English idioms

Idioms with animals

as free as a bird = free, without worries a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush = ms vale pjaro en mano que cien volando the early bird catches the worm = al que madruga Dios lo ayuda birds of a feather flock together = Dios los cra y ellos se juntan to kill two birds with one stone = matar dos pjaros de un tiro to eat like a bird = eat very little a bird's eye view = a vuelo de pjaro an early bird = a person who arrives or gets up early a bird of ill omen = un pjaro de mal agero as the crow flies = in a straight line a little bird told me something = expression used to say that you know something but you will not say how you found out = me cont un pajarito a cock and bull story = an absurd and improbable story, used as an excuse or explanation = un cuento chino to take the bull by the horns = face a difficulty boldly like a bull in a china shop = a rough and clumsy person like a red tag to a bull = likely to cause anger to move like a bull at a gate = to move very fast, ignoring everything in your way to hit the bull's eye = dar en el blanco to shoot the bull (US) = to have an informal conversation about unimportant things a cat has nine lives = un gato tiene siete vidas (Ntese que en ingls el gato tiene dos vidas ms!) curiosity killed the cat = it may be dangerous to be too curious to fight like cat and dog = to fight a lot has a cat got your tongue? = te comieron la lengua los ratones? to let the cat out of the bag = to reveal a secret carelessly like a cat on hot bricks = very nervous no room to swing a cat = not enough space to play cat and mouse with somebody = to keep somebody in uncertain expectation, treating him alternately cruelly and kindly when the cat's away, the mice will play = cuando el gato no est, los ratones se divierten to put/set the cat among the pigeons = to introduce somebody/something that is likely to cause trouble it's raining cats and dogs = it's raining a lot never count your chickens before they are hatched = no cantes victoria antes de tiempo (lit. nunca cuentes tus pollos antes de que nazcan) which came first, the chicken or the egg? = it is difficult or impossible to decide which of two things happened first a chicken and egg situation = a situation in which it is difficult or impossible to decide which of two things happened first

somebody's chickens have come home to roost = somebody's bad actions in the past cause problems now to run around like a headless chicken = to go from one place to another in a disorganized way chicken feed = small amount of money, almost useless to chicken out = to decide at the last moment not to do something because you are afraid chicken pox = illness which causes fever and spots on your skin = varicela somebody is no spring chicken = somebody is no longer young to behave like a hen mother = to be very protective a hen party = party for women only, usually the night before one of them gets married a stag party/night = party for men only, usually the night before one of them gets married a cock and bull story = an absurd and improbable story, used as an excuse or explanation = un cuento chino to live like fighting cocks = to enjoy the best possible food cock of the walk = person who dominates others a dog's life = constantly worried, troubled or miserable every dog has his day = everyone can succeed sooner or later his bark is worse than his bite = perro que ladra no muerde love me, love my dog = if one loves somebody, one should love everyone and everything associated with him to be like a dog with two tails = to be very happy to give a dog a bad name (and hang him) = once a person has lost his reputation, it's difficult to regain it to go to the dog = (an organization) become less eficient to let sleeping dogs lie = to let it be quiet not to stand/have a dog's chance = to have no chance at all to work like a dog = to work a lot to treat somebody like a dog = to treat somebody with no respect at all the tail wagging the dog = situation in which a minor part of something controls the course of the whole barking dogs seldom bite = people who look aggressive are not really too bad you can't teach an old dog new tricks = it's difficult for an old person to change or do new things a sitting duck = somebody easy to attack an ugly duckling = a person who at first seems unpromising but later becomes admired like a duck to water = without fear, naturally like water off a duck's back = (of criticisms) without any effect a dead duck = a plan that will probably fail a lame duck = a person/organization in trouble that needs help to duck a subject/question = to avoid a difficult or unpleasant subject/question like a fish out of water = strange, different to the rest = como sapo de otro pozo like a fish in muddy/troubled waters = in confused subjects a big fish (in a little pond) = an important person (in a small comunity or a restricted situation) an odd fish = an eccentric person

to dream like fish = to dream a lot to drink like a fish = to drink a lot of alcohol to have bigger/other fish to fry = to have something more important to do neither fish, flesh nor good red herring = too ambiguous there are (plenty of) other fish in the sea = there are (many) other people/things to cook somebody's goose = ensure that somebody fails to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs = to destroy something that would have produced continuous profit in the future not to say boo to a goose = to be very timid or gentle what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander = what is good for one person must be also good for another in similar circumstances a wild goose chase = a situation where you look for something that does not exist so you waste a lot of time to get goose pimples/flesh = to get small raised spots on your skin when you are cold or frightened to eat like a horse = to eat a lot to be flogging a dead horse = to be wasting time or effort on something impossible to be/get on one's high horse = to act proudly, be arrogant to get on one's hobby-horse = to start talking about something that one likes to discuss to hold your horses = to do something more slowly to change horses in midstream = to transfer one's preference for somebody to another in the middle of an undertaking to close the stable door after the horse has bolted = try to prevent something when it is too late to put the cart before the horse = to reverse the logical order a Trojan horse = something that looks normal but hides somebody's real intentions never look a gift horse in the mouth = a caballo regalado no se le miran los dientes a nod is as good as a wink (to a blind horse) = a hint or suggestion can be understood without being explicitly stated straight from the horse's mouth = from a reliable source = de buena fuente you can take a horse to water, but you can't make him drink = you can give a person the chance to do something, but he may still refuse to do it a dark horse = someone mysterious, who doesn't tell others about himself, but has surprising abilites or qualities pigs might fly = expression used to say that you do not believe that something will happen to buy a pig in a poke = to buy something that is not as good as you thought = comprar gato por liebre to make a pig of oneself = to eat a lot = comer en gran cantidad, darse un atracn to make a pig's ear of something = to make something very badly = hacer algo mal, como la mona a guinea pig = somebody used in a scientific test = un conejillo de las Indias to pig out = to eat a lot all at once to sweat like a pig = to sweat a lot

to smell a rat = to guess that something wrong is happening = oler a gato encerrado the rat race = competition to keep one's position in work/life like rats leaving/deserting the sinking ship = expression used to describe people who leave a place when it is in trouble like a drowned rat = soaking wet and miserable a pack rat = somebody who collects things that he does not need to separate the sheep from the goats = to distinguish good people from bad people a wolf in sheep's clothing = somebody who appears friendly or harmless but is really an enemy like sheep = easily influenced by others the black sheep (of the family) = somebody regarded as a failure or embarrassment to count sheep = to imagine sheep jumping over a fence and count them, as a way of getting to sleep like a lamb (to the slaughter) = without realising that something dangerous is going to happen as meek as a lamb = humble, obedient a mutton dressed as a lamb = older person wearing clothes made for younger people donkey's years = a very long time donkey-work = the hard part of a job to talk the hind legs off a donkey = to talk a lot a scapegoat = chivo expiatorio a red herring = something that attracts people's attention a white elephant = possession that is useless and expensive to maintain to have a frog in one's throat = to have a phlem to come out of one's shell = to become less shy to learn/say something parrot-fashion = to learn/say sth by heart, from memory to be a busy bee = to enjoy being busy or active to have a bee in one's bonnet (about something) = to be obsessed, mad with something monkey business/tricks = dishonest or bad behaviour brass monkey weather = very cold weather to make a monkey out of somebody = to make somebody look stupid to have ants in one's pants = to be very restless to be mas as a March hare = to be completely mad to be packed like sardines = estar como sardinas enlatadas to shed crocodile tears = llorar lgrimas de cocodrilo to be like a bear with a sore head = be rude, in a bad mood Idioms with parts of the body

to cost someone an arm and a leg = cost somebody a lot of money. That car cost him an arm and a leg. to fold somebody in one's arms = hold somebody closely by putting one's arms around him.

to give one's right arm = be prepared to make a great sacrifice in order to do something. He would give his right arm to have a new house. to hold/keep someone at arm's length = keep someone at a distance. I can't stand her, that's why I keep her at arm's length. to twist somebody's arm = persuade somebody to do something he doesn't want to do. Nobody twisted my arm about coming here. to welcome/accept/receive something with open arms = with enthusiasm. to walk arm in arm = with the arms bent around each other's. as long as your arm = very long. behind someone's back = when someone is not present. They were talking about me behind my back. to have no backbone = have a weak character. to have one's back against the wall = be in a difficult position and forced to defend oneself. John had his back against the wall; he was fired and everyone was against him. to pat oneself on the back = feel pleased with oneself. This report is excellent, you can certainly pat yourself on the back. to see the back of something = get rid of something unpleasant. If you work hard next week, you'll see the back of this job. to stab someone in the back = be disloyal to somebody. Don't trust him; he would stab you in the back when you don't expect it. to turn one's back on someone = refuse to help somebody. when one's back is turned = when one can't see or know what others are doing to pick somebody's brain = find out what somebody knows/thinks by asking questions. The interviewer will pick your brain to discover how much you know. to have a brainwave = have a sudden good idea. I've just had a brainwave! I know how to solve this! to rack one's brain about something = think hard to remember something or to find a solution. I've been racking my brain all day and still can't remember her name. to have somebody/something on the brain = think repeatedly about someone or something. to be the brains behind/of something = be the person who thought of something (a plan, system, organization). Martin is definitely the brains behind this project. to beat your brains out = think about something very hard and for a long time. He's been beating his brains out all afternoon trying to finish his homework. to be all ears = listen with attention and interest. He was all ears when I told him I had free tickets for the cinema. to be out on one's ear = be forced to leave a place because something wrong has been done. You should work harder or you'll be out on your ear. to be up to one's ears (in somehing) = be extremely busy. I'm sorry I didn't call you yesterday, but I was up to my ears in work. to turn a deaf ear to something = ignore something unwelcome, like criticism or complaints. I told him not to park there but he just turned a deaf ear to it.

