Idioms in English

Idioms in English

An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood by literal translation. Idioms are used extensively in conversations, email, presentations, newspapers, magazines, and films. If you don’t understand the idiom, you can feel left out of the conversation or presentation since the idiom is often the “point” of the sentence. Understanding and properly using idioms is a dramatic way to demonstrate your mastery of a foreign language.

This page gives you the definitions of several common idioms. The interactive program, Idioms in English, shows you how to place stress so you can use these expressions like a native speaker.

Idiom: Take the bull by the horns

Definition:

Directly confront a problem or challenge

Examples:

He decided to take the bull by the horns and talk to the president.

Idiom: Think out of the box

Definition:

Approach the situation or problem in a new way

Examples:

Let’s brainstorm some ideas. We need to think out of the box.

Idiom: Bend over backwards

Definition:

Try very hard to please someone or to do something

Examples:

She bent over backwards to make him happy, but he was never satisfied.

Idiom: Blow someone away

Definition:

Exceed expectations

Examples:

She blew them away when she made her presentation. It was wonderful.

Idiom: Water under the bridge

Definition:

A past issue or problem that is no longer a concern

Examples:

Don’t worry about that mistake. It’s water under the bridge.

Idiom: Using idioms: All on the same page

Original Writing Correction
I want to talk with my builder before I decided the projects of my house remodeling because I need to make sure we are all on the same page. I want to talk with my builder before I decide on the projects for my house remodeling because I need to make sure we are all on the same page.

Idiom: Using idioms: Think out of the box

The following example uses the idiom "think out of the box." Underlines are used to show the corrections
Original Writing Correction
  1. The company has financial problem. They need to think out of the box, or they will be facing bankrupt.
  1. The company has financial problems. They need to think out of the box, or they will be facing bankruptcy.

Idiom: Using idioms: Plugged in

Original Correction
His friends like to ask him about stock investment because he is really plugged in the financial market. His friends like to ask him about stock investments because he is really plugged in to the financial market.

Idiom: Go Postal

Definition:

Act out in an angry way, especially in an outburst of violence

Examples:

I got a really negative reaction. He went postal in the meeting. Did you read the newspaper? Some guy went postal and shot his co-workers.

Idiom: Push the Envelope

Definition:

Go beyond what is usual or standard; innovate

Examples:

That company is always trying to push the envelope and create something better. Test pilots are trained to push the evelope and exceed the current speed records.

Idiom: Underwater

Definition:

The current value is less than the original value

Examples:

That stock is underwater now, so he can’t sell it or he’ll lose lots of money on his original investment. An underwater option would be worthless if it expired today.

Idiom: Play hardball

Definition:

Act agressively and ruthlessly to achieve a goal

Examples:

Their lawyers decided to play hardball, so they may delay payment until we sign this new contract. I don't like it when he plays hardball in the negotiations; it makes it difficult for us to come to an agreement.

Idiom: Face off

Definition:

Confront

Examples:

She faced off against the other tennis player and won the match.

The Canadian hockey team faces off against their rivals next week.

Take advantage of training programs from AmEnglish.com to learn to understand and use idioms effectively

All languages have idiomatic expressions; however, idioms are used very frequently in American culture, especially American business culture. You can learn idioms over time after immersion in a culture, but it can really speed things up to have a systematic approach. Once you become more aware of idiomatic expressions, you will notice them more easily in conversations and newspapers like the Wall Street Journal, which is an excellent source for idioms.

Our approach to teaching idioms also helps improve listening comprehension and pronunciation in English. We present the idioms in the context of a story or dialog. This helps you to hear the idioms in a more natural setting. Audio tracks for each page include four different native speaker models. Then we have a page devoted to each idiom. This page presents the definition and examples of how the idiom can be used in a sentence. We also show how the concepts we teach in the Pronunciation In English program apply to idioms. The pronunciation notes demonstrate how stress, intonation, focus words, reduction and linking apply to each idiom. Idioms in English reinforces all of the concepts presented in the pronunciation program in a new context.

Every idioms page is followed by a scored dictation practice and a focus word exercise, both of which help build listening comprehension. At the end of every chapter is another scored dictation exercise. Once you learn all the idioms, you can check your knowledge with the final exam at the end of the program. It is a lot of fun to spot idioms you’ve learned in everyday conversations, in the newspapers, and in movies. Learning about idioms in English will help you become more fluent in the language as it used every day by native speakers.

Idiom: the/a ripple effect

Definition:

the continuing and spreading results of an event or action

Examples:

People are worried about the ripple effect of the European debt crisis on the global economy.

That company has hired hundreds of new employees, which has had a positive ripple effect on the local economy.

Picture it:

Throwing a rock into still water creates a ripple effect.

Idiom: Cut to the chase

Definition:

immediately begin to do or discuss the most important part of something

Examples:

I don't have much time, so please cut to the chase and tell me what you want.

Given today's busy schedule, we'll just cut to the chase and focus on 3 important issues.

Picture it:

Some film audiences are bored by the romantic scenes; they want to go directly to the action scenes that often have a chase.

Idiom: a dead heat

Definition:

A contest that is so close that it is impossible to predict the winner; a race in which two or more contestants finish at the same time.

Examples:

Recent polls showed the two politicians are in a dead heat going into the election.

The two runners finished the race in a dead heat. As a result, they will both go to the finals.

Picture it:

The term "heat" refers to a single race. A "dead heat" is a common expression used in horse racing to describe a "tie."

Idiom: Spin one's wheels

Definition:

expend one's effort with no result

Examples:

I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels here. I need to make some changes so I can move forward.

We don't want to waste time spinning our wheels. Let's make a decision and move on.

Picture it:

Think of a car with its wheels stuck in mud, sand, or snow. The engine is running, but the car is not moving; its wheels are just spinning.

Idiom: Go toe-to-toe

Definition:

go/stand fight or argue (with someone)

Examples:

The politician went toe-to-toe with his opponent in the debate.

Those two companies are going toe-to-toe in the market for tablet computers.

Picture it:

Think of two opponents standing close together, facing each other, toe-to-toe in a confrontation.

Idiom: Go out on a limb

Definition:

Put yourself in a risky position to support someone or something

Examples:

She went out on a limb to recommend this new approach.

I think he's going out on a limb investing in this new start-up. It's a bit risky.

Picture it:

Think of climbing a tree and then moving out on a branch or limb. The concern is whether the branch will be strong enough to support your weight. If it isn't, the branch could break, and you would fall to the ground.

Idiom: Put/lay one's cards on the table

Definition:

be completely open or honest about one's position on an issue

Examples:

We decided to be transparent about our position on this issue. We put all our cards on the table.

He surprised me by laying his cards on the table at the beginning of our negotiations.

Picture it:

In a card game you usually can't see the other players' cards. You have to make your move or bet based on guesses about your opponents' cards. If you lay your cards on the table, everyone will be able to see how many points you have.

Idiom: a smoking gun

Definition:

definite proof of who is responsible for something or how something really happened

Examples:

This email was a smoking gun. It proved that he started it.

We can't find any clear evidence in this case. There doesn't seem to be a smoking gun.

Picture it:

Before the invention of smokeless gunpowder, smoke coming from a gun or the smell of smoke on a gun showed that it had recently been fired.

Idiom: Have someone's ear

Definition:

have access to and influence with someone

Examples:

Do you think he's still influential at the company? Does he still have the President's ear?

She bragged that she had the CEO's ear and could help me get a job there.

Picture it:

If you have someone's ear, you are very close to that person, close enough to whisper into her/his ear.

Idiom: a level playing field

Definition:

An environment in which everyone must follow the same rules and is given an equal ability to compete.

Examples:

We believe there ought to be a level playing field for everyone. This may require changing some laws, which give some companies an unfair advantage.

Before entering that international market, we need to make sure that there's a level playing field.

Usage note:

The word "level" can also be used as a verb in another version of this idiom.

For example, "They leveled the playing field by changing the business requirements, so that they were aligned with the trade agreement."

Picture it:

If sports teams are competing on a field that is not level or flat, one side may have the advantage in the competition.

Idiom: Keep someone/something at arm's length

Definition:

keep someone/something at such a distance that physical or social contact is discouraged

Examples:

To avoid a conflict of interest, we need to keep them at arm's length.

