Idioms and Expressions.rtf

8/15/2019 Idioms and Expressions.rtf

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• 1• Idioms and Expressions• by•

David Holmes• A method for learning and remembering idioand expressions• I wrote this model as a teaching device durithe time I was working in Bangkok !hailand• as a legal editor and language consultant wone of the Big "our #egal and !ax• companies $%&' (during my afternoon )ob*after teaching at the university+• ,hen I had no legal documents to edit and nindividual advising to do (which was -uite• fre-uently* I would sit at my desk (like somold character out of a .harles Dickens/• novel* and prepare language materials to beused for helping professionals who had• learned English as a second language0for eup to fteen years in school0but who• were still unable to follow a movie in Englishunderstand the ,orld 2ews on !3 or• converse in a collo-uial style because they/never had a chance to hear and learn common• everyday expressions such as 4It/s a done

deal56 or 4Drop whatever you/re doing+6• Because misunderstandings of such idioms aexpressions fre-uently caused miscommunicati• between our management teams and foreigclients I was asked to try to assist+



• I am happy to be able to share the materialsthat follow such as they are in the hope• that they may be of some use and benet to

others+• !he simple teaching device I used was threefold8• 1+ &ake a note of an idiom9expression• :+ Dene and explain it in understandablewords (including synonyms+*• ;+ 'ive at least three sample sentences toillustrate how the expression is used in context• "or instance• Idiom8 4It/s a done deal+6• Denition8 4,e agree+ Everything has beendecided+ ,e/re ready to sign the contract+6• Examples8• 1+ 4!he bank has conrmed the loanagreement so It/s a done deal+6• :+ 4!he court has approved the restructurinplan so it/s a done deal+6• ;+ 4!he <enior %artner has signed mypromotion papers so it/s a done deal+6• If a student came to me with an idiom hewanted explained like 4a rotten egg 6 or 4a litt• stinker6 we would follow the above formula

and we would work it through together• discussing and explaining the words andsituations as we went along to the point where• we could nally get the student using theexpression in sample sentences referring to life



• situations of his own+• If a student was anxious to learn idiomaticexpressions on a broader range in general I•

would often encourage him )ust to open thebook at any page and put his nger on the• rst expression which caught to his eye andwe would talk about that often getting into a• lively conversation on the topic sharingrelated incidents anecdotes and stories and di• cussing the main issue or moral point of theday/s lesson0)ust letting itself roll out like• a ball of wool down a gentle incline+• A word to the wise however is that studentshould learn only one idiom9expression at a• time because (as research indicates* if theylearn seven in a row in fteen minutes they• won/t remember anything at all later on+ It ibetter to do one thing well and hammer it• home until the learner has it clearly in his heand will be able to use it when he needs it+• It is best for the student to use this booktogether with a native7speaking teacher becaus• working together is ten times easier thanworking alone+ <ome advanced students howev• may nd that they can work with the text to

their benet on their own+• !he list of idioms and expressions below is bno means complete and indeed as the• reader will see if he works far enough into ttext many idioms are merely noted and



• only partially dened and explained= as ourwebsite is still under construction+ !his need• be no problem however because the metho

we are practicing is a process intended as a• device for learning rather than a long list ofidioms and denitions and examples to be• memori>ed in the old7fashioned way+• !his techni-ue is a working tool rather than nished product+ Indeed in discussing• words which describe human situations thebest examples will be those that arise out of • student7teacher interaction picking up on adeveloping the ideas that interest them+ As• with many things once you are practicing thtechni-ue you no longer need the book+• Incidentally the opinions and attitudes herecited represent no unied point of view• but are rather -uoted -uite at random the

way di?erent kinds of people talk in the world• di?erent ways0sometimes sensibly andsometimes arbitrarily0sometimes ignorantly• and sometimes wisely+ <o please feel free toagree or disagree with anything anyone says• or does in any situation depicted in this boo%lease don/t blame the present writer for•

the way people talk or the things they say+#anguage is )ust a crude cultural convention+• ,ho is to blame me for the ignorant andabusive things common people customarily say@• 2ote also that every boxed7idiom can be use



and expanded into a lesson in itself containing• a main idea with related vocabulary andissues to dene explain and discuss+•

!he slower you go and the more you converstogether on any single matter of interest at• a one time the better it is+• !eachers should note that )ust even readingthe sentences phrases or words aloud can be• good pronunciation and rhythm practice+#earning a language also means speaking so th• less the teacher talks and the more he listenand prompts the better the results should be+• At the very least the text will provide a widrange of ideas to choose from for teaching• vocabulary and related real7life conversatidiscussion topics+ If you see an idiom you• don/t want to teach or is not appropriate foyour audience don/t bother with it+ Do one• you prefer instead+• (=Editorial 2ote8 an asterisk indicates that aidiom9expression has been noted and dened• with at least three examples+ 2o asteriskmeans the entry still needs work+*• ;• A B . D E ' H I $ # & 2 C

< ! F 3 , G • A• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• A backslider A la>y irresponsible person wh



does not support a• combines e?ort someone who causesdevelopment to•

slide backwards rather than forwardssomeone who can/t• be trusted to get a )ob done+ 4I see you haveassigned• .aptain &organ to my pro)ect+ He/s a no7goobackslider• who will hinder rather than further the succof • the mission+6 4&allory is nothing but abackslider+ He/s• never done anything useful in his life thatwould bring• credit to his name or family+6 4If I ever get mhands on• that backslider &ullins I will kick him in the

backside• for letting down his wife and children bywasting his life• on gambling and drink+6 =• A back7stabber ust as a person may sneak ubehind you to stick a knife• in your back so we can call a person a back7

stabber who• unexpectedly betrays your trust+ 4Be carefuwho you• trust because even your best friend could tout to be a



• backstabber+6 4&y rst wife was a backbitinbackstabbing7• bitch+6 4I wouldn/t trust .harlie as far as I•

could throw him+ He/s a liar a thief and a bastabber+6• =• A bad omen A bad sign which indicates thatwhen a bad thing happens• something even worse is going to happen+ Asign• that something bad or evil is going to come+4It/s a bad• omen that our son was born on "riday thethirteenth+6• 4!hey say it is a bad omen when a black catcrosses your• path+6 4It/s a bad omen when a voodoo witcsmears the• blood of a chicken on your front door+6 =• A baker/s do>en It used to be an old Englishmarketplace tradition to pay• for twelve bread rolls and get one extra onethrown in• for good measure to make a total of thirtee4In the•

#ondon market a baker/s do>en doesn/t metwelve+ It• means thirteen+6 4Before Britain )oined theEuropean• common market people sold things by the



do>en in units• of twelve or perhaps thirteen if they gave tcustomer a•

baker/s do>en+6 4,e had thirteen children inour family• and father was fond of saying he had produca baker/s• do>en+6=• A ballpark gure A guess as to how manypeople are in a baseball or football• stadium an approximate estimate of how7many or• how7much+ 4I can/t tell you exactly how manspectators• came to see the game but if you want aballpark gure• my estimate would be about sixty thousand4How• J• much is this wedding reception going to cos.an you• give me a ballpark gure@6 4I hate it whenpeople say• they will give me a ballpark gure+ ,hat I wis an•

exact number and not an approximate guess=• A barefaced7lie A bold and bra>en untruthfustatement a shameless obvious• lie+ 4Don/t try to tell me you gave the money



• some poor old woman+ !hat/s a bra>en andbarefacedlie56• 4,hen you claim you don/t desire other

women I• can see that you are telling a barefaced7lie+64Don/t try to• deny you stole the cookies I know it is a bafaced lie+6• =• A bee in her bonnet ust as woman with a bein her hat (or bonnet* might• run around wildly waving her hands in apanic so we• may say that a woman with an angry idea inher head reacts• in frantic and frightful manner+ 4&y &om hagot a• bee in her bonnet about "ather/s forgetting

3alentine/s• Day+6 4Don/t run around like a woman with abee in her• bonnet )ust because someone said you are ttight and• stingy+6 4Aunt .aroline had a bee in her bonbecause•

the Ambassador had left her o? the invitatiolist for #adies/• 2ight+6 =• A bird in the hand is• worth two in the bush+



• Be satised with what you/ve got don/t dreof what• you have not+ 4If you let go of the bird that

have in• your hand in hopes of catching two in thebushes you• will more than likely end7up empty7handed+64It/s better• to be thankful for what little you have thanbeing disappointed• by unfullled desire for twice as much a birin• the hand is worth two in the bush+6 4Becontent with the• one thing that you have rather than bediscontented by• two things you desire but are unlikely to getbecause a• bird in the hand is worth two in the bush+6 =• A bit beyond my ken Above my level ofunderstanding beyond my ability to• grasp more than I can comprehend beyondmy knowledge+• 4I could never understand the physics behinpressure•

points causing geological rifts on the sea7beat the• point where continental plates meet+ It/s a bbeyond my• ken+6 4!he )ustication for Heisenberg/s



uncertainty• principle is a bit beyond my ken+6 4It is beyomy ken•

why and how a whole galaxy can be suckedtogether and• disappear into a black hole+6 =• A bit dicey A little risky chancy a gamble ain a throw of the dice• uncertain not totally honest+ 4I wouldn/tinvest any• money in such a chancy venture+ It seems a dicey to• me+6 4Don/t take any risks in business+ Bet oa sure• thing and avoid anything that looks dicey+6 wouldn/t• want to trust .harlie as a business consultahis longshot• ideas always seem a bit dicey to me+6 =• A bit dodgy Dishonest tricky dicey dubiouchancy risky+ 4A busiK• ness that dodges the law is a dodgy busines4I• wouldn/t invest money any of those pyramidschemes+•

!hey all seem a bit dodgy to me+6 4It/s a bitrisky to deposit• money o?shore in the hands of total strangeIt• sounds a bit dodgy to me+6 =



• A bit much Cver7exaggerated over7stated tLashy over the top+• 4I found the accusations in your speech

towards the• %rime &inister a bit much a bit over the topwould• say+6 4Appearing in court with pink hair andring in• your nose before the )udge was a bit much+Don/t you• think@6 4I think that your leaving your wife ahome• alone while attending a public reception witanother• woman was a bit much56 =• A bit obtuse A little dull and stupid incapabof understanding a bit• thick slow7witted a little too7dumb to

understand+ 4I• didn/t understand you+ I must be a bit obtus.an you• explain it to me again@6 4Being obtuse is noexcuse+ If • you are too dull7witted to do this )ob we/ll gsomeone•

to replace you+6 4Gou must be a bit obtuse iyou can/t• even understand how to follow simple orderand directions+6• =



• A bit on the side ,hen one has casual sexuarelations outside the primary• sexual partnership we say that person is

getting a bit on• the side+ 4!om and !ina seem to be the perfmarried• couple but if !ina knew !om was getting a bon the• side she wouldn/t be so happy+6 4&y bigsister $itty• says she wants to marry a rich old man butkeep a young• boyfriend at the same time so she can get bit on the• side+6 4&en are always dreaming about getta bit on• the side but they would never dream thatwives might be• dreaming about the same thing+6 =• A bit out of it &entally out of contact with thworld not -uite all• there not with it out of the picture+ 4Excusme if I• don/t seem to be listening+ !oday I/m a bit oof it because•

of the drugs the doctor gave me+6 4&ygirlfriend• has )ust broken7o? with me+ I can/t concentron my• work I/m a bit out of it+6 4%ay no attention t



my idiot• brother+ He/s a bit out of it he/s not all theryou know+6•

=• A bloodsucker ust as a leech sticks to you asucks your blood so another• person may be said to stick to you like aparasite• in order to obtain personal gain and benet4&y rst• wife drained my bank account )ust in the waa leech• sucks blood from the body+ <he was a realbloodsucker+6• 4Harvey/s wife #olita is the kind of personwho )ust• wants to marry for money+ <he/s nothing bubloodsucker+6• 4Don/t be such a bloodsucker and stopleeching• o? your friends all the time+6 =• M• A brainwave An unexpected clever idea orinsight a stroke of genius• a sudden inspiration+ 4I had the brainwave o

installing a• Bluetooth <ystem in my car radio connectedthe '%<• which would allow the car to run more7or7leson autopilot+



• !ests begin tomorrow+6 4,ho was it who hathe• brainwave to inLate big air balloons by burn

nitrogen@6• 4Einstein was the genius who had thebrainwave• that the speed of a moving particle in arelative relationship• to another moving particle could bemeasured+6 =• A breath of fresh air ust as we feel betterafter going outside a stiLing su?ocating• boring environment to get a breath of fresh so• it can be refreshing when someone orsomething new enters• into a stu?y atmosphere+ 4,hen !ony Blairwas• elected %rime &inister he brought a breathfresh air• into an otherwise conservative and boringBritish political• world+6 4,hen young ane )oined the sta? swas• like a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stu

and stagnant• atmosphere+6 4It was a real breath of fresh when• the udge called in .heery .herry &r+ ,ongexgirlfriend



• to the witness stand in to tell all she knew+6• A brush with death A near accidentalencounter with death an incident in•

which one comes very close to dying+ 4,hilecrossing• the street in Bangkok yesterday I had a clobrush with• death when a speeding motorcyclist swervebarely in• time to avoid hitting me head7on+6 4!hecaptain and crew• of the submarine had a close brush with deawhen a• 'erman torpedo passed within half a meterthe port• side of the hull+6 4,hen I was mountain7climbing I once• had a brush with death when I lost my footi

and fell• about forty7ve meters straight down througthe air and• was only saved by my safety harness+6 =• A bum7steer %urposely give someone thewrong directions on how to• get somewhere or how to do something giv

incorrect or• wrong information to lead someone on a falstrail to• mislead someone by giving bad advice+4Because country



• folks in !ennessee don/t like city7slickersthey often• give them a bum7steer if they stop their car

ask for• directions+6 4,e were afraid the other rallyteam would• reach the destination before us so wepurposely misled• then with a bum7steer to throw them o?7trafor a• while+6 4&y stock broker foolishly gave me abum7steer• on some risky stocks that declined dramaticin market• value+6 =• A bundle of energy A person who is packed7of power and energy+• 4%resident $ennedy was seen by many as a

youthful• bundle of energy who was very enthusiasticand dedicated• to the cause of e-ual rights and employed ahis• spiritual and physical strength to ght for thcause of •

N• democracy+6 4&y little sister is a bundle ofenergy who• does everything she can to make sure the gthe )ob gets



• done+ 4&y .ampaign manager &ary Hines been a• real bundle of energy the moving force beh

our political• success+6 =• A bundle of nerves A person who is verystressed and )umpy+ 4I have been• under so much pressure in the oOce and athome recently• that I am little more than a bundle of nerves• 4.ontinued stress can turn you into a bundlenerves+6• 4Before I have to give a presentation orspeech I am always• a bundle of nerves+6 =• A case in point An actual example to illustraa factual act which illustrates• the point an instance used to prove or expl

a• point+ 4!here have been many female gurein the political• world that have helped unite divergentfactions+ A• case in point would be <onya 'andhi+6 4&ulnational•

mergers can be benecial to both sides+ A cain point• was the merger of $%&' with Arthur Anderswhich• brought benets to both sides+6 4<ometime



son can• follow in his father/s footsteps right up intothe highest•

level of political oOce+ A case in point wouldbe 'eorge• Bush r+ holding the same post as 'eorge Bu<r+6 =• A case of the dropsy ,hen a person keepsdropping things letting things slip• and fall from his ngers we say he has a caof the• dropsy+ 4I keep dropping dishes on the kitchLoor+ I/ve• got a case of the dropsy+6 4Cops5 I dropped key• again+ I/ve got a case of the dropsy+6 4Becau'randfather• has poor blood circulation and limited feelin

in the• ends of his ngers he keeps dropping thingit/s a classic• example of the dropsy+6 =• A cipher An insignicant person someone neven worthy of notice• a nothing and a no body+ 4Gou are a person

no• account+ 2o one cares in the least about youbecause you• are )ust a cipher56 4<ometimes within thestructure of



• our company I feel like nothing more than ainsignicant• statistic on a broad spread7sheet+ I feel like

such a• cipher+6 4Her rst husband was a real cipherhe was• about as signicant as a Ly speck on the wa=• A clean break A clear and nal breaking7o? relations nally nishing• and leaving for good+ 4I want to leave thecompany• and make a clean break with the auditprofession because• I nd it too stressful for me+6 4&y wife and have decided• to make a clean break and go our ownseparate• ways+6 4,hen I retired as a military man Idecided to• make a clean break with the past and todevote myself to• peace and charity+6 =• A clean slate <tarting o? with a clean recordi+e+ after having confessed•

your wrong7doings and served yourpunishment+• P• 4&y teacher says that once I have served mpunishment



• for cheating I will have erased my bad recoand I can• start o? with a clean slate+6 42ow that I hav

served my• prison sentence I can start o? with a cleanslate and start• a new and better life+6 4Cnce a murder hasdone his time• and paid his debt to society he is releasedfrom prison• with a clean slate and allowed to re)oinsociety+6 =• A clip over the ear A slap on the side of thehead a smack on the ear a box• on the ear+ 4&y son if you don/t stop thatnoise I/ll give• you a clip over the ear+6 4"ather says that ifever• catches me lying he/ll give me a clip over thear+6 4I/ll• give you a good clip over the ear if I ever heyou saying• anything nasty like that again+6 =• A close call A narrow escape a close shave brush with danger•

nearly missing death+ 4!he pilot landed hisplane on the• runway )ust as it was running out of fuel+ Itwas -uite a• close call+6 4!he bomb s-uad disarmed the



explosive device• )ust a few seconds before it was about to goo?+ It•

was a very close call+6 4!he farmer was resclifted by• helicopter from the rooftop of his barn )ust athe nearby• dam was about to burst+ It was a close call+6• A close shave A close call brush with dangenear accident+ 4&y• cousin .lem threw a hunting knife at me thwhi>>ed• so close by me under my ear that it nearly cthe whiskers• from my cheek+ !hat was a close shave+6 4!enemy• shot a missile at the plane which whistled bywithin• inches of the fuselage as the pilot wasstarting to loop to• avoid impact+ !hat was certainly a close shaif there• ever was one+6 4#ast night in the warehoushad a• close shave with death when the crane

operator dropped• a container that hit the ground in )ust in froof me+6 =• A crushing blow A hurtful action adisappointing defeat a strong setback+



• 4,hen my wife packed7up and left me it wacrushing• blow+6 4It was a crushing blow when I lost m

)ob during• the nancial crisis+6 4It was a crushing blowthe .onservative• %arty when the #iberals won the election+6 =• A crying7shame A pity a disgrace somethinunfair that makes us feel• sorry for the victimi>ed+ 4It/s a crying7shameso many• children are dying of malnutrition throughouthe world• while the rest of us become fat andoverweight+6 4It/s a• crying shame the way a small minority isgetting rich on• corruption while the ma)ority of the poor do

have a• the chance to earn a decent living+6 4It/s acrying7shame• the way &alone spends all his time and mondrinking• in the pub while making no e?ort to take caof his wife•

and children+6 =• A cushy )ob An easy )ob that is not demandior diOcult a comfortable• en)oyable )ob that does not take too muche?ort+



• Q• 4!he managing director has given his mistrea nice•

cushy )ob in his oOce and the rest of the stmembers• are feeling resentful6 4&y best friend has ga nice• cushy )ob in an air7conditioned oOce while have to• work really hard out in the heat of the day aa gardener+6• 4I wish I could get a nice cushy )ob where I• wouldn/t have too much to do and not verymuch responsibility6• =• A cut above the average Better than mosthigher than normal -uite good compared• to normal standards+ 4!he new young forei• graduates that we have been hiring are a cuabove average• because they have been trained in a more uto7date• educational system+6 4Cur work for the clienmust be a• cut above average if we want to stay

competitive in the• market+6 4Gour son <tan is certainly a cutabove average• when compared to the rest of the students iclass+6 =



• A drop in the bucket A small part of the whovery little compared to the total• amount a small fraction of the total sum 4!

amount• the government is investing in environmentresearch is• a drop in the bucket compared to what itspends on national• defense+6 4'overnment aid of a million dollafor• !sunami refugees is )ust a drop in the buckecontrast• to the huge amount that foreign non7government agencies• are presently spending+6 4!he money I lost gambling• in #os 3egas is )ust a drop in the bucketcompared• to the massive amount of income taxes I havto pay• every year+6 =• A drop in the ocean ust a small amountcompared to the si>e of the whole• only a little bit of the total -uantity+ 4A milliodollars is•

a drop in the ocean compared to the totalamount needed• to combat starvation and hunger in the<udan+6 4!he little• bit he gives to charity is )ust a drop in the



ocean compared• to money he wastes on drink and women+64,hat•

the company spends on sta? development is )ust a drop• in the ocean compared to what it spends ondeveloping• the company image+6 =• A dud ust as a bomb that has been droppedmay fail to explode• due to a faulty triggering7device so a plan performance• may lack the necessary spark to re theimagination• of the public+ 4!he reworks extravagan>a wa disastrous• disappointment because the ignition devicedidn/t• go o? in se-uence so the whole show was adud+6 4!he• high school opening performance of a<hakespeare/s• play &acbeth failed to awaken theimagination of the• student body+ It was a real and total dud6

4Even the most• expensive lm ever made by Hollywood woube a gigantic• dud if it didn/t feature big7name stars and ahave



• a huge promotion budget+6 =• 1R• A fair crack at A chance to try your luck an

opportunity to x or solve• a problem an opening or possibility to showhow well• you can do+ 4I know I could be a good movieactress if I• were given a fair crack at it+6 4If I were givefair crack • at solving the traOc problem I/d have it xewithin• three months+6 4If I am given the chance ofbecoming the• company managing director I/m sure I/d be success+• All I need is a fair crack at it+6 =• A fat lot of good that will• do+• !hat won/t help much won/t make mattersbetter won/t• do any good won/t improve the situation+ 4Gcan invest• another million in your business but a fat loof •

good that will do if your cost of investmentcontinues to• exceed prots from sales+6 4Gou can ll thetank of the• car with gas but a fat lot of good that will d



you don/t• get the fuel pump xed as well+6 4Gou mayhave a good•

business plan but a fat lot of good that will if you• can/t nd the cash for the start7up costs+6 =• A fat lot you care5 Indicates you know that tother person has no sympathy• or understanding for you+ 4I/m falling apartemotionally• because I/m disappointed about our love bufat lot• you care56 4Gour hate and greed have drivenme to destruction• but a fat lot you care56 4I/ve never been• through such terrible su?ering in my life bucan see• you have absolutely no pity for me+ A fat lot

you care56 =• A fate worse than death <u?ering that is sobad that dying would be easier or• maybe better+ 4Being in a state of insu?erabpain for• months and months is a fate worse than deaitself+6•

4#oving someone who is burning with hatredtowards• you can be compared with a fate worse thandeath6 4It/s• possible to argue that there is no fate worse



than death• but being married to my wife would surely pyou to the•

test+6 =• A feather in your cap ust as in the old dayswhen hunters wore a ne7looking• feather stuck into the band of their caps assign of • their hunting skill so nowadays we can saysomeone• deserves a feather in his cap when he has dsomething• well or worthy of recognition+ 4Gou deserve feather in• your cap for all the time you have devoted tcommunity• service+6 4.ollins deserves a feather in his cfor solving• the math problem in half the time it took theothers+6• 4,inning a 2obel %ri>e is the highest moderdaye-uivalent• of wearing a feather in your cap+6 =• A feeding7fren>y ust as man7eating piranhash will swarm to a chunk of •

Lesh which is thrown into the water and haa feeding• fren>y so 4mass media reporters for exampcan• swarm to the scene a and have a Sfeeding



fren>y/ wherever• a big star is involved in a public scandal+6 4!• press had a feeding fren>y when the big

!sunami hit• 11• <outh East Asia killing in excess of fortythousand victims+6• 4It is despicable the way that the press cancreate a• feeding fren>y when disaster strikes becausthe viewing• audience is hungry for information+6 =• A ne kettle of sh ust as a pot of sh willbegin to stink if it stands for too• long so a problem that is neglected too longwill be hard• to x a mistake hard to remedy a situationthat is hard• to get out of+ 4!his is a ne kettle of sh+ Cudaughter is• pregnant her boyfriend is in )ail and nobod-uite• knows what to do+6 42ow you have gotyourself into a• ne kettle of sh+ Gou/ve been caught cheat

)ust before• graduation and there/s no excuse+6 4It/s a kettle• of sh+ Gou need one million for bail and allyour accounts



• have been fro>en so it/s a dilemma thatcannot be• resolved+6 =•

A ne state of a?airs5 A big problem asituation that is hard to resolve a set of • conditions that have been allowed to arise bcannot so• easily be made to cease+ 4!his is a ne statea?airs5• ,hat are we going to say to your father whehe nds• out that you are in love with a married7man@4!his is a• ne state of a?airs5 How could you allow yonances• to get into such a terrible mess@6 4!his is ane state of • a?airs+ Gour father did not leave a last will a

testament• and the family will be ghting over his assetfor years to• come+6 =• A Ly in the ointment ust as there can be a Lin the ointment or balm used as• a medicine so there can be a problem in wh

is seen as• the solution+ 4,hen there is a Ly in theointment we• may still have to use it to treat the diseasebut we don/t



• feel perfectly happy with the cure+6 4,ellwe/ve found a• solution regarding the transfer of funds but

there/s a Ly• in the ointment because there will be a taxincrease of • ve percent+6 4I got them to comply with thlate payment• agreement but there is a Ly in the ointmentbecause• the agreement must be renegotiated beforethe next payment• period+6 =• A freak of nature <omething that happens thdoes not follow the usual• pattern of nature+ 4A man born with one eyethe middle• of his forehead is a freak of nature+6 4It is h

to determine• if someone born with mixed male and femal• body parts is a freak of nature+6 4Even if a!sunami tidal• wave arises only once in a thousand years inot a• freak occurrence+ It is not a freak of nature

because it• happens in accordance with the laws ofnature+6 =• A free bit of advice A suggestion given thatisn/t re-uested an unsolicitedopinion+



• 4#et me give you a free bit of advice+ S2exttime• you want to open your mouth remember th

the teeth• are at home when the mouth is closed+/64Because I am• 1:• older let me give you a bit of free advice8 S2older person• ever gave any younger person any piece ofuseful• advice/+6 4I/ll give you a bit of free advice Syou want• to stay out of trouble don/t go around givinpeople bits• free advice+6 =• A frog in your throat #aryngitis a physicalcondition that makes your voice• sound deeper as though you had a frog in ythroat or• when you have a bad cold that makes yourvoice sounds• like a low hoarse croak+ 4<orry if you can/thear me in• the back+ I/ve got a frog in my throat and I

cannot speak • any more loudly+6 4&r+ %eters cannot speak you now+• He/s got a frog in his throat and has to restvoice for



• the speech he has got to give this evening+64I/ve got tonsillitis• and it makes me sound like I/ve got a frog in

my• throat+6 =• A funny feeling A strange sense thatsomething is wrong a suspicion that• something bad is going to happen+ 4,hen hasked me to• come to his room to look at some pictures Ihad a funny• feeling that something was wrong+6 4,hen boss• called me and asked me to come to his oOcehad the• funny feeling that I had done somethingwrong+6 4,hen• the four gangsters asked me to get into the

car to go and• talk to their boss I had a funny feeling I mignever• come back alive+6 =• A good egg ust as we can speak of a personwho is a rotten egg who• can spoil a whole basket so we may say

someone else is• a good egg meaning that he does no harm ats in• well for the sake of the general good+ 4Gou/llike my



• Fncle Bob+ He/s a good egg and is well7lovedby everyone• in the family+6 4&y boss is really a good egg

and• everyone likes working with him+6 4Cur Fnc.harlie is• really a good egg and is always doing thingshelp other• people+6 =• A good omen A good sign that something goor something better is• going to happen+ 4,hen the rainy seasonbegins with• heavy showers this is a good omen that therice harvest• will be good that year+6 4I always think it/s agood omen• when there are two full moons in one month

cycle that• is a sign of good luck+6 4I think it is a goodomen that• there have been fewer and fewer terroristattacks in the• <outh in the last few months+6 =• A greenhorn <omeone with little or no

experience a novice a beginner• a person who comes in with no idea of what do• and has to learn to cope -uickly+ 4,hen I r )oined the



• circus I was a total greenhorn and not muchgood for• anything but bit7by7bit I learned a few trick

and was• then able to take part in the performances+6new recruit• in the navy comes as a greenhorn and has tolearn• 1;• the ropes but after twenty years before thmast he is• considered an old hand+6 4,hen I rst camethe ,ild• ,est from the city of Boston at the age ofsixteen people• teased me and called me a greenhorn but Ieventually• got the hang of things and later became an

experienced• cowboy+6 =• A gut feeling A natural instinct or intuition ttells you when something• is going to go wrong+ 4I have a gut feeling tyou• are lying to me+6 4%eople sometimes have a

gut feeling• that tells them not to trust somebody+6 4A gfeeling is• something like a sixth sense of awareness this located



• in your stomach rather than your head+6 =• A hard nut to crack A diOcult inLexible perswho is hard to convince or•

win over to your way of thinking or seeingthings+• 4oger is so stubborn that it will be almostimpossible to• get him to agree+ He/s a real hard nut tocrack+6 4It/s hard• to get grandfather to open up his mind and things• other people/s way+ He/s so obstinate he/s atough nut to• crack+6 4,hen our administrative supervisohas got a• xed idea in her head it/s hard to get her tochange her• mind+ <he/s a real tough nut to crack+6 =• A harrowing7 experience A frightening7occurrence terrifying7event chillingincident• scary disturbing hair7raising traumaticstressful• distressing upsetting experience+ 4<eeing aghost in• the haunted castle of my ancestors was the

most harrowing• experience I/ve ever had in my life+6 4<urvivthe• horric shipwreck in the howling gale was aharrowingexperience



• for the .aptain and the crew6 4<eeing mybeloved• mother lying dead in her coOn all laid7out •

white linen was a harrowing experience I shnot soon• forget+6 =• A hell of a time A diOcult time trying to getsomething accomplished• trying hard and meeting so many obstacles that it is• like going through hell+ 4In school I had a hof a time• trying to understand algebra+6 4Cur auditorhad a hell of • a time getting through all the necessarypaperwork to get• the data compiled on time+6 4I had a hell of time convincing• the logistics manager that the e-uipment mbe• put in place previous to the contractualdeadline date+6 =• A hollow leg ,hen a person eats so much thyou wonder how he/s• got room for any more we often say that it

goes into his• hollow leg+ 4!hat boy eats so much that hemust have a• hollow leg+6 4He won the world/s record foreating fty



• hamburgers within one hour and when theyasked how• he did it he )oked that he had a hollow leg+6

always• feel so hungry that I could eat a horse+ &ymother says I• must have hoards of maggots in my hollowleg+6 =• A horse of a di?erent Cne thing that cannotcompared to another because it• 1J• color is so dissimilar easy to distinguish asbeing di?erent• another thing altogether+ 4Gou cannot compambition• to greed+ 'reed is a horse of a di?erent colo42ixon as• compared to ohnson was a horse of a di?er

color+6• 4#ust is not love it/s another thing altogethIt/s a• horse of a di?erent color+6 =• A hothead <omeone who -uickly gets angryand furious for almost• no reason and reacts immediately without

thinking+ 4Cur• brother ,illiam is such a hothead that he/sgoing to get• himself into big trouble one day+6 4I knowyou/re a hothead



• but don/t )ump the gun and Ly7o?7the7handluntil• you have heard the full story+6 4Don/t be su

a hothead5• .ool down for a minute and listen to me andexplain• what I actually said about your sister and whsaid it+6 =• A )arring7experience An unexpected loudunpleasant harsh sound or an upsetting• surprising experience contrary to expectati• that )ars one into a rude awakening or )ars othe nerves+• 4Cur group/s meditation session was suddendisturbed• by the loud screeching grating sound of meon metal+• ,hat a )arring experience that was56 4<ome

older people• say that modern experimental music gratesupon the• nerves and is a )arring rather than harmoniexperience+6• 4It was a )arring experience for investors tohear•

that the stock market had suddenly bottomeout and• they all had lost their fortunes+6 =• A )oy to behold <eeing someone or somethinand being lled with love



• and )oy at that moment+ 4Cur new little babis so• lovely5 It is a )oy to behold+6 4It was a )oy to

behold our• son coming back alive and well after the war4<eeing• all the family here in harmony together is a to behold+6• =• A kick in the pants A boot in the rear a kickthe arse+ 4Every time I used• to lie my father would give me a kick in thepants to try• to teach me a lesson+6 4If I ever catch youstealing candy• from a baby again I/ll give you a kick in thepants you/ll• never forget+6 4Gou deserve a kick in the pa

for the• way you have disappointed your little sister+• A leech ust as a leech sucks blood from thehuman body so• some people may be said to be leeching fromothers for• their own benet+ 4Don/t be such a leech5 '

out and get• a )ob and stop living o? of others+6 4!hat guis nothing• but a leech+ He never worked a day in his lifand is always



• leeching and sponging o? others+6 4<tophanging• around the bar like a parasitic leech without

ever ordering• a round of drinks for the others+6 =• A leopard can/t change• its spots+• <ome people are so xed in their ways thatthey cannot• change+ 4,hen we think someone is sostubborn and• xed in his ways that he will never change wcompare• 1K• him to an old leopard cannot change its spo4,hen• we know that it is impossible to get someonto change• his nature we say that a leopard cannotchange its spots+6• 4Don/t even try to 'randfather to change hibehavior a• leopard can never change its spots+6• A little bird told me ,hen someone asks youwho told you something and•

you don/t want to tell them who informed yoyou can• say 4A little bird told me+6 4A little bird toldme that you• are planning to leave the company and try t



take some• of your clients with you+ Is that !rue@6 4,heasked•

my girlfriend &olly how she found out that was a married7• man she said that a little bird had told her+64!hat• evening when I got home I discovered thatwife was• the little bird who had telephoned &olly andtold her to• keep her grubby hands o? me+6 =• A little green Goung and inexperienced wetbehind the ears unsophisticated• unproven unseasoned raw+ 4,hen I rststarted• working as a )ournalist I was a little green ainexperienced• but after a year or so once I got used to the )ob it• became rather routine+6 4,e/ll let young acobs have a• try at the )ob+ He/s still a little young andgreen but he/s• a fast7learner and will soon get the knack of

it+6 4,hen• .hristopher rst came to 2ew Gork fromBu?alo he was• still green unsophisticated and wet behind ears but



• he soon got used to the way 2ew Gorkersbehave and• now he/s )ust like them+6 =•

A little leery A bit dubious doubtful skepticof something or somebody+• 4I/m a little leery about trusting my husbandpay• directly in cash so I/m paying the invoice bybank order• instead+6 4,e are a little leery about trustinour investment• partner to hold up his end of the bargainbecause• we know he may purposely breach the contrfor his• own ends+6 4I/m a little leery about investinin my son/s• business plan because I know he does not

know how to• handle money+6 =• A load o? my mind !o feel mental relief tobecome free of a mental worry• or burden to feel a sense of release in havinsolved a• problem or conLict to come to and

understanding+ 42ow• that I/ve paid o? my bank loan that/s a realload o? my• mind+6 4"inally getting my contract renewedwas a real



• load o? my mind+6 4I/m glad that I/ve given that old• grudge against my sister+ It/s a load o? my

mind+6 =• A lot of balls A bold straightforward mannelot of nerve courage• and impudence mixed together+ 4Gou have ga lot of • balls telling me how to live a moral life whenyou have• made such a nasty mess of your own+6 4Ittakes a lot of • balls to invest all you have on a businessventure and• beat the competition to the punch+6 4Gou hato have a• 1M• lot of balls to go into a meeting of the board

directors• and tell them they are doing things all wron=• A lot of baloney A lot of lies hogwash bullsbunkum nonsense garbage+• 4I don/t believe a word you say+ Gou are talka•

lot of baloney+6 4Don/t give me that baloney<top talking• garbage and tell me the truth+6 4Don/t befooled by• anything he says it/s a lot of baloney+6 =



• A lot of bunk A load of lies and falsestatements a lot of baloney a lot• of nonsense misinformation+ 4Don/t give me

that bunk+ I• have read the police report and I know the ffacts already+6• 42ever talk a lot of bunk and doubletalk to ga• client to sign an agreement+ ust nd out whhe wants• and then give it to him+6 4He talks a lot ofblarney to get• you to invest in his business schemes butdon/t believe a• word he says+ It/s )ust a lot of bunk he is fuof baloney+6• =• A lot of fun En)oyable pleasurable amusing

4,e had a lot of fun at• the party+ Everyone was laughing and en)oythem• selves all night+6 4At the Cktoberfest peoplwere having• a lot of fun going on rides shooting at targeplaying•

games of chance and dancing and drinkingbeer+6 4I• loved your bachelor party on "riday night+ Ihaven/t had• such a lot of fun since before I was married+



• A lot of malarkey A load of double7talk a loaof bunkum nonsense hot• air hogwash untruth+ 4!a?y is always talkin

a lot of • malarkey he comes from a long line of liarsand braggarts+6• 4Don/t give me all that malarkey5 I don/tbelieve• a word you are saying+6 4&y husband didn/tcome home• until almost dawn and this morning he trieto give me• a lot of malarkey about his car breaking dowon a deserted• country road+6 =• A lot of moola A lot of money+ S,hen I grow I want to be a big• wheel and have a lot of moola+6 4If you want

get in• good with the girls you/ve got to have a lot moola+6• 4,e paid ve7 hundred million for this pieceland and• that/s a lot of moola56 =• A lot of nonsense A lot of gibberish rubbish

garbage baloney incoherent• talk+ 4Don/t talk a lot of nonsense5 Fse yourhead to• think straight for a change+6 4,hen I wasyoung I had a



• lot of childish dreams and nonsense in myhead+6 4!he• theory that the economy collapsed because

the greed• of foreign currency brokers is a lot ofnonsense+ It was a• bubble economy that was bound to burst whit balanced• out at its true value+6 =• A lot of pluck A lot of nerve guts courage+ 4takes a lot of pluck to• go up to the boss and tell him he is about tomake a big• mistake+6 4It sometimes takes a lot of plucktell a• woman that you admire and adore her+6 4Ittook a lot of • 1N• pluck for the company accountant to informthe revenue• department that the rm was not followinggenerally accepted• accounting standards+6 =• A lot of ri?ra? A lot of low trashy peoplecommon rabble+ 4!he upper•

classes consider the lower classes as )ust a of ri?ra?+6• 4&y mother says my friends from the streetare )ust a lot• of ri?ra?+6 4<ome schools set their fees



exceptionally• high because they don/t want to accept a lotri?ra?+6 =•

A lot of water under the• bridge• ust as we can say that a lot of water haspassed under the• bridge over time so we can say that we havhad a lot of • experiences since a certain point in time in tpast+ 4A• lot of water has passed under the bridge sinthe day I• was presented my graduation diploma+6 4A of water• has passed under the bridge since Iexperienced my st• disappointment in love+6 4A lot of water has

passed under• the bridge since the old days when you usedget a• free lunch by )ust appearing in the pub+6 =• A low blow ust as in the rules of boxing it iunfair to punch or hit• below the belt so we can say that a person/

unfair moral• action is by comparison a low blow+ 4,hat ydid to• me was a hit below the belt an unfair punchlow



• blow6 4<aying something bad to damageanother/s reputation• may be said to be a low blow below the belt•

4Bringing up the sub)ect my secret sexualmisdeeds of • the past in front of my all my family andfriends was certainly• a low blow+6 =• A man after my own• heart• <omeone who thinks and feels and acts thesame way• you do+ 4I like you+ Gou are a man after my oheart• who always says everything he knows and tethe• truth+6 4im <outar is a man after my ownheart who believes• we can gain wisdom from probing into the losecrets• of anti-uity+6 4Gou are a man after my ownheart• who believes in doing the good for the greatbenet of • mankind+6 =•

A man of means A wealthy man with lots ofmoney and assets+ 4Andrew• .arnegie was a man of means who donated lot of his• money for the benet of society+6 4&y



grandfather was a• man of means who built this big house at thbeginning•

of the last century+ 4 4.ynthia wants to mara rich man• of means who promises her everything andalways says• what he means+6 =• A matter of fact A true item of data orinformation+ 4,e all know that a• stone drops following the law of gravity+ It/smatter of • fact that cannot be denied+6 4Gou have tobelieve the• number on the bottom line of the auditor/sreport as the• true the sum of the actual costs+ It is a mattof fact+6 4I• totally disagree with your silly assumption tmother• died of a broken heart+ As a matter of actuafact it says• 1P• on her death certicate that she died of aphysical condition•

called congestive heart failure+6 =• A matter of form !he correct manner andpattern of behavior to which one• must comply+ 4,hen you visit the temple topay respect



• to a monk you must bow before him threetimes+ It is a• matter of form6 4In the olden days up7coun

a woman• had to walk three paces behind her man+ It wa matter• of form6 4,hen you pass the security guardyou are• entering the building you must show youidentity card• even if he know your face and sees you everday+ It is a• matter of form+6 =• A miserly sort A stingy person a penny7pincher someone who hates to• part with a penny+ 4Cld oderick is a miserlysort+ He• would rather lunch on tea and biscuits than

pay for a• normal meal+6 4Cld Fncle <crooge was suchmiserly• sort that he didn/t want to part with a pennyeven in the• spirit of giving on .hristmas Day+6 4'eo?reywife is a•

spendthrift and he is a miserly sort+6 =• A new broom sweeps• clean+• ust as a new broom sweeps clean because ibristles are



• strong and rigid so a new boss oradministrator may• make a strong impression by demanding tha

as of now• everything be done in his way+ 4!he candidapromised• he would stop corruption in the way that anew broom• sweeps clean+6 4After Alicia became Dean aof ineOcient• faculty and sta? were red a new broomsweeps• clean+6 4After Hicks became .EC everyonewho was• against him was never seen again+ A newbroom sweeps• clean+6 =• A new lease on life A chance to start life afre

and do it better next time+ 4I• have taken a six7week course in positivethinking that has• given me a new lease on life+6 4After becoma .hristian• <cientist I developed a new lease on life+64,hat I•

learned about religion when I was in prisongave me a• new lease on life+6 =• A new slant A di?erent way of looking atsomething a di?erent angle





is said to• have a nose for it+6 4I like playing the stockmarket+ I•

have a nose for it+6 4Dealing in venture capiis a risky• business but my friend 'uido has a nose forit+6 =• A one way street ust as traOc may go only way along a street so we• may say in life that once you have made acertain choice• there/s no way of turning back+ 4A personthinks only• about himself and never about others is on aone way• street to loneliness+6 4!his addictive behaviof yours is• a one way street to a bad end+6 4.hoosing t

have a vasectomy• is a one way street+6 =• A one7tracked mind !hinking only about onething such as sex+ 4Gou men• are all the same+ Gou all think about only onthing+• Gou/ve got a one7tracked mind+6 4%eople wh

are driven• by greed can be said to have a one trackedmind+6 4A• person who is obsessed with achieving succin the fast



• track may be said to have a one tracked min=• A pack of lies ust as dogs come in packs so

one lie leads to another• until they become like a whole pack of lies astring of • falsehoods and mistruths+ 4,hat 'abby saidabout her• coming from a noble background and a richfamily was• )ust a pack of lies+6 Don/t believe anything aman promises• you+ It/s all )ust a pack of lies to trick you intgiving• him what he wants+6 4!he president had awhole string of • excuses for his lack of discretion but they wall a pack • of lies+6 =• A piece of cake <omething easy to do notdiOcult to accomplish a simple• task a snap a bree>e child/s play+ 4Don/tworrying• about installing the software+ Any fool couldit+ It/s a•

piece of cake+6 4!he safe7cracker had noproblem opening• the bank vault+ "or an old pro like him it wapiece• of cake+6 4Gou can be condent that I will be



able to get• the governmental permissions+ "or someonewith my•

connections it is a piece of cake+6 =• A piece of my mind ,hat you say when youbecome angry with someone and• tell him the reason why+ 4,ait until I see yofather+ I/m• going to give him a piece of my mind and tehim what I• think of his indiscreet behavior56 4I/m waitinuntil I see• Fncle Bob and I/m really going to give him apiece of • my mind about the way he sold the house thmoment• Aunt <ally died+6 4&y boss has given me apiece of his• mind about the way I have been making falspromises to• prospective clients+6 =• A poor little petunia in an• onion patch• A sensitive person (usually a woman* placewithin a•

group of rough insensitive people where shfeels out of • place+ 4ust as a sensitive Lower like apetunia doesn/t• :R



• belong in a garden7patch full of onions so ayoung innocent• girl does not belong in an environment full o

sexstarved• dirty old men+6 4I don/t like working in anoOce• full of nasty o?ensive aggressive litigationlawyers+• I feel like a poor little petunia in an onionpatch+6 4Being• the only female engineer on such a heavy7industrial construction• site full of foul7mouthed roughnecks I feel • a poor little petunia in an onion patch+6 =• A pox upon you5 A way of wishing somethingbad upon someone+ 4I wish• that you may be cursed with something likesmallpox or• even rather worse+6 4,hen we say SA pox upyou/ we• mean we hope the person may be punished his misdeeds• by getting a case of syphilis+6 4!hat was a loand• dirty trick you played on me to satisfy your

personal• greed+ A pox upon you5 &ay you meet thepunishment• you deserve+6 =• A pretty nasty wallop A vicious thump punc



whack clout belt+ 4&y &om is• normally really kind and patient but once inwhile•

when I go too far she loses her temper andgives me a• pretty nasty wallop+6 4!he boy that I wrongaccused of • stealing my wallet was not amused and hegave me a• pretty nasty wallop+6 4&y !eacher <ister!heresa although• she seldom hits the children packs a prettynasty• wallop so I wouldn/t mess with her if you knwhat/s• good for you+6 =• A real dilly <omeone who is remarkably stupfoolish and absurd• so people observe the strangeness in hisbehavior+ 4His• eccentric mother is such a real dilly that he/ashamed to• take her out in public+6 4!hey have assignedme a new• personal assistant who is a real dilly5 I/m su

he/ll be• more trouble than he is worth+6 4&y Aunt.laudia is a• real dilly+ Gou never know what absurd thingshe will



• say or do next+6 =• A real dynamo ust a an electric power dynagenerates energy so a•

person within a group may be the drivingsource of • power behind the success of a task or pro)ecso we can• say the person is a real dynamo+ 4&aldonadused to be• the real dynamo and driving force behind hiteam/s success• before drugs and scandal reduced him to ru4&y• personal assistant <ondra is a real dynamo<he can supervise• seven pro)ects at one time and bring them t• completion within the designated due dates4!hat man• Anderson is a real dynamo+ He has single7handedly generated• millions in local investments in stock7sharesand• he is bringing in an e-ual amount in foreigncapital+ He/s• a real dynamo6 =•

A real howler ust as dogs howl at the moonwe may say that people• often sound as though they were howling wlaughter at• :1



• hearing a really good )oke+ 4I love to tell )okto the• guys in the bar and I love the way they buy

drinks• when I tell a real howler+6 4Every comedian looking• for a real howler that will have them laughinin the• aisles at the end of his act+6 4&other alwayshates it• when Dad tells a real dirty low7down nastyhowler to• the other gentlemen over a glass of brandyafter dinner+6• =• A rotten egg ust as a rotten egg can cause the good eggs in a basket• to begin to spoil and go bad so we often say

that a• person who leads others into bad actions orbehavior is a• rotten egg+ 4All of the kids in the class arewell7behaved• but I regret to say your son is a rotten egg wleads the•

others into mischief+6 4At the center of everneighborhood• gang there is always one rotten egg who lethe• others into committing cruel and evil deeds+



4Even a• )ailhouse gang will always have its one mostrotten egg+6•

=• A rousing sendo? Bidding someone farewellwith good wishes and a loud• round of applause+ 4Everyone let/s pleasestand up and• give &r+ %erkins a hand of applause as arousing sendo? • before he returns to the Fnited $ingdom+64!here were• thousands of people along the road to theairport to give a• rousing sendo? to &anchester Fnited as thewere leaving• to play in the ,orld .up &atch+6 4,hen Iretired• they gave me a gold watch and a rousingsendo?+6 =• A run7in A conLict disagreementconfrontation -uarrel+ 4I had a• run7in with my boss and I/m afraid it will a?ehis written7• evaluation of me in the annual review+6 4an

had a• run7in with one of the other secretaries andnow they• are not on speaking terms+6 4Cur father hashad a run7in



• with my Fncle Bill about selling the oldfarmhouse on• the hill+6 =•

A shambles A state of disorder deterioratiorun7down messy+• 4,hen I rst moved in here the place was atotal shambles• but after a lot of hard work and expense Ihave• managed to make it look -uite neat and tidy4!here• used to be a pub in &anchester that was so and rundown• and dilapidated and looked like it was goingfall• down any minute that people called it the<hambles+6• 4,hen I went back to grandfather/s house

twenty years• after his death I found the place was in ashambles+6 =• A shame A pity+ 4It/s a shame that there aremany are starving• children around the world when the rest of uare overeating•

and getting fat+6 4It/s a shame that thegovernment• isn/t doing more to protect the environment4It/s a crying• shame that terrorists will kill innocent wome



and• children )ust as a way of expressing theirhatred+6 =•

::• A sharp tongue A tongue that makes hurtfulsarcastic cutting remarks+• 4&y mother had a sharp tongue and my fathardly• ever said anything for fear she would cut himto bits+6 4A• woman with a sharp tongue will have troublkeeping a• long7term relationship with a loved7one+6 4Aperson with• a sharp tongue who says hurtful things toothers sets a• series of events in action which will end in tcycle of • hurt eventually returning back to him again the end+6 =• A shiver went down my• spine5• I could feel a tremble of cold fear running dothe cartilage• in my backbone+ 4I was so scared of seeing a

ghost• in the old castle that a shiver went down myspine+6• 4,hen I entered the haunted house and thedoor creaked



• a shiver went down my spine+6 4I was so afrin the• dark that a shiver went down my spine+6 =•

A shot in the arm ust as we get an in)ectionfrom the doctor to help ght• or prevent disease so we can get a shot in tarm from a• friend or business partner that helps us to dwith our• present problem+ 4,hen I feel sad I alwayscall my Dad• for encouragement and he always gives meshot in the• arm+6 4,e need a cash in)ection to give ourpolitical• campaign a much7needed shot in the arm+64Cur business• needs a shot in the arm in the form of cash

investment+6 =• A slap in the face An unexpected undeserveact of disloyalty or re)ection• or rebu? a direct deliberate insult an act othank7lessness+• 4After all the help I had given to ulia over th• years it was a real slap in the face to see th

she not• there to help me the one time I most neededher+6 4It was• a real slap in the face when the company toothe person



• I had been training and placed him in myposition+6 4After• all the e?ort I had put into the growing succ

of the• company it was a real slap in the face whenthey hired a• younger newcomer at a lower salary to takeplace+6 =• A slap on the wrist A gentle reprimand for aoversight mistake or misdeed• a warning not to do the same thing again+ 4boss gave• me a slap on the wrist for not proof reading report• properly and said if it happened again I woube called• up on the carpet and severely scolded+6 4!hDean has• given me a slap on the wrist for wearing tighsexy )eans• to class+ He says it is not appropriate6 4A smne for• submitting withholding tax late is )ust a slapon the wrist• but repeat o?enders nd the penalties

increase in proportion• to the fre-uency of the o?ence+6 =• A slow burn Becoming increasingly more7anmore angry allowing• resentment to grow gradually to the point



where it will• nally burst out into a re of revenge orretaliation+ 4&y•

younger brother has been doing a slow burnfor years• because of his resentment that the family wable to• send me to college before the nancial crisisdrove our• :;• father into bankruptcy+6 4<ally has been doia slow• burn for more than a year because her bestgirlfriend• stole her boyfriend+6 4I am still doing a slowburn because• I cannot accept the unfair way the companyhas• treated me+6 =• A sly dog A cunning clever crafty deviousunderhanded person+• 4Gou sly dog you5 "ew people would havesuspected• that I was cooking the books+ How did youknow@6 4Gou•

sly dog you5 How did you know that I wouldgive anything• to own an original %icasso painting even if knew• it was stolen@6 4Gou sly dog you5 How did y



know I• would sleep with you even though you knewperfectly•

well that I was a married woman@6 =• A sobering thought A serious thought thatmakes you feel less7optimistic and• positive rather than more optimistic andcheerful a worrisome• idea that brings you down7to7earth and makyou• fearful of the future+ 4It/s a sobering thoughto reali>e• that man is slowly but surly destroying theenvironment• that supports human life+6 4It/s a soberingthought to reali>e• that with fewer people being born who will pinto• old age pension funds eventually there willtoo little• money for pensioners to receive anyretirement benets+6• 4Imagining that our whole galaxy could besucked into a• big black hole is a sobering thought indeed

=• A stooge A dummy laughing stock someonewho/s been made a• fool of someone who had been takenadvantage of made



• to look stupid by pulling the wool over theireyes+ 4I hate• it when all the other children try to make me

look stupid• and laugh at me+ I feel like such a stooge+6 4comedy• routines often one guy appears to be thesmart one and• the other one is made out to be a stooge analways has• to take the brunt of the )oke+6 4<omeone hato be set up• to be the fall guy and it was )ust my bad lucthat they• chose me to be the stooge+6 =• A storm in a teacup ,hen people make a bigfuss about nothing we say it is• like a tempest in a teapot or a tea cup+ 4Don

make such• a big fuss over a small lie+ Gou/re creating astorm in a• teacup+6 4,hen people who are small7mindeand make• a really big deal out of a small problem we sthey are•

making a storm in a teacup+6 4,hy the big fabout• nothing@ It/s a storm in a teacup+6 =• A straw man A person who only exists legallon paper or in the



• imagination to fulll some need or purpose+4I/m a• straw man in the contract because they nee

someone• local to hold only a hundred shares to tip thbalance of • local and foreign shareholders so the compwill appear• fty7one percent !hai7owned and forty7ninepercent• foreign7owned+6 4I had been hearing about'aye/s boy:J• friend for years before I ever saw him and Iwas beginning• to think that he was only a straw man+6 4I temy• family that I am going out of town to visit mold roommate• Eldridge but he is really only a straw man+ H• doesn/t really in fact exist+6 =• A subtle hint An understated or intimated7suggestion or implication+• 4,hen we give someone a subtle hint we dnot tell him• directly and aggressively we )ust drop a slig

suggestion• (hint* that will make him think about what wsaid+6• 4,hen you want someone change his behavsometimes



• it is better to give him a subtle hint and let gure• it out himself rather than state directly wha

wrong• with him+6 4,hen a girl does not want toreceive a man/s• attention it is often enough for her to give a subtle• hint to make him go away+6 =• A sycophant <omeone who Latters and bowsdown to another to win• favor+ 4All those men in dark suits that you sgoing• into the boardroom are )ust a lot of sycophawho Latter• the .hairman )ust to keep on his good side+64Gou are• all )ust a bunch of sycophants and arse7kisse

who will• do anything to keep from being red+6 4I hano respect• for sycophants because they have no respecfor themselves+6• =• A tangled7web ust as a spider spins a web i

which to entangle his prey• so a person may spin a tangled7web of lies iorder to get• what he wants+ 4I never lie because one lieleads to another



• and another and before you know it you aretied7up• in a tangled7web of deceit+6 4Don/t trust tha

woman5• Everything she says is )ust a tangled7web oflies+6 4,hen• we get tied7up in the tangled7 web of self7delusion it often• takes careful surgical analysis to cut ourselvfree+6• =• A toss7up Even chance fty9fty could go oway or another as• in the Lip of a coin+ 42o one knows which tewill win• the ,orld/s .up+ ight now it/s a toss7up+64#ove is a• risky business8 it/s a toss7up between riskin

everything• and risking nothing+6 4,e don/t know whethto le for• bankruptcy or attempt to restructure ournances+ It/s a• toss7up+6 4<ometimes we are faced with atoss7up of )ust•

plain having to guess at which is the better two evils+6• =• A turn for the worse !hings have developedinto a worse condition than before+



• 4&y health has suddenly taken a turn for thworse• and I am not expected to live longer than

sixteen weeks+6• 4Economic trends have taken a turn for theworse and• investors are getting worried+6 4Cutbreaks violence• have suddenly taken a turn for the worse anthe planned• peace talks have been called o?+6 =• :K• A watched7pot never• boils+• ,hen you are waiting for a pot of water tocome to a• boil it seems to take forever+ 4,hen I used get impatient• while waiting for the water to boil so I couldmake• the tea 'randmother would always say SAwatched7pot• never boils/6 4,hen whatever you are waitifor makes• you feel stressed and impatient remember

old adage• that a watched7pot never boils+6 4Have youever noticed• that when you are waiting for a pot of watercome to a



• boil so you can make spaghetti it seems totake forever@• !hat/s why they say SA watched7pot never

boils/6 =• A weight o? my mind elease or freedom froa mental burden+ 4It/s a good• thing I got that check in the mail today+ 2owcan pay• my bills+ ,hat a weight o? my mind56 4I/mglad that I• have nally passed all the .%A exams+ !hat/weight• o? my mind+ 2ow my future is secured+6 4Alast the• company is nally registered and we havereceived a• 3A! number+ !hat/s a relief5 ,hat a weight omy• mind+6 =• A whale of a time A whole lot of fun a very bexiting and pleasurable• experience+ 4,e had a whale of a time at mybachelor• party it was the most fun any of us had hadyears+6•

4!he sta? had a whale of a time at the oOceparty and• drank one hundred bottles of champagne bthe next• morning most of them were not feeling so



good+6 4!he• boys and I are planning to go out on the tow"riday•

night and have a whale of a time+6 =• A wisecracker <omeone who is always tryingmake smart clever• witty or humorous remarks 4Don/t try to besuch a smart• Alec and wisecracker+ 2o one thinks it/s clevor funny• to keep making smart7assed remarks+6 4!revis always• making cynical wisecracks to show hisresentment and• my get attention+6 4,hen I was young I wareal wisecracker• but when I reali>ed that my smart remarkswere• hurtful to others I stopped being a wise guyand smartened• up+6 =• A word to the wise A bit of advice for thosewilling to gain from listening+• 4#et me tell you a word for the wise8 S2everstick your•

nose into other/ people/s business+6 4<omeowho is in• a position to give a word to the wise will ndfew people• who will be ready to listen+6 4Here is a word



for the• wise8 Sust because sixty7million other peopldo it•

doesn/t make it right+/6 =• A world of di?erence 2o comparison5 muchdi?erent and better than before• almost the total opposite+ 4<ince I startedmeditating I• have noticed a world of di?erence in myattitude+6 4After• the new road was completed it made a worlof di?erence• in the Low of traOc+6 4!hanks for volunteerto• help the homeless and aged for them a littlbit of kind• :M• support makes a world of di?erence+6 =• Abandon all hope 'ive up your last hope ofgetting what you want+ 4After• failing to pass the .%A exams for ve years row I• nally abandoned all hope of ever becoming.ertied• %ublic Accountant+6 4After the cancer spread

into• mother/s lymph system the family abandonall hope of • recovery+6 4After twelve wasted7yearsdreaming of becoming



• a movie star &andy abandoned all hope of a• successful Hollywood acting career+6 =• Abandon ship ust as sailors abandon and le

a sinking ship so we• may say that a person is about to abandon abusiness or a• cause when there is no hope of success+ 4,the rm• had posted annual losses of twenty million pyear for• four years in a row I decided to abandon sh4,hen I• reali>e we were headed for failure I decidedgive up• the cause and to abandon ship+6 4.ome on yguys• don/t abandon ship on me now )ust becausewe are• meeting a few diOculties+6 =• Aberrant behavior Abnormal deviant unusubehavior+ 4Aberrant behavior• in $indergarten pupils may be a sign ofproblems in• the home7environment+6 4Aberrant behaviorsituations•

that demand conventional respect andadherence to certain• social norms and manners may be a sign ofmental• illness+6 4Aberrant behavior in sexual matte



is a sign of • uncontrolled7lusts and passions+6 =• Abide by the rules "ollow the regulations+

4Abide by the rules and keep• you/re your nose clean and you will keep ouof trouble+6• 4!he Dean cannot make a special exception your• case because he must abide by the rules+6 4the dormitory• everyone must abide by the rules to avoidinfringing• on the rights of others+6 =• Ab)ect despair !otal and utter hopelessnessthat could not be worse+• 4,hen I was second7year philosophy studenlived in a• state of ab)ect despair because I of the fear

that I didn/t• really exist+6 4"ear of nothingness used to pexistential• philosophers into a state of ab)ect despair+64,hen I was• poor and penniless with no hope of success the future•

I lived in a state of ab)ect despair+6 =• Able7and7ready Healthy capable and preparfor action+ 42ew Gork • .ity has a team of able7and7ready rescueworkers who



• are prepared to )ump into action in case of anatural disaster+6• 4,e need some able7and7ready volunteers t

setup• the chairs in the meeting hall+6 4ust let meknow• whenever you need my assistance and I/ll bable7andready+6• =• Able7bodied <trong vigorous and healthy inbody able to do heavy• work 4,e need ten able7bodied men to loadthese bags• of cement on the truck+ Do we have anyvolunteers@6 4I• :N• am young strong and able7bodied and I amwilling to do• any kind of hard work that will help nance education+6• 4!he &arine .orps is always looking to recru• men who are willing and able7bodied to gand die in• the service of their country+6 =• Abominable behavior Highly o?ensive

despicable repulsive immoral actions• or deeds+ 4Gou should be ashamed of yourse%issing• out your bedroom window is abominablebehavior+6 4I



• do say Cld Boy the way you behaved in Brit.lub• Bar last night was the worst example of

abominable behavior• that we have seen there in years+6 4I wouldlike to• excuse myself for my abominable behavior athe party• last week+ I/m afraid I lost my temper and diand said• some things that even I myself ndunforgivable+6 =• Abortive action An act performed in order tostop something bad from• happening+ 4!he police have taken abortiveaction to stop• the terrorists from taking over the airport+64!he American• &arines were able to take abortive action toprevent• enemy forces from gaining entry into theEmbassy compound+6• 4!he oyal 'uards are taking abortive actioto• prevent a military coup+6 =•

About last night T ,hen you sleep withsomeone without having intended• to and you want to explain it in the morningyou may• say 4About last night let me explain that I



would never• have had sex with you if I had been sober+64ust to•

make clear there that are nomisunderstandings about• last night had I known that you were amarried man I• wouldn/t have agreed to a one night stand+64About last• night I am sorry that you think I tookadvantage of you+ I• don/t know what got into me+6 =• About7face .hanging one/s opinion and dointhe exact opposite• change direction by one7hundred and eightydegrees+• 4!he government has done an about7face onraising 3A!• to ten percent+6 4!he company has done anabout7face on• mandatory attendance at all meetings becausome of • the sta? are being assigned to do work outsthe oOce+6• 4!he .ommanding 'eneral made a total abo

face• on the policy of allowing women oOcers towear face• make7up during duty hours+6 =• Above all else !he thing of most importance





thought on a• level above and beyond one/s comprehensio4.ome•

down to earth and say it in simple words8 it/above my• head+6 I took a course in astrophysics oncebut I must• admit that it was a little bit above my head+did not• understand the theory of relativity that he wexplaining• in his lecture+ It was a little bit beyond me+ Ifact it was• totally above my head+6 =• Abrasive tone A rasping sound in someone/svoice7box that gets on• one/s nerves+ 4I cannot stand the sound of twoman/s• voice+ It has such a rasping and abrasivetone+6 4Don/t• use that abrasive tone when you are speakinto me or I• will see that you are smiling on the other sidof your• face+6 4Do not speak to clients with an

abrasive tone but• rather in a soft and gentle manner+6 =• Abreast7of7the7situation Being aware of thelatest information knowing what is• going on right now keeping7up with things



staying upto7• date+ 4%lease keep our rm abreast7of7the7situation by•

providing us with news of the latestannouncements regarding• tax regulations+6 4<tock brokers mustkeepabreast7• of7 the7situation regarding Luctuations in oi• prices which a?ect stock prices+6 4<tay in cltouch• with me during your negotiations to keep mup7to7date• and abreast7of7the7situation+6 =• Absence makes the heart• grow fonder• ,hen you don/t see someone you love for along while• you begin to care for him9her even more+ 4I

missed you• all the while you were gone+ Absence makesthe heart• grow fonder+6 4,hen <ally went o? to collegI thought• I/d probably forget about her but I foundabsence makes•

the heart grow fonder and I thought of her alot+6 4,hen• you miss someone you think it/s becauseabsence makes• the heart grow fonder but the real truth is t



you actually• miss the good things they do for you+6 =• Absent7minded "orgetful can/t remember+ i

where you put something• can/t recall a thing you wanted to dodistracted unfocused• and confused in your thoughts especially inold• age when the brain is not as sharp as it usedbe+• 4'randfather is getting so absent7minded thhe always• forgets where he has left his reading glasse4I/m sorry• I forgot to return your telephone call+ I/ve begetting a• little absent7minded lately+6 4<ince I/ve beeconcentrat:Q• ing so hard on writing my doctoral thesis I/vbecome• -uite absent7minded about the little things life like• remembering to check if the gate is closed othe door• is locked+6 =•

Absolute astonishment !otal ama>ement at unexpected+ 4!he family ga>ed• in absolute astonishment as they watchedtheir mother/s• ghost descending down the staircase+6 4!he



teacher• ga>ed in absolute astonishment as he saw hstudents•

throwing their exam papers out the window4!he• prince stared in absolute astonishment as hwatched the• beautiful princess turn into a frog right befohis very• eyes56 =• Absolutely ama>ing5 !otally unbelievable5 4Istill think it/s absolutely ama>ing• the way they put a man on the moon+6 4It/sabsolutely• ama>ing the way they can use D2A to solve • murder that was committed twenty years ag4England• has nally won a cricket nal against the

Australians+• !hey haven/t beaten the Aussies in years5Absolutely• ama>ing56 =• Absolutely fantastic5 !otally beyond one/shopes and dreams+ 4.ongratulations• on winning the 'old &edal5 !hat/s absolutel

fantastic56• 4It/s absolutely incredible5 I have )ust won a• scholarship to Harvard university+6 4It/sabsolutely fantastic• the way !im !aylor has totally recovered fro



being• paraly>ed and can walk normally again+6 =• Absolutely impossible5 .annot be possible+

4It/s absolutely impossible to get• your father to change his mind+ He/s toostubborn+6• 4!here is no way you can get me to tell a lieearn a• dishonest dollar+ Absolutely impossible56 4Itabsolutely• impossible for a person to have twoindependent and• separate thoughts in exactly the sameinstant+6 =• Absolutely not5 Denite refusal+ 4If you areasking me to lie for you the• answer is SAbsolutely not5/6 4According to !.ulture• it is not correct for a woman to be alone in aroom with a• strange man+ It is absolutely not acceptable4!here is• no way you can convince me to commit suchmorally• improper act+ 2o way5 Absolutely not56 =•

Absolved from guilt %ronounced innocent ofcharges+ 4At the end of the• court hearing the defendant was absolvedfrom guilt by• the )udge and )ury+6 4After a government



in-uiry the• %rime &inister was absolved from any guilt bribing of •

public oOcials+6 4%rof+ %erkins was absolvedfrom any• guilt of sexual harassment when the studen-uestion• nally admitted she had lied to get revengethe fact• that he had found her poetry mediocre+6 =• Absorbed in thought .oncentrated andthinking very deeply thinking about• only one thing to the exclusion of all otherstotally focused• on one point+ 4I could not get %rofessorEinstein/s• ;R• attention because he was so deeply absorbe

in thought• that didn/t even hear me speaking to him+6 4%icasso• concentrated on his work he was absolutelyunaware of • the world around him he was absolutelyabsorbed in•

thought+6 4!he en master is absolutelyabsorbed in the• thought of one7pointed7ness when hemeditates+6 =• Abstain from Avoid acting in a certain way



refrain from doing a certain• action resist temptation to do something+4Abstain•

from harsh speech to avoid the possibility ofyour words• doing harm to others+6 4Abstain from sexuaintercourse• with people who are married to others+64Abstain from• drinking alcohol and avoid doing anythingstupid that• you will be sorry for later+6 =• Abuse of privileges Incorrect use of rights obenets that go with a )ob or• position abuse of authority8 misuse of poweor privileges• for one/s own or other/s benet+ 4%eople inhigh• positions are often granted high privileges asign of • honor but abuse of such privilege andauthority brings• shame and dishonor upon them+6 4&ilitarypersonnel• have privileges to buy tax7free tobacco and

alcoholic• items but sometimes they abuse theseprivileges by selling• such goods on the black market+6 4,ell7behaved



• prisoners are awarded certain privileges whthey will• automatically lose if they are ever caught

abusing such• privileges+6 =• Accede to pressure .omply with the wishes others consent to do as others• want you to act as you are forced to do asother people• want you to+ 42ever accede to peer7pressurto do• something you know is wrong+6 4,e oftenaccede to social• pressure and behave the way that othersconventionally• do+6 42ever accede to pressure from busineassociates• who try force you do commit a criminal actio

=• Acceptable behavior Acting according to thestandards of society or group+ 4In• !hai culture it is not acceptable behavior foan unmarried• woman to meet an unmarried man anywherewhere•

they are alone together+6 4In English cultureis not acceptable• behavior to spit on the pavement+6 4!here i• nowhere in the world where it is consideredacceptable



• behavior to perform a private sexual act in aopen public• place+6 =•

Accident7prone Habitually having accidentsone who is always accidentprone• is likely to have a lot of accidents+ 4&y siste• Elma is very accident7prone she/s alwaysbreaking an• arm or a leg or a few ribs+6 4I/ve stoppeddriving altogether• in the city because I/m an accident7pronedriver+6• 4I never go hiking in the mountains becauseI/m so accident• prone+ I/d be sure to fall o? as cli? break a lfall• o? as cli? fall o? as cli? and have to be lifteout by• ;1• helicopter+6 =• Accident waiting to happen• A dangerous situation that is a safety ha>arso that• sooner or later an accident is certain tohappen+ 4!he•

excessive pressure straining on thoseoverhead suspension7• lines is an accident waiting to happen+6 4A<kyscraper• that does not meet the governmental



specications• regarding structural engineering regulationan•

accident waiting to happen+6 4<ometimes wsay that a• person who is over7sensitive and over7stressis an accident• waiting to happen+6 =• Accidentally7on7purpose <omething done onpurpose deliberately but made to• look like an accident+ 4&y husband lost thedivorce papers• accidentally on purpose so he wouldn/t havto• sign them6 4ames Bond dropped the glass opoisoned7• <trawberry .hampagne accidentally onpurpose so he• wouldn/t have to drink it+6 4!he societyhostess bumped• into me accidentally on purpose and spilled drink all• over my brand new ten thousand Dollardesigner dress+6• =•

Accommodate someone/s• wishes• Do someone/s bidding perform as askedsubmit to a• person/s re-uest+ 4<ometimes you are force



to accommodate• another person/s wishes whether you like it • not+6 4If you do not give in and accommodat

my• wishes I will see that you run into a lot oftrouble+6 4In• business sometimes you have to learn toaccommodate• someone/s wishes in order to get him tocomply with• your own desires+6 =• According to all accounts All those who tell tstory say the same thing all those• who are in7the7know agree+ 4According to alaccounts• president $ennedy had a lot of extra7maritaa?airs on• the side+6 4According to all accounts certain

people in• the government are taking illegal pay7o?s+64According• to all accounts the Fnited <tates 'overnmeis concealing• information about F"C/s+6 =• Accurate account !rue relation of the facts o

story+ 4!he movie you are• about to see is an accurate account basedupon the actual• facts of a true story+6 4!he witness sworebefore the



• )udge in court that his written statement waan accurate• account of the events leading up to the

attack+6 !he recorded• statement that I am about to make is anaccurate• account of the actual facts of the fatal accidas I saw• it+6 =• Ace an exam !o do exceedingly well on anexamination in a way that• is easy for you+ 4I aced the &ath exam5 It wareally easy• for me+ I/m sure I got an AU+6 4I/ve studied dand• night all week and I/m condent that I amgoing to ace• the exam56 4'eo?rey didn/t even study and

still aced• the exam5 I wish I had his brains56 =• ;:• Ace up your sleeve ust as a gambler mightcheat at cards by slipping a concealed7• high card like an ace out of his shirt sleeveso a•

person in a diOcult situation may be said touse a deceptive• trick to get himself out of trouble+ 4,e may eventually• end up in )ail but I/ve still got an ace up my



sleeve• that may help us out of the )am+6 4!he .ECplans to•

blame the cause of corporate corruption onme but I still• have an ace up my sleeve because I haveevidence of the• ."C/s secretly transferring funds to hiddenaccounts+6• 4!he epublicans will probably lose the nextelection• but they still have an ace up their sleeve toplay in order• to sexually slander their Democraticopponent+6 =• Achieve the impossible Do what does not sepossible achieve what appears to• be unachievable accomplish what everyone

thinks is not• possible+ 4I wish I could achieve the impossiand be• better than perfect+6 4Don/t try to achieve timpossible• or you/ll end7up disappointed+6 4!he ussiaachieved•

what seemed to be impossible by shooting trst space• capsule into orbit around the earth+6 =• Achilles/ heel ust as the old 'reek heroAchilles had a vulnerable



• point if in)ured by an arrow in the heel of hisfoot so we• all may be said to have a vulnerable point if

someone hits• us in that weak spot+ 4If someone mentions unhappy• childhood I become sensitive and vulnerablIt/s my• Achilles/ heel+6 4Don/t mention the 'eneral/son being• killed in action it/s his Achilles/ heel+64Everyone has an• Achilles heel you )ust have to watch until yoobserve• his weak spot and then focus your attack onthe point+6 =• Ac-uainted7with !o know someone+ 4I amac-uainted7with several people• who are close to the ueen but I am notpersonally ac-uainted• with the ueen herself+6 4I am ac-uainted7w• the former Bangkok 'overnor but I do notknow him• very well+6 4I am ac-uainted7with the rules regulations•

of the dormitory but I do not always followthem+6• =• Act of violence Hurtful harmful hostile actio4Beating your wife is an



• act of violence+6 4%eople who have beenseverely abused• as children often commit acts of violence lat

on in life+6• 4A monk who is well7centered in tran-uilitymeditation• would never think of committing an act ofviolence+6 =• Act on your own !o do something all alonewithout any help based on• your own belief or conviction not follow thecrowd but• act individually decide for yourself regardleof the• opinions of others+6 4Acting all on her own&other• !heresa started an individual e?ort to help tpoor and• the sick+6 42o one had the guts to complainabout unpaid• overtime so 'ilbert acted on his own and wdirectly• to the management6 4<ince Dave could get nancial• ;;•

support from his family he acted on his ownand• worked his way through school doing part ti )obs+6 =• Acting7alone !o do a deed totally on your ow



without any outside• help or assistance+ 4If you go against compapolicy•

you will be acting on your own and be inbreach of your• contract+6 4!imothy told police that he wasacting on his• own when he blew up city hall when in truthe could• not have done it without accomplices+6 4!hegeneral• who walked into <panish parliament carryinmachine• gun and threatening to take over thegovernment was• acting alone on his own as an individualwithout any• army behind him+6 =• Acting7up Behaving badly being naughty hto control actingout• frustrations+ 4,hen I was a boy in school I a bad• reputation amongst the teachers because Iwas known• for always acting7up in class+6 42ow that I lo

back on• my boyhood I reali>e that I was only acting7as a• negative way of getting attention+6 4Acting7as a child



• in school is perhaps excusable but when yoreach the• age of maturity and are still acting7up you

need some• psychological counseling+6 =• Actions speak louder• than words• Doing a good deed is better than making apromise as yet• unfullled+ 4,atch what people do rather thlisten to• what they say+ <eeing is believing+ Actionsspeak louder• than words+6 4Don/t )ust stand there talkingabout the• problem do something about it5 Actions spelouder• than words56 4In a true lover/s love actions

speak louder• than words+6 =• Adamant opinion InLexible obstinate attituor view+ 4&y 'randfather• was of the adamant opinion that women shobe kept• barefoot and pregnant+6 4'eneral #ee was o

the adamant• opinion that slaves should not be given theifreedom+6 4I• am still of the adamant opinion that I didnothing wrong



• in blowing the whistle on governmentcorruption+6 =• Add fuel to the Lames ust as one makes a

burn more strongly by piling extra• wood on the Lames so one can make a badsituation• worse by adding an extra provocations orcomplications• which make matters worse+ 4&y girlfriendalready• knows I cheated on her with her best friendbut if she• nds out that I did it with her sister too it w )ust add• fuel to the Lames+6 4!elling my husband thain addition• to maxing out my credit card I also overdreour )ointsavings• account )ust added fuel to the Lames6 4Dontell• mother that I still disagree with her aboutbreaking7up• with my husband+ !hat will )ust add fuel to tLames+6 =• Add insult to in)ury After hurting someone/s

feelings once then doing something• even worse than you did before+ 4!elling udthat• he was rude and that I only wanted to help himprove



• ;J• his manners only added insult to in)ury+64<aying that I•

wanted to help <issy hide her weaknesses oadded insult• to in)ury+6 4!elling the %rime &inister that hshould• follow the party whip/s orders for his own goonly• added insult to in)ury+6 =• Addle7brained <tupid confused muddle7headed+ 4&y brother Bill has• always been a little addle7brained but we lohim anyway+6• 4Cld Aunt 'ertrude became a bit addle7brai• after she turned ninety but otherwise herhealth was• -uite good+6 4Cur receptionist is a bit addle

brained but• she is stylish and attractive and adds a toucof class to• the company image+6 =• Ad7lib Impromptu speaking without ant priopreparation o?the7• cu?+ 4,hen you don/t know what to say )us

fake it+• Ad lib and say )ust whatever comes into youmind+6• 4,hen I have not prepared my class I )ust gin and do



• it ad lib+6 4%art of the interview consists in tcandidate• being asked to speak ad lib on a topic chose

at random+6• =• Admit defeat .oncede victory to the opposinside admit that you• have been beaten+ 4Even before all the votewere fullycounted• the runner7up candidate was forced to admidefeat• because he was trailing by fteen percent+64Cur• team was behind by seventy points when itbegan to rain• so we had to call it o? and admit defeat+64<ometimes• you must concede that you have failed and

admit defeat• and start over again+6 =• Admonish someone 'ive a warning or areprimand to somebody+ 4&y• mother always used to admonish .atherine the open• and friendly way she associated with boys+6

4Cur auditor• has admonished me for the careless way I hbeen• keeping our nancial records+6 4Harry wasseverely admonished



• by the headmaster for framing his picture in• toilet seat and hanging it in the mainauditorium+6 =•

Adorable child <weet lovely delightful child4&y niece is a sweet• adorable loveable child+6 4Gou will )ust lovemy daughter5• <he/s such an adorable child+6 4,hen you w• young you were an adorable child but nowyou/ve• turned7out to be a nasty horrible beast56 =• Adrenalin rush A moment of high energy andpower caused by a sudden• surge of adrenalin circulating through thebody+ 4<kydivers• get an adrenalin rush the moment they )umpout of • the plane into the open air+6 4I love the

adrenalin rush I• get during the moments of free fall duringBungee)umping+6• 4,hen I am faced with extreme danger Ialways• get an adrenalin rush that provides me withthe almost•

super7human power I need to deal with thesituation+6• =• ;K• Adulterous behavior <ex outside of marriage



4If anybody ever nds out about• my adulterous behavior I will be a ruined7man+6 4Gour•

father says you should be admonished for yoadulterous• behavior+6 4!he %resident/s adulterousbehavior has• caused the party to lose face+6 =• Advance notice %rovide information about ahappening before it occurs+• 4,hen there is to be a re7drill in our oOcethe administration• always gives us advance notice+6 4#abor lawre-uires• that an employee be given advance noticebefore• termination of employment+6 4If I want toterminate my• rental contract I must give my landlord thremonths advance• notice+6 =• Advanced in years 'etting7old becoming -uold+ 4,hen ,inston .hurchill• was advanced in years he nally found time• write his memoirs+6 4I hope that when I

become advanced• in years that my mind will still be sharp and• clear+6 4,hen the %ope was very advanced iyears he• no longer had the necessary physical energy



make fre-uent• public appearances+6 =• Advised that &eans that someone has given

advice or counsel to• somebody about something 4Cur in7houselawyer has• advised us that we at risk of being sued by tclient for• damages+6 4Cur tax consultant has advised that the• evenue Department will impose a penalty flate payment• of withholding7tax+6 4&y doctor has advisedme• that I had better -uit drinking alcohol to avothe risk of • doing further damage to my liver+6 =• A?able personality %leasant friendly sociab

easy7going likeable character+• 4!he new ambassador <ir odney has a vera?able• personality and is well7liked by the Embassysta?+6 4Cur• Aunt Bessie has an a?able personality whichmakes it•

easy for her to move about in high society+64Arnold• <chwar>enegger had an a?able personalitydespite his• Hollywood image of being a muscular



exterminator+6 =• AOrmative action Doing something in order right a wrong making a•

demonstration to call for action to correctsomething seen• as incorrect or unfair+ 4<ome anti7abortion7activists• blow7up abortion clinics as a demonstration aOrmative• action+6 4,hen we were students as ademonstration• of aOrmative action against sexist universitregulations• we had a sit7in in the Dean of &en/s oOce fofour• days and nights+6 4&y former girlfriend Ingwas such• a strong believer in aOrmative action

demanding• woman/s rights that she appeared toplesswith ten other• women in a packed7opera house in "rankfurta form of • protest+6 =• Afraid or your own•

shadow• !imid scared of everything and everybodyfrightened to• do or try anything shy hesitantapprehensive afraid of



• ;M• the slightest thing+ 4!iny !im was actually sshy and•

timid that he was literally afraid of his ownshadow+ 4As• a small child <arah was very apprehensive awithdrawn• and people used to stay she was afraid of heown• shadow+6 4!here/s no way we can get Donalto go in• and confront the boss+ Donald is so cowardlythat he/s• even afraid of his own shadow+6 =• After hours After normal pubs and restauranclose down at night• usually after midnight+ 4!here is a cool )a>>club downtown• that stays open after hours where themusicians• play until dawn+6 4!he IA used to operateillegal pubs• in 2orthern Ireland where you could drink afhours+6• 4If the %olice nd a beer7bar that is open aft

hours in• %attaya the owner will have to pay a severene+6 =• After the party is over ust as after a party hended and everyone has gone



• home and there is a lonely feeling so we casay that• when period of pleasure is over there is

emotional emptiness+• 4After the party is over and all the guests ar• gone I often wake up in the morning on thefront lawn+6• 4Gou might think it is fun to go out drinkingevery night• but after a few years after the party is naover• you/ll ask yourself what you haveaccomplished+6 4Cne• day after the party/s over you/ll look backwith an emotional• hangover and wonder how long it will take yto• get over it and grow up+6 =• After7the7event After an action has nishedseeing a mistake too late to• do anything about it+ 4<omething youunderstand afterthe7• event that helps you learn not to do it againalso• called Shindsight+/6 4If you had enough

foresight you• would never need to feel regret after7the7event+6 4It/s• usually too late to correct what you said wroafter7theevent+6



• =• Afterthoughts egrets felt after the fact toolate to do anything about it•

or doubts making you want to change yourmind+ 4I/m• having afterthoughts about why I got anabortion but it/s• too late to change it now+6 4"ather says he ihaving afterthoughts• about leaving me the house in his will beca• he disapproves of my moral attitudes+6 4I/mhaving• afterthoughts about my decision to study inthe <tates• because of the high costs involved+6 =• Against all odds #ittle chance little likelihoolittle probability+ 4It is• against all odds that I can live to be a hundr

but I/m• hoping for an exception+6 4It is against all othat a• meteor could fall from the sky and crush youthe middle• of the street but it could happen+6 4!rying tght•

corruption is like struggling against all oddswith no• chance of success+6 =• Against my better7 &eans one should knowbetter but that one it is going to



• ;N• )udgment do it anyway+ 4It/s against my bet )udgment to lend•

my brother money but I/m going to do itanyway+6 4I/ll• help invest in your company although it isagainst my• better )udgment+6 4Even though it is againsmy better• )udgment I have decided to go back to myhusband+6 =• Against my principles In conLict with my movalues+ 4It is against my principles• to make any action that is not based on goomotives+6• 4It is against my principles to help anyone wis• not totally honest+6 4It is against my princip

to take• anything that is not freely given+6 =• Against the current ust as one might have tstruggle hard to swim against a• strong stream of water so one might havetrouble in trying• to go against common opinion+ 4,hen the ti

of a?airs• is Lowing in the wrong direction sometimeswe• have no choice but to swim against thecurrent6 4<ome



• people go with the Low some swim againstthe current+6• 4In our rm we have rm and strict policies

and it does• little good to try to swim against the curren=• Against the grain ust as the hand runs overthe grain in the surface of • wood moving smoothly going one way butmoving• roughly back the other so we can say it isdiOcult for a• man to go against the grain when we mean opposing• public opinion or power or authority+ 4Don/t and go• against the grain of cultural opinion or you/l )ust have• rough time+6 4It does no good to go againstthe grain• when it comes to power politics+6 4In dealinwith tax• authorities do whatever they ask and don/tagainst the• grain or they will cause you nancial pain+6 •

Against the law .ontrary to the law of the la4It is against the law to• steal the property of others+6 4Driving throua red light• is against the law+6 4ust because something



against• the law doesn/t mean people are not going tdo it+6 =•

Against the stream Cpposite to the naturalLow+ 4!he Buddha goes against• the stream+6 4<wimming against the currenand struggling• against the stream is diOcult in the extreme4In• society those who want to go against thestream will nd• it more diOcult than it may at rst seem+6 =• Age of consent 2ormally at the age of sixteeighteen or twenty7one a• person has reached the age to make his ownlegal decisions• as a consenting adult+ 4Cnce you have reachthe• age of consent you are free to make your owdecisions+6• 4!he downside of reaching the age of conseis• that you also become eligible for militaryduty+6 4In• some states the age of consent for consensu

sex is sixteen+6• =• Aggressive attitude Active assertive forcefforward+ 4In sales and marketing• you have to have an aggressive attitude or



you• won/t meet budget+6 4!he new sales managhas a very•

;P• aggressive attitude which may help himincrease sales• but it will also make him unpopular with thesta?+6• 4&any northern Europeans appear to have aaggressive• attitude as though they/re always looking foa ght and• we think they should learn to be a bit less7pushy+6 =• Agreeable nature Easy to get along with+ 4&sister &aude has an agreeable• nature+ <he can get along with anybody+64<ome• people are born with an agreeable nature asome are• born with an aggressive nature+6 4I want tomarry a• woman with an agreeable nature with whomcan love a• long and harmonious life+6 =•

Ahead of time Before the set time date ordeadline+ 4,ith any luck I• will have the report completed ahead of timand be able• to submit it before the due date+6 4,e have



managed to• complete the pro)ect two days ahead of time4,henever•

I have a business appointment I always try arrive• a little ahead of time+6 =• Ahead of his times !oo advanced in his thinkfor the people of his own• period or era to understand and accept+4.hristopher .olumbus• was ahead of his times when he said the ear• was round instead of Lat+6 4'alileo was farahead of his• times when he said the earth revolved arounthe sun+6• 4!he %re7<ocratic philosophers were awayahead of their• times when they suggested everything

consisted of atoms+6• =• Aid7and7abet .onspire with collude connivehelp and encourage• someone to do something wrong+ 4&y bigbrother used• to aid7and7abet me to steal candy from the

convenience• store+6 4!he police have accused me of aidinand7 abetting• my cousin in committing a crime+6 4!hepenalty for



• aiding7and7abetting a traitor to upset andovertake the• government is life imprisonment+6 =•

Aimed7at ,ith the goal or purpose of assistiplanning or achieving• a scheme+ 4!his new advertising campaign iaimedat• developing the teenage market base+6 4!henew government• education plan is aimed at providing freeeducation• for all citi>ens+6 4!he hospital/s new policy iaimed• at providing -uick medical treatment for allpatients+6 =• Air of pretension %retending to be or trying appear to be better than you• really are+ 4I hate the way the Ambassador/s

wife always• puts on an air of pretension at publicfunctions+ ,ho• does she think she is anyway@6 4Anyone whoputs on an• air of pretension is pretending to himself anothers that•

he is better than he is+6 4Gou/d better dropthat air of pretension• before someone gets annoyed and kicks you• butt+6 =• Air your opinion <ay openly what you think+



4Cn radio talk shows people• like to call up and air their opinions+6 4I woulike eve;Q•

ryone here to air his opinion about thegrievance before• we begin to mediate a solution+6 42ever airyour opinion• in front of the chairman of the board unless agrees exactly• with his own+6 =• Alarmist tactics !o use the strategy of makinpeople afraid in order to• provoke them into performing certain action4,hen the• %resident wanted to start a war to drive up prices he• used alarmist tactics to make people fearterrorist attacks+6• 4,hen a company uses alarmist tactics topressure• sta? members into increasing performance fear• of losing their )obs the long7term e?ect isharmful to• everyone concerned+6 4.hristian missionarie

should not• use alarmist tactics to frighten people intochanging their• religion by making them afraid of burning inthe res of



• hell +6 =• Alert the public 'ive the general populationadvance notice of approaching•

danger+ 4!he government weather bureau nhas a• system in place to alert the public in advancof coastal• hurricanes+6 4!he %resent has alerted thepublic that a• giant meteor is heading on a direct collisioncourse with• earth+6 4!he police have alerted the generapublic to be• on the lookout for and escaped convict weara black • and white7striped prison uniform+6 =• Alive and kicking ust as we can see that anewly7born baby is alive and• kicking so we can say that an old man orwoman is still• alive and kicking if he9she is not dead yet+ +64I/ll still be• alive and kicking when you are six feet undethe• ground+6 4Everyone thought Elvis was long

since dead• when suddenly he turned up in &emphis salive and• kicking+6 4I had lost contact with my motherfor many



• years and assumed she had long since diedwhen one• day she appeared before my door still alive

and kicking+6• =• All able7bodied men All men who are strongand able to do heavy work+ 4!he• community has asked all able7bodied men tovolunteer to• help ght the re+6 4!he problem with ownian ocean• racing yacht is that you need at least ve abbodied• men to man the sails in heavy weather+6 4!hdockyard• superintendent is looking for able7bodied mto help• unload cargo from the ships+6 =• All boils down to In the nal analysis to putsimply in a few words+ 4A• lot has been said about corruption but whatall boils• down to is the simple fact that manungoverned by law is• selsh by nature+6 4!here has been a lot of

discussion• about whether a husband can be trusted buwhat it all• boils down to in the end is whether he canresist temptation



• or not+6 4,e hear a lot of loose talk about ha• moving and healthy economy is good for the

nation but• JR• what it all boils down to is nding a fast wayfor everybody• to make an easy buck+6 =• All brawn and no brain Big and strong andmuscular but not very intelligent+• 4.ollege girls like to date football players bthe problem• is that athletes are sometimes all brawn andno• brain+6 4Arnold looks like he is all brawn andno brain• but actually he is pretty smart+6 4It is a forof sexual• discrimination to say that big strong men aall brawn• and no brain+6 =• All by myself Alone independent on your ow4Don/t give me any• advice+ I want to solve this problem all bymyself+6 4I•

built this sailing yacht all by myself withoutany help• from anybody+6 42obody helped me get aneducation I• had to pay my way through school all by



myself+6 =• All dolled7up A girl who is Sall dolled7up/ hasdone her best to make•

herself look as pretty as a doll wearing herbest dress• gown and )ewelry and made7up to lookbeautiful+ 4&om• used to get all dolled7up to go out to socialevenings in• the local pub on <aturday nights+6 4&y sistedoesn/t• look very attractive in everyday clothingwithout her• make7up but when she gets all dolled7up toout with• her boyfriend she looks really smashing+6 4got• grandmother all dolled7up and took her out

dinner on• her eightieth birthday+6 =• All ears eady to listen eager to hear whatyou have to say to• listen to your excuse anxious to know how yare going• to answer+ 4.an you explain how my

wristwatch got• into your pocket@ I/m all ears+6 4!ell me youexcuse for• all the mischief you have caused+ I/m all ear4.an you



• explain how a good boy like you was caughtpeeping into• the girl/s locker room@ I/m all ears+6 =•

All ngers and thumbs .lumsy alwaysdropping things+ 4!hings are always• slipping out of my hands and falling to theground+ I/m• all ngers and thumbs+6 4!he nurse has to gme my• medicine+ I usually drop the tablets if I try tohandle them• by myself+ I/m all ngers and thumbs youknow+6 4I• have poor manual dexterity+ I/m all ngers athumbs+6• =• All 'reek to me ust as a person who has notbeen trained in ancient• classical 'reek will not be able to read andunderstand it• so when we hear any academic explanationthat is above• our head or level of education or intelligencewe can• say SIt/s all 'reek to me+/ 4I tried taking a

course in• geophysics but it was all 'reek to me+6 S!hetheory of • relativity is beyond me+ It/s all 'reek to me+could



• never understand the ideas of being andnothingness in• phenomenology+ It/s all 'reek to me+6 =•

All in a day/s work ,hat is expected of you ithe performance of your daily• J1• routine in your )ob+ 4!oday I killed three menblew up• two buildings and shot down one helicopter+"or a special• forces military agent like me it/s all in a da• work+6 4Gesterday I led six reports went tseven• meetings and closed eight accounts all in aday/s work+6• 4A local police oOcer is expected to face andght violence• and aggression wherever it arises all in a da• work+6 =• All in one piece Fnin)ured unharmedundamaged+ 4#uckily Dad was• not blown to bits in the war and returned hoall in one• piece+6 4!he press and media will tear yourreputation•

apart if your character is not absolutelyspotless but if • they are unable to nd any scandal they wileave you• all in one piece+6 4Any other man would hav



been torn• apart by so many political pressures pullingfrom so•

many sides but the %rime &inister provedresistant to• any and all attacks and managed to remain tact unharmed• and all in one piece+6 =• All in your mind All in your head illusoryimaginary+ 4If you think that• everybody is out to get you it/s probably alyour• mind+6 4Gou may think our relationship goesbeyond• friendship but if you imagine I love you it/sin your• mind+6 4I am convinced that every man wanto rape• me but my psychiatrist says it is all in mymind+6 =• All on your own Alone with no one to care foyou solitary and isolated+• 4It/s hard to sail solo around the world all oyour own• with no one to help you+6 4,hen the other f

astronauts• leave you alone in the space station and retto• earth you will have to man it all on your ow4How



• does it feel to be all alone all on your own nthat the• rest of your family has gone and deserted

you@6 =• All out7of7steam ust as the old trainlocomotive engines used to run on• steam power so when we are all tired7out alacking• energy we can say we are all out7of7steam+4%lease let• me sit down and take a break for a minute+ Iall outof7• steam from lifting those big steel beams+6 4the• time grandfather has climbed up the stairs this bedroom• he is all out7of7steam+6 4After playing hard• throughout the game and then for another

thirty minutes• of overtime the team was all out of steam+6• All set to go %repared and ready to begin+ 4bought my ticket and• packed my bags and I/m all set to go on myholidays+6• 4,e/ve made all the necessary preparations

for the voyage• and we/re all set to go+6 4!he company hasbeen• properly registered+ !he capital investmenthas been put



• in place and the business is all set to go+6 =• All steamed7up ust as a steam engine is fedwith fuel to worked7up to•

the necessary level to produce full steampower so one• J:• may become emotionally7exited and workedup -uite• angry and ready for a ght or -uarrel+ 4Isometimes get• all steamed7up when people hurt my feelingbecause I• cannot control my emotions+6 4Don/t get allsteamed7up• and lose control at the meeting or you/ll besorry for• your actions later+6 4&y wife is all steamed7and bent• out of shape because I bought myself a newcar without• asking her+6 =• All talk and no action %eople who talk a lot bdo nothing are said to be Sall• talk and no action+/ 42ever marry a man whoall talk •

and no action+6 4I wouldn/t vote for a politicwho is• all talk and no action+6 4A man who is all taland no action• is a total waste of time+6 =



• All the di?erence in the• world• 2o comparison totally di?erent+ 4Being able

drive my• own car as opposed to taking the bus hasmade all the• di?erence in the world+6 4%utting airconditioning in the• oOce has made all the di?erence in the worby improving• the working environment+6 4eplacing deskcalculators• with computers made all the di?erence in th• world to the accounting profession+6 =• All the rage !he latest fad or cra>e a thingeveryone is doing a fashion• thing that is in vogue+ 4!en years ago wearminiskirts• was all the rage+6 4I can remember when itwas all• the rage to dye your hair pink or purple orgreen+6 4At• the time of the Hippies wearing long hair anbeads was• all the rage+6 =•

All the time in the world !aking time to dosomething as if there were no need to• hurry+ 4He )ust takes his time and lets us waas though• we have all the time in the world+6 4Gou/d



better start• thinking about what you are going to do aboyour future+•

Gou haven/t got all the time in the world yo• know+6 4!ake your time+ !here/s no rush+ I/vgot all the• time in the world+6 =• All washed7up uined with no hope ofrecovery having lost everything• nancially nished reaching the end of hiscareer with• no chance to start again no hope of return tfame or fortune• no longer known or important+ 4After 3ince • lost his last million gambling in #as 3egas hwas all• washed7up+ !hat/s the price he paid for beincompulsive• gambler+6 4andolph Hurst was one of themost• wealthy and highly respected men in.alifornia but after• a series of setbacks he lost his nancialempire and was• all washed7up+6 <ally <awyer was the

Hollywood sweetheart• of the thirties but after she got addicted topills and• alcohol within ve years she was all washeup+6 =



• All wrapped7up Been decided upon come toconclusion signed sealed• and delivered a done deal client is ready to

sign an• agreement task is nished work has beencompleted+• J;• 42egotiations have come to a conclusion amemorandum• of agreement has been signed and the dealall• wrapped7up+6 4I/m so pleased and happy thathe client• has agreed to our terms and it/s a done deaIt/s all• wrapped up+6 4All the phases of the plan havbeen• wrapped7up and the pro)ect has reached

completion+6 =• All7out7e?ort !ry your maximum7best do youtmost struggle as• hard as you can make your best attempt+ 4Iyou want to• be the very best in your eld you have to hanatural•

talent and make an all7out7e?ort to attain yogoal+6• 4Cur party wants to win the election and ware going to• make an7all7out e?ort to win the popular vot



4!he• government has decided to make an all7out7e?ort to stem•

the spread of AID<+6 =• Allow nature to take its• course• #et the natural Low of nature continue to thnish+• 4,hen you know you are going to die it isbetter to let• nature take its course+6 4Dad has terminalcancer and all• treatments have failed so we have no choicebut to let• nature take its course+6 4However much wemay try to• manipulate the environment for our ownpurposes the• e?ects will only be temporary and in the ennature to• take its own course+6 =• Almost there 2ear to reaching the goal neathe end near completion+• 4Don/t give up yet+ If you can keep climbing another•

ve minutes we will have reached the top othe mountain+• ,e/re almost there+6 4I haven/t got my weig• down to sixty7ve kilos yet but at sixty7vepoint six I



• am almost there+6 4I haven/t made a millionyet but I/m• almost there+ By the end of the next -uarter

I/ll be a millionaire+6• =• Along the beaten track "ollowing along thesame path in life that everybody else• takes+ 4I don/t want to follow along the beattrack+ I• want to do something di?erent+6 4<ometimeit is better• to follow along the beaten track and do thesame things• everybody else does rather than stray o? and yourself • lost and alone+6 4If you play it safe and folloalong• the beaten track you/re unlikely to be faced

with risk or• attack+6 =• Along the way In the course of events of lifeused to be -uite selsh• but somewhere along the way I learned it wbetter to• give than receive+6 4I learned a lot along th

way as I• was growing7up the hard way learning to dewith the• diOculties and perplexities of life+64<omewhere along



• the way in life you will reali>e where you habeen going• wrong and start doing things right for a

change+6 =• Always have a good• word for everybody+• Always speak well of other people in anencouraging• way+ 4I try to say kind things and always hava good• word for everybody+6 4I have tried to trainmyself to• JJ• never speak harshly and always to have a kiword for• everybody+6 4A good teacher knows how tomaintain a• balance between giving constructive criticis

on the one• hand and having a kind word for everybody the• other+6 =• Always interested5 eady to )ump at thechance when the opportunity arises+• 4If you want to ask me for a date I am alway

interested56• 4I/m always interested in hearing about anynew• investment plans that are sure to make memoney+6 4If



• you hear about any cheap land for sale in thcity center• I am always interested56 =•

Always on the go 2ever stopping active all time full of energy always• busy never in one place for very long goingfrom one• event to another socially very active+ 4&yAunt #ily is• always on the go Litting from one social eveor occasion• to another+6 4!he secret to my success is thI/m• always on the go never losing sight of my gand• working every waking7minute all day everyday+6 4Darlene• is always on the go starting with )ogging in

the• morning studying hard at school all dayattending• drama rehearsals after class and taking extmath lessons• as well as ballet and piano classes in theevening+6•

=• Ambivalent attitude Fnsure uncertain notsure undecided one way or the• other not -uite sure which is better whichway to go+ 4I



• have always had an ambivalent attitudetowards the luxurious• life because I can take it or leave it+6 4I do n

like• or dislike the %resident+ I couldn/t care lessone way or• the other+ I have an ambivalent attitude+6 4Icannot say if • it/s better to study abroad or in !hailand+!here are pro/s• and con/s to each side+ I/m not sure one waythe other• so I have an ambivalent attitude regarding t-uestion+6• =• Amble along <troll and wander along your w4,ell it/s getting• late so I guess I/ll )ust amble along on my w

home+6• 4!he party/s over and everybody/s gone so guess I/ll• )ust amble along as well+6 4Cld <pike ones often seen• ambling aimlessly around town with noparticular destination•

in mind+6 =• Amiable attitude #ikeable easy to get alongwith agreeable+ 4&y Aunt• Amy is good7natured and friendly+ <he has aamiable



• attitude+6 4&y brother7in7law <tan has anamiable attitude+• He is the sort of fellow who is easy to get alo•

with+6 4$en Harman is a likeable chap with amiable• attitude who always has a kind word foreveryone+6 =• Amounts to nothing 2ot important+ 4,hy maa big deal out of a bigsounding• )ob title when really it amounts to nothing@6• 4<ometimes we let a small thing become a thing• JK• when really it amounts to nothing+64<ometimes we• worry and make a big fuss about an imaginein)ury• when it actually amounts to nothing6 =• An abysmal failure A terrible failure that couhardly be worse+ 4!he government/s• attempt to negotiate with the rebel faction w• an abysmal failure+6 4!he Fnited 2ations haspent billions• and billions of dollars trying to help Africannations•

learn to help themselves but to date all F2e?orts have• been an abysmal failure+6 4,e have beentrying to stop• local corruption for decades but so far our



e?orts have• been an abysmal failure+6 =• An airhead <omeone who seems empty7

headed with no brain nothing• in the head too dumb and foolish to be takeseriously+• 4<illy <ally is an airhead+ !here seems to benothing• in her skull but empty air+6 4I/m such anairhead5 I• never know exactly what is going on or whaam going• to do next+6 4Gou airhead5 #ook at what youhave gone• and done now5 Gou have ruined everything bsimply• not thinking+6 =• An auspicious occasion An important

favorable lucky promising happening+• 4Being born on a full7moon day is anauspicious occasion+6• 4!he celebration of the $ing/s sixtieth birthd• was an auspicious occasion+6 4!he re7openinof the• oyal Art &useum a hundred years after th

death of • ueen .atherine was an auspicious occasio=• An easy mark <omeone who stands out asbeing a person to be easily



• deceived and cheated+ 4ich old touristwomen are easy• marks for unscrupulous gem dealers who wa

to sell• fake )ewels for high prices+6 4,hen people sa foreigner• in the street they think he is an easy markwho• can be fooled into giving them money+6 4An man• with a bankroll of money who likes to drinklooks like• an easy mark for a woman of the night who out to get• his money+6 =• An eye for an eye and a• tooth for a tooth• Gou hurt me I hurt you to the same degree

the same• way no more no less take revenge by exactthe same• degree of damage from another as you havesu?ered• from him for example if you kill my brotherwill kill•

your brother for revenge+ 4In the old dayspeople revenged• themselves by inLicting exactly the samedamage• on the other as had been done to them8 an a



for an eye• and a tooth for a tooth+6 42owadays the ruof law•

would not allow us to take revenge by exactan eye• for an eye or a tooth for a tooth+6 4!oday itmay seem• vengeful to pay someone back by demandinan eye for• an eye and a tooth for a tooth but in ancientimes revenge• was often much harsher for example you kmy• brother I kill everyone in your family+6 =• JM• An inopportune moment An inconvenient illtimed awkward moment+ 4%ress• photographers caught him on lm in an

inopportune• moment with his trousers down+6 4Excuse m<ir I hope• I/m not disturbing you at an inopportunemoment but• your wife is on the phone and she wants toknow if you•

are coming home to dinner+6 4<ir+ I hope I hanot disturbed• you at an inopportune moment but I must ayou• immediately if you plan to cancel today/s Bo



&eeting+6• =• An invasion of privacy #ooking into people/s

personal and private actions and• a?airs when it is none of your business+ 4Bea peeping• !om is an invasion of privacy6 4%rying into person/s• private matters to nd out things that oughbe• kept secret is an invasion of privacy+64Intruding into• someone/s personal and private sphere todiscover secret• relationships and intimate dealings is aninvasion of privacy+6• =• An old battle7axe An aggressive old woman

who ghts to win+ 4In high• school I had an old battle7axe of a "renchteacher who• was called &iss enny "oxworthy who used thit us• with a cane+ I didn/t learn much "rench but learned to•

endure pain+6 4&y wife is such an old battleaxe that• when I go out and get drunk I am afraid to ghome• again+6 4!he .hairman/s secretary is a real



battleaxe• who has been with him for fteen years andyou•

want something from him you/ll have to getpast her• rst+6 =• An old codger An old gee>er a diOcult badtempered old man who• lives on his own and who is usually hard toplease+ 4Cld• oger is a mean old codger who lives in a woof his• own+6 4!here was an old codger who lived whis dog• in a house on top of the hill and when he dihe left• everything to his dog in his will+6 4I am afrathat one• day I will be a lonely old codger with no onetake care• of or look after me+6 =• An old windbag <omeone who talks too mucand doesn/t want to stop+• 4Gour grandfather is nothing but and oldwindbag who•

never stops talking+ .an/t someone to shut hup@6• 4<hut up you old windbag+ Gou/re full of hot Gou• talk )ust to hear the sound of your own voice





unknown source about something• that is as yet unknown or has not yethappened+•

4!he press was given an anonymous tip byinformed• sources that the %resident would not berunning for a• second term+6 4&y stock broker says that hehas been• given an anonymous tip that stock prices arabout to rise• dramatically+6 4"ather has )ust won a lot ofmoney from• a bet he made based on an anonymous tip hheard being• discussed by some bookie in a barsomewhere+6 =• Answer for something !ake responsibility fo

4,hat ever you do you must be• able to answer for your actions+6 4If anythingoes wrong• on board a ship the .aptain is the one whomust ultimately• answer for it+6 4If anything goes wrong withthe•

structural engineering you as pro)ectmanager are the• one who will have to answer for it+6 =• Ants in your pants estless antsy cannot kstill one moment+ 4,hat/s



• wrong with you@ .an/t you sit still even for amoment@• Have you got ants in your pants@6 4&y siste

<ally has• got ants in her pants+ <he can/t sit still for minutes+6• 4I can never stay in any one place for anylength of time+• I must have ants in my pants+6 =• Any day now .oming soon expected to arrivor happen within the• next few days+ 4I ordered three packages tosent by• sea mail and they should be arriving any danow+6• 4&other is going to give birth to her third chany day• now+6 4,e are expecting news any day now

that I have• passed the entrance exam+6 =• Any port in a storm ust as a ship must seekthe safety of any port in a storm• so a person may have to turn to anyoneavailable when• he is in trouble and needs help+ 4!o nd refu

from the• northwesterly winds we had to moor our yain &onte• .arlo harbor which is open to the sea and nototally safe



• but we were happy to nd any port in astorm+6 4It/s not• good to ask a corrupt politician to help you

avoid bankruptcy• but as the saying goes Sany port in a storm4I• had no one to turn to and no place to go sowent back • to my deceitful lying thieving ex7husband+ was a case• of any port in a storm+6 =• Anybody/s guess 2obody knows it isuncertain your guess is as good as• mine+ 42obody knows how soon the world wend+ It/s• anybody/s guess+6 42obody knows when stoprices• JP• will bottom7out+ It/s anybody/s guess+6 4,e not sure• how long the world/s oil resources will last anybody/s• guess+6 =• Anyone in his right mind Any normal sanesensible person+ 4Cur need to protect•

the environment is based on )ust plain commsense that• anyone in his right mind can see+6 4Anyone his right• mind would agree that we need to develop



solar power• energy resources as an alternative toconsuming coal and•

oil+6 4Anyone in his right mind would agreethat drinking• a bottle of whiskey a day it is going to damayour• health sooner or later+6 =• Anyone who is anybody Everybody who isimportant and well7known in society+• 4!he 2ew Gears/ Eve Ball will be the grandessocial• occasion of the year and anyone who isanybody will be• there+6 4!he %resident will be sworn in on<unday morning• and anybody who is anybody has beeninvited+6• 4!he statement SAnyone who is anybody neto have a• olex watch+/ is the stupidest thing I have eheard+6 =• Anything/s possible !here/s no certaintyanything can happen+ 4!here/s no• certainty that my unborn daughter will beco

&iss Fniverse• but anything is possible+6 4I/m not sure if I w• ever become a millionaire but anything ispossible+6 42o• one knows for sure if we will discover life in



outer space• but anything is possible+6 =• Ape someone/s behavior ust as we might

imitate an ape by making ape7like• movements and gestures so we may imitatesomeone by• making actions similar to his+ 4,e often apepeople/s• behavior with the intention of making animpression to• illustrate what he is doing wrong+6 4Cftenwhen we ape• someone/s behavior we want to ridicule ormake fun of • him by acting exactly like him+6 4If you ape boss/s• behavior in the oOce and he sees you doingthat• might not be so good for you+6 =• Appearances can be deceiving• !hings are not always what they appear to b4<omething• that looks good on the outside may not be sgood• on the inside+ Appearances can be deceiving

42ever• trust a person )ust because he smiles and tanicely+• Appearances can be deceiving+6 4His busineappears to



• be prospering but I think I/ll read his annuaaudit report• )ust to be sure I can trust him+ Appearances

can be deceiving+6• =• Apple pie order In perfect condition very neand tidy exactly as it• should be+ 4I want to have a wife who doesnwork and• stays at home and keeps things in apple pieorder+6• 4,hen I arrive with the guests on <aturdaynight I want• to see everything neat and clean and in apppie order56• 4Everything in the barracks is in apple pieorder ready• for the 'eneral/s Inspection+6 =• JQ• Arbitrary decision andom illogical choice oruling+ 4,hen you may )ust• as well choose one way or another for noapparent reason• this is called making an arbitrary decision+64&anagement•

has made what appears to be the arbitrarydecision• to hire a few foreign trainees+6 4"or noapparent reason• the )udge made the arbitrary decision to



reschedule• the court hearing for the following &ondaymorning+6 =•

Ardent admirer <trong dedicated devotedadmirer someone who looks• up to and respects another person very muc4&y father• is an ardent admirer of the $ing and tries tofollow his• advice as often as he can+6 4ack is an ardenadmirer of • the %rime &inister and is following him as hrole• model+6 4ane is an ardent admirer of herAccounting• %rofessor+ <he admires her %rofessor verymuch+6 =• Arduous task A )ob that is diOcult in the

extreme a laborious and demanding+• 4It was an arduous task to clear away thedebris• at ground >ero after the ,orld !rade .enter!errorist• attack+6 4!he %rime &inister reali>es it will an arduous•

task for the government to rebuild thesuperstructure• destroyed in the !sunami disaster+6 4!heFnited 2ations• has the arduous task of trying to feed millio



of undernourished• and starving people all around the world+6 =• Argue the point Debate the issue disagree

with a point of view -uestion• a point in an argument claim the opposite tbe true+• 4Excuse me5 If I may argue the point Idisagree that• there is no problem in teenage girls sittingaround in• nightclubs and sipping cocktails+6 4Gou mayclaim that• there is no risk involved in the investment bif I may• argue the point SHow do we know we can trour )oint• venture partner to comply with all the termsthe contract+/6• 4Everyone says it is better to study for your&aster/s• abroad but if I may argue the point I wouldlike to• suggest it could also a benet to remain inBangkok • within the close protection of the family

circle+6 =• Arm and a leg An extremely high price to pa4ust as we value our• own lives and limbs very highly so when wehave to



• pay a high price we compare it to being forcto give an• arm and a leg+6 4&y trip to #ondon was very

expensive• it cost me an arm and a leg+6 4I/m not goingpay those• ve star hotel prices any more+ !hey chargeyou an arm• and a leg+6 =• Armed and dangerous .arrying a weapon anlikely to use it to harm and kill• others+ 4!he !3 showed the live report of aman who• was armed and dangerous and holding twenschool• children hostage in the local school+6 4Becareful to• avoid contact with members of motorcycle

gangs+ !hey• are often armed and dangerous+6 4!here ha )ust been a• radio report saying that there is an armed adangerous• KR• escaped convict loose in town who is being

sought by• police+6 =• Armed to the teeth Heavily armed as ifcarrying weapons all over the body• with even a knife between the teeth+ 4!en



terrorists entered• the aircraft armed to the teeth and took thpilot•

and the passengers hostage+6 4!here are sato be dangerous• guerilla forces armed to the teeth )ust waitin• readiness to make cross7border attacks+6 4Aex7convict• entered the bank armed to the teeth and she would• kill everybody on the spot if the managerdidn/t give him• one million dollars within three minutes+6 =• Arm7twisting ust as a big kid might twist asmall kid/s arm up behind• his back to force him into doing something little kid• didn/t want to do so often we may say we do some• Sarm7twisting/ when we apply pressure onsomeone to• get him to do something the way we want+ 4won/t be• easy to convince the committee to re7hire yo

but with a• bit of arm7twisting I think it can be done+6 4will take• some arm7twisting to get everyone in theworking group



• to give in to your demands+6 4I won/t be easto implement• my plan and I/m going to have to do some

armtwisting• to get people to cooperate with me+6 =• Around the back At the back on the back sidof the house or building• where no one will see you+ 4&eet me aroundthe back of • the school at eight tonight and I/ll sell you abag of hashish+6• 4#enny and &ax met around the back of thegym• and had a bloody knock7down st7ght ther4&eet• me around the back of the bar in about tenminutes and• I/ll give you a woman for the night+6 =• Around the bend 'one mad turned7cra>ybecome mentally abnormal+• 4&y dear Holmes I do believe you are totallaround the• bend and incapable of understanding goodsense+6 4I/m• afraid old %erkins is around the bend so we

will have to• replace him with someone of sound mind+64onathan has• gone a bit dotty in his old age andunfortunately appears



• to have gone around the bend+6 =• Around the clock !wenty7four hours a daycontinuously+ 4Cur shop is open•

twenty7four hours a day around the clock+64escue• teams have been working around the clock ttry to free• earth-uake victims buried beneath therubble+6 4,hen• medical students intern in a hospital they aoften on• call around the clock+6 =• Artsy7crafty Having to do with arts andhandicrafts+ 4&any Americans• like to do artsy7crafty activities in their spartime• like drawing or painting or pottery making obasketweaving6• 4<ome women are very artsy7crafty and like• do Lower7arranging or candle7making orweaving or carpet• making+6 4<ometimes we look down on fakeartsyK1• crafty people if we suspect they only want tappear artistic•

when in fact they have no real creativetalent+6 =• As a last resort A last attempt after everythelse has failed+ 4I have• tried to borrow money from everyone and be



turned• down everywhere so I/m turning to my ex7was a last•

resort+6 4I had no one else to turn to for helso I went• back to my drug7cra>ed criminal ex7husbanas a last• resort+6 4I tried everything to get my oldestson o? drugs• without success so I nally had to commit hto a rehabilitation• clinic as a last resort+6 =• As a rule 2ormally generally commonly moof the time+ 4As a• rule I never drink alcohol until after ve7thiin the• evening+6 4As a rule I never eat in themorning except• when I am staying in a ve star hotel wherebreakfast is• included in the price+6 4As a rule I am normable to• control my temper but now and again it breout unexpectedly+6• =•

As clear as black and• white• .learly obvious contrasting opposites+4Everyone can see• the di?erence between a good action and a



bad one+ It is• as clear as black and white+6 4!he defendanclaimed to•

be innocent but the prosecution said he waguilty and to• the )ury his guilt was as clear as black andwhite+6 4Anyone• can see the di?erence between a fake olexand a• genuine one+ It is as clear as black and white=• As easy as pie 2othing could be more7easy is as easy as eating apple• pie+ 4I can solve that problem for you it is aeasy as• pie+6 4Installing an internet connection in yolaptop is• as easy as pie+ Anyone can do it+6 4,e thoug

the geometry• exam was going to be extremely hard but itwas• as easy as pie+6 =• As far as I/m concerned In my opinion whatthink personally my point of view+• 4As far as I am concerned you can go to hel

and I• couldn/t care less+6 4As far as I am concernecorrupt• politicians should be caught and punished amade to



• rot away in )ail+6 4As far as I am concernedpeople can• do what they want as long as it does no

harm+6 =• As far as the eye can see ,ith a clear openview to the distant hori>on+ 4Back in• the old days my family owned all of this lanaround• here as far as the eye can see+6 4,here I wborn there• are wheat elds waving in the wind as far athe eye can• see+6 4"rom my weekend home near the seayou can• view the open hori>on as far as the eye cansee+6 =• As good as dead &ight as well be dead alrea4,hen the &aa nds• out what I told the police I am as good asdead+6 4%eople• think that when you are old and can/t getaround anymore• you are as good as dead+6 4According to whamy• doctor has reported to me I am as good as

dead already+6• =• K:• As good as gold %erfectly behaved+ 4&y sonvery badly7behaved but



• your son is )ust as good as gold+6 4Ch+ &om%lease let• me go with you to the party+ I promise to be

good as• gold+6 4After I gave my son a good talking tohe was as• good as gold for the rest of the evening+6 =• As high as a kite Intoxicated on alcohol ordrugs+ 4Cnce I smoked mari)uana• and got as high as a kite+6 4,hen I arrived athe• party our hostess was as high as a kite andwas going• around kissing everybody in sight+6 4Back inthe sixties• my grandfather got as high as a kite everynight+ 2ow he• thinks drink and drugs should be avoided+6 =• As if that were not• enough• !o commit another bad action as though onformer• bad deeds were not enough to have satisedone/s need• to be harmful+ 4Annie broke my heart by

leaving me• and as if that were not enough she marriedmy best• friend+6 4!he company red me and destroymy career



• and as if that were not enough they cancelmy• health care plan as well+6 4He seduced my

wife to get• control of her money and as if that were notenough he• then seduced my daughter as well+6 =• As if the sun shone out of • your navel• !hinking that you are the center of theuniverse as if the• sun shone out of your navel+ 4He/s so stuck himself • that he thinks the sun shines out of hernavel+6 4After• she won the beauty contest she went arounthinking the• sun shone out of her navel+6 4Anyone who

thinks the sun• shines out of his navel deserves a good swikick up the• arse+6 =• As if there were no tomorrow• #iving7it7up and acting as though today wereyour last•

day or your last chance to en)oy your self+4Before Dad• died he went around spending money as ifthere were no• tomorrow+6 4I live every moment to the full



if there• were no tomorrow+6 4I try to live everymoment in moral•

purity as though it were my last and therewere no tomorrow+6• =• As light as a feather ust as a feather is verylight in weight so we can say• that a physical burden or the weight of aperson is as• light as a feather+ 4,hen <haron was onlysixteen she• was small and skinny and as light as afeather+6 4&y girlfriend• weighs only thirty7seven kilos+ <he is as lighas a• feather+6 42ow that I have got that big worro? my• mind I feel as light as a feather+6 =• As old as the hills Fsed to describe a personbeing very old+ 4&y Fncle• Ike is as old as the hills+ He must be almostninety already+6• 4I don/t want to live to be as old as the hillsand•

survive as frail weak and sickly+6 4,e couldnever actually• literally live to be as old as the hills becausethen• we might even become millions of years old



• As sure as shootin/ ust as a gun shootsstraight and hits its mark so one can• K;•

say a thing will happen for sure and withcertainty+• 4Don/t trust Ebene>er+ He will try to cheat yosure as• shootin/+6 4,hatever you do wrong will comback to• you sure as shootin/+6 4If you do anything thurt an enemy• he will try to revenge himself sure as shoot=• As the crow Lies In a straight line directlyfrom one point to another• point+ 4As the crow Lies is another way ifsaying the• shortest distance between two geographica

points+6 4!he• shortest distance around the world is onlytwenty7seven• thousand miles as the crow Lies+6 4,illow#ake is only• ve miles from town as the crow Lies but ifyou drive•

up there you have to follow an eighteen7milong snaking• winding mountain track+6 =• As thick as thieves ust as thieves mayconceive a plan together in which



• they must trust and depend on each other swe may say• that people acting together with hidden

motives and intentions• are as thick as thieves+ 4I don/t know what t• %rime &inister and the leader of the oppositare plotting• together but everyone can see they are asthick as• thieves+6 4!he ."C and the .EC are as thickthieves• no one knows what secret strategy they mighave• worked7out to manipulate the nancialresources of the• company+6 4Fncle "reddy and ohnny &ack aas thick • as thieves+ 2obody knows what they are up

and no• one can come between them+6 =• As tough as nails !ough hard as steelimpervious to pain+ 4!hat guy looks• as tough as nails+ I sure wouldn/t want to hato ght• him6 4&y big brother is as tough as nails an

when he• is forced to ght he always wins and neverfails+6 4!he• F< &arines are trained to be rough and tougand as



• hard as nails+6 =• Ask around $eep asking people in-uireamongst your friends and•

see what you can nd out+ 4.an you askaround and nd• out if anybody has seen an orange and whitstriped <iamese• cat@6 4.an you ask around and nd somebowho• would be willing to edit the English in mydoctoral thesis@6• 4.an you ask around if anybody would like tbuy• a 1QPR .lassic &ercedes Ben> JKR <#.@ I havto sell it• because I don/t drive anymore+6 =• Asking for trouble Doing something that willikely get you onto trouble+• 4Doreen is )ust asking for trouble the way sLirts with• her sister/s husband+6 4.live is )ust asking ftrouble• the way he contradicts his supervisor all thetime+6 4If • you start selling drugs to your friends at

school you are• asking for trouble+6 =• Assure someone of &ake someone feel certagive someone a sense of assurance+• 4I can assure you that the applicant is a per



• of good character+6 4I/m sorry I was rude animpolite+ I• KJ•

can assure you that it won/t happen again+6can assure• you that our company will provide you with very best• service+6 =• At a moment/s notice Immediately the momsomeone informs you+ 4Gou• can call me anytime and I/ll come running amoment/s• notice+6 4ust phone us when you have aproblem• with your computer system and we/ll have aI! specialist• come and x it at a moment/s notice+6 4!he elief • !eam has a mobile medical unit that is readyrespond• to any medical emergency immediately at amoment/s• notice+6 =• At an impasse At a point where furtherprogress or mutual understanding•

is impossible+ 4%akistan and India came to aimpasse• in their discussions about $ashmir and havebroken• o? relations+6 4!he two negotiating parties



have• come to an impasse and mediations havebroken down+6•

4!he !urks and the 'reeks have come to animpasse on• how .yprus should be divided and it looks lthey will• never be able to come to an agreement+6 =• At an inopportune moment• At an awkward inconvenient or embarrassinmoment+• 4Gou have come at an inopportune momentbecause I• have three meetings scheduled this afternooback7toback+6• 4Ch5 I/m sorry+ I didn/t know you were shaviI• am afraid that I have walked in on you at an

inopportune• moment+6 4I walked in to my boss/s oOce atinopportune• moment when he was smooching with hissecretary+6• =• At cross7purposes <triving for opposite goal

working against one another• opposed to one another+ 4I am afraid that ware talking• at cross7purposes because what you suggeswould destroy



• the e?ect that I want to achieve+6 4.ommitt• members who are trying to achieve conLictigoals will•

always be talking at cross7purposes+6 4,heone sta? • member wants to do one thing and anothercolleague• wants to do the opposite they will be workiat cross• purposes+6• At death/s door About to die approachingdeath on the threshold of • death )ust waiting to die+ 4,hen you are atdeath/s door• you can no longer turn back the clock andmake up for• your sins+6 4He was almost at death/s doorwhen he nally• reali>ed that he had wasted his whole life inthe• pursuit of wine women and worldlypleasures+6 4,hen a• man is at death/s door it is time for him tomake his nal• peace with the world+6 =•

At each other/s throats !rying to choke andstrangle one another attacking each• other disagreeing aggressively+ 4ust as twopeople may• be trying to strangle each other with their



hands at one• another/s throats so we may say that twopeople in a vioKK•

lent verbal disagreement are at one anothethroats+6• 4!he egional &anager and the <enior %artnare at• each other/s throats about who will become.hairman of • the Board+6 4&other and "ather are at eachother/s• throats concerning which way the family votin the• "ederal election+6 4Before and after and durthe divorce• proceedings !ed and Alice were literally ateach• other/s throats+6 =• At face value ,hat seems to be the apparenvalue based only upon• what one can be visually seen+ 4A face valuethis 'eorge• ,ashington penny is only worth one cent bits value• as a collector/s item is ten times that much+

4At face• value Blue .hip <tocks seem to have be thebest bet but• investing in venture capital may pay7o? bettin the long



• run+6 4udging on what we can see at facevalue the• company is not worth too much but for the

man with the• right business skills it could turn into a billidollar• winner+6 =• At last "inally after a long period of waiting4At last5 I/m glad• you have nally arrived+ ISve been standing here in• the rain for thirty minutes+6 4At last5 I/ve bewaiting• for two years for you to ask me to marry youand now• you have nally popped the -uestion+6 4Iwaited for the• books to arrive by sea mail for more than th

months• but when I was starting to give up hope thenally arrived• at last+6 =• At loggerheads .annot compromise and comto an agreement at odds• with one another cannot see eye to eye+ 4!

student/s• council and the university administration areloggerheads• about allowing male and female students tobecome



• roommates in the dormitories+6 4&anagemeand• trade unions are at loggerheads concerning

the -uestion• of instituting a thirty7six hour work week wino decrease• in pay+6 4!he government and the 2'C/s are• loggerheads concerning how much moneyshould be allotted• to provide aid to the earth-uake victims+6 =• At loose ends ,ith time on your hands andnothing to do+ 4I don/t have• a )ob right now and I/m )ust hanging aroundhome at• loose ends going half cra>y with nothing todo+6 4I live• alone and over the .hristmas holidays I nmyself • with a lot of free time on my hands at looseends wondering• what to do with myself+6 4If you ever ndyourself • at loose ends and you feel lonely call me upand I/ll• take you to a movie+6 =•

At odds with Having a di?erence of opinionwith+ 4&iddy is at odds• with onathan and they are having anargument over• there in the corner+6 4Dunsmore is at odds w



everyone• and he is refusing to talk any more+6 4&iddyand Hunter•

KM• are not at odds any more and you can seethem coming• arm7in7arm through the door+6 =• At one/s wits end !rying to gure what to doabout a problem and running• out of ideas about what to do about it+ 4I/vebeen trying• apologi>e to onathan but he won/t speak tome and I/m• at my wit/s end about how we can becomefriends• again+6 4I used to be able to tolerate with mwife/s constant• sarcastic remarks but now I nd I/ve had

-uite• enough+ "rankly I/m about to go around thebend and at• my wit/s end+6 =• At opposite poles ust as the north and soutpoles are diametrically opposite• to one another so the opinions of people ca

be at• opposite poles+ 4%eople who are at oppositeends of an• argument are diametrically opposed atopposite poles



• 4!he #iberal %rime &inister and the.onservative• #eader of the Cpposition are always at

opposite poles of • any argument+6 4,hatever my wife and I taabout we• nd that we are always at opposite poles anam about• ready to shoot her bed sheet full of holes+6 =• At peace with the world .alm and tran-uil+ 4man who is at peace with the• world has nothing against anybody anymoreand has accepted• the world as the way it is+ 4I have forgiveneveryone• who ever hurt me and feel at peace with theworld+6• 4If you want to make in)ustice your enemy

then you/ll• never be at peace with the world+6 =• At point blank range Fp close enough to hoa gun against someone/s ribs• or head and shoot+ 4In former times a gunmwas able• to walk right up to the %resident and shoot

in the• heart at point blank range+6 42owadaysbecause security• is tighter it is hard for hired7killers to )ust wup to



• politicians and shoot them at point blankrange+6 4If you• shoot someone at point blank range you/re

sure to get• caught but if you shoot from a nearby roof tyou• might not get caught+6 =• At someone/s beck call Always available andready when beckoned or called to• do someone/s bidding to give him what heasks for without• hesitating or complaining at all+ 4A househoservant• is always at the master/s beck and call dayand• night+6 4Darling whenever you need me I walways be• at your beck and call+6 4I would never ever

want to have• a )ob where I was always at someone/s beckand call+6 =• At the breaking point ust as a beam or girdmay be stressed under pressure• to the point where it nally at the point ofbreaking so a•

person may be said to be at the breaking powhen he is• about to break out in stress and anger or tohave a nervous• breakdown+ 4!here/s so much pressure at th



oOce• that I am almost at the breaking point+6 4&ypatience has•

been tested so far that it is reaching thebreaking point+6• KN• 4I have been listening to your unfair criticisfor so long• that I am almost at the breaking point+6 =• At the drop of a hat Immediately if sore-uested in )ust the time it takes for• your hat to drop to the ground in no time atall+ 4Gou/re• re-uest is my desire+ ust give me the wordand I/ll respond• at the drop of a hat+6 4ust propose marriagto• me and I will accept at the drop of a hat+6

4Cne minute• he/s cool calm and collected+ !he next minuas if at• the drop of a hat he/s boiling with rage+6 =• At the end of the day "inally in the endlooking back after all is done and• said+ 4Gou can try to fulll all your hopes an

dreams• but at the end of the day you/ll have to berealistic and• be satised with whatever you are able toachieve+6 4Gou



• can make the world your adversary but at tend of the• day you will reali>e that no matter how hard

you ght• you can never win+6 4At the end of the daywhen all is• said and done you will nally reali>e that ththings your• father tried to teach you were all for your owgood+6 =• At the end of your ngertips• ,ithin arm/s reach where you can reach ouand touch• it close at hand right there in front of youwithin grasp• close enough to lay a hand on+ 4I would rathhave a !3• remote control at the end of my ngertips th

have to• stand up and walk across the room every timwant to• change a channel+6 4Holding a computermouse in your• hand means you have all the resources of thInternet at•

your ngertips+6 4Always keep a long hairpina pair of • scissors within reach at the end of yourngertips )ust in• case you have to defend your self from brut



sexual attack+6• =• At the end of your tether ust as a dog tied

a post can only run as far as to the• end of his of his rope (or tether* beforechoking on his• collar so we can say that when a person hasnally lost• patience he is at the end of his tether+ 4I havbeen putting• up with constant stupidity for long enoughbut• now I am at the end of my tether and cannotake anymore+6• S!hat/s it5 I/ve had enough5 I/m at the end ofmy• tether and I am not going to tolerate any mof your• insolent back7talk+6 4I tried my father/spatience until he• nally reached the end of his tether and sowhen he had• nally had enough of my naughtiness he tome to get• out of the house+6 =•

At the helm ust as a steersman standing atthe helm of a ship turns• the steering wheel to control the rudder tokeep the ship• on course so we may say that when a mana



has been• put in charge of a big company he takescharge and•

takes over control to try to steer theorgani>ation on a• steady course+ 4,ith 'eorge Bush at the heof the epublican• corporate conglomerate the F<A had been• KP• steering an unsteady course+6 4!he Britishwere lucky• that they had !ony Blair at the helm to steerthem• through troubled waters and troubled times4Bill 'ates• may no longer be at the helm of &icrosoft bthe company• is sure to steer a steady course as long as th

follow• his guidance+6 =• At the summit of success ust as a mountainclimber nally reaches the peak of the• summit at the top of the mountain so a persmay be• said to have reached the summit of his care

when he• has nally reached the highest possible poinor peak+• 4ack $ennedy was suddenly assassinated athe summit



• of his success+6 4&arilyn &onroe had reachethe summit• of her success when she unexpectedly died

a supposed• overdose of sleeping pills+6 4,hen old poetshave• passed the summit of their success they paaway in• future generation/s memories+6 =• At the top of your voice As loudly as you canspeak scream or shout+ 4,hen you• go into a disco you can shout at the top ofyour voice• and your friends won/t be able to hear you+6kept calling• out for help at the top of my voice but therewas nobody• within miles to listen+6 4If you shout like tha

at the• top of your voice I/ll plug my ears and refusto listen+6• =• At your own risk If you do something unsafeyou take the responsibility• for putting your self in danger+ 4If you walk

across the• road in heavy traOc without using theoverhead footbridge• you do so at your own risk+6 43isitors at the>oo



• are warned that if they touch the animals tdo so at• their own risk+6 4If you ski o?7the7slopes in

the deeppowder• snow between the trees you do so at your o• risk+6 =• Attend to business Apply yourself to the woat hand+ 4<top daydreaming• and attend to business56 4It/s time to stophesitating and• attend to business before it/s too late+6 4Ithink that• we/ve wasted enough time discussinguncertainties so• now it/s time to get down and attend tobusiness+6 =• Attention7getter A trick or device to getpeople/s attention+ 4'irls who• wear low7cut blouses as an attention7gettercertainly• become the center7points of attention+64Advertisers like• to use an attention7getter like an image of asuper star or• a sexy woman to draw attention to their

product+6• 4,hen you write an essay you should alwayuse an attention7• getter in the rst sentence to make peoplewant to



• continue reading+6 =• Avoid confrontation %revent argument ordisagreement by avoiding direct•

conLict+ 4In dealing with clients try at allcosts to avoid• any direct confrontation or disagreement+6 Asian culture• it is common to avoid direct confrontation bevadKQ• ing the -uestion+6 4If you want to get alongharmoniously• with people in this world it is better to avoiconfrontation• and altercation+6 =• Axe to grind A grudge to settle a feeling ofanger to resolve a motive• for revenge a bone to pick an old resentmeto express• an issue to argue about+ 4I/ve got an axe togrind with• you about the miserable way you mistreatedmy father• when he was married to you+6 4<ocialistsalways have• the same old axe to grind that it is unfair fo

the rich to• get richer and the poor to get poorer+6 4&yforeman says• he has an axe to grind with me about the wahave neglected



• my responsibility to keep an eye out for signof • -uality and damage control+6 =•

B• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• Babbling idiot A mentally7challenged personwho talks incoherent nonsense• without stopping a fool who never makessense• and never knows when to shut up+ 4<toptalking like a• babbling idiot and take a moment to thinkabout what• you are saying+6 4!hey couldn/t crown %rinc.uthbert• as $ing because he was )ust a babbling idiotso they poisoned• him according to custom and crowned hiscousin+6• 4I try to avoid conversation with my uncle obecause• he always runs on like a babbling idiot+6 =• Babe7in7arms A newly7born innocent baby sin its mother/s arms+•

4&y father died when I was )ust a babe inarms+6 4I was• )ust a babe in arms when my oldest brothercame home• from the 'ulf ,ar+6 4,hen the ,orld !rade



.enter was• bombed I was )ust a babe in arms+6 =• Babes in the woods Goung people so innocen

that they have no idea of the• dangers in life in the outside world+ 4,hile ware )ust• innocent babes in the woods people can takadvantage• of us easily+6 4,hen my wife and I rstmarried we• were still babes in the woods with no idea owhat was• going on in the world+6 4&y sister and I wer )ust babes• in the woods when we came to 2ew Gork froCklahoma• at the age of sixteen and seventeen+respectively6 =• Bachelor party In England there is a customfor a man about7to7bemarried• to have party with his male friends on the la• night of his bachelorhood at which they drinlot and• sometimes engage in sexual escapades withgirls hired•

for the purpose+6 4"or !om/s bachelor partywe arranged• to have a strip7teaser in a %layboy Bunnycostume• MR



• )ump out of a giant vanilla cake+6 4I got realdrunk and• totally passed7out at my bachelor party and

was so• hung7over on my wedding day that I couldbarely remain• standing throughout the ceremony+6 4!he#adies/• #eague for &anners and &orals is against thidea of • bachelor parties in general and in particulawhen they• include sexual escapades+6 =• Back away from "eel afraid or reluctant to faa task or problem or responsibility+• 4,hen !immy was small he used to retreat• and back away from any sort of directconfrontation but• now he/s bigger he/s learning to stand up fhimself+6• 4Don/t back away from the responsibility ofraising a• family+ Do your duty and behave like a man+have• been backing away from the responsibility o

solving my• parents/ nancial situation but now I havedecided the• time has come to try to face the problem heon before



• it gets even worse+6 =• Back down everse your opinion and admit ywere wrong admit•

or concede defeat+ 4I was sure I was right bnow that• I see I was wrong I/ll have to back down andadmit defeat+6• 4A man who is strong7headed and stubborn • nd it hard to back down and yield defeat+64I/m sorry I• took such a strong opinion based on such weevidence• and now I/m ready to back down and admitmy mistake+6• =• Back in business ust as a business may beshut down and then start up• again so we can say a person is back in

business once he• has overcome a period of diOculties and isback in action• again+ 4ohn !ravolta had a slump in his movcareer• as he started getting older and fatter butthen he•

started playing character parts and he wassoon back in• business+6 4I did a lot of drugs and alcohol imy twenties• and went totally to the dogs but then I



underwent a• period of rehabilitation and self7developmenand now•

I/m back in business+6 4I had a bout withprostrate cancer• which laid me out for a while but now I/mback on• my feet and back in business+6 =• Back on your feet ust as ghter can beknocked7down and then get up• and ght again so a person may be said to back on his• feet after a period of illness of nancialdiOculties+ 4He• lost all his money in the Dot+.om cra>e butstarted over• from scratch and made a come7back incurrency speculation• and now he is back on his feet+ 4I am happy see• that you up and about and back on your feetnow that the• cancer has been eliminated+6 4I had a toughtime after• losing my wife and the house and the busine

but now• I/ve got a government )ob and I/m starting tget back • on my feet+6 =• M1



• Back out of "ail to fulll an obligation deserthe cause make a• promise and then withdraw+ 4Gou made me a

promise to• marry me so please don/t back out on menow+6 4At• rst they were going to invest three million the pro)ect• but they backed7out at the last moment+64<imms• had made a verbal agreement to represent tcompany• but when it came to contract signing time unexpectedly• backed out of his promise+6 =• Back seat driver <omeone who sits in the baseat of a car and tells the• driver what to do+ 4!here/s nothing I hate

worse than a• backseat driver+ It always makes me nervouswhen• someone critici>es my driving skills+6 4&ymother7inlaw• was a back seat driver until we bought her acar of •

her own+6 4!he best thing to do with a backseat driver is• tell him to get out and walk+6 =• Back to earth eturn to reality from a world fantasy and illusion+



• 4It/s time you stopped dreaming and nallycome back to• earth+6 4I was high in the sky with elation

when I rst• fell in love but I came back to earth with abang when• the honeymoon period was over+6 4%eople wstart o? • with high hopes are often disappointed whethey have to• come back down to earth with a bang andaccept the bare• facts of reality+6 =• Back to s-uare one ust as one might start oagain by going back to the• rst s-uare in a crossword pu>>le so onemight have to• go back to the beginning of a pro)ect or task

and start• over again from the beginning+ 4!he scientitrials• showed that we were taking the wrongapproach so we• will have to go back to s-uare one and seek new strategy+6•

4!he government has put the pro)ect on hol• which means that the construction companywill have to• go back to s-uare one at a later date andrecalculate the



• risks and costs once again+6 42egotiationswere deadlocked• at the end of the conference so they decide

to go• back to s-uare one and try a new approach tmediating• their problems+6 =• Back to the drawing• board• <crap or cancel a pro)ect and go back and stto draw• up new plans again from the beginning+4Every design• we have tried has failed under strain andtesting so it/s• time to go back to the drawing board again+4!he committee• has not accepted our plan so we have to go

back • to the drawing board again and think upanother• scheme+6 4!he .ity Engineering COce keepsre)ecting• our systems and sending us back to thedrawing board to•

try to nd new methods again+6 =• Back to the wall In an indefensible position sit/s hard to ght your way• out+ 4,hen your back is against the wall andyou cannot



