Getting Acquainted
1. suits me (fine) --- matches my taste; pleases me; I like it; fits her like a well-tailored suit and thus agrees with her personality and needs
A: Rob, this place just looks too crowded. What do you say we try the Thai restaurant right around the corner?
B: That suits me just fine, jean. So, you remembered how much I enjoyed that Thai dinner we had, when was it, a few months ago?
2. feel like--- [like is a preposition, usually followed by a gerund, such as seeing a movie] want to (do something); be in the mood for something or for doing something; feel an urge to; have an intuition or whim to do something A: Sam, do you feel like going over that budget report with me now?
B: Not really, to tell you the truth, but I guess we’d better take care of it now before things get really busy around here.
3. I don’t mind if I do--- Yes, I’d like to do that (by way of understatement); although I am stating it (ironically) as though I were not particularly interested in doing it, I actually would enjoy doing so.
A: Feel like joining us for a few beers after work?
B: I don’t mind if I do, although I’ve got loads of work waiting on my desk. A: Well, a little relaxation will give you a fresh outlook on it tomorrow.
4. get the feel of it---[can be followed by a gerund]gradually acquire the direct, hands-on-the-object sensation of doing a physical or mental task;’ gradually build up a habit or skill; personally test something out
e.g. Why don’t you take the wheel for a while just to get the feel of it, Sonal? Doesn’t she[my car] handle like a dream?
5. have a knack (for) --- [often followed by a noun or a gerund, such as
speechmaking] have a talent or special skill for a particular task or activity (also, have the knack of) compare with idiom, get the hang of it; contrast with idiom, lose your touch)
e.g. Karen has a real knack for getting things organized.
I wish I could help you with those calculations, but I’ve never had the knack of balancing numbers.
6. up for --- [generally used after some form of the verb to be; often followed by a noun or a gerund such as driving] in the mood for doing something; have the energy and interest for doing something A: Bert? This is Gene. How are you doing? B: Fine, Gene. What’s new?
A: I was wondering if you’re up for some tennis this afternoon. B: Great idea. See you at the courts at one?
A: OK, one’s good for me. Oh, and bring along your sketches for the office design, will you? We can look them over at lunch. B: That suits me fine. See you at once.
7. up to --- [generally used after some form of the verb to be; can be followed by a noun or a gerund] doing; what’s new?; ready, prepared, willing to do something
A: Hi, Jane. What are you up to this morning?
B: Hi, Sarah. Well, I’m going to check out some sales leads and then I have to hunt in the market for a new stationery supplier. Want to come along?
A: Sure. That’ll give me a chance to scout out a good printer for my new ads.
8. What’s the scoop? --- What is the secret that no one else knows? In newspaper talk, a scoop is a news story that no other reporter or newspaper know about or has yet published; thus, the reporter with the scoop is in the best possible competitive position, like enjoying a scoop of ice cream that no one else has yet. (similarly, what’s the story?; What’s up?)
A: Hi, Djanine, how are you doing? Say, what’s the scoop on all these closed-door meetings with Amalgamated’s attorneys?
B: I don’t really know myself, but they sure are intriguing. Do you think they might be talking about a merger?
9. clue me in --- give me a clue about what’s going on ( a key piece of
information to understand a mystery, as in a murder mystery or detective story); what’s the secret?; what do you know about this that I should know? Similar expressions are What’s up? And What’s new? (also, have a clue or got a clue)
e.g. Don’t keep us in the dark about these plans, will you? Why not clue us in? What do you want us to do?
A: Why do you think they turned down such a solid proposal? B: I haven’t got a clue.
10. play ball --- do business together; negotiate a deal; come together to work out the terms of a deal or agreement
e.g. Now that we’ve put this little misunderstanding behind us, let’s see if we can play ball to get this project moving and do some mutually profitable business together.
11. play hardball --- act aggressively; do business in a tough, aggressive manner; do whatever it takes to advance one’s personal, partisan, or business interests, without regard for the other party’s feelings
e.g. Now that we’re being challenged in our traditional market and even
attacked in their advertising, it’s time to play hardball. In our next few ads, we need to point out specific design and safety flaws in their product.
12. clout --- power of an irresistible nature (visualized here as a heavy fist, big stick, or club); (using) influence over people to accomplish a task, sometimes in a manipulative way
e.g. I want you to use all the clout you can muster to get this job done by deadline, Rafael.
This organization will use all its clout to get the proposal enacted as law.
13. foul --- unfair; possibly unethical (also, foul ball; foul play --- British)
e.g. I don’t mind criticism of my methods or efforts. After all, I still have a lot to learn from other people about what works best. On the other hand, when someone attacks my family, that’s definitely a foul and I won’t stand for it.
When they used their consultancy and inside knowledge to gain a trading advantage, they really committed a foul. Now the federal commission is investigating their records for possible criminal indictment.
14. bounce a few ideas off you --- explain some of my ideas to you to find out what you think of them; if my ideas suggest any ideas to you, please let me know; what is your reaction to these ideas? (compare with idiom, pick your brain)
e.g. In order to set our plan in motion, let’s all bounce a few ideas off each other today and see if we can design some really useful and innovative software.
15. get the hang of it --- [can be followed by a gerund] gradually acquire a
difficult skill through practice and repeated effort (compare with idiom, have a knack for)
e.g. I think I’m finally getting the hang of driving on these highways. It sure takes a lot of practice, though.
A: I don’t think I’ll ever be able to deal with clients the way you do, Delia. B: Oh, after a few days’ practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Then they’ll be calling you for business.
16. get to first base --- accomplish the preliminary step toward a desired goal, toward a home run in baseball; successfully complete the first step in an involved process
A: I invited the clients to lunch. I wined and dined them, drove them to see a number of available properties all over town, explained the pros and cons of the various deals in a fair way, but I don’t know, I can’t seem to get to first base with them.
B: Did you try really listening closely to what they have to say? What do they want to accomplish?
17. ballpark figure --- a rough estimate; somewhere in the vicinity (ball-park) of the actual figure; an approximation (also, in the ballpark) A: How much will the new model cost, Seung mee? B: I don’t know. The figures haven’t come in yet.
A: That’s all right. It doesn’t have to be precise, just a ballpark figure.
A: Sorry, Mr. Branton, the final bill comes to $12.50 over the estimate.
B: That’s OK, as long as it’s somewhere in the ballpark. Your work’s always been reliable.
18. off base --- (1) wrong, incorrect; (2) transgressing the boundaries of propriety, morality, or common courtesy
(1) A: Wasn’t it the office entertainment budget that caused this deficit?
B: No, you’re way off base. It was definitely the overspending on equipment maintenance.
(2) I think they were really off base when they offered the deputy a gratuity for his help.
19. out of line --- acting improperly or impolitely; acting outside the accepted way or boundary of doing things (contrast with idiom, on line)
A: Are you sure his father’s connection with the board of directors didn’t get him that promotion?
B: You’re out of line on that one, Fred. You’ve got a tough case to prove if you’re trying to ignore or cancel out all his hard work. That’s a matter of public record.
20. out of bounds --- illegal; immoral; improper; acting outside the boundaries of the correct way of doing things (Running with the ball outside the boundaries in basketball, soccer. Or American football is an illegal action, for which a team must pay a penalty in score points.)
e.g. You can’t park that tractor on this side street. That’s definitely out of bounds in this city.
A: I didn’t like Sam’s embarrassing Barbara about that report deadline in front of her supervisor. It’s one thing to try to get ahead, but stepping over other people is a different story.
B: You’d think that he’d realize that kind of behavior’s out of bounds around here.
21. rough and tumble --- the problems, difficulties, and obstacles incurred in any competitive activity, as in American football; a fight or struggle from restrictions, in which anything goes or any strategy is acceptable
e.g. In the rough and tumble of international trade, protective tariffs might backfire and hurt the country’s own exports.
22. sitting on the sidelines --- not directly, actively participating, or playing; watching the activity as a spectator, but not committing oneself to join in e.g. Many investors are sitting on the sidelines in this volatile bear market, waiting to see which stocks will maintain some value.
23. grab the ball and run with it --- seize the opportunity and make our best efforts to do whatever it takes to win
A: Charlie, we both know what a tight market it’s been out there, but your ad campaign looks as though it could be a winner for us. So I want you to grab the ball now and run with it. We’re investing $300,000 on the magazine spots, just for openers.
B: Well, thanks very much, Mr. Laurelton. If you’re behind us and are willing to give this ad lots of promotion, I’m sure we can draw a significant market share.
24. go for it --- (1) experience an enthusiastic taste or desire for some food or project; (2)* aggressively run for the goal line; aggressively and actively take direct steps to achieve your goal; let nothing stand in their way toward getting what they want; act with self confidence.
(1) I could go for an ice cream right now.
(1) A: How would you like to go skiing in the Laurentians with us this
weekend?
B: I could go for it in a big way.
(2) A: I think I’m ready to try for that promotion very soon. I’ve been
working on this project for a long time now. B: Well, go for it!* Give it all you’ve got.
25. way to go!* --- Hurray! That’s the way to get the job done! Congratulations! Great job! That’s the right way to do it!
A: Did you hear about Arlene? She got her article published by Business Journal.
B: Hey, way to go*, Arlene!
Note*: These two expressions, go for it (second meaning) and way to go,
should be used sparingly; they are used so often that they are rapidly becoming clichés and tend to make speech sound exaggerated or insincere.
26. in the thick of it --- directly involved in the middle of the action, along with all its complications
e.g. it’s not always easy to be calm and objective when you’re in the thick of the struggle.
27. through thick and thin --- during prosperity or winning games (thick) and adversity or losing games (thin or scarcity); during the fat and the lean years; during good times and bad; in sickness and in health; richer or poorer; for better or for worse
e.g. How can I ever thank you, pal, for your loyalty and support through thick and thin?
28. tough it out --- persevere in one’s beliefs and course of action in spite of
adversity, in the faith that one will win; stick it out, that is, remain steady and committed throughout troubles (also, hang tough)
e.g. I’ve been advised to make concessions in the interest of peace, but there can be no compromise with our goals. I’m going to tough it out until these adverse conditions turn to our favour.
29. tackle --- as in American football, aggressively and bodily block the opposition’s advance toward its goal; deal with or attack a problem
aggressively, as though using pulleys to hoist or lift a heavy load. (compare with idiom, head on)
e.g. I’ve got just three more days (before April 15) to tackle my tax forms.
The team of engineers is tackling the overheating problem at the
Pittsburgh plant. They will shortly complete a prototype design to overcome this last obstacle.
30. hush out our differences --- work out a difference of opinions by confronting them, with the goal of negotiating a compromise (compare with idiom, settle our differences)
e.g. I’m sure that, if we can just lock them in one room together. they’ll eventually hash out their differences and compromise on an agreement that’ll let the whole company get back to productive work.
31. beat me to the punch --- used when one competitor delivers the effective action or punch right before the other competitor has a chance to do so
A: we were all set to introduce our new line of car care products, but they beat us to the punch.
B: Well, isn’t there enough room for both of your lines?
A: Not in that market. They signed an exclusive contract that prohibits the distributor form carrying any competitive product for three years.
32. wrestle with the hard facts --- deal with unpleasant but true conditions that are unfavourable to one’s own welfare, but that must be taken into account
e.g. Most countries, whether they import or export, are going to have to start wrestling with the hard facts of international trade competition intensifying because of lower wages, government subsidies, and protective tariffs.
33. no holds barred --- any hold (as in wrestling), maneuver, or strategy is fair; no tactic is forbidden; anything goes; whatever it takes to win is OK
e.g. Some people feel that international competition requires a no holds
barred strategy, a kind of ―all’s fair in love and war‖ attitude; others feel that, since modern global communications make this a small planet, a certain degree of cooperation is necessary. What’s your position?
34. lock horns (with him) over --- [over is a prep here, requiring an object] argue over an issue so that each party refuses to retreat, as two competing rams or bulls might do in butting heads to force the other back
e.g, So far, neither partner will give in. They’ve been locking horns over the sale of that property for several years now.
35. take the bull by the horns --- rather than avoid a problem, attack the problem aggressively, as a cowboy at a rodeo wrestles a bull to the ground by his horns (also, grab the bull by the horns)
e.g. We can’t wait for this problem to solve itself. We have no choice except to take the bull by the horns and meet our competition’s challenge with a bold new advertising campaign of our own.