The legislators are supposed to keep the lobbyists at arm's length.

Picture it:

Hold out your arms in front of you. If you maintain that distance, you can't get too close to another person.

Idiom: Turn up the heat (on something/someone)

Definition:

increase the amount of pressure on someone or something

Examples:

The police turned up the heat on illegal activity in this neighborhood by assigning more police officers to patrol the area.

His political opponents are turning up the heat in this election campaign with ads attacking the politician.

Picture it:

If you turn up the heat on your stove, you increase the temperature.

Idiom: Look under the hood

Definition:

examine the details

Examples:

Before you invest in this company, you should look under the hood and find out more about their products and sales revenue.

We found out which companies were supplying components in that new tablet by looking under the hood.

Picture it:

Lift the hood of a car and examine the engine

Idiom: Turn one's back on someone/something

Definition:

ignore someone/something; reject someone/something

Examples:

He's a good friend. I know that he'll never turn his back on me.

That country turned its back on our recent agreement. They decided not to honor it.

Picture it:

Picture a man turning away from you so that he is no longer facing you and walking away.

Idiom: Raise some eyebrows

Definition:

Cause disapproval or surprise (by doing or saying something)

Examples:

His wild behavior raised some eyebrows.

Her promotion raised some eyebrows as it was so unexpected.

Picture it:

Watch people in a group when someone does or says something surprising or upsetting. You will see their eyebrows go up.

Idiom: Have/get one's foot in the door

Definition:

to complete the first step in a process

Examples:

He wants a full-time job at that company when he graduates. He's working there as an intern during the summer to get his foot in the door.

She wants to become a doctor. She already has her foot in the door as she's volunteering at a local clinic after school.

Picture it:

If you put your foot in the door, it makes it hard for someone to close the door on you.

Idiom: On the table/ Off the table

Definition:

offered for discussion/ not offered for discussion

Examples:

Our offer is still on the table. Let us know if you want to take it.

That option is no longer available. It's off the table.

Picture it:

Imagine a table where people meet to negotiate. Ideas that are open for discussion are on the table.

Idiom: Pin (someone) down

Definition:

force someone to be specific and make his/her intentions clear; fix or establish

Examples:

We need to pin him down on the specifics before we can come to an agreement.

I've asked her to set a date, but she's been hard to pin down.

Picture it:

This idiom comes from wrestling. When one wrestler pins down another wrestler, he can't move or escape.

Idiom: Break even

Definition:

reach a point in a business venture when the profits are equal to the costs

Examples:

I hope we will at least break even on this investment. I can't afford to lose any more money.

In the their first year of business, they broke even, but in the second year, they made a good profit.

Grammar/syntax:

This idiom can also be used as an adjective. "He reached the break-even point."

Picture it:

Think of breaking something into equal parts, so that in this case, the costs = the profit.

Idiom: Tip one's hand

Definition:

reveal one's intentions or secrets

Examples:

She didn't want to tip her hand during the negotiations as it would give the other side an advantage.

Don't say too much in the first meeting. You might tip your hand.

Picture it:

This idiom comes from card playing. If you tip your hand in a card game, the other players can see your cards, which gives them an advantage in the game.

Idiom: Win someone over

Definition:

get the support or favor of someone

Examples:

I was reluctant at first, but her enthusiasm won me over.

His careful arguments won them over.

Picture it:

Picture a field divided into two parts. In this game, children try to win participants over to their side, so that the winning team has the most people.

Idiom: Take the reins

Definition:

assume charge or control

Examples:

After the politician left office in disgrace, her successor took the reins.

I don't know if his son is ready to take the reins from his father and manage the business.

Picture it:

When you take the reins to ride a horse, you can control the horse.

Idiom: Fall into place

Definition:

become organized

Examples:

All our planning and hard work was rewarded when everything fell into place for the event.

After we solved the design problems, the other details started falling into place.

Picture it:

When you are fitting pieces of a wooden puzzle together, sometimes, they go together easily or fall into place.

Idiom: In the dark

Definition:

in ignorance

Examples:

I had no idea that the company was going to be sold. I was in the dark about it.

The manager talked to some employees about the merger, but the others were left in the dark.

Picture it:

When you are in the dark, you can't see what's going on.

Idiom: Hit the ground running

Definition:

begin something with great energy

Examples:

They wanted an experienced salesperson who could hit the ground running and get results immediately.

I need to be ready to hit the ground running on this new job as expectations are high.

Picture it:

When you start out running, not walking, it implies lots of energy.

Idiom: In the driver's seat

Definition:

in control; in charge of things

Examples:

Harriet is looking forward to being in the driver's seat and making changes at the company.

He likes being in the driver's seat and making the decisions.

Picture it:

When you are in the driver's seat, you control the vehicle.

Idiom: Tight-fisted

Definition:

not generous with money

Examples:

They often argue about money because she's tight-fisted, while he loves to spend.

We've been able to save quite a bit of money by being tight-fisted.

Picture it:

When your fist is closed tight, you are not letting go of your money.

Idiom: An uphill battle

Definition:

very difficult; requiring a lot of effort

Examples:

Convincing her grandfather to change his habits was an uphill battle.

Campaigning against the popular politician was an uphill battle for his challenger.

Picture it:

Holding the higher ground is a key strategy in battle. It is always more difficult for the forces fighting an uphill battle to win.

Idiom: Have two left feet

Definition:

be awkward or clumsy

Examples:

I feel like I have two left feet when I'm learning a new martial arts routine.

He doesn't like to dance. He says he has two left feet.

Picture it:

If you had two left feet, it would be very difficult to follow instructions for dance steps or even marching.

Idiom: A quick study

Definition:

a person who learns new things quickly and easily

Examples:

I like working with her. She's a quick study.

The new employee is a quick study; we want him on our team.

Picture it:

If someone is a quick study, he/she can learn things in a short time.

Idiom: Down the road

Definition:

in the future

Examples:

I'm not sure what our plans will be down the road.

Down the road, we plan to expand the business.

Picture it:

If something is down the road, you haven't arrived there yet; it is in the future. Note: This idiom has the same meaning as "down the line."

Idiom: Turn a corner

Definition:

show improvement after going through a difficult period

Examples:

When her fever dropped, the patient turned a corner and began to recover.

I believe the economy has turned a corner as we are seeing signs of growth now.

Picture it:

Think of walking or driving down a road and then turning a corner. The surroundings can change dramatically when you turn a corner.

Idiom: Be put out

Definition:

be annoyed or irritated

Examples:

She was put out thathe arrivedlate for their date.

Her friend was put out when she did not show up at her party.

Idiom: Roll out the red carpet (for someone)

Definition:

give special treatment to an important person

Examples:

Our most important customers will be visiting, so we need to roll out the red carpet for them.

They rolled out the red carpet for the visiting dignitary.

Picture it:

Think of rolling out a red carpet for a visitor, so that he or she is treated like an honored guest.

Idiom: Putting out fires

Definition:

be so busy dealing with immediate problems that you don't do anything to prevent the same problem from happening again

Examples:

He never stops to analyze the root cause of the problem. He spends all his time putting out fires.

An efficient manager does not spend all her time putting out fires.

Idiom: Add fuel to the fire

Definition:

say or do something that makes a situation worse

Examples:

She was upset when her boyfriend broke up with her. Then, she found out he had started dating her best friend, adding fuel to the fire.

The meeting was already tense as we were talking about the layoffs. When the president referred to her vacation plans, it just added fuel to the fire.

Idiom: Fired up

Definition:

excited; enthusiastic

Examples:

Before the big basketball game, the coach gave the team an inspiring talk to get them fired up.

She's fired up about her new job. She's really looking forward to working in a big city for a great company.

Picture it:

Think of a blazing fire, full of energy.

Idiom: Fire off something

Definition:

write something quickly, especially when you are upset or angry

Examples:

He was mad, so he fired off an angry email to the person.

She fired off a response to his inappropriate request.

Picture it:

Think of shooting without taking the time to aim.

Idiom: Light a fire under someone

Definition:

motivate someone to start sooner or move faster

Examples:

He's behind on his part of this project. Can you light a fire under him?

This remodeling project is taking too long. If we offer the contractor a bonus to finish on time, maybe that will light a fire under him.

