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Question		Answer
can't abide someone/something/doing something I can’t abide going by bus start learning		can’t stand sb/sth or doing sth
to be about right For this party food for ten people should be about right. start learning		to be enough
to be above doing something I’m above working in this sleazy place! start learning		to consider yourself too important or too moral to do it
to be above one’s head/understanding How can they be together? It is above my head! / It’s above my understanding! start learning		too difficult (for someone) to understand
to be above nothing He is so determined to win that he will be above nothing. start learning		to take no step back from anything, be capable of anything
to be/keep abreast of something In my job I have to keep abreast of politics. start learning		be up to date
to be all abroad Her explanation was so confusing that I was all abroad. start learning		be in a state of mental perplexity
to get (to spread) abroad The news of their divorce got abroad at once. start learning		to be spread (about news or rumor)
in the abstract It is hard to imagine my house in the abstract. start learning		theoretically
of one’s own accord No one forced her to marry him. She did it of her own accord. start learning		of someone’s own free will; unanimously
with one accord With one accord, we decided to take a taxi. start learning		with everyone’s consent; unanimously
by all accounts By all accounts, she is a very good teacher. start learning		everyone says that...
on no account On no account must you enter this room. start learning		under no circumstances
to call someone to account The teacher called him to account for his absence. start learning		demand an explanation from someone
to give a good account of oneself My sister is giving a good account of herself in her new job. start learning		to do well
to put/turn something to good account Make sure that you put this money to good account. start learning		to use something well
to settle accounts with somebody/something It’s high time he settled accounts with his company. start learning		get even with someone
to take something into account You must take his age into account when judging him. start learning		take something under consideration
to have an ace up one’s sleeve He was very calm because he knew that he had an ace up his sleeve - he saw the stolen money in their suitcase. start learning		a powerful and often secret weapon, advantage, etc., that can be used if it is needed
to hold (all) the aces - have all the advantages start learning		John felt confident of success because he held the aces.
across-the-board We asked for a pay rise across-the-board. start learning		in groups; commonly
an act of God Is your house insured against acts of God such as flooding? start learning		a natural hazard outside human control, such as an earthquake or tsunami, for which no person can be held responsible
get one’s acts together Don’t exaggerate! The situation is not that bad. Get your act together and face the consequences! start learning		to organize one’s life or one’s affairs so that one is able to achieve what they want or to deal with something effectively
to act one’s age Stop whining! You are not a child so act your age! start learning		to act adequately to your age
to catch somebody in the act He was caught in the act of destroying all the documents. start learning		discover someone doing something wrong or committing a crime
to put on an act I was sure that he put on an act to be set free. start learning		to pretend; to play
not know somebody from Adam I’m not going to let him stay in our house. I don’t know him from Adam. start learning		not knowing someone at all
much ado about nothing This case is not that serious. Much ado about nothing, as usual. start learning		a lot of noise about nothing important
to be all adrift I didn’t know the city well, so after a while I was all adrift. start learning		to completely lost orientation
to go adrift One of the straps on her dress came adrift. When he met her, he forgot about his wife and went adrift. start learning		to become loose or unattached
to turn somebody adrift He was in trouble and all his friends turned him adrift. start learning		to cast off, to cease to care for
to be seen to advantage He tried his best to be seen to advantage during the interview. start learning		to present yourself, perform well
to take advantage of somebody/something She was so naive that everyone took advantage of her. start learning		use something or someone
again and again I asked him not to slam the door again and again. start learning		repeatedly
now and again I go to the theater now and again. start learning		from time to time, sometimes
to be oneself again It took him a year to be himself again after the accident. start learning		to be back to a normal state (physical or mental)
agony aunt (uncle) Do you know that she worked as an agony aunt for some time? start learning		a person that answers on the readers’ letters (a woman or a man)
agony column If you don’t know how to solve your problem, write to an agony column. Maybe they will help you. start learning		counseling field in newspapers
aid and abet Her husband aids and abets her in this forgery. start learning		to participate (in a crime)
in aid of somebody/something I bought a ticket for the concert in aid of handicapped people. start learning		for the benefit of someone or something
to be aimed at something The new regulation is aimed at reducing traffic jams in cities. start learning		to plan, hope, or intend to achieve something
to aim for the sky She always aims for the sky. start learning		have big ambitions. She will not accept this job at school
to air one’s knowledge She is a kind of person who likes to air her knowledge at parties. start learning		showing off someone’s knowledge
to air one’s pores She got drunk and almost aired her pores during the official party. What a scandal! start learning		strip naked
to be on (the) air Is this radio station on the air 24 hours a day? start learning		broadcast (a radio or television broadcast)
to be up in the air He bet on a horse, but the result was up in the air. start learning		be unsure (about a result of a venture)
to clear the air Her unexpected arrival luckily cleared the air in our family by stopping our quarrel. start learning		make the atmosphere clear
to go up in the air When she saw her husband with her best friend in the restaurant, she went up in the air. start learning		get angry, lose control over oneself
to melt into thin air Have you seen him anywhere? No he has melted into thin air. start learning		disappear
to walk on air After the date he walked on air. start learning		to feel euphoria
to knock (to lay) somebody in the aisles When he first met his future wife, she knocked him in the aisles. start learning		to impress someone greatly
to roll in the aisles The joke was so funny that we rolled in the aisles all evening. start learning		laughing uncontrollably
to be all in Let me be. I’m all in. start learning		feel exhausted, hopeless
to go all out He went all out to get this job. start learning		use all of someone’s forces
to make allowances for something We should make allowances for the fact that she’s very lazy. start learning		take something under consideration, include sth (weak points of something)
let alone He cannot even lift it. Let alone carry it upstairs. start learning		not mentioning about
to make amends for something How are you going to make amends for that broken vase? start learning		to compensate/recompense a harm
somebody’s sheet anchor My grandmother is my sheet anchor in time of trouble. start learning		the last resort
to be enough to make the angels weep The tragedy of those two young boys' deaths is enough to make the angels weep. start learning		something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith
to answer back He was a really naughty child and always answered back to his father. start learning		answer impolitely, muzzle
to answer the door Somebody is knocking. Could you answer the door? start learning		open the door (after hearing a doorbell sound or knocking)
to have/get ants in one’s pants I was getting ants in my pants waiting for the late train. start learning		be impatient
at first appearance At first appearance she seemed to be very shy, but later she was quite talkative. start learning		at the first glance
for appearance’s sake She is only attending the banquet for the sake of appearances. He helped that old lady only for appearance’s sake. start learning		because other people think it is the proper thing to do
to upset the apple cart Don’t upset the apple cart by inviting his ex-wife to the party. start learning		spoil a plan or disturb the status quo
tied to one’s mother’s apron strings If he had never met you, he would still be tied to his mother’s apron strings. start learning		if you say that someone, especially a man, is tied to his mother's/wife's apron strings, it means that he is strongly influenced and controlled by that person
to keep somebody at arms length She is a very formidable teacher and keeps her students at arms length. start learning		to hold off
to take up arms The whole society took up arms in defense of their village. start learning		defend something, fight for something
to be awake to something I don’t think that they are awake to the problems. start learning		be aware of something
to have an axe to grind He never visits me without any purpose. He always has an axe to grind. start learning		to be fair-weather, mercenary, always have an issue
a babe in the woods When it comes to money, my father is just a babe in the woods. start learning		as naive as a child
to be left holding the baby Everyone in the factory knew that it wasn’t my fault. I was just left holding the baby again. start learning		be left with an unwelcome responsibility, typically without warning (that belongs to someone else)
to throw the baby out with the bathwater Make sure you don’t throw out any important documents while cleaning the desk. It would be like throwing the baby out with the bath water. start learning		discard something valuable along with other things that are undesirable
to be at the back of something This case seems to be very important for them. I wonder who is at the back of it. start learning		stand behind something
to get off someone’s back For Christ’s sake, get off my back! start learning		cut someone some slack
to go in by the back door She is getting on well with her boss, so she must have gone in by the back door in this case. start learning		to reach something using unofficial methods; to get somewhere stealthily
to see the back of somebody They weren’t a good marriage. To be quite frank, she was glad to see the back of her husband. start learning		be happy that someone walked away, be glad for getting rid of someone
to turn one’s back on somebody When he lost all his money, his friends turned their backs on him. start learning		If you turn your back on someone or something, you ignore them, leave them, or reject them
to keep in the background Her husband was too bossy to let her do anything in politics. She had to keep in the background. start learning		stay in the shadow
backstairs gossip Don’t pay attention to what you heard. It’s just backstairs gossip. start learning		a gossip heard from subordinates
to bring home the bacon In my home it was the father who brought home the bacon. start learning		to achieve success, to earn for life
to save one’s bacon The situation was really bad, but she did her best to save her bacon. start learning		to save one’s skin
a bad shot She thought that her neighbor had stolen the money, but it turned out to be a bad shot. start learning		a wrong conjecture/guess
from bad to worse After our grandmother’s arrival, our situation went from bad to worse. start learning		into an even worse state
to be bad off I don’t think he will be able to help you. He is bad off. start learning		have financial problems
to be in a bad way The economic situation wasn’t good and the company was in a bad way. start learning		ill or in trouble; poor
bag of bones I don’t think that she is attractive, such a bag of bones. start learning		a barebones, only skin and bones
bag of nerves When I met her after such a long time, she seemed to be a bag of nerves. start learning		a bundle of nerves
something is in the bag Don’t worry. Our victory is in the bag. start learning		something is guaranteed (a victory or success); like in a bank
to let the cat out of the bag I thought I could trust her, but she let the cat out of the bag. start learning		reveal a secret
to throw somebody off one’s balance Her impudent remark threw him off his balance. start learning		to annoy someone
to tip the balance The revealed news tipped the balance in their favor/against them. start learning		(of a circumstance or event) be the deciding factor; make the critical difference
to go at it bald-headed Although he claimed that he wasn’t enthusiastic about the idea, he went at it bald-headed. start learning		in a rush without care or caution
ball of fire She is a ball of fire. I would like to have so much energy. start learning		an energy volcano, energetic person
to keep the ball rolling She was so reserved that it wasn’t easy for him to keep the ball rolling. start learning		to maintain the conversation
to go bananas He will go bananas when you tell him the news. start learning		get crazy
to make the best of a bad bargain He realized that he was helpless, but he made the best of a bad bargain. start learning		to deal with and create the best possible outcome of a bad, unfortunate, or unpleasant situation or set of circumstances
somebody’s bark is worse than somebody’s bite You shouldn’t be afraid of your boss. His bark is worse than his bite. start learning		someone’s less dangerous than is believed to be
a basket case She is a real basket case when it comes to cooking. start learning		a person or thing regarded as useless or unable to cope (lubber, slouch)
like a bat out of hell She saw her ex-boyfriend at the disco and ran out of there like a bat out of hell. start learning		very quick, in a flash
to have bats in the belfry I'm goofy, I'm daft, there's bats in my belfry. She is a strange person. I think that she’s got bats in the belfry. start learning		be eccentric or mad
right off the bat We didn’t have to wait long. She agreed right off the bat. start learning		immediately, at once
can you beat that! She claims that she inherited the money. Can you beat that! start learning		can you believe it?
