IDIOMS AND PHRASES
Armed to the Teeth: Carrying many weapons.
Sentence – The tourists got out of the coach, armed to the teeth with cameras, binoculars, and guidebooks.
Around the Clock: At all times.
Sentence – A thirty-strong team has worked around the clock since midnight last Saturday to build the stage and tiered seating for the production.
As American as Apple Pie: Very or typically American.
Sentence – The 9000 model cellular phone is made in Finland, but the technology inside is as American as apple pie.
As Far as I can throw (someone): Only slightly.
Sentence – The government is asking us to believe that they’ll apply the new tax fairly, but I wouldn’t trust them as far as I can throw them.
As Fit as A Fiddle: To be healthy and physically fit.
Sentence – Today she’s as fit as a fiddle – thanks to research funded by efforts such as Beefy’s.
As Pale as A Ghost: Extremely pale.
Sentence – He looked as pale as a ghost as he climbed out of the wrecked car.
As Pale as Death: Extremely pale.
Sentence – I get terrible motion sickness, so I’m sure I was as pale as a death when I stumbled off the plane.
As Poor as a Church Mouse: Very poor.
Sentence – My father was as poor as a church mouse growing up, so his sole focus was to give his kids every opportunity in life that he missed out on.
As Red as a Cherry: Very red.
Sentence – My father was as red as a cherry by the time we reached the top of the hill. I was afraid he might have a heart attack or something!
Asleep at the Wheel (Switch): not paying attention to one’s work; not doing one’s job diligently.
Sentence – Johnson was supposed to make sure the paperwork went through before the deadline, but it looks like he was asleep at the wheel.
At Death’s Door: Very near death.
Sentence – There are many parts of the environment that are now at death’s door due to the effects of pollution.
At Each Other’s Throats: Constantly and strongly arguing.
Sentence – Those two are at each other’s throats because they can’t agree on how to best lead the committee. You can hear their shouting all the way down the hall!
At Loggerheads: In a state of persistent disagreement.
Sentence – They are at loggerheads over the best way to lead the committee.
At Sixes and Sevens: Someone is in a state of confusion or not very well organized.
Sentence – I’m at sixes and sevens now that the whole schedule has been rearranged.
At the Drop of a Hat: Spontaneously, suddenly.
Sentence – I don’t have any vacation time yet at my new job, so I can’t just travel at the drop of a hat.
At the Eleventh Hour: It happens when it is almost too late.
Sentence – I was shocked that they reached an agreement at the eleventh hour after weeks of squabbling.
At the End of One’s Rope (Tether): Running out of endurance or patience.
Sentence – I’ve been dealing with their lies for too long. I’m at the end of my rope.
At the End of the Day: In the final analysis; when all is said and done.
Sentence – At the end of the day I’m responsible for what happens in the school
At Wit’s End: Frustrated because all measures to deal with something have failed.
Sentence – I’m already at my wits’ end, so if this train gets delayed too, I’m going to scream.
