100 English Expressions – & Idioms –26 to 50 – B2 English, How to Speak like a Native!
Comprehension Exercise
100 English Expressions – & Idioms – 26 to 50 – B2 English
A list of 100 English Expressions – & Idioms –26 to 50 – B2 English
100 most useful idioms with meanings and examples
Have on the brain.
Thinking or talking about it all day long
Tom has just got married now he has his new bride on his brain all the time.
Fever pitch.
When a feeling is very intense and exciting it is said to be at a fever
pitch.
Firstly the pressure was raised to fever-pitch at a very early stage in the
proceedings.
Blood sweat and tears.
Something that requires a lot of effort and hard work.
Being the he captain of Australian cricket team is not just a matter of luck for him it
is his blood sweat and tears which has got him here.
Eat sleep and breathe something.
Being so enthusiastic and passionate about something that you think about it
all the time.
My husband has recently learned aqua biking he eats sleeps and breathes it
now.
With bells on.
When you are delighted and eager to go somewhere you are said to go with bells
on. I’m confident that this computer program
will do everything you’re looking for with bells on.
Xerox subsidy.
Using the office photocopier for personal use.
the office now has a strict policy about Xerox subsidy.
Raring to go.
Being very eager and enthusiastic about the idea of doing something.
After a good night’s sleep Paul said he was raring to go.
Fling yourself into.
Doing something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
Flinging ourselves into the exercise routine is the reason for our good
physique and healthy appearance.
Get a grip on yourself.
Controlling your feelings to deal with a situation.
You’re not going to be able to think clearly until you get a grip on yourself.
Groan inwardly.
Refers to a feeling where you want to express despair disapproval or distress
but you keep quite.
Paula was quite annoyed and angry at the sarcastic remark by her friend but
looking at the situation she groaned inwardly.
Deep down.
Describing what a person really feels deep inside
She tried to put on a brave face after the breakup but deep down she was in
agony.
Have your heart in the right place.
Refers to a person with good intentions even though the results are not that
impressive.
The lunch Tom had cooked for his friends wasn’t the best but he had his heart in
the right place.
Hard-as-nails.
Refers to a person without sentiments and sympathy for anyone.
Bob may seem sweet and easily swayed but in fact he’s hard as nails.
Lump in your throat.
Refers to a tight feeling in of an emotion like sadness or gratitude.
Whenever they play the national anthem I get a lump in my throat.
Go bananas.
Refers to someone who behaves in a crazy way out of emotions.
I’ll end up going bananas if I have to work in this cubicle for one more day!
Beard the lion in his den.
Challenge someone in his own area.
A risk very often doesn’t turn out well but if you don’t face and beard the
lion in his den you will never achieve the success you truly desire.
Keep a stiff upper lip.
Refers to a person who doesn’t show off his emotions.
Even though he was only three years old Jonathan kept a stiff upper lip the
whole time he was in the hospital recovering from his surgery.
Foot in the door.
Small but good start with a possibility for a bright future.
An internship might not sound very interesting but it’s a great way to get
a foot in the door at this company.
Dead in the water.
Plan or project that has ceased to function and is not expected to be
reactivated in future.
Oh that idea from last week’s meeting is dead in the water now that the CEO has
vetoed it.
Go great guns.
Being successful.
He was hesitant at first but now that he’s been on the job for a month
he’s going great guns.
Go to the dogs.
Getting comparably less successful than before.
Boy this party has really gone to the dogs, first there was the issue with the
caterer, and now half the guests aren’t coming.
Flying start.
Something that is immediately successful.
Williams company got off to a flying start thanks to his father’s generous
investments.
Make a go of.
To attempt to achieve success with something often a relationship or career
Through one’s best effort.
She just didn’t have the energy or inclination to make a go of her marriage.
Live on the breadline.
Having very little income.
Sure we have money now but my grandmother grew up in a family that was
on the breadline and lived in public housing.
Go up in smoke.
Something that ends before getting a result
My presentation went up in smoke when the slideshow stopped working.
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