• retreat the best thing to do is to concededefeat+6 4,hen• M:•

you are caught with your back to the wallsometimes• you have no other choice but to forget yourfear and ght• your way towards the door+6 4I have beenforced into a• position where my back is against the wall have no• other choice but to admit I am beat andconcede defeat+6• =• Backbiting7bitch A -uarrelsome womancompared to a dog which bites• from behind who makes spiteful and viciousand hurtful• remarks+ 4!ed/s wife is a vicious backbitingbitch and I• don/t know how he puts up with her+6 4<topbeing such a• backbiting7bitch5 !ry to look friendly and saysomething• good for a change+6 4I hate my big sister <a

because• she is such a mean7minded backbiting7bitch• Back7breaking work Hard labor physical wothat is strenuous arduous and• grueling+ 4.arrying one hundred kilo sacks o



rice from a• barge over onto a dock7side pier is back7breaking work+6•

4#ifting heavy pots of plants and loading theinto a• truck is back7breaking work+6 4,hen I was i )ail in• 'eorgia I was assigned to chain7gang that hto do the• back7breaking work of splitting up big rockswith heavy• sledge7hammers+6 =• Backdoor someone efers to a male lover wcomes in the back door when• the woman/s husband goes out the front doo4If you• backdoor you best friend by courting his wifyou risk • the chance of ruining her life+6 4ake/s beingbackdoored• by his cousin .lem and everybody in townknows it but• him+6 4&ike told me that if he ever caughtanybody• backdooring him with his wife he/d cut o? t

other• guy/s balls with a knife+6 =• Backre ust as a gun may not shoot properland so backre so a• plan can miscarry go wrong or blow up in y



face+• 4!he economic reform plan of the governmebackred•

and caused a deep recession instead+6 4!he%resident/s• proposed tax cuts to benet the rich arelikely to backre• in his face and cause him to lose the nextelection+6• 4&y plan to get my co7worker $en blamedblackballed• and red ultimately backred and I was theone• that got red instead+6 =• Backhander A bribe given to someone in a wwhich others cannot• see+ 4,hen a policeman stops my car I placone hundred• Baht note inside the palm of my hand and twmy• wrist around so he can see and take it as abackhander+6• 4In some countries the only thing you can gfrom the• government without a backhander is a posta

stamp+6• 4If you expect a favor from an oOcial you walso have• to expect that he will want a backhander+6 =• Back7o? ust as a boxer would back7o? in th



ring to avoid being• punched so we can tell someone to back7o?avoid the•

M;• conse-uences by saying for example 4I wayou• Back7o?5 Don/t push me don/t confront medon/t• threaten me don/t be aggressive towards mdon/t drive• me to the point where I/ll have no choice butght and• hurt you+6 4<andra kept pushing me to confthat I had• abused her but I told her if she didn/t back7she would• regret it+6 4&r+ .ongreve wanted to ghtagainst my proposal• at the meeting but I told him to back7o? ortell• everyone he was having sex with his secretaduring• oOce hours and that shut him up -uickly+6 • Back7scratching ,hen you do somebody afavor so he will do you a favor•

we call this back7scratching+6 4Gou scratch mback • I/ll scratch your back/ can be taken literally guratively+6• 4It seems that there has been a lot of



backscratching• going on in government circles+6 4<ometime• it takes a bit of mutual back7scratching to ge

bill• passed through the parliament+6 =• Backslapper In American culture when theywant to congratulate• you for a good deed or good )ob to give youthe impression• they like you they give you a good slap on tback+• 4!he custom of backslapping goes against tgentle customs• of Asian culture+6 4&y American Fncle isalways• slapping me on the back to show his approvbut this an• American characteristic of which I strongly

disapprove+6• 4A backslapper can also be an insincere perswho is• trying to win your favor under falsepretenses+6 =• Back7talk !o answer someone back in a cheeand insolent way+•

4Don/t answer back when I am scolding youI get any• more back7talk from you I/ll sew a >ip in youlip+6• 4Don/t try to give the boss any back7talk or



will backre• on you+6 Don/t give me any more of your lipCne•

more smart bit of back7talk from you and Ismack you• one+6 =• Back7to7back ust as two people can standback7to7back so two activities• can take place back7to7back or one afteranother+ 4In• ancient times warriors would often ght bato7back • for the protection it provided+6 4In theconference we• have several activities scheduled continuouback7toback • to cover a wide scope of interests+6 4!oday m• schedule is booked with a series of

appointments backto7• back from morning until evening+6 =• Back7to7front ,ith the back side of thegarment worn on the front side• of the body+ 4I often put on my !7shirt back7tfront• without noticing it+6 4I notice that when I pu

on my• shorts back7to7front they are too tight in thback side• and too loose in the front+6 4%eople will alwcomment



• when you are wearing a garment back7to7front+6 =• Backward about coming !oo hesitant to

express an opinion or volunteer too shy• MJ• forward to come forward and speak one/smind too afraid to• stand up and ask for something tooembarrassed to speak • before others too timid to make demands+4Cur little• !immy is so timid that he/ll never come outand say what• he wants+ He/s a bit backward about comingforward+6• 4.ome on <on out with it5 ,hat is it that ywant to• say@ Don/t be backward about coming

forward+6 4,e• asked our sta? members to volunteer to masuggestions• about how to improve the managementprocess but• they were backward about coming forward+6• Backwards and forwards &eans that you kno

something from beginning to end• and back again inside7out+ 4I know thecustoms regulations• backwards and forwards and inside out+64,hen



• you have been working with a set of laws anregulations• for years and years you get to know them

backwards and• forwards+6 4!here not very many linguisticscholars living• today who know the complete %ali .anonbackwards• and forwards+6 =• Bad actor A person who is known for his badbehavior and actions+• 4,hen I was a kid in school I was known bythe• teachers as a bad actor+6 4<tay away from thfellow• Cscar I hear he is a bad actor+6 4Cscar ,ildebecame an• outcast in polite society because he was

reputed to be a• bad actor+6 =• Bad apple ust as a bad apple can ruin all threst of the apples in a• basket by starting to rot so a person can acas a bad apple• if he inLuences a group of people to change

the• worse+ 4Every class of schoolboys seems tohave one or• two bad apples who cause a lot of trouble fothe



• teacher+6 4Cne who commits or incites crimemat be• called a 4bad apple+6 4!here is usually one

person in• every group who is a bad apple who inLuencthe others• to lose respect for and ignore the directionsthe leadership+6• =• Bad blood between Enmity ill7feeling hateantagonism hostility+ 4!here is• bad blood between my mother and her sistebecause• they all want to inherit their father/s housewhen he• dies+6 4&y ex7wife and I have made up ourdi?erences• and now there is no more bad blood betwe

us+6• 4!here has long been bad blood between thtwo motorcycle• gangs in town and the other night an eighteyear• old boy was stabbed to death+6 =• Bad bunch9bad lot A group of bad people wh

can lead you into doing• wrong+ 4&ugsy and his buddies are a bad lowho are• always up to no good+6 4I would stay awayfrom that



• nightclub crowd if I were you+ !hey are a balot who are• sure to have a bad inLuence on you+6 4After

graduation• he stayed in #ondon and fell in with a bad lowho started• MK• him on drinking and drugs which led to hiseventual destruction• and demise+6 =• Bad egg ust as a bad egg can cause a wholebasket to turn rotten• so a person within a group may be called a begg if he• will be a bad inLuence on them+ 4ust as it otakes one• bad egg to ruin a whole basket so it only taone bad• member to ruin the harmony of a whole hapfamily+6• 4It only takes one bad egg on the Board of'overnors to• cause disharmony between the other membof the• board+6 4A person we call a bad egg or a bad

apple is one• who is likely to spoil the wholesomeness andthe harmony• of an otherwise good group+6 =• Bad experience An experience in the past th



you will never forget and• which has left a lasing psychological e?ect+ had a bad•

experience in my childhood that a?ected mytrust in• men+6 4&ildred had a bad experience with asex pervert• when she was young and it has left a lastine?ect+6• 4&y psychiatrist says that I must have had abad experience• in math class in school when I was young th• blocked my ability to do higher mathematicslater in• life+6 =• Bad )udgment A decision that led to an actiothat caused a problem or• undesired e?ect+ 4Goung people often make

decisions• based on bad )udgment )ust because theydon/t know• any better+6 4Deciding to )oin the army at thearly age of • eighteen was a bad )udgment on my part tharegretted•

later on in life+6 4<tarting an a?air with myboss/s wife• was denitely the most stupid act of bad )udgment that I• ever committed in my life+6 =



• Bad memories emembrances of badexperiences in the past+ 4I hate to• think of my childhood because I have so man

bad• memories+6 4,hen I have to get together wmy family• on holiday occasions it always stirs up badmemories• from my youth+6 4,hen I think back to thetime I spent• in <an "rancisco I have a lot of badmemories+6 =• Bad shape In poor physical or mentalcondition+ 4After .harles• broke my heart and left me for another womI was in• bad shape for about two or three years+64,hen I was• still psychologically disturbed by the badexperiences• and memories of my early youth I was reallyunstable• and in bad shape+6 4After neglecting his heafor years• due to alcohol addiction and drug dependen

he was• really in bad shape+6 =• Bad taste in your mouth ust as eating a bittalmond leaves a bitter taste in your• mouth so a bitter experience in life may be



said to have• left a bad taste in the mouth+ 4,hen you haa bitter•

disappointment in the place of a promisedsuccess it• leaves a bad taste in your mouth+6 4,hen yare unexMM• pectedly betrayed by the one and only friendyou thought• you had in life it leaves a bad taste in yourmouth+6 4&ichael• said that being homosexually molested whehe• was only thirteen left a bad taste in hismouth+6 =• Bad terms Fnfriendly relations with feeling will enmity or antagonism• towards+ 4!here has always been bad blood

between• my step7brother and me about who will inheour• father/s land and we are still on bad terms+4&om and• Dad have been on bad terms since %op tooksecretary•

on a business trip to .hicago+6 4.harlie and.had have• been on bad terms since .harlie was named3icepresident• and took7over .had/s )ob+6 =



• Bad7mouth !o say bad things about to saynasty things about talk • bad about a thing because it doesn/t suit yo

needs or• wishes to gossip to belittle or demean in adestructive• way+ 4Don/t bad7mouth the mayor of the city )ust because• he is against your development plan+6 He/sbeen• bad7mouthing my younger sister since sheturned him• down the rst time he ever asked her for adate+6 4In a• democracy because of freedom of speech ycan badmouth• members of the government and get away wit• by calling it freedom of speech+6 =• Bad7tempered Easily angered irritable+4<omeone who is easily angered• and bad7tempered can easily lose emotionalcontrol• of himself+6 4&y maternal grandfather is amean nasty•

bad7tempered old man who lives alone andcomplains a• lot to his neighbors+6 4&y Aunt .aroline wasbadtempered• old witch of a woman whom no one would go



• near because she was always so cranky+6 =• Bag of bones <o thin that your empty skin islike a bag of bones+ 4&y•

older sister is so skinny that she looks likenothing more• than a big long tall bag of bones+6 4By losiforty kilos• I went from looking like an over7inLatedballoon to• being like an empty7looking bag of skin andbones+6 4After• years of deprivation he was reduced to beinphysically• reduced to little more than a mere bag ofbones+6 =• Bag of tricks ust as a magician has his bag tricks and may upon• occasion pull a rabbit out of a hat so a pers

or businessman• may be said to have a bag of tricks to produa• solution to a situation on a moment/s notice4I/ll have to• pull something special out of my bag of trickso that we•

will be able to balance the accounts for thismonth+6 4I• admire that guy+ Even when it looks like he idown7andout• and defeated he is always able to pull



something out• of his bag of tricks to save the day+6 4"inancforecasts•

look bad+ If we want to keep our heads abovwater• we/ll have to produce some sort of temporarLoatation• device from out of our bag of tricks+6 =• MN• Bags under your eyes %ockets or pouchesunder your eyes due to tiredness or• illness or old age+ 4,hen the audit deadlineapproaching• everyone on the sta? has bags under his eyfrom• working too late and getting too little sleep+4,hy have• you got bags under your eyes@ Is it because

you have• been working too much or because you havebeen drinking• too much@6 4,hen &om turned fty shestarted to• turn weak and sickly and developed bagsunder her•

eyes+6 =• Balancing act ust as a tightrope walker has step carefully to keep• from losing his balance so a person may havto maintain



• his mental balance when he has to deal withconLicting• pressures without losing control+ 4A working

wife• must somehow do a balancing act betweenperforming• her duties at home and in the oOce+6 4Inmediating this• deal I must do a balancing act to be sure Irepresent the• interests of both parties e-ually+6 4!hecontract engineer• on a big pro)ect always has to do a balancingact to keep• both the contractor and the pro)ect ownerhappy+6 =• Balk at the idea ust as a donkey refuses orbalks at the command to go• forward so a person may be said to balk at suggestion• that he do something+ 4I balk at the idea ofanyone• being able to order me how to complete mycreative design• process+6 4&y students always balk at the id

of • giving a presentation of their ideas in front the class+6• 4!eachers often balk at the idea of anyoneelse especially



• the administration being able to control thecontent• of their lesson plans+6 =•

Ball and chain ust as prisoners used to havean iron ball and chain• around their legs so they could not run veryaway so• a man may )okingly refer to his wife as his band• chain+ 4Cne day I feel that my wife is a balland chain+• !he next day I love her again+6 4#et meintroduce you to• my ball and chain+ !his is my wife &aude+64<ometimes• a wife must literally hold a man back to keephim from• getting himself into trouble as though she

were literally• a ball and chain+6 =• Ball someone out <hout loudly and blamesomeone for what he has done• wrong+ 4,hen I see my son I am going to bahim out• for breaking our neighbor/s window+6 4I am

afraid that• my boss is really going to ball me out and teme o? for• delivering the report to the client two dayspast deadline+6



• 4,hen a person does something wrong it isnot• enough to )ust give him a good balling out to

censure• him+ It is also necessary to explain theproblem in a way• that is clear so it will not happen again+6 =• Ball your eyes out .ry emotionally as thoughyour tears will never stop+• 4,hen my puppy died I balled my eyes out nearly a• MP• week+6 4,hen you lose your rst love it/s anormal reaction• to want to ball your eyes out+6 4Gou can ballyour• eyes out and cry and complain you want buis not going• to make me change my decision to cut o? yo• weekly allowance+6 =• Ballyhoo #oud noisy uproar racketcommotion hullabaloo+• 4,hat are all those people shouting about@,hat/s the• big ballyhoo@6 4#ast night there was a big

ballyhoo outside• 'overnment House where the farmers weredemonstrating• for better support and subsidies+6 4C$ kidslet/s



• put an end to all this ballyhoo+ It/s time tosettle7down• and be -uiet and pay attention+6 =•

Bamboo>le someone !alk fast to confusedeceive trick con swindle deceive• or take someone in+ 4!he door7to7doorsalesman• bamboo>led me into buying a vacuum cleanefor two• thousand dollars+6 4Don/t try to bamboo>leme+ I am familiar• with all of your devices and lies and tricks+64&y• cousin .arlos made an illegal living bytricking and• bamboo>ling people into buying phonygovernment• bonds+6 =• Band7aid solution "ixing a problem in atemporary way that won/t last• long+ 4<hort term tax cuts are )ust a band7asolution• that will not suOciently inLuence spending the national• level+6 4aising interest rates is )ust a

temporary• band7aid solution that won/t inLuence therising inLation• rate much in the long run+6 4Increasing theregistered



• capital in the company is )ust a band7aidsolution which• won/t help much to increase prots or stock

dividends+6• =• Bane of my life A curse irritation annoyancthat is ruining your life and• keeps following you along and won/t go awa4I swear• my ex7husband is the bane of my life+,herever I go he• and his problems keep following me+6 4&y ewife is the• bane of my life+ ,henever I try to start overand get a• new foothold she comes around and knocksme down• again+6 4!hat child is the bane of my life+ <i

the day• he was born he has behaved as if he were achild of the• devil+6 =• Banging your head• against the wall• ust as banging your head against the wall

achieves no• purpose so we may say that trying to convian unwilling• person to understand or do something is asuseless



• as banging your head against the wall+ 4!ryito get• students to stop cheating is like banging yo

head• against the wall+6 4!rying to get you to listeto common• sense is like banging my head against thewall+6 4I have• talked until I am blue in the face to try toconvince my• daughter to stop seeing that man but I ambanging my• head against the wall because she )ust wonlisten+6 =• MQ• Banking on someone ust as we can trust andepend on a bank so we should• be able to depend and count on a person to

keep his word• and act with responsibility to support us in tway he• has promised+ 4,e are banking on F2I.E" tprovide• expert advice on how to solve the situation+4!he %rime•

&inister is banking on your party/s support help him• win the next election+6 4<on I am banking oyou to• graduate and then come home and help run



the family• business+6 =• Bankroll the )ob Fsually a big robbery

necessitates a lot of pre7planning• and time and training and money before thecriminals can• eventually pull7o? the )ob+ 4!he one whoprovides the• money and bankrolls the )ob will get thelargest percent• of the take6 4Although #efty bankrolled the )ob the police• were unable to pin anything on him so he go? • <cott7free+6 4It would be possible to steal althe gold in• the treasury but it would take a lot of moneto bankroll• the )ob and pay o? an army of men to helppull7o? the• )ob+6 =• Barbarian cruelty Fncivili>ed brutal beastlybehavior towards a con-uered• and defeated people+ 4!he omans despitetheir•

vast and mighty empire eventually becamethe victims• of barbarian cruelty after ome was sackedwhen hoards• of barbarian ghters from the north swept



down and• raped and pillaged their way through what wleft of the•

Empire of ome+6 42owadays after the 'en.onvention• war is supposed to follow more civili>ed ruleof • behavior and avoid the barbarian cruelty thawas practiced• in the past+6 4&y husband is an animal andam• suing him for divorce after the endlessbarbarian cruelty• he has put me through over the years+6 =• Barbed7tongue ust as barbed7wire has mansharp points that can hurt• so a person may be said to have a sharp andhurtful• tongue+ 4He who speaks with a barbed tongsends out• words and waves of pain that one day willcome back to• hurt him again+6 4,e call Barbara 4Barb6 fshort because• she has a barbed tongue and is always maki•

sharp hurtful comments6 4He who speaks wa barbedtongue• is subconsciously getting revenge on the wo• for the cruelty and unfairness he feels hasbeen inLicted





breast )ust to• get a load o? your chest+6• Barefaced7lie An unashamed statement of

mistruth+ 4Don/t deny you• were with that woman in that nightclub lastnight+ It is a• barefaced lie+6 4I saw you take the money+Don/t try to• deny it5 It is a bare7faced lie+6 4,hen everyoknows• you are lying but you lie anyway withoutfeeling shame• it is a bare7faced lie+6 =• Barely made it on time Arrived )ust in time tavoid missing an appointment or• deadline+6 4<he spent so long doing her haithat she left• home late and barely made it to her date on

time+6 4,e• were afraid that we would be late for our Ligand )ust• barely made it on time+6 4!raOc was )ammeso I• )umped out of the van and took a motorcycletaxi and•

)ust barely made it to the meeting on time+6• Bargaining chip ust as in a casino gamblersplay with plastic gambling• chips so in business we may say somethinextra we





• come up that deserves your immediateattention+6 4Cld• Aunt Alice thinks she can barge7in on me in

home• anytime she wants+ <he would never considethat I• might need some private time for myself+6 =• Bark is worse than his• bite• ust as a dog may bark a lot but not bite at aso we may• say that a person/s threatening talk is worsethan his actions• will be+ 4&ax looks mean and talksaggressively• but his bark is worse than his bite+ Actuallydeep at• N1• heart he is a soft7hearted good guy+6 4Cursupervisor• shouts and swears and speaks very harshlybut his bark • is worse than his bite+6 4%ay no attention to&om+ <he• may sound threatening but her bark is wors

than her• bite+ &om is actually -uite harmless and kin=• Barking7up the wrong• tree



• ust as a dog may be barking at the bottomone tree• when the s-uirrel he is chasing has already

)umped to• another tree so we may say comparativelythat one person• may be wrongly accusing another person aba• wrong thing which yet a third person did+4Don/t blame• me for starting that nasty rumor about you+ Gou/re barking• up the wrong tree+6 4If you think I/mresponsible for• getting you red you/re barking up the wrotree+6• 4Don/t accuse me of being the one who let oyour secret+• If you think it was me you/re barking up thewrong• tree6 =• Barrage of criticism ust as the known7presence of an enemy can attract a• bombardment or barrage of artillery re avolley of mortar•

re or a hail of bullets so a public action orstatement• can attract a barrage of censure anddisapproval• from the press or the public+ 4!he %rime



&inister/s angry• comments caused a barrage of criticism in tpress+6•

4!he radically modern architectural design the new• cultural center was met with a barrage ofcriticism from• the critics+6 4,hen scientists rst startedtalking about• cloning human beings the idea evoked abarrage of criticism• from religious and academic circles all arounthe• world+6• Barrel of laughs A person or event full of funand )okes+ 4,e always like• to get Big Bob to &. the oOce party becaushe full of • humor and is a barrel of laughs+6 4&y brothBill is a• barrel of laughs+ He is so funny he has usrolling on the• Loor with laughter all the time+6 4.ome to tcompany• party on "riday+ ,e/ll all have a barrel of

laughs+6 =• Base instinct #ow natural motive+ 4Baseinstinct makes men behave• like beasts+6 4!he will to kill is said to be abase instinct+



• ape is also an action based on base instinc4,hen a• man acts from base instinct without followi

law or• reason he is driven to do evil anti7socialthings+6 =• Base motives #ow and primitive desires andwants harmful natural• instincts bad intentions+ 4!rying to hurtsomeone you are• )ealous of arises from base motives+6 4It is sthat some• people enter politics for personal benet duto base motives+6• 4!ry and be a good citi>en by controlling you• base motives and obeying the law in a way tis good• for all+6 =• Bash someone/s brains in Beat someone ovethe head until you actually smash in• his brains+ 42o citi>en with basic decencywould conN:• sider bringing harm upon another humanbeing+6 4"ather• threatened to bash my brains in if he ever

caught me lying• again+6 4If you lay one nger on my littlesister I/ll• bash your brains in+6 4If I ever see you look another



• woman I/ll bash your brains in+6 =• Basic decency .ommon politeness theminimum courtesy re-uired in•

polite society respect courtesy and civility+4%lease• show the basic decency of paying respect toyour elders+6• 4At least you should have the basic decencyapologi>e• for all the harm you have done+6 4Gou shoulat least• have the basic decency to admit when youhave done• wrong+6 =• Battle it out "ight against someone orsomething in order to win or• achieve your goal+ 4During their divorce cas&om and• Dad had to battle it out who would takecustody of me+6• 4,e/ll )ust have to sit down together andbrainstorm and• battle it out who gets to do what and withwhich to• whom+6 4!he Democrats and the .onservati

are going• to have to battle it out to decide whether thnew reform• legislation will be passed or not+6 =• Battle of the bulge "ighting a fat stomach by



keeping to a diet+ 4!he best• way to win the battle of the bulge is to burnmore energy•

than you consume+6 4,hen middle7aged mestart becoming• pot7bellied they begin ghting what we callthe• Sbattle of the bulge+/6 4,hen I started thebattle of the• bulge at age forty7four I started )ogging tenkilometers• every day to keep my weight under control6• Battle of the sexes !he natural strugglebetween men and women to get their• own way+ 4I/m tired of the battle of the sexethink I• will give up women for a while+6 4<omepsychologists• say that the battle of the sexes is based ondeep primitive• natural instincts+6 4Cnce you accept that thbattle• of the sexes reLects a normal state of naturyou come to• accept and live with it+6 =•

Battle of the wits ,ar of words to prove whomore7clever+ 4Intellectuals• are still having a battle of the wits about therelationship• between reality and ideality+6 4A college



debate is a battle• of the wits to see which side can make the buse of •

words to make the most points in favor of itside of the• argument+6 4!he %rime &inister and the#eader of the• Cpposition in %arliament are having a battlethe wits• in the determining the denition of humanrights+6 =• Be a bu?er between <erve as a cushion orshock7absorber between two pressures• or forces negotiate and mediate betweenopposing• parties+ 4A legal mediator is often named asneutral and• impartial party to serve as a bu?er between

aggressivelyopposed• parties+6 4In %arliament the #iberal Democr• serve as a bu?er between the conservativeright wing and• N;• the socialist left wing+6 4In big buildingpro)ects it is•

good to have a contract engineer to serve asbu?er between• the conLicting interests of the owner of thepro)ect• and the working construction team+6 =



• Be an asset to the company• Be a person who brings benet to thecompany+ 4If you•

look at my -ualications and experience yowill see• that I will be an asset and benet to thecompany+6 4,e• have not red old David Holmes yet becauswe still• consider him to be an asset to the company+4<omeone• who seeks personal gain by using condentinformation• connected to his )ob is no longer consideredan• asset to the company+6 =• Be fed7up ust as you may feel so full fromeating that you are fedup• or full7up to your ears so you can say you hnally• reached the nal limit of your patience so yocan/t• stand it anymore+ 4I/m fed7up with my )ob+ Ican/t stand• doing the same routine things day after day

4I/m bored+• I/ve had enough+ I/m fed7up to the ears withyour lies• and broken promises+6 4I am fed7up with yobad behavior



• and indi?erent attitude and I/m not going tostand• for it any more+6 =•

Be in the right place at• the right moment• !o have the good luck to be in the right placat the right• time when an occasion or opportunity arise4I got the• )ob because I happened to be in the right plaat the• right moment+6 4<ometimes when you are ithe right• place at the right moment you will have astroke of good• luck and good things will happen to you+6 4Ia lucky• thing that I happened to arrive in the right

place at the• right moment so I was able to drag theunconscious girl• out of her burning car+6 =• Be on good terms Have good relations with+am on very good terms with• A)arn %iyanart and that relationship is what

keeps me• working within her department+6 4!he owneof our company• is on good terms with the %rime &inister wh• makes him privy to inside information+6 4&y



ex7wife• and are still on good terms despite the factthat we have•

been divorced for forty years+6 =• Be on tenterhooks "eel anxious nervousexcited fearful apprehensive on• edge hanging in suspense+ 4I was nervousexcited and• on tenterhooks before the interview but onentered• the room sat down and began talking I forgall my• fears+6 4All the family is at the hospitalwaiting on tenterhooks• for father to come out of a coma+6 4!he enti• world is waiting on tenterhooks to see if thgiant meteor• from outer space will collide directly with th

earth or• )ust rush closely past in a nearby orbit+6 =• Be on your best behavior Be careful not to danything wrong and try to show• good manners so people will see you on yougood side+• NJ•

4,hen you come to meet my parents for<unday dinner• you had better be on your best behavior+6 4!principal• has told me that I had better be on my best



behavior and• not make any more mistakes or he is going tkick me•

out of school+6 4If I take you with me to the.hurch <ocial• Evening you had better be on your bestbehavior and• not be rude or crude or lewd+6 =• Be on your toes Be careful be prepared beready watch yourself be• sure to follow the rules don/t let anyone nany fault• don/t slip up don/t get caught in the act ofdoing anything• wrong+ 4I/d better be on my toes and not ge• caught breaking any more rules or I am surto be suspended• from school+6 4!he .ity .ouncil will have to • on its toes to make sure that it has access toan alternative• water supply in case the reservoir runs dryduring the hot• season+6 4Be on your toes so that yoursupervisor doesn/t• catch you doing your private e7mail on

company time on• the company computer+6 =• Be short7listed !o be one of a select fewnarrowed down and chosen• from a larger group to be considered as a



candidate for a• position or )ob or scholarship+ 4%enelope %ehas been•

short7listed together with four othercandidates to be• considered for appointment as the newestmember of the• <upreme .ourt+6 4I have been short7listed tbe evaluated• as the possible recipient of a government7sponsored• scholarship to study in the <tates+6 4"rom aof the candidates• for &iss ,orld ve girls have been short7listed• and each and every one is hoping to becomethe lucky• one to wear the crown+6 =• Beaming with pride <miling broadly feelingpleased and proud because of an• accomplishment or achievement+ 4After thewedding• ceremony both the groom and the bride webeaming• with pride+6 4,hen my sister was presented

the award• for the highest grade7average in the wholeschool both• she and my parents were beaming with prid4,hen



• my brother received his military commissioncerticate• after oOcer training school he was absolute

beaming• with pride+6 =• Bean7counter <omeone like an accountant oauditor or tax oOcial• who has to go into every little nancial deta4Being a• bean7counter is like counting grains of rice aonly en)oyable• if you are the kind of person who en)oysworking• with numbers+6 4If you want to make anaccountant mad• tell him he is nothing but a bloody beancounter+6 4!he• company managing partner is really a bean

counter at• heart he counts every single penny spentright from the• start+6 =• Bean7pole A boy who is very tall and thincomparable to a long• NK•

thin bean stalk+ 4,hen I was in grade schoowas very• tall and skinny compared to the other boys they gave• me the nickname of SBean7pole+/6 4Cften a



who is a• bean pole excels in the game of basketballbecause his•

height gives him and advantage over the otplayers+• 4In fact being born as a bean7pole cansometimes be the• rst step to becoming a basketball super7stain the• 2BA+6 =• Bear a grudge .ontinue to feel a bitter sensof resentment against• someone because of some harm he did to yoin the past+• 4I still bear a grudge against my brother forgiving me a• bad physical beating out in the street rightfront of • our family house more than twenty years ag4&any• <cotsmen still bear a grudge against theEnglish for the• way the British Army surrounded andmercilessly• slaughtered and killed the <cottish

Highlanders+6 4&any• Indonesians still bear a grudge against Hollafor the• harsh treatment they received during theDutch .olonial



• %eriod in the past+6 =• Bear false witness <wear and give testimonythat a falsehood is a truth+•

4Bearing false witness in court is calledSper)ury/ and is• punishable under the law+6 4!o lie to protectsomeone• from being punished by saying he could nothave been at• the scene at the time of the crime is to bearfalse witness+6• 4!he Bible claims that it is a sin to bear falswitness• by swearing to the truth of something youknow not• to be true+6 =• Bear in mind emember be mindful of don/forget+ 4Always bear in• mind that anything you say may be heldagainst you+6• 4Bear in mind that if you do not pay thepersonal withholding• tax on time you will be liable to a penalty a• surcharge+6 4,e must always bear in mind tputting•

personal gain before personal purity will resin personal• pain+6 =• Bear the burden .arry the load do most of twork take responsibility



• be laden with accountability+ 4<ince I am theoldest son• I have to bear the burden of seeing that my

parents will• be nancially secured for their future+64,hatever may• happen on a ship it is always the captain whmust carry• the burden of responsibility+6 4I am alwayschosen to be• the leader of a teamwork activity becauseeverybody• knows I will bear most of the burden of dointhe work+6• =• Bear with it Don/t give7up persevere andendure try to put7up with• something unpleasant or wearisome until it

nally comes• to an end+ 4#earning perfect English is noteasy but if • you )ust bear with it and keep on practicingeventually• you/ll talk like a native speaker+6 4Having toad)ust to•

NM• married7life is awkward at rst but if you )bear with• it you will learn to like it after a while+6 4Iknow it is



• hard to work long hours doing diOcultcalculations but• if you )ust bear with it you will get used to i

=• Bear with me a moment Be patient andcontinue listening to me a while until I• have said what I want to explain 4%lease beawith me a• moment and let me explain the source of thmisunderstanding+6• 4If you will bear with me for a moment I can• explain everything+6 4Bear with me a momeand )ust• listen+ Hear me out and let me tell you thebasic facts+6 =• Bear witness to Be able to report somethingone has seen with one/s own• eyes+ 4!he children can bear witness to the

fact that their• father never hit them in their lives+6 4&ysecretary can• bear witness to the fact that I arrive at myoOce at Pam• every day+6 4I can bear witness and givetestimony to the•

fact that it was ack who stabbed <pike in thback+6 =• Beard the lion in his den ust as it takescourage to go into the cave of a lion and• pull on his beard so it takes courage to go i



the lair or• den or oOce of a person we fear to approachand ask him•

for a favor+ 4,orking up courage to go intoyour father/s• study because you need to ask his permissioto withdraw• from school may be compared to bearding alion in• his den+6 4If you want to approach the %rime&inister• you will have to beard him in his den whereis writing• and rewriting his resignation speech over anover• again+6 4!he Ambassador is in a foul mood tmorning+• I wouldn/t want to barge in and beard the lio

in his den• so I think I/ll wait until morning and thencome back • again+6 =• Beast of burden ust as an elephant can carrheavy load working as a• beast of burden so sometimes people

complain that in• their lives and )obs that they are being treatlike beasts• of burden+ 4I/m not a beast of burden and Idon/t see



• why the rm is putting such a heavy load onmy shoulders• for me to carry+6 4,hen I go shopping with m•

mother she loads me down with bags andpackages like• I was nothing more than a beast of burden+6am no• bu?alo+ I/m not a )ust a beast of burden sodon/t try to• load me down with all the work andresponsibility or I/ll• balk or go berserk+6 =• Beat a hasty retreat un away -uickly run7fsafety+ 4<pecial forces troops• had to beat a hasty retreat before rebel forcencircling• the camp closed in on them+6 4,e/d better gout of the• bank vault -uickly and beat a hasty retreatbefore someone• catches us+6 4I/d better beat a hasty retreatbefore• someone reali>es I/m in a restricted area+6 =• Beat about the bush <peak indirectly andhesitate for a long time before nally•

coming to the point+ 4<top beating indirectly• NN• around the bush and come out and tell medirectly what it• is that you want to say+6 4I wish you would



come out and• tell me exactly what is bothering you and stbeating•

around the bush+6 4He wanted to ask me tomarry him• but he beat around the bush for a long timebefore developing• the courage to actually pop the -uestion+6 =• Beat someone to the• punch• Be the rst to get started before the othershave a• chance be the rst to think of and do an actand beat• Sem to it+ 4I always wanted to ask <ally tomarry me but• my brother beat me to the punch and marrieher himself+6• 4If you want to make it big in the marketplayou• have to devise a strategy to beat thecompetition to the• punch+6 4If you want to get in ahead of theothers and• always get a head start you/ll have to beat

them to the• punch+6 =• Beat the daylight out of • someone• 'ive someone a good beating until you mak



him unconscious+• 4If I ever catch you lying to me again I/ll be• the living daylight out of you+6 4&y rst

husband was• physically abusive he and used to come homdrunk and• beat the living daylights out of me+6 4If myhusband• nds out we are having an a?air behind hisback he will• beat the living daylight out of both of us+6 =• Beat the drum ust as one might literally bethe drum in a marching• band to support a cause so one may be saidbe beating• a drum guratively when one actively 4druup6 support• for an idea issue or ideology+ 4!he high sch

band• is playing in a parade that is marching throutown to• drum up support for the annual charity drive4ust before• thee election the .onservative candidate fo%rime•

&inister did a whirl7wind tour through sevenconstituencies• to try to drum up enough support to help himtip the• scale of political balance+6 4Despite the fact



that activists• intellectuals and scientists have been tryingdrum•

up support to force industrial nations toprotect and save• the environment not enough is being done counteract• the root of burning need and greed that leadto the burning• fossil fuels+6 =• Beat the heat ust as we may try to nd a wato escape the hot• weather by going somewhere where we cancool o? so• we may say that we try to beat the heat whepoliticians• or police or others and breathing down ournecks and• putting on the pressure+ 4After planning thebank robbery• ennings left town for a while to beat the heof • police investigation and en-uiry+6 4I suggesyou lay low• for a while to beat the heat of this controve

and wait• until things cool7? and die down+6 4!he presand the• public were putting a lot of pressure on the ustice &inister



• for being too strict and eventually when hestarted• NP•

becoming the victim of personal threats fromunderworld• sources he went abroad to 2ew ealand tobeat the• heat+6 =• Beat the rap 'et away with something avoipunishment for what• you have been accused of get o? <cott freeavoid sentencing• by the court+ 4!hey tried to prove that C+ + • murdered his ex7wife and her boyfriend butgot a• team of good lawyers and beat the rap+6 4<lpaid• someone to bear false witness in court abou

his whereabouts• at the time of the crime so he could beat therap+6• 4&y wife could not testify against me in couand so I• was able to beat the rap+6 =• Beat to a pulp ust as wood pulp is beaten in

small bers in order to• manufacture paper so we may say thatsomeone who has• been severely physically beaten is beaten tpulp+



• 4During the interrogation the three policeoOcers beat• the suspect to a pulp+6 4Cnce I was mugged

.entral• %ark and got beaten to a pulp+6 4,hen wewere young• my big brother often beat me to a pulp butnow we are• older he will beat the pulp out of anybody wthreatens• me+6 =• Beat your breast ust as a gorilla beats itsbreast to show its power so a• person may be said to beat his breast when is showing• o? and pretending to be bigger than he is+4<ometimes• beating your breast will scare o? the

competition and• help secure your territorial rights6 4It is notoften that• one has an occasion for beating one/s breasso when the• occasion arises why not en)oy it while theopportunity•

lasts@6 4<top being so proud and beating yobreast and• show a little humility+6 =• Beating around the bush !alking around thesub)ect speaking indirectly before



• nally coming to the point taking too longworking up• to the sub)ect instead of stating what you

want without• hesitation+ 4<top beating around the bush+Don/t make• me sit here and wait to hear what you areleading up to+6• 4I know you/ve got something in the back ofyour mind• so stop beating around the bush and come oand say it• directly+6 4He wanted to ask her to marry hibut he• spent half the evening beating around thebush before he• was nally able to pop the -uestion+6 =• Beat7it5 'et out of here5 4'o on5 Beat it5

<cram5 'et lost5 ,e• don/t want to see you around here any more4Gou/d• better beat it and get out of here before myDad comes• home and nds you here alone with me+64,e/d better•

beat it and get out of here before the policecome and see• this re we started+6 =• Beats me I don/t know it/s diOcult for me tounderstand cannot



• gure it out cannot comprehend it+ 4It beatme how the• NQ•

government can collect billions in taxes andyet still be• unable to support the superstructure of thecountry properly+6• 4It beats me how anybody in Bangkok can lion• an income of only ve thousand a month+6 4beats me• to understand how a man with millions in thbank can• be too cheap to buy himself a new pair ofshoes once and• a while+6 =• Beat7up on ust as a gang of bullies mayphysically beat up on a single• person so a whole group may verballycritici>e• blame and attack a single member of thatgroup+ 4!he• members of the press have been really beatup on the• %rime &inister for his weak stand on human

rights+6• 4&y colleagues really beat up on me for goinon a leave• of absence during the peak period+6 4&ycolleagues in



• the linguistic community have been beatingon me for• my position on the insubstantiality of words

and images• assumed to be xed entities within permaneand xed• linguistic structures+6 =• Beck and call ,hen someone can beckon yoand order you what to• do you are at his beck and call+ 4It is withinthe %rime• &inister/s rights to summon the nanceminister at his• beck and call to order him to carry out acommand in a• service that benets the people+6 In case ofmedical• emergency a doctor is always ready to respo

to the• beck and call of the hospital twenty7four hoa day+6• 4'et your own bloody beer from the fridge+ am not at• your beck and call+ emember that I am youwife and•

not your servant+6 =• Become attached to• someone• Develop a liking and a?ection for a person+ 4the



• months go by I am becoming more and morattached to• the girl who helps me with my math

homework+6 4,hen• I rst met &a>y she was )ust another persoto me but• the more I see of her the more I becomeattached to her+6• 4In the beginning I was starting to becomeattached to• %an but when I saw how shallow and deceitshe was I• soon let go of and lost my sense ofattachment+6 =• Become reconciled with Accept get used toalong with the way things accepting• them the way they are+ 4Gou/d better getreconciled• to the fact that not everything in life is gointo go• your way+6 4,hen I rst learned that I wasgoing to die• I didn/t want to accept the fact but later onbecame• reconciled to it+6 4It took !ed/s father forty

years to become• reconciled with the fact that !ed wasirreversibly• gay+6 =• Become suspicious Begin to suspect that



something is wrong+ 4I didn/t become• suspicious that my son was taking drugs untactually•

found some speed pills in one of his trouserpockets+6• 4,hen my husband started coming home latthree• PR• nights a week I became suspicious that hemight be having• an a?air+6 4I became suspicious that &ug wastealing• money from my purse when I noticed that mloose• change kept disappearing+6 =• Become unglued "all apart emotionally asthough the pieces of your life• have guratively become unglued+ 4A person

can become• psychologically unglued if he is placed undetoo• much psychological stress+6 4ust a paperhouse may become• unglued and fall apart if it gets wet so themind•

may become unglued and fall apart when thone we love• unexpectedly breaks our heart+6 4After his wleft him• and his only son died of leukemia "erdinand





• Becoming accustomed to 'etting used7tofamiliar with comfortable with+ 4I am• settling7in and becoming accustomed to my

new )ob and• environment+6 4<ome foreigners need atransition period• in !hailand before they nally becomeaccustomed to the• hot weather and the spicy food+6 42ow thathave been• with you a while and have gradually warmedup to you I• am becoming accustomed to your touch+6 =• Becoming acclimated 'etting used to a newplace starting to feel at home• learning new ways and customs ad)usting tdi?erent• country and culture+ 4,hen my son Hank

went to• &ilitary Academy he had a little troubleadapting to the• disciplined environment but after the rstterm he• started becoming acclimated to it+6 4If you agoing to•

go to Asia to do graduate work I suggest yogo there• and spend at least six months becomingacclimated and• learning the language before beginning you



rst term of • studies+6 4,hen an American goes to live in'ermany it•

takes him a few months to get acclimatedbecause the• culture and customs are more harsh strict adisciplined• and -uite di?erent from those he is used to+• P1• Bed of nails ust as an Indian fakir can lie onbed of nails so we• may say that a task or situation that is asdiOcult or painful• is a bed of nails+ +6 4%sychological torment cbe like• a bed of nails in which the more up7tight youget the• more the pain prevails+6 4#iving with you is

like lying on• a bed of nails+ I am going to leave you beformy tolerance• fails+6 4Becoming accustomed to marriage islike• getting used to lying on a bed of nails+ At ryou don/t•

think you can/t do it but through patience aperseverance• it becomes a form of mental discipline thatendures• and prevails+6 =



• Bed of roses <tate of happiness+ 4I want mylife to be a bed of roses• not a bed of nails+6 4Expecting life to be a b

of roses is• an illusion based on what one hopes andsupposes+6• 4.ompared to what it was before my life isnow a bed of • roses+6 4.ynthia dreams that married life wbe a bed of • roses but marriage is not as idyllic as shesupposes+6 =• Beef about something .omplain+ 4He/s alwabeeng about one complaint or• other+6 4If you don/t stop beeng about youproblems• I/m going to stop listening to you+6 4I don/tknow why• you are always beeng about the workingregulations+• Gou should be happy that you are employedall and• actually have a )ob+6 =• Beef7up <trengthen build7up8 make stronge4,e/ll have to•

beef7up our argument if we want to win thedebate+6 4If • we want to prevail over the enemy we willhave to beefup• and reinforce our defenses+6 4!he military



security• >one is insuOciently guarded so ourcommander has•

ordered us to beef7up our perimeter+6 =• Been around the block Having had a lot ofexperience of life already and knowing• how to deal with it+ 4ust as child is no longeafraid• of the outside world once he has been arounthe block• so an adult who has seen the ways of the wowill• know how his way around in the ways of theworld+6• 4<he may look sweet and innocent and a litthelpless• but she has already been around the block aknows all• the tricks+6 4Gou don/t have to explain thepsychological• dangers of life to me+ I have already beenaround the• block and know how to protect myself belieme+6 =• Been there done that+ Have traveled to all t

famous places and done all the• related and expected activities+ 4Anxietydoubt existential• despair and acute neurosis 0I have beenthere done



• that+6 4I/ve climbed the %yramids in .airofaced the• ,estern ,all in erusalem visited the

%arthenon in• Athens stood in the .oliseum in ome beenup the Ei?el• !ower in %aris been there done that done all5 <o• what@6 4Big salary big car big yacht bigexpectations• big disappointments0I/ve been there and dothat+6 =• P:• Before one/s time %rematurely unexpectedl4It/s always sad when one• has to die before one/s time+6 4Hopkins diedbefore his• time at the age of forty7six+6 4!he best thing

about trusting• wholly in fate is that you never have to fearthat you• will die before your time+6 =• Before your very eyes Bearing immediatewitness to something that has happened• right in front of you+ 4It/s always scary when

you• see someone killed before your very eyes+64!he accused• pulled out a pistol and shot &arilyn <ykes inthe middle



• of her chest three times right before my veeyes56 4It• is ama>ing the things that some people will

shamelessly• do right before your very eyes )ust in order tmake a dishonest• dollar+6 =• Beg on bended7nee !raditionally one had to down on one knee and beg• for a nobleman/s favor but nowadays we bfor a• woman/s favor+ 4Cne used to have to get doand beg• on bended7knee to plead for a pardon in acourt of royalty+6• 4I beseech you I beg on bended knee to shome• mercy and pity me56 4In order to get your

mother to• marry me I had to get down and beg onbended7knee+6 =• Beg the -uestion 2ot answer directly put7oaddressing the -uestion• avoid the issue try to s-uee>e7out of facingproblem+•

4Don/t try to beg the -uestion+ ust give meSyes/ or• Sno/ answer+6 4!he government instead offacing the• issue and saying directly how they plan to



resolve the• issue continues to beg the -uestion and talpolitical•

mumbo7)umbo+6 4.andice keeps bringing upthe -uestion• of when .harley will marry her but so far.harley• has been able to successfully beg the-uestion+6 =• Beginner/s luck ,in or succeed the very rstime you try+ 4!ed won the• lottery the rst time he ever bought a ticketwas a pure• example of beginner/s luck+6 4!he rst timeplayed• golf I shot a hole7in7one5 !hat was realbeginner/s luck+6• 4I cannot claim any credit for hitting the bul

eye on my• very rst try+ It was )ust dumb beginner/sluck+6 =• Beginning of the end ,hat is now happeningthe start of a process that will• lead to a bad end+ 4,hen Ivan startedspeculating on currency•

Luctuations he hoped he would get rich -uibut• actually it was the beginning of the end+64,hen you• take your rst in)ection of heroin it is alread



the beginning• of the end+6 4,hen you rst get the idea ofcheating•

on your wife that is already the beginning othe end of • happily married life+6 =• Beginning to gel ust as )elly is li-uid at rstbefore it begins to gel so the• forming of an idea may take time before itsettles in the• mind and becomes rm and clear so we navisuali>e• an idea beginning to dawn on the mindstarting to get• the picture+ 4,hen you rst started explainI couldn/t• P;• follow your gist but now it/s slowly beginn

to gel+6• 4,hen I rst listened to your logical reasonI• couldn/t get the picture but now it is nallbeginning• to gel+6 4I couldn/t understand the %rofesso%otworthy/s•

theorem at rst but by now it/s nallybeginning• to gel+6 =• Behind closed doors In a secret meeting onfor insiders in a room secured



• from outside intrusion+ 4!he members of the<upreme• .ouncil had a condential discussion behind

closed• doors and voted by secret ballot and nobodoutside the• room ever learned what happened there+64<ometimes• the .abinet &inisters have top7secret meetibehind• closed doors to discuss matters of nationalsecurity+6• 4!he )udge called the lawyers for theprosecution and• defense into his chambers and behind closedoors instructed• them on the ner points of the law+6 =• Behind the scenes ust as in a theatre there

a lot of action going on backstage• behind the painted7screens and wings inpreparation• for the next scene so we may say that inpolitics or• business or private life the is a lot of unseeand maybe•

even secret activities going on behind thescenes+ 4I am• always afraid that people are plotting to harme behind• the scenes+6 4In &r+ !aksin/s government



there was always• a lot of political manipulation going on behinthe•

scenes+6 4In big business the giants ofindustry are always• pulling strings behind the scenes+6 =• Behind the times Cld7fashioned not up7to7date+ 4&y father is somewhat• behind the times because he is unable toaccept the attitudes• of today/s youth7culture+6 4Cld Holmes issomewhat• behind the times because he is not able tokeep• abreast of all the new technicaldevelopments+6 4%rofessor• Higgenbottom is somewhat behind the timebecause• he has not been keeping up7to7date in hisreading and• research+6 =• Behind your back 2ot to your face in front oyou but done or spoken behind• your back secretly surreptitiously+ 4Don/t t• about me behind my back+ If you have

something to say• tell me straight to my face+6 4!o my surprisediscovered• that behind my back my wife had withdrawall



• money from our )oint bank account and booka oneway• Light to Bermuda+6 4I soon after learned tha

my• assistant manager was also working behind back• without my knowledge to )uggle theaccounting data in• order to make me look like a crook so he coutake the• money himself and run o? with my wife+ ,ha life this• is5 .an you believe it@6 =• Beholden to someone 'rateful feeling a debof gratitude to someone owing• them a favor+ 4&y family and I are beholdenyou for• PJ• all the help you have given us+6 4I feelbeholden to %rofessor• 2ewell for recommending me to do graduatework • in 'ermany+6 42owadays I like to beindependent and I• never want to feel beholden to anyone+6 =•

Being grouchy Being bad7temperedcomplaining ill7tempered grumpy• crabby cranky irritable+ 4<top being sogrouchy+ I/m• fed7up with your sitting around in a bad moo



complaining• all the time+6 4&y supervisor is so ill7tempeand•

grouchy that it is very hard for me to work wher+ I• wish I knew what her problem was+6 4Althousome old• people are grumpy and grouchy )ust as mansenior citi>ens• are friendly and placid and peaceful+6 =• Being stonewalled Being blocked from goingforward as if someone were• building a stone wall right up in front of youam being• stonewalled in my e?orts to get the"reemasonic "raternity• to accept female candidates+6 4I/m trying toconvince• the boss to implement a sta?7incentive planbut he• keeps stonewalling me+6 4,e/ve been meetresistance• from the government committee and theyhave stonewalled• our petition for a new building permit+6 =•

Belabor the point $eep talking for too long oa single topic in an extended• discussion overstress your view go on and about the• point you are trying to make+ 4If you insist o



belaboring• the point it will )ust be one more reason forcommittee to•

turn against you+6 4Don/t belabor the point+see what• you/re getting at and I have heard -uiteenough+6 4%oliticians• occasionally waste valuable time belaboringthe• point they wish to make even when they knthe nal• vote will go against them+6 =• Belated7apology A delayed apology a lateexcuse an expression of regret• or an admission7of7guilt that comes a bit toolate to be• acceptable+ 4%lease accept my belatedapologies for not• attending your wedding+6 4Brother .antwelsends his• belated apologies for not being able to attenthe convocation+6• 4A belated apology is no excuse for admittin• you )ust plain forgot about attending thefuneral56 =•

Belittle someone <peak about someone withhumiliating intentions to• make him look small speak about a person harmful• way to reveal that you think he is inferior to



you to show• you look down on someone by makingdisparaging remarks+•

4A good teacher would never belittle a studein• front of the class+6 4<ome ungracious girlsbelittle others• in their social group to make themselves feemore important+6• 4ust because you have been born wealthythat• does not give you the right to belittle someowho has• not had the same privileges and opportunitias you+6 =• Belligerent attitude Deant confrontationaldisrespectful aggressive -uarrelsome• argumentative loud7mouthed mental state+• PK• won/t stand for your belligerent deantattitude and if • you continue to be disrespectful towards meI/ll knock • your block o?+6 4!his boy has a belligerentattitude and a•

tendency towards outwardly aggressivebehavior so I• think he needs some psychologicalcounseling+6 4,ith• such a belligerent and angry attitude you w



not win• any respect or support so tone it down a bitand try to be•

a little more respectful towards others+6 =• Belly7up ust as an overturned ship/s hull mabe said to be Loating• Sbelly7up/ so we may say that a venture orbusiness• investment has gone belly7up when it fails tachieve• success+ 4I invested three7hundred thousanda sh and• chip shop but it went belly7up and I losteverything+6• 4After my rst attempt at business went belup I went• back to school and did a &BA+6 4,e investelot of • money in trying to save the company frombankruptcy• but it still went belly7up eventually+6 =• Below the belt ust as in boxing it is againstthe rules and unfair to hit• someone below the belt so in society it isconsidered to•

be unfair to mention thing about someone tshows his• character in a bad light+ 4I dare say old chapmaking reference• to my sexual preference is hitting below the



belt• wouldn/t you say@6 4Belittling a fellow becaof his•

Irish working7class origins is really hittingbelow the• belt+6 4<landering me for my mistakes in myrst marriage• thirty years ago is really hitting me below thbelt+6• =• Bend in the wind ust as a bamboo branchbends in the wind so we may• say that a person bends in the wind if he givway to• pressure+ 4!he problem with the %rime&inister is that he• bends in the wind+ He seems to agree withwhatever is• the popular opinion at the moment+6 4Amanager who• bends in the wind depending on who he istalking to• will not win much respect in the end+64<ometimes it is• wise to be able to bend in the wind when th

only other• alternative is to break under pressure+6 =• Bend someone/s ear &ake someone listen toyou who is not particularly interested• talk a lot to someone who doesn/t wish to pa



attention• complain to someone who doesn/t particular• care+ 4#et me bend your ear for a while and

beg you for a• favor+6 4"rancine is always bending my earabout how• she is unhappy in her marriage and I/m tireof hearing• about it+6 4I/m going to approach the&anaging %artner• and bend his ear about how he could beimproving our• working environment+6 =• Bend the rules 2ot to follow the rules exactlnot to be too strict in following• the rules be loose in interpreting the rules+• 4<ometimes it does no harm to bend the rula bit when• PM• you have to adapt to a new situation oroccasion+6 It• doesn/t do any harm to bend the rules a bit you see• someone has reali>ed his mistake and alreadlearned a•

lesson+6 4!he problem with bending the ruleis that people• will always follow the exception rather thanthe rule+6• =



• Bending over backwards Doing everythingpossible to accomplish the goal of • pleasing the other person+ 4Be sure to bend

over backwards• and do everything within your power to pleaand• satisfy the client because we cannot a?ord lose his• business to the competition+6 I/ve beenbending over• backwards trying to please my father but nomatter how• hard I try he always seems to be demandingmore+6• 4I/ve been bending over backwards doingevery thing to• please my husband but he seems to be takiit all for• granted and shows not even the slightestappreciation+6• =• Benet of the doubt ,hen a debatable-uestion or accusation cannot be claried• one side has to give the other the benet ofthe•

doubt in other words leave the -uestion opuntil the• result has been decided and declared+ 4Fndthe law• when we cannot prove a person is guilty we



have to give• him the benet of the doubt and assume he innocent•

until proven guilty+6 4&y wife cannot prove am lying• so she is forced to give me the benet of thedoubt even• though she doesn/t completely trust me+6 4,do not• know if your claims about your skills are trubut we• will give you the benet of the doubt andwatch you• work and keep an eye on you until we seeevidence of • what you are able to do+6 =• Benign condition A benign condition is notmalignant and therefore• unlikely to cause death a benign disease isone carried in• the body but unlikely to become a matter ofserious concern• although there are some side7e?ects thedisease is• unlikely to be fatal+ 4&y third wife develope

growth• in her uterus but fortunately for her aftertesting it• turned out to be a benign condition+6 4&ysecond wife



• had a tumor in her breast but fortunatelywhen they cut• it out for testing it proved to be a benign

condition+6• 4&y rst wife had a benign condition of spinmeningitis• when we were rst married which paraly>edthe• functions in the right side of her body butafter she divorced• me and went back home to England to live inthe• happy home of her parents the symptomswent away+6 =• Bent cop ust as metal may be bent by aworkman by applying• pressure in a certain place so a policeman mbe corrupted• by taking bribes from criminals+ 4&y fatheraccepted• bribes from the &aa and became a bent co• PN• 4<ome people plan to )oin the police force )uso they• can en)oy the benets of being a bent cop+6

4"ortunately• in !hailand there are no bent cops+6 =• Bent double ,ith head7bent7down below thwaistline caused either• by laughter or pain+ 4!he people in the



audience were• bent double with laughter after hearing thecomedy routine+6•

4&y brother tells such big whopping lies thathe• rest of )ust stand paraly>ed bent double witlaughter+6• 4,e could see blindly stumbling Britishsoldiers bent• double with pain during the 'erman gasattack+6 =• Bent7out7of7shape &omentarily psychologicadisturbed or in an altered• state of mind due to anger or disapproval orpsychedelic• drugs+ 4,hen you so strongly disapprove ofsomething• that your mind is not in a normal state peop

often say• you are bent7out7of7shape+6 4,hen my &omfound that I• was addicted to heroin she got her head allbent out of • shape+6 4Back in the 1QMRs the Hippies usedtake psychedelic•

drugs and get bent out of shape as a way ofprotesting• against the social values of theestablishedgeneration+6• =



• Beside the point 2ot signicant of noconse-uence not relevant o? • topic having nothing to do with the matter

under discussion+• 4,hen the issue is that all people born shouhave• e-ual human rights the fact that I am awoman is beside• the point+6 4,hen it comes to distinguishingbetween• right and wrong economic motives are besithe point+6• 4Don/t get o? topic and forget that when itcomes protecting• the environment protecting )obs in industry• beside the point+6 =• Best bet !he best option or possibility forleading to success+• 4!he best bet for investment is always in bluchip• stocks+6 4,hen it comes to high -ualityautomotive engineering• %orsche is your best bet+6 4Investing ingovernment• bonds is always the best bet for guaranteein•

long term earnings+6 =• Best of both possible• worlds• !he best -ualities of two cultures or ways oflife+ 4I wish



• I could be both a playboy and a gentleman athereby• take advantage of the best of both possible

words+6 4I• am .anadian but I grew up under the inLueof English• culture and I tried to retain the bestcharacteristics of • both possible worlds+6 4'erman7Americansoften nd• themselves combining the best of bothpossible worlds in• their daily habits and customs and wouldn/twant to be• forced to choose between one side and theother+6 =• Best of the bunch !he best person in thegroup+ 4"rom all of my students in• all of my classes %et is the best of the bunch4"rom all• the football players in the league Baker is tbest of the• bunch+6 4Cf all the politicians in the <enate.onrad AtPP• kins is the best in the bunch+6 =•

Better late than never It is better to arrive lthan not to come at all+ 4If you• can/t get away from your desk to attend themeeting exactly• on time come a little late+ It/s better late th



• never+6 4%aula got married when she was thtwo and• her comment was SBetter late than never+/6

4<he had a• baby at thirty7three which is a little late bubetter late• than never+6 =• Better luck next time ,hen you fail in attemat something do not be discouraged• but rather hope for better luck in your next• attempt+ 4I/m sorry that you didn/t win thegold in the• Clympics but I wish you better luck nexttime+6 4&y• rst marriage was a total failure but I amhoping for better• luck next time+6 4I didn/t get promoted topartner this• year but I am hoping for better luck nexttime+6 =• Better move fast5 'et out of a place -uicklybefore someone comes and• something bad happens to you+ 4,e had betmove fast• and get out of here before someone starts

shooting at us56• 4Gou had better move fast and get the )obdone before• the superintendent comes around and givesyou a kick in



• the ass56 4,e/d better move fast and get ouof its path• before the avalanche sweeps us away+6 =•

Better safe than sorry It is better to avoidtaking a chance than it is to take a• risk that you will later regret take precautioand be• careful not to do anything you will regretafterwards+• 4Fse a condom when you have casual sex+ Itbetter to• be safe than sorry6 4,hen riding amotorcycle wear a• helmet+ It/s better to be safe than sorry+64,hen working• on a construction site you must followregulations and• wear a hard hat+ emember it/s better to be

safe than• sorry+6 =• Better yourself !o improve your social ornancial condition+ 4!he good• thing about free public education is that itgives people a• chance to better themselves+6 42o matter h

old you• are you should never stop learning and nevstop trying• to better yourself+6 42o matter how low youstart o? on



• the social ladder if you are honest and workhard with a• little luck you will have a good chance at

bettering yourself+6• =• Better7o? dead <ometimes life seems somiserable that we feel we would• be better7o? if we were dead better to bedead and free• of pain than have to be born and su?er agai4I curse the• day of my birth+ I feel I/d be better7o? dead+4,hen I• said I/d be better7o? dead some peopleactually agreed• with me+6 4!eenagers often go through a stawhere• they feel they would be better o? dead but

with time• the feeling passes and eventually they stato feel• they/re glad they are still alive+6 =• PQ• Better7o? in the long run ,hat may seem banow will prove to be of help and•

benet over the course of time+ 4If you ridyourself of • that woman now it may seem painful at rsbut you• will be better7o? in the long run+6 4If you st



in school• until you are in your twenties you do not eamoney•

during this period but once you graduate ycan demand• a higher salary and be better7o? in the longrun+6• 4,e were anxious about selling o? our aOlicompanies• at rst due to fears about decreased revenubut• our nancial advisors proved to be right anthe rm• was better7o? in the long run+6 =• Better7than7nothing Even a little something better than nothing at all+ 4After• ve months of selling fried sh in the markeonly• had ve hundred Baht overall prot but evesomething• is better than nothing+6 4<ell those fty kiloof the bananas• at any price now for any price before theyrotten• even a little something is better than nothin

4&y• father only left me fty7thousand Baht in hislast will and• testimony but even a little something is betthan nothing+6



• =• Between the devil and• the deep blue sea•

,ith no acceptable alternative to choose froin a paradoxical• situation right in the middle of a moraldilemma• with no acceptable options+ 4If I don/t move$orat• with the company I/ll lose my )ob if I don/tstay in• Bangkok I/ll lose my girlfriend8 I/m betweenthe devil• and the deep blue sea+6 4If my girlfriend nout about• my wife she/ll be disappointed in me if mywife nds• out about my girlfriend she/ll leave me+ I/m

caught between• the devil and the deep blue sea+6 4If I getcaught• using company assets on the side to pay o? debts I/ll• be red if I stop using the company/s assetI/ll go even•

deeper into debt so I/m caught between thedevil and the• deep blue sea+6 =• Between the lines <omething that isunderstood from reading what is written



• even though it is not directly stated in thewords in• the lines+ 4"rom your letter I can read betw

the lines• that you no longer love me any more+ 4In&alvolio/s• speech we can read between the lines that is a man of • evil intent+6 4Although you did not actuallycome out and• state it directly in the document I can readbetween the• lines that you want the contract to be one7sided giving• you more rights and benets than me+6 =• Between the sheets In bed wit a sexualpartner+ 42obody knows what is going• on between the sheets+6 4I/d like to get you

between• the sheets+6 4It is nobody/s business whatgoes on between• the sheets between mutually consentingadults+6 =• Between you and me #et/s keep this a secre )ust between you and me+ 4#et/s•

keep the details of this discussion between yand me• QR• and not tell anyone else+6 4If I )ust tell youcandidly what



• I think between you and me I sense that yoare lying+6• 4.ondentially between you and me I think

the client is• purposely hiding something but that is onlymy opinion+6• =• Beyond a shadow of a• doubt• %roven with absolute certainty+ 4It has beenproven beyond• the shadow of a doubt that there is evidenceindicate• the presence of water having existed on theplanet• &ars somewhere in the past+6 4&cIver/sngerprints on• the detonator prove beyond the shadow of a

doubt that he• must have triggered the device+6 4,e knownow with• the help of D2A testing beyond the shadow a doubt• that the whole of the human race has evolvefrom only•

an original eight birth7mothers+6 =• Beyond contempt <o low as not even to beworthy of disapproval and distain+• 4!ouching your own daughter sexually is animmoral



• act of human indecency that is even beyondcontempt+6• 4Anyone who would stoop to murder his own•

father for nancial gain is absolutely beyondcontempt+6• 4Gour selsh motives in contesting yourfather/s #ast• ,ill and !estament will are beyond contemp=• Beyond expectation Better than expected+4Earnings in the rst -uarter were• far and beyond expectation+6 4!he total sumthe campaign• donations was above and beyond anyone/sexpectation+6• 4I was happy when I rst learned I waspregnant• but the )oy I now feel at becoming a mother

was beyond• expectation+6 =• Beyond help Impossible to restore a person situation back to normal• not possible to remedy a fault or habit beyoredemption+• 4Cur little sister has become so addicted to

drugs• that she seems to be almost beyond help+64&y original• father was such an alcoholic that my mothernally reali>ed



• that he was beyond help and divorced him+64Cur• company is trying to restructure its nances

but the bank • says that the situation has developed to apoint where it is• beyond help+6 =• Beyond imagination !otally beyond thecapacity of what the mind can imagination5• 4!his is the most exciting experience of mylife+• It/s beyond imagination beyond my wildestdreams56• 4!he mathematical proportion of the numbeof people• who could contact AID< is beyond theimagination+6• 4!he horrors of hell are totally beyond

imagination+6 =• Beyond me !oo hard to understand it isbeyond my level of comprehension• don/t ask me I don/t know+ 4I cannotunderstand• Einstein/s theory of relativity+ It is beyond m4I•

was never able to understand the physics ofwhat happens• between the pressure points of two undersetectonic• plates+6 4It is beyond me how a man can n





• 42o matter how intently you look at the seayou• cannot see beyond the hori>on+6 4ust as yo

cannot see• what is beyond the hori>on so you cannot loahead• and see what your life may be in the future+4,e are• trying to speculate what our nal nancialcosts might be• but due to unknown factors we cannot seebeyond the• hori>on so we can only estimate what thecosts will• eventually be+6 =• Beyond the shadow of • doubt• ,ith no uncertainty with absolute certainty

beyond• -uestion with no reason for doubt0for sure4,e know• now beyond the shadow of a doubt that theare traces• of life on the planet &ars+6 4ecent tests hashown beyond•

a shadow of a doubt that our father has boncancer+6• 4!he recount of the ballots in the presidentielection• has shown beyond the shadow of doubt that



the incumbent• has won by a narrow margin of :+P percent+6• Beyond your depth ust as a swimmer can w

out into deep water beyond• his depth literally so a person can be beyonhis depth• intellectually psychologically or nancially+ am afraid• that when I signed7p for this metaphysicsclass I got in a• bit beyond my depth+6 4Be careful about yorelationship• with this woman I/m afraid you are getting psychologically• beyond your depth+6 4,hen the foreigncurrency• rates rose so dramatically I suddenly foundmyself • beyond my depth nancially+6 =• Beyond your means &ore expensive than yocan a?ord+ 4I found that keeping• both a country house and a Lat in the city wbeyond• my means so I decided I would have to giveone•

or the other+6 4I used to keep a yacht in &on.arlo but• with time I found it was beyond my meansnancially• so I had to give it up+6 4I found that trying t



keep up• with the rich on the ladder of high society wbeyond•

Q:• my means so I had to set a limit to the numof social• events I could attend+6 =• Beyond your wildest• dreams• Beyond imagination and then some+ 4.ome baby I/m• going to show you a night that is beyond yowildest• dreams+6 4Bill 'ates has su?ered a successthat was beyond• his wildest dreams+6 4I have reached a levelbliss• and happiness in my life that was beyond m

wildest• dreams56 =• Bide your time ,ait a while don/t beimpatient be patient don/t be in• such a hurry wait for the right opportunitywait and see+• 4Don/t be impatient about nding true love+

Gou )ust• have to bide your time and wait for the righthusband or• wife to appear in your life+6 4<ometimes yocan/t hurry



• success+ Gou )ust have to keep trying and bidyour time• and wait for fortune to come your way+6 4I w

)ust biding• my time at home doing nothing much at alwhen• all of a sudden the phone rang and I got thebest )ob o?er• of a lifetime+6 =• Big and burly !all and heavily7built broad7shouldered brawny muscular• husky hefty+ 4If you want to be a rugby playit/s• better if you/re big and burly+6 4&y olderbrother Butch• is such a big brawny burly heavy musculachap that• no one would ever want to pick a ght with

him+6• 4Billybob is a big burly brawny bruiser whowould beat• your brains out with the balls of his sts )usfor the fun• of it+6 =• Big boob A big stupid clumsy dumb man+ 4G

big clumsy stupid• boob5 ,hy don/t you watch were you aregoing@6• 4,hat a big clumsy stupid boob5 #ook at themess you



• have made now56 4He/s )ust a big harmlessboob without• any brains so when he does something stup

try not• to get annoyed with him+6 =• Big Brother is watching !he government orcontrolling agency or power that is• aware of your every movement 4Be carefulwhat you• say about the government+ Big Brother iswatching you+6• 4Be careful what you write in your e7mails awhat web• sites you visit on your computer+ ememberBig Brother• is watching you+6 4Big Brother is watching yin everything• you do so don/t do anything to draw any

suspicion• down upon yourself in anything you do+6 =• Big bully ust as a bull is big and strong andhas enough power to• push itself in anywhere it wants sometimeswe describe• a person as behaving like a big bully+ 4!here

always• one big fat kid in class who uses his si>e tobully and• push other kids around+6 4Big schoolyardbullies are usually



• cowards at heart so the rst thing to do whyou• see one is )ust give him a -uick kick in the b

so he• will leave you alone from the start+64"iguratively speakQ;• ing the big bully on the block can be a kid osometimes• a cop or sometimes even a gang boss or &amember+6• =• Big time Being in the big time means being the big leagues in• sports or entertainment or corporate busine4&any little• league baseball players have the secret dreaof one• day playing 4big time6 in the big leagues+6

4,hen she• was young no one ever expected that uliawould one• day make it big time in the entertainmentindustry+6• 4,hen <teve obs rst started writing softwprograms•

no one would have ever expected that one dhe would• be one of the big time operators in thecomputer industry+6• =



• Big wheel 3ery important nancially powerfperson with a lot of • force and inLuence to make things happen h

way+ 4Cne• day I want to be a big wheel in some bigmultinational• corporate company+6 4,hen a tiny little cogacts like a• big wheel don/t take him too seriously he/sbig• deal56 4#ast week we had some big wheelcome through• here on a world7wide inspection tour andeverybody was• on the tips of their toes+6 =• Big7boobs #arge7breasts+ 4Hey boys5 #ook athe big boobs on that• girl+6 4"ashion models never have big boobs

4Air hostesses• cannot have really big boobs because bigboobs• would get in the way while serving drinks+6• Bill of goods A big nancial lie a fraudulentpromise of goods intended• to cheat the payee promise under false7

pretenses+• 4I/m no fool+ I can recogni>e false promiseswhen I hear• them+ Don/t try to sell me a bill of goods+6 4not going



• to pay the invoice until I receive delivery of • goods+ Gou cannot sell me a bill of goodswithout my•

signing for them rst+6 4.ora/s rst husbandsold her a• bill of goods and got her to invest a milliondollars in a• house that didn/t even exist+6 =• Bird7brain <omeone stupid with a brain assmall as a bird+ 4,hat a• bird7brain5 ,here did you ever get a stupididea like• that@6 4<arah looks very pretty but she/s )ua birdbrain+6• 4I may look stupid but I/m no bird7brain+ Do• ask me to pay the invoice until I have seen tgoods+6 =• Birds and the bees A polite way of referring

what people do when they• get together sexually and perform the actiothat produces• babies+ 4,hen I was fourteen my father toome• aside and explained to me all about the birdand the•

bees+6 4&anley/s parents were too ashamedtell him• about the birds and the bees so he had to out from• his friends at school+6 42obody ever explain



to $aren• about the birds and the bees so that by theage of sixteen•

she found herself pregnant+6 =• QJ• Birds of a feather Lock • together+• ust as birds of one species will gather into aLock and• Ly together so we say that people of similarinclinations• get together with people who like to do thesame things• that they do+ 4!hinkers like to sit and talk tothinkers and• drinkers like to sit and talk to drinkers whicillustrates• the old adage that birds of a feather Lock

together+6 4&y• &om is always warning me to stay away fromdrug dealers• and their friends she/s always repeating thabirds of • a feather Lock together8 like attracts like+64Dishonest•

politicians regardless of party or otherloyalties are always• willing to get together to do some dirty deait• will bring them personal prot+ As the sayin



goes• SBirds of a feather Lock together+6 =• Birds7eye7view !he way things look from hig

above the way a bird• would see them+ 4If you can a?ord to take aHelicopter• tour over 2ew Gork .ity you will get a bird/seye7view• of the skyscrapers the river and the Brooklbridge+6 4I• used to work on the twenty7rst Loor and Ithought that• was high but when we moved to the forty7ninth Loor• we had a bird/s7eye7view+6 4If you buy a tickand take• the lift up to the top of the Ei?el !ower in%aris you• will get a panoramic bird/s7eye7view of thecitysurroundings+6• =• Birthday suit .ompletely naked as naked asthe day you were born• stark naked without anything on any cloth4Here•

you can see a photo of me in my birthday suby the pool• in the back garden when I was only three+64umford• was arrested for indecent exposure for runn



through• the town s-uare in his birthday suit+6 4,hen.harles•

came home he found his wife and his brotheswimming• in the pool in only their birthday suits+6 =• Bit by bit #ittle by little a little bit at a time4It is only possible to• eat an elephant if you free>e dry it and eat ibit by bit• day by day+6 4I/m having a hard time ndingtime to nish• my translation but I keep working on it bit bbit+6• 4Cften the best way to clear away a big )obto do it• one small task at a time and keep proceedinbit by bit+6• =• Bite back ust as one dog bites another and other bites back so• one person can snap at another using harshwords and the• other can bite back with an even nastier verattack+ 4If •

you say harsh things to me don/t be surpriseif I say• hurtful words )ust to bite back+6 4If peopleknow that you• will snap and bite back they will be careful



to make• you the victim of a verbal attack+6 4Be carefwhat you•

say to Ellie+ If you say anything to o?end hefeelings• when she is feeling moody and sensitive shsure to• bite and snap back+6 =• QK• Bite the dust Be gunned7down in the street hit the dirt falling Lat on• your face shot7down both literally andguratively+ 4In• old western movies we see many cowboy guslingers• get shot down and bite the dust+6 4,hen thsheri? wins• the shootout in the movies another bad guy

bites the• dust6 4I got shot down by the board ofgovernors and my• big plan hit the dust+6 =• Bite the hand that feeds• you• ust as a dog might bite the hand of somebo

who is• reaching out and feeding it food so a persomay guratively• be said to sink his teeth into someone whoo?ers



• him a helping hand harm your own benefachurt the• person you depend upon betray the trust of

one who is• supporting you+ 4As long as you live under hroof be• careful not to hurt your father/s feelings witdeant and• angry words+ Be careful not to bite the handthat feeds• you+6 4'oing against the wishes of yourbenefactor is• like biting the hand that feeds you+64Demonstrating deantly• against an employer who pays your salary islike• biting the hand that feeds you+6 =• Bite your tongue <ometimes when you wan

say something bad or• cheeky or hurtful it is better to bite yourtongue rather• than say what you/re thinking+ 4,henever ywant to• come out and say something nasty and hurtbite your•

tongue instead+6 4I was )ust about to call myfather a sonof7• a7bitch when I thought better of it and bit m• tongue+6 4,hen your manager says somethyou don/t



• agree with if you want to keep your )ob it ibetter to• bite your tongue rather than say what you a

thinking+6• =• Bite7o? more than you• can chew• ust as children sometimes take a giant7si>ebite of • sticky to?ee candy which lls their mouths sfull that• the bite is bigger than they can possibly cheso by• comparison we may say that we overestimaour ability• to do a task or )ob and later nd it is too bigfor us and• totally beyond our capacity or ability+6 4,he

accepted• this position I didn/t know I was biting7o?more than I• could chew+6 4,hen I married you I didn/tknow I was• biting7o? more than I could chew+6 4,hen.olin %owell•

accepted his posting in the government he not know• he was biting7o? more than he could chew+6• Bitter end ust as an anchor is attached to aboat by a metal shackle



• at the bitter end of a long chain whichrestrains and resists• the full powerful force of the sea so a pers

may• be said to hang on to the bitter end in astruggle despite• the overpowering forces against him+ 4!hebank is trying• to sei>e our company but we are going to them until• the bitter end+6 4Dad had a long ght againprostrate• cancer but he hung on with dignity andcourage to the• QM• bitter end+6 4apanese forces had been giveorders to• resist the American attack and defend their

position right• to the bitter end until the very last man wadead+6 =• Bitter pill to swallow ust as some pills arebitter to swallow but good for you• in the end so are some truths+ 4Admitting yare wrong•

and being forced to apologi>e may be a bittepill to• swallow but it is character7building in theend+6 4Accepting• salary wage cuts is a bitter pill to swallow b



• it/s better than losing our )obs altogether inthe end+6• 4ecogni>ing and admitting the shortcoming

in my performance• was a bitter pill to swallow at the time but• later it helped me to improve the way Ifunctioned as a• team player+6 =• Bi>arre behavior Acting in a strange weirdout7of7the ordinary whacky• way+ 4<alvador Dali had a long handle7brushmoustache• which he twisted upwards for e?ect and hebecame• known for his strange surrealistic paintingsand bi>arre• behavior+6 4If you don/t stop dying your hairpink and• piercing your nose and lips+ and acting in abi>arre manner• you will have to leave home and nd anotheplace• to live+6 4.aroline seemed to be a totallynormal person• but sometimes when she was under the

inLuence of hallucinogenic• drugs she would do bi>arre things like stand• on the edge of the roof believing she couldLy+6 =• Blabber7mouth A person who is always



chattering and gossiping about• the secrets of other people a big7mouth agossip and•

busybody who tells everybody everything thhe should• be keeping to himself+ 4Gou/re such a bigblabbermouth+• ,hy did you tell everybody I was afraid I wa• pregnant@ 2ow the whole town knows aboutit+6 4I know• what a big blabber7mouth you are but if youreveal my• secret to anyone I guarantee I/ll cut out yotongue+6 4I• was hoping our teacher wouldn/t nd out itwas me whoput• the porno7poster in his desk7drawer but $ursuch• a blabber7mouth he couldn/t resist s-uealinon me+6 =• Black and white Exact opposites bad or gooone side or the other opposite• extremes+ 42othing in this world is either blor• white so we should never look at things in

opposite extremes+6• 42othing is ever as clear as black and whitebecause• there are always two sides to every story+6 4• they say S!hings are never black or white+



Everything is• grey+6• Black mark against you An o?ence on your

record which a?ects your reputation+• 4<ome people believe that getting a divorcea black • mark against you+6 4!he fact that you werecaught cheating• on an exam will be a black mark against youfor as• long as remain a student at this school+6 4!fact that• you were arrested for smoking hash when yowere a• QN• teenager is a black mark against you that hafollowed• you all through your life+6 =• Black picture %essimistic outlook dismalprospect+ 4I don/t want to• paint a black picture but I/m afraid you aresetting your• hopes a little high+6 4!he nance minister hpainted a• black picture of the way the economy will go

we do• not decrease tax rates to encourage increasspending+6• 4&y lawyer has painted a black picture of th )udgment



• that will be handed down by the court and shall )ust• have to wait and see )ust how bad it will be+•

Black sheep of the family !o be the only perin a respectable and successful• family who hasn/t achieved success but whinstead• has proven to be a disappointment has nothad a distinguished• career who has turned out to be a drug add• dealer or criminal poet musician or artist+4Everyone in• my family is a lawyer or a banker except mewanted to• become an opera singer but I didn/t haveenough discipline• to make it to the top so I/m the black sheepthe• family+6 I come from a long line of %uritanclergymen• but I turned against the teachings of the.hurch and have• become non7believer so now I/m the blacksheep of the• family+6 =•

Blank check ust as one may give a person ablank signed check and• allow him to ll in any amount he wishes soone may be• said to give someone full freedom and



authority to decide• whatever he wants+ 4&y husband has literalgiven me a•

signed blank check to nance the re7designand refurnishing• of our Fpper &anhattan apartment+6 4!headministrative• council has given the architect a blank check• to design the museum structure any creativway he visuali>es• it+6 4!he %resident has given the <ecretary • .ivil Defense a blank check to anything andeverything• necessary to restore civil obedience+6 =• Blank look on your face #ooking surprised anstupid as though you do not know• what to do or say+ 4,hen I told my wife Iwanted to divorce• her and marry her sister she )ust looked at mwith• a blank look on her face not knowing -uitewhat to say+6• 4,hen we pulled o? his towel in the lockerroom• shower he )ust stood there stark naked in

front of the• boys with a blank look on his face not knowiwhat to• do+6 4Don/t )ust stand there with a blank looon your



• face looking stupid5 Do something before throof falls• in+6 =•

Blast away &eans that -uestioners may askanything they want on• any sensitive sub)ect that they wish+ 4!he.hairman said• he was ready to answer any and all -uestionand told the• &embers of the Board to start blasting away4Darling I• have nothing to hide from you+ 'o ahead anblast away+• QP• Ask me anything you want and I will give yoan honest• answer+6 4!he %resident told )ournalists thahe would• answer any -uestion they wanted to ask abo2ational• <ecurity matters and all they had to do wasblast away+6• =• Blast to smithereens ust as a bomb canexplode a metal ob)ect apart into•

nothing but small Lying particles and piecesso we can• say that we are going to blast a person (orenemy* to bits• as punishment for what he has said or done



4If you tell• anyone what I have told you I/ll blast you tosmithereens+6•

4,hen I nd the thief who stole my class rinI/ll• blast the little bastard to smithereens+6 4AsF< Army• tank lled with soldiers was rolling into thetown• s-uare it was suddenly blasted to smithereby a terrorist• anti7tank rocket+6 =• Blatant criticism Fnashamed barefaceddeliberate and obviously aggressive• censure and disapproval+ 4!he blatant criticof • the %rime &inister/s economic strategy wasspearheaded• by the leader of the opposition+6 4I nd youblatant• criticism to be o?ensive and consider it to bnothing• more than a personal attack+6 4I/ve had -uitenough of • your blatant criticism and I would like to

-uietly ask you• politely to shut your stupid mouth+6 =• Blatant lie An unashamed bare7faceddeliberate obvious lie+ 4!he• president claims that he has never purposel



intended to• hurt anyone in his life but if we look at hispolitical record•

we see that this is obviously a blatant andtransparent• lie+6 4,hen the defendant swears that he isinnocent• of child abuse he is telling a blatant obviouand outrageous• lie+6 4,hen I tell my wife I have never even• looked at another woman she knows it is abare7faced• blatant lie+6 =• Bla>e a trail ust as in the forest or )ungle oncan be the rst one to• cut a swath clear a path mark the way leavsigns for• others to follow so a scientist or thinker can

show a way• or bla>e a trail for others to follow+ 4!hrougthe example• of my life/ I hope to be able to bla>e a trail fothers• to follow in developing themselves into morperfect•

men+6 4!he dream of every young medicalresearcher is• to be able to bla>e a trail for others to followthe development• of clinical research+6 4After the basic insight



• of <igmund "reud it was $arl ung who bla>the trail• leading into the more expansive developme

of modern• psychotherapy+6 =• Bla>ing inferno A big re that is comparablethe intensely hot burning• heat of hell+ 4<ome people imagine Hell as abla>ing inferno• into which wicked sinners are thrown by 'odas a• punishment for their evil deeds+6 4Cnce thecurtains and• QQ• the scenery7backdrops had caught re thetheatre became• a bla>ing inferno in which the audience wasenclosed• and in danger of being burned alive+6 4Cncethe• back7draft had sucked the re through themain lobby• the whole hotel became a bla>ing inferno inwhich hundreds• of people were trapped and fried alive+6 =•

Bleary7eyed <tate that arises when your eyeappear to have become• unclear from too much drinking or reading you have• been looking at the computer for too long



your eyes• have become strained blurry unfocused anha>y so•

you appear in need of rest+ 4.harles stayed7all night• preparing his power7point presentation andappeared• bleary7eyed at the breakfast table in themorning looking• half7asleep+6 4"ather always looks a littlebleary7eyed in• the morning when he has been out drinking night before6• 4,henever <helly studies for more than fouhours• in7a7row she starts looking bleary7eyed andgroggy+6 =• Bleed someone dry ust as one may continue

extracting all the blood to the• very last drop from a person/s body until hedead so• one may be said to continue blood7suckingsomeone/s• money until one eventually bleeds him dry+4%ercy has•

married a woman who is nothing but a leechand a bloodsucker• whose only intention is going to be to bleedhim• dry until he hasn/t even a penny to his nam



=• Bleeding7heart story A sad story (sob story*told in order to gain pity and sympathy•

or money from an unsuspecting listener+ 4<o• psychologically7disturbed people tell sadbleeding7heart• stories )ust to fulll the need to gain peopleattention• and sympathy+6 4I/m tired of listening to youbleedingheart• stories about your rst marriage+ ,hy don/tyou• shut up and do something positive to try tomake our• marriage work@6 4I used to know a prostitutwho earned• most of her money telling bleeding7heartstories about• how she was sexually abused in her childhooto sympathetic• old men so they would give her money+6 =• Blend in with the surroundings• !o mix into a crowded environment so that none will• notice you+ 4%eople who are very shy don/t l

to stand• out in a group but would rather to blend inwith the surroundings+6• 4A good spy should be inconspicuous and e• able to blend in with the surroundings+6 4,



you• graduate and )oin a professional rm you wno longer•

be able to wear !7shirts and )eans but will hato wear• the appropriate clothing to blend in with thesurroundings+6• =• Blessing in disguise ,hat at rst seems a bathing or disappointment can• sometimes be a stroke of good luck+ 4!hat Imissed my• Light turned out to be a blessing in disguisebecause it• crashed and everyone on board was killed+6was a• 1RR• blessing in disguise that I did not apply to )o

the Air• "orce because if they had accepted me Iwould never• have studied aeronautical engineering+6 4A-uick relatively• un7painful death can sometimes be a blessinin•

disguise when you compare it to a longexcruciating and• painful and intolerable death+6 =• Blind alley ust as a short narrow lanebetween rows of houses may



• lead nowhere but )ust to a dead end so wemay say that a• person is entering a blind alley in pursuing a

path that• leads to an unsatisfying end+ 4!he drug dealed me up• a blind alley where his friends were waiting rob and• beat the shit out of me+6 4Any kind of addictor dependency• is a psychological blind alley leading toward• a dead end which will leave you without asingle• friend+6 4%ursuing this line of thought leadsinto an inescapable• blind alley+ ,e/ll have to discover a morecreative• path to help us get ourselves out of this

impasse in• the end+6 =• Blind as a bat ust as bats are blind and Ly ithe dark so we say a person• is blind as bat when he can/t see even a fewfeet• ahead of him+ 4'randdad is as blind as a bat

without his• spectacles+6 4<ally is as blind as a bat butrefuses to wear• eye7glasses because she thinks she will notappear beautiful+6



• 4Gou must be as blind as a bat5 !he documeyou• are looking for is right there on the desk in

front of you56• =• Blind side ust as a horse that is blind in oneeye will be blind on• that side so we may say a person with a onesided view• or opinion has a blind side+ 4Cur mother hasblind side• when it comes too father/s weaknesses+64%rofessor <onkoon• has a blind side when it comes to admitting • country/s weaknesses+6 4A person who doesnot see or• appears to ignore perfectly obviousshortcomings when it• comes to someone or something close to himsaid to• have a blind side+6• Blink of an eye In the time than it takes toblink one/s eye+ 4Gou can be• alive one minute and then suddenly in theblink of an•

eye dead the next+6 4Everything appearednormal when• suddenly in the blink of an eye she wentabsolutely• cra>y+6 4I was driving with care along the



street when• suddenly in the blink of an eye a big fat cat )umped out•

in front of me+6 =• Blockhead <omeone stupid and stubborn whcannot think or ad)ust+• 4Gou blockhead5 #ook what you have gone adone• now5 How could you be so stupid@6 4I was sua blockhead• in school that I couldn/t remember themultiplication• tables+6 4Fncle <idney is a stubborn blockhewhen• it comes to understanding others/ views orchanging his• 1R1• xed opinions+6 =• Blood7shot eyes ,hen the red blood vesselsstand out and show in the• whites of your eyes+ 4,hen I study long hahours I• get blood7shot eyes+6 ,hen father drinks tomuch he• gets blood7shot eyes+6 4,hen mother has h

too little• sleep she gets really blood shot eyes+6 =• Blood7thirsty ust as a vampire may be thouto be thirsty to drink • human blood so we may say a person is blo





• bloom of youth but sometimes it is a blessin disguise• which saves them from the terrible su?ering

they• would otherwise have had to endure andsurvive over a• long and painful life+6 =• Blow a fuse ust as the fuse in an electricalcircuit blows when it is• overheated so we may say that when aperson/s temper• is overheated he blows a fuse and bursts ouin anger+• 4Don/t blow a fuse every time you experiencsomething• unfair if you keep doing that you will )ust buyourself • out in the uncontrolled7anger of youth+6 4,

I found• out that my husband had lost the money whwe had• saved to pay our taxes on gambling I reallyblew a fuse+6• 4Don/t blow a fuse )ust because someone eldoes•

something stupid because when you blow afuse you• show you are )ust as stupid as he is+6 =• Blow a gasket ust as an engine can burst itsseal and blow up due to



• release of internal pressure so a person mabe said to• blow under mental pressure+ 4Don/t blow a

gasket every• time someone critici>es you for making amistake+6 4Dad• is going to blow a gasket when he nds outthat I crashed• the family car+6 4!he boss is going to blow agasket• when he nds out that we got the data wron• Blow up An argument caused by a tensesituation turning into an• explosion of emotion+ 4Cne day in our rmthere is go1R:• ing to be a big blow up about managementpolicy and a• few people will have to leave+6 4,e had a b

blow7up at• the oOce last month because one of thesecretaries• started an argument about who had the righto ask who• to do what and for whom+6 4I had a big blowwith my•

wife last week because she keeps demandinmore and• more money+6 =• Blow your chances &iss opportunities bymaking mistakes or committing



• wrong actions+ 4If I don/t start studying hardI/ll blow• my chance to pass the entrance exam+6 4I w

thinking of • marrying you but you blew your chances whyou• started dating my sister+6 4Don/t turn upimproperlydressed• for the interview or you will blow your chan• of being hired for the )ob+6 =• Blow your own horn Brag about how good yoare boast about your accomplishments• like blowing your horn to show o? your new• car+ 4,e all know how good you are so youdon/t have• to keep blowing your own horn+6 4If you donstrop• blowing your own horn people will think tha

you are• conceited self7centered and over7condent+4Even• when people do not notice recogni>e andpraise your• good -ualities it is considered in poor tasteblow your•

own horn+6 =• Blow your stack ust as a steam engine that over7heated may be about• to explode and blow7o? its smoke7stack so may say





• Blown7out7of7 proportion &agnifying or maka little thing into a big thing+• 4Don/t get upset by nothing don/t blow thin

out of • proportion+6 4It/s no big deal+ Don/t let thingget blown• out of proportion+ Don/t make a mountain ouof a molehill+6• 4ust as in photography one might enlarge alittle• detail to appear so big that it is totally blowout of proportion• so in life we can get psychologically obsess• 1R;• by a little detail and blow it emotionally out proportion+6• =• Blow7over ust as dark rain clouds can blow

over a location on land• without a drop of rain falling so a scandal ascare or a• threatened crisis can blow over and pass awover time+• 4$eep your self out of sight and keep a lowprole until•

the accusation of sexual scandal against youhas blown• over and it/s no longer a topic of news+6 4!hpolice are• trying to throw a scare into drug dealers by



cracking• down on them but the dealers know that thscare will•

soon blow over and things will go back to thway they• were before+6 4!he rising price of oil is makeconomists• uneasy and they are anticipating a nancialcrisis• but the oil cartels will lower the prices )ust adisaster is• about to strike and the whole thing will blowover+6 =• Blow7up7in your face ust as a home7madebomb can blow7up7in your face so• an evil tricky or deceitful plan can backreand cause• you a lot of damage or pain+ 4Directing false

blame on• your brother for what you did to your sisterwill blow7upin• your face if he can prove he/s innocent+64Don/t try• any deceptive tricky monkey7business thatcan blow up•

in your face when the truth comes out+6 4!h3ice president• had a secret plan to take over the governme• through a military coup but it blew up in hisface+6 =



• Blue7blooded <omeone with royal noble blois said to have blue• blood blue7blooded has connotations of hig

aristocracy+• 4If you cut o? a blue7blooded head the bloostill runs• red+6 4&arina/s family line has been blue7blooded aristocracy• since the late eighth century+6 4During the• "rench revolution they tried to executeeveryone with• blue blood but a few members of the nobilitmanaged• to slip through their ngers and get away+6 • Blue7chip <ure nancial winners+ 4<hares incompanies like $odak• &icrosoft and I&B are considered blue7chipshares that• will be sure to pay7o? in the end+6 4&y stockbroker is• careful about risk management so he alwaysadvises me• to put my money into blue7chip stocks+6 4!hblue7chip• stock shares of the future will likely be in la

technology• conglomerates that have a near monopoly othe• market+6 =• Blue7collar worker As oOce workers are call



white7collar workers so• those in a factory are often called blue7collaworkers+•

4!here is more prestige in being a white colworker• than a blue7collar worker but not necessarilymore• money+6 4"inancial analysts never forget thablue collar• workers bring in a high percent of nationalincome that• is then spent to keep the economy going+64Blue7collar• workers are often short7sighted at thebargaining table• 1RJ• and would rather see the company go bustthan compromise• so they don/t all go broke+6 =• Blu? your way through ,hen you have no idwhat to say or do )ust fake your• way through+ 4If someone puts you on the sand you• don/t know what to say or do )ust blu? yourway•

through+6 4Alicia almost caught me lying anasked me a• lot of awkward -uestions but I )ust blu?ed mway• through and she didn/t manage to catch me



4!hey• asked one -uestion during my doctoral oralsthat I didn/t•

know the answer to but I )ust kept bluOng way• through until they asked me the next-uestion+6 =• Body and soul &etaphorically comparing souand self all heart and• spirit+ 4<ondra says she loves her family witbody and• soul+6 4In the face of these diOcult times Idon/t know• how I will keep body and soul together+6 4I lyou• with all my body and soul+6 =• Body count ust as we count the dead bodieson a battleeld so we• metaphorically say we take a body count of number• of people in attendance at a meeting orfunction+ 4!he• .hairman took a body count to determine if there• were enough members present to constitute

-uorum+6• 4Before we begin class let me take a bodycount )ust to• be sure everyone is here+ ,hen I call out yoname



• please say Shere/ in a clear and loud voice anraise your• hand+6 4ust as we count dead bodies after a

battle so we• may say we are making a body count inplanning a party• to determine how many people will be eatin=• Body language !elling people (in ,esternculture* what you mean by• using body gestures rather than by speaking4In body• language when you communicate by sittingand crossing• your legs that means you are mistrustful andon/t want• to let anyone in+6 4,hen you sit with your leopen that• means you are open and trustful+6 4,hen yocannot• look someone in the eye that means you/reashamed of • your self+6 =• Bogged down with ust as a bu?alo7cart canget bogged down and stuck in•

mud or marshy ground so we say that we arbogged• down in work or some other responsibility+ 4can/t meet• you this week because I am too bogged dow



in my• work+6 4<ometime later when I am not sobogged down•

with duties and responsibilities Darling Ipromise to• take you on a holiday to Bermuda+6 4Duringthe audit• peak season our sta? is so bogged down witannual audit• reviews that they barely get four hours sleeday• and many sleep under their desks+6 =• Boggle the mind If boggle means to givesomeone a good mental shaking• up so boggle the mind means the mind doe-uick • mental retake to rethink what it rst thoughunder1RK• stood or misunderstood+ 4!he mathematicalproportions• of the possibility for HI3 spreading throughphysical• contact are mind7boggling+6 4It is absolutelymindboggling• to me to see the American government

spending• billions of dollars on warfare when it could busing• the money for welfare+6 4It boggles the minto imagine



• how many white cells have appeared anddisappeared• and died since the beginning of humankind+•

Bogus check %hony bad fake false checkdrawn on a bank account• which lacks suOcient funds to cover it+ 4Inorder to get• my rst wife o? my back and get her to goaway I wrote• her a bogus check+6 4In America people oftpurposely• pay their bills with a bogus check andafterwards• say that they are sorry they made a mistakeIn 'ermany• according to the law if you pay with a bogus• check you can be prosecuted and maybe evehave to• serve time in )ail+6 =• Boiling mad ,ater coming to a boil may becompared to the mind• nally reaching a point of anger at which itexplosively• bursts fourth into rage+ 4,hen you cancelleyour date•

with me I was absolutely boiling mad andready to kill• you+6 4&om will be boiling mad when she sethe big• ink stain I put on the !urkish rug+6 4&y big



boss will be• boiling mad when he nds out that Iaccidentally lost the•

passports of sixteen important apaneseclients+6 =• Boiling point ust as water boils at one hunddegrees centigrade so• we can lose our temper when the pressurereaches a certain• point+ 4,hen my anger reaches the boilingpoint I• no longer have any control over what I maydo+6 4Be• careful if you try my patience to the boilingpoint I may• )ust kill you right here on the spot56 4Cnlyonce in my• life did I ever see my mother/s constant

nagging bring• my father/s patience to the boiling and poin=• Boils down to ,hat is left in the nal analysthe essence in the end+• 4Gou can nd a lot of reasons for ghting thwar but•

what it all boils down to is keeping7up a pricof oil+6• 4.onsumerism is a big7sounding name forwhat in the• end all boils down to )ust plain need and



greed+6 4!he• government can analy>e the cause ofenvironmental encroachment•

all it wants but what it all boils down to is• that people put their own selsh short7termneeds before• the long term goals of the common good+6 =• Bombard with -uestions ust as warplanes mblanket and bombard an area with• bombs so we can say that a person may bebombarded• by loads of -uestions from sides+ 4After the2ational <ecurity• leak the %resident was bombarded with-uestions• about the source+6 4In %arliament the %rime&inister• was bombarded with -uestions by the

members of the• 1RM• opposition about the government/s proposeannual• budget increase+6 At the press .onference )ournalists• bombarded the "inance &inister with

-uestions about• how the budget funds would be allotted+6 =• Bone dry ust as a bone that has been totallybleached and dried in• the hot desert sun may be said to be bone d



so we can• say that something that has been kept in a dsafe place•

is bone dry+ 4Cur new waterproof coatingsystem protects• the chemical elements inside the capsule fromoisture• and keeps them absolutely bone dry+6 4If thelectrical• contacts in the auto pilot are not kept bonedry there• is s danger of overheating that will blow a fuand leave• you to steer your ship manually+6 4Aboveboard in the• storm the deck is awash with waves but dohere at• the chart table I am absolutely as snug as b

I am absolutely• bone dry+6 =• Bonehead <omeone who is so stupid he has thought to have nothing• but bone where his brain should be+4<ometimes my• little brother is such a bonehead that he eve

forgets his• family name+6 4,hen I was in school I wassuch a bonehead• that I couldn/t even do simple mathematicalcalculations



• in my head+6 4,hat a bonehead you are5Didn/t• you ever stop to think what the conse-uenc

of your• telling my secret would be@6 =• Bone7up on a sub)ect eview and bring yourself to the re-uired7level of • knowledge+ 4I/ll have to bone7up on my Enggrammar• before I take the language placement test+64It/s been• a while since I have had to use calculus butgive me a• couple of days to bone7up on it and bringmyself back • up7to7standard+6 4I need some time to boneupon my geography• so that in my press conference I don/t mix7u• countries and geographical place names+6 =• Bookworm <omeone who always has his nosin a book+ 4,hen I• was a kid between the ages of twelve andsixteen I was• a real bookworm8 I had read every book in m'randfather/s•

bookcase+6 4At seventeen after I discoveredgirls• I ceased being a bookworm and never openea book • again+6 4&y sister %rudence spends all her



time up in her• room hitting the books+ <he/s such a bookwothat we•

are beginning to worry about her+6 =• Boom or bust Either a rapid economicexplosion of economic success• or a slow nancial low in which a fewbusinesses will• boom but most will go broke or bust+42owadays there• is no economic trend you can totally trust anew business• ventures either go boom or bust+6 4<tatistichave• shown that of all the businesses registeredfew ever• boom and most of them go bust+6 4In the 2e&illennium• the country has been undergoing a period oeco1RN• nomic uncertainty+ It/s either feast or famineeither• boom or bust+6 =• Boon to society A person or action causingsomething good and advantageous•

to happen which benets society+ 4His &a)es• !he $ing/s benevolent actions have been aboon to !hai• society throughout his reign+6 4<ir ,inston.hurchill/s



• strong leadership skill was a boon to theBritish nation• during the :,,+6 4!he stability of the Anan

government• after the chaos of the &ay disaster was a boto• our society+6 =• Boondocks "ar away from town out in thebackwoods with the• backward people+ 4I grew up out in theboondocks ve• miles from the nearest village far away fromthe nearest• town+6 4Fncle <hem grew up out in theboondocks and• had to walk ve miles to school every day+64Gou would• never expect that someone born in the

boondocks would• one day become the <tate 'overnor+6 =• Booted7out "ired from the )ob discharged frthe rm terminated• from employment kicked7out given the boodumped+• 4%ercy got booted7out of his last )ob for

stealing from the• petty cash box+6 4I/m afraid I may get the boif I don/t• meet my budget+ !he guy before me gotbooted7out for



• the same reason+6 4Cur chief accountant gobooted7out• of his )ob when the revenue department

discovered he• was keeping two sets of books+6 4I/m going sue in labor• court because the company )ust booted7me7for no• )ustiable reason+6 =• Bored7 to7tears <o bored that you feel sorry yourself and are about to• break7down and cry bored to death bored7sti? uninterested• fed up+ 4%rofessor 'leason may be the world• greatest expert on <hakespeare but everytime I go to his• class I get bored to tears+6 4,hen mystudents read the• tragic story of Hamlet I expect them to bemoved7totears• but the realistic truth is that they are morelikely to• be bored7to7tears+6 4,henever Don turns upand starts• talking I listen for a while to be polite but h

always• bores me to tears especially because he keecomplaining• about the same old things again and again+• Bored7sti? !ired of and uninterested in



something to the point of • being put to sleep as though becoming asdead7and7rigid•

as a corpse+ 4I get bored7sti? )ust sittingaround at home• with nothing to do+6 4%rofessor Holmes/expository writing• lectures make me bored7sti?+ 4An accountangets• bored7sti? following the same steps andprocedures• year in and year out+6 =• Born and bred Born and raised and taught toexhibit certain manners• and attitudes that reLect the respectability a family or• region+ 4!hose who are born and bred to theBritish aris1RP• tocracy have their own special accent andvocabulary and• a manner of speaking that is peculiarly theirown+6 4I was• born and bred in an "rench middle class famand I am• not ashamed to say so+6 4%eople who were

born and bred• the American <outh think di?erently fromthose born• and bred in 2ew England+6 =• Born in a barn ,hen you say someone was



born in a barn it means that• he is too ignorant to know enough to close tbarn door+•

4.lose the door5 Damn it5 ,hat is wrong wityou@• ,ere you born in a barn@6 4,illy never closthe door• behind him+ He behaves like some up7countrbumpkin• who was born in a barn+6 4,hen you say aperson must• have been born in a barn that means that hemust have• slept in a stable where the door was alwayskept open so• the horses could come in and go into theirstalls+6 =• Born yesterday Appearing to be as innocent

a new born child wideeyed• and innocent easily fooled tricked not wisethe• ways of the world easily deceived or taken74<ophie• looks so innocent and trustful it appears thshe was•

born yesterday+6 4<ome sweet girls who loolike they• were born yesterday easily become victims osexual• predators+6 4I don/t believe in that get7rich7



-uick scheme• that the Amway lady keeps promising+ I wasborn yesterday+6•

=• Borrowed time 2ot long to live perhaps havlived beyond your life• expectancy already+ 46According to medicalstatistics I• should be dead already and every moment continue to• live I am living on borrowed time+6 4!hecancer has• spread into the spine and father is living onborrowed• time+6 4Cnce you double7cross the &aa yoare living• on borrowed time+6 =• Bosom friend ust as two persons may hold o

another bosom to• bosom so you may say that a person who isone of your• warmest and dearest friends is indeed abosom friend+• 4Alice and %atricia have been bosom friendssince the•

time they were cheerleaders in high7schooltogether+6• 4!he %rime &inister and the Defense ministhave been• bosom friends since they were schoolboys



together at• Eaton+6 4!here is nothing more7sad than twlonely old•

drunks who think they are the best of bosomfriends but• who will both die lonely and deserted in theend+6 =• Botched7up &ade a mistake made a mess ospoiled ruined did a• clumsy )ob failed messed7up+ 4I/m afraid Ibotched7up• the print )ob by starting and stopping theprinter too often+6• 4$enny really botched7up his %ower %oint%resentation• by making the si>e of the fonts so small that• one in the audience could read them+6 4Iapologi>e for• the way I botched7up the wedding speechDarling+ I hope• 1RQ• you will forgive me+ I was so nervous out thein front• of all those people+6 4,hat a botch )ob5 I hanever•

seen such clumsy work in my life+ I/m afraid going• to have to sack you for carelessness and lacof prociency+6• =



• Bottom drawer !he least7good of the lotlowest -uality lowest grade+• 4In the safe at the )ewelry store they keep

smallest diamonds• of the lowest -uality in the bottom drawer t• largest of the best -uality in the top drawerkeep by• best drawings in the top drawer and the woin the bottom• drawer+6 4&y art teacher said SGour drawingand• sketches are really bottom drawer+ If you doimprove• your -uality you/ll be kicked7out the studiodoor+/6 =• Bottom line ,hat is unconditionally demandin7the7end+ 4,e can• negotiate and mediate for days but I can te

you now• that the bottom line is that we must have atwenty percent• prot margin or there is no deal+6 4,e candiscuss this if • you want but I am going to tell you bluntlyfrom the•

beginning the bottom line is either you doexactly what I• want or our relationship is over+6 4I want tohelp you• Darling but the bottom line is if you do not



stop drinking• I am ling for divorce+6• Bottom rung of the ladder•

ust as one must start at the bottom rung ofthe ladder to• climb up to the top so in a company one mstart in• the lowest position and work one/s way up tthe top+• 4'randdad started at the bottom ring of theladder in the• company fty years ago and slowly worked way up• to becoming .hairman of the Board+6 4!herenothing• wrong with starting out at the bottom of theladder as• long as you don/t stay there very long+6 4Cn

advantage• of starting out on the bottom rung of theladder and• working your way you to success at the top that you• get to understand every )ob in the company• Bottom7out ust as a curve must reach its

lowest level before it begins• to curve up again so we may say that aneconomic• curve bottoms out before it starts to riseupwards again+



• 4!he price of gold bottomed7out in 1QQ: busince that• time it has been constantly on the rise agai

4<ales• gures bottomed7out in the rst part of thefourth -uarter• but began an upward turn )ust before the.hristmas• rush+6 4<tock prices bottomed7out at the timof the economic• crisis but as condence started to grow again• the economy they began to gradually riseagain+6 =• Bounce7back ust as a rubber ball bouncesback after being thrown• against a wall so a man or a team or a rm bounceback• after a loss to become a success or a winneagain+• 4After four straight losses in a row the 2ew Gork 'iants• bounced7back to win the next eightconsecutive games• 11R•

which put them in the running to -ualify forthe ,orld• <eries+6 4After the price of oil had dropped ttwentyeight• dollars a barrel it unexpectedly bounced7



back to• thirty7ve dollars+6 4&y Dad is a ghter+ ,hhe lost•

his grocery shop he was pretty depressed arst but• then he bounced7back and started supplyinwholesale• goods to big supermarket chains+6 =• Bound and determined Dedicated to makingstrong e?ort in order to succeed• or achieve a goal+ 4I am bound and determinto make a• success of my life and I am willing to doanything necessary• to achieve my goals+6 4&y father is bound a• determined to see me well7married to asuccessful professional• man with a happy family of my own+6 4I am• bound and determined never to marry andnever to be at• the beck and call of any man and never tohave children• making demands on me for all the rest of mylife+6 =• Boundless energy A seemingly inexhaustible

source of energy+ 4,e would• like to thank .athy for her boundless energyleading• the activities of the committee+6 4Had it notbeen for the



• boundless energy that my 'randdad put intothe company• it would not be the booming success that it

today+6• 4Due to Bill 'ates/ determination andboundless• energy &icrosoft has become one of theleading corporations• in the world+6 =• Bow down before someone• 'o down on your knees and bow beforesomeone either• out of true respect or because you are forceto do so+ 4I• refuse to bow down before any man becausebelieve• that all men are created e-ual6 4!he rstBritish envoy• ever admitted into .hina refused to bow dowand kowtow• to the .hinese Emperor+6 4Buddhist devoteebow• down before their master three times as ahumble show• of respect+6 =•

Bow out of the running .oncede defeat in acontest+ 4.olin Evans had to bow out• of the Clympic running for the gold medal inthe hundred• yard dash when he tested positive for use o



steroids+6• 4!he third7ranking candidate bowed out of trunning in•

the political race when it became clear hecould pull only• twenty percent of the votes+6 4!he epublic2ational• .ommittee withdrew their support for thecandidate and• asked him to bow out of the running in ordeavoid• throwing more good money after bad+6 =• Bowl of cherries An easy en)oyable life+4.ompared to what it used to be• my new life is a bowl of cherries+6 4#ife isactually a• bowl of cherries you )ust have to learn to laback and• en)oy what is given to you+6 4If you have apositive attitude• and a bit of luck and apply yourself your lifwill• become a bowl of cherries+6 =• Bowled7over ust as bowling pins are knockeover by a big bowling•

111• ball so a person may be said to be bowled oby an• unexpected surprise a sudden blow of fate by extremely



• bad news+ 4I was really bowled7over when I • the news of that my girlfriend was pregnant4"ather•

was bowled7over when he was suddenly givenotice that• he would be forced into early retirement+64!he whole• family was bowled over when 'randmother cancer• and very -uickly died+6 =• Box on the ear A blow with the hand over thside of the ear as a punishment+• 4If I catch you stealing from the cookie )ar• again I/ll give you a box on the ear+6 4Iremember once• my Dad gave me a box on the ear because Irefused to do• my chores+6 4,hen 'randmother catches

'randfather• sneaking a drink of whiskey from the diningroom cabinet• she gives him a box on the ear+6 =• Boxed into a corner ust as a boxer may bebeaten back into his corner so we• may guratively say that a person in a diOc

situation• is boxed into a corner+ 4In the debate I boxemy self • into a corner by contradicting myself too oftand had to



• nally concede defeat+6 4!hrough continuoulying and• bad business deals I have boxed my self on

a corner• and I can/t see any way of getting out+6 4&ybusiness• competitors have backed me into a corner thI cannot• box my way out of+6 =• Boys will be boys Because boys cannot stopthemselves from doing things• that are natural to boys there is the sayingthat 4boys will• be boys+6 4Gou can not stop boys from ghtand• scrapping in the schoolyard because boys wbe boys+6• 4Don/t get mad at boys when they start

cussing and• smoking+ It/s )ust a phase+ Boys will be boys4Boys• can/t stop themselves from viewing girl/sbodies )ust as• physical ob)ects because boys will be boys+6• Brain7child A new idea that was thought7up

born* in7the7head of • someone -uite clever+ 4&icrosoft ,indows wthe• brainchild of Bill 'ates+6 4Einstein was thebrainchild of



• the theory of relativity+6 4I don/t know who tbrainchild• was who thought up the computer but

whoever he• was he certainly changed the world+6 =• Brain7dead ust as a person may still be alivethe hospital but his• brain is not functioning so we may say aperson is braindead• when he seems so stupid that his brain doesappear• to be working+ 4,hoever thought up such astupid• social welfare system must have been braindead+6 4Gou• big stupid boob5 Gou must be brain7dead5 ,ever• made you think up a stupid obvious lie like

that@6• 4<ometimes when I am giving a lecture andam looking• out at my students they all appear to me tobraindead+6• =• 11:•

Brainstorming session ,hen a group of peopget together to discuss creative• ideas and inspirations that come into theirminds this is• called a brainstorming session+ 4,hen the



government• cannot solve a pressing7problem it oftenbrings together•

a think7tank of experts who have abrainstorming together• until someone comes up with a bright idea t• serve as a solution+6 4<ales and marketingmanagers often• get together and have a brainstorming sesson how• to get the product out to the public better+64'ood teachers• often divide their class into groups of four ove and• give them a problem7solving task and let thehave a• brainstorming session together until they hdeveloped• a plan to follow+6 =• Branch7out ust as a tree branches7out newlimbs so a business or• organi>ation may branch7out and establishoOces or outlets• in di?erent locations+ 4$". started out as asingle•

specialty fried7chicken restaurant but thenbranchedout• over the years to have outlets in every cornof the• world+6 4!he government wants to establish



free AID<• clinics rst in Bangkok and then to branchout all over•

the country+6 4.+ F+ Books started distributibooks• only in Bangkok but eventually branched7oubecome• the main supplier for bookshops all over thecountry+6 =• Brand new ust as a brand7made productcomes o? the assemblyline• ready for purchase and use so we can say t• something we have )ust bought is brand new4!his hair• dryer is brand new+ !he package has not evebeen• opened yet+6 4Cur family has )ust bought abrand new• home entertainment center+6 4He must bedoing well+ He• has )ust bought a brand new B&, straight othe assembly• line+6 =• Brass balls Invulnerable to pain+ 4,hen theysay a man has brass•

balls they mean he is so tough that nothinganyone says• or does can hurt him+6 4&y boss must havebrass balls• because he is invulnerable to any aggressiv



words or• hostile attacks directed his way+6 4!hey saythat "irst•

#ady declared that wearing miniskirts wasforbidden in• the ,hitehouse because she didn/t wantanybody to see• she had brass balls+6 =• Brass tacks 'o directly to the point and getinto the specic details• points or complaints 4#ets get down to brastacks+ !here• are several complaints I have about your woand I want• to go over them in detail with you+6 4I havesomething• unpleasant to tell you so lets get down tobrass tacks and• go straight to the point8 we keep nding smsums of • money missing from the petty cashbox and wthink it is• because of you+6 4I am not going to beat abthe bush• but get directly down to brass tacks+ !here a

several• 11;• re-uired documents missing from theapplication you• have provided and the oOcer7in7charge at t



&inistry• will not begin the process until you haveprovided them+6•

=• Breach of decorum Decorum meansmaintaining the appropriate tone and• attitude for an occasion so a breach ofdecorum means• breaking proper the mood of the occasion+ 4a solemn• and serious occasion it would be an impropbreach of • decorum to crack a silly )oke+6 4It would be breach of • decorum to chatter away to your friend withthe auditorium• while the ueen was giving a speech+6 4Inextremely• polite society it is considered a breach ofdecorum• to sit at the dinner table and scratch yourhead+6 =• Breach of eti-uette If eti-uette meansfollowing the rules of proper polite• conventional manners breaching eti-uette

means breaking• such rules and doing something against theaccepted• code of behavior+ 4It is a breach of eti-uettebreak into



• a conversation when you are not invited+6 4a breach• of eti-uette to stretch your arm across the

table for food• that is out of your reach+6 4In very politeEnglish society• it is considered a breach of eti-uette if youdon/t stand up• when a guest is leaving the room to go hom=• Bread and butter !he income needed toprovide food for the family+ 4Gou• have to learn a profession the will put breadand butter on• the table+6 4I edit books to earn my bread abutter but• I write poetry )ust for my pleasure+6 4&yhusband may• not be perfect but we can always count on hto bring• home the bread and butter+6 =• Break even <how neither a prot nor a lossget back an investment• without losing on the deal+ 4In my rstbusiness venture•

after about two years I found I was still onlybreaking• even so I gave it up+6 4,hen I start to win athe gambling• table I keep playing until I either break the



bank or• break even+6 4ohn invested two million dollin tuna•

shing boats that were destroyed in ahurricane but after• the insurance had paid o? the damages he )ust about• broke even+6 =• Break someone in ust as cowboy breaks andtames and trains a new pony• so we say guratively that we break a newperson into a• new )ob when he )oins the company in orderget him• started in his work7routine+ 4!he rm has athree day• training program to break in and orient newsta? members+6• 4,hen I rst started working here the perswho• broke me in and showed me the ropes was tman who• had held my )ob before me+6 4,e have a newentered• apprentice and the master mason is going t

start breaking• him into how to use the tools of the crafttoday+6 =• Break the ice ,arm up the atmospherebetween people think of some11J



• thing to say to start up a friendly conversatido an activity• so people will get to know one another and •

more relaxed+ 4,hen I meet a new client Ialways start• with some small talk )ust to break the ice+64,hen I want• to start talking to a new girl I think ofsomething cute• and clever to say )ust to break the ice+64,henever I• start teaching a new class I always start witwarm7up• activity )ust to break the ice+6 =• Breaking new ground ust as the ground mube broken and prepared for the• construction of a new building so we can sathat in• making preparations for progress we arebreaking new• ground+ 4<cience is breaking new ground inthe of the• endless eld of physics+6 4!he government trying to• break new ground to get religious factions t

work and• live together in harmony+6 4&icrosoft is alwatrying to• break new ground in technologicaladvancements to keep



• ahead of the competition+6 =• Breath a sigh of relief After a period ofmounting anxiety and tension we can•

breathe a sigh of relief if something bad we expecting• does not actually happen+ 4After I got my exresults I• breathed a sigh of relief+6 4,e all breathed sigh of relief• when the tornado changed its path and turnaway• towards the east+6 4I was afraid the companwere going• to terminate my employment at the end of tscal year• but when they did not I breathed a sigh ofrelief+6 =• Breathe down someone/s• neck • <tanding over someone behind his backexamining his• work and literally breathing down his neck4Cne day I• will retire and then there will be nobodystanding over•

my shoulder breathing down my neck+6 4If Ican start• my own successful business I will never agahave the• feeling of someone standing over me and



breathing down• my neck+6 4!he evenue Department isbreathing down•

our internal auditor/s neck demanding missidocuments• and invoices+6 =• Breathe your last !ake your last breath befoyou die+ 4Daddy is about to• breath his last and has called you to hisbedside because• there is something he wants to tell you+64Before I• breathe my last there are a number of thingstill want• to do+6 4,hen a man is about to breath hislast he should• think of something positive like loving7kindness or• sympathetic )oy+6 =• Breathing re ust as mythological dragonswere supposed to have• breathed re so someone who is powerful aangry• may be said to be breathing re when he ismad at someone•

about something and is ready to attack to phim• back+ 4&y boss is breathing re because I wtwentypercent• over7budget due to careless miscalculations



he is• about ready to blow his stack56 4&y wife wabreathing•

11K• re because she found out that I had beengossiping• about her behind her back+ ,hen I came homI was• greeted by a frontal attack+6 4I have beenabsolutely• breathing re since I heard the &anagingDirector is• making secret moves to make me retire+6 =• Breathing spell !ake a break rest for )ust loenough to catch your• breath+ 4,hen I go trekking because of myweak heart I• often have to stop for a breathing spell+6

4,hen you do• very intensive exercise it is wise to stop noand again• for a breathing spell to alleviate theaccumulating strain• on the muscles body and heart+6 4<ometimif you are•

near the top and you give in to the temptatito take a• breathing spell you may never get to the toat all+6 =• Breathtaking view A view so panoramic and



inspiring that it takes your• breath away+ 4"rom outer space the view ofthe blue•

planet is absolutely unforgettable andbreathtaking+6• 4,hen you stand at the edge of the grand.anyon the• view is so huge and vast it is breathtaking+64!he aweinspiring• view from atop &ount Everest is so spectacu• it is literally breathtaking+6 =• Breeding grounds ust as there can be perfenatural habitats with the re-uired• conditions re-uired for certain animals orspecies• to arise and mate and reproduce in numberthere can• be said to be breeding grounds for certain

types of human• actions or behavior+ 4#ive music night7clubentertainment• areas are the perfect breeding grounds forteenage• sex and drugs+6 4Dockside areas in large citports are•

natural breeding grounds for illegal activitielike smuggling• and trade in stolen goods+6 4#arge industriaestates• full of factories and workers are the perfect



breeding• grounds for labor party activists to arise andLourish+6 =•

Bridge the gap ust as you start constructingbridge by sinking a sound• foundation on either bank of a riverpreparatory to building• and extending the superstructure out fromeach side• over the water to bridge the gap in7betweenso we• sometimes make a comparison saying we nto nd a• way to bridge a gap in understanding orbetween two• situations or di?erent points of view+ 4A gooteacher• will be able to use suitable comparisons to h

students• to bridge the gap between confusion andclarity of point• of view+6 4!he F2 is taking world7widemeasures to• bridge the gap in education between thehighly7educated•

and totally illiterate peoples of the world+6 4is not so• easy to bridge the gap in understandingbetween conLicting• religious factions with di?erent points of



view+6 =• Brief encounter <hort interlude or love a?airhad a brief encounter•

with my boss/s wife several years ago but wthought it• was too dangerous so in the end we decidto drop it• 11M• and let it go+6 4I had a hot brief encounterwith an Israeli• woman in my younger years during the <ixDay ,ar• but when the ghting was over we each weour own• ways+6 4Edith had a brief encounter with anItalian .ount• in ome in her later years but when she fouout he• was penniless she dropped him like a hotpotato+6 =• Bright boy9guy An ironic expression that methe opposite+ i+e+ stupid• rather than clever+ 4#isten here bright boy hear you• making any more dumb comments like that

box your• ears+6 4#et me ask you a -uestion bright boif you• think you are so smart why aren/t you rich@4All right



• bright guy one more remark like that and Iknock • your solar plexus up into where your brains

should be56 =• Bright idea A sudden inspiration a good neidea an answer or solution• or way to x a problem+ 4,hat a bright idea• !hat/s a clever suggestion+ ,hy didn/t I thinof that• myself@6 4As I was driving over here Isuddenly got the• bright idea that if I cut down my xed costscould• loosen7up my cash Low problem+6 4As I wasdaydreaming• my time away I suddenly got the idea that i• my rich maiden aunt married my widowedwealthy uncle• and they adopted me in I/d no longer be apoor deserted• and lonely orphan+6 =• Bright side !he good happy hopefuloptimistic side+ 4Always try to• look on the bright side because things coulalways be•

worse+6 4If you wake up every morning andlook on the• bright side you/ll always have a positiveattitude+6• 4<omeone who always looks on the dark sid



a pessimist• and someone who always looks on the brighside is•

an optimist+6 =• Bright7eyed and bushytailed• A folksy expression meaning that a person ilooking t• as a country fox fully7energetic and ready tgo+ 4,ell• hello cousin <ue+ Gou are looking bright7eyeand• bushy7tailed today56 4I like to see these prelooking• country girls coming into town looking allbright7eyed• and bushy7tailed+6 4,ell5 I/m feeling all brigeyed and• bushy7tailed and ready to go out today and

take7on the• world+6 =• Brim7full ust as a )ar can be lled right up tthe brim (or lip* at• the top so we can say a person is brim7full ofeeling to• the point of overLowing+ 4I am feeling brim7

of energy• today and ready to take on the world+6 4,hthe• %rincess presented me my diploma on the dI graduated



• my family and I were brim7full of pride and )and• emotion6 4<helia was so full7to7the7brim wit

)oyous elation• when her baby girl was born that her eyeswere• overLowing with Loods of tears+6 =• Bring home the bacon ,ork to make a livingfeed the family+ 4Cne good• 11N• thing I can say about my Dad was that he waa good• provider0he was good at bringing home thebacon+6 4In• English working7class culture Sbringing homthe bacon/• means the same thing as Sputting bread andbutter on the• table+/6 4Gour parents will always advise youthat you• have to choose a career path that will bringhome the bacon• and not pursue some creative dreamy paththat will• leave you )obless hungry poor and homeles

in the• end+6 =• Bring someone out of his• shell• ust as a snail withdraws into its shell for



protection so a• person may be said to withdraw into his sheand often•

it is diOcult to get such a person to overcomhis shyness• and come out of his shell and behave norma4A• good teacher will know how to slowly bring shy and• timid student out of his shell+6 4<helly wasvery withdrawn• and anxious when I rst met her and it tookme• almost a year to get her to come out of hershell+6 4Fntil• &artha was eighteen she was very shy andwithdrawn• but when she went to university she found

group of • girlfriends who helped to bring her out of heshell+6 =• Bring someone to his• senses• &ake someone see reason face reality facethe7facts•

see common7sense 4I am trying to get my wto come• to her senses and think like a normal individand stop• her compulsive shopping7sprees+6 4I wish I



could bring• my daughter to her senses and get her toreali>e she•

needs a higher education to succeed in thisworld+6 4,e• are going to have to try to bring your fatherhis senses• and get him to stop playing all these get rich-uick • schemes+6 =• Bring someone to task <cold someone forsomething he has done wrong+ 4!he• &a)or called the .aptain in and brought himtask • about the poor performance he had seen onthe parade• ground that morning+6 4If a family memberdoes something• wrong and nobody brings him to task for himisdeed• he may keep on doing it wrong+6 4'randfathhas• brought my father to task about his excessivdrinking• and is threatening to cut him out of his will

he doesn/t• stop immediately+6 =• Bring to )ustice Accuse and charge someonewith a crime and try in a• court of law to mete out the appropriate



penalty or punishment+• 4I hope the thief who stole my handbag is• caught and brought to )ustice+6 4!he compa

.hairman• behind the corporate swindle has nally beebrought to• )ustice and has landed in )ail where hebelongs+6 4&aa• members with connections inside the )udiciasystem can• sometimes avoid being brought to )ustice bypaying• bribes and trading favors+6 =• Bring up the sub)ect aise the -uestionmention broach or touch upon a• 11P• topic+ 4I hesitate to bring up the sub)ect bucan you pay• me back the money you borrowed from me lyear@6 4I• hate to bring up the sub)ect but I am afraidthat I am going• to have to nag you again about havingforgotten to• do your daily chores+6 4I am a little shy abou

bringing• up the sub)ect but I must inform you from tbeginning• that I intend to live and die as a virgin+6 =• Brings to mind &akes one think of somethin



makes one remember• something brings up a memory from the pa4,hen•

you mention almond cookies that brings tomind memories• of my 'randmother/s kitchen+6 4<peaking ounnished• business that brings to mind that we must da nal• review of the annual income gures before taudit• becomes due+6 4,hen you speak of oceansailing that• brings to mind a "orce 1: storm I experienceat sea that• roared and raged for twelve full days non7stop+6 =• Brink of disaster Heading towards the point

peak or height at which• disaster may strike+ 4.live is so psychologicimbalanced• that he is tottering on the brink of disaster+64!he• strengthening of the F< Dollar on foreigncurrency markets•

has pushed the export trade to the brink ofdisaster+6• Cur rm is having serious problems controllcash• turnover and is heading towards the brink o



disaster+6 =• Broaden your hori>on Become more open7minded and tolerant through expanding•

your view to attain more knowledge andwisdom+• 4Gou are a little narrow7minded+ Gou should into the• habit of reading more in order to broaden yohori>on+6• 4<ome persons from poor upcountrybackgrounds have• the chance through scholarships and studyabroad to expand• their hori>ons+6 If you study comparativereligion• and have the experience of experiencingdi?erent religious• cultures it helps to broaden your hori>on+6 • Broad7minded Cpen7minded and tolerantready to accept and compromise+• 4A tightly closed7mind will always bementallyblinded• but one that is kept open can becomebroadminded+6• 4&y father is very broad7minded and toleran•

and he never tells me what to do+ He )ust letme learn• from my own mistakes compared with his owexample+6• 4%eople in the region where I was brought7u



are• very narrow7minded+ I don/t blame them forthat however•

because if they had the chance to know thewiderworld• better they would certainly become morebroadminded+6• =• Broken dreams Hopes and illusions that havbecome disappointments• and disillusions+ 4All I have of my originalhopes and• desires is a heap of broken dreams+6 4Afterve years of • marriage all I had left was an empty bankaccount a broken• heart and a lot of broken dreams+64<ometimes I• 11Q• feel like a broken7winged bird that is helplesto Ly to• pursue broken dreams+6 =• Broken7down Cut7of7order non7functional ineed of repair+ 42ow• my washing machine is broken down and ou

order so• I/ll have to call the repairman to come and it+6 4&y• rst car was an old banged7up broken7down"ord with



• rust7holes in the Loor+6 42egotiations betwethe %alestinian• &uslims and the Israeli ews have broken do•

again+6 =• Broken7hearted ust as someone who isdisappointed in love may be said• to be broken7hearted so we can say a persois brokenhearted• when he does not reali>e a goal or dream+64After• my rst love left me for a younger prettier gI was• absolutely broken7hearted+6 4,hen I got thenews that I• would not be accepted to become anairhostess I was• broken7hearted+6 4After Dad lost the businethe house• everything he owned and then my &om aswell he• died broken7heated+6=• Brooding over something ust as a chicken son her eggs and broods over her• nest and her moods keep changing dependion•

whether she feels threatened or not so aperson who continually• regrets or resents something that happenedthe• past is someone sub)ect to moods who broo



over• things+ 4I wish you would stop brooding oveyour unhappy•

childhood and learn to forgive and love your• mother+6 4Heathcli? continued brooding ovebeing• treated worse than a lowly stray dog andservant even• long after he had taken his revenge+6 4&omstill• brooding over something that father did yeaago but• she won/t discuss it with anyone+6 =• Brought to a head ust as the accumulation pus increases internal pressure• inside a pimple until it is brought to a headand almost• ready to burst so a human civil or political

situation• can come to a head and end in crisis andclimax+• 4!he conLict between my two sons came to head when• they began to disagree who should inherit thouse+6•

4!he conLict in .ity Hall came to a head whethe greed• of developers began to exceed the limits setenvironmental• protectionists+6 4!ension in the 'ulf egion



came• to a head when oil reserves began to bethreatened+6=•

Brought to the boilingpoint• ust as water may be brought to the boiling7point by heat• so a person/s patience may reach a pressurepoint where• he loses his temper+ 4&y blood was nallybrought to a• boiling point when she suggested that Icouldn/t be sure• who my father was+6 4Heated debate came tthe boiling• point during discussions about the proposedloan interest• rate+6 4%olitical unrest came to a boiling poiwhen it• became perfectly clear that the governmentintended to• 1:R• do nothing to help the bolster the economy+• Bruised and battered ust as after a physicaght one/s body may be black • and blue from being beaten so we may say

guratively• that in the struggle of life one comes outbruised and• battered due to su?ering struggle andhardship+ 4!he



• boys returned from the battle bruised andbattered but• still alive all in one piece+6 4<helia came out

her marriage• bruised and battered both mentally andphysically+6• 4I had a traumatic childhood and came out o• mentally bruised and battered needingpsychiatric counseling+6=• Brush7up on !o go back and review and studthe fundamentals of • something that you learned earlier but haveused in a• long while+ 4I/ll have to brush7up on myAlgebra before I• take the entrance exam+6 4!o prepare myseto perform• my )ob in the lab I had to go back and brush

up on my• organic chemistry+6 4I/ll have to brush up onmy 'erman• before I meet with the Austrian delegation+6• Bubbling over with )oy ust as a brook orunderground spring bubbles up out of • the ground so we can compare the experien

of )oy• bubbling up from within the mind in anindividual+ 4It/s• so much fun to be young and in love andbubbling over



• with )oy+6 4I am so happy in this -uiet place peace and• retreat far away from the unrelenting

pressures of the• outside world I feel I am almost bubbling ovwith• )oy+6 4.hristian monks and 2uns speak of hothe• power of prayer can make believers feel asense of elation• as though they were bubbling over with elatlove• and )oy+6=• Buck the system 'o against the overall systwhich controls you+ 4!he• rst thing you learn in the army is that youcannot buck • the system+6 4!here/s no way you can escap

evenue• Department !ax egulations+ Gou can neversucceed in• bucking the system+6 4ust in the way that awild pony• may be able to buck o? a single rider who istrying to•

break it in and tame and control it there/s nway a private• individual citi>en can buck the overall systeof • government because no one is above the la



=• Bucket of worms ust as sorting out a bucketworms can be considered•

unpleasant impossible )ob so taking over aunpleasant• situation to resolve that nobody else evenwants to try• may be called a Sbucket of worms/ meaningthat the• situation is so unpleasant and impossible thno one• would ever be able to get it sorted out right4!he marriage• of Bob and .arol is a bucket of worms that n• even the most7experienced marriage counsewould• ever be able to sort out+6 4!he situation in2orthern Ireland• is a bucket of worms that no one will ever beable to• 1:1• sort out properly+6 4!he conLict of interestsbetween the• evenue Department and the ministry ofHealth in relation•

to the !obacco &onopoly is a bucket of wormthat• is never going to get sorted out+6 =• Buckle under ust as thick metal will bendunder pressure so a person



• may be forced to bend his will in accordancewith what• controls the pressure placed upon him+ 4!he

"inance• &inister is very determined to hold hisposition but most• of his party is trying to get him to buckle unpressure+6• 4!here are enormous pressures coming at mfrom• every side but I refuse to buckle under andconform to• the will of others+6 4If we exert enough forcon poor old• %inkerton he will have no choice but to bucunder• pressure and vote for the constitutionalamendment+6 =• Buckle7down <tart to apply yourself and worhard on something set• yourself to accomplish a task concentrate afocus• upon your work+ 4C$ boys let/s stop foolingaround and• buckle down to work+6 4Its time I got seriou

and started• to buckle down and study hard for my .%Aexams+6 4If • you don/t force yourself to buckle down andconcentrate



• on your work you will soon nd yourself outa )ob+6 =• Buckle7up In addition to meaning fasten you

seat7belt in a vehicle• 4buckle7up6 can mean literally to ad)ust youtrousers• and belt7buckle or guratively to ad)ustyourself appropriately• so that you will make a better impression an• have better control of your movements andactions+• 4,hen you travel by car don/t forget tobuckle7up your• safety belt+ It is better to be safe than sorry4Gou had• better buckle7up and improve your behaviorthe principal• will suspend you from school+6 4I have been

given• written7notice by the company that if I do nobuckle7up• my performance and improve my ways I wilbe asked to• resign from the rm+6 =• Budding genius ust as a rose is budding

before it blooms so we may say• a person is a budding genius+ 4"rom Einsteinperformance• in school nobody could have guessed that hwas a



• budding genius+6 4"rom the time he was a bin school• Huxley showed signs of being a budding

genius+6 4Gou• probably have to be a near7budding genius tbe accepted• to do post7doctoral work in physics at Harva'raduate• <chool+6 =• Bugaboo Belief with no basis imaginary cauof fear a lot of • nonsense+ 4Don/t believe anything you hearabout superstitions+• It/s all a lot of bugaboo56 4!hose stories abo• aliens from another planet landing on earth nothing• but a lot of bugaboo+6 4All that stu? they teyou about• Hell is )ust a lot of bugaboo+ Hell is really righere on• this earth+6=• 1::• Bugger7o?5 An impolite slang way of saying4'et away from here5• Disappear and get lost+6 4If you don/t bugge

o? and get• out of here right now I/m going to give you abox on the• ear+6 4Gou/d better bugger7o? before yourfather nds



• you here or he will kick your ass56 4I/d bettebugger7o? • and get a move on before the dorm supervis

catches me• out7of7bounds56 =• Building castles in the air Dreaming impossidreams+ 4Building castles in the air• that are not really there will not get youanywhere+6• 4.astles in the air are like castles in the sanwhich after• they are built are bound to dissolve anddisband+6• 4Goung couples often start o? their marriagdreaming• and building castles in the air with hopes ofhappy• home and children and loads of money comi

in from• everywhere+6 =• Bull in a china shop <omebody clumsy andcareless like a bull in a china• shop which barges in charges around andbreaks things• into pieces+ 4Although 'i?ord means well de

down in• his heart he behaves with the conduct of abull in a china• shop+6 4Gou can/t )ust barge back into my liflike a bull



• in a china shop and start breaking things upagain+6• 4Don/t barge in here like a big wild bull in a

china shop• and start breaking up people/s illusions anddestroying• the hopes that will motivate them to getthere+6 =• Bull/s7eye5 .orrect5 ight on5 !hat/s the righanswer5 Gou got it5• Gou hit it head on5 4'ood thinking5 Bull/s ey Gou hit• the target right on center+6 4Bull/s eye5 !hatit+6 Gou• hit he answer I was looking for5 Gou hit it rigon the• head56 4 How did you know what I wasthinking@ SBull/s• eye5/ Gou guessed the right answer to thesixty7four• thousand dollar -uestion56=• Bulldo>e your way• through• ust as a big bulldo>er can force its waythrough scrub•

)ungle and forest to level a path to where itwants to go• so a person may be said to push his waythrough to• where he can get what he wants+6 4Here



comes Big Bob• bulldo>ing his way through the crowd uptowards the•

bar+6 4Don/t think you can )ust bulldo>e youway in here• and tell everybody what to do+6 4,e can gethe vote to• go our way if we get enough support to leveany opposition• and try to bulldo>e our way through+6 =• Bullshit5 A load of crap a pile of lies+ 4,henmen sit around and• drink they talk a lot of bullshit and lies+64Don/t try to• tell me you )ust plain forgot+ !hat/s a lie+!hat/s bullshit56• 4I have never heard such an outrageous lie my• life+ ,hat a load of bullshit56 =• Bully for you5 .ongratulations5 ,ell7donegood for you I/m proud of • you that/s the way to behave that/s the wato go you• should be proud of yourself+ 4I hear youpunched that big•

1:;• bruiser Butch right in the nose+ !hat/s theway to go5• Bully for you56 4I like the way you stand up the boss



• and tell him exactly what you think+ Bully foyou56• 4Gou managed to get the promotion despite

your lack of • seniority+ Bully for you56 =• Bumble along <tumbling your way slowly anclumsily along your path• but somehow managing to reach your goal+42ow that I• am older I am forgetting things and losing mmanual• dexterity but I still manage to bumble alongand make• my way in life despite the inrmities of myage+6• 4'randmother is not -uite all there anymorebut somehow• she manages to bumble along through life

without• doing herself any harm+6 4Ichabod was anawkward• gawky and clumsy fellow who bumbled alonghis own• peculiar way but somehow stuck to theproper path and•

didn/t go astray+6 =• Bummed7out "eeling down7and7out depressand disillusioned as• though you had a hangover from life/s badexperiences+



• 4!ed is feeling kind of bummed7out todaybecause his• girlfriend wants to break up with him+6

4!eenagers usually• go through as stage or phase in which theyfeel• bummed7out and think that all he world isstupid+6 4!he• boys in the band are feeling bummed7outbecause they• didn/t get the recording contract they werehoping for+6=• Bump into one another ust as two cars mighaccidentally bump into one another• so two ac-uaintances might meet somewheby• coincidence as if absolutely by chance+ 4It i-uite a coincidence• our bumping into one another like this afte• not seeing one another for more than twentyears+6• 4<ometimes old school friends who have locontact• bump into one another again later in theirprofessional•

lives+6 4"ancy us bumping into one another this unexpectedly• both pregnant and both in the same hospita• the same time56 =• Bundle of nerves A body aggregate that see



to consist of nothing but• anxieties and sensitive nerve7endings+ 4I habecome a•

real bundle of nerves due to the uncertaintiof my )obsituation• and my unstable marriage+6 4During theapprenticeship• period in my )ob at rst I was a real bundle• nerves but after I had learned the routine settled into it• and now I am much more relaxed+6 4Beforethe entrance• examination I was a real bundle of nervesbut• after I sat down and read the -uestion papeover a couple• of times I settled down and was able toconcentrate• my mind+6 =• Bungle things up !o botch7up and make a meof a task or a )ob to do• every thing wrong+ 4I/m sorry I botched the )ob I/m always• getting things bungled up+6 4I made so manmis1:J•

takes in my )ob at rst it seemed that I wasbotching and• bungling everything up to the point where Icouldn/t get• anything right+6 4I am afraid I have made a



mess of the• )ob and bungled everything up but Iapologi>e and I•

promise to try to do a better )ob next time+6• Burbling with )oy ust as a stream or brookmakes a burbling sound as• though water were happily bubbling up so wmay say• that a person is burbling with the )oy in thehappiness of • the moment+ 4ane has given birth to a six7pound healthy• happy burbling baby boy and both mother achild are• well and healthy+6 4,e could hear the childrplaying• out in the sunlit yard burbling with )oy+6 4Ialways look • forward to watching my children burbling wi )oy and• delight as they open their presents under th.hristmas• tree+6 =• Burn your ngers ust as one burns one/sngers by touching something•

hot so one may be said to get one/s ngersburnt in a• bad experience in life or love or business+4,hen you• touch a hot stove and get your ngers burnt



teaches• you to be more careful next time+6 4I got myngers•

burnt in my rst romance and I am afraid totry again+6• 4I got my ngers burnt in o?shoreinvestments so I went• back to blue chip shares again+6 =• Burning the midnight oil ust as scholars in told days studied at night to the• light of an oil lamp so students today whostudy late• until after midnight may be said to be burnthe midnight• oil working through the night reading orwriting• staying up late to catch up on homework orcram for an• exam+ 4,hen I was a student I used to playday and• burn the midnight oil at night+6 4,hen I leftwriting an• essay to the last minute I used to have to bthe midnight• oil and sometimes even pull an all7nighter+6

4!he• experts will be burning the midnight oil tonitrying to• gure out to what extent the expected volcaeruption



• in Hawaii could cause a !sunami that woulddevastate• the whole of the apanese East .oast+6=•

Burning your bridges behind• you• ust as a 'eneral in retreat may gain time anadvantage• by burning his bridges behind him so theenemy cannot• catch7up behind him easily so some individucut7o? • contact to people they have used or used toknow in the• past once they begin to succeed on a highesocial scale• or level+ 4Don/t use people and then leavethem in the• lurch+ It makes no sense to burn your bridge

behind• you+6 4,hen I was young I used a lot ofwomen for my• own satisfaction and always burned my bridbehind• me+6 4It/s never a good idea to drop old friewhen•

you get newer richer and better ones+ It/s liburning• your bridges behind you+6 =• 1:K• Burning7desire ,anting something so much



that you are almost on re• with craving and desire an overpoweringcompulsive•

need for someone something the fulllmenof a wish or• ambition a strong wish an overpoweringneed+• !ina has the burning desire to complete herexaminations• and become a .%A+6 4!ed has a burning desfor• !ina+6 4If you have a burning desire forsuccess and you• have talent and you work very hard you mavery well• succeed+6=• Burn7out &eans working so long and so hardthat one has a breakdown• and becomes incapable of continuing to worat• one/s )ob+ 4A lot of audit sta? start to su?erfrom burnout• after about ten years on the )ob+6 4He was ahighlypaid• stock broker on ,all <treet for twenty years

until he• nally su?ered from burnout and now he is )ust a downand7• out sit7at7home7drunk+6 4I want to live hardand die



• young I don/t want to work hard all my life a heartless• corporation until I nally burn out and wait

until• they throw me out+6 =• Burst a blood vessel A state of anger which so strong that you might literally• burst a blood vessel+ 4,hen I found out theimmigration• lawyers had lost my documents I almost bua• blood vessel+6 4&om almost burst a bloodvessel when• she learned that her one and only daughterwas pregnant• at only sixteen+6 4!he &anaging %artner wilburst a• blood vessel when he nds out the evenue

Department• is planning to do a tax review of our rm duto an un)ustied• claim I put in+6 =• Burst in on someone !o interrupt someonewhen he is in the middle of something• else+ 4<orry to burst in on you like this but

need• to speak to you urgently+6 4Don/t burst in onsomeone/s• conversation unless you are invited to+6 4!hprivate detective



