الطائر المغرد
06-25-2009, 11:20 PM
have a bee in your bonnet
Definition: have an obsession, something that always remains in your thoughts and efforts
She has a bee in her bonnet that health care must change.
If I have a bee in my bonnet, I have to do everything I can until I can make it happen.
Have a big mouth
Definition: somebody who tells secrets, who is a gossip
Don't talk to Mary she has a big mouth.
If you didn't have such a big mouth, I'd tell you my secrets.
have a bone to pick with someone
Definition: have something (usually a complaint) that you want to discuss with someone
I have a bone to pick with you. Just a moment, let's talk.
Tom's looking for Pete because he's got a bone to pick with him.
have a brush with something
Definition: have brief contact, or experience with someone or something
I had a brief brush with Jack and I didn't like it.
He's had a brief brush with unemployment.
have a chip on your shoulder
Definition: be in a bad mood and challenging people to fight
Don't take him seriously, he just has a chip on his shoulder.
Yes, I have a chip on my shoulder! What are YOU going to do about it?!
have a close call
Definition: be close to danger
I had a close call yesterday and was almost in an accident.
She's had a few close calls in her life.
have a familiar ring
Definition: sound familiar, as if you've heard it before
That story has a familiar ring. Did we read that last year?
Her experiences have a familiar ring. I guess everybody goes through that.
have a good head on your shoulders
Definition: have common sense, be sensible
Jack has a good head on his shoulders. Don't worry about him.
I think you have a good head on your shoulders. You should trust your decision.
have a green thumb
Definition: be very good at gardening
Alice obviously has a green thumb. Look at that garden!
My wife has a green thumb, so I let her do all the gardening.
have a heart
Definition: be compassionate or generous and forgiving with somebody
Don't hold that against her. Have a heart!
I think he'll have a heart and forgive you.
have a heart of gold
Definition: be generous and sincere
Mary has a heart of gold. I just love her.
The teacher has a heart of gold with her students.
have a heart of stone
Definition: be cold and unresponsive, unforgiving
Don't make him angry. He has a heart of stone.
I can't believe how he treats his children. He's got a heart of stone.
have an ax to grind
Definition: complain about something often
He has an ax to grind against his health care provider.
I know you have an ax to grind against Agatha, but stop complaining!
have an in with someone
Definition: have special access to someone (often used at work)
She has an in with the boss. Let her ask him for permission.
I wish I had an in with the director so I could get a promotion.
have a one-track mind
Definition: always thinking about one thing
He has a one track mind. He can't talk about anything besides golf.
Do you have a one-track mind?
have a soft spot in your heart for someone or something
Definition: love or adore a thing or person
I've got a soft spot in my heart for Maria Callas.
He has a soft spot in his heart for pinball!
have a sweet tooth
Definition: like sweets too much
I know you have a sweet tooth, but you need to be careful.
I need to watch my weight, especially because I have a sweet tooth.
have clean hands
Definition: to without guilt, guiltless
Don't blame him, he has clean hands.
The man claimed to have clean hands in the crime.
have egg on one's face
Definition: be embarrassed after having done something very stupid
I had egg on my face after I asked that stupid question.
I don't think he realizes he has egg on his face.
Idioms and Expressions - Like
Eat like a horse
Definition: usually eat a lot of food
Tom eats like a horse! Make sure to grill three hamburgers for him.
He doesn't usually eat like a horse.
eat like a bird
Definition: usually eat very little food
She eats like a bird, so don't make too much for dinner.
He weighs 250 pounds even though he eats like a bird.
feel like a million
Definition: feel very good and happy
I'm feeling like a million today. I just got a new job!
After his promotion, he felt like a million.
fit like a glove
Definition: clothes or apparel that fit perfectly
My new shoes fit like a glove.
Her jeans fit like a glove after she went on a diet.
go like clockwork
Definition: to happen very smoothly, without problems
The presentation went like clockwork.
Her plans went like clockwork and she was able to join the company.
know someone or something like the back of one's hand
Definition: know in every detail, understand completely
She knows me like the back of her hand.
