Idioms to remember 2012
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Of Kinglish Kaysung American KaySungPark.WordPress.Com
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
2 Idioms of Kinglish School
A
A1 In a high quality, in a good order.
A is one thing, B is another Two things which seem to be the same are actually different
A hot potato A hot issue that people are talking about
A man of sense Someone who has a good heart
A penny for your thoughts Ask someone about their thoughts
A piece of cake Something very easy
ABC Refer to something or someone that in the very beginning step.
About to Almost ready to
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Above someone's head 3 Too hard for someone to understand.
Acid Test A hard way to prove sincerity of someone/ something.
Across the board Totally agree or applicable with no condition.
Act of God An incident occurred by nature with zero humans involvement.
Add insult to injury Make a bad situation even worse
Ad hoc Something unplanned. Not happen regularly.
All fingers and thumbs Very clumsy.
All square Even. Mission complete.
All thumbs Clumsy, do things in an awkward way
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
An eye for an eye 4 React in the same level. Usually in negative way
Anchor man/ anchor woman An important person in a group.
Anything but.... Anything except...
Apple of one's eyes One's most favourite among the others.
Around the clock All day all night
As a last resort Last choice. The last thing one would do if no other option
At full length From the start to the end. From one edge to another
At one blow At one hit
At stake At risk, risky
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Back seat driver 5 Person who like to involve in other's business.
Back to (at) square one Back to the starting point again
Back to the wall In a ready-to-fight situation due to no other way to escape.
Backup the wrong horse Support the wrong person, team or side.
Bad Egg Person who is different, in a negative way, from the group.
Bad hair day A day which everything seem to go wrong.
Bag of bones Very skinny person/ animal.
Bear fruit Succeed
Beggar on horseback Poor person who acting arrogant when become rich or achieve only small thing.
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Bent on 6 Already made decision, agreed on something
Beyond Question Certainly, No doubt
Birds of a feather flock together The same type of people or people who like to do the same thing
Blessing in disguise Good thing that you never recognize at the first place
Blow away Kill by gun shot
Blow over Already finish, forget
Bound to do Likely to happen / Likely to do something
Bottom of the barrel The worst part of the group / organization
Break a leg Good luck
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Break into tears 7 Suddenly yell out (either sad or happy)
Break the ice Talking or doing things to release pressure or to make listeners relax
By and large Generally, In all case
By birth Specific character attached to someone from their family or country
C
Call down Curse someone / something
Call of nature Need to go to toilet
Call the roll Call out to check the total number
Can a duck swim? An Ironic question to ask someone who say something stupid.
Can of worms Something anyone don't want to be involved.
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Can't get a word in edgeways 8 Have no chance to say anything
Can't make head nor tail Cannot understand something
Can't take a chance Can't take a risk
Carrot and stick A combination of good and bad/ positive and negative.
Carry a big stick Carry so much power or authority.
Cat got a tongue Can't speak / talk (for any reasons)
Catch some rays Walk/ sit under the sun
Caught between two stools You have to choose between two difficult options
Chance it Take a risk / Take a chance to try
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Chip on the shoulder 9 Still angry from something in the past
Cold Sweat Feel very nervous of something
Come in handy Become beneficial
Come off Succeed
Come to pass Happen / Occur
Confide in Trust someone enough to tell the secret or personal story
Cost an arm and a leg Extremely expensive
Count on Trust / Reply on
Count towards Approve that something is correct / becomes effective
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Cut corners 10 Buy unacceptable quality products/services to save money
D
D-day An important day, which has been planned.
Daddy of all Very much.
Dark horse A Person with unknown background or profile.
Davy Jones' locker Very deep in the sea. At the bottom of the sea
Daylight robbery An ironic term when a shop sells you something very expensive.
Dead duck A victim or a totally cannot survive situation.
Die away Can't speak / talk (for any reasons)
Different stroke for different folks Everyone has different interest and tastes
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Do someone injury 11 Succeed
Do the sights of Curse someone / something
Dog eat dog A dirty competition. No rule, no manner
Down at heel Very old. Something too old to repair
Draw a line Take a risk / Take a chance to try
Dressed to kill Wear one's finest clothing
Dress to the teeth Dress elegantly
Drive someone up a wall Annoy someone greatly
Drop someone a line Call someone
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Duck soup 12 Finish with almost no effort
Dwell on Think too much / repeatedly think or do something
F
Eager beaver Someone who is very energetic
Early birds Someone who always wake up in the early morning
Early birds catch the worm If you start earlier you have the better chance of success
Easy come, easy go If you earn something very easily, you likely to lost them easily.
Eat a humble pie Admit on something
Eat like a horse Eating so much
Eating someone Disturbing someone 12
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Egg on the face 13 To be embarrassed
Egghead Smart person
Elbow room A space or time to relax and manage busy life.
Eleventh hour Something that happen in the very last minute
End up Finally do something
Enfant terrible A troublemaker
Even steven Something which are shared equally
Every dog has its day Cheer up someone that their winning day will finally come
Eye candy A pretty girl
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Eyes are bigger than someone's stomach 14 Eat more than stomach can handle
Eye to eye Agree
F
Face the music Accept the negative consequences of something
Face to face Seeing each other (usually use in a meeting).
Face value Interest in appearance more than the detail inside
Fair and square Very fair
Fall between two stools Something try to be two things but is not good at being either
Fancy man new lover
Fat cat Very rich person 14
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Fat head 15 Stupid person
Feed someone a line trick someone
Feel blue Feel sad
Feel like a million dollar Feel very good
Feeling a bit under the weather Feeling a bit sick
Fishy smell Something strange
Flea market A Market where sells second hand goods
Flood the market Too much supply (products or services) in the market.
Fly a kite Test reaction of the idea
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Fly blind 16 Work without training or instruction
Follow one's nose Strictly follow one's direction.
Food for thought Something to think about
For ages Very long time
For the birds Something which are not interesting
Fork over Give / offer
G
Garden leave On leave because he/she becomes unwanted to the company
Get a life Complain someone that he/she is too serious.
Get in someone's hair Bother someone 16
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Get off someone's back 17 Stop bothering someone
Get up on the wrong side of bed Get up with a bad temper
Get the ball rolling To get something start such as plan / project
Give the best shot Try the best
Get someone's nerve Bother someone
Green New / Beginner
Give one's a cold shoulder Treat someone in a cold way. Careless.
Give up the ghost Die
Go Dutch Pay the bill equally (usually with food)
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Go fly a kite 18 Tell someone to go away
Go for it Agree with it / Do it
Go native Act the same way as local people.
Go south Worse
Go over one's head Do something that is too difficult or not interesting at all
Grey area Unclear area
H
Half ear Listen with no attention
Halfway house/ home Halfway to the destination or goal
Hang up one's boots Retire 18
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Ham actor 19 Over acting actor.
Happy go lucky Very happy. Nothing to worry about
Have no clue Have no idea about something
Have a weakness of Cannot resist on something usually negative
Have an ear for Good at listening to some instrument
Hear it on the grapevine Hear a rumor
Heart and soul Dedicate to something very much
Here you go It's for you
Hidden agenda Hide the truth or real target
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Hit the books 20 Go study
Hit the bottle Drink too much alcohol
Hit the hay Go to bed
Hit the road Go to work / go out
Holding grudge Have unfriendly feeling
Horse around Play around
Horse of a different color Different issues / stories
How come? Why?
I
I am broke No money at all 20
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
I can kick your butt 21 I am much superior than you
Idle rich Person who are very rich and don't have to work.
If the shoes fit, just wear it Learn to accept the reality
Ill at ease Feel annoy
In a different league Very superior
In a good light Good qualification / personality
In a nutshell In conclusion / in summary
In a word Very short summary
In black and white Formal (dress)
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
In like a lion, out like a lamb 22 Something that has a very good start but very bad ending
In one's cup Drunk
In stitches Laugh out loud
In the light of Having been considered
In the long run In the long future
In the soup In trouble
In touch Keep contact
Inside out From the inside to the outside / Wear cloth on the wrong side
Into thin air Gone without a trace
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
It beats me 23 Completely do not understand something
Ivory tower A perfect, and unreal, place where everyone dreams to stay.
J
Jaw drop Very amazing with something
Jekyll and Hyde Describe person who has totally two different characters
Jet lag The symptom when you travel by air across time zone
Jet set Rich person who live luxurious life
Jewel in the crown The best part of something already very good
Jockey the position Try to train or someone to be best in their job/position
Joint forces Strongly cooperate 23
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Jump all over someone 24 Aggressively criticize on someone
Jump down someone's throat Angry with someone
Jump ship Abandon or escape from some situation
Jump start Force to start
Jump to the conclusion Come to the conclusion
Jump the queue Move in front of other people in the queue
Jump the gun Do something before the right timing
Jungle out there Something are dangerous outside
Just now A moment ago
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Just off the boat 25 Very innocent
K
Kangaroo court Unauthorized court / unofficial court
Keep at bay Keep a safe distance
Keep a low profile Maintain self-privacy
Keep in touch Continue to be in contact
Keep mum Keep quiet
Keep one's ear to the ground Focus on something to find out what is going on
Keep one's feet to the ground Be realistic. Accept the current situation
Keep posted Keep updated 25
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Keep the finger cross 26 Hope bad things will not happen
Keep the chin up Be brave / don't be discourage
Keep the shirt on Calm down
Keep it for a rainy day Keep something for the future when it might be needed
Keep the ball rolling Continue doing something
Kick body and soul together Work just enough to stay alive
Kick away someone's the ladder Eliminate someone's support
Kick the bucket Die
Kick up someone's heel Celebrate with someone
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Keep your eye on the ball 27 Keep focus on something
Keep your nose clean Stay away from any trouble
Kill two birds with one stone Do two things at the same time
L
Labor of love When you love to do something from your heart
Lame duck Very ineffective products/ business
Land of nod Very sleepy
Landslide victory A big win, usually use with political election
Larger than life Unique, much better than normal
Last laugh If you have the last laugh, you win at last 27
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Last legs 28 Exhausted
Late in the day Too late to change/ adjust
Laugh a minute Very funny
Lay by Save something for future use
Lay down the law Tell people to do something exactly and instructively
Lay off Terminate the employment
Leave someone's high and dry Leave someone completely alone
Lemon Defective
Left in the dark Really don't know what to do. Not given any information
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Left handed compliment 29 Insincere compliment
Let the cat out of the bag Accidentally expose the secret
Live from hand to mouth Live with only little money. Just enough to survive
Long in the tooth Too old to perform work
Lose the head Can not control the temper anymore
Lost train of thought Forgot what you were talking about
M
Mad as a cute sneak Very mad. Go crazy and out of control
Mad as a wet hen Very mad, Very angry
Made of money Very rich 29
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Make a better fist 30 Make something better
Make a clean breast of Confess. Admit the truth
Make a meal of something Put extra effort to do something
Make a pig's ear Mess up something
Make someone's blood boil Make someone very angry
Make up one's mind Make the decision
Make up with Recover close relationship
Man of means Rich man
Made of straw Weak person. A person who is not fight for anything
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Man upstairs 31 Refer to god
Master of Expert of
Meet a half way Both parties accept to lose something to complete agreement
Memory like an elephant Very good memory
Miss the bus / Miss the boat Miss / lost some opportunities
Money for jam Money earned easily
Money to burn A lot of money to spend with no worry
Monkey business Illegal business/ activity
Month of Sunday A very long month/ very long period of time
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Mountain to climb 32 Hard work to do ahead
My heart bleeds Feel very sad or sympathy on something
N
Neck of the woods
The place where speakers live. I'm surprised to see you in this neck of the woods. What brings you here? There's no scenery like this in your neck of the woods, is there?
