Off to a running start

- start with a good fast beginning

Everyone was off to a running start when the campaign to collect money for the new hospital began.

On a par with

- equal in importance or quality to something or someone (par is the usual number of strokes that are needed to get around a golf course)

The recent scandal involving steroids in sports was on a par with other major scandals of several decades ago.

On side

- supporting or part of the same team as someone else

We finally got the directors on side in our bid to host the local basketball championships.

On the ropes

- in a desperate situation or near defeat (from boxing where the losing boxer is forced back against the ropes)

The boxer was on the ropes and it seemed impossible for him to win the match.

On your marks

- used to tell runners in a race to get into the correct starting position

The race began as soon as the judge yelled, "on your marks, get set, go."

Out in left field

- offbeat, unusual (as in the back and left side of a baseball field)

Our teacher's ideas are usually out in left field and everyone is surprised to hear them.

out of one's league

- not equal to or in the same class as someone (a league is a group of sports teams that compete against each other)

The artist was totally out of his league when he went to Paris and tried to enter the art world.

Out of the running

- eliminated from a contest, no longer being considered

Our friend was out of the running for the director's job so she decided to return to school and continue her education.

paddle one's own canoe

- do something alone, be independent

The company director was left to paddle his own canoe when the other members of the company resigned their positions.

Par for the course

- what is normal or expected in a given situation (in golf par is the usual number of strokes needed to go around a golf course)

A bad attitude at work is par for the course for that supervisor and it is something that management must deal with.

pass the torch/baton to someone

- hand over a particular duty or responsibility to someone (from the baton or torch that is passed from one runner to the next in a relay race)

The head of the soccer association passed the torch to his director after spending many years in the sport.

Play ball (with someone)

- cooperate with someone

The young men refused to play ball with the police and were taken to the police station for questioning.

Play by the rules

- follow the generally accepted rules of something

The team members refused to play by the rules so they were asked to leave the tournament.

Play fair

- avoid cheating

The boxer was an honorable athlete and always played fair when he was in the boxing ring.

Play hardball with someone

- behave in an extremely determined way to get what you want (hardball and softball are from the game of baseball)

The owners of the football club decided to play hardball when they began negotiating with the top player.

Pump iron

- exercise with weights

Her brother has been pumping iron for more than two years now.

put in one's oar

- give help, give advice without being asked

We were doing very well until our supervisor came along and put in his oar. We would have done better without him.

Rally around someone or something

- join together to support someone or something

The city rallied around the basketball team when they went to the national championships.

rest on one's oars

- relax one's efforts

The negotiating team decided to rest on their oars and wait until their partners had a chance to consider the offer.

Right off the bat

- at the very beginning, immediately (like the ball leaving a baseball or cricket bat)

After arriving at the resort, we were told right off the bat that we would have to pay extra to use the pool and the training room.

Roll with the punches

- adapt to difficult circumstances (from boxing where a boxer moves away or rolls from a punch to lessen its impact)

My sister is able to roll with the punches and can handle the many problems in her work very well.

Run interference

- intervene on behalf of someone to protect them from something (from American football)

They ran interference on their top salesman to protect him from the scandal.

Safe bet

- a certainty (a horse that is expected to win a race)

It was a safe bet that we would win the large contract if we bid for it.

Saved by the bell

- rescued from a bad situation at the last minute (as in the bell at the end of each round in a boxing match)

We were saved by the bell when the meeting ended before we had to deliver our badly prepared presentation.

Score points with someone

- gain the favor of someone

The salesman always worked extra hours in order to score points with his boss.

Send someone to the showers

- send a player off the field and out of a game

The referee sent the top player to the showers after he refused to stop arguing.

Set the pace

- establish the speed or pace of something

The runner set the pace for the other runners during the marathon.

Smooth sailing

- something is working out well and has no problems

After we left the city it was smooth sailing on the highway until we got to our destination.

Sporting chance

- some possibility of success

The tennis player was not given a sporting chance to win the tournament but still she tried very hard to win.

Sport of kings

- horse racing

Horse racing has been the sport of kings for many years.

Steal a base

- sneak from one base to another in baseball

The young baseball player won an award for stealing the most bases in one year.

Sticky wicket

- an awkward situation (from cricket where rain has made it difficult to bat on the field)

The rain had made a sticky wicket out of the field and neither side was able to play very well.

Strike out

- fail

The criminal struck out in his attempt to change the punishment that he had received from the judge.

Tackle a problem

- attack a problem with much effort (from American football where one player tackles another player)

All of the members of the sales team gathered to tackle the problem of decreasing sales.

take one's eye off the ball

- fail to keep one's attention focused on the ball or the matter at hand

He took his eye off the ball for only a second and the other team quickly scored a goal.

Take the chequered flag

- finish first in a race (from the flag that is used in car racing when the winner finishes the race)

The Brazilian driver took the chequered flag for the third time this year.

take the wind out of one's sails

- become discouraged and lose one's enthusiasm

It took the wind out of his sails when he was told that he was not doing a good job.

Team player

- someone who works well with others to achieve some goal

The man is a team player and works well with all of the other members of the staff.

Test the water

- check to see if a plan will work before you start

The fruit juice company tested the water before they began to sell the lemon fruit juice.

"That's the way the ball bounces."

- that's life, there is nothing you can do about something

The man replied, "That's the way the ball bounces", when he told his friend about the job that he had lost.

throw in the towel/sponge

- admit defeat, stop fighting (in a boxing match a towel is thrown into the ring to admit defeat)

The candidate threw in the towel early in the evening of the election when it became impossible for her to win.

throw one's hat into the ring

- be willing or decide to enter a contest or take up a challenge

The young woman decided to throw her hat into the ring for the election for school president.

throw/pitch someone a curve

- pitch a curve in baseball, confuse someone by doing something unexpected

My friend threw me a curve when he changed the dates of our plan to go on a holiday together.

Too close to call

- so evenly balanced that it is not possible to predict the outcome (in a contest, race, election)

The game was too close to call until the last few minutes of the game.

Toe the line

- accept the authority or policies of a particular group (competitors in a race line up with their toes on the starting line)

The worker refused to toe the line and was fired from his job.

Touch base with someone

- briefly meet or make contact with someone

I touched base with my uncle before he left on his trip to Mexico.

Two strikes against someone

- do two things that are wrong or bad and have only one more to do to cause you serious trouble (from baseball where a batter is finished after three strikes)

The young boy had two strikes against him when he went to hear the judge's decision about his crime.

Up to par

- at an expected or usual level or quality (par in golf is the usual number of strokes used to get around a golf course)

The product was not up to par and was sent back to the factory for further improvement.

Whole new ball game

- a new set of circumstances (from a new game of baseball)

The election had become a whole new ball game when the main candidate quit because of a scandal.

Win by a neck

- succeed by a small amount (in horse racing a horse may win by the length of its head only)

The race was very close but at the end the young horse pulled ahead and won the race by a neck.

Win by a nose

- win by a very small amount (the narrowest margin that a horse can win in a horse race)

There was a dispute as to who won the horse race but the judges settled the matter and declared that one of the horses had won the race by a nose.

Proverbs & Sayings

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

- being away from someone makes you like them more

Absence makes the heart grow fonder and when my friend went away to university he missed and loved his girlfriend even more.

(there is no) accounting for taste(s)

- it is difficult to understand what another person likes

There is no accounting for taste I thought as I saw the man walk by in the red pants and the green shoes.

Actions speak louder than words

- what you do is more important than what you say

The politician promised to do many things but he never did anything. The voters believed that actions speak louder than words and they soon voted him out of office.

All good things must come to an end

- usually said after a nice holiday or an enjoyable experience ends

All good things must come to an end and the holiday ended and they were on their way back home and to work.

All is fair in love and war

- the things that you do in love or war can often be excused

All is fair in love and war he thought as he asked his colleague out for a date.

all's well that ends well

- a successful outcome is worth the effort and is good news

All's well that ends well and although the storm was very bad the children arrived home safely.

All roads lead to Rome

- the same end or goal may be reached by many different ways

All roads lead to Rome and the two groups decided to use two different methods to finish the project.

All that glitters is not gold

- many things that look attractive and valuable actually have no value at all

The man learned that not all that glitters is gold when he invested much money in the stock market and lost much of it.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

- it is not healthy to spend all of your time working and never relaxing

The parents were always forcing their child to study and didn't realize that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Bad news travels fast

- people are quicker to pass on bad news than good news

He realized that bad news travels fast when he heard about the job layoffs a week before the official announcement.

A bad workman blames his tools

- used when someone blames his tools or the material that he is working with for his own bad work

The carpenter was angry that his saw didn't cut well. As often happens a bad workman blames his tools.

(one's) bark is worse than one's bite

- not as bad-tempered as one appears

The supervisor was always threatening to fire anyone who was late but in the end he never did anything. His bark was worse than his bite.

Beauty is only skin deep

- looks are superficial and often a beautiful person may have unpleasant characteristics

Although his girlfriend was not very beautiful he knew that beauty is only skin deep and he loved her very much.

beggars can't be choosers

- one shouldn't criticize something that one gets for free

Beggars can't be choosers and the girl shouldn't complain about the free furniture that she got.