I know this project like the back of my hand.
like a bat out of hell
Definition: very fast, quickly
He left the room like a bat out of hell.
They drove off like a bat out of hell.
like a bump on a log
Definition: not moving
Don't sit there like a bump on a log!
She sits around all day like a bump on a log.
like a fish out of water
Definition: completely out of place, not belonging at all
He looks like a fish out of water on the football field.
The boss felt like a fish out of water in San Francisco.
like a sitting duck
Definition: be very exposed to something
He felt like a sitting duck and moved to cover his position.
Your investments have left you like a sitting duck in this market.
out like a light
Definition: fall asleep quickly
He went out like a light.
I hit the pillow and was out like a light.
read someone like a book
Definition: understand the other person's motivation for doing something
She can read me like a book.
I know you don't mean that. I can read you like a book.
sell like hotcakes
Definition: sell very well, very quickly
The book sold like hotcakes.
The iPhone initially sold like hotcakes.
sleep like a log
Definition: sleep very deeply
I was tired and slept like a log.
She went home and slept like a log.
spread like wildfire
Definition: an idea that gets known very quickly
His solution to the problem spread like wildfire.
Her opinions spread like wildfire.
watch someone like a hawk
Definition: keep a very close eye on someone, watch very carefully
Don't make any mistakes because I'm watching you like a hawk.
She watches her son like a hawk whenever he goes outside to pla
Idioms and Expressions - All
All-nighter
Definition: do something (for instance a study session) that lasts all night
We pulled an all-nighter to get ready for the exam.
The graduation party was an all-nighter.
All over something
Definition: very fond of something
He's all over the latest fashions.
Peter's all over antique furniture.
All right (!)
Definition: Yes, okay, fine
That's all right by me!
All right! I got an A+ on my term paper.
All shook up
Definition: extremely excited, worried, or disturbed about something
He's all shook up about his mother's illness.
Wow! I'm all shook up about Alice.
All that and then some
Definition: even more than what has been mentioned
He did all that and then some to get the new job.
Yes, that's right. All that and then some!
All the way (with go)
Definition: do something completely
He's going all the way for the scholarship.
We went all the way to California on our vacation.
Dash it all!
Definition: expression used when very upset
Dash it all! I didn't do very well.
Dash it all! She can't come this weekend.
For all I know
Definition: based on what I know (usually expressing displeasure)
For all I know, he'll come and win the prize.
They've decided to hire Jack for all I know.
Free for all
Definition: crazy, non-restricted activity (generally a fight)
It was a free for all! Everyone went crazy!
They stepped in to break up the free for all.
Have it all together
Definition: be very poised, successful
He has it all together. The house, the wife, the kids, the great job - everything!
I was very impressed with the candidate. She seemed to have it all together.
Hold all the aces
Definition: have all the advantages
Unfortunately, Tom holds all the aces right now. You'll have to do what he says.
I'm holding all the aces so I can do whatever I want.
Know all the angles
Definition: be very clever about something
Jack knows all the angles. Be careful!
The salesman knew all the angles, and by the end of our talk I had bought a new computer!
Not all there
Definition: not intelligent, not completely focused on an activity
I'm afraid Peter is not all there. He needs some help badly.
Unfortunately, I was not all there and lost the final match.
Of all the nerve!
Definition: expression of anger at someone's behavior
Of all the nerve! Did you see how that woman treated me?
Of all the nerve! She took me seat!
Once and for all
Definition: finally (usually putting an end to something)
I'm going to stop his behavior once and for all!
Let's get this over once and for all.
Pull out all the stops
Definition: make every possible effort to do something
He pulled out all the stops on the exam.
We're going to pull out all the stops on our presentation.
You can't win them all.
Definition: expression of acceptance after a loss or disappointment
Well, you can't win them all. Let's go home.
You did your best. You can't win them all
Idioms and Expressions - Around
around the bend
Definition: crazy
Tom's going round the bend with all the new responsibilities.
She's a little around the bend if you ask me!
