Dear Readers,
PustakaBahasaInggris.com – Idiom adalah frase deskriptif yang tidak berarti sama dengan kata-kata individu.
Sebagai contoh:
- To “bend someone’s ear”
Untuk “menekuk telinga seseorang”
Tidak berarti kalian benar-benar memegang telinga seseorang dan menarik serta menekuknya dengan tangan kalian. Jika kalian melakukan itu orang-orang tidak akan senang karena itu mungkin menyakitkan. Maksudnya adalah kalian berbicara dengan seseorang tentang sesuatu yang banyak dan mencoba membuat mereka setuju dengan kalian.
Kata-kata melukiskan gambar visual yang sering cukup aneh atau lucu, tetapi yang benar-benar berarti sesuatu yang lain. Ini berarti bahwa kalian perlu mempelajari apa arti setiap idiom sebagai berarti kalian tidak dapat memahami makna dari kata-kata tersebut.
Jika seseorang menggunakan frase yang tidak kalian pahami atau yang tampaknya sedikit aneh, bisa jadi mereka telah menggunakan idiom. Kalian mungkin bisa menebak apa arti idiom dari konteks dalam kalimat, tetapi jika tidak, dan untuk memastikan, kalian mungkin harus mencarinya menggunakan daftar contoh idiom ini.
Table of Contents
200 Contoh Idiom dalam Bahasa Inggris Lengkap dengan Makna dan Contoh Kalimat serta Latihan Soal
Idiom Examples
1. A penny for your thoughts
A way to ask someone what they are thinking about.
Cara untuk bertanya kepada seseorang apa yang mereka pikirkan.
- A: A penny for your thoughts.
B: I am just thinking about what to eat tonight.
2. Actions speak louder than words
To say that it is easy to claim you will do something but what you really do is all that matters.
Untuk mengatakan bahwa mudah untuk mengklaim Anda akan melakukan sesuatu tetapi apa yang sesungguhnya Anda lakukan adalah yang terpenting.
- A: I think that what you are doing is very important.
B: Good. But remember that actions speak louder than words. So come and help at the weekend.
3. The ball is in your court
To say that it is someone else’s responsibility to make a decision or do something.
Untuk mengatakan bahwa itu adalah tanggung jawab orang lain untuk membuat keputusan atau melakukan sesuatu.
- Here is all the information I could find. The ball is in your court about what to do with it.
4. Beat up
To hit someone and win a fight with them.
Untuk mengalahkan seseorang dan memenangkan pertarungan dengan mereka.
- They were beaten up by the robbers who broke into the shop.
5. Behind one’s back
To do something so that it is hidden from someone and they do not know about it.
Melakukan sesuatu sehingga tersembunyi dari seseorang dan mereka tidak mengetahuinya.
- She went to see the boss behind my back and told him that she had done all the work.
6. Bite one’s tongue
To not say something that you want to say.
Untuk tidak mengatakan sesuatu yang ingin Anda katakan.
- I wanted to tell her to stop complaining and get on with it, but I bit my tongue.
7. Blood from a stone
Something that is very difficult or very hard to do.
Sesuatu yang sangat sulit atau sangat sulit dilakukan.
- Getting him to pay his bill on time is like getting blood from a stone.
8. Broken record
To say the same thing many times, or to repeat something even though everyone knows about it.
Mengatakan hal yang sama berkali-kali, atau mengulangi sesuatu meskipun semua orang mengetahuinya.
- My boss is just like a broken record the way he says I have to wash my hands before making food.
9. Change your mind
To decide to do something different after already having said you will do something else.
Untuk memutuskan melakukan sesuatu yang berbeda setelah mengatakan Anda akan melakukan sesuatu yang lain.
- A: Let’s go out tonight.
B: I thought you wanted to watch television.
A: I did, but I have changed my mind.
10. Chat him up
To talk with someone you find attractive to try to make them like you.
