86 engleskih idioma

a rainy day – to save for the future when it might suddenly be needed
(unexpectedly)
adding salt to the wound – making a situation worse than it is
back to square one – having to start all over again
barking up the wrong tree – to make a mistake and look for a solution
in the wrong place
be a breeze – to be very easy to do
bite your lip – prevent yourself from saying or reacting to something
black sheep – a member of a group (or family) who is thought of as
rebellious and other members disapprove of them
break a leg – wish good luck to someone
break the ice – make people feel more comfortable
burn bridges – destroy relationships
call it a day – to stop working on something
call the shots – exercise authority or be in charge
calm before the storm – a peaceful period before something great
happens, a difficulty or an argument
chase rainbows – when someone tries to do something that they will
not achieve
chicken out (of something) – withdraw from something due to fear or
cowardice
cry over spilled milk – feel regret about something that has been done
and cannot be changed
cut somebody some slack – don’t be so critical
every cloud has a silver lining – every difficult or unpleasant situation
has some advantage
for ages – something continues for a long time
get down to the brass task – to discuss the essentials of the matter at
hand
get itchy feet – to want to travel or do something different
to get out of hand – get out of control
get something off your chest – talk about something that worries you or
causes a problem for you
get to the bottom of something – understand something completely
give a cold shoulder – to treat someone in an unfriendly way
go bananas – became crazy, silly
go on a wild goose chase – to do something without success or point
hang in there – don’t give up
high time – about time
hit the sack – go to sleep
ignorance is bliss – you’re better off not knowing
in the same boat – in the same difficult situation as someone else
it’s not rocket science – it’s not complicated
it’s raining cats and dogs – to rain heavily
keep your fingers crossed – hoping the things will happen the way you
want
learn by heart – learn something thoroughly, to memorize something
leave no stone unturned- look everywhere
let the cat out of the bag – give away a secret
like riding a bicycle – something you never forget how to do
live out of a suitcase – to stay in several places for a short period of
time, never actually getting the time to unpack
long time no see – it has been a long time since they last met
lose your cool – to lose temper, become angry
make a long story short – tell something briefly
not my cup of tea – not for me, it isn’t something I like
on cloud nine – to be extremely happy
on thin ice – do something that is dangerous and includes risk
once in a blue moon – not very often, rarely
out of the blue – suddenly, unexpectedly
a piece of cake – something that is very easy to do
pull yourself together – calm down
rock the boat – to cause a problem
run like the wind – run really fast
so far so good – things are going well so far
spread like wildfire – to spread rapidly
steal my thunder – when someone takes attention away from someone
else
take a rain check – postponing someone’s invitation for later
take it or leave it – accept or refuse the offer
take somebody by surprise – to happen unexpectedly
that ship has sailed – it’s too late
the buck stops here – problems are solved here
the world is your oyster – you’re free and able to enjoy life
time flies – time passes very quickly
to cut a long story short – stop telling details and get to the main facts
to kill two birds with one stone – to manage to do two things at the
same time
under the weather – when you aren’t feeling well
work your socks off – work really hard

Nosy Parker – a prying person

Doubting Thomas – a person who is habitually doubtful
Before (or quicker) than you can say Jack Robinson – almost
immediately
Keeping up with the Joneses – keeping up with the neighbors
Every Tom, Dick and Harry – everyone, ordinary people
Smart Alec – a wise guy, an irritating person who likes to show off how
clever he/she is
For Pete’s sake! – exclamation of surprise or shock (syn. For the love of
Mike! For goodness sake! For heaven(‘s) sake!)
Jack of all trades – a person who is able to do many manual jobs
Johnny-come-lately – a newcomer; a participant who started later than
the others

It’s all Greek to me – said when you don’t understand something

Go Dutch – to share costs
Carry coals to Newcastle – to do something unnecessary
When in Rome (, do as the Romans do) – behave however the people
around you behave
Double Dutch – something impossible to understand
Indian summer – a period of warmer weather in late autumn
New York minute – a very short period of time
French leave – a period when one is absent from work without asking
for permission
Like a slow boat to China – something that is very slow
Young Turk – a young and rebellious person, difficult to control
Dutch auction – an auction or sale that starts off with a certain price
that is then reduced until a buyer is found