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Question		Answer
in equal measure "aroused and unnerved in equal measure" start learning		used for saying that two things have an equal effect or importance
out of one's depth im out of my depth here start learning		not having the knowledge, experience, or skills to deal with a particular subject or situation
chink in one's armor start learning		a fault in someone's character or argument that may cause problems for them
a barrage of sth start learning		a great number of complaints, criticisms, or questions suddenly directed at someone
a bone of contention start learning		sth that people argue about
a case in point Supermarkets often charge too much for goods. Bananas are a case in point. start learning		a good example of sth
a contradiction in terms start learning		a phrase that is confusing because it contains words that seem to have opposite meanings; unintended oxymoron
a level playing field start learning		a situation in which everyone has the same chance of succeeding
a labour of love start learning		work that you do because you like it, not because you are paid for it
a kick in the teeth start learning		something that is very shocking and disappointing; being treated as a * - badly and unfairly, especially at a time when you need support
a flash in the pan start learning		a sudden success that does not continue
a fast track to sth start learning		a very quick way of achieving or dealing with something
be under a cloud The cabinet minister left office under a cloud after a fraud scandal. start learning		to not be trusted or popular because people think you have done something bad
cut sb down to size start learning		to show someone that they are not as clever or important as they think
across the board start learning		applying to all; affecting everyone / everything in an organisation / society
as the crow flies It's about 50 miles from London to Cambridge as the crow flies. start learning		describes a distance when measured in a straight line; by shortest route
be awash with sth The sport is awash with money. start learning		to have a lot of something, often too much
go awry start learning		not in the indended way, not in the right position
under the auspices of sb / sth start learning		(formal) with the protection or support of someone or something, especially an organization
at the end of your tether (US rope) start learning		so tired, annoyed, or worried by something that you do not feel that you can deal with it
bawl one's eyes out start learning		to cry loudly especially for a long time
be a chip off the old block start learning		be very similar to one of one's parents
be (like) water off a duck's back She calls him lazy and useless, but it's like water off a duck's back. start learning		criticisms of or warnings to a particular person that have no effect on that person:
be a glutton for punishment start learning		to enjoy doing things that are unpleasant or difficult
be angling for sth Is he angling for an invitation? start learning		to try to get something without asking for it in a direct way
be at a loose end (US ends) Come and visit us if you're at a loose end over the weekend. start learning		to have nothing to do
at a low ebb Consumer confidence is currently at a low ebb. I was recently divorced and feeling at a very low ebb. start learning		in a bad or weak state
be at loggerheads (with sb) start learning		If two people or groups are at loggerheads, they disagree strongly about something
be at sb's beck and call Go and get it yourself! I'm not at your beck and call, you know. start learning		to be always ready and willing to do what someone wants
be bogged down Try not to get too bogged down in details start learning		to become so involved in something that you cannot do anything else
red flag to the bull start learning		infuriating or aggravating provocation; something that incites great anger or annoyance
be down in the dumps He looks a bit down in the dumps start learning		to be unhappy
be gagging for sth I was gagging for a pint of cold lager. start learning		to want something or want to do something very much
be glad/happy, etc to see the back of sb/sth" start learning		to be pleased when someone leaves or something ends because you did not like them
in full swing start learning		everything has started and there is a lot of activity
be in sb's good/bad books start learning		when someone is either pleased/angry with you
in the pipeline start learning		it is being developed and will happen in the future
be kicking about/around We've probably got a copy of the document kicking around the office. start learning		it is in a particular place, but nobody is using it or paying attention to it
be like chalk and cheese start learning		completely different from each other
be loaded down with sth start learning		to have too much to carry, or too much work to do
be lumbered with sth/sb I've been lumbered with my neighbours' cat while they're away start learning		to have to deal with something or someone that you do not want to
be on its last legs start learning		it will stop working soon because it is so old
be on the ball I didn't sleep well last night and I'm not really on the ball today. start learning		to be quick to understand and react to things
be on the cards (US in the cards) start learning		to be likely to happen
be par for the course "Simon was late." "That's just par for the course, isn't it?" start learning		(about type of behaviour, event, or situation) it is not good but it is normal or as you would expect
plain sailing (US smooth) start learning		very easy and without problems
be poles apart start learning		be complete opposites
rolling in it (rolling in money) If they can afford a yacht, they must be rolling in it start learning		to be extremely rich
be struck dumb start learning		to be unable to speak because you are so shocked or angry
be under sb's thumb start learning		be under sb's total control
be up in arms Local residents are up in arms over plans to close the swimming pool start learning		to be very upset and angry about something
be up to your neck (in sth) I'd like to help, but I'm up to my neck at the moment start learning		to be very busy
be waiting in the wings start learning		to be ready to do something or be used at any time
be pissing in the wind You can try to change her mind if you like, but you'll be pissing in the wind. start learning		to be trying to do something when there is no hope of succeeding
be teeming with sb/sth teeming with tourists start learning		to contain large numbers of people or animals
be thin on the ground Traditional bookshops are thin on the ground these days start learning		to exist only in small numbers or amounts
wide /way off the mark (US also off base) start learning		wrong, incorrect
be/get in a flap You shouldn't get in such a flap about things start learning		to be or become worried or excited
be/hang in the balance After a bad year, Judd's career hung in the balance start learning		nobody knows if it will continue to exist in the future or what will happen to it
