Idioms

Something that seems bad at first but turns out to have a good outcome.

To be unable to keep still because you are restless or excited.

to remember and consider something when making a decision

to ignore an unpleasant reality hoping it will go away

to obey or accept the rules and expectations set by a group or authority

to persevere and not give up despite difficulty

in a difficult or dangerous situation

openly and where people can clearly see it, especially during the daytime

In trouble or facing difficulty.

during the beginning stages of something

under the control or responsibility of someone

over a long period of time; eventually

at the latest moment when success is still possible

in the same difficult situation as other people

over a short period of time; in the near future

Very rarely, almost never.

occasionally, but not often

to be a trait shared by members of a family

A clumsy person who causes damage or upset in a delicate situation.

a guess or attempt with very little chance of success

a task treated as routine because it belongs to someone's normal duties

an important person in a small or limited environment

to refuse stubbornly to change your mind or do what others want

Don't risk everything on a single plan or possibility.

feeling sad, discouraged, or low in spirits

an achievement to be proud of

something that shows brilliant early promise but fails quickly and leaves nothing behind

to copy another person's actions or pursue a similar path, especially in work or achievement

an initial opportunity that may lead to bigger things

powerful or influential acquaintances who can provide help or favorable treatment

to commit fully to something, risking everything you have

to be closely connected or to happen together

to be heard but immediately forgotten or ignored

To repeat the same discussion or actions without reaching a solution or making progress.

be completely ruined or fail, leaving nothing of the original plan

working together in an extremely close and cooperative way

to be managing multiple projects or commitments at once

considering or because of (new information or circumstances)

expressed in a very brief and simple way

in a difficult or embarrassing situation

stuck in a boring, unchanging routine

by its own qualities, independently of anything else

in a completely clear and direct way that leaves no room for doubt

chosen as a target or goal that you intend to achieve or pursue

in exceptional abundance or to a remarkably high degree

about to happen or waiting to be experienced in the future

in disgrace, out of favour with someone

in control of a situation

living or working at an intense pace often associated with excitement and risk

being planned or developed and expected to happen soon

Owing money or operating at a financial loss.

roughly similar in amount, size, or quality

said almost at the same time or as part of the same statement

to withdraw support when another person is stranded in serious difficulty

you feel an urge to spend money soon after receiving it

to stop a problem at an early stage

an attractive ambition with almost no realistic prospect of being achieved

stop talking or making a noise

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

to enter or visit a place, often used in negatives

to make something fixed and impossible to change

damage your own interests through an unwise action

a shameful secret in someone's past

to betray someone secretly

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

the hidden difficulties of a plan are in its small details

an obvious and important problem that everyone notices but avoids discussing

an ordinary, average person

To give up or admit defeat.

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

angry and protesting, ready to fight

the biggest, most powerful player in a market, which dominates everything around it

Matching variant: the elephant in the market

A great deal of fuss made about a trivial matter.

A dangerous person who pretends to be harmless or friendly.

a secret advantage kept hidden until it is needed

born into a wealthy family

he looks perfectly innocent or gentle despite behaving quite differently

an early warning sign, or a small test group, that reveals a danger or failure before it affects everyone

in a humble or pleading manner when asking someone for help or a favor

to regain safety or acceptance after living in secrecy, isolation, or exclusion

to cause intense mental strain, frustration, or irritation

to oppose or be the opposite of what is expected, accepted, or sensible

to organize things carefully before acting

become unnecessarily upset or annoyed

To fail suddenly and completely.

To be involved in too many activities at once.

deliberately and without compassion, especially when committing violence or cruelty

after weighing all the relevant facts; ultimately

expected to happen or become available soon

doing the difficult, unglamorous, hands-on work at the front line of a problem or project

the problems or confusion will eventually be resolved

used to say emphatically that a particular event will never happen

to cohabit romantically without having married

old or growing old, especially when age affects suitability for something

to remind someone of a particular person, place, or experience

used defiantly to tell someone to accept an unwelcome fact or decision