Reading set "Random idiom flashcards set to learn" (Number of items 10)

Make flashcards from these items, print/use them as a reference, save/share your cart with everyone
Flashcards test for this set by: definition/description




after one's own heart

after one's own heart  {adj. phr.},  {informal}
Well liked because of agreeing with your own feelings, interests, and ideas; to your liking-agreeable. Used after "man" or some similar word.
He likes baseball and good food; he is a man after my own heart.
Thanks for agreeing with me about the class party; you're a girl after my own heart.
Compare: SEE EYE TO EYE.
Categories:adjective informal



saw wood

saw wood also  {Southern} saw gourds  {v. phr.},  {slang}
To breathe loudly through the nose while sleeping; snore.
John was sawing wood.
In Alabama a boy who snores saws gourds.
Categories:slang southern verb



straight face

A face that is not laughing or smiling.
Mary told all the funny stories she knew to try to make Joan laugh, but Joan kept a straight face.
It is hard to tell when Jim is teasing you. He can tell a fib with a straight face.
When Bob fell into the water, he looked funny and I could hardly keep a straight face.
Categories:noun



weigh on

weigh on or weigh upon  {v.}
1. To be a weight or pressure on; be heavy on.
The pack weighed heavily on the soldier's back.
2. To make sad or worried; trouble; disturb; upset.
Sadness weighed on Mary's heart when her kitten died.
John's wrongdoing weighed upon his conscience.
The teacher's advice weighed upon Tom's mind.
3. To be a burden to.
His guilt weighed heavily upon him.
Categories:verb



goodness gracious

goodness gracious  {interj.},  {slightly archaic}
Exclamation of surprise and a certain degree of disapproval.
"Can my boyfriend stay overnight, Dad?" Melanie asked. "Goodness gracious, most certainly not!" her father replied. "What would the neighbors think?"



make a big deal about

make a big deal about  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To exaggerate an insignificant event.
Jeff said, "I'm sorry I banged into you in the dark. Don't make a big deal out of it."
Categories:informal verb



fool away

fool away or fritter away  {v.},  {informal}
To waste foolishly.
Paul failed history because he fooled away his time instead of studying.
The man won a lot of money, but he soon frittered it away and was poor again.
Categories:informal time verb



nobodys fool

nobody's fool  {n. phr.}
A smart person; a person who knows what he is doing; a person who can take care of himself.
In the classroom and on the football field, Henry was nobody's fool.
Contrast: BORN YESTERDAY.
Categories:noun



give in

give in  {v.}
To stop fighting or arguing and do as the other person wants; give someone his own way; stop opposing someone.
Mother kept inviting Mrs. Smith to stay for lunch, and finally she gave in.
After Billy proved that he could ride a bicycle safely, his father gave in to him and bought him one.
Compare: GIVE UP, SAY UNCLE.
Categories:verb



where the shoe pinches

illustration for section: where the shoe pinches
where the shoe pinches  {n. phr.},  {informal}
Where or what the discomfort or trouble is.
Johnny thinks the job is easy, but he will find out where the shoe pinches when he tries it.
The coach said he wasn't worried about any position except quarterback; that was where the shoe pinched.
Categories:informal noun