Useful Idioms-美国常用习语

Unit 11) Burn the midnight oil熬夜读书，开夜车To study or work until late at night.2) Hit the books用功读书，与熬夜无关To study, especially with particular intensity3) Do back-breaking work劳累至极腰酸背痛的工作To do some physically difficult work and makes you very tired.4) Work like a dog拼命工作To work very hard.5) Fall down on the job敷衍了事，没做好工作Be incapable for a work.6) Work one’s fingers to the bone非常努力的工作To work very hard.Unit 21) Be a breeze像一缕清风一样很容易做 A thing that is easy to do.2) Have a green thumb擅长园艺To be good at gardening.3) Be easy as pie小菜一碟，小事一桩To be very easy.4) Have a golden touch点石成金，无所不能It means that you can do anything that you want to do.5) Have two left feet笨手笨脚To be very awkward in your movements, especially when you are dancing or playing a sport.6) Have a nose for something善于发现某物，有洞察力To be perspective and good at discovering.Unit 31) Down to earth脚踏实地，实事求是To do something with no illusions or pretensions, sensible and practical. 2) Think one is god’s gift to mankind自以为了不起，自负To think oneself is really something in some areas; conceited.3) Show off炫耀To show one’s ability with pride to anyone.4) Put someone in someone’s place安分守己To make someone do his own duty and abide by the law.5) Put on airs摆架子，摆谱It means someone is conceited in order to show his identity.6) Blow one’s own horn自吹自擂，自我吹嘘To brag about oneself.Unit 4言归于好，和解，摒弃前嫌To stop being unfriendly and become friends again.2) Button one’s lips一言不发，守口如瓶To refuse to talk and be silenced.3) Flow with the tide跟风，紧随潮流To keep following someone or the trend.4) Hold one’s tongue保持沉默，不开口To say nothing about something and stay silent.5) Let sleeping dogs lie别无事生非，招惹麻烦To avoid mentioning a subject or something that happened in the past, in order to avoid any problems or arguments.6) Mind one’s own business少管闲事，管好自己To concern oneself only with what is of interest to oneself and not interfere in the affairs of others.7) Rock the boat捣乱To do something that upsets a situation and causes problems.8) See eye to eye看法完全一致，完全同意To share the same views as somebody about something.Unit 51) Face up to something勇敢的面对To accept and deal with something that is difficult or unpleasant.2) Point one’s finger at someone指责某人To accuse somebody .3) Leave someone high and dry使某人很无助To leave someone unsupported and unable to maneuver; to leave someone helpless.4) Shoulder the responsibility能够承担责任To take responsibility.5) Pass the buck推卸责任To shirk the responsibility.6) Worm out of something推卸摆脱某事To get rid of somethingUnit 61) All or nothing孤注一掷的，没有商量余地 A situation which will end either in complete success or complete failureHaving no middle position or compromise available2) Meet someone halfway向某人妥协To compromise to somebody3) Give-and-take妥协，互让，互相迁就To have an exchange of views on some topic in order to make mutual concessions 4) Middle-of-the-road折中的办法，折中之计 A compromising solution that can be accepted by most people5) Stick to one’s guns固执己见To maintain one’s position or viewpoint when faced with opposition6) Find middle ground寻求找到一个中间立场 A set of opinions and decisions that two or more groups who oppose each other can agree on1) Go through with经历困难而完成，把事情坚持到底To do something even though it may be very unpleasant or difficult for you2) Hang in there坚持，不气馁，不畏困难To maintain a course of action despite negative outlook; to persist; to subsist while keeping high spirits 3) Give up放弃To stop trying to do something4) Stick with坚持做某事To continue or persist; to stick to5) Sweat out努力的忍耐以达到某个目的To work very hard to achieve somethingUnit 81) Be a copycat模仿别人To imitate or copy others2) Cut the apron strings摆脱依赖，独立生活To be or become impossible to manage or to control3) Be a yes-man唯唯诺诺的人To be a person who always agrees with people in authority in order to gain their approval.4) Have a mind of one’s own自有主见，能够独立思考To have one’s own idea and think independently5) Be on one’s own独立自主，不依靠他人To be independent6) Lead someone by the nose牵着别人的鼻子走，完全控制别人To have a full control of somebody7) Stand on one’s own two feet独立自主，自力更生To be independentUnit 91) Be as cool as a cucumber表示非常冷静，毫不紧张。

在美国英语里，有一些习惯用语都和neck 这个字有联系的，但是它们的意思却各不相同。

to break your neck作为俗语是尽一切力量努力去做某件事的意思。

下面这位爸爸说的话就很清楚地告诉大家to break your neck 这个俗语的用法：例句-1: "I wish Sam would study harder, because I am breaking my neck to scrape up the money to keep him in college." 这位爸爸说：“我希望萨姆在念书方面再用功一些，因为我一直在想尽一切办法来凑足了钱好让他继续念大学。

”美国人的生活是很紧张的，节奏很快，人人感到压力很大。

可是，下面这个例子说的那个修电视机的工人当天比较运气，碰到了一个好顾客。

这位顾客对他说：例句-2: "You don't have to break your neck fixing this TV set: I really don't need it next week." 他说：“你不必着急修理这台电视机了，我下星期并不需要它。

”在任何情况下把脖子伸得太长都是既冒险又危险的。

中国话里有“枪打出头鸟”的说法。

在英文里就是：to stick your neck out。

据说to stick your neck out 这个说法是来自形容乌龟的处境。

当乌龟的头缩在乌龟壳里的时候，一切都很安全。

可是，一旦它们把头伸出来，那可就危险了。

可是，to stick your neck out 已经成为美国人在日常生活中常用的表达形式了。

下面我们来举个例子：例句-3: "I think my boss is dead wrong about hiring his son-in-law, but I'm not going to stick my neck out and tell him!" 这个人说：“我认为我的老板雇用他的女婿是绝对错误的，但是我才不去冒那风险去告诉他呐。

