IDIOTIC IDIOMS 1

1. splitting headache
- I always have a splitting headache after I take the geometry class of Mr. Bao.
2. beat around the bush
- I was in the habit of beating around the bush before going to the main point when speaking.
3. off the peg/rack: made to a standard average size and not made specially to fit you
- I usually buy my clothes off the peg. It’s always cheaper than going to a dressmaker.
4 on the rack: feeling extreme pressure, worry or pain
5 go to rack and ruin: to get into a bad condition
- They let the house go to rack and ruin.
6. off the shelf: that can be bought immediately and does not have to be specially designed or
ordered
- I bought this package off the shelf.
7. take something off the market/shelves: to stop something from being sold
- The slimming pills were taken off the market.
8. bring the house down: to make everyone laugh or cheer, especially at a performance in the
theatre
- His flawless presentation brought the house down.
9. get on like a house on fire: to become friends quickly and have a very friendly relationship
- The new contestant and I got on like a house on fire, despite not having met each other before.
10. on the house: free, without charge
11. put/set your (own) house in order: to organize your own business or improve your own
behaviour before you try to criticize somebody else
12. chip in: to give some money so that a group of people can buy something together
- If everyone chips in we'll be able to buy her a really nice present.
13. dish something <> out: to give in a large amount
- He is always dishing out advice, even if you don’t want to.
14. fight foot and nail: to fight in a very determined way for what you want
- She fought tooth and nail to keep custody of the children.
15. as hard as nail: showing no fear, sympathy or kind behavior
16. hit the nail on the head: to say something that is exactly right
17. (pay) on the nail: (of payment) without delay
- They're good customers who always pay on the nail.
18. bucket down: rain torrentially
- The sky got very dark and soon it began to bucket down.
19. hit the roof: to become very angry
20. see pink elephants: tipsy (say)
21. make my blood boil: make me angry (làm tôi tức sôi máu)
22. pay through the nose for sth: to pay too much money for something
23. go through the roof: (of prices, etc.) to rise or increase very quickly
- House prices here have gone through the roof.
24. under one roof | under the same roof: in the same building or house
25. under your roof: in your home
- I don't want her under my roof again.
26. give somebody a bloody nose: to defeat somebody
27. keep your nose clean: (informal) to avoid doing anything wrong or illegal
Since leaving prison, he's managed to keep his nose clean.
28. keep your nose out of something
to try not to become involved in things that should not really involve you.
29. on the nose: (informal, especially North American English) exactly
30. poke/stick your nose into something: (informal) to try to become involved in something that
should not involve you
- He is always poking his nose into other people’s business.
31. by the skin of your teeth: just manage to do it in time
- I caught the last bus by the skin of my teeth.
32. get under somebody’s skin: (informal) to annoy somebody
Don't let him get under your skin.
33. save your (own) skin/hide/neck: to try to avoid death, punishment, etc., especially by leaving
others in an extremely difficult situation
To save his own skin, he lied and blamed the accident on his friend.
34. (nothing but/all/only) skin and bone: (informal) extremely thin in a way that is not attractive or
healthy
35. a thick # thin skin: the ability # lack of ability to accept criticism, offensive remarks, etc. without
becoming upset
36. (go) for a song: very cheapy, at a low price
- She bought the painting for a song.
- The house went for a song – only 30000 dollars
37. pull your leg: to play a joke on somebody
38. pull your weight: to work as hard as everyone else
39. jump the traffic lights = drive through red lights
 jump the queue
40. jump through hoops: to do something difficult or complicated in order to achieve something
41. jump down somebody’s throat: (informal) to react very angrily to somebody
42. be jumping up and down: (informal) to be very angry or excited about something
43. be broke: short of money
44. down the drain/plughole: to be wasted/ to get much worse
- Safety standards have gone down the plughole.
45. get butterflies in my stomach: be very nervous
46. sell like hot cakes: to be bought quickly or in great numbers
47. have your cake and it it (too): to have the advantages of something without its disadvantages;
to have both things that are available
IDIOTIC IDIOMS 2
1. narrow escape
2. have a bee in his bonnet: be obsessed with sth
3. as busy as bee: very busy
4. the bee’s knees: excellent person or thing
5. drop a brick/clanger: say a tactless thing = put your foot in it
6. like a ton of bricks: (informal) very heavily; very severely
They came down on him like a ton of bricks (= criticized him very severely).
7. be up against a brick wall
to be unable to make any progress because there is a difficulty that stops you
8. blow your own trumpet: boast
9. head over heels in love: loving somebody very much
He's fallen head over heels in love with his boss.
10. be/stand head and shoulders above somebody/something: to be much better than other
people or things
His performance stood head and shoulders above the rest.
11. bury/hide your head in the sand: to refuse to admit that a problem exists or refuse to deal with
it
12. can’t make head nor/or tail of something: to be unable to understand something
I couldn't make head nor tail of what he was saying.
13. from head to foot/toe: covering your whole body
We were covered from head to foot in mud.
14. get it into your head (that…): to start to understand or think something
When will you get it into your head that I don't want to discuss this any more!
15. go head to head (with somebody)
to deal with somebody in a very direct and determined way
The company will be going head to head with the giant of the pharmaceuticals market.
16. go to somebody’s head: (of success, praise, etc.) to make you feel too proud of yourself in a
way that other people find annoying
17. have eyes in the back of your head: to be aware of everything that is happening around you,
even things that seem difficult or impossible to see
You can’t get away with anything in her class. She has eyes in the back of her head.
18. have a good head on your shoulders: to be a sensible person
19. have a head for something: to be good at something
to have a head for figures/business
20. have your head in the clouds: to be thinking about something that is not connected with what
you are doing; to have ideas, plans, etc. that are not realistic
21. hold/put a gun to somebody’s head: to force somebody to do something that they do not want
to do, by making threats
22. hold your head high | hold up your head: to be proud of or not feel ashamed about something
that you have done
She managed to hold her head high and ignore what people were saying.
23. keep your head | keep a clear/cool head: to remain calm in a difficult situation
She needed to keep a clear head if she was to remain in control.
24. let your heart rule your head: to act according to what you feel rather than to what you think is
sensible
25. like a bear with a sore head: in a bad mood; in an angry way
I should keep out of his way. He’s like a bear with a sore head this morning.
26. lose your head: to become unable to act in a calm or sensible way
27. not harm/touch a hair of somebody’s head: to not hurt somebody physically in any way
28. off the top of your head: (informal) just guessing or using your memory, without taking time to
think carefully or check the facts
29. something rears its (ugly) head: if something unpleasant rears its head or rears its ugly head, it
appears or happens
30. ring in your ears/head: to make you feel that you can still hear something
His warning was still ringing in my ears.
31. scratch your head (over something): to think hard in order to find an answer to something
Experts have been scratching their heads over the increase in teenage crime.
32. stand/turn something on its head: to make people think about something in a completely
different way
33. stick in your head/mind: (of a memory, an image, etc.) to be remembered for a long time
One of his paintings in particular sticks in my mind.
34. take it into your head to do something
to suddenly decide to do something, especially something that other people think is stupid
35. two heads are better than one: (saying) used to say that two people can achieve more than one
person working alone
36. heart and soul: with a lot of energy and enthusiasm
They threw themselves heart and soul into the project.
37. be etched on your heart/memory/mind
if something is etched on your heart, memory, etc. you remember it because it has made a strong
impression on you
38. break somebody’s heart: to make somebody feel very unhappy
She broke his heart when she called off the engagement.
39. close/dear/near to somebody’s heart: having a lot of importance and interest for somebody
40. cross my heart (and hope to die)
(informal) used to emphasize that you are telling the truth or will do what you promise
I saw him do it—cross my heart.
41. from the (bottom of your) heart: in a way that is sincere
42. give your heart to somebody: to give your love to one person
43. have a heart of gold: to be a very kind person
# have a heart of stone: to be a person who does not show other people sympathy
44. have/hold a place in somebody's heart: to be very dear to somebody
He'll always have a place in my heart.
45. my heart bleeds (for somebody): (ironic) used to say that you do not feel sympathy for
somebody
‘I have to go to Brazil on business.’ ‘My heart bleeds for you!’
46. your heart is not in something: used to say that you are not very interested in or enthusiastic
about something
Her heart isn't in her job.
47. somebody’s heart sinks: used to say that somebody suddenly feels sad or depressed about
something
My heart sank when I saw how much work there was left.
48. in your heart (of hearts): if you know something in your heart, you have a strong feeling that it
is true
She knew in her heart of hearts that she was making the wrong decision.
49. lose your heart (to somebody/something): (formal) to fall in love with somebody/something
Have you ever lost your heart to somebody?
50. pour out/open your heart to somebody: to tell somebody all your problems, feelings, etc.
Finally, he broke down in tears and poured out his heart to her.
51. set your heart on something | have your heart set on something: to want something very much
They’ve set their heart on a house in the country.
52. tear/rip the heart out of something: to destroy the most important part or aspect of something
Closing the factory tore the heart out of the community.
53. with all your heart/your whole heart: completely
I hope with all my heart that things work out for you.
54. young at heart: thinking and behaving like a young person even when you are old
My father is 76 but he’s still young at heart.
55. smell a rat: suspect about something fishy
56. glare/look daggers at somebody: to look at somebody in a very angry way
Jane looked daggers at the shop assistant who had been rude to her.
