abide by (something)
- to follow the rules of something
The cleaning staff must abide by the rules of the school.
able to breathe easily again
- to be able to relax and recover from a stressful time or event
My friend was able to breathe easily again when his company did not go bankrupt.
able to do (something) blindfolded
- to be able to do something easily and quickly
The car was easy to fix and we were able to do it blindfolded.
able to do (something) standing on one's head
- to be able to do something easily and quickly
The boy is good at fixing his bicycle. He can do it standing on his head.
able to (do something) with one's eyes closed/shut
- to be able to do something very easily
The car mechanic was able to fix my car with his eyes closed.
able to take a joke
- to be able to let others laugh and joke about you
Our boss is not able to take a joke. We must be careful what we say to him.
about time
- to be something that should have happened earlier
"It is about time that you returned that book to me."
about to (do something)
- to be on the point of doing something
I was about to leave my house when the phone rang.
above all
- mainly, especially
I like adventure movies but above all I love horror movies.
above all else
- most importantly of all
Above all else, I plan to go to the Natural History Museum when I visit the city.
above and beyond
- to be more than is required
The work that the man did on our house was above and beyond what was required.
above reproach
- to be not deserving of blame or criticism
The actions of the police officer were above reproach.
above suspicion
- to be very honest so that nobody will suspect you of doing something wrong
The man's actions are always above suspicion.
absent-minded
- to be forgetful
My grandfather is very absent-minded and he often forgets his keys.
accept an offer
- to agree to an offer or proposal
I accepted the offer to buy my car.
according to Hoyle
- doing something strictly by the rules, doing something the usual and correct way (Hoyle was a writer who was an expert on the rules of card games)
"According to Hoyle, we should not use this room but probably nobody will complain if we do use it."
according to (someone or something)
- as said or told by someone, in agreement with something, in the order of something, in proportion to something
According to our teacher, there will be no class next week.
We did everything according to the terms of the agreement.
account for (something)
- to provide an answer/explanation for something
The bad weather accounts for the fact that only a few people came to the meeting.
Achilles' heel (of someone or something)
- the weak part of a person/place/system/argument which can easily be attacked or criticized
The lack of a new stadium was the Achilles' heel of the government's plans to host the Olympics.
acid test
- a test where the conclusions are beyond doubt
The problem was an acid test of our faith in the new manager.
acquire a taste for (something)
- to learn to like something
We acquired a taste for classical music during our trip to Europe.
across the board
- equally for everyone or everything
The taxes have increased across the board and everyone must pay more.
act as a guinea pig
- to allow some kind of test to be performed on someone
I was not happy to act as a guinea pig on the new training material.
act high and mighty
- to act proud and powerful
The woman always acts high and mighty and nobody likes her.
act one's age
- to behave as a mature person, to behave equal to one's age
My friend never acts her age in public.
act up
- to misbehave
The children began to act up during the field trip.
add fuel to the fire
- to make a problem worse, to make an angry person more angry
The company added fuel to the fire when they criticized the workers.
add insult to injury
- to make a person who already feels bad to feel worse, to make a bad situation worse
Our boss added insult to injury when she refused to let us use the Internet during lunch.
add up
- to total up to a certain amount
I will add up the money that I owe to my father and give it to him.
add up (to something)
- to mean something, to result in something
The things that my friend said about his boss do not add up to anything.
advise (someone) against (something)
- to suggest that something should not be done
I advised my friend not to swim in the river.
afraid of one's own shadow
- to be easily frightened
The small dog is afraid of his own shadow.
After Idioms
after a fashion
- poorly, barely adequate
The cleaning staff cleaned the lunchroom after a fashion but not very well.
after all
- in spite of what was expected
I have decided not to take swimming lessons after all.
It did not rain today after all.
after all
- emphasizes something that should be considered
"You don't need to phone him. After all, he never phones you."
after all is said and done
- finally, when everything is settled
After all is said and done the mayor of our city is doing a very good job.
after hours
- after the regular closing or finishing time
Our library has a place to return books after hours.
after the fact
- after something has happened
The man said that he was sorry but it was after the fact. He had already caused many problems.
