Question  |
Answer |
|
start learning
|
|
|
|
|
|
start learning
|
|
|
|
|
|
start learning
|
|
|
|
|
|
start learning
|
|
|
|
|
|
start learning
|
|
|
|
|
I looked up from my newspaper and there he was, as large as life, Tim Trotter! start learning
|
|
used as a way of describing a person you see, and are surprised to see, in a particular place
|
|
|
I saw Margaret this morning looking as miserable as sin. start learning
|
|
|
|
|
It was freezing outside, but we were warm as toast in front of the fire. start learning
|
|
comfortably or pleasantly warm
|
|
|
Marilyn turned as white as a sheet when the policeman told her that her son had been in a car wreck. start learning
|
|
if someone is (as) white as a sheet, their face is very pale, usually because of illness, shock, or fear
|
|
|
You just need a good night's sleep, and then you'll be right as rain again. start learning
|
|
to feel healthy or well again
|
|
|
You can feel as safe as houses here with electric entrance gates. start learning
|
|
if you say that something or someone is as safe as houses, you mean that they are completely safe
|
|
|
My grandfather seemed as old as the hills to me. start learning
|
|
|
|
|
She was as pleased as Punch about the news. start learning
|
|
old-fashioned
|
|
|
She walked in as cool as a cucumber, as if nothing had happened. start learning
|
|
very calm or very calmly, especially when this is surprising
|
|
|
|
also: neat and tidy in appearance You can trust George, he's a good kid—as clean as a whistle. start learning
|
|
well-behaved and not involved in illegal or questionable activities
|
|
|
as different as chalk and cheese We are very aware of our differences, we accept that we are chalk and cheese. start learning
|
|
different from each other
|
|
|
|
uk also: be (as) fit as a flea My grandmother's 89, but she's as fit as a fiddle. start learning
|
|
to be very healthy and strong
|
|
|
After a good night's sleep I'll be as fresh as a daisy. start learning
|
|
to be full of energy and enthusiasm
|
|
|
The sign is right there on the door—it's as clear as crystal. start learning
|
|
very clear; transparent / very clear, easy to understand
|
|
|
I expected Danny's student apartment to be a total mess, but it was neat as a new pin! start learning
|
|
tidy, clean, in good or neat order
|
|
|
In a fit of temper he hurled the book across the room. start learning
|
|
to throw something with a lot of force, usually in an angry or violent way
|
|
|
to bang one’s head against a brick wall I keep asking her not to park there, but it's like banging my head against a brick wall. start learning
|
|
to do, say, or ask for something repeatedly but to be unable to change a situation
|
|
|
You may want to keep this brochure safe, so you have it to hand whenever you may need it. start learning
|
|
if you have something to hand or near to hand, you have it with you or near you, ready to use when needed
|
|
|
|
start learning
|
|
|
|
|
I’m a little short of cash right now, so I can’t lend you anything. start learning
|
|
|
|
|
She had a decidedly down-at-heel appearance. start learning
|
|
wearing old clothes, or in a bad condition, because of not having much money
|
|
|
to have one’s back to the wall He owes money to everyone - he really has his back to the wall now. start learning
|
|
to have very serious problems that limit the ways in which you can act
|
|
|
The main bone of contention between us is our children’s education. start learning
|
|
something that two or more people argue about strongly over a long period of time
|
|
|
I was expecting him to be horrified when he heard the cost but he didn't turn a hair. start learning
|
|
to not show any emotion when you are told something bad or when something bad happens
|
|
|
His parents can’t afford to foot the bill for his college education. start learning
|
|
to pay for something, esp. something expensive
|
|
|
to lay a finger on someone If you lay a finger on her, you’ll live to regret it! start learning
|
|
to touch someone as a threat
|
|
|
You can argue until you're blue in the face, but I refuse to go. start learning
|
|
to be exhausted from anger, strain, or other great effort
|
|
|
Little kids get into everything, and it can really try your patience. start learning
|
|
to makes someone less patient
|
|
|
She clings to the hope that her husband will come back to her. start learning
|
|
to refuse to stop believing or hoping for something
|
|
|
Use whatever tools come to hand. start learning
|
|
to be available easily and immediately
|
|
|
The whole concept of democracy, she claimed, was utterly foreign to the present government. start learning
|
|
sth can be described as foreign to a particular person if they do not know about it or it is not within their experience