• burst in on the adulterous lovers in their hot• room and took a photograph of them lyingstark naked•

together in bed+6=• Burst out into a rage <uddenly lose control abreak out into anger+ 4I used to• often burst out into a rage of anger but nowthrough• meditation I am gaining better mind contro4"ather• burst out into a rage of temper when he fouout that• &other had poured his bottle of whiskey dowthe sink+6• 4!ry to train yourself not to burst out into arage every• time something doesn/t go your way+6 =• Burst the bubble <hatter the illusion break

fantasy+ 4Goung love• seems like a perfect dream until some prickcomes along• and bursts your bubble+6 4,e had high hopethat our• stock price would gain dramatically in valuebut then•

the stability problems caused by the 'ulf ,acame• along and burst the bubble+6 4During theeighties it• 1:M



• seemed that the economy would continue togrow and• rise and soar forever but then the Baht

devaluation• came and burst the economic bubble+6 =• Bury the hatchet ,hen ed American Indianused to make peace they• would ceremoniously bury the war hatchet tshow that• they would no longer continue ghting 4&oand Dad• have decided to bury the war hatchet and trto get along• for a change+6 4It/s time for the &uslims and ews to nally• bury the hatchet and begin replacing latenthate• with universal love+6 4I have told my childre

that if they• do not bury the war hatchet and stop ghtinamongst• themselves I/ll cut them all out of my willwithout a• penny+6 =• Bust a gut trying ust as it is possible that w

may burst an internal organ• by pushing or lifting too hard so we canguratively say• that we Sbust a gut/ trying to nish our workreach our



• goal+ 4I/m going to meet my sales target orbust a gut trying+6• 4Here I am out working hard in the world

busting• a gut trying to earn a living when all you cado is sit• around at home alone and moan andcomplain+6 4I am• either going to bring home the Clympic 'oldweightlifting• or bust a gut trying+6 =• Bust your butt ,ork really hard to get adiOcult )ob done do your utmost• make the maximum e?ort in order to fulllre-uirements+• 4!he <ales manager told us that if we didn/t• get out and bust our butts he would not onlower our• commissions but also cut the .hristmasBonuses+6 4I• don/t know why I have to be out busting mybutt to earn• a decent living when you guys are sittingaround drinking• beer and accomplishing nothing+6 42ow you

have• graduated the easy part is over+ 2ext comethe hard• part in which you have to go out into the reaworld and



• bust your butt for the next forty years+6 =• Bustling with activity Busy full of life activealive with people on7the7go•

hustling and bustling going about theirbusiness+ 4!he• <hopping &all was bustling with activity on<aturday• afternoon because there was a spring sale wall items• marked down by fty7percent+6 4!he thing Ilike about a• carnival ground is that there are people millabout• everywhere busy en)oying themselves and tgrounds• are bustling with activity+6 4Between nine atwelve the• lobby of our building is almost empty but as

soon as• lunch hour begins it is bustling with activitywith hundreds• of executives and oOce managers andsmartlydressed• professional women on their way to lunch+6 • Busy7body 2osey7gossip curious blabber7

mouth someone who• mixes in other/s a?airs+ 4<he/s such a busy7body always• sticking her nose in everybody/s business anthen going



• 1:N• around town gossiping about them+6 4Gou whave to•

stop being such a gossip and busy7body andlearn to• mind your own business+6 4Be careful what tell my• Aunt &olly because she is such a busy7bodythe news• will be all over town before you know it+6 =• Butter someone up 'et on the right side ofsomeone by using sweet talk• false praise or compliments+ 4I/m trying tobutter up my• boss at the moment because I/m planning task him for• a raise next month+6 4Don/t try to butter meup to win me• over+ I/ve made my nal decision and no meano+6 4If • you try to butter me up to get on my goodside )ust to get• what you want I shall consider this a unethitactic that• can only work against you+6 =•

Butterngers !his is a name we call someonwho cannot catch a ball• when it is thrown to him or someone who isalways• dropping things as though he had butter on



his ngers• and everything kept slipping from his grip ograsp+ 4!he•

other kids call my son Sbutterngers/ becaushe keeps• dropping the baseball when they throw it tohim+6 4!he• baseball right7elder Drew Dropper seems have a• case of butterngers today because this is tfourth• time he has dropped the ball on what lookedlike an easy• catch+6 4Everything our cook ean picks upseems to• slip through her ngers and drop onto thekitchen Loor+• <o we/ve started calling her Sbutterngers+/• ButterLies in your stomach• "eeling uneasiness or -ueasiness in yourstomach due to• nervousness apprehension and anxiety befoevent a• public appearance+ 4,hen I was in the schooplay I had•

butterLies in my stomach while I was waitinin the• wings behind the scenes but the moment Igot on stage• I said my lines and forgot my fear+6 4Before



oral• exam I had butterLies in my stomach but tmoment•

they asked the rst -uestion my mind clickeinto gear• and my brain started working+6 4Before I asyour• mother to marry me I had butterLies in mystomach but• the moment I saw the smile on her face myapprehensions• disappeared+6 =• Butt7in Interrupt the conversation break inwhen other people• are talking force your way and mix into adiscussion• when it is not your business+ 4&y mother tome it is• impolite to butt in when other people aretalking+6 4<orry• to butt in on you like this <ir But the %rime&inister is• on the phone and wants to speak to you+6 4!problem• with "reddy is that he/s always butting in on

other people/s• conversations and interrupting them where is not• wanted+6 =• Buttonhole someone "orce someone to liste



)ust as though you had taken• hold of the buttonhole of his suit7)acket andwon/t let go•

1:P• until he has heard what you wish to say+ 4Dotry to• buttonhole me and tell me your troubles+ If ydon/t let• go of my )acket right away I will punch youright in the• face+6 4Aunt .lara is always trying tobuttonhole others• and ask them for donations for charity butpeople are• getting sick of it and they run the other waywhen they• see her coming+6 4<heila is going to try andbuttonhole• the Ambassador at the reception tomorrowevening and• ask if the #adies/ .lub can hold a 'arden %aon the• Embassy 'rounds on the last <unday afternoof the• month+6 =•

Button7up .lose your lip don/t say a word toanybody keep this a• secret keep your mouth shut+ 4!his secret i )ust between• you and me so button up and don/t tell



anybody+6 4Better• button7up your lip and not tell anybody whayou•

have )ust said to me to avoid diOculty+6 4I/llkill you if • you tell anybody it was me that set the barnre so• you had better button7up your lip and swearsecrecy or• you/ll be sorry+6=• Butt7out5 &ove your ass on out of here beatget lost bugger• o?+ 4Butt7out can/t you see where you are nwanted@6• 4Butt out of here Buster this is a private paand we• don/t want any strangers around here+6 4Iwanted to tag• along to the pub for a drink with Dad and hipal• &ickey but they told be to butt7out and gostraight home• like a good boy+6 =• Buy time "ind a way to stall to gain more timas a deadline is approaching+•

4Gour father tried to buy time by asking me • postpone our wedding until after hegraduated but I told• him it was either Snow or never/ so then hegave in and



• let me win+6 4!he government is trying to btime by• postponing the debate on the tax rebate bu

they will• have to pass the bill sooner or later no mattwhat they• try to do+6 4I am trying to buy time with thebank by asking• them to let me restructure my nances butboth they• and I know they will turn me down so I willhave to declare• bankruptcy eventually+6 =• Bu>>ing with activity Busy with people movabout like bees in a beehive• bu>>ing in a swarm at close -uarters withinspecic• area alive with activity+ 4!he new shopping

center is• bu>>ing with activity because they are o?era twenty• percent discount on every item purchased+64Before the• convention began the hotel lobby was bu>>with people•

and activity but after everyone entered themain• meeting hall the lobby was almost empty+64!he fair• ground was bu>>ing with activity alive with



hundreds of • people bustling about en)oying themselvestaking part in•

games and rides and shooting galleries andfreak shows• 1:Q• and a variety of carnival activities+6 =• Bu>>7o? ust as an annoying Ly will bu>>7o?and Ly away if we• try to swat it so we may tell an irritatingperson to bu>>o? • and go away piss7o? bugger7o?+ 4Bu>>7o?and stop• annoying me before I smack you one+6 4Goubetter• bu>>7o? and stop making a nuisance ofyourself or I/ll• give you the licking of your life+6 4,e/d bett

bu>>7o? • before anyone sees us in this restricted >onor we might• get into trouble+6 =• By a hair/s breadth Implying an increment omeasurement in width comparable• to the breadth of a hair+ 4!he winner of the

horserace• beat the runner7up by only a hair/s breadtha• whisker so to speak+6 4!he coalition beat thopposition



• in the election by a very narrow margin byonly a hair/s• breadth+6 4!he nal results of the data of th

two independent• research studies were so similar that there w• only a hair/s breadth between them+6 =• By ts and starts Beginning only slowly andirregularly and continuing• with many irregular stops and starts along tway+ 4I am• having trouble with my motorcycle due to aelectrical• problem and it only runs in ts and starts+6am making• slow progress with my book working a littlebit at a• time here and there when I can by ts andstarts+6 4!he• company is growing by ts and startssometimes slowly• and sometimes -uickly depending on how torders are• coming in+6 =• By hook or by crook ust as shepherds used use an iron hook or a wooden•

crook on the end of a stick to catch a sheep the neck • to separate or perhaps steal it out of theLock so nowadays• we say we will do what ever we have to one



way• or another to achieve what we desire usingwhatever•

device or trick it takes to make it work+ 4<ompeople• desire success so much that they will dowhatever they• have to by hook or by crook to get themwhere they• want to go+6 4Cnce you get into the habit ofachieving• your ends by hook or by crook you will havecompromised• your moral outlook+6 4It won/t be easy to gethe• .ustoms Department oOcial to go along witsuch a• shady deal but we will do whatever we have

do by• hook or by crook to achieve the ends desire=• By leaps and bounds ust as a frog )umpsforward -uickly by leaps and• bounds so we may say that person or pro)ecis making•

-uick progress by leaps and bounds+ 4&ybusiness is• growing is rapidly by leaps and bounds+6 4!economy• is gaining rapidly by leaps and bounds+6 4!



government• is ghting the spread of malaria and makingheadway•

by leaps and bounds+6 =• By the seat of your pants 'uessing as you galong based on your own initiative• 1;R• without any map chart or guideline to follow4<ometimes• when visibility is limited and a pilot does nohave• a navigational chart to follow he has to Ly bthe seat of • his pants to locate and land on the runway+64!he local• shermen do not rely on a compass orautopilot+ !hey• )ust navigate by the seat of their pants+6

4<ometimes• when a small business man has not plotted7a denite• business plan he has to navigate by the seaof his• pants+6 =• By the skin of your teeth ust barely by a sm

margin+ 4I only passed the exam• by the skin of my teeth+6 4!he pilot performa risky• delicate emergency landing and we )ustmissed death by



• the skin of our teeth+6 4Daredevils excite thaudiences• by coming within an inch7of7their7lives and )

missing• danger by the skin of their teeth+6 =• By the thousands An expression indicatingcrowds in countless numbers+• 4"ans by the thousands lined the streets to the procession• of &anchester Fnited returning home from t• airport after the winning the championshipmatch+6• 4%eople by the thousands are being convertto a new• religion called SAmway+/6 4Illegal immigrantsare gaining• entry into the country in truckloads by thethousands• in countless numbers+6 =• By word7of7mouth "rom time immemorial nehas been passed down• orally from generation to generation fromperson7toperson• using the spoken word+ 42owadays news an• information are disseminated through mass

media networks• but gossip and slander are still passed on by• word7of7mouth+6 4Cur business does notadvertise+ ,e• are so exclusive that we rely only on word7o



mouth• communications and recommendations+64%aulo/s %i>>a•

%arlor has gained a good reputation anddeveloped a lot• of customers depending solely on word7of7mouth communication• from person to person+6=• By7the7board ust as a ship can lose a part oits cargo of goods overboard• so one/s hopes or assets can go by the boarand• be lost irretrievably+ 4All the cargo that wasnot tied• down on the deck of the boat was washedoverboard in• the storm+ Everything that was not lashed7down went bythe7• board+6 4,hen the Air "orce discovered I habad• eyesight problems my planned Lying careewent bythe7• board+6 4,hen the economic crisis ate up almy• business assets all my hopes for success we

by the• board+6 =• By7the7book According to regulations andstandard procedures following• guidelines laid down by oOcials or authoriti



• sticking to the generally7accepted practicesand principles+• 4,e have to follow tax procedures by7the7

book or• 1;1• there is a danger that a deviation could resua tax examination+6• 4,hen police arrest a suspect and write a• report they do it by7the7book followingstandard procedures• to keep the records straight+6 4!here can beexceptions• to the rule so we have to process your casebythe7• book to avoid any accusations of bias orfavoritism+6• =• .• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• .aged7in like a wild animal• ust as a wild animal will not be happy to bekept in a• cage so a person who doesn/t have thefreedom of •

movement he desires may say he feels cagein like a• wild animal+ 4I don/t want to go to prison anbe cage7in• like a wild animal+6 4I hate being restricted



a hospital• room and being caged7in like a wild animal+6don/t•

want to be caged7in an oOce and chained todesk like a• wild animal all my life+ I would rather be outthe road• visiting clients in their oOces+6=• .alculated7risk <ometimes we take a riskbecause we hope it will be• worth it even though we may not have a onhundredpercent• chance of success+ 4'etting married eventhough• it may be based on high hopes is always acalculated• risk+6 4It/s a calculated7risk investing in goldmining in• 2ew 'uinea but if it pays o? it will be worthit+6 4In• investing funds we often put most of ourmoney into• blue chip shares but at the same time putcertain percentage• that we can a?ord to lose into calculated7ris•

investments+6 =• .all a spade a spade+ <aying directly that a thing is exactly what it is+• 4<ometimes you have to call a spade a spadand name



• an evil thing as being exactly what it is+6 4Ihate to call a• spade a spade but I happen to know that

&onica/s new• boyfriend is a sadistic and dangerous man+6am sorry• to have to tell you that your )oint7venturepartner is a• known7criminal and ex7convict but I have tocall a spade• a spade when I see one+6 =• .all in favor of ust as the umpire in sportsmakes a call or )udgment in• favor of one side or the other so a )udge mfor example• make a decision on favor of the plainti? or tdefense+• 4!he High .ourt has made the call in favor o

.ity• Hall+6 4!he interview7committee has made tcall in• favor of the candidate with the mostexperience+6 4It was• a diOcult case to call but the )udge nallydecided in•

favor of doing nothing at all+6=• 1;:• .all into -uestion !o doubt and -uestion thereliability or the truth of something+• 4!here is some new forensic evidence that



calls• into -uestion the presumed7innocence of theaccused+6•

42ew linguistic research calls into -uestion assumption• that words stand for conceptual ideal things4&edical• researchers are collecting evidence to call in-uestion• the common belief that the cause of cancer always• physiological+6 =• .all it a day Decide to stop work for the daysay it is time to stop• work for now and then continue tomorrow-uit working• when everyone is tired at the end of the day4C$• boys that/s it+ ,e/ve nished the )ob and ittime to• pack up and call it a day+6 4It was beginningrain about• ve o/clock in the afternoon so the foremansaid to pack • up our tools and call it a day+6 4,hen you ar

too physically• tired to continue to work any more your bodtells• you it is time to call it a day+6 =• .all it o? %ostpone or cancel a plan or event



4,e had a meeting• planned for tonight but we had to call it o?and postpone•

it until next week+6 4!here was supposed toa baseball• game this afternoon but we have had to calo? on account• of rain+6 4ane/s family was planning herwedding• for sometime in une but the groom backedout and• they had to call it o?+6=• .all it -uits 'ive up stop making an e?ortstop trying throw in the• towel stop what you are trying to do+ 4Goucan/t ght• city hall on urban development so why evenbother trying@• #et/s call it -uits and throw in the towel+64Even• though we have good intentions ourrelationship is not• working so let/s )ust call it -uits and get onwith our• lives+6 4I tried working and doing graduate

work at the• same time but I almost had a nervousbreakdown so I• decided to call it -uits and give up mystudies+6 =



• .all of nature A polite way of saying that yohave to pee7pee or urinate• (relieve yourself by voiding urine*+ 4Excuse •

please but I have to follow the call of natureand go to• the toilet for a pee+6 4<ometimes the call onature takes• me away from my computer and I have to ruto the• wash room+6 4I was suddenly overcome by tcall of • nature out in the middle of .entral %ark so had a peepee• behind a tree+6 =• .all7o? the dogs ust as a pack of hounds macorner a fox and keep it at• bay until they are called7o? by their masterwe may• sometimes nd ourselves threatened bycriticism and attack • from all sides and guratively beg the persoincharge• to call o? the dogs+ 4C$+ I am ready to giveinto• pressure and do what the %resident wants s

get him to• call7o? the dogs+6 4!he "oreign &inister maa plea to• 1;;• the heads of all conLicting nations to call7o?



the dogs of • war and strive to seek universal peace+64!here was a•

time when small shopkeepers had to payprotection• money to local maa to call7o? the dogs andthugs who• would otherwise come in and wreak andbreak7up their• shops+6 =• .all7o? the meeting .ancel or postpone+4Because the general manager fell• ill we had to call7o? the meeting+6 4Becausthere was a• mudslide in the mountain pass the &asonic#odge had to• call7o? its scheduled meeting+6 4Due tocircumstances• beyond our control we regret to inform youthat we will• have to call7o? and postpone the meetingindenitely+6=• .all the shots 'ive the orders be in commanbe the one in control• who decides tells others what to do+ 4I wan

found my• own company and be the one who calls theshots+6 4I am• the one in command+ I call the shots here awhen I



• give an order you must obey without-uestion+6 4,hen• he is at work Dad calls the shots but when

is at• home &om calls the shots+6=• .all the tune ust as the one who pays a tip the band can choose the• next tune or song he wants to hear them plaso the person• in control of the money is usually the one whcalls• and controls the tune in money7matters orbusiness+ 4As• long as I control the family nances I am thone who• calls the tune+6 4At home my wife calls thetune but• when I am out alone on my own I whistle as

will+6 4If • you think that you are so big and that you athe one• who gets to call the tune think again+ 2obohere is going• to follow you+6 =• .all your blu? ust as in the game of poker

when someone is pretending• to hold high cards and we can Scall the bet/ aask for a• show of cards to see if he is actually bluOngso we say



• we call a person/s blu? when we know he islying deceiving• or cheating for his own advantage+ 4I told h

to• put his money where his mouth was in ordercall his• blu?+6 4<helia suspected he was lying aboutwanting to• marry her so she asked him to set a weddindate to call• his blu?+6 4I knew he was lying about havingenough• money to invest so I asked to see his bankstatement to• call his blu?+6=• .allous remark Hurtful heartless insensitivcold cruel comment• showing lack of feeling for others+ 4.alling m

a coldhearted• bitch was a callous remark+6 4&arge is alwa• making cruel callous remarks which hurt meand make• me feel resentful+6 4I don/t want to hearanymore of • your callous remarks+ If you don/t have

something warm• and kind and understanding to say don/t saanything+6 =• .alm before the storm ust as the weather cbe calm before a violent storm



• 1;J• breaks loose so we may say 4A person is instate of •

calm before he loses control of his anger antemper and• all hell breaks loose+ 4$eith was brooding ansilent for• weeks before he killed all his family but thiswas the• calm before the storm+6 4!he general managwas silent• in the calm before the storm all week longbefore he nally• burst into a violent rage and told the sta? thhad• better follow orders or he would get rid of aof them+6=• .alm down Don/t be so excited+ 4.alm down

and don/t be so excited+• !here is nothing to worry about+6 4Cften w• people make me angry I count slowly from oto ten to• calm myself down+6 4.alm down for a minutand listen• to what I have to say before you )ump to wro

conclusions• and get mad for no good reason+6 =• .an barely hear myself • think • It is so loud that the noise confuses you and



you can/t• think clearly can/t follow your own line of lobecause•

the noise is so distracting+ 4It/s so loud in moOce I can• barely hear myself think+6 4!urn down thatmusic5 I can• barely hear myself think+6 4,hen I go into abig• crowded disco it/s so loud I can barely hearmyself • think+6 =• .an see a mile o? Evident to everyone anyowho looks will be able to• see+ 4Anyone can see from a mile o? that sh )ust a• cheap painted tart+6 4Anyone can see from mile o? • that the epublicans are motivated by mateselnterest+6• 4Anyone can see from a mile o? that you and• the rest of your family are lying+6 =• .an/t bear to think about• it+• !he thought is unendurable+ 4I know my fath

is slowly• dying but I can/t bear to think about it+6 4Ican/t bear to• think of what may happen if the bottom fallsout of the



• stock market6 4I can/t bear to think of whatwill happen• when man has nally destroyed the

environment that• supports him+6 =• .an/t cut the mustard• anymore+• ust as an old farmer may not have thestrength to go out• to cut and harvest a eld of mustard the wahe used to• do so we say that a person becomes too oldand weak to• go out and do things that an able7bodied macan do+• 4Fncle ake used to be able to cut a whole of mustard• grass by himself alone in one day but now

he/s too• old to cut the mustard anymore+6 4Don/t couon Dad to• be able to help out with any physical work+He/s too old• to cut the mustard anymore+6 4I used to havlot of •

women but now I/m too old to cut themustard anymore+6• =• .an/t get a word in edgewise• Gou cannot nd an opportunity to get in eve



one word• into the conversation because people aretalking so much•

and so fast without pause that you cannotbreak in+• 4,hen my parents are arguing and I want tbreak in• 1;K• and stop it I nd that they talk so fast andfuriously that I• can/t get a word in edgewise+6/ 4,hen my btells me• o? for what I did wrong he doesn/t even pafor half a• second and I can/t get a word in edgewise+64,hen your• superior oOcer gives you a dressing7down )stand at• attention and listen and don/t so much as tto get a• word in edgewise+6 =• .an/t get along without• you• I cannot live without you I need you in ordeto be able•

to cope with life and survive my life has nomeaning• without you I can/t stand being alone whenyou are not• here with me+ 4I love you so much that I )us



can/t get• along without you+6 4Darling please comeback home•

from your trip as soon as possible+ I can/t gealong without• you+6 4,henever you go away to visit yourmother• for a few days I feel so lonely+ I )ust can/t gealong• without you any more+6 =• .an/t get over it5 I am so surprised andshocked that I can/t believe it+ 4I• can/t get over the fact that my sister turnedout to be a• lesbian+6 4I can/t get over the fact that mymother set me• out for adoption when I was only three montold+6 4I• cannot get over the fact that my companymade a three• hundred percent increase in sales last year5• .an/t make heads or tails• of it+• ust as a coin has two sides and it is clearwhich side has•

the head on it sometimes when we cannotgure something• out or make any sense of it we sayguratively• that we cannot make heads or tails of it+ 4I



cannot gureout• why my husband is acting so funny+ I cannotmake•

heads or tails of it+6 4Gour scheme is toocomplicated+• It/s so confusing I can/t make heads or tails it+6 4!he• basis of your reasoning makes no sense to mwhatsoever+• I can/t make heads or tails of it+6 =• .an/t -uite nail it down+ .annot -uite gureout or remember+ .annot pinpoint+• 4Gour name sounds familiar and I know itshould mean• something to me but I cannot -uite nail itdown+6 4I remember• something from philosophy class that explai• the concept of Sideal reality/ but it slips my

memory• and I can/t -uite nail it down+6 4I rememberthe face of • former <oviet %remier but I/ve forgotten hisname+ It/s• there somewhere vaguely in my memory bI can/t•

-uite nail it down+6 =• .an/t see past the end of • your nose+• .annot see what is right in front of you cansee the



• obvious cannot see beyond your own short7sighted opinion+• 4!he pepper pot is right there on the table i

front of • you+ ,hat/s wrong with you@ .an/t you seebeyond the• end of your nose@6 4Anybody except you witany sense• can see that your plan will not work+ Gourproblem is• that you cannot see past the end of yournose+6 4Gou• cannot think in the long view over a longerperiod of • 1;M• time+ Gou/re problem is that you can not seebeyond the• end of your nose+6 =• .an/t see the forest for• the trees+• Fnable to see the broad picture only lookinat what is• right in front of you too7focused on the nedetails to• see the larger view+ 4<ometimes when you

too tiedout• focusing on the small details you lose thebroad• overview and cannot see the forest for thetrees+6 4.larence



• is such a stickler regarding small individualstipulations• that he can/t see the forest for the trees+6

4<ometimes• scientists are so focused on the xed7data otheir• research that they can/t see the forest for thtrees+6 =• .an/t stand it It/s too much for me5 4I cannotolerate all this noise+ It/s• too loud+ I can/t stand it+6 4&y boss keepsnattering and• complaining all the time without letup+ <omuch so that I• can/t stand to hear the sound of his voiceanymore+6• 4!hat woman who sits next to me in the oOis getting• on my nerves with her incessant chattering the phone• all day+ I can/t stand it any more56 =• .an/t think straight <o many things arehappening all at one time that one• becomes confused and cannot think clearly more+•

4#ove has got me so emotionally confused tI cannot• think straight any more+6 4I/ve got so manypersonal and• psychological problems that I can/t think



straight anymore+6• 4!here are so many pressures bearing down• me in the oOce that I cannot think straight

anymore+6 =• .andid opinion "rank open honest expressioof opinion+ 4If you want• my candid opinion I think there is no suchthing as a• good politician+6 4#et me give you my candiopinion• and tell you that your fantasy of owning andrunning• your own business is only a pipe7dream+64!here is a• new talk show on the radio on which peoplecan call in• and express their candid opinion on the topof the day+6• =• .apitali>e upon an opportunity• !ake advantage of a chance+ 4,ait for the mchance• and then )ump in and grab it+ In simplelanguage what it• means is to capitali>e on an opportunity+6

4Enlisted7men• in the F< Army often capitali>e on theopportunity to get• a free government7supported education intheir o?7duty



• hours+6 4,hen the price of pork7belly is low )ump in• and buy all the shares you can so that you w

be able to• capitali>e on the opportunity when the pricegoes up+6=• .aptive audience A group of people who mulisten to someone speaking• whether they wish to or not+ 4In schoolchildren are• trained into listening as a captive audienceand this unfortunately• restricts their development of independence• and creativity+6 4In .hurch the priest is talkto a captive• audience because one cannot )ust get up anwalk • out the moment one begins to feel bored by

ceremony• 1;N• or the sermon+6 4I never have the ego7need become the• center of attention because I have beenspeaking to a captive• audience in university classrooms for over

forty• years+6 =• .arried7away ust as a helium7balloon may bcarried7away in the• wind so a person may become so enthusias



that he• loses touch with reality and is totally overcoby excitement+•

4In my younger years I was so carried7away• with dreams of yachts and the sea that Ialmost lost touch• with everyday reality+6 4&om becomes soinvolved in• her baking that she gets totally carried7awaand forgets• everything else she is doing+6 4,hen I listenIndian• !ranscendental %sychedelic &usic I get totacarried• away+6 =• .arrot on a stick ust as a carrot held out onlong stick can be an incentive• for a donkey to make its next step forward

an extra• incentive may be used to get someone to dosomething• in business or personal life+ 4Donald ispromising• me a diamond if I will become his ancVe budon/t•

trust him+ I think he is )ust dangling a carrota stick to• get what he wants+6 4!he company is usingextra7welfare• benets as a carrot on a stick to get the sta?



to accept the• new pay package+6 4!he government is usintax cuts as•

a carrot on a stick to win over the people anget the• popular vote+6 =• .arry a torch for someone• Be in love with feel secret love over a longtime have a• crush on+ 4Butch has been carrying a torch fthe redheaded• girl in the back row of class all semester lonbut• he is afraid to come out in the open and admit+6 4I have• been carrying a torch for my old high7schoolsweetheart• all during the forty years I have been marrie

to Albert+6• 4I have been carting a torch for my bestfriend/s wife for• four years but I don/t dare tell anybody abouit+6 =• .arrying the world on• my shoulders•

"eeling personally responsible for the trouband burdens• of life and the world+ 4I am the only wage7earner in• the family and often I feel like I am carryin



the weight• of the world on my shoulders+6 4,hen I wasyoung I•

had a strong sense of social responsibility aI often felt• I was carrying the weight of the world on myshoulders+6• 4Don/t get all down and depressed )ustbecause life appears• to be so bad that you feel you are carrying t• weight of the world on your shoulders+6 =• .arve out a name for• yourself • ust as you can carve your initials in a tree7trunk to beremembered7• by so you can make a name for yourself • due to your accomplishments in life andbecome famous• in this world+ 4After you graduate you willhave to go• out into the world and carve out a name foryourself+6• 4&ark !wain rst carved out a name forhimself as a• 1;P•

writer of tall tales from the American ,est+64,hen• 'odfrey was young and in his prime he wanto carve• out a name for himself and became rich and



famous and• well7known all throughout the world+6 =• .ase of mistaken identity &istakenly thinkin

that someone you see someone else• you know+ 4Ch excuse me I took you forsomeone else+• %lease forgive me+ It was a case of mistakenidentity+6• 4<ometimes I go up to a person who looks lsomeone• I know and start talking but then I amashamed when it• turns out to be a case of mistaken identity+6got an income• tax bill for twenty million Dollars butfortunately• it turned out to be a case of mistaken identiintended• for someone else with the same name as me=• .ase of the )itters <haking with fear before event feeling )umpy and• anxious prior to performing afraid and feelinervous• before speaking to an audience+ 4I had a cas

of the )itters• before the )ob interview but once I sat downand• started talking all my fears left me+6 4Evenfamous actors



• sometimes get a case of the )itters beforeappearing• on stage+6 4I sometimes get a case of the

)itters when I• have to address a large audience that isunfamiliar to• me+6 =• .ase the )oint .heck out a site or location tonote and become familiar• with its characteristics+ 4Drug store stick7upartists usually• act on impulse without casing the )ointbeforehand+6• 4<pike cased the )oint he was planning to roso he• would be familiar with the surroundings+64Before bank • robbers actually carry out the robbery they

spend considerable• time staking7out the building and casing the• )oint in order to be familiar with the bank/sdaily pattern• and routine+6 =• .ash in on an opportunity• !ake advantage of an arising situation

capitali>e on an• opportunity+ 4.ash in on the opportunity tobecome the• rst person to )oin the Amway team in the nyear and



• win a holiday for two in Hawaii+6 4.ash in onthe opportunity• of getting a free university education by

)oining• the Army COcer/s !raining %rogram+6 4.ashon the• opportunity to be self7employed and earnmoney from• doing consumer interviews from your ownphone at• home+6 =• .ash7in7your7chips ust as a gambler casheshis7chips when he stops gambling• in the .asino so we say that we cash7in7ourchips• when we are about to die+ 4Cld Fncle Ike lefme the• farm in his will before he cashed7in7his7chip

4Before• I cash in my chips I want to take a cruisearound the• world and spend some of the hard7earnedmoney I saved• over the years+6 4Before I cash7in7my7chipsthere are a•

few old scores I would like to settle and a fepeople I• 1;Q• would like kill+6 =• .ast a glace at !ake a look at look over+ 4us



cast a glance over this• and see if you see any grammar mistakes wyou@6 4I•

have asked my room mate to cast a glanceover my• power7point presentation to see if he has ansuggestions• for improvement+6 4<he cast a glance over mout of the• corner of her eye as if to show her disapproat the• shabby way I was dressed+6 =• .ast a shadow over <omething sad a?ectingotherwise happy or )oyous• occasion+ 4"ather/s sudden death cast ashadow over the• wedding celebration of my older sister Emily4!he terrorist• bombing incident has cast a shadow over thopening• ceremony of %arliament+6 4!he death of onethe• guests who accidentally drowned in the poohas cast a• shadow over the opening ceremony of the n

Hilton• Hotel complex+6=• .ast around for ust as a sherman casts hisline around at di?erent• places in a pond trying to catch a sh so we



can say we• cast around for something we/re looking for4<hane is•

casting around for a new girlfriend but hehasn/t caught• one yet+6 4Cur rm is casting around for anindependent• accounting rm so we can outsource ournancial operations+6• 4I have been casting about for an idea of hoto• solve my nancial problem but I haven/t foua solution• yet+6 =• .ast aside !hrow away as useless no longerundesired+ 4Have you• ever noticed that the things we oncepassionately desired• are often later cast indi?erently aside@6 4,a woman• is cast aside as a useless unwanted ob)ect ihurts her• feelings and in)ures her pride+6 4!here are fthings• more dangerous than an expectant bride tha

has been• unexpectedly and abruptly cast aside+6=• .ast aspersions upon &aking unkind remarksuggesting unfavorable -ualities• implying that you look down on someone/s



capability• or suitability+ 4Do not cast aspersions onothers unless•

your own motives are beyond reproach+6 4&oldest sister• is always casting aspersions about meimplying I am• not as smart as her+6 4%eople who think theare better• than others are always casting aspersionsabout those• they consider to be their inferiors+6 =• .asual comment C?hand remark made withothinking+ 4Be mindful of • your casual comments and don/t say anythinyou will be• sorry for later+6 4Don/t be upset because I sayou were• a silly sod+ It was )ust a casual comment witno evil intention• attached+6 4Cften what starts o? as aharmless• casual comment can grow into a harmful andexaggerated• rumor as it is passed from mouth7to7mouth+•

.asual dress Informal dress such as sportsshirt and trousers rather• 1JR• than black suit and tie+ 4'uests should wearcasual dress



• to the barbe-ue and formal dress to thedinner+6 4I wish I• could wear casual dress in the oOce rather

than a white• shirt and tie+6 4<ince women have beenallowed to wear• casual dress in the oOce they no longer looso ladylike+6• =• .at and mouse game ust as a cat and mousmight play hide and seek so two• people may be said to be playing cat andmouse when• one is trying to catch the other for one reasor another+• 4,henever I talk to .arina I always have thfeeling she• is playing cat and mouse with me+6 4!he

Deputy Dean• and the Department Head are always playincat and• mouse games+6 4Don/t play cat and mousegames with• me+ ust come out and ask what you want toknow and•

say what you want to say+6 =• .atch a snoo>e !ake a nap have a short slee42ow that I am older I• try to catch a snoo>e in the middle of theafternoon so I



• won/t be so tired at night+6 4&any businessexecutives• try to catch a little snoo>e in their oOces

during lunch• break so they will be fresh in the afternoon+4,hen I see• one of my students catching a snoo>e in onemy• classes I walk up behind him and call out hiname in a• very loud voice+6 =• .atch hell Be in big trouble get a telling7o?be reprimanded• scolded chastised+ 4Gou will really catch heif your• father nds out that you have started smokisecretly in• your bedroom6 4I/m going to catch hell whe

the client• learns that I have lost his tax slip+6 4Elvinwould really• catch hell if father ever heard that he wassupplying his• younger sister with drugs+6 =• .atch hold of 'et your hands on get a grip o

4,ait until I catch hold• of you+ I/ll give you the licking of your life+6 I ever• catch hold of you I/ll beat the living hell outyou+6 4If



• I ever catch hold of the person who stole mymobile• phone I/ll make him feel he/d be better7o?

dead+6 =• .atch on -uickly #earn fast get the hang ofthings+ 4!he laboratory technician• is new at the )ob but I notice that he iscatching on• -uickly+6 4%lease give me a chance to try myhand at the• )ob+ Gou will see that I/ll try very hard andcatch on• -uickly+6 4Don/t try lie to the new supervisobecause• he/s the sort of person who catches on-uickly+6=• .atch up on your sleep &ake up for sleep losin the past+ 4!his weekend I/m• not going anywhere+ I/m planning on stayinghome and• catching up on my sleep+6 4During the peakaudit period• I did not get enough sleep so I/m taking aweek o? work • )ust to catch up on my sleep+6 4,hen you dr

and party• all night for a week you/ll nd it necessary stop and• catch up on your sleep+6 =• 1J1



• .atch up on your work ,hen you fall behindyour work schedule or load you• need to make an extra e?ort to catch up on

your work+• 4I/ve had so many meetings this week that Ihad too• little time at my desk to catch up on my wor4&y duties• are getting ahead of me so I/ll have to staylate a few• nights this week to catch up on my work+64Cver the• long holidays a lot of les have accumulateon my• desk so I/ll have to make an extra e?ort nowto catch up• on my work+6 =• .atch up with the others ust as one might b

going on a walk or hike and fall behind• the others and have to walk -uickly to catchwith• them so we say that in our work or obligatioor duties• we have fallen behind and have to catch upwith the others•

so they don/t remain ahead of us+6 4ack hasfallen• behind in his work on the class pro)ect and will have• to catch up with the others so we can give t



presentation• on time+6 4$urt has fallen behind in hismonthly•

contributions to the children/s charity fund he shall• have to dig in his pocket to make up themissing funds to• catch up with the rest of us+6 4I have beenfalling behind• in my homework assignments so I/ll have tostart burning• the midnight oil until I have done enough woto• catch up with the other students+6 =• .atch your breath %ause for a minute to restyour lungs when you are short• of breath+ 4#et me stop and take a breathbefore we go up• the next Light of stairs+ I/m not getting anyyounger any• more+6 4!he drill7sergeant let the men stop catch their• breath before scaling up the cli?7side of themountain+6• 4<ometimes when I talk too fast and furious

I have to• stop a moment to catch my breath+6 =• .atch your death of cold An exaggerated waof saying you get a very bad cold• as though it might be enough to kill you+



4Don/t forget to• take a warm )acket with you when you go upinto the•

mountains or you will catch your death ofcold+6 4It/s so• free>ing in my oOce that I am afraid I/ll catcmy death• of cold+6 4I caught my death of cold whileskiing in• .ortina and had to have complete bed7rest ithe hospital• for ten days+6 =• .atching on Becoming better7known fastbecoming more popular+• 4%hotographic mobile phones are fast catchon in• youth culture+6 4It is ama>ing to see howwearing spaghetti• strap blouses is catching on amongst youngteenage• girls+6 4!he idea of people using car pools toget to• work in the city is catching on in urbanAmerica to alleviate• traOc problems and protect the

environment+6=• .atching on -uickly #earning fast and gettinthe idea -uickly+ 4&y new secretary• is catching on -uickly+ <he will soon be fami• with her )ob and be able to work independen



on her• 1J:• own6 4<ome new recruits catch on -uickly a

some• never learn much at all+6 4I am very canny aI catch• on -uickly when someone is trying to lie to mor trick • me+6 =• .ater to someone/s• wishes• Be prepared and willing to follow someone/swants re-uirements• and demands+ 4I do not want to have a )ob• where I have to cater to someone/s wishes+ rather• own my own company+6 42either do I want tget married• and have to cater to the wishes of a man whtakes• me for granted+6 4'et your own bloody beerfrom the• fridge5 I/m not here to cater to your wishes+• .atty remarks Envious and sarcastic 4ustbecause you are )ealous or•

envious of a friend that doesn/t )ustify youmaking catty• remarks that critici>e her character+6 4!hewomen in my• department are always making catty remark



about one• another+6 4<top making nasty sarcasticremarks about•

<ally )ust because she is pretty+ Don/t be socatty+6 =• .aught by surprise .aught o? guardunexpectedly taken aback shocked or• ama>ed by something totally unexpected+4During the• picnic we were caught by surprise by sudderain showers• and had to run for cover+6 4I was caught bysurprise• when the currency rate unexpectedlycollapsed+6 4!he• new government was caught by surprise whthe• Americans suddenly withdrew their foreign a

support+6• =• .aught in the act ust as the police canapprehended a criminal in the action• of committing a crime so we may say we caa• person in the act when we witness him

committing a• crime or doing something he should not+4&other caught• me in the act of stealing cookies from thecookie )ar and



• gave me a whack over the ear+6 4If I ever cayou in the• act of using the company computer to visit s

sites• again I/ll give you the axe+6 4!he .EC walkein• through my oOce door and caught me in theact of having• sex with my secretary+6=• .aught in the crossre ust as one may belocated in the middle in between in a• place where gunre is coming from opposingsides so• we may say that one is caught in the crossbetween• two opposing arguments+ 4A !3 cameramanwas caught• in the crossre between rebel and governme

forces and• unfortunately shot and killed+6 4!he liberalsare caught in• the crossre between the conservatives andthe socialists• in the debate about unemployment benets4!he %resident•

is caught in the crossre of criticism due to disagreement• between the radical and the right wing facti• within his own party+6 =• .aught in the crunch ust as we crunch a nut



with the force of a nutcracker between• two hard surfaces so we may say gurative• 1J;•

that we are caught in the crunch of social oreconomic• pressures+ 4!he nation is caught in theeconomic crunch• caused by rising oil prices+6 4Decreasing taxand improving• educational benets have left the &inistry o• Education caught in a budget crunch+64Advanced technology• is cutting industrial costs but the work forc• caught in a crunch between improvedtechnological eOciency• and unemployment+6 =• .aught o? balance ust as a tight7rope walkemay fall if he loses his balance• so we say that sometimes in life we lose omental• balance or composure especially whensomething• unexpected happens that we are not preparfor+ 4<orry• I lost my composure at the party last night+

Gour turning• up with my ex7wife on your arm caught me obalance+6• 4.andy/s caustic remark about my secret a?with



• .indy caught me o? balance and made be feupset and• ashamed in front of the others+6 4!he

economic downswing• has caught the government o? balance andthey• are implementing cautionary measures tostabili>e the• currency rate+6 =• .aught o? guard ust as a soldier on guardduty may fall asleep and fail to• guard his post against attack so we may saywe are surprised• when something unwanted and unexpectedhappens• while we are not paying attention or beingproperly• careful+ 4I/m afraid I was and caught o? gua

not• watching for a drop in share prices so I hadsell my• shares at a loss+ 4I was caught napping andtotally o? my• guard by the attempt at a hostile takeoverfrom the shareholders•

on the other side+6 4%ay attention to thepossibility• of cash Low problems in your company or yomay• nd yourself caught o? guard in a position



where you do• not have suOcient funds pay for the deliverygoods+6•

=• .aught red7handed .aught stealing or cheatwith your hand still in the• process of taking what is not given+ 4&ymother caught• me red7handed stealing out of the cookie )ar4!hey• caught the cashier red7handed while she wastealing• money out of the till+6 4%olice caught thethieves redhanded• unloading cases of whiskey from thewarehouse• they had broken onto+6 =• .aught short "ind yourself short of cash

discover that you have too• little money in your pocket to pay the bill htoo little• money to meet the re-uired sum caught shof cash+• 4Always carry a little extra cash on you toavoid the embarrassment•

of being caught short without enough to pay• the bill+6 4I/m afraid I cannot lend you anymoney at the• moment+ I/m caught short myself )ust now+6don/t



• have -uite enough money with me to pay fothis last• 1JJ•

round of drinks+ I/m afraid I/ve been caughtshort+6 =• .aught with your pants• down• .aught in the act with your trousers stilldown during or• shortly after the sexual act or in a veryembarrassing• situation+ 42ewspaper photographers brokethrough the• motel room door and took a picture of the<enator caught• with his pants down+6 4#ock the door my DeI• wouldn/t want anyone to come in and catch

with my• pants down+6 4!he %rime &inister is being vcareful• about his present negotiations because hedoes not want• to be caught with his political pants down+6 • .ause for alarm .ause for concern a reason

be fearful and careful+• 4!he sharp decline in currency values is caufor alarm• that the nation may be heading for anothereconomic recession+6



• 4!he lack of rainfall is a cause of alarm to• farmers in the 2ortheast who have limitedwater reserves+6•

4!he fact that &iss Davis has disappeared a• not been seen for three days is cause for alaand police• are putting out a tracer on her+6 =• .ause of frustration <omething that holds uback from doing or getting what• we need want or desire which makes us feestressed and• dissatised+ 4&y wife/s sexual frigidity is acause of • frustration in our marriage+6 4Having to waiget a new• bill passed through parliament is always acause of frustration• for the people concerned+6 4!he cause of my

frustration• in the workplace is that I am unable to recei• proper recognition for my creative input andenergy+6 =• .austic remark A sarcastic cutting sharpcomment intended to inLict• harm and in)ury+ 4$eep your caustic remarks

yourself• and don/t go around saying cutting7commenthat are• only meant to be hurtful to others+6 4'loria always



• making caustic remarks about the other ladin her social• group )ust because she is )ealous and resent

of • them+6 4If I hear you make another causticremark about• me like that I/ll personally cut out your tongand stu? • it down your throat+6 =• .autionary measures Actions made inpreparation to avoid or deal with an unfortunat• event that can have damaging or catastroph• conse-uences+ 4!he government is takingcautionary• measures to provide medical care in case ofmass casualty• and national emergency+6 4I am takingcautionary• measures to see that my family will benancially provided• for in case of my sudden death+6 42ewdevelopments• in the weather forecasting techni-ues ofoncoming• tornadoes will give people a little more time

get out of • the area or protect their homes+6 =• .autious optimism Be optimistic but take canot to be too hopeful and expect• too much+ 4A good mixture of hopefulness a



cautious• optimism helps to maintain a balancedattitude+6•

1JK• 4.autious optimism will help you not to be tdisappointed• when things don/t work out your way+6 4!he• <tate #egislature is expressing cautiousoptimism that the• unemployment problem may be alleviated bthe commencement• of planned7public work pro)ects+6 =• .ave in under pressure ust as a hollow belothe ground may collapse under• pressure so a person may be said to give inpolitical• social or peer pressure and go against hisoriginal intentions+• 4&y boss wanted to give me a substantial rain• pay but he had to cave in to pressure from tadministration• to economi>e and meet budget+6 4!he newDean• was in favor of coeducational mixed dorms

but he• caved in to pressure when the Fniversity<enate ob)ected• on moral grounds+6 4,e wanted to have asimple private



• wedding but we had to cave in to familypressure from• our parents and relatives to have a big fanc

family• wedding+6 =• .ease and desist <top what you are doing adon/t do it again+ 4!he• court handed7down a cease and desist ordermy exhusband• to stop following me around wherever I wen• 4!he military command has issued a cease adesist order• to rebel commanders to stop surprise guerriattacks+6• 4!he legislature has issued a cease and desorder• to stop striking workers from blocking publiaccess• to the factory gates+6 =• .hafe at the bit ust as a horse that wants torun free without any control• resists being reigned7in by the rider and biteagainst• pressure of the iron7bit in its mouth so we msay that•

we chafe at the bit when we want to behavea way that• we wish when someone else has control oveus+ 4He was• chang at the bit to run after that pretty litt



girl in the• yellow bikini but his wife held him in tightreign+6 4#abor•

Fnions are chang at the bit to get theproposedwelfare• benets approved but the government isdragging• its foot to try to slow down the process+6 4I • chang at the bit to get started in my new )oand begin• down7si>ing and restructuring the company get rid of a• lot of dead weight and a lot of bad debt+6 =• .halk up to experience #earning from yourmistakes as though you were writing• them down in chalk on a blackboard so youdon/t forget+• 4I made a lot of mistakes in my rst marriag

but I/ll• )ust have to chalk them up to experience antry not to• make the same mistakes again+6 4It was awrong decision• to invest in Dot+.om shares but I/ll )ust havto chalk it•

up to experience and learn not follow thepopular wave• of opinion in the future+6 4.aptain &organregrets that• he lost a lot of men in the pre7dawn raid bu



he says he/s• )ust going to have to chalk it up to experienand not•

1JM• make the same mistake again+6 =• .hallenge the status -uo Act in a way thatgoes against the accepted social system• defy or buck the establishment+ 4Ingridappeared• topless in %rof+ Adorno/s classroom with ninother girls• )ust for the sake of challenging the status -4,hen he• was younger !ony let his hair grow long as achallenge• to the status -uo but today he is the %rime&inister+6• 4<ome young socialists are blowing7up bom

in dustbins• around #ondon )ust to let the governmentknow they• want to challenge the status -uo+6=• .hance encounter .hance meeting+ 4I had achance encounter with a ussian• Israeli woman during the six day war that I w

always• remember and never forget+6 4I had a chancencounter• with an old school pal of mine the other daya



• crowded subway car+6 4"ancy bumping into accidentally• like this right in the middle of !imes <-uare •

2ew Gear/s Eve+ !hat/s really an unexpectedchance encounter56• =• .hance of a lifetime !he best opportunity yowill ever get as long as you• live+ 4Buy a brand7new house from now foronly :RRRR• Baht down7payment and :RRRR a month forthe next• twenty years+ Don/t miss this chance of alifetime+6• 4oining the Amway team right now is yourchance of a• lifetime to get rich -uick+6 4I missed thechance of a lifetime• to study on a free scholarship in the F<A bybeing• late for the interview+6 =• .hancy A bit risky dicey taking a chance+ 4did not invest in• .harlie/s business proposal because I thougit was a bit•

chancy+6 4I wanted to transfer my savings toan o?7shore• bank account but at the last minute I changmy mind• because I was afraid it might be a bit chancy



4%utting• all my eggs in one basket seemed a bit chanto me so I•

spread my money over a wide range ofinvestments+6 =• .hange for the better An improvement overthe previous situation+ 4!he economic• situation doesn/t look good at the moment the• "inance &inister is predicting a change for tbetter+6• 4!he weather was very cold in anuary but the rst• week of "ebruary it changed for the better+64&y grades• were not so good in my "reshman year butafter I• changed my ma)or they took a turn for the

better+6 =• .hange hands .hange owners go from handto7hand+ 4I don/t like the• look or the smell of money+ Gou never knowwhere it has• been or where goes when it changes hands+4&y Ben>•

.oupe is thirty years old and has only changhands• three times during that period+6 4!his Burmdiamond• has been in my family for three generations



and we hope• it will never have to change hands+6 =• .hange of course ust as a ship changes its

compass direction so a person• 1JN• or a group may be said to have decided tochange course+• 4!he design planning committee has decideto change• its course and cancel its nancial support fobuilding• budget of the new city hall+6 4!he provinciagovernment• has taken a change in course and is cuttingeducational• expenditures+6 4I/ll have to try a change ofcourse in my• tactics to get my wife to stop spending so

much money+6• =• .hange of heart .hange of opinion change mind feeling or attitude+• 4oy was dead set against me at rst butlater when she• got to know me better she had a change of

heart+6 4"ather• did not approve of the girl I married but aftour• rst baby arrived he had a change of heart+4&y boss



• had decided to re me and then he had achange of • heart+6 =•

.hange of pace <low down or speed up as tcase may be depending• on the circumstances+ 4!he sta? has beenworking fast• and furiously to get the -uarterly review repout by• .hristmas and then for a change of paceeveryone is• going to stay home for a week to en)oy theholiday season+6• 4Cnce the peak audit season is over for achange• of pace I am going to Ly to Bermuda to relafor two• weeks on the beach+6 4!he &onks have bee

working• hard nishing construction of the newcrematorium but• soon it will be time for a change of pace anthen they• can spend more time on study andmeditation+6 =•

.hange your tune eversal of attitude usuafrom a negative or uncooperative• attitude+ 4Gou/ll soon change your tune whethe• <ergeant &a)or comes along and chews you



out for not• following orders+6 ,hen you reali>e all theharm your•

actions have caused you/ll soon change youtune and be• sorry for your rebellious attitude+6 4,henfather comes• home and gives you a chewing out for beingdisobedient• you/ll soon change your tune+6 =• .hange your ways eform your habits and wof behaving+ 4If you want to• inherit the family fortune and take over thebusiness you• had better stop being a playboy and changeyour ways+6• 4!he doctor told me that I had better changmy ways• and give up smoking and drinking if I wanteto continue• to live+6 4Ch Darling please take me back+ Iyou give• me a second chance I promise to change myways+6=• .haracter assassination !o spread bad rumo

about someone that will make him• lose his good reputation+ 4ean got her fathedid a character• assassination )ob on me by falsely complainto



• the Dean that I had sexually molested heryoungest• daughter+6 4!he story about the Bishop/s

private a?airs• is intended to throw doubt on his integrityusing the tactic• of character assassination+6 4,hen theepublicans• 1JP• encounter a strong clean7cut Democratic%residential• candidate who could easily beat them in thenext election• they start a character assassination campaigto• smear his name+6 =• .harge your batteries !o restore your energsimilar to charging your battery• to take a rest and have some recreation torefresh your• self and regain power to take some time o?regenerate• your strength to relax and do somethingpleasurable• to restore your forces+ 4A day on the golf

course helps• Donald recharge his batteries+6 4A night oflove is the• best way I know of recharging my batteries+am absolutely



• exhausted I think I/ll have to take a couple days• o? to charge my batteries+6 =•

.harged7up ust as a battery may be chargeup to full7power so we• may say that we are charged7up when we hagained• strength or enthusiasm+ 4!he coach gave thplayers a• pep talk in the locker room to get them allcharged7up for• the game+6 4I cannot believe the way Amwagets people• all charged7up by making them think they wbe rich• one day+6 4I/ll have to go into isolation and dsome• meditation to get my battery charged7up aft

this walking• pilgrimage+6 =• .harley horse A big bruise in the thigh of thleg usually caused by a• knee7impact in sports+ 4<omeone kicked methe right• thigh in the rugby game and now I have go

big• black and purple .harlie horse the si>e of adinner plate+6• 4#ook at this big bruise on my leg5 I got a.harlie horse



• from being kicked by my one of my pals in asoccer• match+6 4&y wife got mad and kicked me I

have a .harlie• horse on my leg to prove it+6 =• .harmed7life ust as we say that a cat has nlives so we can say that• a person has a charmed7life when he has oftcome near• to but avoided risk and death+ 4Hemingwaysurvived two• wars two gunshot wounds three planecrashes and ve• car accidents he must have had a charmed7life+6 4!hey• tried to assassinate the %resident seven timbut he must• have a charmed7life for each time he has co

away• without even so much as a scratch+6 4I musthave a• charmed7life because every time I come closto danger• and risk of death I )ust miss it by a hair/sbreadth+6=•

.hase away ust as we may chase a strayanimal or unwanted person• away so we say we chase away unhappythoughts that• make us feel down and depressed+ 4eading



happy• poem every day is a very good way of chasinthe blues•

away+6 4Black people used to sing blues muto help• them chase their pain away+6 4'ive me anotbeer and• another chaser to help me chase the pain awof being• re)ected in love once again+6 =• 1JQ• .hatter away ust as birds chatter away in thtrees so people may be• said to chatter away as they please 4<omestudents like to• cut classes and prefer to sit in the cafeteriaand chatter• away all day+6 4After dinner when the men g

into the• library to drink brandy and smoke cigars thladies retire• into the lounge and sit and chatter happilyaway+6 4Aunt• &aude and my mother are never happier thawhen they•

nd the time to sit for a while and chatteraway about• how things were back in the old days+6 =• .heap .harlie <omeone who is very stingy awill always look for the



• most inexpensive place that sells for thecheapest price+• 4!hat English man you brought into the bar

really a• .heap .harlie+ He is so stingy he didn/t evenleave a• tip+6 4,hat a .heap .harlie he is5 He won/teven reach• into his pocket when it is his turn to buy theboys a round• of drinks+6 4,e always have breakfast in%attaya at a• place called S.heap .harlie/s/ where you canget a plate• of bacon and eggs for thirty Baht+6 =• .heat on someone !wo7time your lover behihis back commit adultery• with someone other than your usual sexual

partner+ 4I• used to cheat on my wife before we got ourdivorce+6• 4<arah cheats on her husband every chancethat she• gets+6 4If you marry me I promise to befaithful and true•

and never cheat on you+6 =• .heer7up5 Don/t look so sad and unhappy+4Don/t be so glum don/t• be down in the dumps+ .heer7up5 !hings coube a lot



• worse+6 4,hy do you always look so sad andblue@ I• wish you could cheer up for a change and pu

happy• smile on your face+6 4I know things look prebad at the• moment but cheer7up because they could blot• worse+6 =• .heesed7o? %eeved displeased annoyedirked pissed7o?+ 4I/m• really cheesed7o? that &anny got thepromotion instead• of me+ I/m older and have more seniority+6 4get really• cheesed7o? when I arrive for an appointmenon time• and the other person comes late+6 4,hen ha

to stand in• line at the post oOce I get really cheesed7owhen• someone tries to butt in front of me+6 =• .hew someone out !ell him o? give him agood scolding+ 4!he .olonel• gave his men a good chewing out for the

careless way• they had behaved on their mission+6 4!heforemen gave• the men in his crew a good chewing out for tsloppy



• way they were building the molds for theconcrete• frames+6 4,hen I see my brother I/m going

give him• a good chewing out for always forgetting toLush the toilet+6• =• .hew the fat Have a conversation talk for awhile in a collo-uial• manner the way up7country people chat+ 4,don/t• 1KR• you drop over to my place some time so wecan sit on• the veranda and chew the fat for a while@64'ramps and• Fncle ohn used to sit on that log out there achew the• fat all day long+6 4&y daddy was a hillbilly wused to• burp and fart and chew the fat a lot+6=• .hickenfeed A minimal amount of money popay less money than• you are worth+ 4A company that pays itsworkers chickenfeed•

should not be surprised if the -uality of thelabor• force is inade-uate+6 4&igrant workers arepaid chickenfeed• for doing low7level manual labor that local



residents• will not stoop to do+6 4A man of my ability wnot work •

for chicken feed if you want to paychickenfeed hire a• chicken to do my )ob+6 =• .hicken7out ust as a chicken will run if youlunge towards it so a• person may be said to lose courage to meet challenge• head7on+ 4,hen I was a child I said that whI was a• man I would go over 2iagara falls in barrelbut later• when I had the chance I chickened7out at thlast moment+6• 4&y brother an I planned to stick7up the can• store but when we got there he was afraid

dare and• chickened7out+6 4<ometimes motorcycle7 boaccept the• dare to drive towards one another at a highspeed on a• head7on crash collision course and everybobets on•

who will be the rst to chicken7out+6 =• .hilled to the bone <o cold you feel it in youbones+ 4Here in the oOce• they have the air7conditioner turned7down slow that I



• often feel chilled to the bone+6 4,hen I usedski in the• Alps at twenty degrees minus I used to free

the skin• o? the end of my nose and get chilled to thebone+6 4!he• horror movie was so scary that my little sisteEvelyn• was chilled to the bone through terror andfear+6 =• .hilling scare A frightening experience thatsends a chill through your• bones gives you goose pimples and makesyour hair• stand on end+ 4iding down the steepest cuon a roller• coaster always gives me a chilling scare+6 4Ithe House• of Horrors I got a chilling scare that sent acold shudder• right down my spine+6 4,itnessing thehelpless old female• victim being murdered in cold blood like thby• having her throat slit from ear7to7ear gave m

a chilling• scare that I will not soon forget+6=• .hill7out Be cool and don/t let things angeryou cool down relax• don/t take things so seriously+ 4&y little



brother told me• to chill7out when I began getting irritated wmy little•

sister/s taste in rap music+6 4Be cool &an+.hill out+• Don/t let those fools get you so worked7up+ no hassle+6• 4.hill7out+ $eep cool+ 2ever take anythingadults• say seriously+ !hey/re not hip to what/shappening+6 =• .hin up $eep looking happy and condent bholding your head• 1K1• up high+ 4Don/t hang your head like that andlook so• down and depressed+ .hin up old boy56 4<ir,illiam believes• that one should always keep one/s chin up atry• to show a happy face+6 42ever let people sewhen you• are weak and lose courage+ $eep your chin uand don/t• look discouraged+6 =•

.hip o? the old block #ike father like son+ 4as a chip o? a big wooden• block will be of the same wood and grain asthe block • itself so we say that a son may be like a chi



o? the old• block when he resembles his father+6 S!heyoung &aster•

is a chip o? the old block and will remain asconservative• as his father+6 4!im is a real chip o? the oldblock+• He behaves exactly like his father+6 =• .hip7in Everybody pays a small amount so atogether they• have enough money to pay the sum+ 4All thegirls in the• oOce chipped7in in and purchased &olly anexpensive• wedding present+6 4Everybody in the classchipped7in• and bought the teacher a gold pen as a goinaway present+6• 42obody had enough to pay the whole bill fr• his own pocket so we had to all chip in andshare the• costs+6 =• .hit7chat <mall7talk silly chatter+ 4#et/s meefor co?ee and have• some chit7chat in <tarbuck/s .afV after work

before we• go home+6 4I don/t like it when students sitaround and• chit7chat during my lectures+6 4Goung novicmonks



• should learn not to make chit7chat in thetemple but talk • only about the Dhamma+6 =•

.hoked with emotion #iterally to chokesomeone means to put your hands• around his throat and s-uee>e so hard that cannot• breathe but people often say they are chokwith fear or• emotion+ 4I wanted to ask <ally for a date bI was so• choked7up with emotion I didn/t know whatsay+6• 4ust as a drainpipe gets choked with debrisso people• often get so choked with emotion that theycannot even• speak+6 4As I was about to give my graduati

speech I• stood there choked with emotion with tearmy eyes• forgetting all the words I had prepared myseto say+6 =• .homping at the bit ust as a horse might bebiting against the metal bit in its•

mouth which allows the rider to restrain andcontrol it so• a person may be said to be chomping at the when he• wants to go ahead as fast and freely as he



wishes without• any external control+ 4I am chomping at the to get•

started on my new )ob with $%&' #egal and!ax right• after graduation+6 4!he men in the regimentare chomping• at the bit to get to the front lines and ghtagainst the• enemy+6 4&y husband is chomping at the bitget his• hands on his new secretary but I/ll soon putstop to• that+6 =• 1K:• .hosen at random %icked arbitrarily out of alarge sample group+ 4,e have• chosen a group at random of ten

undergraduates out of a• larger group of one hundred to answer a-uestionnaire to• get a random sampling of opinions+6 4!heserial killer• has murdered twelve people apparently choat random+6•

4!ake ten men from your s-uadron chosen arandom• and have them report to the clinic for HI3tests+6 =• .huck overboard ust as on a ship unwante



cargo is often thrown overboard• so we can say a person pro)ect or idea hasbeen•

chucked overboard and discarded when nolonger• needed+ 4!he plans for the <ky7train extensline have• been cancelled and chucked overboard+6 4Iworked for• years to pay my husband/s way throughcollege but after• he nally graduated he chucked meoverboard+6 4Gou• have become useless dead weight in the rmand I regret• that we have decided to chuck you overboar=• .hucked7out !hrown7out+ Heaved out bodily

4.lem was drunk and• disorderly and got chucked7out of the bar+6 got• chucked7out of my )ob for missing too manydays work+/• 4Edward got chucked7out of home for notobeying his•

parents/ demands to behave in an orderlyfashion+6 =• .laim to fame An achievement or event forwhich one has become wellknown• in the past+ 4Danny/s only claim to fame is t



• he once ate one7hundred hamburgers at onesitting and• got into !he 'uinness Book of ecords+6 4&

only claim• to fame is that I was the rst child born aftemidnight in• !hailand on rst of anuary in the year :RRR4'loria/s• only claim to fame is that she once had a-uickie with• Bill .linton+6 =• .lam up ust as a sea clam will close its shelthe slightest sign• of danger so a person may close his mouth stop talking• when he feels afraid or intimidated+ 4I am soafraid of • my husband that when he gets angry and

starts shouting• I )ust clam up and don/t say another word+6 I touch on• the sub)ect of Emily/s unhappy childhood sh )ust clams• up and refuses to talk about it+6 4,heneveram up on•

the carpet in front of a person of authority )ust clam up• and cannot think of a word to say+6 =• .lamor for more <hout scream yell and cry more of the same+ 4,hen



• the rock concert was over the fans keptshouting and• clamoring for more+6 4After the symphony

concert was• over the audience rose to their feet and kepon clapping• and clamoring for more+6 4!he kids are soenthusiastic• about the fun and games that they keep onclamoring for• more+6 =• .lamp down on ust as a clamp may be useda tool to tighten the pressure• to glue a )oint at a certain point so thegovernment• might clamp down on some issue like thenighttime en1K;• tertainment industry+ 4!here has been a

government• clamp down on drug dealers and a number othem have• been shot and killed+6 4!he police arebeginning to• clamp down on bar7keepers who keep theirplaces open•

after closing time+6 4!he Internal &inisterordered a• clamp down on corruption but he met with much• pressure and opposition from members of h



own party• that he was forced to clam up and say nomore+6 =•

.landestine a?air <ecret concealed illicit loa?air that you don/t want• anybody to know about+ 4Bill .linton washaving a clandestine• a?air with one of his aides which became big• news when the story leaked out to the press4!he• %rince and &rs+ ,hat/s7her7name had beenhaving a• clandestine a?air for years before he evermarried• Diana+6 4,hen it was discovered that the&inister of • .ommerce was having a clandestine a?air wa married7• woman he was forced to resign his post+6 =• .lass conscious Awareness of di?erences insocial station thinking that• one is better or not as good as a person onanother social• level+ 4!he upper class are said to be veryclass conscious•

and look down on the upper middle class+64!he• upper middle class are even more classconscious and• look down on the lower middle class+6 4!he



working• class is the most class conscious because thresent the•

way the middle and upper classes look downon them+6 =• .lawing your way forwards• %rogressing forwards with diOculty )ust as crab must• use its claws to move and pull its self slowlyforwards+• 4!he sailing yacht was clawing its way slowlforwards• into the wind at a speed of only three knots4!he business• has not started making a prot but we areclawing• our way forwards and hope to be showing again by the• beginning of next year+6 4I was only a fewhundred meters• from the entrance to a safe harbor and triedmorning• to motor my in against heavy seas and seveknot• gale winds but I was only able to claw my wa

forwards• at a speed of one knot+6 =• .lean bill of health A doctor/s report statingthat someone is in good health• or an oOcial statement that nothing can be



found wrong• after a careful en-uiry or examination+ 4I hahad my•

medical examination and the doctor has givme a• clean bill of health+6 4im has nally overcomhis kidney• infection so the doctor has given him a cleanbill of • health and says he can now return to work+64After the• in-uiry the <enate Investigation .ommitteehas given• the <upreme .ourt nominee a clean bill ofhealth+6 =• .lean slate <tarting7o? with a clean chalk7board after erasing the• past record+ 4ust as on a ship the slate7boa

is wipedclean• of previous orders and directives when thecrew on• 1KJ• the watch change so we can say that a perswho is• making a new beginning starts o? with a cle

slate+6• 4After a criminal has served his time in )ail apaid his• debt to society he is released and allowed tstart o?



• with a clean slate+6 4I have sworn to give upmy wayward• ways of the past and start o? with a clean

slate+6 =• .lean up the mess !idy7up a disordered roomor location or sticky situation+• 4If you don/t clean up that mess in your rooright now• I/m going to lock you in and let you stay theuntil you• do+6 4.an you come back to my placetomorrow morning• and help me clean up the mess left by theparty@6 4After• the legal conLict became irresolvable andtempers were• almost at the breaking7point the &ayor callin a neutral• mediator to try and help them clean up themess+6 =• .lean7cut ,ith clear and visible features+ 4,are looking for a• young man to work in the front oOce who isvery wellmannered• and clean cut in appearance+6 4,endy want•

to nd a man to marry who is tall dark andhansom and• very clean7cut+6 4I wish young people wouldaround• looking neat and trim and clean cut instead



wearing• )eans and looking all disheveled and messy+• .lear as a bell Hearing or understanding

something clearly and distinctly+• 4#isten5 Gou can hear the sound of our voice• echoing as clear as a bell from across thevalley+6 4Ges• <ir5 I hear you clear as a bell and I am goingcarry out• your orders+6 4I understand what you aresaying clear as• a bell without any misunderstanding and Ishall try to• behave better towards you in the future andnot hurt you• feelings+6 =• .lear conscience "ree of any sense of guilt ithe mind+ 4I can honestly say• that I have a clear conscience because I knohave• done nothing wrong or blameworthy+6 Eventhough my• rst marriage failed I can say that I have aclear conscience• for I know I tried to do everything I could to

save• it+6 4How can you stand there looking as if yhave a• clear conscience when every body knows yoare telling



• a barefaced lie@6=• .lear out of here 'o away from here and doncome back again get out•

of here and stay away+ 4.lear o?5 'et away5'et o? my• land+ Before I give you a boot up your ass+64Haven/t I• told you never to show your face here againyou don/t• clear out of here immediately I am going tocall the police+6• 4I/ve heard enough of your verbal abuse+ If y• don/t shut up and clear out of here I/ll getDaddy/s shotgun• and shoot you full of buckshot+6 =• .lear up a misunderstanding• <ettle a dispute or disagreement clarifymisinterpreted• motives discuss tensions to relax the situatand clear• the air+ 4#et/s have candid meeting and cleaup the mis1KK• understanding between us about theconditions and terms• of the contract+6 4&y tax consultant is havin

a meeting• with the evenue Department to clear up thmisunderstanding• about the amount of unpaid tax due+6 4I hadan



• honest talk with my girlfriend rst thing thismorning• and cleared up the misunderstanding about

why I suddenly• disappeared without a word from the party • night+6 =• .lear7cut <traightforward precise obviousunambiguous denite• specic+ 4Gour denition is clear cutunderstandable• and to the point+ I congratulate you on yourclarity• of mind+6 4,e must have a clear cut decisiofrom you• by this afternoon on whether you will withdryour• funds from the plan or not+6 4I demand thatyou give me• a clear cut answer one way or the other wilyou marry• me or will you not@6 =• .lear7o? 'et out of here clear out of here gaway get7o? my• property bu>>7o?+ 4If you don/t clear o? myland immediately•

or I/ll call the police and charge you withtrespassing+6• 4,e had better clear o? the premisesimmediately• before someone nds us in a restricted area



4I told• those kids to clear o? and go away and if Iever caught•

them stealing in my shop again I would cut their little• ngers+6 =• .li?7hanger An essay or story that suddenlystops without coming to• a conclusion+ 4&y students are always writinessays that• )ust stop up in the air going nowhere with nconclusion• or indication of where they are going+ I callthese papers• Scli?7hangers+/6 4I tell my students to wind7uand give a• proper conclusion to tie up the end of their opresentations• so that they do not )ust suddenly abruptly sand• leave the audience dangling up in the air likbunch of • dangling cli?hangers+6 4Her letter to merambled illogically• and incoherently around and the )ust sudde•

stopped in the middle of a thought+ It was sa cli?hanger• I wondered if she has become mentallyderanged• in her mind+6 =



• .limbing prices ust as vines can climb up awall or tree so prices may• creep and climb upwards+ 4.limbing prices

have curbed• spending and started a slowdown in economgrowth+6• 4.limbing real estate prices in themetropolitan area have• driven developers to begin building pro)ectsthe outskirts• of the city+6 4.limbing prices of buildingmaterials• and higher lending rates for bank loans haveslowed• down construction activity in the city center• .limbing the walls 'oing cra>y as if locked incell and climbing the walls+• 4<itting home alone like this waiting for a

phone call that• never comes is driving me cra>y+ I/m ready tstart• 1KM• climbing the walls+6 4I hate )ust being ahousewife sitting• around at home with little to do and no one

talk • to+ <oon I/ll start climbing the walls+6 4Afteyou/ve• been locked7up in a prison cell for a while ystart becoming



• stir cra>y and ready to start climbing thewalls+6• =•

.linch the deal .learly nali>e a businessagreement agreeing on nal• terms as the deciding factor as though by ashake of the• hand+ 4After extended negotiations we agreto give• them an extra three percent to clinch the deand they• signed the contract then and there+6 4!hemerger between• the two companies was signed today in a ndocument• that cinched the deal+6 4If you want to get aconstruction• contract in this country you have to pass so

money• under the table to cinch the deal+6 =• .lip someone/s wings ust as we clip the winof a chicken so it cannot Ly• very far so we may say that we clip someonwings• when we want to restrain him and hold him

back from• going too far+ 4&y son is taking too manyfreedoms with• me+ I think it is time I clipped his wings )ustteach him



• a lesson+6 4"erguson is spending too much oentertainment• expenses I think we/ll have to clip his wings•

cutting his budget allowance+6 4!he &a)or isgetting a bit• too big for his breeches and I think it/s timethe .olonel• took him aside and clipped his wings+6 =• .loak and dagger ust as in the past amurderer might conceal a dagger• under his cloak in the dark of the night sonowadays we• say that someone who spies as a secret ageunder• cover is doing cloak and dagger work+ 4I )uslove to• watch foreign espionage movies+ I cannot geenough of • cloak and dagger stories+6 4,hen I was undthe employ• the .IA my wife used to suspect I wasengaged in• cloak and dagger work when actually all Iwas doing• was interrogating displaced7refugees+6 4!he

Democrats• have traditionally been against internal secrservice security• surveillance and clandestine cloak and daggactivities+6



• =• .lose call 2early missing coming close tohaving an accident having•

a brush with disaster a close shave withdeath+ 4!he• bullet whi>>ed past )ust above my ear onlyabout a centimeter• from my skull+ !hat/s what I call a close callwith• death+6 4ust winning the election by threethousand• votes was a close call so we will have tocampaign a lot• harder next time+6 4Having the freightcontainer crash• down three feet in front of me was -uite aclose call+ If I• had been under it I would have been s-uash

as Lat as• a pancake+6 =• .lose in on <urround from all sides+ 4<imonevaded the police in a• 1KN• thirty minute car chase but nally when hecame to the•

intersection of $ing and ames <treets policcruisers• closed in on him from all sides+6 4,hen theHighlander• troops were enclosed within the valley Engl



forces• closed in on them from all sides and butcherthem•

alive+6 4<pecial "orces troops are at thismoment surrounding• and closing in on the rebel agents/ positionand• demanding their surrender+6 =• .lose shave 2ear miss near accident closeencounter with death+• 4&y brother once threw a Bowie knife at mewhich• passed so close to my right cheek I could feethe motion• of the air as it whi>>ed by+ It was literally aclose shave+6• 4A motorcycle >oomed past me within inchesby• breast at a hundred kilometers an hour andwas lucky I• was not killed+ It was a close shave withdeath+6 4I had a• close shave with death one time when Iskidded with my• car on the snow in a tricky mountain curve a

almost• went over the edge a thousand metersstraight down to• my death+6 =• .lose to your chest ust as a poker player



keeps his cards close to his chest• so no one will know what cards he is holdingso we can•

say a person is Sholding his cards close to hichest/ when• he does not want people to know what he isthinking or• feeling or doing+ 4!he new department headplays with• her cards close to her chest and nobody knowhat is• going on in her head+6 4I always hold my carclose to• my chest in university politics so nobody wilknow exactly• what I am anticipating doing next+ It alwayspays to• keep the confused+6 4It/s always best to kee

your cards• close to your chest when you are surroundedby people• who want to take advantage of you+6 =• .loud the issue &ake a topic or sub)ect unclby introducing confusing• input+ 4Don/t try to change the sub)ect+ <tic

to the point• and explain yourself clearly+ Don/t cloud theissue+6• 4!he lawyer for the defense tried to introduevidence



• before the court that had nothing directly towith the• case )ust to cloud the issue and make the

)urors confused+6• 4!he )udge however made a ruling that theevidence• did not pertain to the case and ruled suchevidence• to be not admissible+ &oreover he warned thlawyer for• the defense not to waste the court/s time bytrying to introduce• irrelevant facts and attempting to cloud theissue+6• =• .lown around oke about in a silly way like aclown in the circus to• make people laugh+ 4If you kids don/t settle

down and• stop clowning around and get down to workI/ll keep• you in class thirty minutes after school+6 4Itdoesn/t pay• to clown around when you are working on thfactory•

1KP• Loor where accidents could easily happen+64ake was• clowning around with the other boys in theservice garage



• when slipped on a slick of oil and feel headinto• the grease pit+6 =•

.lued7in on $nowing previously or being privto inside information• on the matter+ 4Because I had been clued7inthe situation• beforehand it came as no surprise whenDeputy Director• resigned+6 4If anything is going to happen t• could change the terms of our agreement Iwant to be• clued7in on it beforehand to avoid anyunpleasant surprises+6• 4Because the senator had not been clued7in• the alliance between his political opponentshe was surprised• when the bill he had introduced was not vot• onto legislation+6 =• .oarse words ude foul7mouthed crudelanguage used in a rough and• ready7to7ght manner+ 4Because there areladies present• if you gentlemen do not control your coarsewords and•

ungentlemanly behavior I am afraid I shallhave to ask • you to vacate the bar+6 4<moking spitting athe use of • coarse words age not allowed in the .hurchi



Bar in the• British .lub+6 4&ax and <lug had an exchangof coarse•

words over a disagreement concerning whosturn it was• to pick up the tab at the bar+6 =• .oast is clear ust an invading force attackincoastal area must rst• check and scout carefully to see that the coais clear of • enemy surveillance so we say the coast isclear when we• have checked to see there is no danger of oubeing• caught or opposed by somebody watching+ 4go into• his oOce to steal the computer disk and youkeep a• watch out here in the corridor to be sure thecoast is• clear+6 4,hen you are robbing a li-uor storewith your• gang it is always good to leave someone outthe street• to serve as a lookout to see the coast is clea

4,hen the• British landing forces were approaching for beachhead• landing navy planes Lew over to survey thearea to



• check that the coast was clear+6 =• .oasting along ust as a sail boat may cruisewith the wind along the•

coast without any e?ort so a person may besaid to be• coasting along )ust doing the minimumwithout any extra• e?ort+ 4I feel a little guilty because I am )ustcoasting• along in my )ob doing the bare minimum whknow I• could be doing a lot more+6 4Gour son is by fthe cleverest• boy in the class but he is not doing his bestbecause• he is satised to be coasting along at the levof the others+6• 4Gou have been coasting along without mak• your best e?ort for long enough+ If I don/t seyou start• applying yourself and making your best e?oin your• )ob you/ll soon be looking for a new )ob+6 =• 1KQ• .ock and bull story A tale that is so far7fetch

that it becomes unbelievable+• 4!here used to be a pub called S!he .ock anBull/• where the men around the bar told suchoutrageous lies



• that Scock and bull story/ became a commonidiom+6• 4Don/t give me that old cock and bull story

that the car• broke down out on a country road and you to walk • all the way home+ If you are going to lie try be a little• more original+6 4If I tell my father the truththat I was• late because I stopped to help an old lady cahome her• groceries he/ll never believe me so I/m goito have to• think up some cock and bull story to try to limy7way• out of the situation+6 =• .ockeyed7optimist <omeone who hopes that

everything will end well believes7• in the almost impossible believes in theimpossible• dream believes a silly scheme will work outwell in• the end+ 4&y grandfather was a cockeyed7optimist who•

lost all of his money believing in and investiin impossible• schemes+6 4Better to be a cockeyed7optimisand• believe in the impossible dream than to be a



total pessimist• and insist that the world is as bad as itseems+6•

4Cnly a cockeyed7optimist would ever believthat the• world will one day be totally free of evil+6 =• .ock7sure of yourself Arrogantly overcondeoverly sure of one/s self as• cocky as a rooster self7condent throughhard7headed• ignorance of one/s own weaknesses orshortcomings+• 4Don/t be so cock7sure of yourself youoverestimate the• value your own opinion+6 4He/s so cock7surehimself • that I would like to bring him down a peg ortwo+6 4%eople• who are the least educated are often the mo7sure of • their opinions+6 =• .ode of silence An understanding within agroup of &aa policemen• or military personnel or politicians or gangmembers•

never to reveal anything that they know abotheir fellow• members+ 4If a member of the &aa breaks code• of silence and tells the police everything he



knows about• the others they will kill him+6 4!hey say thacertain•

groups of police oOcers have anunwrittenunderstanding• to always adhere to a code of silence and• never inform on another oOcer under anycircumstances+6• 4,hen we were in school the kids observed• code of silence and would never to s-ueal orat on one• another+6=• .oerce someone into &ake someone dosomething against his will through• force authority or intimidation+ 4It isblameworthy to• coerce a person into doing something againhis moral• principles+6 4,hen I was with the .IA I oftehad to use• dirty tactics to coerce an operative into doinsomething• that went against his conscience+6 4!he Deais using• 1MR•

administrative pressure to coerce the facultmembers• into following the Administrative 'uidelineswhether• they agree with them or not+6 =



• .og in the machine A small wheel in a bigmachine+ 4In my company I feel• like nothing more than a small cog in a big

machine+6 4If • you are going to work for the government yhad better• start getting used to the feeling of being onsmall cog• in a big machine+6 4ust as a small Lywheel be only a• small part in a very big machine so a smallperson in a• huge military complex may express the feelithat he• plays an insignicant role and is whollydispensable in a• big organi>ation without a heart+6 =• .ohabit with #ive together with someone+ 4&

son and his girlfriend• are cohabiting with one another living in thesame Lat• without having bothered to get married+642owadays• young couples )ust move in and cohabittogether like•

rabbits without ever considering that theymay be living• in sin+6 4&y father is very conservative andoldfashioned• and he says it is a sin for a man to cohabit



• with a woman before they are married and do so is a• mortal sin+6 =•

.oincide with Happen at the same time occsimultaneously with+ 4It• )ust so happens that my birthday coincideswith that of • the Her &a)esty the ueen+6 SI/m afraid Icannot go to• your wedding ceremony because it coincideswith my• graduation ceremony+6 42ext year my parenanniversary• will coincide with a lunar eclipse of the moo=• .old as ice <howing absolutely no warmthfeeling or emotion+ 4&y• rst husband was cold as ice but my second

husband• was warm and nice+6 4&y boss is cool anddistant and• his manner is absolutely as cold as ice+6 4Ithink &aude• is sexually frigid and that her heart is as colas ice+6=•

.old feet Become hesitant and back out on adare or intimidating• situation at the last minute afraid to carry oa plan due• to fear of punishment or embarrassment+ 4&



brother• and I were going to rob the candy store butgot cold•

feet at the last minute and backed out of theplan+6 4Another• time we were going to frame the principal/spicture• in an old toilet seat but this time it was mwho got• cold feet+6 4Harry wanted to ask 2orma tomarry him• but when the time came to pop the -uestionhe got cold• feet+6 =• .old sh <omeone with no warmth and noemotions+ 4Herbert/s• wife is really a cold sh+ <he shows no warmor feeling• whatsoever+6 4I cannot imagine that "red an&ary have• much of a sex life+ <he/s such a cold sh+6 4wouldn/t• want to be married to you+ Gou are such a cosh it/s• as though a dagger of ice had penetrated yo

heart+6• 1M1• .old shoulder !o snub someone you think isbelow you as though you• were turning a shoulder towards him so you



don/t have• to look at him+ 4&y girlfriend/s mother alwagives me•

the cold shoulder because she thinks I am ngood• enough for her daughter+6 4,hen I meet herfather at an• Embassy party he gives me the cold shouldetoo+6 4!he• rich snobby <orority girls give the coldshoulder to all• the other female students they think are bethem in• social station+6 =• .old7blooded &erciless with no moral feelinor regret+ 4A person that• kills with no feeling of shame or blame orremorse acting• out of base instincts is said to be a cold7blooded killer+6• 4<ome stockbrokers are so cold7blooded thedon/t• care who gets hurt as long as they are makilots of • money+6 4!he pirates and buccaneers of old

were said to• be so cold7blooded that they thought nothinof killing• the captain and all of his crew once they hadboarded



• their ship+6 =• .old turkey <top taking alcohol or drugs andwait7out the withdrawal•

period+ 4,hen I was a )unky I used to have go into• rehab and then go cold turkey until I hadpassed through• the withdrawal period+6 4,hen I was analcoholic sometimes• I would have to go into the clinic and I/d gocold• turkey and su?er the delirium tremens untilthe shaking• and -uaking and other withdrawal symptomwere eventually• over+6 4It is said that a drug addict/s going c• turkey causes his body to ad)ust to the rapiddiminishing• amount of drugs in the blood resulting in bophysical• and psychophysical pain+6 =• .ollaborate with ,ork together and cooperato achieve a certain end+• 4!he crime of a military oOcer collaboratingwith the•

enemy is death by ring s-uad+6 4.ertain hiranking• oOcers in the military have been collaboratiwith• powerful politicians in the government in an



attempt to• overthrow the government+6 4A team of exparchitects•

has been collaborating with a group of topstructural engineers• in a government7funded plan to design the n• suspension bridge+6 =• .ollar someone ust as we may Scatch a dog the collar/ so we may• also catch a person by the collar who wouldotherwise• wish to avoid talking to us about a certaintopic+ 4Auntie• Audrey is always collaring whoever she canwherever• she can and going on and on talking about health• problems+6 4!he other day she collared the

Ambassador• at an Embassy lunch and was giving him anearful but• he politely excused himself by saying he hadattend to• other duties+6 4Cne day I/m going to collar tbig boss•

and give him a piece of my mind and tell himall the• 1M:• things I resent and that are bothering mearound here+6 =



• .ollect your wits 'ather your mental facultietake a minute to consider• what to say or do+ 4%atrick couldn/t answer

-uestion• at rst but after he had taken a moment tocollect his• wits he -uickly gured out something to say4!hat is• a serious accusation <ir+ 'ive me a minute tcollect my• wits and I/ll try to explain to you why yourpresumptions• are wrong+6 4I/m sorry if I blamed youmistakenly+• !ake a moment to collect your wits and let mlisten to• your explanation of what you have to say+6 =• .ollide with <mash or crash head7on+ 4Cne d

the earth may collide• with a giant meteorite and end this world aswe know it+6• 4!wo people who have strong oppositeopinions may be• said to have colliding views+6 4I wouldn/t wato disagree•

with her on the topic of female activism+ !hia• collision course better avoided+6 =• .ollision course Headed for a head7on crashimpact+ 4It is possible that



• one day both the earth and a giant meteor wbe on a• collision course+6 4!he two motorcycles wer

headed• directly towards one another on a collisioncourse but• one of them swerved and )ust missed the othcoming• within an inch of his life+6 4!he .onservativeand the• <ocialists are on a direct collision course in tparliamentary• debate about welfare benets for the poor+6• .omb the streets <earch the streets veryclosely looking for somebody+• 4%olice are combing the streets for an escapconvict• wearing a black and white7striped prison

uniform and• they are expected to locate him any minutenow+6 4A• homeless woman dressed in a purple raincohas kidnapped• a baby in a orange pram and police arecombing•

the streets trying to nd them+6 4!he &ayorsays he has• ordered all the forces under his command tocarefully• comb the streets in search of the missing



child+6 =• .ombine forces Fnite strengths+ 4!he.onservatives and the #iberals•

have combined forces to try to stop legislatiproposed• by the <ocialists to provide free medicaltreatment to the• poor+6 42A!C and the F2 have combined forto take• preventive action against the threat ofterrorist activities• taking place in .ontinental Europe+6 4&ybrothers and• sisters and my cousins have combined forceto try to• prevent me from selling the house and landthat father• left me in his will+6=• .hance encounter Encounter by chance+4During the <ix Day ,ar I had a• chance encounter with a ussian7Israeli womthat I• will never forget+6 In obinson/s Departmen<tore I• had a chance encounter with an old school

friend of mine• with whom I had been out of contact for manyears+6• 4"ancy meeting you again after all thereyears in the



• 1M;• middle of !imes <-uare on 2ew Gear/s Eve+!hat/s what•

I call a chance encounter56 =• .ome along Arise or appear or happen bychance as if by fate+ 4If • you wait long enough the right )ob opportuwill• come along+6 4<ometimes you cannot hurrythe process• of love+ Gou )ust have to wait until the rightpartner to• come along+6 4Cften in life a moment of grehappiness• comes along when you are least7expecting it=• .ome apart at the seams ust as a cloth dollmay come apart at the seams so we• may say a person goes to pieces or who hasnervous• breakdown is coming apart at the seams+ 4Dto the• pressures threatening me in my )ob at theoOce and my• pending divorce I am about to come apart a

the seams+6• 4,hen 'ary told his mother he was gay andthat he• wanted to marry a boy she almost came apaat the



• seams+6 4#isten Doll don/t come apart at thseams )ust• because you found out that I also have a wif

and children+• ,e can carry on our a?air in exactly the waywe• always have done in the past+6 =• .ome clean .onfess and tell all you know tethe truth+ 4&y lawyer• says I had better come clean and admit mycrime and ask • the )udge for leniency+6 4Gou/d better comeclean and• tell me the truth because the longer you keon lying• the harder it will be on you+6 4After hours ofintense police• -uestioning !imothy nally came clean and

admitted• it was he who had stolen the diamonds frommother/s• safe+6=• .ome close to blows Almost at the point ofghting+ 4In !aiwan politicians• often get so worked7up in governmental

discussions and• meetings that it often comes close to blows4!he two• gentlemen of opposite views and argued sobitterly that it



• almost came close to blows+6 4<ometimes imy family• at <unday dinner the discussion gets so hea

that it often• comes close to blows+6 =• .ome down in the world Become less well7o?move down a rung or two on the• social ladder+ 4I used to have a thrivingbusiness before• the currency devaluation but now I havecome down in• the world and have to live on a modestincome+6 4.alvin• used to be a highly7respected member ofsociety but• unfortunately he came down in the world dto addiction• to drugs an alcohol causing him to lose not

only his• reputation but also his occupation+6 4Eva waa famous• movie star thirty years ago but after she goolder and• became less attractive and Hollywood nallydropped•

her she abruptly came down in the world anhad to• learn to live like other people+6=• .ome in handy $eep something close at hanthat might be useful someday+



• 4I think I/ll save those big black plastic bags Gou• 1MJ•

never know+ !hey may come in handy one da4I always• keep a pair of pliers in the top kitchen drawe Gou• never know when they might come in handy4.lem• keeps a loaded shotgun in his pickup in casmay• come in handy one day+6 =• .ome into money <uddenly inherit a lot ofmoney and become rich+ 4It/s a• sin to wait for your father to die )ust so youcan suddenly• come into money+6 4I had a long lost uncle wdied and• left me everything and I suddenly came intomoney+6• 4<he sold her string of her apanese tea shoto a competitive• franchise and suddenly came into money+6=• .ome of age each legal age according to thlaw or to custom+•

4,hen a young man comes of age he can voand drink • but he also becomes eligible to be drafted inmilitary• service+6 4,hen I come of age I/m going to



move out of • my parents/ home and get an apartment whI can do•

and behave as I want+6 4,hen a woman comof age it• is socially expected that she will marry andhave a family+6• =• .ome o? it5 Don/t lie don/t exaggerate5 4<tlying5 .ome o? it5• Don/t try to fool me5 I don/t believe that564Gou/ll have• to come up with a better lie if you expectanybody to believe• you+ .ome o? it56 4.ome o? it5 2o one willever• believe that you are a direct descendent frothe line of • $ing Henry the Eighth+6 =• .ome on strong Being very aggressivethreatening overbearing+ 4I hate• it when people get aggressive and come onstrong to• me+6 4Back o?5 Don/t try to come on stronglike that•

with me or I/ll come down on you like a pile bricks+6• 4,ith some sta? members if you do not comon strong• and sound a bit threatening they won/t pay



any attention• and they will ignore your orders+6 =• .ome on5 Don/t lie I don/t believe it don/t

exaggerate+ 4.ome on5• Gou don/t expect me to believe that do [email protected] on5• I/ve heard that lie a million times+ .an/t youthink of • anything better than that@6 4.ome on5 <topexaggerating5• .ome down to earth and tell the truth+6 =• .ome out of one/s shell+ Emerge from beingshy and withdrawn+ 4,hen %atty was• still in school she was very withdrawn butafter she got• her rst boyfriend she came out of her sheland began• acting more naturally+6 4I am trying to get

<ylvia to• come out of her shell and stop being so shy+know there• is a lovely girl inside and I am trying to drawher out+6• 4It is sometimes diOcult for a teacher to getwithdrawn•

and introverted student to come out of his9hshell+6 =• .ome round .hange you opinion and agree tthe opposite view+ 4Be• patient and talk reasonably to your husband



and maybe• he/ll avoid come around to your opinion+6 4,are nego1MK•

tiating hard to get the other side to see thebenets of our• suggestion and nally to come round to agreto our re-uests+6• 4It/s going to be hard to get Dad to pay for a• expensive wedding+ It will take a littleconvincing but he• will come around in the end+6• .ome through Eventually provide promisedsupport keep one/s word to• do something+ 4"ather nally came through his promise• and gave me the money to pay my schooltuition• fees+6 4!he %resident has come through on

promise• and lowered income tax by three percent+64&axine has• nally come through on her word and paid mthe money• she borrowed from me+6 =• .ome to a head ust a s a pimple comes to a

head approaching the peak • of pressure and nearing the breaking point+4%ressure on• the "inance &inister is coming to a head anis rumored



• that he will be forced to resign any day now• 4!ension between labor and management iscoming to a•

head and the unions are threatening to go oon strike+6• !he conLict between communist party factiois coming• to a head and threatening to break the unitythe left• wing of the coalition government apart+6 =• .ome to grips with 'et a hold of and begincontrolling the problem+ 4Gou/d• better come to grips with your self and begiresolving• your psychological conLicts+6 4I )ust cannotaccept and• come to grips with the fact that the companno longer• needs my services+6 4It is diOcult coming togrips with• the fact that mother has passed away and islonger• there to help me but somehow I/ll have tolearn to get• along on my own without her+6 =•

.ome to nothing "ail to come into reali>atiofail to materiali>e prove to• be a vain e?ort+ 4All my work and dreams hacome to• nothing+ How could I have been so stupid as



hope and• strive to achieve the impossible@6 4,e hadbetter give up•

ghting for the cause+ Everything we do toachieve success• is done in vain and comes to nothing+6 4,ehave• done everything we could to struggle forfreedom but• now we must accept that we have failed anthat all our• e?orts came to nothing+6 =• .ome to one/s senses <uddenly return to bereasonable and having common• sense+ 4.arina was cra>y about that boy whshe rst• met him but now that she has had time toobserve his• personal behavior more closely she has nacome to• her senses+6 4It is time you grew up and casaside your• silly romantic views and nally came to yoursenses+6 4I• was a bit over7>ealous in setting my goals so

high but• now I have nally come to my senses andlearned to• think more realistically6=• .ome to terms with Agree and accept a



situation that can not be changed or• 1MM• altered+ 4At rst I could not accept the fact

that I was not• accepted at the university of my choice buthave nally• come to terms with it and have decided toregister• at a private university+6 4&aurice has nallycome to• terms with the fact that he has no chance ofrecovering• the money he lost in .osta ica+6 4It took mlong time• to come to terms with the fact that the courwould not• accept my plaint that I had been defrauded my home• and property+6 =• .ome to the point Don/t hesitate and ramblearound come to the main idea+• 4<top beating about the bush and come to tpoint+6 4An• essay introduction should come to the pointthe rst•

paragraph+6 4<top rambling around and comto the• point5 !ell me exactly what is troubling you+• .ome true Become fullled or reali>ed ashoped7for or predicted+ 4I



• always wanted to marry a millionaire and nmy• dream has come true56 4I never thought my

dream of • winning the lottery would ever come true bthey• picked my number and I won three7hundredthousand• Baht+6 4If wishes could come true I would wto nally• get rid of you+6 =• .ome up against &eet an obstacle orhindrance+ 4I have come up against• some resistance from my wife about buyingyou car but• if I give her some time she may come arounto see my• point of view+6 4,e have come up against

some legal• diOculties regarding Alien Business #aw buwe will• look into the matter and get back to you+64!he %rime• &inister has met some resistance in %arliamto his•

new national security plan but he has enoupolitical• clout to push the bill through+6 =• .ome up in the world Improve your nanciaand social status+ 4#ast time I



• saw you you were riding a bu?alo but nowsee you• driving a new B&,+ Gou must have suddenly

come up• in the world+6 4$laus was born to poorimmigrant parents• in the Bronx but now he and his family havcome• up in the world and now they live in a&anhattan penthouse• apartment with a panoramic view+6 4At onetime• Dale was )ust an underprivileged kid in anorphanage• but with a little luck and a lot of harddetermination he• managed to come up in the world+ !oday heso rich• and successful he doesn/t know what to dowith his• money+6 =• .ome across 'ive in to the will of anotherchange loyalty and move• over to )oin with the opposite side+ 4At rst was unwilling•

to give in to my will but eventually she na• came7across and gave me what I wanted+6 4we want to• get our bill passed through %arliament we whave to



• give some corrupt member of the oppositionincentive• 1MN•

to come7across and vote for it too+6 4At rstwe were• meeting a lot of resistance and opposition frthe <enate• eview Board but after some deliberationthey nally• came7across and agreed with our point ofview+6=• .omes naturally Happens in accordance withthe given nature of things+• 4"or some people being kind and good )ustcomes naturally+6• 4Gou can/t blame boys from being boys anddoing• )ust what comes naturally+6 4I don/t like to t

and impress• people I would rather )ust be myself and dowhat• comes naturally+6 =• .oming down in buckets aining pouring anfalling down so hard that the water• seems to be coming down by the bucketful+

is raining• so hard that it seems to be coming down bythe bucketful+6• 4,e had to cut short our picnic on account orain



• which suddenly started coming down by thebucketful• and we all got soaking wet+6 4,hen we say

is raining• cats and dogs this expression means aboutthe same• thing as it is coming down by the bucketful+• .oming out of the woodwork • ust as termites in a burning house may becoming out of • the Loor boards posts and the woodwork swe may• guratively say that a lot of previouslyunknown victims• or witnesses are suddenly appearing who hapreviously• remained hidden and silent+ 4Cnce the &aabosses• started confess before the courts and tell althey knew a• lot of other &aa members suddenly startedcoming out• of the woodwork and singing like canaries+64After the• .hurch admitted that there had been cases

young men• being homosexually harassed by theirclergymen a lot of • other men started coming out of the woodwand telling



• how they had also been harassed by theirclergyman• when they were only boys+6 42ow that we/v

blown the• top o? government corruption a lot ofwitnesses are coming• out of the woodwork and telling how the samsort of • things have happened to them+6 =• .oming to a head #eading up to a breakingpoint or climax+ 4<torm pressure• over the Atlantic is coming to a head and ga• warnings have been announced in2ewfoundland+6 4%olitical• pressures had been coming to ahead for somtime• before the %resident was impeached by the%arliament+6• 4!he stress between &arion and I had beencoming to a• head for months before we nally had a violght and• broke up for good+6 =• .oming to the boilingpoint• .oming to a head ready to break out into

conLict+ 4Gou• had better be careful what you say nextbecause my• temper is coming to a boiling point and I amliable to



• knock your block o?+6 4!empers are coming a boiling• point in cross7border negotiations and

violence about to• Lare out again if we can/t get the delegatessimmer• 1MP• down and work out a compromise+6 4!heconLict between• the Irish epublicans and the English forces• coming to a boiling point and both sides arepreparing for• further outbreaks of violence+6 =• .ommon decency Behaving in accordance wthe accepted moral standards• of society+ 4%lease show at least the minimuof • common decency and courtesy when you are

talking to• your elders+6 4.ommon decency demands tha gentleman• watch his language when he is in the compaof • gracious ladies+6 4!he minimum of commondecency•

demands that you clothe your body withappropriate• modestly when you appear in public+6 =• .ommon error A mistake that a lot of peoplemake+ 4It is a common error



• to believe that there is nothing that the hummind is• incapable of knowing+6 4It is a common erro

to assume• that all other people would act and react thesame way as• you do+6 4&ixing up the meaning of theSmartial law/• and Smarital law/ is a common word error+6 =• .ommon ground #and owned and assessablethe public at large+ 4!he• village common is a piece of open land that owned and• used by all of the villagers in common+6 4In housing• area the clubhouse and the pool are build oncommon• ground belonging to the community at large

4<treets• and parks belonging to the public are commground• and are there for everybody/s use+6 =• .ommon knowledge ,hat everybody knows4It is common knowledge that• the earth revolves around the sun+6 4It is

common• knowledge that what goes up must comedown+6 4It is• common knowledge that there are black holin the universe+6



• 4it is common knowledge that $nowles cheaon• his wife+6 =•

.ommon sense 2ormal reasoning+ 4.ommonsense tells you that if you• take care of the body the body will take carof you+6• 4Anyone with even a little common sense wiknow that• one cannot ght the whole world and win+6 makes• common sense to reali>e that if you areaggressive towards• others they will be aggressive towards you+• .omplete and utter chaos !otal disorder andconfusion+ 4After the explosion in the• middle of the crowded !rain <tation there wcomplete• and utter chaos with people running aroundpanic in• every direction+6 4,hen the government felleaving a• power vacuum complete and utter chaosreigned in the• streets+6 4!he good thing about being a chil

is that you• can run around madly and uncontrollably incomplete• and utter chaos during school recess andeverybody



• thinks it is normal+6 =• .omplete imbecile An absolutely stupidindividual without the ability to•

think+ 4%ay no attention to Fncle "reddy+ Hea com1MQ• plete imbecile+6 4Her baby was born acomplete imbecile• because she was doing drugs when she waspregnant+6• 4How could you be so stupid@ Gou must be a• complete imbecile to believe that pigs canLy+6=• .omply with regulations "ollow the rules obthe rules+ 4If you do not comply• with tax regulations you will be sub)ect to apenalty+6 4I• am afraid we can make no exceptions to therule+ Everyone• has to comply with regulations+6 4In the Armif • one does not comply with regulations one wbe severely• reprimanded+6 =• .ompromise with &ake concessions to theopposing7view to avoid trouble•

or to encourage progress+ 4In a marriage eapartner has• to be ready to give and take a little and tocompromise• with the needs of the other+6 4A good



negotiator knows• when he has to make compromises with theopposing•

side in order to make progress towards a nsolution+6• 4<outh East Asian people are more likely toseek a compromise• in a disagreement with a neighbor than 2ort• ,estern Europeans would likely be+6 =• .ompromise your principles• 'ive in and comply and perform an actionagainst you• better moral )udgment to do something thatgoes against• your beliefs+ 4If you gave in to pressure anddid what the• committee wanted from you you would becompromising• your principles+6 4Be careful not to doanything unethical• or immoral and compromise your principles )ust• to seek nancial advantage+6 4Cne thing ayoung person• should keep in mind is the moment he begin

to compromise• his principles in order to get what he wants is• taking his rst step on the prickly path toHell+6 =



• .on artist <omeone who gains our trust andcondence )ust in order• to get our money+6 4A condence man cheat

people out• of money by deceiving them into havingcondence in• him to help them get what they want+6 4Danused to be• a con artist and earned his money that waybut after he• married Audrey he decided to go straight anearn an• honest living+6 4&y younger brother becamecon artist• and is always deceiving people by thinking ubelievable• get rich schemes+6 =• .oncede defeat 'ive in and admit that your

opponent has beaten you+• 4,hen the candidate reali>ed that he was ogetting• twenty7two percent of the vote he reali>ed could not• win the election and conceded defeat evenbefore all the•

ballots had bee counted+6 4In a sports eventone of the• competitors sometimes concedes defeat whhe is trailing• so far behind his opponent that he cannot



possibly• win+6 <ometimes in a business venture whit becomes•

clear you cannot gain a protable marketshare it is better• to give up the e?ort and concede defeat befyou• 1NR• lose any more money+6=• .oncrete )ungle A big city made of steel rodand beams and concrete+• 4<ometimes they say the city is a big concr )ungle• because of the way primitive street gangsroam about• uncontrolled threatening and doing harm toother people+6• 4I do not want to live in a concrete )ungle fu

of • primitive people doing what ever it takes tosurvive and• stay alive I want to live out in nature whereeverything is• open and free of stress where I can live inpeace and harmony+6•

4.ity planners try to create common parks a• green areas connected by walking and cyclepaths so• that inhabitants can escape the feeling ofbeing hemmedin



• and tightly enclosed within a concrete )ungl=• .oncur with someone on•

something• Agree with someone be of the same opinion4I concur• with your opinion that their investment planunacceptable• because the location is too far away fromprospective• markets+6 4I concur with the .hairman that • should work out a compromise on thisdisagreement so• both sides feel satised and there is noresentment in the• end+6 4&y cardiologist concurs with theopinion of his• colleagues that nothing to be done to help m

except to• wait and make me feel comfortable as I amapproaching• the inevitable end+6 =• .onde in someone <hare a secret withsomeone you trust+ 4!here are some• secrets that .onnie shares only with my

mother and she• would not conde in anyone else+6 4If I conin you• and tell you a secret do you promise not to anyone



• else@6 6,hen a client condes in his lawyerand tells the• truth the lawyer is bound by law not to brea

client• condence+6 =• .ondence7building• measure• <omething done to help build7up morecondence in the• face of an unstable situation+ 4!he governmhas guaranteed• to x prices and prop7up the currency rate aa• condence7building measure to assure astable economy• and encourage new investments+6 4As acondence• building measure the 2orth $oreans have

agreed to allow• F2 nuclear inspections to insure the rest of • world that their programs do not pose a threto peace+6• 4In the face of threatened economic securityas a condence• building measure !he Bank of !hailand has

declared• an increase in savings interest rates to loosup• some cash in order to encourage spending+6• .onfront the problem "ace the problem be



ready to stand up to a challenge and• do something about it+ 4If you do not confrothe problem•

of your excessive drinking it will eventuallydestroy• your health and your career+6 4If the .ityAdministration• does no confront the problem of theaccumulating garbage• the whole city will soon begin to stink+6 4Ifnothing• 1N1• is done to confront the problem of corruptiohere in our• country our potential economic tradingpartners will be• unable to trust that we have a fullytransparent nancial• system+6 =• .onfusing the issue Introducing somethingirrelevant into the discussion that• leads o? topic+ 4Don/t bring the neighbor/s dinto the• discussion+ !hat has nothing to do with thepoint+ ust tell•

me why the petty cash box is short by twentdollars+6• 4Don/t confuse the issue by complaining youhave a• headache+ <tick to the topic and explain the



reason why• you are three hours late+6 4<peaking about possible•

future cooperation is )ust confusing the issu,e will• have no future relationship at all unless youcan explain• what your structural engineers are doing tosolve the• problem+6=• .on)ure7up an idea Fse one/s imaginativepowers to think up or put an image• or idea or picture in people/s minds come uwith• and produce a solution as if by magic+ 4!hemagician• con)ured up the image of a beautiful womanthat went• rapidly through the stages of aging until it wnothing• but a shriveled7up old hag+6 4,here did youcon)ure up• an absurd explanation like that@ !hat is falscon)ecture• if I ever saw one56 4<omeone in the compan

had better• con)ure up an idea fast about how the rm csomehow• solve its cash Low problems+6 =• .onked7out $nocked or made unconscious+



4After ocky hit the• $ansas $id with an uppercut to the )aw the fell to•

his knees looked about in a da>e for a seconand then• conked7out Lat on his back on the mat+6 4Dadrank a• bottle of ed #abel all by himself and nowhe/s• conked7out the living7room sofa+6 4Big Clov and• drank straight shots of vodka all through thnight until it• was dawn outside until he nally conked7olike a• light+6 =• .onscientious ob)ector Cne who refuses toght and kill based on moral• grounds+ 4&y Dad would not ght in the 3ie2am war• because he was a conscious ob)ector so he to serve• as a volunteer hospital7attendant instead+64According to• the law conscious ob)ectors may be excused

from military• service if they agree to perform some otherform of • social service instead+6 4During the 3iet 2amwar many



• American conscientious ob)ectors Led to.anada to• avoid the draft+6 =•

.onscript into the army Draft or compelsomeone into military service+ 4In some• countries when you come of age you areautomatically• eligible for conscription into the army+6• 4In most civili>ed countries automaticconscription into• the army is no longer re-uired and the militforces• 1N:• depend on volunteers+6 4In America there ino forced• conscription into the army any more+ !he F<depends• on a core of career soldiers backed7up by th

national• guard+6 =• .onsidered opinion !o form an opinion afterthinking about all factors from• all sides+ 4It is my considered opinion thatsocialism is a• good idea but it doesn/t work in the long ru

because• people are by nature basically selsh+6 4!hedoctor told• me it was his considered opinion that I couldyet live



• many years if only I learned to balance theneeds of my• body and the mind+6 4If you want my

considered opinion• based on a lifetime of observation there is such• thing as a good politician+6 =• .onsort with Associate with to be a companto or hang around• with people who may exert a negativeinLuence+ 4Be• careful not to consort with wicked people orother people• will begin to believe that you are wicked too4After• graduating from .ambridge he and spent ayear in #ondon• consorting with his old school cronies and

living a• loose and immoral life+6 4Be careful of thepeople you• consort with because their bad habits will ruo? and begin• to a?ect your own behavior+6 =• .onspicuous consumption•

Buying and using expensive symbols of succso others• can see and become envious or )ealous of onimage+• 4A lot of people with big money and small eg



turn to• conspicuous consumption as a way ofimpressing others+6•

4<pending a lot of money )ust to show7o? mbe• considered as one form of conspicuousconsumption+6• 4Buying expensive B&, and &ercedes carsand olex• watches may be seen as conspicuousconsumption especially• when the people who purchase them feel aneed to• impress others+6 =• .onspire against <cheme plot connive or wagainst someone with the• help of another or others+ 4!he %rime&inister/s enemies• have been conspiring together how to get hout of • power+6 4&any of Hitler/s own oOcersconspired• against him and tried to have him assassinabefore he• could do any more damage+6 4,hen two or

more persons• put their heads together and plot secretly toharm another• they may be said to be conspiring against thintended



• victim+6 =• .onsumed by desire Burning up due topersonal craving consumed with passion+•

4I was so consumed by desire for that womathat I• totally lost control of common decency andcommon• sense+6 4Ch Baby5 ,hen I see you I/m soconsumed• with desire5 Gou set my heart on re+6 4&ospeople are• so consumed by desire that they do things tbring• harm )ust because they can not controlthemselves+6 =• 1N;• .ontemptible behavior Despicable appallingshameful dreadful way of acting+• 4<tealing candy from a baby is contemptiblebehavior+6• 4,hen you are drunk you are capable ofcommitting the• most contemptible behavior+6 4Everybodylooks down on• you because your adulterous conduct towar

your wife• is shameful and contemptible behavior+6 =• .ontradiction in terms An expressioncontaining words that seem to mean the• opposite of one another+ 4<ome like to )oke



that military• intelligence is a contradiction in terms+6 4<othink that•

conventional wisdom is a contradiction interms+6 4Is it a• contradiction in terms to ask for merciful )ustice+6 =• .ontrary to expectations !he opposite of whis expected+ 4.ontrary to my expectations• I got an SA/ on my essay+6 4.ontrary toexpectations• the conservatives won the election by a mar• of three percent+ ,ho would have anticipatethat@6• 4.ontrary to all expectations Dad hascontinued to survive• despite deteriorating symptoms of left hearfailure+6• =• .ontrary to popular opinion• In spite of what most people believe+ 4.ontrto popular• opinion cucumbers have almost no nutritionvalue+6• 4.ontrary to popular opinion indulgence in

pleasurable• desires does not lead to happiness+6 4.ontrto popular• opinion a solitary secluded hermit/s life leato greater



• happiness than an active social life+6 =• .ontrol freak <omeone who is obsessed withhaving absolute control•

of everything+ 4&y ex7boyfriend was a contrfreak+ He• wanted to totally control my life andeverything in it+6 4I• used to be an excessive compulsive controlfreak but• now I have learned to let everything go+6 4&motherin7• law is a control freak and I hate going to hehouse• because she tries to exercise command ineverything my• wife and I think and do+6 =• .onverge in upon .ome in from all sides tosurround an opponent+ 4After a• thirty minute car chase police cruisersconverged in• upon the driver of the stolen vehicle fromevery side at• the intersection of $ing and ames <treets+64!he cowboys• placed their wagons in a tight circle and wai

for• the Indians to converge in on them andattack+6 4!he• %remier is surrounded by political opponentwho are



• converging in on him from all sides+6 =• .onvey condolences Express pityunderstanding sympathy or commiseration+•

4%lease allow me to convey my condolencesupon the• death of your mother+6 4I am sending you thcard to• convey my sincere condolences upon the deof your• beloved child+6 4Heads of <tate from all arothe• world sent condolences to Buckingham %alato convey• their condolences following the sad andunexpected• death of %rincess Diana+6=• 1NJ• .ook up an excuse "abricate a false imagina

made7up reason why one• failed to do something+ 4,e/ll have to cook an excuse• to tell the boss about why we missed &ondamorning/s• meeting+6 4Don/t try to cook up an excuse foyour absence•

from school+ I know you were )ust playinghooky+6• 4!his client is very good at cooking up excusfor why• he cannot pay our invoices on time+6 =



• .ooking the books $eeping a false set ofaccounting records to deceive investors• and tax regulators while draining o? hidden

prots+• 4Enron accountants were cooking the booksand making• false nancial statements about supposed7prots to• fool and deceive investors+6 4&y friend/s wihas a• travel oOce and she has become an expert ahiding prots• and cooking the books to avoid paying taxes4An• auditor/s )ob is to check the nancialstatement of a• company to be sure that no one is cooking tbooks and• that all transactions are properly recorded atransparent• in accordance with generally accepted auditstandards+6 =• .ool as a cucumber .alm cool and collectedshowing no signs of fear or• anxiety+ 4,hen Dave was a yachting skipper

he used to• remain as cool as a cucumber when he foundhimself in• the face of risk and danger+6 4Despite the fathat the



• general manager was obviously in the wrongand being• chastised for the nancial disaster he

remained as cool• as a cucumber throughout the proceedings othe Annual• &eeting+6 4After robbing the bank the suspwalked• calmly out the door and as cool as a cucumbtook o? • his mask stu?ed it in his )acket pocket and into a• number four bus+6 =• .ool down Don/t be so angry+ 4.alm yourselfget control of your• self+ .ool down+6 4Don/t let a little thing likethat get• you all angry and worked7up+ .ool down56 4

can understand• why you are angry but I would advise you tocool• down before you say something you/ll be sofor+6 =• .ool o? Don/t be so angry and hot7tempered4.ontrol your emotions+•

.alm down+ .ool o?56 4Don/t get so worked7up5• Don/t let things bother you+ .ool o? for awhile6 4Don/t• let things get to you so easily+ !ake a minute



cool o? • and don/t react impulsively+6=• .ool reception !he opposite to a warm

welcome when the host is not• pleased to see you+ 4I got a cool receptionfrom my girlfriend/s• family because I was not born into the samenoble• class the way they were6 4,hen the apanedelegates• arrived in .hina they got a cool receptionbecause• the .hinese people had not forgotten the apanese atrocities• of the second world war+6 4After the insensitway• I had treated her after father/s death I got cold reception• when I visited to my mother/s home+6 =• 1NK• .ooling7o? period !ime to calm down and coo? after being excited or• angry+ 4,hen you are angry and really upseit/s better• to allow yourself a cooling7o? period before

taking any• action+6 4!he %resident will have to waitthrough a cooling7• o? period before he tries to reintroduce thehighly



• sensitive federal health care plan again+64Before I try to• talk to my wife again I/d better give her a

cooling o? • period+6 =• .ooped7up ust as chickens are cooped7up incage so a person• may say he feels Scooped7up/ when he isrestricted to a• limited space+ 4I hate being cooped7up in anoOce all• day and would rather be out on the roadvisiting clients+6• 4&y children do not like being cooped7up in house• when they could be running free in the eld4'randmother• says she sometimes gets bored with being• cooped7up alone at home all day andsometimes she• even threatens to pack her bags and runaway+6=• .oping with the situation Doing one/s best tcontrol the situation+ 4Both my business• and my marriage are falling apart and I am

having a• hard time coping with the situation+6 4,e hnot got• the refugee food problem under control yetbut we are



• coping with the situation+6 4!he governmenreali>es that• an economic recession is impending and try

to do all• it can to cope with the situation+6 =• .op7out Back out of a promise let your friendown be afraid to• take the risk+ 4Don/t cop7out now in themoment when• we need you the most56 4&y brother is a reacop7out+ He• has never nished anything he has started ihis life+6• 4I/m sorry I copped7out at the last minute anwas not• there to fulll my promise to be your best mat the• wedding+6 =• .opy7cat ust as one who tries to copy from fellow7student/s• exam paper is called a Scopy7cat/ so we mayalso say• someone copy7cats the actions of another+ 4singer who• copies the actions characteristics and

manners of another• is said to be a copy7cat+6 4<top aping myactions5 If there• is anything I hate it is a copy7cat56 4!he nese-uence



• of serial killings was committed by a copy7caof the• Boston <trangler+6 =•

.ordon o? !o surround protect separate7o?blockade a threatened• area through police or military intervention+4F<• forces have cordoned o? the area around thAmerican• Embassy to protect it from terrorist attack+64Before the• princess arrives in the area for safety/s sakthe courtyard• will be cordoned o? by security forces+6 4!hmain• <-uare of the city was cordoned o? by the2ational• 'uard as a security measure to protect the

visiting world• leaders+6=• 1NM• .ore of the matter !he root cause of theproblem what lies at the center of • the issue+ 4Its hard to explain why the nancrisis hit•

so suddenly but the core of the matter wasthat the Baht• was overvalued on world currency markets+64It/s diOcult• to understand the root of racial pre)udice b



some• psychiatrists say that the core of the matterthat people•

who feel inferior need someone to hate evenmore than• they hate themselves+6 4&any factorscontributed to the• collapse of the economy but the core of thematter was• that everyone was speculating and borrowinbased on• the expectation of a continuing eight percenannual• growth curve+6 =• .orner the market 'ain control of the salesmarket so everyone has to buy• from you+ 4,hen you have bought up all youbig competitors• and crushed all the small ones then you mabe• said to have cornered the market+6 4!he wato corner• the market in !hailand is to amalgamate wityour competitors• and thereby gain a monopoly+6 4Another wa•

corner the market is to come up with newcopyrightedtechnology• that eliminates the possibility of competitio• =• .orridors of power !he long halls in



government buildings where the oOces• of highly7placed oOcials and their advisors asituated+•

4As long as there are right7wing hawkishrepublicans• sitting in the corridors of power there willalways be foreign• wars+6 4As long as there are such corruptpoliticians• sitting in the corridors of power foreignnations will suspect• the integrity of our nation/s governmentalbodies+6• 4<enator Edward $ennedy and his Democratcampaign• supporters have long been accustomed toholding inLuence• in the corridors of power+6 =• .ost an arm and a leg A very expensive pricto have to pay to get what you• want+ 4A suite at the Beverly Hilton will costyou an arm• and a leg+6 4!hree days in &onte .arlo cancost you an• arm and a leg even if you don/t go near the

.asino+6• 4Don/t go to a fancy lawyer to ask for legaladvice because• it will cost you an arm and a leg+6 =• .ost e?ective Economi>ing to keep costs un



control+ 4Introducing• new technology into the assembly line is cose?ective•

but it also costs a lot of people their )obs+64!he company• is implementing cost e?ectiveness measureand trimming• costs wherever it can+6 4&anagement iso?ering a• big cash pri>e to the person who can make tbest suggestion• for cost e?ectiveness+6 =• .ost the earth5 3ery expensive5 .ost an armand a leg5 4I bought my• ancVe the diamond engagement ring shewanted but it• cost me the earth56 4A house with a sea viewon the .alifornia• coastline will cost you the earth56 4!he doct• 1NN• cured poor old Dad of his prostrate cancer bit cost the• earth56 =• .ost you dearly Having to pay a high price fowhat you have done•

wrong or to get what you want+ 4I learned frthe mistakes• I made in my rst business venture but it come• dearly+6 4I fooled around on my wife but it c



me• dearly when she divorced me+6 4I have alwastayed•

loyal to the %rime &inister despite his mistabut it has• cost me over the years even within my ownparty+6 =• .ouch potato A child that sits on the couchwatching !3 and nibbling• snacks and never gets any exercise+ 4&y littbrother is a• couch potato+ He sits and watches !3 andmunches on• snacks all day+6 4!hese days we pictureAmerican kids• as couch potatoes but that is a stereotypebecause there• are lots of kids that are active and not fat an

not addicted• to !3+6 4Fntil I was twelve I was a couchpotato• then I got involved in sports at school andused to practice• in the afternoons after school and from thatime on•

I watched less !3 than most people+6 =• .ouldn/t be bothered 2ot thoughtful enoughhelp out or couldn/t care less+• 4I didn/t care what she thought about me+ Icouldn/t be



• bothered+6 4&y Dad never cares about whatothers say• about him+ He couldn/t be bothered+6 4I ask

my friends• to help me clean up the mess after the partybut they• couldn/t be bothered+6 4Everyone knows wemust take• care to protect the environment but mostpeople couldn/t• be bothered+6 =• .ouldn/t care less Don/t give a damnindi?erent not interested not bothered• worried not concerned+ 4I couldn/t care lessyou• told the whole world your low opinion of me4.all me• all the nasty names that you want+ I/m not

bothered+ I• couldn/t care less+6 4'o ahead and kill yoursif that is• what you really want to do+ I couldn/t careless+6=• .ount against you <omething you do that goon record as a bad mark •

which will follow you all throughout your life4If you• are ever arrested on a drug o?ense it willcount against• you for the rest of your life+6 4Any criminal



felony you• commit after the age of eighteen remains onyour record•

and counts against you+6 4Anything that youdo to o?end• my resentful wife will count against you for rest of • your life+6 =• .ount me out Don/t depend on me+ 4I am nogoing to participate I• refuse to do what you ask+ Gou can count meout+6 4I• will never help you and your pals to betray oof our• very best friends+ Gou can count me out+6 4Iwill not indulge• in any illegal activities no matter how hard ytry• to convince me+ ,hen it comes to dishonestactions you• can count me out+6=• 1NP• .ount on someone ely and depend upon aperson+ 4!here is no one other• than you that I can trust8 you/re the only on

can count• on+6 4&y &om is counting on me to nishuniversity and• get a good )ob to help support the family+6 4are



• counting on you to attend the board meetinso we will• have enough members to constitute a -uoru

to open the• meeting+6 =• .ount your blessings !hink of all the goodthings and talents that have been• given to you+ 4<top feeling so sorry foryourself and• count your blessings instead+6 4In place ofyearning for• things we can not get we should be learningcount our• blessings instead+6 4<ometimes when I amdown and• feeling blue I count my blessings to brightemy point of • view+6 =• .ount your chickens before• they are hatched• Imagine a protable or happy outcome befoyou have• invested time and e?ort and waited for theresult+ 4Don/t• count on getting accepted to medical school

you can• study to become a doctor before going on tobecome a• specialist+ Don/t count your chickens beforethey are



• hatched+6 4I wouldn/t go buying a house andcar before• your business starts to generate the hoped7

prots+• Gou shouldn/t count your chickens before thare• hatched+6 4Gou may have been selected to bshortlisted• but that doesn/t mean you will get the )ob+Don/t• count your chickens before they are hatched=• .ourage of my own convictions• .ondence that makes one act based on thefaith that• what one is doing is right+ 4It was the couraof my own• convictions that motivated me to study

philosophy rather• than law or medicine as my family might havwished+6• 4In blowing the whistle to inform about thecompany doing• creative auditing and cooking the books I wacting•

with the courage of my own convictions+6 4Icannot do• what you re-uest because it goes against mmorals+ I• regret to inform you that I must follow the



courage of my• own convictions and do what I believe in+6 =• .ourse of nature In the process of things

happening in nature+ 4It is to be• expected that in the course of nature thingwill be born• get old and die+6 4In the course of nature omany millennia• innumerable species have arisen and diedaway• due to changes in climatic and environmentaconditions+6• 4It is a known fact that in the course of natuall• carbon7based elements are slowlydeteriorating+6 =• .ourting disaster Asking for trouble makingyourself vulnerable taking a• chance that can lead to a bad end puttingyourself in a• dangerous situation seeking something thacould destroy• you+ 4Gou/re courting disaster when you staexperimenting• with mind7altering drugs+6 4%roposing

marriage• to a self7seeking mad woman like Clga iscourting• 1NQ• disaster+6 42owadays in the age of AID<



having sex• without using a condom is courting disaster+• .over for someone ust a one soldier covers

another protecting him• while running across the ring line so we mask a• friend to watch out for us or take our place odo our )ob• temporarily while we do something else+ 4Ihave to go to• the rest room for a few minutes+ .an you cofor me@6• 4I am covering the phone for my boss while is out of • the oOce+6 4.an you cover for me at my deswhile I am• gone@6 4I have to duck out of the oOce forabout thirty• minutes+ .ould you cover for me when I amgone@6 =• .over your ass with paper• %rotect and cover yourself by having theproper documentation+• 4Cne thing you learn from doing governmen• work is to always have to cover you ass with

paper+6 4Be• sure you get all the correct documentstogether so you• can cover your ass with paper in case of any-uestioning+6



• 4In the military you should try always to gewritten• copy of authori>ation for any oOcial order y

carry• out )ust to cover your ass with paper+6 =• .over your tracks Destroy the evidence thatshows what you have done+• 4,hen it is snowing very heavily you cannofollow an• Eskimo to see where he went because newlyfallen snow• will have covered his tracks+6 4!here is a nekind of • software now that allows people who visit sewebsites• on their oOce computers to cover theirtracks+6 4,hen• the evenue Department is coming to check

your books• you/d better be careful to get rid of theevidence of any• illegal transactions you may have made to bsure you• have covered your tracks+6 =• .over7to7cover "rom the front to the back of

book+ 4Abdul has read• and studied the $oran from cover7to7cover+6know the• contents of my 'eography textbook inside oand



• backwards from cover7to7cover+6 4!heeverend &ahoney• knows the contents if the Bible from cover7

tocover+6=• .over7up emoval of evidence and denial ofguilt+ 4It is believed• by some that the oOcial investigation reporon the $ennedy• assassination was a cover7up to hide the facthat• the "BI had bungled the investigation+6 4!h%resident/s• denial of any knowledge about the tapes wa )ust a• cover7up intended to conceal the real facts+64,hen corrupt• politicians are exposed they either bribe orall• the witnesses to cover up the facts+6 =• .rack down on Bring the pressure ofgovernment authority down on• wrong7doers+ 4%olice in %attaya are crackingdown on• bar owners who stay open past oOcial closintimes+6•

4!he 2arcotics Bureau is cracking down onknown drug• dealers and trying to put them all in )ail6 4!govern1PR• ment has started to crack down on people w



try to• avoid paying their taxes+6 =• .rack of dawn !he earliest part of the morni

when the rst light begins• to show over the hori>on+ 4I get up everymorning at• the crack of dawn and )og for three kilometearound the• village before it is fully light+6 4&other isalways up and• working before the crack of dawn andcontinues doing• her household duties until after the sun goedown+6• 4,hen I was in the army I had to get up at tcrack of • dawn but now I am a civilian I like to lay in ball• morning and sleep long+6 =• .rack of doom At the moment when the worends+ 4Cne day after we• have neglected our environment to the poinno return• the crack of doom will inevitably come+6 4'ois angry•

with the sinners of the world and wants topunish them• by bringing on the crack of doom so the worwill come• to a ery end+6 4Gou can keep on talking unt



the crack • of doom but you will never convince me+6 =• .rackpot idea .ra>y notion+ 4I don/t know

where I got the crackpot• idea but I used to think that one could eat amuch rice• as one wanted without gaining weight+6 4Bybrother fancies• himself as an inventor and he keeps comingwith• crackpot ideas like sun hats that can be blowup into• umbrellas+6 4,here did you ever get thecrackpot idea• that if you keep your old &ercedes7Ben> forlong• enough until it will become a classic car andincrease in• value@6 =• .rack7up &ental breakdown+ ,hen I was abothirty7three I had• a mental crack7up and had to go into two yeof intensive• psychotherapy+6 4&y Aunt Audrey had amental•

crack7up after her husband7to7be didn/t shoup for the• wedding+6 4Cften when men are about fortythree they• go through a mid7life crisis and have a ment



crack7up+6• 4,hen I was young and living hard and fastand drinking•

very heavily I had a psychological crackup athe age of • thirty7three+6 =• .rafty devil A clever and devious person whtries to get the better of • you+ 4Be careful of that fellow "austus he iscrafty• devil who try trick you in every way he can+64Ch I can• see the sly trick you are trying to pull on me Gou are a• crafty devil but such a trick won/t work onme+6 4I know• you are a crafty devil and very deceitful so Iam not going• to believe a single word that you say+6 =• .ram into ust as on the one hand we cancram in contents to totally• ll a )ar or can so on the other we can alsosay we• cram a lot of information into our heads for examination+•

4!he people were crammed into the subwaycar like• sardines in a can+6 4!he night before an exaI study• 1P1



• hard and long and try to cram a lot ofinformation onto• my head at the last minute+6 4!rying to cram

for an exam• is a very nerve wracking experience that coube• avoided with proper planning and timemanagement+6=• .ram7packed %acked as full as possible withroom for anything• more+ 4!he auditorium was cram packed witteenagers• waiting to see their favorite boy band+6 4!hsubway car• was so cram7packed that you couldn/t have )ammed in• another person in not even sidewise+6 4,hwe• reached the concert hall it was already crampacked full• and it was a good thing we had reserved seaor we• wouldn/t even have found standing room+6=• .rash7land ust as a plane may have enginetrouble and have to crash•

land so we may say that a venture or businescheme• must crash7 land before it is too late to savefrom disaster+• 4Don/t get over7excited about your business



plan because• if it doesn/t take o? in the way that you wanyou•

will be forced to crash7land+6 4Cur most recproduct• launching went over like a lead balloon so whad to• crash land and pull the product from themarket+6 4I• started o? my life living high on the hog andLying too• high but when all my money ran out I wasforced to• crash7land+6 =• .rawl into your shell ,ithdraw within yourseand become introverted and• incommunicative+ 4,henever a man gets cloto my• sister she crawls into her shell and remainswithdrawn• until he goes away+6 4,hy is it that every tiI start• talking about our personal relationship youcrawl into• your shell@6 4&y analyst says that wheneve

he starts• getting too close to the truth I crawl into mshell and• close up+6 =• .reature comforts !he essential things need



for one to have a comfortable• life+ 4.reature comforts means more than )uhaving the•

bare essentials of life it means needing thinlike television• sets sofas pillows refrigerators microwavand• the like to make life easy+6 6.andice is not tkind of • girl who would ever marry a man who could o?er her• all of the creature comforts+6 4I am afraid I aa creature• of habit that could never get along withoutessential creature• comforts+6 =• .reature of habit A person who needs to follthe same routine all of the• time+ 4I am such a creature of habit that youcan set your• watch according to the things I do throughothe day+6• 4.live is a creature of habit+ He always reactto the• same sets of circumstances in the same way

and he will• continue to stay that way until the end of hilife+6 4I/m• sorry that I am not able to adapt to t intoyour style of



• living but I have been a creature of habit foso long that• 1P:•

it is hard for me to change my ways+6 =• .redible excuse Believable convincingplausible reason or explanation+• 4I am afraid that if you cannot come up withcredible• excuse for your continued absence fromschool you will• be automatically expelled+6 4!he only credibexcuse• for missing an examination is an extremefamily emergency• or illness and hospitali>ation+6 4Gou had bet• have a creditable excuse for not turning up the meeting• with the client otherwise you will be sacke

=• .reeping at a snail/s pace ust as a snail movery slowly so we can say something• is progressing at a snail/s pace+ 4%rogress othe• construction of the new airport was creepingalong at a•

snail/s pace amidst accusations of corruptio4,ork on• the new bridge has been creeping along at asnail/s pace• because the international funding has not b



coming• through as promised+6 4F2 development ofhuman rights•

is creeping along at a snail/s pace especiallthirdworld• nations where there are great gaps betweenthe rich• and the poor+6 =• .reepy Eerie scary hair7raising as though spider or some insect• were creeping across your skin+ 4I think thafellow/s• appearance is creepy+ He reminds me ofDracula+6 ,hen• I go down alone into the deep hollow of anunderground• cave and the air begins to feel dank I get acreepy feeling+6• 4,hen I see a spider I/m afraid and get a caof • the creepy crawlies so my hair is standing oend+6=• .ringe at the thought of <hrink gurativelyinto a crouching position due to fear• of something happening+ 4I cannot stand the

sight of that• man+ I cringe at the thought of him evertouching me+6 4I• hate to think what will happen if there wereearth-uake



• in Bangkok causing a lot of high rise buildinto• fall down and collapse+ I cringe at the

thought+6 4I cringe• at the thought of the hospital doing an autoon my• helpless dead body once I die+6 =• .rop up <uddenly arise+ 4A problem hascropped up in my personal• life and I shall have to be away from the oOfor• a few days+6 4I/m sorry I can/t stay to the enof the• meeting+ <omething important has cropped and I• have to attend to it immediately+6 4A problehas• cropped up in the programming process and

we have to• work out the technological glitch before we continue+6• =• .ross my heart and hope• to die+• A .hristian expression swearing that if you t

a lie• while making the sign of the cross over yourheart you• hope to su?er the penalty of death+ 4I sweadid not steal



• your laptop cross my heart and hope to die4It was not• me who took your diamond ear rings cross

heart and• hope to die+6 4I am willing to take an oath apromise to• 1P;• never love any other woman but you cross heart and• hope to die+6 =• .ross my path 'et in someone/s way hinderobstruct or go against• somebody/s will or intent+ 4If you ever crossmy path and• try to obstruct my will again I shall box youears+6 4If • you ever cross my path again I/ll catch youand cut you• to into ribbons+6 4I/ll overlook the o?ence thtime but• if you ever cross my path again I/ll get backyou in a• way you will never forget+6 =• .ross that bridge when• we come to it•

%ut o? doing something we do not have toworry about• yet postpone the decision until the last minand act• appropriately when the time comes do not



worry about• something until it becomes a problem+ 4Donworry•

about where we will get the money to nancyour education+• ,e/ll cross that bridge when we come to it+6• haven/t decided what to do if they don/t renmy contract• but I/ll cross that bridge when I come to it+64ane• feels there/s no sense worrying about what will do if • she cannot pass the .%A exams+ !hat/s abridge she will• have to cross when she comes to it+6 =• .ross the Loor In politics changing parties agoing across the Loor of • the parliament to )oin the opposite side+ 4In

England it• very seldom happens that a .onservativepolitician will• cross the Loor and )oin forces with the #abo%arty+6• 4Cnce in the 'erman %arliament thegovernment didn/t•

have enough votes to pass a bill so the %rim&inister• coerced a member of the opposition to crossthe Loor and• vote with them+6 4<ome people think it is a



traitorous act• to cross the Loor and )oin the opposition buothers•

would say it would be )ustied if it were bason a matter• of political conscience+6 =• .ross the line 'o too far exceed the limits owhat is considered proper• behavior+ 4Gou crossed the line and exceedethe limits• of friendship when you touched my littlesister+6 4Don/t• go too far in testing the limits of my patiencIf you• cross the line I/ll be very cross with you+6 4know you• like to be obnoxious but when you publiclyinsulted the• %rince of ,hales you crossed the line of whis considered• to be polite common7decency+6 =• .ross with someone Angry and annoyed witsome person for something he• has done+ 4&y mother is very cross with mespilling a•

bottle of black ink and making a big stain onthe dining• room rug+6 4Ch Darling I/m sorry I forgot ybirthday+• %lease don/t be cross with me+6 4&y teache



always• cross with me when she sees that I haven/tbeen•

doing my homework+6 =• .ross your ngers .rossing your ngers is ahand gesture which shows you• are hoping for luck+ 4I )ust bought a lotteryticket+ $eep• 1PJ• your ngers crossed for me and maybe I canwin+6 4I/m• going to keep my ngers crossed and hopethat I passed• the examination+6 4&y mother said she woukeep her• ngers crossed for me and hope that I gotaccepted to• graduate school+6 =• .rossed my mind <omething suddenly comininto my mind or occurring• to me that I had neglected to think about+ 4has )ust• crossed my mind that I have forgotten to chthe expiry• date in my passport+6 4It )ust crossed my m

that• my electricity will be cut o? if I don/t pay thebill before• the deadline+6 4It has )ust suddenly crossedmind that



• my family would not be properly provided foI suddenly• died+6 =•

.rowning achievement !he highest peak ofattainment+ 4!he crowning achievement• of an actor/s life is being asked to give acommand• performance before the ueen+6 4!hecrowning achievement• of a footballer/s life is to kick the winning goin a• ,orld .up match+6 4&any think that thecrowning• achievement in a writer/s life would be to wthe 2obel• %ri>e for #iterature+6 =• .row/s feet #ittle lines or wrinkles at thecorners of your eyes+• 4,hen the crow/s feet at the corners of youeyes turn up• instead of down this is a sign that you smilemore than• you frown+6 4Alice is only twenty7ve but shmust• have a lot of worries because she/s already

getting• crow/s feet at the corners of her eyes+6 4&ymother had• an absolutely clear complexion up until shedied at sixtyeight



• and she didn/t have a wrinkle in her face noeven• the slightest sign of crow/s feet in the corne

of her• eyes+6 =• .ruel to be kind !elling someone a blunt trutin order to help him9her• improve his9her behavior+ 4,hen Hamlet telhis mother• she should not be drinking and sleeping withis uncle• he says he is being Scruel to be kind+64<ometimes when• you admonish a friend to help him improvehimself you• can say you are being cruel to be kind+6 4Ateacher who• gives an S"/ to a late term paper may

rationali>e that he• is being cruel to be kind+6 =• .ry wolf .all out for help when there is nodanger )ust to get attention+• 4If one cries S,olf5/ too often people will n• pay any attention when a true situation ofdanger arises+6•

4Darling I am afraid you have cried S,olf/once too• often and this time no one will come to youraid+6 4ust• like the little girl who cried 4,olf56 once to



often so a• person who cries for help too often )ust to gattention•

will not receive any help when a truly seriouor dangerous• situation arises+6=• .ry your eyes out .ry as if you will never sto4,hen brother ohn went• 1PK• o? to the war mother cried her eyes out allafternoon• and kept sobbing as if she would never stop4,hen I• could not go to my big sister/s birthday partsat home• and cried my eyes out+6 I cried my eyes out a whole• year when my rst husband left me for

another younger• woman+6 =• .rying shame A pity deplorable lamentableappalling unacceptable• a shameful thing+ 4It/s a crying shame the wsome parents• abuse and neglect their children+6 4It/s a

crying• shame the way some people eat themselvesinto obesity• while many people in the third world are stistarving



• and dying of hunger+6 4It/s a crying shame tthe rich• lawmakers can send the children of the poor

into a war in• order to protect their own inherited wealth aresources+6• =• .rystal clear ust as crystal glass is clear soidea can be clear+ 4A• good teacher should be able to explainconcepts in a way• that is crystal clear+6 4It is now crystal clearme that• you married me only for my money+6 4,henlook back • over my mistakes it is now crystal clear wheand why• and how I went wrong+6 =• .uckoo A bit cra>y not right in the head+4,hat/s wrong with• you@ Are you cuckoo@6 4Gou/re behaving likeperson• who/s not right in the head@ Gou must becuckoo+6 4I• think that &r+ .han must be a little bit cucko

He lives• in a world of his own and can do nothingwhatsoever to• help himself+6=• .uddle up to someone #et someone feel you



want to move in close and hug that• person+ 4.ome over here Dear+ <it on my laand cuddle•

up to me+ I/m feeling a bit lost and lonelytonight+6 4!om• misses having a little girlfriend to cuddle uphim at• night to make him feel warm and comforted4!here/s• nothing more cosy and comfortable on a winnight in• the ocky &ountains than to cuddle up to thone you• love on a bear skin rug in front of a biglogwood re+6 =• .udgel someone/s brains• out• Beat someone/s brains with a club or blunt

ob)ect so they• are running out of his skull+ 4I could cudgelyour brains• out for the nasty comment you made about intelligence+6• 4If you don/t come up with the ve dollars y• owe me as promised I/ll cudgel your brains

out+6 4I am• so angry with my husband for forgetting ourwedding• anniversary that I could cudgel his brainsout+6=



• .u? someone over the• ear• Hit or box someone over the ear+ 4&y Dad sa

that if I• didn/t start my chores right away he wouldgive me a• cu? over the ear+6 4If you continue to showlack of respect• and say one more deant word I/ll cu? youover• the ear+6 4,hen I was in high school+ I had ascience• teacher called &r+ &cDermott who wouldsneak up be1PM• hind students who were talking in the lab ancu? them• over the ear+6 =• .ull the herd %ick out and set aside or kill

inferior animals+ 4,hen we• got mad cow disease in Britain governmentoOcials• came to our farm and did some testing to cuthe herd of • all animals suspected of being infected+64"orest rangers•

sometimes come into the 2ational %ark andcull the herd• of older and weaker animals to help maintainatural• balance between the resources of nature an



the number• of animals+6 4Breeders of American %rairieBu?alo•

sometimes cull the herd to eliminate thepossibility of • inferior animals mating and thereby weakenthe• bloodline+6 =• .ultural conLict Di?ering ideas based ofdi?erent cultural ideas and values+• 4,hen an Englishman comes to !hailand heoften• nds himself facing a cultural conLict in whihe must• choose between Asian values and ways ofdoing things• or following those of his own culture+6 4,heAsians go• to America they are confronted with culturaconLict• when they are expected to stand up andaggressively defend• themselves+6 4American men always let ladigo• rst but !hai ladies insist the gentlemen go

rst so confusing• cultural conLicts sometimes arise about who• stands up and who moves rst+6 =• .ultural desert An undeveloped out7of7the7wplace with literally no



• art music theatre libraries etc+ 4,hen I wa boy• growing up in .anada in the 1QJRs the plac

was still• )ust a cultural desert+6 4It was not as well7developed as it• is today+ .ompared to #ondon %aris or ome,innipeg• was a cultural desert+6 4In the 1QKRs &c&asFniversity• was almost a cultural desert but nowadays is an• important center of cultural activity+6 =• .ulture shock An abrupt change in culturallocation and traditions with• no time for acclimati>ation has a distressingmental e?ect• on some people+ 4,hen I st went from

.anada to• live in 'ermany I found the people so cold asti? and• aggressive that I su?ered from culture shoc4If you• take a normal American college kid and set down in•

the middle of a .alcutta slum he will su?erfrom culture• shock+6 4&any !hai students when they rstgo to study• in America at rst su?er from culture shock



because• Americans are loud assertive and showy asopposed to•

being -uiet mild7mannered and modest+6 =• .ulture vulture <omeone who is not -uitecultured but has a ravenous• appetite to know and speak about anythingcultural such• as in art music archeology etc+ 4I hate goito gallery• openings full of culture vultures hangingaround the• walls looking artistic and talking as if theywere experts• 1PN• on something they know nothing about+64,hen I was• rst in Europe I was an unsophisticated

culture vulture• but after spending thirty years there Ibecame acclimated• and sophisticated+6 4,hen some westernculture• vultures rst come to 'reece to learn about.lassical•

.ivili>ation they seem as though they couldnever get• enough of it and spend weeks going aroundfrom ruin to• ruin fullling a hunger to get back to their



roots+6 =• .urdle your blood ust as milk curdles intolumps after it goes sour so a•

terrifying experience may be compared one/blood to• curdling at a horrifying shock or sight+ 4!heis a terrible• scene in the movie S%sycho/ of a butcher knmurder• in the shower that will be sure to curdle youblood+6• 42owadays if you go to a House of Horrors carnival• show you will see what seem to be real lifespectacles• that are sure to curdle your blood+6 4<ome oEdgar Allen• %oe/s short stories are so horrifying and

grotes-ue• that they will curdle your blood+6 =• .urse the day you were born• Be sorry that you were ever born into thisworld+ 4I don/t• know why I have such a miserable life+<ometimes I•

curse the day I was born+6 4In the Bible afteseries of • su?erings and torments ob curses the day was ever• born+6 4<ome people think it is a sin to curs



the day you• where ever born+6 =• .ushion the blow ust as we might put a

cushion under an ob)ect to absorb• the shock of a heavy blow so we may also sthat we• prepare a person before an emotional blow+4!he &anaging• %artner asked &alcolm to take a seat on thesofa and• gave him a kind smile and a glass of whiskeycushion• the blow that &alcolm would not be promoteto full• partner this year+6 4,e shall have to letHiggins go but• we will give him a golden handshake to cushthe• blow+6 4!o cushion the blow that the factoryBangkok • would be closed down the company informethe workers• that those who would be willing to relocatedthe• ayong factory site would be compensated f

the move• and that those who did not want to go wouldbe given• nancial compensation in accordance with tstipulations



• of the labor law+6 =• .ushy )ob Easy comfortable undemandingposition of employment+•

4Everyone is )ealous of Evelyn because she • landed a cushy )ob as receptionist in herboyfriend/s front• oOce+6 4I wish I could land a cushy )ob whercould• take it easy and didn/t have to do much orcarry much• responsibility+6 4After he retired as a#ieutenant .olonel• obert landed a cushy desk )ob with thegovernment as a• safety inspector+6=• .ut a path ust as an elephant cuts a paththrough dense forest and• 1PP• )ungle so we say an explorer or researchercuts a path• through as yet unknown territory+ 4!he Bigbrawny• Irishman cut a path through the crowd in thpub and• went straight up to the Bar and ordered a pi

of 'uinness+6• 4!he runaway steam roller broke through th• hedge and cut a path through 'ranny/s Lowgarden• crushing the sitting7porch and only stopping



when it hit• the wall )ust before the front door+6 =• .ut above the average Cn a level that is

superior and better than normal+ 4I must• say that your son/s performance in school iscut above• average+6 4It is the .olonel/s consideredopinion that• only one of the new cadets is a cut aboveaverage+6• 42owadays if you want to land a )ob in bigbusiness• you have to be more than )ust a cut aboveaverage+6 =• .ut across !ake a shortcut by going diagonaacross rather than• around the long way+ 4ather than walk alonthe pavement• to school we took the short way and cut acrthe• football eld+6 4Instead of walking along theroad to• school we cut across the railway tracks andtook a shortcut• through the lumber yard and the local garba•

dump+6 4Don/t you )ust hate those drivers w>ig>ag• from lane to lane and cut across in front ofyou@6 4,hen• skiing down the slope be careful not to cut



across diagonally• in front another skier in a way that might mhim•

lose his balance and fall and hurt himself+6 =• .ut and run Cn one hand this idiom means tcut the rope that holds• you and run for your life to freedom and safeCn the• other it can mean to cut your losses and runfrom debts• or claims against you and prosecution by thelaw+ 4In a• love relationship you cut and run to avoidfacing pain or• confrontation+6 4I/d better cut and run befoshe nds• out I/m already married+6 4,e/d better cut arun before• the <ecurities .ommission nds out we/vebeen• trading illegally+6 =• .ut back Economi>e by reducing costs+ 4!herm is trying to cut• back costs by introducing economy measurewithout•

making reductions in the number of sta?+64!he government• is trying to cut back in defense spending in • with the terms of the 2uclear .utback !reaty4I have



• been trying to cut back my personal spendinby limiting• the amount of cash I carry in my pocket+6=•

.ut corners <ave money by cutting outunnecessary costs+ 4&y income• has decreased in such a way that I am forcedto cut• corners in every way I can to save money+6 4Dad has• said we will have to cut corners in familyspending so we• can lay some money aside to accumulate funfor college+6• 4.utting corners to keep costs down shouldalways• be balanced with the need to maximi>e -ualand in1PQ• crease prot+6 =• .ut costs educe expenditures+ 4In an e?ortcut costs the rm• has called in an eOciency expert to do a stuon how• we can save money+6 4If we do not dosomething to cut• costs by this time next year the company w

be showing• a loss+6 4I have cancelled all my clubmemberships• and insurance policies in an e?ort to cut costo live



• within my income+6=• .ut down to si>e %ut someone in his placeshow him that he/s not as big•

as he thinks he is+ 4He thinks he is pretty bibut after I• have nished talking to him he will be cutdown to• si>e+6 4&a)or .ollins has a high opinion ofhimself but• after .olonel <taley is nished dressing himdown he/ll• be cut down to si>e+6 4Dad thinks he is a prepowerful• family gure but whenever we go to 'rannyhouse for• a visit she always cuts him down to si>e+6 =• .ut out of the deal Exclude someone fromsharing in the prots+ 4&y business• partners made a secret contractual agreemebetween• themselves to cut me out of the deal so theywould• not have to share any prots with me64apanese manufacturers• used to have a reputation for building up

markets• in European countries through a localdistributor• whom they would then cut out of the deal assoon as the



• market was big enough for the home compato manage• for themselves+6 4If you try to cut a street7

gang drug• dealer out of the deal he will have to kill yousave• face+6 =• .ut in front of <werve or move over in front someone to cut o? his• path+ 4I hate it when motorcycles cut in fronof me in• traOc+6 4!he other day I was -ueuing up at bank • when a big fat impatient lady tried to cut ifront of • me+6 4I was taught that it is polite never to in front of • anyone+6=• .ut it out5 <top it5 Don/t do that5 4uit dointhat right now5 .ut it• out56 4I want you to stop making noise rightnow5 If you• don/t cut it out I/ll throw you out56 4I don/tlike the way• you are teasing me+ Gou had better cut it ou

right now• before I get really mad+6 =• .ut loose #ose control and start acting like amad or cra>y person+• 4,hen Beatrice has drunk too much she



suddenly cuts• loose and starts to shower everyone aroundwith angry•

words of vulgar abuse+6 4After being insulteso publicly• I cut loose with a string of ugly insults andswearwords• that that would have provoked even a holysaint+6• 4!he attendants tried to subdue the mentalpatient and• hold him down but the patient was so workup on• adrenalin that he suddenly cut loose andbegan to rush• angrily around like a bull in a china shop+6 =• 1QR• .ut me in on the deal+ 'ive me a share let m

share in the prots+ 4I hear you• have got a foolproof plan to crack the .asino#et me in• on the deal+6 4#et me in on the action+ If youdon/t cut• me in on the deal I will reveal your illegalactions+6 4I•

know that you are planning to inLate theconstruction• costs by twenty percent and pocket thedi?erence yourselves• and if you don/t cut me in on the deal I/ll bl



• the whistle+6 =• .ount me out5 Don/t count on me I disagreewon/t help you+ 4I won/t•

participate in your deceitful plan+ Gou can cume out56• 4I would never take part in a plot to betray afriend+ .ut• me out56 4I/m not going to help or participatin your• underhanded scheme to steal money from oown• mother+ Gou can count me out on that one56 • .ut me some slack Don/t punish me tooseverely be understanding and go• easy on me+ 4Ch come on5 Don/t )udge me tharshly+• .ut me some slack+ #oosen up and go easy ome+6 4I• am hoping that the discipline board will cut some• slack on account of my honesty and willingnto learn• from my mistake+6 4If students get used to tidea that• university oOcials should cut them some sla

)ust because• they are young it will encourage badbehavior+6=• .ut o? all contact .ut relations+ 4After I aske&aggie to move out of my



• house she cut o? all contact with me and Inever heard• from her again+6 4&y rst husband took our

only child• suddenly disappeared and cut o? all contactwith me+6• 4!he British have cut o? all oOcial contactswith aggressive• elements of the IA+6 =• .ut out for the )ob Having the ideal -ualitiesre-uired+ 4Because I have a• natural talent for words and language andwriting I am• cut out for the )ob of being an editor+6 4&yfriend <usan• loves to work with numbers and she is cut ofor the )ob• of being a tax consultant+6 4I was not cut ou

to be a tax• consultant+ ,hat I really always wanted to bwas dress• designer+6 =• .ut short !o end before the time originallyscheduled+ 4!he %resident• has cut short his holiday in Alaska because

the• hurricane alert in "lorida+6 4&y family and Ihad to cut• short our weekend at the seaside and returnthe city



• because 'randmother was ill+6 4Due to afamily emergency• I regret to inform you that I must cut short m•

visit to your country and cancel ourappointment for next• !uesday+6 =• .ut someone o? ust as you can cut someono? from moving and proceeding• further so you can cut someone o? in speak• or acting further+ 4In the old cowboy moviesthe sheri? • and boys used to cut o? the gang of bad guyat the• mouth of a mountain pass+6 4Don/t cut me oin mid1Q1• sentence5 I am the chairman of this meeting4%rof+ Davies• talked for so long that the director of

ceremonies• nally had to cut him o?+6 =• .ut the ice "ind a way to get ac-uainted or ga conversation• started use a warm7up or get7ac-uainteddevice+ 4,hen• I want to start a conversation with a girl I a

her at• which university she studied )ust to cut theice+6 4,hen• you are giving a presentation rst take a debreath and



• look around the room and smile )ust to cut tice+6• 4%rofessor Higgenbottom often starts o? his

lectures• with )oke )ust to cut the ice+6 =• .ut to ribbons ust as a factory machine cancut a length of satin into• pieces of ribbon so we can say that a persoor group of • people is cut to ribbons by an opponent or ainvestigating• authority+ 4!he leader of <ocialist .oalitionwas cut• to ribbons by conservative &%s during theparliamentary• debate on the founding of a socialist welfarestate+6 4I am• afraid that if I debate the case in point with

prosecuting• attorney he will cut me to ribbons+6 4Gou/dbetter• tell the full truth to the evenue Departmenbecause if • they catch you lying or trying to pass7o?falsied documents•

their oOcials will cut you to ribbons+6 =• .ut to the chase Don/t explain thedevelopment of the whole story )ust cut• to the end leave out the introductoryinformation and



• come straight to the point don/t botherleading up to the• point come to the climax directly leaving ou

the details• and tell the nal result+ 4I don/t have thepatience to listen• to a lot of preliminary detail+ .ut to the chasand tell• me if I/m going to live or die+6 4!ime is mone.ut to• the chase and tell me what this is going tocost me+6• 4Don/t confuse me with the facts+ .ut to thechase and• tell me how long I am going to have to spen )ail+6=• .ut to the pith of the• matter• !alk directly to the point refer directly to thinner core• (the heart* of the matter come -uickly to thmain idea• without unnecessary delay go straight to thcenter of • the issue+ 4Don/t talk around the issue in

circles+ .ut to• the pith of the matter+6 4<top beating arounthe bush• and cut straight to the pith of the matter+64<kip the preamble



• we haven/t got any time to waste+ .ut to thepith• of the matter+6 =•

.ut to the -uick Deeply hurt in the center ofyour being cut right into the• heart wounded in your weakest point+ 4I wacut to the• -uick when she said my poems wereuncreative+6• 4,hen father said I was the least favorite ofhis sons he• cut me to the -uick+6 4,hen she said she conever• love me under any circumstances her wordscut me to• the -uick+6 =• .ut your losses Absorb your nancial lossesand do not invest any more• 1Q:• so you won/t lose any more+ 4!he investmendidn/t• work out so $en has decided to stop and cuhis losses• and is trying to make up the money in someother way+6•

4A good businessman instinctively knows whit/s time• to cut his losses and run before he loses evemore+ 4!he• rm has decided to erase all bad and cut its



losses and try• to do a better )ob of risk management to avolosing any•

more money+6 =• .ut7and7dried Denitely7determined exactlydecided clear and certain8• the way it is can/t be changed after7the7fac4!he• )udge/s decision is clear and denite cut andried and• there/s no new evidence to )ustify re7openinthe case+6• 4!hese are the indisputable facts cut anddried clear and• exact and they cannot be denied or-uestioned+6 4!ax• regulations are clear cut and dried regardinthe establishment• of a foreign7entity opening a permanentrepresentative• oOce in !hailand and there is no possibility• an exception to the rules+6 =• .ut7o? from the world Isolated in a far anddistant place with little or no human• contact+ 4I want to go and live as a forest

recluse alone in• a cave fully cut7o? from the world+6 4,hen ylive in a• research station in Antarctica you are literacut o?



• from the world+6 4I am so disenchanted withhuman behavior• that I want to go and live on a far7o? and

remote• island where I will be totally cut7o? from theworld+6 =• .ut7o? point !he absolute bare minimum thbare re-uirement the• lowest point acceptable+ 4A score of MKR on English• language test is the minimum cut7o? point facceptance• for study abroad+6 4!he cut7o?7point for bei• acceptable for short term loans is a minimumincome of • sixty thousand Baht per month+6 W,e have smany good• applicants for the graduate program that we

are going to• have to short7list all those with a cut7o? poifor the• '%A of ;+P or more and then interview themone7byone• to decide which will be accepted and which wbe•

eliminated+6 =• .utthroat prices Cver7priced ruthlessexploitation highway robbery+ 4I• never buy things in airport tourist shopsbecause they



• charge cutthroat prices+6 4&any of themerchants in the• Ba>aar in Istanbul charge foreigners cutthro

prices+6 4I• never take a taxi from the airport into the cibecause I• refuse to pay the cutthroat prices theycharge+6 =• .utting edge !he absolute forward7edge oftechnological development+• 4Bluetooth communications must stay at theabsolute• cutting edge of development if they want tobeat the• competition+6 4I wouldn/t want to be an I!specialist because• I would always have to keep myself at thecutting• edge of new technology+6 4!he problem withstarting up• 1Q;• a new information technology company is thyou always• have to stay on the cutting edge or fall behiin•

the race to keep ahead of developments in ntechnology+6=• .utting remark A sarcastic or critical remarkthat is made with hurtful• intentions+ 4I was deeply hurt by $urt/s cutt



remark • that he suspected my motives to be insincer4A person•

who is always making cutting remarks aboutothers is• )ust feeding his own inferiority complex+6 4Icannot take• my husband anywhere in polite society+ He ialways being• sarcastic and making cutting remarks aboutthe people• he sees and meets+6 =• .utting ties with Discontinuing relations wit4!urkey cut o? all relations• with 'reece and the .ypriot 'reeks arecutting o? ties• with their !urk neighbors+6 4!he Israelidelegates are• cutting o? all diplomatic ties with %alestiniaactivist• representatives+6 4I am in the process ofpreparing documents• allowing me the legal right of cutting o? allties• with my family+6 =•

.uttingXup &isbehaving being naughty actup+ 4<top that cutting7• up and causing trouble )ust to get attention4I can/t• take my kids anywhere+ !hey are always



cutting7up and• being naughty+6 4If you don/t stop yourcutting7up and•

playing the fool I/m going to send you to beimmediately+6• =• D• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• Dab A little+ 4'ive me )ust a little dab of buton my• cracker+6 4I think I would like )ust a little dabcaviar• on my cracker+6 4%ut a tiny little dab ofwhitening cream• on the end of your index nger and thenspread it thinly• over the tip of your nose+6 =• Dabble in %lay around at and en)oy doingsomething a in an unprofessional• way+ 4Gou might say that I dabble in art but• one would ever say that I was an accomplishpainter+6• 4!he reason I have accumulated such a largprivate collection•

is because I like to dabble in anti-ues+6 4At • time !homas dabbled a bit in real estate andeven made a• little money but then after a few badinvestments he



• gave it up as a bad )ob and an expensivepastime+6 =• Damaged goods ust as goods can be damag

in transit so we may say• that a person has become damaged goods inthe process• of life+ 4I would stay away from that girlEvelyn if I• 1QJ• were you+ <he was abused and mistreated inher rst• marriage and she is damaged goods6 4,heDale was a• child he was so psychologically brutali>ed ththe e?ects• stayed with him into manhood and caused hto• become an unstable inade-uate marriage

partner+6 4I• would not advise you to get involved with thnewly appointed• union leader+ He/d damaged goods+ He/s not• -uite right in the head+6 =• Damn with faint praise Blame by giving onlyweak praise 4If you say that a•

thing is Snot bad/ that is a way of condemninit with• faint praise because if you say something isSnot bad/ it• implies that it is Snot good/ either+6 4Anothe



way of • damning with faint praise is to say that awoman looks•

S-uite attractive/ which means that she isgood7looking• but not really beautiful+6 4.ritics sometimesdamn a• play or work of art by saying it Sshows talenwhen what• they really mean id that it shows a talent thhas yet to• be cultivated to do its best+6 =• Dampen your hopes ust as gunpowder will nburn if it is damp or wet so a• certain condition may also be said todiscourage your• spirit and make you lose hope+ 4,hen I sawthat I only• had a ;+: grade average that dampened myhopes of ever• getting into one of the very best graduateschools+6• 4,hen .olleen rst saw the other contestanin the• beauty ueen contest it dampened her initia

hopes of • winning+6 4,hen the presidential candidatereali>ed he• would have trouble raising campaign funds dampened



• his hopes of entering the race+6 =• Dark days ahead A dim and dismal future+ 4!political future looks•

grim+ ,ith everyone who has inLuencestruggling for• power to seek his own gain there appear todark days• ahead+6 4As we watch man rapidly depletingthe world/s• natural resources we reali>e that there will dark days• ahead+6 4,ith the rise of independent nucleweapons in• the hands of potentially hostile nations theseem to be• dark days ahead+6 =• Dark horse ust as a race horse that is neverexpected to win might• come up from behind into rst place in therace so we• might say that a candidate with little hopes winning an• election surprises everybody and wins+ 4!heboys in the• bar have told us a tip direct from the horse

mouth that• a dark horse called <kinny7&innie will pullahead to win• the fourth race+6 4,ho would have everthought that an



• independent woman from the <outh who warunning• for %residential Election as a dark horse cou

ever catch• up and take the lead ahead of her epublicaand Democratic• rivals@6 In the recent election <enator .are• who at rst appeared to be the front runnerended up as a• 1QK• dark horse who could not pull into the lead+• Dart around ust as swallows glide and dartaround as they Ly in the• air so a person may be said to move about-uickly+• 4,hen I go into the hyper7convenience storonce I get• a shopping basket I dart around from aisle

aisle• grabbing the things want and I/m nished acheckedthrough• cash and back in my car in less than threeminutes+6• 4&otorcyclists that dart in and out >ipping out•

cutting and forth between lanes are a ha>arto road• safety+6 4&y girlfriend doesn/t like it when Idart around• in and out of traOc+6=



• Dart out a minute ust as a bird darts and diin the sky so we say will• dash or dart o? for a minute to do somethin

and then• come right back+ 4<tay here while I dart out minute to• get some ice from the ice7machine+ ust sittight were you• are and don/t move+6 4.an you watch my shwhile I• dart out a minute to the A!& machine@6 4Goguys )ust• sit here and wait while I dart out and buy abottle of • whiskey+ I/ll be right back+6 =• Dash against the rocks ust as a ship may bedashed against the rocks and broken• into bits and pieces so one/s hopes may be

said to be• dashed against the rocks+ 4,hen the lettercame from the• Air "orce Academy saying that they could noaccept me• to be trained as a pilot my hopes were dashagainst the•

rocks+6 4All my lifelong7dreams were shatteand• dashed against the rocks in )ust a minute whEleanor• said she no longer loved me+6 4&y hopes we



dashed• against the rocks when the bank refused toaccept my•

business plan+6 =• Dash o? home Hurry or rush home+ 4If you wexcuse me now+ I/m• going to dash of home to my darling wifewhile you• guys stay here and have another round ofdrinks on me+6• 4!ell the boss that I have to dash o? home apick up• the audit report that I forgot+6 4%lease cancall of my• appointments for today+ I/ve got to dash o?home because• of a family emergency+6=• Day and night All around the clock

continuously without stopping+ 4I• worry day and night what will happen to myinvestment• and if my business partners are intending tobetray me+6 I• used to have a )ob where I worked day andnight as a•

driver during the day and a watchman durinthe night+6• 4&y wife is always yattering away at me dayand night• because of my careless habits+6 =



• Day in and day out In the course of one/sconstant day7by7day routine+ 4I• hate doing the same old thing day in and da

out in my• )ob routine+ I wish something new wouldhappen once in• a while )ust to break the monotony of myroutine+6 4!his• old day7to7day routine is so tedious and boriI some1QM• times think it will drive me mad and make mdo something• cra>y one day+6 I )ust sit at my computerwriting• educational materials day in and day out+6 =• Day of doom !he end of the world on the daywhen the world is destroyed• as a punishment for its evil+ 4!here is so mu• evil building up in the world right now they tday of • doom is -uickly approaching+6 !he preachersaid that the• day of doom was approaching and that we hbetter beg• 'od for forgiveness of our sins before it was

too late+6• 4&y husband is so ignorant and stubborn hewould never• give in not even if I waited to the day ofdoom+6 =



• Day of reckoning !he day you go to heaven a'od looks over your record• to decide on your doom+ 4"undamentalist

.hristians• believe that when they die is the day of thereckoning• when they go before 'od who )udges them fthe way• they have behaved during their lives and thsends them• to heaven nor hell or some place in7between4I hope• that on the day of reckoning 'od will bemerciful with• me for my sins+6 4If we keep abusing theenvironment• the way we are the day of reckoning is bounto come• whether there is a 'od or a .hurch or not+6 • Daylight robbery .harging unusually highprices even out in public places• where everyone can see+ 4%aying twenty7ftve dollars• to have your picture taken on a camel in froof the•

%yramids with your own digital camera isdaylight robbery+• !hose thievish camel drivers ought to bewhipped+6• 4%aying sixty dollars for airport transfer into



the town• center is daylight robbery+6 4Being forced topay airport•

tax is a clear case of greed and daylightrobbery+6 =• Dead and buried An old story that is long sinforgotten+ 4Don/t dig up• your old resentment against our uncle+ It is story that is• long since dead and buried+ ust let it go andforget about• it+6 !he old hatreds between the 'ermans athe Americans• are long since dead and buried+6 4<topbringing up• your grudge about father/s will+ ,hat/s dondone and• both the issue and father have long since be

dead and• buried+6 =• Dead beat eally tired+ 4I/m going to go to bearly+ I am dead• beat from working so hard in the heat all da4!he• remen have been ghting Lash forest for

three days• now with little or no sleep and they are deabeat+6• 4%eople who sit around in night clubs all niguntil



• dawn every day feel dead beat when it/s timto go to• work in the morning+6 =•

Dead duck A plan or idea that has failed andtoo late to be altered• or brought back to life+ 4,hen the Democrareali>ed• their proposed health care plan was a deadduck they• -uickly let it plop back into the water+6 4!he%remier/s• 1QN• plan to create )obs and provide better welfacare for the• poor proved to be a dead duck on the Loor oparliament• because it met with too much conservativeopposition+6• 4I often tell my students that when somethithey are• writing is a dead duck which can not be xeby rewriting+6=• Dead end A street that goes in and )ust stopat the end goes nowhere• cul7de7sac+ 4Becoming a heroine addict is a

dead• end+6 4Hillary reali>ed her health plan was adead end so• she had to give it up+6 4Asking philosophica-uestions



• that cannot be answered is a dead end+6 =• Dead giveaway <omething that shows clearevidence of deceitful secret•

or hidden intentions+ 4!he look of shame in eyes is a• dead giveaway that .larence is lying to hismother+6• 4!he plumpness of .arole/s tummy is a deadgiveaway• that she is already at least three monthspregnant+ I wonder• who the father is@6 4!he disappearance of.larence• on the night of .arole/s murder is a deadgiveaway that• he had something to do with it+6 =• Dead heat %hoto nish nose7on nose even7draw+ 4,hen two• horses run neck7and7neck in a race we satthey are running• a dead heat+6 4In an any race when twocompetitors• record the same time for a certain distancethis is declared• to have been a dead heat+6 4<o far in the

election it• seems to be a dead heat between the twoleading candidates• who seem to be neck7and7neck in dead heatwith



• each pulling about thirty7three percent of thpopular• vote+6 =•

Dead in the water ust as a ship without anengine is dead in the water so• we can say a plan or venture is dead in thewater when it• is adrift and not making headway+ 4After theprimary investor• backed out of the deal and took his money w• him the whole pro)ect was dead in the wate4Cur• website/s grand plan to post the entire!ipitaka translated• into English on the internet appears to be dein the water+6• 4!he government/s plan to increase 3A! to tpercent• appears to be dead in the water at themoment+6 =• Dead of night !he darkest hour of the night+4!he ghost scene in the• play occurs in the dead of night atop the waof the palace• when even the guards are asleep+6 4In the

dead of • night someone who doesn/t like me crept intmy garden• and hung a human skeleton from my mangotree+6 4&y



• rst wife left me taking all our money in thedead of the• night while I was asleep after taking my

sleeping tablet+6• =• Dead on target Hitting exactly what you aimfor+ 4!ommy threw a• stone at a frog on a log in the middle of thepond and hit• it dead on target+6 4In the old days longbowarchers• 1QP• could shoot their arrows a hundred yards anhit an approaching• enemy dead on target+6 42owadays they ha• smart bombs that can direct them selvesexactly to their• destinations and hit them dead on target+6

4Cur marketing• team met their budget dead on target and tcompany• is giving them a bonus+6 =• Dead on your feet <o tired you can hardlystand up+ 4I/m dead on my feet• from standing at the bar all night so I/m go

to knock • it o? now and go to bed and get some rest+64At the end• of the day mom is dead on her feet from allthe many



• household chores she has to do+6 4Aftermarching thirty• kilometers during the heat of the day in the

burning desert• the platoon of soldiers was almost dead on ifeet+6• 4<omeone who stands all day working as ahotel doorman• must feel dead on his feet at the end of hisshift+6 =• Dead on5 ust as ships use a compass andarrive at their destinations• dead on course so 4Gou can say that someois• dead on when he have somehow arrived at tright conclusion+• 4Dead on5 !hat/s exactly right+6 4<herlock • Holmes was dead on when he suspected the

butler had• poisoned designated for him in the master/swill+6 4Gour• guess id dead on5 Dead right5 How could youhave• known there were eighty7four thousand angon the•

head of the pin@6 =• Dead ringer <omeone who looks exactly likesomeone else+ 4!hey• have got a guy singing in a bar down town wis a real



• dead ringer for Elvis %resley+6 4!here is somfellow• who is a dead ringer for 'andhi who is going

around giving• meditation lessons+6 4<adam Hussein hadseveral• men who looked )ust like him who were sucdead ringers• you could hardly tell them apart and he useto send• them out to perform his duties at functions did not• want to attend himself+6 =• Dead set against Absolutely opposed+ 4&yfather is dead set against me• marrying anyone outside of my own religionbut I do not• agree with his traditional view+6 4!he .EC is

dead set• against any increases in salary until thecompany has met• its obligation to establish a nancial reserve4I was• dead set against the Americans going into tIra- war•

)ust to selshly protect their own oil interes=• Dead to the world Asleep and totallyunconscious of one/s surroundings+• 4After I take my sleeping pill I am dead to t



world for• at least six hours+6• Dead wood <omething useless that needs to

cut out like dead• wood in a forest reserve+• Cften in government we say we need to cut deadwood• like unnecessary bureaucratic procedures somore• useful procedures can take their place+ 4I usto tell my• 1QQ• students that unnecessary wording in theiressays was• dead wood that needed to be cut out+6=• Deadpan face <howing no emotionexpressionless poker7faced blank• unreadable straight7faced+ 4<tupid )okes ar

even7morefunny• when the comedian can tell them with anabsolutely• deadpan face+6 4.ard players keep a deadpa• poker face when gambling so no one can sehow they• feel about the cards they are holding+6 4Dirt

politicians• can tell even the most outrageous lies with absolutely• deadpan face+6 =• Dead7set7against Absolutely opposed to



unable to comply unwilling to• agree wholly resistant+ 4I am dead set agaimy daughter•

going abroad to study in the F<A because I f• Americans are much too liberal in matters osexual morality+6• 4I am dead set against the idea of my sonbecoming• an actor but he is going to go ahead and givit a try• anyway+6 4!he %resident and the cabinet aredead set• against the idea of declaring out7and7outwar+6=• Dead7tired <o tired that you almost feel deaso tired that you• hardly have the energy to even move+ 4I/mgoing to bed• early because I didn/t get much sleep last niand I• dead7tired+6 4I/m dead tired from eighteenhours of traveling• and I/m looking forward to getting somesleep+6• 4I/m so dead tired from physical labor that I

can hardly• move a muscle+6 =• Dead7to7the7world "ast asleep in a very deesleep a slumber so sound that• you are oblivious to the outside world you



would be• hard to awaken especially if sleeping o? thee?ects of •

drugs or drink+ 4I fell into such a deep sleepthat I was• dead to the world and slept for fourteen housolid+6 4I• must have been dead to the world because Ididn/t even• hear the alarm clock go o? this morning+64Don/t even• try to wake up grandfather he/s still dead tthe world• after drinking a whole bottle7of7whiskey lastnight+6 =• Death and taxes Everything is as inevitable death and taxes+ 4Death• and taxes cannot be avoided but greed and

corruption• can+6 4!he inevitably of uncertainty is as suas death• and taxes+6 4Death and taxes are the only twthings you• can be sure of and the government have )uslegislated a•

new law about levying the latter on theformer+6 =• Death toll !he number of dead counted+ 4!hdeath toll of the hurricane• that devastated the ,est "lorida coastline w



• three7hundred and eighteen at last count+64!here has• been a human stampede in a football stadiu

in Bra>il in• which the death toll has reached eighty7thre4!he• death toll of the bomb explosion in the <und&arket• was one hundred and twenty three persons+• Death trap A place in which many victimswould be burned7to:RR• death if there were ever a re when it was fcrowded• with people+ 4&any discos that teenagers likto visit are• death traps with too few exits through whicto escape in• the case of re+6 4&any hotels in %attaya ar

potential• death traps because they keep the re exitslocked to• prevent guests leaving without paying theirbills+6 4Big• shopping malls are potential deathtrapsbecause no would•

know how to get out in case of a burningholocaust+6 =• Death wish Inherent wish to die+4%sychologists have taken tests and• done research which suggests that all huma



beings have• some form of inherent death wish+6 4<omepsychos and•

weirdoes have such a pronounced death wisthat they• dramatically destroy themselves+6 4Cthersacting out a• hidden death wish slowly drink themselves tdeath and• nally fulll their wish+6 =• Death/s doorstep !he moment before death almost at the point of death+• 4Even though I know that I am at death/sdoorstep I do• not feel worried or fearful about coming to tend of my• life+6 4"ather was so ill with bronchialpneumonia he was• nearing death/s doorstep but after six daysthe hospital• he began to recover and now is out ofdanger+6• 4,ith only twenty percent pulmonary outpuam nearing• death/s doorstep but I do not fear death+6 =•

Debatable point An uncertain -uestionabledoubtful dubious undecided• arguable fact or point7of7view+ 4,hetherhuman• cloning is unethical is a debatable point+6



4,hether the• world is progressing or regressing is adebatable point+6•

4It is a debatable point whether capturedterrorists• should be held as combatants rather than asprisoners of • war+6 =• Debt of gratitude !o owe or be indebted tosomeone due to thankfulness• for something they have done for you+ 4,e owe a• debt of gratitude to 'overnor for the way hehelped handle• the clean7up operations after the tornado+64!he platoon• owes a great debt of gratitude to <gt+ ,ilkinfor the• excellent way he trained us in wildernesssurvival skills+6• 4I owe a great debt of gratitude to mygrandfather for• teaching me the di?erence between what isright and• wrong+6 =•

Deciding factor !he main contributing factorthat determined the outcome+• 4!he deciding factor in the invasion of Ira- w• not merely to depose <adaam Hussein but tget control



• of oil reserves+6 4!he deciding factor thatcaused the "inance• &inister to lower bank loan interest rates w

to• loosen up cash and increase spending+6 4!hdeciding• factor for me in moving to !hailand was thatwanted to• live in a Buddhist country+6 =• Deciding moment !he moment circumstancecame together to result in the• :R1• nal e?ect+ 4I think the deciding moment incareer• was when I followed my favorite %rofessor/sadvice and• went abroad to study in Europe+6 4!hedeciding moment• in the election was the day the candidatepromised support• to the activist gay and women/s right/smovements+• !hat got him the three percent of the votesthat he• needed+6 4!he deciding moment was when t

soldier• was forced to decide whether to kill or bekilled+6 =• Decked7out7in your <unday• best



• All dressed7up in your best clothes to make good impression+• 4Big &omma likes to get all7decked7out7in h•

<unday best to go to .hurch each week+64,hen you put• on your best suit of clothes and groom yourto look • your very best no matter what day of the wit is we• say you are decked out in your <unday best+4,hen• Dad dies he wants to be laid in his coOn alldecked out• in his <unday best+6 =• Decline an invitation 2ot accept turn down refuse to accept an invitation+• 4&y rst husband invited me to his secondwedding but• I declined the invitation+6 4I/m getting so oland tired• now that I can no longer go running all aroueverywhere• and often have to decline an invitation+ 4!he%rincess• is invited to preside at so many social

occasions that• she often has no other choice but to declineinvitation+6• =• Decline comment efuse to say anything+ 4I



have nothing to say and that is• what I am saying+ I decline comment+6 4,hethey asked•

the %rime minister what he thought of thescandalous a?air• he declined comment+6 4Cften when you arasked• to express an opinion but have nothing goodsay it is• better to decline comment+6=• Deep down inside Hidden in the unconsciousmind+ 4I keep trying to convince• myself to forget my rst husband but deepdown• inside I am as much in love with him now asever• was+6 4He behaves like a real tough guy budeep down• inside he/s as soft as a marsh7mellow+6 4I trto make• everyone think I am a good guy but deep doinside I• am unsure sometimes myself whether mymotives are• entirely unselsh+6 =•

Deep water <omething that is over your heaso you are in deep• trouble+ 4ust as you can be in deep waterwhen swimming• so we say we are in deep water when we are



into• trouble over our heads+6 4At rst we had caLow•

problems but that was not so bad the thingthat put us in• really deep water nancially was the risingcost of building• materials+6 4!he Dean said that Howard hadoften• been in trouble for breaking minor dormitoryrules but• now they had caught him taking drugs with woman in• his room he was really in deep water+6 =• :R:• Deep dark secret A well7kept secret that noone has ever known+ 4!hey• say that everybody has a deep dark secret

that they• wouldn/t want anyone else to know+64'overnor .ollins• has a deep dark secret that would blow theo? his• career if anybody were ever to know+6 4,hahappened•

to the <audi )ewels was thought to be a deedark secret• but actually many high7ranking oOcials knwhere• they had disappeared to+6 =



• Deep7rooted Fnconscious deep7seateddeeply7embedded+ 4,hen we• bottle up deep7seated emotions we become

like a pressure• cooker+ 4"or as long as I can remember therhas• always been a deep7rooted hatred between IA and• the %ro7English Irish+6 4!he causes of anti7social behavior• and resentment against authority are oftendeeprooted+6• =• Defensive attitude Aggressive behavior ofsomeone easily o?ended by criticism+• 4,henever 'loria asks her husband to try toimprove• his manners he always takes on a defensive

attitude+6• 4.harles tends to fend o? personal attacks assuming• a defensive attitude+6 4Cften in pressconferences• when asked aggressive -uestions thepresident•

adopts a defensive attitude+6=• Defer to someone/s opinion• 'ive in and follow the other person/s view oattitude+• 4Although it is against my better )udgment



defer to the• )udge/s opinion that our child should remainmy exwife/s•

custody+6 4Although the members of thecabinet• were divided on the issue of what to do thedecided to• defer to the president/s opinion+6 4In this caalthough I• do not entirely agree with her I shall defer tmy wife/s• opinion+6 =• Defuse the situation esolve and smooth ouan otherwise inLamatory or explosive• situation+ 4!he delegates were at oneanother/s• throats and a negotiator had to be brought to defuse• the situation+6 4<elsh demands by tribalchieftains are• escalating conLicts that are about to break into civil• war so the Fnited 2ations is sending in aspecial envoy• to help di?use the situation6 4!ensions were

tight during• bargaining sessions between management alabor and• nally to avoid a breakdown in talks anindependent



• mediator had to be drought in to defuse thesituation6 =• Degenerate behavior Immoral behavior belo

generally accepted standards+• 4!he neighbor/s children behave like beastshave never• in my life seen such degenerate behavior+64Gour husband• behaved like an absolute beast at the party+have• never seen such degenerate behavior in mylife+6 4Cne of • the problems with having low7grade Britishsoldiers• posted on Ira-i soil is that their drinking anddegenerate• behavior can be o?ensive to the local peopleand relig:R;• ion+6 4"ather has told me that if I do not givup my• drinking and gambling and womani>ing anddegenerate• behavior in general he is going to cut me ouof his• will+6 =•

Degrading remark Demeaning denigratingbelittling comment+ 4!o call• Dunsure a loathsome beast is a degradingcomment+6• 4Don/t you make any of your usual degradin



remarks• when you meet my family or they will think ylookdown7•

on others+6 4Cne of the ob)ects of right speeis• to catch yourself before you maker degradinremarks• about others to avoid doing yourself andothers harm+6 =• Delegate authority Designate and entrustsomeone to do a )ob+ 4A good• manager knows how to delegate authority to-ualied• sta? members in order to get the )ob done+6&a)or• 'eneral cannot run an Army all by himself sthat/s why• he has -ualied oOcers to whom he can

delegate authority+6• 4Cne of the -ualities of being an e?ectivepresident• is in knowing how to delegate authority tospread the• workload and to keep yourself free enough tmaintain a•

broad overview+6 =• Delusions of grandeur "alse inLated ideas oyour own importance+ 4A person• who thinks he is better and higher and moresuperior to



• everybody else has delusions of grandeur+64Gou can• nd people in mental homes that have

delusions of grandeur• and think they are 2apoleon or the $ing of"rance+6• 4<ome people who get a lot of money andpolitical• power develop delusions of grandeur whenfact they• are nothing but a lot of dirty little crooks+6 =• Delve into the depths 'o deeply into aninvestigation of a -uestion+ 4It is a• mystery to everyone how tens of millions ofdollars• could )ust disappear into thin air but taxinvestigators are• being brought in to delve into the depths of

the matter+6• 4Doctors do not know why B virus is soprevalent in• <outh East Asia but they are beginningresearch to study• the causes and delve into the depths of thematter+6 4!he•

-uestion of whether the world is innite andeternal is• something so profound that you cannotunderstand it• without delving deeply into the depths of th



matter+6 =• Demolition order !he court order to tear dowor blow up and destroy a•

building+ 4It is against the law to explode andemolish• buildings and structures without rst gettindemolition• order from the proper authorities+6 4!hesuperior court• has given a demolition order to blow up the2ational <tadium• in order to make place for a new one+6 4!hestrategic• bridge was blown up after a demolition ordewas• received from British .ommand Head-uarte=• Denounce as a traitor 2ame as someone wh

has turned against and betrayed• the cause become a double agent+ 4!heAmerican I!• :RJ• specialist who sold military secrets to the.hinese was• denounced as a traitor and sentenced life

imprisonment+6• 4,hen the defense minister turned7against %resident• on the issue of 2ational <ecurity the presiddenounced



• him as a traitor+6 4,hen the interior ministe• refused to order gas attacks against womenand children•

amidst his own people the %remier denounchim as a• traitor to government policies and had himexecuted immediately+6=• Depart from this world %ass away and die+4<ometimes I wish I could depart• from this world to be freed from earthlysu?ering and• pain but then I think of something I still wato try and• change my mind again+6 4It is satisfying toknow that• when I depart from this world my loved onewill be• provided for in accordance with my last will

and testament+6• 4!hey say that when you depart from thisworld• if your mind is focused on some purewholesome• thought you will go to a heavenly abode+6 =• Depend on ely on somebody to aid and ass

you+ 4Everybody let• me down so I had no one left to depend on+4<o I cut• o? my ties with everyone and tried to depenon myself



• alone+6 4,hen you know you can/t evendepend on• yourself you can/t blame others for being

undependable+6• =• Depict as a villain Attempt to make some onlook like the bad guy or person• of evil intent+ 4!he opposition is trying todepict the• %rime &inister as a villain while members ohis own• party are setting him up as a national hero+64#iberals• always depict the defense minister as a villawhen the• are enemy casualties in foreign wars+6 4Afteour divorce• my wife went around talking to everyone an

depicting• me as the villain+6 =• Depths of depression !he worst lowest leveof sadness misery and despair+• 4,hen I was a <ophomore I went trough aperiod in• which I was sunk in the depths of depression

but it was• only a stage in growing up and I soon got ovit+6• 4,hen I was in my thirties I almost drankmyself to



• death in the face of the depths of depressioof existential• despair+6 42owadays people who are

chronically in the• depths of depression can be helped by beingprescribed• pharmaceutical products which can bring thback to• states of near normalcy+6=• Dereliction of duty 2eglect and disregard foone/s delegated responsibilities+• 4A military oOcer who falls asleep on guard7duty• during his watch is guilty of a dereliction ofduty+6 4!he• COcer of the ,atch who caused the merchaoil tanker• to run aground due to his drunken7ness wa

accused of • dereliction of duty+6 4!hey are now accusingthe ustice• :RK• &inister of dereliction of duty for not accusithe %resident• of war crimes and taking him to )ustice+6 =•

Derive from 'et gain or originate from+ 4!hextra prots derive• from upward Luctuations in foreign exchangrates+6• 4All income derived from direct sales is sub)



to value• added tax+6 4!he evenue Departmenttogether with the•

.ommittee Against .orruption is in the procof sei>ing• all illegal income without transparent sourceand• using the money for the national good+6 =• Derogatory comments Belittling derisivecritical remarks+ 4%eople who make• derogatory remarks about others are feedintheir own• egos and inferiority complexes+6 4#et/s haveno derogatory• comments about the opposing members ofdebate• team )ust because they happen to hold anotpoint7ofview+6• 4%eople who make derogatory comments ab• others are low7minded and mean7spirited+6 • Deserve better Be worthy of better treatmeor circumstances+ 4I don/t• see why my family treats me so badly I thinkdeserve• better treatment+6 4,hy don/t you get rid o

that no7good• husband of yours@ Gou certainly deservebetter+6 4,e• think it is a shame that you put mother in anold people/s



• home we think that she deserves better thathat+6 =• Deserving cause ,orthy )ustiable+ 4A lot o

people donate to the ed• .ross because they know it is a worthy caus4,e donated• a lot of time and money to the !sunami victi• because we thought it was for a deservingcause+6 4,hen• David saw the poor abandoned people livingthe old• folk/s home he considered it a deserving caand made• a generous donation6 =• Designated driver A person who drives a groof people who will be• drinking alcohol but who will no drink alcohohimself+• 4<ince I will not drink alcohol at the party amy friends• are coming with me in my car and I am thedesignated• driver+6 4&y friends and I all drink like sh when• we go to the beer festival one of us has to

stay sober and• serves as the designated driver+6 4,hen myDaddy used• go to a wedding and drink whiskey I wasassigned as the



• designated driver+6 =• Desperate measures Fndertake strongforceful actions to prevent unwanted•

events from happening+ 4Desperate situatiore-uire• desperate measures+6 4!he %resident hasstated that he is• ready to take desperate measures to fend othe immanent• threat of terrorist attacks+6 4!he rm faces risk • of bankruptcy in the third -uarter and if wenot take• desperate measures to cut down on labor anenergy• costs we are going to go bust for sure+6 =• Despicable behavior An appalling dreadfulshameful way of behaving+ 4Despite• his rank and wealth the people came todespise him• :RM• for his disgraceful behavior+6 4Gou will nevebe able to• gain the respect of others if you don/t stopyour drunken•

debauchery and despicable behavior+6 4Dadsays that• promising to marry a girl )ust so you can getsex is despicable• behavior+6 =



• Despicable deed A wicked and shameful actaction that is appalling• dreadful loathsome and vile a deed to be

despised+ 4An• act of incest is a despicable deed indeed+6 4murder• your own child is a despicable deed+6 4!obetray your• best7friend so his enemies can stab him in tback is a• despicable deed+6 =• Detached from the world <tanding back fromthe world and watching with e-uanimity+• 4!he way to avoid stress is to stand back anobserve• and remain detached from the world and noget• involved in its struggles+6 4An even better w

to stay• calm and balanced and detached from theworld is to• practice a regular routine of meditation+64<urely the best• way is to become a monk and stay in thetemple and•

meditate upon attachment to sensation untiyou become• wholly detached from the world+6 =• Detained for -uestioning Held by police forinterrogation+ 4!hree suspects have



• been detained for -uestioning in the case ofBangkok • Bank robbery+6 4All known drug dealers hav

been• rounded up and detained for -uestioning in campaign to• stop the Low of drugs from getting onto thestreets+6 4<ix• &uslim separatists have been detained for-uestioning• regarding the bomb blast in .entral ailway<tation+6 =• Determined7e?ort <trong7minded resoluteunrelenting e?ort+ 4If you donSt• make a determined e?ort in getting aneducation you are• very likely to fail in your attempt to succeedlife+6• 4After making six months of determined e?o.ora nally• managed to bring her weight down by thirtykilos+6• 4!he ,orld Health Crgani>ation is making adetermined• e?ort world wide to stamp out conditions th

lead to• &alaria+6 =• Detrimental e?ect An intention or cause tharesults in a harmful e?ect+• 4.arbon gasses are having a detrimental e?



on the• o>one layer+6 4All that cheap whiskey !om habeen•

drinking has been having a detrimental e?eon both his• brain and liver+6 4.onstant greed and worryare bound to• have a detrimental e?ect on your healthsooner or later+6• =• Devastating situation A state of a?airs withdestructive overwhelming shocking• conditions+ 4In the face of such a devastatinsituation• the !sunami victims were totally at a loss toknow• where to begin or what to do+6 4After the,orld !rade• .enter Bombing the mayor of 2ew Gork wasfaced with• a devastating situation+6 4,hen my husbanran away• :RN• with a younger woman and left me with fourchildren I•

was in an absolutely devastating emotionalsituation+6 =• Deviate from the norm Diverge di?er anddigress from the mean be di?erent• from what is normal+ 4If you live in normal



society and• you deviate from the norm people will thinkyou are•

weird+6 4!he results of my blood7tests deviafrom the• norm so my doctors are giving me furthertests to try to• determine the cause+6 4<ometimes there arrandom impulses• that deviate from the norm that could be anearly• sign of developing abnormality this is as trufor scientic• research as it is for people+6 =• Devil in disguise A bad inLuence dressed upa good intention+ 4A wolf • dressed7up to look like a little girl/sgrandmother is a• devil in disguise+6 4Don/t be fooled theapparent benevolent• loving7kindness of Evelyn/s husband+ He/sactually• a devil in disguise+6 4<ometimes a demon catake on• attractive human form and appear to someo

to try to• tempt him as a devil in disguise+6 =• Devil/s advocate <omeone who tests anargument )ust by saying the opposite• to see if it holds water+ 4<omeone who alway



says• the opposite )ust for the sake of argument isplaying the•

devil/s advocate+6 4&y uncle oger is alwayplaying the• devil/s advocate by -uestioning the truth ofwhatever• people say sometimes his intervention ishelpful but• more often it is harmful+6 4ust for the sakeargument• let me play the devil/s advocate and ask whahappens if • our assumption is wrong+6 =• Devious intentions Deceitful sneaky trickyunderhanded scheming motives+• 4I don/t know what he is up to but you can sure• that he has devious intentions+6 4<omeonewho is secretly• scheming to do an evil action may be said tohave• devious intentions+6 4<ometimes you cannosee what is• in a person/s mind so you are not sure

whether he has• good or devious intentions+6 =• Devoted husband #oyal dedicated faithfulhusband+ 4&y father was a• loyal and devoted husband to my mother an



never• cheated on her even once in his life+6 4It seeto be getting•

harder and harder for a young woman to ndloyal• and devoted husband+6 4If you marry me Ipromise with• all my heart that I will forever be a loyal anddevoted• husband+6 =• Devoted to the cause .ommitted to the causwith loyalty and devotion+ 4I am• devoted to the cause of freedom but not sodevoted that I• would kill and die for it+6 4I am devoted to tcause of • freedom but not so devoted that I would killand die for• it+6 4.atherine is a loyal dedicated and faited• .ross 3olunteer who is devoted to the cause4!he government• says that its young men should be so devoteto• :RP•

the cause of freedom that they are ready toght for their• country if necessary+6 =• Diatribe against 3erbal attack anddenunciation against strong and extended



• criticism against+ 4In .hurch on <unday the• preacher directed a diatribe against lust andsin that put•

the fear of the #ord into his parishioners+64Antiabortionists• have been conducting a diatribe against a• women/s intentional choice to end a pregnaand• thereby because it involves the taking of life4!he• leader of the opposition stood up in parliamand redo? • a lengthy and angry diatribe about corruptioand• government contracts the like of which hadnever been• heard before+6 =• Dicker about the price Bargain argue and

haggle about the price+ 4,hen I go to• the market I don/t bargain and bicker aboutthe price I• )ust pay them what they ask for because I cabe bothered• dickering about money+6 4&y friend Dr+ Abd• told me that a gentleman of standing would

never bargain• and haggle and dicker over the price of theitem in an• Egyptian marketplace because it would makhim loose



• face+6 4It always makes me feel a littleashamed when I• see foreign tourists dickering about the pric

of a necktie• in a tourist market place+6 =• Diddle someone .heat someone out ofsomething out by over7charging• someone by using deceit and trickery+ 4,he%amela• found out that the maid had been diddling hon the• shopping bill every week for over a year sheimmediately• red her+6 4!he ama>ing thing about thiscountry is• the way people are always coming up with nways of • trying to diddle one another out of a little

money+6 4I• would never try to diddle someone out of evthe smallest• sum of money for whatever reason especiafor• )ust a few Baht and I wonder why people aralways trying•

to diddle me+6 =• Didn/t pan out ust as people pan for gold inthe bed of a river so they• may say they invested in a business venturethat didn/t



• pan out+ 4&ost of the new business ventureregistered• under law soon run out of money and fail to

pan out and• have to close down+6 4&y &om borrowedmoney from• my uncle to open a #aundromat in %attayaand when• her idea didn/t pan out she had no money tpay my uncle• back+6 4,hen &itch was younger he openedco?ee• house hoping he could make it a popularhangout and• make a living at the same time but his hopedidn/t pan• out as expected+6 =• Die away ust as the last evening light may d

away in the west so• we may say that an attitude or custom orcultural characteristic• dies away in the course of time+ 4!he cultura• :RQ• custom of showing high respect for one/selders is unfortunately•

dying away+6 4!he idea that women are infe• to men has gradually been dying away forcenturies+6• 4!he custom of women bowing at the feet otheir husbands



• at bedtime has all but died away+6 =• Die down <ettle down and become -uiet+S!here were a lot of public•

demonstrations in the last few weeks butnow things• are starting to die down+6 4After the initialexcitement of • the scandal 'iovanni decided to lie low for awhile to let• the dust settle down and let things die down4!here has• been a great hue and cry about governmentcorruption• but as usual someone will appoint acommittee to look • into the matter and by the time they haveled their report• the commotion will have died down+6 =• Die of Die as a cause or result of+ 4Gou may fdevastated• your heart is broken but you are not going tdie of it+6• 4&any British soldiers died of dysentery inBurma in the• <econd ,orld ,ar+6 4Increasing numbers of

needlein)ecting• heroin addicts are dying of HI3 relatedcauses+6• =• Die with your boots on Die like a man while



still active and working+ 4.owboys• used to say they didn/t want to get old andhave to retire•

but would rather die with their boots on whistill herding• cattle+6 4!here used to be a lot of oldgunslingers in• the wild west who would rather have died wtheir• boots on than in bed+6 4&any laboring classworkers say• they would rather die with their boots on thold and• alone in bed+6 =• Die7hard <omeone who is too conservative aold7fashioned• who is inLexible and unwilling to change+4<ome attitudes• and opinions die hard because it takes sevegenerations• for them to die out and be replaced by newe• ideas+6 4!here were a lot of old die7hard 2a>still living• in 'ermany after the war but eventually thgeneration•

passed away it was replaced by a newyounger moreopen7• minded generation6 4&y Dad is one of thoseold• die7hards who believe that women should no



have the• right to vote and that their place is in thekitchen+6 4Cld•

customs and traditions die hard andsometimes that is a• good thing+6 =• Di?erent strokes for di?erent• folks• 2ot everybody likes the same things somepeople like• one thing some like another to each7his7owaccording• to his will according to his own taste+ 4<omlike it hot• and hard some like it soft and gentle that/swhy we say• Sdi?erent strokes for di?erent folks+/6 4<omlike gorgeous• girls some like gay boys as they say Sdi?er• strokes for di?erent folks+/6 4Everybodysupposedly has• the right to do as he pleases whether everyoelse agrees• :1R• or not according to the idiom di?erent

strokes for di?erent• folks+6 =• Dig down deep into your• pockets• 'ive generously and be charitable+ 4,e are



asking all of • you to dig down deep into your pockets andgive generous•

contributions to help aid the Bangladesh Lovictims+6• 4!his charity is for a deserving cause so wehope• you will all dig down deep in your pockets andonate• generously+6 4,e are starting a #odge ofesearch and• as there are so few founder7members we arasking each• one of you to dig down deep in his pocket anmake a• generous contribution towards this end+6 =• Dig it5 #ike appreciate understand and reaget into something• having to do with the )a>> or music scene orsomething• that is considered cool+ 4I dig you baby+ I th• you/re cool6 4I )ust don/t dig it when a chicktakes over• sexual control+6 4a>> fans used to really digwhen•

&iles Davis played his trumpet standing withis back to• the audience facing towards the othermusicians+6 =• Dig up dirt on "ind out some gossip uncove



something scandalous• from the past from the past that has been ksecret+•

4,hen the .onservatives can/t think of anyother way of • discrediting their opponents they hire aprivate detective• to go out and dig up some dirt on him+64<candal maga>ines• are always trying to dig up dirt on Hollywoodstars• to appeal to the low7mindedness of theirreaders+6 4!he• press is always trying to dig up dirt on publiservants• and political gures )ust to increase newspacirculation+6• =• Digging your own grave <etting up thesituation for your own destruction+ 4,hen• <am went away to college his &om told himstay• away from drugs or he would be digging hisown grave+6• 4Don/t do it5 If you go ahead with your evil

intentions• you will be digging your own grave+6 4%eoplwho are• excessive in the use of addictive substancesare digging



• their own graves+6 =• Dilly7dally ,asting time hanging aboutdawdling along behind the•

group being slow hesitant or indecisive+4.ome on children5• Hurry along the path and don/t get lost bydillydallying• behind the others+6 4In every tour group th• are always a couple of people who dilly7dallybehind the• rest soothe tour guide has to keep an eye ofor fear of • losing them+6 4!here is no time for dilly7dallying about• we have to be packed and ready to go by teo/clock• when the bus leaves for the airport+6 =• Dim view of Disapproving attitude towards

something improper or• morally wrong+ 4!he religious community taa dim• view of increasing immorality amongst younpeople+6• 4!he religious community takes a dim view oincreasing•

:11• immorality amongst young people+6 4&ymother takes a• dim view of my dating someone with anotheskin color



• but I have told her that when you close youreyes it all• feels the same+6 4!he Ambassador takes a d

view of • Embassy sta? members getting drunk in !heBritish <ocial• .lub after work especially because it makesbad• impression when foreign guests are present• Dim7witted A little dull when it comes tointelligence+ 4ohn seems a• little dim7witted at times but it is mostly the?ect of the• heavy anti7anxiety drugs they are giving him4<ome• guys marry dim7witted blondes )ust as an egboost )ust• to impress their friends+6 4Cur younger

brother is a bit• dim7witted and has to go to a special schoolbut that• does not mean that we love him less+6 =• Dime7a7do>en ust as in the past people useto sell ordinary items like• eggs or cakes for ten cents a do>en so

nowadays when• we want to say some things are common inover7supply• and easy7to7nd very cheap we use theexpression



• 4dime7a7do>en+6 4Beautiful blondes inHollywood are a• dime a do>en+6 4#awyers are a dime7a do>en

and can/t• always earn a living but good and honestlayers will always• be able to nd a )ob+6 4Bar girls in %attaya aa• dime7a7do>en and in the o?7season they hanothing to• do but sit around and wait for the touristseason to begin• again+6 =• Dirt cheap As cheap as dirt for almost nothi4Gou can buy goods• dirt cheap in the !hai border towns on thebordercrossings• of Burma+6 4A lot of European department• stores by products dirt cheap directly .hinarather than• from !hailand because labor and productioncosts here• are much higher+6 4!ourists who exchangeEuros in• !hailand nd the prices here dirt cheap

compared to• prices in their home countries+6 =• Dirt poor A person who owns only the dirtwhere he farms is said• to be dirt poor+ 4&y grandparents were dirt



poor when• they started working the land here in $ansathree generations•

ago+6 4!om told me that although hisforefathers• were uneducated and dirt poor the family ca• boast of having produced two doctors onelawyer and• one )udge and architect and an engineer+6 4one ever• claim that we are uneducated and dirt poor more+6 =• Dirty deal An unfair transaction in whichsomeone is cheated or• su?ers an unfair advantage+ 4I think it is adirty deal the• way middlemen take advantage of farmers bpaying low• prices for crops and then selling them athigher prices to• make a big prot+6 4It is a dirty deal the waythe government• is charging higher taxes but not using themoney• for the advantage of the common people+6 4

think it is a• :1:• dirty deal the way I paid into my medicalhealth7plan all• of my life only to nd out in the end that th



try every• trick in the book to avoid paying for myhospital costs+6•

=• Dirty linen ust as we wouldn/t want to showour dirty laundry (or• linen in public so we have deep dirty secrethat good• people wouldn/t want to know+ 4!here is an saying• that says S,e should not wash our dirty linein public+6• 4A married couple should discuss theirproblems and di?erences• in private rather than wash their dirty linen • public+6 4It was shameful the way prince.harles and• #ady Diana washed their dirty linen in public

each giving• biased interviews that were then published the press+6• =• Dirty looks #ooking displeased scornfulresentful+ 4I didn/t ask • .ynthia to the school prom thirty yeas ago a

she still• gives me dirty looks whenever she sees me+4.hristopher/s• ex7mother7in7law still gives him dirty looks f• the way he treated her daughter who is now



his ex7wife+6• 4,hen someone is resentful and gives othepeople dirty•

looks this causes more resentment and nevleads to• good+6 =• Disadvantaged children .hildren with nofamily no means of support no one to• take care of them and many otherdisadvantages+ 4I like• to donate to charity to help disadvantagedchildren+6• 4!he &asonic "raternity has done a lot ofcharity work • providing medical care and education fordisadvantaged• children+6 4!he problem with men leaving thwives• and families to run7o? with another woman that this• leaves behind a lot of disadvantaged childre=• Disappear into thin air Do a disappearing acso no one can catch or nd you+• 4!he robber exited the front door of the ban

and suddenly• disappeared into thin air and no body hasbeen• able to gure out how he pulled hisdisappearing act+6



• 4&y rst husband withdrew all our money frthe bank • and disappeared into thin air and was never

heard from• again+6 4!he cops are onto me so I/d betterdisappearing• into thin air before they catch and arrest me=• Disapprove of !ake a dim view of somethingbeing a wrong attitude• or action+ 4'randmother disapproves of peodisplaying• physical a?ection in public+6 4Cur bossdisapproves• of women wearing trousers in the oOcebecause he likes• to see them in skirts and dresses+6 4&y &omdisapproves• of me hanging around the pool room becausshe thinks I• will fall into bad company and I know she isright+6 =• Disciplinary measures ules of discipline beimposed on wrongdoers as an• example to encourage others to follow

regulations+ 4!he• Dean is imposing disciplinary measures agathe stu:1;• dents who hoisted a toilet bow and placed itatop the



• Lagpole+6 4!he army has imposed disciplinameasures• against the enlisted men who imposed tortu

on captured• military prisoners+6 4Disciplinary measures • being undertaken by the company to punishemployees• who deliberately disregard the workingregulations+6 =• Discriminate against udge people of beinginferior due to religion caste race• sex or any other factor that would make theless than• e-ual to oneself+ 4Cne should neverdiscriminate against• others based on race or religion+6 4!heemployment policy• used to discriminate against women so they

got paid• less than a man for doing the same )ob+6 4Inthe F<A it• is against the law to show any kind ofdiscrimination• against anyone for any reason because allpeople are considered•

as being born e-ual+6 =• Disdainful attitude <cornful derisive way oflooking down on others+ 4!he• Duchess has a disdainful attitude and looksdown on



• anyone not born into the aristocratic class+64!hose who• show a disdainful attitude are often )ust

covering up an• inferiority complex+6 4Cne should view allpeople as being• e-ual and never have a disdainful attitudetowards• anyone in the world+6 =• Dismal end A miserable unhappy nal resul4I swear that boy will• meet a dismal end if he does not stop Lirtinwith risk • and danger+6 4Gour life will come to a dismaend if you• do not learn balance your mind to control yodesire and• anger+6 4If you do not -uit drinking to decre

the damage• to your liver you will surely come to a dismaend+6• =• Dismal prospect Depressing outlook andexpectation for the future+ 4Environmentalists• are predicting a dismal prospect for the

future+6• 4Economists are convinced that increasingbank • interest rates indicates a dismal prospect fofourth -uarter



• earnings+6 4Astrologists scientists andpessimists are• all predicting a dismal prospect for the futur

=• Disparaging remark eproachful disapprovibelittling comment+ 4.olleen• is always making disparaging and hurtfulremarks about• the other ladies in her social circle and makiherself a• lot of enemies+6 4,e should always be awarthat when• we are making disparaging remarks aboutother people• the e?ects will be painful and harmful+6 4,hyou have• the temptation to make a disparaging remarto someone• it would be better to hold your tongue+6 =• Dispense with the formalities• <kip the preliminary formal introductions+4#et/s dispense• with the formalities and get straight down tbusiness+6• 4<ince this is an informal meeting we can

dispense• with traditional formalities and get down tobrainstorming• right away+6 4,hen time means moneybusi:1J



• ness conferences dispense with time7wastinformalities• and go directly to the point so team membe

can understand• what is expected of them and get back to th• desks as -uickly as possible+6 =• Display of a?ection <howing love and carepublicly+ 4In Asian cultures it is• considered improper to exhibit any publicdisplay of a?ection+6• 4In "rench society people hug and kiss oneanother• in a display of a?ection as an expected partthe• culture+6 4In Italian society men hug and kione another• in an open and genuine display of a?ection+• Disputatious person Argumentative individu

4%eople who always like to• argue and disagree are disputatiousindividuals+6 4&y• colleague od is a disputatious individual bynature so I• avoid talking to him if at all possible+64Disputatious persons•

are usually motivated by some kind of hiddeillwill+6• =• Dis-ualied from Declared ineligible or bannfrom participating+ 4$aren



• Cates was dis-ualied from competing in thClympics• because she failed to pass a drug test+6 4Cn

of the candidates• has been dis-ualied from running in thepublic• election because he has a criminal record+64Did you hear• the story about the girl who was dis-ualiedfrom running• in the &iss Fniverse contest because theyfound out• she was married@6 =• Dissolute person Degenerate debauchedindividual someone with a dissipated• way of life+ 4A dissolute person is one who lian• immoral dissipated and self7indulgent 4&y

father was a• dissolute person who died at the age of forteight due to• complications arising from a combination ofHI3 3irus• B and cirrhosis of the liver+6 4,hen Dale wahis thirties•

he was a drunken debauched dissolute perwho• was headed for a dismal end but at forty hstopped his• dissolute life and started meditating and lat



became a• catholic priest+6 =• Distance yourself from emain detached fro

don/t get too close to+ 4<ince &r+• %rofumo has had his latest scandal even hisoldest• friends are distancing themselves from him+• Distant corner of the• world• A far o? place far from anywhere+ 4In .anad!asmania• is considered as being in a distant corner ofthe• world+6 4,hen an American soldier is postedto <inop• !urkey on the Black <ea he considers himseto be in• an isolated distant corner of the world+6 4In

<ingapore• %atagonia is considered as being in a far7o?distant corner• of the world but in %atagonia <ingapore isconsidered• a far7o? distant corner of the world+ Everythis•

relative to nothing at all+6 =• Distinct impression ,hat seems to be a cleaand obvious to the observer+ 4I• have the distinct impression that the witneswas paid for



• :1K• lying about being with the accused on thenight of the•

crime+6 4I have the distinct impression thatIrene has got• a crush on me+6 4I have the distinct impressthat the• girl who sits next to me in the oOce dislikesme+6=• Distinguished gentleman Eminent prominenwell7known gentlemen+ 4I would• like to thank the distinguished gentlemen onthe <enatorial• Advisory .ommittee for their worthycontributions+6• 4Cur next speaker is a distinguishedgentleman who• taught for forty years at .hulalongkorn

Fniversity and• wrote seventy research papers+6 4'eneral%rem is one of • the country/s most well7known eminent anddistinguished• gentlemen+6 =• Distinguishing marks Birthmarks or scars or

such7like on a person or a corpse• that would help to identify him or it+ 4DannyDade was• known to have the distinguishing marks of tblack



• moles one on his right arm and another on left side• of his neck+6 4,hen !im applied for his

permanent resident• visa the Immigration Department asked himhe• had any distinguishing marks on his body thwould• help !hai authorities to certify his identity+64!he police• were able to nd out the identity of themurdered woman• when her mother recogni>ed the distinguishmarks of • two entangled tattooed snakes located on hleft and• right shoulders+6 =• Disturbing the peace &aking noise that

disturbs the peace and -uiet of the• neighborhood+ S&oody got arrested last nighfor being• drunk and disorderly and disturbing thepeace+6 4&y• wife tells me that if I do not stop my loud anargumentative•

behavior which disturbs he peace ofcommunity• she will divorce me+6 4Cne when I was astudent I was• arrested for disturbing the peace by going



around campus• shouting abusive insults about the faculty athe academic•

community+6=• Ditch somebody 'et rid of a person break othe relationship leave them• by the wayside ditch by the roadside+4#eonine was my• girlfriend in high school for three years butthen after• she became %rom ueen she suddenly ditchme+6 It/s• not so easy to ditch an old friend even if he gone to• the dogs and may eventually do you harmthrough association+6• 4I never did like your wife and I have always• thought you should ditch the bitch+6=• Do a good turn %erform a good deed in theservice of others+ 4Boy scouts• are taught to do a good turn every day+6 4Ifyou are asked• to do a good turn and you refuse to do it thicreates bad• karma which will come back to you sooner o

later+6 4If • you see you have the chance to do a good tuby giving• a small donation don/t hesitate to reach inyour



• pocket+6=• :1M• Do an about7face #iterally turn to face in th

opposite direction as in military• drill guratively to do the opposite of whatyou• said you would change your mind to thecontrary reverse• your view to change to the opposite opinion4He• was a liberal activist when he was in histwenties but in• later life he did an about7face and )oined thconservative• right wing+6 4!he government did an about7face on• the tax7cut promise and it cost them the nexelection+6• 4,hen she unexpectedly got pregnant shesuddenly did• an about face on her anti7abortion view+6=• Do as you are bid "ollow orders fulll acommand be forced to follow• someone/s will concede and do what you arto doe told•

do as you are asked to do behave asre-uested+ 4ust do• as you are bid and don/t ask any -uestionsand you• won/t have any problems+6 4!he way to get



along in the• navy is )ust to do what you are bid and don/tmake waves•

or rock the boat+6 4If you do not do as you abid I will• soon nd a way to get rid of you+6=• Do hand7stands ust as a gymnast may standon his hands with his feet up• in the air so we may say that we are forced do handstands• to please a person such as the boss or theclient or• even a loved7one+ 4,e are doing hand standand bending• over backwards to try to get the prospectiveclient to• sign the agreement but he hasn/t done soyet+6 4I/ll try• my best to please you but don/t force me tohand• stands or I/ll )ust walk out on you+6 42othingdo for my• boss is ever good enough+ I could dohandstands and he• still would not approve of me+6=•

Do or die !o have to do something in order tavoid death to destroy• the enemy or be killed in the ghting toperform an• action that will save your life to act in such



way as to• avoid defeat or destruction+ 4"ight for yourlives men+•

Its do or die+6 4If we do not )ump from the cdown• into the pool below the bandits approachingus from behind• will kill us for sure+ Its do or die+6 4S!he docttold• me to lose thirty kilos+ It was a do or diesituation so I• followed his advice+6 4,e have to merge oucompany• with a )oint7partner or we will go bankrupt do or• die+6=• Do someone/s bidding Do as re-uested whayou are asked as you are told ordered• commanded act at someone/s behest+ 4I amnot• your servant+ "ind someone else to do yourbidding+6 4I• hate to be forced to do someone/s biddingagainst my• will+6 4I will do your bidding and act at your

behest as• long as you always ask me politely+6=• Do the dirty work ust as someone has toperform the dirty work in a• household so we may say someone has to d



the dirty• work in business or in crime+ 4!he &aa hashired kill:1N•

ers to go in and do the dirty work whensomeone has• double7crossed them+6 4Don/t ask me to re&r+ %erkins+• "ire him yourself I/m not going to do your dwork+6• 4Don/t ask me to beat up your neighbor+ If ywant to• hurt him go over and do your own dirtywork+6=• Do the legwork %erform the preparatory worin order to set things up for• a venture or event+ 4I went to Bangkok rstbefore my• family to do the legwork and make all the

necessary arrangements• before we all moved there+6 &y lawyer will• have to do all the preliminary legwork and sup the• business registration before I can come into!hailand and• get a work permit+6 4#et me do the

preparatory legwork • and get the election campaign planned andprepared before• we make the announcement that you will berunning



• for political oOce+6=• Do what is expected of • you+•

Do your duty perform a task as you areordered to do• live up to expectations do the right thing+ 4our rm if • you do not do what is expected of you theysoon get rid• of you+6 4C$ boys5 'et out on the eld andplay your• utmost best+ Do what is expected of you+6 4Ggot my• daughter pregnant and now you must do wis expected• of you and marry her+6 =• Do without Be deprived of have to go witho4If I don/t have milk • and sugar for my tea I can do without+6 4I dnot need a• lot of luxurious things and creature comfortcould )ust• as soon live in a small simple mountain hutand do• without+6 4,hen we had no money to but

butter to put• on our bread we had to do without+6 =• Do your level best !ry your hardest and do tbest you can+• Do your utmost5 <trive as hard as you can a



do your absolute best5 4C$ • team5 !oday out on the eld I want to see ydo your•

utmost to win the game+6 I do my utmost toto please• my husband but he is never satised+6 4,ehave done• our utmost to try to win the election but the.onservatives• have taken the day+6 =• Do/s and don/ts !he things that you should ashould not do+ 4In society• there are a lot of do/s and don/ts that are buinto a• culture+6 4In being married there are a lot odo/s and• don/ts+ "or example do your best earn incomto provide• food for the table and be sure you don/t forgyour• wife/s birthday+6 4In giving a presentationthere are• many do/s and don/ts+ "or example do notforget to look • your audience in the eye and do not ddle

with your• tie+6=• Dodgy deal .rooked corrupt dishonestagreement or transaction+• 4"reddy Adams was arrested for some dodg



deal in• which he was laundering dirty money+6 4!hereal estate•

dealer is trying some dodgy deal in which thpurchaser• :1P• of the land will not have the right of access+4Be careful• of doing business with the ussian &aa+ !hare always• trying to involve some foreign partner into adodgy• deal+6=• Doesn/t hold water 2ot arguable or logicalunconvincing not watertight+• 4Gour alibi doesn/t stand up to investigationdoesn/t• hold water+6 4!he )udge said that the case fo

the defense• didn/t hold water because it was based onhearsay evidence+6• 4!he %resident/s proposed tax cut taxes for • rich doesn/t hold water because it will notbenet society• or the people on the whole+6=•

Doesn/t know the time of • day• An expression meaning someone is reallystupid and• doesn/t even know anything+ 4Don/t ask my



sister about• advice about love+ <he doesn/t even know thtime of •

day+6 4&y boss thinks he knows everythingbut between• you and me he doesn/t even know the time day+6• 4Fncle "reddy is and total imbecile and doeseven• know the time of day+6 =• Doesn/t know which end• is up• Fnintelligent stupid thick dense brainless4Gou are so• stupid you don/t know which end is up+6 4CuAunt• Hilda is so confused and brainless she doesneven know• which end is up+6 4Fnfortunately our youngeson born• brain7damaged and most of the time he caeven tell• you which end is up+6=• Dog eat dog world A world in which peoplebehave and act primitively like•

dogs rather than as civili>ed human beingsworld in• which one must eat or be eaten by one/scompetitors a• savage world of survival of the ttest where



the weak die• and the strong survive+ 4,hen it comes tohuman nature•

I/m a pessimist8 I think it/s nothing but a dogeat dog• world+6 4"ree enterprise is a7dog7eat7dogbusiness a• world in which you must succeed or be eateup by the• competition+6 4Gou can/t trust anybody it/s dog eat• dog world in which everyone puts his own sinterest• rst and doesn/t care about anyone else+6 =• Dog in the manger ust as a miserable doghanging his head may be looking• despondent because there/s no food for himso a person• can hang this head when he doesn/t get whahe• wants+ 4,hen a person hangs his head lookde)ected• disappointed and reproachful we say he loolike a dog• in a manger+6 4'oing around looking like a d

in a• manger )ust because you don/t get what youwant won/t• get you anywhere+6 4If you go about lookinglike a dog



• in a manger all the time someone will want put you• out of your misery+6 =•

Dog paddle ust as dogs swim with their fronlegs sometimes children• learning to swim do the dogpaddle+ 4,hen$enny• was four his mother took him to the pool evmorning• :1Q• and taught him how to dog paddle+6 4If youcannot swim• in deep water you can go into the shallow eof the• pool and )ust dogpaddle about a bit+6 4%almparents• always told her to stay away from the watershe never• learned to swim and cannot even do the dogpaddle+6 =• Dog/s years "or some time -uite a whileseems like for ever as long• as I can remember many long years (for thnormal life• span or expectancy of the family dog+*

4,elcome to the• rm+ I/d like you to meet your new colleagueDonald• who has been with the company for dog/syears so he



• can tell you anything you need to know+6 4Itso nice to• meet you unexpectedly in the sky7train like

this+ I haven/t• seen you in dog/s years+6 4I have been amember of • the British .lub for dog/s years+ "or me it/slike a home• away from home+6 =• Dog7eared ,hen the corners of pages ofmanuscripts texts or books• have often been folded down and9or worn fruse+ 4&y• ,ebster/s Dictionary which I have been usinsince I• was a student is all dog7eared from years ofuse+6 4!he• everend .harles &ahoney has been using t

same old• Bible for thirty years and its pages havebecome dogeared• from constant use+6 4,hen %rof+ Harris isusing his• textbook he folds down the corners of thepages between•

lessons instead of using a bookmark so thepages have• become all dog7eared over the years+6 =• Dogmatic opinion InLexible unbending narview or attitude+ 4A person



• with a dogmatic opinion will be very unlikelychange• his view+6 4<ome Bible7belt .hristians have

very dogmatic• opinions when it comes to religious belief+64Cld• #ord ichard was an eccentric gentleman wivery• dogmatic opinions but people tolerated himbecause they• knew he could never change his ways+6 =• Do7gooder <omeone who is always trying to the good often for• the wrong reasons+ 4,hen someone wants tdo good• )ust to make up for a sin or make a goodimpression we• call him a do7gooder+6 4A lot of do7gooders t

you see• in society are doing the good for their owngood and not• for the good of others+6 4,hen !horeau sawdo7gooder• coming his way he would run away and hide=•

Domineering manner Bossy dominantassertive authoritarian manner+ 4<ophisticated• aristocrats from old families seldom have a• domineering manner+6 4Business tycoons winew



• money often have a domineering manner+6 4the mental• hospital there was a self7assertive nurse wh

had an inLated• sense of her own power and a verydomineering• manner and everyone was afraid of her+6 =• Don/t badger me5 <top bothering me again aagain with the same thing• don/t bug me drop it and leave me alone+4Don/t keep• ::R• badgering me about buying you a new bicyc!he answer• is S2o5/6 4<top asking me over and over aga• Don/t badger me5 !hat/s not the way topersuade me to• do what you want+6 4If you keep badgering

boss• about changing your )ob he might )ust getannoyed• enough to re you altogether+ =• Don/t be a crybaby+ Don/t be one of thosepeople who cry for sympathy• every time something goes wrong+6 4I know

you feel• hurt but don/t be such a crybaby )ust becauyou• dropped your candy in the mud+6 4Don/t besuch a crybaby



• )ust because you cannot get what you want Gou/ll• get over it+6 4Don/t be such a cry baby+ Gou/

not the• rst person to be disappointed in love+6 =• Don/t be a litterbug Don/t throw and scattertrash around on the street or• ground+ 4Don/t be a litterbug and throw yourubbish on• the ground+6 4%ut your plastic wrappers in ttrash7can• provided and don/t be a litterbug+6 4InBangkok you• can be ned by the police for being a litterbso be• careful not to drop anything on the street+6 • Don/t be a -uitter+ Don/t be one of thosepeople who gives7up easily+ 4$eep• on striving and doing your best+ Don/t be a-uitter+6 4If • you want to be a success in life you have tokeep ghting• and striving right to the bitter end+ Don/t be-uitter+6• 42ever give up5 2o matter how hopeless thi

may• sometimes seem+ Don/t be a -uitter+6 =• Don/t be cross with me+ Don/t be angry orannoyed or sore with me+ 4I/m sorry I• made a nasty remark to you+ I )ust reacted



without thinking+• %lease don/t be cross with me+6 4I shall be vcross•

with you if I catch you smoking inside myhouse+6• 4'randmother was very cross with Audrey foforgetting• to bring her afternoon tea and biscuits+64&other gets• very cross with the children when theypurposely try to• get out of doing their household chores+6 =• Don/t be duped+ Don/t be fooled+ 4Don/t beduped into believing that you• should sell Avon products and get rich -uick4Don/t let• yourself be duped into buying insurance thayou do not• need+6 4Don/t be duped into believing that tpresident• means to fulll all his campaign promises+6 • Don/t be short with me+ Do not talk curtlyabruptly crossly with me+ 4Don/t be• short with me+ If you give me short sharpanswers+ I/ll•

be even7more short with you+6 4Don/t be shwith me+• .an/t you see that I/m trying to help you andnot to critici>ing• you@6 4Don/t be short with me )ust because



tell• you the truth+ It/s not my fault if you don/t lthe truth•

so don/t try taking it out on me+6 =• Don/t be so cranky+ Don/t be so irritable bedtempered grouchy crabby• cantankerous in a bad mood and complaininall the• time+ 4'reat 'randfather is an irritablemiserable old• ::1• grouch and we keep telling him not to be socranky or no• one will listen to him anymore+6 4Don/t be scranky or• the nurse and the doctor will avoid contactwith you and• then where will you be@6 4Aunt Angela was

badtempered• crabby old spinster and no matter how man• times Fncle Daniel told her not to be so cranshe• never changed her attitude or tone of voice+• Don/t be so miserable+ !ry not to look sounhappy all the time life is not so bad•

cheer7up take a more7positive attitudenobody likes to• see a long face+ 4Don/t be so miserable+ ,hydo you go• around with a hang7dog face all the time@6



4.heer7up• and smile5 Don/t be so miserable+ #ife is notthat•

bad+6 42o one likes to see you looking unhaand depressed• all the time+ Don/t be so miserable56 =• Don/t be so silly Don/t be foolish you/ve gotthe wrong idea+ Don/t think • I critici>e you because I think you are stupidDon/t be so• silly+ I am only trying to help you+6 4,hatevmade you• think I don/t like you@ Don/t be so silly5 I lovyou56• 4How did you ever get the idea the other girlook down• on you@ Don/t be so silly+ All the girls look upyou+6 =• Don/t be so snooty+ Don/t be so stuck7up dostick your nose in the air• don/t look down on others don/t think you asuperior• to others+ 4&y Aunt .aroline was always a bsnooty• with our family because my Fncle Arthur wa

company• president and earned a lot more money thanmy father• who was )ust a schoolteacher+6 4Don/t get sohigh



• and snooty with me )ust because you live onthe <outh• side with all the rich people+6 4Don/t get

snooty with me• )ust because you/ve got more money now+Don/t forget• we were both born in the same neighborhooand used to• pack groceries in the same supermarkettogether+6 =• Don/t be such a cheapskate+• <top trying to hang onto every penny don/tso miserly• so tight with your money+ 4.harlie/s such acheapskate• that he even hates to spend money on food+He/s• always on the lookout for a free meal where

he can• get one+6 4Don/t be such a cheapskate and byour• friends a round of drinks when it/s your turn4<top• bumming other people/s cigarettes+ Don/t besuch a•

cheapskate and buy your own for a change+6• Don/t be such a fussbudget+• Don/t let yourself worry so much don/t creasuch a• fuss over nothing don/t be a worrywart sto



nagging• and complaining so much don/t get so workup for•

no7good7reason+ 4I/m trying not to be such afuss7budget• because I know that always worrying )ustmakes things• worse+6 4$aren doesn/t want to be such a fubudget• but when she gets worked7up about a potenproblem• she is nothing but a bundle of nerves+6 4Curmother is a• real fuss7budget and worrywart because shealways• :::• afraid that something bad might happen tosomeone in• the family+6 =• Don/t be such a grouch+ 'rumbling andcomplaining all the time cranky and irritable• moaning and groaning grumpy+ 4<topcomplaining• all the time and don/t be such a grouch+64Don/t be•

such a grouch+ If you grumble and groan allday long• you/ll )ust make your self and others feel momiserable+6• 4Don/t be such a grouch when you wake up



the• morning+ ise and shine and put a smile onyour face the•

way that other people have to do+6 =• Don/t be such a miser+ Don/t be so unwilling spend any money cheap• penny7pinching be a cheapskate don/t be sstingy+• 4Don/t be such a miser and treat yourself tonice expensive• dinner once in a while+6 4If I weren/t such amiser• I/d stay in a four star hotel but I hate to parwith my• money so I always stay in a guesthouse+64Fncle <tooge• was such a miser that he never once in his ligave a• penny to charity+6 =• Don/t be such a pest <top continuallybothering me5 4Don/t keep asking me• -uestions and butting in on my conversationDon/t be• such a pest+6 4Don/t be such a past+ If youdon/t stop•

badgering me to take you to the movies I/llnever take• you to the movies again+6 4Don/t keep buggme to get• the )ob nished+ Don/t be such a pest+ If you



keep interrupting• me like this I/ll never get the )ob nished+6 • Don/t be such a sore•

loser+• Don/t be so resentful and angry )ust becauseyou were• beaten by someone better+ 4,hen someonethrows his• tennis rac-uet on the ground when he losesmatch his• friends will say SDon/t be such a sore loser+64Don/t be• such a sore loser+ eali>e that you cannotalways win• especially when you are up against a betterplayer+6 42o• body likes a sore loser because he shows a usportsmanlike• attitude so don/t be a sore looser+6=• Don/t be such a sour• puss+• Don/t make such a long face don/t go arounwith such• a sour look on your face don/t look sounhappy disappointed•

and embittered all the time+ 4Don/t be such • sour puss5 I hate to see that same miserableunhappy• look on your face all the time+6 4Don/t be sua sour



• puss and try to smile for a change+6 4<arahyou are a real• sourpuss when you don/t get your own way+

Don/t be• such a sourpuss56 =• Don/t be too hasty Do not act too -uickly taa moment to think before• acting impulsively+ 4Don/t be too hasty to )udge another• until you know all the circumstances+6 4Donbe too• hasty in forming an opinion because hastyopinions often• lead to rash actions+6 4Don/t be too hasty inreacting to• derogatory comments from others stay calmand balanced• and choose your words carefully+6 =• ::;• Don/t befuddle me+ .onfuse me make memixed7up perplexed baYe me so• I cannot think straight make me muddle7things7up+• 4DonSt befuddle me with a complicatedexplanation and•

details+ ust tell me in simple words+6 4I get befuddled• when I try to do too many things at once+642ow you/ve• got me all perplexed and befuddled+ I don/t



know if you• are talking about things that are happeningnow at the•

moment or things that have occurred in thepast+6 =• Don/t breathe a word Don/t tell anyone keea secret+ 4If I tell you a secret• will you promise not to breathe a word toanybody@6 4I• missed my period for the second month in arow and I• am worried that I might be pregnant but dobreathe a• word about this to anyone+6 4If I admit that am having• an a?air with .onnie/s husband will youpromise me• you won/t breathe a word to anyone@6 =• Don/t bug me+ <top bothering me+ 4.an/t yosee I/m busy right now@• Don/t bug me5 Don/t be such a pest56 4Don/tkeep asking• me so many -uestions when I am trying toconcentrate• on my science homework+ Don/t be such a

pest+6• 4<top badgering me5 Don/t bug me5 'et outhere and• stop pestering me with -uestions+6 =• Don/t dawdle+ Do not waste time don/t )ust



stand there hanging around• doing nothing fooling7 around+ 4<top yourlingering and•

loitering hurry up get a move on+ Don/tdawdle+6 SDon/t• dawdle and wander o?7track and losedirection+6 4%roceed• -uickly and directly towards your goal anddon/t• dawdle+6 =• Don/t dicker about the• price+• Don/t haggle9bargain9-uibble9argue about thprice• don/t be mean and stingy about what you hato pay+• 4,hen we go to the Lea market the vendorwill ask • about double the price he expects to get sotry to bargain• him down to fty7percent and be satised wthat and• don/t dicker any further about the price+6 4Ialways feel• embarrassed when I go to the vegetable

market with my• Aunt Dolly because of the persistent way shalways• bargains and haggles and dickers about theprice+6 4I/ll



• perform the service for ten thousand a dayplus expenses+• !ake it or leave it+ Don/t try to dicker about

price or• that will be the end of our conversation+6 =• Don/t dilly7dally+ Do not waste time lose timloiter dawdle along hesitate• in uncertainty vacillate before acting+ 4<topyour• dilly7dallying about and get a move on befokick you• in the backside+6 4Do something useful for achange and• -uit your dilly7dallying about+6 4Don/t dilly7dally away• your day+ $ick7start yourself into action righaway+6 =• Don/t dwell on the past+ Don/t keep thinking

about experiences that have made• you unhappy in the past let go of them freeyourself • from the past live in the present and make best of • ::J• things+ 4If you dwell on the past you will

remember the• pain and feel discouraged+ "orget the past alook to the• future+6 4%eople who dwell on the past hangonto old resentments



• make them remain bitter so they cannot letbygones• be bygones+6 4Dwelling on the past is a way•

avoiding the responsibility to make the bestthings in• the present so avoid dwelling on the past+6• Don/t get along together .annot agree arealways at odds with one another not in• harmony unable to work together due todi?erences always• arguing incompatible+ 4&y older sister and do• not get along together with one anotherbecause she is so• old7fashioned and I am a modern7thinkinggirl+6• 4&other and father did not get along togethand within• ve years of marriage they got a divorce+6 order to• do teamwork the people in the group must compatible• and be able to get along together+6 =• Don/t get hyper+ Don/t get up7tight over7stressed stressed7out overlytense•

overly7anxious over7exited hassled+ 4Don/tget so• hyper Darling+ Don/t react so strongly tocriticism+6• 4Don/t get hyper+ !ry to relax and release so



of your• tensions and chill7out a bit+6 4I know you arsensitive•

but don/t get so hyper+ Be reasonable+ !ry noto be hypersensitive• and over7react+6 =• Don/t get hysterical+ Don/t go into a panic alose control of yourself+ 4Don/t• become panic7stricken and let yourself get oof control+6• 4Don/t get all hysterical )ust because one ofthe ladies• said you were a cheap tart+6 4!he atomicreactor is• emitting radiation but don/t get hysterical+$eep calm• and )ust follow the prescribed safetyregulations+6 =• Don/t get me wrong+ Don/t get the wrong ideand think I am against you+ 4I• think your intentions are doubtful but don/tget me• wrong+ !hat doesn/t mean I don/t trust you+4I/m going• to give you some advice about your behavio

but don/t• get me wrong+ I/m not trying to critici>e youI/m only• trying to help you+6 4,hen I say you/d bettedrop your



• girlfriend don/t get me wrong+ I/m only tryinto suggest• you/d be you/d be better7o? staying single+6•

Don/t get mushy+ <top talking so romanticalstop all that embarrassing• talk about love don/t try to get too close wiall that• sweet talk+ 4<top talking such sweet talk+ Idon/t like it+6• 4Don/t get mushy or I/ll feel ashamed andembarrassed+6• 4I don/t like men who talk all soft and mushy• makes me feel self7conscious anduncomfortable+6 =• Don/t get the wrong idea+ Don/t get a falseimpression that something wrong is• happening don/t think the worst and assummy intentions• are bad+ 4Don/t get the wrong idea if I criticyou+• I/m )ust trying to help you+6 Don/t get thewrong idea• that I am in love with you )ust because yougive me• ::K•

money+6 4I/m going to give you a little kiss othe cheek• but don/t get the wrong idea that I/m tryingseduce• you+6 =



• Don/t get your dander up Don/t lose yourtemper keep yourself composed don/t• allow a thing to get you upset+ 4#ady Isabell

keeps telling• #ord 'ordon not to get his dander up when tservants• are present but he/s so easily irritated that• blows a fuse whenever something goeswrong+6 4Don/t• get your dander up whatever happens in thcourt hearing• or it will make a negative impression on the )udge• and support your wife/s claim that you areincompatible+6• 4Gour ex7wife will be at the reception tonighwith• the "rench .ommercial AttachV and she wil

probably• be doing her best to make you feel )ealous don/t get• your dander up or you/ll )ust lose face in froof everyone+6• =• Don/t get your hopes up+ Don/t be too

optimistic don/t set your hopes too high• because you may be disappointed+ 4Gou havbeen shortlisted• for a scholarship but don/t get your hopes ubecause



• the other candidates all have a better '%A t• you+6 4!he rumor is that we may be getting pay raise•

but don/t get your hopes up )ust yet becauseis probably• )ust a rumor+6 4,e are planning to go to.rystal• Beach on <aturday but don/t get your hopesup )ust yet• because father may have to go into the citythat day+6 =• Don/t get your knickers• in a twist+• Don/t let yourself get worked7up over nothindon/t get• excited unnecessarily+ 4.ome on 'ranny5Don/t get• your knickers in a twist+ !here/s nothing to b

upset• about+6 4&iss %erkins has got her knickers itwist because• &r+ ,illiams has called her an old maid+64Don/t• get your knickers in a twist every time anothwoman•

makes a catty remark about you+6 =• Don/t give a hoot Don/t care don/t give adamn couldn/t care less+ 4I• know that %alm is ruining her life but that iher problem+



• I don/t give a hoot+6 4!he %olice have beenunable• to crack down on illegal gambling but I don

give a• hoot+6 4!he government is wasting millions dollars in• taxpayer/s money but it/s not my problem+ don/t give a• hoot+6 =• Don/t give me a hard• time+• Do not be so diOcult disagreeable and hardget along• with when I ask you for help cooperation oassistance+• 4Don/t give me a hard time every time I askyou to help• out with the housework+6 S&iss %erkins is

giving &r+• ,illiams a hard time and won/t co7operate whim to• help him get the )ob done+6 4,hy do you givme a hard• time every time I ask you for assistance@,hat/s wrong•

with you@ ,hat makes you so hard to get alowith@6 =• Don/t go7o? half7cocked ust as an old7fashioned hammer7locked pistol can re a• ::M



• bullet if the hammer slips while being pulledback into• ring position and accidentally hits the rin

pin so a• person can suddenly Ly into a rage if he is ncareful to• control his temper+ 4#earn to control yourtemper and• don/t go o? half7cocked every time someonemakes a• nasty remark to you+6 4&y husband is reallystressed and• edgy and goes o? half7cocked every time Icritici>e• him+6 4Dimsdale was very short7tempered awas always• going o? half7cocked at the slightestinclination of • an insult which was probably one of the factthat• caused his heart condition+6 =• Don/t hand me that line+ Don/t tell me that ofamiliar lie don/t think I/ll fall for• that old trick try a more original lie I/ve hethat one•

too often you don/t think I/m going to beliethat one• do you@ 4Gou say you need money to send toyour sick • mother@ Don/t hand me that line+ I/ve heard



too often• before6 4Gou can/t give me your homeworkbecause the•

dog ate it@ Don/t try and hand me that line+ won/t fall• for that one+6 4Are you seriously trying to teme that• you have never even looked at another wombefore@• Don/t hand me that line+ !hat/s what all themen say+6 =• Don/t hassle me+ Don/t irritate me don/t annme don/t bother me+• 4Don/t hassle me+ Don/t give me a hard timecouldn/t• care less about your problem and I/m not goto help• you no matter how much you bug me+6 4Don

hassle me• about giving you money for charity+ Don/tbother me+ I• never give to charity+6 4Don/t hassle me tohurry7up and• do the )ob right+ If you hassle me too much won/t work •

at all I/ll stand up to you and ght+6 =• Don/t hide your light under• a bushel+• Don/t hide your talents+ Don/t conceal yougood points



• due to shyness of fear of being asked to usethem+ 4Do• not hide your talents from others )ust becau

you/re so• shy and timid+6 4Don/t hide you light under bushel )ust• for fear you may be asked to put them to gouse+6• 4Don/t hide tour light under a bushel )ustbecause you• are backward about coming forward+6 =• Don/t know the rst• thing about it+• Don/t as me don/t know anything about thematter+• 4Don/t ask me about -uantum physics+ I donknow the• rst thing about it6 4Don/t ask me who stol

your wallet+• I don/t know the rst thing about it+6 4I can/tell you• anything about the revenue code I don/t knthe rst• thing about it+6 =• Don/t lay a nger on me+ Don/t touch me in a

way+ 4I you lay even a nger on• me with the intent to do me harm I/ll call inmy two• thousand cousins to get revenge on you+6 4only fteen



• and if you lay a nger on me you can becharged• with attempted statuary rape+6 4I/m well7

connected and• well7protected so if you lay even a nger ome all I• ::N• have to do is give7the7order and get some ofour boys to• break your arms+6 =• Don/t let it go to your• head• Become conceited big7headed think you/rebetter than• you are+ 4Don/t let it go to your head )ustbecause the• boss praised you for your good work+ #earn take• praise with modesty+6 4Gou may have got thhighest• '%A in our school but don/t let it go to youhead because• there are much better students in much betschools• than this one+6 4Don/t become swell7headed

)ust because• you won a local beauty contest+ Don/t let it gto your• head+ Gou/re nothing but )ust another prettyface among



• thousands+6 =• Don/t let on you know+ $eep it secret don/t anybody don/t let anybody suspect•

that you know+ 4If anyone asks you if you kn• anything about my secret don/t let on youknow+ C$@6• 4Don/t let on you know about these dealingsbased on• insider7pricing or we all may go to )ail+6 4If yhear• people talking about the secret merger donlet on you• know anything about it+6 =• Don/t let them get you• down+• Do not let people make you discouraged nomatter what• they do to you+ 4I know they are giving you

hard time• in the oOce but don/t let them get you dow$eep your• chin up and don/t let them see you area?ected+6 4!he• COcials are going to ask for a lot of documeand ask •

you to do a lot of running around but don/t them get• you down+ ust give them everything they wand• eventually they/ll be satised and grant you



permit+6• 4%eople can be pretty nasty in the things ththey say•

and do but don/t let them get you downbecause ignorance• is inherent in human nature+6 =• Don/t lose faith emain optimistic and followwhat you believe in+• 4<tand up and ght for what you feel to beright and• don/t lose faith+6 4At times life will seemmeaningless• and hopeless but don/t lose faith+ !his is )utemporary• stage that people go through+6 4<ometimeswhen• you seem to be ghting for a loosing causedon/t lose• faith+ Hang right in there and keep on tryinguntil you• succeed in the end+6 =• Don/t lose your cool Don/t get upset byanything ignore it it/s not worth• bothering about forget it avoid confrontatidon/t react•

and it won/t seem so important later+ 4,henpeople• attack you verbally keep calm and don/t losyour cool+• ,ords will never hurt you unless you allow



them to+6• 4,hen someone tries to hurt your feelingsdon/t lose•

your cool and Ly o? the handle and try to pahim back+6• 4I know this is a humiliating situation butdon/t lose• your cool+ ,ait the situation out and you wprobably• see that you win in the end+6 =• ::P• Don/t lose your head Do not lose mentalcontrol of the situation lose your• temper get mad go cra>y loose your cool4!here is an• old saying that saying that you should not loyour head• when those about you are losing theirs+6

4,hatever your• wife/s divorce lawyer may state during thetrial don/t let• yourself get angry and don/t lose your headand say• things you will regret later+6 4Cne thing youshould learn•

about women is not to lose your head andreact emotionally• no matter how strongly they may try toprovoke• you+6 =



• Don/t mention it+ 2ot at all it was nothing was glad to do it not even• worth to bother of speaking about+ 4I was g

to be of • help to you+ Don/t mention it+6 4Gou don/t hato thank • me+ I am happy when I can give to you+ Don/mention• it+6 4,hat I did for you was really nothing aall+ Gou• needn/t bother to mention it+6 =• Don/t mince words+ <ay bluntly and directlywhat you mean+ 4&iddy doesn/t• mince words+ He/s very blunt and to the poinand says• exactly what he thinks+6 4I/m not going to leup to it• gently but be very blunt and not mix words8

SGou/re• red5/6 4I/m not going to mince words andbeat aboutthe• bush so let me come directly to the point antell you• directly that I/m very angry with you for theway you•

behaved in the meeting today+6 =• Don/t mind me+ %lease excuse me pay noattention to me )ust pretend• I/m not here+ 4Excuse me+ Don/t mind me+ I/ )ust



• bringing the clients in some tea+6 4%ay noattention to• me+ ust carry on with your preparations wh

check if • the microphones are set up correctly and domind me+6• 4<orry to interrupt+ Don/t mind me+ I/ll )ust shere -uietly• and you can continue your conversation asthough I• was not here+6 =• Don/t monkey around• with me5• Don/t play me for a fool+ Don/t try any of youtricks• with me+ Don/t try to give me a hard time4Don/t monkey• around with me+ I/m not as stupid as I look+6

4Don/t• monkey with me5 If you try to monkey arounwith me• you/ll be sorry+6 4Don/t monkey with me+ !hlast guy• who did that ended7up hanging from a tree+• Don/t overdo it+ Don/t over7react go to

extremes or go to excess+ 4,hen• you make your thank7you speech express ysincere• gratitude but don/t overdo it+6 4C$ go out ahave a



• good time with the boys but don/t over do i!ry to stay• sober+6 4<ometimes one has to know when

enough is• enough and when to stop and not to over doit+6 =• Don/t patroni>e me+ Don/t be condescendingme don/t look down on me• when you speak don/t talk down to me asthough I were• your inferior+ 4I know you are older andperhaps even• wiser but please don/t patroni>e me when yare ex::Q• plaining things to me+6 4I/m not stupid+ Goudon/t have• to talk down to me+ Don/t patroni>e me+ I caunderstand• the situation as well as you can+6 4Don/tpatroni>e me as• though you were somehow superior+emember I am the• one who is in line to take over your )ob+6 =• Don/t pester me+ Don/t bother me annoy medisturb me stop bugging•

me don/t badger me don/t keep coming bacto me with• the same silly -uestions and re-uests+ 4Donpester me• now child+ .an/t you see I/m busy@6 4Don/t



pester me• with all your little grievances+ Don/t you seehave more•

important things to think about@6 4&y bosshas been• bugging me about getting my cost sheetscompleted but• I told him not to pester me until I nished thtax returns+6• =• Don/t play with me Don/t fool around and trylie to me do not deceive me• or try to manipulate my emotions+ 4Don/t plwith me+• Don/t play me for a fool+ I know exactly whayou are• thinking and you can/t fool me+6 4Darlingdon/t play• with me+ Gou know how sensitive I am+ Don/tsay insensitive• things )ust to play with my emotions+6 4If yo• think you can play with me and take me for fool• you/ve got another thing coming+6 =• Don/t push me+ Don/t try to force me pressu

me and make me act• against my will+ 4Don/t make demands I donwant to• follow because if you push me too far I/llresist the



• pressure+6 4 &y parents are trying to push mto marry a• man I cannot love+6 4Don/t push me to do yo

dirty• work or I swear I/ll push your face in+6 =• Don/t push the panic button+• Do not be alarmed and lose self7control donlose your• head when something unexpected happens+4Don/t push• the panic button the moment a scary situatiarises+• $eep a calm and cool and level head so you/be ready• to deal with it+6 4&om always pushes the pabutton• and goes into hysterics the moment anythreatening situation• arises+6 4Cur stock shares are losing value don/t• push the panic button )ust yet+ If we wait thsituation• out the value might even rise above itspresent value+6 =• Don/t push your luck Gou/ve been lucky so fa

but don/t go too far or luck will• turn against you+ 4I have not got angry withyou yet but• don/t push your luck+ If you keep pestering mthe way



• you are I/ll break your neck once you go toofar+6• 4Gou/ve been getting away with cheating on

you exams• so far but don/t push your luck or one of thdays you• will get caught+6 4Gou/ve had good success the stock • market so far but don/t push your luck too for one of • these days you/ll take a beating+6 =• Don/t see eye7to7eye Fnable to agree withsomeone about something not able• to see and think in the same way as theother(s* don/t• :;R• share the same view are not in full accordcannot look • one another straight in the eye and see thatthe other• agrees with you+ 4&y father and I never seeto see eyeto• eye when it comes to political issues+64Hunters and• pacists do not see eye7to7eye on gun contr

and the• argument has been going on for years+6 4&ygirlfriend• and I do not see eye7to7eye on the -uestion abortion+ I



• am totally against it but she believes in freechoice+6 =• Don/t set yourself up for•

a letdown+• Do not set your hopes so high that you aresure to be disappointed+• 4I know you are in love with <helia and• dreaming of marrying her but don/t setyourself up for a• letdown because the future is far away andshe is likely• to marry some other guy one day+6 4,antingdoctorate• and getting one are two di?erent things+ If yset your• hopes too high you will be setting yourself for a letdown+6• 4I know that you want to be a .%A more tha• everything but don/t set yourself up for aletdown because• more than sixty7percent of the candidates fato• complete the .%A cycle of exams+6 =• Don/t settle for less+ Don/t be satised withless than you want expect hope•

for or demand don/t agree unless you aretreated fairly+• 4Expect your husband to treat you like a ladand don/t• settle for less+6 4!he client expects a high



professional• standard of work and will not settle for less+4Demand a•

monthly salary of KRRRR per month on your )ob application• and in the interview don/t settle for less+6 • Don/t smartXmouth me5 Don/t give me anysassy back7talk+ 4"ather says that if I• smart7mouth him he/ll stu? a dirty sock in mmouth+6• 4If you smart7mouth me with that kind of satalk • again I/ll smack your face+6 4Don/t you smamouth• me5 Gou/re )ust one of those low7class bratsfrom the• other side of the railway tracks+6 =• Don/t s-ueal on me+ Don/t inform on me+ Do

tell anyone what I did+• 4Don/t tell anybody I cheated on the exam+ you s-ueal• on me I/ll cut o? your balls+6 4Don/t rat meout+ Don/t• s-ueal on me+ If the boss nds out what I dihe/ll kick •

me out for sure+6 4Don/t tell &om it was mewho broke• the window+ If you don/t s-ueal on me I/ll byou an• ice7cream tomorrow+6 =



• Don/t stand a chance ,ith no hope of succeno prospect of achieving the• goal not good enough to beat the competit

4I don/t• stand a chance of winning a gold medal for!hailand in• the <ummer Clympics but if I am lucky I macome• home with a bron>e+6 4Gou don/t stand achance with• her+ <he wouldn/t even look at you+ ,hat shwants is a• big brawny good7looking guy+6 4I don/t staa ghost of • a chance of winning the marathon race but going to• enter and run )ust for the fun of it+6 =• :;1• Don/t take issue Do not disagree and argueabout something that needn/t• really concern you+ 4Don/t take issue withcompany policy• because if you do you can guess what willhappen to• you+6 4I don/t take issue with the statement

that women• are superior to men+ Indeed I think one goowoman is• ten times better than twenty unworthy men4Don/t take



• issue with the %rime &inister on matters of party line+• It/s better to avoid dissention and contentio

and promote• internal harmony+6 =• Don/t take it personally+ I have nothing agaiyou+ I/m )ust doing what I have to• do+ 4I/ve been sent to kill you+ Don/t take itpersonally+• I/m )ust carrying out orders+6 4#ook I/m sorgot the• trophy instead of you but don/t take itpersonally+ ust• accept the fact that the best man alwayswins+6 4I regret• to inform you that the company no longer haany need• for your services+ Don/t take it personally

though+ It/s• )ust part of a cost7cutting process+6 =• Don/t take my word for• it+• Don/t believe me try it yourself and see+ 4!body will• die in ice cold water within a few minutes b

don/t take• my word for it+ !ry it yourself and see+64&editation is• very good for your mental balance but don/take my



• word for it+ !ry it yourself and see+6 4#ovingkindness is• the best medicine for an angry heart but do

take my• word for it+ !ry it yourself and you will see+6• Don/t tangle with me+ ust as two creepers mget tangled together so we say• two people who ght are tangling together+4Do not try• to pick a ght with me+ If you try to tangle wme you• will be sorry+6 4I wouldn/t try to tangle with if I were• you+ Cther men braver than you have tried adied+6• 4ule number one in this oOce is Semembam the• boss and don/t tangle with me+/ If you tangle

with me• I/ll get angry and you/ll get red+6 =• Don/t tread on anyone/s• toes+• ust as you can hurt someone by stepping onhis toes so• you must be careful not to do anything that

will hurt in)ure• or insult another to make him aggressivetowards• you+ 4If you want to get what you wish forwithout opposition



• be careful not to tread on anyone/s toes+6• 4,hen you go to work for a new company inthe beginning•

it is best to be careful not to tread on anyontoes• to make them turn against you+6 4I don/t wato tread on• anyone/s toes but I am afraid it is my duty ttell you• that the results of your team/s research leavmuch to be• desired+6 =• Don/t try to con me !o swindle someone usindeceit and trickery+ 4Do not• try to con me out of my money with some olsalesman/s• trick+ I recogni>e a con7line when I hear one4Don/t try• to con me that you were working late with ysecretary+• I know better than that+6 4Don/t try and conme that• :;:• I can double my money overnight+ 4If I give my•

money you will surely disappear overnight+6• Don/t try to put words in• my mouth+• Do not claim or assume that I said or would something



• that you did not hear me say+ 4!hat/s not whI• said+ Don/t try to put words in my mouth+6 4

did not say• what you -uote me as saying+ Don/t try to pwords in• my mouth+6 4Don/t ask me -uestions that trto put• words in my mouth+ I/m too experienced to ffor that• old )ournalist trick+6 =• Don/t wait up for me 'o to sleep before I comhome+ Don/t wait until I get• back home before you can sleep+ 4Don/t waiup for me+• I/ll be coming in late so you go to bed earlyand get• some rest+6 4I/m going out partying and will

probably be• out all night so don/t wait up for me+6 4I/ll bworking• very late in the oOce tonight Darling and Idon/t know• when I/ll be coming home so don/t wait up fme+6 =•

Donkey/s years "or a long time for ages+ 4Ihaven/t seen my brother Bob• in donkeys/ years+6 4It was good of you tocome to father/s• funeral+ ,e haven/t seen one another in



donkey/s• years+6 4!his is the rst time I/ve been backthe British•

.lub in donkey/s years+6 =• Doodling away the time ust as we doodledrawing circles on paper with nothing• else or nothing better to do so we may say doodle• away the time doing nothing useful+ 4I hate )ust sitting at• my desk waiting for the phone to ringdoodling away the• time all day+6 4!ina has been doodling awaythe time sitting• around home waiting for a telephone call fo )ob• interview that never comes+6 4!he old skippdown in• the yacht club never take their boats out anmore and• )ust doodle away the time staring out at thesea all day+6• =• Dose of your own medicine• 'etting your own back being bad to people

people• are bad to you in turn getting what youdeserve++ 4Don/t• speak angrily to people or you will surely gedose of



• your own medicine back+6 4I hope that <gt+.ampbell• one day gets a dose of his own medicine and

gets the• chewing out of his life+6 4A man who cheats his wife• never expects she might one day give him adose of his• own medicine+6 =• Double standards An unfair situation in whicone standard applies to one• group and another standard to another+4,omen in the• workplace have been complaining aboutdouble standards• for the last fty years+6 4!hai and foreignteachers• should be paid exactly the same wage+ It is

unfair to follow• a double standard in which foreigners getmore+6• 4"or a long time in America there was a doustandard• in which black Americans were discriminatedagainst•

unfairly but now there are supposed to bee-ual oppor:;;• tunities in the workplace+6 =• Double talk !rying to talk your way out of asituation by speaking



• lying nonsense+ 4Don/t give me any of yourdouble talk+• I won/t listen to any fake excuses+ I know yo

are as• guilty as sin+6 4&y husband/s always trying give me a• lot of double talk about why we have so littlavailable• money but I know that he loses a lot througgambling+6• 4I tried to double talk my way out of thesituation but the• teacher wouldn/t listen to anything I had to and suspended• me from school for two days+W =• Double trouble !he cause of big trouble+ 4ChCh5 Here comes double• trouble5 !hat/s Dale ,allace coming+ He/s th

boy that• the teachers call the terror of the tenthgrade+6 4,atch• out that you don/t say anything wrong to thabig <cotsman• at the bar+ He/s double trouble and would assoon•

s-uash your head in as look at you+6 4<ylvan<laymore• has always been double trouble to any manwho came• near her starting from the age of fourteen+6



• Double7dealing !he deceitful and underhandcheating way someone• talks behaves and does business+ 4I hate

these doubledealing• real estate developers who promise one thinin• the beginning and come up with a di?erent in the• end+6 4Don/t trust old .romwell+ He/s doubletalking• double7dealing lying cheating crook if I evesaw one+6• 4Don/t listen to anything a politician saysduring an election• campaign+ !hey/re all nothing but a bunch odouble7• talking double7dealing low7down dirtyrotten lying• bastards+6 =• Double7life #iving two lives at once+ 4!o be agood spy you have to• be trained in living a double life+6 4,hen I wyounger• I used to lead a double life8 in the daytime Iwas a respectable•

lawyer but at night I was always out on the• prowl drinking and chasing women+6 4<omecloset -ueen• men live a double life seeming to be regulaguys at



• work during the day but wearing scanty ladclothing• at night+6 =•

Double7your7money Increase you money by hundred percent+ 4Eileen put• her savings into an o?shore investmentscheme and doubled7• her7money within nine months+6 4&y stockbroker• guarantees that if I invest one million now Ican double• my money within one year+ .an you believethat@6• 42ormally anyone who promises you that yocan double• your money by entrusting it to him is )ust ascam artist+6• =• Down at the heel ust as an old pair of shoesgets worn down at the heels• so we say a person is looking down at the hewhen he• looks poor and shabbily dressed in comparisto former• times+ 4%erkins used to be the best7dressed

man in town• :;J• when he was wealthy but now that he/s brohe/s starting• to look a little down at the heel+6 4After the



Duke lost• his money in the stock market he came dowin the•

world and began looking down at the heel incomparison• to former days+6 4In 3enice one can often sold aristocrats• who are trying to keep up appearances desp• having lost their wealth from the way theylook a tiny bit• shabby and down at the heel+6 =• Down on my luck !hings are no going too wefor me at the moment I/m• going through a state ill7fortune ill7fate I/vhad a spell• of bad luck but I hope to change that soon+4!he %rince• has been a bit down on his luck since his st

shares• took such a nose dive on Black !hursday butnow he/s• on his way to a slow recovery+6 4I/ve beendown on my• luck since I lost my )ob and then my wife buthings are•

looking up+6 4Igor was a bit down on his lucwhen the• marketing boom went Lat but prospects arelooking better• for him now that he is getting government



loans+6 =• Down side !he opposite of the good sidesomething that accompanies•

a good thing that is not so good+ 4It/s good thave• such a highly7paid )ob but the downside is tyou have• to work under stress and pressure+6 4!hedownside of • being married to a beautiful woman is thatother guys are• trying to steal her all the time+6 4It/s greatliving in a• country where the sun shines all year long the downside• is that it often gets too darned hot+6 =• Down the drain ust as water Lows down thedrain so we may say that• all our e?orts were for nothing and went dothe drain+• 4I invested ve7hundred thousand in a chickfarm and• after the outbreak of chicken virus came allmy money• went down the drain+6 4After the Baht

devaluation a lot• of time and investment went down the drainand it took • years for the economy to recover+6 4After oudivorce all



• the time and e?ort and money I spent tryinghave a• happy home and marriage went down the

drain and I• almost went insane+6 =• Down the line #ater on after time has passed4High government overspending• now means that someone down the line isgoing• to have to pay for it sooner or later+64<omewhere down• the line the world will run out of energy ifdrastic measures• are not made to conserve it+6 4<omewheredown the• line there will be a great epidemic that killshalf the people• in the world and that will be nature/s way o

solving• the overpopulation problem+6 =• Down the tubes A total loss in whicheverything was invested and done• for nothing+ 4,e had great plans for ourresearch pro)ect• but everything went down the tubes when w

couldn/t• get continued7funding+6 4All my hopes anddreams for• :;K• success went down the tubes when the price



oil increased• and my operating costs ran sky high+6 4&y• dreams of studying chemical engineering we

down the• tubes when my grade point average went doto :+R+6 =• Down7and7out Homeless penniless anddestitute+ 4He used to be a big• time real estate dealer but now he/s down out without• a penny to his name+6 4,hen I was populareverybody• loved me but now that I/m down and out Ihaven/t• got even one friend left in the world+6 4,hewas• studying abroad I found myself more thanonce down• and out and penniless with nothing to eat annowhere to• sleep+6 =• Down7hearted Depressed feeling downcastand disappointed+ 4<ometimes• I feel so down7hearted and alone I curse theday I•

was born+6 4,hen you are alone and feelingblue don/t• be down7hearted+ ust wait a while and mayyour wildest• dreams will come true+6 42o one in the oOc



looked• at or talked to me for weeks and I felt solonely and•

downhearted I was about ready to cry+6 =• Down7in7the7dumps Depressed sad miserabunhappy despondent de)ected• disheartened 4.laude is feeling down7in7thedumps• because he failed his civil serviceexamination+6• 4Goung people often feel de)ected and downin7thedumps• because they have no idea where their liveswill• lead them+6 4,hen I am feeling alone andmiserable and• down7in7the7dumps I always call my motherthe telephone• and talk to her until I feel better+6 =• Down7in7the7mouth #ooking sad and unhappand miserable discouraged• and disappointed about failure to reali>ewishes or desires+• 4Gou are looking so down7in7the7mouthrecently+•

,hat has happened to make you somiserable@6 4I have• days when I am on top of the world and I hadays• when I am feeling down7in7the7mouth+6 4If y



go• around looking down7in7the7mouth andmiserable•

maybe someday someone will want put youout of your• misery6 =• Down7to7earth Crdinary everyday commonopen and relaxed in behavior• the way that people naturally and normally • not pretending to be more than they are+ 4I/voting for• Dixon for %resident because he seems to be down7toearth• and caring for the common man6 4Despite hgreat• wealth Howard Hughes en)oyed the samecommon• down7to7earth pleasures of every man+6 4I l

farmers• better than big city folks because farmers amore• down7to7earth and close to nature+6 =• Down7trodden <ub)ugated oppressedexploited taken advantage of+• 4ust as blades of grass may be down7trodde

from people• walking on them so we can say people aredown:;M• trodden when they have no power to stoppeople in



• power from walking all over them+6 4!here wa time in• history when almost everyone but the noble

class was• oppressed and down7trodden+6 4!here was atime in the• early part of the twentieth century whenfactory laborers• felt oppressed and down7trodden but whentrade unions• began to spring up and the laboring classnally began• to get a fair shake living standards across tnation improved• for the better+6 =• Do>ing7o? 2odding o? to sleep on the pointfalling asleep+ 4Cften• when I am )ust do>ing o? to sleep my mind

wanders• over the events of the day+6 4,hen I amteaching I often• notice a student do>ing7o? to sleep andwonder if it is• because my lecture is boring+6 4After Bud hahad a big•

lunch with a glass of beer he sometimescatches himself • do>ing7o? to sleep at desk in his oOce+6 =• Drag someone over the• coals



• 'ive someone a good grilling or -uestioning4<haron/s• mother gave her a good dragging over the

coals about• exactly what had happened during her datewith <lick+6• 4!he <enate panel called in the director of t.IA and• gave him a good dragging over the coals abthe• agency/s covert operations in <outh America4After the• Enron scandal the government dragged theauditor over• the coals with -uestioning until everythingnally became• transparent+6 =• Drained7 of energy #ost all power worked so

hard so one has no more• physical power left to do anything+ 4ust aswater runs• down the drain so we can say we are draineof energy• when all our power is gone+6 4I nd I/mdrained of emotion•

and drained of energy whenever I have a gwith• my wife+6 4By the time grandfather has walkto the• post oOce and back he is drained of energy



and has to• sit in his armchair for half an hour before hecan climb•

upstairs+6 =• Drastic measures Drastic action taken in theface of dire circumstances+• 4!he government has been forced to takedrastic measures• to heighten security against terrorist acts+64Drastic• measures had to be undertaken to control thLow of • drugs from the 'olden !riangle+6 4If drasticmeasures• are not taken to prop7up the !hai Baht we wsoon be• facing yet currency devaluation+6 =• Draw the line at Avoid acting below a certain

moral line or limit in the• things that you will do+ 4It is natural to beattracted to the• opposite sex but one should draw the line ausing someone• else/s body for one/s own personalsatisfaction+6•

4It/s necessary to make a prot in businessbut one• should draw a line at doing anything that is any way• harmful to others+6 4!here is almost anythin



<adie• :;N• would do for money but she draws the line

being involved• in corrupting other young women+6=• Drawn out #ong and extended in time as if will never end+ 4Gesterday• there was a long drawn7out debate in%arliament• that lasted until after midnight+6 4!he conLbetween• the Israelis and its Arab neighbors has beengoing on and• drawn out for so long that few can remembewhen it• started+6 4!here was a long drawn outargument in "lanagan/s• pub "riday night about whether the English• should get out of 2orthern Ireland+6 =• Drawn towards someone Attracted to a persdue to his9her looks or some irresistible• power+ 4Have you ever seen someone for therst• time and suddenly been drawn towards himthough•

there were some common bond between you4<ometimes• people are drawn towards one another beca• they have had links in previous lives+6 4ust magnetic



• shavings are attracted to one another that/how I feel• when I am attracted to you+6 =•

Dream7come7true Having what you alwayshoped for happen in the way• you always imagined+ 4,inning a hundred7million dollars• in the lottery is a dream7come7true+6 4If I co• marry you it would be a dream7come7true+64etiring to• a 3illa on the "rench iviera is a dream7comtrue+ I• could not have wished for anything better+6 • Dream7up something Imagine fantasi>einvent devise formulate come up• with+ 4I don/t know yet how we are going tosolve the• problem but I/m sure we/ll dream up

something at the• last moment+6 4I don/t know how we are goito lie our• way out of this situation but we will dream something+6• 4!he epublicans are not sure how to thinktheir•

way out of the upcoming recession but theywill surely• dream up something+6 =• Dredge up old memories ust as a machine cdredge up muck from the bottom



• of a canal so a person may dredge up badmemories for• which he still blames others for something t

they have• done to him in the past+ 4,henever I arguewith wife• she keeps dredging up old memories like thway I disappointed• her on our wedding night+6 4I wish you woul• stop dredging up all the negative things thahave happened• in the past and look on the positive side foronce+6• 4,henever I fall into a reverie of recollectioof things• past I nd myself dredging up old familymemories that• cause me pain+6 =• Drenched to the skin <oaking wet from therain+ 4,e ran from the boathouse• to the clubhouse in the pouring rain and bythe time we• got there we were soaking wet and drencheto the• skin+6 4In <+E+ Asia people are often caught

tropical• rainstorms without much warning and gettotally• :;P• drenched to the skin+6 4<ometimes+ I go



)ogging in .entral• %ark in the pouring rain until I/m absolutely• drenched to the skin and then I run back ho

to my• apartment and )ump into a hot shower+6 =• Dressed7to7kill Describes a woman all dolledand looking beautiful• all dressed7up and ready to go out somewhewhere men• might even ght over her+ 4,hen she was laseen alive• she was dressed7to7kill and seen getting intblack limousine• in front of the Biltmore Hotel+6 4<he had the• strange habit of getting all dressed7up t tokill for and• going downtown in a taxi and doing her rounof the• bars+6 4I was seven years old the last time saw my• mother+ <he was all dressed7up and t7to7kiland on her• way to the train station+6 =• Dressing7down <colding tongue7lashingtelling7o? reprimand+ &a)or•

2aylor was fond of giving his subordinateoOcers a• dressing7down whenever they made amistake+6 4I got a• good dressing down for forgetting to lock th



safe when I• went home from work+6 4At the meeting ousenior partner•

gave the whole management team a gooddressingdown• for failing to adhere to generally acceptedaccounting• procedures+6 =• Drift away Be carried away from the topic bythoughts and fantasies• become lost in your imagination+ 4During thlecture my• thoughts drifted away to happy memories ofmy childhood+6• 4Cften when I am sitting at a table with my• friends my thoughts drift away from theconversation and• go to far7o? places+6 4At night when I go to

bed I drift• away into a stream of consciousness whiledrifting away• into sleep+6 =• Drift of the argument !he point that theargument is trying to make the intended• direction of thought the logical thread of

development+• 4I don/t get the drift of your argument+ I can• see where you are going or what point you atrying to• make@6 4I could see the drift of !ed/s argum



right• away because I suspected his hidden purpoand intention+6•

4If you could speak more logically andcoherently• maybe I could get the drift of your argumen=• Drill with -uestions Interrogate intensively+4!he police drilled the suspect• with intensive -uestioning for ve hoursbefore he nally• gave up resistance and told the truth+64<ometimes• they drill suspected terrorists all day every dfor a year• until they nally tell what they know+64,henever I• come home late at night my wife drills me

with -uestions• based on silly fears I have been unfaithful toher+6 =• Drink it in !o en)oy something so much it/s ayou had a greedy• thirst for it+ 4,hen &artin is able to gain theadmiration•

of others he )ust loves to drink it in+6 4I lovto drive up• :;Q• into the mountains and drink in the scenery4<ome big



• stars en)oy the adulation they get from theiaudience and• they )ust drink it in as a source of energy fo

giving a• good performance+6 =• Drink like a sh Be an alcoholic 4<omeone wdrinks like a sh cannot• stop drinking and becomes an alcoholic+6 4&Fncle• .harlie drank like a sh and died if cirrhosesthe• liver+6 4If you drink like a sh your very lastwish before• death will be )ust one more -uick shot ofwhiskey+6• =• Drinking binge An extended period of non7stdrinking+ 4Cur Aunt• ane was an alcoholic who if she started wit )ust one• drink would then go on a ve7day non7stopdrinking• binge+6 4If a true alcoholic even so mush astouches even• one drop of li-uor he is likely to go on a

drinking binge• that will last until he has no availability toalcohol+6• 4,hen I was younger every weekend I usedgo on a



• drinking binge+6 =• Drip7dry &aterial that can be washed and drwhich does not•

need ironing+ 4.lothing that you can wash ahang up to• dry but don/t have to iron is called wash andwear+6 4All• my shirts and trousers are wash and wear adrip dry so• they do not have to be ironed+6 42ow that Idon/t have an• iron or an ironing board I have to buy washand wear• clothing+6 =• Drive a hard bargain ust as one may barterand bargain to seek one/s own advantage• and not compromise with the needs of anoth• so we may say that in personal relations one

person is• unwilling to compromise and forces the otheto do what• he wants+ 4&urray usually drives such a harbargain• that it is hardly worth negotiating with him+4Andrew•

drove such a hard bargain about buying my that I• nally )ust gave it away to a charityorgani>ation+6 4%om• drives such a hard bargain when bartering w



me that if • I gave in to her price I would be losingmoney+6=•

Drive a wedge between ust as we can drivewedge into a crack between two• pieces of wood to break them apart so we mbe said to• drive a wedge between two people or partiewhen we• want them to separate them or disagree+4Fncontrolled• )ealousy caused by both the brothers beingattracted to a• woman called &auve has driven a wedgebetween their• otherwise life7lasting bonds of loyalty+6 4!hehave• drawn an independent liberal candidate into

the election• to drive a wedge between the .onservativesand the Democrats+6• 4Disagreements on social welfare benets• have driven a wedge between the socialist acommunist• members of %arliament+6=•

Drive home the idea <tress the point until yoget it into the head of another• :JR• person+ 4!he teacher is trying to drive homethe idea that



• paragraphs must have unity and coherencebut no one• wants to do it that way+6 4I keep repeating

myself to• drive home the idea that unless you learn toresponsible• for yourself no one will want to be responsifor• you+6 4!he management is trying to drivehome the idea• that across7the7board cost7cutting willdecrease the number• of )obs that will be cut+6 =• Drive to drink !o exert such mental strain onsomeone that he turns to• drinking as a way of escape+ 4Gou are such anasty bitch+• Gou are enough to drive a man to drink+6 4&

)ob id so• stressful that it is enough to drive a man todrink+6 4.aptain• .ooper was so strict a disciplinarian with hiswife• that he drove the poor woman to drink+6 =• Drives me buggy &akes me irritated gets o

my nerves makes me feel• cra>y drives me mad drives me to distracti4,e/ve• got this woman near me in the oOce whospeaks in an



• o?7key monotone all day long and the sounof her• voice is driving me buggy+6 4I wish you wou

stop always• tapping your ngers on the meeting7roomtable+ It/s• starting to drive me buggy+6 4!hose teenagenext door• are always playing their rock music at fullvolume and• it/s really driving me buggy+6 =• Driving me mad Driving me cra>y+ 4All thatnoise in the oOce is driving• me mad and I cannot think or concentrateanymore+6• 4All the backstabbing and inghting in myworking environment• is beginning to drive me mad+6 4#istening to• your constant complaining is starting to drivme mad• and I/m about to go around the bend+6 =• Driving me to distraction Driving me cra>y scan/t think clearly anymore can/t• focus my mind returning to the samedisturbing thought•

so I can no longer concentrate+ 4!hinkingabout our divorce• is driving me to distraction8 I feel like I/mstarting• to go cra>y+6 4&y nancial situation is drivin



me to distraction• and I )ust don/t know what to do any more+6• Driving me wild &aking me over7excited and

about to lose control 4Don/t• touch me like that+ Gou/re driving me wild+64All the• noise and commotion in the .asino is startinto drive• me wild+6 4It/s driving me wild the way myneighbors• drink and shout all night and throw and smatheir• empty bottles on the road+6 =• Dri>>ling rain "ine lightly7falling dri>>ling ra4,hen the rain is so• soft and light that you can hardly feel or seewe call• this dri>>ling rain+6 4<ometimes I like to tak

walk in• very ne dri>>ling rain all the way to theoutskirts of • town and back again+6 4,hen there is only alight dri>>ling• rain it is still possible to nish a football ga• without having to call it o? due to the

weather+6 =• :J1• Drone7on7and7on .ontinue talking on in thesame mono7tone voice+ 4I hate• it when a lecturer )ust reads from the page a



drones on• and on for an hour in the same monotone+64!he boss is•

always droning on and on about companyprocedures to• the point that no one listens any more+6 4,you please• shut7up and stop droning on and on about ygrievances+6• =• Drool over ust as a dog drools when it seessomething it wants to• eat so a person may be said to be droolingover the sight• of some ob)ect of desire that he wants+4.aroline was so• pretty that you could actually see the mendrooling over• her+6 4!he girls were standing in front of theice cream• shop drooling over the picture on the postera butterscotch7• cream <unday+6 4As &ike ohnson was drivin• home he was drooling over the idea of goinback and•

grilling himself a big !7bone steak+6 =• Drop by sometime .ome by my house and vme when you can+ 4If you• are ever in my neighborhood drop bysometime+ I/d like



• to see you+6 4<ometime I/d like to drop byyour place• and see your stamp collection+6 4Although t

English• are in the habit of saying SDrop by sometimyou are• ever in my neighborhood/ but they seldomreally mean• it+6 =• Drop everything5 <top whatever you are doiright now5 4Drop everything• and rush to the warehouse to help us put outhe• re+6 4Drop everything right this moment get yourselves• down to the vice president/s oOce56 4Dropeverything• you are doing right now and try to get to the

2!<.• audit report out by the end of the day56 =• Drop in on <top by and visit without notice+ you are ever in my• neighborhood drop on in me and say hello+64If you are• ever over my way do drop in on me+6 42obo

ever informally• )ust drops in on me without previous notice+• Drop in the bucket 3ery little compared to thoverall whole a drop in the• ocean 4A million here or there is a drop in th



bucket to• the American "oreign aid program+6 4,hat tgovernment•

is spending on foreign aid is )ust a drop in th• bucket compared to its military spending+64,hat &ario• spends on women is )ust a drop in the buckecompared• to huge amounts he loses on gambling+6 =• Drop me a line Don/t forget to write to me+ 4hope you en)oyed visiting• with me here+ ,hen you get home don/t forto drop• me a line+6 4It was good spending the holidawith you+• ,hen you get home drop me a line+6 4,henyou get to• Hollywood don/t forget to drop me a line or

send a postcard+6• =• Drop me o? 'ive me a lift and let me out at+4ohn is going to take• me in his car out to the main road and drop o? at the• :J:•

bus stop+6 4.an you drive me out to the )unction and• drop me o? at the subway station@6 4<ally igoing to• ride in the car with Dad when he goes into



town and he• will drop her o? at school+6 =• Drop of a hat Instantly in the time that it ta

one/s hat to drop to the• Loor+ 4ust give us the word when you want )ob• done and we/ll have it nished at the drop ohat+6• 4!he emergency bomb s-uad is ready to beoperational at• the drop of a hat+6 4ust give me a call whenever you• need me and I/ll be by your side at the dropa hat+6 =• Drop the ball ust as in sports a player candrop the ball so his team• can/t continue moving towards the goal soa teamwork • situation a member of the group may fail tofulll• his part properly and let the rest of the teamdown+ 4In• last year/s "ootball #eague championshipgame .ollie• .ollins dropped the ball )ust before he cross

the goal• line and it was recovered by a member of thopposing• team+6 4&ichael &ullins has dropped the baand failed



• in his attempt to secure the A. contract foour rm• and it/s going to cost him his )ob+6 4In our th

year• term pro)ect on ogers dropped the ball afailed to• do his part so our group could not get thework handedin• on time+6 =• Drop the sub)ect .hange the topic and starttalking about something else+• 4Drop the sub)ect will you@ I/m tired ofhearing about• it+6 4!his is an unpleasant topic and I wouldprefer that• you drop the sub)ect and talk about somethelse+6• 4#et/s drop the sub)ect+ If we continue talkin

about it• someone/s feelings may get hurt+6 =• Drop7out of "ail in the attempt have todropout of school the race or• the running+ 4<teven had to drop out of therunning in the• marathon race due to a pulled tendon+6 4!h

thirdranking• candidate has dropped out of the political ra• for lack of campaign funds+6 4!he #otus acteam• has dropped out of the running due to



technical problems+6• =• Drown in self7pity "eel so sorry for yourself

that you are almost drowning• in your own tears+ 4,hen my brother Ike wathirteen he• felt very sorry for myself and was almostdrowning in• self pity but it was )ust a stage he was gointhrough+6• 4<ince her divorce Aunt Eileen has been doin7thedumps• and drowning in self pity+6 4&y parents died• when I was very young and I spent a whiledrowning in• self7pity but after a while I found that I colearn to• stand on my own two feet without any help+• Drown your sorrows Drink a lot of alcohol toforget your pain+ 4It is not going• to help you feel better to drown your sorrowin alcohol+6• 4,hen Horst was going through his divorcespent• :J;•

months trying to drown his sorrows by gettidrunk • every night+6 4Gou cannot drown your sorrowith• drink because when you sober up they will s



be there• again+6 =• Drum7up support 'o out and talk to people o

parties to arouse and enlist• their support+ 4ust as a marching band led a big drum• may try to get public attention to supportsome cause so• we may say we go out amongst our friends atry to• drum up support for some idea or plan ofours+6 4!he• .ity .ouncil is trying to drum up public suppto collect• money for a home for orphaned children andfar• the response has been good+6 4!he democracause has• been trying to drum up support to run senat$ennedy• for %resident but so fat they are getting onweak response+6• =• Drunken debauchery Drunken dissolutedecadent behavior+ 4After wasting•

my youth in drunken debauchery I nally goserious at• the age of thirty7ve and straightened out mlife+6 4"ather• said he was not going to leave me any mone



in his• will because I would only have wasted it on life of •

drunken debauchery and he was right+6 4A of • drunken dissolute debauchery clouds the mwith ignorance• and obscures the path to purity and wisdom• Dry7up Be -uiet don/t say another word andact as if you are not• even there+ 4If you don/t dry up and stop yocomplaining• I/ll stu? a sock in your mouth+6 4Dry up andblow• away+ 2obody here wants to hear what youhave to say+6• 4If you don/t dry up and stop your yammerinI/ll give• you a hammering+6 =• Dutch treat <hare the cost e-ually one payshalf and so does the• other+ 4,hen I used to go out with Barbara tthe movies• and for ice cream afterwards she alwaysinsisted that we•

go Dutch treat+6 4,hat Americans call SDutctreat/ is• what !hai/s call SAmerican share+/6 4In <wedeverything• is so expensive that couples often go out to



drink • and eat Dutch treat+6 =• Dwindling resources Declining assets runni

low on money and assets+ 4Due• to dwindling nancial resources the citycouncil has had• to postpone building a new city hall until thend new• sources of funds+6 4Dwindling local energyresources• have mad it necessary to tap power networkand import• energy from power stations as far away as.anada+6• 4Dwindling supplies and oil resources havedriven up the• cost of fuel products worldwide+6 =• Dyed7in7the7wool !otally convinced loyal

follower of a cause or party• who would never change+ 4&y father was adyed7in7thewool• conservative and voted .onservative all of hlife+6• 4#ord Elgin was a dyed7in7the7wool "reemaswho•

:JJ• served as 'rand &aster for over thirty years4It is hard• to get a dyed7in7the7wool left7wing socialist change



• his mind+6 =• Dying for a chance ,ould do anything to getthe opportunity waiting in anticipation•

for a chance+ 4I/m dying for a chance to driv• over the new suspension bridge when it isnally nished+6• 4.laude is dying for a chance to address theaudience• because he en)oys getting people/s attentio4I/m• dying for a chance to punch <gt+ .ampbell inthe nose• but I know I/ll never get it because there arehundreds of • people already in line ahead of me+6 =• Dying for a drink 3ery very thirsty+ 42ow thwe have walked out of the• desert let/s nd the nearest pub+ I/m dying

a drink+6• 4By the time old Bertie C/#eary had satthrough the• <unday .hurch <ervice and listened to the<ermon he• was dying for a drink+6 4An alcoholic who goto a dry•

party and is dying for a drink will often excuhimself • and say he is going out for a few minutes toget some• cigarettes when actually he/s going for a



drink+6 =• Dying to know 3ery interested in knowingcurious nosey eager to•

learn+ 4I/m dying to know if Betty is having asexual relationship• with Hector+6 4&y mother is dying to know if• I will nally settle down and get married to.hester+6• 4"or that matter I/m dying to know whether.hester is• really interested in me or )ust wants to befriends+6 =• Dying wish #ast wish made on the deathbedbefore the moment of • death+ 4.aroline/s father/s dying wish was tshe get• married and have children+6 4&y mother/sdying wish• was that I never get married or have childrebut instead• become a Buddhist nun+6 4&y dying wishwould• be to pass through the pearly gates and livean angel• for eternity+6 =•

Dynamo of energy A person who generates alot of energy to motivate others• and get the )ob done+ 4Cur team leader Ericis a• dynamo of energy who stimulates us to wor



with power• and determination+6 4Detroit/s fullback BillyBullock is•

a dynamo of energy who can always becounted on to• lead his team to victory+6 4In his earliercampaign years• !ony Blair was a dynamo of energy who nevelet7up in• his e?orts to promote the cause of the #aboparty+6 =• :JK• E• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• Each man for himself Everyone look out forhimself with no help from anyone• else+ 4It/s a dog7eat7dog world in which each

man must• look after himself+6 4.ompetition in the I!business is so• erce it becomes a relentless struggle to keahead of • the other guy+ It/s a war in which it is each mfor himself+6•

4!here once was a battle fought between twarmies• in Ancient 'reece in the middle of a night thwas• so dark one could not see who was on one s



and who• was on the other so it became a ght of eacman for•

himself+6 =• Each to his own Everyone has the right to hiown taste opinion or• choice+ 4Everyone should have the right to hown opinion8• to each his own+6 4I always say to let otherswhat• they like to each his own because eachperson is going• to have a di?erent way of viewing things+64<ome like• Indian Goga some like Buddhist meditation+%eople• should be allowed to practice each to his owpreference+6• =• Eagar beaver <omeone who works and trieshard with all his heart+• S!hat new young gardener we hired is a reaeager beaver+• 2ot only does he work from dawn to dusk bhe•

also comes up with a lot of creative andinnovative ideas• of his own+6 4Cur daughter &ary ane is suan eager• beaver that in addition to getting straight SA



in school• she serves as editor of the school maga>ineand stars in•

the annual musical show+6 4&y new youngsales manager• is a real young eager beaver+ <ales haveincreased• forty percent in the last two -uarters and I thinking• I/d better o?er him a partnership in mybusiness before• he resigns and starts up a business of hisown+6 =• Eagle7eyed ,ith eyes as sharp as those of aeagle+ SCur supervisor• sees and knows everything that is going on the oOce+• <he is eagle7eyed and all7knowing+6 4!here

always an• eagle7eyed hotel detective somewhere in thlobby keeping• an eye out for anything that looks suspiciou4%residential• security agents are trained to be eagle7eyedand•

aware of everything that is going on in theeld of perception• even down into the smallest detail+6 =• Early bird <omeone who gets up early in themorning before the



• others and has the rst opportunity beforeothers get• there+ 4<omeone in the habit of rising early

called an• early bird+6 4Ben)amin "ranklin coined thephrase S!he• early bird catches the worm+/6 4I am not anight owl who• :JM• likes to stay up late I am an early bird whowakes before• dawn to get the )ump on everyone+6 =• Early grave Death before expected+ 4&y fathwas an alcoholic who• drank himself into an early grave+6 Curyounger brother• sadly went to an early grave due tocomplications of • heart7valve failure+6 4&y mother always useto say that• her children/s bad behavior would drive her an early• grave+6 =• Early memories Early experiences rstrecollections of experiences in•

childhood+ 4Early memories can be both haand sad• my early memories were mostly bad+6 4Cne my early• memories was rolling a big snowball with my



brother• until it got so big we couldn/t roll it anymore4%sychologists•

claim that early experiences and childhood• memories are factors determining our laterbehavior patterns+6• =• Ear7marked ust as we can fold over the topcorner of a page in a• book so we can come back to it so we may sthat a• person is earmarked or designated for somelater )ob or• position+ 4&y older brother is alreadyearmarked to become• the head of our father/s business empire+6 4has• always been a tradition in our family for the

last son to• become a monk so our youngest brother isalready earmarked• to become a monk+6 4!he .ountry &anaging• %artner is already ear7marked to become theAsian egional• Director when the present one steps down+6•

Earn your keep &ake money to live on tosupport yourself work hard• enough so that the man7in7charge will knowyou are• worth the money he is paying you and



therefore want to• keep you on the )ob+ 4Cn my father/s farm wall had to•

work hard to earn our keep+6 4Ben)amin"ranklin earned• his keep as a young man setting type in a prshop+6• 4,ork diligently to earn your keep never letthe boss• catch you asleep+6 =• Ears burning !here is a saying that whenpeople are talking about you• you will feel your ears burning+ 4,here yourears burning• about eight o/clock last night when we weretalking• about you@6 4Gesterday at ve pm while I wriding in• a taxi I could feel my ears burning and I gothe sense• that you guys were gossiping about me aboume+ Is that• true@6 4If your ears were burning this morniit was• because we were discussing why you missed

the &onday• morning meeting and whether we shouldcontinue to• keep you on the )ob or re you+6 =• Earthly desires ,orldly sensual cravings+ 4&



is tied to earth as if by• gravity by earthly desires and cravings+6 4!reason advertising•

is so successful is that it appeals to our eart• desires+6 4Cne day I hope to be able to breathe bond• :JN• of earthly desires and nally be free+6• Earth7shattering Earthshaking as though itwas the end of the world devastating• shocking and overwhelming+ 4I do not believ• that any earth7shattering geological event an earth-uake• is going to take place in Bangkok in the nextfew• years+6 4!he %rime &inister does not consida vote of • no condence an earth7shattering event

because he• knows he can win the next election+ 4!hee?ects of the• Baht devaluation were earth7shattering tomost of the industries• that were making big money during theeconomic•

bubble period+6 =• Ease someone into something• <tart o? slowly at a new activity and workone/s way• into it until one gets used to doing it+ 4Don/t



start )ogging• by running ten kilometers a day+ <tart slowlyand ease•

yourself gradually into it beginning with shdistances• and then increasing them a little bit everyda4,hen• you start people o? at a new and diOcult )ostart them• o? slowly and ease them into the routine littby7little• until it becomes normal to them+6 4,hen yostart people• o? at a new and diOcult )ob start them o?slowly• and ease them into the routine little7by7littleuntil it becomes• normal to them+6 4,hen I started as a

summerhire• construction laborer at sixteen at rst theydid not• give me a full man/s load of work to do butstarted me• o? slowly and gradually eased me into beingcapable of •

doing heavier work+6 =• Ease up on me Don/t be so harsh take it eason me don/t be so hard on• me cut me some slack+ 4Don/t be so hard onme+ I/ve



