www.learn-english-today.com

• business english  •  lessons - exercises  •  vocabulary •  phrasal verbs  •   wordgames  •  proverbs  •  fun  •   news •  resources  •  home 


English idioms
DESCRIPTIONS of PLACES - THINGS - EVENTS
 

 

 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."
 Dog and pony show   A dog and pony show is a marketing event or presentation which has
  plenty of style but not much content.
 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."
 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."
 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."
 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."
 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."
 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."
 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."


 

   copyright © k.beke.  all rights reserved. 

more idioms               home