美国人在十七世纪初来到北美洲大西洋沿岸的东部地区定居。

此后，他们了花两百多年时间来开拓西部的大片处女地。

在这期间，这些开拓者的生活不仅非常艰苦，而且还有生命危险。

为了能够进行耕作，他们得用斧头来砍伐森林，用犁来翻耕处女地。

他们经常猎取野兽来作为食品。

同时，他们还要随时准备抵御敌对的印第安人的袭击。

所有这些经历都丰富了美国人的语言，即便在今天使用的语言中，人们还可以发现许多开拓时期生活的痕迹。

拿斧头来作例子吧：它既大，又重，头上还有锋利的刀口。

这是一个很危险的工具，特别是当斧头突然从斧柄上脱落的时候，谁要是倒霉正好在旁边的话，就有可能被砍伤。

现在，美国人就把有的人突然失去控制而勃然大怒的现象叫作：To fly off the handle。

Fly是飞的意思，而handle是指斧头柄。

我们来举个例子看看，to fly off the handle在日常生活中是怎么用的。

例句-1: "My wife spent all afternoon yesterday cooking a special dinner for our wedding anniversary. So she really flew off the handle when I came home three hours late." 他说：“为了庆祝我们结婚周年，我太太化了整个下午精心烹调。

可是，我昨晚晚了三个小时才回家。

她可真火了。

”当然，丈夫也会发火的。

下面说话的这位太太正在担心她的丈夫会对她发火。

她对丈夫说：例句-2: "Honey, please don't fly off the handle -- I had a little accident with the car, but it certainly wasn't my fault."她说：“亲爱的，你可别发火。

Words & Idioms 美国习惯用语(完整版)每一种语言都有它独特的成语和俗语。

而学习外语的人经常在理解这些习惯用语时会感到很困难。

这是因为你不可能从组成某个习惯用语的字面上来懂得它的意思。

比如,美国人经常说: “Give me a hand.”按照字面来理解, “give me hand”就是“给我一只手。

”可是,它的意思却是“帮我一下忙。

”另外一个例子是: “Foot the bill.”“ Foot” 的意思是“一只脚”,而“bill”在这儿的解释是“账单”。

“Foot the bill.”并不是把帐单踩在脚底下,而是付账的意思。

另外,有的时候,一个词汇有好几种解释。

就拿下面一句话来作例子吧:例句-1: “We arrived two hours late at the big blow-out for Charle’s birthday because our car had a blow-out.”这句话里第一个 blow-out 是指规模很大的聚会,第二个 blow-out 是指汽车的轮胎炸了。

整个句子的意思是:“由于我们车胎炸了,所以我们晚了两个小时才到达查理举行生日宴会的地方。

”还有一些习惯用语从字典上的意思来看是相同的,但是它们使用的场合却不同。

下面两个习惯用语就是很好的例子。

一个是“ Lock, stock and barrel”, 另外一个是:“ Hook, line and sinker”。

Lock, stock and barrel 和 Hook, line and sinker 都是全部的意思,可是用法却不同。

我们先来举一个 Lock, stock and barrel 的例子:例句-2: “Mr. Rockefeller bought the whole oil company lock, stock and barrel.”这句话的意思是:“洛克菲勒先生把整个石油公司买了下来”。

「美国习惯用语」第一百三十四讲Words & Idioms Lesson 134in the pinkfit as a fiddle我们曾经给大家介绍过几个在你感到“身体不舒服”的时候说的习惯用语。

不知大家还记不记得? 比如说：under the weather是什么意思？这是指：不太舒服。

什么是：down with the bug? 这是：由于流行性病毒的感染而不舒服。

当然，表达身体不舒服的说法有很多，上面举的只是其中的两个。

可是，我们不能老是说不高兴的事，今天我们来讲两个在“身体很健康”和“精力充沛”的时候说的常用语。

首先，我们要讲的是：in the pink。

当一个人告诉你：He is in the pink，那你就知道他肯定感到身体很好。

In the pink这个习惯用语的出处、说法各有不同。

有的人说，in the pink这个俗语可能是来自“跑马场”，因为在那里，人们把in the pink用来形容那些看起来很健壮的马。

但是，有的人有不同的看法；他们认为凡是身体健康的人，他们的皮肤都会呈现一种粉色的光泽，就像我们说有的人脸色很好，白里透红一样（红光满面）。

这些人说in the pink这个说法就是从这儿来的。

我们来举个例子吧：例句-1: "Our next door neighbor came back from the hospital yesterday after his heart attack. And I'm glad to say he certainly looks back in the pink again."这句话的意思是：“我们的隔壁邻居心脏病发作(heart attack)进了医院，昨天他出院回家了。

他看起来确实和以往一样健康，我很高兴。

”在美国，邻里关系也各有不同。

有的地方邻居关系很密切，互相照应，来往很多。

有孩子的家庭往往会互相合作，轮流接送孩子，这样大家都可以省点时间。

English IdiomsIdioms about animalsCatA cat has nine lives 猫有九条命(吉人天相)Cats hide their claws. 知人知面不知心A gloved cat catches no mice 不愿吃苦的人成不了大事业The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream 掩耳盗铃A cat may look at a king. 小人物也应有些权利It rains cats and dogs. 下倾盆大雨, 大雨滂沱Let the cat out of the bag 说走了嘴see how the cat jumps 看风使舵, 随机应变The scalded cat fears cold water. 一朝被蛇咬, 三年怕井绳When the cat's away, the mice will play. 大王外出, 小鬼跳粱DogA staff is quickly found to beat a dog with. 欲加之罪，何患无词Every dog has his day 人人皆有得意时Let sleeping dogs lie 勿惹事生非All are not thieves that dogs bark at. 不要以貌取人Give a dog an ill name 人言可畏Fight dog, fight bear. 一决雌雄An old dog will learn no new tricks 老年人很难适应新事物To help a lame dog over a stile. 雪中送炭Better a living dog than a dead lion. 好死不如歹活FishNever offer to teach fish to swim. 切勿班门弄斧。

Go to the sea, if you would fish well. 不入虎穴，焉得虎子It is a silly fish that is caught twice with the same bait. 智者不上第二次当If water is noisy, there are no fish in it .夸夸其谈者无真才实学There's as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it. 海里的好鱼多的是.(强中更有强中手.) Fish begins to stink at the head.上梁不正下梁歪BirdIt’s an ill bird that fouls its own nest.家丑不可外扬Fine feathers make fine birds. 人要衣装，马要鞍Birds of a feather flock together. 物以类聚，人以群分A bird is known by its note, and a man by his talk. 听音识鸟，闻言识人Each bird loves to hear himself sing. 鸟儿都爱听自己唱。

AAbout time:Nearly time, high time. "It's about time you bought a new car!"Absence makes the heart grow fonder:Proverb that means that our feeling for those we love increases when we are apart from them.(To) act high and mighty:To act proudly and arrogantly.Actions speak louder than words:Proverb meaning that's it's better to do something about a problem than to talk about it. (To) act one's age:To behave in a more mature way. Frequently said to a child or teen. ex. "Bill, stop throwing rocks! Act your age!"(To) add fuel to the fire:To make a bad problem even worse.(To) add insult to injury:To make a bad situation even worse.Against the clock:To attempt to do something "against the clock" is to attempt to do something as fast as possible usually before a deadline.All-out:Complete. Very strong. "They did an all-out search for the missing boy and they found him."All set:Ready (to go). "All set?"All thumbs:Awkward. Clumsy.A little bird told me:When someone says "a little bird told me" it means they don't want you to know who told them.All in a day's work:Typical. Normal. Expected. ex. "Talking to famous celebrities is all in a day's work for some Hollywood reporters."(From) all walks of life:(From) all social, economic, and ethnic groups. ex. "People from all walks of life voted for him, but he still lost the presidential election."Apple of someone's eye:Someone's favorite person (and sometimes thing). ex. "Sarah was the apple of Tom's eye for quite a long time. He was very much in love with her."Armed to the teeth:Heavily armed. ex. "The rebels were armed to the teeth."At all hours (of the night):Very late at night, throughout the night. ex. "Her boyfriend would call her at all hours of the night."At each other's throats:Fighting or arguing heavily. ex. "They were at each other's throats. The arguments never stopped."At this stage:At this point. ex. "At this stage, it's difficult to say who will win the election."B(a) ball-park figure:A rough estimate. "Can you give me a ball-park figure of what this project will cost?" (To get on the) bandwagon:To begin to like something/start doing something because it's popular, "hip", or everyone else is doing it.(To) bank on something:To count or rely on something.(To) bark up the wrong tree:To ask the wrong person. To make the wrong choice. ex. "The gangster told the cops they were barking up the wrong tree in thinking he was responsible for the robbery."(A) basket-case:A very nervous person, someone at the verge of being neurotic. ex. "All the stress from the divorce turned John into a basket case."(To) be a fan of someone/ something:To like, idolize, admire someone/ or something. ex. "I'm not a big fan of heavy metal music."(To) be a in one's element:To be completely comfortable doing something; To do something that comes very naturally to someone. ex. "When it comes to speaking in public, the Senator is in his element." (To) be up to no good:To be planning something bad, mischievous, etc. ex. "I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was up to no good."(To) beat around the bush:To avoid getting to the point. ex. "Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you really think."(To) beg to differ:A polite way of saying "to disagree", most often heard in the phrase "I beg to differ!" Behind (someone)In the past. "I used to smoke, drink, and take drugs, but all that is behind me now."Believe it or not:Used at the beginning sentence to state that something is true whether one chooses to believe it or not. ex. "Believe it or not, I still care for her."Big fish in a little sea:A person who's famous/ well-known but only in an unimportant place (city or area).(To have a) big mouth:To not be able to keep a secret. ex. "Don't tell her anything. She's got a really big mouth." Big-shot (noun/adjective):An important person. ex. "All the big-shots at headquarters never listen to what we haveto say."; "A big-shot reporter."(A) Bimbo:A foolish/empty girl. The term "male bimbo" is also used. ex. "John only talks about his car and his clothes - he's a real male bimbo."(The) birds and the bees:Sex. Human reproduction. ex. "It's about time I talked to my son about the birds and the bees."(A) bite to eat:A snack, some food. ex. "Let's go grab a bite to eat before we go to the game."(To) bite the hand that feeds you:To do harm to someone who helps you.(To) bite one's tongue:To struggle not to say something that you want to say. ex. "I wanted to tell her everything, but I had to bite my tongue because I had promised Bill I would not (tell her)."Black sheep (of the family):The worst, least accepted member of a family.(A) Blast:A great time. A fun time. "We had a blast at the party last night."(To) blow someone's cover:To reveal someone's secret, or true identity. ex. "The spy was very careful not to blow her cover."(To) break even:To neither win nor lose. ex. "Michael thought he would lose $200, but he ended up breaking even."(To) break new ground:To do something that hasn't been done before. To innovate. ex. "Dr. Davis was breaking new ground in cancer research."(To) break someone's heart:To cause someone (strong) emotional pain. ex. "Fiona broke James' heart when she refused to marry him."(To) break the news to someone/ to break "it" to someone:To tell someone some important news, usually bad news. ex. "I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your wife has been cheating on you."(To) burst into tears:To start crying suddenly.C(To) call it a day:To end work and go home. ex. "Let's call it a day. It's getting late."(To) carry a tune:To be able to sing on key (accurately). "She has an awful voice! She can't carry a tune." (To) cash in on something:To profit from something. "The actor wanted to cash in on his popularity by opening a restaurant."(A) catch:When talking about wives, husbands, girlfriends, etc., people sometimes say "He's quite a catch" or "She's quite a catch" - which means "He/she is a great partner - it's good to be in a relationship with him/her (usually because of his/her personality, money, or looks)" (To) catch someone's eye:To get someone's attention through eye contact.(A) cheap drunk:Also knows as "a cheap date". A person who becomes drunk after only one or two drinks. "Victor had one gin and tonic and was already slurring - what a cheap drunk!"(A) clean bill of health:A report from the doctor that one's health is good. Good results from a doctor's medical examination. ex. "I went in for my yearly physical and got a clean bill of health from Dr. Jones".(To) clear the table:To remove all dishes, cutlery, etc. from a table after a meal.(A) close call:Something that is close to danger or an accident. "That was a close call! The train almost hit the motorbike."Coast-to-coast:From the Atlantic to the Pacific coast in the United States. ex. "Our car made the coast-to-coast trip in 70 hours".(To) come away empty handed:To return without anything. To expect to receive something but to end up receiving nothing. ex. "The union workers came away empty handed from the negotiations." (To) come to an end:To finish. To stop. ex. "When the road came to an end, we turned left."(To) come out of the closet:To reveal that one is gay.Come to think of it:I just remembered. ex. "Hey, come to think of it, I do have a sleeping bag you can borrow."(To) come up short:To not quite achieve one's goal. ex. "The students tried to raise $1,000 for the school play,but they came up short."Come what mayWhatever happens. No matter what happens.Copycat (noun or adjective)Someone who imitates/mimics another person *not really used in a positive sense* (To) cover a lot of ground:To go through a lot of information. "We've covered a lot of ground in my English class in the past two months."(To) cover for someone:To make excuses for someone or to conceal someone's errors.(At the) crack of dawn:Right at dawn (when the sun comes up). "We left at the crack of dawn."(To) crash:To sleep. To go to bed.(To) cramp someone's style:To limit someone in some way. To limit someone from expressing themselves fully. (To) cry one's eyes out:To cry hard. ex. "When her grandfather died, she cried her eyes out for three days straight."(To) cut class:To not go to class. To skip going to class. "Jacob was a very bad student. He was always cutting class to go smoke with his buddies."(To) cut loose:To act or speak freely, without holding back ( = without restraint). "When the three of us are together we really cut loose."(A) cut above (something):Superior/ better (than something). "The commercial said that this car company is 'a cut above the rest'."D(To) die of boredom:To be very bored.(A) dead ringer:A look-alike. "He's a dead ringer for Jude Law" (He looks exactly like Jude Law).Dirt cheap:Very cheap (inexpensive). "The hotel we stayed in was dirt cheap, but our room was very nice."(A) dog's age:A very long time. "I haven't seen him in a dog's age."Don't hold your breath:Don't wait for it to happen because it probably won't. "You think David will break up with Tina? Don't hold your breath!"Don't let it get you down:Don't let it upset you. Don't allow it to make you feel bad.(To) do the dishes:To wash the dishes.(A) downer:An event that causes one to be sad. "Your girlfriend broke up with you? What a downer!" Down the drain:Wasted. Lost forever. "I tried for five years to run this business and now I'm bankrupt. Five years down the drain."(A) drag:Boring; a disappointment. "The party was a real drag" or "My car broke down... What a drag!"(To) drive a hard bargain:To be firm when bargaining about something. You drive a hard bargain = It's hard to win when bargaining with you. "You drive a hard bargain, but alright, I'll pay you $10 for the lamp."(To) drive someone crazy:To make someone very agitated, upset, or emotional (either in a good or bad way). "That teacher is so awful! He drives me crazy with his attitude."(To) drop it:To stop talking about something. "I told you to drop it! I don't want to talk about it." (To) drown one's sorrows:To get/ become drunk.(To) drop the ball:To make a mistake. (WARNING: This idiom is overused in the business world). ex. "So it was John's fault? Yes, John really dropped the ball on this one."(A) dream come true:A great thing. A dream or wish that has become reality. ex. "Living in California is like a dream come true."Down in the dumps:Sad. Depressed.(To) dump someone: (very informal)To end a relationship with someone; to break up with someone. To stop seeing someone (romantically). "She dumped me."EEarful:a strong verbal scolding. ex. "Katie's father really gave her an earful when she came home at 4 AM."Easy:Not so fast. Calm down! ex. "Easy! Don't eat so fast!"(As) easy as pie:Very easy.Easy come, easy go:PROVERB. Said to explain the loss of something that was very easily obtained in the first place.Easy-going:Tolerant. Laid-back. Relaxed.(To) eat one's heart out:To be envious or jealous. ex. "Eat your heart out Frank, I'm going to Paris!"(To) eat out of someone's hands:To do whatever someone else wants. ex. "James would do anything for Vicky. She had him eating out of her hands."(To) eat one's words:To admit that what one said was wrong. ex. "You think I won't be able to find work in one week? I'm going to make you eat your words."Elbow room:Enough space (room) to feel comfortable.Enough is enough:That is enough and there should be no more.(To) enter one's mind:To cross one's mind. To start thinking about something. "You want me to become a doctor? The thought never even entered my mind."Everything but the kitchen sink:Almost everything one can think of.Every so often:Once in while. Occasionally.Every other:Every second. Alternate. ex. "In Los Angeles, every other person is an actor." Expecting:Pregnant.F(To) face the music:To accept the (unpleasant) consequences of what you have done.(To) fall flat (on one's face):To fail. To be unsuccessful. ex. "The play fell flat on its face."Fair-weather friendA person who is only your friend when things are going well for you.(To) feel like a new person:To feel refreshed, rejuvenated.(To) fall into place:To become organized. To fit together. ex. "Once I started meditating, everything in my life began to fall into place."(To) fall short:To lack something. ex. "We tried to raise fifty thousand dollars, but we fell short by about ten thousand."(A) falling out:A disagreement/break in a friendship. ex. "We had a falling out over what she said." (A) far cry:Very different (often in a worse way). ex. "This wine is nice, but it's a far cry from the wine we had yesterday."(To) feel like a new person:To feel refreshed, rejuvenated.(To) feel out of place:To feel like you don't belong. ex. "We went to Mary's party last night. There were many strange people there and I felt a little out of place, so we left."(A) Fifth wheel:Useless, out of place, unnecessary. "There were only couples there... I felt like a fifth wheel."