Welcome to English Practice Everyday

Let’s start. Please speak out loud with me.

1. Make a beeline for

(to move quickly and directly towards something or someone)
~The cat made a beeline for its favorite spot by the window.
~When the ice cream truck arrived, the children made a beeline for it.
~Whenever there's cake in the break room, Jack makes a beeline for it.
~Despite the rain, Sam made a beeline for the library to return his books.

2. Under the radar

(to go unnoticed or without attracting attention)
~I prefer to work quietly, under the radar of office gossip.
~The celebrity traveled under the radar to avoid paparazzi.
~Harry tried to keep his relationship under the radar to avoid gossip.
~Despite being a talented musician, Bob always stayed under the radar of
fame.

3. Sleeping giant
(something or someone with great potential or power that is not
currently active or influential)
~The small startup company is a sleeping giant in the tech industry.
~The quiet student turned out to be a sleeping giant in the debate
competition.
~The old building downtown is a sleeping giant waiting to be renovated into
something amazing.
~The athlete is considered a sleeping giant, waiting for the right opportunity
to showcase his talent.

4. Easy come, easy go

(things that are acquired or achieved easily are often lost or
squandered just as easily)
~Tom won the lottery, but with his careless spending habits, it was easy
come, easy go.
~John's friendships were easy come, easy go; he never made an effort to
maintain them.
~The company's profits were easy come, easy go, as they didn't invest in
sustainable growth strategies.
~The fame Susan gained from her viral video was easy come, easy go as
people moved on to the next internet sensation.

5. Make or break
(something that has the potential to either lead to great success or
complete failure)
~Their decision to expand overseas is a make-or-break move for the firm.
~The interview will be a make-or-break opportunity for me to secure the job.
~The upcoming exam is a make-or-break moment for Ivy’s academic career.
~The success of the new restaurant hinges on its opening weekend; it's a
make-or-break situation.

6. Bog down
(to become stuck or slowed down, especially in a complex task or
situation)
~The discussion bogged down in details and went off track.
~The traffic bogged down on the highway due to a major accident.
~The computer bogged down when too many programs were running
simultaneously.
~Don’t let your mind be bogged down when speaking English, keep
practicing diligently.

7. Eww, that's gross!

(an expression used to show disgust or dislike towards something)
~Eww, that's gross! I'm not drinking that murky water.
~Sue found a bug in her salad and exclaimed, "Eww, that's gross!"
~Zac’s messy room elicited an "Eww, that's gross!" from his mother.
~Watching the horror movie scene, Eve squirmed and said, "Eww, that's
gross!"

1. Spread oneself too thin

(to undertake too many tasks or responsibilities, to the point where
one cannot handle them effectively)
~I tried to work three part-time jobs, but I ended up spreading myself too
thin and my grades suffered.
~Beth realized she had spread herself too thin when she couldn't remember
the last time she had a day off.
~Ivy wanted to join the soccer team, the drama club, and the book club, but
she's worried she'll spread herself too thin.

2. In hindsight
(looking back on a situation or event with the understanding gained
from experience, often realizing what one could have done differently
or better)
~In hindsight, I should have studied more for the exam instead of watching
TV all weekend.
~Jane admitted, in hindsight, that quitting her job without a backup plan
wasn't the best decision.
~John realized, in hindsight, that he should have listened to his parents'
advice about saving money.

3. Two peas in a pod

(two people who are very similar in behavior, appearance, or attitudes)
~Those twins are two peas in a pod; you can barely tell them apart.
~Joe and his brother are two peas in a pod when it comes to their sense of
humor.
~Lily and Emily are like two peas in a pod; they even finish each other's
sentences.

4. Easier said than done

(describing a task that seems simple when explained but is actually
difficult to accomplish)
~Quitting smoking is easier said than done; it's a tough habit to break.
~Managing your time effectively is easier said than done; distractions are
everywhere.
~Sure, learning a new language is easier said than done; it takes a lot of
time and practice.

5. To and fro
(moving repeatedly backward and forward, or from one place to
another)
~The boat rocked to and fro on the waves.
~The pendulum swung to and fro in the old clock.
~Amy paced to and fro in the waiting room, anxious for news.

