Idioms 1
When pigs fly
Something that will never happen.
“When pigs fly she’ll tidy up her room.”
Bring up
o mention something.
Note: The two parts of this phrasal verb can be separated in a sentence.
“Mark was sick and had to miss the party, so please don’t bring it up, I don’t want him to feel bad for missing it.”
Hit the sack
The sack would be your bed - and you hitting it would be you going to bed
Call off
To cancel something.
“The picnic was called off because of the rain.”
Break a leg
means ‘good luck’ (often said to actors before they go on stage).
“Break a leg Sam, I’m sure your performance will be great.”
an easy touch
someone who you can easily persuade or deceive into giving you something, usually money
Cheer up
This phrase can either be used as a phrase of encouragement said to someone who seems sad (just saying “cheer up!” to them), or it can mean to try to make someone happier.
“Andrew was having a bad day, so his girlfriend cheered him up by taking him out for ice cream.”
an embarrassment of riches
so many good things or people that it is impossible to decide which of them you want
Come forward
To volunteer information about something, like a crime.
“The police are encouraging people to come forward with any information about the kidnapped girl.”
Stealing someones thunder
Taking credit for someone else achievements.
To cut corners
to do something badly or cheaply.
“They really cut corners when they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking.”
Cut (it) out
This phrase has the same meaning as saying “Stop it.”
“Hey, cut it out! I was watching that movie, so stop changing the channel!”
To cost an arm and a leg
’– something is very expensive.
“Fuel these days costs and arm and a leg.”
Drop off
To leave something or someone in their destination.
It can be separated by the object being dropped off.
“I can give you a ride and drop you off at work.”
Bite the bullet
Decide to do something unpleasant that you have avoiding doing.
A blessing in disguise
An misfortune that eventually results in something good happening later on.
Get away
To escape.
You may have heard the phrase “getaway car,” which can help you remember this phrasal verb. That’s the car used by criminals to run away from a crime scene, like a bank robbery.
“Carmen’s neighbor tried to show her pictures of all her cats, but Carmen managed to get away.”
To add insult to injury
to make a situation worse.
“To add insult to injury the car drove off without stopping after knocking me off my bike
Fill (someone) in
To give someone the details about something.
This English phrasal verb is usually separated by the person getting filled in.
“Quickly, let’s go! There’s no time to explain, I’ll fill you in on the way.”
See things in black and white
to have a simple view of what is right and wrong, or good and bad
See eye to eye
this means agreeing with someone.
“They finally saw eye to eye on the business deal.”
Hang on
To keep something.
“When everyone else was getting fired, Paul managed to hang on to his job.”
Once in a blue moon
an event that happens infrequently.
“I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.”
Grow apart
To get distant from someone, like a friend.
“When my friend moved to a different country I tried to stay close with her, but we slowly grew apart.”
be wet behind the ears
to be young and without experience