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English idioms
DESCRIPTIONS of PLACES - THINGS - EVENTS
 

 

 Act of God   This term refers to a natural event or accident, for which no person is
  responsible (such as an earthquake, lightning and similar acts of nature).
  "The insurance company refused to pay for the damage because
  it was caused by an act of God."
 Been in/through the wars   If a person or thing has been in (or through) the wars, they
  show signs of rough treatment, injury or damage.
  "He arrived in a car that looked as if it had been in the wars.'
 Beyond recall   Something which is beyond recall is impossible to retrieve, cancel or
  reverse.
  "I'm afraid we can't recover the pictures -your camera is beyond recall."
 Beyond redemption
 
  If something is beyond redemption, it is in such a poor state that
  there is no hope of improvement or recovery.
  "With the latest scandal, his reputation is now beyond redemption." 
 Bodice-ripper   A novel, usually on a historical theme, with a plot that involves
  romantic passion between a vulnerable heroine and a rich, powerful
  male character, is called a bodice-ripper.
 "The novel is a bodice-ripper set in the French revolution."
 Broad strokes  If something is described or defined with/in broad strokes, it is
  outlined in a very general way, without any details.
  "In a few broad strokes he summed up the situation."
 Clean as a whistle   Something as clean as a whistle is extremely clean.
  For a person, this expression can mean that their criminal record is
  clean.
  "Bob spent the afternoon washing and shining his car until it was
  as clean as a whistle."
 Collecting dust   If something is collecting dust, it hasn't been touched or used for
  a long period of time.
  "My dad doesn't play golf any more. His clubs are just collecting dust
  now."
 Come in handy   To say that something may come in handy means that it may be
  useful some time or other.
  "Don't throw away those old shelves; they may come in handy."
 Copper-bottomed   To describe something such as a plan, a contract or a financial
  arrangement as 'copper-bottomed' means that it is completely
  safe or reliable.
  "He has signed a copper-bottomed agreement with a distributor."
 Cover/hide a multitude of sins   If something covers or hides a multitude of sins, it prevents people
  from seeing the less pleasant reality.
 
"Loose-fitting clothes can cover a multitude of sins!"
 Creature comforts   This expression refers to modern conveniences (such as hot water
  or central heating) that make life comfortable and pleasant.
 
"I need my creature comforts.  I don't know how I'd survive without
  air-conditioning in this climate!"
 A cut above   Someone or something which is a cut above the others is better or
  of higher quality.
  "The articles in this magazine are a cut above the others."
 Cut and dried   To refer to a situation, a problem or a solution as cut and dried
  means that it is considered clear and straightforward with no likely
  complications.
  "When the new manager arrived, he didn't find the situation as cut
  and dried as he had  expected."
 Dead as a dodo   To say that something is (as) dead as a dodo means that it is
  without doubt dead or obsolete, or has gone out of fashion.
   (The dodo is a bird that is now extinct.)
 
"The floppy disk is an invention that is now (as) dead as a dodo."
 Dead as a doornail   This expression is used to stress that a something is
  unquestionably dead.

  "They've started fighting again, so the peace agreement is now
  dead as a doornail."
 Dog and pony show   A dog and pony show is a marketing event or presentation which has
  plenty of style but not much content.
 Fait accompli   This French term refers to something that has been done and cannot
  be changed.

  "He used his savings to buy a motorbike and then presented his parents
  with a fait accompli."
 Fall between two stools   If something falls between two stools, it is neither totally one
  thing nor another, and is therefore unsatisfactory.
  "The book didn't sell because it fell between two stools; it appealed
  neither to historians nor to the general public.
 Few and far between   Items, places or events which are few and far between are rarely
  found or do not happen very often.
 
"Restaurants in this part of the country are few and far between."
 First water   Something that is of the first water is of the finest or most
  exceptional quality (like being compared to a diamond).
  "The violinist gave a performance that was of the first water."
 Fit the bill   If someone or something fits the bill, they are exactly right for for
  a particular situation.
 
