101 English Idioms Explained - Volume 4
by
George Sandford
Praski Publishing
101 English Idioms Explained - Volume 4© 2013 George Sandford
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system,
without prior written permission of the Author.
Ebook design and conversion:George Sandford
Introduction
In this book you will find 101 popular and commonly used English idioms. They are clearly indexed in the
table of contents with return links so it is easy for you to navigate and jump from one idiom to another without
going through the whole lot.
The text and explanations are written in such a way to make them accessible to intermediate level students but
will also be interesting and useful for more advanced learners.
Each entry gives a simple definition and explanation with entertaining and relevant examples. It's easy to read
and makes it easy to learn. You don't need to be made of money to buy this book and if you're as keen as
mustard, you'll soon be as happy as Larry!
Contents
A big girl's blouse
A bit of a handful
A fresh pair of eyes
A storm in a teacup
Back against the wall
Back to the grind
Badmouth
Bar fly
Bark is worse than their bite
Can't do something for toffee
Cap in hand
Cat burglar
Couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo
Damp squib
Dance on somebody's grave
Dumber than rocks
Easier said than done
Eat my hat
Economical with the truth
Even Stevens
Fat chance
Feather your own nest
Fed up to the back teeth
Feeling blue
Get my drift
Get on your nerves
Get the ball rolling
Get your goat
Half a mind
Hand in glove
Happy go lucky
Hard up
Have a foot in both camps
I may be daft but I'm not stupid
I've got a bone to pick with you
In a pickle
In cold blood
Jump down somebody's throat
Keep in touch
Keep posted
Keep at arm's length
Keep tabs on somebody
Keep your chin up
Kick off
Laugh up your sleeve
Lay down the law
Lay your cards on the table
Left to your own devices
Lesser of two evils
Mad as a March hare
Make ends meet
Make it snappy
Make my day
Make or break
Make your hair stand on end
Man Friday
Never say die
New broom
No rest for the wicked
Off the wall
Off-hand
On a fishing trip
On hold
Par for the course
Pay on the nail
Pecking order
Penny wise, pound foolish
Pig in a poke
Quick off the mark
Quiet as a mouse
Rack and ruin
Rags to riches
Rake over old coals
Rather you than me
Red letter day
Red rag to a bull
Renaissance man
Saigon moment
Say-so
Scotch mist
Second wind
See eye to eye
Take a back seat
Take a nose dive
Take a rain check
Take it on the chin
Take the chair
Take your hat off to somebody
Ugly duckling
Under fire
Under your breath
Up sticks
Up the wall
Up to your neck
Up with the lark
Walk in the park
Wear many hats
You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs
You're toast
More English language learning books
A big girl's blouse
^Table of contents
This is a rather unkind idiom that might be used when speaking to a boy or man behaving weakly.
'Oh the sea water is really cold!'
'Don't be such a big girl's blouse - just get in.'
A blouse is a top or shirt worn by women.
A bit of a handful
^Table of contents
A handful is the amount of something that can be held in the hand. You could have a handful of money.
However, with this idiom, a handful refers to something that is rather difficult to handle or manage.
'The defender found the fast, skillful opponent a bit of a handful.'
Quite often, it is used in reference to children.
'How is Tommy getting on at school?'
'The teachers are finding him a bit of a handful.'
A fresh pair of eyes
^Table of contents
This is not, as it might sound, about replacing old eyes with new ones - not in the physical sense anyway.
Maybe you have a problem at work that you are trying to resolve but are not making any progress. What you
need is somebody to come and look at it with a fresh pair of eyes. In other words, another person with a new
perspective.
'Sarah, can you help us out a minute? We need a fresh pair of eyes.'
A storm in a teacup
^Table of contents
As you may know, a storm is a violent weather condition.
'Stormy,' can also be used as an adjective for turbulent or in conflict.
The meeting was stormy - or they had a stormy relationship.
But let's get back to the teacup - how does that fit in? Of course, a storm doesn't really go into a teacup so a
storm in a teacup is a big drama that turns out to be nothing much after all.
'I thought Sally and John had fallen out after their row.'
'No, it was just a storm in a teacup.'
Back against the wall
^Table of contents
If you were in a fight and you had your back against the wall, you would be in a difficult position.
Like most idioms, this one is not to be taken literally but metaphorically. It just means that you are in a tricky
situation.
In the current economic climate, many companies have their backs against the wall.
Back to the grind
^Table of contents
Grinding involves crushing by rubbing two surfaces together.
As a noun - grind is a word for hard or boring work.
The worse thing about going on holiday is when you return to work and have to get back to the daily grind.
Badmouth
^Table of contents
Badmouth is actually a verb - to bad mouth somebody.
It's a rather crude and direct way of describing speaking badly about somebody.
'She's always badmouthing her boss.'
Bar fly
^Table of contents
A bar fly is not an insect but a person.
A bar fly is a heavy drinker; possibly an alcoholic who spends a lot of time in bars.
The term is more commonly used to describe a woman.
After her husband left her for a younger woman, she became a bar fly.
Bark is worse than their bite
^Table of contents
A dog's first line of defence is his bark.
Some dogs have a fierce bark and sound quite scary but in fact, they are not aggressive, it's just that their bark
is worse than their bite.
We use this term to describe somebody who may seem a bit intimidating but is in fact, not as bad as they seem.
'Oh, Mr Rogers is OK really; his bark is far worse than his bite.'
Can't do something for toffee
^Table of contents
Toffee is caramelized sugar cooled in thin sheets. It's very sweet and sticky and a popular confectionery.
Perhaps getting some could be an incentive to do something but if you couldn't do it for toffee, you would be
totally hopeless.
'Bruce can't dance for toffee.'
Luckily for him, he has other talents!
Cap in hand
^Table of contents
A cap is a close fitting hat, usually with peak.
As a sign of politeness and possibly humble inferiority, people would take off their cap to a lord or high
socially ranked person and hold it in their hand.
To go cap in hand is to go into a situation in a meek and submissive manner, often with some embarrassment or
humiliation.
After his business venture flopped he was obliged to go cap in hand to his old employer and ask for his job
back.
Cat burglar
^Table of contents
That's terrible - does he go around stealing cats?
Not at all, this is a house thief. Like a cat, he's usually out at night and good at climbing so he can get up the
drainpipe and climb into the house through a top window.
Then, if he wanted to, he could steal your cat but he'd probably be more interested in your jewellery.
Couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo
^Table of contents
Here is a colourful idiom from football.
Arse is a slightly rude word for bottom. Americans use the term ass.
Either way, a cow's arse is quite big and to hit one with a banjo should not be too difficult - not that we
would, of course!
So if a striker couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo he is usually bad at shooting and misses even easy
opportunities.
Damp squib
^Table of contents
A damp squib is something that does not meet expectations and is disappointing.
The party turned out to be a bit of a damp squib.
But why?
A squib is a firework that has gunpowder in a card tube and makes a fizzing noise. If it get wets, (damp) then it
doesn't go off properly and is a disappointment - literally, a damp squib!
Dance on somebody's grave
^Table of contents
It doesn't sound very friendly and it isn't but people don't usually do it literally.
To dance on somebody's grave is to take delight in somebody's death or bad fortune.
'When British ex-Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher died, whilst some people mourned, others danced on her
grave.'
Another example could be:
'He was a lying cheat who deserved to be sent to prison; I'm dancing on his grave.'
Dumber than rocks
^Table of contents
Dumb has two meanings; the first is now politically incorrect for being mute and the second is to be stupid.
Now whichever way you look at it, rocks are dumb so to be dumber than rocks, you must be very stupid.
People might use the term when they feel people are behaving stupidly or being stubborn.
'Hell man! Those guys are dumber than rocks.'
Funny, that's what they say about you!.'
Easier said than done
^Table of contents
This idiom is quite literal and straightforward. It is used after somebody has suggested something which,
although it might be a good idea, is not so easy to make happen.
'All we need to do is think of a new product that people need but don't have.'
'Sure, but that's easier said than done.'
Eat my hat
^Table of contents
These days, not everybody has a hat but if they did, offering to eat it would seem a strange idea.
People use it to express strong disbelief in a likely outcome.
'If John really goes to live in China, I'll eat my hat.'
Let's hope for your stomach's sake that he doesn't!
Economical with the truth
^Table of contents
To be economical is to use resources well and carefully; it's often a good thing.
This car is very economical to run.
However, truth is not something to be economical with; the phrase is often used as an indirect way of saying
somebody was not completely straight in what they said.
'I wouldn't say that the Minister was lying but he was certainly economical with the truth.'
Even Stevens
^Table of contents
'We both forgot each other's birthday; I guess that makes us Even Stevens now.'
'With two wins each, the teams are Even Stevens.'
So in simple terms, it means equal or nothing owing.
There are a number of theories about the origin of Steven in the phrase but probably the simplest explanation
is that it rhymes - like easy peasy.
Fat chance
^Table of contents
What kind of chance is a fat one?
You might think that it's a good chance but in fact, it describes something that is very unlikely.
'You might write a bestseller one day.'
'Fat chance of that happening.'
'But you never know; somebody has to.'
Feather your own nest
^Table of contents
'He says that he's doing it for charity but really, he's just feathering his own nest.'
As you may know, a nest is the home that a bird makes in a tree, with bits of twigs and maybe feathers.
To feather your own nest is to do something for your own benefit, often in a self-interested way.
Fed up to the back teeth
^Table of contents
'I'm fed up to the back teeth with his moaning!'
Fed up is a phrasal verb describing a strong annoyance or frustration about something that has been happening
for a period of time.
If you are fed up to the back teeth, you are really fed up.
Feeling blue
^Table of contents
Are you feeling blue?
We have lots of idioms which use colour to describe emotions so what mood does blue describe?
Of course, it's sadness; maybe even depression.
I guess that's why they call it the blues.
You can have the blues, feel blue or have a blue mood.
Let's hope that tomorrow you'll be feeling a bit brighter.
Get my drift
^Table of contents
'So that's what I'm saying, if you get my drift.'
'No, I'm sorry, I don't get your drift.'
Drift is a word with a number of meanings:
Mostly commonly used as a verb, it means to be moved by water currents - 'the boat drifted onto the shore.'
Somebody who lives aimlessly without a clear sense of purpose or direction can be described as a drifter.
However, as a noun, here it works as a synonym for meaning or general direction of an argument given.
'Now do you get my drift?'
Get on your nerves
^Table of contents
My neighbour is always drilling at weekends - that gets on my nerves.
People who are negative and suspicious get on my nerves.
DJs talking when a record is playing get on my nerves.
In fact, quite a lot of things get on my nerves!
What gets on your nerves?
Get the ball rolling
^Table of contents
'OK, let's get the ball rolling.'
'But we don't have a ball.'
'Not literally, I just mean let's get started and get things moving. We've been talking for long enough now, let's
get the ball rolling.'
Get your goat
^Table of contents
'When celebrities go on holiday and the paparazzi are trying to take secret photos of them, it really gets my
goat!'
'Really? I didn't know you had a goat.'
'It's not that kind of goat - I just mean that it makes me really angry.'
Half a mind
^Table of contents
'I've half a mind to tell him what I really think.'
But how much is half a mind?
In this case, it's probably a bit more than half because it is a strong inclination to do something - often in
response to something that is seen as unsatisfactory or unfair.
Hand in glove
^Table of contents
'They worked hand in glove together.'
A hand usually fits nicely into a glove, so as you might guess, hand in glove describes a close cooperation.
It can be used to describe a positive or negative situation.
'The Mayor and the local builder were hand in glove regarding corrupt building projects.'
Happy go lucky
^Table of contents
Are you happy, are you lucky or happy go lucky?
A happy go lucky person doesn't worry about life, money or consequences. They take life as it comes,
spending money and not caring if they lose what they have.
A happy go lucky person's attitude to money would be 'easy come, easy go.'
Hard up
^Table of contents
'Could you lend me ten pounds? I'm a bit hard up at the moment.'
Perhaps it's the result of being happy go lucky but somebody who is hard up has insufficient money to buy
necessities.
'When I was young, our family was always hard up.'
Have a foot in both camps
^Table of contents
Here, a camp is like an army camp and represents a side.
Therefore, if you have a foot in both camps, you have some support for both sides.
We could say that the Human Resources Department has a foot in both camps, taking care of employee welfare
but also looking after the interests of the business and senior management.
Which two camps do you have a foot in?
I may be daft but I'm not stupid
^Table of contents
This sounds strange because the word daft is a synonym of stupid, so how can you be one and not the other?
It's a way of saying that I am not perfect and may occasionally do some unwise things but I'm not so stupid as
to do the thing that you are suggesting.'
'Did you tell the boss that he's incompetent?.'
'I may be daft but I'm not stupid!'
I've got a bone to pick with you
^Table of contents
'Ah, I'm glad I've seen you; I've got a bone to pick with you.'
'A chicken bone?'
It's more likely to be a bone of contention - in other words, something that is a source of disagreement or
displeasure.
People would use the phrase when they want to discuss a matter with somebody about something displeasing
that they have done.
In a pickle
^Table of contents
Pickle is nice with cheese. It is chopped vegetables such as cucumber and carrot, preserved in vinegar.
But how do you get yourself into a pickle? That's something quite different.
It means in a mess or difficult situation.
'He got into a real pickle trying to do his own accounts.'
Have you ever got into a pickle?
In cold blood
^Table of contents
'He shot him in cold blood.'
He could also kill him cold bloodedly - it means in a cold, unemotional way; just like in the gangster movies.
Jump down somebody's throat
^Table of contents
'OK, OK, I was only asking; there's no need to jump down my throat!'
It doesn't sound physically possible but it can certainly be done metaphorically.
It means to react in a very critical and possibly aggressive way - often out of proportion to the issue or what
was said.
'When I asked if he'd finished the project, he jumped down my throat.'
Keep in touch
^Table of contents
To touch is to make physical contact, usually with hands. However, in touch means in communication with
somebody.
Therefore, to keep in touch means to stay in contact, often when working, studying or moving away.
