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121 Cards in this Set
- Front
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White elephant |
White elephant [ C usually singular ] disapproving something that has cost a lot of money but has no useful purpose |
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A white lie
He told a (little) white lie as his excuse for missing the party. |
a lie about a small or unimportant matter that someone tells to avoid hurting another person
He told a (little) white lie as his excuse for missing the party.
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white-collar |
white-collar adjective [ before noun ]
relating to people who work in offices, doing work that needs mental rather than physical effort:
The company plans to cut 1,450 white-collar jobs as part of a restructuring.
white-collar professionals/staff/workers |
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Blue-collar |
blue-collar adjective [ before noun ] Blue-collar workers do work needing strength or physical skill rather than office work. |
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Out of the blue One day, out of the blue, she announced that she was leaving. |
If something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected:
One day, out of the blue, she announced that she was leaving. |
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Have the blues |
informal to feel sad |
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Have Blue blood |
If you say that someone has blue blood, you mean that they are from a family that has a high social rank. |
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Paint the town Paint the town red |
paint the town red informal(also paint the town)
to go out and enjoy yourself by drinking alcohol, dancing, laughing with friends, etc.:
I'm ready to paint the town red with a few of my closest friends.
We're on our way to paint the town. |
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Red tape (U)
Disapproving We must cut through the red tape. |
[ U ] disapproving
official rules and processes that seem unnecessary and delay results:
We must cut through the red tape. |
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Red herring He deliberately threw a red herring into the conversation. |
an unimportant fact, idea, event, etc. that takes people’s attention away from the important ones
He deliberately threw a red herring into the conversation. |
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A golden parachute |
A golden parachute is an agreement to pay a large amount of money to a senior executive of a company if they are forced to leave. The company and a CEO agree to the terms of a golden parachute prior to the CEO's appointment, which then become part of the CEO's employment contract. |
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Manly |
If you describe a man's behaviour or appearance as manly, you approve of it because it shows qualities that are considered typical of a man, such as strength or courage. |
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Said no one ever |
Usually it is said by younger people as a joke after a phrase that is not true or not usually said.
For example someone could say "I really love doing homework, said no one ever" to make a joke about how nobody likes to do their homework |
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Blemishes عيوب في الوجه |
Blemishes |
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Red herring |
[ C ] a fact, idea, or subject that takes people's attention away from the central point being considered: The police investigated many clues, but they were all red herrings. |
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Green with envy |
to be very unhappy because someone has something that you want:
Chad is heading off to Spain for the week, and I'm green with envy. They were green with envy over the neighbors' new boat. |
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I'll/we'll cross that bridge when I/we come/get to it |
an expression that means you will not worry about a possible future problem but will deal with it if it happens
I don't know how we'll pay the bills if you quit your job, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
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The icing on the cake. |
Used in a fanny way to say that something bad happened made an already bad situation even worse. I lost my job today and the fact that my car broke down was the icing on the cake. |
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In two minds I'm in two minds about (hiring) him: he seems well-qualified, but he doesn't have much experience. |
not decided or certain about something : having two opinions or ideas about something
I'm in two minds about (hiring) him: he seems well-qualified, but he doesn't have much experience.
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Make a mountain out of a molehill يعمل من الحبة قبة |
Make a mountain out of a molehill |
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On the front burner (Priority) On the back burner |
On the front burner |
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Cross my mind خطر على بالك
What was the first thing that crossed your mind when you won the prize? [ + (that) ] It never crossed my mind (= I never thought) that she might be married. |
If an idea crosses your mind, you think about it for a short time:
What was the first thing that crossed your mind when you won the prize?
[ + (that) ] It never crossed my mind (= I never thought) that she might be married. |
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Food for thought
Lord Fraser's speech offers much food for thought. Developments in your career may give you food for thought. |
If you give someone food for thought, you make them think carefully about something.
Lord Fraser's speech offers much food for thought.
Developments in your career may give you food for thought. |
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A gut feeling gut feeling/instinct/reaction |
gut feeling/instinct/reaction
a feeling that you are certain is right, although you can give no good reason why
Beverly had a gut feeling there was something seriously wrong. |
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Lose the plot
If someone loses the plot, they become confused and do not know what they should do. [informal]The Tories have lost the plot on law and order. |
If someone loses the plot, they become confused and do not know what they should do.
[informal]The Tories have lost the plot on law and order.