to close/shut your ears to something = refuse to listen to bad or unpleasant news. Please, listen to him, don't shut you ears to his warning. to go in (at) one ear and out (at) the other = to forget something almost immediately after hearing it. I don't know why I tell her. It just goes in one ear and out the other. to play by ear = play an instrument from memory. to keep one's ears open = to listen in order to find out what is happening. Please keep your ears open for anything unusual. to have something coming out of one's ears = have too much of something. At this time of year, shops have Christmas lightnings coming out of their ears. to catch someone's eye = attract someone's attention, make someone notice. If you would catch the waiter's eye, I'd like some more bread. to be easy on the eye = be pleasant to look at. to be up to one's eyes (in something) = be extremely busy. I'm sorry I didn't call you yesterday, but I was up to my eyes in work. to cast/run an eye over something = look quickly over something. to cry one's eyes out = cry a lot. to have an eye for something = be a good judge of something. Her flat is so nice, she obviously has an eye for decoration. to have eyes in the back of one's head = be alert, notice everything going on around one. The teacher knows everything we do, she must have eyes in the back of her head! to keep an eye on something/somebody = look at something/somebody continually and carefully. Would you keep an eye on the children while I go to the doctor's? to see eye to eye (with someone) (on something) = agree. They are a perfect couple, they see eye to eye on most things. to turn a blind eye to something = ignore something. He knows I always get late, but he just turns a blind eye to it. to do something with one's eyes closed = do something very easily. Using this fax machine is really easy, you can do it with your eyes closed! to keep one's eyes skinned/peeled = remain alert. Nobody should see that I'm doing this, so keep your eyes peeled and tell me if someone is coming. to open someone's eyes = make somebody realize the truth about something. there's more to something that meets the eye = something is more complex than it looks. to have a finger in every pie = be involved in many activities. He's on the board of five companies, he likes to have a finger in every pie. to twist someone round one's little finger = have someone under one's influence. She can twist him round his little finger, so she will convince him to go to the party. to keep one's fingers crossed (for someone) = wish for luck. I have my final exam today, so keep your fingers crossed! to get one's fingers burnt = suffer financially as a result of being careless. He got his fingers burnt dabbling in the stock market.

to not lift/raise a finger = to not make any effort to help someone. He can see that I'm busy, but he doesn't lift a finger. to put one's finger on something = be able to explain what is wrong or unusual about something. There was something strange about him, but I couldn't put my finger on it. to fall/land on one's feet = get into a good situation because of luck, after a difficult situation. Don't worry about George, he always falls on his feet. to foot the bill = pay for something. She left in the middle of the meal, and I had to foot the bill. to get back on one's feet = recover. While being ill for two weeks, his mother helped her to get back on his feet. to get cold feet = stop doing something because one becomes afraid of the consequences. He was about to break into the house, but he got cold feet at the last minute. to have/keep one's feet on the ground = be realistic. She's no dreamer, she has her feet firmly on the ground. to have the world at one's feet = have the chance to become very successful. She's an intelligent young lady with the world at her feet. to have two left feet = be very clumsy. to put one's best foot forward = do one's best. If you want to pass the exam, you'll have to put your best foot forward. to put one's foot in it = do or say something foolish. Why did you tell her about it? You always put your foot in it! to stand on one's own two feet = be independent. He is 19 and already has a job and a house, he's perfectly able to stand on his own two feet. to start/get off on the right/wrong foot = make a good/bad start. The new student started off on the wrong foot with the teacher by answering back rudely. to wait on someone hand and foot = serve somebody by attending to all his needs. He seemed to expect to be waited on hand and foot. to be hand in glove with someone = be in close relationship with someone. He was found to be hand in glove with the enemy. to eat out of someone's hands = be under someone's influence. She soon had the class eating out of her hand. to give/lend someone a hand = help someone. to have/take a hand in something = be partly responsible for something. The party was great, I bet he had a hand in it. to have one's hands full = be extremely busy. to know something like the back of one's hand = be thouroughly familiar with something. He's a taxi driver, so he knows the city like the back of his hand. to live from hand to mouth = satisfy one one's present basic needs. He won't start saving money when he's been living from hand to mouth all his life! to show one's hand = let others know one's intentions. I suspect they're planning something but they haven't shown their hand yet.

to wait on someone hand and foot = serve somebody by attending to all his needs. He seemed to expect to be waited on hand and foot. to go off one's head = become mad. to have a head start = have an advantage over others. Julia has a head start on us for the job in Paris because she's bilingual. to have a good head on one's shoulders = have common sense and practical ability. John has a good head on his shoulders, he can do well in any trade. to have one's head in the clouds = have one's thoughts far away, be daydreaming. to have one's head screwed on the right way = be sensible and practical. to keep one's head above water = keep out of debt. I'm managing to keep my head above water, even though I'm not earning much. to make head or tail of something = understand. The student's essay is full of mistakes, I can't make head or tail of it! to put our heads together = exchange ideas or advice. I'm sure we can solve the problem if we all put our heads together. to talk one's head off = talk for a long time. to use one's head = use one's common sense. heads will roll (for something) = somebody will be punished (because of something). to have the heart to do something = be unfeeling enough to do something. I hadn't the heart to refuse. to have one's heart in one's mouth = be badly frightened. I was alone and when the lights went out, I had my heart in my mouth! to do something to one's heart's content = do something as much as one wishes. There will be lots of food, so you'll be able to eat to your heart's content. to learn/know something by heart = from memory. He knows the poem by heart. to lose heart = become discouraged. She had so many job refusals that she's beginning to lose heart. to set one's heart on something = want something very much. She had set her heart on becoming a policewoman. to take something to heart = be much affected or upset by something. I took your criticism very much to heart. at heart = in one's real nature. I'm a country girl at heart. from the bottom of one's heart = sincerely. This advice comes from the bottom of my heart. after one's own heart = of exactly the type one likes best. He likes good wine too, he's obviously a man after my own heart. a heart of gold = a very kind nature. He looks bad-tempered but really he's got a heart of gold. a heart of stone = a pitiless and unfeeling nature. He doesn't care about others, he's got a heart of stone. to be on one's last legs = be very tired or ill. He looks like he's on his last legs.

to cost someone an arm and a leg = cost somebody a lot of money. That car cost him an arm and a leg. to pull someone's leg = tease somebody, make somebody believe something that is untrue. Of course he doesn't want his present back, he's just pulling your leg! not have a leg to stand on = have nothing to support one's opinion. You can't say that, you don't have a leg to stand on! to give someone a leg-up = help somebody towards success. When he joined the company I noticed his talent, so I gave him the leg-up he needed. to shake a leg = hurry up. Come on, shake a leg! We are late! with one's tail between one's legs = in a humble or sad manner. After being fired, he left with his tail between his legs. to bite one's tongue = try hard not to say what one thinks, blame oneself for having said something embarrassing. to get one's tongue around something = be able to say a difficult word. I couldn't get my tongue around the names of the villages we'd been to. to have something on the tip of one's tongue = just about to be spoken or remembered. His name's on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't think of it! to hold one's tongue = say nothing. to set tongues wagging = encourage people to gossip. Their scandalous affair has really set tongues wagging. a slip of the tongue = minor error in speech. A slip of the tongue made me say Robert instead of Richard. with (one's) tongue in (one's) cheek = not intending to be taken seriously. Don't be fooled by all his complimentary remarks, they were all said with tongue in cheek. to be armed to the teeth = have all the necessary equipment. We left for a weekend's camping armed to the teeth with pots, pans, tins, tents and boots! to cut one's teeth on something = gain experience from something. This reporter cut his teeth on his job at that small press agency. to fight tooth and nail = fight fiercely, with energy and determination. During the war, these two countries fought tooth and nail. to get one's teeth into something = deal with or concentrate on something. Now you know what the job involves, here's something to get your teeth into. to lie through one's teeth = tell lies openly and without shame. That's not true! You're lying through your teeth! to show one's teeth = use one's power or authority to intimidate or punish somebody. Idioms with colours

to be in the black = have money in one's bank account. (The opposite is to be in the red) I'm still in the black, so I don't need your money. to black out = lose consciousness or memory temporarily. The plane dived suddenly, causing the pilot to black out.

a black day = an unhappy day when something bad happens. 9/11 was a black day in history. a blacklist = list of people who are considered undesirable. You are not on the blacklist yet, but be careful... a black look = a look of anger. When Sarah heard him talk like that, she gave him a black look. black market = illegal trade. black and blue = covered with bruises. in black and white = in writing or in print. Do you understand? Or shall I put it in black and white? not so black as somebody is painted = not as bad as people believe. Peter is a nice person, he's not so black as he is painted. the black sheep of the family = person whose conduct is considered to be a disgrace to the family. the pot calling the kettle black = the accuser having the same fault as the person he is accusing. She accused us of being extravagant! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! to go off into the blue = go away suddenly and without trace. The cashier went off into the blue with ten thousand dollars. to have blue blood = be aristocratic. to look/feel blue = look/feel sad, depressed. to scream/yell blue murder = protest wildly and noisily. The union yelled blue murder when one of its members was sacked. to do something till one is blue in the face = work as hard and as long as one possibly can (usually without success). He can write me letters till he's blue in the face, I'm not going to reply. once in a blue moon = very rarely or never. I see her once in a blue moon. out of the blue = unexpectedly. Her resignation came right out of the blue. a bolt from the blue = unexpected and usually unwelcome event, complete surprise. The news of her resignation was like a bolt from the blue. a blue-collar worker = manual worker. (The opposite is a white-collar worker) a blue film/joke = a pornographic or indecent film/joke. the boys in blue = the police. to be in the red = have no money in one's bank account. to catch someone red-handed = discover somebody in the act of doing something wrong or criminal. I caught the boys red-handed smoking in the kitchen. to roll out the the red carpet = to give a special welcome to an important visitor. We haven't seen Uncle Jones for years, so when he arrives tomorrow from Europe, we'll be rolling out the red carpet. to see red = become very angry. Her criticisms were enough to make anyone see red. a red herring = unimportant matter introduced into a discussion to divert attention from the main subject. Make sure he answers all your questions. Don't let him confuse you with any red herring.

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red tape = excessive bureaucracy. It takes weeks to get that visa. There's so much red tape involved. a red-letter day = an important or memorable day because something good happened on it. a white-collar worker = non-manual worker. (The opposite is a blue-collar worker) as white as a sheet = very pale, as a result of fear or shock. She went as white as a sheet when I told her the news. as white as snow = very white. That old man had his hair as white as snow. a white lie = harmless or trivial lie. a white elephant = possession that is useless and often expensive to maintain. to be browned off = be bored, fed up. He's browned off with his job. as brown as a berry = having the skin tanned brown by the sun or the weather. in a brown study = in deep thought. to be green = be immature, inexperienced, easily fooled. You must be green to believe that! to be green with envy = be extremely envious. I was absolutely green with envy when I saw his splendid new car. to have green fingers = have skill in gardening. to give someone the green light = give somebody permission to do something. a green belt = area of open land around a city. a greenhouse = building with sides and roof of glass, used for growing plants. grey area = aspect that doesn't fit into a particular category, and is therefore difficult to deal with. When the rules for police procedure were laid down, a lot of grey areas remained. grey matter = one's brain or intelligence. He's a boy with much grey matter, he is extremely good at maths. to go grey = become grey-haired. a yellow streak = cowardice in somebody's character. the yellow press = newspapers that deliberately include sensational news items to attract readers. Idioms with numbers

at one time = en el pasado, en un momento dado back to square one = de nuevo en el comienzo for one thing = principalmente it's all one to me = es todo lo mismo para m one and the same = exactamente el mismo one fine day = algn da one for the road = una para el camino (cuando se toma una copa ms antes de salir) one in a thousand = uno en mil one in a million = uno en un milln one of these days = uno da de estos, pronto one too many = demasiado the one and only = el nico to be at one with somebody = estar de acuerdo con alguien

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to have one over the eight = tomar mucho alcohol to pull a fast one on somebody = engaar a alguien in two shakes of a lamb's tail = rpido, en un periquete, en un abrir y cerrar de ojos in twos and threes = de a dos o tres it takes two to do something = una persona sola no es responsable de un casamiento feliz/infeliz, una pelea, un acuerdo to be in two minds about something = estar indeciso sobre algo to be two-faced = no ser sincero to have two bites of the cherry = tener dos chances to have two strings to your bow = tener una segunda alternativa por si la primera falla to put two and two together = deducir, darse cuenta a three-piece suit = un traje de tres piezas a three-point turn = mover el automvil en un espacio reducido, hacia adelante y hacia atrs in twos and threes = de a dos o tres the three Rs = habilidades bsicas que se aprenden en la escuela: leer, escribir y aritmtica (reading, writing and arithmetic) a four-letter word = mala palabra (la mayora de las malas palabras en ingls tienen cuatro letras) a four-poster bed = cama con cuatro postes que sostienen las cortinas a four-wheel drive (4WD) = vehculo con traccin en las cuatro ruedas on all fours = en cuatro patas, con las manos y las piernas the fourth dimension = la cuarta dimensin (el tiempo) the fourth estate = el cuarto poder (el periodismo que influye polticamente) to be on all fours with somebody = estar a la misma altura de alguien, tener la misma jerarqua a nine-to-five job = un trabajo rutinario, de oficina o comercio five o'clock shadow = apariencia oscura en la cara de un hombre por el crecimiento de la barba desde que se afeit por la maana to give somebody five = chocar las manos para felicitar a alguien to take five = tomarse cinco minutos a six-pack = paquete de seis botellas o latas at sixes and sevens = en desorden six feet under = bajo tierra, muerto y enterrado six of the best = golpiza to knock somebody for six = golpear a alguien at sixes and sevens = en desordento have one over the eight = tomar mucho alcohol a nine days' wonder = una maravilla pero de corta duracin a nine-to-five job = un trabajo rutinario, de oficina o comercio nine times out of ten = casi siempre, dos por tres to be dressed up to the nines = vestir formalmente to be on cloud nine = estar muy feliz ten to one = muy probable, casi seguro a ten-gallon hat = sombrero alto usado por los cowboys Number Ten = residencia oficial del primer ministro britnico (Number Ten Downing Street)