'We made some friend on holiday and although we haven't seen them since, we still keep in touch.'
Do you remember to keep in touch?
Keep posted
^Table of contents
'Will you keep me posted?'
'Well, I would if I knew what it meant.'
To keep somebody posted is to keep them updated and informed.
'We're still in negotiation with the client but I'll keep you posted on any developments.'
'Thanks, I like to be kept posted.'
Keep at arm's length
^Table of contents
'If I were you, I wouldn't get invloved with Dave; he's trouble.'
'Yes, maybe it's best to keep him at arm's length.'
Literally, arm's length is the distance between your shoulder and your hand when your arm is fully stretched
out.
In this situation, it means to keep somebody at a safe distance.
Keep tabs on somebody
^Table of contents
'He doesn't trust his staff and he keeps tabs on them.'
A tab can be a marker or a note.
To keep tabs on somebody means to keep a watchful eye on somebody and notice what they are doing. It often
arises out of a situation of mistrust.
'The private investigator was asked by a client to keep tabs on her husband.'
Keep your chin up
^Table of contents
'I know you've just lost your job but try to keep your chin up.'
Usually, when you feel depressed or worried, your head goes down, so to keep your chin up is to push your
head up and try to be brave and optimistic.
'Sometimes it feels like you will never learn English but keep your chin up and you'll get there in the end.'
Kick off
^Table of contents
Here's an idiom that comes from football - or soccer, as the Americans call it.
A football match starts with a kick off - Manchester Utd versus Chelsea is a three o'clock kick off.
But we can use kick off to describe the start of other things too.
A meeting could kick off and in the meeting, somebody could kick off by saying something.
Laugh up your sleeve
^Table of contents
A sleeve is the part of a garment that goes from the armhole to your wrist.
Obviously, if you literally laughed up your sleeve, it would look a bit strange but being an idiom, this has a
metaphoric meaning.
It means to laugh secretly.
'When that wise guy Tony came up with the wrong answer, I was laughing up my sleeve.'
Lay down the law
^Table of contents
'The children had been getting naughtier and naughtier so the teacher decided to lay down the law.'
To lay down the law is to establish some strict rules and impose them in an authoritarian way.
Does your teacher lay down the law?
Lay your cards on the table
^Table of contents
'OK, I think it's time that we lay our cards on the table.'
'But I don't have any cards'
This metaphoric idiom originates from playing cards where you have to show your hand, (the cards that you
have).
So to lay your cards on the table means to speak openly and honestly about something.
Left to your own devices
^Table of contents
These days, we probably think about devices as being things like i-Pads, MP3 players and SmartPhones but
here, devices means your own inclinations and desires.
Like scissors and trousers, it always comes in the plural form and you can't be left to your own device.
'Left to his own devices, he'd probably spend all his money on computer games.'
Lesser of two evils
^Table of contents
Lesser is a comparative word like smaller, louder, bigger or greater.
The lesser of two evils describes, which of two unpleasant options is preferable.'
'Which is the lesser of two evils; toothache or going to the dentist?
'It depends how bad the toothache is and how expensive the dentist is!'
Mad as a March hare
^Table of contents
A hare is like a rabbit only bigger.
Have you ever read Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll or seen the film? In it you will find the Mad
Hatter's Tea Party which is also attended by a March Hare - who is mad.
But why are hares considered mad and what has March got to do with it?
It relates to the month of March in which hares can be seen in fields running around and jumping in a crazy
way - that's where people got the idea that they were mad.
'Our science professor is totally eccentric; in fact, he's as mad as a March hare.'
'Science lessons will be fun then!'
Make ends meet
^Table of contents
'The young married couple were struggling to make ends meet.'
'I don't get it; which ends?'.
Here, ends refers to finances and if they don't meet, income is less than expenditure.
Do you struggle to make ends meet?
Make it snappy
^Table of contents
The crocodile said to the waiter, 'get me a toothpick and make it snappy!'
Snappy is an adjective with a number of meanings but the one here is fast.
To make something snappy is to do it quickly.
Better make it snappy with that toothpick -we don't want to annoy the crocodile!
Make my day
^Table of contents
This is one of the immortal lines from the movies said by Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry.
'Go on punk; make my day.'
But make my day what?
Perfect.
In this context, it is not a very nice sentiment because it is saying that it will make my day perfect if you do
something that will have a bad outcome for you.
Make or break
^Table of contents
It's make or break time or it could be a make or break situation.
If we were a football team, it could be a make or break match.
Passing or not passing an exam could be make or break.
So either the outcome will make us (successful) or break us - lead to failure.
Notice that make and break have different spellings - 'ake' and 'eak' but that rhyme with each other and - with
cake and ache!
Make your hair stand on end
^Table of contents
'He could tell you stories that would make your hair stand on end.'