(to have been) around the block
Definition: be very experienced
You can trust Jerry. He's been around the block once or twice.
She's been around the block. She knows what she is doing.
blue around the gills
Definition: feeling nauseous
I can't come in to work today I'm feeling blue around the gills.
You should stay at home. You look blue around the gills.
bum around
Definition: waste time
Let's go downtown and bum around.
I wish he'd stop bumming around and get to work!
clown around
Definition: joke, play games and have fun
Stop clowning around and get to work!
Let's take a break and clown around a bit.
drive someone around the bend
Definition: make someone crazy
I think I'm driving my mother-in-law around the bend.
Stop that noise! You're going to drive me around the bend.
goof around
Definition: have fun, make jokes
Stop goofing around and get back to work!
I love goofing around on Saturdays.
hang around
Definition: waste time, stay in one place
Let's hang around the bar tonight.
We've been hanging around here for much too long.
horse around
Definition: be active (usually in a negative way)
Stop horsing around! I can't concentrate.
Come on, I'm just horsing around.
jerk around
Definition: waste someone's time
He's jerking me around on the new deal.
I wish they'd make a decision and stop jerking me around.
kick around
Definition: consider
Let's kick around the new proposals.
Do you have any ideas we can kick around?
mess around with someone or something
Definition: treat poorly
I think Tony is messing around with you.
Stop messing around with that porcelain.
mope around
Definition: act depressed
Janet's just sitting at home moping around. She needs to get out.
I can't stand seeing him mope around like that.
pal around with someone
Definition: spend a lot of time together
I pal around with a lot of people from New York.
Who did you pal around with when you stayed there?
pussyfoot around
Definition: not make a decision
Stop pussyfooting around and get to it!
He's still pussyfooting around. He just can't decide one way or the other.
stick around
Definition: stay
Could you stick around after the show so we can talk?
I think I'll stick around here for a while.
tool around
Definition: drive around
We spent the afternoon tooling around downtown.
Let's get in the car and tool around.
Idioms and Expressions - Put
Put a cork in it!
Definition: Be quiet
Could you please put a cork in it?!
Tom, put a cork in it! I can't hear what Mary is saying.
Put down
Definition: criticize someone
Jack put him down and he hasn't been the same since.
Don't put me down!
Put (stick) one's nose in
Definition: interfere in someone's business
I wish he wouldn't put his nose in where it's not wanted.
Mary is putting her nose in their affairs.
Put on the Ritz/dog
Definition: make everything special for someone else
They really put on the Ritz for us last weekend.
Let's put on the dog for the Wilson's.
Put some distance between someone and someone / something
Definition: move far away from
He put some distance between himself and his ex-wife.
Let's put some distance between us and the school.
Put someone away
Definition: put in prison
They put him away for twenty years.
Jason was put away for life in prison.
Put someone on
Definition: fool, tease someone
He put Jerry on about his new job.
I don't believe anything you say. You're putting me on!
Put someone up
Definition: provide accommodation
We put them up last week as they couldn't find a hotel.
Could you put me up for the night?
Put something away
Definition: eat or drink something
He put the whole pizza away in fifteen minutes!
We put away six beers.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Definition: Phrase meaning: You see! Take that!
You're wrong! Now put that in your pipe and smoke it!
I don't agree with you. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Put the bite on someone
Definition: try to get money from someone
I put the bite on Tim but he didn't have any money.
She put the bite on me for $50.
Put the finger on someone
Definition: identify someone
The victim put the finger on the criminal.
She put the finger on her boss for the crime.
Put the heat / screws on someone
Definition: pressure someone to do something
He's putting the heat on me to finish the report.
Janet's really putting the screws on her husband to get a new car.
Put the moves on someone
Definition: try to seduce someone
He was putting the moves on Mary last night.
Hey! Are you trying to put the moves on me?
Idioms and Expressions –with come .
Come apart at the seams
Definition: completely lose emotional control
There's no need to come apart at the seams. Things will get better.
On hearing of the death of his friend, Peter came apart at the seams.
