IDIOMS master - Part2 - The IDIOMS Maestro

IDIOMS

1. Read Between the Lines

Meaning: To understand the hidden meaning or to infer something that is not explicitly stated. Example: When Lisa said she was "fine," I could read between the lines and tell that she was actually upset about something.
Explanation: This idiom implies that the true message is not directly stated but is implied, and you need to look beyond the obvious to understand the real meaning.

2. Play to the Gallery

Meaning: To act in an exaggerated way to appeal to popular taste or to gain approval from an audience.
Example: During the debate, the politician played to the gallery by making grand promises he couldn't keep, just to get applause from the audience.
Explanation: This idiom means someone is performing or speaking in a way designed to get attention and approval, rather than being sincere or addressing the real issues.

3. Sitting on the Fence

Meaning: To remain neutral and not take sides in a dispute or argument.
Example: When asked about the new policy, Sarah was sitting on the fence, saying she could see both sides of the argument but not committing to either.
Explanation: This idiom suggests someone is avoiding making a decision or taking a stance, like someone physically sitting on a fence who has not jumped down to either side.

4. No Love Lost Between

Meaning: There is mutual dislike or hostility between people.
Example: Ever since their argument, there's been no love lost between Tom and Jerry—they can't stand being in the same room.
Explanation: This idiom means that two people do not like each other at all. The phrase indicates that any potential love or affection is completely absent.

5. To Be Always at His Beck and Call

Meaning: To be ready to do whatever someone asks at any time.
Example: Jane felt exhausted because she was always at her boss's beck and call, responding to emails and calls at all hours.
Explanation: This idiom means someone is always available to respond to the demands or requests of another person, implying a lack of personal freedom or autonomy.

6. The Pros and Cons

Meaning: The advantages and disadvantages of something.
Example: Before deciding to move to a new city, they discussed the pros and cons, like better job opportunities but higher living costs.
Explanation: This idiom is used when weighing the positive and negative aspects of a decision or situation, helping to make a balanced judgment.

7. Turned a Deaf Ear

Meaning: To ignore or refuse to listen to someone or something.
Example: Despite the warnings about the weather, he turned a deaf ear and went sailing anyway, leading to a dangerous situation.
Explanation: This idiom suggests someone is deliberately ignoring advice, requests, or information, as if they cannot hear it.

8. At One’s Wit’s End

Meaning: To be very worried or upset because you have tried everything possible to solve a problem but have no more ideas or energy.
Example: After trying every method to calm her crying baby, Emily was at her wit's end and didn’t know what to do next.
Explanation: This idiom indicates a state of extreme frustration or stress, where a person feels they have run out of options.

9. To Fight Tooth and Nail

Meaning: To try very hard to achieve something or to oppose someone very strongly.
Example: The two companies fought tooth and nail over the patent rights to the new technology, each unwilling to back down.
Explanation: This idiom means to put in a great deal of effort and determination, using every possible means to succeed or resist. The imagery of using teeth and nails suggests a fierce and intense struggle.

10. Make a clean breast of

Meaning: To confess something, usually a wrongdoing or a mistake.
Example: After months of hiding the truth, Jane finally made a clean breast of her mistake to her boss.
Explanation: Jane decided to confess her mistake openly and honestly to her boss, which is what making a clean breast of something means.

11. Take after

Meaning: To resemble a family member in appearance or behavior.
Example: John takes after his father in both looks and personality.
Explanation: John resembles his father in appearance and behaves similarly, which is what taking after someone means.

12. Heads will roll

Meaning: People will be punished or fired for something that went wrong.
Example: After the huge financial loss, the CEO warned that heads will roll.
Explanation: The CEO is warning that people will be held accountable and likely fired for the financial loss, which is what heads will roll implies.

13. To give a piece of mind

Meaning: To tell someone frankly what one thinks, usually in a scolding or critical way.
Example: When the noisy neighbors kept her up all night, Mary gave them a piece of her mind.
Explanation: Mary confronted her neighbors and told them off for being noisy, which is what giving a piece of one's mind means.

14. Rest on laurels

Meaning: To be satisfied with past achievements and not make any further effort.
Example: After winning the championship, the team didn't rest on their laurels; they started training harder for the next season.
Explanation: The team didn't just stay content with their past success; they continued to work hard, which is the opposite of resting on laurels.

15. Pay through the nose

Meaning: To pay a very high price for something.
Example: They had to pay through the nose for tickets to the sold-out concert.
Explanation: They paid a much higher price than usual for the concert tickets, which is what paying through the nose means.

16. Go through fire and water

Meaning: To go through great difficulties or make significant sacrifices.
Example: She went through fire and water to get her startup off the ground.
Explanation: She faced many challenges and made many sacrifices to establish her business, which is what going through fire and water means.

17. Take a fancy to somebody

Meaning: To start liking someone, often in a romantic way.
Example: Ever since their first meeting, Emily has taken a fancy to Mark.
Explanation: Emily has started to like Mark, potentially romantically, which is what taking a fancy to someone means.

18. Read between the lines

Meaning: To understand the hidden or unstated meaning of something.
Example: If you read between the lines of her letter, you can tell she’s unhappy with her job.
Explanation: By understanding the implied meaning behind her words, you can sense her dissatisfaction, which is what reading between the lines means.

19. Give in

Meaning: To surrender or yield to pressure or demands.
Example: After hours of negotiation, he finally gave in and agreed to their terms.
Explanation: He eventually surrendered and accepted the terms, which is what giving in means.

20. Make Amends For

Meaning: To compensate or make up for a wrongdoing or mistake.
Example: After accidentally breaking his neighbor's window, John offered to pay for the repairs to make amends for his mistake.
Explanation: John felt responsible for the damage he caused, so he took steps to correct it by offering to cover the costs.

21. Don’t Make a Mountain out of a Molehill

Meaning: Don't exaggerate a small problem into something much bigger than it is.
Example: Sarah was worried about a minor mistake in her report, but her boss told her not to make a mountain out of a molehill since it was an easy fix.
Explanation: The boss reassured Sarah that her small mistake wasn't a big deal and could be easily corrected, so there was no need to worry excessively.

22. Left me High and Dry

Meaning: To abandon someone in a difficult situation without any help or resources.
Example: When the company suddenly went bankrupt, it left all its employees high and dry with no severance pay or job prospects.
Explanation: The employees were abandoned by the company and left to fend for themselves without any support.

23. Spilled the Beans

Meaning: To reveal a secret or confidential information.
Example: Emily accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party while chatting with Jane. Explanation: Emily unintentionally revealed the secret about the surprise party, ruining the surprise.

24. Snake in the Grass

Meaning: A deceitful or treacherous person who pretends to be your friend.
Example: Mark thought Alex was a trustworthy colleague, but he turned out to be a snake in the grass, spreading rumors about him.
Explanation: Alex pretended to be friendly, but he was actually deceitful and caused trouble for Mark.

25. Leaps and Bounds

Meaning: Rapid and significant progress or improvement.
Example: The company's profits have grown by leaps and bounds since they launched their new product.
Explanation: The company has experienced a substantial increase in profits in a short period of time.

26. Helter-Skelter

Meaning: In a disorganized, chaotic, or hurried manner.
Example: When the fire alarm went off, everyone ran helter-skelter out of the building.
Explanation: People left the building in a chaotic and disorganized way due to the sudden alarm.

27. Herculean Task

Meaning: A task that requires great strength, effort, or determination.
Example: Cleaning up the beach after the festival was a Herculean task for the volunteers.
Explanation: The volunteers had to put in a lot of effort and hard work to clean up the beach, indicating that it was a very challenging job.

28. Got the Sack

Meaning: To be fired from a job.
Example: After repeatedly coming to work late, Tom finally got the sack from his employer. Explanation: Tom was dismissed from his job due to his consistent lateness.

29. The Green-Eyed Monster

Meaning: Jealousy or envy.
Example: When Jenna saw her friend get the promotion she wanted, the green-eyed monster reared its head.
Explanation: Jenna felt jealous of her friend's success, which is described as the green-eyed monster showing itself.

30. Free for All

Meaning: A chaotic situation where everyone is competing against each other, often without any rules.
Example: The Black Friday sale at the mall turned into a free for all, with shoppers pushing and shoving to grab the best deals.
Explanation: This idiom is used to describe situations that become disorderly because there are no regulations or controls in place.

31. Have Another Feather in One’s Cap

Meaning: To achieve another success or honor that adds to one's list of accomplishments.
Example: Jane's promotion at work is another feather in her cap; she's now the youngest manager in the company.
Explanation: This idiom highlights additional achievements or successes, likening them to feathers added to a cap, symbolizing honor and accomplishment.

32. Wrangle Over an Ass’s Shadow

Meaning: To argue over something insignificant or trivial.
Example: They spent hours wrangling over an ass's shadow, debating about the color of the office walls instead of focusing on the project deadline.
Explanation: This idiom is used when people argue about something that doesn’t really matter, wasting time and energy on unimportant details.

33. To Beat the Air

Meaning: To waste effort on something that has no chance of success.
Example: Arguing with him about his lifestyle choices is like beating the air; he never listens to anyone.
Explanation: This idiom implies that the effort being put into an activity is futile, akin to punching at the air, which achieves nothing.

34. A Fair Weather Friend

Meaning: Someone who is only a friend when things are going well but disappears when times are tough.
Example: When I lost my job, I realized who my real friends were; my fair weather friends were nowhere to be found.
Explanation: This idiom describes people who are supportive only in good times and unreliable in difficult situations.

35. To Have an Itching Palm

Meaning: To be greedy or always wanting to receive money.
Example: The official was known to have an itching palm, accepting bribes from anyone willing to pay.
Explanation: This idiom is used for someone who is constantly seeking monetary gain, often unethically.

36. Die in Harness

Meaning: To continue working until one dies.
Example: My grandfather was a dedicated farmer who died in harness, working the fields until his last day.
Explanation: This idiom refers to someone who remains active in their work or duties until their death, showing dedication and commitment.

37. To Have No Stomach for Something

Meaning: To lack the courage or resolve to do something.
Example: Sarah has no stomach for horror movies; she gets scared too easily.
Explanation: This idiom is used to describe someone who is not emotionally or mentally equipped to handle a particular situation.

38. A Nosy Parker

Meaning: Someone who is overly interested in other people’s affairs.
Example: Mrs. Johnson is such a nosy parker; she always wants to know what's happening in everyone’s lives on the street.
Explanation: This idiom refers to a person who pries into the personal business of others, often annoyingly.

39. The Man in the Street

Meaning: An average or ordinary person, typically representing general public opinion.
Example: The politician claimed to represent the man in the street, focusing on issues that affect everyday citizens.
Explanation: This idiom is used to refer to an ordinary person whose experiences and opinions are considered typical or representative of the general population.

40. Breathe a Word About a Matter

Meaning: To reveal or disclose a secret.
Example: Promise me you won’t breathe a word about this to anyone; it’s supposed to be a surprise party.
Explanation: This idiom is used to ask someone to keep information confidential and not tell anyone else.

41. Have a Green Thumb

Meaning: To be good at gardening and making plants grow well.
Example: Sarah's garden is always blooming with beautiful flowers and lush vegetables. She definitely has a green thumb.
Explanation: This idiom is used to describe someone who is particularly skilled at gardening. In the example, Sarah’s success with her garden shows her talent and skill with plants.

42. Flogging a Dead Horse

Meaning: To waste effort on something that has no chance of success.
Example: Trying to get Tom to join the sports team is like flogging a dead horse. He's made it clear he's not interested.
Explanation: This idiom is used when someone is persisting in a futile effort. In the example, Tom has repeatedly shown no interest, so continuing to try to persuade him is pointless.

