Idioms

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English idioms

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128 Terms

1
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strike gold

to win a gold medal in a sports competition:

- She is the favourite to strike gold in the 400 metres hurdles.

to make large profits, have great success with something or to become rich:

- A few lucky people have struck gold by investing in this company.

- The studio struck gold with their latest film.

2
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have nothing on someone or something

to not be as good as someone or something:

- He's a good player, but he's got nothing on his brother.

3
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out of your depth

not having the knowledge, experience, or skills to deal with a particular subject or situation:

- I was out of my depth in the advanced class, so I moved to the intermediate class.

4
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out of the blue

If something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected:

- One day, out of the blue, she announced that she was leaving.

5
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have a green thumb

to be good at gardening and making plants grow well:

- She has a green thumb and finds working with plants therapeutic.

6
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haul/drag someone over the coals

to speak angrily to someone because they have done something you disapprove of:

- He was hauled over the coals for coming in late for work.

- Jacky was hauled over the coals by her boss.

7
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hold someone/something back

to stop someone or something developing or doing as well as they should:

- She felt that having children would hold her back.

If you hold someone or something back, you stop him, her, or it from coming or moving forward:

- Sandbags will hold the flood waters back for a while. to keep information secret from someone deliberately

8
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cut corners

to save money or time when doing something by not including some parts, actions, or details, so that the result is not as good as it could be :

- There were concerns that airport security staff under pressure might be tempted to cut corners.

- The dictionary took nearly 70 years to complete because its makers refused to cut corners.

9
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at hand

near in time or position:

- We want to ensure that help is at hand (= easily available) for all children suffering abuse.

10
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keep/put your nose to the grindstone

to work very hard for a long time:

- She kept her nose to the grindstone all year and got the exam results she wanted.

11
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pull your weight

to work as hard as other people in a group:

The others had complained that Sarah wasn't pulling her weight.

12
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it never rains but it pours/ when it rains, it pours

said when one bad thing happens, followed by a lot of other bad things that make a bad situation worse

13
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the stars align (also the fates align, the constellations align)

used to say that a situation is very good or lucky, or becomes completely right in order for something to happen:

- The stars aligned when they met and fell in love.

- I thought all the stars had aligned for him to finally get another win.

- It looked like the fates had aligned to bring the two sides together.

- The constellations were aligning against the Tory party.

14
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jump to conclusions

to guess the facts about a situation without having enough information:

- Don't jump to conclusions! Perhaps it was his daughter he was dancing with.

15
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stick to your guns

to continue to have your beliefs or continue with a plan of action, even if other people disagree with you:

- Despite harsh criticism, she's sticking to her guns on this issue.

16
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beat around the bush

to avoid talking about what is important:

- Don't beat around the bush - get to the point!

- He didn't come right out and say that he didn't like the dinner. He beat around the bush.

17
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read between the lines

to try to understand someone's real feelings or intentions from what they say or write:

- Reading between the lines, I'd say he isn't happy with the situation.

- It's hard to read between the lines when his face is always so serious.

18
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take something at face value

to accept something as it appears to be rather than studying it more closely:

- I took the offer at face value. I didn't think they might be trying to trick me.

19
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give or take

possibly a little more or less than the amount or time mentioned (плюс-минус):

It'll be ready at 6:00, give or take a few minutes. It cost £200, give or take.

20
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to put it mildly

used for saying that something is much more extreme than your words suggest (мягко говоря):

It has been a remarkable day, to put it mildly.

21
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you've got nothing to lose

used to say that you cannot make things worse, or cause any disadvantages for yourself by doing a particular thing:

Why don't you take the job? You've got nothing to lose.

22
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I'm off to the gym. / I'm heading to the gym.

I'm going to the gym.

23
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set/put your mind to something

to decide you are going to do something and to put a lot of effort into doing it:

- if you'd just put your mind to it, I'm sure you could do it.

24
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make up your mind

to decide:

I haven't made up my mind where to go yet.

25
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slip your mind

If something slips your mind, you forget it:

I'm sorry I forgot your birthday - it just slipped my mind.

26
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take someone's mind off something

to stop you from worrying or thinking about a problem or pain, often by forcing you to think about other things:

- The good thing about running is that it takes my mind off any problems I have.

27
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stick your neck out

to take a risk:

I'm really sticking my neck out by investing my money in this idea.

28
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cut both ways

to have both advantages and disadvantages:

The promotion cuts both ways because though I'll make more money, I'll have to be away from my family more often.

29
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put on an act

to behave or speak in a false or artificial way:

- He's just putting on an act for the boss's benefit.

- She doesn't really like her boss, but she puts on an act when he's around.

30
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come right out with (something)

directly say something:

- He didn't hesitate. He came right out with his criticism.

- What's the secret? Come out with it already!

31
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agree to differ/agree to disagree

to accept that you have different opinions from another person about a particular thing, and stop trying to persuade each other that you are right:

- Her parents are Republicans, and they have agreed to differ with their daughter.

- There are areas where we will simply have to agree to disagree.

32
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the bird has flown

said when the person or thing you are looking for has gone away or escaped;

33
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have time on your hands

to have nothing to do:

- Gina has some time on her hands, so she is taking a college course.

34
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What are you up to?

What are you doing?

35
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have nothing to do with someone/something

to not involve someone or something:

- He said that he had nothing to do with the decision.

- As I said, it's nothing to do with me.

- I want nothing to do with (=do not want to be involved) the whole thing.

36
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burn the midnight oil

to work late into the night:

Last night I was burning the midnight oil, trying to finish the plans for a project.

37
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can't be bothered

If you can't be bothered doing/to do something, you are too lazy or tired to do it:

- Most evenings I can't be bothered cooking.

- I know I should go to the gym this evening but, to be honest, I can't be bothered.

38
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bear/keep something in mind

to remember a piece of information when you are making a decision or thinking about a matter:

Bearing in mind how young she is, I thought she did really well.

39
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cross someone's mind

If something crosses your mind, you think of it:

It never once crossed my mind that she might be unhappy.

40
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know your own mind

to be certain about what you believe or want:

- She may be only a child, but she knows her own mind

41
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lose your mind

to become crazy:

I'm going to lose my mind if I have to stay here any longer.

42
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be in two minds

to be unable to decide about something:

I was in two minds whether or not to come this morning.

43
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speak your mind

to say what you think about something very directly:

He's certainly not afraid to speak his mind.

44
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read someone's mind

to know what someone is thinking without them telling you: "How about a drink, then?" "Ah, you read my mind!"

45
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make a call

To make a decision (about something).

I know that neither option is ideal, but you have to make a call soon. I'll make a final at the end of the day.

46
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of two minds (about something)

unable to make a decision:

I was of two minds about whether to invite him to the wedding.

47
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hold your horses

used to tell someone to stop and consider carefully their decision or opinion about something:

Just hold your horses, Bill! Let's think about this for a moment.

48
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know something like the back of your hand

to have very good and detailed knowledge of something:

I know this area like the back of my hand.

49
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bear with someone

to be patient and wait while someone does something:

If you'll just bear with me for a moment, I'll find you a copy of the drawings.

50
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supply and demand

the idea that the price of goods and services depends on how much of something is being sold and how many people want to buy it

- Oil prices should be set by supply and demand, and not artificially regulated.

51
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fat chance

used to say that you certainly do not think that something is likely to happen:

- "Perhaps they'll invite you." "Fat chance (of that)!"

52
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be (only/just) a matter of time

it is certain to happen but you do not know when it will happen:

- It's only a matter of time before he's forced to resign.

53
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take stock (of something)

to think carefully about a situation or event and form an opinion about it, so that you can decide what to do:

- After two years spent teaching overseas, she returned home for a month to take stock of her life.

54
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throw yourself into something

to do something enthusiastically:

- She's thrown herself into this new job.

55
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cast a shadow over/on something

to spoil a good situation with something unpleasant:

- Her father's illness had cast a shadow over the birth of her baby.

