English Tongue 5

100 ENGLISH TONGUE

(1) a pretty pass - a bad situation.
eg: Things have come to a pretty pass when a referee can no longer be trusted.
(2) à la - in the style of.
eg: She has her hair blonde and curly, à la Marilyn Monroe.
à la - (from French) in the same style as sb/sth else.
eg: a new band that sings à la Beatles
(3) a must - An inevitability; a necessity.

eg: Visas in many foreign countries are a must.

- An extremely interesting or memorable event, such as a free concert given by an international celebrity.

eg: Alfred Brendel's Beethoven master classes are open to the public and are not to be missed; they're a must.
(4) about face -
A sudden change of course or a decision opposite to what was decided earlier.
eg: Her decision to become an actress instead of a dentist was an about face from her original plans.
(5) above all (things) - more than everything else.
eg: I value my freedom above all things.
(6) in absentia - while the person involved is not present.
eg: An Italian court convicted him in absentia for his terrorist activities.
in absentia - (from Latin) while not present at the event being referred to.
eg: Two foreign suspects will be tried in absentia.
(7) Achilles heel - a small fault or weakness in a person or system that can result in its failure.
eg: A misbehaving minister is regarded as a government's Achilles heel and is expected to resign.
(8) an acquired taste - something that you dislike at first, but that you start to like after you have tried it a few times.
eg: Olives are an acquired taste.
(9) across the board - happening or having an effect on people at every level and in every area.
eg: The improvement has been across the board, with all divisions either increasing profits or reducing losses.
The initiative has across-the-board support.
(10) ad lib - said without any preparation or thought in advance.
eg: I'd forgotten the notes for my speech so I had to do it ad lib.
ad-lib comments
(11) after a fashion - If you can do something after a fashion, you can do it, but not well.
eg: I can cook, after a fashion.
after a fashion - to some extent, but not very well.
eg: I can play the piano, after a fashion.
(12) the dust settles - If the dust settles after an argument or big change, the situation becomes calmer
eg: We thought we'd let the dust settle before discussing the other matter.
let the dust settle / wait for the dust to settle - to wait for a situation to become clear or certain.
(13) be alive and well/kicking - to continue to live or exist and be full of energy.
eg: She said she'd seen him last week and he was alive and kicking.
(14) alive with - If something is alive with something else, it is so covered with or full of them that it appears to be living and moving.
eg: The pond was alive with frogs.
(15) so much the better (also all the better) - used to say that a particular action or situation would be even more successful.
eg: If you can go there this afternoon, so much the better.
(16) come/go/be along for the ride - to join in an activity without playing an important part in it.
eg: My husband is speaking at the dinner and I'm just going along for the ride.
(17) and so on (also and so forth) - together with other similar things.
eg: schools, colleges and so on
(18) and such like (also and the like) - and similar things.
eg: There's a big sports hall for tennis and badminton and such like.
(19) and then some - and even more.
eg: It looked like 20 000 people and then some at the demonstration.
(20) as far as it goes - used to say that something has good qualities but could be better.
eg: It's a good essay as far as it goes.
(21) be at a loss - to not know what to do or say.
eg: I'm at a loss to know how I can help you.
(22) take sth at face value - to accept something for what it appears to be rather than studying it more closely.
eg: I took the offer at face value. I didn't think they might be trying to trick me.
take sth at face value - to believe that sth is what it appears to be, without questioning it.
eg:Taken at face value, the figures look very encouraging.
You shouldn’t take anything she says at face value.
(23) be at fault - to have done something wrong.
eg: Her doctor was at fault for/in not sending her straight to a specialist.
(24) at length - for a long time.
eg: George went on at great length about his various illnesses.
(25) at large - generally.
eg: This group is not representative of the population at large.
(26) be at liberty to do sth - to be allowed to do something.
eg: I'm not at liberty to reveal any names.
(27) at (long) last - finally.
eg: I've finished my essay at last!
At long last the government is starting to listen to our problems.
(28) against (all) the odds/against all odds - If you do or achieve something against (all) the odds/against all odds, you do or achieve it although there were a lot of problems and you were not likely to succeed.
eg: Against all the odds, he recovered.
(29) at worst - used to say what the most unpleasant or difficult situation could possibly be.
eg: At worst, she can only tell you off for being late.
(30) burst at the seams - to be completely full.
eg: When all the family come home the house is bursting at the seams.
(31) at the ready - prepared for immediate use or action.
eg: He stood by the phone, pencil at the ready.
(32) the outset - the beginning.
eg: I told him at/from the outset I wasn't interested.
(33) at the drop of a hat - If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately without stopping to think about it.
eg: People will file lawsuits at the drop of a hat these days.
(34) at its best - at the highest standard achievable.
eg: The documentary was an example of investigative journalism at its best.
(35) at sea - confused.
eg: I'm all/completely at sea with the new coins.
(36) at/in one fell swoop - If you do something at/in one fell swoop, you do it all at the same time.
eg: I got all my Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop.
(37) at issue - most important in what is being discussed.
eg: The point at issue is what is best for the child.
(38) on purpose - If you do something on purpose, you do it intentionally, not accidentally.
eg: I didn't do it on purpose - it was an accident.
(39) at sb's beck and call - always willing and able to do whatever someone asks.
eg: Go and get it yourself! I'm not at your beck and call, you know.
(40) please yourself / do as you please - to be able to do whatever you like.
eg: There were no children to cook for, so we could just please ourselves.
please yourself - to do whatever you choose to do, often used in a slightly rude way by someone who does not agree with or care about what you to do.
eg: "I can't stand this place - I'm going home." "Please yourself."
(41) Be my guest - something you say when you give someone permission to do or use something.
eg: "Can I try out your new bicycle?" "Be my guest."
(42) itch to do sth (also itch for sth) - to want to do something very much and as soon as possible.
eg: He was itching to hear the results.
By four o'clock I was itching for the meeting to end.
(43) be/go on at sb - to complain to someone again and again about their behaviour or to ask them to do something.
eg: My parents are always on at us about having a baby.
She's been on at me to get my hair cut.
(44) have a bearing on sth - to have an influence on something or a relationship to something.
eg: What you decide now could have a considerable bearing on your future.
(45) become of sb/sth - If you ask what became of someone or something, you want to know where they are and what happened to them.
eg: Whatever became of that parcel you sent?
And Mickey Adams - I wonder what became of him.
(46) the shit out of sb/sth - used to emphasize the degree of force of an action which you are describing.
eg: His dad would beat/knock/kick the shit out of him if he disobeyed.
Don't creep up on me like that - you scared the shit out of me.
(47) Beggars can't be choosers - said when you recognize that you must accept an offer or a situation because it is the only one available to you.
eg: I would have preferred a house of my own rather than sharing, but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.
(48) belabour the point - to repeat an idea, argument, etc. many times to emphasize it, especially when it has already been mentioned or understood.
eg: There's no need to belabour the point - you don't need to keep reminding me.
(49) between times - during the periods between the separate events mentioned.
eg: If you only go to the supermarket once a month, what do you do between times?
(50) bide your time - to wait calmly for a good opportunity to do something.
eg: She was biding her time until she could get her revenge.
(51) smack your lips - to close and open your mouth loudly to express a strong desire to eat something you like a lot.
eg: "I adore chocolate cake, " said Susannah, smacking her lips.
(52) sing the praises of sb/sth - to praise someone or something.
eg: The newspapers have been singing the praises of Italy's new star player.
(53) by inches - very closely or only just.
eg: The car skidded and I avoided the dog by inches (= I very nearly hit the dog).
(54) bum around - to spend time being lazy and doing very little.
eg: I wish you'd stop bumming around and start looking for a job.
(55) He took a calculated risk (= a risk that you decide is worth taking even though you know it might have bad results).
(56) call a halt to sth - to prevent something from continuing.
eg: How many more people will have to die before they call a halt to the fighting?
(57) cut-throat - fierce; not involving consideration or care about any harm caused to others.
eg: the cut-throat world of journalism
The advertising world can be a very cut-throat business.
(58) cutup - someone who behaves in an active and silly way in order to make people laugh.
eg: It's hard to believe Sally was a cutup in school - she's so quiet now.
be cut up - to be upset.
eg: Philip was very cut up about his grandmother's death.
(59) cut (sb) to the quick - to greatly hurt someone's feelings.
eg: Her thoughtless remark cut him to the quick.
(60) to the bone - all the way through, or very badly.
eg: I was frozen/chilled to the bone after waiting so long for the bus.
(61) cut sb down to size - to show someone that they are not as clever or important as they think they are.
eg: Someone should cut that man down to size!
(62) be out of your class - to be much better at doing something than you.
eg: I can't play chess with him. He's completely out of my class!
(63) the crux - the most important or serious part of a matter, problem or argument.
eg: The crux of the country's economic problems is its foreign debt.
The issue of an arms embargo will be at the crux of the negotiations in Geneva.
(64) come a cropper - to fail badly, or to fall from a horse or have a bad accident in a vehicle.
eg: Having reached the final, the British have come a cropper against the more experienced German team.
She came an almighty cropper when her back wheels hit an icy patch.
(65) crook - a very dishonest person, especially a criminal or a cheat.
eg: These politicians are just a bunch of crooks.
(66) up the creek - in trouble.
eg: If any more people resign, we'll be really up the creek.
(67) bridge a/the gap - to connect two things or to make the difference between them smaller.
eg: Mr Clinton singled out education as a vital tool in bridging the gap between rich and poor.
This collection of stories bridges the gap between history and fiction.
(68) creature of habit - someone who always does the same thing in the same way.
eg: My father's such a creature of habit - he always has to have a biscuit and a cup of tea at bedtime.
(69) the cream of sth - the best of a particular group of things or people.
eg: The cream of this year's graduates have gone abroad for jobs.
(70) conversation piece - an unusual object which causes people to start talking.
(71) come/get to grips with sth - to make an effort to understand and deal with a problem or situation.
eg: The government have failed to come to grips with the two most important social issues of our time.
I can't seem to get to grips with this problem.
(72) come/go/turn full circle - If something or someone has come full circle after changing a lot, they are now the same as they were in the beginning.
eg: Things have come full circle now that long skirts are back in fashion.
(73) (at) daggers drawn - If two people, countries, etc. are at daggers drawn, they are in a state of extreme unfriendliness and do not trust each other.
eg: The two sides have been at daggers drawn for some months now with no sign of improvement in relations.
(74) the daily round - the tasks you have to do every day.
eg: I get exhausted just by the daily round.
(75) be two/ten a penny (US be a dime a dozen) - to be very common.
eg: Antique toy cars are ten a penny nowadays
(76) daylight robbery - a situation in which you are charged a lot too much for something.
eg: £4 for an orange juice? That's just daylight robbery!
(77) sb's/sth's days are numbered - If someone or something's days are numbered, they will not exist for much longer.
eg: The latest opinion polls suggest that his days as leader are numbered.
(78) have had its/your day - to be much less popular than before.
eg: She sold a lot of books in the 1960's, but she's had her day.
have had your day - to no longer be successful, powerful, etc.
eg: She’s had her day as a supermodel.

(79) over my dead body - If you say something will happen over your dead body, you mean that you will do everything you can to prevent it.
eg: "Joe says he's going to buy a motorbike." "Over my dead body!"
(80) into the bargain (US also in the bargain) - in addition to other facts previously mentioned.
eg: He's intelligent, witty, a loving husband, and an excellent cook into the bargain.
(81) (your) every word - all the things that you say.
eg: She's such a fascinating lecturer - I was hanging on to her every word.
(your) every move - everything that you do.
eg: I'd hate to be someone really famous with the press reporting my every move.
After that, she was watching his every move
(your) every need - all the things that you need or want.
eg: There'll be an assistant there to see to your every need.
every inch - exactly like.
eg: She looked every inch a vampire in her costume.
every which way - in all directions.
eg: The game was hindered by a fierce wind that swept the ball every which way.
(82) a fact of life - something unpleasant which cannot be avoided.
eg: Going bald is just a fact of life.
(83) fat chance - used to say that you definitely do not think that something is likely to happen.
eg: "Perhaps they'll invite you." "Fat chance (of that)!"
(84) fight shy of - to try to avoid something.
eg: Before this course I'd always fought shy of technology.
fight shy of sth / of doing sth - to be unwilling to accept sth or do sth, and to try to avoid it.
eg: Successive governments have fought shy of such measures.
(85) fizzle out - to gradually end, often in a disappointing or weak way.
eg: They went off to different universities and their relationship just fizzled out.
(86) in full flow - If an activity is in full flow, it is happening fast and with energy.
eg: Preparations for the event are now in full flow.
(87) blow the gaff - to make known a secret.
eg: He's a good bloke - he wouldn't blow the gaff on us.
(88) blow hot and cold - to sometimes like or be interested in something or someone and sometimes not, so people are confused about how you really feel.
eg: He's been blowing hot and cold about the trip to Holland.
(89) just about - almost; very nearly.
eg: I’ve met just about everyone.
‘Did you reach your sales target?’ ‘
Just about – approximately.
eg: She should be arriving just about now.
(90) gang up - to unite as a group against someone.
eg: They all ganged up to try and get him to change his decision.
The whole class ganged up against/on her because she was the teacher's pet.
(91) gatecrash - to go to a party or other event when you have not been invited.
eg: He decided to gatecrash the wedding.
(92) be kind/generous, etc. to a fault - to be extremely kind/generous, etc.
eg: She's a really sweet person and she's generous to a fault.
(93) dressing-down - an act of speaking angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.
eg: She gave me a dressing-down for getting there late.
(94) stake sth out - to establish or make clear your opinion or position on something.
eg: Two of the president's chief advisors have staked out opposite positions on this issue.
New software companies are going to find it hard staking out a position in an already crowded market.
(95) heave a sigh of relief - to suddenly feel very happy because something unpleasant has not happened or has ended.
eg: We both heaved a sigh of relief when she left.
(96) hang by a thread - If a serious situation hangs by a thread, it means that even a slight change can decide what will happen and that a bad result such as death, failure, etc. is likely.
eg: The mayor's political future has been hanging by a thread since the fraud scandal.
(97) qualm - an uncomfortable feeling of doubt about whether you are doing the right thing.
eg: She had no qualms about lying to the police.
(98) cinch - something which is very easy and is therefore a certainty.
eg: The exam was a cinch.
(99) in a flutter - in a confused and excited state.
eg: When economic statistics are first published they grab headlines and put markets in a flutter.
(100) in a flash (also quick as a flash) - quickly or suddenly.
eg: The ceremony was over in a flash.












100 ENGLISH TONGUE

(1) at a pinch (US in a pinch) - Something that you can do at a pinch can be done if it is really necessary, but it will be difficult, not perfect, or not what you would really like.
eg: I need £2000 to set up the business, but I suppose £1500 would do at a pinch.
(2) jaw drops (open) - If someone's jaw drops (open), they look very surprised.
eg: My jaw dropped open when she told me how old she was.
(3) before you can/could say Jack Robinson - done or happening very quickly.
eg: I put the plate of food on the floor, and before you could say Jack Robinson, the dog had eaten it.
(4) joking apart/aside - said when you want to start speaking seriously about something after making jokes and laughing about it.
eg: Joking apart, will you be able to manage on your own?
(5) just what the doctor ordered - exactly what sb wants or needs.
eg: Ooh thank you, a nice cup of tea. Just what the doctor ordered.
(6) lacuna - an absent part, especially in a book or other piece of writing.
syn: gap
(7) just this once - used to say that you will only do or request something on this particular occasion.
eg: All right, I'll give you a lift - just this once.
(8) keep sb company - to stay with someone so that they are not alone.
eg: I'll keep you company till the train comes.
(9) be in good company - to have the same problem as many other people.
eg: "I can't play tennis - I'm hopeless at it!" "Oh well, you're in good company."
(10) lateness - the fact of being late.
eg: It was no great surprise that you were tired given the lateness of the hour.
(11) bring a lump to your throat - to give you a tight feeling in your throat because you want to cry.
eg: It was quite a moving speech - it almost brought a lump to my throat.
(12) beat a path to sb's door - to be eager to buy or obtain something from someone.
eg: I tried to sell my old bike by advertising it in the local paper, but I didn't have a lot of people beating a path to my door.