to get up on the wrong side of the bed He apologized for his behavior, explaining that he had got up on the wrong side of the bed. start learning		start the day in a bad mood, which continues all day long
a bee in one’s bonnet He always has a bee in his bonnet about safety. My mother’s got a bee in her bonnet about money. start learning		to talk and think a lot about something
to beef It’s high time you stopped beefing about your husband! start learning		to complain
for the birds His idea was for the birds. start learning		not worth a penny, nonsensical
to be in the same boat We are in the same boat so don’t try to cheat me. start learning		be in the same difficult circumstances as others
to burn one’s boats She burned her boats by taking their savings. start learning		burn bridges behind
to miss the boat I missed the boat by not buying that book. It’s out of stock now. start learning		to miss the occasion, the opportunity
over my dead body She will not stay in this house any longer! Over my dead body! start learning		after my death
to lick somebody’s boots He's just the assistant to the manager, there's no need to lick his boots. She always licks her superior’s boots. The boss wants us to lick his boots. start learning		to treat someone powerful with too much respect in order to get approval
to cut the cackle Oh please, cut the cackle! I’ve heard this hundreds of times! start learning		stop talking off topic, cease harp on
calf love (puppy love) I will never forget Susan. She was my true calf love. start learning		intense but relatively shallow romantic attachment, associated with adolescents
there is no call to blush You work in the kitchen. So what? There is no call to blush. start learning		no reason to feel ashamed
to carry the can It wasn’t my fault. I will never carry the can again. start learning		to take all guilt/responsibility on oneself
not to be worth the candle The car is so old that replacing the engine is not worth the candle. Don’t bother about this case - it’s not worth the candle. start learning		not worth the necessary effort, cost, or trouble
to burn the candle at both ends You desperately need some rest. If you burn the candle at both ends like this, you may have a heart attack. start learning		to overwork; not sleep enough
to hold a candle for somebody Her latest book can’t hold a candle to her earlier works. He held a candle for her whereas she just left him without a word. start learning		to compare to someone or something; to not be as good as someone or something else
to paddle one’s own canoe Since I got this job, I’ve paddled my own canoe. start learning		be independent
to be the captain of one’s soul I won’t have you telling me what to do. I’m the captain of my soul. start learning		to be a man of one’s own fate
to ask for one’s cards He couldn’t stand the atmosphere in the company any longer and asked for his cards. start learning		to quit the job
to go through the whole card Don’t hurry. You should go through the whole card carefully. start learning		to consider every possibility
the red carpet The Queen got the red carpet whenever she went. start learning		the honorable dinner party
to carry on with somebody He is gossiped to be carrying on with his boss. start learning		to be involved in romance with someone
to be rolling in cash Don’t tell me that he cannot afford it! He is rolling in cash! start learning		sleep on money
to run around like a scalded cat When he met her, he was so excited and ran around like a scalded cat. start learning		if a person or animal moves like a scalded cat, they move very fast, as though they have been suddenly frightened
a dog’s chance Despite knowing that there’s a dog’s chance of winning, he still tried. start learning		minimal chance
bang goes my chance He says I have to work late tonight - so bang goes my trip to the cinema. I was really stupid calling her an idiot. Bang goes my chance! start learning		said when you have just lost the opportunity to do something
to the end of the chapter He promised to love her to the end of the chapter. start learning		forever
to treat somebody like a chattel I don’t understand how they can be together. He treats her like a chattel. start learning		to treat someone as an item
to be a chicken He never says what he thinks. He’s such a chicken. start learning		be a coward
to be up to the chin in something Sorry, I cannot come. I’m up to my chin in work. start learning		to have too much of something; to be overwhelmed by something
a vicious circle I cannot find any solution to this situation. It’s a vicious circle. Debtors were caught in a vicious circle: they could not be freed until they had paid their debt, and were not able to pay their debt as long as they were in prison. start learning		a sequence of reciprocal cause and effect in which two or more elements intensify and aggravate each other, leading inexorably to a worsening of the situation
around the clock If he finds a patient listener, he can tell strange stories around the clock. start learning		24 hours per day
to show one’s cloven hoof The devil is typically depicted with cloven hooves. I thought I could trust Eric until he showed the cloven hoof by spreading rumors about me. At the beginning he seemed to be a very nice person, but then he showed his cloven hoof. start learning		to reveal one's evil or malicious nature
off-color I don’t like your off-color remarks. slightly sick. I'm feeling a little off-color today. start learning		vulgar
to give a false color to something (An allusion to the identifying flags of a ship, and so usually used in the phrase “sail under false colors.”). Don’t believe in what he said. He just deliberately gave a false color to this case. start learning		the disguise of false pretenses, so as to deceive someone or to hide one’s true nature or intentions
to follow the crowd She is very original and never follows the crowd. start learning		to go with the fashion, to follow everyone
to dance attendance upon somebody She's got that man dancing attendance on her. She always dances attendance upon her boss. start learning		do one's utmost to please someone by attending to all their requests
to make a song and dance about something He made a song and dance about the hotel, but I thought it was all right. start learning		to make unnecessary noise around something
a dead-end situation We couldn’t find any solution. That was a dead-end situation. start learning		a situation without an exit
to come to a dead stop He came to a dead stop when he saw her. start learning		to immediately or suddenly stop or come to a complete halt
between the devil and the deep blue sea He doesn’t know what to do. He’s between the devil and the deep blue sea. start learning		if you say that you are between the devil and the deep blue sea, you mean that you are in a difficult situation where you have to choose between two equally unpleasant courses of action
never say die! Next time you will win. Never say die! start learning		never lose hopes
to iron out differences I think you should try to iron out differences. start learning		to find an agreement
a dog in the manger If you don’t use it, just give it to somebody. Don’t be such a dog in the manger. start learning		someone who will not use something, but also won’t give it to anyone
to be in the doghouse He's in the doghouse for forgetting his wife's birthday. I’ve been in the doghouse since I was late. start learning		to be in a bad situation because someone is angry at one: in trouble
out of doors Food tastes even better out of doors. Let’s meet out of doors for a change. start learning		in or into the open air
open the door for somebody He was really lucky because his boss opened the door for him. start learning		to give someone a change (to make a career)
to be in doubt I’m not 100% sure that I did it right. Frankly speaking, I’m still in doubt. start learning		to have doubts
to be down on one’s luck Well, this time I’m down on my luck. start learning		to have bad luck
to draw the longbow Oh, please! Don’t draw the longbow. It’s not that bad. start learning		exaggerate, colorize
a pipe dream You could waste your whole life on a pipe-dream. He wants to leave this country, but I know that it’s just a pipe dream. start learning		a hope or plan that you have which you know will never really happen
like a dream I didn’t put much effort in it. It was like a dream. start learning		effortlessly, easily
to give somebody a dressing-down She gave me a dressing-down for being late. start learning		an act of speaking angrily to someone because they have done something wrong
to let a matter drift He couldn't let the matter drift for much longer. I’m not going to do anything about this case. Let a matter drift. start learning		to allow something, especially something bad, to continue in the same way
as drunk as a lord After the last party, he came home as drunk as a lord. start learning		completely drunk
to drink like a fish I don’t want to interfere, but he drinks like a fish. Can’t you see it? start learning		to drink a lot of alcohol
to drink on the quiet I never drink on the quiet. I prefer to go to a pub. start learning		to drink alone, to the mirror
to drink somebody under the table The last time I visited them they drunk me under the table. start learning		to make someone drunk
to take to drink After his wife’s death, he took to drink. start learning		to start drinking alcohol often, sometimes because of a personal problem
to be ready to drop I’ve been running for three hours. I’m ready to drop. start learning		be deadly tired
to be humbled into dust During the last official meeting I was humbled into dust. start learning		be totally humiliated
to raise/to kick up a dust His arrival has raised a dust. start learning		to kick off an affair, trouble
to go to Dutch Let’s go Dutch! I cannot afford to buy you a beer. start learning		everyone pays for themselves
I’m a Dutchman If he’s thirty, I’m a Dutchman. start learning		used to express one's disbelief or as a way of underlining an emphatic assertion
eager beaver She is always enthusiastic about her work. She’s an eager beaver. start learning		a hard-working person, a keen and enthusiastic person who works very hard
to be up to one’s ears in debt Our cash flow is good, but we're up to our ears in debt, which is a big strain on the company. You'll be up to your ears in debt if you don't stop charging everything. I cannot afford it. I’m up to my ears in debt. start learning		having an excessive or overwhelming amount of debt
to fall down about somebody’s ears Her plans to set up her own business fell down about her ears. start learning		end in a complete fiasco
to fall on deaf ears Their appeals to release the hostages fell on deaf ears. My request for money fell on deaf ears. start learning		if a suggestion or warning falls on deaf ears, no one listens to it
to have a good ear He should be a musician because he has a good ear. start learning		if someone has an ear for music or languages, they are good at hearing, repeating, and understanding these sounds
to prick one’s ears up He pricked up his ears when he heard them talking about him. — Are you ready for the news? — I’ve pricked my ears up. start learning		(especially of a horse or dog) make the ears stand erect when on the alert. (of a person) become suddenly attentive
to set somebody by the ears His arrival set me by the ears. start learning		to surprise someone
to set two people by the ears His arrival set the couple by the ears. start learning		to cause (someone, generally a group of two or more people) to engage in a squabble, dispute, or altercation
to throw somebody out on one’s ears They threw him out on his ears for using the Internet for private purposes at work. start learning		to fire someone from a job
to be at ease At their house I’m at ease and feel comfortable. start learning		to feel good
to be ill at ease At their house I’m ill at ease and feel uncomfortable. start learning		to feel uncomfortable
to take it easy Take it easy! Everything will be all right. start learning		don’t care about something
to eat humble pie There was no point in hiding it so I ate humble pie. start learning		to humbly admit a mistake that was made
what’s eating you? It makes you depressed and you suffer from it. You look sad. What’s eating you? start learning		when something is eating at you, it is consuming your thoughts, time, and energy
to be at a low ebb When I met her after the funeral, she was rather at a low ebb. start learning		to come through a crisis, be in a poor condition
to be on edge Please, leave me alone for a while. I’m on edge. start learning		to be petulant
to be on the edge of something You have to help her. She’s on the edge of committing suicide. start learning		to be one step behind something; to be close to something
to bring something into effect They succeeded in putting their strategies into effect. The new regulation will be brought into effect next month. start learning		cause something to apply or become operative; to implement
to be in one’s element At school she was (really) in her element. On a stage, she’s in her element. start learning		in a place or situation where one is comfortable and does well
at the eleventh hour She turned up at the eleventh hour. start learning		the latest possible moment