56
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go over someone's head

to appeal to a higher authority than someone in an attempt to get what you want :

- Amanda was refusing to give me the week off so I went over her head and spoke to the boss.

57
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grow on someone

If someone or something grows on you, you like him, her, or it more and more than you did at first:

I wasn't sure about this album when I bought it, but it's really grown on me.

58
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I'm all ears

to be waiting eagerly to hear about something:

- I'm all ears - tell us what they had to say.

59
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bottle up your feelings

to hide your emotions from other people

60
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There's always room for improvement

used to say that something is not perfect and needs to be impoved

- The report shows that there is room for improvement.r

61
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avoid fluff

avoid unnecessary details that are not useful to your audience

62
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keep sb on the edge of (one's) seat

keep you excited and interested in what happens next

63
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short and sweet

quick and simple

64
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the way the cookie crumbles

said when something slightly unlucky has happened that could not have been prevented and so must be accepted

65
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take something with a grain of salt

to not completely believe something that you are told, because you think it is unlikely to be true:

- You have to take everything she says with a grain of salt, because she tends to exaggerate.

66
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have a lot on your plate

to have a large number of problems to deal with or a large amount of work to do:

- I don't have a lot on my plate today, so I can help you.

67
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in a pickle

in a difficult situation

- I'm in a bit of a pickle and need some help.

68
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in a nutshell

briefly, in a few words, to summarize:

- So in a nutshell, you need to move all the contents of your apartment in 24 hours.

69
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at/in one sitting

during one limited period of time, without stopping:

I enjoyed the book so much that I read it all in one sitting.

<p><strong>during one limited period of time, without stopping:</strong></p><p><em>I enjoyed the book so much that I read it all in one sitting.</em></p>
70
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in one go

All at one time or in one attempt.:

-We'll never be able to carry all these boxes out in one go—we'll have to make several trips.

71
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be the bee's knees

to be excellent or of an extremely high standard:

- Have you tried this ice cream? It's the bee's knees, it really is.

72
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miss the boat

to lose an opportunity to do something by being slow to act:

- There were tickets available last week, but he missed the boat by waiting till today to try to buy some.

73
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work your fingers to the bone

to work extremely hard, especially for a long time:

- She worked her fingers to the bone to provide a home and food for seven children.

74
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take something in your stride

to deal with a problem or difficulty calmly and not to allow it to influence what you are doing:

- When you become a politician, you soon learn to take criticism in your stride.

75
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someone can dish it out but he or she can’t take it

someone easily criticizes other people but does not like it when other people criticize him or her:

- He’s mad at me for teasing him – he can dish it out, but he can’t take it!

76
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in the nick of time

at the last possible moment:

- We got there just in the nick of time.

77
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donkey's years

a very long time:

She's been in the same job for donkey's years.

<p><strong>a very long time:</strong></p><p><em>She's been in the same job </em><strong><em>for</em></strong><em> donkey's years.</em></p>
78
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time and (time) again

very often:

- I've told you time and time again - look before you cross the road.

- Time and again we hear these promises from politicians.

79
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stamped on someone's memory

If a particular event, etc. is stamped on someone's memory, the person will always remember it:

- The awful sound of the crash will be stamped on her memory forever.

- They were the most glorious summers of my life and are truly stamped on my memory forever.

80
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bring to mind

to make you remember something:

- That music brings to mind our first date.

- That brings to mind that hat you had with the wide brim.

<p><strong>to make you remember something:</strong></p><p><em>- That music brings to mind our first date.</em></p><p><em>- That brings to mind that hat you had with the wide brim.</em></p>
81
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make a killing

to earn a lot of money in a short time and with little effort:

- They made a killing with the sale of their London house.

82
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in blissful ignorance

not knowing any of the unpleasant facts about something:

- All the time his business was failing, he kept his wife and family in blissful ignorance.

<p><strong>not knowing any of the unpleasant facts about something:</strong></p><p><em>- All the time his business was failing, he kept his wife and family in blissful ignorance.</em></p>
83
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be over the moon

to be very pleased:

- She was over the moon about/with her new bike.

