2019

January

 

In your element

In your natural environment and doing things you are familiar with

“We all left the planning in the group leader’s hands. Organising and distributing tasks, she was in her element.”

31/01/2019


On your doorstep

Very close to where you live.

Similar to: At a stone’s throw away.

“The flat was very conveniently placed in a safe area of London and she had the tube station on her doorstep.”

30/01/2019


Get to the bottom of something

To discover the truth about a situation.

“There have been a number of incidents in the building and the neighbours are trying to get to the bottom of the problem.”

29/01/2019


A no-brainer

Simple to do or understand.

“They knew he would say yes to the salary rise. That was a no-brainer . “

28/01/2019


There is more to it than meets the eye

Something is more complicated than it seems.

“Sharks have a fearsome reputation as killer creatures but there is more to it than meets the eye. “

23/01/2019

For the most part

Mostly, usually

“Podcasts nowadays are incredibly assorted and for the most part, free of charge. “

22/01/2019


At your fingertips

Accessible, easy to find.

“She may say she is hopeless at cooking and has zero imagination but there is no exuse really because nowadays, recipes are at our fingertips on the Internet. “

21/01/2019


Get ahead of yourself

To do something prematurely.

“You are getting ahead of yourself by renting an apartment in London when you don’t still now if the company will take you on.”

18/01/2019


Be in two minds

You can’t decide what to do.

“The student was in two minds about moving abroad.”

17/01/2019


Can’t see the wood for the trees

Too involved in a situation or focused on the details and unable to see the bigger picture and understand the situation as a whole.

“She was so concerned with her day-to-day problems at work that she couldn’t see the wood for the trees. In the big scheme of things, she was a very successful entrepreneuse and her business was flourishing but her worries didn’t let her perceive it.”

16/01/2019


Middle of the road

Not extreme but moderate. Acceptable to most people. Can be used about opinions, political beliefs, music, etc.

“The mayor was a very middle-of-the-road sort of person and managed to ward off fierce criticism.”

15/01/2019


A foregone conclusion

A result that you can predict before it happens.

“The voters inevitably came to a foregone conclusion about the major blow to women’s rights that the candidate’s victory would represent.”

14/01/2019


In one sitting

If you do something in one sitting, you set out to do a task and finish it in the one single period of time.

“The journalism student sat at his desk and read through a tabloid* and a broadsheet** in one sitting.”

(UK) *Tabloids: also called the gutter press are a kind of newspapers that are considered sensationalist and unrealiable journalism. ** Broadsheets on the other hand are quality papers, traditionally larger in size, thus the name. Although the size of some of them has changed, the name prevails.

11/01/2019


The lesser of two evils

You have two choices and both of them are bad/unpleasant, but one seems less so than the other.

“Not knowing what politician to vote for, in the end he decided to choose the lesser of two evils, as it was always the case .”

10/01/2019


A win-win situation

A win-win situation or result is good for anyone who is involved.

Going for a cycle with my dog is a win-win situation. He gets his daily exercise and I take a break and some fresh air.” 

09/01/2019


To stock up on something

To buy a large amount of something and accumulate it for the future.

“In view of the snow forecast, remote communities are stocking up on food supplies.”

08/01/2019


A fine line between

To express that there are similarities between two things that may seem initially different.

“There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance.”

Note: also A THIN LINE

07/01/2019


Keep an eye out for 

To stay tuned to something. To keep looking for something and stay alert.

“She always keeps an eye out for gigs in the local area and then passes on the information to the rest of her pals.”

04/01/2019


Start with a clean slate

Common phrase you hear a lot around New Year.

It means: a new beginning.

Note: Slate is a kind of rock that is split and used as material to build roofs. Also used for blackboards.

“January is regarded to be a clean slate by many. A time to start afresh and incorporate life changes and improvements.”

Note: also START WITH A CLEAN SHEET

03/01/2019


February

 

Learn the hard way

To learn something from a bad experience or a mistake

“Listen to your parents’ advice about drinking and driving so that you never have to learn the hard way.”