Come away empty-handed
Definition: return from a meeting, situation or other event without any gain
We came away empty-handed from the negotiations.
The competition was so intense that our company came away empty-handed.
Come by something
Definition: travel by means of some vehicle
We came by train.
Did you come by plane or by car?
Come down in the world
Definition: lose financial or social prestige and position
I'm afraid Tom has come down in the world. Life's been pretty hard for him lately.
I think you're taking too much risk. You might come down in the world.
Come full circle
Definition: return to an original state
At first life was very difficult for Jane. However, things eventually came full circle and she returned to power.
Looks like things have come full circle! How does it feel?
Come in out of the rain
Definition: start paying attention to a situation
If he doesn't come in out of the rain, things will get out of control.
Alex, come in out of the rain! Open your eyes to what is happening!
Come into one's own
Definition: begin having success and satisfaction in life
Since he was appointed to vice-president, he's really come into his own.
Keep working hard. One day you'll come into your own.
Come of age
Definition: reach maturity required to do something such as marry, drink, vote, etc.
You can have a beer once you come of age.
When this generation comes of age, they'll be more ecologically alert.
Come out ahead
Definition: to be in a position of profit, or advantage after an event
It was difficult, but in the end we came out ahead.
Yes, higher education is expensive. However, in the end, you'll come out ahead.
Come to a bad end
Definition: end in disaster
I'm afraid Jack has come to a bad end.
If you don't change your behavior, you'll come to a bad end.
Come to a dead end
Definition: arrive at an impasse in a situation, not be able to move forward
We'll have to rethink everything. We've come to absolute dead end.
They changed strategies once they came to a dead end.
Come to a head
Definition: reach a point of crisis when action is called for
Things are coming to a head, we have to make a decision.
I think everything will come to a head next month.
Come to an untimely end
Definition: die before ones time
His crazy driving brought him to an untimely end.
She came to an untimely end last year.
Come to a standstill
Definition: not able to make any progress forward
Can you help me? I've come to a standstill on this project.
We came to a standstill and had to rethink everything.
Come to grips with something
Definition: deal with something difficult
I'll have to come to grips with this problem if I want to succeed.
I think you first need to come to grips with his complaints before you move forward.
Come to light
Definition: become known
A number of facts have come to light which change everything.
A new solution has come to light.
Come to one's senses
Definition: begin thinking clearly about a situation
Alan, come to your senses! It's not going to happen.
She finally came to her senses and left her husband.
Come to pass
Definition: to occur
Everything I had predicted came to pass.
The prophecy has come to pass.
Come true
Definition: Become real
Hard work and patience can help make your dreams come true.
Did his plans come true?
Idioms and Expressions - Work
all in a day's work
Definition: nothing special, part of the routine
Don't worry about it. It's all in a day's work.
Cooking is all in a day's work.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Definition: Idiom meaning that you need to have fun in order to be a happy, healthy person
Go home! Remember: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
I'm worried about him. He hasn't yet understood that all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.
dirty work
Definition: Necessary, but uninteresting, or difficult work
He did the dirty work on that project.
Have you got around to doing the dirty work yet?
get down to work
Definition: Stop relaxing, focus on important task
Hey, let's get down to work here!
Sorry, I've got to get off the phone and get down to work.
get worked up over something
Definition: become angry or annoyed about something
He got all worked up over the last exam.
Don't get worked up over the garden. I'll take care of it tomorrow.
make short work of something
Definition: do something quickly
I made short work of the assignment and moved on to the next job.
Give it to John. He'll make short work of it.
work like a horse
Definition: work a lot, work very hard
Janet works like a horse!
Why don't you ask Tom. He works like a horse.
work out for the best
Definition: eventually finish well
Don't worry about your problems. Everything will work out for the best.
The divorce worked out for the best for the whole family.
work something off
Definition: lose weight
I'm going running to work dinner off.
She went to the gym to work off a few pounds.
throw a monkey wrench in the works
Definition: cause a disturbance in something that seems clear and understandable
I hate to throw a monkey wrench in the works, but don't you think we should ask Andy to help.