Untuk berbicara dengan seseorang yang Anda anggap menarik untuk mencoba membuat mereka menyukai Anda.
- David has been chatting her up all night but she just looks bored.
11. Come down to earth
To realize what something is really like and see that it is harder or more difficult than you thought.
Untuk menyadari apa yang benar-benar Anda sukai dan melihat bahwa itu lebih sulit atau lebih sulit daripada yang Anda kira.
- After his first day on the job, he had to really come down to earth and see that it was hard work.
12. Cross that bridge when I come to it
To say you will deal with a problem when you need to and not before.
Untuk mengatakan Anda akan menangani masalah ketika Anda perlu dan bukan sebelumnya.
- The heating in the house does not work, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it in the winter.
13. Dead last
To be the very last contestant in a race or completion.
Untuk menjadi kontestan terakhir dalam perlombaan atau penyelesaian.
- I came in dead last, but at least I completed the marathon.
14. Don’t know the first thing about it
To have no knowledge of something.
Tidak memiliki pengetahuan tentang sesuatu.
- What happened in the meeting was private and she doesn’t know the first thing about it as she was not there.
15. Drag your feet
To do something slowly.
Melakukan sesuatu secara perlahan.
- She does not want to do that job, so has been dragging her feet all day.
16. Fall flat on my face
To make a mistake.
Untuk membuat kesalahan.
- She fell flat on her face when trying to give the presentation as it was far too short.
17. Fend for yourself
To have to manage by yourself with no help from anyone.
Harus mengelola sendiri tanpa bantuan dari siapa pun.
- When I went to university I had to fend for myself and cook my own meals.
18. Fight tooth and nail
To use all your strength and ability to achieve something, or to be in very vicious combat.
Untuk menggunakan semua kekuatan dan kemampuan Anda untuk mencapai sesuatu, atau berada dalam pertempuran yang sangat kejam.
- I will fight tooth and nail to make sure that I get one of the free donuts that are delivered on Fridays.
19. From the bottom of my heart
To mean something full and with all your ability.
Berarti sesuatu yang penuh dan dengan semua kemampuan Anda.
- When I said I loved her I really meant it from the bottom of my heart.
20. Gathering dust
Something that has been left and not used for a long time, or something that has been forgotten.
Sesuatu yang telah ditinggalkan dan tidak digunakan untuk waktu yang lama, atau sesuatu yang telah dilupakan.
- Since we got computers the typewriters have been gathering dust.
21. Give a hand
To help someone with something.
Untuk membantu seseorang dengan sesuatu.
- Will you please give a hand to Lucy as she has a lot of work?
22. Have a blast
To have a very good time.
Untuk memiliki waktu yang sangat baik.
- I hope you have a blast when you go out tonight.
23. Have deep pockets
To be able to afford many expensive things.
Untuk dapat membeli banyak barang mahal.
- He has deep pockets as he often brings lots of snacks for us all to share.
24. Have the final say
To be the person that has the authority to make the final decision.
Untuk menjadi orang yang memiliki otoritas untuk membuat keputusan akhir.
- I think this is a good idea, but Jane has the final say on it.
25. In over your head
To be involved in something that is too difficult for you to finish.
Terlibat dalam sesuatu yang terlalu sulit untuk Anda selesaikan.
- I was in over my head but did not have any option other than continuing.
26. Jig is up
A phrase to say when something that is illegal has been found and is being stopped.
Frasa untuk mengatakan ketika sesuatu yang ilegal telah ditemukan dan sedang dihentikan.
- The police officer shouted to the criminals that “the jig is up. Come out.”
27. Lick your wounds
To go away and recover from a bad experience or defeat.
Untuk pergi dan pulih dari pengalaman buruk atau kekalahan.
- He has sat in the corner licking his wounds all afternoon after being told off by the boss.
28. Look out for number one
To do something so that you will get all the benefit.
Untuk melakukan sesuatu sehingga Anda akan mendapatkan semua manfaatnya.
- You need to look out for number one before helping other people.
29. Money doesn’t grow on trees
To say that you should think carefully about spending money as there is only a limited amount.
Untuk mengatakan bahwa Anda harus berpikir dengan hati-hati tentang membelanjakan uang karena hanya ada jumlah terbatas.
- I can’t believe you’ve bought more clothes. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
30. Month of Sundays
A very long time.
Waktu yang sangat lama.
- I will never be able to do this, not even in a month of Sundays.
31. Off the beaten track
To be difficult to find, or to be very isolated and remote.
Sulit ditemukan, atau sangat terpencil dan terpencil.
- I am going on holiday to a cottage that is off the beaten track, so I should be able to relax.
32. On the double
To do something quickly, or to say something should be done quickly.
Melakukan sesuatu dengan cepat, atau mengatakan sesuatu harus dilakukan dengan cepat.
- Put your books away and tidy up the classroom. Come-on – quickly – on the double.
33. Point of no return
The time that you can no longer change your mind, or when you have to do what you are doing now.
Saat Anda tidak bisa lagi berubah pikiran, atau ketika Anda harus melakukan apa yang Anda lakukan sekarang.
- This is the point of no return: if we continue the project has to be successful or we will lose our jobs.
34. Put you in a bad mood
To make you upset, or to make you angry about something.
Untuk membuatmu kesal, atau membuatmu marah tentang sesuatu.
- Every time I have to drive in the big city it puts me in a bad mood.
35. Rack my brain
To think about something very hard, or to try to remember something.
Untuk memikirkan sesuatu yang sangat sulit, atau mencoba mengingat sesuatu.
- I racked my brain but could not think of any way to fix the problem.
36. Roll out the red carpet
To treat someone as if they were a very important person.
Untuk memperlakukan seseorang seolah-olah mereka adalah orang yang sangat penting.
- Every time she comes to visit everyone makes it look nice and rolls out the red carpet.
37. Second nature
Something that you find very easy to do.
Sesuatu yang menurut Anda sangat mudah dilakukan.
- Playing tennis is like second nature to me as I have been doing it so long.
38. Snatch victory from the jaws of defeat
To win or be successful at the very last moment when it appeared that you would lose or fail.
Untuk menang atau menjadi sukses pada saat-saat terakhir ketika tampaknya Anda akan kalah atau gagal.
- The football team never gave up and finally snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the last minute.
39. Stand on ceremony
To expect that everything is done in the proper and very formal way.
Untuk mengharapkan bahwa semuanya dilakukan dengan cara yang benar dan sangat formal.
- Please do not stand on ceremony, just get some food to eat and find somewhere to sit.
40. Taking care of business
A way to say that you are doing what you are required to do.
Cara untuk mengatakan bahwa Anda melakukan apa yang harus Anda lakukan.
- A: What have you been doing?
B: Oh, just taking care of business.
41. That’ll be the day
To say that you do not believe something will happen.
Untuk mengatakan bahwa Anda tidak percaya sesuatu akan terjadi.
- That’ll be the day when Andy is early for work.
42. The cart before the horse
To start to do something before all the preparation has been finished.
Untuk mulai melakukan sesuatu sebelum semua persiapan selesai.
- Sitting down to eat before the food has finished cooking is putting the cart before the horse.
43. There’s one born every minute
A way to say that you think someone did something that was very silly or stupid.
Suatu cara untuk mengatakan bahwa Anda berpikir seseorang melakukan sesuatu yang sangat konyol atau bodoh.
- A: James fell into a hole yesterday. He was looking at his phone and not where he was going.
B: There’s one born every minute.
44. Till the cows come home
For a long time.
Untuk waktu yang lama.
- I will have to keep working until the cows come home if I am going to finish this today.
45. Till you’re blue in the face
To have to say the same thing over and over again to someone without them paying attention to you.
