“Those who educate children well are more to be honored than

they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the
art of living well.”
― Aristotle

So,
we dedicate this book to our beloved Nurullah Patwary Sir. We
couldn’t have utilized our true potential without his guidance.
He is our guardian angel, helping us to become the best version
of ourselves.
Thankyou so much, sir, we couldn’t have pulled it off
without you.
 A
SL IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
A BLESSING IN Something that appears bad at Missing that plane turned out to
1 DISGUISE first but ends up having good be a blessing in disguise
results because I got to spend more
time with my family.
2 A SANDWICH A humorous way of saying He brought only shorts and
SHORT OF A someone is stupid or is a bit mad t-shirts when he went to Sweden
PICNIC in the winter – I think he might
be a sandwich short of a
picnic!
3 A STONE’S THROW Something is very close or near Luckily the wedding is just a
stone’s throw from our hotel so
we can walk there.
4 ACTIONS SPEAK What you do is more important You shouldn’t brag about your
LOUDER THAN than what you say; someone’s skill all the time; actions speak
WORDS words may not be trustworthy louder than words.
5 ADD FUEL TO THE When someone does something When Sarah started laughing
FIRE to make a bad situation worse during the argument, it really
added fuel to the fire!
6 ADD INSULT TO To make a bad situation worse As if breaking my arm isn’t bad
INJURY enough, to add insult to injury I
have to pay £1,000 in hospital
fees as I didn’t have travel
insurance!
7 ALL EARS To be eagerly waiting to hear If you want to tell me the truth,
about something I’m all ears.
8 AT A CROSSROADS To be at a point in your life when I was at a crossroads when I
you need to make an important was offered a job in the US, but
decision my boyfriend wanted to stay in
London.

B
SL IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
9 BARKING UP THE To be wrong or misguided about He thinks the company’s
WRONG TREE the reason for something problems can be solved just by
firing the sales team, but he’s
barking up the wrong tree.

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10 BEAT ABOUT THE Stop beating about the bush!
To talk about unimportant things
BUSH because you’re avoiding a Are you planning to quit
particular topic. university, or not?
11 BETTER LATE The internet came 10 minutes
It’s better to do something late
THAN NEVER than not at all. after the game started, better
late than never.
12 BETWEEN A ROCK It’s better to do something late He always has to choose
AND A HARD than not at all between his mother or wife, its
PLACE like being between a rock and a
hard place.
13 BITE OFF MORE To do too much or take He was confidant and took too
THAN ONE CAN something on that is too difficult much of a large task biting off
CHEW more than he can chew.
14 BITE THE BULLET To decide to do something that is You’re going to have to bite the
difficult or unpleasant, but bullet and tell your
necessary ex-(girlfriend) that you need the
apartment back.
15 BLOW OFF STEAM To do something that helps you After my meeting with the boss,
get rid of stress, energy or anger I went for a run to blow off
steam.
16 BOB’S YOUR To say that a set of instructions To make the salad dressing, you
UNCLE or task is simple or easy just put oil, vinegar, honey and
mustard into a bowl, mix them
together and bob’s your uncle!
17 BOG-STANDARD Something that is very ordinary Despite the excellent reviews,
or basic, nothing special we thought the restaurant was
just bog-standard.
18 BOTCH/BODGE JOB Work that has been done badly, The original builders did such a
in a clumsy, lazy way botch job of our kitchen that we
had to get it completely redone.
19 BUDGE UP An informal way of asking Could you budge up a bit so I
someone to move to make room can sit down?
for you
20 BUILDER’S TEA Strongly-brewed English I’ll have a builder’s tea, please.
breakfast tea with milk
21 BURY ONE’S HEAD To refuse to think about or Martin just buries his head in
IN THE SAND confront serious issues or the sand when it comes to his
situations financial problems.
22 BUST ONE’S CHOPS To work very hard on something, Stop busting my chops! I’ll
or to harass someone mow the lawn later.
23 BY THE SKIN OF To narrowly succeed in doing The traffic was terrible so we
ONE’S TEETH something only made the plane by the skin
of our teeth!

