1. 100 popular idioms and their meaning.
Courtesy of http://www.englishforums.com/content/lessons/list-of-idioms.htm
Idiom
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Meaning
You are not very good at that. You could definitely not do it
Don't give up the day job. professionally.
"I really like the way you sing, but don't give up your day job.
An easy way to earn money regularly.
Cash cow.
"Income tax is a real cash cow for the government."
Trying to do something that is too difficult or time consuming to
Bite off more than you can finish.
chew.
"I'm glad you want to prepare the report by yourself. Just be sure
that you don't bite off more than you can chew."
Discuss something that was causing people to feel upset.
Clear the air
"There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I'd like to explain
what happened, just to clear the air."
Give up on, or abandon.
Turn your back on
"I needed your help but you just turned your back on me"
Not suitable for something.
Not cut out for
"He tried mountain climbing, but he simply was not cut out for it."
The very last, or the very worst.
Scrape the bottom of the
"These are the last volunteers we could find. We really had to
barrel
scrape the bottom of the barrel to find them."
Sophisticated, above average.
A class act
"He offered to help, even though he doesn't know me. He's a real
class act."
Improve your behavior.
"If you are ever going to improve your English skills, you must start
Clean up your act
getting in to class on time and doing your homework. Why don't
you clean up your act?"
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2. Get more organized.
"You have been late for work every day this week. If you want to
keep this job, you must get your act together."
Participation in an activity.
A piece of the action
"I heard that you are looking for partners in your new investment. If
you don't mind, I would like to get in on a piece of the action."
People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than
Actions speak louder than what they say.
words.
"Why don't you give her a hug instead of saying you are sorry,
actions speak louder than words."
Being discussed, generally obvious.
In the air
"The days are getting longer and the flowers are blooming. Spring
is in the air."
Go crazy.
Go ape
"Jack was really angry. I thought he was going to go ape."
Something that is difficult to define.
A grey area
"I researched your case, but there are not any black and white
answers. Your situation seems to fall into a grey area."
Angry.
Up in arms
"The crows was agitated. Everyone was up in arms over the
government decision."
Be happy when a person leaves.
Be glad to see the back of
"That guy bothers me, I'll be glad to see the back of him."
Acknowledge an achievement or contribution of a person.
Give him/her credit
"Although he is not easy to work for, you have to give him credit for
managing the company well."
Do something without telling someone.
Go behind someone's back "Don't trust Jane. She acts friendly but she's always going behind
someone's back."
Everyone is entitled to his own individual opinion.
Each to his own
"I can't say that I like George's new furniture. It seems very plain
and uncomfortable. Oh well, each to his own."
Enthusiastic person.
Eager beaver
"John did all of his homework before supper. He sure is an eager
beaver."
A person who is early, or gets up early.
Early bird
"Dave was in class 30 minutes before anyone else. What an early
bird."
Examine only a part of something. Uncover only a few facts about
something
Scratch the surface
"Cancer research is a very long-term process. So far, we have just
begun to scratch the surface."
Leave him. Hide from him.
Give him the slip
"I think that man is following us. Let's give him the slip."
To treat someone in an unfriendly manner.
Cold shoulder
"I don't think Jim likes me. I tried to speak with him but he gave me
the cold shoulder."
10) Get your act together
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25)
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3. Start something.
"All right everyone, we spent a lot of time planning this project.
Now, it's time to get the ball rolling."
Join a popular trend or activity.
27) Jump on the bandwagon
"I like that new procedure and I've decided to jump on the
bandwagon."
Something that cannot be accomplished.
28) A losing battle
"I've tried fixing this phone many times, I just can't do it by myself.
It's a losing battle."
Keep something away.
29) Keep something at bay
"Sarah found it difficult to keep the salesperson at bay."
Tell a secret.
30) Spill the beans
"I won't be the one to spill the beans."
People cannot complain about something they get for free.
31) Beggars can't be choosers "I don't like the color of the sweater she gave me, but beggars
can't be choosers."
A relative.
32) Flesh and blood
"I must help him. After all, he's my own flesh and blood."
Believe someone's statement, without proof.
Give the benefit of the
33)
"The teacher's explanation did not seem logical, but I gave her the
doubt
benefit of the doubt."
Probably true. Will probably happen.
34) A safe bet
"It's a safe bet that your English skills improve quickly if you study
at Elanguest."
Seems correct.
35) Fit the bill
"That seems to fit the bill. I'll take it."
Bruised.
36) Black and blue
"He was beaten until he was black and blue."
With no compassion or mercy. Usually associated with ruthless
37) In cold blood
murder.
"The assassin was evil. He killed him in cold blood."
Unexpected.
38) Out of the blue
"A great idea just came to me out of the blue."
Make someone prove what they say.
39) Call someone's bluff
"He implied that he would terminate my contract, but I called his
bluff."
Create problems for other people.
40) Rock the boat
Everyone likes Anthony. He doesn't rock the boat."
Doing something according to rules.
41) By the book
"He's a good cop. He does everything by the book."
Dismiss or get rid of someone.
42) Give someone the boot
"Mr. Smith is an easy boss to work for. He doesn't like to give
someone the boot."
Learn about and understand fully.
"We are not sure what happened, but we intend to get to the
43) Get to the bottom of
bottom of this."
26) Get the ball rolling
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4. Not permitted.
"Hans wanted to ask Mary out on a date, but I explained that she
is out of bounds. Mary is engaged to Jack."
Regular income.
45) Bread and butter
"We are very dependent on our advertising revenue. It's our bread
and butter."
A good invention or innovation.
The best thing since sliced
46)
"I love this paper folding machine. It's the best thing since sliced
bread
bread."
Don't expect me to believe or agree with that.
47) Give me a break
"You think the teacher is joking? Give me a break."
Don't wait too long because it might not happen.
48) Don't hold your breath
"Yes, it's possible that they will lower taxes, but don't hold your
breath."
Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before.
Cross that bridge when
49)
"I'm not too wirried about a possible downturn in the economy.
you come to it
Anyway, let's cross that bridge when we come to it."
A previously positive situation has encountered a serious problem.
50) The bubble has burst
"Last year, the stock market was doing very well. Unfortunately, it
seems that the bubble has burst."
Problems are resloved here.
51) The buck stops here
"A lot of people try to pass problems to other people. At my desk,
however, the buck stops here."
make it impossible to return.
52) Burn your bridges
"Be polite when you hand in your resignation. After all, you don't
want to burn your bridges."
I think someone is saying something about me.
53) My ears are burning
"Pierre is talking again. My ears are burning."
Leave it for later.
54) Put on the back burner
"I don't think we'll have time to complete it this year. Let's put it on
the back burner."
Someone is serious
55) Someone means business
"Watch out for Harry. He's someone who means business."
Quickly and easily.
56) At the touch of a button
"No problem. I can change your account information at the touch a
button."
Enjoy something without paying for it.
57) Have your cake and eat it "He expected to pass without studying. Unfortunately, you cannot
have your cake and eat it, too."
Something (usually bad) almost happening.
58) A close call
"That car almost hit us. That was a close call."
This should stop.
59) Enough is enough
"I have listened to his complaints for years but enough is enough."
A wealthy person.
"He has everything he needs. He's a real fat cat."
60) A fat cat
44) Out of bounds
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5. My humble opinion.
"He seems like a corrupt politician. That's just my two cent's
worth."
Be together, spend time with each other.
62) Hang out
"Hey Lauren, let's get together tonight, we can just hang out and
practice our English."
A changed opinion.
63) A change of heart
"At one time, I supported George Bush. As time went on, however,
I had a change of heart."
Explain something that is bothering you.
Get something off your
64)
"Gary, you don't seem happy. Is there something you would like to
chest
get off your chest?"
Don't make plans for something that might not happen.
Don't count your chickens
"Yes, I think we will probably get a raise in pay this year.
