Idioms for the IELTS speaking test

Idioms, with definitions or synonyms Examples

above board - honest, open His business dealings are above board.

ad lib - improvise, interpolate The actor forgot his lines and ad-libbed.

after all - in spite of the situation; I knew it! After all, I was right! He returned to
nevertheless his hometown after all.

against the grain - contrary to His plan goes against the grain with her
someone's feelings, principles because she doesn't like cheating.

all along - all the time I knew about his little secret all along.

all ears - eager to listen I am all ears.

all of a sudden - suddenly All of a sudden, he refused to pay.

all the same - no difference If it's all the same to you, let's start at two.
all thumbs - clumsy He can't fix anything, he's all thumbs.

apple of one's eye - very dear, precious Her son is the apple of her eye.

apple of discord - subject of envy This question is an apple of discord in our

or quarrel family.

as a rule - generally, usually As a rule, we offer a 5% discount.

as far as I know - if I have correct As far as I know, he stayed home all day.
information

As far as I am concerned, both the book and the

as far as someone / something is
movie are good. As far as your report is
concerned - concerning; in reference to
concerned, we'll discuss it tomorrow.

as for / as to - concerning; As for me, you can always rely on my support.

in reference to As for your report, we'll discuss it tomorrow.

as well - also, too He knows math and physics as well.

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at all - (not) in the smallest degree He doesn't know French at all. I don't like it at
all.

at first sight - from the first glance; It was love at first sight. At first sight, it seems
at once; at first glance easy to do.

at odds with - in disagreement with He is at odds with everyone!

at random - without order or plan He chose those places at random.

at this point - at this time At this point, we can't turn back.

backseat driver - a passenger who tells His wife is a backseat driver always telling him
you how to drive how to drive.

ballpark figure - approximate estimate I can give you only a ballpark figure at this
(in figures) time.

bark at the moon - do a useless thing; Telling him that he is wrong is like barking at
waste time the moon.

bark up the wrong tree - accuse or The detective was sure he got a suspect, but he
pursue the wrong person; misdirect was barking up the wrong tree.
one's efforts

be about to do something - be close to I was about to leave when you called. I was
doing something; be on the verge of about to open the door, but something stopped
doing something me.

be all in - be extremely tired I'm all in; I'd better go to bed now.

be back on one's feet - be healthy again He's back on his feet after a long period of debt
or better financially and unemployment.

be behind the times - be old-fashioned, Some of the managers here are behind the
outdated times; their methods are not modern.

be beside oneself - be very upset, She was beside herself with worry / with grief.
nervous, worried

be beside the point - be off the point What I said to him privately is beside the point.

be better off - be in a better situation He'll be better off with a new job.
(financially)

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be broke - have no money at all; be
penniless, bankrupt
be cut out to be; be cut out for - be
suited for some job
be hard on something or someone –
treat roughly
be high on one's list - be one of the
most important things
be in charge of something –
be responsible for
be in good health - be healthy
be in poor health - be not healthy
be in good shape - be physically fit;
in good condition
be in bad shape - be in bad state; in
bad condition
be in the red - be in debt
be on one's way- be going somewhere
be on/at the point of something – be
on the verge of something; be
close to doing something
be out of date - be outdated
be out of sorts - be in bad temper
be pressed for time, for money - not to
have enough time, money
be to blame - be responsible for a
mistake, for something wrong
be touch and go - risky, dangerous;
uncertain of the result
be up and around / about - able to be
out of bed after an illness
I spent all my money, I'm broke.
He is cut out to be a leader. She isn't cut out to
be a surgeon. She isn't cut out for teaching.
My son is hard on shoes; they don't last long
with him. Life was pretty hard on Tom.
A new car is high on my list of priorities. A new
TV is not high on my list.
He is in charge of marketing.
She is in good health.
She is in poor health.
He is in good shape because he exercises
regularly.
The patient is in bad shape. His affairs are in
bad shape.
Our sales were in the red last year.
I'm on my way.
He was on the point of death two years ago. She
was on the point of telling him the truth, but his
words stopped her.
This information is out of date.
Leave him alone, he's out of sorts today.
I'm pressed for time now. We are pressed for
money at the moment.
Who is to blame for this awful mistake? Tom is
to blame for this mix-up.
He was very sick, and for some time it was
touch and go, but he is better now.
He was sick for a month, but now he is up and
around.
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be up to one's ears in work – I'm up to my ears in work.
be very busy

beat around/about the bush – avoid Stop beating around the bush! Get to the point!
giving a clear or definite answer

beat one's brains out - make great efforts, He beats his brains out at work, but his boss
often unsuccessfully doesn't even notice his hard work.

before long - soon He will understand before long what a terrible

mistake he has made.
big shot - important person He is a big shot around here.

bite off more than one can chew - try to I couldn't handle two jobs and family. I really
do more than one can bit off more than I could chew.

bite the bullet - accept painful but Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and to
necessary action do what's necessary to do.

bite the dust - be killed; die; suffer defeat Many of them bit the dust in that war.

bite the hand that feeds one - repay She is so ungrateful! She is biting the hand that
kindness with evil feeds her!

black sheep - a good-for-nothing member Their second son is the black sheep of the
of the family family; he is good for nothing.

blind date - a meeting between a man and She refuses to go on a blind date again because
a woman (who have never met before) she had bad experience.
arranged by their friends

blow it - lose the chance He understood that he blew it.

bottom line - main result; main factor The bottom line is, I don't have enough money.

break someone's heart - hurt deeply The news of her death broke his heart.

break the ice - overcome awkwardness The party was dull and formal until someone
(e.g., when getting acquainted) broke the ice with a joke, and we all laughed.

break the news (to someone) - tell She broke the news of his accident to his
important news parents.

bring home the bacon - earn the living He works very hard at several places to bring
for one's family home the bacon.

by all means - definitely, certainly Do you need my help? - By all means.

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by heart - by memorizing Learn this poem by heart for tomorrow.

by hook or by crook - by any possible She will get what she wants by hook or by
means crook.

by oneself (by myself, by himself, etc.) - She spent the evening by herself. He did it all by
alone; on one's own himself.

By the way, I found the book that you

by the way - incidentally
recommended.

call a halt to something - terminate, stop His father called a halt to his activity.
something

call a spade a spade - use plain, direct He always tells the truth and calls a spade a
words spade.

call it a day - consider work finished for We've been working for ten straight hours. Let's
the day call it a day.

call the roll - call the names (according to Their teacher called the roll every day before
some list) classes.

call the shots - give orders; be in control of He calls the shots in this company.
something

call the tune - give orders; be the most Since he was paying for it, he called the tune.
important person in some situation

carry weight - be important His advice always carries weight here.

castles in the air - daydreaming about Instead of working hard, he spends time
success building castles in the air.

catch someone's eye - attract attention This picture caught my eye.

I'm too tired to run further. I need to catch my

catch one's breath - stop and rest
breath.
catch someone off guard - catch someone
He caught me off guard with his question.
unprepared

catch someone red-handed - find someone The manager caught the boy red-handed when
in the act of doing wrong he was stealing cigarettes.

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close call - a narrow escape; a bad thing The speeding car almost hit the man. That was
that almost happened really a close call.
He finally came to his senses, began to work
come to one's senses - act normally and
hard, and passed his exams.
reasonably again
His dream came true when he met Kate.
come true - become reality
cross one's mind - occur to someone It never crossed my mind that he might be ill.
cut corners - 1. take a short-cut; 2. limit He ran fast, cutting corners where he could. I
one's spending have to cut corners this week.
I did my best to help him in his work.
do one's best - try very hard
I'll do my bit, you can count on me.
do one's bit - do what's needed
Fresh air and exercise will do you good.
do someone good - be good for someone
I hate people who do things behind my back. He
do something behind someone's back - do
did it behind my back again.
(harmful) things secretively
He's quiet, sensible, and down to earth.
down to earth - practical
draw the line - set a limit; impose a I draw the line at spending so much on food. He
restriction drew the line for her at $100 a day.
He said, "Duty calls", put on his coat, and left
duty calls - must fulfil obligations
for work.
easier said than done It's easier said than done, but I'll try to do it.
eat one's words - take back one's words He had to eat his words after her report.
I work hard. Even so, I like my job.
even so - nevertheless
Every now and then I visit my old aunt.
every now and then - occasionally
She washes her hair every other day.
every other - every second one

fall in love (with) - begin to love Tom fell in love with Sue at first sight.
They soon fell out of love and divorced.
fall out of love - stop loving
I heard that he quit his job, but it was a false
false alarm - untrue signal; untrue rumour alarm.
His second book wasn't bad, but it was a far cry
a far cry from something - not nearly as
from his first book.
good
I feel it in my bones that something terrible is
feel it in one's bones - expect something
going to happen.
bad to happen

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 I feel like going for a walk. I don't feel like
feel like doing something - want to do;
working now, I'm tired.
be inclined to do something
Her visits are few and far between.
few and far between - rare, scarce
He finds fault with everybody. She always finds
find fault with someone or something -
fault with my cooking.
criticize; complain about
First things first: how much money do we have
first things first - important things come
to pay right away?
before others
He flew off the handle and yelled at me.
fly off the handle - get angry
Igor followed in his father's footsteps. He
follow in someone's footsteps - do the
became a doctor too.
same thing
Her father footed the bill for the party.
foot the bill - pay the bill
After her death he left town for good.
for good - forever

for the time being - for now; For the time being, this house is all right for us.
at this time
I can't do it in this frame of mind.
frame of mind - mental state

from A to Z - completely; from beginning He knows this town from A to Z.

to end
From now on I forbid you to go there.
from now on - now and in the future

from the word go - from the very He was lying to all of us from the word go.
beginning
get a grip on oneself - take control of
Stop crying! Get a grip on yourself!
one's feelings
He got carried away with opening a store and
get carried away - get too excited and
lost most of his money.
enthusiastic about something
He wanted to try it, but he got cold feet at the
get cold feet - be afraid to do something last moment.

get even with someone - have one's I'll get even with him for everything!
revenge

get in touch with someone - contact Get in touch with Mr Smith for help.
someone

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get lost - lose one's way
Get lost! (slang) - Lay off!
get mixed up - get confused
get off someone's back - stop bothering
someone
get one's foot in the door - get an
opportunity; make the first step in
something (e.g., in getting a job)
get on one's high horse - behave
haughtily towards someone
get out of hand - get out of control, beyond
control
get rid of someone or something –
dispose of; discard
get to the bottom of something –
know deeply
get to the point - speak directly about
the subject; come to the point
Give me a break! - Stop it! Enough!
give someone a hand - help someone
give someone a lift; give someone
a ride - take someone to some place by
car
give someone a piece of one's mind -
criticize frankly
go back on one's word - break a promise
go for it - make an attempt at something
new; give it a try
She got lost in the old part of town.
I don't want to see you again. Get lost!
I got mixed up, went the wrong way, and got
lost.
Stop bothering me! Get off my back!
Nina was able to get her foot in the door
because her friend worked in that company.
Every time I ask her to help me with typing, she
gets on her high horse.
If he gets out of hand again, call me right away.
The situation is getting out of hand.
He got rid of his old useless car.
He usually gets to the bottom of things.
Please get to the point, I don't have much time
now.
Come on, stop it! Give me a break!
Can you give me a hand with cooking?
Can you give me a lift to the bank? He gave her
a ride in his new Porsche.
She lost my umbrella again, so I gave her a
piece of my mind about her carelessness.
First he said he would help me, but then he
went back on his word.
If I were you, I would go for it. Go for it! Give it
a try!
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go from bad to worse - become much His business went from bad to worse.
worse
He goes out of his way to please her.
go out of one's way - try very hard
1. Champagne went to her head right away. 2.
go to one's head - 1. make dizzy;
His acting success went to his head.
2. make too proud, conceited
She went to pieces when she heard it.
go to pieces - get very upset; fall apart
She always goes with the flow.
go with the flow - lead a quiet life
Yesterday we had a ball at the party.
have a ball - have a good time
Mr Brown, I have a bone to pick with you. My
have a bone to pick with someone -
mail was lost because of you.
complain or discuss something unpleasant

have a sweet tooth - love eating sweet He has a sweet tooth.

things

have a word with someone - talk to
someone
have words with someone - argue
with someone
have it in someone - have the ability
have no business doing something –
have no right to do something
Can I have a word with you?
I had words with my co-worker today because
he used my computer again.
Laura has it in her to be a good doctor.
You have no business staying here without my
permission.

have one's back to the wall - be hard- I had no choice, I had my back to the wall.
pressed; on the defensive
He has his hands full with hard work.
have one's hands full - be very busy
She has her heart set on going to New York. He
have one's heart set on something –
has his heart set on Betty.
want something very much
Does he have pull with the director?
have pull - have influence

(not) have the heart to do something - I don't have the heart to tell him that he wasn't
(not) have the courage to do something accepted; he'll be so unhappy.
unpleasant

hit the nail on the head - say exactly the You hit the nail on the head when you said that!
right thing

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(not) hold it against someone - (not)
blame somebody for doing something
Hold it! - Stop! Wait!
hold one's own - maintain oneself in a
situation; behave as needed
hold one's tongue - keep silent; refrain
from speaking
ill at ease - uncomfortable
in advance - well before
in a nutshell - in a few words
in care of - write to one person at
the address of another person
in cold blood - mercilessly
in fact - actually; in reality
in general - generally; generally speaking
in hot water - in trouble; in a difficult
situation (especially with the law or one's
superiors)
in one's element - what one likes
in other words - using other words
in plain English - in simple, frank terms
the ins and outs - all information about
something
in someone's shoes - in another person's
position
in the long run - in the end
in the same boat - in the same situation
in the clear - free from blame
I lost his book, but he doesn't hold it against me.
Hold it! I forgot my key.
He can hold his own in any situation. We need
men who can hold their own.
She can't hold her tongue at all.
She felt ill at ease because of her cheap dress.
He told her about his plan in advance.
In a nutshell, my plan is to buy land.
I'm going to stay at Tom's house in Chicago.
Write to me in care of Tom Gray, 321 Main
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
He killed her in cold blood.
In fact, he works as a manager here.
In general, he likes to be alone. He described
the place only in general.
He said a couple of unpleasant things about the
boss's wife, and now he is in hot water.
He's in his element when he's arguing.
In other words, you left her when she needed
your help.
I didn't really like the concert. In plain English,
the concert was terrible.
He knows the ins and outs of this business.
I wouldn't want to be in his shoes now. He lost
his job, and his wife is in the hospital.
In the long run, it will be better to buy it.
Stop arguing with me. We're in the same boat
and should help each other.
Pay the bill, and you'll be in the clear.
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in time (to do something) - early
enough; before something begins
it goes without saying - should be clear
without words
it's time - should do it right away
It's worth it. It's not worth it. It's (not)
worth buying, visiting, watching, etc.
jump at the opportunity - accept the
opportunity eagerly
just as soon - prefer; would rather
just in case - to be on the safe side
Just my luck! - Bad luck! Hard luck!
keep an eye on someone or something -
take care of; watch; look after
keep a straight face - try not to laugh
keep company - accompany
keep in mind - bear in mind; consider;
remember
keep in touch - keep in contact with
someone by calling, visiting, sending
messages
keep one's word - fulfil a promise
keep someone posted - inform someone
keep one's fingers crossed - hope that
nothing will go wrong
kill time - fill time; spend empty time
I came in time to have a cup of coffee before
class.
It goes without saying that he must pay what he
owes right away.
Hurry up, it's time to go.
Watch this film, it's worth it. Don't buy this
coat, it is not worth it. This museum is worth
visiting. This film is not worth watching.
His boss mentioned a job in Europe, and Peter
jumped at the opportunity.
I'd just as soon stay home; I'm tired.
Take an extra shirt, just in case.
They lost my job application. Just my luck!
Betty keeps an eye on my children for me. I'll
keep an eye on your dog.
I tried to keep a straight face but failed.
She keeps me company quite often.
Keep in mind that he is not going to agree
easily.
Good-by and don't forget to keep in touch! Keep
in touch with us. We may have new openings
next week.
You promised, now keep your word.
Keep me posted about your plans.
I have a job interview today. Keep your fingers
crossed for me, will you? I'll keep my fingers
crossed for you.
I went to the show to kill time.
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not to know the first thing about I don't know the first thing about nuclear
something - not to have any knowledge physics.
about something

know the ropes - be very familiar with

He knows all the ropes in this company.
some business

last-minute notice - a message

His arrival was a last-minute notice. We didn't
(information, instruction) at the last
have time to prepare for it.
moment leaving little or no time for
preparation

lay one's cards on the table - be frank Finally, we asked him to lay his cards on the
and open table and tell us about his plans.

lay one's life on the line - put oneself He laid his life on the line to fulfil this task, but
in a dangerous situation nobody appreciated his efforts.
lead a dog's life - live in misery He leads a dog's life.

leave it at that - stop saying anything I don't want to argue any further about it, so
else about some matter; leave as it is let's leave it at that. Leave it at that!

He left word for you to meet him at the airport

leave word - leave a message
at six o'clock.
He said that to you many years ago. Forgive
let bygones be bygones - forget and
him. Let bygones be bygones.
forgive bad things in the past

let go of something - release the hold Let go of my hand, or I'll call the guard.

let (it) go - forget bad experience; He's still in despair and can't let go. You can't
return to normal life change anything, so let it go.

let one's hair down - be relaxed and She is always so formal. She never lets her hair
informal with other people down.

let someone know - inform someone Let me know if you need anything else.
like father, like son - be like one's Paul won a prize in a chess tournament. Great!
parent in something Like father, like son!

little by little - step by step; bit by bit; Little by little, they saved enough money for a
gradually new car.

a long shot - an attempt with little Checking the suspect's aunt was a long shot, but
chance of success the detective was prepared to try anything.

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lose one's temper - become angry He loses his temper very often.
I lost my way. Can you help me?
lose one's way - get lost

lose track of someone - not to know

I lost track of him years ago.
where someone is

lucky break - a lucky chance He got his lucky break when he found that job.

make a living - earn money to provide He worked hard. His parents were poor, and he
for one's life; earn a living had to make a living somehow.

make allowance(s) for something - take Don't criticize him so hard; make allowance for
into consideration when judging his inexperience.
make a point of - be sure to do Make a point of asking about his wife's health.
something intentionally Make it a point to be here by ten o'clock.

make (both) ends meet - be able to live He doesn't have much money. I wonder how he
on the income one has; live within manages to make ends meet.
one's means

make friends - become friends Anton makes new friends easily.

make fun of someone or something - He made fun of her German accent. Everyone
laugh at; joke about makes fun of him.

not to make head or tail of something - I can't make head or tail of his letter.
be unable to understand or decipher

make no bones about it - say openly, I'll make no bones about it: I don't like your
without hesitation attitude to our work.

make room for someone - allow space We can make room for one more dog.
for someone
What you say makes sense.
make sense - be logical

make the most of something - do the Let's make the most of our vacation.
best in the given situation

make up one's mind - decide Will you go there? Make up your mind.

