Disegno di copertina: Cristina Benedetti

Disegni interni: Diego Pasquino

HOW TO SA Y IT BY IDIOMS
le principali espressioni idiomatiche dell'inglese britannico e americano
1p edizione luglio 1997
0.11
Via 8tr. 167 - 88 11
37030 Colognola ai Colli (VR)
Tel. 045/6174111 - Fax 045/6174100
Introduction
When it was suggested that I wrote this booklet, I asked
myselftwo questions. First: "Are idioms useful to people
who are studying English?" My answer was "yes". Even
though there are synonyms for most idiomatic expres-
sions, native English speakers often choose an idiom in-
stead. Why is that? Well, idioms are often used in emo-
tional situations. They often graphically describe what
the speaker wants to communicate. So the speaker choo-
ses one of them rather than a dull, unevocative expres-
sion. For example, in an embarrassing situation, the
speaker may say: ''You put your foot in your mouth!"
rather than: ''You said something inappropriate!"
This observation helped answer the second question:
"How can this book be useful to students?" Once we un-
derstand that idioms tend to be used in emotional mo-
ments, we can identify those moments and list the
idioms that most frequently accompany them.
I have chosen fifteen categories, though certainly
others could be included. More idioms could surely be
added. But the ones chosen should provide you with a
good start.
The booklet is divided into four parts, with three or
four sections in each parto The idioms treated in each
section are first listed and then repeated in sample sen-
tences, often with several idioms used in the same
example. There is a particular reason for using a num-
her of idioms in one example and that is to show you
how similar in meaning and use they are. My hope is
5
that you will see how easily idioms in a given category
can be interchanged.
You will sometimes see the letters Am to identify an
idiom used in American English or Am and Br (Briti-
sh) for similar idioms used by American and British
speakers. Alternative expressions have also been inclu-
ded in parentheses.
Each part is then followed by an Idioms in Context
section and, when possible, examples found in music.
The booklet concludes with a glossary. Though the
glossary may help with words that you do not know, it
is not intended to "explain" the idioms. That is the job
of the sample sentences.
Learning a second language well requires a bit of cou-
r age - using imagination and creativity to take a chan-
l:e and guess.
Once you begin to take this approach to your English,
yOll may begin to discover new idioms, for example, in
thl;l books you read or the music you listen to.
It i s my hope that this book will give you the insights
nceded to take a chance and try to discover for yourself
how to understand and eventually use idiomatic ex-
proBsions.
6
Part 1
Questa parte riguarda gli avvenimenti imprevisti. L'ac-
cento pu essere messo sull'imprevedibilit, e solo su
quella, o sulla connotazione positiva o negativa di ci
che all'improvviso avviene.
Vi sono numerose sovrapposizioni, totali o parziali,
nei modi di dire delle due lingue.
SORPRESA come un fulmine a ciel sereno, sganciare
una bomba (con una notizia o un avvenimento improv-
visi) o estrarre dal sacco (come si fa con i numeri della
tombola).
CORRERE UN RISCHIO O UN PERICOLO senza va-
lutare le conseguenze come allevare una serpe in seno,
sparare nel mucchio o un colpo al buio, comprare a sca-
tola chiusa, giocare con il fuoco, sfidare la sorte, ta-
gliarsi i ponti alle spalle, camminare sul ghiaccio, sal-
tare il fosso.
AVERE SUCCESSO come andar lontano, farsi un nome,
diventare un VIP; avere un colpo di fortuna come vince-
re al lotto o fare tredici, fare un colpo (per un ladro un
furto, per un commerciante un affare imprevisto); riu-
scire sempre a cavarsela come cadere sempre in piedi.
7
TalkingaboutSurprise
Noun phrases
a bolt out of the blue
a bombshell
an eye-opener
a shocker
Examples
The union leaders' strike announcement carne like
a boltoutoftheblue.
'L'he article on dishonest advertising was
a bombshell.
aneye-opener.
a shocker.
Verb phrases
bowl someone over
catch someone off guard (base)
catch someone napping (unawares)
drop a bomb
gobsmack someone
knock someone for a loop
knock someone over with a feather
knock someone's socks off
let the cat out of the bag
throw someone a curve
8
Examples
The new regulations
bowledmeover.
caughtmeoffguardo
caughtmeunawares.
gobsmackedme.
knockedmefora loop.
Iknockedmysocksoff.1
Sophie letthecatoutofthebagwhen she told us
that her sister was getting married.
Just when we thought the contract was settled, they
droppeda bomb
threwusa curve
and asked for more money.
9
TalkingaboutRisk/Danger
Noun phrases
a long shot
a near (close) thing
a shot in the dark
Examples
I didn't know anything about the stock market when I
bought those shares. I took[a shotin thedark.[
We won the game, though our winning was
a longshot.
a closething.
Verb phrases
be on dangerous ground
be (slcate) on thin ice
burn your boats (bridges)
leave something to chance (luck)
pla.y with fire
run a risk
Asil too near the wind
stick your neck out
take a chance
take one's chances
take a leap in the dark
take your life in your hands
tempt fortune (fate)
try your luck
lO
11
12
Examples
Ifyou break the law, you may be
ondangerousground.
playingwithfire.
runninga risk.
sailingtoonearthewind.
skatinl!onthinice.
stickingyourneckout.
takinga chance.
takingyourlifeinyourhands.
When Martin got married, he didn't know his wife
very well. Re
leftthe success of his marriage tochance.
tookhischances.
tooka leapinthedark.
temptedfortune.
triedhisluck.
