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