Idioms |
At loss for words-speechless, unable to speak Ballpark figure-estimate Beating about the bush-if someone doesn’t speak directly, but rambles or hesitates By and large-generally speaking, in general, mostly true Cancel- call off; write off Come up trumps-produced good, unexpected results Compile/write down- draw up Depend on/rely on- Disappoint- let you down Do battle with-fight it out Fighting a losing battle-making no progress Fighting a running battle-having a series of arguments Find out opinions/intentions-learn something that you didn’t already know, discover For a level playing field-a situation that gives no one an advantage Get a word in edgeways-to get a chance to say something; don’t get a chance to speak Get straight to the point-when someone speak directly, without hesitating, opposite of beating about the bush Gift of the gab- to be talented for something Give and take-balance, (negotiation), compromise Half the battle-the rest is easy Hard and fast-a strict rule, fixed Have a friendly relationship-get on well Have a quick word-to say something quickly Heard it on the grapevine-rumor, unofficially Heard something from the horse’s mouth-get the information directly from the person concerned Hedge our bets-reduce our chances of failure Keep/maintain-hold on to Make bigger/stronger-cement Make head or tail of something-understand, find meaning in something Makes no odds-makes no difference Moving the goalposts-changing their aims or decisions Off the top of my head-from memory, spontaneously On and off-sometimes, occasionally, not continuously On the ball-quick to understand On the same wavelength-when two people agree on most things, they are on the same wavelength On the tip of the tongue-the inability to remember a word On the warpath-very angry Over the odds-more than it’s worth Panacea-something that people think will make everything better Plain sailing-easy to do or achieve Play your cards right-do the right thing Postpone/delay-put off Pros and cons-advantages and disadvantages Put you in the picture-to explain something to someone Quid pro quo-something that you give or do in exchange for something else Speak off the cuff-without preparing ahead of time what one will say, without preparation Stick to your guns-maintain your point of view Talk to a brick wall-talk to an unresponsive person Talking at cross purposes-if two people talk at cross purposes, they do not understand each other because they talk about different things The odds are stacked against us-there are many difficulties To talk shop-to discuss one’s business or profession Tongue-tied-unable to speak Touch and go-very unsure that something will happen; very uncertain about something, Up in arms-very angry and ready to fight Ups and downs-rise and fall Wine and dine-entertaining of your business partners Word of mouth-oral advertising
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