• seen my mistake and I/ve said I/m sorry so Iasking• you to please ease up on me+6 4<top bitchin

about my• work all the time+ I/m doing the best I can s )ust ease• up on me a bit before I lose my temper and-uit+6 4<top• punishing me for things I did to you in thepast+ %lease• ease up on me and cut me some slack+ I wanto feel that• I am making things up to you and not that yare paying• me back+6 =• Easier said than done5 !hat is easier to saythan to do+ 4Behaving morally perfectly• is easier said than done+6 4Don/t guarantee

anyone• anything that is easier said than done+64%romising you• can complete a )ob by deadline is easier saidthan done+6• =• Easiest thing in the world As simple as pie n

problem consider it done no trouble• at all+ 4#et me help you nd a part7time )ob+"or me• it is the easiest thing in the world because know everybody



• in town+6 4uitting smoking is the easiestthing in• the world+ I have done it thousands of times

4#et me• speak my brother7in7law and ask him to makyour problem• disappear+ It/s the easiest thing in the world• :JP• Easy as pie 2ot hard at all nothing could besimpler easy to accomplish• no trouble to do takes little e?ort+ 4It/s aseasy as• pie to locate an old school friend by using oname• search software on your computer+6 4#earnito assemble• this book shelf is as easy as pie+ ust look atthe pictures• and follow the directions and you will be donin no• time+6 4'etting spending money from fatheas easy as• pie+ All you have to do is give him a kiss on tcheek • and hold out your hand+6 =•

Easy come easy go !aking things in a relaxemanner accepting the way• things happen without getting stressed beirelaxed and• unperturbed not taking things seriously 4!a



things as• they come and learn to let things go+ Easycome go+6•

4Fpcountry folks are much7more easy comeeasy go than• uptight city folks+6 4I won a million in thelottery and• spent every penny of it with no regrets+ Eascome easy• go+6 =• Easy does it5 !ake it easy5 'o slowly5 42ot tofast5 Easy does it5• !ake your time and be careful+ Don/t go toofast or• something wrong will surely happen+6 4Easydoes it5• !his is a heavy beam so we will have to slidcarefully• o? the wall so it doesn/t slip and fall+6 4Eastdoes it5• .ontrol your temper and hold your tonguebefore you say• something you will be sorry for+6 =• Easy money &oney that comes without one/having had to work •

very hard for it+ 4%eople who become used tgetting• easy money soon lose their taste for hardwork+6 4/Easy• money may come easy but it goes even mor



easily+6• 4!he problem with easy money is that it isoften money•

dishonestly made+6 =• Easy option !he easier of two choices oralternatives the easy way• out+ 4,hen students have the choice betwetaking an• easy or hard course they usually take the eoption+6• 4!here is always the hard way of doing thingand the• easy way+ &ost people if they can take theeasy way out• and choose the easy option+6 4&ost peoplewhen faced• with telling the truth and taking theconse-uences or lying• and taking the easy way out take the easyoption+6 =• Easy touch <omeone naZve and trusting whoeasily cheated+• 4,hen I am broke I always ask my &om formoney+• <he/s such an easy touch+6 4!axi drivers thin

that foreigners• coming from the airport are an easy touch a• they are often right+6 4If a bar girl tells a nicold man a• sob story he may feel sorry for her and o?e



her some• money to help out+ Bar girls can see from amile away•

when such an old man is an easy touch+6 =• Easy7going elaxed and taking it easy in afriendly and happy way• not getting upset or taking things tooseriously+ 4&y boss• :JQ• is very relaxed friendly and easy7going andpleasure to• work with+6 4<ister &ary was kind and easygoing in• nature and everybody got along with herextremely• well+6 4Even though the level of professionaperformance• in my oOce is very high the atmosphere is • friendly polite and easy7going+6 =• Eat away (at one/s resources*• $eep slowly consuming something so itcontinues diminishing+• 4!he way I was eating away at my nancialresources• slowly caused them to diminish to the point

that I• had almost nothing+6 4If rising maintenancecosts keep• eating away at company resources the waythey have



• been the we will have to restructure ournances and• wait and hope for the situation to change+6

4Environmentalists• warn that if we keep eating away at our nat• resources until the point there are not enouleft to support• world superstructure and civili>ation then t• world/s population will meet a dire end+6 =• Eat crow &eans the same as Seat humble piein other words• someone who makes a big statement or claithat does• not turn out to be true and has to admit he wwrong• has to eat his words take back what he saidadmit he• was wrong and overstated his claim+ 4!hose

who are too• loud and proud are often knocked7down lowand forced• to eat crow+6 4I never expected that I wouldforced to• eat crow when I bragged that I would get thhighest•

grade point average in the class+6 4!heincumbent %residential• candidate claimed he would surely be re7elected• but then after he lost by an overwhelming



ma)ority he• was forced to eat crow+6 =• Eat in9 eat out Eat at home or go out to eat+

4Fsually I stay at home and• eat in but sometimes at the weekend when am out7oftown• it/s easier to eat out+6 4&other is happy to ein• most days but once in a while she en)oys thtreat of eating• out in some fancy restaurant+6 4Cn days whI am• working at the oOce in town I always eat oubut on• days when I plan to stay at home I naturallyeat in+6 =• Eat into .ause to diminish become less+ 4!hcost of fuel is beginning• to eat into my available monthly budget for• travel+6 4If you keep eating into your savingand your• accrued bank interest keeps diminishinggradually everything• will be eaten away+6 4If 'erald keeps eatinginto•

his trust fund the way he has been all hisresources will• be gone by the time he is thirty7one+6 =• Eat it up+ !o en)oy something so much that yare dying and crying



• for more+ 4!hose who are addicted to gettinother/s• attention eat it up and cannot get enough o

it+6 4<ome• people love hearing praise so much that theeat it up as• fast as it comes and keep craving for more amore+6• :KR• 4Cur friend &artin en)oys being the center oattention so• much that he eats it up and cannot wait for next occasion• when he can become the center of attentiononce• more+6 =• Eat like a horse ust as a horse will keep oneating until it has nished its• oats so people may be said to keep on stuOthemselves• until they are full+ 4After a hard day of workon• the farm I am so hungry that I could eat likehorse+6• 4<ally is so hungry she could eat like a horse

but she• knows that if she does she/ll gain weight ofcourse+6• 4Everybody on the football team eats like ahorse and



• their trainers feed them well because theybelieve good• nourishment will improve their strength and

force+6 =• Eat out of someone/s• hand• ust as we can tame an animal to eat out of hand so• we can train a person to eat out of our handwhen they do• what we want+ 4ust as a wild deer might eaout of a• gentle person/s hand so my girlfriend has gme eating• out of her hand+6 4<helia is so nice to the bothat she• has got him eating out of her hand and he wdo anything• she wants him too+6 4,e might be able to ginLuence• with the %remier by going through hisdaughter• because as everybody knows he eats out oher hand+6 =• Eat your heart out An expression used

derogatorily when you see someone• else is )ealous and feeling bitter envy ofsomething you• have achieved or received+ 4,hen you seeyour envious



• friends wish they had as much money as youyou can• tell them to eat their hearts out because th

will never• be as wealthy as you+6 4I know that you havalways• wanted to marry Herbert but you can eat yoheart out• because now he has proposed to me alread4I know• you would love to have a two carat diamondring )ust like• mine but you can eat your heart out becauyour ancVe• hasn/t got enough money to a?ord it+6 =• Eat your shirt !here is an expression that sawhen you claim or state• something especially when boasting that

proves to be• not true you will have to eat your words8saying Seat your• shirt/ or Seat your hat/ means the same thingas Seat your• words+/ 4If what I have claimed proves to benot true I/ll•

eat my shirt right here in front of you+6 4If yare not as• good as you claim to be you will have to eatyour shirt• and your hat too+6 4If what the %resident



promises turns• out not to be true he will have to eat hisshirt+6 =•

Eating away at your conscious• &aking you continue to feel guilty+ 4!he waydisappointed• my rst wife keeps eating away at myconscience+6• 4!he way &ona took nancial advantage of • is probably still eating away at herconscience+6 4If the• way Aye disappointed her boyfriend is noteating away at• her conscience that will be a sign that she hno shame• :K1• or fear of moral dread+6=• Eating binge ust as some alcoholics go on a

drinking binge so some• bulimics go on an eating binge+ 4Between mfather/s• drinking binges and my mother/s eatingbinges I had a• rather unsettled childhood+6 4Cften whenpeople feel a•

psychological lack they try to ll their senseemptiness• by going on an eating binge+6 4Cne day &aunconsciously• went to the fridge opened it and started



• slowly eating almost everything in it until shnally had• to vomit+ !hat was her rst eating binge+6=•

Eats like a bird <omeone who eats very littleonly picks a bit at of the• food on the plate without eating much may said to eat• like a bird+ 4<he/s so thin+ I don/t know howshe nourishes• herself she eats like a bird+6 4<he/s on a vestrict• diet she hardly eats anything+ <he eats likebird+6• 4<ince 'ranny began to recover from heartfailure she• eats like a bird+ It/s as though she/s afraid togain weight• that would put any extra strain on her heart• Eaves7drop on someone <tand so close by toperson having a conversation that• you can listen to everything he says withouthim knowing• it use listening devices for spying purposes4ane• loves to eavesdrop on the telephone

conversations of the• girl in the next cubicle to her in the oOce+ Inthe hopes• of learning some of her secrets+6 4Eva lovesstand



• around and mingle at social receptions andeavesdrop on• other people/s conversations so she will hav

some nasty• secrets to gossip about+6 4,hen I was withmilitary intelligence• stationed at <inope !urkey on the Black <e• we had listening devices that allowed us toeavesdrop on• radio and telephone communications betweeussian• submarines and on the ussian mainland+6=• Eccentric individual An odd peculiarunpredictable person who behaves in• an unconventional way+ 4!he Duchess is soeccentric that• nobody ever knows what she is going to donext+6 4Cld• Ebene>er was so odd peculiar and eccentricthat his pattern• of behavior was wholly unpredictable+6 4Cneway to• describe a person as being Seccentric/ is to she does• not conform to the norm but acts di?erently

than would• be expected+6 =• Educated guess A calculated guess based onthe knowledge that one has+• 4I don/t know how much original naturally



forested• land has remained untouched in !hailand ban educated•

guess might be eight to twelve percent+6 4,are• not -uite sure when man will burn up the wobased on• greed and anger but an educated guesssuggests it might• be before the next millennium+6 4!he Abbotdoes not• know how much construction of thecrematorium might• cost to build but an educated guess would babout one:K:• point7ve million excluding labor costs+6 =• Egg someone on %ush and dare someone to something that may not be• good for him and harmful for others+ 4.arldidn/t really• want to set the henhouse on re but the otchildren• kept egging him on until he nally did it+6 4really• sorry I did a strip7tease in front of the whole

student body• at the home7coming football game but theother students• kept egging me on until I nally lost my heaand )ust



• did it+6 4!he lawyer for the defense claims taccused• acted under extenuating circumstances

because he acted• following the intentions of the bystanders wwere egging• him against his will rather than depending ohis own• will and volition+6 =• Ego trip 'etting carried away with an inLatesense of one/s own• ego+ 4,hen a person is all full7of7himself anthinks he• is the best and the greatest we say he is onego trip+6• 4,e should all be careful not to become oveproud of • our accomplishments and go o? on an ego

trip+6 4,hen• someone goes on an ego trip he gets so sweheaded and• pu?ed that others want to pop his balloon+6• Egocentric person A person who sees himseas the center of the world+• 4oan/s husband is so egocentric that he thi

he is the• center of the world+6 4<omeone who isegocentric sees• himself as the center of the world and viewseverything



• in a selsh way+6 4,e have a <cottish friendfrom 'lasgow• who is so egocentric that he thinks the sun

shines• out of his own navel+6 =• Ego7maniac <omeone who only thinks abouthimself as if the whole• world revolved around him+ 4!o be self7centered is one• thing but when a person wants the wholeworld to go his• way and to follow his wishes he becomes anegomaniac+6• 4%olitical dictators are sometimes ego7mani• who somehow through circumstances ndthemselves• in a position of absolute power to rule over tlives of • millions of others+6 4+ Edgar Hoover theformer director• of the "BI was thought by many to be a totaego7maniac• who pried7into the secret lives of others )usta means• of perpetuating his own power+6 =•

Eke out a living ,ork hard to earn )ust barelenough to eat and survive+• 42owadays with the high cost of fuel manytaxi drivers• are nding it hard to eke out a living in



Bangkok+6 4In• the old days in the 2ortheast it was very hfor rice•

farmers to eke out a living and have enougheven to )ust• barely survive+6 4During the 'reat Depressiin America• in the 1Q;R/s the farmers in Cklahoma coulnot eke• out a living from their land and were forced emigrate• westwards were they found things evenworse+6 =• Elaborate upon 'ive more information aboutexplain further+ 4,e shall• :K;• now ask the team leader to and elaborate uand give• more details about the pro)ect+6 4Havingexplained my• thesis and the concept I wish to conrmplease allow me• to elaborate upon it by giving supportingstatistics and• details+6 4!he <enate Hearing Board is not

satised that• the .IA Director has told all he knows andthey are calling• him back for more -uestioning to elaboratefurther



• upon the details of the satellite surveillanceintelligence• information+6 =•

Elbow grease ,orking hard with the handsespecially to rub and polish• or bending the elbows continuously in amechanical• circular fashion such as for buOng orcleaning+ 4All• right girls we/d better put some elbow greainto it and• get all these big bay windows cleaned by thtime the• princess arrives at ve pm+6 4If you don/t puenough• elbow grease into shining the brasscandlesticks they• won/t shine the way they are supposed to+6

we don/t• speed up the e?ort and put some elbow greinto it• we/ll never have the silver service polishedtime for• the wedding reception this afternoon+6 =• Elbow room <pace in which to move freely

without being s-uee>edin7• together without having to rub elbows tightenclosed• with a lot of other people room within whicto



• move free space around you+ 4'ive me a litelbow• room and don/t crowd me or I may go cra>y

and have a• screaming t+6 4&y problem with riding dowin the lift• at lunch hour is that I feel claustrophobic whI/m• s-uee>ed into a corner with no elbow room+4I/ve• stopped taking busses because I/m afraid oenclosed• spaces and being )ammed together with a loof others• with no elbow room+6 =• Elbow your way "orce yourself to the front othe crowd using your elbows• to dig and push your way forward 4&acy/s i

having• a big summer sale with drastically reducedprices• and customers are elbowing their way forwatowards• the sales counters to get the best bargainprices+6 4In a•

crowded English pub you sometimes have telbow your• forward up to the bar through a crushingmass of swaying• bodies if you want to order another round o



drinks+6• 4<ome people try to get ahead in their careeby elbowing•

their way forward but this does not work inthe long• run because it is the -uality of one/sperformance that• counts and not how bold and bra>en andaggressive one• can be+6 =• Embe>>le funds <teal money in business orgovernment by using dishonest• bookkeeping+ 4,hen the &aa found that thaccountant• had been embe>>ling funds they put a hit o• on him+6 4<ome government oOcials havebeen accused• :KJ• of embe>>ling from appropriated funds butthat would• never happen in a true democracy+6 4If youembe>>le• millions in funds you go to )ail for maybe thrrears• with good behavior but if you get caught

sticking up a• li-uor store you might get four years ormore+6 =• Empower someone to do• something



• 'ive someone the authority or authori>ationdo something+• 4!he %resident has empowered the 3ice

%resident• to be responsible for his duties while the%resident is defending• himself against charges of war crimes beforan• international tribunal+6 4I have beenempowered by the• 'rand #odge of <cotland to present and rewyou with• this )ewel in honor of your long and dedicateservice+6• 4I have been empowered by my client throuthis power• of attorney to represent him in clearing up hnancial• a?airs+6 =• Empty promises %romises made with nointention of fullling them+ 4&en• are always trying to get women to believe inthem by• making a lot of empty promises+6 4&y Dad walways•

disappointing me by making empty promisetake me• to the circus and things like that when henever intended• to keep them in the rst place+6 4Don/t mak



lot of • empty promises )ust to help you get what yowant in the•

short run if you don/t intend to keep them inthe long• run+6 =• Empty threats !hreats made with no intentioof carrying them out+• 4Don/t be afraid if my brother threatens toharm you+ He• is always making empty threats that he nevcarries• out+6 4%eople who tell you you/d better watcout and• that they are going to get back at you areusually )ust• making empty threats+6 4Cur boss is alwaysmaking• empty treats about ring people who do notfollow his• orders but by now we know that He neverfollows• through on his stated intentions once he hascooled• down+6 =•

End of the line As far as it goes nothing leftdo nothing further to try+• 4,e have tried everything to succeed butevery attempt• has failed and we have reached the end of t



line+6• 4I/ve lost all my friends and my money and can/t see•

where my life can go on from here+ !o me itlooks like• I/ve reached the end of the line+6 4After yeaof drug• and alcohol addiction followed by HI3infection .yrus• had reached the end of the line and nallydied+6 =• End up each the nal result what happensthe end+ 4!he• only sure thing about a man/s life is that hewill end up• dead+6 4If you lie and cheat a lot you will enup paying• for your bad deeds in the end+6 4&y &om sa

that she• will be happy as long as I am able to hold doa steady• )ob and don/t end up in )ail+6 =• :KK• Ends of the earth All over the world ineveryplace to the furthest reaches•

and corners of the globe+ 4Darling I wouldfollow you to• the ends of the earth )ust not to lose sight oyou+6 4Gou• can search to the ends of the earth looking f



the perfect• society but in actual fact there is no suchthing+6 4esearch•

teams have searched to the ends of the eartfor• archeological relics and remains connected tthe origin• of the ancient mysteries but to date theyhave come up• empty7handed+6 =• Enduring e?ort 2on7stop endeavor with nopause or let7up+ 4He who• makes an enduring e?ort and never slackenhis place• will almost always succeed to achieve his goin the• end+6 4It has been only because of theenduring e?ort of • the Fnited 2ations that any progress to worpeace is• being made at all+6 4If one does not arouseenergy and• make a concentrated and enduring e?ort onhas no• chance whatever of achieving 2irvana+6 =•

Engage in conversation !alk together withanother or others+ 4I am rather shy• about engaging in conversation with otherpeople+6• 4<ome people have the talent of being easil



able to engage• others in conversation+6 4If you have theability to•

engage others in conversation easily thismight be an• indication that you would make a goodteacher+6 =• Enlarge upon Explain in greater detail expaby giving further information+• 4Allow me to enlarge upon my initial statem• and give you some convincing details that whelp you• make up your mind+6 4,e understand yourconcept of • how to develop the land but for the benetour potential• investors would you please enlarge upon thplan• and give some further details+6 4!he AssistaDistrict• Attorney has asked his team to research bacup materials• to be used to enlarge upon the prosecution/allegation• that the governor has been guilty of

embe>>lement• of government funds+6 =• Enlist support .all for backing for 4&y &omused to go around knocking• on doors trying to enlist support for the





• his continuing behavior the necessary evideto bring• about his own demise and punishment+ 4Don

arrest the• suspect yet )ust put him under surveillanceand give him• enough rope to hang himself+6 4,hen you fesomeone• is lying to you don/t let on you know+ #et hikeep talking• and give him enough rope to hang himself uyou• catch him in an actual and undeniable lie+64,hen you• want to catch someone who is stealing fromyou let him• think you still trust him and then give himenough rope• to hang himself by allowing him to continuewhat he is• doing until you get hard enough hard evidento convict• him of what of what you suspect+6 =• Enough to tide me over Enough to live on whyou wait for a new low of income•

money enough to get through a lean patchenough• to live on while waiting for better days+4"armer ones• has put aside a little money to tide him over



the winter• until the following harvest season comes+64Duncan•

hasn/t saved a whole lot of money from his l )ob on• the oil rigs but he has at least enough to tidhim over• until the next contract started in <eptember4I/m going• to take a break from work for a while and gesome• much7needed rest and recreation+ I/ve gotenough money• set aside to tide me over for at least the nexsix months• and maybe even a year if I am careful+6 =• Enticing o?er A tempting alluring attractivo?er which entices• someone into accepting something that willnot necessarily• be good for him+ 4A pornographic lm directmade• udy an enticing o?er to appear in a sex movbut she• wouldn/t think of it56 4Earning big bucks

working o?shore• in Iran is an enticing o?er but I think it mighbe• )ust a little bit too dangerous+6 4!he companmade the



• .EC an enticing o?er to stay on and run thecompany• but he knew he had run it into the ground an

didn/t want• to be around when the shit hit the fan+6 =• E-ual opportunity !he same opportunities aeveryone else in society+• 4During the 1QMR/s the F< Army started ane-ual opportunity• program that gave e-ual chances to womenHispanics• and blacks+6 4All people in the nation shouldhave• an e-ual opportunity to get an educationregardless of • rank and station or where they were born+64%eople of the• third world are sometimes disheartened

because they feel• that they have not had an e-ual opportunitywith the peoples• of the developed world in being provided thright to• work and earn money to strive to improvethemselves+6 =•

E-ual to the task Able to meet the challengegood enough to do the )ob+ 4I• accept the responsibility of being a goodmother and I• :KN



• am sure that I will prove e-ual to the task+64!hank you• for trusting me with the responsibility of be

!oastmasters• .lub %resident for this year and I hope to sh• you that I am e-ual to the task+6 4I havesigned7up for a• tall ship cruising course in which I shall havefurl sails• balancing out on the yardarm near the top othe mast• and I hope to prove e-ual to the task+6 =• E-uitable conditions "air and balancedcircumstances+ 4,orking as a contract• employee without welfare benets does notprovide the• contract employee with e-uitable conditions4!he lectures• on yearly contracts complain that they do nohave• e-uitable conditions with the tenured7lecturers+6 4#awful• employment practice must provide thateveryone hired• must work under fair and e-uitable

conditions+6 =• Err on the side of caution !ake heed to be tocareful as opposed to being too careless+• 4He who errs on the side of caution will havthe



• satisfaction that he is doing his best to avoifatal results+6• 4It/s better to have a little too much food fo

the• ban-uet than a little too little+ It is always wto err on• the side of caution+6 4It/s better to retain asmuch money• in the company reserve fund as possiblewithout hindering• necessary capital Low )ust as an assurancethat the• rm may have the reserves to pull throughhard times• should this prove to be necessary+6 =• Erratic behavior Fnpredictable irregularinconsistent ways of behaving+• 4,e had to put out mother in a home7for7 th

aged because• of her erratic behavior for her own safety an• good+6 4!hey say that people who areschi>ophrenic exhibit• erratic behavior8 one minute they can be caland• normal and the next the exact opposite or e

something• more dangerous and even worse+6 4,e had re the• maid because of her erratic behavior8 shewould be thinking





• :KP• to now admit that I made an error in )udgmein choosing•

%alm to be put in charge of my householda?airs+6• 4,henever one makes an error in )udgmentthe best• thing to do is admit that you were wrong anask for understanding• and forgiveness+6 =• Escape hatch ust as boat has an escape hatas a way out in the case• of Looding so we say we will build in an seead escape• hatch into a plan or contract+ 4,e shall havewrite this• contract agreement so that it contains anescape hatch in• case our partner runs out of funds and leaveus holding• the bag and fully liable for all continuingexpenses+6• 4!he .onstitution contains an escape hatchwhere it says• that a man cannot be re-uired to give evide

against• himself that can be used to convict him+6 =• Establish yourself 'et in somewhere and geton good footing so you are• rm in your professional foundation+



4Ben)amin "ranklin• went to %hiladelphia with hardly a penny in pocket•

but it did not take him long to establish himin a trade• that later led him into prosperity and wealth4If you• graduate in law it is a good idea to rstestablish yourself • by gaining a few years of experience in anestablished• law rm before making a parallel move orestablishing• your own practice+6 4Cnce you have got a )oas• a university lecturer you then need toestablish yourself • in the profession by writing articles papers

and books• which will make you a name in your eld+6=• Evaporate into thin air ust as sea waterevaporates into the air and disappears• so we may say a person has evaporated ordisappeared• suddenly without a trace+ 4,hen I was )ust s

my• Daddy evaporated into thin air and was neveseen• again+6 4Angels and devas can take on humaform to



• visit the human realm but when they arenished their• visit they )ust evaporate into thin air as if )

little• wisps of cloud+6 4!he bank robber went out front• door of the bank and seemed to evaporate ithin air• and nobody knows )ust how he pulled o? hisvanishing• act+6 =• Evasive answer An ambiguous vague replyindirect response which• avoids answering the -uestion directly byignoring or• evading the point+ 4I hate it when my husbagives evasive• answers to my -uestions+ I wish I could get

to• reply directly and tell me the clear and exactruth+6• 4<ometimes monks give evasive answersbecause they• do not want to be drawn into detaileddiscussions about•

worldly matters+6 4%oliticians are known forgiving evasive• answers to allow them to skirt issues whichthey do• not want to face+6 =



• Eventual demise "inal and ultimate ruineventual downfall brought about• :KQ•

by one/s own actions+ 4If A man continues lyand• cheating and deceiving people sooner or lathe will• bring about his own ruin and meet his eventdemise+6• 4immy Ho?a the union leader who haddealings with• the &aa met his eventual demise throughbeing murdered• and encased in cement+6 4At rst Adolph Hit• seemed to be unstoppable mad tyrantdictator but in• the end in a bunker in Berlin he met hiseventual demise• by taking cyanide and got what he deserved• Every eventuality Every possible condition tmight arise+ 4Before you• start a business venture you should consideevery eventuality• concerning anything and everything that cogo•

wrong+6 4A good risk manager is trained tospot any• eventuality that might ultimately lead tonancial loss for• the rm+6 4Disaster elief .enters must pla



for every• eventuality in order to be prepared for anysituation with•

which they might possibly be faced in thefuture+6 =• Every man for himself+ Gou/re on your own yhave to save yourself when• there/s no one there to ght for you+ 4!ry tosave yourself • rst before you think of others+ It/s a case oevery• man for himself+6 4!his is a dog7eat7dog worin which• every man must look out for himself8 it/s eveman for• himself+6 4After we pull o? the assassinationwant everybody• in the unit to disappear into the crowd and t

to• get away from the scene in the best way youcan+ It/s• every man for himself+6 =• Every man has his price+ !his expressionassumes that everybody can be corrupted• and bribed into doing the wrong thing if he

paid• enough8 the higher the person/s integrity thhigher his• price is+ 4!hey say that some people areincorruptible



• but every man has his price+ Gou )ust have tond his• weak point and then work on him until he

gives in+6 4It• will be hard to convince the %resident to lowtaxes by• seven percent but every man has his price+ we convince• him it can help him get more votes to getreelected+• He/ll go along with it+6 4<ometimes when aperson• betrays his principles for money or for selsmotives• related to security power inLuence or thesatisfaction• of other desires we say ironically that everperson• has his price+6 =• Every trick in the book All the deviousdishonest tactics and devices possible+• 4Ann tried every known trick in the book to my• money and make me angry but I was tooslippery for•

her and she failed to succeed+6 4I have triedevery trick in• the book to try to seduce &urielle/s husbandbut nothing• seems to work+6 4<tay away from girls in ba



!hese• girls know every conceivable trick in the booto be used•

to deceive and tale advantage of foreigners their• :MR• own+6 =• Everything but the• kitchen sink • A lot of unnecessary things a lot of extra st4,hen I• rst went o? to college I packed everything the• kitchen sink into my old )alopy only to ndonce I got to• school that I took too much )unk with me+64,hen the• oads packed up for their )ourney to .aliforn

they• packed everything they could into their vehibut the• kitchen sink+6 4,hen I was young my momused to carry• a big handbag in which she carried everythibut the•

kitchen sink+6=• Exact information from• someone• !o obtain or extract information from someoby -uestioning



• or coercion+ 4!he Americans have trainedinterrogators• who interview and extract information from•

anyone who defects to the ,est from theopposing side+6• 4A good interviewer has ways of turning theconversation• in a way of extracting information from peop• without then ever knowing what they said+64!he evenue• Department has people who are especiallytrained in• ways to extract information from peoplesuspected of • hiding sources of income and holding blackmoney+6=• Excess baggage ust as at the airport you mhave to pay an extra baggage• fee for luggage over (in excess* a certainweightlimit• or throw it in the dustbin so we can call aperson• Sexcess baggage/ when we do not want himaround or to• take him along anymore+ 4!he day when the

nally• red me the managing director said in a venice way• that I had become excess baggage+6 4I/m soI married



• a divorcee and I now think that she and herex7husband/s• useless children are )ust so much excess

baggage56 4It/s• not fair after the way Aunt <adie has devoteher whole• life to putting her children through school sthey could• get )obs and marry and have children of theown that• the whole family are now treating her as if swere• nothing more than excess baggage+6 =• Excessive force &ore force than is necessaryre-uired or allowable by• law+ 4!here is a law that prohibits the use ofexcessive• force in expulsing unwanted patrons from

entertainment• establishments+6 4!here is a law against thepolice making• use of excessive force to subdue suspects asmart• lawyers sometimes get their client/s o?7the7hook by•

claiming use of unnecessary force and policebrutality+6• 4American !roops have been warned againstusing extra• and unnecessary force to route out terrorist



hiding in• densely populated areas because the F<A dnot want•

to make enemies unnecessarily amongst theindigenous• people+6 =• Excruciating circumstances• !errible agoni>ing unbearable conditions+ 4early• nineteenth century England in &anchesterthere were• :M1• many poor cotton mill workers who lived inmiserable• and excruciating circumstances+6 4!here aresaid to be• forest monks who can live under the mostexcruciating• circumstances in remote mountain caves fulsnakes• and fre-uented by tigers+6 4In the 2ortheasthere are• still many poor and destitute mothers withfour or more• young children with no means of income w

have• been deserted by their husbands and who lin excruciating• circumstances+6 =• Excuse the interruption <orry please excuse



me for breaking into your conversation• or meeting+ 4%lease excuse the interruptionduring•

your meeting <ir but your wife is on thephone asking if • she can use the car and chau?eur thisafternoon+6 4<orry• to break into your meeting gentlemen+ Excuthe interruption• but it is my duty to inform you that the courhas• )ust declared our rm to be bankrupt+6 4%leexcuse• the interruption+ I am sorry to disturb yourconversation• but I would like to inform you that your turbis on• re56 =• Exercise restraint %ractice moderation be scontrolled+ 4Don/t go overboard• and start shouting over even the slightest liinsult+• Exercise restraint+6 4&ediators are taught texercise• mental restrain and guard the sense doors

against• intrusions that may make the mind stray froits ob)ect+6• 4!he police are trained to exercise restraintmob control



• but they are also trained to use aggressiveforce in• order to protect themselves from attack+6 =•

Exert yourself &ake your strongest e?ort tras hard as you can to• achieve your aim+ 4&y teacher says that if I not exert• myself to learn something he is going to kicme out of • school for good+6 4I know that if I exert mysto the• fullest of my abilities that I am capable ofachieving the• nal goal+6 4If one sets one/s goals high andexerts oneself• there is no limit to the possibilities that mayopen up• to one+6 =• Exist on borrowed time #ive beyond lifeexpectancy+ 4After they discovered that• the heart transplant was being re)ected theknew he was• existing only on borrowed time+6 4Accordingmedical• statistics I should have died already three o

four years• ago but by some miracle I have managed tocontinue to• exist on borrowed time+6 4!he government wsurely be



• defeated in the next election and may as webe dead already• and its power and inLuence only continue to

exist• on borrowed time+6 =• Expand your hori>on Broaden your point ofview+ !raveling the world and seeing• the ways and customs of di?erent peopleshelps expand• your hori>on+6• Expel from school Be dismissed and kicked oof7school+ 4&y friend• :M:• &itch punched his history teacher in the facand was• expelled from school immediately+6 4Curbrother !erry• was expelled from school for a show of

deance against• authority and was never able to continue hiseducation+6• 4<everal times in his youth Dale was almostexpelled• from school for being a mischievous andnaughty boy•

but for some reason he managed to stay inand even go• to college+6 =• Explore the mind ust as early sailors andadventures explored the world



• so we may be said to explore the mind tounderstand it• better+ 4<ome people seem to have been bo

with a• closed7mind and some appear to have beenborn to open• and explore the mind+6 4%sychoanalysissimply dened• is developing the ability to explore the mind4!rue explorers• of the mind nd that it has two sides8 one siis• passive and observes the other side is activand wanders• and swerves+6 =• Express condolences .onvey or communicatsympathy pity and kind understanding+• 4%lease allow me to express my sincere

condolences• on the death of your mother+6 4&essages ha• come in from heads7of7state from all aroundthe world to• express condolences upon the death of the%ope+6 4&y• family and I wish to express our deepest and

most7heartfelt• condolences upon the occasion of the deathyour• daughter+6 =• Extenuating circumstances





members• used to extort protection money from localshop owners•

by threatening to break up their shops or hutheir children+6• 4Fnfortunately there are still places in theworld• were local strongmen are able to extort monfrom• members of the community who have to payfor the sake• of their own protection+6 4In this countryfortunately• there are no corrupt politicians who would tto extort• :M;• money from others motivated by selshcircumstances+6• =• Extrasensory perception <ixth sense beingable to see phenomena that normal• people in human society cannot see+4Extrasensory perception• (E<%* means being able to see and knowphenomenon•

that are come from beyond the realm of the• senses+6 4<omeone who can see and talk toghosts and• know what is in the minds of spirits is said thave a



• sixth sense or extrasensory perception+64!here are some• people who know things without knowing w

or where• the things come from all they can say is thathey somehow• know due to extrasensory perception+6 =• Extricate yourself from 'et yourself out of asituation so you don/t have to take• the blame+ 4!he 'overnor has managed toextricate himself • from charges of embe>>lement by making thnancial• records of all transactions public+6 4!he &ayhas• managed to extricate himself from charges otaking• payo?s from suppliers and contractors by

saying that he• had no personal knowledge of suchtransactions+6 4!he• former Democratic leader tried unsuccessfuto extricate• himself from accusations that he had an a?awith a•

female congressional aid+6 =• Eye7opener An experience that serves as anawakening a sudden reali>ation• based on new evidence or fact+ 4,hensomeone



• told me that foreign wars were all aboutkeeping up the• price of oil that was a real eye7opener for m

4,hen I• discovered rst hand from personalexperience that under7• the7table corruption money had risen from fteen• percent that was a real eye7opener+6 4!he ddiscovered• that the price of sensual desire wasproportionate• to accumulated need that was a real eye7opener and• since then I have never again looked atsensuality in the• same way+6 =• Eyes in the back of your• head• Have the capability to see what is coming upbehind you• or going on behind your back+ 4In martial armovies• $ung7"u ghters always seem to have eyes the back •

of their heads because they can sense whenattack is• coming from the back+6 4If you hope to be ateacher and• maintain classroom discipline you must



develop eyes in• the back of your head because the momenyou turn to•

write on the board the students will startacting up behind• your back+6 4!he supervisor always knowswhat is• going on in the workshop even when he is nlooking+• He must have eyes in the back of his head+6• Eye7to7eye <ee things the same way share tsame view agree+• 4&y father and I do not see eye7to7eye on th-uestion of • how to restructure the company+6 4&y mothand I do• not see eye7to7eye on the way that youngpeople dress• :MJ• today+6 4!he %rime &inister and the %residedo not see• eye7to7eye on the issue of placing foreigntroops indenitely• on foreign soil+6 =• Eye7wash A lot of lies deception dishonesty

falsehood deceit• trickery nonsense+ 4I don/t believe one woryour saying+• It/s all a lot of eyewash+6 4Don/t try to fool mwith



• a lot of eyewash+ ust forget the phony excuand tell• me the truth+6 4!he government is trying to

cover7up the• political blunder with a lot of eyewash andpropaganda in• the press but they are not fooling anybody+• "abricated excuse A total lie which is made7to get out of trouble a lie• which is thought up to provide a false excus4I do not• believe that the dog ate your homework+ !his )ust s• fabricated excuse to get your self out oftrouble+6 4,hen• my mother wanted me to skip school and gosomewhere• with her she would write a letter to the

teacher containing• the fabricated excuse that I was sick in bed+4!he• %resident/s used the fabricated excuse that had been• misinformed by the .IA about suspicious7looking•

ground movements to get out of theaccusation of having• purposely killed a caravan of refugees on thmove+6 =• "ace reality5 "ace the facts accept reality a



is face up to it+ 4"ace• reality5 Gou can never be a &iss ,orld or aHollywood•

star because you are not charming or prettyenough+6 4Be• honest for once in your life+ "ace reality5 Gouare )ust not• big and strong and fast enough to become aworld class• football star+6 6 4It/s time our team looked tfacts and• faced the reality that there is no way we cansucceed in• sending a manned7satellite to orbit the sun+• "ace the challenge &eet the confrontation wcondence and courage in• order to overcome it+ 4'iving your rstpresentation in• class is a big challenge for most but if youprepare carefully• and practice hard you will be able to face thchallenge• without any trouble+6 4It/s not easy to pass entrance• exam but if you face the challenge and wor

your• hardest and get all the help you can you ma )ust succeed+6• 4In the mid7nineteenth century no body wo• ever have thought that science and technolo



would be• able to face the challenge and soon be able put a man•

on the moon+6 =• "ace the conse-uences Accept and pay thepenalty for what you have done• make7up for your wrong actions+ 4Gou werecaught• breaking a dormitory regulation and now yare going• to have to face the conse-uences of beingexpelled from• the dormitory+6 4If one insists on drinking a-uart of • whiskey every day one will have to face theconse-uences• of eventually dying from liver cirrhosis+/ 42o• that you have got my daughter pregnant yo

are going to• :MK• have to face the conse-uences and marry heand then• face the challenge of being a good husbandand raising a• family+6 =•

"ace the music "ace the conse-uences and pthe penalty for what you• have done+ 4If you persist in your criminalactions one• day you will be caught for sure and have to



face the music+6• 4!he audit team has caught you embe>>lingand•

)uggling the books and now you are going have to• face the music and go to )ail for a few years4&y• teacher has caught me cheating on the mathexam so• now I have been sent to the principal/s oOcwhere I am• going to have to face the music+6 =• "ace your fears &eet your fears head7on anddon/t run away from them+• 4"ear is all in the mind+ If you know that feaarises only• in your head you can analy>e it away and leto face• your fears+6 4<tand up and be a man and fayour fears• for if you run away from them you will knowyourself • to be a coward+6 4I am afraid that I may not able to• reali>e my expectations but one thing I kno

for sure is• that if I do not learn to face my fears and toovercome all• obstacles then I will fail for sure+6 =• "ace7to7face Being right in front of another



person looking him• straight in the face vis7[7vis+ 4After myparents divorced•

they never again saw one another face7to7face+6• 4!he %rime &inister has declined to have aface7to7face• %ublic Debate with the leader of theopposition+6 4I/d• like to get my two accusers face7to7face andask them to• )ustify on the basis of what evidence they hastarted• this nasty rumor+6 =• "acts of life !he realities of life the way itreally is the truth about• the birds and the bees how babies come intthe world+• 4By the time I knew the facts of life I wasalready thirteen• and pregnant+6 4<haron/s parents didn/t telher the• facts of life until she was sixteen and shedidn/t bother• to tell them that by then she knew

everything already+6• 4As we grow up we learn that we have to faceverything• the way it is that is we have to learn to facethe facts of



• life the way they come+6=• "ading fast ust as we can say a person isdisappearing from view•

into the ha>e or fog -uickly so we can also sa person• is fading fast when he is approaching deaththrough illness+• 4"ather/s health is fading fast and he will sobe• on the brink of death+6 4!he twilight wasfading fast and• the soldiers had to pitch their tents -uicklybefore total• darkness set in+6 4!om Braxton/s breath wasfading fast• and he knew he was dying from lack ofoxygen+6 =• "ail to see .annot understand or comprehen

4<on I fail to see• why you cannot make an attempt to get alonbetter with• :MM• your little brother+ 4I still fail to see why mymother and• father cannot sit down face7to7face and have

reasonable• discussion and somehow get back together+6fail to see• how people would prefer to ght a war forgoing7on



• more than thirty years rather than sitting doand making• an agreement to live in peace forever+6 =•

"ail7safe Designed or considered to beabsolutely safe and secure• cannot break down+ 4!he ship+ !itanic wasdesigned to• be fail7safe but it sank on its rst maidenvoyage+6 42uclear• reactors must be built to be fail7safe to protthe• surrounding environment from nuclearradiation+6• 4<pace rockets are designed to be fail7safe tprotect the• lives of the scientists encapsulated inside thspace module• but time has shown that not even fail7safe

plans are• always entirely safe+6 =• "aint7hearted ,eak7hearted afraid to faceanything afraid to start behaving• with courage and conviction weak attemptwith• little heart+ 4<issy is so faint7hearted and

unsure of herself • that she can hardly speak in front of others+4Aunt• .aroline did not want to help us raise funds our charity



• so she made only a fainthearted attemptbefore giving• up altogether+6 4'oing to work in an oileld

that is in• danger of being bombed and set on re is nofor the• faint7hearted+6 =• "air and s-uare Honest and upright+ 4A moraand upright individual• should always be fair and s-uare in hisdealings with• other people+6 4Cne of the "reemason/spractices is that• everything they do in life should always be othe fair• and s-uare+6 4Even a king no matter howgreat his• power should always be fair and s-uare in h

every action+6• =• "air or foul 'ood or evil+ 4<ome people arewilling to resort to any• means to get what they want fair or foul+64!hose• damned Democrats will try to play every tric

in the• book fair or foul to make the epublicans lbad+6• 4!he problem with the epublican %arty.hairman is



• that he will do anything within his means faor foul to• get what is expedient for the party+6 =•

"air to middling Average or a bit better+ 4If yask me how I am I have• to say that I am Sfair to middling+/ !hings arenot bad but• they could be better as well+6 4I saw uncleArthur in the• hospital and his condition is fair to middlingcould• certainly be a lot worse so we are glad thatis as well• as he is+6 4!he condition of the nationaleconomy may• be said to be fair to middling8 there is norecession in• view and there are signs of gradual growth+• "air weather friends "riends you have wheneverything is going well but who• will not be there when you are in trouble+4,hen I was• :MN• spending a lot of money I had a lot of fairweather•

friends but now that my nances are limitedon/t have• any friends any more+6 4,hen I had my yachin &onte• .arlo I had a lot of fair weather friends in



both senses• of the word but after the bank reclaimed thyacht I•

found myself friendless and alone in the dar4"air• weather friends arise out of conditions8 whethe conditions• are right such friends nd themselves togetat• the same time in the same place but when tconditions• and factors that brought them togetherchange the conditions• of the past are forever altered and can nevecome• back together again+6 =• "ake a headache %retend you have a headacwhen you don/t want to do• something+ 4&y wife always fakes a headachevery time• I want to have sex+6 4,henever we ask ennto help us• grading the exam papers she always fakes headache+6• 4In the oOce when I have been working on

computer• too long and need a break I fake a headachand• tell my colleagues that I/m going to step outfor a breath



• of fresh air+6 =• "ake check A check written without enoughmoney in the bank to•

cover it+ 4I pacied my ex7wife temporarily least by• writing a fake check+6 4!hey say the only tha fake or• rubber check will buy is time+6 4$en paid mefor the car• with a fake check and drove o? into thedistance without• remembering he had forgotten to also take tregistration• papers+6=• "all all over yourself &ake a show of doingwhatever it takes to appear• friendly and please others+ 4,hen Aunt.aroline comes• visiting my falls all over herself to try andplease her and• be a good hostess+6 4Cur %ublic elationsDirector is an• expert at falling all over herself and bendingover backwards• she/ll do anything within her power to pleas

incoming• clients and visitors+6 4,hen the egional<upervisor• visits our oOce our manager is falling all ov• himself with friendliness but after his



distinguished visitor• leaves he goes back to being his plain oldeveryday•

miserable self+6 =• "all back on !o keep something in reserve fowhen it is needed+ 4I• always keep a cash reserve of a hundredthousand to fall• back on in case of any emergency+6 4Even inthe earliest• ancient Indic texts one nds the proverb thone should• try to put something extra aside to fall backin case of • hard times+6 4oger tells me he has nevertouched a• penny of his old age pension but lets itaccumulate in the• bank )ust in case he needs something to fallback on if he• lives to a very old age+6 =• "all by the wayside <tray away from the patand not continue going on• :MP• ahead like the others+ 4Cn the road to fame

and success• many reach the pinnacle but many more fallthe wayside• and do not progress+6 4All my old schoolbuddies



• graduated from college and had successfulcareers except• for my friend &itch who was a la>y son7of7a

bitch+6• 4Cn the .hildren/s .rusade to the Holy #andmany poor• kids fell by the wayside where they were eatby wild• tigers and wolves+6 =• "all Lat "ail to entertain fail to please fail tbe accepted+ 4Crange• marketing7planners proposed a advertisingcampaign• picturing monkeys talking on mobile phonesbut• the plan fell Lat+6 4!he .linton/s &edicalHealth .are• plan was a good idea but it fell Lat due to

establishment• opposition+6 4&artin is always telling what hthinks are• clever )okes to get everyone/s attention andhe can never• understand why his attempts fall Lat+6 =• "all Lat on your face ust as a comedian may

fall Lat on his face so we say we• fell Lat on our face when we failed miserablan attempt+• 4,hen I asked <ylvana for a date she )ust• laughed at me and I fell Lat on my face+6 4I



o?ered myself • as a candidate for election but my partyre)ected the•

idea and I fell Lat on my face+6 4Gour plan igood• idea and that is why the old established.ongressmen• will not accept it+ If you try to present it as abill for legislation• you will fall Lat on your face+6 =• "all for a line Believe a lie or con man/s story4!o hand someone a• line is a lie a false story+ 4!o fall for a line isbelieve a• false story+6 4,e also say we are stringingsomeone a• line as though unraveling twine in a longstring of lies to• lead the other person on hoping that he falfor the• line+6 4Don/t give me tat old line5 I/m not goto fall• for an old line like that5 I/m not stupid youknow56=• "all for it Be taken7in by a trick to believe a

incredible lie or• story+ 4Don/t think I/ll fall for that old story+I/ve heard it• too many times before to be silly enough to for it



• again+6 4I fell for your father/s empty promiwhen I• rst met him+6 4!he traveling Bible salesma

handed me• a line that by paying sixty7nine dollars dowand a dollar• a week for thirty weeks I could get religionand I fell for• it+6 =• "all guy !he person who has to take the blamwhen something• goes wrong so the real person or personsresponsible remains• in the background and protected+ 4<ometimlocal• politicians bring a foreign administrativecoordinator• into a large7scale construction pro)ect )ust t

have a convenient• fall guy to blame if ever their shady dealings• should come to light+6 4!he .IA director waschosen to• be the fall guy when nobody could explain wwas re:MQ• sponsible for torturing foreign prisoners+6 4

&inister• of "oreign A?airs was chosen as the fall guytake the• blame for the !unnel a?air while each of theother



• .abinet &inisters sighed a breath of relief abeing able• to retain his chair+6 =•

"all in with Begin associating with or becomfriends with wrong• sort of people and begin behaving like them4,hen !ed• was a teenager he fell in with the wrong sorof crowd at• the local poolroom and two or three times hwoke up in• the morning behind bars+6 4If you femalestudents go to• bars and nightclubs it is very easy for themfall in• with the sort of people who can corrupt themespecially• with regard to sex and drugs+6 4&y son .hr

fell in• with the wrong sort of crowd while he wasstudying in• #iverpool and for a while I was afraid thathe/d end up• in )ail but after he graduated that all changand now•

he/s running with a better sort of crowd+6 =• "all into step .ome into line and follow theexpectations of others+ 4If • you don/t fall into step and follow the othersobeying



• regulations we/ll throw you out on your ear4ust as• soldiers have to fall into step when marchin

so individuals• in society are expected to fall into step andbehave• and conform like everybody else+6 4<omepeople• have a tendency to fall into step and somehave a tendency• to step out of line+ I think that stepping out line• is )ust ne+6 =• "all on deaf ears ,ith no one listening to whis said or suggested+ 4Environmentalist• protests to the government about the o>one• level are falling on deaf ears+6 4"or yearsastrologists• have been warning about the immanent endthe world• but so far their warnings have been falling deaf • ears+6 4I have been pleading with my husbafor years• to help me out of my sense of psychological

isolation• but so far my pleas have been falling on deears+6 =• "all on hard times 'o from having enoughmoney to being poor and almost



• penniless+ 4&y 'randdaddy was a richplantation owner• but now after three generations the family

has fallen on• hard times+6 4It often happens that a rich mwill fall on• hard times and lose all his money but thenstart over• again and get rich again+6 4andolph Hurstwas one of • the richest and most powerful men in.alifornia in his• heyday but later due to his own weaknessehe met his• demise and fell on hard times+6 =• "all on your feet ust as a cat falls on its feeso we may say a person falls• on his feet when he has the good luck to

survive a fall in• life or fortune+ 4Don/t worry about your DadDear+• ,henever he has a fall in fortune he alwaysmanages to• land on his feet+6 4<ome thieves always seeto land on•

:NR• their feet and live to commit countless crimeon other• days but landing on your feet does not meayou will



• escape the e?ects of bad karma and ultimatdefeat+6• 4During the nancial crisis my father/s

business was• threatened with bankruptcy but fortunatelywith the• help of a good banker a little luck and a lothard• work we have managed to fall on our feet+6• "all out with someone Have a disagreementand no longer be friends+ 4odger• and I fell out with one another due to his haof being• overly7argumentative -uarrelsome andobstreperous+6• 4'ood friends often fall out with one anothedue to disagreements• about money that/s why it/s never good to• mix friendship and money+6 4!he leaders of political• coalition have fallen out with one anotherregarding proposed• alliances with the far left and that is whygovernment• ma)ority control appears to be falling apart+•

"all prey to ust as a mouse might fall prey thawk that swoops• down and take it in its claws so we may saythat weak of • vulnerable person falls prey to+ 4I think I am



street• smart but every once in a while even I fallprey to tricksters•

due to my goodness of heart+6 42ever let aninnocent• young country girl venture alone into the bigcity• where she will be very likely to fall prey to twolves of • the urban )ungle+6 4#ittle old ladies sittingoutside on• their front porches on <undays often fall preto Bible• salesmen who want nothing more than to tanancial• advantage of them+6 =• "all through "ail to materiali>e or to succeedplanned+ 4&y application• to the bank for a loan has unfortunately fall• through and now I don/t know where to tufor• money+6 4!he planned legislation Aid %ackato provide• help and assistance for the rural poor hasfallen•

through in %arliament so now there/s nothleft for• the demonstrators to do but go home+6 4!henal Appeal• to the <upreme .ourt ustice for a stay of



execution has• fallen through and the prisoner will beelectrocuted at•

midnight+6 =• "all to your knees 'o down on your knees tobeg+ 4I/m falling on my knees• and asking you to marry me+6 4He fell on hisknees and• begged the Emperor/s forgiveness+6 4In theancient East• if you did not fall to your knees in obeisancebefore a• nobleman he would cut o? your legs at theknees+6 =• "allen idol ust as a statue of an ancient kinggod can crumble and• fall so a present7day7person whom everyonlooks7up7to• can crash and fall due to shame and scanda4%resident• Bill .linton was ideali>ed by clean7livingAmerican• youth but after the &onica #ewinski scandahe became• a fallen idol+6 4After it became clear that "$

had been• :N1• having illicit love a?airs in the eyes of manypeople he• became a fallen idol+6 4&ichael ackson was



top of the• pops and everybody/s darling but after all tbad publicity•

about sexual child abuse he became a falleidol+6• =• "allen on hard times #ost all one/s money nlonger able to help oneself• having fallen lower in social station oncebetter o? but• now in a worse position barely able to provfor oneself+• 4In .hina we met a former noblewoman whhad• lost everything after the revolution and hadfallen on hard• times+6 4I used to be a well7to7do lawyer withigh income• but I had to retire early and have fallen onhard• times+6 4After the bottom fell out of themarket #ee lost• all his money and fell on hard times+6 =• "alling apart !he feeling that everything isgoing to pieces psychologically+•

4<teve has lost is )ob his house and his wife• and his whole life is falling apart+6 4.arole iall confused• and emotionally imbalanced about her role ithe



• marriage and she is almost falling apart+64After his divorce• Harry went through a diOcult psychological

period• during which his whole life seemed to befalling• apart but with time he got back on his feeand he is• C$ now+6 =• "alling star A star seen falling through thenight sky may be taken as• a sign of good luck+ 4Cver the bay he couldsee a falling• star coming down through the sky towardshim and he• took it as an omen that it would change hisluck in the• future+6 4!hey say that if you can catch a

falling star and• make a wish that you will get anything youwant6• 4.atch a falling star and put it in your pocke2ever let it• go7away because one day it will bring you tluck to•

get you to where you want to go and whereyou want to• stay+6 =• "alling to pieces Breaking apart due topressure having a nervous breakdown



• coming apart at the seams+ 4&y marriage isfalling• to pieces and I/m becoming a psychological

wreck+6• 4I/m so stressed7out due to emotional pressthat I/m• falling to pieces+6 4I/m coming apart at theseams and• everything is falling to pieces and I don/t knhow to• put my life back together again+6 =• "allout ust as there is radio7active fallout frthe atmosphere• after a nuclear explosion so we may say thabad political• situation may have some negative fallout+4!here• is bound to be a lot of fallout when the publ

learns that• the media is paid to propagate hiddenpropaganda• schemes+6 4!here is going to be a lot ofpolitical fallout• about the Illuminist .onspiracy a?air+6 4!heis going•

to be a lot of fallout in the .IA hearings whethe public• :N:• learns about the role of American operativestheir trading



• in drugs behind the scenes+6 =• "alse alarm An alarm that is based on a falsereport+ 4!here was a•

bomb scare in our school this morning but iwas based• on a false alarm+6 4At rst the media wasreporting a giant• meteor would collide with the earth but laton• they said it was a false alarm+6 4Cften terrotactics are• used to create fear of devastating attackswhen the only• real fear is based on the public/s reaction towhat are• only false alarms+6 =• "alse modesty %retending to be humble andunassuming when you are• really not+ 4Don/t pretend that you are notaware of how• clever you are+ ,e can see through your falsmodesty+6• 4<he says she thinks that she is not pretty I know her• statement is based on a cultural sense of fa

modesty+6• 4If false modesty is by denition a lie whycan a cultural• lie based on false modesty be acceptable toany society@6



• =• "alse move Do something wrong that will puyou in trouble+ 4I/ll•

give you a second chance but if I ever see ymake• even one false move again then you are ouof here+6• 4!he problem with being an auditor is that Ithey catch• you making even )ust one false move they ctake away• your license+6 4<top5 %ut your hands up5 Cnfalse move• and I will shoot56=• "alse pride %ride based on a false evaluationself+ 4Being insulted• out of a sense of false pride is based on purignorance• and self7delusion+6 4Having an over7inLatedview of • your self based on false pride can be verypainful when• the balloon7of7false7view hits the ground anpops+6• 4"alse pride has provoked many a harsh and

hurtful word• to be spoken the reaction to which in duecourse has• caused many a swelled7head to be bashed inand broken+6



• =• "amiliarity breeds contempt• ,hen you get up close to someone and get t

know his• weaknesses you lose your former sense ofrespect and• admiration and tend to look down on him asnot being as• perfect as you thought he was before+ 4Cnethe problems• with the close intimacy of marriage is thatfamiliarity• breeds contempt+6 42ever let yourself get toclose to• the servants because invariably familiaritybreeds contempt+6• 42ever try to be pals with the enlisted menunder• your command because familiarity breedscontempt+6 =• "ancy dress ball "ormal black suit andtie9evening gown dance or a?air or• gala occasion+ 4Every one in high society geall dressed• up once a year for the local fancy dress ball

the fourth• of uly+6 4In 3ienna once a year there is afancy dress• ball which id attended by anybody who isanybody in the



• :N;• 'erman7speaking part of Europe+6 4After theconference•

has ended on the nal night of activitiesthere will be a• fancy dress ball to which all the members antheir wives• are invited+6 =• "ancy free ,ith absolutely no ties and totallfree to do whatever• one wishes+ 4I/m unmarried and unemployedwithout any• responsibility and so I/m absolutely fancyfree+6 42ow• that I am retired with money in the bank I afancy free• to do whatever I want with my time+6 4,henyou are• married with children you sometimes want be fancy• free but those who are free and alone areoften lonely+6 =• "ancy someone !o have a liking for a personthe opposite sex+ 4I fancy• that new girl in the oOce+ I/d like to go out o

a date• with her+6 4I fancy "reddy/s wife but I/m afrshe does• not fancy me56 4I know that my boss fanciesme but



• there/s no way I/d ever start doing any hankpanky with• someone in my own oOce+6=•

"ancy that5 ust imagine that it/s hard tobelieve hard to conceive5• 4!he <ocialists won the election+ "ancy that4It snowed• in <pain on the fth of uly5 "ancy that56 4!hcould• not even nd one virgin in the "rench court perform in• the ceremony+ "ancy that56 =• "ar cry from 2owhere near the intendedexpectation+ 4Democracy• may be a far cry from being perfect but it isstill the best• that system that we have+6 4I know I/m a facry from• being the ideal husband but at least I/mtrying my best+6• 4!he sum of the donations was a far cry fromwhat was• expected but at least the money went tocharitable• cause+6 =•

"ar7fetched Hard to believe because it is sofanciful implausible+• 4Don/t you think the idea of having mannedspace centers• on &ars is a bit far7fetched@6 4Gour excuse



that being• chased7up a tree by a monkey made you latefor•

school sounds a bit far7fetched but this timI/ll give• you the benet of the doubt+6 4!he hypothethat "rancis• Bacon wrote <hakespeare/s plays sounds a bfarfetched• but some scholars insist that they have foun• evidence to prove their case+6 =• "ar7sighted ust as some people can see far into the distance so• some thinkers and leaders are said to be farsighted in• making predictions and plans for the future+4!he Buddha• was very far7sighted when he said that men

and• women were to be considered e-ual in thepractice of • moral purity+6 4!he %rovincial 'overnmentdeveloped a• far7sighted long7range educational plan toprepare to•

meet the needs of students who had not yeteven been• born+6 42ostradamus was a far7sightedvisionary who• hundreds of years ago predicted the violent



conLicts and• :NJ• eruptions of the twenty7rst century+6 =•

"ast and furiously 3ery -uickly and recklesswith heedless abandon+ 4He• is acting recklessly and spending money fasand furiously• as though there were no tomorrow+6 4!heeconomy• is declining so fast and furiously that thebottom may• drop out any day now+6 4.orruption isdeveloping so fast• and furiously that soon the only thing you be able• to get without paying a bribe is a postagestamp+6 =• "ast lane ust as cars pass in the fast lane o

the highway so some• people like to say they are living in the fastlane in their• private and business lives+ 4#iving in the faslane brings• rewards but it also brings pains+6 4I/m on mway to success•

moving away ahead of all the others in the f• lane+6 4Gou can only move in the fast lane along as you• are young and strong+ It/s a place where theold and feeble



• wouldn/t last long+6 =• "ast on the draw ust as a cowboy gunslingecan be fast on the draw so•

we may say a person is -uick to respond whchallenged• verbally or put on the spot+ 4A man who canreply• immediately with a -uick clever answer whchallenged• is said to be -uick on the draw+6 4<omeonewho• is capable of making a -uick -uip is said to bfast on the• draw+6 4A good defense lawyer must be ablethink • -uickly and be fast on the draw in the art ofcountercross7• -uestioning+6 =• "ast talk !alking -uickly to try to confuse thother person and get• out of trouble+ 4<top all your lying fast talk makingup• excuses+ <low down and tell me in detailexactly what• happened6 4Don/t give me any fast talk+ I ca

see• through all that )ive+ ust slow down and tellme the truth• for a change+6 4'irls soon learn the di?erenbetween



• men on whom they can depend to mean whathey say• and those who only depend on making an

impression• with a lot of loose fast talk+6 =• "ast7track ust as you can fast track your tapdeck to play your• cassettes forward so we say someone is in tfast track • when he will be speedily promoted up the linof management+• 4After Evelyn got her doctorate she was puton• the fast track by the administration to workher way• -uickly towards becoming Dean+6 4,hen this a war• with a lot of casualties oOcers are on a fast

track to• promotion whether they want it or not+6 =• "at chance5 2o hope5 2o likelihood5 2o way5Impossible5 4Don/t• ask me to lie+ I/m not going to lie for you unany circumstances+• "at chance56 4!here/s no way I/m going to•

write your essay for you+ "at chance5 !hat/scheating56• 42o way5 Hell would free>e over before I woever• trust you+ "at chance5 Gou are asking for too



much+6 =• :NK• "at lip A thick lip from being punched in the

mouth+ 4If you• don/t shut up right now I/ll punch you in themouth and• give you a fat lip+6 4.harlie sometimes turnsup at the• oOce on &onday with a fat lip after he hasbeen having• a ght with his wife+6 4If you don/t want to ga fat lip I• would advise you not to butt in where you dnot belong+6• =• "atal attraction Being attracted to somethinin a way that will cause• harm or even death+ 4.harlie seems to have

fatal attraction• to women who are going to harm him+64Anthony• could not resist the fatal attraction of.leopatra and his• falling hopelessly in love with her eventuallycaused his•

ruin+6 4!he goddess 3enus can change herseinto a• mortal woman and with her fatal attractioncharm any• man living into doing anything she wants+6 =



• "atal error ust as a mistake may result inmortal death so a mistaken• strategy may result in human failure or even

worse+• 4If you try to mess with me you are makingfatal error+• I would as soon kill you as look at you+6 4!hAmerican• %resident/s fatal error was in assuming thatcontrol of the• price of oil was more valuable than the livesAmerican• troops+6 4,here !ony Blair made his fatal erwas in• letting himself be talked7into the idea ofestablishing a• 2ew ,orld Crder+6 =• "ate worse than death <omething that can

happen to you that you would consider• to be worse than death+ 4I swear that beingmarried• to you is a fate worse than death+ 4At leastwith death• the su?ering would be over but accumulatinbad karma•

in this life is a fate worse than death that cago on for• ever+6 4!he idea of being perpetually rackedwith the excruciating• pains of death in the res of Hell is a fate



• worse than death+6=• "ather gure <omeone we look up to as afather and role model+•

4&any young women who did not have a fatwhen• they were growing7up feel attracted to anolder man in a• position of trust as a father gure+6 4%rof+.arlson has• been a father gure to many young people wlacked a• warm family environment when they wereyoung+6 4.arl• ung was a father gure to the close circle hentrusted to• write down his ideas and explain them in boto the• world+6 =• "athom the depths <earch as deep down inttopic as possible look into• the depths of your mind+ 4,e shall have tofathom the• depths of our minds and search to nd thesource of this• deep and depressing psychological problem

4!obias is• attempting to fathom the depths of his mindanaly>e if • there is still any hidden resentment thereagainst his



• mother+6 4It seems to be impossible for manfathom• :NM•

the depths of the god7-uestion because itsboundaries• exceed beyond the limits reachable by thehuman mind+6• =• "east or famine Either too much or too little4Either we have much too• much work all at once or much too little for long time+• It/s either feast or famine+6 4In our businessis either• feast or famine with either too many ordersdeal with• or none at all+6 4,e are either making a wholot of • money all at once or we are going through adry period• waiting for opportunity to come+ It/s eitherfeast or famine+6• =• "eather in your cap ust as the old huntersused to put a rare feather in their•

hat band to show their accomplishment sonowadays we• say a person deserves a feather in his cap fosomething• he has done or accomplished+ 4Eileen deserv



a feather• in her cap for the way she took care of thefamily when•

&om was in the hospital+6 4%rof+ .larkdeserves a• feather in his cap for all the years he hasstruggled to setup• and to establish new national standards ofeducational• achievement+6 4.aptain odgers deserves afeather in his• cap for the way he led his troops in the attacthat cut the• rebel forces in two so the ghting would stoand• thereby save a lot of human lives on bothsides+6 =• "eather your nest 'et and set aside money f

the future bit7by7bit the• way a bird feathers her nest+ 4.orruptpoliticians pick up• payo?s here and there along the way withwhich to• feather their nests hoping they will be well7provided for•

in the future+6 4%am told me that she wassetting ten percent• of her salary aside to feather her nest in casshe• ever found herself in need or in distress+6 4I



good to• be able to feather your nest for the future bdo it as a•

sparrow should and not as a vulture would+6• "ed7up with Bored with tired or can/t standany more 4I/m fed7up• with the way you are always lying and takingadvantage• of me+6 4I/ve had enough of this boring )ob aI/m fedup• to the teeth with it+6 4I/m fed up fed7up withthe way• my boss has been treating me and I/m notgoing to pit up• with it any more+6 =• "eel like death warmedover• "eel like a corpse that has been brought bacto life feel• terrible usually because of a hangover+ 4#asnight I• drank a whole bottle of te-uila and today I flike• death warmed over+6 4<lick woke up feelinglike death• warmed over and swore he would never eve

mix drugs• and drink again+6 4After three days of malarfever the• feeble and hungry monk emerged from out othe darkness



• of the cave feeling and looking like deathwarmed• over+6 =•

"eeble excuse ,eak explanation as )ustication+ 4<aying that the dog• :NN• ate your homework is a feeble excuse+64<aying that the• woman touched you rst is a feeble excuse+,hy didn/t• you tell her you were a married man@6 4Dongive me• any feeble excuse laying the blame onsomeone else+• !ake the blame yourself and be a man56 =• "eeble7minded <imple minded weak in thebrain dim7witted+ 4Fncle• 'eordie is a little bit feeble7minded but nob

seems to• be bothered because he is always smiling angood natured+6• 4,e had a little brother who was sickly andfeeble7• minded but he died when he was seven+64<aying•

that a ghost stole your shoes is the most7feeble7minded• excuse that I have heard in years56 =• "eed someone a line ust as one feeds out along line used to tow a boat so we



• may be said to feed some one a line of liesleading him• on with deceptive intent+ 4Don/t feed me tha

old line+• I/ve heard that lie a thousand times beforealready+6• 4%lease don/t feed me the line that if I accepyou you• will never look at another woman in your life!hat/s• what all men say+6 4Don is feeding #inda a lithat one• day he will inherit a huge fortune but he/slying through• his hat and using her greed to get what hewants+6 =• "eed to the wolves ust as one may feed meto wolves so one may be said• to allow a person to be open to attack from enemies+• 4'overnment is a dirty business in whichpoliticians will• rst use you for their own ends and thenfeed you to• the wolves when they do not need you an 4I

you betray• a one7time7friend by exposing his condenceand secrets• to the press this is a good example of feedi• someone to the wolves+6 4,hen I had lots o



money to• spend I had lots of friends and gave lots ofparties and•

ban-uets for them to attend but now that I broke they• don/t care and would )ust as soon feed me tthe• wolves+6 =• "eeding fren>y ust as a school of Lesh7eatinpiranha sh will go into a• feeding fren>y if they are fed fresh Lesh sofor example• the press may be said to go on a feeding frewhen it• gets a hot )uicy story and wants to get andspread the• news as soon as possible+6 4,hen the mediagot news• about the &onica #ewinski a?air with the%resident they• had an absolute feeding fren>y+6 4,henevethere is a• )uicy scandal in Hollywood multitudes ofreporters from• movie maga>ines go on an uncontrolled

feeding fren>y+6• 4,henever the members of the press areinformed of any• of &ichael ackson/s new sexual escapadeswith children



• they go on a feeding fren>y that lasts until tvery• last nibble of news is gone+6 =•

"eed o? of ust as a parasite feeds o? the hoplant or animal so• some people are said to feed o? others+ 4usas parasites• :NP• feed o? of host animals in nature so insociety we see• people who are parasites living o? of others4Doris has• got this pretty young tomboy living with hewho feeds• o? of her like a parasite+6 4I don/t care if yoare my sister5• 'et out of my house5 I am tired of you and yfamily• feeding o? of me like a bunch of parasites+6• "eel free Do what you like feel free to dowhatever you want go• ahead and do what ever you please+ 4&akeyourself at• home and feel free to do as you please+6 4Idisagree with•

your decision but feel free to do as you like4I want to• be able to feel free to do what I want wherewant and• when I want6 =



• "eel it in your bones $now somethingintuitively or through some sixth sense+• 4It/s going to rain+ I can feel it in my bones+6

4!hat man• is not to be trusted+ I can feel it in my bones4<ome terrible• catastrophe is going to happen+ I can feel it my• bones+6 =• "eel like a million5 "eeling really greatcouldn/t be better5 4I am feeling• really great today5 I/m feeling like a million542ow that• I have changed my medicine I feel like atotally new• man+ I feel like a million56 4Gou look verybeautiful today+• If you feel like you look you must feel like a

million56• =• "eel like doing something• In the mood to do something+ 4I know what want me• to do but I don/t feel like doing it )ust now+64,henever•

I feel like doing something naughty and nasttry to• overcome the urge+6 4I feel like doingsomething to indulge• myself but my better7)udgment tells me to



control• myself+6 =• "eel no remorse ,ithout any sense of guilt

shame or regret+ 4Because the• defendant felt no remorse for killing his ownhelpless• invalid mother the )udge handed7down themaximum• penalty of death by hanging+6 4!he defendafeels no• remorse for the crimes he has committed anhe feels no• fear of punishment by death+6 4I feel noremorse for the• sins I have committed because life has mademe pay for• every mistake I have ever made and taught not to• make the same mistakes again+6 =• "eel out of place Having a sense that one donot belong in a certain• group or location a sense of being eithersocially or economically• or otherwise above or below one/s stationbeing•

wholly di?erent from those surrounding youfeel• out of place at society parties because I am )ust a simple• country girl at heart+6 4Doug felt highly



uncomfortable• and certainly out of place while visiting a gabar where•

his gay colleagues liked to hang out+64Because I am• only a secretary I always feel a bit out of plasitting at• the same conference table with a lot of bighigh7powered• :NQ• corporate business executives+6 =• "eel put o? "eel a loss of appetite or desire 4,hen people talk • bout dirty or smelly things when I/m eatingputs me• o? my appetite+6 4!hinking of how they killanimals before• we eat then makes me fee a little put o? my

food• when I see there is meat in a dish+6 4I don/tknow why• but I always feel put o? sex when I see a girwearing• )eans+ &aybe it/s because )eans make girls llike•

boys+6 =• "eel sorry for someone "eel pity for someonfeel empathy feel understanding• and compassion+ 4I feel sorry for all thosepeople in



• Bangladesh who get Looded out of house anhome• every year+6 4,hen you tell me about all yo

have been• through I feel sorry for you+6 4Gou will nevefeel sorry• for others when you are so busy feeling sorrfor yourself+6• =• "eel the pinch <u?ering from lack of money an economically7tight• situation+ 4Everyone is short of cash andfeeling the• pinch of the economic recession+6 4Ever sincthe cost of • fuel went up taxi drivers have been feeling pinch+6• 4Ever since I lost the extra income from my

part7time• )ob I have been feeling the pinch a bit+6 =• "eel up to it <trong and able and willing andmotivated to something+• 4,hen I feel up to it I/m going to clean myroom and• wash and iron my clothes+6 4If you feel up to

you• could do the family a favor and drive us to&anchester6+• 4,hen I/m feeling stronger and when I/mfeeling more



• up to it I/m going to paint the house+6 =• "eel used Have the feeling that someone hataken advantage of •

you or your help+ 4,omen often feel usedwhen a man• simply takes what he wants from them andinstead of being• appreciative throws them away+6 4Beingcooperative• is a good -uality but it often leads to a helpperson• being used by others to satisfy their selshneeds+6 4<he• stayed with me until she had enough moneygo out and• start her own business and then she )ust lme alone• and feeling used+6 =• "eeling crushed "eeling hurt let downdisappointed or humiliated having• one/s feelings hurt feeling in)ured by whatsomeone• said or did+ 4<arah felt crushed when her begirlfriend• stole her boyfriend+6 4After all the good thin

I have• done for you over the years I feel crushed tyou are• leaving me for a younger woman+6 4!he %rim&inister



• and his party are feeling crushed because thdidn/t get• enough votes to get re7elected and control

parliament+6 =• "eeling edgy "eeling touchy oversensitive )ittery )umpy on7edge• nervous anxious easily7aroused+ 4I/m feelinparticularly• over7sensitive and edgy these days+ I/m ver )ittery• :PR• and ready to )ump at the slightestprovocation+6 4,hen I• forget to take my medication I nd myselfgetting tense• and feeling edgy+6 4Cur supervisor is feelingon edge• because top management is pushing her to

nish our report• three days before the due deadline+6 =• "eeling t Having a sense of being healthyrobust in good shape+• 4unning ten kilometers a day keeps mefeeling t and• helps me stay slim and trim+6 4After a weeke

of • swimming and tennis and lots of sleep I camback to• Bangkok feeling very t+6 4I/m feeling t thimorning8 I



• feel I could run in a long7distance marathonrace+6 =• "eeling frustrated "eeling upset and thwarte

annoyed and bothered when• things do not go your way+ 4&en often feelfrustrated• when they do not get their way with women4I am feeling• frustrated because I cannot get my studentstake• their studies seriously+6 4!he masses arefeeling frustrated• because they see the established elite doingwhat• benets them and ignoring the benet of thpeople+6 =• "eeling good vibes Experiencing goodvibrations means you are tuned7in to• the same emotions and wave lengths asanother person• and that there is an unspoken bond betweenyou+ 4I always• smoked a )oint with Annie because when wgot a• little high we felt good vibes together+6 4At

big rock • concert the music often makes everybody inthe audience• share the same good vibes+6 4!here sittingalone



• together on the white sandy beach watchinthe sunset• we were felling good vibes that drew us

towards one another• and made us feel at one with the world+6 =• "eeling )umpy "eeling nervous and on edge+4I/m feeling a little )umpy• today because my nerves are so on edge+ I/dbetter calm• myself down and try to maintain mindfulnes4Don/t be• so )umpy+ ,hy do you get startled so easily@,hat are• you afraid of@6 4I/ve been feeling really )umlately• and I fear it may be a sign of on7comingparanoiac disorder+6• =• "eeling let7down "eeling disappointed insomeone you trusted and depended• upon+ 4I/m feeling a little let7down because • housekeeper has )ust left me taking with heone year/s• advance salary I had paid her on trust+64&other is feeling•

let7down because everyone has gone o? forthe• weekend and left her at home alone to do althe work on• her own+6 4After all the trust I placed in you



must admit• that I am feeling a little let7down that youacted•

against me behind my back+6 =• "eeling mellow "eeling in a fully calm placidmature ripe rich and satised• mood+ 4,hile sitting here on the carpet withyou• before the warmth of the re sipping a clasof ne• wine I am feeling very mellow+6 4'randdadwas a little• :P1• up7tight before he got to the party but afteeating a good• .hristmas dinner and drinking a couple ofbrandies he is• now is feeling mellow+6 4'randmother was a

frustrated• agitated irritable woman while 'randdad wstill alive• but since moving in with her oldest daughtefamily• and feeling the kindness and warmth offellowship there•

for the rst time in her life she is starting trelax and• feeling a bit mellow+6 =• "eeling out7of7sorts "eeling ill or unwell notfeeling well+ 4I am feeling outof7



• sorts today so I/m going to take the day o?work+6• 4!he boss is feeling out7of7sorts and in a ba

mood so I• would not approach him on any sensitive toptoday if I• were you+6 4I convey apologies from my wifwho is• feeling out7of7sorts and will be unable toattend the dinner• party this evening+6 =• "eeling rocky ,ith a hangover as if one hasdrunk to much scotch on• the rocks is feeling unsteady on one/s feetuneasy and• -ueasy in the stomach with an ache likesplitting rocks in• the head+• "eeling the crunch ust as a nutcracker crusa nut using physical pressure• so people are said to feel the crunch ofnancial• pressure+ 4After the nancial crisis there wavery little• cash Low and everybody was feeling the

nancial• crunch+6 4!he rising cost of fuel is a?ectingconsumer• spending and retail businesses across thenation are feeling



• the crunch+6 4!he government is feeling thecrunch• of nancial pressure due to the necessity of

paying o? • the huge national debt+6 =• "eeling under the• weather• 2ot feeling well feeling sick and unwell+4&other is• feeling under the weather today and is gointo stay in• bed+6 4%lease in form Human esources thaam feeling• under the weather and that I will not becoming into work • today+6 4,e regret to inform you that ourguest speaker• is feeling under the weather and cannot com

this evening• so his deputy director has been asked to spein• his stead+6 =• "eeling woo>y "eeling di>>y unsteady and faon your feet as if in a• swoon+ 4,hen I stand up too fast I always fe

woo>y• and have to catch my balance+6 4,hen I rsstood up• out of my hospital bed I was feeling a littlewoo>y at



• rst but after I took a few steps the feelinof woo>iness• left my head+6 4,henever .arole rides in a

boat at• rst she feels a little woo>y in her head thenauseous• in her stomach and nally so seasick she hto vomit• everything up+6 =• "eeling your way forwards• ust as one feels one/s way forwards in totaldarkness so• one may say one is feeling one/s way forwarin a totally• new and unaccustomed situation where oneneeds• :P:• some time to get orientated and on the righ

path+ 4I/m a• little lost in my new )ob but I/m feeling my wforwards• and slowly getting the hang of things+6 4Aftebeing• named the new dean to a old campus that wunknown•

to him Bill had to feel his way forwards in th• dark and try to get the lay of the land withopeople seeing• his weaknesses and losing condence in him4!he



• relationship between the two diplomats wasbit unsteady• at rst but after feeling their way forwards

the• dark for a while they got to know and trustone another• and then negotiations got o? to anencouraging start+6 =• "ender bender A car accident that puts a dein your fender+ 4I borrowed• Dad/s new B&, and had a fender bender an• now he is sorry he loaned it to me+6 4!heproblem with• driving in Bangkok is that traOc being the wit is• sooner or later you are bound to have a fenbender+6• 4,hen you calculate the transportation cost

for running• your own car in addition to fuel andmaintenance and• insurance you also have to factor7in the oddfender• bender+6 =• "ew and far between 3ery seldom rarely

found unusual+ 4Everyone will tell• you he is trustworthy but those you can reatrust are• few and far between+6 4!here are manyBuddhists in this



• country but people who can see the trueDhamma are few• and far between+6 4Every corporate employ

will promise• new sta? members the chance foradvancement but• those who actually follow such a policy are fand far• between+6 =• "ib your way out !ell lies to get yourself outtrouble lie your way out• of a situation+ 4Cne of the rst things thatchildren learn• is to b their way out of a situation+6 4!heboss says that• if we want to remain unpunished we shallhave to b our• way out of the situation+6 4Even the

government is not• above bbing its way out of a compromisingsituation• when necessity dictates+6 =• "ickleness of fate Fnpredictability offortune9chance capriciousness• changeable+ 4It is due to the ckleness of fa

that we can• never be sure if we will still be living an houfrom now+6• 4It was the ckleness of fate that put me atthe wheel of



• my car on the ice on the road in front of thatbig tree in• 'ermany that demolished my big B&, and

almost• killed me+6 4It was also the ckleness of fatthat brought• me to this country+ I came here dependent owhim of • chance due to a set of circumstances that wnot determined• by me+6 =• "iddle around9about "ooling about withsomething with your ngers or sitting• about making it look like you are doingsomething active• when you are )ust being nervous+ 4<top sittiin the• :P;• meeting room at the table t ddling with yopencil all• the time+ It is making everybody nervous+64,hen you• are giving a presentation remember not toddle with• your necktie or )ewelry because it will be

distracting to• your listeners+6 4All our secretaries spend thdays )ust• sitting about and ddling around doing verylittle actual



• work+6 =• "iddle someone out of • something•

.heat someone out of something+ 4Be carefuof the• street hawkers+ !hey have years of experienat ddling• innocent people out of their money+6 4!herewas once a• dishonest shopkeeper in <oho who was anexpert at ddling• customers out of their money by distractingthem in• conversation whilst doing a fast7change7shuwhen• giving back their change+6 4!here was thisEnglish guy• in %attaya who supposedly earned his living

helping foreigners• place their life7savings in so7called o?shoreaccounts• and investments when the truth of the matwas• that he was )ust trying to ddle them out oftheir hardearned•

money+6 =• "idget about &ove nervously and restlesslywithout being able to keep• still+ 4<top pounding your ngers and dgetabout5



• .alm yourself+ Gour nervousness makes me funcomfortable+6• 4Be a good boy and sit still beside me and•

don/t dget about or I/ll ask you to go out othe room+6• 4ohnny5 Hold still and stop dgeting aboutyou little• monkey+ Gou/re driving me cra>y56 =• "ierce temper 3iolent ferocious dispositionshort7tempered and violent+• 4Dawn/s stepfather had a erce temper andused to• Ly into a rage and beat her for good no reasat all+6• 4A)arn Don had a erce temper when he wasyounger• and used Ly o? the handle easily at theslightest provocation+6• 4An antidote that can be used tocounterbalance• erce temper is the calm of loving kindness• "ight for your rights <tand up and demand adefend your human civil• rights+ 4In America in the 1QMRs black peopdemonstrated•

successfully to ght for their civil rights undthe• $ennedy administration+6 4In the 1RNRswomen went to• the barricades to ght for their rights and



demand e-uality• with men+6 4If you don/t stand up and ght your•

rights it is unlikely that anyone is going to dit for you+6• =• "ight it out .ontest the issue or point untilboth sides are either satised• or too worn7out to ght anymore+ 4,hen Boand• !ed disagree on something they ght it outuntil the one• with the weaker argument can/t defend himanymore+6• 4Fnion leaders say they are prepared to gh• out with management whatever the cost mabe to the• shareholders+6 4<ome people say that the

power elite is• :PJ• setting7up the &uslims to ght it out with thwestern• world in a war that will destroy both sides sthat they• will have no power to ght anymore+6 =•

"ight tooth and nail ust as wild animals maybe said to ght tooth and (claw• or* nail so we may say people ght with alltheir might• to ght it out ferociously+ 4Back in the old d



in !hailand• erce wild forest tigers used to ght it outtooth•

and nail to assert dominance over theirterritory+6 42ot so• long ago politicians used to ght it out toothand nail to• assert who had dominance over certainterritories+6• 4Even today behind the scenes politicianswithin the• government are ghting it out tooth and nasee who• gets control of what+6 =• "ighting a losing battle !rying to accomplishthe impossible trying ine?ectively• to change things+ 4"ighting corruption all othe• world is a losing battle+ It always has alwaybeen and• always was+6 4!rying to stop students fromtalking during• class is a losing battle+6 4Attempting to getpeople to• treat others as they would be treated

themselves is a losing• battle+6 =• "ighting words Fsing words that are sure tocause an aggressive reaction• and cause a ght+ 4,hen you ask someone



SDo you• know who your father was@/ those are ghtiwords+6•

4If you tell someone you think he has hisSngers in the• till/ those are ghting words+6 4Cne shouldcareful• never to allow anything to come out of one/smouth that• could in any way be construed as ghtingwords+6 =• "igment of the imagination• An illusion that exists only in a person/s minand is only• imaginary+ 4!hat your wife may be in love wanother• man is nothing more than a gment of yourimagination+• ,here do you get such ideas@6 4!he faeriesthat my son• talks to in the forest are only a gment of himagination+• It couldn/t possibly be true could it@6 4!heIlluminati• .onspiracy !heory is said to be nothing mor

than a• gment of the imagination+6 =• "ill7in for someone !ake someone/s placetemporarily cover for someone+• 42urse <usan will ll in for me at the hospit



on &onday• night so I can take a three day holiday at theseaside+6•

4,hen the telephone receptionist in our oOis• sick someone else from the admin sta? hasll in for• her+6 4I shall have to be in the hospital fortwelve days• and there is no one who can ll in for me anrun the• business so I/ll have to run the show from mhospital• bed+/ =• "ilthy rich Having so much money that it macommon people• )ealous+ 4Although ohn D+ ockefeller waslthy rich• he was really stingy with his money+6 4Cneday I want• to be lthy rich and have a thousand hand7maidens to• :PK• wait on me+6 4!he problem with being lthyrich is that•

everyone will be envious of you and wish yoill7will+6 =• "inal straw ust as adding one nal straw tocamel/s load might be• enough to break the camel/s back so we can



say that• when another person sub)ects us to one nainsult or in)ury•

or imposition that may become the point atwhich• he has gone too far and nally made you anor lose• you patience or tolerance+ 4Gou/ve done a loof bad• things to me in life but stealing myinheritance is the nal• straw56 4After all the humiliating -uestionsthat I had• already been asked to answer when the aidworker asked• if anyone else had been sleeping with my withat was• the nal straw56 4!he %rime &inister said th

he had• endured a lot of abuse from the press but thlatest• statement that he was in the payo? big monplayers• was the nal straw+6 =• "inancial crunch ust as nutcrackers can cru

a walnut so sometimes• when nancial pressure is hard we say thatare feeling• under nancial pressure+ 4!he rising cost ofproduction



• in !hailand is causing the manufacturing secto• feel the nancial crunch+6 4,hen the

government favors• monopolies and privati>ation of utilities thebig guys• start to get rich -uick and the little peoplebegin feel the• nancial crunch+6 4After the "inancial crisisthe banks• were all feeling the crunch+ 2ow that thebanks are regaining• their power by manipulating interest rates t• make the people feel the crunch+6 =• "ind fault with #ook for mistakes to to critic4&y husband is always• nding fault with me and he is underminingmy condence+6• 4&y teacher is always nding fault with meand• never encourages me so the result is that Ihave no incentive• to learn+6 4<ome people have thecharacteristic of • nding fault with everything and everybody

without reali>ing• that it is their way of seeing things that is atfault+6• =• "ind out about In-uire look around for



information discover the fact(s*+• 4,hen Dad nds out I/ve had a fender bendwith his•

new B&, he/ll go through the roof+6 4&arillived• with her step7parents for seven years thinkithey were• her real mother and father until she found othat it• wasn/t true+6 4!he police are asking aroundthe street• to nd out if there are any rumors that a bigdrug delivery• is coming into town+6 =• "ind your bearings ust as a ship/s navigatormust know his position and plot• his course so we may say that a person hasnd his• bearings when is in a strange new position+4<ometimes• when you take on a new )ob or appointmenttakes you• a while to nd your bearings before you arefully able to• :PM•

cope with your duties+6 42ow that I/ve lost m )ob and• given up the city house it will take me a whto nd• my bearings and decide how and where I wa



to spend• the rest of my life+6 4,hen one becomesemotionally•

lost sometimes it takes a while to nd yourbearings and• decide how you want to steer the course ofyour life+6 =• "ind your calling Become aware of yourpurpose in life chose your profession• or career path following an inner7urge to fula• mission as though it were pre7planned bydestiny what• you should do with your life+ 4,hen Dale watwentyve• he found that his calling was to be a teacherand he• remained a teacher for the rest of his life+6

4&y school• friend Doug always said that from his veryearliest years• he had felt the calling to become a .hristianminister+6• 4<ome young men even when they arestudying in university•

feel a calling to give up everything and beco• Buddhist monks+6 =• "ine and dandy eally good great excellenwonderful+ 4I have fully• recovered from my operation and now I/m



feeling ne• and dandy+6 4Gour advice about my diet camin very•

handy and since I started following it I/vebeen feeling• ne and dandy+6 4&other was manic7depressive for• years but since her psychiatrist put her on new antidepressive• drug she/s been feeling ne and dandy+6 =• "ine print !he part of a contract that is writtin very small print+• 4If I/d read the ne print in my high7speedinternet contract• I/d have known you have to give one year/sadvance• notice before you can cancel+6 In my 4,hen• signed my home loan contract I neglected t

read the• ne print which said if I defaulted in paymeI would• have to give up my rights to the propertyforthwith+6• 4!hey say the devil id always in the details ithe ne•

print so be careful never to sign a contract agreement• without rst reading the ne print+6 =• "inger in the pie !aking part if an illegal deehaving a hand in some



• money7making scheme getting a share of aillegal• prot+ 4If there is any corruption going on a

city hall• you can be sure that the mayor has a nger the pie+6• 4.rooked politicians always like to have anger in the• pie when any dirty deals are going on+6 4Iwould not like• to get caught with my nger in the pie becait would• damage my reputation+6 =• "inger7pointing #aying blame on someonepointing out the faults of others• telling who committed an act+ 4In the Bangk• night7life underworld scene nger7pointingand namecalling• can make you dead very -uickly+6 4!here ha• been a lot of nger pointing about who is toblame for• the war in the &iddle East+6 4#et/s not haveany nger:PN• pointing at this meeting+ ,e are not here toblame•

we are here to solve the problem of how to gourselves• out of this horrible mess+6 =• "ingers7in7the7till ust as a shop attendant mbe caught stealing money



• from the cash register so we may say acrooked oOcial• or has been caught stealing appropriated

funds+ 4It/s easy• to become corrupt when you have nancialcontrol of • other/s money and no one can stop you fromputting• your ngers in the till+6 4!he deputy nancioOcer• was caught with his ngers in the till and waasked to• give the money back but I don/t think he wi4!he )udicial• penalty for putting your ngers in the till isfairly• light when compared to that of armed7robbery+6 =• "inish someone o? "inish killing someone wis not yet -uite dead+ 4,hen• the bandits reali>ed their victim was not -uidead they• slit his throat to nish him o?+6 4,hen thekillers heard• the victim groan and reali>ed he was not yet

dead they• bashed him on the skull a few times to nishhim o?+6• 4In wartime when they don/t want to take aprisoners



• they go around the battleeld to nd thosewho are in)ured• but not yet dead and mercilessly nish them

o?+6 =• "ire7away Ask any -uestions you want and Ianswer anything you• want to know+ 4C$+ I/m ready to answer any-uestion• put to me so re away+6 Darling I/ll tell youeverything• about my past that you want to know+ ust away+6 4I• am not afraid of the -uestions of thisInvestigatory• .ommittee so )ust re away and tell mewhatever you• want to know+6 =• "ired7up All excited and enthusiastic and rea

to go+ 4Before• each game our football coach used to give ua pep talk • to get us all red up and ready to give our band put• on a good show+6 4Amway managers holdfre-uent meetings•

with their sales personnel and present themwith energetic• speeches that get them all red7up by think• they are going to be rich+6 4,hat our reformparty needs



• on the campaign trail is a catchy neo7activisslogan that• will get the people all red7up and make the

vote for• us+6 =• "irm resolve <trong determination+ 4If onewants to accomplish a• long7term goal one must have rm resolve make a• vigorous e?ort+6 4<ir ,inston .hurchill had rm resolve• to lead the English nation to stand up to thethreat• of 2a>i occupation+6 4If one wants to makeprogress in• meditation one must have a rm resolve topersevere in• practicing the steps of the path leading to

emancipation+6• =• "irst come rst served He who arrives rstgets served rst+ 4,e are servicing• incoming visitors on a rst come rst servedbasis8 those• :PP•

who arrive rst will be served rst+6 4,e aropening ur• doors at eight in the morning and will beprocessing applications• on a rst come rst served basis+6 4Emerge



• &edical <ervices will be provided on a rstcome• rst served basis+6 =•

"irst impression !he impression we make whwe rst see somebody+• 4!ry to appear trustworthy to make a good impression• when people are initially introduced to you+64"irst• impressions are important because if your impression• doesn/t last your fading image will disappeafast+6• 4&aking rst impressions will be important a young• man/s success so he must learn to be heedfof how he• will speak and how he will dress+6 =• "irst indication of "irst sign or symptom toappear+ 4&y doctor told me that• at the rst indication of chest pains I shouldget myself • immediately to a hospital+6 4Dale/s rstnoticeable indications• of heart failure came when he used to get ti•

)ust pushing his wagon around thesupermarket+6 4!he• rst indications of nancial instability arestarting to• show in the wavering Luctuations in the



currency market+6• =• "irst things rst "ollow priorities starting w

the most important point+• 4#et me see if I can get the money togetherbefore we• discuss the building plans+ "irst things rst+4#ets do• things one at a time starting with rst thingrst and• clearing away our nancial debts before we making• any long7range plans+6 4!he motto Srstthings rst/• can also be taken to mean that you have totake care of • yourself and your family rst before you begtrying to• take care of others+6 =• "irst7hand experience %ersonal experience tcan only be gotten by undergoing• it oneself+ 4Bank knows from rst handexperience• how it feels to be abused and beaten andbattered as a•

child+6 4A military man who does not know thorrors• of war from rst hand experience cannot besaid to be a• true soldier+6 4I happen to know from rst



hand experience• what it feels like to separate the mind frombodily•

pain+6 =• "irst7name basis $nowing someone famous important so well that you• call one another by your rst names+ 4&onicand Bill• were on a rst name basis while everybodyelse had to• call .linton S&r+ %resident+/6 4Davidockefeller and• 'eorge Bush <r+ are on a rst name basis anhave been• political allies for years+6 4,hen I worked w$%&'• the big boss and I were on a rst name basisand I called• him ohn+6 =• "iscal irresponsibility Fsing the annualnancial budget in a negligent manner+• 4Dean ohn "+ %arr was red for supposednancial s:PQ• cal irresponsibility but many believed thecharges were•

merely trumped7up and the real reason waspolitical+6• 4!he reason we have a "ederal eserve.hairman is to• advise the government on matters for which



they could• be accused of scal irresponsibility+6 4&anygovernment•

has been guilty of scal irresponsibility byincreasing• the national debt without considering who whave• to pay the money back+6 =• "ishing for compliments <aying things in suca way that people must reply by• saying complimentary things about you+ 4,you say• you/re getting a little fat you may )ust beshing for• compliments and hoping that people say yougure is• ne+6 4,hen our mother says she is gettingold she is• actually shing for compliments waiting forpeople to• tell her that she still looks so young+6 4A mawho says• he has not done enough good in his life mayshing• for compliments and expecting praise for all

the good he• has done+6 =• "it in with !o feel like you belong to a grouppeople to feel• comfortable within a social group or setting



feel part• of a circle of friends+ 4<hirley can t in to angroup any•

where under any circumstances+6 4!imdoesn/t feel like• he ts into the atmosphere at the gamblingcasino in• &onte .arlo+6 4As soon as amie )oined the ceveryone• felt that she t in perfectly+6 =• "it7to7be7tied 3ery upset and angry and readto lose control or even• become aggravated and dangerous+ 4&ybrother was literally• t7to7be7tied when he heard that his daughthad• been molested by a pedophile+6 4Auntie anewas t7tobe7• tied when she discovered that her daughterAmy had• run o? with a circus man+6 4!he %resident wt7to7be• tied when he was informed that the <ecretaof <tate• had contradicted his policy statement+6 =•

"it7to7burst About to explode in anger+ 4.ol+"rench was t7to7burst• out into rage when he saw I had deliberatelydisobeyed• his orders+6 4%apa will be t7to7burst when



nds that I• got married to a man he doesn/t even know a chapel in•

#os 3egas+6 4&y husband is going to be t7tburst• when he discovers that I have maxed7out allour )oint• credit cards+6 =• "ix someone for good %ay someone back insuch a way that he will never recover+• 4If I ever catch you lying about me behind m• back again I/m going to x you for good+64$eep looking• over your shoulder because one day I am goto• come up behind you and x you for good+64Cne day• when the othchilds nally get the chance

they are going• to revenge themselves on their politicalenemies and• x them for good+6 =• :QR• "ix someone up with a• date•

"inding a friend someone to go out with or ablind date+• 4It never seems to work when someone xeme up with• a date+ "or some reason or other we )ust ne



seem to• click+6 4I can/t nd anyone I like to go with mto the•

high school dance so I/m asking my girlfriento try to• x me up with a hot date+6 4I remember oncsomeone• xed me up with a blind date and the girl waactually• blind+ <till I liked her because she was verykind+6 =• "ix someone/s wagon ust as in the past onmight have got revenge by loosening• the wheel on someone/s wagon to cause abreakdown• or an accident so nowadays 4,hen we saySI/ll x• your wagon/ it means we will get even and

someone• back for something he has done to us+6 4Cnof these• days I/m going to x your wagon and pay yoback for• the unfair way you treated me and my family4If you•

ever tell my secrets to anyone again I/ll xyour wagon• for good and I say for good I mean Sfor good=• "ixed for life ,ith enough money and securi



so one does not have to• worry for the rest of one/s life+ 4<omeone wbought•

&icrosoft shares in the beginning is now xefor life+6• 4Dad has a pension and a couple of million ithe bank• so he is xed for life and not dependent onanyone else• in the family+6 4After I sold my company andgot the• golden handshake from the executive boardhad• enough money to be xed for life+6 =• "i>>le7out ust as a re7cracker fuse may notburn to the end but• >>les7out before it explodes so a plan orscheme may• >>le7out before it reaches its goal+ 4&y plato start a• dot+com business >>led out along with a lotother• dot+com schemes+6 4!here was a plan fornational medical• health care on the Loor of the house but it

gradually• >>led out after inLuential people kept comforward• to oppose it+6 4!he original enthusiasm for tnew constitutional



• amendment has gradually >>led out as peo• have begun to reali>e that words written onpaper have•

nothing to do with political reality+6 =• "laked7out #ying down Lat on your back armstretched out lacking• the energy to even move+ 4Fncle ohn is stilLaked out• on the sofa this morning after drinking toomuch beer last• night while watching the football matches o!3+6 4<am• was still Laked out in his dormitory room atnoon today• as a result of taking too many tran-uilli>ingpills last• night+6 4!hree days after the gala festival temperor• was still Laked out on his couch totallydebauched and• over7exhausted from the excesses of days oselndulgent• activities+6 =• "laky character ust as layers of chalk or claor slate can easily slip and•

slide and crumble away so we say a Lakyper:Q1• son9character is someone unreliable whocannot be depended• upon or trusted to keep his word because he



so• inconsistent+ 4Gou can never trust what mylittle brother•

says or promises+ He/s a bit of a Lakeycharacter+6• 4ichard always listens to the person he hastalked to last• and follows that person/s advice+ In this reghe/s a bit• of a Lakey character and cannot be countedupon to fulll• past promises+6 4Cur &anager is a bit of aLakey• character+ Gou cannot count on anything hesays because• he/s always changing his mind in the face ofuncertainties+6• =• "lash res "orest res that Lash upunexpectedly and burn very fast• spreading -uickly+ 4In regions where thesummers are• extremely hot you often see Lash brush respringingup• due to extreme dryness and spontaneous

combustion+6• 4!here has been a series of Lash res on th.alifornia• hillsides that are threatening to burn thehomes of local



• residents and reghters are out in full7fortrying to• contain them+6 4!hey actually have emergen

teams of • airborne reghters who parachute into Lasre >ones• and try to contain their advancement+6 =• "lash of inspiration A sudden creative idea oinsight+ 4Cne day I had a Lash• of inspiration which made me reali>e that thgoodness• of all religions is the same Sgood/ explained terms of • di?erent languages and cultures+6 4!hen onday I had• another Lash of inspiration in which I reali>ethe things• that appear solid on this earth are actually f

of the• emptiness inside molecular structure+6 4&ynal Lash of • inspiration was to reali>e that there are noteven any solid• particles on earth but that everything thatappears to•

have form is nothing but an aggregate ofunsubstantial• waves and vibrations+6 =• "lashback !he -uick Lash of an earlier momthat arises in the



• mind a picture in the mind of a specic instfrom the• past as when your mind goes back to

something you• have forgotten going back to a mental imagor recollection• a Lash of memory+ 4!his morning+ I had aLashback • to a time in my childhood I took a picture ofsome ducks• with my rst camera+6 4In a mental Lashbache could• suddenly see himself at about the age of sixrolling a• giant snowball with his little brother which gso big• they couldn/t push it any more+6 4In the novthe author• uses the techni-ue of a Lashback in which tmain character• remembers things from his past that had be• imbedded so deeply in his unconsciousnesshadn/t• reali>ed them before+6 =• "lat7foot %oliceman presumably because he

gets Lat feet from• walking the beat+ 4!he reason why they callcop a Lat:Q:• foot is that he spends the early part of hiscareer pounding



• the beat walking the street to uphold law aorder+6• 4!here used to be a lot of Irish cops in 2G.

who had to• pound the beat until they complained that tgot Lat• feet+6 4Dan is secretly proud of being calledpolice oOcer• but he gets terribly annoyed when anyonerefers to• him as a Lat7foot+6 =• "lat on your back $nocked down or ill in bed4I am very sorry to have• missed your wedding ceremony+ FnfortunateI was Lat• on my back in the hospital with a serious virinfection+6• 4I have )ust spent the last three days Lat on

my back at• home in bed with a case of the Asian Lu+64,hen you• feel sad and sorry for yourself think of thepeople who• are paraly>ed and have to lie Lat on theirbacks in bed for•

years without even being able to move+6 =• "lat7rate <et price same amount for everyo4!he railway has• been paying the .hinese laborers the same rate of a





partner locked• up in a cage he9she will certainly try to Ly tcoop+6•

4As soon as my daughter was eighteen sheLew the• coop+ <he left home and we have never seeor heard• from her again+6 =• "lippant remark !o dismiss something thatsomebody said as being below• your level look7down as though you weresomething• better glib+ 4&ichael was always makingLippant remarks• about others he chose to lookdown upon+6 4• would not be appropriate for the aristocracymake Lippant• remarks about the foundations of democracy• 4<ome Lippant remarks were reported to habeen made• in the House of #ords about how the #abour%arty is• presently rming7up the foundations of the establishment+6• =•

:Q;• "loating on air <o high and happy that one hthe feeling of Loating on• air+ 4!he newly7married couple are so happythat they



• appear to be Loating on air+6 4As they were )oyously• dancing a romantic walt> at the Cpera Ball

they felt )ust• like they were Loating on air+6 4,hen I nalgot to• speak to my long7lost girlfriend Ann over tphone• after all those years I was almost Loating oair+6 =• "lotsam and )etsam ,reckage fragmentsremains rubble rubbish remnants• of old things+ 4,hen you sail through thedoldrums you• will see a lot of Lotsam and )etsam Loating the <argasso• <ea+6 4In my mind I see a lot of Lotsam and )etsam• and remnants of old memories from my earllife• Loating in my memory+6 4If you try order theLotsam• and )etsam Loating randomly in your mind isome• kind of organi>ed system you will likely go o

of your• mind+6 =• "luke chance <troke of luck accident ofnature+ 4It can only happen by• Luke chance that a beginning golfer might h



a hole7inone• on his rst swing o? the number7one7tee+64<ometimes•

it happens by Luke chance that you are in thright• place at the right time and a stroke of luckbefalls you+6• 4It was )ust a Luke of chance that theavalanche happened• to rush down )ust in front of us as we weredriving• along that particular bit of mountain road+ Cwas it@6 =• "lunk out of school 'et such bad grades thaone fails and has to leave• school+ 42obody who goes to Gale Fniversityever• Lunks out of school+6 4At Arcadia Academy

have• such high standards that every year about tpercent of • the student body Lunk out of school+6 4Backhome• where I come from in ,est 3irginia usuallythe only•

way to Lunk out of school is to show that yodon/t care• by always cutting school+6 =• "lush7out ust as a hunter may Lush7out birdfrom the bushes so





because• he keeps Lying in the face of authority andgetting himself •

red+6 4In dealings with government oOcialit is• wise not to Ly in the face of authority becauthe oOcials• will )ust make things harder for you and in tend• you will still have to do whatever they tell yto+6 =• "ly o? the handle <uddenly become angryunexpectedly become enraged• and lose control of your temper (as the headan axe• might come loose from the handle and Lythrough the• air* lose command of your emotions loose

your cool+• 4,hen one/s mind is agitated it/s easy for oto Ly o? • the handle and suddenly become enragedwithout any• prior warning+6 4Cur boss &r+ %eterson isnormally•

-uite calm and patient but occasionally heLies o? the• handle and loses his cool over the slightestlittle mistake+6• 4I Lew o? the handle and shouted at my litt



sister• Annie when she spilled tea on my embroidebut I•

reali>ed immediately I had over7reacted andapologi>ed• for losing control of my temper+6 =• "ly on the wall <omebody who is made to fevery small and insignicant• and unimportant+ 4,hen the secretary cameinto the• meeting room she told the gentlemen theyshould )ust• carry on their conversation and not pay anyattention to• her but )ust pretend she were a Ly on thewall+6 4!he actual• truth was that to the elite group gatheredthere she• was even less important than a Ly on thewall+6 4Cne• problem in working as a )unior sta? memberfor a big• corporate entity is that even though you maattend• meetings with a lot of bigwigs in their eyes

you are• about as important as a Ly on the wall+6 =• "ly7by7night operation An unreliable shiftyshady dishonest business activity• with a temporary address here today and g



tomorrow+• 4!he type of shady business that sets up atemporary•

oOce and then when it has got some cashtogether• disappears overnight is called a Ly7by nightoperation+6• 4A lot of o?shore investment businesses arerun by Lyby7• night operators who keep on taking in peop• money as long as they can but then when going gets• hot they disappear and go to no one knowswhere+6• 4<ome of these new insurance companies ar )ust Ly7bynight• operations which are only waiting for the rigopportunity• to disappear taking a lot of prots with them• =• "lying high Having a good tome feeling gooabsolutely elated+• 4&y son is spending money like mad and Lyhigh and• cannot )ustify to me the reason why+6 4I/m i

the .asino• and I/m on a roll raking in the dough5 I/mLying so high• I feel I/m immortal and I/ll never die+6 4I/m ithe .a:QK



• sino and I/m on a roll raking in the dough5 Lying so• high I feel I/m immortal and I/ll never die+6

4I/ve been• snorting cocaine with &ary ane and we/reLying so• high we/re looking down on you from the sk=• "oaming7at7the mouth ust as a dog foams athe mouth when it is mad so we• can say a person is foaming at the mouth whhe is angry• to the point of losing control+ 4I/ll bet that mDad• will be so angry with me for burning down ofamily• house that he/ll be foaming at the mouth+64!he villain• was so drawn to the woman who would be hvictim that• he was foaming at the mouth in anticipationwhat he• wanted to do to her+6 4%astor ohn was soangry with the• sinners in his congregation that he was

foaming at the• mouth as he spoke the nal words of hissermon+6 =• "ocal point !he point around which a probleor discussion centers+



• 4!he focal point of the Israeli 9Arab continuiconLict• is sometimes taken to be who has the right t

claim the• land located beneath the temple of themount+6 4!he focal• point of the debate is whether a tax hike wilserve as• a curb on spending and thereby hurt ratherthan help the• economy+6 4!he focal point around which thwhole argument• turns is what decision will do the most good• the most people@ Any other talk is )ust a lot rot+6 =• "oggy notion Fnclear idea+ 4I haven/t got thfoggiest notion of how• many angels there may be in the celestial

realms+6 4.an• you explain to me again a little more clearlI haven/t• got the foggiest idea what you are talkingabout+6 4,hen• I rst went to omano 'rassi/s philosophyclasses I•

hadn/t the foggiest notion of what he wastalking about+6• =• "old up 'o out of business give7up the e?orstop trying+ 4Did



• you know that most new businesses that areregistered• fold up within the rst three years or less@6

4After seven• years of barely breaking even we havedecided to fold• up the family business+6 4After Daddy wasforced to fold• up his business during the nancial crunch had to leave• school and go out to work to try to helpprovide for the• family+6 =• "ollow someone/s bidding• Do as you are told act upon orders fulllanother/s will• perform what you are asked to do+ 4,hen I forced to• follow someone/s bidding against my will itreally• makes my blood boil+6 4Gou must be kiddingwhen you• demand I must follow your bidding+6 4I will follow• any man/s bidding if his re-uest goes agains

my moral• principles+6 =• "ollow the golden mean !ake the path ofmoderation keep well7centered and balanced• don/t tip7the7scales one way or the other+



4&oderation• is the golden mean+ 2ever go to one extremor•

:QM• the other+ Always follow the golden mean+64!he beauty• of 'reek architecture is to be found in thebalance between• extremes following the golden mean+6 4Are • practicing the golden mean when maintainindispassionate7• balance between the opposite extremes ofgood• and evil@6 =• "ollow your calling %ractice the profession oyour choice+ 4"orty years ago• Igor became a missionary preacher and he hbeen following• his calling ever since+6 4After I graduated Ifollowed• my calling to become a teacher and try tomake• class less boring for kids+6 4,hen ,instondecided to• follow his calling and read the law little did

know• that one day he would sit on the <upreme.ourt+6 =• "ollow your instincts Do what comes natural4<ometimes following your



• instincts makes you see danger ahead andhelps you• stand out of harm/s way and protect yoursel

4At other• times if you follow your instincts and do whseems to• come naturally you can cause a lot of harm somebody• close to you+6 4At other times when we are sure• which way to choose we follow our instinctsand guess• and hope things don/t turn into a terriblemess+6 =• "ollow your nose 'o straight ahead+ It/s righin front of you+ 4!he men/s• toilet is straight ahead of you+ ust follow yonose+6 4If • you follow your nose and keep walking straiahead for• about a hundred meters you will come to a )unction• where you must turn left+6 4!here/s only onway to nd• out where your life is going and that is to

merely follow• your nose and hope things turn out for thebest+6 =• "ood for thought A thought idea suggestiosaying proverb or bit of advice



• that is well7worth thinking about for the saof • what we can learn from it and the benet su

thinking• might bring+ 4I like reading short sayings anproverbs• that give me food for thought+6 4!hank you your kind• advice+ ,hat you have said to me is food forthought• and I shall sleep on it and then decide if Iwant to follow• it or not+6 4<ometimes what we take as foofor thought• results in what is good for us and others bu )ust as often• the unwholesome food with which we nourisour• thought makes us do things that we shouldnot+6 =• "oot the bill %ay the bill cover the expensestake over responsibility• for the costs+ 4#et me pay the check for ourlunch today+• I/ll foot the bill because I )ust got an annual

bonus of • \JRRR+6 4"ather says for you to plan yourwedding party• any way you like and he will foot the bill+64!he municipal



• government has promised foot the bill foranyone• who can -ualify to become a computer

programmer+6 =• "ootloose and fancy7free "ree to go anywheand do anything you want with no• ties or restrictions+ 4,hen I was young I wafootloose• :QN• and fancy free but my problem was I couldntravel• anywhere because I had no money+6 42ow+ Iam old and• alone and nobody loves me but at least Ihave enough• money to be truly footloose and fancy free+64,hen a• man is married he often wishes he were

footloose and• fancy free when a man is alone and lonely often• wishes he had a family+6 4!he reason whypeople don/t• want to work as T is that people pay them apittance+6 =•

"or a pittance 3ery cheap for almost nothinfor a very minimal• amount+ 4Back when I was working as astudent hiredboy• they used to pay me a pittance+6 4Back in th



old• days you could buy land in !honburi for apittance•

nowadays the same land is worth a fortune54!he reason• that maids never stay long in our householdthat my• grandmother is so stingy she is unwilling topay them• more than a mere pittance+6 =• "or a song "or a very low price inexpensivesold cheaply undervalue• below market price perhaps because the owdid• not know its true value at a low price longago+ 4!he• owner of the gemstone didn/t know its truevalue and• sold it to an unscrupulous dealer for a song+42owadays• you can buy an old classic Ben> for a songbecause fuel• prices are so high no one wants to buy a gasgu>>ling• foreign car+6 4!he great7grandfather of a fri

of mine• bought a plot of land in Ekkamai threegenerations ago• for as song that is now worth millions andmillions+6 =



• good "or ever permanently+ 4,hen I grow7uI/m going to• leave this town for good and I/m never comi

back6 4I• left my native .anada for good in 1QM; andnever went• back to live there again+6 4!his time I amleaving my• husband for good and I never want to ever shim• again+6 =• "or keeps "orever never to change again+• "or the asking "ree for someone who )ust goand asks+• "or the birds <omething no good of no valumakes no sense has no• purpose is no good for anything but perhapto feed the• birds+ 4Gour idea about making mini7motor cout of • recycled beer cans and plastic bottles is reafor the• birds+6 4Gour dream of setting up a little teashop and• being your own boss is really for the birds y

would• ever break7even let alone make a prot+6 499• "or the hell of it ust for the fun of beingnaughty+ 4#ets go out and have a• few beers and visit a strip tease show )ust fo



the hell of • it+6 999 999• "or the sake of "or the benet of+ 4I only tea

here for the sake of the• students and I don/t want to be involved in politics• or the administration of the place+6 4"or thesake of the• starving children in Ethiopia please giver adonation for• :QP• food+6 999• "or the time being !emporarily )ust for nowthe moment+ 4I may have• some money to give you later but for the timbeing I• ask you to be patient and trust me+6 999 999• "orce the issue Fse pressure to bring an iss

out in the open where it• can be seen and resolved+• "orce your way through• the door• 'ain entrance through use of force+• "oregone conclusion Decided already inadvance everyone knows in advance•

how things will turn out+ 4!hat the world wiend in re• is a foregone conclusion+ !he only thing thatwe do not• yet know is when+6 999 999



• "oresight is better than• hindsight+• It is better to know beforehand what to do

than after you• have made a mistake+• "orget it It was nothing think nothing of itdon/t bother to mention• it+• "orging away at ,orking very hard at makiheadway striving hard to• nish a task or ob)ective+• "orgive and forget+ "orgive whatever hashappened in the past and carry on• as though it had never happened+• "orgive the imposition %lease excuse me if Iam causing you an extra burden I• hate to bother you sorry to be a nuisance+• "ork it over 'ive it to me now or else return

what you took without• permission+• "ork out the dough %ay someone the money4Gou owe me forty bucks+• .ome on+ "ork out the dough right now or I/start• breaking your ngers one by one+6 999 999•

"orked7tongue #ying by promising one thingwhile intending another+• 4American native people (so7called Indians*used to say• that the white man spoke with a forked



tongue+6 999 999• "orty winks A nap or short sleep+ 4I/ going tohit the sack and catch•

forty winks+6 999 999• "oul play Evil7intended action some evil integoing on behind• the scenes+ 4!hey say Dr+ $elly committedsuicide but• many suspect foul play and even say he wasmurdered by• the secret service+6• "ouled7up again &ade the same mistake agagot things all mixed7up• again got it wrong again 4&r+ erkins told mthat if I• fouled up the )ob again I would soon beunemployed and• standing out in the rain+ 4!his is the third ti

I have• tried to rewire the electrical system and noI have• fouled7up again+6 4I can never get it right+Every time I• try to explain I foul7up again+6 4%oor erkinmatter•

how hard he tries he always fouls7up again+4Dad told• 'arvin that if he fouled7up )ust one more tim'arvin• needn/t bother coming home ever again+6



• "oul7up the )ob9works ust as a coil of rope cget fouled7up when unwinding• so we may be said to foul7up a )ob when we

make a com:QQ• plete mess of things mess7up screw7up theworks+• "ound wanting Discovered to be inade-uateupon inspection found to be• lacking something+• "our7eyes A slang term for someone who weglasses+ 4$enny• wore glasses in school and the other kids usto call him• Sfour7eyes+6 999 999• "rame of mind <tate of mind attitude mooddisposition+ 4!he Ambassador• is in an irritable frame of mind to day and I• wouldn/t try to disturb him if I were you+6

4Cne/s frame• of mind often determines whether we seethings in a• positive or negative light+ It all depends on thidden• factors controlling our sense and sight+64Depending on•

your frame of mind you will be on the up7swing or on a• down7swing but if you remember thateverything that• emanates from mind can be controlled by



mind then you• will know you can control your emotions+6 =• "rame7up &ade to make someone appear

guilty+ 4!hey blamed the• corporate auditor for ruining the company bactually• it was a frame7up devised by the .EC+6 4999 9• "ree country A democracy where people arefree to do what they like+• 4Do what you like+ It/s a free county+ But if were you• I/d take some time to consider that any actioyou do• cause no harm+6 4ust because Americans satheirs is a• free country that doesn/t mean that individucan do• anything they please+6 4!he expression SIt/

free country/• often means that you may be able to do whayou• like but you had better be prepared for theconse-uences+• =• "ree the air #oosen7up the tension do

something to relax aggressive• tensions so thing may go on moreharmoniously+ 4!here• seems to be a lot of tension in the air at thismeeting I



• suggest that we have an open -uestion andanswer session• )ust to loosen up the pressure and free the

air+6 999 999• "ree7for7all Brawl scuYe tussle run7 riot gout of hand+ 4!here• was a big free7for7all at the football match o<aturday• night with fans from opposing teams runninonto the• eld and ghting one another with theirsts+6 999• "ree>e prices "ix prices so they cannot chanat least for a while+• 4Due to economic inLation the governmenthas decided• to free>e prices for an indenite period+6 999• "ree>e the balls of a• brass monkey+• ust as old battleships had brass cannons wipiles of • cannonballs stacked around them which werfree>ing to• the touch in cold weather so a man may bycomparison•

say his genital appendages9balls can be fro>o? by the• cold TTTTT++in winter TTTTor in anairconditioned• oOce



• "ree>e5 <top where you are and don/t move4"ree>e5 Don/t• move even a muscle or I/ll shoot5 Gou are un

arrest56• ;RR• 4"ree>e5 <tay where you are and put yourhands up in the• air where I can see them56 4"ree>e5 C$ thagood+• 2ow turn around and put your hands againsthe wall• and spread your legs+6 =• "ree>ing cold <o cold it is comparable tofree>ing+ 4!urn down the air• conditioner5 It/s free>ing cold in here56 4In told days• my grand father used to say it was so free>icold it• could free>e the balls o? a brass monkey+6 4<wit>erland• in the mountains in winter it gets so free>incold• that the frost bites you at the tip of yournose+6 =• "resh blood <ome new people in the group o

system+ 4Every year the• rm hires a bunch of new graduates to addsome fresh• blood to the sta?+6 4It/s good to bring in somnew fresh



• young people into a working team now andagain to add• fresh blood+6 4!he irony about young fresh

blood in• corporate business is that after ten yearswhen the• young people are not so young and energetanymore• they get eased out and replaced new freshblood+6 =• "reshen7up ,ash your face to make yourselflook and feel fresh+ 4If • you will please excuse me I think I/d like to to the• washroom and freshen7up a little bit+64<ometimes when• people say they are going to Sfreshen7up/ wthey actually• mean is that they are going for a pee+6 4#ettake• a one hour break now which will allow theparticipants to• freshen7up and have some lunch and relax fa while• before we get back to work+6 =•

"riends in high places %eople who are yourfriends who have the authority to• not only protect you but make things happethe way you• want+ 4In America the only way to gain



entrance into the• business elite is to have friends in highplaces+6 4In the•

military being a good soldier helps you to gpromoted• but having friends in high places helps you gpromoted• even faster+6 4Having friends in high placesmeans that• you know someone powerful who can allow yto use• him so you will be obligated to let him use yin the future+6• =• "right of your life Biggest scare ever in yourlife+ 4,hen I opened the• closet and the cat )umped out I got the frigof my life+6• 4,hen you see mother in the hospital reducto nothing• but skin and bones with her eyes popping oyou will• get the fright of your life+6 4If you go downinto the bottom• hollow of the cave and turn on your Lashligh

and• see the piles of bones and sculls and skeletolying• there you will get the fright of your life+6 =• "rightened of your own



• shadow• Cverly timid afraid of even the mostinsignicant thing+•

4&y little brother !immy is such a scairdy7cathat he/s• frightened of his own shadow+6 4,hen Dalelived on the• castle tower he used to get spooked veryeasily because• ;R1• he was afraid of ghosts and would sometimeeven be• frightened and )ump at the sight of his ownshadow+6• 4!here is a good reason to be frightened ofyour own• shadow because it reminds you of your ownbody which• one day will die and begin the inevitableprocess of decay+6• =• "ringe benets Extra benets that go with acontract or a )ob+ 4<ylvia• wants to work as an audit manager for one othe big four•

so she will get extra fringe benets like a lia laptop a• car traveling expenses medical insurance age benets• etc+6 4!he best thing about my )ob is the



package of • fringe benets that go with it like sick leavehospital•

care care life insurance pension plan yeartraining• seminars and stock share options+6 4Being the Army• does not pay well but because of all theautomatic fringe• benets you get )ust being a member of thearmed• forces it gives you a certain sense of long7term security+6• =• "ritter7away your time ,aste away your tim )ust fooling around doing nothing• benecial+ 4I can/t understand how somepeople can )ust• sit around and fritter7away their time doingnothing when• they could be doing something useful+6 4It iironic how• people who are well7o? often fritter7away thtime uselessly• while the poor must work so hard that they

never• have a moment to spare+6 4I may be retiredand alone at• home but I never fritter7away my timebecause I always



• have something useful to do+/ =• "rog in your throat A deep croaking hoarsevoice caused by a cold or•

cough or bronchial infection+ 4!he doctor sahave• laryngitis which in plain English means thathave got a• frog in my throat+6 4I/m sorry if I/m notspeaking clearly+• I have a frog in my throat because I/ve got abad cold+6• 4Even when &om has a frog in her throat ancan hardly• even talk she still keeps bitching andcomplaining and• getting on my father/s goat+6 =• "rom the horse/s mouth ust as in horse raciat the track gamblers may say that• a tip on the winner comes direct from thehorse/s mouth• so we may say that we got a direct tip from person• that knows the information+ 4If we get aninsider tip on• the stock market we can say it comes direct

from the• horse/s mouth which would imply informatifrom• someone who is in7on7the7deal and knows+64,e have



• )ust got breaking news direct from the horsemouth that• the "ederal eserve Board is planning to low

bank interest• rates+6 4&y Auntie &arge has s heard directfrom• the horse/s mouth that the ,hite Housedomestic sta? • members have been forbidden to grin or lauwhen• serving white House visitors at formaldinners+6 =• ;R:• "rom the word go ight from the beginningfrom the outset+ 4,hen I arrived• at college right from the word go I was awelldisciplined• and dedicated student+6 4,hen I )oined the• faculty right from the word go I got o? on thwrong• foot with the Academic Dean+6/ 4!he way toa success• in life is to start doing your best right from tword• go and never let up until your task or goal is

achieved+6 =• "rom time immemorial Back beyond recordehistory so far back in time that no• one knows about it+ 4"rom time immemorialway back



• before recorded history stories were passedalong orally• from generation to generation by word7of7

mouth+6• 4"rom time immemorial there have alwaysbeen poets• who recited such stories from memory abouheroes and• gods and moral and religious matters+6 4"rotime immemorial• man has always been challenged by hisenvironment• to learn to develop new ways to adapt and• change in order to survive+6 =• "rom time to time 2ow and again+ 4"rom timto time I drink a glass of • wine but normally I never touch alcohol+64"rom time• to time the company will change theauthori>ed signatory• according to times and conditions6 4Inaccordance• with the conditions of the agreement theowner of the• property may be allowed access for inspecti

during• normal working hours+6• "ront line !he line of battle in war or the froline of conLict and• competition in the struggle for life+ 4A lot of



American• soldiers have been dying out on the front linof the battleeld+6•

4!he danger of being a war correspondent is• that you have to be out on the front line whethe ghting• is going on and run the risk of being killed inthe• process+6 4I want to be a manager in bigbusiness out on• the front line ghting and competing for a bshare in• the market and signing important contractsthe time+6• =• "rothing at the mouth ust as a mad dog migbe foaming at the mouth so we• may say a person is frothing at the mouth

when he is so• angry or greedy or mad that he can no longecontrol• himself+ 4Brother ohn was so angry when Ichallenged• his authority that he was spluttering andfrothing at the•

mouth+6 4!he vampire was so greedy to sucthe Archduke/s• blood that he was already frothing at themouth+6• 4!he rebel bandits were so greedy for blood



and revenge• that they were actually foaming at the moutas they•

stormed into the village police head-uarters=• "ro>en7sti? .ompared to a person/s body befro>en rigid in ice• and snow+ 42ear the top of &ount Everestthere are bodies• of unsuccessful climbers that have had to beleft there• fro>en7sti? in the snow6 4!he air conditioninsystem in• ;R;• our oOce is so cold that if I do not wear awarm )acket I• will feel so fro>en7sti? and unable to do my properly+6• 4If I have to stand here in the snow at the bstop• for much longer/ I/m going to be fro>en7sti?• "ruitless attempt !ry very hard and make ane?ort in an attempt that can• never lead to success+ 4I/m afraid that mytrying to get•

my %hD was fruitless attempt+6 4!ying to maa million• by setting7up a sandwich shop will inevitablturn out to• be a fruitless attempt+6 4,hy should you



spend all your• life in the pursuit of satisfying sensual desirthat can•

never be satised when you already know thit will be a• fruitless attempt@6 =• "uddy7duddy A person with the characteristof being an old conservative• old7fashioned reactionary and a diehardstickin7• the7mud+ 4<ome people may see me as )ustsome old• fuddy7duddy but actually I/m still anadventurous kid at• heart+6 4Fncle acob is a real old fuddy7dudwhose• views were formed in the rst half of the lascentury+6• 4$ids don/t want to tell their problems andsecrets to• some old fuddy7duddy counselor they prefeto conde• in someone more their own age+6 =• "uel the Lames ust as we add fuel the re tmake it burn hotter so we•

maybe said to add fuel to an argument to mit become• even more heated+ 4As if it were not enoughhave• cleared our house of furniture she then wen



on to clean• out our )oint bank account )ust to fuel theLames of my•

anger+6 4,hen we are ghting about ourmarriage my• wife always comes back to the topic of myearlier indelities• )ust to add fuel to the Lames+6 42ot only did.arina• tell me my manuscript was useless she toldme I• might )ust as well throw it in the wastebaske )ust to add• fuel to the Lames+6 =• "ull of beans ust as eating beans makes onefart a lot so one says another• who is lying or talking nonsense of full of hoair+• 4Gou are full of beans+ I don/t believe a wordyou are• saying+6 42o one will ever believe anoutrageous story• like that5 !hey will tell you that you are full beans+6• 4!he expression Sfull of beans/ probably com

from the• tradition of cowboys who lived on beanssitting around• the campre at night and making up a lot ofstories and



• lies )ust to pass the time+6 =• "ull of bull !alking bullshit a load of crap a of lies+ 4I don/t believe•

a word you are saying I think you are full ofbull+6• 4&om says never to trust anything that Dadsays because• he is full of bull+6 42obody believes theexcuses the• %resident is putting forward to )ustify theattack and everyone• thinks he/s full of bull+6 =• "ull of hot air ust as a balloon is full of hot aso we may say that a• ;RJ• person who is making high and lofty andunbelievable• claims is full of hot air+ 4All these political

campaign• speeches are nothing but a lot of hot air+642ever believe• a man who promises you the world if you/llonly marry• him+ !ell him you think he is full of hot air+64&y•

'randdaddy is an old windbag who is full of air and• nobody ever believes a word he says+6 =• "ull of it "ull of bullshit telling lies+ 4Don/tever believe a word



• he says he/s full of it56 4Don/t try to fool uswith a lot of • tired old lies8 everyone here knows you are

full of it+6• 4,hen I tell a lot of outrageous lies to myfriends they• )ust laugh and tell me I/m full of it+6 =• "ull of yourself .onceited big7headedegotistical+ 4,hen one gets too• full of oneself and arrogant one is )ust askinto be taken• down a peg or two+6 4If you were not so fullyourself• maybe you would be able to stop and observand see• that people don/t even listen when you aretalking about• yourself+6 4,hen you are too overcondent

and full of • yourself you are apt to make decisions inwhich you• overestimate your abilities and fall short ofyour goal and• fail in your attempt as a result+6 =• "ull7steam ahead ust as on the old

steamships the .aptain would order• the mate to drive full7steam ahead to sonowadays we• often say we are going to go full7steam aheawhen we



• attempt something with full power+ 4,e areprogressing• full7steam ahead in our attempt to push our

competition• out of the market+6 4,e are going full7steamahead with• our new7product launch and are hoping to bshowing a• prot by the end of next -uarter+6 4!hegovernment is• going full7steam ahead with its anti7corruptcampaign• and more than eighty former oOcials havebeen )ailed or• executed+6 =• "ull to the brim ust as a )ar can be full to thbrim (full to the top and• ready to run over* so a person can be full to

the brim with• happiness and over)oyed with delight+ 4!hecells in the• honeycomb of the bees were full to the brimwe )ust• had to suck the honey out with our lips64!oday I am so•

happy that I feel full to the brim with theoverLowing )oy• of the milk of human kindness+6 4!he wateris always• full to the brim because drops of water are



always falling• into it from a crevice above in the roof of thecave+ !he•

monk is full to the brim with )oy because hismind and• body are fully7saturated with rapture andbliss+6 =• "uming mad <o angry one is about to break in ery anger+ 4I was• so fuming mad that he broke his contractuaobligations• my body was on the point of breaking out inLames of • anger+6 4Aimee is still fuming mad because Iasked her• to move out of my house and her heart is stlled with• ;RK• resentment and ill7will+6 4,hen I heard he habsconded• with my money I was so fuming mad I could• have killed him if I had ever got my hands ohim+6• "un En)oyment+ 4$ids like to play and en)oythemselves and•

have fun+6 4!eaching English to little kids isfun for everybody• even the teacher is having fun+6 4!he proble• with you is that you are too serious and nevtake any



• time o? to en)oy yourself and have some fun• "unny .auses one to laugh humorousamusing witty comical+•

4&y brother "elix is a real comedian he nestops• telling )okes+ He/s so funny+6 4!he comedyshow was so• funny that people were laughing themselvessilly+6 4A• thing that is en)oyable is fun a thing that iscomical is• funny 2ot all things that are fun and en)oyaare necessarily• funny+6 =• "unny business Fnsolicited sexual behavior+4<top that funny business+ I• only want us to be friends+6 4I/ll go out on adate with• you if you promise me there will be no funnybusiness+6• 4,hen my &om and Dad took my boyfriendand I to the• drive in movie Dad said he didn/t want anyfunny business• going on in the back seat+6 =•

"urnish an excuse %rovide an acceptableexcuse+ 4%articipants who wish to• get a refund for non7attendance must furnis )ustiable• excuse+6 4If you are forced to miss the test



due to medical• reasons you must be able to furnish a doctoexcuse+6•

4If we want to get our registration moneyback• we will have to fabricate and furnish some kof )ustiable• excuse to hand in to the administration+6 =• "uss7budget <omeone who is always nervouand worried or making• a fuss and complaining+ 4Don/t be such a fusbudget• constant worry and restlessness is )ust a waof energy+6• 4Don/t get exited and upset so easily+ Don/t • such a fuss7budget+ $eep cool+6 4.onstantlybeing• worked7up and complaining is harmful to yo

health so• don/t be such a fuss7budget+6 =• "utile e?ort Fseless attempt with no hope osuccess+ 4,asting your• time thing to stomp out corruption is a futilee?ort+6 4,e• spend most of our energy in life in the futile

e?ort of trying• to satisfy insatiable pleasures+6 4!rying to cthe• world of its need for wealth and power is afutile e?ort



• for the more people have and get the morethey want+6 =• "u>>y notions Fnclear ideas or thinking base

on vague perceptions or• blurred logic+ 4&en say that women havefunny fu>>y• notions but women explain it di?erently interms of romantic• emotions+6 4&y philosophy teacher accusedme• of having fu>>y notions and encouraged me try to express• myself in a more clear rational and conceptu• manner+6 4,alt ,hitman/s poetry expressesfu>>y no;RM• tions in an admixture of neo7%latonism infuwith• cosmic consciousness overlain by uaker

devotions+6 =• '• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• 'ag order A court )udgment ordering someonot to talk about• something+ 4!he court has put a gag order o

the witnesses• in the )ury trial and ordered them not to maany• statements to the press+6 4!he <immons cais such big



• news that the court has put a gag order onanyone connected• to it in any way so the public may not be

inLuenced• by people/s opinions and views+6 4!he udgehas• put a gag order against anyone ac-uaintedwith the circumstances• of $elly/s death on the basis that anyinformation• leaked could a?ect national security+6 =• 'ala a?air Big festive celebration+ 4!he $inBirthday .elebration• is always a gala a?air with lots of grandceremonies• with lots of people there+6 4In 3ienna once ayear there• is a gala a?air called the Cpera ball where

everybody• who is anybody turns up in order to be seenthere+6 4!he• 2ew Gear/s Eve ball is a gala festive a?airwhen the• members of high society dress up in tuxedoand evening•

gowns and drink .hampagne and dance thenight away+6• =• 'allivanting about town 'oing about in big csociety having a good time



• amusing your self in frivolous social activitiesomewhat• irresponsibly and wastefully+ 4,hen I still ha

money I• used to en)oy gallivanting about town andthrowing away• money but after the stock market crash thall stopped• and now I barely have enough to cover mymonthly• xed7costs+6 4#ord ussell has told his son$eith that it• is time to stop gallivanting about town andchoose a wife• and settle down and start leading arespectable family• life+6 4,hen Eva was a big well7known starshe spent a• lot of time gallivanting about town hoppingfrom one• happy occasion to another but now she is butforgotten• and seldom receives an invitation to goanywhere+6• =•

'ang7up7on somebody Attack in a groupagainst only one person physically or• verbally+ 4!immy came home bruised andbattered and• said that the other boys had all ganged7up7o



him and• given him a beating+6 4I hate it wheneverybody disagrees•

with my opinion and then they all gang7up• me together trying to tell me I am wrong+64!he members• of the media and the press are ganging up othe• ;RN• %rime &inister because of his denial that hedid not• know the facts of Dr+ $elly/s case+ !hey thinkhis statement• to the press is a pack of lies to cover up thetruth+6 =• 'ape at somebody <tare open7mouthed atsomeone+ 4!he boys )ust sit• along the sidewalk all day all day all day and

gape at the• girls going by+6 4Don/t )ust stand there gapiat me in• surprise+ !ell me the reason why you told meall those• outrageous lies56 4,hen the "oreign &inistecould not•

think of an answer to the press he )ust stoothere gaping• blankly at them trying to hide his duplicity+6• 'aping hole A big open hole that leaves anopen gap in what was before



• had a Lat and solid surface+ 4!he bombexploded• and left a big gaping hole in the side of the

ship+6 4,hen• the bank robbers blew open the safe they nonly blew• open the door they also blew a big gaping hin the• wall+6 4!he meteor caused a huge gaping hoin the• ground that was so big that later sheep7herdused it to• enclose their Locks+6 =• 'asbag A person who talks too much windbfull of wind and• hot air+ 4&y Fncle .arl never stops talkingabout how• good he is+ He/s such a windbag+ He/s a real

gasbag if I• ever saw one+6 4,e had a regional Directoronce who• was very fat and never stopped talking+ He wso full of • hot air that we called him/ Cld 'asbag+/6 =• 'asping for air ust as a sh comes to the

surface and gasp for air so we• may say that a person short of breath isgasping for air+• 4<ometimes I feel short of breathe and ndmyself gasping



• for air like a sh that comes to the surface othe water• seeking oxygen+6 4<ometimes when a patie

is gasping• for air and cannot breathe that means hiswindpipe is• blocked and has to be cleared+6 4&y youngebrother was• trying to smother me with a pillow and I coufeel myself • losing consciousness and vainly gasping for so I• had to act fast and kicked him so hard in thenuts that he• went Lying back through the air+6 =• 'athering dust <itting around in a place wheit is not being used and• particles of dust are gathering on it+ 4It is a

good maxim• to get rid of everything that gathers dust+64!horeau had• a stone on the table in his hut but after twothree days• when he saw it was beginning to gather dushe threw it•

out the window+6 4I don/t drive any more anI/ve got• an old Ben> JKR<#. sitting at home in mydriveway )ust• gathering dust+6 =



• 'earing7up for action ust as we shift gears car to go faster so in the same• way a team pro)ect or combined e?ort may

said to be• gearing up for activities that will bring abousuccess+• 4F2 troops on the perimeter are gearing upaction• preparing to repel any enemy attack+6 43ariunits• ;RP• from the 2ational 'uard are now gearing upfor action in• order to be ready to respond to any insurgeattack anywhere• in the world within forty7eight hours+6 4!heBoys• in the %entagon are said to be gearing up fo

all7out action• to ght against terrorism wherever it occursthe• world in order to protect world peace and wtowards• establishing a new world order+6 =• 'eneral amnesty A pardon for o?enders and

prisoners+ 4After the revolution• all former opponents to the corrupt regimeswere• granted a general amnesty and freed fromprison+6 4!he



• 'overnment has declared a general amnestyfor all illegal• immigrants working in the country so it can

collect• income on their wages to help boost theeconomy+6 4Cn• the auspicious occasion of the birthdays of tformer• $ings a general amnesty was often declaredordering the• release of hundreds of former prisoners+6 =• 'eneration gap A time period between thetime that the parents formed• their views and their children later developedi?erent• set of views+ 4Between parents and theirchildren there is• always an area of unshared views and

experiences called• Sthe generation gap+/6 4&y grandparents wevery 3ictorian• in there ideals but my parents formed theirviews• after ,orld ,ar II and there was a widegeneration gap•

between them that never could be breached4<imilarly• my parents were too old and conservative tobe able to• understand and accept the world of <ixties a



rock and• roll and sex and drugs and so there was avery wide•

generation gap there too+6 =• 'entleman/s agreement An unwrittenagreement made between honorable gentlemen• 4&y brother and I have a gentleman/sagreement• that I won/t try to touch his wife and he wotry to• touch mine+6 4$en and I have made agentleman/s• agreement that he will start paying me for tland when• he gets some money+ !here is no contract+64#et/s make• a gentleman/s agreement to go our own wayout in the• world and search for truth and the rst onewho nds the• truth should come back and share it with theother+6 =• 'enuine article !he real thing as opposed tofake or copy+ 4!his is not• a fake Diamond olex+ !his is the genuine

article56 4I/m• showing you ve diamonds four of which arindustrially• made and one of which is the genuine artic.an



• you identify which one is the genuine article4<ometimes• forgeries are done so perfectly that not eve

socalled• expert can tell the di?erence between theforgery• and the genuine article+6 =• 'en7up on something <tudy review thegeneral information to get an overview+• 4I haven/t studied chemistry in years so I/llhave• to take an evening or two to gen7up on itbefore I have to• ;RQ• take the production -uality controlexamination next• week+6 4I have not worked with the principleof generally• accepted accounting practice in years so I/lhave to• take some time to gen up on them before Ibegin my new• )ob+6 4It has been ages since I studiedstatistics but I• shall have to use it in my new )ob so I/m go

to buy a• book and gen7up on it before I take over mynew position+6• =• 'et a breath of fresh air ust as we step



outside to get a breath of fresh air so we• may say that a change of scene or having anew experience•

or working with a new person is like getting• breath of fresh air+ 4,orking in the oOce is but• sometimes I like to work outside the oOce )uto get a• breath of fresh air+6 4!aking that seminar oncompany• logistics in %attaya was like a breath of fresair compared• to the day7to7day routine of the oOce+6 4Hira• bunch of new young graduates always bringbreath of • fresh air into what has otherwise become anotherwise• boring working environment routine+6 =• 'et a dose of your own• medicine• Have others treat you in the same bad way yhave• treated them+ 4Cne of these days you will gedose of •

your own medicine and then you will knowhow it feels• to be treated the way you have been treatinothers+6• 4Gou may be able to beat up everyone on th



block but• one day someone will come along and give ya dose of •

your own medicine+6 4Gou may be able tosub)ect me to• your heartless cruel indi?erence but I hopethat someday• somebody else will come along and give youdose• of your own medicine+6 =• 'et a good spanking !ake a licking have youbottom smacked tale a good• paddling+ 4!he st time my mother caught mlying she• gave me a good spanking and after that snever• caught me lying again+6 4If you don/t keep sand stop• all that noisy shouting I am going to give yoa good• spanking+6 4In the old days people used todiscipline• their kids by paddling their behinds and givithem a• good spanking but nowadays it is against

law to hit• your children+6 =• 'et a grip on yourself .ontrol yourself get ahold of yourself don/t let yourself • lose your temper+ 4.ontrol yourself don/t lo



control• get a grip on yourself+6 4estrain yourself+Don/t let•

yourself become aggravated and angry+ 'et good grip• on yourself and maintain detachment and secontrol+6• 4Don/t get angry without reason+ #earn to ga grip on• yourself so that instead of going to piecesabout nothing• you may learn to be ever7heedful of how youreact to• outside impulses+6 =• 'et a load of this5 .ome here and take a looat this5 !ake a good gander at• ;1R• this5 4,ow5 .ome over here to the window a

get a• load of this5 !here is a foreign womanswimming topless• in the hotel pool56 4'et a load of this5 A bunof monkeys• has come out of the )ungle to steal mangoesfrom•

that tree+ !his is something that you will notoften see+6• 4'et a load of this5 Down there in the streeyou can see• a policeman accepting cash from a motorist



has pulled• over to the side of the road and stopped56• 'et a move on5 Hurry up5 &ove your butt5 '

going5 4C$ guys 'et a• move on and start marching before thesergeant comes• along and chews you all out for loang abou4Gou had• better get a move on if you want to be at thstation in• time to catch the train+6 4C$ men lets get move on+• ,e have to leave now if we want to be back town before• sundown+6 =• 'et a rise out of someone <ay or do somethi )ust for the purpose of making him• irritated and upset+ 4<ometimes I make

sarcastic comments• about gay guys )ust because I know I will ge• rise out of Detlef+6 4I know that if I mentionhis not• having a %hD this will always get arise out o&ichael+6• 4&entioning sensitive topics that you know

make• people get upset and get a rise out of them called• Spushing people/s buttons+/6 =• 'et a yen for Develop a hankering urge



desire or wish for something• you en)oyed in the past+ 4<ometimes I get ayen for dill•

pickles+6 4At other times I get an unexplainaurge or a• yen for <wiss cheese+6 4Every once in a whifeel a• yen and a hankering after my rst love.ynthia "allon• and I wonder what she is doing now+6 =• 'et ahead &ake progress in business lifesucceed and go forward• to become a success+ 42owadays with theeconomic• growth7curve Lattening out it is becomingharder and• harder to get ahead+6 42owadays if you wanto get• ahead in the big business world you have tohave a high• grade7point7average and a master/s degreefrom an English7• speaking foreign university+6 4!he only realway to• get ahead on the path to success is to get th

best education• that you can and get a )ob with a good rm a• gradually move your way up the ladder+6 =• 'et along famously 'et along well togetherwith mutual liking and understanding+