Ifyou leave your job now, you will never be able to go
back to it. You will have
burntyourbridges.
13
TalkingaboutSuccess
Noun phrases
a bigshot
thetopdog
a VIP(VeryImportantPerson)
a winner
Examples
Reginaldstartedoutasa clerkbutnowhe's
a bigshot.
thetopdogo
a VIP.
Thisproducthassurprisedeveryonebysellingso well;
it'sa winner.
Verb phrases
arrive
backa winner
beaheadofthepack
beinthemoney
beontarget
beatthegame
bringthehousedown
comeoutahead(ontop)
comethroughwithflyingcolours
do(turn)thetrick
do oneselfproud
do (work)wonders
finishinfront
14
getahead(intheworld)
getsomewherewithsomething
getthere
go far
go over(makeit)big
go places
havesomethinginthebag
hitsomethingonthenose(Am)
hitthebull'seye(mark;target)
hitthenailonthehead
land(falI)onyourfeet
makea go ofsomething
.makea nameforoneself
makegood
makeone'smark
makethegrade
playyourcardsright
riseintheworld
score
settheworldonfire
takeoff
Examples
Fredis anexcellentsalesman.Whenwehiredhim,we
backeda winner.
wereontarget.
cameoutahead.
didourselvesproud.
playedourcardsright.
Thecomedianmadeeveryonelaugh.Re
broughtthehousedown.
wentoverbig.
Whenourstereosystemwaschosenasthebestbyan
importantconsumermagazine,weknewthatwe had
arrived.
beatenthegame.
comethroughwithflyingcolors.
donethetrick.
15
hititonthenose.
hitthenailonthehead.
landedonourfeet.
scored.
takenoff.
Marthahasalwaysbeenexceptional,evenasa child.
It wasclearthatshewould
beaheadofthepack.
getaheadintheworld.
getsomewherewithhercareer.
getthere.
gofar.
goplaces.
makea goofit.
makea nameforherself.
makegood.
makehermarkintheworld.
makethegrade.
riseintheworld.
Isettheworldon-fire.]
lf youcontinueworkinghard,you'regoingto
beinthemoney.
dowonders.
finishinfront.
hitthebuU'seye.
Marleneassuredme thatwe wouldgetthecontract.
Shesaidshehaditinthebag.
Idioms in Context
Sandrawasplanninga surprisepartyfor herhusband.
Shetoldme,"Don'tletthecatoutofthebag!Iwant
to knockhissocksoff."
"Don't worry,"Isaid."I cankeepa secret.You'renot
stickingyourneckoutby tellingme."
Whenthedayarrived,Sandradidherselfproud.
Herhusbandwassosurprisedthatyoucouldhave
knockedhimoverwitha feather.
16
Examples found in music
I don'twanttosettheworldonfire.
Justdon'tplaywithme,
'Causeyou' re playingwithfire.
Rolling Stones
17
Part2
una parte dedicata a sentimenti come la collera (es-
sere arrabbiati, far arrabbiare, essere furenti con qual-
cuno) e la speranza, all'inganno, a come iniziare o ter-
minare un rapporto.
COLLERA essere neri, ribollire, avere la bava alla boc-
ca, essere come un cane idrofobo, fare fuoco e fiamme,
avere la mosca al naso, essere fuori di s, avere un dia-
volo per capello.
Arrabbiarsi cop qualcuno avere il dente avvelenato,
saltargli alla gola, cavargli gli occhi.
Far arrabbiare qualcuno finch perde il controllo di s
far saltare i nervi, far girare le palle, rompere le scatole.
INGANNARE prendere per il naso, mettere nel sacco,
cambiare le carte in tavola; essere ingannati per insi-
pienza avere le fette di salame sugli occhi.
SI COMINCIA rompendo il ghiaccio, scagliando la pri-
ma pietra.
SI TERMINA facendo punto e a capo, voltando pagina,
mettendo un punto fermo, tirando i remi in barca (cio
riducendo le proprie pretese), a tarallucci e vino, ap-
pendendo le scarpe al chiodo.
SPERANZA tener le dita incrociate (per scaramanzia),
volger gli occhi al cielo, veder la vita con gli occhiali ro-
sa e infine domani un altro giorno, essere ancora in
corsa, segnare in zona Cesarini.
19
TalkingaboutAnger
BEINGANGRY
Noun phrases
hothead
Examples
Becarefulwhatyousaytorum. He'sa hothead.
Adjective phrases
boilingmad
hotunderthecollar
upinarms
Examples
HewasboilingmadwhenSaratoldhimshecouldn't
go to thecinema.
Whensomeonecriticizeshim, hegets
hotunderthecollar.
upinarms.
Verb phrases
blowa fuse(Am)
blowa gasket(Br)
blow(let) offsteam(Am)
blowone'slid(top; cool)
blow up
boilover
breathefire
20
l
do a slowburn(Am)
fly offthehandle
foamatthemouth
hittheceiling(rooD
lose one'shead
seered
throwa fit
Examples
Whenhehearsthatwe lostthiscontract, thebosswill
blowa fuse.
blowhistop.
blowup.
21
boHover.
breathefire.
flyoffthehandle.
foamatthemouth.
hittheceiling.
seered.
throwa fi.t.
If a policemanstopsyouontheroad,keepcalmand
don'tloseyourhead.
Whenyouareveryangry,itissometimesagood idea
toIblowoffsteaml bydoingphysicalexercise.
ItoldmybossthatIwaslookingfor anotherjob.
Redidn'tsayanythingbutIcouldseethathewas
doinga slowburn.