make yourself at home - be comfortable; Come in, please. Make yourself at home.
feel at home

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a man of his word - a person who keeps You can depend on his promise to help. He's a
promises man of his word.
He meant well, but it turned out that he spoiled
mean well - have good intentions a couple of things for me.

might as well - maybe it's a good idea I might as well telephone him now.
The boy disappeared. The police registered him
missing person - someone who is lost and
as a missing person.
can't be located
He's reasonable and tries to meet his coworkers
meet someone halfway - compromise with
halfway.
someone
never mind - don't worry about it I'm terribly sorry. - Never mind.
We tried to start the car again and again, but it
no go - impossible, futile, hopeless, useless was no go.
Are you tired? - Not a bit.
not a bit - not at all; not in the least
We have three dogs, not to mention two cats.
not to mention - in addition to
He ate three big fish. No wonder he's sick.
no wonder - not surprising

now and again - occasionally; now and I meet them now and again at the bank.
then

odds and ends - a variety of small I went to the store because I needed to buy some
unimportant things or leftovers; bits and odds and ends for my kitchen.
pieces
Off the cuff, I can give you only a rough
off the cuff - without preparation estimate.
What I think about him is off the point.
off the point - beside the point
Strictly off the record, I think the director is
off the record - not for the public;
going to get married soon.
unofficially
I can't give you the figure off the top of my
off the top of one's head - without thinking
head, but it may be around a thousand.
or calculation; impromptu; from memory
You must quit smoking once and for all.
once and for all - decidedly

on credit - not having to pay cash right He bought a car on credit.

away
He's been on edge ever since she left.
on edge - nervous, irritable

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on guard - on the alert He's cautious and always on guard.
Do you have a calculator on hand?
on hand - available

On one hand, she knows quite a few poems by

on one hand; on the one hand -
heart. On the other hand, she can't remember
considering one side of the question
any dates.
She likes to live and work on her own. She has
on one's own (on my own, on his own,
been on her own for several years.
etc.) - alone; by oneself; independently
on one's toes - alert, attentive, prepared for He was on his toes and produced a very good
difficulties impression on them.
I didn't do it on purpose, it just happened so.
on purpose - intentionally
I'd like to sit on the aisle. On second thought,
on second thought - after thinking again I'd like a window seat.
He's cautious and always on the alert.
on the alert - on guard
Yesterday the boss called him on the carpet for
on the carpet - called in by the boss for
being rude to the co-workers.
criticism
He is always on the go.
on the go - on the move; busy, active
On the chance that you don't find him at work,
on the chance; on the off chance - in case;
here's his home address. We went there on the
unlikely to happen, but there's still a small
off chance of seeing John.
chance
I'd like to have a dog. On the other hand, my
on the other hand - considering the other
wife likes cats.
side of the question
I decided to do it on the spot.
on the spot - right there
He bought this car on the spur of the moment,
on the spur of the moment - without
and now he regrets it.
previous thought or plan
His name is on the tip of my tongue, but I just
on the tip of one's tongue - on the verge of
can't remember it.
saying but unable to remember
Jim is always on time.
on time - punctually; at the specified time
If you think so, you're out of your mind.
out of one's mind - crazy
I can't give you a lift to the bank, it's out of my
out of one's way - away from one's usual
way today.
route

15
out of the question - not to be considered; Paying him is out of the question!
impossible
Why does she keep all those things she never
pack rat - a person who saves lots of
uses? - She is a pack rat.
unnecessary things
pay attention - note something; be
Pay attention to his words.
attentive to something
He often tries to pick a fight with me.
pick a fight - start a quarrel
If you play your cards right, he'll agree to your
play one's cards right - choose the right
plan.
steps in doing something
You know what happened at our last potluck
potluck supper - a surprise meal where
supper? Everybody brought macaroni and
nobody knows what dishes other guests will
cheese, apples, and beer!
bring
Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes? It
pull the wool over someone's eyes -
won't do you any good.
deceive, mislead someone
She always puts a damper on my plans.
put a damper on something - discourage
I'd be very grateful if you could put in a word
put in a word for someone - say positive
for me when you speak to him.
things about someone
He put his best foot forward during the
put one's best foot forward - try to show
interview. Put your best foot forward working at
one's best qualities; do one's best; do things
this project.
as quickly as possible
I can't put my finger on it. He was able to put
put one's finger on it - indicate exactly; his finger on the exact cause of the computer
point out the exact cause, fault, name, etc. malfunction.
Her father put his foot down when she said she
put one's foot down - object strongly wanted to marry Alan.

