Flashcards based on "Colloquial idioms flashcards set to learn" set
Prev Next
1 of 10
To plead guilty during a trial in the hope of getting a lighter sentence as a result.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
. cop a plea
[cop a plea] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
To plead guilty during a trial in the hope of getting a lighter sentence as a result.
The murderer of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., copped a plea of guilty, and got away with a life sentence instead of the death penalty.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
A psychoanalyst who puts his patients on a couch following the practice established by Sigmund Freud.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
. couch doctor
[couch doctor] {n.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
A psychoanalyst who puts his patients on a couch following the practice established by Sigmund Freud.
I didn't know your husband was a couch doctor, I thought he was a gynecologist!
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
Pants cut to the length of shorts and usually left unhemmed so as to look old and worn, e.g., considered cool and elegant.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
. cut offs
[cut offs] {n.}, {colloquial}
Pants cut to the length of shorts and usually left unhemmed so as to look old and worn, e.g., considered cool and elegant.
Jack always wears cut-offs during the summer.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
To stop criticizing or nagging someone.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
. get off one's back
[get off one's back] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
To stop criticizing or nagging someone.
"Get off my back! Can't you see how busy I am?"
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
Enthusiastic, full of eagerness in an uncritical or unsophisticated manner.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
. gung-ho
[gung-ho] {adj.}, {colloquial}
Enthusiastic, full of eagerness in an uncritical or unsophisticated manner.
Suzie is all gung-ho on equal rights for women, but fails to see the consequences.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
To be smart, clever; to be skilled and have the necessary know-how.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
. have something on the ball
[have something on the ball] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
To be smart, clever; to be skilled and have the necessary know-how.
You can trust Syd; he's got a lot on the ball OR he's got something on the ball.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
Densely populated neighborhoods in large metropolitan areas inhabited by low income families usually of minority backgrounds, such as Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, or African Americans; characterized by slums and government-owned high rises.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
. inner city
[inner city] {n.}, {colloquial}
Densely populated neighborhoods in large metropolitan areas inhabited by low income families usually of minority backgrounds, such as Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, or African Americans; characterized by slums and government-owned high rises.
Joe comes from the inner city — he may need help with his reading.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
To take over something that belongs to another.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
. move in on
[move in on] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial}
To take over something that belongs to another.
He moved in on my girlfriend and now we're not talking to each other.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
A private investigator; a detective.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
. private eye
[private eye] {n.}, {colloquial}
A private investigator; a detective.
Buddy Ebsen played a private eye on "Bamaby Jones."
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
To sentence (someone) to prison.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
. send up
[send up] {v. phr.}, {colloquial}
To sentence (someone) to prison.
Did you know that Milton Shaeffer was sent up for fifteen years?
A Dictionary of American Idioms