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Questions and Answers
What does the phrase 'the game is not worth the candle' imply?
What does the phrase 'the game is not worth the candle' imply?
In the context of 'gain ground', which scenario illustrates this concept?
In the context of 'gain ground', which scenario illustrates this concept?
What does it mean to 'give the game away'?
What does it mean to 'give the game away'?
What does the saying 'everything in the garden is lovely' typically suggest?
What does the saying 'everything in the garden is lovely' typically suggest?
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What does the term 'mug's game' refer to?
What does the term 'mug's game' refer to?
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Which phrase means to compete in a manner that favors the opponent?
Which phrase means to compete in a manner that favors the opponent?
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Which action describes 'to gain ground' in a conflict?
Which action describes 'to gain ground' in a conflict?
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The idiom 'two can play at that game' implies what?
The idiom 'two can play at that game' implies what?
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What does the phrase 'take up the gauntlet' mean?
What does the phrase 'take up the gauntlet' mean?
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What does 'gild the lily' imply?
What does 'gild the lily' imply?
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What is meant by the expression 'gather dust'?
What is meant by the expression 'gather dust'?
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What does 'get it in the neck' mean?
What does 'get it in the neck' mean?
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What does the phrase 'there's no getting away from it' mean?
What does the phrase 'there's no getting away from it' mean?
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What does it mean to 'get your act together'?
What does it mean to 'get your act together'?
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What does 'give as good as you get' imply?
What does 'give as good as you get' imply?
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What does the phrase 'step on the gas' mean?
What does the phrase 'step on the gas' mean?
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What does it mean to 'give up the ghost'?
What does it mean to 'give up the ghost'?
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What does 'get away from it all' suggest?
What does 'get away from it all' suggest?
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What is implied by 'a gentleman's agreement'?
What is implied by 'a gentleman's agreement'?
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What does it mean to 'look a gift horse in the mouth'?
What does it mean to 'look a gift horse in the mouth'?
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What does 'getting on for...' indicate?
What does 'getting on for...' indicate?
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What does 'give sb the creeps' mean?
What does 'give sb the creeps' mean?
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What does it imply if someone is described as a 'glutton for punishment'?
What does it imply if someone is described as a 'glutton for punishment'?
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What does the phrase 'the gloves are off' indicate in a dispute?
What does the phrase 'the gloves are off' indicate in a dispute?
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When is someone said to be 'on the go'?
When is someone said to be 'on the go'?
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What does 'to go it alone' mean?
What does 'to go it alone' mean?
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What does 'having a go' at something refer to?
What does 'having a go' at something refer to?
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What does it mean to 'get someone's goat'?
What does it mean to 'get someone's goat'?
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What is meant by 'all that glitters is not gold'?
What is meant by 'all that glitters is not gold'?
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What does it mean to 'work all the hours God sends'?
What does it mean to 'work all the hours God sends'?
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What does it imply if someone is 'suffering fools gladly'?
What does it imply if someone is 'suffering fools gladly'?
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Using 'go all out' in a sentence suggests what?
Using 'go all out' in a sentence suggests what?
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What does the phrase 'be good going' typically refer to?
What does the phrase 'be good going' typically refer to?
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When someone is 'working on a programme', they are doing what?
When someone is 'working on a programme', they are doing what?
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What does the phrase 'as things go' imply?
What does the phrase 'as things go' imply?
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What does it mean to 'get out while the going is good'?
What does it mean to 'get out while the going is good'?
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What does the expression 'gum up the works' imply?
What does the expression 'gum up the works' imply?
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When someone is said to be 'up a gum tree,' what situation are they likely in?
When someone is said to be 'up a gum tree,' what situation are they likely in?
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What is the meaning of 'he hasn't got the guts'?
What is the meaning of 'he hasn't got the guts'?
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What does 'having a gun to your head' signify in a conversation?
What does 'having a gun to your head' signify in a conversation?
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What does 'slog your guts out' mean?
What does 'slog your guts out' mean?
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What does 'stick to your guns' encourage someone to do?
What does 'stick to your guns' encourage someone to do?
