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Everyday English Idioms

Idiom practice compilation.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
25 views32 pages

Everyday English Idioms

Idiom practice compilation.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Welcome to English Practice Everyday

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

1. Jump on the bandwagon


(to join others in supporting a popular activity or trend)
~~Amy always seems to jump on the bandwagon of the latest fitness fads.
~~Many fashion enthusiasts quickly jump on the bandwagon of the latest
clothing styles.
~~When everyone started using smartphones, I decided to jump on the
bandwagon and bought one for myself.

2. In the limelight
(to be the center of attention or public focus)
~~Winning the championship put the team in the limelight for weeks.
~~The new product was in the limelight due to its innovative features.
~~The celebrity couple tries to avoid being in the limelight to maintain their
privacy.

3. Gutter press
((sensationalist and often unethical journalism that focuses on scandal and
gossip)
~~Some people enjoy reading the gutter press for its juicy celebrity gossip.
~~The tabloid newspaper is often criticized for its reliance on gutter press to
boost sales.
~~Responsible journalism aims to inform the public without resorting to
gutter press tactics.
4. It takes two to tango
(both parties involved are responsible for a situation or argument)
~~Blaming only one side in a conflict is unfair; it usually takes two to tango.
~~In a healthy relationship, it takes two to tango and work through
challenges together.
~~The dispute was not one-sided; it takes two to tango, and both parties
needed to compromise.

5. Labor of love
(work done for the sake of enjoyment or passion rather than for financial
gain)
~~Building the model ship was a labor of love for the retired sailor.
~~Despite the long hours, writing the novel was a labor of love for the
author.
~~The community garden was created as a labor of love to beautify the
neighborhood.

6. Cry out for


(to strongly demand or require attention or action)
~~The dilapidated building cries out for renovation.
~~The empty shelves in the store cry out for restocking before the weekend
rush.
~~The abandoned puppy's condition cried out for help, and kind passersby
rescued it.

7. It's all Greek to me


(something that is difficult to understand or is confusing)
~~When the scientist explained the complex theory, it was all Greek to me.
~~Reading the technical manual felt like it's all Greek to me; I couldn't
understand a word.
~~During the complex legal presentation, most of the audience felt like it's
all Greek to them.

1. Lose one’s marbles


(to become mentally unstable or lose one's sanity)
~~After working non-stop for weeks, Sam felt like he was losing his marbles.
~~The old man's eccentric behavior led the townspeople to believe he had
lost his marbles.
~~John's constant forgetfulness made his friends worry that he might be
losing his marbles.

2. In the wake of
(in the aftermath or as a result of something)
~~The company changed its policies in the wake of customer complaints.
~~Schools were closed in the wake of the flu outbreak to prevent further
spreading.
~~In the wake of the storm, many houses were damaged and power lines
were down.

3. Ground swell
(a widespread and growing public opinion or support for a particular idea or
cause)
~~The ground swell against corruption led to massive protests in the capital.
~~There was a ground swell of support for the environmental protection
initiative.
~~The ground swell of excitement among fans led to record-breaking ticket
sales.

4. Wolf in sheep's clothing


(someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous or deceitful)
~~The charity scammer posed as a volunteer, a classic wolf in sheep's
clothing tactic.
~~The politician was known for his charisma, but many suspected he was a
wolf in sheep's clothing.
~~The seemingly helpful coworker turned out to be a wolf in sheep's
clothing, stealing credit for others' work.

5. Rags to riches
(a journey from poverty or obscurity to wealth and success)
~~The actor's career went from rags to riches after landing a leading role in
a blockbuster.
~~The immigrant's hard work and determination resulted in a remarkable
rags-to-riches story.
~~Lisa went from living in a small apartment to a luxurious mansion, a true
rags-to-riches transformation.

6. Cave in
(to collapse or fall inward, often used metaphorically for giving in or yielding
under pressure)
~~The dam caved in, causing flooding in the surrounding area.
~~Ben’s resolve to quit smoking eventually caved in when faced with stress.
~~Under the weight of criticism, the company caved in and issued an
apology.
7. Hush, hush
(kept secret or confidential; something done quietly without attracting
attention)
~~The celebrity's wedding was kept hush, hush to avoid media frenzy.
~~The surprise party was meant to be hush, hush until the last moment.
~~The new product launch was hush, hush, generating anticipation among
customers.

1. Paint the town red


(to go out and celebrate, often in a lively and extravagant manner)
~~The team painted the town red after winning the championship.
~~The newlyweds wanted to paint the town red on their honeymoon.
~~Don't miss the chance to paint the town red at the annual carnival!

2. Out of keeping
(inconsistent or not in harmony with surroundings or expectations)
~~Joe’s behavior was out of keeping with the traditions of the family.
~~The loud music in the library was completely out of keeping with the quiet
environment.
~~The comedian's dark jokes were out of keeping with the family-friendly
tone of the show.

3. Nest egg
(a sum of money saved or invested for the future)
~~Lisa inherited a nest egg from her grandparents, which she wisely
invested.
~~I put aside a portion of my salary as a nest egg for my children's
education.
~~Having a nest egg provides a sense of financial security during uncertain
times.

4. Wet behind the ears


(inexperienced, immature, or naïve)
~~Starting a new job can make anyone feel wet behind the ears initially.
~~The young detective is eager to prove himself but is still wet behind the
ears.
~~Fresh out of college, Amy was a bit wet behind the ears for the corporate
world.

5. Rough and ready


(simple, basic, or hastily prepared but effective)
~~They set up a rough and ready campsite for the night.
~~The carpenter's rough and ready craftsmanship gave the furniture a rustic
charm.
~~The chef presented a rough and ready dish using whatever ingredients
were available.

6. Flesh out
(to add details or expand on a basic idea or concept)
~~The architect took time to flesh out the blueprint with precise
measurements.
~~The author needed to flesh out the characters in the novel to make them
more interesting.
~~The scientist needed to flesh out the theory with additional experiments
and observations.
7. Oh my, so cute!
(an exclamation expressing delight or admiration, especially for something
adorable)
~~A baby's laughter often makes people say, "Oh my, so cute!"
~~When Emma saw the puppy, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my, so
cute!"
~~The little kitten playing with a ball of yarn elicited an "Oh my, so cute!"
from everyone.

1. Shoot oneself in the foot


(to unintentionally do something that causes harm to oneself)
~~Taking that shortcut was shooting myself in the foot; I got lost for hours.
~~Not studying for the exam was like shooting myself in the foot; I failed
miserably.
~~By quitting his job without having another one lined up, Sam really shot
himself in the foot.

2. In a flash
(happening very quickly or suddenly)
~~The news of the promotion spread in a flash, and everyone congratulated
me.
~~The cake disappeared from the kitchen in a flash; it must have been
delicious.
~~The thief stole the purse and disappeared in a flash before anyone could
react.

3. Pipe dream
(an unrealistic or impractical hope or fantasy)
~~Thinking that world peace can be achieved overnight is a naïve pipe
dream.
~~Building a house on the moon is a complete pipe dream – it's just not
feasible.
~~Winning the lottery and never working again is often considered a mere
pipe dream.

4. Time heals all wounds


(over time, emotional pain or distress will fade away)
~~After the breakup, Lisa found solace in the belief that time heals all
wounds.
~~Losing a loved one is incredibly painful, but the saying goes that time
heals all wounds.
~~Even the most profound disappointments can become less painful as
time heals all wounds.

5. Bait and switch


(a deceptive marketing practice where a customer is attracted by a
promising offer but is then presented with a less favorable one)
~~Online scams often involve a bait and switch, offering a great deal that
doesn't exist.
~~The advertisement promised a discount, but it was just a bait and switch;
the actual price was much higher.
~~Falling for the bait and switch, I signed up for a gym membership at a low
rate, only to discover hidden fees later.

6. Fall out
(to have a disagreement or argument with someone, resulting in a damaged
relationship)
~~After the argument, Kate and her friend fell out and haven't spoken in
weeks.
~~Family members often fall out over trivial matters that escalate into major
conflicts.
~~It's important to address issues calmly to avoid falling out with your
friends or loved ones.

7. What drama!
(expression used to convey surprise or disbelief at an exaggerated or
unexpected situation)
~~Emma missed the bus by a minute and started crying. Seriously, what
drama!
~~Joe spilled a drop of coffee on his shirt and acted like it was a disaster.
What drama!"
~~I can't believe Lisa is making such a fuss over a small scratch on her
phone. What drama!

1. Hedge your bets


(to reduce the risk of loss by supporting more than one possible result or
outcome)
~~I decided to hedge my bets and apply to multiple universities.
~~Ben hedged his bets in the election by supporting candidates from
different parties.
~~To hedge my bets on the weather, I packed both a sweater and
sunscreen for the trip.
2. At home with
(to be comfortable and familiar with something or someone)
~~Lisa became at home with the language after studying it for a year.
~~After a few weeks, Amy felt completely at home with her new colleagues.
~~The chef is at home with various cooking techniques from around the
world.

3. Boiling frog syndrome


(a gradual and unnoticed change that leads to a crisis or undesirable
situation)
~~The country fell into the boiling frog syndrome of economic decline over
several years.
~~Ignoring small health issues can lead to a boiling frog syndrome of
deteriorating well-being.
~~The team's poor communication skills resulted in a boiling frog syndrome
of project mismanagement.

4. The final nail in the coffin


(the last in a series of events that leads to the failure or demise of
something)
~~Missing the crucial deadline was the final nail in the coffin for Adam’s job.
~~The public scandal became the final nail in the coffin for the politician's
career.
~~The closure of the last remaining factory was the final nail in the coffin for
the town's economy.

5. Lock, stock, and barrel


(to include every part or element of something, without exception)
~~When we moved to new city, we took everything – lock, stock, and barrel.
~~After the merger, the two companies were integrated, lock, stock, and
barrel.
~~Maria bought the old farmhouse and moved in with her family, lock, stock,
and barrel.

6. Quail at
(to feel afraid, apprehensive, or recoil from something)
~~The novice hiker quailed at the sight of the steep mountain trail.
~~Ivy quailed at the thought of speaking in front of a large audience.
~~Many pet dogs quail at the realization that they are going to the vet.

7. What the heck!


(is used to express surprise, frustration, or disbelief)
~~What the heck! I can't believe I forgot my keys again.
~~What the heck! The meeting was supposed to start at 2, not 3.
~~When dad saw the unexpected bill, he exclaimed, "What the heck!"

1. Settle a score
(to resolve a dispute or seek revenge for a past offense)
~~The two teams met on the field to settle the score from last year's
championship game.
~~After years of rivalry, John finally settled the score with his old nemesis in
a friendly chess match.
~~The two friends playfully competed in video games to settle scores from
their childhood arguments.

2. None the wiser


(remaining unaware or having no additional knowledge about something)
~~The detective questioned the suspect, but he left the interrogation room
none the wiser.
~~The magician explained his tricks, leaving the audience none the wiser
about his methods.
~~Sam tried to explain the complex math problem, but his classmates were
still none the wiser.

3. Sugarcoat
(to make something appear less harsh or unpleasant than it really is)
~~The doctor had to sugarcoat the diagnosis to ease the patient's anxiety.
~~The politician tried to sugarcoat his controversial statements during the
interview.
~~Instead of sugarcoating the feedback, the teacher provided honest and
constructive criticism.

4. A different kettle of fish


(a completely different situation or thing)
~~Fixing a leaky faucet is one task; repairing a broken pipe is a different
kettle of fish.
~~Planning a small party is one thing, organizing a large event is a different
kettle of fish.
~~Writing a short story is one challenge; writing a novel is a different kettle
of fish altogether.

5. Sackcloth and ashes


(expressing remorse or penance, often in a public or exaggerated manner)
~~The CEO publicly wore sackcloth and ashes to apologize for the
company's ethical lapses.
~~The politician, caught in a scandal, chose to don sackcloth and ashes
during the press conference.
~~The employee, who made a serious error at work, showed sackcloth and
ashes by working overtime to fix the problem.

6. Linger over
(to take more time than necessary or to spend extra time on something)
~~Ivy likes to linger over a good book, savoring each chapter.
~~The couple chose to linger over the beautiful sunset at the beach.
~~We decided to linger over dinner and enjoy each other's company.

7. No sweat!
(is an informal expression meaning "no problem" or "it's easy")
~~When asked for a favor, Jake replied, "Sure, no sweat!"
~~Jeff confidently accepted the challenge, saying, "I can do it, no sweat!"
~~Despite the challenging task, the skilled technician fixed the issue with a
confident "no sweat!"

1. Selling like hotcakes


(selling very quickly and in large quantities)
~~The new iPhone is selling like hotcakes; stores can't keep them in stock.
~~The concert tickets are selling like hotcakes, so we should buy them
early.
~~The bookstore had a special discount, and the books were selling like
hotcakes.

2. From the get-go


(from the very beginning or start of a process or situation)
~~Amy was determined to succeed from the get-go.
~~They had chemistry from the get-go and became a couple soon.
~~The plan was flawed from the get-go, leading to its eventual failure.

3. Death wish
(a desire for or tendency toward self-destructive or risky behavior)
~~Jack’s reckless driving made it seem like he had a death wish.
~~Jumping off a cliff without a parachute is like having a death wish.
~~Ignoring your health and eating unhealthy foods is like having a slow
death wish.

4. Make a mountain out of a molehill


(to exaggerate a minor issue and make it seem much more serious than it
is)
~~Don't make a mountain out of a molehill; it's just a small scratch on the
car.
~~Instead of making a mountain out of a molehill, let's focus on finding a
solution.
~~Zoe tends to make a mountain out of a molehill whenever something
goes wrong.

5. Null and void


(invalid, having no legal force or binding effect)
~~Any alterations to the document render it null and void.
~~The warranty becomes null and void if the product is misused.
~~The marriage was declared null and void due to legal irregularities.
6. Chime in
(to join or interrupt a conversation with a comment or opinion)
~~Mary always chimes in during our meetings with valuable insights.
~~Feel free to chime in if you have something to add to the discussion.
~~It's not polite to chime in while others are speaking; wait for your turn.

7. I don't buy it!


(I don't believe it; I find it hard to accept or trust)
~~When Johnny said he didn't eat the last cookie, his mom replied, "I don't
buy it!"
~~After hearing the conspiracy theory, Sam shook his head and said, "I
don't buy it."
~~The salesman's pitch was so exaggerated that I immediately thought, "I
don't buy it."

1. Saved by the bell


(rescued from a difficult, unpleasant, or awkward situation just in time)
~~The fire alarm went off, and we were saved by the bell from the boring
meeting.
~~I was running out of money, but I was saved by the bell when I received
my salary.
~~Joe almost missed his flight, but the final boarding call was his saved-by-
the-bell moment.

2. Down in the dumps


(feeling sad, depressed, or in low spirits)
~~Alex was feeling down in the dumps after his breakup.
~~Losing the game made the entire team feel down in the dumps.
~~Failing the exam left me down in the dumps, doubting my abilities.

3. Sweet tooth
(a strong liking or craving for sweet foods)
~~Amy has a sweet tooth and loves chocolate.
~~The bakery is popular among those with a sweet tooth.
~~Ben’s sweet tooth led him to try every dessert on the menu.

4. There's no smoke without fire


(if there are rumors or signs of something, there's probably some truth to it)
~~I heard some gossip about a surprise party for me; there's no smoke
without fire, right?
~~The news reporter believes that there's no smoke without fire when it’s
about political scandals.
~~Emma dismissed the rumors about her fiancé at first, but now she thinks
there's no smoke without fire.