(13) as often as not (also more often than not) - usually.
eg: As often as not when I make the effort to visit her, I wonder why I've even bothered.
(14) squeeze sb dry - If you squeeze someone dry, you obtain as much from them as possible.
eg: When they got divorced, his wife squeezed him dry and took everything.
(15) as a matter of course - If something is done as a matter of course, it is a usual part of the way in which things are done and is not special.
eg: Safety precautions are observed as a matter of course.
(16) take the floor - start speaking.
eg: The Chancellor of the Exchequer will take the floor for his Budget speech at 3.00 p.m.
(17) near at hand - If something is near at hand, it is near enough to you for you to reach it.
eg: I like to have my books near at hand when I'm working.
(18) near enough - almost.
eg: They're the same age or near enough.
(19) be neither here nor there - to be unimportant.
eg: It's essential that she has this medicine, and the cost is neither here nor there.
(20) nip sth in the bud - to stop something before it has an opportunity to become established.
eg: Many serious illnesses can be nipped in the bud if they are detected early enough.
It's important to nip this kind of bullying in the bud.
(21) nip and tuck - If a competition is nip and tuck, first one side seems to be winning and then the other, so that the result is uncertain.
eg: It was nip and tuck as to who would win the playoffs, but Denver's determination helped them to beat a tough Washington team.
(22) no wonder - it is not surprising.
eg: No wonder the children are excited, - this is the first time they've been abroad.
"If brutal killers like these two are at work, it is no wonder that so many Kosovans have fled," he said.

(23) not lift/raise a finger - to not make any effort to help.
eg: He never lifts a finger to help with the housework.
(24) get to/reach first base - to have the first achievement or agreement which is needed for later success.
eg: The proposal is so poorly designed, they won't even get to first base with the directors.
(25) not in the least - not in any way.
eg: "Are you dissatisfied with the results?" "Not in the least."
(26) occupy - to keep someone busy or interested.
eg: On long car journeys I occupy myself with solving maths puzzles.
(27) be of the same mind (also be of one mind) - to have the same opinion.
eg: We're of the same mind on most political issues.
(28) one-in-a-million - describes a chance that is extremely unlikely.
eg: Don't worry - the chances of anything going wrong are one-in-a-million.
(29) avail - use, purpose, advantage, or profit.
eg: We tried to persuade her not to resign, but to no avail (= did not succeed).
My attempts to improve the situation were of little/no avail.
(30) pack a punch - to have a lot of force or a great effect.
eg: His speech packed quite a punch.
These cocktails taste quite innocent, but they really pack a punch!
pack a (powerful, real, etc.) punch - to have a powerful effect on sb.
eg: The advertising campaign packs quite a punch.
(31) paint a bleak/gloomy/rosy, etc. picture of sth - to describe something in a particular way.
eg: He painted a rosy picture of family life.
She paints a gloomy picture of the future.
paint a (grim, gloomy, rosy, etc.) picture of sb/sth - to describe sth in a particular way; to give a particular impression of sb/sth.
eg: The report paints a vivid picture of life in the city.
Journalists paint a grim picture of conditions in the camps.
(32) be par for the course - If a type of behaviour, event or situation is par for the course, it is not good but it is normal or as you would expect.
eg: The school budget is going to be cut again this year, but then that's par for the course.
(33) storm in/into/out to - enter or leave a place in a way that shows that you are angry.
eg: He stormed out of the house, slamming the door as he went.
(34) take sb's part - to support someone.
eg: For once, my brother took my part in the argument.
(35) pecking order - an informal social system in which some people or groups know they are more or less important than others.
eg: There's a clearly established pecking order in this office.
He started as a clerk but gradually rose in the pecking order.
(36) peckish - slightly hungry.
eg: By ten o'clock I was feeling rather peckish, even though I'd had a large breakfast.
(37) pick a fight/quarrel/argument - to start a fight/quarrel/argument with someone.
eg: He'd had too much to drink and tried to pick a fight with the bartender.
(38) have your pick - to have a large choice available.
eg: The plane was fairly empty so we had our pick of seats.
(39) pick up the pieces - to try to return to a satisfactory situation.
eg: The fire was a blow, but we were determined to pick up the pieces and get the business back on its feet.
(40) pidgin English/French, etc. English/French, etc. when it is spoken in a simple way, often with many mistakes, either by a foreigner or to a foreigner.
eg: "He come here?" he asked in pidgin English.

