English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Alphabetical List of Idioms - G, page 5
from: 'give the once-over'
to: 'glowing terms'
- give the once-over
- If you give someone or something a quick visual examination, to see
what they are like or to check if everything is all right, you give them the once-over.
"She gave the living-rom a quick once-over before opening the door to her guests."
- If you give someone or something a quick visual examination, to see
what they are like or to check if everything is all right, you give them the once-over.
- give a piece of your mind
- If you tell someone exactly what you think, in a very angry manner, you give them a piece of your mind.
"Jack was so irritated by his neighbours' behaviour that he decided to give them a piece of his mind."
- If you tell someone exactly what you think, in a very angry manner, you give them a piece of your mind.
- give the rough edge of your tongue
- If you give the (rough) edge of your tongue, you scold someone severely or speak to them very aggressively or rudely.
"My boss was so angry that I really got the rough edge of his tongue."
- If you give the (rough) edge of your tongue, you scold someone severely or speak to them very aggressively or rudely.
- give (someone) a run for their money
- If you give someone a run for their money, you present strong competition in circumstances where the other person expects to win easily.
"We didn't win the match but we gave the other team a run for their money."
- If you give someone a run for their money, you present strong competition in circumstances where the other person expects to win easily.
- give the run-around
- If someone gives you the run-around, they deliberately give you confusing information or evasive answers.
"I'm trying to contact the manager, but every time I call the firm I'm given the run-around."
- If someone gives you the run-around, they deliberately give you confusing information or evasive answers.
- give the shirt off one's back
- This expression is used to describe a kind-hearted or generous
person who would give you anything he/she owns to help you.
"Mike would give the shirt off his back to help a friend in difficulty."
- This expression is used to describe a kind-hearted or generous
person who would give you anything he/she owns to help you.
- give the slip
- If you give the slip to somebody who is following you, you manage to hide or get away from them.
"The police were on his trail, but he managed to give them the slip."
- If you give the slip to somebody who is following you, you manage to hide or get away from them.
- give away the shop/store
- Someone who gives away the shop/store concedes too much
to the other party during a negotiation or transaction.
"Try to reach a fair deal, but don’t give away the shop!"
- Someone who gives away the shop/store concedes too much
to the other party during a negotiation or transaction.
- give three cheers
- When people give three cheers, they
give three shouts to praise someone, show appreciation or celebrate something. One person in the group
says 'hip, hip' and the others then shout 'hooray'.
"Lets give three cheers for the team’s success. Hip, hip hooray!"
- When people give three cheers, they
give three shouts to praise someone, show appreciation or celebrate something. One person in the group
says 'hip, hip' and the others then shout 'hooray'.
- give a tongue-lashing
- When you scold someone severely, you give them a tongue-lashing.
"The teacher gave Jeremy a tongue-lashing when he arrived late for school for the third time."
- When you scold someone severely, you give them a tongue-lashing.
- give up the ghost
- If someone or something gives up the ghost, they die or stop working.
"My mother's old TV set has finally given up the ghost. I'm off to buy her a new one"
- If someone or something gives up the ghost, they die or stop working.
- give or take (a quantity or number)
- This term is used when expressing an amount or estimate that is not exactly right. It means 'plus or minus', 'more or less', or 'approximately'.
"The nearest town is about 100 miles away, give or take a few miles."
- This term is used when expressing an amount or estimate that is not exactly right. It means 'plus or minus', 'more or less', or 'approximately'.
- 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.
- 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.
- (be) glad to see the back of someone
- If you are glad to see the back of someone, you are happy when they leave and
you no longer have to be involved with them, especially after an unpleasant experience.
"The receptionist was glad to see the back of the customer who had been so rude to him.”
- If you are glad to see the back of someone, you are happy when they leave and
you no longer have to be involved with them, especially after an unpleasant experience.
- glass ceiling
- This term refers to a discriminatory barrier perceived by women and minorities that prevents them
from rising to positions of power or responsibility.
"Claire knew she would never break the glass ceiling and rise to a senior management position"
- This term refers to a discriminatory barrier perceived by women and minorities that prevents them
from rising to positions of power or responsibility.
- (the) gloves are off
- This expression is used when there are signs that a fight is about to start.
"The two candidates are out of their seats. The gloves are off!"
- This expression is used when there are signs that a fight is about to start.
- glowing terms
- If you speak about something in glowing terms, you talk about it in a very positive way.
"Mary talks about her home town in glowing terms; it must be a wonderful place."
- If you speak about something in glowing terms, you talk about it in a very positive way.
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