Nerves of steel A person who is not frightened by something easily
Nest egg Money saved for emergency
New blood New people / generation
New York minute Something that happen very fast
Never do things by halves Put much effort when doing something to finish it
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Never never land 33 The ideal perfect place where people dream to go
Night owl A person who goes to bed very late
Nineteen to the dozen Talk loud and annoying
No dice No luck
No go Something that is not going to work
New skin off my nose Feel not impacted at all
No sweat Very close competition / No Problem
No quarter Finish with no compromise
None the less / Nonetheless However
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
None too 34 Not at all
Nose in the air Act superiors than the rest
Not a Chance Not at all
Not my cup of tea Not my type / favorite
Not the end of the world Not the worst. Use to comfort people
Nuts and bolt The most important parts of something
Nuts Crazy
O
Off color Feel sick
Off the hook Stay away from problems or impacts of what they have done 34
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Off the shelf 35 The products that can be used with no set up required
On a charge of On an accusation of
On a large scale Big amount / size / level
On all fours Crawl
On all sides From every direction
On edge Serious or worry with the coming situation
On ice Stop or keep it for the future
On the ball Understand the situation very well
On the blink Malfunction, out of order (use with machine)
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
On the nose 36 Just in time, Exactly right time
On the hook Responsible for any impacts of what they have done
On thin ice On a risky situation
Once in a blue moon Something happen very rarely
Out of health Not healthy
Out of the blue Don't feel sad anymore
Once and for all Hope this time will be the last / hope to have the conclusion
On the second thought Change the mind about something
On the tip of your tongue Try to remember something but not quite remember it
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
On tiptoe 37 Walk quietly
On your last leg Dying, Last moment of life
Off the hook Out of difficult situation
One bird in the hand is worth two in the bush Better to keep small thing you have than to leave it for something better
One of a kind Special / Only one among all
Out of pocket Out of time / Out of contacted
Out of the box Varied from the normal. Usually used with thinking
P
Paint the town red very enjoy nightlife with lots of drinking
Pandora box Going to make mistake that cause huge danger 37
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Panic stations 38 Very exciting situation. No matter how organized you think you are, one hour before the show starts it's panic stations.
Paper tiger Look powerful but has no actual power
Parrot fashion Learn like a parrot. Do not understand but just remember
Pay on the nail Pay cash right away
Pass the hat Ask someone for the money
Pay the piper Receive the consequence of what you have done
Pay through the nose Pay in a very high price
Pep talk Cheer up, encourage
Piece of cake Very easy
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Pie eyed 39 Very drunk
Pie in the sky A promise that listeners expect that it will actually happen
Pigs might fly Believe something is impossible
Play hooky Not going to school with no good reasons
Play second fiddle to someone Deal with someone who is more important than you
Poker face A person who doesn't show any emotion on him/her face
Pull strings Try so hard to influence someone
Pull someone's leg Tease someone
Put on airs Pretend to do something to impress someone
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Put someone up at 40 Give someone the place to live
Put up with Tolerance with
Put wool over someone's eyes To deceive someone from knowing the real truth
Q
Quality time Time to spend with happiness
Queen bee A woman who has the most power
Queensberry rules An agreement to play in a fair rule
Queer fish A strange person
Queer street In a real trouble (usually with financial status)
Question of time Something that will surely happen in the future 40
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Quick on the uptake 41 Very smart
Quick buck Earn money in an easy way
Quick fix Problems that can be fix in no time
Quid pro quo Give something to favour or payback someone
Quiet as a cat Very quiet
Quiet as a mouse Absolutely no noise
Quite so Perfectly agree
Quote unquote To tell that this quote is copied from the others
R
Racking my brain Try so hard to remember or think of something 41
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Rain cats and dogs 42 Rain very hard
Raise a stink Protest in an aggressive way
Rat race Dirty and unfair competition
Raw deal Unfair deal
Read between the lines Try to understand the true meaning inside
Read someone's mind Try to understand someone's thought
Real deal Very good, Very satisfied
Red carpet Very important, very special
Renaissance man A very smart and talented person
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Ride high 43 Very successful
Ride with the tide Follow the others agreement
Road hog A bad driver
Rob Peter to pay Paul Borrow money from someone to pay another
Rock the boat Sway the situation. Break the stable stage
Roll the dice Take a risk on something
Roll with the punches Flexible
Rolling stone Person who never stay in any place/ position for long
Root and branch Through /All over
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Rough and ready 44 Simple
Rough diamond Person who doesn't look nice from the outside but is actual a good / nice one
Run against someone Compete with someone
Run behind Delay / slower than schedule
Run out of All gone. No more left
S
Safe and sound Completely save
Salad days The awkward old time which could be happy to think of
Salt of the Earth People who dedicate their life to make the world better
Salty dog An expert sailor/ fisherman 44
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Save face 45 Save the reputation from public
Save your skin Stay away from problems
Sea legs Do/ try something new
Second to none The best
See eye to eye Two or more people are agree on something
See red Very angry
Seed money First amount of money to start your business
Sell down the river Betray. Not follow agreement
Sell someone down the river Betray someone
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Shake a leg 46 Hurry up
Shoot off the mouth Show opinion very loudly
Shot in the dark Do something with little direction and hope to be successful
Sit on the fence Does not want to make the decision
Slip one's mind Completely forget something
Smell a rat Compete with someone
Snow job Dishonestly talking
So to speak Refer to someone's speech
Sooner or later In the near future
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Slip one's mind 47 Completely forget something
Speak of the devil Someone you are talking about (probably in a negative way) is arrived
Stand me up Miss an appointment with me
Stick out the neck Take the risk
T
Tag Along Follow
Talk double Dutch Confusing talk or Unclear explanation.
Take a pot luck Accept all conditions.
Take no prisoners Do not pay attention about the other's feeling
Take to the heels Start running away 47
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Take what someone say with a pinch of salt 48 Doesn't take what someone say too seriously
Tear bucket Cry so much
Tear something into pieces Completely destroy something
Tens of thousands Represent the big number of something
Ten to one Feel confident with something
The best of both worlds Very best. Have all advantages
The last straw The last problem before everything is solved
Think on one's feet Think quickly
Third degree A quite severe stage
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Third world 49 Low development place/ person
Throw down the glove Take a challenge
Tide someone over Help someone to survive from crisis
To a day Exactly (use with time or date)
To hear something straight from a horse's mouth To hear something from an original source which should very reliable
Tongue in cheek Relieve
Tongue tied Too nervous or serious to speak out
Too big for one's boot Arrogant. Self-center person
Touch and go An uncertain result
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Tough as nails 50 Very tough
Toxic waste Completely waste. Cannot even be disposed
True to life Very real
Turn pale Suddenly scare of something
Turn someone off Feel disgusting with someone
U
Ugly customer Dangerous person
Uncle Sam Refer to something from the US
Uncle Tom Person who are not updated to the current world.
Under age Below the legal age 50
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Under cover 51 Conceal / Hide
Under fire Under the serious situation
Under the breath Whisper / Talk in a very soft level
Under the nose Do not recognize something which are actually very close
Under the hammer About to reach the final
Under the table Bribes / Pay money for illegal purposes
Under the thumb Completely under control
Under the weather Feel sick / depress
Under your thumb Under totally your control
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Until the last dog is shot 52 Until the very last possible moment
Up a gum tree In trouble. Very busy
Up in the air Unclear situation
Upside down Turn the top to the bottom and the bottom to the top
Up to speed Update the progress
Up the wall Very angry
Up to you Depend on you / rely on you
V
Value judgement Unfair judgement. Judge with emotion
Velvet glove Gentle person 52
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Vertically challenged 53 Small
Very thing Very suitable
Vice Versa The opposite of what you say is also true
Vicious circle No progress. recurring situation
Villain of the piece
A bad person or thing. According to reports of the disaster, the villain of the piece is the mining company who failed to carry out proper safety checks.
VIP Very Important Person
Virgin territory Something that hasn't been found / discovered
W
Waiting in the wings Ready to take an action
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Walk in a park 54 Smooth an easy
Walk on a green mile Going to do something which cannot be avoid
Walk on eggshells About to get very angry with someone
Walking on air Very happy
War of words A big argument
Waste of skin Worthless
Watch the step Move / Act carefully
Watch the tongue Speak carefully
Watching paint dry Boring / not interesting at all
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Wear many hats 55 People who play many roles or in many positions at the same time.
Wet behind the ears Naive / no experience
White feather The sign that the person is scared or highly nervous
White knight Person who like to help or save the others
White lie Lie for a good purpose to help something/ someone
Whole food Organic food
Wide of the mark Incorrect / Inaccurate
Wild card Unpredictable factors
Window shopping Go to the shop to walk and look around but not buying
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Wishy washy 56 Something unclear. He is just so wishy washy because he won't tell that girl what he wants in their relationship.
With eyes open Fully aware when doing something
Within a stone throw Within a very short distance
Word by word Very word
X
X rate (Rate X) Too aggressive
Y
Year in year out Year by year. Many years consecutively
Year round All year/ the whole year
Yellow billed Coward
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Yellow press 57 Bias media. Media who report with no mercy
Yes and no Unclear / not confident
Yes man Someone who always agree with other people
Yesterday's man Someone who has been overlooked because he is not as successful as his old time
You are toast Your are in a real trouble
You are what you eat The food you eat is very important for your health
You bet Totally agree
You can say that again Totally agree
You cannot unring a bell You cannot recall something which you have done
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You could hear a pin drop 58 Very quiet
You name it. To give a total credit to someone on something (it)
Young blood New generation people
Your call Totally your decision
Your name is mud Bad reputation
Yummy Delicious
Z
Zero hour Appointment for start time with no delay
Zero in Focus to the target
Zero tolerance No tolerance. No compromise 58
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Zip the lip 59 Keep the mouth closing / Keep the secret
Kay’s Common Idioms To Remember abide by: obey, observe (comply with, follow, keep) abound in: abound, be abundant in, be fertile in, teem in, be in abundance, be rich in above all, especially (most importantly, above all things), among other things, as a first step, before everything else, first of all, for one thing according to: in accordance with, according as that account for: uncovering the reasons for, explain be accustomed to: be used to be in the habit of, (something) be familiar to (someone), familiarize oneself with, be well read in, be well (deeply) versed in, be acquainted with, be at home in (on) add to: increase (add A to B) add up: total, makes sense add up to: be the sum - to, come the end adequate for: sufficient for , in the right (enough) adjust to: adapt to agree on: accede to, be agreeable to, assent to, approve of, be in favour of, comply with, consent to 59
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
dissent from: disagree with 60 agree with (something): fit (food, climate, etc.), be suitable ahead of: in front of, before aim at: target all along: all the time, throughout, from the very first all at once: suddenly, simultaneously, on a sudden, all of a sudden all but: almost all in all: altogether, mostly (in general) all over: finished (done), everywhere all told: all combined, all, in all, one and all, root and branch along with: together with allow for: account, take into consideration, make allowance for, reflect on, deliberate on, think over amount to be: total, lead to, result in and so forth [on]: and the like, and what not, etcetera (etc) answer for: take responsibility for, be in charge of, be responsible for, be answerable for, be accountable for, be to blame, take charge of apply to: be applicable to, be true of apply for: support, request, ask for, call for as a matter of fact: in reality, actually, in fact as a rule: generally, usually as far as: as much as, to the degree that as follows: like this, in this way, along this line as it were: so to speak, in a way as long as: so long as, providing, provided that, on condition that 60
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
as of: starting, beginning, commencing 61 as to: as for, in (with) respect to (of), as regards, in (with) regard to (of), in relation to, in connection to ascribe A to B: attribute A to B, impute A to B at (the) least: no less than, minimum at (the) most: at the very most, at best at one’s convenience: if (when) it is convenient for (to) be at a loss: be at one’s wit’s end, be all at sea, be in a dilemma, be bewildered, be embarrassed, be on horns of a dilemma, perplexed, be upset, lose one’s head at best: at most, just about at ease: relaxed, well at ease; feel at easy (feel at home, make oneself at home, take it easy) at first hand: directly at hand: near, soon, at hand, 1) meaning in time: close at hand, before long, just around the corner, in the near future; 2) meaning in space (spatially): nearby, close at hand, within s stone’s throw of) at last: in the end, finally, in the long run at odds (with): at variance, in dispute (disagreement), in conflict at once: immediately, at the same time, simultaneously, in no time, on the spot, once (and) for all, off hand, out of hand, right away at present: today, now at random: randomly, impartially, fairly, haphazardly, higgledy-piggledy, as luck would have it, at the dictate of chance at stake: at risk, at issue 61
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
at the (very) moment: at the moment, the current (presently) 62 at the cost / price / expense of: without regard for, to the detriment of at times: sometimes, occasionally (from time to time, once in a while, more often than not) A large number of: a good few, a number of, not a few, quite a few, cf) Quantitative: lots of, plenty of, not a little, quite a little at liberty: freely, at will, at one’s discretion, at one’s disposal, of one’s own accord, of one’s own free will at all cost: no matter what happens, at any cost, at all events, by all means, in any case, for all the world, on all accounts, by all means back and forth: to and fro, backwards and forwards back down: retreat, withdraw back off: recede, retreat, pull back, move away back out (of): revoke, withdraw from, abandon back up: support, help, encouragement, endorsement bail out: save, rescue, stand surety, aid bank on [upon]: depend on, count on, rely on, rest on, be dependent on (fall back on) be about to: be just going to, be just ready to, be on the brink of - ing, be on the verge of - ing, on the point of - ing be absorbed in: be lost in, be engaged in, be immersed in, be engrossed in, be devoted to, apply oneself to, devote oneself to, give body and soul to, concentrate one’s mind on, give oneself (up) to, lose oneself in, put one’s
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
heart and soul into, be with one’s heart and soul, be addicted to 63 be acquainted with: familiar with be allergic to: sensitive to, affected by be apt to (do): tend to, be prone to, be ready to, be open to, be subject to, be inclined to be assured of: be confident about, place (have) reliance on, trust on, be sure of, be certain of be averse to [from]: be opposed to - ing, have objection to, be in opposition to, object to - ing be aware of: know be based on: be on the basis of, be ground on be bent on : be eager to be beside the point: miss the point, beat around the bush, off the point be bound for: make for, tend to, lead to, head for be bound to do: have a duty to, be obliged to do, be certain to, be forced to, be compelled to be composed of: be comprised of, consist of, be made up of be concerned with: be related (with) to, be associated with, be relevant to, have reference to, have connection with, have something to do with be condemned to: be destined to, be doomed to be derived from: come from be devoted to: be dedicated to be engaged in: be busy with, be occupied by be fond of: like be free from [of]: pardon, be exempted of, be let off the hook, be off-load 63
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
be fresh from: be newly made from 64 be harmful to [for/of]: be injurious to, be detrimental to, be dangerous, be unsafe be indifferent to: make no difference in, have nothing to do with, have no bearing on be known to: known by (for, as), recognized be obsessed with [by]: be seized, be held be open to: be likely to be particular about [over]: be picky, be fussy be quick at: be fast be scared of [at]: be afraid of be sensitive to: be susceptible to, be alert to be short of: be insufficient (have not enough) be subject to: be open to be suitable for: be proper for, be fit for, be suited for be through (with): finish with, get through with be tied up (with): be very busy with be (get) tired of: be bored by (with), be fed up with, be tired with (from), wear out be up for: be ready to be up to: be one’s duty (responsibility) be wary of: be careful of be worried about [over]: care about, be anxious about, be apprehensive of (for, about), be ill at ease, be troubled about, be concerned about, distress oneself, feel uneasy 64
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
bear (up)on: be relevant to 65 bear the brunt of: endure (attacks) face to face become of: happen to, come about, come to pass, break out, take place, bring about become on: harmonize with, go with beef up: fortify, strengthen before long: within the time, soon believe in: trust, have faith in belong to: be a part of better off: in better circumstances, enhanced beyond (all) question: no doubt, beyond doubt beyond dispute: no room for debate blow out (fire): blow out, extinguish, put out blow up: cause to explode, blast (off), burst out boil down to: be reduced to bound to: certain to, sure to branch out: expand the business, ramify break down: 1) destroy, collapse, 2) be out of order, 3) (for health, stamina) become ill, 4) overcome, 5) decompose (analyze) break ground: start, begin break into: 1) start suddenly, burst into, 2) intrude (interrupt), 3) filibuster (enter by force) break in: 1) tame, 2) intrude (interrupt)
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
break off: 1) be cut off (a relationship), separate, 2) end (sever, stop, 66 discontinue) break out: 1) (war, fire, etc.) arise, begin abruptly, 2) suddenly started (burst into), 3) go jailbreak break through: 1) overcome, 2) get though, infiltrate, penetrate, breach , step forward break up: separate (split up), smash (scatter, disperse) bring about: 1) give rise, result in (cause to happen), 2) be fulfilled (accomplish) bring on: bring about, introduce bring out: expose, reveal, publish bring to: resuscitate (revive, bring round, breathe new life into, give the kiss of life to) bring up: 1) raise (rear), 2) introduce (issues etc), 3) hand in, 4) vomit bring [take] back: draw back (return), restore brush up (on): review, study, practice build up: pile (wealth, character, reputation, etc), promote bump into: meet by chance, run into, meet with, happen to meet, chance upon burn down: burn all, vanish, burn up all burn out: exhaust, be worn out butt in [into]: interrupt impolitely, interfere buy out: buy (things including the rights of others) buy up: hoard (save, store, amass, accumulate, put aside)
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
by all means: certainly, at any cost, without fail 67 by and by: soon, before long by and large: on the whole, overall, mostly by chance [accident]: accidentally, as chance would have it, as it happens by far: very much, by a great deal, definitely, obviously by God: surely by heart: by memory, word-for-word by means of: with the help of, through by nature: naturally, innately by no means: in no way, not - at all, anything but, be far from, in no sense, not - in the slightest, not - in the least, under no circumstances, for all the world by oneself: on one’s own, alone and without help by the way: incidentally (by the by, while we’re on the subject, before I forget) by way of: passing through, via call at: visit, drop in at (location, home) call on: visit, drop in on (someone), ask, request call for: demand, require, ask for, make a demand for call off:1) take away (attention) from someone, 2) cancel, take back call down: scold (blame) A for B, give - a scolding, take (call, bring) - to task call out: 1) summon), 2) shout to call someone loudly call - by name: call someone’s name, cf) call (a person) names: insult, abuse, slander, malign, libel calm down: sedate, relax care for: like, take care of (look after) 67
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
carry on: continue, keep 68 carry out: carry through, perform, put into effect cash in on: take advantage of, profit from cast aside: dump, throw off, discard cast (throw) a stone at: censure, pick on, accuse - of, find fault with catch a cold: get sick with a cold catch on: understand catch one’s breath: hold one’s breath catch up with 1) overtake, 2) come up with, keep up with, keep pace with, keep abreast with (of) catch [get] a glimpse of: take a glance catch the point of: come to the point, hit home, keep to the point cause anxiety to (frolic etc): kick up, make a row, make a scene change one’s mind: decide differently check in (hotel, etc.): sign in (up, on), enrol, register check out: 1) sign out, leave, 1) inspect, look into, explore check into: look into, investigate check in at: lodge at (in), put up at, stop at (in) check over: examine, investigate cheer up: make happy, encourage chew out: berate (scold someone severely) chip in on [for]: contribute to, donate to chop down: cut, parry chop up: finely chop clean off: clean, tidy 68
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
clean up: is clean, clear, purify 69 clear away: eliminate, tidy up clear up: solve (the problem): (the weather) become nice and sunny cling to: stick to, cleave, adhere to, stick to, hold fast (to) come in (make) contact with: touch, communicate with (keep) in touch with close down: be terminated (discontinue) close in on: draw nearer to, approach close up: be closed (bring to an end), converge (come together) combine A with B: ally (unite) come (down) to: be attributed to (the total) come across: meet by chance (encounter) come along: 1) be accompanied by, 2) proceed successfully come by: 1) obtain, acquire, carry off, 2) drop in (pay a visit) come down with: get ill (become ill with, get a disease) come in: enter, win a prize (be among the winners) come out with: divulge to, confess, reveal, be released (bring out) come out: appear, emerge come to light: appear or be manifested (become known) come to terms: settle [reach] an agreement come to think of it: I guess come true: become a reality come up with: think of, catch up (follow) come up: approach, come close, happen (arise), overhang come what may [will]: no matter what happens
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
compare A with B: A and B are compared 70 compare A to B: A to B is compared compete with: contend (with, against), vie with, struggle concentrate on: converge [focus] on consist of: be composed of, be made up consist with: be in accord with, concur with, correspond with, be in accordance with consist in: exist, lie in, be situated (located) contrary to: contradictory to, opposing, different, divergent contribute to: donate to cope with: deal with successfully, be equal to - ing count in: include, cf) count out, deflate (eliminate, exclude) count on: trust (depend on, rely on, bank on) cross out [off]: (with X mark) erase, erasure cut back on: reduce, lessen, lay bare cut in: cut in (to the story), interfere, interrupt cut off: sever, separate, is interrupted (stop, discontinue) cut out for: of qualified (having an aptitude for, qualified) date back to: go back to the days day by day: every day (daily) deal with: cope (with), handle deal in: do business, engage in business, enter into business decide to verb: be determined, decide on - ing, make up one’s mind, make a
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
resolution to 71 despite of: despite, with all, for all, in spite of, in the face of, none the less dissuade - from - ing: disable, keep, stop, prevent, prohibit, hinder, discourage die of (disease): die die from (accident): die, pass away, breathe one’s last (breath), commit suicide, kill oneself, meet one’s death die away (wind, sound, etc.): gradually attenuate (fade away, die down) die down: gradually go down (become less severe, quiet down) discriminate A from B: tell A from B, distinguish A and B, know A from B, separate A from B dispose of: get rid of, discard do away with: eliminate, abolish, get rid of, make away with, weed out do harm: cause damage (hurt) do good: give benefits do someone a favour: listen to the request of do one’s best: try very hard do one’s part: do one’s duty to do well to: had better, may as well, would rather, may (might) as well - as do without: dispense with, go without, manage without drag on: a long time procrastinate draw back: be back (withdraw, retreat) draw in (the reins): tighten, reduce costs, be enticed (take in) draw off (liquid): subtract, withdraw (move back, retreat)
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
draw on: approach, be dependent on (rely on) 72 draw up (a document): be written (write plans, draft, devise) dress down: dress cf) dress up: primp dress oneself in: be dressed in, have on, put on, try on drive back: ward (expel) drop a line: write a short letter drop by [in / over]: casually drop in (visit) drop out: quit, stop due to: because of, owing to, thanks to, on the ground of, for the reason of, on account of dwell on: deliberate on, ponder on, think over earn [make] one’s living: earn a living eat away: corrode (destroy gradually) eat out: eat up, have a meal in a restaurant egg on: encourage, push, urge, cf) have eggs on the spit (very busy) eligible for: suitable for end in: result in, end up with end up with: finally ~ to be engage in: take part (occupy oneself, become involved) be engaged to: engage oneself, betroth oneself to enter into (business days): be started equal to: be comparable to (tantamount to) escape death by a finger’s breadth: barely escape with one’s life, hang by a thread (a hair), have a narrow escape, narrowly escape death 72
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
every now and then: sometimes, occasionally, from time to time, every once in 73 a while every other: every alternate except for: but for, if it were not for in effect: 1) actually (virtually), 2) in essence, (essentially) face up to: bravely stand opposite each other (meet courageously, confront) faced with: confronted with fade away: be gone, die out (off, away), fade out, steal away fail in: turn out (prove) a failure, get nowhere, accomplish nothing be faithful to: be true to fall back on: 1) rely on, 2) be used in an emergency fall : 1) secede (separate), 2) decline, decrease fall down: 1) fall to the ground, 2) fail fall behind: lag in pace, slacken (payments) fall in love with: love (fall for) fall in with: be consistent, alight fall short of: be not enough (be lacking in) fall to: begin, begin with, enter into, make a start, set about, set in (out), set off, set one’s hand to be fed up with: be tire of, be disgusted feel for: feel sympathy to, sympathize with, take pity on feel ill at ease: be anxious (feel uncomfortable) feel like: be inclined to, want to
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
feel up to: seem to be able to (feel able to) 74 feel unwell: do not feel good, be in no mood, be out of sorts figure out: 1) be correct (solve, decipher, interpret), 2) understand, 3) calculate figure up: total fill in for: substitute for fill in: supply desired information, write in a blank, put down, write down fill out: 1) write on the paper (write in, complete), 2) gain weight (bulge) fill up: replenish find fault with: censure (criticize, be dissatisfied with) find out (the truth): learn, discover, inquire (ask about) first of all: first (in the first place) fit in: 1) ideal (harmony), 2) adjust fit up: furnish (facilities) fix up: 1) repair (mend, renovate), 2) be adjusted, be determined (arrange, settle, solve) 3) be prepared, 4) supply (provide, prepare), 5) dress follow after: pursue, give chase to, seek after, be in pursuit of for a rainy day: in case of any event (in case of an emergency) for ages: for a long time (for a very long time) for good: forever (permanently) for nothing: for free, vain (without some good reason) for the time being: in the meantime, at this time (for the present, for now) for one’s (own) part: as for someone, so (as) far as someone is concerned for God’s (mercy’s, Heaven’s) sake: please, for Christ’s (pity’s, goodness’) sake 74
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
for short: in short 75 for want of: lack of, (run, come, fall, be) short of, not enough , insufficient
(deficient), wanting (lacking) in for example: for instance, by way of illustration, let us say, to take an illustration, to give an instance for the most part: most, in large part, in the main, n most cases for the sake of: for (gain, bias), for one’s sake, in the cause of, on behalf of, in the interests of, in the service of for the purpose of: for (purpose), in order to, so as to verb, with a view to – ing, with the view (object, idea) of for what it is worth: although negligible, such as it is, such as there is, though it is of poor quality for the life of one: desperately, for one’s life, for dear of for the asking: simply by request for a time: while, for a moment for one’s age: compared to age, considering one’s age form - of: make as form - after: modeled after and try to make for [with] all: despite (in spite of, notwithstanding) free of: clear of, exempt from free from: do not have from now on: in the future (from this moment) from the point of view: in terms of a stand(view) point, from a viewpoint, from a standpoint
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
from scratch: from the initial state (from nothing, from the start) 76 from time to time: occasionally, sometimes (now and then) from top to bottom: completely (thoroughly) gain ground: 1) make progress (advance), 2) obtain approval (gain approval), 3) gain basis gear up: get ready, extend equipment (put on equipment) get hold of: 1) understand, 2) seize (grasp), 3) take a (communicate, contact) get at: 1) arrive at, 2) be suggestive, 3) be understood get about: 1) roam, 2) (rumour) spread out get across: 1) explain (make clear), making someone understand, 2) crossing get ahead of: 1) forestall (move forward of), 2) be exceeded (outdo, surpass) get along with: 1) chum, 2) go on (manage), be good friends with, be intimate with, be on good terms with, get on with, keep good company, make friends with get away with: 1) manage to polish, 2) run away with get away: escape, flee, leave (start out, leave), break away, make off, make one’s escape get a glimpse of: glimpse, take a glance at get by: 1) manage to get along (manage to survive), manage to endure, 2) pass get down to: 1) begin (start, begin with), 2) focus (concentrate) get even with: be revenge (take revenge on, retaliate) get in the way: interfere (block, obstruct, hinder), be (stand) in the way, interfere with, place obstacles in the way of 76
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
get in touch with: contact, communicate 77 get into: get involved in get off (vehicles): reprieve (from), drop, get down from, get out get on: (board) ride, ride in, give someone a ride, on horseback, pick up get on in the world: succeed in, make good, rise in the world get out of: go out (leave, exit), elude (escape from) get over: 1) be overcome (overcome), 2) (Health) recover from, 3) crossing, 4) mop (finish, have done with) get rid of: remove, do away with, be disposed of get something going: commence, embark (begin, start, initiate) get the better of: 1) outdo, surpasses, 2) get an advantage over get through: 1) (telephone) be contacted, 2) pass the story, 3) (Test) pass, 4) (destination) be reached, 5) (the bill) be passed in Parliament get through with: 1) (work) be completed (finish), bring - to an end, make an end of, put an end to get to the point: tell the point we get together: meet, collect (gather) get / fall behind: lag in progress, fail to pay on time get well: recover, get better, recover from, make a good progress give a hand: help someone (help out), clap one’s hands (applaud, clap) give a lift: ride (give a ride) give back: return, restore give in: 1) surrender, yield, give way to, 2) submit (hand in, submit, turn in), give way to, submit to 77
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
give off (the smell, heat, light, gas, etc.): give out, transpire (release, send out, 78 emit) give one’s best regards: convey one’s regards to, give one’s compliments to, send one’s best wishes give out: 1) distribute, hand out, 2) exhale (send out, emit) give rise to: make clear (cause) give up: 1) renounce (despair), stop, 2) give in, 3) be disposed of give way to: concede, make a concession to, make halfway give support to: assist, give a hand, back up, be of service give someone a shake: be fired, fire out, give one the sack, be dismissed give someone a ring: phone, call up, ring up, be on the phone give birth to: be the cause, bring forth, call - into being, come into the world (existence, being) go about: 1) be launched (start), 2) perform, 3) (a rumour) prevail (circulate) go ahead: keep on (proceed without hesitation) go along with: agree (concur with) go beyond the scope of: exceed, be exceeded (outdo) go for: try for, favour, like go in for: fond (approve of, like), be involved (engage in) go into: investigate, examine, look into, canvass go off (an explosion): burst up, blow up go on: continue, (events) happen (take place) go on a strike: strike for, walk out go out with: have a date with go over: 1) review (check, examine, consider), 2) cross 78
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
go through: 1) complete, 2) check (examine), 3) pass, 4) tolerate (endure), 5) 79 publish go with: accompany, look good together go without saying: it is needless to say, be clear, be obvious go without: forgo (do without) hand down: be inherited (bequeath), be published (declare, deliver) hand in: submit, give back (return) hand in hand: cooperation, arm in arm, cooperate with hand out: distribute, pass out, dole out hand over: give up, transfer (surrender, give control of), make over, turn over hang around: socialize with, mosey, poke about (loiter) hang on (the phone): wait (hold on) hang up (the phone): cut off (disconnect) have a word with: briefly talk (speak with) happen to noun: come about, come to pass, break out, take place happen to (verb): incidentally be, chance to have a good view: afford a fine view, command a fine view have a liking for: be fond of, care for, take a fancy to have a yen for: hunger (eager, yean) for, have a carving for, have a strong desire for, hunger for, look forward to have an eye for: know how to see have an eye to: pay attention to have a seat: sit down, be seated, sit back, seat oneself have a likeness to: resemble, be alike, take after, bear resemblance to
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
have an influence on: cause to the effect, tell on, work on, exercise influence 80 on, have an effect (impact) on have in mind: plan, intend have no bearing (up) on: have no relation with have one’s own way: be at will, be stubborn have respect for: respect, esteem one for, look up to, pay homage to have contempt for: contempt, hold one in contempt, look down on, regard one with contempt have to do with: be related to (be connected with) head for: move toward hang up: disconnect hear from: listen (receive news from) hear of: know about, be familiar with hit upon: (accidentally) find (come into collision, run across) hold down: mortify (restrain), maintain hold fast (of): keep hold of, hang on, grasp hold good: be available, be applied (be valid), become effective, remain in force, make valid hold on to: keep a firm grip on, stick to, abide by hold on: (without disconnecting from the phone), wait (hang on) hold out: endure (lasting), be patient with, put up with hold still: remain motionless hold up: be blocked (hinder, delay), rob hurry up: speed up
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
in addition: moreover, into the bargain, on top of, besides 81 in a row: one after another (consecutively) in a sense: in a way, sort of in a word: in a nutshell (in short, briefly) in accordance with: in harmony with, in the case of (in the event of) in advance: prior to (beforehand) in any event: in any case, anyway in behalf of: instead of, in one’s place, in one’s shoes in case of: in the event of in charge of: be responsible for in common: shared equally in detail: item by item, with particulars, in full, at large, at length in due course: when the time comes (in the natural order of events), eventually in essence: in substance in evidence of: in proof of, in token of in front of: in the presence of, in the face of in fashion: in trendy, in vogue, up to date come into fashion: trend, cf) out of fashion: out of vogue, out of date, old fashioned in favour of: in support of, on the side of in general: principle (as a whole, overall), on the whole, by and large in honour of: honour (out of respect for, in one’s honour), in celebration of, in memory of in need: in trouble, at a time of need, at a crisis, at stake 81
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
in order: orderly (in a state of proper arrangement) 82 in other words: put it differently in part: partially in person: face to face, directly (personally) in practice: actually (in reality, practically) in private: not publicly, secretly in progress: under way in proportion as: in proportion to in public: not privately, publicly, overtly (openly) in reality: in truth, in effect, in fact, as a matter of fact in regards to: with respect to, of the sense (about, on, concerning) in response to: in reply to, in answer to in return: in reward in search of: to find in short: in brief, in sum, in a word in spite of: notwithstanding, despite in terms of: 1) in view of, 2) about (concerning, as to, with regard to) in company with: in one’s company, together with, along with in the black: operating at a profit in the event of: if it happens, in case of in the first place: for a start, more than anything else, to begin with, to start with in the long run: finally, eventually (at last, in the end, ultimately, after all, at length) in the name of: in one’s name, under the name 82
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
in the red: deficit (operating at a loss, being in debt) 83 in time: early enough, not late, eventually in turn: in return for (in reward for) in turn: alternately, by turns: alternately in vain: no gain (to no purpose, without success), for nothing, to no purpose, to no avail, without result inferior to none: best, second to none, next to none in view of: considering, in terms of independent of: regardless of inquire after: ask about the state of condition inquire into: to be investigated insist on: stick to (persist in, assert), lay claim to, persist in instead of: in place of, rather than interfere with: intervene in, be the interference (meddle in) in [with] regard to: referring to, concerning iron out (problems): be resolved (resolve, clear up) it’s high time to: it’s about time to do it’s no wonder: it is not surprising (it’s natural) jam up: be blocked, unable to move join A to B: concatenate, participate in join in: take part join issue: debate is starting to.
