Idioms

to seem to materialize suddenly without any apparent origin

in a vulnerable position after taking an unusual or unsupported risk

a forceful refusal meaning that something will never be allowed

obtainable without a prescription or other formal authorization

no longer young or at one's best

excessive or exaggerated

to go out and celebrate noisily

Normal and unsurprising for a particular situation, even if it is inconvenient or disappointing.

avoid accountability by shifting responsibility or blame to another person

To pay a far higher price for something than it is really worth.

to scrutinize something in order to expose its flaws

to rebuild one's life or restore order after a damaging event

to cover a bill yourself, often for a group after a meal or other outing

an attractive ambition with almost no realistic prospect of being achieved

an unrealistic hope or plan that will almost certainly never happen

very angry or irritated about something

to change a company's direction or business model in response to what the market reveals

an activity or process that continues easily and without difficulties

to cooperate or agree to do what someone wants

to delay deliberately in order to prepare or avoid an immediate outcome

To deal with a situation as it develops rather than following a fixed plan.

to be in a less important role than someone else

to date several people without committing to one partner

to take a serious risk that is likely to bring harmful consequences

a set of proven methods, tactics, and moves for a given situation

To propose marriage to someone.

criticizing someone for a fault you share

to try to convince people who already agree with you

an intensely stressful environment or situation

to make an unusual facial expression that shows dislike, surprise, or amusement

to deceive someone with a quick, sneaky, or unexpected trick

to stay up and work through the entire night

to use personal influence or secret connections to make something happen

to deceive someone

To do your fair share of the work in a group.

To regain control of your emotions and calm down.

to go beyond the limits of what is known or accepted

risk losing a favorable position by asking for or attempting too much

to make an event or mood less enjoyable and exciting

stop talking or making a noise

to make a permanent home in one place and build a stable life there

start thinking carefully about a problem or question

to do things in the wrong order

to claim falsely that someone expressed an opinion or made a statement

to make a good first impression by showing your best side

to identify exactly what is wrong or what something is

to assert your authority firmly

to back up your words with action, especially money

done rapidly and roughly, with little care for quality or polish

to repeat what someone said, attributing the words to them

a desperate hurry to finish before a deadline

To think very hard in an effort to remember or solve something.

To spoil someone's plans or happiness.

to create a loud disturbance or behave in a wildly disruptive way

To set a higher standard of quality or achievement.

To understand a hidden or implied meaning that is not stated directly.

excessive bureaucracy and official rules

to waste time recreating something that already exists and works well

to seem true or believable

to respond successfully when a difficult situation demands unusual effort or skill

the lowest possible point in a difficult situation

to disturb a stable situation by causing trouble or challenging accepted arrangements

small flaws that remain without seriously reducing the overall quality

to mix or spend time with people in a social or professional setting

to irritate or offend a person, often without intending to

a rough, practical guideline based on experience rather than exact measurement

To hold the most power in a household, organization, or other group and make the main decisions.

to lose the energy, enthusiasm, or momentum needed to continue

to behave in a wild, uncontrolled way that creates disorder

the amount of time a company can keep operating before its money runs out

to protect one's dignity or public reputation after embarrassment or failure

to prevent failure or disaster through a timely action

rescued from an awkward situation at the last moment

To examine or deal with only a small, superficial part of a larger subject.

a recognized sign that an authority accepts, supports, or endorses something

a learned skill or habit that has become automatic and effortless

be created, published, or finally made available for people to see

to dismiss someone or force them to leave quickly and decisively

used to say that someone deserves the unpleasant result they received

to see or notice a person or thing, especially for the first time

to enter or visit a place, often used in negatives

to make something fixed and impossible to change

to describe the background so that something can be understood, or to create the conditions for it

to retaliate for an old grievance or perceived wrong

improve your behavior or performance or else leave

to change your approach, activity, or pace

to chat informally about unimportant things

damage your own interests through an unwise action

a broad, unfocused strategy that tries many things at once, hoping one will work

to dismiss someone or make it clear that they must leave

to stop working for the day or to close a business permanently

an event or development that reveals what a particular era is like

a single, simple, magical solution that solves a hard problem completely

to praise a person or thing enthusiastically when speaking to others

succeed or fail through your own efforts without help

to do nothing when action is needed