put one's foot in it - do or say the wrong He put his foot in it when he told the boss that
thing; make a blunder; make a fool of his younger daughter wasn't pretty at all.
oneself
I had quite a bit of trouble with that car.
quite a bit (of) - much; a lot (of)
He wrote quite a few good stories.
quite a few - many; a lot of
He racked his brain to solve the puzzle.
rack one's brain - try hard to think

16
read between the lines - find or understand His books are not easy to understand. You have
the implied meaning to read between the lines.

Remember me to your family. - Say hello Please remember me to your family.

to your family for me.
right away - immediately It' very important to do it right away.
Annabel Lee? Yes, it rings a bell, but I can't
ring a bell - remind someone of something
place it right now.
familiar but half-forgotten
Peter always rocks the boat when we discuss
rock the boat - make the situation unstable the company's spending policy.

rub elbows with; rub shoulders with – He doesn't rub elbows with the rich and famous.
spend time together; mingle

rub it in - embarrass even more by
reminding repeatedly of some mistake,
failure, etc.
rub someone the wrong way - irritate,
annoy; make angry
save face - try to change the negative
impression produced
save one's breath - stop useless talk
scratch the surface - study something
superficially
search high and low - search everywhere
see eye to eye - agree with each other
see red - become very angry
serve someone right - get what someone
deserves
serve one's purpose - be useful for some
purpose
a shot in the dark - a wild guess
show promise - be promising
I know I shouldn't have done it, and I
apologized. There is no need to rub it in.
His remarks rub many co-workers the wrong
way.
He said a stupid thing, and then he tried to save
face by saying that we misunderstood him.
There's no use talking to him about his spending
habits, so save your breath.
He examines all the facts closely, he doesn't just
scratch the surface.
I searched high and low for my lost cat.
They see eye to eye on many things. I don't see
eye to eye with him.
She sees red every time she remembers how he
lied to her about it.
It serves him right that he didn't get that job. He
despised all the other candidates.
I doubt that hiring this man will serve your
purpose.
My answer was just a shot in the dark.
This young actor shows promise.

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sleep on it - postpone a decision till next Don't make a decision now. Sleep on it.
morning
It was just a slip of the tongue!
a slip of the tongue - a mistake
It slipped my mind that she asked me to do it.
slip one's mind - forget

smell a rat - suspect deceit; suspect that I'm not sure what it is, but I smell a rat.
something is wrong
So far, I have read three books by Stephen
so far - up to now King.
If he can pay cash, so much the better.
so much the better - it's even better
Who spilled the beans about our plan?
spill the beans - tell a secret
He doesn't stand a chance of getting it. They
stand a chance - have a chance (usually,
don't stand a chance of winning the game.
have no chance)
It stands to reason that studying spelling will let
stand to reason - be obvious, logical,
you improve your writing skills.
naturally true
Why should you spare his feelings? Give it to
straight from the shoulder - frankly,
him straight from the shoulder.
honestly, openly
My sister takes a dim view of the way I raise my
take a dim view of something - disapprove
children.
of something
Let's take a break, I'm tired.
take a break - stop for rest
We took advantage of the low prices and bought
take advantage of something - use for
a computer and a monitor.
one's own benefit; to profit from
People need to take a stand on the issue of
take a stand (on something) - make a firm
nuclear weapons.
decision about something
Take care now! See you tomorrow.
Take care! - Good-bye and be careful!
Can you take care of my dog while I'm away?
take care of someone or something - look
Tom takes good care of his car.
after; see that something is done properly

take hold of something - hold, grasp Take hold of this rope and pull.
something
take into account - take into consideration;
You must take into account her old age.
consider

