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

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1 of 10
A small trouble which follows other troubles and makes one lose patience and be unable to bear them.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10

last straw

[last straw] or [straw that breaks the camel's back]  {n. phr.}
A small trouble which follows other troubles and makes one lose patience and be unable to bear them.
Bill had a bad day in school yesterday. He lost his knife on the way home, then he fell down, and when he broke a shoe lace, that was the last straw and he began to cry.
Mary didn't like it when the other girls said she was proud and lazy, but when they said she told fibs it was the straw that broke the camel's back and she told the teacher.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
1. The last remark in an argument.
2. The final say in deciding something.
3.  {informal}
The most modern thing.
Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10

last word

[last word]  {n.}
1. The last remark in an argument.
I never win an argument with her. She always has the last word.
2. The final say in deciding something.
The superintendent has the last word in ordering new desks.
3.  {informal}
The most modern thing.
Mrs. Green's stove is the last word in stoves.
Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
Made or done as a last chance to keep from losing or tailing.
Compare: [BACK TO THE WALL].
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10

last-ditch

[last-ditch]  {adj.}
Made or done as a last chance to keep from losing or tailing.
He threw away his cigarettes in a last-ditch effort to stop smoking.
Compare: [BACK TO THE WALL].
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
To make an extra hard effort; try very hard.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10

lay oneself out

[lay oneself out]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To make an extra hard effort; try very hard.
Larry wanted to win a medal for his school, so he really laid himself out in the race.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
To try to get the interest or liking of; flirt with; attract.
Categories: love slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10

make a play for

[make a play for]  {v. phr.},  {slang}
To try to get the interest or liking of; flirt with; attract.
Bob made a play for the pretty new girl.
John made a play for the other boys' votes for class president.
Categories: love slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
To try doing something at random without sufficient preparation.
Contrast: [STAB IN THE BACK], [STAB IN THE DARK].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10

make a stab at

[make a stab at]  {v. phr.}
To try doing something at random without sufficient preparation.
The singer was not familiar with the aria but she decided to make a stab at it anyhow.
Contrast: [STAB IN THE BACK], [STAB IN THE DARK].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
To borrow money; try to borrow money.
Categories: money verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10

make a touch

[make a touch]  {v. phr.}
To borrow money; try to borrow money.
He is known to make a touch whenever he is hard up for cash.
Categories: money verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
1. To take or use (things) without asking.
2. To act toward (someone) in a rude or impolite way.
Compare: [TAKE LIBERTIES].
Categories: clothes rude verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10

make free with

[make free with]  {v.}
1. To take or use (things) without asking.
Bob makes free with his roommate's clothes.
A student should not make free with his teacher's first name.
2. To act toward (someone) in a rude or impolite way.
The girls don't like Ted because he makes free with them.
Compare: [TAKE LIBERTIES].
Categories: clothes rude verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
To run away from trouble or danger.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10

turn tail

[turn tail]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To run away from trouble or danger.
When the bully saw my big brother, he turned tail and ran.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
To try out a recently acquired ability.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10

try one's wings

[try one's wings]  {v. phr.}
To try out a recently acquired ability.
Marjorie just had her twelfth French lesson and wants to try her wings by speaking with our visitors from Paris.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms