this season is concerned.
- be finished using something
He was finally done with the computer and so he let his sister use it.
- try to do something as well as you can
I tried to do my best on the exam.
- share in a group project by contributing one`s time and effort
He did his bit for the planning of the party.
- do what one wants to do and enjoys
He is an individualist and enjoys doing his thing when and where he chooses.
- make a great effort while disregarding danger
He was in a position of do-or-die when he finally found another job.
- cause to lose by trickery or cheating
He was worried that the company would do him out of the large bonus that he was expecting.
- be good or beneficial for someone
It will do you good to go on a holiday.
- take drastic action (usually without thinking)
She is extremely angry so I hope that she doesn`t do anything rash.
- perform the duty of a host (when serving a drink etc.)
Would you like to do the honors and pour everyone a glass of wine?
- work well, achieve a good result
I think the new piece of equipment should do the trick and solve the problem.
- spend time in prison
He was doing time when I first heard about him.
- benefit from
I have been working hard all day so now I could do with a cold drink.
- be acquainted, involved or associated with
I don`t have anything to do with the party this year.
- manage without something
If there is no sugar, we`ll have to do without.
- turn back from where you are going or have been
We decided to double back from the arena to get some money to go to a movie.
- check again to be sure something is correct
He double-checked the price of the airplane ticket.
- deceive, promise one thing and do another
He tried to double-cross his partner but was caught and sent to jail.
- talk that appears to have meaning but does not
He gave the audience a lot of double-talk so nobody knew what he wanted to say.
- share a room or home with someone
The passengers had to double up in hotel rooms when the plane was delayed because of the weather.
- have no money
He has been down and out before but he has always been able to find a job eventually.
- unhappy
She has been really down in the dumps since her boyfriend moved away.
- be critical of someone, angry at
She is really down on her friend but I don`t really know the reason.
- suited to one`s tastes and abilities
Computers are down his alley so I am sure that he will be interested in taking the job.
- straight ahead, in future
There will be many changes at this company down the line but for now your job is safe.
- wasted or lost
He is just throwing money down the drain when he goes to the horse races.
- sensible and practical
Her mother is a very down-to-earth person.
- nearing a deadline, running out of time
We went right down to the wire but we were able to finish the job on time.
- produce excellent results
If you begin to do some exercise it will do wonders for your health.
- insist on bringing another subject into a discussion
He always drags in his personal problems when we are talking about his performance on the job.
- pass very slowly, make longer
The speech seemed to drag on and on so finally we decided to leave early.
- act slowly or reluctantly
He has been dragging his feet about whether or not to take the job.
- obtain nothing in return for an effort made, get a negative result
He drew a blank when he went to the head office to try and receive some information about the merger.
- receive criticism or argument
He has been drawing a lot of fire since he announced that he would not play basketball another year.
- be a target, attract or provoke shooting
The soldiers drew fire when they entered the small village.
- spend less money
Their company is not doing well so they will have to draw in their horns for awhile.
- make a person talk or tell something
She was very quiet but we finally were able to draw her out so that she would join the party.
- set a limit
We have to draw the line somewhere in regards to the costs of the party.
- put in writing
They were able to draw up the new contract while we were waiting.
- wear one`s finest clothes
She was dressed to kill when I saw her at the concert last week.
- dressed elegantly
The stars were all dressed to the nines during the Academy Awards ceremony.
- put on one`s best clothes
He decided to dress up for dinner at the restaurant.
- conclude a bargain without making any concessions
Although he drives a hard bargain I like doing business with him.
- try or want to say something
I don`t know what he was driving at in his speech.
- irritate or annoy someone greatly
His constant complaining is driving me up a wall.
- casually utter a hint or suggestion
He dropped a hint that he wanted to transfer to a new department.
- write or mail a note or letter to someone
She promised that she would drop me a line when she gets to Singapore.
- move or step backwards, retreat
During the hike his foot began to get sore so he decided to drop back and rest for awhile.
- to visit someone or somewhere
He dropped by after work for a drink.
- give up or fail before the finish
Many runners dropped by the wayside as the marathon continued.
- go away and be quiet, stop bothering someone
I told him to drop dead when he came into my room and now he is angry at me.
- make a short or unplanned visit
I decided to drop in and visit my friend after I finished work for the day.
- small amount
The money he paid back was only a drop in the bucket compared to what he owes
- quit school or a course of some kind
She dropped out of the class after three months.
- drink alcohol to forget one`s problems
He`s in the bar drowning his sorrows with a beer.
- make so much noise that it is impossible to hear
The team captain was drowned out by the cheering fans.
- invent, encourage by making an effort
They were able to drum up a lot of business during the summer.
- easy, effortless
How was the test last week? It was duck soup - no problem at all.
- a stupid gullible person
He is a dumb bunny and you never know what he will do next.
- meal/movie etc. where each person pays their own way, contribute equally to something
When he goes out with his girlfriend it is always a Dutch treat as he doesn`t have much money.
- think about or talk about something all the time
I wish he wouldn`t always dwell on his personal problems.
- every (used for emphasis)
I would like each and every one of you to bring your textbooks tomorrow.
- person who is always eager to work or do extra work
He is a real eager beaver and is always available to work when we need him.
- scolding, a lot of information (often critical)
He really gave his daughter an earful when she came home late.
- a person who gets up early in the morning has the best chance of success
He always goes to work before his colleagues because he knows that the early bird catches the worm.
- pay attention to the way things are going or the way people feel and think
He always has his ear to the ground and knows everything that is going on in our company.
- reduce in severity or pressure, relax
The president was asked to ease off on his efforts to save money in the company.
- something that you get easily can be lost easily
He doesn`t care if he loses his job or not. For him everything is easy come, easy go.
- do something without sudden movements or too fast
"Easy does it" he said as he helped to move the large piano.
- tolerant and relaxed
He has a very easy-going management style.
- rot, erode, destroy
The mildew has been eating away at the window frame all summer.
- admit one is mistaken or defeated
He was forced to eat crow when the figures that he gave us at the meeting were all wrong.
- accept another`s insult or bad treatment, act humble
He made the senior manager eat dirt as revenge for his bad treatment in the past.
- suffer greatly from longing
You can eat your heart out. I`m going to Hawaii for three weeks!
- admit one`s error and apologize
He had to eat humble pie in front of his friends when they discovered his mistake.
- bothering or worrying someone
I don`t know what is eating her but she doesn`t seem to be in a good mood today.
- eat very little
He eats like a bird. That`s why he can`t put on enough weight to join the football team.
- eat a lot
He eats like a horse but he never puts on any weight.
- use or spend something and still keep it
He always wants to eat his cake and have it too and is never prepared to sacrifice anything.
- admit being wrong in something one has said, retract one`s statement
He was forced to eat his words after his boss proved that he was wrong.
- eat in a restaurant
He eats out three or four times a week.
- urge or push someone to do something
He is always egging his friend on when he is angry which makes him even angrier.
- earn with difficulty
He was unable to eke out a living on the farm so he sold it.
- effort and strength to clean something
We`ll have to use a lot of elbow grease to get the kitchen cleaned.
- space (enough to be comfortable)
They moved to the country in order to have a little more elbow room.
- a purpose or goal one wants for itself alone and not as a way to something else
For some people travelling is an end in itself and the destination is not important.
- the last of one`s ability or ideas about how to proceed or do something
He is at the end of his rope regarding what to do about his job.
- finish, finally do something
We ended up going to the restaurant after the movie last night.
- nevertheless, however
He always works hard but even so he has no money saved.
- everyone will have his chance or turn, everyone will get what he deserves
You should be patient and wait until you get a chance. Remember every dog has his day.
- alternate, every second one
She has to work every other Saturday evening.
- occasionally
You should walk around every so often when you are on a long plane trip.
- the average person
He said he is not the same as every Tom, Dick and Harry.
- one wants more food than one can eat
His eyes are bigger than his stomach. He will never finish all of the food that he took.
- ability to know what is happening behind one`s back
He has eyes in the back of his head and you can never borrow anything without him knowing about it.eyes pop out-
much surprised
Her eyes popped out when she saw her name in the newspaper.
- confront boldly and win, defy
They decided to face down their competitors and were able to easily stay in business.
- accept the consequences of something
He is going to have to face the music sooner or later.
- accept something that is not easy to accept
You must face up to the fact that you are never going to have enough money to buy that car.
- value or price printed on a stamp/bond/paper money etc.
He gave me the face value that was printed on the used stamps.
- seeming value or truth of something
He is a nice person but you must always take at face value what he says.
- what one should know about sex, marriage and birth
He seems to be a little too young to know about the facts of life.
- honestly, just, straightforward
The British team won the game fair and square but still the other team complained.
- a likely object of aggressive interest
The company is fair game as a takeover target by other international companies.
- justice, equal and right action
He believes in fair play and is a wonderful person to have on our team.
- honest treatment
She was not given a fair shake at the inquiry into her behavior.
- a person who is a friend only when one is successful
He is a fair-weather friend only and you can`t rely on him if you have a problem.
- become to not work properly
The equipment fell apart about six months after I bought it.
- move back, go back
The runner fell back from the rest of the runners when the race was half over.
- turn to for help when something else has failed
She had to fall back on her father`s money when her business had problems.
- fail to keep up with work or studies or payments etc.
He fell behind with his homework at the beginning of the term and had problems throughout the year.
- give up or fail before the finish
He had a good chance of winning the competition but he fell by the wayside near the end.
- be unsuccessful, fail
I think that my attempt at humor fell flat and now she doesn`t like me.
- begin to like very much, begin to love
He fell for the woman at the bank but he is afraid to ask her for a date.
- lose approval
The politician fell from grace with the public over the money scandal.
- argument, disagreement, quarrel
We had a falling-out during our holiday and we haven`t spoken since.
- begin to love someone
I fell in love with her the first time that I saw her at the restaurant.
- go and stand properly in a row (like soldiers)
The students were forced to fall into line as they waited for the doors to open.
- become associated with a bad group of people
He fell in with a bad group of friends and began to get lower marks.
- decrease
The number of tourists to visit the island has fallen off recently.
- return to the consumption of alcohol or drugs after stopping for awhile
He fell off the wagon after he stopped drinking for three years.
- meet (troubles)
The town had fallen on hard times before the new computer company moved to town and created many jobs.
- be no longer used
That kind of stereo system has fallen out of use over the last 20 years.
- be extremely eager to do something or please someone
They fell over themselves in their effort to please their host.
- not be as good as you expected, not succeed
The new movie fell short of everyone`s expectations and attendance is very low.
- fail, not happen
My plan to go abroad fell through when my father refused to lend me some money.
- everywhere, in all directions
We looked far and wide for the book but could not find it.
- something very different
What he said to my friend is a far cry from what he told me over the telephone.
- have someone else do something, send away
We farmed out all of the printing to another company in order to save money.
- money earned quickly and easily
He is always trying to make a fast buck without really trying to work very hard.
- con artist, clever talker who convinces others easily
He is a fast talker so you should be careful not to believe everything that he says.
- little or no possibility, almost no chance
Fat chance that he will let me use his car. He never lets me borrow anything.
- have the best of everything, especially without having to work for it
He plans to move to the mountains and try and live off the fat of the land.
- a candidate supported by his home state for President etc.
We voted for him because he is the favorite son of our state.
- something you achieve and are proud of
Winning the new contract was a real feather in his cap.
- look after one`s own interest (while holding public office or a trusted job etc.)
The mayor has been feathering his nest for many years and is now very rich.
- disgusted or bored with someone or something
I think that he is getting fed up with the constant demands of his boss.
- deceive
He was feeding me a line about his plans to open a new restaurant downtown.
- feel wonderful
I feel like a million dollars today so I think that I will go for a walk.
- talk or act carefully with someone and find out what he thinks
I will try and feel out my boss this weekend and see what he thinks of my chance of promotion.
- pity
I feel sorry for him after losing his job.
- feel able (healthy enough or rested enough) to do something
I don`t feel up to going to the game.
- sensible ideas
He is a good family man and always has his feet on the ground.
