C1.2 IDIOM OF THE WEEK 22-23

23rd May

To ace something

Meaning: to do exceptionally well in something, especially an exam or other high-pressure situation.

E.g. I feel like I aced that interview, so I'm pretty sure the job is mine.I managed to ace that test without even studying for it.

I trust you'll rise to the occasion and you'll ace your test next week. Best of luck!

16th May

To be caught red-handed

Meaning: to discover someone while they are doing something bad or illegal.

E.g. He was caught red-handed taking money from the till. These are extremely difficult offences to detect, and, unless we are able to catch offenders red-handed, impossible to prove.

11th May

Hot off the press

Meaning: news that is hot off the press has just been printed and often contains the most recent information about something. Newly printed or newly received.

E.g. The latest edition of the student newspaper is hot off the press, and my class is going to distribute it at lunch.

Check out an example here (00:32)

3rd May

To have (got) smth down to a science

Meaning: to be able to do something in a quick an efficient way

E.g. He travels so much that he's got packing his clothes down to a science.

Check out this cartoon

18th April

To pay through the nose

Meaning: (informal) if someone pays through the nose, he or she pays an excessive or exorbitant amount of money for something, especially an unreasonable amount. To pay too much for something.

E.g. We paid through the nose to get our car fixed.

Video about its origin

13th April

The other/opposite/flip side of the coin

Meaning: a different way of considering a situation, making it seem either better or worse than it did originally

E.g. The economy is improving, but the other side of the coin is that inflation is becoming a bigger problem. Of course, I get lonely at times. But the other side of the coin is the amazing freedom I have.

Link to a video

30th March

To come/fall apart at the seams

Meaning: To be in a very bad condition and near to failure or collapse. E.g. The health service seems to be falling apart at the seams.

Check the idiom on this website to learn more: www.englishidioms4you.com

23rd March

Shop till you drop

Meaning: To spend an exorbitant or unrestrained amount of time shopping and buying things. E.g. With a huge range of sales and savings across the country, retailers are hoping that consumers will shop till they drop this weekend.

Click on the image to watch a video where this idiom is used (min. 4'47'').

14th March

The cherry on (top of) the cake

Meaning: something that makes something that is already good even better, or perfect. Sometime it's sarcastic. E.g. Having all of you here for my birthday has really been wonderful, and this thoughtful gift is the cherry on the cake.

Click on the image to watch this video on medical failures. Expression: min. 9'50''

9th March

To have a lot/too much on your plate

Meaning: to be very busy and have a lot to do. E.g. I'd like to help you with this project, but I've got a lot on my plate right now.

2nd February

To take something with a pinch of salt

Meaning: to not completely believe something; to be doubtful about the truth or accuracy of something.E.g. You have to take everything he says with a pinch of salt, he does tend to exaggerate. In the era of fake news, biased media and untrustworthy politicians it is important to take everything with a pinch of salt.

Link to a video

23rd Feb.

To wear your heart on your sleeve

Meaning: to openly show your feelings and emotions rather than hiding them E.g. You always know where John stands because he wears his heart on his sleeve. Shakespeare famously used this phrase in Othello.

Link to a song: Heart upon my sleeve by Avicii, Imagine Dragons

13th Feb.

Think outside the box

Meaning: To creatively think in new ways rather than the usual or expected way of thinking.

Watch this video to hear this idiom in context

30th Jan.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Link to a song: Silver lining by Antonia Dwyer

23rd January

A double-edged sword

Meaning: a situation or thing with both positive and negative effects.E.g. The increase in tourism has been a double-edged sword for island residents. Globalization is a double-edged sword.

The elephant in the room

18th January

Meaning: If you say there is an elephant in the room, you mean that there is an obvious problem or difficult situation that people do not want to talk about.

Video 'English in a minute'

11th January

It's all Greek to me

Sketch: watch this sketch where 'it's all Greek to Hugh Laurie' (many years ago)

Click here to learn more nationality-related idioms

21st December

Like turkeys voting for Christmas

Meaning: used when people choose something that will have bad consequences for them. Example: Who in their right mind would vote for them!? It's like turkeys voting for Christmas.

Click here to learn more

12th December

To get on like a house on fire

Meaning: if two people get on like a house on fire, they like each other very much and become friends very quickly Register: Informal

7th November

To bark up the wrong tree

Meaning: describe when someone is trying to achieve something but they're doing it in the wrong way (or will not be successful). Example: If you think your boss will put in a good word for you with the director you're barking up the wrong tree.

Link to a BBC explanation

24th October

To be out of one's depth

Meaning: This expression is used in cases when someone does not have any knowledge in an area. Example: I can't help you with your Biology project. I am out of my depth.

Link to a BBC explanation

To burn the candle at both ends

13th October

Click here for a detailed article on this expression

Listen to an example (min. 0'29'')

28th September

To pass with flying colours

This phrase originates from a time when communication moved at a much slower pace than today. When sailing ships would return to port their appearance would often signify how they had fared on their journey. Ships that were victorious in battle would sail into port with flags flying high whereas a defeated ship would be forced to take them down. The phrase uses the old definition of colours which was an alternative to flags.

If you do something such as pass an exam with flying colours, you do it very successfully.Your brother passed his apprenticeship with flying colours. He'll be a master builder in no time!

20th September

To let the cat out of the bag

Link to some examples from series

14th September

To start (off) with a bang

Informal: If something starts, ends, returns, etc. with a bang, it starts, ends, etc. in a very exciting and noticeable way

Link to some examples

Min. 1:53

IDIOM OF THE WEEK