Steventeacher's phrase dictionary
75 everyday English idioms, phrasal verbs and expressions, each with a plain meaning and a real example. 24 come with a comic strip.
B
C
It is likely that something is true or will happen.
claim to fameIdiom · B2The one interesting or impressive thing a person or place is known for.
clear up (weather)Phrasal verb · B1When the weather clears up, clouds, rain or fog go away and it gets brighter.
come acrossPhrasal verb · B1To find or meet something by chance.
cut down onPhrasal verb · B1To use or do less of something, usually to be healthier or save money.
D
E
F
To waste time doing small, unimportant things instead of getting on with a task.
fall by the waysideIdiom · B2To stop being done or looked after because other things became more important.
for lack of a better way of putting itExpression · B2Said when you can't find the perfect words, so you use the closest ones.
G
Something that completely changes a situation, usually for the better.
gathering dustIdiom · B2If something is gathering dust, nobody uses it any more.
get caught up inPhrasal verb · B2To get caught up in something is to become so busy with it that you forget other things.
get rid ofPhrasal verb · B1To throw away or remove something you do not want or need.
get sick ofExpression · B1To become tired of something or someone because you have had too much of it.
get throughPhrasal verb · B1To finish something long or difficult.
give or takeExpression · B2'Give or take' means about, with a small amount more or less.
go to townIdiom · B2To do something with great energy and enthusiasm, without holding back.
H
I
I like this a lot and would be happy if it happened all the time.
I hate to break it to youExpression · B2A polite way to start telling someone news they may not like.
the ins and outsIdiom · B2The ins and outs are all the small details of how something works.
it's on meExpression · B1It is my fault or my responsibility.
J
K
L
Extra freedom or flexibility that lets you do something a little differently or later.
a leg upIdiom · B2An advantage that helps you do better than others.
the light bulb goes offIdiom · B1You suddenly understand something or get a good idea.
lose sight ofExpression · B2To forget or stop thinking about what is most important.
M
To try hard to make something you have started become successful.
make it up to youExpression · B2To do something nice to fix a problem you caused.
make it workExpression · B1To find a way to deal with a difficult situation and succeed anyway.
make up (work or time)Phrasal verb · B1To do work or time later because you missed it earlier.
meet halfwayPhrasal verb · B1To reach a compromise where each side gives a little.
N
O
Instead of someone, or for them, as their representative.
on the receiving end ofExpression · B2The person who gets something, often something unpleasant.
on top of thatExpression · B1In addition to something already mentioned, often something else annoying or surprising.
or elseExpression · B1Used to say what bad thing will happen if you don't do something.
out of sight, out of mindIdiom · B2If you don't see something, you stop thinking about it.
P
Something that is a normal, necessary part of a situation or job.
pass the sniff testIdiom · B2To seem good, honest or believable when you check it.
pick someone's brainIdiom · B2To ask someone who knows a lot about a subject for advice or ideas.
point blankIdiom · B2In a direct, straightforward way, without hesitating or being polite first.
put my foot downIdiom · B2To firmly refuse to allow something, or to insist on a rule.
put (someone) offPhrasal verb · B2To make someone not want to do something or not like something.
put up withPhrasal verb · B1To accept something annoying without complaining or leaving.
R
S
Used to add one more thing that is even more extreme than the thing you just mentioned.
settle forPhrasal verb · B2To accept something that is less good than what you really wanted.
side hustleExpression · B2A small extra job you do in addition to your main job.
splitting hairsIdiom · B2Arguing about a tiny difference that is not important.
spread yourself thinIdiom · B2To try to do too many things at once, so you can't do any of them well.
swap outPhrasal verb · B1To swap something out is to remove it and put a different one in its place.
T
To make good use of a chance or situation. With a person, it means to treat them unfairly.
take it in strideIdiom · B2To accept a problem calmly without getting upset.
team upPhrasal verb · B1To join someone and work together to do something.
to tell you the truthExpression · B1A phrase you use before saying something honest, especially when it may be a little surprising.
that's neither here nor thereIdiom · B2That point is not important or not relevant to what we are discussing.
toe the lineIdiom · C1To obey the rules and do what is expected.
touch baseIdiom · B2To contact someone briefly to share news or check how things are going.
turn the tablesIdiom · B2To reverse a situation so the other side is now in the weaker or stronger position.
U
Y
No phrase matches that yet.