Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does 'barking up the wrong tree' mean?
What does 'barking up the wrong tree' mean?
To 'beat around the bush' means to speak directly and to the point.
To 'beat around the bush' means to speak directly and to the point.
False
What does the phrase 'brush up on something' mean?
What does the phrase 'brush up on something' mean?
To relearn the basics or improve a skill.
Mark will ______ the bullet and talk to Dad about his bad grade.
Mark will ______ the bullet and talk to Dad about his bad grade.
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Match the following phrases with their meanings:
Match the following phrases with their meanings:
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What does it mean to 'fall for it'?
What does it mean to 'fall for it'?
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To 'go against the grain' means to conform to the norm.
To 'go against the grain' means to conform to the norm.
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What does the phrase 'get a kick out of something' imply?
What does the phrase 'get a kick out of something' imply?
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When you start a task __________, it means you begin at the beginning.
When you start a task __________, it means you begin at the beginning.
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Match the idiom to its meaning:
Match the idiom to its meaning:
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What does the phrase 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch' mean?
What does the phrase 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch' mean?
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The phrase 'drag one's feet' means to hurry through a task.
The phrase 'drag one's feet' means to hurry through a task.
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Provide an example of a situation that could 'drive one crazy'.
Provide an example of a situation that could 'drive one crazy'.
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Losing weight is often ________ said than done.
Losing weight is often ________ said than done.
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Match the expressions with their meanings:
Match the expressions with their meanings:
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What does 'easy does it!' imply?
What does 'easy does it!' imply?
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If something is 'eating at someone', it means they are quite happy.
If something is 'eating at someone', it means they are quite happy.
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What does a 'fair-weather friend' do?
What does a 'fair-weather friend' do?
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If you experience a ________ alarm, it means there was nothing wrong.
If you experience a ________ alarm, it means there was nothing wrong.
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What is meant by 'driving someone up the wall'?
What is meant by 'driving someone up the wall'?
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What does 'caught red-handed' mean?
What does 'caught red-handed' mean?
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To 'burn the midnight oil' means to go to bed early.
To 'burn the midnight oil' means to go to bed early.
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What does 'catch some Z’s' mean?
What does 'catch some Z’s' mean?
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'Cold turkey' means to immediately give up a __________.
'Cold turkey' means to immediately give up a __________.
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Match the idioms with their meanings:
Match the idioms with their meanings:
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What does the phrase 'cost an arm and a leg' imply?
What does the phrase 'cost an arm and a leg' imply?
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The meaning of 'curiosity killed the cat' suggests that being too curious can lead to good outcomes.
The meaning of 'curiosity killed the cat' suggests that being too curious can lead to good outcomes.
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Study Notes
Idiomatic Expressions and Their Meanings
- Bad-mouth: To speak negatively about someone, damaging their reputation; hampers friendships.
- Barking up the wrong tree: To pursue a mistaken course of action; misjudges situations based on assumptions.
- Beat around the bush: To speak indirectly, avoiding the main topic; often seen in political discourse.
- Beat: Term for extreme tiredness; common expression used among children after a long day.
- Beats me: Used to express ignorance or lack of knowledge regarding something.
- Best of both worlds: Enjoying the benefits of two different opportunities simultaneously; applicable in work-life balance.
- Bent out of shape: Significantly upset; reactions to disappointing events or results.
- Bite the bullet: To confront an unpleasant situation with courage; accepting consequences for actions.
- Bottom line: The essential truth or ultimate conclusion regarding a situation.
- Break a leg: A phrase to wish someone good luck, particularly before a performance.
- Break someone’s heart: To cause deep emotional pain or disappointment.
- Break the ice: To initiate conversation in a social setting, often using humor to ease tension.
- Brush up on something: To revise or improve one’s knowledge or skills in a specific area.
- Bug: Informal term for annoying someone; often applies to sibling dynamics.
- Burn the midnight oil: To stay up late or all night working or studying; common among students during exams.
- Call it a day: To stop working for the day after completing tasks.
- Catch some Z’s: A colloquial phrase for going to sleep.
- Caught red-handed: To be caught in the act of wrongdoing; typically related to cheating or theft.
- Clean as a whistle: Describes something that is very clean or pristine.
- Clean slate: A fresh start or opportunity to make amends after past mistakes.
- Cold feet: Feelings of nervousness or anxiety, especially before significant life events.
- Cold turkey: To abruptly stop a bad habit without gradual reduction.
- Cost an arm and a leg: Describes something that is very expensive.
- Crunch time: A critical period when deadlines are approaching; important for students during finals.
- Curiosity killed the cat: A warning that excessive curiosity can lead to trouble or dangerous situations.
- Days are numbered: Indicates that time is running out or nearing an end.
- Down in the dumps: Feeling very sad or depressed; often caused by personal loss.
- Don’t count your chickens before they hatch: A caution against assuming success before it occurs.
- Drag one’s feet: To procrastinate or be slow in completing tasks.
- Drive one crazy: To annoy or irritate someone significantly.
- Drive one up the wall: Another expression for causing annoyance to someone.
More Idiomatic Expressions
- Easier said than done: Acknowledgment that talking about something is simpler than doing it.
- Easy does it!: A warning to proceed carefully in a situation.
- Eating at someone: Refers to an issue that is bothering or disturbing someone.
- Every cloud has a silver lining: Suggests that there is something positive in every negative situation.
- Face-to-face: Describes an encounter in person, emphasizing personal connection.
- Fair-weather friend: Someone who is only supportive during good times, not during crises.
- False alarm: Panicking over something that turns out to be non-emergency or unfounded.
- Fall for it: To be deceived or tricked by a prank or falsehood.
- Fly off the handle: To suddenly become very angry; often used to describe extreme emotional outbursts.
- Follow in the footsteps of: To emulate someone, especially in professional or important life choices.
- From scratch: Starting from the very beginning; often used in cooking or project initiation.
Additional Expressions
- Get a kick out of something: To derive pleasure or enjoyment from an activity.
- Get with the program: To become aware of or engage with an important issue or task.
- Give one’s right arm: An expression indicating a willingness to sacrifice a lot for someone or something.
- Give someone a hand: To offer help or applause, depending on context.
- Go against the grain: Acting contrary to what is considered normal or accepted.
- Go bananas/Go crazy: To express extreme excitement or joy.
- Grab a bite to eat: A casual way of saying that one is going to eat something.
- Green with envy: Being extremely envious of someone’s success or possessions.
- Have one’s hands full: Being occupied with numerous responsibilities or tasks.
- Hit the books: To study intensely, especially before exams.
- Hit the nail on the head: To be completely accurate or correct about something.
- Hit the spot: A phrase used to describe relief from a craving, particularly for food.
- Hold your horses: A request for someone to be patient or wait.
Final Expressions
- In ages: Refers to a very long time since something has happened.
- In over one’s head: Taking on too many responsibilities or a task that is too difficult.
- In the nick of time: Completing something just before the deadline.
- It’s a piece of cake: Indicating that a task is very easy to accomplish.
- John Hancock: A colloquial term for a signature.
- Jump the gun: To act too quickly or prematurely before the right moment.
- Know by heart: To remember something perfectly; often used for facts or numbers.
- Know the ropes: Being familiar with the procedures and details of a task or job.
- Make ends meet: To have just enough money to cover expenses or survive financially.
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Description
Test your knowledge of common English idioms with this quiz. Discover the meanings behind phrases like 'bad-mouth' and 'barking up the wrong tree.' Enhance your understanding of everyday expressions used in conversation.
