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

Prev Next
1 of 10


scare out of one's wits

Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[scare out of one's wits] or [scare stiff] or [scare the daylights out of]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To frighten very much.
The owl's hooting scared him out of his wits.
The child was scared stiff in the dentist's chair.
Pete's ghost story scared the daylights out of the smaller boys.
Categories: informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


make a pass at

Categories: informal slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[make a pass at]  {v. phr.},  {slang},  {informal}
Make advances toward a member of the opposite sex (usually man to a woman) with the goal of seducing the person.
We've been dating for four weeks but Joe has never even made a pass at me.
Categories: informal slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


man of means

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[man of means]  {n. phr.}
A rich person.
He became a man of means by successfully playing the stock market.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


off feed

A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[off feed] or [off one's feed]  {adj. phr.},  {informal}
Not feeling well; lacking in vitality; droopy; moody.
Mary was worried; her canary was off feed.
Jerry seemed to be off his feed; he did not joke and laugh with the others.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


on an even keel

Categories: adverb informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[on an even keel]  {adv. phr.},  {informal}
In a well-ordered way or condition; orderly.
When the football rally seemed almost ready to become a riot, the principal stepped to the platform and got things back on an even keel.
Categories: adverb informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


rattle off

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[rattle off] or [reel off]  {v.}
To say quickly without having to stop to think; recite easily and rapidly.
When Roger was seven he could rattle off the names of all the states in alphabetical order.
Joan memorized the "Gettysburg Address" so well that she could reel it off.
We asked the waitress what flavors of ice cream she had, and she rattled them off.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


up and about

Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[up and about] or [around]  {adv. phr.}
Recovered and able to move about; once again in good health after an illness.
My sister was ill for several weeks, but is now up and about again.
Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


up and at them

Categories: adverb time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[up and at them]
1.  {adv. phr.}
Actively engaged in a task as if doing combat.
"You want to know whether he will make a diligent worker?" Dick asked. "Well, I can tell you that most of the time he is up and at them like no one else I know."
2.  {v. phr.}
To become aggressively engaged in doing something; (useable as a command).
Come on, up and at them, you guys. We still have a lot of work to get done.
Categories: adverb time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


walls have ears

A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[walls have ears]
Sometimes one's most confidential conversations are overheard.
"Be careful what you say," he whispered. "Remember that walls have ears."
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


way off

Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[way off]  {adj. phr.}
At a great distance from a particular point (said of a discrepancy).
We were way off on our calculations; the house cost us twice as much as we had thought.
Categories: adjective
A Dictionary of American Idioms