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Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

how/what about...? idiom


on no account idiom
take sth into account idiom
get your act together idiom
out of action idiom
to add insult to injury idiom
in advance idiom
cannot afford idiom
after all idiom
then again idiom
raise the alarm idiom
be alive and well/kicking idiom
all along idiom
anywhere near idiom
not get/go anywhere idiom
keep sb at arm's length idiom
as for sb/sth idiom
as if/though idiom
don't ask me idiom
if you ask me idiom
back and forth idiom
behind sb's back idiom
bend/lean over backwards idiom
in the balance idiom
be on the ball idiom
start/set/get the ball rolling idiom
jump/climb/get on the bandwagon idiom
behind bars idiom
with your bare hands idiom
into the bargain idiom
hold/keep sb/sth at bay idiom
bear fruit idiom
beat around the bush idiom
off the beaten track idiom
to begin with idiom
be behind sb (all the way) idiom
be behind sb idiom
not believe your eyes/ears idiom
drive/send sb round the bend idiom
be beside yourself idiom
at the best of times idiom
the best of both worlds idiom
be a safe bet idiom
be your best bet idiom
beyond compare idiom
beyond a shadow of a doubt idiom
give birth idiom
bits and pieces idiom
to the bitter end idiom
a blanket of sth idiom
in the blink of an eye idiom
make sb's blood boil idiom
make sb's blood run cold idiom
new/fresh blood idiom
blow sb's mind idiom
blow it idiom
out of the blue idiom
across the board idiom
take sth on board idiom
keep body and soul together idiom
have a bone to pick with sb idiom
be in sb's good/bad books idiom
go by the book/do sth by the book idiom
break sb's heart idiom
break even idiom
break fresh/new ground idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013


Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

break it/the news to sb idiom


break the ice idiom
a breath of fresh air idiom
take sb's breath away idiom
under your breath idiom
have a bumpy ride idiom
a bundle of nerves idiom
burn the midnight oil idiom
burst into song/tears/laughter idiom
burst out laughing/crying idiom
be none of sb's business idiom
call it a day idiom
to cap it all idiom
be on the cards idiom
take care (of yourself) idiom
catch sb's eye idiom
(the) chances are idiom
change of heart idiom
get sth off your chest idiom
have a chip on your shoulder idiom
clear the air idiom
be in the clear idiom
round/around the clock idiom
behind closed doors idiom
be on cloud nine idiom
not have a clue idiom
in cold blood idiom
how come? idiom
compare notes idiom
a conflict of interest idiom
keep a cool head idiom
(just) around the corner idiom
at all cost(s) idiom
of course idiom
of course not idiom
at the crack of dawn idiom
cramp sb's style idiom
be crazy about sb/sth idiom
like crazy idiom
the cream of sth idiom
cross sb's path/cross paths with sb idiom
cry your eyes out idiom
crystal clear idiom
not be cut out for sth idiom
don't you dare idiom
how dare she, you, etc.! idiom
be in the dark idiom
to date idiom
make sb's day idiom
the old days idiom
one of these days idiom
one/some day idiom
deep down idiom
deep in thought idiom
jump in at the deep end idiom
run/go deep idiom
out of your depth idiom
be dying for/to do sth idiom
beneath your dignity idiom
on the dot idiom
be down to sb idiom
down under idiom
down the drain idiom
go downhill idiom
draw the line idiom
beyond your wildest dreams idiom

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Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