36. on the horns of a dilemma --- finding oneself faced with two unavoidable alternatives which are both very difficult and to some degree undesirable; faced with the necessity of making a very difficult decision; being confronted with an unpleasant choice
e.g. We’ve been in tough places before, Sanjay, but now we’re really on the horns of a dilemma. If we don’t move soon, the property will depreciate badly. If we do move, we risk having to start up the business again in unfamiliar territory.
37. between a rock and a hard place --- under very difficult circumstances;
squeezed between unpleasant alternatives in a choice one would rather avoid A: When can you let us know your decision about the promotion, sir?
B: Very soon now. See, we’re between a rock and a hard place, since you’re both very valued employees. Unfortunately, there’s only one opening right now.
Last year, when the mortgage came due, the company was between a rock and a hard place. We were forced to sell off some of our assets. Only lately have we started to make a comeback from those troubled days.
38. stay the course --- persist in an effort despite great difficulty, like a sailboat continuing into stormy weather and strong head winds (compare with idiom, go the distance)
e.g. If we can just manage to stay the course through year’s end, we have a good chance of recouping our investment with our spring fashion collection.
39. clear sailing --- easy; without problems; the feeling that everything’s going my way
A: We’ve done all the hard work of planning, fund raising, troubleshooting, and implementing our design. I think we can look forward to clear sailing ahead.
B: Maybe, but now’s not the time to relax our efforts.
A: Of course not. We have to stay awake and sensitive to market trends
always, but we’re already enjoying a return on our efforts, and it’s likely to keep growing.
40. take it in stride --- reduce a problem to an ordinary task, easy to handle as part of one’s routine method of working, as in one’s walking stride; relax and the problem shrinks in size and seriousness; accept the upsetting news as though part of one’s routine, as no big deal; remain calm and unfazed by trouble; take things easy ( contrast with idiom, tackle, and idiom, lock horns)
e.g. Cheryl’s taking the layoff in stride. She’s written a new resume specifying her job responsibilities and accomplishments, not just her title. She’s already arranged a couple of interviews.
41. uphill battle --- a struggle against great odds, against strong opposition
e.g. It looks as though we’ll have an uphill battle trying to convince people to give up their large cars.
42. downhill --- (1) easy; simple; relaxing (2) disappointing; anticlimactic
(1) Wow! What luck! I never expected to get our design approved by Mr. Kane
without a whole series of revisions. Since he did approve, we can relax now. It’s all downhill from here.
(2) A: So you’ve seen this movie before? B: Yes. We might as well go now. A: Why?
B: It’s all downhill from here.
A: I know what you mean. I can predict who the killer is right now. It’s pretty
obvious.
42. on a roll --- [usually used after some form of the verb to be] having one success after another, almost as if one success causes a series of successes (compare and contrast with idiom, chain reaction, and idiom, vicious circle) e.g. Betty’s sure on a roll now. Looks as though she can do no wrong. First she managed to predict that upturn in market prices; then she realized a hefty profit on her stocks; next she advised her clients into some very solid
investments. At the rate she’s going I wouldn’t be surprised if they offer her the whole department.
43. in the swing --- [usually used after some form of the verb to be] be actively in harmony with or attuned to the rhythm of some event, process, game, or task, as if executing a perfect golf swing or dance step (also, in the sing of things) eg. With this August humidity, I’m not really in the swing of things, but just wait till the September orders start coming in. the phone’ll be ringing constantly and I’ll have more business than I can handle alone.
Racing and game analogies
1. game plan --- strategy; an outline of tactics and methods carefully designed to achieve a specific goal
e.g. The game plan for this coming fiscal year is to develop software designed exclusively for our personal computer, so that we can acquire a greater market share in both the soft-and hardware fields.
2. the name of the game is --- ―Here’s what the situation’s really about, regardless of what you may have been told before.‖ (often offered
confidentially; often implies a competitive nature underlying or hidden in the procedure.)
e.g. The name of the game is getting ahead of the competition.
The name of the game is making things better for the greatest number of people.
3. ahead of the pack --- running, working, or progressing in front of the competition, as in a race; leading others
e.g. So far, the Republication candidate is running ahead of the pack but not by much. The Liberal and the Democratic candidates are close on his heels.
This new personal computer is so far ahead of the pack that they’ll have to invent something better than the silicon chip if they just want to catch up.
4. by a nose --- just barely, whether one is ahead and winning or behind and losing, as if one horse races to cross the finish line just a nose ahead of the competing horse; succeeding or losing by the narrowest possible margin or by the barest possible minimum (also, by a hair) (compare with idiom, by the skin of my teeth)
e.g. Ms. Krashaw and her opponent are running so close together in the latest opinion polls that she’ll be lucky to win just by a nose.
5. neck and neck (with him) --- neither competitor has an advantage or lead over the other. As in a horse race; neither competitor is ahead of the other; so far, it’s a tie
A: Bob and Eileen are running neck and neck for that promotion. Both have a lot of talent and hared work going for them. Who do you think will win? B: It’s hard to say right now. Probably the one with the most influential friends upstairs.
6. go the distance --- do everything necessary to complete the job successfully or to win a game, race, or competition of some sort (compare with idiom, stay the course)
A: The deadline for submitting the proposal and the project prototype is coming up soon, but the research team looks tired out or distracted. Do you think they can go the distance, Kaikai?
B: Can’t be sure, but I suspect they’re holding their best effort I reserve. I think they may just surprise us yet with a final burst of energy.
7. will it run me? --- How much will (does) it cost? (as though an item runs in a race at a certain rate or is metered like a taxi fare, or as though the price will make the payer run a distance, that is, perform some measure of work to afford it)
A: How much will this vacuum cleaner run me?
B: That’s our deluxe model. It’s warranted for two full years, parts and labor. It lists at $499.95, but this week only it’s on sale for $329.95.
8. high stakes --- great opportunity at a great risk or gamble; the possibility of winning a great deal with a possibility of great loss.
e.g. You should fully realize that, in deciding whether or not to expand our southern states’ operations, we’re playing for very high stakes here. The future of our organization will be determined by what we decide today.
Of course the stakes are high right now, considering that any investment in a recessionary climate is risky, but unless we stay abreast of our overseas competitors in technical development, the stakes will jump much higher as we find ourselves squeezed out of the market.
9. ( a lot) riding on it --- Important consequences depend on the risky outcome of this possibility.
e.g. We’re right behind you on this deal, Jim. Give it your best effort. There’s a lot riding on this contract.
Please take extra meticulous care of these stock purchase orders. There’s a fortune riding on them.
10. best shot --- one’s peak or best energy, intelligence, concentration, and willpower to succeed or to hit a target of any kind; nothing held in reserve, one’s best resources used, especially if or because the success of the outcome is in question
e.g. The challenging team has a lot going for it in terms of experience, size, and financial reserves. Still, we’ve collected a considerable sum and the
commitment of some very dedicated talent, so we’re going to give this bid for the contract our best shot and hope for a win.
11. long shot --- a very unlikely possibility for winning, as though a race horse has a long way to go just to catch up with the frontrunners, but it is a possibility that could pay a good deal of winnings since it is so unlikely; a venture
involving great risk and little chance of success but promising great reward if successful
A: What are we going to do? The deadline is tomorrow.
B: Well, it’s a long shot, but let’s program the computer to retrieve all the accounts receivable. Maybe we can trace the problem that way. A: Do you think it’ll work? B: It’s worth a try.
12. luck of the draw --- the way (controlled by fortune, not by human will) that chance or luck decides what one person becomes, does, or gets and what
someone else doesn’t, just as the cards are dealt out to players at random or as uneven preconditions are found (such as different financial and educational backgrounds); the given situation
A: You can’t allow yourself to be so discouraged. You did your best with the resources they gave you for the job. It’s the luck of the draw. B: Yeah, but it seems that I’m trapped.
A: Look, you did your best and your luck is bound to change. It can’t always be the same. The next assignment is likely to be more reasonable, and you’ll have a chance to show your talent.
13. the sky’s the limit --- There is no limit, as in betting or gambling, if both parties agree to such conditions; one can bet, invest, or spend as much as one likes.
A: How far are you willing to go in your commitment to our joint venture? B: The sky’s the limit.
A: What? You must really believe in our game plan.
B: I do. I’ve always been very optimistic about space technology. The future of industry rides on it.
14. fat chance --- [ironically, that is, implying the opposite of the literal meaning] the probability is very slim or small; very improbable, unlikely A: I’m going to win the lottery. I just know it. B: Sure, fat chance.
A: No, really, I can feel it in my bones. B: Well, good luck anyway.
15. (it) beats me --- ―(I) can’t figure it out.‖; ―(I) don’t know the answer or solution to a troubling problem.‖
A: Ralph doesn’t seem himself today. What’s bothering him?
B: Beats me. All I said to him was that his report looked pretty complicated, and he jumped up. Slammed the door, and shouted something about unrealistic deadlines.
16. cut our losses --- sell at a loss in order to prevent any greater loss; get out of a\\ contract or involvement at a disadvantage to avoid worse difficulties e.g. They lost so much in the market that they’ve started selling off their subsidiary companies to cut their losses and just concentrate on their manufacturing base.
17. on the money --- exactly correct (whether or not here is any prize money involved); a good prediction; accurate
e.g. I hear that Everett won the election by a 15 percent margin. You were right on the money with your prediction. Do you have a time machine or something.
18. call your bluff --- usually used in the game of poker, meaning to place a bet to challenge what one believes to be an opponent’s bluff, that is, pretense, at having a winning card combination; by extension, challenge somebody’s (or a rival’s) pretense that she would use a business or other strategy, weaponry, maneuver, or gambit, in the belief that she doesn’t really possess the means to accomplish that strategy.
A: If you don’t withdraw your bid, you may very well regret you ever got involved with this.
B: I’m just going to call your bluff and stand by my original bid.
19. turn the tables on him --- reverse by surprise someone’s strategy or attack and use it against him, as if the table could be turned around during a game of cards and thereby a player’s hand, (that is, the arrangement of cards dealt to him) would be switched to his opponent, who would then have the winning hand
A: Suzanne has been trying to win some of my major clients away from me. B: What’s she been doing?
A: She’s called and asked them to lunch, claiming to offer better rates. Some of my clients, however, have called to tell me about her attempts. I think I can turn the tables on her by reviewing her rates which usually have restrictions and limitations. I also stress, and my clients recognize, the years of after-sale service I’ve provided.
20. ace it --- do an excellent job on a test or challenge; do a grade-A performance; win 3with an ace, the A card in a desk of playing cards (the best card)
e.g. Since Ronnie aced the licensing exam, she’s first in line for the promotion to the regional manager position.
Play and acting analogies
Many forms of popular and artistic entertainment, such as plays, musicals, movies, and showmanship have come to represent aspects of the business and social experience. As William Shakespeare expressed it,
All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women in it merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts.
1. in the groove --- attuned to something; connected with the rhythm of life or of some experience, like a stereo needle that is in a record groove and thus transmitting music
e.g. The night we first met, everything seemed just right. It was warm June night, the sky was so clear we could see the constellations sparkling over the lake, and we were in the groove with the whole beautiful scene.
2. in tune with --- in agreement with; in harmony with; attuned to (compare with idiom, on line, and idiom, on the same wavelength)
e.g. After months of negotiations, I believe we’ve reached a point at which both our organizations are in tune with our government’s anti-inflation guidelines.
3. to the tune of --- costing a certain number of dollars, as though money plays a tune that must be danced to
e.g. It’s a fine old house, but the necessary restoration work, to the tune of at least $70,000, is discouraging potential buyers.
4. run the show --- control the whole operation; make the decisions that control the business or event
e.g. The manager asked four of us to organize our exhibit for the Vancouver trade convention in October, but Derek’s maneuvers to run the show have been causing lots of resistance. So far, disorganization is a better description of our efforts.
5. stage fright --- the fear or anxiety that a person usually feels when he has to perform anything before an audience or in public, as though he were on a theatre stage
e.g. It’s natural to feel stage fright before an interview, but taking a few slow, deep breaths will calm you and help you remember to stress your accomplishments in your previous positions.
6. break a leg! --- Good luck! (wished to someone before a performance of some sort) (an ironic reversal of the worst thing that could happen to a stage actor, offered in the spirit of encouragement and good cheer)
A: Tomorrow’s my first day on this new job. They’ve done everything they can to make me feel welcome as a member of their team, but I’m still nervous. B: You’ll do just fine. Break a leg! A: Thanks.
7. coming up roses --- succeeding in any endeavour, as if receiving a bouquet of roses as congratulations for a wonderful theatrical performance
e.g, I don’t know anyone who’s rehearsed as hard and who’s as committed to her role as Tanya is. Now that the audience loves her performance, she’s been offered a contract to star in a new movie --- everything’s coming up roses for her, and no one deserves it more than she.
8. make a big splash --- make a great impression on people; become very popular
e.g, The personal stereo has made a big splash with all kinds of people, from students to businesspeople --- anyone who needs a musical break from the daily routine.
9. all the rage --- something or someone very popular and very much in demand, so much so that people are virtually crazy (in a rage) to get or experience it or her, like a fashion or a singer
e.g. When inflation climbs uncontrollably, speculation in gold becomes all the rage.
10. a hot item --- (1) something very popular, desirable, perhaps scarce, selling very fast; (2) stolen merchandise offered for sale
(1) This week only, we have a very hot item on sale. It not only filters the
air, but it’s also self-cleaning.
(2) That’s a very tempting offer, I know, but I’d check whether or not it’s
a hot item before I lay down any cash, if I were you. The police might have something to say about it.
11. selling like hotcakes --- selling very fast, sure to be scarce very soon; very popular, very much in demand, because (they are) very tasty or attractive in some way
e.g. When compact cars were first introduced in the U.S., car manufacturers couldn’t give them away, but ever since the energy crisis, they’re selling like hotcakes.
12. coming attractions --- originally from movie theatre parlance, used to advertise for future movie releases; (now applicable to any field) notifying a potential audience of any future occurrence in order to promote it
e.g. As our coming attractions, Ms. Rosley and Mr. Wilkin will be speaking to us about the investment opportunities in telecommunications right after lunch today.
13. crystal ball --- a glass ball with supposedly magical properties used by
magicians allegedly to foretell the future or describe the invisible; hence, by extension, any way of predicting (often used ironically)
14. waiting in the wings --- waiting offstage (in the wings of a theatre stage) or anywhere out of pu7blic view for the right moment to make a dramatic appearance and begin one’s performance or act (as on a theatrical stage) e.g. We’re pleased to announce that waiting in the wings we have computer workstations available for each staff member. When we’re all networked
together, our productivity will increase, while each of us can stop wasting time duplicating each other’s efforts.
15. on the edge of my seat --- witnessing a very suspenseful event with great anxiety, nervousness, or tense expectations
e.g. Gerry’s performance kept me on the edge of my seat all evening. I really couldn’t tell whether or not she was the murderer right until the climax.
During this leveraged buyout bid, management was on the edge of its seat throughout the shareholders’ voting. Fortunately, the bid was rejected in favour of management’s restructuring plan to boost profits and dividends by next year.
16. on the air --- what is currently happening is being broadcast live (not
prefilmed), as if on television or radio airwaves; everyone can see and/or hear you at the exact moment you speak; the moment of truth (contrast with idiom, in the air)
e.g. Be careful of what you say. You’re on the air right now. Millions of people are listening.
17. in the limelight --- on stage; in show business; in the public eye; famous e.g. Executron Inc. has been in the limelight for almost a decade now with their line of computerized time-management tools for busy executives.
18. spotlight --- [noun] special emphasis; [verb] emphasize; stress; single out for special notice; highlight the main event or person, as in theatre lighting e.g. This week, as we approach one of the busiest holiday weekends in the entire year, the spotlight is on traffic safety.
19. focus on ---[on is a preposition, requiring an object, often a gerund]
concentrate on; direct your full attention to one particular task, aspect, or issue, similar to the way the sharpest area of a camera lens is directed at the most important part of a scene
e.g. With your permission, ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to focus on the root causes of our revenue shortfall, so that we might more efficiently look for a remedy.
20. stock response --- a standard, unoriginal, and often insincere reply to a remark or situation, as in a poor or imitative play A: Don’t you believe the sales staff?
B: Well, they gave me a stock response to my pointed question about the car’s service warranty. It wasn’t very detailed and just didn’t sound very sincere. A: Let’s look carefully at the fine print.
21. razzmatazz --- glitter and excitement; extravagant publicity; a dazzling but exaggerated show to impress the senses (but perhaps to distract the reasoning ability)
e.g. In all the razzmatazz of a political convention, it’s sometimes difficult to be sure of what a candidate really stands for.
22. hullabaloo --- exaggerated general, public excitement with great nose; wild rumors; uproarious public disputing
e.g. The television cameras focused so much on all the hullabaloo of party songs, cheers, and the general air of celebration at the rally that it was easy to forget what the candidate said.
Ricky’s mistake remark raised such a hullabaloo that he had to apologize publicly to his colleagues.
23. put me on --- [on is an adverb here, taking no object] play a joke on me or someone; trick or fool them; jokingly make someone believe something not true, but usually not harmful (compare with idiom, pulling my leg) A: Did you hear about Sarah? B: No, what happened to her? A: Well, she won the lottery.
B: What? You must be putting me on. A: She showed me the letter herself.
24. be straight with --- be truthful and direct with ( contrast with idiom, put me on, and idiom, beat around the bush)
A: They want our trust, but do you feel they’re being straight with us about that projected budget? What chance do we really have of containing the usual cost overruns?
B: Instead of the 40- to 50-percent profit margin they’re talking about, we’d be lucky to realize 15- to 18-percent.
25. straight man --- the partner in a comedy or other team who plays the sincere, truthful, and somewhat naïve person who makes trusting, straight statements which allow the trickster partner to twist their meaning and to play jokes on him or to make him the butt of the joke
A: Harry, did you hear the one about the four elephants? B: No, what is it?
A: Well, how do these four elephants get into a compact car? B: OK, I’ll play the straight man: How do they do it? A: Two in the back and two in the front, ha, ha!
B: Oh, boy. I hope you don’t’ have any more of those.
26. play a role --- (1) pretend (more or less innocently); simulate; pretend (with intent to deceive); (2) legitimately participate in or contribute to the making or creation of something or some event
(1) Be careful about trusting him too quickly --- he’s very likely just
playing a role which he’s had lots of practice with.
(2) Not only has Lauren played a role in the merging of our two
complementary organizations, but she’s also succeeded in finding a productive role for each of us in our joint decision-making process.
27. hype --- [noun] exaggerated version of the truth (perhaps from hyper ---
excessive; however, contrast with hyperbole --- an exaggeration intended not as deception but for emphasis); deceptive distortion, designed to sell a product, idea, or person; anything phony; [verb] exaggerate or distort the listener’s perception of something
e.g. Underneath all the hype about a bold new concept and the visionary shape of future architecture, Frontier World turns out to be just another unsubstantiated appeal for our financial support.
The way the city has been hyping its bond issue lately, I’m beginning to suspect that it’s not such a good value.
28. PR --- [noun; noun modifier] public relations hype, overstatement, or
exaggeration, based on the public’s perception of the fictitious nature of some press releases concerning movie personalities or companies with less-than-admirable service records; such press releases are designed to make those clients look good. It is important to recognize, however, that not all public relations activities are untrue. (PR are the initials of the public relations field, the professional goal of which is to promote public awareness of any client organization’s or person’s aims and service to the community.)
e.g. Who can believe all the PR that organization is releasing about its
concern for the environment when one examines its actual record of clean-up and disaster prevention?
29. gladhand --- shake hands and pat people on the back to give the impression or pretense of friendship, sincerity, and being one with the people
e.g. The candidate’s schedule for tomorrow calls for a full day of gladhanding the voters at the sopping mall and then an evening of more gladhanding at a thousand-dollar-a-plate dinner.
30. tinsel (town) --- some thing, event, or scene giving the illusion of wealth and glamour; an attractive surface with an ordinary, perhaps cheap, underlying reality or substance; like the attractively painted but cardboard movie scenery used in Hollywood; imitation
e.g. He would be better off not placing so much of his trust in that relationship. After all, what is it but a tinsel town romance/ I doubt that it’ll be solid enough to last.
31. the real McCoy --- the genuine article; a person who is what he says he is, often modestly (contrast with idiom, plastic)
e.g. With all the hype and promotion that fill our ears through the media, it’s often hard to recognize the real McCoy today.
32. Barnum and Bailey (world) --- the notion or impression that the world is run like a circus, in which the clowns turn everything upside down and where nothing makes sense
e.g. In this Barnum and Bailey world, do you really think it maters whether or not your letter arrives a day later than the delivery company promised?
33. by hook or by crook --- one way or another; whatever method --- whether or not strictly legal or proper --- is used, the effect must be accomplished (In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, in vaudeville stage shows, an unpopular performer who was not pleasing the audience was often removed, pulled off the stage by a long hook extended under the curtain and looped the performer’s ankle.)
e.g. Don’t worry. We’ll meet our deadline by hook or by crook.
Body analogies
Various parts of the human body are often used in idioms referring to different abilities or psychological states.
1. see eye to eye --- be in or come to agreement by seeing or understanding what the other person is really thinking and/or needing; compromise; cooperate(compare with idiom, on the same wavelength)
e.g. Although we haven’t always seen eye to eye in the past, I’m sure we can both recognize that it’s to our mutual benefit to forget our differences and work together now.
2. see it in your mind’s eye --- imagine something so vividly that you can mentally see its details, movements, and effects A: I’m not sure of what you mean.
B: Well, try to see it in your mind’s eye. It’s a device designed something like an umbrella. It folds compactly but opens up to cover the whole apparatus.
3. just picture it --- imagine something in such sharp detail that one is almost living inside the vision, almost realizing it
e.g. I can just picture us lying in the sun on a white Caribbean beach against a turquoise sea. The soft breeze hums a sweet melody, while we’re dreaming that we’re sailing the air currents like a couple of gulls.
4. Capture the imagination --- intrigue or inspire someone to additional, associated, attractive ideas or projects
e.g. That movie showing the settling of the Texas frontier really captured her imagination. She’s been planning her senatorial campaign around that theme ever since then.
The personal stereo has captured the imagination of an entire generation.
5. the apple of her eye --- her delight; their love; the object of his affection e.g. He’d do anything for her; she’s the apple of his eye.
6. keep an eye on --- watch over someone or something carefully; guard it e.g. Keep an eye on the office while I’m out for a couple of hours, will you?
7. sight unseen --- without examining the object or idea offered for sale or for one’s acceptance or belief (compare with idiom, buy a pig in a poke) e.g. We’ve always had excellent service form your firm. I’ve studied the
specifications of the computer, and it has a money-back warranty, so I have no problem with buying it sight unseen.
8. right in front of my eyes --- conspicuous, but not noticed at first (similar to, but milder than, idiom, as plain as the nose on my face)
e.g. We’ve been searching for that key for days. We finally found it on the lamp table, right in front of our eyes the whole time.
9. as plain as the nose on my face --- totally obvious; plainly evidenced,
requiring no extraordinary effort of intelligence (Use this phrase with care, perhaps avoiding as plain as … your face, since other people may be offended by it if it is applied to them.)
e.g. Why didn’t I think of that sooner? It’s as plain as the nose on my face.
10. plain as day --- right there; easy to see; obvious (usually less insulting than idiom, plain as the nose …)
e.g. Here it is, as plain as day. I must have passed it a dozen times, but I just didn’t notice it till now.
(contrast this idiom, however, with an expression such as, Elementary, my dear Watson, which the fictional Sherlock Holmes says somewhat condescendingly and teasingly, to his old friend.)
11. slip of the tongue --- an accidental word or remark which one didn’t actually or consciously mean, but which may carry meaning to the listener in another (perhaps embarrassing) sense
e.g. Oops, sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that George is sly or untrustworthy. It was a slip of the tongue. I meant sleight of hand to imply that what he accomplished was like magic, rather than any kind of deceit or trickery.
12. figure of speech --- a way of expressing something that cannot be literally true, but that is true in an imaginative, pictorial, or symbolic sense (most idiomatic expressions are figures of speech)
e.g. I don’t think Bob meant to insult anyone when he said they were ―barking up the wrong tree.‖ It was just a figure of speech. He probably meant that he didn’t think that they’d found the right solution to that problem, that’s all.
