Reading set "Random idiom flashcards set to learn" (Number of items 10)
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calculated risk
calculated risk {n.}
An action that may fail but is judged more likely to succeed.
The sending of troops to the rebellious island was a calculated risk.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
date back
date back {v. phr.}
To go back to a given period in the past.
My ancestors date back to the sixteenth century.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
easy does it
easy does it {informal}
Let's do it carefully, without sudden movements and without forcing too hard or too fast; let's try to just hard enough but not too hard.
"Easy does it," said the boss as they moved the piano through the narrow doorway.
Compare: TAKE IT EASY.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
fancy doing something
An expression of surprise.
Fancy meeting you here in such an unexpected place!
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
get a kick out of
get a kick out of {v. phr.}
To be greatly thrilled; derive pleasure from.
Tom and Many get a kick out of playing four hands on the piano.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
hang together
hang together {v.}
1. To stay united; help and defend one another.
The club members always hung together when one of them was in trouble.
Syn.: STICK TOGETHER.
2. {informal}
To form a satisfactory whole; fit together.
Jack's story of why he was absent from school seems to hang together.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
in a nutshell
in a nutshell {adv. phr.}, {informal}
In a few words; briefly, without telling all about it.
We are in a hurry, so I'll give you the story in a nutshell.
In a nutshell, the car is no bargain.
Compare: IN SHORT.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
jump down one's throat
jump down one's throat {v. phr.}
To suddenly become very angry at someone; scold severely or angrily.
The teacher jumped down Billy's throat when Billy said he did not do his homework.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
keep one's chin up
keep one's chin up {v. phr.}
To be brave; be determined; face trouble with courage.
He didn't think that he would ever get out of the jungle alive, but he kept his chin up.
Compare: KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
laugh off
laugh off {v.}
To dismiss with a laugh as not important or not serious; not take seriously.
He had a bad fall while ice skating but he laughed it off.
You can't laugh off a ticket for speeding.
Compare: MAKE LIGHT OF.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms