IDIOMS LIST FOR IDIOMATIC ENGLISH COURSE

(SB = SOMEBODY; STH = SOMETHING)

1. A BLACK LOOK - An expression of anger, hatred, or utter contempt.

2. A WHITE ELEPHANT - a useless or unwanted object.
3. THE BLACK SHEEP OF THE FAMILY - the worst member of the family.
4. A BLACK SPOT - 1. a place on a road where accidents frequently occur /any dangerous
or difficult place
5. A WHITE LIE a lie that you tell in order not to upset someone
6. IN BLACK AND WHITE -
7. AS WHITE AS A SHEET - If someone is (as) white as a sheet, their face is very pale,
usually because of illness, shock, or fear.
8. IN THE BLACK - in a financially profitable condition.
9. IN THE RED – losing money
10. BLACK EYE - a bruise near the eye from being struck.
11. BLACK ECONOMY - Economic activities which take place without the paying of taxes.
12. OUT OF THE BLUE - If something happens out of the blue, it is completely
unexpected
13. RED TAPE - official rules and processes that seem unnecessary and delay results
14. GIVE SB THE GREEN LIGHT - to give permission for something to happen
15. ONCE IN A BLUE MOON – very rarely/almost never
16. RED HERRING - a fact, idea, or subject that takes people's attention away from the
central point being considered: The police investigated many clues, but they were all
red herrings
17. A BOLT FROM (THE BLUE) - Something unexpected or surprising.
18. HAVE GREEN FINGERS - the ability to make plants grow
19. THE SALT OF THE EARTH - the best people
20. A BUTTER-FINGERS - Someone who is clumsy and often drops things or else fails to
catch something.
21. NOT MY CUP OF TEA - If something is not your cup of tea, it is not the type of thing
of that you like
22. FULL OF BEANS - to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm
23. PEANUTS - practically no money at all
24. TO BE IN A JAM - to be in a difficult situation: I'm in bit of a jam. Could you possibly
lend me some money till next week?
25. NO PICNIC - to be a difficult or unpleasant situation: Being a single parent is no
picnic, I can tell you.
26. HOT POTATO - a difficult problem. I sure don’t want to have to deal with that hot
potato.
27. AS COOL AS A CUCUMBER - very calm or very calmly, especially when this is
surprising
28. AS RED AS A BEETROOT - to have a red face because you are embarrassed
29. AS WARM AS TOAST - To make more enthusiastic, excited, or animated.
30. AS LIKE AS TWO PEAS IN A POD - very similar, especially in appearance: The twins are
like two peas in a pod.
31. SELLING LIKE HOT CAKES - to be sold very fast.
32. SPEND MONEY LIKE WATER – spend too much money
33. GIVE SB THE RED-CARPET TREATMENT -
34. PAINT THE TOWN RED - o go out and enjoy yourself in the evening, often drinking a
lot of alcohol and dancing
35. SEE RED - to be angry.
36. SCREAM BLUE MURDER - to shout or to complain very loudly: Readers screamed
blue murder when the price of their daily paper went up.
37. CATCH SB RED-HANDED - to catch a person in the act of doing something wrong.
38. BLUE-EYED BOY - a boy or man who is liked very much and is treated well by
someone, especially someone in authority
39. RED-LETTER DAY - a special, happy, and important day that you will always
remember:
40. CLOAK AND DAGGER - used to describe an exciting story involving secrets and
mystery, often about spies, or something that makes you think of this: I'm tired of all
these cloak-and-dagger (= secretive) meetings - let's discuss the issues openly.
41. TO CHOP AND CHANGE - to keep changing what you do or what you plan to do,
often in a way that is confusing and annoying for other people
42. TOUCH AND GO - If a situation is touch-and-go, it is uncertain: The doctor says that
it's touch-and-go whether Mary will be okay.
43. FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL - to use a lot of effort to oppose someone or achieve
something. We fought tooth and nail to keep our share of the business.