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Idiomatic pairs

alive and kicking = in good health and active. I got a letter from Ronald, he's alive and kicking, working for an insurance company. born and bred = born and educated. Helen was born and bred in London, that's why she always carries an umbrella. bright and early = very early in the morning. We have to leave bright and early if we want to arrive there by 10. cut and dried = final, decided (plans). Our plan is cut and dried: first we are going to the cinema, and then to the restaurant. fair and square = in a fair way. We will pay for our part, let's make it fair and square. home and dry = sure of success. If you study a lot, you will be home and dry for the final exam. on and on = without stopping. I've been cleaning the house all morning, and I still have to go on and on to finish. rough and ready = not exact. I don't understand much about grammar but I can give you a rough and ready explanation. round and round = in circles. I started to feel sick, everything was going round and round in my head. safe and sound = unharmed. After being away for five months, we arrived home safe and sound. short and sweet = without unnecesary details. A long letter of complaint would be annoying, so when you write it, try to make it short and sweet. sick and tired = completely annoyed or tired of something/someone. I'm sick and tired of hearing about your trip to Russia. wine and dine = have a meal with wine at a restaurant. For our anniversary I think we could wine and dine at that new restaurant that opened last week. bag and baggage = with all your possessions. Mary got tired of living with her boyfriend so she decided to move, bag and baggage. bits and pieces = small things. I didn't hear everything he said, just some bits and pieces. body and soul = physical and mental energy. Jim loves learning a new language, he puts body and soul into it.

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bread and butter = way of earning money to live. Thomas doesn't have much money, he earns his bread and butter as a teacher. bricks and mortar = property, buildings. If you want to invest your money, I would advise you to put it into bricks and mortar. give and take = compromise. We can reach an agreement with a bit of give and take from both sides. hustle and bustle = hurried activity. I don't like living in the city centre, it's all hustle and bustle. ifs and buts = excuses. No ifs and buts, just finish your homework and then you can go to play with the computer. odds and ends = small things. I've almost finished this work, but there are still some odds and ends I have to deal with. part and parcel = part. All those information programmes on TV are part and parcel of a campaign to destabilize the new government. rack and ruin = in bad conditions. This is a nice neighbourhood, but it's a shame that these old buildings are going rack and ruin. stuff and nonsense = foolish things. Oh, no, he was not fired! That's all stuff and nonsense! touch and go = close to success and failure at the same time. After the accident, he's in a critical situation, the doctor said it's touch and go. ups and downs = good and bad moments. Don't panic, in a married couple there are always ups and downs. wear and tear = deterioration. Go change those clothes! Those can't stand any more wear and tear! by and large = in general. I guess the team played quite well, by and large. far and wide = everywhere. She tried far and wide to find the keys but she couldn't. She had to take a taxi instead. first and foremost = most important. First and foremost, I would like to thank you all for this welcome. forgive and forget = forget enmity. Let's be friends again, I'm sorry for what I've done, but you have to forgive and forget. hit and miss = random. I don't know how to operate this machine, it's just a question of hit and miss for me! live and learn = become wiser. You trusted her and she deceived you. You live and learn, so don't get fooled again.

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in and out = entering and leaving a place. The boss has been in and out all day, to see if the employees were working. loud and clear = very clearly. Even though he was 400km away, I could hear him loud and clear on the telephone line. now and again = occasionally. They like to go to a concert now and again. on and off = not all the time, at irregular intervals. It's been raining on and off all day, I hate this kind of weather. over and out = message used to end a radio communication. Understood. Over and out. sink or swim = be successful or fail. This a very difficult job, you have to be careful. It's really sink or swim. up and about = in good health. After the accident, he recovered very well, he's now up and about. wait and see = wait patiently. We don't know if this government will be able to put his plans into practice. We have to wait and see. Idioms with food

the salt of the earth = a very good and honest person. Jack is the salt of the earth.

not my cup of tea = something that you don't like much. Rock isn't my cup of tea. I prefer jazz.

a butterfingers = somebody who often drops things. Sally is so clumsy, she's really a butterfingers!

a piece of cake = something very easy. Learning English is a piece of cake! full of beans = full of energy. Sheila is full of beans this morning!

nuts / bananas = crazy. I'm going to go nuts/bananas if I don't get a new job soon. peanuts = a very small amount of money. Hotel workers usually get paid peanuts.

the cream of something = the best things or people from a group. Our university only takes the cream of applicants.

the cream of the crop = the best of all. The students at this university are the cream of the crop.

