Idioms

cost an arm and a leg -
be very expensive

These cakes are
delicious, but they cost
an arm and a leg.



keep one's chin up -
try to be cheerful

Keep your chin up. I'm
sure you'll make some
friends soon.



rule of thumb -
basic rule.

The rule of thumb is
that the students wear
black pants and white
shirts.



see eye to eye -
agree.

The couple don't see eye
to eye on how to train
their pets.



wash one's hands of something -
stop dealing with an issue or problem.

I'm washing my hands of
Mary's addiction. She is
going to have to get
some professional help.



thick in the head - not very intelligent

I'm a bit thick in the
head when it comes to
reading a map.


eager beaver -
a person who is excited about doing certain work

Ever since he got his
new drill set my husband
has been an eager beaver
around the house.



get the lion's share -
get the greatest percentage

My aunt got the lion's
share of the
inheritance.



let the cat out of the bag -
reveal a secret

Who let the cat out of
the bag about the
surprise party?



rat race -
fierce, competitive struggle for power, position etc

I'm ready to leave this
rat race and retire in
Mexico.



straight from the horse's mouth -
directly from the original source

I know Jenny is
pregnant, because I
heard it straight from
the horse's mouth.



smell a rat -
suspect

I asked my brothers not
to tell my parents that
I went out, but I could
smell a rat as soon as I
opened the door.


take the bull by the horns -
face a challenge or danger boldly

If you really think you
deserve a promotion,
you'll have to take the
bull by the horns.



cream of the crop -
the best

We hired the cream of
the crop to entertain us
at the Christmas party.



golden opportunity -
perfect chance

The models' conference
was a golden opportunity
for me to sell my beauty
products.