to be at one’s wits’ end I've tried every possible source without success, and now I'm at my wit's end. Her explanations were so confusing that I was at my wits’ end. start learning		completely puzzled and perplexed, not knowing what to do
to throw someone in at the deep end Her boss definitely threw her in at the deep end. start learning		to make someone start a new and difficult job or activity without helping them or preparing them for it
to go on errands for someone She was forever running errands for her housebound grandmother. I’m really tired of going on errands for you. start learning		you do or get something for them, usually by making a short trip somewhere
by trial and error If you are not sure how to do it, try by trial and error. start learning		to try several different methods of doing it until you find the method that works properly
to make an example of somebody It wasn’t my fault. He just wanted to make an example of me. start learning		to punish someone for example
in the eye(s) of the law It may not seem like a big deal, but in the eye of the law it is a crime. start learning		according to law
to be all eyes I didn’t take part in this enterprise, but I was all eyes. start learning		to observe very carefully
to be the apple of someone’s eye This idiom can be applied to inhuman objects, such as your favorite shoes or car, but it is more commonly used to refer to a favorite younger person or child. My mother has always been the apple of my eye. start learning		a person or a thing that one cherishes the most
to be unable to take one’s eye off something I was unable to take my eyes off this painting. start learning		can’t stop watching something
to cast sheep’s eyes at someone She must be in love with him. She cast sheep’s eyes at him at the party. start learning		you look lovingly or with longing at them, usually amorous glance
to have an eye for something Ask Kate. She has an eye for decorating rooms. start learning		if someone has an eye for something - they are good at noticing it or making judgments about it
to have an eye to the main chance Don’t worry about him. He has an eye to the main chance. start learning		to take care of one’s own businesses
to keep an eye on someone/something He may be naughty so please keep an eye on him. start learning		to watch something/someone, to observe
to keep one’s eyes peeled for someone/something If I were you, I’d keep my eyes peeled for the next door neighbor. start learning		watch very carefully for someone/something
to leap to the eye Her new pink dress leaps to the eye. start learning		to gain attention
to pull the wool over someone’s eyes He was too clever to let them pull the wool over his eyes. Don’t let her pool the wool over your eyes. start learning		to trick or deceive someone; to hide the truth from someone
to see eye to eye with someone I’m glad that we see eye to eye with each other at this point. start learning		completely agree with someone
to remove the scales from someone’s eyes It wasn't until much later that the scales fell from his eyes and he realized that she'd been lying to him. She was blindly in love with him so I had to remove the scales from her eyes. start learning		somebody finally understands the truth about something
to see something with half an eye I see his disloyalty with half an eye. start learning		to notice something easily
to turn a blind eye to something Please, don't turn a blind eye to what is happening. I’m not going to turn a blind eye to this kind of behavior. start learning		pretend not to notice
with the unaided eye I knew that he is a liar. I could see it with the unaided eye. start learning		not provided with help or assistance a star that is visible to the unaided eye [=that can be seen without a telescope or binoculars]
not to be just a pretty face You can trust her. She’s not just a pretty face. start learning		to be more intelligent than it seemingly looks
to face the music It’s high time you faced the music. We would later have to face the music over our bold moves. start learning		to be confronted with the unpleasant consequences of one's actions
to pull faces Anna pulled a funny face at the girl. She’s a naughty child and always pulls faces behind her father’s back. start learning		produce a facial expression that shows dislike or some other negative emotion, or that is intended to be amusing
to slam the door in someone’s face She was so close to success, but they slammed the door in her face. start learning		to close the door behind someone
to fall into temptation The temptation that landed in your flesh has found a place in your affections. Temptation grows in power as it builds a position in your soul. Despite being on a diet, she fell into temptation and ate some chocolate. start learning		This is what it means to “enter into” temptation. You're engaged with it, connected to it. You let it inside and its sitting in your living room
to be all the fashion Action movies are all the fashion in Hollywood these days. Don’t you like my new shoes? They are all the fashion! start learning		liked by a lot of people, popular
to be in/out of favor Proper dancing has gone out of favor. No wonder that she was promoted. She’s in our boss’s favor. start learning		in support of approving/having lost approval
to be spitting feathers When she saw him with her own sister, she was spitting feathers. start learning		be angry
to feather one’s nest He’s rich because he has always feathered his nest. start learning		to take care of one’s financial businesses
to show the white feather She pretended to be tough, but in fact she showed the white feather. start learning		to show anxiety
to be fed up with someone/something I’m fed up with your behavior. start learning		very tired of (something); angry about (something that has continued for a long time)
to feel equal to doing something He felt equal to taking that exam. start learning		feel strong enough to do something
to feel like something Do you feel like another drink? start learning		to have a desire to something
to get the feel of something Once I get a feel of the company's daily operations, I'll be more comfortable in this management role. Try to understand her and get the feel of her situation. start learning		to begin to have a good sense of a situation or how to do something; to become familiar with or knowledgeable about something
to drag one’s feet They dragged their feet through the orchard towards the house. You’re always dragging your feet. Come on, time is running out! be deliberately slow or reluctant to act. The government has dragged its heels over permanent legislation. start learning		walk slowly and wearily or with difficulty
to fall on one’s feet He lost his job but fell on his feet when he was hired by another company just a few days later. You shouldn’t worry about him. He always falls on his feet. start learning		to be in good condition or in a good situation after having a bad or difficult experience
to get cold feet When I understood that I was being followed, I got cold feet. start learning		to feel fear
to get under someone’s feet I gave her a chance, but she always gets under my feet. start learning		to keep getting in someone’s way when they are trying to do something
to have itchy feet My sister is abroad again. She has itchy feet. start learning		to be unable to sit in one place, to like to travel
to have the ball at one’s feet With your grades and extracurriculars, you'll have the ball at your feet in your college search. Don’t squander (waste) the chance. You have the ball at your feet. start learning		to be in the best position to do something; to be in control
to keep one’s feet The situation was hopeless, but she tried to keep her feet. start learning		to not lose the balance
to put one’s feet up I’m so tired, all I need is to put my feet up. start learning		to rest
to mend one’s fences She mended fences with her father. She and her father are trying to mend their fences. It’s high time you both mended your fences. start learning		to improve or repair a relationship that has been damaged by an argument or disagreement
to play first/second fiddle to someone I’m tired with playing second fiddle to you. start learning		to have a leading, commanding, or controlling role, position, or part (in something). (A less common extension of the phrase “play second fiddle,” meaning to serve in a subordinate role or position.)
not to lift a finger I asked him to help me, but he didn’t even lift a finger. start learning		do nothing
to get one’s fingers burnt She’d invested extensively in stocks and got her fingers burned when the market collapsed. Experiencing and suffering. start learning		(also burn your fingers) to suffer unpleasant results of an action, especially loss of money, so you do not want to do the same thing again
to have light fingers I wouldn’t invite him at your home party because he has light fingers. start learning		to tend to steal
to keep one’s fingers on the pulse He claims that he has his finger on the pulse of the computer industry. I’m sorry, I cannot go abroad with you because I have to keep my fingers on the pulse here. start learning		to be aware of the latest things that are happening in (a certain industry, area, etc.)
to hold onto something by one’s fingertips (hang on by (one's) fingertips) The stranded hiker was hanging on by her fingertips until the rescue crew arrived. by extension, to narrowly avoid problems or failure. They're hanging on by their fingertips out there—the other team's offensive is totally overwhelming them. start learning		literally, to grasp something, such as a cliff, with one’s fingertips to avoid falling Now that I have three small children to care for, I feel as if I'm hanging on by my fingertips every day. She should retire now, but she is holding onto her job by her fingertips.
first come, first served Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. Please don’t be late. First come, first served. start learning		used to indicate that people will be dealt with strictly in the order in which they arrive or apply
to beat someone at his/hew own game start learning		He was beaten at his own game.
to be off one’s game He lost because of being off his game. start learning		be in a bad shape
to be on one’s game He is on his game so I’m sure that he will win. start learning		be in a good shape
to play a waiting game He didn’t know what to do so he played a waiting game. start learning		to play for time, to stall
to be at one’s last gasp After the match he was at his last gasp. start learning		to be completely exhausted, barely standing on the feet
to make someone gasp His marriage proposal made her gasp. start learning		to impress someone significantly
to be getting along well with someone I’m getting along well with my mother-in-law. start learning		to live on good terms with someone
to get behind with work He always gets behind with work. start learning		to be late with work. He’s not a good worker
to gift of the gab He would be an excellent spokesperson because of his gift of the gab. She’s got the gift of the gab start learning		the ability to speak easily and confidently in a way that makes people want to listen to you and believe you she should work in sales and marketing
the gift of tongues She found it easy to communicate in Spain because of her gift of tongues. start learning		the power of speaking in unknown languages, regarded as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit
to fight with the gloves off I’m going to fight with the gloves off to win. start learning		to fight without choosing between means
to fit like a glove This dress fits you like a glove. start learning		to fit very well
to treat someone/something with kid gloves My father gets angry very easily, so we have to treat him with kid gloves. start learning		to treat someone/something very carefully
to be glued to someone Tom has fallen in love so deeply that he is glued to his girlfriend. start learning		be stick to someone, don’t let them go without us
there you go again! I wish you would stop smoking. There you go again! start learning		you start again
to do something at one go Don’t waste your time and try to do it at one go. start learning		to do something with one try
to go at a problem She went at the problem without a moment of hesitation. start learning		to vigorously start solving a problem
to go down in history That event will definitely go down in history. start learning		to become a history
to go in for an exam Yesterday I went in for an exam, but it didn’t go very well. start learning		to proceed to an exam
to go mad If you keep working so hard, you will go mad. start learning		to get crazy
for good or ill I will stay by you for good or ill. start learning		for good and bad
to be in someone’s good graces John’s been in my good graces ever since he helped get me out of debt. Ask her to do it. She’s in our manager’s good grace. start learning		in one’s favor; having earned one’s approval or regard
to fall from grace My boss was extremely angry with me. It seems to me that I fell from grace. start learning		be out of someone’s favor
to be on one’s guard I’m watching you, so you’d better be on your guard. start learning		watching for possible danger, threats, problems, etc.