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Which phrase indicates someone is not easily visited or accessible?
Which phrase indicates someone is not easily visited or accessible?
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What does the term 'gutter press' refer to?
What does the term 'gutter press' refer to?
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What does the saying 'all that glitters is not gold' imply?
What does the saying 'all that glitters is not gold' imply?
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What does the term 'gold mine' refer to in a business context?
What does the term 'gold mine' refer to in a business context?
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How is the phrase 'as good as gold' used to describe children?
How is the phrase 'as good as gold' used to describe children?
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'Like gold dust' suggests that something is:
'Like gold dust' suggests that something is:
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What does the expression 'strike gold' mean?
What does the expression 'strike gold' mean?
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What is meant by 'the golden rule'?
What is meant by 'the golden rule'?
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The phrase 'kill the goose that lays the golden eggs' warns against:
The phrase 'kill the goose that lays the golden eggs' warns against:
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In the phrase 'do good', what does it suggest?
In the phrase 'do good', what does it suggest?
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What does the expression 'make good' refer to?
What does the expression 'make good' refer to?
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How is 'gone dead and buried' generally interpreted?
How is 'gone dead and buried' generally interpreted?
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What does it mean to 'kiss goodbye' to something?
What does it mean to 'kiss goodbye' to something?
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In the phrase 'come up with the goods', what is being referred to?
In the phrase 'come up with the goods', what is being referred to?
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What does 'be good for something' indicate?
What does 'be good for something' indicate?
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What does 'up to no good' suggest about someone's intentions?
What does 'up to no good' suggest about someone's intentions?
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What does 'grin and bear it' mean in an informal context?
What does 'grin and bear it' mean in an informal context?
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What does it mean to 'come to grief'?
What does it mean to 'come to grief'?
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What is the figurative meaning of the phrase 'men in grey suits'?
What is the figurative meaning of the phrase 'men in grey suits'?
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What does it mean to 'get to grips with' something?
What does it mean to 'get to grips with' something?
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What is the implication of 'grinding to a halt'?
What is the implication of 'grinding to a halt'?
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What does it mean if someone has 'an axe to grind'?
What does it mean if someone has 'an axe to grind'?
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When someone is said to 'lose their grip', what does this imply?
When someone is said to 'lose their grip', what does this imply?
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In what context would someone be advised to 'get a grip'?
In what context would someone be advised to 'get a grip'?
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What does the saying 'there but for the grace of God go I' imply?
What does the saying 'there but for the grace of God go I' imply?
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What does 'keeping your feet on the ground' imply?
What does 'keeping your feet on the ground' imply?
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What does it mean to accept defeat with good grace?
What does it mean to accept defeat with good grace?
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What does 'run something into the ground' mean?
What does 'run something into the ground' mean?
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If someone is described as being 'on firm ground', what does this indicate?
If someone is described as being 'on firm ground', what does this indicate?
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What does the phrase 'go against the grain' mean?
What does the phrase 'go against the grain' mean?
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What is indicated by the phrase 'take something for granted'?
What is indicated by the phrase 'take something for granted'?
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What does it mean to have 'growing pains'?
What does it mean to have 'growing pains'?
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What does 'grasp the nettle' signify?
What does 'grasp the nettle' signify?
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What does it mean to 'catch someone off guard'?
What does it mean to 'catch someone off guard'?
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When someone is told to 'hold your ground', what is being suggested?
When someone is told to 'hold your ground', what is being suggested?
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What does the saying 'the grass is greener on the other side' suggest?
What does the saying 'the grass is greener on the other side' suggest?
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What does 'put out to grass' mean in an informal context?
What does 'put out to grass' mean in an informal context?
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What does it mean if someone is described as 'green about the gills'?
What does it mean if someone is described as 'green about the gills'?
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What does 'delusions of grandeur' refer to?
What does 'delusions of grandeur' refer to?
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What is a 'grey area'?
What is a 'grey area'?
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What does it mean to 'give the green light'?
What does it mean to 'give the green light'?
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What does it mean to 'have green fingers'?
What does it mean to 'have green fingers'?
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What does 'go great guns' mean?
What does 'go great guns' mean?
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What does it suggest if someone is described as 'no great shakes'?
What does it suggest if someone is described as 'no great shakes'?
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Study Notes
Idioms and Phrases
- Gift of the gab: The ability to talk fluently and persuasively.
- Look a gift horse in the mouth: Criticize a gift before accepting it.
- Gild the lily: To try to improve something that is already perfect, thus spoiling it.
- Take the gilt off the gingerbread: To spoil something so it's less appealing.
- Gird up your loins: Prepare yourself for action or hard work.
- Give and take: Being willing to compromise and consider others' wishes.
- Give it to sb/Give sb what for: To verbally or physically punish or attack someone.
- Give me that any day/time: Expressing a strong preference for something over another.
- Give or take: Used for expressing an approximate amount.
- Give sb the willies/heebie-jeebies/creeps: To scare or make someone nervous.
- Don't give a damn, fig, monkey's, shit, toss, etc: Expressing complete lack of concern.
- Glad rags: Smart clothes for a party or special occasion.
- Gladly: Willingly; happily.
- At first glance/sight: Immediately; initially.
- Steal a glance: To secretly look at someone.
- People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones: Criticize others who have their own flaws.
- All that glitters/glistens/glisters is not gold: Not everything that seems good is truly good.
- A gold mine: A very profitable business.
- As good as gold: (Of children) Very well-behaved.
- Like gold dust: Very difficult to obtain.
- Worth your/its weight in gold: Extremely valuable.
- Have a heart of gold: Kind and generous.
- Strike gold: Achieve great success or find something valuable.
- Golden age: A period of prosperity or greatness.
- Golden boy: A very successful and popular young man.
- Golden handshake: A large sum of money given upon retirement.
- Golden rule: An important rule or principle.
- Kill the goose that lays the golden egg: Destroying a source of profit or success.
- Silence is golden: Keeping silent is often the best course of action.
- As good as... (sth done): So close to being finished that it may be considered done.
- Good for sth: Likely to be able to provide something.
- Do good: Be kind and generous to those in need.
- Do sb good: Benefit someone.
- For good: Permanently; forever.
- For good or ill: Whether the action will have positive or negative results.
- For your/etc own good: For your benefit, even if it isn't immediately liked.
- A good few: A considerable number.
- Good for you/etc: Approval or congratulations.
- Make good: Become rich and successful; compensate for a loss or mistake.
- To the good: In profit; beneficial.
- Up to no good: Doing something naughty or dishonest.
- Be good going: Making good progress.
- Be no good/use to man or beast: Unfit for use.
- Do sb/sth a power/world of good: Benefit someone/something significantly.
Actions and States
- Gain ground: Move forward; become more widespread/popular.
- Blow the gaff: Reveal a secret or plan.
- Give the game away: Reveal a secret or plan.
- On the game: Be a prostitute.
- Be a mug's game: A situation where someone is easily tricked or defeated.
- Beat sb at their own game: Defeat someone using their own methods.
- A cat-and-mouse game: A game of deception or suspense.
- Fair game: Permissible prey or target.
- Two can play at that game: The same can happen to both parties.
- Name of the game: The most important characteristic or goal.
- Play sb at their own game: Defeat someone using their own methods.
- Play the game: To behave in a certain socially acceptable way, conforming to standards.
- The game is up: A secret or plan has been discovered.
- Waiting game: A situation where success depends on patience.
- Run the gamut of sth: Experience or describe a range of things.
- Bridge the gap: Resolve a difference or overcome a barrier.
- Everything in the garden is lovely: Everything is satisfactory (often ironic).
- Gather dust: Be ignored or forgotten.
- Gather your wits: Calm down and think clearly.
- Take up the gauntlet: Accept a challenge.
- Run the gauntlet: Face criticism or hardship.
- Get along/a'way/l'on: Expressing surprise or disbelief.
- Get away from it all: Escape from pressures.
- Get it (in the neck): Be criticized or punished.
- Get nowhere/not get sb anywhere: Fail to make progress.
- Get somewhere/nowhere/anywhere: Make progress or not.
- Getting on: Approaching or near a certain age/time.
- There's no getting away from it: An unavoidable fact/truth.
- Give up the ghost: Die (humorous), stop functioning, give up.
- Have a ghost of a chance: Have almost no chance.
- Be on/off your guard: Be prepared/not be prepared for something.
- Stand guard: Act as a guard.
- Catch sb off guard: Surprise someone.
- Get to grips with sb/sth: Engage with a difficult thing/person.
- Be no great shakes: Not very good.
- Go great guns: Do something with energy.
People and Character
- Tough guy: A person who is bold and seemingly unfazed by challenges.
- Wise guy: Someone who is smart but in a mischievous or rebellious way.
- Gentleman's agreement: An agreement without a written contract, based on trust.
- Old boy/girl: A person who is no longer young.
- One of the lads/boys/girls: Part of a group; belong to a particular social group.
- Do-gooder: A person who tries to do good, often in a condescending way.
- Glutton for punishment/work: Someone who enjoys difficult/challenging activities.
- Be on the go: Be busy and active.
- Go all out: Make a great effort.
- Go and do sth: Criticism that someone has done something foolish.
- Have a go: Attempt to do something.
- Have sth on the go: Be working on something.
- There you go (again): Used to express annoyance with repetitive behavior.
- Give way: Allow something to happen or yield.
- Hand/give it to sb: Pass something to someone.
- Be in on the ground floor: Become involved early in something potentially profitable.
- Get sth off the ground: Start something successfully.
- Lose/give ground: Allow another to gain power/influence.
- Go to ground: Hide.
- Hold your ground: Protect your position.
- Be on firm ground: Be sure about something, be well-supported.
- Break fresh/new ground: Create a new approach or area of work.
- Cut the ground from under sb/sb's feet: Undermine support/destabilize someone.
- Gain ground: Make progress; become more influential.
- Happy hunting ground: A favorite place for hunting.
Places and Concepts
- Rogues' gallery: A collection of records of criminals.
- Gallery: A place for displaying pictures (or people).
- Game: A planned, possibly deceitful effort to trick someone.
- Garden: Represents a place that could be a metaphor that could be a place of peace or conflict.
- Common/garden variety: Ordinary or usual.
- Lead sb up the garden path: Mislead or deceive someone.
- A Waiting game: patience required to achieve success.
- The gamut: A range of experiences.
- Ground floor: Early stages of something.
- The grass is greener on the other side: Things seem better elsewhere.
- Grass Roots: Ordinary people; people closely involved in something.
- Grey area: Unspecified or ambiguous situation in law or understanding.
- Gray suits: Powerful but less noticeable people in politics and business.
- The gutter press: Sensationalist publications.
Miscellaneous
- Mug: Beating or tricking someone.
- Be up for grabs: To be available/open to be taken/chosen.
- Any body's guess: Unknowable.
- At a guess: Roughly estimated.
- Guess what: Surprise.
- Your guess is as good as mine: Neither of us knows.
- Stick in your throat/craw/gullet: Difficult to swallow (emotionally/verbally).
- Gum up the works: Make progress impossible.
- Up a gum tree: In a difficult or awkward situation.
- Hold a gun to sb's head: Force someone to do something.
- Jump the gun: Act prematurely.
- Spike sb's guns: Prevent someone from doing something.
- Stick to your guns: Maintain your position
- Have the guts: Have the courage.
- Have sb's guts for garters: Punish someone severely.
- Slog/sweat your guts out: Work very hard
- Bust a gut: Work extremely hard.
- Knee-high to a grasshopper: Very young.
- Pearly gates: A metaphor representing the end or destination.
- Take sth as/for gospel (truth): Believe without question.
- A grey area: An area of uncertainty.
- Grey matter: Intelligence.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of common idioms and phrases in English. This quiz will challenge you to understand and interpret various idiomatic expressions that are often used in everyday conversation. See how well you can identify their meanings and usage!
