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Commonly-Used Idioms, Sayings and phrasal verbs
Commonly-Used Idioms, Sayings and phrasal verbs What is the meaning of idioms? Words that come together and change the whole meaning of the statement like "it rains cats and dogs", did you ever seen cats and dogs falling off from the sky?! Of course not, but it simply mean "it is raining too hard" I hope that you got the whole idea by now Enjoy! Mr Doody A abide by (something) - to follow the rules of something The cleaning staff must abide by the rules of the school able to breathe easily again - to be able to relax and recover from a stressful time or event My friend was able to breathe easily again when his company did not go bankrupt able to (something) blindfolded - to be able to something easily and quickly The car was easy to fix and we were able to it blindfolded able to (something) standing on one's head - to be able to something easily and quickly The boy is good at fixing his bicycle He can it standing on his head Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com able to take a joke - to be able to let others laugh and joke about you Our boss is not able to take a joke We must be careful what we say to him about time - to be something that should have happened earlier "It is about time that you returned that book to me." about to (do something) - to be on the point of doing something I was about to leave my house when the phone rang above all else - most importantly of all Above all else, I plan to go to the Natural History Museum when I visit the city above and beyond - to be more than is required The work that the man did on our house was above and beyond what was required above reproach - to be not deserving of blame or criticism The actions of the police officer were above reproach above suspicion - to be very honest so that nobody will suspect you The man's actions are always above suspicion Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com absent-minded - to be forgetful My grandfather is very absent-minded and he often forgets his keys according to Hoyle - doing something strictly by the rules, doing something the usual and correct way "According to Hoyle, we should not use this room but probably nobody will complain if we use it." according to (someone or something) - as said or told by someone, in agreement with something, in the order of something, in proportion to something According to our teacher, there will be no class next week We did everything according to the terms of our agreement account for (something) - to provide an answer/explanation for something The bad weather accounts for the fact that only a few people came to the meeting acid test - a test where the conclusions are beyond doubt The problem was an acid test of our faith in the new manager acquire a taste for (something) - to learn to like something We acquired a taste for classical music during our trip to Europe Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com across the board - equally for everyone or everything The taxes increased across the board and everyone must pay more act high and mighty - to act proud and powerful The woman always acts high and mighty and nobody likes her act one's age - to behave as a mature person, to behave equal to one's age My friend never acts her age in public act up - to misbehave The children began to act up during the field trip add fuel to the fire - to make a problem worse, to make an angry person more angry The company added fuel to the fire when they criticized the workers add insult to injury - to make a person who already feels bad to feel worse, to make a bad situation worse Our boss added insult to injury when she refused to let us use the telephone and computers during lunch add up - to total up to a certain amount I plan to add up the money that I owe to my father Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com add up (to something) - to mean something, to result in something The things that my friend said about his boss not add up advise against (something) - to suggest that something should not be done We were advised against swimming in the river afraid of one's own shadow - to be easily frightened The small dog is afraid of his own shadow after Idioms after a fashion - poorly, barely adequate The cleaning staff cleaned the room after a fashion but not very well after all - in spite of what was expected I have decided to take swimming lessons after all after all - because of the reason given, something needs to be considered "You don't need to phone him After all, he never phones you." Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com after all is said and done - finally, when everything is settled After all is said and done the mayor of our city is doing a very good job after hours - after the regular closing or finishing time The library has a place to return books after hours after the fact - after something has happened The man said that he was sorry but it was after the fact He had already caused many problems against one's will - to be without a person's consent or agreement The police took the man to jail against his will against the clock - to hurry to something before a particular time We worked against the clock to finish the project ahead of one's time - to have ideas or attitudes that are more advanced than those of others The ideas of the politician were ahead of his time Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com ahead of schedule - before the time on a schedule that has been decided We finished our work ahead of schedule ahead of the game - to have done more than necessary We worked hard all week in order to be ahead of the game on Monday morning ahead of time - earlier than arranged or planned We started the meeting ahead of time so that we could go home early aim at (something) - to plan or try to reach a target We are aiming at a big increase in sales next year air one`s dirty laundry/linen in public - to make public something embarrassing that should be a secret The dinner party became uncomfortable when the host began to air his colleague's dirty laundry in public air one's grievances - to complain (often publicly) We aired our grievances during the monthly meeting air (something) out - to freshen something by putting it in the open air We put the blankets outside in order to air them out Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com alive and kicking - to be well and healthy My aunt is 87 years old and she is very much alive and kicking alive and well - to be well and healthy The worker is alive and well after the accident all Idioms all along - all the time, throughout I knew all along that my friend would not get the promotion all at once - suddenly, without warning All at once the fire alarm rang and we had to leave the building all day long - the whole day The girl is happy to wait all day long for the mail to arrive all ears - to be eager to listen to someone "I`m all ears, please tell me about the party." Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com all for (someone or something) - to be very much in favor of someone or something The woman is all for the manager and she never criticizes her all important - most important, urgent or necessary The meeting is all important and I plan to attend it all in - to be tired, to be exhausted I am all in and will go to bed early tonight all in a day's work - to be part of what is expected It was all in a day's work when the firefighters rescued the cat all in all - in summary, after considering everything We had a few problems but all in all the meeting was successful all in one piece - safely, without damage Our furniture arrived all in one piece after we moved all manner of (someone or something) - all types of people or things There were all manner of people at the party Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com all night long - throughout the whole night We could hear the people next door talking all night long all of a sudden - suddenly, without advance warning All of a sudden it became cloudy and began to rain all or nothing - everything, one hundred percent of something It is all or nothing If I cannot fully participate in the meeting I will not attend all-out-effort - a very good and thorough effort We are making an all-out-effort to finish our work all over but the shouting - to be decided and finished It was all over but the shouting for the football fans after their team moved to another city all over the place - everywhere We traveled all over the place on our holiday all right - okay, satisfactory I think that it will be all right for me to bring my friend to the party 10 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com with it - alert and knowledgeable My grandmother was not really with it just before she passed away with no strings attached - with no obligations attached I was given the car to use with no strings attached with one/both hand(s) tied behind one's back - easily I can look after the computer system with both hands tied behind my back with one's tail between one's legs - appearing frightened or cowardly (like a frightened dog) The man left the store with his tail between his legs after he had been accused of trying to steal something with open arms - greet someone warmly or eagerly My aunt and uncle were at the airport to greet us with open arms with relish - with pleasure or enjoyment I began my new job and started doing my work with relish with respect to (something) - referring to something, concerning something I not know what the company will with respect to the old computer system 980 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com with the best of them - as well as anyone He can play soccer with the best of them when he makes the effort within a stone's throw of something - very close (to something) We could not find the house even though I knew we were within a stone's throw of it within an inch of one`s life - almost dead The elderly man was beaten to within an inch of his life within calling distance - close enough to hear someone call We were within calling distance of the men in the boat within reason - sensible, reasonable Within reason, you should be able to take as much time off from work as you want in order to go to school without batting an eye - casually The criminal kept changing his story without batting an eye without fail - absolutely, for certain The postman came at noon everyday without fail without further ado - without further talk Without further ado they ended the meeting and began to serve coffee 981 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com without question - absolutely, certainly Without question, the boy was the fastest runner on the team without rhyme or reason - without purpose or reason It seemed that the dispute between the two men was without rhyme or reason (be at one's) wit`s end - not know what to I have been at my wit`s end all week trying to decide what to wear to the party wolf in sheep`s clothing - a person who pretends to be good but is not He is a wolf in sheep`s clothing and you should be very careful when you deal with him word for word - in exactly the same words I described word for word exactly what had happened before the accident word of mouth - passing information orally from one person to another I heard about the new restaurant by word of mouth (a) word to the wise - a good piece of advice I gave my friend a word to the wise before he started on his journey 982 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com work Idioms work in - rub in We spent a long time trying to work the softening cream into the leather work in (someone or something) - insert someone or something (into a schedule) My doctor was very busy but she was able to work me into her schedule work into (something) - force into something little by little He was able to work his foot into his boot but it was still very tight work off - make something go away (especially by working or exercise) He was able to work off much weight and is now feeling better work on/upon - have an effect on, try to influence I am working on my boss to let me have some time off this summer work one`s fingers to the bone - work very hard She has been working her fingers to the bone raising her three children work out - solve a problem I was unable to work out the math problem on the final examination 983 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com work out - accomplish, arrange Recently we worked out a unique system for filling out our expenses at work work out - exercise He spends most weekends working out at the health club work out (for the best) - to end successfully I hope that everything will work out for my friend when she moves to London next week work over - threaten or beat someone The gang worked over the storeowner in order to get some money from him work up - stir up, excite He really likes to work up a sweat when he does his exercises work wonders (with someone or something) - be very beneficial to someone or something The vacation in Egypt worked wonders on the mental health of our boss worked up - feeling excited, angry, worried He is all worked up because he wasn`t invited to the party 984 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com world is one`s oyster - everything is possible for one The world is her oyster now that she has received her MBA from Harvard University worm one's way out of something - wiggle out of a problem or a responsibility I was able to worm my way out of working on my friend's house repairs worse for wear - not as good as new, worn out I borrowed my friend`s canoe for a month and it is now beginning to look the worse for wear (not) worth a cent - not worth anything (usually negative) His old car broke down and is not worth a cent now worth its weight in gold - very valuable The advice of my supervisor is always worth its weight in gold worth one`s salt - worth what one is paid The man is definitely worth his salt and is one of our best employees worth one's while - worth one's time and trouble It is not worth my while to go back and get my hat which I left at the restaurant worthy of the name - good enough to enjoy a specific name The restaurant is fantastic and more than worthy of the great chef's name 985 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com would give one's right arm (for something) - be willing to give something valuable for something I would give my right arm to meet my favorite musician would just as soon - prefer to one thing rather than another I would just as soon stay at home as go to a movie wouldn't touch (someone or something) with a ten-foot pole - would not get involved with something for any reason I wouldn't touch that used car salesman with a ten-foot pole wrap around one`s finger - have complete control over someone and be able to make them anything you want She has her boss wrapped around her finger and can anything