(41) put words in/into sb's mouth - to suggest that someone meant one thing when really they meant another.
eg: Stop putting words in my mouth - I didn't say you looked fat in the red dress - I merely said you looked very slim in the black!
(42) puff up - If part of your body puffs up, it becomes bigger because it is infected or injured.
eg: My leg puffed up all round the insect bite.
(43) put sb to shame - to make someone feel ashamed.
eg: It puts me to shame that I still haven't replied to David's letter.
(44) by way of - as a type of.
eg: He sent me some flowers by way of an apology.
(45) rabbit on - to continue talking about something which is not interesting to the listener.
eg: He's always rabbiting on about his stamp collection.
(46) Finishing this project by December is going to be a race against time/the clock (= an attempt to finish fast within a time limit).
(47) rack your brains - to think very hard.
eg: I've been racking my brains all day but I can't remember her name.
(48) lose your rag - to suddenly become very angry.
eg: He said one too many stupid things and I just lost my rag.
(50) lose track - to no longer know what is happening, or not to remember something.
eg: What he was saying was so complicated that I lost track after the first couple of sentences.
I've lost track of the number of times he's asked me to lend him money.
(51) raise your hand to/against sb - to hit someone.
eg: Never raise your hand to a child.
(52) raise a rumpus (UK also kick up a rumpus) - to make a forceful complaint.
eg: You should raise a rumpus about the lack of safety routines here.
(53) a reach of the imagination - when you have to try very hard to imagine something.
eg: It takes (quite) a reach of the imagination to believe that story.
(54) read sb's mind (also read sb's thoughts) - to know what someone is thinking without them telling you.
eg: "How about a drink, then? "Ah, you read my mind!"
(55) Are you fishing for (= trying to get) compliments?
(56) ring true - If something someone says or writes rings true, it seems to be true.
eg: Something about his explanation didn't quite ring true.
(57) run its course to develop and finish naturally.
eg: The doctor's advice is to let the fever run its course.
I had to accept that the relationship had run its course.
(58) run for sth - to run fast in order to get or avoid something.
eg: I ran for the bus but it drove off.
(59) throw money at sth - to spend a lot of money on trying to solve a problem.
eg: We won't solve this problem by throwing money at it.
(60) screw up your courage - to force yourself to be brave.
eg: I screwed up my courage and went in to see the director.
(61) safe and sound - completely safe and without injury or damage.
eg: After three days lost in the mountains, all the climbers arrived home safe and sound.
(62) your secret's safe with me - used to say that you will not tell anyone what you have just been told.
eg: "I'd appreciate it if you kept quiet about this." "Don't worry - your secret's safe with me."
(63) a blitz on sth - a great effort to improve something or do something that needs to be done.
eg: We had a blitz on the house at the weekend and cleaned it completely.
(64) in the saddle - in charge or in control .
eg: The chairman is back in the saddle after his heart attack.
(65) sail against the wind - to be trying to achieve something that is unlikely to succeed because most people would oppose it.
eg: He's sailing against the wind in his attempt to stop women using the club.
(66) (You) mark my words! - something that you say when you tell someone about something that you are certain will happen in the future.
eg: He'll cause trouble - you mark my words!
(67) face - the respect and honour of others.
eg: He thinks he would lose face if he admitted the mistake.
She tried to save face by inventing a story about being overseas at the time.
(68) pull / make faces / a face (at sb) - to produce an expression on your face to show that you do not like sb/sth or in order to make sb laugh.
eg: What are you pulling a face at now?
(69) strike a balance - If you strike a balance between two things, you accept parts of both things in order to satisfy some of the demands of both sides in an argument, rather than all the demands of just one side.
eg: It's a question of striking the right balance between quality and productivity.
strike a balance (between A and B) - to manage to find a way of being fair to two opposing things; to find an acceptable position which is between two things.
(70) scrape (the bottom of) the barrel - to use the worst people or things because that is all that is available.
eg: Richard's in the team? - You really are scraping the barrel!
scrape (the bottom of) the barrel - to have to use whatever things or people you can get, because there is not much choice available.
(71) you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours - used to tell someone that if they help you, you will help them.
(72) see your way (clear) to - to agree to do or allow something.
eg: Could you see your way to letting us borrow the machine on Wednesday?
see your way (clear) to doing sth / to do sth - to find that it is possible or convenient to do sth.
eg: Small builders cannot see their way clear to take on many trainees.
(73) send sb packing - to ask someone to leave immediately.
eg: There were some kids at the door asking for money but I sent them packing.