in a dream idiom
not/never in your wildest dreams idiom
wouldn't dream of sth/doing sth idiom
drop it/the subject idiom
a drop in the ocean idiom
(down) in the dumps idiom
have an ear for sth idiom
how, what, why, etc. on earth... idiom
easier said than done idiom
take it/things easy idiom
or else idiom
make ends meet idiom
no end of sth idiom
not be the end of the world idiom
put an end to sth idiom
be endowed with sth idiom
set an example idiom
except that idiom
at the expense of sb idiom
at the expense of sth idiom
have an eye for sth idiom
in sb's eyes idiom
keep your/an eye on sth/sb idiom
keep your/an eye out for sb/sth idiom
keep your eyes open for sb/sth idiom
keep your eyes peeled/skinned idiom
keep a straight face idiom
in the face of sth idiom
on the face of it idiom
take sth at face value idiom
to sb's face idiom
face the music idiom
let's face it idiom
fall flat idiom
fall in love idiom
fall into place idiom
fall short idiom
fall on deaf ears idiom
be a far cry from sth idiom
go too far idiom
life in the fast lane idiom
be no mean feat idiom
bad feeling idiom
hurt sb's feelings idiom
a fine line idiom
cross your fingers idiom
put your finger on sth idiom
at your fingertips idiom
come under fire idiom
play with fire idiom
set fire to sth/sb idiom
at first idiom
come first idiom
first and foremost idiom
put sb/sth first idiom
in a flash idiom
be sb's own flesh and blood idiom
go with the flow idiom
fly in the face of sth idiom
with flying colours idiom
follow in sb's footsteps idiom
get off on the right/wrong foot idiom
put your foot down idiom
put your foot in it idiom
set foot in somewhere idiom
forget it idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013


Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

lay the foundations of/for idiom


the frontiers of sth idiom
not get over sth idiom
give way idiom
be glued to sth idiom
(oh my) God! idiom
thank God idiom
be a good job/thing idiom
good for you! idiom
go against the grain idiom
grasp the nettle idiom
be green with envy idiom
grin and bear it idiom
get/keep a grip on yourself idiom
come/get to grips with sth idiom
grit your teeth idiom
be on your guard idiom
catch sb off guard idiom
drop/lower your guard idiom
not half as idiom
at hand idiom
at the hands of sb idiom
get/lay/put your hands on sth idiom
go hand in hand with sth idiom
hand in hand idiom
have your hands full idiom
in hand idiom
on hand idiom
on the one hand ... on the other hand idiom
have (got) to hand it to sb idiom
the hard way idiom
have it in for sb idiom
keep your head idiom
keep your head above water idiom
laugh, shout, scream, etc. your head off idiom
at heart idiom
(off) by heart idiom
in your heart of hearts idiom
take sth to heart idiom
hell of a idiom
like hell idiom
here and there idiom
hold down a job idiom
hold your own idiom
hold water idiom
get hold of idiom
ring/sound hollow idiom
be/feel at home idiom
make yourself at home idiom
broaden/expand/widen sb's horizons idiom
on the horizon idiom
go/sell like hot cakes idiom
how about...? idiom
how come? idiom
how do you do? idiom
if I were you idiom
be ill at ease idiom
in all idiom
know sth inside out idiom
for instance idiom
to/for all intents and purposes idiom
itch to do sth idiom
do a good/bad job idiom
do the job idiom
do/make a good/bad job of sth idiom
you must be joking idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013


Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

you're joking! idiom


jump to conclusions idiom
the jury is (still) out idiom
just a minute/moment/second idiom
(it's) just as well (that) idiom
do justice to sb/sth idiom
keep (sb) at it idiom
the key to sth idiom
kill time, an hour, etc. idiom
of a kind idiom
not take kindly to sth idiom
before you know it idiom
be known to be/do sth idiom
I know idiom
know your stuff idiom
know best idiom
know better (than to do sth) idiom
know what you are talking about idiom
you know idiom
you never know idiom
labour of love idiom
by and large idiom
at large idiom
last but not least idiom
the last sb heard/saw of sb/sth idiom
the week/month/year before last idiom
see/catch you later! idiom
take the law into your own hands idiom
by/in leaps and bounds idiom
learn your lesson idiom
at least idiom
not in the least idiom
leave sb to their own devices idiom
leave no stone unturned idiom
the length and breadth of somewhere idiom
let go idiom
let sb know idiom
let's face it idiom
take the liberty of doing sth idiom
cast/shed/throw light on sth idiom
come to light idiom
in the light of sth idiom
if you like idiom
would you like...? idiom
what is sb/sth like? idiom
within limits idiom
along the lines of sth idiom
in line with sth idiom
be on the line idiom
step/be out of line idiom
before (very/too) long idiom
long story short idiom
no longer idiom
look on the bright side idiom
loom large idiom
lose your head idiom
lose your life idiom
lose ground idiom
lose heart idiom
lose sight of sth idiom
lose sleep over/about sth idiom
be at a loss idiom
be lost without sb/sth idiom
out loud idiom
be in/out of luck idiom
bring a lump to your throat idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013


Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

like mad idiom


make do idiom
make it (to the top) idiom
make time idiom
leave your/its mark on sb/sth idiom
make a/your mark (on sth) idiom
as a matter of course idiom
be (only) a matter of time idiom
be a matter of life and/or death idiom
no matter what, when, why, etc. idiom
may well idiom
I mean idiom
mean well idiom
by all means idiom
by no means idiom
a means to an end idiom
in memory of sb idiom
take a stroll/trip/walk down memory lane idiom
not to mention idiom
be in the middle of sth idiom
(in) the middle of nowhere idiom
have sth on your mind idiom
in your mind's eye idiom
make up your mind idiom
set/put sb's mind at rest/ease idiom
set/put your mind to sth idiom
to my mind idiom
mind (you) idiom
mind your own business idiom
the minute (that) idiom
miss a chance/opportunity idiom
miss the boat idiom
be in a mood idiom
be in the mood idiom
be over the moon idiom
any more idiom
more or less idiom
go through the motions idiom
keep your mouth shut idiom
get a move on idiom
so much for sth idiom
the naked eye idiom
in the name of sth idiom
make a name for yourself idiom
you name it idiom
neck and neck idiom
needless to say idiom
hit/touch a (raw) nerve idiom
never mind idiom
be news to sb idiom
the next best thing idiom
the next thing I knew idiom
none the worse, better, richer, etc. idiom
none too idiom
make (a) nonsense of sth idiom
poke/stick your nose into sth idiom
(from) under your nose idiom
not at all idiom
make/take a note idiom
take note of sth idiom
be nothing if not generous, honest, helpful, etc. idiom
nothing of the sort/kind idiom
at short notice idiom
(every) now and then/again idiom
from/out of nowhere idiom
go/get/head nowhere idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013


Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

against (all) the odds/against all odds idiom


be at odds idiom
on and off idiom
once upon a time idiom
all at once idiom
be one of a kind idiom
one after another idiom
one by one idiom
one day idiom
one or two idiom
one way or another idiom
if only idiom
or so idiom
or two idiom
all over somewhere idiom
over and over (again) idiom
go overboard idiom
get your own back (on sb) idiom
a pain (in the neck) idiom
be part and parcel of sth idiom
the best/better part of idiom
on the part of sb/on sb's part idiom
go through a bad/difficult/rough/sticky patch idiom
pave the way idiom
pay the price idiom
pick up the pieces idiom
get the picture idiom
keep sb in the picture idiom
put sb in the picture idiom
go/fall to pieces idiom
piece of cake idiom
all over the place idiom
in the first/second place idiom
put sb in their place idiom
play (sth) by ear idiom
play it by ear idiom
play games idiom
(I'm) pleased to meet you idiom
pluck up your courage idiom
take the plunge idiom
be on the point of (doing) sth idiom
make a point of doing sth idiom
to the point idiom
up to a point idiom
poles apart idiom
be at a premium idiom
make your presence felt idiom
be/fall prey to sth idiom
at any price idiom
swallow your pride idiom
no problem idiom
be in the process of doing sth idiom
in the process idiom
keep a low profile idiom
be in the public eye idiom
pull your weight idiom
pull strings idiom
have/keep your finger on the pulse idiom
if/when push comes to shove idiom
be a question of doing sth idiom
be out of the question idiom
at any rate idiom
at this rate idiom
read between the lines idiom
reap the benefit, reward, etc. idiom
recharge your batteries idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013


Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

be a recipe for disaster, trouble, success, etc. idiom


off the record idiom
set/put the record straight idiom
be in the red idiom
be far removed from sth idiom
in good, bad, etc. repair idiom
be your last resort idiom
in respect of sth idiom
retrace your steps idiom
a rough ride idiom
ring a bell idiom
a riot of colour idiom
run riot idiom
ripe for idiom
give rise to idiom
rock the boat idiom
go through the roof idiom
a roof over your head idiom
room for improvement idiom
learn/know the ropes idiom
round of applause idiom
as a (general) rule idiom
rule of thumb idiom
be running at sth idiom
run wild idiom
in the long run idiom
make a run for it idiom
in a rut idiom
in safe hands idiom
it's safe to say (that) idiom
be in the same boat idiom
by the same token idiom
it's the same old story idiom
all the same idiom
it goes without saying idiom
to say nothing of ... idiom
to say the least idiom
behind the scenes idiom
from scratch idiom
up to scratch idiom
in secret idiom
I/we'll (have to) see idiom
see eye to eye idiom
see red idiom
see sense/reason idiom
see you (later) idiom
you see idiom
take shape idiom
have your (fair) share of sth idiom
in short idiom
cut sth short idiom
a shoulder to cry on idiom
sick to your stomach idiom
on the side idiom
put/lay sth on/to one side idiom
lose sight of sth idiom
set your sights on sth idiom
have sth up your sleeve idiom
slip sb's memory/mind idiom
be snowed under (with sth) idiom
only so much/many idiom
be (really) something idiom
be something of a sth idiom
be/have something to do with sth idiom
or something (like that) idiom
something like idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013


Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

no sooner ... than idiom


see you soon idiom
sooner or later idiom
would (just) as soon idiom
(a) sort of idiom
sort of idiom
not be on speaking terms idiom
so to speak idiom
speak your mind idiom
speak volumes idiom
speaks for itself idiom
up to speed idiom
make a splash idiom
put sb on the spot idiom
spring to mind idiom
on the spur of the moment idiom
at stake idiom
it stands to reason idiom
know where you stand idiom
stand your ground idiom
stay put idiom
let/blow off steam idiom
steer clear of sb/sth idiom
take stock idiom
a stone's throw idiom
stop at nothing idiom
stop short of sth idiom
in store idiom
strangely enough idiom
the final/last straw idiom
be streets ahead idiom
go from strength to strength idiom
strictly speaking idiom
strike a balance idiom
strings attached idiom
be going strong idiom
there's no such thing/person (as) idiom
all of a sudden idiom
a sure thing idiom
sure enough idiom
I take it idiom
take your time idiom
take sth as it comes idiom
take it from me idiom
be in good, the best possible, etc. taste idiom
be in bad, poor, the worst possible, etc. taste idiom
teach sb a lesson idiom
I told you so! idiom
(I'll) tell you what idiom
come to terms with sth idiom
be on good, friendly, etc. terms (with sb) idiom
at the end of your tether idiom
thank God, goodness, heaven(s), etc. idiom
thanks to sb/sth idiom
that is (to say) idiom
that's it idiom
that's that idiom
there you are idiom
thick and fast idiom
through thick and thin idiom
disappear/vanish into thin air idiom
all things considered idiom
do your own thing idiom
how are things (with you)? idiom
the thing is idiom
not think twice idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013


Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

who would have thought it? idiom


this and that idiom
thread your way through, between, etc. sth idiom
on the threshold of sth idiom
throw caution to the wind/winds idiom
tie the knot idiom
be in a tight corner/spot idiom
tighten your belt idiom
behind the times idiom
give sb a hard time idiom
have no time for sb idiom
time flies idiom
tip of the iceberg idiom
on your toes idiom
take its/a toll idiom
too bad idiom
from top to bottom idiom
on top of sth idiom
on top of the world idiom
over the top idiom
to top it all idiom
torn between idiom
throw/chuck in the towel idiom
keep track idiom
lose track idiom
on track idiom
do the trick idiom
turn a blind eye idiom
turn your back on sth idiom
turn your back on sb idiom
turn your nose up idiom
turn over a new leaf idiom
be in two minds idiom
or two idiom
make yourself understood idiom
be up to sth idiom
be (of) (any/some) use idiom
be (of) no use idiom
come in useful idiom
do/try your utmost idiom
nothing ventured, nothing gained idiom
on the verge (of) idiom
in view of sth idiom
with a view to doing sth idiom
can't wait idiom
wait a minute/moment/second idiom
wait and see idiom
wasted on sb idiom
water off a duck's back idiom
make waves idiom
be on the same wavelength idiom
by the way idiom
by way of idiom
the easy way out idiom
get sth out of the way idiom
give way to sth idiom
go out of your way idiom
in no way idiom
make your way idiom
no way idiom
way of life idiom
wear thin idiom
be/feel under the weather idiom
you're welcome idiom
all is well idiom
be all very well idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013


Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

be just as well idiom


may/might as well idiom
well done idiom
what about? idiom
what if? idiom
what with idiom
what's more idiom
as a whole idiom
on the whole idiom
why don't you...? idiom
why not...? idiom
not sleep a wink idiom
no wonder idiom
give your word idiom
in sb's words idiom
take sb at their word idiom
word for word idiom
do sb the world of good idiom
out of this world idiom
make matters worse idiom
fear the worst idiom
be worth your while idiom
don't get me wrong idiom
for years idiom
take account of sth, at take sth into account idiom
can ill afford, at cannot afford idiom
there again, at then again idiom
in the bargain, at into the bargain idiom
beat about the bush, at beat around the bush idiom
off the beaten path, at off the beaten track idiom
bits and bobs, at bits and pieces idiom
blow your chance, at blow it idiom
be in the cards, at be on the cards idiom
at any cost, at at all cost(s) idiom
throw sb in at the deep end, at jump in at the deep end idiom
down the gurgler, at down the drain idiom
a drop in the bucket, at a drop in the ocean idiom
make both ends meet, at make ends meet idiom
at sb's expense, at at the expense of sb idiom
bad feelings, at bad feeling idiom
keep your fingers crossed, at cross your fingers idiom
quick as a flash, at in a flash idiom
put your foot in your mouth, at put your foot in it idiom
good on you!, at good for you! idiom
not half such a, at not half as idiom
to hand, at on hand idiom
keep a cool head, at keep your head idiom
helluva, at hell of a idiom
hold your (own) ground, at hold your own idiom
get ahold of, at get hold of idiom
itch for sth, at itch to do sth idiom
you've got to be joking, at you must be joking idiom
do sb/sth justice, at do justice to sb/sth idiom
know your onions, at know your stuff idiom
bring sth to light, at come to light idiom
in light of, at in the light of sth idiom
along those lines, at along the lines of sth idiom
before much longer, at before (very/too) long idiom
not any longer, at no longer idiom
not by any means, at by no means idiom
make your mind up, at make up your mind idiom
in sth's name, at in the name of sth idiom
(out from) under your nose, at (from) under your nose idiom
on short notice, at at short notice idiom
off and on, at on and off idiom
one after the other, at one after another idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013


Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

pluck up (the) courage to do sth, at pluck up your courage idiom


be no question of (doing) sth, at be out of the question idiom
in a good, bad, etc. state of repair, at in good, bad, etc. repair idiom
with respect to sth, at in respect of sth idiom
ring any bells, at ring a bell idiom
hit the roof, at go through the roof idiom
would sooner, at would (just) as soon idiom
the straw that breaks the camel's back, at the final/last straw idiom
can take it, at I take it idiom
take my word for it, at take it from me idiom
that was that, at that's that idiom
there you go, at there you are idiom
this, that, and the other, at this and that idiom
OTT, at over the top idiom
to top it all off, at to top it all idiom
turn away from sth, at turn your back on sth idiom
be of two minds, at be in two minds idiom
to the verge of, at on the verge (of) idiom
can hardly wait, at can't wait idiom
make way for sth, at give way to sth idiom
be as well, at be just as well idiom
not get a wink of sleep, at not sleep a wink idiom
take sb's word for it, at take sb at their word idiom

© Cambridge University Press 2013

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