High and dry
Meaning: to leave someone in an unsettled or difficult situation. Ex: They got out of the deal and left us … Continue reading High and dry
A Spring in one’s step
Meaning: Walking happily, confidently and energetically. Ex: Gwen has been walking with a spring in her step ever since she … Continue reading A Spring in one’s step
Steal someone’s thunder
Meaning: Take the credit for someone else’s work or do what someone else intended to do before they do it. … Continue reading Steal someone’s thunder
A Rough Diamond
Meaning: a person with great potential but lack of refinement.Ex: Paul is intelligent and hard-working man, but he lacks sophistication, he’s a rough … Continue reading A Rough Diamond
Be a good/poor hand at something
Be a good hand at something Meaning: to be talented, gifted or skilled in some activity. Ex: Florian is a … Continue reading Be a good/poor hand at something
Alive and Kicking / Well
Meaning: to continue to be active and successful. Despite her recent illness, my grandma is still alive and kicking. I … Continue reading Alive and Kicking / Well
Against One’s Better Judgement
If we do something against our better judgement, then we don’t believe it’s a right thing to do. Ex: I … Continue reading Against One’s Better Judgement
Add insult to injury
to hurt someone’s feelings after doing them harm. Ex: He added insult to injury when he called the man a … Continue reading Add insult to injury
Be in the black / in the red
Be in the black Meaning: make a profit. Ex: We are making a great year so our accounts are in … Continue reading Be in the black / in the red
Show somebody / learn / know the ropes
Explain to somebody/learn/know how to do a particular job. Don’t worry about the job. Mrs. Jones will show us the … Continue reading Show somebody / learn / know the ropes
Fall into place
When things fall into place, they begin to make sense or happen in a satisfactory way. Once I started a … Continue reading Fall into place
… go a long way
meaning: will be very successful Thanks for your donation; I’m sure it will go a long way. A little imagination … Continue reading … go a long way
Blow your own trumpet/horn
Meaning: boost about your own skills, abilities… Examples: I don’t want to blow my own trumpet, but business was much … Continue reading Blow your own trumpet/horn
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Situation with two unacceptable alternatives. Example sentences: When the new product didn’t take off, the company was caught between the … Continue reading Between the devil and the deep blue sea
January Blues
A feeling of depression usually associated with the winter. The magic of Christmas is over, it’s dark and cold, and … Continue reading January Blues
Pros and cons
(Lat. pro et contra) Meaning: advantages and disadvantages; for and against We are weighing up the pros and cons of … Continue reading Pros and cons
Autumn years
The idiom refers to later years of someone’s life, usually retired ones. Ex: He spent his autumn years enjoying his grandchildren. … Continue reading Autumn years
Be/feel under the weather
If someone is under the weather, it means that they are feeling ill or unwell. I won’t be able to … Continue reading Be/feel under the weather
Back of one’s hand
Something we are familiar with, a place we know very well. Ex: Of course I won’t get lost. I know … Continue reading Back of one’s hand
Money talks
This is usually said about those who are rich and can get whatever they want. Examples: In this country money … Continue reading Money talks
Take something with a grain (pinch) of salt
If you take something that someone says with a grain (pinch) of salt, then you probably think it’s a lie … Continue reading Take something with a grain (pinch) of salt
Never say die
Stay optimistic, positive attitude. Ex: There are still dozens of job vacancies she hasn’t tried. Never say die. After falling … Continue reading Never say die
Let sleeping dogs lie
Avoid mentioning the subject in order not to make the situation worse. Ex: The boys didn’t want to ask their … Continue reading Let sleeping dogs lie
Be/get on your high horse
to behave in a way that shows you feel superior in a bad way. Ex: Although he doesn’t know much about cooking, … Continue reading Be/get on your high horse
A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: It is better to deal with problems immediately, before they deteriorate. Example: You should deal with that leaking pipe … Continue reading A stitch in time saves nine
Call it a day
We use this phrase to say that the work is over for the day. I think we’ve been working enough. … Continue reading Call it a day
Not enough room to swing a cat
Meaning: we use this expression when we want to describe a place as very small. Ex: There is not enough … Continue reading Not enough room to swing a cat
Be all fingers and thumbs
Meaning: to be clumsy with your hands. Ex: Will you please hold this for me. I’m all fingers and thumbs … Continue reading Be all fingers and thumbs
Actions speak louder than words
What you do is more important than what you say, or what you promise to do. Ex: You said that … Continue reading Actions speak louder than words
The lesser of two evils
The less unpleasant of two unpleasant options. Ex: I had two options – stay at home and watch TV or … Continue reading The lesser of two evils
