Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the phrase 'reinventing the wheel' refer to?
What does the phrase 'reinventing the wheel' refer to?
Which idiom means to do what others are doing or agree with the majority?
Which idiom means to do what others are doing or agree with the majority?
What does 'skating on thin ice' signify?
What does 'skating on thin ice' signify?
What is meant by 'a silver lining'?
What is meant by 'a silver lining'?
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If someone says they don't have a 'sweet tooth', what does that mean?
If someone says they don't have a 'sweet tooth', what does that mean?
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What does the phrase 'to go Dutch' mean?
What does the phrase 'to go Dutch' mean?
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What does it mean to 'make ends meet'?
What does it mean to 'make ends meet'?
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The expression 'that doesn't ring a bell' indicates what?
The expression 'that doesn't ring a bell' indicates what?
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What does 'to blow off steam' generally refer to?
What does 'to blow off steam' generally refer to?
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What does it mean to 'nip something in the bud'?
What does it mean to 'nip something in the bud'?
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Which idiom means to be dressed very well?
Which idiom means to be dressed very well?
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When someone is said to be 'in hot water', what does it imply?
When someone is said to be 'in hot water', what does it imply?
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What does 'to let the cat out of the bag' mean?
What does 'to let the cat out of the bag' mean?
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Which expression indicates a surprising occurrence?
Which expression indicates a surprising occurrence?
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What does 'to be between a rock and a hard place' depict?
What does 'to be between a rock and a hard place' depict?
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What does it mean if something 'sold like hot cakes'?
What does it mean if something 'sold like hot cakes'?
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What does 'to be loaded' refer to?
What does 'to be loaded' refer to?
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What does it mean 'to keep one's chin up'?
What does it mean 'to keep one's chin up'?
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What does 'to catch somebody off guard' imply?
What does 'to catch somebody off guard' imply?
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What does 'to race against the clock' mean?
What does 'to race against the clock' mean?
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What does 'to be up in arms' indicate?
What does 'to be up in arms' indicate?
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What does 'to fall through the cracks' suggest?
What does 'to fall through the cracks' suggest?
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What does the phrase 'by the skin of one's teeth' mean?
What does the phrase 'by the skin of one's teeth' mean?
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When someone 'draws the line,' what are they doing?
When someone 'draws the line,' what are they doing?
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What does it mean to be 'a fish out of water'?
What does it mean to be 'a fish out of water'?
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If someone 'cries wolf,' what are they doing?
If someone 'cries wolf,' what are they doing?
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What does 'to play devil's advocate' involve?
What does 'to play devil's advocate' involve?
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What does the phrase 'to steal someone's thunder' mean?
What does the phrase 'to steal someone's thunder' mean?
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What does it mean to 'rain on someone's parade'?
What does it mean to 'rain on someone's parade'?
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If something is described as a 'cakewalk,' how would it be characterized?
If something is described as a 'cakewalk,' how would it be characterized?
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What does it mean to 'take a rain check'?
What does it mean to 'take a rain check'?
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What is a 'wild goose chase'?
What is a 'wild goose chase'?
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What does it mean to 'twist someone's arm'?
What does it mean to 'twist someone's arm'?
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What does 'to face the music' mean?
What does 'to face the music' mean?
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What is the implication of 'to turn a deaf ear'?
What is the implication of 'to turn a deaf ear'?
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Study Notes
Idioms and Their Meanings
- Reinvent the wheel: Wasting time trying to create something already existing. Avoid recreating something already available.
- Go with the flow: Doing what others are doing or agreeing with the majority's opinion.
- Skating on thin ice: Doing something dangerous or risky.
- Silver lining: A positive aspect that comes from a negative situation.
- Sweet tooth: Someone who likes eating sweet foods, especially chocolate.
- Go Dutch: Sharing the cost of something, often a meal.
- Make ends meet: Having just enough money for essential items.
- Ring a bell: Something being familiar or recognizable.
- Tip of the iceberg: A small part of a much larger problem.
- Blow off steam: Saying or doing something to release strong feelings or energy.
- Piece of cake: Something extremely easy.
- Out of the woods: No longer having a problem or difficulty.
- Get over something: Recover from an illness or difficulty.
- One's cup of tea: A type or category that someone doesn't like.
- Loaded: Rich, having a lot of money.
- Nip something in the bud: Stopping something before it becomes established.
- Out of the blue: Something happening suddenly and unexpectedly.
- Keep one's chin up: Remaining cheerful in a difficult situation.
- Race against the clock: Trying to finish a task quickly before a specific time.
- Catch someone off guard: Surprising someone by doing something unexpected.
- On one's radar: Being considered or thought about.
- Stab someone in the back: Betraying someone.
- Make a beeline for something: Moving quickly and directly towards something.
- In hot water: In a situation where you might be criticized or punished.
- Dressed to the nines: Dressed formally, smartly or fashionably.
- Between a rock and a hard place: In a difficult situation with difficult choices.
- Lo and behold: A surprising event happened.
- Let the cat out of the bag: Accidentally revealing a secret.
- On the same page: Everyone agreeing on a plan or approach.
- Like hot cakes: Something that sells very quickly and easily.
- Fall/Slip through the cracks: Something not noticed or given sufficient attention.
- Up in arms: Grumpy or angry about something.
- Fair and square: Honestly or according to the rules.
- Black sheep: A member of a group who is different from the others.
- By the skin of one's teeth: Barely or by a very slight margin.
- Get under one's skin: Irritating or upsetting someone.
- Draw the line: Putting a limit on what you will allow or do.
- Give something a whirl: Trying something new.
- Fish out of water: In an unfamiliar and uncomfortable surrounding.
- Go the extra mile: Making an extra attempt to achieve something.
- Not see the forest from the trees: Being so involved in minor details that you don't see the bigger picture.
- Straight from the horse's mouth: Getting information directly from the source.
- Cry wolf: Calling for help when you don't actually need it.
- Bigger fish to fry: Having more important things to deal with.
- Play devil's advocate: Arguing against something to address all sides.
- Steal one's thunder: Preventing someone from getting the deserved recognition.
- Rain on one's parade: Spoiling someone's pleasure.
- Cakewalk: Something very easy.
- Take a rain check: Declining an invitation with the suggestion to accept it later.
- Wild goose chase: Searching for something that doesn't exist.
- Twist someone's arm: Persuading someone to do something they don't want to do.
- Face the music: Accepting criticism or punishment.
- Hit the books: Study or do homework.
- Turn a deaf ear: Ignoring someone's complaints or requests.
- Break the bank: To cause financial ruin.
- Jump the gun: Doing something too soon without thinking carefully.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of common idioms and their meanings with this engaging quiz. Explore how these phrases can add depth to your conversations and writing. Perfect for language learners or anyone looking to enhance their understanding of English expressions.
