Common idioms and phrasal verbs list

Common Idioms List Set Common Idioms Definitions It cost me an arm and a leg to Very expensive take my trip to Australia I was over the moon when he asked me to marry him Extremely pleased or happy You are taking your IELTS test Doing or starting something next week?? Aren’t you jumping too early the gun You’ve only just started studying He comes round to see me once Happening very rarely in a blue moon He’s got a chip on his shoulder Feeling inferior or having a grievance about something I reckon getting a band in IELTS Very easy will be a piece of cake! I’m very good at English The money sent by comic relief A very small part of to help poverty in Africa is just a something much bigger drop in the ocean They need far more than this Getting a low score, the first Something positive that time I took IELTS was a blessing isn’t recognized until later in disguise It forced me to study extremely hard so I got a much better score the next time We have to actually something about global warming Actions speak louder than words It’s better to actually something rather than just talking about it I bumped into Jenny in town the Meeting someone you other day It's a small world would not have expected to Set Common Idioms Definitions Oh well, I got 5.5 in IELTS When an attempt to again Back to the drawing something fails and it's time board! to start all over again using different methods I hate my job so much I can’t Having two very bad bare going to work, but if I choices quit I don’t think I can get another job I’m really stuck / (note: stuck/caught can be caught between a rock and omitted) a hard place I have to bite my tongue so I Wanting to say something don’t say what I really think of but stopping yourself him! Come on, cut to the chase Leave out all the We haven’t got all day! unnecessary details and just get to the point Are you putting all of your savings into that company? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket Putting all of ones resources into one possibility Try not to worry about Believing that every bad it Every cloud has a silver situation has a positive side / lining eventually leads to something good It was difficult when I moved to another country but I eventually found my feet To become comfortable in what you are doing My parents are very fixed in Not wanting to change from their ways They won’t start the normal ways of doing using the internet things I think he got up on the To refer to someone who is wrong side of the bed this having a bad day morning He is in a terrible mood My mother will always go the Doing much more than is extra mile to help people required when doing something Set Common Idioms Definitions I think you’ve hit the nail on Say exactly the right the head That’s the reason thing he didn’t get the job Today’s going so badly If it’s When everything seems not one thing, it’s the to be going wrong other I just said it in the heat of the moment I was angry I know I shouldn’t have Saying or doing something suddenly without thinking about it Keep an eye on him I think Watch someone or he may cheat in the exam something carefully Have you heard? John down the road has kicked the bucket Died I don’t want to argue with him Avoid a conflict again It’s better to let sleeping dogs lie I told him what gift you have Tell someone something bought him for his birthday that you were not Sorry, I didn’t mean to let the supposed to cat out of the bag Don’t tell her what you really think of her if she’s helping you with your English! Don’t bite the hand that feeds you Hurt or upset someone who is helping you I’m not sure which party he is Not making a firm going to vote for He’s sitting decision between on the fence different choices Everything she does is Excessive very over the top She can’t just have a few drinks – se has to get really drunk Set Common Idioms Definitions Let’s keep studying for IELTS Practice makes perfect Continuously doing something to improve Don’t get upset about what he Joking around said He’s just pulling your leg Sorry but I think I’ll take a rain check on that To decline an offer that you will take up later As a rule of thumb, I don’t Principal that is strictly study at weekends I spend the time with my family adhered / kept to I can smell a rat He said he To sense that something is has a PhD but he can’t even not right remember which university he studied at She’s the spitting image of her mother To look exactly like someone else The ball's in your court now Telling someone it's now their What are you going to do? turn to make a decision Unfortunately, I think he’ll be For a very long time studying for IELTS until the cows come home His English is very poor It was all tongue-in-cheek Something said in humor He didn’t really mean what he rather than seriously said She’s feeling under the weather today so she won’t be going to work Unwell Set Common Idioms Definitions We've had some big Things from the past that are disagreements over the years, not important anymore but it’s all water under the bridge now We get on fine You are what you eat so it’s If you eat bad food, you’ll be better to have a healthy diet unhealthy, if you eat good food, you’ll be healthy You can’t judge a book by its cover I need to get to know him before I decide what he is like The belief that outside appearances not reveal what someone or something is really like We're really working against Not having enough time to the clock now We must hurry something Why are we bothering? Attempting to continue with We're flogging a dead horse something that is finished / Our online business is making over no money, so we should