Useful Idioms – part 46
Be past/pass one’s sell-by date = If someone is past their sell-by date, that person is not wanted or considered useful any more because they are too old. There is plenty of time to have a baby. I am not past my sell-by date yet. The company is forcing my mother to retire because they think she’s past her sell-by date. That player is definitely past his sell-by date; he hasn’t had a good season in years. Be stuck in a rut = too fixed…
Useful Idioms – part 45
Leave a sour taste in one’s mouth = to leave a bad feeling or memory with someone.( a negative impression). The way they conducted the interview left a sour taste in my mouth. I don’t think I’d accept the job even if they offered it. I know Jim is your friend, but he was so rude at dinner; it just left a sour taste in my mouth. The way the waitress treated us left a sour taste in my mouth and I never went back.…
Useful Idioms – part 44
Chink in one’s armour = A minor but very detrimental flaw or weakness. Yeah, he’s brilliant, but his violent temper has destroyed many business relationships. It’s really the chink in his armour. Putting things off to the last minute is the chink in Mary’s armour and is bound to get her in trouble one day. Whet one’s appetite = to awaken a desire/ increase the feeling/stimulate appetite or desire; to sharpen the blade of( a tool or weapon). Cinemas use trailers to whet viewers’ appetite…
Useful Idioms – part 43
Be caught in the crossfire = be involved in an unpleasant situation in which people are arguing with each other, though you do not want to be involved. They say they are caught in the crossfire between the education establishment and the government. Burn one’s bridges (boats) = do something which makes it impossible to return to an earlier state. I think you really burned your bridges when you announced you were quitting and proceeded to insult your boss in front of the whole staff.…
Useful Idioms – part 42
Run around like headless chickens = to act frantically without control, with haste and in a careless/senseless manner – They are panicking when they should be thinking carefully. He ran around like a headless chicken after he missed his flight to the US. It is important to get everything organised for the meeting today so that we don’t end up running around like headless chickens. Instead of running around like a headless chicken, make a list of the things you need to finish and then…
Useful Idioms – part 41
Have butterflies in stomach = feel very nervous. I always have butterflies in my stomach just before an exam. As it was his first stage performance he had butterflies in his stomach. The law of the jungle = a situation in which there are no laws or rules to govern the way that people behave. A state of ruthless competition or self interest.( A system or mode of action in which the strongest survive, presumably as animals.) The recent price war among airlines was governed…
Useful Idioms – part 40
Wouldn’t hurt a fly = totally harmless and would never hurt anyone. You needn’t to be afraid of him. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. Give someone free rein = give someone complete freedom.( reins are what you hold in your hands to control a horse when riding) They’ve given me free rein to do whatever I like in this new job. Make a beeline for = go quickly and directly to. As soon the meeting was over, we all made a beeline for the food.
Useful Idioms – part39
One’s best bet = the best thing one can do to achieve the results one wants; the action or idea that is most likely to be successful. At this hour, taking the highway is your best bet if you want to get there on time. The pilot’s best bet was to make an emergency landing. This method of testing is the best bet for getting an unconditional result. When the chips are down = when you are in a difficult situation, especially one which tests…
Useful Idioms – part 38
Be wide of the mark = be wrong or miss what you were trying to hit; incorrect or not accurate. Yesterday’s weather forecast was a little wide of the mark Watch out, the arrow is going wide of the mark! I thought I knew what real estate costs around here, but I was wide of the mark. Do something on the spur of the moment = do something suddenly without planning; on impulse. ( spur= metal on boot which makes horse go faster – related…
Useful Idioms – part 37
Follow suit = do the same as everyone else has just done. If you keep your things tidy, the others may follow suit. If you sign the contract, others will soon follow suit. When one airline reduces its ticket prices, the rest usually follow suit. Take the plunge = to make a decision or do something important or difficult that you have been thinking or doing for a long time. She wondered whether to enter for the race, but decided to take the plunge. If…