28/02/2019


Go along with

Agree with somebody or support someone’s proposal

“The rescue team leader suggested waiting till the heavy rain let up and they all went along with that.”

27/02/2019


A bad patch

A difficult time

“These are troubled times for his business. He’s going through a bad patch but I am sure he’ll bounce back. “

26/02/2019


Have the gift of the gab

Have a way with words. Speak fluently and confidently. .

“Good comedians have the gift of the gab.”

25/02/2019


Practise what you preach

Follow your own advice

“The teen was annoyed by her mother’s double standards and told her to practise what she preaches.”

22/02/2019


Keep up with the times

(also move with or change with the times)

To be modern and adapt to the time you are living in

“Some elderly people are finding it hard to keep up with the times when it comes to technology .”

21/02/2019


Off the top of my head

You say something without having the time to think about it or check the facts.

“I know the gallery offers free entry an hour before closure but I can’t remember exactly what days of the week off the top of my head. I would need to look it up.”

20/02/2019


Out of the blue

Suddenly, unexpectedly

“It was on her twelfth birthday that out of the blue, the girl announced she had written a novel and aspired to become a writer.”

19/02/2019


Put something on hold

Stop the progress of something and leave it till later

“Paternity put his promising career on hold, which he secretly resented at first but then came to terms with and never regretted.”

18/02/2019


What’s in store

What’s coming in the future, what is about to happen

“What’s in store for you this year?.”

14/02/2019

A better understanding

Offer an insight.

“Reading all of the president’s personal letters helped the biographer have a better understanding of the politician’s trajectory.”

13/02/2019


To be in for a surprise

Same as saying you are going to have a surprise.

“Get familiar with the CAE speaking before exam day or you might be in for a surprise.”

12/02/2019


Day in, day out

Happening every day for a long period of time

“The girl was given rice for dinner day in, day out.”

¡11/02/2019


Jump to conclusions

Come to a conclusion without having enough information

“Let’s not jump to conclusions before we’ve heard both sides of the story .”

08/02/2019


Words fail me

Unable to find the right words to express something,

“She was so surprised by the news that words failed her and the next few seconds seemed like hours.”


07/02/2019

Go a long way

Go far, be successful

“When it comes to relationships, honesty goes a long way.”

06/02/2019


Out of the question

It’s impossible, not open to negociations.

“When the tenants asked their landlord for investement in home improvements, he replied it was out of the question for the time being.”

05/02/2019


In tip-top shape

In perfect condition

“The council offers courses to keep your bicycle in tip-top shape.”

04/02/2019


Do your bit

To do your part of what has to be done.

“Each volunteer did their bit and before they knew it, the task had been completed and they could call it a day.”

01/02/2019


March

 

Go from strength to strength

To be more and more successful

“Norah Jones’s musical career is going from strength to strength.”

29/03/2019


Go hand in hand with

Closely related

“Industrialisation goes hand in hand with pollution.”

28/03/2019


Word of mouth

People spread information by telling each other

“The news was passed by word of mouth and before she knew it, everyone was aware of her pregnancy.”

27/03/2019


With hindsight

In retrospect, looking back.

“Back then, taking over her parents’ business seemed the logical move but with hindsight, she now regrets not having pursued her dream to study art.”

26/03/2019


On the spur of the moment

Do something suddenly, without any previous planning.

“They were heading home for dinner but on the spur of the moment, they decided to step into the new Indian restaurant close to their apartment.”

It can also be an adjective: e.g. a spur-of-the-moment decision

25/03/2019


Rack your brains

Try hard to remember or think of something

“Much as I have been racking my brains, I can’t find an answer to your question.”

22/03/2019


A far cry from

Very different from

“Her house in the suburbs is a far cry from the little flat she used to live in as a student.”

21/03/2019


It (all) boils down to ….

It is the most important aspect of it

“It all boil downs to respect when it comes to long-term successful relationships.”

20/03/2019


By the book

If you do something by the book, you do it methodically, following all the rules

“In the podcast By the book, the two presenters live by the rules of a self-help book for two weeks and then explain their experience to their audience.”

18/03/2019


That’s not like you/her/him

Use this phrase when somebody is behaving out of character, not as they usually do.

“Late again? That’s not like you.

15/03/2019


Keep somebody in the loop

Keep somebody informed so that they are aware of the situation.

“Please, keep me in the loop if there are any changes.

14/03/2019


Vested interests

To have an ulterior motive for acting in a particular way. Try to obtain personal advantage, sometimes financial.

“There should be more control over politicians who promote policies in which they have vested interests.

13/03/2019


A walk in the park

Very easy

“After having spent a year studying English in the UK, the exam in the local language school seemed like a walk in the park for her.


12/03/2019

Put on the spot

If you put somebody on the spot, you ask them a question that is difficult or embarrassing to answer.

“Programmes like Hald Talk on the BBC put their interviewees on the spot.”

11/03/2019


The pay gap

The difference between the average pay of men and women

In 2018 a survey revealed that More than half of Spanish employers reject gender pay gap audits.”

08/03/2019


Not on speaking terms (with)

They refuse to talk to each other

“It is very sad to hear that a person is not on speaking terms with a sibling.”

07/03/2019


There is no accounting for taste

Different people like different things

“As I was cycling back home this morning, I saw a woman proudly wearing the most outrageous coat and I told myself: there is no accounting for taste.”

06/03/2019


The stakes are high

You risk losing a lot if you fail

“The mountaineers attempted a climb to the summit in bad weather conditions, well aware that the stakes were high. “

05/03/2019


A defining moment

It’s a moment that marks a major change and probably will have a big influence thereafter.

“Being diagnosed with dyslexia was a defining moment in his life. At last, he could make sense of his failings to comply with the school system demands and was given the right tools to learn and progress. “

04/03/2019


You’ll get there!

It’s a way to encourage someone to have faith that they will achieve their goal

“Be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Keep training every day and you’ll get there.”

01/03/2019

April

Put on the map

Make a city or company well-known, It can also be used for a person who becomes famous.

 “The novel The Guernsey Literary  and Potato Peel Society and subsequent film have put  the  channel island of Guernsey on the map.”

17/04/2019


On the face of it

Apparently, on the surface

 “On the face of it, bargain-hunting can save you money but in fact, it can be extremely time-consuming.” 

16/04/2019


Not rocket science

Not difficult to understand

 “Just go to the post office and fill in the forms. Postal vote is not rocket science.” 

15/04/2019


Catch somebody off their guard

Surprise someone by doing something when they don’t expect it

 “The question caught her off her guard and she stumbled over her words trying to give an answer.” 

12/04/2019


Not for the faint-hearted 

Not suitable for people who are easily frightened or shocked

 “The abundance of violent scenes in Game of thrones make it a series not qualified for the faint-hearted.” 

11/04/2019


Have a knack for something

Have talent in a certain skill

Quote: “Writers have to have a knack for listening. I need to be able to hear what is being said to me by the voices I create.” Jeanette Winterson

10/04/2019


Prove your point

If you make or prove your point you show that it is true.

“Galileo Galilei, who believed in the Copernican system of heliocentrism, devised a telescope that could enlarge objects up to 20 times to prove his point.”

09/04/2019


To work like a charm

It is very effective.

“The patient followed the doctor’s advice and it worked like a charm.”

08/04/2019


Not all it’s cracked up to be

Not as good as people say

“Princess Diana once said that being a princess is not all it’s cracked up to be.”

05/04/2019


Push your luck

When you have already achieved something but try to achieve more at the risk of losing everything.

“They pushed their luck too far and lost all the money they had won at the Casino.”

04/04/2019


At the expense of

If you do something at the expense of something else, you have to sacrifice the second.

“Rachel manages to juggle several projects at the same time at the expense of her sleep.”

03/04/2019


Take it to heart 

To be affected by what somebody says

“At first, the Youtuber took a lot of the negative comments to heart but eventually he had to learn to live with that.”

02/04/2019


Sleep on it 

To think about something before reaching a decision, often the following day

“You don’t have to give me an answer now. Sleep on it and get back to me tomorrow.”

01/04/2019

May

Back in the day

In those days, in the past. Sometimes refers to a period we look back on with fondness.

“Back in the day, we used to go hiking every weekend.”

31/05/2019


Digital footprint

The trail of data we leave when surfing the net

“We can’t predict what the effects of our digital footprint might be.”

30/05/2019


Entitled to (your opinion)

Having the right or permission to do something, in this case, the right to having your opinion

“Regardless of the fierce opposition you are meeting, you are entitled to your opinion.”

29/05/2019


Back to square one

Start again without any progress made

“The latest discoveries made their work irrelevant and they are back to square one.”

28/05/2019


In its infancy

At an early stage, still developing

“Research on Augmented Reality in nursing still in its infancy, according to the BMC website.”

27/05/2019


Forward-thinking

Favouring development and innovation.

“The company’s philosophy is based on forward-thinking and breaking new ground.”

24/05/2019


Follow suit

To do the same that somebody else has done; copy, imitate.

“In the final scene of the movie Dead Poets Society one student stands on the desk in rebellion and others follow suit.”

23/05/2019


Pave the way for

To do something that will lead to a situation in which something is made possible

“Yesterday’s meetings with politicians will pave the way for changes in the animal welfare laws in the UK.”

22/05/2019


For the sake of

Bearing in mind someone’s benefit

“They stay together for the sake of the children.”

Note: (Also) To achieve a purpose

“Let’s all respect each other for the sake of peace.”

21/05/2019


Nerve-racking

A situation that creates anxiety and makes you feel tense.

“The candidate couldn’t explain his strenghts in a nerve-racking interview thad made him feel uncomfortable and insecure.”

20/05/2019


A glimmer of hope

A small optimistic sign that indicates that something will get better

Also: a ray of hope

“The testimony of the new witness gave the defendant a glimmer of hope.”

17/05/2019


Lower the bar

Reduce the standards of quality.

“Lowering the bar will allow more candidates to have access but no doubt have a negative impact on the overall service.”

16/05/2019


A rule of thumb

A rough or practical principle which is based on experience rather than exact calculations or theory

“As a general rule of thumb, the more a person lives in the present, the happier they are.”

15/05/2019


Take it the wrong way

Misunderstand or misinterpret a message or situation and be offended by it.

“We had to be extremely careful to use the right wording with her so that she wouldn’t take it the wrong way and be upset without any grounds.”

14/05/2019


In the wrong

Responsible for something bad

“The driver admitted to be in the wrong and accepted to compensate the cyclist for the damage.”

13/05/2019


Leave a lasting impression

To create a feeling or effect that continues for a long time.

Also Make a lasting impression

“Mandela’s message left a lasting impression on his fellow citizens and across the world.”

10/05/2019


Rise to the challenge

To manage to succeed when confronted with a difficult situation

Also Rise to the occasion

“The firm suffered a terrible blow when the crisis hit hard, but eventually managed to rise to the challenge and stay afloat.”

09/05/2019


It takes all sorts 

Short for It takes all sorts to make a world, this phrase is said to indicate that there are all kinds of people in the world hinting at the idea that we should tolerate their own differences.

Frequently used in the the abbreviated version:

UK – It takes all sorts

US – It takes all kinds

 “Sunbathing for hours is not my thing, but I guess it takes all sorts.”

08/05/2019


In the back of my mind

If you have something in/at the back of your mind, you intend to do it but you don’t actively think about it or take any action.

 “It’s been in the back of my mind to reply to your wedding invitation for  two weeks but I haven’t got round to doing it until now.”

07/05/2019


By all means

Certainly, indeed

 “Can I give you my answer in a few days? – Yes, by all means.”

06/05/2019


Set in stone

If something is set in stone, it has been decided and it is very difficult to change.

 “We have drawn up a plan for the holiday but nothing is set in stone yet.”

03/05/2019


It’s (all) downhill (from here)

Much easier after a period of dealing with difficult work/things.

 “You’ve finished the research for your thesis and given it a structure. It’s all downhill from here.”

Note: It’s downhill can also mean to “get worse” in another context:

“The first chapters are gripping but  it’s all downhill after that and I lost interest in the book.”

02/05/2019

June

Come a long way

To make a great amount of progress overtime

“The podcast has come a long way since it first started ten years ago.”

28/06/2019

The ball is in someone’s court

It is someone’s responsibility to do something or take a decision now. For example, when you have done your bit and it’s now the other person’s turn to make a move.

“In my latest blogpost, I have put forward several ideas for you to keep your English afloat this summer. The ball is in your court now.”

27/06/2019

No strings attached

To show that an offers carries no special conditions or something unpleasant you have to accept as part of it

“In Salem (Massachusetts), Sidewalk Talk volunteers listen with no strings attached.”

26/06/2019

Have a soft spot for 

To be particularly fond of someone or something

“They have a soft spot for Canada and travel there as often as they can.”

25/06/2019

Get-up-and-go

If you have get-up-and-go, you have a positive attitude, energy and drive to take action.

“This project needs people with lots of get-up-and-go.”

24/06/2019

On another note

Changing the subject

“….I’ll send in the reports tomorrow.

On another note, we are all meeting up for after-work drinks on Friday. You are more than welcome.”

21/06/2019

Have a think

(British) Think about something carefully

“Let me have a think about it and I’ll get back to you.”

20/06/2019

Nothing to write home about

Mediocre, not exciting

“The play was nothing to write home about, a bit of a waste of time and money really.”

19/06/2019

I can’t make head nor tail of something

I don’t understand it at all.

“I can’t make head nor tail of the lyrics of this song but I love the tune.”

18/06/2019

Fair enough

To show you accept it when someone says something reasonable.

A: “I don’t mind doing overtime today as long as I can take an afternoon off next week.”

B: “Fair enough.”

17/06/2019

Up to no good

Doing something bad, illegal or immoral

“The neighbours feared that the group of teens hanging out in the street were up to no good and called the police.”

14/06/2019

Keep to a/the minimum

to limit to the smallest amount possible

“The doctor told her patient to keep his alcohol intake to a minimum.”

13/06/2019

At hand 

Or close at hand. Very near, accessible when needed.

“Always keep tissues close at hand when young kids are around.”

12/06/2019

Lose your nerve

To lose the courage to do something that you were planning to do.

“Just before going into the classroom to meet a group of students, the girl lost her nerve and couldn’t face up to it.”

11/06/2019

Miss the point

Fail to understand what is important in a message

“But you are missing the point, the main idea in her speech is that we can and should do something to stop global warming.”

10/06/2019

(Have) a craving for

To crave or  have a craving for something means to have a strong desire for something.

“My workmate had a craving for chocolate this morning and quickly popped out to the shops to get some.”

07/06/2019

That takes the biscuit

 It is too much. The most annoying thing in a series of things. (US- the cake)

“Late as usual and now you want us to start all over again. That really takes the biscuit!”

06/06/2019

(It) gives me the shivers

It makes me feel frightened

“The way that man looked at the girls gave me the shivers. He shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a school.”

05/06/2019

Ice-breaker

Apart from a ship that breaks ice in frozen waters, an ice-breaker can be something that someone says or does to make it easier to start a conversation among people who meet for the first time.

“As an ice-breaker, the teacher handed out small pieces of paper where the students had to write three activities they were into, and then walk around and share.”

04/06/2019

Few and far between

Not happening very often

“Screenings of films in their original version are few and far between in this city.”

03/06/2019

 

September

 

Get your (own) way

Manage to persuade other people to let you to do what you want:

“With her convincing arguments, she always gets her own way.”

30/09/2019

Save for a rainy day

Put something aside for the future when you may need it more.

“I’d rather not spend it all now and save some for a rainy day.”

27/09/2019

The million-dollar question

A very difficult question to answer

“What will happen next? That’s the million-dollar question.”

26/09/2019

Tie the knot

Get married

“It took everybody by surprise when they decided to tie the knot and move to Australia.”

25/09/2019

Across the board

General. Affecting everyone or everything in a group, situation, etc.

“Environmental policies should be implemented across the board in order to have a significant positive impact globally speaking.”

24/09/2019

A bitter pill (to swallow)

An unpleasant situation that is difficult to accept.

“The realisation that they would never see their father again was a bitter pill to swallow.”

23/09/2019

Let your guard down 

(also drop or lower your guard)

You are not alert when you should

“Don’t let your guard down when travelling around that area. It’s quite rough.”

20/09/2019

Behind someone’s back

Without someone’s knowledge or consent.

“They have been seeing each other for months behind their parents’ back.”

19/09/2019

Miss the point

Not understand what is important about it or overlook it.

“I see what you mean but you are missing my point.”

18/09/2019

Off the record

Not intended to be made public or official.

“After the press conference, the party leader spoke off the record to a group of journalists that had stayed behind.”

17/09/2019

Have a frog in your throat

Have difficulty speaking because you are hoarse.

“You sound like you have a frog in your mouth. Go home and don’t speak for the rest of the day.”

16/09/2019

Drop a hint to somebody

Suggest something in an indirect way

“Dropping hints to him won’t do it. We’ll have to tell him directly.”

13/09/2019

Go down that road

To take a particular course of action

“Let’s not go down that road. It will only add to the problem.”

12/09/2019

Be comfortably off

To have enough money to live without any financial problems.

“They are comfortably off since their grandparents died and left them a large inheritance.”

11/09/2019

On the defensive

Protecting oneself from criticism

“A series of thinly veiled accusations put him on the defensive and made constructive dialogue impossible.”

10/09/2019

The bottom line

(informal) the most important factor, the conclusion.

Note: In Business  the final line in the accounts of a company  stating the total profit or loss that has been made

“The bottom line is: therapy worked, medication didn’t.”

09/09/2019

Aches and pains

Minor pains and discomforts, typically in the muscles.

“She puts everything down to the aches and pains of old age but it might be something more serious.”

06/09/2019

Take its toll

If something takes its toll on someone, it has an adverse effect

“The lack of sleep was starting to take its toll on them.

05/09/2019

You can’t go (far) wrong

… with a particular thing or action. It’s likely to be right.

“If you are into big cities, you can’t go far wrong with this European capitals tour package.

04/09/2019

In short supply

Few, not enough

“Run-free dog parks are in short supply in my city.”

03/09/2019

Your mind blanks out

You forget everything

“That appalling moment when your mind blanks out and you just want the earth to open up and swallow you.”

02/09/2019

 

October

 

Go on a shopping spree

Indulgent and excessive buying

“Now wonder their house is full of clutter, they go on shopping sprees at every opportunity.”

31/10/2019

Far from it

Not at all true.

“Vegetarian food is not bland. Far from it! Try some of the recipes in this book and you will see for yourself.”

30/10/2019

To be close to someone’s heart

If something is close to your heart, it is extremely important to you and you are very concerned by it.

“The fight against climate change is a cause that is very close to her heart and she has inspired millions of people around the world to take a stand.”

29/10/2019

No time like the present

It means, don’t leave something for later; it’s better to do it now.

“Let’s get it done as soon as possible and have a worry-free weekend. No time like the present.”

28/10/2019

To be or get under way

In progress.

“The long-awaited changes to the regulation are already under way.”

25/10/2019

Take somebody up on an offer

Accept the offer that somebody has made.

“I’ll take you up on your offer to spend a week in the South of France with you, guys. If it’s still on, that is.”

24/10/2019

A hard pill to swallow

Something difficult to come to terms with.

“The management refusal to renew their contract after years of dedicated work and outstanding results, was a hard pill to swallow.”

23/10/2019

Deep in thought

Very reflective. Thinking hard.

“The doctor sat there for what seemed like hours, deep in thought, until she came with a solution.”

22/10/2019

Pass the buck

To make someone responsible for a problem that you should be dealing with. Click here to read about the origin of this idiom.

“Passing the buck to your friend is not going to help you learn to solve your own problems.”

21/10/2019

Float somebody’s boat 

If something floats your boat, you are interested in it.

“Tell somebody else to come along, a massive rock concert like that doesn’t really float my boat.”

18/10/2019

Stuck in traffic (or in a traffic jam)

Unable to keep moving at the speed you wish because there are too many cars.

“We left home during rush-hour and inevitably, ended up stuck in traffic.”

17/10/2019

Meet halfway

To find a compromise between two people or groups of people.

“Seeing that we couldn’t convince them to join forces with us, we understood that we had to accept some of their points they were making and meet halfway.”

16/10/2019

A speedy recovery

If an ill person makes a speedy recovery, they get better quickly.

“I hope you will make a speedy recovery. Take care!.”

15/10/2019

A hard act to follow

An achievement which sets a standard regarded as being hard to measure up to.

“After the success of her first novel, she had a hard act to follow when writing her second.”

14/10/2019

Distance yourself from

Become less involved with something or be separated mentally from it

“The journalist distanced himself from the controversial opinions he was reporting.”

11/10/2019

Purchasing power

The amount of good or services that someone can afford to buy.

“Pensioners are fighting to make sure that their future purchasing power doesn’t dwindle.”

10/10/2019

Think on your feet

To think as you speak and make decisions without prior thought, 

“The emergency workers were prepared to think on their feet and that saved lives and further damage.”

09/10/2019

A knee-jerk reaction

A quick automatic response without thinking (similar to the reflex movement of the knee when hit sharply),

“His knee-jerk reactions get him into trouble once and again. He should take more time to ponder important decisions.”

08/10/2019

Rush off 0ne’s feet

Terribly busy

“I’ve been rushed of my feet all day. Not much energy left for cooking an elaborate dinner, I’m afraid.”

07/10/2019

Go over the top

To do something in an extreme, unreasonable way.

“They’ve gone over the top with their wedding.”

04/10/2019

Go off on a tangent

To change from one subject to another. Also, go off-topic.

“The podcaster often goes off on a tangent and that makes his programme very entertaining to listen to.”

03/10/2019

Walls have ears

Be careful what you say in certain places as somebody may be eavesdropping.

“Tell me when we get home, walls have ears.”

02/10/2019

Play fair

Behave according to the rules or the principles of justice

“It is essential that all participants play fair or they will be excluded.”

01/10/2019

 

November

 

Spread thin

To try and do so many things simultenously that none of them is given enough attention.

“You’ve been spreading yourself thin for too long now. Slow down or it will take a toll on your health.”

11/11/2019

Fit like a glove

To be the exact size and fit perfectly.

“Your dress fits like a glove; no need to take it in or buy a new one. That will save me a fortune!”

08/11/2019

Pay a compliment

To say something nice to someone

“It is incredibly rewarding when a student pays you a compliment for your work.”

07/11/2019

Get in the way

Be an obstacle

“She’s got all these bright ideas about the book she would like to write, but then life gets in the way and she can’t find the time for that.”

06/11/2019

World-weary

Disillusioned with life, unenthusiastic.

“The world-weary approach he gives to his writing gets me down.”

05/11/2019

Binge-watch

Watching several episodes of a programme in one sitting.

“You binge-watched a whole season of Game of Thrones last weekend. OMG!.”

04/11/2019