57. know somebody/something inside out | know somebody/something like the back of your hand
(informal) to be very familiar with somebody/something
This is where I grew up. I know this area like the back of my hand.
58. tight-fisted: not willing to spend or give much money
John will never buy you a drink – he’s far too tight-fisted.
59. highly-strung: nervous and easily upset.
a sensitive and highly-strung child
60. pig-headed = obstinate, stubborn
61. hit the nail on the head
62. face the music: to accept and deal with criticism or punishment for sth you have done
63. carry weight (with sb): to have influence with sb
I’ve heard the argument before and quite frankly it just doesn’t carry weight.
64. the last/final straw | the straw that breaks the camel’s back
the last in a series of bad events, etc. that makes it impossible for you to accept a situation any
longer
65. get/put somebody’s back up: (informal) to annoy somebody
That sort of attitude really gets my back up!
66. break the back of something
to finish the largest or most important part of a task
I want to break the back of this translation before the weekend.
67. behind somebody’s back
without somebody’s knowledge or permission
Have you been talking about me behind my back?
68. the back of beyond
(informal) a place that is a long way from other houses, towns, etc.
We stayed in some farmhouse in the back of beyond.
69. at/in the back of your mind
if a thought, etc. is at the back of your mind, you are aware of it but it is not what you are mainly
thinking about
At the back of my mind was a small, warning voice, telling me it was wrong.
70. a pat on the back (for something/for doing something)
(informal) praise or approval for something that you have done well
He deserves a pat on the back for all his hard work.
71. put your back into something
to use a lot of effort and energy on a particular task
72. turn your back on somebody/something: to reject somebody/something that you have
previously been connected with
She turned her back on them when they needed her.
73. watch your back
to protect yourself against danger
She'd better watch her back if she wants to hold onto the top job.
74. (like) water off a duck’s back
(informal) used to say that something, especially criticism, has no effect on somebody/something
I can't tell my son what to do; it's water off a duck's back with him.
75. fly off the handle: be very angry
76. hand something to somebody on a plate
(informal) to give something to somebody without that person making any effort
Nobody's going to hand you success on a plate.
77. have enough/a lot/too much on your plate
(informal) to have a lot of work or problems, etc. to deal with
78. (put something) in a nutshell: (to say or express something) in a very clear way, using few
words
To put it in a nutshell, we're bankrupt.
79. in a flash: go like a bomb = very fast
80. on the dot: exactly
IDIOTIC IDIOMS 3
1. off colour: feeling ill
2. off his head: crazy
3. the worse for wear: in poor condition because of being used a lot
4. long in the tooth: old
5. sign/take the pledge
(old-fashioned) to make a promise never to drink alcohol
6. call the shots/tune
(informal) to be the person who controls a situation
7. bring/call somebody/something to mind
to remember somebody/something
She couldn't call to mind where she had seen him before.
8. call somebody names
to use offensive words about somebody
9. call a spade a spade
to say exactly what you think without trying to hide your opinion
I believe in calling a spade a spade.
10. call somebody to account (for/over something)
to make somebody explain a mistake, etc. because they are responsible for it
11. clock in/on (British English): to record the time at which you arrive at work, especially by
putting a card into a machine
Staff should clock in on arrival.
12. cut it/things fine: (informal) to leave yourself just enough time to do something
If we don't leave till after lunch we'll be cutting it very fine.
13. drop them a line: write (letters) to them
14. get/have cold feet: (informal) to suddenly become nervous about doing something that you
had planned to do
He was going to ask her but he got cold feet and said nothing.
15. give somebody the cold shoulder: (informal) to treat somebody in a way that is not friendly
16. go hot and cold
to experience a sudden feeling of fear or worry
When the phone rang I just went hot and cold.
17. in cold blood
acting in a way that is deliberately cruel
to kill somebody in cold blood
18. make somebody’s blood run cold
to make somebody very frightened or fill them with horror
The sound of laughter in the empty house made my blood run cold.
19. pour/throw cold water on something
to give reasons for not being in favour of something; to criticize something
She immediately poured cold water on his plans to expand the business.
20. get, pull, etc. your finger out: (British English, informal) used to tell somebody to start doing
some work or making an effort
You're going to have to pull your finger out if you want to pass this exam.
21. cross your fingers
to hope that your plans will be successful (sometimes putting one finger across another as a sign of
hoping for good luck)
I'm crossing my fingers that my proposal will be accepted.
22. have a finger in every pie
(informal) to be involved in a lot of different activities and have influence over them, especially
when other people think that this is annoying
23. have/keep your finger on the pulse (of something)
to always be aware of the most recent developments in a particular situation
24. let something slip (through your fingers)
to miss or fail to use an opportunity
Don't let the chance to work abroad slip through your fingers.
25. point a/the finger (at somebody)
to accuse somebody of doing something
The article points an accusing finger at the authorities.
26. (not) put your finger on something
to (not) be able to identify what is wrong or different about a particular situation
There was something odd about him but I couldn't put my finger on it.
27. work your fingers to the bone
to work very hard
28. be/get on your high horse
(informal) to behave in a way that shows you think you are better than other people
29. eat like a horse
(informal) to eat a lot
She may be thin, but she eats like a horse.
30. hold your horses
(informal) used to tell somebody that they should wait a moment and not be so excited that they
take action without thinking about it first
31. a one, two, three, etc. horse race
a competition or an election in which there are only one, two, etc. teams or candidates with a
chance of winning
The women’s competition was a two horse race between last year’s winners Surrey and the
previous champions Essex.
32. read between the lines
to look for or discover a meaning in something that is not openly stated
Reading between the lines, I think Clare needs money.
33. along/down the line
(informal) at some point during an activity or a process
Somewhere along the line a large amount of money went missing.
34. be in the firing line
to be in a position where people can criticize or blame you
The employment secretary found himself in the firing line over recent job cuts.
35. cross a/the line
to do something that is not considered to be acceptable behaviour
He crossed the line by making details of their very private conversation public.
36. in line for something
likely to get something
She is in line for promotion.
37. in line with something
similar to something or so that one thing is closely connected with another
Annual pay increases will be in line with inflation.
38. (draw) a line in the sand
(to establish) a clear limit to what you will do or accept
It’s time to draw a line in the sand and stop allowing workplace bullying to continue
39. out of line (with sth)
different from something
London prices are way out of line with the rest of the country.
40. walk/tread a fine/thin line (between A and B)
to be in a difficult or dangerous situation where you could easily make a mistake
He was walking a fine line between being funny and being rude.
41. sleep on something: to delay making a decision about something until the next day, so that you
have time to think about it
Could I sleep on it and let you know tomorrow?
42. take something to heart: to be very upset by something that somebody says or does
You shouldn’t take everything he says to heart.
43. be beside the point: to not be important or closely related to the main thing you are talking
about
Yes, I know it was an accident, but that's beside the point.
44. for the time being: for a short period of time but not permanently
You can leave your suitcase here for the time being.
45. off the record
if you tell somebody something off the record, it is not yet official and you do not want them to
repeat it publicly
Strictly off the record, some members of staff will have to be made redundant.
46. becoming angry very easily
SYNONYM grumpy, irritable
He gets ratty if he doesn't get enough sleep.
47. hand in glove (with somebody)
working closely with somebody, especially in a secret and/or illegal way
48. handle/treat, etc. somebody with kid gloves: to deal with somebody in a very careful way so
that you do not offend or upset them
Treat her with kid gloves—she's very sensitive.
49. fit (somebody) like a glove
to be the perfect size or shape for somebody
The dress fits me like a glove.
50. look/feel like death warmed up
(informal) to look or feel very ill or tired
51. at death’s door: (often humorous) so ill that you may die
I suppose you won’t be coming to the party if you’re at death’s door!
52. a fate worse than death: (often humorous) a terrible thing that could happen
At the last minute the hero saves her from a fate worse than death.
53. a matter of life and/or death
used to describe a situation that is very important or serious
54. to death: extremely; very much
to be bored to death I'm sick to death of your endless criticism.
55. wet blanket: a person who is not enthusiastic about anything and who stops other people from
enjoying themselves
I hate to be a wet blanket, but I thought the show was terrible.
56. get the hang of something
(informal) to learn how to do or to use something; to understand something
It's not difficult once you get the hang of it.
57. have something on your mind: to worry about something
 COURSE
1. in the ordinary, normal, etc. course of events, things, etc.
as things usually happen
SYNONYM normally
In the normal course of things we would not treat her disappearance as suspicious.
In the normal course of events, you should get a reply by Monday.
2. in due course
at the right time and not before
Your request will be dealt with in due course.
3. let nature take its course
to allow natural processes to happen, without trying to stop or change them (used especially in the
context of illness)
The midwife must judge when to let nature take its course and when to intervene.
When the dog responded so badly to the treatment, we decided to let nature take its course.
4. (as) a matter of course
(as) the usual and correct thing to do
We always check people's addresses as a matter of course.
5. on course for something/to do something
likely to achieve or do something because you have already started to do it
The American economy is on course for higher inflation than Britain by the end of the year.
6. run/take its course
to develop in the usual way and come to the usual end
When her tears had run their course, she felt calmer and more in control.
7. stay the course
to continue doing something until it has finished or been completed, even though it is difficult
Very few of the trainees have stayed the course.