Casual English: Idioms 201 - 300
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Casual English: Idioms 201 - 300 |
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| Return to Class | Learn everyday expressions and speak casually. | Sign in |
| Idiom |
Meaning |
Sense |
Example |
| It is what it is. |
the
situation will not change |
neutral |
Traffic
in Seattle can be so bad! But it is what it is. |
| get cold feet |
to
be nervous (as if your feet will not move) |
neutral
to negative |
Many
people get cold feet
a few days before they get married. |
| lukewarm welcome |
a
greeting that is neutral, without positive feeling |
negative |
We
met with the representatives from that company to propose
our idea, but
we got a lukewarm
welcome. They wanted to check us out, but not to
work
with us. |
| stand on ____ own two feet |
to
take care of oneself |
positive |
We
give our grown children financial help at times, but not too
much. We encourage them to stand on their own two feet. |
| in the big leagues |
working
at a high level; competing with top competitors |
positive |
Congratulations
on your new job at that great law firm. You're in the big leagues
now! |
| take the bull by the horns |
to
be assertive and get something done |
positive |
If
you want to get a raise, you will have to take the bull by the horns
and make an appointment with your manager. |
| get a curve ball; throw a curve ball; curve ball |
to
have something unexpected and difficult happen (from
baseball, a curve ball is a tricky pitch) |
neutral
to negative |
If
you start a small business, you should be prepared to get thrown some curve balls.
|
| the buck stops here |
nothing
else can be done, usually used to mean that a person
will not allow anything further |
neutral |
One
of the little boys in my preschool class is so spoiled. His
parents let
him do anything he wants, but the buck stops here. I have to get him to
behave within the group. |
| ____ fell for it |
was
tricked |
neutral
(can be about a joke) |
We
told him that we're going out of town, and he fell for it! He
has no idea that we're throwing him a surprise birthday
party. |
| ___ a little rusty |
having
not practiced |
neutral |
I
can help you learn to play the piano, but I'm a little rusty.
I will have to think about it. |
Idioms 201 - 300 Course |
Idioms 221-240 Main Page |