IDIOMS AND PHRASES for IELTS – Part 12

Cherry-Pick: To present evidence selectively to one’s own advantage.

Sentence – I can’t believe he left the company and then cherry-picked the best employee in my department!

Cut Corners: Economize by reducing quality; take shortcuts.

Sentence – If you cut corners and don’t apply a top coat, then your nails probably are going to chip faster.

Cut It Fine: To do something at the last moment.

Sentence – Having only $20 in your bank account is cutting it fine, if you ask me.

Cut Off Your Nose to Spite Your Face: To act in a proud way that ultimately damages your own cause.

Sentence – He fired Tom for criticizing his managerial skills, but Tom accounts for nearly 75% of his branch’s quarterly sales, so all he’s really done is cut his nose off to spite his face.

Cut Someone Some Slack: Avoid treating someone strictly or severely.

Sentence – Oh, you know I never normally make requests like this. Cut me some slack.

Cut to the Chase: Get to the point; explain the most important part of something quickly; skip the preliminaries.

Sentence – Hi everyone, we all know why we are here today, so let’s cut to the chase.

Cut the Gordian Knot: To solve a complex problem in a simple way.

Sentence – They have decided to cut the Gordian knot to wipe out the enemy at a blow.

Cut the Mustard: Do something adequately.

Sentence – In recent years, governments have tried to cut the Gordian knot by imposing cuts in state support to the railways.

Cut Your Teeth on Something: To learn basic skills in a field.

Sentence – Jen may be young, but she cut her teeth on academic writing, so her perspective and expertise will be invaluable to us.

Cutting-Edge: Very novel, innovative.

Sentence – Completed the Utsunomiya Plant with the cutting-edge machines provided, which resulted in establishing the hydraulic oil filter and oil cooler full-scale production system.

Champagne taste on a beer budget: Expensive or extravagant tastes or preferences that are beyond one’s economic means.

Sentence – I only earn minimum wage, but I can’t stop buying designer clothes and eating at the best restaurants—I guess I’ve got champagne taste on a beer budget!

Change Horses in Midstream: Change plans or leaders in the middle of a process.

Sentence – The prime minister has been at the helm throughout the crisis. I just don’t think we should change horses in midstream.

Change of Heart: A change in one’s opinion or outlook.

Sentence – She was going to take that job offer in California, but after thinking about how much she would miss her friends and family in Delaware, she had a change of heart.

Change One’s Tune: To alter one’s opinion about something.

Sentence – The mention of a hefty tip really changed the host’s tune, so I think he’ll be able to find us a table after all.

Changing of the Guard: A change in leadership at an organization.

Sentence – How he survives depends on whether he finally accepts the changing of the guard.

Chase Rainbows: To pursue unrealistic goals.

Sentence – You can’t chase rainbows your whole life—you need to pick a stable career and start being an adult.

Cheap Shot: An unfair attack; a statement that unfairly attacks someone’s weakness.

Sentence – Duane just punched Jimbo in the head while his back was turned. What a cheap shot!

Chew the Fat: Chat for a considerable length of time.

Sentence – My sister and I haven’t seen each other in nearly five years, so we stayed up half the night chewing the fat.