(To) fill someone's shoes:To replace someone. To do something someone else used to do. ex. "Cathy has been working here for 20 years. It's going to be hard to find someone to fill her shoes."(A) fine line:Not much difference. ex. "Sometimes there's a fine line between love and infatuation." First and foremost:First and most importantly.First thing:Before anything else. ex. "Call me first thing tomorrow morning."(To) fish for a compliment:To try very hard to get a compliment from someone.(To) fix someone (some food - like cocoa, oatmeal, etc.):To prepare (some food) for someone. "I'll fix you a cup of cocoa."Flat broke:Very poor. Having absolutely no money.(To) follow one's heart:To act according to your feelings/ emotions. ex. "I couldn't decide what to do so I just followed my heart."Food for thought:Something to think about.(A) fork in the road:A point when a road splits in two directions.Free and easy:Casual. Not very serious. ex. "Sarah was looking for a free and easy relationship."(A) fresh pair of eyes:A new reader, someone who hasn't seen something before. ex. "Hey can you come check out this report? We need a fresh pair of eyes."(A) full plate:A busy schedule. ex. "Mark can you help me with this project? Not really, I've got a full plate right now."Fun and games:Playing around. Time spent doing worthless things. ex. "OK, Neil, the fun and games are over. It's time to get down to work."G(To) get a move on:To go or do something quickly, to get going, etc. ex. "Hey if we want to make the 8:00 PM show we should get a move on."(To) get carried away:To exaggerate/ go too far/ to become emotional. ex. "I got carried away. I bought 10 shirts!" "She got carried away when she started talking about the war."(To) get caught up:To become involved, especially emotionally. ex. "I just got caught up in his plan and couldn't think straight."(To) get cold feet:To become timid or frightened. ex. "I usually get cold feet when I have to speak in public."(To) get down to business:To start working seriously. ex. "Enough playing around - let's get down to business."(To) get that all the time:To hear something constantly. ex. "Hey, you really look like Brad Pitt! Yeah, I get that all the time."(To) get one's foot in the doorTo get started in a process. To attain a favorable position which will help one work toward a goal. ex. "I'm trying to find a better job, but I can't get my foot in the door. (To) get one's fill of something:To have enough of something. To have a lot of something. ex. "She's had her fill of trouble lately."(To) get on someone's nerves:To annoy someone. To bother or irritate someone.(To) get rid of (something/someone):To eliminate. To throw away. To hide. ex. "This detergent gets rid of dirt better than any other one that I've used.", "Get rid of the cigarette - your mother's coming!"(To) get something off one's chest:To say something that has been on your mind. To say something that has been botheringyou. "Did you tell her about Hawaii? Yes, and I felt much better once I got that off my chest."(To) get the blues:To become sad or depressed.(To) get something straight:To clarify something. To understand something clearly.(To) give someone a call:To call someone (on the telephone).(To) give someone the benefit of the doubt:To believe in someone despite information that makes them seem guilty of something. ex. "Hey, don't believe the rumors - give him the benefit of the doubt."(To) give someone a piece of one's mind:To bawl someone out. To let someone know how one really feels. "After that driver took my parking spot, I really gave him a piece of my mind."(A) go-getter:an aggressive employee, a hard worker. "Jim is a real go-getter. He's always taking the initiative."(To) go Dutch:When a group of people go out and everyone pays for him/herself.(To) go overboard:To do too much. To exaggerate. "They really went overboard with the party preparations." (To) go up in flames:To burn. To be consumed in flames.(To) go over something with a fine toothed comb:To go over something very carefully, esp. checking for errors. "Here's the report - Make sure to go over it with a fine toothed comb."(To) go to someone's head:To make someone overly conceited or proud. ex. "That award that he won really went to his head."(To) a golden opportunity:A good chance to succeed, a good investment. ex. "I didn't have money to buy that restaurant. I missed a golden opportunity."HHalf-baked:Foolish.Hand-me-down:Usually said of clothing that has been passed on from one person to another. ex. "A hand-me-down dress."Hands down:Easily. By far. ex. "She is hands down the most beautiful girl in class."Hang on:Be prepared for fast and/or rough movement.(To) hang on someone's every word:To listen very carefully to someone. ex. "Grandpa was telling a story and the kids were hanging on his every word."(To) hate someone's guts:To hate someone very much. (To) have a big mouth:To be a gossiper. To be a person who can't keep a secret. ex. "Don't tell her anything! She has a big mouth."(To) have a lot going for (someone):To have a lot of good things in one's life. To have many things working to one's benefit. ex. "She has a lot going for her - she's smart, she's attractive, she has a good job, etc."(To) have a sweet tooth:To love to eat candy or other sweets.(To) have an edge:To have an advantage.(To) have mixed feelings (about something):To be unsure or uncertain about something.(To) have one's hands full:To be busy, occupied with some kind of activity, work, etc. ex. "I have my hands full with my three children."(To) have one's heart set on something:To really want something to happen. To expect something to happen. ex. "Julie has her heart set on going to London this summer."(A) hit:A popular song or film. ex. "Titanic was a hit (movie)."(To) hit the spot:To satisfy a need exactly. To be exactly right (often said about food or drinks). ex. "That was a delicious meal - It hit the spot."(To) hit bottom:To reach the lowest point.(To) hit the road:To leave, start on a trip, etc. ex. "It's already 9:00 AM - We have to hit the road!"(To) hit a snag:To run into a problem. ex. "The project hit a snag when testing failed to produce favorable results"Hold on!Wait. "Hold on, I'll be with you in just a moment."