|
|
|
She's beneath contempt (= I have no respect for her)! start learning
|
|
a strong feeling of disliking and having no respect for someone or something
|
|
|
Lewis was not in the right frame of mind to continue. start learning
|
|
the mood that you are in, which causes you to have a particular attitude to something
|
|
|
Why don't you vote - how can you be so indifferent (to what is going on)? start learning
|
|
not thinking about or interested in someone or something
|
|
|
That's a beguiling argument, but I'm not convinced by it. start learning
|
|
interesting or attractive, but perhaps not to be trusted charming or enchanting, often in a deceptive way
|
|
|
He has expressed his keenness to retain his job. start learning
|
|
the quality of being eager or enthusiastic; eagerness
|
|
|
She advised us to look abroad for more lucrative business ventures. start learning
|
|
a new activity, usually in business, that involves risk or uncertainty
|
|
|
"Do you think you might be in line for promotion?" "No, it's just wishful thinking." start learning
|
|
the imagining or discussion of a very unlikely future event or situation as if it were possible and might one day happen
|
|
|
a mixed blessing (for sb) Getting into the team is a mixed blessing - I'll have to spend a lot of time training. start learning
|
|
something that has advantages and disadvantages
|
|
|
He said that many children in the city's schools were getting/being given a raw deal by being taught in classes that were too large. start learning
|
|
|
|
|
I used to hate computers, but using them has become second nature to me now. start learning
|
|
If something is second nature to you, you are so familiar with it that you can do it easily without needing to think very much about it
|
|
|
to hold out an olive branch If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to hold out the olive branch. start learning
|
|
to do or say something in order to show that you want to end a disagreement with someone
|
|
|
This flat is a far cry from the house they had before. start learning
|
|
to be completely different from something
|
|
|
Sweeping generalizations about this complex and difficult situation are not helpful. start learning
|
|
something that you say or write that is too general and that has not been carefully thought about
|
|
|
to look at sth through rose-coloured spectacles She's always looked at life through rose-tinted glasses. start learning
|
|
to see only the pleasant things about a situation and not notice the things that are unpleasant
|
|
|
I don't consider myself prudish but I do think the sex scenes in the film were a bit excessive. start learning
|
|
easily shocked by rude things, especially anything relating to sex
|
|
|
He rebelled against his puritanical upbringing. start learning
|
|
believing or involving the belief that it is important to work hard and control yourself, and that pleasure is wrong or unnecessary
|
|
|
|
also: the fact of no longer living with one's spouse or partner; separation There had been a definite estrangement between her and her daughter-in-law. start learning
|
|
the fact of no longer being on friendly terms or part of a social group
|
|
|
They looked to the government for additional support. start learning
|
|
to hope that someone will provide something for you
|
|
|
|
start learning
|
|
to feel that someone is less important than you or does not deserve respect
|
|
|
I had a few minutes before the meeting to look over what he'd written. start learning
|
|
to quickly examine something
|
|
|
It helps if older people have a nearby relative who will look in on them. start learning
|
|
to visit someone or something for a short time
|
|
|
A large crowd looked on as the band played. start learning
|
|
to watch something happen but not become involved in it
|
|
|
Kids look up to ballplayers, and we need to let kids know that it is not OK to cheat. start learning
|
|
to admire and respect someone
|
|
|
The guard looked us up and down and then let us in. start learning
|
|
to look carefully at someone from their head to their feet as if you are trying to make a judgment about them
|
|
|
I noticed the bride looking daggers at the best man as he started making vulgar jokes during his speech. start learning
|
|
to look very angrily at someone
|
|
|
to look down one's nose at sb She looks down her nose at poor people. start learning
|
|
|
|
|
never look a gift horse in the mouth They did not look the gift horse in the mouth when the opportunity for victory presented itself. start learning
|
|
said to advise someone not to refuse something good that is being offered
|
|
|
Nowadays there are a number of similar products on the market and the older, established companies are having to look to their laurels. start learning
