a babe in arms

8/13/2019 a babe in arms

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IDIOMS

a babe in arms un nene de pecho

a bare-faced lie una mentira descaradaa basket case/goner un caso perdidoa bed of roses un lecho de rosasa big shot/wheel/wigun pez gordoa bit at sea un poco perdido

• My grandmother was a babe in arms when she married. She was 14!

• You told Joe we were married? How can you tell such a bare-faced lie?

• My mom is crazy. She wants to go dancing with me! She's a real basket case!

• My lie's neer "een a bed of roses. #'e always had lots o pro"lems.

• $he police are a"out to get one o the maia big shots.

•

#'m a bit at sea with $rigonometry so %im is going to help me study.

a blank look una mirada ine&presiaa blessing in disguise no hay mal ue por "ien no engaa budding genius un genio en ciernesa chip off the old block de tal palo( tal astillaa close call un escape por los pelosa cog in the machine/wheeluna pieza m)s de la organizaci*n

• +hen # told my parents # was pregnant( they ,ust gae me a blank look .

• Since # was ired # started spending more time with my son. #t was a blessing in

disguise.

• -t the age o ( Mar/ showed he was a budding genius0 he could read and write!• He leaes all the lights on li/e his ather when he leaes a room. A chip off the

old block!

• # almost got run oer "y a car today( than/ od it was ,ust close call .

• +hat ma/es you thin/ you can't "e ired? You're ,ust a cog in the machine!

a crash course un curso intensioa dead

giveawayuna se2al clara

a dime a dozen del mont*na false move un paso en also

a far cry Muy dierentea fat cat un pez gordo

• #'m moing to 3erlin in a month so #'m ta/ing a crash course in erman.

• John said he was alone "ut the two e&tra plates on the ta"le were a dead give-

away.• $hese reality $ shows are a dime a dozen nowadays.

• # thin/ telling our secret to Jac/ would "e a false move. He'd tell eeryone a"out

it.• 5ur holidays in reece this Summer were a far cry rom the ones we had in

Sweden.•

$he fat cats o the company are thin/ing a"out selling it to the Japanese.



a feather in ones cap un triunoa fly in the ointment el 6nico pro"lemaa fly on the wall Ser mosca para escuchar una conersaci*na fools errand algo completamente in6tila foregone conclusion un resultado o"io

a glutton forpunishment

Masouista

• +inning an 5lympic gold medal has "een a feather in your cap.

• My sister ollowed me eerywhere # went when we were /ids. She was a fly in

the ointment .• eorge's going to as/ Sarah to marry him tonight! # only # were a fly on the

wall ...• Many people thin/ that demonstrating against the war is a fool's errand .

• #t's o"ious that Manchester 7nited will win the cup. #t's a foregone conclusion.

• You ta/e too many e&tra8curricular actiities at school. You're a glutton for

punishment .

a go-getter una persona emprendedoraa good Samaritan un "uen samaritanoa hard nut to crack un hueso duro de roer a head start una enta,aa !e ne sais "uoi un no s9 u9a lady-killer un don,u)n

• -nn's a real go-getter . She's got lots o pro,ects and wor/s hard to carry them

out.• :am's a good Samaritan. She'll help you wheneer you're in need.

•

+hen # married :aul( his son didn't li/e me. He was a hard nut to crack .• $he ;onseraties hae a head start in the election than/s to their anti8a"ortion

campaign.• 5wen isn't e&actly handsome( "ut he has a je ne sais quoi that ma/es him ery

attractie.• -dam's getting married! +ill it "e the end o his days as a lady-killer ?

a long shot una posi"ilidad remotaa losing/lucky streak una racha de mala<"uena suertea matter of life and

deathun asunto de ida o muerte

a pack of lies una sarta de mentirasa pain in the ass/neck un plomazoa pick-me-up un estimulante

• # /now it's a long shot ( "ut may"e i you tal/ to Josh he'll understand.

• +e'e won si& games in a row. +e're on a lucky streak !

• # must hand in the report "y 4 o'cloc/! #t's a matter of life and death!

• 3o" told you that? =on't "eliee him. #t's nothing "ut a pack of lies!

• # can't stand >ouis. He's a real pain in the neck .

• # always drin/ coee as a pick-me-up during e&am season.

a piece of cake pan comido



a pig in a poke gato por lie"rea play on wordsun ,uego de pala"rasa poker face cara de p*/er a red-letter day un da memora"lea safe/sure bet algo casi seguro

• $he e&ercise was a piece of cake. # inished it in two minutes.• #'m not /een on "uying things on the we". $hey might sell you a pig in a poke

• '>olita'( "y ladimir @a"o/o( is ull o plays on words #t's antastic!

• =ae always wears a poker face. You can neer tell what he's thin/ing or

eeling.• 5h( my od! My son's tidied up his room! #t's a red-letter day!

• 3en won't remem"er to "ring the ca/e. #t's a safe bet

a shot in the arm un estmuloa sight for sore eyesdichosos los o,os ue te ena sitting duck un "lanco )cila slice of the cake una ta,adaa slip of the tongue un lapsusa smart alec un sa"elotodo

• $hese new computers were a shot in the arm or the students. @ow they are

really learning.• =anny! You're a sight for sore eyes! # don't /now anyone in here!

• # we don't deend the goal( it'll "e a sitting duck or the other team.

• $he thiees had stolen two million dollars and each o them wanted a slice of

the cake

• $he candidate said that ,ustice was not part o the agenda. Auite a slip of the

tongue• =oug is such a smart-alec He thin/s he /nows eerything!

a snake in the grass un traidor a wet blanket un aguaiestasa wild-goose chase un intento totalmente in6tila wolf in sheeps clothingun lo"o disrazado de corderoacid test prue"a de uegoairy-fairy antasiosoalive and kicking iito y coleando

• Ba told the teacher # cheated on the test. She's a snake in the grass!

• My neigh"our is such a wet blanket . $hey always call the police when we hae a party.

• He didn't need a new "rush. He sent me on a wild-goose chase so # would leae

him alone.• -t irst he was sweet and /ind "ut in the end he turned out to "e a wolf in

sheep's clothing

• John's new ,o" as a manager will "e a real acid test or him.

• $ed wants to "uy a castle and lie there. # thin/ it's uite airy-fairy

• Beryone thought $iany was dead( "ut she was alive and kicking!

all in all en con,untoall things being e"ual si todo a de acuerdo a mis planesall thumbs $orpe



an old flame un ie,o amor an old wives tale un cuento de ie,asan ugly duckling un patito eoany #om$ Dick or %arrycualuier hi,o de ecino

• #'e had my pro"lems this year( "ut all in all ( it wasn't so "ad.

• Berything's ready or the trip. All things being equal ( we'll "e there "y noon.• :ete is always dropping things. He's all thumbs.

• >ucy is not ,ust a riend to Jim. She's an old flame. $hey were together once.

• #s it true that i you go swimming ater eating you die or is it an old wives' tale

• Sue was the ugly duckling o the class( "ut now she's one o the prettiest girls in

school.• >isa's ery pic/y when it comes to men. She won't date any "om# $ick or

%arry

bad blood resentimientobad taste in the

mouth mal sa"or de "ocabag lady aga"undabird of passage ae de pasobits and pieces cosasblack and blue amoratado

• -ter they diorced( there's "een a lot o bad blood "etween Bd and >iz.

• >osing the inal game o the championship let a bad taste in our mouths

• $here's a bag lady "egging or money at the town suare.

• ;arl came oer today "ut he stayed or only two minutes. He's a bird of

passage

•

#'m haing a garage sale tomorrow. $he attic was crammed with bits and pieces we don't use anymore.• =an's ace was black and blue ater a ist8ight with a neigh"our.

black and white "lanco y negroblack sheep oe,a negrablind alley calle,*n sin salidablind date cita a ciegasblind spot punto d9"ilblue-collar workero"rero

• :eter is ery narrow8minded( he thin/s things in lie are only black and white.

• #'e always "een the black sheep o the amily( always re"elling.• +e'e tried eerything to sole this pro"lem( "ut we always end up in a blind

alley

• #'m not going on another blind date! You always set me up with complete

lunatics!• $he opposite team may hae a great oensie( "ut their deence is their blind

spot .• &lue-collar workers were demonstrating against the new laws.

bolt upright rgido( derechobone of contentionmanzana de la discordia



born and bred nacido y criadobosom buddy amigo del almabottom line punto undamentalbrain drain uga de cere"rosbrain trust grupo de e&pertos

• -t "oarding school( the teachers always made us sit bolt upright on our chairs.• +hen we got diorced( the bone of contention was who'd get the car and who'd

get the house.• He lies in @ew Yor/ now( "ut he was born and raised in 3oston.

• Jane and # hae /nown each other oreerC we're bosom buddies

• # /now you're really angry at her( "ut the bottom line is that she's your mother

and she loes you.• =ue to the economic crisis( the country's "een suering a massie brain drain.

• Mr. Jones turns to his brain trust when he has to ma/e an important decision.

&'presi(n en ingl)s &'presi(n e"uivalente

camp follower simpatizante*an of worms pro"lema peliagudocarbon copy calcocarrot-and-stick poltica de incentios y amenazascash on the

barrelheaddinero contante y sonante

cast in the same mouldcortados por la misma ti,era• $he new party has thousands o camp followers all oer the country.

• $he new teacher soon ound out that handling a ith grade is a can of worms

• -re you sure they're not twins? $hey're a carbon copy o each other!

•

$he "oss turned to a carrot-and-stick policy0 we wor/ e&tra hours( he pays usdou"le.• #n order to "uy the house we hae to pay a DE(FFF saety deposit( cash on the

barrelhead

• My mum used to say that men are cast in the same mould .

castles in the air castillos en el airechain reaction eecto domin*chain smoker umador empedernidochange of heart/life/pacecam"io de opini*n<ida<ritmocharmed life ida aortunada

cheap at half the price+ Guna ganga!• Joe says he's going to "e the ;B5 o the company "ut # thin/ it's all castles in

the air

• #t was li/e a huge chain reaction0 the children got sic/( then the mother( and

then the ret o the amily.• My dad was a chain smoker C he used to smo/e up to three pac/s o cigarettes a

day.• # /now # said # didn't want to go( "ut #'e had a change of heart and now # want

to come.• $im daydreams o liing the charmed life o the rich and amous.

• ;an you "eliee # "ought this purse at DEF? heap at half the price!

cheap shot golpe "a,o



checks and balances control y euili"rio de poderescheek by !owl uno ,unto al otrochief cook and

bottlewashermandadero

childs play ,uego de ni2os

chilled to the bone congelado• # /now you don't li/e her( "ut telling 3o"'s girlriend she had put on a ton o

weight was a cheap shot .• $he school has a system o checks and balances to guarantee the authorities do

their wor/.• $he "us was so crowded that the passengers were all cheek by jowl

• My mum is down with the lu so my dad is chief cook and bottlewasher these

days.• oing hunting and handling a gun isn't child's play( you /now?

• #'e "een waiting or the "us or hours in the cold rain( #'m chilled to the bone!

clean bill of health isto "uenoclose$ but no cigar casicock-and-bull storycuento chinocock of the walk el due2o del mundo*old shower ducha ra*old snap ola de ro

• # had to inspect lots o cars and gie them a clean bill of health

• You said that %ate was in loe with 3en? lose# but no cigar She's in loe with

his "rother!• -ll right( #'ll let you e&plain( "ut don't gie me a cock-and-bull story!

•

:aul thin/s he's the "est. He's always acting as i he were the cock of the walk• Johnny =epp is so hot! Bery time # see his moies # hae to ta/e a cold

shower!

• +e went camping last summer "ut there was a sudden cold snap( we were

reezing!

*old turkey sndrome de a"stinenciacomings and goings idas y enidascommon ground puntos en com6ncommon sense sentido com6nconspicuous by its absence "rillar por su ausencia

conventional wisdom opini*n ortodo&a• +hen a drug addict stops ta/ing drugs( he goes cold turkey

• $he doorman has to watch all the comings and goings in the "uilding.

• # /now we seldom see eye to eye "ut we need to ind some common ground i

we're going to wor/ together.• Some people get married too young and lac/ the common sense to realize how

serious marriage is.• $he mother o the "ride wasn't at the weddingC she was conspicuous by her

absence

• # don't "eliee in the conventional wisdom that men are "etter than women at

some actiities.

conversation piece tema de conersaci*n



corridors of poweraltas eseras de poder cream of the crop la lor y natacreature comforts "ienestar materialcredibility gap margen de credi"ilidadcrocodile tears l)grimas de cocodrilo

• 3ec/y's trip to #ndia was the conversation piece at last night's party.• +hen ;harles was elected Senator( he got access to the corridors of power

• >ord and >ady =arcy "elong to the Bnglish aristocracy( the cream of the crop

• -ndy's liing in the country( away rom eerything and without any creature

comforts

• # don't "eliee Sarah's story. $here's a credibility gap "etween us.

• Mary is such a liar. Surely( you didn't "eliee her crocodile tears

culture shock choue de culturasculture vulturedeorador de cultura*up of tea santo de su deoci*n

• $here was a huge culture shock "etween the Spanish and the indians during the;onuest.

• Henry loes literature( music( the theaterC he's a real culture vulture

• Hip8hop isn't e&actly my cup of tea. # preer roc/ 'n' roll.

dark horse ganador sorpresa( enigmadavy ,oness lockerel ondo del mar Day in$ day out todos los dasDay to day da a daDaylight robbery ro"o a mano armada

dead and buried lo pasado( pisado• =id you /now that Ba spea/s ie languages and sings opera? She's uite a

dark horse!

• $he $itanic san/ in 11I and it has "een in $avy (ones's locker since then.

• #'m uitting my ,o". #'m tired o putting up with rude customers day in day out .

• She was in a terri"le car crash "ut her condition's improing day to day

• D4FF or a sweater?! $hat's daylight robbery!

• Mar/ and =ae had a huge argument some years ago( "ut that's all dead and

buried now.

dead from the neck

upno tener dos dedos de rente

dead on ones feet muertos de cansanciodead to the world proundamente dormidodeep down en el ondodevil-may-care irresponsa"ledevils advocate a"ogado del dia"lo

• 3ill must "e dead from the neck up0 # as/ed him how he was "ut he ,ust stared at

me smiling.• #'e "een wal/ing or three hours! #'m dead on my feet!

• -l came home e&hausted and went to sleep. He hasn't wo/en up yet. He's dead

to the world.• Barl might seem li/e a tough guy( "ut deep down he's really sweet.

• $om's devil-may-care attitude may cost him his ,o".



• #'ll ,ust hae to play devil's advocate) hae you thought o the eect the diorcewill hae on the /ids?

diamond in the roughdiamante en "rutodirt cheap una ganga

dog days of summer la canculadogs life ida de perrosdollars to donuts segurodone deal asunto cerrado

• >u/e seems a rough diamond when you irst meet him( "ut as you get to /now

him you ind he's charming.• #t's winter sales season( eerything's dirt cheap

• # hate the dog days of summer! #t's ,ust too hot to do anything!

• Many immigrants in this country hae a dog's life.

• # "et dollars to donuts the 3ulls will win.

• =on't worry a"out your promotionC it's a done deal

done in e&haustodouble Dutch chino ")sicodoubting #homasesc9pticoduck soup pan comido

• #'e "een wor/ing or twele hours( #'m a"solutely done in!

• # don't understand :hysics. #t's all double $utch to me!

• #'e always "een a "it o a doubting "homas. # need to see in order to "eliee.

• $he test was duck soup. # did it in les than hal an hour.

easier said than donem)s )cil decirlo ue hacerloeasy come$ easy go tan )cil como iene( se aeasy does it+ Gcon cuidado!easy money dinero )cileasy on the eye atractioelbow grease empe2oelbow room espacio

• #'m trying hard not to thin/ a"out my e& "ut that's easier said than done

• You shouldn't rely on your ame( easy come# easy go

• *asy does it! ;ome slowly down the stairs with that soa!

• Beryone thin/s what # do is easy money "ut it's uite a lot o wor/.

• #an is easy on the eye -ll the girls in his class are in loe with him.• $his house is a mess! #t'll ta/e a lot o elbow grease to clean it!

• $he house is too small or the ie o us( there's not enough elbow room

en masse en masaen route en caminoenough is enough ya ue suicienteevery now and then de ez en cuandoevery time one turns around a cada ratoevery trick in the book todos los trucos ha"idos y por ha"er every which way por todos ladoseverything but the kitchen sink irseK con la casa a cuestas

• $he ans went en masse to the airport to welcome their idols.



• +e can "uy "atteries en route to the "each.

• #'m sic/ o my sister's complaining all the time! *nough is enough!

• :am and lenn ta/e a trip to the countryside every now and then

• Lic/ is so annoying! He gies me orders every time + turn around

• $he red team will use every trick in the book to win the match.

• $he dog made such a mess in the house( there were clothes and shoes everywhich way

• My mum always ta/es everything but the kitchen sink when we go on acation.

fair and s"uare con todas las de la leyfair enough est) "ienfair game presa )cilfair play ,uego limpiofair to middling regular fair-weather

friendamigo s*lo en las "uenas

• 5 course # didn't cheat to win the game! # won it fair and square!

• So( you don't want to stay here. ,air enough# "ut where will you go?

• ;ele"rities are oten fair game or the press and the media.

• %ic/ing a player rom the opposite team in the leg isn't e&actly fair play( you

/now?• Mary can spea/ Spanish luently( "ut her :ortuguese is fair to middling

• +here is Joe now that # need him? He's ,ust a fair-weather friend

fairy godmother hada madrinafalse alarm alsa alamra

false economy also ahorrofalse start intento allidofamous last words+ Gs( claro!far be it from me

tono es ue yo uiera...

• # wish # had a fairy godmother to ma/e all my pro"lems go away...

• $he "om" threat at the shopping mall was nothing "ut a false alarm

• You'll only get a false economy i you "uy that cheap washing machine.

• -ter a ew false starts( we could inally launch the new product.

• He told me he was with his mother. ,amous last words! He was at a "ar with his

riends!• ,ar be it from me to tell you not to "uy that house( "ut thin/ o the price...

fast and furious a un ritmo ertiginosofat chance+ Gni so2arlo!fender bender topetazofew and far between contados con los dedos de una manofigment of ones imagination producto de la imaginaci*nfilthy rich orrado en dinero

• =ae loes those fast and furious action ilms. His aourite moie is '=ie Hard'.

• =o you thin/ my dad will eer lend me the car? Ha! ,at chance!

• Mar/ got into a fender bender last $uesday "ut no one got hurt.

• My parents had their uarrels "ut they were few and far between

• # thought #'d heard some steps "ut it was ,ust a figment of my imagination



• :atric/ inherited a ery large ortune rom his grandather and now he's filthy

rich.

finders$ keepers el ue lo encuentra se lo uedafirst and foremost ante todo

first come$ first served por orden de llegadafirst things first primero lo m)s importantefit to be tied uera de sflat broke en la ruina

• @o way #'m giing you the scar! # ound it! ,inders# keepers!

• ,irst and foremost# #'d li/e to than/ you all or coming tonight.

• $hey're giing away tic/ets on a first-come# first-served "asis at the record store.

• ,irst things first) how is your ather? #s he getting "etter?

• -my was fit to be tied when reg "ro/e up with her.

• =ue to his constant "etting( Josh is flat broke.

flesh and blood de carne y huesoflotsam and !etsam los marginadosfood for thought dar ue pensar footloose and fancy-free soltero y sin compromisoforbidden fruit el ruto prohi"idoforewarned is forearmedhom"re preenido ale por dosfull of beans lleno de energa

• # may seem insensitie( "ut what you said hurt me. # am flesh and blood

• $he goernment still don't /now how to help the flotsam and jetsam o society.

• $hat documentary on glo"al warming really gies you food for thought

•

+hen you're footloose and fancy-free you go out eery nightC try it( it'swonderul!• My mom neer let us eat chocolate when we were /ids. #t was our forbidden

fruit

• ;hildren are full of beans nowadays #t must "e all the sugar they eat.

full of piss and vinegarlleno de energa

full steam ahead a todo apor funny business cosas rarasfunny money dinero sucio

• James is full of piss and vinegar now. $hat nap he too/ was all he needed.

• 5nce eerything is ready to open our "usiness( it'll "e full steam ahead

• # /now $om( he's "een acting ery strange lately. He's into funny business

• Many oicials rom the preious administration were charged with passing

funny money

golden boy/girlni2o<a mimado<agood riddance+Gadi*s y hasta nunca!

• Ber since he got here( :aul has "een the golden boy o the company.

• et out o here and don't come "ac/! ood riddance!



hale and heartyuerte como unro"le

half-assed/hearted poco entusiastahalf-baked disparatadohammer and tongsa "razo partido

hand in glove cona"uladohand over fist a patadas

• My grandmother is "ut she's hale and hearty. She een rides her "i/e eery

morning!• %im must hate her ,o". She always comes and does eerything half-assed .

• >iz says she's moing to Moscow( another one o her half-baked ideas.

• 3en and race had a terri"le argument today. $hey were at it hammer and

tongs

• Jane and Bllen are wor/ing hand in glove to ma/e me uit my ,o". # /now it!

• -ter a series o "ad inestments( the company started losing money hand over

fist

hanky-panky te,emane,eshappily ever afterelices para siemprehappy-go-lucky despreocupadohard to swallow dicil de creer high and mighty altanerohigh water mark punto culminante

• Nran's hus"and was up to some hanky-panky with the neigh"our. She /ic/ed him

out.• @ot eeryone lies happily ever after once they get married.

•

# wish # were as happy-go-lucky as you0 no worries( no stress( ,ust en,oying lie.• # don't /now why( "ut # ind the news a "it hard to swallow

• John acts all high and mighty ,ust "ecause the "oss li/ed his report.

• :laying at enues such as Madison Suare arden is a high water mark or any

"and.

honest to .od lo ,uro por =ioshorse of another colorharina de otro costalhot air s*lo pala"rerahot and bothered uriosohot off the press de 6ltima hora

hot under the collar urioso• # didn't "rea/ that window( madam! # swear! %onest to od!

• +ell( he's enlisted in the army( "ut whether he'll resist or not( that's a horse of

another color

• =on't "e ooled "y Jac/'s ranting. #t's ,ust hot air

• :eter gets hot and bothered eery time # tell him #'m going to throw all his

magazines away.• Journalists struggle to gie all the latest news hot off the press

• Bery time # try to tal/ to 3en a"out what happened with Joe( he gets all hot

under the collar

if looks could kill si las miradas mataranill at ease molesto



ill be a monkeys uncle+ Gno lo puedo creer!indian summer eranillo de San Juanits all .reek to me+ Ges chino ")sico!its as plain as the nose on your faceest) m)s claro ue el agua

• %ate didn't say anything when she saw Joe( "ut if looks could kill She was

urious!• Harry was at the party "ut with his e&8girlriend there he elt a "it ill at ease

• =annny has a girlriend!?!? +'ll be a monkey's uncle!

• $he "and thought their career was oer "ut they're haing an +ndian summer

• # don't understand this user's manual! +t's all reek to me!

• $he man has no idea what he's tal/ing a"out! +t's as plain as the nose on your

face!

,ane/,ohn Doe persona no identiicada( @.@.,ekyll and %yde Je/yll y Hyde,ohnny-come-latelyadenedizo

• +ho is this (ohn $oe that /eeps sending me anonimous letters and lowers?• 3ill is li/e (ekyll and %yde0 one minute he's ine( the ne&t he's screaming and

shouting.• He's ,ust a (ohnny-come-lately) he's "een here or two wee/s and he's already

manager!

kangaroo court tri"unal desautorizadokettle of fish "eren,enal( lokindred spirits almas gemelasknight in shining

armour prncipe azul

• +e can't set up a kangaroo court to ,udge Jones and :hillips! #t's unair!

• Jim got himsel into a pretty kettle of fish when he reused to go to the meeting.

• $ony and Joe hae /nown each other oreer and are ery good riends. $hey're

kindred spirits.• +hen Susan was a little girl( she dreamed o marrying a knight in shining

armour .

last but not least por 6ltimo( pero no por eso menos importanteleft$ right and center a diestra y siniestralife is too short la ida es demasiado cortalike a bat out of hell como alma ue llea el dia"lolike a fish out of the water como sapo de otro pozolike a lamb to the slaughtercomo "orrego al matedero

• # "rought crac/ers( cheese( "utter( and( last but not least ( straw"erry ,am.

• >ou went nuts and started insulting eery"ody( left# right and center .

• ;ome on! >et's go out! .ife's too short to always stay home watching $..!

• +hat happened to $om? # saw him run o like a bat out of hell a ew minutes

ago.• # neer itted in at school. # used to eel like a fish out of the water .



• #t was clear that -nn didn't want to marry that man. She went into the church

like a lamb to the slaughter .

like greased lightning como un rel)mpagolike robbing eter to pay aul como desnudar un santo para estir otro

like looking for a needle in a haystack como "uscar una agu,a en un pa,ar like ships that pass in the night como e&tra2oslike shooting fish in a barrel pan comidolike water off a ducks back como si oyera lloer

• :ete realized he had orgotten to etch the /ids rom school and he went out like

greased lightning .• =on't you thin/ that as/ing or a loan to pay o your de"ts is a "it like robbing

/eter to pay /aul ?• How are we going to ind Jo in this crowd? #t's like looking for a needle in a

haystack !• >u/e saw %im once "ut yesterday they were like ships that pass in the night .

• $he others loo/ tired. +inning this race will "e like shooting fish in a barrel .• #'e learned to ignore her tantrums. @ow it's like water off a duck's back .

little white lie mentira piadosalong time no see tanto tiempo sin erteloud and clear perectamente claro

• # told my mom # was staying at Jen's tonight( ,ust a little white lie...

• Hey( Mar/! How are you doing? .ong time no see!

• Yes( dad( # heard what you said. # heard you loud and clear .

manna from heaven regalo del cielomind your s and 0s+ Gten mucho cuidado!much ado about

nothingmucho ruido y pocas nueces

Murphys law las leyes de Murphy• +ith the money we inherited rom >iz's aunt we could pay o our de"t. #t was

manna from heaven.• +e're going to a ery ormal dinner( so please( mind your /'s and 0's( will you?.

• Beryone says =i;aprio's latest moie is great( "ut to me it's much ado about

nothing .• $he teacher neer calls the role "ut today # didn't go to class and he did. #t's

1urphy's law!

neck and neck ca"eza a ca"ezaneedless to say huelga decir neither fish nor fowl ni chicha ni limonadaneither here nor there poco importantenerves of steel nerios de aceronever darken my door again+Gnunca uelas a poner un pie en esta casa!

• #t's still uncertain who'll win the election( the two main candidates are neck and

neck .• 3o" was ired last wee/! 2eedless to say( he's really depressed.

• Some say the new ta& policy will ruin the country( "ut # thin/ it's neither fish

nor fowl .



• =on't listen to the critics! +hateer they might say is neither here nor there!

• # could neer "e a surgeon. 5ne must hae nerves of steel to "e one!

• o on! et out o here and never darken my door again!

never-never land una utopa

new blood sangre nueano rhyme or reason sin ton ni sonnobodys fool ning6n tontonone of your business+Ou9 te importa?not right in the head mal de la ca"eza

• - sae( peaceul place with no corruption? Sounds li/e a never-never land to

me!• $he company will "eneit i we start hiring new blood . +e need new and

e&citing ideas.• #'e tried to igure out why he reacted li/e that "ut there was no rhyme or

reason.• Nran/ realized we were up to something. He's nobody's fool .• #'m not going to tell you where #'m going. #t's none of your business!

• Mic/'s not right in the head . He's got pro"lems with eeryone he /nows.

nothing new under the sun nada nueo "a,o el solnothing to write home

aboutnada del otro mundo

1ow youre talking+ Gahora s me gusta!•

Berything's uite the same around here( nothing new under the sun.• 5ur trip to the country was o/( "ut nothing to write home about .

• +e're going to Lio to see the carnial?! 2ow you're talking!

Odd one out sapo de otro pozoodds and ends cosasonce and for all de una ez por todasonce in a blue mooncada muerte de o"ispoonce in a lifetime una ez en la idaonce in a while de ez en cuandoonce upon a time 9rase una ez

• Jim was the only "oy at the oice( # guess he must hae elt li/e the odd one out .• My purse is ull o odds and ends. $here's no room or anything!

• >et's tal/ a"out this pro"lem and get it oer with once and for all .

• My mom's ery old( she comes to see me once in a blue moon( that's why # go to

see her.• +e were traelling around >ondon and we met Mic/ Jagger! $hose things

happen once in a lifetime.• #'m not ery /een on horse races "ut # li/e going to the trac/s once in a while.

• 3nce upon a time( # had a dog named >eo...

packed like sardines como sardinas en latapartners in crime c*mplicespenny wise and pound foolish/dollar gastar a manos llenas y hacer economa en



dumb nimiedadesperish the thought =ios no lo permitapicture-perfect de ensue2opie in the sky pura antasa

• $here were si& people traelling in a tiny little car. $hey were packed like

sardines• Jill and # grew up together( we'e always "een partners in crime.

• Sam's penny-wise and dollar-dumb. He "ought a cheap computer and it crashed

a day later.• # we eer "ro/e up( perish the thought ( #'d li/e us to remain riends( wouldn't

you?• ary lies with his amily in a picture-perfect neigh"orhood( with pic/et ences

and gardens.• He says he's going to moe to Nrance and start his own ineyard( "ut it's ,ust pie

in the sky

poetic !ustice ,usticia diinapoetic license licencia po9ticapoles apart polos opuestospolitically correct polticamente correctoprima donna diarince *harming :rncipe azul

• =an let his wie or a younger woman "ut she let him and too/ hal o his

money. $hat's poetic justice!• - translator can use a little poetic license sometimes or the translated te&t to

ma/e sense.•

+ill and $im are identical twins "ut when it comes to personality( they're polesapart

• You can say 'postman' "ut nowadays the term 'mail carrier' is more politically

correct

• My sister has always "een li/e a prima donna( moody and whimsical.

• Many women spend their lies waiting or /rince harming and end up old

maids.

"uick off the mark r)pido de rele,os"uicker than you can say ,ack 2obinsonen un a"rir y cerrar de o,os"uid pro "uo compensaci*n

• 5ur neigh"our saw a man enter our house and was quick off the mark calling the police.

• Sue got up and( quicker than you can say (ack 4obinson( went out the door.

• $he school's re8accepting Jimmy is a quid pro quo or his parents' donation to

the li"rary.

ready$ steady$ go+ preparados( listos( Guera!2ise and shine+ Ga leantarse!rock bottom lo m)s "a,orotten to the core podrido hasta la m9dularough and ready improisado

2un of the mill com6n y corriente• -re all the children here or the race? -ll right( ready# steady# go!



• 4ise and shine! ;ome on( get up( it's o'cloc/. You'll "e late or wor/!

• Meg had a "ad wee/0 irst she lost her ,o"( then she "ro/e up with her "oyriend.

She hit rock bottom

• $he Jo/er( 3atman's arch enemy( is rotten to the core

• :aul came and # gae him a rough and ready summary o the "oo/ we had to

read or the test.• #'m so tired o wor/ing at the oice. #t's ,ust another to E run-of the mill ,o".

sabre-rattling "rauconerasafe and sound sano y salosame old story lo mismo de siempresecond best inerior second to none superior a todoshort and

sweetcortito y conciso

• -ll this sabre-rattling "etween the two countries will only lead to a war.

• #t was late at night and pouring "ut we managed to get home safe and sound

• Mar/ and Stacey "ro/e up again. #t's always the same old story0 she's ,ealous o

his riends!• # won't settle or second best ! # want the "est house in the neigh"orhood!

• $hat restaurant really is second to none0 great serice( great ood( great

atmosphere...• -ll right( then( the meeting will "e short and sweet ( so let's start right away.

shoulder to shoulder codo a codoSick and tired hasta la coronilla

signed$ sealed and delivered con todas las de la leysi' feet under a tres metros "a,o tierrasi' of one and half a dozen of the otherda lo mismosleight of hand prestidigitaci*nsmack-dab in the middle ,usto en el centro

• +e are all wor/ing shoulder to shoulder to ind a solution to the pro"lem.

• #'m moing to the countryside( #'m so sick and tired o the city. -lways rushing!

• +e will hae the contract signed# sealed and delivered tomorrow morning.

