1

Alphabet A
About:
be about to = to be going to (perform an action)
I am about to leave the office.
Above:
cut above
a cut above = (obviously) better than
She is a cut above the average engineer.
above all = most importantly
He is strong, brave and above all honest.
above-board (adj) = open & honorable not secrete
Her dealings are all above-board.
above someones head: too difficult (for someone) to understand
Her lecture was well above their heads.
Accidents:
chapter of accidents = a whole series of disasters
Accord:
with one accord = (every body) in agreement
with one accord they stood up to cheer him.
of ones own accord = of ones own free will
He did it of his own accord, without being forced to.
Accordance:
in accordance with = in agreement with
The money will be given out in accordance with his instruction.
go according to plan = to happen as arranged or intended
The journey went according to plan.
Account:
on account of = because of
She stayed indoors on account of the bad weather.

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on his account = because of me, him or for my, his etc ask
You do not have to leave early on my account.
on no account = not for any reason
On no account must you open that door.
take account of = to consider
We must take his illness into account when assessing his work.
account for = to give a reason for; to explain
I can account for the mistake.
Acquaint:
be acquainted with = to know or be familiar with
I am not acquainted with her father.
Across:
come across (run into someone) = to meet or find by chance
He came across some old friends.
get across = to be or make (something) understood
This is some thing which rarely gets across to the general public.
put across/over = to convey or communicate (idea etc) to other
Shes very good at putting her ideas across.
run across = to meet
I ran across an old friend.
stumble across/on = to find by chance
I stumbled across this book today in a shop.
Act:
in the act (of) = at the exact moment (of doing something)
He was caught in the act (of stealing my car).
put on an act = to pretend
Action:
In action (working)
Is your machine still in action?

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out of action (no working)
My cars out of action this week.
After:
be after = to be looking for something
What are you after?
The police are after him.
Again:
over again = once again
Ply the tune over again
time and (time) again = again and again; repeatedly
I asked him time and (time) again not to do that.
Against:
go against the grain = to be against a persons wishes, feeling etc
It goes against the grain for me to tell lies.
hope against hope = to continue hoping when there is no (longer any) reason for hope
play off against = to set (one person) against (another) in order to gain an advantage
He played his father off against his mother to get more pocket money.
a race against time = a desperate attempt to do something before a certain time
turn against = to become dissatisfied with or hostile to (people or things that one
previously liked etc)
He turned against his friends.
Age:
ripe (old) age = a very old age
She lived to the ripe (old) age of ninety-five.
age old (adj) = done, known etc for a very long time
donkeys age = a very long time
a good deal / a great deal = much or a lot
They made a good deal of noise
She spent a great deal of money on it.
strike an agreement / bargain = to make a bargain; to reach an agreement

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run aground = (of a ship) to become stuck on rocks
Ahead: (adv): in front / in advance
full steam ahead = at the greatest speed possible
get ahead = to make progress / to be successful
If you want to get ahead, you must work hard.
look ahead = to consider what will happen in the future
plan ahead = to plan something a long time before it will happen.
in aid of = as a financial help to (a charity etc)
The collection is in aid of the blind.
Air:
in the open air = not in a building
If it does not rain, we will have the party in the open air.
thin air = nowhere
She disappeared into thin air.
walk on air = to feel extremely happy etc
She is walking on air since he asked her to marry him.
put on airs / give oneself airs = to behave as if one is better or more important than other
She gives herself such airs that every one dislikes her.
ginger ale = a types of none alcoholic drink (flavored with ginger)
pretty much the same / alike etc = more or less the same, alike etc
share and share alike = with every one having an equal share
We divided the money among us, share and share alike.
a likely story = I dont believe it
in all = in total

All:

