English idioms glossary

make a bad situation or argument worse

all day and all night without stopping

healthy or independent again after a difficult period

start planning again because the first attempt failed

avoid saying something directly

unexpected success by someone doing something for the first time

used ironically when something was completely expected

accept more work than you can manage

do something innovative that has not been done before

make people feel more relaxed when they first meet

offer a useful skill, idea or advantage

end a disagreement and become friendly again

the most important fact or final financial result

stop working on something for the day

discuss a problem openly to reduce tension

admit the truth about something hidden

be successful after a competition or difficulty

be extremely expensive

do something cheaply or quickly by ignoring proper standards

a person with unexpected abilities or chances of success

an amount too small to make much difference

feeling unhappy, discouraged or low

experiencing a period of bad luck, often financially

something good can be found in every difficult situation

very healthy and energetic

an idea worth thinking carefully about

have a friendly relationship

become difficult or impossible to control

say the important thing immediately

start an activity or process

make sure your information is correct

stop being unreasonable or annoying

be likely to become very successful

make more effort than is expected

accept a situation instead of trying to control it

trust your instinct when deciding

wait for a short time

change your opinion or decision

be extremely kind and generous

feel special affection for someone or something

have a strong desire to travel or move somewhere new

begin a journey

in very few words

in control of a situation

just before it is too late

used when something unlucky happens in a typical way

continue giving someone the latest information

stay calm in a difficult situation

stay focused on the main goal

know every detail of something

learn through an unpleasant experience

learn how a job or activity works

lose control or the ability to deal with a situation

a result that depends entirely on chance

have just enough money to pay for essential living costs

compromise by accepting part of what another person wants

unfairly change the rules or requirements during a process

my mistake; I accept responsibility

not important or difficult

a person whose thoughts and feelings are easy to understand

away from places that most tourists visit

using a very small amount of money

extremely happy, especially because something wonderful has happened

unable to decide between two options

very rarely

extremely happy and excited about something

very easy

produce a good result after effort or patience

do something dangerous that may cause trouble

succeed in doing something difficult

deceive someone so they do not know the truth

risk everything on one plan or option

rain extremely heavily

set a higher standard

find a meaning that is suggested but not stated

rest so that you feel energetic again

sound familiar without being clearly remembered

tired and slightly unwell

a lot of anger or worry about an unimportant issue

an unexpected piece of good fortune

keep money for a future time when it may be needed

agree completely

wait until the next day before making a decision

reveal a secret

take a risk by supporting someone or expressing an opinion

a strong person who handles difficulty well

act despite uncertainty because you trust the outcome

accept something exactly as it appears

finally make a bold or important decision

used to say that you strongly understand a complaint

a small visible part of a much larger problem

react quickly and effectively without preparation

make brief contact to exchange information

take very little luggage on a journey

start behaving in a better way

regarded with suspicion or disapproval

feeling slightly ill or not as well as usual

very successfully

used to show that you do not believe something

the area where you live or come from