5. Part and parcel


(an essential or integral part of something)
~~Traffic jams are part and parcel of living in a big city.
~~Mistakes are part and parcel of the learning process.
~~Criticism is part and parcel of being in the public eye.

6. Pine away
(to gradually weaken or waste away due to sadness, longing, or unrequited
love)
~~The old man pined away after his wife died.
~~The abandoned dog seemed to pine away in the shelter.
~~Mia pined away for her hometown after moving to the city.

7. For real?!
(is an expression of surprise or disbelief, seeking confirmation)
~~Zoe won the lottery? For real?! That's amazing!
~~You got a promotion? For real?! Congratulations!
~~Sam met the president? For real?! That's unbelievable!

1. Hit below the belt


(To act unfairly or use unethical methods; to strike someone in a vulnerable
or sensitive area.)
~~Maria felt hurt when her friend hit below the belt by revealing a secret.
~~Mocking someone's appearance is a classic example of hitting below the
belt.
~~Criticizing a person's family in an argument is considered hitting below
the belt.

2. Over the top


(Excessive, exaggerated, or beyond what is reasonable or necessary.)
~~Jeff’s compliments were so over the top that they seemed insincere.
~~Giving a dozen roses for a first date might be considered over the top.
~~The chef went over the top with the spice, making the dish too hot to eat.

3. Double bluff
(A deceptive maneuver intended to mislead or confuse someone by
pretending to be pretending.)
~~The poker player executed a double bluff, pretending to have a weak
hand.
~~Sam thought I was lying, but it was a double bluff; I was telling the truth
all along.
~~The detective used a double bluff to catch the thief, pretending to have
evidence that he didn't.

4. Put two and two together


(To figure out or understand something by combining available information.)
~~I saw the muddy footprints leading to the back door; putting two and two
together, I realized that someone had broken in.
~~Mom saw the empty cookie jar and crumbs on Johnny’s shirt; putting two
and two together, she realized he ate the cookies.
~~Joe saw the wet umbrella and the puddle by the door, so he put two and
two together and figured out it was raining outside.

5. Name and shame


(To publicly identify and criticize someone for their actions, often to
discourage similar behavior.)
~~The campaign aims to name and shame those who litter in public spaces.
~~The teacher chose not to name and shame the student but instead
offered guidance.
~~Social media allows people to name and shame companies with poor
customer service.

6. Sneak up
(To approach quietly or unnoticed, often to surprise or catch someone off
guard.
~~The ninja was able to sneak up on the enemy without making a sound.
~~I like to sneak up on my sister and startle her when she least expects it.
~~The cat tried to sneak up on the bird but was spotted at the last moment.

7. Get outta here!


(An informal expression used to dismiss someone or express disbelief, often
in a playful or casual manner.)
~~When Liz told me she won the lottery, I said, "get outta here! Seriously?"
~~When Ali claimed to have met a celebrity, his friends responded with a
skeptical "get outta here!"
~~When Amy claimed she aced the exam without studying, her friends said,
"get outta here! No way."

1. Save face
(to avoid embarrassment or humiliation, especially in a social or public
situation)
~~Tom accidentally spilled his drink but tried to save face by laughing it off.
~~John forgot his lines in the play, but Mary quickly improvised to save his
face.
~~Emily made a mistake during the presentation but managed to save face
with a clever joke.

2. In someone’s face
(confronting or challenging someone directly and often aggressively)
~~I hate it when people get in my face and try to intimidate me.
~~Zoe confronted the gossiping coworker in her face about spreading
rumors.
~~Jane was tired of the teasing and finally got in the bully's face to put an
end to it.

3. Double down
(to become more committed to a decision or course of action, even if it's
risky)
~~Sophie decided to double down on her studies after failing the first exam.
~~Amy knew it was risky, but she decided to double down and invest all her
savings.
~~Instead of giving up, Jake decided to double down on his fitness goals
and work out even harder.