6. Whisk off
(to take someone or something away quickly or abruptly, often in an
enthusiastic or forceful manner)
~Liz whisked off her coat as soon as she stepped inside the warm house.
~The wind whisked off the hat from my head and carried it down the street.
~The magician whisked the tablecloth off the table without disturbing any of
the dishes.

7. Pardon my French!
(Is used humorously as an apology for swearing or using vulgar
language)
~I can't believe Zac said that, pardon my French, but he's an idiot.
~"Pardon my French," Mary muttered as she accidentally swore in front of
her boss.
~Jeff exclaimed, "Pardon my French!" after letting out a string of expletives
in frustration.

1. When push comes to shove

(When a situation becomes difficult or critical, and action must be
taken.)
~Sam always avoids conflict, but when push comes to shove, he's not afraid
to stand his ground.
~I didn't want to confront my neighbor about the noise, but when push
comes to shove, I had to speak up.
~We were all friends until money got involved, and when push came to
shove, everyone showed their true colors.
2. To a T
(Exactly right or perfectly suited to a particular situation.)
~The party decorations matched the theme to a T.
~The tailor got my suit measurements to a T; it fits like a glove.
~Sue followed the recipe to a T, and the cake turned out delicious.

3. Cock and bull story

(A far-fetched or unbelievable tale or explanation, often used to
deceive or entertain.)
~Johnny came up with some cock and bull story about how he lost his
homework.
~The politician's explanation for the missing funds sounded like a cock and
bull story.
~The children spun a cock and bull story to explain why they had eaten all
the cookies.

4. It takes one to know one

(Used to suggest that the person making a criticism or accusation is
as bad as the person being criticized.)
~You're always calling me lazy, but it takes one to know one.
~Mary accused John of being selfish, but it takes one to know one.
~Beth is always criticizing my cooking, but it takes one to know one.

5. Tom, Dick, and Harry

(Referring to ordinary or unspecified people, often in a dismissive or
derogatory way.)
~We can't just let any Tom, Dick, and Harry into the club; it's exclusive.
~Joe didn't want just any Tom, Dick, and Harry driving his expensive car.
~I don't want just any Tom, Dick, and Harry working on this project; I need
experts.

6. Iron out
(To resolve or smooth out difficulties or problems.)
~They need to iron out their differences before they can work together
again.
~The negotiations helped to iron out most of the issues between the two
parties.
~Jack and Jane are facing marital issues, but they're seeing a counselor to
try to iron things out.

7. I swear!
(Used to emphasize the truthfulness or sincerity of a statement.)
~I didn't take your pen, I swear!
~I swear, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
~I swear I'll never lie to you again; please forgive me.

1. Beat a dead horse

(To waste time or energy on something that is already decided or
settled.)
~Continuing to argue about the broken vase is like beating a dead horse.
~I've already apologized for being late; there's no need to beat a dead
horse.
~Bringing up the past mistakes won't solve anything; it's just beating a dead
horse.
2. At one’s wit’s end
(To be extremely frustrated and unable to think of a solution.)
~The child's tantrums have left the parents at their wit's end.
~After hours of trying to fix the computer, I was at my wit's end.
~Trying to find a parking spot in this crowded city has me at my wit's end.

3. Cog in the wheel

(A person or thing that is unimportant but necessary for the smooth
functioning of a system.)
~In a big corporation, most employees are just cogs in the wheel.
~The interns were treated like cogs in the wheel, given menial tasks with no
real impact.
~Don't underestimate the importance of being a cog in the wheel; every role
is essential.

4. Take to something like a duck to water

(To learn or adapt to something quickly and easily.)
~Sam took to gardening like a duck to water; his plants are flourishing.
~Beth took to playing the piano like a duck to water; she's already
composing her own tunes.
~I was worried about moving to a new country, but I've taken to the
language like a duck to water.

5. Home and dry

(To be in a safe or secure position, especially after a period of
difficulty or uncertainty.)
~With the final payment made, we're home and dry with the mortgage.
~After passing all his exams, Tom is finally home and dry for the summer.
~The negotiations were tough, but in the end, we came out home and dry.

6. While away
(To spend time in a relaxed or leisurely manner, typically in a pleasant
way.)
~Liz loves to while away her evenings reading novels.
~They whiled away the afternoon chatting in the garden.
~We whiled away the summer vacation exploring the countryside.