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 C
SL IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
24 CALL A SPADE A To state the truth about I know he’s your brother, but let’s
SPADE something even if it’s call a spade a spade: he’s pretty
unpopular or unpleasant lazy.
25 CALL IT A DAY To stop working on It’s almost 9pm. I think we should
something call it a day and finish the report
tomorrow.
26 CHEAP AS CHIPS When something is It doesn’t look it, but our new sofa
inexpensive or good value was (as) cheap as chips!
for money
27 CHINESE WHISPERS Information or rumors that John and Maggie from the office
have been passed on by haven’t actually announced they’re
many people and are no getting a divorce. It’s probably just
longer reliable Chinese whispers.

28 CHIP ON ONE’S To hold a grudge/be angry The new sales guy at the office has
SHOULDER about something that a real chip on his shoulder. He’s
happened in the past, or to be not even that good!
arrogant and think too highly
of oneself
29 CLAM UP To become silent or stop When Bill came into the room,
talking Jenny just seemed to clam up. I
think she likes him!
30 COLD FEET He’s getting cold feet about He’s getting cold feet about the
the wedding, but I told him wedding, but I told him that was
that was perfectly normal perfectly normal.

31 COLD SHOULDER To deliberately ignore I got the cold shoulder from Anna
someone at the party. I guess she’s still
annoyed with me.
32 COST A BOMB When something is very That Italian meal cost a bomb! We
expensive won’t be going back there, unless
we win the lottery!
33 COST AN ARM When something is very The new bar in town was really
AND A LEG expensive fancy, but my drink cost an arm
and a leg!
34 COUCH POTATO A lazy person who doesn’t do My husband has turned into a
much exercise and spends a couch potato since he lost his job.
lot of time on the sofa
watching television
35 COULDN’T CARE To show indifference to I couldn’t care less if Harry comes
LESS something or a total lack of out tonight or not! I don’t really
interest like the guy.
36 CURIOSITY KILLED A warning that being Person A: “Where are you going at

3
 THE CAT inquisitive or curious can get this time of night?”
you into trouble Person B: “Curiosity killed the
cat!”
37 CUT A LONG To get to the point, to not To cut a long story short, she has
STORY SHORT include unnecessary detail to move back to the US until her
new visa comes through.
38 CUT CORNERS To do something in the We had to cut corners to get the
easiest way possible (usually project done within our budget and
not very well) in order to by January.
save time or money
39 CUT SOMEONE To avoid being critical or Person A: “Hannah’s late for the
SOME SLACK judgmental of someone (even second time this week!”
if they deserve it) Person B: “Cut her some slack!
The traffic’s awful this morning.”
40 CUT TO THE CHASE get directly to the point when I have to leave in a minute so can
speaking you cut to the chase? What exactly
do you want me to do?

D
SL IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
41 DIG ONE’S HEELS To refuse to do something or I wanted to go on the earlier train,
IN change your mind, especially but Mary dug her heels in so we
when people are trying to had to get the later one.
persuade you
42 DOG EAT DOG A situation that is very The music industry is dog eat dog
(ALSO ‘CUT competitive, where people these days.
THROAT’) are willing to harm each I’d stay out of the legal sector. It
other’s interests to get ahead can be a cut throat business.

43 DON’T GIVE UP Used in a humorous way to Person A: “What do you think of

THE DAY JOB tell someone they’re not very the haircut I gave Hannah?”
good at something Person B: “Don’t give up the day
job, mate!”
44 DON’T PUT ALL A warning not to put all your Although you’ve made an offer on
YOUR EGGS IN resources or efforts into just this house, I would still visit some
ONE BASKET one thing others. You don’t want to put all
your eggs in one basket.
45 DON’T RUN A warning not to try If you’re not very good at
BEFORE YOU CAN something difficult before swimming, I’d stay in the shallow
WALK you understand the basics end and keep close to the side. You
don’t want to run before you can
walk.

4
46 DESPERATE TIMES In a very challenging She moved to Australia after she
CALL FOR situation, you need to take found out about her husband’s
DESPERATE extreme actions affair. I suppose desperate times
MEASURES call for desperate measures!

E
SL IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
47 EASY DOES IT To slow down or do Easy does it! Those boxes you’re
something slowly/carefully holding are very fragile.
48 EAT A HORSE To be extremely hungry I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

49 (The) ELEPHANT IN An important and obvious David leaving the company was the
THE ROOM topic that everyone knows elephant in the room during that
needs to be discussed, but meeting – no one wanted to bring it
that isn’t brought up or up!
mentioned
50 EVERY CLOUD HAS Even a bad situation may I might have lost my job, but at
A SILVER LINING have a positive aspect to it least I don’t have that awful
(often just: EVERY journey into work every day. Every
CLOUD…) cloud has a silver lining.

F
SL IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
51 FACE THE MUSIC To accept responsibility for I’m meeting Hannah tonight and
something bad you have done it’s the first time I’ll have seen her
since our argument. I guess I’ll
finally have to face the music.
52 FIND ONE’S FEET To adjust or settle into a new I’ve only been at the new company
environment or situation for a month so I’m still finding my
feet.
53 FINGER IN EVERY To be involved or have Person A: “Steve offered to sell me
PIE influence in many things some secondhand TVs and a
(often has a negative holiday to Spain!”
association) Person B: “That guy's got a finger
in every pie!”
54 (A) FISH OUT OF When someone is (or feels) I felt like a fish out of water
WATER out of place in a situation because I knew no one.

5
55 FIT AS A FIDDLE To be in good physical health He’s in his 90’s, but he’s fit as a
fiddle!
56 FOLLOW IN To do the same as someone My father was an engineer, & I
SOMEONE’S else did before you (often a plan to follow in his footsteps &
FOOTSTEPS family member) study engineering in a university.
57 FREAK OUT To become very angry, I freaked out when I saw The
scared or excited (can be Rolling Stones perform. I’d wanted
negative or positive) to see them my whole life!
That Goth at the club freaked me
out a bit because he was dressed
like a vampire!
58 FULL OF BEANS Someone who is energetic, You’re full of beans this evening!
lively or enthusiastic You must have had a good day at
work.

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SL IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
59 GET OFF ONE’S When someone won’t stop I wish she would get off my back
BACK criticizing, bothering or about the meeting! I know I have to
telling you what to do send the agenda out, but I’ll do it in
my own time.
60 GET OUT OF HAND To become difficult to The protest got out of hand and the
control police had to intervene when some
demonstrators broke down a fence.
61 GET OVER This could be the breakup of To overcome or move on from a
SOMETHING a personal difficult situation moving out of the
relationship/marriage, or the city for a while might help you get
person’s death. over Harry.
62 GET SOMETHING Do something you have I don’t drink much anymore; I got
OUT OF ONE’S wanted to do so that you can it out of my system when I was at
SYSTEM then move on from it. university!

63 GET UP/OUT ON To wake up in a grumpy or You’re very argumentative today!

THE WRONG SIDE bad mood for no obvious Did you get up on the wrong side
OF BED reason. of bed, or something?
64 GET ONE’S To take action in order to be I haven’t got any work done this
ACT/SH*T more effective. morning – I really need to get my
TOGETHER act together!

66 GLAD TO SEE THE To be happy that you no I was very glad to see the back of
BACK OF longer have to deal with John because he made the
someone. atmosphere in the office so
uncomfortable

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67 GO BACK TO THE Start planning something The client didn’t like our original
DRAWING BOARD again because earlier concept so let’s go back to the
attempts were unsuccessful. drawing board!
68 GO COLD TURKEY To suddenly and completely I gave up smoking by going cold
stop using an addictive turkey; it was difficult but it was
substance. also the only thing that worked for
me.

69 GO DOWN THAT To take a particular course of Let’s not go down that road again!
ROAD action, both literally and It always leads to an argument.
figuratively.
70 GO THE EXTRA To make more effort than is Frank is a great asset to our team
MILE expected or necessary. as he always goes the extra mile.

71 To mean a person is never I always think the countryside looks

(The) GRASS IS satisfied with their own nicer than the city, but I guess the
ALWAYS GREENER situation, they always think grass is always greener…!
(ON THE OTHER others have it better.
SIDE)

72 GREEN FINGERS To be good at gardening, able I’ve heard you have green fingers –
to make plants grow. we’ll have to get your advice about
our garden!

H
SL IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
73 HANG IN THERE To persist with something, to Hang in there! I know it’s tough
not give up. but you’re almost halfway through
the course.
74 HAVE EYES IN THE To be able to see or sense You need eyes in the back of your
BACK OF ONE’S what’s going on all around head when you have two small
HEAD you, when you can’t children!
physically see everything.

75 To be extremely in love with They’re head over heels in love

HEAD OVER HEELS someone. with each other!
(IN LOVE)

76 HEARD IT ON THE To hear news about I heard (it) on the grapevine that
GRAPEVINE something from someone you and Alex are splitting up. Is
else, not directly. that true?
77 HIT THE BOOKS To start studying seriously. After dinner I’m really going to hit
the books. Not much time left

7
 before my exams!