Idiom: Come under fire

Definition:

be subject to critical attack

Examples:

The government official came under fire for changing her position on taxes.

The new CEO came under fire when he asked all employees to take a pay cut.

Idiom: Seed money

Definition:

money that is used to start a business or other activity

Examples:

The venture capital firm provided the seed money for his start-up.

She got the seed money for her new business from a lot of small investors.

Picture it:

You plant seeds so they can grow into mature plants.

Idiom: Kill time

Definition:

do something unimportant while you are waiting for something else to happen

Examples:

I'm not doing anything important. I'm just killing time while I wait.

While he waited in line, he surfed the web on his phone to kill time.

Picture it:

Killing time is not doing something useful or constructive with it.

Idiom: Run out (of something)

Definition:

to have nothing remaining (of something)

Examples:

I couldn't finish the test. I ran out of time.

I planned to bake a cake, but I ran out of flour, so I have to go to the store first.

Picture it:

Picture yourself trying to complete a task without the necessary ingredient/requirement.

Idiom: in the wake of

Definition:

directly following, as a result of

Examples:

In the wake of increasing competition, the company decided to spend more on advertising.

There was a lot of cleanup to do in the wake of the storm.

Picture it:

Picture the water behind a moving boat; calm water is replaced by waves as the boat moves through the water.

Idiom: Lay the groundwork

Definition:

create a foundation; provide the basics or fundamentals

Examples:

This math class will lay the groundwork for calculus.

Her early research laid the groundwork for the discovery.

Picture it:

To construct a building, you must lay the groundwork or foundation first.

Idiom: Breathing room/space

Definition:

Enough area/time to permit freedom of movement

Examples:

He was upset that his girlfriend wanted to go everywhere with him. He felt that she didn't give him enough breathing room.

The third quarter profits gave the company breathing room to devise a new strategy for the marketplace.

Picture it:

Picture yourself in a tight, crowded space where it is difficult to move or breathe easily.

Idiom: Chalk up/ Chalk up something to something else

Definition:

score; earn/attribute a result to a cause

Examples:

That baseball team chalked up a series of wins.

You can chalk up that mistake to inexperience. You'll do better next time.

Picture it:

Picture an old-fashioned chalk board where someone is keeping score by writing down the points in chalk.

Idiom: Under the table

Definition:

secretly and illegally

Examples:

That company paid their employees under the table, so they did not have to pay taxes.

He gave him a bribe under the table.

Picture it:

Picture someone handing another person money under the table so the other people at the table can't see the exchange.

Idiom: Turn the tables on someone

Definition:

reverse one's position in relation to someone else, especially by turning a position of disadvantage into one of advantage

Examples:

The man being interviewed by the reporter turned the tables on her and started asking the reporter questions.

Susan's boyfriend complained that Susan didn't listen to him, but then Susan turned the tables on her boyfriend and complained that he never listened to her.

Picture it:

Think of turning the table around in a board game so that you have an advantage over your opponent based on your new position.

Idiom: Bridge the gap

Definition:

forge a connection between two people, groups, or devices that have little in common with one another

Examples:

It is the mediator's job to help bridge the gap between the union and management in the negotiations.

That tech company offers a product to help consumers bridge the gap between incompatible devices.

Picture it:

Think of a bridge that is built across a river, which allows people to travel easily from one side to the other.

Idiom: A recipe for disaster

Definition:

be extremely likely to have unfortunate consequences

Examples:

Raising interest rates when the economy is just recovering sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Taking the twin toddlers shopping when they missed their naps is a recipe for disaster.

Picture it:

A recipe is a list of ingredients and steps that, if followed, will produce a dish of food to enjoy; in this case the recipe is a combination of circumstances and actions that, if completed, are predicted to produce negative consequences.

Idiom: A sea change

Definition:

a major change or transformation

Examples:

The huge increase in the number of people working part-time without benefits represents a sea change in employment in this industry.

The popularity of smart phones and tablets has meant a sea change for companies in the PC business.

Picture it:

Think of changes in the ocean like the currents or the tides that have widespread effects.

Idiom: Bottom out

Definition:

hit the lowest level

Examples:

Some experts predict that housing prices have bottomed out and will be rising in the future.

Looking back, I realize that our relationship bottomed out last year. Since then, it has been steadily improving.

Note: Variations on this idiom include: "hit rock bottom"

Picture it:

Picture reaching the lowest point, a place where it is not possible to go down any further. The expectation is that movement will be upward from this point.

Idiom: Go through the roof

Definition:

increase to a very high level

Examples:

Construction costs have gone through the roof, so it will cost more than we expected to finish this building project.

It has been very hard to find qualified workers in this field. Consequently, salaries have been going through the roof.

Note: This idiom can also be used to refer to rising anger. For example: When he found out his son had wrecked the car, he went through the roof.

Picture it:

Picture something rising as high as the roof line of a building.

Idiom: Keep a lid on something

Definition:

control or limit something; suppress something

Examples:

They hope the policies of the Federal Reserve will help to keep a lid on prices.

I don't think we'll be able to keep a lid on this scandal. It will soon be public.

Picture it:

Picture putting a lid on a jar full of something, so that it won't spill out if it is moved.

Idiom: Make a pitch for something

Definition:

try to persuade people to support something

Examples:

She made a pitch for a new product at the trade show.

The animator pitched his idea* for a film to the movie studio.

* Note that this idiom can be used without the verb "make." In this example, the word "pitched" is a verb.

Picture it:

Picture someone pitching or throwing a baseball to an individual or a group.

Idiom: Turn the tide

Definition:

cause a complete reversal of the circumstances

Examples:

Her support of this politician helped turn the tide of public opinion in his favor, and he won the election.

My favorite sports team was not performing well, but they hired a new coach and that turned the tide. They are now competing for the championship.

Picture it:

Picture the changes in the ocean as the tide ebbs and flows.

Idiom: All over the map

Definition:

widely scattered or distributed; differing greatly

Examples:

The reactions to the change were all over the map. Some people were pleased, some were angry, and some were indifferent.

The politician accused his rival of being all over the map on the subject of taxes. He said she had changed her position more than once over the past year.

Picture it:

Picture trying to track the path of something or someone on a map but finding tracks spread out at many different points with no clear direction.

Idiom: Lose one's shirt

Definition:

lose all one's money

Examples:

I don't recommend investing in that deal. It's very risky; you could lose your shirt.

He lost his shirt when he invested all his money in that company, and it went bankrupt.

Picture it:

Picture losing all your money and possessions, even your shirt.

Idiom: Take it in stride/Take something in stride

Definition:

accept or manage difficulties well

Examples:

When her manager suddenly changed her job responsibilities, she took it in stride.

He can adjust quickly. Whenever there's a software update, he takes it in stride.

Picture it:

Picture yourself striding or walking along and not hesitating or stopping when there's an obstacle in your path.

Idiom: Knee-jerk reaction

Definition:

an immediate reaction made without examining causes or facts

Examples:

She said no without thinking; it was a knee-jerk reaction.

We want to avoid a knee-jerk reaction here, so we'll ask them to think it over and get back to us later.

Picture it:

Picture what happens when a doctor taps your knee during a physical exam. The tap causes your leg to react immediately with a small kick. It is an automatic reflex.

Idiom: Take the wraps off (something)

Definition:

reveal a new product or plan that was previously kept secret

Examples:

That gaming company took the wraps off their latest product today.

At the press conference, the city will take the wraps off the design for the new concert hall.

Picture it:

Picture an excited child taking the wrapping paper off of a gift to reveal it.

Idiom: Get/be carried away

Definition:

be overcome by emotion or enthusiasm and take things too far

Examples:

She originally went shopping for just one pair of jeans, but she got carried away and purchased ten new outfits.

He started exercising to lose weight, but he got carried away, and he injured himself.

Picture it:

Picture being lifted up and moved by something very strong

Idiom: Go away empty-handed

Definition:

leave without gaining or getting anything

Examples:

They were unable to break into the safe, so the thieves went away empty-handed.

The store was giving away complimentary gift bags, so no customer went away empty-handed.

Picture it:

Picture leaving a place with nothing in your hands.

Idiom: Go the extra mile

Definition:

do more than is required to reach a goal

Examples:

I prefer to buy from that company. They always go the extra mile to make sure their customers are satisfied.

