meaning and usage of idioms and phrases-57

1) Too Little Too Late-not enough of something that should have been provided earlier-

A spokeswoman described the aid for the refugees as too little, too late.

2) Fight Fire With Fire-use against your opponent the same methods he or she is using against you-

When evangelists would come to our house and try to convert us, Mother would fight fire with fire and try to convert them to her religion.

3) Bring To The Table-to provide or offer a useful skill or attribute-

He brings years of leadership experience to the table.

4) Learn The Ropes-to learn how to do a job or activity-

The three new members of our project team will have to learn the ropes as soon as possible to deliver the project on time.

5) Be Over The Moon-to be very pleased-

She was over the moon with her new bike.

6) Chase Rainbows-to constantly pursue things that are unrealistic or unlikely to happen-

You can't chase rainbows your whole life, you need to pick a stable career and start being an adult.

7) Tell A White Lie-to tell a seemingly small or harmless lie, often in order not to offend or upset someone-

I told my wife a white lie saying that she looked fabulous in her new clothes.

8) Wave A White Flag-to offer a sign of surrender or defeat, to yield or give in-

After the prosecutors brought forward their newest evidence, the defendant waved the white flag and agreed to the plea bargain.

9) Get Cold Feet-to experience nervousness or anxiety before one attempts to do something-

Good luck getting her out on stage, she always gets cold feet before a performance.

10) Look Down One's Nose-to regard oneself as superior to others and thus act in a haughty or snobbish manner-

Once Jane was promoted to management, she looked down her nose at the people who used to be her colleagues.

11) Topsy-Turvy-confused, not well organized, or giving importance to unexpected things-

The government's topsy-turvy priorities meant that the spending on education would remain low.

12) Get Under Someone's Skin-to bother or irritate someone-

I know he is bothersome, but don't let him get under your skin.

13) Neck And Neck-exactly even or level especially in a race or a contest-

Opinion polls showed the two major parties neck and neck.

14) Every Trick In The Book-every possible way-

I've tried every trick in the book to get him to notice me, and still no luck!

15) Be In The Lap Of The Gods-to be out of one's control or power-

The doctors have done everything possible for him, so his recovery now is in the lap of the gods.

16) To The Letter-exactly as instructed, exactly as written-

I followed the recipe to the letter, but the cake did not turn out very well.

17) Black Sheep-a person who has done something bad that brings embarrassment or shame to his or her family-

My uncle, a drunkard, was the black sheep of the family and we were never encouraged to talk about him.

18) On The Line-at risk of failing or being harmed-

Firefighters regularly put their lives on the line.

19) Look Over One's Shoulder-watch for danger or threats to oneself-

Bob has been a little paranoid since the robbery, and is always looking over his shoulder.

20) Wiggle Room-the space, time, or freedom to make changes as needed-

We need to leave ourselves some wiggle room when we're negotiating the deal.

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