"They wanted a quiet place for the week-end and the country inn just
  fitted the bill."
 Fit for purpose   Something that is suitable for a particular function and is fully
  operational is said to be fit for purpose.
  "The mayor promised that the new leisure centre would be fit for
  purpose."
 Flag of convenience   If a ship, boat or yacht sails under a flag of convenience, it is 
  registered in a foreign country in order to avoid regulations and taxes
  and reduce operating costs.
 For the birds   If you think something is for the birds, you consider it to be
  uninteresting, useless, or not to be taken seriously.
  "As far as I'm concerned, his theory is for the birds!"
 A free-for-all   This term refers to an uncontrolled situation such as a discussion,
  argument or event where everyone present can do or say what they like.
  "It started as a serious debate but turned into a free-for-all."
 A Freudian slip   This refers to a mistake made by a speaker which is considered to reveal
  their true thoughts or feelings.
 
"So you got the job - I'm so sad - sorry, I mean glad!"
 Gizmo   The term gizmo refers to a gadget or any small technological item
  which is unusual or novel, and for which
the proper term
is unknown
  or forgotten.
 Gutter press    This term refers to newspapers that print a lot of sensational stories
   about people's private lives.
  "Of course the gutter press was quick to print a sensational version
   of the incident! "
 Go downhill   When something goes downhill it deteriorates or gets worse little
  by little.
  "The restaurant has been going downhill since the arrival of the new
  owner."
 Go to rack and ruin   If something goes to rack and ruin, it deteriorates or falls into serious
  decline until it reaches a state of complete destruction.
 
"When the factory closed down, the building was left to go to rack and ruin."
 Hard to swallow   When something is difficult to accept or believe, it is hard to swallow.
  She invented an excuse that the teacher found hard to swallow.
 (go to) Hell in a handcart   If someone or something is going to hell in a handcart, it is in
  a bad state and continues to deteriorate.
  "This used to be a nice place to live but now the area is going to hell
  in a handcart."
 Here today, gone tomorrow   This expression is used to refer to something which appears
  and disappears very quickly, or does not last very long.
  "The shops in this area change very often - here today, gone
  tomorrow!"
 Hive of activity
 (also: a beehive)
  A place where there are lots of things happening, and everyone
  is very busy, is called a hive of activity.
  "When I went to offer my help, the kitchen was already a hive of
  activity."
 Hollow victory   A victory obtained in unsatisfactory conditions, which as a result
  seems worthless or without significance for the winner, is called a
  hollow victory
.
  "Won in the absence of the major ski champions, his gold medal was
   a hollow victory."
 Household name/word   When the name of someone or something becomes very familiar
  because it is so often used, it is called a household name or word.
  "The product was so successful that its name became a household
  word in no time."
 Hustle and bustle   This expression is used to refer to busy energetic activity in an
  atmosphere of general excitement.
 
"I prefer to live in the country. I hate the hustle and bustle of city life."
 Idiot box   Some people consider television to lack educational value and
  refer to it as the idiot box.
 