BEINGANGRY WITH SOMEONE
Verb phrases
chewsomeoneout(Aro)
jumpdownsomeone'sthroat
snap(take;bite)someone'sheadoff
takesomethingoutonsomeone
tellsomeonewheretogo (getoff)
Examples
Martindoesn'ttoleratemistakes. Ifyoumake
a mistake,he
chewsyouout.
jumpsdownyourthroat.
snapsyourheadoff.
tellsyouwheretogo.
WhenCarmencomeshomefrom worktired
andfrustrated, sheoftentakesheranger
outonthechildren.
22
MAKING SOMEONEANGRY
Verb phrases
drivesomeonecrazy(nuts;upthewall)
getonsomeone'snerves
get(put)someone'sbackup
raisesomeone'shackles
rubsomeonethewrongway(Am)
rubsomeoneupthewrongway(Br)
Examples
Yourconstantchatteris
drivingmecrazy.
gettingonmynerves.
Risbluntwayoftalkingabouthimselfreally
getsmybackup.
raisesmyhackles.
rubsmethewrongway.
23
TalkingaboutDeception
Noun phrases
a dirty deal
a red herring
a white lie
Examples
The used car that Harold bought was in terrible
condition. It was a dirty deal.
We should concentrate on the main problem and not
on the red herrings.
Melissa asked me if I liked her new haircut. I didn't
want to offend her so I told a white lie and said I did.
Verb phrases
cook the books
have a pipe dream
go through the motions
live in a fool's paradise
pay lip service to something
pull a fast one
pull the wool over someone's eyes
put something over on someone
sell someone a bill of goods (Am)
stack the deck (cards)
take someone to the cleaners
throw someone off the scent
24
[!
Examples
With the new laws, it wilI be more difficult
to cook the books.
Even though he said he wanted free elections,
we believed that he was only
going through the motions.
paying Hp service to the idea.
25
PeoplewhowanttoclimbMt.Everestwithout
theproperpreparationare
havinga pipedream.
livingin a fool'sparadise.
l'mverysuspiciousof salesmen.Nobodyisgoingto
pulla fastoneonme.
! pullthewoof overmyeyes.!
putsomethingoveronme.
sellmea bilIofgoods.
takemetothecleaners.
Theydidn'tgivemeenoughinformationsowhen
I triedto solvetheproblem,thedeckwasstacked
againstme.
Theythrewthedetectiveoffthescentbysaying
theyhadarrivedyesterday.
26
TalkingaboutStarting/Finishing
STARTING
Verb phrases
breakground
breaktheice
get(set;start)theballrolling
gettheshowontheroad
kickoff
laythefirststone
leadtheway
openfire
openthedoorto something
Examples
Thecivilrightsreforms
brokenewground.
ledthewaytogreaterequality.
openedthedoortonewpossibilities.
Let'sintroduceourselvesto
breaktheice.
! getthe63.Il rollIiig:]
gettheshowontheroad.
kickoffthisconference.
Inopeningthisshop,we arelayingthefirststonein
whatwillsomedaybea greatchain.
Shawopenedfirebycriticizingthenew
organizationalpIan. .
27
RESTARTING
Verb phrases
make a fresh start
pick up the pieces
turn over a new leaf
Examples
After her terrible experiences with drugs, Amanda
wanted to
make a fresh start.
pick up the pieces of her life.
turn over a new leaf.
FINISHING
Prepositional phrases
at the end of the line
in the home stretch
on the last lap
Examples
We have nearly finished our university studies. We are
at the end of the line.
in the home stretch.
on the last lap.
Verb phrases
blow over
bring the curtain down on something
bring (come) to a head
calI it a day
come to a head
draw to a dose
make short Clight) work of something
put the lid on something
run its course
wind up (down)
wrap something up
29 28
Examples
Thisstormcan't lastforever. Soonitwill
bIow over.
runitscourse.
Forster'sdeathlbroughtthecurlaindownlononeof
themostsuccessfulactingcareersofourage.
l
.
Thedirectorwasforced totakeactionwhenthese
problemscarnetoa head.
We havedoneenoughworknow. Let's
...
callita day.
...
putthelidonitfor today.
t
winditup.
wrapitup.
...
t
...
Iwouldliketofinishby5.00so pleaselet'smake
shortworkofwhatisleft.
,
Thismeetingisdrawingtoa close,andIwouldlike
f
tothankallofyouforyourparticipation.
(
31 30
Talking about Hope
Verb phrases
beintherunning
be ofgoodcheer
beon thehorizon
havehighhopes
keepyoureyesonthestars
keepyourfingerscrossed
keepyourspiritsup
knockonwood(Arn)
lookat(on)thebrightside
lookfor thesilverlining(Arn)
lookthroughrose-coloredglasses
takeheart
Examples
Myfavorite soccerteamhasmadeitto thesemi-finals.
Theyarestillintherunning.
Thechampionshipisonthehorizonfor them.
You didverywellinyourfirstinterview.Don't worry.
Beofgoodcheer.
Keepyourspiritsup.
Takeheart.
Yourchancesofgettingthejobareverygood.
Keepyourfingerscrossed.
Knockonwood.
32
MyfriendMariais anoptimist. Shealways
hashighhopes.
Ikeepshereyesonthestars.1
looksatthebrightside.
looksforthesilverlining
looksattheworldthroughrose-colored
glasses.

..-cJ
( -
,
33
Idioms in Context
Mymotherisa personwhoalwayslooksatthe
brightsideoflife.Sheiscalmandrarelyfliesoff
thehandIe.Ifsherunsintoa difficultsituation,
shewaitsuntilitblowsoverandthenmakesa
freshstart.Butshedoesn'ttoleratedishonestpeople.