She's a great teacher. She goes the extra mile to meet the needs of her students.

Picture it:

Picture asking a person to walk one mile, and then having that person respond by walking two miles.

Idiom: Step up

Definition:

increase*

Examples:

After receiving an anonymous threat, the airport stepped up security.

The car manufacturer had to step up production to meet the increased demand.

Picture it:

Picture increasing your speed by stepping faster.

*This phrasal verb also means "come forward."

Idiom: Weed out

Definition:

remove someone or something unwanted from a group or collection

Examples:

The manager asked his assistant to weed out the resumes that had grammar or spelling mistakes.

The professor weeded out the less serious students by requiring large amounts of homework.

Picture it:

Picture removing the weeds from your garden.

Idiom: Written in stone

Definition:

permanent; not subject to change

Examples:

This is a new set of procedures, so we'll be modifying them. They aren't written in stone.

This policy may change. It's not written in stone.

Picture it:

Picture words that are carved or written in stone. They have a sense of permanence. You cannot erase them easily.

Idiom: Ramp up

Definition:

increase the amount or size of something

Examples:

They've ramped up security at the airport because of an international conference.

That company plans to ramp up their investment in research and development.

Picture it:

Picture a highway ramp rising up to connect to a higher road.

Idiom: Read between the lines

Definition:

try to understand someone's real feelings or intentions from what they say or write

Examples:

He had to read between the lines to understand the politician's real intent.

It's important not to take everything she says literally. You need to read between the lines.

Picture it:

Picture looking at the space between the lines of print to think about the true meaning.

Idiom: Put on a good face

Definition:

pretend to be happy when this is not the case

Examples:

He was sad when his girlfriend moved away, but he put on a good face for his friends.

She was disappointed about her test scores, but she put on a good face for her classmates.

Picture it:

Picture putting on a mask with a smile to cover up the sad expression on your face.

Idiom: a Snap judgment

Definition:

a hurried decision

Examples:

He's an impetuous person; he frequently makes snap judgments and then regrets them later.

Don't make a snap judgment; think it over carefully before you decide.

Picture it:

Picture snapping your fingers; it takes less than a second. A snap judgment is a decision made too quickly.

Idiom: Scratch the surface

Definition:

investigate or treat something superficially

Examples:

This is a complex issue and we've just scratched the surface. We will need to spend more time studying it.

The investigation has just begun. We've only started to scratch the surface.

Picture it:

Picture making a light scratch on a hard surface. It's a superficial mark.

Idiom: a White knight

Definition:

a person or firm that gives money to a company in order to prevent it from being bought by another company, especially one that saves a firm from being taken over by an unacceptable purchaser

Examples:

At the last minute, a hostile takeover was averted. A white knight came to the rescue.

We are hopeful that we can avoid being purchased by our competitor. We need a white knight.

Picture it:

In fairy tales, the white knight is the good knight who rescues people from danger.

Idiom: Ring hollow

Definition:

seem not true or wrong

Examples:

Their promises about staying with the project until it was finished ring hollow now that they've abandoned it.

His promises to her rang hollow when she discovered that he'd been seeing another woman.

Picture it:

If something is hollow, it is empty inside, so picture discovering that a promise or commitment is an empty one.

Idiom: Put your finger on something

Definition:

to know or be able to explain exactly what is wrong, different, or unusual about a situation; to locate

Examples:

Something's wrong here, but I can't put my finger on it yet.

I have the information here somewhere, but I haven't been able to put my finger on it.

Picture it:

If you can put your finger on something, you can identify and locate it.

Idiom: Sticker shock

Definition:

unpleasant surprise on learning that something is much more expensive than expected

Examples:

We thought this was an affordable repair shop, but we had sticker stock when we got the bill.

She had heard good things about the new car, but she had sticker shock when she saw the price for the first time.

Picture it:

Think of feeling shock or surprise when seeing an unexpectedly high price on a price sticker.

Idiom: Face time

Definition:

direct personal interaction between 2 people at the same time and in the same physical location

Examples:

I need to get face time with the CEO this week to discuss my project.

She's very busy, so I'm having trouble scheduling face time with her.

Picture it:

Picture yourself talking with someone in person rather than on the phone.

Idiom: Rope someone into something

Definition:

persuade someone to get involved in some activity

Examples:

I didn't want to go the the dance, but my friend roped me into it.

He didn't want to participate, but she roped him into it.

Picture it:

Picture a cowboy using a lasso to rope a calf.

Idiom: Out of someone's hands

Definition:

no longer under someone's control

Examples:

He said he couldn't help me. He said it was out of his hands.

It is no longer her responsibility. They took the project out of her hands last week.

Picture it:

Picture something being removed from someone's hands.

Idiom: On the heels of something

Definition:

soon after something

Examples:

She was having a successful year. She received the music award on the heels of a sold out concert tour.

It was a busy year for the couple. Their baby's birth followed close on the heels of a move to a new house.

Picture it:

Picture someone following you closely, almost on your heels.

Idiom: Walk a fine line

Definition:

achieve or maintain balance between two different ideas or attitudes

Examples:

The designer managed to walk a fine line between the contemporary yet classic in her spring clothing collection.

The parents walked a fine line between disciplining and nurturing their child.

Picture it:

Picture trying keep your feet on a very fine or thin line as you are walking.

Idiom: Snap something up

Definition:

buy or get something quickly

Examples:

The sale price was low, so she decided to snap up the bargains.

The concert tickets were snapped up quickly.

Picture it:

Picture snapping your fingers; it takes less than a second. Snapping something up happens very quickly.

Idiom: Water down something

Definition:

make something weaker

Examples:

Customers at the nightclub complained that the proprietor watered down the drinks.

They watered down the requirements by lowering the minimum score for acceptance.

Picture it:

Picture adding water to a liquid substance. It will dilute it and make it weaker.

Idiom: Work out the kinks

Definition:

straighten/smooth out the problems

Examples:

This is a new procedure, and we may have to make some adjustments before we work out the kinks.

She wasn't ready to share her new idea. She still needed to work out some kinks.

Picture it:

Picture a rope that is kinked or twisted. You have to straighten it out to use it.

Idiom: Turning point

Definition:

decisive point

Examples:

When we decided we wanted to stay together, that was the turning point in our relationship. Everything improved after that.

That was the turning point for our business. That was the point where we decided to go in a new direction.

Picture it:

Picture someone stopping and then turning around to walk in a different direction.

Idiom: Zoom in on something

Definition:

focus on/ examine more closely

Examples:

We wanted to zoom in on a subset of people, for example, residents in a certain zip code.

He zoomed in on the key information for his department in the report, the cost of the new plan.

Picture it:

Picture a photographer using a zoom lens to get a close-up of something/someone

Idiom: a Sticking point

Definition:

a controversial issue that blocks progress in negotiations

Examples:

Health care coverage is a major sticking point in the negotiations between workers and management.

The couple was always arguing about money. The importance of savings was a sticking point.

Picture it:

Picture a place where people become stuck and cannot move forward easily.

Idiom: Jack up the price

Definition:

raise the price

Examples:

Just before the holidays, they often jack up the price of flowers.

When this toy became popular, they jacked up the price.

Picture it:

Picture someone using a jack to lift or raise a car up to change the tire.

Idiom: a Snowball effect

Definition:

A situation where something grows in size or importance at an increasing rate

Examples:

The criticism of his idea in the online forum continues to grow. There seems to be a snowball effect.

In a classic snowball effect, the game got more and more followers online as people started tweeting about it.

Picture it:

Picture a snowball increasing in size as it is rolled across snow-covered ground.

Idiom: a Flash in the pan

Definition:

something that is very promising but proves disappointing

Examples:

We thought this technology was going to be very successful, but it was just a flash in the pan.

Proving they are not a flash in the pan, that social media company has become very profitable.

Picture it:

This idiom comes from gold panning where prospectors got a quick shimmer in the bottom of the pan, which turned out to be only a flake of gold and did not lead to a bigger deposit.

Idiom: Move the needle in/on something

Definition:

make a noticeable difference in something

Examples:

They canceled the marketing campaign when it failed to move the needle in sales.

The philanthropists wanted to develop a program that would move the needle on the problem of malaria in developing countries.

Picture it:

Picture an action or event that affects the movement of the needle on a measurement instrument. For example, an earthquake causes the needle on a seismograph to move dramatically.

Idiom: (be) On the fence

Definition:

be undecided about something

Examples:

She hasn't decided on her major yet. She's on the fence about it.

He hasn't decided whether he wants to look for a new job. He's still on the fence.

Picture it:

Picture someone sitting on a fence and waiting before stepping off on the ground on either side.

Idiom: Boil down

Definition:

reduce a problem to its essentials

Examples:

The problem boiled down to a disagreement over privacy rights.

We had number of arguments over the years and everything finally boiled down to one issue.

Picture it:

Picture boiling down a liquid so that it becomes more concentrated.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "boiled down" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English.

Idiom: Dial back

Definition:

decrease in intensity/strength

Examples:

We advised him to dial back his anger. He needs to control his temper in meetings.

Her sales approach is too aggressive. She needs to dial it back a bit.

Picture it:

Picture moving the dial back on a control panel to reduce the volume.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "dial back" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English.

Idiom: Break out

Definition:

emerge forcefully from a restrictive condition or situation*

Examples:

After a period of slow growth, economists expect business investment could break out next quarter.

That team finally broke out of their slump and won their next game.

*Note: We also use this word to talk about a skin condition. He broke out in a rash after touching the poison oak as he's allergic to the plant.

Picture it:

Picture a tiger breaking out of its cage.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "break out" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English.

Idiom: Stock up

Definition:

buy a lot of something that you plan to use later

Examples:

A storm is forecast, so people are stocking up on emergency supplies.

The coffee was on sale, so he decided to stock up.

Picture it:

Picture adding to your stock or supply of something

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "stock up" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English.

Idiom: Pile up

Definition:

accumulate

Examples:

Problems with this project have been piling up since the office manager resigned.

Messages piled up in her email account while she was on vacation.

Picture it:

Picture papers piling up on a desk.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "pile up" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English.

Idiom: Black out

Definition:

lose consciousness due to decreased blood flow to the brain

Examples:

Pulling out of a dive, the airplane test pilot almost blacked out due to the high acceleration.

Severe dehydration can cause people to black out.

Picture it:

Picture yourself in darkness, which is what occurs when you lose consciousness.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "black out" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English.

Idiom: Cut it/that out

Definition:

stop doing something that is annoying

Examples:

He kept whistling a tune while she was trying to work, so she asked him to cut it out.

The children were arguing, and the teacher told them to cut that out.

Picture it:

Picture taking a pair of scissors to a piece of paper and cutting out or eliminating one section.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "cut it out" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English.

Idiom: Connect the dots

Definition:

understand something based on multiple pieces of evidence

Examples:

At first she didn't understand why he switched his position, but after she thought about it, she was able to connect the dots.

It took him some time to connect the dots, but he eventually understood the reasons behind the change.

Picture it:

Picture one of the children's puzzles where you draw lines to connect the dots, and a picture becomes clear.

Idiom: Turn off

Definition:

to offend*

Examples:

They want to be careful not to turn off consumers with their new advertising campaign.

The change in programming turned off the network's older audience.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "turn off" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English. Look for the the "TOEFL® phrasal verbs" graphic which highlights the phrasal verbs in the Idioms in English programs.

*This phrasal verb also means to shut off the power.

Idiom: Fall out

Definition:

have an argument

Examples:

Those two boys were good friends until they fell out over a girl.

We fell out over a silly disagreement, and I haven't talked to her in years.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "fall out" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English. Look for the the "TOEFL® phrasal verbs" graphic which highlights the phrasal verbs in the Idioms in English programs.

Idiom: Clamp down

Definition:

take steps to limit or control a particular activity

Examples:

After she received a poor grade in her math class, her parents clamped down on her outside activities so she would have more time to study.

The government instituted a curfew to clamp down on social unrest in the country.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "clamp down" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English. Look for the the "TOEFL® phrasal verbs" graphic which highlights the phrasal verbs in the Idioms in English programs.

Idiom: Roll back

Definition:

reduce

Examples:

The company rolled back prices for their anniversary sale.

The legislature agreed to roll back taxes to encourage economic growth.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "roll back" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English. Look for the the "TOEFL® phrasal verbs" graphic that highlights the phrasal verbs in the Idioms in English programs.

Idiom: Turn something around

Definition:

Cause something to change in a positive direction

Examples:

When she became CEO that company was losing money, but she turned things around, and now it's highly profitable.

That team was losing all their games, but the new coach turned things around, and now they are headed for the championship.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "turn something around" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English. Look for the the "TOEFL® phrasal verbs" graphic that highlights the phrasal verbs in the Idioms in English programs.

Idiom: Hand over

Definition:

turn in; surrender

Examples:

The company was required to hand over their documents to the investigators.

The police surrounded the robber and told him to put down his gun and hand over the stolen property.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "hand over" is a phrasal verb. Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English. Look for the the "TOEFL® phrasal verbs" graphic that highlights the phrasal verbs in the Idioms in English programs.

Idiom: Hold out (for something)

Definition:

wait to do something until one is satisfied

Examples:

She held out for better terms in the negotiations.

They refused to take the first offer. They are holding out for a better price.

TOEFL® Tip:

Note that "hold out" is a phrasal verb, and the stress falls on the word "out." Phrasal verbs are included on the TOEFL® test as they are so frequent in English. Look for the the "TOEFL® phrasal verbs" graphic that highlights the phrasal verbs in the Idioms in English programs.

Idiom: (be) fed up

Definition:

be annoyed or angry

Examples:

She is fed up with the situation at work, so she's looking for another job.

They were fed up with continued delays in construction, so they hired a different contractor to complete the work.

Idiom: Shake it off

Definition:

free yourself from a negative feeling/emotion

Examples:

The little boy was depressed about losing the baseball game, but his dad said it was only a game and told him to shake it off.

He didn't get a job offer after the interview, and he was disappointed. However, his girlfriend said there were lots of other opportunities and told him to shake it off.

Idiom: Jump on the bandwagon

Definition:

support something/someone that is popular

Examples:

When the news about the new product came out, many investors jumped on the bandwagon.

He was a popular figure and many supporters jumped on the bandwagon when he decided to run for president.

Idiom: Blow something/someone out of the water

Definition:

destroy or defeat something/something

Examples:

That team was so much better that they blew us out of the water in the competition.

When they first released their new smart phone, that company blew their competitors out of the water.

Idiom: Pick up

Definition:

improve

Examples:

There are signs that the economic recovery appears to be picking up.

Sales of clothing are starting to pick up as students prepare for the new school year.

Idiom: Get behind something

Definition:

support something

Examples:

All the team members got behind the idea, and we raised lots of money for that charity.

The parents at that school got behind the idea of a stricter dress code, and the principal enacted it.

Idiom: Bank on something/someone

Definition:

be sure of something/someone

Examples:

You can bank on our support this year.

I can always bank on him to finish on time.

Idiom: Cover all one's bases

Definition:

prepare for every possibility

Examples:

He covered all his bases by reviewing both his notes and the text before the test.

She made sure she talked to each of the department heads about the change in order to cover all her bases.

Idiom: Wind down

Definition:

gradually become slower and less active

Examples:

We have to wind down our production for the new product now that we are changing direction.

The board of directors approved the new plan, so it is time to wind down the development committee.

Idiom: A showstopper

Definition:

something that stops the progress or functioning of something

Examples:

The bug in the beta version of this software is a showstopper; we have to fix it before we can release the software.

The latest budget estimates were a showstopper for passing this legislation.

Note: "Showstopper" is a compound noun, so the stress is on the first part, "show."

Idiom: Wear off

Definition:

diminish gradually in effect

Examples:

As the effect of the pain reliever wore off, her injured knee began to bother her more.

The anesthesia that the dentist used is wearing off, and the feeling is returning to my lips.

Idiom: Throw someone under the bus

Definition:

sacrifice someone for selfish reasons

Examples:

I thought he was my friend, but he threw me under the bus and blamed me for the mistake.

I was shocked and surprised when my colleague threw me under the bus instead of supporting me.

Idiom: Back down

Definition:

accept defeat or admit that you are wrong

Examples:

Despite the fact that he was wrong, he refused to back down.

At first, we argued in favor of the new building, but we backed down when we saw what it would cost.

Idiom: Flesh out

Definition:

expand; give substance to an idea or plan

Examples:

We have a broad outline of the the idea, but we need to add details to flesh it out.

She provided the broad strokes while her partner fleshed out their proposal.

Idiom: Take a back seat

Definition:

occupy an inferior position

Examples:

With the arrival of our new baby, socializing with friends has taken a back seat to late night feedings.

I'm so busy with this new project that my other work has taken a back seat.

Idiom: Ride roughshod over someone

Definition:

treat someone inconsiderately or harshly

Examples:

Authorities disregarded the law and ran roughshod over the small group of protesters.

The new manager ran roughshod over the people in his department and ignored their concerns and complaints.

Idiom: Write something/someone off

Definition:

give up on something or someone

Examples:

That new company may surprise you. Don't be so quick to write them off .

It's too soon to decide whether that entrepreneur will become successful; we shouldn't write him off yet.

Idiom: Skeleton in the closet

Definition:

a secret source of embarrassment or shame

Examples:

She hesitated to run for political office because of the skeletons in her closet.

We're looking for candidates who don't have any skeletons in their closets.

Idiom: Come clean with someone about something

Definition:

tell the truth about something you've tried to hide

Examples:

He decided it was time to come clean with her about his previous relationships.

I can't trust you unless you come clean with me about your past.

Idiom: Wrap one's head around something

Definition:

fully understand something

Examples:

I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the big changes in our direction as a company.

It will take some time for me to wrap my head around these new procedures.

Idiom: On one's dime

Definition:

at one's own expense

Examples:

I'd like you to join me on a vacation. Don't worry about the cost as the trip is on my dime.

His father is wealthy, so his son's tuition to the private university is all on his dime.

Idiom: Face the music

Definition:

accept the negative consequences of one's action

Examples:

Everyone heard the loud crash when he broke the vase, so the little boy decided to tell the truth right away and face the music.

He delayed telling her the truth as he was reluctant to face the music.

Idiom: Pave the way (for something)

Definition:

make it possible or easier for someone or something to follow

Examples:

The invention of the microscope paved the way for many scientific breakthroughs.

Philae, the first European spacecraft to land on a comet, has paved the way for countless future discoveries.

Idiom: Sign off

Definition:

approve/authorize

Examples:

He signed off on the plans, so we are ready to get started on the building.

We have to wait for the final approval; they should sign off next week.

Idiom: Strange bedfellows

Definition:

an unusual or unexpected alliance

Examples:

I was surprised to see those two competitors working together on a new product; they seem like strange bedfellows.

The partnership between the small company, which is very nimble, and the large company, which moves quite slowly, was a surprise; they are strange bedfellows.

Idiom: Shrug off something

Definition:

ignore or minimize

Examples:

Some of his experiments resulted in failure, but he shrugged it off and kept on working.

The actress shrugged off the negative remarks of some movie critics and focused on her next role.

Idiom: Whittle something down

Definition:

cut or diminish something to a more appropriate size

Examples:

My manager asked me to whittle down the number of projects for next year because of budget constraints.

The bridal couple had trouble whittling down the list of guests for their wedding as they both came from very big families.

Idiom: Gain a toehold

Definition:

establish an insignificant position from which further progress can be made

Examples:

The company hopes this new app will help them gain a toehold in the marketplace.

The new technology allowed them to gain a toehold in the expanding field of solar energy.

Idiom: Spin off something

Definition:

establish or produce something new from something that already exists

Examples:

The animation studio spun off a separate company to create children's toys based on their movies.

That company spun off their printer business last year.

Idiom: Catch someone flat-footed

Definition:

catch someone unprepared

Examples:

They caught me flat-footed when they asked me to make a presentation at the last minute.

That company was caught flat-footed when the technology changed.

Idiom: Cash cow

Definition:

a business or venture that is a reliable source of income or profit

Examples:

I'm glad I bought stock in the company; it's a real cash cow.

For many years, that company was a cash cow, turning out great products and marketing them effectively.

Idiom: Ratchet up/down

Definition:

increase/decrease something over time

Examples:

The recent publicity about health care costs is ratcheting up the pressure on legislators to address the problem.

As the election approached, both political candidates ratcheted up the spending on TV advertisements.

Idiom: Drum up

Definition:

elicit support or interest in something

Examples:

That company wants to drum up interest in their new product.

The charity hopes to drum up support from contributors.

Idiom: Size up someone or something

Definition:

form an opinion or judgement about someone or something

Examples:

The interviewer sizes up applicants by observing their responses to certain questions.

The investor sized up opportunities by doing careful research.

Idiom: String someone along

Definition:

deceive someone about one's plans or intentions

Examples:

The young man thought the girl liked him, but he found out she was just stringing him along when she stopped returning his calls.

We realized the investors were merely stringing us along until a better option emerged.

Idiom: Take a bath

Definition:

experience serious financial losses

Examples:

We took a bath on our last investment, so we are reluctant to invest in the stock market again.

My parents took a bath when property prices declined, so they have become more cautious about investing in real estate.

Idiom: Sticking point

Definition:

A subject/topic on which people involved in a discussion or negotiation cannot agree

Examples:

Healthcare benefits have been a sticking point in our negotiations with the union.

The salary for the new CEO has been a sticking point in our discussions.

Idiom: strong suit

Definition:

something in which one excels

Examples:

Marketing is not his strong suit; he prefers to focus on product design.

She is a great negotiator, so her role as a diplomat plays to her strong suit.

Idiom: On the ropes

Definition:

close to failure

Examples:

That new start-up is on the ropes. I think they will run out of money soon.

Our company was on the ropes, but we received financial help from an investor to keep going, and now we have recovered.

Idiom: Hash out

Definition:

talk about something in order to reach agreement

Examples:

They spent the weekend hashing out their differences, and the two sides finally signed an agreement the following week.

I know we can resolve this issue; why don't we hash it out over coffee?

Idiom: A new wrinkle

Definition:

a new development, idea or technique

Examples:

An extra step was inserted into the process, which added a new wrinkle for manufacturing.

This change introduces a new wrinkle , but I think it will improve the outcome.

Idiom: Sort out (something)

Definition:

make sense of (something)

Examples:

It may take some time for us to sort out the problems with the new software.

We need to sort out some issues if we want to continue the relationship.

Idiom: On thin ice

Definition:

in a dangerous or risky situation

Examples:

I think we are on thin ice with this plan; we need to devise a better one.

The defense is on thin ice as their argument is weak.

Idiom: Workaround

Definition:

a temporary fix to a problem

Examples:

We created a workaround for this issue, but we will have to go back later and take the time to create a long-term solution.

We don't have time to analyze the issues, so we came up with a workaround for now.

(Note: the stress is on the first syllable of this compound word.)

Idiom: Waiting in the wings

Definition:

ready to step in and take over or take action

Examples:

That company is the market leader now, but their competitors are waiting in the wings for an opportunity to replace them.

The CEO fired the vice-president quickly; her successor must have been waiting in the wings.

Idiom: Bail someone out

to help someone/some entity out of bad situation

Examples:

I was having financial trouble last year, but my uncle bailed me out, so I am paying him back now.

The government bailed out some companies during the financial downturn.

Note: This idiom can also mean to escape from a bad situation.

Idiom: Burn rate

Definition:

the rate at which a company uses up available funds or spends capital while waiting to become profitable

Examples:

That start-up has a really high burn rate; I'm not sure how long they can sustain it.

That VC firm is trying to slow the burn rate at some of the start-ups they are funding.

Idiom: Spell it out

explain something clearly; explain something in detail*

*this phrasal verb can also mean literally spelling out a message with letters

Examples:

I'm not exactly sure what you want me to do here; I need you to spell it out for me.

She didn't get my hint, so I had to spell it out for her.

Idiom: Dial it down

Definition:

reduce the intensity

Examples:

He was yelling in the meeting, so his manager asked him to dial it down.

People think he's too aggressive; he needs to dial it down a bit.

Idiom: Ease up/Ease off

Definition:

diminish or lessen in intensity or pressure

Examples:

We are hoping our busy work schedule will ease up soon.

I think our coach is demanding too much of us; I think he should ease off a bit.

Idiom: Blurt out

Definition:

speak suddenly without thinking

Examples:

It was supposed to be a surprise, but she just blurted it out.

In an unguarded moment, he blurted out the secret.

Idiom: Zero in (on)

Definition:

focus directly on someone or something

Examples:

During the past week, detectives have begun to zero in on one suspect.

Auditors plan to zero in on this budget item.

Idiom: Phase in/ Phase out

Definition:

introduce something gradually/gradually stop using or offering something

Examples:

Major automobile manufacturers are phasing in new technology for electric cars.

They are phasing out the older technology.

Idiom: Measure up

Definition:

Be good enough or as good as something/someone else

Examples:

He’s nervous that his performance may not measure up.

She is not sure how her work will measure up compared with the work of her colleagues.

Idiom: Up in arms

Definition:

protesting vigorously about something

Examples:

The teachers are up in arms about the cuts in their health care coverage.

The shareholders of that company are up in arms about the changes.

Idiom: Shore up

Definition:

Support or improve an organization or system that is likely to fail

Examples:

The government needs to shore up the retirement program, so it will remain solvent.

Programmers are working to shore up the security system.

Idiom: Brush off something/someone

Definition:

Refuse to consider what someone says or to admit that something should be taken seriously

Examples:

When she went to the dean with her concerns, he just brushed her off.

He argued that the group needed to look into the problem and not brush it off.

Idiom: Opt out

Definition:

Choose not to be a part of an activity

Examples:

When she was given a choice about joining the pension plan, she opted out.

Several countries are considering opting out of the organization.

Idiom: Fend off

Definition:

Defend yourself from something

Examples:

The famous actor had to fend off reporters as he exited the restaurant.

That company successfully fended off a takeover attempt.

Idiom: Churn something out

Definition:

Produce large quantities of something routinely

Examples:

She's a prolific author; she churns out new mysteries every year.

That company churns out new versions quickly.

Idiom: Pony up

Definition:

Pay money, especially to settle an account

Examples:

That small company will have to pony up the money to pay off their loan this year.

The cost of borrowing is rising, so we decided to pony up the sum required to pay off our credit card.

Idiom: Double down on something

Definition:

Increase an investment of effort/money in something that some people consider risky

Examples:

That company decided to double down on their investment in the new technology.

The entrepreneur doubled down on his investment in a new business.

Idiom: Hold off

Definition:

Delay doing something

Examples:

We decided to hold off on investing in that company until we have more information.

The young girl held off making a final decision as she wanted to discuss it with her parents over the weekend.

Idiom: Weigh down

Definition:

Be oppressive or burdensome

Examples:

The economy was weighed down by slower growth.

The young girl was weighed down with the responsibility of caring for her six siblings.

Idiom: Siphon off

Definition:

Take something away from someone/something

Examples:

The auditors discovered that the money had been secretly siphoned off into other accounts.

The bookkeeper siphoned off millions of dollars over the years into her personal account.

Idiom: Prop up

Definition:

Support something to keep it from falling

Examples:

The government of that country propped up the price of wheat to protect their farmers.

We hope the loan will prop up the company's finances until the new product comes out.

Idiom: Wear thin

Definition:

Grow tired or boring

Examples:

The children could tell that their teacher's patience was wearing thin, so they quieted down.

The manager's enthusiasm wore thin after the software failed repeatedly.

Idiom: Rev up

Definition:

Increase the speed or intensity

Examples:

We need to rev up production of that component as the orders have increased.

The governor's campaign for reelection is revving up as she gains more supporters.

Idiom: Come to a head

Definition:

Reach a crisis point

Examples:

After all this time, things have finally come to a head, and we have to decide on this.

We have heard grumbling for a few weeks, and now this issue is coming to a head.

Idiom: Go back to the drawing board

Definition:

Return to the planning stage when an idea or plan has not worked out

Examples:

When our prototype failed to live up to expectations, we went back to the drawing board

After we received lot of negative feedback on our latest version, we decided to go back to the drawing board.

Idiom: Swept up in something

Definition:

become suddenly very involved in something

Examples:

He got so swept up in his enthusiasm over the the place that he decided to move there.

She was swept up in the frenzied bidding at the art auction, and she spent too much money for the painting.

Idiom: Hammer home something

Definition:

repeat or emphasize something until people understand it

Examples:

The company had already said they were struggling with profitability, but the data on their recent losses hammered it home.

She did not realize how upset people were until she saw the email; the multiple complaints hammered home the message.

Idiom: Get cold feet

Definition:

suddenly decide to not follow through on something previously planned

Examples:

He got cold feet about that investment and decided to put his money elsewhere.

She got cold feet about the wedding and cancelled it at the last minute.

Idiom: Draw a blank

Definition:

be unable to think or remember something

Examples:

When I stepped on the stage, I suddenly drew a blank and couldn't remember my speech.

When I tried to remember the author's name, I just drew a blank.

Idiom: Take someone up on something

Definition:

Accept an offer or invitation that someone has made

Examples:

After thinking it over, he decided to take his friend up on the job offer.

She took her friend up on his offer to teach her to code.

Idiom: A head start

Definition:

the advantage gained in an activity by starting before others

Examples:

They let the youngest children beginthe race a few minutes ahead of the older ones to give them a head start.

Interning at the company over the summer while he was still at the university, gave him a head start over the other new hires.

Idiom: Be put out

Definition:

be annoyed or irritated

Examples:

She was put out thathe arrivedlate for their date.

Her friend was put out when she did not show up at her party.

Idiom: Gang up on someone

Definition:

Join a group to criticize or persuade someone

Examples:

His friends ganged up on him and persuaded him to go along with idea.

Politicians from the opposing party ganged up on the speaker and shouted him down.

Idiom: On the mend

Definition:

improving

Examples:

He's had a serious illness, but he is on the mend.

The discussions between the countries went well; I think their relationship is on the mend.

Idiom: Stand pat

Definition:

hold to one's position or opinion

Examples:

Despite efforts to persuade her to change her mind, she stood pat on her decision.

His friends tried to to convince him tolower his price, but heis standing pat.

Idiom: Gain ground/Lose ground

Definition:

become more or less successful

Examples:

That company has gained ground in the marketplace with their new product releases.

We did not invest in research and development, so we are losing groundto our competitors.

Idiom: Follow suit

Definition:

behave as someone else has behaved

Examples:

The English instructor started having quizzes every Friday, and the math instructor followed suit.

That company offered a discount, and other companies followed suit and offered discounts of their own.

Idiom: Inch up

Definition:

rise incrementally

Examples:

Prices have inched up over the last year according to this graph.

Sales of our closest competitor have inched up in the last six months.

Idiom: Sit tight

Definition:

hold off on any action or movement for a period of time

Examples:

We decided to sit tight and not make any changes in our investments right now.

They were advised tosit tight and see what happened to interest rates in the next three months.

Idiom: Fork over

Definition:

pay

Examples:

They demanded that he fork over the cash immediately.

She complained when she was asked to fork over an additional 20% for the rent due to an increase.

Idiom: Play up/Play down

Definition:

Emphasize/De-emphasize

Examples:

In her description of the property, the real estate agent played up the excellent schools in the area, butplayed down the house's location on a busy street.

Idiom: Pare down something

Definition:

gradually reduce something

Examples:

We decided to pare down our investmentsin energy stocks.

Herparents asked her to look overthe list of universities she wants to visit next fall and pare it down to 3 schools.

Idiom: Make headway

Definition:

make progress toward achieving something despite difficulties

Examples:

We made headway in the most recent negotiations, so we may be able to have a final agreement soon.

If we make significant headway in our building project this summer, we should be able to finish by fall.

Idiom: Hunker down

Definition:> Not do things that may be risky

Examples:

That company didn't spend a lot of money last quarter; they hunkered down and saved their cash.

We decided not to buy a bigger house; we are hunkering down until the economy improves.

Idiom: Mull over something

Definition:

think about something seriously over a period of time

Examples:

I'm not ready to make a decision about this right away; give me some time to mull it over.

Their lawyers are mulling over the latest offer in the negotiations.

Idiom: Not sit well with someone

Definition:

a change or situation that makes someone unhappy or upset

Examples:

When her husband corrected her in public, it did not sit well with her.

If you change the bonus structure, it won't sit well with the employees.

