Idioms
We tried to figure out why our teacher was wearing bunny slippers and pajamas, but we couldn’t find any rhyme or reason to it.
No understandable meaning behind it
Even though Vaughn tried to pretend like he didn’t know the girl, when Brenda showed him the text messages, he knew that he was caught red-handed.
caught committing the act or have evidence
If a company wants to bring a new product to the overcrowded tech aisles, they better be ready to duke it out.
fight ferociously
Just as the teacher had given up on Jake, he submitted a flawlessly composed essay at the eleventh hour
the last possible time for something to occur
After seeing his progress report grades, Jack knew that he had to hit the books or he’d be off the football team.
to study or focus intensely
Coach Ruggeri put a great team together but most of them were seniors and now that they’re all graduating, he’ll have to build a new team from scratch.
start at the beginning of a process
Mom drew a line in the sand about using our phones at the dinner table and now we talk a lot more as a family during dinner.
to make a rule or set a position
After months of intense practice and drilling, the players had the playbook down pat.
have completely memorized
You can accept his challenge if you want, but it’s going to be under his terms, on his field, and the deck will be stacked against you.
when you compete against someone who has an unfair advantage
Mom sighed, “No, Janie, your hamster is not a zombie. Your brother is just pulling your leg.”
to misinform someone for amusement
As the two doctors argued over the next medical intervention to attempt, the patient had ad difficult time following the conversation due to all of the medical mumbo-jumbo.
language that is difficult to understand
The market for physical media has really gone belly up since consumers embraced the internet and digital media.
to badly flounder or die/end
The teacher reprimanded the children in the hallway, “I saw Alice keeping her hands to herself and not talking with anyone while waiting for the fountain, and I expect the rest of you to follow suit.
to do what another person has done
Unlike most of the kids in this school, Jade did all of her homework and turned it in on time. Her teachers thought that she was a diamond in the rough.
a person of rare quality found in an unexpected place
The record executive decided to break up the band because he knew that musicians were a dime a dozen and that a front man like Kyle was the real find.
something is cheap and easily available
Grandpa tried his best to understand the terms of the contract that he was about to enter, but he couldn’t wrap his head around all of the sprawling clauses and financial jargon.
he was unable to fully understand something
I appreciate the pleasantries but as the crow flies, I’d like to know the reason that you are calling me at this hour.
to get to the point or travel in a straight direction
When Lyle was on the phone with the window repair man, he just wanted a ballpark estimate on the work, but the guy refused to quote any price until he was at the job and could see the damage.
a guess that has a large range of inaccuracy but gives a general idea
Val’s science partner Lance was always combing his hair and admiring his own clothing while she was working busily on the project. She tried to have a constructive relationship with him but he was just so full of himself that Val now refused to work with him.
to be self-absorbed and not concerned about others
After Alvin slipped the note into Candace’s locker asking her to the dance, he sighed because the ball was in her court now.
she is responsible for the outcome or decision
After being drafted into the NFL and receiving his signing bonus, Victor bought a new sports car with all of the bells and whistles.
the premium options or features
Ben was treating her very indifferently today, but she just figured that it was a case of sour grapes since she declined his invitation to the school dance last night.
when someone criticizes something they cannot have
Should we get the extra point and bring this game into overtime, or should we attempt the two point conversion and go for the whole ball of wax?
an attempt to gain total victory when a less attainment is available
Mr. Schwartz was surprised to see so many students in his summer school class. “Normally, when it gets this hot, they start dropping like flies,” he remarked to the aide
when many participants withdraw or don't show up or are sick
Robert had never seen a carpenter use a mobile phone application to perform a calculation, but when he saw the new guy do it, he knew that it would be a real game changer.
old methods are obsolete; has a long lasting effect