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
generous to a fault
generous to a fault {adj. phr.}
Excessively generous.
Generous to a fault, my Aunt Elizabeth gave away all her rare books to her old college.
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
get a black eye
get a black eye {v. phr.}
1. To receive a dark ring around the eye after being hit by someone's fist or an object.
In the fistfight Tom got a black eye from Pete.
Sue got a black eye when she ran into a tree.
2. To have one's character denigrated.
Our firm received a black eye because of all the consumer complaints that were lodged against our product.
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
get a break
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
get a word in
To find a chance to say something when others are talking.
The little boy listened to the older students and finally got in a word.
Mary talked so much that Jack couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
get after
get after {v.}, {informal}
1. To try or try again to make someone do what he is supposed to do.
Ann's mother gets after her to hang up her clothes.
2. To scold or make an attack on.
Bob's mother got after him for tracking mud into the house.
The police are getting after the crooks in the city.
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
half-hearted
half-hearted {adj.}
Lacking enthusiasm or interest.
Phil made several half-hearted attempts to learn word processing, but we could see that he didn't really like it.
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
ham it up
ham it up {v. phr.}, {slang}
To do more than look natural in acting a part; pretend too much; exaggerate.
When Tom told the teacher he was too sick to do homework, he really hammed it up.
The old-fashioned movies are funny to us because the players hammed it up.
Compare: LAY IT ON.
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
hammer at
hammer at or hammer away at {v.}
1. To work steadily at; keep at.
That lesson is not easy, but hammer away at it and you will get it right.
2. To talk about again and again; emphasize.
The speaker hammered at his opponent's ideas.
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
hammer out
hammer out {v.}
1. To write or produce by hard work.
The President sat at his desk till midnight hammering out his speech for the next day.
2. To remove, change, or work out by discussion and debate; debate and agree on (something).
Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Green have hammered out their difference of opinion.
The club members have hammered out an agreement between the two groups.
Compare: IRON OUT.
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
hand-pick
hand-pick {v.}, {informal}
To choose very carefully.
This debating team should win because its members are all hand-picked.
The political bosses hand-picked a man for mayor who would agree with them.
Categories:
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms