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6.

3 IDIOMATIC LANGUAGE

Idiomatic Expressions
1. on the go = busy
I've been on the go all day and I'm really tired.
2. work flat out = work very hard
I have to work flat out all day to meet the deadline at 5 PM.
3. chill out = relax
My favorite way to chill out is to put on some music and lie down on the sofa.
4. the in thing = fashionable, popular
Doing yoga has become the in thing as trying to be healthy is really popular now.

5. up-to-the-minute = the most recent


Nowadays, the Internet includes up-to-the-minute news stories.

6. off the top of my head = without thinking


Off the top of my head, I will probably go shopping at the weekend.
7. mouth-watering = delicious , appetizing

The pizza was so mouth-watering, I ate it as soon as I got home.


8. eye-opening experience = enlightening or unexpected experience
It was an eye-opening experience to see an actual robbery take place.

9. in high spirits = happy


When I passed the exam, I felt in high spirits.
10. bump into = meet
I usually bump into my old friends once a month at Starbucks.
11. once in a blue moon = not very often
You only get an opportunity this good once in a blue moon.
12. over the moon = really happy
I felt over the moon when I opened the door to my surprise birthday party.
13. give a hand = help
The nurses are ready to give a hand to all those people who are sick.
14. the wee hours = after midnight, very early in the morning
My assignment was due at 9AM the next day, so I had to work until the wee hours.

15. early bird = someone who gets up early


My father is an early bird. He gets up at 6AM every morning to go jogging.

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IDIOMS
all dressed up = dressed in one's best clothes

We got all dressed up to attend the party.

dressed to kill = wearing stylish clothes that will attract attention

Nicole Kidman turned up at the Oscars dressed to kill.

fit like a glove = to fit perfectly

My new jeans fit like a glove.

the in thing = fashionable

This summer, skinny jeans are the in thing.

IDIOMS

bookworm = someone who reads a lot

My brother is a bit of a bookworm; he's always reading a book.

drop out of school = to stop attending school

I dropped out of school and began to work for the family business.

hit the books = study hard

I have to hit the books because I have a 5,000 word essay due tomorrow.

pass with flying colors = to pass something with a high score

I got the highest score in the science test …I passed with flying colors!

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IDIOMS
a race against time = a need to finish something quickly

We are in a race against time to reverse the effects of global warming.

no quick fix = no simple solution.

There seems to be no quick fix to solve our needs for energy consumption from fossil fuels.

sweep under the carpet – to ignore or hide something

It seems politicians would rather sweep the problem of climate change under the carpet than deal with it.

the tip of the iceberg = a small part of something much bigger

Rising oceans are only the tip of the iceberg of the problems being caused by climate change.

IDIOMS
mouthwatering = food that is delicious and appetizing

Look at all the food! It is so mouthwatering. I can't wait to start eating it.

not my cup of tea = something you do not enjoy

Steaks are simply not my cup of tea, I prefer chicken.

IDIOMS

a chin wag = have a chat ( gevezelik, çene çalmak)

Last night I met my best pal and had a bit of a chin wag.

own flesh and blood = family member or relative.

We must always take good care of our own flesh and blood.

sounding board = a good person to talk to and seek advice from

My soul mate is an excellent sounding board whenever I have a problem.

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IDIOMS

back on one's feet = physically healthy again

My brother is back on his feet after being sick for two days.

burned out = to become very tired and almost sick from doing something for a long time or from
working too hard

After working flat out for many years the man finally burned himself out.

feel on top of the world = to feel very healthy

I have been feeling on top of the world since I started exercising.

under the weather = not feeling well

My brother has been under the weather all day and has not gone to work.

Idioms
get into = enjoy

Recently I’ve been getting into scuba diving.

get a kick out of = really enjoy something

I really get a kick out of camping because it is so much fun to experience nature.

kill time = spend time to avoid boredom

I like to kill time by surfing the Internet

IDIOMS
state-of-the-art = the latest and most recently available version of a product

The latest smartphones incorporate the most state-of-the-art technology.

user-friendly = easy to use

My new tablet is so user-friendly even my grandmother can use it.

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IDIOMS
figure out = to try to understand someone or something
I can't figure out why the stock markets went down today as all the news seemed to be positive.

word of mouth = information passed on through conversations


Before the scandal had hit newspapers the news had already spread by word of mouth.

up-to-the-minute = the most recent


Nowadays, the Internet includes up-to-the-minute news stories.

IDIOMS
golden opportunity = an excellent opportunity

An internship at Google would be a golden opportunity.

the in thing = fashionable, popular

Doing yoga has become the in thing as trying to be healthy is really popular now.

up-market = fashionable

She lives in an up-market neighborhood (mahalle, muhit) with lots of expensive houses.

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