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
keep a straight face: to keep serious (prevent oneself from laughing) 84 keep abreast of [with]: keep up with keep an eye on: watch carefully(look after) keep away from: stay away from, to evade (avoid, shun) keep back: retain, refrain, restrain, mortify, stay away from keep good company: chum, get along with, get on with, make friends with keep - from - ing: disable, dissuade, stop, prevent keep a date: owing to, abide by one’s promise, be as good as one’s promise, be true to one’s word, keep an appointment (an engagement), keep one’s promise keep in touch: contact regularly, communicate keep on: keep up (continue, persist), go on (with), carry on, hold on keep one’s temper: control oneself keep out: keep one outside keep something in mind: remember, bear in mind keep something to oneself: keep something secret keep to the point: identify the point, come to the point, hit home, catch the point of keep up with: stay informed, be second to (match), keep pace with, keep abreast with (of), come (catch) up with keep ~ in mind: bear in mind (remember) kick off: initiate, begin kick out: expel, oust, (lights) go out (give out) kill out: extirpate, root out, sweep away, wipe out kick up: kick up a fuss; cause anxiety to, make a law, make a scene 84
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
kill time: to pass the time just for fun (idle) 85 knock out: make unconscious, annihilate (defeat) know better than: not stupid enough know A from B: separate, discriminate, tell, distinguish be known to: be known be known as: be known be known for: be famous for be known by: as you can see laugh at: scoff, make a fool of, make a fun (game) of, make an ass of lay aside: be reserved, put aside, set aside, save, lay up (aside), store up lay off: (temporarily) turn off (dismiss), stop annoying lead to: result in lay stress on: attach importance to, put (place) stress on, make much of, make much account of, make difference learn something by heart: memorize completely leave (something) behind: do not take it with them when they leave. leave off: stop leave out: omit, except (exclude) leave someone alone: do not bother (stop disturbing), do not interfere with (stop interfering) leave no means untried: exhaust all means, leave no stone unturned legend has it: rumour has it let alone: needless to say, not to mention, not to speak of, to say nothing of let down: disappoint (fail), be betrayed (betray) 85
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
let loose: be released, let go of, set free 86 let on: reveal, uncover (disclose, let out a secret) let out (a secret): divulge (reveal), end (terminate, be finished) let up (rain): gradually cease, gradually dwindle away (diminish) let us say: for example lie down: lie, lay oneself down, lie on one’s back lie on one’s face (stomach): prostrate lie on one’s side: lie sideway lie in: consist in, be situated, be located lay down: make someone lie down line up behind: back, support, uphold little by little: bit, gradually, bit by bit, by degrees, one by one, piece by piece, step by step live down: forget a shameful thing through the years live on: feed on live by: live according to something live from hand to mouth: make a living, keep the wolf from the door, keep clothes on your back live beyond one’s means: live luxuriously (more than enough) live up to: live in accordance with, be prepared to lodge at(accommodation): check in at, put up at, stop at (in) long for: yearn for, look forward to, have a desire for look after: take care of, care for, have (put) something under one’s charge look back on: remember, reflect on, recollect, recall look down on: hold in contempt, despise 86
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
look forward to (with joy): anticipate 87 look into: examine, inquire into, investigate look out: beware, (watch carefully for) look over: examine check, review, go over, inquire into, make an investigation look up (dictionary, etc): find information look to A for B: depending (to A for B) lose (one’s) face: suffer disgrace lose ground: 1) retreat, 2) lose (top, power, popularity, etc.) lose heart: become discouraged lose one’s temper: get angry, lose one’s wig lose one’s head: being busy for nothing lose one’s mind: go crazy, be insane, besides oneself, go mad, be out of one’s mind lose one’s face: cause embarrassment, lose one’s dignity, humiliate oneself lose no time in - ing: do not delay in lose sight of: miss the look of, do not know the news, overlook and miss the sight lose the day: be lost, be defeated major in: specialize in, make a specialty of make application for: apply for, apply to, send application for make an impression on one’s mind: give an impression make (both) ends meet: make life without a deficit (balance a budget) make allowances for: take into consideration, allow for
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
make a demand for: ask for, call for 88 make an attack on (against): aggress, attack, mug, raid, take something by surprise, make a raid against, fall on make a difference: 1) cause a change, 2) emphasize, set store by, think (highly) much of, make much of, put (lay, place) stress on make a compliment to - on: praise for, be loud in one’s praise, commend someone for, pay a tribute to, praise someone for, speak well of make away with: stealing, get rid of, do away with, weed out make believe to: make out to, pretend to, put on an act, make a presence to, make a presence of - ing make effort to: try to, endeavour to, exert oneself to, strive for make room way for: give up one’s seat for make a compromise with: compromise make a concession to: appease, give way to, meet someone halfway make a contribution to: contribute to, render service to make an engagement to: be engaged to make an end of close: get through, bring something to a close, make an end of, put an end to make a face: frown, grimace, make a grimace make a good progress: get well (better), recover from, take a turn for the better make a point of: make it a point to do, focus on make fun of: banter (laugh at, ridicule, make jokes about) make good: make a hit, succeed in, get on in the world make a fortune: make money 88
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
make haste: haste, be in a hurry, hurry up 89 make it (in time): arrive in time, be successful (succeed) make no difference: there is no effect make oneself at home: unbend, take it easy make out: 1) understand (figure out), 2) draw (fill out) make over: cede A to B, hand over, turn over make sense: be logical and clear make search for: look, search out make sure: be certain make the best of it: cope with in the best way possible make the most of it: be the best use of (get the best use from) make up: invent, create, compensate make up one’s mind: decide, make a decision make use of it: avail oneself of, make the most (the best) of, put something to use, take advantage of, turn something to use make up for: compensate for make a plan: have a plan for, map out, plan for manage without: forego, go (do) without make way for: allow space for, provide a path for many a time: several times, again and again, by repetition, over and over again march forward: proceed forward, go ahead meet with: meet someone by chance, happen to meet, run into meddle with: tamper, interfere with, intrude on, put (poke, thrust) one’s nose into 89
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
mess up: bitch (spoil, ruin) 90 miss out: be omitted, leave out, pass over, skip over miss the point: be beside the point, beat around the bush, be off the point mix up: entangle, be in confusion (confuse) model - on: imitate, be imitative of, be in imitation of more or less: somewhat, close on, near upon, or so more often than not: mostly, often (frequently) much (still) less (behind positive words): needless to say (not to mention, beyond question) much (still) more (behind negative): also, how much more needless to say: of course, (certainly) next to: almost, beside no longer: not any more no sooner than: as soon as, on - ing not at all: out against, not in any way, no way now that: since that object to - ing: be the opposite, be opposed to - ing, have objection to once in a while: as often as not, more often than not, every now and then, every so often, from time to time of late: lately off and on: occasionally (not regularly, intermittently, on and off) off duty: not working, off guard, cf) on duty: working off hand: on the spot, at once, in no time, right away, right now 90
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
on a large scale: massively 91 on and on: continually, on end, consecutively, without end on account of: because of on condition that: only if, as long as, so long as, providing, given that on earth: in the world, under the sun one after another and one after the other: alternating, by turns, in turn, cf) alternate with: take turns on edge: acutely sensitive, nervous, tense on hand: in one’s possession, to be readily available (easily available) on one’s own: independent, by themselves (for oneself, by oneself) on purpose: deliberately, intentionally (for a certain reason) on sale: selling for a special reduced price on second thought: after reconsidering on the average: usually (typically) on the charge of: under the accusation of on the contrary: rather than, in contrast to, from another point of view, in reverse order, to the contrary, the other way about on the one hand: from another side or aspect, conversely on the point of - ing: on the verge of on the side: off-topic, as a snack (as a side dish) on the spot: right now (at once, right away), in the field (on the scene) on the whole: overall (in general, in most ways) on time: on schedule, punctually on top of 1) on top of, 2) in addition to, into the bargain, to make matters worse, what is more (better, worse) 91
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
out of breath: breathe heavily 92 out of control: cannot control out of order: broken out of season: not seasonal out of sight: unseen out of place: inappropriate out of question: sure, certainly out of the question: impossible pass on: deliver pass out: faint, hand out (distribute, hand out), swoon pass through: go by way of pay attention to: attend to, be attentive to, take note of pay back: revenge (retaliate), repay, return pay one’s own way: make a living without owing pay off (debt): liquidate (pay in full), retaliate upon phase out: gradually dwindle away (end gradually) pick on: 1) single out, choose, 2) tease, harass, bully, find fault with, cast a stone at, blame - for pick out: choose, select pick up: get, buy, go pick up (someone) with car picture to oneself: fancy pitch in: help, join in, raise energy at work play down: be little, make no account of, make little of
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
play a joke on: jeer, poke fun at (mock, rag, ridicule), pull one’s leg 93 play a part in: play a role in point out: indicate prefer - to: more fond of, like - better than present oneself at: be in attendance at, participate in, take part in prior to: take precedence over, before pry into: ask inquisitively (unnecessarily ask too many questions about) pull down: drag down(draw downward), break down (demolish, wreck) pull oneself together: become emotionally stable again pull out: leave, depart, dump (abandon abruptly) pull over: move out of a line of traffic pull through: come safely through, survive put aside: lay by (save for later, lay aside, set aside) put by: save, put aside, deposit put down: 1) put in (write down, jot down), 2) suppress (crack down on) put forward: offer, suggest, present, propose, release put off: postpone, delay, estrange (lay aside) put on: 1) wear, dress in, 2) pretend (assume) put on an act: pretend to, make believe to put on weight: gain weight, cf) lose weight, reduce (one’s)weight put out: extinguish, produce put through: carry out (through), carry - into execution put up at: check in at, stop at (in) put up with: tolerate, endure (bear)
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
be queer for: be very fond 94 quite a few: many quite a little: much quote from: refer to, reference rack up: gain, gather rain in torrents rain hard, bucket (down), teem (down), rain cats and dogs raise a question about: raise the issue (challenge) read between the lines: understand the hidden meaning read through: read from cover to cover refer to: mention, make reference refrain from: abstain from, restrain oneself as regards: as for, as to, in relation to, in regard to regardless of: without regard for, irrespective of, irrelevant to rely on: depend on, rest on, believe remain in force: hold good, become effective, make valid reason with: argue logically remember - to: convey my regards to, give - one’s best regards, say hello to remind A of B:cause A to think of B repeat – after: replicate after repeat oneself: replicate, copy, duplicate rest assured that: be convinced that (be certain that) result from: be generated as a result of result in: end in, lead to
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
reward - for recompense (for) 95 right away: soon, at once, immediately, without delay ring in: record time to work. cf) ring out: record work time rip off: 1) swindle, cheat, 2) overcharge, charge too much, 3) know the hidden meaning rob - of: divest from, deprive - of, snatch - from, steal - from, take - by force reduce one’s weight: lose weight resort to: appeal to round off: complete, perfect, finish round up: bring together, assemble, gather rule out: preclude, exclude, eliminate) interfere with (prevent) run across: come across (meet by chance), stumble (come across) run after: chase, follow, go after, pursue run away: flee, escape run down: pursue until captured, slam (criticize severely) run for (a position): register for an election run into: meet by chance, come across, run across run out of: exhaust, use up run over: review, (car etc) hit someone run the risk of: take a chance rush into: hasty, do something hurriedly at random: randomly, arbitrarily, indiscriminately save one’s breath: remain silent scale down: cut, reduce, curtail 95
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
scold A for B: blame A for B 96 search for: look for search out: figure out second to none: as much as anyone second only to: as much as anyone does except for see about: investigate, inquire about see an end to: be at the end of see after: attend, take care (attend to, take care of, look after) see eye to eye with: agree to (agree with) see off: see out, say farewell to see things: hallucinate, have visions, have delusions see through: comprehend, detect see to: be careful with see to it that: make sure seeing that: considering, in view of sell out: dispose of entirely by selling send in: submit, hand in send for: call for someone send off: 1) dispatch, dismiss, 2) see off send out: distribute, issue, place an order for delivery serve - right: be right of course. Serve you right (sarcastic expression) set aside: reserve, put (lay) aside set back: hold up set by: put aside, earmark, save set fire: make fire 96
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
set free: release, let go of 97 set in: (a season etc) begin to prevail, arrive set off: depart, commence (begin, start), detonate (explode) set one’s heart: make up one’s mind set out: begin a journey, embark (undertake) set store by: attach importance to set to work: start to work set up: establish, found, build, erect settle down: go down, calm down, compose oneself settle with: compromise with share in: distribute (dispense, mete out, dole out, bestow) share with: divide up short of: less than, inferior to, lack of show off: brag (boast), display, be proud of, take a pride in, boast of (about), put on airs shortly after: right after shortly before: just before show up: arrive, appear, turn up shut down (the door, power): close, put out (turn off) shut off (the flow): close off, turn off, isolate (separate) side with: be on one’s side, stand by, take one’s part (side) with sign up (courses, etc.): register (enrol), apply (subscribe) sit back: relax, look on (stand by) sit in: take part in a sit-in (sit-down strike) sit in for: substitute, replace 97
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
sit for: take exams 98 sit under: listen to (the preaching, lecture), research sit up: 1) sit up, 2) stay awake size up: judge, estimate, measure skip over a few lines: jump two or three lines sleep off (sadness): asleep, forget sleep on: defer a decision on the day, think about slow down: reduce the speed so to speak: as it were, that is to say, so-called, what is called, what we call so far: up until now, up to date, as yet, so far forth sooner or later: eventually, finally speak well of: praise speak ill of: gossip about specialize in: major in speed up: increase the speed spell out: explain in detail, tell the spelling of the word square A with B: reconcile A to B stamp out: root out, wipe out, remove, eliminate, get rid of stand against: stand against (something) stand by: look on, uphold, support, wait stand for 1) represent, symbolize, 2) support, 3) represent stand out: be noticeable, be adamant, be inflexible stand up for: support, take the side of, defend stand up: fail to keep an appointment with steal (something) from (someone): steal cf) rob something of someone 98
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
steal away: be gone secretly 99 step aside: yield, concede, make a concession step down: resign stick by: remain faithful to stick to: adhere to, be faithful to (remain faithful to) stop at: stay stop by: come by, drop by; used for unannounced visit stop – from - ing: ban someone from – ing, prevent – from - ing strike for protest , strike straighten up: clean up, make tidy strive for: efforts to submit to: succumb, surrender to, give way to, give in, yield to substitute A for B: replace B with A succeed in: accomplish, achieve succeed to: become heir to such as it is: such as there is, being humble, but.. sweep away: root out, wipe out sympathize with: feel sorry for take a break: rest, stop, pause take a chance: risk danger take A for B: mistake A for B take a glance at: catch (get, gain) sight of, get a glimpse of take a seat: sit down take a turn for the worse: sit down 99
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
take advantage of: profit, utilize, abuse (exploit), turn - to account, put - to use, 100 avail oneself of, make use of, make the most of take back: call off take - by surprise: take - by storm take - by force: deprive take care of: look after, deal with, handle take effect: begin to function take for granted: assume as a matter of course take in: accept (admit), deceive (trick), include take it easy: rest in peace (rest), calm down, do not worry take leave of: be goodbye take note of: attend to, be attentive to, pay attention to take off: remove, ascend, depart, leave take on (the blame): undertake, assume take one’s time: be slow, not hurry, dawdle take over: assume control of, capture take part in: attend, participate in, join in, be attendance at, present at, present oneself at take pity on: feel for, sympathize with take precedence over: be superior to, come first in importance take sides: side, be partial to one side, take sides (part) with, take one’s part (side) take the place of: take one’s place take place: occur, happen
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
take pains: travail 101 take turns: alternate with, rotate take up for: side with (to be one’s side) take ~ into account: take into consideration talk big: speak boastingly, brag talk out: talk until conversation is exhausted talk over: consider, discuss, convince by talking tear down: break down, pull down, demolish, disassemble, dismantle teem in (with): abound in, be abundant in, be fertile in tell A from B: distinguish between A and B ten to one: no doubt, very likely, probably thanks to: because of, owing to that is to say: in other words the one - the other: that - this -, the former - the latter - think of: consider, imagine think of A as B: look upon A as B, regard A as B, consider A as B think much of: think highly of, count for much, make much of think over: consider, dwell on, ponder over, deliberate on, think better of think twice: reconsider, mull throw away: dump, discard, dispose of, remove (get rid of) throw up: give up tide over: surmount, survive, overcome to and fro: back and forth, backward (s) and forward (s) to no purpose: in vain, for nothing, to no avail, without result to one’s face: in one’s presence, directly 101
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
to say the least: at least, at a minimum 102 to some extent: to some extent, somewhat (to some degree, somewhat, more or less) to sum up: in short, in brief, in sum, in a word, to make a long story short to the contrary: on the contrary, in reverse order to the full: thoroughly to the halves: not completely, by halves to the point: pertinent, fitting, apt tons of: a lot of, a great deal of touch on: mention briefly, approach try on: test clothing before buying try out for: audition for try out: test tune in: adjust (a radio, television dial, channel) turn around: change direction, turn about turn away from: ignore, look away from turn down (volume): reduce, deny (reject), refuse turn in: hand in, submit, go to bed turn into: change to, transform into turn off: close, switch off turn on (water, light, gas): switch on, excite turn out: prove, extinguish turn over: invert, transfer turn to: appeal to, resort to, change to turn up (the volume): raise (increase volume), appear, show up 102
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
under no circumstances: not - in the least, never 103 under the name of: in the name of under the sun: on earth, in the world under way: in progress, active, in motion up to date: on the latest (latest, modern, current) upside down: reversely, topsy-turvy, messed up (in disorder) use up: be exhausted, use completely, consume entirely, exhaust vote for: vote for someone, cf) vote against on view: open to the view: publicly in view of :1) in sight of where one can see, 2) to consider wait on: serve, attend on, care for, take care of walk out on: dump, desert, forsake, leave swiftly walk out with: be dealing with, be friendly with, associate with, keep company with walk out: go on strike wanting in: lack of, lacking in ward off: avert (from) warm up: prepare for a game by moderate exercise wash up: wash one’s face watch out for: be careful to, beware of, look out watch over: guard, protect wear away: erode, gradually disappear wear out: exhaust, weary, be tired with, be bored with weed out: remove 103
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
weigh against: be compared 104 wind up: come to an end, conclude wine and dine: be well served, be hospitable to wipe off: pay off (debt), erase, remove wipe out: destroy completely, go genocide, eliminate, stamp out with the result that: as a result of with all: in spite of, despite of, in the face of, none the less with regard to: with respect to, in relation to with a view to –ing: for the purpose of without doubt: certainly, beyond doubt, no doubt, without fail without question: apparently, clearly, certainly, beyond question, without doubt without notice: at short notice, all at once, on a sudden what makes matters worse: even worse work on: have an effect, affect, influence on work out: accomplish, complete, solve (issue) wrap up: complete, conclude, finish, enclose wring out: extract by force, force by twisting write down: jot down, put down, record write off: offset, go into liquidation, amortize write out: write in full form would rather - than: prefer - to - yearn for: long for as yet: so far just yet: just now yield to: be submissive to 104
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
105 600 American Idioms It's as easy as pie. 1. It is very simple. 2. He's full of beans. He's not telling the truth. 3. It's not my cup of tea. I don't care for that. 4. He's full of baloney. He doesn't know what he's talking about. 5. It's just sour grapes. They have resentment. 6. That's corny. It's sentimental. 7. I'm in a pickle. I'm in a dilemma. 8. He brings home the bacon. He brings home the family money. 9. She's in a stew. She's upset. 10. He's the top banana. He's the headman. 11. He's the salt of the earth. He's a very good person. 12. She's worth her salt. She's a valuable employee. 13. They're two peas in a pod. I'm nuts about you. I'm in love with you. If you see one you see 14. the other. 15. It's a piece of cake. It's quite simple. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You can't use it and 16. save it. 17. He's a real ham. He's a frustrated actor. 18. It's a hard nut to crack. It's a difficult problem to solve. 19. It was a slap on the wrist. It was a very mild punishment. 20. He's a bad egg. He cannot be trusted.
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
We need to break the ice. Everyone's a little tense - let's be 106 21. friendly.
22. We'll get a baker's dozen. We'll get items. 23. He's got a finger in every pie. He has many deals going. 24. You'll have to take potluck. Be happy with what we have on hand. 25. She's hard-boiled. She makes tough deals. 26. He's the apple of my eye. He's my favourite person. 27. He's a rotten egg. He is a thoroughly evil person. 28. It's for the birds. It's a crazy idea. 29. She eats like a bird. She eats little or nothing. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. He's a bad guy pretending to be 30. good. 31. I smell a rat. Someone has betrayed us. 32. He's chicken-hearted. He has no courage. 33. I could eat a horse. I'm extremely hungry. 34. Please don't monkey around. Get serious and stop playing. We'll kill two birds with one stone. One solution solves two 35. problems. 36. It's three miles as the crow flies. It's three miles going straight. 37. Don't cry wolf. Don't give a false alarm. 38. It has dog-eared pages. It's a well-used popular book. 39. He's the underdog. He's not the favourite to win. 40. She's like a fish out of water. She is not in her area of expertise.
You'll stir up a hornet's nest. You'll cause a great deal of new 41. problems. 42. Don't let him get your goat. Don't let him get you upset.
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. Don't make big of 107 43. something insignificant.
They are packed like sardines. There is absolutely no room for 44. even one more. We got a bird's eye view. We had a very good viewpoint from on 45. high. We're on a wild-goose chase. We were chasing something that 46. didn't exist. 47. It's raining cats and dogs. It is the heaviest rain I have ever seen. It's just monkey business. The business is either his own business 48. or fake. 49. He'll weasel out. He'll back out of all agreements. 50. She'll go ape. She'll become very upset. 51. Let's talk turkey. Let's begin to talk seriously. 52. Don't let the cat out of the bag. Don't tell our secret. 53. Those are crocodile tears. Those are false tears. 54. He's a card shark. He is a professional card player. 55. We had a whale of a time. We had a great time. 56. He drinks like a fish. He is a heavy alcohol drinker. I've got a frog in my throat. I need to clear my throat in order to 57. talk right. 58. He rolled snake eyes. His dice had two ones. 59. She's pig-headed. She is very stubborn. 60. It sounds fishy. It doesn't sound like it's true.
61. Don't make a hog of yourself. Don't take more than your share. 62. Quit horsing around. Stop being silly and get serious. 63. He's a rat. He is not to be trusted. 107
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
64. He ratted on me. He informed others about my secrets. 108
65. She is a stool pigeon. She informs on everybody. I can't make heads or tails of it. I can't understand what you are 66. talking about. 67. She's no spring chicken. She is a tough old lady. 68. She lost her head. She did something crazy. He can't keep his head above water. He's too busy with many 69. things. That's just off the top of my head. Here's an idea without too 70. much thought. 71. She's got her head in the clouds. Her ideas are not practical. 72. She's level-headed. She's always has good practical ideas. He's head over heels in love. He's so in love he doesn't care 73. about anything. 74. It just goes through my head. I can't seem to concentrate. 75. You've got rocks in your head. Your ideas are not realistic. 76. Let's put our heads together. Let's share ideas. 77. Use your head. Start thinking about a solution. 78. Let's bury the hatchet. Let's forget our old fights and hatreds. 79. She's up to her head in work. She has too much to do right now. 80. He's at it tooth and nail. He's gives the problem all his attention.
81. I've got a lump in my throat. I am emotionally involved and distressed. 82. You'd better save your neck. You must survive this situation. 83. You better turn the other cheek. Don't let what they say bother you! 84. Just swallow your pride. Forget your pride and solve the problem. 85. My lips are sealed. I will never reveal the secret.
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86. It's a slap in the face. That is an insult to me. 109
87. You can talk until you're blue in the face. They aren't listening to you. 88. You must face the music. Admit your error - solve it and go on. 89. He can't keep a straight face. Try to keep from laughing at them. 90. He'll fall flat on his face. He will fail on this thing. 91. That will blow my mind. I will be totally surprised. 92. I want to pick your brains. I need and want some ideas from you. 93. He gave me a piece of his mind. He scolded me for my deficiencies. 94. You get on my nerves. What you do or say often irritates me. 95. That'll boggle your mind. This will absolutely amaze you. 96. You've got to get up your nerve. Don't be afraid of trying something. Don't just shoot off your mouth. Wait and speak when you've thought 97. about it. 98. She's down in the mouth. Her spirits are low. 99. Watch your mouth! You've said something offensive. 100. He put his foot in his mouth. He said something very stupid.
She's got a big mouth. She talks too much and says the wrong 101. things. 102. It's just hand to mouth. It is a very low-cost project. 103. Keep a stiff upper lip. Keep trying and you can succeed. 104. It makes my mouth water. I think that is a very attractive idea. 105. It was by word of mouth. I was told in person. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don't feel comfortable with that 106. idea. 107. It will melt in your mouth. You will like this idea. 108. You can save your breath. They don't listen - they're not open to 109
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
anything. 110 She takes my breath away. She's the most wonderful creature I've 109. ever seen. 110. I did it by the skin of my teeth. I just barely got the job done. 111. It's on the tip of my tongue. I know it - I just can't say it now. You'll eat your words. Anything you say may come back to haunt 112. you. She's got a sharp tongue. Her words are like a sword - they can 113. hurt. 114. It's my mother tongue. It is my native language. 115. It was a slip of the tongue. I didn't intend to say that. 116. He said it tongue in cheek. He was kidding when he said that. 117. She's tongue-tied. She's so excited she can't speak. 118. I only have eyes for you. You are the object of my affection. I never want to lay eyes on you. Go! I never want to see you 119. again. I've got my eye on you. I'm watching you - one mistake and you're 120. gone.
121. He's making eyes at her. He is flirting with her. That'll make your eyes pop. You will be really surprised when this 122. happens. 123. I can't believe my eyes. What I am seeing is hard to believe. There's more than meets the eye. You are not telling me all the 124. facts. She's a sight for sore eyes. We're very happy to see her - we 125. need her. 126. You need to catch his eye. You must get his attention. 127. His eyes are bigger than his stomach. He takes more food than he 110
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
can eat. 111 Feast your eyes on that. Isn't that a wonderful thing we have 128. here? 129. She will pull the wool over his eyes. She will fool him every time. 130. It's a highbrow place. It is a very high-class place. 131. You'll pay through the nose. It's extremely costly to do that. Don't turn up your nose at me. Don't think you are better than I 132. am. She's got a nose for news. She can get a story from almost 133. nothing. 134. She won by a nose. It was a very close race. You need to lead them by the nose. You have to tell them every 135. single detail. 136. Keep your nose clean. Be honest and ethical. 137. It's nothing to sneeze at. It is a good offer. 138. It's under your nose. It's right there in front of you. A leopard cannot change its spots. You cannot change who you 139. are. 140. I'm all ears. I am listening with great interest.
141. It was an ear-splitting sound. The noise hurt my ears. 142. It goes in one ear and out the other. He doesn't listen to anyone. Keep your ear to the ground. Listen everywhere to find what is 143. going on. You'd better prick up your ears. Pay attention to what is 144. happening. She can wind him around her little finger. She can manipulate him 145. to do what she wants. 146. He's got a finger in every pie. He is trying every possible way. 111
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
My hands are tied. There is nothing I can do because of 112 147. regulations.
148. Please lend me a hand. Help him with this. 149. Give him a hand. Clap your hand in appreciation. 150. Give him a hand. Help him. 151. He's got a green thumb. He is good at gardening. 152. I'm all thumbs. I am very clumsy. 153. I've got it all at my fingertips. I have all the right information. 154. He's an old hand. He has lots of experience at that. She's got her hands full. She has more things to do than she can 155. handle. 156. I wash my hands of it all. I want no part of this thing. 157. He was caught red-handed. He was caught in the act of a crime. Don't let it slip through your fingers. Don't let this good customer 158. get away. You must get the upper hand. Get an advantage on your 159. competitor. 160. He's up in arms about it. He has gotten upset about something.
I only got hand-me-downs. What I got was all previously owned 161. stuff. 162. I've got to hand it to you. I admire what you have done. 163. It's hands off to you. You are not to do any work on this item. 164. Try to thumb a ride. Beg for a ride. 165. We are short-handed. I need your help. 166. You must toe the line. Everyone must follow all the rules. 167. He's got cold feet. He's frightened and doesn't think he can do it.
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168. He's a heel. He does not act like a gentleman with ladies. 113
169. You better shake a leg. You need to work faster. 170. She's pulling my leg. She is trying to trick or fool me. 171. You'll foot the bill. You will have to pay the entire cost. You'll have to put your foot down. You'll need to assert yourself - 172. be more forceful. You don't have a leg to stand on. You are not secure in your 173. position. You've got to put your best foot forward. Go with the best idea that 174. you have. 175. Don't drag your feet. Don't delay - get to work. You've got to get a foot in the door. You must get the customers 176. attention. The shoe is on the other foot now. Now they have the problem not 177. us. 178. You'll step on her toes. You'll be moving in on her territory. He's got a chip on his shoulder. He is looking for an excuse to 179. fight. She gave him the cold shoulder. She is trying to get him to leave 180. her alone.
181. Get off my back! Leave me alone and let me get to work. 182. Get it off your chest. Tell me exactly what is bothering you. 183. I need some elbowroom. We are too crowded in this office. 184. He's a thorn in my side. Everything he does irritates me. 185. Don't turn your back on her. She can't be trusted. 186. He turns my stomach. He totally disgusts me. 187. I've got butterflies in my stomach. I'm very nervous about this
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deal. 114 188. She can't stomach it. She thinks this deal is too rotten to do.
189. He's lily-livered. He is too much a coward to do it. She makes my flesh creep. She is extremely revolting in her 190. attitude. She's a busybody. She pays attention to everybody else's 191. business. 192. We need a heart to heart talk. We need to talk confidentially. 193. You need to learn this by heart. You need to know this stuff well. 194. Please! Have a heart. Get some feelings about being nice. 195. My heart is in my mouth. I'm extremely nervous about this deal. 196. Don't take it to heart. Don't take this personally - it's just business. 197. She's a hard-hearted woman. She has no compassion for anyone. She's got a heart of stone. She makes decisions without regard to 198. people. 199. Eat your heart out. You are envious of my success. 200. You'll break my heart. I'll be disappointed about this.
201. He's our ace in the hole. When all else fails - he will save us. 202. He's a stuffed shirt. He is very pretentious. 203. We are ahead of the game. Right now we are profitable. 204. They're all shook up. They are upset that we are winning. 205. They're all washed up. They have been defeated. 206. He's asleep at the switch. He's not alert to what is going on. 207. He'll do after a fashion. He'll learn to do better but not well. 208. She's a back seat driver. She always will criticize any idea. 209. He's a ball of fire. He's one of our best workers. 114
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
You're barking up the wrong tree. You have totally the wrong 115 210. approach.
His bark is worse than his bite. He yells but he doesn't mean 211. anything by it. You've got bats in your belfry. You are crazy and have ridiculous 212. ideas. 213. She will bawl him out. She will verbally discipline him. 214. Don't beat around the bush. Stop talking in circles - speak directly. 215. Beat it. Go away! 216. I need my beauty sleep. I need to sleep. 217. It's no bed of roses. This will not be easy. 218. I'm behind the eight ball. I am in trouble with the boss. 219. He's beside himself with misery. He is extremely miserable. It's better late than never. Being late is bad but it's better than 220. never.
221. He's the big cheese. He is the headman. 222. He's the big wheel. He's the big boss. 223. He's the big shot. He is an important man. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Don't try to do more than 224. you can accomplish. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Be loyal to your company that 225. pays you. 226. He'll soon bite the dust. He soon will be found out and lose. 227. Don't blow your top. Stay calm. 228. Don't blow your cool. Remain calm and collected. I've got a bone to pick with you. You've something that is a 229. problem to me.
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230. You should brush up on it. You need to study and learn this. 116
231. You need to build a fire under them. They need to be motivated. You'll need to burn the midnight oil. You will have to work 232. overtime. 233. Don't break your word. Do what you have promised. 234. We need to break the news. We need to tell them the bad news. Her hair will be standing on end. This solution will distress her 235. greatly. 236. We won by a hair. We won a very close victory. 237. She's often in my hair. She is often in my way. 238. Let's call it a day. That's enough work for today. 239. Let's call it quits. Let's stop for now. 240. You call the shots. You make the decisions.
241. It's a can of worms. That is a big bunch of problems. 242. I ride in a car pool. A group of us ride to work together. 243. Don't chicken out on us. Don't get scared and leave. 244. He's a chip off the old block. He is just like his dad. We need to cut our losses. We must withdraw from a losing 245. situation. You've cooked your own goose. You are in a problem of your own 246. making. 247. You make me crack up. I find you extremely funny. 248. You need to crack a book. Open up a book and learn something. 249. You need to crack a joke. Don't be so serious all the time. 250. It cramps my style. You have put too many limits on me. 251. He's the cream of the crop. He is the best there is.
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252. Don't cut corners. Follow all of the rules. 117 It's a cut and dried situation. There are no changes or discussions 253. - just do it. 254. We're at a dead stop. We can't do anything right now. 255. He's dead to the world. He is so tired he can't function. 256. It will soon die out. That problem will be gone soon. 257. They're a dime a dozen. They aren't worth anything. 258. Watch him do a double take. He will gasp when he sees this. 259. She's down in the dumps. She is very depressed. She got a dose of her own medicine. She got just the trouble that 260. she gives others.
Well that's down the drain. We have completely lost everything on 261. this. 262. That's all down the tubes. We have totally lost everything on this. 263. Don't drag your feet on this. Get working and stop the delaying. 264. I'm drawing a blank. I don't have any idea on this. 265. We need to draw the line here. We make no more concessions. He drives a hard bargain. He makes it tough to make much of a 266. profit. It's just a drop in the bucket. That is just the beginning of the 267. problems. 268. She eats like a bird. She just picks at her food. 269. She eats like a horse. She eats like a hungry man. He's at the end of his rope. He is just about out of ideas and 270. energy. 271. I feel like a million dollars. I feel wonderful. 272. Finders keepers - losers weepers. The finders are happy - the 117
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losers unhappy. 118 273. It will fit like a glove. The two situations work well together.
274. She's going to flip her lid. She's going to be extremely unhappy. 275. He will fly off the handle. He will be very upset. 276. Don't fool around with that. Leave that situation alone. 277. It's a foolproof scheme. This idea is sure to succeed. 278. This is for keeps. This is it - no changes - no getting out. You'll need to fork out some dough. You will have to pay some 279. cash. 280. He's out getting forty winks. He is taking a quick nap.
Can they get away with that? Will they be able to do that without 281. trouble? 282. Let's get down to brass tacks. Let's do some serious talking. 283. I'll get even. I will return the bad you did to me. 284. Get off my back. Stop bothering me and let me do my work. 285. Let's get the ball rolling. Let's start the work on this. We'll get to the bottom of it. We will find out exactly what is the 286. problem. He got out of the bed on the wrong side. The day started bad and 287. hasn't gotten any better. He doesn't have a ghost of a chance. There is no way he can 288. succeed. 289. He's giving me a hard time. He is teasing me about that. Give him an inch and he'll take a mile. Give him a little and he 290. takes a lot. 291. Don't give yourself away. Don't let them know what your plan is. 292. They'll have to give up the ghost. They will have to give up trying.
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293. He's a real globetrotter. He travels all over the world. 119 They just go around in circles. They go in all directions without any 294. success. 295. They will go into orbit. They will be very upset. 296. They can just go jump in a lake. If they don't like it - too bad. 297. Don't go off the deep end. Don't go to extremes on this. Grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Other things 298. always look easier. 299. Just grin and bear it. Forget the problems - keep working. 300. They often just ham it up. They like to get very dramatic.
301. You must hang in there. Keep trying. 302. She has a lot of hang-ups. She has a lot of irrational objections. I can see the handwriting on the wall. I can sense the mood of 303. people. 304. Go and have a ball. Go and enjoy yourself. We will have the last laugh. They are winning now but in the end 305. we will win. 306. Hold on to your hat. Be patient. 307. Hold on to your horses. (Hold your horses.) Don't get too excited. 308. Don't horse around. Don't play around - be serious. 309. Have your own way. OK! Do what you want. You've got two strikes against you. One more mistake and you are 310. out! 311. He's got one foot in the grave. He is too old. 312. We had a high time. We had a good time. 313. You hit the nail on the head. That is exactly the situation.
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314. They will hit the ceiling. They will be extremely upset. 120
315. That is a hit below the belt. That is not playing fair or honest. 316. I'm going to hit the sack. I'm going to bed. 317. She's going to hit the hay. She is going to bed. 318. That just won't hold water. That idea just won't work. 319. He can't hold down a job. He has lost every job he ever had. 320. Keep them in the dark. Don't let them know what is going on.
321. That's it in a nutshell. That is a short summary of the situation. 322. By hook or crook we'll do it. We'll do it whatever it takes. 323. We've got one thing in the hole. One thing is on our side. 324. They are in the same boat. We both have the same problem. 325. We are in full swing now. We are all working full time on this. 326. We have more irons in the fire. We have many other things to do. 327. He's a jack-of-all-trades. He has many talents. 328. Don't jump down my throat. Don't criticize me so severely. 329. It's just what the doctor ordered. That is an excellent solution. 330. You keep the ball rolling. Keep up your good efforts. 331. Now keep that under your hat. Don't tell this to anyone. 332. You keep plugging away. Keep working to solve this. 333. That's a kick in the pants. That is a good encouragement. 334. Knock it off! Stop doing that! 335. He's about to kick the bucket. He is about to die. 336. He knows the ropes. He knows what he is doing. 337. That is the last straw. He has made one error too many.
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338. You need to let off some steam. Don't contain all your anger. 121
339. Don't lie down on the job. Keep working - don't slow down. 340. She is a long shot to win. She is not the most likely winner.
341. He's a long-winded talker. He talks and talks. 342. She looked daggers at him. She gave him a look of disapproval. 343. Don't look down on them. Don't think you are better than they are. 344. You'll lose your shirt doing that. You will lose everything. 345. That is a lost cause. You cannot succeed. 346. We'll lower the boom on them. We will soundly defeat them. 347. That'll make the fur fly. That will get their attention. 348. She can't make ends meet. She spends more than she makes. Make yourself at home. Act as if this were your home. (Condition 349. contrary to reality.) 350. He's a man of his word. He always keeps promises. 351. It's a matter of life and death. This is a very serious situation. 352. Your name is mud. You will be thought of as a loser. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. It is a difficult thing to 353. find. 354. She's an old flame. She's a past girlfriend. 355. It happens once in a blue moon. It will never happen. 356. It's on the house. You do not need to pay for it. 357. Be on the lookout for her. Watch for her. 358. He's on the bandwagon. He has joined our side of the argument. 359. She's on the ball. She is very perceptive. 360. He's out of date. He is living in the past.
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361. That is out of the question. That idea is not acceptable. 122
362. Don't go out on a limb. Don't make any commitments on that. 363. We'll paint the town red. We will go out to party. 364. He'll just pass the buck. He will blame someone else. He passed out at the party. He was so drunk he lost 365. consciousness. 366. A penny for your thoughts. What were you thinking just now? 367. He'll just pick a fight. He will provoke you into a fight. 368. I'm on pins and needles waiting. I'm anxious to find out something. We won't play second fiddle to them. We will not be in second 369. place. You've got to pull yourself together. Get organized and not so 370. emotional. 371. He'd pinch pennies. He is too careful with money. 372. It's just a play on words. The meaning is not what the words say. 373. Everybody must pitch in. All must help. 374. We'll polish them off. We will defeat them all. 375. Will you pop the question? Will you ask her to marry you? 376. He's an apple polisher. He tries too hard to please the boss. 377. I can pull strings. I have some connections with the right people. 378. It's just puppy love. It is just infatuation. 379. Put on your thinking cap. Give this some serious thought. 380. Let's put your cards on the table. Let's be honest with each other.