.
again and again
- repeatedly
I told my friend again and again not to phone late at night.
against one's will
- to be without a person's consent or agreement
The police took the man to jail against his will.
against the clock
- before a particular time
We worked against the clock to finish the project.
ahead of one's time
- ideas or attitudes that are more advanced than those of other people
The ideas of the politician were ahead of his time.
ahead of schedule
- before the time on a schedule that has been decided
We finished our work ahead of schedule.
ahead of the game
- to have done more than necessary
We worked hard all week in order to be ahead of the game on Monday morning.
ahead of time
- earlier than arranged or planned
We started the meeting ahead of time so that we could go home early.
aim at (something)
- to plan or try to reach a target
We are aiming at a big increase in sales next year.
air one`s dirty laundry/linen in public
- to make public something embarrassing that should be a secret
The dinner party became uncomfortable when the host began to air his colleague's dirty laundry in public.
air one's grievances
- to complain (often publicly)
We aired our grievances during the monthly meeting.
air (something)
- to broadcast something on television or radio
They will air the game tomorrow.
air (something) out
- to freshen something by putting it in the open air
We put the blankets outside in order to air them out.
alive and kicking
- to be well and healthy
My aunt is ninety years old and she is very much alive and kicking.
alive and well
- to be well and healthy
The worker was alive and well after the accident.
All Idioms
all along
- all the time, throughout
I knew all along that my friend would not get the promotion.
all at once
- suddenly, without warning
All at once, the fire alarm rang and we had to leave the building.
all day long
- the whole day
The girl was happy to wait all day long for the mail to arrive.
all dressed up
- dressed in one's best clothes
The girls were all dressed up for the evening.
all ears
- to listen eagerly and carefully
The boy was all ears when the teacher began to talk about the circus.
all for (someone or something)
- to be very much in favor of someone or something
The woman is all for the manager and she never criticizes her.
all important
- most important, urgent or necessary
The meeting is all important and I plan to attend it.
all in
- to be tired, to be exhausted
I am all in and will go to bed early tonight.
all in a day's work
- to be part of what is expected of you
It was all in a day's work when the firefighters rescued the cat.
all in all
- in summary, after considering everything
We had a few problems but all in all the meeting was successful.
all in one piece
- safely, without damage
Our furniture arrived all in one piece after we moved.
all manner of (someone or something)
- all types of people or things
There were all manner of people at the party.
all night long
- throughout the whole night
We could hear the people next door talking all night long.
all of a sudden
- suddenly, without advance warning
All of a sudden, it became cloudy and began to rain.
all or nothing
- everything, one hundred percent of something
It is all or nothing. If I cannot fully participate in the meeting I will not attend.
all-out-effort
- a very good and thorough effort
We are making an all-out-effort to finish our work.
all over but the shouting
- to be decided and finished
It was all over but the shouting for the football fans after their team lost the game.
all over the place
- everywhere
We traveled all over the place on our holiday.
all right
- okay, satisfactory
It should be all right for me to bring my friend to the party.
all set
- to be ready to begin, to be okay
We were all set so we began the meeting.
all sweetness and light
- to be very sweet, to be innocent and helpful
The girl is all sweetness and light after she does something bad.
all systems go
- everything is ready (often used when a rocket is launched)
It was all systems go and we began the installation of the new computer system.
all talk (and no action)
- to talk about doing something but never really doing it
Our boss is all talk and no action and nothing new is ever done in our department.
all the livelong day
- throughout the whole day
I know the words to the song, “I've been working on the railroad, all the livelong day.”
all the rage
- to be in current fashion
The new sneakers were all the rage during the summer.
all the time
- always, continually, often
My sister asks for money all the time but I never give it to her.
all things to all people
- to be everything that is wanted by all people
The politician tries to be all things to all people and it is difficult to know what he really believes.
all thumbs
- to have difficulty fixing things or working with one`s hands, to be clumsy
My friend is all thumbs when he fixes things around his house.
all to the good
- for the best, for one's benefit
It was all to the good that my sister quit her job.
all told
- including everything or everyone, counting everything
All told, there were at least twelve candidates for the job.
.
allow for (someone or something)
- to plan to have enough of something, to plan on the possibility of something
We must allow for enough time to go to the stadium.
along with (someone or something)
- in addition to someone or something
I went to the concert along with my friend.
amount to (something)
- to total something, to result in something
The small amounts of time later amounted to much time.
amount to (something)
- to become successful
The boy will never amount to anything if he does not change his behavior.
amount to the same thing
- to be the same or have the same effect as something
Going by taxi or by bus amounts to the same thing. We will still be late for the concert.
and so on
- and other similar details, et cetera
I was hot and I was tired and I did not have any water and so on. It was terrible.
answer to (someone)
- to explain or justify one's actions to someone
The manager had to answer to the company president about the financial problems.
any number of (someone or something)
- a large number of people or something
I have any number of reasons not to buy a new computer.
appear out of nowhere
- to appear suddenly, to appear without warning
The dog appeared out of nowhere during our walk on the beach.
apple of (someone`s) eye
- someone or something that is very precious or important to you
The man's youngest daughter is the apple of his eye.
argue for the sake of arguing/argument
- to argue only to be different
My brother always argues for the sake of arguing.
arise from
- to originate from, to be caused by
Fires often arise from people not being careful.
arm and a leg
- a large amount of money
The man's new car cost him an arm and a leg.
arm in arm
- to be joined together by the arms
The young girls walked to school arm in arm.
armed and dangerous
- to have a weapon that may be used (usually used for a criminal)
The criminal was armed and dangerous when the police arrested him.
armed to the teeth
- to be armed with many weapons
The police were armed to the teeth during the raid.
around the clock
- all day and all night
We worked around the clock to prepare the store to open.
arrange for (someone or something)
- to make practical plans for something to happen or someone to do something
We arranged for someone to come and fix our broken shower.
arrive on the scene
- to appear in a certain place
When the fire department arrived on the scene the fire was very large.
As Idioms
as a last resort
- if everything else fails
As a last resort we decided to borrow some money to buy the car.
as a matter of fact
- actually, in fact
“As a matter of fact, we have been to the art gallery many times.”
as a result of (something)
- because of something that has happened
As a result of a car accident my friend could not work for several months.
as a rule
- usually, as a habit
As a rule, I get up at 7:00 every morning.
as a whole
- taken or considered all together
As a whole our boss is very good although some people do not like him.
as clean as a hound's tooth
- very clean
The classroom was as clean as a hound's tooth when the students finished cleaning it.
as comfortable as an old shoe
- very comfortable, very familiar
I felt as comfortable as an old shoe when I entered my aunt's house.
as common as an old shoe
- low class, badly mannered
The young woman is as common as an old shoe.
as crooked as a dog's hind leg
- dishonest
The politician is as crooked as a dog's hind leg and nobody trusts him.
as dull as dishwater
- very uninteresting
The speaker at the conference was as dull as dishwater.
as far as
- to the extent or degree of something
As far as I know the movie will start next week.
as far as possible
- as much as possible
We went as far as possible with the project before we had to stop.
We plan to drive as far as possible tomorrow.
as fit as a fiddle
- to be healthy and physically fit
My grandfather is ninety years old but he is as fit as a fiddle.
as for (someone or something)
- with regard to, concerning
“As for me, I think that I will go home now.”
as good as one's word
- to be dependable if one promises something
My friend is as good as his word. You can always trust him.
as if
- in the same way that something would be, that
The drink tastes as if it were made with orange juice.
It seemed as if the whole town came to the concert.
as is
- in whatever condition something happens to be
We bought the old sofa as is. It was very cheap.
as long as
- provided that, on condition that
"As long as you promise to be very careful you can borrow my car."
as luck would have it
- by chance
As luck would have it, I was able to borrow some clothes for the party.
as one
- as if a group were one person
The crowd stood up as one and began to cheer.
as pale as a ghost
- extremely pale
My grandfather was as pale as a ghost when he entered the hospital.
as pale as death
- extremely pale
The woman in the hospital waiting room was as pale as death.
as plain as the nose on one's face
- obvious
It is as the plain as the nose on our face who broke the computer.
as scarce as hen's teeth
- very scarce, nonexistent
Cheap apartment rentals are as scarce as hen's teeth in the large city.
as sick as a dog
- very sick
My friend was as sick as a dog when he left the restaurant last night.
as soon as
- just after something, when
I phoned my friend as soon as I finished dinner.
as such
- the way something is
"As such, I will not be able to approve your application for a loan."
as the crow flies
- by the most direct way, along a straight line between two places
As the crow flies, it is not very far between my house and my office.
as to
- with regard to, concerning, according to
We have some questions as to how the accident happened.
The players were put into groups as to their ability.
as tough as an old boot
- very tough, not easily moved by feelings such as pity
The old lady is as tough as an old boot and never shoes her feelings at all.
as usual
- most of the time, following the usual pattern
As usual, the girl forgot to bring her book to class.
as well
- in addition, also, too
I plan to take a computer course this summer as well.
as well as (someone or something)
- in addition to someone or something
"Please bring your swimming suit as well as your towel."
as yet
- until now, up to the present
As yet, our secretary has not talked about her plans to leave the company.
.
ask for (something)
- to deserve something, to receive just punishment for something
The boy is asking for some kind of punishment for what he is doing.
ask for the moon
- to ask for too much
The woman is asking for the moon. She will never get what she wants.
ask for trouble
- to behave in a way that will likely cause trouble
The boy is asking for trouble if he misses another class.
ask (someone) out or ask out (someone)
- to ask a person for a date
My friend finally asked the woman at the bank out.
asleep at the switch
- to not be alert to an opportunity
I was asleep at the switch. I did not know about the job so I did not apply for it.
assault and battery
- a criminal charge where one violently attacks and beats someone
The man was arrested for assault and battery after the fight.
At Idioms
at a loss
- in a state of uncertainty or bewilderment
We were at a loss about what to do with the broken computer.
at a loss for words
- speechless, unable to speak
I was at a loss for words when I met my friend after many years.
at a standstill
- in a situation where no progress can be made, at an impasse
The traffic on the road was at a standstill because of the accident.
at a stretch
- continuously
My friend sometimes works for three weeks at a stretch.
at all costs
- regardless of the cost or difficulty, no matter what
The company wants to protect their product design at all costs.
at any rate
- anyway
"At any rate, I am not going to a movie tonight."
at bay
- at a distance
We tried to keep the dog at bay when we entered the building.
at best
- under the most favorable circumstances
The doctors said that the man had ten months at best to live.
at cross-purposes
- to have opposite ways of doing something, to have opposing goals
The two men are at cross purposes. They cannot agree about anything.
at death's door
- to be near death
The young woman was at death's door after the accident.
at ease
- to be relaxed and comfortable
The players felt at ease after the coach talked to them.
at every turn
- everywhere that one looks
When we visited Rome, there was a group of tourists at every turn.
at face value
- the apparent value of something, the value that is printed on a stamp or a bond
At face value the old stamp was worth almost nothing.
at fault
- to be responsible for something, to be to blame for something
The truck driver was at fault for the terrible accident.
at first
- at the beginning
At first, I did not want to go to the movie but I later changed my mind.
at first blush
- when first seen, without careful study
At first blush the man seemed like a good worker but later he had many problems.
at hand
- within reach, nearby
I stopped working because I did not have any tools at hand.
at heart
- basically, fundamentally
The woman is a nice person at heart although many people dislike her.
at home
- in one`s house
I left my money at home so I had to borrow some.
at it again
- to be doing something again
The two boys were at it again. We could hear them fighting.
at large
- to be free, to not be captured
The criminal was at large for many months.
at last
- finally, after a long time
I waited all morning for my friend's call until at last it came.
at least
- no less than
There were at least 60,000 people in the stadium.
at length
- in detail, finally
The speaker talked at length about the new product.
at loggerheads (with someone)
- to be having a quarrel or disagreement with someone, to oppose someone
We are at loggerheads with the company over their plans to build a new factory.
at loose ends
- restless and unsettled
My friend's mother was at loose ends after her husband died.
at odds (with someone)
- in disagreement with someone
The man has been at odds with his boss over his new sales territory.
at once
- immediately
The police came at once after we called them.
at one sitting
- at one time
We finished the food at one sitting.
at peace
- peaceful, happy
The woman was relaxed and at peace after her friend's funeral.
at random
- without sequence or order
The members of the team were chosen at random from among the regular players.
at risk
- in danger
The children were at risk of getting sick when the disease spread in the school.
at sea
- to be on the sea, to be away on a voyage on the ocean
My grandfather was at sea for several months when he was a young man.
at sea (about something)
- to be confused about something, to be lost
Most members of the class were at sea when the teacher tried to explain the difficult theory.
at sixes and sevens
- to be lost and bewildered
We were at sixes and sevens when the local grocery store closed.
at (someone`s) beck and call
- to be always ready to serve someone or do something for someone
The woman is always at her husband's beck and call.
at (someone's) earliest convenience
- when something is convenient for someone
I plan to speak to the bank manager at his earliest convenience.
at (someone`s) heels
- close behind someone
The large car was at my heels while I was driving through the park.
at (someone's) service
- ready to help someone in any way possible
A member of the hotel staff was at our service during our visit.
at stake
- to be able to be won or lost, to be at risk
Much money was at stake during the negotiations for the new stadium.
at the appointed hour
- at the time that has been decided
At the appointed hour, the team arrived at the stadium.
at the appointed time
- at the time that has been decided
We went to meet our lawyer at the appointed time.
at the bottom of the hour
- at the half hour - 10:30, 11:30 etc. (at the bottom of a clock)
The weather forecast is on the radio at the bottom of the hour.
at the bottom of the ladder
- at the lowest level of pay and status in a company or organization
I will start at the bottom of the ladder at my new job.
at the crack of dawn
- when the first light of the day appears, very early in the morning
We left for our holiday at the crack of dawn.
at the drop of a hat
- immediately and without any pressure
My friend will always help me at the drop of a hat.
at the eleventh hour
- at the last possible moment
The company and the union settled the strike at the eleventh hour.
at the end of one`s rope
- at the limit of one`s ability to cope or deal with something
I am at the end of my rope about what to do about my problems at work.
at the end of the day
- when everything else has been taken into consideration
At the end of the day, it was impossible to get the money to build the house.
at the expense of (someone or something)
- to be to the harm of (someone or something)
The man was very successful but it was at the expense of his family and health.
at the latest
- no later than
The tour will start at noon at the latest.
at the outset (of something)
- from the first or early stage of something
At the outset of the meeting there were problems between some members of the group.
at the outside
- as the highest estimate
We can feed one hundred people at the outside during the seminar.
at the present time
- now, at present
At the present time there are no extra helpers available.
at the top of one's lungs
- with a very loud voice
I cried out for my friend at the top of my lungs.
at the top of the hour
- at the beginning of the hour - 12:00, 1:00 etc. (at the top of a clock)
The radio news always starts at the top of the hour.
at this juncture
- at the present time
At this juncture there is no point to have a meeting.
at this stage of the game
- currently, at the current point in some event
At this stage of the game we cannot change the plans for the class trip.
at times
- sometimes, occasionally
At times, our teacher is very nice but at other times she is not nice.
at will
- whenever one wants, freely
The little boy was able to do what he wanted at will.
.
attend to (someone or something)
- to take care or deal with someone or something
The doctor attended to the patient.
attract (someone's) attention
- to cause someone to notice you
The strange behavior of the man attracted the policeman's attention.
augur well for (someone or something)
- to predict good things for someone or something
The poor business conditions do not augur well for the workers.
avail oneself of (something)
- to use something that is available
We availed ourselves of the office space to prepare for the school festival.
avenue of escape
- the route along which someone or something escapes
There was no avenue of escape for the bank robbers.
average out at
- to calculate something as an average
The cost of our hotels averaged out at much more than we expected.
avoid (someone or something) like the plague
- to avoid someone or something totally
The girls avoided the new student like the plague.
Idiom Quizzes - A
- Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets:
- The man is (not very good) when he tries to repair something in his house.
(a) all thumbs (b) about time (c) all ears (d) an arm and a leg
- The boy was (all ready to) leave the house when his friend arrived.
(a) at ease to (b) about to (c) at heart to (d) at loggerheads to
- The teacher said the little boy was (her favorite).
(a) the apple of her eye (b) above suspicion (c) at sixes and sevens (d) as good as his word
- (Without warning) it began to rain.
(a) All day long (b) All of a sudden (c) At every turn (d) At the crack of dawn
- The car cost the woman (a very large amount of money).
(a) arm in arm (b) across the board (c) the apple of her eye (d) an arm and a leg
- The boy's mother is always (available).
(a) at the top of the hour (b) at large (c) at the end of her rope (d) at his beck and call
- "Okay, I`m (listening). Please continue with your story."
(a) all ears (b) at hand (c) at the top of my lungs (d) at loose ends
- I do not think that the girl is (to blame) for breaking the computer.
(a) at risk (b) at fault (c) at peace (d) ahead of the game
- My grandfather is (very forgetful) and often loses his glasses.
(a) absent-minded (b) alive and kicking (c) all in (d) ahead of his time
- The man is often (fighting) with his boss about something.
(a) at sea (b) asleep at the switch (c) at odds (d) at heart
- (Usually) I go jogging before breakfast every Sunday.
(a) At random (b) As a last resort (c) At the appointed time (d) As a rule
- We (followed) the rules when we applied for the housing loan.
(a) added up (b) allowed for (c) acquired a taste for (d) abided by
- The painter completed the job (in a barely adequate manner).
(a) all in a days work (b) after a fashion (c) after the fact (d) after hours
- I made (a big effort) to finish the science project on time.
(a) an all-out-effort (b) an avenue of escape (c) an all-right-effort (d) an acid test
- The family was (ready) to begin their holiday when their car had a problem.
(a) all the rage (b) all over the place (c) all set (d) all sweetness and light
- (By chance) I met my friend just after I lost my wallet and my money.
(a) As a matter of fact (b) As far as possible (c) Around the clock (d) As luck would have it
- (At the last possible moment) the woman was able to get enough money to go on the trip.
(a) At the eleventh hour (b) At the present time (c) At the bottom of the hour (d) At this stage of the game
- We go to an Italian restaurant (occasionally) but not very often.
(a) at the end of the day (b) at times (c) at length (d) at will
- The computer programmer sometimes works for twenty hours (continuously) to finish a job.
(a) at once (b) at least (c) at a stretch (d) at one sitting
- The furniture arrived (without damage) after moving across the country.
(a) all systems go (b) against the clock (c) after all was said and done (d) all in one piece
- We arrived at the concert (early) so that we could get good seats.
(a) as usual (b) ahead of time (c) at first (d) all at once
- The students began to (misbehave) when the teacher left the room.
(a) act up (b) act their ages (c) act high and mighty (d) add fuel to the fire
- When the meeting started everybody began to (complain).
(a) appear out of nowhere (b) ask for the moon (c) air their grievances (d) add insult to injury
- We decided to continue with our plans (no matter what).
(a) according to Hoyle (b) at all costs (c) at cross-purposes (d) at any rate
- The workers made an effort that was (more than required) to finish the project.
(a) all to the good (b) at last (c) at their earliest convenience (d) above and beyond what was required
- There were (all types of people) at the concert.
(a) any number of people (b) all manner of people (c) at this juncture many people (d) at face value many people
- The man was arrested by the police for (violently attacking someone).
(a) assault and battery (b) being armed and dangerous (c) being armed to the teeth (d) being afraid of his own shadow
- (Including everyone) there were one hundred people at the meeting.
(a) All along (b) All the time (c) All told (d) As the crow flies
- We spent much time (taking care of) the children whose parents were working.
(a) advising against (b) along with (c) attending to (d) answering to
- There was much money (at risk) when the company bid on the new contract.
(a) at the drop of a hat (b) at stake (c) able to breathe easily again (d) at the latest
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