13. tongue in cheek --- humorously; ironically; in a consciously exaggerated way; stated as if the tongue were twisted up into the cheek --- that is, not straight, therefore, not seriously, or as though the speaker were trying to prevent herself from laughing
A: Don’t you think Nancy’s very clever?
B: Well, I’m not sure I always get what she means. A: Like what?
B: Like the other day, she said she was sure we can trust our competitors to keep us posted of their new developments.
A: Oh, I’m sure she was just speaking tongue in cheek, actually, she’s been doing quite a bit of research on their products for months now, so she knows how secretive they can be.
14. it’s on the tip of my tongue --- I know the word, but I just cannot recall it at the moment
e.g. Isn’t that annoying? It’s right on the tip of my tongue, but for the life of me, I just can’t remember her name right now.
15. breathe easier --- relax; be relieved of a great problem or worry finally,
especially after strong anxiety (also, breathe easy) (Grammatically speaking, the phrase should be breathe more easily or breathe easily, which some people do say, but idioms often originate from slang, which is often ungrammatical. Many such idioms become generally acceptable in everyday, colloquial English.
e.g. Don’t worry, the auditors are gone now. They said they were satisfied that the books are in order. You can breathe easier. No one’s going to bother you now.
16. no sweat --- it’s easy (as pie) (simple or effortless); no problem (compare with idiom, piece of cake, and idiom, nothing to it)
A: Are you sure you can drive that trailer in this snow? B: No sweat. I’ve driven in even worse conditions.
17. beside myself (with rage) --- so angry that one might act in ways that are unusual for one’s personality or outside one’s regular self (the word rage is occasionally used in an exaggerated sense) (compare with idiom, bent out of shape)
e.g. When Roy heard he was going to have to start the project again from the beginning and throw all his previous work away, he was beside himself with rage.
18. up in arms about it --- protesting something, usually vocally, but very actively, as if taking up armaments or weapons (extensions of the human arm) against some enemy; angrily arguing against some perceived injustice or unfair practice
e.g. The tenants were up in arms about the landlord’s 30-percent rent increase.
19. tooth and nail --- with any weapon or method available; desperately and fiercely fighting or resisting, although not necessarily physically
e.g. We fought our critics tooth and nail with all kinds of hard data, but when it came to a vote, they won.
20. by the skin of my teeth --- just barely avoiding disaster and, by some act of grace or good fortune, just barely succeeding; almost failing, but very narrowly succeeding (compare with idiom, by a nose)
e.g. The way I passed the qualifying exam took more luck than skill. I got through it by the skin of my teeth.
21. head on --- [can be used as an adjective or an adverb; on is an adverb here, taking no object] direct; directly; meeting as if head-to- head; confronting the problem or situation directly; not avoiding or trying to evade (compare with idiom, tackle)
e.g. How fortunate we are to have avoided a head-on collision with that truck.
Gentlemen, I believe we have no choice but to meet the competition head on. We need to operate in their territory and to grant deeper discounts as our introductory offer.
22. get a swelled head --- become conceited or too proud of oneself often because of excessive praise by others (also, have a swelled head)
A: If you keep telling me how wonderful I am in landing contracts with our clients, I’m likely to get a swelled head.
B: Well, I’m not just praising your skill; you deserve lots of credit for your hard work and your ability to communicate with our clients.
23. knocking my head against a stone wall --- knowingly trying to do the impossible (also, knocking his head against a brick wall)
e.g. The mediator says union is rejecting all of our proposals for a compromise solution to this strike. It feels as though we’re knocking our heads against a stone wall.
24. off the top of my head --- without thought or preparation; impromptu or unprepared as a response or idea; describing the state of one’s first impressions, which remain to be scrutinized later
A: Do you have any suggestions for our new ad campaign, Sandra?
B: Well, off the top of my head, we might try doing a song with some kind of animation backup, maybe a little jazz group of house or alley cats on guitar and saxophone.
A: I like that. Humor would probably be effective.
25. (heard it through) the grapevine --- (learned about some event through) gossip; became aware of it along the unofficial but popular lines of communication; (learned it through) the random channels of communications of one’s friends and their friends or acquaintances, (the way a grapevine has many branch-offs and interconnections)
A: We heard that Terry and Phil might be getting married. B: Who’d you hear that from? A: Oh, through the grapevine.
The grapevine has it that the company will be opening an outlet in the
new shopping mall across town. That could be a great opportunity for trying out some of these new video display ideas of mine and maybe landing myself a fat promotion.
26. word of mouth --- personal recommendations among friends or associates, by spoken (versus written) words
e.g. Our best advertising is our reputation for quality, which has spread by word of mouth.
27. by the scruff of the neck --- involving some kind of forcing of a person --- usually for his own good --- to do something he would rather not do
e.g. If my counsellor hadn’t picked me up by the scruff of the neck and made me take responsibility for my own studies, I don’t know where I’d be today.
28. walk a mile in another man’s shoes --- see another person’s problem or situation from his viewpoint; see it trough her eyes (also, stand in another man’s shoes)
e.g. You know the American Indian saying that you shouldn’t judge another person until you walk a mile in his moccasins. Well, my friend was trying to avoid colliding with the car ahead, but his car skidded on the icy road into the railing. He’s never had an accident before. And there is no personal injury involved now. So, is it really necessary to classify this as the driver’s negligence?
29. pulling my leg --- [often used in a progressive verb tense, after are, were etc. ] joking with or teasing me (compare with idiom, put me on)
e.g. You’re pulling my leg. You didn’t really have lunch with the chairman and get his approval for your store design, did you?
30. bend over backwards (to please) --- take extra steps (beyond the necessary ) to satisfy or please; accommodate another person’s whims or demands to win her satisfaction
A: After we bent over backwards to meet their job specifications, they still rejected the contract offering. B: Why? What happened?
A: They said they regretted that budget considerations forced them to cancel the project.
31. scratch my back (and I’ll scratch yours) --- arrange a mutually beneficial trade, barter, or swap of services or favours; sometimes implies unethical or illegal deal making, but not necessarily so
e.g. I’d be glad to help you write your report if you’ll try to arrange a discount on my airfare to Calgary. You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.
The councilman is accused of awarding a contract to a manufacturer who contributed heavily to his reelection campaign under the table. It was a kind of scratch-my-back arrangement, you know.
32. back to the wall --- [back is a noun here] in a very difficult position, often having no choice, no alternatives, and being forced to defend oneself (also, back against a wall)
e.g. Before we give in, why don’t we propose one more compromise. We could accept a coexistence to our mutual benefit --- our back’s not to the wall yet.
33. hand to mouth --- just barely surviving, as though one’s hands are not able to make or earn more than just food
e.g. This funding of our proposal enables our agency to progress beyond its hand-to-mouth peroration and concentrate on serving the community’s need for quality health care.
34. in the palm of my hand --- accomplished, or achieved [in wishful thinking, that is, deluding oneself that a wish has already come true]; almost an accomplished fact (almost a fait accompli)
A: Victory is in the palm of my hand. All we have to do now is go out there and get it.
B: Right, after you. We’ll follow your lead, OK?
35. knows it like the back of here hand --- it’s very familiar; knows a place, thing, or situation in minute, precise detail (compare with idiom, knows his way around)
A: Can I follow you to the mountains? I’m not sure of the route.
B: No problem. My family’s been going there for years, so I know it like the back of my hand.
36. single-handedly--- individually, without outside help, heroically accomplishing some feat (not necessarily physical)
e.g. The prosecuting attorney single-handedly ended the policy of overlooking the illegal dumping of toxic wastes and pollutants into the waters of our district.
37. hand in hand --- working well together; working as a team; complementary to one another; combining one’s efforts with another person’s
e.g. Lowering the interest rates goes hand in hand with creating a more active housing market in our economy. The more houses sold, the more other industries and employees enjoy a share in the general wealth.
All of us in the research and advertising departments have been working hand in hand to make this product a success.
38. have a heart --- ―(please) don’t be so demanding‖; be compassionate (compare with idiom, give me a break, and idiom, lighten up)
e.g. Have a heart, will you, officer? I had to drive my wife to the hospital, and I’m only double-parked here for a minute. I’ll be on my way right now, OK?
Color analogies
1. out of the blue --- all of a sudden; completely unexpectedly, as if a gift or a shock form the sky, like lightening or a stroke of good luck; striking one as a complete surprise (also, bolt form the blue)
e.g. There we were drawing the plans for the office layout when out of the blue Loretta announced that the company has decided against moving. We’ll be expanding the facilities in Winnipeg instead.
2. once in a blue moon --- almost never; very rarely; virtually impossible e.g. Once in a blue moon we develop a friendship based on totally devoted loyalty.
3. blueblood --- [sometimes a derogatory phrase] someone believed to be an aristocrat, as if there were blue blood in his or her veins (that is, rare,
uncommon blood) and as if such blood were a sign of inherent good breeding or nobility
e.g. It’s the blueblood in her that makes Elizabeth act so courteously even to someone who antagonizes her.
They’re such bluebloods they have no idea of what it means to lose a week’s work.
4. (feel) blue --- depressed; down in spirit or morale; sad A: You look so blue, Ted. What’s the matter?
B: Oh, nothing. I don’t know. I just can’t seem to get her off my mind. A: Sure, it’s rough now. You’ll meet someone else. You’ve got to give it another try. How’d you like to meet a good friend of my sister?
5. blue skies --- no clouds in the sky; a sunny day or atmosphere; an optimistic situation
e.g. We’ve survived some very trying days getting our own business going, but now that we’ve signed this contract, I have a feeling it’ll be nothing but blue skies from here on in.
6. (every cloud has a ) silver lining --- Within every misfortune, there is an element of hope or some positive feature.
e.g. Sure you’re feeling bad about not shining on that interview, but keep in mind the silver lining --- at least now you have a clear idea of what they expect in your field and you can prepare better responses for the next interview.
7. purple prose --- a description that is excessively colourful, lush, or exotic; overloaded with exaggerated poetic stylistic tricks
e.g. The ad’s description of the land is in such lush, purple prose it’s almost embarrassing to hear.
Will you spare us the purple prose? What are the plain facts and figures about this property you want to sell us?
8. see red --- become enraged when provoked, as a bull is believed to become enraged at the sight of a red cloth or flag waved in front of him
e.g. Please excuse me. It’s not your fault, of course. It’s just that I see red when I hear my country being criticized so much.
9. red eye --- the late-night and overnight airline flight, session, or ride, implying extra work, even overwork, and fatigue, a sign of which is often the veins appearing in one’ bloodshot eyes
A: What’s up, Shirley? You seem to be running every time I see you lately. B: I am. It’s this advertising contract we’re negotiating. I have to catch the red eye to Houston tonight. I hope to bring back a signed agreement by tomorrow night.
10. paint the town red --- celebrate exuberantly, publicly, often loudly
e.g. When I get back from Edmonton with that contract in my hand, we’ll go paint the town red, OK?
11. in the red --- operating at a financial deficit, at a loss (These numbers are usually written or printed in attention-grabbing red ink on accounting sheets, as a danger signal, as though losing blood.) (also, red ink)
e.g. Allied’s overhead expenses, with the astronomical rent and inflationary interest rates, have driven their company in the red.
12. in the black --- operating at a profit (These numbers are usually written or printed in black ink on accounting sheets.)
e.g. With a flood of new orders from the advertising campaign and with the result of trimming the operating expenses, we’ve been running in the black for the past three years.
13. black and blue --- bruised or externally injured (skin), usually as the result of a beating or an accident; bruised or injured in one’s pride
A: I hear that Bill was really lucky to escape unharmed from that terrible car collision.
B: Really. Except for a few black and blue marks on his face and arms, he got out without a scratch or a broken bone.
14. in the pink --- in a healthy condition because the skin looks pink from good blood circulation; flush with well-circulating blood A: You look relieved.
B: I am. The doctor just called with my test results. She says I’m in the pink. She gave me a clean bill of health. A: That’s great. Congratulations.
B: Thanks. I guess the routine of my exercise and diet is beginning to pay off.
15. yellow --- feeling, acting, or behaving like a coward, often depicted as a chicken; cowardly; without courage
e.g. The stock market lately is volatile and risky enough to make most people a little yellow about investing.
16. green with envy --- so envious that it almost turns one’s skin green or sickly e.g. Everyone in the department was green with envy when we first heard
about Jill’s promotion to district manager, but most of us have to admit that no one deserves it more than she.
However, by itself, green means something quite different, namely: inexperienced; operating like a novice or beginner; naïve
I was just a green trainee when they started introducing personal
computers in our office, so I didn’t realize at first how revolutionary they were going to be.
17. long green --- money (the American greenback dollar)
e.g. This is a film which could be made and maybe should be, but it will take lots of long green to do.
It’s a very tempting investment you’re proposing, but right now I’m a bit short on the long green.
18. local color --- details from the neighbourhood or from whatever is familiar, forming a description that affects one as a color close-up scene in a movie would
e.g. If you’re looking for local color to round out your report on employee attitudes, try hanging out at the Rusty Nail Saloon. Lift a few glasses with some of the regulars there. They’ll tell you how things are really going.
19. pass it with flying colors --- succeed with great distinction; do a task or meet a challenge beautifully, as if flags (colors) are flying in celebration
e.g. Christine passed her bar exam with fly8ing colors. Her family couldn’t be any prouder.
Logical Analogies
The principles of logic and reasoning are often invoked idiomatically in everyday experience.
1. got to do with --- logically related to or connected with (also, have to do with) e.g. What’s that got to do with the topic we’re discussing?
What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? [an exaggerated, faintly humorous, and widely used way of asking what the remotest possible
connection could be between some remark and the topic at hand, China being situated on the opposite side of the globe from North America]
2. has nothing to do with --- there’s no logical connection between (that and this) e.g. No, our decision not to buy the property now has nothing to do with its value or our feelings. Right now, instead, the problem is financing at these high interest rates.
3.it’s a question of --- ― the real cause is‖; ―the reason that (something) can’t happen is‖’ ―the issue actually is‖
e.g. We’d like to accept your offer, but it’s a question of scheduling. Let’s try to arrange a meeting for next week, OK?
4. skirt the issue --- avoid the problem or topic under discussion by creating a
distraction toward other details; change the subject to avoid an embarrassing question; go widely around the issue at hand
A: What makes you so sceptical about the midtown construction project, Susan B: Every time we ask how many tenants have agreed to sell their lease rights, the contractor skirts the issue with all this talk about attracting new businesses and creating all kinds of new jobs in the area.
A: Hmmm, sounds as though they’re trying to hide something. We’d better check it out.
5. duck the issue --- avoid the problem or topic under discussion which may be
embarrassing , as a duck would attempt to hide its whole body under water by merely submerging its head
e.g. The ship’s officers tried to duck the issue, but under persistent questioning they finally got around to admitting that they had forgotten to secure the ship against the storm.
6. beat around the bush --- discuss at length almost anything beside the main point (perhaps to distract people’s attention away form the main issue) (also, beat about the bush) (contrast with idiom, be straight with)
e.g. Let’s not beat around the bush, shall we? Let’s get down to business. Your offer on the apartment doesn’t cover the number of major improvements made.
7. red herring --- any distraction or decoy from the main point of a logical argument (It distracts the eye because the color is unusual or unnatural. In detective stories, a red herring is a clue or suspect to whom much of the evidence points too neatly and too obviously, so that the clever detective suspects a trick and looks elsewhere for the murderer.)
e.g. The broken water cooler is just a red herring the union is using to deflect attention away from chronic absenteeism.
8. rule of thumb – a general, approximate (rather than precise) impromptu guideline or norm to apply to a wide range of situations, like using a thumb-length to indicate a rough estimate of an inch
A: How do you estimate the monthly mortgage payment?
B: Well, the rule of thumb is to drop the two last zeroes off the figure you are borrowing, allowing of course for rises or drops in the interest rate.
9. out of the mouths of babes – The innocent often see the truth, whereas the worldly wise and experienced often overlook it.
A: Would you believe it? My young daughter told me I should listen to my wife’s idea about making peace with our neighbors. B: Out of the mouths of babes!
10. brief me --- give me a brief history or a background review concisely covering the major points of the subject to be decided on.
E,g, Dave, we’re going to be discussing the shipping contract at this afternoon’s meeting. Can you brief me about their rates and discounts?
11. open and shut case --- no doubt about it; a very clear case in which one is sure of right and wrong; the evidence clearly proves the argument, so the case will be concluded almost immediately after it’s opened
e.g. The evidence is clear --- they’ve failed to comply with the terms of our contract by deadline. It’s an open and shut case.
12. common sense --- that which is believed to be a natural intelligence belonging to everybody at birth, generally based on the human race’s drive for survival A: How do w e know that labour will agree to management’s terms before the deadline?
B: Well, common sense tells us that they won’t allow the company to go into the red any more than we will. I’m sure that our mutual interest in survival will pull us together.
13. stands to reason --- [often followed by that plus a subordinate clause] meets the requirements for a reasonable argument based on evidence and deduction; makes sense; is plausible; can stand up to and defend itself against a challenge of logic (compare with idiom, hold water)
A: I don’t get it, Meg. This is the third time in two weeks they’ve called off the signing of their contract.
B: Let’s try asking them what they want to renegotiate. After all, it stands to reason that anyone repeatedly postponing appointments for a contract signing probably doesn’t like some of those contract terms.
14. fly in the face of (reason) --- contradict; disprove; ignore; does not stand to reason or agree with the principles of logic
e.g. The notion that the world belongs by rights to any single nationality or race flies in the face or reason.
15. for argument’s sake --- just to help the argument or discussion along, to help (us) understand the issue more clearly; hypothetically(compare with idiom, on paper) e.g. Let’s assume, just for argument’s sake, that the new World had never been discovered. Would Asia and Europe have developed closer trade and cultural connections?
16. play devil’s advocate --- argue opposite a commonly or popularly accepted
opinion, or try to tear down or refute the argument, in order to strengthen the evidence and reasoning of the accepted opinion
e.g. If I might play devil’s advocate for a moment, let’s suppose that the trade deficit continues to grow. We would be forced rethink our policies. Would that necessarily be detrimental?
17. jump to a conclusion --- arrive quickly at a judgment or conclusion with
insufficient evidence, based on some prejudice or preconceived notion; perhaps a negation of the proverbial precaution to look before you leap, (that is, carefully gather evidence on which the conclusion can stand)
e.g. Let’s not go jumping to conclusions here. The fact that my client was at the scene of the crime doesn’t necessarily prove that he was the perpetrator. Someone else could have been there. I will produce evidence to prove that my client was an innocent bystander.
18. take a leap of faith --- since faith is not a matter of fact or evidence, but of
personal, internal conviction, one must leap across the gap between the known facts or across the abyss in which evidence doesn’t exist.
e.g. This kind of investment requires that a person take an enormous leap of faith in the turn-around development potential of what doesn’t amount to much more than swampland, don’t you think?
19. see the light --- realize or become convinced of a pre-existing truth, of which one was previously unaware
e.g. I never believed in the quality or reliability of LD Motors before, but now that my car’s odometer has just passed the 150,000 mile marker without a single major repair, I can finally see the light.
20. on paper --- ideally, theoretically, but probably not realistically or actually
(realistically would imply off paper, consequently part of the material world of risk, problems, and trial-and-error solutions) (compare with idiom, for argument’s sake)
21. hole in it --- a flaw, defect, or problem in an otherwise good idea, allowing water --- symbolizing reasons --- to leak out, or rain --- here symbolizing destructiveness --- to leak through a sheltering roof
e.g. your suggestion sounds like a reasonable compromise, but the hole in it is that we count on everyone’s arriving on schedule.
22. hold water --- be a solid argument, like a pail or jar solidly constructed to carry water without leaking; work successfully; (compare with idiom, stands to reason) e.g. It’s not economically feasible; your proposal just doesn’t hold water.
23.(won’t) wash --- it (won’t or doesn’t) stand up to the scrutiny or examination of reasoning, like a washing or rubbing against stones (that is, the facts or evidence) which can test out a fabric; not logical; has shaky or weak evidence
e.g. They’re accusing the agent of conspiring with the accused to defraud, but it won’t wash in court. They can’t have any evidence of his being in Trenton with the accused last Tuesday, since I’m testifying that we were both in Quebec all that day at the Trade Convention.
24. wishy washy – not strongly committed; indecisive; trying to be on both sides of an opposition without working out a legitimate, satisfactory compromise
e.g. Al’s thinking of transferring the Sudso account to some agency that isn’t so wishy washy about which advertising strategy to use. He wants people to commit to a credible game plan, and soon. Think we can develop a strong campaign and handle his account for him?
25. hassle --- [noun] bother or nuisance for a trivial reason; complication for some unessential (perhaps bureaucratic) reason; [verb] harass; cause someone unnecessary or undue trouble
e.g. What a hassle it is just to get a permit to operate a restaurant in this district!
Listen, you don’t have to hassle me just because I forgot my ID card, do you? You know me very well and, besides, I’ll show you my card tomorrow.
26. hash it out --- bring the points of argument between two people out in the open; negotiate; arrive at a compromise
e.g. Does it stand to reason that two open-eyed people with many interests in common can’t hash out a few differences?
27. settle our differences --- work out one’s points of disagreement with someone; in a way, subtract disagreement from a relationship, so that agreement remains (compare with idiom, hash out our differences)
A: Look, I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but now it’s definitely to our mutual benefit to arrive at some agreement.
B: Well, you know I’ve offered many times in the past to discuss ways to settle our differences.
28. take it for granted --- [often followed by that plus a subordinate clause] assume (something) as one’s natural right’ assume that something will happen as a natural consequence of given factors; not doubt whether a situation will continue
e.g. Most Americans take it for granted that we have the freedom to speak our own minds, but that freedom has been hard won and needs to be carefully guarded and nurtured.
A: I hope I didn’t seem to be taking your agreement for granted, Ted. B: Not at all. I think you’ve been great about asking my opinion all along.
29. beyond the shadow of a doubt --- certain, without the least possibility of error or doubt; absolutely certain, even allowing for the fullest imaginable extension (shadow) of possible doubt
e.g. The jury acquitted the defendant of the assault accusation because the prosecuting attorney could not prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the witnesses’ vague descriptions of the assailant fit the accused.
30. dawn on --- arrive or burst into one’s consciousness or awareness, like a sudden enlightenment or the sun’s rising to clear one’s vision or understanding
e.g. After twenty minutes of party chatter, it finally dawned on us that we’d met years ago when we were students at State University.
31. your guess is as good as mine --- ―I don’t know the answer or solution any better than you do.‖
A: Who do you think will win next month’s election?
B: Your guess is as good as mine, right now. Too many things can change between now and then.
32. can’t make hide nor hair of it --- (1) can’t recognize or understand it at all; it
resembles nothing I’m familiar with in any realm of the natural world. (Hide and hair are two very broad ways of categorizing most of the animal world. ) (also, can make neither hide nor hair of it)
A: What do you think the government’s new tax regulations will mean for real estate speculators?
B: I’m the wrong person to ask --- I can’t make hide nor hair of them.
33. the big picture --- the context, system, environment, or surrounding circumstances in which a small or single fact plays a part or is connected and from which that fact gets its full meaning; a general overview of a situation in which the role of each part might be clearly seen
e.g. Losing this fight will be our biggest asset in the next election, when we look at the big picture. If we play our cards right, we’ll come out as the underdog and our opponents will have to explain why their policy has failed so miserably.
34. psych out --- figure out the underlying point of view or philosophy from one’s observations of only a few clues or implications, so that one can guess or predict the other person’s next move, statement, or behaviour, using a type of informal psychology; read his mind
A: What can you tell me about the district manager? I need to psych him out before I interview with him tomorrow.
B: Well, he doesn’t like yes-men. He wants to see people who know their own minds and use some imagination in their field. I know he likes to go skiing --- maybe you could drop a remark about the outdoors.
35. pick your brain --- get your opinion or ideas about a topic, in a cooperative, symbiotic, or mutually supportive way (compare with idiom, bounce a few ideas off you)
A: Terry, do you have any time for coffee? I’d like to pick your brain on this new accounting software project.
B: Sure, I’ve been giving it some thought lately and I have a few ideas I’d like to bounce off you.
36. brainstorm --- think of a variety of potentially useful ideas, inspirations, or
problem-solutions by allowing the mind to imagine and free associate, that is, letting one thought suggest another, not censoring thoughts as wrong prematurely, then sifting through them for the best possible answer or combination of ideas.
e.g. I have the feeling that if we could gather some of our leading scientists together here, we would start brainstorming and find a solution to these environmental pollution problems.
37. think tank --- a gathering of people whose minds are simultaneously thinking together about a common problem or issue, suggesting ideas to one another, inspiring each other, and building on each other’s contribution, symbiotically; a group of
talented people free associating cooperatively to find a solution to a common problem. e.g. The best corporate and government think tanks in the country have been
brainstorming ways to encourage the reversal of our related problems of the budget deficit and the foreign trade imbalance.
38. networking --- connecting with wide possibilities and opportunities by meeting friends, as well as their friends, some of whom may have surprisingly fruitful points, ideas, or interests in common with your own, and exchanging favors with them; often an informal but effective method of finding job opportunities (compare with idiom, open doors)
A: Aren’t you going to the convention next week?
B: No, I don’t think so. I find those speeches very tiresome.
A: Well, you just select the workshops that you’re interested in. besides, those workshops often turn out to be great opportunities for networking with people who might know of some promising job openings and other connections.
Technological analogies
Machines and other technological features often provide analogies for the way society, things in general, or sometimes even people operate.
1. the phone’s ringing off the hook --- ―(We)’re very busy with people wanting to buy (our) product or try (our) idea‖; the phone is ringing constantly.
e.g. When we first introduced our chair, we couldn’t give it away, but now that we redesigned it for ergonomics, comfort, and style, our phone’s ringing off the hook with new orders every day. We just can’t fill our back orders fast enough to keep up with demand.
2. on the same wavelength – in agreement, (share) a common point of view, as a radio must be tuned to the same wavelength as the station is broadcasting on to receive the transmitted message, music, or program (compare with idiom, in tune with, and idiom, see eye to eye)
A: Janet thought she’d never marry because most of the men she met had such different values from hers. When she met George, she was stunned to discover that two different people could actually be on the same wavelength. They’re getting married next month.
B: They make a great couple. They’re going to be very happy together. A: I think you’re right.
An inverse expression is on different wavelengths, which means disagree
fundamentally because each person thinks according to a different basic assumption, or from a different point of view (contrast with idiom, see eye to eye)
e.g. Those two guys are like oil and water. They are always on different wavelengths, no matter what the topic is.
3. full steam ahead --- [ahead is an adverb, taking neither of nor an object] give the plan, idea, or system all the fuel and/or everything (including support) it needs to
proceed and to succeed, as one would give a railroad engine all the steam necessary to operate at peak efficiency; fully committed to an effort or project
e.g. The research project has just received a grant to design a prototype for the community development program, so we’ve started full steam ahead to purchase supplies and hire staff.
4. all systems go --- [go may be considered an infinitive/noun and intransitive, taking neither an object nor to] everything is ready for the launching of a new idea, project, system, or machine, as a space rocket’s many intricate electronic and other systems are ready for the rocket’s launching into space; fully committed to an effort or a project
e.g. After months of preparation and dedicated teamwork, we’re finally all systems go with this network of libraries on line across the city.
5. out of whack --- referring to a machine or some process that is not working or functioning properly; the parts of some device are out of alignment; out of order A: Can you make a few copies of these documents for me, Ed?
B: Sorry, Phil, the copier’s been out of whack all week long. Maybe the reprographics department can help you out with them.
6. out of kilter --- referring to a machine or some process that is not functioning
properly; some part in the device is broken down; out of order (compare and contrast with idiom, bent out of shape)
A: Where does this component attach? B: Here, I think.
A: Wait, that’ll knock it all out of kilter. Let’s check on the diagram first.
7. on the blink --- not functioning, as the eye is unable to see while blinking; not operational; out of repair, or needing it; broken, perhaps temporarily (compare and contrast with idiom, total)
A: Is the TV on the blink again? B: I’m afraid so.
A: Wouldn’t you know it --- just when they’re showing he most critical football game of the season!
8. backfire --- act to defeat itself, as an engine or a rifle accidentally channels the explosive fire back into the mechanism
A: AKL’s plan to corner the TV market backfired. B: How’d that happen?
A: So many of their competitors were alerted to their push to buy up everyone else’s surplus that these competitors began to hold out and lower their retail prices. Now the price war has reduced everyone’s net.
9. blow it --- ruin one’s chance of completing some project successfully A: Did you ask for your raise yet?
B: No, I didn’t want to blow my relationship with the manager. I thought I’d wait until the quarterly report comes out confirming my analysis. Then it’ll be obvious that my work deserves a promotion.
A: Maybe, but many times they have a way to ignoring the obvious. Sometimes you have to do a little self-promotional advertising.
10. hanging by a thread --- just barely surviving, as though hanging over a chasm on a thread or the slenderest link to safety (also, dangling by a thread) A: How do the chances look for getting our design funded?
B: Right now, it’s hanging by a thread. If we can convince just three or four committee members, I think we might get it approved just by a nose.
11. jerrybuilt --- thrown together hastily (rather than built) and without the requisite foresight, design, quality materials, and durability; random; makeshift (compare with idiom, quick fix)
A: I wouldn’t place too much faith in such jerrybuilt construction if I were you. B: Why? Don’t’ they have building codes in this country?
A: Of course, but some contractors have ways of getting around the regulations.
12. gimcrack --- any apparently complex or impressive (often elaborately
technological) device which is, however, based on cheap, flimsy construction and designed to perform some trivial, pointless task
A: That phone caller sounded persistent. What did he want?
B: Oh, just trying to sell me some gimcrack to open my car door electronically. Some people just can’t take no for an answer.
13. doodad --- [sounding like do that] a comically deflating name for a (perhaps exaggeratedly) technological invention
e.g. Many people feel that our time will be famous for inventing thingamajigs and doodads for opening cans, tying knots, and opening envelopes.
14. plastic --- synthetic; invented; contrived and insincere; not real or authentic; phoney (contrast with idiom, the real McCoy)
e.g. This sales campaign won’t go anywhere unless we dump that plastic synthesizer music and hard-sell speech. What people want is a no-nonsense appeal to their actual everyday needs. Let’s try a quieter string arrangement for the musical back-up and some straight facts.
15. chain reaction --- one event or thing causes another, which causes another, and so on in a series. (compare and contrast with idiom, on a roll)
e.g. When the interest rates decline, the demand for loans tends to rise, which tends to stimulate activity in the housing market. This causes as a chain reaction a boost in the employment figures and in general spending across the economy.
16. vicious circle --- any situation in which one element or event causes another, which also causes the first one again, and so forth, virtually without escape (also, vicious cycle) (compare and contrast with idiom, on a roll)
e.g. Reading difficulties often lead to a student’s boredom and frustration, which in turn make him less patient in tackling reading --- it can be a vicious circle.
17. byproduct --- an unintended, but beneficial or useful, extra result; a side effect, often but not necessarily of a positive nature
e.g. I hear that Newark now has a waste-treatment plant will cleanly dispose of tons of garbage while, as a byproduct, producing enough electricity for thousands of households.
18. bent out of shape --- upset; angry; emotionally bothered, as though one’s internal machinery is warped or bent out of its proper functioning order (compare and contrast with idiom, beside (my) self with rage and idiom, out of kilter)
e.g. They called to postpone the delivery again, but don’t let yourself get bent out of shape by it. There are other angles we can work on in the meantime. By the time we work them out, the new parts will be here.
19. total --- [verb] completely wreck; destroy something past the point of any further use (compare and contrast with idiom, on the blink)
e.g. He’s so lucky --- he totalled his new sportscar and then walked away without a scratch.
20. quick fix --- an easy, but unlikely, unrealistic, and probably short-lived solution to a problem; a temporary solution which will most likely result in the resurgence of the original or other problems later (compare with idiom, jerrybuilt)
A: Many people used to think that the computer was going to be a quick fix for all the tangled, complicated, and deep-rooted problems of education.
B: Well, it can help, if the teacher is imaginative, if the software allows enough creativity, if the students take the initiative, and if the parents actively support the reading and learning environment in the home.
A: I agree, but there are additional social problems that must be solved simultaneously.
21. mint condition --- brand-new and still in perfect condition, as if a coin had just been issued by the United States Mint
e.g. This car’s a great classic and it’s still in mint condition. I’ve always garaged it, changed the oil every 2,000 miles, and generally babied her all along.
This second-hand camera’s in mint condition. We’ll even back it with a five-year warranty.
22. back to the drawing board --- when a plan fails to work out, trying to redesign it, modify it, or correct its erroneous part, so that it will work; trying to overcome the remaining obstacles to the success of a plan or idea
A: How did your clients like the apartment layout you designed? B: They wanted more space to entertain. A: Well, back to the old drawing board, eh?
B: Yeah, I’m thinking of connecting the living room in an L-shape with the dining room and foyer to give them one continuous, open space for their guests to mingle.
23. on the cutting edge --- in the vanguard or in advance of the current technology or invention; that which cuts through the opposing forces
e.g. The use of the computer workstation with its program and data sharing as a designing tool can help keep us on the cutting edge of high-tech development.
24. forge ahead --- [ahead is an adverb, taking neither of nor an object] persist in one’s efforts and plunge forward like steel cutting through obstacles
e.g. I’ve had setbacks before, but whenever I forge ahead and tackle the problems head on, I almost always find new ideas that show the way to their solution.
25. heavy guns --- (using) one’s most powerful skills, resources, tricks, strategies, or weapons against the opposition
e.g. Let’s go heavy guns against this last remaining hurdle. Let’s give it everything we’ve got.
26. heavy artillery --- (using) one’s most powerful weapon or strategy against an obstacle
e.g. As global competition heats up, many corporations are rolling out their heavy artillery just to maintain their market share.
27. zero in on --- go directly to the central point, to the heart of the matter; hit he target (or problem) in the exact center; be exactly right; concentrate on something, as though a plane is dropping bombs precisely on the center (a circle, like a zero) of a target; focus directly and without deviation or distraction on something; address the problem exactly
e.g. Our agenda this morning is very full; so, with your approval, ladies and
gentlemen, I’d like to zero in on a strategy to achieve brand identification for our fax machine and expand our market share.
28. hit the nail (right) on the head --- be exactly right or correct, like directly hitting a target
A: What’s the problem? Have I interrupted an important conversation? B: Well, you’ve hit the nail right on the head. Can I talk with you later? A: Sorry, Judy, I’ll call you later to see if you’re free.
29. turns me on --- [on is an adverb, not a preposition, taking no object] excites me (as if turning on the electricity, that is, the creativity, like a light switch in a person); attracts us strongly
e.g. The idea of meeting with the union representative doesn’t exactly turn me on. He usually takes such an uncompromising line.
30. gets to me --- makes me angry, upset, or frustrated
A: You must be really infuriated by Vivian’s remarks, Janice.
B: Oh, I try not to let her insults get to me. I think she’s still upset that the Washington assignment was given to me instead of her.
31. really gets me --- (1) affects me emotionally (compare with idiom, reach me); arouses our sympathy; makes her laugh; (2) makes them angry
e.g. (1) Joan’s singing really gets me every time. I’d drop anything I’m doing to go hear her anytime.
(2) What really gets me is the way they expect a free ride every time.
32. dud --- a bomb that doesn’t explode; anything that doesn’t do its expected job; anyone or anything that promises or boasts about (or any product advertised with) explosive, impressive results, but that delivers only a tiny fizzling sound or trivial effect; all talk and no action
A: After all that hoopla and self-congratulation in heir advertising, their ―revolutionary‖ new software turns out to be something of a dud.
B: Too bad. The computing world could really use a work-saving program now.
33. fireworks --- excitement of any kind; an impressive performance, most often an angry or negative nature; an explosive, noisy dispute or argument A: What are all the fireworks about?
B: Oh, Michele and Susan are both taking credit for finding that supplier who’s discounting our paper and stationery.
34. sparks flying --- an argument; a contest or clash of two opposing wills
A: When Willis in management talks to the advertising department, watch out! You’ll really see some sparks flying then. B: Really? Why?
A: Well, they have some high-flying ideas for some TV commercials, but did you see the budget?
35. pyrotechnics --- a fancier, more technical word for fireworks but often meaning excitement of a positive nature; an impressive performance of any kind, involving a complicated or visually involved technique
e.g. Don’t be fooled by all their pyrotechnics. After the smoke clears, the question remains: Can their machine deliver a quality product at a reasonable price?
36. with flair --- properly and with impressive style (compare with idiom 260, has the technique)
e.g. Not only can Rachel bring a complete project in ahead of deadline, but somehow she always manages to bring it off with flair, even under intense pressure.
37. has the technique --- (often followed by of or for plus an object, often a gerund), really knows how to get the job done properly and with style (compare with idiom 259, with flair)
e.g. J& L Associates really have the technique for implementing their ideas and agenda, while giving their clients the feeling of having originated and controlled the whole project from the start.
38. the works --- everything; with all the garnishes or accessories and attachments e.g. This week we’re offering a package special on the 486 computer, complete with modem, mouse, high-resolution color monitor, laser-quality printer—the works --- for only $3,400.
e.g. Give me a hot dog with mustard, sauerkraut, relish --- the works.
39. call it a wrap ---- (originally used in newspaper publishing) complete a long process, as if having wrapped up a gift in a package ready for giving to the intended client, readership, or audience
e.g. A: Whew, what a day! Did you ever think we’d beat the deadline? These blueprints look great. B: Yeah, they do. Let’s call it a wrap and fax them out. Then what do you say we go relax over dinner?
40. wrap it up ---- complete the process; finish the project by wrapping it up into a complete package; accept an item for sale
e.g. Just one more call to make sure they received the report, and I can wrap up this whole deal. I should be home in less than an hour. e.g. A: This air conditioner cools off a 20-by 24- foot room in less than five minutes. It has an energy efficiency rating of 9.3, and it’s fully guaranteed for two years. What do you think? B: The price is right. Wrap it up ---- we’ll take it.
41. wind it down ---- bring a procedure or event to a close or conclusion, whether or not it’s complete; gradually suspend or terminate an operation
e.g. Look, guys, if we can just clear up a few of these small details, we can wind down this meeting and call it a day. What do you say?
42. wind it up ---- (1) prepare a machine or project to start operating, as one winds up an old-style spring-and-gear clock; (2) complete an operation or project
e.g. (1) A: Who wound him up? He’s been talking for an hour and a half now. B: I know, and there’s no end in sight.
(2) Can’t we wind this meeting up? It’s 9:00 p.m. and we all have families to go home to. Right?
43. wind up ---- (verb form, often followed by a gerund) eventually the plans turn out to become something else; start out as one thing and end up as another; develop into; find oneself in some unsuspected condition or place
e.g. If Jason and his pals don’t watch out, they’ll wind up in deep trouble.
e.g. Elaine and I wanted to see the redwoods in northern California, but the kids kept pleading to see Disneyland in Los Angeles. They’ve been so good in school this year that we wound up going to LA after all.
44. on top of ---- in control of some tricky task or project, as in: riding a wave like a surfer; floating or sailing above the waves rather than sinking beneath; or riding and controlling a horse e.g. A: Andrea strikes me as a manager who usually stays on top of a dozen different assignments. It surprises me to see her upset by this delay. B: Well, it’s just that there’s so much riding on this project’s going smoothly. It could mean a multi-million-dollar contract with our client. I think she’s working to straighten out the problem.
45. boiling point ---- the point at which events come to a climax or thins break down and change, as though chemically; the point when a person reaches the limit of her patience and breaks into an angry outburst
e.g. Let’s see if our discussion can establish some common ground here so we can both arrive at a settlement before our differences and grievances reach the boiling point.
46. bring it to a boil ---- arrange events so that they activate one another and cause some desired result to come about; cause events to come together and reach some type of climactic action, whether negative or positive
e.g. Terry’s lawyer has decided to bring things to a boil, so he’s called a meeting for both the litigants to hash out their differences.
47. bring it to a head ---- bring a situation to a point or head at which the trouble can be directly addressed and removed so that a solution can be effected; directly face or confront the problem to correct it (also, force it to a head) e.g. A: Regina, aren’t you concerned that your client might object to the terms of the contract? B: Actually, I’d prefer to get the potential problems out in the open and force the issue to a head, so we can negotiate before the deadline.
Nature Analogies
Animals and various forces of weather or nature can be images of the ways in which people or things in general work.
1. bird’s eye vie --- a view of anything from above, from the top down, as if seen by a flying bird or form a plane; any kind of overview, in which details are seen as connected into a whole picture; a panorama
e.g. This report with its aerial photographs is meant to provide you with a bird’s eye view of our Saskatoon operating plant and warehousing facilities.
2. s the crow flies --- a measure of a distance imagined form the air, that is, as a straight line, which is the shortest way --- above the ground and therefore not taking into account natural obstacles like mountains, winding valleys, rivers, and so on e.g. It’s only 30 miles as the crow flies, but the drive will take about two and a half hours because the only road there winds along narrow mountain passes.
3. fly by night --- describes any operation or business enterprise that operates in a hidden fashion, as though at nighttime, that is not permanent and responsible to its customers, and that merely sells a product it cannot guarantee; an operation or
business that cannot be reached at a regular address, thus escaping its responsibilities e.g. If they refuse to give you a warranty with their business address printed on it, they’re probably a fly by night organization. I’d stay away from them, if I were you.
4. second wind --- a reserve or renewed burst of energy to complete a job, as though new breath or wind filled the sails of a boat after a still calm
e.g. The crew was exhausted working past midnight all week. It looked as though the stage wasn’t going to be ready for opening night. But then the director told us how much he loved the look of it, and that gave us a second wind. At showtime the stage was transformed into a magic forest, and the audience thought the play was a big hit.
5. (it’s) a breeze --- (it’s) something that is easy, simple, effortless, like a gentle, refreshing, carefree breeze (compare with idiom, piece of cake)
A: How’d you do that calculation? That was fantastic!
B: Aw, it was a breeze. I can show you how it’s done in twenty minutes.
6. breezy attitude --- an attitude of being not very concerned or involved about
completing a project with care; being not very serious (said of a person); not a caring attitude
e.g. I wish that breezy attitude of hers would help us through this challenge, but I’m afraid this project calls for a good deal more meticulous care for the details.
7. devil-may-care --- [usually a modifier of a noun] not easily upset; not afraid; not very provident for the future
A: Whatever happens, don’t worry. It’s not our problem.
B: Well, you certainly have a devil-may-care attitude. I hope you’re right.
8. easy come, easy go--- not upset by misfortune, feeling that one need not mind
losing something because it was easily obtained, found, or inherited; not careful about money
A: I hear you lost a bundle during the stock market downturn. B: I lost some. Oh well, easy come, easy go.
A: How can you have such a breezy attitude about it?
B: I’ll buy in more carefully, and the market’s bound to climb again.
9. ebb and flow --- a cycle of decrease and increase, of coming and going, of fading and growing
e.g. In the ebb and flow of the market, many advise buying shares in a bear market, anticipating the next bull market.
10. give and take --- [verbs, but often used as infinitive/nouns or as a modifier of a noun] compromise in which each party concedes a few points unacceptable to the other and thus both benefit
e.g. In the give and take of city politics, an individual who knows how to listen to others has a distinct advantage.
Her give and take attitude has won her many friends in the industry.
11. tip of the iceberg --- only the surface or a small portion of the problem, the most dangerous part of which is still hidden
e.g. This deficit is only the tip of the iceberg. I suspect we’ll be hearing of a whole series of shortfalls and budget cuts in the next few days.
12. the last straw --- a gradual accumulation or piling up of small problems (which separately are insignificant) which create a catastrophic collapse of the old system (based on the proverb the straw that broke the camel’s back)
e.g. Well, now the boiler’s totalled. First the roof starts leaking, next the pipes burst, then we overhaul and boiler, now this. It’s the last straw! Let’s sell the place before it bankrupts us!
13. grasping at straws --- out of desperation, trying anything (however improbable) to survive or escape danger
A: Do you think there’s any possibility of your uncle’s advancing us a loan?
B: Boy, you’re really grasping at straws there. He’s so tight that he claims a heart seizure anytime someone in the family even hints at needing money. We’ll have to think of some other way out.
14. move mountains --- accomplish the (virtually) impossible through an act of faith or will
e.g. They say that faith can move mountains, but persuading the manager to increase our operating budget is likely to take something more like dynamite.
15. bullish (on) --- optimistic about the increase or success of; willing to invest boldly or aggressively in some venture
A: The broker called to tell us that she’s very bullish on genetics right now --- thinks we should invest substantially in it. B: Are you sceptical about it?
A: Not exactly, but I would like to do some more research on the field before committing our funds.
16. bearish (on) --- cautious about; wary of a decrease in; unwilling to invest anything further, ready to sell to prevent any further loss
A: After these high-tech stocks climbed fifteen points in two days, are you still bearish on them?
B: Yes, I think they are overvalued and are starting to fall.
17. turkey --- [noun] fool; idiot; an awkward person ( a fairly insulting remark); [adjective] foolish; idiotic; awkward
e.g. Don’t waste any energy on that turkey scheme. He’s dreaming that the return on investment will top 200 percent, meanwhile forgetting about his overhead and cash flow tie-up.
18. look a gift horse in the mouth --- doubt or be suspicious about the real (or ulterior) motives behind an apparently generous gift, as the Trojans should have investigated the Greeks’ gift of the huge wooden horse concealing part of their army, which destroyed Troy.
A: What a great bonus you got this year!
B: Yeah, it makes me nervous. I wonder what management really has in mind. I just hope they won’t expect me to put in all kinds of overtime next year.
A: Why look a gift horse in the mouth? Maybe they finally recognized your genius and are just showing heir appreciation. B: Well, we’ll see.
19. buy a pig in a poke--- buy something in a sack or bag, that is, already wrapped up, hidden; buy without inspecting (compare with idiom, sight unseen) A: Is a test drive all that’s keeping you from buying this car?
B: Well, maybe not all, but it is the next step. You don’t think I’d buy a pig in a poke, do you?
20. wing it --- improvise as one goes along; pretend to know what one is doing, as if one were flying instinctively and effortlessly over obstacles A: What’s your plan for these negotiations?
B: I intend to be winging it for the first couple of days, listening and getting to know their personalities, to see what it really takes to get the job done. Eventually something in common should start to emerge.
21. (off on) a lark --- (be on) a vacation; carefree (temporarily); on an impulse e.g. Have they gone off on a lark again? When do they plan to publish their book?
A: What ever made you buy that gold necklace? B: I don’t know --- I just did it as a lark.
22. (go) out on a limb --- take a great personal risk for the sake of someone or something
e.g. They’ve gone out on a limb for me more than once, so I feel I owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude. I have to support them in their campaign now.
23. afraid of his own shadow --- so timid or afraid that the slightest, most harmless thing frightens him
A: Let’s not worry about Acme. They’re afraid of their own shadows. B: How do you mean?
A: Well, they have such a conservative corporate image that it limits their appeal to the youth market. That restricts their capital growth and their borrowing power. They’re no competition for us.
24. shadow him --- follow him very closely, as his shadow does; spy on or seek to incriminate them; watch a person closely for incriminating or revealing evidence; stay with her
e.g. We need to know the defendants’ every move --- where they go, who they talk with, what they do --- to figure out what they’re planning against us. I want you to shadow them and keep us posted.
25. nip it in the bud --- prevent something undesirable while it is just getting started and still a small, manageable problem
e.g. Before this incident grows to landslide proportions, we’d better take steps to nip it in the bud.
26. feast or famine --- luck deems to arrive either in great abundance or not at all; luck doesn’t seem to happen in small, moderate doses; all or nothing
e.g. Wow, I can’t believe this luck! After months of getting no response to dozens of job applications, all of a sudden I get three calls in one day to offer me interviews. As they say, it’s feast or famine. I might just wind up having to decide which ones to turn down.
27. when it rains, it pours --- when trouble comes, it comes crowded in with other troubles.
A: What’s the matter, Barbara?
B: Oh, my husband and his partner are running into company problems. First their check bounces, then the creditors issue an ultimatum, then they get their fleet of trucks repossessed just when the deliveries are due. What else can go wrong? A: Yeah, when it rains, it sure seems to pour. But look at the bright side. B: What’s that ?
A: Well, there must be a silver lining in it somewhere. B: I wish I could be so sure.
28. prime cut --- the first, best cut of beef; the first selection, usually taking the best part; the best of anything
e.g. Daisy and Tim are used to being served only the prime cut in everything, but at least they expect to pay a fair price for it.
29. cream of the crop --- the best (in the way cream rises to the top of the bottle of milk) of anything
e.g. At these interviews, we’re looking to hire the cream of the crop for a limited number of very select positions in our organization.
Domestic and miscellaneous
analogies
Various features of common domestic experience provide familiar images applicable to business and social situations
1. have your cake and eat it (too) --- have a double advantage in that one still has
one’s pleasure left to enjoy even after having consumed it (might make better sense as: eat your cake and still have it there unconsumed and ready for future enjoyment) e.g .Not only did Tracy get a promotion in her new job, but her big rival left the
company for a position elsewhere. Now that’s what I call having your cake and eating it.
2. (there’s) nothing to it --- it’s easy, simple; no problem involved in it (compare with idiom, no sweat)
A: Can you help me merge this mailing list into this letter, if it isn’t too complicated? B: Sure. There’s nothing to it. You just have to put a couple of code letters in.
3. give me a break --- allow me to break through (the wall of ) opposition; allow him a break or change in the wall or flood of troubles surrounding him; (in a theatrical context) allow us a chance to demonstrate our talent (compare with idiom, have a heart, and idiom, lighten up)
e.g. I know what the rule is, but give me a break, will you? I’ve had a very busy day. I’ll have the report finished by noon tomorrow, OK?
4. lighten up --- [up is an adverb, not a preposition, taking no object] become less negative; become less argumentative; become more optimistic; make the burden less heavy or oppressive (compare with idiom, have a heart)
e.g. Lighten up, will you guys? Let’s not have any more of this unproductive name calling. Why don’t we talk about the facts instead, OK?
Come on, lighten up. Look at the bright side. Tomorrow you’ll see there are new opportunities waiting for you to pursue.
5. ride shotgun --- look out for and help to protect a friend or colleague perhaps carrying valuables, like an armed guard on a nineteenth-century stagecoach in the American West; accompany a friend to provide moral support
e.g. Fred asked me to ride shotgun with him for this delivery upstate.
Our attorney’s coming along to ride legal shotgun for us during the contract-signing.
6. get tied up in --- get too involved in something to meet a prior schedule; be delayed e.g. This property downtown sounds like a promising investment, but this week I’ve gotten tied up in meetings with clients and haven’t had a chance to read the prospectus. Can we talk about it next Monday?
7. rub it in --- [in has its object already understood as the speaker or person previously specified, so that it takes no object] make someone feel worse about having made a mistake or about some embarrassment, by reminding him about your prior warning, like rubbing in a medicine that burns or stings
e.g. Come on, you don’t have to rub it in. I know it didn’t turn out to be the hottest item this season, but it can still develop into a steady sale.
8. all decked out --- [out is an adverb, not a preposition, taking no object] dressed in clothing that flatters one’s appearance and personality
e.g. Well, aren’t you all checked out! Are you going to a wedding reception or an opening night at the opera?
9. dressed to kill --- dressed in a way calculated to attract and strongly impress, perhaps to overwhelm
e.g. It must be serious between Pam and you. You must really like her. You’re sure dressed to kill.
10. up in smoke --- ruined, destroyed, lost (as an opportunity), as though burned beyond use, like a burned dinner
e.g. The computer’s down again. There go two weeks of work up in smoke. We’ll have to start over again, but at least not from dust. We can still pout a few pieces together form memory.
11. start form scratch --- begin from the preliminary stage, when nothing was invented and when one has to scratch together a few ideas
e.g. The storm tore down the garage we were building. We’ll have to start building it for scratch again.
A: This is a delicious cake. Did you make it from scratch?
B: No, I used one of those cake mixes, but I did add my special blend of spices.
12. shape up (or ship out) --- [up and out are adverbs, taking no objects] correct one’s faulty behaviour; behave in a socially acceptable manner (or else leave this group) e.g. We can shape up our operation by cutting some of these exorbitant expenses --- that way we can avoid losing more than we already have.
There’s no reason for that kind of attitude here. Shape up or ship out.
13. willy nilly --- [an adverbial expression, modifying a verb] whether (people) like it or not; willingly or unwillingly; in total disregard for human or personal wishes
e.g. The sun rises willy nilly.
Prompt deliveries are crucial to this company’s good name. we’ll get this truck running willy nilly.
14. Murphy’s Law --- if anything can go wrong, it will, so you’d better plan for it and plan how to get around the trouble.
A: George, the delivery service called to say that they won’t be able to get that shipment here tomorrow because of the strike.
B: I should have known. Just when you need something desperately, you can count on its not being there. It’s Murphy’s Law. Well, let’s send a few trucks out to pick it up ourselves. We’ve got our deadline to meet.
15. nip and tuck --- against great odds or obstacles; almost failed, so that one is forced to cut or nip corners, take shortcuts in order to succeed; as likely to fail as to succeed, until the final outcome, a product of fate or chance, is seen
e.g. It was nip and tuck all the way, but we finally got our product out a day ahead of schedule.
16. upscale --- luxurious (said of an item, market, or group or consumers higher up on the disposable income scale)
e.g. Our jewelry is designed for an upscale clientele with the self-assurance to exhibit their achievement and taste.
17. no frills --- [noun modifier] just the bare minimum service, without extra amenities like frills or decorations on a dress; no extras included
A: Globe Airlines’ no-frills approach to service is enabling them to offer an air fare so low that we can’t hope to compete for that particular market.
B: We should continue developing our specialized service and amenities for the luxury, upscale market.
Time analogies
Time is measured not only by the clock, but also by degree of light and shadow, by degree of personal effort and involvement, and by sensations of boredom or pleasure. 1. (an idea) whose time has come --- people are finally ready to understand or accept an idea that wasn’t understood earlier
e.g. These days our cities and even the countryside are becoming so clogged up with garbage and waste materials that recycling of paper, aluminium, and other items is an idea whose time has finally come.
2. in the air --- many or most people have a general feeling or attitude, although unexpressed as yet, perhaps in response or reaction to an event in tat period of history; zeitgeist (contrast with idiom, on the air)
3. just around the corner --- not far away in an unspecified space or time; soon; impending; any second now or any time now
4. (just) in the nick of time --- at exactly the time it is needed, as though an arrow has nicked or cut as closely as possible to the absolute center of the target; not a moment too soon; just a moment before it would be too late; just a second before deadline.
Exercises:
Body idioms (1)
Complete each sentence with the correct part of the body.
Choose from the following words. Some are used more than once. Back ear hair leg Blood eye hand mouth Bone face hands teeth Breast foot head tooth
1. You have a free __________ you can work with whoever you like. 2. The way he plays the violin sets my __________ on edge.
3. The sight of those ghostly figures made his __________ run cold.
4. I have a __________ to pick with you! Where’s that book you promised? 5. She has a very cool __________ so she didn’t panic.
6. He made a clean __________ of it and admitted he was the one who had stolen the money.
7. The way they treated the animals made my __________ boil. 8. The soldiers were armed to the _________.
9. She got a pat on the _________ for doing such a good job. 10. He turned a deaf __________ to my request for more money. 11. They always criticise her behind her __________.
12. I can’t understand this. It’s way above my __________.
13. I want you to learn these words by __________ before the next lesson. 14. That’s just what I was going to say! You took the words right out of my _________.
15. Relax! Let your __________ down for a change. 16. Could you give me a __________ with this ladder? 17. I’ll keep an __________ on your cat while you’re away. 18. That can’t be true! You’re pulling my __________!
19. You’ve really put your __________ in it this time! Whatever made you say such a thing?
20. We were all shocked but she didn’t turn a __________. 21. He was too frightened to say it to her __________.
22. We could wait for the next bus. On the other __________, we would walk. 23. She pulled a long __________ when we told her our plans.
24. You know what a sweet __________ he’s got so don’t leave that box of chocolates lying around. Key:
1. hand 2. teeth 3. blood 4. bone 5. head 6. breast 7. blood 8. teeth 9. back 10. ear 11. back 12. head 13. heart 14. mouth 15. hair 16. hand 17. eye 18. leg 19. foot 20. hair 21. face 22. hand 23. face 24. tooth Body idioms (2)
Complete each sentence with the correct part of the body.
Choose from the following words. Some are used more than once. Arms fingers hands neck Back feet head nose Eyes foot heart teeth Face hand legs tongue
1. I’m fed up to the back __________ with all these complaints!
2. They managed to get the upper __________ and gain control of the company. 3. He looked so ridiculous that it was hard to keep a straight __________. 4. I got off on the wrong __________ by arriving late for the interview.
5. He looked down his __________ at people who earned a lower salary than he did. 6. The car changed __________ at a good price.
7. I can’t turn my __________ on her now that she’s in so much trouble. 8. He didn’t want to lose __________ by admitting he had made a mistake. 9. You must never set __________ in there again!
10. I’ve got my __________ full at the moment but I’ll be able to help you next month.
11. Let’s go for a walk to stretch our __________.
12. He can’t have been serious! Are you sure he didn’t have his __________ in his cheek when he said it?
13. I’m going to stick my __________ out and say the weekend will be a great success.
14. She may seem a bit frightening but her __________ is in the right place.
15. I’m afraid the wine went to my __________ and I made rather a fool of myself. 16. The meeting got out of __________ and they had to call the police.
17. She got cold __________ when she realised how difficult it would be, and tried to get out of doing it.
18. Let’s keep our __________ crossed that the weather will be better tomorrow. 19. We had to pay through the __________ to get a hotel room as we had arrived at a busy time.
20. She didn’t exactly welcome her daughter-in-law with open __________. 21. I wish he wouldn’t poke his __________ into other people’s business. 22. In his mother’s _________, he can do no wrong.
23. I’m happy that our daughter’s education is in such good __________. 24. I can’t make __________ nor tail of this exercise. Key:
1. teeth 2. hand 3. face r. foot 5. nose 6. hands 7. back 8. face 9. foot 10. hands 11. legs 12. tongue 13. neck 14. heart 15. head 16. hand 17. feet 18. fingers 19. nose 20. arms 21. nose 22. eyes 23. hands 24. head
Color idioms
Complete each sentence with the correct colour.
1. He saw __________ when his son broke the window.
2. He got the __________ light form his boss to carry out his plan.
3. Where did you get that __________ eye? Have you been fighting again? 4. I’ll believe it when I see it in __________ and white.
5. She can’t write any more cheques or her account will be in the __________. 6. She told a __________ lie to avoid hurting his feelings. 7. The invitation arrived out of the __________.
8. He gave me a __________ look when I mentioned payment.
9. The manager decided to show __________ films in an attempt to lure people back to the cinema.
10. He painted the town __________ to celebrate winning.
11. He was the __________ sheep of the family and they rarely talked about him. 12. She bought these goods on the __________ market.
13. There’s so much __________ tape if you want to get a work permit in this country! 14. He was __________ with envy when they bought a new car.
15. The disco had a __________ list of people who were to be refused entry. 16. They may be forced to build houses in the __________ belt because the population is growing so fast.
17. We shall definitely roll out the __________ carpet if he ever visits us.
18. A power failure could __________ out an area of over 400 square kilometres. Key:
1. red 2. green 3. black 4. black 5. red 6. white 7. blue 8. black 9. blue 10. red 11. black 12. black 13. red 14. green 15. black 16. green 17. red 18. black
Animal idioms
Use one of the following words to complete each sentence. Some words are used more than once. Bat bull crow pig Bee cat dog rat Bird chicken horse worm
1. He managed to __________ his way into her confidence. 2. I’m as blind as __________ without my glasses.
3. She’s really got a __________ in her bonnet about this new scheme.
4. He decided to take the __________ by the horns and see the boss about the problem.
5. Don’t let the __________ out of the bag. This is supposed to be a secret. 6. No wonder he feels sick! He really made a __________ himself last night!
7. She may __________ out when she realises what exactly she’s let herself in for. 8. He’s such an early _________ that he usually arrives before anybody else. 9. I smelt a _________ when he couldn’t produce any means of identification. 10. It’s about ten miles in that direction as the __________ flies.
11. A thousand pounds! That’s __________ feed! We need at least a million! 12. Mary could win the competition, you know. She’s a real dark. 13. He won’t change. You can’t teach an old __________ new tricks.
14. That speech of hers certainly set the __________ among the pigeons. 15. Be careful! You’re rushing around like a __________ in a china shop. Key:
1. worm 2. bat 3. bee 4. bull 5. cat 6. pig 7. chicken 8. bird 9. rat 10.crow 11. chicken 12. horse 13. dog 14. cat 15. bull
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