Flashcards based on "Random idiom flashcards set to learn" set
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1 of 10
[slip of the tongue] also [slip of the lip] {n. phr.}
The mistake of saying something you had not wanted or planned to say; an error of speech.
No one would have known our plans if Kay hadn't made a slip of the tongue.
She didn't mean to tell our secret; it was a slip of the lip.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[carry on] {v.}
1. To work at; be busy with; manage.
Bill and his father carried on a hardware business.
Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith carried on a long correspondence with each other.
2. To keep doing as before; continue.
After his father died, Bill carried on with the business.
The colonel told the soldiers to carry on while he was gone.
Though tired and hungry, the Scouts carried on until they reached camp.
Compare: [BEAR UP] (2), [GO ON].
3a. {informal}
To behave in a noisy, foolish, and troublesome manner.
The boys carried on in the swimming pool until the lifeguard ordered them out.
3b. {informal}
To make too great a show of feeling, such as anger, grief, and pain.
John carried on for ten minutes after he hit his thumb with the hammer.
Compare: [TAKE ON] (4).
4. {informal}
To act in an immoral or scandalous way; act disgracefully.
The townspeople said that he was carrying on with a neighbor girl.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[carry off] {v.}
1. To cause death of; kill.
Years ago smallpox carried off hundreds of Indians of the Sioux tribe.
Compare: [WIPE OUT].
2. To succeed in winning.
Bob carried off honors in science.
Jim carried off two gold medals in the track meet.
3. To succeed somewhat unexpectedly in.
The spy planned to deceive the enemy soldiers and carried it off very well.
In the class play, Lloyd carried off his part surprisingly well.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[carry away] {v.}
To cause very strong feeling; excite or delight to the loss of cool judgment.
The music carried her away.
He let his anger carry him away.
- Often used in the passive,
She was carried away by the man's charm.
He was carried away by the sight of the flag.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[carry over] {v.}
1. To save for another time.
The store had some bathing suits it had carried over from last year.
What you learn in school should carry over into adult life.
2. To transfer (as a figure) from one column, page, or book to another.
When he added up the figures, he carried over the total into the next year's account book.
3. To continue in another place.
The story was carried over to the next page.
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[carry through] {v.}
1a. To put into action.
Mr. Green was not able to carry through his plans for a hike because he broke his leg.
1b. To do something you have planned; put a plan into action.
Jean makes good plans but she cannot carry through with any of them.
Compare: [GO THROUGH WITH], [CARRY OUT].
2. To keep (someone) from failing or stopping; bring through; help.
When the tire blew out, the rules Jim had learned in driving class carried him through safely.
A Dictionary of American Idioms