65) before the eggs have
Remember, though, don't count your chickens before the eggs
hatched
have hatched."
He is angry about something.
66) A chip on his shoulder
"I don't know why he's so unhappy. He seems to have a chip on
his shoulder."
A process has been completed.
67) Come full circle
"The salmon has returned to the place where it originally hatched.
Its life cycle has come full circle."
Legitimate and proper.
68) Squeaky clean
"We checked all of her references. She's squeaky clean."
Out of trouble.
69) In the clear
"His innocence has been proven. He's in the clear."
Avoid.
70) Steer clear of
"She's not very nice. I think we should steer clear of her."
All day.
71) Round the clock
"She's a very hard worker. She usually works around the clock."
Go back in time.
72) Turn back the clock
"I feel old. I wish I could turn back the clock."
With mechanical efficiency.
73) Like clockwork
"He's very predictable. He always eats at the same time, like
clockwork."
Think more realistically.
Wake up and smell the
74)
"He doesn not respect you as much as you think. Wake up and
coffee
smell the coffee."
Another version of a story or event.
75) The other side of the coin "The global summit will encourage meaningfull dialogue. On the
other side of the coin, it might result in violent protests."
Left unaided or unprotected.
76) Left out in the cold
"They don't include me in their group. I feel left out in the cold."
With enthusiasm and exuberance.
77) With flying colors
"I can't wait to see you all. I'll be there with flying colors."
Have just enough but not more.
78) Scrape by
"Our budget is not satisfactory but we will find a way to scrape by."
61) My two cents worth
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6. 79) A tough cookie
80) Keep your cool
81) Lose your cool
82) In a tight corner
83) A couch potato
84) Takes its course
85) Up the creek
86) Crocodile tears
87)
When it comes to the
crunch
88) A far cry from
89) Off-the-cuff
90) Can't cut it
91) In the dark
92) A shot in the dark
93) Call it a day
94) Late in the day
95) In broad daylight
96) Makes someone's day
97) Wouldn't be caught dead
A stubborn, strong person.
"Don't get Shirley upset. She's a tough cookie."
Don't become upset.
"Relax, keep your cool."
Become upset.
"Don't get upset. If you lose your cool, it will make matters worse."
Without any good options.
"Milo has run out of options. If he takes any more chance, he might
find himself in a tight corner."
A lazy person.
"Luis just watches tv all day. He really is a couch potato."
A situation develops naturally.
"There is nothing we can do to relieve the effects of her disease.
We can only wait and let the illness take its course."
In trouble.
"I warned Bill but he would not listen. Now, he's up the creek."
Exaggerated or faked sympathy.
"She told me she was sorry but she was not, it was just crocodile
tears."
When there are no more possibilities.
"Victor seems to have a casual point of view. When it comes to the
crunch, though, he is a real professional."
Very different from.
"His personality is a far cry from his father's."
Without research, planning, or considering.
"I haven't had the time to think about it. My off-the-cuff impression,
however, is that it is a good idea."
Cannot do it.
"Kim shouldn't be working here. She just can't cut it."
Ignorant.
"They didn't tell me anything. I felt like they had left me in the
dark."
A guess.
"I'm not sure but I could take a shot in the dark."
Stop.
"I'm tired. Let's call it a day."
(Almost) too late.
"The government just decided to buy new helicopters, but it seems
a little late in the day to make such a decision."
Without trying to hide it.
"They robbed the bank in broad daylight."
Make someone happy.
"Your letter made my day!"
Would never.
"I hate that dress. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing it."
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7. 98) Get a raw deal
99) Runs deep
100) Out of your depth
Receives less than what is deserved.
"Be sure to read the contract carefully before you sign it. You don't
want to get a raw deal."
Entrenched, or ingrained.
"He loves his country. Patriotism runs deep in his veins."
Beyond your existing knowledge or ability.
"You don't seem to have much experience in this subject. Are you
sure you're not out of your depth?"
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