Flashcards based on "Random idiom flashcards set to learn" set

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1 of 10
1. To be able to go past; pass.
2. To satisfy the need or demand.
Syn.: [GET ALONG] (4).
3. Not to be caught and scolded or punished.
Compare: [GET AWAY WITH].
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10

get by

[get by]  {v.},  {informal}
1. To be able to go past; pass.
The cars moved to the curb so that the fire engine could get by.
2. To satisfy the need or demand.
Mary can get by with her old coat this winter.
The janitor does just enough work to get by.
Syn.: [GET ALONG] (4).
3. Not to be caught and scolded or punished.
The soldier thought he could get by with his dirty rifle.
The boy got by without answering the teacher's question because a visitor came in.
Compare: [GET AWAY WITH].
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
To receive punishment; to be accused and punished.
Categories: slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10

take the rap

[take the rap]  {v. phr.},  {slang}
To receive punishment; to be accused and punished.
All of the boys took apples, but only John took the rap.
Joe took the burglary rap for his brother and went to prison for two years.
Categories: slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
Mad or delirious.
Categories: British adjective slang
British slang (Wikipedia)
3 of 10

off one's head (or out of one's head)

[off one's head (or out of one's head)]  {adj.}
Mad or delirious.
Categories: British adjective slang
British slang (Wikipedia)
4 of 10
To be unfaithful (to one's wife or husband, or to one's sweetheart or fiancee).
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10

cheat on someone

[cheat on someone]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To be unfaithful (to one's wife or husband, or to one's sweetheart or fiancee).
It is rumored that Joe cheats on his wife.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
1. Slow and clumsy in walking or movement; awkward in using your feet.
2. Awkward in choice and order of words; not smooth and graceful; clumsy.
3. or [lead-footed]  {informal}
Likely to drive an automobile fast.
Compare: [STEP ON IT].
Categories: adjective cars informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10

heavy-footed

[heavy-footed]  {adj.}
1. Slow and clumsy in walking or movement; awkward in using your feet.
The fat man tried to dance, but he was too heavy-footed.
Martha is not fat, but she is heavy-footed and walks noisily.
2. Awkward in choice and order of words; not smooth and graceful; clumsy.
In Mary's compositions, the words seem to dance, but John's compositions are always heavy-footed.
3. or [lead-footed]  {informal}
Likely to drive an automobile fast.
Jerry is a bad driver because he is too heavy-footed.
Compare: [STEP ON IT].
Categories: adjective cars informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
To go to the bathroom to relieve oneself by urinating or defecating.
Categories: call slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10

answer the call of nature

[answer the call of nature] or [obey the call of nature]  {v. phr.},  {slang}
To go to the bathroom to relieve oneself by urinating or defecating.
Ted was hiking in the mountains when suddenly he had to answer the call of nature but since there was no bathroom in the woods, he excused himself and disappeared behind the bushes.
Categories: call slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
Difficulty in succeeding or making progress.
Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10

hard sledding

[hard sledding] or [rough sledding] or [tough sledding]  {n.},  {informal}
Difficulty in succeeding or making progress.
Jane had hard sledding in her math course because she was poorly prepared.
When Mr. Smith started his new business, he had tough sledding for a while but things got better.
Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
In ignorance; without information.
Contrast: [IN THE KNOW]. See: [WHISTLE IN THE DARK].
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10

in the dark

[in the dark]  {adj. phr.}
In ignorance; without information.
John was in the dark about the job he was being sent to.
If the government controls the news, it can keep people in the dark on any topic it chooses.
Mary had a letter from Sue yesterday, but she was left in the dark about Sue's plans to visit her.
Contrast: [IN THE KNOW]. See: [WHISTLE IN THE DARK].
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
A room containing the panels and switches used to control something (like a TV broadcast).
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10

control room

[control room]  {n.}
A room containing the panels and switches used to control something (like a TV broadcast).
While a television program is on the air, engineers are at their places in the control room.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
A party to which only women or girls are invited.
Contrast: [STAG PARTY].
See: [GO STAG].
Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10

hen party

[hen party]  {n. phr.},  {informal}
A party to which only women or girls are invited.
The sorority gave a hen party for its members.
Contrast: [STAG PARTY].
See: [GO STAG].
Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms