bad-mouth: say unkind, unflattering, embarrassing (and probably untrue) things about someone.
ادامه مطلب ...A: "I don't believe what Bob said. Why is he bad-mouthing me?"
B: "He's probably jealous of your success."be fed up with (with someone or something): be out of patience (with
someone or something);
be very tired of someone or something."Bill, you're too careless with your work. I'm fed up with
apologizing for your mistakes!"
roll out the red carpet" = give very special treatment to welcome guests
"The nice thing about the hotel is that they always roll out the red carpet for their guests."
"24-7" = twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
"The front desk is open 24-7 in case you need assistance."
catch one's eye" = attract one's attention
"She was planning on renting a compact car, but a nice sports car caught her eye, and she left the parking lot with it."
"pay through the nose" = pay a great deal for something, sacrifice for
"You'll pay through the nose to rent a car during the holiday season."
hot under the collar" = get angry
"Many of the passengers got really hot under the collar when they found out the plane would be delayed another two hours."
"He struck up a conversation with another passenger and found out that they attended the same high school."
foot someone a loan" = loan someone money
"Uh, I was wondering if you could foot me a loan until I can get to the bank tomorrow."
"fork over" = give up something like money
"Hey, fork over cash you owe me! I don't want a check."
'to swallow the dictionary' / 'to swallow a dictionary'
Meaning: to use long and unnecessarily complicated words and expressions, especially in normal conversation.
Example: "He talks like he has swallowed a dictionary, I can't understand half of what he says."
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
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.
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
Once
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 play.
- very black
My hands were as black as a skillet when I finished working on the car engine.
- very black
The little boy was as black as a stack of black cats after playing outside all day.
- very dirty/black (a chimney sweep cleans chimneys and becomes very black)
My friend was as black as a sweep after he finished cleaning the basement.
- very black
My friend's cat is as black as coal.
- very dark and black
The old house was as black as night when we entered it.
- very black
My face was as black as pitch after cleaning the stove all morning.
- very black
The horse in the parade was as black as the ace of spades.
- bright red
The car was as red as a cherry after its new paint job.
- bright red
The mark on my arm was as red as a poppy.
- intensely red
The morning sunrise was as red as a rose.
- deep red
The office assistant was wearing lipstick that was as red as a ruby.
- deep red
The stain on the carpet was as red as blood.
- very pale because of fear/shock/illness
My sister became as white as a ghost when she saw the man at the window.
- very pale
I felt terrible this morning and in the mirror I looked as white as a sheet.
- very white
The fur on the dog was as white as the driven snow.
- bruised
My shoulder was black and blue after I fell down the stairs.
- either good or bad, either one way or the other way but not in between
Our boss sees everything in black and white although he knows this is impossible.
- an electronic device such as a flight recorder that can be removed from an aircraft as a single package
The investigators searched for a long time in order to find the black box of the airplane.
- a bruise near one's eye which makes it appear black
The man received a black eye when he bumped into the closed door.
- the place where goods/money are illegally bought and sold
We sold some cigarettes on the black market during our travels.
- to darken a room or building by turning off the lights
During the war people in the cities were forced to black out their windows so nobody could see them.
- to lose consciousness
The man blacked out during the parade and he had to sit down and rest.
- a person who is a disgrace to a family or group
The man is the black sheep in his family and has not made a success of his life.
- to exclude/ostracize someone socially, to reject someone
The businessman was blackballed in the industry because of his bad business practices.
- to exclude/ostracize someone, to write someone's name on a list if they break some rules
The sports federation blacklisted the swimmer because he was using steroids.
- to extort/take money from someone by threatening him or her
The photographer tried to blackmail the famous actress with some photographs that he had taken.
- a temporary situation where you do not release some information
The government decided to have a blackout regarding the information related to the political prisoner.
- a formal event where guests wear semi-formal clothes with men wearing black bow ties with tuxedos or dinner jackets
The award ceremony for the movie awards was a black-tie affair.
- the blood of a noble/aristocratic family
Many of the blue bloods of the town went to the opening of the opera.
- to be very angry or upset, to be excited and very emotional
I argued with my supervisor until I was blue in the face.
- of superior quality or distinction, the best of a group
A blue-ribbon panel of experts were asked to suggest a new policy for the city.
- to take a lunch to work
I must brown bag it this week because the company cafeteria is closed.
- the freedom or permission to do what you want (blanche/blanc means white in French)
The new manager was given carte blanche to change the policies in her department.
- to catch someone in the middle of doing something wrong
The woman was caught red-handed when she tried to steal some cosmetics.
- to try to get or achieve something that is difficult or impossible
My old school friend is always chasing rainbows and he never achieves anything.
- permanent, always (like wool that is dyed a certain color)
My father is a dyed-in-the-wool conservative and he will probably never change.
- one's ears are red from embarrassment
My ears were red after hearing what the teacher said about me.
- to have one's hair turn gray from stress
Our teacher is getting gray hair from all the stress.
- to become sad or depressed
The dull cloudy weather has caused me to get the blues.
- to receive a signal to start or continue something
We got the green light to begin a study of the security problems at our school.
- to give someone permission to proceed with a project
We were given the green light to begin the new project.
- a place that is far away or different seems better than where we are now
The man realized that the grass is greener on the other side when he saw that his new job had many problems too.
- a question that is not clearly defined and may have a broad or more than one answer, neither black or white
The issue of the tax on children's toys was a gray area for the accountant.
- brains, intelligence
I wish that my friend would use his gray matter more effectively when he is making his crazy plans.
- to be inexperienced or immature
The young man is rather green and does not have enough experience to drive the large piece of machinery.
- looking sick
My friend looked green around the gills after the long bus ride.
- an area of fields and trees around a town
Our city has a policy to increase the green belt around the city.
- jealousy
The woman was consumed by the green-eyed monster and it was affecting her life.
- a talent for gardening, the ability to make things grow
My neighbor has a green thumb and she is able to grow one of the best gardens in our neighborhood.
- to be very jealous, to be full of envy
I was green with envy when I heard that my cousin would be going to London for a week.
- an untrained/inexperienced/naive person
The young man was a greenhorn and he had much to learn about his new job.
- to be cowardly
The man has a yellow streak and he will not defend you if you are having a problem.
- something totally separate and different
I know that our boss would like to discuss that issue now but it is a horse of a different color and we should discuss it at another time.
- in writing, officially
I put down my complaint in black and white.
- to be in disgrace or out of favor with someone
The boy is in his girlfriend's black books because he was late for their date.
- to be successful or profitable
Our company has been in the black since they began to cut costs.
- in very good health
My grandmother was in the pink of condition when I saw her.
- to be in debt, to be unprofitable
The company has been in the red for three years now.
- to provide something extra to accompany something
The music in the play helped to lend color to the performance of the actors.
- what you are doing will definitely make someone angry or upset
Talking about the city mayor with my father is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. He does not like the city mayor.
- the traditional features of a place which give it its own character
The weekend vegetable market added much local color to the small town.
- to see only the good things about something, to be too optimistic
My friend always looks at the world through rose-colored glasses and he does not believe that some people are dishonest.
- in bad taste, rude
The man told an off-color joke at the party which made his wife very angry.
- not the exact color
We painted our kitchen in an off-color of white.
- very rarely
We only go out for Italian food once in a blue moon although we enjoy it very much.
- without any warning, by surprise (like coming out of a blue sky)
Out of the blue my friend decided to quit his job and go to Europe.
- out of debt
Our company is finally out of the red and we are now making money.
- to go out and party and have a good time
When my cousin came to visit us we decided to go out and paint the town red.
- a termination notice from a job
I received my pink slip last week and I am now looking for a new job.
- very black, as black as pitch
The road was pitch-black and we could not see anything.
- the person who criticizes/accuses someone else is as guilty as the person he or she criticizes/accuses
My friend criticized me for not changing jobs but that is like the pot calling the kettle black. She will not change jobs either.
- to write the details of a contract or something on paper
I asked the buyer to put the offer to buy my car down in black and white.
- to indicate that you have been defeated and you want to give up
The soldiers raised a white flag and gave themselves up to the enemy.
- to receive special/royal treatment
I always receive the red-carpet treatment when I go and visit my aunt.
- an airplane flight that leaves late at night and arrives early in the morning
We caught the red-eye flight last night and we are very tired today.