381. You put the cart before the horse. Put first things first. 382. That will put a feather in his cap. This will be a credit to him. 383. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Don't depend on just one 122
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
thing. 123 384. It's raining cats and dogs. It is a heavy rain.
You've got to read between the lines. Look at what they mean not 385. what they say. 386. That rings the bell. Now I remember. 387. Don't rob the cradle. She's too young for you. 388. He'll just rock the boat. He will get everyone upset. We've got lots of red tape. All the government regulations are 389. difficult. 390. It's just a rip off. They will cheat you. 391. He rubs me the wrong way. I do not like his attitude. 392. As a rule of thumb I refuse. As a general I refuse. 393. It's pretty run down. It is in bad condition. 394. He needs a security blanket. He always needs reassurance. 395. Seeing is believing. I only believe what I can see. That'll separate the men from the boys. We will find out who is 396. serious. 397. You've got them shaking in their boots. They are afraid now. 398. You'll have to sink or swim. It will be win all or lose all now. 399. We are sitting pretty. We are in a good position. She slays me with that nonsense. She disgusts me with those silly 400. ideas.
401. Everything is ship shape. Everything is in good order. Why don't you sleep on it? Think about it tonight - let me know 402. tomorrow. 403. We just made small talk. We didn't talk about anything serious. 404. Go ahead and sound off. Say what you think. 123
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405. He's spaced out. He is on drugs. 124
406. It will spread like wildfire. This idea will be very popular. They have stacked the deck. We are not playing under even 407. conditions. They have stacked the cards. They have cheated us to their 408. advantage. We will need to start from scratch. We need to start at the 409. beginning. 410. I don't want to steal his thunder. I will let him break the good news. 411. She tried to steal the spotlight. She wants undeserved attention. 412. You must stick to your guns on that. Your idea is good - stay with it. 413. He's just a stick-in-the-mud. He is too old fashioned. 414. You won't strike it rich. This idea won't make you rich. You need to strike while the iron is hot. Do it while the opportunity 415. is right. We won't take a back seat to them. We won't be in second place to 416. them. 417. We're in the driving seat. We control the situation. 428. Our new project will soon take off. It will be a great success. 419. You have to take your medicine. If you did wrong you must pay. 420. You can take the floor. It is your turn - speak.
421. You run with it. The project is yours to make it a success. 422. Take your hat off to no one. You are a good as anyone else. 423. We won't take sides. We will be neutral on this. 424. That is a tall story. I don't believe your explanation. 425. We'll throw the book at them. If they did wrong they must pay.
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426. We will throw in the towel. We give up. 125
427. We'll throw in the sponge. We give up. 428. We'll throw a party. We will have a party. 429. She'll throw a fit. She will be extremely upset. 430. We'll hold them to the letter. They will have to follow all the rules. 431. Remember that time marches on. You are wasting time. 432. I think they will tie the knot. They will get married. 433. We're tickled to death about it. We are very pleased. 434. We had the time of our life. We had a good time. It will be touch and go for a while. We won't know if we succeed or 435. fail. We will need to touch up things. We need to solve some little 436. problems. 437. It will be to the tune of a million. It will cost about a million dollars. 438. It's part of the tricks of the trade. It is one of my secret solutions. 439. It's time to turn in. It's time to go to sleep. 440. We will turn the tables on them. We will reverse the situation.
She had better turn over a new leaf. She needs to 441. change her ways. 442. He's got me turned on. He has me excited about that. 443. Don't just twiddle your thumbs. Get to work! 444. I put her under your wings. She will report to you. 445. He is up to something. He is doing something secretly. Don't get up in arms. There is no need to get excited or 446. upset. 447. He'll upstage us. He'll do better than us.
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We won't wait on them. We are going ahead and not wait 126 448. for them.
They'll walk all over you. They will take advantage of 449. you. 450. He's walking on air. He is really excited. 451. You're walking on thin ice. You may fail at any moment. 452. He will just warm the bench. He will sit by while we work. Don't wash your dirty linen in public. Don't tell your bad 453. points to others. You'll just be wasting your breath. Don't bother, they 454. won't listen. The wear and tear will defeat us. The effort is not worth 455. the rewards. 456. You'll wear out your welcome. Don't stay too long. I'll pay you when my ship comes in. When I get rich I'll 457. pay you. We just have to weather the storm. Keep working in 458. rough times. I can see the writing on the wall. I can sense that thing 459. may be bad. 460. Let's wind up this problem. We need to finish this.
461. We will agree word for word. We agree exactly. 462. Just a word to the wise - Shut up! Listen to me! 463. You just zip your lip. Stop talking so much. 464. Keep your shirt on. Don't get so impatient. 465. They are pulling your leg. They are playing a trick on you. 466. She is rolling in the dough. She has lots of money.
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467. He's stinking rich. He's very wealthy. 127
468. We'll make him the fall guy. We will put the blame on him. 469. He will take the rap. He will be the guilty one. 470. It's a bum rap. He is innocent. 471. You need to bend over backwards. You need to try very hard. 472. You need to bite the bullet. You need to endure a difficult situation. 473. They will bite the dust. They will go down to defeat. 474. Has the cat got your tongue? Can't you talk? They will have to cough up the money. They will have to willingly 475. come up with money. It's different strokes for different folks. Everyone has different 476. interests and tastes. 477. She's dressed to kill. She's wearing her finest clothes. 478. He's driving me up the wall. He is annoying me greatly. 479. That's duck soup. That is very easy. 480. What is eating you? What is annoying you?
481. Someone is feeding you a line. Someone is deceiving you. 482. We can get it for a song. We can get it for very little money. 483. We can get away clean. We can escape punishment. 484. Don't get in her hair. Don't bother her. 485. She will get the axe. She will be fired. We need to get the jump on them. We need to get an advantage 486. on them. 487. You should give it your best shot. You should try your hardest. 488. We will give them the slip. We will escape. 489. He will go to bat for you. He will support you all the way. 127
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490. She is going to the dogs. She is becoming rundown. 128
491. She's got the world by the tail. She's happy and successful. That's a horse of a different color. That's an entirely different 492. situation. 493. If the shoe fits - wear it. If you are wrong admit it. 494. Don't jump the gun. Don't be hasty. 495. Let's kick up our heels. Let's celebrate. 496. This will knock their socks off. This will enthuse and excite them. 497. We won't leave them high and dry. We won't abandon them. 498. It is a lemon. It is defective. We need to make a splash. We need to be successful and get their 499. attention. 500. Money talks. Money can influence people.
They don't have a leg to stand on. They have no defence for their 501. actions. 502. We'll put that on ice. We'll save that one for the future. 503. We are not out of the woods. We are not out of danger. 504. He is on his last legs. He is sick and failing fast. 505. We will play this one by ear. We will improvise as we go along. Put your money where your mouth is. 506. You must follow through with what you say. 507. They will raise a stink. They will protest strongly. 508. We will have to scratch his back. We will have to do him a favour. 509. They will sell you down the river. They will betray you. 510. Don't sell them short. Don't underestimate them. 511. You must shape up or ship out. You must behave or leave. 128
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512. Let's just shoot the breeze. Let's just chat informally. 129
513. We are sitting pretty. We are in a fortunate position. 514. They gave us a snow job. It was insincere talk. 515. Don't spill the beans. Don't reveal our secret. Don't spread yourself too thin. Don't become involved in too many 516. things. 517. Don't stick you neck out on this. Don't take too much risk. 518. This is straight from the horse's mouth. It is from a reliable source. 519. You must take the bull by the horns. You must take decisive action. You are talking through your hat. You are making foolish 520. statements.
521. I said it tongue in cheek. I didn't say it seriously. What does she have up her sleeve? What facts has she 522. concealed? 523. She is a wet blanket. She's boring and spoils everyone's fun. 524. She is tooting her own horn. She is boasting. 525. Above all to thine own self be true. First be honest to yourself. After all's said and done, more is said than done. In the end there's 526. more talk than action. 527. He has fallen afoul of the law. He is in conflict with the law. 528. It is all up in the air. It is not been decided. 529. Be on the alert for danger. Watch for danger. 530. That is up his alley. It is compatible with his ability. 531. In that she stands alone. She is unequalled. 532. They will be along soon. They will be here soon. 533. I will be able to manage successfully. I will be able to mange
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successfully. 130 All along I knew they would fail. From the beginning I knew they 534. would fail. That will cost you an arm and a leg. It will cost an extravagant 535. amount. 536. They welcomed us with open arms. They were very cordial. 537. I will get around to it soon. I will be able to deal with it. 538. It is sold as is. It's sold with no guarantees. 539. Don't turn your back on them. Don't reject them. 540. Don't go back on your word. Don't fail to keep your promise.
541. It is in the bag. We are assured of a successful outcome. They arrived bag and baggage. They arrived with all their 542. belongings. 543. Keep on the ball. Be alert, competent and efficient. 544. He is off base. He is badly mistaken. 545. Right off the bat they fought. Immediately they fought. 546. We will go to bat for them. We will assist them. 547. Bear in mind their finances. Remember their finances. 548. We will need to tighten our belt. We must become thriftier. 549. You bet we will go. Certainly we will go. Between you and me they won't do it. In strictest confidence, they 550. won't do it. 551. He is big on meat and potatoes. He likes meat and potatoes. 552. We expect to make it big. We expect to be very successful. 553. It will fill the bill. It will meet all our requirements. 554. We did it bit by bit. We did it little by little.
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
They will try to put the bite on us. They will try to borrow money 131 555. from us.
556. We are now in the black. We are now profitable. 557. The company is on the block. The company is for sale. 558. They are blowing hot and cold. They are changing their minds. 559. He is just blowing off steam. He is just venting his anger. 560. It came from out of the blue. It was totally unexpected.
The new changes are across the board. It will affect all divisions 561. and groups. 562. I feel it in my bones. I have a premonition about this. 563. That is one for the books. That is something entirely new. He has been hitting the bottle. He has begun to drink (alcohol) to 564. excess. 565. That is out of bounds. That is beyond your limits. 566. Don't burn the bridges behind you. Keep the possibility of retreat. 567. He had money to burn. He had lots of money. 568. We will go by and by. We will go in a little while. 569. By and large they are honest. For the most part they are honest. 570. That was a close call. It was a narrow escape. He burns the candle at both ends. He spends too much energy in 571. all directions. She can't hold a candle to her friend. She is not nearly as good as 572. her friend. Put your cards on the table. Be frank about your motives and 573. intentions. 574. He's got a card up his sleeve. He has a secret plan in reserve. 575. It is just not in the cards. It is not likely to occur. 131
KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
576. Try to catch your breath. Rest so you can continue. 132 We will chalk up that one to experience. We will credit that to 577. experience. 578. We chewed the fat for a short while. We talked casually for a while. Next week we will clean house. Next week we will get rid of anyone 579. undesirable. 580. You must come clean. You must confess your error.
581. She is in the clear. She is free from danger or suspicion. We need to clear the air. Let's ignore emotional tensions and 582. differences. 583. She has her head in the clouds. She is not in the real world. He killed her in cold blood. He killed her without any feeling or 584. remorse. 585. He was left out in the cold. He got nothing. 586. They were acting in concert. They were acting together. 587. They left him to cool his heels. He was left waiting. 588. They asked her to cool it. She was asked to calm down and relax. 589. He tried to cut corners. It's a dangerous, possibly illegal solution. We are up a creek (without a paddle). We are in a difficult or 590. unfortunate position. 591. She is bent out of shape. She is upset about something. 592. I'm fed up with him. I have no patience with him. 593. I'm flat broke. I have no money. 594. She is a blabbermouth. She talks all the time. 595. We are antsy about that. We are not confident about it. 596. It will cost you a bundle. It will be quite expensive.
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com Idioms to remember 2012
597. Give it some elbow grease. You need to go to work. 133
598. I'm beat. I am very tired. 599. You need to cut that out. Stop doing that. 600. She is a peach. She's sweet and helpful.
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KaySungPark.WordPress.com