7. God forbid!
(Is used to express strong hope that something will not happen.)
~God forbid we miss the last train home!
~I hope she's not involved in the accident, God forbid!
~God forbid Zoe should fail her exam after all that studying.

1. Go south
(To deteriorate or become worse; to fail or go wrong.)
~Our picnic plans went south when it started raining heavily.
~My plan to start a business went south when I couldn't secure funding.
~I tried fixing the leaky faucet, but it only made things go south even faster.

2. Up the ante
(To increase the level of something, especially a demand or risk.)
~The landlord upped the ante by raising the rent by 30%.
~The company upped the ante by investing more money in marketing.
~The coach upped the ante by introducing more challenging drills during
practice.

3. A pain in the neck

(Something or someone that is very annoying or troublesome.)
~Commuting in rush hour traffic can be a pain in the neck.
~Dealing with all this paperwork is such a pain in the neck.
~Mosquitoes are a real pain in the neck during the summer months.

4. Familiarity breeds contempt

(The more you know someone or something, the more likely you are to find
fault or be critical of them.)
~Living in the same house with my siblings for so long has made me realize
that familiarity breeds contempt.
~As they spent more time together, their friendship soured, proving the
saying that familiarity breeds contempt.
~After being married for twenty years, they found themselves arguing over
trivial matters, proving that familiarity breeds contempt.

5. Lo and behold
(Used to express surprise or wonder when something unexpected happens
or is discovered.)
~We were lost in the forest, and then, lo and behold, we stumbled upon a
hidden cabin.
~I was searching for my keys, and lo and behold, they were in my pocket
the whole time!
~Liz was struggling to find a job, and then, lo and behold, she got an offer
from her dream company.
6. Opt out
(To choose not to participate in something; to decline involvement.)
~Some students opted out of the school trip due to budget constraints.
~I decided to opt out of the group project because I prefer working alone.
~Employees have the option to opt out of the company's health insurance
plan.

7. Way to go
(Used to express congratulations or approval for a job well done.)
~You got promoted? Way to go, buddy!
~Way to go on completing your first marathon!
~You finished your project ahead of schedule? Way to go!

1. Read between the lines

(To understand the hidden or indirect meaning of something not
directly stated.)
~When Mom said she was "fine," I tried to read between the lines.
~The letter seemed polite, but reading between the lines, it was quite rude.
~The article seems positive, but read between the lines, and you'll see
some criticism.

2. Behind the times

(Outdated or old-fashioned in style or ideas.)
~That store is behind the times; they don't even have a website.
~My grandparents' views on dating are a little behind the times.
~The old typewriter is definitely behind the times in this digital age.

3. Poker face
(An expressionless face that reveals no emotions or thoughts.)
~Dad always has a poker face when playing cards.
~It's hard to keep a poker face when you're surprised or excited.
~My sister has the best poker face; I can never tell if she's joking or serious.

4. Every day is not Sunday

(Good times or easy situations don't last forever.)
~Don’t take simple joys for granted; every day is not Sunday.
~I wish I could sleep in every day, but every day is not Sunday.
~You can't eat junk food every day; remember, every day is not Sunday.

5. Over and above

(In addition to; more than required or expected.)
~Mary received a bonus over and above her salary.
~Over and above his duties, Sam volunteers at the shelter.
~Lisa donated money over and above her regular contributions.

6. Spruce up
(To make something neater, cleaner, or more attractive.)
~Emma spruced up her outfit with a new scarf.
~Zac spruced up his old car by washing it and waxing it.
~Eve spruced up the living room with new curtains and fresh flowers.
7. I'm all ears!
(Used to express that you are very interested in listening to someone.)
~You have my full attention; I'm all ears.
~"I have a funny story to tell you," Zoe said. "I'm all ears!" I replied.
~My friend had a problem, and I said, "I'm all ears. Tell me how I can help."

1. Walk the talk

(To do what one says one will do; to follow through on promises or
claims with actions.)
~John claims to be honest; let's see if he can walk the talk.
~The manager walks the talk by working alongside his team.
~If you promise to clean the garage, you need to walk the talk.
~Jack said he would help, and he walked the talk by showing up early.

