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39 Cards in this Set
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- Back
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GO TO TOWN [ON/WITH SOMETHING] |
To do something eagerly and as completely as possible; to engage in an activity with excessive energy or excitement. Ex: Once again he had too much gel in his hair. He really seemed to have gone to town with it. |
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LEAST SAID, SOONEST MENDED |
Used to say that a bad event or situation can be forgotten more easily if people do not talk about it. Ex: I've always thought it best not to dwell on grievances too long. Least said, soonest mended. |
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IT'S NO BOTHER |
We say this to somebody to reassure them that we are happy to help them. Ex: Let me pick up the children from school, it’s no bother. |
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AT LONG LAST |
Finally, after a long delay. Ex: At long last the bus arrived. |
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TONGUE-TIED |
Having difficulty speaking because you're shy, embarrassed or nervous. Ex: Joe wanted to ask Liz out but he was tongue-tied. |
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BE UP WITH THE LARK |
Be out of bed early. Ex: Dylan was up with the lark this morning as he had to catch a 6 a.m. flight. |
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SPEAK OF THE DEVIL! |
We use this expression when somebody we're talking about unexpectedly appears. Ex: Did you hear John's getting married? Oh, look! Speak of the devil! Here comes John now. |
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HAVE A LIE-DOWN |
Have a short rest (lying down). Ex: I'm feeling very sleepy. I think I'll have a lie-down on the sofa. |
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NO SOAP (USA) |
No; no chance of something to happen; no hope of some outcome. Ex: Bea and I tried to find work at the Drive Ins. It was no soap anywhere. |
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BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DEEP BLUE SEA |
In difficulty, faced with two dangerous alternatives.
Ex: For most people a visit to the dentist is the result of a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea. (Equivalent to "Between a rock and a hard place") |
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(AS) DRY AS A BONE |
Very dry. Ex: I could hardly eat the chicken at the restaurant. It was as dry as a bone. |
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SMELL TO HIGH HEAVEN |
Smell very bad. Ex: Ugh! The house smells to high heaven. Have you been cooking cabbage? |
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IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS |
By very large degrees; rapidly or in quick progress forward. |
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ASK FOR THE MOON |
Ask for something that is very hard or impossible to get. Ex: David just wants a small pay rise. He's not exactly asking for the moon. |
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IN TWO SHAKES (OF A LAMB'S TAIL) |
Very soon. In a very short time; very quickly. Ex: Don't worry. I'll be there in two shakes! |
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UNTIL THE COWS COME HOME |
It means to wait for a very long time. Ex: I could sit here and argue with you until the cows come home, but it wouldn't solve anything. |
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WAYS TO SAY IT'S VERY HOT... |
1. It's a real scorcher. 2. It's boiling hot! 3. We're having a heatwave! 4. It's like a furnace outside! 5. We're in the dog days of summer. |
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INFORMAL WAYS TO TELL PEOPLE NOT TO BE LAZY... |
1. Don't be so lazy 2. Get off your backside 3. Don't waste the day 4. Don't be such a couch potato |
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WAYS TO SAY YOU DON'T WANT MORE FOOD... |
1. I'm full 2. I've had plenty 3. I've had enough 4. I couldn't eat another thing 5. I'm stuffed |
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WAYS TO SAY YOU DON'T FEEL WELL... |
1. I'm unwell 2. I feel lousy 3. I feel sick 4. I'm under the weather 5. I'm the worse for wear (after drinking too much alcohol) |
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WAYS TO SAY THE TRAFFIC IS BAD... |
1. It's gridlocked 2. It's bumper-to-bumper 3. It's going at a snail's pace 4. It's like a car park 5. I'm stuck in a jam |
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WAYS TO SAY YOU ARE FRIGHTENED... |
1. I'm shaking like a leaf 2. It makes my blood run cold 3. It gives me the creeps 4. I'm scared stiff 5. I'm scared to death |
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WAYS TO SAY SOMEONE IS TALENTED... |
1. You're a natural 2. You've got a gift for it 3. You're cut out for it 4. You were born to do it |
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WAYS TO SAY YOU'LL SPEND LAVISHLY... |
1. I'll go on a shopping spree 2. I'll go on a shopping binge 3. I'll spend money like water 4. I'll push the boat out 5. I'll splash out. |
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WAYS TO SAY "I HAVE NO MONEY"... |
1. I'm flat broke 2. I'm skint 3. I'm penniless 4. I'm strapped for cash |
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FIVE WAYS TO EXAGGERATE! |
1. I nearly died of embarrassment: I was very embarrassed 2. I'm starving: I'm very hungry 3. I'm dying for...: I need... 4. I'm sick to death of...: I'm fed up with... 5. Killing me: hurting me |
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PHRASES CONNECTED TO THE WORD HAPPY |
Full of the joys of spring - very happy/cheerful On cloud 9 - Very happy Music to my ears - information that makes you happy Thrilled to bits - excited and pleased |
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PHRASES CONNECTED TO THE WORD SECRET |
Mum's the word - keep it a secret My lips are sealed - I won't tell anybody Keep it under wraps - keep it a secret Keep it to yourself - Don't tell anybody |
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PHRASES CONNECTED TO THE WORD PICTURE |
Get the picture - Understand the situation Out of the picture - Not involved in a partiular situation any more The big picture - the situation as a whole Put (someone) in the picture - explain to someone exactly what is happening |
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PHRASES CONNECTED TO THE WORD "WORLD" |
To be in a world of your own - To not be aware of what's happening around you The world's your oyster - Lots of wonderful experiences are possible It's not the end of the world - It's not the worst thing that could happen To do someone the world of good - To make someone feel much healthier or happier |
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ME TIME |
That's what you call the time you have for yourself, to do just what you want. Ex: When I put on my headphones, it's me time. |
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LAUGHING STOCK |
Someone who is ridiculed or mocked. |
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THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING |
It means you can only judge the quality of something after you've tried it or used it. (Originally "The proof of the pudding is in the eating"). |
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BUTTER SOMEONE UP |
To be specially nice to someone in the hope they'll do something good for you in return. Ex: A student tried to butter the teacher up. |
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ONLY JUST |
Almost not. Ex1: Pete only just passed his exam (= he almost didn't pass). Ex2: I only just caught the train. |
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PHRASES CONNECTED TO THE WORD PICTURE |
Get the picture - Understand the situation Out of the picture - Not involved in a partiular situation any more The big picture - the situation as a whole Put (someone) in the picture - explain to someone exactly what is happening |
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PHRASES CONNECTED TO THE WORD "WORLD" |
To be in a world of your own - To not be aware of what's happening around you The world's your oyster - Lots of wonderful experiences are possible It's not the end of the world - It's not the worst thing that could happen To do someone the world of good - To make someone feel much healthier or happier |
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LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED |
An expression that means to do everything possible to try to find or achieve something. Ex: In searching for a nice place to live, we left no stone unturned. |
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TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY |
An expression that describes making a bad situation even worse. Ex: My car barely started this morning, and to add insult to injury, I got a flat tire in the driveway. |
