Commonly-Used Idioms, Sayings and phrasal verbs - "L" Idioms pdf

L a labor of love - something done for personal pleasure and not for money The man's book is a labor of love and he doesn`t expect to make any money from it lace into (someone) - attack or scold someone The mother laced into her child when he came home late from the movie lace into (something) - devour/eat food We laced into our dinner as soon as we entered the house lady killer - a man who some women find very charming and attractive The man in the movie was a lady killer who broke the hearts of many women lady`s man - a man who is popular with women He is a lady`s man and always seems to have a woman interested in him laid-back - relaxed, not worried by things Our teacher has a very laid-back attitude about how long we should spend preparing for our class 453 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com be laid up - be confined to bed or unfit for work He has been laid up for a few days because of a cold a lame duck - a public official who has a short time left to serve in office and therefore has less power than before He was a lame-duck leader so it was difficult for him to accomplish some things land of Nod - sleep I entered the land of Nod as soon as my head hit the pillow land on one`s feet/both feet - come out of a bad situation successfully My friend always manages to land on his feet no matter how difficult the situation is land up (somewhere or in some situation) - come to be in a certain place or situation We landed up in the suburbs although we were trying to go downtown landslide victory - a very substantial victory (usually in an election) My favorite candidate won a landslide victory in the election lap up (something) - to eat or drink something with the tongue (as a dog or cat would) The dog lapped up the milk that his owner had given him 454 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com lap up (something) - eagerly take in or accept some information/praise He lapped up the praise that his boss gave him for the recently completed project lapse into a coma - go into a coma The woman lapsed into a coma soon after the accident lash out (at someone) - attack someone with words They were walking along the beach when the girl suddenly lashed out in anger at her boyfriend lash out (at someone) - suddenly try to hit someone The boy suddenly lashed out and hit the man who was sitting beside him last but not least - in the last place but not the least important Last but not least the boy came up to the front of the class to receive his report card a last-ditch effort - a final effort The government made a last-ditch effort to prevent a strike by the teachers 455 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com the last person - the most unlikely person to something or to be seen somewhere My friend is the last person that you would expect to see in a clothing store buying clothes the last straw - the last insult or mistake that one can endure and which then causes some reaction The fourth time that the girl came to work late was the last straw and we finally fired her last will and testament - one's will (especially its latest version) After my grandfather's funeral my uncle read out his last will and testament the last word - the last remark in an argument, the final say in deciding something She always expects to have the last word when she and her husband go shopping together late in life - when one is older Some very great painters never started painting until rather late in life late in the day - far along in a project or activity We received some new instructions for our marketing effort but it was a little late in the day to change our plans 456 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com laugh all the way to the bank - make money in a way that other people think is impossible I was laughing all the way to the bank with the money that I made from selling drinks at the sports stadium laugh off (something) - to not take something seriously The man laughed off the attempt by his boss to make him come to work on time laugh out of the other side of one's mouth - change from being happy to being sad My friend was laughing out of the other side of his mouth when he learned that he would get a ticket for parking his car in the wrong place laugh (something) out of court - dismiss (a legal case) as being ridiculous They laughed the case out of court when the woman tried to sue the dog's owner after the dog ate her flowers laugh up one's sleeve - laugh quietly to oneself I was laughing up my sleeve when I learned that my friend would have to clean the bathroom at work and not me launch forth (on something) - start out on something Our boss launched forth on a long criticism of how we were doing our jobs 457 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com a law unto oneself - one who makes one's own laws or rules The city council member thought that she was a law unto herself until she resigned because of a scandal lay Idioms not lay a finger/hand on (someone) - not touch someone, not something to someone The man was told by the police never to lay a finger on his wife again lay an egg - fail to win the interest or favor of an audience Although the magician was supposed to be good, his performance was terrible and it laid an egg with the audience lay away (something) - save something The couple are trying to lay away some money for their holiday next year lay down one's life (for someone or something) - sacrifice one's life for someone or something The young man layed down his life trying to protect the property of his company lay down the law - tell someone what to by using your power or influence The new manager plans to lay down the law to the workers regarding long lunch breaks 458 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com lay eyes on (someone or something) - see someone or something I have never laid eyes on a more beautiful dog in my life lay hold of (something) - get possession of something If I can lay hold of some tools I will help you fix your toilet lay in (something) - store up a supply of something, get and store something for future use They are trying to lay in as much food as possible before winter comes lay/light into (someone) - attack someone with words As soon as I came into work this morning my boss laid/lit into me about my poor sales performance last month lay/light into (something) - do/eat something with much energy and enthusiasm He laid into the steak as soon as the waiter brought it to his table lay it on thick - praise someone too much My friend began to lay it on thick when I told him about my new job lay low - to hide, to keep out of sight for a period of time He decided to lay low until his friend forgot that he had damaged his car 459 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com the lay of the land - the features of an area of land or of an organization We checked out the lay of the land before we put up our tent and made a camping site lay off (someone) - stop bothering someone, leave someone alone The coach told the players to lay off the new player so that he could relax before the game lay off (something) - stop using or taking something bad (alcohol/drugs/chocolate/cigarettes) I was told by my doctor to lay off smoking or I would be sick in the future lay off (workers/staff) - reduce the number of workers when business is bad Six hundred workers at the automobile factory were recently laid off lay one`s cards on the table - let someone know one`s position and feelings openly, deal honestly with something He decided to lay his cards on the table and tell his boss about the job offer from the other company lay one's hands on (someone) - violence to someone, harm/hurt someone The man said that if he ever lays hands on the person who stole his car he will take him directly to the police 460 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com lay one's hands on (something) - find something, acquire something If I can lay my hands on a slide projector, I will show you the pictures of my holiday tonight lay out (money) - spend or pay some money My friend will have to lay out a lot of money for his new apartment lay out (something) - plan something We will lay out our plan for the new building at the next meeting to lay over - to arrive somewhere and wait some time before continuing a journey We were told that we will have to lay over in London for nine hours before we go on to Kenya lay (someone) to rest - to bury someone We laid my uncle to rest in a nice ceremony last night lay (something) on (someone) - direct blame or guilt on someone The company tried to lay the computer problems on one of the managers 461 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com lay (something) on the line - speak directly and firmly about something The librarian finally had to lay it on the line and told everyone not to bring drinks into the library lay (something) to rest - to put an end to a rumor, to finish dealing with a problem and forget about it We want to lay to rest the rumors about the financial problems in the company lay the blame on (someone or something) - blame someone or something We laid the blame on my friend for making us late for the concert lay the groundwork for (something) - to build the foundation or basis of something, to the basic work that will lead to future success The new training program will lay the groundwork for the future success of the company lay up (a vessel) - take a vessel out of active service, put a boat in a boat dock or a garage The weather was getting cold so they decided to lay up their boat for the winter lay up (something) - collect a supply of something, save something for future use, store something We are planning to lay up some canned fruit for the winter 462 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com the living end - great, fantastic, the ultimate My sister said that her new boyfriend was the living end loaded - have lots of money My new boss is really loaded lock horns with (someone) - get into an argument with someone I locked horns with a woman who I work with and we had a big argument last week lock (something) in - make something (such as a rate of interest) permanent over a period of time We locked in the mortgage of our house for a period of five years because the interest rates were low lock, stock, and barrel - everything The small corner store went out of business and sold everything lock, stock, and barrel lock the barn door after the horse is stolen - be careful or try to make something safe after it is too late If you try and prevent a flood after the rains have started it is like locking the barn door after the horse is stolen 494 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com lock (something) up - to be assured of success The candidate has already locked up the nomination to be a candidate in the next election long and the short of it - all the facts, the whole story I phoned my friend and he told me the long and the short of it regarding the reason why he got fired long face - a sad look, a disappointed look He had a long face when he came into work this morning Something must have happened to him a long haul - a long distance or trip He is a long-haul trucker and is always out of town working the long haul - a long period of time during which work continues or something is done He has decided to stay here for the long haul and will not return to his home a long shot - a bet or other risk taken though not likely to succeed It was a long shot that he would get the job so he was very happy when he did get it 495 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com look Idioms look a gift horse in the mouth - complain if a gift is not perfect "Even if you don`t like the present from your company you shouldn`t complain Remember, don`t look a gift horse in the mouth." look after (someone) - take care or attend to someone She has been looking after her mother since her mother's recent illness look at (someone) cross-eyed - look at someone provocatively When the man in the bus looked at the other man cross-eyed they seemed like they were going to have a fight look at the world through rose-colored glasses - see only the good things about something, be too optimistic I told my friend to be more realistic and not to always look at the world through rosecolored glasses look down on (someone or something) - regard someone or something with contempt or a feeling of superiority My cousin looks down on the activities and life of most small towns look down one`s nose at (someone or something) - show your dislike of someone or something He always looks down his nose at the other members of his class 496 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com look for (something) - try to find something, hunt/search for something She has been looking for her credit card all morning but she can`t find it look for (something to happen) - think/expect that something is likely to happen They are looking for our manager to become the next sales director of the company look for trouble - something that may cause trouble The young boys spend every Saturday evening walking around and looking for trouble look forward to (something) - anticipate something with pleasure We have been looking forward to the concert for a long time look good on paper - something appears to be a good plan (but maybe not in actual practice) My supervisor's plan looks good on paper but in reality I don't think that it will be successful look high and low for (someone or something) - look carefully in every possible place for someone or something We looked high and low for my grandmother's hearing aide but we could not find it 497 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com look in on (someone) - go to see someone, make a short visit to someone, make a call on someone to see if they are doing well "Could you please look in on the baby and see if she is sleeping." look into (something) - investigate or check something They have been looking into the cause of the accident for many months look like a million dollars - look well and prosperous, appear healthy and happy He looked like a million dollars when I saw him at the party last weekend look like death warmed over - look very ill The elderly man looked like death warmed over when he went to the hospital look like (something) - to predict something It looks like it is going to rain this evening look like something the cat dragged in - look very shabby or worn My friend looked like something the cat dragged in when he arrived home from work last night 498 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com look like the cat that ate/swallowed the canary - seem very self-satisified, look like you have just had some kind of success He looked like the cat that ate the canary when he came in with a smile on his face after receiving his special bonus look on - be a spectator There were many people who gathered to look on after the car accident look on (someone) as (something) - view or think of someone as something Everybody in our neighborhood looks on my neighbor as someone to talk to if they have a problem look out - take care, be careful, be on guard "Look out! There is a large truck coming down the highway." look out for (someone) - provide protection and care for someone "Please look out for my sister when she stays with you this summer." look out for (someone or something) - be alert or watchful, keep looking for something "Could you please look out for any old vinyl records that you may find." 499 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com look over (something) - inspect/survey/examine something "Please take some time to look over these documents before you sign them." look (someone) in the eye/face - face someone directly I looked the man in the eye when I asked him to move his car out of my way look (someone) up - seek and find someone When I was in New York City I looked up my friend from university look the other way - ignore something Our boss looks the other way when his staff are one or two minutes late look through (something) - to search through something, to examine something with one's eyes I looked through my desk for my house keys look through (something) - to see through something like a window I looked through the window at the beautiful sunset look to (someone) - depend on someone, go to someone for help My friend looks to his mother for help when he has a problem 500 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com look to (something) - attend to something, take care of something She is a wonderful nurse and spends a great deal of time looking to the needs of her patients look up (something) - to search for something in a dictionary or other book I will look up my friend's name in the telephone book I looked up the word in the dictionary look up to (someone) - think of someone as a good example to copy, respect someone I look up to the president of our company as someone I would like to copy loom large (on the horizon) - something that could be coming as a possible problem/danger/threat A large increase in transportation costs is looming large on the horizon loose ends - details that are not settled, things that are not finished I have many loose ends to deal with before I go on my holidays lord it over (someone) - act as the superior and master of someone, be bossy over someone She likes to lord it over the other members of the staff since she became a supervisor 501 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com lose Idioms lose face - be embarrassed or ashamed by an error or failure, lose dignity Our boss lost face when his employees decided not to support him during the meeting lose ground - go backward, become weaker, not improve The government has been losing ground in their fight against inflation lose heart - become discouraged The girl has begun to lose heart in her efforts to learn the piano lose one's cool - lose one's temper The saleswoman lost her cool during a meeting with the chief supplier lose one's grip - lose a secure grasp or hold of something The rock climber lost his grip and fell off the side of the cliff lose one's grip - lose control of a situation I think that our boss is losing his grip in his ability to control the workplace 502 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com lose one's head over (someone or something) - become confused or overexcited about someone or something The young woman lost her head when she discovered that she had won the swimming competition lose one`s marbles - go