• 4&y wife/s father and I get along famously+• I/m closer to him than I am to my own father4&y doctoral•

thesis advisor and I got along famously andbecause• we shared the same interests and opinions had no• trouble getting my dissertation topicapproved+6 4&y• wife rst met my sister when my sister nalreturned• from America and from that day on they havbeen getting• along famously+6 =• ;11• 'et around to it "inally nd time to get a )obdone+ 4I/m going to ll out• my tax form when I get around to it+6 4Cne o

these days• when I nally get around to it I/m going towrite my last• will and testament+6 4&ake a long list of thithat you• are nally going to do when you get around it and•

then start doing them one7by7one day7by7day until• eventually you feel the psychological pressulooseningup• in your mind+6 =



• 'et away with murder 2ot get caught in anobvious fraudulent action be able• to do anything you want without being

challenged or• punished for it+ 4'etting away with murderdoes not• mean you killed someone it means that youcan break • any law you want and still get away with it+64<ome of • the &inisters in the government are )ust doiwhatever• they want and getting away with murderbecause no one• has the courage to challenge them+6 4!hepower elite• who hold ultimate control behind thepoliticians can do• whatever they want without consulting thepeople and it• is said that sometimes they literally get awwith murder+6• =• 'et back at someone evenge oneself onsomeone+ 4Gou may think that you•

have got the better of me now but you can sure that I• will nd a way of getting back at you+6 4Imoved out of • the house and took all of my husband/s



furniture to get• back at him for the way he hurt me by cheatwith•

other women+6 4I don/t yet know how I/mgoing to do it• but one day I want to be able to get back at exhusband/s• family for the cruel way they treated me+6 =• 'et butterLies in your• stomach• Be nervous before an event+ 4Evenexperienced actors• get butterLies in their stomach beforeappearing on• stage+6 4,hen Billy has to talk to a beautifuintimidating• girl he always gets a case of butterLies in hstomach+6• 4I have no trouble talking to small audience• people I know but when I have to speak befa thousand• or more people I have never seen before I gbutterLies• in my stomach+6=• 'et cold feet Become afraid and back7out dr

or cop7out of a plan at• the last minute+ 4&y school7buddy and I wergoing to• stick7up the candy store but we got cold feeat the last



• minute+6 4#ast "riday night I wanted to ask&ollie to• marry me but at the last moment I got cold

feet and was• afraid to pop the -uestion+6 4,hen it/s timebegin a• mission that/s no time to get cold feet+ usttrust the system• and do as you are ordered without thinking+'etting• cold feet is accepting defeat even before yoget started+6• =• 'et cracking Hurry7up get going get a movon+ 4All right you boys• stop your lounging around and get crackingit/s time to• ;1:• get a move on and start working56 4Hurry uIf you• don/t get cracking you/ll be late for school+64,e had• better get cracking because if we don/t leavnow we/ll• be too late for the opening ceremony+6 =•

'et down on your knees $neel before someoand beg for something+ 4Gou/ll• have to go down on your knees and beg if ywant me• to agree to become your wife+6 4I/m going t



go into the• oOce of the &anaging partner and go downmy knees•

and beg him to give me my )ob back again+64<ometimes• in a compromise situation you have to beready to• go down on your knees and beg in order to gthe concessions• you desire+6 4In ,estern .ulture when you• have to go down on your knees to beg forsomething this• is considered a humiliating position except course in• .hurch+6 =• 'et down to the nittygritty• "ocus on the ne details of the matter thebasic fundamentals+• 4<top beating around the bush cut through• the formalities and generalities and get dowto the nittygritty8• pinpoint exactly what you want from me+64,hen• one is writing a )ob description one has to ginto the•

nitty7gritty and explain the )ob even down inthe minutest• details+6 4,hen you are going over nanciaaccounts• for an audit you have to get down into the



nittygritty• and examine even the smallest details of eaandevery•

expenditure+6 =• 'et even with %ay back revenge yourself onsomeone+ 4Cne day I/ll• pay you back and get even for all the nastythings you• ever did to me56 4!here is a very wise sayinthat says• that instead of getting even for something should• instead get over it and forget it and put it oof your• mind+6 4Gou maybe able to hurt me now whI am too• weak to defend myself but you can be surethat one day• when I/m in a stronger position then I/ll geeven with• you+6 =• 'et going+ 'et started get a move on startworking right now+ 4If • you don/t get going and start making someprogress on•

the )ob the supervisor will surely re you+64,e/d better• get going and start the )ob before the bosscomes along• and chews us out for dragging our asses+6



4!here/s no• point in your sitting around complaining abothe work •

you have to do so you/d better get going ando it so no• one can complain about you+6 =• 'et hitched ust as two horsed are hitched7together as a team so two• persons can get hitched7together or married4I don/t ever• want to get hitched I want to stay wild andfree+6 4Gour• granny and granddad got hitched when theywere both• only sixteen+6 4In my part of the countrypeople usually• get hitched because they are expecting ababy+6 =• ;1;• 'et in on the ground• Loor• <tart o? employment with a company that is )ust setting• up so you can work your way up -uickly+ 4&yfriend•

'uido started o? on the ground Loor with$ontron Electronics• when the company was rst founded+ 2ow his• the .EC and &D+6 4Did you hear about the o



lady who• got in on the ground Loor of $odak by beingone of the•

rst people to buy a public o?ering of $odakstock • shares@ ust think of what those shares musbe worth• today+6 4!he problem with getting in on theground Loor• of a fast7developing company is that you murst nd a• way of getting your foot in the door to getthem to interview• you+6 =• 'et in over your head Become involved incomplications that are out of and• beyond your control+ 4,hen <ven )oined into'eorge/s• land development pro)ect he found that hehad got in• over his head nancially and that he/d nevebeen so• short of cash in his life+6 4!he problem withstarting your• own small company with limited capital is th

sooneror7• later you/ll nd yourself faced with cash Lowproblems• and then get in nancially over your head+• 4,hen I rst made the merger I thought I



would be able• to handle thing but once I got the overallpicture I reali>ed•

I had got in hopelessly over my head+6 =• 'et in someone/s good• books• 'et in good with someone make someonebegin to like• you+ 4Cne way to get in someone/s good boois to do• something to make a good impression on him999• 'et in someone/s hair ust as a bat or bird mget in a woman/s hair and be• hard to untangle and let free so we say aperson is getting• in our hair when he is really annoying us+ 4!problem• with having two women living in one house that• they are always getting in one another/s hai4Gou tell• your sister 2ancy that if she tries to ght wme and• gets into my hair once more I/ll never again

allow her to• darken my door+6 4&y wife and my mother7ilaw are• always getting in one another/s hair and thetotally ignore



• me when I tell them that being in constantconLict• will not get them anywhere+6 =•

'et in the last word Have the nal say in ordto fulll an ego need wanting• to say the nal word on an issue ofdisagreement motivated• by the need to make the last statement toprove you• are right+ S,hen I was younger I had the haof always• trying to get in the last word but now I seehow childish• it was I know now I must )ust let it go+64%eople who• always want to get in the last word are actinout of the• need to show the other guy that he is wrong

and they are• right+6 4!he problem with ichard is that healways• the one who wants to get in the last word+ Hmust be• motivated by some kind of defensive7ego7thing+6 =•

;1J• 'et in a rut 'et into a routine in which you adoing the same thing• over and over again until it becomes boringthe way a



• wheel wears a rut in a path+ 4!he problem inworking• with tax law is that you end up following the

same routine• all the time and get stuck in a rut+6 4I alwaywanted• to be an accountant when I was still studyinbut now• after ve tears in the )ob I feel like I/ve gotstuck in a• rut+6 4!he good thing about being an auditothat you• keep going to di?erent clients/ oOces andnever get• stuck in one place in the same old rut+6 =• 'et into deep water 'et in big trouble becauof circumstances over your• head and beyond your control+ 4,e have

invested a lot of • money in this pro)ect and we will be gettinginto deep• water if it doesn/t soon start to pay o?+6 4Ifyou don/t• stop borrowing money to pay o? youraccumulating•

gambling debts you/ll soon be in deep wate4If you• don/t stop selling drugs to the kids at schooyou are going• to get into deep water beyond your depth+6



• 'et into hot water Being in trouble becauseyou caused the problem and• that caused the heat+ 4I/m going to get into

water if I• cannot keep up with my mortgage paymentsbecause of • my gambling debts+6 4,hen I was a kid atschool I was• always getting myself into hot water for all tpranks I• played+6 4&y number one girlfriend haslearned that I• was lying about where I go on weekends annow I/ve• got myself into really hot water+6 =• 'et it o? your chest Bare your breast openyour heart tell all about what is• bothering you state your complaint to make

yourself feel• better+ 4<ometimes if you have a good cry atell someone• all your troubles to get them o? your chestyou feel• a lot better afterwards+6 4<omething has bebothering•

me about my life and I/m going to see apsychiatrist to• talk about to try to get it o? my chest+6 4I/vhad a silent• grudge against you for a long time and I wan



to tell you• about it )ust to get it o? my chest+6 =• 'et lost5 Disappear5 'et out of here5 'o awa

and don/t come• back5 4.an/t you see where you are notwanted@ 'et• lost5 'et out of here56 4If you don/t get lostright away• you/ll soon nd how it feels to get a swift boup the• ass+6 4'et lost you creep5 .an/t you see I/mnot interested• in talking to you@6 =• 'et mi?ed Become angry annoyed displeasor insulted+ 4Don/t• go and get mi?ed )ust because I hinted thatyou are• sometimes a little snooty+6 4&ichael got a b

mi?ed• when I mentioned I had never seen him reacin his• pocket and buy a round of drinks+6 4I feel a mi?ed• that the committee passed me over and put,inston in•

the chair instead+6 =• ;1K• 'et more than you bargained• for• "ind that something you wanted is not so



simple to handle• and much harder than you thought+ 4Adoptia child•

seemed so appealing at rst but I got stuckwith a resentful• orphaned7kid and got more than I bargainedfor+6• 4<imone had big hopes about getting the )oas deputy• nancial director but the workload was tooheavy and• she got more than she bargained for+6 4!akiover the• family ranch seemed like such a good idea tme at rst• but then I found it was much too much workand I had• got more than I had bargained for+6 =• 'et mugged 'et beaten7up and robbed in thstreet or park+ 4It pays to• be careful and not leave a pub and walk on tstreet• alone in the middle of the night because thechances are• that you might get mugged+6 4In 2ew Gork

.ity• wealthy7looking foreign tourists often getmugged in• daylight in .entral %ark by drug addictsneeding money



• for a x+6 4!here have even been somereported cases of • F2 diplomats on their way to work being

mugged in the• street in America the land of the free+6 =• 'et o? lightly eceive light punishment+4,hen I was called before the• discipline committee for drunken anddisorderly behavior• I got o? lightly because of my age and becauit• was the rst time I had ever drunk alcohol+64,hen teenagers• under eighteen commit a crime they often go? • lightly with a warning that if they do it againthey will• be doing some heavy time+6 4<ince my Dad

was the principal• of the school I asked him to cut me some sland• let me o? lightly for pulling what was )ust asilly prank• but he told me in no uncertain words that hewas going to•

make an example of me and make me pay thmaximum• penalty+/ =• 'et o? my back5 ust as a monkey might clinto your back so someone



• who wants to blame or punish you may beguratively• said to Sbe on your back+/ 4'et o? my back a

stop• bugging me5 It/s not my fault things wentwrong the way• they did in our relationship56 4<ince I havedone absolutely• nothing wrong to be ashamed of I would likto• ask you please to get o? my back and stophassling me+6• 4I wish that you would get o? my back andstop riding• me about some old grudge you are holdingabout something• that happened in the last century+6 =• 'et o? on the wrong foot Begin by making a

bad impression on someone+ 4,hen• <ally )oined the company unfortunately shegot o? on• the wrong foot with her supervisor who hasnever liked• her since+6 4,hen I rst met my mother7in7lto be I•

got o? on the wrong foot by speaking to hermuch too• intimately+6 4Cnce you/ve start o? withsomeone on the• wrong foot you have to try hard to nd a wa



to get into• ;1M• his good books+6 =•

'et o? the hook Become free of blame andresultant charges+ 4I/m always• getting into trouble but usually I nd a waof getting• o? the hook+6 4I know you always manage towriggle• your way out of trouble but this time you/renot going to• get o? the hook so easily+6 4an is )ust makiexcuses• to try and get o? the hook+ Don/t believeanything she• says or make any exceptions )ust go by thebook6 =• 'et o? the pot+ <top taking so long hesitati

while others are waiting• for you to nish+ 4As the old saying goesSEither shit or• get o? the pot+/6 4If you are not ready to takaction• yourself get o? the pot+ <tand aside and letsomeone else•

have a go at it+6 4I don/t know why it is takiyou so• long to decide what to do+ If you don/t get othe pot• soon someone will have to step in and do it



you+6 =• 'et o? your backside+ <top )ust sitting arounon your rear end stand up and do•

something useful or helpful for a change+ 4'o? your• backside and do something useful for achange+6 4Don/t• )ust sit around and watch !3 all day+ 'et o?your backside• and help your mother out with the househol• chores+6 4If you could )ust motivate yourselfget up• o? your la>y fat backside you could take awalk outside• and get a breath of fresh air for a change+6 • 'et o?7track 2ot stick to the path deviatefrom the proper course line• of development become sidetracked and los

coherence+• 4"ollow the course of commonly acceptedmoral values• and don/t get o? track+6 4,hen I rst went university• I could not write coherently and used to ramand get•

o? track+6 4<tick to the proper path ofmeditation and• don/t let your mind get o? track or you willlose mindfulness+6• =



• 'et on someone/s good• side• &ake someone like you so you can benet fr

the connection+• 4Eleanor is )ust trying to get on the boss/sgood• side so she can ask special favors of him+64,hen you• try to get on someone/s good side and makehim partial• to you are you doing it )ust for your ownbenet or is it• also for his benet too@6 4It is always good tget on• your commanding oOcer/s good side becauif he takes• a liking to you he won/t give you dirty )obs do+6 =• 'et on the bandwagon ust as in a townparade people like to )ump up and ride• on the bandwagon so one may be said to geon the• bandwagon when he )oins in to support apopular cause+• 4It is in the nature of humans that when the

see everyone• else giving support to a cause or e?ort thatthey will• get on the bandwagon themselves and go wthe Low



• of popular opinion+6 4Cnce a %residentialcandidate• looks like he is going to win the primary

elections a lot• of undecided delegates will get on thebandwagon in• ;1N• hopes of sharing in his success too+6 =• 'et on the wrong side of • someone• !urn someone against you by something youhave done+• 4Be careful you don/t do anything to get on wrong• side of the new boss because I have heard his mean• nasty and vindictive to people he doesn/t lik4It is• never a good idea to get on the wrong side oyour• mother7in7law because she is sure to inLuenthe way• your marriage goes+6 42ever get on the wroside of • your wife/s best friend and make her your

enemy or she• is sure to cause you trouble in the end+6 =• 'et on your soapbox ust as in the old dayspeople would stand up on a soapbox• in a public place and address a crowd in the





• there blocking the passage+ 'et out of the wso we can• carry these big boxes through the corridor+6

4'et out of • the road5 If you don/t get out of my way righaway I/ll• run right over you+6 4Gou are blocking ourright of way+• If you do not clear the path and get out of troad we/ll• blow you away+6 =• 'et out5 'o away and remove yourself fromthis place+ 4'et out• of here5 .an/t you see where you are notwanted@6 4If • you don/t get out of here immediately I/ll cathe police• and have you arrested56 4'et out of here5 I

never want to• see your ugly face again+6 =• 'et over it #earn to accept and come to termwith disappointment+• 4,hen a bad thing happens that you cannotchange if • you learn to accept it you/ll nally get over

it+6 4It is a• human characteristic that we becomereconciled to disappointment• over time and nally get over it+6 4I know• you were devastated by $aren/s divorcing y



but with• time you will get over it and eventually seethat it is in•

your own best interest+6 =• 'et serious5 Be realistic5 <top )oking aroundDon/t try to kid me5• ;1P• ,ho do you think you are fooling@ 4I/d neveever consider• marring you+ ,hat are you talking about@ 'eserious56• 4Don/t )oke about punishing 'od for yourdisappointments+• 'et serious5 ,ho do you think you areanyway@6• 4<top fooling around doing nothing as if yohad• all the time in the world to decide what you

want to do• with your life+ 'et serious5 'o out and nd a )ob+ 'o and• nd something useful to do56 =• 'et someone/s goat &ake someone angry bydoing or saying something to• annoy and get a reaction out of him+ 4!he lo

children• keep picking the Lowers from the old man/sgarden )ust• to get his goat+6 4Don/t take my )oking soseriously+ I



• was )ust trying to get your goat+ 2ow I amsorry I succeeded+6• 4If you let people get your goat you are mo•

ignorant and stupid than they are+6 =• 'et something wrong 'et the wrong ideamisunderstand misapprehend or• misconceive something+ 4Gou/ve got the wroidea+• ,hen I say I want to help you that doesn/tmean you• have to do anything to pay me back+6 4Don/get me• wrong+ ,hen I give you constructive criticisyou• should remember that my only purpose isdoing so is to• help you+6 4Don/t get it wrong+ Gou don/tunderstand+• All I meant was that if everybody treatedothers the way• they would like to be treated we would all galong+• !hat/s a good idea isn/t it@6 =• 'et somewhere .limb up the ladder of succe4It is my goal to work •

hard and get somewhere in this life+6 4If youwant to get• somewhere in the corporate business worldthese days it• helps to have a foreign &BA+6 4I don/t want



stay at• home all my life and be like everybody else+want to go•

away and get somewhere and be somebody there in• the world+6 =• 'et the boot 'et kicked7out of one/s )ob givthe sack get the axe• get thrown7out be red given notice+ 4,hethey found• out that I was stealing money from the pettycash box• they gave me the boot+6 4Gou/d better notspend too• much time talking with the girls in the shop you/ll get• the boot for not keeping your mind on the )o4Gou can• be given the boot without notice if thecompany nds out• that you are using their resources for your opersonal• benet+6 =• 'et the bum/s rush ust as a vagrant drunkebum might be thrown out by•

the collar by the doormen of a respectableestablishment• so we say we get the bum/s rush whensomeone throws• us out of somewhere where we are not want



4I tried to• get into the Embassy <ocial .lub but thesecurity guards•

gave me the bum/s rush+6 4I turned up at thexclusive• <t ames .lub drunk as a skunk and withoutnecktie• ;1Q• but they gave me the bum/s rush before I goeven one• foot through the door+6 4<o then I had a femore• drinks and went to see my ex7wife at hermother/s house• and they too gave me the bum/s rush threwme half way• across the street they did+6 =• 'et the gist Begin to understand and get the

general idea8 begin to• see the point of what someone is trying toexplain+ 4I was• confused and couldn/t understand your poinat rst but• now I am beginning to get the gist of what ymean+6•

42ow that I have explained in closer detail hope you• are beginning to get the gist of the matter+64!he )ury• was getting the gist of the argument for the



defense of the• accused but there were still a number of-uestions that•

were unclear in their heads+6 =• 'et the hang of it Become accustomed to dosomething get a feel for it• get used to doing it through practice+ 4It ishard learning• to ride a camel but once you get the hang oit it becomes• -uite en)oyable+6 4Gou may have some troub• getting the hang of things in your new )ob bonce the• routine becomes second nature it will bebree>e+6 4I/m• having some trouble getting the hang of howto use the• new software program at work but my boss

says once I• get the hang of it I can do my )ob with ease• 'et the )itters Become nervous and shaky gthe trembles have stage• fright+ 4,arren always gets the )itters beforgoing into a• new a )ob interview+6 4I used to get the )itte

before I• had to give a presentation but now ISve gotused to it• and I don/t get nervous any more+6 4Before have to talk



• to a very large audience I always get a casethe )itters+6• =•

'et the knack of it <tart to get the feel of itbeginning to get used to performing• a new task or )ob+ 4At rst I had troublelearning• to type but now I/m getting to get the knacof it+6• 4I couldn/t get the knack of using my powerpoint program• at rst but once I had a friend explain it to I• saw it was really easy+6 4!ry as I will I feel Iwill never• get the knack of being able to check my e7mover my• mobile phone+6 =• 'et the lay of the land ust as a farmer orprospective buyer may stand in a high• location to get an overview of a big area ofland so a• manager or director or oOcial may need totake time to• si>e7up the situation before he takes over a

new area of • responsibility+ 4#et me have a few days witthe previous• director before I take over his )ob so he canhelp me



• get the lay of the land+6 4,hen I rst came tBolder• .olorado it took me a while to get the lay o

the land in• both the literal and gurative senses+6 4Aftewas appointed• new Dean at the F of &d+ &unich .ampus i• ;:R• took me about a year of looking and listeninand talking• to get the lay of the land+6 =• 'et the message@ 'et the idea@ 'et thepicture@ Do you understand what• we are trying to tell you@ 4I don/t ever wantsee you• again+ 'et the message@6 4999 999• 'et the nod !o be given oOcial permissiongranted approval given• the go7ahead+ 4!he new subway extension phas been• given the nod and construction begins on thrst of next• month+6 4&y latest book manuscript has beegiven the• nod by the editors of . F %ress and has been

accepted• for publication+6 4!he government has giventhe nod to• go ahead with the new education reformpackage+6 =999



• 'et the show on the road ust as the circus hto pack7up and load everything before• it can move to the next town so we often sa

it/s• time to get the show on the road when wemean to get• started towards our present goal+ SIt/s time get moving• and set7up the audio e-uipment in the concehall+ #et/s• get the show on the road+6 4#et/s not haveanymore dillydallying• about+ #et/s get a move on+ ,e have to be in• #os Angeles by nine p+m+ so let/s get the shon the• road+6 =• 'et the thread <ee the coherent line ofargument and development in an• explanation follow the red thread ofdevelopment+ 4I am• afraid I do not get the thread of yourargument+ .ould• you start again please and go slowly andlogically stepby7• step@6 4!hese people are )ust too dumb to g

the red• thread of the argument so there/s no use intalking to• them+6 4I have explained my thesis by usingcoherent



• and unied argument backed up by facts andetails but• my students still don/t get the tread of my

argument+• !hey have a listening problem and cannotconcentrate for• more than three minutes at a time+6 =• 'et to grips with something• "ace a fear or ght a problem until you nalhave it in• hand and under control+ 4I have such a terrifear of • failure that I am afraid to try anything and analyst• says I must come to grips with this problem it will dog• me for the rest of my life+6 4I )ust cannot coto grips• with the fact that I was passed over forpromotion to• .olonel and then forced to retire early fromthe Army+6• 4Gou had better come to grips with yourselfand stop• your habitual drinking or you will never be a

to maintain• a long term meaningful relationship+6 =• 'et to the bottom of • things• Investigate to nd the source of the problem



delve into• the depths of the matter+ 4It/s a mystery wethe money•

went but the police are carrying out athorough investigation• and I/m sure with their help we will ultimate• get to the bottom of things+6 4I know that yhave not• told me everything you know so now I amasking you to• ;:1• reveal the whole truth so I can nally get tothe bottom• of things+6 4It/s time the full facts about%rincess Diana/s• death were revealed to the public so peoplecan nally• examine all the evidence and get to the bott

of things• so everyone will know if it was an accident owellplanned• assignation+6 =• 'et to the point <top hesitating and beatingaround the bush before saying• what you want to say+ 42ever mind the long

preamble+• ust get to the point and say what you have say+6• 4<ome people when they write take a pageand7a7half to



• nally get to the point that they want toargue+6 4Hesitating• before you come to the point is a bad way to

communicate• and you should learn to get to the point in trst• fty words or so+6 =• 'et under my skin In a romantic sense to fetitillated when you see or• think about someone+ 4I can/t stop thinkingabout you+• I/ve got you under my skin+6 4,hen I see yoor smell• you or think about you a special sort of feegets under• my skin which then spreads all throughout• body+6 4In a non7romantic sense we can alssay someone• is getting under your skin when he is reallybeginning• to irritate you+6 =• 'et up on the wrong side• of the bed+• ,ake up in the morning in a bad mood thatlasts all day•

long+ 4!he boss is in a bad mood to day+ Hemust have• got up on the wrong side of the bed thismorning+6 4,hy• are you so irritable this morning Darling@ D



you get up• on the wrong side of the bed or something@have days•

when I get up on the wrong side of the bed awish I• had got up on the other side instead+6 =• 'et what/s coming to• you• 'et what you deserve get your own back+4Cne day you• will get what/s coming to you for the evil deyou have• been doing all your life+6 4I/m )ust waiting fothe day• when you get what/s coming to you and su?the punishment• that you deserve+6 4!he Bible says that whe• you die you will get what/s coming to you fo

your sins+• If you/ve been a bad boy you/ll go to hell fosure+6 =• 'et wind of "irst learn about or hear of thenews+ 4I )ust got wind of • your new promotion+ .ongratulations+6 4,ehave )ust•

got wind of the news that you are about to bengaged• !hat/s good news5 ,e are happy for you564!his is the• rst time I have ever got wind of the fact th



my rst• wife was pregnant when she agreed to marrme+6 =•

'et wise5 Don/t be so stupid+ <marten up5 Blittle more clever5• 4'et wise5 Don/t trust fast7talking sexy guy4I nally• got wise to the fact that the .EC had beentelling the• evenue Department lies all there years anblew the• whistle on him+6 4If you don/t get wise to thfact that• most people will put what they want ahead what you• ;::• want you/ll have a lot of disappointmentsahead of you+6• =• 'et with it5 %ay attention and ad)ust to the weverybody else does• things around here conform comply and goalong with• others do+ 4Gou don/t know what/s going onhere at all•

do you@ 'et wise5 'et with it5 Ctherwise yobe in for• an unpleasant surprise+6 4$eep your eyes opto see the• way people do things around here and once



you are wise• to the program get with it56 4!he companyhas written•

policy regulations that govern what people cor cannot• say publicly+ !here is also an un7written polithat says• 4If you can/t get with it get out5/6 =• 'et your act together <tart becoming serioustart behaving and do something• properly for a change+ 4&other keeps askingme when I• am nally going to get my act and startthinking about• what I want to do with my life+6 4%rofessor'ibbon took • me aside and told me that if I didn/t startworking and• nally get my act together that he would faime in the• class+6 4I was -uite la>y and unreliable whewas a• teenager but after the rst year of college started getting• my act together and taking my studies

seriously+6 =• 'et your back up ust as a cat will arch its bawhen it is threatened as• though it were ready for attack so somepeople may be



• said to get their back up when they arethreatened by• what seems to then to be a verbal attack+

42ow &ichael• don/t go getting your back up every timesomeone says• T• 'et your bearings ust as a sea captain takehis bearings by plotting his• position on the chart so a person may say his getting• his bearings when he is starting to gure ouwhat is happening• in a totally new situation+ 4,hen Dale becam• resident Dean of the F of &D campus it toohim a• while to get his bearings and nally gure owhat was• going on+6 4After ill broke up with me and oold• friends stopped talking to me It took me awhile to get• my bearings+6 4It took ill a while to get herbearings• when she rst )oined the faculty at $&F!! b

through• keeping her mouth shut and observing a lotshe was nally• able to get her bearings and gure out the w• things worked+6 =



• 'et your ngers burned <u?er bad results fprevious experience+ 4!here is an• old saying that says that if you play with re

you/ll get• your ngers burned+ 4!he st time I got myngers• burned was in love and this taught me tocontrol my passion• for women+6 4Another time I got my ngersburned• was in trusting someone as a loyal friend+ "rthat I• learned that even a loyal friend may turnagainst you in• the end+6 4!he last time I got my ngersburned was in;:;• vesting in an insurance plan that turned outbe a scam+• After that I never invested in any nancialplan again+6 =• 'et your )ollies ,hat turns you on what getyou o? how get your• kicks+ 4I once had a girlfriend who got her )ollies by tickling• me with a peacock feather+6 4I also had a

girlfriend• who was a geologist who )oked about how sgot her• rocks o? and how she got her )ollies+6 4!herare all



• kinds of people out there in the world who udi?erent• ways to help them get their )ollies but as

every psychiatrist• will tell you the mental images that help yoget• your )ollies arise as unconscious mental imaprovoking• desires and delusions that lead to mentalfollies+6 =• 'et your marching orders 'et your walkingpapers be given the sack be given notice• be told to go+ 4I have been given my marchiorders• and asked to leave the rm because they nolonger• have need of my services+6 4!he rm is maka lot of • cutbacks to help cut costs and I am expectito get my• marching orders any day now+6 4If you giveyour boss a• lot of lip and smart backtalk he will soon givyou your• marching orders+6 =•

'et your money/s worth &ake sure that youare getting what you paid for and• then some if possible+ 4,hen there is a salabar in a• restaurant <helia lls her plate as full as



possible to be• sure she/s getting my money/s worth+6 4I pumy employees•

pretty hard to let them know that I intend toget• my money/s worth+6 4,hen Annie stays in aexpensive• hotel to get her money/s worth she takeshome what she• sees as freebees like samples of hand7soapshampoo• hair rinse body cream packs of powdertissues and sewing• kits+ Cne time she even took a bath toweltoo+6 =• 'et your own back 'et what you have cominto you get a taste of your• own medicine get what you deserve+ 4As th

saying• goes S,hen you piss into the wind you getyour own• back/ and the e?ects of the bad actions thayou do in• the world will return to you too+6 4,hensomething bad•

happens to a bad man people say that he is )ust getting• his own back+6 4%eople are usually happy tosee a bad• man get a taste of his own medicine glad to



see him get• his own back glad to nally see him get his )ust desert+6•

=• 'et your priorities• straight• Do things in order of importance rst thingrst+ 4'etting• your priorities straight means reali>ing whamost• important to you in your life and choosing todo that• thing rst rather than a variety of others thamay hinde• your progress+ 4Cne thing you have to learnbusiness• life is to get your priorities straight doingthings in order• of importance getting the most important tout of the• way and then going on to the next one and son+6• ;:J• 'et your second wind After hard andcontinuing labor and e?ort to catch your•

breath so you can continue to go on+ 4!he wwas• pretty hard at rst but now I/m getting useto it and getting• my second wind+6



• 'et your teeth into ust as a dog will want toget started chewing on a bone• so we say that a person cannot wait until he

gets T+• 'et your wires crossed ust as in an electricashort7circuit so we may make the• wrong mental connection and get confused way that• causes a problem+• 'et7the7ball7rolling &ake a beginning and gestarted+ 4C$ guys5 It/s time to• get this show on the road+ #et/s get7the7ballrolling+6 999• 999• 'etting across &aking your meaningunderstood getting listeners to• understand+ 4I/ve been trying to explain theidea to my• advisee but I/m not getting across and shestill doesn/t• understand+6 999• 'etting me down <tarting to bother me andmake me depressed+ 42o matter• how hard I study geometry I still keep gettiS.s/•

and now it/s beginning to get me down+6• 'etting to be a chore <tarting to become aboring bothersome task or duty+ 4At• rst I was so glad to be an English teacher after a



• few years I found that constantly gradingessays was• getting to be a chore+6 999 999•

'etting to the bottom of Discover the reasonfor solve the problem solve the riddle• nd the cause clarify unearth gure out thunknown• secret+ 4,hen the police dig deep7enough inthe• forensic evidence of the case they willeventually get to• the bottom of who strangled &rs+ .learwateI can/t• understand why my husband keeps cominghome so late• all the time but I/ve hired a private detectivto investigate• to get to the bottom of it+6 4,e don/t know

how the• students got the answers in advance of thetest but when• we to get to the bottom of it and nd out wwas responsible• he is going to really be in hot water+6 4It/s a• mystery why ships keep disappearing in the

Bermuda• !riangle but eventually researchers will getthe bottom• of it+6• 'etting used to it Becoming accustomed to



something with time+ 4At rst• I was not accustomed to heavy labor but noam•

slowly getting used to it+6 4"red had a hardtime adapting• to marriage at rst but he is slowly gettingaccustomed• to it+6 4In the beginning !ad had troublespeaking• in public but now that he is getting used tohe/s getting• better and better+6 =• 'etting your own back 'etting what youdeserve reaping the fruit of your own• actions+ 4%issing into the wind is one way ofgetting your• own back+6 4If a woman hurts you after youhave hurt• her then you are )ust getting your own bac4Another• ;:K• way of getting your own back is getting a taof your• own medicine+6 =• 'etting7ahead &aking progress nancially

making a bit of prot rather• than losing on investment or breaking evenmaking7aliving• and managing to save a bit progressing inyour



• career doing7well becoming7successfulimprove one/s• social status+ 4After four years of working to

recover our• initial investment we are nally starting to ahead+6• 4<ome people must work )ust barely to meetheir living• expenses but others manage not only to cotheir cost• of living but to and get ahead and save sommoney each• month+6 4I can say now that I/m nally startto get• ahead in the world and rising7up the socialladder+6• 'etting7on7my7nerves <tarting to irritate mebeginning to get annoying becoming• bothersome getting aggravating starting tbug• me+ 4<top your constant complaining you/rebeginning• to get on my nerves+6 4!he background noisand chattering• in the oOce is starting to get on my nerves

I/ve• begun to wear earplugs+6 4I don/t know whythe sound of • barking dogs and crying children always geton my



• nerves+6 4&eeting all the report deadlines inthe oOce is• becoming stressful and starting to get on m

nerves+6• 'etting7out7of7hand <ince no one is exercisicontrol things will become• harder to manage will soon be out of controthe way• things are going no one will be able to stop conse-uences• someone must take control and lend a handbefore• it is too late gone too far already time to stnow• later will be too late+ 4His drinking habit isgetting out of • hand and if he continues like that he will solose his• )ob+6 4'overnment spending is getting out ohand and• we are running up decits that will ruin theeconomy in• the end+6• 'etting7settled7in Becoming accustomed to new home beginning to feel•

at home in a new town or place getting useto a new• )ob acclimati>ing to new circumstances+ 4,are nally• getting settled into our new house and life



getting• back to normal+6 4!om was )ust getting settin to a•

new home and )ob in <eattle whenunexpectedly he• was promoted and transferred to the AtlantoOce+6• 4"rieda was already getting settled into thedormitory• and college life and looking forward to herstudies+6• 'et7together %arty or gathering+ 4,e arehaving a little get7together at• my place "riday evening and we would like to• come+6 999 999• 'host of a chance 3ery little or hardly even slightest chance+ 4I know I• don/t have even a ghost of a chance of everwinning your• love+6 4Cut business venture will not have aghost of a• chance at success unless the governmentlowers interest• ;:M•

rates+6 999 999• 'ift of the gab !he ability to talk to otherseasily the talent to get people• into conversation the capacity to be able totalk with



• anyone and make friends the skill to speak that others• will listen able to make pleasant and friend

conversation+• 4&y &om was born with the gift of the gab+<he• can strike up a conversation with anyone+64Gou probably• have to have the gift of the gab if you want be a• good salesman then+6 4<ome people have tgift of the• gab and some are born timid and tongue7tie• 'ive someone a rough• time• &aking things diOcult for someone by refusto comply• with his wishes and9or asking a lot of -uesti

about• why or why not@ 4.ome on5 Don/t give me arough time+• All is said was that I want a couple of days owork+• ,hat/s the big problem with that+6 999 999• 'ive an arm and a leg Have you ever wanted

something so much that you• would do anything to get it including evengiving an arm• and a leg@ !his is an overstatement orexaggeration of



• course implying you/d pay an even higherprice than• something was worth sacrice anything to

fulll your• desire+ 4<he is so delightful and beautiful+ Igive and• arm and a leg to become her husband )ust foone night+6• 4I wanted to get my own twelve meterEndurance ocean• sailing yacht so badly that I would have evesacriced• and given an arm and a leg for it+6 4&yfather/s folly was• that he wanted a big expensive manor housso badly he• didn/t care if it cost him an arm and a leg+6• 'ive and take Both sides compromise+

4&arriage is always a relationship• of give and take8 you give a little and you taa little• and that way both sides benet+6 999• 'ive anything for Do anything re-uired inorder to get what you want give• my eye teeth for+ 4I/d give anything for a

chance to have• a date with &iss Fniverse+6 4I/d give anythinfor a• chance to study in the "aculty of Arts at.hulalongkorn



• university+6 999• 'ive as hard as you get !reat someone asharshly as he treats you+ 4If people•

know that you are going to give as hard as yget• they/ll think twice about trying to push youaround+6 999• 999• 'ive free reign to ust as one can give a horfree reign so one may be• allowed freedom to move about and do whatwants+ 4It/s• never good to give free reign to your emotiobecause• you will do and say things you will later besorry for+6 999• 'ive in to pressure <top resisting outsidepressures cave in to pressure from• all around+• 'ive it a rest5 <top talking5 !hat/s enough n4<hut up and don/t talk • about it any more+ 'ive it a rest56 4I/m tiredhearing• your nagging complaints+ Do me a favor andgive it a rest•

;:N• for a while+ C$@6 4Don/t keep bugging me tobuy you a• mobile phone+ 'ive it a rest before you starto get on



• my nerves+6 =• 'ive me a bu>> !elephone me give me a calring me up call me on the•

telephone+ 4#et/s try and set a date to go outogether+• ,hen you nd time give me a bu>> and let know• when it would be most convenient+6 4If youever need• my help )ust give me a bu>> and I/ll be therfor you• ready and willing+6 4If I don/t see you promto give• me a bu>> to let me know how you are doing• 'ive me a chance+ Allow me an opportunityme have )ust one try+ 4I/ll• show you that I can do a good )ob if you )ustgive me a• chance+6 4Darling if you )ust give me achance I/ll• prove to you that ISll be the most perfecthusband in the• world+6 4If you )ust give me a chance at thatmarketing• manager/s post I promise that I/ll double yo

sales gures• witin a year+6 =• 'ive me a cuddle+ Hold me close put your aaround me and give me a• close hug+ 4I/m feeling a little cold and lonel



Honey+• ,hy don/t you come over here and give me little cuddle+6•

4,hen I was a small girl I would always waifor• my dad to give me la little cuddle before hewent to work • in the morning+6 999• 'ive me a dingle+ <ame as 4give me a bu>>6give me a ring or give me a• call+ 4,hen you wan to get together give mdingle• on the phone and let me know+6 4If I don/thear from• you I/ll give you a dingle+6 4If there is everanything I• can do for you )ust give me a dingle+6• 'ive me a rundown+ Cutline all of the releva

information so I can get an• overview+ 4'ive me a -uick rundown of thebackground• of the case before we go into the meeting siknow• what/s going on+6 999• 'ive me a second•

chance+• I know what I did was wrong but please giveme a second• chance so I can show that I will not make thesame



• mistake again+• 'ive me credit+ ust as we can give a personcredit nancially so we can•

give him credit for his good deeds and beliein his• good intentions+• 'ive me some breathing• space+• Don/t close me in and make me feel pressurleave me• to decide on my own+ 4%lease don/t try topressure me• into doing things your way+ 'ive me somebreathing• space+ 4%lease give me some breathing spacand time to• think let me decide on my own what is bestus and if • I want to marry you+6 4I/m starting to feel alittle claustrophobic• in our relationship and I/d like to ask you to• give me some breathing space+6 =• 'ive me some time to• consider+• #et me have some time to think it over+ 4I lik

you business• plan and I/m tempted to invest but give mesome• ;:P• time to consider before I make my nal



decision+6• 4%lease give me some time to consider yourmarriage•

proposal and I/ll give you my answer by theend of next• week+6 4&y boss doesn/t want me to go tograduate• school in the stares but to stay with the rmand he has• asked me to take some time to consider+6 =• 'ive me the lowdown !ell me what you knowabout the story give me the• dope give me all the dirty details+ 4,hat/s tlowdown• on the recent bank scandal@ .an you give mthe lowdown• before it appears on the evening news@6 4.ayou• give me the lowdown on <enator $ilpatrick/sprivate• life@ I hear he has a girlfriend in addition to wife+6• S,e are trying to blacken the <enators name'ive me• the lowdown on any rumors or dirty details y

know• may have heard about him+6 =• 'ive my eye7teeth for 'ive anything for payany price for do anything to get• what you want+ 4ane would give her eye tee



for a• chance to work for Donald !rump+6 4I wouldgive my•

eye teeth for a chance to become a delegatethe Fnited• 2ations6 999• 'ive notice of &eans to inform someonebeforehand of something that• will happen+ 4I have )ust been given notice omy termination• of employment with the company+6 4Gourcontract• stipulates that if you wish to leave thecompany you• must give one month/s notice beforehand+64,orking• regulations state that if you wish to take aleave of absence• you must give notice of such to your supervin• advance+6• 'ive someone his head ust as we might letloose of the reins of a horse to let• him run as he will so we can give free reigna person•

and see what he does+• 'ive someone a ribbing !ease someone abousomething that he has done or is• embarrassed about as though you were givhim a



• poke in the ribs to remind him+ 4&y old palsstill like to• give me a ribbing about the time I scored a

goal against• my own team which cost us the nationalchampionship+6• 999 999• 'ive someone an earful 'ive me a telling7o?scolding chewing7out+ 4I/m so• angry5 ,hen I see your father I am really goto give• him an earful+6 999• 'ive someone enough• rope to hang himself • #et someone carry on unhindered making tsame mistake• until everyone sees his bad intentions andthereby• his guilt+• 'ive someone the benet• of the doubt• Believe someone at least as long as there isevidence• to indicate he is wrong+ 999 4<ince everyone iinnocent•

until proven guilty the court has to give thedefendant• the benet of the doubt until conclusiveevidence is• brought against him+6



• ;:Q• 'ive someone the brusho? • ust as we might brush7of a Ly that lands on

our shoulder• with a sweep of the hand so we sometimes that we• give a person the brush7o? when he comes tclose or• asks for something we are not willing to do+tried to• ask ane out for a date but she gave me thebrush7o?+6• 4ane approached Donald !rump for a )ob buhe gave• her the brush7o?+6 4Her father asked to beconsidered as• a delegate to the Fnited 2ations but thedelegates cave• him a polite brush7o?+6 =• 'ive someone the cold• shoulder• 'ive someone a cool reception snub someoby not• acknowledging him turning away fromsomeone to show•

you cannot accept him+ 4,hen middle classpeople try to• break into upper class society they are usuagiven the• cold shoulder+6 4!he rst time I approached



ac-ueline• to ask her for a date she gave me the coldshoulder+6•

4,hen I rst met my ancVe/s parents theygave me the• cold shoulder because they thought I was nogood• enough for their daughter+6 =• 'ive someone the eye !o look at someone wa sexy look to let him9her see• that you are interested+ 4Don/t give me the like that5• Don/t you know that I am a married woman@4!hat girl• over there has )ust given me the eye and I/going over to• talk with her+6 4At .hula it is not consideredpolite to• give the girls the eye+6• 'ive someone the nudge 'ive someone a littshove or push to encourage him to• get started on the right path+ 4I was ready tstart meditating• I only needed someone to give me the nudge• get me started+6 999•

'ive someone the onceover• !ake a -uick look to evaluate the -uality of tperson• 'ive someone the runaround• .ause someone a lot of problems by asking





it has given you+ 4,hen I grow• up I want to be a doctor o a )udge to be in aposition to•

give something back to society+6 999 999• ;;R• 'ive the green light 'ive approval to go7ahe4.ity .ouncil has given the• green light and construction on the new cithall is about• to begin immediately+6 4!he Fniversity"unding .ommittee• has given me the green light to go ahead wimy• research pro)ect+6 999• 'ive the word <ay when it is time to startannounce that you need help+• 4,henever you are ready to start )ust give word and• we will set the process in motion+6 4If you eneed my• help )ust give me the word and I/ll come toyour assistance• immediately+6 999• 'ive them a run for their• money+•

!ry your best not to let the competition beatyou+ 4!he• competition may be better trained and bettefunded but• we are going to give them a run for their



money and not• give up without a ght+6 999 999• 'ive them the slip !o escape slip through th

ngers get away before• you are caught escape from the clutches ofauthority+• 4,e/d better get out of here and give thefarmer the slip• before he catches us stealing his apples+6 4!police almost• caught me red7handed trying to break into aA!&• machine but I gave them the slip by runningthrough a• ma>e of alleys and then climbing over a six7foot barbedwire• fence and hiding in a garbage dumpster+6 4!.IA• is combing the mountainous regions in northeastern• %akistan to try to root out pockets ofextremists but the• terrorists continue to give them the slip+6• 'ive up the cause <top ghting for somethinyou believe in+ 4I/m so discouraged•

by recent political events I want to give up t• cause of ghting for democracy+6 999• 'ive up the ghost #ose spirit lose enthusiasstop trying and give7up that• last hope+ 4I/ve been trying so hard to get m



degree at• night school but I/m so pressed for time andmy grades•

are so bad that It/s time to give up theghost+6 999• 'ive vent to your emotions• Cpen up and give release to all your built7upmental• pressures+ 4<ometimes I go out drinking andancing• and partying all night to give vent to myemotions+6• 4Cpen up and tell me all about what is causiyou emotional• pressure if you give vent to your emotions will• be a big psychological release+6 999• 'ive your word &ake a promise verbally

assure someone you will do• what you say swear you will not to go back your• word+ 4I/ll pay you back the money as soon acan+ I• swear+ I give you my word+6 4Albert gave2orma his•

word that he would be absolutely true to heuntil the end• of their lives+6 4Gou can count on my supporin the next• election+ I give you my word that you will





• nod by the cabinet and construction will bein <eptember+6• !he administration has given the nod of

approval• to the education reform plan+6 4Dr+ "oresterhas• nally got the nod from a group of nancialbackers and• he/s going ahead with his forensic research+• 'lare of bright lights In the spotlight up onstage where everyone can see you• 4I don/t know if I would want to be a big staand have to• bear the glare of publicity and bright lights the time+6• 999 999• 'lide through 'et through something easilybecause you are so smart• and don/t have to make much e?ort+ 4<omekids )ust• glide through school making only the minime?ort• while others have to work really hard and stdo not• manage to pass+6 999 999•

'limmer of hope A faint ray of hope+ 4!hingslook dark for the future of • the company but there is a glimmer of hopethat we may• get a nancial in)ection that could pull us



through the• nancial crisis+6 999 999• 'lint in your eye <parkle twinkle in the eye

that shows what you are• thinking probably something mischievous anaughty+• 'nawing conscience 'uilty conscience thatkeeps bothering you a sense of • guilt that keeps eating away at you+ 4I knowwhat I did to• my rst wife was wrong and it has beengnawing at my• conscience for all these years+6 999• 'o about your business !end to your owna?airs without mixing in those of others+• 'o against the Low 'o in the oppositedirection to everyone else go against• authority or common convention+• 'o against the grain If you fun your handagainst the grain of a wooden• board it feels rough whereas if you run youhand along• the grain it feels smooth T'o againstsomeone/s will• do the opposite of what he wants refuse to

comply with• authority+• 'o along with "ollow the others comply witrules and regulations and• re-uirements go with the Low+ 4In a



democracy you• ;;:• must go along with the decision of the ma)o

whether• you like it or not+6 4I respect and understanthe comittee• re-uests but I cannot go along with it becauI disagree• on moral grounds+6 999• 'o back on your word 2ot to keep a promisekeep your word fail to do what• you said you would to let someone down onpromise• promise one thing and then do the opposite4I/m counting• on you to keep you/re promise and not go baon• your word+6 4He/s very reliable and

trustworthy+ If he• says he/ll do something he/ll do it and not gback on• his word+6 4A man who makes a promise to awoman• and the goes back on his word is not only a but a•

cad+6• 'o ballistic Become enraged and dangerousfall into a mad fren>y• and go totally cra>y+ 4&a)or 'eneral <chult>went totally



• ballistic when he heard that his militarycommand center• had actually got word about the planned7

terrorist attack • beforehand but had not informed him becauthey not• taken it seriously and+6• 'o belly up ust as a dead sh Loats belly7uso a failed business or• venture may be said to go belly up+ 4 when Irst came to• !hailand I tried to establish an exportbusiness but because• of my lack of experience it soon went belly 999• 999• 'o berserk Become mad cra>y out7of7contro? your rocker+• 4,hen Clov has drunk too much vodka healways goes• berserk and starts breaking up chairs andtables and• throwing things and people around+6 999• 'o dotty Become a little odd forgetful andeccentric in one/s old•

age+ ohn has gone a bit dotty in his old agehis behavior• has become very unpredictable and memorygoing• too+6 9999999999999999



• 'o down in Lames ust as a ghter plane godown in Lames so a dream or• scheme can be shot down in Lames+ 4After t

economic• recession all %an/s e?orts and dreams wentdown in• Lames+6 999• 'o downhill Become rundown deteriorate lto slide into rack and• ruin into decline in 4After grandfather died told homestead• went down hill and into decline because thewas• no one there to look after it+6 999• 'o for broke 'amble everything on successrisk everything you/ve• got in hope that your venture will Lourishinvest your• last penny in one last chance9attempt+ 4,e/invested• almost everything we have in this gold mineso lets go• for broke and in hopes that we will nallystrike it rich+6• 'o for it5 !ake a chance and try your best5

4'rab the opportunity• before it ids too late+ 'o for it before someoelse gets• there rst+6 999• ;;;





get drunk • and go hog wild or they/d all spend the nigh )ail+6 999•

999• 'o it alone Do it on your own try to do itwithout outside help+ 4I• can/t nd anyone to invest in my business shave decided• to go it alone+6 4I was looking for a companito• sail across the Atlantic but couldn/t nd oneso I decided• to sail solo and go it alone+6 999• 'o o? in a hu? #eave in a t of anger andindignance+ 4Don/t get angry• and rush o? in a hu?+ .an/t you see I am )ustrying to• help you@6 4,henever we suggest &icheal t

to be less• shirt7tempered and irritable he gets angry agoes o? in• a hu?+6 999• 'o o? the deep end each the point ofbecoming mentally disordered turn• cra>y nally reach the point where you

become mad and• start behaving abnormally+ 4#enny wasbecoming more• and more neurotic in the rst two years of hmarriage



• until nally after three years he went o? thdeep end• and had to be put in a mental home+6 4I am

afraid I will• go o? the deep end one day and start rantinand raving• and screaming+6 4Archibald was always a litbit o?his7• rocker but after he started takinghallucinogenic• drugs he went o? the deep end and nevercame back • again+6• 'o on a rampage 'o wild storm and chargeabout with reckless heed and• abandon start running around knocking dowpeople and• things that get in the way+ 999 4Alex <trickling

went on a• wild rampage a few days after he got laid o?from the• company and shot and killed his ex7boss thsecretaries• and the human resources manager+6• 'o our separate ways Gou go one way I go t

other+ 4After our divorce my• husband and I went our separate ways andnever saw one• ;;J• another again+6



• 'o out on a limb ust as one takes a risk if oclimbs too far out on a tree• limb so one may be said to take a risk to he

someone+• 4Don/t ask me to go out on a limb for you anrisk my• own neck+ "ind somebody else to help you+6• 'o out with the boys &eet with men friends a drink or some other activity+• 4Every "riday night !om goes out drinking wthe boys• because he knows he won/t have to get upearly the next• morning+6• 'o over with a bang ust as a reworks dispmay be said to go over with a• bang so we may say and event or businessventure goes• over with a bang very successfully+• 'o overboard 'o to excess do more tannecessary do too much+ 4I• know you are angry and exited but don/t gooverboard• and lose control of yourself+6 4Here/s my crecard+•

!ake it and buy yourself some nice clothes bdon/t go• overboard or you will exceed my creditlimit+6 999• 'o soft on me+ !ake it easy on me o easy on



me don/t punish me too• severely+ 4%lease go soft on me+ It wasn/t mfault+ !he•

others were egging me on and daring me to it+ Don/t• punish me too harshly+ emember I am )ist arst time• o?ender+6 4Don/t punish me too severely+ 'osoft on me+• And I promise I won/t tell you wife all thegossip I )ave• heard about you+6 4If you go soft on me anddon/t punish• me too hard I/ll put in a good word for youwith my• Daddy who is .hairman of the Board6 =• 'o stir7cra>y Become a bit cra>y from beinglocked up like a person in• )ail who is unable to Sstir/ and move about+4#ocked7up• in this mental clinic is making me go stir7cra>y+6 4Being• limited to army barracks without permissionleave is• making the men go a bit stir7cra>y+6 4After f

months• spent in the drug rehabilitation clinic .ynthstarted going• stir7cra>y+6 =• 'o straight eturn to an honest life stop



dealing crookedly and follow• a straight and honest path+ 4,hen "red getsout of •

)ail he is planning to get an honest )ob and straight+6• 999• 'o the distance <tay on and keep striving unthe )ob is nished+• 'o the extra mile Do a little extra beyond wis expected of you+• 'o to a Lick 'o to a lm or movie+ 4<ometimI like to go to a Lick • with my friends at <iam <-uare+6 4In the olddays before• television people used to go to the movietheatre to see a• Lick+6 42owadays they have movie festivalswhich• you can view old Licks that were trend7settethirty and• forty years ago+6 =• 'o to pains to &ake a great e?ort to• 'o to pot Deteriorate go downhill fall apart• 'o to seed ,eaken fail deterioratedegenerate become rundown•

;;K• neglected and uncared for+• 'o to the dogs Decline degenerate godownhill+ 4&y holiday house on• the sea was beautiful with a big garden of



Lowers but I• couldn/t maintain it after my heath went badand now•

the place is going to the dogs+6 999 999• 'o whole hog !ry your absolute best give ityou/ve got go all the• way+• 'o with the Low 'o along with the swing ofthings follow the stream+• 'o7between A person who mediates betweetwo sides liaison+• 'od/s gift to women A man who thinks he/s best7looking and most attractive+• 4<lade thinks he/s 'od/s gift to women but tgirls• view him as the devil in disguise+6 999 999• 'o7getter <omeone who expends a lot ofenergy in order to succeed+• 4&y brother alph was a real go7getter anhe• made his rst million before he was thirty+6• 'oing bananas 'oing mad going cra>y losiit+ 4!he time seems to be• passing so slowly+ 4I/m going bananas waitinaround to•

see if I passed the entrance exam+6 4I wishthere were• some way I could get out of )ail early+ I/m gobananas• being cooped7up here like a bird+6 4I/m goin



bananas• because I have nothing to do but sit aroundand wait for a•

call for a )ob interview that never comes+6 =• 'oing bonkers Becoming mad going cra>y athough you got a bonkon7• the7head and can/t think or behave normally4$arl• was literally going bonkers with tree rmsunder his supervision• all going bankrupt and his wife threatening • leave him+6 999 999• 'oing cold turkey <top drinking alcohol go othe wagon become abstemious• give7up drinking go through a period ofad)usting• to a life free of alcohol addiction+ 4I was a hadrinker• for years but when the doctor told me alcohwas a?ecting• my liver I went cold turkey and stoppeddrinking• altogether+6 4<ometimes when an alcoholicgoes• cold turkey he gets the delirium tremens an

his body• cannot stop shaking+6 4"ather was a boo>erfteen• years but when he saw that drinking wasruining his



• marriage he went cold turkey and never toodrink • again+6•

'oing concern A very successful businessventure having great success• going great guns+ 4&y friend Andrew/s rmstarted• small ten years ago but now it has developewell and• become a going concern+6 999 999• ;;M• 'oing downhill Decline deterioratedisintegrate degenerate going to• pot become worse going to the dogs goingwrack • and ruin+ 4!his town was a booming until thbuilt the• superhighway that cut it o? from through

traOc+ <ince• that day everything has been going downhideteriorating• and going to the dogs+6 4,hen they turned new• local council housing estate over to low incofamilies•

everything was brand sparkling new but nthe pro)ect• is going downhill due to neglect and lack ofproper• maintenance+6 4<ince grandfather died the



old family• farm house has been going downhilldeteriorating and•

going to rack and ruin+6• 'oing for good 'o away and never come bacleave with the intention• of never coming back decide to take nalleave of a• place and never return+ 4,hen I grow up annish• school I/m going to leave this little town forgood to• seek my fortune in the big city+6 &y wife hasleft me• again and this time she says she/s gone forgood she/s• never coming back no matter what+6 4Cnce -uit my )ob• with the company I/m going to blow this twobit town• for good+6• 'oing nowhere fast &aking absolutely noprogress+• 'oing overboard 'oing to excess to far toomuch to fast overdoing it+•

'oing places ising up the ladder of successbecoming somebody• has a bright future+• 'oing round in circles ust as one can walk odrive or sail around in circles



• when one has lost one/s sense of direction one can go• around in circles when speaking lacking

coherence and• unity+• 'oing thing #atest fad or fashion whateverybody wants to do or to• have+ 4It used to be the going thing to piercyour right• ear and wear an index nger7si>ed gold earring6 4It• used to be the going thing to cut your hair i&ohawk • style and dye it purple or green+6 4!here isalways some• new fad or gadget that is the going thing anall young• people want to get one more than anything• 'oing through a lean• patch• ust as one could be passing through a patcheld with• no or little growth where there will be a pooharvest one• may also be said to be passing through a

personal period• of little money very low prots slow saleseconomic• hardship getting little return for your e?ortwaiting for



• the nancial situation to improve+ 4!hefarming sector• went through a lean patch in :RRQ when the

was very• little rain+6 4!he steel industry has been goithrough a• lean patch because of export sales aredropping because• of the currency rate+6 4Cur family wentthrough a lean• patch when father was unemployed for sevemonths but• then things got better after he nally gotanother )ob+6• ;;N• 'oing through a phase %assing through atemporary stage that will change with• time+ 4Don/t pay any attention to my little

sister/s moods+• <he/s )ust going through a phase+6 4&y bigbrother is• going through a cra>y phase but he/ll passthrough it and• become normal again one of these days+6 999• 'oing through a thorny•

patch• ust as one might get scratched crawlingthrough a thorny• patch of bushes or underbrush one may alshave to pass



• through a place in one/s life where things ardiOcult• and painful+ 4,e went through a thorny pat

early in• our marriage but after our daughter was boour life• together became more fullling+6 4Curbusiness went• through a very thorny patch at the turn of thyear and• things were looking grim but as by summertime things• were booming again+6 4In the middle of myacting career• I went through a thorny patch in my earlythirties• but then when I started playing characterroles I had lots• of o?ers and the money started rolling inagain+6 =• 'oing through the motions• %retending to be doing what you are supposto but indi?erently• without care or conviction following a routi• without caring and only pretending+•

'oing to the dogs Becoming rundown andshabby deteriorating fast going• to rack and ruin coming down in the world4<ince 'rand• Dad died no one has been looking after the



farmstead• and the place is going to the dogs+6 4Haywowas•

a well7known night club manager in .hicagobut when• he started hitting the bottle he lost his )oband moved to• 2ew Gork where he continued drinking andgoing to the• dogs+6 4<ince they closed7down the oldoOcers/ club• and it fell into private hands the place hasbeen going to• the dogs+6• 'oing under the hammer !o be put up forauction• 'oing up in Lames ust as ones house can goup in Lames so one/s hopes• and plans and investments can go up in Lam• 'old7digger A woman who is only after a mafor his money who• schemes to nd ways to get money propertygold or• gems out of rich men a woman who marriesfor money•

rather than love+ 4&y step7mother was nothbut a• gold7digger she was only in it for the moneyshe didn/t• love my father at all+6 4Gou/ll nd a lot of go



diggers• seeking to take advantage of wealthy men iluxury•

spots gambling casinos and ve star hotels4Don/t give• her any chance to access to your money she )ust a• dirty little gold7digger+6• 'olden goose !he source of money and bene4!here is an old saying• that says you should not kill the golden gooswhich in• simple terms means you should protect youprimary• source of income+6 +• 'olden handcu?s .onned to arrest at homeluxurious circumstances+• ;;P• 4<ometimes when big drug dealers areconned to• house7arrest it is like being in goldenhandcu?s having• all the luxuries of home and being protectedand not• alone+6 999 999•

'olden handshake Being let go from a rmwith a generous nancial settlement+• 4,hen they let Donald go from Asia %acic• they gave him a golden handshake so he wonever



• have to work again6 999 999• 'olden mean !he balance of oppositesbetween to positions or extremes•

the balance of moderation the middle path+• 4Athenian 'reek architectural monumentswere based on• balance and moderation to be found in theideal harmony• and balance between not too much and not little ornamentation6• 4!here may be said to be a golden mean in• the balance of opposites between two politiextremes+6• 4If you get o? the path too far one way or tofar the• other way you may create an imbalance in tgolden• mean which could result in harmful e?ects+6

4Always try• to tread the middle path and do not stray frothe golden• mean+6• 'one with the wind ust as dried leaves dusand ashes can be blown away• by the wind so T•

'ood deed9 turn A good action+ 4Boy scouts taught to do a good deed• every day+6 999• 'ood for nothing Fsed o describe a person wis la>y and stupid and cannot



• do anything right even when he tries or usto describe• a thing or ob)ect that is useless and no good

all• for anything+ 4&y useless good for nothingsecond son• dropped out of school became a drug addicand eventually• ended up in )ail+6 4Gou can throw this cartrid• away now it is good for nothing+6 4Gou goodfor nothing• no good bum why don/t you go out and try tget a• )ob to support your wife and family@6• 'ood intentions &otivated to do the good+ SAdeed motivated by good• intentions will bear karmic benet+6 4,hen person is• motivated by good intentions any deed hedoes should• lead to the accomplishment of good+6 4%leasexcuse me• for my mistake I may have made I hope youbelieve that• I am always motivated by good intentions+6 •

'ood riddance to bad• rubbish• 'lad to get rid of someone or something whor that is• no good happy to see a bad person and go



leave and• be out of the way pleased to see that a perswith bad•

intentions has been gotten7rid7of+ 4,e will bglad to see• the last of you you no good lying scoundrel'ood riddance• to bad rubbish+6 4,hen our father nally lefthe• family penniless and ran o? to #ondon with young• prostitute we all said S'ood riddance to barubbish+/6• 4,hen .orporal 'rindstone nally left Indiaand re;;Q• turned to England everyone in the regimentsaid S'ood• riddance to bad rubbish+/6 4• 'oong o? "ooling around being not seriouand not working+• 'oong7around "ooling around and wastingtime when you should be• doing something better+• 'orge your self !o eat in a greedy way stu?your self to eat so excessively•

that you couldn/t get anything else down yo• throat to ll yourself up with co much foodthat you/d• be ready to vomit if you took one more bite+4,hat a big



• dinner party+ !here was so much food that wabsolutely• gorged ourselves+6 4,hen you go out to eat

polite• company be careful not to gorge yourself orpeople will• think you are acting like a pig+6 4At thewedding feast I• gorged7myself on stu?ed goose and rich grasauce to• the point where I couldn/t hold it downanymore and I• nally I puked it all back up+6• 'osh almighty5 An expression that showssurprise as if something has• happened due to the grace of 'od almighty+4'osh almighty5• I never would have expected that it would

snow• in <pain on the fth of une+6• 'ot a raw deal ,as treated very badly andunfairly+• 'ot it down verbatim #earned it o? by heart• 'ot the knack Has the natural skill or ability• 'ot7o? <cott free Avoid any sort of punishm

at all+• 'rasping in the dark ust as you grasp ontothings in the dark because you• cannot see your way so• 'rave conse-uences



• 'raveyard shift ,ork7period from twelvemidnight to eight in the morning+• 'ravy train In a position to be making easy

money+ T on the gravy• train+• 'ray area An area in knowledge whereinformation is as yet insuOcient• and too unclear+to allow any decision+• 'rease someone/s palm Bribe• 'reen thumb Indicates someone with a natuhand for gardening and• making things grow+• 'reen with envy <o full of envy that one shoit in his face+• 'rill someone about uestion someoneseverely give someone the third degree• interrogate and rake over the coals+• 'rim reaper !he symbol of death that cuts

down men they way a• farmer cuts down stalks of wheat or rice+• 'rin and bear it $eep putting on a happy facand put up with what you• have to bear+• 'rind to a halt ust as we can hear car breakgrind to a halt so we may•

say that a T• 'rinning from ear to ear <miling broadly• 'riping and grumbling T T++ 'ripe about• 'rist for the mill ust as grain is ground in amill so the kernel or gist of



• ;JR• an idea is something to think about• 'rit your teeth 'rind your teeth because the

)ob is too hard or you are• angry with someone+• 'roping in the dark ust as one might gropeone/s way in the dark not knowing• where to go or what is safe so we say we argroping• in the dark when T• 'rouchy old man 'rumpy crabbycantankerous old man+• 'round Loor #iterally this means at thebottom level but guratively• T getting in on the ground Loor• 'row apart Develop in di?erent directions+• 'rowing on me I/m beginning to develop aliking for• 'rowing pains ust as child has growing painso we may say a venture• or Ta• 'rubby little ngers Dirty grimy lthy ngetouching something that they• should not T 4get your grubby little ngerso? my little•

sister or I/ll cut7o? your whole hand6• 'rueling ordeal Demanding diOcultexhausting struggle9experience• TT++ 3ery hard work under intense pressure3ery hard



• work under intense pressureT+ 3ery hard wounder• intense pressureT+ 'rueling task •

'rumble about &oan+ 'roan+ &umble muttegrouch and complain• about something+• 'rumpy old man Irritable cranky grouchybad7tempered old man• 'runt and groan &oaning and complaining• 'uard against Be heedful careful+ Cn thewatch forT• 'uarded remark <aying something carefullyyour disapproval is not• evident or the other person does not perceivit+• 'uardian angel #ike an angel that sits on yoshoulder to protect you+• 'uiding light A teacher or role model who le

the way on the correct• path+• 'uilt complex A psychological disorder due tguilty conscience+• 'ulp down Drink and swallow down -uickly ihuge amounts+• 'ushing enthusiasm ust as water may gush

in the air due to pressure from• below the ground so a person may be said tbe gushing• with )oy good feeling or enthusiasm+• 'ut feeling An instinctive reaction in your



intestines gut reaction• 'uttersnipe <omeone of low esteem who likto gossip and critici>e•

and snipe at others+ 4&olly is a nothing but low class• guttersnipe who loves to gossip and disparaothers+6• 4Gou are nothing but a low7life gossip andguttersnipe• so T• ;J1• H• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• Habit7forming Addictive causing adependency+• Had it up to the ears5 Had enough5 4I/ve hadenough of this5 I/ve had it up to• the ears+ If you two do not stop your bickeriI/m going• to T• Haggard look ++ ++expression• Haggle about the price• Hair stand7on7end <cary very spookyterrifying•

Hair/s breadth A near shave• Hair7raising ust as a supernatural seeing aghost might make the• hairs on your arm stand on end so T• Hair7splitting 'oing into ne argumentative



details+• Hairy experience Ha>ardous and frighteningmoment+•

Half the person he used• to be• Half7hearted Fnenthusiastic withoutcommitment or enthusiasm+• +half7hearted e?ort to go through the motio• Half7pint A little guy who needs to be remindof his si>e• Half7the7battle Half of the way towardssuccess+• Half7wit <omeone with only half the normalintelligence of others+• Ham it up Act extravagantly for comic e?ecttry to be the center of • attention by telling )okes• Hammer it in $eep stressing and pressing an

idea until a person or persons• nally understand it clearly in their head(s*+I/m• glad I had a good English teacher whohammered correct• grammar into our heads until it nally stuckand stayed6•

4How can I hammer it onto your head that ycan/t )ust• do anything you want to without consideringthe feelings• of others@6 4 T sunk in Tand nally became



second• nature• Hammer out an agreement•

Bargain and negotiate until you concur andagree+• Hand in your resignation 'ive notice that yoare going to resign from your )ob+• 4According to your contract you must hand notice of • your resignation one month before you intento leave• the company+6• Hand me downs .lothing passed down the lifrom older to younger• brothers and sisters+• Hand to mouth existence ,ith barely enougto eat and survive on a day7by7day• basis• Hand7picked .hosen from among the very be• Hands down5 Absolutely beyond -uestion anwithout doubt+• Hands7o?5 $eep your hands to yourself5 Dontouch me5 Don/t• ;J:• touch anything that does not belong to you+•

Hand7to7hand %assed along for generationsfrom hand to hand+• Handwriting on the wall <omething bad thatyou can already anticipate coming+• Handy to have Fseful to have nearby+



• Hang back Hesitate to go forwards• Hang down your head in• shame•

Be ashamed for your action+• Hang in there5 Don/t give up5 $eep on tryingyour best5 $eep7up the• struggle5• Hang it up+ 'ive up+ Hang up your gloves+!hrow in the towel+ 'ive• up completely+• Hang on for dear life+ Hold on tight so youdon/t fallo? and lose your life+• Hang7dog look ust a dog may hang its headand look desolate (or hurt• or insulted* so a person can hang his head order to• evoke sympathy compassion orunderstanding+ 4Don/t• look at me with that hang7dog look my son+!here/s no• way I/m letting you go to that party untilyou/ve nished• practicing all your piano lessons+6 4&yhusband always• goes around with a hang7dog kook when eve

refuse to• let him go to his !hursday7night poker game4,henever• I do not feel loved and appreciated I goaround with



• a hang7dog look until someone notices thatneed emotional• support+6•

Hangers7on %eople who get on the band wagand follow the rest of • the crowd+• Hang7loose !ake it easy and relax don/t be tight+ 4Hey man5• Hang loose5 !here/s nothing to be uptightabout56• Hang7on to the bitter end %ersevere andcontinue striving until the very last moment• without letup+• Hang7up %sychological -uirk or idiosyncrasyhave a lot of • hang7ups• Hanker after9for T 4<ometimes I have ahankering for sour pickles+6• 4<ometimes I have a hankering after you+/ T• Hanky7panky <exual playfulness• Happy as a lark As happy as a bird singing intree+• Happy days are here• again+• Back to old times when things were happier+

4Hail5 Hail5• !he old gang/s all here+ HappyT• Happy medium !he middle way a satisfyingcompromise+• Happy7go7lucky ,ithout a care in the world+



• Harboring a grudge ,anting to get revenge something that happened in• the past being unable to overcome

resentment over an• earlier insult or in)ury waiting for a chance get even• and pay someone back for something thathappened previously+• 4I/m still harboring a grudge against BillyBoggs• for the time stole my rst girlfriend.hristina+6 4!he• $oreans are still harboring a grudge againstthe apanese• for the war crimes they committed in the:,,+6 4I wish• you/d stop harboring a grudge against me fothe time I• ;J;• beat you up in then school playground twenyears ago+6• Hard as nails• Hard feelings• Hard going toughDiOcult work not so easy• Hard hitting•

Hard knocks #ife/s disappointments and blow• Hard nut to crack A diOcult person to convinor bring around to a di?erent• point of view• Hard pressed



• Hard sell ust as some people refuse to buy product so some• people are very reluctant to accept an opinio

or change• their minds+• Hard to swallow DiOcult to accept take orendure due to loss of face• Hard to take 2ot easy to accept put up withand endure+• Hard7boiled ust as an egg can be hard7boileso we can say that• someone has a hard7boiled character whichmeans he has• been through a lot of bad experience and nhas little• feeling+ 4&c&ullen has been through a lot opain and• pressure over the years and has developed

into a hardboiled• character with little understanding orsympathy for• others+6• Hard7done7by <omeone who can complain thhe has been badly• treated by others+•

Hardened7case <omeone who has been sohardened by life that he cannot• be reached or emotionally changed or a?ect• Hard7fought battle <truggled hard to get orachieve+



• Hard7headed <tubborn inLexible obstinatehardened7by7life tough• cynical unfeeling+ 4A person who can/t be

convinced to• change his mind is said to be hard7headed+64<he/s very• hard7headed and refuses to take any advice4<he/s so• hard7headed she won/t listen to anyone+6• Hard7liner A right winger with an aggressiveconservative view+• 4!he vice president and his business friendsare hard liners• because they prot whenever there is awar+6 999• Hard7nosed !ough uncompromisingdetermined stubborn+ 4<he/s• so hard7nosed that even if she knew she wa

wrong• she/d never admit it+6 4Don/t be so hard7nosed and try to• be a bit more Lexible+6 4!he deputy directoso hardnosed• and ruthless that he would do anything tomake•

things go his way+6 4In the oOce everybodythought that• she was a hard7nosed bitch but outside herwork environment• she was actually kind and compromising+6



• Hard7to7get .apricious saying S2o/ when yoreally mean /Ges+/• 4%retending to be diOcult because you like

be coaxed• is called Splaying hard to get+/ 4<omeone whlikes to• play hard7to7get says 42o when he reallymeans SGes+/• A lot of women are like that+6 999• Hard7up Down and out without any money omeans of assis;JJ• tance+ 4,hen Dale was a foreign student in'ermany at• the end of the month he was always hard7uand short of • money+ <ometimes he didn/t even eat for twdays+6 999• Hard7won 2ot easily won hard fought7for+ 4

not want to waste• my hard won earnings so I put all the moneycan in the• bank+6• Harmless lie A lie told that hurts no one ordoes no harm+ 4!elling a• little white lie usually does no harm but it is

still dishonest+6• T T• Harping away at someone• .omplaining repeatedly with anger anddissatisfaction+



• 4&y wife keeps harping away at me becauseshe wants• more spending money+6 T T•

Has7been <omeone who has been someoneimportant in the past• but is no longer important now is said to be4has• been+6 T T 4,hen I was young I was a Swabe/• when I was older I became Ssomebody/ butnow that I• have lost everything I am )ust a Shas been+/• Hash it over Argue it out to try to come to aagreement+ 4,hen two• people disagree they often sit down togethband hash it• over until they nd a solution+6 999• Hassle someone Irritate annoy bother

continue complaining keep bugging• someone about something+ 4<top hassling mabout• doing my homework5 .an/t you see I/mwatching the• football match@ I/ll do it later+ I promise+6 T • Hate crime A crime committed motivated by

hate+ 4Homosexual• head7bashing is one type of hate crime64Another kind• of hate crime is killing someone as a symbola religion



• or race+6 999• Hateful comment A remark intended to hurtin)ure someone you detest•

and dislike+ 4Gou can make any hatefulcomment about• me that you like+ It/s not going to hurt myfeelings because• I know how resentful you are+ 999• Hateful expression A look of hate orresentment on your face+ ,henever I• see my ex7husband he always gives me ahateful expression+6• 4,ipe that hateful expression o? your face • stop being so )ealous and resentful all thetime+6 999• Haughty attitude <nooty manner thinking yare better than others+• 4,hy don/t you get down o? your high hors

and stop• thinking you are so superior to others@ It/stime you• dropped your haughty attitude+6 999• Haul someone over the• coals• 'ive someone a good grilling or -uestioning

making him• defend himself from suspicion of guilt+ 4!hepolice gave• the suspect %erkins a good hauling over thcoals to try



• to get evidence concerning his whereaboutsthe time• when the crime was committed+6 999•

Have a conniption Have a t of anger when ynd out+ 4,hen mother• nds out I missed my period she/ll have aconniption+6• ;JK• 999• Have a t Become angry upset furiousenraged turn cra>y go• mad lose control react very strongly in anegative manner+• 4&y mother would have a t if she knew thawas• using birth control pills and having sex with boyfriend+6• 4Cur boss &r+ %inkerton would have a t if • knew that we all called him Sstinky7pinky/behind his• back+6 4If I nd out that my little sister hasbeen using• my makeup without rst asking for mypermission I/ll• have a t+6 4!he teacher would have a t if

knew that• we all had the answers to the exam -uestionbefore the• test+6• Have a Ling Have a brief sexual a?air with a



illicit partner+ 4Gears• ago the executive director had a Ling with hsecretary•

but it didn/t last very long because theyreali>ed it was• )ust too dangerous+6 999• Have a go at it 'ive it a try take a shot at ittry doing it yourself 4If • you can/t do it let me have a go at it+ &aybewill have• success+6• Have a hankering for "eel a yearning for4<ometimes I have a hankering for• dill pickles even though I have not tastedthem in years+6• 4<ometimes I get a hankering for my rst weven• though I am glad we are divorced+6 999 T• Have a head on your• shoulders• .lever and well7balanced and trustworthy+4Gou have• got a good head on your shoulders y Gou wigo along• way in this life because people will trust and

believe in• you+6 999• Have a heart5 <how mercy compassion or pto show that you have a• heart+ 4C .ome on5 Have a heart5 Don/t be



cruel and• merciless56• Have a hunch Have an intuitive feeling able

make a good guess+ 4I• have a hunch that the stock market is goinggo up+ I• cannot explain it I )ust feel it in my bones+6have a• hunch that you are lying to be and that thetruth is the• opposite of what you say+6 999• Have a lot on the ball Have a lot going for yo-uite talented and clever+ 4!his• new young man we have hired lookspromising+ He• seems to have a lot on the ball+6999• Have a premonition Have a feeling beforehaof what is going to happen+ 4I• have premonition that there will be a militartakeover of • the government soon+6 999• Have a run7in with Have a clash conLictconfrontation disagreement or• argument with someone+ 4I had a run7in witmy boss•

about the way he treats the sta? and he haasked me to• resign+6 4Dick was only sixteen when he hadhis rst• run7in with the law+6 4T



• Have a say in the matter Be able to expressyour opinion to help in deciding on• something+ 4If you are planning on selling th

family• ;JM• house I think the children should be able tohave a say in• the matter+6 4I have to go where my compansends me+ I• have little say in the matter+6 999• Have a skeleton in your• closet• <ecret concerning something scandalousimmoral and• indecent from your past+ 4In the old days a%rince might• murder his older brother and entomb his boin stones• and mortar in a closet in his -uarters toassure he would• be next in line for the throne+6 4<omeone whas• reached a position of power through unknowevil ends• may be said to have a skeleton in his closet+

4If no one• knows you had a secret homosexualexperience when• you were young then you have a skeleton inyour



• closet+6 =• Have a sneaking suspicion• Have a nasty premonition or hunch+ 4I have

sneaking• suspicion that there is corruption going onbehind the• scenes in national politics+6 4I have a sneaksuspicion• that all the votes for the next election havealready been• bought and paid for+6 4I have a sneakingsuspicion that• the present military government believes it protecting• the country from the evils of democracy+6 =• Have a snoo>e <leep for a while take a shornap sleep deeply to have• rest for a time until you wake up and contin

what• you/re doing+• 4I think I/ll have a short snoo>e after lunchbefore continuing• with my work+6 4'randpa always has a snooin• the late afternoon so he will feel fresh when

he comes• down to en)oy dinner with the family+6• Have a very good name Have a good reputatwithin a certain group+ 4I have a• very good name within the academic



community+6 4I• don/t have a very good name in the businescommunity•

because of my bad loans+/ 4T• Have it coming to you 'et what you deserveam happy to see that you are• nally going to get what you deserve+ Gpuhave it coming• to you+6 999 999• Have it down7pat !o know perfectly carefullmemori>ed and wellpracticed++• Have it in for someone Have a grudge againsomeone have something against• someone• Have it out with someone Have an argumentand clear the air ght to the nish• Have no say in the matter Have no authorityspeak about or inLuence the matter+• 4I have no say in the matter of where I will bappointed• to work+ !hat is the company/s decision6• Have no stomach for .annot stand cannotbear+• Have no use for someone !o look down onsomeone as good7for7nothing and show•

no respect• Have nothing on Be naked nude wearing noclothing+ 4Have you heard• of the poor couple who only had one sarongwhen she



• went out to town he stayed home with nothon@6• ;JN•

Have no -ualms about 2ot feel hesitant in )udgment due to conscience+ 4!he• )udge says he had no -ualms about handingdown the• death sentence in this case because of thecold7blooded• brutality of the murder6 999 999• Have something on• somebody• !o $now a dirty little secret about somebod4I have• got something on you so be careful of what do because• if you annoy me I/ll tell on you+6 999• Have the last laugh <omebody maybe makin

you look stupid and ridiculous• now but in the end you will be the last onelaughing at• him+ 4999• Have your feet on the• ground• ,ell7balanced realistic sensible and reliabl

4!he new• '& seems to be stable experienced and havhis feet on• the ground+6 999 999• Have your ll Be surfeited had enough+ 4I/v



eaten so much I could• not eat anymore+ I/ve had my ll+6 4<ensualpleasure is•

good as far as it goes but after a while you nd that• you have had your ll+6 4I/ve worked in the corporate• world for long enough but now I/ve had myll+6 =• Have your hands full Be so busy that youcannot take on any more work as• though your hands are full and you can/t picup or carry• anything else+• Have your heart in your• mouth• Be so in love that you cannot use your moutto speak • because you are overcome with intimidationand emotion+• 4After weeks of waiting until I could nally ga• chance to speak with her alone I couldn/t saword because• my heart was in my mouth+6 999 999•

Have your way Insist on doing things your w4&y rst boyfriend insisted• that I let him have his way with me+6 4C$ hit• your own way+ &ake me do anything you



want+6 4Do• what you like+ Do what you want+ I give in+ Idon/t care+•

Gou can have your own way+6 =• Haven/t a prayer 2o hope whatsoever nochance at all+ 4,e haven/t a• hope of winning the election we haven/t aprayer so we• may as well give hope+6 999 999• Haven/t got a leg to stand• on• 2o basis for argument no proof to back youup no support+• 6Gou can argue until you are blue in the facethat• AID< is not communicated through sexualcontact but• you haven/t got a leg to stand on+6 4Gou can

stick to• your story that you were in a .hicago hotelroom with• your girlfriend because D2A evidence provethat you• were at the scene of the crime at the timewhen it happened•

so you should confess the truth and ask forleniency• because your alibi hasn/t a leg to stand on+6• know you maintain that man does not descefrom monkeys



• but your argument doesn/t have a leg to staon in• the face of the vast body of anthropological

research that• speaks to the contrary+6• Haven/t got a snowball/s ust as a snowballwould have no chance of surviving in• ;JP• chance in hell the res of hell so a personknows he cannot succeed or• be helped+ 4I haven/t got a snowball/s chancin hell of • ever being named &r+ Fniverse+6 4I don/t haa snowball/s• chance in hell of getting .ynthia to marry m• 4Cur team does not have a snowball/s chancin heel of • ever winning the league championship+6 =• Having second thoughts econsideringbecoming unsure and hesitant rethinking• an intention+ 4I am having second thoughtsabout going• to the <outh in &ay because I am afraid thermay be• terrorist bombings+6 4.ynthia is having seco

thoughts• about marrying me because I am poor anduneducated+6• 4&y brother is having second thoughts abouhaving a



• military career because he does not like thecountry/s• foreign policy+6 =•

Hawk7eyed ,ith sharp eyes like a hawk+ 4uas a hawk can see its• prey from high in the sky so TT+4Cur teachis so• hawk7eyed that we do not dare to cheat+6• Hawks and doves ight wing conservativewar7mongers on the one hand• and left7wing advocates of peace on the oth4At the• moment in .ongress the hawks seem to begetting the• upper hand over the doves+6• He doesn/t want to know+ He prefers to ignoor not be informed of the truth he• won/t listen+• He hit on me+ ,hen a man makes a sexualadvance towards a woman• who doesn/t expect it or tries to get her tospend time• with him the woman may say 4He hit on me4I always• had a lot of respect for my boss until despit

the fact that• he was a married man he hit on me+6 4<harwas having• an open and sincere relationship with one ofher clients



• until one day he hit on her and after thatshe felt• a bit uncomfortable+6 4,hen my best friend

boyfriend• hit on me I told her exactly what hadhappened but she• didn/t believe me+6• He means well+ He has good intentions+4,hatever father does whether• you agree with him or not he means well+64&other/s• motives are in your best interJeest+ I hope yreali>e• that she means well+6 4<ometimes when thpreacher• points out people/s weaknesses they shouldunderstand• that he means well and is actually trying to

help them+6• He/s a big bruiser+ He/s big and strong andlikes to ght he/s well7built and• muscular and could beat you black and blue4&y brother• Butch is a big bruiser and you/d be better tostay out of •

his way because he/d as soon give you a gobashing• as look at you+6 4!he doorman was a bigbruiser who• would have no trouble throwing unwanted



guests out the• door and into the street+6 4Be careful what ysay to•

Billy because he/s a big bruiser and a bully wwould• ght you at the drop of a hat+6• ;JQ• He/s got a screw loose+ He/s a bit mad -uiteodd peculiar mentally dysfunctional• cra>y 4&y poor little brother %ete is menta• dysfunctional+ He/s got a screw loose+6 4"rothe peculiar• way "ran> acts I/d say there/s somethingwrong with• him+ He denitely has a screw loosesomewhere+6 4A• person/s brain can be compared to an anti-uclock that• does not work right because there is a screwloose• somewhere+6 42ow that I/m getting older mmind is• not as sharp as it used to be+ !here must bescrew loose• somewhere+6•

He/s got his head• screwed on right• He/s a level7headed clever chap with goodintentions+• He/s not the man he



• used7to7be+• He is weaker now than he used to be+ 4In thold days•

tom could run fteen kilometers to work nutnowadays• he could not even walk fteen kilometers+ Hnot the• man he used to be+6 999• He/s really sharp5 He is very -uick7witted anclever• He/s touched+ He/s mentally abnormal acts little cra>y has something• wrong with his brain born mentally decien4&y• little brother/s a little touched pay noattention if he acts• a little strange+6 4'ranny/s been a littletouched since she• a coconut fall and landed on her head twoyears ago+6• 4How could you suggest such an idea@ Gou/rmentally• peculiar+ Gou must be a little touched+6• Head and shoulders• above the rest•

"ar better than all the others a cut above threst+ 4.olonel• Alcott is the best commander in the regimenHe• stands out head and shoulders above the



rest+6• Head case A cra>y person one who is not rigin the head+ 4I think •

my new commanding oOcer must be a headcase+ I don/t• know how anyone as cra>y as that could evebe promoted• to full .olonel+6 4#illian/s husband is a headcase• from outer space+ I wonder wherever she evfound• him@6 999• Head for the hills In the old days when therewas a Lood in a valley all the• people had to head for the hills to get up ondry land+• 4ust as the people from a village located in valley will• seek higher land and head for the hills whenthere is a• Lood so we may say guratively that we hfor the• hills to get out of the way of approachingdanger+6 4All• hell is breaking loose in the town saloon and

the respectable• folks are all heading for a safe place in thehills+6 999• Head in the clouds #ost in illusion overly7optimistic+



• Head over heels in love !otally illogically inlove with the world turned upsidedown• so7to7speak+•

Head start Being able or allowed to beginahead of the others perhaps• due to a handicap+• Heads up5 ,atch out what is coming downfrom above+ 4Heads up• everybody5 !here are boulders and rocksstarting to roll• ;KR• o? the mountainside down onto the path+6• Heads will roll ust as in the "rench evolutithey used to cut o? the• heads of noble so we say nowadays thatpeople in high• positions will be red and removed fromposition when a• big change or upheaval in management com4If I• could take over the administration of thisuniversity a• few heads would roll+6 999• Head7to7head In direct confrontation• Hear a pin drop Absolutely -uiet+ 4It was so

-uiet in the auditorium you• could hear a pin drop+6• Hear me out At least listen to the end of whhave to say+ %lease• don/t interrupt me+ Hear me out and listen t



what I have• to say and then I will be happy to hear whatyou have to•

say+6• Heart failure ust as the human heart canbecome weak physically so• that it cannot pump anymore so a person msay he almost• had heart failure when something worrisomeand• unexpected happened+• Heart in your mouth A state of being soemotional you feel your heart is in• your mouth so you are unable to speak+• Heart of the matter !he central point the coof the matter the crux of +the• issue+• Heart/s desire ,hat the heart is set on havin

highest hope fondest• dream+ 4Having a twelve meter teakwoodyacht was my• heart/s desire but it took me fteen years topay o? the• loan to buy it+6 999 999• Heartbreaker A man who breaks people/s

hearts or a situation that can• break one/s heart+• Heartfelt gratitude A feeling of thankfulnessdeep in one/s heart+• Heartfelt sympathy A deep feeling of sympa



and at another/s sorrow+• Heart7to7heart An honest and open talkbetween two people saying how•

they feel straight from the heart explainingtheir feelings• privately one7on7one in a dialogue duringwhich• both persons truly confess their emotionstalking freely• to get a load o? their chests+ 4anice toldDerrick that it• was time they had a heart7to7heart discussioabout when• they would be getting married+6 4&y wife anhad a• heart7to7heart discussion in the third year oour marriage• and we both confessed to the other that we

secretly• desired to become separated and then getdivorced+6 4I• had a heart7to7heart talk with my boss and thim that I• felt my contribution to the rm was notsuOciently appreciated•

but he assured me that everyone respected • ability even though they might not be sayinso+6• Heaven7on7earth Absolute bliss andcontentment as happy as one can be



• on this earth++• Heave7up 3omit puke bring up the contentyour stomach+•

Heavy7handed Cppressive forceful and agaipeoples will+ 4I disap;K1• prove of the heavy7handed way thegovernment is using• its control to ignore the will of the people+6 • Hectic pace "rantic stressful excited rate+42owadays it is hard to• keep up with the hectic pace of technologicadevelopment+6• 999• Height of ecstasy %eak of )oy and blissfulnes• Height of his career High7point T Height offame and glory• Height of indecency !he absolute lowest levof low crude o?ensive behavior+• 4Anyone who can even imagine the height oindecency• has a deled and tainted mind+6 999• Held for -uestioning etained by police forinterregation+• Held in high esteem espected very highly+• Help for the needy .harity for those not so w

o? as yourself+• Help mate <omeone close to you to assist yo4<ince my wife died• and left me alone I really miss having ahelpmate at my



• side+6• Help your self Don/t depend on others to heyou help yourself+•

Help yourself to !ake as much as you want+4!here/s lots of good food on• the table help yourself to anything you like• Helping hand #ending aid or giving a hand tsomeone needing help• Helter7skelter .haotic hapha>ard confuseda panic disorgani>ed+• Hen7pecked husband ust as there is a peckiorder in the henhouse so we• can say that• Here comes trouble5 !he person coming isgoing to show anger or direct• blame or cause big problems or diOculties+• Here today and gone tomorrow• !hings can disappear -uickly+• Hidden motives #atent or concealed intentiowhich are not necessarily• good+• Hidden7agenda A secret goal or plan orse-uence of events that a politician• or inLuential person desires to carry7out andwill try•

to push through without the general public othe other• members of the group reali>ing his intention4<ome say• that the %rime &inister has his own private



personal• hidden7agenda to further his own benet bmost people•

seem to believe that he has the interests ofthe country• at heart+6 4 T• Hide out A place to stay so no one can nd y• Hide your face .over your face due to shame• Hide your feelings .onceal how you really feabout something+• High and dry #eft alone with no one to helpyou+• High and mighty !hinking you are better thaand superior to other people• High brow Interesting to persons who arecultivated and welleducated• appealing to the cultured scholarly7minded• class in society+ 4%eople who have little or n

background• in musical appreciation generally nd thatopera• music is too high brow for them+6 4!heopenings of • modern art gallery exhibitions are usually hbrow•

;K:• black tie a?airs with cocktails and cultivateconversation+6• 4Because I was not born into cultivatedcircumstances



• I have a short attention7span when it comes• viewing high brow performances of classicaldrama or•

listening to symphonic music+6• High horse .ome down o? your pedestal andstop thinking so highly• of yourself+ 4ust as a king may ride on a highorse as a• sign that he is of superior rank than all otheso we• sometimes tell someone with a superiorattitude to climb• down o? his high horse and act like a regulahuman being• like the rest of us+6 4It time you climbed dowo? • your high horse and stopped thinking that yare better• than everybody else+6 4If you insist onmaintaining an• attitude that you are better than everyoneelse someday• someone is going to come along knock youdown o? • your high horse+6•

High )inx ,ild harmless fun playing aroundpulling pranks acting7• up getting up to tomfoolery and harmlessmischief+• 4&other told her daughters that if they didn



stop their• silly high )inks and learn to behave more likperfect ladies•

no respectable gentleman would ever want tmarry• them+6 4I told my son that it was time for hito stop his• high )inx and settle down and lead arespectable life+6 4• T• High on the hog Eating the best -uality foodthat money can buy• High prole Having a well7known respectedimage+• High time About time5• Higher than a kite ust as a paper kite Lieshigh in the sky so we can say• someone under the inLuence of drugs or

alcohol is higher• than a kite+• High7handed Arrogant overbearing bossy+• High7minded Highly moral in intentionedhighly moral and philosophical+• High7strung 3ery sensitive and nervous tenand easily emotionally•

upset+• Hightail it out of here un away (like a rabbbefore you get caught get away• -uickly+ 4,e had better hightail it out of herbefore



• "armer ones catches us stealing apples fromhis orchard+/• 999 999•

Hit and miss !rial and error• Hit and run Have a car accident and Lee fromthe scene to avoid being• caught+• Hit it o? 'et along well• Hit list A list of people to be assassinated ormurdered+• Hit the books <tart to study study hard at tlast minute begin to take• your studies seriously+ 4I used to leavestudying to the• last minute+ !hen I would hit the books andan allnighter• before the exam+6 4Having to hit the books the• ;K;• last minute is very stressing and not the rigway to go• about gaining knowledge+6 4If you study on regular• basis every day you won/t have to su?er thepanic and•

insecurity of having to hit the books when italmost too• late+6 =• Hit the bottle <tart drinking excessively+ 4Istarted hitting the bottle



• after my wife left me and I was an alcoholicthe next• twenty years+6 999 999•

Hit the bull/s eye ust as we hit he center ofthe target with the arrow so• we may T+ Dead7on• Hit the ceiling Explode with anger blow youtop hit the roof• Hit the deck "all Lat on the deck of a ship toavoid being shot by enemy• aircraft re+ 4In the 2avy in the :,, whenenemy• airplanes strafed the ships the sailors woulbe ordered• to hit the deck to try avoid being in the line re+6 999 999• Hit the hay #ie down on the bed and go tosleep hit the sack+• Hit the )ackpot ,in the top pri>e suddenly wa lot of money be on a• roll of success+• Hit the nail on the head &ake the exact poinbe absolutely right• Hit the road !ime to leave time to go+ 4C$boys5 It/s closing time+•

"inish your drinks and hit the road+6 999 999• Hit the roof Be so angry that you go throughthe ceiling+• Hive of activity ust as beehive is alive withactivity so a place or building



• can be alive with human activity+ 4!his buildis a• hive of activity during the day but at night

it/s so -uiet• you could hear a pin drop+6• Hobby horse %et peeve something you like complain about a lot• something that always bugs you+• Hobnobbing7about with En)oying mixing in hsociety rubbing shoulders with• the rich and famous taking pleasure in movabout• with people of a superior position and rank society• 4Hobnobbing7about means tagging7along anhangingaround• on a level where you don/t belong+6 4Basilspent• a time in his youth hobnobbing andgallivanting7about• town in high society before he eventuallycame home• and turned his attention to managing thefamily/s business• a?airs+6 4After our .harles nished his stud

at• .ambridge he went to #ondon and spent ayear )ust• hobnobbing7about with classmates and uppecrust



• friends but after he tired of the shallownesit all he• nally decided to settle7down and )oin a sol

law rm• to work towards his future+6• Hog the road Drive in the middle of the roadno one can get past• you+ 4Don/t you )ust hate the sort of driver whogs the• road so you can/t get past him@6• Hold a grudge Harbor resentment againstsomeone for something+ 4I• still hold a grudge against my twin brother fthe time• he stuck a fork in my eye+6 999 999• ;KJ• Hold a thing against• someone• !o resent someone for something that he didyou+ T • T but don/t hold it against me• Hold back Hesitate or control your emotions• Hold on a moment5 Gou )ust wait a minutedon/t act so hastily don/t be so• impulsive++•

Hold on tight Hold your seat so you don/t falo?+ 4!he roller7coaster• is going around the bend then down a steepincline so• you/d better hold on tight56



• Hold out for more ,ait until one gets a betto?er don/t settle for less+• Hold still5 emain still and don/t dget+ 4Ho

still for a moment• while I put this in)ection7needle into your veIt won/t• hurt a bit+6 4<top your dgeting around all ttime5• .an/t you hold still for even a minute@6 999• Hold the fort ust as in the so7called AmericaIndians used to attack a• fort in the open prairie and cut the soldiers from• Treinforcements T• Hold your breath TTT++4Be still and -uiet fomoment and hold your• breath don/t even breath+6 4Don/t hold youbreath+6• Hold your horses+ ust as a coachman pulls ithe reigns to hold his horses• back so we may tell a person to slow downstop to• think for a moment before deciding to speakact and• not to go rushing into things without )udging

the situation• rst+ 4Hold your horses5 Don/t do or sayanything you/ll• be sorry for later don/t speak to me like thaor you will



• live to regret it+6 4Don/t get angry overnothing hold• your horses for a minute and consider the

conse-uences• of what you are about to do+6 4Don/t speak me like• that+ Hold your horses and control your temor I/ll• make you feel sorry for the day you were evborn+6 =• Hold your tongue+ Don/t say anything keep secret keep -uiet keep• your mouth shut don/t talk out of turn stoptalking+• 4Hold your tongue and don/t tell anybody ythat I/m• already pregnant+6 4Hold your tongue anddon/t give• away our secret+6 4If you do not hold yourtongue and be• -uiet son you/ll have to go the bed early wno dinner+6• 4I/ll stu? a dirty sock in your mouth and tieand• gag you if I am not condent that you will h

your• tongue about this matter+6• Holding something back 2ot telling all youknow keeping a secret maintaining a• hidden motive+



• Holding your own Defending your positionsurviving struggling getting• along all right•

Hold7on5 <top right there5 Don/t go any furthor sat anything• more+ 4Hold on5 ,hat do you think you/redoing@ Gou• can/t T• Hole in the wall A small place to live or go to4,hen I was an architecture• student I lived in a small room that that youcould• barely call anything more than a hole7in7thewall+6 4Ab;KK• dul/s barber shop was no more than a hole7ithe wall+6• 4I go to this small hole7in7the wall bar in thcity where I• meet and talk with artists and poets+6• Hole in7the head <omething you denitely dnot need+ 4I must have a• hole7in7my7head to let myself be talked into cra>y stunt• like that+6 999 4I need you as a friend the wayneed a•

hole in the head+6• Hole7up for a while 'o into hiding keep out7sight lay low keep a low• prole• Hollow leg ,hen someone eats so mush tha



there is no more room• in his stomach we say that he must have ahollow leg+•

4!he boys are always )oking that !ex eats somuch he• must have a hollow leg+6 999 999• Honest buck An honest living+ 4It/s gettingharder and harder to earn• an honest buck these days+6 4Dad says that lot of people• who have worked for him would rather stealand• cheat than try to make an honest buck+6 999 9• Honest mistake A mistake made unknowinglwith no intention to do• wrong+ 4I/m sorry I took you briefcase+ It looexactly• like mine+ It was an honest mistake+6• Honest to 'od5 !hat/s the real truth+ I swearbefore 'od5 4I never laid a• nger on your sister+ !hat is the honest to 'truth+6• Honeymoon is over ust as a happy honeymocouple get to know one another/s• faults in the initial period of a marriage so w•

can say that a popular politician has a certatime in oOce• before people begin to discover his faults anmistakes+• Hoodwink ust as a person with a hood over



head cannot see• what is going on so we may say that onetricks deceives•

or deludes another by leading him on a blindcourse+• 4Harold tricked me out of my life/s savings bpurposely• deceiving and misleading me+ I never thouggood• friend would hoodwink me like that+6 9999999999• Hoof your way home ,alk home on foot T4It/s impossible to get a taxi at• this hour so I guess we/ll )ust have to hoof7ihome+6• Hop to it ump up and get started in a hurrymove -uickly to take• advantage of the situation+ 4Better hop to itand close the• Loodgates before it is too late+6• Hopeless case Beyond help cannot be curedhelped rehabilitated+• Hopping7mad <o angry that the person isalmost )umping up and down• on the spot out7of7control in the heat ofanger on the•

verge of doing something to express9showanger• Horn in on someone ust as a bull may use ithorns to cut or force its way in• to where it wants to get to so we say a pers



horns in• on another when T• Hornet/s nest ust as there will be hell to pa

one steps on a hornet/s• nest so one may say one has stepped on ahornets nest• when he has opened up a sensitive issue ortopic+• ;KM• Horns of the dilemma ust as a bull has twohorns either which can maim and• hurt you so a person can be in a dilemmasituation in• which he must choose between two divergenalternatives+• Horsing around "ooling around playingaround goong around+ 4C$• kids it/s time to stop horsing around and -u

down and• pay attention to the teacher+6 4<heila doesnlike the way• the boys are always horsing around andexpressing their• youthful exuberance+6 4If you don/t stop youhorsing•

around I/ll call my Dad to come in and makeyou stop• it+6• Hot air A lot of empty self7 inLated egotisticor conceited talk+



• 4I tell you that guy is full of hot air he/s sofullof lies• it/s a wonder he doesn/t rise like a helium

balloon into• the skies+6 999 999• Hot and bothered Excited aroused worked7or displeased+ 4<he gets me• all hot and bothered and then tells me to stobecause she• doesn/t want to go any further+6 4%orno Lickdo not• make me feel hot and bothered+ !hey boreme+6 4Don/t• let yourself get all hot and bothered aboutwhat people• say+ ust ignore them6• Hot potato A hot issue tossed back and forthbecause nobody wants• to deal with it+• Hot stu?5 'ood looking sexy and attractive• Hot tip Inside information on a good bet orinvestment• Hot under the collar Becoming heated7up angetting angry+ 4Don/t get so hot• under the collar when I try to give you

constructive criticism+• .an/t you see I/m trying to help you@6• Hothead <omeone who gets angry easily+4Don/t be such a hothead+• .ool down and take a moment to think befor



you• react impulsively and say something you/ll bsorry for+6•

9999999999999999999999• Hotshot <omeone who thinks he can doeverything better than• anyone else+ 4C$ hotshot If you think you aso smart• you solve the problem+6• Hot7tempered Easily angered+• Hot7to7trot ust as a racing horse may be reaand eager to run at• the opening of the starting gate so a personmay be said• to be ready and raring to go in certainsituations+ 4&arion• looks like she/s hotXto7trot+ I think I/ll ask heout on a• date+6 4Ervin/s wife always looks like she is to trot• but Ervin tells me she is not+6 999• Hound to death $eep asking for somethingdoggedly until the other person• is bored to death hearing about it+• House of cards A shaky structure a plan tha

poorly put together will• fall down easily shaky unstable+• Household name A name that everybodyknows• House7to7house T canvassingT door to doo



• ;KN• How can I ever make it• up to you@•

Hoe can I show my gratitude@ How thankful am• How come@ ,hy is that so@ 4How come it/sdark at night and light in• the day@6 4How come Daddy didn/t come holast• night@6 4How come you/re leaving yourhusband@6• How low can you go@• How/s life treating you@ How are you doing@4Hello old boy5 How/s life treating• you@ ,ell I hope+6 999 999• Hullabaloo !he sound clamor and tumult ofvoices upraised in a• crowd of people making a roaring din hubb

commotion• noisy racket+ 4I hear crowds of peopleclamoring in• the corridors+ ,hat/s the hullabaloo@ ,hat/sthe big to• do@ ,hat/s the problem this time@64!housands of protesters•

and activists were gathered outside thepresidential• palace making a big hullabaloo about holdina democratic• election+6 4,hen the news broke that there



• would be a three percent raise in value addetax there• was a big hullabaloo in the media but thing

have -uieted• down now+6• Human error .aused by human negligence+• Humiliating circumstances• Humbling demeaning conditions that makeyou feel• afraid+• Humor someone %lay along and pretend tolisten in an insincere or condescending• way• Humorous anecdote e7telling of an incidena funny story• Hunger for knowledge !hirst for learningstrong desire for learning+• Hunt down .hase and follow someone )ust li

hounds follow a fox• until he is caught+• Hurry7up7and7wait+ COcial orders are to waifor further orders which may• or may not come at any time+• Hurt pride In)ured sense of self7respect+4someone who is very•

proud of himself with a big ego will T• Hush money &oney paid on the side to keep-uiet+ 4%oliticians keep• people -uiet by paying them hush money noto say anything



• or tell what they know+6 4,hen hush moneydoes• not work they sometimes decide to have th

person• killed+6 999• Hush7hush Cn the -uiet to be kept secret+4#et/s keep what we• know on the hush7hush+ It wouldn/t do to leteverybody• know would it@6 999 999• Hustle and bustle .ommotion confusionchaos hurly7burly crowds of • people moving about• Hustle your bustle Hurry7up and get a moveon show some activity get• down7 to7work -uickly begin to workenergetically• move your butt9bustle+ 4Gou/d better hustle

your bustle• or you/ll never get that report nished beforthe due• deadline+6 4I/d better hustle my bustle and a move on• or I/ll be late for my own wedding+6 4If youdon/t hustle•

;KP• your bustle and start to show some energy a change• I/ll give you a low7rating in your annualeOciency review+6



• Hyped7up 'et all enthusiastic and worked7u• Hysteria broke out+ %andemonium broke loo• I•

Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• I beg to di?er %lease excuse me if I express di?erent opinion+• I can barely hear myself • think+• It is so loud in here that I can hardlyconcentrate+• I can/t bear it anymore5 It/s too much for meIt/s more that in can stand5 4I cannot• tolerate your complaining any longer+ It is mthan• I can bear56• I can/t bear that man5 I cannot tolerate thatman5 I can/t stand to see him5 I nd• him unbearable+ TTT+ I cannot stomach thaman5 I• cannot bear him56 T• I can/t stand it5 It/s driving me cra>y I can/ttolerate it any more5 I can/t• bear it5• I can/t take it anymore5 I/ve had enough

reached the end of my patience I/m• fed7up+• I cannot condone that+ I cannot accept thatdo not want such a thing to take• place I cannot approve of such an action I w



not grant• my approval overlook ignore excuse+ 4I knthat•

there is corruption going7on in governmentpro)ects and I• cannot condone it+6 4I know that you claim tend )usties• the means nevertheless I cannot condoneyour actions+6• 4I cannot condone the cloning of humanbeings• because I think it goes against nature+6 4Icannot condone• that taking of human life even if it is donewithin and in• accordance with the law+6• I could kick myself I am so angry with myselfor what I did wrong or forgot• or neglected to do+ 4I could kick myself for npaying• better attention in English class when I wasyounger+6 999• 999• I could kill you5 I am very angry with you forwhat you have done+ 4I/m•

very angry with you for telling all the boysabout our private• a?airs+ I/m so mad I could kill you56• I couldn/t care less I/m not bothered I/mindi?erent+ 4<ay what you like



• about me+ I couldn/t care less+6• I don/t get it+ I don/t -uite understand+• I don/t get the thrust of •

your argument• I can/t follow the point or logic of what you atrying to• say I don/t see the main purpose or idea+• I don/t have a clue+ I have absolutely no idea4I don/t have clue what time it• ;KQ• is] Do you have a watch@6 999 999• I don/t have all day+ Hurry7up and get a movon because I/m in a big rush• do what I ask without making me wait long4I/m feeling• impatient because you are taking too long sget a move• on before I break out into a t of impatience

4,hy• don/t you answer me@ <peak up now+ I don/thave all• day+6 4,hat/s the hold7up@ 'et a move and give me• the invoice immediately+ I don/t have all day4If the•

doctor does not see me soon I/m going toleave+ I can/t• wait any longer+ I don/t have all day+6• I don/t want to shoot• from the hip+



• !alk without thinking rst )ust saying whatever comes• into my head without thinking about the

conse-uences+• 4'ive me some time to think before I speak+don/t want• to shoot from the hip+6 4ust as a gun7slingemust shoot• from the hip and be fast on the draw so wemay say a• person shoot from the hip when he makes adefensive or• o?ensive remark because he must considerithe conse-uences+6• 4!ake time to make the decision and don/t• )ust shoot from the hip without duedeliberation+6 =• I dread to think5 I tremble to think+ I shudde

to think5 4I dread to think • what would happen if my husband knew I waseeing• you+6 4I dread to think what would happen isuddenly• my source of income were cut o?+6 999• I fancy you+ I like you you seem very nice to

me I could fall in love• with you+ 4I can/t keep it a secret any longerI/m sweet• on you+ I fancy you+6 4I can/t keep my eyes oof you+ It



• must be obvious to everyone that I fancy yo4I not• only fancy you+ I/d like you as my girlfriend a

a wife+6• =• I gure that T I reckon that I anticipate thathink that+ 4I gure that• big money interests are in the process oftrying to control• the world and create a new world order of arich elite+6 999• 999• I get a kick out of you T you give me a charI get a bang out of you+• I get the picture I see and understand whatyou are telling me+• I got burned5 I was cheated5• I got my wires crossed I short7circuited• I haven/t the foggiest notion• I have absolutely no idea I couldn/t evenguess I haven/t• a clue+• I hear you loud and clear+ I can hear andunderstand exactly what you mean I understan• what you are saying to me+•

I know where you live+ If you do anything toupset me I/ll come to your house• and harm you and your family+ 4Gou/d betterkeep what• you know a secret+ I know where you



live+6 999 999• I owe you one !hanks for helping me+ I oweyou a favor+•

I stand corrected+ I understand my mistakenow that it has been explained• to me+• I wouldn/t be caught T 4!here/s no way I/mgoing to T 42o5 I wont go to• ;MR• dead with the reception with you+ I wouldn/twant to be caught• dead with you56• I wouldn/t like to be in• your shoes+• I would not wish to change positions with yoI• wouldn/t like to be in your skin+• I wouldn/t mess with him• if I were you+• I would not do anything to make him upset iwere in• your position wouldn/t go up against himwouldn/t oppose• his will wouldn/t get in his way wouldn/t tryto get•

him angry wouldn/t give him a hard time+ 4careful I• wouldn/t try to mess with %inky if I were yoor he/ll• beat you black and blue+6 4Don/t mess with



anybody• from the Hells Angels motorcycle gang or yobe•

sorry+6 4Gou/d better not mess with me or Imake you• regret the day you were ever born+6• I wouldn/t put it past you I wouldn/t besurprised to learn that you had done such a• dirty deed+• I wouldn/t wish it on• anyone+• !his is a situation that I would not wish evenmy worst• enemy to have to face+• I/ll blow up+ I will lose control and get angry+• I/ll clip you one+ I will slap or smack or hot yIf you lie to me again I• clip you one over the ear+6• I/ll x your wagon+ ust as in the old days onmight have Sxed/ someone/s• wagon so that it would break down under waso nowadays• we threaten to do something to get revengefor a• real or imagined wrong+•

I/ll get back to you+ I/ll call you back I/ll let yknow what happens I/ll• talk to you later about this+ 4let me look intothe situation• and I/ll get back to youTTT+6 4 T+ And whe



• have the timed I/ll get back to you+6 9999• I/ll get down to work+ I/ll start workimmediately+ 4I can see that this )ob is urgent•

so I will get down to work right away+6 4If yo• don/t get down to work immediately you/ll nbe nished• before the deadline+6• I/ll get even with you+ I/ll revenge myself onyou I/ll pay you back for what• you have done+• I/ll have to think about• that+• 'ive me some time for consideration+• I/ll make you a proposal #et me make asuggestion that might help solve the situation+• I/ll not kowtow to any• man• I/ll not bow7down and obey anyone+• I/ll skin you alive+ <cold severely spank thepants o? give someone a good• beating hiding whipping licking+• I/ll stick to you through• thick and thin+• I will be a loyal and trustworthy friend throutimes of •

trouble to the end• I/ll swap you for it5 I/ll trade you mine foryours+• I/ll tear your head o? T 4I/m so angry5 I/ll teyour head o? when I get a



• hold of you+6• I/ll wash your mouth out Don/t use dirty worif you don/t want to have your•

;M1• with soap+ mouth washed out with soap+• I/ll wring your neck+ ust as people used to kchickens bt wringing their• necks so we mat say to another that T• I/m a goner5 I/m in so much trouble now thatit/s going to be the end• of me I/m nished I/ll have a heavy price topay+• I/m afraid so5 I/ sorry but that is the situatiothat is an undeniable• fact+• I/m all ears+ Eager to listen anxious to hearwhat you are going to• say waiting to hear what you have to say+ 4!

me T• I/m all ears+6• I/m an open book Gou can look right into myheart and see everything+ 4I• haven/t got a secret in the world+ I/m an opebook+ Gou• can look right into my heart and see

everything+6 999 999• I/m as good as gone+ I/m in such big troublethat I an about to be red expelled• kicked out+• I/m banking on you+ I trust you and I am



depending on you to come through• and help me+ 4999 999 999• I/m blotto+ 3ery drunk intoxicated inebriate

so under the inLuence• that you can/t think right anymore+ 4I/m blotI so• drunk I forgot whether I came to the party wmy wife• or not+6 4Don/t ask me to tell you my addresI/m too• blotto to remember+6 4I was sober until I hadmy sixth• gin and tonic but now I/m on my tenth and completely• blotto+6• I/m bushed+ I/m really tired7out+ 4I bushed frworking so hard and• I/m going to go to bed and get some well7

needed rest+6• 999 999• I/m bu>>ed+ High on drugs or alcohol withhead bu>>ing from the• e?ects of stimulants+ 4Don/t ask me to thinkstraight+ I/m• too bu>>ed+6 4Hey man don/t make me drin

another• beer+ &y head is swirling and I/m bu>>edenough already+6• 4I know what I want to say but I can/t expla• how I feel because I/m too bu>>ed+6



• I/m cooked+ ,hen the truth comes out theblame and punishment• will fall upon me I/m in big trouble now the

will be• no escaping the conse-uences there/s no wto get out• of my situation like the goose that is alreadbeing• cooked in the oven 4,hen the company ndout I authori>ed• that incorrect audit report I will be cooked+!hat• will be the end of my professional career+642ow that• everyone knows I forged my educationaltranscripts and• never even studied medicine my goose iscooked+6 4If • the tax department oOcials learn the way thI have• cooked the books I/ll be cooked too+ Alongwith the• books+6• I/m fed7up Had enough can/t take it anymorcan/t put up with it•

any longer sick7and7tired bored7to7the teetdon/t want• to do or hear it anymore+ 4I/m so fed7up withmy )ob that• ;M:



• I am bored7to7tears and ready to resign+6 4Ifed up• with hearing my father say that as long as I

live in his• house I will follow rules+6 4ack was so fed7with his• family and teachers telling him what to do athe time• that one day he skipped school and ran awafrom• home+6 4Darling I know that you love me anmean• well but I/m fed7up with listening to yourcomplaining• all the time+6• I/m feeling )umpy+ "rightened by the slightessound or unexpected movement• edgy touchy easily7agitated easily7shocke

hypersensitive7• sensitive+ 4I/m feeling -uite )umpy these• days+ I/m startled by the slightest unexpectesound+ It• must be because my nerves have been a bitedge recently6• 4#ittle <ally is so )umpy that she )umps in

shock • whenever there is any unexpected movemennear her+6• 4!he troops were feeling )umpy and on edgethey



• waited for the enemy attack to commence+64<orry if I• seem irritable+ I/m feeling a bit sensitive and

)umpy due• to a nervous disorder+6• I/m going to get you+ I/ll get revenge on youwant you always to remember• that I know where you live and one day I amgoing to• get you when you least expect it+6 999 999• I/m going to nail you+ ust as esus .hrist wanailed to the cross TTT++I/m• going to catch you and make you pay for whyou have• done+ I/m going to nail you one of these day• I/m goners I/ in trouble now and I wont bearound much longer+• I/m in a mess In trouble in a x• I/m in for it5 I/m in for trouble now5• I/m in the soup+ .aught and about to be cooor punished with no• chance of escape much as a chicken might caught and• chopped up to be put in the soup in serioustrouble in a•

x being blamed facing reproach in diOcuhaving• problems doomed+ 4I have borrowed moneyhigh interest• rates that I cannot pay and I/m denitely in



• soup now+6 4If my boss nds out that I havebeen wooing• his wife I will really be in the soup+6 4&othe

has• found out that I have been stealing moneyfrom her• purse and now I/m really in the soup+6• I/m not asking+ I/m telling5• I am not re-uesting you to do something+ I agiving you• a direct order+• I/m perishing+ I/m very hungry I/m almoststarving+• I/m really beat+ 3ery tired exhausted fromworking+• I/m shot !ired out• I/m so grateful+ I am so thankful and full ofgratitude+• I/m soft on you+ I have got a weak spot for y• I/m strapped for cash <hort of money brokenot well7o? poor impoverished+• 4.an you lend me fty Dollars@ I can/t pay mtelephone• bill because I/m strapped for cash+6 4If I hadthe money•

;M;• I would buy your car on the spot but at themoment I/m• afraid that I/m not poorly7o? and strapped fcash+6 4I



• can/t raise a red cent because I am so strapfor cash+6• I/m stumped+ Don/t know the answer can/t

gure it out it/s beyond• me at a loss for an answer confusedbewildered+• 4"rankie doesn/t know what to do to solve tproblem+• He/s stumped6 4I can/t gure out how to )igthe numbers• so that we can show a prot this month+ I Sm• stumped+6 4It/s beyond me how a lovely girllike that• could have married a loser like Harry+ I/mstumped+6• I/m totally cleaned7out+ I have no money I/mbroke I/m out7of7cash I/ve lost• every thing I haven/t a penny to my name

gone• bankrupt+ 4I/ve gone bust I/m totally cleaneout+6• 4<orry I have no money to lend you+ I/m totcleanedout• myself+6 4I wish I could make a donation to t• earth-uake victims but I/m totally cleaned7o

and have• nothing left to give+6 I s-uandered every lasred cent• until I was totally cleaned7out+6• I/m touched+ "eeling emotionally grateful



moved at heart because of • kindness pleasantly surprised by another/sthoughtfulness+•

4I/m touched that a great artist like you woutake• time to encourage a little man like me in mye?orts+6• 4$aren was touched at heart to see herhusband holding• their new baby+6 4<arah was touched when husband• eginald remembered to give her Lowers otheir wedding• anniversary+6 4It was a touching scene to sethree• generations of family members together at aharmonious• family reunion+6• I/m wise to you+ I know your tricks I knowwhat you are up to you cannot• fool me+• I/ve been duped+ <omeone has deceived mefooled me I fell for a false• story I was led to believe an untruth wastaken in by an•

old trick taken in by a ploy taken for a suckled to• believe a falsehood+ 4I believed her when shsaid she• loved me for my goodness and not my mone



but after I• found out that she was a dirty lying gold7digger I reali>ed•

I had been duped+6 4An Amway representati• talked me into believing that I could get richand become• independent by recruiting all my friends toparticipate in• a sales network but after a year of trying Ireali>ed it was• )ust a pyramid scheme and that I had beenduped+6 4!he• committee was duped by an unscrupulousarchitect into• believing that the pro)ect could be completesuccessfully• within one year if they donated another milldollars+6• I/ve been had I have been cheated trickedfooled I believed a liar I• was the victim of an illegal action I fell for tline of a• con man and thief I trusted someone whodeceived me+• ;MJ•

I/ve been in hot water• before+• !his is not the rst time I have been in troub• I/ve been stung5 I have been cheated by aconman5 !his was a setup5



• I/ve got my eye on you+ I have been watchinyou (i* either because I like you or• (ii* because I/m trying to catch you doing

something• wrong++• I/ve got to hand it to you+ I have to give youcredit for your cleverness or decisiveness+• 4I/ve got to hand it to you for the way youstepped• in and solved the problem+6• I/ve got you pegged+ ust as we can peg ananimal with a rope to the ground• so that it has little room in which to move swe can say• we have got a person pegged+ 4I/ve got youpegged as a• fraud because+ I can provide evidence to pryour• claim is untrue+6 4I see through your greedyand evil intentions+• I/ve got you pegged6 4I know that/s what yo• say to all the girls+ Gou can/t fool me+6 I/ve gyou• pegged+6• I/ve got your number+ I have got you gured

out and I know what tricks you are• using+• I/ve had a belly7full+ !hat/s enough of that Ihave had -uite enough+• I/ve had a long day5 Don/t talk to me now ab



any problems+ I am already• stressed enough from the problems I have hthroughout•

the day+ 4• I/ve only got two hands+ .an/t you see that Iam already busy and both my hands• are full@• I/ve seen better days+ I was better o? in thepast things are in decline+• I/ve seen everything• now5• !hat is the most unbelievable bad action I hever• seen5• Ice7breaker <omething to say to break thesilence and get people• talking a warm7up session so every body geac-uainted• a way of getting two strongly opposing side• start thawing out the resentment in theirrelationship+• 4ust as an ice7breaker to get a conversatiostarted I• made a comment about the nice weather+6 4an icebreaker•

the seminar leader got the participants to saa• few words about themselves+6 4In themultilateral talks• delegates from the opposing nations began



negotiations• with a discussion of the mutual benets ofopening up•

cross border trade+6• Icing on the cake <omething extra special ontop of everything else+• Ideal couple !wo people wedded together inperfect marriage which• should serve as a model for others marriagpartners• who serve as an example who are perfectlymatched get• along perfectly appear to be the perfectcouple a husband• and wife team that are the envy of all+ 4ohnand• ackie $ennedy appeared to be the idealcouple until• news about his extra7marital a?airs began tleak7out+6• 4!here can be no such thing as the idealcouple as long• ;MK• as one partner has di?erent wishes than theother+6•

4,hen we rst got married everyone thougand said• that we were the ideal couple but as the yewent by• and we grew in di?erent directions the



foundations of • our marriage became more and more shaky+• If I may take the liberty If you will allow me

T• If you know what/s good• for you +++• Be careful not to do the wrong thing so thatyou/ll cause• yourself harm don/t draw negative attentioyourself • that will get you into trouble avoid causingtrouble and• be careful and stay out of harm/s way becautious and• avoid provoking anyone stay out of trouble your own• good+ 4If you know what/s good for you youwill avoid• having casual sex without using a condom+6you know• what/s good for you you/d better do as youfather• wishes or you will get the licking of your life4If you• know what/s good for you you/d better do a

you have• been ordered or you/ll be charged withdisobeying your• commanding oOcer+6• Ignorance is no excuse



• Imagine that5 ,ow5 ust think of that5 Is sucthing possible@• Imagining things•

Immoderate behavior Actions and deeds thadeviate from the mean excessive• T lacking restraint+• Immodest behavior• Impartial opinion An unbiased neutral opinior view+• Impending disaster Immanent catastrophe+• Impertinent child Insolent cheeky child+ 4Goimpudent little pup5 I have• never seen such an impertinent child in all myears+6 T• Implausible excuse An unlikely and improbaexcuse+• Impose upon Intrude on someone and re-uirsomething+• Impossible task A feat that is too hard toaccomplish• Impulsive action An instinctual action madewithout thinking• In a bind "acing a dilemma situation+• In a blind alley A dead end going nowhere a cul7de7sac no way to•

go further run out of possibilities+ 4After thyears of • intensive research we found that we/d run oof possibilities• and come to a blind alley so we had to give



• trying and were forced to shut the pro)ectdown+6• In a class of your own !here/s nobody like yo

no one can compare with you• you defy categori>ation+ 42o one can play goon the• level of !iger ,oods+ He/s in a class of hisown+6 42obody• can compare with you when it comes to inte• design based on the emptiness of enBuddhism Gou/re• in a class of your own6 4Darling I have neveonce in• my life ever encountered a woman like you+ Gou/re in a• class of your own+6• In a cold sweat• In a double bind• ;MM• In a x In trouble in a diOcult spot in a sticsituation in need• of help to get out of a problem that needsxing in hot• water+ 4I/m in a x because my money has nyet come•

through from the F<A and I need to pay a tpercent• deposit on my rental agreement by the end the day+6• 4I/m in a bit of a x because I have to be in



two places• at once tomorrow night+ .ould you take my to the•

football game while I am at the reception atthe <wedish• embassy@6 4I/m in a x because my car hasbroken• down and I have to be at the dentist/s in thminutes+• .an you lend me your car for about twohours@6• In a Lash of the eye In a second in a momen• In a goldsh bowl #iving in luxury whereeveryone can see and )udge everything• you do+• In a heartbeat In the time it takes for the heto beat once in an instant• in a second right away immediately+ 4ust a

second+• I/ll be with you in a heartbeat+6 4As soon as • touched the door knob within a heartbeat talarm device• went o?+6 4I/d have gone to his aid in aheartbeat if • only I/d known he needed me+6 4<he would

accept• within a heart beat if I asked her to become bride+6• In a )am In a diOcult situation in a problemyou got your self



• into and can/t get yourself out of in a x introuble+• 4I/m in a )am because of cash Low problems

and I need• to borrow a ten thousand until tomorrow+ .ayou help• me out@6 4I/m in a )am because I got mygirlfriend pregnant+• ,e don/t want to get an abortion and we do• know what to do+6 4I/m in a )am because I/msupposed• to take both my wife and my girlfriend to thsame oOce• party and I don/t want them to nd out aboone another+• ,hat would you do if you were in my place@• In a )i?y In )ust a second in a minute+• In a pickle ust as cucumbers are soaked in

vinegar when pickles are• made so a person may nd himself 4in apickle6 so7tospeak• if he nds himself in diOculties that are not• easy to get out of in trouble in a )am in a in so• deep it/s hard to get out in a predicament+

have mistakenly• made two important appointments in twodi?erent• cities at the same time on the same date+ I/got



• myself in a pickle that I don/t know how to gout of+6• 4amison our accountant is in a pickle

because the• evenue Department is starting a tax reviewand the• books don/t -uite balance+6 4I/ll really be in pickle if • there is not enough money in my bank accouto cover• the cost of my monthly xed7expenses+6• In a pinch !ight diOcult situation• In a -uandary .onfused not sure what todo9decide+ I/m in a -uandary• about what to do about T• ;MN• In a rut ust as a cart wheel leaves a rut in adirt road so we TT• In a slump 'oing through a bad period on tdownswing sales• have slowed feeling depressed on a losingstreak can/t• seem to pull out of a low (or a trough*+ 4<aleare in a• slump period at the moment but are expecte

to be on the• upswing as the .hristmas season approache4!he 'iants• have lost three games in a row but they/reexpected



• to pull them selves out of their slump bywinning the• next two home games+6 4Cil prices have bee

dropping• for two weeks but the market is takingregulatory measures• to pull itself out of this slump+6 I/ll have to dsomething• about my emotional slump+ I/ve been feelingreally• down and depressed since mid7term examsand I don/t• -uite know how to pull myself out of it+6• In a sorry state In bad condition in poorcircumstances in a miserable• state of a?airs in bad shape in a sadsituation in a• wretched position+ 4!he city architect

inspected the housing• development after the tenants had departedand found• they had left it in a sorry state+6 4!he nationeconomy• of <omalia nds itself in a sorry state indeed4,hen we•

nally found Fncle %hillip in a slea>y hotelafter a• week of boo>ing without eating properly hewas in a• very sorry state+6



• In a stupor In capable of understanding in ada>e or dream in a• trance or coma unconscious of what is

happening unaware• of what is going7on as if too stupid tocomprehend+• 4,henever I drink three bottles of whiskey • row in one night I nd myself in a stupor fothe next• three days+6 4!he doctor said that the patiewas in a• stupor and unable to understand or answer-uestions+6• 4<omeone who is too stupid to understand mbe said to• be in a stupor+6• In a world of his own• In bad shape• In bad taste• In bits and pieces• In broad daylight Cut in front of everyone soevery one can see+• In cahoots .onspiring together with in leagwith+• In cold blood &ercilessly without pity with

feeling heartlessly• without moral compunction+• In collusion with .onspiring together incahoots with• In compliance with In accordance with+ 4In



compliance with the law all foreigners• must inform the immigration department ofany•

change of address within fourteen days+6• In dog/s ages "or a long time• In donkey/s years "or a long long time+ 4,ehello Donald+ How are• you6 I haven/t seen you in donkey/s years+6 has been• donkeys years since T• ;MP• In dribs and drabs A little bit at a time• In for a surprise• In hiding• In his heyday At the peak of his career andfame+• In hot water ust as one might be about7to7bcooked in a big pot of • hot water and eaten by cannibals so one misay one is• Sin the soup/ so7to7speak in serious troublefacing big• diOculties+ 4I/m in hot water because my wihas reali>ed• that I have been making7love to the

babysitter+6• 4I/m in hot water because I/ve lost the clientpassport• and he needs an exit visa by tomorrow+6 4I/dbetter get



• home before midnight because my &om saidthat I/d be• in hot water if I came in one second after

twelve+6• In hysterics #aughing hysterically+• In )eopardy In danger• In keeping with In accordance with followinthe guidelines of +• In league with In cahoots with in alliance win collusion with+• In line for a promotion Due to be promotedsoon+• In line with "ollowing the guidelines orprovisions of in accordance• with adhering to the accepted way of pract4In line• with the spirit of charity we should always tto help• others when we can+6• In my books In my opinion in my estimationwhat I think+• In my element "eeling at home• In my humble opinion• In no uncertain terms Denitely without-uestion+•

In nothing Lat <uddenly• In on it ,ith a piece of the action in leaguewith part of the• conspiracy+• In one ear and out the



• other• In one fell swoop ust as an eagle swoops dofrom the sky and grabs its•

prey so we can say that something badhappens -uickly• in one fell swoop+ 4He started taking high riin the• stock7market and in one fell swoop all of hassets• suddenly disappeared into thin air+6 4• In pecking order ust as chickens in the rooshave an order in which the• stronger ones peck with their beaks at theweaker ones• so people may be said to be put into peckingorder within• the family group or workforce+ 4,e have apecking order• in our house+ &other rules the roost nextcomes my• father then my two big brothers then myolder sister• and then me+ I am at the bottom of thepecking order+6• 4<ociologists have done research studied to

determine• what factors inLuence the pecking order witsocial• human groups+6 4&rs+ .rabtree runs her oOlike a



• henhouse with a clearly understood peckingorder+ <he• comes rst then her personal aide then th

assistant• ;MQ• manager and then the rest of us in order oseniority+6• In pristine condition #ike new almost perfecspotless immaculate+ 4I want• to sell one of my classic cars namely a 1QNPBen> two• door coupe in pristine condition which looksgood as• new+6 In 'reece they are still digging7upceramic artifacts• which are in pristine condition+6 4At a recenauction• .atherine bought an ancient anti-ue Egypt

necklace• which was in pristine condition+6 4• In -uest of <earching and striving towards+• In so many words In short summary• In someone/s good books A person likes youthinks well of you would depend on• you could trust you would do you a favor o

recommend• you if asked has taken mental note of yourgood• -ualities• In someone/s good



• graces• In the air %ending as yet undecided not yetconcluded+•

In the bag It/s a sure thing5 ,e can/t miss5 ,can/t lose5• In the black &aking a prot• In the blink of an eye In a second in aninstant so -uickly that you almost• don/t see it+• In the bud In the beginning phase+• In the cards According to fate and fortune• In the clear Innocent of all charges free fromdiOculty• In the course of events• In the dark Ignorant of with no knowledge odo not know have no• knowledge about with no answer no ideahidden• knowledge about not informed+ 4esearcheare still in• the dark about how to nd a cure for thisdisease+6 4I• wish I could tell you when the world willdisappear into a• black hole but scientists are )ut as much in

dark as I• am on this sub)ect+6 4!he government ispurposely keeping• the public in the dark concerning evidenceabout



• F"C/s+6• In the doghouse In disgrace in trouble indisfavor out of favor su?ering•

humility for your mistakes until you will beforgiven+• 4I/m in the doghouse now because I forgot tpick up• 2elly for our date+6 4.harlie/s in the doghouwith his• wife because he forgot to give her a3alentine/s gift+6• 4I/ll be in the doghouse with my boss for awhile until I• get this case through the court and nallycollect the outstanding• bill from the client+6• In the driving seat In charge in control incommand be the one who decides• the one who makes the decisions+ 4&y mothis• more strong7willed than my father so when comes to• making family decisions she is in the drivinseat+6• 4Don/t ask me what you should do+ Gou/re th

boss+ Gou• are in the driving seat so you tell me what tdo+6 4I• ;NR• thought we were e-ual partners in this



relationship++ I• don/t see why you are the one who always hto be in•

the driver/s seat+6• In the nal analysis In the end at the end ofthe day the nal result+• In the foreseeable future As far ahead as wecan see or predict into the future+• In the heat of the moment• In the hole In debt• In the hot seat In trouble being blamed and-uestioned+• In the know ,ell7informed due to being closto the source having• secret information insider information beinin the select• few who know something that others do not4If I• had been one of the few in the know that thBaht was• going to decline drastically in value I wouldhave• changed all of my money into F< Dollarsbeforehand+6• 4!hose in the know about matter of nationa

security are• sworn to secrecy not to let outsiders knowwhat they• know+6 4<tock brokers who are in the knowregarding



• secret insider market information can go to if they• use said information for their own prot or

benet+6• In the lap of luxury #iving in a situation ofaYuence with every comfort+• In the limelight In the spotlight the center opositive attention at the• moment+• In the line of duty ,hile doing your )obespecially as a soldier policeman• or reman carrying out the responsibilities your )ob• 4%olicemen are sometimes killed in the line duty+6• In the manner to which I• am accustomed• !he way I am used to living+• In the money Having come into cash sudden• In the next breath In next to no time• In the nick of time• In the %addy wagon In the police van that piup drunks and takes them to• the police station+• In the palm of your hand•

In the pink of health 3ery t and healthy• In the red In debt• In the same boat• In the same breath At one and the same tim• In the spotlight !o be at the center of





• works+6 4%lanning for the new internationalairport is in• the works+6•

In the wrong Against what is right against )ustice guilty• In too deep already !oo deeply involved introuble already+• In touch with $eeping up contact with+• In tow ust a ship may be pulling a barge in tbehind it• soTT++ ,ith someone following behind• In two shakes In two seconds+ T 4 if you canwait two shakes• In your birthday suit <tark naked with noclothes on the way you were born+• In your dotage In your old age in advancedyears when you are getting• dotty+• In your element• In your own back yard• In your own best interest• In your own way !he way you want+• In your right mind 2ot cra>y• Inane comment <tupid remark• Incoherent nonsense•

Incorrigible behavior• Indiscreet -uestion• Indiscreet remark TTT careless thoughtlecomment• Indulge yourself Do something to give yours



a treat give yourself • something you think that you deserve allowyourself to•

en)oy something for your own pleasure+ 4Ithink I/ll indulge• myself and eat another slice of ice creamcake+6• 4<ometimes you should indulge yourself anddo something• good for yourself for a change like bookinginto a• ve star hotel for the weekend+6 4AlthoughBert didn/t• normally drink alcohol he decided to indulghimself • and have a glass of .hampagne+6• Inept attempt• Inexcusable behavior• Infamous character <omeone known for theiimmoral action and bad deeds+• Infect with enthusiasm• Infectious laughter• In7ghting <-uabbling bickering internalstrife T 4In our oOce• there is a lot of in7ghting about who gets

preferential• treatment+6• InLammatory remark A comment that causeanger and outrage+• ;N:



• InLated7opinion of yourself • Inform someone of !o give oOcial notice of notify to let someone know+•

Informed of &eans that someone has informsomeone of something+• 4!he company has been informed of the newtax• regulations by the evenue Department+6 4!sta? has• been informed by management that therewould be no• bonus this year+6 4!he general public has beinformed• by the government that there will be anincrease in 3A!• to ten percent commencing on the rst of anuary+6• Informed sources• Informed that &eans that someone has toldsomeone that something is• the case+ 4!he company has been informedthat there will• be an intensive tax review commencing at thend of the• scal year+6 4•

Inner solitude• Inner7peace• Inopportune moment At an embarrassing orinconvenient moment+• Insatiable appetite An appetite that can nev



be satised never get enough• greedy voracious un-uenchable+• Inscrutable expression Impossible to read o

interpret the look on someone/s• face• Inside )ob• Inside7information• Inside7out (garment* 'arment• Inside7out (book* Backwards and forwardsreally7well by rote memory• Inside7scoop 2ews straight from the originasource the horse/s• mouth+• Insolent attitude Disrespectful cheekyimpudent manner+ 4!eachers who• are too strict cause some pupils to develop ainsolent• attitude+6 4&y psychiatrist says I have an

insolent attitude• because of resentment about the way I wastreated• in my childhood+6 4ack has an insolentattitude towards• the upper classes because he was born in thlower•

classes+6• Insolent remark A rude or disrespectfulcomment rude impudent impertinent• statement+ 4,hat a cheeky little boy you arto



• make such an insolent remark that yourteacher looks like• a hedgehog+6 4Gour insolent remarks and

behavior have• shown you do not know how to behave like ayoung gentleman• so you are being expelled from this school a• result+6 4!he leader of the opposition madethe insolent• remark that the %rime &inister was not evento lead a• Lock of sheep to slaughter+6• InsuOcient evidence T not enough evidencto get a conviction• InsuOcient funds• Intense hatred• Interfere in someone• ;N;• else/s a?airs• Inter)ect a comment• Intervene between• Intestinal fortitude 'uts courage strengthand determination+• In7the7oOng About to begin going to startsoon+•

Intimidate someone• Into thin air Into empty nothingness• Invasion of privacy• Inviting trouble Asking for trouble+• Involved argument .omplicated argument+



• Iron out the wrinkles• Iron out your di?erences• Iron will Fnbending intent•

Iron7clad argument ust as ancient knightsrode iron7clad in their armor into• a T• Irons in the re• Irresistible urge An impulsive desire to havetry something+• Irreverent attitude• It all boils down to In the nal analysis thenal essence at the end of the• day• It boggles the mind• It bombed It was a failure+• It cost me an arm and a• leg+• It was very expensive+• It does no harm to T tryTaskT S!here/s noharm in trying+++ It does no• harm to ask+6• It doesn/t add up+• It doesn/t make common• sense+• It nally crystalli>ed It nally clicked I got t

idea the concept became• clear+• It nally dawned on me+ ust as the dawn ofthe morning takes some time before• the sun has arisen so people sometimes tak



while to• reali>e something they have been trying togure out for•

a while+ 4It nally dawned on me that peoplseemed to• dislike me because I was being too selsh annot thinking• of others+6 4I had been wondering about thecause of • my wife/s dissatisfaction when it nallydawned on me• that I was not showing her enough attention4I couldn/t• remember where my father had said he/dhidden the• money it nally dawned on me that he/d tolme he/d• stu?ed it in his hiking7 boots+6• It isn/t worth the paper• it/s printed on+• A written7promise or vow of little value thatcannot be• trusted a worthless contract or writtenagreement that• has no legal basis or validity a published

premise or theory• that is wrong and invalid+ 4!his rentalagreement• isn/t worth the paper it/s written on thelandlord does



• ;NJ• not have the title7deed to the property+6 4Gopromise is•

not worth the paper it/s written on becauseknow you• cannot be trusted+6 4!he thesis he on politicscience is• not worth the paper it is written on and Itotally disagree• with the basic premises of his argument+6• It serves you right+ !hat/s what you deserveyou/ve got what/s coming to• you you/re getting your own back now youhave to pay• for the wrong you have done+ 4After the waywhich• you treated your wife I/m not surprised thashe has left• you+ It serves you right+6 4Don/t expect anyto pity• you for becoming the victim of your ownexcessive desires+• It serves you right+6 4After the way youneglected• your duty it was to be expected that they

would re you• It serves you right+6• It staggers belief Almost impossible to beliestretches the mind mindboggling• incomprehensible beyond the capacity of



• common understanding overwhelmingunbelievable• incredible astonishing+ 4It staggers belief h

many millions• of children are under7nourished and starvingall• around the world and yet so little is beingdone to remedy• the situation+6 4It stagers belief that somepoliticians• in ,ashington would want to go to war )ust that certain• inLuential people would be able to makemoney by• causing a shortage of oil reserves+6 It staggbelief that• a politician with enough money could buy thsupport of • the ma)ority of members of parliament in orto control• the government to achieve his own ends+6 4staggers• belief how many millions of people have dieworldwide• as a result of genocide in the last sixty year•

It takes all kinds to make• a world+• !he world is made up of many di?erent typeof people+• 4It is C$ to be di?erent+ It takes all kinds of



people to• make a world+6 9999• It takes one to know one•

It takes two to tango ust as it takes two to the dance of the tango so it• takes two to ght if one will not ght theother has no• one to ght with+• It was a Lop+ It was a total failure did notsucceed was not popular• did not attain approval fell on its face+ 4#asseason/s• Broadway play 2ights and Days was anunfortunate• Lop and ran for only thirty7three performancbefore• they had to shut it down+6 4!hey thought ththe movie• about the agony of .hrist would be a total Lat the box• oOce but it made millions and millions allaround the• world and is on its way to becoming a class4Cur• )oint business venture was a Lop because th

people from• my sta? could not get along with your sta? the result• was a nancial disaster+6• It was a Luke+ A stroke of luck that came by



accident something good• ;NK• that happened through coincidence+

4<ometimes an invention• is the result of a Luke in which a chemist istrying• to achieve one result and a totally di?erentone appears• instead+6 4I don/t know how I managed toguess• the correct answer+ It was a Luke+6 4I cannotake credit• for the conceiving the idea+ It )ust popped inmy head• out of no where+ It was a Luke+6• It works for me+• It/s a bree>e+ It/s very easy anybody could dit nothing to it it/s• really simple+ 44Don/t worry+ Gou/ll pass thewritten• part7of the driver/s test+ It/s a bree>e+64<tudents often• and waste spend more time worrying thanstudying only• to discover that if they have attended class

regularly and• done the homework assignments consistentthey nd• the exam to be a bree>e+6 4%eople usuallyworry about



• getting through a )ob interview but if you )urelax and• be yourself and answer candidly you/ll nd

to be a• bree>e+6• It/s a charade Don/t believe what you see itonly make7believe+ It/s• only a show to fool people a false impressioa farce• play7acting+ 4!hey appear to be the idealHollywood• couple but it/s only a charade8 the truth is tshe hates• men and he/s gay+6 4&y life from the outsidemay look • happy to you but I can conde in you thatwhat you see• is only a charade+ Inside I am extremely

tormented and• lonely+6 4!he whole of life is )ust one bigcharade and• we are the players pretending to be somethwe are• not+6• It/s a cinch+ <omething easy to do simple to

accomplish a sure• thing promising to do a thing with no trouba done• deal certain to happen+ 4,e can nish youraudit within