(74) in store - going to happen soon.
eg: You never know what's in store for you.
There's a bit of a shock in store for him when he gets home tonight!
in store (for sb) - waiting to happen to sb.
eg: We don’t know what life holds in store for us.
If she had known what lay in store for her, she would never have agreed to go.
They think it’ll be easy but they have a surprise in store.
(75) settle a score - to punish someone for something wrong which they did to you in the past, and which you cannot forgive.
eg: Police believe the killer was a gang member settling a score with a rival gang.
(76) shift (your) ground - to change your opinion.
eg: He's annoying to argue with because he keeps shifting his ground.
(77) pull up short - to stop suddenly in a vehicle.
eg: A dog suddenly ran across the road and I had to pull up short.
(78) at short notice (US on short notice) - only a short time before something happens.
eg: I can't cancel my arrangements at such short notice.
(79) in the midst of sth - in the middle of an event, situation or activity.
eg: I'm afraid I'm too busy - I'm in the midst of writing up a report.
The country is in the midst of an economic crisis.
(80) (in) midstream - in the middle of an activity, often one that is interrupted.
eg: She interrupted him in midstream to ask a question.
(81) steal the show/scene - to be the most popular or the best part of an event or situation.
eg: The child with the dog stole the show.
(82) stop at nothing - If you stop at nothing to achieve something, you are willing to do anything in order to achieve it, even if it involves danger, great effort or harming other people.
eg: She'll stop at nothing to get her revenge.
(83) swallow your words - to be forced to admit that something you have said has been shown to be wrong.
eg: I had to swallow my words when the scheme turned out to be a great success.
(84) sweep sth under the carpet UK (US sweep sth under the rug) - to hide a problem or try to keep it secret instead of dealing with it.
eg: The committee is being accused of sweeping financial problems under the carpet to avoid embarrassment.
(85) weeny - extremely small.
eg: All right, I'll have a slice of cake then - but just a weeny bit.
(86) change (your) tack - to try a different method to deal with the same problem.
eg: I've written twice and received no reply, so I might change tack and call her.
(87) tip the scales at - to weigh.
eg: The baby tipped the scales at 3.75 kgs.
(88) take a fancy to sth/sb - to start liking something or someone very much.
eg: Laura's taken a fancy to Japanese food.
(89) take issue with sth - to disagree strongly.
eg: I took issue with him over his interpretation of the instructions.
(90) take the edge off sth - to make something unpleasant have less of an effect on someone.
eg: Have an apple - it'll take the edge off your hunger.
His apology took the edge off her anger.
(91) up to scratch - reaching an acceptable standard.
eg: Your last essay wasn't up to scratch/didn't come up to scratch.
(92) glued to the spot - unable to move because you are very frightened, nervous or interested.
eg: I just stood there, glued to the spot.
(93) hit the spot - to be exactly what is needed.
eg: That bacon sandwich really hit the spot!

(94) every trick in the book - every possible way.
eg: I've tried every trick in the book to seduce him and still no luck!
every trick in the book - every available method, whether it is honest or not.
eg: He’ll try every trick in the book to stop you from winning.
(95) serve sb right - If you say that something bad serves someone right, you mean that they deserve it.
eg: "He hit me!" "It serves you right. You shouldn't have been rude to him."
(96) worrywart - a person who tends to worry, especially about unimportant things.
eg: Don't listen to him - he's just an old worrywart.
(97) verbal diarrhoea - have verbal diarrhoea to talk continuously or too much.
(98) vicious circle - a continuing unpleasant situation, created when one problem causes another problem which then makes the first problem worse.
eg: Many people get caught/trapped in a vicious circle of dieting and weight gain.
(99) wee - to urinate.
eg: Daddy, I want to wee!
(100) What of it? - used to rudely say that you do not think something is important.
eg: "That's the third time you've done that!" "Yeah, what of it?"