When a cat is very scared all its fur sticks up. When you are frightened or shocked by something, you might
feel like your hair does the same, although I don't think that it does.
'Some of the things that happened in the haunted house would make your hair stand on end!'
Best not to go there then.
Man Friday
^Table of contents
Here is an idiom with a very old literary origin. It comes from the book Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe.
Robinson Crusoe is shipwrecked on a desert island. For many months he lives there alone, manages to build a
shelter, hunt for food and to survive. Then one day, he sees footprints in the sand of the beach. Eventually, he
meets the owner of the footprints who is a native.
It might be considered racist now but as it was in the era of slavery it seemed logical to Robinson Crusoe to
put the man to work doing various jobs for him. Because he discovered the man on a Friday, he decided to
name him Man Friday.
In a working situation a man, boy or girl Friday is a young person employed to do small tasks such as
delivering and collecting post, photocopying and any odd jobs that need doing.
The Americans use a different term 'goffer,' because the person has to 'go for' things. You might remember the
character Goffer, from The Muppet Show.
Never say die
^Table of contents
'Even although he was two sets down in the tennis match, he kept his never say die attitude.'
So in simple terms, to never say die means to never give up.
That's good advice!
New broom
^Table of contents
'There are sure to be some changes in the organisation now that we have a new broom at the top.'
'You mean some cleaning and tidying?'
'No, silly! Organisational and personnel changes. You know what they say - a new broom sweeps clean.'
The new broom is a metaphor for a new leader who is bound to make (sweeping) changes.
No rest for the wicked
^Table of contents
'There's no rest for the wicked, I'd better get back to work.'
The idea of this idiom is that as moral justice, wicked people are never allowed to rest.
People do not generally think of themselves as wicked when they say this but use it ironically to imply that
they must be wicked because they don't have the chance to rest.
Off the wall
^Table of contents
It's not easy to guess the meaning of this idiom so I will tell you - it means unorthodox.
'His ideas are rather off the wall.'
We could also describe a person as off the wall.
'He's a really off the wall kind of guy.'
But quite why off the wall should mean unorthodox, I can't say - it's pretty off the wall!
Off-hand
^Table of contents
This is an adjective with two meanings:
The first means without preparation or detailed knowledge.
'How much will it cost?' 'I couldn't say off hand.'
The second meaning is to have a careless or thoughtless manner, particularly when speaking or answering
questions.
She often made off-hand remarks that were hurtful.
So now you know what off-hand means, but remember not to make off-hand remarks!
On a fishing trip
^Table of contents
'I see Roy was in the office asking how things were going in the department. Be careful what you say, he's on a
fishing trip.'
'In the office? But there are no fish here.'
'I know; it's not fish that he's after but information. A fishing trip is when somebody is fishing for information
and tries to find it out by asking apparently innocent questions.'
'I see. So wnen he asked how things were in the department, he was just fishing.'
'Exactly!'
On hold
^Table of contents
The concept of being on hold comes from the telephone.
'Please may I speak to Mrs Lucas?'
'I'll just put you on hold while I find her.'
So in this situation, you are waiting but we can also say that a project is on hold.
In such a situation, it means that it has been delayed or postponed.
'Training has been put on hold until the new budget is agreed.'
Par for the course
^Table of contents
If you play golf, this might mean something to you.
Par is the standard number of shots required to complete a hole or course. A par 74 course would require 74
shots to get the ball into all 18 holes.
That's the golf lesson over but what about the idiom?
It's used to describe something that is typical or predictable and is often said with a degree of irony.
'John arrived at the meeting late again.'
'That's par for the course.'
Pay on the nail
^Table of contents
'There are no credit terms, you have to pay on the nail.'
'On the nail?'
'Yes, immediately.'
Pecking order
^Table of contents
Pecking is what birds do when they eat but what about pecking order?
'John's been in the company for ten years and has moved up the pecking order.'
So the pecking order is the ranking in a hierarchy, often in an organisation.
Where are you in the pecking order?
Penny wise, pound foolish
^Table of contents
As pennies are smaller than pounds, it seems a strange idea that you could be wise about pennies but foolish
about pounds but it is possible.
The idiom describes somebody who is maybe focussed on making small savings that are not wise in the long
run.
An example could be buying something because it is cheaper but because it is poor quality, it wears out
quickly and has to be replaced, costing more in the long run.
Are you penny wise and pound foolish?
No, this book is inexpensive but also a good long-term investment!
Pig in a poke
^Table of contents
You have very little chance of guessing this one but I can tell you if you have bought a pig in a poke, it is a bad
choice.
A pig in a poke often refers to property that is small and in poor condition and has been bought without
sufficient checking.
'What do you think to my apartment?'
'I'm sorry but I think you've bought a pig in a poke'
Quick off the mark
^Table of contents
Quick off the mark comes from athletics. At the start of a race, runners have to wait behind the start line and
the starter instructs them to prepare to run by saying, 'on your marks, ready, steady go,' or more professionally,
with the firing of a starting pistol.
If somebody is quick off the mark, they start quickly.
'Sharon was quick off the mark in learning the new system.'
Are you quick off the mark in learning idioms?
Quiet as a mouse
^Table of contents
'I hardly knew that you were in the room, you're as quiet as a mouse.'
So according to the idiom that's very quiet but if you've ever lived in a house with mice, you'll know they can
be quite noisy!
Don't confuse the quiet mouse idiom with the church mouse idiom for church mice are poor.
'Charles Dickens' family were as poor as church mice.'
Rack and ruin
^Table of contents
'When the son took over the business, he let it go to rack and ruin.'
As it might suggest, that's not very good for it means totally ruined and destroyed.
Usually, it is buildings, businesses or people that go to rack and ruin.
Rags to riches
^Table of contents
The movies often have rags to riches stories. They describe somebody who started off very poor and became
very rich and successful.
We use the verb go with this idiom - e.g. 'He went from rags to riches.'
Rake over old coals
^Table of contents
In these environmentally aware times, there are fewer coal fires than there used to be so you might not know
how they work.
In a coal fire, as the coals burnt down, it was necessary to rake the fire to remove the dead material and
increase the airflow.
Old coals in this idiom represent old issues and problems so somebody who rakes over old coals keeps
bringing up things that are best forgotten.
Rather you than me
^Table of contents
'I've got to attend an employment law update seminar all weekend.'
'Rather you than me.'
'Then I've got to give a presentation about it to the rest of the staff on Monday.'
'Rather you than me.'
'Then I've got to drive into the centre of London to visit a client'
'Rather you than me.'
'After that, I'm flying out to Portugal for a two week holiday.'
'Rather you than me - no, hang on, I wouldn't mind doing that!'
So, in case you haven't guessed, 'rather you than me,' is a phrase used to express relief that somebody else
instead of you is doing something that you would find unpleasant.
Trying to memorise English idioms? Rather you than me!
Red letter day
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'Today is a red letter day.'
'Oh dear, have you got a red letter from the bank asking you to pay the money you owe them?'
'Not at all - on this day, I won an award, got married and our son was born - so it's a noteable day and cause
of happiness.'
But why red? It comes from the tradition of marking holy days on church calendars in red.
Red rag to a bull
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'Don't bring up the subject of public health insurance with him; it's like a red rag to a bull.'
Bull fighters use a red cloth to provoke and antagonise the bull.
If something is a red rag to a bull, it is something that is certain to make somebody angry.
Renaissance man
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'What's your new boyfriend like?'
'Pretty amazing - he's a great cook, plays the piano, is artistic, knowledgeable about history and politics but he
also built some new bookshelves for me and fixed my old washing machine.'
'Lucky you; he sounds like a real renaissance man.'
The renaissance was period of cultural, scholastic and artistic learning in the 14th to 17th centuries.
Renaissance men of that period were learned in many subjects.
In a modern context, it is used to describe a man that is intelectual, practical, artistic, knowledgeable and
capable in many areas.
Saigon moment
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This idiom has its origins in the Vietnam War.
As the Americans pulled out, the departure from the South Vietnamese capital Saigon, was particularly
chaotic.
People use the term to describe a situation that has gone disastrously wrong.
Sometimes, when things are going badly in a office environment, they might say something like, 'I can't come
to the English lesson, right now, it's Saigon here.'
But then I've heard a lot of excuses over the years!
Say-so
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'Just don't do anything without my say-so.'
'You're what so?'
'My say-so or in other words, my permission.'
Sometimes in order to do things, you need somebody's say-so.
Scotch mist
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Scotch, apart from being an alternative noun for whisky, is an adjective meaning Scottish.
Mist is a thin layer of fog often found on the ground and at the bottom of valleys.
'Interesting but actually, I'm looking for a book on idioms.'
'Well what do you think this is; Scotch mist?'
It's a bit strange, but the phrase is used sarcastically in this way - to say is it not obvious or clear?
The inference being that if it is not, then this must be as invisible as Scotch mist.
Second wind
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Wind, apart from being moving air, is another word for the air in your lungs and your breath. If you were
playing a sport and a ball hit you hard in the stomach, you could be winded.
You might be running a long race or performing a difficult task; half way through, you start to tire and feel like
giving up but then you get your second wind.
That is, your second charge of energy that pushes you on.
So don't give up on your English, keep going and you'll get your second wind!
See eye to eye
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Do you see eye to eye with your parents? Probably not on everything.
To see eye to eye is to agree.
Similarly, we can describe disagreeing by saying that we don't see eye to eye.
Take a back seat
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Imagine you are getting into a car. If you take a back seat, what will be your role?
It could be looking after children but it certainly won't involve driving.
But this is about how active and directive you are in an activity.
'I'm going to take a back seat on this and leave the negotiations to you.'
Take a nose dive
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A nose-dive is a steep nose-down descent by an aircraft. It's sometimes done as a stunt but can also occur if
the plane is damaged.
In more general terms, a nose-dive is a sudden and rapid decline.
Share prices could take a nose-dive and so could sales; maybe even your exam results.
Let's hope they don't.
Take a rain check
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Literally, a rain check was a ticket stub which entitled somebody who had bought a ticket for an event
cancelled due to rain to attend freely in the future.
These days, the term is used to say, I won't accept right now but I'll think about it.
'Do you want to come in as a partner in this investment?'
'I'll have to take a rain check on that.'
Take it on the chin
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Here's one of the many idioms that come from boxing.
If you get punched on the chin, it's sure to hurt and knock you back but you have to be brave and fight on.
And that's how it is in life, sometimes there are set backs and tough times but you just have to take it on the
chin.
Take the chair
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'Peter, would you mind taking the chair?'
'Certainly, where would you like me to take it to?'
'That's not what I meant. I mean will you chair the meeting?'
'Really?'
That's right - it derives from the term to chair a meeting, which is to lead it.
In the old days, people who did this were called Chairman because they were always men. Then we had
Chairwoman and to make it genderless, Chairperson.
The final stage of this evolution is simply to call the person who chairs a meeting the Chair.
In formal meetings where participants must seek permission from the Chair(person) before speaking, those
who speak without doing so might be told to 'speak through the chair.'
That's quite strange, isn't it!
Take your hat off to somebody
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'I have to take my hat off to the new manager; I didn't think anybody could save the club from relegation.'
When everybody wore hats, taking your hat off was a sign of respect.
To take your hat off to somebody is to acknowledge their achievements and to show respect and appreciation.
Ugly duckling
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This comes from the children's story about an ugly duckling that grows up to be a beautiful swan.
It's not very kind but it is used to describe somebody who is thought of as unremarkable and unattractive but
grows up to be beautiful and successful.
'Although she was considered an ugly duckling at school, she surprised them all by becoming a model for
Visace.'
Under fire
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In a war, if you are under fire, you are being attacked by bullets and missiles of the enemy.
In a more peaceful context, you can still be under fire but from criticism.
'With record levels of unemployment, the government are under fire from opposition parties.'
Under your breath
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'He muttered something under his breath but I couldn't hear what he said.'
'That's because he said it under his breath'
In other words, very quietly and difficult to hear - often because it is a critical comment.
Up sticks
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'I thought he liked it here but one day he just upped sticks and went to work in Germany.'
To up sticks is to move (home and/or job) often suddenly.
Have you ever upped sticks?
Up the wall
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'When dad finds out I've crashed his car, he's going to go up the wall.'
'Like you did in the car?'
'Ha-ha, very funny. I mean he's going to go crazy - he loves that car.'
'You're right. He's going to go up the wall.'
Up to your neck
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Danny wanted to pull out of the stolen property racket but Jimmy said, 'you can't; you're up to your neck in it we all are.'
'But,' said Danny, 'I only got into it because I was up to my neck in debt; now I'm clear, I want to get out.'
'No way,' said Jimmy, 'like I said, you're right in it up to your neck so don;t try to walk out on me now - you're
too involved.'
Hm, it looks like it is not a good thing to be up to your neck in something - unless it's revision!
Up with the lark
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A lark is a song bird famous for singing early in the morning.
If you are up with the lark, then you are up early, often in a cheerful and optimistic mood.
Were you up with the lark this morning or are you more of a night owl?
Walk in the park
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'How was the exam?'
'A walk in the park.'
'Was it a botany exam?'
'No, silly - I mean it was really easy.'
If it had been difficult, we would have said it was no walk in the park.
Wear many hats
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'In my job, I have to wear a lot of hats.'
'Why? Is it cold where you work?'
'No, by hats I mean take on different roles. I'm the general manager so I keep an eye on production, finance and
sales.'
'Now wearing my finance hat, I have to be careful about money but with my sales hat on, I think we could be
more adventurous.'
'I see. Looks like it is difficult to wear a number of hats that don't fit together.'
'That's right - how many hats do you wear?'
You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs
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'When they redeveloped the city centre some of the old buildings were demolished.'
'Well, you know what they say, you can't make an omlette without breaking eggs.'
'I know that but what does it have to do with the city centre?'
'I mean that sometimes, there has to be some destruction in order to create something new.'
You're toast
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'Oh no! You've a left coffee cup burn mark on mum's favourite table - you're toast!'
'I'm toast?'