Whensomeonetriestoputsomethingoveronher,
shegetshotunderthecollarandoftenchewsthe
personout.
Examples found in music
Highhopes,l'vegothighhopes
HighappIepieintheskyhopes
Sammy Cahn
Lookforthesilverlining
Andtrytofindthesunnysideoflife.
Buddy De Sitva
Thenightthatyoutoldme
Thoselittlewhitelies.
Nowthestreetlightshavebeenturnedon,
SonowI shalldieorstrikegoldorblowa fuse
Andsayforth toyou...
NowTHE STREETLIGHTS
Jimi Hendrix
AndI don'twannasaygoodbye
AndI didn'tmeanthethingsI saidlastnight
IflewoffthehandIe
Andhadtoo muchwine
Andl'msorryfor thehurtl'vecausedyou.
NEVERSETMEFREE
Lisa Stansfield
34
Part3
unapartededicataai modididirecheriguardanogli
errori,l'insuccessoe quantonederiva, preoccupazioni,
difficolteconomiche,incertezzepsicologiche,insomma
potrebbeessere intitolata"Quandole cose si mettono
male".
INSUCCESSO un buco nell'acqua, cacciarsi in un vi-
colo cieco, cadere dalla padella nella brace, andare in fu-
mo, andare a piantar cavoli.
ERROREpuntare sul cavallo sbagliato, prendere luc-
ciole per lanterne, battere in testa.
AVEREOGUADAGNARDENAROavere la grana,
cavar sangue dalle rape (quando il denaro molto),
sbarcare il lunario (quandoildenaro poco).
PERDEREDENAROO NONAVERNEessere al ver-
de, essere in bolletta, essere in braghe di tela, esser co-
stretto a dormire sotto i ponti.
INDECISIONE essere in un mare di dubbi, girare in
tondo, fare come l'asino di Buridano.
DIFFICOLTEPREOCCUPAZIONIsonoessere fra in-
cudine e martello otra Scilla e Cariddi (quando lasi-
tuazione totalmentepericolosa), avere una spina nel
35
fianco (cio unapreoccupazioneche nond tregua).
Piangere sul latte versato odopo aver buttato il bambino
assieme all'acqua sporca oancorachiudere la stalla do-
po che sono scappati i buoi indicaunasituazionedi dif-
ficolt dovutaa insipienza. Inquestocaso, a cose fatte,
lo sciocco piangerlacrime di coccodrillo sentendosico-
meun cane in chiesa.
36
TalkingaboutFailurelError
Noun phrases
a bust
a dead-end(adead-endstreet)
a flashinthepan
a lemon
a lostcause
awashout
Examples
Hislatestbookis
a busto
a lemon.
a washout.
Let'stryanewapproach.We seemto be
ata dead-end.
Mitchell'searlysuccesswas,unfortunately,just
a flashinthepan.
Inmyopinion,SimmonswiU neverbeelected.
It'sa lostcause.
Verb phrases
backthewronghorse
barkupthewrongtree
be atthebottomofthebarrel(Am)
beatthebottomoftheheap(pile)
bebehindthe8ball(Am)
37
bedriven(forced; pushed)to thewall
befoundwanting
bomb
cometogrief(nothing)
drawa blank
fall flat(onyourface)
flub(Am)
go downswinging
go down(over)likea tonofbricks(aleadballoon)
go upinsmoke
layanegg(Am)
putyourfoot inyourmouth
takea wrongturn
takethecount
Examples
Perhapswe aremakinga mistakebysupportingthis
candidate.Wemaybe
backing the wrong horse.
Ibarking up the wrong tree.1
drawing a blank.
taking a wrong turno
Noneofourpossiblechoicesisverygood.We
are behind the 8 ballo
have been driven to the wall.
Accordingtothecritics,Flynn'slatestfilm
was found wanting.
bombed.
came to nothing.
fell flato
went over like a ton of bricks.
laid an egg.
Hopes to settlethedispute
have early gone up in smoke
Thisisa wonderfulchancefor you.I hopeyoudon't
flub it.
38
\ ~
39
I may not be successful, but I will try ashard as I can.
I want to godownswinging.I don't want to end up
by
beingatthebottomoftheheap.
takingthecount.
Because of lack of financing, our plans wentup
insmoke.
Remember that Marion has recently been divorced.
Don't putyourfootinyourmouthby asking about
her husband.
40
TalkingaboutMoney
MAKlNG OR HA VING MONEY
Verb phrases
be in the chips (Am)
be on Easy Street (Am)
clean up
hit the jackpot
make a bundle
make it big
make one's fortune
roll in the lap of luxury
strike it rich
Examples
Howard made a lot of money in the stock market
Nowhe
isinthechips.
isonEasyStreet.
isrollinginthelapofluxury.
No one believed Greta when she said she would be
a millionaire by the age of 30. Instead she quickly
cleanedup.
hitthejackpot.
madea bundle.
madeitbig.
madeherfortune.
struckitrich.
41
NOT HAVING OR LOSING MONEY
Verb phrases
be flat broke
be hard pressed (up) (Am)
be in the red
be on a shoestring
be out of poeket
be short (ofmoney)
come down in the world
drop a bundle (Am)
feel the pinch
go downhill
hit the skids (Am)
not be able to make ends meet
tighten one's belt
Examples
During the recent economie recession, many people
wereflatbroke.
werehardup.
wereinthered.
wereona shoestring.
wereoutofpocket.
wereshortofmoney.
wereunabletomakeendsmeet.
feltthepinch.
fl - --------5.l
hadtotightentheirbelts.