- a signal that something is not working properly or correctly
The fallen trees along the road raised a red flag for the safety inspectors.
- an unimportant matter that draws attention away from the main subject
Talking about the other issue was a red herring and did not do anything to deal with today's problem.
- very hot, creating much excitement or demand
The new video game is red-hot and many people are waiting to buy one.
- embarrassed
I became red in the face when the teacher began talking about me.
- a day that is memorable because of some important event
It was a red-letter day when my sister received her graduation diploma.
- excessive formalities in official business
Many businesses complain about the red tape that they must deal with in order to get anything done with the government.
- to greet a person with great respect, to give a big welcome to someone
The government rolled out the red carpet when the politician came to visit.
- to pretend to be something that one is not (a pirate ship used to disguise itself as an ordinary ship by using a false flag)
The head of the company is sailing under false colors and he does not really know how the company operation works.
- to see things which are not really there because they are only in your imagination
The man was seeing pink elephants according to those who listened to his story.
- to become very angry
My boss saw red when I told him that I would not be coming to work today.
- to prove that someone has enough money for something
The car dealer would not let me take the car until he saw the color of my money.
- to show what one is really like or really thinking
I thought that the woman likes me but she showed her true colors when she began yelling at me on the telephone.
- to talk very much and very rapidly
The woman beside me on the bus talked a blue streak for most of the journey.
- to talk until one is exhausted
I talked until I was blue in the face but I could not change my teacher's mind about my essay.
- to be very pleased or delighted by someone or something
"My mother was tickled pink that you visited her when you were in town."
- a useless possession (that often costs money to maintain)
The new airport is a white elephant and nobody wants to use it.
- a harmless or small lie told to be polite or to avoid hurting someone's feelings
I told my supervisor a white lie yesterday and said that I was sick when actually I was not.
- the selling of towels or sheets at a reduced price
We went to the white sale at the department store to buy some new sheets.
- an event that requires guests to wear formal dress such as men wearing white bow ties with formal evening dress
I attended a white-tie dinner in honor of the president of our university.
- to cover up or gloss over faults/errors/wrongdoing
The government was accused of trying to whitewash the scandal about the illegal money.
- with great or total success
My friend passed the course with flying colors and she now wants to go out and celebrate.
- extremely timid, cowardly
The man is yellow-bellied and is never willing to fight for what is right.
- very black
My hands were as black as a skillet when I finished working on the car engine.
- very black
The little boy was as black as a stack of black cats after playing outside all day.
- very dirty/black (a chimney sweep cleans chimneys and becomes very black)
My friend was as black as a sweep after he finished cleaning the basement.
- very black
My friend's cat is as black as coal.
- very dark and black
The old house was as black as night when we entered it.
- very black
My face was as black as pitch after cleaning the stove all morning.
- very black
The horse in the parade was as black as the ace of spades.
- bruised
My shoulder was black and blue after I fell down the stairs.
- either good or bad, either one way or the other way but not in between
Our boss sees everything in black and white although he knows this is impossible.
- an electronic device such as a flight recorder that can be removed from an aircraft as a single package
The investigators searched for a long time in order to find the black box of the airplane.
- a bruise near one's eye which makes it appear black
The man received a black eye when he bumped into the closed door.
- the place where goods/money are illegally bought and sold
We sold some cigarettes on the black market during our travels.
- to darken a room or building by turning off the lights
During the war people in the cities were forced to black out their windows so nobody could see them.
- to lose consciousness
The man blacked out during the parade and he had to sit down and rest.
- a person who is a disgrace to a family or group
The man is the black sheep in his family and has not made a success of his life.
- to exclude/ostracize someone socially, to reject someone
The businessman was blackballed in the industry because of his bad business practices.
- to exclude/ostracize someone, to write someone's name on a list if they break some rules
The sports federation blacklisted the swimmer because he was using steroids.
- to extort/take money from someone by threatening him or her
The photographer tried to blackmail the famous actress with some photographs that he had taken.
- a temporary situation where you do not release some information
The government decided to have a blackout regarding the information related to the political prisoner.
- a formal event where guests wear semi-formal clothes with men wearing black bow ties with tuxedos or dinner jackets
The award ceremony for the movie awards was a black-tie affair.
- in writing, officially
I put down my complaint in black and white.
- to be in disgrace or out of favor with someone
The boy is in his girlfriend's black books because he was late for their date.
- to be successful or profitable
Our company has been in the black since they began to cut costs.
- very black, as black as pitch
The road was pitch-black and we could not see anything.
- the person who criticizes/accuses someone else is as guilty as the person he or she criticizes/accuses
My friend criticized me for not changing jobs but that is like the pot calling the kettle black. She will not change jobs either.
- to write the details of a contract or something on paper
I asked the buyer to put the offer to buy my car down in black and white.
- bruised
My shoulder was black and blue after I fell down the stairs.
- the blood of a noble/aristocratic family
Many of the blue bloods of the town went to the opening of the opera.
- to be very angry or upset, to be excited and very emotional
I argued with my supervisor until I was blue in the face.
- of superior quality or distinction, the best of a group
A blue-ribbon panel of experts were asked to suggest a new policy for the city.
- to become sad or depressed
The dull cloudy weather has caused me to get the blues.
- without any warning, by surprise (like coming out of a blue sky)
Out of the blue my friend decided to quit his job and go to Europe.
- to talk very much and very rapidly
The woman beside me on the bus talked a blue streak for most of the journey.
- to talk until one is exhausted
I talked until I was blue in the face but I could not change my teacher's mind about my essay.
- to have one's hair turn gray from stress
Our teacher is getting gray hair from all the stress.
- a question that is not clearly defined and may have a broad or more than one answer, neither black or white
The issue of the tax on children's toys was a gray area for the accountant.
- brains, intelligence
I wish that my friend would use his gray matter more effectively when he is making his crazy plans.
- to receive a signal to start or continue something
We got the green light to begin a study of the security problems at our school.
- to give someone permission to proceed with a project
We were given the green light to begin the new project.
- a place that is far away or different seems better than where we are now
The man realized that the grass is greener on the other side when he saw that his new job had many problems too.
- to be inexperienced or immature
The young man is rather green and does not have enough experience to drive the large piece of machinery.
- looking sick
My friend looked green around the gills after the long bus ride.
- an area of fields and trees around a town
Our city has a policy to increase the green belt around the city.
- jealousy
The woman was consumed by the green-eyed monster and it was affecting her life.
- a talent for gardening, the ability to make things grow
My neighbor has a green thumb and she is able to grow one of the best gardens in our neighborhood.
- to be very jealous, to be full of envy
I was green with envy when I heard that my cousin would be going to London for a week.
- an untrained/inexperienced/naive person
The young man was a greenhorn and he had much to learn about his new job.
- in very good health
My grandmother was in the pink of condition when I saw her.
- to see only the good things about something, to be too optimistic
My friend always looks at the world through rose-colored glasses and he does not believe that some people are dishonest.
- a termination notice from a job
I received my pink slip last week and I am now looking for a new job.
- to see things which are not really there because they are only in your imagination
The man was seeing pink elephants according to those who listened to his story.
- to be very pleased or delighted by someone or something
"My mother was tickled pink that you visited her when you were in town."
- bright red
The car was as red as a cherry after its new paint job.
- bright red
The mark on my arm was as red as a poppy.
- intensely red
The morning sunrise was as red as a rose.
- deep red
The office assistant was wearing lipstick that was as red as a ruby.
- deep red
The stain on the carpet was as red as blood.
- to catch someone in the middle of doing something wrong
The woman was caught red-handed when she tried to steal some cosmetics.
- one's ears are red from embarrassment
My ears were red after hearing what the teacher said about me.
- to be in debt, to be unprofitable
The company has been in the red for three years now.
- what you are doing will definitely make someone angry or upset
Talking about the city mayor with my father is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. He does not like the city mayor.
- out of debt
Our company is finally out of the red and we are now making money.
- to go out and party and have a good time
When my cousin came to visit us we decided to go out and paint the town red.
- to receive special/royal treatment
I always receive the red-carpet treatment when I go and visit my aunt.
- an airplane flight that leaves late at night and arrives early in the morning
We caught the red-eye flight last night and we are very tired today.
- a signal that something is not working properly or correctly
The fallen trees along the road raised a red flag for the safety inspectors.
- an unimportant matter that draws attention away from the main subject
Talking about the other issue was a red herring and did not do anything to deal with today's problem.
- very hot, creating much excitement or demand
The new video game is red-hot and many people are waiting to buy one.
- embarrassed
I became red in the face when the teacher began talking about me.
- a day that is memorable because of some important event
It was a red-letter day when my sister received her graduation diploma.
- excessive formalities in official business
Many businesses complain about the red tape that they must deal with in order to get anything done with the government.
- to greet a person with great respect, to give a big welcome to someone
The government rolled out the red carpet when the politician came to visit.
- to become very angry
My boss saw red when I told him that I would not be coming to work today.
- very pale because of fear/shock/illness
My sister became as white as a ghost when she saw the man at the window.
- very pale
I felt terrible this morning and in the mirror I looked as white as a sheet.
- very white
The fur on the dog was as white as the driven snow.
- either good or bad, either one way or the other way but not in between
Our boss sees everything in black and white although he knows this is impossible.
- the freedom or permission to do what you want (blanche/blanc means white in French)
The new manager was given carte blanche to change the policies in her department.
- in writing, officially
I put down my complaint in black and white.
- to write the details of a contract or something on paper
I asked the buyer to put the offer to buy my car down in black and white.
- to indicate that you have been defeated and you want to give up
The soldiers raised a white flag and gave themselves up to the enemy.
- a useless possession (that often costs money to maintain)
The new airport is a white elephant and nobody wants to use it.
- a harmless or small lie told to be polite or to avoid hurting someone's feelings
I told my supervisor a white lie yesterday and said that I was sick when actually I was not.
- the selling of towels or sheets at a reduced price
We went to the white sale at the department store to buy some new sheets.
- an event that requires guests to wear formal dress such as men wearing white bow ties with formal evening dress
I attended a white-tie dinner in honor of the president of our university.
- to cover up or gloss over faults/errors/wrongdoing
The government was accused of trying to whitewash the scandal about the illegal money.
- to be cowardly
The man has a yellow streak and he will not defend you if you are having a problem.
- extremely timid, cowardly
The man is yellow-bellied and is never willing to fight for what is right.
- a problem that prevents someone from succeeding
The man's lack of a university degree was an albatross around his neck and prevented him from being promoted.
- easily and naturally
The little boy started to swim just as a duck takes to water.
- completely bald
The man in the gas station was as bald as a coot.
- crazy
Our neighbor is as crazy as a loon.
- dead, no longer in existence
The dog was as dead as a dodo after the accident.
- very easy, requiring no effort
Convincing the man to buy the car was as easy as duck soup.
- carefree, completely free
I was as free as a bird after I finished my last school exam.
- very graceful
The figure skater was as graceful as a swan.
- very happy and cheerful
The boy was as happy as a lark when he received his birthday present.
- very hoarse
The professor was as hoarse as a crow when he finished the lecture.
- angry
The nurse was as mad as a wet hen when the patient tried to bite her.
- naked
The little boy was as naked as a jaybird when he finished his bath.
- very proud, haughty
The father was as proud as a peacock of his young son.
- very scarce or nonexistent
Cheap hotels in this city are as scarce as hen's teeth.
- very foolish, very silly
My aunt acted as silly as a goose last evening.
- very soft to the touch (down is the soft/fine feathers from a goose or duck)
The fur on the little dog was as soft as down.
- by the most direct way, along a straight line between two places
As the crow flies it is about six kilometers between my house and downtown.
- very wise
My grandfather is as wise as an owl and he seems to know everything.
- very fast (bats are not birds but are mammals that can fly)
The man left here like a bat out of hell. I do not know why he was in such a hurry.
- crazy, eccentric (bats are not birds but are mammals that can fly)
I think that my boss has bats in the belfry. His ideas are absolutely crazy.
- someone who you think is stupid
The man is a bird brain and he is always making mistakes at work.
- something that is certain is better than something that is not certain
"You should keep the prize money and not try to win more. Remember that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
- the facts about sex and birth and life
The boy learned about the birds and the bees in his health education class at school.
- a general view from above
"Let`s go up to the roof and get a birds-eye view of the surrounding area."
- people who are similar become friends or join together
"Do not complain about your friends. Remember that birds of a feather flock together. They are just like you."
- two things happen together and it is difficult to see which one of them caused the other
It was a chicken and egg situation and it was difficult to know who caused the problems with the computer.
- a small sum of money
The money that I spent last night was chicken feed and I am not worried about it at all.
- cowardly, easily scared
The boy called his friend chicken-livered which made him very angry.
- to stop doing something because of fear
My friend was planning to come with us but he chickened out at the last moment.
- someone`s words or actions come back to cause trouble for him or her
The man was very mean to other people when he was supervisor. Now his chickens have come home to roost and people are very unkind to him.
- to limit or hold someone back, to bring someone under control
We plan to clip the supervisor's wings as he is becoming too aggressive when dealing with other people.
- a silly story that is not true
The student told her teacher a cock-and-bull story about why she was absent.
- someone who thinks that he or she is more important than others in a group
The supervisor thinks that he is cock of the walk and can do anything that he wants.
- abruptly and without medical aid (used when someone stops taking addictive drugs or tries to stop a bad habit)
The government program helped the drug addicts stop using heroin cold turkey.
- to destroy someone`s future chances or reputation
The woman cooked her goose when she fought against her employer and lost.
- to depend or think that you will get something before you actually have it
"Don`t count your chickens before they`re hatched. Remember that you may not get the job that you expect and you should not spend too much money."
- someone in a hopeless situation or condition
The man is a dead duck. When the police catch him he will have to go to jail.
- a task that does not require much effort
The exam was duck soup. I am sure that I did very well.
- an intently watchful eye
The boy has an eagle eye and he never misses anything.
- someone who arrives someplace early or starts something early
I am an early bird and I like to arrive early at work every morning.
- a person who gets up early in the morning has the best chance of success
"Let`s leave at six o`clock in the morning. Remember, the early bird catches the worm."
- to admit that you are mistaken or defeated
Our boss was forced to eat crow when he discovered that what he had said was totally wrong.
- to eat very little
The boy must be sick. He has been eating like a bird recently.
- something to be proud of, an honor
Winning the speech contest was a feather in my son's cap and we are very proud of him.
- to look after one`s own financial interests - especially while holding public office
The politician was feathering his nest for many years until he was replaced in the election.
- to escape, to leave (like a chicken escaping from a chicken coop)
The two boys wanted to fly the coop when the school bell rang.
- not interesting, something that you do not like, worthless
The movie was for the birds so we left early and went to eat.
- to harm one's own interests, to bring discredit to one's family
I do not want to foul my own nest so I try to be very honest in all of my dealings with others.
- to put one's affairs or something in order
When I get my ducks in a row I will be able to make a decision about a new career.
- to go to bed as the sun is setting, to go to bed very early
My grandfather always goes to bed with the chickens because he works on a farm.
- someone or something that has departed or run away
The boy is a gone goose. He will not be returning today.
- a prickly or bumpy feeling on one's skin because of cold/fear/excitement (like the skin of a goose or chicken)
I got goose bumps as I watched the horror movie.
- one has been discovered to have done something wrong and he or she is now in trouble
My goose is cooked. Soon my friend will discover that I lost her bicycle.
- in good humor
My friend is in fine feather today and he has been laughing all morning.
- to spoil/destroy something that is beneficial or makes a lot of money
My friends sold part of their business but it is the most profitable part. I think that they have killed the goose that lays the golden egg.
- to succeed in doing two things by only one action
"Let`s have the meeting when we come to town to go shopping so that we can kill two birds with one stone."
- a politician who has little time left in office and therefore has little power
The politician is a lame-duck leader and he is not effective at all.
- to give a bad performance
The performer laid an egg at the concert last night.
- without any effect, easily
Criticism falls away from my father like water off a duck`s back and he never worries about anything.
- something is learned from a mysterious and secret source who you do not want to name
A little bird told me that my friends will have a surprise party for me next week.
- to look very self-satisfied, to look as if you have just had a great success
The boy looked like the cat that swallowed the canary after he won the relay race.
- rainy weather
I commented to the wet letter carrier that it was lovely weather for ducks today.