|
|
to make an extra effort to succeed because there is more competition
|
|
|
You'd better check out all the costs before you buy a cellular phone—look before you leap. start learning
|
|
to think of the consequences before you act
|
|
|
to look the worse for wear After a month of journeying over rough roads, the drivers and their trucks were looking the worse for wear. start learning
|
|
to look tired or in poor condition because of a lot of work or use
|
|
|
to look on the bright side Look on the bright side - no one was badly hurt. start learning
|
|
to find good things in a bad situation
|
|
|
He could tell at a glance that something was wrong. start learning
|
|
|
|
|
give/have/take one/a glance at sth She had a quick glance at the newspaper as she gulped down her coffee. start learning
|
|
to read something quickly and not very carefully
|
|
|
As you know, Caroline O'Neill is not a woman to be trifled with. start learning
|
|
to treat someone or something carelessly or without respect
|
|
|
He looked ludicrous in that suit! start learning
|
|
stupid or unreasonable and deserving to be laughed at
|
|
|
I doubt he even thought about what you might need, he’s so full of himself. start learning
|
|
thinking that you are very important in a way that annoys other people
|
|
|
There have been concerns as to why the Board didn't act on a recommended pay raise. start learning
|
|
to do something because you have been advised or told to do it also: to act upon sth
|
|
|
|
also: likely to experience or suffer from something The agreement is still subject to approval by the League's 30 teams and the players. start learning
|
|
If an action or event is subject to something, it needs something to happen before it can take place
|
|
|
Some lucky people are endowed with both brains and beauty. start learning
|
|
to have a particular quality or feature
|
|
|
Her sculptures will be on show at the museum until the end of the month. start learning
|
|
sth that is on show has been made available for the public to look at
|
|
|
She is at times cruel and ruthless. start learning
|
|
|
|
|
Flags flapped in the breeze above their tents. start learning
|
|
(of a bird’s wings) to wave up and down while flying, or (of objects that cannot fly) to move quickly from side to side or up and down
|
|
|
The scandal cast a cloud over his presidency. start learning
|
|
to cause people to stop trusting something
|
|
|
to have your head in the clouds start learning
|
|
to be thinking your own thoughts and not concentrating on what is happening around you you say that someone has their head in the clouds, you are criticizing them because they are ignoring or are unaware of the problems associated with a situation.
|
|
|
She had saved some money for a rainy day. start learning
|
|
a time when money might unexpectedly be needed
|
|
|
|
also: tempest in a teapot I really think you're making a storm in a teacup over this. It's just a tiny scratch on the car! start learning
|
|
a lot of unnecessary anger and worry about a matter that is not important
|
|
|
As everyone knows, the Beatles took the US by storm. start learning
|
|
to be suddenly extremely successful in a place or popular with someone
|
|
|
way/direction the wind blows I think I'll see which way the wind is blowing before I vote at the board meeting. start learning
|
|
if a person tries to discover which way the wind blows/is blowing, they try to discover information about a situation, especially other people's opinions, before they take action
|
|
|
to make heavy weather of sth She's making such heavy weather of that report she's writing. start learning
|
|
to find something hard to do and spend a lot of time on it, although it is not difficult disapproving
|
|
|
to feel under the weather I'm feeling a bit under the weather - I think I'm getting a cold. start learning
|
|
If someone is or feels under the weather, they feel ill
|
|
|
to take the wind out of one’s sails also: knock the wind out of sb's sails, knock the wind out of sb I was all ready to tell him that the relationship was over when he greeted me with a big bunch of flowers - that took the wind out of my sails. start learning
|
|
to make someone feel less confident or less determined to do something, usually by saying or doing something that they are not expecting
|
|
|
In the next few days we will see if the ambassador can weather the political storm caused by his remarks. start learning
|
|
if someone or something weathers the storm, they successfully deal with a very difficult problem
|
|
|
The country is sliding into the depths of (a) recession. start learning
|
|
a period when the economy of a country is not successful and conditions for business are bad
|
|
|
