|
Click on a letter below to see Idioms listed in alphabetical order.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Advertise here. Contact ads@tesol-course.org
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
|
A
-
ace (verb) - make a top score on a test, project or assignment
-
all ears - to be interested in what someone else has to say
-
Student one ~ I received my TESOL job placement confirmation today. Do you want to hear where I am going?
-
Student two ~ Cool, I'm all ears!
-
all right (1) - an expression or reluctant agreement
- Student one ~ Let's go to the movies. The content will help me with my ESL class preparation.
-
all right (2) - to be fair, not good and not bad
- Student one ~ How is your ice cream?
- Student two ~ It's all right, I guess.
-
all right (3) - to be unharmed
-
Student one ~ You don't look well. Are you all right?
-
Student two ~ Yes, but I will be sore for a day or two. I can still make it to my TESOL class in the morning.
-
and then some - some more in addition to what I already have
-
Student one ~ Your new car must have cost about $10,000 dollars.
-
Student two ~ Yes, and then some. It cost me $12,500.
-
antsy - restless, impatient, or tired of waiting
-
as easy as pie - very easy
-
at the eleventh hour - close to deadline; the last minute
-
Student one ~ Did you get your TESOL homework completed?
-
Student two ~ Yes, I got the TESOL homework completed. I got it done at the eleventh hour. It was not late!
|
B
-
bad-mouth (verb) - to say something unkind, untrue, unflattering, or something that may embarrass another
-
Student one ~ Did you hear what he said?
-
Student two ~ Yes, I am shocked that he said that. Why is he bad-mouthing me?
-
be over - at the end; to be completed
-
Student one ~ Can you meet me at 3 pm on Tuesday?
-
Student two ~ Sorry, I can't. My TESOL class wont be over until 5 pm.
-
beat (adj.) - very tired or exhausted
-
Student one ~ Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
-
Student two ~ A movie tonight? I don't think so, I'm beat. I need to go to bed early.
-
beat around the bush - to avoid answering directly
-
Student one ~ Do you want a beer or wine?
-
Student two ~ Well, I like beer, and I like wine, and beer goes good with chips, but so does wine.
-
Student one ~ Hurry up man. I need to order. Stop beating around the bush!
-
beat one's brains out - try very hard to figure something out
-
Student one ~ Can you help me with this question on my grammar assignment? I've been beating my brains out with it.
-
Student two ~ Sure, I'll help you.
-
beats me - to have no idea
-
bent out of shape - being needlessly worried about something
-
Student one ~ Why are you so bent out of shape?
-
Student two ~ I have a TESOL test in two hours!
-
Student one ~ Don't worry about it. If you're not ready now you won't be ready in one hour.
-
before long - soon
-
bite off more than one can chew - over committed; take responsibility for more than one is capable of managing
-
blabbermouth - a talkative person; one who cannot keep a secret
-
Student one ~ Did you tell anyone I broke up with my girlfriend?
-
Student two ~ I did mention it to a couple of people.
-
Student one ~ You shouldn't have. You're a blabbermouth!
-
blow one's top - extreme anger
-
Student one ~ I've lost my keys. I'm late for TESOL class. I didn't finish my homework, and my shoes are missing.
-
Student two ~ Calm down my friend before you blow your top.
-
blue - feeling down, depressed
-
blue blooded - aristocratic; of high birth or social position
-
boom box - stereo
-
Student one ~ Lets have a party at the beach.
-
Student two ~ Don't forget to bring your boom box, I'm bringing the tunes.
-
the bottom line - end result; conclusion; end of discussion
-
Break a leg! - good luck!
-
Student one ~ Goodbye, I'm off to the concert. I have to play tonight.
-
Student two ~ See you when you get back. Break a leg!
-
break someone's heart - to make someone disappointed, discouraged or very sad
-
broke - to be without money
-
Student one ~ Do you want to go to the bar/pub after TESOL class tonight?
-
Student two ~ Sorry, I have lots of TEFL homework and I'm also quite broke.
-
bug (verb) - annoy; bother
-
Student one ~ Why can't you go with me? I've asked you a million times.
-
Student two ~ I heard you, and I said no. Please don't bug me!
-
bull-headed - stubborn; inflexible
-
buck(s) - dollars
-
a bundle - a lot of money
-
burn the midnight oil - working very late at night
-
Student one ~ You have lots of homework. can you get it all done?
-
Student two ~ Yes, I think so but I will need to burn the midnight oil.
-
bushed - tired
-
by one's self - without any help; alone
-
Student one ~ Did you take the TESOL test yesterday? Was it an open book test?