Everything was set to go when Jack threw a monkey wrench in the works!
Definition: have an obsession, something that always remains in your thoughts and efforts
She has a bee in her bonnet that health care must change.
If I have a bee in my bonnet, I have to do everything I can until I can make it happen.
Have a big mouth
Definition: somebody who tells secrets, who is a gossip
Don't talk to Mary she has a big mouth.
If you didn't have such a big mouth, I'd tell you my secrets.
have a bone to pick with someone
Definition: have something (usually a complaint) that you want to discuss with someone
I have a bone to pick with you. Just a moment, let's talk.
Tom's looking for Pete because he's got a bone to pick with him.
have a brush with something
Definition: have brief contact, or experience with someone or something
I had a brief brush with Jack and I didn't like it.
He's had a brief brush with unemployment.
have a chip on your shoulder
Definition: be in a bad mood and challenging people to fight
Don't take him seriously, he just has a chip on his shoulder.
Yes, I have a chip on my shoulder! What are YOU going to do about it?!
have a close call
Definition: be close to danger
I had a close call yesterday and was almost in an accident.
She's had a few close calls in her life.
have a familiar ring
Definition: sound familiar, as if you've heard it before
That story has a familiar ring. Did we read that last year?
Her experiences have a familiar ring. I guess everybody goes through that.
have a good head on your shoulders
Definition: have common sense, be sensible
Jack has a good head on his shoulders. Don't worry about him.
I think you have a good head on your shoulders. You should trust your decision.
have a green thumb
Definition: be very good at gardening
Alice obviously has a green thumb. Look at that garden!
My wife has a green thumb, so I let her do all the gardening.
have a heart
Definition: be compassionate or generous and forgiving with somebody
Don't hold that against her. Have a heart!
I think he'll have a heart and forgive you.
have a heart of gold
Definition: be generous and sincere
Mary has a heart of gold. I just love her.
The teacher has a heart of gold with her students.
have a heart of stone
Definition: be cold and unresponsive, unforgiving
Don't make him angry. He has a heart of stone.
I can't believe how he treats his children. He's got a heart of stone.
have an ax to grind
Definition: complain about something often
He has an ax to grind against his health care provider.
I know you have an ax to grind against Agatha, but stop complaining!
have an in with someone
Definition: have special access to someone (often used at work)
She has an in with the boss. Let her ask him for permission.
I wish I had an in with the director so I could get a promotion.
have a one-track mind
Definition: always thinking about one thing
He has a one track mind. He can't talk about anything besides golf.
Do you have a one-track mind?
have a soft spot in your heart for someone or something
Definition: love or adore a thing or person
I've got a soft spot in my heart for Maria Callas.
He has a soft spot in his heart for pinball!
have a sweet tooth
Definition: like sweets too much
I know you have a sweet tooth, but you need to be careful.
I need to watch my weight, especially because I have a sweet tooth.
have clean hands
Definition: to without guilt, guiltless
Don't blame him, he has clean hands.
The man claimed to have clean hands in the crime.
have egg on one's face
Definition: be embarrassed after having done something very stupid
I had egg on my face after I asked that stupid question.
I don't think he realizes he has egg on his face.
Idioms and Expressions - Like
Eat like a horse
Definition: usually eat a lot of food
Tom eats like a horse! Make sure to grill three hamburgers for him.
He doesn't usually eat like a horse.
eat like a bird
Definition: usually eat very little food
She eats like a bird, so don't make too much for dinner.
He weighs 250 pounds even though he eats like a bird.
feel like a million
Definition: feel very good and happy
I'm feeling like a million today. I just got a new job!
After his promotion, he felt like a million.
fit like a glove
Definition: clothes or apparel that fit perfectly
My new shoes fit like a glove.
Her jeans fit like a glove after she went on a diet.
go like clockwork
Definition: to happen very smoothly, without problems
The presentation went like clockwork.
Her plans went like clockwork and she was able to join the company.
know someone or something like the back of one's hand
Definition: know in every detail, understand completely
She knows me like the back of her hand.
