English Idioms and Phrases Review

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering common English idioms and phrases, including their definitions as provided in the lecture materials.

at all costs

To want something regardless of the expense, effort, or sacrifice involved.

anyone's call

Used when the result of a contest or election is difficult to predict.

all in your head

To describe something that is not real and only exists in your imagination.

at death's door

To describe someone who is seriously ill or very close to death.

all the better for something

To benefit from something or feel much better as a result of it.

all told

The final number when everything has been counted.

all hands on deck

A particular situation that requires everyone to work hard in order to achieve an aim.

against one's better judgement

To do something even though you feel it is not a sensible thing to do.

be all for something

To completely support something or agree 100% with an idea.

all sizzle and no steak

Someone or something that turns out to be disappointing, often due to exaggeration or being all talk.

the apple of your eye

The person or thing for whom you have great affection and love more than others.

acquired taste

Something that you dislike when you first taste it, but begin to like after trying it several times.

answer for something

To accept responsibility for your actions.

of no fixed abode

To have nowhere permanent to live.

Achilles heel

A vulnerable area or a weak spot in an otherwise strong situation that could cause failure.

apple-pie order

Well organised or in perfect order.

arm of the law

The extent to which the authority or power of the law extends, often referring to the police.

all hell broke loose

A sudden angry or noisy reaction to something where a situation becomes chaotic.

against the clock

To do something as fast as possible and try to finish it before a certain time.

accidentally on purpose

To do something intentionally but pretend it happened by chance.

of all people

Used when a particular person's actions or words are unlikely or surprising.

about turn / about face

A complete change of opinion or policy.

acid test

The true test of the value of something.

be up in arms

To be very angry about something and protest very strongly.

all things being equal

A probable situation if conditions remain unchanged or equal in all other ways.

have an axe to grind

Having personal reasons for becoming involved in something or having a personal motive.

after all

Finally, despite earlier problems or doubts.

accident waiting to happen

A potentially disastrous situation often caused by negligence or lack of precaution.

at sixes and sevens

To be in a state of total confusion or completely disorganised.

answer the call of nature / answer nature's call

To go to the toilet.

be all ears

To listen very attentively.

all clear

Permission to do something after a check-up makes sure everything is all right.

above board

To be open, honest, and legal.

avowed intent

A public declaration of an objective or goal.

any port in a storm

A solution you accept in a time of need which you would normally find unacceptable.

also-ran

An unsuccessful competitor whose performance is much poorer than the winner's.

hold all the aces

To be in a very strong position because you have more advantages than anyone else.

alter ego

A very close and trusted friend who is very like yourself.

apron strings

To remain dependent at an age when one should be independent.

asking for trouble

Behaving in a way that is likely to cause problems for you.

cost an arm and a leg

Something that is very expensive.

at someone's beck and call

Ready to obey orders instantly.

ace in the hole

An advantage or resource kept hidden until it is needed.

at this stage of the game

The current point reached in a process, activity, or developing situation.

ants in one's pants

To be restless or excited about something.

ahead of the pack

To be more successful than other people who are trying to achieve the same things.

above and beyond the call of duty

A greater degree of courage or effort than is usually required or expected in a job.

all brawn and no brain

To be physically very strong but not very intelligent.

of your own accord

To do something spontaneously or willingly without being forced.

no accounting for taste

Used to indicate surprise at another person's likes or dislikes.

armchair critic

Someone who gives advice based on theory rather than practice or experience.

have an ace up your sleeve

To have something in reserve with which you can gain an advantage.

after the fact

Something done too late, after the event or crime has actually happened.

argue the toss

To dispute a decision or choice that has already been made.

of no avail

To be not at all helpful or useful.

more by accident than by design

When something is done without deliberate intention.

upset the applecart

To do or say something that spoils a satisfactory plan or situation.

get your act together

To organise your affairs more effectively in order to be successful.

a rude awakening

When you are forced to accept an unpleasant truth or reality.

all the rage

To become very popular or trendy.

all skin and bone

To be very thin or too thin.

automatic pilot

To do something without thinking or paying attention because you do it regularly.

add fuel to the flames

To do or say something that makes a difficult situation even worse.

afraid of one's own shadow

To describe someone who is very fearful or easily frightened.

much ado about nothing

To make a lot of fuss about something that is not important.

armchair traveller

Someone who reads or watches programs about travel but does not actually travel.

away with the fairies

To be in a dreamy state and out of touch with reality.

all systems go

Everything is ready for an activity or event to begin.

give your right arm

To want something a lot and be willing to do almost anything to get it.

accomplished fact

Something that has already happened and cannot be changed.

to the best of one's ability

To do something as well as one possibly can.

all but

Almost completely or nearly totally.

up your alley / down your alley

Something that is exactly the sort of thing that suits your tastes or abilities.

ambulance chaser

A lawyer who persuades accident victims to claim money from the person who caused the accident.

alarm bells start to ring

An occasion when you realize that something is wrong.

all along

Something that has been there all the time from the beginning.

asleep at the wheel

Not being sufficiently attentive, especially at a critical moment when vigilance is required.

all that jazz

Used to mean 'all that stuff' or 'everything of that kind'.

abbreviated piece of nothing

Someone who is considered to be insignificant or worthless.

at the bottom of the ladder

To occupy the lowest or most basic position in a group or organization.

keep someone at arm's length

To not allow yourself to become friendly with someone.

ace a test

To obtain a very high score or an excellent result.

act of God

A natural event or accident for which no person is responsible.

at stake

To be in a risky situation with a lot to be won or lost.

all things to all people

To try to please or satisfy everyone.

all fingers and thumbs / all thumbs

To be awkward, clumsy, and do things incorrectly.