Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the idiom 'turn over a new leaf' mean?
What does the idiom 'turn over a new leaf' mean?
- Change your appearance
- Start fresh and improve (correct)
- Ignore past mistakes
- Continue old habits
What does the phrase 'Autumn years' refer to?
What does the phrase 'Autumn years' refer to?
- Childhood phase
- Later years in life (correct)
- The springtime of life
- Middle adulthood
If someone is 'driving you nuts', what do they mean?
If someone is 'driving you nuts', what do they mean?
- They are inspiring you
- They are frustrating or annoying you (correct)
- They are making you happy
- They are making you curious
What does the idiom 'under the weather' convey?
What does the idiom 'under the weather' convey?
How is 'neck of the woods' commonly used?
How is 'neck of the woods' commonly used?
What does it mean to be 'not out of the woods'?
What does it mean to be 'not out of the woods'?
What is implied when someone is said to be 'shaking like a leaf'?
What is implied when someone is said to be 'shaking like a leaf'?
What does 'get wind of something' mean?
What does 'get wind of something' mean?
If someone feels 'under the weather', they might experience which of the following?
If someone feels 'under the weather', they might experience which of the following?
When you say someone 'drives you nuts', it might imply that they are?
When you say someone 'drives you nuts', it might imply that they are?
What does saying you are in 'your neck of the woods' generally mean?
What does saying you are in 'your neck of the woods' generally mean?
What type of situation might cause someone to say they are 'not out of the woods yet'?
What type of situation might cause someone to say they are 'not out of the woods yet'?
How would one typically feel when they are described as 'shaking like a leaf'?
How would one typically feel when they are described as 'shaking like a leaf'?
If you 'get wind of' a piece of gossip, what are you likely doing?
If you 'get wind of' a piece of gossip, what are you likely doing?
What does the idiom 'give it your best shot' encourage someone to do?
What does the idiom 'give it your best shot' encourage someone to do?
What does the phrase 'home stretch' refer to?
What does the phrase 'home stretch' refer to?
If someone is described as 'not up to par', what does this imply about their performance?
If someone is described as 'not up to par', what does this imply about their performance?
What does 'throwing in the towel' signify?
What does 'throwing in the towel' signify?
What does it mean if someone feels 'blindsided'?
What does it mean if someone feels 'blindsided'?
When something is described as a 'slam dunk', what does this usually mean?
When something is described as a 'slam dunk', what does this usually mean?
What does 'calling the shots' refer to in a business context?
What does 'calling the shots' refer to in a business context?
Why might someone be encouraged not to 'throw in the towel'?
Why might someone be encouraged not to 'throw in the towel'?
What does the idiom 'the apple of someone's eye' refer to?
What does the idiom 'the apple of someone's eye' refer to?
In sports terminology, what does being 'not up to par' indicate?
In sports terminology, what does being 'not up to par' indicate?
How is 'blindsided' typically used in conversation?
How is 'blindsided' typically used in conversation?
What does 'quitting cold turkey' mean?
What does 'quitting cold turkey' mean?
In the idiom 'the ball is in your court', what is meant by 'the ball'?
In the idiom 'the ball is in your court', what is meant by 'the ball'?
What does it mean if someone is encouraged to 'give it their best shot'?
What does it mean if someone is encouraged to 'give it their best shot'?
What does the idiom 'get off the hook' imply?
What does the idiom 'get off the hook' imply?
What kind of decision might someone refer to as a 'slam dunk'?
What kind of decision might someone refer to as a 'slam dunk'?
What does being in the 'home stretch' commonly symbolize?
What does being in the 'home stretch' commonly symbolize?
To 'go to bat for someone' means to:
To 'go to bat for someone' means to:
What does it imply when someone is told to keep going and not 'throw in the towel'?
What does it imply when someone is told to keep going and not 'throw in the towel'?
What does 'give it your best shot' encourage someone to do?
What does 'give it your best shot' encourage someone to do?
Which of the following idioms is associated with escaping responsibility?
Which of the following idioms is associated with escaping responsibility?
Which idiom would be appropriate to describe someone who suddenly quits smoking?
Which idiom would be appropriate to describe someone who suddenly quits smoking?
What aspect of tennis is reflected in the idiom 'the ball is in your court'?
What aspect of tennis is reflected in the idiom 'the ball is in your court'?
What is the primary message of the idiom 'go to bat for someone'?
What is the primary message of the idiom 'go to bat for someone'?
Which scenario exemplifies 'getting off the hook'?