(To be) homesickTo miss one's home, country, city, etc. "Francesca is really homesick. She really wants to go back to Italy."How on earth...? How in the world...?When asking a question, "How on earth..." and "How in the world..." emphasize the fact that something incredible or very hard to believe happened. "How on earth did you getthat job? (it was very hard to get)" "How on earth did you fix that car!? (it was impossible to fix)" etc.IIf worst comes to worst:If things get really bad. ex. "If worst comes to worst, we can always fire him."Ill-at-ease:Uncomfortable. ex. "She seemed to be ill-at-ease talking to the doctor about her problems".In bad taste:Rude. Vulgar. Obscene. ex. "John's jokes are always in bad taste."In broad daylight:Publicly visible in the daytime. ex. "This city is very dangerous. You can get robbed in broad daylight."In good shape/ condition:Physically and functionally sound and sturdy. "Shape" is generally used more for people. ex. "The car is in good condition. Bill is in good shape."In mint condition:In perfect condition (not used for people).In no mood to do something:To not feel like doing something. To not want to do something. ex. "I'm in no mood to cook dinner tonight."In season:Currently available for selling (often said of fresh fruit and vegetables). ex. "Tomatoes are very cheap now because they're in season."In stock:Available for purchase, as in goods in a store. ex. "Do you have any more of these books in stock? No, I'm sorry we don't."In the air:Everywhere. All around.In the long run:Over a long period of time. Ultimately. ex. "He smokes a lot now, and I'm afraid that in the long run it will cost him his health."In the same boat:In the same situation (usually negative).In and out:Coming in and going out often. ex. "She's been in and out all day."In with:Friendly with. Friends with. ex. "At high school he was in with the wrong crowd. That's why he always got in trouble."In advance:Ahead of time.JJam-packed:Very crowded. ex. "The stadium was jam packed on Saturday."(To) jam on the brakes:To hit/ step on the brakes suddenly to stop the car.Jack-of-all-trades:A person who knows how to do a lot of different things.(To) jump all over someone/ jump down someone's throat:To criticize or blame someone. ex. "As soon as I brought up going out with my friends, she jumped all over me."(To) jump the gun:To get something started too soon. To start too soon. ex. "We have to do a lot more work before we launch this product. We don't want to jump the gun."(To) jump at:To quickly accept. ex. "The journalist jumped at the chance to interview Madonna."Just about:Almost. ex. "I'm just about finished."Just now:Just a minute ago.Just what the doctor ordered:Exactly what is needed. ex. "This vacation is great! It's just what the doctor ordered."K(To) keep a low profile:To lay low. To not attract attention to oneself by talking loudly, dressing in flashy clothes, causing trouble, etc. ex. "The bank robbers knew that they had to keep a low profile until they crossed the border."(To) keep an eye on:To watch. To pay attention to. ex. "I have to go to the store. Can you please keep an eye on the baby for 10 minutes?"(To) keep a straight face:To force oneself not to laugh, even though one wants to. ex. "He was saying the stupidest things, and I was finding it hard to keep a straight face."(To) keep one's cool:To remain calm.(To) keep one's word:To uphold one's promise. ex. "He's a very honorable person who always keeps his word." (To) keep someone posted:To keep someone informed.(To) keep someone up:To not allow someone to sleep. ex. "The neighbors' party kept me up all night."(To) keep something to oneself:To not let others know about something. To not reveal something. ex. "Hey, don't tell anyone about your time in prison. Keep it to yourself."(To) keep track of:To maintain a record of. ex. "I don't know where all my money goes. It's hard to keep track of my expenses."(A) kept man/woman:Someone who is in a relationship where the other person pays for everything. ex. "Stephen's girlfriend always pays for everything. He's such a kept man."(To) kick back:To relax.(To) kick oneself:To regret.(To) kill time:To waste time.Knock it off!:Stop it!Knock on wood:A phrase said to cancel out (imaginary) bad luck.(To) know something inside-out:To know something completely and thoroughly. ex. "Let me show you around - I know this neighborhood inside-out."(To) know the score:To know the facts. To know how things go.Know-it-all:A person who acts like they know everything. ex. "Robert is so conceited! Yeah, he's a real know-it-all."L(A) lady-killer:A handsome man; a man who charms women. This does NOT mean "killer of ladies!" :) Last but not least:Last in order but not last in importance. ex. "Last but not least I'd like to thank myparents."Last ditch (adj.):Final (*has a slight connotation of "desperate"*). ex. "They made a last-ditch effort to win the game, but came up short."(To) lay a finger on someone:To touch someone even very slightly. ex. "If you so much as lay a finger on him, you will be in trouble."(To) lay low:SEE "Keep a low profile"(To) leave a bad taste in someone's mouth:To leave a negative impression on someone.(To) leave someone high and dry:To leave someone helpless. ex. "Don't leave me high. Don't leave me dry." - Radiohead (To) leave someone in peace/ alone:To stop bothering someone. ex. "Leave me alone! I don't want to talk to anyone." (To) let off steam:To release energy or anger. ex. "Victor went drinking, and got into a fight. That's OK, he's just letting off a little steam."(To) let someone off the hook:To release someone from responsibility. ex. "Natalie said she didn't want to wash the dishes, but her mom didn't let her off the hook."(To) let something slide:To neglect something. To ignore something. ex. "I'm going to let it slide this time, but next time be more careful!"(A) lift:A ride. ex. "She gave me a lift to the airport."Little by little:Slowly, gradually. ex. "Little by little she started to like living in New York City."(A) little off:Not quite even, normal. ex. "There was something a little off about the way she was behaving."(To) lock horns:To argue. To have a dispute. To disagree.(To) look the other way:To ignore something on purpose. ex. "In some countries, customs officials can be paid to look the other way."(A) long shot:Something that has a slim (small) chance of happening. "They might win, but it's a long-shot."(To) lose (someone):This is often used when someone is chasing someone OR being chased by someone. Ifyou're being chased by someone and you manage to get away you can say - "I lost him!" - The person chasing you can say the same thing - "I lost him" :)(To) lose one's temper:。

AA Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush:Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more, because chances are you might lose everything.A Blessing In Disguise:Something good that isn't recognized at first.A Chip On Your Shoulder:Being upset for something that happened in the past.A Dime A Dozen:Anything that is common and easy to get.A Doubting Thomas:A skeptic who needs physical or personal evidence in order to believe something.A Drop in the Bucket:A very small part of something big or whole.A Fool And His Money Are Easily Parted:It's easy for a foolish person to lose his/her money.A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand:Everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not work out.A Leopard Can't Change His Spots:You cannot change who you are.A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned:By not spending money, you are saving money (little by little).A Picture Paints a Thousand Words:A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.A Piece of Cake:A task that can be accomplished very easily.A Slap on the Wrist:A very mild punishment.A Taste Of Your Own Medicine:When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others.A Toss-Up:A result that is still unclear and can go either way.Actions Speak Louder Than Words:It's better to actually do something than just talk about it.Add Fuel To The Fire:Whenever something is done to make a bad situation even worse than it is.Against The Clock:Rushed and short on time.All Bark And No Bite:When someone is threatening and/or aggressive but not willing to engage in a fight.All Greek to me:Meaningless and incomprehensible like someone who cannot read, speak, or understand any of the Greek language would be.All In The Same Boat:When everyone is facing the same challenges.An Arm And A Leg:Very expensive. A large amount of money.An Axe To Grind:To have a dispute with someone.Apple of My Eye:Someone who is cherished above all others.As High As A Kite:Anything that is high up in the sky.At The Drop Of A Hat:Willing to do something immediately.BBack Seat Driver:People who criticize from the sidelines, much like someone giving unwanted advice from theback seat of a vehicle to the driver.Back To Square One:Having to start all over again.Back To The Drawing Board:When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.Baker's Dozen:Thirteen.Barking Up The Wrong Tree:A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve.Beat A Dead Horse:To force an issue that has already ended.Beating Around The Bush:Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.Bend Over Backwards:Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything.Between A Rock And A Hard Place:Stuck between two very bad options.Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:To take on a task that is way to big.Bite Your Tongue:To avoid talking.Blood Is Thicker Than Water:The family bond is closer than anything else.Blue Moon:A rare event or occurance.Break A Leg:A superstitious way to say 'good luck' without saying 'good luck', but rather the opposite.Buy A Lemon:To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it away.CCan't Cut The Mustard :Someone who isn't adequate enough to compete or participate.Cast Iron Stomach:Someone who has no problems, complications or ill effects with eating anything or drinking anything.Charley Horse:Stiffness in the leg / A leg cramp.Chew someone out:Verbally scold someone.Chip on his Shoulder:Angry today about something that occured in the past.Chow Down:To eat.Close but no Cigar:To be very near and almost accomplish a goal, but fall short.Cock and Bull Story:An unbelievable tale.Come Hell Or High Water:Any difficult situation or obstacle.Crack Someone Up:To make someone laugh.Cross Your Fingers:To hope that something happens the way you want it to.Cry Over Spilt Milk:When you complain about a loss from the past.Cry Wolf:Intentionally raise a false alarm.Cup Of Joe:A cup of coffee.Curiosity Killed The Cat:Being Inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation.Cut to the Chase:Leave out all the unnecessary details and just get to the point.DDark Horse:One who was previously unknown and is now prominent.Dead Ringer:100% identical. A duplicate.Devil's Advocate:Someone who takes a position for the sake of argument without believing in that particular side of the arguement. It can also mean one who presents a counter argument for a position they do believe in, to another debater.Dog Days of Summer:The hottest days of the summer season.Don't count your chickens before they hatch:Don't rely on it until your sure of it.Don't Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth:When someone gives you a gift, don't be ungrateful.Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket:Do not put all your resources in one possibility.Doozy:Something outstanding.Down To The Wire:Something that ends at the last minute or last few seconds.Drastic Times Call For Drastic Measures:When you are extremely desperate you need to take extremely desperate actions.Drink like a fish:To drink very heavily.Drive someone up the wall:To irritate and/or annoy very much.Dropping Like Flies:A large number of people either falling ill or dying.Dry Run:Rehearsal.EEighty Six:A certain item is no longer available. Or this idiom can also mean, to throw away.Elvis has left the building:The show has come to an end. It's all over.Ethnic Cleansing:Killing of a certain ethnic or religious group on a massive scale.Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining:Be optomistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.Everything But The Kitchen Sink:Almost everything and anything has been included.Excuse my French:Please forgive me for cussing.Cock and Bull Story:An unbelievable tale.Cock and Bull Story:An unbelievable tale.FFeeding Frenzy:An aggressive attack on someone by a group.Field Day:An enjoyable day or circumstance.Finding Your Feet:To become more comfortable in whatever you are doing.Finger lickin' good:A very tasty food or meal.Fixed In Your Ways:Not willing or wanting to change from your normal way of doing something.Flash In The Pan:Something that shows potential or looks promising in the beginning but fails to deliver anything in the end.Flea Market:A swap meet. A place where people gather to buy and sell inexpensive goods.Flesh and Blood:This idiom can mean living material of which people are made of, or it can refer to someone's family.Flip The Bird:To raise your middle finger at someone.Foam at the Mouth:To be enraged and show it.Fools' Gold:Iron pyrites, a worthless rock that resembles real gold.French Kiss:An open mouth kiss where tongues touch.From Rags To Riches:To go from being very poor to being very wealthy.Fuddy-duddy:An old-fashioned and foolish type of person.Full Monty:This idiom can mean either, "the whole thing" or "completely nude".Funny Farm:A mental institutional facility.GGet Down to Brass Tacks:To become serious about something.Get Over It:To move beyond something that is bothering you.Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed:Someone who is having a horrible day.Get Your Walking Papers:Get fired from a job.Give Him The Slip:To get away from. To escape.Go Down Like A Lead Balloon:To be received badly by an audience.Go For Broke:To gamble everything you have.Go Out On A Limb:Put yourself in a tough position in order to support someone/something.Go The Extra Mile:Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand. Good Samaritan:Someone who helps others when they are in need, with no discussion for compensation, and no thought of a reward.Graveyard Shift:Working hours from about 12:00 am to 8:00 am. The time of the day when most other people are sleeping.Great Minds Think Alike:Intelligent people think like each other.Green Room:The waiting room, especially for those who are about to go on a tv or radio show.Gut Feeling:A personal intuition you get, especially when feel something may not be right.HHaste Makes Waste:Quickly doing things results in a poor ending.Hat Trick:When one player scores three goals in the same hockey game. This idiom can also mean three scores in any other sport, such as 3 homeruns, 3 touchdowns, 3 soccer goals, etc.Have an Axe to Grind:To have a dispute with someone.He Lost His Head:Angry and overcome by emotions.Head Over Heels:Very excited and/or joyful, especially when in love.Hell in a Handbasket:Deteriorating and headed for complete disaster.High Five:Slapping palms above each others heads as celebration gesture.High on the Hog:Living in Luxury.Hit The Books:To study, especially for a test or exam.Hit The Hay:Go to bed or go to sleep.Hit The Nail on the Head:Do something exactly right or say something exactly right.Hit The Sack:Go to bed or go to sleep.Hocus Pocus:In general, a term used in magic or trickery.Hold Your Horses:Be patient.IIcing On The Cake:When you already have it good and get something on top of what you already have.Idle Hands Are The Devil's Tools:You are more likely to get in trouble if you have nothing to do.If It's Not One Thing, It's Another:When one thing goes wrong, then another, and another...In Like Flynn:To be easily successful, especially when sexual or romantic.In The Bag:To have something secured.In The Buff:Nude.In The Heat Of The Moment:Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.In Your Face:An aggressive and bold confrontation.It Takes Two To Tango:A two person conflict where both people are at fault.It's A Small World:You frequently see the same people in different places.Its Anyone's Call:A competition where the outcome is difficult to judge or predict.Ivy League:Since 1954 the Ivy League has been the following universities: Columbia, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Harvard.JJaywalk:Crossing the street (from the middle) without using the crosswalk.Joshing Me:Tricking me.KKeep An Eye On Him:You should carefully watch him.Keep body and soul together:To earn a sufficient amount of money in order to keep yourself alive .Keep your chin up:To remain joyful in a tough situation.Kick The Bucket:Die.Kitty-corner:Diagonally across. Sometimes called Catty-Corner as well.Knee Jerk Reaction:A quick and automatic response.Knock On Wood:Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid some bad luck.Know the Ropes:To understand the details.LLast but not least:An introduction phrase to let the audience know that the last person mentioned is no less important than those introduced before him/her.Lend Me Your Ear:To politely ask for someone's full attention.Let Bygones Be Bygones:To forget about a disagreement or arguement.Let Sleeping Dogs Lie:To avoid restarting a conflict.Let The Cat Out Of The Bag:To share a secret that wasn't suppose to be shared.Level playing field:A fair competition where no side has an advantage.Like a chicken with its head cut off:To act in a frenzied manner.liquor someone up:To get someone drunk.Long in the Tooth:Old people (or horses).Loose Cannon:Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not kept in check.MMake No Bones About:To state a fact so there are no doubts or objections.Method To My Madness:Strange or crazy actions that appear meaningless but in the end are done for a good reason.Mumbo Jumbo:Nonsense or meaningless speech.Mum's the word:To keep quiet. To say nothing.NNest Egg:Savings set aside for future use.Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You:Don't hurt anyone that helps you.New kid on the block:Someone new to the group or area.New York Minute:A minute that seems to go by quickly, especially in a fast paced environment.No Dice:To not agree. To not accept a proposition.No Room to Swing a Cat:An unsually small or confined space.Not Playing With a Full Deck:Someone who lacks intelligence.OOff On The Wrong Foot:Getting a bad start on a relationship or task.Off The Hook:No longer have to deal with a tough situation.Off the Record:Something said in confidence that the one speaking doesn't want attributed to him/her.On Pins And Needles:Anxious or nervous, especially in anticipation of something.On The Fence:Undecided.On The Same Page:When multiple people all agree on the same thing.Out Of The Blue:Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs.Out On A Limb:When someone puts themself in a risky situation.Out On The Town:To enjoy yourself by going out.Over My Dead Body:When you absolutely will not allow something to happen.Over the Top:Very excessive.PPass The Buck:Avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else.Pedal to the metal:To go full speed, especially while driving a vehicle.Peeping Tom:Someone who observes people in the nude or sexually active people, mainly for his own gratification.Pick up your ears:To listen very carefully.Pig In A Poke:A deal that is made without first examining it.Pig Out :To eat alot and eat it quickly.Pipe Down:To shut-up or be quiet.Practice Makes Perfect:By constantly practicing, you will become better.Pull the plug:To stop something. To bring something to an end.Pulling Your Leg:Tricking someone as a joke.Put a sock in it:To tell noisy person or a group to be quiet.QQueer the pitch:Destroy or ruin a plan.RRaincheck:An offer or deal that is declined right now but willing to accept later.Raining Cats and Dogs:A very loud and noisy rain storm.Ring Fencing:Seperated usual judgement to guarantee protection, especially project funds.Rise and Shine:Time to get out of bed and get ready for work/school.Rome Was Not Built In One Day:If you want something to be completely properly, then its going to take time.Rule Of Thumb:A rough estimate.Run out of steam:To be completely out of energy.SSaved By The Bell:Saved at the last possible moment.Scapegoat:Someone else who takes the blame.Scot-free:To escape and not have to pay.Sick As A Dog:To be very sick (with the flu or a cold).Sitting Shotgun:Riding in the front passenger seat of a car.Sixth Sense:A paranormal sense that allows you to communicate with the dead.Skid Row:The rundown area of a city where the homeless and drug users live.Smell A Rat:To detect somone in the group is betraying the others.Smell Something Fishy:Detecting that something isn't right and there might be a reason for it.Son of a Gun:A scamp.Southpaw:Someone who is left-handed.Spitting Image:The exact likeness or kind.Start From Scratch:To do it all over again from the beginning.TThe Ball Is In Your Court:It is your decision this time.The Best Of Both Worlds:There are two choices and you have them both.The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall:While the bigger and stronger opponent might be alot more difficult to beat, when you do they suffer a much bigger loss.The Last Straw:When one small burden after another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw is the last small burden that one can take.The Whole Nine Yards:Everything. All of it.Third times a charm:After no success the first two times, the third try is a lucky one.Tie the knot:To get married.Til the cows come home:A long time.To Make A Long Story Short:Something someone would say during a long and boring story in order to keep his/her audience from losing attention. Usually the story isn't shortened.To Steal Someone's Thunder:To take the credit for something someone else did.Tongue And Cheek:humor, not to be taken serious.Turn A Blind Eye:Refuse to acknowledge something you know is real or legit.Twenty three skidoo:To be turned away.UUnder the weather:Feeling ill or sick.Up a blind alley:Going down a course of action that leads to a bad outcome.Use Your Loaf:Use your head. Think smart.VVan Gogh's ear for music:Tone deaf.Variety Is The Spice Of Life:The more experiences you try the more exciting life can be.WWag the Dog:A diversion away from something of greater importance.Water Under The Bridge:Anything from the past that isn't significant or important anymore.Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve:To openly and freely express your emotions.When It Rains, It Pours:Since it rarely rains, when it does it will be a huge storm.When Pigs Fly :Something that will never ever happen.Wild and Woolly:Uncultured and without laws.Wine and Dine:When somebody is treated to an expensive meal.Without A Doubt:For certain.XX marks the spot:A phrase that is said when someone finds something he/she has been looking for.YYou Are What You Eat:In order to stay healthy you must eat healthy foods.You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover:Decisions shouldn't be made primarily on appearance.You Can't Take it With You:Enjoy what you have and not what you don't have, since when you die you cannot take things (such as money) with you.Your Guess Is As Good As Mine:I have no idea.ZZero Tolerance:No crime or law breaking big or small will be overlooked.。