• He's trying to /ill me! # /now it! He won't rest until #'m si5 feet under!

• +e can go tonight or we can go tomorrow. #t's si5 of one and half a dozen of the

other

• $he magician too/ a hand/erchie and with a sleight of hand he turned it into a "unch o lowers.

• $here was a deer smack-dab in the middle o the road and # hit the "ra/es.

small beer cosas sin importanciasmall fry insigniicantesour grapes por pura enidiaStill wet behind the ears demasiado ,oen e ine&pertostraight from the horses mouthde "uena uentestraight from the shoulder de rentesword of Damocles espada de =amocles

• Nailing an e&am is small beer compared to "eing e&pelled rom school.

• $he grocery stores are small fry compared to the the "ig supermar/ets.



• Sally's cutting remar/s are ,ust sour grapes "ecause she can't ind a "oyriend.

• +hen # graduated rom >aw school # elt still wet behind the ears to start my

own "usiness.• Jen's moing in with her "oyriend. # heard it straight from the horses mouth

• # couldn't "eliee it! He told me P# loe youP( straight from the shoulder!

• >iing illegally in a country is li/e haing a sword of $amocles hanging oeryour head.

#.I3 4#hank .oodness its 3riday5gracias a =ios es iernesthank your lucky stars dar gracias a =iosthat makes two of us ya somos dosthe apple of your eye la luz de sus o,osthe best of both worlds lo me,or de am"os mundosthe blind leading the blind la conducci*n ciega del ciego

• 5h my od! #'m so tired! "+,!

• You'e got eerything you want( you should thank your lucky stars or that!

• You can't stand %elly? +ell( that makes two of us!

• #t's wonderul to hae my niece here! She's the apple of my eye

• $here are "eaches and mountains here. +e'e got the best of both worlds

• - IF8year8old manager! #t's the blind leading the blind!

the buck stops here yo soy el responsa"lethe calm before the

stormla calma ue precede a la tormenta

the cats got your tongue te comieron la lengua los ratonesthe end of the line el inal

the gift of the gab mucha la"ia#he !okes on you te sali* el tiro por la culata• -ll right( people( the buck stops here # "ro/e the computer. #t was my ault.

• $hat long silence was ,ust the calm before the storm. -ter that my mom started

screaming and shouting.• +hat's the matter? "he cat's got your tongue on on( spea/!

• Jones scored the ith goal anda that was the end of the line or the other team.

• >ou sure has the gift of the gab. $wo words with the receptionist and the ta"le is

ours!• You told Mi/e Jo would leae him "ut he didn't "eliee you and now the joke's

on you

the last straw la gota ue derram* el asothe laughing stock el hazmerrer the life of the party el alma de la iestathe long and the short of

iten resumidas cuentas

#he moment of truth la hora de la erdad#he more the merrier cuantos m)s sean( me,or

• Nirst they reused to gie us a raise( then they ired some o us( that was the last

straw!

• # can't go to tha party ater what happened. #'d "e the laughing stock o the

eening!



• You should'e seen -l last night! =ancing( telling ,o/es... He was the life of the

party.• reg met another woman and he let me. $hat's the long and the short of it

• +hen we launch the product into the mar/et we'll see i it succeeds. #t'll "e the

moment of truth

• Sure( "ring your riends to the party! "he more# the merrier!

the one that got away el ue se escap*the real Mc*oy lo realmente genuinothe salt of the earth un pan de =ios#he whole caboodle a"solutamente todoto all intents and

purposesa todos los eectos

to and fro de un lado a otro• Sue loed :aul "ut he neer li/ed her. He was the one that got away

• $his is a real leather( loo/. #t's genuine( the real 1coy

• %im is such a great girl. She helps the aged( the poor. She's the salt of the earth!

• $ell me eerything a"out your trip to Burope! +ho you saw( where you' "een(

the whole caboodle!

• $he clu"s in the city were( to all intents and purposes( closed until urther

notice.• #'e "een running to and fro all morning. # went to the "an/( then to the

supermar/et...

unheard of inauditountil your blue in the facehasta ue reientes

•

My aunt let home at 1 and moed in with her "oyriend. #t was unheard of atthe time.• You can scream and shout until you're blue in the face "ut that won't change the

situation.

virgin

territoryterreno irgen

virtual reality realidad irtual• Some ields o medicine were virgin territory a ew decades ago.

• #t is not a real tour( it's a virtual reality tour o Burope.

wake up and smell thecoffee+

Gdate cuenta de una ez!

water under the bridge historia antiguawear and tear desgastewhats your poison6 Ou9 as a tomar?wishful thinking ilusi*nword for word te&tualmenteworlds apart polos opuestos

• 5h( come on( Nred! 6ake up and smell the coffee! $hey won't gie you the ,o"!

• @o( >iz and # are no longer together( it's all water under the bridge. +e're

riends.• +e "ought a new set o chairs( the other was too damaged "y wear and tear

• Hey( Jane! +hat can # get you to drin/? 6hat's your poison



• # can dream a"out going on a cruise with a handsome man( "ut it's ,ust wishful

thingking

• $ell me eerything 3ill told you when you saw him( word for word

• My hus"and and # are worlds apart "ut we're crazy a"out each other.

Idioms with key words - Word "as"

as a matter of fact de hechoas a rule por lo generalas clean as a new pinlimpio como un ,aspeas clean as a whistle tener un historial sin manchaas clear as crystal claro como el aguaas clear as mud clarsimo

• :at lies in -ustralia. As a matter of fact ( she's "een liing there since 1.

•

As a rule( we don't let any strangers in when my parents aren't home.• lenn washed the car today and he let it as clean as a new pin

• ;amp"ell is an honest man. #'e inestigated all his deeds. He's as clean as a

whistle

• =on't worry( the instructor gae us all the instructions. He was as clear as

crystal

• $he teacher e&plained it in class( "ut it was all as clear as mud ;an you helpme?

as cool as a cucumber m)s resco ue una lechugaas dead as a doornail/the dodom)s muerto ue mi a"uela

as different as night and day ser la noche y el daas dull as ditchwater m)s a"urrido ue chupar un claoas easy as pie pan comidoas far as I know por lo ue s9

• -ter a wee/end getaway in the country( # came home as cool as a cucumber

• +e arried at the disco and there was no"ody there. #t was as dead as a

doornail

• My mom and dad are as different as night and day( "ut they really get along.

• $hat play was as dull as dithcwater . @e&t time we'll go dancing!

• ;rossing the la/e was as easy as pie. +e had a little "oat and rowed to the other

shore.• race didn't tell me she was in Madrid. As far as + know( she was in :aris with

-nn.



as fit as a fiddle re"osante de saludas full as a boot/tick e"rio como una cu"aas mad as a hatter m)s loco ue una ca"raas poor as a church mousem)s po"re ue las ratasas pretty as a picture como de postal

as "uiet as a mouse sin siuiera decir PmuP• My grandad is years old and he rides his "i/e eeryday. He's as fit as a

fiddle

• :ete went to the pu" last night and he came home as full as a tick

• My mother8in8law is as mad as a hatter Nirst( she loes meC then( she hates me!

• +ill's uncle had money "ut he gam"led a lot and lost it. He died as poor as a

church mouse

• +e isited an old medieal town in Nlorence( it was as pretty as a picture!

• Sally's dad told her o or coming home late and she went to her room as quiet

as a mouse

as red as a beetroot ro,o como un tomateas 4if5 to the manner borncomo si hu"iera nacido para elloas usual como de costum"reas ugly as sin m)s eo ue pegarle a la madre

• +heneer # hae to delier a speech( # get as red as a beetroot ( # can't help it!

• -re you sure you'd neer sured "eore? You do it as to the manner born!

• >ast night # came home as usual ( had a shower and went to dinner with some

riends.• Lose went out on a "lind date the other night and the poor guy was as ugly as

sin!

&'presiones con palabras clave - alabra

7at7

Idioms with key words - Word "at

at a a glance de un istazoat a loss for wordssin pala"rasat ease a gustoat fault en altaat first glance a primera istaat first light al rayar el da

• Berything loo/ed ine at a glance( so we ,ust /ept on wal/ing.

• +hen Nran told me her hus"and was gone( # was at a loss for words

• +e tried to ma/e John eel at ease while he was staying with us.• # wasn't at fault! $om was! He let the oice early and missed the meeting!



• At first glance( she seems to "e ine. +e'll hae to run some tests to ma/e sureshe's ine.

• +a/e me up at E o'cloc/. +e must leae at first light

at full

throttlea todo gas

at heart en el ondoat least por lo menosat odds en desacuerdoat once de unmediatoat one time en un tiempoat peace en paz

• $he actory was opened in May and now it's wor/ing at full throttle• :hil might seem tough "ut he's really sweet at heart

• =ae and Sue inited us to dinner( we should at least ta/e a "ottle o wine.

• Beryone at the oice is at odds "ecause o the new pro,ect.

• You must delier this pac/age at once o! Stop wasting time!

• At one time we were all liing in a little apartment in @ew Yor/.

• Mary's always shouting and ighting. +ill she eer "e at peace?

at rest en reposoat stake en ,uego

at the crack of dawnal romper el al"aat the eleventh hour en el 6ltimo momentoat will a oluntadat your fingertips al alcance de la mano

• # you use the machine or a long period o time( leae it at rest or a ew

minutes( o/?• #'m not going to ris/ my ,o". # 'e got a amily to support. $here's a lot at stake

• +hen # was in the army( # used to get up at the crack of dawn Sometimes

earlier!• -l's mom needed a heart transplant and was a"out to die( "ut at the eleventh

hour they ound a donor.

• You can ta/e whateer you want rom the ridge at will• #'ll "e at your disposal ( i you need me( don't hesitate to call.

• # li/e haing eerything # need at my fingertips # don't want to get up wheneer

# need something.


7beyond7

Idioms with key words - Word "beyond"



beyond a doubt sin dudabeyond comparison sin comparaci*n( incompara"lebeyond measure desmesurado

beyond ones meansm)s all) de los propios mediosbeyond "uestion sin dudabeyond recall completamente perdidobeyond reproach irreprocha"le

• $his is( beyond a doubt ( the "est "irthday party #'e eer had!

• You should try the 3loody Mary here( it's beyond comparison!

• $he ouit she chose or the eening was ridiculous beyond measure!

• # can't aord a trip to the -lps! #t's way beyond my means!

• Bmma was( beyond question( the most "eautiul girl at the "all.

• $he "uilding is completely beyond recall #t'll hae to "e demolished.

• Molly's attitude towards all the gossip a"out her is beyond reproachB&presiones

con pala"ras clae 8 :ala"ra P"yP +dioms with key words - 6ord 7by7

by a hair por un peloby all accountsal decir de todosby all means por supuestoby and by pronto( en seguidaby and large en t9rminos generalesby any means por cualuier medio

• #t was an e&citing race. +e won it by a hair ( # thought we'd come in the second

place!• &y all accounts# $he 3eatles are one o the most important roc/ 'n' roll "ands in

history.• =o you want an apple? &y all means# ta/e as many as you wish!

• $hese shirts may "e ashiona"le nowadays "ut by and by no one will wear themanymore.

• &y and large( the immigration in the country came rom Spain and #taly.

• ;huc/'s determined to get that ,o" by any means

by chance por casualidadby coincidence por coincidencia

by dint of a uerza deby far por le,osby force of habit por costum"reby hand a mano

• # was wal/ing down High Street and # came across >ucy by chance

• :aul and # were at the theater last night and we met Joe and ic/y by

coincidence

• You're not going to ma/e your children o"ey ,ust by dint of "eating them.

• >ondon is( by far# the most e&citing city #'e eer "een to.

• # too/ down the cloc/ rom the wall "ut # /eep loo/ing that way by force of

habit

• $hese leather sandals were completely made by hand -ren't they gorgeous?



by heart de memoriaby hook or by

crook por las "uenas o por las malas

by means of por medio deby mistake por euiocaci*n

by no means de ning6n modoby reason of a causa de

• +e hae to learn these our poems by heart or ne&t class.

• $ina says she's going to see 5asis in concert by hook or by crook

• +e were a"le to raise the money by means of a rale.

• 5h( no! Jac/'s cell phone is the same as mine and # too/ his by mistake!

• oing on a ,o" interiew is by no means a guarantee o actually getting the ,o".

• # was a"sent rom the meeting by reason of another engagement.

by re"uest por petici*nby the same token del mismo modoby the skin of your

teeth por poco( por los pelos

by the way a prop*sitoby virtue of en irtud deby way of por a de

• $he pac/age was deliered at these address by request o Mr. -llen.

• #'m going to wor/ more hours "ut( by the same token( #'ll earn more money.

• $he thie was aster and he got away by the skin of his teeth

• 5h( by the way( don't orget to pic/ up your suit rom the dry cleaner's!

• $he concert was postponed by virtue of e&treme weather conditions.

•

# had to gie my old car by way of payment or the new one.


7down7

Idioms with key words - Word "down"

down and out en la miseriadown in the dumpsdeprimido<a

down on ones luck de mala rachadown the hatch+ Gsalud!down to earth centrado( con los pies en la $ierradown to the wire hasta el 6ltimo momento

• $here were times in my lie when # had a"solutely nothing( # was down and out

• Han/'s lost his ,o"( that's why he's "een down in the dumps lately.

• -ndy's house "urned down and she has no insurance. She really is down on her

luck

• Here's a toast to you( Nran/! $own the hatch!

• # li/e 3en( he's a nice( sensi"le( down to earth guy.

• 3oth teams are playing ery well( the game can "e won "y either o them( it'll go

down to the wire




7for7

Idioms with key words - Word "for"for a change para ariar for a song a precio de saldofor all one is worth con todas sus uerzasfor better or 4for5

worse para "ien o para mal

for certain con seguridadfor crying out loud+ Gpero( ser) posi"le!

• $his summer #'d li/e to go to the mountain for a change

• ;an you "eliee #an "ought that a"ulous sports car for a song ?

• You can sit there wishing or a miracle for all you're worth# "ut it doesn't meanit'll happen.

• Mr. Miller's decision will aect all o us( for better or worse

• $he police hae some clues "ut the girl's wherea"outs aren't /nown for certain

• ,or crying out loud! ;an't you see #'m on the phone? Stop shouting!

for e'ample por e,emplofor fear of por miedo afor free gratisfor fun/laughs por placer

for .ods/gosh/heavens sake+Gpor el amor de =ios!for good/keeps para siempre• $here are dierent /inds o a"ric. ,or e5ample) sil/( cotton( linen...

• +e "rought an e&tra "ottle o water for fear of running out o it.

• # you "uy a $ set you get a ;= and a == for free

• Mar/ paints "ut he only does it for fun He doesn't intend to sell his paintings.

• ,or heaven's sake! $urn the olume down! #'m trying to sleep!

• #t's time we put an end to this situation for good

for good measure por a2adidurafor kicks para diertirse

for long por mucho tiempofor my money en mi opini*nfor once por una ezfor openers para empezar

• =ad gae me twenty dollars to "uy a s/irt and mom gae me twenty more for

good measure

• +e were "ored so we decided to "a/e some coo/ies for kicks

• Sam came "ac/ yesterday "ut he said he wouldn't stay for long

• ,or my money# Mary should'e married John and not Lo"ert.

• +ill you stop criticizing me for once in your lie?

• ,or openers# we'll isit the Biel $ower( and then the >oure.

for real de erdad



for shame+ Gu9 ergQenza!for sure segurofor that matter en realidadfor the asking a pedir de "ocafor the fun of

it por placer

• $his is not a ,o/e( -le&( this is for real!

• ;an't those people see the P@o smo/ingP sign oer there? ,or shame!

• 3ec/y's going to loe the earrings # "ought her in #ndia( for sure!

• My dad won't let me go to the party( and neither will my mom( for that matter

• # you want the tic/ets( call the radio and they're yours for the asking!

• @owadays( there are ew /ids and teenagers who read ,ust for the fun of it

for the hell of it porue sfor the love of por el amor defor the moment por ahorafor the most parten la mayor parte

• Jac/ li/es ta/ing pictures all the time( ,ust for the hell of it

• Han/( for the love of od! Hurry up! +e're going to "e late!