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as cool as a cucumber = relaxed, calm. The driver was as cool as a cucumber when the police stopped him.

a lemon = a silly person. Thomas behaved like a real lemon at the party last night.

sour grapes = something important that somebody pretends that has no value. He says he doesn't want to marry her, but that's just sour grapes.

sour-faced = showing dislike for something or somebody. Tim's girlfriend was sour-faced when she saw him talking to another girl. a couch potato = somebody who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV. I guess Ken is becoming a real couch potato.

food for thought = something that makes you think carefully. The teacher's advice game me food for thought.

a red herring = a misleading statement or action that attracts people's attention. The criminal dropped a red herring into his statement to the police. He wanted to confuse them.

brown as a berry = suntanned, having the skin turned brown by the sun. After her holiday in Florida, Samantha is as brown as a berry.

red as a beetroot = embarrassed. John was red as a beetroot when he noticed that he hadn't enough money to pay the bill.

warm as toast = very warm and comfortable. The kids sat near the fire, warm as toast.

flat as a pancake = very flat. The countryside in this area is flat as a pancake.

keen as mustard = very enthusiastic. Sheila was new in the job and keen as mustard. to cut the mustard = be good enough to do something. Fred is not very good at his new job. I guess he can't cut the mustard!

to feel like jelly, to turn to jelly = lose physical strength because one gets frightened or nervous. When the thief saw the police, his knees turned to jelly.

to sell like hot cakes = become popular, sell a lot. These cheap shoes are selling like hot cakes.

small beer / small potatoes = not important. This profit is small beer/potatoes for the holding company.

chalk and cheese = completely different. The two brothers are like chalk and cheese, they are very different indeed! gravy train = an activity from which people can make money without much effort. Privatization isn't usually the gravy train that the government promises.

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a good egg = a good trustworthy person. You can trust Mary, she's a good egg.

hard-boiled = tough, not showing any emotions. My boss is really hard-boiled. He's impossible to fool. fishy = suspicious. I think that man's behaviour is a bit fishy. Call the police, please.

money for jam = money earned from a task that is very easy. Mark has a very easy job. In fact, it's money for jam.

salt-and-pepper = hair that is becoming grey. Some women like men with saltand-pepper hair. They think it looks distinguished.

easy as pie = very easy. Learning English is easy as pie.

in a stew = confused or worried about a difficult situation. When David's girlfriend was late, he got into a stew. to be in the soup = to be in trouble. When Harry lost his job, he was really in the soup.

to be in a pickle = be in a difficult situation and not know what to do. When Mark lost his passport, he was in a pickle.

to be packed like sardines = be crowded tightly together in a small space. People on the evening train are packed like sardines.

to beef up something = improve something, add force to something. The green party needs to beef the campaign up.

to get a roasting = to be told off for something wrong. The player got a roasting from angry fans.

to make a hash of something = make a mess of something, do something very badly. Fred made a real hash of his exams.

Idioms with water to break the ice = say something to reduce tension at a first meeting. She finally broke the ice and asked him about his family.

to cut no ice with somebody = have little influence, be unconvincing. His excuses cut no ice with me.

to be in deep waters = be in trouble. Having lost his passport, he is now in deep waters.

a drop in the ocean = a quantity too small to make any improvement. Aid to the Third World is just a drop in the ocean.

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the last straw (that broke the camel's back) = additional event that makes a situation intolerable. He had lost his job last week and now he was robbed. That was the last straw. He decided to move to a foreign country.

to leave someone high and dry = leave someone helpless. He left her high and dry in a strange country without any money.

to let off steam = release surplus energy from being restrained. The children were out in the playground letting off steam.

like a fish out of water = awkward because of being unfamiliar with the surroundings. She felt like a fish out of water among those high-society people.

like water off a duck's back = without any effect. Their hints about his behaviour were like water off a duck's back.

to be out of one's depth = be unable to understand something. When they start talking about economy, I'm out of my depth.

to be soaked to the skin = be completely soaked. They were soaked to the skin after the storm.

a storm in a teacup = a lot of fuss about something unimportant. That's a storm in a teacup, stop fussing about it, you can do it.

to take the plunge = take a decisive step after thinking about it for a long time. He finally decided to take the plunge and get married.

to be thrown in at the deep end = be introduced to the most difficult part of an activity, for which one is not prepared. He was thrown in at the deep end because he had to finish his job and didn't know where to start.

the tip of the iceberg = small but evident part of a much larger problem. More than ten burglaries are reported every week, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

water under the bridge = event that has already occurred and cannot be altered. Stop worrying about it, that dispute is water under the bridge now.