44. HARD AND FAST - not to be changed: a hard-and-fast rule
45. SAFE AND SOUND - completely safe and without injury or damage: After three days
lost in the mountains, all the climbers arrived home safe and sound.
46. SICK AND TIRED - t o have experienced too much of someone or something with the
result that you are annoyed:
47. PROS AND CONS - advantages and disadvantages: We've been discussing the pros
and cons of buying a house.
48. UPS AND DOWNS - the mixture of good and bad things which happen to people
49. SPICK AND SPAN – very clean and neat
50. TO AND FRO - in one direction and then in the opposite direction, a number of times:
She was gazing out the window, rocking rhythmically to and fro.
51. ODDS AND ENDS - various things of different types, usually small and not important,
or of little value: I took most of the big things to the new house, but there are a few
odds and ends left to pick up.
52. INS AND OUTS - the details or facts relating to something: She knows the ins and
outs of the law.
53. DOWN AND OUT - having no luck, no money, and no opportunities
54. CUT AND DRIED - simple and easy to understand: Most fire investigations are pretty
cut and dried, but this one has left more questions than answers.
55. HALE AND HEARTY : (especially of old people) healthy and strong
56. GO AT EACH OTHER HAMMER AND TONGS –

57. GO TO RACK AND RUIN – to become ruined: My lawn is going to wrack and ruin
58. ON AND OFF - happening or existing only some of the time: He worked off and on
as a bicycle messenger, but he never found permanent work.
59. FEW AND FAR BETWEEN - not very many or not appearing very frequently: He grew
up at a time when jobs were few and far between.
60. GRIN AND BEAR IT - to accept something bad without complaining: I really don't
want to go, but I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it.
61. TOSS AND TURN - to move around restlessly while sleeping or trying to sleep: I was
tossing and turning all night.
62. PICK AND CHOOSE - to take only the things you want from a group: You can't pick
and choose which rules you want to follow and which ones you don't.
63. GIVE AND TAKE - an exchange of ideas or statements
64. A BLOW BY BLOW - A blow-by-blow description contains every detail and action of
an event: You'll have to tell me about your night out with Sam - I want a blow-by-
blow account!
65. HAVE STH UP YOUR SLEEVE - to have secret plans or ideas: If I know Mark he'll have
one or two tricks up his sleeve.
66. BE DEALT A LOUSY HAND - being very unfortunate in some way(s).
67. I WOULDN’T PUT MY MONEY ON IT - used to tell someone that you think something
is unlikely to be true or to happen
68. WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN - when you are in a very difficult or dangerous
situation, especially one that makes you understand the true value of people or
things: One day when the chips are down, you will know who your true friends are.
69. THE LUCK OF THE DRAW - completely the result of chance: You can't choose whom
you play against. It's just the luck of the draw.
70. AT STAKE - in danger of being lost: About 3000 jobs are at stake if the company
moves to another state.
71. BE ON THE CARDS - to be likely to happen
72. IT’S A TOSS-UP - It's hard to tell the winner, and it could be won by either player or
either team. The game's almost over, and it's a toss-up.
73. AGAINST ALL THE ODDS - If you do or achieve something against (all) the
odds/against all odds, you do or achieve it although there were a lot of problems and
you were not likely to succeed:
74. HIT THE JACKPOT - to be exactly right; to find exactly what was sought/to succeed
75. PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT - to do the correct things to achieve a desired result; If I
play my cards right, I could be hired as a consultant on that project.
76. IN A RUT - way of living or working that never changes.
77. I DON’T KNOW WHETHER I’M COMING OR GOING - to be in a very confused state:
I'm so busy, I don't know whether I'm coming or going.
78. LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL - the end of a difficult period or job
79. GO OUR SEPARATE WAYS - to end your relationship
80. GO OFF THE RAILS - to start behaving strangely or in a way that is not acceptable to
society
81. AT A CROSSROADS - at the point where a decision must be made
82. FOLLOW IN SOMEBODY’S FOOTSTEPS - to do the same job or the same things in your
life as someone else, especially a member of your family
83. A DEAD-END JOB - there is little or no chance of progressing and succeeding into a
higher paid position.
84. RUN OUT OF STEAM - to suddenly lose the energy or interest to continue doing
what you are doing: The peace talks seem to have run out of steam.
85. GO / GET NOWHERE FAST - not to make progress; to get nowhere/ make a very poor
progress. I can't seem to make any progress. No matter what I do, I'm just getting
nowhere fast.
86. MY LIPS ARE SEALED - I will tell no one this secret or this gossip
87. BOYS WILL BE BOYS - Boys are expected to be irresponsible or boisterous. (Also said
ironically about men.)
88. BEGGARS CAN’T BE CHOOSERS - If someone gives you something you asked for, you
should not complain about what you get.
89. A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME - something that you say in order to let someone know that
you are not going to tell them who gave you the information being discussed
90. IT TAKES ALL SORTS - something that you say which means that all people are
different and even strange people should be accepted Now the couple next door,
they go swimming in the sea in the middle of winter. Well, it takes all sorts, as they
say.
91. SERVES YOU RIGHT - If you say that something bad serves someone right, you mean
that that person deserves it: "He hit me!" "It serves you right
92. SUIT YOURSELF - an expression used either humorously or angrily to mean "do what
you want to do":
93. I CAN’T BE BOTHERED - When you really aren't in the mood to do something,
generally because you are tired, feeling lazy or it's not important: A: "Do you want
to go the gym today?" B: "No, I really can't be bothered."
94. JUST MY LUCK - something that you say when something bad happens to you
95. IT’S MY HEAD THAT’S ON THE BLOCK - to take great risks for someone or something
96. GO RIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD - to talk to or deal with someone's boss without talking
to them first: I really don't want to go over her head but if she won't listen to me I
have no choice.
97. I COULD DO IT STANDING ON MY HEAD - you can do it very easily, usually because
you have done it many times before.
98. CAN’T MAKE HEAD NOR TAIL OF IT - to not be able to understand something at all:
We couldn't make head or tail of the film.
99. SAY STH OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD – say sth without giving it too much thought or
without precise knowledge.
100. TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE - Two people working together have a better
chance of solving a problem than one person working alone.
101. HAVE YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS - to be unaware of what is going on from
fantasies or daydreams.
102. KEEP YOUR HEAD ABOVE WATER - to manage to survive, especially financially.
103. BURY YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND - To avoid, or try to avoid, a particular situation by
pretending that it does not exist.
104. LAUGH YOUR HEAD OFF - to laugh/scream/shout etc. very much and very loudly
105. HEADS WILL ROLL - people will get into severe trouble: Heads will roll when the
principal sees the damaged classroom.
106. HAVE A FINGER IN EVERY PIE - to be involved in and have influence over many
different activities, often in a way that other people do not approve of
107. TO GREASE SB’S PALM - to bribe someone.
108. FALL HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE - to fall deeply in love with someone, especially
suddenly: Roger fell head over heels in love with Maggie.
109. KICK YOUR HEELS - to be forced to wait for a period of time (usually in continuous
tenses): I'm fed up kicking my heels at home while all my friends are out enjoying
themselves.
110. STICK YOUR NECK OUT - to take a risk
111. FOOT THE BILL - to pay for something; to pay for a bill. My boss took me out for
lunch and the company footed the bill.
112. FALL ON DEAF EARS - to be ignored by the persons they were intended for: All of
Sally's good advice fell on deaf ears.
113. HAVE / GET YOUR FINGERS BURNT - to receive harm or punishment for one's
actions: I had my fingers burned the last time I questioned the company policy.
114. LIFT A FINGER - to not help someone to do something, usually because you are lazy.
115. COST AN ARM AND A LEG - to be very expensive
116. HAND IN GLOVE - working together, often to do something dishonest: It was
rumoured at the time that some of the gangs were working hand in glove with the
police.
117. KEEP YOUR HEAD - to stay calm despite great difficulties: She kept her head under
pressure and went on to win the race.
118. PUT YOUR SHOULDERS TO THE WHEEL - to work hard at something
119. SEE EYE TO EYE - to agree with someone
120. LOSE HEART - to lose one's courage or confidence: Now, don't lose heart. Keep
trying.
121. SET YOUR HEART ON STH - to be determined to get or do someone or something.
122. TAKE HEART FROM STH - to feel encouraged: Take heart. You'll be done soon
123. NOT HAVE THE HEART (TO DO STH) - to feel unable to do something because you
feel it would be unkind: She asked me to go with her and I didn't have the heart to
refuse.
124. IN MY HEART OF HEARTS - if your true thoughts and feelings were known: In his
heart of hearts, I don't think he wants to win this election.
125. HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART - to change one's attitude or decision, usually from a
negative to a positive position: I had a change of heart at the last minute and gave
the beggar some money.
126. A MAN / A WOMAN AFTER MY OWN HEART - a man/woman with similar tastes and
preferences to mine.
127. HAVE A HEART OF GOLD - to be generous, sincere, and friendly.
128. SB’S HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE - someone only has good intentions: He is very
strict with his students, but his heart is in the right place.
129. SB’S HEART IS NOT IN IT - If your heart isn't in it, you do not feel interested or
enthusiastic about something:
130. HEART-TO-HEART - a serious conversation between two people, usually close
friends, in which they talk honestly about their feelings: We had a heart-to-heart
over a bottle of wine.
131. A PAIN IN THE NECK - someone or something that is very annoying
132. A BUSYBODY - a person who is too interested in things that do not involve them:
Some interfering busybody had rung the police.
133. A TOMBOY - a girl who acts and dresses like a boy, liking noisy, physical activities
134. A NAME-DROPPER - someone who pretends that famous people are his/her friends
135. FIGHT LIKE CAT AND DOG - to argue violently all the time
136. LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON - sons tend to do what their fathers did before them.
137. TIE THE KNOT – to get married / a join made by tying together the ends of a piece or
pieces of string, rope, cloth, etc.:
138. YOUR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD - One's family member(s): She's our own flesh and
blood, so let's all try to get along with her while she's in town.
139. SPITTING IMAGE - to look extremely similar to someone: Josie is the spitting image
of her granny at the same age.
140. RUN IN THE FAMILY - If a quality, ability, disease, etc. runs in the family, many
members of the family have it: Intelligence seems to run in that family.
141. AS DIFFERENT AS / LIKE CHALK AND CHEESE - If two people are like chalk and
cheese, they are completely different from each other: My brother and I are like
chalk and cheese.
142. A BROKEN HOME - a family in which the parents have separated or divorced
143. BITE SB’S HEAD OFF - to speak to someone in a quick, angry way, for no good
reason: I only asked if I could help - there's no need to bite my head off!
144. MAKE A MEAL OF STH - to eat something: The cat made a meal of the fish.
145. HAVE A SWEET TOOTH - to desire to eat many sweet foods-especially candy and
pastries.
146. IT’S NOT MY TASTE -
147. I’VE HAD MY FILL OF STH - to have had enough to eat or drink: No more pudding
thanks, I've had my fill.
148. LEAVE A BAD TASTE IN YOUR MOUTH - to leave a bad feeling or memory with
someone.
149. HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT - to do or get two good things at the same time, esp.
things that are not usually possible to have together: I worked at home so I could
raise my family and still earn money – I guess I wanted to have my cake and eat it
too.
150. SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE - to decide to do something although it will make you feel
embarrassed or ashamed.