Which scenario exemplifies 'getting off the hook'?
What sentiment is conveyed by saying someone is 'the apple of my eye'?
What sentiment is conveyed by saying someone is 'the apple of my eye'?
When someone is told to 'give it your best shot', what is expected?
When someone is told to 'give it your best shot', what is expected?
What does the idiom 'beat around the bush' mean?
What does the idiom 'beat around the bush' mean?
When might someone use the idiom 'barking up the wrong tree'?
When might someone use the idiom 'barking up the wrong tree'?
What does going 'with the flow' imply?
What does going 'with the flow' imply?
To 'nip something in the bud' means to:
To 'nip something in the bud' means to:
What does it mean when someone says 'knock on wood'?
What does it mean when someone says 'knock on wood'?
Why might someone 'beat around the bush' when speaking to a colleague?
Why might someone 'beat around the bush' when speaking to a colleague?
If someone says another person is 'barking up the wrong tree', what might that imply?
If someone says another person is 'barking up the wrong tree', what might that imply?
What is an appropriate situation for using the idiom 'go with the flow'?
What is an appropriate situation for using the idiom 'go with the flow'?
When should you 'nip something in the bud'?
When should you 'nip something in the bud'?
In which context would saying 'knock on wood' be appropriate?
In which context would saying 'knock on wood' be appropriate?
What does it indicate if someone tells you to stop 'beating around the bush'?
What does it indicate if someone tells you to stop 'beating around the bush'?
Someone might feel they are 'barking up the wrong tree' when they:
Someone might feel they are 'barking up the wrong tree' when they:
Using the idiom 'go with the flow' suggests that a person is:
Using the idiom 'go with the flow' suggests that a person is:
What is the significance of 'nipping something in the bud'?
What is the significance of 'nipping something in the bud'?
What does the idiom 'living under a rock' imply about a person?
What does the idiom 'living under a rock' imply about a person?
The term 'Grassroots' primarily refers to what?
The term 'Grassroots' primarily refers to what?
Which of the following idioms means to develop romantic feelings for someone?
Which of the following idioms means to develop romantic feelings for someone?
What does it mean if someone is described as 'head over heels' in love?
What does it mean if someone is described as 'head over heels' in love?
What does 'lovey-dovey' refer to when describing a couple?
What does 'lovey-dovey' refer to when describing a couple?
To be 'smitten' means what in terms of attraction?
To be 'smitten' means what in terms of attraction?
What does the idiom 'to get hitched' mean?
What does the idiom 'to get hitched' mean?
Which idiom is synonymous with 'to get hitched'?
Which idiom is synonymous with 'to get hitched'?
In what context would someone use the phrase 'knock on wood'?
In what context would someone use the phrase 'knock on wood'?
What does it mean if you say a campaign is 'Grassroots'?
What does it mean if you say a campaign is 'Grassroots'?
What do you call someone who enjoys someone's company a lot?
What do you call someone who enjoys someone's company a lot?
How would you interpret the phrase 'to fall for someone' within relationships?
How would you interpret the phrase 'to fall for someone' within relationships?
When someone is described as 'head over heels,' what is being emphasized?
When someone is described as 'head over heels,' what is being emphasized?
What does the idiom 'fall through the cracks' imply?
What does the idiom 'fall through the cracks' imply?
What does the speaker mean by saying, 'it's not rocket science'?
What does the speaker mean by saying, 'it's not rocket science'?
Which of the following best characterizes the speaker's tone towards the repeated use of idioms and expressions?
Which of the following best characterizes the speaker's tone towards the repeated use of idioms and expressions?
What is the intended advice when mentioning to 'check out another video'?
What is the intended advice when mentioning to 'check out another video'?
What does the speaker imply by saying everything is 'falling through the cracks'?
What does the speaker imply by saying everything is 'falling through the cracks'?
What does the phrase 'going through a rough patch' imply about a couple's relationship?
What does the phrase 'going through a rough patch' imply about a couple's relationship?
What is a double date?
What is a double date?
If a relationship is said to be 'on the rocks', what does this mean?
If a relationship is said to be 'on the rocks', what does this mean?
What does the idiom 'pardon my French' indicate when used in conversation?
What does the idiom 'pardon my French' indicate when used in conversation?
To 'weasel out of something' means to:
To 'weasel out of something' means to:
What does the idiom 'hold your horses' encourage someone to do?
What does the idiom 'hold your horses' encourage someone to do?
The phrase 'the pot calling the kettle black' highlights what concept?
