HOMEWORK- 18/4-- IDIOMS & PHRASES

CHAMPIONS’ SQUARE

IDIOMS & PHRASES

1.       hot potato

Speak of an issue which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed

2.       A penny for your thoughts

A way of asking what someone is thinking

3.       Actions speak louder than words

People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say.

4.       Add insult to injury

To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation.

5.       An arm and a leg

Very expensive or costly.  A large amount of money.

6.       At the drop of a hat

Meaning: without any hesitation; instantly.

7.       Back to the drawing board 

When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.

8.       Ball is in your court

 It is up to you to make the next decision or step

9.       Barking up the wrong tree

 Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person

10.    Be glad to see the back of

Be happy when a person leaves.

11.   Beat around the bush

Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.

12.   Best of both worlds

Meaning: All the advantages.

13.   Best thing since sliced bread

A good invention or innovation.  A good idea or plan.

14.   Bite off more than you can chew

To take on a task that is way too big.

15.   Blessing in disguise 

Something good that isn't recognized at first.

16.   Burn the midnight oil

To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting.

17.   Can't judge a book by its cover 

Cannot judge something primarily on appearance.

18.   Hear it on the grapevine

This idiom means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone.

19.   Hit the nail on the head 

Do or say something exactly right

20.   Hit the sack / sheets / hay

To go to bed.

21.   In the heat of the moment 

Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.

22.   It takes two to tango

 Actions or communications need more than one person

23.   Jump on the bandwagon

Join a popular trend or activity.

24.   Keep something at bay

Keep something away.

25.   Kill two birds with one stone

This idiom means, to accomplish two different things at the same time.

26.   Last straw

The final problem in a series of problems.

27.   Let sleeping dogs lie 

Do not disturb a situation as it is - since it would result in trouble or complications.

28.   Let the cat out of the bag 

To share information that was previously concealed

29.   Make a long story short 

Come to the point - leave out details

30.   Method to my madness 

An assertion that, despite one's approach seeming random, there actually is structure to it.

31.   Miss the boat

This idiom is used to say that someone missed his or her chance

32.   Not a spark of decency

Meaning: No manners

33.   Not playing with a full deck 

Someone who lacks intelligence.

34.   Caught between two schools.

When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.

35.   Costs an arm and a leg

This idiom is used when something is very expensive.

36.   Cross that bridge when you come to it

Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before.

37.   Cry over spilt milk

 When you complain about a loss from the past.

38.   Curiosity killed the cat

 Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation.

39.   Cut corners

When something is done badly to save money.

40.   Cut the mustard

To succeed; to come up to expectations; adequate enough to compete or participate

41.   Devil's Advocate

 To present a counter argument

42.   Don't count your chickens before the eggs have hatched

This idiom is used to express "Don't make plans for something that might not happen".

43.   Don't give up the day job

 You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally.

44.   Don't put all your eggs in one basket

 Do not put all your resources in one possibility.

45.   Drastic times call for drastic measures 

When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.

46.   Elvis has left the building 

The show has come to an end. It's all over.

47.   Every cloud has a silver lining 

Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.

48.   Far cry from

Very different from.

49.   Feel a bit under the weather

Meaning: Feeling slightly ill.

50.   Give the benefit of the doubt

 Believe someone's statement, without proof.

51.   Off one's rocker

 Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile.

52.   On the ball

 When someone understands the situation well.

53.   Once in a blue moon

Meaning: Happens very rarely.

54.   Picture paints a thousand words 

A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.

55.   Piece of cake 

A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple.

56.   Put wool over other people's eyes

This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them.

57.   See eye to eye

This idiom is used to say that two (or more people) agree on something.

58.   Sit on the fence

This is used when someone does not want to choose or make a decision.

59.   Speak of the devil!

This expression is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives.

60.   Steal someone's thunder

 To take the credit for something someone else did.

61.   Take with a grain of salt

This means not to take what someone says too seriously.

62.   Taste of your own medicine 

Means that something happens to you, or is done to you, that you have done to someone else

63.   To hear something straight from the horse's mouth

To hear something from the authoritative source.

64.   Whole nine yards 

Everything. All of it.

65.   Wouldn't be caught dead

Would never like to do something

66.   Your guess is as good as mine 

To have no idea, do not know the answer to a question

67.   Acid Test

Acid test proves the effectiveness of something.

68.   Cut the ground from under feet

When you cut the ground from under someone's feet, you do something which weakens their position.

69.   Chase your tail

Spending a lot of time and energy doing a lot of things but actually achieving too little.

70.   Whole bag of tricks

Means trying all the clever means to achieve something.

71.   Deliver the goods 

 I have given my car to a new mechanic for repair, hope he delivers the goods.

72.   Fine-tooth comb

Examining something carefully to not miss out any details.

73.   Explore all avenues

Trying out every possibility to get a result.

74.   Fast track something

 Rating something higher on your priority list to achieve the desired result.

75.   Get ducks in a row

Getting your things well organized.

76.   Get the show on the road

Putting up a plan or idea into action.

77.    Keep your fingers on the pulse 

Being constantly aware of the most recent developments.

78.   Mean business 

Being serious about what you announce.

79.   Think on your feet 

Adjusting quickly to changes and making fast decisions.

80.   Sail through something

Being successful in doing something without difficulty

81.   Tricks of the trade

Clever or expert way of doing something.

82.    Not let grass grow under feet

Don't delay in getting something done.

83.   Work like a charm

Works very well or has the desired effect.

84.   Back-room boys

People who perform important work but have no contact with the public.

85.   Dead wood

People or things which are no longer useful or necessary.

86.   Get the axe

 lose the job

87.   Plum job 

Desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively easy .

88.   Shape up or ship out 

This expression is used to warn someone that if they do not improvetheir ways, they will have to leave their job.

89.   Golden handshake

Big sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire.

90.   Separate sheep from goats 

Examining a group of people and deciding their suitability

91.   Waiting in the wings

Waiting for an opportunity to take action, mostly to replace someone else in their job.

92.   Acquainted with

To meet someone

93.   As soon as

No sooner

94.   A beauty sleep

To sleep before midnight

95.   Burst into tears

To weep havily, suddenly

96.   Commit suicide

To do self murder

97.   Drop in the ocean

Very significant amount

98.   A fairy tale

An incredible story

99.   Kiss the road

Accept the punishment

100.  Miss the mark

To fail