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all alone = completely by oneself
He has been all alone since the death of his wife.
all along = the whole time (that something was happening)
I know the answer all along.
all at once = at the same time
Dont eat those cakes all at once.
all go = very busy
It is all go in this office today.
all in good time = soon enough
all-out = using the greatest effort possible
an all-out attempt
all manner of = all kinds of
He has all manner of problems.
all of a sudden = suddenly or unexpectedly
all of a sudden the lights went out.
all one = just the same
It is all one to me what she does.
all-round = surrounding / complete
There were people all round her.
all the rage / (all) the rage = very much in fashion
Any:
at any rate = at least
go to any lengths = to do anything, no matter how extreme, dishonest, wicked etc, to
achieve a particular aim.
She can go to any lengths to get her self promoted.
in any case = nevertheless
I dont believe the story but I will check it in any case.
in any shape (or form) = at all
I dont accept bribes in any shape or form.
by no means (not by any means) = not at all

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I am by no means certain to win.
Apart: (separate by a certain distance)
The trees were planted three meters apart.
come apart = to break into pieces
the book came apart in my hand.
joking apart/aside
Let us stop joking and talk seriously.
take apart = to separate (something) in to the pieces from which it is made
She took the engine apart
tell apart (usually with can, cannot etc) = to recognize the difference between; to
distinguish
I can not tell the twins apart.
apart from = except for
I can not think of anything I need, apart from a car.
Apple:
The apple of someones eye = a person or things which is greatly loved.
She is the apple of her fathers eye.
upset the apple cart = to bring into disorder
The football team was doing very well when their best player upset the apple cart by
breaking his leg.
apple of discord = something attractive that causes envy and quarrels among people who
think they deserve it.
apply oneself, ones mind (with to) = to give ones full attention or energy
If he would apply himself he could pass his exams.
Arm:
be up in arm = to be very angry and make a great protest
She is up in arms about the decision to close the road.
keep at arms length = to avoid becoming too friendly with someone
She keeps her new neighbors at arms length.
with open arms = with a very friendly welcome

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He greeted them with open arms.
As:
as a last resort = when all other methods etc have failed
as a matter of fact = actually or really
as far as (also so far as) = to the extent that
As far as I know she is well.
as good as = almost
The jobs as good as done.
as good as gold = very well-behaved
put aside (often with for) = to keep (something) for a particular person or occasion
we have put aside the dress you ordered.
ask after = to make inquiries about the health
She asked after his father.
as large as life = in person; actually
I went to the party and there was John as large as life.
sound asleep = the baby is sound asleep.
as likely as not = probably
As likely as not, she wont remember to come.
as long as = provided only that
so long as = while / during the time that
As long as he is here I will have more work to do.
As / so long as you are happy, it does not matter what you do.
as oppose to = separate / distinct from / in contrast with
as pleased as punch = very pleased
as right as rain = perfectly all right or completely well
as sure as = without fail / without doubt
as well = in addition; too
if you will go, I will go as well

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as well as = in addition to
assert oneself = to state ones opinions confidently and act in a way that will make a
people taka notice of one
as soon as =
You may have a biscuit as soon as we get home.
Association:
in association with = together with
At:
at a glance = at once
at a jogtrot = at a gentle running pace
Every morning he goes down the road at a jog-trot.
at all = in any way
I dont like it at all.
at all costs = no matter what the cost or outcome may be
We must prevent the disaster at all costs.
at all events / at any event = at any case
at all hours = at irregular times, especially late at night
He comes home at all hours
at a loose end = with nothing to do
He went to the cinema because he was at a loose end.
at a loss = not knowing what to do, say etc
He was at a loss for words to express his gratitude.
at a low ebb = in a poor or depressed state
She was at low ebb after the operation.
at a snails pace = very slowly
The old man walked along at a snails pace
at a stretch = continuously
I can not work for more than three hours at a stretch
at a stroke = with a single effort

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We can not solve all these problems at a stroke
at one / a sweep (at a sweep) = by one action / at one time
He fired half of his employees at one sweep.
at a time ( one / two etc) = single, or in groups of two etc
He came into the room three at a time.
at close quarters = close to, close together
The soldiers were fighting with the enemy at close quarters.
at cross-purpose = two or more people, confused about what they are saying or doing
because of misunderstanding one another
I think we are talking at cross-purposes
at deaths door = on the point of dying
at ease = free from anxiety or embarrassment
She is completely at ease among strangers.
at fever pitch = at a level of great excitement
The crowds excitement was at fever pitch as they waited for the film star to appear.
at full blast = at full power / speed etc
She had the radio going at full blast (= as long as possible)
(at) full tilt = at full speed
She rushed down the street at full tilt.
at heart = really / basically
He seems rather stem but he is at heart a very king man.
a tight corner / spot = a difficult position or situation
He refused to help put her in a tight corner / spot.
at intervals = here and there / now and then
Trees grew at intervals along the road.
at (long) last = in the end, especially after a long delay
Oh, there he is at (long) last i
at one fell swoop = all at the same time, in a single movement or action
at ones elbow = close to one
The journalist always works with a dictionary at his elbow.

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at ones wits end = utterly confused and desperate
at sixs and sevens = in confusion, completely disorganized
at / in the back of ones mind = being vaguely aware of something; deep in side
In the back of her mind she knew she could not trust him.
at the eleventh hour =
at the double = very quickly
She came up the road at the double and rushed into the house.
at the hands of = from or by the action of
He received very rough treatment at the hands of the terrorist.
at the mercy of = wholly in the power of / liable to be harmed by
A sailor is at the mercy of the sea
at the moment =
at the top of ones voice = very loudly
They were shouting at the top(s) of their voices.

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Alphabet B
Back:
have ones back to the wall = to be in very difficult or desperate situation
He certainly has his back to the wall as he has lost his job and cannot find another one.
put someones back up = to anger someone
He put my back up with his boasting.
take a back seat = to take an unimportant position
At these discussions he always takes a back seat and listens to other taking.
Backbite = to criticize a person when he is not present
Backbreaking = very difficult or requiring very hard work
Digging the garden is a backbreaking job.
Back down = to give up ones opinion / claim etc
Back number = an out-of-date copy or issue of a magazine
back of = behind
He parked in back of the store
back on to = (of a building etc) to have its back next to (something)
My house backs on to the racecourse.
Backward:
bend / fall over backwards = to try very hard
She bent over backwards to get us tickets for the concert.
know backwards = to know extremely well or perfectly
He knows his history backwards.
Bad:
get off to a good/bad start = to start well or badly in a race, business
go from bad to worse = to get into an even worse condition etc than before
Things are going from bad to worse for the firms not only are we losing money but there
are going to be a strike as well.
in a bad way = unwell, in poor condition
The patient is in a bad way.

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make the best of a bad job = to do ones best in difficult circumstances
Bag:
let the cat out of the bag = to let a secret become known unintentionally
bag lady = a homeless woman who curries around with her all her belonging / usually is
shopping begs.
Bag lady often sleeps on benches in public parks and railway station.
bags of = a large amount of
Shes got bags of money.
Bake:
a bakers dozen = thirteen
Balance:
hang in the balance = to be in doubt
The success in this project is hanging in the balance.
in the balance = in an undecided or uncertain state
Her fate is (hanging) in the balance.
on balance = having taken everything into consideration)
On balance I think she is a better tennis player than my sister.
redress the balance = to make things equal again
strike a balance = to reach a satisfactory middle level of compromise between two
undesirable extremes
Ball:
on the ball = quick, alert and up-to-date
The new manager is really on the ball.
keep / start / set the ball rolling = to start or keep something going, especially a
conversation.
He can be relied on to start the ball rolling at parties.
bashful = shy
a bashful boy / a bashful smile.

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lay bare = to show clearly / to expose to view
Shy people dont like to lay bare their feeling.
Basket:
put all ones eggs in one basket = to depend entirely on the success of one scheme / plan
You should apply for more than one job- doesnt put all your eggs in one basket.
Bat:
off ones own bat = completely by oneself (without help)
She wrote the letter to the newspaper off her own bat.
Be:
the be-all and end-all = the final aim apart from which nothing is of any real importance
This job is not the be-all and end-all of existence.
be credit to (someone) / do (someone) credit = to bring honor or respect to (someone or
something)
Your son is a credit to his school.
be all ears = to listen with keen attention
The children were all ears when their father was describing the car crash.
be all fingers and thumbs / my fingers are all thumbs = to be very awkward or clumsy in
handling or holding things
He was so exited that his fingers were all thumbs and he dropped the cup.
be all smiles = to be or look, very happy
She was all smiles when she heard the good news.
be all the same to = to be a matter of no importance to
I will leave now, if its all the same to you.
be an open secret = to be know to many people although supposed to be a secret
It is an open secret that she is getting married next week.
spill the beans = to give away a secret
By Monday it was evident that someone had spilled the beans to the newspapers.
Bear:
find / get ones bearings = to find ones position with reference to e.g. a known landmark
If we can find this hill, I will be able to get my bearings.
grin and bear it = to put up with something unpleasant without complaining

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He doesnt like his present job but he will just have to grin and bear it till he finds
another.
lose ones bearings = to become uncertain of ones position
She is confused me so much that I have lost my bearings completely.
bear down = to approach quickly and often threatening
The angry teacher bore down on the child.
Also,
to exert pressure on
The weight is bearing down on my chest.
be as good as ones word = to keep ones promise
Beat: (to strike or hit repeatedly)
off the beaten track = away from main roads / centers of population etc
beat about the bush = to approach a subject in an indirect way, without coming to the
point or making any decision
beat a (hasty) retreat = to go away in a hurry
The children beat a hasty retreat when he appeared.
beat down = (to force to) lower a price by bargaining
We beat the price down
We beat him down to a good price
Also mean
(of the sun) to give out great heat
The sun rays beat down on us.
be at full stretch = to be using all ones power, energy
be a tribute to = to be the (praiseworthy) result of
The success of the scheme is a tribute to his hard work.
Bed:
go to bed = (often with) to have sexual intercourse with / to have a love affair with
to go to bed = I am sleepy- I think I will go to bed now; what time do you usually do to
bed?
bed of rose = an easy or comfortable place, job etc
Life is not a bed of rose.

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be / go down with = to be or become with
The children all went down with measles.
Bee:
a bee in ones bonnet = an idea with has become fixed in ones mind
She has a bee in her bonnet about going to America.
make a bee-line for = to take the most direct way to / to go immediately to
Fred always makes a bee-line for the prettiest girl at a party.
be / get even with = to be revenged on
He tricked me, but I will get even with him.
Be first past the post = to win
before / under ones very eyes = in front of one, usually with no attempt at concealment
It happened before my very eyes.
before (very) long = soon
Come in and wail he will be here before long.
be gasping for = to what (something) very much
I am gasping for a cigarette.
be getting on for = to be close to (a particular age, time etc)
He must be getting on for sixty at least.
beggar description = to be so great in some way that it can not be described
Her intelligence beggars description.
Begin:
to begin with = at first
I didnt like her to begin with, but now shes one of my best friends.
be going strong = to be successful / healthy
Our business / grandmother is still going strong.
beg to differ = to disagree
You may think that he should get the job but I beg to differ.
be hand in glove (with someone) = to be very closely associated with someone
especially for a bad purpose.
be hard pressed = to be in difficulties
He is hard pressed financially.

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Behind:
be behind time = to be late
fall behind (with) = be become late in regular payment, letter-writing etc
Dont fall behind with the rent.
stay behind = to remain in a place after others have left etc
They all left the office at 5 oclock, but he stayed behind to finish some work.
behind someones back = without someones permission or knowledge
He some times bullies his sisters behind his mothers back.
behind the scenes = out of sight of the audiences or public
be inclined to = to have a tendency to do something
She is inclined to be a bit lazy.
Or
to have a slight desire to do something
I am inclined to accept their invitation.
be in full swing = to be going ahead, or continuing, busily or vigorously
The work was in full swing.
for the time being = meanwhile
I am staying at home for the time being.
be in good form = to be in good spirit or health
Shes in good form after her holiday.
be in a good voice = to have ones voice in good condition for singing or speaking
The choir was in good voice tonight.
be in hot water or get into hot water = to be in or get into trouble
be in league with = to be allied to
be in the middle of doing something = to be busily occupied doing something
Please excuse my appearance; I was in the middle of washing my hair.
be in the picture / put (something) in the picture = to give or have all the necessary
information about something
She put me in the picture about what had happened.
be in the red = to be in debt

