Idioms in English (c2 level)

know [sb/sth] ? out (conocer como la palma de la mano).

These were top lawyers, the kind who wouldn't normally "soil their hands" with police work or criminal law.

"I'll have finished it by tomorrow." "And p? can fly!" (y los cerdos vuelan).

After his book was published he "made a big n? for himself" in literary circles. (hacerse un nombre).

The coach "runs a very tight ship" and has no patience for laziness.

My mum ·went spare when" I dropped out of my A levels.

I dread to think what they say about me "behind my b?". (a mis espaldas).

He used the classified information to "feather his own nest".

His comments in the meeting were "beyond the p?" and shocked everyone (ser inaceptable).

Alfie is so "bigheaded", he thinks all the girls in his class must fancy him.

She's a bit "down in the dumps" because she failed one of her exams.

He's extremely irritable - he "flies ? the handle" at the slightest thing. (desbocarse).

He's really starting to "get on in years" but still has a lot of energy.

Very frightening. She gave a "hair-raising" account of her escape.

Paul "has a lot on his m?" at the moment. (tener muchas preocupaciones).

When Jim lost his job, he found himself "in dire straits".

an unhappy existence, full of problems or unfair treatment (a dog's life).

Because it was my birthday, at the restaurant I was served a glass of wine "on the house".

He was "a household name" in the 1950s.

Losing all that weight gave me "a new l? on life." (renovadas ganas de vivir).

She "had the time of her life" on the trip.

The extent of Ruth's weight problem really "hit home" when she saw a picture of herself on a night out.

One of us needs to tell Joey some "home truths": if he doesn't start studying, he's going to flunk his exams.

I enjoyed his last film, but this new one is "nothing to write home about".

that's the s? of one's life.

Really? You've been promoted to head of deparment? Are you sure you aren't PUNCHING ..... YOUR WEIGHT?.

not s? your hands (no mancharse las manos).

The fox in the road was "as dead as a d?". (muertísimo).

nada podrías estar más lejos de la realidad.

and if that weren't enough.

it is "an open secret".

Joan "went overboard" for her daughter's first birthday party, inviting the whole neighborhood and hiring a catering company for the event.

make the difference.

things change.

You can't expect your big brother to "bail you ?" whenever you have a problem. (rescue).

come and go.

all that ? is not gold (appearances can be deceptive).

for better or w? (para bien o para mal).

"What's the capital of Mauritania?" "I don't know "off the top of my head", but I could go and look it up.".

I hadn't prepared a speech so I just said a few words "off the c?". (de improviso).

I lost my notes, so I had to "ad-lib" my entire speech.

let the cat out of the bag.

It's a secret, so "don't give the game away", will you?.

beat around the bush.

virtue ? in the middle ground.

She loves the city’s busy lifestyle, but he prefers the peace of the countryside—"one man’s ? is another man’s poison".

La caridad bien entendida empieza por casa.

He doesn’t want to take my advice, so I guess he'll have "to l? the hard w?". (aprender por las malas).

dig into your pockets.

acquaint yourself with sth.

have money to burn.

en subasta.

hammer out a deal.

on the b? (en la pobreza).

We can afford to buy new flowerpots; they really won't "b?the bank". (costar un ojo de la cara).

out of pocket.

make ? meet (llegaar a fin de mes).

your life does not ? me in the slightest.

Seat covers on buses take a lot of" wear and t?". (desgastarse).

I never thought he'd beat me "black and b?" just for disagreeing with him. (golpear hasta la muerte).

There are only "dribs and d?" of information at the moment. (pedazos, poca cantidad, a cuentagotas).

ictor "was all fingers and th?" because he felt very nervous. (torpe).

I prefer the "h?and bustle" of a big city to the quiet of the countryside. (ajetreo).

"Every nook and c?" of the house was stuffed with souvenirs of their trips abroad. (cada rincón).

He's always "out and about" these days - I hardly ever see him at home.

We've been "at sixes and s?" in the office this week. (echo un lío).

Charles could never live abroad - he's English "through and through"!.

"Time after time" she gets involved in relationships with the wrong men.

His commitment to democracy and free markets has "waxed and waned" with his political fortunes.

The two heads of state shook hands "perfunctorily" for the photographers.

I’ve got a busy day tomorrow, so I think I’ll "hit the sack".

It's up to you what to do - "the ball is in your court now".

He seems to have "hit the jackpot" with his new invention.

I hate going to the dentist, but I'll just have "to bite the b?". (hacer de tripas corazón).

Many consumers are still "on the f?", waiting for a less expensive computer to come along. (indeciso).

sit ? the fence (estar indeciso).

Her Spanish has come on (= improved) in/by "leaps and bounds this year".

The weather is very "hit and m?" for July - rain one day, sunshine the next. (azaroso, cambiante).

The two boys ran toward the finish line "neck and ?". (a la par).

She's the one who "pulls the strings" in that marriage./I want to know who's "pulling the strings" around here.

Patrick was furious after his conversation with the boss and "vented his s?" on his secretary. (desahogarse con).

We shall now and "forevermore" call this land "Freedonia.".

The designer has "carved ? a niche for herself" with her whimsical, fairytale designs. (hacerse un lugar).

He's been "in a real funk" since she left him.

when h? freezes over (cuando los cerdos vuelen).

He's been in the local pantomime" since/from the ? dot". (desde año del catapun).

packed to the r? (lleno a tope).

The restaurant was "packed to the g?". (lleno hasta los topes).

I can take it anymore.

throw a heavy veil ? (correr un tupido velo).

unable to swat a fly.

She's a bit "down in the dumps" because she failed one of her exams.

The clown sang a duet with the talking horse, which "brought the h? down "every night. (poner en pie).

be down in the mouth.

Laura fell "head over ? in love" with Chris.

If you have no witnesses, you "don't have a leg to s? on" (tener puebas).

I wouldn't like "to be in Mike's s?" when the boss hears what he's done! (en su lugar).

laugh your head off.

Mark told his sister to stop crying and "pull h? together". (mantener la compostura).

I was worried that they wouldn't like each other but in fact they're "getting on like a house ? fire." (llevarse muy bien).

I'm broke.

William isn't "off the h?" until he can prove it was his brother who stole the money. (libre de culpa).

I didn't have long to talk so I "cut to the c?" and asked whether he was still married. (ir al grano).

This young woman is proving herself to be an athlete "to be reckoned with".

We don't always see eye to eye.

You two go ahead - Sam and I'll "bring up the rear".

"Word-of-mouth" advertising is not always reliable.

plain folks.

But allowing a criminal to go free is perhaps "the lesser of two e?" if the alternative is imprisoning an innocent person. (el menor de los dos males).

in bad taste.

After the company's restructuring, several departments will likely "get the c?" (ser despedido).

I was going to try bungee jumping, but I "got cold f?". (echarse atrás).

If the project isn't finished on time, the entire team could "be for the high j?". (penalizado).

Everyone was "dressed to the n?" at the inauguration ball. (de punt e b).

Grandad's "as ? as a post".

She walked in "as ? as a cucumber," as if nothing had happened.

(as) white as a sheet.

He might be in his eighties but he's "tough as old ? ", that man.

thin as a dime.

He eats like a horse and yet he's "as thin as a ?".

strong ? a horse.

I was sick as a dog after last night's meal.

be silent as a tomb.

ea? like a horse.

to have eyes like a h? (tener buena vista).

to have a memory like a s? (memoria pez).

to drink like a fish.

to sleep like a log.

as drunk as a lord.

Don't believe anything he says – he's "mad as a hatter".

as blind as a ?.

It was "? as night" int he cave.

Really? You've been promoted to head of department? Are you sure you aren't "punching ? your weight"?.

the best thing since s? bread (la octava maravilla).

Cooking is his "bread and b?"; he's a chef. (ganarse el pan).

that's the way the cookie crumbles.

He said his wife is "a tough cookie", a breast cancer survivor who battled the disease for nearly ten years.

I'd love to stand around "chewing the fat", but these bills aren't going to pay themselves.

as k? as mustard (con mucho entusiasmo).

an apple a day ? the doctor away.

He said he would help with the rent, but he left me in the l?. (dejar en la estacada).

The deposed champion took his defeat on the c?. (take sth on the chin) (accept sth without complaining).

She was "too clever ? half" - always correcting the teacher or coming back with a smart answer. (que se pasa de listillo).

It was a real "roller coaster" – he was in and out of the hospital five times.

There were a lot of "ups and d?" in our relationship.

Mark "sailed through" his driving test without any problems.

He is " (caught) between a rock and a hard place".

You must "put your best foot forward".

Burn the midnight oil.

Cut corners.

Don’t cry over spilt milk.

Throw in the towel.

hit rock bottom.

keep your eyes peeled.

Jacob had experienced many "twists and turns" in his life.

When the fight got "out of hand" the barman called the police.

limar asperezas.