4. Not the sharpest tool in the box


(not very intelligent or clever; lacking in mental acuity)
~~Alex may be a good athlete, but academically, he's not the sharpest tool
in the box.
~~Joe’s forgetfulness at work made others believe he's not the sharpest tool
in the box.
~~Lucy often asks basic questions; some people think she's not the
sharpest tool in the box.

5. Flesh and blood


(one's close relatives or family members)
~~Ivy is not just my colleague, she's flesh and blood, my sister.
~~David is not just a patient to me, he's flesh and blood, my dad.
~~Family is more than just flesh and blood; it's about love and support.
6. Lead on
(to deceive or mislead someone, often by creating false expectations or
promises)
~~Don't let someone lead you on with false hopes; seek the truth.
~~Steve was leading Emma on with promises of a promotion that never
materialized.
~~The scammer tried to lead on unsuspecting individuals with a fake
investment scheme.

7. Good grief!
(an expression of surprise, exasperation, or disbelief)
~~When grandpa heard the outrageous news, he exclaimed, "Good grief!"
~~Good grief! The traffic is so bad; we'll never make it to the airport on time.
~~Upon seeing the messy room, mom sighed and said, "Good grief! Clean
this up!"

1. Go ballistic
(to become extremely angry or agitated)
~~When Jane found out her car was stolen, she went ballistic.
~~My brother went ballistic when I accidentally broke his phone.
~~The coach went ballistic when the team lost the game due to a silly
mistake.

2. In and of itself
(by itself; without considering anything else)
~~The painting, in and of itself, is a masterpiece regardless of the artist's
reputation.
~~Freedom, in and of itself, is not enough; it must be accompanied by
responsibility.
~~Studying late at night is not harmful in and of itself, but lack of sleep can
affect your health.

3. Hand to mouth
(living in poverty, having just enough to sustain oneself)
~~After losing his job, Ben was living hand to mouth for several months.
~~With the economic downturn, even middle-class families were living hand
to mouth.
~~During the drought, many farmers lived hand to mouth, barely able to
feed their families.

4. You are the company you keep


(you are influenced by the people you spend time with)
~~Surround yourself with kind and thoughtful people; after all, "you are the
company you keep."
~~Old and wise people often say, "You are the company you keep," so
choose your friends wisely.
~~If you hang out with troublemakers, you are the company you keep, and
your reputation will suffer.

5. Hand in glove
(working closely together; in close association or partnership)
~~The siblings work hand in glove to manage their family business.
~~The detectives and the forensic team work hand in glove to solve
complex cases.
~~The chef and the sous-chef work hand in glove to create exquisite
culinary masterpieces.
6. Leave out
(to exclude or omit something or someone)
~~John felt hurt when they left him out of the invitation list.
~~Please don't leave out any ingredients when you're making the cake.
~~The teacher reminded the students not to leave out any information when
writing their essays.

7. Joke’s on you!
(is used to inform someone that they are the one who will suffer the
consequences of their actions)
~~You thought you were pranking me, but the joke's on you—I knew all
along!
~~Sophie thought she had outsmarted her brother, but he revealed the
truth, saying, "joke's on you!"
~~Jane tried to embarrass her colleague with a practical joke, but it
backfired, and he said, “joke’s on you!”

1. Lift the veil


(to reveal or uncover something hidden or secret)
~~The documentary aimed to lift the veil on the realities of living in poverty.
~~The journalist's investigation lifted the veil on corruption within the
government.
~~The whistleblower's revelations lifted the veil on the company's unethical
practices.

2. In two minds
(unsure or undecided about something; to be torn between two choices or
opinions)
~~I'm in two minds about whether to accept the job offer or not.
~~Sophie is in two minds about which university to attend next year.
~~We are in two minds about whether to go out for dinner or stay in and
cook.

3. Big cheese
(an important or influential person; someone who holds a position of
authority or power)
~~As the head chef, Pierre is the big cheese in the kitchen.
~~In Hollywood, the big cheese is often the producer who can greenlight
projects.
~~Tom thinks he is the big cheese just because he is the captain of the
football team.

4. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree


(children often resemble their parents in behavior or personality)
~~Amy has her mother's talent for painting; the apple doesn't fall far from
the tree.
~~John inherited his father's sense of humor; truly, the apple doesn't fall far
from the tree.
~~The Smiths are all doctors; it seems the apple doesn't fall far from the
tree in that family.

5. Give and take


(the principle of compromise or mutual concessions in a relationship or
negotiation)
~~A successful marriage requires a lot of give and take from both partners.
~~Parenting involves a lot of give and take, balancing discipline with
understanding.
~~In any negotiation, there has to be some give and take for both parties to
reach an agreement.

6. Pitch in
(to contribute or help with a task, project, or effort)
~~I'll cook dinner if you pitch in and set the table.
~~Everyone needs to pitch in and clean up the mess after the party.
~~It's a community garden, so everyone is expected to pitch in and help
maintain it.

7. Sucks to be you!
(is used to express indifference or lack of sympathy for someone's
misfortune)
~~You missed the last train home again? Well, sucks to be you!
~~When Kate complained about her long work hours, her colleague simply
replied, "Sucks to be you!"
~~After hearing about Joe's car breaking down, Jerry shrugged and said,
"Well, sucks to be you, I guess."

1. Pat on the back


(to praise or encourage someone for their efforts or achievements)
~A pat on the back can boost someone's confidence.
~Getting a pat on the back from my parents felt rewarding.
~Liz gave Tom a pat on the back for completing his project on time.
~John received a pat on the back from his coach after winning the race.
2. In lieu of
(instead of; in place of)
~We decided to present Amy a gift card in lieu of cash.
~Can I have an apple in lieu of a banana with my lunch?
~My firm offered me a bonus in lieu of a salary raise this year.
~I'll take a day off tomorrow in lieu of working extra hours today.

3. Hale and hearty


(healthy and strong, usually used to describe a person)
~Despite his age, Grandpa is still hale and hearty.
~After recovering from the flu, Mary felt hale and hearty again.
~Regular exercise and a balanced diet help keep you hale and hearty.
~The doctor said the patient is hale and hearty after the successful surgery.

4. Skeleton in the closet


(a hidden or embarrassing secret about someone's past)
~Everyone has a skeleton in the closet that they don't want others to know
about.
~It's best to confront your skeletons in the closet rather than letting them
haunt you.
~Revealing the skeletons in the closet can sometimes be a liberating
experience.
~Sue thought of her past affair as a skeleton in the closet that her husband
must not find out.

5. All and sundry


(everyone; each and every person)
~The news was shared with all and sundry.
~Joe invited all and sundry to his birthday party.
~Jack told his story to all and sundry who would listen.
~The announcement was made loud enough for all and sundry to hear.

6. Chuck out
(to discard or throw away)
~Don't forget to chuck out the expired food from the fridge.
~I decided to chuck out all the broken toys cluttering the playroom.
~After the party, we had to chuck out all the empty bottles and cans.
~It's time to chuck out these old magazines; they're just collecting dust.

7. Sure thing!
(is an enthusiastic affirmation indicating agreement or willingness to
do something)
~"Can you help me with this?" "Sure thing!"
~"Do you mind if I sit here?" "Sure thing, feel free."
~"Could you pass me the salt?" "Sure thing, here you go."
~"Would you like some more coffee?" "Sure thing, thanks!"

1. A walk in the park


(something that is very easy or effortless to do)
~Speaking English fluently is a walk in the park for us.
~For Amy, solving math equations is like a walk in the park.
~Cooking spaghetti is a walk in the park compared to baking a cake.
~After years of practice, riding a bike became a walk in the park for Timmy.

2. Out of sight
(not visible; beyond the range of vision)
~The car sped around the corner and was soon out of sight.
~After climbing the mountain, the valley below was out of sight.
~The moon disappeared behind the clouds and was out of sight.
~When diving underwater, colorful fish can quickly swim out of sight.

