Idioms: Definitions and Usage

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9 Questions

'At home' can mean being very comfortable or proficient in a particular area.

True

'At large' means representing smaller groups rather than the whole.

False

'At least' means no more than a certain amount.

False

'At liberty' means freely able to do something.

True

'At one fell swoop' and 'at one stroke' have the same meaning.

True

'At the bottom of the heap' means being in the best position in a group.

False

'At the crack of dawn' means late in the morning.

False

The phrases 'at odds,' 'at peace,' and 'at rest' all convey a sense of tension or conflict.

False

'At the dot' means being late.

False

Study Notes

  • The phrases "at odds," "at once," "at one," "at one blow," "at one fell swoop," "at one sitting," "at one stroke," "at one time," "at one's best," "at one's convenience," "at one's doorstep," "at one's earliest convenience," "at one's ease," "at one's elbow," "at one's expense," "at one's fingertips," "at one's heels," "at one's knee," "at one's leisure," "at one's own game," "at one's own peril," "at one's own risk," "at one's wit's end," "at one's worst," "at opposite poles," "at peace," "at peace with," "at play," "at point-blank range," "at present," "at random," "at regular intervals," "at rest," "at stake," "at that," "at the appointed time," "at the back of one's mind," "at the best of times," "at the bottom of the food chain," "at the bottom of the heap," "at the bottom of the hour," "at the bottom of the ladder," "at the chalkface," "at the coalface," "at the crack of dawn," "at the cutting edge," "at the dot," "at the double," "at the drop of a hat," "at the eleventh hour," "at the end of nowhere," "at the end of one's fingertips," "at the end of one's rope," "at the end of one's tether," "at the end of the day," and "at the end of the line" are all idiomatic expressions used in English language.
  • Each expression has a unique meaning.
  • "At odds" means in conflict or disagreement.
  • "At once" means immediately or at the same time.
  • "At one" means in agreement.
  • "At one blow" means done or accomplished at once and with a single, decisive move or action.
  • "At one fell swoop" and "at one stroke" have the same meaning.
  • "At one sitting" means during one uninterrupted period of time.
  • "At one's best" means in one's prime, most positive, or most adept condition or state.
  • "At one's convenience" means at a time that is suitable and convenient for oneself.
  • "At one's doorstep" means physically present, nearby, or within easy reach.
  • "At one's own game" means using another person's strengths, techniques, or tactics against them.
  • "At one's own peril" means taking a risk, with the possibility of loss or danger.
  • "At one's own risk" has the same meaning as "at one's own peril."
  • "At one's wit's end" means having no more ideas or solutions to a problem, and feeling frustrated or desperate.
  • "At one's worst" means at one's lowest, most negative, or least capable condition or state.
  • "At opposite poles" means having completely opposite positions, opinions, or viewpoints.
  • "At peace" means calm, peaceful, and free from conflict, disturbance, or tension.
  • "At peace with" means reconciled, content, or comfortable with something.
  • "At play" means engaged in a game, activity, or pastime.
  • "At point-blank range" means in close proximity to someone or something, often in a threatening or confrontational manner.
  • "At present" means currently or at the present moment.
  • "At random" means without any particular pattern or reason.
  • "At regular intervals" means at equal distances apart, or repeated frequently.
  • "At rest" means at peace, quiet, or in a state of stillness.
  • "At stake" means at risk of being won or lost.
  • "At that" means in addition to what has been said, or despite what has been said.
  • "At the appointed time" means at a specific, designated time.
  • "At the back of one's mind" means something that is present in one's thoughts or attention, but not the primary focus.
  • "At the best of times" means under ideal conditions or circumstances.
  • "At the bottom of the food chain" means at the lowest position in a social, corporate, or political hierarchy.
  • "At the bottom of the heap" means in the worst or most disadvantaged position in a group.
  • "At the bottom of the hour" means at or after half-past the hour.
  • "At the bottom of the ladder" means occupying the lowest, most basic position in a given group.
  • "At the chalkface" means in the act of teaching, or in a situation where one is faced with a difficult task.
  • "At the coalface" means actively doing a certain job, or in a situation where one is directly involved in a particular issue.
  • "At the crack of dawn" means very early in the morning, just as the sun is rising.
  • "At the cutting edge" means at the forefront of technological developments or advancements.
  • "At the dot" means right on time, or at the exact moment.
  • "At the double" means rapidly or quickly.
  • "At the drop of a hat" means with little provocation or warning, or freely and immediately.
  • "At the eleventh hour" means at the last possible moment or opportunity.
  • "At the end of nowhere" means in a very distant or remote place.
  • "At the end of one's fingertips" means easily or conveniently accessed, accomplished, or achieved.
  • "At the end of one's rope" means completely worn out, exhausted, or exasperated.
  • "At the end of one's tether" means at the end of one's patience and/or energy.
  • "At the end of the day" means ultimately or finally.
  • "At the end of the line" means at the conclusion or final step of something.
  • "At the expense of" means requiring a sacrifice or cost, or imposing a financial burden on someone or something.
  • The expressions can be used to convey a variety of ideas and emotions.
  • They can add color, clarity, and nuance to language.
  • They can make speech and writing more engaging, vivid, and memorable.
  • They can help to create a sense of connection and understanding between people.
  • They can be used to build rapport, convey information, and express ideas more effectively.
  • They can help to bridge cultural, linguistic, and generational divides.
  • They can help to convey a sense of humor, playfulness, or irony.
  • They can help to convey a sense of urgency, purpose, or determination.
  • They can help to convey a sense of frustration, anger, or disappointment.
  • They can help to convey a sense of hope, optimism, or confidence.
  • They can help to convey a sense of nostalgia, longing, or wistfulness.
  • They can help to convey a sense of excitement, enthusiasm, or curiosity.
  • They can help to convey a sense of beauty, elegance, or refinement.
  • They can help to convey a sense of complexity, depth, or nuance.
  • They can help to convey a sense of joy, pleasure, or satisfaction.
  • They can help to convey a sense of surprise, shock, or awe.
  • They can help to convey a sense of determination, resilience, or perseverance.
  • They can help to convey a sense of generosity, kindness, or compassion.
  • They can help to convey a sense of gratitude, appreciation, or recognition.
  • They can help to convey a sense of humility, modesty, or respect.
  • They can help to convey a sense of courage, bravery, or valor.
  • They can help to convey a sense of inspiration, motivation, or encouragement.
  • They can help to convey a sense of wisdom, insight, or perspective.
  • They can help to convey a sense of creativity, imagination, or originality.
  • They can help to convey a sense of empathy, compassion, or sensitivity.
  • They can help to convey a sense of forgiveness, mercy, or compassion.
  • They can help to convey a sense of loyalty, commitment, or devotion.
  • They can help to convey a sense of security, safety, or protection.
  • They can help to convey a sense of power, strength, or dominance.
  • They can help to convey a sense of vulnerability, weakness, or vulnerability.
  • They can help to convey a sense of trust, reliability, or dependability.
  • They can help to convey a sense of responsibility, accountability, or duty.
  • They can help to convey a sense of hope, optimism, or faith.
  • They can help to convey a sense of love,

Test your knowledge of idiomatic expressions with this quiz. Match the definitions with the correct idioms and understand their usage in various contexts.

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