78 HIT THE NAIL ON To be completely right or I think Lucy hit the nail on the
THE HEAD correct about something. head when she said there’s no such
thing as an ideal school. There are
pros and cons to all of them.
79 To leave somewhere or start It’s getting late so I’m going to hit
HIT THE ROAD a journey. the road.

80 HIT THE SACK To go to bed in order to It’s been a long day so I’m going to
sleep. hit the sack. Night night!
81 HOLD YOUR Another way of saying ‘Wait Person A: ‘The train’s at 9. Grab
HORSES a moment’ or ‘don’t rush’. the bags, find your shoes and call a
taxi!’
Person B: ‘Hold your horses!
We’ve got plenty of time.’

I
SI IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
82 IGNORANCE IS Sometimes it’s better not to Person A: “Did you know that cake
BLISS know all the facts about you just ate was 600 calories?”
something. Person B: “I didn’t…ignorance is
bliss!”
83 IT’S NOT ROCKET To say something isn’t very You just need to fill in the form and
SCIENCE complicated. you’ll get an e-ticket. It’s not
rocket science!

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SI IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
84 JUMP ON THE To join an activity, trend or Everyone thinks Boris is going to
BANDWAGON opinion that has become win the election so they’ve jumped
popular. on the bandwagon.
85 JUMP SHIP To leave or abandon a I don’t think the company is going
difficult situation. to survive. We should probably
jump ship!

8
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SL IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
86 KEEP ONE’S CHIN To encourage someone to It’s been a difficult month for you
UP stay positive in a difficult but keep your chin up! It will get
situation. easier.
87 To achieve two things at I could pick up the dry cleaning on
KILL TWO BIRDS once. my way the doctors. That way we’d
WITH ONE STONE be killing two birds with one stone.

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SI IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
88 LEAVE NO STONE To do everything you can to During firm’s the financial audit
UNTURNED achieve something. they left no stone unturned.
89 To leave a situation as it is, in Don’t bring up what happened at
LET SLEEPING order to not make it worse. Alison’s party again. You should
DOGS LIE (often just: just let it lie.
LET IT LIE)

90 LET SOMEONE OFF To avoid being punished for It was my turn to do the
THE HOOK something or to avoid doing washing-up, but mum let me off the
something. hook because I wasn’t feeling well.

91 LET THE CAT OUT To reveal a secret by accident Their engagement was meant to be
OF THE BAG a secret, but Adam let the cat out of
the bag!
93 LOSE ONE’S No longer able to do I tried to chat a girl up at the bar
TOUCH something as well as you the other night, but she just ignored
could before me. I must be losing my touch!

M
SI IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
94 MISS THE BOAT To be slow and not take an I would call the company back now
opportunity when it’s offered about the job and not wait until the
to you morning. You don’t want to miss
the boat!

9
 N
SI IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
95 NIP (SOMETHING) To stop something at an early I’ve noticed that people are starting
IN THE BUD stage, before it has a chance to arrive late for work. I think we
to develop need to have a meeting about it and
nip this in the bud before it
becomes a real problem.
96 NO PAIN, NO GAIN You need to suffer or work Person A: “That gym class was so
hard to get what you want or hard I thought I was going to pass
deserve out!”
Person B: “No pain, no gain!”
97 NO-BRAINER An easy decision, something Person A: “Do you think I should
you don’t need to think too get travel insurance before I go to
hard about Nigeria?” Person B: “That’s a
no-brainer. Of course you should!”
98 NOT ONE’S CUP OF Something you don’t like or She’s a great cook, but the meal she
TEA are not interested in made really wasn’t my cup of tea.
It was far too spicy.

O
SI IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
99 OFF ONE’S Someone who acts very You must be off your trolley if you
TROLLEY/ROCKER/ strangely, seems crazy or think I’m going to climb up there!
NUT/HEAD insane It’s way too high!
100 OFF THE TOP OF From memory, without a lot Off the top of my head I think
ONE’S HEAD of thought or consideration we’re expecting about 18 guests for
the party, but I’ll check to make
sure.
101 To be alert, quick to You really need to be on the ball in
ON THE BALL understand and react to this job because it’s fast-paced with
things lots happening all the time.

102 ON THE GO To be very busy He’s been on the go all week.

103 ON THE STRAIGHT To live in a way that is He was very wild for many years,
AND NARROW honest and moral, to stay out but he seems to have grown up and
of trouble he’s on the straight and narrow
now.
104 ONCE IN A BLUE Something that happens I eat McDonalds once in a blue
MOON rarely moon, when I feel like a treat!

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SI IDIOMS AND IDIOMS AND USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES PHRASES
105 PIECE OF CAKE Something that is very easy My English exam was a piece of
cake.
106 PIGS MIGHT FLY Something that will never Person A: “I’m going to play tennis
happen or is very unlikely at Wimbledon one day!”
Person B: “And pigs might fly!”
107 PITCH IN To join in, contribute or help If we all pitch in we can get
with something Charlie a really nice birthday
present.
108 PLAY IT BY EAR To plan something in an Person A: “Shall we have dinner
improvised way (instead of before or after the cinema on
planning ahead), deciding Friday?”
what to do as the plan Person B: “Perhaps we should just
develops play it by ear – we don’t know how
hungry we’ll be.”
109 PULL SOMEONE’S Tease or joke with someone You’re pulling my leg! I don’t
LEG by saying something that’s believe you met Elton John at the
not true pub!
110 PULL ONESELF To regain control of your You need to pull yourself together!
TOGETHER emotions after you’ve been Stop worrying about work so much.
upset, to calm down

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SI IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
111 RAISE ONE’S GAME To make an effort to improve You’ll need to raise your game if
at something or perform you’re planning on beating Anna’s
better time in the half marathon.

112 RING A BELL When something seems Person A: “Do you know Hannah
familiar or you’ve heard it Stewart?”
before Person B: “That name does ring a
bell, but I can’t think why.”
113 ROCK THE BOAT To do or say something that The kids are all getting along fine
could cause a problem or at the moment so let’s not rock the
disturbance boat.
114 RULE OF THUMB Judging a situation by As a rule of thumb, you should use
experience rather than an two cups of water for one cup of
exact assessment rice.

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 S
SI IDIOMS AND MAENING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
115 SCRATCH To do someone a favour in My boss got caught taking free
SOMEONE’S BACK the hope that it will be holidays from a company client! I
returned, can relate to think it was a case of “you scratch
corruption (commonly used my back, I’ll scratch yours”.
as: You scratch my back, I’ll
scratch yours)
116 SEE EYE TO EYE To agree with someone We don’t see eye to eye when it
comes to politics, but I do like her
as a person.
117 SHED LIGHT ON To reveal information about You were in the office on Tuesday
(SOMETHING) something or to clarify when the incident took place so
something perhaps you could shed some light
on it for us?

118 SHOOT FROM THE To speak honestly and Person A: “What do you think we
HIP directly or to react to a should do about Harry’s poor sales
situation very quickly this quarter?”
without thinking it through Person B: “If I can shoot from the
hip, I’d say he probably needs to
leave.”
119 To adopt a position of There are a lot of people still
SIT ON THE FENCE compromise, take neither sitting on the fence over Brexit.
stance on an issue, not yes or
no
120 SIT TIGHT To wait patiently Sit tight! The nurse will be with you
in just a moment.
121 SLEEP ON IT To delay making a decision You don’t have to decide straight
for a short period of time away. Why don’t you sleep on it
and let us know in the morning?
122 SMELL A RAT To suspect someone is a I thought I could smell a rat when
traitor, behaving illegally or john refused to give me a straight
is up to no good answer about his sales figures!
Now we know he’s been stealing
from the company.
123 SO FAR, SO GOOD To express satisfaction with Person A: “How is the building
how a situation is progressing work going?”
Person B: “So far, so good…the
house is still standing!”
124 SPANNER IN THE Something that prevents or We had invited everyone round for
WORKS disrupts an event from a BBQ today, but the rain has
happening really thrown a spanner in the
works!
125 SPEAK OF THE Said when the person you are Did you hear about what happened
DEVIL talking about appears to Michael? …Oh speak of the
unexpectedly devil, here he is!

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126 To reveal information that We are throwing David a surprise
SPILL THE BEANS was secret birthday party, but please don’t
spill the beans!
127 SPLASH OUT To spend a lot of money on We splashed out on new phones for
something the whole family.
128 To betray or hurt someone This industry is so competitive; it’s
STAB SOMEONE IN who trusts you easy to get stabbed in the back by
THE BACK your closest colleagues.
129 STEAL SOMEONE’S To take attention or praise My sister is always stealing my
THUNDER away from someone else’s thunder – I announce I’m getting
accomplishments by married and she tells everyone
outdoing them with your own she’s pregnant!
130 STICK TO ONE’S To refuse to change your I really respect Sarah. She always
GUNS mind or beliefs about sticks to her guns, even if others
something disagree.
131 Information straight from the Person A: “Are you sure Andy is
STRAIGHT FROM person who saw, heard or quitting his job?”
THE HORSE’S experienced the event Person B: “Positive. I heard it
MOUTH straight from the horse’s mouth!”

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SI IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
132 TAKE THE MICKEY To make fun of someone, or Dave’s a laugh, but he’s always
(or TAKE THE PI*S) to take liberties taking the mickey out of you down
the pub.
£4 for a cup of coffee? They must
be taking the pi*s!
133 To doubt the accuracy of I would take Sam’s motoring
TAKE what someone is telling you advice with a pinch of salt. He
(SOMETHING) doesn’t actually know much about
WITH A PINCH OF cars.
SALT
134 A TASTE OF ONE’S When someone does My boss is a real bully. Someone
OWN MEDICINE something unpleasant and the should give her a taste of her own
same is wished on him/her medicine!
135 THE BALL IS IN It is up to you to take the I’ve told you how I feel about the
YOUR COURT initiative or make the next wedding so the ball’s in your court
move now.
136 Where you can enjoy the He lives in England during the
THE BEST OF BOTH advantages of two different summer and lives in Australia
WORLDS things at the same time – an during the winter months so he gets
ideal situation the best of both worlds.
137 The last in a series of bad When the dog destroyed their
THE LAST/FINAL things to happen, when your antique furniture it really was the
STRAW patience has run out final straw. After that, they decided
to give poor Rex away.

13
138 THROUGH THICK To continue to support John and Chloe have stayed
AND THIN someone even during together through thick and thin.
difficult times
139 TIME FLIES WHEN When you’re enjoying I can’t believe it’s 10pm already!
YOU’RE HAVING something time seems to Time flies when you’re having
FUN move faster and you don’t fun!
notice the passing of time
140 TWIST SOMEONE’S To convince someone to do I didn’t want to go out tonight, but
ARM what you want them to Ruth twisted my arm!

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SI IDIOMS AND MAENING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
141 UNDER THE Not feeling very well, a little Sarah’s not going to come out
WEATHER sick tonight. She’s had a busy week and
is feeling under the weather.
142 UP IN THE AIR A decision or plan is Person A: “Are they still getting
uncertain or unsure married?”
Person B: “We don’t know as it’s
all up in the air at the moment.”

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SI IDIOMS AND MAENING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
143 WASTE NOT, WANT If you use what you have to Person A: “Are you going to finish
NOT the full, then you won’t those carrots on your plate?”
desire or need more Person B: “If not, I’ll have them.
Waste not, want not!”
144 WE’LL CROSS To deal with something when Person A: “What if there’s bad
THAT BRIDGE it happens rather than traffic on the motorway?”
WHEN WE COME worrying about it before Person B: “We’ll cross that bridge
TO IT when we come to it“.
145 WILD GOOSE A hopeless pursuit, We were told that if we searched
CHASE something that is unattainable the library archives we might get
some answers, but it turned out to
be a wild goose chase.
146 WOULDN’T BE Dislike or would never do I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing
CAUGHT DEAD something those shoes – they’re so ugly!
147 WRAP ONE’S HEAD To understand something that I can’t wrap my head around why
AROUND is complicated or shocking Megan would leave London for
SOMETHING Rotherham!

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SI IDIOMS AND MEANING USE IN SENTENCES
NO. PHRASES
148 YOU CAN SAY To agree with someone Person A: “It’s absolutely boiling
THAT AGAIN in here!”
Person B: “You can say that
again!”
149 YOU CAN’T JUDGE Warning not to judge Person A: “I’ve only met Richard a
A BOOK BY ITS someone or something just couple of times, but he seems a bit
COVER based on appearance shy.”
Person B: “You can’t always judge
a book by its cover. He’s actually a
really outgoing guy once you get to
know him!”
150 YOUR GUESS IS AS To have no idea about Person A: “Do you think Ivan is
GOOD AS MINE something going to remember all 150 idioms
in this guide?!”
Person B: “Your guess is as good
as mine!”

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