Eidiom-txt-indx.htm
Collected from various sources by U Kyaw Tun (UKT), M.S. (I.P.S.T., U.S.A.), and staff of TIL (Tun Institute of Learning) for staff and students of TIL Computing and Language Center, Yangon, Myanmar. Not for sale. http://www.tuninst.net http://www.softguide.net.mm http://www.romabama.blogspot.com
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Eidiom-txt-indx.htm
UKT: Remember some idioms can be quite vulgar in certain situations.
Also take care when you download some teaching websites which will send you cookies which would continue to pester you even when the original website is no longer on the Internet.
Introduction -- intro.htm
Befogging Idioms ,
by Dimitrios Thanasoulas, B.A., English Club TEFL Articles,
© Dimitrios
Thanasoulas 1999
http://www.englishclub.com/tefl-articles/idioms.htm 121127
Canadian Press Style (overview) -- cp.htm
To write simple and precise English -- and of course, using idioms,
you can use the Canadian Press Style. You will need to go through
the whole book, but at present, all I can give you is an overview.
See online --
http://www.ualberta.ca/~gifford/handouts/cp.pdf 121128
• above all
• above board
• above the law
• absence makes the heart grow fonder
• according to Hoyle
• ace
• ace in the hole
• Achilles heel
• acid test
• across the board
• act out
• all right (3)
• and then some
• antsy
• as a rule
• as easy as pie
• at the eleventh hour
• act up
• actions speak louder than words
• ad lib
• add fuel to the fire
• add insult to injury
• afraid so
• after all
• against all odds
• against the grain
• age before beauty
• age of majority
• ahead of the curve
• ahead of the game
• ain't
• ain't half-bad
• air rage
• air was blue
• airhead
• airy-fairy
• a.k.a. (aka)
• all around Robin Hood's barn
• all decked out
• all ears
• all eyes
• all fired up
• all get-out
• all goes well
• all hat and no cattle
• all hell broke loose
• all his marbles
• all in
• all in a day's work
• all in all
• all it's cracked up to be
• all joking aside
• all-out
• all over but the shouting
• all over hell's half acre
• all set
• all she wrote
• all shook up
• all show
• all spruced up
• all talk and no action
• all teed up
• all that jazz
• all the bells and whistles
• all the livelong day
• all the marbles
• all the tea in China
• all the way to Egery and back
• all the world's a stage
• all things being equal
• all things to all people
• all thumbs
• all walks of life
• all washed up
• all wet
• all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
• all your eggs in one basket
• all's fair in love and war
• all's well that ends well
• along for the ride
• along those lines
• American as apple pie
• an ace up your sleeve
• an airhead
• an apple a day keeps the doctor away
• an attitude
• an axe to grind
• an earful
• an easy mark
• an even keel
• an eye for an eye (a tooth for a tooth)
• an offer I couldn't refuse
• an old hand at
• an old warhorse
• an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
• anal retentive
• anchor you
• and how
• and stuff
• and that's that
• and then some
• angels fear to tread
• another nail in your coffin
• ante up
• any old thing
• any way you slice it
• any word
• anything goes
• apple a day
• apple of this eye
• apple-pie order
• armed to the teeth
• around Robin Hood's barn
• around the bend
• around the clock
• as a matter to fact
• as all get-out
• as American as apple pie
• as busy as a beaver
• as clean as a whistle
• as drunk as a skunk
• as dumb as a sack of hammers
• as far as I know
• as full as a tick
• as if
• as luck would have it
• as new
• as plain as day
• as plain as the nose on your face
• as poor as a church mouse
• as right as rain
• as scarce as hen's teeth
• as sick as a dog
• as sick as a parrot
• as slow as a dead snail
• as slow as molasses in January
• as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar
• as sure as shit
• as the crow flies
• as useless as a fifth wheel
• as useless as tits on a boar
• ask for it
• ask for the moon
• asking price
• asleep at the switch
• ass
• ass [B]
• ass into gear
• ass on the line
• ass over teakettle
• at a glance
• at a good clip
• at a loss for words
• at a moment's notice
