IDIOMS
Lend an ear – to listen carefully and in a friendly way to someone
Sentence- If you would lend an ear for a couple of minutes you might learn something to your advantage.
bushed – tired.
Sentence- They hid themselves behind some bushed for fear that the enemy should find them.
hard feelings – the emotion of being upset or offended.
Sentence- I So we’re friends again, are we? No hard feelings?
be sick to death of something/doing something – to be angry and bored because something unpleasant has been happening for too long
Sentence- I‘m sick to death of doing nothing but work. Let‘s go out tonight and have fun.
(come) rain or shine – means something will happen regardless of weather or other difficulties.
Sentence- Rain or shine, I go to church every Sunday.
be all ears – eager and ready to listen
Sentence- Now children, I want you to be all ears in class.
in the nick of time – not too late, but very close
Sentence- In the nick of time, they discovered her in a state of hapless stage fright.
fresh/clean out of something – have sold or used up the last of something
Sentence- I have to go buy some more milk. It seems we‘re fresh out now.
have/get mixed feelings about something – to be uncertain about something
Sentence- My parents had mixed feelings about the President’s demise.
Give it one’s best shot – do the best that one can
Sentence- This test question is really tough! I‘ll give it my best shot, and I‘ll get some marks for doing my best.
In deep water – in difficulty; in trouble or in a dangerous situation
Sentence- You certainly seem to be in deep water
next to nothing – to cost very little
Sentence- We know next to nothing about philosophy thanks to television, but lots about the nocturnal habits of cute animals.
To be up in arms about something – upset or angry about something.
Sentence- Residents are up in arms about plans for a new road along the beach.
Put yourself in somebody’s shoes – imagine that you are in somebody‘s position in order to understand his/her feelings
Sentence- If you put yourself in my shoes, you would understand why I made that decision
At all costs – do everything you can to achieve/succeed something
Sentence- In the effort to bolster ratings at all costs, journalistic standards have been lowered.
Explore all avenues – investigate every possible means to find a solution to a given problem or to achieve a desired outcome.
Sentence- On the eve of his visit, Davies said “UK and India stand shoulder-to-shoulder in this new millennium and will explore all avenues to have greater tie-ups in defence technology and aero-space.”
On the ball – active and aware of things
Sentence- The cricketer himself seems intent on something earlier; back on the ball by June.
Throw in the towel – Give up on something
Sentence- They do not want to give up, or to throw in the towel.
Down to earth – practical and realistic; Back to reality
Sentence- He is very down to earth and is a real utilitarian.
Full of beans – A person who is lively, active and healthy.
Sentence- Don’t worry about her, she was rather ill this morning, but now she’s full of beans.
Get a head start – Start before all others.
Sentence- Dance off that burnt passion fruit tart with fresh mango and prickly pear to get a head start on 2001 resolutions.
Hear on the grapevine – This idiom means ‘to hear rumors‘ about something or someone.
Sentence- I heard on the grapevine that she was pregnant, but I don‘t know anything more.
