Idioms

being in a comfortable and advantageous position, often financially

two alternatives have no meaningful difference

a shameful secret in someone's past

an unintended word or phrase spoken by mistake

important detailed conditions that are easy to overlook in an agreement or advertisement

To suspect that something is wrong or that someone is being dishonest.

a quick, shallow test that checks whether a system's most basic functions work at all

the main source of someone's income or basic work

Said when a person you were just talking about suddenly appears.

to reveal a great deal without words

to tell an entertaining story that may be lengthy, imaginative, or exaggerated

to argue about tiny, unimportant differences

to come into your thoughts suddenly and easily

to betray someone secretly

to remain effective, admired, or valuable over a long period

to be logical or obvious

to declare one's position publicly when doing so calls for courage or principle

using the most advanced and modern techniques or technology

to receive the most attention and praise at an event by outshining everyone else

offend or interfere with others by intruding on their responsibilities

accept responsibility and take action when needed

something that helps you make progress toward a goal

to refuse to change your position under pressure

To take a risk by saying or doing something that others might criticize.

to pursue a goal without accepting any moral or practical limit

from the most reliable, first-hand source

to cause a strong feeling of recognition or emotional connection

to act quickly while the opportunity exists

value built through hard work rather than cash investment

To win every available prize or category in a competition.

affectionate romantic words that flatter but say little of substance

to accept a less active or less important role and let others lead

To judge something negatively or regard it with doubt or disapproval.

to follow someone's good example by copying what they do

to politely decline an invitation with the promise to accept later

to fail to appreciate something or assume it will always be there

the main point or lesson you should remember from something

To treat something as not fully reliable or true.

behave with more freedom or authority than is acceptable, often without permission

to accept and consider an idea, suggestion, or piece of information

to become firmly established and begin to develop

to treat a statement as already established and beyond further discussion

to pause and carefully assess a situation before deciding what to do next

To deal with a difficult situation directly and bravely.

to do something without first asking permission, often as a helpful or polite initiative

to mock someone, often through teasing or sarcasm

to make a bold commitment after a period of hesitation

to suddenly weaken a person's confidence, excitement, or determination

to take a needless risk that seems likely to bring trouble

used to accept an unfortunate result as something that happens in life

a person or thing that someone loves and treasures above all others

the way power or influence is distributed among competing groups, countries, or people

It is now your responsibility to make the next decision or move.

the overall situation and its most important facts, rather than its details

the most important fact or the final result of something

a quiet period immediately before trouble, intense activity, or chaos

it is safe to proceed without being seen or stopped

The very best people or things in a group.

the hidden difficulties of a plan are in its small details

an obvious and important problem that everyone notices but avoids discussing

the ability to speak persuasively and fluently

Other people's situations always seem better than your own.

The final small problem that makes a situation no longer tolerable.

The largest part of something that is divided.

the essential point, stripped of detail

an ordinary, average person

a different or opposite aspect of a situation

suddenly understanding something

new information makes a situation more complicated or mysterious

the final small addition that makes a situation unbearable

a small visible part of a much larger hidden problem or situation

To approach a problem in a fresh, creative, unconventional way.

admire or care for someone or something very deeply

various unspecified things

via informal gossip or rumor, not official channels

Remaining loyal and supportive during both good times and serious difficulties.

to act boldly or recklessly without considering the possible consequences

To give up or admit defeat.

to try many ideas quickly, keeping only the ones that work

to make someone start a difficult task with little preparation or help

to show that you give up or feel helpless about something

to meet all the required conditions or do things just to satisfy rules

to get married

an equivalent retaliation, an eye for an eye

used to show that something is more extreme than your words suggest

amounting to a stated, usually substantial, quantity or sum

clever in a self-defeating way, so one's crafty plan causes trouble instead of success

to provoke a strong reaction by raising a sensitive or painful subject

very uncertain, with a chance of failure at any moment

a person's or organization's past performance and achievements

behaving exactly as one's character or previous conduct would lead others to expect

a hidden advantage kept in reserve for the decisive moment

To deliberately ignore something you know is wrong.

to start behaving better or differently

to completely change something or make it the opposite of what it was

to retreat or run away suddenly because of fear