Winston inherited a lot of money but he wasted it.
Re has obviously
comedownintheworld.
gonedownhill.
hittheskids.
Cary was very daring with his investments.
Sometimes he made a lot of money and sometimes
he droppedabundIe.
42 43
Talking about Uncertainty
Noun phrases
an open question
a toss-up
a touch-and-go situation
Examples
The resuIts are not in yet. It is still
an open questiono
a toss-up.
a touch-and-go situation.
Verb phrases
be at sea
be in two minds (Br)
be of two minds (Am)
be up in the air
bIow hot and cold
float in a sea of doubt
get cold feet
go around in circles
not be abIe to make heads or tails of something
not know where one stands
pIay something by ear
straddIe (sit on) the fence
Examples
I can't decide what to do. I am
at sea.
in two minds.
44
, \
t"
up in the air about my plans.
floating in a sea of doubt.
going around in circles.
~ .
45
I really don't know what the President thinks.
On this issue, he is
blowinghotandcold.
reallyplayingitbyear.
straddlingthefence.
Roward couldn't makeheadsortailsofhis wife's
behavior. Re doesn't knowwherehestandswith
her.
Do you think Mary will getcoldfeetand call off her
wedding?
46
TalkingaboutTroublelDifficulty
Prepositional phrases
at the end of one's rope (Am)
at the end of one's tether (Br)
between a rock and a hard pIace
in a pickle (jam) (Am)
in deep (hot) water
in Dutch
in someone's black (bad) books
in the doghouse
in the soup
on the horns of a dilemma
not out of the woods
out on a limb
under a cloud
up the creek (without a paddle)
Examples
Brian had tried everything he could think of and now
he was attheendofhisrope.
When Fiona was stopped by the police for speeding for
the second time, she realized that she was
inajam.
inhotwater.
in Dutch.
in thesoup.
47
Bold economic planning is required to break out of this
viciouscircle. .
Peter is
betweena rockanda hardpIace.
onthehornsof a dilemma.
He has been offered two jobs. One is very interesting
but doesn't pay much. The other has a high salary
but is very boring.
We are working to find a solution that will satisfy
everyone, but we aren't outofthewoodsyet.
Noun phrases
can (bag) of wonns
peck (sea) of troubles
pretty pass
uphill work
tight spot (squeeze)
vicious circle
Examples
We didn't need this controversy just before
the elections. For us, it is a
canofworms.
peckoftroubles.
If we can't fix the tire by nightfall, we will be in a
prettypasso
tightspot.
To convince the judge that your client is innocent
will be uphillwork.
48 49
BEING INDIFFICULTY
Verb phrases
biteoffmorethanonecanchew
havea hardrowtohoe
haveone'sbackagainst(to)thewall
notbeabletoshowone'sface
nothavea legtostandon
Examples
Eleanormayeventuallyfinishheruniversitystudies,
butshestilihasa hardrowtohoe.
Whenshedecidedto studymedicine,shemayhave
bittenoffmorethanshecouldchew.
Richardisclosetobankruptcy.Rehashisback
againstthewall.
Sincehisdifficultieswiththepolice,Georgehas
notbeenabletoshowhisfaceinpublic.
Youcanaskfora refund,butsinceyouboughttheshirt
onsale,Idon'tthinkyouhavea legtostandono
CREATING DIFFICULTYFOROTHERS
Verb phrases
gum uptheworks(Aro)
makewaves
put(throw)a monkeywrenchintheworks(Aro)
put(throw)a spannerin theworks(Br)
rocktheboat
stirupa hornet'snest
50
Examples
Justwheneverythingwasbeginningto runsmoothly,
thebosshada newidea. Ihopethathewillnot
gum.uptheworks.
puta spannerintheworks.
rocktheboato
Thatactressisfamousforcreatingproblems
ontheset. Sheisneverhappyunlesssheis
makingwaves.
stirringupa hornet'snest.
Idioms in Context
WhenLloydwasatuniversity,hewasverypoor.
Rewaslivingona shoestringandoftenhadto
tightenhisbeltto makeendsmeet.Evenafterhe
graduated,lifewasnoteasyfor him. Rewent
aroundincirclesforawhilebeforedecidingwhat
todo. Whenhefirsttriedtofind professionalwork,
hedrewa blank.Buteventuallyhebecamea very
successfulmano Nowhehasmadehisfortune,but
hestilllivesquitemodestly.
Examples found in music
TherearetimeswhenIfearIlosemyself
Idon'tknowwhoI am
Igetcaughtupinthestruggleandthestrain
Withmybackagainstastonewall
Myfingerinthedam
Losingstrengthandgoingdownagain.
To THE WILD COUNTRY
John Denver
51
Part4
Accordo, affetto, amore da una parte, rifiuto o impossi-
bilit di intendersi dall'altra.
ACCORDO tra amici essere amici per la pelle, cemen-
tare un rapporto, intendersi a vista d'occhio.
AMORE essere due corpi e un'anima sola, mentre in-
namorarsi un colpo di fulmine.
RIFIUTO sbattere la porta in faccia, mostrare la por-
ta, fare orecchio da mercante, rimandare al mittente, la-
varsene le mani.
IMPOSSIBILIT O DIFFICOLT di riuscire a fare
qualcosa sono essere fuori questione, scopare il mare, es-
sere in due posti nello stesso tempo, vuotare il mare con
un setaccio, fare il passo pi lungo della gamba, volere
la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca, arrampicarsi sugli
specchi.
