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

bang on aboutPhrasal verb · B2

To talk about the same subject for too long, in a boring or annoying way.

breathing down your neckIdiom · B2

Watching someone very closely, so they feel pressure.

by all meansExpression · B2

A polite way to say 'yes, of course, please do'.

C

chances areExpression · B1

It is likely that something is true or will happen.

claim to fameIdiom · B2

The one interesting or impressive thing a person or place is known for.

clear up (weather)Phrasal verb · B1

When the weather clears up, clouds, rain or fog go away and it gets brighter.

come acrossPhrasal verb · B1

To find or meet something by chance.

cut down onPhrasal verb · B1

To use or do less of something, usually to be healthier or save money.

D

Don't get me wrongExpression · B1

A phrase you say before a 'but' to stop someone from misunderstanding you.

drop the ballIdiom · B2

To make a mistake by forgetting or failing to do something you should do.

E

easy peasy, lemon squeezyIdiom · B1

Very, very easy. It is a playful, rhyming phrase.

F

faff aboutPhrasal verb · C1

To waste time doing small, unimportant things instead of getting on with a task.

fall by the waysideIdiom · B2

To stop being done or looked after because other things became more important.

for lack of a better way of putting itExpression · B2

Said when you can't find the perfect words, so you use the closest ones.

G

game changerIdiom · B2

Something that completely changes a situation, usually for the better.

gathering dustIdiom · B2

If something is gathering dust, nobody uses it any more.

get caught up inPhrasal verb · B2

To get caught up in something is to become so busy with it that you forget other things.

get rid ofPhrasal verb · B1

To throw away or remove something you do not want or need.

get sick ofExpression · B1

To become tired of something or someone because you have had too much of it.

get throughPhrasal verb · B1

To finish something long or difficult.

give or takeExpression · B2

'Give or take' means about, with a small amount more or less.

go to townIdiom · B2

To do something with great energy and enthusiasm, without holding back.

H

a hard pill to swallowIdiom · B2

A fact or piece of news that is difficult or upsetting to accept.

hit a plateauIdiom · B2

When you hit a plateau, you stop making progress for a while.

hot under the collarIdiom · B2

Angry or annoyed, often over something small.

I

I could get used to thisExpression · B1

I like this a lot and would be happy if it happened all the time.

I hate to break it to youExpression · B2

A polite way to start telling someone news they may not like.

the ins and outsIdiom · B2

The ins and outs are all the small details of how something works.

it's on meExpression · B1

It is my fault or my responsibility.

J

just sayingExpression · B2

A light phrase you add after a comment to say you don't want to argue or cause trouble.

K

keep (someone) postedIdiom · B1

To give someone new information regularly as a situation changes.

kick inPhrasal verb · B2

When something kicks in, it starts to work or take effect.

L

leewayExpression · C1

Extra freedom or flexibility that lets you do something a little differently or later.

a leg upIdiom · B2

An advantage that helps you do better than others.

the light bulb goes offIdiom · B1

You suddenly understand something or get a good idea.

lose sight ofExpression · B2

To forget or stop thinking about what is most important.

M

make a go of itIdiom · B2

To try hard to make something you have started become successful.

make it up to youExpression · B2

To do something nice to fix a problem you caused.

make it workExpression · B1

To find a way to deal with a difficult situation and succeed anyway.

make up (work or time)Phrasal verb · B1

To do work or time later because you missed it earlier.

meet halfwayPhrasal verb · B1

To reach a compromise where each side gives a little.

N

next to impossibleExpression · B2

Almost impossible, extremely difficult.

not feeling itExpression · B1

You have no energy, mood or motivation to do something.

not just yetExpression · B1

Not now, but maybe soon.

O

on my behalfExpression · B2

Instead of someone, or for them, as their representative.

on the receiving end ofExpression · B2

The person who gets something, often something unpleasant.

on top of thatExpression · B1

In addition to something already mentioned, often something else annoying or surprising.

or elseExpression · B1

Used to say what bad thing will happen if you don't do something.

out of sight, out of mindIdiom · B2

If you don't see something, you stop thinking about it.

P

part and parcelIdiom · B2

Something that is a normal, necessary part of a situation or job.

pass the sniff testIdiom · B2

To seem good, honest or believable when you check it.

pick someone's brainIdiom · B2

To ask someone who knows a lot about a subject for advice or ideas.

point blankIdiom · B2

In a direct, straightforward way, without hesitating or being polite first.

put my foot downIdiom · B2

To firmly refuse to allow something, or to insist on a rule.

put (someone) offPhrasal verb · B2

To make someone not want to do something or not like something.

put up withPhrasal verb · B1

To accept something annoying without complaining or leaving.

R

run out of timePhrasal verb · B1

To have no time left; to use all your time.

S

to say nothing ofExpression · B2

Used to add one more thing that is even more extreme than the thing you just mentioned.

settle forPhrasal verb · B2

To accept something that is less good than what you really wanted.

side hustleExpression · B2

A small extra job you do in addition to your main job.

splitting hairsIdiom · B2

Arguing about a tiny difference that is not important.

spread yourself thinIdiom · B2

To try to do too many things at once, so you can't do any of them well.

swap outPhrasal verb · B1

To swap something out is to remove it and put a different one in its place.

T

take advantage ofExpression · B1

To make good use of a chance or situation. With a person, it means to treat them unfairly.

take it in strideIdiom · B2

To accept a problem calmly without getting upset.

team upPhrasal verb · B1

To join someone and work together to do something.

to tell you the truthExpression · B1

A phrase you use before saying something honest, especially when it may be a little surprising.

that's neither here nor thereIdiom · B2

That point is not important or not relevant to what we are discussing.

toe the lineIdiom · C1

To obey the rules and do what is expected.

touch baseIdiom · B2

To contact someone briefly to share news or check how things are going.

turn the tablesIdiom · B2

To reverse a situation so the other side is now in the weaker or stronger position.

U

under your breathExpression · B2

In a very quiet voice, so other people cannot hear well.

up for grabsIdiom · B2

Available for anyone to take or win.

use it or lose itIdiom · B1

If you don't use a skill or something you have, you will lose it.

Y

You would think (that)...Expression · B2

Used when you expect something to be true or happen, but in reality it doesn't.