random phrases, idioms, proverbs

 0    172 Datenblatt    mauagosia
mp3 downloaden Drucken spielen überprüfen
 
Frage English Antworten English
in equal measure
"aroused and unnerved in equal measure"
Lernen beginnen
used for saying that two things have an equal effect or importance
out of one's depth
im out of my depth here
Lernen beginnen
not having the knowledge, experience, or skills to deal with a particular subject or situation
chink in one's armor
Lernen beginnen
a fault in someone's character or argument that may cause problems for them
a barrage of sth
Lernen beginnen
a great number of complaints, criticisms, or questions suddenly directed at someone
a bone of contention
Lernen beginnen
sth that people argue about
a case in point
Supermarkets often charge too much for goods. Bananas are a case in point.
Lernen beginnen
a good example of sth
a contradiction in terms
Lernen beginnen
a phrase that is confusing because it contains words that seem to have opposite meanings; unintended oxymoron
a level playing field
Lernen beginnen
a situation in which everyone has the same chance of succeeding
a labour of love
Lernen beginnen
work that you do because you like it, not because you are paid for it
a kick in the teeth
Lernen beginnen
something that is very shocking and disappointing; being treated as a * - badly and unfairly, especially at a time when you need support
a flash in the pan
Lernen beginnen
a sudden success that does not continue
a fast track to sth
Lernen beginnen
a very quick way of achieving or dealing with something
be under a cloud
The cabinet minister left office under a cloud after a fraud scandal.
Lernen beginnen
to not be trusted or popular because people think you have done something bad
cut sb down to size
Lernen beginnen
to show someone that they are not as clever or important as they think
across the board
Lernen beginnen
applying to all; affecting everyone / everything in an organisation / society
as the crow flies
It's about 50 miles from London to Cambridge as the crow flies.
Lernen beginnen
describes a distance when measured in a straight line; by shortest route
be awash with sth
The sport is awash with money.
Lernen beginnen
to have a lot of something, often too much
go awry
Lernen beginnen
not in the indended way, not in the right position
under the auspices of sb / sth
Lernen beginnen
(formal) with the protection or support of someone or something, especially an organization
at the end of your tether (US rope)
Lernen beginnen
so tired, annoyed, or worried by something that you do not feel that you can deal with it
bawl one's eyes out
Lernen beginnen
to cry loudly especially for a long time
be a chip off the old block
Lernen beginnen
be very similar to one of one's parents
be (like) water off a duck's back
She calls him lazy and useless, but it's like water off a duck's back.
Lernen beginnen
criticisms of or warnings to a particular person that have no effect on that person:
be a glutton for punishment
Lernen beginnen
to enjoy doing things that are unpleasant or difficult
be angling for sth
Is he angling for an invitation?
Lernen beginnen
to try to get something without asking for it in a direct way
be at a loose end (US ends)
Come and visit us if you're at a loose end over the weekend.
Lernen beginnen
to have nothing to do
at a low ebb
Consumer confidence is currently at a low ebb. I was recently divorced and feeling at a very low ebb.
Lernen beginnen
in a bad or weak state
be at loggerheads (with sb)
Lernen beginnen
If two people or groups are at loggerheads, they disagree strongly about something
be at sb's beck and call
Go and get it yourself! I'm not at your beck and call, you know.
Lernen beginnen
to be always ready and willing to do what someone wants
be bogged down
Try not to get too bogged down in details
Lernen beginnen
to become so involved in something that you cannot do anything else
red flag to the bull
Lernen beginnen
infuriating or aggravating provocation; something that incites great anger or annoyance
be down in the dumps
He looks a bit down in the dumps
Lernen beginnen
to be unhappy
be gagging for sth
I was gagging for a pint of cold lager.
Lernen beginnen
to want something or want to do something very much
be glad/happy, etc to see the back of sb/sth"
Lernen beginnen
to be pleased when someone leaves or something ends because you did not like them
in full swing
Lernen beginnen
everything has started and there is a lot of activity
be in sb's good/bad books
Lernen beginnen
when someone is either pleased/angry with you
in the pipeline
Lernen beginnen
it is being developed and will happen in the future
be kicking about/around
We've probably got a copy of the document kicking around the office.