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be just as well = to be fortunate / to be no cause for regret

It is just as well (that) you did not go- the meeting was cancelled.
ring a bell = to have been seen / heard etc before but not remembered in detail
Her name rings a bell, but I dont remember where I have heard it before.
Below:
hit below the belt = to hit in an unfair way
be low on = not to have enough of
I will have to go to the supermarket- we are low on coffee and sugar.
tight ones belt = to make sacrifices and reduce ones standard of living
If the economy gets worse, we shall just have to tight our belts.
Bill:
a clean bill of health = a certificate saying that a person, the crew of a ship etc is entirely
specially after being ill
I have been off work but I have got a clean bill of health now.
fill the bill = to be suitable, to be exactly what is required
We are looking for a new car and this will fill the bill.
foot the bill = to be the person who pays the bill
bi monthly = happening once in every two months
birds eye view = a general view from above
a birds eye view of the town from an aero plane.
Bit:
bit by bit = gradually
Move the pile of rocks bit by bit.
champ at the bit = to be impatient
every bit as = just as
You are every bit as cleaver as he is.
son of a bitch = an annoying and nasty person / an unpleasant task
The son of a bitch tried to cheat me.

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bite the dust = to fail, to be unsuccessful
Thats another scheme thats bitten the dust.
bi-weekly = happening once every two weeks
Black:
in black and white = in writing or print
Would you put that down in black and white?
black and blue = badly bruised
After the fight the boy was all black and blue.
black eye = an eye with bad bruising around it / from a punch
black sheep = a member of a family or group who is unsatisfactory in some way
My sister is the black sheep of the family.
draw a blank = to be unsuccessful in a search, inquiry etc.
blessing in disguise = something that has proved to be fortunate after seeing unfortunate

Blind:
the blind leading the blind = one inexperience or incompetent person telling another
about something
My teaching you about politics will be a case of the blind leading the blind.
turn a blind eye = to pretend not to see or notice something
Because he works so hard, his boss turns a blind eye when he comes in late.
blind spot = any matter about which one always shows lack of understanding
He seems to have a blind spot about physics.
Blood:
flesh and blood = relations / family
She is my own flesh and blood.
in cold blood = deliberately and unemotionally
Blot:
blot ones copybook = to make a bad mistake
He has really blotted his copybook by being late for the interview.

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blot out = to hide from sight

The rain blotted out the view.
Blow:
strike a blow for = to make an effort on behalf of, a cause etc
blow ones own trumpet = to boast / praise oneself greatly
blow ones top = to became angry
She blew her top when he arrived home late.
Blue:
a bolt from the blue = a sudden / unexpected happening
His resignation was a bolt from the blue.
once in a blue moon = very seldom (hardly ever / rarely)
He visits his mother once in a blue moon.
out of the blue = without warning
She arrived out of the blue.
Board:
go by the board = to be abandoned
All my plans went by the board when I lost my job.
sweep the board = to be very successful / to win all the prizes
Boat:
in the same boat = in the same, usually difficult, position or circumstances
We are all in the same boat as far as low wages are concerned.
miss the boat = to be left behind, miss an opportunity
be bogged down = to be hindered in movement / to be prevented from making progress
Bone:
a bone of contention = a cause of argument or quarrelling
Ownership of the boat was a bone of contention between the two women for many years.
to the bone = thoroughly and completely / or to the minimum
I have cut my expenses to the bone.