crazy or act irrationally The man seems to have lost his marbles and doesn`t make any sense at all lose one`s shirt - lose a lot of money I think that he is going to lose his shirt on the new business venture lose one`s temper - become angry He lost his temper when the child broke the expensive dish lose one's touch (with someone or something) - lose one's ability to handle someone or something I think that the horse trainer is losing her touch with the horses that she is training lose one's train of thought - forget what one was talking or thinking about I lost my train of thought when I was talking on the telephone to my friend lose one`s way - become lost The first time that she went to London she lost her way 503 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com lose oneself (in something) - become deeply involved in something The violin player always loses herself in her music when she is giving a concert lose out on (something) - fail to get or take part in something He lost out on a chance to go to Mexico City because he was too busy with other things lose out to (someone or something) - fail to win, miss first place in a contest Our team lost out to the other team in the soccer tournament lose sight of (something) - forget something, fail to see something "Don't lose sight of the main reason that you are planning to take the class." lose sleep over (someone or something) - worry about someone or something so that you cannot sleep I have been losing sleep over my inability to solve my recent problems at work lose touch with (someone) - fail to keep in contact or communication with someone I lost touch with the people who I worked with at my summer job lose track of (someone or something) - lose contact with someone or something I have lost track of many of my friends from high school 504 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com lose weight - to decrease one's weight I want to lose weight so I have stopped eating sweets lost-and-found - a place that handles lost items that other people find I went to the lost-and-found department at the train station to look for my umbrella lost and gone forever - permanently lost My father's pocket knife is lost and gone forever and we will probably never see it again a lost cause - a hopeless matter Trying to change the work habits of our secretary is a lost cause She will never change lost in thought - busy thinking I was lost in thought when my friend phoned me last night lost on (someone) - wasted or having no effect on someone My attempt at telling a joke was lost on my former girlfriend 505 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com loud and clear - clear and distinct I could hear the announcement loud and clear a loudmouth - a noisy, boastful or foolish talker He is a loudmouth and nobody likes him louse up - throw into confusion, make a mess of something, spoil something She loused up her job interview and has no chance to get the job now lousy with (something) - something is in abundance, many/much of something The hotel room was lousy with cockroaches love at first sight - love from the first time that two people see each other It was love at first sight when the young couple met at the photography class lovely weather for ducks - rainy weather "Lovely weather for ducks," I said when I met my neighbor walking in the rain lover`s lane - a hidden road or walkway where lovers walk or park their cars in the evening After the movie we drove to the local lover`s lane 506 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com low man on the totem pole - the least important person I am the low man on the totem pole in our company and I have no power at all the lowdown - the inside facts of a matter, the total truth I met with the speaker after the presentation and he gave me the lowdown on the new computer equipment lower one's sights - set one's goals lower than they were My cousin did not graduate from university and will have to lower his sights when he begins to look for a job lower one's voice - speak more softly The usher in the movie theater asked me to lower my voice lower oneself to (some level) - bring oneself down to a lower level of behavior I not want to lower myself to the same level as my very incompetent supervisor lower the boom on (someone) - scold or punish someone severely Our teacher lowered the boom on the students who were late with their homework 507 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com luck out - to suddenly get lucky even though it looks like you won`t succeed He lucked out with the concert tickets and was able to buy four of them one's lucky stars - a certain star or planet which is thought to bring a person good luck and success in life You can count your lucky stars that you don`t have to work on a rainy day like today lull before the storm - a quiet period just before a period of great activity or excitement It was the lull before the storm when the school principal walked into the assembly hall to speak to the students about the new policy lull (someone) into a false sense of security - lead someone to believe that all is well before attacking them The residents of the small community were lulled into a false sense of security when there were no crimes for several years lull (someone) to sleep - cause someone to fall asleep The mother spent a long time trying to lull her young baby to sleep lunatic fringe - the more extreme members of a group A small lunatic fringe of protesters caused many problems at the convention 508 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com ... was a lame-duck leader so it was difficult for him to accomplish some things land of Nod - sleep I entered the land of Nod as soon as my head hit the pillow land on one`s feet/both feet - come out... tonight a left-handed compliment - an ambiguous compliment interpreted as offensive He gave her a left-handed compliment when he said that her dyed hair looked nice a leg man - someone who performs... party - a person who is lively and helps make a party fun and exciting My friend is the life of the party and everybody loves to see her 482 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com not lift a finger/hand - not