- not many, rare, few and scattered
The gas stations were few and far between on the highway through the mountains.
- tinker, do something in an unplanned way
I tried fiddling around with the computer printer for awhile but it still won`t work.
- equally, evenly
We divided the cost of the trip fifty-fifty.
- fight fiercely or with all one`s might
He is fighting tooth and nail to get a transfer to another department.
- depend on, be sure about
You can figure on about 30 people coming to the party next week.
- try to understand or solve
He finally figured out how to use the new video recorder.
- tell someone the details
I will fill you in later about our plans for the weekend.
- write words needed in blanks
Please fill in this form and give it to the receptionist.
- substitute satisfactorily for
Although he is a good supervisor he is unable to fill the shoes of those who came before him.
- write down the facts that are asked for (in a report etc.)
We were asked to fill out the forms before we could have an interview for the job.
- be suitable for what is required
I think that the new equipment should fill the bill for us.
- criticize
He is always finding fault with everything that I do.
- learn, discover
She is angry at me because she found out that I quit the night class.
- very carefully
We went over the apartment with a fine-toothed comb but couldn`t find her watch.
- part ownership or responsibility
He has his finger in the pie of all the small companies in the area.
- the person who comes will have his turn first
"First come, first served" she called as she put the food on the table.
- directly
I learned the news from him firsthand.
- new, shown for the first time
There are a lot of first-run movies that I haven`t had time to see yet.
- try to get or to find out (something) by hinting at it
She is always fishing for complements when I see her at work.
- someone who does not fit in
He was like a fish out of water at the expensive restaurant.
- strange and suspicious
Something is fishy with his excuse. Why did he take the day before the holiday off work?
- in good athletic condition or health
Her grandfather is 92 years old but he is as fit as a fiddle.
- fit perfectly
The new pair of jeans that he bought fit like a glove.
- very angry or upset
He was fit to be tied when he heard that I was going to take a month off work in the summer.
- help someone get a date by arranging a meeting for the two
I tried to fix my sister up with a date with my friend but she refused me.
- fail after a good start, end in failure
The party began to fizzle out about midnight when many people went home.
- become suddenly angry, begin again suddenly
The fighting flared up again after the United Nations soldiers left the town.
- something that makes a showy start and then fails
His sports career was a flash in the pan. Recently I haven`t heard of him at all.
- have no money
I have been flat broke since I stopped working last month.
- without hiding anything, plainly, openly
I told her flat-out that I would not go with her to the party.
- an annoying hint, an idea or answer that is not welcome
I put a flea in his ear regarding the proposal deadline that he had missed.
- a place where antiques or secondhand things are sold
We went to a flea market last Saturday to try and buy some dishes.
- a close relative
She is my own flesh and blood so of course I felt terrible when she got into trouble.
- become very excited, lose one`s temper
He really flipped his lid when I told him about the huge telephone bill.
- go insane, go out of one`s mind, become very angry
She flipped out when she heard that I had sold her car.
- do a job instinctively rather than by using concrete information
I had to fly by the seat of my pants when the supervisor left me alone for a week.
- very happy, joyful
She has been flying high since she heard that she had won a new car.
- a small thing that spoils enjoyment
The problem with the music was a fly in the ointment at the party.
- become angry
He really flew off the handle when he saw the bill for the meal.
- unreliable (business)
That new company is a real fly-by-night operation.
- be very angry (like a mad dog)
He was foaming at the mouth when I told him that I had had an accident with his car.
- follow someone`s example, follow someone exactly
He is following in his father`s footsteps and has decided to work for a bank.
- do as someone else has done, follow someone`s example, play a card of the same color and kind that another has put down
He followed suit and began to leave work early on Friday just as his boss was doing.
- continue or finish an action that one has started
He said that he would help me paint my house but he has never followed through with his offer.
- make (one action) more successful by doing something more
He followed up his phone call in the morning with a visit in the afternoon.
- an opening or opportunity
I finally got a foot in the door when they accepted my application.
- something worth thinking about
I don`t really agree with his proposal but at least it is food for thought.
- spend time playing rather than working, waste time
If he would spend less time fooling around he would be able to get some work done.
- pay
The company will foot the bill for his move to Chicago.
- in spite of, even with
For all the time that he spends studying his marks are still very low.
- as hard as one can
I will try for all I am worth to help you get the job at the supermarket.
- for anything, for any price
For all the world I do not know what he is trying to tell me with the notes that he writes.
- for very little money
He was able to buy his new car for a song.
- depending on how one looks at the matter, with good or bad effects
For better or worse he has decided to quit his job and go to live in Brazil.
- make someone do something sooner than planned
I forced his hand and he told me what he planned to do about the new contract for our company.
- without doubt, certailnly, surely
It is for certain that he will not be playing in the game tonight.
- used to show that you are surprised or angry
For crying out loud please turn your radio down a little.
- as though afraid of losing one`s life
The mountain climber held on to the rock for dear life as he waited for someone to rescue him.
- forever, always
It took forever and a day to get the book that we ordered from the bookstore.
- permanently
He has decided to move to Los Angeles for good.
- for always, forever
He told the boy that he could have the baseball bat for keeps.
- pay, pay out
I had to fork out a lot of money to fix my car.
- hand over, give
The robber told me to fork over my money or he was going to shoot me.
- by any means
We were unable to get him to agree to the proposal for love or money.
- one time
For once he listened to what I said. Usually he ignores me.
- without doubt, certainly, surely
I will go to the movie with you for sure next week.
- about that, with regard to that
I don`t want to go shopping with you and for that matter I don`t want to go anywhere with you.
- by asking, on request
You can get a free ticket to the concert for the asking from the front office.
- uninteresting, something you don`t like
Doing the cleaning all day is really for the birds.
- for now, for awhile
We really need a new car but for the time being we`ll have to continue using the old one.
- under any conditions
I would not want to sell my car for the world.
- ruin or spoil by stupid mistake, go wrong
There was a problem with our tickets so our plans were all fouled up.
- one` mental state
He made sure his boss was in a good frame of mind before he asked him for the time off.
- become angry or lose control of oneself
I freaked out when I discovered that my reservations had not been made.
- informal
He has a free and easy attitude about his work.
- great freedom to do something
We had a free hand in designing the new sport`s program for the university.
- accept food and housing at someone else`s expense
He was angry at his brother because he was always freeloading and never worried about finding a job.
- keep from a share in something by unfriendly or dishonest treatment
They froze him out of the profits that they made on the sale of land.
- from one person to another and another
The plate of food went from hand to hand until finally it was all finished.
- know everything about something
He knows about cars from A to Z.
- with great feeling, sincerely
I thanked him from the bottom of my heart for helping my daughter when she was sick.
- sincerely, honestly
He gave her some flowers with a message straight from his heart.
- from this moment forward
From now on I will study Italian every day.
- from the very beginning
He decided to build the house from scratch.
- occasionally
We go to that restaurant from time to time.
- since a long time ago, for a long time
I know him from way back. In fact we went to elementary school together.
- complete, having everything that is needed to be something
She became a full-fledged nurse before she went to Saudi Arabia to work for a year.
- in high spirits, energetic
She seems to be full of beans today. She must be excited about something.
- a very difficult task (used ironically)
It was all fun and games today when I wrote my two final exams.
- the place at the back of the elbow that tingles when hit
I hit my funny bone and it still hurts a little.
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- should do something
I`d better go now or I`ll be late for class.
- become frightened or afraid of something
My hair stood on end when I saw the aftermath of the automobile accident.
- in very good health, well and strong
My uncle is a hale and hearty fellow who never gets sick.
- foolish
I didn`t really like his half-baked idea about the new delivery system.
- a large part of the work
Sending the letters out will be half the battle. We can finish the rest of the work next week.
- remove, work out by discussion and debate
The union and managers were able to hammer out an agreement before midnight last night.
- arrange to give something to someone after your death
My grandmother handed down her silver jewellery to my mother.
- give to someone, hand to someone
I went to the company early to hand in my job application.
- giv
- television set
He sits in front of the idiot box all day and never gets any work done.
- if what is being said in general describes you then it probably means you
He was complaining that most of the workers at his company were lazy. However his friend looked at him and said that if the shoe fits, wear it.
- if the worst possible thing happens
If worst comes to worst we can cancel our holiday and go next year.
- feel nervous/uncomfortable
He appeared to be ill at ease during the interview.
- in trouble
They will really be in a bind if they can`t sell their house by next month.
- ahead of time
They bought the tickets in advance so that they could get a good seat.
- pregnant, going to have a baby
Our new secretary is in a family way and plans to take a few months off from work soon.
- confused, not sure what is happening
He is always in a fog and never seems to know what is going on.
- in some trouble, in an embarassing or difficult position
He is really in a hole now that he has problems both at work and at home.
- a need to move or act quickly
He is very busy and always in a hurry.
- in trouble
He is really in a jam now that his car is not working properly.
- to a certain extent, a little, somewhat
I would like to go in a kind of way but still I don`t think that I will bother going today.
- coming in and going out often
He has been in and out all day but I don`t know where he is at the moment.
- briefly
I tried to explain the problem to him in a nutshell but there still wasn`t enough time.
- no matter what happens, surely, without fail
I may not be able to meet you next week but in any case I will still give you the books before then.
- hardly, unlikely, not so
In a pig`s eye will I let him borrow my car next weekend.
- okay when nothing else is available
That other tool will do in a pinch if we can`t find the correct one.
- armed, ready to fight
They are all in arms since they found out about the wage decrease.
- in a hurry
They got the job done in a big rush so I am a little worried about the quality.
- always doing the same thing
She feels that she is in a rut after doing the same job for seven years.
- in some trouble, in an embarassing or difficult position
She is really in a tight spot right now since she was unable to enter university and also has no job.
- to a certain extent, a little, somewhat
In a way I would like to go but basically I don`t care.
- briefly, to sum up
In a word, the problem with the car is that it needs a new motor.
- in deep thought or concentration, not caring about other people
He is always in a world of his own and doesn`t notice what other people say or think.
- in writing
I want to get the information in black and white before I go to the meeting.
- in secret agreement or partnership with someone
The supermarket was in cahoots with the vegetable producer to try and keep the prices high.
- as a precaution, in order to be prepared
In case there is a fire you should leave the building right away.
- as usual, typical, in the way that a person usually behaves
Supporting the other members of the staff is in character with her usual actions.
- in control or authority, responsible
He is charge of the sales department at his company.
- under control, kept quiet or back
The violence was kept in check by the police department and the army.
- rich or successful, having a pleasant or easy life
They are in clover now that they have sold their business and retired.
- without feeling or pity, cooly and deliberately
The family was murdered in cold blood by the criminal gang.
- shared together or equally, in use or ownership by all
We had to use the bathroom in common with the other people in the house.
- seriously mixed up in something like deht or trouble
He owes a lot of money and is in very deep with his new house and car.
- in the usual amount of time, at the right time
We will send the information to you in due course.
- actually, the truth is
He`s been to China before. In fact he`s been there three times.
- unable to avoid, sure to get
He is in for a lot of trouble now that he is unable to finish his graduation essay.
- a little early, sooner than necessary
I will try and get the information to you in good time so that you will be able to decide what to do.
- under control
The teacher had the class in hand when the principal came to visit the classroom.
- in trouble
I am in hot water over the extra expenses that I used during the conference.
- going well together, agreeing, similar
In keeping with our tradition of letting the visiting team kick first we will do it for this game as well.
- in a similar way, with the same kind of thing
We will pay them back in kind for the use of their sailboat.
- in secret agreement or partnership with someone
The union has been in league with management in trying to build the new factory.
- as a result of new information, because of
In light of his contribution to the company we decided to give him a large summer bonus.
- doing or being what people expect or accept, within ordinary limits
It was difficult to keep the children in line at the picnic but somehow we managed.
- liking very much, loving
He has been in love with his girlfriend ever since he met her in high school.
- having good luck, finding something good by chance
I think that we are in luck. I have found two tickets for the concert.