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I was chilled to the bone.
Bone idle = very lazy
He could find a job but he is bone idle.
Bonnet:
a be in ones bonnet = an idea which has become fixed in ones mind
I have a bee in my bonnet about going to America.
booby prize = a prize for the lowest score etc.
Book:
By the book = strictly according to the rules
Crack a book = to open a book in order to read or study
Boot:
give / get the boot = to dismiss (someone) or to be dismissed (usually from a job)
He got the boot for always being late.
Both:
cut both ways = to affect both parts of question, both people involved, good and bad
points
That argument cuts both ways.
make both ends meet = not to get into debt
The widow and her hour children found it difficult to make ends meet.
Bottom:
be at the bottom of = to be the cause of (usually something bad)
Who is at the bottom of this rumor?
from the bottom of ones heart = very sincerely
She thanked him from the bottom of her heart.
from top to bottom = completely
They have painted the house from top to bottom.
Get to the bottom of = to discover the explanation or the real facts of (a mystery etc)

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Bound:
out of bound = out side the permitted area or limits
by leaps and bounds = extremely rapidly and successfully
Improving by leaps and bound.
Boy:
Old boy / girl = a former pupil ( of a school)
The new prime minister is an old girl of our school.
Page boy = a boy servant
Brains:
Pick someones brains = to ask (a person) questions in order to get idea, information etc
Can I come and pick your brains for a minute.
Brass:
bold as brass = very cheeky
get down to brass tacks = to deal with basic principles or matters
Lets stop arguing about it and get down to brass tacks.
Bread:
on the breadline = with barely enough to live on
The widow and her children are on the breadline.
bread and butter = (a way of earning) ones living
Writing novels is my bread and butter.
Break:
make a break for it = to make an (attempt to) escape
When the guard is not looking, make a break for it.
breakdown = a mental collapse
continental breakfast = a light breakfast of rolls and coffee
break the ice = to overcome the first shyness etc
Lets break the ice by inviting our new neighbors for a meal.
bring (something) out into the open = to make (something) public
It is time it was brought out into the open.

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Brush:
Brush aside = to pay no attention to
She brushed aside my abjections.
Get the brush-off = to reject
Buck:
pass the buck = to give the responsibility or blame for something to someone else
He always passes the buck if he is asked to do anything.
Bud:
nip in bud / nip (something) in the bud = to stop (something) as soon as it starts
The managers nipped the strike in the bud.
bury the hatched = to stop quarrelling
Lets bury the hatched and be friends.
Bush:
beat about the bush = to approach a subject in an indirect way, without coming to the
point or making any decision
Business:
mind ones own business = to attend to ones own affairs, no interfering in other peoples
Go away and mind your own business.
monkey business = mischievous or illegal happenings etc
none but = just / only
The fellows nothing but a fool.
bread and butter = (a way of earning) ones living
Writing novels is my bread and butter.
Buzz:
give someone a buzz = (slang) to telephone someone
I will give you a buzz as soon as I get there.
By:
by all means = yes / of course
If you want to use the telephone, by all means do.

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by and by = after a short time

By and by, everyone went home.
by and large = mostly / all things considered
Things are going quite well, by and large.
by any chance = used in inquiring about the possibility of something
Are you by any chance free tonight?
by a short head = by a very small amount
To win by a short head
by chance = by luck / without planning
They met by chance
by courtesy of = with someones permission / by the generosity of
Refreshment is courtesy of the management
by dint of = by means of
He succeeded by dint of sheer hard work.
by fits and starts = irregularly / often stopping and starting again
He did his work by fits and starts.
let bygones be bygones = to forgive and forget past causes of ill feeling
by half = by a long way
He is too cleaver by half
by hook or by crook = by some means or another / in any way possible
I will get her to sell that dog, by hook or by crook.
by means of = using
We escaped by means of a secret tunnel.
by the skin of ones teeth = very narrowly / only just
We escaped by the skin of our teeth.
by the look(s) of = judging from the appearance of ( someone or something) it seems
likely or probable
By the looks of him, he wont live much longer; its going to rain by the look of it.
by the word of mouth = by one person telling another in speech, no in writing
She got the information by the word of mouth.