- something that does not belong to a definite group
The manager's idea was neither fish nor fowl. Nobody knew what to do with it.
- someone who likes to stay up very late at night
My friend is a night owl and he loves to stay up late at night.
- the way that people are ranked in relation to each other
I have not worked at my company very long so I do not understand the pecking order yet.
- to do something dangerous in order to see who becomes frightened first and stops
The two boys were playing chicken in the schoolyard.
- someone who is unusual
The woman is a rare bird and she has done many interesting things in her life.
- a bird points its feathers outward
The bird sat in the tree and ruffled its feathers.
- to upset or annoy someone
I am usually very careful not to ruffle my supervisor's feathers.
- to be the boss or manager somewhere but often at home (a roost is a place where birds can perch/sit)
My grandfather ruled the roost in his family.
- to run around frantically and with no aim or purpose
I ran around like a chicken with its head cut off all morning as I prepared for my trip.
- an unsuspecting person who is easily fooled - as if waiting to be attacked
The soldier should move away from the window. He is like a sitting duck for the enemy.
- to begin to be independent and try new things
My uncle's friend is beginning to spread his wings and try many new things.
- not young anymore
I do not know how old my aunt is but she is no spring chicken.
- the last work or performance by an artist before death or retirement
The actor's swan song was his magnificent performance in his recent movie.
- to begin to look after and care for a person
The teacher took the young boy under her wings when he first came to the school.
- to talk frankly, to talk business
I went to see my friend because I knew that it was time to talk turkey with him.
- to try to do something that you have recently learned or become qualified to do
I plan to try out my wings at golfing now that my lessons have finished.
- an ugly or plain child (who grows up to be pretty)
The girl was an ugly duckling when she was a child but now she is quite beautiful.
- to be under the care/control/protection of someone
The new teacher is now under the wings of the principal of the school.
- to watch someone very carefully
The mother watched her young child like a hawk.
- what is good for one person should be good for another person as well
What's good for the goose is good for the gander and if the food is good enough for me, then it is good enough for the other members of the basketball team.
- a chase that is futile or worthless
The motorcycle riders led the police on a wild goose chase.
- to do the best in a situation that one is not prepared for
I forgot to study so I had to wing it on the test.
- angry
The nurse was as mad as a wet hen when the patient tried to bite her.
- very scarce or nonexistent
Cheap hotels in this city are as scarce as hen's teeth.
- two things happen together and it is difficult to see which one of them caused the other
It was a chicken and egg situation and it was difficult to know who caused the problems with the computer.
- a small sum of money
The money that I spent last night was chicken feed and I am not worried about it at all.
- cowardly, easily scared
The boy called his friend chicken-livered which made him very angry.
- to stop doing something because of fear
My friend was planning to come with us but he chickened out at the last moment.
- someone`s words or actions come back to cause trouble for him or her
The man was very mean to other people when he was supervisor. Now his chickens have come home to roost and people are very unkind to him.
- to depend or think that you will get something before you actually have it
"Don`t count your chickens before they`re hatched. Remember that you may not get the job that you expect and you should not spend too much money."
- to go to bed as the sun is setting, to go to bed very early
My grandfather always goes to bed with the chickens because he works on a farm.
- to do something dangerous in order to see who becomes frightened first and stops
The two boys were playing chicken in the schoolyard.
- to run around frantically and with no aim or purpose
I ran around like a chicken with its head cut off all morning as I prepared for my trip.
- not young anymore
I do not know how old my aunt is but she is no spring chicken.
- very hoarse
The professor was as hoarse as a crow when he finished the lecture.
- by the most direct way, along a straight line between two places
As the crow flies it is about six kilometers between my house and downtown.
- to admit that you are mistaken or defeated
Our boss was forced to eat crow when he discovered that what he had said was totally wrong.
- easily and naturally
The little boy started to swim just as a duck takes to water.
- very easy, requiring no effort
Convincing the man to buy the car was as easy as duck soup.
- someone in a hopeless situation or condition
The man is a dead duck. When the police catch him he will have to go to jail.
- a task that does not require much effort
The exam was duck soup. I am sure that I did very well.
- to put one's affairs or something in order
When I get my ducks in a row I will be able to make a decision about a new career.
- a politician who has little time left in office and therefore has little power
The politician is a lame-duck leader and he is not effective at all.
- without any effect, easily
Criticism falls away from my father like water off a duck`s back and he never worries about anything.
- rainy weather
I commented to the wet letter carrier that it was lovely weather for ducks today.
- an unsuspecting person who is easily fooled - as if waiting to be attacked
The soldier should move away from the window. He is like a sitting duck for the enemy.
- an ugly or plain child (who grows up to be pretty)
The girl was an ugly duckling when she was a child but now she is quite beautiful.
- very foolish, very silly
My aunt acted as silly as a goose last evening.
- to destroy someone`s future chances or reputation
The woman cooked her goose when she fought against her employer and lost.
- someone or something that has departed or run away
The boy is a gone goose. He will not be returning today.
- a prickly or bumpy feeling on one's skin because of cold/fear/excitement (like the skin of a goose or chicken)
I got goose bumps as I watched the horror movie.
- one has been discovered to have done something wrong and he or she is now in trouble
My goose is cooked. Soon my friend will discover that I lost her bicycle.
- to spoil/destroy something that is beneficial or makes a lot of money
My friends sold part of their business but it is the most profitable part. I think that they have killed the goose that lays the golden egg.
- what is good for one person should be good for another person as well
What's good for the goose is good for the gander and if the food is good enough for me, then it is good enough for the other members of the basketball team.
- a chase that is futile or worthless
The motorcycle riders led the police on a wild goose chase.
- very wise
My grandfather is as wise as an owl and he seems to know everything.
- someone who likes to stay up very late at night
My friend is a night owl and he loves to stay up late at night.
- very graceful
The figure skater was as graceful as a swan.
- the last work or performance by an artist before death or retirement
The actor's swan song was his magnificent performance in his recent movie.
- to be more successful than other people who are doing the same thing as you (a pack is a group of animals like dogs or wolves who live together)
The girl studied hard all summer and was ahead of the pack when she returned to school in the autumn.
- a stray cat
I began to feed the alley cat and now it comes to my house every day.
- very awkward
The little girl was as awkward as a cow on roller skates when she first began riding her bicycle.
- blind
The man is as blind as a bat and cannot see more than a small distance ahead.
- very busy
I have been as busy as a beaver all morning trying to finish my work.
- very clean
The classroom was as clean as a hound's tooth when the students finished cleaning it.
- very conceited, vain
My friend became as conceited as a barber's cat after she won the award at school.
- dishonest
The politician is as crooked as a dog's hind leg and everybody dislikes him.
- very drunk
The man was as drunk as a skunk when he walked into the restaurant.
- very fat
The woman in the supermarket was as fat as a pig.
- very gentle
The girl is as gentle as a lamb when she is with her little sister.
- gruff, unsociable
Our neighbor is as gruff as a bear when we meet him in the morning.
- very hungry
I was as hungry as a bear when I arrived home from work.
- having no guilt, naive
The little girl is as innocent as a lamb and everybody loves her.
- quiet, docile, meek
The secretary was as meek as a lamb when she went to ask her boss for a salary increase.
- very nervous
The man was as nervous as a cat when he talked to the woman.
- very poor
My cousin is as poor as a church mouse and never has any money to spend.
- very quiet, shy
I was as quiet as a mouse when I left my house early this morning.
- very scared
I was as scared as a rabbit when I entered the empty room.
- very sick
My friend was as sick as a dog when he left the restaurant last night.
- smart and clever
The manager of our apartment is as sly as a fox.
- very strong
The man was as strong as an ox and easily helped us move the sofa.
- very stubborn
My friend is as stubborn as a mule and you can never make her change her mind.
- weak, sickly
The girl is as weak as a kitten and cannot carry the pile of books.
- very wild
The little boy was as wild as a tiger when we were trying to look after him.
- to support someone or something that cannot or does not win or succeed
We backed the wrong horse when we supported the new candidate for mayor.
- to get someone to do something by repeated questions or by bothering them
I always have to badger my friend in order to make him return my computer games.
- one's words are worse than one's actions
You should not worry about her. Her bark is worse than her bite and she is really a very nice person.
- to choose the wrong course of action, to ask the wrong person (a hunting dog may make a mistake when chasing an animal and bark up the wrong tree)
My boss is barking up the wrong tree. I did not cause the computer problem because I was away at the time.
- the best thought-out plans that anyone can make
The best-laid plans of mice and men could not prevent the problems that we had with our travel plans.
- to misread the future, to not choose the winning person or solution
He is betting on the wrong horse if he supports the other city in their bid for the Olympic games.
- the worst or the most unpopular/disliked member of a family
My cousin is the black sheep of the family and nobody likes to talk about him.
- to be very cheerful and eager (like a squirrel with bright eyes and a bushy tail)
The children were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when they got up in the morning.
- a tactless person who upsets others or upsets plans, a very clumsy person
The boy is like a bull in a china shop so you should be careful if you invite him to your house.
- to buy something without seeing it or knowing if it will be satisfactory
You can buy the used computer but it will be like buying a pig in a poke if you do not look at it first.
- by foot
I came to the meeting by shank's mare.
- to stop threatening/chasing/hounding someone
The police decided to call the dogs off and stop hunting for the man.
- a product or service that makes much money
Our new business is a cash cow. We are making a lot of money now.
- to waste something on someone who will not be thankful or care about it
Giving the jewellery to the woman will be casting pearls before swine. She will not appreciate it at all.
- one cannot speak because of shyness
The cat got the woman's tongue and she could not say anything at all.
- a short sleep taken during the day
I had a cat nap in the afternoon so that I would feel refreshed in the evening.
- full of lively activity
The boy was jumping around like a cat on a hot tin roof and we could not make him be quiet.
- to be ready and anxious to do something (a bit is put into a horse's mouth for control of the horse)
Everyone was chomping at the bit to get started on their holiday.
- to make new plans or choose a new leader in an activity that has already begun
They have decided to change lawyers but I told them that they should not change horses in midstream.
- a silly story that is not true
Our neighbor gave us a cock-and-bull story about how our window was broken.
- someone who copies another person`s work etc.
The boy is a copycat according to the other students in the class.
- to give a false alarm, to warn of a danger that is not there
The man is crying wolf. There is no danger that the electrical system will cause a fire.
- being too nosy may lead a person into trouble
"You should not worry about what your friend is doing. Remember, curiosity killed the cat."
- a candidate who is little known to the general public
The candidate was a dark horse in the race to be the next mayor until he gave some good speeches on TV.
- something that you disapprove of because you think that it has only been organized to impress you (like a dog and pony show in a circus)
We had serious questions about the project but we only got a dog and pony show when we asked for answers from our business partners.
- ready or willing to fight and hurt others to get what one wants
It is a dog-eat-dog world in our company.
- someone who prevents others from doing what they themselves do not want to do (in Aesop's Fables a dog that cannot eat hay lays in the hayrack and prevents the other animals from eating the hay)
My friend always acts like a dog in the manger and often tries to prevent us from enjoying ourselves.
- a very long time
I talked to my friend for a long time because I had not seen her in donkey's years.
- a stupid or gullible person
"He really is a dumb bunny. I cannot believe that he does such stupid things."
- a person who is always eager to work or do something extra
The woman is an eager beaver and I am sure that she will do very well in this company.
- to eat good or expensive food
We were eating high off the hog during our ocean cruise.
- to eat a lot
My brother eats like a horse.
- everyone will have his chance or turn, everyone will get what he deserves
"Don`t worry about him. Every dog has his day and he will eventually suffer for all the bad things that he is doing."
- to get something from someone by being persistent
I worked hard to ferret the time and place of the party out of my friend.
- to argue and fight with someone (usually used for people who know each other)
The two children were fighting like cats and dogs when we entered the room.
- to continue fighting a battle that has been won, to continue to argue a point that has been settled
My friend was flogging a dead horse when she would not stop arguing about the mistake on her paycheck.
- someone who is easily frightened (usually used by children)
The little boy called his friend a fraidy-cat because his friend would not climb the tree.
- to annoy someone
My friend is always complaining about the way that I do things which gets my goat.
- to begin to be humble and agreeable
I wish that she would get off her high horse and begin to think about how other people feel about things.
- to behave with arrogance
My friend is always getting on her high horse and telling people what to do.
- to become highly excited or angry about someone or something
Our teacher will go ape if he sees that you have not finished the work that was due today.
- to behave wildly
The young soccer fans went hog-wild when they arrived in the city for the game.
- to deteriorate, to become bad
Many things in our city have gone to the dogs during the last ten years.
- to do everything possible, to be extravagant
We went whole hog in our effort to make sure that the convention was a success.
- a drink of alcohol that one takes when recovering from a hangover
The man woke up and had the hair of the dog that bit him before he ate breakfast.
- to become very angry and upset about something
Our teacher had a cow when he discovered that nobody had prepared for the class.
- to have an exciting and interesting time
We had a whale of a time at the party last night.
- to be a little bit crazy
I think that our neighbor has bats in her belfry.
- to reach the main point of something
I think that our manager hit the bulls-eye when he talked about the real problems in the company.
- to wait, to be patient
"Hold your horses for a moment while I make a phone call."
- used to express strong feelings of astonishment/pleasure/anger
"Holy cow," the man said when he saw the car that had hit the street lamp.
- to walk or run (a hoof is the foot of a horse/sheep/cow etc.)
I decided to hoof it when I came downtown this morning.
- to play around (in a rough way)
The teacher told the children not to horse around while they were getting ready for class.
- something totally separate and different
Changing locations is a horse of a different color. It was never mentioned in any of our meetings.
- common sense, practical thinking
The boy does not have much horse sense and sometimes he makes the wrong decision.
- to bargain in a hard and skillful way
We had to do some horse trading but finally we reached a deal to buy the new house.
- to pursue/chase someone, to harass someone
The manager is always hounding the younger members of her staff to make sure that they work hard.
- unlikely, not so, never
In a pig`s eye will my friend be able to save enough money to go to Mexico for the winter.
- in disgrace or disfavor, in trouble
The man is in the doghouse with his wife because he came home late last night.
- very quickly
I promised that I would meet my friend in two shakes of a lamb's tail.
- an illegal court formed by a group of people to settle a dispute among themselves
The military court in the small country was like a kangaroo court that permitted the military to do whatever they wanted.
- to maintain oneself at the most basic level
My friend's part-time job is enough for him to keep the wolf from the door.
- to fight against some kind of trouble
The university students were angry and the administration had to work hard to keep the wolves at bay.
- to prepare an elaborate banquet for someone
We decided to kill the fatted calf and have a big feast for my parents.
- to lead a miserable life
The man is leading a dog`s life since he married the woman who everyone told him not to.
- you cannot change someone's basic human nature or bad qualities
The manager wrote a letter of apology to the customer but a leopard can't change its spots and I do not believe that the manager has changed and the letter does not mean anything.
- to not make trouble if you do not have to
You should let sleeping dogs lie and not ask our boss any questions about the dispute.
- to tell something that is supposed to be a secret
The teacher let the cat out of the bag when she began talking about the plans for the new school.
- with great speed and force
I ran like a bat out of hell to get the bus.
- like someone who is very confused and does not know what to do
The boy looked like a deer caught in the headlights when we discovered him in the room that was supposed to be locked.
- quietly and without complaining about the dangers that may lie ahead
Our football team went like lambs to the slaughter to meet the best football team in the country.
- the larger part/share of something
We found the lion's share of the lost tickets but some are still missing.
- to have the best of everything
My friend has been living high on the hog since he changed jobs.
- very angry
The man was loaded for bear when he went in to see the supervisor.
- to get into an argument with someone
I locked horns with my neighbor yesterday morning.
- to try to deal with something after it is too late
Now my friend wants to fix his house but it is like locking the barn door after the horse is gone. There was a flood and the damage is already done.
- someone who prefers to spend time alone and has few friends
The boy was a lone wolf and spent most of his time alone.
- to complain if a gift is not perfect
The girl should not look a gift horse in the mouth and should be happy that she received a present from her friends.
- to look tired/worn out/dirty
I was very tired and I am sure that I looked like something the cat dragged in.
- to look smug and self-satisfied, to look as if you have just had a great success
"You look like the cat that swallowed the canary. What happened?"
- to make someone look foolish
My friend made a monkey out of me when he started arguing with me in front of my boss.