not to harm a hair of someone’s head Don’t worry. I will not harm a hair of her head. start learning		to not hurt or injure someone in even the slightest degree
to get in someone’s hair Their snobbishness gets in my hair. My younger brother gets in my hair when my friends visit me. start learning		to annoy or bother someone
to keep one’s hair on I know that the situation is difficult but try to keep your hair on. start learning		to keep calm, composure
to lose one’s hair Children behaved so badly that I lost my hair. start learning		to become very angry
to make someone’s hair stand on end The situation made my hair stand on end. start learning		to cause someone’s hair prance
to hammer out a solution I believe that you will somehow hammer out a solution. start learning		to prepare a solution of a problem
large-handed He bought me a very expensive present. He’s a large-handed man. start learning		generous
not to lift a hand I asked him to help me, but he didn’t even lift a hand. start learning		do nothing
on the other hand To some extent he’s right, but on the other hand his arguments are very tendentious. start learning		from the other side
to be an old hand at something I look up to my boss (I respect him so much). He’s an old hand at this business. start learning		to have a good experience in something
to catch someone red-handed He was caught red-handed while smoking by his parents. start learning		to catch someone on doing something
to get out of hand The government admitted that economical situation got out of hand. start learning		something gets out of control
to keep one’s hand in (something) Joe insists on keeping his hand in the company, even though he has no real authority at this point. start learning		to remain involved in something, often in a minor role or capacity
to keep one's hand in (something) I've mostly stopped acting, but I will do a play occasionally, just to keep my hand in. I occasionally play golf just to keep my hand in. start learning		To continue to do something in order to maintain a particular skill or ability
to know someone like the back of one’s hand Don’t try to deceive me. I know you like the back of my hand. start learning		to know someone very well
to lend someone a (helping) hand I’m moving to another town. Could you lend me a hand this evening with packing? start learning		to provide someone help, to pull out a helping hand to someone
to overplay one’s hand I’m afraid that you’ve overplayed your hand. The task is too difficult for you. start learning		optimistic overestimate someone’s own abilities
to wait on someone’s hand and foot She is unbearable. She always waits on her boss’s hand and foot. start learning		make a fuss, fawn
golden handshake I wish I got such a golden handshake. start learning		a payment given to someone who is made redundant or retires early
at the drop of a hat He speaks his mind at the drop of a hat. start learning		in no time, in the twinkling of an eye
I’ll eat my hat if I’ll eat my hat if she’s on time. start learning		it can’t be true
to be an old hat Don’t be such an old hat! Contraceptives are commonly used nowadays! start learning		to be antiquated, outmoded
to keep something under one’s hat I suspect that he’s keeping something under his hat. start learning		to keep something as a secret
to talk through one’s hat Be serious and stop talking through your hat! start learning		to talk hogwash, nonsense
to fall head over heels in love with someone You are completely focused on them. You wouldn’t recognize him. He has fallen head over heels in love with her. start learning		Head over heels is used to refer to someone who is completely enamored with another person. If you are head over heels in love with someone, you can't get the other person out of your mind
to have one’s head screwed on the right way She's young, but it’s clear that she has her head screwed on right. You can rely on him. He has his head screwed on the right way. start learning		to think or act in a smart and sensible way
to keep one’s head I tried everything to keep my head, but the situation was hopeless. start learning		to keep calm
to keep one’s head down He was in deep trouble and all his instincts told him to keep his head down. She’ll not do anything. She prefers to keep her head down. start learning		remain inconspicuous in difficult or dangerous times
to knock someone’s head off Usually used as a threat or a hypothetical action. If you insult me like that again, I'll knock your head off! That football nearly knocked my head off. start learning		to strike one with great force, usually in the head
to lay heads together We spent several hours laying heads together. start learning		to consult
to ram something into someone’s head She is resistant, but I’ll ram the idea into her head. start learning		to force an idea on someone by means of persistent repetition
to talk someone’s head off If he finds a patient listener, he can talk his head off. start learning		to deadly bore someone
to turn something on its head He turned our apartment on its head, but the keys were nowhere to be found. start learning		to put something on its head
to eat one’s hear out Oh, please! Don’t eat your heart out! Everything will be all right. start learning		to be worried
to search one’s heart We're asking upper management to search their hearts and realize that this decision will negatively impact every employee in the company. I know you're hurt right now, but search your heart—you know that breaking up was the right thing to do. start learning		to carefully consider or think about one's own emotions about or motivations for something You don’t have to hurry up. Search your heart and make a decision.
to unload one’s heart I need to talk to you and unload my heart. start learning		to unburden one’s heart
to save one’s hide He managed to save his hide by telling the truth. start learning		to save one’s skin
to get hitched I didn’t know that he got hitched last month. start learning		to get married
to cut no ice with someone How is Jack’s new girlfriend? She’s cut no ice with me. start learning		to make no impression on someone
to put something on ice I have to put my trip on ice for the time being. start learning		to lay something aside, to leave it for later
to be under an/the illusion (that) He was under the illusion that going abroad was the best solution. start learning		to have a misconception about something, to have wrong impression about it
to be the spitting image of someone His brother is the spitting image of him. start learning		to be very similar to someone, like two raindrops
immediately if not sooner Our manager often wants us to do the reports immediately if not sooner. start learning		on yesterday
from time immemorial My family has lived in this town from time immemorial. start learning		for a very long time
the ins and outs of something I think we should discuss the ins and outs of your plan. start learning		details of something
to be in for it You’ve broken the family vase. You’re in for it. start learning		have good reason to expect (something, typically something unpleasant)
to know someone/something in and out Don’t try to deceive me. I know you in and out. start learning		to know someone or something very well
within an inch of something I came within an inch of losing my life on the rocks below. I was within an inch of leaving this country forever. start learning		to very nearly do something, especially something dangerous or exciting
under the influence He came back under the influence at about six in the morning. start learning		drunk
to satisfy the inner man Don’t ask me to do anything before I satisfy the inner man. start learning		to satisfy a hunger
to make inroads upon something She has made inroads upon the company she works in. start learning		to exert a noticeable impact on something
inside out She put her dress on inside out. You should change your sweater. It’s inside out. start learning		with the inner surface turned outwards
to turn everything inside out I turned the closet inside out and still couldn't find those shoes. She couldn’t find the keys and turned everything inside out. to change (something) completely. Her life was turned inside out after the accident. start learning		to cause (a place) to become disorganized while one is trying to find something
the point at issue The point at issue is where we should go for holiday. start learning		something, what is relevant
to make an issue of something I don’t agree with your idea, but I don’t want to make an issue of it. start learning		to make a problem of something
to take issue with someone The boss absolutely ignored him by not even taking the issue with him. start learning		to start a discussion with someone
to be itching to do something My son is itching to go to university. start learning		can’t wait to do something
to have an itch for something I have an itch for going abroad. start learning		to dream about something, to miss something
before you can say Jack Robinson I’ll come back before you can say Jack Robinson. start learning		fast, in a jiffy
to be in/to get into a jam Accidentally I got into a jam and I don’t know what to do now. start learning		to be in/to get into a trouble
a standing joke We used to tease her about it and it became a standing joke. start learning		something that regularly causes amusement or provokes ridicule
beyond a joke I think that laughing at his divorce was beyond a joke. start learning		to cross boundaries while joking
joking apart/aside I’d like to have one million dollars, but joking apart, I do need money. start learning		stop joking
to keep up with the Joneses They have bought a new car. I see that they do everything to keep up with the Joneses. start learning		people who try to keep up with the Joneses are people who feel it's important to show that they're as successful as others (such as their rich neighbors)
against one’s better judgment I’m sure that she agreed against her better judgment. start learning		against my own opinion
to stew in one’s own juice She squandered all her money and now she’s stewing in her own juice and isn’t going out. start learning		be left to suffer the consequences of one's own actions
go and jump in the lake! He just wouldn’t leave me alone, so finally I told him to go jump in the lake. You’re getting on my nerves. Go and jump in the lake! start learning		a rude way of telling someone to go away and stop annoying you
go and take a running jump! She told him to (go) take a running jump. Stop teasing me! Go and take a running jump! start learning		used to tell someone who angers or annoys one to go away
to have the jumps She had the jumps just before the exam. start learning		to be very nervous
to jump at the chance I’d jump at the chance of a career in football. She jumped at the chance, because her boss was absent and asked for a leave. start learning		accept an opportunity or offer with great eagerness
to jump down someone’s throat I was about to say, before you jumped down my throat, that I agree with you. She was so angry that jumped down his throat. start learning		respond to what someone has said in a sudden and angrily critical way
to jump someone’s nerves Stop whining. You're getting on my nerves. I cannot stand him. He jumps my nerves. start learning		get on someone's nerves, to annoy someone a lot
to keep aloof from someone Whatever is happening in the office, she always remains aloof. She kept herself aloof from her husband's business. I don’t trust him. You had better keep aloof from him. start learning		not interested or involved, usually because you don’t approve of what is happening
to keep oneself to oneself He’s rather a reserved person who likes keeping himself to himself. start learning		to spend time lonely
to keep pace with someone Fees have been raised to keep pace with inflation. start learning		move or progress at the same speed or rate as
a different kettle of fish Don’t change the subject. This is a different kettle of fish. start learning		a completely different case
a fine/pretty kettle of fish She accidentally sent an e-mail to her boss instead of to her friend. That’s a fine kettle of fish. start learning		a nice story
to kick the bucket He kicked the bucket last year start learning		to die
to kick up a fuss/a row Yesterday he kicked up a row concerning my going abroad. start learning		to start an affair
to kick up one’s heels How was the party? Great! We really kicked up our heels. start learning		to have great fun
to be dressed to kill She was dressed to kill for an interview. start learning		intentionally wearing clothes that attract sexual attention and admiration
to make a killing She had made a killing by selling home-made jewelry. start learning		to achieve a financial success
to take kindly to someone/something I took kindly to her the moment I saw her. start learning		to like someone/something
to go to kingdom come My grandfather went to kingdom come last month. start learning		to pass away, die
to send someone to kingdom come In the last scene of this movie, John sends her to kingdom come. start learning		to kill someone
kiss of life He saved her life by doing the kiss of life. start learning		the act of forcing air in and out of the lungs of a person who has stopped breathing, using equipment or by blowing into their mouth and pressing their chest
to kiss goodbye to something I had no other choice but to kiss goodbye to my wallet. start learning		to say goodbye to something
to kiss someone’s arse He says he doesn’t want a promotion if he has to kiss his boss's arse to get it. She is not very good at math, but she has quite good results for kissing our teacher’s arse. start learning		to be nice to someone in order to be liked by or to get something from him or her
kiss something off I guess we can kiss off the deal. start learning		to accept that you have lost something or failed at something
everything except the kitchen sink She took everything except the kitchen sink when we went abroad. start learning		unnecessarily a lot of things, everything what was possible to imagine
to have kittens I had kittens when I found out that my parents died. start learning		to be jittery, trembling, in nerves
to be knee high to a grasshopper He may be handsome, but he’s knee high to a grasshopper. start learning		to be very short
to be the bee’s knees Have you tried this ice cream? It's the bee's knees, it really is. He is the bee’s knees in our company. start learning		to be excellent or of an extremely high standard
to bring somebody to their knees The strikes had brought the economy to its knees. He was brought to his knees by the company. (he got forced to obey) start learning		to destroy or defeat someone or something
to have one’s knickers in a twist When he found out that she was ill, he had his knickers in a twist. start learning		to be annoyed, nervous, worried
to get one’s knife into someone I don’t know why but she’s really got her knife into her sister. start learning		to be, do, or say something especially critical, unpleasant, or mean-spirited, especially to someone who is already vulnerable or weak; to have a grudge against or victimize someone
to do something at knifepoint It wasn’t my idea. I did it at knifepoint. start learning		to do something under coercion
to knock oneself out I knocked myself out playing football. start learning		to get deadly tired
to knock someone sideways He is a very irritating person, who can really knock me sideways. start learning		to get someone off balance
to knock something into shape Our boss was the one who knocked the company into shape. start learning		to lead something into a decent condition
to tie the knot I had no idea that they tied the knot last year. start learning		to get married
not to know one is born Kids today don't know they are born. She doesn’t have to take care of money. She doesn’t know she is born. start learning		This indicates that the person described is unaware of his or her good fortune or is unaware of how difficult day to day life was before he/she was born
to be in the know You don’t have to conceal it. I’m in the know. start learning		to be an initiate
to know the score I will talk to her some time to know the score. start learning		to be aware of what’s happening
knuckle down to something I'm going to have to knuckle down to some serious study. She knuckled down to her homework. start learning		to begin to work hard at something; synonym get down to
labor of love He spent eight years rebuilding the house—a labour of love. She’s such a great teacher. That’s her labour of love. start learning		a task done for pleasure, not reward
to see how the land lies Let’s keep it to ourselves until we see how the land lies. She asked so many questions just to see how the land lies. start learning		what the situation is
to be in Fortune’s lap To think that only a few years ago we were in Fortune’s lap. start learning		to live in abundance
to be in the lap of the gods I hate this feeling that I’m in the lap of the gods. start learning		(of the success of a plan or event) depending on factors that one cannot control; open to chance
last but not least The last but not least issue to discuss is taxes. start learning		the last thing but equally important
to have the last laugh She was thought to lose, but finally she had the last laugh. start learning		to get the ultimate victory
to laugh up one’s sleeve He pretended to be serious, but couldn’t help laughing up his sleeve. start learning		to laugh stealthily
to fall about with laughter We all fell about with laughter when the professor accidentally swore during his lecture. The joke was so funny that we fell about with laughter. start learning		to be consumed by uncontrollable laughter
to kill oneself with laughter She killed herself with laughter when she saw him in an old-fashioned suit. start learning		If you say that you killed yourself laughing, you are emphasizing that you laughed a lot because you thought something was extremely funny
to look to one’s laurel If she performs this well in the championships, her rivals will have to look to their laurels. I know that she is very ambitious so I have to look to my laurel. start learning		to work in order to keep one's success or position
to lay something on the line I decided to lay my money on the line. start learning		to risk something
to take a leaf out of someone’s book Maybe I should take a leaf out of Rick's book and start coming in early every morning. start learning		to copy something that someone else does because it will bring you advantages
to turn over a new leaf She decided to leave her job and turn over a new leaf. start learning		to start a new chapter in life
to be straining at the leash The last meeting was extremely long and she was straining at the leash to leave. start learning		to be impatient
to hold someone in leash She is a very strict teacher who holds the class in leash. start learning		to control; curb; restrain
to go hell for leather I didn’t share a word with her because she went hell for leather. start learning		marked by determined recklessness, great speed, or lack of restraint. a cocky, hell-for-leather fighting man
to leave someone cold I don’t find her a particularly interesting person. Actually she has left me cold. start learning		to make no impression on someone
to take French leave Taking French leave, he evaded his creditors. start learning		a departure without ceremony, permission, or notice
to take leave of one’s senses She was so tired that it seemed that she would take leave of her senses. start learning		If you say that someone seems to have taken leave of their senses, you mean that they have done or said something very foolish
curtain lecture When he came back home a bit tipsy (drunk), she gave him a curtain lecture. start learning		an instance of a wife reprimanding her husband in private
to learn one’s lesson You see, I told you not to cut classes. Have you learnt your lesson? start learning		to get a lesson
to teach/give someone a lesson start learning		So you were sick after eating all the cake, weren’t you? That will teach you a lesson.
to give someone a lift Have you got a car? Could you give me a lift? start learning		to drive someone somewhere
to give someone a line on something Similarly, give someone a line on means “provide information about,”. The librarian gave me a line on the books I would need. Sue got a line on some possible tennis partners. The realtor has a line on a number of vacant apartments. start learning		Acquire information about something or someone, come to know
to line one’s own pocket(s) [disapproval] It is estimated that 5,000 bank staff could be lining their own pockets from customer accounts. When he was abroad, he managed to line his own pocket. start learning		If you say that someone is lining their own or someone else's pockets, you disapprove of them because they are making money dishonestly or unfairly
to live a lie I would never trust him. He’s living a lie. start learning		to live in an dishonest way
to live like a fighting cock To lead an extravagant life. Fighting cocks were typically well-fed, so as to increase their chances of success in a cock fight. She doesn’t have to worry about money. She lives like a fighting cock. start learning		to enjoy good food regularly
to make/to earn one’s living What do you do to make your living? start learning		to earn for living
use your loaf! This task is not so difficult. Use your loaf! start learning		use your brain
tell that to the Marines! I’m not so naive. Tell that to the Marines! start learning		I’ll never believe it
to overstep the mark Enough is enough. You have overstepped the mark. start learning		to cross permitted boundaries
to bring one’s eggs (hogs) to the wrong market I advised you not to ask him for help. You brought your eggs to the wrong market. start learning		to fail in one's plan because one goes to the wrong people for help
by all means She will get this job by all means. start learning		for sure, at all costs
by no means By no means will I agree. start learning		no way
to live beyond one’s means No wonder that they are in debt. They live beyond their means. start learning		to spend more money than one can afford to spend
to live within one’s means He began to save money when he finally learned to live within his means. start learning		to spend money only on what one can afford
easy meat I don’t understand how you can be so blind. He treats you like easy meat. start learning		a naive person, someone easy to use
to be meat and drink to someone This idea is meat and drink to me. start learning		something appeals to someone very much
the cat’s meow Jane really liked that guitar. It’s the cat’s meow. start learning		someone or something is wonderful
to meet one’s Waterloo Experiencing difficulties. Unfortunately he met his Waterloo trying to clinch the deal. start learning		to be defeated by someone who is too strong for you or by a problem that is too difficult for you
to meet someone halfway I am prepared to meet him halfway by paying him a further £25,000. start learning		make a compromise with someone
to lead a merry dance I was a naughty child and led a merry dance to my parents. start learning		to cause big troubles to someone
to look like a million dollars I saw Jack yesterday. He looked like a million dollars. start learning		to look great
not to mince matters/words Stop mincing matters and get to the point. start learning		not to beat around the bush
to bear/keep something in mind I don’t trust her. Bear that in mind. start learning		to remember about something
to change one’s mind. Yesterday you told me that you would like to go. Yes, but I’ve changed my mind. start learning		zmienić czyjeś zdanie. Wczoraj powiedziałeś mi, że chciałbyś jechać. Tak, ale zmieniłem zdanie.
to cross someone’s mind I didn’t know what to do and then this brilliant idea crossed my mind. start learning		to come suddenly or briefly to someone's mind
to make up one’s mind It’s high time you made up your mind. Are you going with us or not? start learning		to make a decision
to mind one’s own business Let me be. Mind your own business. start learning		to take care of one’s own business
to set someone’s mind at rest Could you visit her and try to set her mind at rest? start learning		to calm someone down
to take a load off someone’s mind She took a load off my mind saying that the danger was over. start learning		to take someone’s burden from their heart
not to have a minute to call one’s own Why didn’t you call me? I didn’t have a minute to call my own. start learning		to have no leisure
to be rolling in money They don’t have to save up. They’re rolling in money. start learning		sleep on money
to have money to burn They don’t have to worry about money. They have money to burn. start learning		sleep on money
once in a blue moon She visits us once in a blue moon. start learning		very seldom
to ask/cry for the moon I hope you realize that you’re asking for the moon. start learning		to request something unreal
to be over the moon about something I’m over the moon about selling that old car. start learning		to be happy because of something
to be all mouth and trousers You shouldn’t count on him. He’s all mouth and trousers. start learning		to talk a lot, but do little
to be/feel down in the mouth Why are you so down in the mouth? Do you have any problems? start learning		to feel depressed
to keep one’s mouth shut Promise me that you’ll keep your mouth shut. start learning		to keep a secret
straight from the horse’s mouth It must be true. I’ve hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. start learning		from the first hand
to nail down identify something precisely. Something seems unexpected—I can’t nail it down, but it makes me uneasy. start learning		fasten something securely with nails
to call someone names A lot of people called him names and I was one of them. start learning		insult someone verbally
to take someone’s name in vain I was really surprised that he took his mother’s name in vain. start learning		to talk about someone without respect
to obey a call of nature Excuse me, I’ve to obey a call of nature. start learning		go to a toilet
to bow to necessity It doesn’t make sense to bother so much about it. You’ve to bow to necessity somehow. start learning		to agree with something inevitable
a millstone round someone’s neck For today’s politicians, the treaty is becoming a millstone. start learning		If you describe something as a millstone or a millstone around your neck, you mean that it is a very unpleasant problem or responsibility that you cannot escape from
to be dead from the neck up If I were you, I wouldn’t rely on him. He’s dead from the neck up. start learning		to be stupid, lacking of common sense
to get on one’s neck I would never risk my neck on a sport like skydiving. News reporters often risk their necks working in war zones. He’s not my close friend so I’m not going to risk my neck for him. start learning		to do something that puts one in danger of serious injury or death
to get on someone’s nerves I cannot stand him. He gets on my nerves. start learning		irritate someone
to have a nerve to do something I don’t comprehend that you had a nerve to ask him for money. start learning		If you say that someone has a nerve or has the nerve to do something, you are criticizing them for doing something which you feel they had no right to do
to touch a nerve Something she said to him must have hit/struck/touched a nerve. I've never seen him so angry. His controversial column might have hit a (raw/sensitive) nerve with some readers. By asking about my unfaithful husband, she touched a nerve. start learning		to make someone feel angry, upset, embarrassed, etc.