move on and something else I bent over backwards to Doing all you can to help help him I hope he appreciates someone it So you have the IELTS test today?? Break a leg Good luck Ok, I'm playing devil's advocate here, but if marijuana is legalized, isn't it more likely young people will smoke it? To put forward a side in an argument that may not be your own in order to show the counter-argument / ensure all sides are discussed Hold your horses! We haven't won anything yet Telling someone who is getting ahead of themselves to wait / be patient She is driving me up the wall She won't stop talking Annoying or irritating somebody Word Set Phrasal Verb Meaning hang out spend time relaxing (informal) catch up with Meet someone after a period of time and find out what they have been doing cut down/back Reduce on give (something) up Quit / stop doing it cut out Stop eating something (permanently or for a long time) find out Discover get along/on Like each other fall out Argue and be on bad terms with someone clean up Tidy / Clean come across Find something unexpectedly IELTS - English Phrasal Verbs in Use What you normally at the weekends? I usually just hang out with my friends We’ll go to the cinema or something Unfortunately I don’t get the chance to catch up with them often as we are all so busy with work Do you have a healthy lifestyle? I don’t think I really Something I definitely need to is cut down on the amount I smoke, or even give it up completely I would also like to cut out red meat from my diet I’ve read that both of those are unhealthy I found out recently that my father has cancer, and he smoked a lot when he was younger Do you like the place where you live? Yes, I live with some college friends There are several of us in the house so it is crowded, but we get along well so we have not had any serious problems I fell out with one guy who lived there because he played his music too loud, but he has moved out now Do you like to collect things? Not anymore, but the other day I was cleaning up my room when I came across an old album of football stickers I used to collect them when I was younger Phrasal Verb Meaning hand (something) in Submit get away with (something) Do something without being noticed or punished keep up with Continue at the same rate end up To become eventually; turn out to be fall behind To fail to keep up a pace; lag behind drop out Quit a class, school, university etc look back on Think about something that happened in the past put forward Suggest or state the case for something catch up with Reach the same level pull out of To stop being a part of something Word Set Phrasal Verb Exercises - Examples in Context Were you a good student when you were at school? I’m afraid I wasn’t if I’m honest Often I didn’t hand in my homework, and I always felt I could get away with it because my teacher wasn’t strict But because of this I couldn’t keep up with the course work and I ended up falling behind Eventually I had to drop out of the school So no, I wasn’t really a good student When I look back on my childhood, I wish I’d done things differently really as it meant I had to work harder to achieve things later on in life Do you think the growth in multinational corporations is a positive development? I’m not sure it is such a good thing Many people put forward arguments in favor it, claiming it has helped developing countries by creating jobs for local people as many of these companies have moved their manufacturing abroad They then claim that the economic development in these countries will catch up with developed countries However, there is no real evidence that this is the case as most the profit flows back to the companies, not the people, and as soon as it becomes cheaper to manufacture in a different country, the companies will pull out of the country they are in and move to the more profitable one So I don’t think there is any real longterm benefit Phrasal Verb Get Meaning get something across/over Make understandable or communicate get around To have mobility get away To go on holiday / vacation get back at someone To get revenge get back into Become interested in something again get by To have just enough of something such as money or knowledge get down to Start doing something seriously or with a lot of effort get over something Recover from something, like an illness or a problem get round to something To find time to something get through To survive something get together Social meeting get up Get out of bed Split up Wear of End of a relationship Disappear Work out Calculate End up Become eventually Carry on Continue Do away with Terminate or end Pull out of Stop being a part of Sort out Find a solution Pull through Near death recovery Wear out Exhaust/tire My friend was so sick after the accident I thought she would not survive, but she pulled through I’m usually worn out by the end of the week because I’m studying for IELTS and working as well My wife and I split up after I moved abroad because we were so far apart It didn't work out Greece is considering pulling out of the Euro in order to avoid collapse I’m not sure what I will end up doing with my life I can’t decide on a career path I’m going to carry on studying IELTS till I get the score I need – I’m not giving up! I need to work out whether I can afford to study abroad I’m disagreeing with my partner over the business but I’m sure we’ll sort it out Personally, I think we should away with school uniforms Students should wear what they like 10 The effects of the drug still haven’t worn of – I feel very drowsy 1 A Penny for Your Thoughts – ask someone who is being very quiet what they are thinking about  