Advanced English Idioms & Transformation Vocabulary

A collection of advanced English idioms, phrasal verbs, and fixed expressions frequently tested in sentence-transformation exercises. Each flashcard pairs a vocabulary item with a concise definition to aid memorisation and recall.

keep / have one's wits about one

to remain alert and able to think clearly in a difficult or dangerous situation

cut / pare (something) to the bone

to reduce something, especially costs or prices, as much as possible

take offence (at)

to feel upset or hurt by what someone says or does

touch-and-go

very uncertain and likely to fail or be delayed

the apple of someone’s eye

a person or thing that someone loves very much

act on / upon impulse

to do something suddenly without planning or careful thought

kick (someone) in the teeth

to treat someone badly or disappoint them when they need help or support

step into someone’s shoes

to take over a job or position that someone else had

cushion the blow

to make a bad situation less severe or easier to bear

make amends (for)

to do something to show you are sorry for hurting or upsetting someone

(just) a stone’s throw (away)

a very short distance

own up (to)

to admit that you have done something wrong

find fault (with)

to criticise someone or something, often unfairly or repeatedly

flash in the pan

something that is popular or successful for only a short time

eke out a living

to earn just enough money to survive

cut one’s teeth (on)

to gain initial experience of something, especially at a young age

take pride in

to feel satisfaction about something you own or have done

toe the line

to follow rules or instructions exactly

go to someone’s head

(of success, praise, alcohol, etc.) to make someone feel too proud or confident

turn over a new leaf

to start to behave in a better way

put / set the cat among the pigeons

to say or do something that causes trouble or makes people angry or worried

bring / take someone down a peg (or two)

to make someone realise they are not as important as they think

turn a deaf ear (to)

to refuse to listen to or ignore what someone says

no match for

not as good, strong, or skilful as someone or something else

the gift of the gab

the ability to speak easily and persuasively

call a spade a spade

to speak honestly and directly about something unpleasant

bury the hatchet

to stop being hostile; to make peace

take (something) to heart

to be deeply affected or upset by something

be rushed / run off one’s feet

to be extremely busy

(just) the tip of the iceberg

a small, visible part of a much larger problem

throw the book at (someone)

to punish someone as severely as possible

by no means

not at all; certainly not

a blot on the landscape

something that spoils the beauty of a place

blind spot

an area where a person’s view is obstructed / something a person is unaware of or fails to understand

a going concern

a business or activity that is operating successfully

vested interest

a personal reason for wanting something to happen, often financial

as easy as falling off a log

extremely easy

lend itself to

to be suitable for a particular purpose

keep track (of)

to remain informed or aware of something

pull a face

to make an expression of dislike or disgust

bring something home (to someone)

to make someone understand something clearly

hit the nail on the head

to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem

pay tribute (to)

to praise someone or something publicly

under no circumstances

used to emphasise that something must not happen for any reason

come to light

(of information) to become known or revealed

little / slim prospect (of)

only a small chance that something will happen

stand to reason

to be obvious or logical

have yet to (do)

to not have done something up to the present time

in the long run

over a long period of time; eventually

smell / scent a rat

to suspect that something is wrong or that someone is deceiving you

off-limits

not allowed to enter, use, or see

go halves (on)

to share the cost of something equally