• one week+ 2o problem+ It/s a cinch+6 4I promyou that• I can get the task accomplished+ "or someon

of my skill• level it/s a cinch+6 4!he deal is cinched it wa sure• thing from the beginning+6• It/s a crying shame+• It/s a drag5 It is very boring to have to do anendure+• It/s a drawback+• It/s a mystery to me I cannot understand whhappened+• It/s a setup+• It/s a snap5 It is so easy5 It/s a bree>e5 2othicould be easier as• easy as pie+• It/s a tossup+ 2o one knows whether it will g

one way or the other• like the Lip of a coin it could go any whichway there/s• a fty7fty chance it will go one way or theother way• six of one and half a do>en of the other+ 42oone knows•

which way the election will go+ It/s a tossup+4At the• moment I can/t decide what to do+ I may trafor a• ;NM



• year or I may start college+ It/s a tossup+6 4,can/t decide• which business option to pick+ It/s a tossup

between• long term gain and short term pain+6• It/s about time5• It/s all in your head+ !here/s no truth to thematter you are )ust imagining it• worrying about nothing a twisted distortionreality not• based7on fact fearing fear itself ungroundesuspicion+• 4Don/t start worrying that your husband mabe unfaithful+• I have never been such a loyal husband+ It/sin• your head+6 4Gou may think that the other gin class• don/t like you but it/s all in your head+Everyone adores• you+6 4I know you are afraid of giving yourmarketing• presentation but do not worry+ ,orry neversolved anything+• It/s all in your head+6•

It/s all over now5 !hat/s the end there/s nomore chance+• It/s beginning to )ell+ I/m starting to get theidea to understand see what you• mean to get the picture+



• It/s curtains5 ust as the curtains go down tis the end for me5 T• It/s )ust as well+ It/s probably a good thing it

didn/t happen+• It/s no crime to It is not against the law to T• It/s no hassle+ It is no trouble at all+• It/s no picnic It is not easy no fun• It/s no use crying over• spilt milk+• ust as it is too late to cry one spilt milk so might• say it is too late to• It/s not for me to )udge I cannot be the onewho makes the nal conclusion++ 4I• don/t know enough facts and informationabout the case• so it/s not for me to )udge who is right orwrong+6 4It/s• not for me to )udge what you do in your secrlife in• your own private time+ Cnly you can be the )udge of • that+6 4It/s not for me to )udge whether theAmericans• are the destroyers or the saviors of the worl•

It/s not the end of the• world• Don/t be so disappointed much worse thingcould happen• it/s not as disastrous as you think+ 4Gou/ll ge



over• the loss of your home in the hurricane it/s nthe end of •

the world you can start over again+6 4Beingdisappointed• in your rst love is not the end of the worldeven though• it seems to be at the time it is happening+6• It/s not worth it+ "orget it it/ll cost you morethan its worth not worth the• bother you may lose more than you get it/stoo risky+• 4Don/t pay any attention to his silly remarksand don/t• try to contradict his stupid statements+ It/s )not worth• it+6 4If you complain you/ll be punished so )ust keep• your mouth shut+ It/s not worth it+6 4Don/t -you )ob• and risk your future )ust on a theoreticalmoral principle+• It/s not worth it+6• It/s now or never Act now for later will be tolate+•

It/s six of one and half a• do>en of the other• !here is no di?erence they are the samething one is the• same as the other+



• ;NN• It/s the dregs5 !he worst residue at thebottom of the bottle•

It/s the pits+ !he worst the lowest possible• It/s time to take stock of • the situation+• !he time has come to si>e up and assess tosituation+• It/s your call+ Gou decide tell us what youthink give us your opinion• you make the decision tell us what you thinwe should• do you take the responsibility you give theorder+ 4Gou• have nal authority+ It/s your call+ !ell us whto do• now+6 4,e/ve discussed everyone else/sopinion now• it/s your call+ How do you see the problem@64!he vote• is tied+ It/s the chairman/s call+ He shoulddecide whether• to le for bankruptcy or whether to try torestructure the• company+6•

It/s your funeral5 Gou will be the cause of yoown undoing+• Itch for Have a yearning for have anunsatised desire for something+• Itching for trouble



• Itchy feet !he need to move to other regions• Itchy palm A hand that is greedy for moneyespecially corruption•

money+• • Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• ab in the ribs A poke in the ribs to remind oto be on one/s best behavior+• ack of all trades master• of none• Having worked in every kind of )ob but notbeing epert• on any one+• ammed down one/s• throat• am7packed .rowded to the bursting pointpacked7in7like sardines+• am7session ,hen musicians get together toplay and improvise on• whatever comes into their heads+• aundiced7attitude %essimistic way of seeingcynical view on life skeptical• unenthusiastic )aded+ 4<he has faced so maletdowns•

and tragic events in her life that it/s notsurprising• that she has developed a )aundiced7attitude4Don/t always• show such a )aundiced7attitude or you will



have a• negative inLuence on those around you+64!hey say that•

those who become deeply involved inphilosophy develop• a )aundiced7attitude and become overly7cyn• because metaphysical speculation is alwaysbased on• casting doubt on the views of those who cambefore+6• aws of death ust as one might be in the )awof a crocodile one can• also say one is in the )aws of death+• ;NP• ealousy will get you• nowhere+• !here is no benet in being )ealous+• eering crowd A large gathering of angry

people who are booing and• hissing and shouting disapproval+ 4After thehome team• lost the match on their own turf due to agolden goal• large numbers of spectators rushed down onthe eld•

and formed into a dissatised and )eeringcrowd+6• iggle7about ,iggle waggle shake rattlearound+ 4.ant you keep• still T6



• ilted7bride A bride who was left standing atthe altar+• ittery nerves umpy shaky nerves+•

ockey for position ust as in a horse racecompetitors have to )ockey for• position to see who can be rst and who canget ahead of • whom+• og the mind T+ + prod someone/s memory• ohnny7on7the7spot <omeone who respondsand comes -uickly when needed• who is able to in the right place at the righttime+ T• oin the club+ Are all in the same boat,elcome to the group you/re• not the only one• oking aside 2ow I am not )oking in allseriousness• oyous occasion Happy event• udge a book by its cover Decide based onlyoutward appearance+• udge of character <omeone who has theexperience to si>e people up and• estimate their characters+• udgment day !he day you die your day of

reckoning the day it is decided• whether you go to heaven or hell+ 4Cn )udgment• day 'od will punish you for all your sins andsend you



• to hell where you deserve to be+6• uggle7the7books ust as one )uggle balls in acircus one may be said to•

)uggle the numbers in the accounting books• uggling act ust as a )uggler must keep anumber of balls moving in• the air so we say we are trying to do a )ugglact when• weT• uicy story A sexy story about someone elselove a?air+• umbled7up .luttered disorderly messy+• ump all over me• ump at the chance T at the opportunity• ump down someone/s• throat• eact in an overly aggressive way reply T• ump in at the deep end ust as it/s not he b

way to learn swimming by )umping• in at the deep end of the pool sometimes wsay T• ump on the bandwagon ump into the crowdand )oin the enthusiasm+• ump ship !o -uit the team e?ort (in the samway a sailor might•

leave his ship and crewmates before thevoyage is completed+*• to leave a )ob and change to another compa• to desert the cause or pro)ect and leave theothers to nish



• it on their own+ 4alph )oined our audit teamDecember• but he )umped ship after only ve months

be;NQ• cause the hard work and long hours got to btoo much• for him+6 4After three years with <hell he )umped ship• and went to work for B%+6 4Cliver nanced aplanned• our research pro)ect but after about sevenmonths he• )umped ship and went to live in #ondon withhis ancVe+• ump the gun ust as a runner can start to rubefore the starting gun• goes o? so we may say that we )ump the guif we start• something too early or prematurely+ 4Don/t )ump the gun• and start going cra>y until you have heard mout++ ust• sit down and listen for a minute and I/ll telyou why• things went wrong+6•

ump to conclusions T++ T+)ump to falseconclusions• ump7start ust as we can )ump7start a carusing cables from an auxiliary• battery so we may say we are T



• ury is out ust a s defendant must wait untithe )ury decides and• makes a verdict so we can say that the )ury

out when• we are waiting for a decision to come fromsomeone• somewhere or some authority+• ust as I expected As I thought would happe• ust as well• ust between you and me If I may tell you asecret that should remain between the• two of us T• ust business T 4Don/t take it personally+ It )ust business+6• ust complaining won/t• get you anywhere+• &erely complaining can do more harm thangood and• certainly won/t solve the problem+ 4ustcomplaining• won/t get you anywhere if you don/t make ae?ort to• make things better+6• ust desert 'etting what you deserve for whyou have done )ustice•

T• ust for a lark Do something cheeky or naug )ust for a laugh )ust for• the fun of it )ust for the hell of it+ 4T %ullsome trick



• ust for the record• ust in the nick of time At the very last mompossible+ 4Gou/ve arrived )ust in•

the nick of time+ Cne second later and it wohave been• too late+6• ust in time 7 I! A business expression thatmeans not keeping a warehouse• full of stock but ordering the merchandi>e fran• outside supplier )ust in time to meet a delivedate+• ust kidding Cnly )oking don/t take it seriouonly pulling your leg• ust punishment !he punishment one deservunder the balance of the• law+• ust reward ,hat you deserve )ust the

payback that you merit+• ust say the word ,henever you are ready )tell me+ I/ll be reary for• action+• ust so 2ot so good and not so bad+• ust the thing5 Exactly what is re-uired• ust what the doctor or7 !his idiom has noth

directly to do with what an actual• ;PR• dered5 doctor might order a patient to take do but means• guratively exactly what a person needs at



the moment• )ust what is re-uired something to solve orcure the•

problem+ 4!his new photo software package )ust what• the doctor ordered+ It/s exactly what I need resi>e and• retouch my pictures+6 4I don/t know how youguessed• but your gift is )ust what the doctor orderedhave been• meaning to buy myself a new electric eyelascurler for• weeks+6 4!his satellite disk is exactly what tdoctor• ordered because where I live up country it impossible• to get normal !3 reception+6• ust you wait5 I/ll get even with you sooner olater5• ustiable argument• uvenile delin-uent <omeone under age whobreaks the law or gets into trouble+• $ • Idioms and expressions Denitions followed

examples• $angaroo court A group of self7appointed comembers set up hastily• to )udge and punish+• $eel over ust as a sailboat may roll over in



storm and the Loat• with its keel up so a person may be said tofaint and keel•

over because of surprise or shockT+ "all andfaint• $een observer• $eep a civil tongue in• your head• <peak politely with good manners the waysociety expects• you to don/t swear and use bad words andinsulting• language+• $eep a secret Don/t tell anybody• $eep a straight face !ry not to break out intlaughter in an inappropriate• place or situation keep control of your faciafeatures so• no one will see you are amused don/t laughanyone/s• face to show you think they look silly orridiculous+• $eep abreast of <tay up7to7date keep well7informed continue to follow• new developments news facts and researc

learn about• any changes in the area of interest+ 4,edepend on using• the latest technology so we have to keepabreast of any



• new developments in our area of research+6&edical doctors• have to keep abreast of any new medicines

treatments• so they will be able to give the best advice ttheir• patients+6 4I/m not sure of the outcome but are following• the development of the situation and trying • keep abreast of the situation+6 4,hen I heaanything• new I/ll keep you abreast of the state ofa?airs+6• $eep an eye on someone ,atch someone tosee what he does+• $eep an eye out for Be on the lookout for seif you can nd if you notice• ;P1• T• $eep astride of $eep up7to7date keep abreaof• $eep in check estrain• $eep in step with the• times• $eep up7to7date•

$eep in touch+ emain in contact+• $eep it brief+ T short and to the point• $eep it to yourself+ Don/t tell this to anyone• $eep it under your hat+ $eep it a secret+• $eep me posted+ $eep me up to date let me



know what is going on+• $eep mum+ $eep it -uiet+ Don/t say anythinganybody+•

$eep on plugging+ Don/t stop trying your be• $eep one/s cards close to• one/s chest• ust as card player keeps his cards close to hchest so• no one can see what cards he is holding so• $eep out of my way Don/t try to hinder me oget in my way if you know• what is good for you+• $eep out of sight Do not let yourself be seenlie low• $eep pace with $eep up with keep abreast • $eep plodding on+ $eep going despite thedrudgery• $eep -uiet5 <top talking and don/t say

anything more+• $eep someone at a distance• Be careful with him don/t trust him too mucdon/t let• him get close enough to you to do you anyharm don/t• get too intimate with him you never know

what he might• do+ 4$eep that fellow at a distance don/t lethim get• close enough to you to hurt you+6 Don/t letthat fellow



• get to close to you he might abuse yourtrust+6 4!hat• chap is manipulative+ He uses people to

achieve his own• ends+ $eep him at a distance6• $eep someone at7armslength• $eep your distance from a person because othe possible• harm or negative e?ect he could cause• $eep tabs on someone ,atch and observewhat someone says and does• $eep the faith Don/t give up condence in thstruggle keep on ghting• for what you believe in+• $eep track of "ollow the progress anddevelopment of• $eep up the good work+ .ontinue doing thesame kind of good work• $eep up with the times <tay up7to7date+• $eep your balance &aintain e-uilibrium keean even keel keep cool• don/t go overboard+• $eep your chin up+ Don/t let your chin hangdown in discouragement keep• your chin and your pecker up+•

$eep your end of the bargain• Be true to your promise keep your word• $eep your eyes peeled• for• $eep an eye out for watch for be on the



lookout for see• if you can nd keep searching for+• $eep your ngers•

crossed• .ross your middle and index ngers as a sigthat you• hope that this superstition will bring you lucthat everything• will turn out as you hoped hope the worstdoesn/t• ;P:• happen• $eep your hands o? me5 Don/t touch meespecially in an intimate friendly manner• don/t lay a hand on me with sexual intentiondon/t• lay a nger on me because I detest the veryidea of you• touching me+ 4$eep your hands o? me youdirty old• man5 I/m as pure as the driven snow and Iintend to stay• that way+6 4$eep your hands o? me+ I/m notgay and you• make me feel uncomfortable when you touc

me that• way+6• $eep your hands to yourself5• Don/t touch me in a way that I do not want tbe



• touched particularly sexually+• $eep your mouth shut+ $eep it secret don/ttell anybody about a certain fact•

don/t tell anybody what you know don/t ratme keep• the topic to yourself don/t talk about it donbe a stoolpigeon• don/t be a s-uealer+• $eep your nose clean+ Don/t cause any moretrouble don/t do anything else to• draw negative attention and get yourself intdiOculties• behave better than you have in the past so one notices• you+ 4As your guidance counselor I wouldadvise you to• try not to repeat any of the mistakes of thepast and to• keep your nose clean so that you don/t getinto any more• trouble from now on+6• $eep your options open• $eep your paws o? me+ Don/t put your handon me+ Don/t touch me sexually• keep your paws o? of me56 999 999•

$eep your pecker up+ Don/t hang your headdown in despair look cheerful• hold your chin and nose up in the air and dolet the• world know that you care 4Don/t allow yours



become• depressed+ Hold your head high and keep yopecker•

up+6 4Always keep your pecker up and nevelet people• see when you are discouraged+6• $eep your slate clean Don/t let anything badget on your record+• $eep your sox on Don/t be in such a hurry toact slow down take some• time to think before you )ump in and react inan emotional• state and do something you/ll regret later+ Aman/s• got to do what he/s got to do but he shouldstop and• ponder what the result will be+ !he rightmoment will• come so restrain your self now+ 4$eep you son+• !here/s no reason to get angry and fall into rage until• you nd out what has actually happened+6!here/s time• to wait and see before you have to )ump into

the struggle+• $eep your sox on until you know the facts+6• $eep your temper Don/t become angry andlose control of yourself remain• controlled with out getting upset+



• $eeping abreast <taying up7to7date having very latest information++• $eeping your head above•

water• ust barely making a prot but earning enouto live on+• $eeping7up appearances Attempting to makan impression that things are con;P;• tinuing to go well for you when actually theopposite is• true+• $ept under wraps ust as a package is wrappin paper so a secret can be• kept under cover kept condential ready tobe revealed• when the right time comes+• $ey to success <ecret of becoming successfuthe main thingT+formula• $eyed7up Excited eager with anticipationemotional worked7up+• $ick an idea around• $ick in the face An un)ustiable action meanto harm you a hurtful• criticism directed against you even though yfeel you•

don/t deserve it an unexpected blow to youpride+ 4After• what you said to my sister I/m warning you keep• out of our neighborhood or I/ll literally kick



you in the• face+6 4Hollywood actress !ina &ina took ireal kick •

in the face when the lm critics wrote that hperformance• in !he 'reat 'oddess lacked vivacity and life4I• thought it was a real kick in the face that I wpassed• over for promotion to partner after so manyyears of • faithful service to the rm+6 4,hen 3era heathat• <erge had said that she was not exactly thegirl of his• dreams she took it as a real kick in the teet• $ick in the pants #iterally a kick in the ass kick in the backside the• bottom (seat of the trousers* as a punishmefor having• done something bad9stupid guratively anaction performed• to punish you for a willfully wrong action apublic• chastisement or penalty imposed to teach y

a lesson+• 4"ather said he would literally give me a kiin• the seat of the pants if he ever caught meclimbing telephone



• poles again+6 4!he foreman said he would gme• a kick in the pants the next time he caught m

dreaming• on the )ob+6 4I thought it was a real kick in tpants the• way the chief engineer pointed the nger ofblame at me• for the breakdown of the assembly line+6• $ick in the shins A kick under the table to leyou know you are doing or• saying something wrong+• $ick in the teeth Being attacked instead ofsupported getting undeserved• T• $ick start ust as we kick start a motorcycle turn over the engine• or kick start a dead battery by using )umper

cables so• $ick the bucket Die• $ick the habit 'ive up an addiction stop doa harmful practice -uit• smoking drinking taking drugs lying bitinyourngernails• etc+ renounce a customary bad habit9action•

4I used to smoke three packs of cigarettes aday but now• I/ve kicked the habit+6 4"ather drank an awflot when• he was young but after he got married he



kicked the• habit+6 4&y younger sister was a drug7user high•

school but after some social counseling shemanaged to• ;PJ• kick the habit+6 4&ark !wain used to swear acurse• around the house and his wife triedunsuccessfully to get• him to kick the habit+6• $ick up your heels5• $ickback Illegal commission or percentagebribe under the table• illegal money+• $icked upstairs• $icking around an idea .onsideringcontemplating• $icko? ust as a football game begins wit akicko? so we may• say a pro)ect or business venture starts upwith a kicko? • to launch the pro)ect to get attention+• $ick7up a stink $ick up a rumpus kick up afuss•

$id gloves Handle someone carefully andgently so as not to hurt his• feelings or upset him in any way handle asthough with• kid leather (lamb skin* gloves



• $ill two birds with one• stone• <olve two problems with one action•

$illing time $eeping yourself busy doingsomething to keep from• being bored while you have to wait• $ill)oy ,et blanket party pooper someonewho wants to spoil• the fun for others+• $indred spirit <omeone who feels exactly thsame way you do+• $inky behavior Acting in a sexually7weird orabnormal manner+• $iss o?5 'et out of here5 4$iss o? is probab )ust a polite way of • saying S%iss o?/ which means 4'o away+6• $iss your money goodbye5• Gou/ll never get your money back • $ith and kin "amily and relatives nearest andearest+• $nick nacks <mall ornaments and souvenirs display on a table or• shelf+• $nife in the back • $night in shining armor A man who comes to

the rescue of a woman in distress• $nit7picker <omeone too attentive to smalldetails• $nock around together un around togetherfriends pals hang7out together



• have a good time together sometimes evengetting into• trouble+ 4,hen we were )ust children o and

used to• knock around together climbing fences andplaying cops• and robbers but after he went o? to study Harvard I• didn/t see much of him anymore+6 4.olin anused to• knock around together when we wereteenagers+ 2ow he• is in )ail and I am a policeman+6 4After Igraduated from• college I started to knock around togetherwith a fast• loose crowd and lost my sense of self7contrfor a• while+6• $nock it o?5 <top your complaining stop whyou are doing that/s• enough now -uit it• $nock on the noggin A bang or hit on the hethat stuns you and makes you a• bit stunned and stupid+•

;PK• $nock on wood A gesture showing that youhope for luck• $nock the stuOng out of ust as one mightknock the stuOng out of a doll so one



• might warn another that one intends to knothe stuOng• out of him+•

$nock your sox o? .ause an extremely stronreaction have a powerful• ama>ing e?ect so that its power could literareach to• your extremities and blow your sox o?electrifying very• surprising knock you for a loop+ 4If you takedrink of • 'randpa/s home7 brewed whiskey it/ll knockyour sox• o?+6 !he advanced technology of the newelectronic system• is so ama>ing that it will knock your socks o• 4!he unexpected sad and tragic news was sastonishing• that it almost knocked my socks o?+6• $nocked7out cold ust as a boxer T• $nocked7up %regnant before marriagepregnant from having sex with• a boyfriend or casual sexual partner expectan unexpected• child out of wedlock+ 4.harlie knocked7up

<heila• when they were both )ust eighteen so he hato marry• her but their families took care of the childwhile the



• .harlie and <helia attended college+6 4.herhas gone• and got herself knocked7up and she doesn/t

even know• who the father might be+6 4I got knocked7upwhen I was• )ust sixteen and had to leave school and thefell in with• the wrong crowd and started taking drugsand now I/m• a )unkie+6• $nocking your head• against the wall• $eep persisting even when you know youcannot succeed+• $now a thing or two !he opposite of beingstupid is to know a thing or two+• $now it all <omeone who always thinks he/s

right and knows all the• answers+• $now it backwards $now something inside7oand completely from backto7• front+• $now nothing <omebody who thinks he knoweverything when actually•

he knows nothing at all+• $now the ropes $now one/s way around fromexperience• $now when to -uit Be aware of when it is timto stop+



• $now where you stand Be aware of yoursituation• $now which end is up•

$now which side your• bread is buttered on• Be aware of who you depend on nancially+• $now your place emain aware of your (lowsocial station and do not• speak or act as if you were more importantthan that perform• your function on the social level in which yond• yourself and keep in the background+ 4As amaid servant• in the Duke/s household I was taught to knomy place• and not speak unless spoken to+6 4.hildrenshould know• their place in the family hierarchy and not stor act or• speak out of line+6 4A man who knows his plwill not• ;PM• pretend to be more than he is+6• $now your stu? Be competent in your eld+•

$now your way around ,ell7experienced in tarea not only in the neighborhood• but in life+• $now7nothing An ignorant person+ Cne whodoesn/t know anything but



• pretends to know everything is called a knownothing+6• 999 999•

$nuckle7down Apply yourself get down7to7work to get the )ob nished+• $nuckle7under 'ive7in and succumb to the wof another do what you• are told obey without -uestion follow orde• $owtow to someone Bow down in obeisanceaccording to custom+ 4ust as in• past history the people had to go down on afours on• the ground and prostrate themselves beforeemperor• or ruler we sometimes say now that werefuse to kowtow• to the wishes of someone or somebody whowants to• feel that he is above us+6 4I/ll kowtow to noman in this• world because I believe strongly that all peoshould be• treated as e-ual+6 4!he rst representative the English• crown to appear before the emperor of .hin

was asked• to kowtow to as a sign of respect whichcaused him to• feel disturbing conLict of cultural of values+• #



• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• #abor of love <omething that you do becaus

you love doing it+ 999 999• 4,riting this dictionary of idioms is a labor love I do• it because I en)oy working with language+6• #abor under the illusion• that• Be under the false impression that• #aborious task A lot of hard work and e?ort• #abor7the7point $eep talking on7and7on abothe same matter or point• #ack of funds• #ack of understanding• #adder of success• #ady luck .hance fortune fate 4,e/ll haveleave ,e/ll have to• leave it up to lady luck whether we fail or no• #ady/s man A man who likes the ladies andthey like him+• #ady7killer A handsome charming man whomall the women adore• and will do anything for no matter how badlhe treats•

them+6 4,hen I was in my thirties I was a rladykiller+• I wanted to try them all and let the pieces fa• where they may+6 4Be a little cautious whenyou meet



• #illy/s brother+ He/s a real lady7killer and wilhave you• eating out of his hand before you know it+6

4!hey say• ;PN• that #ord Byron was a real lady7killer who hasexual• relations with more than a hundred womenboth of the• upper and lower classes during the course oone visit to• 3enice+6• #ag behind Drop back trail behind fall backhang back linger• #aid back elaxed easy7going calm cool+• #aid to rest (gurative* ust as a human bodmay be dead and buried in the• ground so an argument or disagreement ma

be nally• settled and laid to rest+• #aid7o? &ade redundant• #ame excuse A poor or weak excuse that noone will believe+• #ame7duck ust as a duck with an in)ured focannot walk very•

well so a politician with only a short time lein oOce (a• lame duck* cannot function very well+ 4At thend of his• term %resident .linton was unable to push



through some• items of legislation because people knew hewas a lame•

duck and were waiting to see who would berunning the• new government+6 4Even when a politicianknows that he• has become a lame7duck and that his poweare diminishing• day by day he should still try his utmost toserve• the people+6 4!here/s little sense in planninnew pro)ects• when you are a lame duck politician becausthe• next government will probably cancel themanyway+6• #and on your feet• #ap it up ust a cat laps up milk from a dishwith its tongue• #ap of luxury #iving in a condition or positioof luxury+ 4I always• wanted to live in the lap of luxury but eventhough I• have everything I want I do not have what I

really need+6• #apse of memory <lip of the mind• #arger than life• #ash7into someone Attack verbally withcriticism



• #ash7out7at someone Attack with harsh word• #ast breath !he moment of death+• #ast chance "inal opportunity•

#ast ditch attempt Cne last desperate trybefore giving up digging in and• trying to hold your ground (as in a foxhole otrench in• battle* before having to retreat+ 4Although mchances• look bad I/m make one more concentratedlast ditch attempt• to save the company from bankruptcy+6+6 4Igoing• to make one last ditch attempt to pass the .exams• and if I fail I/ll have to be satised with anormal• accounting )ob+6• #ast for a lifetime• #ast laugh 4Gou think you/re funny do you@,ell let/s )ust wait• and see who gets the last laugh+6 4He wholaughs last• laughs best+6 4HeTlast laugh is on me+6• #ast of the lot !he nal item in the list•

#ast remnant "inal vestige• ;PP• #ast resort #ast chance only hope nalattempt• #ast resting place Burial ground+



• #ast straw #iterally the nal straw that madthe load so heavy that• it broke the camel/s back guratively the

T that• causes you to lose your T• #ast words !he nal words spoken beforedeath+• #asting impression #asting e?ect• #ast7minute decision A -uick unexpecteddecision prior to the act+• #atch onto 'et your hands on grab get in ygrasp+• #atchkey child A kid with a key around his nto open the door when• he goes home because his mother is outworking+• #ate bloomer ust as some Lowers bloom latthan others so some• young people take longer than others todevelop+• #ate7comer A person who has recently arriveon the scene+• #audable e?ort %raiseworthy attemptadmirable action commendable• endeavor+•

#augh it o? ust try to laugh and forget abouit+• #augh yourself silly !hink something is sofunny that you laugh until you are• weak in the brain+



• #aughing in the aisles olling with laughterhysterical with laughter in hysterics• #aughing stock A person who is a sub)ect of

ridicule at whom everyone• is laughing+• #aughing up your sleeve• #ax attitude 2ot strict relaxed about followregulations+• #ay down and die uit give7up stopstruggling• #ay down the law• #ay into <tart scolding and telling someone • #ay it on the line !ell someone exactly whatyou thinkTTTin no uncertain• terms• #ay it on thick %raise someone so highly thalisteners know it is overexaggerated+• #ay low for a while $eep out of sight• #ay o? workers 'ive notice to workers that yhave to terminate them• due to nancial factors+• #ay your cards on the• table+• !ell everything exactly the way it is speakopenly tell•

all you know tell the truth be candid explayour situation• without hiding anything• #ay your life on the line+ isk you life for acause or in the line of duty+



• #ay7o? <top doing that stop picking on thatgo easy on me+• 4<top harping at he+ #ay o?5 .an/t you see I

got the• point@ 999 999• #a>y bones <omeone who is too la>y to get uand move his bones to• do something+• #ead around by the nose• #ead someone astray #ead them down a falspath lying to get you to believe• ;PQ• the wrong thing+• #ead someone on $eep telling someone a liestringing them a line to deceive• him and make him have false hopes andcontinue• believing• #ead someone up the• wrong path• T T garden path• #ead the way 'o rst so the others can follo• #ead time A period of time in advance in whto become prepared• for the deadline or end of the pro)ect•

#ead to disaster Doing something that willhave a catastrophic e?ect+• #eading -uestion A -uestion that put theanswerer in a diOcult position if • he tries to answer a -uestion that seem to



putting• words in your mouth+• #eading up to Beating around the bush and

hesitating before you nally• come to the main point• #eak to the press TTTTT++ #eak informatio• #ean on him a little bit %ut the pressure onsomeone to do something use inLuence• to threaten someone to do something bullypush• or compel someone to do it your way put hiunder• stress force him into action+ 4&y little broth%ip• wanted to tell our &om that we were the onwho stole• her grocery money but after I had bullied anleaned on• him a bit he was afraid to speak up and hekept his• mouth shut+6 4.ard <hark .harlie was notpaying7o? his• debts so the mob had some local thugs leanon him a bit• and he coughed up the money immediately+6

4!he ."C• is hesitant to record the accounts the way whave suggested• but if we lean on him a bit and threaten to hhis



• children I/m sure he/ll go along with the pla• #ean over backwards Do everything possibleoblige somebody try your utmost•

to fulll someone/s wishes do all you can toplease• someone+ 4Darling when we are married I wlean over• backwards do everything within my power ttry to fulll• your every wish+6 4Cur team of engineers isleaning over• backwards and making every e?ort andcompromise so• that we can meet your demands+6 4!opmanagement in• ve star hotels tries to impress on all sta?members that• they should lean over backwards to try to fu

a guest/s• every desire+6• #ean times Hard times when little money orfood is availableT• skimp• #eap into the abyss !ake a blind chance leainto the dark emptiness of •

nothingness+• #eaps and bounds 'oing ahead very -uicklygreat strides at a fast rate+• 4!he pro)ect is going great guns by leaps abounds



• )umping from one stage to another+6• #earn a lesson from• #earn by rote &emori>e word7for7word com

to memory• ;QR• #earn the ropes ust as a young sailor has tolearn the ropes so a young• person in a new )ob may be said to have tolearn the• ropes+• #earned my lesson• #eave a bad taste• #eave for good Depart forever and never coback+• #eave in a lurch Depart suddenly abandon• #eave it to chance #et luck decide• #eave me alone Don/t bother me don/t pestme don/t bug me don/t• pick on me )ust let me stay by myself+ 4• #eave no stone unturned #ook and search veclosely absolutely everywhere+• #eave things hanging• #eave things up in the air• #eaves a lot to be desired "ar from perfect• #eech o? someone•

#eft holding the bag• #eft in the lurch Deserted by someone and lto fend for yourself • #eft on your own• #eft out in the cold Excluded



• #eft to your own devices #eft alone with no to help you so you have to help• yourself+•

#eft7handed compliment Indirect T• #eg pull !elling someone something untrue tget a reaction and• then admitting that you are )ust pulling a )oon them• T 4Don/t get upset when your sister says yoare the• ugliest member in the family she/s )ust pullyour• leg+6 4T• #egend in his own time• #egitimate excuse 3alid )ustication forabsence or non7performance good• reason or explanation for what went wrong+• #eisure time "ree time T 4,hat do you do i

your leisure time to• relax and en)oy yourself@6• #end a hand Help someone do something• #engthy stay <tay for a long time in aparticular place+ 4Every year in• December she goes to &onaco on the "renciviera•

and en)oys a lengthy stay in the comfortable&editerranean• climate until the beginning of April+6 999 999• #enient punishment #et o? easy+ 4!he )udgesaid that because !immy was



• underage and a rst o?ender the court wouley him o? • easy this time+6•

#esser7of7two7evils !he better of two badchoices+• #et bygones be bygones "orgive and forgetwhat happened in the past don/t hang• on to resentment from former times let go bad memories• don/t dwell on old in)uries 4"orgive yourmother• for abandoning you when you were )ust a ch#et bygones• be bygones+6 4!here/s no sense in holdingonto• old grudges+ #et bygones be bygones+6 4%lepardon• ;Q1• me for the mistakes of my youth and let/s lebygones be• bygones+6 4Cld enemies should overlook thehappenings• of the past and become friends for the futur• #et down your guard• #et down your hair ust as a woman can let

down her hair and loosen up• once she is at home and relaxed so• #et it be+ Accept things as they are forget itlet it ride+• #et it go+ Don/t hang on to anything that



worries you+• #et it rest+ Dead and buried in a cemetery• #et it ride+ Don/t get upset )ust let pass and

let it go+• #et it slide #et it go and forget about it let islide into the past and• don/t worry about it+• #et it slip eveal a secret unintentionally+• #et loose against someone• elease all one/s emotion and anger directetowards T• #et me in on it+ <hare the secret or the newswith me I want to know too• #et me look into it+ #et me check let me looto see and conrm+• #et me ponder on that a• while+• Allow me some time to think and consider th

matter+• #et me see T Allow me to think a moment+• #et nature take its course+ ,ait and see whahappens in the course of events+• #et o? steam elease pent7up pressure andemotion by T• #et o? the hook ust as a sh can be let o? t

hook so a person in trouble• may be said to be let o? the hook if hesomehow escapes• punishment+• #et out on a long leash ust as a dog may be



out onTTT+• #et sleeping dogs lie+ Don/t stir up oldforgotten troubles+•

#et someone in on a secret• <hare a secret with someone who does not yknow it+• #et the cat out of the bag eveal a secret• #et the dust settle+ ,ait until the crisis passand things settle down+• #et your hair down+ elax and behave natura• #et yourself go elax so you are fee of all yotensions ease up and follow• your feelings+• #et/s all chip7in #et/s all throw in some moneto share expenses towards• a good cause+• #et/s all pitch7in and help #et/s all )oin7in anlend a hand• #et/s blow this )oint #et/s get out of here awfrom this place let/s split+• #et/s do it5 #et/s not hesitate let/s decide ado it now5• #et/s drop it+ C$@ .hange the sub)ect and taabout something else+• #et/s face it5 ,e must accept the facts the w

they are+• #et/s get something• straight• &ake it clear be sure you understand• #et/s )ust forget it Don/t dwell on it it/s not



important let/s drop it+• #et/s leave it at that+• #et/s let bygones be bygones•

"orgive and forget what has happened in thpast+• ;Q:• #et/s level with one another+• !alk true and tell all be honest and T• #et/s put some teeth into• it+• #et/s impose a penalty to make the punishmharsher+• 4<tudent/s were not following the ruleregarding consumption• of alcohol in the dorms so the university pu• some teeth into the restriction and anyonecaught with• alcohol in his room had to vacate the buildin

immediately+6• 4<ome sta? members were not attendingmandatory• English classes so the company resolved toput• some teeth into it and deduct :RRR Baht froeach participant•

who did not turn up for at least PR^ of the• classes+6 4In the past clients who defaultedloan repayments• had to pay R+1^ interest per annum onoutstanding



• amounts+ ,hy not put some teeth into it and• raise the rate to :R^@6• #et/s swap #et/s trade you give me yours an

give you mine+• #et/s wing it5 #et/s talk our way out of it bysaying what ever comes to• mind+• #ethargic person #acking energy la>y7mindeindolent unenthusiastic• languid+ 4T• #evel best Doing the best you can )ust fairand level right and• true+ 4Don/t shout at me like that5 .an/t yousee I/m trying• my level best to do the )ob properly@6 4!hanfor• voting me into oOce+ I/ll try as hard as I cando my• level best to fulll my re-uired duties+6 499• #evel the playing eld 'ive the opposing sida fair chance and e-ual opportunity• remove any obstacles that would give one san• unfair advantage in competition (as on a spoplaying•

eld*+ 4In union and management negotiatiothere• should be a level playing eld so that unionmembers• have an e-ual chance to debate Issues again



management+6• 4#et/s allow a level playing eld which willallow•

every citi>en rich or poor to have an e-ualopportunity• to a fair and impartial trial in court+6 4!heplaying• eld must always be exactly on the level toavoid one• side being at the disadvantage of ghting auphill battle+6• #evel with me+ !ell me the truth confess tome tell me what really happened+• 4 He had to level with someone about his guso• he leveled with me• #evel7headed .alm and even7balanced+• #ick your lips• #ick your wounds• #ie awake nights Have trouble going to sleebecause you are lying awake• thinking about things+• #ie down and die• #ie in wait• #ife or death situation•

;Q;• #ife/s like that+ !hat is )ust the way life is ohas to accept it+• #ife7of7the7party #ive7wire T• #ight at the end of the



• tunnel• Hope in the midst of despair that things willturn out in•

the end• #ight years away ust as a distant star orplanet may be light years away so• we may say Tpl• #ighten the burden !o make the task easier+• #ighten7up !ake it easy relax cool down dobe so serious• #ight7ngered &eans someone who steals+• #ike a bolt out of the• blue• ust like unexpected lightening Lashing out the blue• sky+• #ike a sh out of water #ike a person out of element or natural condition+• #ike a house on re 3ery7well extremely7wevery rapidly -uickly progressing• intensely+ 4Cur two adopted children have g• on like a house on re since the moment thmet+6• 4Cur love relationship is developing like ahouse on re•

and getting stronger and stronger by themoment+6 4&y• business started o? slowly but then grew likhouse on• re so that now it/s expanding so fast it/s



getting to be• more than I can handle+6• #ike a shot Immediately very -uickly

unexpectedly fast+ 4,hen I• told him I would deduct his pay if he did notcome immediately• he was here like a shot+ 4 Tlike a shot out o• hell• #ike a ton of bricks As when somethingunexpectedly comes down on you• and hits you with enormous force• #ike attracts like %eople with the sameinterests are attracted to one another• and become friends+• #ike it or lump it Be satised with what you/got because that/s all• you/re going to get if you don/t like it that/your own• tough luck if you are unhappy with what yolife o?ers• then you/ll still have to grin and bear it X likeor lump• it+ 4!hat/s the best o?er you/ll get+ #ike it orlump it+6• !hat/s all the money I Sm going to lend you+

#ike it or• lump it+6 4Gou/ve got to play the cards you/vbeen• dealt+ #ike it or lump it+6• #ike it or not ,hether you like it or you do n



like it• #ike nobody/s business 3ery fast• #ike oil and water Do not mix•

#ike the back of my hand As well as I couldknow anything• #ike water o? a duck/s• back • Impervious to water Lows o? the surfacewithout sinking• into the feathers+ T• #ikely story5 !hat is a hard story to believe5 sounds like you are lying+• #ike7minded %eople who think and feel thesame way+• #ily7livered .owardly faint7hearted timidgutless+• #ily7white %ure white and innocent+• #ine of least resistance• ;QJ• #ine up against• #ine your pockets !ake money illegally toenrich yourself• #inger a while <tay and remain hesitate andhang around for a while+• #ink7up .onnect with•

#ion/s den ust as one would be afraid to gointo the lion/s cave or• den so we sometimes sat we are afraid to ginto the oOce• or room of someone we are afraid of+



• #ion/s share ust as the male lion gets most the share of the prey so• #ittle likelihood !hat is very unlikely almost

impossible littl• #ittle wonder5 It/s not surprising5• #ive and kicking ust as a babyT• #ive and learn+• #ive and let live #ive the way you like and alothers to live the way• they want learn to accept that not everybodwants the• same things as you do be tolerant of others• #ive by one/s wits• #ive high on the hog ust as the best cuts ofpork meat come from the upper• body7 parts of the pig someone who lives hon the• hog receives only the best and most expens

4<impson• was living very high on the hog and not payiattention• to his expenses and before he knew it moshis• money was gone+6 4#iving too high on the hcauses•

gout cirrhosis of the liver and coronary headisease+6• 4!he best way to learn that living high on thhog is• rather too excessive is to try it for a while+6



• #ive in an ivory tower• #ive it up Have a good time really en)oy youlife have a ball•

#ive wire <omeone who is vibrant and full ofenergy and the center• of activity+ 4He/s a real live wire the life of tparty+6• #ivid with anger %urple7in7the7face with ang• #iving a lie %retending to be and do somethithat is not true+• #iving legend A myth or legend in his own tiperiod+• #iving on a shoestring Existing on almostnothing with very little money+• #iving on borrowed time About to die soonhaving lived7out his life expectancy+• 4As I write this line I am already living onborrowed• time+6• #oads and loads of • money• &eans that a person is very rich has a lot ofmoney as• though he were weighed down with cash coor precious•

metals like a load of gold he/s rich and hedoesn/t• mind showing it or spending it maybe therea way can• to get some of his money+



• #oang7around #ying around taking it easybeing la>y idling the time• away+•

#ock horns with ust as two bull may lock hoin a ght so• #ock the door and throw• away the key• %ut someone in )ail forever+• #odge a complaint Express a grievance• ;QK• #oitering around Hanging around doingnothing+• #ong arm of the law !he combined forces of the police networks+• #ong memory !his means guratively that aperson remembers a• grudge for a long time and does not forgiveand forget+• 4It is a well7known fact that an elephant haslong memory• and never forgets someone who has treatedhim• badly+6• #ong range plans "ar reaching plans for thefuture+•

#ong shot A bet or risk that has little chancesuccess a T try• #ong since gone 2o longer here and gone fowhile• #ong so)ourn A long time spent in one place



long stay rest stop• #ong time no see+ I have not seen you in a lotime+•

#ong7awaited• #ong7drawn7out• #ong7lost friend• #ong7term ob)ectives• #ong7winded (speech* #ong7drawn7out wordboring lengthy monologue with• too many words+• #ook after number one• rst• !ake care of yourself before you care foranyone else+• #ook after someone !ake care of a person+• #ook after yourself !ake care of yourself+• #ook alive5 #ook lively5 Be alert5• #ook askance upon #ook with disapproval

upon• #ook back in anger 4,hen I think of where Iwas born and how I was treated• there I nd it diOcult not to look back inanger+6• #ook down your nose at Distain• #ook in every nook and•

cranny+• <eek everywhere even in the smallest corneand cracks+• #ook me in the eye when• you say that+



• An expression indicating some doubt about truth of a• statement and thinking one can see guilt in

eyes if the• rst speaker lies+ 4#ook me in the eyes wheyou swear• that you will never betray my trust andcondence in• you+6 4 T• #ook of distain• #ook of indignation• #ook on the sunny side #ook on the bright sand be optimistic+• #ook out for Be careful of watch out for andcareful of+• #ook ahead5• #ook out+ Be careful what you do+• #ook sharp5 %ay attention hurry7up and get

move on• #ook the other way %retend you did not see violation of a custom rule• regulation or law because you were 4lookinthe other• way+6 4&y teacher said he would look the otway this•

time because he thought I might learn morefrom shame• than punishment+6 4%olicemen sometimesaccept a bribe• and look the other way+6 4Billions of potenti



tax dollars• ;QM• never reach government co?ers because

corrupt customs• oOcials have been looking the other way+6• #ook up to someone Admire respect hold inhigh esteem• #ooking daggers Darting angry looks atsomeone you are annoyed at• #ooking for trouble #ooking for a ght #ookifor a ght• #ook7out for number one !ake care of yourserst+• #ooks a bit7dated Appears to be out7of7fashiold7fashioned not up7todate• a person who seems to belong to an earliergeneration• or period+ 4&y aunt &olly looks a bit dated

when• she comes to our house for <unday dinner indresses that• were in fashion ten years ago+6• #ooming on the hori>on .oming soon aboutappear immanent+• #oose cannon ust as on the old gun7ships i

big cannon got loose• and started sliding around the deck there wno telling• the amount of damage it could do so we macall a person



• is a loose cannon when his behavior isunpredictable• and potentially dangerous+•

#oose talk <aying things and making promisand threats without• any intentions of fullling them+• #oose track of time Become so absorbed insomething that time passes by• without you knowing it+• #oosen up <top being up7tight relax+• #oosing battle A ght you cannot win+ 4It/s alosing battle trying to get• big industries to protect the environment+64I/ve been• trying to get the committee to accept myproposal but it• is a losing battle+6 4tring to get my father to-uit smoking• is a losing battle+6• #ord of all you see !he owner of all the landaround as far as you can see+• #ose an opportunity• #ose appeal Become less popular desirablefashionable fall out of • favor become less sought7after+ 4Any new fa

loses its• appeal after the novelty wears o?+64Hollywood lm• starlets begin to lose their appeal as they geolder and



• their freshness and beauty begin to fade+6 4band music• was very popular in the KR/s but it began to

lose its• appeal after the Beatles changed the directiof popular• music in the MR/s+6• #ose condence Become discouraged+• #ose contact Become out7of7touch with+• #ose face Be embarrassed in front of others• #ose faith 'ive up condence+• #ose favor Become unpopular+• #ose heart 'ive up hope and stop trying+• #ose interest .ease to be interested becombored by+• #ose out on &iss an opportunity+• #ose sleep over "eel anxiety about• #ose spirit 'ive up hope+• ;QN• #ose track of something T ++ #ose track oftime• #ose your grip T on reality on yourself• #ose your shirt Become bankrupt right downyour last penny lost a• lot of money on the deal•

#ose your temper &eans to become angry ostressed or agitated instead of • remaining calm cool and collected as younormally• would something has happened that made



react very• strongly against an act thing or person thatupset you and•

made you react in an aggressive manner+ 4Ihave trouble• controlling my emotions and sometimes losemy temper• over the slightest little provocation+6 4I/msorry I lost my• temper the other day when you were )okingabout my• recent divorce but I/m very sensitive on thasub)ect+6 4If • you are always losing your temper and ghtwith• people this means that you ought to learn tocontrol your• aggressions+6• #osing battle T 4!here/s no point incontinuing when we see we are• bound to fail+ It/s a losing battle+6• #oss of life ,ild animal may be let lose and out on the prowl for• prey so we• #ost an arm and a leg #ost a lot of money

su?ered substantial nancial losses• made excessive losses invested and failed+4.uthbert• lost an arm and a leg on dot+com investmen4I lost an



• arm and a leg trying to help my sisterrenance a shaky• business venture that soon went bankrupt+6

4ake and I• lost an arm and a leg trying to set up a drivemovie in• an old abandoned factory parking lot+6• #ost cause A cause worth ghting for in abattle you cannot win an• ideal that cannot be achieved a goal whichcannot be• reached a hope that cannot be fullled+4Idealists want• to believe in !hai democratic reform butrealistic observers• expect the old system of power politicalcontrol• to prevail for -uite some time to come and

that supporting• the democratic process is a lost cause+64Environmental• activists have been ghting to save the o>on• layer for decades but when even Americanindustrialists• refuse to cooperate it seems to be a lost

cause+6 4!he• family tried everything to stop my olderbrother/s heroine• habit including psychotherapy and drugrehabilitation



• programs but in the end we had no successand had• to give him up as a lost cause+6•

#ost your marbles 'one cra>y turned mad control of your faculties• become mentally decient turned into an idor fool+ 4I• think I/m losing my marbles+ I keep forgettinpeople/s• names and where I put things+6 4He used tomentally• normal but people say that after he fell o? horse and• hit his head on a rock at the age of nine helost his marbles• and can/t think straight anymore+6 4Gou muhave• ;QP• lost your marbles if you think we can replacthe money• we have embe>>led before the audit reportbecomes• due+6• #ounging around #ying around relaxing+• #ousy weather 3ery bad terrible weather+•

#ow key elaxed and comfortable+• #ow level origins Born at the bottom of thesocial ladder+• #ow man on the ladder !he newest employewho must start from the bottom



• and work his way up the chain from level tolevel until• he nally reaches the top last in line

chronologically to• become supervisor department head etc+ tone who• will be promoted last of all+ 4I know you wanto be• chairman of the department but you are lowman on the• ladder and will )ust have to wait your turn+6started as• low man on the ladder and worked my way ustep7bystep• to nally become .hairman of the Board+6 Inthe• army the newly7recruited private is low manon the ladder+6• #ow man on the totem• pole• <ame as above+• #ow7down and no7good T T scoundrel• #owest rung of the ladder #ike lowest man othe ladder except the word Srung/• can also denote the lowest level of moral

behavior• #ow7life• #oyal to the last• #ucked7out !o become lucky• #uck7of7the7draw .hance fortune fate T 4



this life you have to play• the cards you are dealt+ !hat/s the luck of thdraw+6•

#ucky day A day in which you have good luck• #uke7warm reaction Fnenthusiasticindi?erent half7hearted coolT• #ump in your throat• #urking suspicion A doubt in the back of youmind• #ust for life Desire for the pleasures andexperiences of life+• #ust for power <trong desire for power+• #ying through your teeth• ;QQ• &• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• &achismo attitude 3ery male and masculine

TTT+macho man• &ad as a wet hen ust as a chicken will runaround madly and make a lot of • clucking complaining noises if you throwwater upon it• so a person/s behavior can be compared torunning•

around really angry in a rage loudly voicincomplaint• about what has happened+ 4&y &om will bemad as a• wet hen when she nds out that I broke her



favorite .hinese• porcelain vase playing kickball in the livingroom•

while she was away+6 4!he head nurse wasmad as a wet• hen when she discovered that grandfather hnot been• taking the medicine they always put on histray+6 4Auntie• ean will be mad as a wet hen when shediscovers that• she has been left o? the invitation list+6• &ade to measure• &ade7up Imaginary not true fabricated 4I/have to make up a• story as an excuse for not coming to workyesterday+6• &agic moment• &aiden voyage A ship/s rst voyage+ 4!he s!itanic was sunk on her• maiden voyage+6• &aimed7for7life Deformed by bodily in)ury fothe rest of one/s life+• &ain ambition &ist important aim or goal inlife+•

&ain drag !he main street in town+• &ain man !he most important person+ 4Heyman5 ,hat/s happening@• How/s my main man@6 9999• &aintain balance T e-uilibrium



• &aintain silence Do not speak or giveinformation about a sub)ect+• &ake a beeline for the•

door• Head straight towards the door hurry to geout by heading• directly for the door+ 4,hen the bell rings anclass• is over the students make a beeline for thedoor+6 4,hen• the re alarm sounded all the shoppers madbeeline• for the door+6 4Cnce the <unday church servhas• ended I/m the rst one to make a beeline fothe door+6• &ake a big fuss .omplain a lot and make a bto7do &ake a stink • &ake a bundle &ake a huge amount of mone• &ake a clean break with• the past• .ut7o? ties immediately and irrevocably+ 4Iwant to• make a clean break with the past and start mlife anew+6•

4,hen I get out of prison I want to make aclean break • with the past and go straight+ 4#et/s get adivorce and• make a clean break with the past+6



• &ake a clean breast of • things• !ell everything that you know open your he

and tell• all+• &ake a comeback eturn to being successfuafter a comedown+• &ake a dash for the door+ un for the exit totry to escape+• &ake a di?erence Do something to try to mathe world better change the• JRR• world• &ake a fool of yourself Do something thatmakes you look stupid• &ake a fuss 'et upset and make a scene+• &ake a hasty retreat 'et out of there -uicklto avoid further trouble+• &ake a killing !o suddenly get a lot of monefrom a business idea or• venture to get rich -uick 4!he man whoinvented nylon• panty7hose made a killing on it+6• &ake a mental note ust observe and be awawithout reacting notice and•

remember for later+• &ake a mess of things Do a poor )ob of makmistake do everything wrong+• &ake a mockery out of • something or something



• <corn and sco? and make fun of )oke andlaugh about• tease ridicule make a laughing stock out of

something• or someone+ 4T• &ake a mountain out of a• mole hill+• 'et upset over a little thing by exaggeratinginti a big• thing+• &ake a night of it %arty and drink all night+• &ake a pass at a woman &ake a sexualadvance• &ake a pest of yourself &ake a nuisance ofyourself• &ake a pile of money Ear a lot of money a loof money+• &ake a pun &ake a playXon7words• &ake a scene• &ake a spectacle of • yourself+• &ake allowances for• &ake an example of .hoose someone topunish as a warning of what will• happen if the others do not cooperate and

follow the rules• and regulations+ 4,hen I was in school I wavery• rude and cheeky boy so whenever the teachwanted to



• choose someone to make an example of healways• picked on me so the others would reali>e tha

if he could• keep me in line he could make them follow obey as• well+6 4!he factory periodically res aworkman who• does not clock7in for work on time )ust tomake an example• of him+6 4In the war the 'ermans wouldsometimes• pick somebody at random out of a line ofprisoners• and shoot him before the eyes of all the oth )ust as• an example of what might happen to them ifthey drew• attention to themselves+6• &ake an impression Tpositive e?ect• &ake both ends meet Balance your budget• &ake common sense• &ake concessions• &ake do with what you• have•

Do the best you can with what you have• &ake eyes at "lirt look with longing showinsexual interest+ 4<he• made eyes at me in such an enticing way thecould not



• resist temptation+6• JR1• &ake haste <peed7up hurry7up move -uick•

&ake hay while the sun• shines+• ust as the farmer may cut grass to make hawhen the• sun shines so we may as well have fun as loas things• are going well• &ake head or tail out of • it• Fnderstand if it is one thing or the othermakes no sense• can/t gure it out+• &ake headway ust as a sailing ship must>ig>ag (tack*back and forth• across the wind to make headway against it

we can• say we are making headway against diOcultproblems in• the development of a pro)ect or business+• &ake it big Become a great success• &ake it or break it+ Either succeed in a big wor break your self trying+•

&ake it snappy5 Hurry7up5• &ake it up as you go• along• improvise• &ake it worth your while 'ive someone an



incentive to do something+• &ake me or break me• &ake mincemeat out of •

you• Beat someone to a pulp• &ake no big di?erence+• &ake no bones about it+ Don/t complain picbone+ 4you can be sure that the• rule will remain in e?ect and make no bonesabout it+6• &ake no mention of it+• &ake no mistake about• it+• Gou can be certain about you can be sure ofthe fact that+• &ake redundant Be laid7o? your )obpensioned7o? have your )ob cut• &ake the best of a bad• situation+• &ake the best of things Tmake the best ofwhat you• haveT Tmake the best of what you have• &ake the big leagues ust as a baseball playmight work his way up tp plat in• the big leagues so we can say a businessma

or entrepreneur• makes it big and becomes one of the leading• &ake the grade ust as a steam engine had tT• &ake the most of T 4,e/d better try and ma



the most of a bad situation• or things will only get worse+6 4!ry to make most of •

your life no matter how great the odds againyou and• the obstacles to overcome+6 4!ry to make th• &ake tracks 'et away -uickly before you arecaught+• &ake waves .ause trouble complain andcomplicate the process• &ake your hair stand on• end• &ake your mark in life• &ake your move Don/t hesitate do somethinstart things moving and see• what happens• &ake your way in life 'et ahead• &ake yourself at home &ake yourself

comfortable as though you were in your• own home+• &ake yourself scarce 'et out of here don/t your self be seen around here• JR:• too often+ 4Gou/d better make yourself scarcbefore the•

police arrive and arrest you+6 4Gou/d bettermake your• self scarce before my mother sees me talkinto you and• gets a bee in her bonnet+6 4I/d better



disappear and make• myself scarce before those street boys gangon me+•

!hey/re liable to beat me to a pulp+6• &ake yourself useful T++ T+ 4&ake yourseluseful for a change• &ake7believe Imaginary made up in the min• &akes me mad .auses you to become angry• &akes me nervous .auses me to feel worrieand anxious+• &akes my blood boil .auses me to becomereally angry+• &akes my Lesh crawl &akes my skin feelcreepy• &akes my mouth water #ooks appeti>ing• &akes no di?erence to• me• I don/t care one way or the other• &akes no sense at all .onfusing against alllogic hard to understand+ 4In• business investment It makes no sense tothrow good• money after bad+6• &ake7up an excuse !hink7up fabricate creain the imagination lie tell a•

story+• &ake7up for epay make good for makerecompense make amends+• &ake7up your mind Don/t hesitate decidechoose determine what you are



• going to do+• &aking a fool of yourself • Behaving stupidly and making yourself look

silly+• &alicious intent Evil purpose hateful planhurtful ob)ective+• &align someone !alk badly about a person wharmful intent critici>e• negatively slander libel smear someone/scharacter• with malicious intentT• &an in the street !he common normaleveryday individual+• &an of means A man with a substantialincome+• &an with a mission• &an/s best friend dog• &an7about7town• &anage somehow 'et by one way or the othnd a way to deal with the• problem survive without help+• &anipulative person <omeone who coercesother to do what he wants• &an7to7man &eet and resolve your di?erenclike a man one on•

one and face to face• &arch of time !he passing of time• &arch to the beat of your• own drum• "ollow your internal instincts don/t be afrai



to go it• alone follow your own path T• &arching papers Documents of dismissal wh

you are red notice of • termination+• &arginal di?erence A very small di?erence• &arital indiscretion 'iving7in to a sexualtemptation to cheat on one/s marriage• partner+ SI/m sorry Dear+ I have made a mistaand• JR;• committed a marital indiscretion+6• &ark my words Gou remember what I havesaid+• &arked man <omeone who is going to be kilor punished for what• he did+ 4<omeone who is willing to testify incourt• against the maa becomes a marked man+64<ince betraying• the %rime &inister/s trust within his own pa• <anders has become a marked man+6• &arked7di?erence 2oticeable disparity• &arking time ust waiting for time to go byuntil the expected moment•

or date arises+• &arry into money &arry someone from a ricfamily+• &arry beneath yourself T beneath yourstation



• &asochistic tendencies Having the inclinatioto want to hurt others• &ass hysteria Everybody going madly into a

panic and fren>y+• &atter of opinion <omething that can be seedi?erently depending on yiy• point of view+• &atter7of7fact ealistic plain and open tose• &averick individual ust as a maverick cowwanders and strays away from• the herd and go o? on its own way so somepeople may• be described as mavericks when they T• &eal ticket <omeone who will pay all yourexpenses from now on+• &ean well T well7meaning individual• &eans to and end A way of getting somethinthat you want+• &easure up to T ST measure up to standar• &eat of the matter !he heart and meaning othe sub)ect the central point• the main essence+• &eddle in someone/s• a?airs+• &ix in someone else/s business+•

&eek and mild !imid and gentle• &eet someone half way .ompromise• &eet the challenge• &eet trouble half7way Do what you can toavoid trouble before it arises+



• &eet your maker 'o to heaven at the time oyour death+• &eet your match•

&elt in your mouth• &elt7away Disappear fade away into the ha• &emory like a sieve ust as water drainsthrough a sieve so• &end your ways #earn to behave in a betterfashion+• &ending fences ust as a farmer T so peoplcan begin patching7up di?erences• and improving bad relations• &enial task Fnskilled boring tedious )ob+4<ome women do not like• doing the menial tasks of housework+6• &ental block • &erry7go7round• &essed7up &ixed7up psychologically screwe

up mentally T on• drugs• &essing around• JRJ• &essy situation• &eteoric rise to success <udden rapiddramatic T•

&iddle7aged spread A fat belly9stomach thatcomes when people are about• forty or so and usually doesn/t go away+• &iddle7of7the7road &oderate• &ight as well go for



• broke+• &iles away #ost in thought+• &iles to go before I sleep A lot to do before

am nished many things I have to• accomplish before I can rest a lot of living alearning• and struggling before I reach the end a lot ostruggling• before me before the end when it comes timfor me to• die+• &illstone around your• neck • &ind like a sieve ust a water runs through asieve or colander when we• wash fruit or vegetables so things we want remember• can escape the mind because we are forgetf

and cannot• remember things• &ind over matter .onsciousness controllingcorporality mind control of • material ob)ects+• &ind set A set way of seeing things with a sview or attitude+•

&ind your manners !ake care to behavepolitely+• &ind your own business++• Do not mix in other/s a?airs+• &ind your %/s and /s Be careful about what



you say and do look out watch• out+ 4As a school boy I was taught to follow%/s and•

/s and follow the rules and stay out oftrouble+6 4Gou/d• better mind your %/s and /s and followregulations to• the letter or the next time the Dean may kicyou out of • school+6 4&ind your %/s and /s and act andbehave with• caution so you don/t bring any negativeattention upon• yourself and have to su?er the conse-uence• &ingle with the crowd &ix in with the crowd• &ischief maker !rouble maker one who isalways trying to create mischief+• 4when I was a kid I was always the mischief• maker in the class+6 999 999• &ischievous behavior 2aughty impish ill7behaved• &isery loves company+ %eople like to sharetheir misery by talking to others in• the same situation+ 4It/s hard to be alone whyou feel•

so miserable+6 4!hose who feel miserable sethe company• of others who are in the same situation andwho• will understand them+6 4As like seeks like t



miserable• seek the company of the miserable+6• &iss the boat &iss out on an important chan

or opportunity because• of your own fault+• &iss the main chance %ass up the bestopportunity+ 2ot take advantage of T• &iss the mark "ail to achieve your goal not -uite up to the re-uired• JRK• standard fail to fulll your aim+• &isspent youth Gounger years wasted inpursuit of personal pleasure+• &istaken identity &istakenly supposingsomeone you see is a person you• know• &ixed7blessing <omething good that comes you accompanied by bad• side7e?ects+• &ixed7emotions &ixed7feelings that are notclear one way or another• conLicting views that cause conLictingemotions+• &ixed7motives• &oment of indiscretion Any moment in whic

one foolishly gives7in to temptation• sexually or otherwise+• &oney to burn &eans someone with so mucmoney to spend he may as• well burn some of it



• &onkey on your back An addiction such as theroin+ 4!here is nothing so pitiful• and beyond contempt as a heroin addict wit

monkey• on his back+6 4"or twenty years I had themonkey on• my back but I nally managed to shake it o?and live a• normal life+6 4I don/t want my kids growing with a• monkey on their backs+6• &onkeying around5 %laying around and fooliabout+ 4!he boys were monkeying• around in the tool shop when one of then wain)ured+6• &onkeyshines !omfoolery making a monkeyout7of7yourself• &onotone voice T 4I like %rof+ %eepers

personally but I fall asleep in• his lectures w hen he drones on7 and7on in amonotone• voice+6• &onotonous tone !edious boring sound orvoice with the same unchanging• tome+•

&ooching o? others T T4I used to know thgirl we called &innie the• &oocher because T4I used to know this girlcalled• &innie the &oocher because T



• &oping around Hanging around making a loface looking sad and• miserable+ 4He/s still moping around and

looking down• in the dumps because he cannot forget hisdisappointment+6• &oral support Inspiration and encourageme• &orbid curiosity• &ore than I bargained for ,orse than Iexpected harder than I expected• &ore than meets the eye• &ore trouble than it is• worth• 2ot worth the bother• &ortal enemies Deadly foes• &outh watering Delicious looking tasting+• &outh7o? • &ove heaven and earth Do everything

possible do everything within one/s• power try one/s utmost go to great lengths4I would• move heaven and earth to get Evelyn to marme+6 4!he• city councilman promised to try to moveheaven and•

JRM• earth and do everything within his power toget the• mayor to approve the new downtowndevelopment plan+6



• 4,e will move heaven and earth and try ourutmost to• get the pro)ect completed on time+6•

&ove in for the kill 'et ready to T• &oved to tears Aroused by emotion to thepoint of crying+• &uddle through Do your best to solve theproblem alone on your own as• best as you can however awkwardly managto somehow• get by handle the problem as well as you arable• to+ 4I don/t know how I/m going to learn to rfather/s• business alone but let me try to muddlethrough and if I• need any help I/ll let you know+6 4I/m havingproblem• with my algebra homework and I may needyour help• but rst let me muddle through and see howwell I can• do+6 4'randmother is getting too old to takecare of herself• but she/d rather muddle through on her own

than be• dependent on anyone else+6• &uddle7headed .onfused mixed7up incapaof thinking clearly+• &udslinging ust as children can throw mud



each other so politicians• can make false or even true accusationsagainst one•

another+• &ug shot "ull7face photograph+ 4!he policealways take a mug• shot of every detaineeTm• &ull something over !ake time to think abouit• &um/s the word $eep -uiet don/t say anythabout this keep it silent• don/t tell anyone+• &urky depths ust as deep in the ocean onecannot see very far because• of the darkness so people sometimes ndthemselves• peering in the murky depths of a problem ththey cannot• solve because it is beyond their ken ofunderstanding+• &uscle7in7on Intrude by using force muscleyour way in get yourself • in7on7something by using your strength powmight• &usic to my ears I am so glad to 5 !hat/s the

news that I have been waiting• for+• &usical chairs ust as in the children/s game• &utter under your breath &umble and grumto yourself so no one else can hear+



• &utual admiration !wo people or groups whadmire one another based• on the same motives or reasons+•

&u>>le someone ust as we mu>>le a dog so cannot bite so for example• a )udge may mu>>le a person by giving theorder• TTT• &y door is always open I am always there wyou need me )ust come and see• me anytime+• &y English is getting• rusty+• I/m out of practice in speaking English it/sbeen a while• since I had to use my English if you don/t usit you• lose it )ust as iron rusts if you do not use it

a language• rusts if you don/t use it+ 4&y English is getti• rusty+ I/ve hardly used it since I left school+64,hen I• JRN• lived abroad in the F<A I spoke Luent Englibut•

now after ten years it/s getting a little rustespecially• since I have had little opportunity to use it+64&y English• has been getting rusty because I nd that I



it less and• less as time goes on+6• &y foot5 I don/t believe you that/s a lie it/s

untrue what a lot of • crap5• &y goodness gracious5 An expression ofsurprise usually to express shock or• disappointment replacing words like 4&y'od56 4&y• goodness56 4&y goodness gracious5 #ook hotime• Lies+ 2ow I/m going to be late for myappointment at the• hairdresser/s+6 ST• &y goose is cooked5 I/m in big trouble now• &y hands are tied+ I am not free to take anyaction there is nothing I can do• I am not at liberty to help regulations preve

me from• taking any action+6 4!he court has ruled thashe will retain• legal custody of our child and there is nothI can• do about it+ &y hands are tied+6 4I would likto help•

you but it is against company regulations smy hands• are tied+6• &y lips are sealed+ #ips that are sealed7closecannot be opened to reveal a



• secret+ 4,hen someone says his lips aresealed that• means he promises never to reveal a secret

anyone+6 4I• know your dirty little secret but my lips aresealed+ I/ll• never tell on you+6 I/ll swear never tell anybabout• the scandal because I am aware of the harmcan do to• your family+ &y lips are sealed6• &y patience is getting• thin• I am running out of patience about to lose mpatience• and react angrily you are trying my patienc4&y patience• is getting thin so if I were you I wouldn/t do

anything• more to annoy me or I/ll smack you one+6 4&patience• is getting thin and If those two women don/tstop• their bickering soon I/ll give them a lessonthey/ll not•

soon forget+6 4I try to listen to my wife/scontinuing• complaints but my patience is getting thin aI fear• what I may do to her if she doesn/t soon shu



up+6• &y pleasure+ Gou are welcome+ I am pleasedbe able to do something•

for you+• &ysterious circumstances• 2o one knows the secret of exactly whathappened+• JRP• 2• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• 2agging conscience A guilty conscious thatkeeps bothering one+• 2agging wife A wife who never stopscomplaining+• 2ail down %in down pinpoint• 2ame names !o inform7on people by telling police or the press or• the company who they are+• 2ame of the game !he way things go the mapurpose behind how things• happen+• 2ame the day5 ust tell me when5• 2ame7calling .alling each other bad namesusing bad words+•

2ame7dropper <omeone who wants to showby mentioning all the• important people he knows+ 4T Tname7dropping• 2arrow escape 2ear disaster or catastrophe



brush with danger and• death+• 2arrow s-ueak A close brush with a tight an

dangerous situation+• 2arrow7minded Cpinionated not open toother/s opinions with tunnel• vision+• 2ature of the beast !hat/s the way man isnature made him that way+• 2ature/s way According to the law of nature• 2ear miss 2ot -uite successful did not -uitereach the desired• level+• 2ear to impossible Almost beyond possibilit• 2earest and dearest !hose closest to us kitand kin+• 2ear7sighted ust• 2ebulous notion 3ague ha>y unclear fu>>y

idea• 2ecessary evil <omething bad that cannot bavoided• 2eck and neck .ompeting e-ually one notahead or behind the other+• 2eck of the woods In our area or region of thforest+•

2eck7breaking speed Dangerously fast speeso that you would break your• neck if you fell down or o?+• 2eedle in a haystack ust as it would be hardnd a needle in a haystack so



• we• 2eedle someone T+ TT+needling remark • 2eedless to say It goes without saying it is

hardly necessary to mention+• 2eed7to7know7basis !ell people only if theyneed to know to perform their• duty otherwise keep the informationcondential+• 2egligible di?erence A di?erence so small thit is hardly noticeable+• 2either here nor there Irrelevant not one nthe other+• 2either7sh7nor7fowl 2either one thing nor tother hard to distinguish between• two things not one thing and not the othersomewhere• in between in the middle+ 4"ried7frog/s legsstand• in a class of their own+ !hey/re neither7sh7nor7fowl6• 4He/s neither a conservative nor a liberal+<ometimes he• votes one way sometimes the other way+ Gomight say• JRQ•

that he/s neither7sh7nor7fowl+6 4!he waypeople cut• their hair short and dress in unisex fashionsit/s sometimes• to tell if people are male or female+ !hey see



to• be neither sh nor7fowl+6• 2erve racking Hard on the nerves putting o

under a lot of stress+• 2ervous wreck <omeone who through stressalmost ready for a nervous• breakdown+• 2est egg ust as you have to keep one egg ithe chicken/s nest so• it will continue brooding and nesting so wemay say that• we are keeping a sum of money as a nest egT• 2ever a dull moment Always interesting withsomething new coming up+• 2ever darken my door• again• 2ever let me see you or your evil shadow

before my door• again because I know you are a person withharmful intentions• and I can never forget in)ury to have done tome+• 4After the disgraceful way you have treatedour daughter•

we never want you to darken our door again'o away• and stay away+6 4Because of the nastyintimate gossip• you have spread about my family I never wa



you to• darken my door again+6 4After our legalproceedings•

were nali>ed I told her I wanted her to getout of my• life and never darken my door again+6• 2ever fear Do not be afraid+• 2ever let up %ersist without pause never giup5+• 2ever lift a nger &ake no attempt to assistmake no e?ort to help too• la>y to make the slightest exertion letsomeone else do• the )ob for you+ 4I want to marry a man whoso wello? • that I never have to work or lift a nger again my• life+6 4&om complains that ack never lifts a

nger to• help around the house+6 4After Aunt 3irginiaeightieth• birthday party everybody pitched7in to helpwash the• dishes except for Aunt 3irginia of course+ ,refused•

to let her lift even her little nger+6• 2ever look back 2ever remember the mistakand the pain of the past+• ust keep going forward+• 2ever misses a trick !ries every deception a



device there is to get what he• wants+• 2ever raised a hand•

against me• 2ever hit me+• 2ever say die5 2ever give up5• 2ever7ending 2ever7ending saga is a story tgoes on and on+• 2ever7never7land• 2ew angle Fni-ue lie or deception• 2ew blood• 2ew lease on life• 2ew7fangled 2ew modern innovative nove4T technology• 2ext in line ust as we can say a prince is thheir apparent the next• on to ascend the throne so we can say aperson is next in• line for a promotion or appointment+• J1R• 2ext to nothing Almost nothing at all+• 2ext7of7kin "amily relatives and relations+4,hen a person dies it is• customary to notify the next7of7kin+6 4In mylast will and•

testament I did not leave anything to my neof7kin but• donated every thing I had to charity instead4,hen a• person dies with no next7of7kin he becomes



the responsibility• of the state+6• 2iche market A small market for only a certa

segment of the industry+• 2ick7of7time ust at the last moment+• 2ight owl <omeone who likes to go out andprowl around at night+• 2ip in the bud .ut in the beginning stage socannot develop further+• 2ippy weather .ool and frosty weather+• 2itty7gritty Down into the smallest details+• 2o big deal+ 2ever mind it/s not important not of any signicance+• 2o cause for alarm 2o reason to be afraid+• 2o chance5 !here/s no way I/ll do it5 2o hopehell• 2o choice but to 2o other option or recoursebut to• 2o comparison5 !he one is better than theother+• 2o contest Declare the opponent the winnerwithout waiting for the• competition to end• 2o dice5 I disagree I refuse I won/t do it noway forget it+•

2o good trying It will no do any good if youkeep trying• 2o great shakes 2ot very good• 2o hard feelings+ #et/s not hold a grudgeagainst one another



• 2o harm in trying there will be no harm in atleast making an attempt• TTTTtrying•

2o inkling 2o idea no notion no hint• 2o laughing matter 2othing to )oke about nfunny but serious• 2o love lost between• them• !hey do not like one another• 2o one in his right mind• wouldT• Cne would have to be cra>y to T• 2o one is indispensable Everyone can bereplaced no one is irreplaceable+• 4Don/t get the mistaken impression that thecompany• couldn/t get along without you+ 2o one isindispensable+6• 4<ometimes we become so over7condent thwe begin• to believe that our input to a combined7groue?ort is so• vital and essential that we are replaceable+But this the• wrong attitude+ 2o one is indispensable+6 4,

all believed• that our company president was indispensaand• irreplaceable and that the company would faapart



• without him but when we made a merger wa larger• rm and he was sidelined we reali>ed that n

one is indispensable+6• 2o other recourse 2o alternative way out nother option no other choice+• J11• 2o -ualms 2o regrets no bad conscience orguilt no reservations• no misgivings uncertainties+ 4He felt no-ualms about• cheating on the exam+6 !heodore had no-ualms about• keeping two sets of books for his company acheating• the evenue Department out of millions ofdollars of tax• money+6 4"lossy felt no -ualms about having

an a?air• with her best friend/s husband+6 4!he witnefelt no• -ualms a bout informing the police about hoher nearest• neighbor had bruised and battered his wife+• 2o regrets Cften a person who has done

something wrong does not• feel sorry for or ashamed of his action andmight do the• same thing gain sometimes 4no regrets6means there is



• no point in feeling sorry for what happened the past• especially if we have learned something from

it+ 4He was• executed for his crime without showing anyform of regret• or remorse for his action+6 4&y rst marriagdidn/t• last long but I have no regrets because weboth beneted• from the experience+6• 2o relevance TT TT no relevance to the-uestion• 2o rhyme or reason &akes no sense• 2o show <omeone who did no appear showup arrive come attend• a meeting or outing+• 2o skin o? my nose !hat doesn/t hurt me so

couldn/t care less+• 2o sooner said than• done5• ust give the order and it will be carried outimmediately• we can do it as -uickly as you can say it+• 2o spring chicken 2o longer so young any

more+• 2o strings attached ,ith no stipulations freof any obligations+• 2o sweat+ ,e/ll do what you wish with noproblem it/s not hard



• to do we can accomplish it without much e?or diOculty• 4Don/t worry+ 2o one has to work up a swea•

get the )ob done+6 4Don/t worry+ !rust us+ ,can handle• it+ It/s no sweat+6 4It/s a cinch+6• 2o two ways about it+ !hat is the one and onright way of viewing things• that/s for sure+• 2o use complaining It will not help to grumband feel sorry for yourself+• 2o way5 2o5 Denitely not not on your life+4I/m not going to do• what you want there/s no way you canconvince me to• do it+6• 2obody/s fool <omeone smart who is not eatricked -uite clever• and hard to fool won/t fall for any deceptiveswindle+ 4It• would be hard to deceive the companymanaging partner+• He/s nobody/s fool+6• 2obody/s perfect+• 2odding7o? Do>ing7o? falling7o? to sleep•

2on7applicable Does not apply+• 2one the worse for wear• 2one7of7your7business 2ot your a?air nothito do with you+• 2one7too7soon About time only in7the7nick7



time 4 TTT+)ust at• J1:• the last minute before it would have been to

late+/• 2ose in the air <tuck7up conceited thinkingone is better than everyone• else+• 2ose )ob %lastic surgery on the nose+• 2osey .urious prying in-uisitive stickingyour nose in where• it doesn/t belong minding other people/sbusiness+• 4Don/t be so nosey and mind your ownbusiness+6• 2ot a leg to stand on #acks rm foundation facts• 2ot a murmur out of you Don/t say anythingdon/t make even the slightest sound• not a word of complaint out of you+• 2ot a peep out of you Gou be -uiet don/t maeven the slightest sound be• silent keep your mouth shut don/t sayanything whatever• you may think do not disagree complain orshow•

dissatisfaction do what you are told withoucomment• (often said to children or subordinates*+• 2ot a penny to your• name



• <tone broke+• 2ot acceptable5 Fnacceptable not goodenough not )ustied+•

2ot all it/s cracked7up to• be• 2ot as good as everyone says or thinks it is+• 2ot all there &entally decient with a screwmissing+• 2ot anywhere near 2ot even close+• 2ot bad5 uite good5 ,ell done5 'ood lookin• 2ot by a long shot Highly unlikely+• 2ot for love or money 2ot for anything in thworld• 2ot getting anywhere &aking no headway+• 2ot in my backyard Do it somewhere but notmy immediate environment+• 2ot in your wildest• dreams• !here is no way I/ll do what you want not enin your• wildest dreams+• 2ot long for this world ,ith not long to live• 2ot much between the• ears• ,ith little brain+•

2ot my bag It/s not my way of looking atthings not what I really• like+ 4Cpera music is not my bag+ ,hat I readig is• cool )a>>+6



• 2ot my cup of tea 2ot -uite what I prefer nwhat I like not to my taste• not what I really en)oy+ 4Cther people may

en)oy public• speaking but it/s not really my cup of tea+6• 2ot necessarily so !hat is not necessarily trit does not follow out of necessity• 2ot on my watch 2ot when I am in charge anresponsible+• 2ot on your life I/m not doing it no waynothing doing+• 2ot particular 2ot picky or choosy satisedwith whatever one gets+• 2ot privy to the facts 2ot in possession if thfullinformation+• 2ot short of a penny Having lots of moneyvery rich+• 2ot so hot 2ot very good• 2ot the done thing 2ot the proper thing thasociety expects you to do+• J1;• 2ot the end of the world It/s not so bad as ythink much worse things could• happen+• 2ot too bad+ uite good+•

2ot up to par 2ot good enough does not methe expected re-uirement+• 2ot up7to7speed 2ot good enoughunsatisfactory below the expected• standard+



• 2ot worth a damn 2o good useless• 2ot worth the paper it/s• printed on•

Cf almost no value whatsoever+• 2othing doing5 2o way I refuse don/t ask mto do that I disagree I• won/t do it the answer is no not on your lifnot for allthe7• world+• 2othing personal+ Don/t take it personally+ It ust business+ 4<orry that I• got the contract instead of you+ 2othingpersonal+ ust• business+6 4I/m going to have to kill you nowbut it/s• nothing personal+ I/m a hit7man and that/s )uwhat they• pay me for+6• 2othing special !here is nothing happeningthat is unusual or out of the• ordinary+• 2othing to do with you 2ot any of yourbusiness+• 2othing to fear !here is nothing to be afraid• 2othing to gain 2o benet to received no

prot expected+• 2othing to hide 2o secret or hidden guilt nobad intention or action to• conceal+ 4I have nothing to hide+ Ask me any-uestion



• you want and I/ll tell you the truth+6 4a manwith a clear• conscious has nothing to conceal and nothin

to hide+6 999• 2othing to it+ It/s easy+• 2othing to say 2o comment no opinion on tmatter+• 2othing to sni? at T no triLing matter• 2othing to write home• about• 2othing special• 2othing wrong Everything id C$ there isnothing the matter there is no• problem in+ 4!here is nothing wrong in tellinlittle• white now and again if it helps to avoid pain• 2otied by &eans that notice is given bysomeone to someone about• something+ 4!he meeting was notied by thchairman• that there would be an increase in registerecapital+6• 4!he company was notied by the evenueDepartment• that the rate of tax assessment in this case

would be• R+RK percent+6 4!he sta? was notied bymanagement• that there would be a three month/s pay bonat the end



• of the year+6• 2otify someone of something• !o inform someone oOcially of some action

fact• 2ow and again "rom time to time sometimebut not too often+• 2ow or never If you don/t do it now you/llnever have the chance• J1J• again+• 2ow you/re talking5 2ow that/s an idea I likehear5• 2ow I/ve gone and done• it5• Cps5 2ow I/ve made the mistake I was tryingavoid+• 2ow we/re even+ I/ve returned what I owe ysettled the score settled• our di?erences got revenge+ 4Because youmurdered my• brother I have murdered your brother andnow we/re• even+6 4Gou stole my money so I stole yourwife and• now I gure we/re even+6 4Gou owe me \MR

in gambling• debts but if you give me your olex watchnow• I/ll say that we are even+6 4I paid you back tmoney I



• owe you and now we/re even <teven+6• 2udge someone into %ush someone slightlywith your body or elbow as a sign•

you want him to do something• 2ull and void• 2umber cruncher A person who works withnumbers like a stock analyst• auditor or accountant+• 2ut/s to you5 I won/t do what you asked+ !o with you5• 2utty as a fruitcake !otally nuts or cra>yabsolutely mad -ueer an oddball• around the bend+ 4&y friend &artin is as nuas a fruitcake• but he is totally harmless+6 4He was ne foryears• and appeared to be totally normal but the hbecame as• nutty as a fruitcake+6 4Be careful what you swhen you• go to visit Fncle Edmund+ He/s nutty as afruitcake and• you never know what he might do if he getsprovoked• 2u>>le7up7to someone <nuggle cuddle•

C• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• Casis of calm A place of absolute -uiet towhich to escape



• Cbliterate the whole human• race• ,ipe7out and destroy the whole of humanity•

Cbse-uious manner <ubmissive fawningobse-uious Lattering manner+• Cbstreperous individual <tubborn deantcomplaining noisy• Cccasion to celebrate• Cccasional indiscretion• Cccupational ha>ard• Cdd )obs• Cddball character Eccentric person orindividual• Cdds and ends Bits of this and that• Cf no account 2ot important of no matter• Cf sound mind &entally normal not cra>ypsychologically balanced+• Cf the old school .onservative old7fashione• J1K• Cf two minds .annot decide one way or theother+• Cf unsound mind 2ot mentally stable mentaimbalanced+• C? on a tangent 'et o? topic and go in anotdirection•

C? the beaten7track "ar away from whereothers usually go nowhere near• any main road out of the way out in thesticks in the• boondocks out in the backwoods o? the



beaten path+• 4&y wife and I want to spend a -uiet romanweekend•

together on a secluded lake far o? the beatetrack+6• 4Gou/ll never nd my cabin unless I draw yomap+• It/s far o? the beaten track+6 4<ome hillbillielive so far• o? the beaten track that only the members the family• would know how to get back home+6• C? the cu? <peak spontaneously ad libunrehearsed impromptu• improvised on the spur of the moment madup as you• go along saying whatever comes into yourmind shoot• from the hip+ 4<ometimes slanderous o? thcu? remarks• made o? the record can get Hollywood starinto• big trouble if they are mis-uoted out ofcontext by the• press+6 4Don/t ask me to speak on the issue

the cu?+• #et me give it some forethought and then I/make an• oOcial statement+6 4If you always say whatyou know



• and never lie you should always be able tospeak openly• and freely and o? the cu? without having to

rehearse• your words beforehand+6• C? the deep end 'one cra>y totally mad gotoo far this time out of • control of him self trying something so riskythat it can• only end in disaster+• C? the hook ust as a sh bites into the baitand gets hooked on the• sherman/s line so a person can be fooled ocaught by• hook or crook+ ust as the sh sometimes geo? the• hook and frees himself so the person baitedand then• caught can get out of the situation or out oftrouble by• somehow freeing himself talking his way ouof it or• through luck or inLuence+ 4!hey said I hadstolen the• secret documents but I got o? the hook by

producing the• evidence that my boss had done it+6 4&y wifthought I• was having a love a?air because I startedcoming home



• late every night but she let me o? the hookwhen she• reali>ed I/d been working overtime with our

team to• meet an important tax deadline+• C? the record !o speak unoOcially comingfrom informed7sources• not to be -uoted• C? the top of my head• C? to a false start• C?7beat Fnconventional• C?7color remark !o say something not in gootaste using bad language• swear or curse words or to make a sexuallyindiscreet or• inappropriate comment+ 4<he did not like hio?7color• J1M• language and remarks which she told himwere verbal• forms of sexual abuse+6 4In the bar at thesocial club• gentlemen are asked to politely refrain frommaking o?color• remarks+6 4Aunt %olly never invites her

brother• %hillip to .hristmas dinner because he alwamakes• o?7color remarks that are embarrassing to tladies+6



• C?er an olive branch to &ake an o?er ofpeace+• C?er you cannot refuse•

C?7hand remark .areless commentdiscourteous statement an unkind• aside said without thinking a spontaneousderogatory• observation made without forethought+ 4Becareful not• to make any o?7 hand remarks about theAmericans• when w go to the Embassy dinner+6 4eab maan o? • hand remark on a !3 talk show that waso?ensive to• #aotian people and she later had to retract and apologi>e+6• 4<ometimes a careless o?7hand unkind

comment• made over a glass of wine can a?ect the couof your• entire career+6 4I resent the sarcastic tone oyour o?hand• remarks regarding my good intentions and can•

assure you <ir that any evil you think or dowill return• to you+6• C?7the7wall Fnconventional bi>arre as if frout of nowhere out



• of logical context• C?7your7rocker .ra>y mentally7unbalancedderanged out7of7yourhead•

totally mad or insane+ 4Gou must be absoluto?your7• rocker to suggest that we walk into themuseum and• simply steal the Hope Diamond in front ofeverybody+6• 4Fncle $endrick has been a little bit o? hisrocker since• Auntie $atie died+6 4Gou/ve got to be o?7yourocker to• believe that the epublican right7wing will eallow• the Democratic activist left7wing to ever havany more• power that the laws governing freedom7of7

speech will• legally allow+6• Cil the wheels %ay bribery money to get thinstarted+• Cld Lame Ex7lover in the past an old• Cld hand A man who has been on the )ob a ltime and knows•

all about it+• Cld hat Cld7fashioned not up7to7date a thinof the past+ 4"orget• the news and views of Dr+ Death+ !hat/s oldhat+6



• 4Don/t tell me the sad story of %rincess Dian!hat/s old• hat+ !ell me something new that I don/t yet

know+6• Cld maid Fnmarried spinster perhaps with ofashioned views+• Cld money &oney that has been in the familfor a long time+• Cld7fashioned !raditional conventional behthe times outmoded• Cld7timer An old man who has been around a long time and has• a lot of tales to tell• Cn a collision course Directed towards a heaon crash+• Cn a hunch esulting from a sudden thoughidea a guess preJ1N• monition instinct sudden inspiration chanc

feeling+• 4As if guided by some sixth sense or feelinghad the• sudden hunch that you wanted to nd andspeak to me+6• 4ust on a hunch I decided to look in the<eattle phonebook •

to see if I might nd your number andaddress+6• 4ust on a hunch I had the feeling that youmight be ill• and need me so I decided to call and in-uire



about your• well7being+6• Cn a power trip TTT++ TTT+ ego•

Cn a shoestring <tarting with nothing• Cn a whim• Cn account of • Cn alert• Cn an on7going basis .ontinuing• Cn bad terms with 2ot getting along becausof bad feelings+• Cn bended7knee %roposing marriage orbegging forgiveness or a favor• while kneeling on one knee• Cn easy street #iving well making easymoney having success with• little e?ort having everything you needwithout having• to do much for it+• Cn good terms with Having good relationswith getting along well with+• Cn hold %ostponed for a while+• Cn ice <uspended pending on the backburner on hold+• Cn impulse Cn the spur of the momentwithout thinking on a whim+•

Cn its last legs About to collapse• Cn my honor Honestly• Cn pins and needles Excited• Cn purpose Deliberately intentionally T• Cn rare occasions Cnly rarely+



• Cn second thought After considering careful• Cn speaking terms Having a friendly andcordial relationship with+•

Cn the brink of Approaching coming near togetting ready to about to• on the point of on the verge of+ 4!he world approaching• the brink of disaster and will soon come to aend if • the use of fossil fuel is not soon drasticallyreduced+6• Due to bad management investments Eco.ompany is• on the brink of bankruptcy+6 4!errorists are the brink • of ac-uiring the technology to carry out gerwarfare• attacks+6• Cn the button Exactly right hit the nail on thead right on+• Cn the carpet In trouble called up to be-uestioned before your boss• Cn the dole Cut of a )ob and receivingunemployment insurance payments• from the public welfare service+ 4,hy shoul

go• back to work when I can live on the dole forthe next• three months@6 4I paid unemploymentinsurance premiums



• for twenty7ve years before I was maderedundant• and I feel no regrets for living o? the dole+

!hat/s what• J1P• the plan was designed for+6 4<ome unethicapeople take• advantage of working only as long as theyneed to in order• to be eligible for unemployment insurance athen• they -uit their )obs and live o? the dole for along as• they can+ If everybody did that the socialwelfare system• would break down+6• Cn the dot Exactly on time sharp to theminute punctually not a• minute early or a minute late+ 4I want you topick me up• at twelve o/clock sharp on the dot not aminute early or• a minute late+6 4I arrived at the oOce at eigA& sharp• exactly on the dot for work+6 4I always arriv

bit early• for an appointment so I can be sure that I athere and• ready to meet the client exactly on the dot+6• Cn the dotted7line !he place at the bottom o



the contract where you have to• sign your name on the dotted line+• Cn the double At twice the normal pace (as

military marching* at• double the expected speed right awayimmediately instantly• at once fast -uickly+ 4All right you menforward• march on the double+6 4'o and pick7up theexpress• package on the double+6 4'et this messageout to the• client on the double+6 4I/d better get back tomy desk on• the double in case anyone misses me+64.omplete this• task on the double or you/ll be in big trouble• Cn the down side !he disadvantages on the

one side• Cn the fence .annot yet decide one way or tother still neutral unbiased• impartial in position waiting to choose whic• way to go sitting on the fence watching to swhich• side is preferable+6 4I/m sitting on the fence

the moment• and cannot yet decide whether to vote for thliberals• or the conservatives+6 4,e/re still sitting onthe fence



• regarding the decision to pay a stock dividein spite of • low prots+6•

Cn the Ly Cn the run in a hurry+• Cn the fringe 2ot at the center but on theoutside edge of the circle on• the outer margin on the periphery+ 4%oliticaI am not• at the center of conservatism but on theoutside edge of • liberal activism+6 4<alvador Dali was not amember of • any artistic movement but on the fringe of asurrealistic• world of his own+6 4<ome times I do believethat I am on• the fringe of madness or maybe even beyonthe fringe+6• Cn the go Busy always active• Cn the grapevine 2ews gets around accordito gossip or on the grapevine• as they say+ 4I heard on the grapevine that yare• pregnant again+ Is that true@6 4,e heard onthe grapevine•

that our chairman/s days were numbered+64,ord on the• grapevine has it that you are going to resignand take on• a better )ob at higher pay+ Is that so@6



• Cn the gravy train In a position in which themoney keeps Lowing in+• J1Q•

Cn the house "ree wit no charge complimenof the management+ T• Cn the hush ,ithout telling anyone• Cn the lam unning from the law hiding out• Cn the level "air e-ual and honest+• Cn the loose• Cn the make #ooking for a sexual partner+• Cn the mend• Cn the move• Cn the nose• Cn the one hand• Cn the -uiet <ecretly without telling anybodabout it+• Cn the rebound• Cn the same wavelength• Cn the shelf <et aside or postponed for themoment+• Cn the side A little sex outside the mainrelationship+ 4men who like• to have extra7marital relations on the side anot good• examples of family values+6 999•

Cn the sly !o do something secretly behind backs of others so• that no one will know usually with bad motior intentions• deviously surreptitiously+ 4He was telling th



• manager on the sly about all the secrets ofoOce gossip+6• 4He was giving insider information to the

competition• on the sly to get some extra money+6 4He wseeing• another woman on the sly for twenty years ahis• wife never found out about it+6• Cn the sly• Cn the spot• Cn the spur of the moment• Cn the s-uare Honest and on the level fair honorable+• Cn the suspicion of Accused of • Cn the take !aking bribes or kickbacks orillegal money• Cn the threshold of • Cn the tip of my tongue 2ot -uite able toremember but )ust about to say or state• T• Cn the trail "ollowing someone• Cn the upswing !he curve is improvingupwards+• Cn the verge of 2earing the point of on the

edge of approaching coming• close to on the threshold of on the brink of4&odern• medical research is on the verge of discovera cure



• for heart failure+6 4!he rm is now on theverge of going• public and o?ering stock shares on the

market+6 4I am in• the verge of a nervous breakdown because othe constant• pressure of tax deadlines at the oOce+6• Cn the wagon 2ot drinking any alcohol+• Cn the wrong side of the• law+• Acting criminally against the law+• J:R• Cn thin ice T dangerously T• Cn top of the world Happy and so successfuthat things could not be better+• Cn track Cn the right path according to plan• Cn your best behavior Being careful not todanything wrong+• Cn your guard• Cn your honor• Cn your last legs Fsing your last ounce ofstrength running out of power• no longer able to struggle ready to give7up• Cn your own All alone with no one to help y• Cn your side•

Cn your word• Cnce bitten twice shy If a person has beenhurt in rst love he9she will be more• hesitant the next time he9she takes a chanceon love+ 4After



• .ynthia/s divorce it took her years to evenlook at or• get close to another man+ Gou know the

expression• SCnce bitten twice shy+/6 4After I got divorcefrom my• wife at age twenty7three I )ust fooled7arounwith a lot• of other women for about ten years withoumaking a• serious commitment+ !here must be sometruth in the• saying SCnce bitten twice shy+/6 4Cnce bittetwice shy• also applies to business ventures+ If you havbeen• cheated once you will be twice as careful thnext time• you attempt to make a deal+6• Cnce in a blue moon arely infre-uentlyseldom very occasionally not often• once in a while from time to time+ 4Cnly onin a• blue moon do we see the holy man appear frhis•

cave+6 4Cnly once in a blue moon will you evsee me• take an alcoholic drink+6 4!he celebratedmovie star• .arey .herry would only ever consent to giv



an interview• once in a blue moon+6 4Cnly once in a bluemoon•

do we ever see a blue moon+6+6• Cnce the word gets out• Cne foot in the grave Half7dead• Cne for the road Cne more drink before goinhome+• Cne good turn deserves• another+• Cne hand washes the• other• !wo are necessary in order to help oneanother work • together in synchroni>ation can/t do one thwithout• having the other similar to the idea that 4Iscratch your• back you scratch my back+6• Cne of these days <omeday sooner or later+• Cne step at a time Cne thong at a time oneafter another+• Cne step forward and• two steps back • Cne thing leads to another•

Cne too many Cne drink beyond your level otolerance drunk from T• Cne track mind Cnly thinking about one thin4Gou men are all the• J:1



• same+ Gou/ve got a one track mind+6• Cne way or another <omehow• Cne way street ust as a roar may be open to

traOc only from one direction• so in a human situation where T• Cne7after7another In se-uenceT• Cne7by7one Cne after the other+• Cne7on one "ace to face• Cne7sided Fnfair pre)udiced weighted to oside not balanced+• 4!here are two sides to every argument+ If ylisten to• only one side you get an imbalanced one7sided view+6• Cne7tracked7mind Cbsession with only onething a compulsive xation on• one sub)ect+ 4&en are all the same+ !hey/vegot a onetrack7• mind+6• Cne7upmanship !rying to show that you arebetter than others• Cnly a handful A few not very many a smalnumber a small percentage• of the whole+ 4Almost all the passengers in tairline•

disaster of Light M:Q died in the crash andonly a• handful survived+6 4Cnly a handful of thosewho graduated• in the class of 1QR: still living+6 4Cnly a



handful of • the men in my regiment survived until the eof the•

war+6 4Cnly a handful of cases do patientsdiagnosed• with congestive heart failure survive for mothan six• years+6• Cnly kidding ust )oking• Cnly scratching the surface• Cn7the7-uiet <ecretly so no one noticeswithout telling anyone without• anyone knowing on the sly+ 4Bob and .aroland !ed• and Alice used to meet on the -uiet and trasexual• partners without anybody else knowing aboit+6 4!he• board members decreased the amount of thproposed• shareholder/s dividend secretly on7the7-uieso that no• one would be able to complain+6 4%oliticiansoften make• condential alliances on the -uiet as a mea

to increasing• their sphere of inLuence power base andpower• base+6• Cnto a good thing



• Codles and oodles of • money• #ots of money loads and loads•

Co>ing7with7charm• Cpen re• Cpen and shut case• Cpen book • Cpen doors (verb*• Cpen house• Cpen invitation• Cpen -uestion Dubious undecided not yetanswered still to be resolved+• J::• Cpen season ust as in some countries you conly hunt certain animals• in certain seasons so• Cpen secret .ommon knowledge somethingthat should be kept• hush7hush but everybody knows+• Cpen to criticism• Cpen to the topic eady and willing to discuit+ 4!he chairman said he• was open to the topic and willing to discuss • Cpen up ustas you may be knocking andasking someone to open•

up the door so you may T• Cpen up and confess Cpen up your heart anadmit what you did wrong+• Cpen up and spill the• beans+



• Cpen7hearted• Cpen7minded• Cpportune moment !he appropriate or right

moment when the opportunity• presents itself the moment when good fortuarises+• Cpportunistic person• Cpportunity knocks !he opportunity of alifetime suddenly opens up+• Cpposite number ,ife or husband partner+• Cpt for .hoose the option that you prefer• Cpt out .hoose the option to drop out• Cpt7out• Crder people around Be bossy telling everywhat to do T• Crders are orders+• Cther7worldly Intellectually or imaginativelyanother realm beyond• this world+• Cunce of prevention T 4An ounce ofprevention is worth a pound of cure+6• Cur neck of the woods In our part of theregion where we come from the place• where we grew up and are still now living+ 4our neck •

of the woods we brew our own whiskey and suspicious• of all strangers especially ones who look likgovernment• tax oOcials+6



• Cust from oOce $ick out of an electedposition• Cut and about 2o longer conned to bed bu

able to get out and move• about after recovery standing up and walkabout no• longer conned or restricted to home but abto go out• of the house and get about town+ 4'ranny/scondition is• improving rapidly and after three months obed rest she• is now able to get out and about+6 4I hope yrecover• from your illness and hope to see you out anabout very• soon+6 4I was conned to my bed in thehospital for four• months after my car accident but with timebegan to• recuperate and at least get out of bed andwalk about the• ward+6 4I was so weak that I couldn/t evenleave my bed• and move around the house but now after m

heart• transplant I am able to get out and about ago downtown• now and again+6• Cut in the open Fnprotected fro all sides



• J:;• Cut like a light Cut cold knocked out• Cut of cash9 money Broke penniless with no

money+• Cut of character Fntypical of one/s behavior• Cut of control .ontrolled• Cut of danger <afe and sound• Cut of harm/s way In a safe place• Cut of line Inappropriate social behavior• Cut of luck 2o chance• Cut of nowhere <uddenly and unexpectedly• Cut of proportion !o blow up something to bbigger than the surrounding• circumstances+• Cut of range !oo far away to hit as a target• Cut of sight out of mind If you don/t see aperson for some time you may think of • him less7fre-uently if someone goes away t

another• town you may lose contact and closeness adrift apart+• 42ina forgot about me when I went away tocollege and• because I was out of sight and out of mind soon married•

my best friend 'arth+6 4A husband and wifeshould• live together in the same home if the wife iout of sight• she may soon be out of mind and the husban



may start• playing around with other women+/ 9999• Cut of the blue All of a sudden unexpectedl

all at once without warning• as though from out of nowhere+ 4I was )ustdriving• along the road when unexpectedly out to tblue a• dead duck fell onto the windshield of my car4Delbert• had been looking unsuccessfully for work fothree years• when suddenly out of the blue he got a )obo?er from• IB&+6 4!he girl scouts were hiking along thepath when• without prior warning out of the blue a bigbrown gri>>ly• bear arose up before them+6• Cut of the picture• Cut of touch 2ot up to date with thecircumstances+• Cut of the way places T far o? the beatentrack • Cut of the woods .lear of the dangerous par

past the worst out of a situation• in which you are lost and confused anddiscouraged• about how to get out of trouble+ 4Being lostthe forest



• and not nding your way out can be compato working• your way through technical diOculties or ou

a• critical personal political or businessproblem+6 4!he• company was losing money in the third -uarlast year• but after implementing cost cuts we are nout of the• woods and hope to show a prot by the end the year+6• 4,e feared that we would not be able to meour sales• -uota but we are now out of the woods andworking• twenty percent above budget• Cut of the woodwork <uddenly appearing fr

all sides like worms out of the• baseboards around the Loor of a room+• Cut of this world Fnimaginably wonderful+• J:J• Cut of whack &isaligned non7functional ouline out of order+• Cut of your element In a place or position yo

are not accustomed to+• Cut of your mind .ra>y mad out of yoursenses insane• Cut of your skull .ra>y mad nutty mentallinsane psychologically disordered



• totally out of your head+ 4Gou must be out o• your skull to suggest such a cra>y idea+ It/stotally over•

the top+6 4,hen %rof+ #eary used to take #<back in• the sixties people said he was out of his sku4,illie• Hipster used to sometimes believe that he wa divine• god come to save the world but the truth wthat he• was only a nut7case+6 Gou must be totally ouof your• skull to even suggest that we disrobe in themiddle of the• .hurch service+6• Cut on a limb ust as when you are up in a trand out on a limb and in• danger of falling down so you can say you agoing out• on a limb if you are taking a risk in order tohelp someone• else 4,hy should I go out on a limb and riskmy• neck to help you when I know that you are

totally unreliable@6• Cut stay your welcome emain as a guest folonger than you are wanted+• Cut to lunch A bit stupid with no idea not athere not aware of



• what is happening+• Cut7foxed again5 Cut7smarted nonce more5• Cut7in7the7open Fnprotected defenseless

helpless vulnerable• Cut7of7commission 2ot operating broken7down not working not functioning• out7of7order+ 4!he slot machine was out7ofcommission• and I couldn/t get my money back+6• Cut7of7context Having nothing to do with thmatter at hand separated• from in isolation from individually+• Cut7of7hand Cut7of7control• Cut7of7harm/s7way Cut7of7danger• Cut7of7hope Despairing• Cut7of7keeping Cpposite of the usual behavinot consistent with• Cut7of7kilter 2ot correctly7aligned non7

functional out7of7order not• balanced right broken down+• Cut7of7order 2ot functioning broken notworking right+• Cut7of7sorts In a bad mood not feeling well• Cut7of7step 2ot following the accepted normnon7conformist•

Cut7of7sync 2ot progressing in a synchroni>order unsynchroni>ed• not working according to plan not functioniin• the proper technological se-uence not in st



with not• working together+ 4!he technical systems arstill a little•

bit out of sync so we will need time to makefew ad)ustments• before starting the launch+6 4I/ve got the ite• on my agenda all mixed7up and out of sync let me• rearrange the se-uence before we send outthe memo+6• 4!he sound system on my !3 is a little bit ouof sync• so you can see a fraction of a second of delabetween• J:K• the lip7movements of the speaker in thepicture and the• voice sound that follows+6• Cut7of7the7ordinary Extra7special• Cut7of7the7picture 2ot -uite present not in know+• Cut7of7the7-uestion 2ot possible• Cut7of7the7running• Cut7of7this7world• Cut7of7time•

Cut7of7touch 2ot in contact+ 4I have been ouof7touch with my uncle• since he changed addresses+6 9999 4.ra>ypeople are said• to be out7of7touch with reality+6



• Cut7of7whack Cut7of7order• Cut7of7your7element In unfamiliarsurroundings T•

Cut7of7your7hair 'et rid of someone who is aannoyance (like a bat in• your hair*• Cut7of7your7mind <o cra>y that you/ve got thwrong idea+ 4Gou must be• out of your mind to think that I would ever gout with• you+6 4• Cutrageous action Disgraceful shockingshameful deed+• Cut7to7lunch 2ot all there a bit cra>y not athere with no idea• what/s going on can/t think straight+ 4Don/tbother asking• .arrie for an opinion+ <he/s a bit out to lunc

and• won/t even understand the -uestion+6 T• Cutward appearance How one looks from thoutside+• Cutward7going Extraverted• Cut7witted Cut7smarted• Cver a barrel Helpless unable to make a mo

to help yourself+• Cver my dead body• Cver my head !oo diOcult for me tounderstand+• Cver the hill 3ery old past retirement age n



able to do much useful• any more• Cver the hump Cver the most diOcult part+•

Cver the moon <o elated5• Cver the top !oo exaggerated• Cverbearing manner Domineering arrogant• Cverdo it 'o too far go to excess do toomuch do more than is• needed or appropriate+• Cver7exert yourself • Cverindulge yourself Eat or drink to excessoverdo it go to excess+• Cver7indulgent• Cverkill Excessive defensive response• Cver7my7 dead7body Gou will have to kill merst+• Cver7react• Cverstep7the7bounds• Cverstep7the7mark 'o too far exceed thelimits of propriety go beyond• what is considered decent behavior+• Cver7the7barrel ust as someone who is tiedover7a7barrel is in a helpless• J:M• position to protect himself from a lashing s

we often• say we are over a barrel when we are not in position to• help ourselves or others+ 4 T• Cver7the7hill !oo old to work or be useful an



more+• Cver7the7hump Cver the peak over thehardest part+•

Cver7the7top In excess of usual expectationmuch too much more• than is normal or proper going too far beyothe• bounds of propriety to the extreme excessexaggerated+• 4I know <helia likes to appear ultra7fashionable• but her turning up at the conference withpurple hair was• totally over7the7top+6 4I know that <lick liketo show o? • his money but I thought his buying a pink7colored olls7• oyce was a bit over the top+6 4Although my

husband• encourages me to exercise my freedom hethought that• my attending the memorial ceremony in a sethrough• blouse was going too far absolutely over7thtop+6•

Cwn7up7to .onfess guilt admit that you didtell the truth+• %• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples



• %ack it in uit stop give it up• %ack rat <omeone who runs with the crowdespecially the wrong•

sort of crowd+• %ack up and go• %acked7in like sardines• %ad the bill ust as a packing case may bepadded with extraT+ <o an• unscrupulous T may add false expenses toincrease T• %added7cell• %adding the accounts Adding extra hidden7costs to accounts in order to pocket• the di?erence T• %addle your backside• %addy wagon %olice van for picking upwrongdoers and transporting• them to the station+ 4Cld &alone was picked

up by the• paddy wagon again and charged with beingdrunk and• disorderly+6 T• %ain7in7the7neck A nuisance+• %ainstaking e?ort %aying careful diligent anperseverant attention to•

reaching a goal+• %aint a picture ust as an artist can paint apicture so an speaker or• writer can be said to be painting a picture bputting



• ideas ans images in the minds of others+ 4 Tpaints a• grim picture•

%aint the town red 'o out and spend a lot ofmoney and have a good time in• the city+• %aint yourself into a corJ:N• ner• %ales in comparison to <eems like nothingwhen compared toT• %alm7o?7on !o hand over an unwanted )ob oresponsibility or thing• to someone else to trick someone into takinover what• you do not want+• %altry sum Insignicant amount to pay• %ang of conscience• %anic7 stricken ust as a herd of goats may b

stuck by terror and fright• and run scattering in all directions so we msay that• people are panic7stricken when T• %aper thin• %aper tiger Appears strong but is not• %aper trail•

%ar for the course ust about what can beexpected+• %arade7up7and7down <how something orsomeone o? pretentiously and ostentatiously+• %arrot someone/s words epeat everything



someone says word for word• %art and parcel• %art company•

%art of the problem• %artial to Have a liking for someone• %arty7pooper $ill)oy wet blanket someonewho spoils the party for• others because he will not )oin in the fun+• %ass a bum check !o pretend to pay someonby issuing a bad check when• there is actually not enough money in theaccount to• cover payment to write a check fraudulentlyand knowingly• give it to someone even though you know tbank • will not accept it to write a check that will4bounce6 due• to lack of funds+ 4Before he left town <limpassed a bum• check to the landlord for overdue rent+6 4Insome countries• you can go to )ail for passing a bum check+64&any• hotels accept only cash or credit cards to av

the possibility• of guests passing them bum checks+6• %ass )udgment• %ass muster &easure7up to expectation pasinspection satisfy -uality



• standards+ 4ust as the troops may be lined7to pass• muster or inspection so a T•

%ass the buck %lace the blame on someoneelse say someone else is• responsible let someone else do it let anotperson do• the )ob say it/s not your duty to act+ 4Don/pass the• buck and try to put the blame on someoneelse+ Be a man• and say you made a mistake+6 4%oliticians aalways• trying to pass the buck and blame others fotheir own• blunders+6 4I hate to pass the buck like thisbut I/m afraid• I won/t have time to make the presentation

and I/d like• you to do it for me6• %ass up an opportunity• %assed7over• J:P• %assing fancy• %assing remark A casual comment made

without thinking+• %assive resistance• %ass7the7hat .ollect money accept donation• %ast the blossom of youth 'etting older+• %ast your peak 2ot as good as you once wer



no longer capable of performing• as you did when you were at your best pastthe•

prime time in your life or career over the hitoo old to• cut the mustard anymore• %at on the back 'esture of congratulations+• %at on the head In western culture to placeone/s hand gently on the head• of a child or an e-ual is a sign of a?ection orpraise and• recognition+ T+congratulation• %atch7up <ettle di?erences reconcile aconLict resolve a disagreement• kiss and make7up to become friends again• forgive and forget let bygones be bygones+4&om and• Dad almost got divorced )ust after I was bo

but luckily• for me they patched7up their di?erence andmanaged• to make the marriage work+6 4.huck and hisgirlfriend• 2atalie had a ght on "riday night but by<aturday afternoon•

they had patched7things7up kissed7and7madup• and things were all lovey7dovey again+6 4.hand !aiwan• were holding talks to try to patch up their



di?erences• regarding the -uestion of !aiwan/s proposedindependence+6•

%atroni>ing attitude .ondescending way ofviewing and addressing somebody• %atsy <omeone to take advantage of and laythe blame upon• fall7guy• %ave the way for• %ay dirt <udden wealth and success• %ay homage to• %ay lip7service to• %ay one/s dues <pend time in service beforegaining higher rank and• privilege+• %ay peanuts %ay little money pay lowsalary9wages+• %ay the conse-uences• %ay the piper %ay for your bad behavior facthe results of your actions• make recompense for the wrong you havedone• take your punishment make up for your baddeeds+• 4Gou/ve been drinking too much whiskey and

acting like• a fool and now its time to pay the piper+6 4dear boy• we have put up with your bad behavior longenough and



• have decided that it is time for you to pay thpiper+6• 4Gou may get away with your bad deeds for

while but• sooner or later it will be time to pay thepiper+6• %ay through the nose %ay up now in hard caor else miss the opportunity• pay an over7expensive price cost an arm anleg overJ:Q• priced pay at bloodsucker prices+ 4If you wato have• your home decorated by a well7known interidecorator• who is much in demand you/ll have to paythrough the• nose+6 4Gou can go to an inexpensivegovernment hospital• and wait six hours to see a doctor or you cago to a• private hospital and pay through the nose tosee a specialist• immediately+6 4If you want to buy tickets fotonight/s• football game you/ll have to pay through th•

nose at )acked7up sky7high scalper prices+6• %ay your last respects• %ayback evenge• %aying7o? "inally beginning to show results benets or prots+



• %eace of mind• %eace o?ering• %eak of insolence•

%eak of success• %earls of wisdom ,ords of wisdom wise-uotations• %eck away at Eat like a bird• %ecking order ust as chickens have T• %eeping !om• %eer pressure• %elting down "alling heavily+ 4!he rain waspelting down so heavily• that T• %encil7pusher <omeone who works in an oOchecking things+• %enny7pincher <omeone who is very stingyfrugal will not spend even• a penny tries to save every cent be miserly

be a cheapskate+• 4<cotsmen may be careful in the way theyspend• money but the idea that they are supposed be penny• pinchers is a highly exaggerated stereotype4Don/t be•

such a penny pincher and buy yourself somenew socks• and underwear once in while+6 4I have amiserly old uncle• called <crooge who lives on tea and toast



because he• is so stingy he will not even spend money toeat a healthy•

diet+6• %ensioned7o? • %ent7up emotions• %eople power• %eople will get the wrong• idea+• %ep talk A speech intended to inspireenthusiasm and morale+• %erish the thought5 'od forbid5 I shudder tothink5 I tremble to think5• %er)ure yourself #ie before a court of )ustice• %erk7up your ears aise attentively• %ersonal grudge• %ersonal pre)udice• %erverse individual <omeone whose intentio

are directed away from the• good• J;R• %erversion of the good• %ester someone for• something• ++ T+pester to death•

%et peeve "avorite complaint• %eter7out• %etried with fear ust as trees vegetablematerials can be petried and• turned into stone so we sat we are absolute



petried• when we are really afraid+• %etty7minded•

%ick a -uarrel %urposely start an argument overbal ght+• %ick and choose• %ick apart• %ick away at ust as one may pick away chipat a rock using a sharp• tool so we can say that T criticism• %ick holes in someone/s• argument• .ritici>e and pick to pieces• %ick of the litter ust as one might be free tochoose the best puppy from a• new7born litter so in life one might T+• %ick on someone• %ick someone/s brains• %ick up the hint• %ick up the tab "or one person take and paythe restaurant or bar bill for• everyone at the table pay for someone whocan/t pay for• himself pay someone/s bill in order to help+4#et me get•

this+ I/ll pick up the tab because it is mybirthday+6 4e?rey• always picked up the bar tab because #eftynever• had any money of his own+6 4Fncle Arthur



always picks• up the tab when he takes me out to dinnerbecause he•

knows I/m only a student and don/t have vermuch• money+6• %ick up where you left• o? • <tart up from where you stopped the last timyou were• working on something+• %ick7me7up A drink supposedly taken forrefreshment usually alcoholic• %icky and choosy• %ie in the sky <omething that people onlydream about but could never• attain in reality a hopeless goal or ambitionan impossible• fantasy a scheme that could fulll all yourgreatest• desires but which has no basis in actuality+4"ather spent• all of his life trying to fulll his pie in the skyschemes• and never succeeded in achieving any of his

hopes and• dreams+6 4<top talking all that pie in the skybullshit and• come down to earth and take a good hard loat the



• harsh reality of life+6 4!he problem with pie the sky• Ftopian dreams is that they are based on th

false premise• that man in nature has an innate inborn desto do• the good+6• %iece of advice• J;1• %iece of cake• %iece of my mind• %iece things together %ut the facts togetheryou can gure out• %iece work ,ork in which you are paid by thpiece rather than by• the hour or day+• %igeon hole .ategori>e le• %ig7headed <tubborn• %ilfer the till <teal from the cash register+• %inch7hit for 'o to bat for someone• %ink of health Best condition T • %ink slip Dismissal notice from the company• %inpoint the problem T put your nger on• %int7si>ed <mall• %ipe down Be -uiet•

%ipe dream• %ips-ueak <mall insignicant person T4#isten you little pips-ueak• if you don/t get out of here right now/ I/ll T• %issing into the wind



• %it against ust as they used to put a slave ithe oman arena to• ght against a lion so we can say that we p

someone• against a stronger rival+• %itch dark • %itch7in for someone• %ith of the matter !he central issue what isthe core of the -uestion+• %itter7patter of little feet !he sound of littlechildren running around+• %lace in the sun %eople from England and cocountries like <weden or• "inland sometimes dream of being someplacin the sun• to warm the chill from their bones+ 4• %lagued7to7death• %lay along with .ooperate to avoid conLict f

your own benet• %lay around on someone .heat in the game love+• %lay cat and mouse• %lay dirty tricks• %lay down the importance• of •

%lay favorites• %lay hard to get• %lay hooky <kip classes play truant avoidgoing to school+ 4I remember• on day when I was a kid I played hooky and



hid• in a garbage bin all afternoon+6• %lay it by ear <peak spontaneously o?7the7

cu? decide what to say as• you go along ad lib make it up as you go aon the• spur of the moment pretend you are preparso it looks• like you know what you are doing improviseyou are• talking shoot from the hip+ 4I had no time tprepare my• presentation before the meeting so I had toplay it by ear• as I went along+6 4<ometimes when you arean unJ;:• known situation and don/t know exactly whato do or• say you have to play it by ear+6 4ust as amusician• sometimes has to play a song by ear withouany sheet• music to read so a good manager mustimprovise as he• speaks and plays his role and hope that it

sounds all• right+6• %lay it cool• %lay it safe• %lay it straight !ell the truth and do what is



correct+• %lay musical chairs ust a s children play agame in which T 4Human resources•

is doing a personnel shuYe getting some st• members to move from one chair to anotherand getting• rid of some others in the company to cut cosand improve• eOciency+6 4.abinet &inisters in thegovernment• often play musical chairs when the primeminister is• forced to get rid of some and move some of others• from post to post6 4T• %lay on words %un• %lay the eld Date di?erent people until yound the right one+• %lay the fool• %lay the game• %lay the hand you/re• dealt• &ake the best with what you have (as inplaying a hand• of cards* deal with your possibilities and fa

your life• the way it is without wishing yourcircumstances were• better+ 4Gou may have been born poor with nchance at



• a good education but you have to play thehand you are• dealt and try to get by in the best way you

can+6 4It does• no good to complain about the cards that fahas dealt• you+ %lay with the hand that you are dealt+64<ometimes• even when the odds are against you you hato play• with the cards in the hand that you are deal<ometimes• if you blu? your way cleverly through you meven• win+6 6• %lay your cards right• %laying hard to get %retending you don/t likeperson (usually of the opposite• sex* when you actually do to be coy orcapricious• acting as if you don/t want to do a thing or a )ob or accept• a person when you actually do• %laying with re• %ledge of allegiance T+ %ledge of donationT

%ledge of honor• %lenty of other sh in the• sea• #ots of others where that came from+• %lenty of perks &any benets



• %lodding7on• %lugging away at• %lunged into darkness•

%oignant moment Emotional touching movexperience• %oint blank range Direct and immediate• J;;• %oint of contact• %oint of contention• %oint the nger at someone• %lace blame• %oke fun at !ease or make fun of someone• %oke your nose into• someone/s business• %oker7faced <howing absolutely no expressiin one/s face so no• one can see or know what one is feelingthinking anticipating• or expecting (especially when playing a poke• game to avoid the others being able to gueif you are• holding a good hand of cards*+ 4!he gamblekept a• poker face so no one would be able to guessthat he was•

holding four aces and would surely win the bon that• hand+6 4!he .roatian %resident remainedpoker7faced• throughout the debate so no one would kno



what he• was thinking+6 4!he serial killer showed nosign of remorse•

or emotion during trial proceedings and kep• poker face throughout+6• %olish7o? a whole bottle "inish drinking dowwhole bottle of an alcoholic beverage• %ompous ass Arrogant fool self7importantperson haughty full of • himself • %onder the -uestion• %ooh7pooh <corn spurn sco? at put downlook down your nose at• show contempt for+ 4%lease don/t pooh7poohmy proposal• until you hear me out and take some time toconsider• it+6• %ool resources• %ooped7out• %oor as a church mouse <ince is there normno food in a .hurch T• %oor sti? %oor guy5 4<ometimes we call anunfortunate person a• Spoor sti?/ using the comparison of as sti? a

corpse+• %op by sometime+• %op the bubble %rick the balloon shatter anillusion• %op the -uestion Ask someone to marry you



• %oppycock 2onsense foolishness rubbish+4,hat a lot of poppycock+• ,hy don/t you try making some sense

sometimes@6• 4!alk straight and don/t give me a lot ofpoppycock+6• 999999999999999999999• %ost haste uickly at once• %ot calling the kettle• black • Cne thing is as bad as another• %ot7bellied Having a plump or fat stomach thappears in shape like• the bottom of a pot (or pot bellied stove* froeating too• much soup or fatty food from the pot+ ,henman/s• belly sticks out so he looks three to four

months pregnant• we say he/s 4pot7bellied+6 4&y dad has got apot• J;J• belly from drinking too much beer+6 4After hturned• forty Budd developed a pot belly that staye

with him• for life+6 4%eople who eat too much puddingbecome potbellied+6• %otboiler A long novel and poorly7writtennovel



• %otential ha>ard• %otluck dinner• %ounce7at7the7chance•

%ound it into your thick • skull• %ound7it7into7your7head• %our cold water on something• %ouring it on a bit thick #oading someone wcompliments so that it becomes a• bit too much+• %owder keg Explosive situation• %ower play TT+ TTT the power hungryTpower play to take• over the government• %ower politics• %owwow ust as Indian chiefs used to sitaround the re having a• meeting council or powwow so we can say

that a meeting• of chiefs or managers or important people asitting• down to discuss an important decision+• %ractical )oke• %ractice makes perfect• %ractice what you preach+•

%rattle7on .hatter7on and talk a lot ofblithering nonsense+ 4I wish• Auntie &aude would stop talking so much+ <doesn/t• reali>e how annoying it can be when someon



)ust keeps• prattling7on all day long+6• %reconceived7notion An anticipation based o

false expectation a xed inLexible+• %re7determined opinion+ 4,hen you base yo• expectations on preconceived notions you abound to• be disappointed+6• %referential treatment• %re)udiced7opinion A falsely pre7conceivedopinion too heavily weighted to• one side biased intolerant bigoteddiscriminatory narrow7• minded+ 4 T• %resence of mind• %ress on .ontinuing to struggle don/t give ukeep trying hard to• do your best+ 4Don/t let yourself become

discouraged+• %ress on relentlessly until you have reachedyour goal+6• 4,e cannot give up hope now+ ,e must preson despite• any obstacles we may encounter+6 4In this listruggle•

never ends and you/ll have to continue topress on even• when you know you have passed your peak+• %ressed7 for7time• %reventive action T+ %reventive measures



%reventive measures T+ %reJ;K• ventive medicine• %rimal instinct•

%rimary purpose• %rime time !he best time to do something ttime to sei>e the moment• when the most people are watching lookinglistening+• 4!his is the prime time to T• %robable cause• %robe into the matter• %roblem7child• %roceed at your own peril• %roceed with &eans that someone will take next step in the process• of preparing to nish a task+ 4%lease sign thdocument• giving us the power of attorney to proceed

with the process• of registration on your behalf+6 4Cnce we hareceived• the re-uested documents we can proceed inpreparing• your annual audit report+6 4After you haveprovided•

all the re-uired documents the ImmigrationDepartment• may proceed in processing your application • a work permit+6• %rod into action %rod or goad someone to



• %rohibitive costs• %rolong the agony• %rompt action•

%ropound your ideas %ropose put forwardadvocate or explain your thinking+• 4#et me propound some of my ideas to thecommittee to• see what you think of them+6• %rospects look grim Expectations for the futdo not look good+• %rostrate yourself ust as one used to have tprostrate oneself before an• emperor or king by going down on all fourslying Lat• down face to the ground so nowadays wesay guratively• that we have to prostrate ourselves when whave• to humble ourselves and beg the boss or thewife to fulll• a special favor+• %rovoking manner• %rudish attitude %rim and proper view of whit is sexually improper to• do+•

%ry into someone/s a?airs• %syched7up• %ublic announcement• %ublic servant• %ucker7up



• %uke your guts out 3omit everything up out your stomach throw up your• meal•

%ull a fast one• %ull a hoax• %ull a )ob• J;M• %ull a prank • %ull a rabbit out of a hat+• %ull a trick • %ull it o? • %ull out all stops Fse every e?ort• %ull rank on someone• %ull someone/s leg• %ull strings ust as puppeteers pull strings tget their T so T+take• advantage of special connections with peopin high• places to achieve your end+• %ull the plug on ust as you pull the plug to out the bath water so T• %ull the rug out from under• someone• %ull the wool over someone/s• eyes•

%ull through <urvive• %ull to pieces• %ull up stakes• %ull with all your might• %ull your belt in a notch



• %ull your punches <often the words or blowsyour statements or criticisms• %ull yourself together•

%ull yourself up by your• bootstraps• %ull7up your sox Improve your behavior begto make a better e?ort• stop being obviously negligent do what isexpected of • you do what is proper clean up your act+ 4as a• teacher has to tell a schoolboy to pull up hissox so that• he looks proper so a superior has sometimeto tell an• employee under his supervision to pull up hsox guratively• in order to follow regulations+6 4&r+ .ole th

district• superintendent told &r+ "ox to pull up his soor he• would be thrown out+6 4I/d better pull up mysox and• start to follow orders or I/ll soon nd myselfout on my•

ear+6• %unch7drunk • %unitive action• %uppet government• %uppy love



• %ure as the driven snow• %ush back the clock • %ush back the dark •

clouds• %ush people around• %ush somebody/s buttons !ouch on a personpsychological sore7point )ust for the• pleasure of to provoking him into a strongemotional reJ;N• action+ 4Don/t be angry with me for touchingon the topic• of your sexual preference+ I was )ust pushingyour buttons+6• 4,hen two perverse neurotics get togetherthey• push one another/s buttons+6 4If you want tthrow %erkins• o? his balance at the meeting you can )ust

start• pushing hid buttons+6• %ush someone to• %ush the panic button ust as there might bean alarm7button to push in the case• of a national emergency to warm peopleagainst danger•

so a person may be said to push the panicbutton when• something unexpected happens and he goesinto a state• of confusion and panic 4!he thermostat has



)ust reached• the danger level but don/t push the panicbutton++ ust•

ease o? the pressure slowly until the needlebegins to• lower down below the red mark on the dial+64Darling• the mortgage on our house is overdue butdon/t push the• panic button )ust yet because the bankmanager has• agreed to allow us to renance our loan+6 4Ihave to inform• you that your wife had a car accident and is the• hospital but don/t push the panic button+ <hsurvived• without a scratch+6• %ush your luck • %ush your weight around• %ushing the envelope• %ushing7up7daisies Dead and buried six feetunder the ground and serving as• fertili>er for the Lowers growing in the grasabove+ 4I/m•

going to pay you back for the harm you havedone to me• and I won/t be happy until you are six feetunder the• ground pushing up daisies+6 4By the time I



located the• whereabouts of my father he was already inthe ground•

pushing up daisies+6 4!he problem withbecoming a father• when you are over fty is that by the time ychild• becomes of college age you/ll already bepushing up• daisies+6• %ush7o? • %ushover <omeone good7hearted and9or weawho can be easily• talked into doing what you want easy toconvince gives• in to pressure readily agrees+ 4&y Dad/s apushover+ He• is so soft at heart that even when he

disagrees he lets me• do what I want+6 4!he assistant director is apushover8 he• can be talked into anything but the directorhimself is• as stubborn as a mule+6 4<he/ll do anythingthat you•

want+ <he/s a real pushover+6• %ushy7person Aggressive and demandingthrowing one/s weight• around• %ut behind bars Imprisoned put in )ail+



• %ut down an animal• %ut in a good word for ecommend• J;P•

%ut in my two cents• worth• Express your own humble opinion• %ut it on the line T 4I/m going to put it on tline+ Either you do what I• say or you are red56 4It/s about time I put ion the line+• Either you stop drinking or I am going todivorce you56• 4T• %ut it over on someone• %ut it there5 <hake my hand I/ll shake on thI agree with you let/s• be friends+++• %ut me o? my food &ade me lose appetite

T+so disgusting it puts me o? • my appetite+• %ut no stock in what he• says+• %ut on a brave face• %ut on airs %retend to be more than you arelook down on others•

because you think you are better+• %ut on alert• %ut on hold ust as one may be Sput on hold/when making a telephone• call and have to wait until the connection ca



get• through so a business plan or pro)ect may sto be Sput•

on hold/ if it is delayed or put7o? for somereason+ 4!he• East9,est .anal %ro)ect was supposed to stalast 2ovember• but since the government lost the electionthe• plan has been put on hold indenitely+6 T• %ut on the back7burner Delayed until latermade lower in priority put on hold+• 4It looked like I was going to get a )ob on anplatform• in the %ersian 'ulf but now unfortunately pro)ect• has been put on the back7burner+6 T• %ut on the breaks• %ut on the dog ust as one might dress7up agroom a dog for a dog• show you can dress7up and show yourself oat your• best to make others )ealous and envious mayourself • look better than you are and better than

others+ 4#et/s get• all dolled7up and put on the dog and godowntown and• sit at the bar the it> Hotel and drink somecocktails )ust



• to make ourselves feel good+6 4I hate the wathat Eleanor• is always putting on the dog and showing o?

her• )ewelry in front in front of the other girls+6• %ut on the shelf • %ut on the spot• %ut on your thinking cap !ake a moment to uyour brain• %ut one over on Deceive someone with a tric• %ut out of your pain &ercy killing to be putout of your misery• %ut out the red carpet In trouble and called for -uestioning+• %ut out the welcome mat &any houses havefront7door mat with the word 4welcome6• written on it+ !his means that a guest iswelcome+• In a broader sense however putting out thewelcome• mat means making a lot of fuss andpreparations to give a• J;Q• guest a big welcome ceremony to the guesthim feel•

pleased comfortable and glad to be there+4,hen the• ueen comes from England the governmentputs on a• big reception to welcome her arrival+6 4#et/s



get ready to• put out the welcome mat because our'randmother <ally•

is coming from .hicago for a few days to seethe family+6• %ut out to pasture ust as a horse on a farmwill one day be put out to pasture• )ust to gra>e and eat grass because it is tooto• work anymore so a manager or executive mbe said to• be put out t pasture when it is time for him step7down• and leave responsibility up to others+ 4I maysixtyve• but I don/t want to be put out to pasture )usyet because• I think I can still make a contribution to the

company+6• 4,hen 'randfather was seventy he was sti• working as senior partner in our law rm bua year• later he decided it was time for him to be puout to pasture• and let his brother oger take the reigns+6

4,hen a• man is put out to pasture against his will ano longer• has anything to do anymore he often becomdepressive



• and his health begins to decline+6• %ut some teeth into it &ake stricter so peopwill obey+•

%ut someone on• %ut someone on the spot In the spotlight anhaving to speak or answer immediately• %ut someone out of his• misery• %ut someone straight• %ut someone up to something• %ut the bite on someone Ask a person formoney to help you out to beg or borrow• money for a dubious purpose• %ut the damper on ust as in a coal stove oncan reduce the amount of air• inLow to decrease the heat so T• %ut the noose around• your own neck • %ut the record straight• %ut through hell &ade to go through anexcruciating experience made to• pass through agoni>ing and unbearable timeT• %ut through the hoop !est strictly andseverely make them )ump and perform•

so7to7speak+• %ut through the mill• %ut to shame &ade to feel embarrassment ahumiliation in the eyes• of others+



• %ut two and two together• %ut up or shut up5 %lace your money whereyour mouth is make a bet•

don/t )ust keep talking about it+• %ut up with Endure T++ patiently• JJR• %ut you in your place If someone forgets his(low* social position and mixes in• a?airs that are above his rank and station hwill soon be• reminded where he belongs on the socialladder+ 4If you• speak out of turn to your superiors you willsoon be put• in your place+6 4<he started acting as thougshe was better• than us but we soon put her in her place+6• %ut your a?airs in order• %ut your back into it• %ut your best foot forward• !ry to do your best to make a good impressimake• your best e?ort so people will be impresseddemonstrate• your skills and capabilities in the hope that t•

helps you achieve your goal try to make theright impression• by doing what is expected+ 4I was very nerv• before the interview but once I got into theroom I decided



• to put my best foot forward and give it my b• try+6 4<ometimes you may lack condenceabout your•

capabilities but if you )ust put your best fooforward and• do the best )ob you can you will likelysucceed+6 4I was• a little intimidated about speaking with #ord&ountbatten• but I put my best foot forward and he wasmost• cordial towards me so our conversation camo? -uite• smoothly+6• %ut your cards on the table• %ut your foot down5 "inally tell someone thayou are fed up with his behavior• and that he must stop+• %ut your foot in your• mouth• <ay something stupid and out of place+• %ut your heads together+ !alk and thinktogether and brainstorm in teamwork+• %ut your lands in order <ettle your estate+• %ut your mind to rest•

%ut your money where• your mouth is+• Do you want to bet@• %ut7down a person !o re)ect in anunconstructive negative way to abuse or



• a?ront in an o?ensive manner to insult in sa way as• to discourage any further approach or attem

4I felt it to• be -uite a put7down when they said mysuggestion was• ridiculous+6 4!hat was such a put7down wheshe said• that she would never be interested in you assexual• partner+6 4It was a real put7down when I onlreceived• only three percent of the vote+6• %ut7down an animal !o have an animal put oof its misery exterminated• culled+ 4,e had to have our boxer dog putdown because• he kept biting people+6 4!hey had to put dow

the fox• because it had rabies+6 4<ome animals havebe put• down to prevent the spread of infectiousdiseases+6• %ut7o? (appetite* !o lose appetite or interesbecause of a negative impression+•

4I was put7o? my dinner when they startedtalking• JJ1• about cleaning toilets+6 4I wanted to studygeography at



• rst but I was put7o? by the idea of having draw• maps for the next four years+6 4I liked him a

rst but I• was put7o? by his use of bad language+6• %ut7o? (action* !o postpone to a later time hesitate in making a decision• to wait until later to do something necessary• 4Don/t put o? to tomorrow what you can dotoday+6 4,e• put7o? making the decision until the nextmeeting+6 4I• need to visit my grandmother but I/ll have tput it o? to• a later date when I am not so busy+6• %uts me o? • %utting on an act• %ut7up with !o have to endure and bear

something unpleasant• %ut7up with something• for long enough• Become fed7up• • Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples•

uack doctor <omeone who practices medicwithout a license or a• doctor that uses non7standard -uestionablemedical• techni-ues+ TT++-uack medicineTT-uack



doctor• uaint expression• uaking in your boots "ull of fear so that yo

knees are knocking and your feet• are shaking in your shoes+ 4!he hostages )ustood there• -uaking in their boots as the terrorists shotand killed a• helpless old man in a wheelchair+6 4,hen thpreacher• stated that 'od was angry with thecongregation because• they were all sinners and that He was goingcrush• them so that their blood bespattered Hisrobes they sat• and stared in astonishment -uaking in theiboots+6• ,hen I was ten and I knew that my father wmad at• me and would give me a licking when he gothome from• work I waited in my room for the inevitablemoment• -uaking in my boots+6•

uality over -uantity Better to have high-uality than )ust a large -uantity+• ualms and reservations "eeling doubts feamisgivings and uncertainties+• uarrelsome



• uash a rebellion <uppress and put down+• uaver with fear uiver from weakness• ueasy stomach 2auseous unsettled in the

stomach ill and uneasy )ust• plain worried7sick about something+• ueer duck <trange fellow• ueer the deal Do something to make a deaagreement go wrong• botch7up an business deal screw up the deaT• JJ:• uell an uprising .ontrol a riot put a stop to• uench the Lame %ut out extinguish+• uench your thirst ust a re may be -uenchby water so one/s thirst may• be -uenched by drinking it+ 4After riding on camels• through the desert for three days without a

drop of water• to drink we eventually came to an oasis whwe were• able to -uench our thirst+6 4<omeadvertisements claim• that certain drinks will -uench your thirstwhen in fact•

they make you want to drink even more+6 42matter• how old you get you can never -uench yourthirst for• knowledge+



• uerulous behavior Argumentative diOcultirritable looking for a -uarrel• uerulous individual A peevish

argumentative contrary cantankerous person+• 4!he one problem with odger is that he onlistens• to you to be able to nd something tocontradict+ In my• opinion he is a very -uerulous individual+6• uest for fame and fortune• uest for knowledge <eek a broad educationsearch for the truth attempt to• understand the world to get an overview ofthe meaning• of life satisfy the thirst for knowledge+ 4In m-uest for• knowledge I traveled to the far corners of tearth only• to eventually discover that the truth was insof me• myself+6 4In my -uest for knowledge I had tght my• way through a lot of perplexity and pain befI began• to get on the right path+6 4"ollowing the bri

light of • science in his -uest for knowledge man hasprogressed• from the age of darkness to peer into theutmost regions



• of the universe in the present and even gainknowledge• about the process of development of the

galaxies in the• future+6• uest for truth <truggling and striving in thsearch for truth+• uestion of time ,ill happen inevitably+ 4It happen sooner or later it• is )ust a -uestion of time+6• uestion your motives Ask if your actions arbased on good intentions+ ,henever• you do something good for the right reasonthe re• will still always be someone who -uestionsyour motives+6• ,hen I say you have my best interest at heaI• still -uestion your motives+6 4 T 4• ueue7up <tand in line and wait your turn+ 4don/t like to stand in• line and wait to be served+ I even hate to-ueue7up and• take my turn at the A!& machine+6 4I stillremember•

how in the old days before I had a car I useto have to• -ueue7up in line and wait for the bus in therain+6• uibble about



• uibble over• uick action• uick conse-uences•

JJ;• uick x• uick look • uick reaction• uick results• uick7on7the7draw ust as a cowboy has to b-uick on the draw to get his• gun out so he can shoot the other guy rst some people• are said to be -uick on the draw when they answer• a challenge -uickly and cleverly+ 4Be carefulyou• try to challenge ichard because he/s mentsharp and• -uick on the draw and he will have countereyour criticism• before you even nish it+6 4I can never win aargument• with my wife because she is -uick on the dra• and ready with a swift retort no matter whasay+6 4A•

good debater will always be mentally -uick othe draw• and ready to counter any argument broughtagainst him+6• uick7tempered



• uick7witted• uiet as a mouse ust as a mouse maybe -ubecause it is timid and•

afraid of being discovered so a person can b-uiet as a• mouse to avoid being caught+ 4!he childrenremained• -uiet as a mouse to avoid being discoveredwhere they• did not belong+6 4Because our little sisterAnnie is so• shy and timid she always remains -uiet as amouse even• when the rest of us are noisily )oking andkidding• around+6 4Gou/ll have to hide in the closet akeep• -uiet as a mouse when the dormitory

supervisor comes• into my room or I/ll get in trouble for havingunauthori>ed• guests after curfew+6 4keep -uiet as a mousand• don/t tell our secret to anyone+6• uiet down <hut up and be -uiet T•

uip oke wisecrack clever remark• uirky behavior Eccentric odd peculiarstrange idiosyncratic action or• conduct+ 4In black and white comedy moviesmad scientists



• were often portrayed as showing -uirkybehavior+6• 4Excuse old Fncle Ed for his -uirky behavior

He/s got a• screw loose somewhere+6 4&y son you/dbetter try to• control your -uirky behavior or people willstart saying• you are odd and peculiar+6• uit bothering me+• uit kidding around Be serious don/t play wme stop fooling about stop• your )oking 4uit kidding around and beserious for a• minute and give me an honest answer my-uestion+6• 4<top your )oking and kidding around and tame more• seriously+6 4I wish you would -uit your kiddiand• avoiding the topic and tell me how you reallfeel about• me+6• uit while the going/s• good+•

'et out (of the business* now before it/s toolate stop• doing what you/re doing before you run intoany probJJJ• lems resign before you are force to go+ 4'e



out of the• business now before you start to have anyproblems+6•

4Cur market share is shrinking and sales ardown by• twenty percent so I think that we should -uwhile the• going/s good+6 4uit now while the going/sgood before• you lose face when they try to force you toresign+6• uit while you/re ahead+ <top before youbegin losing what you have gained+ 4A• clever gambler stops while he/s still winningbecause he• knows he has to -uit while he/s ahead+6 4!hrm will• eventually begin to show losses if we contin

to try to• market this product7line so I think we shoul-uit while• we are ahead+6 4Gou stock shares may go uplittle more• in price but then again they may falldramatically so I/d•

advise you to sell and -uit now while you arahead+6• uit your fooling around• uite a comedown• uite common



• uite nice 2ot bad fairly good relatively niSuite nice/ indicates• an understatement rather than an

overstatement+• 4&y Aunt Betty is -uite nice means that shebearable• and tolerable rather than very pleasant+64,hen we say• that a gift is -uite nice we mean )ust barelyC$ rather• than wonderful+6 4Gou could say that his wifis -uite• nice if you like that sort of name7dropper ansocial• climber+6• uitter <omeone who gives7up easily+ Don/t a -uitter and• give up too easily he who endures and

prevails nally• succeeds+6 99999999999• uiver and shake• uivering from the cold• ui>>ical look A look or glance that seems tobe asking a -uestion or• seeking an answer+ 4,hen I asked the bank

manager if • we might mortgage our house my wife gaveme a -uick• -ui>>ical look as if to ask S,hy didn/t youdiscuss this



• with me beforehand+/6 4,hen I threw mycomputer• mouse out the window my supervisor gave

a -ui>>ical• look as if to ask if I had suddenly gone cra>y4&orton• is always going about with a -ui>>ical look ohis• face as if to say that he cannot understandwhat is going• on around him+6• JJK• • Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• ack and ruin• ack your brain !ry hard to remember or rec• adiant smile• adical action T+ T+ adical activist• aging inferno• ags to riches• ain or shine T come rain or shine• aining cats and dogs %elting very heavy rathat is coming down in buckets• aise a few eyebrows <hock a few prudish

people• aise a ruckus aise a stink a fuss+• aise the roof &ake a big fuss• aising hell Having a rip7roaring time doingwhatever you want



• without moral control+• aising the bar• ake in the dough+ ust as in a bakery they

a rake as a way of pulling• the hot loaves of bread (dough* towards theand as at• the gambling table they rake in the chips togather in• their winnings so we may say that someonebusiness• who is raking in the dough is gathering hugeprots+• ake someone over the• coals• <cold reprimand -uestion severely+• ake7o? Illegal payo? or commission underthe7table7money+• aking it in &aking large nancial gains• ally your forces• am it down your throat• amshackle home A house that is run7downand dilapidated and falling to• pieces• an like clockwork • andom remark •

andom sample• ank7and7 le .ommon everyday people (orsoldiers* without oOcial• grade rank or status• anting and raving



• are occurrence• aring7to7go• ash action•

asping voice• attled7nerves• avenous hunger Extremely hungry• aving mad• aving maniac• aw deal• aw youth• a>or sharp• JJM• each closure !o nali>e or settle a deal to the client to sign the• contract to conclude a dispute to come tonal terms+• 4!he two companies have reached closure othe terms• of the )oint venture and have signed thememorandum of • understanding this morning+6 4A goodsalesman is one• who can reach closure and get the contractsigned• -uickly+6 4A mediator should always be

thinking about• the fastest way to reach agreement andclosure between• the parties+6• each out



