List 16 - Phrases and Idioms
Phrases and Idioms 001-100 (acid - call)
|
Phrases and Idioms |
Meaning |
1. |
acid – the acid test |
Way to determine the quality or workability of something. |
2. |
across - across the board |
Applicable to all. |
3. |
ado - without further ado |
Without wasting any more time. |
4. |
alive - alive and kicking |
Still existing and very active. |
5. |
all – all at once |
All done together at the same time. |
6. |
all – all in all |
Take into account every part; on the whole |
7. |
all – all or nothing |
Either done completely or in the exact way, or nothing; no compromise. |
8. |
all - all the same |
In spite of that. |
9. |
all – it’s all go |
Buzzing with activity. |
10. |
argue – argue the toss |
To argue against a decision already made. |
11. |
arm - arm in arm |
With arms linked. |
12. |
arm - up in arms |
Enraged and protesting vigorously. |
13. |
arm – with open arms |
Receiving with great affection or enthusiasm |
14. |
bag - bag and baggage |
One’s personal possessions. |
15. |
bag - bag of bones |
Used to refer to a very thin person or an animal. |
16. |
balance - balance of payments |
The difference in total value between payments for import of and earnings from export of goods and services. |
17. |
balance - balance of trade |
The difference in total value between a country’s import and export of goods, excluding services. |
18. |
baptism - baptism of fire |
One’s first experience in an activity which is often difficult and painful. |
19. |
bare - bare one’s soul |
To make known one’s previously unknown facts or feelings. |
20. |
bare - the bare bones |
The essential parts of something. |
21. |
bat - bat one’s eyelashes |
To make rapid opening and closing of one’s eyes. |
22. |
bated - with bated breath |
In anxiety and suspense. |
23. |
belt - below the belt |
Unfair; breaking the rules. |
24. |
belt – tighten one’s belt |
Cut down on spending. |
25. |
belt – under one’s belt |
To have achieved something or gained considerable experience. |
26. |
bend – bend over backwards |
To be helpful with someone’s wishes or demands. |
27. |
bend – bend someone’s ear |
To talk at length with someone. |
28. |
bend – bend the rules |
Do what normally is not allowed |
29. |
bend – on bended knee |
Requesting someone seriously to do something. |
30. |
best – all the best |
An expression of good wishes. |
31. |
better – go one better |
Outdo someone else. |
32. |
better – one had better |
One would find it more advisable or advantageous to do. |
33. |
better – one’s better half |
One’s spouse |
34. |
beyond - beyond the sea |
In a foreign country; abroad. |
35. |
bit - a bit part |
A minor and insignificant acting part in a film. |
36. |
bit - a bit previous |
Before the due time. |
37. |
bit – bit by bit |
Gradually. |
38. |
bit - do one’s bit |
To contribute one’s service or do one’s share of the work. |
39. |
bite - bite the bullet |
Forced to perform an unpleasant or difficult task. |
40. |
bite - bite the dust |
To die, fail or be defeated. |
41. |
bite - bite your tongue |
Refrain oneself from saying something. |
42. |
black – black and white (in) |
In writing so that it’s clearly stated, not doubtful. |
43. |
black - in the black |
To have money in one’s account. |
44. |
blaze – a trail |
Lay a path through unknown territory; to be the first to develop something new. |
45. |
blessing - a mixed blessing |
A situation that has both advantages and disadvantages |
46. |
blessing – blessing indisguise |
An initial misfortune that later produces good results. |
47. |
blood - in cold blood |
In a deliberate and merciless way. |
48. |
blood - in one’s blood |
Firmly established in one’s character. |
49. |
blow – blow a fuse |
Lose one’s temper. |
50. |
blow – blow one’s mind |
To excite or impress someone very strongly. |
51. |
blow – blow one’s nose |
To clean one’s nose by blowing through it into a cloth or piece of tissue paper. |
52. |
blow – blow one’s top |
Lose one’s temper. |
53. |
blow – blow the whistle (on) |
To inform an authority or expose publicly someone’s wrongful act or something that is wrong. |
54. |
blow - come to blows |
To start hitting each other or a fight. |
55. |
blue – blue eyed boy |
Someone who is treated with special favour. |
56. |
blue – blue with cold |
Extremely cold. |
57. |
blue – boys in blue |
The police. |
58. |
boat - rock the boat |
Disturb an existing situation. |
59. |
boat - the same boat (in) |
Be in the same difficult situation as someone else. |
60. |
body – body and soul |
Completely. |
61. |
body – body of water |
A large area of water such as a lake. |
62. |
bone – bone of contention |
Cause of argument or disagreement. |
63. |
bone - make no bones (about) |
To not hesitate about doing or saying something. |
64. |
book – by the book (go) |
To observe exactly the rules and instructions. |
65. |
book - someone’s good book (in) |
It means that someone is pleased with or approves of someone else. |
66. |
born - not born yesterday |
Not easily deceived or gullible. |
67. |
bound - know no bounds |
Have no limits. |
68. |
bound – out of bounds |
Outside of allowed area of play. |
69. |
brain - pick someone’s brains |
To get information from someone who knows a lot. |
70. |
break – break new ground |
Venture into new sphere of activity; uncover new information. |
71. |
break – break of day |
Dawn. |
72. |
break – break one’s word |
To not do what one has promised. |
73. |
break – break the ice |
To initiate a conversation between strangers. |
74. |
break - make the break |
To end a relationship. |
75. |
breath – waste one’s breath |
To speak without getting the message through. |
76. |
breath – hold one’s breath |
To cease breathing to see what is going to happen. |
77. |
breath – out of breath |
To experience difficulty in breathing after some vigorous exercises. |
78. |
breath – under one’s breath |
To say in a low voice so that no one can hear. |
79. |
breeze – be a breeze |
To be something that can be done or dealt with ease. |
80. |
bridge – bridge the gap |
To narrow the difference between two things. |
81. |
bright – bright and early |
Very early in the morning. |
82. |
bright - the bright lights |
The kind of life in big cities that attract people. |
83. |
broke – go for broke |
Risk all that one has in a determined attempt to achieve something. |
84. |
brother - brothers in arms |
Soldiers who have been in combat together in the same war. |
85. |
buck – a fast buck |
Money that is quickly and easily earned. |
86. |
buck – pass the buck |
Shift the blame or responsibility to someone else. |
87. |
bumper – bumper-to-bumper |
(Traffic) very close together and moving slowly. |
88. |
burn – burn one’s boats/bridges |
Do something that can’t be reversed. |
89. |
bury – bury the hatchet |
End a quarrel or conflict and be reconciled. |
90. |
business – business is business |
Used to mean making profit overrides everything else. |
91. |
business – like nobody’s business |
Exceptional. |
92. |
butterfly – butterflies in one’s stomach |
An unpleasant sensation in one’s stomach when one is nervous. |
93. |
buyer - a buyer’s market |
Situation in which supply of goods and shares is more than demand, and prices are low. |
94. |
by – by and by |
Before long; soon. |
95. |
by – by and large |
On the whole. |
96. |
by – by the by |
By the way; incidentally. |
97. |
call – call attention to |
To divert people’s attention to something. |
98. |
call – call into question |
To express doubt about something. |
99. |
call – call of nature |
A need to urinate or defecate. |
100. |
call – call one’s shots |
To predict one’s course of action. |
Phrases and Idioms 101-200 (call - crime)
|
Phrases and Idioms |
Meaning |
101. |
call – call someone’s bluff |
To challenge someone to carry out their threat, so as to expose it as an empty threat |
102. |
call – call the shots |
In a position to decide or initiate action. |
103. |
call - the call of |
A strong appeal of a place, an occupation, etc. that draws someone. |
104. |
can – can of worms |
An awkward situation that is likely to give rise to many problems and prove embarrassing. |
105. |
cap – cap in hand |
Seeking a favour in a humble way. |
106. |
capture - capture someone’s heart |
To be greatly attracted to someone. |
107. |
card - on the cards |
Likely to happen. |
108. |
carry - carry oneself well |
To move and behave in an appropriate manner. |
109. |
carry – carry the day |
To be triumphal. |
110. |
carry - get carried away |
To lose one’s self-control. |
111. |
cash – cash and carry |
A shop where goods are paid for in full and carried away by the buyer |
112. |
cast - be cast away |
To be stranded on a shore or island after a shipwreck. |
113. |
cast - be cast down |
Feel depressed and discouraged. |
114. |
catch – catch one’s breath |
To momentarily stop breathing in shock, surprise or fear. |
115. |
catch – catch sight of |
To suddenly notice someone or something. |
116. |
catch – catch someone’s eye |
Attract someone’s attention through eye contact; to be noticed by someone. |
117. |
cause – cause and effect |
An action and its effect. |
118. |
cause – make common cause |
Join together to attain a particular goal. |
119. |
chalk – chalk it up |
Put it to one’s credit. |
120. |
chance – by any chance |
Possibly or as is true. |
121. |
chance – stand a chance |
Have the likelihood to succeed. |
122. |
chance – take a chance |
Run a risk of things not happening or of danger. |
123. |
chance – take one's chance |
Do something risky with the hope of success. |
124. |
change – change of air |
In a different place or climate that is usually better. |
125. |
change – change one’s tune |
To react or change one’s opinion after something has happened. |
126. |
change – for a change |
An experience which is different from before and is usually better. |
127. |
charge – free of charge |
No payment required. |
128. |
charge – in charge of |
Having control or command of. |
129. |
charge – on a charge |
Accused of a criminal offence. |
130. |
charge – put in charge |
Entrust someone with power to control or supervise. |
131. |
cheap - on the cheap |
Incur less cost than is needed |
132. |
cheek – cheek by jowl |
Very close together. |
133. |
cheek – cheek to cheek |
(dancing) heads close together. |
134. |
chew – chew the fat |
To talk in a friendly way. |
135. |
chicken - she’s no chicken |
She is no longer young. |
136. |
chop - get the chop |
To lose one’s job; to cancel something, e.g. a building project. |
137. |
chord - strike a chord |
To express an agreeable opinion or acceptable idea. |
138. |
circle - come full circle |
Return to a past position or situation. |
139. |
circumstance - in suspicious circumstances |
Involving foul play. |
140. |
circumstance - under/in no circumstances |
To say that something must not be allowed to happen no matter what. |
141. |
circumstance - under/in the circumstances |
At the given situation. |
142. |
circumstance – victim of circumstance |
Someone who is unfavourably affected in a difficult situation. |
143. |
claim - lay claim to |
To state one’s right to or ownership of something. |
144. |
clean – a clean break |
An end to a relationship; freeing oneself from a situation. |
145. |
clean - a clean slate/sheet |
Free from misbehaviour, mistakes made or a goal scored by the rival team. |
146. |
clear - clear the air |
To reduce a tense situation by discussing in a calm manner. |
147. |
clear – clear the decks |
To do something in order to prepare for some other things. |
148. |
clear -in the clear |
Not under suspicion or guilty. |
149. |
clip – at a clip |
At once. |
150. |
clip – clip someone’s wings |
To curb someone’s aspirations. |
151. |
clock - against the clock |
Not having much time left. |
152. |
close - a close shave |
Narrow escape from an accident or danger. |
153. |
clutch – clutch at straws |
Make a desperate attempt at salvaging a hopeless situation. |
154. |
coast – coast is clear |
Safe to do something without the risk of being noticed or caught. |
155. |
cock – cock a snook |
To express contempt at. |
156. |
cold – cold hard cash |
Paper money and coins as opposed to cheques or credit cards. |
157. |
cold – in cold blood |
In a cruel and merciless way. |
158. |
cold – the cold shoulder |
Display of one’s unfriendliness |
159. |
come – come of age |
To attain adulthood. |
160. |
come – come off it |
Used to express one’s disbelief. |
161. |
come – come on strong |
To show a confident and forceful personality. |
162. |
come – come to mind |
(of a though, idea, etc.) suggest itself. |
163. |
come – come to nothing |
To produce no effect or result. |
164. |
come – come to pass |
To happen eventually. |
165. |
come – come up dry |
To become unsuccessful. |
166. |
come – come what may |
No matter what happens. |
167. |
commit – commit to paper |
To write down. |
168. |
common – in common with |
To be in the same way as someone else. |
169. |
common – the common good |
Something shared by two or more parties and acts as a basis for further interaction. |
170. |
common – the common touch |
The ability to interact with the ordinary people. |
171. |
concern - a going concern |
A business that is still operating and making a profit. |
172. |
conquer – conquer somebody’s heart |
To make that somebody fall in love with one. |
173. |
conscience – in all conscience |
In fairness; by any reasonable standard. |
174. |
conscience – on one’s conscience |
Feeling guilty about something. |
175. |
conscience – prisoner of conscience |
A person who is detained or imprisoned because of his or her political or religious beliefs. |
176. |
cook – cook somebody’s goose |
To spoil a person’s plans. |
177. |
cool – a cool million |
Large amount that someone can easily earn. |
178. |
cool – cool one’s heels |
To be kept waiting |
179. |
cool - keep one’s cool |
Maintain a calm attitude in a tense situation. |
180. |
cool – lose one’s cool |
To be unable to remain calm in a difficult situation. |
181. |
corner – around the corner |
Very near; imminent; approaching. |
182. |
corner – corner the market |
To control the supply of a commodity. |
183. |
corner – fight one’s corner |
To defend one’s position. |
184. |
corner – in someone’s corner |
To offer support and encouragement. |
185. |
corner – turn a corner |
To begin to show improvement. |
186. |
corridors – corridors of power |
Place where crucial decisions of administration are made. |
187. |
cost – cost a bomb |
Cost a lot of money. |
188. |
cost – at all costs |
Regardless of the obstacles that one has to overcome. |
189. |
cost – cost someone dear |
To cause someone to suffer a huge loss. |
190. |
count - count one’s blessings |
Used to tell someone how lucky they are and be grateful for what they have. |
191. |
count - count the cost |
To examine the effect of one’s terrible mistake. |
192. |
count - count the days |
To be anxiously waiting for the days to pass. |
193. |
cover - cover one’s back |
To refrain from acts that will invite criticism. |
194. |
cover - cover one’s tracks |
To conceal evidence of one’s movement. |
195. |
crack – crack of dawn |
Daybreak |
196. |
cradle - the cradle of |
Place in which something important began or was nurtured. |
197. |
cream - the cream of |
The most outstanding group of people. |
198. |
credit - line of credit |
Amount of credit allowed to a borrower |
199. |
crime – crime doesn’t pay |
Used to mean the criminal will sooner or later be brought to justice. |
200. |
crime - crime of passion |
A crime committed in a fit of sexual jealousy. |
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