Better late than never

- it is better to do something late than to never do it at all

The boy finally went to university after playing around for three years but at least it was better late than never.

better the devil you know than the devil you don't

- it may be better to endure a situation that you are used to than to risk a change for something that may be worse

He decided not to change to a new bank because he felt that it was better the devil he knew than the devil he didn't and his old bank was good enough.

Better to be safe than sorry

- it is better to be careful than to take chances and risk an accident, illness or failure that you may regret

It is better to be safe than sorry and I always bring my umbrella to work when it is a cloudy day.

Between the devil and the deep blue sea

- used when you have two choices or alternatives and both of them are unpleasant

The fishermen were between the devil and the deep blue sea and if they went ahead they risked running out of gas but if they went back they risked running into a bad storm.

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush

- don't risk losing something that you have by trying to get something that is not certain

You should accept the job offer with the lower salary now rather than waiting for a higher salary. Remember that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

Birds of a feather flock together

- people who are alike often become friends or spend time together

The four boys were similar in every way and a good example that birds of a feather flock together.

The blind leading the blind

- someone who has little ability or knowledge but is trying to help or teach someone else

It was a case of the blind leading the blind when the teacher who couldn't cook was asked to teach the cooking class.

Blood is thicker than water

- family ties are stronger than other relationships

His friends were very important to him but when he decided to make a will he realized that blood is thicker than water and he only included his family in the will.

Boys will be boys

- you shouldn't critize boys or men for being adventurous, mischevious or noisy as that is how you should expect them to behave

She remembered that boys will be boys when she saw her two sons come into the room covered in mud after playing in the mud puddle.

(if the) cap fits wear it

- if someone else is being criticized and you also deserve criticism then you should accept the criticism and try and improve

The girl was criticizing her friend for borrowing money. However, she herself always borrowed money so should remember that if the cap fits wear it.

A cat has nine lives

- cats are very strong and can often survive many accidents or problems just like some people can

The president of the small country survived crisis after crisis just as a cat would who has nine lives.

Charity begins at home

- one should be kind to one's friends or family before helping other people

The man was always doing volunteer work and he never understood that charity begins at home and he should also spend time helping his own family.

Cleanliness is next to godliness

- being a clean person is next in importance in life to having good religious or moral principles

The mother always told her children that cleanliness was next to godliness as she tried to make them clean up their rooms.

crime doesn't pay

- crime is not profitable and you will probably be caught and punished if you commit a crime

The young man quickly learned that crime doesn't pay when he was arrested for breaking into the store.

Curiosity killed the cat

- asking questions about something that is not your business is often not a good thing (often used jokingly)

"Curiosity killed the cat", the mother said as the child kept asking questions about her birthday party.

The customer is always right

- you shouldn't argue with your customers no matter what the problem is or you may lose that customer

The sales clerks were trained from the beginning that the customer is always right and they must never argue with a customer.

(it's always) darkest before the dawn

- the worst or more dangerous situation will occur just before a problem is resolved

The economic situation was terrible and just as it is always darkest before the dawn things were at their worst just before they began to improve.

The devil take the hindmost

- everyone must look after their own interests or safety

His attitude was always the devil take the hindmost and he never helped his friends when they had a problem.

The die is cast

- a decision has been made and you can't change it

He finished his preparations to move to Paris and realized that the die was cast and he couldn't cancel his plans now.

Discretion is the better part of valor

- it is better to be careful than to be courageous and take unnecessary risks

Discretion is the better part of valor and the man decided not to proceed with his complaints against his own company.

Do as I say, not as I do

- follow someone's advice and not their example

The man always said to do as he says and not as he does because his advice was always much better that his actions.

Do as you would be done by (do unto others as you would have others do unto you)

- treat other people the way that you would like them to treat you

"If you don't want people to criticize you, then you shouldn't criticize other people. Remember to do as you would be done by."

The early bird catches the worm

- arriving early gives one an advantage

My boss always comes to work early because he strongly believes that the early bird catches the worm.

Early to bed, early to rise (makes one healthy, wealthy and wise)

- going to bed early is good for you

The man truly believed that early to bed, early to rise was good for him and he always went to bed before 9:30 every night.

Easier said than done

- suggesting something is easier than actually doing it

It is easier said than done to say that you will never eat chocolate than to actually stop eating chocolate completely.

Easy come, easy go

- something that you easily acquire may be easily spent, lost or wasted

The man always found a new job easily but he also quit the job quickly. For him it was always easy come, easy go.