- to make something that is unimportant seem important
You are making a mountain out of a molehill when you talk about the mistake.
- to create something of value from something of no value
You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and there is no point in trying to teach the woman manners.
- to play with or waste time with someone or something
The father and son spent the morning monkeying around with the old radio.
- unethical or illegal activity, mischief
The boy should stop the monkey business and try to do the job the correct way.
- a serious problem that stops someone from being successful at something
The time without scoring a goal was a monkey on the back of the famous soccer player.
- someone copies something that someone else does
It is always monkey see, monkey do for the boy. He copies everything that his friend does.
- very funny, fun
The children love the man because he is more fun than a barrel of monkeys and makes everybody laugh.
- not very much space
There was not enough room to swing a cat in the small apartment.
- on the back of a horse
We rode out to the old red barn on horseback.
- a person or organization that is supposed to have a lot of power but actually is very weak
The manager was a paper tiger and did not really have any power in the company.
- a small bank (sometimes in the shape of a pig) for saving money
The boy has been putting money into his piggy bank to save for a bicycle.
- sitting or being carried on someone`s back and shoulders
The boy was riding piggyback on his father`s shoulders.
- to tease or fool someone, to change between different types of behavior when dealing with someone
The man is playing cat and mouse with his company about his plans to quit or not.
- to pretend to be inactive/asleep/dead
I think that the man is playing possum and is not really sleeping.
- to dress or entertain in a luxurious and extravagant manner
We put on the dog for my parents when they came to visit us.
- to retire someone or something (just as you would put a horse that is too old to work out to pasture)
We finally decided to put our old car out to pasture and buy a new one.
- to do things in the wrong order
I think that buying a ticket before we make our holiday plans is putting the cart before the horse.
- to cause trouble
Sending the bad supervisor to talk to the angry workers was like putting the cat among the pigeons.
- to rain very hard
It has been raining cats and dogs all day.
- to report someone's bad behavior to someone
The little boy ratted on his friend at school.
- to desert or betray someone
The boy ratted out on his friends and now they won`t talk to him.
- a rushed and confusing way of living that does not seem to have a purpose
My uncle is tired of being in the rat race every day and he plans to quit his job soon and do something else.
- to watch closely and strictly supervise someone (as a cowboy would supervise a herd of cattle)
The manager has been riding herd on his employees so that he can get the job done quickly.
- a car driver who uses more than his share of the road
The person in front of me on the highway was a road hog but I tried not to get angry.
- to irritate someone (just as you would irritate a dog or cat if you rub their fur the wrong way)
The woman who I work with rubs me the wrong way when I speak to her.
- a person or thing that is never criticized or changed even if it should be (from a cow which is sacred in India)
The school lunch program is a sacred cow which they will never change.
- someone who is easily frightened (usually used by children)
The children called their friend a scaredy-cat because she would not go into the empty house.
- to leave for some unmentioned purpose (often to go to the washroom)
I left the table in the restaurant to go and see a man about a dog.
- to divide people into two groups
We had to separate the sheep from the goats when we began to make selections for the school choir.
- to allow some kind of test to be performed on someone
I was not happy that I had to act as a guinea pig for the managers who were testing the new training material.
- a long and often pointless story that is told as a joke and often ends in a very silly or unexpected way
My friend told me a shaggy dog story about how he lost his bicycle.
- to be suspicious, to feel that something is wrong
I smell a rat. There is something wrong with the offer of a free credit card.
- to hide or store something
My niece likes to squirrel away as much money as possible from her part-time job.
- directly from the person who said something, directly from a dependable source
I heard it straight from the horse`s mouth that our supervisor will be leaving the company next week.
- a small final trouble or problem which follows other troubles and causes everything to collapse or something to happen
The supervisor accusing me of not working hard enough was the straw that broke the camel`s back and I asked for a transfer to another section of the company.
- feeling beaten or humiliated (like a frightened or defeated dog as it walks away)
The man left the meeting with his tail between his legs after he was criticized by the company president.
- a situation where a small part controls the whole thing
When the small group of managers began to run the large company, it was like the tail wagging the dog.
- to take decisive and direct action
My aunt decided to take the bull by the horns and begin preparations for the family reunion.
- there is more than one way to do something
I knew that there was more than one way to skin a cat so I did not worry about the rules and time limit of my project.
- to permit someone to be blamed or criticized for something without trying to help or protect him or her
The company threw the manager to the lions and made him take responsibility for the problem that he had caused.
- to send someone into danger without protection, to sacrifice someone
The salesman decided to throw his co-worker to the wolves when he asked him to meet the angry customer.
- the most important person in an organization
My uncle is the top dog in his company.
- to run away from trouble or danger
We decided to turn tail and leave the restaurant before there was an argument.
- until very late, for a long time
We can talk until the cows come home this weekend.
- to get out of something or not have to do something (like a weasel which can move through small openings)
My friend was able to weasel out of going to the store for his mother.
- when you are not watching someone they may get into trouble
When the cat's away, the mice will play and when the teacher left the classroom the students began to move around.
- something that is not useful and costs a lot of money to maintain
The airport was a white elephant and nobody liked to use it.
- there is nothing that will force someone to go somewhere or do something
Wild horses could not drag me away from my favorite TV show last night.
- a strike spontaneously arranged by a group of workers
There was a wildcat strike at the factory and over 100 people stopped work.
- to gulp down something, to eat something quickly
I wolfed down my dinner and left the house for the movie.
- a person who pretends to be good but really is bad
"Be careful of that man. He is a wolf in sheep`s clothing."
- to work very hard
My grandfather worked like a horse when he was a young man.
- you can give someone the opportunity to do something but you cannot force him or her to do it if they do not want to
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink and no matter how hard we try to help my cousin get a job he will not make any effort when we introduce him to someone who knows about a job.
- it is difficult for older people to learn new things
You can't teach an old dog new tricks and I don't think that my father will ever change his eating habits.
- a stray cat
I began to feed the alley cat and now it comes to my house every day.
- very conceited, vain
My friend became as conceited as a barber's cat after she won the award at school.
- weak, sickly
The girl is as weak as a kitten and cannot carry the pile of books.
- one cannot speak because of shyness
The cat got the woman's tongue and she could not say anything at all.
- a short sleep taken during the day
I had a cat nap during the afternoon so that I would feel refreshed in the evening.
- full of lively activity
The boy was jumping around like a cat on a hot tin roof and we could not make him be quiet.
- someone who copies another person`s work etc.
The boy is a copycat according to the other students in the class.
- being too nosy may lead a person into trouble
"You should not worry about what your friend is doing. Remember, curiosity killed the cat."
- to argue and fight with someone (usually used for people who know each other)
The two children were fighting like cats and dogs when we entered the room.
- someone who is easily frightened (usually used by children)
The little boy called his friend a fraidy-cat because his friend would not climb the tree.
- to tell something that is supposed to be a secret
The teacher let the cat out of the bag when she began talking about the plans for the new school.
- to look tired/worn out/dirty
I was very tired and I am sure that I looked like something the cat dragged in.
- to look smug and self-satisfied, to look as if you have just had a great success
"You look like the cat that swallowed the canary. What happened?"
- not very much space
There was not enough room to swing a cat in the small apartment.
- to tease or fool someone, to change between different types of behavior when dealing with someone
The man is playing cat and mouse with his company about his plans to quit or not.
- to cause trouble
Sending the bad supervisor to talk to the angry workers was like putting the cat among the pigeons.
- to rain very hard
It has been raining cats and dogs all day.
- to irritate someone (just as you would irritate a dog or cat if you rub their fur the wrong way)
The woman who I work with rubs me the wrong way when I speak to her.
- someone who is easily frightened (usually used by children)
The children called their friend a scaredy-cat because she would not go into the empty house.
- there is more than one way to do something
I knew that there was more than one way to skin a cat so I did not worry about the rules and time limit of my project.
- when you are not watching someone they may get into trouble
When the cat's away, the mice will play and when the teacher left the classroom the students began to move around.
- very awkward
The little girl was as awkward as a cow on roller skates when she first began riding her bicycle.
- a tactless person who upsets others or upsets plans, a very clumsy person
The boy is like a bull in a china shop so you should be careful if you invite him to your house.
- a product or service that makes much money
Our new business is a cash cow. We are making a lot of money now.