Harus mengatakan hal yang sama berulang kali kepada seseorang tanpa mereka memperhatikan Anda.
- I told her not to do that till I was blue in the face, but she did it and will now have to clean up the mess.
46. Tough time of it
To have difficulty doing something, or to experience a difficult period.
Untuk kesulitan melakukan sesuatu, atau mengalami masa sulit.
- I am having a tough time of it as my wife is ill and I need to do everything.
47. Turn the air blue
To swear a lot.
Banyak bersumpah.
- He turned the air blue when he hit his thumb by mistake with the hammer.
48. Variety is the spice of life
To say that having different experiences makes life fun and interesting.
Untuk mengatakan bahwa memiliki pengalaman yang berbeda membuat hidup menjadi menyenangkan dan menarik.
- I believe that variety is the spice of life, so I tried every type of beer the pub had.
49. Wash your hands of it
To finish something or to give it away so that it is no longer your responsibility.
Untuk menyelesaikan sesuatu atau memberikannya sehingga itu bukan lagi tanggung jawab Anda.
- I gave him the keys for the car and washed my hands of it.
50. Watch your P’s and Q’s
To tell someone to be polite and to use good manners.
Memberitahu seseorang untuk bersikap sopan dan menggunakan sopan santun.
- He is very old so you need to watch your P’s and Q’s with him.
Latihan Soal 1
Idioms Vocabulary
Chose the correct definition for the idiom in this quiz.
1) What is the definition of Look out for number one?
A) To have difficulty doing something, or to experience a difficult period.
B) To help someone with something.
C) To do something so that you will get all the benefit.
D) To be difficult to find, or to be very isolated and remote.
2) What is the definition of Lick your wounds?
A) To swear a lot.
B) To go away and recover from a bad experience or defeat.
C) A way to ask someone what they are thinking about.
D) To start to do something before all the preparation has been finished.
3) What is the definition of Have a blast?
A) To tell someone to be polite and to use good manners.
B) Something that you find very easy to do.
C) To say that it is someone else’s responsibility to make a decision or do something.
D) To have a very good time.
4) What is the definition of Stand on ceremony?
A) To expect that everything is done in the proper and very formal way.
B) To finish something or to give it away so that it is no longer your responsibility.
C) To say that having different experiences makes life fun and interesting.
D) To do something slowly.
5) What is the definition of Don’t know the first thing about it?
A) To have no knowledge of something.
B) The time that you can no longer change your mind, or when you have to do what you are doing now.
C) To use all your strength and ability to achieve something, or to be in very vicious combat.
D) To say you will deal with a problem when you need to and not before.
Latihan Soal 2
Idioms Vocabulary
Chose the idiom that matches the definition given in each of the five questions in this quiz.
1) What is the meaning of the following definition: To say that it is easy to claim you will do something but what you really do is all that matters?
A) Actions speak louder than words
B) The ball is in your court
C) Second nature
D) Watch your P’s and Q’s
2) What is the meaning of the following definition: A phrase to say when something that is illegal has been found and is being stopped?
A) Cross that bridge when I come to it
B) Fight tooth and nail
C) Jig is up
D) Point of no return
3) What is the meaning of the following definition: To make a mistake?
A) Drag your feet
B) Variety is the spice of life
C) Wash your hands of it
D) Fall flat on my face
4) What is the meaning of the following definition: To be able to afford many expensive things?
A) The cart before the horse
B) Have deep pockets
C) A penny for your thoughts
D) Turn the air blue
5) What is the meaning of the following definition: To mean something full and with all your ability?
A) Off the beaten track
B) Give a hand
C) From the bottom of my heart
D) Tough time of it
More Idiom
Part A
A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush:
Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more because chances are you might lose everything.
A Blessing In Disguise:
Something good that isn’t recognized at first.
A Chip On Your Shoulder:
Being upset about something that happened in the past.
A Dime A Dozen:
Anything that is common and easy to get.