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Miles away |
mainly UK to not be conscious of what is happening around you because you are thinking about something else:
You could tell by the expression on her face that she was miles away, thinking about home. |
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Mind like a sieve |
informal : to have a very bad memory : to be unable to remember things |
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Lose the plot She was so nervous she thought she was going to lose the plot. |
British, informal
: to become confused or crazy
She was so nervous she thought she was going to lose the plot.
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Food for thought |
something that makes you think a lot about a particular subject Thanks for your comments – they have given us plenty of food for thought. |
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An ice breaker |
A fun activity used for breaking the ice |
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Get off on the wrong foot
To start a relationship or an activity badly We got off on the wrong foot the first time we met, but she is my best friend now. |
To start a relationship or an activity badly
We got off on the wrong foot the first time we met, but she is my best friend now. |
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Get on like a house on fire |
I only had a conversation with her, and we got on like a house on fire. |
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Get on someone's nerves Makes you annoyed |
Makes you annoyed |
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Give you the cold shoulder |
If someone gives you the cold shoulder, they start stoping being friendly with you and start ignoring you. |
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Go way back to have known each other for a long time Don't worry about tom,I will talk to him.he and I go way back. |
to have known each other for a long time
Don't worry about tom,I will talk to him.he and I go way back. |
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Talk At cross purposes
I think we've been talking at cross purposes - I meant next year, not this year.
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If two or more people are at cross purposes, they do not understand each other because they are talking about different subjects without realizing this:
I think we've been talking at cross purposes - I meant next year, not this year.
He realized that they have been talking at cross purposes. They were not offering him the job. |
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Come out of your shell Something brings someone out of their shell. |
To become less shy and more confident
Something brings someone out of their shell. |
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(straight) from the horse's mouth |
If you hear something (straight) from the horse's mouth, you hear it from the person who has direct personal knowledge of it. |
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Get your lines crossed
Get your wires crossed
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To have a misunderstanding or miscommunication with someone else. I'm sorry I'm late, I thought we were getting here at 8—we must have gotten our lines crossed. My mom and I got our lines crossed, and now there's no one here to babysit the kids. I am sorry I am late, I thought we were getting here at 8. We must have gotten our wires crossed.
We got our wires crossed for a minute there—I thought you were asking me something else.
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Go off at a tangent
Go off on a tangent Read it |
go off on a tangent
(UK also go/fly off at a tangent) to suddenly start talking or thinking about a completely new subject:
It's hard to get a firm decision out of him - he's always going off on a tangent. |
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Leave someone in the lurch |
If someone leaves you in the lurch, they go away or stop helping you at a very difficult time. |
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To be on the same wavelength Read it |
(of two or more people) to think in a similar way and to understand each other well:
What makes the problem worse is that Howard and Tina are not on the same wavelength about how to deal with it. |
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Be on the same wavelength
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(of two or more people) to think in a similar way and to understand each other well:
What makes the problem worse is that Howard and Tina are not on the same wavelength about how to deal with it. |
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Get the hang of something يتقن |
get the hang of something
to learn how to do something, esp. when it is not simple or obvious:
I’ll teach you how to use the design program – you’ll get the hang of it after a while. |
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Get the picture وصلت الصورة |
Get the picture |
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Get the wrong end of the stick Get hold of the wrong end of the stick |
(informal) If someone gets the wrong end of the stick or gets hold of the wrong end of the stick, they do not understand something correctly and get the wrong idea about it. |
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Get the wrong end of the stick
Get hold of the wrong end of the stick |
I think I get hold of the wrong end of the stick maybe she was pointing out someone else,not me.
You’ve got the wrong end of the stick, she is not going abroad, and I am going instead. You've got (hold of) the wrong end of the stick. He didn't push me; I fell. |
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Get your head around something |
To start to understand it |
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Grey area |
an area or situation in which it is difficult to judge what is right and what is wrong
There are no gray areas in the rules.
a legal gray area As with any law there will be gray areas, and different schools will interpret it in different ways.
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Intuition |
[ C/U ] an ability to understand or know something without needing to think about it or use reason to discover it, or a feeling that shows this ability: [ U ] You should trust your intuition in making your decision. [ C ] Hank’s intuitions were right. |
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Heed |
[ T ] formal to pay attention to something, especially advice or a warning: |
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Slippery |
If something is slippery, it is wet or smooth so that it slides easily or causes something to slide: slippery soap a slippery floor The road was wet and slippery. |
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Rip the band-aid off |
To tell someone the harsh truth knowing its gonna hurt. I know you dont wanna tell her but sometimes you gotta rip off the bandaid... |
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The streets of Kabul were jammed with cars. |
The streets of Kabul were jammed with cars. |
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People flooded the airports. |
People flooded the airports. |
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The fall of Saigon |
The fall of Saigon |
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Sieve |
Sieve |
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Manifestly |
adverb formal very obviously: |
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Contrary to Contrary to all our expectations, he found a well-paid job and a nice girlfriend. |
Contrary to all our expectations, he found a well-paid job and a nice girlfriend. |
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Idiotic (Read it) |
showing complete lack of thought or common sense : FOOLISH
an idiotic question
found his excuses idiotic |
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Wring someone's neck
used for emphasizing that you are very angry at someone: I could wring her neck for getting me in such trouble. |
wring someone’s neck used for emphasizing that you are very angry at someone:
I could wring her neck for getting me in such trouble.
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Footrace a race run by humans on foot |
a race run by humans on foot |
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Midterm elections |
Midterm elections |
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A Blowout
Read it |
[C] (PARTY) US informal
a large party or social occasion |
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Put two and two together Read it |
to make a correct guess based on what one has seen or heard : to figure something out
You weren't home so I put two and two together and went back to your office to find you.
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put two and two together and make five Read it |
informal humorous to understand a particular situation wrongly, often in a way that is more shocking or exciting than the truth:
"Why in the world did she think you were pregnant?" "I was sick a couple of times, and I guess she just put two and two together and made five." |
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Let me explain to you as I don't want you to jump to the conclusion that this is your fault. |
Let me explain to you as I don't want you to jump to the conclusion that this is your fault. |
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Leap to conclusions |
Jump to conclusions |
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Read between the lines Read it |
She said that she could afford buying the house but reading between the lines, I think she doesn't have enough money. |
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Read between the lines! |
Giving the middle finger without giving it. This is a clever and hidden way of giving the middle finger. |
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Up to speed with /on something
The board of directors will have to be brought up to speed on these new developments. |
Being aware of what is going on in a situation
having the latest information on a situation
The board of directors will have to be brought up to speed on these new developments. |
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Bring someone up to speed on / with something |
To make someone familiar with what is going on |
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Take something on board تدرس |
take something on board to consider an idea, problem, or situation and try to deal with it
The committee will certainly take your opinions on board before making a decision. |
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Put together Read it |
adjective Very physically attractive, as in one's physique or one's fashion (or both).
Wow, you look so well put together in that new suit!
I've been really paying attention to my diet, as well as getting enough sleep and exercise, and I feel a lot more put together recently as a result. |
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If something is Bomb Diggity, it means that it is really good. It is the best thing ever. |
If something is Bomb Diggity, it means that it is really good. It is the best thing ever. |
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Do you Christmas shop? |
Do you Christmas shop? |
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A Deal Breaker Read it |
dealbreaker [ C ] informal
something that is important enough to you to prevent you from agreeing to something, buying something, etc.:
The bathroom is downstairs, but weighed against all the other great features, perhaps that isn't a dealbreaker. |
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A Deal-breaker Read it |
something that causes somebody to reject a deal in politics or business
The candidate's support for the war is the deal-breaker (= people will not vote for the candidate because of it).
I would have bought the house, but the small backyard was the deal-breaker for me. |
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To State the obvious |
to tell people things they already know |
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Millennials Read it |
millennial
[ C usually plural ]
a person who was born in the 1980s, 1990s, or early 2000s:
Millennials have grown up with the internet and can't imagine a world without it |
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Capitol hill the US Congress |
the US Congress
He was Capitol Hill’s most militant health-care campaigner. |
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A Necessary evil Read it |
something unpleasant that must be accepted in order to achieve a particular result:
I think he regards work as a necessary evil.
Most Americans accept taxes as a necessary evil. |
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Impeachment Read it |
impeachment [ C or U ] LAW, GOVERNMENT
especially in the US, the action of formally accusing a public official of a serious offence in connection with their job: |
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A Quid pro quo For Read it |
[ C ] formal
something that you give to someone in return for them giving something back to you:
a quid pro quo for sth
It's all legal as long as contributions aren't a quid pro quo for political favors |
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The state of the Union speech Read it |
A State of the Union speech or address is a speech, given once a year, in which the president of the United States talks about the current political issues that affect the country as a whole and about his plans for the year ahead. |
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Settle down Read it |
to get into a comfortable position, either sitting or lying
She settled down in an armchair to watch television.