I know this project like the back of my hand.
like a bat out of hell
Definition: very fast, quickly
He left the room like a bat out of hell.
They drove off like a bat out of hell.
like a bump on a log
Definition: not moving
Don't sit there like a bump on a log!
She sits around all day like a bump on a log.
like a fish out of water
Definition: completely out of place, not belonging at all
He looks like a fish out of water on the football field.
The boss felt like a fish out of water in San Francisco.
like a sitting duck
Definition: be very exposed to something
He felt like a sitting duck and moved to cover his position.
Your investments have left you like a sitting duck in this market.
out like a light
Definition: fall asleep quickly
He went out like a light.
I hit the pillow and was out like a light.
read someone like a book
Definition: understand the other person's motivation for doing something
She can read me like a book.
I know you don't mean that. I can read you like a book.
sell like hotcakes
Definition: sell very well, very quickly
The book sold like hotcakes.
The iPhone initially sold like hotcakes.
sleep like a log
Definition: sleep very deeply
I was tired and slept like a log.
She went home and slept like a log.
spread like wildfire
Definition: an idea that gets known very quickly
His solution to the problem spread like wildfire.
Her opinions spread like wildfire.
watch someone like a hawk
Definition: keep a very close eye on someone, watch very carefully
Don't make any mistakes because I'm watching you like a hawk.
She watches her son like a hawk whenever he goes outside to pla
Idioms and Expressions - All
All-nighter
Definition: do something (for instance a study session) that lasts all night
We pulled an all-nighter to get ready for the exam.
The graduation party was an all-nighter.
All over something
Definition: very fond of something
He's all over the latest fashions.
Peter's all over antique furniture.
All right (!)
Definition: Yes, okay, fine
That's all right by me!
All right! I got an A+ on my term paper.
All shook up
Definition: extremely excited, worried, or disturbed about something
He's all shook up about his mother's illness.
Wow! I'm all shook up about Alice.
All that and then some
Definition: even more than what has been mentioned
He did all that and then some to get the new job.
Yes, that's right. All that and then some!
All the way (with go)
Definition: do something completely
He's going all the way for the scholarship.
We went all the way to California on our vacation.
Dash it all!
Definition: expression used when very upset
Dash it all! I didn't do very well.
Dash it all! She can't come this weekend.
For all I know
Definition: based on what I know (usually expressing displeasure)
For all I know, he'll come and win the prize.
They've decided to hire Jack for all I know.
Free for all
Definition: crazy, non-restricted activity (generally a fight)
It was a free for all! Everyone went crazy!
They stepped in to break up the free for all.
Have it all together
Definition: be very poised, successful
He has it all together. The house, the wife, the kids, the great job - everything!
I was very impressed with the candidate. She seemed to have it all together.
Hold all the aces
Definition: have all the advantages
Unfortunately, Tom holds all the aces right now. You'll have to do what he says.
I'm holding all the aces so I can do whatever I want.
Know all the angles
Definition: be very clever about something
Jack knows all the angles. Be careful!
The salesman knew all the angles, and by the end of our talk I had bought a new computer!
Not all there
Definition: not intelligent, not completely focused on an activity
I'm afraid Peter is not all there. He needs some help badly.
Unfortunately, I was not all there and lost the final match.
Of all the nerve!
Definition: expression of anger at someone's behavior
Of all the nerve! Did you see how that woman treated me?
Of all the nerve! She took me seat!
Once and for all
Definition: finally (usually putting an end to something)
I'm going to stop his behavior once and for all!
Let's get this over once and for all.
Pull out all the stops
Definition: make every possible effort to do something
He pulled out all the stops on the exam.
We're going to pull out all the stops on our presentation.
You can't win them all.
Definition: expression of acceptance after a loss or disappointment
Well, you can't win them all. Let's go home.
You did your best. You can't win them all
Idioms and Expressions - Around
around the bend
Definition: crazy
Tom's going round the bend with all the new responsibilities.
She's a little around the bend if you ask me!
(to have been) around the block
Definition: be very experienced
You can trust Jerry. He's been around the block once or twice.