53
TalkingaboutAgreement
Verb phrases
beatonewithsomeone/something
be inharmonywithsomeone/something
beonthesamewavelength
burythehatchet
faH inwithsomeone
hititoffwithsomeone
playballwithsomeone(Aro)
seeeyetoeye
strikea bargain
Examples
Concerningtheneedformoreandbetterhousing,we
areatone.
areinharmonywithyoursuggestiono
areonthesamewavelength.
seeeyetoeye.
VVhen MichaelandThomasfirstmet,theydisliked
eachotherverymuch.ButtheyagreedtoIburythel
[hatchetlandgetonwiththeirwork.
IlikedRosyrightfromtheminuteImether.
Iimmediately
felIinwithher.
hititoffwithher.
54
....
'-
,........-.
,...
Il
IfMargaretwon'tplayballwithus,we'llfind
someoneelse.
It tookdaysofnegotiationbutwefinally
strucka bargain.
55
iIl
TalkingaboutLove
Noun phrases
love at first sight
Examples
When Marsha met Fred, she knew that he was
the man she woUld marry. It was loveatfirstsight.
Verb phrases
be crazy (mad) about someone (Aro)
falI in love
fall head over heels in love
get to first base with o m o n (Aro)
make a play for someone
steal someone's heart away
wrap (twist) someone around your little finger
Examples
After forty years ofmarriage, James and Anne
are still crazyabouteachother.
Nearly every spring, my son
fallsinlovewith someone new.
Ifallsheadoverheelsinlove.1
Tell her how much you enjoy sports, if you want to
gettofirstbasewithher.
makea playforher.
stealherheartaway.
wrapheraroundyourlittlefinger.
56 57
TalkingaboutRejection
Prepositional phrases
out in the cold
not in the picture
Examples
When the new trade agreements were signed, several
countries were
outin thecold.
notinthepicture.
Verb phrases
give someone his/her walking papers (Am)
give someone the bum's rush (Am)
give someone the cold shoulder
keep someone at arm's length
send someone to the showers (Am)
show someone the door
strike out with someone (Am)
steer clear of someone/something
throw someone/something overboard
turn a deaf ear (blind eye) to someone/something
turn someone/something down
turn thumbs down on someone/something
turn your back on someone/something
wash one's hands of someone/something
58 59
Examples
If I were you, I wouldn't go to work for that company.
If you make one rnistake, they will
giveyouyourwalkingpapers.
giveyouthebum'srush.
showyouthedoor.
throwyouoverboard.
turntheirbackonyou.
washtheirhandsofyou.
Nancy heard that you were talking about her behind
her back. That's why she is
givingyouthecoldshoulder.
keepingyouatarm'slength.
steeringclearof you.
The player protested when the coach senthimtothe
showers.
Usually girls are crazy about Patrick, but Cheryl isn't.
Re struckoutwithher.
Arnold knew that his design wasn't perfect, but he
was surprised when the company
turneda deafeartohissuggestiono
turneditdown.
Iturnedthumbsdownonit.1
60
TalkingaboutImpossibility/Rarity
Prepositional phrases
in a month of Sundays
once in a blue moon Ccoon's/dog's age)
out of the question
till hell freezes over
Examples
We are so far behind in our work that we won't finish
ina monthofSundays.
tillhellfreezesover.
Your request for a pay rise is outofthequestiono
I almost never see Philip. I see him onceina blue
moon.
Verb phrases
have a cat's chance in hell
have as much chance as a snowball in hell
look for a needle in a haystack
try to be in two places at once
try to catch water in a sieve
try to change the leopard's spots
try to make bricks from straw
Examples
Marilyn will never marry you. Y ou
havea cat'schanceinhell.
haveasmuchchanceasasnowballinhell.
61
We needa veryspecialpersonfor thisjob. Finding
thatpersonwillbelikelookingforaneedlein
a haystack.
Attemptingtomakepeacebetweenthegovernrnent
andtherebelswillbelike
tryingtoheintwoplacesatonce.
Itryingtocatchwaterina sieve. I
tryingtochangetheleopard'sspots.
tryingtomakehricksfromstraw.
Idioms in Context
PeterfellheadoverheelsinlovewithPaula.
Buthisfriendstoldhimtoforgether."Shewouldn't
lookatyouina monthofSundays,"theysaid.
, I
62
"Youhaveasmuchchancewithherasa snow-
hallinhell."InsteadPeterandPaulahltitoff
immediately.Theyquicklyfoundthattheywere
onthesamewavelength.Theyhavebeenhappily
marriedfortwentyyears.AndPeterisveryglad
thatheturneda deafeartohisfriends'
suggestions.
Examples found in music
l'mnevergoingtokisstherubylips
Oftheprettiestgirlintown.
l'mnevergonnaaskhertomarryme,
ForIknowshe'dturnmedown.
COUNTRYBOY
Nowyourdaddy'scool and
Yourmamma'snofool,
Theybothknowthat
l'mheadoverheelsforyou.
You GoT ME FLOATIN'
Jimi Hendrix
Butyouwokeandsmiledmyname,
Andyoustolemyheartaway,
Stolemyheartaway,littlegirI.
ONE RAINY WrSH
Jimi Hendrix
ShehasthedeviIinhereye
Andholdsanangelin herheart
She'llgetyouwrappedaroundherUttlefinger
Andtearyourminda millionmilesapart.
PLEASE MR. LOVERMAN
Jimi Hendrix
Ifellinlovewithloveonenight
Whenthemoonwaslow.