A Doubting Thomas:
A skeptic who needs physical or personal evidence in order to believe something.
A Drop in the Bucket:
A very small part of something big or whole.
A Fool And His Money Are Easily Parted:
It’s easy for a foolish person to lose his/her money.
A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand:
Everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not work out.
A Leopard Can’t Change His Spots:
You cannot change who you are.
A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned:
By not spending money, you are saving money (little by little).
A Picture Paints a Thousand Words:
A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.
A Piece of Cake:
A task that can be accomplished very easily.
A Slap on the Wrist:
A very mild punishment.
A Taste Of Your Own Medicine:
When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others.
A Toss-Up:
A result that is still unclear and can go either way.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words:
It’s better to actually do something than just talk about it.
Add Fuel To The Fire:
Whenever something is done to make a bad situation even worse than it is.
Against The Clock:
Rushed and short on time.
All Bark And No Bite:
When someone is threatening and/or aggressive but not willing to engage in a fight.
All Greek to me:
Meaningless and incomprehensible like someone who cannot read, speak, or understand any of the Greek languages would be.
All In The Same Boat:
When everyone is facing the same challenges.
An Arm And A Leg:
Very expensive. A large amount of money.
An Axe To Grind:
To have a dispute with someone.
Apple of My Eye:
Someone who is cherished above all others.
As High As A Kite:
Anything that is high up in the sky.
At The Drop Of A Hat:
Willing to do something immediately.
Part B
Back Seat Driver:
People who criticize from the sidelines, much like someone giving unwanted advice from the back seat of a vehicle to the driver.
Back To Square One:
Having to start all over again.
Back To The Drawing Board:
When an attempt fails and it’s time to start all over.
Baker’s Dozen:
Thirteen.
Barking Up The Wrong Tree:
A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve.
Beat A Dead Horse:
To force an issue that has already ended.
Beating Around The Bush:
Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.
Bend Over Backwards:
Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything.
Between A Rock And A Hard Place:
Stuck between two very bad options.
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:
To take on a task that is a way to big.
Bite Your Tongue:
To avoid talking.
Blood Is Thicker Than Water:
The family bond is closer than anything else.
Blue Moon:
A rare event or occurrence.
Break A Leg:
A superstitious way to say ‘good luck’ without saying ‘good luck’, but rather the opposite.
Buy A Lemon:
To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it away.
Part C
Can’t Cut The Mustard :
Someone who isn’t adequate enough to compete or participate.
Cast Iron Stomach:
Someone who has no problems, complications or ill effects with eating anything or drinking anything.
Charley Horse:
Stiffness in the leg / A leg cramp.
Chew someone out:
Verbally scold someone.
Chip on his Shoulder:
Angry today about something that occurred in the past.
Chow Down:
To eat.
Close but no Cigar:
To be very near and almost accomplish a goal, but fall short.
Come Hell Or High Water:
Any difficult situation or obstacle.
Crack Someone Up:
To make someone laugh.
Cross Your Fingers:
To hope that something happens the way you want it to.
Cry Over Spilt Milk:
When you complain about a loss from the past.
Cry Wolf:
Intentionally raise a false alarm.
Cup Of Joe:
A cup of coffee.
Curiosity Killed The Cat:
Being Inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation.
Cut to the Chase:
Leave out all the unnecessary details and just get to the point.
Part D
Dark Horse:
One who was previously unknown and is now prominent.
Dead Ringer:
100% identical. A duplicate.
Devil’s Advocate:
Someone who takes a position for the sake of argument without believing in that particular side of the argument. It can also mean one who presents a counter-argument for a position they do believe in, to another debater.
Dog Days of Summer:
The hottest days of the summer season.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch:
Don’t rely on it until you’re sure of it.
Don’t Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth:
When someone gives you a gift, don’t be ungrateful.
Don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basket:
Do not put all your resources in one possibility.
Doozy:
Something outstanding.
Down To The Wire:
Something that ends at the last minute or last few seconds.
Drastic Times Call For Drastic Measures:
When you are extremely desperate you need to take extremely desperate actions.
Drink like a fish:
To drink very heavily.
Drive someone up the wall:
To irritate and/or annoy very much.
Dropping Like Flies:
A large number of people either falling ill or dying.
Dry Run:
Rehearsal.
Part E
Eighty-Six:
A certain item is no longer available. Or this idiom can also mean, to throw away.
Elvis has left the building:
The show has come to an end. It’s all over.
Ethnic Cleansing:
The killing of a certain ethnic or religious group on a massive scale.
Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining:
Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
Everything But The Kitchen Sink:
Almost everything and anything has been included.
Excuse my French:
Please forgive me for cussing.
Cock and Bull Story:
An unbelievable tale.
Cock and Bull Story:
An unbelievable tale.
Part F
Feeding Frenzy:
An aggressive attack on someone by a group.
Field Day:
An enjoyable day or circumstance.
Finding Your Feet:
To become more comfortable in whatever you are doing.
Finger-Lickin’ good:
A very tasty food or meal.
Fixed In Your Ways:
Not willing or wanting to change from your normal way of doing something.
Flash In The Pan:
Something that shows potential or looks promising in the beginning but fails to deliver anything in the end.
Flea Market:
A swap meet. A place where people gather to buy and sell inexpensive goods.
Flesh and Blood:
This idiom can mean a living material of which people are made of, or it can refer to someone’s family.
Flip The Bird:
To raise your middle finger at someone.
Foam at the Mouth:
To be enraged and show it.
Fools’ Gold:
Iron pyrites, a worthless rock that resembles real gold.
French Kiss:
An open mouth kiss where tongues touch.
From Rags To Riches:
To go from being very poor to being very wealthy.
Fuddy-duddy:
An old-fashioned and foolish type of person.
Full Monty:
This idiom can mean either, “the whole thing” or “completely nude”.
Funny Farm:
A mental institutional facility.
Part G
Get Down to Brass Tacks:
To become serious about something.
Get Over It:
To move beyond something that is bothering you.
Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed:
Someone who is having a horrible day.
Get Your Walking Papers:
Get fired from a job.
Give Him The Slip:
To get away from. To escape.
Go Down Like A Lead Balloon:
To be received badly by an audience.
Go For Broke:
To gamble everything you have.
Go Out On A Limb:
Put yourself in a tough position in order to support someone/something.
Go The Extra Mile:
Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand.
Good Samaritan:
Someone who helps others when they are in need, with no discussion for compensation, and no thought of a reward.
Graveyard Shift:
Working hours from about 12:00 am to 8:00 am. The time of the day when most other people are sleeping.
Great Minds Think Alike:
Intelligent people think like each other.
Green Room:
The waiting room, especially for those who are about to go on a tv or radio show.
Gut Feeling:
A personal intuition you get, especially when feel something may not be right.
Part H
Haste Makes Waste:
Quickly doing things results in a poor ending.
Hat Trick:
When one player scores three goals in the same hockey game. This idiom can also mean three scores in any other sport, such as 3 home runs, 3 touchdowns, 3 soccer goals, etc.
Have an Axe to Grind:
To have a dispute with someone.
He Lost His Head:
Angry and overcome by emotions.
Head Over Heels:
Very excited and/or joyful, especially when in love.
Hell in a Handbasket:
Deteriorating and headed for complete disaster.
High Five:
Slapping palms above each other heads as celebration gesture.
High on the Hog:
Living in Luxury.
Hit The Books:
To study, especially for a test or exam.
Hit The Hay:
Go to bed or go to sleep.
Hit The Nail on the Head:
Do something exactly right or say something exactly right.
Hit The Sack:
Go to bed or go to sleep.
Hocus Pocus:
In general, a term used in magic or trickery.
Hold Your Horses:
Be patient.
Part I
Icing On The Cake:
When you already have it good and get something on top of what you already have.
Idle Hands Are The Devil’s Tools:
You are more likely to get in trouble if you have nothing to do.
If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Another:
When one thing goes wrong, then another, and another…
In Like Flynn:
To be easily successful, especially when sexual or romantic.
In The Bag:
To have something secured.
In The Buff:
Nude.
In The Heat Of The Moment:
Overwhelmed by what is happening at the moment.
In Your Face:
An aggressive and bold confrontation.
It Takes Two To Tango:
A two person conflict where both people are at fault.
It’s A Small World:
You frequently see the same people in different places.
Its Anyone’s Call:
A competition where the outcome is difficult to judge or predict.
Ivy League:
Since 1954 the Ivy League has been the following universities: Columbia, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Harvard.
Part J
Jaywalk:
Crossing the street (from the middle) without using the crosswalk.
Joshing Me:
Tricking me.
Part K
Keep An Eye On Him:
You should carefully watch him.
Keep body and soul together:
To earn a sufficient amount of money in order to keep yourself alive.
Keep your chin up:
To remain joyful in a tough situation.
Kick The Bucket:
Die.
Kitty-corner:
Diagonally across. Sometimes called Catty-Corner as well.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
A quick and automatic response.
Knock On Wood:
Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid some bad luck.
Know the Ropes:
To understand the details.
Part L
Last but not least:
An introduction phrase to let the audience know that the last person mentioned is no less important than those introduced before him/her.
Lend Me Your Ear:
To politely ask for someone’s full attention.
Let Bygones Be Bygones:
To forget about a disagreement or argument.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie:
To avoid restarting a conflict.
Let The Cat Out Of The Bag:
To share a secret that wasn’t supposed to be shared.
Level playing field:
A fair competition where no side has an advantage.
Like a chicken with its head cut off:
To act in a frenzied manner.
Liquor someone up:
To get someone drunk.
Long in the Tooth:
Old people (or horses).
Loose Cannon:
Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not kept in check.
Part M
Make No Bones About:
To state a fact so there are no doubts or objections.
Method To My Madness:
Strange or crazy actions that appear meaningless but in the end are done for a good reason.
Mumbo Jumbo:
Nonsense or meaningless speech.
Mum’s the word:
To keep quiet. To say nothing.
Part N
Nest Egg:
Savings set aside for future use.
Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You:
Don’t hurt anyone that helps you.
New kid on the block:
Someone new to the group or area.
New York Minute:
A minute that seems to go by quickly, especially in a fast-paced environment.
No Dice:
To not agree. To not accept a proposition.
No Room to Swing a Cat:
An unusually small or confined space.
Not Playing With a Full Deck:
Someone who lacks intelligence.
Part O
Off On The Wrong Foot:
Getting a bad start on a relationship or task.
Off The Hook:
No longer have to deal with a tough situation.
Off the Record:
Something said in confidence that the one speaking doesn’t want to be attributed to him/her.
On Pins And Needles:
Anxious or nervous, especially in anticipation of something.
On The Fence:
Undecided.
On The Same Page:
When multiple people all agree on the same thing.
Out Of The Blue:
Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs.
Out On A Limb:
When someone puts themselves in a risky situation.
Out On The Town:
To enjoy yourself by going out.
Over My Dead Body:
When you absolutely will not allow something to happen.
Over the Top:
Very excessive.
Part P
Pass The Buck:
Avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else.
Pedal to the metal:
To go full speed, especially while driving a vehicle.
Peeping Tom:
Someone who observes people in the nude or sexually active people, mainly for his own gratification.
Pick up your ears:
To listen very carefully.
Pig In A Poke:
A deal that is made without first examining it.
Pig Out :
To eat a lot and eat it quickly.
Pipe Down:
To shut-up or be quiet.