- as a reminder of, as a memorial to
We decided to put our money together and buy a painting in memory of our grandfather.
- quickly
I will have this information printed out for you in nothing flat.
- soon, quickly
I will have this done for you in no time and then you can go for lunch.
- joining together for something
We went in on a present for our father for Father`s Day.
- told about, having knowledge of
I was finally let in on the secret about why she left our company.
- in an environment or situation that comes naturally to someone
She is in her element being in charge of the new sales department.
- abruptly, unexpectedly
The plan blew up in our face just as we were ready to start.
- approved of by someone, liked by someone
I have been in her good books since I helped her with her work last month.
- annoying someone
She has been in my hair all morning because she is on summer holiday`s starting this week.
- in one`s imagination
In your mind`s eye try and imagine that you are on a nice sunny beach in Hawaii.
- withdrawn, silent, not sociable
We have been trying to get her out of her shell but it is of no use. She doesn`t want to talk to anyone.
- in someone elses place or position
I wish that I was in his shoes with his great job and new car.
- abruptly, immediately, just where one is at the moment
I was forced to stop in my tracks when I saw the snake on the road.
- for the purpose of
We have decided to close down the school for the summer in order to do some major repairs.
- say something in a different (usually more direct) way
In other words if you don`t finish the assignment by Wednesday you will not pass the course.
- to some extent, partly
I think the reason he is not golfing so well this year is in part due to his problen with his back.
- really, truthfully
In point of fact there were not enough people at the meeting to vote on the proposal.
- all the details
He knows all the ins and outs of the new machine.
- very happy
I have been in seventh heaven since I started my new job.
- not enough, in less than the amount or number needed
Chairs were in short supply so some of the guests had to sit on the floor.
- in every part, completely
We looked through the room inside and out for my lost wallet.
- so that the inside is turned outside
She turned her purse inside out in order to look for her lost key.
- an advantage, shortest distance around a racetrack
I think that he has the inside track on getting the new job at the computer company.
- in opposition to, despite
In spite of the terrible weather we went to the beach for a picnic.
- in place of
Let`s meet at the restaurant instead of the department store as we had planned.
- laughing
They were in stitches over their teacher`s joke.
- having something ready to sell or use
The store didn`t have any computer discs in stock so we bought some over the Internet.
- ready to happen, waiting
I don`t really know what the future has in store for me but I will be ready for anything.
- current, exerting an influence
It is in the air that we will be getting a new president next week.
- certain, sure
The new contract will be in the bag if we put in a good proposal.
- have a credit balance, make a profit
The company has been in the black for over three years now.
- to be expected, likely to happen, predictable
I think that a new company structure is in the cards but I can`t be sure.
- under the care or supervision of
She has been in the charge of her grandmother since her mother and father died.
- with nothing to limit action, free of anything that makes moving or seeing difficult
We seem to be in the clear now so it should be safe to cross the road.
- free of blame or suspicion
The police talked to the three boys for a few minutes but they seem to be in the clear now.
- far from real life, in dreams, in thought
He is usually in the clouds so you may have trouble finding out what you want to know from him.
- during
In the course of his life he visited over 45 countries.
- having no information about something
He is still in the dark about my plans to quit my job.
- in trouble
He is in the doghouse with his wife after staying out drinking last night.
- firstly, to begin with
Of course I can`t go. In the first place I must work on Saturday. In the second place I have no money.
- at one`s best, doing something very well
We are finally getting in the groove and should be able to finish this job by early next week.
- having a score lower than zero in a game, a score below zero
At the beginning of the card game I was in the hole but later I began to do well.
- in debt, behind financially
Although he is always working he always seems to be in the hole.
- done or happening as part of a job
The police officer was killed in the line of duty during the bank robbery.
- the distant future, in the end
For now he is losing money on his stocks but in the long run he should make money.
- wanting or ready to buy something
I am in the market for a new computer as my old one is too slow.
- lose money, not make a profit
The company has been in the red for three years now.
- in command, in control
The president is back in the saddle again after being ill for several months.
- in a similar situation
We are all in the same boat now that our company has gone out of business.
- in serious trouble, in disorder
She is in the soup now that she has had a big fight with her boss.
- active in or knowing what is going on
He is definitely in the swim. He has information about everybody.
- as a result of, following
In the wake of the large number of people who have recently left our company we will need to hire some more people.
- soon to happen, being planned
It is in the wind that they are planning to open a new store next year.
- in preparation, being planned or worked on
Don`t worry about whether or nor we will be building the new computer lab. It is definitely in the works.
- wrong; against justice, truth or fact
The driver was in the wrong and was arrested by the police after the accident.
- early enough
I didn`t come home in time to meet my cousin.
- completely, without anything left
The group of hikers vanished into thin air and were never heard of again.
- talking or writing to each other, giving or getting news
We are still in touch even though we have been out of school for many years.
- being pulled
The truck had a trailer in tow when it went off the highway.
- being taken from place to place, along with someone
She spent the morning at the shopping center with her child in tow.
- going well together, in agreement, matching
We have been in tune with each other ever since we met at our high school graduation party.
- each following another
We went up to the front of the class in turn in order to pick up our diplomas.
- quickly, in no time at all
I will have this finished in two shakes of a lamb`s tail and then I will give it to you.
- without effect, without success
We tried in vain to find a good job but it was impossible.
- after thinking about, because of
In view of the large number of people who have come I think that we will need a bigger room.
- in friendship, favor or closeness with
I think that he was in with the wrong group of people when he was in high school.
- work out
We have ironed out all of our problems and are finally doing better.
- things one is doing, projects with which a person is busy
Recently he has too many irons in the fire. That is why he has become sick.
- a wish for money, greed
The guard at the border crossing has an itching palm so be careful of him.
English Idioms - O
- a person who doesn`t act like everyone else
He is an oddball and nobody at his company likes to work with him.
- various items
We made games for the children from odds and ends from around the house.
- old enough to be allowed to do something (vote,drink etc.)
When he came of age we had a big party for him to celebrate.
- fully developed, mature
Fast transportation came of age when the first jets began to be used regularly.
- as one would expect
Of course you can use my car if you want to.
- occasionally
He`s been seeing the woman off and on but I don`t think that their relationship is very serious.
- not prepared, unable to meet the unexpected
I was caught a little off balance when he asked me to deliver the speech instead of him.
- inaccurate
He was really off base on his estimate of next year`s budget.
- nonconventional, different from the usual
The movie was very offbeat which is just the kind of movie that I like.
- different from the usual pattern, not quite like most others, odd
The picture was off-center and didn`t really fit in with the rest of the photos.
- in bad taste, not polite, dirty
He likes to tell off-color jokes which most people don`t like at all.
- not working, having free time
The police officer was off duty when he came across the bank robbery.
- not alert to the unexpected
It caught me off guard when she suddenly asked me to lend her $800.
- stop from bothering someone
I wish he would get off my back and stop always asking me when I am going to look for another job.
- talk about a problem to someone so that it doesn`t bother you anymore
I finally talked to my friend from work and was able to get some of my problems off my chest.
- no longer in one`s care or possession
I sold my old computer and finally got it off my hands.
- not acting proud and scornful
We got him off his high horse when he was forced to admit that he had made many mistakes related to the new product launch.
- crazy
He must be off his rocker if he thinks that he can spend all that money and not have a problem.
- wrong, mistaken
What he said about the new office was right off the beam and should be ignored by everyone.
- not well known or often used, unusual
We went to a small restaurant off the beaten track last night and liked it very much.
- without preparing ahead of time what one will say, without preparation
He made a few remarks off the cuff but he has never really explained in full what he wants to do.
- out of trouble or free from an embarassing situation
I think that I am off the hook now and won`t have to worry about the problem anymore.
- privately, unofficially
He told the reporters off the record about the problems with the budget estimate.
- from memory, spontaneously
He knew all of the team`s members off the top of his head.
- begin to drink alcohol again after stopping for awhile
He seems to be off the wagon again. I saw him yesterday and I am sure that he had been drinking.
- very old
The old building at the library is as old as the hills.
- old-fashioned, not new or different
The job has become old hat and I am becoming a little tired of it.
- in a very small space
His new car has very powerful brakes and is able to stop on a dime.
- not settled, changeable, uncertain
The plans for the fireworks display were on again, off again because of the rainy and windy weather.
- intermittently, now and then
It has been raining on and off since early this morning.
- continually, at tedious length
The speech continued on and on until we finally left the gathering.
- in a well-ordered way or condition
We finally got the new department running on an even keel although it took a long time.
- with very little money
He started the new company on a shoestring.
- representing a person
The lawyer went to the meeting on behalf of his client.
- on a ship, plane or similar form of transportation
We had to get on board the airplane before it was able to take off.
- available to be called out on duty
He works as a computer repair man and is always on call which is very tiring.
- permanently
I told him once and for all that I would not take the new job.
- rarely
I only go to that restaurant once in a blue moon.
- occasionally
We like Japanese food so we go to that restaurant once in a while.
- a few times
We went to that restaurant once or twice but we quickly became tired of it.
- a quick look or examination of someone or something
He gave the rental car a once-over before he signed the contract.
- very happy
She has been on cloud nine ever since she decided to get married last month.
- having enough money to live comfortably
He has been on easy street since he sold his house and invested the money.
- be nervous or irritable
He has really been on edge lately because of his exams.
- seemingly endless
We worked for hours on end last night but we still never finished the job.
- without question or proof
I took it on faith that he would help me when I had a lot of extra work to do.
- careful, wary
He has been keeping on guard since the accident last month.
- available
I`m sorry but I don`t have any aspirin on hand at the moment.
- nearby, within reach
Please keep your dictionary on hand in case we need to use it.
- present
The speaker will be on hand after the lecture if you have any questions that you want to ask her.
- away for safekeeping or later use, aside
The city decided to put the plans for a new stadium on ice until they can raise more money..
- making insistent demands of someone, being an annoyance or bother
She has been on my back all week trying to get me to finish my monthly report.
- worrisome thoughts or feelings that one might need to share with someone else
I had a long talk with my friend last night and was able to get most of my problems off my chest.
- along with someone else, as a result of someone else doing something
The mayor was elected on the coat-tails of his brother who was a famous singer.
- recovering from sickness or trouble
I was sick for a couple of weeks but now I am on my feet again.
- on one`s self
He brought the anger on his own head and should not try and blame someone else.
- acting as if one is better than others, being very proud and scornful
He is always up on his high horse and never bothers to think about how other people feel.
- at the end of someone/something`s strength or usefulness
I think that his old car is on its last legs.
- one`s responsibility
Please don`t try to put the failure of his marriage on my shoulders.
- be alert
He always asks the students many questions to keep them on their toes.
- excited, nervous
Her daughter has been on pins and needles all day waiting for the contest to begin.
- intentionally
I think that she spilled the drink on purpose.
- unstable, not secure
His position at the company has been on shaky ground for quite some time.
- broadcasting or being broadcast on radio or TV
That television program has been on the air for over three years now.
- intelligent, able to do things well
He is really on the ball and can usually get all of his work done quickly.
- the newest popular group or activity, joining something because many others are doing it
Everybody in our company is on the bandwagon now to try and eliminate smoking in the workplace
- doing well, just right or correct
What he said about the tax problem was right on the beam. .
- not working
My stereo has been on the blink for the last few months.
- to be sold, for sale
Our house has been on the block for over a month now.
- exactly on time
I arrived for the meeting right on the button.
- receiving welfare
The area is very poor and there are many people on the dole.
- right on time
He always arrives for his meetings on the dot.
- nervously and excitedly waiting
I have been on the edge of my seat all day while waiting for the contest to begin.
- busy running around
He has been on the go since early morning trying to get ready for the meeting.
- provided free by a business - especially a bar or restaurant
The room at the hotel was not ready when we arrived so they provided us with free drinks on the house.
- honest
He was really on the level with me when he told me about my job possibilities.
- free to go, not shut in or stopped by anything
The animals at the zoo were on the loose for over three hours when the zookeeper discovered their escape.
- trying to get some advantage - money or sexual etc.
Be careful of him. He is on the make and will try and cheat you out of your money.
- healing, becoming better
He broke his leg last week but it is on the mend now.
- moving around from place to place, in motion
She is in Europe and has been on the move for several months now.
- just right, exactly
What he said about our new boss was right on the nose.
- looking at the opposite side of a matter
He is very intelligent but on the other hand he is very lazy and always gets low marks.
- secretly, without anyone knowing
I don`t want anyone to know about my plans so let`s go over them on the Q.T.
- travelling (especially as a salesman or performer)
Her husband is a salesman and is often on the road.
- breaking up (relationship), ruined
He has been married for seven years but his relationship seems to be on the rocks now.
- thinking similarly about something
We have been on the same wavelength for months about the need for change in the company.
- so that people won`t know, secretly
We went to the restaurant on the sly so that nobody would know where we were.
- in a difficult or embarassing situation
He was really put on the spot when the reporter asked him about the campaign donations.
- on a sudden wish or decision, suddenly
On the spur of the moment we went and bought some ice cream.
- not quite able to remember something
The name of his latest movie is on the tip of my tongue.
- honest, trustworthy, sincere
I decided not to work for the company because I didn`t think that it was on the up and up.
- not drinking alcohol
He has been on the wagon for over seven months now.
- very angry, looking for trouble
He is really on the warpath today so you should stay out of his way.
- in general
On the whole I think it is a good idea but I would still like to study it further.
- at the scheduled time
Our train arrived right on time.
- in the lead
He was on top of his class in the economics department.
- in addition to, along with
On top of everything else he wants me to work on Sunday as well.
- managing very well, in control of
We are able to keep on top of our work now that we have someone in to help us.
- knowing all about something, up-to-date
He reads the newspaper every morning and is always on top of the latest news.
- a slot machine for gambling
He spent the weekend with a one-armed bandit and now has no money.
- near death
Her grandmother has one foot in the grave and is not expected to live much longer.
- something very unusual or remarkable
His latest complaint about noise at work is one for the books and is very stupid.
- thinking about only one thing
He has a one-track mind. All he thinks about is money.
- any quick or decisive action that takes the opposition by surprise
The salesman gave them the one-two and before they knew it they had agreed to buy the product.
- having an advantage, being one step ahead
His brother was one up on the other students because he had studied very hard.
- ability to keep ahead of others, trying to keep an advantage
I get tired of his one-upmanship and his desire to always be better than everyone else.
- talk about one`s feelings honestly, confide in someone
I opened my heart to my friend when I saw her at the restaurant last night.
- a secret that so many people know it is no longer a secret
It is an open secret that he will be leaving the company next month.
- have more important things to do
I think he has other fish to fry and will not be content to continue with his current job.
- unconscious, in a faint
He was out cold when the nurse went into his room to check on him.
- far from the right answer
What he said was totally out in left field. He has no idea what we were talking about.
- alone, not included
I was left out in the cold when the rest of the class went to the movie without me.
- fall asleep very quickly
I was out like a light when I went to bed last night.
- have none left
The restaurant was out of fish so we had meat instead.
- be tired and breathing quickly.
He was out of breath after running from the station.
- not active, not joining in what others are doing
He has a new girlfriend so he will probably be out of circulation for awhile.
- no longer current or in style
Computers become out-of-date very quickly.
- not have a person`s goodwill
They have been out of favor with their boss for a few months now.
- not balanced right, not in a straight line or lined up right
The door handle seems to be out of kilter and doesn`t work well at all.
- unacceptable, not correct
His proposal to go to New York was out of line. We can never accept that.
- where one does not belong or fit in
He is out of his element teaching the computer course. He doesn`t know anything at all about computers.
- get rid of someone who is a nuisance
She finally got her children out her hair and was able to study for her exam.
- out of one`s silence or shyness, into friendly conversation
We got her out of her shell and she decided to join in with the rest of the group.
- not working
The public telephone was out of order.
- against the rules, not suitable
His question was ruled to be out of order by the judge so he wasn`t able to ask it.
- in the wrong place or at the wrong time, improper
What he said at the party was totally out of place. He should talk about it at another time.
- in a bad mood
He is a little out of sorts today so maybe you should wait until tomorrow to speak to him.
- not in step, not keeping pace with someone
The soldiers were out of step when they were marching in the parade.
- out of harmony, not keeping up
He is out of step with the rest of the group and needs to think about what he should be doing.
- unexpectedly, from nowhere
From right out of the blue he asked her if she wanted to get married.
- out of one trouble and into more trouble, from something bad to something worse
When he changed jobs he went out of the frying pan and into the fire. His new job is much worse.
- impossible
You have no money so going to Hong Kong for your holiday is out of the question.
- remote, no longer an obstacle
We went to an out of the way place for our first dinner together.
- out of danger, in the clear
His injury was very serious and I don`t think he is out of the woods yet.
- out of nothing or from nowhere
The deer seemed to jump out of thin air and onto the road.
- wonderful, fantastic
The new dessert that she made last weekend was right out of this world.
- not in agreement, not going well together
They are out of tune with what the other members of the group think.
- in a dangerous or risky position
He really went out on a limb to offer his brother the job.
- other than, except for
Outside of the weather our vacation was really quite enjoyable.
- crazy, mad
He is totally out to lunch but is still a very nice person.
- in a helpless or trapped position
I think that we have them over a barrel and should be able to win the contract easily.
- repeated many times
I told him over and over that I do not want to go to that restaurant again.
- never, under no circumstances
Over my dead body will I let him come to the party next week.
- too difficult for someone to understand
The joke went over her head so we had to explain it to her.
- go to a more important person in charge, go to a higher official
We didn`t receive a good answer from the official so we went over his head to talk to his boss.
- past one`s prime, unable to function as one used to
He thought that his friend was over the hill and shouldn`t be working so hard.
- in the end, over a long period of time
Over the long run he plans to expand his business and then sell it and retire.
- at the end of, finished with
When the game on television is over with we can eat dinner.
- take the blame, admit one`s guilt
The suspected murderer finally owned up to the murder of his wife.
English Idioms - P
- add false expenses
He always pads the bill when he goes on a business trip.
- an annoying thing or person, bothersome
Dealing with my neighbor is always a pain in the neck.
- get oneself into a bad situation that is difficult or impossible to get out of
He has painted himself into a corner now that he has begun to fight with his supervisor.
- go out and party and have a good time
We decided to go out and paint the town red after we all passed our exams.
- deceive someone by a trick or a lie, sell or give by tricking
He palmed off his old television set as one that was new and reliable.
- end or finish favorably, work out well
I hope that your plans to go back to school pan out well.
- just what was expected, nothing unusual
That was par for the course. He always comes late when there is a lot of work to do.
- a necessary or important part, something necessary to a larger thing
The house that he bought was part and parcel of a much larger piece of land.
- die
His father passed away when he was about 96 years old.
- pass a test or checkup, be good enough
I wrote some of the instructions of the computer manual and will send them to my partner to see if they pass muster.
- sell or give something by false claims, offer something as genuine
The man passed off the diamond watch as a real one and received much more money than it was worth
- claim to be someone one is not, pretend to be someone else
He passed himself off as a reporter and was able to get into the concert.
- give away something that you don`t use anymore
She always passes on her old clothes to her younger sister.
- die
Her grandmother passed on when she was 92 years old.
- faint
Three teenage girls passed out at the rock concert.
- shift responsibility to others
He always tries to pass the buck if someone tries to criticize his work.
- praise
He gave me a pat on the back after I finished the project.
- fix
I have been trying to patch up our differences for many months now.
- look at or listen to with full attention
He never pays attention to what his supervisor tells him.
- dirt in which much gold is found, a valuable discovery
The company hit pay dirt when they invented the new Internet equipment.
- pay in full and be free from a debt, yield good results (the risk paid off)
She finally paid off her car so she has lots of extra money to spend.
- results of one`s work, a bribe
He expects to get a big pay-off from his education when he finally begins to look for a job.
- pay a lot of money for something
My uncle always pays through the nose when he buys a new car.
- the way people are ranked in relation to each other
The pecking order in his company is very difficult to understand for most of the workers.
- someone who looks in people`s windows
The police arrested a peeping Tom near our apartment building last week.
- Please tell me what you are thinking about.
"A penny for your thoughts", she said as she saw her boyfriend looking out of the window.
- wise or careful in small things to the costly neglect of important things
He is penny-wise and pound-foolish and is always wasting his money on things that he doesn`t need.
- do not complain about other people if you are as bad as they are
You should not criticize other people so much. Remember, people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
- a speech to encourage people to try harder and not give up
The coach gave his team a pep talk after they lost three games last month.
- become energetic or happy after being sad or tired
My sister began to perk up after she had a chance to rest for awhile.
- die down gradually, grow less strong
The large crowd from the football game has begun to peter out and the streets around the stadium are becoming quiet now.
- food or a drink one takes when one feels tired or week
I stopped at the restaurant on my way home from work for a quick pick-me-up.
- start a quarrel with someone on purpose
I don`t like her because she is always trying to pick a quarrel with others.
- do or say bad things to someone
He always picked on his sister when they were children.
- choose or select
I tried to pick out a suitable necktie for my father.
- extract ideas or information from someone for one`s own use
They are always picking his brains to get new ideas for their business.
- get, receive
I picked up my dry cleaning after I finished work yesterday.
- take on passengers, receive
The bus picked us up at about six o`clock in the morning.
- make neat and tidy
He decided to pick up his room before his friend came to visit.
- get without trying, accidentally
He picked up a lot of French when he lived in France for a year.
- catch or receive the sound of a radio etc.
We couldn`t pick up the radio station when we were travelling through the mountains.
- take to the police station, arrest someone
The police picked up the man because they thought he had been drinking.
- pick up something that has fallen on the floor etc.
Could you please pick up my pen from the floor.
- start again after interuption, go on
It was getting late so we decided to stop work for the evening and pick up where we left off the next day..
- recognize the trail of a hunted person or animal
The tracking dogs were able to pick up the trail of the criminal easily.
- increase the speed of
The car picked up speed as it began to go down the hill.
- pay the bill fo someone else
He picked up the tab for the dinner at the restaurant.
- easy
That job was a piece of cake. It was the easiest thing I ever did.
- sitting or being carried on the back and shoulders
The man was carrying his child around the room piggyback style.
- a small bank (sometimes in the shape of a pig) for saving coins
Her daughter put all of her spare money into her piggy bank.
- something accepted or bought without looking at it carefully
The stereo system he bought was a pig in a poke. He has no idea if it will work well.
- accumulate, put things on top of each other
He piled up the magazines on top of the small table.
- be careful with money, be thrifty
He has been pinching pennies for months in order to save money for his vacation.
- keep someone from moving, make someone stay in a place or position
The wrestler won the match after he pinned his opponent down for almost a minute.
- make someone tell the truth or make a commitment
I couldn`t pin him down as to exactly when he would pay back the money that he owed me.
- dismissal notice from a job
He received his pink slip yesterday and no longer has a job.
- an unrealistic plan
He always has a lot of pipe dreams about what he wants to do in the future.
- speak louder
We asked the speaker to pipe up so that we could hear him.
- a small, unimportant person
He called his friend a pip-squeak which made him very angry.
- bother or annoy someone, make someone angry
My supervisor pissed me off when he asked me to work late again last night.
- put up a tent
We pitched the tent in a nice field beside a stream.
- give help or money for something
They pitched in and helped him finish the job quickly.
- cooperate fairly with someone
If you agree to play ball with the new manager things should go well for you.
- play a musical instrument by remembering the tune and not by reading the music
Although she can`t read music at all she can play by ear and is a great musician.
- tease or fool someone by pretending to let him go free and then catching him again
The boxer was playing cat and mouse with his opponent although he could have won easily.
- give less emphasis or make something seem less important
The politician played down the polls that showed that he was becoming less popular.
- tired out, worn out, exhausted
I was totally played out last night so I went to bed early.
- touch the feet of a member of the opposite sex under the table while flirting
The couple in the restaurant were playing footsie under the table during their dinner.
