Lexico 4 (DBDHBB 24-25)

beer and skittles

BEER

📌Easy pleasures; carefree fun; an enjoyable, simple life.

Life isn't all ==, you know.

a nudge and a wink

WINK

📌A suggestive or sly implication, often about something sexual, secretive, or slightly improper, communicated indirectly — as if with a knowing gesture, like a nudge to the elbow and a wink.

He said they were just "close friends," but there was a == in his voice.

The film is full of == humor that adults will catch, but kids won't.

fill sb's boots

FILL

📌To replace someone, usually someone important or skilled, and take on their duties or status.

He's retiring next month — it'll be hard to find someone to == his ==.

📌To take as much as you want; indulge freely (especially with food, drink, or opportunity).

The bar's open — == your boots!

put a sock in it

PUT

📌Stop talking! or Be quiet! — usually said in a slightly annoyed or humorous way.

He kept complaining until she told him to ==.

wear the trousers

WEAR

📌(in relationships)

It means to be the dominant partner or the one who makes the decisions in a relationship, especially in a marriage or couple.

Everyone thinks Tom is in charge, but it's really Sarah who wears ==.

get sb's knickers in a twist

GET

📌To become unnecessarily upset, agitated, or overreact to something trivial.

She got == over a minor typo in the email.

maudlin display of sth

DISPLAY

📌An overly sentimental, tearful, or self-pitying expression of emotion — usually seen as excessive, insincere, or embarrassing.

The movie ended with a == of patriotism that felt forced and clichéd.

hold sb's thumb

HOLD

📌a gesture of dominance or victory, similar to the idea of "thumbs up" (approval or success). If misused, it could refer to someone trying to control or assert dominance over someone else.

thumb sb's nose at sb

NOSE

📌To show contempt, disrespect, or disdain for someone or something, often in a playful or defiant way.

The rebellious students == at the principal's rules.

be on a tear

ON

📌To be engaged in an intense, often energetic activity, usually with great enthusiasm or success. It can also refer to someone being on a streak of success or excessive behavior (like partying or indulging).

He's been == lately, winning game after game.

After the breakup, she was == , staying out late and partying every night.

in the sky

IN

📌being in the upper reaches of the sky — often used to evoke a sense of freedom, expansiveness, or lofty ideals.

The birds soared freely == skies, unbothered by the world below.

He dreamed of flying through the == , chasing his ambitions.

lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of sb

LAY

📌To assign full responsibility or fault to someone for a problem or mistake, often without sharing the blame with others.

The manager laid == on the shoulders of the team for missing the deadline.

power sb's way

WAY

📌To move forward or progress with great strength, determination, or force, often in a situation where obstacles or challenges need to be overcome.

She powered == through the crowded streets to make it to the meeting on time.

regain sb's composure

REGAIN

📌To recover control over one's emotions, calm down, or re-establish one's self-control after being upset, shocked, or distressed.

After hearing the shocking news, she needed a few moments to == before she could respond.

go the extra mile

GO

📌To put in more effort than what is expected or required, often to achieve something better or to help someone more than what's necessary.

She always goes == to make sure her students succeed.

rock the boat

ROCK

📌To cause trouble or disrupt the status quo, especially in a situation where everything is calm or running smoothly.

I didn't want to ==, but I had to speak up about the unfair treatment.

think outside the box

BOX

📌To think creatively, innovatively, or in an unconventional way, beyond the traditional or obvious solutions.

We need to == to solve this complex issue.

hang out sb's shingle

OUT

📌To start one's own business or establish oneself as an independent professional, particularly in fields like law, consulting, or medicine.

After years of working for a big firm, he decided to == his == and open his own practice.

be at variance with

AT

📌To be in disagreement, conflict, or difference with something or someone, often in terms of opinions, views, or actions.

His views on the issue were == the company's official stance.

put a new complexion on

PUT

📌To change the way something is perceived, alter the perspective or give a different interpretation to a situation, idea, or issue.

Her new evidence really put == on the case and made everyone rethink their stance.

get wires crossed

GET

📌To misunderstand or miscommunicate something, leading to confusion or mistakes. It suggests that there has been a mix-up in understanding or intentions.

Sorry, I thought you wanted to meet at 3 p.m. — I must have gotten our ==.

gain ground

GAIN

📌To make progress, advance, or improve in a particular area, especially in comparison to others or in a competitive situation. It suggests moving forward or making strides toward a goal or objective.

The team has == significant == in the tournament after their latest win.

be a riot of colors

RIOT

📌To be an overwhelming display or vivid mixture of many different, bright colors. It's often used to describe something that is visually striking, vibrant, and eye-catching.

The flowers in the garden were == colors, from bright reds and yellows to deep purples and blues.

cite sb's source

SOURCE

📌To acknowledge or refer to the origin of information, data, or a quote that someone has used, especially when writing or presenting something. This ensures proper attribution and credibility.

He failed to == when using statistics in his report, which raised concerns about its reliability.

bucket list

LIST

📌a list of things someone wants to do or experience before they die (i.e., before they "kick the bucket").

