Give someone or something a wide berth: keep
someone or something at a distance
e.g. That dog is very fierce. We’d better give it a wide berth.
e.g. That dog is very fierce. We’d better give it a wide berth.
e.g. Your Mom is in a foul mood; give her a wide berth.
As plain as day: plain and simple
e.g. The briefing was as plain as day; nobody had to ask any question.
All at sea: confused
e.g. The lawyer was all at sea when he read the two conflicting reports of the incident.
e.g. The briefing was as plain as day; nobody had to ask any question.
All at sea: confused
e.g. The lawyer was all at sea when he read the two conflicting reports of the incident.
Odd man out: atypical person or thing
e.g. Everybody has a partner, and you are an odd man out because you don’t have one.
e.g. Everybody has a partner, and you are an odd man out because you don’t have one.
Take the bull by the horns: deal with the challenge directly
e.g.
This is a very difficult situation, but we must take the bull by the horns.
Accountable for: able to explain why
Accountable for: able to explain why
e.g. You have to be accountable for every decision
you are going to make.
Actions speak louder than words: do something
about it, not just talking about it
e.g. Show me what you have done! Actions speak louder than words.
e.g. Show me what you have done! Actions speak louder than words.
Vested interest: a
personal stake
e.g.
He showed a vested interest in his
uncle’s business.
Leave someone holding the bag: leave someone
to take all the blame
e.g. The manager was responsible for the bankruptcy, but the assistant manager was left holding the bag.
e.g. The manager was responsible for the bankruptcy, but the assistant manager was left holding the bag.
A
little bird told me: somehow I knew
e.g.
“How did you know what I did?” “Well, a little bird told me.”
Eat
like a horse: eat a lot
e.g.
They won’t invite you to dinner next time; just now you ate like a
horse.
Above all: most importantly
e.g.
Above all, you must have a valid
visa if you wish to continue to stay in the United States.
Go for broke: make great effort; risk everything
e.g.
To win his re-election, the Mayor would go
for broke.
Mind one’s p’s and q’s: pay attention to one’s manners
e.g.
When you meet the President, you must mind
your p’s and q’s.
Run in the family: a
characteristic in all members of a family
e.g.
Longevity runs in the family: they
all live to a ripe old age.
All at sea: confused
e.g. The lawyer was
all at sea when he read the two conflicting reports of the incident.
Act one’s age: behave maturely
e.g. Stop behaving like a teenager! Act your age.
You bet:
yes, of coursee.g. Stop behaving like a teenager! Act your age.
e.g.
“Are you hungry?” “You bet!”
Copyright©
by Stephen Lau
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