- engage in any kind of collaboration or flirtation especially in a political situation
The opposition party was playing footsie with the government in order to have their opinions heard.
- treat someone as something, act toward someone as something
He was trying to play me for a fool but I could easily see what he was trying to do.
- stay away from school or work without permission
When he was a student he often played hooky and didn`t go to school.
- do something that gives someone else an advantage
If you walk out of the meeting in anger you will only be playing into his hands.
- decide on something according to the situation
Let`s play it by ear and decide what to do after we see the movie.
- match opposing persons, forces or interests for one`s own gain
Nobody likes the supervisor because he is always trying to play off one group of workers against another.
- settle a score between two teams or contestants by more play
We went to the game last night as our team had to play off against the other team.
- cause an effect on, influence
They played on his feelings of loneliness to get him to come and buy them dinner every night.
- a humorous use of a word to suggest a different meaning
There are many cases of using a play on words in the newspaper headlines.
- take advantage of your opportunities
If you play your cards right you will probably get a promotion soon.
- be second in importance to someone
He has been playing second fiddle to his boss for years and has finally decided to quit.
- date many different people, avoid steady dates with the same person
After my sister stopped seeing her boyfriend she decided to play the field until she met someone nice.
- call attention to, emphasize
During the job interview he played up his experience as an experienced computer operator.
- flatter or please someone to try and gain some advantage
He is always playing up to his boss so he can leave work early.
- invite danger or trouble
You are playing with fire if you get involved with those people.
- attack vigorously
We plowed into the food as soon as the waiter brought it to our table.
- crash into with force
The truck plowed into the group of people waiting for the bus.
- make oneself have courage
He plucked up his courage and went and asked the woman for a date.
- explain, call attention to
She was very kind when she pointed out the mistakes that I had made.
- a remark clearly aimed at a particular person or thing
He made a pointed remark during the meeting that was clearly designed to get my attention.
- joke about, laugh at, tease
She is always poking fun at the way her husband plays golf.
- finish completely, finish doing something quickly
We polished off the work early and went to the beach for the day.
- try to win favor by flattering someone
The teacher doesn`t like students who are always trying to polish the apple with her.
- pay
It is time to pony up and pay for the equipment that he bought.
- worn out, exhausted
We spent all day painting the house and were pooped out by the time we got home.
- ask someone to marry you
He finally popped the question to her after they had been going out together for two years.
- appear suddenly or unexpectedly
I hadn`t seen my friend for almost a year but suddenly he popped up for a visit last week.
- a person who is criticizing someone else is as guilty as the person he criticizes
I was joking to her about why she was afraid to look for another job but she said it was like the pot calling the kettle black as I also never tried to change jobs.
- look for a job
He has been pounding the pavement for a few months now but still has not found a job.
- flatter greatly
He has been pouring it on thick but she still doesn`t like him.
- calm down a quarrel, say something to lessen anger and bring peace to a situation
They tried to pour oil on troubled waters after they noticed the argument among the students.
- tell everything about something
She poured out her heart to her mother when she returned home from work.
- come out in great number or quantity, stream out
After the football game thousands of fans poured out of the stadium.
- depend too much on luck, expect to continue to be lucky
He is pushing his luck if he thinks that he will continue to make a lot of money on the stock market.
- have barely enough time
He was pressed for time so I didn`t have a chance to speak to him.
- catch for food, kill and eat
Cats usually prey on mice and small birds if they can catch them.
- cheat, rob
Criminals usually prey on people who are living in poor areas.
- mentally alert, ready to do something
Before the elections the politicians were promising everyone the moon but when they were elected they began to talk differently.
- mentally alert, ready to do something
The team was psyched up for the game but they lost anyway.
- find out the real motives of (someone)
I tried to psych out the salesman to see what he really wanted to sell the car for.
- cheat, deceive
They pulled a fast one on him when they sold him the used car.
- accomplish something remarkable
He really is lucky in being able to pull off the new business merger with no problems.
- make a greater effort
You had better begin to pull your socks up or you will not be able to continue working here.
- do one`s fair share of the work
If everyone pulls their weight we can quickly finish and go home.
- trick or fool someone playfully
Her grandfather is always pulling her leg when he comes to visit.
- get as if by magic, invent, imagine
I didn`t think that he was going to be able to find a dictionary but he suddenly pulled one out of a hat and gave it to me.
- drive to the side of the road and stop
The police pulled over the man because he had been drinking.
- assert one`s superior position or authority on a person of lower rank in order to get a privilege or favor
The navy officer pulled rank on the other officers and was able to stay in the best hotel during the trip.
- secretly use influence and power
He was able to pull some strings and get his son a job for the summer.
- expose someone`s secret activities
The company decided to pull the plug on the salesman and tell everyone about his illegal sales methods.
- quit a job
He suddenly decided to pull the plug and is no longer here.
- spoil someone`s plans, withdraw support
He pulled the rug out from under our plans to open a branch office in New York.
- deceive or fool someone
Don`t let him pull the wool over your eyes with his excuses.
- recover from an illness or misfortune
It looked like he was going to die from cancer but in the end he pulled through and is now doing very well.
- move to another location
They decided to pull up stakes and move to London.
- make someone do what you want
He is always pushing around his salesmen and saleswomen.
- start, leave
The boat pushed off from the dock and started out to sea.
- become very frightened or excited at a time of danger or worry
At first he thought that his wallet had been stolen but before he pushed the panic button and told everyone he looked around again and found it.
- discourage, spoil a person`s fun
The death of the president put a damper on the anniversary celebrations.
- explain clearly, make oneself understood
He spends a lot of effort trying to put across clearly what he wants to say.
- place all one`s efforts, interests or hopes in a single person or thing
You should not put all your eggs in one basket and invest all of your money in the stock market.
- put an animal to death, kill
We had to have our dog put away because he tried to bite the small girl next door.
- stop by force, crush
The government easily put down the rebellion by the militants.
- write a record of something, write down
He was asked by his company to put down his request for a transfer in writing.
- criticize, make someone look bad
He is always putting down his girlfriend in front of his friends.
- plant flowers
We decided to put in some roses in our garden last year.
- stop at a port on a journey by water
The ship put in at several ports during the cruise.
- add to what has already been said
Suddenly he put in that he was tired and wanted to go home.
- apply for something
I put in for a transfer to another department of our company but it was refused.
- spend time
He has put in a lot of time fixing up his house and now it looks beautiful.
- give one`s opinion
She always wants to put in her two cents when she has a chance.
- postpone
The game was put off because of the rain.
- discourage, cause a bad feeling
He put me off with his complaints about the hotel room that I had reserved for him.
- dress in and wear clothes
Please put on your jacket before you go out.
- fool or joke with someone, tease, pretend
I think that he is putting me on. I don`t believe that he will move to Rome.
- produce or arrange a play etc.
My sister helped to put on the school play.
- think hard and long about something
I will put on my thinking cap and try and decide what to do about finding a new job.
- make a place well known
The Woodstock rock concert really put the town of Woodstock on the map.
- gain weight
He has put on a lot of weight since he stopped going to the gym.
- be frank, tell everything
I put my cards on the table and told him everything about the plans for next year.
- locate precisely, remember exactly
I was unable to put my finger on the exact date of his arrival.
- object strongly, take firm action
He put his foot down and didn`t allow any more money to be spent on company entertainment.
- say something that is the wrong thing to say in a situation
He really put his foot in his mouth when he told her about the surprise party.
- organize one`s own private affairs
He should put his own house in order before he tells others what to do.
- confer, discuss
We put our heads together and finally thought of a new name for the football team.
- make a flame or light stop burning, extinguish
The man put out his cigarette on the theater carpet.
- produce, make
The company decided to put out a newsletter to give news to the employees.
- be inconvenienced or irritated
She was a little put out that you didn`t call her when you were in town.
- inconvenience, bother,
She shouldn`t put herself out so much when people come and visit her.
- scold someone for rude or bad behavior
She was very angry and really put him in his place over the rude remark.
- tell someone what the situation is
They have finally decided to put me in the picture about the new work procedures.
- try not to think about something
He has been trying to put his girlfriend out of his mind since they decided to stop seeing each other.
- fool, trick
He was trying to put something over on his boss when he said that he was sick and couldn`t come to work.
- be surprised by what someone does
I wouldn`t put it past him to try and sell the main part of the company and leave the rest.
- ask for money or favors
He is always trying to put the bite on his friends to collect money for charity.
- do things in the wrong order
I think that he is putting the cart before the horse by talking about fixing up the house before he even buys it.
- try to force someone to do or say what you want
The police were putting the screws to the criminal to try and get some information.
- cause a lot of stress
He really put his wife through the wringer when he asked her for a divorce.
- understand or figure something out after learning the facts
I finally put two and two together and realized that she was his boyfriend.
- provide money or something needed
The telephone company put up most of the money for the new stadium.
- try hard
They put up a good fight but were unable to win the tournament.
- pretend to be happy, fool people about one`s status
He always puts up a good front but actually he is very unhappy.
- stay at a hotel or someone`s home
We decided to put up at a hotel and continue our trip the next day.
- prove something or stop saying it, bet money on what one says or stop saying it
The politician was forced to put up or shut up over the plans to build a new convention center.
- persuade or get someone to do something
His friend put him up to cheating on the examination.
- patiently accept, endure
He makes a great effort to put up with his wife`s complaints.
- say something for someone else
Her husband is always putting words in her mouth which makes her a little angry.
- many
He has quite a few videos at home.
- try hard to think or remember something
I have been racking my brains all day trying to remember his name.
- rain very hard
It has been raining cats and dogs all morning.
- a free ticket to an event in place of one cancelled because of rain
We received two rain checks to the baseball game after it was cancelled because of the rain.
- a promise to repeat an invitation at a later date
I didn`t have time to go to the restaurant with my friend so I took a rain check instead.
- make trouble, make a disturbance
The woman at the restaurant raised a fuss when her meal arrived late.
- do something, do one`s share, help
Nobody likes him because he will never raise a hand to help his friends.
- create a disturbance, cause trouble
They began to raise Cain at the dance and were asked to leave.
- cause surprise or disapproval
It really raised eyebrows when she appeared at the party unannounced.
- make a lot of money
His new pizza franchise has been raking in the money since it first opened.
- scold, reprimand
His boss raked him over the coals when he heard about the lost sales report.
- force one to do or agree to something not wanted
She always tries to ram h er ideas down our throats which makes us very angry.
- desert or betray someone, leave at a critical time
His friend ratted out on him when he refused to support him in his fight with the neighborhood bully.
- endless hurried existence
He likes working for a major corporation although sometimes he finds it too much of a rat race.
- unfair treatment
he got a raw deal when he was forced to resign from his company.
- find a hidden meaning in something
I know that he didn`t say it but I can read between the lines so I know what he means.
- give someone a strong warning or scolding
The teacher read the riot act to her students when they began to misbehave in class.
- the genuine thing
That new camera is the real McCoy and will let you do everything that you want.
- something that draws attention away from the matter under consideration
The issue of the pay cut is a red herring and is not related to the main issues.
- a day that is memorable because of some important event
Saturday was a red letter day when we finally won the championship.
- excessive formalities in official transactions
There was much red tape when we went to city hall to get a business license.
- a friendly person who everyone gets along with
The former Prime Minister was a regular guy and was well liked by most people.
- be satisfied with the success one has already won
He is always willing to work hard and is not the type of person to rest on his laurels.
- a good plan or reason, a reasonable purpose or explanation
Without rhyme or reason he suddenly decided to quit his job.
- watch closely and control
The new supervisor plans to ride herd on the people who work for him.
- survive safely, endure
We were able to easily ride out the storm at the small restaurant.
- attracting attention, enjoying great popularity
The new government has been riding high in the polls for several months now.
- immediately
I forgot to bring the book today but I will go home and get it right away.
- immediately, from the beginning
I told him right off the bat that we didn`t need a new computer for the office.
- indicates approval, "that`s right", "yes"
He called out "right on" every time that the politician promised a new program to help unemployed people.
