Speak English Like an American - Idioms and Expressions

Vocabulary flashcards containing idioms and casual expressions defined in the Speak English Like an American textbook transcript by Amy Gillett.

about to

ready to; on the verge of

after all

despite everything; when everything has been considered; the fact is

at least

anyway; the good thing is that…

(to) break the news

to make something known

(to) cost an arm and a leg

to be very expensive

dead-end job

a job that won't lead to anything else

let's face it

accept a difficult reality

(to) give one the creeps

to create a feeling of disgust or horror

(to) go back to the drawing board

to start a task over because the last try failed; to start again from the beginning

(to) go belly-up

to go bankrupt

(to) give someone the ax

to fire someone

(to) lose one's temper

to become very angry

(to) make up one's mind

to reach a decision; to decide

no point in

no reason to; it's not worth (doing something)

(to) put up with

to endure without complaint

real flop or flop

a failure

(to) save the day

to prevent a disaster or misfortune

(as) sharp as a tack

very intelligent

(to) talk over

to discuss

top dollar

the highest end of a price range; a lot of money

(to) change one's mind

to change one's opinion or decision

easier said than done

more difficult than you think

(to) get canned

to lose one's job; to get fired

(to) hang in there

to persevere; to not give up

if worse comes to worst

in the worst case; if absolutely necessary

(to) keep one's chin up

to stay positive

last resort

if there are no other alternatives left; the last solution for getting out of a difficulty

(to) live from hand to mouth

to barely have enough money to survive

(to) look on the bright side

to be optimistic; to think about the positive part or aspect of a situation

(to) make ends meet

to manage one's money so as to have enough to live on; to be okay financially

out of work

unemployed; not working

right-hand man

the most helpful assistant or employee

(to) set eyes on

to look at; to see for the first time

(to) stab someone in the back

to betray someone

(to be) stressed out

under severe strain; very anxious

(to) tell off

to scold; to tell someone in strong words what one really thinks

thank goodness

I'm grateful; I'm relieved

(to) think big

to set high goals

What's the matter?

What's the problem?

When pigs fly!

never

beside the point

not relevant; not important

(to) blow something

to spoil or botch something

(to) buckle down

to start working seriously

can't stand

to hate

(to) cut class

to miss class without an excuse

Get real!

be serious or realistic about what's going on

(to) have one's heart set on

to really want something

(to) hit the books

to start studying

lost cause

something hopeless

(to) not give a hoot

to not care about

over one's head

beyond one's understanding

(to) slack off

to waste time

(to) stand a chance

to have the possibility of success

(to) butt in

to interrupt; to interfere

(to) drive one crazy

to annoy someone very much

(to) go into

to enter a profession

green with envy

desiring another's advantages or things

gung ho

very enthusiastic; very excited (about something)

head and shoulders above

far superior to

(to) hit the nail on the head

to be right

(to be) on thin ice (with someone)

to be in a dangerous position; to be temporarily on somebody's bad side

(to) pay (someone) a compliment

to give someone a compliment; to offer someone an admiring comment

(to) shake in one's shoes

to tremble with fear; to be afraid

shut up

be quiet, stop speaking

Way to go!

Good work!

(to be) crazy about

to like very much

cup of tea

the type of person or thing that one generally likes

(to be) down in the dumps

to feel sad; to be depressed

(to) drop by

to pay a short, often unannounced visit

(to) hang around

to spend time idly; to linger

(to) hang out

to spend time (often doing nothing)

(to) have a blast

to enjoy oneself very much

(to) have a good time

to enjoy oneself

take it easy

relax; don't worry

(to) take something the wrong way

to take offense

there's no accounting for taste

it's impossible to explain individual likes and dislikes

under one's breath

quietly; in a whisper

(to be) up in the air

not yet determined; uncertain

(to) cheer someone up

to make someone happy

(to) give (someone) credit

to acknowledge someone's contribution; to recognize a positive trait in someone

(to) give credit where credit is due

to give thanks or acknowledgement to the person who deserves it

(to) go into business

to start a business

good thinking

good idea; smart planning

(to) have a heart of gold

to be very kind and giving

Help yourself

serve yourself

(to be) in a bad mood

unhappy; depressed; irritable

just what the doctor ordered

exactly what was needed

(to) make a bundle

to make a lot of money

(to be) on edge

nervous; irritable

out of this world

delicious

(to) pig out

to eat greedily; to stuff oneself

bright and early

early in the morning

crash course

short and intensive instruction

Fat chance!

definitely not

(to) give it a shot

to try something

happy camper

a happy person; a satisfied participant

(to have) mixed feelings

to feel positive about one aspect of something and negative about another

needless to say

obviously

(to) not have a clue

to know nothing about

(to) not sleep a wink

to be awake all night