List 16 - Phrases and Idioms
Phrases and Idioms 801-900 (rough - state)
|
Phrases and Idioms |
Meaning |
801. |
rough – rough and ready |
Simple or crude but effective. |
802. |
round – go the rounds |
To pass from one person to another. |
803. |
round – in round figures |
Express exact numbers as the nearest whole numbers. |
804. |
round – round of applause |
Audience or people are clapping to show their appreciation of something. |
805. |
round – round someone up |
To gather together a number of people |
806. |
rub – rub one’s hands |
Indicate personal satisfaction with what one has done or what has happened. |
807. |
rub – rub shoulders with |
Come into contact with. |
808. |
rule - as a rule |
Usually the case; usually true. |
809. |
rule - rule of law |
Situation in which everyone is subject to and abides by the law. |
810. |
rule - rule of thumb |
A rough guide based on experience rather than theory. |
811. |
rule - rule the roost |
To be in control. |
812. |
runner - do a runner |
To flee the scene so as to escape from or avoid something. |
813. |
running – in running order |
Sequence in which events are arranged to take place. |
814. |
running – in/out of the running |
In/no longer in a contest. |
815. |
rush – rush one’s fences |
Do something hurriedly |
816. |
sad – sadder but wiser |
Learn something after its effect has become clear or understood. |
817. |
safety – safety in numbers |
Used to mean less danger in a lot of animals, people, etc. being together. |
818. |
salt - worth one’s salt |
Good at one’s job. |
819. |
same – same to you |
May you have the same thing. |
820. |
save – save one’s breath |
Not worth saying anything. |
821. |
save – save one’s skin |
Look after one’s own safety. |
822. |
save – save the day |
Solve a problem. |
823. |
scene - behind the scenes |
In secret away from public view. |
824. |
scene – hit the scene |
To arrive; appear. |
825. |
scene – not one’s scene |
Not something someone is interested in. |
826. |
score – on that score |
Concerning something just mentioned. |
827. |
score – settle a score |
To inflict revenge on someone who has caused an injury or harm to oneself. |
828. |
scrape - in a scrape |
In difficulty. |
829. |
scrape - scrape the barrel |
Using the last, remaining, low quality of resources. |
830. |
scratch - scratch a living |
Manage with just enough to survive on. |
831. |
scratch – scratch one’s head |
Be confused, seeking a solution. |
832. |
scratch – scratch the surface |
Deal with a matter but not thoroughly enough. |
833. |
scratch - up to scratch |
Good enough to meet a certain standard. |
834. |
second - second to none |
The best. |
835. |
seller - a seller’s market |
Situation in which demand of goods and shares is more than supply, and prices are generally high. |
836. |
sense – make sense of |
To find or seek out the meaning of something |
837. |
serve – serve a sentence |
Spend a period of time in a prison. |
838. |
serve – serve one’s country |
To fight for one’s country. |
839. |
serve – serve someone right |
Someone who deserves the punishment or misfortune. |
840. |
service - be of service |
Be available to help if help is needed. |
841. |
set – be set on |
To be very determined about doing something. |
842. |
shadow – shadow of death |
Intense gloom or peril. |
843. |
shelf - off the shelf |
Ready for purchase without having to place an order. |
844. |
shelf - on the shelf |
No longer useful or desirable; too old to get married. |
845. |
shit - be shitting bricks |
To be in an extreme anxious and frightened state. |
846. |
shit – full of shit |
Use to describe what someone says is stupid. |
847. |
shit – in the shit |
To be in deep trouble. |
848. |
shoestring - on a shoestring |
Cheaply, without spending much money. |
849. |
short – in short supply |
Insufficient to meet the demand of a commodity, etc. |
850. |
short – short of breath |
Breathing with short, quick breaths. |
851. |
shot – a long shot |
A poor guess or attempt at something |
852. |
shot – a parting shot |
A remark that one makes before leaving. |
853. |
shoulder – shoulder to shoulder |
Together with mutual cooperation and support. |
854. |
sick – sick to death |
Extremely fed up and annoyed by constant exposure to something. |
855. |
sight – at first sight |
First impression conveyed by something; when first seen. |
856. |
sight – raise one’s sights |
Aim to achieve something. |
857. |
sinew -sinews of war |
Money. |
858. |
six - sixes and sevens, at |
In a disorganized and confused state. |
859. |
skin - skin and bone, be |
Very thin. |
860. |
skin - skin someone alive |
To mete out very harsh punishment to someone. |
861. |
sleep – put to sleep |
To administer drug or anaesthetic to someone to make them unconscious; to kill an animal painlessly. |
862. |
sleep – sleep a wink |
Sleep for a brief moment. |
863. |
sleep – sleep on it |
To defer (a decision, etc.) to a later date. |
864. |
slip – let something slip |
To accidentally make known information that is meant to be kept secret. |
865. |
slip – slip a disc |
Suffer intense pain when a piece of the series of small bones forming the backbone becomes displaced. |
866. |
slip – slip of the tongue |
Make a mistake when speaking. |
867. |
slip – slip one’s mind/memory |
To forget to do something. |
868. |
slog - slog it out |
To battle or compete fiercely for something. |
869. |
sly on the sly |
Secretly; done in a surreptitious way. |
870. |
smell - smell a rat |
To detect something suspicious. |
871. |
snap – in a snap |
In a moment, immediately. |
872. |
son – son of a bitch |
Used to show total disrespect for or address someone in an insulting and offensive way. |
873. |
son – son of a gun |
Used to refer to someone. |
874. |
sort – a sort of |
To not exactly describe someone or something. |
875. |
sort – in some sort |
To a certain extent. |
876. |
sort – of a sort/of sorts |
Of an inferior or unusual kind, not worthy of its name. |
877. |
sort - out of sorts |
Not in one’s normal good health. |
878. |
sort – sort of |
To some extent; partly. |
879. |
spare – spare no expense |
To use unlimited amount of money as is required. |
880. |
sparks – spark will fly |
There will be a heated exchange. |
881. |
speak – on speaking terms |
Slightly acquainted. |
882. |
speak – so to speak |
Not exactly as it means; in some sense. |
883. |
speak – speak evil/ill/well of |
To refer unfavourably/criticize/praise |
884. |
speak – speak one’s mind |
To express freely exactly what one thinks. |
885. |
spick - spick and span |
Completely clean and tidy. |
886. |
spill – spill one’s guts |
Reveal willingly much information about something. |
887. |
spill – spill the beans |
To accidentally make known what is previously unknown or secret information. |
888. |
spin – spin a story/yarn |
Tell an untrue story to deceive someone. |
889. |
split – a split second |
An extremely brief moment of time. |
890. |
split – split one’s sides |
Laugh hysterically. |
891. |
sport - be a sport |
Used when seeking favour of someone. |
892. |
spout - up the spout |
Unsuccessful, wasted; pregnant. |
893. |
spread – spread one’s wings |
To expand one’s knowledge, experience, or interest |
894. |
staff - staff of life |
Staple food, especially bread. |
895. |
stand – I stand corrected |
Ready to admit one’s view or judgement is wrong. |
896. |
stand – stand in line |
Queue up. |
897. |
stand – stand one’s ground |
Stick resolutely to one’s opinion, etc. |
898. |
start – for a start |
To begin with. |
899. |
start – to start with |
To deal with the first thing or first part of something. |
900. |
state – state of affairs |
Situation. |
Phrases and Idioms 901-1000 (state - world)
|
Phrases and Idioms |
Meaning |
901. |
state – state of emergency |
Dangerous situation in which a government assumes absolute power. |
902. |
state – state of grace |
Having been forgiven for sins committed while alive. |
903. |
state – state of mind |
The way one feels. |
904. |
stay – stay of execution |
A delay in obeying a judicial order. |
905. |
stay – stay the course |
To endure in spite of difficulties to the end of a race, etc. |
906. |
steal – steal a kiss |
To kiss someone who has not expected it. |
907. |
steal - steal a march |
To start earlier so as to gain an advantage over others. |
908. |
steal – steal someone’s heart |
Win someone’s love. |
909. |
steal – steal someone’s thunder |
To pre-empt someone’s action to achieve or impress by acting first so as to gain praise or attention. |
910. |
steal – steal the show |
To divert praise and attention to oneself. |
911. |
steam – get/pick up steam |
To gradually gather momentum. |
912. |
steam – let off steam |
Get rid of excess strong emotion by doing vigorous activity. |
913. |
steer – steer clear of |
To avoid or ignore someone or something. |
914. |
stiff – stiff upper lip |
Uncomplaining or showing courage in difficult situation. |
915. |
stock – on the stocks |
Under construction; in preparation. |
916. |
stock – out of stock |
Not immediately available for sale or distribution. |
917. |
stock – take stock of |
Review or assess a situation. |
918. |
stomach - a strong stomach |
Able to see or do unpleasant things without feeling sick or upset. |
919. |
stone - a stone’s throw (away) |
A very short distance away |
920. |
strapped – strapped for cash |
Not having or short of money. |
921. |
straw - the last straw |
The last of a series of problems which becomes unbearable making one give up, react, etc. |
922. |
stretch – at a stretch |
Continuously without a pause or break. |
923. |
stretch – at full stretch |
Using everything that one has |
924. |
stretch – stretch a point |
To do or go beyond the usual limit. |
925. |
strike – strike the eye |
To become particularly noticeable. |
926. |
striking – within striking distance |
Close to something or an achievement. |
927. |
string – pull the strings |
To be in control of affairs, events, etc. |
928. |
strong – one’s strong point |
Something that one is very good at. |
929. |
sundry - all and sundry |
Everyone. |
930. |
swallow – swallow one’s pride |
Do what one feels uncomfortable or embarrassed to do by intentionally disregarding one’s feelings. |
931. |
swing – in full swing |
Reaching the highest point of activity. |
932. |
swing – swing the balance |
Influence the result of something. |
933. |
sword – sword of Damocles |
Constant threat or danger. |
934. |
sync – in/out of sync |
Working well/badly together. |
935. |
table - turn the tables |
Turn a disadvantage into an advantage |
936. |
table - under the table |
Illegal and secret payment of money in exchange of a favour; bribery. |
937. |
take – on the take |
Taking bribes. |
938. |
take – take a joke |
Able to tolerate being teased or made fun of. |
939. |
take – take one’s time |
Not acting hurriedly. |
940. |
take – take that |
Used to say to someone when hitting them. |
941. |
talk - be all talk |
Much talking, without action, about doing something. |
942. |
talk – now you’re talking |
Used to express agreement with someone’s good idea. |
943. |
talk – talk sense into |
To persuade someone to be sensible. |
944. |
talk – talk the talk |
To convince, persuade or impress by talking. |
945. |
test – test the water |
To seek opinions, views or feelings before taking action. |
946. |
thin – thin on top |
Balding. |
947. |
thrill – thrills and spills |
Exciting and pleasant experience. |
948. |
thumb - under someone’s thumb |
Under someone’s domination or influence. |
949. |
tickle - be tickled pink |
To be extremely amused or pleased. |
950. |
tickle – tickle someone’s fancy |
To make someone interested in something. |
951. |
time - ahead of time |
Happens sooner than expected or the scheduled time. |
952. |
time – behind the times |
Not aware of or using the latest ideas or techniques. |
953. |
time - take one’s time |
Not in a hurry. |
954. |
time – time will tell |
The result or the truth will be known in the future. |
955. |
tit - tit for tat |
Retaliation against someone who has done something bad to you. |
956. |
tongue – hold one’s tongue |
To stop or told to stop speaking. |
957. |
tongue – tongue in cheek |
With humorous insincerity. |
958. |
tongues - speak in tongues |
Speak in an unknown language during a religious worship. |
959. |
tooth - tooth and nail |
With all one’s might |
960. |
toss – give a toss |
Care about something at all. |
961. |
toss – take a toss |
Fall off a horse. |
962. |
toss – toss one’s cookies |
Vomit. |
963. |
touch – out of touch |
Not having good understanding of something; lacking up-to-date information. |
964. |
touch – touch a nerve |
To bring up a sensitive subject. |
965. |
touch - touch-and-go |
A situation with a possible but uncertain outcome. |
966. |
track – keep track of |
Follow development of; to be fully aware of something. |
967. |
track – off the track |
Derailed; deviated from the subject in question. |
968. |
trail – trail one’s coat |
Deliberately provoke a quarrel or fight. |
969. |
trial – trial and error |
Make repeated attempts or conduct varied experiments until the most successful one is determined. |
970. |
trice – in a trice |
Very quickly. |
971. |
tried – tried and tested |
A successfully proven way of doing something. |
972. |
true – out of true |
Not accurately or exactly positioned or out of alignment. |
973. |
true – true to form |
Matching one’s expectation. |
974. |
true – true to life |
Matching reality. |
975. |
turn - at every turn |
All the time; every time. |
976. |
two – two cents worth |
Someone’s opinion. |
977. |
up - be up on |
To be well informed about something. |
978. |
upper - on one’s uppers |
Very poor. |
979. |
use – use and wont |
Established custom. |
980. |
vale - vale of tears |
This world as regarded as a place of great sorrow and difficulties. |
981. |
walk – walk of life |
The type of job a person does. |
982. |
walk – walk on eggshells |
To exercise utmost caution in one’s words and actions. |
983. |
walk – walk one’s talk |
Used to mean one’s actions must suit one’s words. |
984. |
wanting - be found wanting |
Discovered to be inadequate for a particular purpose. |
985. |
wear - wear the breeches |
Domination of the husband by the wife. |
986. |
wet – wet one’s pants |
Become extremely excited or scared. |
987. |
wet - wet one’s whistle |
To have an alcoholic drink. |
988. |
wheel – behind the wheel |
driving a vehicle. |
989. |
wheel – wheel and deal |
Involve in unscrupulous political or commercial schemes. |
990. |
wheel – wheels within wheels |
Situation of extreme complexity. |
991. |
wild – in the wild |
In an uncultivated or uninhabited region; a wilderness. |
992. |
wild – wild and woolly |
Lacking good manners |
993. |
wild - wild goose chase |
Hunt for something that does not exist or is not worth hunting for. |
994. |
win – win the day |
Be victorious in a battle, argument, etc. |
995. |
wink – in a wink |
Very quickly; any moment now. |
996. |
word - a good word |
Words in commendation of someone. |
997. |
word - have a word |
To speak briefly. |
998. |
word - word of honour |
Binding engagement or a promise. |
999. |
word - words fail me |
Too shocked or surprised to say anything. |
1000. |
world – the outside world |
Existing away from a place or area; the rest of the world. |
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