Idiom: Frown on/upon something

Definition:

disapprove of something

Examples:

The librarian frowns on loud conversations in the library.

Our supervisorfrowns on employees taking long lunches.

Idiom: Level out/off

Definition:

stop going up or down and continue at the same height or amount

Examples:

Food prices were going up every week, but they seem to haveleveled offrecently.

The plane climbed to cruising altitude and then leveled out.

Idiom: Give someone pause

Definition:

cause someone tothink carefully or hesitate

Examples:

The company's recent financial report gave him pause, and he decided not to invest in their stock.

His history of multiple girlfriends gave her pause, and she decided not to accept his invitation.

Idiom: Double back

Definition:

Turn around and go back in the direction you just came from

Examples:

We missed the turn, so we doubled back to look for the sign.

She ran ahead of the group, but doubled back when she saw that the youngest needed help.

Idiom: Hit someone up for something

Definition:

Ask someone for something

Examples:

My co-worker has money problems; he hit me up for a loan last week.

When their son calls from school, he oftenhits themup for extra money.

Idiom: Lash out

Definition:

Attack with words

Examples:

When he is upset, he lashes out with rude comments in a text message.

When she is angry, she will lash out and scream at people.

Idiom: Cash in (on something)

Definition:

take advantage of a situation

Examples:

The musician cashed in onthe popularity of his new song by scheduling a concert tour.

We bought this stock when it was very low, so we can cash inby selling it now when it is very high.

Idiom: Off the cuff

Definition:

informal, not planned ahead of time

Examples:

He did not give a formal speech on the topic; he just made some off the cuff remarks.

The politician made some off the cuff comments about raising taxes, which created a big reaction.

Idiom: Gloss over something

Definition:

purposefully avoid talking about the details of something

Examples:

The politician glossed over his early mistakes and emphasized his successes in his campaign speeches.

The company report glosses over their recent drop in sales and spends more time discussingtheir plans for new products.

Idiom: Get something off the ground

Definition:

Start being successful

Examples:

Employees of the start-up worked hard to get their project off the ground.

Our plans are still in the early stages; we hope to get this new venture off the ground by the end of next year.

Idiom: Buy up

Definition:

quickly buy as much as possibleof something

Examples:

When he saw his son's picture in the local newspaper, he bought up all the copies he could find to share with his friends and family.

People bought up all the available flashlights at the store just before the big storm.

Idiom: Single someone/something out

Definition:

choose someone/something from a group forpraise/criticism

Examples:

Her manager singled her out from the group to compliment her on presentation.

The CEO singled out our group of engineers to praise us for our work on the new product.

Idiom: Iron something out

Definition:

solve a small problem/problems

Examples:

Before we sign the contract, we just need to iron out a few more details.

The two friends had been arguing, but since they met to iron things out, they have beengetting along well.

Idiom: Pull the trigger (on something)

Definition:

initiate something

Examples:

We decided to pull the trigger on our remodeling project, and we hireda contractor this week.

Our manager has been talking for months about hiring more engineers; I hope shepulls the trigger soon.

Idiom: Camp out

Definition:

sleep outdoors, usually in a tent

Examples:

Customers were so eager to buy the new product that many camped out overnight in front of the store.

Our family enjoyedcamping out in Yosemite National Park last summer.

Idiom: Take time out

Definition:

Take time to rest or do something different from usual

Examples:

He took time out from his busy schedule to attend his son's concert at school.

She tries totake some time out to relax before starting a new project.

Idiom: Duke it out

Definition:

fight

Examples:

I've been watching as those two companies duke it out over market share.

We observedthese two politiciansduke it outby saying negative things about each other just before the election.

Idiom: Dole something out

Definition:

distribute something in small amounts

Examples:

That company is careful about spending money; they only dole it out in special circumstances.

There was not a lot of food, so their mother doled out the portions carefully.

Idiom: a Tipping point

Definition:

the critical point in a situation or process beyond which an unstoppable change happens

Examples:

Scientists say we are at an environmentaltipping point where inaction will have dire consequences forthe planet.

We have reached a tipping pointin terms of infrastructure where growth may overwhelm this town if it is not carefully managed.

Idiom: a Windfall

Definition:

an amount of money thatyou receive unexpectedly

Examples:

When his great aunt died, he was surprised to find she left her house to him in her will; it was a windfall.

The extra dividend from the stock was an unexpected windfall.

Idiom: Tapped out

Definition:

out of money

Examples:

He cannot continue to invest in this business; he's tapped out.

We have to find some new funding resources before ours are tapped out.

Idiom: Jump ship

Definition:

desert or defect

Examples:

When that company announced their financial loses, many high level employees jumped ship and went to work for competitors.

I hope our best employees don't jump ship when they hear about the reduced bonuses this year.

Idiom: Claw back

Definition:

get something back by aggressive means

Examples:

That company lowered the price for its product, but it plans to claw back some revenue by adding extra charges.

The amusement park reduced their summer entrance fees for adults, but clawed back lost profits by raising the price for children under five.

Idiom: Stand up to something/someone

Definition:

hold one's position in the face of a challenge

Examples:

I admire her; she stood up to them and risked losing her job.

Standing up for his beliefs gained him the respect of his colleagues.

Idiom: Pull one's weight

Definition:

do one's fair share of work

Examples:

That new employee needs to pull his weight pretty soon, or we may have to let him go.

Pulling one's weight is important when one works in a small team with tight deadlines.

Idiom: Free Rein

Definition:

freedom to say or do things the way you want to

Examples:

My manager gives us free rein to set our work schedules as long as deadlines are met.

Over the summer, we had free rein to explore the island near my grandparent's house.

Idiom: Be on the same wavelength

Definition:

Think in the same way about something as another person

Examples:

My co-worker and I came up with similar solutions to the problem; we are on the same wavelength.

My husband and I almost always agree on how to handle our children; we are usually on the same wavelength.

Idiom: Get a handle on something

Definition:

Get control or understanding of something

Examples:

I feel more comfortable after doing some research as I am getting a handle on some of the issues.

This is a new area for him, and he doesn't have a handle on it yet.

Idiom: Blow over

Definition:

Become unimportant after some time

Examples:

Don't worry; the controversy about this will blow over soon.

As she predicted, the press frenzy blew over in a few weeks as reporters went on to other issues.

Idiom: Blow through something

Definition:

Use up/consume

Examples:

That start-up blew through the first round of funding in less than a year.

He blew through his inheritance so quickly that it surprised everyone.

Idiom: Let someone off the hook

Definition:

Let someone out of a difficult situation or let someone avoid doing something unpleasant

Examples:

I asked him to make a presentation, but he was so nervous about it that I let him off the hook and chose someone else to present.

I am relieved that my manager let me off the hook and gave the new project to someone else.

Idiom: Take the helm

Definition:

Take control of something

Examples:

That company hired a new CEO; he took the helm last month.

The candidate took the helm of that federal agency just last week.

Idioms in the Wall Street Journal- A Sampling

Idioms* like "make waves" and "a long shot" are used frequently in English. Tracking idioms in news sources like the Wall Street Journal shows how often they are used and how important understanding idioms is to understanding the meaning in English. A quick survey of just three articles in the Wall Street Journal on a recent Tuesday yielded a total of twenty-six idioms. These ranged from phrasal verbs, like "pin down" to idioms like "bridle at something."

For non-native speakers of English, idioms can be challenging. It can be very difficult to "catch" the idioms in spoken English if they are new for you. You may hear the surrounding words, but miss the idiom itself. It is usually easier to track idioms in writing as you have the option of reviewing the text. Once you identify an idiom, your next task is to understand it. Sometimes, you can guess the meaning of an idiom from the context in which it is used. You can also check the meaning by typing it into an online search engine along with the word "idiom."

Using idioms correctly can break down assumptions native speakers make about a learner's lack of competence in English because of mistakes in grammar or pronunciation. A student told me a story about using an idiom in a job interview in Silicon Valley, Ca. He had struggled in the past in interviews because of his accent. During this interview he told the interviewer that he was creative and knew how to "think out of the box." He sensed a shift in the conversation and felt that using this idiom effectively had made a difference in how the interviewer saw him. At the end of the interview, he got a job offer.

*An idiom is a group of words with a special meaning of its own that is not clear from the meanings of the individual words.