Idioms/Proverbs

Two people are already arguing. Someone brings up an old issue just to make them angry with each other again. What are they doing?

They're stirring the pot.

You and your coworker are working on a big project. Your coworker is doing most of the difficult and time-consuming work, while you are only helping with a few small tasks. What is your coworker doing?

They're doing the heavy lifting.

You and your friends are organizing an event. One friend ends up doing most of the planning, contacting people, and preparing everything, while the others only help a little. What did that friend do?

They did the lion's share of the work.

Your team has a lot of work to finish, but one person takes responsibility for most of the tasks and keeps everything moving while the others contribute very little. What is this person doing?

They're carrying the load.

A family is going through a difficult financial situation. The father takes on most of the financial responsibilities and sacrifices his own needs to support everyone else. What is he doing?

He's shouldering the burden.

Your best friend is moving to another country, and you're extremely upset because you don't want to imagine your life without them. What could you say?

I can't bear the thought of you leaving.

You have an important exam tomorrow. You haven't studied enough, and you're extremely worried about failing. What could you say about the idea of getting a bad result?

I dread the thought of failing the exam.

Your partner is considering taking a dangerous job far away. The idea of them being in danger makes you extremely upset. What could you say?

I can't stand the thought of you being in danger.

You've always been afraid of flying. You have to take a long flight next week, and just imagining being on the plane makes you extremely scared. What could you say?

The thought of flying terrifies me.

During an important presentation, a colleague accidentally gave the wrong number. He immediately realized his mistake and corrected it. What happened?

He slipped up.

It doesn’t feet right

Used when something feels wrong, uncomfortable, or not quite right, even if you can't explain exactly why.

Your team was facing a difficult situation. The person in charge suddenly couldn't continue, so he stepped in, took control, and handled everything successfully under pressure. What did he do?

He rose to the occasion.

Your company gives you a difficult project with a very tight deadline. Instead of giving up, you work hard, solve the problems, and successfully complete the project on time. What did you do?

You met the challenge.

Your team leader suddenly becomes unavailable just before an important meeting. No one else wants to take responsibility, so you volunteer to lead the meeting and handle the situation. What did you do?

You stepped up to the plate.

You were in a difficult situation and really needed your friend’s help. You called him, and he immediately showed up, helped you solve the problem, and didn't let you down. What did your friend do?

He came through for you.

Your manager needs someone to lead a difficult project. You have the necessary skills, experience, and confidence to handle it successfully. Your manager believes you can do it. What does this mean about you?

You're up to the task.

You go to work every day, doing the same routine. What expression can you use?

Another day another dollar

Someone looks impressive and talks confidently, but they don't actually have the skills or knowledge to back it up. What expression describes them?

All show/style and no substance

An impressive-looking display that is actually meaningless or has no real value.

Empty show

Someone or something that focuses only on the surface and lacks depth, thought, or real understanding.

Superficial

Used to say that something can help you, but only to a certain point; it has limitations.

Will only get you so far

Used to say that something is useful, but by itself, it is not sufficient to achieve the desired result.

Not enough on its own

To put yourself in a situation where you could be seriously injured or killed in order to help someone or achieve something.

Put one's life on the line

To be willing to die for someone because you love them or are deeply committed to protecting them.

Lay down your life for someone

To deliberately put yourself in a dangerous situation where you could be hurt or harmed.

Put yourself in harm's way

To do something that could cause you to be seriously injured or killed.

Risk your life

To tell someone your deepest feelings, thoughts, or personal problems openly and honestly.

Pour your heart out

To share your deepest feelings and emotions with someone honestly and openly.

Open your heart

To tell someone something personal or private because you trust them.

Confide in someone

To tell someone about something that has been worrying, upsetting, or bothering you so that you feel relieved afterward.

Get something off your chest

Used to say that you notice everything and that people cannot easily hide things from you.

Nothing gets past me

Used to say that you notice or understand everything that is happening, especially things that other people might miss.

I catch everything

Used to say that you notice everything and don't fail to see or understand anything important.

I miss nothing

Used to tell someone that you are not easily deceived and that you can see through their lies or tricks.

You can't fool me

Used when someone is doing something again, especially something annoying, silly, or typical of them.

At it again

Used when someone starts doing or saying the same annoying, funny, or predictable thing again.

There he goes again

Used when someone is behaving badly or dishonestly in the same way they have done before.

Up to his old tricks

Used when someone keeps doing the same thing repeatedly, especially when it has become boring, predictable, or annoying.

Doing the same old thing

Used when something feels wrong, unfair, suspicious, or uncomfortable to you, even if you can't fully explain why.

It doesn't sit right with me

Used to describe a person, group, or thing that has become the subject of ridicule because it looks foolish or ridiculous.

It's a laughing stock

Used when something seems wrong, unusual, or different from what it should be, even though you can't identify exactly what is wrong.

Something feels off

Used when you have a strong feeling that something is wrong or that something bad might happen, even without knowing exactly why.

I have a bad feeling about it

Used when someone's behavior or something they say or do makes you feel uncomfortable, annoyed, or uneasy.

It rubs me the wrong way

Used when someone is the person that a joke is about, especially when they are being laughed at or made fun of.

He is the butt of the joke

Used to say that someone is deliberately laughed at or made fun of, often in an unkind or disrespectful way.

He is mocked

Used to say that someone is mocked or made to look foolish by other people.

He is ridiculed

Used to say that people laugh at someone or tease them, often because of their appearance, behavior, or something they did.