She's been around the block. She knows what she is doing.
blue around the gills
Definition: feeling nauseous
I can't come in to work today I'm feeling blue around the gills.
You should stay at home. You look blue around the gills.
bum around
Definition: waste time
Let's go downtown and bum around.
I wish he'd stop bumming around and get to work!
clown around
Definition: joke, play games and have fun
Stop clowning around and get to work!
Let's take a break and clown around a bit.
drive someone around the bend
Definition: make someone crazy
I think I'm driving my mother-in-law around the bend.
Stop that noise! You're going to drive me around the bend.
goof around
Definition: have fun, make jokes
Stop goofing around and get back to work!
I love goofing around on Saturdays.
hang around
Definition: waste time, stay in one place
Let's hang around the bar tonight.
We've been hanging around here for much too long.
horse around
Definition: be active (usually in a negative way)
Stop horsing around! I can't concentrate.
Come on, I'm just horsing around.
jerk around
Definition: waste someone's time
He's jerking me around on the new deal.
I wish they'd make a decision and stop jerking me around.
kick around
Definition: consider
Let's kick around the new proposals.
Do you have any ideas we can kick around?
mess around with someone or something
Definition: treat poorly
I think Tony is messing around with you.
Stop messing around with that porcelain.
mope around
Definition: act depressed
Janet's just sitting at home moping around. She needs to get out.
I can't stand seeing him mope around like that.
pal around with someone
Definition: spend a lot of time together
I pal around with a lot of people from New York.
Who did you pal around with when you stayed there?
pussyfoot around
Definition: not make a decision
Stop pussyfooting around and get to it!
He's still pussyfooting around. He just can't decide one way or the other.
stick around
Definition: stay
Could you stick around after the show so we can talk?
I think I'll stick around here for a while.
tool around
Definition: drive around
We spent the afternoon tooling around downtown.
Let's get in the car and tool around.
Idioms and Expressions - Put
Put a cork in it!
Definition: Be quiet
Could you please put a cork in it?!
Tom, put a cork in it! I can't hear what Mary is saying.
Put down
Definition: criticize someone
Jack put him down and he hasn't been the same since.
Don't put me down!
Put (stick) one's nose in
Definition: interfere in someone's business
I wish he wouldn't put his nose in where it's not wanted.
Mary is putting her nose in their affairs.
Put on the Ritz/dog
Definition: make everything special for someone else
They really put on the Ritz for us last weekend.
Let's put on the dog for the Wilson's.
Put some distance between someone and someone / something
Definition: move far away from
He put some distance between himself and his ex-wife.
Let's put some distance between us and the school.
Put someone away
Definition: put in prison
They put him away for twenty years.
Jason was put away for life in prison.
Put someone on
Definition: fool, tease someone
He put Jerry on about his new job.
I don't believe anything you say. You're putting me on!
Put someone up
Definition: provide accommodation
We put them up last week as they couldn't find a hotel.
Could you put me up for the night?
Put something away
Definition: eat or drink something
He put the whole pizza away in fifteen minutes!
We put away six beers.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Definition: Phrase meaning: You see! Take that!
You're wrong! Now put that in your pipe and smoke it!
I don't agree with you. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Put the bite on someone
Definition: try to get money from someone
I put the bite on Tim but he didn't have any money.
She put the bite on me for $50.
Put the finger on someone
Definition: identify someone
The victim put the finger on the criminal.
She put the finger on her boss for the crime.
Put the heat / screws on someone
Definition: pressure someone to do something
He's putting the heat on me to finish the report.
Janet's really putting the screws on her husband to get a new car.
Put the moves on someone
Definition: try to seduce someone
He was putting the moves on Mary last night.
Hey! Are you trying to put the moves on me?
Idioms and Expressions –with come .
Come apart at the seams
Definition: completely lose emotional control
There's no need to come apart at the seams. Things will get better.
On hearing of the death of his friend, Peter came apart at the seams.
Come away empty-handed
Definition: return from a meeting, situation or other event without any gain
We came away empty-handed from the negotiations.