2. Across the board

(Applying to all areas or categories; something that affects everyone
or everything.)
~The company gave a 5% raise across the board.
~The school improved its facilities across the board.
~Prices increased across the board after the new tax law.
~The coach praised the team’s improvement across the board.

3. Third party
(A person or group besides the two primarily involved in a situation,
especially one that mediates or is neutral.)
~A third party will verify the results of the election.
~We need a third party to give an unbiased opinion.
~They brought in a third party to audit the company's finances.
~The contract needs to be reviewed by a third party for fairness.

4. Fortune favors the bold

(People who take risks are more likely to achieve success.)
~Investors know that fortune favors the bold and often take big risks.
~Bill quit his job to start a business, believing that fortune favors the bold.
~Zoe applied for the challenging position, thinking that fortune favors the
bold.
~Adventurers trust that fortune favors the bold when exploring unknown
territories.

5. Shock and awe

(A military strategy intended to overwhelm and intimidate an adversary
through spectacular displays of power or strength; also used to
describe a dramatic impact intended to surprise and impress.)
~The army's shock and awe tactics quickly subdued the enemy.
~The fireworks display created a shock and awe effect for the audience.
~The movie's special effects were designed to shock and awe the viewers.
~The new product launch was a shock and awe campaign to dominate the
market.

6. Ward off
(To keep away or prevent something harmful or unwanted.)
~The scarecrow was used to ward off birds.
~The medicine helped to ward off the infection.
~Mia used insect repellent to ward off mosquitoes.
~Dad installed a security system to ward off burglars.

7. Holy moly!
(An expression of surprise or astonishment.)
~Holy moly! We won the game!
~Holy moly! It's already midnight!
~Holy moly! That was a huge fish!
~Holy moly! That roller coaster is huge!

1. Spoilt for choice

(Having so many good options that it is hard to choose.)
~Liz was spoilt for choice with so many beautiful dresses.
~There are so many flavors of ice cream, I'm spoilt for choice.
~The library spoilt me for choice with its vast selection of books.
~When it comes to restaurants, we are spoilt for choice in this city.

2. Out of the woods

(Out of danger or difficulty.)
~Mom recovered from the flu and is out of the woods now.
~The storm has passed, and we are finally out of the woods.
~The company is out of the woods after a tough financial year.
~After the surgery, the doctor said Grandpa was out of the woods.

3. Butterfingers
(Someone who is clumsy and likely to drop things easily.)
~I felt like butterfingers when I dropped my phone.
~Don’t give Sam the fragile vase; he’s butterfingers.
~Beth dropped the cake again; she's such a butterfingers.
~Tom always drops the ball in practice; he's a real butterfingers.

4. Old habits die hard

(It's difficult to stop doing something that one has been doing for a
long time.)
~Joe still smokes sometimes; old habits die hard.
~Amy can’t stop biting her nails, old habits die hard.
~Jack always checks his phone at dinner; old habits die hard.
~Even after moving, Mom shops at her old store; old habits die hard.

5. So far, so good
(Things are going well up to this point.)
~The new house is perfect; so far, so good.
~The trip has been smooth; so far, so good.
~The new job is challenging, but so far, so good.
~I’m halfway through the book, and so far, so good.

6. Bail out
(To help someone out of trouble or to escape from a difficult situation.)
~Maria decided to bail out of the project.
~Jenny’s parents had to bail her out of jail.
~The government bailed out the struggling bank.
~Adam bailed out his brother from financial trouble.
7. Kudos!
(Used to express praise or congratulations for a job well done.)
~Kudos on your promotion!
~You finished the marathon? Kudos!
~Kudos to Emily for winning the award.
~David got kudos for his great presentation.

1. Take to the cleaner’s

(To swindle or cheat someone out of their money or possessions.)
~When Maria bought a used car from a reputable dealer, she didn’t realize
she was being taken to the cleaner’s until the car broke down a week later.
~During their divorce proceedings, Bob felt like he was being taken to the
cleaner’s as his wife's lawyer made unreasonable demands for alimony and
assets.
~The elderly couple was taken to the cleaner’s by a con artist who posed as
a financial advisor, stealing their retirement savings through bogus
investment plans.