Idioms to do with emotions

To be as pleased as Punch = to be really pleased. To be in seventh heaven = to be extremely happy. To be on top of the world = to be really happy. To be thrilled to bits = to be very happy and excited. To be as miserable as sin = to be extremely sad. To be browned off = to be bored. To be downhearted = to feel sad.

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To have a long face = to look unhappy. To be in a cold sweat = to be in a state of shock or fear. To be rooted to the spot = to be unable to move through fear. To be scared to death = to be extremely frightened. To go white as a sheet = to go pale through fear or shock. To be keyed up = to be excited, tense. To be like a cat on hot bricks = to feel nervous and unable to stand still.

To be on tenterhooks = to be uncertain and anxious about what is going to happen.

To have something on one's mind = to have a problem that is worrying you. To be all at sea = to be puzzled and bewildered. To be at sixes and sevens = to be uncertain and confused.

To be out of one's depth = to be in a situation which is difficult for you to cope with. To be hopping mad = to be really angry.

To be hot under the collar = to be annoyed or embarrassed. To go off at the deep end = to lose your temper, to become very angry. To go spare = to lose your temper. To be gobsmacked = to be very surprised.

That's a turn up for the books! = you say it when something surprising happens. You could have knocked me down with a feather! = you say it to emphasize how surprised you were when you heard something. To have a go at somebody = to criticize somebody angrily.

To tear somebody off a strip = to speak angrily to somebody because they have done something wrong.

To avoid somebody like the plague = to avoid somebody completely.

To cut somebody down to size = to reduce somebody's sense of their own importance. Idioms related to sports the ball is in your court = it's your turn, it's your decision. We already decided what to do, now the ball is in your court.

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out of left field = unexpected. Sheila didn't know what to do when she was asked that question out of left field.

to get to first base = to reach the first stage of success in an attempt to achieve something. We will get to first base when we finish this campaign.

to play the game = to accept the rules, to do things in the expected or usual way. If you want to be promoted, you have to play the game.

to hit below the belt = to hurt somebody in an unfair or cruel way. His comments hit below the belt.

to hold the aces = to have the necessary advantages so that you are sure that you will win. The Americans hold all the aces in space exploration.

to give the game away = to spoil a surprise or secret by doing something that lets somebody guess what the secret is. Laura gave the game away by laughing just when Tom came in.

a win-win situation = a situation that will end well for everyone involved. This campaign is a win-win situation.

to kick off = to start. The meeting kicked off with the director's speech.

to start/keep the ball rolling = to begin/continue something. To start the ball rolling, famous artists were invited to contribute to the campaign. To keep the ball rolling, people can donate their part too.

that's the way the ball bounces = that's the way things happen. Paul was fired,

to jump the gun = to start doing something too son. We have to take our time to think about this decision, so don't jump the gun. to take time out = to take a break from an activity. I have a terrible headache, could we just take a time-out?

to touch base with somebody = to talk to somebody about something. I have to touch base with my boss before I present my resignation.

to throw in the towel = to admit that you have been defeated. I have to go on until I succeed, I'm not going to throw in the towel yet.

Proverbs A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Ms vale pjaro en mano que ciento volando.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. La ausencia alimenta al corazn.

Actions speak louder than words. Los hechos valen ms que las palabras.

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All roads lead to Rome. Todos los caminos conducen a Roma.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Hay que divertirse y dejar de lado el trabajo por un rato.

Birds of a feather flock together. Dios los cra y ellos se juntan.

Blood is thicker than water. Los lazos familiares son ms fuertes.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. No te lo juegues todo a una sola carta.

It's no good crying over spilt milk. A lo hecho, pecho. No hay que llorar sobre la leche derramada.

It's the last straw that breaks the camel's back. Es la gota que colma el vaso.

Many hands make light work. Muchas manos hacen el trabajo ligero.

People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. No hagas a los dems lo que no quieres que te hagan a ti.

Take care of the pennies/pence, and the pounds will take care of themselves. Ahorra la calderilla y tendrs dinero.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Lo mejor siempre lo tiene el otro.

Too many cooks spoil the broth. Demasiados cocineros estropean el caldo. Muchas manos en un plato hacen mucho garabato.

While the cat's away, the mice will play. Cuando el gato no est, los ratones bailan.

You have to take the rough with the smooth. Hay que tomar la vida como es. Hay que estar a las duras y a las maduras.

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