The phrase 'the pot calling the kettle black' highlights what concept?
What does the idiom 'kitten caboodle' generally signify?
What does the idiom 'kitten caboodle' generally signify?
If someone says they are going to 'weasel out' of a task, what does this suggest?
If someone says they are going to 'weasel out' of a task, what does this suggest?
Using the phrase 'pardon my French' typically shows what type of behavior?
Using the phrase 'pardon my French' typically shows what type of behavior?
What does it mean if someone says, 'I'm going through a bit of a rough patch'?
What does it mean if someone says, 'I'm going through a bit of a rough patch'?
Which idiom would you use to suggest someone needs to relax and take their time?
Which idiom would you use to suggest someone needs to relax and take their time?
Seeing a troubled couple, you might say they are 'on the rocks'. What does it imply?
Seeing a troubled couple, you might say they are 'on the rocks'. What does it imply?
What does 'weaseling out' of an obligation typically suggest about a person's character?
What does 'weaseling out' of an obligation typically suggest about a person's character?
What does the idiom 'pay through the nose' imply?
What does the idiom 'pay through the nose' imply?
What does the idiom 'piece of cake' signify?
What does the idiom 'piece of cake' signify?
What is the meaning of 'running late'?
What is the meaning of 'running late'?
What does 'get the hang of something' mean?
What does 'get the hang of something' mean?
What does the phrase 'all set' imply?
What does the phrase 'all set' imply?
When is it appropriate to say 'you sound like a broken record'?
When is it appropriate to say 'you sound like a broken record'?
Which of the following expressions can also mean 'ready to go'?
Which of the following expressions can also mean 'ready to go'?
If someone says they are 'running behind', what are they referring to?
If someone says they are 'running behind', what are they referring to?
What is the tone conveyed when someone uses the idiom 'let rip'?
What is the tone conveyed when someone uses the idiom 'let rip'?
What does it mean to 'run late' in terms of punctuality?
What does it mean to 'run late' in terms of punctuality?
How might someone feel if they are 'getting the hang of it'?
How might someone feel if they are 'getting the hang of it'?
Which idiom suggests that something is straightforward and uncomplicated?
Which idiom suggests that something is straightforward and uncomplicated?
Why might someone say they are 'running a little behind schedule'?
Why might someone say they are 'running a little behind schedule'?
What does the idiom 'whole kitten kaboodle' emphasize?
What does the idiom 'whole kitten kaboodle' emphasize?
In which context might you use the phrase 'tongue in cheek'?
In which context might you use the phrase 'tongue in cheek'?
What does it mean when someone is described as 'wet behind the ears'?
What does it mean when someone is described as 'wet behind the ears'?
What does being 'gung-ho' imply?
What does being 'gung-ho' imply?
When someone is advised to 'mind their p's and q's,' what are they being told?
When someone is advised to 'mind their p's and q's,' what are they being told?
What does the idiom 'bull in a china shop' suggest about a person's behavior?
What does the idiom 'bull in a china shop' suggest about a person's behavior?
What does the phrase 'bite the dust' refer to?
What does the phrase 'bite the dust' refer to?
How is 'gungho' typically received in social contexts?
How is 'gungho' typically received in social contexts?
In the provided content, how is 'wet behind the ears' portrayed?
In the provided content, how is 'wet behind the ears' portrayed?
Which of the following best describes the meaning of the idiom 'mind your p's and q's'?
Which of the following best describes the meaning of the idiom 'mind your p's and q's'?
Using the phrase 'tongue in cheek' would likely imply what about the speaker's intent?
Using the phrase 'tongue in cheek' would likely imply what about the speaker's intent?
What connotation does 'bull in a china shop' carry about someone’s actions?
What connotation does 'bull in a china shop' carry about someone’s actions?
What action could 'bite the dust' be used to describe in a light-hearted context?
What action could 'bite the dust' be used to describe in a light-hearted context?
The description of someone being 'gung-ho' typically suggests what about their personality?
The description of someone being 'gung-ho' typically suggests what about their personality?
What does the idiom 'Bob's your uncle' imply?
What does the idiom 'Bob's your uncle' imply?
What does 'window shopping' mean?
What does 'window shopping' mean?
If a product is described as a 'ripoff', what does this suggest?
If a product is described as a 'ripoff', what does this suggest?
What does the idiom 'shop till you drop' mean?
What does the idiom 'shop till you drop' mean?
What is meant by 'retail therapy'?
What is meant by 'retail therapy'?
What does it mean to 'bargain hunt'?
What does it mean to 'bargain hunt'?
What does 'to shoplift' mean?
What does 'to shoplift' mean?
What does the idiom 'fit like a glove' signify?
What does the idiom 'fit like a glove' signify?
What does 'like a bull in a china shop' mean when describing someone's behavior?
What does 'like a bull in a china shop' mean when describing someone's behavior?
What is a 'shopping spree'?
What is a 'shopping spree'?
What feeling often motivates people to engage in 'retail therapy'?
What feeling often motivates people to engage in 'retail therapy'?
In the context of shopping, what does 'bargain' refer to?
In the context of shopping, what does 'bargain' refer to?
How is the idiom 'to shop till you drop' typically perceived?
How is the idiom 'to shop till you drop' typically perceived?
When someone is described as 'acting like a bull in a china shop', what are they likely doing?
When someone is described as 'acting like a bull in a china shop', what are they likely doing?
What does the idiom 'pitch in' mean?
What does the idiom 'pitch in' mean?
In which situation would you most likely use the phrase 'blow off some steam'?
In which situation would you most likely use the phrase 'blow off some steam'?
What does the expression 'it's not rocket science' imply?
What does the expression 'it's not rocket science' imply?
What does 'to table something' refer to?
What does 'to table something' refer to?
What does the idiom 'jump on the bandwagon' mean?
What does the idiom 'jump on the bandwagon' mean?
What does 'sitting in the nosebleed section' refer to?
What does 'sitting in the nosebleed section' refer to?
What is the meaning of the phrase 'getting the hang of it'?
What is the meaning of the phrase 'getting the hang of it'?
When someone asks you to 'pitch in', what are they requesting?
When someone asks you to 'pitch in', what are they requesting?
Why might someone want to 'blow off some steam'?
Why might someone want to 'blow off some steam'?
When is it appropriate to say 'let's table this discussion'?
When is it appropriate to say 'let's table this discussion'?
How is 'jumping on the bandwagon' commonly used in a social context?
How is 'jumping on the bandwagon' commonly used in a social context?
If someone mentions 'it's not rocket science', what are they implying?
If someone mentions 'it's not rocket science', what are they implying?
In what scenario would someone likely refer to sitting in the 'nosebleed section'?
In what scenario would someone likely refer to sitting in the 'nosebleed section'?
What is suggested by the idiom 'to blow off some steam'?
What is suggested by the idiom 'to blow off some steam'?
Study Notes
Turning Over a New Leaf
- To start fresh, begin anew, change circumstances
- Example: Someone loses their job and decides to start looking for a new one.
Autumn Years
- Refers to the later stages of someone's life
- Example: "When somebody gets older, they may refer to that time as the Autumn years."
To Drive Someone Nuts
- Informal slang for "to make someone crazy"
- Example: When a situation is particularly stressful or annoying, you might say "it’s driving me nuts"
Under The Weather
- Means to feel slightly sick
- Example: “I’m feeling a little under the weather today”
Neck Of The Woods
- Refers to a particular area, neighborhood, or location
- Example: “What are you doing in my neck of the woods?”
Not Out Of The Woods
- Means to be in danger, not safe, or out of trouble
- Example: “We're not out of the woods yet, we need to keep running.”
Shaking Like A Leaf
- To tremble, usually due to fear.
- Example: “They were shaking like a leaf.”
To Get Wind Of Something
- To hear a rumor or piece of information
- Example: “I got wind of that rumor yesterday.”
The Apple Of Someone’s Eye
- Refers to someone who is loved the most, someone special.
- Example: “She was the apple of his eye.”
Cold Turkey
- To stop a bad habit immediately and abruptly.
- Example: “I quit smoking cold turkey.”
The Ball Is In Your Court
- It’s up to you, it’s your responsibility to make a decision, act, or take the next step
- Example: “The ball is in your court now, it’s up to you.”
To Get Off The Hook
- To escape responsibility or punishment
- Example: “You’re not going to get off the hook that easy."
To Go To Bat For Someone
- To defend someone, be an advocate for them.
- Example: “I’m tired of going to bat for you.”
Give It Your Best Shot
- Try your hardest, do your best
- Example: “Give it your best shot, I believe in you.”
The Home Stretch
- The final stage of something, the end.
- Example: “We’re in the home stretch, almost done.”
Not Up To Par
- Not good enough, inadequate
- Example: “This work wasn't up to par.”
To Throw In The Towel
- To give up, surrender, or quit.
- Example: “I’m going to throw in the towel, I’m done.”
Blindsided
- To be surprised, shocked, or caught off guard.
- Example: “I was blindsided by the news of their divorce.”
Slam Dunk
- A sure thing, an easy accomplishment.
- Example: “This project is a slam dunk!”
Call The Shots
- To make decisions, be in charge.
- Example: “The boss calls the shots around here.”
To Beat Around The Bush
- To avoid speaking directly, to be indirect.
- Example: “Stop beating around the bush, just tell me what you mean.”
Idioms & Their Meanings
- Beat around the bush: To avoid directly addressing a topic.
- Bark up the wrong tree: To pursue the wrong course of action or make an incorrect assumption.
- Go with the flow: To accept a situation and not try to change it.
- Nip something in the bud: To stop something at an early stage before it becomes established.
- Knock on wood: To express a wish for good luck or hope for a positive outcome.
- Living under a rock: To be unaware of something that is well-known or common knowledge.
- Grassroots: Refers to basic levels of activity, organization, or a cause.
Other Phrases & Meanings
- Pardon my French: To apologize for using offensive language.
- Weasel out of something: To avoid doing something by being dishonest.
- Hold your horses: To be patient and wait a moment.
- The pot calling the kettle black: An idiom used to point out hypocrisy.
- The whole kitten kaboodle: The whole group of people or things, all of something.
- Tongue-in-cheek: To be sarcastic or not serious.
- Wet behind the ears: Inexperienced.
- Gung ho: Very excited and eager.
- Mind your Ps and Qs: Behave properly and mind your manners.
- A bull in a china shop: To be clumsy or destructive.
- Fancy someone: To like someone and enjoy spending time with them (British English).
- Fall for someone: To develop romantic feelings for someone over time.
- Head over heels in love: To be completely and deeply in love with someone.
- Lovey-dovey: To be very affectionate, sometimes used negatively to describe excessive affection.
- Smitten: To be strongly attracted to someone.
- Get hitched: To get married.
- Tie the knot: To get married.
- Go through a rough patch: To experience a period of difficulty in a relationship.
- Double date: An activity that two couples do together.
- On the rocks: A relationship experiencing difficulties and likely to fail.
Idioms
- Like a bull in a china shop: someone who is reckless and clumsy, causing damage.
- Bites the Dust: to die, to come to an end, or to fail.
- Bob's your uncle: used to say that something is finished or complete.
- Window shopping: to look in shop windows without buying anything.
- Ripoff: a very overpriced item, often something that is overpriced because it’s a scam.
- Shop till you drop: to shop for a really long time until you are exhausted.
- Retail therapy/Shopping therapy: shopping to improve your mood or emotional state when you’re upset or feeling bad.
- Bargain hunting: actively searching for really good deals on things, searching to buy things cheap.
- Shoplift: to steal something from a store without paying for it.
- Fits like a glove: an item of clothing fits perfectly, like it was designed for your body.
- Shopping Spree: a short period where someone buys a lot of new things.
- Pay through the nose: to pay a lot of money for something, often a lot more than a fair price.
American Idioms
- Piece of cake: something is very easy to understand.
- Run late/Run behind: to be late for something.
- Get the bang of something: to learn how to do something that is not easy to understand.
- All set; Good to go: to be ready to do something, all prepared and organized.
- Sound like a broken record: to repeat something over and over, often in an annoying way.
- Pitch in: to start working as a part of a group, often to contribute or help.
- Blow off some steam: to do something to release some energy often negative energy, sometimes to vent or rage.
- It's not rocket science: something is not difficult to understand, common.
- Table something: to postpone a discussion until later.
- Jump on the bandwagon: to start supporting something that is becoming popular or trendy.
- Sit in the nosebleed section: to sit in seats high up at a stadium, so far away from the action they are hard to see.
Idioms and Expressions
- "Fall through the cracks" means to overlook something.
- "Piece of cake" means something is easy.
- "It's not rocket science" means something is easy to understand.
Single Parent Life
- The speaker is experiencing the challenges of being a single parent.
- The speaker has been wearing the same sweater for four days which suggests they are busy and overwhelmed.
Active English
- The speaker encourages the audience to join the "Active English bandwagon" which emphasizes the importance of being engaged with learning English.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
This quiz explores a variety of idiomatic phrases commonly used in English. Test your knowledge on expressions related to changing circumstances, life stages, and emotional states. See how well you can identify the meanings and contexts of these phrases.
