Idioms
Re: Idioms
white lie
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A lie that is told in order to be polite or to stop someone from being upset by the truth
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A lie that is told in order to be polite or to stop someone from being upset by the truth
Re: Idioms
which way the wind blows
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If a person tries to discover which way the wind blows/is blowing, he/she tries to discover information about a situation, especially other people's opinions, before he/she takes action.
John knows which way the wind blows and always acts accordingly.
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If a person tries to discover which way the wind blows/is blowing, he/she tries to discover information about a situation, especially other people's opinions, before he/she takes action.
John knows which way the wind blows and always acts accordingly.
Re: Idioms
take one's breath away
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To make someone feel surprised and excited.
The beautiful new cinema took my breath away.
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To make someone feel surprised and excited.
The beautiful new cinema took my breath away.
Re: Idioms
a slip of the tongue
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If you describe something you said as a slip of the tongue, you mean that you said it by mistake.
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If you describe something you said as a slip of the tongue, you mean that you said it by mistake.
Re: Idioms
to be born in purple
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It was originally used to refer to babies born to the members of the royal family.
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It was originally used to refer to babies born to the members of the royal family.
Re: Idioms
bottom line
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Main result/factor.
The bottom line is, I don't have enough money.
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Main result/factor.
The bottom line is, I don't have enough money.
Re: Idioms
castles in the air
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Plans that have very little chance of happening.
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Plans that have very little chance of happening.
Re: Idioms
apple of one’s eye
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Special favorite, beloved person or thing.
The youngest was the apple of his father's eye.
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Special favorite, beloved person or thing.
The youngest was the apple of his father's eye.
Re: Idioms
bring home the bacon.
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To bring home the bacon means to earn the household income.
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To bring home the bacon means to earn the household income.
Re: Idioms
a drop in the bucket.
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A very small amount compared to the amount needed
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A very small amount compared to the amount needed
Re: Idioms
at first sight.
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Used to describe your first impression of someone or something, usually to indicate that this first impression was wrong or incomplete.
Love at first sight
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Used to describe your first impression of someone or something, usually to indicate that this first impression was wrong or incomplete.
Love at first sight
Re: Idioms
roughly speaking
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Not being totally accurate (used as a phrase to specify).
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Not being totally accurate (used as a phrase to specify).
Re: Idioms
put food on the table
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To provide enough money to cover basic necessities.
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To provide enough money to cover basic necessities.
Re: Idioms
put your heart and soul into something
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If you put your heart and soul into something, you do it with a great deal of enthusiasm and energy.
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If you put your heart and soul into something, you do it with a great deal of enthusiasm and energy.
Re: Idioms
man of his word
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A person who can be trusted to keep a promise; a reliable person.
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A person who can be trusted to keep a promise; a reliable person.
Re: Idioms
odds and ends
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Various things of different types, usually small and not important, or of little value.
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Various things of different types, usually small and not important, or of little value.
Re: Idioms
on hand
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If someone or something is on hand, they are near and able to be used if they are needed.
Do you have a calculator on hand?
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If someone or something is on hand, they are near and able to be used if they are needed.
Do you have a calculator on hand?
Re: Idioms
which way the wind blows
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What the real situation is.
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What the real situation is.
Re: Idioms
The real meat of things
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The most important part or the main part of something.
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The most important part or the main part of something.
Re: Idioms
under cover of something
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Hidden or protected by something.
He was working undercover at that time.
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Hidden or protected by something.
He was working undercover at that time.
Re: Idioms
keep in mind
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To be careful to remember something important.
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To be careful to remember something important.
Re: Idioms
bear in mind
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If you tell someone to bear something in mind or to keep something in mind, you are reminding or warning them about something important which they should remember.
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If you tell someone to bear something in mind or to keep something in mind, you are reminding or warning them about something important which they should remember.
Re: Idioms
the chicken and egg problem
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If you describe a situation as a chicken and egg situation, you mean that it is impossible to decide which of two things caused the other one.
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If you describe a situation as a chicken and egg situation, you mean that it is impossible to decide which of two things caused the other one.
Re: Idioms
there is no such thing as a free lunch
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Used to say that it is not possible to get something that is desired or valuable without having to pay for it in some way.
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Used to say that it is not possible to get something that is desired or valuable without having to pay for it in some way.