43. A Blue-Eyed Boy

Meaning: A person who is liked and treated with special favor by someone in authority.
Example: John is the manager's blue-eyed boy. He always gets the best assignments and promotions.
Explanation: This idiom refers to someone who is favored by a person in a position of power. In the example, John receives preferential treatment from the manager.

44. Strained Every Nerve

Meaning: To make every possible effort to achieve something.
Example: She strained every nerve to finish the marathon, even though she was exhausted by the end.
Explanation: This idiom is used to describe putting in maximum effort. In the example, the person pushes herself to her physical limits to complete the marathon.

45. Foam at the Mouth

Meaning: To be extremely angry.
Example: When he saw the damage to his car, he was foaming at the mouth with rage.
Explanation: This idiom is used to describe someone who is very angry, almost to the point of losing control. In the example, the person's intense anger is compared to the wild anger of an animal.

46. Feel One’s Pulse

Meaning: To check someone's heart rate, often used metaphorically to assess someone's feelings or opinions.
Example: Before making any decisions, the manager likes to feel the pulse of the team to see if everyone agrees.
Explanation: This idiom is used metaphorically to mean checking the general opinion or mood of a group of people. In the example, the manager wants to understand how the team feels before proceeding.

47. By the Skin of One’s Teeth

Meaning: Just barely; narrowly escaping a bad situation.
Example: He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth, scoring just enough to avoid failing.
Explanation: This idiom means succeeding by a very narrow margin. In the example, the person barely passed the exam, indicating a close call.

48. Get a Flea in One’s Ear

Meaning: To receive a sharp rebuke or reprimand.
Example: When she came in late again, her boss gave her a flea in her ear about punctuality.
Explanation: This idiom refers to being sharply scolded. In the example, the boss reprimands the employee for being late.

49. At one’s wits' end

Meaning: Completely puzzled and unsure about what to do.
Example: Jane has tried everything to get her baby to stop crying, but nothing works. She’s at her wits' end.
Explanation: Jane has exhausted all her options and doesn't know what else to do. She is feeling frustrated and out of ideas.

50. Fish in troubled water

Meaning: To take advantage of a chaotic or troubled situation for personal gain.
Example: During the political turmoil, some unscrupulous businessmen were fishing in troubled water by buying properties at very low prices.
Explanation: These businessmen were exploiting the unstable situation to benefit themselves by purchasing properties cheaply.

51. Leave in the lurch

Meaning: To abandon someone in a difficult situation without any support.
Example: When the project got tough, Mark just quit and left us in the lurch.
Explanation: Mark abandoned the team when they most needed his help, leaving them to deal with the difficulties on their own.

52. At one’s fingertips

Meaning: Easily available or accessible.
Example: With modern technology, all the information you need is right at your fingertips.
Explanation: Thanks to technology, information is very easy to access and is always available whenever you need it.

53. Crying over spilt milk

Meaning: Complaining about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Example: Yes, we lost the match, but there’s no use crying over spilt milk. Let’s focus on winning the next one.
Explanation: The match is lost, and nothing can change that now. It’s better to concentrate on future opportunities instead of lamenting the past.

54. Fall on stony ground

Meaning: To fail to have an effect or to be ignored.
Example: His warnings about the impending storm fell on stony ground, and no one prepared for it.
Explanation: Despite his warnings, no one took any action or paid attention, leading to them being unprepared for the storm.

55. Sweeping statement

Meaning: A statement that is too general and does not take into account all the facts.
Example: Saying that all teenagers are irresponsible is a sweeping statement. Many are actually very responsible and hardworking.
Explanation: The statement is overly broad and fails to recognize that many teenagers are not irresponsible, making it unfair and inaccurate.

