IDIOMS AND PHRASES

Idiom/Phrase Meaning Example

"Get your act To improve your behaviour or "You need to get your act together if you
together" performance want to pass this exam."

"Pull someone's leg" To tease someone by lying or "I'm just pulling your leg, I didn't really
exaggerating lose your keys."

"Break the ice" To make people feel comfortable in "The icebreaker activity helped us break
a social situation the ice."

"Don't cry over Don't worry about things you can't "Don't cry over spilled milk, just focus on
spilled milk" change the next step."

"Once in a blue Very rarely "I only go to the beach once in a blue
moon" moon."

"Take a rain check" To postpone a plan or invitation "I'd love to go to the movie with you, but
I'll take a rain check."

"The ball is in your It's up to you to make the next "I've done my part, the ball is in your
court" move court now."

"A pain in the neck" Someone or something that is "That neighbor is a pain in the neck."
annoying

"Bite the bullet" To do something unpleasant but "I knew I had to bite the bullet and go to
necessary the dentist."

"Get it off my chest" To talk about something that has "I needed to get it off my chest and talk
been bothering you to someone about it."
Let the cat out of the bag

In a sentence: I'm planning a surprise holiday for Liam to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
Don’t let the cat out of the bag!

Meaning: Reveal a secret by mistake.

Judge a book by its cover

In a sentence: I know he looks scary, but my dog is really gentle. You can’t judge a book by its cover.

Meaning: You shouldn’t make judgements based on appearance.

Under the weather

In a sentence: Ayano was feeling under the weather, so she left work early.

Meaning: Not well, slightly sick or ill.

By the skin of your teeth

In a sentence: Maddy caught the train by the skin of her teeth. It left a few seconds later.

Meaning: By the smallest possible amount of time.

I could eat a horse

In a sentence: I’m so glad I ordered an extra large pizza. I could eat a horse!

Meaning: I feel extremely hungry.

Beat around the bush

In a sentence: I wish my boss would stop beating around the bush and tell me what he really thinks
of my product idea.

Meaning: Avoiding a subject by talking about irrelevant things.

Have butterflies in your stomach

In a sentence: Jamal had butterflies in his stomach as he waited for his date outside the restaurant.

Meaning: Was excited and nervous.

A tough cookie

In a sentence: Debbie’s a tough cookie. She doesn’t mind when people criticise her work.
Meaning: Determined and physically or emotionally strong.

See eye to eye

In a sentence: I’m glad my boss and I see eye to eye about recycling in the office.

Meaning: Agree fully or have a similar attitude.

Cost an arm and a leg

In a sentence: My new suit cost an arm and a leg. I bought it in Milan.

Meaning: Cost a large amount of money.

Steal someone’s thunder

In a sentence: Megan stole my thunder when she told the professor the result of my experiment.

Meaning: Stole my idea, or diverted attention away from me

On the ball

In a sentence: He is really on the ball and never makes a mistake at work

Meaning: Alert and efficient

WORK PLACE IDIOMS :

1. "Get the ball rolling": To start something, get things moving.

 Example: "Let's get the ball rolling and finalize the project proposal by Friday."

2. "Hit the ground running": To start something immediately and with full energy.

 Example: "The new employee hit the ground running and was already making valuable
contributions."

3. "Cut corners": To save money or time by doing something in a cheaper or easier way, often at the
expense of quality.

 Example: "We can't afford to cut corners on quality, even if it means the project will take
longer."

4. "Call it a day": To stop working on something.

 Example: "Let's call it a day and discuss the rest of the issues tomorrow."

5. "Back to the drawing board": To start over because the original plan failed.
  Example: "Since the initial marketing campaign didn't produce the desired results, we need
to go back to the drawing board."

6. "Think outside the box": To think creatively or unconventionally.

 Example: "To address the problem, we need to think outside the box and explore some
alternative solutions."

7. "All hands on deck": Everyone's help is needed.

 Example: "With the deadline looming, it's time to get everyone on deck and work together
to finish the project."

8. "Pulling your weight": To do one's fair share of work.

 Example: "She's always pulling her weight and taking on more responsibility."

9. "In the driver's seat": In control of a situation.

 Example: "The project manager is in the driver's seat and is making all the key decisions."

10. "Jumping through hoops": Going through a series of difficult tasks or obstacles.

 Example: "Getting approval for the new budget seems like we're having to jump through
hoops."

11. "Keep the ball in your court": To make someone else take action.

 Example: "The decision is on your shoulders; the ball is in your court."

12. "Keep me in the loop": To keep someone informed about a situation or project.

 Example: "I need to be kept in the loop about the project's progress."

13. "Burn the midnight oil": To work late into the night.

 Example: "We may need to burn the midnight oil to meet the deadline."