Es difícil para las empresas mantenerse en un sector que se mueve "a una velocidad endiablada".

All our holiday plans have "gone down the p". (irse al garete).

We had a fantastic dinner, watched a great movie, and to "top it ?", we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Greg likes anchovies and pineapple on his pizza? Well, "to e? their own". (para gustos los colores).

After their first date, he was "? over heels" in love with her.

n the world of tech startups, it’s often a "winner-takes-all" scenario, where the most successful company dominates the market and leaves little room for competitors.

She didn't need help. She "shined on her own merit".

I've been working for hours, I'm going to "call it a day".

That was "the last straw"! I can't take any more of your abuse; I'm leaving you.

bite off more than you can chew.

Stop "pulling my leg" - I know perfectly well what you're up to!.

I should have asked Emily to the prom when I had the chance, but I've "missed the boat"; she's going with Luke now.

She really "went the e? mile" to prepare for her students, designing personalised activities for each learner. (romperse el lomo).

We'd better not talk about him while he's "within e?"!.

kill two birds with one stone.

to each his own.

The speech seemed to "strike the right chord" with the crowd and they clapped loudly.

The speaker "struck the right ?" by starting her talk with a personal story that everyone could relate to." (dar en el clavo).

The fight occurred when the youths decided they needed to "settle the score with" the other gang.

She did an advance IT course before she started work, to make sure she "had a second string to her bow".

It was clear from people's reactions that the newcomer was someone "of note".

I put a bid for that old piano because it was going "for a song".

When I took over the family business, it took me a while "learn the r?". (aprender lo básico).

work your ass/arse off.

¡cuánto tiempo!.

the cream of the crop.

We were planning a party, but almost everybody "bailed out".

We just have to stay calm and "ride ? the storm" until things get better. (mantener la calma y aguantar).

"When push comes to s?", you can always count on true friends to be there for you." (cuando llega el momento de la verdad).

He walked into the meeting late, "as bold as b?", without a hint of apology. (ni corto ni perezoso).

She "got hold of the wrong end of the stick" and thought the meeting was canceled.

Teachers seem to "have eyes in the ? of their heads" and always know what students are up to. (tener mil ojos).

When I raised my concerns about the project's feasibility, the manager "gave me short s?", insisting we proceed without further discussion. (despachar sin miramientos).

The company's latest scandal was "the final nail in the coffin", leading to its bankruptcy.

She doesn't sugarcoat anything; she always "calls a spade a s?". (Llamar al pan, pan y al vino, vino).

After the market crash, his investments "went down the t". (irse al traste).

The team's defense was "the weak link in the chain", leading to their defeat.

When he saw the mess, he "blew a fuse" and started yelling.

They offered the donation "with no s? attached". (sin condiciones).

We "got our wires crossed" and ended up at different restaurants.

He "shot his b?" early in the game and couldn't keep up the pace. (agotar los recursos).

You need to "get into gear" if you want to meet the deadline.

Mentioning his past failures really "twisted the knife".

When building contractors try to "cut corners" on foundations, it is disastrous.

When we met Rick again some years later, he was "down-and-out" and couldn't help us.

"After losing his job, he had to take on two part-time positions just to "keep his head above water".".

"With rising inflation, many families are starting to "feel the p?" and struggling to make ends meet." (pasar necesidades).

The company had been "in the red" for years, but under the new CEO it recovered completely.

Clara revamped her bedroom "on a ? " by upcycling old furniture (apretado, ajustado).

The company is "tightening its belt", so employees will no longer fly overseas for meetings.

"The new policy changes gave the company "a rough ride", leading to numerous operational challenges.".

LINK. He found himself "in hot water" for being late for work. the boss thinks Sharon stole the money but he's "barking up the wrong tree". I was sad yesterday, but now I'm "better than ever". The doctors got to him "in the nick of time" and managed to restart his heart. If we hurry, we can "beat the clock" and catch the last train. Times flies when you're having fun. once in a blue moon. time will tell. Caroline "wasted no time" in tackling her new responsibilities. Time and tide wait for no man.

WEATHER-RELATED IDIOMS. every cloud has a silver lining. fair-weather friend. chase rainbows. The marathon run will take place "rain or shine", although it will be postponed if there's lightning. // come rain or shine. Eventually the excitement about his remark will prove to be "a storm in a teacup". The entire world is "weathering the storm" of the financial crisis. He disliked the medication because it left him "in a fog". break the ice. Sorry I haven't called; I've been "snowed under" with work.