• ,or the moment #'m ,ust going to "uy the shirt( #'ll leae the ,eans or ne&t

month.• -my's riends are F8year8old women( for the most part


7from7 Idioms with key words - Word "from"

from bad to worse de mal en peor from day one desde el primer dafrom hand to

mouthcon lo ,usto

from head to toe de pies a ca"ezafrom hunger a causa del ham"refrom rags to riches de mendigo a millonario

• $hings /eep going from bad to worse) irst( # los my ,o"( now # lose my house!• ;harlie neer li/ed school. He hated it from day one

• >iz says she lies from hand to mouth "ut she spends too much money on

clothes.• Mr. Nitzpatric/ is a real gentleman from head to toe So charming!

• $he amount o people dying from hunger eery day around the world is

alarming.• My dad was ery poor "ut he went from rags to riches wor/ing all his lie.

from scratch desde el principiofrom side to side de un lado al otrofrom soup to nuts de principio a infrom s"uare one desde el principio



from stem to stern de proa a popafrom the bottom of ones

heartde todo coraz*n

• My computer caught a irus and # had no "ac/up so # had to start my wor/ from

scratch

• $he lowers swayed from side to side in the light summer "reeze. #t was loely.• Helen was ery much inoled in the pro,ect. She was in it from soup to nuts

• $he police inuiry had to "egin from square one ater a series o alse clues.

R• +e'e searched the yacht from stem to stern "ut we didn't ind any hole.

• # wish you "oth a ery happy marriage( from the bottom of my heart

from the cradle to the grave durante toda la idafrom the frying pan into the fire de uatemala a uatepeor from the get-go/word 7go7 desde el principio( desde el PamosPfrom the sublime to the ridiculousde un e&tremo al otrofrom this day forward de hoy en adelantefrom time to time de ez en cuandofrom way back desde hace tiempo

• My grandather wor/ed from the cradle to the grave to hae eerything hewanted.

• +e'e gone from the frying pan into the fire( no money( no house( no car...

• -le& said he would help me with the assignment from the word 7go7 .

• # didn't li/e the moieC it went from the sublime to the ridiculous all the time.

• ,rom this day forward ( #'ll start going to the gym eery wee/.

•

# li/e haing a glass o wine during dinner from time to time• :ete and $im are really good riends. $hey /now each other from way back


7in7

Idioms with key words - Word "in"

in a good/bad moodde "uen<mal humor

in a bad way en mala ormain a bit en un momentoin a dither muy neriosoin a fi'/!am en un aprietoin a fog conundido

• # you want to as/ the "oss or a raise( go now! He's in a good mood

• Mar/ didn't mean you were at( he ,ust said it in a bad way

• :lease( ta/e a seat. =octor Jones will see you in a bit

• +hat's the matter with %ate? #s she o/? She loo/s in a dither

• @ic/ crashed with his dad's car and now he's in a jam

• +hen # wo/e up ater the surgery( # was in a fog due to the anesthesia.

in a !iffy en un santiam9n



in a lather hist9rico<ain a long time en mucho tiempoin a manner of speaking por as decirloin a nutshell en resumidas cuentasin a rut en la rutina

• ie me the shirt and #'ll sew the "utton in a jiffy• Sam was in a lather today when Joe told him he had lost his digital camera.

• How's =anny? # haen't seen him in a long time.

• >isa( my mom's "est riend( is li/e a second mother to me( in a manner of

speaking

• $ell me what happened "etween Lo" and Be in a nutshell ( # don't hae much

time.• #'d li/e to ind a new ,o". #n this one # eel stuc/ in a rut

in a sense/way en cierto modoin a stew sudar la gota gordain a tight corner/spoten aprietosin a while en un ratoin abeyance en suspensoin addition adem)s

• 3eing unemployed helped me spend more time with my children( in a way

• $hey almost didn't let me "oard the plane "ecause # was E minutes late. # was in

a stew!

• 5scar "orrowed money rom some croo/ and he can't pay him now. He's in a

tight spot

• #'m going or a wal/ in the par/. #'ll "e "ac/ in a while

•

+ith the coming o the == the ideo tape was soon in abeyance• +n addition to the economic crisis( the country suered dierent natural

disasters.

in advance de antemanoin agreement en acuerdoin all probability sin dudain good/bad faith de "uena<mala ein good/bad shape en "uenas<malas condicionesin black and white por escrito

• +e hae to pay EFF dollars in advance or the trip to Spain.

• -ter the meeting we were all in agreement a"out the "udget or ne&t month.• $he Lolling Stones are( in all probability( the most amous roc/'n'roll "and in

the world.• Mr. +illiams oered to help us in good faith

• # haen't "een to the gym or ages( #'m in bad shape

• -ll right( then( tomorrow you'll hae the contract in black and white in order to

sign it.

in brief en "reein broad

daylighta plena luz del da

in bulk al por mayor in case por si acaso



in charge a cargo( responsa"lein check "a,o control

• You go ahead and start without me( #'ll ,oin you in brief

• ;an you "eliee it? # was mugged in the street in broad daylight!

• #'m sorry( we only sell our products in bulk

• +n case you need any help( call me and #'ll "e there.• @elly is away and she let me in charge o the house( can # help you?

• $he classroom was a mess when the teacher was away( "ut when she came "ac/

eerything was in check

in circulation en circulaci*nin clover a lo grandein cold blood a sangre rain deep troubleen serios pro"lemasin default of a alta dein dire straits en serios aprietos

• $hese coins are no longer in circulation

• +hen # hae my own company #'m going to hae money and lie in clover

• $he prisoners were "rutally tortured and murdered in cold blood

• Manny was caught shopliting and he's now in deep trouble

• 3oth o you will hae to wor/ e&tra hours in default of three o your co8wor/ers.

• $he whole region is in dire straits "ecause o the war and the economic crisis.

in drag estido de mu,er in dribs and drabs poco a pocoin due course a su de"ido tiempo

in earnest de erasin effect en eectoin escrow en dep*sitoin fashion de moda

• $here were many guys in drag at Stacey's costume party.

• $he students came "ac/ to the classroom in dribs and drabs ater the "rea/.

• $he article will "e pu"lished in due course.

• # spo/e to Sarah in earnest and # told her what # thought.

• +n effect ( her "a"y was "orn two wee/s "eore mine.

• $hese long s/irts are no longer in fashion

in force igentein full en su totalidadin full swing en pleno apogeoin good conditionsen "uenas condicionesin good hands en "uenas manosin good spirits de "uen )nimo

• $he new law will "e in force "y ne&t year.

• # need the transcription o the :resident's speech in full

• Nlower power was in full swing during the si&ties.

• #'ll lend you my car( "ut gie it "ac/ to me in good conditions

• =octor 5'@eal is the "est surgeon in the country( your wie is in good hands

• Nred is in good spirits today. He passed his e&am.



in good time a su de"ido tiempoin half por la mitadin heat en celoin heavens nameen el nom"re del cieloin high dudgeon hecho<a una uria

in hock endeudado<ain hot water en un lo

• -ll in good time( my riend. You hae to "e patient and wait.

• ;ut the oranges in half and sueeze them to get the ,uice.

• $he dog is in heat and we want her to hae puppies.

• +hat( in heaven's name( are you doing with that sword?!!!

• Lichard argued with 3eth and he let the house in high dudgeon

• $he Mayor was caught "ri"ing a "usiness man and he's now in hot water

in keeping with de acuerdo conin league with cona"ulado<a conin love enamorado<ain mint condition en perecto estadoin no time en muy poco tiempoin no uncertain termsclaramente

• You'll ind a lie est under each seat( in keeping with international saety laws.

• $hat Marcy is in league with :aula to ma/e me loo/ li/e a mad woman!

• #'m not in love with eorge! +ho told you that?

• $he house is oer a hundred years old "ut it's still in mint condition

• +e had such a nice time that the days were gone in no time

• Stan said in no uncertain terms that he was neer coming "ac/.

in one ear and out the

otherentrar por un odo y salir por el otro

in one fell swoop de un solo golpein ones blood en la sangrein ones good/bad books caerle "ien<mal a alguienin ones minds eye en la imaginaci*nin ones own right por derecho propio

• He neer pays attention to what # say. #t goes in one ear and out the other

• =o you seriously "eliee it's possi"le to stop illegal immigration in one fell

swoop?

• :at's ather was a pianist and her mother was a singer( music is in her blood• >iz has "een in my bad books eer since she told me # loo/ed li/e a mummy.

• #'m trying to imagine how things could "e in my mind's eye.

• -l wor/ed hard to get that ,o"( he earned it in his own right

in ones own worlden su propio mundoin ones right minden su sano ,uicioin order to a in dein other words en otras pala"rasin passing al pasar in phase sincronizado<a

• Jane seems to "e in her own world# she neer tal/s to anyone.

• %ate told you that? =ear od! She's not in her right mind!



• You must pass all the e&ams in order to get your degree.

• $hey said they were going to let me go. +n other words# #'m ired.

• # heard reg and :ete in passing tal/ing a"out a trip to -rica.

• $he sound and the image o the ideo must "e in phase.

in plain &nglishha"lando sin rodeosin plain view a la ista de todosin play en ,uegoin point of fact de hechoin print impresoin progress en desarrollo

• =octor( # don't understand all this technical language. Say it in plain *nglish

• $he woman was mugged in the par/ in plain view!

• -re you sure touching the "all with your el"ow is in play

• +n point of fact# Helen and Mar/ aren't really married.

• - new edition o Sha/espeare's Sonnets will "e in print ne&t wee/.

• $he "uilding isn't inished yet. #t's still in progress.

in reach en el alcancein regard to en cuanto ain retrospectretrospectiamentein return a cam"ioin search of en "usca dein season en temporada

• # li/e haing eerything in reach when #'m coo/ing.

• # am writing in regard to Mr. :eter's complaints.

•

Berything seems clearer now in retrospect• +hen # helped you( # didn't e&pect anything in return

• $he story is a"out a man who is in search of his lost amily.

• Salmon is not in season# that's why it's so e&pensie right now.

in seventh heaven en el s9ptimo cieloin short order en poco tiempoin short supply escasear in sick bay sn la enermerain someones shoesen los zapatos de alguienin stitches morirse de risa

• +e were in seventh heaven when we ound out a"out the pregnancy!• $he product was so successul that we run out o stoc/ in short order

• $hey say that water will "e in short supply in a ew years' time.

• $he /ids had a small accident at school and they are in sick bay

• -nn lost EFF dollars at wor/ yesterday. # wouldn't li/e to "e in her shoes!

• Nran/'s perormance was so unny! He had us all in stitches!

in store de reserain the altogether en cuerosin the back of ones minden un rinc*n de la mentein the black en n6meros negrosin the buff en pa2os menoresin the clear inocente



• +ho /nows what the uture has in store or me?

• My grandma was shoc/ed when she saw a group o people in the altogether on

$.• #'e had this idea in the back of my mind or uite a while.

• Yes( #'e got enough money. My "an/ account is in the black

• +hen # was young( there were no people in the buff in the moies!• $he police interrogated Nreddy "ut he came out in the clear

in the clink en la c)rcelin the cold light of

daycon la ca"eza en ro

in the doghouse en desgraciain the doldrums deprimido<ain the drivers seat llear las riendasin the eye/face a los o,os<la cara

• My neigh"or /illed a man and now he's in the clink!

• # was mad( now in the cold light of day# # thin/ # oerreacted a "it...

• $he teacher caught Joe cheating on the test and now he's in the doghouse.

• Jerry's "een in the doldrums eer since his wie died.

• #'m tired o "eing told what to do! # want to "e in the driver's seat!

• Just loo/ at me in the face and tell me you didn't do it.

in the family way em"arazadain the flesh en personain the hole en deudain the know enterado<a

in the lap of lu'urycomo un duuein the limelight en el candelero• :am didn't e&pect to "e in the family way until ater the wedding!

• ;an you "eliee we are going to meet Lic/y Martin in the flesh

• #'e already paid Mary "ac/ "ut she says #'m still two hundred dollars in the

hole!

• $he whole thing was a secret. 5nly %ate was in the know

• 3ess says she's going to marry a millionaire and lie in the lap of lu5ury

• You say you want to "e amous "ut it's hard to lie in the limelight

in the long haul/runa la larga

in the main en generalin the meantime mientras tantoin the money orrado en dineroin the mood de humor( con ganasin the nick of time ,usto a tiempo

• +e must sole the pro"lem now or we'll hae worse pro"lems in the long run

• +n the main# # spend the summer in the south o Spain.

• #'e already sent the letter. +n the meantime# all # can do is wait.

• 3o" hasn't "een in the money since long. - rich aunt o his died and let him all

she had.• +e inited -nn to come along with us "ut she wasn't in the mood

• $he moie was a"out to "egin "ut we got there in the nick of time.



in the picture al corrientein the pink re"osar de saludin the pipeline en tr)mitesin the public eyeen la mirain the red con la cuenta en ro,o

in the right tener la raz*n• #'ll "e in :aris or the ne&t two nonths( so please /eep me in the picture

• #'e always "een in the pink @ot een a slight cold in my lie!

• +e're going to "uy a "igger house( "ut eerything's still in the pipeline

• :oliticians hae to "e careul with what they say. $hey're constantly in the

public eye

• # don't /now what to do! # hae "ills to pay and my "an/ account is in the red!

• @o! # won't shut up when #'m in the right!

in the same boat en la misma situaci*nin the same breath a continuaci*nin the same league a la alturain the soup con el agua hasta el cuelloin the throes de llenoin the twinkling/wink of an

eyeBn un a"rir y cerrar de o,os

• 5 course # understand what you're going through. +e're in the same boat

• Lo" says he hates this city "ut in the same breath he says he couldn't lie

anywhere else.• My cell phone is not in the same league as the new ones. #t doesn't een hae a

camera!•

# must inish this report "y Monday or #'ll "e in the soup!• # we don't reach an agreement we'll "e in the throes o a ciil war!

• #'ll heat this meat in the microwae and it'll "e ready in the twinkling of an eye

in the wrong euiocadoin this day and agehoy en dain touch en contactoin tow a cuestasin your prime en la lor de la ida

• $hey'll neer change their attitude "ecause they don't thin/ they're in the wrong

• #t's so apalling that there should "e slaes in this day and age!

• :romise me we'll "e in touch when you go away.• # can't ,ust uit my ,o"! # hae my amily in tow

• -t the age o EE( 3illy is still in his prime.

&'presiones con palabras claves -

alabra 7of7

Idioms with key words - Word "of"

of a kind/sorts por as decirloof age mayor de edad



of benefit "eneiciosoof conse"uencede importanciaof course por supuestoof few words de pocas pala"ras

• +ell( # thin/ she's a model or an actress of sorts

• -ndrew can't touch the money he inherited until he's of age• # "eliee this treaty will "e of benefit or the whole region.

• lo"al warming is a matter of consequence to the :resident.

• P-re you coming to @ancy's party?P P+ell( of course!7

• Bddie is a man of few words He doesn't tal/ much.

of late 6ltimamenteof note nota"leof old de anta2oof ones life de su idaof ones own accordespont)neamenteof the essence de ital importanciaof two minds indeciso( sin sa"er u9 hacer

• +here hae you "een going of late

• +e're so proud o our son. He's a lawyer of note in @ew Yor/.

• My grandather always tal/s a"out the good dances of old

• $his was the "est "irthday party of my life

• $he witness went to the police station of his own accord

• +e must act immediately. $ime is of the essence

• My parents are of two minds a"out letting me study a"road.

&'presiones con palabras claves -alabra 7off7

Idioms with key words - Word "off"

off and on de cuando en cuandooff

base/beameuiocado

off color indispuesto

off duty no estar de sericio<guardiaoff guard despreenidooff key desainado

• My computer /eeps crashing off and on( # can't wor/ li/e this.

• $he detectie's theory a"out the murder was completely off base

• -le& was eeling a "it off color so # sent him home to rest.

• #'m off duty tomorrow night( would you li/e to go out or dinner?

• Mr. >ee caught me off guard when he as/ed me to do e&tra hours and # said

'Yes'.• =o you hear that? $he piano is off key again!

off ones chest desahogarse al conesar algooff ones head mal de la ca"eza



off ones high horse "a,ar los humosoff ones rocker chiladooff season temporada "a,aC uera de temporadaoff side uera de ,uego

• # can't lie to you anymore. # need to get this off my chest

• Hae you gone off your head How are you going to do that?• You're no "etter than any o us so come off your high horse# will you?

