Oxford Idioms Lesson 3

11. Achilles’ Heel

Meaning: A major weakness in something otherwise strong.

Examples:

“Math is my Achilles’ heel.”

“Land area is Korea’s Achilles’ heel.”

12. Across the board

    Meaning: Applying to all items

    Examples:

    “The company’s safety record is good across the board.”

    “Everyone on the team needs to be fired across the board.”

13. Act of God

    Meaning: An unavoidable disaster, used in legal setting

    Examples:

    “The damage was caused not by my client’s negligence, but due to an act of God.”

    “Only an act of God could cause this security system to fail.”

14. Get your act together

    Meaning: Start acting more prepared or professional

    Examples:

    “If this team wants to pass the safety inspection, we’d better get our act together fast.”

    “After I was diagnosed with high cholesterol I got my act together and lost 20 pounds.”

15. Tough act to follow

    Meaning: Hard to equal the preceding performance. Like when the previous show was a lot better than your own.

    Examples:

    “Lincoln’s presidency was a tough act for Grant to follow.”

    “My dance routine will be a tough act to follow.”