151. A SECOND BITE AT THE CHERRY - another opportunity to do something: He missed
a medal in the 100 metres, but will get a second bite of the cherry in the 400 metres.
152. BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW - to try to do more than you are able to do
153. EAT YOUR WORDS - to admit that something you said before was wrong.
154. GET YOUR TEETH INTO STH - to start to do something with a lot of energy and
enthusiasm
155. IN A PICKLE - in a mess; in trouble.
156. GO PEAR-SHAPED - if a plan goes pear-shaped, it fails We'd arranged to be in France
that weekend but it all went pear-shaped.
157. BREAD AND BUTTER - someone's basic income; someone’s source of money
158. BUTTER SB UP - to be very kind or friendly to someone or try to please someone, so
that that person will do what you want them to do: You'll have to butter them up a
bit before they'll agree.
159. CHEESE OFF - to make someone very angry: You sure know how to cheese Laura
off.
160. HAVE EGG ON YOUR FACE - to be embarrassed: I was wrong, and now, I have an egg
on my face.
161. TAKE STH WITH A PINCH OF SALT - if you take what someone says with a pinch of
salt, you do not completely believe it.: You have to take everything she says with a
pinch of salt.
162. ON THE BREADLINE - to be very poor: Most families of the unemployed are on the
breadline.
163. STEW IN YOUR OWN JUICE - to be left alone to suffer one's anger or
disappointment: When he got mad at us, we just let him go away and stew in his
own juice.
164. THE ICING ON THE CAKE - something which makes a good situation even better.
165. VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE - You should try many different kinds of experiences,
because trying different things keeps life interesting.
166. THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD - to be an excellent person or thing
167. DON’T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET - Don't focus all of your attention on
one thing or in one area, in case that situation changes or goes awry
168. CLOSE CALL - a situation in which something bad, unpleasant, or dangerous almost
happens, but you manage to avoid it: It was a close call for residents when a
tornado swept through just west of the town.
169. ON THE LINE - at risk of failing or being harmed: There's a lot of pride on the line
when your book is published. // speaking on the telephone: I asked to speak to
Tyler, but Tyler's mom came on the line instead.
170. PLAY IT SAFE - t o be or act safe; to avoid taking a risk. You should play it safe and
take your umbrella.
171. OUT OF THE WOODS - Out of difficulties, danger or trouble
172. WEAR YOUR SUNDAY BEST – wear your best clothes, which you wear on special
occasions
173. CUT A DASH - to cause people to admire you because of your appearance: The
young soldier cut a dash in his new uniform.
174. SOMEBODY IS NO OIL PAINTING - not to be attractive: She has an interesting face
but she's no oil painting.
175. PAST IT - to be too old for a particular activity: He was a great footballer in his day,
but he's past it now.
176. LOOK THE PICTURE OF HEALTH - n a very healthy condition. The doctor says I am
the picture of good health.
177. BE ALL SMILES - to look very happy and friendly, especially when other people are
not expecting you to: She spent the whole of yesterday shouting at people and yet
this morning she's all smiles.
178. START TO LOOK YOUR AGE - Behave more maturely!
179. LOOK LIKE THE CAT THAT GOT THE CREAM - if someone looks like the cat that got
the cream, they annoy other people by looking very pleased with themselves
because of something good that they have done: Of course Mark got a glowing
report so he was sitting there grinning like the cat that got the cream.
180. LOOK LIKE A DROWNED RAT - to be very wet, especially because you have been in
heavy rain
181. BE A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK - a person (usually a male) who behaves in the same
way as his father or resembles his father. John looks like his father—a real chip off
the old block.
182. DRESSED TO KILL - dressed in fancy or stylish clothes.
183. MUTTON DRESSED AS A LAMB - an offensive way of saying that a woman is dressed
in a style that is more suitable for a much younger woman
184. BE DOWN IN THE MOUTH - to be sad: Jake looks a bit down in the mouth.
185. A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES - a way of saying that you are very pleased to see someone
or that you think someone is very attractive: You're a sight for sore eyes!