I settled down with a book. |
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A booster is also someone who is an enthusiastic supporter of something. |
A booster is also someone who is an enthusiastic supporter of something. |
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The affordable Care act |
The affordable Care act |
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Policy Read it |
[C] (DOCUMENT)
a document showing an agreement you have made with an insurance company:
a life-insurance policy |
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In polite company |
in polite company : in formal settings : with people you do not know well It's not something you should talk about in polite company. |
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A moat |
: a deep and wide trench around the rampart of a fortified place (such as a castle) that is usually filled with water |
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Meatball Read it |
[ C ]
one of several small balls of meat that are eaten hot, often with a sauce:
spaghetti and meatballs |
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Sob Read it |
[ I ] -bb-
to cry noisily, taking in deep breaths:
I found her sobbing in the bedroom because she'd broken her favourite doll.
You're not going to help matters by lying there sobbing! |
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To have an attitude |
This is a little difficult to define. To have an attitude means you behave somewhat arrogantly or disrepectfully. Read it |
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Off the top of my head (a guess) Read it |
How much does this house cost?
Off the top of my head, I'd say about 100 thousand dollars.
"How much can we expect to earn this quarter?"
B: "Off the top of my head, it should be around $200,000, but I'll have to check the figures when I get to the office." |
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Off your head (UK)
Foolish or strange |
You must be off your head to live in this very expensive city after losing your own job. |
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Off your head (UK) Read it |
to not be in control of your behaviour because you have drunk too much alcohol or taken drugs:
Hannah was off her head as usual. |
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if a question or comment is On the tip of your tongue you want to say it but you stop yourself.
Read it |
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her that I saw him with another girl but I said nothing. |
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On the tip of your tongue
You know something but you can't remember it. Read it |
Do you remember that guy?
What was his name? What was his name? it is on the tip of my tongue.
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Out of your mind (US)
Off your head (UK) |
Off your head |
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out of your mind with worry |
Extremely worried |
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Out of your mind with boredom |
Extremely bored |
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Friday the 13th
It is Friday the 13th. Read it |
Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. |
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Superstition Read it |
[ C or U ]
belief that is not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, but is connected with old ideas about magic, etc.:
According to superstition, if you walk under a ladder it brings you bad luck.
I don't believe in the old superstition that the number 13 is unlucky. |
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A Lucky penny |
A Lucky penny |
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Copper-colored hair |
Copper-colored hair |
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Cranky Read it |
informal
strange and unusual:
She's a member of a group that promotes cranky ideas about food and exercise. |
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Cranky Read it |
Easily annoyed and angry |
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Rack your brain (brains)
Wrack your brain (old fashioned) Read it |
to think very hard in order to try to remember something, solve a problem, etc.
I've been racking my brain, but I can't remember his name.
They asked me for fresh ideas so I spent the whole day trying to get some of them.
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Ring a bell |
Her name rings a bell, but i don't remember where I heard it. |
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Teepee / tepee/tipi Read it |
[ C ]
a type of tent in the shape of a cone made from animal skins that was the traditional shelter of some Native Americans
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Pleather |
pleather [ U ] an artificial material made to look like leather:pleather seats |
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A Tie-breaker or tie-break |
A tie-breaker is an extra question or round that decides the winner of a competition or game when two or more people have the same score at the end. |
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Nana |
[ C ] informal child's word for a grandmother: [ as form of address ] Will you read me a story, Nana? |
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A Petting zoo |
petting zoo [ C ]
an open area where small or young animals are kept that children can hold, touch, and sometimes feed |
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Inadequate |
not confident enough to deal with a situation: Maddie's a real expert on art, so I feel completely inadequate whenever I talk to her about it. |
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Anecdote [countable, uncountable] |
[countable, uncountable] a short, interesting, or amusing story about a real person or event amusing anecdotes about his brief career as an actor The book is a rich store of anecdote. |
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Kick off |
informal to begin:Indonesia's parliamentary election campaign kicked off at the weekend. That era was when advertising really kicked off as an industry. |
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A Book tour |
[ C ] MARKETING
a series of visits to bookstores that a writer makes, especially when they have written a new book:
He'll be going on a book tour in the spring to promote his latest novel. |
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Wring |
wring [ T ] to twist something by holding it tightly and turning your hands in opposite directions:
[ M ] She wrung out the shirt and hung it up to dry. |
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Pigeon |
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