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

Prev Next
1 of 10


fancy pants

Categories: clothes noun slang time
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[fancy pants]  {n.},  {slang}
A man or boy who wears clothes that are too nice or acts like a woman or girl; sissy.
The first time they saw him in his new band uniform, they yelled "Hey, fancy pants, what are you doing in your sister's slacks?"
Categories: clothes noun slang time
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


feast or a famine

Categories: noun success
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[feast or a famine]  {n. phr.}
Plenty or very little; big success or bad failure.
In this business it's either a feast or a famine.
He is very careless with his money, it is always a feast or a famine with him.
Categories: noun success
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


fed up

Categories: adjective informal slang
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[fed up]  {informal} also  {slang} [fed to the gills] or [fed to the teeth]  {adj. phr.}
Having had too much of something; at the end of your patience; disgusted; bored; tired.
People get fed up with anyone who brags all the time.
I've had enough of his complaints. I'm fed up.
He was fed to the teeth with television and sold his set to a cousin.
John quit football because he was fed to the gills with practice.
Compare: [SICK AND TIRED].
Categories: adjective informal slang
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


in a big way

Categories: adverb informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[in a big way]  {adv. phr.},  {informal}
As fully as possible; with much ceremony.
Our family celebrates birthdays in a big way.
John likes to entertain his dates in a big way.
Categories: adverb informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


in advance

Categories: adverb time
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[in advance] or [in advance of]  {adv. phr.}
1. In front; ahead (of the others); first.
In the parade, the band will march in advance of the football team.
The soldiers rode out of the fort with the scouts in advance.
2. Before doing or getting something.
The motel man told Mr. Williams he would have to pay in advance.
The paperhanger mixed his paste quite a while in advance so it would have time to cool.
It will be easier to decorate the snack bar if we cut the streamers in advance of the actual decorating.
Categories: adverb time
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


in line with

Categories: preposition
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[in line with]  {prep.}
In agreement with.
Behavior at school parties must be in line with school rules.
In line with the custom of the school, the students had a holiday between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Categories: preposition
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


lead by the nose

Categories: informal nose verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[lead by the nose]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To have full control of; make or persuade (someone) to do anything whatever.
Many people are easily influenced and a smart politician can lead them by the nose.
Don't let anyone lead you by the nose; use your own judgment and do the right thing.
Categories: informal nose verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


left-handed compliment

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[left-handed compliment]
An ambiguous compliment which is interpretable as an offense.
I didn't know you could look so pretty! Is that a wig you're wearing?
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


no spring chicken

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[no spring chicken]  {n. phr.}
A person who is no longer young.
Even though she is no spring chicken anymore, men still turn their heads to look at her.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


not bad

Categories: adjective informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[not bad] or [not so bad] or [not half bad]  {adj.},  {informal}
Pretty good; all right; good enough.
The party last night was not bad.
It was not so bad, as inexpensive vacations go.
The show was not half bad.
Categories: adjective informal
A Dictionary of American Idioms