"He spends all his free time in front of the idiot box."
 In inverted commas   When describing something, if you use a word which you say is
  "in inverted commas", you indicate that the word is not quite true
  or appropriate.
  "We were served a "meal", in inverted commas, but we were too hungry
  to complain."
 In keeping with   If something is in keeping with for example a style or tradition,
  it is suitable or appropriate in a particular situation.
  "We exchange presents at Christmas in keeping with tradition."
 Industrial-strength   This is a humorous way of referring to something which is very
  strong, powerful or concentrated.
  "I've got an industrial-strength headache this morning!"
 Just the ticket   If something is just the ticket, it is exactly right, or just what you
  need.
  "I'm not hungry enough for a meal. A bowl of soup would be just
  the ticket!"
 Last word   Something described as the last word is the most recent or most
  fashionable in its category.
  "Steve's new computer is the last word in technology."
 Less is more   This expression, used particularly in architecture and design,
  conveys the idea that things that are simple in style and smaller in
  size are better.
  "Simplicity is fashionable today.  Less is more."
 Looks/seems good on paper   To say that an idea, plan or scheme seems good on paper means that
  it looks good in theory or in writing but may not work when put into practice.
  "His plan looks good on paper, but I'm not convinced it will work."
 Light years ahead   If someone or something is light years ahead, they are far ahead
  in terms of development or progress.
  "We've got to invest more in research - our competitors are light
  years ahead!"
 Live up to one's/its reputation   If someone or something lives up to its reputation, it's as good,
  or as bad, as people say.
  "The guesthouse lived up to its reputation; the owners were as friendly
  and hospitable as we had been told."
 Middle of nowhere   If a place is in the middle of nowhere, it is in a remote area,
  far from towns, villages or houses.
  "The campsite was in the middle of nowhere so I couldn't send you
  a postcard."
 Middle of the road (MOR)   This expression refers to anything moderate, unadventurous or
  inoffensive, that avoids extremes and appeals to the majority of people.
  "He's a successful middle-of-the-road entertainer. My mother
  wouldn't miss a show!"
 Smack dab in the middle   If something is smack dab in the middle, it's right in the centre.
  "I couldn't hide the stain on my shirt.  It was smack dabble in the
   middle. 
 In mint condition   Something that is in mint condition is in such perfect condition that
  it looks new or as good as new.
  "The car is 10 years old but according to Tom it's in mint condition."
 Mixed blessing   Something pleasant which also has disadvantages is called a mixed
  blessing.
 
"He inherited an 18th century mansion, but the maintenance costs
  make it a mixed blessing."
 More than meets the eye   When something (or someone) is more complicated, difficult or
  interesting that it appears, it is said that there is more than meets
  the eye
.
  "He said he simply sold his shares, but I think there's more to it than
  meets the eye."
 Name (written) on it   If something has someone's name (written) on it, it is intended
  for that person or is ideally suited to them.
  "That dress would be perfect for you - it's got your name on it!"
 Next best thing   If you can't have exactly what you want, the next best thing is the
  best alternative possible.
  "The camera I wanted was far too expensive so I opted for a cheaper
  one that was the next best thing."
 No holds barred   This expression, which derives from wresting, is used to describe
  something done with no restraints, limits or rules of conduct.
  "It's a live talk show with no holds barred, which is not to
   everyone's taste."
 Not a patch on someone   If someone or something is not a patch on an other, they are not nearly
  as good.
 
"His second conference wasn't a patch on the first one.
 Not in the same league   If something is not in the same league, it is of a much lower
  standard that something else.
  "He had a good voice but he wasn't in the same league as Pavarotti "
 Not up to scratch   If something or somebody is not up to scratch, they are not as good
  as they should be.
  "The after sales service is really not up to scratch."
 A notch above   Something that is a notch above something else is a little better
  in every way
  "His rendering of the song was a notch above the others."
 Odds and ends   Odds and ends are small articles, or bits and pieces of all sorts,
  usually of little value.
  
"I keep all my odds and ends in this drawer."
 On the map   If a place becomes very well known, it is put on the map.
 
"The president's visit really put the restaurant on the map."
 Over the top (OTT)   Something which is over the top is totally excessive or not suitable
  for the occasion.
  "Her dramatic speech was way over the top."
 Part and parcel   If something is part and parcel of an experience, it is a key
  component or a necessary part that cannot be avoided
  "I'm an event manager. Travelling is part and parcel of my job."
 Picture is worth a thousand words   This expression means that a picture can give just as much
  information as a large amount of descriptive text.

  "Look at the picture of the crash! 
   A picture is worth a thousand words
isn't it?"
 Pie in the sky   If an idea, wish or promise is "pie in the sky", it is completely
  unrealistic or unlikely to be achieved.
  "The promise of low-cost housing for everyone turned out to be pie
  in the sky."
 The pits   If something is referred to as the pits, it is considered to be
  absolutely the worst.
  "That magazine really is the pits!"
 A  recipe for disaster   If you refer to a plan or an idea as a recipe for disaster, you think
  it is likely to produce bad results.
  