2. Against the clock

(To be in a hurry to complete something before a deadline.)
~The rescue team was racing against the clock to reach the stranded hikers
before nightfall and the forecasted storm.
~Knowing the final exam was only an hour away, Amy was studying against
the clock, trying to review all her notes one last time.
~With only two hours left until the publication deadline, the newspaper
reporters were working furiously against the clock to finish their articles.
3. Agony aunt
(A person who gives advice to people with personal problems, often in
a newspaper or magazine column.)
~Feeling lost and confused about her relationship, Beth decided to write to
the agony aunt of her favorite magazine, hoping for wise advice.
~The agony aunt received a heartfelt letter from a teenager struggling with
bullying at school and responded with empathetic and practical advice.
~In the latest edition of the newspaper, the agony aunt tackled issues
ranging from marital conflicts to workplace stress, providing readers with
thoughtful solutions.

4. Know which side your bread is buttered on

(To be aware of where your best interests lie or who provides for you.)
~The seasoned politician supported the popular bill, knowing which side his
bread was buttered on and aiming to secure votes for the upcoming
election.
~As a loyal customer, Ivy always shopped at her friend’s store,
understanding which side her bread was buttered on and wanting to
maintain their close relationship.
~During family gatherings, Lisa often sided with her wealthy aunt in
discussions, aware of which side her bread was buttered on, hoping for a
favorable mention in her will.

5. Whims and fancies

(Sudden or capricious ideas or desires.)
~On a whim and fancy, Sam booked a spontaneous weekend trip to Paris,
despite having no prior plans or accommodations arranged.
~The artist’s latest collection was a reflection of his whims and fancies,
featuring an array of unconventional and imaginative designs.
~Sophie’s decision to paint her living room bright red was one of her many
whims and fancies that often left her friends puzzled but amused.

6. Perk up
(To become more cheerful or energetic.)
~Leo’s spirits perked up when he saw his favorite dessert on the menu,
ending his long day on a sweet note.
~The sick child perked up noticeably when the nurse brought in a basket of
toys and colorful balloons to cheer him up.
~After feeling down all morning, Jane perked up instantly when she
received a call from her friend inviting her to a concert.

7. No biggie!
(No problem; it's not a big deal.)
~When the waiter brought the wrong dish to their table, the customers were
understanding and told him, "No biggie! We’ll take this instead."
~After missing the bus, Alex called his colleague to let her know he’d be
late, but she told him, "No biggie! The meeting hasn’t started yet."
~When Max accidentally spilled coffee on his friend's new shirt, he quickly
apologized, but his friend smiled and said, "No biggie! It’ll wash out."

1. Blow hot and cold

(To frequently change one’s opinions or feelings about something; to
be inconsistent in actions or behavior.)
~Joe blows hot and cold about moving to a new city.
~Ivy blows hot and cold on the issue of joining the gym.
~The politician blows hot and cold on environmental policies.
~The weather here blows hot and cold; one day it's sunny, the next it's
raining.

2. Between the devil and the deep sea

(To be in a difficult situation where one must choose between two
unpleasant options.)
~John was between the devil and the deep sea with his failing business and
family issues.
~Kate felt between the devil and the deep sea when choosing between a
job or moving abroad.
~The company was between the devil and the deep sea, having to cut costs
or lay off employees.
~Anna felt between the devil and the deep sea deciding whether to stay in
an unhappy marriage or get a divorce.

3. With one’s tail between one’s legs

(To feel defeated, ashamed, or embarrassed.)
~Beth left the meeting with her tail between her legs after being criticized.
~The team returned with their tails between their legs after a crushing
defeat.
~Amy felt like going home with her tail between her legs after she failed the
exam.
~After being caught cheating, Tom walked out of the room with his tail
between his legs.

4. Money Makes the Mare Go

(Money is a powerful motivator; people will do things if they are paid
well.)
~Being very rich, Don got his way in showbiz because money makes the
mare go.
~Jane learned that money makes the mare go when her offer to pay extra
sped up the service.
~The saying "money makes the mare go" proved true when we got the
permit quickly after paying a fee.
~I realized that money makes the mare go when I saw how quickly my team
worked after a bonus was announced.