He is made fun of

Used when what has already been said is enough and there is no need to say anything more.

Enough said

Used when something is enough to explain or show the whole situation without needing any further explanation.

That says it all

Used when the facts or evidence are so clear that they do not need any further explanation or argument.

The facts speak for themselves

Used to criticize someone for behaving in a very bad, dishonest, or disrespectful way that is beneath what you would expect from them.

Stoop so low

Used when information or news becomes known to more and more people, often unintentionally.

Word got out

Used when someone leaves a place earlier than they were supposed to, especially without permission or without telling anyone.

He skipped out early

Used to say that you hope or expect to meet someone again sometime in the future.

Next time our paths cross

Used to describe a person or thing that causes you constant trouble, frustration, or unhappiness.

The bane of my existence

Used when something happens or is said at exactly the right time, especially because it is relevant to the current situation.

Very timely

Used to describe a very common or well-known trick that someone uses to deceive or manipulate others.

Oldest trick in the book

To make someone feel strong emotions, especially sadness, sympathy, love, or tenderness.

Tug at someone's heartstrings

Used to introduce a final thing that makes an already good, bad, or surprising situation even more so.

To top it all off

Used to say that a business is going to stop operating permanently, usually because it is no longer making enough money.

The market is going out of business

To talk too much, especially in an annoying, rude, or disrespectful way, often without thinking about the consequences.

Run your mouth

Used when you have very specific and detailed knowledge of something, often knowing the exact details or evidence.

Chapter and verse

Used when you learned an important lesson from a bad or difficult experience.

I learned that the hard way

The things that motivate, interest, or influence someone’s behavior and personality — what makes them feel excited, happy, angry, or motivated.

What makes someone tick

A presentation or demonstration designed to impress people, often with a lot of show and little real substance.

Dog and pony show

A strong personal desire to get revenge on someone because you believe they have wronged or harmed you.

Personal vendetta

To treat some people better or give them special treatment because you like them more or prefer them over others.

Play favorites

Used to describe someone who is competent, reliable, and deserving of respect, especially because they do their job well.

Worth his salt

Something that is unlikely to succeed or achieve anything useful, despite the effort put into it.

An exercise in futility

Used to ask someone what their main point or argument is, often because you are impatient or don’t see how what they’re saying is relevant.

Your point being?

To question someone very intensely and repeatedly, especially because you suspect they are hiding something or have done something wrong.

Give someone the third degree

Used to say that if someone does something kind or helpful for you, you should return the favor by doing something kind or helpful for them.

One good turn deserves another

Used to describe someone who does what they say they will do and keeps their promises.

As good as his words

Used to tell someone to stay alert and keep looking around because there may be danger, problems, or unexpected things happening around them.

Keep your head on a swivel

Used to describe someone who refuses to accept a refusal or rejection and keeps trying until they get what they want.

Not to take no for an answer

Used to say that the person who complains the most or makes the most noise is the one most likely to get attention or have their problem dealt with.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease

To make someone very easily influenced or controlled by you, usually because they like you, trust you, or are emotionally attached to you.

To get someone wrapped around my finger

A compliment that sounds positive at first but contains a hidden criticism or insult.

A backhanded compliment

Used to say that something one person considers useless or worthless may be valuable or desirable to someone else.

One man's trash is another man's treasure

To do something you have been wanting or needing to do so that you can stop thinking about it or feeling the urge to do it.

Get sth out of your system

Used to say that a small amount of something is enough to produce a big or lasting effect.

A little goes a long way

Used to dismiss someone’s opinion or justification, implying that if believing it makes them feel better, they can keep believing it.

Whatever helps you sleep at night

Used to tell someone that you are giving them information they should know, often before adding an important detail, warning, or clarification.

Just so you know

Used when you are thinking about or remembering something occasionally, even though it is not your main focus.

In the back of my mind

To treat someone badly or criticize them when they are already having a difficult time or feeling weak, sad, or unsuccessful.

Kick someone when they are down

Used when something is starting to affect you emotionally, mentally, or psychologically, especially in a negative or stressful way.

It's getting to me

Used to describe something that happens by chance or is determined by luck, rather than by skill, choice, or careful planning.

Luck of the draw

Used when something that was previously secret, hidden, or unknown is now known to everyone and can be openly discussed.

It's all out in the open

Used to say that some things are difficult to explain or understand until you personally experience them; when you experience them, you immediately understand.

When you know, you know

Used to describe someone who is extremely tired or has very little energy left, as if they have used up all their fuel.

Running on empty

A feeling of tightness or pressure in your throat caused by strong emotions, such as sadness, anxiety, or the urge to cry.

A lump in the throat

Used to describe something that is remembered very clearly and permanently, as if it has been deeply written into your memory.

Etched in memory

Used to say that the situation is reversed or that the roles, positions, or order of two things are switched.

The other way around

Used to say that if all other options or methods fail, you will try one final option as a last resort.

If all else fails

Used when you pay for something yourself, rather than having someone else pay for it or using shared/company money.

On my own dime

Used to say that a situation has returned to the way it was before, especially after a problem, change, or unusual period.

Things are back to normal

Used to describe a person who seems harmless or friendly but is secretly dishonest, dangerous, or likely to cause trouble.

Snake in the grass

A weak or unconvincing excuse that is not believable or does not properly explain why something happened.

Flimsy excuse

Used to say that you do not have unlimited money and cannot afford to pay for everything someone wants.

I'm not made of money

Used to describe two people who argue, quarrel, or fight with each other very often.

They fight like cats and dogs