Linking Words – Result

Function: To provide the result of what has been stated or has occurred

 Accordingly
 As a consequence (of)
 As a result
 Consequently
 Due to
 For this reason
 Forthwith
 Hence
 Then
 Therefore
 Thereupon
 Thus

Connecting Words – Emphasis

Function: To put forward a point or idea more forcefully

 Above all
 Absolutely
 Chiefly
 Clearly
 Definitely
 Especially
 Even
 Importantly
 In detail
 In truth
 Indeed
 It should be noted
 Naturally
 Never
 Obviously
 Of course
 Particularly / in particular
 Positively
 Surprisingly
 To clarify
 To emphasize
 To repeat
 Truly
 Undoubtedly
 Unquestionably
 With attention
 Without a doubt
Linking Words – Addition

Function: To add to what has been previously stated

 Additionally/an additional
 Along with
 Also
 And
 Apart from this
 As well as
 As well as that
 Besides
 Coupled with
 Finally
 First
 Further
 Furthermore
 In addition
 In addition to this
 In the same fashion
 Last
 Moreover
 Not only…but also
 Not to mention
 Second
 Similarily
 Third
 Together with
 Too

Linking Words – Reason

Function: To provide reasons for what has been stated or has occurred

 Because of
 For the purpose of
 Given that
 Granted that
 In fact
 In order to
 In view of
 Owing to
 Provided that
 Seeing that
 So that
 With this in mind
 With this intention
 With this purpose
Connecting Words – Illustration

Function: To provide examples

 As an example of
 For example/ For instance
 For one thing
 Illustrated by
 In another case
 In the case of
 In this case
 In this situation
 Including
 Like
 Namely
 On this occasion
 Proof of this
 Specifically
 Such as
 To clarify
 To demonstrate
 To demonstrate/ To clarify
 To simplify

Linking Words – Contrast

Function: To show how things are different

 Alternatively
 As opposed to
 Contrarily
 Contrary to
 Conversely
 Despite/in spite of
 Differing from
 Even so
 However
 In contrast (to)
 In opposition
 Instead
 Nevertheless
 Nonetheless
 Nor
 Notwithstanding
 On the other hand
 Rather
 Though
 Unlike
 Up against
  Whereas
 While
 Yet

Linking Words – Comparison

Function: To show how things are similar

 Alike
 As with
 Both
 By the same token
 Compare / compare(d) to (with)
 Correspondingly
 Either
 Equal
 Equally
 In a similar manner
 In common
 In like manner
 In the same way
 In the spitting image of
 Just as
 Just as…so too
 Just like
 Likewise
 Most important
 Resembles
 Same as
 Similar to
 Similarly
 Still another

Connecting Words – Order

1. Function: To indicate the order of what is being said

 First/ firstly
 Second/ secondly
 Third/ thirdly
 Finally
 At this time
 Following
 Previously
 Before
 Subsequently

2. Function: To mark the end of an ascending order

  Above all
 Lastly and most importantly
 Last but not least

3. Definition: To mark the beginning of a descending order

 First and foremost…

Connecting Words – Summary

Function: To sum up what has been previously stated

 All things considered

 Altogether
 As demonstrated above
 As noted
 As shown above
 As you can see
 Briefly
 By and large
 Generally speaking
 Given these points
 In a word
 In any event
 In brief
 In conclusion
 In essence
 In short
 In summary
 In the end
 In the final analysis
 On the whole
 Overall
 Therefore
 To conclude
 To end
 To sum up
 To summarise
 Ultimately

Linking Words – Condition

Function: To provide a condition to what has been stated

 Although this may be true

 As
 Because of
 Even if
 Given that
 Granted that
  If
 In that case
 In the event that
 Lest
 On the condition that
 Only if
 Since
 Then
 Unless
 When
 Whenever
 While

Connecting Words – Concession

Function: Connecting words and phrases to accept a point or idea with reservation

 Admittedly
 Albeit
 All the same
 Although
 Although/Even though
 And still
 And yet
 Be that as it may
 Even if
 Even so
 Even though
 However
 In spite of
 Nevertheless
 Nonetheless
 Regardless of this
 Up to a point

Connecting Words – Generalisation

Function: To make a general statement

 As a rule
 Broadly speaking
 Commonly
 For the most part
 Generally speaking
 In general/ Generally
 In most cases
 Mainly
 More often than not
 Mostly
  Normally
 Often
 On the whole
 On the whole
 Overall
 Predominately
 Regularly
 Typically

Connecting Words – Restatement

Function: To express an alternative to what has been previously stated

 Alternatively
 Alternatively stated
 Expressed simply
 In a nutshell
 In other words
 In short
 In simple language
 In simple terms
 In summation
 Namely
 Otherwise stated
 Put differently
 Put in another way
 Reiterated
 Said differently
 Simplified
 Simply put
 That is to say
 To put it differently

Connecting Words – Reference

Function: To a relationship between continuing ideas presented in your essay.

 As applied to
 As far as
 Concerning
 Considering
 In connection to
 In terms
 Pertaining to
 Regarding
 Some examples of these might be:
 Speaking about/of
 The fact that
 With regards to
  With respect to

Connecting Words – Clarification

Function: To indicate that you will be exploring your ideas in more detail.

 I mean
 In explanation
 In lay terms
 In other words
 In simple terms
 Simply put
 Simply stated
 That is to say
 To break it down
 To clearly define
 To explain
 To make plain
 To put it clearly
 To put it in another way
 To simplify

Connecting Words – Space/ Location

Function: To clarify spatial relationships/ provide spatial order and reference.

 Across
 Adjacent
 Adjacent
 Around
 At the rear
 Below
 Beneath
 Near
 Nearby
 Next to
 On bottom
 On top
 Opposite
 Over
 Surrounding
 To the left
 Underneath

IDIOMS

1. Stir up a hornets’ nest

Hornets are the largest eusocial wasps, and their sting can be really painful. Given this, who would
want to poke a stick in hornet’s nest and stir it? That would be unnecessary pain and trouble.

S: It’s not that the management is not aware of few false bills here and there, but they don’t call it
because it would expose many and stir up a hornet’s nest.

(Tebuan adalah tebuan eusosial terbesar, dan sengatannya boleh menjadi sangat menyakitkan.
Memandangkan ini, siapa yang mahu mencucuk kayu dalam sarang tebuan dan mengacaunya? Itu
akan menjadi kesakitan dan masalah yang tidak perlu.

S: Bukannya pihak pengurusan tidak mengetahui tentang beberapa bil palsu di sana sini, tetapi
mereka tidak memanggilnya kerana ia akan mendedahkan banyak orang dan stir up a hornets’ nest)

2. An eye for an eye

In ancient Mesopotamia, one of the offences in king Hammurabi’s penal code was damaging
someone’s eye. If found guilty of this offence, convict’s eyes used to be damaged in a tit-for-tat
punishment. You, of course, don’t live in Hammurabi’s Mesopotamia, but if you smash someone’s
windshield because they’ve smashed yours, you’ve just taken an eye for eye.

S: I’ll return damage to my car by damage to his car. An eye for an eye.

(Di Mesopotamia purba, salah satu kesalahan dalam kanun keseksaan raja Hammurabi adalah
merosakkan mata seseorang. Jika didapati bersalah atas kesalahan ini, mata banduan pernah rosak
dalam hukuman tit-for-tat. Anda, sudah tentu, tidak tinggal di Mesopotamia Hammurabi, tetapi jika
anda memecahkan cermin depan seseorang kerana mereka telah memecahkan cermin depan anda,
anda baru sahaja melihat mata.

S: Saya akan membalas kerosakan pada kereta saya dengan kerosakan pada keretanya. An eye for an
eye.)

3. Back against the wall

Back in the days, when a military unit was in a difficult situation in war, it was said to have its back
against the wall. In modern times though, you don’t need to be in military to have your back against
the wall.

S: With banks baying for his blood over default in payments, he has his back against the wall.

(Pada zaman dahulu, apabila sebuah unit tentera berada dalam situasi sukar dalam peperangan, ia
dikatakan membelakangi dinding. Pada zaman moden, anda tidak perlu menjadi tentera untuk
membelakangi dinding.

S: Dengan bank menanggung darahnya kerana lalai dalam pembayaran, dia back against the wall.)

4. Barking up the wrong tree

Hunting dog chases a monkey, but the monkey escapes into a tree. The dog, standing underneath
the leafy branches, keeps on barking while the monkey quietly slips to the adjoining tree. The dog is
now barking up the wrong tree. If someone is barking up the wrong tree, they’re following a wrong
course of action.

S: In the initial months of Covid-19, scientists were sometimes barking up the wrong tree in their
recommendation on preventive steps.

(Anjing pemburu mengejar monyet, tetapi monyet itu melarikan diri ke sebatang pokok. Anjing itu,
berdiri di bawah dahan yang berdaun, terus menyalak manakala monyet itu secara senyap-senyap
menyelinap ke pokok bersebelahan. Anjing itu kini menyalak pokok yang salah. Jika seseorang
menyalak pokok yang salah, mereka mengikut tindakan yang salah.

S: Pada bulan-bulan awal Covid-19, saintis kadangkala barking up the wrong tree dalam cadangan
mereka tentang langkah pencegahan.)

5. Bite off more than you can chew

It’s difficult to chew food if you bite more than a mouthful, isn’t it? Same holds for taking on a task
that is too difficult for you. You’ll struggle to manage it.

S: He has taken more responsibilities as he couldn’t say ‘no’ to his boss. I think he has bitten more
than he can chew, and he’ll struggle to handle them all.

(Sukar untuk mengunyah makanan jika anda menggigit lebih daripada satu suapan, bukan?
Pegangan yang sama untuk mengambil tugas yang terlalu sukar untuk anda. Anda akan berjuang
untuk menguruskannya.

S: Dia telah mengambil lebih banyak tanggungjawab kerana dia tidak boleh berkata 'tidak' kepada
bosnya. Saya fikir dia telah bite off more than you can chew, dan dia akan berjuang untuk
mengendalikan semuanya.)

6. Pigs might fly

Can pigs fly? No. That’s an impossible thing. Flying of pigs, thus, can be associated with something
that’s not going to happen.

S: Tom: I’ll wake up at 5 AM and go for a jog. Mary: And pigs might fly.

(Bolehkah babi terbang? Tidak. Itu perkara yang mustahil. Oleh itu, terbang babi boleh dikaitkan
dengan sesuatu yang tidak akan berlaku.

S: Tom: Saya akan bangun pada pukul 5 pagi dan pergi berjoging. Mary: pigs might fly)

7. Not enough room to swing a cat

If there isn’t enough room to swing a cat, the place must be pretty cramped. BTW, don’t swing a cat
even if the place is spacious.

S: We were jammed in the bus with not enough room to swing a cat.

(Jika tidak ada ruang yang cukup untuk menghayun kucing, tempat itu mestilah agak sempit. BTW,
jangan hayun kucing walaupun tempat itu luas.

S: Kami tersekat dalam bas kerana not enough room to swing a cat.)

