Vocabulary Exercises

Meaning

EASY OR SIMPLE

Example: The test was a piece of cake.

Meaning

TO GET ANGRY EASILY

Example: She has a short fuse.

Meaning

A DIFFICULT TASK

Example: That's a tall order.

Meaning

TO WORSEN A CONFLICT

Example: Don't add fuel to the fire.

Meaning

COMPLETELY MISTAKEN

Example: The student is all wet.

Meaning

FANCIFUL, IMPRACTICAL, UNREALISTIC...

Example: My dad always had these airy-fairy ideas.

Meaning

UNABLE TO SEE WELL

Example: He's as blind as a bat.

Meaning

VERY CALM, RELAXED

Example: He looks as cool as a cucumber.

Meaning

AN OLD-FASHIONED PERSON

Example: He's a little behind the times.

Meaning

AN IMPORTANT PERSON

Example: She's a big cheese in the office.

Meaning

TO BECOME SUDDENLY VERY ANGRY

Example: He may blow up then.

Meaning

WISH SOMEONE GOOD LUCK

Example: I told her to break a leg tonight.

Meaning

TO END A RELATIONSHIP

Example: Tim broke up with Megan.

Meaning

EARN THE INCOME

Example: I have to bring home the bacon.

Meaning

TO BE PREGNANT

Example: She has a bun in the oven.

Meaning

TO FLATTER SOMEONE EXCESSIVELY

Example: He's trying to butter up the boss.

Meaning

STOP WORKING ON SOMETHING

Example: Let's call it a day.

Meaning

TO PURSUE UNREALISTIC GOALS

Example: You should stop chasing rainbows.

Meaning

COWARDLY, EASILY FRIGHTENED

Example: You're so chicken hearted.

Meaning

SOMETHING VERY EASY, SIMPLE

Example: It was child's play.

Meaning

TO RELAX

Example: You need to child out.

Meaning

TO MAKE SOMEONE LAUGH

Example: You crack me up!

Meaning

THE BEST

Example: You're the cream of the crop.

Meaning

TO RAISE A FALSE ALARM

Example: He's definitely crying wolf.

Meaning

VERY LONG TIME

Example: We've been friends for donkey's years.

Meaning

TO PUT A LIMIT

Example: Now is when I draw the line.

Meaning

VERY EASY

Example: It´s as easy as pie.

Meaning

MONEY THAT CAN BE EARNED WITHOUT EFFORT

Example: I'm making easy money.

Meaning

TO HAVE TO ADMIT A HUMILIATING ERROR

Example: I had to eat crow.

Meaning

TO ADMIT DEFEAT OR ERROR

Example: He had to eat humble pie.

Meaning

TO EAT IN A RESTAURANT

Example: Let's eat out tonight.

Meaning

AT THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT

Example:

UK He

cancelled at the eleventh hour.

US He

canceled at the eleventh hour.

UK English

US English

Meaning

VERY STRONG AND HEALTHY

Example: The kid is fit as a fiddle.

Meaning

UNDERSTAND A SITUATION

Example: Ok, now I get the picture.

Meaning

SOMEONE EAGER TO SUCCEED

Example: He's known as a go-getter.

Meaning

EXPRESS WILD EXCITEMENT OR ANGER

Example: She will go ape over it.

Meaning

TO LOSE REASON

Example: I go nuts when my team wins.

Meaning

MAKE AN EXTRA EFFORT

Example: You need to go the extra mile.

Meaning

VERY JEALOUS

Example: Her car makes my green with envy.

Meaning

TO SCORE THREE GOALS IN THE SAME FOOTBALL MATCH

Example: He scored a hat trick.

Meaning

TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN

Example: We had a blast at Disneyland.

Meaning

TO HAVE NATURAL ABILITY AT SOMETHING

Example: I have a nose for numbers.

Meaning

LIVING IN A FANTASY

Example: He has the head in the clouds.

Meaning

COMPLETELY, ABSOLUTELY

Example: I put my heart and soul into it.

Meaning

TO BE VERY NERVOUS

Example: I've my heart in my mouth today.

Meaning

TO STUDY VERY HARD

Example: I need to hit the books for the exam.

Meaning

GET SOMETHING EXACTLY RIGHT

Example: Your idea hit the bull's eye.

Meaning

GO TO BED

Example: It's too late to watch tv, hit the hay.

Meaning

TO LEAVE, TO BEGIN A JOURNEY

Example: Let's hit the road.

Meaning

TO BECOME VERY ANGRY

Example: She hit the roof when she saw the mess.

Meaning

SLOW DOWN AND THINK

Example: Just hold your horses and listen!

Meaning

IMMEDIATELY!

Example: I'll do it in a heartbeat.

Meaning

VERY BRIEF, STRAIGHT TO THE POINT

Example: The answer, in a nutshell, is no.

Meaning

TO BE IN TROUBLE

Example: I crushed mum's car, I'm in hot water!

Meaning

NOT INFORMED

Example: This week I am in the dark.

Meaning

A STRONG IMPULSE TO TRAVEL

Example: I've got itchy feet.

Meaning

IT'S NOT DIFFICULT

Example: Cooking is not rocket science.

Meaning

LISTEN

Example: Lend me an ear for a moment.

Meaning

THE ENJOY LIFE REGARDLESS OF COST

Example: Live it up! You're on vacation.

Meaning

TO CAUSE TROUBLE

Example: He likes to make waves.

Meaning

TO LOSE THE CHANCE

Example: The buyer missed the boat.

Meaning

LOVES TO STAY UP LATE

Example: My brother is a night owl.

Meaning

TO HAVE NOT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SOMETHING

Example: I haven't got a clue.

Meaning

EXTREMELY HAPPY

Example: She loves me! I'm on cloud nine.

Meaning

NOT VERY OFTEN, RARELY

Example: I eat fish once in a blue moon.

Meaning

KEEP SOMETHING SECRET

Example: Keep it on the down low.

Meaning

GREAT - FANTASTIC SITUATION OR FEELING

Example: I'm feeling on top of the world.

Meaning

A BEAUTIFUL PERSON OR THING

Example: She's a peach.

Meaning

AN IDEA THAT IS UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN

Example: That's just a pie in the sky.

Meaning

TO EAT TOO MUCH FOOD

Example: I pigged out this week.

Meaning

TO DO SOMETHING RISKY OR DANGEROUS

Example: You're playing with fire.

Meaning

TO PROPOSE MARRIAGE

Example: Did he pop the question then?

Meaning

TO LOW OR STOP ONE'S ACTIVITY

Example: Put the brakes on and think.

Meaning

SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS FAMILIAR

Example: Her name rings a bell.

Meaning

TO SELL QUICKLY IN LARGE AMOUNTS

Example: These books sell like hotcakes!

Meaning

UNIMPORTANT, INSIGNIFICANT

Example: This problem is a small beer.

Meaning

SOMEONE WHO IS CLEVER

Example: Haley is a smart cookie.

Meaning

TO TELL A SECRET

Example: Now don't spill the beans!

Meaning

UPSTAGE SOMEONE

Example: Sandy stole my thunder.

Meaning

VERY NICE OR KIND

Example: My daughter is sugar and spice.

Meaning

TO GET MARRIED

Example: They finally tied the knot.

Meaning

TIME IS IMPORTANT, VALUABLE

Example: Hurry up! Time is money.

Meaning

DEFUSE THE TENSION

Example: We need to clear the air.

Meaning

TO FEEL A LITTLE BIT ILL

Example: I'm feeling a bit out of sports today.

Meaning

EXACTLY

Example: Follow the orders to the letter.

Meaning

THE CHIEF, LEADER, BOSS

Example: Talk to the top banana.

Meaning

RUN AWAY FROM TROUBLE

Example: He turned tail and ran away.

Meaning

NOT FEELING WELL

Example: I've been under the weather.

Meaning

SECRET OR HIDDEN

Example: Keep it under wraps.

Meaning

AVAILABLE TO ANYONE

Example: The job is up for grabs.

Meaning

A DIFFICULT PROCESS

Example: It feels like an uphill climb.

Meaning

USE YOUR BRAIN

Example: Use your noodle and solve this.

Meaning

TO FEEL EXTREMELY HAPPY

Example: I was walking on air for days.

Meaning

UNLIKELY TO EVER HAPPEN

Example: I'll go when pigs fly.

Meaning

TO STOP TALKING OR REMAIN SOMETHING SECRET

Example: Tell him to zip his lip!