• at all
• at bay
• at death's door
• at ease
• at face value
• at fault
• at first glance
• at first light
• at heart
• at it again
• at least
• at liberty
• at loggerheads
• at loose ends
• at my wit's end
• at odds
• at one fell swoop
• at once
• at one time
• at peace
• at rest
• at sixes and sevens
• at stake
• at the crack of dawn
• at the drop of a hat
• at the end of my rope/ at the end of my tether
• at the hands of
• at the ripe old age
• at the top of her game
• at the top of his voice
• at the wheel
• at this point in time
• at will
• at your beck and call
• at your fingertips
• attaboy
• attagirl
• away out
• away out of line
• away to the races
• awesome
• axe to grind
• babe • babe in arms • babe in the woods • baby blues • baby boomer • back at it • back at ya • back down • back off • back on your feet • back out • back teeth are floating • back to square one • back to the drawing board • back to the grind • back up • back you • back yourself into a corner • backpack (business) • backroom boys • backside • back up • bad apple • bad blood • bad breath • bad date • bad news • bad taste in my mouth • badmouth • bafflegab • bag and baggage • bag lady • bag of tricks • bag some rays • bagel • bah • bail me out • bail out • balance of power • balderdash • ball her [B] • ball-park figure • ball's in your court • ballistic • baloney • bam • bananas • bandwidth • bang [B] • bang for your buck • bang on • bank on • bankroll • baptism by fire • bar fly • bar hop • bar none • bar star • bare bones • bare-faced lie • bare your soul • barf • bark is worse than his bite • bark up the wrong tree • barnburner • bash • basket case • basta la musica • bat a thousand • bat an eye • bat five hundred • bat her eyes • bated breath • battleaxe • batty • bawl me out • be-all, end-all • be my guest • be my undoing • be off • be there • be there for me • be there or be square • be yourself • bean pole • bear down • bear the brunt • beat a dead horse • beat a hasty retreat • beat around the bush • beat it • beat the pants off • beat the rap • beat up • beat up on • beat your head against a stone wall • beat your time • beater • beauty is in the eye of the beholder • beauty is only skin deep • beck and call • become of • becomes you • bed down • beef it up • beehive of activity • beeline • been around • been had • before you can say Jack Robinson • beg off • beg to differ • beg your pardon • beggars can't be choosers • begs the question • behind bars • behind the curve • behind the eight ball • behind the scenes • behind your back • being there • believe my ears • believe my eyes • bells and whistles • belly up • belly up to the bar • bellyache • below the poverty line • belt you • bend over backwards • bend the rules • bend your ear • bend your elbow • benefit of the doubt • beside myself • beside the point • best interests at heart • best laid plans • best of both worlds • bet on • bet on a lame rooster • bet you dollars to donuts • better half • better late than never • better off • better than a kick in the ass [B] • better than sex • better the devil you know • better to have loved • between a rock and a hard place • between sixes and sevens • between the devil and the deep blue sea • betwixt and between • bevy of beauties • beyond help • beyond me • beyond repair • beyond the call of duty • beyond the pale • biff/biffy • Big Apple • big boys • big break • big bucks • big cheese • big deal • big hairy deal • big picture • big rig • big shot • big-sky thinking • big time • big wheel • big wigs • Bigfoot • bigger fish to fry • bigger than life • bigger they are • bigmouth • bilk • bimbo • binner • birdbrain • birder • birds of a feather flock together • birthday suit • bit by bit • bit off • bitch • bitch [B] • bite me • bite off more than you can chew • bite the bullet • bite the dust • bite the hand that feeds you • bite your tongue • biter (curling) • bits and pieces • bitten by the same bug • bitter end • bitter pill • blab • blabbermouth • black eye • Black Friday • black-listed • black mark • black out • black sheep • blackout • blank • blast • blast you • blasted • bleeding heart • blessing in disguise • blind date • blind leading the blind • blood from a stone • blood is thicker than water • blood is up • blood money • bloody well • blotto • blow a bundle • blow a kiss • blow chunks • blow it • blow it out of proportion • blow it out your ear • blow it up (photo) • blow job [B] • blow me [B] • blow me down • blow me over • blow my cover • blow sky high • blow snakes (music) • blow the lid off • blow the whistle • blow them away • blow this joint • blow this Popsicle stand • blow to kingdom come • blow up • blow you away • blow you out of the water • blow your lid/stack/top • blow your mind • blow your stones [B] • blow your wad • blue • blue-collar worker • blue in the face • blue moon • blue sky • blurt out • boarding • Bob's your uncle • bodacious • body language • boggle your mind • bogof • boiling mad • bolt from the blue • bomb around • bomb out • bone dry • bone of contention • bone to pick • bone up on • bonkers • bonzer • booboo • boobs [B] • boogie • book worm • booked/booked up • boom box • boom or bust • boot it • boot up • bootleg • booze • boozing buddies •
• c'est la vie • Cabbagetown • cabin fever • cackleberries • call a spade a spade • call attention to • call for • call his bluff • call into account • call it a day • call it quits • call it square • call off • call off the dogs • call on • call tabs • call the shots • call up • calm before the storm • calm down •
• dad-blamed • damaged goods • damn it [B] • damn the luck [B] • damn you [B] • damned if you do and damned if you don't • dampen your spirits • dance with the one who brought you • dapper Dan • daredevil • dark horse • dark side • darken a church door • dam • dam it • dam my luck • dam right • dam tooting • dasein • dash off a note/letter •
• each to his own • eager beaver • eagle eyes • ear candy • ear to the ground • earful • early bird • ears are burning • ears lowered • ears pinned back • ease up • easy as pie • easy come, easy go • easy pickings • easy street • easy time out • eat crow • eat high off the hog • eat humble pie •
• F-word • face facts • face the music • face up • fag/faggot • faint of heart • fair game • fair-haired boy • fair shake • fair to middling • fair-weather friend • fake it • folderol • fall apart (at the seams) • fall asleep • fall behind • fall between the cracks • fall between two stools • fall flat on my face • fall for •
• gab • gadzooks • game for anything • game one • game over • Gang of Four • gang up on • garage kept • gas • gash • gathering dust • gear up • gee • gee willickers • gee whiz • geek • geez • geezer • geezer gap • Generation X •
• hack/hacker • had a bellyful • had a couple • had a few • had better • had enough • had his bell rung • had it • had it up to here • had the bird • hail a cab • hail-fellow-well-met • hair off the dog that bit you • hair stand on end • hairbrain • hairdo • hale and hearty • half-assed [B] •
• I smell where you're stepping • I'll be a monkey's uncle • I'm afraid so • icing on the cake • idiot lights • if a mussel doesn't open don't eat it • if looks could kill • if my memory serves me correctly • if only • if that doesn't beat all • if the shoe fits, wear it • if you can't cut it, you can't stay • if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen • if you're born to hand, you won't drown • if you're not with us you're against us • ignorance is bliss • in a bad way • in a big way • in a bit •
• jack me around • jack of all trades • jam • jam session • jam tart • jam/jam out • jazz up • je ne sais quoi • jeepers • jerk • jerk me around • jerk off [B] • jewels • jig is up • jim dandy • jimminy crickets • jive ass [B] • jock • joe-job • Joe Who • jog your memory • john
• kaput • keep a lid on it • keep a low profile • keep a promise • keep a secret • keep a stiff upper lip • keep a straight face • keep an even keel • keep an eye on • keep an eye open • keep an eye out • keep an open mind • keep fit • keep in good shape • keep in line • keep in the loop • keep in touch • keep it down • keep it quiet • keep it to yourself •
• lady-killer • laid back • laid bare • laid off • laid up • lame duck • lamebrain • land on your feet • land up • landlubber • lap of luxury • lap up • lard butt/lard ass [B] • larger than life • lark • last but not least • last call • last-ditch • last hurrah • last legs •
• mad about • mad about • mad as a hatter • mad hatter • made for each other • mainstream • major (credit) • make a beeline • make a big deal of it • make a big to-do • make a booboo • make a bundle • make a clean breast of it • make a clean sweep • make a comeback • make a difference • make a face • make a false move • make a federal case of it •
• nada • nag • nail-biter • nail down • nail him • nail in your coffin • nail it down • naked as a jay bird • naked eye • name-dropper • name is cleared • name is mud • nary a word • natural high • nature calls • navel-gazing • nay • neat • necessity is the mother of invention •
• odd one • odds and ends • odds-on favorite • of course you can • of the lot • of two minds • off • off-beat • off color • off key • off kilter • off my back • off the bat • off the beaten track • off the cuff • off the deep end • off the hook • off the kitchen etc. • off the mark • off the record •
• P's and Q's • pack a punch • pack a rod • pack it in • pack uzis • pad • pad an expense account • paddle your own canoe • pain in the ass • pain in the butt • paint a picture • paint the town red • paint with the same brush • pair off/pair up • pale by comparison • paltry sum • pan out • parachute • pardon me • part and parcel •
• quake in his boots • question of • quick and dirty • quick like a bunny • quick on the draw • quick study • quicker than you can say Jack Robinson • quickie • quit this place • quit while you're ahead
• rabbit • rabbit died • rabbit food • rabble-rouser • rack my brain • rack up • rad • rags • rags to riches • ragtop • railroad • rain check • rain on their parade • raining cats and dogs • raise a stink • raise an eyebrow • raise Cain • raise hell [B] • raise money • raise the bar •
• sabre rattling • sack of hammers • sack out • sacred cow • sacred moose • sad sack • saddle up • saddled with • salt away • salt of the earth • salty • same here • same to you • Saskatchewan pheasant • Sasquatch • sassy • save a bundle • save face • save for a rainy day • save your bacon •
• tail between his legs • tail lights • tail wagging the dog • tailgate • take a back seat • take a boo • take a bow • take a break • take a bullet • take a chance • take a dive • take a drive/trip • take a dump [B] • take a flight • take a gander • take a guess • take a hike • take a joke • take a leak [B] •
• U-turn • uh-huh • uh-uh • under a spell • under arrest • under control • under fire • under his own steam • under my belt • under my breath • under my care • under my nose • under my skin • under my wing • under oath • under pressure • under the influence of alcohol • under the table • under the weather • under the wire •
• vale of tears (valley of tears) • vamoose • variety is the spice of life • vegetate (veg out) • VIP • virgin territory • virtual reality • visit a spell • vote of thanks •
• wack • wacko • wacky • wait a minute • wait a sec • wait around • wait for the other shoe to drop • wait on customers • wait on tables • wait on you hand and foot • wait up • wait up for • wait with bated breath • wake up • wake up and smell the coffee • wake-up call • wake up on the wrong side of bed • wake with a start • walk •
• X Generation • x marks the spot • x-rated • XL
• ya • yada • yak • yawner • yellow • yellow belly • yeow • yep • yeppers • yikes • yin yang • yo • yokel • yonder over there • you and the horse you rode in on • you bet your boots • you betcha • you can bet your bottom dollar • you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink • you can run but you can't hide •
• zap • zig when you should zag • zilch • zinger • zip • zip/zippo • zipperhead • zit • zonked • zoo • zoom • zoom in •
• Comenius. THE COMENIUS GROUP www.comenius.com
• ESL Cafe. by Dennis Oliver in Dave Sperling's Dave's ESL Cafe, Copyright © 1995-2002 Dave's ESL Cafe. www.eslcafe.com
• Magnuson. English Idioms, Sayings and Slangs by Wayne Magnuson
Copyright ©1995-2002 Wayne Magnuson,
¤
http://home.t-online.de/home/toni-goeller/idiom_wm/ (2002)
¤ http://www.englishidioms.uni.cc/
(080727)
End of TIL file