Common Idioms and Expressions
Here is a list of the most common idioms that you could expect to encounter.
| “Yes, I got the work done in time. I finished it at the eleventh hour, but I wasn’t late. |
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| bad-mouth: say unkind, unflattering, embarrassing (and probably untrue) things about someone. |
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| A: “I don’t believe what Bob said. Why is he bad-mouthing me?” |
| B: “He’s probably jealous of your success.” |
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| be a piece of cake: be very easy. |
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| A: “Bob said the test was difficult, but I thought it was a piece of cake.”” |
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| be all ears: be eager to hear what someone has to say. |
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| A: “I just got an e-mail message from our old friend Sally.” |
| B: “Tell me what she said. I’m all ears!” |
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| be broke: be without money. |
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| “No, I can’t lend you ten dollars. I’m completely broke until payday.” |
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| be fed up with (with someone or something): be out of patience (with someone or something); |
| be very tired of someone or something. |
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| “Bill, you’re too careless with your work. I’m fed up with |
| apologizing for your mistakes!” |
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| be in and out: be at and away from a place during a particular time. |
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| “Could we postpone our meeting until tomorrow? I expect to |
| be in and out of the office most of the day today.” |
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| be on the go: be very busy (going from one thing or project to another). |
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| “I’m really tired. I’ve been on the go all week long.” |
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| be on the road: be traveling. |
| ace: make an “A” on a test, homework assignment, project, etc. |
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| “Somebody said you aced the test, Dave. That’s great!” |
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| all right (1): expression of reluctant agreement. |
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| A: “Come to the party with me. Please!” |
| B: “Oh, all right. I don’t want to, but I will.” |
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| all right (2): fair; not particularly good. |
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| A: “How’s your chemistry class?” |
| B: “It’s all right, I guess, but it’s not the best class I’ve ever had.” |
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| all right (3): unharmed; in satisfactory condition. |
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| A: “You don’t look normal. Are you all right?” |
| B: “Yes, but I have a headache.” |
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| and then some: and much more besides. |
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| A: “I’d guess your new computer cost about $2,000. “ |
| B: “It cost that much and then some because I also bought extra RAM and VRAM.” |
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| antsy: restless; impatient and tired of waiting. |
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| “I hope Katy calls soon. Just sitting around and waiting is making me antsy.” |
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| as easy as pie: very easy. |
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| “I thought you said this was a difficult problem. It isn’t. In fact, it’s as easy as pie.” |
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| at the eleventh hour: at the last minute; almost too late. |