Idioms |
Description |
Example |
At the drop of a hat |
Without hesitation, immediately. |
She would help me at the drop of a hat, she is such a great friend. |
Beat around the bush |
Avoid the important issue. |
Please don’t beat around the bush! Just tell me if there is something for me to worry about or not. |
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush |
Having something for certain is better than risking it for more as you may lose both. |
John won $100 dollars at cards last night. They wanted him to gamble again to win more, but he decided that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush so he kept the money. |
Blood, sweat and tears |
A lot of effort and hard work |
It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears for him to get to the top of the mountain. |
Best of both worlds |
Have all advantages |
My job is both well paid and flexible – I have the best of both worlds. |
Ball park figure |
A rough estimate; approximation |
They haven’t calculated precisely, but they suggested a ball park figure of nearly $2 million. |
Catch someone red handed |
To see or catch somebody in the middle of commiting a crime. |
He was just climbing through the window with the jewellery in his pocket when the police arrived. He was caught red handed! |
Catch 22 |
A frustrating situation – you cannot do the first thing until the second thing is done, but you cannot do the second thing unless the first is done. |
I can’t get a job without a driving licence, and I can’t afford a driving licence unless I have a job. It’s a Catch 22 situation. |
Cut corners |
Something is not done properly (to save money) |
If they hadn’t cut corners, the accident wouldn’t have occurred. |
Draw the line |
Deciding when a person or an action has gone too far. |
I don’t mind you borrowing the car, but I draw the line at you not returning it all weekend. |
Devil’s advocate |
To present a counter argument. |
It’s good that he plays devil’s advocate – it makes us think about all possibilities. |
Elbow grease |
Hard work or physical effort |
The best way to clean the floor is hot soapy water and a lot of elbow grease. |
Far cry from |
Very different from |
The reality of the situation is a far cry from what they wanted to achieve. |
Give the benefit of the doubt |
Believe what someone says without proof |
I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt – it’s better than not trusting anyone. |
Get a kick out of (something) |
To find something funny or entertaining |
I really get a kick out of playing computer games. |
Have a whale of a time |
To have a lot of fun. |
I had a whale of a time at the party on Saturday! |
In the heat of the moment |
Overwhelmed by present circumstances. |
She didn’t mean it, she said it in the heat of the moment. |
Jump on the bandwagon |
Join a popular trend or activity. |
Other companies are jumping on the bandwagon as it is proving to be such a popular idea. |
Judge a book by its cover |
To assume something based on appearance. |
“See that man over there, with the old t-shirt and torn jeans? He’s actually a millionaire!” “Really? Well, I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover!” |
Keep (your) eye on the ball |
To stay focussed, give something full attention. |
His boss advised him that he really needed to keep his eye on the ball if he wanted to succeed. |
Let off steam |
Relieve strong / negative feelings without hurting others. |
I had to let off steam and tell them what I really thought rather than keep it all to myself.The children ran around in the playground and let off some steam after studying hard all morning. |
Last straw |
Final problem in a series of problems |
This is the last straw! I need to leave and look for a new job, I’ve had enough. |
Make up (your) mind |
To make a decision |
She still hasn’t decided what dress to wear – I wish she’d make up her mind! |
On the ball |
Understand a situation well |
The new boss is so on the ball – he’s so efficient. |
Once in a blue moon |
Happens very rarely. |
You were so lucky to win that. That happens once in a blue moon! |
Over the moon |
To be very excited or happy |
He had a new car for his birthday and he’s over the moon with it! |
Piece of cake |
Done easily |
That exam was a piece of cake! I’m sure I’ve done well. |
Pass the buck |
Not taking responsibility; passing the blame to someone else. |
Nobody admitted it was their fault – they just passed the buck and told me to contact customer service. |
See eye to eye |
Be in agreement with someone |
They have never seen eye to eye and are always disagreeing. |
Sit on the fence |
Does not want to choose or make a decision. |
You really can’t sit on the fence, we need to know what you really think we should do. |
To hear something straight from the horse’s mouth |
Hear something from someone of authority |
Don’t listen to office gossip, ask the boss and get the information straight from the horse’s mouth! |
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