8. Bounce something off someone

Have you tried bouncing a soft ball on someone? The ball isn’t going to bounce well because bodies,
human or not, aren’t rock hard. But you can bounce ideas and plans with someone. Human minds
are great for that. If you bounce something off someone, you discuss ideas or plan with someone to
get their view on it.

S: X: Can I see you after the office to bounce few ideas off you? Y: Sure. Let’s meet at 6 PM.

(Pernahkah anda cuba melantunkan bola lembut pada seseorang? Bola tidak akan melantun dengan
baik kerana badan, manusia atau tidak, tidak kuat. Tetapi anda boleh melantun idea dan rancangan
dengan seseorang. Fikiran manusia hebat untuk itu. Jika anda melantun sesuatu daripada seseorang,
anda membincangkan idea atau merancang dengan seseorang untuk mendapatkan pandangan
mereka mengenainya.

S: X: Bolehkah saya berjumpa anda selepas pejabat untuk melantunkan beberapa idea daripada
anda? Y: Pasti. Jom jumpa pukul 6 petang.)

7. Once in a blue moon

Moon is silvery, not blue. And if it turns blue as a result of some climactic or celestial phenomenon,
it’ll be a rare event. So, if something happens once in a blue moon, it must be an extremely rare
event.

S: Many startups turn in a profit once in a blue moon.

(Bulan berwarna perak, bukan biru. Dan jika ia bertukar menjadi biru akibat daripada fenomena
kemuncak atau cakerawala, ia akan menjadi peristiwa yang jarang berlaku. Jadi, jika sesuatu berlaku
sekali dalam bulan biru, ia mesti menjadi peristiwa yang sangat jarang berlaku.

S: Banyak syarikat permulaan memperoleh keuntungan once in a blue moon).

19. Run with the hare, hunt with the hound

Hound, a hunting dog, commonly hunts hare. If you run with the hare and hunt with the hound,
you’re essentially in both the camps, implying that you are friends with two opposing sides. Such
stand is frowned upon as being opportunistic and hypocritical.

S: Lawyers can’t represent both the parties in a legal case because they can’t run with the hare and
hunt with the hound.

(Hound, anjing pemburu, biasanya memburu arnab. Jika anda berlari dengan arnab dan memburu
dengan anjing, anda pada dasarnya berada di kedua-dua kem, membayangkan bahawa anda
berkawan dengan dua pihak yang bertentangan. Pendirian sebegitu dikecam sebagai oportunis dan
hipokrit.

S: Peguam tidak boleh mewakili kedua-dua pihak dalam kes undang-undang kerana mereka tidak
boleh run with the hare, hunt with the hound .)

20. Flog a dead horse

Flogging a horse has been an acceptable practice to make it run at higher speed. But will flogging be
of any use if the horse is dead? No. If you flog a dead horse, you waste effort where there is no
chance of success.

S: Arguing over watching TV in the evening is flogging a dead horse. We’ve already discussed and
settled the issue.

(Sebat kuda telah menjadi amalan yang boleh diterima untuk membuatnya berjalan pada kelajuan
yang lebih tinggi. Tetapi adakah sebatan akan memberi apa-apa faedah jika kuda itu mati? Tidak. Jika
anda menyebat kuda yang mati, anda membazirkan usaha di mana tiada peluang untuk berjaya.

S: Bertengkar kerana menonton TV pada waktu petang adalah flog a dead horse . Kami telah pun
berbincang dan menyelesaikan isu ini.)

22. Sell like hot cakes

Hot cakes sell quickly. So, if something sells like hot cakes, it sells fast.

S: More than five thousand cars sold so far. The new model is selling like hot cakes.

(Kek panas laku cepat. Jadi, jika ada yang laku seperti kuih panas, ia cepat laku.

S: Lebih lima ribu kereta terjual setakat ini. Model baru sell like hot cakes.)

23. Burn the candle at both ends

If you burn a candle at both ends, it’ll deplete fast. What if the candle was your body? If you work
very hard, you’ll deplete your strength and energy like the candle burning at both ends.

S: Mitch is burning the candle at both ends. He is working two jobs, one in the evening.

(Jika anda membakar lilin di kedua-dua hujungnya, ia akan habis dengan cepat. Bagaimana jika lilin
itu adalah badan anda? Jika anda bekerja keras, anda akan menghabiskan kekuatan dan tenaga anda
seperti lilin yang menyala di kedua-dua hujungnya.

S: Mitch sedang Burn the candle at both ends. Dia bekerja dua kerja, satu pada waktu petang.)

25. Change tune

Musical tunes change depending on the type of performance. However, some people also change
their behavior (tune) towards others depending on changes in their economic or power status.

S: After he came to know that I’m close to the power in the organization, he changed his tune.

(Lagu muzik berubah bergantung pada jenis persembahan. Walau bagaimanapun, sesetengah orang
juga mengubah tingkah laku mereka (tune) terhadap orang lain bergantung kepada perubahan
dalam status ekonomi atau kuasa mereka.

S: Selepas dia mengetahui bahawa saya hampir dengan kuasa dalam organisasi, dia change tune)

29. Head in the clouds

A giant so tall that his head pierces the clouds will have hard time seeing what’s happening on the
ground. If your head is in the clouds, you won’t be in touch with ground realities.

S: Many academics have their heads in the clouds.

(Seekor gergasi yang tinggi sehingga kepalanya menembusi awan akan mengalami kesukaran untuk
melihat apa yang berlaku di atas tanah. Jika kepala anda berada di awan, anda tidak akan berhubung
dengan realiti tanah.

S: Ramai ahli akademik mempunyai head in the clouds.)

30. Boil the ocean

Good luck to you if you try boiling the ocean. Impossible, right? If you’re trying to boil the ocean,
you’re trying to accomplish something too ambitious.

S: You expect our plant to manufacture 40,000 parts in a week. You’re trying to boil the ocean on
this one.

(Nasib baik kepada anda jika anda cuba merebus lautan. Mustahil, bukan? Jika anda cuba merebus
lautan, anda cuba mencapai sesuatu yang terlalu bercita-cita tinggi.

S: Anda menjangkakan kilang kami akan mengeluarkan 40,000 bahagian dalam seminggu. Anda cuba
boil the ocean pada yang ini.)

33. Hold your horses

If there are horse carriages moving one after the other, you need to sometimes hold your horses to
avoid bumping into each other. If you hold your horses, you show patience.

S: Hold your horses! I’m not yet done with my explanation.

(Jika terdapat kereta kuda bergerak satu demi satu, kadangkala anda perlu memegang kuda anda
untuk mengelak daripada terlanggar satu sama lain. Jika anda memegang kuda anda, anda
menunjukkan kesabaran.

S: hold your horses! Saya belum selesai dengan penjelasan saya.)

38. Test waters

Before jumping into the lake, if you touch water to get a feel of how cold it is, you find out how
comfortable (or uncomfortable) the swim would be. If you test waters, you try to find how people
will receive your idea or action before actually launching it or telling people.

S: The Company is testing waters with few products before going full steam.

(Sebelum terjun ke dalam tasik, jika anda menyentuh air untuk merasakan kesejukannya, anda akan
mengetahui betapa selesa (atau tidak selesa) berenang. Jika anda menguji air, anda cuba mencari
cara orang akan menerima idea atau tindakan anda sebelum benar-benar melancarkannya atau
memberitahu orang ramai.

S: Syarikat sedang test water dengan beberapa produk sebelum menggunakan wap penuh.)

41. On top of the world

When someone reaches a high mountain peak, they’re ecstatic. They take pictures. They celebrate in
whatever way they can. Being on top of the world, even if it’s not Mt. Everest, brings extreme
happiness.

S: I was on top of the world after landing the job I so badly wanted.

(Apabila seseorang mencapai puncak gunung yang tinggi, mereka sangat gembira. Mereka
mengambil gambar. Mereka meraikan dengan apa cara sekalipun. Berada di puncak dunia, walaupun
ia bukan Gunung Everest, membawa kebahagiaan yang melampau.

S: Saya berada on top of the world selepas mendapat pekerjaan yang saya sangat inginkan)

42. Change hands

Something in your hands implies you own it. If it changes hands, it’ll be owned by someone else.
Changing hands means change in ownership.

S: This car has changed hands so many time since its first buy in 2009.

(Sesuatu di tangan anda membayangkan anda memilikinya. Jika ia bertukar tangan, ia akan dimiliki
oleh orang lain. Bertukar tangan bermakna perubahan pemilikan.

S: Kereta ini telah change hands sekian lama sejak pembelian pertamanya pada 2009.)

45. Watch one’s step

You don’t normally watch your steps when you walk. You just walk. But would you watch your steps
if you’re walking in a minefield or other treacherous surface. Of course. If you watch your steps, you
are careful about how you behave or conduct yourself.

S: Watch your steps at least in the first few months at your new job.

(Anda biasanya tidak memerhatikan langkah anda apabila anda berjalan. Anda hanya berjalan.
Tetapi adakah anda akan memerhatikan langkah anda jika anda berjalan di ladang periuk api atau
permukaan berbahaya yang lain. Sudah tentu. Jika anda memerhatikan langkah anda, anda berhati-
hati tentang cara anda berkelakuan atau berkelakuan sendiri.

S: watch one’s step sekurang-kurangnya dalam beberapa bulan pertama di tempat kerja baharu
anda)

47. Eat like a bird

Do you eat like an elephant or a bird? If you eat like an elephant, you’ve heck of an appetite. But if
you eat like a bird, you eat too little.

S: You claim to be eating like a bird for the past three months, but you’ve hardly lost any weight.

(Adakah anda makan seperti gajah atau burung? Jika anda makan seperti gajah, anda mempunyai
selera makan. Tetapi jika anda makan seperti burung, anda makan terlalu sedikit.

S: Anda mendakwa eat like a bird sejak tiga bulan lalu, tetapi anda hampir tidak kehilangan berat
badan)

48. Kill two birds with one stone

If a hunter kills two birds with one stone, he saves effort. If you finish multiple tasks with the same
effort, you save effort.

S: I can kill two birds with a stone by picking up the laundry while going to the college.

(Jika seorang pemburu membunuh dua burung dengan satu batu, dia menjimatkan usaha. Jika anda
menyelesaikan beberapa tugas dengan usaha yang sama, anda menjimatkan usaha.

S: Saya boleh Kill two birds with one stone dengan mengambil pakaian semasa pergi ke kolej.)

51. Egg on your face

In the older times, throwing eggs and rotten tomatoes at a bad stage performance wasn’t
uncommon. If you’ve egg on your face, you look stupid and embarrassed because of something
you’ve done.

S: The case of the minister issuing statement in favor of a convicted person has left the government
with egg on its face.

(Pada zaman dahulu, membaling telur dan tomato busuk pada persembahan pentas yang buruk
bukanlah sesuatu yang luar biasa. Jika anda mempunyai telur di muka anda, anda kelihatan bodoh
dan malu kerana sesuatu yang telah anda lakukan.

S: Kes menteri mengeluarkan kenyataan memihak kepada orang yang disabitkan telah menyebabkan
kerajaan egg on your face.)

53. An arm and a leg

Imagine, something is so expensive that you’ve to trade your limbs to buy it. If something costs an
arm and a leg, it costs a lot.

S: Two days in the hospital for a minor ailment cost me an arm and a leg.

(Bayangkan, sesuatu yang sangat mahal sehinggakan anda terpaksa menukar anggota badan anda
untuk membelinya. Jika sesuatu harganya lengan dan kaki, ia memerlukan kos yang tinggi.

S: Dua hari di hospital kerana sakit ringan menyebabkan saya kehilangan an arm and a leg.)

58. Like a fish out of water

Fish is at home in water. Out of water, it’s in alien condition and will die. If you find yourself like a
fish out of water, you’re in unfamiliar situation, in which you feel awkward.

S: I was like fish out of water when I moved to the capital from my hometown.

(Ikan berada di rumah di dalam air. Daripada air, ia berada dalam keadaan asing dan akan mati. Jika
anda mendapati diri anda seperti ikan keluar dari air, anda berada dalam situasi yang tidak biasa, di
mana anda berasa janggal.

S: Saya Like a fish out of water apabila saya berpindah ke ibu kota dari kampung halaman saya)

63. Burn the midnight oil

To work late in the night

S: I had to burn the midnight oil for nearly three months to write my first book.

(Untuk bekerja larut malam

S: Saya terpaksa Burn the midnight oil selama hampir tiga bulan untuk menulis buku pertama saya.)

65. On cloud nine

If you’re on cloud nine, you’re very happy.

S: I was on cloud nine after receiving the news of my promotion.

(Jika anda berada di awan sembilan, anda sangat gembira.

S: Saya berada On cloud nine selepas menerima berita kenaikan pangkat saya)

66. Under a cloud

If you’re under a cloud, you’re under suspicion or in trouble.

S: The IP for our key technology has been leaked, and many in my team, including the manager, are
under a cloud.

(Jika anda berada di bawah awan, anda disyaki atau menghadapi masalah.

S: IP untuk teknologi utama kami telah dibocorkan, dan ramai dalam pasukan saya, termasuk
pengurus,under a cloud.)

68. The other side of the coin

The other point of view

S: We only see the glamor and money in showbiz. But the other side of the coin is that only one in
hundreds reach there.

(Sudut pandangan yang lain

S: Kami hanya melihat glamor dan wang dalam showbiz. Tetapi the other side of the coin itu ialah
hanya satu daripada ratusan yang sampai ke sana.)

69. Pay someone back in his /her own coin

If you pay someone back in his/ her own coin, you treat him/ her in the same way he/ she treated
you.

S: By refusing to help her colleague, she paid him back in the same coin.

(Jika anda membayar balik seseorang dengan duit syilingnya sendiri, anda memperlakukannya
dengan cara yang sama dia memperlakukan anda.

S: Dengan enggan membantu rakan sekerjanya, dia membayar balik denganin the same coin.)

70. Left out in the cold

If you’re left out in the cold, you’re ignored.

S: I was left out in the cold in the annual promotions in the company.

(Jika anda ditinggalkan dalam kesejukan, anda diabaikan.

S: Saya left out in the cold dalam promosi tahunan dalam syarikat.)

71. Up in arms

If you’re up in arms, you’re angry about something.

S: Media has traditionally been up in arms with the government of the day.

(Jika anda naik angin, anda marah tentang sesuatu.

S: Media secara tradisinya up in arms kerajaan pada masa itu.)

72. Pour cold water on

If you pour cold water on an idea or plan, you criticize it to the extent that people lose enthusiasm to
pursue it.

S: The investors poured cold water on the plan to build another factory.

(Jika anda menuangkan air sejuk pada idea atau rancangan, anda mengkritiknya sehingga orang
hilang semangat untuk meneruskannya.

S: Pelabur pour cold water on ke atas rancangan untuk membina kilang lain)

73. Blow hot and cold

If you blow hot and cold, you vacillate.

S: The editor blew hot and cold over the story for few days and then finally decided to publish it.

(Jika anda meniup panas dan sejuk, anda terumbang-ambing.

S: Editor blow hot and cold atas cerita itu selama beberapa hari dan akhirnya memutuskan untuk
menerbitkannya.)

75. Cool your heels

Wait for something, especially when it’s annoying

S: I spent two hours cooling my heels in the waiting room while the CFO was busy in a meeting.

(Tunggu sesuatu, terutamanya apabila ia menjengkelkan

S: Saya menghabiskan dua jam cool my heels di bilik menunggu semasa CFO sibuk dalam mesyuarat.)

86. Turn a deaf ear

If you turn a deaf ear, you ignore what others are saying.

S: I’ve made the request few times in the past, but it has always fallen on deaf ears.

(Jika anda memekakkan telinga, anda tidak mengendahkan apa yang orang lain katakan.

S: Saya telah membuat permintaan beberapa kali pada masa lalu, tetapi ia sentiasa fallen on deaf
ears .)

87. Eat like a horse

If you eat like a horse, you eat a lot.

S: He is lean, but he eats like a horse.

(Jika anda makan seperti kuda, anda makan banyak.

S: Dia kurus, tetapi dia eat like a horse.)

90. Let one’s hair down

To be relaxed and behave informally

S: Over tea on Sunday, he finally let his hair down and talked about his hobbies and family.

(Untuk bersikap santai dan berkelakuan tidak formal

S: Sambil minum teh pada hari Ahad, dia akhirnya let his hair down dan bercakap tentang hobi dan
keluarganya)

93. Wear your heart on your sleeve

If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you express your sentiments too openly.

S: Wearing your heart on your sleeve can backfire at workplace because you may be seen
unprofessional.

(Jika anda memakai hati anda di lengan baju anda, anda menyatakan sentimen anda terlalu terbuka.

S: Wear your heart on your sleeve baju anda boleh menjadi bumerang di tempat kerja kerana anda
mungkin dilihat tidak profesional.)

94. Move heaven and earth

Make supreme effort

S: I’ll move heaven and earth to finish in top 10 percentile in the exam.

(Lakukan usaha tertinggi

S: Saya akan move heaven and earth untuk menduduki 10 persentil teratas dalam peperiksaan.)

96. Hit the book

To study

S: I need to hit the book today or else I’ll fall behind in my exam prep.

(Untuk belajar

S: Saya perlu hit the book hari ini atau saya akan ketinggalan dalam persediaan peperiksaan saya)

97. Hit the sack

To go to bed

S: I hit the sack around 11 PM.

(Untuk pergi tidur

S: Saya hit the sack sekitar jam 11 malam.)

98. Get someone off the hook

If you get someone off the hook, you help them get out of trouble.

S: The government has intervened by infusing billions of dollars to get the banks off the hook.

(Jika anda melepaskan seseorang, anda membantu mereka keluar dari masalah.

S: Kerajaan telah campur tangan dengan memasukkan berbilion-bilion dolarget the banks out of the
hook.)
100. On thin ice

If you’re on thin ice, you’re in precarious or delicate situation.

S: You’re falling short on class attendance and you failed to submit the last assignment. You’re
walking on thin ice in this semester.

(Jika anda berada di atas ais nipis, anda berada dalam keadaan tidak menentu atau rumit.

S: Anda kekurangan kehadiran kelas dan anda gagal menyerahkan tugasan terakhir. Anda berjalan
on thin ice pada semester ini)

102. Hit the jackpot

If you hit the jackpot, you achieve big success, usually through luck.

S: We’ve hit the jackpot with our new product – sales have doubled.

(Jika anda mencapai jackpot, anda mencapai kejayaan besar, biasanya melalui nasib.

S: Kami telah hit the jackpot dengan produk baharu kami – jualan meningkat dua kali ganda)

108. Hold your tongue

To hold your tongue means to not speak

S: “Hold your tongue, son. Be patient,” the old man tried to restrain the agitated man.

(Untuk menahan lidah anda bermakna tidak bercakap

S: “hold your tounge, nak. Sabar,” lelaki tua itu cuba menahan lelaki yang gelisah itu)

115. Cast pearls before swine

If you cast pearls before swine, you offer something valuable to someone who does not recognize its
worth.

S: To serve an elaborate multi-course dinner to them is like casting pearls before swine.

116. Put the cat among the pigeons

If you put the cat among the pigeons, you say or do something that makes lot of people angry or
uncomfortable.

S: She put the cat among the pigeons by accusing others in the office of misusing organization’s
dinner allowance for working late hours.
117. Put someone in his/ her place

If you put people in their place, you let them know that they’re less important than they think.

S: When he exceeded his brief to take charge of the project, the boss put him in his place.

118. Point finger at

If you point finger at someone, you say that s/he should be blamed

S: Why are you pointing finger at me? I’m not the only person responsible for the loss.

119. Pour out one’s heart

If you pour out your heart, you reveal your thoughts or inner feelings.

S: I poured my heart out to my colleague about the mismanagement in the Company.

120. Swallow your pride

If you swallow your pride, you do something even though it hurts your self-respect.

S: I swallowed my pride to do menial tasks for six months till I found a better job.

121. When push comes to shove

When situation turns desperate

S: If push comes to shove, I’ll take loan to finance my education.

122. Raining cats and dogs

If it rains cats and dogs, it rains heavily.

S: It has been raining cats and dogs for the last hour or so. Let’s brace up for the traffic jam.

123. Read between the lines

If you read between the lines, you try to understand someone’s real feelings or intentions from what
they say or write.

S: The government says that the economy is robust, but if you look at employment data and read
further between the lines, you realize that the situation isn’t that rosy.

124. Beat a retreat

If you beat a retreat, you withdraw from a dangerous or unpleasant situation.

S: Seeing the cops, the arsonists beat a hasty retreat.

125. Take somebody for a ride

If you take somebody for a ride, you deceive them.

S: The placement agency took hundreds of people for a ride by promising non-existent jobs.

126. Go through the roof

To increase beyond all expectations

S: Petrol and diesel prices have gone through the roof.

127. On the ropes

If someone is on the ropes, they’re close to defeat or giving up.

S: High crude oil prices have put many airlines on the ropes.

128. Rub salt into someone’s wounds

To make a bad thing worse

S: I was upset at not getting promoted, but the management really rubbed salt into my wounds
when they promoted my junior.
129. Give someone a run for their money

If you give someone a run for their money, you compete well with them.

S: Despite being an underdog, Division B team gave the best team of the tournament run for their
money.

130. Shut one’s eyes to

Refuse to see or consider

S: The government can no longer shut its eye to growing pollution arising from stubble burning.

131. In the red (In the black)

Operating at a loss or under debt (Operating at a profit or have surplus)

S: Many airlines across the world are in the red because of increase in oil prices.

132. Allow the dust to settle

To allow a situation to become calm or normal again after a period of excitement or upheaval

S: Farmers are angry because of the low prices at which government agencies are buying their
produce. Let’s wait for the dust to settle before we negotiate with them.

