SHORT IDIOMS

An idiom is a group of words whose meaning cannot be predicted from the meanings of the constituent words, as for example:

“It’s raining cats and dogs”

• Often these nouns are derived from phrasal verbs. Here are some of them:

Bypass, Outlet, Runaway, Intake, Setback, Upbringing

• Some are hyphenated:

Make-up, mix-up, take-off, stand-by, fall-out, set-up

These idioms can be divided into three different sections:

A.- Two-word adjectives

B.- Common verbs with idiomatic functions

C.- Common prepositions which function idiomatically and

can only be used after the verb to be

SECTION A•Dog-eared

With damaged corners (papers, books)

I’ve been using my dog-eared, old set of encyclopaedias for years now

•Pig-headed

Obstinate

He’s pig-headed and never listens to the advice of others

•Tight-fisted

Mean (with money)

He’s so tight-fisted that he reads other people’s newspapers instead of buying his own

•Broken-hearted

Very sad

He was broken hearted when his wife left him

SECTION A•Easy-going

Tolerant and relaxed

My flat-mate is very easy-going and we never quarrel

•Cold-blooded

Callous

He’s a cold-blooded murderer, completely unmoved by the suffering of his victims and their families

•Absent-minded

Forgetful

Our absent-minded teacher forgot about the outing to Toledo

•Tight-lipped

Uncommunicative

The architect was very uncommunicative about the plans for the shopping precinct, but he described the housing estate in detail

SECTION A•Second-hand

Something having a previous owner

I often buy second-hand clothes

•Well-off

Wealthy

My brother married a well-off businesswoman

•Off-beat

Unconventional

There’s an interesting, off-beat jazz club near my house

•Brand-new

Absolutely new

I always buy brand-new shoes, rather than second-hand ones

SECTION B•Work

Function (intransitive)

My new fridge doesn’t work properly

•Do

Be enough or sufficient (intransitive)

I can’t afford a new car, so the Mini will have to do

•Go

Proceed (intransitive)

The party went very well and all the guests enjoyed themselves

•Make

Become or function as (transitive)

This shell makes a very good ashtray

SECTION B•Pay

be worth doing (intransitive)

It doesn’t pay to be honest in a corrupt world

•Tell

distinguish (trans. and intrans., used after be able to

I can’t tell margarine from butter

•Find

Evaluate (transitive)

How do you find living in Cyprus after spending so many years in Tokyo?

•See

Understand (transitive and intransitive)

“I see. I’ll telephone to make an appointment next week”

SECTION C•Be on

be showing (on television or at the cinema or theatre)

What’s on at the Pier Theatre tonight?

•Be off

Leave

Well, I have to be off now. Goodbye

•Be over

Be finished

The party is over, Let’s go home

•Be in

Be at home or in the office

Is Mrs. Smith in?

SECTION C•Be out

Be away from home or the office for a short time

I’m afraid Mr. Stone is out right now

•Be back

Have returned

Mrs. Pryor isn’t at home now, but she’ll be back by two o’clock

•Be up

Have expired (time)

We hired a boat for an hour and when the time was up, we returned it

•Be up

Be out of bed

He’s usually up before seven o’clock