This document defines and provides examples for 12 common idioms: "crack the books", "cut class", "a balancing act", "high-and-mighty", "feel at home", "move in", "read someone like a book", "go by the book", "no spring chicken", "play it safe", and "strapped for cash", "come into money". The definitions explain the meanings of common sayings and phrases, while the examples show them used in context to illustrate their meanings.
This document defines and provides examples for 12 common idioms: "crack the books", "cut class", "a balancing act", "high-and-mighty", "feel at home", "move in", "read someone like a book", "go by the book", "no spring chicken", "play it safe", and "strapped for cash", "come into money". The definitions explain the meanings of common sayings and phrases, while the examples show them used in context to illustrate their meanings.
This document defines and provides examples for 12 common idioms: "crack the books", "cut class", "a balancing act", "high-and-mighty", "feel at home", "move in", "read someone like a book", "go by the book", "no spring chicken", "play it safe", and "strapped for cash", "come into money". The definitions explain the meanings of common sayings and phrases, while the examples show them used in context to illustrate their meanings.
"The reason why he isn't doing very well is that he rarely cracks the books."
"cut class" = miss school
"Although some of my daughter's friends cut class a lot, she is at school every day."
"a balancing act" = a difficult situation where you try to do several different things at the same time "Working and studying at the same time is a real balancing act."
"high-and-mighty" = self-important and proud
"Sarah always acts high-and-mighty, and she thinks she is better than everyone else because she is a well-known movie star."
"feel at home" = feel comfortable or relaxed
"The more you learn about the culture here, the more you will feel at home."
"move in" = start living somewhere
"Some of my adult children have moved back in because they want to save money."
"read someone like a book" = understand someone very well
"My teacher can read students like a book. He knows which students studies, and which students don't."
"go by the book" = follow rules exactly
"If you always go by the book in your work, your company will trust you more."
"no spring chicken" = no longer young
"I don't think he'll be able to hike to the summit because he's no spring chicken."
"play it safe" = be careful and not take chances
"My knee still hurts, so I'm going to play it safe and not go jogging today."
"strapped for cash" = short of money
"I'm a little strapped for cash, so I can't eat out very often."
"come into money" = get money suddenly
"Steve came into money when his father passed away last year." Vocabulary and Sample Sentences stuff (noun): things - Please put your stuff in your backpacks. bow (verb): bend your head and waist to show respect and thanks to another person - You should bow in Japan when you meet people in formal situations. math (noun): mathematics - I don't like math. It's hard for me. start off (verb): begin - Ashley started off her acting career in New York City. basic (adjective): simple - We lived in a very basic house when I was little. originally (adverb): at first, in the beginning - My mother is originally from Mexico, but she grew up in the United States. gotta go (informal expression): have to go - Hey, I (I've) gotta go to work now. See you later. - My brother's gotta study more if he wants to pass the class. honey (adjective): sweetheart, dear, love - Hi, honey! Will you make me lunch, please? work out (phrasal verb): going well - My new job schedule has really worked out for me. commute (verb; also a noun): to travel between home and work or school - VERB: I have to commute two hours each day to get to work. - NOUN: How long is your commute to work every day? utilities (noun): public services including water, gas, and electricity - How much do you pay for utilities each month? furnished (adjective): containing furniture, for example, a sofa, tables, and washing machine - I decided to rent a furnished apartment so I wouldn't have to buy so many things. vacancies (noun): rooms not being used or rented - Do you have any vacancies starting next month? nonsense (noun): untrue or incomprehensible statement or idea - Stop talking nonsense and tell us exactly what happened. spoil (verb): ruin; frustrate; block; prevent - I hope this bad weather doesn't spoil our picnic this afternoon. porch (noun): a small area just outside the front door of homes where you can sit and relax - Let's go sit on the porch and enjoy the cool evening breeze. head down (phrasal verb): go down - I'll head down to the store after dinner to pick up some milk. make the best of it (idiom): do what you can under the circumstances - We've had to make the best of it ever since dad died last year. get rid of (verb): throw away, dispose of, use up - Let's get rid of this old table. One of the legs is broken. buck (noun): informal for dollar - Could I borrow a couple of bucks for lunch?