The competition was so intense that our company came away empty-handed.
Come by something
Definition: travel by means of some vehicle
We came by train.
Did you come by plane or by car?
Come down in the world
Definition: lose financial or social prestige and position
I'm afraid Tom has come down in the world. Life's been pretty hard for him lately.
I think you're taking too much risk. You might come down in the world.
Come full circle
Definition: return to an original state
At first life was very difficult for Jane. However, things eventually came full circle and she returned to power.
Looks like things have come full circle! How does it feel?
Come in out of the rain
Definition: start paying attention to a situation
If he doesn't come in out of the rain, things will get out of control.
Alex, come in out of the rain! Open your eyes to what is happening!
Come into one's own
Definition: begin having success and satisfaction in life
Since he was appointed to vice-president, he's really come into his own.
Keep working hard. One day you'll come into your own.
Come of age
Definition: reach maturity required to do something such as marry, drink, vote, etc.
You can have a beer once you come of age.
When this generation comes of age, they'll be more ecologically alert.
Come out ahead
Definition: to be in a position of profit, or advantage after an event
It was difficult, but in the end we came out ahead.
Yes, higher education is expensive. However, in the end, you'll come out ahead.
Come to a bad end
Definition: end in disaster
I'm afraid Jack has come to a bad end.
If you don't change your behavior, you'll come to a bad end.
Come to a dead end
Definition: arrive at an impasse in a situation, not be able to move forward
We'll have to rethink everything. We've come to absolute dead end.
They changed strategies once they came to a dead end.
Come to a head
Definition: reach a point of crisis when action is called for
Things are coming to a head, we have to make a decision.
I think everything will come to a head next month.
Come to an untimely end
Definition: die before ones time
His crazy driving brought him to an untimely end.
She came to an untimely end last year.
Come to a standstill
Definition: not able to make any progress forward
Can you help me? I've come to a standstill on this project.
We came to a standstill and had to rethink everything.
Come to grips with something
Definition: deal with something difficult
I'll have to come to grips with this problem if I want to succeed.
I think you first need to come to grips with his complaints before you move forward.
Come to light
Definition: become known
A number of facts have come to light which change everything.
A new solution has come to light.
Come to one's senses
Definition: begin thinking clearly about a situation
Alan, come to your senses! It's not going to happen.
She finally came to her senses and left her husband.
Come to pass
Definition: to occur
Everything I had predicted came to pass.
The prophecy has come to pass.
Come true
Definition: Become real
Hard work and patience can help make your dreams come true.
Did his plans come true?
Idioms and Expressions - Work
all in a day's work
Definition: nothing special, part of the routine
Don't worry about it. It's all in a day's work.
Cooking is all in a day's work.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Definition: Idiom meaning that you need to have fun in order to be a happy, healthy person
Go home! Remember: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
I'm worried about him. He hasn't yet understood that all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.
dirty work
Definition: Necessary, but uninteresting, or difficult work
He did the dirty work on that project.
Have you got around to doing the dirty work yet?
get down to work
Definition: Stop relaxing, focus on important task
Hey, let's get down to work here!
Sorry, I've got to get off the phone and get down to work.
get worked up over something
Definition: become angry or annoyed about something
He got all worked up over the last exam.
Don't get worked up over the garden. I'll take care of it tomorrow.
make short work of something
Definition: do something quickly
I made short work of the assignment and moved on to the next job.
Give it to John. He'll make short work of it.
work like a horse
Definition: work a lot, work very hard
Janet works like a horse!
Why don't you ask Tom. He works like a horse.
work out for the best
Definition: eventually finish well
Don't worry about your problems. Everything will work out for the best.
The divorce worked out for the best for the whole family.
work something off
Definition: lose weight
I'm going running to work dinner off.
She went to the gym to work off a few pounds.
throw a monkey wrench in the works
Definition: cause a disturbance in something that seems clear and understandable
I hate to throw a monkey wrench in the works, but don't you think we should ask Andy to help.
Everything was set to go when Jack threw a monkey wrench in the works!