186. ROUGH DIAMOND - a person who is kinder and more pleasant than they seem to be
from their appearance and manner
187. DARK HORSE - a person who keeps their interests and ideas secret, especially
someone who has a surprising ability or skill: Anna's such a dark horse - I had no
idea she'd published a novel.
188. WET BLANKET - a dull or depressing person who spoils other people's enjoyment.
Jack's fun at parties, but his brother's a wet blanket.
189. NOSY PARKER – nosy person, person who want to know everything, even it’s not his
or her business
190. SHRINKING VIOLET - someone who is very shy and not assertive.
191. LIVE WIRE - someone who is very active and has a lot of energy
192. PAPER TIGER - something, such as an enemy or foreign country, that seems very
strong and dangerous but is really weak and not harmful: The Soviet Union was
suddenly revealed as a paper tiger.
193. SMART ALEC - someone who tries to appear clever or who answers questions in a
clever way that annoys other people
194. MAN / WOMAN OF THE WORLD - someone who has a lot of experience of life and
can deal with most situations: They would grow up to be true women of the world,
educated and experienced in magnificent ways.
195. BE A LAW UNTO HIMSELF / HERSELF - you are a law unto yourself, you do things
differently to other people and ignore the usual rules
196. TALK THE HIND LEG(S) OF A DONKEY - to talk without stopping for a long time; His
father could talk the hind leg off a donkey.
197. WOULDN’T HURT / HARM A FLY - If you say that someone wouldn't hurt a fly, you
mean they are gentle and would not do anything to injure or offend anyone.
198. COLD FISH - a person who is distant and unfeeling.
199. GOOD SAMARITAN - someone who helps people in trouble
200. A WASTE OF SPACE - a person or thing that is not useful or helpful: That man is a
total waste of space.
201. PROPHET OF DOOM / DISASTER - someone who always expects bad things to
happen: The prophets of doom have been predicting the end of European cinema
for the last ten years.
202. BE AS PURE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW - to be morally completely good: He's not
exactly as pure as the driven snow himself.
203. FOR SB’S EYES ONLY –

204. BE A SIGHT / LOOK A SIGHT – to look very good: Both were dressed for the
occasion, and I tell you they were sights!
205. THE APPLE OF MY EYE - the person who you loves most and you are very proud of:
His youngest daughter was the apple of his eye.
206. NOT SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES - to be unable to get a general understanding
of a situation because you are too worried about the details
207. HAVE A ROVING EYE - to be interested in having sexual relations outside of
marriage. Her husband has a roving eye.
208. TURN A BLIND EYE - to ignore something and pretend you do not see it: How can
you turn a blind eye to all those starving children?
209. CRY YOUR EYES OUT - to cry a lot: I was so upset that day, I cried my eyes out.
210. LOOK DAGGERS AT SB - to look angrily at someone: He looked daggers at her.
211. NOT SEE SB FOR DUST - used to describe someone leaving quickly in order to avoid
something: If you let him know that Margaret's coming, you won't see him for dust.
212. SWEAR BLIND - to say that something is completely true, especially when someone
does not believe you: He swore up and down that he'd never seen the letter.
213. HAVE AN EAR FOR STH - to have the ability to learn music or languages: Bill doesn't
have an ear for music.
214. FACE THE MUSIC - to accept criticism or punishment for something you have done:
After failing a test, Tom had to go home and face the music.
215. BE OUT ON YOUR EAR - to be forced to leave a job or place, especially because you
have done something wrong: You'll be out on your ear if you don't start doing some
work around here.
216. BIG NOISE - a person or an organization with a lot of power or influence: He is
trying to become a big shot in the mortgage business.