I wasunwisewitheyesunabletosee.
63
Andalthoughyourskinwasblack
You didn'tturnyourback
Onthehungrywhitechildwithno name.
REUBAN JAMES
Kenny Rogers
Howcanyoubeintwoplacesatonce
Whenyou'rereallyno whereatalI.
FrankZappa
64
Glossary
A
afloat..........a galla
age............epoca
agreement......accordo
ahead ..........avanti
air ............aria
anger..........rabbia
arm ...........braccio
arms...........armi
around.........incerchio
arrive..........arrivare
B
back(n) ........schiena
back(v) ........appoggiare
bag............sacco
ball............palla
balloon.........pallone
bargain ........affare
bark...........abbaiare
barrel ..........barile
base...........base
beat...........vincere
behind.........dietro
belt............cintura
big ............grande
65
c
bill ............bolla
biteoff.........staccareconunmorso
black ..........nero .
blank..........lacuna;vuoto
blindo..........cieco
blow...........faresaltareinaria
blowover.......passare
blowup ........fare esplodere
blue ...........azzurro
boat ...........barca
boil............bollire
bolt............fulmine
bomb(n)........sorpresa
bomb(v) ........farefiasco
bombshell ......bomba
books ..........libri
bottom.........fondo
bowl...........giocarea bowling
break..........rompere
breathe ........respirare
brick...........mattone
bridge..........ponte
bright .........felice; brillante
bring ..........portare
broke ..........alverde
bull'seye .......centrodelbersaglio
bum'srush......buttarfuori
bundle .........gruzzolo
burn(n) ........scottatura
burn(v) ........bruciare
bury...........seppellire
bust...........fallimento
cali............chiamare
can............scatola
cards ..........cartedagioco
cat ............gatto
66
catch ..........sorprendere
cause ..........causa
ceiling .........soffitto
chance.........fortuna;rischio
change.........cambiare
cheer ..........umore
chew...........masticare
chips ..........fiche; soldi
circle ..........circolo
cleaners........lavanderie
cleanup........accumulare
close(adj).......vicino
close(n)........fine
cloud ..........nuvola
cold............freddo
collar ..........colletto
colours ........colori;bandiera
come...........venire
cook ...........cuocere
cool............calma
coon ...........procione
count ..........conteggio
course .........corso
crazy ..........matto;pazzo
creek ..........torrente
cross ...........incrociare
curtain.........sipario
curve ..........lanciocurvo
D
danger.........pericolo
dark...........oscuro
day............giorno
dead-end .......senzaviadi uscita
deaf...........sordo
deal ...........trattamento
deception.......inganno
deck...........mazzo
67
deep............profondo
difficulty .......difficolt
dilemma........dilemma
dirty...........sporco;disonesto
do.............fare
dog............cane
doghouse.......canile
door ...........porta
doubt..........dubbio
downhill. .......discesa; declino
draw...........sorteggiare
dream .........sognare
drive...........spingere
drop...........perdere;farecadere
E
ear............orecchio
egg............uova
end............limite
ends...........estremit
error. ..........errore
eye............occhio
F
face............faccia
failure .........fallimento
fall ............cadere;cascare
far ............lontano
fast ...........veloce
fate ............destino
feather.........piuma
feel............sentire
feet ...........piedi
fence ..........recinto
fmger..........dito
finish..........finire; concludere
68
fire............fuoco
first ...........primo
fit.............attacco;crisi
flash...........lampo;scintillio
flat............piatto
float...........galleggiare
fly.............volare;sventolare
flub............sbagliare
foam...........spumare
fool ............sciocco
foot ...........piede
force...........costringere
fortune.........fortuna
freeze .........congelare
fresh. ..........fresco
front...........davanti
fuse ...........valvola
G
game ..........gioco
gasket .........guarnizione
get ............ottenere;portare
glasses.........occhiali
go.............andare
goods ..........beni;merci
grade ..........vetta;qualit
grief...........malora
ground.........terra
guard..........guardia
gum up.........incasinare
H
hackles.........piumaggiolungo
hand...........mano
handle .........manico
hard...........duramente
69
I
harmony .......armonia
hatchet.........ascia
have...........avere
haystack .......pagliaio
head....." ....testa
heap...........mucchio
heart ..........cuore
heel ...........tacco
hell............inferno
herring.........aringa
high...........alto;elevato
hit ............colpire
hoe............zappa
homestretch ....partefinale
hope...........speranza
horizon.........orizzonte
horn...........corno
hornet .........calabrone
horse ..........cavallo
hot............caldo
house..........teatro
ice......... ....ghiaccio
impossibility....impossibilit
J
jackpot .........colpo difortuna
jam............pasticcio
jump...........saltare
K
kickoff.........cominciare
knock..........battere;bussare
70
L
land...........cadere
lap ..'" .......grembo
last ............ultimo
lay ............deporre;fare
lead(v) .........condurre
lead(n).........piombo
leaf............foglia
leap ...........saltare
leave ..........lasciare
leg ............gamba
lemon..........limone
length .........lunghezza
leopardo........leopardo
lid.............coperchio
lie.............bugia
life ............vita
light...........leggero
limb...........ramo
line............fila
lip.............labbro
