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Question		Answer
a person who is very shy and timid start learning		a shrinking violet
to increase the pressure on someone to make them do what you want start learning		turn the screw on somebody NATO is turning the screw on the president and piling on the pressure.
In an exceptionally long period of time. start learning		in donkeys
A hope or plan that is not yet in existence. start learning		gleam in one's eye You were not even a gleam in your mother's eye when that photo was taken.
This idiom is used to express being satisfied with enough, that being greedy or too ambitious will be your ruin. start learning		Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered
to complete the necessary preparations before doing something start learning		get one's ducks in a row
To die; often refers to die in battle or in a plane crash start learning		buy the farm generally used in past tense
To rig something so that the outcome is predetermined to put one at a disadvantage start learning		load the dice It's the first democratic election in the region in over 50 years, but it's all a sham—the military has loaded the dice so that they'll remain in power.
said when you must continue with your work or other activity although you are very tired start learning		no rest for the wicked
the point at which a theory or idea is put to a practical test 🇺🇸 start learning		where the rubber meets the road
used when someone looks as if they would never do anything wrong, although you feel they might start learning		butter wouldn't melt in somebody's mouth Tommy looked as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.
including everything; completely. idiom start learning		lock, stock and barrel "the place is owned lock, stock, and barrel by an oil company"
a situation that is dangerousor volatile and that could become violent and become an origin of war, disaster etc. start learning		a powder keg
to deceive someone, especially by pretending to be friendly while actually cheating or stealing from them. start learning		pull the wool over somebody's eyes
an event or experience that helps you achieve something else: idiom start learning		stepping stone
to be an extremely bad example of something: idiom start learning		be an apology for something You're not coming out because you're tired? That's an apology for an excuse
an offensive American idiom which means that a person has little or no chance at success idiom start learning		Chinaman's chance
An expression referring to gambling, meaning to quit: idiom start learning		cash one's chips in Because his argument wasn't convincing the committee, Tony decided to cash in his chips and go home.
An expression referring to gambling, meaning to die start learning		cash in one's chips
to feel certain that the worst possible thing has happened or is likely to happen idiom start learning		fear the worst When the doctor finally called, she feared the worst
An expression referring to gambling, meaning to be wealthy, especially unexpectedly. idiom start learning		be in the chips
If a person or company is..., they do not have as much money as they used to, and so they cannot buy the things they would like to buy. start learning		feel the pinch Consumers are spending less and traders are feeling the pinch
Even people who are usually wrong can be right sometimes, even if just by accident. start learning		even a blind hog can find an acorn once in a while A: "You know how I feel about the mayor, but even I think he's right this time." B: "Even a blind pig can find an acorn once in a while."
used to convey that no rules or restrictions apply in a conflict or dispute. start learning		no-holds-barred
having extremely poor eyesight start learning		as blind as a bat Have you seen my glasses? I'm as blind as a bat without them!
the glamour and excitement of big city life. start learning		the bright lights "they hankered for the bright lights of the capital"
To attempt to stay cheerful in a dire situation; to proceed with a task, ignoring an upcoming hazard, hoping for a good outcome 🇺🇸 start learning		whistle past the graveyard
a person, esp a public figure, whose reputation has been damaged start learning		damaged goods
If someone does not stand or does not have a ... of doing something, they have very little chance of succeeding in it. start learning		ghost of a chance He doesn't stand a ghost of a chance of selling the house
a person who has a very important job in the government, and who is sometimes considered to be too powerful 🇬🇧 start learning		mandarin
If someone... they prepare themselves so that they will be able to survive a coming difficulty or crisis. start learning		batten down the hatches For everyone else, it is time to start battening down the hatches.
used to mean that time passes very slowly when one is waiting for something to happen if that is the only thing one is thinking about. start learning		a watched pot never boils
If you do not get a ... you are not given a reasonable opportunity to succeed or to achieve something start learning		fair shake It's only right that all the candidates should be given a fair shake.
If you say that a plan for getting money is ..., you mean that it is foolish to carry it out because you are sure that it will fail or cause problems. start learning		fool's gold
something or someone is completely free from penalty or harm. start learning		scot-free The expression 'Scot-free' originates from the Scandanavian word, 'Skat,' which means “tax” or “payment.” Someone who did not have to pay the tax for some reason was referred to as 'scot-free. the people who kidnapped you will get off scot-free
... and... are unpleasant things that happen to you and that are not your fault. start learning		slings and arrows We've had our share of slings and arrows, but we've managed to build ourselves up into a stable business.
demonstrate unquestioning obedience or loyalty to someone or something start learning		drinking the Kool-Aid Wyrażenie powstało po fali samobójstw członków sekty Świątyni Ludu w 1978 roku w Gujanie. his real ire is directed at the news media for drinking the Kool-Aid and not being tougher on the president"
to be insignificant start learning		it doesn't amount to a hill of beans The boss is just mad right now—I think all of his rules and threats won't amount to a hill of beans.
A thing or person which fails to measure up to its description or advanced promotion. idiom start learning		all sizzle and no steak Her latest novel is all sizzle and no steak.
the characteristic of being skilful at persuading people to believe what they say or to do what they want them to do 🇬🇧 start learning		silver tongue I see you haven't lost your silver tongue.
To engage in idle conversational fantasies. 🇺🇸 Frequently used in the negative, to mean someone or something is serious start learning		whistle Dixie (southern 🇺🇸) When I say that, I'm not just whistling Dixie, I really mean it.
a point at which it is difficult to distinguish between two different activities or situations, especially when one is acceptable, and the other is not idiom start learning		fine line There is a fine line between being nicely looked after and being fussed over too much – so don't overdo it.
If you say that something ......, you mean that you accept it as a natural result of the situation you are in. idiom start learning		come with the territory You can't expect not to have a debate; that's what comes with the territory in a democracy
to be so worried, confused, or annoyed that you do not know what to do next: idiom start learning		at one's wits end I'm at my wits' end. I don't know how to help him.
used to encourage everyone to have an equal amount of something: spoken idiom start learning		share and share alike Don't keep all those chocolates to yourself - share and share alike.
If you ..., you suddenly become successful in finding or doing something idiom start learning		strike oil
If you say that someone is......., you mean that they are in an unsatisfactory situation where they are not progressing, but are just continuing doing the same things. idiom start learning		tread water I could either tread water until I was promoted, or I could change what I was doing
To prove or display one's pride, confidence, or fortitude. 🇺🇸 idiom start learning		stand tall 🇺🇸 Even though it didn't perform well at the box office, he can stand tall in the knowledge that he made one of the greatest science fiction films of our generation.
To be exceptionally proficient at (doing) something. These things come easy to somebody idiom start learning		have a knack for doing something Jenny's got a real knack for the piano.
To do something that instigates or initiates some intense, dangerous, and widespread action or reaction. start learning		light a fuse Hopes for an early cut in interest rates lit the market's fuse early on.
To behave in a manner that is on the verge of being dangerous, improper or illegal start learning		sail close to the wind
an implausible story used as an explanation or excuse. start learning		cock and bull story "nobody believes this cock and bull story about the sacking incident"
dismissive phrase, used to mean that a particular idea or approach is going to fail. President Lyndon Johnson, himself a Texan, may have helped to popularize the saying. In 1970, for example, Johnson used the expression when describing a conversation he’d had with the American ambassador to Saigon... start learning		that dog won't hunt ... LBJ asked the ambassador for his views on a new plan to stop the bombing in the region. In LBJ’s telling, the ambassador “came back strong and said, ‘I just can’t. That dog won’t hunt
phrase that describes a situation that is outside one’s scope of responsibility, a decision that must be made by people of a higher rank. start learning		above somebody's pay grade
If you say that you want to see the....... of ..., you mean that you are not prepared to sell them something or do something for them until they have proved that they have the money to pay for it. start learning		see the colour of somebody's money We can make a deal but I want to see the color of your money
make a mistake; mishandle things. 🇺🇸 start learning		drop the ball "I really dropped the ball on this one"
Both in times of happiness and success and in times of sadness and difficulty. start learning		in weal and woe/ through thick and thin Dean is a devoted friend—you can count on him to be there in weal and woe.
to do something without worrying about the risk or negative results idiom start learning		throw caution to the wind I threw caution to the wind and bought the most expensive one.
To be insatiably hungry with the urge to continuously eat, especially snack foods. The term is often used to describe one of the stereotypical effects of marijuana use. start learning		have the munchies : Can I borrow some money? I’ve got the munchies and I haven’t got any money to buy anything
said to mean that you are very certain something will happen. start learning		sure as eggs is eggs 🇬🇧 He'll be back later on. Sure as eggs is eggs.
something that has both good and bad parts m start learning		a curate's egg This is a curate's egg of a solution, and it creates other problems.
your best clothes that you wear on special occasions 🇬🇧 dated! start learning		one's best bib and tucker
a country or company that is very unsuccessful financially or someone who is extremely nervous or anxious and is therefore unable to organize their life: start learning		a basket case 20 years ago the country was an economic basket case.
If you say that someone has a..., you think that they feel inferior or that they believe they have been treated unfairly. start learning		have a chip on one's shoulder He's got a chip on his shoulder about not having been to university.
To waste time or procrastinate. start learning		burn daylight Come on, let's get started on our hike—we're burning daylight just standing around here!
If someone in authority gives you a..., they criticize you or blame you for doing something they think is wrong. start learning		rap on the knuckles Britain gave them a diplomatic rap over the knuckles.
Under discussion or consideration start learning		on the carpet Important matters will be on the carpet at today's meeting.
In a position of being reprimanded by one in authority start learning		on the carpet John was called on the carpet for cheating.
If you say that you have..., you mean that you have accidentally upset someone by talking about something that they feel strongly about or are very sensitive about. idiom start learning		touch a raw nerve The mere mention of John had touched a very raw nerve indeed.
A phrase used when one is unsympathetic to someone who has suffered a hardship. idiom start learning		hard cheddar 🇬🇧 / tough cheddar If you slept through your alarm because you stayed up half the night, tough cheddar!
be in a very bad or difficult situation. idiom start learning		be in dire straits With its best player out of the game, the team found itself in dire straits.
to spoil or ruin something planned, arranged, or attempted. idiom start learning		queer somebody's pitch 🇬🇧
Back to one's job or daily work, often after vacation, especially when it is very hard or unpleasant. Used humorously idiom start learning		back to the salt mines Term alludes to the Russian practice of punishing prisoners by sending them to work in the salt mines of Siberia. Today the term is only used ironically.
Without showing any signs of fear or hesitation. start learning		without flinching I'm terrified of needles, but my sister can get blood drawn without flinching
You use ... to show that you think something is silly, childish, easy, or worthless. idiom, disapproval start learning		Mickey Mouse This is not a Mickey Mouse course where every player has a chance.
used for saying that you think a particular person is going to do or achieve something, or that a particular thing is going to happen. start learning		my money's on somebody My money's on Brazil to win the World Cup
If you say that something is ..., you mean that it is becoming weaker and worse in quality idiom, informal, disapproval start learning		go to the dogs They sit in impotent opposition while the country goes to the dogs.
having a very dark skin from being in the sun idiom start learning		brown as a berry Steve Hobbs had just come back from his holiday. Brown as a berry he was, when he came round here the following Monday.
to change numbers dishonestly in the accounts (= financial records) of an organization, especially in order to steal money from it idiom start learning		cook the books
The hottest part of the summer is sometimes referred to as the ... 🇺🇸 start learning		dog days We're well into the dog days of summer
to pretend to be sad or to sympathize with someone without really caring about them start learning		shed crocodile tears He shed a lot of crocodile tears. He described the wrecking of the coal industry as `a dreadful thing to have to do'.
If you say that an activity is a..., you mean that it is not worth doing because it does not give the person who is doing it any benefit or satisfaction. 🇬🇧 idiom, informal, disapproval start learning		be a mug's game I used to be a very heavy gambler, but not any more. It's a mug's game.
If two people ..., they argue about something. idiom start learning		lock horns with somebody During his six years in office, he often locked horns with lawmakers
If something does the ..., it achieves what you wanted informal start learning		do the trick Sometimes a few choice words will do the trick.
used in a pejorative sense to imply that the person referred to is a lackey or toady to a bad person or for an unrighteous cause, idiom start learning		carry someone's water Alan Colmes, despite his liberal ethos, continues to carry water for Sean Hannity.
if something appears out of ..., it appears suddenly and unexpectedly start learning		out of thin air A crisis had materialized out of thin air.
a person who attends to the welfare of others, esp. one who is fussily protective idiom start learning		like a mother hen
If you say that something is ..., you mean that it is very obvious. start learning		writ large The new blockbuster is really just a simple old story writ large.
to cause something to end, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation start learning		close the book on something Lawyers say they are happy to close the book on one of the most frustrating chapters of the company's history
used to describe a person's rise from a state of extreme poverty to one of great wealth. idiom start learning		from rags to riches "it was the old rags-to-riches fantasy
insist on the observance of formalities. idiom start learning		stand on ceremony "we don't stand on ceremony in this house
to speak about one's work, esp when meeting socially, sometimes with the effect of excluding those not similarly employed idiom start learning		talk shop
to divulge everything one knows or reveal all one's personal problems 🇺🇸 start learning		spill one's guts
to convince someone else of one's potential or worth 🇺🇸 start learning		sell oneself
to disrupt a procedure, spoil someone's plans, etc. start learning		upset the apple cart Some people still think you could upset the apple cart there.
If someone's word is their ..., they always keep a promise: start learning		one's word is bond
If someone is ... they are staying up very late in order to study or do some other work. idiom start learning		burn the midnight oil Chris is asleep after burning the midnight oil trying to finish his article
taking money from the punters/clients when they buy something. idiom start learning		ring the till
If you say that someone can do something till... you are emphasizing that it will have no effect even if they do it for a very long time. idiom, informal, emphasis start learning		till the cows come home You can initiate policies until the cows come home, but unless they're monitored, you won't get results
If you take ... to do something or go ... to do something, you try hard to do it, because you think it is important to do it. idiom start learning		take pains to do (with) something/ go to great pains I had taken great pains with my appearance
make sexual advances to someone. 🇺🇸 idiom start learning		make time with somebody 🇺🇸 I couldn't make time with Marilyn because she was already a senior
If you say that you ... on a journey, you mean it did not take you very long compared to the length of time you expected it to take idiom start learning		make good time They had left early in the morning, on quiet roads, and made good time.
If someone is... for you, they are trying to find a way to harm you or cause you trouble. idiom, informal start learning		gun for somebody He knew that they were gunning for him.
to try to make too much of an opportunity; go too far 🇺🇸 start learning		push one's luck
to avoid or delay dealing with a problem: start learning		kick the can down the road I don't think we should kick the can down the road and let our grandkids solve that problem.

Idioms 1

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