IDIOMS

Food Idioms

100

COOL AS A CUCUMBER "Mike had studied very hard, so when the teacher passed out the exam, he was cool as a cucumber."

Calm or relaxed.

200

CREAM OF THE CROP "The students aren't just smart - they're the cream of the crop."

The best.

300

SPILL THE BEANS "We weren't supposed to know about the party, but mom spilled the beans."

Give away a secret.

400

HARD NUT TO CRACK "This math problem is giving me trouble. It's a hard nut to crack."

Someone or something that is difficult to understand.

500

HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO "He works so hard to pay for that fancy house of his that he never has any time to stay home and enjoy it. I suppose you can't have your cake and eat it too. "

Having or wanting more than one can handle or deserve; trying to have two incompatible things. (Similar to the phrases, "you can't have it both ways" and "you can't have the best of both worlds.")

Money Idioms

100

AT ALL COSTS/AT ANY COST "We will send our children to a good school at all costs."

No matter what; regardless of what it takes.

200

BRING HOME THE BACON. "My dad doesn't work so mom is bringing home the bacon for us."

Earning money, especially for the family.

300

BURN A HOLE IN YOUR POCKET. "I just burned a hole in my pocket - my whole paycheck is used up!"

Spend a lot of money very quickly.

400

A DIME A DOZEN "Superhero movies are a dime a dozen these days."

Very common; cheap and worthless.

500

BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN YOUR MOUTH. "James doesn't know about working for a living. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth."

Someone who comes from wealth and privilege.

Animal Idioms

100

BLACK SHEEP "Stephanie hates sports, she's really the black sheep of the family."

Different than everyone else.

200

YOUR BARK IS WORSE THAN YOUR BITE. "Mom said she would take away my computer but her bark is worse than her bite."

One's words are stronger than one's actions.

300

GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE "My boss is so conceited, I wish he would get off his high horse."

Become humble or more modest.

400

BACK THE WRONG HORSE "We voted for Mitt Romney in the election against Obama, but it looks like we were backing to wrong horse."

To support something that is unsuccessful.

500

BULL IN A CHINA SHOP "That boy is like a bull in a china shop, so be careful when he comes to your house."

Someone who is reckless, careless, and prone to breaking things.

Sports Idioms

100

ACROSS THE BOARD "Across the board the students did poorly on the test."

Applying to everyone.

200

BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL "I didn't know we had reading to do last night. I'm behind the eight ball already."

At a disadvantage.

300

OUT OF LEFT FIELD "The marriage proposal really came out of left field."

Unexpected.

400

OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE. "Fred wished he could date Susan, but there was no way - she was out of his league."

Not on the same level.

500

TOUCH BASE "I touched base with my coworker to see how the project was coming."

Check in; make contact briefly.

Body Idioms

100

CAN'T STOMACH "I can't stomach these rule changes."

Can't stand or bear the sight of.

200

BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS "The house took a long time to build, and we poured a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into it."

Great effort.

300

BREAK INTO A COLD SWEAT "I broke into a cold sweat when I had to come clean about cheating on the test."

Become nervous or afraid.

400

YOUR EYES ARE BIGGER THAN YOUR STOMACH. "I filled the plate, but my eyes are bigger than my stomach."

Take more food than you can eat.

500

CONTEMPLATE YOUR OWN NAVEL. "Nancy asks Mark to help out around the house, but all he can do is contemplate his own navel."

Think about yourself and your own problems constantly.