Eat, drink, and be merry

- enjoy yourself while you can without thinking about the future

The sailors always tried to eat, drink and be merry before they went on a voyage.

Empty vessels make the most noise

- people who are the least intelligent are often the loudest and talk the most

His colleague talked endlessly but he never really knew much about what he was saying. He was a good example of the saying that empty vessels make the most noise.

Enough is as good as a feast

- what you have or have done should be satisfactory

Enough is as good as a feast and having just enough is as good as having much of something.

Every cloud has a silver lining

- there is something good in every problem or bad event

Although the fire destroyed the small business, every cloud has a silver lining and the business owners were able to build a new building which was better than the original.

Every dog has his day

- everyone will have his chance or turn

He was very discouraged because of his recent bad luck but every dog has his day and he should soon overcome those problems and find some kind of success.

The exception proves the rule

- something that is different from what is commonly believed actually proves that the belief is often true

All of the salespeople at Tom's office are very talkative and outgoing but he is the exception that proves the rule and is very quiet and shy.

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth

- a crime or injury should be paid back equally

The ice hockey player believed in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth and attacked the player who had hurt him during the previous game.

(one's) eyes are bigger than one's stomach

- take more food than you can eat

My eyes were bigger than my stomach when I was serving myself at the buffet and I was unable to eat all of the food that I had taken.

A faint heart never won a lady

- a shy or timid person must be bold to attract a woman that he likes

His brother must be more aggressive if he ever wants to find a girlfriend. He should remember that a faint heart never won a lady.

Familiarity breeds contempt

- knowing a person closely for a long time leads to bad feelings

Familiarity breeds contempt and after living together for several months the two girls were always fighting.

Fat is in the fire

- something unwise has been said or done which may cause problems

After he accused his colleague of stealing office materials the fat was in the fire and he knew that a serious problem was developing.

Finders keepers, losers weepers

- the person who finds something gets to keep it and the person who loses it can only cry

Finders keepers, losers weepers was on the boy's mind when he found the beautiful pocket knife in the park.

First come, first served

- the person who comes first will have his turn first or be served first

It was first come, first served at the banquet and the people at the end of the line found that some of the food was gone.

(there's a) first time for everything

- just because something hasn't been done or happened before, doesn't mean that it will never happen

There is a first time for everything and the man decided to enter the marathon on his fortieth birthday.

(if at) first you don't succeed try, try again

- if you are patient and persevere you will achieve your goal

The father taught his son to be patient and persevere and that if at first he didn't succeed he should try again.

A fool and his money are soon parted

- someone who acts unwisely with money will soon lose it

A fool and his money are soon parted and before the man was aware of it he had spent all of the money that he had won in the lottery.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread

- inexperienced people with little knowledge often become involved in difficult situations that smarter people would avoid

It is true that fools rush in where angels fear to tread and when house prices became very high many people decided to buy a house.

A friend in need is a friend indeed

- a friend who helps you when you need help is a true friend

He has been my best friend since childhood so naturally I helped him when he got into trouble. We both knew that a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Give someone an inch and they will take a mile

- if you give a little to someone, they will then ask for more

The teacher was always strict in his classroom because he knew that if he gave the pupils an inch, they would take a mile and he would lose all control.

Give the devil his due

- recognize the good points of someone who you think is unworthy

Everyone dislikes the man's personality but to give the devil his due, they admire his skilled workmanship.

(what's) good/sauce for the goose is good/sauce for the gander

- what is good for one person should be good for another person as well

If he believes that the small bedroom is good enough for his friend then it should also be good enough for him. He should remember that what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Grass is always greener on the other side

- a place that is far away or different seems better than where one is

He always wanted to go someplace else and was never satisfied with where he lived. He believed that the grass is always greener on the other side.

Half a loaf is better than none

- having part of something is better than having nothing

Half a loaf is better than none and you should be happy to have some money rather than always wishing that you had more.

Haste makes waste

- time gained in doing something rapidly will be lost if you have to do the thing again to correct your mistakes

The father always told his son that haste makes waste and that he should do his homework carefully the first time so that he won't have to do it again.

He who laughs last, laughs longest

- the person who is successful in making the last move or doing something last will have the most enjoyment or success

Everyone thought that the man would never get the job because he was not qualified but he who laughs last laughs longest and in the end he did get the job.

He who lives by the sword dies by the sword

- those who commit violent acts will encounter violence themselves

Sadly the young man was involved in selling illegal drugs and was found murdered. He was an example of the saying that he who lives by the sword dies by the sword.

Honesty is the best policy

- it is always best to be honest in everything that you do

Honesty is the best policy and when the man found the purse on the street he gave it to a policeman.

