Idioms
Re: Idioms
Holy Grail
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An object or goal that is sought after for its great significance.
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An object or goal that is sought after for its great significance.
Re: Idioms
take the bull by the horns
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To deal with a difficult situation in a very direct or confident way.
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To deal with a difficult situation in a very direct or confident way.
Re: Idioms
a piece of cake
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Something that is very easy to do.
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Something that is very easy to do.
Re: Idioms
you turkey
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A person who does something thoughtless or annoying.
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A person who does something thoughtless or annoying.
Re: Idioms
shooting sparrows with cannons
kill a mosquito with a bazooka
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Applying too drastic measures to small problems
kill a mosquito with a bazooka
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Applying too drastic measures to small problems
Re: Idioms
making a mountain out of a molehill
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A person makes too much of a minor issue
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A person makes too much of a minor issue
Re: Idioms
joking apart
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Said to indicate that one is being serious, especially after making a joke.
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Said to indicate that one is being serious, especially after making a joke.
Re: Idioms
take it with a pinch of salt
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Used to say that you should not always completely believe what a particular person says.
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Used to say that you should not always completely believe what a particular person says.
Re: Idioms
don’t count your chickens before they hatch
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You should not make plans that depend on something good happening before you know that it has actually happened.
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You should not make plans that depend on something good happening before you know that it has actually happened.
Re: Idioms
strike when the iron’s hot
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The phrase comes from a profession where a blacksmith strikes iron while it is hot to be able to mould it to his advantage.
to take advantage of a situation
to make the most of a heated situation
to get benefit from an existing condition or situation by strategizing
to get benefit of a chance
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The phrase comes from a profession where a blacksmith strikes iron while it is hot to be able to mould it to his advantage.
to take advantage of a situation
to make the most of a heated situation
to get benefit from an existing condition or situation by strategizing
to get benefit of a chance
Re: Idioms
hold your horses
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The idiom is often used to tell someone to wait and think about something before taking action.
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The idiom is often used to tell someone to wait and think about something before taking action.
Re: Idioms
like a fish out of water
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If someone feels like a fish out of water, they are very uncomfortable in the situation they are in.
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If someone feels like a fish out of water, they are very uncomfortable in the situation they are in.
Re: Idioms
like a fish needs a bicycle
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If someone needs something like a Fish Needs a Bicycle, they don't need it at all.
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If someone needs something like a Fish Needs a Bicycle, they don't need it at all.
Re: Idioms
brb
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BRB (Be Right Back) is one of the more polite online abbreviations; respectfully letting fellow chatters know that you'll be taking a brief vacation from your keyboard.
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BRB (Be Right Back) is one of the more polite online abbreviations; respectfully letting fellow chatters know that you'll be taking a brief vacation from your keyboard.
Re: Idioms
afk
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afk means away from keyboard, a phrase that lets others know that you won't be at your computer for a while.
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afk means away from keyboard, a phrase that lets others know that you won't be at your computer for a while.
Re: Idioms
lulz
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Alteration of lol. (Nonstandard spelling of the plural suffix -s.)
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Alteration of lol. (Nonstandard spelling of the plural suffix -s.)
Re: Idioms
rofl
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ROFL is an internet accronmym for Rolling On Floor Laughing.
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ROFL is an internet accronmym for Rolling On Floor Laughing.
Re: Idioms
Yah-boo
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Used to express dislike or disrespect for someone, or to make fun of them
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Used to express dislike or disrespect for someone, or to make fun of them
Re: Idioms
stand on own two feet
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To support oneself without help from other people
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To support oneself without help from other people
Re: Idioms
saving face
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To avoid having other people lose respect for oneself
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To avoid having other people lose respect for oneself
Re: Idioms
getting in the last word
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If someone has the last word or the final word in a discussion, argument, or disagreement, they are the one who wins it or who makes the final decision
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If someone has the last word or the final word in a discussion, argument, or disagreement, they are the one who wins it or who makes the final decision
Re: Idioms
shed light on
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To reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something.
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To reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something.
Re: Idioms
people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
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Used to say that people who have faults should not criticize other people for having the same faults.
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Used to say that people who have faults should not criticize other people for having the same faults.
Re: Idioms
better late than never
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It is better to do something after it was supposed to have been done than not to do it at all.
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It is better to do something after it was supposed to have been done than not to do it at all.
Re: Idioms
to catch someone out
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Means to cause them to make a mistake that reveals that they are lying about something, do not know something, or cannot do something.
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Means to cause them to make a mistake that reveals that they are lying about something, do not know something, or cannot do something.
Re: Idioms
small world
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Used to show surprise when one meets someone one knows at an unexpected place or finds out that one shares a friend, acquaintance, etc., with another person.
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Used to show surprise when one meets someone one knows at an unexpected place or finds out that one shares a friend, acquaintance, etc., with another person.
Re: Idioms
the blind leading the blind
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Used informally to describe a situation in which someone who is not sure about how to do something is helping another person who also is not sure about how to do.
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Used informally to describe a situation in which someone who is not sure about how to do something is helping another person who also is not sure about how to do.
Re: Idioms
ta-da
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Used when something appears or happens in a way that is impressive, surprising, or pleasing.
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Used when something appears or happens in a way that is impressive, surprising, or pleasing.
Re: Idioms
whoa
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Used to express surprise, interest, or alarm, or to command attention.
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Used to express surprise, interest, or alarm, or to command attention.
Re: Idioms
voila
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Used to call attention, to express satisfaction or approval, or to suggest an appearance as if by magic.
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Used to call attention, to express satisfaction or approval, or to suggest an appearance as if by magic.
Re: Idioms
all ears
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Ready to pay attention to someone.
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Ready to pay attention to someone.
Re: Idioms
do unto others as you would have them do unto you
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To treat others as one would wish to be treated.
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To treat others as one would wish to be treated.
Re: Idioms
don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
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Means don't find fault with something that has been received as a gift or favor. Basically, the longer the teeth, the older the horse. Thus, looking a gift horse in the mouth could be considered rude because the person is essentially examining the horse to see if it measures up to their standards.
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Means don't find fault with something that has been received as a gift or favor. Basically, the longer the teeth, the older the horse. Thus, looking a gift horse in the mouth could be considered rude because the person is essentially examining the horse to see if it measures up to their standards.
Re: Idioms
hope life is treating you well
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A respectful sign showing genuine care and regard. In this case it would be best to reciprocate what the other person has said, to show that you accept their sentiments.
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A respectful sign showing genuine care and regard. In this case it would be best to reciprocate what the other person has said, to show that you accept their sentiments.
Re: Idioms
hit me
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It refers to something that had a big emotional impact on you. For example, if you watch a very upsetting story on the news, you might say to a friend “That really hit me hard”. It means that you felt strongly affected by something.
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It refers to something that had a big emotional impact on you. For example, if you watch a very upsetting story on the news, you might say to a friend “That really hit me hard”. It means that you felt strongly affected by something.
Re: Idioms
be on board with
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To be in agreement with or be willing to do something
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To be in agreement with or be willing to do something
Re: Idioms
low-key
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If you say that something is low-key, you mean that it is on a small scale rather than involving a lot of activity or being made to seem impressive or important.
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If you say that something is low-key, you mean that it is on a small scale rather than involving a lot of activity or being made to seem impressive or important.
Re: Idioms
all roads lead to Rome
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All paths or activities lead to the center of things.
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All paths or activities lead to the center of things.
Re: Idioms
too many cooks spoil the broth
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If too many people are involved in a task or activity, it will not be done well.
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If too many people are involved in a task or activity, it will not be done well.
Re: Idioms
put in my two cents
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A phrase used to preface an opinion on an issue. The longer phrase “put my 2 cents in” is taken from the English idiom “to put in my two-penny worth.”
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A phrase used to preface an opinion on an issue. The longer phrase “put my 2 cents in” is taken from the English idiom “to put in my two-penny worth.”
Re: Idioms
two sides of the same coin
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Every coin has two sides–heads and tails. “Two sides of the same coin” means to see two people or things with opposing views. While they are closely related, they still seem very different.
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Every coin has two sides–heads and tails. “Two sides of the same coin” means to see two people or things with opposing views. While they are closely related, they still seem very different.
Re: Idioms
where the rubber meets road
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Where the important facts or realities lie;
Where theory is put into practice.
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Where the important facts or realities lie;
Where theory is put into practice.
Re: Idioms
cash cow
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Cash cow, in business jargon, is a venture that generates a steady return of profits that far exceed the outlay of cash required to acquire or start it.
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Cash cow, in business jargon, is a venture that generates a steady return of profits that far exceed the outlay of cash required to acquire or start it.
Re: Idioms
a wolf in sheep's clothing
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A wolf in sheep's clothing means someone who hides malicious intent under the guise of kindliness.
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A wolf in sheep's clothing means someone who hides malicious intent under the guise of kindliness.
Re: Idioms
the lesser of two evils
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Something that is bad, but not as bad as something else.
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Something that is bad, but not as bad as something else.
Re: Idioms
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
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The proverb 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' means that it's better to hold onto something you have rather than take the risk of getting something better which may come to nothing.
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The proverb 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' means that it's better to hold onto something you have rather than take the risk of getting something better which may come to nothing.
Re: Idioms
someone's word is law
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Said to mean that everyone in an organization or group has to obey someone, even if this is unreasonable.
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Said to mean that everyone in an organization or group has to obey someone, even if this is unreasonable.
Re: Idioms
eat like a horse
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If someone eats like a horse, they eat a lot because they have a large appetite.
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If someone eats like a horse, they eat a lot because they have a large appetite.
Re: Idioms
armchair expert
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Someone who claims to know all the answers to a problem, situation or scenario but has little or no experience or real understanding of it.
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Someone who claims to know all the answers to a problem, situation or scenario but has little or no experience or real understanding of it.
Re: Idioms
high five
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A greeting or an expression of admiration in which two people each raise a hand above their shoulder and bring the fronts of their hands together with force.
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A greeting or an expression of admiration in which two people each raise a hand above their shoulder and bring the fronts of their hands together with force.
Re: Idioms
handshake
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An act of shaking a person's hand with one's own, used as a greeting or to finalize an agreement.
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An act of shaking a person's hand with one's own, used as a greeting or to finalize an agreement.
Re: Idioms
when pigs have wings
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The idiom is traditionally used to mean that the specified event will never occur.
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The idiom is traditionally used to mean that the specified event will never occur.
Re: Idioms
don't put all your eggs in one basket
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What you're doing is too risky
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What you're doing is too risky
Re: Idioms
kill two birds with one stone
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Get two things done with a single action
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Get two things done with a single action
Re: Idioms
don't cry over spilt milk
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There's no reason to complain about something that can't be fixed
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There's no reason to complain about something that can't be fixed
Re: Idioms
wrap your head around something
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Understand something complicated
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Understand something complicated
Re: Idioms
grass is always greener on the other side of the fence
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Other people's circumstances or belongings always seem more desirable than one's own.
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Other people's circumstances or belongings always seem more desirable than one's own.
Re: Idioms
down to earth
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Down to earth means being open and honest. He or she accepts other people as equals. A down to earth person is the opposite of someone who acts important or proud.
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Down to earth means being open and honest. He or she accepts other people as equals. A down to earth person is the opposite of someone who acts important or proud.
Re: Idioms
head in the clouds
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Spending too much time thinking about love or about ideas that are not practical
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Spending too much time thinking about love or about ideas that are not practical
Re: Idioms
nose in the air
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Used to describe the way someone behaves when they think they are better than other people and do not want to speak to them:
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Used to describe the way someone behaves when they think they are better than other people and do not want to speak to them:
Re: Idioms
An oink is the sound a pig makes.
The sound that a horse makes is called a neigh.
A sound of a wolf hollowing is owooooo, Oooooooooooooooowhoo.
A sound of a duck is quack.
A meow is a vocalization of cats.
Woof is a typical playful barks of dogs.
Moo is the sound of a cow.
The sound a chicken makes is a cluck.
Use the word baa to describe the sound a sheep makes.
The sound that a horse makes is called a neigh.
A sound of a wolf hollowing is owooooo, Oooooooooooooooowhoo.
A sound of a duck is quack.
A meow is a vocalization of cats.
Woof is a typical playful barks of dogs.
Moo is the sound of a cow.
The sound a chicken makes is a cluck.
Use the word baa to describe the sound a sheep makes.
Re: Idioms
If wishes were fishes
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Used to express the impossibility to make a wish come true.
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Used to express the impossibility to make a wish come true.
Re: Idioms
shooting in the dark
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An opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence
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An opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence
Re: Idioms
spill beans
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Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, to spill the beans about the surprise.
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Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, to spill the beans about the surprise.
Re: Idioms
you can't teach an old dog new tricks
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People who have long been used to doing things in a particular way will not abandon their habits.
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People who have long been used to doing things in a particular way will not abandon their habits.
Re: Idioms
to shed light on, throw light on, or cast light on something
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Means to make it easier to understand, because more information is known about it. A new approach offers an answer, and may shed light on an even bigger question.
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Means to make it easier to understand, because more information is known about it. A new approach offers an answer, and may shed light on an even bigger question.
Re: Idioms
under one's belt
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Experienced or achieved, as in "Once a medical student has anatomy under her belt, she'll have much less to memorize". This metaphoric expression likens food that has been consumed to an experience that has been digested.
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Experienced or achieved, as in "Once a medical student has anatomy under her belt, she'll have much less to memorize". This metaphoric expression likens food that has been consumed to an experience that has been digested.
Re: Idioms
a nail in the/someone's coffin
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Something that makes it more likely that someone or something will fail, be destroyed, etc.
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Something that makes it more likely that someone or something will fail, be destroyed, etc.
Re: Idioms
a dead person would turn in his/her grave
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You mean that he/she would be very angry or upset about something.
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You mean that he/she would be very angry or upset about something.
Re: Idioms
to breathe down someone's neck
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to watch someone carefully and constantly,
watching someone very closely and checking everything he/she does.
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to watch someone carefully and constantly,
watching someone very closely and checking everything he/she does.