-
Student two ~ Yes, I did but I had to do it by myself.
-
by the skin of one's teeth - barely succeed in doing something
|
C
-
call it a day - to stop work, especially at the end of a shift/day
-
catch/caught one's eye - attract one's attention or interest
-
catch/caught some Z's - to sleep
-
can't make heads or tails of something - doesn't make any sense; to be confused; something seems illogical
-
Student one ~ Can you help me with question number 7?
-
Student two ~ Sorry, I can't make heads or tails of it. Ask the professor!
-
change one's mind - decide to do something different from what had been decided earlier
-
chicken (adjective or noun) - to be afraid; cowardly
-
Student one ~ Ask your boss for a day off!
-
Student two ~ No, I'd rather not.
-
Student one ~ Ha, you're such a chicken.
-
chow - food
-
chow down - to eat
-
a cinch - easy
-
cool (adj.) - fantastic, wonderful, neat
-
cool it - calm down
-
cost (someone) an arm and a leg - expensive
-
Student one ~ Your new car must have set you back a bit.
-
Student two ~ Yes, it cost me an arm and a leg.
-
couch potato - someone who sits around watching TV all the time; lazy
-
Student one ~ Let's go out to the dance club.
-
Student two ~ No thanks, there is a good sports match on TV all day and tonight.
-
Student one ~ You're such a couch potato.
-
cram - study as much as possible in a very short period of time
-
Student one ~ You have a TESOL test next week. Are you ready?
-
Student two ~ Yes, I know. I'll be ok if I cram for it.
-
crash course - a short course that is designed to give a lot of knowledge or information in a very short
time
-
Student one ~ I want to go abroad and teach English. I need a 4-week TESOL crash course. Do you know where I can take one?
-
Student two ~ Yes, I heard TEFL International offers a 4-week TESOL teacher training course in New Zealand.
|
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 back to top
|
D
-
dicey - questionable; uncertain
-
Student one ~ I saw an ad that is selling beach front property in Arizona, USA for $1500.
-
Student two ~ Be careful my friend - it sounds dicey to me!
-
ditch class - skip class, play hooky; bunk
-
Student one ~ Let's go down town shopping.
-
Student two ~ But we have classes today.
-
Student one ~ Yea, I know. Let's ditch class, there's not much being taught this afternoon anyway.
-
Don't count your chickens until (before) they hatch (they're hatched) - Don't assume
that something will happen until it has happened
-
Student one ~ I heard we are getting a pay raise next week. I'm going to buy a new stereo, some clothes and a new watch.
-
Student two ~ careful my friend! Don't count your chickens before they hatch. That pay raise may not come.
-
do a bang-up job - to do an excellent job
-
a bit dodgy - too good to be true
; suspicious
-
Saying one ~ he can sell hair-tonic to a bald man.
-
Saying two ~ He can sell ice to an Eskimo.
-
Saying three ~ He can sell beach front property in Arizona.
-
down in the dumps - sad, not feeling so good (emotions); depressed; feeling blue
-
drag one's feet - to delay, take longer than is necessary
-
Student one ~ Hurry up please! I'm going to be late for TESOL class.
-
Student two ~ Sorry, I seem to be dragging my feet a bit. I feel a little unmotivated this morning.
-
driving me up the wall - bothering someone
-
drop someone a line - write a letter
|
E
-
an eager beaver - a person that is always willing to join in
-
Teacher ~ Do I have any volunteers to clean the classroom after class today?
-
Student ~ I'll do it Mr. Jones!
-
Teacher ~ Thank you John. Your an eager beaver
-
Easy does it! - be careful; pace yourself when doing a job or assignment
-
Student one ~ Can you help me lift this box, please?
-
Student two ~ Sure, I'll help you (student rushes to lift the box)
-
Student one ~ Easy does it, please! It is full of valuable glass items
-
an egghead - a person with a high intellect
-
elbow grease - to scrub or rub harder while cleaning; make more effort
-
every other _____ - alternately; omitting the second one in each group of two
|
F
-
far-fetched - difficult to believe; hard to accept
-
fed up with - frustrated; angry
-
feeling blue - depressed, sad, discouraged
-
feeling funny - sick; ill; not well
-
fender-bender - crash one's car
-
fire someone - terminate one's employment
-
for ages - for a very long time
-
Student one ~ Wow, John is coming to our graduation ceremony
-
Student two ~ That will be great! I have not seen him in ages!
|
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
back to top
|
G
-
get going - leave
-
get it - to understand
-
Student one ~ If you mark it up by 20%, subtract 22, and then add a bit you'll be ok.
-
Student two ~ What? I have no idea what that means. I don't get it!
-
get a kick out of something - to think something is funny or enjoyable; to find satisfaction in doing or seeing something
-
get on one's nerves - to irritate someone; to be a pain in the backside; make someone upset
-
Student one ~ Am I bothering you?
-
Student two ~ Yes, can't you see I'm studying! You are getting on my nerves by asking me the same questyion every 10 minutes!
-
get one's wires crossed - to be confused or mistaken about something
-
get out of hand - out of control; become unmanageable
-
Student one ~ My class is very hard to control these days.
-
Student two ~ Why is that?
-
Student one ~ When I turn my back on them or leave the room for only a minute they get out of hand!
-
get up and go - lots of energy; lots of power
-
Student one ~ You looked sleepy in class today.
-
Student two ~ Yes, that's true! I had no get up-and-go.
-
give someone a hand (2) - to help, assist someone
-
Student one ~ I have some free time today. Any suggestions as to what I might be able to do?
-
Student two ~ I know they are short-handed at the YMCA. Why don't you go see if you can give someone a hand over there.
-
go with the flow - take things as they come
-
Student one ~ I am so stressed out. I have too many appointments, reports to write, people to see. What should I do?
-
Student two ~ Don't worry! Just go with the flow.
-
grab a bite - to go and get something to eat
-
green - inexperienced
- Student one ~ I'd like to work for you as a manager. I do not have much experience.
- Student two ~ I'm not sure this is possible as you are very green.
|
H
-
had ('d) better - be obliged to; should (strong)
-
hard feelings - bitter feelings; anger; animosity
-
hassle (noun) - something troublesome that interrupts one's
normal routine
-
Student one ~ I have to pick up my car at 4 pm but my class ends at 5 pm.
-
Student two ~ Do you want me to get it for you?
-
Student one ~ I know it may be a hassle but could you, please?
-
have one's hands full - extremely busy
-
have something down pat - know or understand something very well
-
head honcho _ The boss; Owner, the head of an organization
-
hit the books - to study
-
Student one ~ Do you want to go out of town this weekend?
-
Student two ~Sorry, I can not. I have to hit the books. I have a huge TESOL exam this coming week
-
hit the hay - to go to bed to sleep
-
hit the sack - to go to bed to sleep
-
How come? - why?
|
I
-
if I had my druthers - if I could do what I wanted or preferred
-
in and out - to be at and then away from a certain place
-
Student one ~ Can I phone you later today?
-
Student two ~ You can try, however, I will be in and out most of the day so it may be hard to get me
-
in over one's head - in a situation that seems too much or too difficult to manage
-
Student one ~ You look rather stressed today. Are you ok?
-
Student two ~ Yes I am. Do you have time to help me? I thought I could do this assignment myself,
but I'm afraid I'm in over my head. I just can't handle the load at the moment
-
in stock - an item in a store that is available to buy or sell
-
in the black - a business being profitable; not showing a financial loss
-
in the red - a business being unprofitable; showing a financial loss
-
in time - not late
-
Student one ~ Hurry, the wedding is about to start.
-
Student two ~ I got held upo in traffic. Shoo, looks like I got her just in time
-
inside out - with the outer part on the inside and the inner part on the outside
-
Stusent one ~ It looks like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed
-
Student two ~ Why do you say that?
-
Stuent one ~ Because your sweater is inside-out
|
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
back to top
|
J
-
jump all over someone - severely criticize a person
-
Student one ~ (never stops talking out of turn)
-
Student two ~ Can't you be quiet for a moment and let someone else speak? Your so rude! I never met anyone who keeps talking without talking a breath. I wish you would just be quiet. Your driving me up the wall!
-
jump the gun - to do something before it's time to do it
-
jump to conclusion - to come to a conclusion too quickly without thinking about it or
considering all the facts
-
junk mail - unwanted mail, usually fliers or ads received in ones mailbox or P.O. Box
-
Student one ~ I saw that your mail box is overflowing.
-
Student two ~ Yea, I know. I receive far too much junk mail.
|
K
-
keep an eye on - watch something carefully or check on something regularly
-
keep an eye out for - to wacth for
-
keep one's chin up -
don't despair or worry too much
-
Student one ~ I'm so worried about my TESOL test for the morning.
-
Student two ~ It will be alright. Keep your chin up, it will be ok!
-
keep one's fingers crossed - to have hope
-
Student one ~ I called Jude last night and left a message for her to call me if she is free tonight.
-
Student one ~ John, keep your fingers crossed!