5. He Said, She Said

(A situation where it is difficult to determine the truth because different
people are giving conflicting accounts.)
~The argument over who broke the vase turned into a he said, she said,
with no clear resolution.
~It's hard to judge the situation of who stole the money from the cabinet
because it's just a he said, she said.
~The disagreement over the age of the ancient relic became a classic he
said, she said, leaving everyone unsure.
~The case of who first broke the red light that caused the accident was
complicated by being a he said, she said scenario.

6. Rub Off
(To have an influence or effect through close association or contact.)
~Mark’s bad habits rubbed off on his younger brother.
~The teacher's passion for literature rubbed off on his students.
~Jack’s enthusiasm for the project rubbed off on the whole team.
~Spending time with Adam has rubbed off on me; I now love hiking.

7. It’s a Doozy!
(Something outstanding or unique, often in a surprising way.)
~The storm last night was a doozy!
~That test was a doozy; it was much harder than expected.
~Emma’s story about what happened at the party is a doozy.
~This headache is a doozy; I've never had one this bad before.

1. Bell the cat

(To undertake a dangerous or risky task that others are unwilling to
do.)
~Joe volunteered to bell the cat and fix the broken machine.
~No one wanted to bell the cat and report the error to the principal.
~It was brave of Liz to bell the cat and question the committee's decisions.
~No one in the team wanted to bell the cat and tell the client their project
was delayed.

2. On the wane
(Declining or decreasing in power, importance, or influence.)
~Interest in the old movie star is on the wane.
~The influence of traditional media is on the wane.
~The company's profits have been on the wane for the past year.
~Beth’s enthusiasm for the hobby is on the wane as she finds new interests
to pursue.

3. A storm in a teacup
(A lot of fuss about something unimportant.)
~Dad made a storm in a teacup over a minor mistake.
~The old man’s complaint about the noise was a storm in a teacup.
~The argument over the parking space was just a storm in a teacup.
~The social media outrage over the celebrity's harmless tweet was merely a
storm in a teacup.

4. Empty vessels make the most noise

(People with the least knowledge or substance are often the most
vocal.)
~Anne talks a lot about her work, but empty vessels make the most noise.
~The loudest critics often know the least; empty vessels make the most
noise.
~Ben’s constant bragging about his skills only proves the saying true: empty
vessels make the most noise.
~The loud complaints from the new employee were dismissed because, as
they say, empty vessels make the most noise.

5. The length and breadth of

(Covering or experiencing all parts of a place.)
~We searched the length and breadth of the house but couldn’t find the
missing keys anywhere.
~Brian knows the length and breadth of the forest, having hiked through it
countless times over the years.
~They traveled the length and breadth of the country, exploring every small
town and big city along the way.
~The research team inspected the length and breadth of the ocean floor,
mapping out previously uncharted areas.

6. Let up
(To stop or diminish in intensity.)
~The heavy rain didn't let up all day, causing flooding in many parts of the
city.
~The intense pain finally began to let up after I took the prescribed
medication.
~The constant pressure at work won't let up until we finish the project next
month.
~The fierce wind is expected to let up by the evening, making it safe for
boats to go out to sea.

7. Yes, indeed!
(Used to emphasize a positive response or agreement.)
~"Do you like ice cream?" "Yes, indeed! Especially on a hot summer day."
~"Is this your favorite restaurant in town?" "Yes, indeed! The food here is
always delicious."
~"Did you enjoy the concert last night?" "Yes, indeed! The band was
absolutely amazing."
~"Are you excited about the upcoming trip to Paris?" "Yes, indeed! I can't
wait to explore the city."

1. Set someone straight

(To correct someone's misunderstanding or misconception.)
~Beth set Tom straight on the rules of the game.
~John set me straight about the time of the party.
~Let me set you straight about how to complete this form.
~The teacher set the students straight on the homework due date.

2. In cahoots with
(Collaborating or conspiring with someone, typically for a secret or
dishonest purpose.)
~The two thieves were in cahoots with each other.
~The criminals were in cahoots with a corrupt officer.
~They were in cahoots with the manager to get the promotion.
~The kids were in cahoots with their dad to surprise their mom.

