Metaphorical Collocations

Flashcards covering key metaphorical collocations and idioms, including body-part metaphors, weight metaphors, and movement expressions.

cast light on a situation

To make a situation or problem easier to understand by explaining it.

face (up to) the facts

To accept the truth, even when it is unpleasant.

shoulder the blame

To accept responsibility for something bad that has happened.

foot the bill

To pay for something, especially when it is expensive.

head a team

To be the leader of a team or group.

keep someone on their toes

To make someone stay alert, active and ready to deal with problems.

have an eye for

To be naturally good at noticing or recognizing something.

go hand in hand with

To be closely connected with something, or to happen together with it.

heavy responsibility

A serious duty or responsibility that is difficult to deal with.

heavy burden

A difficult responsibility or problem that causes worry or stress; it can also mean a physically heavy load.

heavy book

A book that weighs a lot, or a book with difficult or serious content.

weighty tome

A large, substantial book, especially one with serious or difficult content. This expression is often humorous or slightly formal.

weighty matters

Important and serious issues that deserve careful thought.

weighty problems

Difficult and important problems that are not easy to solve.

light reading

Reading material that is entertaining or easy to read and does not require much serious thought.

with a light heart

Feeling happy, relaxed and free from worry.

slim chance

A very small possibility that something will happen.

fat chance

Almost no chance at all. Very informal; it can also sound sarcastic.

run into difficulties

To start experiencing problems or difficulties.

hopping mad

Extremely angry. Informal expression.

walk straight into a job

To get a job very easily or immediately, often with little difficulty.

jump to the conclusion

To decide that something is true before having enough information.

hit the rocks

To begin to fail or experience serious problems; often used about a relationship or plan.

run into trouble

To begin having problems or difficulties.