Idioms5

Front 1

Boxing Day

Boxing Day - the day after Christmas, which is a public holiday in the UK, or the first Monday after Christmas if Christmas is on Friday or Saturday. It is called 'Boxing Day' because traditionally it was the day when servants were given a 'Christmas box'

Back 1

w Anglii - drugi dzień Świąt Bożego Narodzenia

Front 2

to paint the town red

Let's paint the town red, boys! That was a difficult test and we all did well. We need to celebrate it.

Back 2

świetnie się bawić (zwykle chodząc od baru do baru)

Front 3

to put sb's back up

The way he discussed things with her really put her back up.

Back 3

denerwować, drażnić

Front 4

to call a spade a spade

Stop moaning that that you don't like the idea! Just go to your boss and call a spade a spade!

Back 4

nazywać rzeczy po imieniu

Front 5

to put the brakes on

I think we will have to put the brakes on spending so much money on leisure activities.

Back 5

przestać coś robić

Front 6

with bated breath

They waited for the news with bated breath.

Back 6

ze wstrzymanym oddechem

Front 7

square meal

No wonder you feel sick! All you've been eating recently are those instant soups! Get yourself one square meal a day and you will be fine.

Back 7

porządny, solidny posiłek

Front 8

give-and-take

You can't insist on having that your way. There must be some sort of give-and-take

Back 8

kompromis

Front 9

put sb through hell

Our boss put us through hell before he admitted that actually it wasn't our fault that we had failed with the deadline.

Back 9

zrobić komuś piekło na ziemi, spowodować cierpienie

Front 10

to give sb five

That was great! Give me five!

Back 10

przybić komuś piątkę

Front 11

to hold water

This theory was easy to abolish - the arguments simply didn't hold water.

Back 11

być sensownym, dać się udowodnić

Front 12

hush money

Many politicians are believed to accept hush money.

Back 12

łapówka

Front 13

to eat sb's words

The President went too far. I think that public opinion will force him to eat his words

Back 13

odszczekać coś, przyznać się do błędu

Front 14

in sb's birthday suit

He was a very controversial figure - he happened to appear on stage in his birthday suit.

Back 14

nago

Front 15

to take the floor

We know the opinion of the prosecutor. Let the defence take the floor now.

Back 15

przemawiać, zabrać głos w dyskusji

Front 16

spitting image of sb

Believe it or not but he is the spitting image of Dan Ackroyd.

Back 16

uderzająco podobny do kogoś

Front 17

budding scientist

The Academy authorities think he is a budding scientist so he is pampered with grants and scholarships.

Back 17

obiecujący naukowiec

Front 18

at the crack of dawn

We have to set off at the crack of dawn tomorrow - it gets scorching hot during the day and travelling then is not possible.

Back 18

o brzasku, o świcie

Front 19

to know sth like the back of sb's hand

I can be your guide in this city - I grew up here so I know the place like the back of my hand.

Back 19

znać coś jak własną kieszeń

Front 20

to be as sober as a judge

You may not believe me but I know what I saw - I was sober as a judge when it happened.

Back 20

zupełnie trzeźwy, trzeźwy jak świnia

Front 21

to stick sb's neck out

Jack says he is not a coward, he just doesn't like to stick his neck out if it isn't absolutely necessary.

Back 21

narażać się, podejmować ryzyko, nadstawiać karku

Front 22

hide-and-seek

Let's play hide-and-seek! I'm seeking first...

Back 22

zabawa w chowanego

Front 23

to fly off the handle

I swear - one more remark like this and I will fly off the handle!

Back 23

wyjść z siebie, wściec się

Front 24

to labour the point

Don't even bother asking him! He will labour the point for ages, and I think you need the answer pretty fast.

Back 24

rozwodzić się nad czymś, wałkować coś

Front 25

a big noise

This guy is said to be a big noise in drug trafficking. The police have been after him for a long time.

Back 25

wielka szycha

Front 26

to be after sb's own heart

This guy is after my own heart - I think it is worth making friends with him.

Back 26

o podobnych poglądach, upodobaniach

Front 27

to burn rubber

He has got another ticket! He simply can't drive if he doesn't burn rubber!

Back 27

palić gumę, wciskać gaz do dechy

Front 28

(not) give a toss

I don't give a toss that you are tired. You are supposed to finish it today! (nic mnie nie obchodzi, że...)

Back 28

nie obchodzić, nie interesować (w przeczeniach)

Front 29

take a hike!

He got so annoying that finally I told him to take a hike.

Back 29

spływaj !

Front 30

Stand and deliver!'

I said - stand and deliver or the devil he may take ya!'(Metallica "Whiskey in the Jar")

Back 30

pieniądze, albo życie