3. Tongue in cheek
(Something said or done humorously or insincerely.)
~Sam’s tongue-in-cheek response to the compliment showed that he didn't
take himself too seriously.
~Zoe made a tongue-in-cheek remark about winning the lottery to lighten
the mood during the meeting.
~The article was written in a tongue-in-cheek style, poking fun at the latest
fashion trends without meaning to offend anyone.
~Joe’s claim that he could run a marathon without any training was made
tongue in cheek, but some people took him seriously.

4. Blood is thicker than water

(Family relationships are stronger and more important than
friendships or other relationships.)
~Kate defended her cousin in an argument, showing that blood is thicker
than water.
~Ben’s loyalty to his brother during tough times demonstrated that, for him,
blood is thicker than water.
~Despite our disagreement, I always supported my sister because I
believed that blood is thicker than water.
~Mary chose to spend the holidays with her family rather than her friends,
saying that blood is thicker than water.
5. Chalk and cheese
(Two people or things that are very different from each other.)
~Amy’s meticulous approach to work is chalk and cheese compared to her
colleague's laid-back attitude.
~Although they are twins, their personalities are like chalk and cheese; one
is extroverted and the other is introverted.
~The two restaurants are as different as chalk and cheese; one is modern
and trendy, the other is traditional and cozy.
~The film adaptation and the original book are like chalk and cheese; they
capture completely different tones and styles.

6. Fizzle out
(To gradually fail or end weakly after a strong start.)
~Their relationship began passionately but unfortunately fizzled out over
time as they grew apart.
~Leo’s promising career in acting fizzled out after a series of unsuccessful
roles and poor reviews.
~The initial excitement for the new video game fizzled out once players
realized it was full of bugs and glitches.
~The fireworks display was supposed to last for an hour but fizzled out after
only fifteen minutes, disappointing the crowd.

7. My bad!
(An informal way of admitting a mistake or error.)
~Oh, I sent the wrong email, my bad!
~Oh, I forgot to bring the keys—my bad!
~My bad, I thought the meeting was tomorrow.
~My bad, I didn't realize you were waiting for me.
1. Lost on me
(Not understood or appreciated by me.)
~Ben’s sarcasm was lost on me; I took his words literally.
~The movie’s message was lost on me; I couldn't see the point.
~The comedian’s joke was lost on me; I didn't find it funny at all.
~The philosophy lesson was lost on me; I didn't grasp the main idea.

2. Lost the plot

(To become confused or act irrationally.)
~I think I've lost the plot with this project; nothing makes sense.
~I lost the plot during the meeting and couldn't follow the discussion.
~I lost the plot after the argument with my friend and didn't know what to
say.
~I lost the plot when my plan to get a job failed and didn't know what to do
next.

3. Draw a blank
(Unable to remember or think of something.)
~I'm drawing a blank on his name; it just won't come to me.
~I'm drawing a blank right now and can't think of any ideas.
~Julie asked me a question, but I drew a blank and couldn't answer.
~Whenever I'm under pressure, I draw a blank and forget everything.

4. In a fog
(Confused or unable to think clearly.)
~I woke up in a fog and couldn't focus on anything.
~I'm in a fog today and can't concentrate on my work.
~This morning, I'm in a fog and everything seems hazy.
~After hearing the news, I was in a fog and couldn't think straight.

5. In the dark
(Unaware or uninformed.)
~I’m in the dark here and don't know what's going on.
~I'm in the dark about their plans; no one tells me anything.
~Eve left me in the dark until the very end, and I was clueless.
~I'm in the dark about the surprise party; I don't know any details.

6. Over my head
(Too difficult to understand.)
~The math problem is over my head; I can't solve it.
~Dad’s explanation went over my head; I didn't get it.
~The book is over my head; it's too advanced for me.
~This topic is over my head; I can't grasp the concepts.

7. Can't make heads or tails of it

(Unable to understand something.)
~I can't make heads or tails of this puzzle; it's too tricky.
~I can't make heads or tails of this map; it's so confusing.
~I can't make heads or tails of the schedule; it's all mixed up.
~I can't make heads or tails of his notes; they don't make sense.
8. It's all Greek to me
(Completely unintelligible or hard to understand.)
~This foreign language is all Greek to me; I can't understand it.
~The manual is all Greek to me; I can't figure out the instructions.
~The legal document is all Greek to me; it's full of complex terms.
~The technical jargon is all Greek to me; I don't understand a word.

9. It's beyond me
(Too difficult to understand or deal with.)
~This puzzle is beyond me; I can't solve it.
~The concept is beyond me; I can't understand it.
~Why he did it is beyond me; I can't figure out his motives.
~Tim’s behavior is beyond me; I don't get why he acts that way.

10. Haven't got a clue

(Completely unaware or ignorant about something.)
~I haven’t got a clue what to do next; I'm lost.
~I haven’t got a clue where he is; I have no idea.
~I haven’t got a clue how to fix it; I don't know what to do.
~I haven’t got a clue about the answer; I'm completely stumped.

1. Breathe down someone's neck

2. On a razor’s edge
3. Eyes wide open
4. Nothing grows in the shadow of an oak
5. My way or the highway
6. Rein in
7. Ditto!

Let’s start. Please speak out loud with me.

1. Breathe down someone's neck

(To closely monitor or scrutinize someone, often in a way that is
intrusive or uncomfortable.)
~I wish my parents would trust me more instead of breathing down my neck
about my grades.
~During exams, the teacher breathed down the students' necks, ensuring
there was no cheating.
~The coach breathed down the team's necks during practice, pushing them
to perform at their best.
~Mark couldn't stand his girlfriend breathing down his neck about his social
media activities, as he valued his privacy.

2. On a razor’s edge
(In a very precarious or dangerous situation where the outcome is
uncertain.)
~The country’s economy is on a razor’s edge, with any disruption potentially
leading to a crisis.
~Grandma’s health was on a razor’s edge after the surgery, and the doctors
monitored her closely.
~Living paycheck to paycheck keeps Tom on a razor’s edge, constantly
worrying about the future.
~The team's performance has been on a razor’s edge, with every game
determining their chance at the championship.
3. Eyes wide open
(Being fully aware of the potential risks and challenges of a situation.)
~Joining the startup, Steve knew the job security was shaky, but he did it
with his eyes wide open.
~Before moving to a new country, Eve made sure to do thorough research
to go in with her eyes wide open.
~We adopted the rescue dog with our eyes wide open, knowing it would
require a lot of patience and care.
~Jim entered the risky business venture with his eyes wide open,
understanding the potential for loss.

4. Nothing grows in the shadow of an oak

(Dominance of one powerful entity can stifle the growth and
development of others around it.)
~With Joe’s older brother Tim excelling in every aspect, Joe felt
overshadowed, as nothing grows in the shadow of an oak.
~The star athlete's presence made it difficult for others to get noticed,
demonstrating that nothing grows in the shadow of an oak.
~Aspiring authors found it challenging to compete with the best-selling writer
in the same genre, as nothing grows in the shadow of an oak.
~The small startups struggled to thrive because the giant corporation
overshadowed them, proving that nothing grows in the shadow of an oak.

5. My way or the highway

(An ultimatum given to others to either conform to one's demands or
leave.)
~In relationships, adopting a my way or the highway attitude can often lead
to conflict and dissatisfaction.
~During the merger, one company's leader imposed their terms, making it
clear it was their way or the highway.
~The coach’s strict training regimen was a clear case of my way or the
highway, leaving no room for flexibility.
~The father’s strict rules left no room for negotiation, making it clear to his
children that it was his way or the highway.

6. Rein in
(To control or limit something that has become too powerful or unruly.)
~The government had to rein in public spending to avoid a budget deficit.
~The teacher tried to rein in the rowdy students during the school assembly.
~The CEO decided to rein in the company's expansion plans due to market
instability.
~Sue had to rein in her excitement when she saw her favorite celebrity to
avoid causing a scene.

7. Ditto!
(Used to agree with or repeat something that has just been said.)
~When Sam told his partner, "I love you," she smiled and replied, "Ditto!"
~When her friend said, "I can't wait for the weekend," Lisa replied with a
cheerful, "Ditto!"
~In the group chat, when one friend said they enjoyed the movie, others
chimed in with "Ditto!"
~After hearing the proposal, Max said, "I think it's a great idea," and several
colleagues nodded, adding, "Ditto!"

That’s all for this idiom practice session.

Please keep practicing the idioms we learned today until the next time,
when we pick up seven more idioms and master them.

Bye for now.