-
keep one's nose to the grindstone - focussed on one's work; to be diligent
-
keep (stay) in touch (with someone) - remain in contact (with someone) by
writing, calling, sending e-mail, etc. on a regular basis
-
Student one ~ Well, I'm packed. I'm off to the airport; flying to japan.
-
Student two ~ I'm gonna miss you! Lets keep in touch!
-
kid/kidding (1) - joke around; say something that isn't true in a playful way
-
Kid (2) - child
-
kind of - more or less; a little
-
a klutz - cumssy, awkward, or uncoordinated person
-
a know-it-all - someone who acts as if he/she knows everything--as if no one
can tell him/her anything that he/she doesn't already know
-
Student one ~ Do you how snow forms?
-
Student two ~ Of course I do. it is formed when ...
-
Student one ~ You a bit of a know it all arn't you?
-
know something backwards and forward - understand it well, completely and thoroughly
-
know something inside out - know/understand something thoroughly
|
L
-
leftovers - food not eaten after a meal that is saved for eating some time in the future
-
let-down - disappointed; something that's very disappointing
-
Student one ~ I took my lotery ticket to the shop. I thought I had won 1 million dollars
-
Student two ~ Did you?
-
Student one ~ No, I had only five of the six numbers. I was rather let down!
-
lend someone a hand - help someone
-
Student one ~ This box is very heavy.
-
Student two ~ Sorry, I didn't notice you struggling. Can I lend you a hand?
-
leave well enough alone - to do nothing because doing something may make things worse
-
Student one ~ It looks like John is angry at his wife. I should ask him to calm down.
-
Student two ~ You better leave well enough alone. You may cause him to get more angry at her because of your interferance.
-
Let sleeping dogs lie - Don't cause problems by doing or saying something when it is best to let the calm remain
-
light mouthed - talks to someone about anothers business when they know they shouldn't
-
Student one ~ Did you hear about her speeding ticket?
-
Student two ~ No, I didn't and I'd rathert tnot hear about it. You're quite light mouthed! It's not our business!
-
live from hand to mouth - to survive with very little money or to have only enough money
to pay for basic needs
-
Live and let live - don't unnecessarily make things difficult;
do as you wish and let others do as they wish
-
lose track of - to forget
-
a low blow - a big disappointment
-
Student one ~ Why are you so discouraged?
-
Student two ~ I didn't get the TV comercial for the All-Black ads. They choose people who looked fit and lean. The talent scout said I looked to feminine.
-
Student one ~ Wow! What a low blow!
-
lousy - very bad; terrible
|
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
back to top
|
M
-
macho - mannish; manly, super masculine
-
Student one ~ John, do you want to go to the ballet tonight?
-
Student two ~ NO WAY!
-
Student one ~ Why? Are you too macho to go?
-
make a mountain out of a mole hill - make something seem much more important than it really is
-
Student one ~ Calm down! The TESOL quiz is not the real exam.
-
Student two ~ What if I don't do well? Maybe I'll fail my TESOL exam as well!
-
Student one ~ your just making a mountain out of a mole hill
-
can't make heads or tails of - not sure what it is or should be
-
Student one ~ Have you seem Picasso's work?
-
Student two ~ Yes, I saw it bit I couldn't make heads or tails of it.
-
make up one's mind - to be confused about something
-
Student one ~ I want to go to a movie, or maybe the go-cart track, or maybe fishing, or ...
-
Student two ~ Make up your mind! The day will be passed before you decide!
|
N
-
No way! - Absolutely not! or Definitely not!
-
nosh - a snack
-
Not on your life! - Absolutely not! (a strong "no")
-
now and then - from time to time; occasionally
-
nuke - to heat food in a microwave
-
nuts - crazy
-
Student one ~ He talks to himself all day!
-
Student two ~ Yes, I've seen him do it. He's a little nuts!
|
O
-
OK (1)
-
OK (2)
-
OK (3)
-
OK (4)
-
on the cutting edge
-
on the dot
-
on the go - to be busy; from your job to another
-
on the road - traveling
-
Student one ~ let's have a TESOL class BBQ next weekend.
-
Student two ~ Sorry, I can not. I will be on the road all weekend driving to my girlfriends house and back.
-
on the skids - out of luck, homeless and unemployed
-
Student one ~ If you don't get a job soon will you be ok?
-
Student two ~ I am really afraid. If I don't get a job or some charity of some kind, I will soon be on the skids
-
on time
-
once in a while
-
out of turn
-
out of your mind
-
over one's head
|
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
back to top
|
P
|
Q
-
quite a few
-
a quick study
|
R
|
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
back to top
|
S
|
T
|
U
|
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
back to top
|
V
|
W
|
X
|
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
back to top
|
Y
| | |
