List 15 - Idioms
List 15 - Idioms 001-100 (about time – beyond words)
1. |
about time |
To mean something should have happened earlier or about now. |
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It’s about time I had my hair cut. |
2. |
above all |
Most importantly. |
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Above all, I would like to thank you all for volunteering your services. |
3. |
above average |
Better than average. |
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The boss is very pleased with her as her work has always been above average. |
4. |
above board |
Honest and legal and not deceiving. |
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They doubt the deal was above board when it was negotiated in secret. |
5. |
above par |
Better than normal. |
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Her performance was hailed by critics as above par. |
6. |
above/beyond reproach |
Not deserving any blame or criticism. |
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His conduct had always been above reproach. |
7. |
above suspicion |
To be not suspected. |
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Family members of the murdered person are not above suspicion according to the police. |
8. |
acid test |
A means to find out whether something can be believed. |
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His constant strong feeling of loyalty to his spouse was the acid test of his faithfulness. |
9. |
a first |
Something that happens or is done for the first time. The highest level of university degree one can get in Britain. |
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The triplet delivery is a first for the new hospital. |
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My grandmother had a first in Economics from this university. |
10. |
Achilles’ heel |
A weak point or vulnerable spot of someone or something. |
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The team’s Achilles’ heel is its poor defence, and it is expected to lose in the final. |
11. |
after all |
Something that needs to be considered; in spite of something that had been said or done. |
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You shouldn’t have talked to her like that – after all, she’s your only sister. |
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She decided to come along with us after all. |
12. |
against time |
To complete a task, etc. within a time-limit. |
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We’re working against time to finish the project. |
13. |
ahead of |
In front of; before. |
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One of us has to call the restaurant ahead of time to make the dinner reservation. |
14. |
alive with |
Swarming with. |
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The carrion was alive with maggots. |
15. |
all along |
During the entire time while something was happening. |
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She knew all along that her husband kept a string of mistresses. |
16. |
all but |
Almost. |
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It was all but dark when our train pulled into the city. |
17. |
all for |
Strongly support or in favour of something. |
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Most members are all for the club moving out of the city because it’s too expensive. |
18. |
all gone |
Used up or finished. |
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Someone had eaten all my peanuts; they are all gone. |
19. |
all in |
Very tired; exhausted. |
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What had you been doing? You look all in. |
20. |
all of |
Not more than. |
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He took all of ten minutes to finish the two pizzas. |
21. |
all out |
Using as much of one’s effort as possible. |
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We went all out to get it done before the deadline. |
22. |
all over |
Everywhere; finished. |
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“Where had you been? We looked all over for you.” |
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It’s all over – I have lost all my money and I’m not playing anymore. |
23. |
all right |
Good or okay; beyond doubt; used to express agreement or consent. |
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Our new house is all right, but it’s a bit small. |
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We are late all right; the train is no longer here. |
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“You can call him tomorrow.” “All right, I will call him in the afternoon.” |
24. |
all set |
Ready or prepared to do something. |
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I was all set to leave when the rain started falling. |
25. |
all square |
With all accounts settled, and no money owed. |
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Here’s the amount due to you; we’re all square now. |
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Having equal scores in a game. |
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Both teams are all square at two goals each at half-time. |
26. |
all talk |
Talking about doing something without actually doing it. |
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He said one week ago that he would help me with the research work, and he’s still saying it. He’s all talk and no action. |
27. |
all that |
To a high degree. |
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She isn’t all that enthusiastic about going to all-night party, not that she’s married. |
28. |
all there |
Mentally incompetent or unable to think clearly. |
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Having listened to what he said, we don’t think he’s quite all there. |
29. |
all told |
As a complete total; in all. |
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All told, it took twelve men to pull the baby rhino out of the muddy pond. |
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There were fifteen of them at the discussion all told. |
30. |
all wet |
To be completely wrong. |
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That’s not the professor; you are all wet. |
31. |
along with |
Together with someone or something. |
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My uncle went to the beach along with his daughter and dog. |
32. |
answer for |
To take responsibility for something; to speak for somebody. |
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We will all have to answer for our wrongdoings in our next lives. |
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I think she likes to join the discussion, but I can’t really answer for her. |
33. |
any longer |
In the past but not now; anymore |
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We have to do something. We can’t ignore water leaking from the roof any longer. |
34. |
any moment |
Very soon. |
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The plane should be arriving at any moment now. |
35. |
appear as |
To play a role in a film, play, etc. |
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She appeared as a toothless witch in her first comedy film. |
36. |
as against |
When compared with something else. |
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Her candidacy for president was supported by 35 percent of the senior party members as against 57 percent of young members. |
37. |
as ever |
Usually; in the same way as always. |
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As ever, he’s the last one to arrive. |
38. |
as for |
With regard to. |
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We all have decided to go. As for him, he’s still deciding. |
39. |
as if |
In a manner that it is true or false. |
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The stranger looked at me as if he knew me. |
40. |
as is |
The existing state as at the particular time. |
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All the items are being auctioned off as is. |
41. |
as of |
The time or date when something begins. |
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As of next month, the lunch time will be cut from one hour to fifty minutes. |
42. |
as one |
At the same time; together. |
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The audience rose as one to give her a standing ovation for her performance. |
43. |
as such |
In the true or exact meaning of the word or phrase. |
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They don’t have children as such, but they do have an adopted child. |
44. |
as yet |
Until now. |
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We haven’t decided to buy our own house as yet, but are likely to do so in the near future. |
45. |
aside from |
Except for; in addition to. |
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The skin rash continues to appear on my legs but aside from that I’m a perfectly healthy person. |
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Aside from being beautiful, she is also highly intelligent. |
46. |
at all |
To make a statement or question more forceful. |
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Why blame me; it’s wasn’t my fault at all. |
47. |
at bay |
At a distance. |
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The policemen had to keep the rioters at bay until reinforcement arrived. |
48. |
at best |
Taking the most hopeful view. |
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At best we found his speech slightly long-winded. |
49. |
at ease |
Relaxed and comfortable. |
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She never feels at ease driving in the rain. |
50. |
at first |
At the beginning. |
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We were casual friends at first, but soon we developed a special liking for each other. |
51. |
at gunpoint |
Under threat of injury or death from a gun. |
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We were forced at gunpoint to hand over all our money. |
52. |
at hand |
Close by or readily accessible; near in time or about to happen. |
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We have three staff at hand to attend to the needs of the inmates. |
53. |
at hazard |
At risk. |
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Your health is at hazard unless you give up heavy smoking. |
54. |
at heart |
One’s true character and not what one may appear to be. |
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Both her parents are septuagenarians but they are still young at heart. |
55. |
at issue, |
(Matter, subject, question, problem, etc.) under discussion or in dispute. |
56. |
at it |
Engaging in some activity. |
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The quarrelsome couple are at it again. When will they stop arguing? |
57. |
at large |
Not having been captured; in general. |
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Police issued pictures of the escaped prisoner who is still at large. |
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More information regarding the programme of vaccination should be made available to the public at large. |
58. |
at last |
In the end, after a long wait. |
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They have ended their argument at last! |
59. |
at least |
Not less/fewer than; used to show something could be worse; used to indicate the minimum that one could do. |
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The witness said there were at least four people in the armed gang that robbed the bank. |
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The meal was expensive, but at least the food was adequate and superb. |
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You could at least have given her a smile even if you didn’t want to talk to her. |
60. |
at leisure |
In a slow and relaxed or unhurried way; not working. |
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We often have our evening meal at leisure at the same restaurant. |
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He likes to sit on his rocking chair at leisure. |
61. |
at length |
For a long time; after a long period of time. |
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He went on at some length about his trip abroad. |
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At length, we decided to call it a night and went to bed. |
62. |
at liberty |
Not in captivity or confinement; free to do something. |
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After spending twelve years in prison, he is now at liberty to lead a normal life. |
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Only the senior managers are at liberty to speak to reporters about the company’s affairs. |
63. |
at loggerheads |
In total disagreement or bitter dispute. |
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The woman is at loggerheads with the man over a parking space. |
64. |
at most |
Not more than a specified number or amount. |
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Each time we jogged three kilometers at most. |
65. |
at odds. |
In conflict or disagreement. |
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The brothers are always at odds about whose car should be put in the garage. |
66. |
at once |
At the same time; immediately. |
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If we all talk at once, who will be listening? |
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She was so angry with me that she told me to leave her house at once. |
67. |
at peace |
Dead. |
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He is at peace now after a long illness. |
68. |
at play |
Playing (at the present time). |
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We can hear the noisy children at play. |
69. |
at present |
At this time; now. |
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At present he is sleeping. |
70. |
at random |
Not in any order. |
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Ten names were selected at random from the list of volunteers. |
71. |
at rest |
Not moving or active; dead; in a relaxed and comfortable state. |
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You must not unfasten your safety belt until the rollercoaster is at rest. |
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It is utterly unfair that she’s at rest at such a young age. |
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You can set your mind at rest by thinking positively. |
72. |
at risk |
In a situation where something bad or dangerous could happen. |
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Your job is at risk if you keep turning up late for work. |
73. |
at sea |
In a ship on the sea. |
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I felt seasick on the first day at sea on my cruise. |
74. |
at stake |
Might be lost; at risk. |
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The cause of the new disease is still unknown, putting many lives at stake. |
75. |
at times |
Occasionally but not usually. |
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I feel quite lonely at times. |
76. |
at that |
Used to provide additional information |
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The arrested man is a murderer, and a serial one at that. |
77. |
at will |
Whenever and in whatever way one wants. |
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The animals have their own enclosures where they were allowed to roam at will. |
78. |
at work |
Working (at the present time); having an effect or influence. |
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My dad is at work on the farm. |
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They believe there are evil forces at work trying to undermine the stability of the state. |
79. |
at worst |
Used to show the most negative or unpleasant result. |
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At worst, he can only get a fine for the offence. |
80. |
bad blood |
Feelings of hate between two people or groups. |
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There’s been a lot of bad blood between the two families since their parents’ days. |
81. |
bad/badly off |
Having little money; in a bad or difficult situation or condition. |
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We are not too bad off compared to our younger days. |
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The family was so badly off they could only dream of eating in a restaurant. |
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We had no idea how bad off they were until they told us. |
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At that time, he was so badly off that he had to stay in bed all the time. |
82. |
bear fruit |
To produce successful result or a reward. |
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Her hard work bore fruit as she passed the exam with flying colours. |
83. |
bear watching |
To deserve close observation. |
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It will bear watching the behavioural problems in these children. |
84. |
beat it |
To leave quickly or tell someone to leave quickly. |
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The looters beat it when the police arrived. |
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Beat it! I’m trying to get this done. |
85. |
before long |
Soon. |
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Before long, the whole area was flooded. |
86. |
below average |
Lower than the usual standard. |
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His test results are well below average. |
87. |
below par |
Not as good as normal. |
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The rocking boat is making me feel a little below par. I think I am getting seasick. |
88. |
bent on |
Determined to have or do something. |
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He was bent on realizing his life’s ambition. |
89. |
beside oneself |
Feeling some very strong emotion. |
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She was beside herself with joy when he told her the news. |
90. |
bet on |
To place a bet on someone or something. |
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We bet on the horse which came in last. |
91. |
better half |
Wife or husband. |
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I’m not going alone; my better half is coming along. |
92. |
better off |
Having more money; in better condition. |
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We are better off now than we used to be when we started working. |
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We would be better off if we sold off the loss-making business. |
93. |
beyond (one’s) depth |
In water that is too deep; too advanced for one’s understanding or capabilities. |
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He swam out beyond his depth to get the ball that was fast floating away. |
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I failed in the two subjects as they were really beyond my depth. |
94. |
beyond help |
A condition that cannot be made better. |
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Their terminally ill grandmother is beyond help. |
95. |
beyond (one’s) ken |
Not within the range of one’s knowledge or understanding. |
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Why her husband chose to leave her is beyond her ken. |
96. |
beyond me |
Not being able to understand something. |
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How an intelligent guy like him having a long history of academic failure is beyond me. |
97. |
beyond (one’s) means |
More than one can afford. |
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Presently, a sailing yacht is well beyond our means. |
98. |
beyond measure |
More than can be quantified. |
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The abundance of foods and drinks served out in the grand wedding dinner is beyond measure. |
99. |
beyond repair |
No able to be restored or fixed. |
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The gearbox was damaged beyond repair. |
100. |
beyond words |
More than one can say. |
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She was thankful beyond words for the public donations towards her medical surgery. |
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We are grateful beyond words to the volunteers who come forward to offer their help. |
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The visitors were visibly shocked beyond words by the conditions they witnessed in the refugee camps. |