Jump out of the frying pan and into the fire

- go from one dangerous or bad situation to one that is worse

He jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire when he changed jobs and had more problems in the new job than in the old one.

Just what the doctor ordered

- something that is just right for someone to have or to do

The three-day holiday was just what the doctor ordered and the man returned to work energetic and refreshed.

a leopard can't change his spots

- you can't change someones basic human nature

Although the supervisor tried to have a better relationship with his staff, a leopard can't change his spots and he still couldn't get along with those around him.

Let bygones be bygones

- you should forget the problems of the past

My aunt decided to let bygones be bygones with my mother and they now get along very well.

Let sleeping dogs lie

- don't make trouble if you don't need to

You should let sleeping dogs lie and don't ask your friend for the small amount of money that he owes you.

Let the dead bury their dead

- it is better to think about the present than to remember and think about past events and people

It would be better for his aunt to let the dead bury their dead and stop thinking about what happened with her sister many years ago.

Like father, like son

- a child is often similar to his parent

The boy always followed in his father's footsteps and he was very much like father, like son.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

- someone who knows a little about something may think that he knows a lot and therefore makes bad choices or choices that some people dislike

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing and as the citizens became better educated, they began to make choices that the government didn't like.

Live and let live

- be tolerant and accept other people who may be different

Many people in a large city have an attitude of live and let live and are not bothered by the lifestyles of other people.

Live high off the hog

- be in prosperous circumstances

I have been living high off the hog since I got my new job with its high salary.

Love is blind

- when you are in love with someone it blinds you to his or her bad points

My friend's girlfriend was not very attractive to other people but love is blind and he was very much in love with her.

Love me, love my dog

- if you really love someone then you should love everything about him or her

"Love me, love my dog", he told his fiance when she asked him to get rid of his favorite chair which she hated.

Make hay while the sun shines

- take advantage of opportunities and favorable conditions while they last

He believed in making hay while the sun shines and always worked extra hours when his company was busy.

You make your bed and you must lie on it

- you will suffer the results of your own actions

The man refused to take his umbrella when he went out in the rain and now he must spend the day wearing wet clothes. He made his bed and now he must lie on it.

Many hands make light work

- a job is done easily if a lot of people share in the work

Many hands make light work and when the three men joined together they were able to quickly move the furniture.

A miss is as good as a mile

- narrowly missing success is the same as missing something by a wide margin

A miss is as good as a mile and although he almost passed the course, his marks were not high enough to get a diploma.

money doesn't grow on trees

- money isn't easy to get but must be worked for

The girl's father always told her that money doesn't grow on trees when she asked for money to buy new clothes.

Money is no object

- there is a lot of money available so it does not matter how much you spend

Money was no object when the new stadium was built and it had all of the latest equipment for both the fans and the players.

Money is the root of all evil

- money is the main cause of most wrongdoing and problems

The woman was in much trouble because she had stolen some money from her company. She was a good example that money is the root of all evil.

Money talks

- if you have lots of money you will be treated favorably

He quickly learned that money talks when the rich couple were able to get a reservation at the famous restaurant although he could not.

More haste, less speed

- if you try to do something quickly you will probably make mistakes and therefore take longer to finish the task than if you had not rushed

He was in a hurry to finish the job but he made so many mistakes that he had to repeat much of it again. This proved to him that more haste equals less speed.

The more the merrier

- as the number of people increases when doing an activity the level of enjoyment will also grow

The couple wanted to go on the cruise with their friends because they thought the more the merrier.

Necessity is the mother of invention

- if you need something you will be motivated to provide it

Necessity is the mother of invention and the mechanic was able to fix the car by using an old wire coat hanger.

Never look a gift horse in the mouth

- don't complain when you receive a gift

You should never look a gift horse in the mouth and instead accept a gift even if you think that the other person should not have given it to you.

No news is good news

- when you don't receive any news about something or somebody it probably means that everything is going well

Although the woman had not heard from her son for several weeks, she believed that no news is good news and probably everything was going well.

(it's) no use crying over spilt/spilled milk

- there is no point worrying or complaining about something that you can't change

He caused the problems with the school himself and he can't change what happened but it's no use crying over spilt milk and he must live with the problem and begin to think about the future.

(there is) no smoke without fire

- if there are rumors or signs of something such as a scandal then there is probably a reason for the rumors

There is no smoke without fire and the fact that everyone believed that the politician was involved in wrongdoing suggests that it is at least partly true.

(there is) no time like the present

- now is the best time to do something

Although we are very busy there is no time like the present so we will go to the movie as we had planned for many weeks.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-29