Thursday 6 December 2012

Idioms

Idiom - a group of words whose meaning cannot be predicted from the meanings of the constituen words, as for example (It was raining) cats and dogs.

Learn English idioms to speak more confidently and understand real English conversations.

    have nothing/anything to do with 
1. to prefer not to associate or be associated with someone or something. 
    I don't like Mike so I won't have anything to do with the books he writes. 
2. to not involve someone or something
    Bob will have nothing to do with Mary since she quit her job.

    in the picture

1. well-informed
    Please, keep me fully in the picture
2. aware of what is going on
    John found out about the plan. He's in the picture, so take care.

    Nothing for me, thanks.
1. to decline a serving of food or drink
    Waiter: Would you care for dessert? 
    Bob: Nothing for me, thanks. 
 2. do not want any of what was offered
     Bob: We have beer and wine. Which would you like? 
     Mary: Nothing for me, thanks.

     cross the line
 
1. to change from being acceptable to being unacceptable
     I thought the jokes crossed the line and were basically embarrassing.
2. to do something wrong 
     If you steal someone's idea, you have absolutely crossed the line.

    You can't judge a book by its cover.
1. something that you say which means you cannot judge the quality or character of 
  someone or something just by looking at them 
    She doesn't look very intelligent, but you can't judge a book by its cover.

     an arm and a leg
 1. a lot of money 
     Everything the restaurant offers tastes good, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
     Usage notes: usually used with the verbs cost, pay, and charge

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