• Mi/e must "e off his rocker i he thin/s his plan will wor/!

• You'll get the tic/ets at a lower price i you trael off season

• %eane was off side so the goal was annulled.

off the air uera del aireoff the beaten track aislado( apartadooff the cuff de improisooff the deep end como una ieraoff the hook li"rarseoff the mark euiocado

• 5/( we're off the air now( tell me what "rings you to the radio.

• #'m sic/ o the city. # want to get away( go somewhere off the beaten track

• :aul didn't /now what to say so he made up an e&planation off the cuff

• +hen # told my e&8hus"and # was leaing he went off the deep end

• -ll right( go home( #'ll inish the report( you're off the hook

• Beryone thought # was off the mark when # said the product would ail.

off the rails descarrilarseoff the record e&traoicialmente

off the top of myhead de improiso

off the wagon oler a darse a la "e"idaoff the wall sorprendente e inusualoff topic uera de temaoff-beat poco conencional

• - train went off the rails near Seattle.

• $here are many speculations "ut they're all off the record

• +hateer # said to you( # said it off the top of my head# # didn't really mean it.

• -ter two months without a drin/( us ell off the wagon.

• +e need new ideas or the show( something off the wall to attract the audience.

• $he essay is uite good "ut it goes off topic in the end.• +e ma/e an off-beat show( that's why people li/e it.


alabra 7on7

Idioms with key words - Word "on"

on a first-name basis tutearseon a full/an empty stomachcon el est*mago lleno<acoon a pedestal en un pedestal



on a roll con "uena suerteon a shoestring con muy poco dineroon a silver platter en "ande,a

• +hen # was young( we weren't on a first-name basis with our elders.

• You shouldn't ta/e that pill on an empty stomach

• Mar/'s grandmother was ery important to him( he had her on a pedestal• # was on a roll at the casino last night! # won ie hundred dollars!

• #t's hard to run a whole household on a shoestring# especially i you hae /ids.

• >iz doesn't /now what it is to wor/ to pay the "ills. She's had eerything on a

silver platter

on a tangent por la tangenteon all fours Bn cuatro patason an even keelesta"leon and on sin parar on board a "ordoon cloud nine en el s9ptimo cielo

• +ill was tal/ing a"out the war in #ra and he went o on a tangent

• # was on all fours on the loor loo/ing or my contact lense.

• +e must help -dam to /eep his lie on an even keel

• My mom ,ust /ept tal/ing on and on a"out "eing responsi"le and all that.

• $here are new teachers on board this year( Miss -llen and Miss Landall.

• :am was on cloud nine when she won that trip to :aris.

on drugs consumiendo drogason duty de sericio<guardia

on edge con los nerios de puntaon foot a pieon good/bad terms withllearse "ien<mal conon line en lnea( conectado

• $he "lood and urine tests showed that the actor was on drugs

• #'ll tal/ to you when # get home( # hae to go( #'m on duty

• #'m on edge eery time # hae a test( # get so nerous.

• #t was nice today so # decided to go to wor/ on foot instead o ta/ing the "us.

• -re you on good terms with your mother?

• #'m waiting or Lo"ert to get on line so we can chat a little "it.

on no account de ninguna maneraon ones best behavior portarse lo me,or posi"leon ones deathbed en el lecho de muerteon ones high horse tener muchos humoson ones last legs en las 6ltimason ones 4own5 merits por m9rito propio

• 3n no account should you eat greasy ood( drin/ alcohol or smo/e( Mr. Johnson.

• # promised my dad # would "e on my best behavior at school so that he lets me

go dancing.• +hen my sister was on her deathbed# # promised her #'d ta/e care o her son.

• Bery time he can $om gets on his high horse tal/ing a"out politics. #t's so

annoying.• -nn's ather is on his last legs# we should isit her to gie her our support.



• Mayor Hanson got where he is without any help rom anyone. He's a renowned politician on his own merits

on ones mind en menteon ones own solo

on ones own account por cuenta propiaon ones uppers en la miseriaon ones way en caminoon paper so"re papel

• #'m sorry( # can't help you right now( #'e got a lot o things on my mind

• :atric/'s "een on his own in his room all day long.

• Julia's setting up a "outiue on her own account# she's really e&cited a"out it.

• Stee can't ind a ,o"( he really is on his uppers

• #'m on my way to the dentist( #'l call you when # get home.

• # /now you can read "oo/s on the internet "ut # still preer them on paper

on parole en li"ertad condicionalon pins and needlesansiosoon probation en perodo de prue"aon purpose a prop*sitoon sale en liuidaci*non schedule/time a la hora preista

• #'m getting out on parole ne&t wee/. -nd #'m neer going "ac/ to ,ail.

• -lice said she had something important to tell me( #'m on pins and needles

• Johnny messed it up last wee/ at the oice so now he's on probation

• My mom didn't li/e my dog so she let it out on purpose so that he would run

away.• Helen "ought that sweater on sale or only ten dollars.

• $he plane arried on schedule and we let the airport at ten o'cloc/.

on second thought pens)ndolo me,or on someones side del lado de alguienon spec por si las dudason standby en esperaon strike en huelgaon sufferance de mala gana

• # was going to go "y "us "ut( on second thought# #'ll ta/e my "i/e.

• How can you "e on *mily's side You're my "est riend!• =an didn't /now i he needed a permit "ut he as/ed or one on spec

• 5ur systems are down and all the wor/ is on standby

• $he wor/ers at the actory are on strike "ecause they want a pay rise.

• Meg didn't want to go so she went on sufferance

on tap de "arrilon target de acuerdo con lo preistoon tenterhooks/the rack con el alma en ilo( en ascuason the alert/lookout/"ui

viveen alerta

on the average en promedioon the blink aeriado



• +e went to a pu" that sold "eer on tap #t was delicious.

• Berything is going on target so ar.

• +e're all on tenterhooks( we don't /now what's going to happen.

• 5ne o the thiees "ro/e into the house and the other stayed out on the lookout

• +e hae twenty students per course on the average

• # hae to get my car i&ed( it's on the blink again.

on the bright side el lado "uenoon the brink/verge al "ordeon the

button/clock/doten punto

on the chance that con la esperanza deon the cheap por poco dineroon the cutting edge a la anguardia

• My aunt Magda always loo/ed on the bright side o things.

• $he whole region is on the brink o war! #t's terri"le!

• My "oss is ery strict with the time. # hae to "e at the oice at nine on the

button

• +e stayed at the "ac/ o the stadium on the chance that the "and came out.

• You can "uy some really great stu at the air on the cheap

• 5ur company has always "een on the cutting edge o new technologies.

on the defensive a la deensiaon the double inmediatamenteon the edge of your seaten iloon the face of it a primera ista

on the fritz estropeadoon the horizon Bn el horizonte• +hy are you always on the defensive @o one wants to attac/ you.

• :eter was late or an appointment so he inished his coee on the double

• $he moie will /eep you on the edge of your seat until the ery last minute.

• 3n the face of it# a patient may seem ine( "ut he or she could hae internal

in,urires.• My camera ell into the pool and now it's on the fritz

• $he tarot lady told me there were some ,o" oers on the horizon

on the house la casa inita

on the increase/riseen aumentoon the inside por dentroon the lam a la ugaon the level ser serioon the loose en li"ertad

• Since you are a regular customer( dessert is on the house# sir.

• 7nortunately( unepmloyment is on the rise due to the crisis.

• $hat house is gorgeous. #'d loe to /now what's on the inside

• $he thiees too/ o with FF(FFF dollars and are on the lam

• =on't worry( # /now Mr. Jameson( he's an honest man. His company is on the

level

• - lion escaped rom the zoo today and is now on the loose



on the make tratar de sacar ta,adaon the market a la entaon the mend me,orandoon the move de ia,eon the prowl merodeando

on the rebound:or despecho• Most politicians are on the make when they can.

• #'m sorry "ut the product you are loo/ing or is no longer on the market

• :hil came down with the lu "ut he's on the mend now.

• # went to ie dierent schools as a /id "ecause we were always on the move

• $here's a strange man on the prowl ( no"ody /nows him.

• >iz doesn't li/e ;arl( she ,ust dates him "ecause she's on the rebound

on the receiving end "lanco<ctima deon the right foot con el pie derechoon the right track por "uen caminoon the safe side para mayor seguridadon the same wavelengthen la misma ondaon the side -parte

• +hen Mary's hus"and got iolent( she was on the receiving end o his "lows.

• 3usiness has "een going great( we set o on the right foot

• -re you sure we're on the right track

• $he home pregnancy8test was positie "ut # had a "lood test to "e on the safe

side

• $om and Je get along great( they're on the same wavelength

• +hen Jo was a little girl she hated "eans so she let them on the side o her

plate.

on the sidelines al margenon the sly a hurtadillason the spur of the

momentsin pensarlo

on the streets hacer la calleon the tip of my tongue en la punta de la lenguaon the town de ,uerga

• Nran/ preers to stay on the sidelines wheneer there's an arguement.

• +hen # was a teenager( # got out o my house on the sly at night to go dancing.

• #'m sorry! # didn't mean it! # said it on the spur of the moment• Many immigrant women are on the streets "ecause they can't ind a good ,o".

• +hat's the name o that actor? # hae it on the tip of my tongue

• >ast night we went out on the town +e had a great time.

on the wagon a"stemioon the wane menguandoon the warpathen pie de guerraon the way out de salidaon the whole en generalon thin ice en terreno peligroso

• #'m still on the wagon and # intend to /eep it that way. @o alcohol or me.

• ;= sales are on the wane due to the ree illegal downloads rom the internet.



• $he whole country is on the warpath ater the attac/s.

• $hat /ind o music had its moment "ut now it's on the way out

• $his year's sales hae "een good on the whole

• You'll "e wal/ing on thin ice i you tell the media a"out the Mayor's "ri"es.

on tiptoe de puntillason top of the

worldcontentsimo

on view e&puestoon your guard en alerta

• #t was late and eeryone was asleep( so we went in on tiptoe

• #'m on top of the world! #t's my wedding day!

• $here were some "eautiul purses on view at the mall.

• You must "e always on your guard in this city or else you get mugged.

&'presiones con palabras claves -alabra 7out7

Idioms with key words - Word "out"

out and about repuesto( por ahout at the elbowsrado

out frontadelante( en rente de unediicioK

out in left field totalmente euiocadoout in the cold al margenout in the open al aire li"re

• +ith ,ust a ew days o rest you'll "e out and about again.

• # loe this ,ac/et "ut it's a "it out at the elbows

• You go get the car( #'ll wait or you out front

• $hat's not what happened! You're out in left field!

• $he other "oys started playing oot"all and let me out in the cold

• # want to go camping( spend a ew days out in the open

out loud en oz alta

out of bounds prohi"idoout of breath sin alientoout of business cerradoout of circulation uera de circulaci*nout of commissionuera de sericio

• Jac/'s great aunt is uite dea so we hae to tal/ out loud

• +e're not allowed to enter my ather's study( it is out of bounds

• +e were all out of breath ater clim"ing that hill.

• $he "ig department stores let my store out of business

• #'m sorry( sir( "ut this currency is out of circulation

• $he eleator will "e out of commission tomorrow.

out of condition en mala orma<mal estado



out of conte't uera de conte&toout of control/hand uera de controlout of date/fashion pasado de modaout of harms way/the woodsa saloout of here uera de au

out of it en otra onda• $he toilettes in this school are all out of condition

• +hat Miss Smith said on that interiew was ta/en out of conte5t

• You must "e more seere with your students or they will get out of control

• =o you thin/ this music will go out of fashion

• -s the :resident's "odyguard( it's your ,o" to /eep the :resident out of harm's

way

• Stan was out of it at the pu"( he had too much to drin/.

out of !oint dislocadoout of line uera de lugar out of ones head "orrachoout of nowhere/the

bluede la nada

out of ones system uitarse algo de encimaout of order no uncionar

• Han/ got his shoulder out of joint playing oot"all.

• Stacey's comment was a "it out of line# don't you thin/?

• # was so out of my head at the party that # don't remem"er much o it.

• +endy was crossing the street and a car appeared out of the blue

• $here's so much # need to get out of my system # don't /now where to "egin.

•

My printer is out of order ( may # use yours?

out of phase desasadoout of place uera de lugar out of pocket salir perdiendoout of practice desentrenadoout of proportiondesproporcionadoout of range uera del alcance

• $he "and sounded out of phase on the stage( didn't they?

• # can't go to my e&8"oyriend's wedding. #'ll "e totally out of place

• $hose holidays in Ni,i let me out of pocket

• # haen't played tennis or years( #'m totally out of practice• $he accident wasn't that serious( it was all "lown out of proportion

• Sam tried to pic/ up the phone "ut it was out of range

out of sorts mal( enermoout of step no llear el pasoout of the closet declararse homose&ualout of the corner of my

eye por el ra"illo del o,o

out of the ordinary uera de lo com6nout of the "uestion inadmisi"le

• $ed was eeling out of sorts and he didn't go to school today.

• Joe is a terri"le dancer( he's always out of step



• +hen did you come out of the closet

• # was haing lunch and # noticed a little /itty out of the corner of my eye

• $he ood was o/( "ut nothing out of the ordinary

• $hat's completely out of the question! My son will stay with me!

out of the way uera del caminoout of the window por la entanaout of the

woodworksde ui9n sa"e d*nde

out of this world ant)sticoout of touch no estar en contactoout of town en las aueras( de ia,e

• Sure( we can go to Molly's "ut it's a "it out of the way

• # # eat ,ust one slice o pizza my whole diet will go out of the window

• +ho is this guy? He comes out of the woodworks and starts telling us what to

do!• You hae to see Mi/e's new yacht! #t's out of this world!

• #t's such a pity we'e "een out of touch or so long.

• Steph's out of town right now( would you li/e to leae a message?

out of tune desainadoout of whack astidiadoout of work sin tra"a,oout of your

minduera de ,uicio

out on a limb arriesgarse

out on ones ear de patitas en la calleout to lunch en 3a"ia( diagando• $he tenors were ine( "ut the sopranos were a "it out of tune

• #'m haing trou"le with my car( the car"urator's out of whack

• -re you out of your mind You can't "uy a 1FF(FF8dollar car!

• #'m not willing to go out on a limb and lose eerything #'e got.

• %elly was ired and now she's out on her ear

• #t's impossi"le to hae a serious conersation with Je( he's always out to lunch


alabra 7over7

Idioms with key words - Word "over"

over a barrel en un pu2oover again otra ezover and above adem)sover and done

withterminado( aca"ado

over my dead bodyso"re mi cadaer • # hae John over a barrel He'll do anything # tell him to.• # was counting my money and # got lost so # had to start over again



• +e need new inestors over and above new ideas.

• +hen will this situation "e over and done with

• You thin/ you'll get the house and the car? +ell( over my dead body!

over the countersin receta m9dica

over the hill demasiado ie,oover the hump ha"er pasado lo m)s dicilover the top e&agerado

• Sir( you need your doctor's prescription or this medicine. #t's not sold over the

counter

• My mom says she's over the hill "ut she's only orty8two.

• +e're over the hump# the house is almost ready. +e're moing in ne&t wee/.

• =on't you thin/ Nay's dress is a "it over the top or a "irthday party?


alabra 7so7

Idioms with key words - Word "so"

so and so ulano de talso be it ue as seaso far hasta ahoraso far$ so good hasta ahora todo a "ienso help me

4.od5

ue =ios me ayude

so long+ Ghasta la ista!• +ho cares i -nn is going out with so and so #t's her lie.

• # =aniel wants to go to trial( so be it! #'m not araid.

• # can only help you so far# #'m not an e&pert.

• +e can't complain a"out the "usiness. So far# so good

• # promise # will neer leae you alone again( so help me od

• See you guys on Monday! Hae a nice wee/end( so long!

so much for suiciente deso that de modo ue

so "uiet you can hear a pin drop hay tanto silencio ue se puede or el uelo de unamosca

so small you could barely swing a

catel lugar esK tan peue2o ue no ca"e ni un aliler

so to speak por as decirloso what6 Oy u9?

• -ll right( so much for this su",ect. >et's start with a new one.

• #'ll let the door open so that you can get in.

• #n the countryside( it is so quiet you can hear a pin drop at night.