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Alphabet C
Cakes:
like hot cakes = very quickly
These books are selling like hot cakes.
Call:
conference call = a telephone conversation in which more than two people participate.
on call = keeping (oneself) ready to come out to an emergency
Which of the doctors is on call tonight?
call a halt (to) = to stop; to put an end (to)
It is a time to call a halt to these stupid arguments.
call it a day
I am tired that I will have to call it a day.
call off = to cancel
The party has been called off.
call on = to visit; to ask someone to speak at a meeting etc.
I will call on him tomorrow.
call up = to telephone (someone)
He called me up from the airport.
calm down = to make or become calm
She tried to calm him down by giving him some brandy; calm down!
garbage can = a dustbin (USA)
you never can tell = it is possible
It might rain you never can tell.
can can = a types of high-kicking dance
canine teeth = in man / the four sharp-pointed teeth
Cap:
a feather in ones cap = something one can be proud of
Winning the race was quite a feather in his cap.
squad car = a police car

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cardinal numbers = numbers expressing quantity (1,2,3 etc)
not care a hoot / two hoots = not to care in the least
She doesnt care two hoots what anyone thinks of her.
I dont care a hoot what anyone thinks of me.
in any case = nevertheless
I dont believe the story but I will check it in any case.
Catch:
catch ones death (of cold) = to get a very bad cold
If you go out in that rain without a coat you will catch your death (of cold).
catch phrase / word (n) = a phrase or word in popular for a time.
catch red-handed = to find (a person) in the act of doing work
The police caught the thief red handed.
catch sight of = to get a brief view of; to begin to see
He caught sight of her as she came round the corner.
catch someones eye = to attract someones attention
The advertisement caught my eye.
after a fashion = in a way, but not very well
She can speak French after a fashion.
Chance:
an even chance = equal probability for and against
We have an even chance of success.
not a dogs chance = no chance at all
He has not a dogs chance of getting a ticket.
a sporting chance = a reasonably good chance
Change:
a change of heart = a change in attitude
chop and change = to keep changing (especially ones mind)
have a change of heart = to change a decision etc usually to a better, kinder one
Hes had a change of heart he is going to help us after all.

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Check:
take a rain check = (to ask) to do something at a later time
Thanks for inviting me to dinner, but can I take a rain check on it?
a smack on the cheek = a quick, loud kiss on the cheek
He gave her a quick smack on the cheek.
get something off ones chest = to tell the truth about something that is worrying one
chicken hearted (adj) = cowardly
Choose:
not much / nothing to choose between = hardly any difference between
There is not much to choose between the two methods.
pick and choose = to select or choose very carefully
When I am buying apples, I like to pick and choose (the ones I want).
drop a brick / drop a clanger = unknowingly to say or do something extremely tactless.
steer clear of = to avoid
I want to steer clear of trouble if possible.
round the clock = the whole day and the whole night
To work round the clock
Close:
close at hand = nearby; not far off
My mother lives close at hand.
close ones eyes to = to ignore (especially something wrong)
He closed his eyes to the childrens misbehavior.
under a cloud = in trouble or disgrace
clutch at straws = to hope that something may help one in hopeless situation
cock- and- bull story = an absurd, unbelievable story
Cold:
get cold feet = to lose courage
I was going to apply for the job but I got cold feet.
give someone the cold shoulder / also cold-shoulder (verb) = to show that one is
unwilling to be friendly with (a person)

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All the neighbors gave her the cold shoulder;
He cold-shouldered all his sisters friends.
Colors:
show oneself in ones true colors = to show or express ones real character, opinion etc.
He pretends to be very generous but he showed himself in his true colours when he
refused to give money to charity.
with flying clours = with great success
He passed his exam with flying colours.
Come:
come about = to happen
How did that come about?
come along = to progress
How are things coming along?
come in handy = to be useful
I will keep these bottles they might come in handy.
come into ones own = to have the opportunity of showing what one can do etc.
He has at last come into his own as a pop-singer.
come off second best = to be loser in a struggle
That cat always comes off second best in fight.
come on the scene = to arrive
We were enjoying ourselves till she came on the scene.
come out of ones shell = to become more confident and less shy.
come to a sticky end = to have an unpleasant fate or death
come to grief = to meet disaster; to fail
The project came to grief.
come to grips with = to deal with (a problem, difficulty etc)
come to life = to become lively or interesting
The play did not come to life until the last act.
come to light = to be discovered
The theft only came to light when the owner retuned from holiday.

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come to nothing = to fail

He plans come to nothing.
come to rest = not moving
come to terms = to reach an agreement or understanding
They came to terms with the enemy.
come what may = whatever happens
I will give you my support, come what may!
come / be within striking distance of = to come very close to
jump to conclusions / jump to the conclusion that = to form an idea without making sure
of the fact
in mint condition = fresh, unused, perfect condition
vote to the confident =
pros and cons = the arguments for and against
Lets hear all the pros and cons before make a decision.
to ones hearts content = as much as one want
She could play in the big garden to her hearts content.
a bone of contention = a cause of argument or quarrelling.
keep ones cool = not to become over-excited or confused
If you keep your cool you wont fail.
lose ones cool = not to keep ones cool
blot ones copybook = to make a bad mistake
He has really blotted his copybook by being late for the interview.
coronary thrombosis = a heart disease caused by blockage of one of the coronary arteries
cot death / USA crib death = the sudden death of a baby during sleep, which can not yet
be explained medically
out for the count = (of a boxer) still not standing after the count of ten / exhausted / asleep
He was out for the count for several hours after his long walk.
screw up ones courage = to make oneself brave enough to do something

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He screwed up his courage to ask her to marry him.
Course:
in the course of = during
In the course of our talk, she told me about accident.
run its course = to develop or happen in the usual way
The fever ran its course.
by courtesy of =
cover girl (n) = a girl pictured on a magazine cover
mad cow disease = a fatal disease of cattle, which can affect also humans who eat meat
from infected cattle
crack a book (slang) = to open a book in order to read or study
He always gets high marks in his exams although he hardly crake a book textbook.
every nook and cranny = everywhere
They search in every nook and cranny.
stark crazy = completely mad
make someones flesh creep = to scare or horrify someone
crocodile tears =
by hook or by crook =
cubby hole (n) = a very small room
ones cup of tea = the sort of thing one likes or prefer
Classical music is not my cup of tea.
Cut:
have ones work cut out = to be faced with a difficult task
You will have your work cut out to beat the champion.
cut and dried = fixed and definite
Cut and dried opinions.
cut no ice = to have no effect
This sort of flattery cuts no ice with me.

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Alphabet D
Dare (v) = to be brave enough (to do something) / to challenge
I dare you to do it (to challenge) negative darent
I dare say (also I, dare say) = I suppose (so)
I dare say you are right
Will you he here? Oh, I daresay
dare devil (n) = a bold or reckless person
Dark:
keep it dark = to keep something a secret
They are engaged to be married but they want to keep it dark.
a shot in the dark = a guess based on little or no information
Dash:
dash (n) = a sudden rush or movement / also (-) / energy & enthusiasm
The child made a dash for the door.
Also, to move with speed and violence
A man dashed into a shop
Also, to knock / throw etc violently especially so as to break
He dashed the bottle to pieces against the wall.
Also, to bring down suddenly and violently or to make very depressed
Our hopes were dashed.
dash off = to write quickly
To dash off a letter
Also, to leave hastily
To dash off to the shops
out of date = old fashioned
Day:
make someones day = to make someone very happy
That babys smile made my day.
one day = at some time in the future / on a day in the past
She hopes to go to America one day.

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I saw her one day last week.
red-letter day = a day which will always be remembered because of something especially
good that happened on it.
some day = at some time in the future
He hopes to get married some day.
win the day = to gain a victory / to be successful
day by day = every day
He is getting better day by day.
day dream (n) = a dream or imagining of pleasant events, the making of unreal plans etc
while awake
day dream (v) =
She often day dreams
day in, day out =
broad daylight = full daylight
The child was attacked in broad daylight.
day of reckoning = the time when one has to pay for, or be punished for, ones mistakes,
crimes etc.
his etc days are numbered = he etc wont last much longer