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Language & Words · Editorial deck

Idioms & Sayings

Common expressions and the stories behind their meanings

34 cards~6 minReferences included

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3 chapters · 34 cards
  1. 01
    Decisions, effort and opportunity5 cards · ~1 min
  2. 02
    Communication, secrets and relationships7 cards · ~1 min
  3. 03
    Luck, time and everyday experience22 cards · ~4 min

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01
Prompt: “Break the Ice” · meaning of the expression
Language & WordsA little curiosity
Idiom · IDENTIFY“Break the Ice” · meaning of the expressionThink it. Then flip it.
02
Prompt: “Bite the Bullet” · meaning of the expression
Language & WordsA little curiosity
Idiom · IDENTIFY“Bite the Bullet” · meaning of the expressionThink it. Then flip it.
03
Prompt: “Burn the Midnight Oil” · meaning of the expression
Language & WordsA little curiosity
Idiom · IDENTIFY“Burn the Midnight Oil” · meaning of the expressionThink it. Then flip it.

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  1. 01“Break the Ice” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To ease tension or begin conversation in an awkward situation

    Break the Ice means to ease tension or begin conversation in an awkward situation.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: break the ice
  2. 02“Bite the Bullet” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage

    Bite the Bullet means to endure a painful or difficult situation with courage.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: bite the bullet
  3. 03“Burn the Midnight Oil” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To work late into the night

    Burn the Midnight Oil means to work late into the night.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: burn the midnight oil
  4. 04“Go the Extra Mile” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To make an extra effort beyond what is expected

    Go the Extra Mile means to make an extra effort beyond what is expected.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: go the extra mile
  5. 05“On Thin Ice” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    In a risky or precarious situation

    On Thin Ice means In a risky or precarious situation.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: on thin ice
  6. 06“Spill the Beans” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To reveal a secret accidentally or prematurely

    Spill the Beans means to reveal a secret accidentally or prematurely.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: spill the beans
  7. 07“Let the Cat Out of the Bag” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To reveal a secret, often unintentionally

    Let the Cat Out of the Bag means to reveal a secret, often unintentionally.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: let the cat out of the bag
  8. 08“Cost an Arm and a Leg” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To be extremely expensive

    Cost an Arm and a Leg means to be extremely expensive.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: cost an arm and a leg
  9. 09“Beat Around the Bush” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To avoid getting to the point

    Beat Around the Bush means to avoid getting to the point.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: beat around the bush
  10. 10“Break a Leg” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    A traditional way of wishing a performer good luck

    Break a Leg means a traditional way of wishing a performer good luck.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: break a leg
  11. 11“Pull Someone's Leg” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To tease or joke with someone

    Pull Someone's Leg means to tease or joke with someone.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: pull someone's leg
  12. 12“The Elephant in the Room” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    An obvious problem that everyone avoids discussing

    The Elephant in the Room means An obvious problem that everyone avoids discussing.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: the elephant in the room
  13. 13“Once in a Blue Moon” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    Something that happens very rarely

    Once in a Blue Moon means Something that happens very rarely.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: once in a blue moon
  14. 14“The Ball Is in Your Court” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    It is someone else's turn to act or decide

    The Ball Is in Your Court means It is someone else's turn to act or decide.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: the ball is in your court
  15. 15“Piece of Cake” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    Something very easy to do

    Piece of Cake means Something very easy to do.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: piece of cake
  16. 16“Under the Weather” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    Feeling mildly unwell

    Under the Weather means Feeling mildly unwell.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: under the weather
  17. 17“Hit the Nail on the Head” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To describe something exactly and accurately

    Hit the Nail on the Head means to describe something exactly and accurately.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: hit the nail on the head
  18. 18“Kick the Bucket” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    A euphemism meaning to die

    Kick the Bucket means a euphemism meaning to die.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: kick the bucket
  19. 19“Add Insult to Injury” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To make a bad situation even worse

    Add Insult to Injury means to make a bad situation even worse.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: add insult to injury
  20. 20“Barking Up the Wrong Tree” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To pursue a mistaken course of action

    Barking Up the Wrong Tree means to pursue a mistaken course of action.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: barking up the wrong tree
  21. 21“Cut Corners” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality

    Cut Corners means to do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: cut corners
  22. 22“Hit the Sack” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To go to bed

    Hit the Sack means to go to bed.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: hit the sack
  23. 23“In Hot Water” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To be in trouble

    In Hot Water means to be in trouble.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: in hot water
  24. 24“Jump on the Bandwagon” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To join a growing popular trend

    Jump on the Bandwagon means to join a growing popular trend.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: jump on the bandwagon
  25. 25“Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To avoid interfering with a settled situation

    Let Sleeping Dogs Lie means to avoid interfering with a settled situation.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: let sleeping dogs lie
  26. 26“Rain on Someone's Parade” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To spoil someone's plans or enjoyment

    Rain on Someone's Parade means to spoil someone's plans or enjoyment.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: rain on someone's parade
  27. 27“Steal Someone's Thunder” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To take credit for someone else's idea or achievement

    Steal Someone's Thunder means to take credit for someone else's idea or achievement.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: steal someone's thunder
  28. 28“Take It with a Grain of Salt” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To view something with skepticism

    Take It with a Grain of Salt means to view something with skepticism.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: take it with a grain of salt
  29. 29“Throw in the Towel” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To give up or admit defeat

    Throw in the Towel means to give up or admit defeat.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: throw in the towel
  30. 30“Turn a Blind Eye” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    To deliberately ignore something

    Turn a Blind Eye means to deliberately ignore something.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: turn a blind eye
  31. 31“When Pigs Fly” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    Something that will never happen

    When Pigs Fly means Something that will never happen.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: when pigs fly
  32. 32“You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    Appearances can be deceiving

    You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover means Appearances can be deceiving.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: you can't judge a book by its cover
  33. 33“A Blessing in Disguise” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be beneficial

    A Blessing in Disguise means Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be beneficial.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: a blessing in disguise
  34. 34“Actions Speak Louder Than Words” · meaning of the expressionIDENTIFY
    What people do matters more than what they say

    Actions Speak Louder Than Words means What people do matters more than what they say.

    Share this card ↗Source: Wiktionary: actions speak louder than words

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