be besieged by/with sb/sth start learning		to have lots of people asking you questions or making demands; to receive many demands or criticisms
bide your time start learning		to wait for an opportunity to do something
in the doghouse I'm in the doghouse - I broke Sara's favourite vase this morning start learning		when someone is annoyed with you and shows their disapproval
bring/take someone down a peg (or two) start learning		show someone they are not as important as they thought
black and blue start learning		covered with bruises
bite the bullet I'm going to bite the bullet and ask my boss for a pay rise. start learning		to make yourself do something or accept something difficult or unpleasant, to force yourself to do it or to be brave in a difficult situation
butter wouldn't melt in sb's mouth Tommy looked as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth start learning		used to say that someone looks as if they would never do anything wrong
by the scruff of the/your neck Cats carry their kittens by the scruff of the neck. I took/grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and threw him out of the hall. " start learning		by the skin at the back of the neck
by/in leaps and bounds start learning		(of progress) happening very quickly
let bygones be bygones start learning		something that you say to tell someone to forget about the unpleasant things in the past
on the whole; at large start learning		generally
by and large start learning		when everything about a situation is considered together
all things considered start learning		used when you are giving your opinion about something after thinking carefully about all the facts
all's fair in love and war start learning		a situation in which people do not follow the usual rules of behavior and do things that are normally considered unfair
(all) hot and bothered start learning		worried or angry, and sometimes physically hot
all things being equal All things being equal, I'll be at home on Tuesday start learning		if everything happens as expected
helicopter view Her role as a consultant is to take a helicopter view of how the business is managed start learning		a general description or opinion of a situation, rather than a detailed one
in all The bill came to £25 in all start learning		with everything added together to make a total
paint (sb/sth) with a broad brush / use a broad brush take a broad-brush approach; in broad brush terms; He is a details man, whereas his boss is broad-brush. start learning		to describe or consider someone or something in a very general way, without paying attention to small details or differences
by common consent They acquired the manuscripts for what was by common consent a very reasonable price start learning		most people agree
like a cat on a hot tin roof start learning		stressed out, unable to relax, very worried about something
let sleeping dogs lie start learning		not to disturb someone or not to remember problems that happened in the past
be barking up the wrong tree She thinks it'll solve the problem, but I think she's barking up the wrong tree. start learning		to be wrong about the reason for something or the way to achieve something
every dog has its day start learning		everyone will have good luck or success at some point in their lives
a leopard can’t / doesn't change its spots start learning		a person's character, especially if it is bad, will not change, even if they pretend that it will
grasping at straws start learning		trying to find some way to succeed when nothing you choose is likely to work; trying to find a reason to feel hopeful in a bad situation
like getting blood out of/from a stone start learning		you cannot extract what isn't there to begin with; trying to get something that cannot be obtained, regardless of how much force or persuasion is used
a rose is a rose is a rose start learning		when all is said and done, a thing is what it is
a stitch in time saves nine start learning		a small effort made at the right time might save a calamity later on.
a load of cobblers / a load of codswallop start learning		nonsense
a fly in the ointment start learning		a small flaw that spoils the whole
a bunch of fives start learning		a fist, as used in a fight
an arm and a leg start learning		very expensive, a large amount of money
amber nectar start learning		beer, lager
all thumbs start learning		clumsy or physically inept
bottle and glass start learning		cockney for arse
can't cut the mustard start learning		unable to meet the demands put upon you
burn the midnight oil start learning		to work late into the night
cherry ripe start learning		cockney for pipe
chow down start learning		begin to eat
cream crackered start learning		cockney for knackered
currant bun start learning		cockney for sun
cross that bridge when you come to it start learning		deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before
don't count your chickens before they hatch start learning		don't count on receiving some benefit until you actually have it
dog and bone start learning		cockney for telephone
discussing Uganda start learning		euphemism for sex (originated in the 70s, popularised in the satirical magazine Private Eye)
dicky dirt start learning		cockney for shirt
elephant's trunk start learning		cockney for drunk
everything but the kitchen's sink start learning		everything imaginable, a lot of things
fell of the back of a lorry start learning		a coy reference to an item that has been stolen
find your feet I didn't cope well when I started my new job but after a few weeks I began to find my feet. start learning		to become conscious of and develop one's expertise
frog and toad start learning		cockney for road
ginger beer start learning		cockney for queer
go belly (or tits) up The company has gone belly up - they had millions in debts and their only customer went elsewhere. start learning		become badly and permanently inoperative
go out on a limb start learning		take a risk to support someone or something
graveyard shift start learning		working hours that extend overnight
haste makes waste start learning		doing things in a rush makes for a poor result
hit the nail on the head start learning		make the precise correct point
miss the boat start learning		miss the chance to take an opportunity
like a chicken with its head cut off start learning		in a frenzied manner
no room to swing a cat start learning		an awkward or confined space
not playing with a full deck start learning		someone who lacks intelligence
(sitting) on the fence start learning		unwilling to give one's view about which side you support
pigs might fly start learning		said when referring to something that is highly unlikely
pull the wool over sb's eyes start learning		deceive someone
sparrow fart start learning		term for the early morning
the apple of my eye start learning		sb who is cherished above all others
knee jerk reaction start learning		a quick and automatic response
twist someone's arm start learning		persuade someone to do something they don't really want to do
the tail wagging the dog start learning		a small and usually insignificant factor (or person) dominates over one that is normally more powerful and influential.