- to become very angry and upset about something
Our teacher had a cow when he discovered that nobody had prepared for the class.
- to reach the main point of something
I think that our manager hit the bulls-eye when he talked about the real problems in the company.
- used to express strong feelings of astonishment/pleasure/anger
"Holy cow," the man said when he saw the car that had hit the street lamp.
- a person or thing that is never criticized or changed even if it should be (from a cow which is sacred in India)
The school lunch program is a sacred cow which they will never change.
- to take decisive and direct action
My aunt decided to take the bull by the horns and begin preparations for the family reunion.
- until very late, for a long time
We can talk until the cows come home this weekend.
- very clean
The classroom was as clean as a hound's tooth when the students finished cleaning it.
- dishonest
The politician is as crooked as a dog's hind leg and everybody dislikes him.
- very sick
My friend was as sick as a dog when he left the restaurant last night.
- one's words are worse than one's actions
You should not worry about her. Her bark is worse than her bite and she is really a very nice person.
- to choose the wrong course of action, to ask the wrong person (a hunting dog may make a mistake when chasing an animal and bark up the wrong tree)
My boss is barking up the wrong tree. I did not cause the computer problem because I was away at the time.
- to stop threatening/chasing/hounding someone
The police decided to call the dogs off and stop hunting for the man.
- something that you disapprove of because you think that it has only been organized to impress you (like a dog and pony show in a circus)
We had serious questions about the project but we only got a dog and pony show when we asked for answers from our business partners.
- ready or willing to fight and hurt others to get what one wants
It is a dog-eat-dog world in our company.
- someone who prevents others from doing what they themselves do not want to do (in Aesop's Fables a dog that cannot eat hay lays in the hayrack and prevents the other animals from eating the hay)
My friend always acts like a dog in the manger and often tries to prevent us from enjoying ourselves.
- everyone will have his chance or turn, everyone will get what he deserves
"Don`t worry about him. Every dog has his day and he will eventually suffer for all the bad things that he is doing."
- to argue and fight with someone (usually used for people who know each other)
The two children were fighting like cats and dogs when we entered the room.
- to deteriorate, to become bad
Many things in our city have gone to the dogs during the last ten years.
- a drink of alcohol that one takes when recovering from a hangover
The man woke up and had the hair of the dog that bit him before he ate breakfast.
- to pursue/chase someone, to harass someone
The manager is always hounding the younger members of her staff to make sure that they work hard.
- in disgrace or disfavor, in trouble
The man is in the doghouse with his wife because he came home late last night.
- to lead a miserable life
The man is leading a dog`s life since he married the woman who everyone told him not to.
- to not make trouble if you do not have to
You should let sleeping dogs lie and not ask our boss any questions about the dispute.
- to dress or entertain in a luxurious and extravagant manner
We put on the dog for my parents when they came to visit us.
- to irritate someone (just as you would irritate a dog or cat if you rub their fur the wrong way)
The woman who I work with rubs me the wrong way when I speak to her.
- to leave for some unmentioned purpose (often to go to the washroom)
I left the table in the restaurant to go and see a man about a dog.
- a long and often pointless story that is told as a joke and often ends in a very silly or unexpected way
My friend told me a shaggy dog story about how he lost his bicycle.
- feeling beaten or humiliated (like a frightened or defeated dog as it walks away)
The man left the meeting with his tail between his legs after he was criticized by the company president.
- a situation where a small part controls the whole thing
When the small group of managers began to run the large company, it was like the tail wagging the dog.
- the most important person in an organization
My uncle is the top dog in his company.
- to run away from trouble or danger
We decided to turn tail and leave the restaurant before there was an argument.
- it is difficult for older people to learn new things
You can't teach an old dog new tricks and I don't think that my father will ever change his eating habits.
- very strong
The man was as strong as an ox and easily helped us move the sofa.
- very stubborn
My friend is as stubborn as a mule and you can never make her change her mind.
- to support someone or something that cannot or does not win or succeed
We backed the wrong horse when we supported the new candidate for mayor.
- to misread the future, to not choose the winning person or solution
He is betting on the wrong horse if he supports the other city in their bid for the Olympic games.
- by foot
I came to the meeting by shank's mare.
- to be ready and anxious to do something (a bit is put into a horse's mouth for control of the horse)
Everyone was chomping at the bit to get started on their holiday.
- to make new plans or choose a new leader in an activity that has already begun
They have decided to change lawyers but I told them that they should not change horses in midstream.
- a candidate who is little known to the general public
The candidate was a dark horse in the race to be the next mayor until he gave some good speeches on TV.
- something that you disapprove of because you think that it has only been organized to impress you (like a dog and pony show in a circus)
We had serious questions about the project but we only got a dog and pony show when we asked for answers from our business partners.
- a very long time
I talked to my friend for a long time because I had not seen her in donkey's years.
- to eat a lot
My brother eats like a horse.
- to continue fighting a battle that has been won, to continue to argue a point that has been settled
My friend was flogging a dead horse when she would not stop arguing about the mistake on her paycheck.
- to begin to be humble and agreeable
I wish that she would get off her high horse and begin to think about how other people feel about things.
- to behave with arrogance
My friend is always getting on her high horse and telling people what to do.
- to wait, to be patient
"Hold your horses for a moment while I make a phone call."
- to walk or run (a hoof is the foot of a horse/sheep/cow etc.)
I decided to hoof it when I came downtown this morning.
- to play around (in a rough way)
The teacher told the children not to horse around while they were getting ready for class.
- something totally separate and different
Changing locations is a horse of a different color. It was never mentioned in any of our meetings.
- common sense, practical thinking
The boy does not have much horse sense and sometimes he makes the wrong decision.
- to bargain in a hard and skillful way
We had to do some horse trading but finally we reached a deal to buy the new house.
- to try to deal with something after it is too late
Now my friend wants to fix his house but it is like locking the barn door after the horse is gone. There was a flood and the damage is already done.
- to complain if a gift is not perfect
The girl should not look a gift horse in the mouth and should be happy that she received a present from her friends.
- on the back of a horse
We rode out to the old red barn on horseback.
- to retire someone or something (just as you would put a horse that is too old to work out to pasture)
We finally decided to put our old car out to pasture and buy a new one.
- to do things in the wrong order
I think that buying a ticket before we make our holiday plans is putting the cart before the horse.
- to watch closely and strictly supervise someone (as a cowboy would supervise a herd of cattle)
The manager has been riding herd on his employees so that he can get the job done quickly.
- directly from the person who said something, directly from a dependable source
I heard it straight from the horse`s mouth that our supervisor will be leaving the company next week.
- there is nothing that will force someone to go somewhere or do something
Wild horses could not drag me away from my favorite TV show last night.
- to work very hard
My grandfather worked like a horse when he was a young man.
- you can give someone the opportunity to do something but you cannot force him or her to do it if they do not want to
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink and no matter how hard we try to help my cousin get a job he will not make any effort when we introduce him to someone who knows about a job.
- to become highly excited or angry about someone or something
Our teacher will go ape if he sees that you have not finished the work that was due today.
- to make someone look foolish
My friend made a monkey out of me when he started arguing with me in front of my boss.
- to play with or waste time with someone or something
The father and son spent the morning monkeying around with the old radio.
- unethical or illegal activity, mischief
The boy should stop the monkey business and try to do the job the correct way.
- a serious problem that stops someone from being successful at something
The time without scoring a goal was a monkey on the back of the famous soccer player.
- someone copies something that someone else does
It is always monkey see, monkey do for the boy. He copies everything that his friend does.
- very funny, fun
The children love the man because he is more fun than a barrel of monkeys and makes everybody laugh.
- very poor
My cousin is as poor as a church mouse and never has any money to spend.
- very quiet, shy
I was as quiet as a mouse when I left my house early this morning.
- the best thought-out plans that anyone can make
The best-laid plans of mice and men could not prevent the problems that we had with our travel plans.
- to tease or fool someone, to change between different types of behavior when dealing with someone
The man is playing cat and mouse with his company about his plans to quit or not.
- when you are not watching someone they may get into trouble
When the cat's away, the mice will play and when the teacher left the classroom the students began to move around.
- very fat
The woman in the supermarket was as fat as a pig.
- to buy something without seeing it or knowing if it will be satisfactory
You can buy the used computer but it will be like buying a pig in a poke if you do not look at it first.