For several minutes they sat silently, then finally she looked at him and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Walter.” Against the clock – something as fast as possible and try to finish it before a certain time With her term paper due on Monday, she was racing against the clock to finish it Lend an ear – to listen carefully and in a friendly way to someone  If you have any problems, go to Claire She’ll always lend a sympathetic ear On cloud nine – very happy; deliriously happy She just bought her first new car and she’s on cloud nine Bushed – tired I am totally bushed after staying up so late Hard feelings – the emotion of being upset or offended I am sorry I have to fire you No hard feelings, okay? Hit the hay – go to bed  It’s after 12 o’clock I think it’s time to hit the hay Be sick to death of something/doing something – to be angry and bored because something unpleasant has been happening for too long 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 I will be on time for the class, rain or shine Come rain or shine, she is always smiling 10 Be all ears – eager and ready to listen I’m all ears, waiting to hear your latest excuse for not getting this job done! 11 In the nick of time – not too late, but very close I got to the drugstore just in the nick of time It’s a good thing, because I really need this medicine! 12 Fresh/Clean out of something – have sold or used up the last of something I have to go buy some more milk It seems we’re fresh out now 13 Have/Get mixed feelings about something – to be uncertain about something  I have mixed feelings about my trip to England I love the people, but the climate upsets me 14 Give it one’s best shot – the best that one can This test question is really tough! I’ll give it my best shot, and I’ll get some marks for doing my best 15 In deep water – in difficulty; in trouble or in a dangerous situation He has not submitted his dissertation so he’s in deep water 16 Next to nothing – to cost very little I went to the new discount store and bought these new shoes for only five dollars That’s next to nothing! 17 To be up in arms about something – upset or angry about something  She has been UP IN ARMS about the rent increase 18 Put yourself in somebody’s shoes – imagine that you are in somebody’s position in order to understand his/her feelings  If you put yourself in my shoes, you would understand why I made that decision 19 At all costs – everything you can to achieve/succeed something  My dream is to become a successful businessman and I will work hard for it AT ALL COSTS 20 Explore all avenues – investigate every possible means to find a solution to a given problem or to achieve a desired outcome  We need to EXPLORE ALL AVENUES before doing something that is not very safe to a great number of people in order to minimize unfavorable consequences 21 On the ball – active and aware of things Our staff is really on the ball to get projects done on time 22 Throw in the towel – Give up on something I’ve spent too much time on this project to throw in the towel now 23 Down to earth – practical and realistic; Back to reality  It’s time we were brought down to earth to figure out difficult situation, and offer a good solution 24 Full of beans – A person who is lively, active and healthy  I really enjoy being with my best friend because he is always full of beans 25 Get a head start – Start before all others This year we’ll get a head start on the competition by running more advertisements 26 Hear on the grapevine - This idiom means ’to hear humors’ about something or someone I heard on the grapevine that she was pregnant, but I don’t know anything more 27 Hit the nail on the head - To be right about something  Mike hit the nail on the head when he said most people can use a computer without knowing how it works 28 In the heat of the moment - say or it without thinking because you are very angry or excited She doesn’t hate you She just said that in the heat of the moment 29 It takes two to tango - both people involved in a bad situation are responsible for it She blames Tracy for stealing her husband ‘Well, it takes two to tango.’ 30 Get/jump on the bandwagon - Join a popular trend or activity You jump on the bandwagon when all your friends begin eating at a new popular restaurant 31 Keep something at bay - Keep something away She fought to keep her unhappiness at bay 32 Kill two birds with one stone - This idiom means, to accomplish two different things at the same time I killed two birds with one stone and saw some old friends while I was in 33 Leeds visiting my parents - Last straw, the final problem in a series of problems This is the last straw I’m calling the police 34 Let sleeping dogs lie - to not talk about things which have caused problems in the past, or to not try to change a situation because you might cause problems Jane knew she should report the accident but decided to let sleeping dogs lie 35 Let the cat out of the bag - To reveal a secret or a surprise, often without an intention to so It’s a secret Try not to let the cat out of the bag 36 Not playing with a full deck - Someone who lacks intelligence Jim’s a nice guy, but with some of the foolish things he does, I wonder if he’s not playing with a full deck 37 Far cry from - Very different from What you did was a far cry from what you said you were going to 38 Give the benefit of the doubt - to decide you will believe someone or something I didn’t know whether his story was true or not, but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt 39 Pull the wool over someone’s eyes - Deceive someone into thinking well of them  You can’t pull the wool over my eyes I know what’s going on 40 See eye to eye - This idiom is used to say that two (or more people) agree on something My father and I see eye to eye on most things 41 Take with a grain of salt - Consider something to be not completely true or right  I’ve read the article, which I take with a grain of salt 42 Taste of your own medicine - Means that something happens to you, or is done to you that you have done to someone else Tom talks way too much – but last night he met someone who talked even more than he does, and he got frustrated He finally got a taste of his own medicine 43 Whole nine yards - Everything, the entire amount, as far as possible When I was little, my family always had lots of pets – dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, rabbits – the whole nine yards 44 Wouldn’t be caught dead - Would never like to something My father wouldn’t have been caught dead in a white suit 45 At the drop of a hat - immediately; instantly If you need help, just call on me I can come at the drop of a hat 46 up-market – Relatively expensive and designed to appeal to wealthy consumers an upmarket restaurant that is quite pricey but also quite good 47 cram – to try to accomplish a lot quickly, also can mean to try to put a lot of items in a tight fit, which is probably not idiomatic with that meaning  The students are all cramming to get ready for the exams 48 in high spirits – extremely happy  They’d had a couple of drinks and were in high spirits 49 keep one’s chin up – remain brave and keep on trying; remain cheerful in difficult circumstances  Keep your chin up Don’t take your troubles to bed with you  Keep your chin up Things will get better sooner or later 50 read my/your/his mind – W – guess what somebody is thinking I was surprised he knew what I was planning, like he could read my mind 51 get the ball rolling – start doing something, especially something big I decided to set the ball rolling and got up to dance  You should get the ball rolling as soon as possible to be wellprepared for the IELTS test 52 for ages – for a very long time I waited for ages but he never showed up 53 fill in for someone – someone’s work while he is away; substitute for  Bill is going to be filling in for me while I’m out on maternity leave 54 antsy – getting restless The guys are getting antsy; we need to go somewhere else before they get too noisy 55 (as) easy as pie – very easy For Tom, getting a graphic design certificate was easy as pie – he seemed to have a natural talent for it 56 under the weather – sick; not completely well I noticed that the cat was looking a little under the weather 57 fingers-crossed = keep one’s fingers crossed(for someone or something – to wish for luck for someone or something  fingers crossed for your driving test We’re keeping our fingers crossed that he’ll be healthy again very soon 58 have a chin-wag – have a long conversation between friends; have a chat We had a good chinwag over a bottle of wine 59 chicken scratch (n) – the handwriting that is crammed or illegible  His signature— an unforgeable idiosyncratic chicken scratch 60 the wee hours – after midnight  He was up until the wee hours trying to finish his work 61 a blessing in a disguise – something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good happening later Losing that job was a blessing in disguise really 62 all in the same boat – in the same difficult situation as someone else None of us has any money, so we’re all in the same boat 63 beating around the bush – avoid the main topic and not speaking directly about it Let’s stop beating about the bush and discuss this matter 64 early bird (someone who gets up early)  I never miss sunrise I’m an early bird 65 a breath of fresh air – something that is new & refreshing  Selena was a talented and beautiful entertainer, a breath of fre sh air in an industry full of people all trying to copy each other 66 keep an eye on – W – to monitor a situation, not forget about it Keep an eye on the noodles, there almost done 67 keep your nose to the grindstone – continue to put forward a good effort  If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you will finish this job tonight 68 know something [it, this] inside out – to be totally familiar with He knows that subject backwards and forwards 69 leave well enough alone – W – to not try to change something that is good enough This repair is not perfect, but let’s leave well enough alone 70 now and then – W – on an occasional basis, often every is used as the first word of this idiomatic phrase Every now and then I have a good idea 71 bump into – to meet someone by chance  I bumped into my old friends at the seminar for education officials 72 A drop in the ocean – every small part of something much bigger Just learning idioms is a drop in the ocean when it comes to preparing for the speaking test 73 work flat out – work very hard The employees have been working flat out to get the job finished ahead of the deadline 74 The in thing – something fashionable The new iPhone is really the in thing at the moment 75 make a fuss over – overly care for someone / something  Whenever they visit Grandma she makes a fuss over the children 76 Run of the mill – average, ordinary Apple phones are very run of the mill these days 77 far-fetched – usually refers to an idea, choice, decision, plan that may be unusual, probably not a good choice The government’s choice for the new Defense Secretary seemed pretty far-fetched to the opposition party 78 ace – to well Usually used relating to a test, competition, something with a score, or a clear winner or loser He aced the history test He is an ace pitcher/batter/tennis player 79 A hot potato – a controversial topic Abortion and capital punishment are hot potatoes in my country at the moment 80 Get a kick out of (something) – to get excitement or pleasure from an event or thought  I really get a kick out of seeing the crazy things carried on motorbikes sometimes 81 bent out of shape – often used to admonish others not to be too upset  Don’t get all bent out of shape about the way they drive over here! 82 Give (lend) somebody a hand – to give some forms of assistance with a task  Could you give me a hand with this shipment? 