Practice Makes Perfect:
By constantly practicing, you will become better.
Pull the plug:
To stop something. To bring something to an end.
Pulling Your Leg:
Tricking someone as a joke.
Put a sock in it:
To tell a noisy person or a group to be quiet.
Part Q
Queer the pitch:
Destroy or ruin a plan.
Part R
Raincheck:
An offer or deal that is declined right now but willing to accept later.
Raining Cats and Dogs:
A very loud and noisy rain storm.
Ring Fencing:
Separated usual judgment to guarantee protection, especially project funds.
Rise and Shine:
Time to get out of bed and get ready for work/school.
Rome Was Not Built In One Day:
If you want something to be completed properly, then it’s going to take time.
Rule Of Thumb:
A rough estimate.
Run out of steam:
To be completely out of energy.
Part S
Saved By The Bell:
Saved at the last possible moment.
Scapegoat:
Someone else who takes the blame.
Scot-free:
To escape and not have to pay.
Sick As A Dog:
To be very sick (with the flu or a cold).
Sitting Shotgun:
Riding in the front passenger seat of a car.
Sixth Sense:
A paranormal sense that allows you to communicate with the dead.
Skid Row:
The rundown area of a city where the homeless and drug users live.
Smell A Rat:
To detect someone in the group is betraying the others.
Smell Something Fishy:
Detecting that something isn’t right and there might be a reason for it.
Son of a Gun:
A scamp.
Southpaw:
Someone who is left-handed.
Spitting Image:
The exact likeness or kind.
Start From Scratch:
To do it all over again from the beginning.
Part T
The Ball Is In Your Court:
It is your decision this time.
The Best Of Both Worlds:
There are two choices and you have them both.
The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall:
While the bigger and stronger opponent might be a lot more difficult to beat, when you do they suffer a much bigger loss.
The Last Straw:
When one small burden after another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw is the last small burden that one can take.
The Whole Nine Yards:
Everything. All of it.
Third times a charm:
After no success the first two times, the third try is a lucky one.
Tie the knot:
To get married.
Til the cows come home:
A long time.
To Make A Long Story Short:
Something someone would say during a long and boring story in order to keep his/her audience from losing attention. Usually, the story isn’t shortened.
To Steal Someone’s Thunder:
To take the credit for something someone else did.
Tongue-in-cheek:
humor, not to be taken seriously.
Turn A Blind Eye:
Refuse to acknowledge something you know is real or legit.
Twenty-three skidoo:
To be turned away.
Part U
Under the weather:
Feeling ill or sick.
Up a blind alley:
Going down a course of action that leads to a bad outcome.
Use Your Loaf:
Use your head. Think smart.
Part V
Van Gogh’s ear for music:
Tone deaf.
Variety Is The Spice Of Life:
The more experiences you try the more exciting life can be.
Part W
Wag the Dog:
A diversion away from something of greater importance.
Water Under The Bridge:
Anything from the past that isn’t significant or important anymore.
Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve:
To openly and freely express your emotions.
When It Rains, It Pours:
Since it rarely rains, when it does it will be a huge storm.
When Pigs Fly :
Something that will never ever happen.
Wild and Woolly:
Uncultured and without laws.
Wine and Dine:
When somebody is treated to an expensive meal.
Without A Doubt:
For certain.
Part X
X marks the spot:
A phrase that is said when someone finds something he/she has been looking for.
Part Y
You Are What You Eat:
In order to stay healthy, you must eat healthy foods.
You Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover:
Decisions shouldn’t be made primarily on appearance.
You Can’t Take it With You:
Enjoy what you have and not what you don’t have since when you die you cannot take things (such as money) with you.
Your Guess Is As Good As Mine:
I have no idea.
Part Z
Zero Tolerance:
No crime or law-breaking big or small will be overlooked.
Ingat dan coba gunakan sendiri di lain waktu agar Bahasa Inggris kalian terdengar lebih maju.