133. Take the word out of somebody’s mouth

To say exactly what the other person was about to say

S: X: Why don’t we leave early today to watch the 5 PM show of the latest release? Y: You’ve taken
the words out of my mouth. I was about to say the same.

134. Eat your words

If you eat your words, you retract your statement or words.

S: Experts had to eat their words on the impending doom of abc.com when the fledgling ecommerce
website turned in an unexpected profit.

135. A shot in the dark

A wild guess

S: Chasing an offender, the policemen took a shot in the dark and turned left on reaching the square.

136. Call the shots

If you calls the shots, you’ve the power and authority.

S: In this ministry, the junior minister calls the shots.

137. Head and shoulders above

Greatly superior to

S: In his prime, Usain Bolt was head and shoulders above his competitors.

138. Put to bed

To help a child sleep

S: I’ll be back in few minutes after putting my son to bed.

139. Put something to sleep

If an animal is put to sleep, it is killed by a veterinarian to relieve it of its pain and suffering.

S: We put the dog to sleep as it was suffering from age-related ailments.

140. By the skin of your teeth

By extremely narrow margin

S: He caught the train by the skin of his teeth.

141. Save your skin

If you save your skin, you save yourself from an unpleasant or dangerous situation without thinking
of what happens to others.

S: They lied and tampered with crucial evidence to save their skin.

142. Have a thick skin

To be less affected by criticisms and rebuffs

S: You need to have a thick skin to survive in politics.

143. Start with a clean slate

Make a fresh beginning forgetting what happened, usually bad, in the past

S: Relations have not been great between the two countries, but it’s time to start from a clean slate.

144. No smoke without fire

A suspicion or rumor is not for nothing. It usually has some basis.

S: I’m hearing that the investment company in which I put my money has been running a Ponzi
scheme. I’m going to ask for my money back, because where there is smoke there is fire.

145. No strings attached

Free of conditions

S: World Bank rarely gives loans with no strings attached.

146. Throw a spanner in the work

To disrupt or cause problems in an activity or project

S: Last-minute withdrawal of the sponsor threw a spanner in our plans to organize the cultural
festival.

147. Wear two/ several hats

To function in more than one capacity

S: He wears two hats in the company – Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Information Officer.

148. Throw one’s weight around

To act in a way that suggests you’ve lot of power or authority

S: The politician tried to throw his weight around with the police, but the police ignored him.

149. Throw caution to the wind

Behave or speak in a rash manner

S: Just to impress others, he threw caution to the wind and climbed the steep rock without any
safety gear.

150. Spill the beans

To reveal a secret information unintentionally

S: Someone for sure spilled the beans about the plan of jail inmates to smuggle in weapons. How
else could jail authorities know about it?

151. Walk a tightrope

If you walk a tightrope, you do something that allows little room for error.

S: Many educational institutions have to walk a tightrope between charging a high tuition fee and
facing criticism, and not charging much and depending on grants.

152. Be in a tight spot

To be in a difficult situation

S: If the government fails to get support from its key ally, it’ll be in a tight spot during the voting
tomorrow.

153. Spread yourself thin

To try to do too many things at the same time, implying inadequate time or attention to any of them

S: College students, especially in first year, spread themselves thin by joining multiple elective
courses and social activities.

154. Steal the show

If you steal the show, you get lot of attention or credit in an event or show.

S: Chinese participants stole the show on the first day of 2018 Asian Games.

155. Let off steam

To do or say something that helps you release pent-up emotions such as anger or frustration

S: When I get stressed at work, I go on a weekend trek to let off steam.

156. Blow someone’s cover

To reveal someone’s secret identity and what they’re doing

S: The police blew the cover on the plot by tapping kidnappers’ phones.

157. Stick to your guns

To maintain one’s position despite disagreement and opposition from others

S: No matter how much police grills you, you’ve to stick to your guns and state the same story.

158. Leave no stone unturned

To do everything you can to achieve your goal

S: I left no stone unturned to raise money for my company.

159. Set in stone

If something is set in stone, it’s very difficult to change.

S: The contract isn’t set in stone. If the deal is compelling enough, we’re open to change it.

160. Set the record straight

If you set the record straight, you quash misinformation about something by telling the truth.

S: Let me set the record straight on all the talk in the media about my business relationship with the
key accused in the scandal.

161. Go on record

If you go on record about something, you say it publicly and officially. (You can’t turn your back on
such statement later.)

S: The actors have gone on record describing exploitation of newcomers in the film industry.

162. The last straw (or the straw that broke the camel’s back)

If an event is the last straw, it is the last in a series of unpleasant or undesirable events that exceeds
your limit of tolerance.

S: Recent hikes in fuel prices are the last straw for the lower middle class.

163. Bitter pill to swallow

Something such as failure or rejection that is difficult to accept, but has to be accepted

S: Not getting admission to any of the colleges I applied to is a bitter pill to swallow.
164. Laugh all the way to the bank

To earn lot of money by doing something which others thought to be a foolish pursuit

S: Investors dismissed his idea as immature, but he is now laughing all the way to the bank.

165. Show someone the door

To ask someone to leave

S: During my worst period, I was promptly shown the door by very same people who once courted
me.

166. Foot in the door

If you get your foot in the door, you succeed in achieving an initial step in an area that is difficult to
succeed in.

S: It’s your relationships that help in getting your foot in the door in the initial phase of your
business. Otherwise, it can be a grind.

167. In full swing

If something happens in full swing, it happens at the highest speed or level of activity.

S: Our development team is working in full swing to meet the deadline.

168. Turn the tables on somebody

To completely reverse circumstances or gain upper hand on someone who was previously in a
stronger position.

S: He turned the tables on his political opponent by reeling off data on how poorly the economy has
fared in the last one year.

169. Can’t make head or tail of something

Can’t understand someone or something at all

S: I haven’t been able to make head or tale of the bugs in the software so far.

170. Keep one’s words

To do as promised

S: He always keeps his words. If he has promised to put in a word for you, he will.

171. Lose your temper

If you lose temper, you become very angry.

S: When he started giving excuse for not completing the assignment in time, the teacher lost her
temper.

172. Through thick and thin

If you do something through thick and thin, you do it whether circumstances are good or not.

S: He is one of those rare employees who has remained with the organization through thick and thin.

173. Try one’s patience

To test the limit of one’s patience

S: The constant chatter at the back of the class tried the professor’s patience.

174. Twist someone’s arm

Make someone do something by pressurizing them

S: The government brought the rebel leaders to the negotiating table by twisting their arms by
launching investigation into their shady business deals.

175. Wash dirty linen in public

If you wash your dirty linen in public, you discuss those matters in public which should have been
kept private.
S: The two brothers went public accusing each other of fraud, washing dirty linen in the public in the
process.

176. Be off the mark

If something is off the mark, it is incorrect or inaccurate.

S: The meteorology department was quite off the mark in predicting rainfall this week.

177. Wild-goose chase

A search that turns out to be time-wasting and unsuccessful because the thing being searched
doesn’t exist or you were given wrong information about its location

S: The treasure hunt to find gold coins expectedly proved to be a wild-goose chase.

178. Have your work cut out

If you’ve your work cut out to do something, you’ve a difficult task at hand.

S: The government has its work cut out in controlling air pollution this winter.

179. Back the wrong horse

To support a person or action that later turns out to be unsuccessful

S: The political party fielded a businessman from the prestigious seat in the national capital, but he
lost. They clearly backed the wrong horse.

180. From the horse’s mouth

If you hear from the horse’s mouth, you hear from the original or trustworthy source.

S: We’ve lost the deal we bid for last month. It’s true, because I’ve heard it from the horse’s mouth –
my manager.
181. Eat humble pie

Be humiliated by admitting that you are wrong

S: The e-commerce company claimed that they’ll surpass the market leader in two years, but they
had to eat humble pie after the latest sales numbers.

182. Have one’s cake and eat it too

To have two good things at the same time that are incompatible and therefore not feasible

S: You don’t want to pay more taxes and still have better services. You can’t have your cake and eat
it too.

183. Shoot from the hip

To speak bluntly or rashly without thinking carefully

S: If you want to be a spokesperson, you need to avoid your habit of shooting from the hip.

184. In cold blood

If you do something violent and cruel in cold blood, you do it deliberately and in an unemotional
way.

S: He was murdered in cold blood.

185. Ace up one’s sleeve

A secret or hidden advantage that you can use when you need it

S: Murali, the mystery bowler whom the opposite team has never played, is an ace up the home
team’s sleeve.

186. Play your cards right

To behave or work in a way that gives you an advantage or improves your odds of success.
S: You’ve to play your cards right to cross level 4 in this game.

187. Behind one’s back

If you do something behind someone’s back, you do it secretly without their knowledge (used in
negative way).

S: I don’t give a damn to people who say all sorts of things behind my back.

188. Stab someone in the back

Harm someone who trusts you.

S: It’s not uncommon for people to stab colleagues in the back to move ahead in the professional
world.

189. Back to the drawing board

If you go back to the drawing board, you make a fresh start or try another idea because the earlier
one didn’t succeed.

S: After the new product failed to set the sales number rolling, the team went back to the drawing
board.

190. Right off the bat

If you do something right off the bat, you do it immediately.

S: I learnt right off the bat that I need to build good rapport with the marketing team to do well in
the organization.

191. Heart misses (skips) a beat

If your heart misses a beat, you feel excited or nervous.

S: My heart skipped few beats while scrolling down the exam result on the notice board.

192. Have your heart in your mouth

If you’ve your heart in mouth, you’re feeling extremely nervous.

S: My heart was in my mouth when he slipped and fell down on the floor.

193. Not the only fish in the sea

Not the only suitable thing or person one can find

S: You shouldn’t be so heartbroken at the rejection by her. Remember, she’s not the only fish in the
sea.

194. Not your cup of tea

If you say that someone or something is not your cup of tea, you mean that they’re not the kind of
person or thing you like.

S: Sales is not my cup of tea.

195. A piece of cake

If something is a piece of cake, it’s easy to do.

S: Solving such math problems is a piece of cake for me.

196. Call it a day

If you call it a day, you stop what you’re doing because you’re tired of it or you’ve not been
successful.

S: Faced with increasing competition and thinning profits, the owner decided to call it a day after
twenty years in the business.

197. Call a spade a spade

To speak truth even if it’s unpleasant

S: He doesn’t hold his words and calls a spade a spade.

198. A bolt from the blue

A sudden, unexpected event

S: The resignation of the minister this morning came as a bolt from the blue.

199. In the same boat

If two or more persons are in the same boat, they’re in the same difficult situation.

S: Both of us are in the same boat – without jobs.

200. Miss the boat/ bus

To miss an opportunity

S: He waited far too long to get a good deal. Most good ones are gone now. He missed the boat.

201. Over my dead body

If you say something will happen your dead body, you mean you dislike it and will do everything you
can to prevent it.

S: X: We’re selling your old bike to remove the junk that’s gathering in the house. Y: Over my dead
body.

202. Bell the cat

To undertake a risky or dangerous task

S: Who’s going to bell the cat and tell the teacher that no one else but her son has pulled off the
mischief?