Traveling to Japan is something I've always wanted to check off my ==.

all fingers and thumbs

ALL

📌To be clumsy, awkward, or uncoordinated, especially with one's hands. It refers to someone who struggles to handle something with dexterity or finesse, often due to nervousness or unfamiliarity.

She was == trying to open the fragile package.

bits and bobs

BITS

📌Various small things or odds and ends that may not be particularly important but are gathered together

I need to clean up my desk; there are == everywhere.

dribs and drabs

DRIBS

📌Small amounts of something, especially when it comes in a slow or irregular manner, often piecemeal or in scattered bits.

I've been getting == of information about the project, but nothing concrete yet.

bibs and tuckers

BIBS

📌formal or fancy clothes, especially those worn for a special occasion.

He put on his == for the wedding and looked quite dashing.

wave the flag

FLAG

📌To demonstrate strong support for a cause, group, or idea, often publicly. It can also imply showing patriotism or advocating for something in a very visible way.

He was always ready to == for environmental causes, speaking out whenever he had the chance.

square the circle

CIRCLE

📌To attempt the impossible or to try to do something that cannot be done, often referring to a challenge that is logically or mathematically unsolvable.

Trying to get him to agree to this compromise is like squaring ==

put the lid on sth

PUT

📌To end, shut down, or put a stop to something, often by bringing closure to a situation or action.

After hours of debate, they finally == the discussion and moved to another topic.

sow wild oats

SOW

📌To engage in youthful, carefree, or reckless behavior, often related to experimenting with life, making mistakes, or seeking adventure, typically before settling down or taking on more serious responsibilities

He's been == his ==, traveling the world and living without any commitments.

take the biscuit

TAKE

📌To surpass or outdo everything in terms of being the most extreme, remarkable, or absurd, especially in a negative or surprising way.

I thought his behavior was bad, but him yelling at the waiter really takes ==!

a confirmed bachelor

BACHELOR

📌a bachelor who has firmly decided not to marry or who has a strong commitment to remaining single, often without any intention to change that stance.

He's always been a == bachelor, prioritizing his career and hobbies over relationships.

wind down

DOWN

📌To gradually relax, calm down, often in a slow and peaceful manner

📌 bring something to an end, often in a slow and peaceful manner

After a long week at work, I like to == with a good book or some music.

The party slowly started to == after midnight.

stumble upon sth

UPON

📌To find or discover something unexpectedly or by chance, without planning or actively looking for it.

I was just walking in the park when I == a hidden café I'd never noticed before.

pace oneself

PACE

📌To manage or moderate one's energy or efforts over a period of time to avoid exhaustion or burnout

During the marathon, it's important to == so you don't burn out too soon.

pay homage to sb

PAY

📌To show respect, honor, or acknowledge someone or something, often publicly or in a formal manner

The community gathered to == the artist during the unveiling of his sculpture.

be cluttered with sth

WITH

📌To be filled or overloaded with a disorganized collection of things, often to the point where it causes mess or disorder.

Her desk was == papers, pens, and books, making it hard to focus.

spending power

POWER

📌the economic ability of a population or a market to drive demand for products and services.

As wages increase, people's == grows, allowing them to buy more luxury items.

in possession of

IN

📌To have or own something, or to be in control of it. It's often used to describe someone who legally holds or has access to an item or object, or sometimes information.

He is == the rarest painting in the collection.

a scrap of evidence

EVIDENCE

📌A small or insignificant piece of evidence, often referring to a tiny amount of proof that may still be important in a larger investigation or case.

They didn't have much, but they found a == that led them to the suspect.

be in arrears

IN

📌To owe money or be behind in payment for something, usually a debt, bill, or financial obligation.

He is == with his rent and could face eviction if he doesn't pay soon.

poke around

AROUND

📌To search or investigate something, often in a casual or somewhat intrusive way, typically by examining things closely or trying to uncover something

She decided to == in the attic to see if she could find any old family photos.

hinge upon

UPON

📌To depend on or be determined by something, where the outcome or result is largely influenced or controlled by a specific factor

The success of the project == securing additional funding

let it drop

LET

📌To stop talking about or stop pursuing a topic, issue, or argument — often because it's sensitive, controversial, or no longer worth continuing.

He wanted to argue more, but I told him to just ==.

clutter up

UP

📌To fill a space with too many things, especially in a disorganized or untidy way, making it hard to move or focus.

Don't == the kitchen counter with all those appliances.

at the whipping post

AT

📌a historical punishment where individuals were publicly whipped as a form of corporal punishment. It is often used figuratively to describe someone who is being severely criticized, punished, or publicly shamed for their actions.

After the scandal, the politician found himself at == post, facing harsh public criticism.

in the pecking order

ORDER

📌hierarchy or ranking within a group or organization, based on authority, status, or dominance

In the office, she's at the top of the ==, so her opinions carry a lot of weight.

pass up a chance

PASS

📌To decline or choose not to take an opportunity or offer, usually when it could have been beneficial.

She decided to == to work abroad because she didn't want to leave her family.