"Our two families together for Christmas?  Sounds like a recipe for
  disaster!"
 Red light district   This term refers to an area of a town or city where there is a
  concentration of sex shops, prostitution, strip clubs, etc.
  "A photograph of the politician taken in a red-light district caused
  a scandal."
 Right up your alley   If something is right up your alley, it is the sort of thing you like or
  have knowledge about.
 
"You like cooking, don't you?  This book will be right up your alley!"
 Rough and ready   Something which is rough and ready is adequate but rather
  rudimentary or unrefined.
  "The accommodation is rough and ready but the scenery is fantastic!"
 Run-of-the-mill   Something described as run-of-the-mill is considered ordinary or
  uneventful.
  "I've got nothing extraordinary to tell;  it was a run-of-the-mill sales
  meeting."
 Second to none   To say that something is second to none means that it is excellent - 
  better than everything else.
  "The service was perfect and the food was second to none."
 Seen better days   If something has seen better days, it has aged visibly in comparison to
  when it was new.
  "My much-travelled suitcase has seen better days!"
 Set in stone
 
  When something is set in stone, it is permanent and cannot be
  changed in any way.
  "The agenda isn't set in stone; we can add an item if need be."
 Simplicity itself   Something that is simplicity itself is extremely easy to do.
  "Using the tool is simplicity itself; just turn it on and the instructions
  appear."
 Small potatoes   Something that is small potatoes is considered unimportant or
  insignificant.
  "Her first publication was considered small potatoes but her new book
  has lead to a change of opinion."
 Snail mail   This term refers to the standard system of mail delivery, or postal service,
  considered very slow compared to electronic mail.
 
"More and more people are using e-mail rather than traditional delivery
  services, snail mail.'
 Stand the test of time   If something stands the test of time, people continue to find it valuable
  or useful after many years.
 
"The teaching method has stood the test of time.  It is still used in
  schools today."
 Stick out a mile   If something sticks out a mile, it is very obvious or very easy to see.
  "You can see she's had a facelift - it sticks out a mile!"
 Stink to high heaven   If something has a very strong unpleasant smell, it stinks to
  high heaven
.
  "Take off those socks - they stink to high heaven!"
 Streets ahead   If a person or organization is streets ahead of another, they are
  much better or more advanced.
  "In measures to preserve the planet, the Scandinavians are streets
  ahead of us."
 Sublime to ridiculous   If something goes from the sublime to the ridiculous, it deteriorates
  in quality from serious or admirable to absurd or unimportant.
 
"An opera followed by a Mr Muscle contest is going from the sublime
  to the ridiculous!"
 There's nothing to it   This expression is used to say that something is very simple or
  easy to o do.
 "I'll show you how to make pancakes.  There's nothing to it!"
 Tick all the right boxes   If something ticks all the right boxes, it is perfect for you because
  it meets all your criteria or requirements.
 "We're in luck! We visited an apartment today that ticks all the right
  boxes."
 Top notch   To say that something is top notch means that it is of the highest
  possible quality or standard.
  "The hotel was wonderful and the service was top notch."
 Tough as old boots   If something, especially meat, is (as) tough as old boots, it is
  hard to cut and difficult to chew.
  (Can also refer to a person who is strong physically or in character.)
  "We were served a steak as tough as old boots."
 Up/down one's alley   If something is (right) up or down one's alley, it is exactly the sort
  of thing that will suit their tastes or abilities.
  "Alex loves reading, so the job in the bookshop is right up his alley."
 Up-to-the-minute   To refer to something as up-to-the-minute means that it is the very
  latest or most recent version available.
  "The internet is the best place to find up-to-the-minute news."
 Worth one's/its weight in gold   Someone or something that is worth its weight in gold is
  considered to be extremely helpful or useful and therefore of great
  value.
  "We couldn't run the farm without Tom. He's worth his weight in gold."


 

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