• eaching for the skies Having high hopesabout one/s future or career wanting• to be a star rich and famous or to achieve

some great accomplishment• in life+ 4Goung people who graduate are• often reaching for the stars and dreamingimpossible• dreams before they eventually come down tearth and• become more realistic about theirpossibilities+6• ead between the lines+• ead something into• something that isn/t there• ead the riot act• ead the small print• eady and waiting• eady for action• eady money• eady to go• eally something5 <omething really specialimpressive astonishing ama>ing+• 4Gou should hear the new album by the <corIt is• really something56 4!his new wireless devic

really• something5 It can check your e7mail takepictures control• your refrigerator and even do your shoppingremote



• control+6 4!hat new girl in our class is reallysomething5• <he is so adorable+6•

ecant a remark !ake back what you said gback on your word eat your• words say that what you said was not whatyou meant+• 4!he .ardinal told the Bishop that if the Bisdid not• recant his critical remark about the story ofthe 2ew !estament• being merely mythological he would beexcommunicated+6• echarge your batteries• eckless abandon Heedless careless wildthoughtless lack of restraint+• econ with %e prepared on advance to expeTT• econcile yourself to Accept the circumstanand get used to it+• ecoup your losses• ed carpet treatment• ed herring ust as in the English foxhuntsomeone might drag a red• herring to lead the hound dogs astray on a

false trail so• T• ed tape COcial paperwork bureaucracyoOcial procedure+• JJN



• ed7blooded American• boy• educed to rubble•

eek of tobacco <tink from smoking cigarett• efresh my memory• egrettable incident• egular guy• ehash an argument epeat and go over anargument word for word+• eign head and shoulders• above the rest+• eign yourself in ust as a horseT hold yourback from• elay a message %ass on to tell someone T• ely on someone• emain undaunted• emedy the situation• eprimand for• eproach for• esigned to your fate• esist arrest• esolute action• esponsible to 4I am responsible to mycommanding oOcer to carry out• his orders+6 4I am responsible to the ."C fo

gathering• the information for the nancial report+6 4!government• is responsible to the public to maintainnational security+6



• est on your laurels Be satised with yourprevious fame and accomplishments• esting on my shoulders "eeling the burden

the world or of responsibility resting• on your shoulders as if you had to carry it alalone+• estore order TT return to normal• eturn to your roots 'o back to visit and stuwhere your cultural tradition• came from+• hetorical -uestion A -uestion you ask withexpecting any answer+• hyme or reason %attern and logic• ide out the storm• ide roughshod over 'o ahead with what yowant without regard for other• people/s feelings• i?ra? ,orthless trashy people• ight between the eyes• ight of way• ight o? the bat• ight on target• ight on the button Exactly on the right spo• ight on5• ight on5 !hat/s exactly what I think I agree

4Exactly5 ight on5• !hat/s the answer I wanted56 Sight onbrother5 !hat/s it5• I agree5 !hat/s cool5 !hat/s it5 I agree5 !hat/cool56 999



• JJP• ight the wrongs of the• world•

ight under your nose• igorous action• igorous discipline• iotous behavior• ipe for the picking• ipe old age Advanced in years• ise and shine ,ake up and get ready• ise to the challenge• ise to the occasion• isk life and limb %ut your life on the line fowhat you believe in or to do• your duty+6• isk your neck T 9999999999 4I/m not sticking mneck out for you+ I• won/t risk my own neck to save another/s+6T• isky business• it>y Elegant and luxurious as in the it>Hotel high class and• expensive• ivet attention• oad block • oad hog•

oasted7alive• obbing the cradle• ock and roll ust as on rock music we rock aroll from one side to• the other in relaxed abandon so we may say



lets rock • and roll when it/s time to start a party oractivity or even•

a dangerous mission+• ock bottom• ocks in your head 2o brains+• oll7out the red carpet &ake specialpreparations for the arrival of a dignitary or• important person including rolling7out thespecial red• carpet that is reserved only for 3I%/s to walkon+ 4,henever• the International .hairman of the Board visiour• !hai branch oOce we roll7out the red carpeand treat• him like royalty+6 4!he .hamber Cf &inistersactually• keeps a red carpet that is especially reservand only• rolled7out once a year for the ueen to walkupon during• her annual visit6 4,hen the .hinese presidevisits• ,ashington next year you can be sure that

they will• really roll7out the red carpet and give him aroyal welcome+6• oll7up your shirt sleeves• omp and stomp about %laying and frolickin



about while stamping your feet• oot of the problem• oped into doing something•

ose7colored glasses• JJQ• ot in hell• otten egg• ough and ready• ough and tumble• ough someone up• ough stu? • oughing it• ound and round we go• ound of applause Everyone around the rooor table should clap their• hands to tank or congratulate someone• ound of drinks• outine check • owdy bunch• ub elbows with9rub• shoulders with• Associate and mingle with a rich crowd in thcocktail• party circuit• ub salt in your wounds•

ub someone the wrong• way• ubber check A bad check a check thatbounces written on an account• that lacks suOcient funds to cover the check



that• stretches the balance+• ubber stamp Accept and endorse with out

-uestion at someone else/s• re-uest or behest• ubbish5 2onsense5• ub7it7in En)oy making another su?er bypointing out his mistakesT• like rubbing salt in his wounds +++• ub7o?7on someone• uddy7cheeked ed7faced around the cheek• uYe a few feathers ust as some birds ruYand shake their feathers at the• slightest sign of disturbance so a remark oraction made• in society may be said to ruYe a few featheor upset a• few people+ 4,hen it came out that 3irginia

,olf and• her husband were in7favor7of free7love itruYed a few• feathers within the Bloomsbury group+6 4,hit was• rumored that the heir to the English thronewas known to•

be having an a?air with a divorced Americanwoman• who had been a high7class prostitute in<hanghai before• coming to Britain that ruYed more than a f



a few• feathers+6 4,hen the %rince of ,hales rsttook his mistress•

to an oOcial function it ruYed a fewfeathers+6 4• ule of thumb "ollow the standard that isgenerally accepted+• ule the roost ust as a chicken cock or roosrules the roost in the• henhouse so a person can rule the roost in certain• situation or position to have everyone obeyyour orders+• 4In our family father earns the money butmother rules• the roost+6 4It was not long after oger )ointhe gang• that he began to rule the roost+6 4Cur oOce

manager• likes to rule the roost and doesn/t let anydetail get past• JKR• his attention+6• un after someone• un amok <tart running around like a cra>y

person• un amuck ust as o may literally get stuckmud and muck so• you can/t get out so we may say that one rua muck



• when one cannot get out of a situation• un an errand• un away from things•

un for your life• un7in with the law• un interference for• un of the mill .ommon ordinary likesomething that comes o? the• assembly line in a factory+• un of the place In control of in command• un o? at the mouth $eep on talkingcontinually until it becomes too much+• un o? your feet• un o?7topic #ose the thread of thought andget o? on another topic+• un out of steam• un rampant un around raging and out ofcontrol• un riot• un roughshod over• un the gauntlet• un the show Be in charge of things+• un to seed• un7in with the law• unning around on•

unning away from• yourself • unning battle between• unning out of ideas• unning through my



• mind• unning wild• unning7scared•

un7o?7your7feet• un7of7the7mill Crdinary mediocre average• un7ragged Become tired exhausted from tmush stressful work • uns in the family A common characteristicthat is passed on through generations• un7the7gamut 'o through the full range frobeginning to end• ush of adrenalin• ush of excitement• ush o? in a hu?+ <uddenly become angry aleave immediately exit directly• after being insulted take o?ence and -uickldepart+• 4<he rushed o? in a hu? when we said we

couldn/t• accept her invitation+6 4Before you get upseand rush o? • in a hu? the way you usually do let/s take amoment to• JK1• discuss the matter+6 4Don/t rush o? in a hu?

until you• hear the reason why I cannot support yourcase+6• <• Idioms and expressions Denitions followed



examples• <aber7rattling ust as an old swordsman wouthreaten someone )ust•

by rattling his sword in its sheath T++• <ack out• <afe and secure• <afe and sound• <afe conduct T Tpass• <afe house• <afety cushion ust as cars have safetycushions in case of an accident• so we may• <afety net ust as a tightrope walker can falinto a safety net if he• loses his footing so• <afety in numbers• <age look ,ith a wise look in your eyes afacial appearance that• shows internal wisdom+ 4I may have a sagelook in my• eyes but I am not yet so wise+6• <aid in )est Cnly )oking kidding teasing in )ocular manner intended• humorously not meant seriously trying to b• funny pulling your leg+ 4,hen I said you we

the biggest• ladies/ man in town I was only talking in )esDon/t• take me seriously+ I meant no o?ence+6 4I w )ust )esting



• when I said you could cheat an old lady out oher• last penny+ ,hat I really meant was that you

are -uite a• shrewd businessman+6 4<omething saidhumorously• seemingly in )est often contains an elementtruth+6• <ales pitch ust as a salesman gives hispresentation and hands us a• line that his product is good so• <alt away <ave up money for later on• <alt of the earth 'ood person• <alvage what you can+• <ame as always <ame as ever• <ame old face• <ame old story• <ame to you• <ap <illy foolish person+ 4,hat a sap+ Gou/rso stupid• you/d believe anything anyone told you+6Don/t be such• a sap T• <assy talk • <avage beating•

<ave face• <ave for a rainy day• JK:• <ave your breath Don/t bother to talk becauSm not going to listen+



• <ave your own hide+• <ave your own neck • <ave your own skin rst+•

<aved by the bell ust as a boxer is saved bythe bell when he is knocked• down and the referee is counting to ten T• <aving grace Cne -uality that makes youdeserve forgiveness in spite• of many other unworthy characteristics• <avor the moment• <ay the word• <ay when+• <ay your piece• <ay7so• <cads and scads of • money• A lot of money+• <capegoat <omeone upon which to act out

repressed aggressive• feelings someone to lay the blame uponsacricial victim+• 4!he government has to nd someone to shthe• burden of blame upon so they have chosen nance•

minister as their scapegoat+6 4!here is alwaone weak • kid in class who serves as the butt andscapegoat of all• the other children/s pent7up aggressions+6



4Hitler used• the ews as a scapegoat in 'ermany+ "irst bblaming•

economic hardship on ewish merchants andsecond by• exterminating millions of ews in 2a>i deathcamps+6• <cared to death• <cared7silly• <cared7the7pants7o?7me+• <cat5 'et out of here5 4I always say 4<cat56frighten my• neighbor/s cat whenever it comes into myyard so it will• run where it came from+6• <catter7brained Absent7minded forgetfulconfused mixed7up emptyheaded• poorly thought through di>>y cra>y+ 4,hy• ohnny that/s the most stupid andscatterbrained idea I• have ever heard you say+ I think you must begetting to• be a little empty headed and addlebrained+64!he other• day %a forgot his place of birth and couldn/t

remember• how old he was+ I recon he/s getting a littlescatterbrained• in his old age+6 4#ittle <ister <ue sometimes• comes up with the most7scatterbrained



schemes that• we/ve come to fear that she/s not alright in head+6•

<cattered thoughts• <chool of hard knocks• <chool of thought• <co? at• <cope of interest• <corched7to7death !hirsty from being in theheat• JK;• <core points with ,in favor with someone+4!he way to score points with• the boss is to always meet deadlines+6• <core to settle• <cout about• <cout/s honor• <cramble to safety• <crape by TT+ T+ scrape a living• <crape the bottom of the• barrel• <crape through• <crape together• <crape7up• <cratch the surface•

<cratching your head !rying to guresomething out seeking an answer at a• loss for a solution trying to solve the problelooking• for a way out searching for ideas confused



4,e are• scratching our heads trying to gure out a wto raise•

enough money to support our communitycharity fund+6• 4American college students may be sometimseen• scratching their heads trying to nd theanswer to an• exam -uestion+6 4!he general public has beleft• scratching it/s head trying to gure out wheall the• money went that was supposed to havesupported the urban• development program+6• <cratch7o? • <crawny kid <kinny thin• <creaming bloody murder• <creaming mad• <crewball idea• <crewed7up7the7)ob• <crimp and save• <crounge around T++ T+ and scrounge up• <cru?7of7the7neck •

<cum of the earth• <curry like a rat• <cuttle the pro)ect• <cuttle your hopes Dash and break your hopand desires+



• <cuttlebutt5 <illy or nasty rumors without bain fact loose gossip+• 4In the old days when men were at sea for

moths at a• time they had little new or interesting to taabout on• the ship except to repeat and speculate onwhatever scuttlebutt• was going around+6• <ealed with a kiss• <earch for truth• <earch me5 I don/t know I can/t give you ananswer no ideaT• <econd best <econd choice• JKJ• <econd childhood• <econd nature• <econd thoughts• <ecret admirer• <ecret longings• <ecurity blanket ust as kids• <ecurity threat• <edentary life #iving mostly withdrawn athome getting little exercise• in a seated position+ 4+I/m now living a

sedentary life living• at home alone not getting out and about manymore+6• <ee eye7to7eye• <ee t to <ee as advisable



• <ee how things pan out ust as the goldT sowait and see what happens• <ee red ust as a bull will charge when he se

a red piece of • cloth so we may be said to see red when weare provoked• and become angry+• <ee right through someone• <ee stars• <ee the light T nally see the light• <ee the point• <ee which way the wind• is blowing• <eed of discontent• <eed of doubt• <eeing things• <eeing7is7believing+ Gou have to see it beforyou can believe it• <eek refuge• <eek solace• <een better7days 2o longer new getting oldand used and broken down• worn7out showing signs of wear and teardilapidated• tattered+•

<eething7mad Extremely angry absolutelyfuming with anger enraged• mad to the point of boiling+ 4I was seething7mad when I• heard Ervin had claimed that he could do the



)ob better• than I can+6 4ack was seething7mad when hlearned•

that his mother had sold the house withoutasking him6• 4'loria was seething7mad when Anna informher that• Dick had been seeing another woman+6• <ei>e control !ake over• <ei>e the moment #ive the moment to the fu• <elf access• <elf7contained• <elf7content• <elf7denial• <elf7evident• JKK• <elf7indulgence• <elf7made7man• <elf7reliant• <elf7seeking• <elf7serving• <ell for a song• <ell out a cause• <ell out a friend• <ell short ustas stock shares can be sold sh

of reaching their• maximum value so we can sell a person shoby not allowing• or seeing his true value+• <ell someone a bill of



• goods• <ell someone out• <ell someone short Fnderestimate someone

capability fail to estimate• someone/s value++• <ell your own mother• <end apologies• <end condolences• <end someone packing• <ense of decency• <erious matter• <erious threat• <erve as a decoy• <erve as a front• <erve as a go7between !o work as anintermediary mediator middle man do• liaison be a link between two parties+ 42orwhas• served as the go7between for the !amil !igeand the• <inghalese in <ri #anka to help promote theon7going• peace negotiations+6 4<ince 2ew #ink .ompdoes not• have an oOcial sales agent in !hailand yet

uncle• !on will serve as an unoOcial go7between una local• sales oOce has been registered+6 4Her fathand



• mother have not been on speaking terms fomany years• so honda serves a go7between when it is

necessary for• her parents to communicate+6• <erve notice 'ive legal intention in writing ttell what will happen+• <erve the cause of )ustice• <erve the purpose• <erve time <pend time in )ail serve out oneprison term+• <erves you right5 It/s your own fault you gewhat you deserve you had it• coming to you+• <et a precedent• <et aback Fnexpectedly surprised andshocked+• <et an example Be the rst to show others t

way lead the way break • new ground be a model for others to followprovide example• for others to emulate+ !he ussians set anexample• JKM• by sending up the rst manned7satellite into

space exploration• 4!he American founding fathers wrote theirown• constitution to set an example for othernations to follow



• in creating democratic governments allowinthe rights• of life liberty e-uality and happiness for al

4!eachers• and parents should always set a good exampfor young• people to follow+6• <et in cement <et in concrete unchangeableinLexible resistant to• change+ 4I worked in a )ob7environment baseon old• regulations that were set in cement but I so-uit+6• <et in one/s ways• <et no store in Have no condence in do notrust• <et one/s sights on Aim for• <et the bar higher• <et the wheels in motion• <et the world on re Do something reallyimportant to make a big change in• the world+ 4Goung people always think they going to• go out and set the world on re+6• <et things straight once•

and for all• .orrect a misconception tell it the way it is+T <et• things straight+• <et tongues wagging <tart people gossiping



• <et you sights on something• <et your estate in order &ake your last will atestament and set your a?airs in•

order settle your estate+• <et your heart on something• <et your house in order• <et your mind at rest "ree yourself from wor• <et your mind on something• Be determined to achieve a goal• <et7in7your7ways+ InLexible a slave of routintoo stubborn to change unable• to break your pattern incapable of changingyour• opinion+ 4If you were not so set7in7your7wayyou might• break out of your routine and get out and msomebody• and nally nd a wife+6 4,e tried to get

grandfather to• adapt to some of the values of modern life he was so• set7in7his7ways he refused to change+64.onnie is so• stubborn and set7in7her7ways that she refusto change•

her attitudes and old7fashioned ways+6 4Cldteachers are• sometimes so7set7in7their ways that it is harto get them• to try something new+6



• <ettle an old score !o get revenge forsomething that happened in the past• to get even with someone for what he did to

you long• ago to pay someone back for an insult in)uor something• that has hurt you+ 4I/ve got an old score tosettle• with my ex7husband for all the harm he did during• our marriage+6 42elly has an old score to sewith her• JKN• childhood friend <helby because <helby sto2elly/s• rst love and later married the guy+6 4!he&aa has an• old score to settle with my uncle Bob whom

nobody has• seen in years+6• <ettle down• <ettle for• <ettle for less• <ettle in• <ettle with•

<ettle your accounts• <evere reprimand• <ew7up a deal• <exual discrimination• <exual harassment



• <habby action• <hady deal• <hady past A dishonest lying deceitful

corrupt immoral immodest• illegal and improper past7history+ 4!he Dukwas• known to be having an illicit relationship witwoman• with a rather shady past+6 4Despite his rathshady past• !im Allen went on to become one of the besknown• stars in Hollywood+6 4,hen it became commknowledge• that the vice7president had a shady past thpresident• had no other choice but to ask him to resign• <haggy dog story A long long )oke or story

that sake of the punch line at• the end++• <hake a leg+ Hurry up and get a move on letget going speed up• hustle+ 4All right children+ ,ake up and shakleg so• you won/t be late for school+6 4If I don/t sha

a leg and• get down to the bank before twelve they wibe closed• for lunch hour+6 4#et/s hurry up and shake aleg and



• hustle our asses out of here before the enespots us• and starts ring mortar shells+6•

<hake7down• <haken7up• <hake7up• <haking in my boots "rightened becausesomeone is threatening you afraid of • someone or something lled with fear andanxiety• trembling in expectation and that somethingterrible will• happen scared and afraid of what a personmay do to• you+ 4.had was shaking in his boots whenAlvin the• schoolyard bully challenged him to a stgh4Alice• was shaking in her boots when she stood upgive her• presentation in class+6 4I was shaking in myboots when• our teacher &r+ &allory was threatening togive me a• beating with his cane+6•

<hame on you5 Gou should be ashamed ofyourself for what you are doing+• JKP• <hame7faced Doing a thing without showingany shame+



• <hape7up or ship7out Do your )ob properly oget out of here5• <hare a condence .onde a secret to

someone+• <hare and share alike• <hare the wealth+ 'ive some of what you hagot to each of the others+• <harp (on time* Exactly on time on the dotnot a second too early or too• late+ 4!he time now is twelve o/clock sharpexactly on• the second6 4!he meeting will begin at tweo/clock • sharp and last for one hour exactly64Breakfast will be at• seven o/clock sharp and the busses will beleaving at• seven7thirty on the dot+6• <harp as a tack uick7minded clever+• <harpen7up5 Don/t be so stupid• <harp7tongued• <hattered dreams <hattered hopes• <hattered nerves• <he wears the pants in• the family+•

<he/s a dragon+ A wife who 4breathes re6when she speaks to her husband• a female colleague9opponent to be afraid of• woman to fear+ 42ever try to argue withAndrew/s wife+



• <he/s a real dragon+ <he/s a re breather if ever saw• one+6 4Don/s secretary is a real dragon all t

other girls• are terried of her+6 42ever do anything to gagainst• 3era/s will+ <he/s a real dragon+ <he/s likely eat you• alive+6• <hed a tear• <hed light upon• <heepskin Hundreds of years ago a universidegree was written on• sheepskin so• <heer delight• <hell7out %ay7up now T 4.ertain kinds ofshells used to be used• as money in certain which is probably whe

we got the• term Sshell7out/ now+6 4If you shell out now pay• your gambling debt we will not do you bodiharm+6• 4'oing out on a dinner7date is gettingexpensive5 #ast•

night I had to shell out over two hundreddollars )ust for• two people to eat+6• <hifty7looking character #a>y good7for7nothing idle7looking person+



• <hine up to• <hining example• <hips that pass in the•

night• ust as two ships may pass one another in thnight without• seeing one another so two people may TT• <hirk responsibility Avoid doing your duty• <hiver went up and down• my spine• <hoddy behavior Acting or behaving your sein an improper trashy low• JKQ• class inferior sloppy substandard poorfashion+ 4Gou/d• better excuse yourself to your mother for yoshoddy• heavier at the ban-uet or she is likely to sh

you the• door+6 4Darling I apologi>e for the shoddy wI have• treated you in the past and I promise to dobetter in the• future+6 4In spite of his rather shoddyreputation based on•

deeds done in the past asputin developedhimself into• becoming one of the most inLuentialpersonages of the• ussian upper crust+6



• <hoe is on the other foot .hange places with• <hoot the bree>e <it around talking a lot+• <hoot the works5•

<hoot your mouth o? Brag and tell everyonethat you are better than you are or• tell them how good you are+• <hooting star• <hooting your mouth o? !alking too muchgoing around saying things you• should not tell bragging to make yourself logood• complaining about matters that should be k-uiet giving• away secrets telling things that arecondential+• 4<top shooting your mouth o? and pretendito be• something you are not+6 4If you had not gon

around• shooting your mouth o? this matter it couldhave been• kept private+6 4If you stopped shooting youmouth o? • about how good you think you are peoplewould like•

you a lot better+6• <hort and sweet• <hort of change Do not have enough coins obills to make up the di?erence+• <hortchange someone



• <hort7circuit 'et your wires crossed and T• <hort7lived Impermanent• <hort7tempered Easily irritated and angered•

<hot in the arm ust as one might get a medin)ection to make you• feel better so you might guratively be saidget a shot• in the arm if someone helps you out nically• <houlder the burden• <houlder to cry on <omeone to support you times of emotional need a• shoulder to lean on for comfort+• <houlder7to7shoulder• <houting match• <hove around• <hove aside• <hove o?5 ust as a boat can get a shove o?away from the pier to• Loat clear so we also tell a person to shove when we• want him depart clear out and go away+• <hove over• <how someone the door !ell someone to getout to leave to exit (through the• door* and not come back because of someth

that perJMR• son has said or done which has displeased yto throw• someone out for bad behavior or because henot



• wanted to kick him out+ 4After my wife hearthat I was• unfaithful she showed me the door+6 4Fncle

!oby made• a rude remark at the dinner table during hilast visit and• Aunt Betsy promptly showed him the door+6• <how someone the ropes• <how your good side #et someone see yourbest -ualities so he will like you+• <how your true colors+ <how through yourbehavior what your true character is• really like+• <how7o? <omeone seeking attention byshowing7o? skills or talents• wanting to show others that he is better thathem• making a display of himself in order to seek

the admiration• of others showing7o? based on wealth orstatus• putting on airs and pretending to be betterthan others• because of some advantage braggart big7headed knowit7•

all++ 4Boys often show7o? their superiorstrength and• athletic skills )ust to get the attention of thegirls+6 4%atrick • is always showing7o? his knowledge and ski



in• languages by citing -uotations in 'reek and#atin and•

"rench+6 4A man who is wise and humble wilnot showo? • how much he knows+6 4Doreen is such a shoo?+• <he wears a lot of costly )ewelry so people wbe envious• of how wealthy she is+6• <hrewd observation Astute perceptiveinsightful comment+• <hrinking violet 3ery timid person• <hrug it o?+ #et an o?ence or disappointmengo because you do not• care+• <hrug your shoulders A physical gesturemeaning that you do not know+• <huYe about ,alk around )ust sliding yourfeet along the ground• without lifting them the way that some oldpeople do+• <hunned7by7all Avoided and re)ected byeveryone no one wants to go• near or approach him everyone wants to ke

away from• him because of his bad behavior shut7out osociety• steered clear of and looked down upon+ 4AftHester



• had confessed her sin publicly she wasshunned7by alland• lived out her life as an outsider+6 4After peo

discovered• that Clivia had purposely killed her new7bor• child she was shunned7by7all+6 4,hen thesecret came• out that 'eo?rey "ry had long been a spy wwas betraying• his own countrymen he was shunned by all+• <hush7up5 Be -uiet5 Hush don/t say anythin• <hut your gob+ <hut your• trap+ <hut your yap+ <hutup5• Impolite ways of saying close your stupidmouth and• stop talking be -uiet5 (impolite*• <hy away from T T + <ome !hai people shyaway from foreigners because• <hy guy A man who is shy lacks condence speak bashful• JM1• inhibited introverted withdrawn timid+ 4I aa shy guy+• I have always been afraid to speak to womeand look •

them in the eye+6 4,orthington is a shy guyIt/s hard to• get to know him at rst but after he gets toknow you he• opens7up and comes out of his shell6



4Everybody likes a• shy guy better than a show7o?+6• <ick and tired of "ed7up with TTTT+sick to

death of • <ide with someone• <idelined ust as a sportsman may be taken the foeld tosit on• the bench on the sidelines so a T• <ide7step7the7problem• <idle7along .reep slither like a snake+ 4Gousidle along and slither• on out of here you low7down rattlesnake+ ,edon/t want• to see people like you around here+6• <ift through• <igh of relief An exhalation of air accompanby a sense of release+• <ight7unseen• <ign on the dotted7line <ign your life away bwriting your name in the place• indicated at the bottom of the contract+• <ign up• <ign your life away• <igned sealed and delivered• <igning your own death•

warrant• <ilent ma)ority• <ilent partner An investor who takes no partthe operation of a business+• <illy goose5 <illy fool



• <ilver spoon• <ilver7tongued devil• <immer down .ool o? get your anger under

control+• <ing like a canary !ell the police all they wanto know about your accomplices+• <ingle combat Cne7on7one• <ingle out• <ingle/s bar A bar where people of theopposite sex go to meet one• another+• <ingle7le In line one behind the other+• <ingle7handed Done without anyone else/shelp+• <ingle7minded .oncentrating solely only onone thing+ 4Being singleminded• can be a good thing when you are developin• skill but it can be a bad thing when you are

stubbornly• supporting only your own ideas+6• <ink in someone/s estimation• <ink or swim• JM:• <inking fast• <inking7in "inally beginning to get the

intended meaning penetrate• down into the mind so one eventually sees aunderstands+• 4!he thought is nally sinking into my mindand



• I/m beginning to reali>e what you mean+64.an/t you get• the idea through your thick head@ It/s time i

nally• started sinking in+6• <it and chew the fat a• while• <it around and make small talk conversemake idle• conversation have a chat shoot the bree>eexchange• chit7chat sit around and gossip+ 4Fncle .lemlikes to sit• around and chew the fat with his old croniesbecause• they have nothing better to do+6 4#et/s sit achew the• fat for a while until the other ladies arrive fo

the baby• shower+6 4I/ve )ust bought an originalengraving of two• old cowboys sitting around chewing the fat+• <it by and do nothing• <it down and rest a spell• <it tight <it still don/t move stay where you

are and wait hang• on a while+++• <itting down TT+take it sitting down• <itting duck An open target• <itting on the fence Having trouble deciding



one way or the other can be• swayed in one direction or the other waitingto follow•

developments before making a nal decisionwhich side• to tale+ 4I can/t decide whether to invest in tstock • &arkey or in real estate+ I/m still sitting on tfence+6• 4<ome political observers are sitting on thefence regarding• the e?ectiveness of proposed government tcuts+6• 4!he #abor Fnionists s are still sitting on thefence about• whether to )oin with the conservatives in ordto block • the possibility of the communists being able

form a• coalition government+6• <itting on your hands Being idle with nothinto do but sit on your hands+• <itting target ust as a duck in the water canbe said to be a sitting target• for a hunter so a person may be said to be a

sitting• target when he is all alone out in the open wno defenses+• <ix feet under Dead and buried in the .hristtradition six feet below



• the ground+• <ixth sense An intuitive mental gift for seeiand knowing things•

that others do not an unusual and uncannycapability of • seeing into the spiritual world or into thefuture the gift• for seeing into the minds of others andknowing what• they are thinking and going to do+ 4I/ve got sixth sense• that told me beforehand what he was going do+6 4!hat• girl has an uncanny sixth sense for knowingwhat I am• going to say and do+6• <i>e up the situation Assess a• JM;• <i>eable amount• <kating on thin ice• <keleton in your closet A secret aboutsomething bad you did in the past that no• one knows about 4I suspect you have askeleton in your• closet some dark hidden secret that you do

not want to• come to light because it would damage yourreputation+6• <kim the surface• <kimp and save



• <kimpy InsuOcient not enough scant sparTskimpy blouse9• bikini•

<kin and bones <o very thin that you appearbe )ust skin and bones+• <kin of your teeth ust barely• <kin you alive• <kinLint <omeone who is stingy+• <kinny7dip Bathe naked+• <kip it+ 2ever mind forget it )ust let thesub)ect drop+• <kip school9 class• <kip town• <kip7out• <kirt the issue <ide7step the problem goaround it+• <kullduggery Dishonest dealings behind youback• <lack o? a bit• <lam the door in your• face• If someone comes to your door and you areangry with• him and don/t want to see or speak with himyou might•

actually slam the door (close with a bang* riin his• face+ 4I expected udy would be angry with mfor forgetting• our date and when I went to her house to



apologi>e• she slammed the door right in my face+6 4'eout of •

my house and never come knocking at my doagain or• I/ll slam it right in your face+6 4,hen beggaor missionaries• come to my door I )ust slam it in their face+6• tried to )oin an exclusive country club inBeverly Hills• but when they reviewed my nancial assetsthey• slammed the door in my face+6• <lap around Fse physical abuse on someone• <lap in the face• <lap7dash Done -uickly thrown together in hurry• <lap7happy ,hacky or stupid from being

slapped around too often• <lated to• <leek and slender !hin• <leep it o? • <leep on it ,ait a night before deciding taktime to consider don/t• act too impulsively give it a chance to sink

take time• to mull it over+ 4,hen you have to make animportant• decision it is better to take your time to thiit over and



• 4sleep on it6 so7to7speak before you come a nal• conclusion+6 4I can/t give you a denite answ

today• JMJ• but let me sleep on it and I/ll tell youtomorrow+6 4,hen• you feel like saying something nasty that wicause trouble• it is better to control the impulse of themoment and• sleep on it and see how you feel tomorrow+6• <leep tight+• <leight7of7hand• <light chance• <lightly the worse for• wear• <lim chance• <ling mud• <lip of the tongue• <lip through your ngers Fnable to catch orhold onto something because it is so• slippery that you cannot get a grip on it+• <lip7out for a minute Duck out skip out nipout+•

<lipped my mind I forgot• <lippery as an eel Hard to grasp and keep ahold on+• <lip7up &ake a mistake• <low as molasses ust as molasses Lows slo



out of a container because• it is so thick so a person• <low on the uptake•

<low poke TT++ 4Don/t be such a slow7pokealways lagging behind+• Hurry and catch up with the rest of the grou• <lowly but surely• <ly as a fox• <mack dab in the middle• <mall cog in a big machine• <mall fry ust as small nger7si>ed sh arecalled small7fry so T• <mall matter A matter of little importance+• <mall time• <marten7up• <mashed to smithereens <mashed to bits ansmall fragments• <mell a rat Become suspicious• <moke screen• <moke7out T of your hole• <moldering resentment• <mooching in the corner• <mooth as glass• <mooth operator• <mooth over•

<mooth sailing ust as a sailboat sails smooton a calm and smooth• sea so we may compare a )ob or a task tosmooth sailing+• <mooth things out T+ smooth out your



di?erences• <mother with kindness• <mug look An expression of self7satisfaction

superiority and arrogance• on someone/s face+ 4odger thinks he issuperior• JMK• to me and has such a smug look on his facethat I/d like• to punch him right in the nose+6 4,ipe thatsmug look • o? your face you T• <mutty talk Dirty indecent talk morallyo?ensive• <naYe7up !o buy up immediately• <nail/s pace Extremely slowly dragging on fa long while• <nake in the grass An enemy who pretends

be a friend someone low• who cannot be trusted• <nap at somebody TT+ T+ If you snap atsomeone don/t be surprised if • he snaps back at you+6• <nap decision uick decision made withouttaking time to think about•

it+• <nap idea• <nap it up5 Hurry7up5 'et a move on5• <nap )udgment A -uick )udgment made on tspur of the moment+



• <nap7out7of7it ,ake up5 ,hat/s wrong withyou@ Are you in da>e@• <na>>y suit "lashy loud Lamboyant T•

<neak up on• <neaking suspicion• <nide remark • <ni?7out• <nippy remark • <nitch on someone• <nooping around T <top your snoopingaroundT• <nooty attitude An T shown byTthinking Tbetter7than others• <now and slush ,hen snow is melting it turinto a substance like• nely crushed ice which we callslush+• <nowball e?ect• <nowball/s chance in hell• <nowed7under ust as your car or house cansnowed T• <nub someone• <nu?7out• <nug as a bug in a rug• <nuggle up to someone• <oaked to the skin•

<oaking wet• <ob story A sad story intended to make thelistener feel pity and• o?er help• <obering thought



• <ocial climber• <o7far7so7good• <oft landing ust as a spacecraft can make a

soft landing on the moon• so we can say that• <oft life An easy life with little to do andenough money to meet• your needs+• <oft peddle %lay down pretend something inot important• <oft soap someone "latter butter7up• JMM• <oft7spot in my heart• <oft touch A person easily tricked fooled• <often your stance Become more Lexible anless rigid in your view or position+• <oftie T 4Gou/re an old softie+ Gou let peopletake advantage• of you by telling you sob stories when all thewant is• money+6• <oft7mannered• <olemn occasion• <olid as a rock • <olid facts9evidence•

<olitary connement• <ome other time !he answer to an invitationthat we do not want to accept• or that we want to put o? until some laterdate not at the



• moment perhaps another time in the futurethat would be• more convenient+ 4,hen I asked .andy for a

date to go• out to dinner tomorrow night she said we/dhave to put it• o? until some other time which I interpret tto mean• that she doesn/t want to go out with me at aand wants• to discourage me from asking her again+6 4Iwanted to• make an appointment with the .EC tomorrobut he is• Lying to Hong $ong tonight so he said wewould have• to meet some other time perhaps on the"riday after his• return+6 4,hen a person says 4<ome othertime6 that• usually means they are )ust trying to put yoo? and the• time will never come+6• <ome semblance of normalcy9• order•

<omebody snitched my• purse• <omeone to watch over• me• <omething else5 <omething rather out of the



ordinary+• <omething the cat• brought in•

T 4,hat/s wrong with you@ Gou look likesomething• the cat brought in+6• <omething to remember• me by• <omething/s cropped7up+ <omething/ssuddenly come7up that needs immediate• attention that is a cause of delay because oan unexpected• problem needing to be solved -uickly+ 4ust a• crop can grow up and need to be harvested-uickly so a• problem can crop up that demands speedyaction+6 4I/m• afraid that I shall have to cancel ourappointment this• morning because something has cropped7uat the oOce• that needs our immediate attention+64<omething/s• cropped7up that will delay the installation of

the system• but we are working on it and we/ll have theproblem• JMN• solved in a couple of days+6



• <omething/s popped7up+ T <omething/ssprung up• <on of a gun ust as they used to deliver bab

on ships at sea behind• the privacy of a big gun when people now syou are a• son of a gun they mean to insult you byimplying they• don/t know where you come from or who youfather• may have been+• <ong and dance &ake7up a lot of false excusT6Don/t give me that• old song and dance T• <op it up+• <opping wet• <ore loser %oor loser+• <ore point 3ulnerable point touchy topic T• <orry state• <ort out your di?erences ,ork out anagreement come to a compromise learn to• be friends and get along+• <ort something out• <oul7searching #ooking down inside yourselfnd answers and think •

about who you really are reaching deep intoyour spirit• seeking goodness and truth turning over inyour mind• what is right and what is wrong what is goo



for you• and what is not trying to nd yourself bydoing some•

psychological self7analysis+ 4,hen I was incollege I did• a lot of soul7searching to try to nd out whawanted to• do with my life+6 4After years of soul7searching not• knowing what I really wanted or who I reallywas I nally• matured a bit and discovered that what Iactually• wanted was to become a wife and mother+64,hen I was• in my early twenties I was psychologicallyunstable and• wasted a lot time on foolish things but the

when I was• twenty7six I stopped and did some soul7searching and• reali>ed that my calling was to become awriter+6• <ound somebody out Ask someone for hisopinion on a certain sub)ect listen•

to see what he says about your -uestions• <ound the alarm• <ound thrashing• <ounding board• <ounds shy <eems hard to believe sounds



like a lie cannot be true• must be some trick said to deceive+ 4He tolme some•

shy story about how he had lost his walletand needed• \K for a taxi to get home+6 4.ynthia gave ussome shy• excuse about being tied7up in traOc whenactually we• knew she had woken7up two hours late+64!here must be• something shy going on in their nancialreporting because• the numbers )ust do not add up and balance• <oup7to7nuts ust as a super store may selleverything from soup to• nuts so a company or person may be able tosupply and• provide a wide selection of everythingimaginable+• JMP• <our grapes ealousy and bitter resentment• <ow the seed of discontent• <ow your wild oats• <paced7out In an altered state of mind due t

the use of illegal drugs• such as #<D physically present but somewhelse as• though in a state of trance da>ed far away+can/t even



• remember the 1QMR/s because I was spaced7out for more• than a decade+6 42owadays kids are getting

spaced7out• on drugs to escape the pressures andinsecurities of their• daily lives+6 4,hen rock musicians get highand spacedout• before they play it may make them feel thatthey are• on a good trip but later when they listen tothe soundtracks• in a normal state of mind they reali>e theactual• -uality of the music su?ers due to the use odrugs+6• <pare no expense• <park of genius• <parkle in your eye• <partan existence ustas the early <partansoldiers in ancient 'reece could• live on almost nothing so we can say that aperson is living• under <partan circumstances+ 4,hen I was astudent•

I had to live a <partan existence but when Ilook back I• think it taught me how to live within mymeans+6• <pat about something uarrel or argument



ght or row or disagreement about• T+• <peak for yourself5•

<peak in a monotone• voice• <peak up• <peak your mind• <peak your piece• <peaking terms• <peaking the $ing/s• English• <peaking the same language• <peaks volumes• <pecial treatment• <peed it up5• <peedy recovery• <peedy retreat• <pending binge• <pending spree• <pent emotions• <pew7up your guts+• <phere of inLuence• <pic and span <parking spotless and shinyneat tidy and orderly• JMQ•

clean as a whistle+ 4%lease clean the housefrom top to• bottom and make everything spic and spanbefore my• mother comes to visit+6 4<haron spent seve



hours using• chemical cleaning agents and oven cleanerbefore she•

was nally satised that her kitchen stove wabsolutely• spic and span+6 4,hen there is a militaryinspection in• the barracks everything must be absolutelyspic and• span+6• <pice of life• <pill the beans !ell us all you know don/t trykeep it secret don/t try• to protect anyone by not telling on theminform on• someone+ 4!ell me who did it5 If you don/t spthe• beans now we/ll beat your brains in+6 4I

promised my• brother that I would never tell mother and sthe beans• that he was the one who started the forest behind our• house+6 4If you spill the beans and tell us wset up the•

drug deal we/ll try to get the )udge to showleniency in• your case+6• <pill your guts !ell all spew out everythingthat you know confess up



• the whole truth reveal under threat of harmwhat your• -uestioner demands to know+ 4As classmate

my gang• and I spray7painted our teacher/s new car pibut after• little immy "ink spilled his guts to theprincipal we• were suspended from school for three week4Black7• ack7ohnny told me that if I ever spilled myguts to the• cops he/d personally murder me+6 4If youdon/t spill• your guts right now and tell us where thediamonds are• we/ll cut out your tongue+6• <pin a yarn• <pine7chilling• <pineless wonder coward• <pinning lies ust as a spider T++ so a liar mabe said to be spinning a• web of deceit• <pit and polish ust as soldiers used to spit apolish their boots so T•

<pit it out <peak out the truth out with itdon/t hesitate or hold• anything back+• <pitting image #ook7alike exact resemblanc• <plinter group



• <plit decision A tie because no body could saone was better than the• other the )udges were e-ually divided in th

opinion+• <plit hairs &ake unnecessary distinctions• <plit second• <plit the di?erence Divide up the remainingsum e-ually T+• <plit the spoils Divide up the money gainedthrough illegal means• <plitting headache• <plurge on something <uddenly spend anexcessive amount of money on something• you want+• JNR• <poiling for a ght• <poilsport <ome one who ruins the fun forothers• <ponge7o? someone• <poon7feed• <poradic Irregular sporadic infre-uent+• <pot check • <pot on the mark5• <pot on5 Exactly bull/s eye that/s right5• <potless record•

<potlessly clean• <pread like wildre• <pread rumors• <pread the word+• <pread your wings



• <pread yourself too thin !ry to do too manythings at once so that you little success• at any thing try to do too many )obs at once

attempt• to perform too many duties simultaneouslytake• on too many obligations so that you cannotfulll them• all+ 4If you take on too many duties at onetime and you• spread yourself too thin you/ll be unlikely tobe successful• in any of your duties6 If you accept too maninvitations• to social functions and spread yourself toothin• you/ll be unlikely to have any private time foyourself+6• 4!hank you for your invitation to becomepresident of • !he <iam <ociety but I am afraid that I havebeen• spreading myself to thin lately and I would have the• time to perform my obligations well+6•

<pring chicken Goung woman+ 4&y maidenAunt &aude must be seventy• if she is a day+ <he/s no spring chicken+6• <prout wings• <pruced7up &ake your self look clean7cut an



well7groomed and respectable• to meet the occasion+ 4.omb your hair and• wash your face and change your shirt son+

'et yourself • all spruced7up to look proper when Auntie Acomes• to see us+6 4,e wouldn/t want you to make wrong• impression on the minister when he comes tvisit us so• get yourself spruced up and lookingrespectable before• he arrives+6 4,hen my big brother used to gready to• go out on a date he would get himself allspruced7up and• looking his best+6• <punky attitude• <pur of the moment Done without taking timto think• <-uare meal A fully nourishing meal+ 4I havenot had a good s-uare• meal in the last four days+6• <-uare o? • <-uare7shooter•

<-uashed in like sardines• JN1• <-uawk about• <-ueaky clean• <-uee>e it out of you



• <-uee>e through• <-uiggle and s-uirm• <-uirm out of something•

<tab in the back ust as an enemy might creup behind you and literally• stab you with a knife from behind so a frienmight• guratively betray you in an unexpected way• <tab in the dark • <tack the deck • <ta? of life Bread• <take out• <talling for time• <tamp out ust as one might put out a re bstamping on it with• your boots so we may say we want to stampout a disease• or something undesirable to society+ 4Fse a

condom+• Help stamp out aids56 4,e have almoststamped• out tuberculosis and malaria but according medical• records there are still fre-uent cases beingreported+6•

4Every good citi>en should try do his duty inhelping to• stamp out drug addiction+6• <tand alone• <tand and deliver+



• <tand and stare• <tand rm• <tand for what you believe7•

in+• <tand in good stead• <tand tall+• <tand the test of time• <tand up and be counted• <tand up for someone• <tand up for your rights• <tand your ground+• <tanding ovation• <tand7up and be counted+• <tarchy• <tar7crossed lovers TT++4omeo and ulietwere star7crossed lovers because• they were caught in the middle of a feudbetween• their families+6• <tar7ga>ing• <taring fear in the face• <taring you in the face• <tark raving mad• <tar7struck • <tart from scratch <tart from the beginning

scrape and scratch up enough• JN:• money to get started start with nothing andbegin to• build up from there+ 4<ome clever young



graduates in• computer technology have been able to startheir own•

software companies from scratch and becom-uite successful+6• 4<cott had hardly a penny in his pocket whehe• came from the &id7,est to 2ew Gork butthrough perseverance• and endurance he was able to start from• scratch and build up a printing house thatmade him a• millionaire by the turn of the century+6 4,hmy forefathers• came to America from Holland two hundredyears• ago they had to start from scratch and worhard to establish• themselves+6• <tart o? with a clean• slate• <tart something T 4TDo you want to startsomething@ Do you want to• start a ght@6• <tart tongues wagging•

<tart7o? on the wrong• foot• 'et o? to a bad start to begin by showing ybad side• to commence by showing your worst side



instead of your• best side+ 4<tart7o? the way you mean to caon because•

if you start o? on the wrong foot it will behard to• convince others to regain condence in you+4I am• afraid that I was a little rude and abrupt+ I asorry that• we started7o? on the wrong foot+ #et/s startover again• and try to get7o? on the right foot this time4If you• once get started7o? on the wrong foot andmake the• wrong impression the customer will not be receptive• to the rest of your sales pitch+6• <tash away• <tate of total collapse In a condition of totalexhaustion• <taunch supporter A strong loyal andcommitted follower devotee backer+• <tay in7touch .ontinue on following the samcourse oactions+•

<tay put Don/t move remain where you are• <tay the course• <tay where you are5 Don/t move+ 4<tay wheyou are+ Don/t move put yur• hands up in the air+6



• <taying power Endurance perseverance• <teal the march on <tart before get ahead oget in ahead of+•

<teal the show 'et all the attention upstageveryone else+• <teal your thunder• <teamed7up• <teamroller someone• <teer clear of someone ust as a boat will stclear of the rocks so we may• steer clear and stay away from a person whowill cause• trouble avoid contact with someone who wibe a bad• inLuence+ 4I would steer clear of that fellowwere• you or he will lead you into trouble for sure+4<teer• clear of people with bad motives who will bebad inLuJN;• ence+6 4I try to steer clear of my old drinkinfriends• now that I am sober and on the wagon+6• <tem the tide• <tep aside•

<tep down• <tep on a hornet/s nest• <tep on someone• <tep out of line• <tart from the beginning



• <tep on it5 ust as you step on the gas pedalmake the car go• faster so you can tell someone to step on it

make them• hurry and go more -uickly hurry up5 'o mo-uickly5• 4Gou/d better step7on7it and bet yourselfdressed or• you/ll be late for the ball+6 4Hurry up5 If wedon/t step on• it T• <tep7out7of7line• <tepping stone• <tern warning <trong and serious strict andsevere warning• <tick around• <tick by someone• <tick it to someone• <tick out like a sore• thumb• <tand out appear to be out of place• <tick out your tongue at !o open your mouthand stick out your tongue as a gesture• if disrespect and deance+ 4#ittle .harlie wagiven•

six strokes of the ruler over his open hand fosticking his• tongue out at the teacher+6 4.onnie stuck htongue out• at her mother as a sign of deance+6 4.hildr



in school• often stick their tongues or at one another away of •

showing dislike or disagreement+6• <tick to the point <tay on topic and don/tramble or wander o? onto unrelated• matters+• <tick to your guns ust adhere to your )udgment and do not waver under• pressure+• <tick together Be unied and loyal to oneanother+• <tick with it $eep up the e?ort withoutstopping+• <tick your neck out !ake a chance in order tohelp another+• <tick your nose in where• it doesn/t belong• Be curious about other people/s business thdoes not• concern you+• <tick your nose into 'et involved in what isnone of your business+• <tick7in7the7mud $ill)oy someone who spoilthe fun for all of the others+•

<tickler for detail A person who pays very cland strict attention to the• minutest facts and expects those under himdo so as• well



• <tick7up for somebody <tand in and protectsomeone who is being attacked by• others+ $ids T opinions ToOce politics•

<ticky ngers Hands that will steal• JNJ• <ticky situation• <ti? somebody .heat them+• <ti?7necked igid and prudish+• <till waters run deep• <tinging remark • <tinks to high heaven• <tir up trouble• <tirring emotions• <tock7up on• <tomp on• <tone broke Having no more money than astone+• <tone cold sober• <tone/s throw away T within a stone/s throwaway• <tood7up Date didn/t show up• <tooge !o be a stooge8 someone that otherstake to be dullwitted• or stupid one who has been fooled or cheat• taken advantage of the butt of the )oke the

one that others• always laugh at+• <tool pigeon <nitch• <toop to con-uer• <top at nothing



• <top dead in your tracks+• <top dgeting5• <top giving me the runaround+•

<top talking around in circles and telling liesand come to• the point and tell me what I want to know+• <top hounding me+ <top bullying me harassme complaining about me• picking on me going after me (the way ahunting hound• dog follows a scent+ 4<top hounding me I/mdoing the• best I can and if you keep pushing me arouI won/t be• able to concentrate at all+6 4If you don/t stohounding• me for money I/ll never pay you one red cen4If my• foreman doesn/t stop hounding me in theworkplace I• will personally go to where he lives and set house on• re+6• <top meddling+ Don/t try to inLuence thebusiness of others especially if •

you are doing it for your own benet don/t tto change• the course of events in someone else/s lifewhen it/s none• of your business keep your nose out of othe



people/s• business let people do what they want withtrying to•

tell them what you think they should do+• <top ranting7and7raving+ 2o longer behave ian angry furious enraged wild• cra>ed fren>ied raging manner and -uietdown+ 4If • you/ll stop your ranting7and7raving for amoment I/ll try• to explain to you what went wrong+6 &otherkept ranting7• and7raving and raging about father/soutrageous behavior• for so long that the old man eventually had• nervous breakdown+6 4"ather/s mentalcondition got• worse and worse so that when they could n

stop him• JNK• from ranting and raving about the real andimagined• wrongs mother had sub)ected him to we nhad to• have him committed to a mental home+6•

<top rattling my chain ust as we can rattle dog/s chain so guratively we• may say we rattle a person/s chain when wewant to• bother and upset or complain about him+



• <top snooping around• <top s-uabbling+ <top ghting and arguingbickering about nothing•

wrangling with one another -uarrelling oveinsignicant• points+ 4If you two kids don/t stop yours-uabbling• I/m going to send you to bed early+6 4I don/tknow why• the sta? is s-uabbling to see who gets to goholiday• rst because the longer one waits the bettthe weather• gets+6 4!he maid is always s-uabbling with driver• and if she doesn/t stop she/ll soon have tostart looking• for a new )ob+6• <top your babbling+ <top talking nonsense+• <top your bawling+ <top crying stop weepinand sobbing+ 4<top your bawling• and wipe away your tears and try to behavelike a big• boy instead of a crybaby+6 4If you stop yourbawling and•

sobbing and listen for a minute I can explaieverything+6• 4<top your bawling over spilt milk or I/ll giv• you something worse to cry about+6• <top your bickering+ <top your arguing



-uarreling s-uabbling ghting• back7biting complaining and disagreeing+ 4wish you•

two would stop your bickering and learn to galong• with one another+6 4If you two kids don/t stoyour bickering• I/ll lock you in separate rooms and not let yoout• until you promise to behave+6 4I/m tired ofarguing with• you+ <top you/re bickering and complaining I/ll stu? a• sock in your mouth+6• <top your carping uit your moaning andcomplaining+• <top your gawking uit your staring at peop• <top your s-uawking+ uit complaining+• <top your sulking uit being so moody andresentful+• <top your tomfoolery+ uit fooling around+• <top your yammering+ uit complaining andgoing on and on+• <top7on7a7dime %ut on the brakes and stopimmediately•

<torm in a teacup A big fuss about nothingimportant+• <torm the barricades TT TT+ <torm into• <torm the place• <torming mad



• <traight as an arrow• <traight away• <traight from the horse/s•

mouth• ust as though you might get a hot tip• <traighten things out esolve a disagreemeclear up a misunderstanding• discuss what conLict settle a problem getthings• JNM• straight+ 4,e had a meeting to straighten oour disagreement• about who was responsible+6 4&y brother an• I have straightened out our misunderstandinabout who• will inherit the plot of land near the river+64After some• negotiations we straightened out the points

conLict• and made an agreement+6 4&y husband andhave• straightened7out our di?erences and we hoto live in• harmony from here on in+6• <traight7faced•

<trained relations• <tranded #eft all alone high and dry+• <tranger7than7ction <ometimes an actualfact is more impossible to believe• than a ctional idea of the imagination+ 4!ru



life can be• stranger than ction+6• <trapped for cash•

<traw man• <tray from the path• <treetwise #earned from living on the street• <tress and strain• <tretch of the imagination• <tretch of time• <tretch the rules• <tretch the truth• <tretch your legs• <trike a balance• <trike like lightening• <trike out ust as in baseball after three striyou are out so we• can sat that we strike out when we try to Tand Tfail• <trike out for <et o? • <trike up a friendship &eet somebody new abecome friends become friends• because of common interests or feelings maan ac-uaintance• with someone that -uickly develops into• friendship+ 4I/ve struck up a friendship with

new colleague• at the oOce and we often travel together o• weekends+6 43incent struck up a friendshipwith one of • the other artists that lasted for the rest of



their lives+6• 4,hen I met my sister7in7law for the rst timwe immediately•

struck up a friendship+6• <trike up an ac-uaintanceship• <trike while the iron is• hot• <trikes my fancy• <triking appearance• <tringing a line !elling someone a long strinof lies in order to get his• condence so you can the cheat or deceivehim+ TT+• JNN• stringing someone along• <troke of genius• <troke of luck • <trong arm someone• <trong impression• <truck dead• <truck dumb• <truck me funny• <truggle on• <trung7out• <trung7up Hanged by a rope by the neck unt

dead+• <tubborn as a mule• <tuck on your self !hinking you are the bestand most important that no• one is as good as you conceited self7



important proud• self7centered self7absorbed+ 4Don/t be sostuck on yourself+•

!here are a lot of people around here that abetter• than you+6 4Herbert used to be pretty stuckhimself • back when he was in college but now that is working• out in the competitive professional world hhas reali>ed• that he has got a lot to learn+6 <ome peopleare so• stuck on themselves that they hardly evenreali>e that• anybody but themselves even exists+6• <tuck7up <ticking your nose up in the airthinking you are better• than others with an air of superiorityhaughty arrogant• conceited snobbish+ 4!hat high7societyhostess .alliope• is nothing but a stuck7up snotty7nosed richbitch+6• 4Don/t go around sticking your nose up in th

air looking• as if you were better than everybody else opeople• will dislike you and think you are arrogant asnobbish+6



• 4Cften people who go around looking stuck7are• actually hiding a personal sense of inferiorit•

<tuck7up• <tu?ed7shirt• <tumble across TT++ TTT+ stumble upon• <tumbling block • <tunning beauty• <tunning results <urprising and unexpectedresults• <ub for someone Act as a substitute inanother/s place to step7in and temporarily• fulll the duties of another+ 4Cur teacher &• <ullivan had to take pregnancy leave so thschool got a• temporary teacher to sub for her+6 4In thegreat American• game of baseball they always have someon

who can• sub for a player or coach in case that personot present• or able to perform his role as a team membe• 4,hen the "oreign &inister is out of thecountry he asks• an acting deputy minister to step in and sub

for him while• he is away+6• <ubmissive woman Cbedient compliantsubservient ac-uiescent female+• JNP



• 4!he days when you could nd a subservienwoman• seem to be over+6 4I used to have a

housekeeper who was• very humble subservient self7controlled anradiant+6• 9999• <ubtle approach• <ubtle hint• <uccinct and to the point• <uccumb to 'ive in to be overcomeoverwhelmed overpowered by• DesireTdiseaseT emotion• <uch is life !hat is )ust how life is+ 4Gou cannhave everything you• want+ <uch is life+6 999• <uck up to somebody• <udden idea• <uddenly reali>e• <uddenly snap to eturn to consciousness• <u?er a setback • <u?er fools gladly• <u?er the conse-uences• <u?er your )ust reward• <ugar7coated•

<uggestive remark • <uit yourself • <uits me ne5• <ullen look • <ummer sweetheart



• <unny disposition• <unny side of the street #ooking on the brigside of things•

<upposedly %resumably apparently it isassumed if we believe what• we hear+• <ure enough As expected• <urge ahead %ush forwards• <urly look • <urvival of the ttest• <uspicious circumstance• <uspicious7looking• <wagger about <trut and parade proudly anboldly aboutTTT+ • TT+ <urly swagger• <wallow the bait• <wallow your pride• <wap shop A shop where you can trade one

item for another+• <wap stories !ales• <weating blood• <weat7it7out T endure with forbearance• <weaty hands !he sweating hands of aworkman+ 4'et your sweaty• hands o? me5 ,ho do you think you are@ I/d

thank you• to remember your place and save us both frlosing• face+6• JNQ



• <weep aside• <weep the Loor with• <weep under the carpet .over yourself

casually by hiding the evidence temporarily• so no one will notice and you won/t get intotrouble+• <weep up the mess• <weet dreams• <weeten the deal !o o?er an incentive to mathe deal more attractive to• add extra benets to seal the deal to throwsomething• that the client wants that will make him morreceptive to• signing the agreement to o?er a bribe+ 4,etold the contractor• that we would give him a twenty percentkickback • to sweeten the deal if he agreed to accept oterms+6• 4ust to sweeten the deal we decided to throin the right• to stock options as an extra benet+6 4!heysaid they• would o?er me one million cash under the

table to• sweeten the deal but I refused on ethicalgrounds+6• <weeten the pill ust as some pills are sugarcoated to make them easier



• to swallow so we say TT• <well7headed !hinking you are bigger than yare conceited full of •

yourself thinking that you know everythingthinking• you are the greatest conceited all pu?ed7uand vain+• 4Don/t be so swell7headed )ust because youwon the big• debate+ Be humble in the thought that nexttime you• might lose it to someone more7clever thanyou+6 4Have• you ever noticed that people who are the moswellheaded• are usually ignorant of the fact that they areactually• levels below those who are better7read and

bettereducated6• 4<he/s pretty swell7headed since she marrie• the most rich and handsome man in Bostonbut she/ll• come down7to7earth when she reali>es that lives of • the rich and famous are not what they are c

out to be+6• <weltering heat• <wept7o? your feet Having lost your balanceromantic ecstasy• <wim against the current



• <wim with the current• <wing into action• <wing of things•

<witched7on .lever -uick and well7informed• <worn enemies• <worn in• <urly swagger• JPR• !• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• !able7hopping &oving from one table of frieto another and another• in a nightclub+• !acky7looking <omething cheap and in poortaste tawdry low7class+• !ag along• !ag end of the day• !ail between your legs unning away in fearsomeone superior to escape punishment• to avoid admonishment• !ake a back seat Accept a lower position• !ake a balling7out• !ake a beating ust as one may take a physicbeating so one can take a•

beating nancially when business does not your way+• !ake a breather !ake a moment to catch youbreath take a break pause• rest+



• !ake a cat nap• !ake a chance• !ake a chance on love•

!ake a crack at it !o try to see if you can dosomething+• !ake a dim view Disapprove nd unacceptalook down upon with• condemnation condescension view withcensure protest• against+ 4#ord Hendricks takes a dim view ohis favorite• niece wanting to marry a rock singer+6 4!he%rime &inister• takes a dim view of the opposition -uestionihis• war record+6 4I must say that I take a dim viof gay• couples becoming adoptive parents+6• !ake a drubbing Be defeated take a beatingtake a thrashing+ 4,e don/t• want to take a drubbing in next weeks rugbymatch so• we/d better practice and be ready to give it we/ve• got+6 4,e were totally thrashed in the rst

three games• of the season and took such a drubbing thatwe were• ashamed to show our faces+6 4If you don/t dwhat you



• are told you/ll take a drubbing that you wonforget for• the rest of your life+6•

!ake a hammering <ub)ect to criticism badlydefeated su?er condemnation+• 4!he president/s position on raising taxes hreally• been taking a hammering in the press medialately+6 4!he• .anadian ice7hockey team really took ahammering in• this year/s ,inter Clympics+6 4!he bill tolegali>e abortion• is really taking a hammering in .ongress at moment+6• !ake a hike 'et out of here5 'o away5 4.an/tyou see where you are• not wanted@ !ake a hike56• !ake a hint• !ake a licking by some7 !o be given athrashing to take a beating• JP1• one• !ake a liking to someone After meet someonbegin to like the person immediately+•

!ake a little nip Accept the o?er of a smallswallow of whisky or other• alcoholic drink• !ake a load o? your• mind+



• Be relieved of a psychological burden act soto be• freed from a worry out of a predicament so

an anxiety7• causing dilemma become mentally free of t• about an intellectual concern to relieve thestress it is• causing+ 42ow I have signed the contractguaranteeing• my occupancy of the house it takes a real loo? my• mind+6 4!ell me about your troubles andperhaps it will• help you take a load o? your mind+6 4Cnce Ipassed the• entrance exam it was a real load o? my minand the• minds of my parents too+6• !ake a long hard look at• yourself+• Cbserve and analy>e yourself and act inaccordance with• what you see+• !ake a nose dive ust a plane can take a nosedive and crash so can the•

best7laid plans of men+• !ake a powder+ Disappear for a while+ 'o to ladies room and powder• your nose+• !ake a punishing



• !ake a ribbing• !ake a shine to someone Develop a liking fobecome fond of become partial to•

!ake a shot in the dark+• !ake a stab at 'ive it a try make an attempt• !ake a stand !ake a position on a• !ake a telling7o? Be scolded• !ake a tip from me #et me give you a hint anbit of advice+• !ake advantage of someone• !ake after someone esemble in appearancebehavior• !ake by storm• !ake care of business• !ake care of someone• !ake care of yourself • !ake center stage &ake yourself the center attention+• !ake comfort in• !ake credit for !o falsely claim that youperformed work that was actually• done by another to accept praise for theachievements• performed by someone else to pretend thatthe•

accomplishment of a good result was due toyour e?ort• and9or leadership+ 4&y boss always takescredit for the• high -uality of the work that I do+6 4I don/t l



it when• someone takes personal credit for what wasactually the•

result of good teamwork+6 4!he .EC tookcredit for single7• handedly doubling the prot margin whenactually• the credit should have gone to marketingmanager+6• JP:• !ake exception to Be o?ended take o?ence umbrage+ 4I take exception• to what you said aboutTT++• !ake ve !ime to take a ve minute break asfor example musicians• might take a break between playing sets ofsongs or• a lm director might call a pause between

scenes a• break in a teamwork activity+ !he bandannounced they• were going to take ve so they could go to tbar and• refresh their drinks+6 !he lm director said ttake ve•

for a -uick costume change+6 4!he chairmantold the• committee to take ve to clear their mindsbefore going• onto the next point on the agenda+6



• !ake for granted• !ake great pains to &ake a big e?ort• !ake it back5 Apologi>e for what you said+ <a

that it is not true+• 4Apologi>e+ !ake it back+ ecant what you sa<ay it is• not so+6• !ake it from me+ #isten to my advice let metell you what I know from• experience+• !ake it in stride+ Accept the setback as if youexpected it and move on+• !ake it in the neck+• !ake it like a man+• !ake it on the chin• !ake it or leave it+• !ake it out on someone• !ake it with a grain of • salt+• !ake liberties with• !ake my word for it+• !ake no account+ Don/t believe it pay noattention give no heed don/t• take seriously+ 4!ake no account of &arion/sthreats to•

kill her self+ <he/s been talking like that foryears+6• 4!ake no account of the prime minister/s vowto• straighten out the economy he has no choic



but to make• empty promises+6 4!ake no account ofanything im says•

because he is a compulsive liar+6• !ake o?ence "eel o?ended feel insulted bytake umbrage at to be• hurt and angry because of something someosaid or did• to you to be a?ronted to feel upset becausof someone/s• behavior to you+ 4!he %rime &inister tooko?ence• at the opposition/s implication he was notworking in the• country/s best interest+6 4&other always tako?ence at• the suggestion that father left her for a morsociallyacceptable• woman+6 4Don/t be so touchy and take o?en• when people refer to your sexual preference• 4Don/t take o?ence every time someonementions that• you come from an underdeveloped country+6• !ake over <ei>e control• JP;•

!ake potluck Eat whatever is left7over in thepot eat whatever is on• hand• !ake pride in• !ake -uick action



• !ake root• !ake sides• !ake someone for a ride !o cheat someone o

money by leading him along a path• of false hopes to promise to help someone tget money• while actually deceiving him to build upsomeone/s• hopes only to take advantage of him+ 4,e gtaken for a• ride when we trusted $elly to bring us a retuof one• hundred percent on our investment+6 4I realgot taken• for a ride when I let your stock broker convime to• buy those stock options in .anadian goldmining+6• 4.olin really too Beatrice for a ride bypromising her a• better future if she would only marry him+6• !ake someone to task • !ake something in the• wrong way+• <ee or hear something and get the wrong

impression and• react in the wrong way for the wrong reason• !ake something lying• down• !ake the bad with the



• good• !ake the bait• !ake the bull by the•

horns• "ace the situation or challenge and ght youbest to• overcome it+• !ake the easy way out .hoose the path thatre-uires the least e?ort nd the• way out of a situation that takes the leastamount of • work follow the course of least resistance dthings the• la>y way+ 4,hen students have a choicebetween fullling• a task by working hard on their own or bygetting• help from their friends they usually take the

easy way• out+6 4Gou can take the blame for your mistaand tell• the truth or you can take the easy way out alie your• way out of it+6 4,hy do things the hard waywhen you•

can take the easy way out@6• !ake the heat• !ake the long way round• !ake the plunge• !ake the rap for someone+



• Be punished for someone else/s crime ormisdeed• !ake the weight o? your•

feet+• !ake the words out of • someone/s mouth• !ake things as they are+ TTT+ TTT+ 4,ehave to accept things as they are• and take things as they come+6• !ake time out !ake a short pause or break frsport or work for rest• JPJ• and recreation+• !ake to something like a• duck to water• !ake to task Blame someone for something hhas done wrong+• !ake turns "irst one and then the other one

by7one+• !ake umbrage !ake o?ence feel o?ended feindignation+ 4%lease• don/t take umbrage when I correct yourmanners+ I/m• only trying to help you+6 4<ome people are soversensitive•

that they take umbrage at even the slighteshint of • criticism+6 4&ichael takes umbrage every timsomeone• -uestions him about his credentials+6



• !ake unawares• !ake under your wing• !ake up where you left•

o? • !ake you cue from• !ake your breath away breathtaking• !ake your hat o? to• !ake your punishment TTTT TT+ take yolumps• !ake your time• !ake7in someone who• needs help+• T 4,hen I was )ust an orphan child I wastaken in by• a kind old couple who took care of and raiseme as if I• were their own child+6 4Be careful not to takin stray• dogs and people who may later ght or biteyou+6• !aken aback <hocked• !aken at face value• !aken by surprise• !aken down a peg or two Humbled seen in aposition of lower esteem•

!aken for a ride ust as the old gangsters usto take someone for a ride• and then kill him so we can say we have beetaken for a• ride when a dishonest person makes us his



victim+• !aken for granted• !aken in by someone "ooled and deceived•

!aken in small doses Bearable in short perioof exposure+ 4&artin can be• funny but he is so extreme he must be takein smack • dises+6• !aken seriously• !aken to task .ritici>ed for one/s action helresponsible for a mistake• blamed for poor performance+ 4!he chiefaccountant• has been severely taken to task for failing toprovide• the re-uired documentation+6 4!he %rime&inister has• been taken to task by the opposition for fail

to respond• to the recent catastrophe -uickly enough+6 was• severely taken to task by the principal for thprank of • framing his picture in a toilet seat+6• !aken to the cleaners .heated of everything

deceitful means by tricksters+• !aken7in by a trick "ooled• JPK• !akes two to tango ust as you need two todance the tango it takes two to



• ght+ 4If only one wants to ght and the othdoes not• how can there be e ght@ It takes two to

tango+6 9999• !aking a beating #osing money or support odue to strong negative forces• ()ust as boxers take a beating from strongopponents*• losing badly in a competition (sports orotherwise*+ 4Cur• rm took a severe beating from foreigncompetititors• when the borders were opened after the fretrade agreement+6• 4<tock prices took a severe beating due toA%E.• cutbacks in oil production+6 4!he labor partytook a severe• beating in the last election because theywanted to• pull troops out of the &iddle East+6• !aking a chance TT+ TTT++ taking a chancon love• !ake note of • !alk Stil you/re blue in•

the face• !alk big• !alk mumbo7)umbo• !alk of the town• !alk gibberish



• !alk out of .onvince someone to change hismind and not do something• he intends to do+•

!alk rot <peak nonsense• !alk sense Ttalk sense instead of nonsense• !alk shop• !alk some sense into his• head• !alk through your hat• !alk turkey !alk straight and bluntly about tproblem+• !all order An order that is hard to fulll• !all story9tall tale• !angible evidence .oncrete physical solidfacts and details to prove a• point+• !angle with someone• !angled7web• !angy taste• !art7up !ry to make something ordinary lookbeautiful• !asty morsel !asty tidbit good7tasting crumor little bit or piece+• 4ust as we may say a cookie crumb is a tastmorsel so•

we mat say that a pretty little woman wouldalso be a• nice morsel+• !attered to threads• !attle7tale



• !ax the imagination <tretch or strain theimagination imposes a heavy demand• upon the imagination diOcult to comprehen

impossible• to understand beyond comprehensionunimaginable• unthinkable+ 4It taxes the imagination toattempt• JPM• to comprehend the vastness of the universe4,hat the• human mind is capable of understandingcompared to the• endless realms of wisdom the mind is unablegrasp• taxes the imagination+6 4It taxes theimagination to try to• how understand how low some people can g

to achieve• their own evil ends+6• !eacher/s pet !he teacher/s favorite pupil+• !ear down ust as one may knock or tear dowa building so one• may tear down another/s argument+• !ear holes in !o nd fault with something by

pointing out its defects+• 4!he defense attorney will tear holes in ourargument T• !ear into somebody• !ear to pieces



• !ear up ust as one may literally tear up a piof paper so one• may be said to tear up a contract when the

parties are in• an irresolvable dispute+• !earing my hair out• !earing my heart out• !ear7)erker <ob story sad story that is sure make you cry usually• a lie+• !eed7o? %eeved ticked7o? pissed7o?+• !eeming with activity ust as packs of animaor a hive of bees swarm over a• small place or area so we may say that apublic place is• teeming with activity+ 4At 1R a+m+ there arevery few• people about in <iam <-uare but at noon it

suddenly• teeming with activity6+• !eetering on he brink • !eeth on edge 4!he elders have eaten sourgrapes and the children have• set their teeth on edge+6• !eething troubles•

!ell a white lie• !ell me another one5 I don/t believe you5 !elme another lie+ 4• !ell someone o? 'ive them a verbal reprimaa tongue lashing



• !ell someone what/s• what• Explain the way things are how the situatio

is the way• it is+ 4#et me tell you what/s what+ I decideeverything+• Gou follow orders and never act on your ow• !emper tantrum• !empest in a teapot• !enacious T 2ever letting7go unrelentingstubborn T+• !endency towards• !est balloon ust as meteorologists may sendup a test balloon to• measure atmospheric data so a businessventure may be• said to send up a test balloon when it doespreliminary• market research+• !est the waters• !esting times• !esty situation Highly7charged emotionalsituation+• JPN• !hank your lucky stars•

!hat cuts no ice with me+ I am not impressedwith that that has no e?ect on me• whatsoever I don/t care what you say I am moved+• !hat does it5 !hat/s all I can stand that/s



enough you/ve gone too far• this time and I/ve reached the breaking poinlost my•

temper with you+ 4!hat does it5 I/ve had )ustabout• enough5 TT++• !hat doesn/t fa>e me+ I am not impressed+• !hat hits the spot Exactly what I wanted totaste delicious what was desired+• !hat makes my day5• !hat makes two of us+• !hat rings a bell+ !hat sounds familiar I thinhave heard that before• when I hear that it makes me think back tothings I• thought I/d forgotten+ 4,hen I hear the nam• Anaxagoras that rings a bell+ ,asn/t he somearly• 'reek philosopher or something@6 4!hat namrings a• bell+ #et me )ust try to remember where I mahave heard• it before+6 4!he term Sholistic/ rings a bell+ me )ust• try to remember where I may have heard it

before+6 4!he• name 'allagher rings a bell+ ,eren/t they ounext door• neighbors back in !acoma when I was abousix years



• old@• !hat strikes a chord• !hat strikes home+•

!hat tops everything5• !hat works for me5• !hat/ll be the day5• !hat/ll do the trick !hat/s )ust what is needewhat the doctor ordered• !hat/s a likely story+ ,ho is going to believethat@ !hat is sure to be a lie+• !hat/s a lot of garbage ,hat a lot of lies andnonsense• !hat/s a lot of hooey T nonsense gibberishgarbage• !hat/s a mouthful• !hat/s a novel idea5 ,hat an original idea5• !hat/s all+ !hat is all I have to say now I/vecovered everything• and there/s nothing more to say+• !hat/s another matter• !hat/s it+ 2ow I/ve nished talking and that/what I wanted to• say+ !hat/s it+• !hat/s life+• !hat/s my boy5 'ood boy5 4,hen a boy lives

to his father/s expectations• the father will be proud and pleased and say• S!hat/s my boy+/6• !hat/s my hobby horse "avorite topic petpeeve xed idea that you keep raving



• on about+ 4acial discrimination against Asiawomen is• my hobby horse+6•

!hat/s not what I was !hat/s the opposite ofwhat I was hoping for9expecting+• JPP• bargaining for• !hat/s stretching it a bit5 Exaggeratingsomewhat saying a thing is more than it is+• !hat/s the honest7to7• 'od7truth+• I swear by 'od that I am not lying+• !hat/s the si>e of it+ !hat/s the way that it is• !hat/s the way the ball• bounces+• !hat/s )ust bad luck )ust accept what happethere/s• nothing you can do about it tough luck face

your fate• that/s all you can expect you seldom get whyou want• anyway that/s the way the world works+ 4I/msorry you• didn/t pass the entrance exam but don/t takit too hard•

that/s the way the ball bounces+6 4I wish I hbeen born• with more intelligence but what can I do@!hat/s )ust the• way the ball bounces+6 4Gou can never be su



if things• will go as you hope+ !hat/s )ust the way theball•

bounces+6 4Don/t be too disappointed youdidn/t get the• )ob you wanted that/s )ust the way the ballbounces+6• !hat/s the way things go+• !hat/s worth considering+• !haw in relations• !he apple of my eye !his is an old Biblical-uotation from the book of • %salms in which a father tells his daughter is Sthe• apple of his eye+/ !he idiom has survived bunow• means that someone that you most want anlike to see• favorite girl or person someone you want adesire to• see the most+ 4Ch my darling you are theapple of my• eye+ I love you so much that )ust the sight oyou brings• me )oy+6 4ane Billings is the apple of my eye

the girl I• would most like to have but she looks uponas nothing• more than a dirty old man+6 4,hat a )oy to you



• sweetheart you are the apple of my eye+6• !he balance of )ustice• !he ball/s in your court+ ust as tennis playe

must hit the ball when it comes to• his side of the net so• !he best of both worlds• !he bigger they are the• harder they fall+• !he birds and the bees• !he bubble burst+ ust as a soap bubble mayburst so a person/s dream(s*• can suddenly break or someone might startout a romantic• relationship in which everything seems to begoing• well until the bubble abruptly bursts or agroup of people• can naively believe in an optimistic hope or

idea that• turns out to be a false and misleading bust a nation/s• delusion that an upcoming economic boom icoming can• also burst like a bubble+ 4In the 1QQR/s thereappeared to•

be an economic boom in !hailand in whichnancial opportunities• would never cease but when the Bahtdevaluation• came the bubble suddenly burst+6



• JPQ• !he butt of the )oke• !he cat/s meow !he very best the nest you

could desire+• !he coast is clear 2o danger in sight goahead nobody id looking• !he crux of the matter !he heart of the mattwhat is at the center of the issue+• !he day hell free>es over• !he evil eye T T give someone the evil eye• !he genuine article !he real thing as opposeto being a fake or a copy+• !he grim reaper !he gure of the angel ofdeath+• !he icing on the cake An extra7specialunanticipated part something good to• top it o? the highpoint the best bit+ 4!hesubway construction• was not only nished three months ahead of• deadline but the icing on the cake was thatwas built at• twenty7million below estimated costs+6 4!hebest part of • my new employment package the icing on tcake soto7•

speak is that I get six a month/s bonus if Imeet my• annual budget+6 4#ast year I was not onlynamed the best• salesman of the year and promoted to distri



manager• but the icing on the cake was a free three7week trip for•

two to Hawaii+6• !he inner circle• !he )oke/s on you5• !he least you could do• !he more the merrier+ !he more people who )oin in the activity the more fun• there will be one more is welcome T• !he name of the game• !he nature of the beast• !he next best thing• !he onus is on you It is up to you to see thatthis is your own responsibility• and you must choose the right thing to do+4!he onus is• on you to make the right choice+6• !he point of no return !he time in the procethat there is no possibility of • turning back+• !he right spot at the right• time• !he shoe is on the other• foot+•

!he time is ripe 2ow is the time to act+• !he way the wind is• blowing• !he whole nine yards Everything right throuto the last possibility right



• through to the end+• !he whole shebang Everything all together• !he whole works !he whole nine yards the f

shebang everything all of • it+ T• !he wrong crowd A bad group of friends witthe wrong sort of people• who will be a bad inLuence and lead oneastray+6• !here/s more than meets• JQR• the eye• !here/s not a lot to be• said• !hey/ll cut you to pieces+• !hick as a brick 2ot very smart+• !hick7as7thieves Display honor among thievekeep a promise not to reveal• the secret doings of fellow7thieves not tobetray a• trust agreed upon between robbers if one ton the• other guy he will kill him+ 4!he hit man willnever confess• or tell the police anything+ !hese gangsters

and• mobsters are all as thick as thieves+6 4erryand !erry• never tell anyone where they go at night orwhat they do+



• !he two are as thick7as7thieves+6 4&y childrwill never• rat on one another+ If one of them does

something wrong• the others will never tell on him+ !hey are asthick as• thieves+6• !hick7skinned Insensitive unfeelingimpervious to in)ury• !hick7skulled• !hings look grim+• !hink again+• !hink back to• !hink better of doing• something• !hink for yourself • !hink nothing of • !hink twice• !hinking aloud• !hink7nothing7of7it 2ot at all never mind itwas nothing• !hin7skinned Cversensitive• !hird degree Intensive -uestioning+• !hirst for knowledge• !his is the pits !his is as low as you go+ 4!hi

place is the pits+ It/s about• as low as you can go on skid row+6 4&y oOcat the bureau• of traOc is the pits+ It/s a little room that ispainted



• gray in which you can hardly see the light ofday+6• 4American $ids from Beverly Hills will say a

university• dormitory room is the pits if it doesn/t have the mod• cons and luxuries they are used to+6• !hrashed to within an• inch of your life• !hrash7it7out <ettle a disagreement• !hrilled7to7bits• !hrottle someone .hoke by the throatstrangle T If I ever catch you lying• to be again I/ll literally throttle you+6 4I couthrottle• you for not waking me up on time and makinme• miss my plane+6 T• !hrough hell and high• JQ1• water• !hrough the mill• !hrough thick and thin• !hrow a scare into someone+• &ake someone afraid of the conse-uences

cause reason• for concern threaten a person if he doesn/t what you• want nd cause for worry instill fear ofpunishment+ 4It



• really threw a scare into me when the compstarted to• downsi>e the sta? but luckily I managed to

survive+6• 4!he doctor threw a scare into old obinsontelling• him that he would die within three years if hdidn/t stop• drinking a bottle of whiskey a day+6 4I threwscare into• my secretary when I told her she would havework on• weekends if she didn/t apply herself and leato work • more -uickly+6• !hrow caution to the• winds• !hrow good money after• bad+• !hrow it back in your• face+• !hrow someone o? balance• !hrow the book at someone• &ake someone face the severest penaltiesapplicable under•

the law or regulations or rulebook punishseverely• for breaking the rules+• !hrow up your hands+ !o show through bodylanguage that you have given7up



• hope of nishing the )ob or achieving your gby raising• up your hands up above your shoulders to

become so• frustrated by obstacles and opposition thatdesperation• you nally give up the e?ort to reali>e thatyou• cannot reason with someone and thereforestop trying+• 4,hen the city council kept passing legislatthat made• further progress impossible the engineers icharge of • the subway pro)ect threw up their hands andpulled out of • the contract+6 4!he social action delegates msuch• strong opposition in their attempt to inLuenindustrial• reform that they nally threw up their handdespair• and walked out of the meeting+6 4I wouldnever listen to• my father/s reasoning so after years of tryi

he nally• threw up his hands and let me do what I wan• !hrow your weight• around• Fse your strength and power in an aggressiv



manner to• get what you want both literally andguratively+•

!hrowback into the past• !hrow7in7the7towel+ 'ive up the attempt givin to opposition stop trying• -uit trying concede defeat refrain fromcompetition+• 4After losing twenty7two boxing7matches in row #efty• decided it was time to throw in the towel+6• !hrown o? balance• JQ:• !hrown7in for good• measure• !hrow7over from the past• !humb your nose at &ake a hand gesture ofdisrespect and disobedience by• putting your thumb to your nose and wigglinyour ngers+• !humbs down9up5• !icked7o? %issed7o? peeved angry resentfannoyed irritated+• !ickled7pink %leased happy and delighted• !ickled7to7death ditto•

!ickles my fancy• !idbits of information• !ie one on• !ied up in knots• !ied7to7your7mother/sapron7





• old .EC to bow out at the end of his term anlet the• 3ice %resident take over+6 4!he &inister of t

Interior• has been forced to bow out in the middle of term due• to health problems+6• !ime to turn7in !ime to go to bed and sleeptime to hit the hay+ 4It/s• time to turn in and hit the hay+6• !ime will tell+ ,e don/t know yet what theresult will be but if we• wait we shall see if we wait we will know igood time+• 4It/s hard to know if the investment will payo? but time• will tell+6 4,e are not exactly sure if the o>olayer will• JQ;• continue to disappear to the point that theearth will be• burnt to a crisp+ Cnly time will tell+6 4• !ime7consuming• !ip of the iceberg ust as the tip of the icebeis )ust the part that we see•

even though most of it is hidden underneaththe surface• so crime and corruption can be discernable athe surface• even though most of it is hidden below the



level and is• not visible+ 4!he Exxon scandal is indicativethe kind•

of corrupt management practices were beincarried on at• the turn of the new millennium but what cato light• was )ust the tip of the iceberg compared towhat is still• going on beneath the surface+6 4!he scantevidence we• have on environmental damage is )ust the tiof the iceberg• compared to the extent of destruction that hyet to• be measured+6 4!he news we see in the papabout• child sex abuse is )ust the tip of the iceberg

compared to• the actual extent of common worldwidepractice+6• !ip the scales Fpset the balance• !ip top condition• !ip7o? • !ip7top condition•

!it for tat eciprocity• !o a S!6 %erfectly without a fault+• !o all appearances• !o be content with• !o be tarred and feathered



• !o be the fall guy <omeone to x the blameupon to take the blame for• others to be made an example of in the pub

eye satisfy• the need for someone to have to pay for amistake to• take the heat for someone else be thescapegoat sacricial• animal the one who has to fall so that othermay• continue to stand sucker innocent victim ocover7up• someone who has fallen for a sly trick+ 4Durthe war• someone had to be the fall guy for thegovernment/s acting• on insuOcient intelligence so they made thdirector• of the .IA the fall guy even though it was nreally his• fault+6 4,hen there is a scandal in thegovernment the• public wants someone to pay someone/s heto fall but• usually the fall guy is not the one the most

deserving of • punishment+6 4,hen big management getsitself in scal• trouble they do not take the blamethemselves but nd



• some poor slob to blame it on and then theyre him as• the fall guy+6•

!o blame for !o be responsible for the bade?ect that resulted fro his• action(s*+• !o collar someone ust as a dog• !o cut a long story short <ay in few words wnormally takes many+• JQJ• !o each his own+ Everybody is entitled to hisown opinion live and let• live+• !o err is human+ It is only human to make anerror or a mistake human• error must always be expected we must leato forgive• human error because man is not perfect+

4%lease forgive• me for what I have done+ I know now it waswrong but• to err is human And I beg for you to pardonme for my• mistake+6 4,e often make the wrong choicein life but•

as the saying goes S!o err is human+/6 4!o eis human• so modern technology must always factor inthe possibility• of human error+6



• !o have good connections• !o make a laughing stock • of yourself+•

!o put it bluntly• !o put it mildly !o understate withoutexaggeration• !o say the least• !o spice it up• !o the best of my knowledge• As far as I know based on the information Ihave+• !o the bitter end ust as an extended lengthanchor7chain may be fed• out from a boat into the sea slowly bit by buntil it has• nally reached the bitter end (the last link othe chain• shackled and fastened to a metal ring in the

bottom of the• anchor7well* so a person may be said tocontinue be continuing• to perform his task until the bitter end*+ 4Do• give up hope )ust yet persevere resolve to tbitter end• and you/ll survive the storm+6 4,e knew tha

our business• was going under but still we hung on untilthe bitter• end+6 4'reta knew her husband was dying ocancer



• but she stayed by his bedside to the bitter elending• him support in his dying days+6•

!o the end of my days• !o the ends of the world eady to do anythinto any lengths to get what you• want+• !o the max !o the maximum the utmost theuppermost limit with• the fullest e?ort highest extreme+ 4!heconcert hall was• lled to the max when Adele Athena sang henal operatic• concert appearance+6 4I want to live life up the• max and die of excess and exhaustion beforam thirty+6• 4!he test pilot kept increasing the speed of

the plane• right up to the max without experiencing somuch as the• slightest vibration or negative side7e?ect+6• !o tide me over• !o top it o? As thought that were not enougand then came that last•

and nal blow+• !o your credit• JQK• !o your heart/s content• !o your last gasp Fp until your dying breath



• !oddle7o? T T toddle along• !oe the line "ollow exact orders or commandaccording to policy•

procedures directions do exactly as you artold without• crossing the line or getting out of line becareful to obey• without -uestion do exactly as you are tolddon/t cross• the line if you don/t want trouble+6 4,e/ll hato toe the• line and do exactly as we are told if we wantavoid• criticism+6 4Gou/d better toe the line and nomake any• decisions on your own or you will certainlyregret it+6 4I• am forced to toe the line and not exceed my

authority or• I/ll get red without notice+• !oken of appreciation• !ongue tied• !ongue7in7cheek <poken in )est to saysomething ironic and untrue )ust as• a )oke )ust kidding to speak insincerely or

deceptively+• !ongue7lashing A good scolding telling7o?reproach reprimand dressing7• down+ 4&other gave $evin a good tongue7lashing



• for stealing small change out of her purse+64Gou/ll get a• good tongue7lashing from our supervisor for

making• such a stupid mistake+6 4Cne night I camehome drunk• and the next day my wife gave me thetongue7lashing of • my life+6• !ongue7wagging 'ossiping talking aboutpeople behind their backs making• derogatory negative comments talking a lotabout• nothing wasting time in useless conversatio4If those• girls don/t stop their tongue7wagging aboutme I/ll nd• a way of cutting out their tongues+6 If you tw

students• in the back corner don/t stop your tongue7wagging I/ll• have to ask you to leave the room+6 4<top yhanging• around and tongue7wagging and do some wfor a•

change or I/ll tell your supervisor on you+6• !oo big for your boots• !oo big for your britches• !oo clever for your own• good



• !oo close for comfort• !oo little too late• !oo many irons in the•

re• !rying to do too many things at once+• !oo much of a good• thing• !ooth and nail T 4T ghting tooth and nail tT• !op dog !he number one man the one at thtop of the heap key• player at the top of the ladder king pin kinof the hill• the man in control with the most respect+ 4want everyJQM• one to understand that I am top dog aroundhere and that• nobody acts without following my orders+6

4!he trouble• with .harlie is that he always wants to be todog and• cannot work as a team player+6 4,ho is topdog around• here@ I want to speak to the man in charge+6• !op drawer Best -uality most valued most

high class+• !op notch !he very best highest possible le• !op of the heap !he man who worked his wato the peak of success in• his profession+



• !op of the pops 2umber one in the popularmusic hit parade• !op7of7the7line !he best and highest -uality

level or item in the product• line+• !opsy7turvy• !orn between two evils !orn between two baalternatives+• !oss and turn all night• !oss your hat in the ring &ake a gestureshowing that you want to compete or• give something a try+• !ossup between .ant decide between on thiand another+• !otally above7board Honest and transparentcompared to corrupt and under• the table+• !ouch wood In English we say that to touch

wood brings good luck • and protects us from bad fortune+ 4If you sayou hope• you will never be friendless and alone you/dbetter touch• wood when you say it+6 99999• !ouch7and7go Fncertain which way the resul

will o doubtful outcome+• 4At rst we were not sure our business wousucceed+• "or the rst three months it was touch7andbut then



• in the second -uarter sales began to pick upand we• were out of the woods+6 4&other almost die

in the hospital• from bronchial pneumonia+ At rst it wastouchand7• go but then her condition began showingslight• signs of improvement and eventually shepulledthrough+6• 4<tock prices were falling rapidly most of th• morning and it looked like the market mighpossibly• crash+ It was a real touch7and7go situation bas the afternoon• passed an unexpected buying binge restore• shareholder condence+6• !ouching scene T+move the heart• !ouchy situation• !ough act to follow• !ough as nails• !ough going !rying very hard to keep aheadthe work or the problem• very diOcult to make progress ha• !ough luck •

!ough7it7out $eep on struggling even when tgoing gets tough• !ow the line• !ower of strength• JQN



• !oy boy ,hen an older woman pays money tyounger man to• become her companion he is what they call

4toy boy+6• 4'loria has found herself a new young toy band is• showing him o? to all her society friends+ Iwish she• would show a little discretion and reali>e horidiculous• she appears+6 4Archie lived a comfortable lifas a toy• boy for about fteen7years until he startedapproaching• the age of thirty7ve and found that he was longer in• demand+6 4In the twenties rich Americanwidows used• to go to spend their winters in 3enice and tathemselves• a toy boy but during the depression thefashion• unfortunately faded+6• !rack down• !rack record•

!raOc congestion TT traOc deadlock • !raOc )am ,hen there are so many cars andvehicles on the road or• the Low of traOc narrows down and stops ocomes to a



• standstill+• !rail7o? and stop• !rash can Dustbin garbage can+•

!rashy talk #ow dirty scummy gossipyconversation• !read on someone/s toes• !reat someone like dirt Behave towardssomeone in a demeaning and cruel fashion• !rend7setters• !rial and error #ooking for an answer by tryiand seeing your mistakes+• 4&uch of what we consider to be true sciencwas• discovered by trial and error+• !rial balloon• !rials and tribulations• !rick of the trade• !rickle down ustas• !ricky character• !ricky situation• !rigger a reaction• !rigger e?ect• !rip someone up• !rivial remarks !riLing silly pettyinsignicant unimportant comments+•

4I wish you would spare me your trivialremarks• and say something sensible for a change+6• !roubled waters• !roubling thought



• !rudging along• !rue blue #oyal and faithful to the end+• !rue grit•

!rue to nature• !rue to one another• JQP• !rue7to7life• !rump card• !rumped7up charges &ade7up inventedfabricated false accusations of • wrongdoing• !ruth or conse-uences + !ell the truth or paythe conse-uences+ ++• !ry in vain• !ry one/s hand T try one/s luck take a cracat• !ry one/s patience• !ry this on for si>e• !ry your utmost• !rying situation• !rying to nd yourself • !ug7of7war• !une in on the conversation• !une in9out T !une out the noise of+ TTTtout the noise of •

traOc+• !unnel vision• !urbulent times• !urn a blind eye TT++ +turn a blind eye to T• !urn a deaf ear to efuse to listen to a re-ue



pr_t end not to have heard• someone pay no attention continually ignoneglect to•

act on a demand refuse to listen decline tolisten after• being directed to do so+ 4Because the teachcontinued• to turn a deaf ear to students/ demands thestudents• burned down the school house+6 4<incecompany management• oOcials have always turned a deaf ear toworkers• union has threatened go on strike+6 4If youcontinue• too turn a deaf ear to warnings about smokibeing ha>ardous• to your health you may get lung cancer+6 4!• mayor is going to loose the next electionbecause he has• been turning a deaf ear to any issues thatinvolve helping• to improve conditions for local businessdevelopment+6• !urn against someone•

!urn back the clock • !urn belly7up ust as a ship can roll over andturn belly7up so a business• !urn on your best friend• !urn out for the best



• !urn over a new leaf .hange your behaviorstop your bad conduct begin• anew start over start afresh change cours

4,hen his• bad manners started costing him money hedecided it• was time to turn over a new leaf and behavehim self • more properly+6 4,hen .ongressman Black/secret• sexual activities became public knowledge swore to• turn over a new leaf to avoid further scanda4!eacher• told me that if I did not turn over a new leafand start• studying harder she would fail me and makeme repeat• JQQ• the class+6• !urn over in your grave Be so angry as to Tafter death• !urn tail and run ++ ++ !urn tail and run away• !urn the other cheek Do not react with angewhen people hurt or insult you•

remain passive in the face of o?ence as if tturn your• face the other way and allow them to slap yoon the• other side show passive resistance as if to



allow them to• do it again forgive and do not retaliate (forretaliation•

simply leads to more aggressiveness* don/toppose hate• with hate replace anger and hate with loveand peace• instead+ 4%eople who hurt your feelings oftedo so because• they don/t know any better when thishappens• simply turn the other cheek+6 4,hen someohurts you• out of ignorance turn the other cheek andforgive them+6• 4,hen ever someone does something to angor hurt• me I turn the other cheek and do something

good for• them+ !he only way to stop hate is throughlove+6• !urn the tables• !urn up your nose at !o stick your nose up hin the air as if to show that• you are above someone in station or situatio

or to show• that you consider yourself too good for aposition or task • you consider beneath your rank or level+6• !urn upon someone !urn around upon an all



of friend and suddenly be• against him9her+ 4I thought I always could trBarbara•

but one day she turned upon me and ceasedbehave as• a friend+6 9999999999• !urn your back on a• friend• !urned on9o? • !urned out for the best• !urns me on• !urns my stomach &akes me sick+• !welve sharp Exactly midday twelve T• !wenty7four7seven• !widdle your thumbs• !wist of fate• !wist someone/s arm• !wist the knife• !wisted7mind• !wo against one• !wo birds with one stone Accomplish two tasin one motion+• !wo heads are better than• one+• !wo/s company and•

three/s a crowd• !wo friends en)oying themselves sometimesnd that an• extra third person hinders their fun andunderstanding



• sometimes two people who want to be alonetogether• would like to get rid of a third one (who is a

third wheel• so to speak*+ 4'et lost+ ,e don/t want you t )oin us+• KRR• !wo/s company and three/s a crowd+6 4I alwfeel like• the third wheel when I am together with mybrother and• his girlfriend and I understand the sense of4!wo/s a• company and three/s a crowd+6 4,hen buddshare secrets• and they don/t want a stranger to share in tconversation• this is a perfect example of what 4!wo/s

company• and three/s a crowd means+6• !wo7faced• !wo7timer <omeone who is dating a secondperson at the same time• as the rst• !wo7way7street•

F• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• Fbi-uitous presence Ever7presenteverywhere omnipresent+



• Fgly American• Fgly as sin• Fgly customer•

Fgly duckling• Fnbiased opinion• Fnbridled anger Fncontrolled anger that hasgot totally out of reign and• out of hand+• Fnburden yourself .onfess your sins open7uand tell all your troubles• give vent to your emotions+• Fncharted waters• Fnconditional surrender• Fncouth language• Fndaunted e?ort• Fnder duress• Fnder false pretenses• Fnder investigation• Fnder lock and key• Fnder my skin T 4It gets under my skin whesee T• Fnder one/s thumb• Fnder pressure• Fnder scrutiny• Fnder separate cover•

Fnder suspicion of • Fnder the counter Done illegally taking bribor kickbacks not transparent• supposedly passed under the table or counte• Fnder the hammer



• Fnder the impression• Fnder the inLuence• KR1•

Fnder the microscope• Fnder the right circumstances• Fnder the table• Fnder the weather Ill not well sick+ 4T feelunder the weatherT6• Fnder the wire• Fnder your belt• Fnder your breath• Fnder your nose• Fnder your own steam ,ith no help• Fnder your thumb• Fnder your very eyes+• Fnder your wing ust as a chicken keeps herchickens under her wing for• their protection so Fnder your protection• Fnder7handed action• Fnderlying cause• Fndesirable alien• Fndying devotion• Fnexpected windfall• Fnfailing devotion• Fnfailing loyalty•

Fnforgettable experience• Fnheard of behavior• Fnintentional error An accidental mistake thwas not made deliberately or• on purpose+



• Fn-uenchable thirst for• Fn-uestionable integrity• Fnruly behavior•

Fnscrupulous motives• Fntangle the mess• Fntangle the web• Fntested waters• Fntil doomsday• Fntil hell free>es over• Fntil kingdom come• Fntil the cows come• home• ust as it takes a while for the cows to comehome from• pasture on a farm so it can seem like a longtime when• you are waiting for someone or something+• Fp against a brick well• Fp and coming• Fp in arms %rotesting against• Fp in the air• Fp one notch &ove up one step• Fp the creek without a• paddle• Fp the ka>oom A polite way of saying you ar

full or lled7up all the• way up your backside+ I/m full7up to theka>oom and I/m• KR:• not going to take any more of your shit56



4,e/ve got orders• up the ka>oom but not enough merchandi>estock •

to ll the orders+6 4T• Fp the wall• Fp to mischief • Fp to my ears• Fp to my eyeballs• Fp to my neck • Fp to no good %lanning to do something badcause trouble acting in• a habitual mischievous manner plotting sommischievous• deed+ 4,henever the children are peaceful a• -uiet when they are playing upstairs mothealways suspects• they are up to no good+6 4I don/t know whatHopkins• is plotting now but you can be sure that heup to• no good+6 4&y sister/s husband appears to bbehaving• himself for a change but I am sure that behthe• scenes he is still up to no good+6•

Fp to scratch &eeting the bare minimumre-uirementTTT+ • TTTTT up to par up to snu? • Fp to something Fsing some concealed trickdevice



• Fp to you+ ,hatever you say you decidewhatever you want+• Fp to your ears 3ery busy as though the wo

was piled7up in stacks up• to the level of your ears+ 4<orry I can/t stop chat now+• I/m up to my ears with reports to review andworking• against a deadline+6 4I/m up to my ears at thoOce and• terribly overstressed+6 4T• Fp to your old tricks• Fp yours5 An impolite way of saying 4Gouknow where you can• stick it+6 4<ometimes the expression 4Fpyours5/ accompanied• with a hand gesture with the middle nger• sticking7up in the air can also mean that you

refuse to• fulll a person/s re-uest or do his bidding+6• Fp7and7coming• Fp7for7grabs Available there for the takingeasily obtainable up for• o?er to be gotten for a low price+ 4In the1PPR/s there•

was a lot of open land up for grabs in themiddle and• western Fnited <tates+6 4!here is a twentyacre farm that• is up for grabs )ust to the west of town and



think that I• am going to buy it as an investment for thefuture+6 4I•

have )ust seen a 1QPR classic &ercedes BeJKR <#.• two door sports coupe that is up for grabs aI cannot• resist the temptation to buy it+6• Fpper crust !he up7most level of the upperclass the highest level of • high society the most expensive exclusiveclass the• cream of the cream+ 4Fpper crust English<ociety including• ueen 3ictoria and her family used to wintein• the town of &enton on the "rench iviera+64,hen !he• it> rst opened it was so exclusive andexpensive that• KR;• only the upper crust could a?ord to staythere+6 4!here• are certain clubs in #ondon where you can neven apply•

to )oin if you are not a highly7respectedmember of • the upper crust+6• Fpset the apple cart• Fpset the balance



• Fp7to7speed &eeting the expected normmeeting the standard up7todate+• Fpturn in earnings•

Fpwardly mobile• Frgent need• Fse a civil tone• Fse some elbow grease• Fse your head for a• change• Fse your noggin5 !hink5 Fse your head+ !hinFse your h• Fsher in the new year• Fsher7in ,elcome in T to your seatsT newyearT new millennium• Ftter exasperation• 3• Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• 3agabond life• 3ain attempt 3ain e?ort• 3andalistic action• 3anishing act !o disappear vanish into thin • 3ariant behavior Behavior that deviates fromthe norm• 3ariety is the spice of •

life• !rying something di?erent for a change is wmakes• life interesting+• 3ehement argument %assionate heated



violent argument+• 3elvet gloves <uggestive of handling with ca• 3engeance is mine+ I will seek revenge and

punish you for your wrongdoings+• 4!he Bible contains the expression43engeance• is mine6 meaning that the #ord 'od will seeyou out• and punish you for your sins+6 43engeance imine is one• of the unspoken oaths of the &aa code ofsilence 4A• women who has been betrayed in romance mforewarn• her ex7lover of her intended revenge by saythe• words 43engeance is mine+6• 3engeful attitude• 3ent your frustrations 3ent your T emotions• 3enture a guess• 3erbal abuse• 3erging on madness Almost at7the7point ofbecoming cra>y or an idea that• comes close to being insane+• KRJ•

3ery becoming &akes you look very attractiv• 3ery slow7going %roceeding with diOculty avery slow rate a slow and• tedious process+ 4,riting a book on idioms aexpressions



• in English is very slow going+6 4T• 3ested7interest• 3estige of hope•

3exing behavior Annoying troublesomeworrying behavior+ !eaching is a• rewarding profession but sometimes thevexing behavior• of the children can be very tiring+6 4<he mame angry• with her vexing behavior and I/m hoping to the day• that she gets red from her )ob+6• 3iscous circle Fnbroken se-uence of cause ae?ect that keeps coming• back to the same place leading nowhere+• 3ivid memories• 3oice an opinion• 3oracious appetite• 3ote of condence• 3ouch for somebody 'ive assuranceguarantee speak for someone/s integrity+• 3ow of allegiance <wear promise or give yoword to be loyal and faithful+• 3ow of vengeance <wear to punish and takerevenge in order to right a•

wrong7doing or in)ury su?ered in the past++• 3ulnerable point ,eak point Achilles/ heelwhere you can be wounded+• ,• Idioms and expressions Denitions followed



examples• ,ad of money A bankroll of paper7moneycarried loosely in the pocket•

a whole lot of money a stack of paper monea bundle• a fortune+ 4I used to carry a big wad of foldepaper• money around in my pocket but one night had too• many whiskies and a taxi driver rolled me foforty thousand• so now I limit the amount of cash I carryloosely in• my pocket+6 4!he gambler 2ick the 'reektook a big• wad of money out of his pocket and put it onthe table• and asked if anyone there was willing to rais

the bet by• one7hundred thousand+6 4I used to know a gwho had a• Leet of cement trucks back home in !exas wwas• known to always carry a big wad of moneyaround in his•

pocket until one night someone probably aperson• known7to7him shot him dead and relieved hof his• wad+6



• ,ade in knee deep ,ade7inT and get starteon the work • ,ade through ust as it is diOcult to wade

through water so we say• that when we approach a diOcult )og we mnot hesiKRK• tate but wade right in and get started+• ,ailing with laughter #aughing hystericallyscreaming with laughter laughing• until you are almost in tears laughing andalmost weeping• out7of7control rolling in the aisles+• ,ait a )i?y+ ,ait )ust a minute+• ,ait in vain• ,ait until hell free>es• over+• It doesn/t matter how long you wait things not happens• in the way that you wish+• ,ait until I get my hands• on you+• ,hen I catch hold of you I am going to punisyou so• you will be sorry for what you did+ 4,ait untget you•

in my grips5 ,hen I get my hands on you IT4,ait until• I get my claws on youT 4,ait until I get youmy• clutches5 T



• ,ait until the heat is o? #ie low for a whileuntil the police stop pursuing the case• or drop it all7together+ ++ ,ait until the dust

settled+• ,aiting for a miracle• ,aiting game• ,ait7up for me5 Gou/re walking too fast I cakeep7up with you I/m• falling behind+ 4• ,ake7up call ust As you can have a hoteltelephone operator call your• room in the morning to wake you up at sixo/clock so• we can say that an event is a sign or wake7ucall that• you/d better pay attention and do something-uickly before• it is too late before something bad happens

nothing• is done+ 4!he latest global warming statisticshould• be a wake up call for the world to reducedependence on• oil production+6 4,hen I got an 4"6 on mycalculus•

exam it was a wake up call for me to develobetter• study habits+6 4,hen my wife said she wasthinking of • leaving me it was a wake up call for me to



start paying• closer attention to her and the family+6• ,alk all over someone•

,alk away from !urn your back and 4walkaway6 from trouble or opportunity+• ,alk away <cott free 'et o? the hook withoany punishment• ,alk of life %rofession career path• ,alk tall Hold yourself tall and look proud+• ,alk the Loor all night emain awake restlewith worry+• ,alking disaster• ,alking on air Highly elated• ,alking papers 2otice of dismissal writtennotice of termination of employment+• ,allLower <omeone who sits on one of thechairs along the wall at a• party and never leaves gets or accepts an

invitation to• dance+• ,allop someone <mack or hit someone withvery hard blow because he• has angered you or you want to punish him+• ,allowing in self7pity En)oying feeling sorryyour self sunk in a depression•

KRM• and overcome with self7indulgence stuck anmireddown• in a mood of self7pity+ 4As a teenager I went• through a period of wallowing in self7pity bu



soon• snapped7out7of7it after a about a year andreturned to•

normal again+6 4I hate to see people wallowin selfpity• because I know they are thinking of nothingbut• themselves+6 4.hildren who have been badlabused• have a tendency to wallow in self7pity but wproper• counseling they can be helped out of theirmisery+6• ,all7to7wall T carpeting• ,andering aimlessly ,alking about with nogoal or purpose in mind+• ,angle one/s way into• ,anton ways Immoral un)ustiable wastef

habits of behavior+• ,ant7to7be T 4Hollywood used to be lled wwant7to7be starlets• who were working as waitresses+6• ,arped7imagination TTT TT++twisted viewthat distorts• ,ash and wear 2ot necessary to iron after

washing+ Hang and dry and• wear+• ,ash one/s dirty linen in• public• !ell your dirty secrets in front of others as a



way of punishing• your partner publicly by trying to gainsympathy•

from the listeners+• ,ash your hands of Disclaim responsibility• ,ashed7up uined nished• ,aste away <lowly lose strength and energythe point of dying+• ,aste of breath 2o use in talking to• ,aste of energy 2o point in making the e?oto• ,atch like a hawk • ,atch out5 Danger5 Be careful5 !ale care5• ,atch where you/re going5• #ook where you are going5 ,atch out whereyou are going• so you do not bump into people and things+• ,atch your back ust as we can say to be

careful who or what is coming• up behind you so• ,atch your mouth+ Be careful of what you sa4,atch your mouth or you• may say something you are sorry for later+6 • ,atch your step+ Be careful what you do+• ,atch your tongue+ ,atch what you say+ 4If

you don/t watch your tongue• and be careful what you say I/m going to wayour• mouth out with soap+6 4In ancient timespeople who did



• not watch their tongues ran the risk of havintheir• tongues cut out+6•

,atch yourself+ Cbserve you motives andactions and be careful of what• you do+• ,ater under the bridge <omething thathappened that cannot be r changed in the• present that may7as7well be forgotten whicthe Low of • time cannot reverse+ 4!here/s no use cryingover the su?ering• inLicted on you in the past+ It is water undethe• bridge6 4Don/t harbor resentment aboutsetbacks you• have su?ered in the past+ ,hat/s past is pasit is water• KRN• under the bridge+6 4Don/t complain about thpast see it• as water that has passed under the bridge astart again• to strive to make the future better+6 4• ,atered7down ust as T may be diluted with

water so we say T• ,ater7tight argument An argument that canbe proven wrong+• ,aver between Be undecided between twochoices



• ,ay the wind is blowing !he popular trend oopinion+• ,ay to go5 .ongratulations5 !hat was a goo

thing that you did+5• ,e go back a long way ,e have known oneanother for a long time we have• been friends for years we owe one anotherfavors for• things that happened in the past we/ve knoeach• other/s secrets and weaknesses since we weyoung+• 4I/ll always remember the good times we hagrowing up• together+ ,e go back a long way+6 4Gou oweme+ ,e go• back a long way+ I need to ask you animportant favor+6• 4emember all the times I have covered foryou in the• past+ ,e go back a long way+ I know you betthan I• know myself+6• ,e/ll cross that bridge• when we come to it+•

,e/ll have to wait and see what happened amake a• decision depending on the circumstances+• ,eak point 3ulnerable point+ 4Everybody hatheir weak point+ Gou



• )ust have to nd it+6 4Don/t speak about myT +!hat/s• my weak point and I feel very sensitive whe

someone• touches upon it• ,eak7kneed #acking resolution and convicti4&y little sister is too• weak7willed to stand up and decide anythingon her own• without her mother/s consent+ <he/s too weakneed to• go for a pee on her own+6 999 999• ,ear and tear• ,ear one/s heart on• one/s sleeve• ,ear out your welcome 3isitors may bewelcome but if they stay too long for• too many days or become a nuisance or a

bother the• host may begin to feel that it/s time for themto go and be• glad to get rid of them+ 4I stayed with mybrother in #os• Angeles for three months but he got tired ome )ust sitting•

around doing nothing and he nally told meI/d• worn out my welcome+6 4Bob was a guest inour house• for about a month but his bragging and



drinking and• smoking got on our nerves so we told him hworn out•

his welcome and that it was time for him toleave+6• ,ear the trousers in the• family• ,ear your heart on your• sleeve• ,earing thin• ,easel out of a situation• ,eaving in7and7out• KRP• ,eb of deceit ust as a spider weaves a webso we may be said to• weave web of lies+ 4Cne lie leads to anotherand another• until we are entangled in a web of our own

deceit+6 4 T• caught7up in the tangled web of your owndeceit+6• ,edge your way in between• ,ee hours• ,eed7out the weakest <ort7out and discard• ,eep your heart out•

,eigh one/s words !hink carefully about whone says before spealing• ,eighty argument• ,elcome with open arms• ,ell7kept secret T 4It is a well7guarded w



kept secret that• ,ell7rounded• ,ell7versed ,ell7read 3ery well7imformedin

many areas of knowledge+• ,ent <cott7free ,as released an let o? thehook without being charged• or punished+• ,ere your ears burning@ Did you sensesomeone was talking about you@• ,et blanket %arty7pooper kill)oy spoilsport4ust as someone can• throw a wet blanket on the re to dampen itso a person• who dampens the fun and en)oyment of othemay be• said to be a wet blanket+6 and afraid ofinteracting with• others+6 be the wet blanket that you really

are+6• ,et blanket ust as a wet blanket will dampea re so a person can• discourage others from having fun someonewho spoils• the fun for others a spoilsport kill)oy partypooper+•

4Don/t be such a wet blanket )oin in the parand stop• spoiling the fun for others+6 4Gou may call ma wet• blanket for not )oining in on the activities b



the truth is• that I am )ust terribly shy+6 4,hy sit aroundlooking so•

glum@ Don/t be such a wet blanket and )oin the festivities• and have some fun+6• ,et your whistle Have a drink• ,hat can I say@ !here is nothing more to say• ,hat a bombshell5 Implies that a woman is sbeautiful she hits you like a• bombshell+• ,hat a grind5• ,hat a grouch5• ,hat a )oke5 Hoe ridiculous5• ,hat a knockout5 Implies that the e?ect of awoman/s good looks on a man• could be like a knockout7punch+• ,hat a load of crap5• ,hat a lout5 <tupid awkward oaf silly fool+• ,hat a mess5• ,hat a pigsty5 ,hat a dirty place+• ,hat a piker5 ,hat a cheapskate T letsomeone else pay the bill• KRQ• ,hat a pill5 An expression implying that a

person is hard Xto7take in• the way that some people nd medicine harto7take+• ,hat a whopper5 ,hat a big lie5• ,hat are you angling



• for@• ,hat are you driving at@ ,hat point are youtrying to make@ ,hat are you leading7•

up to@ ,hat is the hidden motive for what yare• saying@ ,hat are you trying to suggest@ ,hare you• insinuating@ 4<top beating around the bushand come to• the point+ ,hat are you driving at@6 4I hearwhat you are• saying but I don/t understand your purpose,hat are• you driving at@6 4<top talking in circles andsay what• you really mean+ ,hat/s bothering you@ ,haare you• driving at@6• ,hat are you gaping at@ ,hy are you lookinat me with your eyes and your• mouth wide7open like that@• ,hat are you getting at@ ,hat are you driviat@• ,hat did you expect@• ,hat do you make of it@ .an you gure it ou

,hat do you think about this@• ,hat do you take me• for@• Do you think I am an idiot or a fool@• ,hat do you want to bet@



• ,hat goes around comes• around+• !he wheel of karma T•

,hat in hell@ An expression of surprise thatasks what devilish impulse• has caused something happen or from whatrealm of hell• something may have appeared+• ,hat in the world@ Asks the -uestion what oearth may have been the possible• cause of an action or event+• ,hat it all comes down• to• In the nal analysis in the end in essence+• ,hat on earth@ An expression of surpriseasking what in the world has• caused something to happen+• ,hat you/re made of Gour mettle bravery

courage resolve+ 4<how the world• what you/re made of+ <tand up and show theyour mettle6• ,hat/s all the fuss@ ,hat is all the commotiabout@• ,hat/s all the hubbub• about@•

,hy all the big noise racket uproarhullabaloo@ ,hat• is the matter@ ,hat is going on@• ,hat/s bothering you@ TTT++ TTTT whatbugging you now@ !ellme



• what/s bothering you now+6 999999• ,hat/s cooking@ ,hat/s happening@ ,hat/sgoing on@ ,hat/s up@ ,hat•

are you doing@• ,hat/s eating you now@ ,hat is bothering yor eating away at your heart or at• brain or gut this time@ Fsed especially wheyou are in• the habit of complaining or feeling bitter anresentful+ 4I• can see by the look on your face that you arnot happy+• ,hat/s eating you now@6 4I/ve tried everythI can to• K1R• try to make you happy and still you lookdisgruntled+• ,hat/s eating you now@6 4I/m sick and tired

hearing• your complaints+ ,hat/s eating you now@6• ,hat/s happening@ ,hat/s the news@ ,hat/the latest@ ,hat/s going on@• ,hat/s the scene@ ,hat/s happening with yo4Hey• man5 ,hat/s happening@6 4,hen punks mee

on the• street and ask 4,hat/s happening/ this is )ua meaningless• form of greeting+6• ,hat/s on your mind@ ,hat are you thinking



about@ ,hat do you want to talk • about@ ,hat/s worrying you@ Do you have a-uestion to•

ask@ Is there something you want to say to m4Gou/d• better tell me what/s on your mind because can see• something is bothering you+6 4I/m afraid to you• what/s on my mind for fear of making you )ealous and• angry+6 4Hi Bob I hear you want to talk to m<it down• and tell me what/s on your mind+6• ,hat/s the big idea@ ,hat/s going on here@,hat do you think you/re doing@• ,ho gave you permission to do that@ ,ho dyou think • you are to act without approval@• ,hat/s the big to7do@ ,hat is all the fussabout@ ,hat is the big problem@• ,hat/s the damage@ How much is it going tocost@ How much do I have to• pay@ ,hat is the amount of the bill@ 4I usedknow this•

American guy from !exas who always saidS,hat/s the• damage@/ instead of asking about the amouof the bill• the way normal people would+6 4<orry oOce



know I• was driving too fast and I/m willing to pay thne on•

the spot+ ,hat/s the damage@6 4C$ Baby+ Ggave me• a good time and whatever it costs it wascertainly worth• the money+ ,hat/s the damage@6• ,hat/s the gimmick@ !rick gambit ploystrategy scheme• ,hat/s the idea@• ,hat/s the latest@ A common greeting onefriend asks another about the• latest news or a recent happening or eventthat has occurred+• ,hat is the e latest news@ ,hat/s happenin• man@ 4,ell ane I haven/t seen you in ageswhat/s the• latest@ ,hat has been happening with you@,hat/s new• in your life@ Has Bob asked you to marry himyet@• ,hat/s the matter@ ,hat/s wrong@• ,hat/s the ploy@ 'immick scheme gambittrick+ 4,hat trick are you up•

to@ ,hat/s the ploy@• ,hat/s the ruckus@ ,hat is the cause of thisnoise disturbance commotion• uproar upset@• ,hat/s the use@ !here is no use in trying+



• ,hat/s the word@ ,hat is the latest news@,hat was the decision@• ,hat/s up with you@ ,hat/s your problem@ I

something wrong@ Did something• happen to upset you@ Are you angry@• ,hat/s up@ ,hat/s happening@ ,hat/s thenews@ ,hat/s going on@• ,hat/s your angle@ ,hat trick are you usingget what you want@ 4,hat do• K11• you want@ ,hat9s your angle@6 TT+• ,hat/s your beef@ ,hat is your complaint@,hy are you so dissatised@• ,hat have you got to grumble about@ ,hat the reason• for your resentment@ ,hy are you sodisgruntled@ !ell• me what/s your problem@• ,hat/s your ploy@ ,hat/s your trick tactic oscheme@ ,hat have you got• up your sleeve@• ,hat/s your poison@ ,hat kind of alcoholicdrink would you like@ 4,e have• wine beer whiskey or gin+ ,hat/s your poiso,hat•

would you like to drink@• ,hatever5 ,hatever you say+ It/s up to youwhat ever you want+• !eenage slang showing boredom andindi?erence to



• whatever you want to do or suggest+ 4C+$+#et/s do it• your way+ ,hatever+6•

,heel has come full circle• ,heel of fortune• ,heeler7dealer TT TT+ wheel and deal• ,hen all is said and done In the end• ,hen conditions are• right• ,hen I get around to it ,hen I have nishedall my work and I have time for it+• ,hen the chips are down ,hen things aregoing badly for you when you seem to• be running out of luck down on your luck+• ,hen the going gets• tough• ,here in the world@ ,here did that comefrom@• ,hile away the time ,ait and keep yourselfoccupied in a pleasant way• ,hile the going is good 2ow during the timwhen things are going well+• ,hip someone into• shape• ,hiplash e?ect•

,hisk7away• ,hisper sweet nothings• in my ear• ,histle7blower• ,hite elephant <omething of high value tha



hard to sell• ,hite lie• ,hite trash #ow class unworthy people+ 4In

the old days in the• <outhern Fnited <tates the so7calledrespectable white• people looked7down on the poor uneducatedpeople as• white trash+6• ,hitewash something• ,hi> by 4 Arnold heard the missile whi> closby his ear T• ,hi> kid• ,ho calls the shots here@• ,ild goose chase ,aste of time trying to T• K1:• ,ild weekend• ,ill to win• ,illing and able• ,illing7victim A supposed victim of a badaction or crime in which one• is in fact a willing7participant8 someone whoco7operates• willing in his9her own victimi>ation+ 4If youclaim that I•

raped you you were certainly the most williand eager• victim that I have ever seen+6 4<ometimespeople who• stage their own kidnappings for nancial ga



may be• said to be willing7victims+6 4<ome sexually7perverted•

individuals choose to be chained7andXwhippfor their• own satisfaction and gratication but I woucertainly• never allow myself to be a such a willing7victim+6• ,ill7o/7the7wisp Fnobtainable unreachableromantic dream or hope• ha>y nebulous phantom7pursuit+ 4omanticwill7o/7thewisp• phantasms of perfect eternal love andunending• marital bliss belong in the novels of theeighteenth century6• 4<top following your will7o/7the7wisp dreams

and• imaginary fantasies and come down to earthand take a• good hard long look at reality+6 4!he #egenof <leepy• Hollow is the product of a will7o/7the7wispphantom pursuit•

based on early American heritage+6• ,illy7nilly Anyway anyhow whateverregardless no matter what• in any case+• ,in hands down



• ,indow of opportunity• ,ine and dine• ,ink of the eye !he time it takes to blink yo

eye+• ,ipe o? the map Attack and totally destroyand wipe7out an enemy• stronghold soit no longer exists any more+• ,ipe the Loor with• ,ipe your slate clean .lear o? your pastrecord and start anew+• ,ise advice• ,ise up Don/t be so stupid be more cleverthan that smarten7up• ,isecracker <omeone who is always makingsmart remarks smart• Alec wise guy )oker+ 4!here/s always awisecracker in• every group who makes )okes and smart

remarks )ust to• get attention+6 4!here/s always some smartAlec or wise• guy who likes make wisecracks and dumbcomments• when someone else is trying his best to savethe situation+6•

4It may be all right to be a wisecracker at th• proper time and place but at your ownmother/s funeral• is not one of them+6 4I don/t like to hear wiscracks



• when I/m trying to teach my studentssomething serious+6• ,ise7up <marten up and don/t be so stupid+

4#isten+ ,ise 'uy if • you don/t wise up and get smart we/ll havesome of our• K1;• boys come along and break your arms andlegs+6• ,ish list !his means a list of the things youwould like to do or• have or be given+ "or example children at.hristmas• often write a list if gifts they would like toreceive in a• broader sense all people have secret wisheand hopes• and desires some of which are higher on the

priority list• than others or it could be a list ofexpectations wanted in• a marriage or )ob+ 4!he highest priority on mwish list is• to nd a faithful husband+6 !he rst thing omy wishlist•

is a private )et+6 4!he union representativespresented• the management committee a wish list of )orelated improvements• regarding technical support e-uipment+6



• ,ishful thinking• ,ishy7washy Indecisive with no deniteopinion weak feeble+•

4Don/t be so wishy7washy+ !ake a stand andstand by• what you say+6• ,istful sigh A sigh accompanying a wishful melancholy moment• of memory+ 4I sometimes think back andremember my• rst date with a wistful sigh• ,it/s end 2ot knowing what to do or how toproceed having exhausted• the possibilities and not knowing what to do• next+ 4I/m at my wit/s end I/ve T• ,itch hunt ust as in the old days they usedhunt down and burn a• woman suspected of being a witch so these

days the• government or the press may have a witch hto nd• someone to blame and punish for a supposemisdeed+• ,ith a deep sigh of regret• ,ith a sigh•

,ith all your might• ,ith child %regnant• ,ith Lying colors 'reat success• ,ith no frills 3ery basic with no extras orbenets+



• ,ith no respite ,ithout let7up with no pausfor breath no time to relax• with no let7up no relief no interval to rest

unrelenting+• 4'ale force winds have been blowing fortwelve• consecutive days now with no respite andthere is no• sign of a let7up+6 4!he F< air force had beenbombing• the apanese stronghold for three days andnights without• respite before the order nally came to sendground• troops+6 4!he opposition party has beenpushing the present• government without respite for the last twyears to• institute proposed labor reform laws+6• ,ith no trace T disappeared without a trace• ,ith no uncertain doubts• ,ith one hand tied behind• my back • 3ery easily because you know it so well+• ,ith reservations ,ith some doubt in the

mind+• K1J• ,ith the best of intentions• &oved by the best of motives+• ,ith your eyes wide



• open• !o go into something with no illusions• ,ith your tail between•

your legs• ust as a dog will run7o? when scolded so wmay say• that a person retreats with his tail between legs+• ,ithin a stone/s throw .lose enough that yocould throw a stone and hit it+• ,ithin an inch of my life A close call a nearbrush• ,ithin arm/s reach At hand where you canreach fot it+• ,ithin earshot .lose enough to hear or liste,ithin hearing7range• within listening7distance 4,e live )ust withearshot of • the church bell in town+6 4,e were taught inthe antiterrorist• s-uad not to whisper anything within earshoof • a suspect that might make him aware he isunder surveillance+6• 4At the cocktail party I was )ust within

earshot• and I heard him telling her to come to his horoom )ust• after midnight+6• ,ithin shouting distance elentlessly non7



stop• ,ithin striking distance within range• ,ithout a care in the•

world• !otally free of any worry+• ,ithout a leg to stand on ,ith no basis or )ustication for an action• ,ithout a second thought Before taking evemoment to think+• ,ithout blemish Absolutely pure and perfec• ,ithout Linching ,ithout moving a muscle tshow fear or pain+• ,ithout letup .ontinuously without pause+• ,ithout provocation• ,ithout scruple !otally lacking moral or ethprinciples+• ,olf in sheep/s clothing• ,oman of ill7repute A woman with a bad

reputation for sexual immoral action• wanton behavior+• ,oman/s prerogative A woman/s right orprivilege+ 4It/s a woman/s prerogative• to change her mind+6• ,on/t budge an inch Is inLexible and stubbo• ,on/t take no for an answer•

,onders never cease+ Fnusual occurrencesoften happen it is not surprising to• be surprised or conversely in a derogativesense it is• not surprising to see how stupid people can



4,ho• would have thought that there could be twofull moons in•

one month@ ,onders never cease+6 4Ageneration ago no• one would ever have imagined that sciencewould be able• to clone human embryos+ ,onders nevercease+6 4Gou• would have thought that man might havelearned something• from human history but now through greeand• desire he is on the verge of destroying thevery environment• in which he lives+ ,onders never cease+6• ,oo away ust as a young man might woo orattract a young lady• K1K• away from her family so we can say a rmwoos away a• good employee from another rm+• ,ord gets around 2ews travels fast rumorsspread rapidly+• ,ord of mouth !old or passed on orally

through speech+ 4Cur rm does• not do much advertising and our clients comto us• based on mouth7to mouth communication+64Cur reputation



• simply spreads orally by word7of7mouth+6• ,ork over 'ive a beating and -uestioning+• ,ord to the wise ,ord of advice a word of

warning a bit of wisdom for• those ready to listen+• ,ork Stil you drop• ,ork for peanuts ust as an elephant willperform tricks for peanuts so• some employees work for low pay+ 4I have nchoice but• to work for peanuts because I don/t have awork permit+6• 4Back home in the F<A I was earningsixtythousand• Dollars a year as an English teacher+ Here in• !hailand I have the choice of working forpeanuts or not• working at all+6 4Fnscrupulous employers ca

hire illegal• immigrants to work for peanuts because thewill be• deported if the immigration department ndout+6+6• 4!here is an old saying that if you pay peanuyou get•

monkeys+6• ,ork for pittance ,ork for almost no pay fopeanuts+ 4!eachers in !hailand• work for a pittance+6 4Burmese sailors worka



• pittance compared to 'ermans+6 999• ,ork in "it into a schedule or timetable+• ,ork like a charm ,ork as if by some

supernatural spell so easy it seems• to come by magic+• ,ork out <olve in the sense of to work out asolution+• ,ork things out .ome to an agreement andsettlement+• ,ork things through <ettle a disagreement going through point7by7point• and working things out+• ,ork until you drop+ T 42owadays the bigcorporations hire young graduates• and work them until they drop+6• ,ork wonders• ,ork your ngers to the• bone• #iterally work so hard for example with rocand• stones that your ngers are actually exposeto the• bones or guratively work so hard forexample in the• kitchen that it is comparable to working on

ngers to• the bones+• ,ork your way through <tart at the beginninand work your way forward bitby7• bit Stil you reach the end+





• by the deadline+6 4It may soon be too late toavoid fatalities• if the 2ational 'uard is not able to evacuate

potential• hurricane victims from the coastal area ontime+6• ,orking7sti? ust a normal employee whofollows orders and does his• )ob+• ,orld shattering T++ T++ ,orld shaking• ,orldly wisdom T++ TT++ ,orldly7wise• ,orlds apart• ,orlds away "ar away in thought lost inthought distracted absorbed• pensive a long way away not listening notpaying• attention daydreaming+ 4I often nd myselfworlds• away lost in my own thoughts even when I with a• group of friends sitting around talking+64Bertha was• nagging her husband as usual but he wasworlds away• lost in thoughts of his own+6 4Absorbed with

highly abstract• mathematical problems he lived in anintellectual• sphere of his own worlds away from the littpractical



• problems and details of everyday life+6• ,orm your way in ust as a wormTT+ T+ woand s-uirm TTTT+•

,orm your way out• ,orn to a fra>>le !ired and exhausted totalfatigued weary and wornout• totally drained right down to your last bit oenergy+• 4I got the )ob done on time and I/m proud ofmy accomplishment• but I worked so hard I/m worn to a fra>>le+6• ,orried7to7death ,orried sick • ,orry7wart• ,orst case scenario• ,orth one/s salt• ,orth one/s while• ,orth pondering• ,orthwhile cause• ,ouldn/t give you the• time of day• ,ouldn/t/ hurt a Lea+• ,rangle something out• of somebody• ,rap someone around• your little nger+•

Have inLuence over someone who will doanything you• say because he is so fond and devoted to yo4<he is so• beautiful and desirable that she can wrap



almost any man• around her little nger and get him to do hebidding+6•

K1N• 4Cur youngest sister .lementine was Daddfavorite• daughter and she could wrap him around helittle nger• and get him to do anything she wished himto+6 4ust because• you are so cute don/t think that you can wrame• around your little nger and get me to do wyou• want+6• ,reak havoc• ,riggle o? the hook ust as a sh may wriggo? the hook so can a person• who has been caught in trouble+• ,riggle out of a situation ust as a snake cawriggle T• ,rite7o? your losses• ,riting7on7the7wall <omething you can seecoming+• ,ritten7all7over7yourface•

,ritten7in7the7wind <omething predeterminby fate decided beforehand• something that had to be could not beavoided a hint of • what is to come as though it were being



whispered by• the wind+ 4,e were meant for each other+ I )had to•

wait for you to come along+ Cur love waswritten7in7thewind+6• 4Alone on the free>ing mountaintop he couldhear• his death approaching as though his fate wwritten7inthe7• wind in whispering notes and doleful tones+4!he• stranded exhausted troops were backed7upagainst the• beach7head but there was a whisper of hopcoming as• though their rescue was written in the wind• ,rong side of the bed A gure of speechmeaning someone woke up in a bad• mood this morning+• ,rong side of the tracks %oor section of tow• ,rong7headed <tubborn about doing thewrong thing cannot be convinced• to accept that one/s view is wrong+• ,rong7minded <omeone who en)oys holdingthe wrong attitude and•

won/t compromise his view+• G • Idioms and expressions Denitions followedexamples• Gackety7yak A lot of talk talk a lot never st



talking 4<top all that• talking and get out of here+ <top that yacketyak and•

don/t come back+6 999 999• Gap yap yapping all day• long• ust as a dog may keep barking or yelping alday long• so a person may be said to be yapping andcomplaining• without letup+ 4If you don/t stop you/reyapping and• complaining all day long I/ll see that someoputs you• out of your misery+6 4 TT++• Gearning desire• Gellow press• K1P• Gellow7bellied .owardlyTTT+ Gellow streak • Ges7man• Gield to pressure 'ive in to T• Gou are your own worst• enemy+• Gou be the )udge of that• Gou bet your boots+ Gou can be sure of that

that/s for certain no doubt about• it+• Gou bet your bottom5• Gou bet your life5 Ditto• Gou can dish it out but



• you can/t take it+• Gou can T others but you cannot take T• Gou can dispense with•

the formalities+• Gou can say that again+ !hat/s the truth Iagree wholeheartedly• Gou can/t blu? a blu?er• Gou can/t get blood from• a stone• Gou can/t go home• again+• Gou can/t take it with• you+• ,hen you die and pass from this life youcannot take• your wealth and possessions with you evenyou go to• heaven you cannot take what you own along

with you+• 4Cld &ichael is such a skinLint+ I am alwayssaying that• if you can/t take it with you it/s better tospend some• money on yourself instead of hoarding it in tbank+6•

4Anyone who dies rich has missed toopportunity to use• his wealth charitably to benet society+ Afteall you• can/t take it with you+6 4If you can/t take it



with you en)oy• it while you have it+6• Gou could/ve knocked•

me over with a feather+• I was so shocked and surprised that I T• Gou crumb5 Gou are a dirty low7downdeceiving self7motivated• person+• Gou deal with it+ TTT TTT++it/s yourproblem+• Gou don/t say5 Is that true@ I can hardly belieit@• Gou dope <omeone so stupid we compare hito a person dopedup• on drugs so he cannot understand+ <omeone• dumb we call him a Sdummy+/ Gou dummy5• Gou heel5 #iterally someone who has steppeon you guratively• someone who• Gou hit the bull/s eye+ Gou hit the answer rigon target• Gou light up my day+ G seeing you makes mefeel cheery and bright+• Gou lily7livered coward Gou are a faint7heartspineless timid coward+•

Gou little imp Gou little• scallywag• ,hat a little rascal scamp impudentimpulsive cheeky• child+ 4Gou little imp5 to Gou little scallywag



• Gou look a little peaked+ Gou appear a littlepale and ill you seem to be irritated• K1Q•

and annoyed+• Gou look like a million• bucks5• Gou look )ust great5• Gou louse5 Gou low character rat rascalscoundrel+• Gou make me sick5 Gour behavior is sodisgusting it makes me feel revolted• and sick at my stomach56• Gou never can tell T T never know• Impolite• Gou rat5 TT+ TTTTT++ 4Gou prick5 Gou dirtrat5 How• could you T• Gou rattlesnake ust as a rattlesnake raises

tail and makes a rattling• noise )ust before it is about to strike andpoison you so• we may say that a dangerous person who isapproaching• you with the intention of doing you harm is rattle•

snake+ 4'et away from me you lowdownrattlesnake I• wouldn/t trust you as far as I could throw yo• Gou saved the day5 Gou were a 'odsend youstepped in and did what was



• necessary to remedy the situation+• Gou scratch my back and• I/ll scratch your back •

Gou do something for me and I do somethingfor you+• Gou skunk5 T++ T++ Gou stinker5• Gou so7and7so5 Gou dirty lowdown no7goof (insert a line of curse• words*• Gou took the words right• out of my mouth+• !hose are the exact words I was going to saymyself+• Gou want to start something@• Are you looking for a ght@ Are you trying tostart a disagreement• with me@• Gou weasel5 Gou are always lying to get out

a situation5• Gou wiped7out+ Gou failed completely in froneverybody you failed• to succeed and everyone knew about it youtried your• best and did not make the grade+• Gou worm5 Gou are the lowest of the low

because of your• Gou/d better be on time+ Don/t be late or els• Gou/ll be the death of • me5• Gou will be such a cause of worry to me that



you/ll kill• me in the end+• Gou/ll catch your death•

of cold5• If you go out in this winter weather you/ll gevery bad• cold that could even kill you+• Gou/ll get yours+ Gou will get what/s coming you you/ll pay for the• harm you have done• Gou/re a godsend5 Gou come at a time asthough 'od himself had sent you• to help• Gou/re a lifesaver5 ust the way we throw a lring to someone drowning in• the water so we can sat that someone T• Gou/re a numbskull+ Gou must be stupid youare pretty dumb there is something• wrong with your brain almost an idiot+ 4Gouare so• stupid you can/t even understand how toswitch o? the• electricity8 you/re a numbskull+6 4Gounumbskull5 .an/• you even read that this is a restricted area@

4ichard is• K:R• such a numbskull he doesn/t even know howmultiply• two times two+6 4Gou must be a numbskull t



imagine• that I would marry a poor insignicant manlike you•

when I am already engaged to a millionaire+• Gou/re a peach5 Gou are a wonderful persongood7hearted and kind and• thoughtful+ 4!hank you for T you/re a peach• Gou/re an angel+• Gou/re chicken Gou are afraid a coward lily7livered+• Gou/re cracked5 .ra>y nuts with a crack inyour noggin+• Gou/re days are numbered+• I/ll kill you for what you have done I/ll pay yback for• what you have done your punishment iscoming soon• you will lose your )ob for what you have don

4Gou• double7crossed the mob and now your daysare numbered+6• 4I/ll kill you for what you have done to myfamily+• Gou/re days are numbered+6 42ow the comp• knows I/ve been cooking the books I/m goin

to lose my• )ob and go to )ail for sure+ &y days arenumbered+6 =• Gou/re goose is cooked5 2ow you are in bigtrouble5 4"or what you have done



• I/d say your goose is cooked+ !here is no wayyou can• avoid detection and punishment+6 999 999•

Gou/re imagining things Gou are imaginingthings to be true that have no basis in• fact+ 4Gour house is not haunted by your ex7wife/s ghost+• Gou are imagining things+6 4Gou are seeinghallucinations• of things that are not actually there+ Gou mube• cra>y5 Gou are imagining things56 4If you thiI am• your wife/s lover you must certainly beimagining• things56 =• Gou/re in for it+ 'oing to get into trouble andbe punished+ 4Gou/re in for• it5 Gou/re really going to be in troublenow+6 999 999• Gou/re loaded+ Gou are drunk you/ve had ontoo many everyone can• see you are drunk from consuming too muchalcohol• your behavior shows that you are under the

inLuence of • alcohol acting in a way that shows you/vebeen drinking• you/re pissed+ 4!he police sometimes checksee if



• a driver is loaded by getting him to show thahe can• walk in a straight line without losing his

balance+6• 4<hirley could hear from the way her husbanwas slurring• his words that he was loaded again+6 4Harolalways• gets aggressive when he is loaded+ His wifeErnestine is• the opposite+ ,hen she gets plastered she )ust falls• asleep+6 4,henever I go to a drinking partyand get• really loaded I always too hung7over to go twork the• next day+6 4#ook you can see that old&acken>ie is• loaded again+ He/s so pissed that he/d fall ohis face if • he tried getting7up o? that barstool+6• Gou/re name is mud• Gou/re neck of the• woods• K:1•

Gou/re nuts5 Gou are cra>y mad cuckoo• Gou/re on your own+ 2ow there is no one to and assist you you are all• alone on your own+• Gou/re only as old as you



• feel• 4TT T++,e are only as old as we feel anddeep down•

we are all still young at heart+6• Gou/re pulling my leg+ Gou are )oking you arkidding me+• Gou/re putting me on+ "ooling )oking lyingpretending• Gou/re putting words in• my mouth+• Gou/re seeing things ust as you might beimagining things or seeing hallucinations• so someone may sy you are seeing things w• he knows your view of the world and otherpeople is• wrong+• Gou/re up to your old• tricks+• Gou/re welcome+ 2ever mind think nothing it• Gou/re yellow+ Gou are a coward• Gou/re7up7next+ 'et ready it/s going to be yturn next you will have• to go next you/ll be the one who stands upnext you will•

be the next person to speak explain you wbe the next• one to perform to be called7upon the next to be victimi>ed+• 4Everyone must sing a song+ I/ll sing rst an



• you/re up next+6 4,e are taking turns andyou/re up• next+6 4<ince we are speaking in turns one7

one going• around the table you/d better get yourargument• ready because it/s you/re turn next+ Gou/re next+6 All• my business competitors have gone bankrupalready• and it/s my turn next+6 4I/m a serial killer+ I/valready• raped and killed twenty7 girls and you/re upnext+6• Gou/ve got a lot of nerve+ Audacious too surof yourself bold• Gou/ve got a point there+• Gou/ve got me+ I don/t know I have no idea

couldn/t tell you the answer• you/ve put me on the spot+ 42ow you/ve gotme+• Don/t ask me+ !hat/s beyond me+6 4I reallyhave no idea• of what to say+ Gou/ve got me+ Gou/ve caughme at a•

loss for words+6 4I have no idea how to answsuch a• -uestion+ Gou/ve got me+ I/ll have to get bacto you on• that one+6 4I have no excuse and I am at a l



for• words+ Gou/ve got me+6• Gour best bet !he best option you can choos

for your own benet+• Gour fate is sealed+ Gour fate has been decidand cannot be changed+ 4Gou• will su?er as a result of what you have doneand nothing• you can do now can change it+ Gour fate issealed+6• Gour guess is as7goodas7• mine+• I don/t know I have no idea I have insuOcieinformation• to predict the result you know as much as Iabout• the situation and what might happen 4I canonly guess• and you may be able to guess as well as I ca Gour• guess is as good as mine+6• K::• Gour own Lesh and• blood• A member of you own family+•

Gummy7yummy Fhhmmm5 'ood5 4I cannot wto taste that5 It looks so• yummy56 999 4Gummy yummy yummy+ I/ve ga good• love in my tummy+6



• Guppie Goung7up7and7coming7person in theworld of business• and commerce+ 4<ome older people do not l

yuppies• because they think they/re so smart+ !hey htoo7much• money and too7much condence in their owselmportance+6• 4!here was a time when everyone wanted• to nish university become a yuppie and buB&,• and own a million dollar condo in the inner7city+6 4I used• to be a hippie+ 2ow my son is a yuppie andmy grandson• is an insolent puppy+6• • Idioms and expressions Denitions followed

examples• any behavior &ad7cap whacky screwyweird odd bi>arre+ 4!he• &arx Brothers were an old7time comedy teathat used• to think up weird whacky nutty oddball >asituations•

to put into their act to get a laugh out of theaudience+6• 4!oday/s stand7up comics and humorists oftdo and• say >any things on stage to make people



laugh+6 4!he• Dean )ust told me that if I cut7up and pull anmore of •

my >any screwball stunts that I would besuspended• from school immediately+6 =• apped ust as a person may be struck bylightening or electrical• shock so one may be totally wasted under tinLuence• of mind7altering drugs+ 4&an5 Back in thesixties we• were all >apped most of the time+6 4I don/tknow what• kind of drug you put in my drink last night bI was totally• >apped for the next six hours56 4Back in thelate sixties• a lot of students who were >apped7out7of7theirminds• most of the time Lunked out of school andwere• sent to 3ietnam+ =• eal of the moment !otal enthusiasm absolkeenness or even fanaticism•

felt in the moment+ 4I don/t know why butduring the• &arine recruiter/s speech in the >eal of themoment I• raised my hand and volunteered for



service+6 999 999• ealous devotee $een enthusiasticpassionate follower or supporter+ 4&y•

friend Andre was a >ealous devotee of thecommunist• cause back during the war but later he gotdisillusioned• by party politics and deserted the cause+6 4

d t b