nervous Nelly Come to my party, but please don’t bring any nervous Nelly with you. start learning		a person whose personality and behavior are characterized by worry, insecurity, and timidity
to talk nineteen to the dozen She is a really nice person, but the problem is that she talks nineteen the dozen. start learning		don’t stop talking
to nip something in the bud The idea has been nipped in the bud by the local council. The government nipped the revolt in the bud. start learning		suppress or destroy something at an early stage
to be accepted on the nod Our plan was accepted on the nod. start learning		to be accepted without discussion
every nook and cranny The party reached into every nook and cranny of people’s lives. The CD is nowhere to be found. I’ve checked every nook and cranny. start learning		every part or aspect of something
as plain as the nose on your face The mistake was as plain as the nose on your face, do I don’t understand why they didn’t want to admit it. start learning		obvious, as bright as the Sun
to bite someone’s nose off I asked her politely if she could give me a lift and she bit my nose off. start learning		to respond to one in an extremely angry and forceful manner that is often sudden or unprovoked
to follow one’s nose You don’t need anyone’s advice. Just follow your nose. start learning		trust to one's instincts; move along guided by one's sense of smell
to keep one’s nose clean That’s understandable that you want to keep your nose clean, but it’s an emergency. start learning		to avoid troubles
to keep one’s nose to the grindstone She’s kept her nose to the grindstone for months to get to university. start learning		to work intensively and hard
to pay through the nose I didn’t realize that I had paid through the nose for that car. start learning		to overpay
to poke one’s nose into someone’s business She’s very inquisitive and always pokes her nose into others’ business. start learning		to put one’s nose in others’ businesses
to turn up one’s nose I offered the cat some food, but it turned its nose up and walked away. My brother turns up his nose at raw vegetables. start learning		to refuse to take or accept something because it is not good enough
to come to nothing Unfortunately that fiery relationship came to nothing. start learning		end up with a fiasco
to stop at nothing He would stop at nothing to retain his power. I will stop at nothing to discover the truth. start learning		be utterly ruthless or determined in one's attempt to achieve something
in the middle of nowhere We got lost in the middle of nowhere. I ended up in the middle of nowhere as a shop assistant. start learning		a place that is very remote
to get nowhere I tried horse riding, but I got nowhere. start learning		to achieve no results
to get someone’s number It took me some time, but I finally got her number. start learning		to foresee someone
to be chained to the oars I hate this company. Since last year I’ve been chained to the oars. start learning		work hard
to chain someone to the oars Our new boss tends to chain us to the oars. start learning		to force someone to work hard
to rest to one’s oars Once he became president, he was content to rest on his oars. After the success he just rested on his oars. start learning		to cease to make an effort; relax after exertion; stop working after success or completing a task
to be off one’s oats Let me be, I’m off my oats today. start learning		to have no appetite, to feel bad
against all the odds I hope we will win against all the odds. start learning		against all predictions
to be at odds with someone I won’t ask him to help me because I’m at odds with him. start learning		to be in a conflict with someone, to quarrel with someone
to burn the midnight oil I’d like to go out with you tonight, but I’ve to burn the midnight oil to pass the exam. start learning		to work, to cram at nights
to oil someone’s palm You won’t arrange it without oiling his palm. start learning		to give someone a bribe, to corrupt someone
to oil the wheels (works) An aid programme was established to oil the wheels of economic reform in the region. He likes to oil the wheels before opening. start learning		to make it easier for something to happen
to pour oil on troubled waters My mother always pours oil on troubled waters. start learning		try to settle a disagreement or dispute with words intended to placate or pacify those involved
to be off one’s onions You never know what to expect from him. He’s off his onions. start learning		crazy, insane
to know one’s onions So really, it means you're clever! He’s a highly specialized worker who knows his onions. start learning		If someone says you know your onions, it means you are experienced in something or you know a lot about a particular subject
out and away I agree with you out and away. start learning		absolutely, completely
to be outs with someone I won’t come to her party. I’m outs with her. start learning		to be offended at someone
on one’s own How could you leave children on their own all night? start learning		lonely, independently
to own up (to something) My younger sister owned up to cutting classes. start learning		to admit, confess to something
to put someone through one’s pace First we have to put you through your pace and then we’ll decide what to do. start learning		to check someone skills
a pack of lies What do you think about his speech? A pack of lies. start learning		a bunch/crop of lies
pain in the ass Oh no, is she coming again? She’s such pain in the ass. start learning		a person causing a lot of troubles
pain in the neck Oh no, is she coming again? She’s such pain in the neck. start learning		a person causing a lot of troubles
to take pains to do something I’ll take pains to go abroad this summer. start learning		to put a lot of efforts to do something
beyond the pale The language my father used was beyond the pale. start learning		outside the bounds of acceptable behavior
within the pale Could you at least try to behave within the pale? start learning		within the bounds of acceptable behavior
to grease someone’s palm He’s a very honest person so don’t even try to grease his palm. start learning		to bribe someone
to have an itching palm Be careful doing business with him. He has an itching palm. start learning		to be greedy for money
to have someone/something in the palm of one’s hand She’s very powerful. She has the local authorities in the palm of her hand. start learning		to have a whole control over something or someone
flash in the pan She recorded just one song, but it was a flash in the pan. start learning		a sudden and short success that will likely never happen again
out of the frying pan into the fire He changed his job, but it was like going out of the frying pan into the fire. start learning		from a bad situation to worse
a pang(s) of conscience I have pangs of conscience that I left her alone yesterday. start learning		(often in the plural) A feeling of shame, guilt, or embarrassment, resulting from behavior which one regrets
to bore the pants off someone It’s better not to keep too close to her at parties. She can bore the pants off you. start learning		to deadly bore someone
to catch someone with his/her pants down The situation is obvious. He was caught with his pants down. start learning		to catch someone red-handed
to take someone’s part I think he’s right and that’s why I took his part. start learning		to keep someone’s side
to let something pass I got this malicious remark, but I let it pass. start learning		to ignore something
not to be a patch on something The new chairman isn't a patch on his predecessor. Today’s movie isn’t a patch on the last one we saw. start learning		to be much less good, appealing, impressive, etc., than (someone or something)
to lead someone up the garden path In a crime novel, the reader has to be led up the garden path. They simply led ups up the garden path. start learning		give someone misleading clues or signals
to pave the way for someone/to something The discovery paves the way for the development of effective new treatments. His talent paved the way to success. start learning		to make it easier for (something to happen or someone to do something)
to pay someone a compliment I’d like to pay you a compliment start learning		to say someone a compliment you look gorgeous today.
to pay someone back in their own coin The European Community had even released lists of American unfair trade practices, paying us back in our own coin. I had an opportunity to pay him back in his own coin. start learning		If someone has treated you badly or unfairly and you pay them back in their own coin, you treat them in exactly the same way that they have treated you
to pay someone back with Internet Don’t worry. We will pay him back with interest. start learning		to do something even worse to someone than they have done to you, in order to punish them
to hold one’s peace I was really furious, but I held my peace. start learning		to stay silent
to make one’s peace with someone He returned to the village to make peace with his mother. It’s high time you made your peace with the father. start learning		re-establish friendly relations; become reconciled
in for a penny, in for a pound You cannot withdraw now, In for a penny, in for a pound. start learning		if you said a, you need to say b
not to have a penny to one’s name Are you going out with us tonight? I don’t have a penny to my name. start learning		penniless
to turn an honest penny I wouldn’t suspect him. He’s the guy who turns on honest penny. start learning		to earn money in an honest way
at one’s (own) peril Of course you can try but at your own peril. start learning		on someone’s own risk
to be hoist with one’s own petard I tried to get my boss fired by planting drugs on him, but I was hoist by my own petard when the police caught me with them beforehand. Be careful because one day you can be hoist with your own petard. start learning		Injured, ruined, or defeated by one's own action, device, or plot that was intended to harm another; having fallen victim to one's own trap or schemes
to have a bone to pick with someone She has a bone to pick with the council. I’m not going to his party. I’ve a bone to pick with him. start learning		have reason to disagree or be annoyed with someone
to pick/take something to pieces The media picked his personal life to pieces. Her ideas were picked to shreds by her coworkers. My idea was picked to pieces during the meeting. start learning		to study and criticize all of the parts of (someone or something)
to drive one’s pigs to the market I don’t want to share a room with him. He always drives his pigs to the market. start learning		to snore (while fasting asleep)
that’s not my pigeon I hear that they’ve bought a new car. That’s not my pigeon. start learning		not my business
to make a pile My father made a pile selling second-hand cars. start learning		to become rich
not to care a pin Why are you telling me this? I don’t care a pin. start learning		to completely not care, not worry about something
to be on pins and needles What’s going on with you? You’re on pins and needles. start learning		in an agitated state of suspense
that’s where the shoe pinches Everything is fine, but she simply doesn’t love him. That’s where the shoe pinches. start learning		the source of trouble, grief, difficulty, etc.
to feel the pinch Staff were beginning to feel the pinch as the dispute entered its third week. I need to find a job. I feel the pinch. start learning		experience hardship, especially financial
to fly a high pitch No wonder that she got this job. She always flied a high pitch. start learning		to have big ambitions
to queer someone’s pitch Everything was going fine, but as usual, she queered my pitch. start learning		to destroy someone’s plans
to play for time It was obvious that the team played for time. start learning		to stall
to play to the gallery Don’t let him deceive you. He’s playing to the gallery. start learning		act in an exaggerated way in order to appeal to popular taste
someone’s pride and joy That cat is my pride and joy. start learning		someone’s reason to be proud
to pull up one’s socks It’s high time you pulled up your socks. start learning		to start working
to push one’s way They forced their way into the room. She is the one who always pushes her way. start learning		to move ahead by pushing and making people move out of one's way
to push someone to the wall She pushed me to the wall with her intelligent questions. start learning		When you push somebody to the wall it means to corner someone or force someone into making a choice by eliminating or making it impossible to choose something else. When you push somebody to the wall means to put someone in a difficult situation or to embarrass or humiliate them
to put someone to the blush I had to leave the dinner party after being put to the blush by my own mother, who decided that my shortcomings were an appropriate topic of conversation. This awkward question put me to the blush. start learning		to be made to blush, usually from shame or embarrassment
to be in a quandary How should I behave? I’m in a quandary. start learning		to be in a troublesome situation
not to be a quarter as good as something This car isn’t a quarter as good as mine. start learning		not be as good as someone or something else
to find a quarrel in a straw Stop picking on me all the time. You always want to find a quarrel in a straw. start learning		to look for a reason to start a quarrel
in quest of something/someone The Puritans became fugitives in quest of liberty. Be careful because you may lose your values in quest of money. start learning		if you go in quest of something, you try to find or obtain it
the thing/person in question The problem in question should be solved by next week. start learning		a thing/person that is talked about
to be out of the question You’re not going out tonight! It’s out of the question. start learning		to be out of a discussion, to be excluded
to pop the question Completely out of the blue, he popped the question. start learning		to ask someone about becoming a couple
to be quick on the uptake Maybe he’s not very conscientious, but he’s quick on the uptake. start learning		to be bright, astute
to cut someone to the quick Her thoughtless remark cut him to the quick. I doubt whether she will ever forgive him. He cut her to the quick. start learning		to hurt someone's feelings a lot
on the quiet She went abroad on the quiet. start learning		in a secret
to be on the rack Only a year ago, he was on the rack with a heroin addiction that began when he was 13. Synonyms: in difficulties, suffering, in trouble, having problems. I hate my school. I’m on the rack at every lesson. start learning		If you say that someone is on the rack, you mean that they are suffering either physically or mentally
to rack one’s brains over something I spent all night racking my brains over this problem. start learning		to think very hard in order to try to remember something, solve a problem, etc.
