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| In the same boat |
If two or more parties in the same boat,
they are in the same unpleasant or difficult situation. "When the factory closed down, the workers all found themselves in the same boat. |
| Miss the boat |
If you
miss the boat, you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because
you don't act quickly enough. "I managed to get my order through before the end of the special offer - but I nearly missed the boat! |
| Rock the boat |
If you tell someone not to rock the
boat, you are asking them to do nothing that might cause trouble or upset a stable situation. "After the recent riots, it was decided not to rock the boat by introducing strict measures. |
| Paddle one's own canoe |
If you
paddle your own canoe, you do what you want to do without
help or interference from anyone. "He decided to paddle his own canoe and set up his own company." |
| Put the cart before the horse |
A person who puts the
cart before the horse is doing things in the wrong order. "Building a school before knowing the age of the population is putting the cart before the horse. |
| Drive a hard bargain |
A person who drives a hard bargain always
makes sure they gain advantage in a business deal. "Be prepared for tough negotiations with Stuart - he drives a bard bargain." |
| Drive someone up the wall | If somebody or something drives you up the wall, they do
something that greatly annoys or irritates you. "I can't concentrate with all the noise - it's driving me up the wall! |
| Backseat driver |
A backseat driver is
a passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice to the driver. "I can't stand backseat drivers like my mother-in-law!" |
| Jump on the bandwagon | If a person or organization jumps on the bandwagon,
they decide to do something when it is already successful or fashionable. "When organic food became popular, certain stores were quick to jump on the bandwagon and promote it. |
| As much use as a handbrake on a canoe | This expression refers to something which is completely useless or
serves no purpose. "With no electricity, a refrigerator would be as much use as a handbrake on a canoe. " |
| Fender bender |
This expression refers to a minor car accident in which there is
little damage and no injuries. "It's hard to believe that a small fender bender can cause a major traffic jam!" |
| On the home stretch |
To say that you're on the home stretch means that you are
approaching the end of something such as a task, a race or a journey. "Don't give up - we're on the the home stretch now." |
| Itchy feet |
A person who has itchy feet is someone
who wants to move somewhere new or do something different. |
| Fall off the back of a lorry |
If you buy goods that have fallen off the back of a
lorry, they are stolen goods. "Judging by the price of that camera, it must have fallen off the back of a lorry!" |
| Any port in a storm |
When you are in difficulty, any port in a storm refers to a
solution you accept, which in normal circumstances you would find unacceptable. "The hotel was substandard, but it was a case of any port in a storm; all the others were full. |
| Take someone for a ride |
To take someone for a ride means to cheat or deceive
them. "I discovered he had charged me double the normal fee. He really took me for a ride!" |
| Hit the road |
When you hit the road, you begin a
journey. "It's getting late and we've got a long way to go. Let's hit the road." |
| Road rage |
Aggressive driving habits sometimes resulting in violence against other
drivers. "A number of car accidents today are a result of road rage." |
| Get the show on the road | If you manage to put a plan or idea into action, you get the show
on the road. "OK! We've got all we need, so let's get the show on the road!" |
| Sail through something | If you
sail through something, for example a test or an exam,
you succeed in doing it without difficulty. "The English test was no problem for Tom. He sailed through it!" |
| Shank's pony |
If you go somewhere on Shank's pony, you have to walk rather
than travel by bus, car, etc. "It was impossible to find a taxi after the party so it was Shank's pony for us! |
| Like ships that pass in the night |
This expression is used to refer to people who meet briefly and are
not likely to meet again. "The two men met once, like ships that pass in the night, and never met again." |
| Live out of a suitcase |
Someone who lives out of a suitcase travels a lot, moving from place to place, and is therefore restricted to the contents of their suitcase. "Sarah's new job involves so much travelling that she lives out of a suitcase most of the time." |
| Train of thought |
A sequence of connected ideas is called a train of thought. "I was considering the different options when the noise outside broke my train of thought." |
| Gravy train | If someone is on the gravy train, they have found an easy way to make money, one that requires little effort and is without risk. "Since the village has become fashionable he charges for every photograph taken of his house - he's on the gravy train!" |
| Travel light |
When you travel light, you travel with as little luggage as
possible. "If you intend to go trekking, you'd better travel light." |
| Hitch one's wagon to a star | Someone who hitches their wagon to a star
has great ambitions and is very determined to reach their goal. "At an early age she decided to hitch her wagon to a star and become rich and famous. |
| On the wagon |
Someone who is on the wagon is no longer drinking alcohol. "No wine for me please. I'm on the wagon. |
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