<p><strong>to be very pleased:</strong></p><p><em>- She was over the moon about/with her new bike.</em></p>
84
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it remains to be seen

it is not yet certain:

- It remains to be seen who will win.

- But whether it will be adopted at this stage remains to be seen.

<p><strong>it is not yet certain:</strong></p><p><em>- It remains to be seen </em><strong><em>wh</em></strong><em>o will win.</em></p><p>- <em>But whether it will be adopted at this stage remains to be seen.</em></p>
85
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turn on a dime

By extension, to change focus, activity, opinion, or behavior very suddenly or abruptly:

- He's usually a nice guy, but his temper can turn on a dime sometimes.

- Politicians have no loyalty to their causes—they'll turn on a dime if it means they'll get more votes.

86
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thrilled to bits

extremely pleased:

- She was thrilled to bits with her present.

- I was thrilled to bits to hear that I'd been selected for a literary award in New York City.

<p><strong>extremely pleased:</strong></p><p><em>- She was thrilled to bits with her present.</em></p><p>- <em>I was thrilled to bits to hear that I'd been selected for a literary award in New York City.</em></p>
87
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connect the dots/join the dots

to understand the relationships between different facts or events so that you fully understand a situation:

- If I was able to join the dots and discover your true identity then I am sure that, in time, others will too.

- There was a basic failure to just join the dots and realize what was really going on.

88
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by leaps and bounds

very quickly:

The company is growing by leaps and bounds this year.

<p><strong>very quickly:</strong></p><p><em>The company is growing by leaps and bounds this year.</em></p>
89
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at the expense of someone/ at someone's expense

in a way that embarrasses or harms someone:

- Would you stop making jokes at my expense?

resulting in the loss of something:

- Do we really want to speed the process up at the expense of safety?

90
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show/teach someone the ropes

to show someone how to do a job or activity:

- Lynn spent an afternoon showing the new girl the ropes.

<p><strong>to show someone how to do a job or activity:</strong></p><p><em>- Lynn spent an afternoon showing the new girl the ropes.</em></p>
91
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raise the bar/lower the bar
set the bar high/low

To raise standards or expectations, especially by creating something to a higher standard (поднять планку):

- Acme's new technology will raise the bar for the entire industry.

- They've set the bar high in terms of what people expect from them.

- Set the bar low at first, then amaze the audience with a fantastic performance.

92
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(up) to the hilt

Something that is done (up) to the hilt is done completely and without any limits:
- The government is already borrowing up to the hilt.

93
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rule of thumb

a practical and approximate way of doing or measuring something (неписанное правило):

- A good rule of thumb is that a portion of rice is two handfuls.

94
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cost an arm and a leg/a small fortune

to be extremely expensive:
- I'd love to buy a Porsche, but they cost an arm and a leg.

95
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put your foot in your mouth

to say or do something that you should not have, esp. something that embarrasses someone else:

- I really put my foot in my mouth – I asked her if Jane was her mother, but she said Jane is her sister.

96
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hand over fist

If you make or lose money hand over fist, you make or lose a lot of money very quickly:

- Business was good and we were making money hand over fist.

97
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if anything

used when saying that what people may believe is not true, and the opposite may be true:

- If anything, you have to work even harder when your dad's the boss.

- I think I'm pretty honest about my emotions most of the time; if anything, I'm too frank about them.

used when saying that there may be nothing:

- We need to assess what happened and what, if anything, we could have done to prevent it.

98
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under the table

If something is done under the table, it is a secret, hidden action:

- They offered him money under the table to change his mind.

- It’s money I earned under the table, so I'm not sure how I would declare it.

99
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someone's two cents

someone's opinion about something, esp. when it was not asked for or wanted:

- If the changes are going to affect me, then I want to put my two cents in.

100
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pull someone's leg

to try to persuade someone to believe something that is not true, as a joke:

- Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?

- Stop pulling my leg – you didn’t have lunch with Bono!

<p><strong>to try to persuade someone to believe something that is not true, as a joke:</strong></p><p><em>- Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?</em></p><p>- <em>Stop pulling my leg – you didn’t have lunch with Bono!</em></p>