Lernen beginnen
it is in a particular place, but nobody is using it or paying attention to it
be like chalk and cheese
Lernen beginnen
completely different from each other
be loaded down with sth
Lernen beginnen
to have too much to carry, or too much work to do
be lumbered with sth/sb
I've been lumbered with my neighbours' cat while they're away
Lernen beginnen
to have to deal with something or someone that you do not want to
be on its last legs
Lernen beginnen
it will stop working soon because it is so old
be on the ball
I didn't sleep well last night and I'm not really on the ball today.
Lernen beginnen
to be quick to understand and react to things
be on the cards (US in the cards)
Lernen beginnen
to be likely to happen
be par for the course
"Simon was late." "That's just par for the course, isn't it?"
Lernen beginnen
(about type of behaviour, event, or situation) it is not good but it is normal or as you would expect
plain sailing (US smooth)
Lernen beginnen
very easy and without problems
be poles apart
Lernen beginnen
be complete opposites
rolling in it (rolling in money)
If they can afford a yacht, they must be rolling in it
Lernen beginnen
to be extremely rich
be struck dumb
Lernen beginnen
to be unable to speak because you are so shocked or angry
be under sb's thumb
Lernen beginnen
be under sb's total control
be up in arms
Local residents are up in arms over plans to close the swimming pool
Lernen beginnen
to be very upset and angry about something
be up to your neck (in sth)
I'd like to help, but I'm up to my neck at the moment
Lernen beginnen
to be very busy
be waiting in the wings
Lernen beginnen
to be ready to do something or be used at any time
be pissing in the wind
You can try to change her mind if you like, but you'll be pissing in the wind.
Lernen beginnen
to be trying to do something when there is no hope of succeeding
be teeming with sb/sth
teeming with tourists
Lernen beginnen
to contain large numbers of people or animals
be thin on the ground
Traditional bookshops are thin on the ground these days
Lernen beginnen
to exist only in small numbers or amounts
wide /way off the mark (US also off base)
Lernen beginnen
wrong, incorrect
be/get in a flap
You shouldn't get in such a flap about things
Lernen beginnen
to be or become worried or excited
be/hang in the balance
After a bad year, Judd's career hung in the balance
Lernen beginnen
nobody knows if it will continue to exist in the future or what will happen to it
be besieged by/with sb/sth
Lernen beginnen
to have lots of people asking you questions or making demands; to receive many demands or criticisms
bide your time
Lernen beginnen
to wait for an opportunity to do something
in the doghouse
I'm in the doghouse - I broke Sara's favourite vase this morning
Lernen beginnen
when someone is annoyed with you and shows their disapproval
bring/take someone down a peg (or two)
Lernen beginnen
show someone they are not as important as they thought
black and blue
Lernen beginnen
covered with bruises
bite the bullet
I'm going to bite the bullet and ask my boss for a pay rise.
Lernen beginnen
to make yourself do something or accept something difficult or unpleasant, to force yourself to do it or to be brave in a difficult situation
butter wouldn't melt in sb's mouth
Tommy looked as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth
Lernen beginnen
used to say that someone looks as if they would never do anything wrong
by the scruff of the/your neck
Cats carry their kittens by the scruff of the neck. I took/grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and threw him out of the hall. "
Lernen beginnen
by the skin at the back of the neck
by/in leaps and bounds
Lernen beginnen
(of progress) happening very quickly
let bygones be bygones
Lernen beginnen
something that you say to tell someone to forget about the unpleasant things in the past
on the whole; at large
Lernen beginnen
generally
by and large
Lernen beginnen
when everything about a situation is considered together
all things considered
Lernen beginnen
used when you are giving your opinion about something after thinking carefully about all the facts
all's fair in love and war
Lernen beginnen
a situation in which people do not follow the usual rules of behavior and do things that are normally considered unfair
(all) hot and bothered
Lernen beginnen
worried or angry, and sometimes physically hot
all things being equal
All things being equal, I'll be at home on Tuesday
Lernen beginnen
if everything happens as expected
helicopter view
Her role as a consultant is to take a helicopter view of how the business is managed
Lernen beginnen
a general description or opinion of a situation, rather than a detailed one
in all
The bill came to £25 in all
Lernen beginnen
with everything added together to make a total
paint (sb/sth) with a broad brush / use a broad brush
take a broad-brush approach; in broad brush terms; He is a details man, whereas his boss is broad-brush.
Lernen beginnen
to describe or consider someone or something in a very general way, without paying attention to small details or differences
by common consent
They acquired the manuscripts for what was by common consent a very reasonable price
Lernen beginnen
most people agree
like a cat on a hot tin roof
Lernen beginnen
stressed out, unable to relax, very worried about something
let sleeping dogs lie
Lernen beginnen
not to disturb someone or not to remember problems that happened in the past
be barking up the wrong tree
She thinks it'll solve the problem, but I think she's barking up the wrong tree.
Lernen beginnen
to be wrong about the reason for something or the way to achieve something
every dog has its day
Lernen beginnen
everyone will have good luck or success at some point in their lives
a leopard can’t / doesn't change its spots
Lernen beginnen
a person's character, especially if it is bad, will not change, even if they pretend that it will
grasping at straws
Lernen beginnen
trying to find some way to succeed when nothing you choose is likely to work; trying to find a reason to feel hopeful in a bad situation
like getting blood out of/from a stone
Lernen beginnen
you cannot extract what isn't there to begin with; trying to get something that cannot be obtained, regardless of how much force or persuasion is used
a rose is a rose is a rose
Lernen beginnen
when all is said and done, a thing is what it is
a stitch in time saves nine
Lernen beginnen
a small effort made at the right time might save a calamity later on.
a load of cobblers / a load of codswallop
Lernen beginnen
nonsense
a fly in the ointment
Lernen beginnen
a small flaw that spoils the whole
a bunch of fives
Lernen beginnen
a fist, as used in a fight
an arm and a leg
Lernen beginnen
very expensive, a large amount of money
amber nectar
Lernen beginnen
beer, lager
all thumbs
Lernen beginnen
clumsy or physically inept
bottle and glass
Lernen beginnen
cockney for arse
can't cut the mustard
Lernen beginnen
unable to meet the demands put upon you
burn the midnight oil
Lernen beginnen
to work late into the night
cherry ripe
Lernen beginnen
cockney for pipe
chow down
Lernen beginnen
begin to eat
cream crackered
Lernen beginnen
cockney for knackered
currant bun
Lernen beginnen
cockney for sun
cross that bridge when you come to it
Lernen beginnen
deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before
don't count your chickens before they hatch
Lernen beginnen
don't count on receiving some benefit until you actually have it
dog and bone
Lernen beginnen
cockney for telephone
discussing Uganda
Lernen beginnen
euphemism for sex (originated in the 70s, popularised in the satirical magazine Private Eye)
dicky dirt
Lernen beginnen
cockney for shirt
elephant's trunk
Lernen beginnen
cockney for drunk
everything but the kitchen's sink
Lernen beginnen
everything imaginable, a lot of things
fell of the back of a lorry
Lernen beginnen
a coy reference to an item that has been stolen
find your feet
I didn't cope well when I started my new job but after a few weeks I began to find my feet.
Lernen beginnen
to become conscious of and develop one's expertise
frog and toad
Lernen beginnen
cockney for road
ginger beer
Lernen beginnen
cockney for queer
go belly (or tits) up
The company has gone belly up - they had millions in debts and their only customer went elsewhere.
Lernen beginnen
become badly and permanently inoperative
go out on a limb
Lernen beginnen
take a risk to support someone or something
graveyard shift
Lernen beginnen
working hours that extend overnight
haste makes waste
Lernen beginnen
doing things in a rush makes for a poor result
hit the nail on the head
Lernen beginnen
make the precise correct point
miss the boat
Lernen beginnen
miss the chance to take an opportunity
like a chicken with its head cut off
Lernen beginnen
in a frenzied manner
no room to swing a cat
Lernen beginnen
an awkward or confined space
not playing with a full deck
Lernen beginnen
someone who lacks intelligence
(sitting) on the fence
Lernen beginnen
unwilling to give one's view about which side you support
pigs might fly
Lernen beginnen
said when referring to something that is highly unlikely
pull the wool over sb's eyes
Lernen beginnen
deceive someone
sparrow fart
Lernen beginnen
term for the early morning
the apple of my eye
Lernen beginnen
sb who is cherished above all others
knee jerk reaction
Lernen beginnen
a quick and automatic response
twist someone's arm
Lernen beginnen
persuade someone to do something they don't really want to do
the tail wagging the dog
Lernen beginnen
a small and usually insignificant factor (or person) dominates over one that is normally more powerful and influential.