56. Get the wind up

Meaning: To become nervous or scared.
Example: When John heard that his boss wanted to speak to him privately, he really got the wind up, thinking he might lose his job.
Explanation: Imagine you're on a sailboat and a strong wind suddenly hits, making the boat unstable. Just like that, you feel anxious and scared when faced with unexpected or daunting news.

57. Get the cold shoulder

Meaning: To be ignored or treated with indifference.
Example: After their argument, Sarah gave Mike the cold shoulder at the party, refusing to even make eye contact.
Explanation: When someone gives you the cold shoulder, it's like they're turning away from you and showing you a lack of warmth or friendliness, often due to being upset with you.

58. To go by the book

Meaning: To follow rules and regulations strictly.
Example: The new manager insisted that we go by the book when it came to safety procedures, leaving no room for shortcuts.
Explanation: When you go by the book, you do everything exactly as the rules say, without improvisation or bending the guidelines.

59. Gloss over something

Meaning: To try to make something less important or less serious by not talking about it in detail.
Example: The politician glossed over the budget deficit during his speech, focusing instead on the improvements in infrastructure.
Explanation: Think of applying a thin layer of gloss to cover imperfections on a surface, making them less noticeable. Similarly, glossing over something means not giving it the attention it deserves.

60. Go dutch

Meaning: To share the cost of something, typically a meal, equally.
Example: When we go out for dinner, we always go dutch, so everyone pays for their own meal.
Explanation: This term originates from the Dutch practice of splitting the bill equally, making sure no one person has to pay for everyone else.

61. Go by the board

Meaning: To be abandoned or discarded.
Example: Due to budget cuts, our plans for a new playground went by the board.
Explanation: Originally a nautical term, if something goes by the board, it falls overboard and is lost at sea. In modern usage, it means plans or ideas are discarded or ignored.

62. Have butterflies in one’s stomach

Meaning: To feel nervous or anxious about something.
Example: Emily had butterflies in her stomach before her big performance on stage.
Explanation: This phrase describes the fluttery feeling you get in your stomach when you're nervous, similar to how it might feel if butterflies were flying around inside you.

63. Let sleeping dogs lie

Meaning: To avoid stirring up trouble by leaving a situation as it is.
Example: Knowing how sensitive the topic was, Mark decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring up the past argument.
Explanation: If a dog is peacefully sleeping, it's best not to disturb it to avoid any trouble. Similarly, this idiom means not to bring up issues that could cause conflict.

64. A live wire

Meaning: A very energetic or unpredictable person.
Example: Jenny is a real live wire at parties, always dancing and getting everyone to join in.
Explanation: Just like an exposed electrical wire that's full of energy and potentially dangerous, a live wire is a person full of enthusiasm and energy, often causing excitement or chaos.

65. Face the music

Meaning: To accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
Example: After failing to submit his project on time, Tom had to face the music and explain himself to his boss.
Explanation: This idiom suggests confronting the reality of a situation, much like a performer must face the audience and whatever response they give.

66. 1. To Carry the Day

Meaning: To win or succeed, especially in a debate or contest.
Example: "Despite strong competition, the young chess player carried the day with his brilliant final move."
Explanation: In this context, "carried the day" means the young chess player succeeded in winning the chess match.

67. 2. By Leaps and Bounds

Meaning: Rapidly or significantly.
Example: "Her business has grown by leaps and bounds since she started advertising online."
Explanation: Here, "by leaps and bounds" indicates that her business has grown very quickly and significantly.

68. 3. At the Eleventh Hour

Meaning: At the last possible moment.
Example: "They managed to submit the project at the eleventh hour, just before the deadline."
Explanation: "At the eleventh hour" means they submitted the project right before the final deadline, implying it was very close to being late.

69. 4. A White Elephant

Meaning: A possession that is more trouble than it is worth, often due to high maintenance costs.
Example: "The old mansion she inherited turned out to be a white elephant, costing more in repairs than it was worth."
Explanation: In this example, "a white elephant" refers to the mansion being an expensive and burdensome possession.

