Idioms 1

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

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