217. GO IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER - to be heard and then soon ignored or
forgotten:: Everything I say to you seems to go in one ear and out the other.
218. HAVE A FAMILIAR RING TO STH - to sound familiar; Your excuse has a familiar ring.
219. YOU COULD HEAR A PIN DROP - to be extremely quiet; The new sound-proof lab is
so well designed, you can hear a pin drop.
220. MY EARS ARE BURNING - something that someone say to you, who is being talked
about: Are you two talking about me? My ears are burning.
221. KEEP YOUR EAR TO THE GROUND - to pay attention to everything that is happening
around you and to what people are saying.
222. TOUCH WOOD / KNOCK ON WOOD - said in order to avoid bad luck, either when
you mention good luck that you have had in the past or when you mention hopes you
have for the future: The deal will be agreed on Wednesday, knock on wood.
223. BE UNDER SB’S THUMB – to be under someone's control:
224. A RAP ON /OVER THE KNUCKLES - to strike someone on the knuckles. As
punishment, she rapped him across the knuckles.
225. CLUTCH / GRASP AT STRAWS - Make a desperate attempt at saving oneself: He had
lost the argument, but he kept grasping at straws.
226. BE ALL FINGERS AND THUMBS - to move your hands in an awkward way: I'm all
fingers and thumbs today. That's the second plate I've dropped this morning.
227. GIVE SB A TASTE OF HIS / HER OWN MEDICINE - to do the same bad thing to
someone that they have often done to you, in order to show them how unpleasant it
is
228. HAS THE CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE? - something that you say to someone when you
are annoyed because they will not speak: Well, has the cat got your tongue? I'm
waiting for an explanation.
229. KICK UP A STINK / FUSS - to cause an argument about something that seems wrong:
The consumer group kicked up a stink about the defective tires on SUVs.
230. THERE’S NO ACCOUNTING FOR TASTE(S) - There is no explanation for people's
preferences: Look at that purple and orange car! There's no accounting for taste.
231. GET YOUR TONGUE AROUND STH - to pronounce a difficult word or phrase: I just
can't get my tongue around some of those Welsh place names.
232. CUT OFF YOUR NOSE TO SPITE YOUR FACE - to hurt yourself in an effort to punish
someone else: If you stay home because your ex-husband will be at the party, aren't
you just cutting off your nose to spite your face?
233. STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH - directly from the source: This came
straight from the horse’s mouth. It’s Zeerocks Copy in the sixth race.
234. FLAVOUR OF THE MONTH - someone or something that has suddenly become very
popular, but may not remain popular for long: Role-playing games are suddenly the
flavour of the month.
235. BUTTER WOULDN’T MELT IN HIS MOUTH - used when someone looks as if they
would never do anything wrong, although you feel they might: Tommy looked as if
butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.
236. AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON YOUR FACE - to be very obvious: There's no doubt that
he's interested in her. It's as plain as the nose on your face.
237. A SLIP OF THE TONGUE - a mistake made when what someone says is different from
what was meant: That one slip of the tongue caused me a lot of trouble.
238. THROW / PUT SB OFF THE SCENT - to give someone false or confusing information
so that they will not discover something: The police were thrown off the scent for a
while by two of the witnesses, who were found later to be lying.
239. NO SKIN OFF MY NOSE - used when you want to say that it makes no difference to
you what someone else does or thinks: It's no skin off my nose if you don't take my
advice.
240. KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP - Act as though you are not upset.; Do not let unpleasant
things upset you.
241. WHISPER SWEET NOTHINGS - To murmur words of affection to someone in a
flirtatious manner. These words may be genuine or less serious: He used to whisper
sweet nothings to her while he was planning something else.
242. FOLLOW YOUR NOSE - to trust your own feelings rather than obeying rules or
allowing yourself to be influenced by other people's opinions: Take a chance and
follow your nose - you may be right!
243. NEVER LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH - said to advise someone not to refuse
something good that is being offered.