IELTS Vocabulary – Part 123

Fell off the Back of a Lorry: Probably stolen or illicitly obtained; said of something offered for sale to avoid discussing its origins.

Sentence – We bought some really excellent wine from a woman who clearly caught the bottles as they fell off the back of a lorry.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame: Temporary renown.

Sentence – The happy couples pose at the top of the Potemkin stairs or by the statue of the Duc de Richelieu during their fifteen minutes of fame before another party takes their place.

Fifth Wheel: A superfluous person.

Sentence – Analytically this substantive meaning is redundant, a fifth wheel on the coach.

Fight Fire with Fire: Use the same measures that are being used against you, even if they’re stronger than you would usually use.

Sentence – The official pronouncement was that they intended to fight fire with fire.

Fight Like Cat and Dog: Continually arguing with each other.

Sentence – As kids we used to fight like cat and dog.

Find One’s Voice: Become more confident in expressing oneself.

Sentence – I think this is your best story yet, Betsy—you’ve really found your voice as a writer.

Find Your Feet: To adjust to a new place or situation.

Sentence – I know you’re nervous, but all freshmen are—you’ll find your feet at school, don’t worry.

Finger-Pointing: Blame; a situation within a group where each member attempts to blame others.

Sentence – And voters say all the name-calling and finger-pointing has turned them off.

Fire in the Belly: strong ambition.

Sentence – I’m confident that Bill will get them to listen to our pitch—he has such a fire in the belly for this sort of work.

First In, Best Dressed: The first people to do something will have an advantage.

Sentence – Come on, the first hundred customers today get a free gift! First in, best dressed!

Fish for Compliments: Try to manipulate people into praising you.

Sentence – Tara’s always fishing for compliments by talking about how she couldn’t get her hair the way she wanted it.

Fish or Cut Bait (usually an exclamation): Make a decision or give someone else a chance.

Sentence – Are you going to go back to medical school or not? It’s time to fish or cut bait.

Fish Out of Water: A person who is in unfamiliar, confusing surroundings.

Sentence – Marie was like a fish out of water when she assumed a manger position at the company where she had worked as a clerk for so long.

Five-Finger Discount: Shoplifting.

Sentence – You’re going to get caught if you keep using your five-finger discount at all of these places!

Flash in the Pan: A one-time occurrence, not a permanent phenomenon.

Sentence – With only one hit song, it was obvious that the young pop star was going to be just another flash in the pan.

Flat Broke: Having no money at all.

Sentence – Mary recalls how they were flat broke and almost living hand to mouth.

Flat Out like a Lizard: Drinking Very busy.

Sentence – Sorry I couldn’t make it to lunch today, I’ve been flat out like a lizard drinking all day.

Flesh and Blood: Blood relatives, close relatives.

Sentence – You’re my own flesh and blood—how you could you steal my story idea?

Flew the Coop: Left, escaped.

Sentence – This lecture is so boring. Come on, let’s fly the coop and go get a drink somewhere!

Flip-Flop (v. or n.): To vacillate between two choices, to be indecisive.

Sentence – The voters were tired of hearing the candidate flip-flop and felt they could not trust him to stick with one position.