to make a racket If something is wrong, he always makes a racket. start learning		to start a fuss
from rags to riches It was the old rags-to-riches fantasy. His career can be described as a typical from rags to riches story. start learning		used to describe a person's rise from a state of extreme poverty to one of great wealth
to be all the rage Don’t you like my shoes? They’re all the rage. start learning		liked by a lot of people, popular
to fly into a rage When he got to know that they had fired him, he flew into a rage. start learning		to get angry
as right as rain I don’t feel very well at the moment, but give me a couple of days and I’ll be as right as rain. start learning		in a great shape, condition
for a rainy day I’ll put the rest in the bank for a rainy day. start learning		If you say that you are saving something, especially money, for a rainy day, you mean that you are saving it until a time in the future when you might need it
it never rains but it pours First he was mugged and then fired. It never rains, but it pours. start learning		misfortunes or difficult situations tend to follow each other in rapid succession or to arrive all at the same time
rain or shine I’m going for a walk, rain or shine. start learning		regardless the weather
to be bucketing with rain The rain is really bucketing down. What is the weather like? It’s bucketing with rain. start learning		to rain very heavily
to rain cats and dogs What is the weather like? It’s raining cats and dogs. start learning		to rain very heavily
over the rainbow When Susan finally got the job, she was over the rainbow. start learning		very happy, glad
to chase rainbows Do something constructive instead of chasing rainbows all the time. start learning		to waste your time trying to get something that you can never have
to raise someone’s spirits start learning		to make one feel happier or more carefree. The purpose of this charity is to raise children's spirits this holiday season. I love my roommate. No matter what mood I’m in, he is always able to raise my spirits. Could you visit him to raise his spirits?
to raise the roof Calm down, there’s no need to raise the roof. start learning		to start a fuss.
to rake up the past She’s always raking up the past/that old quarrel. start learning		to talk again about a past event or experience that should be forgotten, because it upsets or annoys someone else. I don’t like raking up the past. I prefer to enjoy the present.
to listen to reason He’s too emotionally overwrought to listen to reason. I think you should listen to reason and not marry him. start learning		be persuaded to act sensibly.
to see reason She needed some time to see reason. start learning		to regain common sense.
to be at (on) the receiving end It’s not often that I find myself on the receiving end of such insults. I didn’t want to listen to you and now I’m at the receiving end. start learning		in the position of having something bad or unpleasant directed at one, to suffer from unpleasant aftermath.
a red letter day Many a trout angler has had a red-letter day on Loch Awe. It’s a red letter day! You weren’t late. start learning		a day that is pleasantly noteworthy or memorable.
not to have a red cent I cannot go out with you tonight because I don’t have a red cent. start learning		to have not even a penny.
red tape It is usually applied to governments, corporations, and other large organizations. I think there’s too much red tape in this country. start learning		is an idiom referring to regulations or conformity to formal rules or standards which are claimed to be excessive, rigid or redundant, or to bureaucracy claimed to hinder or prevent action or decision-making.
to be in the red I cannot go out with you because I’m in the red. start learning		to have debts.
to paint the town red You want to have a good time and paint the town red this weekend. How was your New Year’s Eve? We painted the town red all night long. start learning		go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly.
to see red When he sees red, he can’t be really impudent. start learning		to get furious.
to resign oneself to fate She stopped fighting. She seems to have resigned herself to fate. start learning		to agree with a fate.
to be at the end of one’s own resources If that didn’t help, I don’t know what to do. I’m at the end of my own resources. start learning		to exhaust all your options.
to retire into oneself After their massive quarrel, she retired into herself. start learning		to retreat into one’s mind or otherwise isolate oneself so as to avoid undesirable thoughts, situations, or interactions with people.
neither/without rhyme or reason I asked him a very simple question, but his answer was without rhyme or reason. start learning		without sense.
to take someone for a ride Can’t you understand it? He’s just taken you for a ride. start learning		to deceive someone.
to ring true/false Sorry, but your excuse rings false. start learning		to sound truly or falsely.
to put down roots somewhere I think it’s time I put down some roots. We are not going to move from here. We’ve put down roots in this place. start learning		(of a plant) begin to draw nourishment from the soil through its roots; (of a person) begin to have a settled life in a particular place.
in the long run It saves money in the long run. In the long run this decision will prove to be the best. start learning		over or after a long period of time; eventually.
in the short run I think it’s profitable for you only in the short run. start learning		for a short period of time.
in the short term In the short term some sacrifices may be made. start learning		in the near future.
to saddle someone with something The company is saddled with debt. It was Jack who saddled me with all the work. start learning		to give someone a responsibility or problem that they do not want and that will cause them a lot of work or difficulty.
safe and sound. start learning		Luckily he came back from the war safe and sound.
to sail through the examination Rachel sailed through her finals and got A's in everything. She had studied very hard so it was no wonder that she sailed through the examination. start learning		to succeed very easily in something, especially a test.
to take the wind out of someone’s sails The team’s star player was injured and it really took the wind out of their sails. start learning		to cause someone to lose confidence or energy.
to rub salt into someone’s wounds Boro rubbed salt into the wound by scoring with their first attempt. I omitted that subject because I didn’t want to rub salt into her wounds. start learning		make a painful experience even more painful for someone.
to take something with a grain (a pinch) of salt I take anything he says with a large pinch of salt. I think you should take his remark with a pinch of salt. start learning		regard something as exaggerated; believe only part of something.
as the saying goes I am, as the saying goes, burnt out. As the saying goes start learning		used to introduce or append an expression, drawing attention to its status as a saying or as not part of one's normal language. better late than never.
to have one’s say Don’t speak for her. She isn’t too shy to have her say. start learning		to say one’s opinion.
it goes without saying It goes without saying that she will get this job. start learning		no doubts.
you can say that again There should be a pay-rise. You can say that again! start learning		I completely agree with you.
to score something up against someone The star quarterback scored five touchdowns against the cross-town rivals. If we score against them one more time, we can tie the game! start learning		Literally, to gain or achieve a point or unit of points in a game or contest against some person or team. A noun or pronoun can be used between “score” and “against” to specify the kind or number of points that was scored.
to score something (up) against someone I don't know why you think you need to score against your wife with these petty arguments—you’re not competing against each other! start learning		To gain or achieve a personal success or victory against someone else. A noun or pronoun can be used between "score" and "against" to specify or describe the kind of success or victory one achieved.
to scratch the surface Research has only scratched the surface of the paranormal. initiate the briefest investigation to discover something concealed. start learning		deal with a matter only in the most superficial way. They have a boring image but scratch the surface and it's fascinating. We should go deeper in this topic instead of just scratching the surface.
to put the screws on something My boss puts the screws on me to retire. start learning		to put pressure on someone.
to screw up one’s courage I finally screwed up the courage to tell them that I was quitting. Finally they screwed up their courage to express their point of view. start learning		to make oneself brave enough to do something difficult.
to sell someone a pup He managed to sell me a pup only once. Next time I’ll be more clever. start learning		to deceive someone.
to sell someone down the river He said they were management lackeys who had been sold down the river by Bunker. Don’t trust him. He’ll sell you down the river at any occasion. start learning		betray someone, especially so as to benefit oneself.
to send someone flying (packing) The recoil of the gun sent him flying. She just sent him packing without a single word. start learning		cause someone to be knocked violently off balance or to the ground.
to be out of one’s senses He’s out of his senses if he thinks this plan is going to work! After yet another sleepless night, I’m starting to feel like I'm out of my senses. What you are doing? You must be out of your senses! start learning		to be crazy or irrational.
to bring someone to their senses For a few minutes I was shell-shocked but I was quickly brought to my senses. cause someone to think and behave reasonably after a period of foolishness or irrationality. start learning		restore someone to consciousness. The shock of the deal falling through brought her to her senses and made her realize how serious the situation was. I had to talk to her seriously to bring her to her senses.
to come to one’s senses She needed some time spent alone to come to her senses. start learning		to retrieve common sense, to reclaim consciousness
to serve someone with the same sauce What did you expect? I only served you with the same sauce. start learning		to retaliate in the same kind, to reciprocate.
what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander If he can go out with his friends at night, then she should be able to, too. What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. start learning		used to say that one person or situation should be treated the same way that another person or situation is treated
to catch at shadows It’s high time you stopped catching at shadows. start learning		to try unsuccessfully to catch or compete with another person or team who is much faster or better than you.
to go into one’s shell We haven’t talked for a long time. After our last quarrel she has gone into her shell. start learning		to retreat into one’s mind or otherwise isolate oneself so as to avoid undesirable thoughts, situations, or interactions with people.
to keep one’s shirt on Typically used as an imperative. Keep your shirt on, dude, the pizza will be here soon enough. I think that at least you should try to keep your shirt on. start learning		to remain calm and wait for something.
another pair of shoes I'm fine with you going out tonight, but if you want to stay out past curfew, that's another pair of shoes entirely! Wait, we would be flying there? Oh, that's another pair of shoes altogether—I'm terrified of flying. start learning		entirely different in scope or description from the person or thing that was just being discussed. It has nothing to do with this case. It’s another pair of shoes.
to be in someone’s shoes If I were in your shoes, I would never agree to go there. start learning		to be at someone’s position, place.
to put oneself in someone’s shoes If you only tried to put yourself in my shoes, you would change your mind. start learning		to put oneself in someone’s situation.
straight from the shoulder I can tell you what I think straight from the shoulder. start learning		honestly, not beating around the bush.
to have a chip on one’s shoulder He’s got a chip on his shoulder about not having been to university. I met her yesterday, but as usual, she had a chip on her shoulder. start learning		to seem angry all the time because you think you have been treated unfairly or feel you are not as good as other people.
to be sick of someone/something. start learning		I’m really sick of you. Get out!
from the smoke into the smother He changed the job, but he got from the smoke into the smother. start learning		from a bad situation to even worse one.
to lay a snake for someone He laid a snake for her, thinking that she’s so stupid not to realize it. start learning		to set a trap for someone.
snake in the grass I’ve never trusted him. He’s a snake in the grass. start learning		a false friend.
to be snowed under with work I cannot go out with you tonight. I’m snowed under with work. start learning		if you say that you are snowed under, you are emphasizing that you have a lot of work or other things to deal with.
to have a soft spot for someone Terry had a soft spot for me. I’ve always had a soft spot for blondes. start learning		if you have a soft spot for someone or something, you feel a great deal of affection for them or like them a lot.
to take interest in something/someone. start learning		Recently I’ve taken interest in horse riding.
to take it easy Take it easy. It was just a stupid joke. start learning		to not get nervous, not get excessively tired.
to take one’s time If you’re not ready yet, don’t worry. Take your time. start learning		to not rush.
to take something/someone for granted The comforts that people take for granted. assume that something is true without questioning it. George had taken it for granted that they’d get married. You shouldn’t take his promise for granted. start learning		fail to properly appreciate (someone or something), especially as a result of overfamiliarity.
to take trouble to do something It was very kind of you to take so much trouble to help me. start learning		to make an effort to do something.
old wives’ tale It can be said sometimes to be a type of urban legend, said to be passed down by older women to a younger generation. Such tales are considered superstition, folklore or unverified claims with exaggerated and/or inaccurate details. start learning		a supposed truth which is actually spurious or a superstition. I’m not going to listen to this old wives’ tale.
something tells its own tale The police aren’t saying what the cause of death is yet, but the smoldering car told its own tale. You can pretend to be happy all you like, but the sadness in your eyes tells its own tale. Do I have to explain it to you? The situation tells its own tale. start learning		to be self-evident; to clearly demonstrate or indicate the truth about what happened.
to be all talk I wouldn’t trust him that much. He’s all talk. start learning		to talk a lot, to do little.
to talk sense (nonsense) I’m not going to listen to you. You’re talking nonsense. start learning		to talk with sense, or nonsense.
to bore someone to tears I didn’t enjoy the party at all. Jack bored me to tears. start learning		to deadly bore someone.
to keep (to lose) one’s temper Although there was a heated debate, he managed to keep his temper. start learning		to keep calm (to get angry).
in terms of something I didn’t treat this case in terms of conflict. start learning		speaking of categories of something.
to come to terms with someone/something Finally I managed to come to terms with my father. start learning		re-establish friendly relations; become reconciled.
through thick and thin I’ll stand by you through thick and thin. start learning		in good and bad moments.
not to know the first thing about something How could they make her a manager? She doesn’t know the first thing about this job. start learning		to have no idea about something.
third time lucky. start learning		Don’t worry. Next time it will be better. Third time lucky.
to be lost in thought She wasn’t listening to you. She was lost in thought. start learning		If you are lost in thought, you give all your attention to what you are thinking about and do not notice what is going on around you.
to lie in one’s throat It’s obvious that you lied in my throat. start learning		to lie flatly/abominably.
in the nick of time She arrived at the airport in the nick of time. start learning		in the last moment.
time and again I told you not to work too much time and again. start learning		repeatedly.
to move (to march) with the times Resorts need to move with the times by providing clean beaches and modernized hotels. start learning		keep abreast of current thinking or developments.
to hold one’s tongue He held his tongue through the whole meeting. start learning		to stay silent.
to lose one’s tongue Kathy was so surprised when she won the award that she lost her tongue and wasn’t able to make an acceptance speech. She is not that brave. When she sees the boss, she loses her tongue. start learning		to suddenly become unable to speak, typically due to shock or confusion.
to set one’s tongues wagging The affair between the boss and her accountant set tongues a wagging. If you don’t get the lawn mowed soon, you will set tongues wagging in the neighborhood. His arrival set tongues wagging in the town. start learning		to cause people to start gossiping.
to wag one’s tongue My dad is a pretty quiet guy, but when he’s interested in something, he can really wag his tongue. My wife and her sister haven’t seen each other in a while, so they’ve been wagging their tongues all day. Do you have to wag your tongue all the time? start learning		to talk or chat.
with one’s tongue in cheek Don’t take it seriously. He said it with his tongue in cheek. start learning		ironically, dishonestly.
to have a sweet tooth Have you got a sweet tooth? start learning		to like eating sweets.
to hold on to something by one’s teeth She won’t resign. She holds on to this job by her teeth. start learning		to stick to something.
bit between one's teeth Ralph is having a difficult time in medical school now, but once he takes the bit between his teeth, there's no stopping him. The bit is the part of a bridle that fits into a gap between the teeth in the back of a horse’s mouth. start learning		to face up resolutely to a hard task
to lie through one’s teeth ‘Don't worry, Lavender, you’ll soon catch up’, Miss Honey said, lying through her teeth. She didn’t feel embarrassed lying through her teeth. to her mother. start learning		tell an outright lie without remorse
to blow one’s top When I told her about those rumors, she blew her top. start learning		to get angry
to feel on top of the world After passing all the exams I feel on top of the world. start learning		to feel incredible, to be on cloud nine
to carry a torch for someone Why is she so unhappy? Well, she is carrying a torch for him. start learning		to love someone without reciprocity
to hand on the torch They invited us to the meeting just to hand on the torch. start learning		to hand a custom to a younger generation
to get in touch with someone How are you going to get in touch with your parents? start learning		to contact with someone
to lose touch with someone I don’t know where she lives. We lost touch with each other. start learning		to lose contact with someone
to touch the spot That was an excellent question! You touched the spot. start learning		to hit home, hit the nail on the head
to kick over the traces She couldn’t stand it any longer and kicked over the traces. start learning		become insubordinate or reckless
to stop in one’s tracks He stopped/froze in his tracks, turned, and came back. When I told her the news, she stopped in her tracks. start learning		to stop doing something suddenly or immediately
not to miss a trick You don’t have to repeat her about this event. She doesn’t miss a trick. start learning		always use an occasion
to play a trick on someone It’s not the truth. Someone must have played a trick on you. start learning		to make someone a prank
to blow one’s own trumpet I got the highest mark. Oh, stop blowing your own trumpet. start learning		to brag about
to call the tune We believe in parents and teachers calling the shots. My son calls the tune in our family. start learning		take the initiative in deciding how something should be done
to change one’s tune He has a supporter of Socialdemocratic Party, but then he changed his tune. start learning		to change one’s mind, views
to give umbrage to someone I think that you gave umbrage to her by that question. start learning		to insult someone
to take umbrage at something You should apologize to her. She’s taken umbrage at calling her “stupid”. start learning		to feel offended because of something
to unbottle/unbosom oneself What’s biting you? Why don’t you unbottle yourself to me? start learning		to tell or reveal one’s feelings, secrets, etc.
an unbirthday party Let’s throw an unbirthday party tomorrow. start learning		a party without any special occasion
to unburden oneself I couldn’t stand this situation any longer so I had to unburden myself. start learning		to throw something out of oneself
to uncork one’s anger He lost his temper and uncorked his anger. start learning		to release one’s anger
under one’s breath He made some sarcastic remarks under his breath. start learning		whisperingly
on the understanding that I will accept your invitation on the understanding that you visit me. start learning		under the condition that
to have a good understanding with someone I have a good understanding with my parents. start learning		to get along well with someone
it’s up to someone You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. It’s up to you. start learning		it depends on someone
to be up and about Luckily, it didn’t take a long time for him to be up and about. start learning		to stop lying in a bed, to recover after an illness
ups and downs. start learning		Don’t worry. Everybody has their ups and downs.
what’s up? Sorry, I’m late. What’s up? start learning		what’s happening?
to get upsides with someone One day I’ll get upsides with him. start learning		to retaliate in the same kind, to reciprocate
upside down. When I entered my flat, everything was upside down. start learning		do góry nogami. Kiedy wszedłem do mojego mieszkania, wszystko było do góry nogami.
to be in a vacuum After he left me, I’ve been in a vacuum. start learning		to experience emptiness
to be in the van of something Who is in the van of this enterprise? start learning		to be a leader of something
under the veil of something She came here under the veil of giving us some help. start learning		a thin covering that hides something or stops you from seeing something clearly
to be on velvet Your business is booming so you have to be on velvet. start learning		to be in a good financial situation
to be on the verge of something Don’t worry. She is on the verge of success. start learning		to be on the brink of something
to burst a blood vessel He burst a blood vessel when I told him about the missing money. start learning		to get angry
in the short (long) view In the long view we are going to buy a new house someday. start learning		in a close or long perspective
with a view to doing something I came here with a view to talking about this problem with you. start learning		with an intention of doing something
shrinking violet I cannot imagine her giving a speech. She’s a shrinking violet. start learning		a very shy person
to nurse a viper in one’s bosom How could you do this to me? I see that I nursed a viper in my bosom. start learning		to befriend, look after, or take care of someone who proves to be traitorous, untrustworthy, deceitful, or ungrateful
the still small voice I wanted to take the bribe, but the still small voice didn’t let me do so. start learning		a voice of conscience
to be on the wagon He’s on the wagon. start learning		to be an abstinent. I hope you didn’t offer him a drink
to drive someone up the wall My flat-mate is driving me up the wall. Her noisy questions drive me up the wall. start learning		to make someone extremely angry
to be in deep water(s) He didn’t want to accept any help, but we knew that he was in deep water. start learning		be in trouble
to get in (into) hot water You must help him. He got in hot water again. start learning		to get in trouble
to muddy the waters He only went to the meeting in order to muddy the waters. start learning		to induce chaos
something goes on wheels How is your business? It goes on wheels. start learning		something goes easily, like planned
to put a spoke in someone’s wheel As usual she put a spoke in my wheel. start learning		to destroy someone’s plans
to get one’s second wind I was very tired after the trip, but I got my second wind. start learning		to get your strength back
to get the wind up In the end he got the wind up and didn’t come. start learning		to chicken out
to get wind of something Fortunately I got wind of their affair on time. start learning		to discover something
to wipe the slate clean I wish we could wipe the slate clean. start learning		to forget about the past and start everything over
a man of his word You can trust him. He’s a man of his word. start learning		a person that keeps their word
to be true to one’s word I like people who are true to their word. start learning		to keep one’s word
to eat one’s word They will eat their words when I win. I know that I’m right. One day you’ll have to eat your words. start learning		retract what one has said, especially in a humiliated way
to go back on one’s word She always goes back on her word. start learning		to not keep the given word
to have a word with someone May I pay you a visit? I need to have a word with you. start learning		to talk to someone
to have words with someone It wasn’t a relaxing Saturday. We had words with each other. start learning		to squabble with someone
to stand to one’s word I’m going to stand to my word and get you out of here. start learning		to keep the word
to take someone at his/her word I didn’t have any proof. I had to take the girl at her word. start learning		to believe in someone’s word, without evidence
zip your lip Zip your lip! I’m trying to do my homework! start learning		be quiet!

Idioms

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