70. 5. To Eat Humble Pie

Meaning: To admit you were wrong and apologize.
Example: "After insisting he was right, John had to eat humble pie when the error in his calculations was found."
Explanation: "To eat humble pie" means John had to admit he was wrong and apologize for his mistake.

71. 6. To Keep an Eye

Meaning: To watch carefully.
Example: "Can you keep an eye on the baby while I cook dinner?"
Explanation: "To keep an eye" means to watch the baby closely to ensure they are safe.

72. 7. Get off Someone’s Back

Meaning: To stop bothering or criticizing someone.
Example: "I wish my boss would get off my back about the report; I'm doing my best."
Explanation: "Get off someone’s back" means the speaker wants their boss to stop bothering them about the report.

73. 8. Get Rid of

Meaning: To remove or dispose of something.

Example: "She decided to get rid of all the clothes she no longer wore."

Explanation: "Get rid of" means she decided to throw away or donate the clothes she didn’t need anymore.

74. 9. Get Round to Something

Meaning: To finally do something you have intended to do.
Example: "I finally got round to cleaning the garage this weekend."
Explanation: "Get round to something" means the speaker finally found the time to clean the garage after intending to do it for a while.

75. To blow one’s own trumpet

Meaning: To boast or brag about one’s own achievements or abilities.

Example: "After successfully closing the big deal, Mark couldn’t resist blowing his own trumpet at the meeting, telling everyone how his strategy saved the company a million dollars."

Explanation: In this example, Mark is bragging about his accomplishment. This idiom is often used in a critical way to describe someone who is excessively praising themselves.

76. To breathe one’s last

Meaning: To die.

Example: "After a long battle with illness, the beloved author breathed his last, leaving a legacy of inspiring stories."

Explanation: This phrase is a poetic way of saying someone has died. It emphasizes the finality of life by referring to the last breath a person takes.

77. Play into one’s hand

Meaning: To unintentionally provide someone with an advantage.

Example: "When Jane started arguing loudly during the meeting, she played right into her rival’s hands, making it easy for him to portray her as unprofessional."

Explanation: Jane's actions inadvertently gave her rival an advantage, as they made her look bad and him look better by comparison.

78. To call a spade a spade

Meaning: To speak plainly and truthfully about something, even if it is unpleasant.

Example: "We need to call a spade a spade and admit that the project has failed due to poor planning."

Explanation: This idiom means being honest and straightforward, even if the truth is harsh or unwelcome.

79. To make a clean breast of

Meaning: To confess or admit something honestly.

Example: "Feeling guilty about the mistake, John decided to make a clean breast of it and told his boss the whole truth."

Explanation: John confesses the truth about his mistake, clearing his conscience and dealing with the issue openly.

80. To break the back of

Meaning: To complete the most difficult part of a task.

Example: "We’ve broken the back of the project now that we’ve finished the initial research; the rest should be easier."

Explanation: The team has completed the hardest part of their project, suggesting that the remaining tasks will be less challenging.

81. To cut a sorry figure

Meaning: To appear in a poor or embarrassing way.

Example: "He cut a sorry figure during the presentation, stumbling over his words and forgetting key points."

Explanation: The speaker performed poorly and looked bad as a result, leaving a negative impression.

82. To show a clean pair of heels

Meaning: To run away quickly.

Example: "When the dog started barking, the thief showed a clean pair of heels and disappeared down the street."

Explanation: The thief ran away very quickly, showing the soles of his shoes as he fled.

83. To hold a brief for

Meaning: To support or defend someone or something.

Example: "Even though the new policy is unpopular, Sarah holds a brief for it because she believes it will benefit the company in the long run."

Explanation: Sarah supports the new policy and argues in its favor, despite its lack of popularity.

84. A dark horse

Meaning: A person who is not well-known but suddenly emerges as a winner or achieves unexpected success.

Example: "In the talent show, Maria was the dark horse; no one expected her to win, but her performance was outstanding."

Explanation: Maria was an unexpected winner because she was not considered a strong contender before her impressive performance.

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