little...........piccolo
live............vivere
longshot ... .....cavallononfavorito
look ...........guardare
lose............perdere
lost............perso
love ...........amore
luck ...........fortuna
M
mad ...........pazzo
make ..........fare
mark ..........segno
meet ...........incontrare
mind...........mente
money .........soldi
71
monkey wrench .. chiave inglese
month .... ..... mese
moon .... . . .... luna
motion .. . .... .. mozione
mouth . . . . . . . . . bocca
N
nail. . . . . . .. .... chiodo
name . . . . ... . .. nome; reputazione
nap ... .. . . . .. .. sonnecchiare
near .. ...... .. . vicino; per poco
needle . . . . . . . . . ago
nerves ....... .. nervi
neck . ... . ...... collo
nest ...... ..... nido
new . .... .. . ... nuovo
nose .. . . .. . . ... naso
nothing . . . . . . . . niente
nuts . .... . .. ... pazzo
o
once .. .. . .. ... . una volta
one . . . ... .. ... . uno
open .... .. .. .. . aprire; cominciare
overboard . .. .. .. fuori bordo; al mare
p
pack .... .. ..... branco; muta
paddle . .. . .. ... pala
pan..... ...... . scodellino
paradise ....... . paradiso
pay ...... .... .. pagare
peck ... ... . . ... misura per cereali
pickle .... . .. . . . guaio
72
pick up . . . .. .... riprendere
picture .. ..... .. quadro
piece...... ..... pezzo
pile ........ ... . mucchio
pnch ... .. . ... . morso
pipe . . . ..... . .. pipa
pIace... . . . . .... posto
play (n) ... .. ... mossa
play (v) . . ... ... . giocare
pocket .... . .... ~ s c
proud ... .. . . ... fiero
pull. . .. . . . .. . .. tirare
push .. . ... .. . .. spingere
put . ... ... ... . . mettere
Q
question . ... . . .. questione
R
raise . .... ... . .. alzare
rarity .......... rarit
red .... . ... . ... rosso
rejection........ rifiuto
rich... ... ...... ricco
rise .. ... . . .. . . . alzarsi
risk. . ... . . .. ... rischio
road . . . . . . .. ... strada
rock (n) ... ... . . roccia
rock (v) .. ... .... far dondolare
roll . . . .. ....... avvolgersi
roof.. .. . . . .. ... tetto
rope .. ... .. . .. . corda
rose . .. .. .. ... . rosa
row . . .... .. . . . . filare
rub ... . . ....... strofinare
run .. .. . .. .. . . . correre
73
s
sail............navigare
same ..........stesso
scent ..........pista
score...........segnare
sea............mare
see ............vedere
sell............vendere
send...........mandare
service .........servizio
set ............dareinizio
shock..........choc
shoestring......stringaperscarpe
short ..........corto;insufficiente
shot ...........sparo;personaggio
shoulder........spalla
show(n)........programma
show(v)........mostrare
showers........doccia
side ...........lato
sieve ...........setaccio
sight ...........vista
silver ..........argento
sito ............sedere
situation .......situazione
skate ..........pattinare
skids ..........malora
slow...........lento
smoke..........fumo
snap...........addentare
snowball .......palladi neve
socks ..........calze
soup...........minestra
spanner........chiaveinglese
spirits .........morale;umore
spot(n).........chiazza
squeeze ........allestrette
stack(n) ........mucchio
stack(v)........imbrogliare
74
stand..........essere;trovarsi
star ...........stella
start(n)........inizio
start(v) ........iniziare
steam..........vapore
steal...........rubare
steerclear......evitare
street..........strada
stickout ........sporgere
stirup .........sollevare;smuovere
stone ........' ..pietra
straddle........esserea cavalcioni
straw..........paglia
strike..........colpire
strikeout .......essereeliminato
successo........successo
Sunday ........domenica
surprise........sorpresa
swing..........tentaredi colpire
T
tails ...........croce
take...........prendere
takeoff.........decollare
target ..........bersaglio
tell............dire
tempt..........tentare
tether ..........pastoia;limite
there ..........l
thin ...........sottile
thing ..........cosa
throat ....... ...gola
throw..........lanciare
thumb .........pollice
tight...........stretto
tighten..... ....tirare;stringere
ton ............tonnellata
top ............cima;vetta
75
v
toss-up.........cosaincerta
touch-and-go....incerto;rischioso
tree............albero
trick...........colpo
trouble.........disturbo
try ............provare;tentare
turn(n) ........direzione
turo(v) ........girare;voltare
turnover.......girarsi;voltarsi
two............due
u
uncertainty.....incertezza
uphill..........insalita;arduo
vicious .........vizioso
w
wall ...........muro
walkingpapers..notificadilicenziamento
wanting........mancante
wash ..........lavare
washout........fiasco; fallimento
water..........acqua
wavelength .....lunghezzad'onda
waves..........onde
way ...........Diodo
white . .. ... . . . .bianco
wind...........vento
windup(down)..finire
winner.........vincitore
wonder .........meraviglia
wood...........legno
woods..........foresta
wool ...........lana
work...........causare;operare
works..........meccanismo
world ..........mondo
worm ..........verme
wrapup........concludere
wrong..........sbagliato
77
76
Index
Introduction 5
PariI 7
TalkingaboutSurprise 8
TalkingaboutRisk/Danger lO
TalkingaboutSuccess 14
Part2
19
TalkingaboutAnger 20
TalkingaboutDeception 24
TalkingaboutStarting/Finishing 27
TalkingaboutHope 32
Part3 35
TalkingaboutFailurelError 37
TalkingaboutMoney 41
TalkingaboutUncertainty 44
TalkingaboutTroublelDifficulty 47
Part4 53
TalkingaboutAgreement 54
TalkingaboutLove 56
TalkingaboutRejection 58
TalkingaboutImpossibility/Rarity 61
Glossary 65