Idioms

a bolt from/out of the blue

news that is sudden and unexpected

be locked in battle/combat/dispute etc

to be involved in a long, serious argument or fight with someone

let nature take its course

to allow events to happen without doing anything to change the results

risk life and limb

risk your life and health

not in the least

use this to say strongly that something is not true, especially when you would expect it to be true

pick sb’s brains

to ask someone who knows a lot about something for information and advice about it

in print

printed in a book, newspaper etc

down in the dumps

very sad and without much interest in life

in the pink

in very good health

be in the red

to owe more money than you have

in essence

used when talking about the most basic and important part of something, especially an idea, belief, or argument

keep/have your wits about you

be ready to think quickly and do what is necessary in a difficult situation

be wrapped up in sth

to be so involved in something that you do not notice or seem to care about other things

bone of contention

something that causes arguments between people

take offence (at something)

to feel offended because of something someone says or does

a miracle cure

a very effective one that cures a serious disease)

have money/time etc to spare

if you have money, time etc to spare, you have some left in addition to what you have used or need

be at a loss

to be confused and uncertain about what to do or say

be at death’s door

to be very ill and likely to die

be at your wits’ end

to be very upset and not know what to do, because you have tried everything possible to solve a problem

at the crack of dawn

very early in the morning

make the best of something (also make the best of a bad job/situation etc)

to accept a situation that is not very good, and do whatever you can to make it better

make no bones about (doing) something

to not feel nervous or ashamed about doing or saying something

make a splash

to do something that gets a lot of public attention

make a clean sweep

make a very impressive victory in a competition, election etc

have a sweet tooth

to like things that taste of sugar

out of stock/in stock

unavailable or available in a particular shop

stand a chance/hope (of doing something)

to be likely to be able to do something or to succeed

it goes without saying (that)

used to say that something is so clearly true that it does not need to be said

make waves

to cause problems, especially when you should not

not hold water

if an excuse, a statement etc does not hold water, it does not seem to be true or reasonable

be wearing thin

if an excuse, an argument, someone’s behaviour etc is wearing thin, it has been used so often that it no longer has any effect and is annoying

stay afloat

if a company stays afloat, it continues to survive in spite of difficult financial problems that may force it to close

the shape of things to come

an example of the way things will develop in the future

beg the question

to make you want to ask a question that has not yet been answered

hit the nail on the head

used to say that what someone has said is exactly right

mean business

to be serious about doing something even if it involves harming someone

a glutton for punishment

someone who seems to enjoy working hard or doing something unpleasant

in (the) light of something

if you do or decide something in the light of something else, you do it after considering that thing

be at/in/to the forefront (of something)

to be in a leading position in an important activity that is trying to achieve something or develop new ideas

be on the verge of something

to be at the point where something is about to happen

in accordance with something

according to a rule, system etc

may as well

used to suggest that someone should do something, because there is no good reason to do anything else

be bound to to be

very likely to do or feel a particular thing

be in for

if you say you are in for something unpleasant, it is almost certain to happen to you fairly soon

failing that/this

used to say that if your first suggestion is not successful or possible, there is another possibility that you could try

on the grounds that

because

given that

taking something into account

don’t know/can’t tell etc which is which

if you do not know which is which, you cannot see the difference between two very similar people or things

come to light/be brought to light

if new information comes to light, it becomes known

leave a lot/something/much to be desired

to be very unsatisfactory

be on a par (with something)

to be at the same level or standard

on the scrapheap

not wanted or used anymore – used especially when this seems unfair

and suchlike

and things of that kind

... or/and whatever (else)

used after mentioning one or two things to mean other things of the same kind

out on a limb

alone and without help or support

on and off (also off and on)

for short periods but not regularly over a long period of time

pay over the odds

to pay a higher price than is usual or reasonable

do something once too often

to repeat a bad, stupid, or dangerous action with the result that you get punished or cause trouble for yourself

do porridge

spend time in prison

pour scorn on somebody/something (also heap scorn on somebody/something)

to strongly criticize someone or something because you think they do not deserve respect

jump on the bandwagon

to do the same as a lot of other people are doing because you think there will be some advantage for you or because it is fashionable

be up for grabs

if a job, prize, opportunity etc is up for grabs, it is available for anyone who wants to try to have it

prim and proper

very formal and careful in the way you speak and behave, and easily shocked by anything rude

be on pins and needles

to be very nervous and unable to relax, especially because you are waiting for something important

for all practical purposes (also to all intents and purposes)

used to say that something is so close to the truth that it can be considered to be the truth

chop and change

to keep changing your mind

be spoilt/spoiled for choice

to have so many good things to choose from that you cannot decide which one to choose

be below/under par

to be less good than usual or below the proper standard

off-the-peg

(clothes) made in standard sizes, not made especially to fit one person

be on the level

to be honest and legal

let alone

used after a negative statement to say that the next thing you mention is even more unlikely

would sooner do something

would very much prefer to do it especially instead of something else that you dislike or that is unpleasant

one and the same

the same person or thing

take issue with somebody/something

to disagree or argue with someone about something

be the last thing on sb’s mind (also be the furthest thing from sb’s mind)

to be the thing that someone is least likely to be thinking about

be at liberty to do something

to have the right or permission to do something

have seen better days

to be in a bad condition

to that end

with an aim or purpose

by and large

used when making a general statement

win (something)/beat somebody fair and square

to win a competition, sports match etc honestly and without cheating

ins and outs

all the exact details of a complicated situation, problem, system etc

odds and ends

small things of various kinds without much value

it stands to reason (that)

used to say that something should be completely clear to anyone who is sensible

take it for granted

to be sure that something is true without ever asking yourself whether you are right or not

have your hands full

to be very busy or too busy

take turns/take it in turns to do something

if two or more people take turns doing work, using something etc, they do it one after the other, for example in order to share the work or play fairly

be in no mood for something/to do something

to not want to do something, or be determined not to do something

A minor offence

an illegal but not serious act

A furtive glance

a secret and quick look

In line for

likely to get something

In adjacent to

next to or near something

In the proximity of

near

Make do with

manage with the limited or inadequate resources available

To be taken aback

to be surprised

To bring up

to mention, talk about something

See about

deal with something

Back out of

to decide not to do something you have promised

Knock over

to hit something and make it fall to the ground

Let somebody stew in their own juice

to leave sb to worry and suffer the unpleasant effects of their own actions.