18
take it easy - relax; be calm Take it easy, everything will be OK.
Mother's love is always taken for granted by
take something for granted - accept as
children.
given; assume as true

take someone's breath away - surprise or That great view took my breath away.
impress someone

take one's time - do something without Don't hurry. Take your time.
hurry
Take my word for it, he won't go there.
take someone's word for it - believe
He took pains to make his report perfect.
take pains - try hard to do it well

take part in something - participate in Mary is going to take part in the show.
something
The accident took place on Oak Street.
take place - happen
Go to a concert or a movie to take your mind off
take one's mind off things - distract from
things.
fixed ideas or gloomy thoughts

take steps - take action; take We need to take steps against it.
measures

take the words right out of someone's I was about to say the same! You took the words
mouth - say the same before someone else right out of my mouth.
says it
It takes time to get used to a new place.
take time - take a long time
He took time off to attend the wedding.
take time off - be absent from work
We went to Minsk by car. We didn't get tired
take turns - alternate doing something one
because we took turns driving
after another
That's just the point! I hate this job!
That's just the point. - That's it.
Stop reading; that will do for now.
that will do - it's enough
not to think much of something - not to
I don't think much of her cooking.
think highly of something
till one is blue in the face - try very hard I repeated it till I was blue in the face!

to be on the safe side - not to take any Take an extra key, just to be on the safe side.
chances

19
 To make a long story short, we won.
to make a long story short - in short

to say the least - to make the minimum The film was boring and long, to say the least.
comment about something
I want to try my hand at painting. She decided
try one's hand at something - test one's
to try her hand at writing stories.
abilities in something new
He promises to quit alcohol for good and to
turn over a new leaf - make a fresh start in
turn over a new leaf.
life, in work
He beat me at chess twice last week. But now I
turn the tables - reverse the situation
hope to turn the tables (on him).
(exchanging places with the opponent)
The new evidence turned the tide, and the
turn the tide - reverse the course of events defendant was acquitted of charges.

twist someone's arm - force someone to They twisted his arm to sell the house.
agree

under the weather - feeling a little ill, a
little unwell
up-and-coming - showing promise of
future success
up in arms - hostile to; in strong protest
against something
up in the air - undecided, unsettled
up to date - modern, latest, current
used to do something - did something
regularly in the past but not now
walk on air - be very happy
waste one's breath - speak uselessly, to no
purpose
I'm a little under the weather today.
He is an up-and-coming young lawyer who
might help you with your case.
The employees are up in arms about the new
retirement rules.
My vacation plans are still up in the air.
His reports are always up to date.
He used to live on Maple Street. I used to play
the piano when I was in school (but I don't play
it now).
He has been offered a great job. He is walking
on air now.
Don't waste your breath trying to make him do
it. He won't change his mind.

watch one's step - behave prudently; be You have to watch your step in this business.
careful

wet blanket - a pessimist, a killjoy Remember what a wet blanket he was last time?
who dampens enthusiasm and spoils Please don't invite him again.
everyone's fun

20
 What's the matter? What happened?
What's the matter? - What is it?
He knows which way the wind blows and
which way the wind blows - what the real
always acts accordingly.
situation is
A white lie is told to spare someone's feelings.
white lie - unimportant lie

word for word - in the same words Tell me word for word what he said.
I'd rather stay home today.
would rather - prefer
There was a car accident. Tim said he saw the
the writing on the wall - a sign of
writing on the wall about the accident.
impending trouble
Year in and year out
year in, year out - regularly through the their family went to
years Lake Deep for summer.
He didn't want to stay
there (all) the year
the year round - during the whole year
round.

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