NEW EXPRESSIONS

To be about to do sth: if sb. Is about to do sth., or if sth.is about to happen, they will do it or it will
happen very soon.
Fall into abeyance: no longer be used.
a hit-and-run accident: when sb. is hit by a driver who does not stop
To have an ace up your sleeve: to have a secret advantage that could help you to win or be
successful.
Act your age: used to tell sb. to behave in a more adult way, suitable for sb. of their age.
Without more/further ado: without delaying or wasting any time: Without further ado, Im
starting by saying that
Get the adrenalin going: make you feel nervously excited.
In advance: before sth. happens or expected to happen.
All over again: if you do sth all over again, you repeat it from the beginning.
Same again: the same drink again.
With his mouth agape
Alive and well
Alive and kicking
Its all go!: used to say that a situation is very busy and full of activity.
To go ape/to go apeshit = (informal) to suddenly become very angry
Keep up appearances =to dress and behave in the way in which people expect you to.
Be the apple of my eyes = to be loved very much by someone.
To buy something on approval = you have the right to return it to the shop if you decide you do
not want it.
To be in arrears/riz/ = when youre late in paying something that you should pay regularly.
A time of great austerity

Back and forth = going in one direction and then in the opposite direction
Put your back into it = (informal) to work extremely hard at sth.
Get off your backside = to start doing sth., instead of not doing anything.
Bring home the bacon (informal) = to provide enough money to support your family)
Go from bad to worse
A bag of bones (informal) = a person or animal that is too thin.
To be/release on bail = to set free after paying some money in order a prisoner will return when
the trial starts.
The question caught him off balance = to surprise someone and make them confused and no
longer calm.
Keep your balance = stay steady.
Lose your balance = become unsteady.
Regain/recover your balance = become steady again.
The ball is in your court now = it's your turn to take action or answer
A ball of fire (informal) = someone who has a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
To drop the ball = to make a mistake when dealing with something.
The balloon goes up (Brit. informal) = used to refer to the moment when a situation starts to
become really bad.
Behind bars (informal)= in prison
Bark up the wrong tree (informal)= to have a wrong idea or to do sth. in a way that won't give
you the information or result you want.[e.g. the police spent 3 months barking up the wrong tree on
the murder investigation]
Barking mad (humorous) = completely crazy or acting very strangely.
Have sb. over a barrel = to put sb. in a situation in which they are forced to accept or do what you
want.
Back to basics =used to describe a return to teaching or doing the most important or simplest
things.
On a regular/daily/weekly, etc basis = weekly, every week, etc.[e.g. I'm saving money on a
regular basis]
Do sth. off your own bat (Brit. informal) =to do sth. without being told to do it.
Do sth. right off your own bat (AmE. informal) =to do sth. immediately.
Like a bat out of hell (informal) =very fast

Old bat = (spoken) an unpleasant old lady.

Recharge your batteries (informal) = to rest or relax in order to get back your energy.
Be yourself = to behave in a natural way, rather than trying to pretend to be different.
Be full of beans (informal) = to be very eager and full of energy.
Not have a bean (BrE informal) = to have no money at all.
Bear (sth) in mind = to remember a fact or piece of information
Be like a bear with a sore head (BrE informal) = to be rude to people because you're feeling badtempered.
Beat about/around the bush = to avoid or delay talking sth. embarrassing or unpleasant.[e.g.
Don't beat around the bush. Ask for your account to be paid, and pay quickly]
Beat the clock = to finish sth. very quickly, esp. before a particular time.
Beats me... (spoken) = used to say that you don't know sth., or cannot understand or explain it.
[e.g. Beats me why he wants such a big car]
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder = used to say that different people have different opinions
about what is beautiful.
Get out of bed on the wrong side (BrE.) = to feel slightly angry or annoyed for no particular
reason.
Not a bed of roses = not a happy, comfortable or easy situation.
You have made your bed and you must lie on it (spoken) = used to say that you must accept
the results of your actions, even if they are bad.
A busy bee (spoken) = sb. who enjoys being busy or active.
the beginning of the end = the time when sth. good starts to end.
Take sbs word for it = (esp. spoken to believe what sb. says is true, even though you have no
proof or experience of it )
Give sb. the benefit of the doubt (= to believe what sb. says, even though you think it might not
be true)
To go belly up (business/company it stops operating because it cant pay its debts)
A sense of belonging (= a feeling that youre happy and comfortable somewhere)
Bend the truth = to say sth. that its not completely true.
Best before = (BrE) written on food packets with the date that the food should be eaten before.
As best you can = (spoken) as well as you xan, even if this is not very good.
Do your best = try as hard as you can to do sth.
To the best of your knowledge/belief/ability, etc = sth. is as much as you know, ...
All the best = used to express good wishes
Better late than never (spoken)
Be/get too big for your boots = (informal) to be too proud of yourself.
Big noise = (informal) important an powerful person in an organisation
On your bike! (BrE spoken) used to tell sb. rudely to go away
A bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush)= used to say that it is better to keep what you
have than to risk losing it by trying to get more.
The bird had flown = (informal) used to say that the person youre looking for has already left or
escaped
In your birthday suit = (informal) not wearing any clothes used humorously
Take a bite (Im eating this apple, do you want to take a bite?)
A bitter disappointment/blow = making you feel very unhappy and upset
Youre not as black as youre painted =youre not as bad as people say you are.
Be in the black = have money in your bank account
Blacken your name/reputation = to say unpleasant things about sb. in order to make other
people have a bad opinion of them
Blame on you! = its your fault
My mind went blank! = My minds a blank
A blast = (informal) an enjoyable and exciting experience
As blind as a bat
Turn a blind eye (to sth) = ignore sth.
BLINK

On the blink = (spoken) not working properly

In the blink of an eye = very quickly

Before you could blink = (spoken) extremely quickly

BLOOD

In cold blood = in a cruel and deliberate way.

Make sbs blood boil =to make sb. extremely angry

Make sbs blood run cold = make sb. feel extremely frightened.
Like getting blood out of a stone = almost impossible
Blood is thicker than water = used to say that family relationships are more important than
any other kind.
Blood, sweat and tears = extremely hard work.
New/fresh blood = new members in a group or organisation who bring new ideas and
energy.

BLUE
Feeling blue = feeling sad, depressed
Once in a blue moon = (informal) very rarely
Out of the blue = (informal) unexpectedly
Board and lodging = meals and a place to stay
Were in the same boat = were in the same unpleasant situation
Relationships between Venezuela and Spain have reached boiling point.
My word is my bond = (formal) used to say that you will definitely do what youve promised
BONES
Feel/know sth. in your bones = to be certain that sth. is true, even though you have no
proof and cannot explain why youre certain
Skin and bone = very thin
A bag of bones = sb. who is much too thin
Be chilled/frozen to the bone = to be extremely cold
BOOK
By the book = exactly according to rules and instructions.
A closed book = subject that you do not understand or know anything about
In my book = (spoken) said when giving your opinion.
Bring sb. to book = to punish sb. for breaking laws or rules, especially when you have been
trying to punish them for a long time.
Fully booked = no more seats were available
Be book up = (restaurant, hotel...) there are no rooms, places, seats... available.
On the booze = drinking too much alcohol
Off the booze = no longer drinking too much alcohol
BORN
Be born to be/do sth. = e.g. he was born to be a teacher/doctor...
I wasnt born yesterday = (spoken) used to tell sb. you think is lying to you that you are
not stupid enough to believe them
Be born under a lucky/unlucky star = to always have good/bad luck in your life
Be born with a silver spoon in your mouth = to be born into a rich family
Sorry to bother you = (spoken) used as a very polite way of interrupting sb. because you want
their attention.
Be on the bottle = (BrE) be drinking a lot of alcohol regularly
Hit the bottle = regularly drink too much
BOTTOM
Get to the bottom of sth. = to find out the cause of a problem or situation.
Be at/hit/reach rock bottom = to be in a very bad situation that could not be any worse.
From the bottom of your heart = in a very sincere way
Bottoms up! = (spoken) used to tell sb. to enjoy or finish their alcoholic drink.
Bow your head = to bend your neck to show respect (God, queen, etc.)
The boys in blue = (informal) the police
Have sth. on the brain = (informal) to be always thinking about sth. (= a song)
Put the brakes on sth. = to stop sth. that is happening
Your/sbs bread and butter = (informal) the work that provides you with most of the money that
you need in order to live.
BREAK
A habit a record a journey sbs heart a strike a link/tie/connection the bank sbs
concentration the silence the ice (informal) - a code a leg (= used to wish sb. good luck
before they perform on stage)
Make a break give me a break
A breath of fresh air = a) sth. that is new and different in a way you think is exciting and good. b)
clean air outside, that you think you need after being inside for a long time.
BRIGHT

as bright as a button = very intelligent and full of energy.

look on the bright side = to see the good points in a situation that seems to be bad.
bright and early = very early in the morning
bright and breezy = happy and confident
broad in the beam = (informal) having large or fat hips
in broad daylight= (example, a crime) happens in the daylight and in public
broaden my horizons = learn, experience, or attempt new things.
Im broke = I have no money
Pass the buck = to make sb. else responsible for sth. that you should deal with.
Buck your ideas up! = (BrE. informal) used to tell sb. to improve their behaviour or attitude.
The rain is coming down in buckets = its raining very hard.
In bulk = buying big quantities
BULL
Take the bull by the horns = to bravely or confidently deal with a difficult, dangerous or
unpleasant problem.
Like a bull in a china shop = knocking things over, dropping things, breaking things...
Like a bull at a gate = you move very fast, ignoring everything in your way.
Im bunged up = to find it difficult to breathe because youve a cold.
BURN
Be burning with rage/desire, etc.
Burn the candles at both ends = (informal) to get very tired by doing things until very late at
night and getting up early in the mornings.
Burn the midnight oil = (informal) to work/study until very late at night.
Get your fingers burned/burn your fingers = (informal) to suffer the unpleasant result of sth.
that you have done.
Burning issue/question = very important and urgent.
Burning hot = very hot
BURST
burst open = to open suddenly
be bursting to do sth. = (informal) to want to do sth. very much
be bursting = (BrE informal) to need to go to the toilet very soon.
BUSINESS
Mind your own business = dont ask questions about sth. that dont concern you.
Thats my business = my duty/responsibility
Be back in business = to working or operating in a normal way again
Go about your business = do the things that you normally do
Business is business = (spoken) used to say that profit is the most important thing to consider.
And all that business = (spoken informal) and other things of the same general kind.
Business hours = the normal hours that shops and offices are open.
Have/take a butchers = (BrE spoken informal) have a look at sth.
Have/get butterflies in my tummy = (informal) feel very nervous before doing sth.

C
Hail a cab = wave to get a cab to stop for you
Its a piece of cake = (spoken) very easy
Hes calling me names = hes insulting me
Be on call = (doctor/fire fighter, etc) ready to go and help whenever they are needed.
A can of worms = a very difficult situation
We are working at full capacity = making the most amount of things that we can.
CARDS
play your cards right = to play a situation in the right way so that you are successful in getting
what you want.
put/lay your cards on the table = to tell people what your plans and intentions are in a clear
honest way.
have another card up your sleeve = to have another advantage that you can use to be
successful in a particular situation.
I couldnt care less / who cares?
CATCH
Catch sb. red-handed
Catch sb. by surprise/off guard/napping/unawares
Catch sb with their pants/trousers down

Catch a plane/train/bus
Catch sbs attention/interest/imagination, etc.
Catch your breath
A centre of academic excellence = a very good place for education
Be the centre of attention = to be the person that everyone is giving attention to.
For certain = without doubt/for sure
To a certain degree/extent = partly, but not completely
Pull the chain = (BrE) flush the toilet
As different as chalk and cheese/like chalk and cheese = completely different
CHANGE
change for better/worse
it/that makes a change = sth. is better than and different from usual
small change = coins that you have and dont have high value
to be in charge of
CHEAP
cheap and cheerful = (BrE. simple and not expensive, but of reasonable quality)
life is cheap = used to say that it is not important if people die.
going cheap = selling for a lower price than usual.
No cheating!
Double-checked = looking twice
CHEEK
What a cheek!
Turn the other cheek
Cheeky devil/monkey
A cheery smile = a happy smile
A piece of cheese = very easy/good
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? =used to say that it is difficult or impossible to decide
which of two things happened first, or which action is the cause and which is the effect
Chilled to the bone/marrow = extremely cold
Chilled me/her/him to the bone/morrow = frighten sb. a lot
(keep your) chin up = (spoken) used to tell sb. to make an effort to stay brave and confident when
they are in a difficult situation.
CHIP
Have a chip on your shoulder = to easily become offended or angry because you think you
have been treated unfairly in the past
When the chips are down = (spoken) in a serious or difficult situation, esp. one in which
you realise what it is really true or important
Be a chip off the old block = (informal) to be very similar to your father/mother in
appearance or character
Chop and change = (BrE informal) to keep changing your mind
CLEAN
As clean as a whistle
Clean hands = doing things in a fair or legal way.
Come clean = (informal) to finally tell the truth about sth. you have been hiding [+ about]
A clean sweep = a very impressive victory in a competition, election, etc.
clean copy = piece of writing without mistakes or other marks written on it.
CLEAR
As clear as a bell (= very clear)
As clear as mud (humorously spoken sth. is very difficult to understand)
A clear coincidence
Clear the table
CLOCK
The clock strike six
(A)round the clock = all day and all night without stopping
Put the clock back/forward = (BrE.) to change the time one hour before or after.
Against the clock = to work as quickly as you can because you do not have much time.
The clock is ticking = used to say that there is not much time left to do sth.
With clockwork precision/accuracy = in an extremely exact way
CLOSE
Closing remarks = sth. you say at the end of a speech

Close a deal/sale/contract, etc. = successfully agree a business deal, sale, etc.

Close your mind to/against sth. = to refuse to think about sth.
Close ranks = (people) join together to protect each other, esp. when criticised.
Close friends
Close cooperation
Take/get a close look (at sth.)
Keep in close contact/touch
Close to the bone = sth. makes you feel uncomfortable or offends you, esp. because it is
about sth. you do not want to admit is true.
Too close for comfort = it is near enough to make you feel nervous or afraid.
Close on the heels of sth. = very soon after sth. else.
Come to a close = finish
CLOSET
Come out of the closet = to tell people that you are homosexual after hiding the fact
Be in the closet = (AmE.) to not tell people that you are homosexual
The closing date for applications
CLOUD
Cloud on the horizon = sth. that might spoil a happy situation
Under a cloud (of suspicion) = (informal) people have a bad opinion about them.
Be on cloud nine = (informal) to be very happy about sth.
Every cloud has a silver lining = used to say that there is sth. good, even in a situation that
seems very sad or difficult.
Be/live in cloud-cuckoo-land = (BrE) to think that a situation is much better than it really is, in
a way that is slightly stupid.