'That's right - in big trouble.'
Have you ever been toast?
Want more idioms? Follow the idiom blog here!
Idiom blog
More English language learning books
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Here's a selection of other English language books by the same author that you might find helpful and
interesting. Ideal for self-study and teacher material.
101 English Idioms Explained - Volume 1
Just like this book with 101 different idioms to learn!
To buy this book now go to:
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101 English Idioms Explained - Volume 2
Even more idioms to learn!
To buy this book now go to:
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Spain
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101 English Idioms Explained - Volume 3
Even more idioms to learn!
To buy this book now go to:
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Crazy English - Pre-intermediate - Intermediate
25 stories of approximately 300 words long with questions and answers all about crazy English habits, people
and places.
To buy this book now go to:
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UK
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Crazy English - Intermediate - Upper-Intermediate
The same set of stories graded for intermediate - upper-intermediate level.
To buy this book now go to:
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Also available at Advanced to Proficiency level.
Crazy English - Advanced to Proficiency
To buy this book now go to:
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Crazy English Artists - Upper-Intermediate - Advanced
Learn English while learning about famous and eccentric English artists.
To buy this book now go to:
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English with Sherlock - Scandal in Bohemia
For Advanced to Proficiency level. A fun way to improve your vocabulary using a Sherlock Holmes text. Test
question for each section
To buy this book now go to:
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Business English Phrasebook
120 pages in twelve units, each containing:
Subject introduction
Tips and techniques
Sample dialogue
Language analysis
Keywords and phrases
Suitable for self-study or teaching purposes.
Description
At last, the practical language tools you have been looking for. Rather than focussing, as many Business
English books do, on broad topics, this book really gets down to business by demonstrating keywords and
phrases in a real work context.
The phrase builder section in each unit identifies the most important phrases that will come in useful time and
time again so you’ll never be lost for words again. Furthermore, each unit provides a practical, ‘how to’
section which not only improves your language but your management skills also. No manager or employee
should risk going without their Business English Phrasebook!
Subjects covered
Managing time
Managing work life balance
Communicating effectively
Participating in performance reviews
Giving feedback
Coaching
Managing meetings
Making conference calls
Team briefing and working
Managing customers
Personal branding
Giving presentations
To buy this book now go to:
USA
UK
Germany
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Spain
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English for Interviews
A Guide to being interviewed in English for English language learners including vocabulary, useful phrases,
typical questions and answers, idioms, phrasal verbs and tests.
To buy this book now go to:
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UK
Germany
France
Spain
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English for Time Management
A Guide to Time Management for English language learners including vocabulary, idioms, phrasal verbs and
tests.
To buy this book now go to:
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UK
Germany
France
Spain
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English for Work Communication
A Guide to Communicating in the workplace for English language learners including vocabulary, idioms,
phrasal verbs and tests.
To buy this book now go to:
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Amazingly easy phrasal verbs!
Amazingly Easy Phrasal Verbs makes learning phrasal verbs incredibly easy and enjoyable. The unique
learning method means you’ll learn them really fast and remember them for ever! It’s like nothing you’ve ever
seen or used before and you’ll be amazed with the results!
Amazingly Easy Phrasal Verbs does it differently by:
focussing on the most important, modern and used phrasal verbs
placing phrasal verbs within a single, ongoing story - one of the oldest and best learning techniques
known to man! (and woman)
introduces one new phrasal verb per paragraph
repeats this showing its different uses and collocations
introduces just 5 -7 phrasal verbs per chapter (the optimum number of pieces of new information that can
be learnt at once)
provides chapter by chapter tests to reinforce and check understanding
What's more:
Phrasal verbs in this book are always shown in their complete form - e.g. run up, put down.
Never, ever mixed with other similar looking or sounding phrasal verbs that have totally different
meanings and uses - what’s the sense in doing that?
Using the radical yet highly practical learning method provided in this book, you’ll learn like a native,
remembering naturally and always use them correctly.
To buy this book now go to:
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Cambridge English for Human Resources
Ideal for HR Managers and all managers of people
Details of contents
Student’s book, plus 2 Audio CD’s
120 pages in ten units, each containing:
Key concepts and issues
Templates and examples
Key phrases and vocabulary
Relevant language analysis
Authentic dialogues
Questions, answers, audio and script
Description
This is the most modern English for Human Resources text on the market and presents a real breakthrough in
Business English books. Not only does it cover all the essentials such as recruitment and performance review
but also cutting edge topics including talent management, outsourcing and HR branding. Each of the ten units
includes discussions, individual and group work, vocabulary and language exercises and workplace
simulations. Each unit is situated in a realistic company context and supported by 2,000 words of extremely
authentic dialogues for listening activities. This book is modern, informed, practical, extremely interesting and
enjoyable to read.
To buy this book now go to:
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UK
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