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if they say...

if they say...

Date: Sep 17 2007

Topic: Speaking

Author: Alexxx

Lesson

Idiom MeaningExample Sentence
all earsfully listeningGive me a minute to finish my work and then I'll be all ears to hear about your project.
break a leg good-luckToday's the big game, eh? Break a leg!
cold feetnervous just before a big eventMy sister didn't get cold feet until she put her wedding gown on.
cost an arm and a legbe very expensiveThese cakes are delicious, but they cost an arm and a leg.
cry your heart outcry very hardI cried my heart out when my best friend moved away.
face the musicmeet, stand up to unpleasant conseqences, for example criticism or punishment I stayed out all night. When I eventually got home I had to face the music from my wife.
(my) flesh and bloodrelativeI have to hire Mia. She's my own flesh and blood.
get something off one's chesttell someone your problemsThanks for listening to me complain about my boss. I just needed to get this off my chest.
give a hand, lend a handhelp (someone) do somethingI can give you a hand when you move if you like.
have one's head in the cloudsbe unaware or unrealistic about somethingAmy has her head in the clouds if she thinks she's going to pass her exams without studying.
head over heels deeply in loveMy brother is head over heels for his new girlfriend.
head startan earlier startThe kids gave Anthony a head start in the bicycle race because he was the youngest.
in over one's head taking on a task that you can't handleI was in over my head when I agreed to babysit the triplets and the dogs.
keep an eye ontake care of, watch in order to protectI'll keep an eye on the dinner while you're on the phone.
keep one's chin uptry to be cheerfulKeep your chin up. I'm sure you'll make some friends soon.
learn by heart, know by heartmemorizeI learned my multiplication tables by heart in the fourth grade.
let one's hair downrelax, have funGo to the cottage and let your hair down this weekend.
(my) lips are sealedpromise to keep a secretDon't worry, I won't tell your mother how much you spent. My lips are sealed.
makes my blood boilmakes me very angryIt makes my blood boil when people don't tie up their dogs.
neck of the woods nearby location or regionI heard that they might be opening a post office in our neck of the woods soon.
(an) old handan experienced person My uncle's an old hand at car repair. He'll know what the problem is.
over my dead bodynot unless I'm dead and can't stop youMy daughter wants a tatoo. I told her she'd get one over my dead body.
pat on the backrecognition or a thank-youThe party organizers deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.
play something by eardo something without a planWe don't know if the weather will be good enough for camping. We'll have to play it by ear.
pull one's leg joke or tease someoneI was just pulling your leg. I'm not really a police officer.
rule of thumbbasic rule (not always followed)The rule of thumb is that the students wear black pants and white shirts.
see eye to eyeagreeThe couple don't see eye to eye on how to train their pets.
(by the) skin of one's teethjust barelyI passed my exam by the skin of my teeth.
stick your neck outhelp someone a lot, with possible bad consequences for oneselfI stuck my neck out for Bessie when she was thrown out of her house.
sweet tootha love of sugar or sweet thingsI need three spoonfuls of sugar in my tea. I have a sweet tooth.
thick in the headnot very intelligentI'm a bit thick in the head when it comes to reading a map.
wash one's hands of somethingstop dealing with an issue or problemI'm washing my hands of Mary's addiction. She is going to have to get some professional help.

Comments

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freeeilyn

freeeilyn

Poland

So amazing! :)

10:50 AM Jul 15 2015 |

sara1998

sara1998

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

great!

08:00 PM Jul 29 2014 |

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