Idioms and Fixed Expressions (I)

Part IIdioms and Fixed Expressions

To fly off the handleIf she keeps flying off the handle like that, she'll have a heart attack.

To get the wrong end of the stickHer friend saw us arrive at the party together and got hold of the wrong end of the stick.

To be up to itIt's up to the judge to decide whether her prison sentence should be reduced

Odds and endsThere were lots of odds and ends in the attic, but nothing of real value

Just pie in the skyOur leaders need to offer more than pie in the sky when they talk about political and social issues.

Have see better daysWe were met at the hotel entrance by an ageing porter who had evidently seen better days

To be out of sortsShe just broke up with her boyfriend, so she is a little out of sorts today

~To be a real chip off the old blockHey Johnny, that's exactly what your Dad said! You're a real chip off of the old block

Take the weight off your feetYou must be exhausted after all that shopping - why don't you take the weight off your feet?

~Stay/keep mumOf course, everyone involved is keeping mum about the new product

Part IIIdioms and Fixed Expressions

To be a shot in the darkCome on, try it. Even a shot in the dark may win

Be in a fixWe're going to be in a real fix if we miss that bus

~A fools errandHe went to her house to tell her he loved her, even though her husband was home. It was a fool's errand.

A pain in the neckMy little sister won't leave me alone. She's a real pain in the neck.

Nothing springs to mindHave you any suggestions? Nothing springs to mind, I am afraid

Over the moonWe feel over the moon about the birth of our grandson

To bark up the wrong treeIf you think I'm the guilty person, you're barking up the wrong tree

Part IIIIdioms and Fixed Expressions

~Hit the sackIt's after midnight so it's time I hit the hay/sack

Hold your horsesHold your horses, you might find a better one for the same price in another store

~Once in a blue moonThat company puts on a good performance only once in a blue moon

~Rough and readyPaul came and I gave him a rough and ready summary of the book

To give the could shoulderI must have made him angry with my comment. He's been giving me the cold shoulder ever since I said it.

To hold your tongueYou're going to have to learn to hold your tongue instead of saying whatever comes into your head

Have enough on your plateI don't want to burden my daughter with my problems; she's got enough on her plate with her husband addiction

Daft as a brushI remember him as a kid and he was as daft as a brush then

To drop a clangerI dropped a clanger by asking John how his dog was when it's been dead three months