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IDIOMS - PAGE A

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IDIOM: to ace
MEANING: to get an excellent score on something (a test, homework assignment, project, etc.)
EXAMPLE: Sara aced her final exam.


IDIOM: actions speak louder than words
MEANING: to demonstrate one's committment to something
EXAMPLE: Trixy says that she wants to lose weight, but I saw her eating cake and ice cream twice this week. I guess her actions speak louder than her words.


IDIOM: to add fuel to the fire
MEANING: to contribute to a problem
EXAMPLE: Stop talking to those angry men! You're just adding fuel to the fire.


IDIOM: afraid of (one's) own shadow (adj)
MEANING: filled with fear or apprehension
EXAMPLE: Scott is afraid of his own shadow. He sleeps with the light on, and he won't even go outside after dark!


IDIOM: (be) all ears
MEANING: you want to hear what someone has to say
EXAMPLE: I'm all ears. Tell me your secret!


IDIOM: all of a sudden
MEANING: suddenly; unexpectedly; sooner than was expected; at once
EXAMPLE: "We heard a strange noise; then all of a sudden, the lights went out!


IDIOM: ages / in ages / for ages
MEANING: for a long time
EXAMPLE: "How have you been? I haven't talked to you in ages!"


IDIOM: all right
MEANING: to agree with someone reluctantly
EXAMPLE: John: "Come to the party with me. Please!"
                  Dana: "Oh, all right. I don't want to, but I will."


IDIOM: all right
MEANING: so-so, fair; not particularly good
EXAMPLE: Carla: "How's your chemistry class?"
                   Diana: "It's all right, I guess, but it's not the best class I've ever had."


IDIOM: all right
MEANING: unharmed; in satisfactory condition
EXAMPLE:   Gail: "You don't look normal. Are you all right?"
                    Beth: "Yes, but I have a headache."


IDIOM: all that / all that and a bag of chips
MEANING: a slang expression that to say that someone is very good-looking
EXAMPLE: Stop looking at yourself in the mirror. You're not all that!
                Do you see that guy over there? He's all that and a bag of chips!


IDIOM: all thumbs
MEANING: extremely awkward or clumsy
EXAMPLE:  I'm all thumbs today. I dropped my keys, my glasses, and then I spilled my tea!


IDIOM: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
MEANING: a phrase meaning that people shouldn't work all the time, that rest/play is necessary too
EXAMPLE:  Hank has eight meetings this week, a conference and two sales reports due. When does he have time to rest? All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, you know!


IDIOM: and then some
MEANING: and much more besides
EXAMPLE: The test covered chapter 5 and then some. I wasn't prepared for all the questions.


IDIOM: antsy
MEANING: restless; impatient and tired of waiting
EXAMPLE: Why are you so antsy today? Sit down and relax!


IDIOM: apple of one's eye
MEANING: someone's favorite person
EXAMPLE: Marie loves all of her grandchildren, but little Jenny is really the apple of her eye.


IDIOM: armed to the teeth
MEANING: furnished with weapons, or with something that provides security, strength, or efficacy
EXAMPLE: The gang members were armed to the teeth. It was a frightening sight to see these young boys so fully armed.


IDIOM: as a rule
MEANING: for the most part; generally; normally; usually
EXAMPLE: As a rule, I stay up late.


IDIOM: as easy as pie (simile)
MEANING: very easy
EXAMPLE: The exam was as easy as pie. All of the students scored high.
RELATED: a cinch


IDIOM: at ___ sharp (time)
MEANING: exactly on time
EXAMPLE: Our plane leaves at 6:57 sharp.


IDIOM: at all times
MEANING: constantly
EXAMPLE: The soldiers kept their boots on at all times.


IDIOM: at first
MEANING: at the beginning; initially
EXAMPLE: Selena sang in Spanish at first, but soon she began performing in English too.


IDIOM: at the eleventh hour
MEANING: at the last minute; almost too late
EXAMPLE: Iris finished her painting at the eleventh hour, but the painting was in the gallery on time.
RELATED: in the nick of time


IDIOM: at the end of one's rope
MEANING: tired, frustrated, or disgusted beyond endurance
EXAMPLE: I'm at the end of my rope with that child! If she doesn't stop smoking and drinking, I'm going to send her to a boarding school in Switzerland!


IDIOM: at the last minute
MEANING: almost too late; at the last possible moment
EXAMPLE: Iris finished her painting at the last minute, but the painting was in the gallery on time.
RELATED: in the nick of time, at the eleventh hour



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