proverbs idioms
abbreviated piece of nothing
|
This slang
expression refers to someone who is considered to be insignificant or
worthless.
Bob doesn't think much of his new colleague. He calls him an 'abbreviated piece of nothing'. |
to the best of one's ability.
|
When someone does
something to the best of their ability, they do it as well as
they possibly can.
I felt nervous all through the interview, but I replied to the best of my ability. |
(of) no fixed abode
|
A person of
no fixed abode has nowhere permanent to live.
A 30-year-old man of no fixed abode was charged with the burglary. |
about turn/about face
|
This term refers to
a complete change of opinion or policy.
The ambassador's recent declarations indicate an about turn in foreign policy. |
above and beyond the call of duty
|
If a person does
something which is above and beyond the call of duty, they show a
greater degree of courage or effort than is usually required or expected in
their job.
The fire-fighter received a medal for his action which went above and beyond the call of duty. |
above board
|
If a situation or
business is described as above board, it is open, honest and
legal.
There are not secret negotiations. Our dealings have always been above board. |
more by accident than by
design
|
Something that
happens more by accident than (by) design is done without
deliberate intention.
I became an interpreter more by accident than design; nobody else could speak the language of the refugees. |
accidentally on purpose
|
If you do something
intentionally, but pretend it was an accident, you do it accidentally
on purpose.
I accidentally-on-purpose erased his email address so I couldn't contact him again. |
an accomplished fact (also 'fait accompli')
|
Something that has
been done or completed, before those affected by it can intervene or change
it, is called an accomplished fact.
|
of your own accord
|
If you do something of
your own accord, you do it spontaneously or willingly, without being
influenced or forced by anyone.
The boy went to see the owner of his own accord and admitted breaking the window. |
no accounting for taste
|
This expression is
used to indicate surprise at another person's likes or dislikes.
She fell in love with a guy who is short, fat, bald and poor ... there's no accounting for taste! |
ace a test
|
If you obtain a very
high score or an excellent result, you ace a test or exam.
Maria's parents said she could go to the party if she aced her English test. |
have an ace up your sleeve
|
If you have
an ace up your sleeve, you have something in reserve with which you can
gain an advantage.
I'm well prepared for the negotiations. I've got an ace up my sleeve. |
hold all the aces
|
A person who holds
all the aces is in a very strong position because they have more
advantages than anyone else.
Given the high unemployment figures in some countries, employers hold all the aces. |
1.
"Two wrongs don't make a
right."
Tweet This!When someone has done something bad to you, trying
to get revenge will only make things worse.
2.
"The pen is mightier than the
sword."
Tweet This!Trying to convince people with ideas and words is
more effective than trying to force people to do what you want.
3.
"When in Rome, do as the
Romans."
Tweet This!Act the way that the people around you are acting.
This phrase might come in handy when you're traveling abroad notice that people
do things differently than you're used to.
4.
"The squeaky wheel gets the
grease."
Tweet This!You can get better service if you complain about
something. If you wait patiently, no one's going to help you.
5.
"When the going gets tough, the
tough get going."
Tweet This!Strong people don't give up when they come across challenges.
They just work harder.
6.
"No man is an island."
Tweet This!You can't live completely independently. Everyone
needs help from other people.
7.
"Fortune favors the bold."
Tweet This!People who bravely go after what they want are more
successful than people who try to live safely.
8.
"People who live in glass houses
should not throw stones."
Tweet This!Don't criticize other people if you're not perfect
yourself.
9.
"Hope for the best, but prepare
for the worst."
Tweet This!Bad things might happen, so be prepared.
10.
"Better late than never."
Tweet This!It's best to do something on time. But if you can't
do it on time, do it late.
11.
"Birds of a feather flock
together."
Tweet This!People like to spend time with others who are
similar to them.
12.
"Keep your friends close and
your enemies closer."
Tweet This!If you have an enemy, pretend to be friends with
them instead of openly fighting with them. That way you can watch them
carefully and figure out what they're planning.
13.
"A picture is worth a thousand
words."
Tweet This!Pictures convey emotions and messages better than
written or spoken explanations. That's why PhraseMix has illustrations :)
14.
"There's no such thing as a free
lunch."
Tweet This!Things that are offered for free always have a
hidden cost.
15.
"There's no place like
home."
Tweet This!Your own home is the most comfortable place to be.
16.
"Discretion is the greater part
of valor."