3. Turning point
(a significant moment or event that marks a decisive change in a
situation)
~The discovery of penicillin was a turning point in the history of medicine.
~Graduating from college was a turning point in Mark's life; he found a job
he loved.
~The invention of the internet was a turning point in the way people
communicate.
~Losing his job was a turning point for Sam; he decided to pursue his
passion for painting.

4. Might is right
(the belief or principle that power and strength determine what is just
or morally correct)
~In the wild, animals often operate under the principle that might is right.
~The dictator ruled with an iron fist, believing in the motto ‘might is right.’
~The bully in school often bullied others because he believed in might is
right.
~Throughout history, many rulers have followed the principle that might is
right.

5. Rank and file


(ordinary members of a group, especially in contrast to its leaders)
~The union negotiated a pay raise for the rank and file members.
~The CEO met with the rank and file employees to hear their concerns.
~The politician promised to fight for the rights of the rank and file citizens.
~It's important for leaders to listen to the concerns of the rank and file
workers.

6. Put across
(to communicate or express something in a clear and effective
manner)
~Jane struggled to put across her ideas during the debate.
~It's essential to put across your thoughts clearly during a job interview.
~The teacher used diagrams to put across the complex scientific concept.
~The artist used colors and brush strokes to put across the emotions in the
painting.

7. Touche!
(is used to acknowledge a clever or effective response or action)
~After Tom made a witty remark, his friend responded with "Touche!"
~"You made a good point about environmental conservation." "Touche!"
~"Your joke about my cooking skills was funny, I'll give you that. Touche!"
~When Sue countered Joe's chess move with a clever strategy, he said,
"Touche! Well played."
1. Stick your neck out
(to take a risk or put oneself in a vulnerable position)
~Don't stick your neck out too far or you might regret it.
~Jack always sticks his neck out for his friends, no matter what.
~I'm not going to stick my neck out for someone who won't appreciate it.
~Sue stuck her neck out by investing all her savings in the new business.

2. On the mend
(recovering from an illness or setback; getting better)
~Sam’s broken leg is healing well, and he's on the mend.
~The economy is on the mend after the recent recession.
~The team's morale is on the mend after their recent defeat.
~After a week of rest, Beth is finally on the mend from the flu.

3. Fly in the ointment


(someone or something that spoils an otherwise positive situation)
~The only fly in the ointment of our vacation was the rainy weather.
~Despite his talent, Zac’s bad attitude is always the fly in the ointment.
~The lack of funding was the fly in the ointment for my ambitious project.
~We had a great party until my drunk uncle became a fly in the ointment.

4. Too many irons in the fire


(having too many tasks or responsibilities at once, which could lead to
failure or neglect)
~Dad's burned out from having too many irons in the fire at work and at
home.
~I can't take on any more projects right now; I already have too many irons
in the fire.
~Tom's trying to juggle his job, family, and volunteer work—too many irons
in the fire.
~Amy’s grades are suffering because she has too many irons in the fire with
extracurricular activities.

5. Bow and scrape


(to behave very obediently or with excessive deference, especially
towards someone in authority)
~The politician was tired of people bowing and scraping to gain favor.
~Jim is always bowing and scraping to the boss, hoping for a promotion.
~Liz refused to bow and scrape to anyone, preferring to stand on her own
merits.
~The new employee's constant bowing and scraping annoyed his
colleagues.

6. Stick around
(to stay in a particular place or situation)
~Stick around after class if you have any questions.
~Stick around after the party; we're going to watch a movie.
~Don't leave yet; I want you to stick around and meet my friend.
~The doctor told the patient to stick around for the results, but he left early.

7. Go to hell!
(an expression of anger, frustration, or dismissal towards someone)
~I've had enough of your excuses. Go to hell!
~When John insulted Mary, she told him to go to hell.
~Eve was so angry that she screamed at her boss to go to hell.
~After the argument, Lucy shouted, "Go to hell!" and slammed the door.

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.

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