tongue in cheek
Lernen beginnen
humorously, not to be taken seriously
up shit creek without a paddle
Lernen beginnen
in serious difficulty, with no hope of respite
you can lead a horse to water... (but you can't make it drink)
Lernen beginnen
you can encourage someone to to do something but, in the end, what they do is their own choice; you can make sth easy for someone, but you cannot force them to do anything
make one's flesh (or skin) crawl (or creep)
Lernen beginnen
to make someone feel disgusted, afraid, etc.
your guess is as good as mine
Lernen beginnen
I have no idea
know the ropes
Lernen beginnen
have experience of the appropriate procedures, understand how to do something
absence makes the heart grow fonder
Lernen beginnen
missing a person or a thing makes it more desirable
a little knowledge is a dangerous thing
Lernen beginnen
a small amount of knowledge can mislead people into thinking that they are more expert than they really are, which can lead to mistakes being made
all things come to those that wait
Lernen beginnen
it's worthwile to be patient
all things must pass
Lernen beginnen
everything's transitory
between two stools one falls to the ground
Lernen beginnen
to fail, due to being unable to choose between two alternatives
beggars can't be choosers
Lernen beginnen
if you request something to be given you should not question what you are given; similar to don't look a gift horse in the mouth
beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Lernen beginnen
beauty is subjective; not everyone has to like the same thing
the darkest hour is just before the dawn
Lernen beginnen
there is hope, even in the worst of circumstances
comparisons are odious
Lernen beginnen
used to suggest that to compare two different things or persons is unhelpful or misleading
the course of true love never did run smooth
Lernen beginnen
from Shakespear, true love always encounters difficulties
a rolling stone gathers no moss
Lernen beginnen
someone who does not settle in one place rarely prospers
cut off your nose to spite your face (don't)
Lernen beginnen
to disadvantage yourself in order to do harm to an adversary; don't do something to harm your enemies and end up harming yourself
pearls before swine
Lernen beginnen
to give or offer something valuable to someone who does not understand its value
don't change horses in midstream
Lernen beginnen
choose a sensible moment to change your mind
a change is as good as a rest
Lernen beginnen
a change of work or occupation can be as restorative or refreshing as a period of relaxation
to put the cart before the horse
Lernen beginnen
reverse the accepted or logical order of things
don't try to teach your Grandma to suck eggs
Lernen beginnen
don't offer advice to someone who has more experience than oneself
familiarity breeds contempt
Lernen beginnen
a close long-term relationship with a person or situation brings about feelings of boredom or lack of respect
forewarned is forearmed
Lernen beginnen
advance warning provides an advantag
honey catches more flies than vinegar
Lernen beginnen
the idea that it is more effective to be polite and ingratiating than to be hostile or demanding
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise
Lernen beginnen
Early to rise and early to bed makes a male healthy and wealthy and dead
don't throw the baby out with the bathwater
Lernen beginnen
don't discard something valuable along with something undesirable
marry in haste, repent at leisure
Lernen beginnen
those who rush impetuously into marriage may spend a long time regretting doing so
once bitten, twice shy
Lernen beginnen
when someone is hurt doing something, they are wary of doing it again for fear of being hurt a second time; often used to describe someone hurt by a failed romance
there's no fool like an old fool
Lernen beginnen
People of mature years, who are expected to know better, often do outrageously foolish things, especially regarding romantic liaisons.
needs must
if needs must, they will eat any food
Lernen beginnen
it is or was necessary or unavoidable
more haste, less speed
Lernen beginnen
if you try and do something quickly you will make mistakes and take longer in the end
mighty oaks from little acorns grow
Lernen beginnen
great things may come from small beginnings
look before you leap
Lernen beginnen
check that you are clear what is ahead of you before making a decision that you cannot go back on
let not the sun go down on your wrath
Lernen beginnen
do not hold on to your anger for more than one day, don't go to bed angry
the rich get richer and the poor get poorer
Lernen beginnen
the richer you are the more relatively rich you become and, for the poor, vice-versa.
don't keep a dog and bark yourself
Lernen beginnen
advice that you should not pay someone to do a task and then do it yourself
you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs
Lernen beginnen
you can't accomplish something worthwhile without creating adverse effects
hold with the hare and run with the hounds
Lernen beginnen
to deceitfully purport to remain on good terms with both sides in a conflict
a watched pot never boils
Lernen beginnen
time seems to go slower when you are anxiously waiting for something to happen
long in the tooth
Lernen beginnen
old (of age)
to grin and bear it
Lernen beginnen
suffer pain or misfortune in a stoical manner

Sie müssen eingeloggt sein, um einen Kommentar zu schreiben.