ANIMAL-RELATED IDIOMS. John hasn't mentioned last night's argument, so I'd "let sleeping dogs lie" if I were you. I always feel "like a fish out of water" at formal gatherings. My co-manager wants to sack Rufus because of the rumours about him, but I suggest we "hold our horses" until we have evidence that he is guilty. the CEO took "the lion's share" of the profits. take the bull by the horns. a leopard can't change its spots. a bird in the hand is worh two in the bush. busy as a bee. let the cat out the bag. like a bull in a china shop.

BODY-RELATED IDIOMS. All ears. break a leg!. put your foot in your mouth. keep your fingers crossed. The day his daughter was born, the new father felt "on top of the world". shake a leg. I didn't want to go, but Linda "twisted my arm".

MONEY-RELATED IDIOMS. We can afford to buy new flowerpots; they really won't "break the bank". In the business world, "money talks". With his new high-paying job, he's "rolling in dough". "Penny for your thoughts.?" Oh, I was just thinking about all the jobs I need to do today. He "paid through the nose" for that car,. a penny saved is a penny earned.

FOOD-RELATED IDIOMS. Dean was glad to graduate so he could finally help "bring home the bacon". cool as a cucumber. enny loved all her children, but her eldest child was "the apple of her eye". He's "the salt of the earth" and would help anyone who asked him. Stop trying to "butter me up" and just tell me what you want. The two little girls were as alike "as two peas in a pod". He's a brilliant footballer: his passing ability "is second to none".

COLOUR-RELATED IDIOMS. In a family of doctors, he was the "black sheep" for choosing a career in art. I've told my daughter to pick up her clothes until I'm "blue in the face". when she saw her friend's new car, she turned "green with envy". red-letter day. My cousins turned up "out of the blue" on Christmas Day. white lie. To celebrate their win, the whole football team went out "to paint the town red". blue-collar worker. 18th-century British history is a bit of a "grey area" for me. The "yellow-bellied" cat hid under the bed during the thunderstorm.

NATURE-RELATED IDIOMS. Bite the bullet. we're all "in the same boat". The press "got the wind of" the celebrity's secret wedding. Nature calls. a drop in the ocean. under the weather. on cloud nine. he always "goes the extra mie on projects".

SPORT-RELATED IDIOMS. he coach told the players that they would have to "bend over backwards" if they wanted to win the game. Don't "jump the gun"; it's best to live with someone a year before getting married. The deal's off - John won't "play ball". the ball is in your court. get/star the ball rolling. His estimate was "In the ballpark", but he needed to provide more precise figures. ou need to be "on the ball" to spot the best bargains. No "horseplay" in the house - you'll break something!. That puts matters in a different light. It's "a whole new ball game" now.

TRAVEL-RELATED IDIOMS. hit the road. We prefer to eat with the locals in small restaurants "off the beaten track". In a team project, it's crucial "to be on the same page" to work effectively. I had no idea how to do it – I was just "flying by the seat of my pants.". If he thinks he can lead the team better, let him "have the driver's seat". I try to "steer clear of" fried foods. Instead of rushing, they decided to "take the scenic route" and enjoy the landscape. She's already something of a "globetrotter". voyage of discovery.

LINK. When the main speaker fell ill, Maria had to give the presentation "by the seat of her pants". dressed to kill. The style does not suit her- it has a "mutton-dressed-as-lamb" effect on her. not a hair out of place. come to a standstill. get off on the wrong foot. get off on the right food. the pot calling the kettle black. be on thin ice. keep a stiff upper lip.

LINK. shut tight. that project's "on the back burner" for now. Joseph "beat the odds" and recovered from his cancer. Hold everything. More than half of those internally displaced people (IDPs) were children who were "bearing the brunt of" Haiti’s security breakdown. put/get your skates on. the company "dropped the ball" when the product was late. the party was in full swing when I arrived.

LINK. plenty of fish in the sea. something smells fishy. drink like a fish. fish for compliments. neither fish nor fowl. A big fish in a small pond. A cold fish. Packed in like sardines. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

at (sb)'s elbow.

on the beam.

every dog has his d? (a cada santo le llega su día).

come h? or high water (contra viento y marea).

from s? to stern (de pies a cabeza).

drop the ball.

know the ins and outs of sth.

When I was a child, I loved swimming in the river "in my birthday suit".

Let's not "split hairs" over the exact wording; we all understand what it means.

Zoe and Lynn have been inseparable since discovering they're both into football. "Birds of a feather f? together!" (Dios los crías y ellos se juntan).