tongue in cheek start learning		humorously, not to be taken seriously
up shit creek without a paddle start learning		in serious difficulty, with no hope of respite
you can lead a horse to water... (but you can't make it drink) start learning		you can encourage someone to to do something but, in the end, what they do is their own choice; you can make sth easy for someone, but you cannot force them to do anything
make one's flesh (or skin) crawl (or creep) start learning		to make someone feel disgusted, afraid, etc.
your guess is as good as mine start learning		I have no idea
know the ropes start learning		have experience of the appropriate procedures, understand how to do something
absence makes the heart grow fonder start learning		missing a person or a thing makes it more desirable
a little knowledge is a dangerous thing start learning		a small amount of knowledge can mislead people into thinking that they are more expert than they really are, which can lead to mistakes being made
all things come to those that wait start learning		it's worthwile to be patient
all things must pass start learning		everything's transitory
between two stools one falls to the ground start learning		to fail, due to being unable to choose between two alternatives
beggars can't be choosers start learning		if you request something to be given you should not question what you are given; similar to don't look a gift horse in the mouth
beauty is in the eye of the beholder start learning		beauty is subjective; not everyone has to like the same thing
the darkest hour is just before the dawn start learning		there is hope, even in the worst of circumstances
comparisons are odious start learning		used to suggest that to compare two different things or persons is unhelpful or misleading
the course of true love never did run smooth start learning		from Shakespear, true love always encounters difficulties
a rolling stone gathers no moss start learning		someone who does not settle in one place rarely prospers
cut off your nose to spite your face (don't) start learning		to disadvantage yourself in order to do harm to an adversary; don't do something to harm your enemies and end up harming yourself
pearls before swine start learning		to give or offer something valuable to someone who does not understand its value
don't change horses in midstream start learning		choose a sensible moment to change your mind
a change is as good as a rest start learning		a change of work or occupation can be as restorative or refreshing as a period of relaxation
to put the cart before the horse start learning		reverse the accepted or logical order of things
don't try to teach your Grandma to suck eggs start learning		don't offer advice to someone who has more experience than oneself
familiarity breeds contempt start learning		a close long-term relationship with a person or situation brings about feelings of boredom or lack of respect
forewarned is forearmed start learning		advance warning provides an advantag
honey catches more flies than vinegar start learning		the idea that it is more effective to be polite and ingratiating than to be hostile or demanding
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise start learning		Early to rise and early to bed makes a male healthy and wealthy and dead
don't throw the baby out with the bathwater start learning		don't discard something valuable along with something undesirable
marry in haste, repent at leisure start learning		those who rush impetuously into marriage may spend a long time regretting doing so
once bitten, twice shy start learning		when someone is hurt doing something, they are wary of doing it again for fear of being hurt a second time; often used to describe someone hurt by a failed romance
there's no fool like an old fool start learning		People of mature years, who are expected to know better, often do outrageously foolish things, especially regarding romantic liaisons.
needs must if needs must, they will eat any food start learning		it is or was necessary or unavoidable
more haste, less speed start learning		if you try and do something quickly you will make mistakes and take longer in the end
mighty oaks from little acorns grow start learning		great things may come from small beginnings
look before you leap start learning		check that you are clear what is ahead of you before making a decision that you cannot go back on
let not the sun go down on your wrath start learning		do not hold on to your anger for more than one day, don't go to bed angry
the rich get richer and the poor get poorer start learning		the richer you are the more relatively rich you become and, for the poor, vice-versa.
don't keep a dog and bark yourself start learning		advice that you should not pay someone to do a task and then do it yourself
you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs start learning		you can't accomplish something worthwhile without creating adverse effects
hold with the hare and run with the hounds start learning		to deceitfully purport to remain on good terms with both sides in a conflict
a watched pot never boils start learning		time seems to go slower when you are anxiously waiting for something to happen
long in the tooth start learning		old (of age)
to grin and bear it start learning		suffer pain or misfortune in a stoical manner

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