- to waste something on someone who will not be thankful or care about it
Giving the jewellery to the woman will be casting pearls before swine. She will not appreciate it at all.
- to eat good or expensive food
We were eating high off the hog during our ocean cruise.
- to behave wildly
The young soccer fans went hog-wild when they arrived in the city for the game.
- to do everything possible, to be extravagant
We went whole hog in our effort to make sure that the convention was a success.
- unlikely, not so, never
In a pig`s eye will my friend be able to save enough money to go to Mexico for the winter.
- to have the best of everything
My friend has been living high on the hog since he changed jobs.
- to create something of value from something of no value
You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and there is no point in trying to teach the woman manners
- a small bank (sometimes in the shape of a pig) for saving money
The boy has been putting money into his piggy bank to save for a bicycle
- sitting or being carried on someone`s back and shoulders
The boy was riding piggyback on his father`s shoulders
- a car driver who uses more than his share of the road
The person in front of me on the highway was a road hog but I tried not to get angry
- to report someone's bad behavior to someone
The little boy ratted on his friend at school
- to desert or betray someone
The boy ratted out on his friends and now they won`t talk to him
- a rushed and confusing way of living that does not seem to have a purpose
My uncle is tired of being in the rat race every day and he plans to quit his job soon and do something else
- to be suspicious, to feel that something is wrong
I smell a rat. There is something wrong with the offer of a free credit card
- very gentle
The girl is as gentle as a lamb when she is with her little sister
- having no guilt, naive
The little girl is as innocent as a lamb and everybody loves her
- quiet, docile, meek
The secretary was as meek as a lamb when she went to ask her boss for a salary increase
- the worst or the most unpopular/disliked member of a family
My cousin is the black sheep of the family and nobody likes to talk about him
- to annoy someone
My friend is always complaining about the way that I do things which gets my goat
- very quickly
I promised that I would meet my friend in two shakes of a lamb's tail
- quietly and without complaining about the dangers that may lie ahead
Our football team went like lambs to the slaughter to meet the best football team in the country
- to divide people into two groups
We had to separate the sheep from the goats when we began to make selections for the school choir
- to give a false alarm, to warn of a danger that is not there
The man is crying wolf. There is no danger that the electrical system will cause a fire
- to maintain oneself at the most basic level
My friend's part-time job is enough for him to keep the wolf from the door
- to fight against some kind of trouble
The university students were angry and the administration had to work hard to keep the wolves at bay
- someone who prefers to spend time alone and has few friends
The boy was a lone wolf and spent most of his time alone
- to send someone into danger without protection, to sacrifice someone
The salesman decided to throw his co-worker to the wolves when he asked him to meet the angry customer
- to gulp down something, to eat something quickly
I wolfed down my dinner and left the house for the movie
- a person who pretends to be good but really is bad
"Be careful of that man. He is a wolf in sheep`s clothing"
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!
It's really difficult to figure out what you mean if you don't explain yourself. Figure out: to understand after consideration
I'd like to apologize for last weekend. I feel guilty about not having telephoned to say I wouldn't be able to come. Feel guilty: to feel bad about something you have done.
He is dying to go to the Red Hot Chili Pepper's concert next week. Be dying to: be very eager or keen to do something.
I just can't stand listening to him lecture. He is so boring! Can't stand: despise or hate something.
They're not sure that want to get married. I think they are getting cold feet. Get cold feet: become unsure about an important decision.
He really did poorly on the test. When it came to take it, he went blank and couldn't answer anything. Go blank: not remember anything - happens often on tests!
Jason is having a hard time getting over the death of his cat. Get over: recover from an illness or very bad news.
He must be kidding! He can't really mean what he says. Be kidding: be joking, not serious.
When you think really hard, you should always be able to know what you feel deep down. Feel deep down: your true feelings about something.
Unfortunately, he is having second thoughts about the car he just bought. It seems that it doesn't get very good mileage. Have second thoughts: be unsure of something you have already done - very similar to get cold feet, only that, in this case, the action has already been completed.
Many people feared that the new millennium would cause black outs because of problems with electricity production. Black out: loss of electricity
What a beautiful car! I'm green with envy. Be green with envy: very, very jealous of another person's property
Don't rely on him under pressure in battle. He's yellow. Be yellow: be a coward
There is so much red tape that needs to be completed before adopting a baby. Red tape: bureaucracy
Jack Thomas was put on Hollywood's black list during the McArthy era. Black list: list of unwanted people
She was such a difficult child that her family always treated her like a black sheep. Black sheep: a minority in a small group, often considered "bad" by the majority of the group
Mr. Jackson is very important to the success of this program. Make sure to roll out the red carpet when he arrives. Roll out the red carpet: give the best treatment
We're looking for a new home in the green belt. Green belt: the countryside around a city
It's not quite as black and white as you think. Black and white: simple, clear and understandable
Try to cheer Susan up. She is feeling rather blue these days. Feel blue: depressed
I had to tell a white lie in order to get accepted into the program. White lie: small, insignificant lie
Jack gave me the green light on the project. Give the green light: approve a project or request
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To be up in arms |
If you are up in arms about something, you are very angry. |
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Get off my back! |
If you tell somebody to get off your back, you ask them to stop |
|
Like a bear with a sore head |
If someone is behaving like a bear with a sore head, they are very |
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Bite someone's head off |
If you bite someone's head off, you criticize them strongly |
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Blow a fuse |
If you blow a fuse, you suddenly lose your temper and become |
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Have a bone to pick with someone |
To say that you have a bone to pick with somebody means that |
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In somebody's good/bad books |
If you are in somebody's good or bad books, you have their approval |
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For crying out loud |
This expression is used to show irritation, exasperation or anger. |
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Drive up the wall |
If somebody or something drives you up the wall, they do something |
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Flea in one's ear |
After an attempt at something, if you are sent away with a flea in |
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Fly off the handle |
A person who flies off the handle becomes suddenly very angry. |
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Foam at the mouth |
Someone who foams at the mouth is extremely angry about |
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Get your knickers in a twist. |
If you get your knickers in twist, you are angry, nervous or upset |
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Get in someone's hair |
If you are getting in somebody's hair, you are annoying them so |
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Go through the roof |
If someone goes through the roof, they become very angry |
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Good riddance! |
This expression is used to express relief at becoming free of an |
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Hot under the collar |
If you get hot under the collar, you feel annoyed, indignant or |
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Look daggers at someone |
Someone who looks daggers at another looks at them very angrily. |
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Make one's hackles rise |
If someone makes your hackles rise, they make you angry. |
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More heat than light |
If a discussion or debate generates more heat than light, it causes |
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Kick yourself |
If you feel like kicking yourself, you are angry with yourself for |
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Like a red flag to a bull |
To say that a statement or action is like a red flag to a bull means |
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Like a ton of bricks |
If somebody comes down on you like a ton of bricks, |
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Have a quick temper |
If you have a quick temper, you get angry very easily. |
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Rant and rave |
If you rant and rave about something, you protest noisily and forcefully. |
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Road rage |
Aggressive driving habits sometimes resulting in violence against other |
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د See red |
If someone sees red, they suddenly become very angry or annoyed |
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Smooth somebody's ruffled feathers |
If you smooth somebody's ruffled feathers, you make that person |
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That makes my blood boil! |
If something makes your blood boil, it makes you really angry. |
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That's going too far! |
If you go too far, you do something that is considered extreme or |
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That takes the biscuit! |
This expression refers to something very irritating or annoying. |
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That's the last straw! |
The expression means that this is the latest unpleasant event, |
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Wink of sleep |
If someone doesn't get a wink of sleep, they don't sleep at all. |
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alley cat
- a stray cat گربه خیابانی
I began to feed the alley cat and now it comes to my house every day.
as awkward as a cow on roller skates
- very awkward خیلی خجالتی
The little girl was as awkward as a cow on roller skates when she first began riding her bicycle.
as blind as a bat نابینا
- blind
The man is as blind as a bat and cannot see more than a small distance ahead.
as busy as a beaver
- very busy گرفتار بودن _ پر مشغله
I have been as busy as a beaver all morning trying to finish my work.
as clean as a hound's tooth
- very clean خیلی تمیز و پاکیزه بودن
The classroom was as clean as a hound's tooth when the students finished cleaning it.