83 Sit on the fence – to be undecided I haven’t made my mind up about that issue, I’ll have to sit on the fence 84 A piece of cake – very easy Getting a band in the speaking test will be a piece of cake 85 hit the books – to study, usually intensively  I will sit the IELTS test next week That’s why I have been hitting the books all day long 86 Soul mate – someone you trust very deeply My husband is not just my lover, he’s my soul mate 87 broke – usually financial related, have no money, can also generally reference a state  I can’t afford to go on holiday – I’m (flat) broke 88 (Go) back to the drawing board – to start planning something again because the first plan failed Our plan didn’t work out, so it’s back to the drawing board 89 Go the extra mile – To make an extra effort; more than usual  You had better not forget leadership attributes that make you go the extra mile 90 crash course – a quick lesson We need a crash course in idioms for this IELTS program 91 up-to-the-minute – the very latest or most recent  Now we’re going live to our reporter in Washington for up-to-the-minute news on the crisis 92 On the go – busy  I feel as though we always need to be on the go because life’s too short to be idle! 93 on the dot – W – happens at a particular time, precise time, exactly time  The class will start at 8:00 a.m on the dot, so don’t be late! 94 and then some – and even more; and more than has been mentioned  It looked like 20,000 people and then some were crowded into the stadium Investors in the business got their money back and then some 95 Find my feet – to become comfortable doing something  Moving to a new city was difficult as first, but I soon found my feet 96 read my/your/his mind – W – refers to the idea that thoughts are known by another  I was surprised he knew what I was planning, like he could read my mind 97 before long W – a rather short amount of time  I will be gone before long, but I hope you learn a lot 98 Cost an arm and a leg – really expensive  This dress is really nice, but it cost me an arm and a leg 99 Set in their ways – not wanting to change  My parents are quite traditional and set in their ways (the) bottom line W – most important number or information  My bottom line to this job is freedom from meddling! Don’t give me the details of what the client said about the bid, just tell me his bottom line 100 burn the midnight oil – stay up late, esp work late  We’re going to have to burn the midnight oil to get this job done by tomorrow 101 call it a day – end the job (or task) for the day, (or night)  Well, it was nice chatting with you, but it’s time for me to call it a day 102 change one’s mind W – to change a decision or opinion  Nothing you have told me motivates me to change my mind 103 Over the moon – to be extremely pleased or happy  I was over the moon when I passed my speaking test 104 (Right) off the top of my head – saying something without giving it too much thought or without precise knowledge  You are familiar enough with the data Give us the information off the top of your head 105 catch your/my/his eye W – something or someone that has a visual attraction for you, can be a written description as well Really is often used to introduce this idiom  That pretty girl really caught my eye Do any of these watches catch your eye? The price on that advertised special really caught my eye 106 down in the dumps – unhappy, sad  She’s a bit down in the dumps because she failed one of her exams 107 (on the) cutting edge W – the most modern, up to date process or product / equipment  His teaching process is on the cutting edge This new computer is cutting edge technology 108 Put all your eggs in one basket – put all your money or effort into one thing  Don’t put all your eggs in one basket You should apply to lots of different universities 109 chill out – relax, calm down Despite terrorism, Obama still keep calm, and told his staff to chill out, and got back to work 110 Miss the boat – miss an opportunity  I sent my application in late and I think I missed the boat 111 (to be) fed up with – tired of, disgusted with  Be careful, I think the boss is fed up with us today 112 Once in a blue moon – happens very rarely  A student will get a in the IELTS writing test once in a blue moon 113 white elephant W – an unprofitable investment, something that is large and unwieldy and is a nuisance and/or expensive to maintain  That new motorbike I bought is really a white elephant, it is expensive and too big for these streets 114  ... 94 and then some – and even more; and more than has been mentioned  It looked like 20,000 people and then some were crowded into the stadium Investors in the business got their money back and. .. practical and realistic; Back to reality  It’s time we were brought down to earth to figure out difficult situation, and offer a good solution 24 Full of beans – A person who is lively, active and. .. investment, something that is large and unwieldy and is a nuisance and/ or expensive to maintain  That new motorbike I bought is really a white elephant, it is expensive and too big for these streets