Tweet This!Sometimes it's important to know when to give up
and run away, instead of always acting brave and maybe getting hurt.
17.
"The early bird catches the
worm."
Tweet This!You should wake up and start work early if you want
to succeed.
18.
"Never look a gift horse in the
mouth."
Tweet This!If someone offers you a gift, don't question it.
19.
"You can't make an omelet
without breaking a few eggs."
Tweet This!When you try to do something great, you'll probably
make a few people annoyed or angry. Don't worry about those people; just focus
on the good results.
20.
"God helps those who help
themselves."
Tweet This!Don't just wait for good things to happen to you.
Work hard to achieve your goals.
21.
"You can't always get what you
want."
Tweet This!Don't whine and complain if you don't get what you
wanted.
22.
"Cleanliness is next to
godliness."
Tweet This!Be clean. God likes that.
23.
"A watched pot never
boils."
Tweet This!If something takes time to finish, don't watch it
too closely because it will seem like it's taking forever.
24.
"Beggars can't be
choosers."
Tweet This!If you're asking for a favor from someone else, you
have to take whatever they give you.
25.
"Actions speak louder than
words."
Tweet This!Just saying that you'll do something doesn't mean
much. Actually doing it is harder and more meaningful.
26.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix
it."
Tweet This!Don't try to improve something that already works
fairly well. You'll probably end up causing new problems.
27.
"Practice makes perfect."
Tweet This!You have to practice a skill a lot to become good
at it.
28.
"Too many cooks spoil the
broth."
Tweet This!When there are too many people trying to lead and
give their opinions, it's confusing and leads to bad results. Jobs and projects
should have one or two strong leaders.
29.
"Easy come, easy go."
Tweet This!When you get money quickly, like by winning it,
it's easy to spend it or lose it quickly as well.
30.
"Don't bite the hand that feeds
you."
Tweet This!If someone's paying you or helping you out, you
have to be careful not to make them angry or say bad things about them.
31.
"All good things must come to an
end."
Tweet This!You can't keep having good luck or fun forever;
eventually it will stop.
32.
"If you can't beat 'em, join
'em."
Tweet This!When you try to change someone's behavior and it
doesn't work, you might have to change instead. For example, if you're trying
to get your classmates to focus on studying but they want to party, maybe you
should just party with them.
33.
"One man's trash is another
man's treasure."
Tweet This!Different people have different ideas about what's
valuable.
34.
"There's no time like the
present."
Tweet This!If you need to do something, don't wait until
later. Do it now.
35.
"Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder."
Tweet This!Different people have different ideas about what's
beautiful.
36.
"Necessity is the mother of
invention."
Tweet This!When you're really in need, you think of creative
solutions to your problems.
37.
"A penny saved is a penny
earned."
Tweet This!Save your money. Saving money is just like making
money.
38.
"Familiarity breeds
contempt."
Tweet This!When you're around someone for too long, you get
tired of them and annoyed by them.
39.
"You can't judge a book by its
cover."
Tweet This!Things sometimes look different than they really
are. A restaurant that looks old and small might have amazing food, for
example.
40.
"Good things come to those who
wait."
Tweet This!Be patient. Eventually something good will happen
to you.
41.
"Don't put all your eggs in one
basket."
Tweet This!Have a backup plan. Don't risk all of your money or
time in one plan.
42.
"Two heads are better than
one."
Tweet This!When two people cooperate with each other, they
come up with better ideas.
43.
"The grass is always greener on
the other side of the hill."
Tweet This!People tend to want whatever they don't have.
44.
"Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you."
Tweet This!Don't do mean things to people.
45.
"A chain is only as strong as
its weakest link."
Tweet This!If one member of a team doesn't perform well, the
whole team will fail.
46.
"Honesty is the best
policy."
Tweet This!Don't lie.
47.
"Absence makes the heart grow
fonder."
Tweet This!Sometimes it's good to be away from your partner,
because it makes you want to see each other again.
48.
"You can lead a horse to water,
but you can't make him drink."
Tweet This!If you try to help someone, but they don't take
your advice or offers, give up. You can't force someone to accept your help.
49.
"Don't count your chickens
before they hatch."
Tweet This!Your plans might not work out, so don't start
thinking about what you'll do after you succeed. Wait until you've already
succeeded, and then you can think about what to do next.
50.
"If you want something done
right, you have to do it yourself."
Tweet This!Don't trust other people to do important things for
you. You have to do things yourself to control the quality of the results.
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