In terms of innovation, this new smartphone "stands head and s? " above its competitors. (no tener parangón).

LINK. By adopting renewable energy early, the company stayed "ahead of the curve" in sustainability. After months of intense competition, Maria won the championship, and "to the victor go the spoils". Her presentation was outstanding; she really "knocked it out of the park". He is good-looking and smooth: all the women "fall for" him. Me and my new roommate "hit it off" from the start. That teacher has "had it in for" me ever since I spilled my soda in class. roll with the punches. crack under pressure. It's hard to "make headway" when you're bicycling into the wind. I "got bogged down" by paperwork.

LINK. Tim "took" the news of his redundancy "in his stride"; he had some savings and thought it might be a good opportunity to set up his own business. It was a difficult game, but the team "rose to the occasion" and performed brilliantly. After working at the company for ten years, he no longer felt passionate about his job; he was just "going through the motions" every day.". He was dangerously ill at one point but he "bounced back" quickly. The government keeps "kicking the can down the road" instead of addressing the economic crisis head-on. If you believe in the cause, great, but don't just "jump on the bandwagon". pull out all the stops. cast pearls before swine. When the education authorities keep "moving the goalposts", it's difficult for teachers to teach effectively. flog a dead horse.

LINK. keep your powder dry. play fast and loose. ride roughshod over. spin a yarn. throw down the gauntlet. The company tried using a new slogan, but they were "clutching at straws"; they were doomed to go bankrupt. have an axe to grind. He watched in despair as his house "went up in flames". The mayor and the contractor were working "hand in glove" to get the project approved. Pests or disease can wipe out the entire crop "in one fell swoop".

The press wrote all sorts of nasty stories about the politician, but it was like "water off a ? 's back"; she paid no attention to them at all. (no importar un pepino a alguien).

I'm "bound hand and foot" by these regulations.

My sister "kept me in the dark" about mum's present.

LINK. When asked what he was building in his workshop, Jack replied, "Oh, just "a wigwam for a goose's bridle," leaving everyone puzzled. As a journalist, she found that any information, even rumors, was "grist to her mill", as it could lead to a compelling story. Even though everyone in the meeting disagreed with her, Sarah "stuck to her guns" and defended her proposal with confidence. That homemade stew really "sticks to your ribs"—I'm full for the rest of the day!. John tried to give marketing advice, but his boss told him to "stick to his knitting" and focus on software development.". with a heavy hand. wear the pants/trousers. After five years, he is now "at the helm" of his unit. Your lazy employees will never change unless you start "cracking the whip".

LINK. Jonson has" run the gamut" of hotel work, from porter to owner of a large chain of hotels. run the gauntlet of [sth]. at most.

keep your end up, hold your end up.

He's the one who makes trouble and you "take the rap/pay the piper/carry the can".

pound the pavement.

His son is a "chip off the old block".

This is one guy who'll help you when "the chips are d?". (cuando las cosas se pongan feas).

Ever since he was passed over for the promotion, Mark has "had a chip ? his shoulder". (tener la espina clavada).

LINK. Lay one's cards on the table. leave word. let go of sth. let one's hair down. Like father, like son. The pizza company has "lost its way" with young consumers. lucky break. You have to "make allowances for" the fact that he's only just learning. off the point. pack rat.

LINK. I had to "put my foot down" and tell him I wouldn't lie for him again. When he insulted my girlfriend I "saw red" and hit him. The Answering Machine are an "up-and-coming" British band. The cheater copied his neighbor's answer "word for word". After arriving late three days in a row, Jake was "on the carpet" in the manager’s office, trying to explain himself. Talk of the devil. My grandmother died at 103, so she'd "had" a really "good innings". it's a small world. To have second sight. a feeling of déjà vu.

We were making great progress on the project, but then we "hit a sn?" with the software compatibility. (sufrir un inconveniente).

The company’s “eco-friendly” campaign turned out to be just "smoke and m?" — their production process is still highly polluting. (pura fachada).

After all the introductions and small talk, we finally got down to" the nitty-gritty" of the negotiation.

The new CEO didn’t just make changes — she completely "tore up the rulebook" and restructured the company from the ground up.

Some influencers are more interested in "making a fast b?" than in promoting genuinely useful products. (hacer dinero rápido).

The scandal finally "knocked" the politician "off his p?", revealing the truth behind his carefully crafted image. (bajar los humos a alguien).

LINK. He has "a chip on his shoulder" about not getting promoted. He trusted his business partner, but he "got sold down the river". The company tried to "sweep" the scandal "under the rug".