- plainly, in a way that hides nothing
He told the new supervisor right out that he did not like him.
- in an obvious, nearby place
I found the calculator right under my nose after searching for it for an hour.
- remind one of something
The name doesn`t ring a bell. I`m sure I have never heard of him.
- add and record on a cash register
I went to the cash register to have them ring up the things that I had bought.
- telephone someone
You should ring up the police if you see anybody strange around your house.
- cheat, rob
I was ripped off by the mechanics at that gas station.
- a car driver who takes up more than his share of the road
My father becomes very angry at the road hogs when he is driving.
- take from one person or thing to pay another
When the government began to take money from education to pay for the medical system it was like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
- have dates with or marry a person much younger than oneself
Everyone said that my friend was robbing the cradle when he married the young woman at his company.
- upset the way things are
He is a very quiet worker and never likes to rock the boat at work.
- return at a regular or usual time, come back
Every time that his birthday rolls around he has a big party.
- arrive in great numbers or quantity
The money has been rolling in since they started the new franchise.
- a person who does not live or work in one place
He is a rolling stone and I never know where to find him.
- welcome an important guest by putting a red carpet down for him or her to walk on
They rolled out the red carpet when the President of France came for a visit.
- make a big effort to greet and entertainsomeone
Whenever I visit my aunt in New York City she rolls out the red carpet for me.
- prepare to work hard or seriously
Everyone in our club rolled up their sleeves to help prepare for the party.
- trick, persuade by pressuring someone
I didn`t want to help with the dinner but I was roped into doing it by my best friend.
- rough or crude but effective
The boat is rough and ready so let`s take it for a ride.
- fighting or arguing in a very rough and reckless way
It was a rough and tumble meeting that we attended at the city planning office last night.
- an approximate estimate
He made a rough guess as to how many people would come to the party.
- attack or hurt physically
The three men roughed up the bartender at the hotel and were arrested by the police.
- a letter written by a group of people with each person writing part of the letter
We sent a round robin letter to the librarian to ask for better opening hours for the library.
- a meeting or discussion in which each person in a group takes part
We had a round robin panel discussion on what we could do to help save the environment.
- game or contest in which each player or team plays every other player or team in turn
The round robin tournament was held in order to choose the championship team for the city.
- bring together, collect
We rounded up enough people to play a game of soccer last night.
- be in the same place (with others), meet and mix
At the party we were able to rub elbows with many important people.
- remove or be removed by rubbing, erase
She rubbed off the writing on the whiteboard.
- pass to someone nearby, transmit to someone
Her bad habit of talking all the time has rubbed off on her husband as well.
- destroy completely, kill, eliminate
The government troops rubbed out the whole village.
- irritate others with something one says or does
Her lack of politeness always rubs me the wrong way.
- continue to talk or joke about something someone said or did
I know that she made a mistake but you shouldn`t rub it in.
- decide against, eliminate
They still haven`t ruled out using him on the team for the tournament.
- be the dominant one in the family
She seems rather quiet but she really rules the roost in their family.
- unprotected, open to danger or loss
You are running a great risk if you drive with him after he has been drinking.
- go to different places for entertainment or to do things
We ran around all day and now we are very tired.
- act confused, do a lot but accomplish little
I have been running around all day but I can`t seem to get anything done.
- take quickly and secretly - especially without permission or by stealing
Someone ran away with the dictionary so now we don`t have one.
- take hold of
Their imagination ran away with them when they went to the circus. They decided that they actually wanted to join the circus.
- be much better than others, win easily
Our hometown team ran away with the football championship.
- crash against and knock down
My dog was run down by a car last week.
- say bad things about someone, criticize
She is always running down her friends. That is why nobody likes her.
- get into poor health or condition, look bad
She has become run down since she started working at night.
- dash for safety, make a speedy escape
As soon as it started raining we ran for it and tried to get to the shelter.
- make a brief visit
I ran in to see my sister at her office before I left for the weekend.
- take to jail, arrest
The police ran the three boys in for questioning about the robbery.
- be a common family characteristic
Being a left-handed golfer and baseball hitter runs in our family.
- add up to, total
If you decide to stay in nice hotels during your holiday it will run into a lot of money.
- mix with, join with
During the hot weather the red paint on the roof ran into the white paint.
- be affected by, get into
He ran into trouble when he tried to cross the border with no visa.
- hit something or crash into something
His car ran into the other car on the highway.
- meet by chance
I ran into him when I was at the supermarket.
- use something more than is wanted or needed
He ran his car into the ground before he had to buy another one.
- produce with a printing press or copy machine
We ran off hundreds of copies of the poster for the festival.
- go away with someone, elope
My sister ran off with her boyfriend and got married when she was quite young.
- ordinary, usual
The restaurant was in a run-of-the-mill building but it was superb.
- use up, come to an end
The car ran out of gas in the middle of the countryside.
- force to leave, expel
The drug dealers were run out of town by the police.
- be too full and flow over the edge
The water in the bathtub ran over the edge and got everything in the room wet.
- try to go over something quickly, practice briefly
We can run over this material tomorrow before the meeting.
- drive on top of, ride over
We ran over a small rabbit on the way to the meeting.
- be tired or exhausted
She has been run ragged by her three children.
- try everything to avoid defeat as in a political campaign
The senator has been running scared in his attempt to win re-election.
- not have enough, be not enough in quantity
We ran short of money during our trip to Europe.
- face a hard test or painful experience
He had to run the gauntlet of many interviews before he got the job.
- spend recklessly, use up wastefully
We ran through a lot of money when we were looking for a new apartment.
- read or practice from beginning to end without stopping
I usually try to run through my speech a couple of times before I have to give it.
- add to the amount of something, increase
He ran up a large bill at the department store before he left for home.
- pull something up on a rope
We ran up the flag early this morning before the parade started.
- encounter
They ran up against many problems when they were building the freeway.
- be or go out of control
The crowd ran wild after the soccer game.
- a game of chance in which one bullet is placed in a revolver, the cartridge is spun, and the player aims the gun at his head and pulls the trigger
The men in the movie played Russian roulette until one of them finally died.
- a potentially dangerous situation
Putting the load of plutonium on the old ship was like playing a game of Russian roulette.
inglish Idioms - S
- something that is never criticized or laughed at even if it sometimes deserves to be
The medical insurance system is a sacred cow of the government and is never criticized by anyone.
- take no chances
It may rain so just to be on the safe side I think that I will bring my umbrella.
- scold or criticize very hard, attack
As soon as I came in the door she sailed into me for being late.
- save money
She has salted away a few thousand dollars from her new job.
- save one`s good reputation when something has happened to hurt it
Our boss was very embarassed when he had to tell us that the company had lost a lot of money. However, he was able to save face when he showed that the problems were outside of his control.
- remain silent because talking will do no good
You may as well save your breath and not talk to her as she never believes you anyway.
- save oneself from danger or trouble
He left the scene of the fire as soon as possible in order to save his own neck.
- bring about victory or success - esp. when defeat is likely
He saved the day for his team after he played his best game of the season.
- say something of great importance or meaning or length
He really said a mouthful yesterday when he made the announcement about his new job.
- say openly what one thinks
He said his piece at the meeting and then left quietly by the back door.
- give a sign, show a wish
Just say the word and I will come and pick you up at the airport.
- frighten very much
Her little girl was scared out of her wits after she saw the horror movie.
- frighten very much
Falling off her bicycle scared the daylights out of her.
- find or gather something with some effort
We were able to scare up a couple of sleeping bags so that we could go camping.
- carelessly put in different places
His papers are always scattered around his house so he is never able to find anything.
- ordinary experiences of life
He learned all about life in the school of hard knocks.
- take whatever is left after the best has been taken
They are really scraping the bottom of the barrel if they must give him a job.
- gather money etc. a little at a time
We managed to scrape together enough money to go to Disneyland even though business is very bad and we don`t have much money.
- find or gather something with some effort
His girlfriend scraped up some money and went to visit him during the summer.
- do something nice for someone in the hope that they will do something for you
"You scratch my back and I`ll scratch yours", he said when he offered to help me increase my sales.
- make only a beginning to do or accomplish something
They have been gathering information about the planned merger but they have only scratched the surface of what is available.
- loaf about, hang around without doing anything
I spent the morning screwing around and didn`t get anything done.
- make a mess of something
My travel agent screwed up our travel schedule so we had to stay at the airport overnight.
- look in many places for an item or items
We didn`t have enough wood for the small building so we had to scrounge around the neighborhood to find some.
- "I don`t know.", "How should I know."
"Search me" , he said when I asked him what had happened to the front of his car.
- study one`s reasons and actions to see if one has been fair and honest
I have been searching my soul to see if I was responsible for the accident that destroyed my friend`s car.
- guess what someone else intends to do or would have done
You should never try to second-guess the firefighters in a dangerous situation.
- not new, used by someone else
He went to a second-hand bookstore to look for the books.
- after thinking about something again
On second thought maybe you should bring an extra coat.
- regaining your energy after being tired
After we got our second wind we continued on our hike up the mountain.
- something one holds on to for reassurance or comfort (like a child and a blanket)
He uses his computer as his security blanket so that he doesn`t have to go out and meet new people.
- check into something
I`ll see about getting the book for you by next week.
- agree
We don`t always see eye to eye on everything but generally we get along.
- go with someone to their point of departure
I went to the airport to see her off.
- feel able to do something
When you see your way clear to begin the project could you please come and tell me.
- go with someone to an outer door
I went to the front door to see out our guests to their cars.
- finish and not quit
I decided to stay with my company for awhile in order to see out the restructuring process.
- become very angry
He saw red last night when I told him about the broken dishes.
- imagine one is seeing stars as a result of being hit on the head
When I was hit by the opposing football player I fell to the ground and began to see stars.
- realize your mistake, suddenly see how to proceed with something
He finally saw the light and began to do his work the same as everyone else.
- be born or begun
I don`t believe that his plans to build a new house will ever see the light of day.
- see only the good things about something, be too optimistic
She is a little unrealistic and tends to see the world through rose-colored glasses.
- imagine sights that are not real, think one sees what is not there
He is always daydreaming and imagining that he is seeing things.
- understand someone`s true character or motivation
I could easily see through his attempt to fire her from her job.
- attend to or do something
I will see to the rental car and you can see to the airplane tickets.
- take the responsibility to do something, make sure
Will you please see to it that the garbage is taken out in the morning.
- sell quickly, sell rapidly
The tickets for the football game were selling like hotcakes when I inquired this morning.
- be disloyal, sell a secret, be unfaithful
He said that he was a socialist but as soon as he got a good job he sold out to the establishment.
- underestimate oneself
He is selling himself short when he thinks that he can`t do any other job.
- write a letter asking for something
I sent away for some postage stamps but they havent arrived yet.
- tell someone to leave, dismiss someone
He was sent packing because of his bad attitude to his job.
- sentence someone to prison
He was sent up for seven years for robbing a bank.
- be useful to someone for a certain need
That tool should serve my purpose until I find the correct one.
- get the punishment or results that one deserves
He never studies at all so it serves him right to fail his exam.
- spend time in jail
He served time when he was young but now he is a model citizen.
- begin, start
We set about preparing the office for the move to a bigger building.
- cause to put off or get behind schedule, slow up
We were set back over a month when the floods destroyed the road to our farm.
- cost
How much did your new suit set you back?
- to see
I don`t know if she is here or not. I haven`t set eyes on her since yesterday.
- step, walk
I have never set foot in that restaurant and I never will in the future.
- explain exactly or clearly
He carefully set forth the terms of the rental contract.
- staet to go somewhere, begin a trip
They set forth on their holiday about 7:00 this morning.
- weather condition begins and will probably continue
The rain has set in and it looks like it won`t stop for awhile.
- set free, release something that you are holding
The wildlife department decided to set loose the bear that it had captured.
- decorate through contrast, balance by difference
He painted the trim of his house red in order to set off the light colors.
- to cause to explode
The fire set off a large explosion on the ship.
- want very much
I set my heart on a nice holiday this winter but I won`t be able to go because I have no money.
- free oneself from worry
I told him the reason we can`t come in order to set his mind at rest.
- leave on a journey
Marco Polo set out for China many years ago.
- decide and begin to try, attempt
He set out to learn Spanish when he was transferred to Mexico.
- start sailing, begin a sea voyage
The three women set sail for Hawaii on a small sailboat.
- like or value, want to keep
Our company sets great store on their ability to attract good people.
- decide on a rate of speed to do something that others will follow
The manager of our section sets the pace for the employees under him.
- do something outstanding or that makes one famous
He has not been able to set the world on fire with his writing but he is trying very hard.
- be satisfied with less, agree to
I settled for less than I originally wanted with my contract but still I am happy with it.
- establish, provide the money for something
The newspaper company provided the money to set up the new travel magazine.
- make something ready to use by putting the parts together
After we set up the gas barbecue we were able to cook dinner.
- put someone in a position to be manipulated
I don`t believe that I lost that money honestly. I believe that I was set up.
- arrangement, management, circumstances
My uncle has a very nice setup at his office.
- live a quiet normal life
He settled down and started a family after he finished university.
- retaliate against someone, pay someone back for a past wrong
He always appears to be trying to settle the score with him and never treats him fairly.
- a state of intense delight
She has been in seventh heaven since she got the music award.
- won or arranged as one wishes, decided
The candidate for the nomination easily sewed up his victory last week.
- live with someone of the opposite sex without marrying them
When his sister was younger she shacked up with her boyfriend for a couple of years.
- go fast, hurry
"You will have to shake a leg if you want to arrive at the movie on time."
- get money by threats
The gangsters shook down the small shop owners to get some money.
- get rid of (an illness etc.)
She has been unable to shake off her illness and can`t come to the party.
- change the command or leadership of something
The president decided to shake up top management in order to bring new energy into the organization.
- be bothered or disturbed
I was a little shaken up after I heard about the fire at our new apartment building.
- begin to act and look right
He has finally begun to shape up and is doing his job much better.
- pay
I shelled out over a thousand dollars for the new stereo.
- try to please, try to make friends with
He is always shining up to his boss in the hopes of getting a raise.
- opposite is true, places are changed
The shoe is on the other foot now that he has also bought a house and has to pay a lot of money every month for his mortgage.
- someone or something that is expected to win, a sure winner
The new president is a shoo-in to win another term in office.
- upset, worried
He was really shook up after the accident and has not been back to work since.
- spend all one`s money, say everything that is on one`s mind
He shot his wad on a vacation to the Caribbean last winter.
- act fairly, deal honestly
He always shoots straight when he is dealing with the police or the government.
- talk idly
I met him at the supermarket so we decided to shoot the breeze for a few minutes.
- spare no expense or effort
They are planning to shoot the works when they plan the victory celebration for the Olympic medal winners.
- grow quickly
His son really shot up quickly when he went away for the summer.
- arise suddenly
The flames shot up over the top of the building when the wind started blowing.
- shoot at recklessly
In many western movies the outlaws come into town and shoot up everybody.
- take drugs by injecting them
We were going to a movie when we saw the heroin addict shooting up heroin in the alley.
- go to various stores to look for something
We shopped around for a month before we bought a new stereo system.
- add support to something which is weak
It was necessary to shore up the house after the mud slide damaged the foundation.
- brief and pleasant
His visit with his parents was short and sweet.
- unfair, unequal treatment
He always gets the short end of the stick when he is at work.
- not have enough of something
We are short of sugar so could you please buy some when you are at the store.
- rude treatment
She received short shrift from her supervisor when she asked for a holiday.
- something inspiring or encouraging
His job search got a shot in the arm when the company president called him in for an interview.
- an attempt without much hope or chance of succeeding
The attempt to find the small boy who had fallen into the river was a shot in the dark.
- force someone to do or agree to something not wanted
I don`t like him because he is always trying to shove his ideas down my throat.
- start, leave
I think that it is time for us to shove off. It is almost midnight.
- try to attract attention, display
He has bought a lot of new clothes that recently he has been trying to show off.
- a person who brags a lot
He is a show-off and is always trying to impress other people.
- disclose one`s plans
He hasn`t really shown us his cards yet so I don`t really know what he wants.
- show what one is really like or is thinking
He has shown his true colors lately with his attempt to punish those who don`t reach the sales target.
- ask someone to go away
When he started yelling in the restaurant he was quickly shown the door.
- appear, arrive, be present
What time did your friend show up for the party?
- become or make something easy to see
At first we couldn`t see what was written on the vase but after a little effort to clean it up the design began to show up.
- not be bothered or hurt by something, disregard
She is a little mean but we always just shrug off her comments.
- make something like water or electricity stop
We always shut off the gas when we leave the house for more than a few minutes.
- be apart, be separated from
The small town is shut off from the other towns in the valley.
- prevent the opposite team from scoring during a game
The national soccer team shut out the second place team three games in a row.
- stop talking
"Please shut up and let someone else speak for a change."
- close the doors and windows of a building for a period of time
We decided to shut up our cottage for the summer as we would not use it anymore.
- confine
We have to shut up our dog in the house when the mailman comes.
- dislike something, be annoyed with something
I am sick and tired of his constant complaining.
- bored with, dislike
I think that she is sick of working overtime every day.
- favor, support a position in a dispute
Her mother always sides with her if they have an argument.
- before seeing a thing or person
He bought the car sight unseen and now he is having trouble with it.
- give something legally to someone by signing one`s name
He signed over his car to his son on his 21st birthday.
- promise to do something by signing one`s name, join
He signs up for tennis lessons every summer but his ability never improves.
- become calm, quiet
He was very angry after the meeting but he has begun to simmer down a little now.
- contradict something said before, talk or act in the opposite way
Usually he doesn`t care if he disturbs his neighbors at midnight but now that he has to get up early in the morning he is whistling a different tune.
- to penetrate, become understood
What he said hasn`t really sunk in with the other members of the company.
- go to work seriously
It`s a difficult problem and is a little difficult to sink your teeth into.
- fail or succeed by your own efforts
He will have to sink or swim when he begins his new job.
- be built a distance away from a street
The large mansion sits back three or four hundred meters from the street.
- relax, rest, take time out
We decided to sit back for the day and not do anything.
- sit and watch or rest while others work
He sat idly by all morning while the others worked hard.
- political demonstration where students or workers refuse to leave their classroom or job sites
The students held a sit-in demonstration to demand an end to the war.
- attend or participate in a meeting
Our boss sat in on the meeting so that he could find out what was happening.
- be a member of a jury or board etc.
The former Prime Minister is now sitting on the board of many corporations.
- be unacceptable
His idea seemed good at first but it doesn`t seem to sit right with the president.
- wait patiently for something
Please sit tight for a few minutes while I go and get a police officer.
- a non-moving target that is easily hit by a hunter
The hunter shot the sitting ducks easily and quickly.
- an unsuspecting person easily fooled - as if they are waiting to be attacked
The woman was a sitting duck when she sat on the bench with her purse beside her.
- be in a favorable situation
He is sitting pretty with his new job and lots of money.
- stay awake instead of going to bed
My mother had to sit up all night as my younger sister was very sick.
- please or find favor with someone
His decision to leave early for the weekend didn`t sit well with the other members of the staff.
- dead
He doesn`t plan to move until he is six feet under.
- in confusion or disagreement
They have been at sixes and sevens since they opened the new school.
- two things the same, no difference
It was six of one or half-a-dozen of the other as to whether or not we should take the train or the airplane. They both arrived at the same time and cost the same.
- the way it is
That`s about the size of it he said as he finished telling her about the accident.
- form an opinion, assess a situation
It took him a little time to size up the candidate before deciding to give him a job.
- take a chance, risk danger or disapproval
He has been skating on thin ice recently with regard to his job. He is causing many problems and may be fired.
- family secret
I heard that he has a lot of skeletons in his closet that he doesn`t want to talk about.
- area of a city where many people live who have no money and drink a lot of alcohol
The skid row of our city is very depressing with the large number of drunk people around.
- scold angrily, spank or beat
She told her son that if he was late for dinner she would skin him alive.
- very skinny
The cat which we found in the empty house was all skin and bones..
- only on the surface, not having any deep or honest meaning
Although beauty is said to be only skin-deep many people care about it too much.
- matter of interest, concern or trouble to one
It is no skin off my nose whether or not she comes to the party or not.
- only just, barely
We were able to arrive in time for the train by the skin of our teeth.
- run away and not come to trial and therefore give up any money that you may have already paid the court
The man didn`t want to go to jail so he skipped bail and went to another city.
- forget all about it
"Skip it", I said as she forgot to bring me the phone number after I had asked her three times.
- an insult
Not getting a promotion was a real slap in the face for her.
- make in a hurry and without care
We slapped together a picnic table for the company picnic.
- get a moment`s sleep
I didn`t sleep a wink last night.
- think about something, consider, decide later
I will have to sleep on it tonight but I will give you an answer tomorrow.
- say the wrong thing at the wrong time
His insult to the customer was a major slip of the tongue.
- be forgotten
I`m very sorry I didn`t come and meet you last night. Our appointment totally slipped my mind.
- make a mistake
I slipped up when I said that I would not be able to go to the meeting next week.
- go more slowly than usual
You should slow down a little when you come to a bridge while driving.
- a form of striking without coming to a complete stop
There was a slow-down at the post office last year.
- collide, hit
The first car ran smack into the car behind it.
- someone or something of little importance, young children
The police are trying to find some of the major criminals in the drug trade. They are not interested in the small fry.
- a very successful performance, song, play, or movie
The series of Star War movies were all smash hits.
- become suspicious
I don`t know what he is doing but something seems strange and I smell a rat.
- force out with smoke
The rats were smoked out of their nests by the black smoke.
- find out the facts about something
They were able to easily smoke out the real reasons for his decision to leave the company.
- make better or more pleasant
She tried to smooth over the problems between her boss and his sales staff.
- a very slow movement forward
The cars on the highway moved at a snail`s pace.
- an enemy who pretends to be a friend
You should be careful of her even if she seems very nice. She is like a snake in the grass.
- an easy task
The exam was a snap and I`m sure that I did very well.
- return to normal, stop being afraid
He finally snapped out of his depression and was able to return to work quickly.
- take or accept eagerly
The tickets to the concert were snapped up in three hours.
- worth having, not to be despised
That new stereo system is not to be sneezed at.
- no chance at all
They don`t have a snowball`s chance in hell of winning the game tomorrow.
- insincere or exaggerated talk designed to gain the favors of someone
His presentation at the interview was a total snow job.
- use technical vocabulary to seem like an expert in a field
The salesman gave us a snow job when he started to talk about the specifications of the machine.
- have or get so much of something that it can`t be taken care of
I have been snowed under with paperwork during the last few weeks.
- take into oneself like a sponge takes up water
He was able to soak up a lot of knowledge when he went to the summer film seminar.
- a story that makes one feel pity or sorrow
My sister told me a sob story about how she had lost her job.
- give everything one is capable of
The president socked it to the audience with his speech at the convention.
- until now
So far no one has entered the speech contest at the television station.
- until now things have gone well
"So far, so good." she replied when he asked her how her new job was going.
- a feeling of affection toward a person or thing
She has a soft spot for the elderly lady in the store.
- I promise, I swear
"So help me, if you don`t pay me back my money I will phone your company and ask them for help."
- goodbye
"So long, I will see you next week."
- an expression meaning that an unseen power in heaven has been favorable/unfavorable to you
"Somebody up there loves me", he said as he found the money on the side of the road.
- so good as to be beyond description
The movie was something else. It was the best movie I had seen in years.
- a different kind of thing
Working all day on Saturday is OK but working all day Sunday is something else again.
- a large quantity of something
There was so much rain in the spring that our garden wouldn`t grow well.
- excuses
He gave me a song and dance about being busy but I never really believed him.
- a person, used as an exclamation
I wish that that son of a bitch would stop using my camera without asking me.
- eventually
Sooner or later you must pay me back the money so you should do it as soon as possible.
- someone who gets angry when they lose
He is a sore loser when he doesn`t win a game of tennis.
- almost, similar to, not quite
Did you finish cleaning the kitchen? Well, sort of, but not really.
- tell what one knows or thinks in a loud voice
He is always sounding off about why he doesn`t like his job.
- try to find out how a person feels about something by asking questions
I have been sounding out my wife recently about whether or not she wants to move to a new house.
- changing and adding something to make it more powerful or faster
He bought a souped-up car when he was a teenager.
- confused, incoherent, resembling someone who is using drugs
He was totally spaced out when the professor asked him a question about the text.
- make a request for, ask for
He spoke for the comfortable chair as soon as he entered the room.
- a person comes just when one is talking about him
"Speak of the devil and he appears", I said just as our colleague who we were talking about walked in the door.
- say openly what one thinks
I think that it is time for me to speak my piece and tell them what I want to do about the plans for a new factory.
- speak in favor of or in support of something
My boss spoke out in favor of a promotion for me.
- speak in a loud or clear voice
I had to ask the teacher to speak up as I couldn`t hear him at all.
- explain something in very simple words, explain very clearly
I spelled out our conditions for renting out our house very clearly.
- very clean, very neat
The house was spic and span when we returned from our holiday.
- tell a secret, inform
He promised not to spill the beans about his plans to get married.
- exact resemblance
He is a spitting image of his father.
- make unnecessary distinctions
He makes a lot of good points but he also has a tendency to split hairs and waste a lot of our time.
- settle a money disagreement by dividing the difference
We had to pay extra money for the car so we decided to split the difference.
- vote for candidtes from more than one political party
He always votes for a split ticket when he votes and never votes for only one party.
- separate
They seemed like a nice couple but they suddenly decided to split up last month.
- spend a lot of money for something
He splurged on a beautiful present for his girlfriend.
- make something very easy for someone
He is a very strict teacher and never likes to spoon-feed his students.
- try to do too many things at one time
She has been spreading herself too thin lately and is not accomplishing very much of anything.
- a young person (usually negative)
She is no spring chicken. She is almost 96 years old.
- clean, redecorate
They spruced up the community center for the summer holidays.
- suddenly
He decided to go to Hong Kong on the spur of the moment.
- put right for use or action
Have you squared away your plans for your holidays yet?
- in the beginning
We had to go back to square one and start the project over.
- a person who does not fit into a job or position
He is like a square peg in a round hole trying to do the job of an accountant.
- complain about
He is always squawking about the bad service in that restaurant.
- betray someone
I dislike him because he tried to stab me in the back during the last meeting.
- arrange things (unfairly) for or against a person
They are stacking the cards against him with their constant demands for more and more qualifications for the job.
- a place where a person spends much of his time
He went back to his old stamping grounds which he remembered as a teenager.
- destroy completely and make disappear
The government is making a great effort to stamp out smoking among teenagers.
- can`t tolerate, dislike
She can`t stand the other people in her class.
- have a possibility
They stand a good chance of winning the game.
- be near, waiting to do something when needed
There is a doctor standing by in case there is a medical emergency.
- follow or keep (one`s promise), be loyal to or support
She always stands by her husband when he has a problem.
- keep away from something
Please stand clear of the door while we are moving the piano.
- be a sign of, make one think of
I didn`t know what the letters stood for so I was not able to write the correct name of the company.
- speak in favor of something or show that one supports it
All of the candidates stand for a platform of law and order.
- allow to happen or be done, permit
He will not stand for anybody to come to his classes late.
- look upon with wonder, feel respectful to
He stands in awe of the former coach in the football department.
- be a substitute for someone else
The other actor stood in for her when she was sick.
- be a great advantage to someone
It will stand you in good stead with the company if you do the extra work.
- stay at a distance, stay apart
He always stands off from the rest of the students in his class.
- keep someone or something from coming near or winning
There was a stand-off at the bank between the police and the bank robbers.
- be formal
You don`t need to stand on ceremony. You can relax.
- maintain and defend one`s position
He stood his ground over his decision to fire the employee.
- be independent
He learned to stand on his own two feet when he was very young.
- be more noticeable in some way than those around one
He likes to wear clothes that make him stand out from the crowd.
- watch closely, keep checking all the time
He stood over his son all day to make sure that he was studying for his final exams.
- be satisfied with things and be against a change
We should stand pat for awhile and not do anything to cause any problems with the negotiations.
- make sense, be logical
If he told a lie about that it stands to reason that he will probably lie to you about other things too.
- strong enough to use for a long time
The new carpet is able to stand up to the use of many people.
- be willing to say what one thinks in public
The union members thought it was time that they stood up and were counted before management took away their benefits.
- fail to keep an appointment or date with your boyfriend or girlfriend
He stood her up on a date last Saturday and now she won`t talk to him.
- defend against attack, fight for
The citizens of the town were ready to stand up for their rights,
- be brave in confronting someone
He stood up to his boss during the meeting when his boss criticized his work.
- an appearance or feeling of very great happiness
She had stars in her eyes when she saw the beautiful ring that her boyfriend had bought for her.
- begin a career
He started in as a mailroom clerk but soon he began to have more and more important jobs in the company.
- begin to do something
He finally started the ball rolling on their plans to build a new house.
- begin operating, begin to play
He started up a small business when he was 20 years old.
- avoid
He has been staying away from salty foods for several months now.
- stay in one place, not leave
We decided to stay put for our holidays rather than go away.
- do or say something that another person had planned to say
He stole my thunder when he announced that he was leaving the company before me.
- act or do so well in a performance that you get most of the attention
The little boy stole the show at the music festival.
- avoid
I have been steering clear of that person ever since our argument.
- gradually
He has made a great effort and step by step he has learned how to use a computer.
- leave an important position
My father stepped down from his job as president of his company recently.
- go faster, hurry
"Step on it", he yelled as the taxi took him to the airport a little late.
- do something that embarasses or offends someone else
He stepped on a lot of people`s toes at work and now has many enemies.
- go faster, hurry
I decided to step on the gas in order to get to work on time.
- make something go faster or more actively
Recently we had to step up our effort to hire some new computer programmers for our company.
- rise to a higher or more important position, be promoted
He stepped up to the position of manager after the old manager was fired.
- suffer from something that one has caused to happen oneself
He is stewing in his own juice after he got into trouble for being late.
- stay or wait nearby
We decided to stick around after the game to talk for awhile.
- someone who is old-fashioned, someone who doesn`t want to join in with others
He is a stick-in-the-mud and will never join in any of the activities at a party.
- take risks, support someone
He never sticks his neck out for anyone at work and therefore has few friends.
- endure, continue
She doesn`t like her new job but plans to stick it out until she saves enough money to go to Europe.
- remain faithful to something
Please stick to the facts when you tell the story to the police.
- defend an action or opinion despite an unfavorable reaction
He is sticking to his guns on his decision to fire the manager of the store.
- rob with a gun
A man with a gun tried to stick up my mother when I was a child.
- defend, help, support
He always sticks up for the younger workers at his company.
- continue doing, not quit
He has been able to stick with his trumpet lessons since he was a child.
- stay with, not leave
If you stick with your job for a few years you will be able to save a lot of money.
- leave someone with something unpleasant,
I was stuck with paying the bill when I went to the restaurant with my friends.
- the habit of stealing things that one sees and wants
The young boy has sticky fingers and you must watch him all the time.
- terrible, bad quality
Do you like that new policy at your company? No, I think it stinks.
- cause some action to occur, rouse
The man`s angry words stirred up the crowd and made them very angry.
- make many people angry, do something that many people don`t like
He stirred up a hornet`s nest when he began to talk about the problems with the bonus system at his job.
- having no money
He was stone-broke after he came back from his holiday in Greece.
- visit, pass by
Why don`t you stop by my house on your way home?
- stop very quickly or with great force
He stopped dead when he saw the bear in the middle of the road.
- stop very quickly or with great force
The elephant was forced to stop in its tracks by the electric fence.
- stop at a place for a short time while going somewhere
We decided to stop off in New York City on our way to Egypt.
- stay at a place overnight or for a short time while on a trip
The plane had to stop over in Alaska because one of the passengers had a heart attack.
- directly from the person involved
I went over to my friend`s house so that I could hear about her wedding straight from the horse`s mouth.
- open and honest way of speaking
He always speaks straight from the shoulder.
- plainly, in a way that hides nothing
He was told straight out by his boss that his work was not satisfactory.
- put in order, clean up
He had to straighten up the house before inviting his parents over for dinner.
- have no money available
I am a little strapped for cash so I won`t be able to go away this summer.
- a small sign of what may happen
When the company began to try and cut back on expenses it was a straw in the wind as to what would happen in the future.
- a small problem which follows other troubles that makes you lose patience and be unable to continue as before
Recently she has caused many problems in this company. However, when she lost the key to the front door of the office it was the straw that broke the camel`s back and we decided to fire her.
- agree to something beyond the limit of what is normally allowed
I think it is stretching a point to think you can go and take a two-hour lunch break.
- become rich or successful suddenly
He struck it rich when he got a job at the computer company and was able to buy some stock very cheap.
- be put out of action through one`s own errors
He struck out in his attempt to gather enough support to build a new cafeteria in the building.
- take advantage of an opportunity
He decided to strike while the iron was hot and quickly applied for the job.
- deceive or fool
He tried to string me along with his story about his sick mother.
- make something extend over a great distance or over a long period of time
The games of the soccer tournament were strung out over a period of about 3 weeks.
- obligations, restraining conditions
He was able to borrow the money for the furniture with no strings attached.
- very much in love with, crazy about
My niece has been stuck on the boy next door for several months now.
- acting as if other people are not as good as one is, conceited
We don`t like the new woman at work because she is very stuck up and thinks she is much better than the rest of us.
- a person who is too rigid or too formal
He is a stuffed shirt and I never feel comfortable to try and talk with him.
- a list of easily-fooled people who are easily persuaded to buy something
The salesmen used a sucker list to try and get people to buy his new product.
- a rich older man who gives money to a younger woman for her companionship
The woman went off on a nice winter holiday with her sugar daddy.
- put something into a few words, summarize
He summed up his presentation and asked for questions from the audience.
- eggs fried on one side only
We asked for our eggs to be fried sunny-side up at the restaurant.
- something sure to happen, something about which there is no doubt
His promotion to senior manager is a sure thing according to the president.
- of course, certainly
"Sure thing, I would be glad to help you with your homework tonight."
- bring one`s pride under control, become humble
I had to swallow my pride and go and ask my supervisor for some extra money.
- overwhelmed
I am a little swamped with work at the moment so I can`t meet you tonight.
- final appearance
He was a big hit during his swan song at the party last week.
- use as the support or authority that what one is saying is truthful
The accused criminal was asked to swear on a bible at the trial.
- have complete confidence in , be sure of something
He swears by the walk that he takes every morning.
- have a person promise to do his duty as a member of an organization or government dept. etc.
The new Prime Minister was sworn in last night at the parliament.
- decide to give up something that you are in the habit of using
My friend swore off alcohol several years ago.
- be nervous, be very worried
I was sweating bullets during the interview but after it started I was able to calm down.
- wait anxiously, worry while waiting
I spent the evening sweating out whether or not I would get the job or not.
- overcome with strong feelings
We were swept off our feet over the excitement of the ceremony.
- hide or dismiss casually
They always sweep their problems under the rug and never want to discuss them.
- darling, sweetheart
He always calls his wife sweetie pie. Even after they have been married for 30 years.
- in love with, very fond of
He was sweet on his next door neighbor when he was a child.
- praise or flatter someone to get what you want
My sister tried to sweet talk our father into giving her the car but he said no.
- a feeling that one is more important than one really is
He has a swelled head since he got the new position in his company.
- do the opposite of what most people want to do
He is always swimming against the tide and never wants to do what his friends are doing.
- in tune with the latest fads, ideas and fashions
His aunt is really switched on and looks much younger than her age.