that she wants wrap up - put on warm clothes, dress warmly She wrapped herself up in her warm clothes and went out wrap (something) up - bring something to an end We wrapped up the meeting before dinner and went home wrapped up in - thinking about or interested only in one thing He is always wrapped up in playing with his computer wreak havoc with/on (something) - cause a lot of trouble or damage to something The hurricane wreaked havoc on the small town 986 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com write off - remove (an amount) from a business record, cancel (a debt) The bank was forced to write off a large amount of its debt write off - accept (a loss or trouble) and not worry any more about it He decided to write off his bad experience at his old job write out (something) - to write something on a piece of paper I plan to write out the recipe that I saw on television write up (something) - to write or describe something in writing (you usually write up something by using your thoughts or some notes that you have written somewhere) After our trip to Vietnam I spent a couple of weeks writing up our story for a travel magazine wrong side of the tracks - the poor side of town He married a girl who was from the wrong side of the tracks because he loved her 987 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com X X marks the spot - this is the exact spot We looked at the map and saw that X marked the spot where the accident had taken place 988 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com Y yakety-yak - a lot of talk about little things We spent the whole evening in a yakety-yak session at my friends year after year - for many years, one year after another We went to the lake year after year until we finally got tired of it year in, year out - every year Year in and year out the city had to spend money to fix the old stadium year round - during the entire year We usually spend all summer at a year-round vacation resort yellow-bellied - extremely timid, cowardly He is a yellow-bellied person who is not good to have as a friend yellow journalism - cheap and overly sensational newspaper writing The article in the paper about the scandal was a good example of yellow journalism yellow streak - cowardice in a person`s character He has a yellow streak and will not help defend his friends 989 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com yes-man - a person who tries to be liked by agreeing with everything someone says (especially by a boss) He is a yes-man who will anything that his boss asks him to yield the right-of-way - give the right to turn or move to another vehicle We were forced to yield the right-of-way to the fire engine at the intersection yoke around someone's neck - a burden for someone The complaints from the apartment manager were a yoke around our neck for several weeks You bet!/You bet your boots!/You bet your life! - most certainly, without any doubt "You bet your life I will be attending the conference next year." You can't please everyone - it is not possible to make everyone happy You can't please everyone and somebody in the class was always unhappy with what the teacher chose to You can't take it with you - use your money and enjoy life now because when you die it is no good You can't take it with you and you should enjoy your money and life while you have the chance You can't teach an old dog new tricks - people become used to their way of doing things and you can't get them to change You can't teach an old dog new tricks and my grandfather will never miss drinking a glass of milk before he goes to bed 990 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com You don`t say! - used to show surprise at what is said "You don`t say", he said when he heard about the accident on the highway You got me there - I don't know the answer to your question "You got me there What you think the answer is?" You said it!/You can say that again! - that's true, you're right (used to show strong agreement with what another person has said) "You can say that again," I answered when the woman mentioned how hot it was out in the sun You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours - if you will me a favor, I will you a favor The construction industry is known for its practice of you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours You`re telling me! - used to show that a thing is so clear that it doesn't need to be said "This restaurant is very expensive and the food is not so good." "You`re telling me." Your guess is as good as mine - your guess or answer is as likely to be correct as mine "Your guess is as good as mine," I answered when my friend asked me how to use the video player 991 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com Your secret is safe with me - I won't tell anyone your secret "Your secret is safe with me", I told my friend when he told me about his problems yours truly - oneself, I, me I told my friend that if he wanted to borrow some money he could talk to yours truly yours truly - a polite phrase to end a letter I usually end my letters with "Yours sincerely" but sometimes I use "Yours truly." You tell`em! - used to agree with or encourage someone in what they are saying "You tell`em," I yelled out to the politician who was making the speech 992 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com Z zero hour - the exact time when an attack or other military action will start The air force planes waited until zero hour in order to start out on their bombing mission zero hour - the time when an important decision or change is supposed to come We waited for zero hour and the time when the new computer system was supposed to begin operating zero in on - adjust a gun so that it will hit a target, aim at something The soldiers zeroed in on the target and began to fire their guns zero in on - give one`s full attention to We zeroed in on the problem of what to with the excess space in our office zero-sum game - a situation where if one person wins or gains something then another person must lose It was a zero-sum game with the manager and someone had to win or lose zonk out - fall asleep very quickly As soon as I got home last night I immediately zonked out 993 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com zoom in on (someone or something) - use a zoom lens to get a closer view of someone or something when taking a photograph The cameraman zoomed in on the players on the field This book was collected and printed through the internet, I just introduced it! For more information send me an email at: Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com Copyright © 2009 by Mr Doody All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission from Mr Doody 994 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com ... Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com alive and kicking - to be well and healthy My aunt is 87 years old and she is very much alive and kicking alive and well - to be well and healthy The worker is alive and well after the... everything The taxes increased across the board and everyone must pay more act high and mighty - to act proud and powerful The woman always acts high and mighty and nobody likes her act one''s age - to... 23 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com at sixes and sevens - to be lost and bewildered We were at sixes and sevens when the local grocery store closed at (someone`s) beck and call - to be always ready to serve