• How do the our o you lie here? $he place is so small you could barely swing

a cat!

• $om wasn't e&actly drun/( he was a "it tipsy( so to speak

• Yes( you ailed your driing test again( so what



&'presiones con palabras claves -alabra 7to7

Idioms with key words - Word "to"

to a certain degree hasta cierto puntoto a fault demasiado( en e&tremoto a # como anillo al dedoto all intents and

purposes pr)cticamente

to and fro de un lado a otroto date hasta ahora

• His story is only credi"le to a certain degree

• # thin/ you're "eing naie to a fault

• $his ,o" is perect or -l( it suits him to a "

• $he clu"s and discos in the city had( to all intents and purposes( closed.

• Jac/ie's so "usy she /eeps running to and fro all day long.

• $his is the num"er o car accidents we'e had this year in the country to date

to each his own a cada cual lo suyo

to hand a manoto hell with this+ Gal dia"lo con esto!to little purpose/no availin6tilmente( en anoto my mind en mi opini*nto ones face a la carato ones hearts content hasta uedar satisecho

• =o you hae the price list to hand # need to chec/ something.

• #'m sic/ o all this situation! "o hell with it!

• $he doctors tried eerything to sae her "ut it was all to no avail

• "o my mind# you should tal/ to 3o" and sort things out.

• Nred told me to my face that he hadn't done it.

• You can eat chocolate to your heart's content "ut don't complain later.

to perfection a la perecci*nto the best of my knowledgeue yo sepato the contrary en contrato the hilt totalmente( hasta el cuelloto the last hasta el inalto the letter al pie de la letra

• # needed to pay some "ills and to that effect # as/ed or a loan.

• "o the best of my knowledge# $ina was still in ;anada.

• My client is innocent. #s there any aidence to the contrary

• #'m up to the hilt with de"t. # don't /now what to do!• #'m your wie and #'ll stay with you to the last



• Ma/e sure you ollow the instructions to the letter

to the nines de punta en "lancoto the nth degreea la en9sima potenciato the point enir al caso

to the tune por alor de• 3ill was dressed up to the nines "ecause he was going to the opera.

• My dad is li/e a general eleated to the nth degree He's so strict!

• Your comment was not to the point +e were tal/ing a"out something else.

• +e "ought this house to the tune o EF(FFF dollars.


alabra 7under7

Idioms with key words - Word "under"under a cloud "a,o sospechaunder control "a,o controlunder fire en la lnea de uegounder lock and key cerrado "a,o llaeunder my care "a,o mi cuidadounder no circumstances "a,o ning6n concepto

• $he whole goernment has "een under a cloud ater the scandal.

• -re you sure you hae eerything under control # can help you i you want.

•

$he city o 3aghdad has "een under fire or 1I hours.• Mr. Smith /eeps all his money in the "an/ saely under lock and key

• $he /ids will stay under my care while their parents are away.

• 8nder no circumstances should the patient leae the hospital.

under my nose delante de mis naricesunder oath "a,o ,uramentounder ones breath entre dientesunder ones feet siempre pegado a alguienunder ones own steam por sus propios mediosunder pressure "a,o presi*n

• How could # "e so "lind? $his has "een going on under my nose all the time!• You must tell the truth to the ,ury( Miss >ee( remem"er you are under oath

• Mar/ said something under his breath and # couldn't understand him.

• # can't do my wor/ i you're all the time under my feet! o away!

• >ou came home under his own steam @o"ody "rought him.

• :ete's under a lot of pressure right now( that's why he's so nerous.

under someones thumb dominadounder the aegis of "a,o los auspicios deunder the circumstancesdadas las circunstanciasunder the counter/table su"repticiamenteunder the gun muy apremiadounder the hammer ir a su"asta



• #'m sic/ o "eing under my mom's thumb #'m a grown woman( # hae my ownlie!

• Most artists o the Lenaissance wor/ed under the aegis of a patron.

• +e usually don't do this "ut( under the circumstances( we can ma/e an

e&ception.

• # uit my ,o" "ecause there were lots o things going on under the counter• #'m sorry( #'e got a lot o wor/ to do and #'m under the gun with it.

• - series o items "elonging to John >ennon went under the hammer yesterday.

under the impressiontener la impresi*n de ueunder the influence "a,os los eectos del alcoholunder the knife en la mesa de operacionesunder the weather indispuestounder wraps en secreto

• Moe seemed to "e under the impression that we were going with him.

• >ots o cele"rities get arrested or driing under the influence

• My sister has gallstones and she has to go under the knife

• Helen had to go home "ecause she was eeling a "it under the weather

• $he whole thing was a secret and they /ept it all under wraps


alabra 7up7

Idioms with key words - Word "up"

up a gum tree/shit creek/the creek en un aprietoup and about/around en "uena ormaup and coming prometedor up for grabs li"reup front por adelantadoup in arms poner el grito en el cielo

• $om's report was ull o mista/es and the "oss is mad( he's up a gum tree

• +ith a "it o rest this lu will "e gone and #'ll "e up and about again.

• $his is one o our up-and-coming artists( he's ,ust signed a record deal.

• +e'e got ie 1FF8dollar ouchers up for grabs# so call us now!

• Nran/ paid ie hundred dollars up front and the rest in monthly installments.• $he whole neigh"orhood was up in arms when the old li"rary was going to "e

demolished.

up in smoke esumarse( desanecerseup in the air en el aireup in years entrado en a2osup to a point hasta cierto puntoup to date actualizado( al corrienteup to no

gooden nada "ueno

• 5ur whole plans or an outdoor wee/end went up in smoke "ecause o the rain.

• %ate's plan to redecorate the house is still up in the air



• -rthur's ather is up in years "ut he's still a handsome man.

• -ndrea is right "ut only up to a point

• # li/e reading the newspaper on the internet "ecause it's always up to date

• +e were always up to no good when we were /ids.

up to ones ears hasta la coronillaup to ones old tricks oler a hacer de las suyasup to

par/scratch/snuff llegar a la media

up to something tramando algoup to speed al tantoup your alley/street ideal para ti

• $he /ids are up to their ears with schoolC homewor/( tests( etc.

• =an's out o ,ail "ut he's up to his old tricks again.

• :aul's latest noel wasn't up to par

• >illy's "een acting ery strange( # thin/ she's up to something

• John /ept me up to speed while # was away rom the oice.

• Mic/ wants to ind a course o studies that's right up his alley


alabra 7when7

Idioms with key words - Word "when"

when all is said and done a in de cuentaswhen it comes to cuando se trata dewhen it rains$ it pours so"re lloido( mo,adowhen least e'pected cuando uno menos lo esperawhen ones back is turneda espaldas de uno

• -nn's a ery good mother( when all's said and done# that's what matters.

• # can't stand Lo"! #'ll go out with him when hell freezes over!

• :eter is ery careul when it comes to his wor/.

• #t's true that loe comes to you when least e5pected

• Sue tells you that she li/es you "ut( when your back's turned# she'll run you

down.

when my ship comes in/home cuando me saue la loterawhen/if the push comes to the shoveen caso de apurowhen the chips are down a la hora de la erdadwhen the dust has settled cuando haya pasado la tormenta

• Yeah( #'ll "uy a Nerrari when my ship comes home

• You can call Mr. Nerguson only when the push comes to the shove

• $hey're here now "ut when the chips are down# none o them is my real riend.

• You should go( they're ery upset( #'ll call you when the dust has settled



&'presiones con verbos claves - 8erbo

7to be7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to be"to be going begging ue nadie reclamato be knee-high to a grasshopperser un renacua,oto be of service to someone ser de utilidad a alguiento be on someones tail pisarle los talones a alguiento be on the carpet tener ue aguantarse una "ronca

• =o you want this scar? #t's been going begging or months here.

• You can't get on the rollercoaster! You're knee-high to a grasshopper!

• # # can be of service to you# sir( please( let me /now.

• # got so scared( # was driing and # elt there was someone on my tail

• #t was so unair! # was on the carpet "ecause someone else made a mista/e!

to be one brick short of a full

loadaltarle algunos caramelos en el rasco

to be "uick on the uptake agarrar las cosas al ueloto be slow on the uptake ser algo torpe( lentoto be someones undoing ser la ruina de alguiento be to the fore ir delante

• Bd's not a "ad man( he' s just one brick short of a full load

• You don't hae to e&plain things twice to Sam( He' s quick on the uptake

•

:at's a "it slow on the uptake# isn't she? # as/ed her what she wanted and shesaid 'Nine'.• 5h! =esigner clothes will be my undoing! # can't lie without them!

• =octor :eters has always been to the fore in the international scientiic

community.


7to beat7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to beat"to beat around/about the bush andarse con rodeosto beat someone hollow/black and blue darle una tremenda paliza a alguiento beat someone to a pulp hacer papilla a alguiento beat someone to within an inch of their

lifemoler a alguien a palos

to beat the bushes for something "uscar algo por todas partes• -ndrew( stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened to ;arl!

• $he ne&t time he proo/es me #'ll beat him hollow!

• $yson beat his opponent to a pulp in the irst round last night.

• Mi/e's in hospital( a gang o hooligans beat him to within an inch of his life onSunday.



• Hae you seen my purse? #'e beaten the bushes for it "ut # can't ind it!

to beat the drum 4for5 pregonar con "om"os y platillosto beat the rap uedar impuneto beat swords into ploughsharesor,ar de las espadas azadones

to beat your brains out estru,arse el cere"ro• $he whole goernment has been beating the drum for the reorm.

• Most criminals beat the rap nowadays. #t's terri"le.

• +e must stop this war and beat swords into ploughshares or the "eneit o our

country.• #'ve been beating my brains out "ut # can't ind a reasona"le e&planation or it!


7to bite7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to bite"

to bite more than you can

chew$ratar de a"arcar m)s de lo ue se puede

to bite ones tongue Morderse la lenguato bite someones head off Bcharle una "ronca a alguiento bite the bullet Hacer de tripas coraz*nto bite the dust :asar a me,or ida

• il's biting off more than he can chew He wants to run a "usiness( a school and

gie lessons.• Bery time # want to tal/ to him and tell him the truth # hae to bite my tongue.

• Bric bit my head off "ecause # missed a penalty shot at the game.

• +e'll hae to bite the bullet and cut down on some things i we want to pay the

"ills.• Many people thin/ ;ommunism has bitten the dust +hat do you thin/?


7to blow7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to blow"

to blow a fuse/your stack/top e&plotar de "roncato blow a raspberry at someonehacerle una trompetilla a alguiento blow away the cobwebs sacudirse las telara2asto blow hot and cold ser eletato blow ones mind ascinar( alucinar to blow ones own trumpet tirarse lores

• My dad blew a fuse when # told him # wasn't going to college.

• # said 'Hi' to a little girl and she blew a raspberry at me!

• +hy don't you ta/e a nice "u""le "ath? $hat'll blow the cobwebs away



• :at blows hot and cold! 5ne minute she says she's coming( the ne&t she saysshe's not!

• >isten to this new "and! #t'll blow your mind!

• $odd thin/s he's the "est lawyer in the world( doesn't he? He's always blowing

his own trumpet

to blow someones brains out olarle a alguien la tapa de los sesosto blow someones cover desenmascarar a alguiento blow something off the map "orrar algo del mapato blow something out of the water/sky-

highechar por tierra

to blow something wide open poner algo al descu"iertoto blow the gaff "eantar la perdiz

• $he main character blows his brains out when his girlriend leaes him.

• You'e got to help me blow 9enny's cover You /now he's "een cheating on

Sally.• +hat was it e&actly that blew dinosaurs off the map• $hese new indings blow the old theory out of the water

• $heir loe aair was blown wide open "y the paparazzi.

• $hat special report blew the gaff on the :resident's secret dealings.

to blow the lid off destapar to blow the whistle on delatar to blow up in someones facesalir mal

• $he newspapers blew the lid off the company's ta& eading.

• ;athy was stealing money rom the register and ic/y blew the whistle on her

•

# had planned a romantic eening "ut it all blew up in my face when # got sic/.


7to break7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to break"

to break a bill cam"iar un "illetebreak a leg+ Gmucha suerte!

to break even salir sin ganar ni perder to break faith withser desleal( no cumplir una promesato break free li"erarseto break loose soltarse

• >et me pay. # need to break this hundred-dollar bill

• # saw $im "eore he went on stage and # told him to break a leg

• Jane thought she was ma/ing a good deal "ut it broke even

• Stee promised he would come( # hope he doesn't break faith with his promise.

• +hen will you inally break free rom that dreadul ,o"?

• -ndrew needs to break loose rom those riends o his. $hey're no good.

to break new ground a"rir nueos caminosto break ones back deslomarse



to break ranks romper ilasto break someones heart romperle el coraz*n a alguiento break the back of

somethinghacer la parte m)s dicil de algo

to break the ice romper el hielo

• $he discoery o =@- broke new ground in science.• My mom broke her back all her lie to eed my "rother and me.

• $he platoon broke ranks ater the sergeant let.

• +ayne broke 1eg's heart when he told her he didn't loe her anymore.

• +e'e already painted the "edrooms( the "athroom and the /itchen. +e'e

broken the back of it

• You can tell a ew ,o/es to break the ice when you're on you date.

to break the mould romper el moldeto break the news to someonedarle una noticia a alguiento break wind echarse un gas

• $he 3eatles really broke the mould when they irst appeared.• # hate to "e the one to break the news to you "ut( your ather is dead.

• +hat would you do i you broke wind during a ,o" interiew?


7to bring7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to bring"

to bring a lump to ones throat hac9rsele a alguien un nudo en la gargantato bring down the house ser todo un 9&itoto bring home the bacon ganar el panto bring out the best/worst in someonesacar lo me,or<peor de alguiento bring someone down a peg or two "a,arle los humos a alguiento bring someone to heel poner a alguien en ereda

• $hat inal scene was so moing! #t brought a lump to my throat

• :eter's perormance o 'Hamlet' really brought down the house

• @owadays it's ery common or "oth parents to bring home the bacon

• Mi/e's arrogance brings out the worst in him #t's so annoying!

• $he ne&t time he yells at you #'ll bring him down a peg or two• My sister didn't want to do her homewor/ "ut my dad soon brought her to heel

to bring someone to their kneesderrotar a alguiento bring something to a close terminar algoto bring something to light sacar algo a ala luzto bring something to mind recordar algoto bring up the rear cerrar la marcha

• $he ermans were brought to their knees "y the -llies in 14E.

• $he eening was brought to a close with a speech "y Mr. :hilips.

• $he human genome was only brought to light a ew years ago.

• Sinatra's music always brings me good memories to mind

• My horse is the one bringing up the rear




7to call7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to call"to call a halt to somethingsuspender algoto call a spade a spade llamar al pan( pan y al ino( inoto call in sick dar parte de enermoto call it a day terminar( de,ar para otro dato call it "uits terminar( uedar en pazto call someone names insultar a alguien

• #t started to rain so we had to call the parade to a halt

• Jac/'s really straight8orward( he really calls a spade a spade

• Bmily's not coming to wor/ today( she called in sick

• +e'e "een wor/ing or hours( you're all tired( let's call it a day• Jo and 3ill decided to call it quits# they "ro/e up.

• -ll o a sudden( :eter started to call me names# # was shoc/ed!

to call someones bluff descu"rirle a alguien la aroladato call something into "uestion poner algo en dudato call something to mind acordarse de algoto call the shots/tune mandar( tener la 6ltima pala"rato call to account pedirle cuentas a alguiento call to heel poner a alguien en ereda

•

# /new the thie had a a/e gun so # called his bluff• # you accuse my ather o murder you're calling his innocence into question!

• Bery time # hear 3o" Marley it calls my trip to (amaica to mind

• =r. Mc@eill( our chie o surgery( is the one who calls the shots

• $he teacher called me to account or something # didn't do! $hat's not air!

• $he new secretary thought she could do whateer she wanted "ut the "oss called

her to heel


7to carry7 Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to carry"

to carry a torch for estar enamorado de alguiento carry coals to 1ewcastleechar agua en el mar to carry the ball llear la "atutato carry the day salir ictoriosoto carry weight tener mucho peso

• 3o" has carried a torch for Susan since high school.

• $hose ancy priate schools don't need that money. You're carrying coals to

2ewcastle• -s captain o the team( it's your ,o" to carry the ball on the ield.



• +ith ie otes or and two against( my proposal carried the day

• +hat you do carries a lot of weight in the /ids' "ehaior.


7to cast7 Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to cast"

to cast doubt on poner en dudato cast pearls before swineecharles margaritas a los cerdosto cast the first stone tirar la primera piedra

• $he new eidence cast doubt on the deended's ali"i.

• You /now Jim won't ollow your adice( you're casting pearls before swine!

• You'e made mista/es too! +ho are you to cast the first stone


7to catch7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to catch"

to catch sight/a glimpse of islum"rar to catch off-guard agarrar despreenido

to catch ones breath reco"rar el alientoto catch red-handed atrapar con las manos en la masato catch some rays tomar un poco de solto catch some zs dormir un poco

• # was driing down >incoln -e. and # caught a glimpse of the new mall.

• >iz had to stop a ew times to catch her breath while we were running.

• Lo"'s wie was cheating on him and he caught her red-handed!

• # ,ust can't wait to get to the "each and catch some rays!

• +hy don't you go lie down or a while and try to catch some z's

&'presiones con verbos claves - 8erbo7to come7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to come"

to come a long way llegar le,osto come alive animarseto come apart at the

seamsenirse a"a,o

to come clean sincerarse

to come down the pike aparecer( acercarseto come full circle oler al punto de partida



• +hen # irst started # was ,ust a cler/( now # own the "an/. #'ve come a long

way

• $he party came alive when the "and started to play.

• -ter ten years o marriage( their relationship came apart at the seams and they

got diorced.

• $he murderer elt guilty and he inally came clean He's in ,ail now.• Johnny =epp's new moie is coming down the pike and we can't wait to see it!

• #'e come full circle in this ,o" and it's time or me to moe on.

to come home to roost pagar las consecuenciasto come in handy enir "ien( resultar 6tilto come of age llegar a la mayora de edadto come ones way enir hacia alguiento come out in the washarreglarse todoto come to a halt pararse( detenerse

• # you copy an essay rom the internet and hand it in as your own( you'll come

home to roost .• $hat e&tra lashlight sure came in handy the other night at the camping site.

• My children hae all come of age "ut they will always "e my "a"ies.

• =o you /now that man? He's coming our way and waing at you.

• =on't worry( #'m sure this pro"lem will come out in the wash ery soon.

• $he whole process came to a halt "ecause one o the machines "ro/e down.

to come to an end terminar to come to blows irse a las manosto come to grief racasar

to come to grips withenrentarse conto come to light salir a la luzto come to mind recordar( ocurrrsele algo a alguien

• $he conersation came to an end when Sally entered the room.

• ;an't we ,ust settle this matter without haing to come to blows

• %ate's plans to go to Harard came to grief when she got that re,ection letter.

• Harry has started to come to grips with the su",ect( "ut he still doesn't li/e it.

• $he whole truth came to light when :at conessed she had stolen the "ag.

• $ry to thin/ o an idea or the party( something good will come to mind

to come to ones senses reco"rar el conocimiento

to come to terms aceptar to come true hacerse realidadto come up smelling of

rosesaparecer contento

• Susan suddenly ainted "ut she came to her senses a ew seconds later.

• Helen hasn't come to terms with the act that her hus"and's dead.

• +hen you ma/e a wish( you shouldn't say it out loud or else it won't come true

• Senator Stern was the only one who came up smelling of roses ater the drug

scandal.




7to cut7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to cut"to cut a deal hacer un tratoto cut a fine figure causar una "uena impresi*nto cut a long story shorthacerla cortato cut a swath a"rirse pasoto cut and paste cortar y pegar to cut and run salir corriendo

• # thin/ # cut a good deal or the Mercedes.

• # you want to cut a fine figure at the interiew( dress appropriately.

• "o cut a long story short# Meg ound =an at a hospital.

• $he ire cut swath through the woods and destroyed eerything in its way.• Just select the te&t and then cut and paste. #t's easy.

• +hen # saw my e& coming toward me # ,ust wanted to cut and run

to cut both ways ser un arma de do"le iloto cut capers hacer ca"riolasto cut class/school hacerse la rata( altar a claseto cut corners ahorrar esuerzosto cut it fine de,ar algo para 6ltimo momentoto cut no ice with someoneno tener importancia para alguien

•

+e need a cat to get rid o the rats "ut my mom hates cats. #t cuts both ways!• $he /ids were cutting capers to get our attention.

• 3illy's "een cutting school and going to the par/ with his riends.

• iing your /id whateer he wants to shut him up is ,ust cutting corners!

• #'m always late or eerything "ecause # cut everything fine!

• -ter that strong argument they had( :hil cuts no ice with Stacey.

to cut off ones nose to spite ones facetirar piedras contra el propio te,adoto cut ones losses cortar por lo sanoto cut ones teeth on something aduirir e&periencia en algoto cut someone dead negarle el saludo a alguien

to cut someone some slack no ser tan seero con alguiento cut someone to the "uick herir en lo m)s proundo

• You can't ,ust uit "ecause the "oss shouted at you! You'll "e cutting off your

nose to spite your own face

• +e were ery unhappy together so we decided to cut our losses and get

separated.• +hen # graduated as a lawyer( # cut my teeth on a small law irm in San

Nrancisco.• #s %im mad at me? # saw her the other day and said 'hi' "ut she cut me dead!

• ut the poor boy some slack! He only got a ; on the test( it's not that "ad!

• ;arrie really cut me to the quick when she told me # was a lousy mother.

to cut the ground from under someones feetserrucharle el piso a alguien



to cut the mustard estar a la altura de las circunstanciasto cut to the chase ir al grano

• $he new accountant cut the ground from under my feet and now he's got my ,o"!

• # auditioned or a role in the school play "ut # didn't cut the mustard

• +hen we were all there we cut to the chase and started tal/ing a"out the

pro"lem.


7to do7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to do"

to do a 9:; dar media ueltato do a double-take reaccionar tardamente

to do a !ob on someone hacerle una trastada a alguiento do an about-face/about-

turncam"iar de postura

to do as I say hacer lo ue yo digoto do drugs consumir drogas

• $he soldier did a :;< and ran to tell the sergeant what the colonel said.

• # saw the car crash and # was so shoc/ed # did a double-take "eore # called 11.

• $hat >ou did a job on me "y telling the "oss # wasn't willing to wor/ on

Saturday!• #'m going camping with you! My parents did an about-turn oer letting me go!

•

;ome on( $im( "e a good "oy and do as + say• -lan's doing drugs again. His parents are sending him to a reha" clinic.

to do !ustice to hacer ,usticiato do ones best/utmosthacer todo lo posi"leto do ones bit hacer su parteto do ones homework prepararse "iento do ones own thing hacer la suyato do someone tener se&o con alguien

• Miss Spencer! $he pictures don't do justice to your stunning "eauty!

• $he taylor said he'd do his best to i& my ,ac/et.

• My "rother's already tal/ed to my dad( now # hae to do my bit• You want to /now how # got this ,o"? # did my homework

• My riends are all into drugs "ut #'m not( # ,ust do my own thing

• Bery"ody' s doing somebody at the oice. #t's li/e a soap opera!

to do someone proud ser motio de orgullo para alguiento do someones head

inuemarle a alguien la ca"eza

to do someone wrong portarse mal con alguiento do the honors hacer los honoresto do the trick solucionar el tema

to do time cumplir condenato do well encontrarse "ien



• 5ur son did us proud when he got his :h.= in 3iology.

• # don't /now what to do! $his decision is doing my head in!

• -ngela did /eter wrong when she reused to help him study or his test.

• -lice as/ed me i # would do her the honor of "eing her son's godmother.

• # you hae a run on your stoc/ing( ,ust coer it with nail polish. $hat'll do the

trick• $he man was conicted and he did time or a crime he didn't commit.

• My mother is doing quite well# than/ you or as/ing!


7to draw7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to draw"

to draw a blank no encontrar nadato draw the line at something poner<tener un lmiteto draw the line 4between5 dierenciar to draw a veil over somethingcorrer un elo so"re algoto draw an inference sacar una conclusi*nto draw attention to llamar la atenci*n so"re

to draw firegenerar controersia(al"orotar

• Jess tried calling Sam on his cell "ut she drew a blank

• You can't let your son do whateer he wants( you must draw the line at some

point• @atalie ,ust can't draw the line between loe and o"session.

• $om's parents have drawn a veil over his suicide( they neer tal/ a"out it.

• $he police haven't drawn any inference rom what the witness said.

• # was haing lunch and a "ird drew my attention to the window.

• +hen we were /ids( and my dad got mad at my sister # used to draw his fire.


7to drop7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to drop"

to drop a bombshell tirar una "om"ato drop a brick/clanger/the

ballmeter la pata

to drop a line escri"ir unas lneasto drop dead morirseto drop into ones lap caer del cielo

• $im and -ngela are getting married! $hey dropped the bombshell yesterday at

dinner.• # dropped a brick# didn't #? # /new # should'e /ept my mouth shut!• # got an e8mail rom Bmma( she dropped me a line last Monday.



• Joe came to as/ me to orgie him or cheating on me "ut # told him to drop

dead

• # won a trip to :aris! ;an you "eliee it? #t ,ust dropped into my lap!

to drop like flies caer como moscas

to drop ones guard "a,ar la guardiato drop out of sight perderse de istato drop someone like a hot potatono uerer sa"er nada m)s de alguien

• $he /ids dropped like flies ater a long day in the par/.

• -s soon as his opponent dropped his guard Nran/ /noc/ed him out and won the

ight.• $he cat was here "ut then she darted o and dropped out of sight

• +hen her drug pro"lem came out( the people at the agency dropped her like a

hot potato

&'presiones con verbos claves - 8erbo7to eat7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to eat"

to eat crow tener ue reconocer un error to eat like a bird comer como un pa,aritoto eat like a pig comer como un cerdo( como lima nueato eat ones heart outmorirse de enidia

•

-my had to eat crow ater # deeated her at chess( she'd said #'d neer do it.• My dad's worried a"out my little sister( he says she eats like a bird

• # should get some e&ercise( #'ve been eating like a pig lately.

• >iz was eating her heart out when she saw Susan dancing with :aul!

to eat ones words tragarse las pala"rasto eat someone alive/for breakfast comerse a alguien crudoto eat someone out of house and homede,arle la despensa aca a alguiento eat ones fill comer "ien

• -strologers oten have to eat their words when their predictions ail

• $hat teacher eats you alive i you don't do your homewor/.

• # hae to go to the supermar/et again. My nephew is eating me out of house andhome!

• >a"radors and olden Letrieers eat their fill $hey'll eat anything you gie

them!


7to fall7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to fall"

to fall all over oneself desiirse



to fall apart 4at the seams5enirse a"a,oto fall asleep uedarse dormidoto fall between two stools nadar entre dos aguasto fall by the wayside uedarse en el caminoto fall flat no tener gracia

• # fall all over myself to please my parents "ut they're neer satisied!• -nn had a really tough wee/ and yesterday she fell apart .

• $he moie was so "oring that # fell asleep as soon as it started.

• Mary fell between two stools and didn't /now wether to choose the red or the

"lac/ s/irt.• $housands o people audition or reality shows "ut most o them fall by the

wayside

• %en's ,o/es always fall flat "ecause no"ody gets them.

to fall for someone hook$ line and

sinkerenamorarse locamente

to fall for something creerse algo( caer en la trampato fall from grace caer en desgraciato fall 4head over heels5 in love enamorarse locamenteto fall ill caer enermoto fall in/to line actuar conorme a las reglas

• #an fell for %eather hook# line and sinker the moment he met her.

• #'m not going to fall for that again! #t's all a lie!

• @ic/ really fell from grace when he dropped out o school.

• My parents fell head over heels in love with each other and hae remained so

through the years.•

#t's raining uite heaily( ta/e an un"rella or else you'll fall ill• # Mr. Smith's actions fall into line there's nothing we can do against him.

to fall into place enca,ar to fall into a trap caer en una trampato fall into ones lapcaer del cieloto fall on deaf ears caer en odos sordosto fall on ones feet caer de pie#o fall to pieces caerse a pedazos

• -t irst # didn't /now what was going on "ut then eerything fell into place

• $he oer sounded so good that we fell into the trap "ut it was all a scam.

• You hae to wor/ to earn your money! 5r do you e&pect it to ,ust fall into yourlap

• Scientists /eep warning people a"out the sun's 78rays "ut their warnings seem

to fall on deaf ears

• :aul tried to "lame me or the missing money "ut # managed to fall on my feet

• Bery time the other team attac/ed our whole deense fell to pieces! $hat's why

we lost!




7to get7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to get"to get a break tener una oportunidadto get a grip on oneself controlarseto get a handle on/the hang of somethingencontrarle la mano<uelta a algoto get a kick out of something encontrar placer en algoto get a life iir un pocoK la idato get a line on someone o"tener inormaci*n acerca de alguien

• # play the guitar at a pu" on $hursdays "ut one day # hope # get my break .

• Mary( get a grip on yourself! You're hysterical!

• $he new cler/ got the hang of it really ast( he's good!

• -t irst # didn't li/e playing soccer "ut # soon learnt to get a kick out of it• You can't ,ust stay home watching $ eery Saturday night! You need to get a

life!

• $he yellow press always inds a way to get a line on celebrities

to get a load of something i,arse en algoto get a move on darse prisato get a raw deal surir un trato in,ustoto get a rise out of someone "urlarse de alguiento get a word in edgewise meter un "ocadillo

to get better/well me,orarse• 5h dear! et a load of that man! He loo/s ,ust li/e 3rad :itt!

• Bmily( get a move on! +e're going to "e late or the ceremony!

• +hat hae # done to get such a raw deal $his isn't air!

• =on't listen to Jen( she' s just getting a rise out of you# that's all.

• My date was so "oring! $he guy /ept tal/ing( # couldn't get a word in edgewise!

• $he doctor gae me an anti"iotic so # hope #'ll get better in a ew days.

to get blood out of a stone pedirle peras al olmoto get carried away de,arse llear to get caught in something uedar atrapado en algo

to get caught up in something uedar inolucrado en algoto get cold feet echarse atr)sto get down to brass tacks/businessir al grano

• -s/ing my dad to lend me his car is li/e getting blood out of a stone

• :aula and # got carried away and spent almost two hours tal/ing oer the phone.

• #'m sorry or "eing late. # got caught in the elevator or twenty minutes.

• Senator Hoo/ got caught up in a scandal and had to resign.

• =on't worry( dear. #t's ery common or "rides to get cold feet minutes "eore

the wedding.• Beryone at the oice got down to business and started wor/ing on the pro,ect.

to get even with someone a,ustar cuentas con alguiento get fresh with someone propasarse con alguien



to get going ponerse en marchato get high drogarseto get hell aguantarse una "roncato get in on the ground

floorestar inolucrado desde el principio

• 3ruce's parents were murdered and now he's sworn to get even with themurderer

• Some drun/ guy tried to get fresh with my girlfriend "ut # sent him away.

• Honey( we need to get going or we'll lose our plane.

• :eter got so high the other night that he almost had an oerdose.

• @o! # won't get hell rom mom and dad again or something you did!

• $he pro,ect wouldn't hae "een possi"le without Jane. She got in on the ground

floor

to get in someones hair molestar a alguiento get in on the act lograr tomar parte en el asuntoto get into the swing of thingsagarrale la mano a algoto get into trouble meterse en pro"lemasto get involved inolucrarseto get it/your act together organizarseto get laid tener se&o

• # can't stand Loger! He' s always getting in my hair! #t's so annoying!

• +e didn't want Je to "e in the play "ut somehow he got in on the act

• You may ind it diicult at irst "ut you'll soon get into the swing of things

• How did such a nice "oy li/e you get into so much trouble

• -ter a long depression( Lo" got it together and redid his lie.

•

-ndy doesn't want to all in loe( he ,ust wants to get laid .

to get nowhere no llegar a ning6n ladoto get off ones

back/casede,ar a alguien en paz

to get off ones tail de,ar de holgazanear to get off the ground despegar to get off to a good start empezar con el pie derechoto get on in years ya no ser tan ,oen

• $his relationship is getting nowhere# can't you see?

• 3rian( get off my back! ;an't you see #'m "usy here?

• Mar/( get off your tail and help me with the cleaning( will you?• 5ur "usiness inally got off the ground than/s to Mr. Henderson.

• You'll need to hae eerything planned i you want to get off to a good start

• Meg's depressed "ecause she says she' getting on in years and she's still single.

to get on someones nervescrisparle los nerios a alguiento get ones bearing orientarseto get ones comeuppance reci"ir su merecidoto get ones hopes up ilusionarseto get ones moneys worthsacar partido a algoto get ones own way salirse con la suya

• # hate that song. eery time # hear it( it gets on my nerves

• #t too/ us some time to get on our bearings and ind the way to the cottage.





• Bery"ody's wor/ing hard to get to the bottom of this# we'll ind the peopleresponsi"le.

• Some people "ecome so o"sessed with a cele"rity that they get to the point of

/illing them!• -ndrew is so annoying( # ,ust loo/ at him and he gets under my skin!

to get up a good head of steam tomar impulsoto get up on the wrong side of bedleantarse con el pie izuierdoto get wind of something enterarse de algoto get wise to someones game enterarse del ,uego de alguien

• My career got a good head of steam ater # met my current manager( Jac/.

• Sam got up on the wrong side of the bed ( he missed his "us( arried late and his

computer caught a irus.• +e've ,ust got wind of $ina's dirty lilttle secret!

• Lo"ert was trying to ool me "ut # got wise to his game


7to give7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to give"

to give a bad name to somethingdar mala ama a algoto give someone a black eye de,arle un o,o morado a alguiento give a damn/fuck/hoot/shit importar un comino<un cuerno<un pepinoto give a good account of oneself lucirseto give a hand dar una manoto give an inch ceder un centmetro

• -ll this corruption gives a bad name to the goernment and the country.

• 5ne o the /ids at school gave (oey a black eye during the "rea/!

• Nine! o and do whateer you li/e! # don't give a damn!

• Bmily gave a good account of herself playing 5phelia.

• # can give you a hand with your homewor/ i you want.

• $he wor/ers aren't willing to give an inch and the stri/e continues.

to give and take dar y reci"ir to give birth to dar a luzto give chase to someonesalir en "usca de alguiento give ground ceder terrenoto give it all youve got darle a algo con todas tus uerzasto give it a rest terminar con el asunto

• # you want our relationship to wor/( you hae to give and take

• Sheena( our dog( gave birth to seen puppies!

• - man snatched Martha's purse and she gave chase to him.

• -re you willing to give ground on your demands?• ra" the hammer with "oth hands and give it all you've got!



• 6ill you give it a rest #'e heard you( now shut up!

to give it a shot/whirl intentar algoto give it to someone straight decirle algo a alguien de una ez

to give ones eye teeth/right armdar lo ue uera( dar un o,o de la

carato give ones word dar el er"o( prometer to give pause 4for thought5 dar ue pensar to give rise to something dar lugar a algo

• #'d neer sured "eore so # decided to give it a shot

• =on't /eep me in suspense and give it to me straight! +hat happened?

• 5h( #'d give my right arm to see >ed eppelin in concert!

• :eter gave me his word that he would "e here or my "irthday.

• =r. reen's speech on glo"al warming gave us pause

• $he new ta& policy gave rise to harsh criticism rom the opposition.

to give someone a bad/hard/rough timemortiicar a alguiento give someone a break de,ar a alguien en pazto give someone a call/ring llamar por tel9ono a alguiento give someone a hint lanzar una indirectato give someone a lift llear en auto a alguiento give someone a run for his money hacerle sudar tinta a alguien

• My "oss gave me a harsh time today "ecause # was two minutes late.

• Bllen( give the poor girl a break! She only made a little mista/e!

• Nred said he'd give me a call i he had any news a"out ;hris.

• Joe gave me a hint a"out Mi/e's secret party "ut # didn't get it.

•

Han/ gave me a ilft home in his new car.• $he coach gave me a run for my money on the ield "ut he "eat me.

to give someone a taste of their own

medicine

darle a alguien una cucharada de su propiamedicina

to give someone a wide berth eitar a alguiento give someone hell echarle una "ronca a alguiento give someone his head de,ar a alguien o"rar a su anto,oto give someone the third degree acri"illar a alguien a preguntasto give someone the a'/boot despedir a alguien

• $om cheated on -nn "ut she cheated on him and gave him a taste of his own

medicine• Sue's terriied o cats. +heneer she sees one she gives a wide berth to it

• $he other drier gave 9ate hell "ecause she stopped at the yellow light.

• Many parents give their children their head and they "ecome spoiled.

• +hen my dad met my irst "oyriend he gave the poor boy the third degree

• Mr. =aniels gave me the a5 "ut he neer gae me a good reason.

to give someone the benefit of the

doubtdarle a alguien el"eneicio de la duda

to give someone the cold shoulder ignorar completamente a alguiento give someone the creeps darle escaloros a alguiento give someone the evil eye ulminar con la miradato give someone the slip lograr escaparse de alguien



to give someone the runaround ,ugar con alguien( tomarle el pelo• # phoned Henry and he didn't sound sic/ "ut # ,ust gave him the benefit of the

doubt

• You should'e seen them! # was all alone at the party( they all gave me the cold

shoulder!

• # can't watch horror moies. $hey give me the creeps!• +hen reg spilt coe on the new carpet Mary gave him the evil eye

• - man was ollowing me in a "lac/ car "ut # gave him the slip turning on Eth

-enue.• #t's true then! #an told me he was gay and he wasn't giving me the runaround!

to give something a once-over dar un istazo a algoto give the lie to something desmentir algoto give the shirt off ones back darle hasta la camiseta a alguiento give to understand dar a entender to give up the ghost darse por encidoto give vent to something dar rienda suelta a algo

• 5nce you inish the s/etch( gie it to me so # can give it a once-over

• $hese acts give the lie to the oernor's claim that crime is going down.

• :hil gave &ob the shirt off his back when he had no ,o" and no home.

• # was given to understand that the conerence was in the main hall "ut

apparently it wasn't.• My old "i/e gave up the ghost and now # hae to "uy a new one.

• $eachers should give vent to the children's imagination in class.

to give voice to somethinge&presar algo

to give way dar paso( ceder • #t would "e good or you i you gave voice to what you're feeling

• $he old wooden "eam is going to give way i you don't i& it.


7to go7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to go"

to go against the grain ir contra de los principios de unoto go a long way llegar le,osto go along for the ride aproechar el aent*nto go ape/bonkers/crazy/nuts/wild olerse locoto go around in circles dar ueltasto go around the bend/ballistic/bananas/berserk enurecerse( olerse loco

• John thin/s it goes against the grain to wal/ i you hae a car.

• %eep up the good wor/( son( and you'll go a long way

• $he /ids were playing cards and they inited me to ,oin them so # went along for

the ride

• My dog loes /ids( he goes bonkers wheneer he seees my T8year8old niece.

• +e've been going around in circles( we need to ind a solution now!

• My mom went berserk when she saw the mess we'd made in the /itchen.



to go astray e&traiarse( descarriarseto go at a good clipa toda elocidadto go at it tra"a,ar muchoto go bad echarse a perder to go belly up/bust ue"rar

to go broke arruinarse• $his month's report has misteriously gone astray

• +e saw a car going at a good clip a ew minutes ago.

• +hen :eter li/es doing something he really goes at it

• $he mil/'s "een in the ridge or ages( no wonder it' s gone bad

• # had a small "usiness "ut it went belly-up in IFF1.

• # you /eep spending all your money li/e that you'll go broke

to go by the board de,ar a un lado( irse por la "ordato go by the name of hacerse llamar to go downhill ir cuesta a"a,oto go easy on someone no ser muy seero con alguiento go fly a kite/!ump in the lakeirse a rer esp)rragosto go for a spin ir a dar un paseo en autoK

• -ll the eorts to /eep the peace went by the board with the last terrorist attac/.

• Here's a picture o the man we're loo/ing or. He goes by the name of $homas

Hansen.• $hings ,ust went downhill ater # lost my ,o".

• o easy on Sally# the accident wasn't her ault.

• Jen didin't stop tal/ing and # needed to study so # told her to go fly a kite

• Simon and # are going for a spin# we'll "e "ac/ in an hour!

to go for broke ,ugarse el todo por el todoto go for the !ugulartirar a matar to go great guns ir iento en popato go haywire des"aratarse( olerse locoto go into a huddle hacer grupo aparteto go into detail entrar en detalles

• # couldn't study much or the test "ut # went for broke and sat or it.

• =uring the de"ate( one o the candidates went for the jugular and tal/ed a"out

the "ri"es.• My "usiness is going great guns # already hae a lot o clients.

• # don't /now what happened( the machine was wor/ing perectly "ut then it wenthaywire!

• $hey were tal/ing a"out me "ecause they went into a huddle as soon as # came

in.• Just gie me the most important acts( you don't hae to go into details

to go it alone hacer algo por su cuentato go native adoptar las costum"res de un pasto go on record anunciar p6"licamenteto go ones own wayirse por su ladoto go overboard entusiasmarse locamenteto go places llegar le,os

• -ter ten years as a "and( each mem"er decided to go it alone.



• You'e only lied here or two months and you've already gone native!

• $he :resident's opinion on the matter will go on the record tomorrow.

• #t'll "e "etter or "oth o us i we go our own way

• +hen we told the /ids we were going to =isneyland they went overboard

• You hae to wor/ i you want to go places

to go public reelar algoto go steady ormalizar una relaci*nto go strong ir "iento go the distance llegar hasta el inalto go the e'tra mileir m)s all)to go the whole hogno uedarse a medio camino

• #t too/ some years or the whole aair to go public

• +e'e "een going out or si& months! #t's a"out time we go steady!

• 5ur company's stoc/ is going strong ( we're ery pleased.

• $he "lue team was losing "ut they didn't gie up and went the distance

• You can't ,ust do an aerage ,o" to get promoted( you hae to go the e5tra mile

• # was ,ust going to get a nose ,o" "ut # decided to go the whole hog and get a

liposuction.

to go through the motionscumplir con las ormalidadesto go through the roof irse por las nu"esto go to any/great lengths hacer todo lo posi"leto go to any trouble tomarse la molestiato go to bat for someone darle una mano a alguiento go to bed with someoneirse a la cama con alguien

•

-ll this paperwor/ is ,ust part o the procedure( ,ust to go through the motions• :rices went through the roof due to inlation during the F's.

• # am willing to go to any lengths to ind my daughter.

• :lease( don't go to any trouble# # can sleep on the loor.

• Helen's going through a diicult time and #'m going to go to bat for her

• - millionaire oers him a lot o money to let him go to bed with his wife

to go to hell irse al inierno<demonioto go to hell in a handbasket/the dogsir de mal en peor to go to ones head su"rsele a la ca"ezato go to pieces surir un ataue de nerios( enirse a"a,o

to go to pot echarse a perder( enirse a"a,oto go to the wall racasar to go to town on something tirar la casa por la entana( no escatimar en nada

• # Marty comes "othering you again ,ust tell him to go to hell

• $he "usiness wasn't doing well "ut it went to hell in a handbasket ater the

crisis.• @o"ody stands Sheryl now that she's amous "ecause ame has gone to her

head

• Mrs. ;oo/ went to pieces when they told her a"out the accident.

• # we don't ta/e this pro,ect seriously( it'll go to pot

• $he company went to the wall "ecause o a lac/ o inestment.

• My dad's turning ity and he' s going to town on his birthday He wants a "ig

party!






7to have7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to have"to have a ball/fun diertirseto have a clear conscience tener la conciencia tranuilato have a clue tener ideato have a fit tener un ataue de histeriato have a crack/go/shot at somethingintentar algoto have a crush on someone estar encaprichado con alguien

• $he party was great( we all had a ball!

• # have a clear conscience# #'e done nothing wrong.

• +e as/ed the receptionist where Mr. Stone's oice was "ut she didn't have a

clue• Bery time my daughter leaes her grandmother's house( she has a fit

• $erry had neer done radio "eore so she wanted to have a go at it

• :eter had a crush on his *nglish teacher when he was iteen.

to have a good mind to tener ganas deto have a hand in something tener algo ue er to have a a head for somethingtener ca"eza para algoto have a hold over someone tener a alguien a los piesto have a leak hacer pis

to have a lot on ones plate tener muchos asuntos entre manos• Susan has a good mind to ta/e up tango lessons.

• Jo can't hae done it all "y hersel( $im must hae had a hand in all this

• You should study Medicine( you've always had a head for science

• 3eth really has a hold of 1ick# that's not real loe.

• You go "uy something to eat and #'ll go have a leak #'ll see you in the car.

• +e haen't seen Sean lately( he must have a lot on his plate right now.

to have a say in something tener oz y oto en un asuntoto have a screw loose altarle un tornillo a alguiento have a soft spot/weakness fortener de"ilidad por

to have a way with something tener mano( sa"er tratar to have an eye for something tener o,o para algoto have deep pockets estar orrado en dinero

• #'d loe to help you "ut #'m araid # don't have a say in the matter

• 5ur ;hemistry teacher has a screw loose She yells at us or nothing.

• Jimmy has always had a soft spot for my chocolate pudding.

• >iz has a way with my daughter# she's the only one little Bmma pays attention

to.• #'ve neer had an eye for abstract art #t all loo/s li/e a "unch o doodles to me.

• $om unn has deep pockets He's the president o a ery important company.

to have designs for something pretender algoto have had enough of somethingestar harto de algo



to have had it with something ha"er tenido m)s ue suiciente de algoto have it both ways uerer la chancha y los cinco realesto have it coming 9rselas enir to have it in for someone ten9rsela ,urada a alguien

• You'd "etter watch out or Mary( she' s got designs on your fianc=

• #'ve had enough of this attitude of yours! o to your room! You're grounded!• $his printer has had it #t's "eyond repair. You should get a new one.

• Ma/e up your mind! You either stay with $om or with Joe. You can't have it

both ways!

• :ete had it coming He /new Janet would get mad i he "ought that car.

• Harry has had it in for (ack eer since he "etrayed him.

to have it in one ser capaz de hacer algoto have it ones way hacer las cosas a su manerato have nothing to do with no tener nada ue er conto have ones eye on

something tener la mira en algoto have ones hands full estar muyocupadoto have ones moments tener "uenos momentos

• # could neer ,oin the army( # don't have it in me to be a soldier

• # you don't want to wear a helmet( ine( have it your way# "ut don't come crying

when you all o.• =on't loo/ at me! # had nothing to do with that "ro/en window pane.

• +hen +ill has his eye on something# he'll stop at nothing to get it.

• ;ould you come "ac/ a little later? # have my hands full right now.

• reg's neer "een a genius "ut he' s had his moments

to have ones wits about one andar con mucho o,o( estar alertato have someone by the balls tener a alguien "ien agarradoto have someones ear tener la atenci*n de alguiento have something against someonetener algo en contra de alguiento have the balls/guts tener las pelotas<agallasto have the blues estar melanc*lico

• Joan's suc/ing up to the "oss to get promoted( #'ve got her number

• +hen # wor/ed as a nightwatchman # had to have my wits about me

• Jen told %en she was pregnant and that the "a"y was his( she has him by the

balls now!

• %urt has the boss's ear# he's the only one Mr. Jac/son trusts.• 3rian will neer conront his ather. He ,ust doesn't have the guts

• race has the blues "ecause her "oyriend has gone to lie in -ustralia.

to have the final say tener la 6ltima pala"rato have the floor tener la pala"rato have to go tener ue irseto have to hand it to

someonetener ue reconocerle algo a alguien

to have what it takes tener lo ue hace alta• +e can plan all the trips to Miami you want( "ut my dad has the final say

• Mr. $hompson( please( don't interrupt me( # have the floor +ait or your turn.

• $his guy has the makings of a rock star He's going to "e huge!



• Jimmy( # have to hand it to you# you're an amazing tennis player.

• -re you sure you have what it takes to "e a high school teacher?


7to hold7 Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to hold"

to hold a candle to someone llegarle a los talones a alguiento hold a grudge against

someoneguardarle rencor a alguien

to hold a gun to someones head ponerle un arma a la ca"eza a alguiento hold all the aces tener todas las de ganar to hold brief for something a"ogar por algo

to hold court acaparar la atenci*n• $hese new roc/'n'roll "ands don't hold a candle to those o the UF's and TF's.

• 3ess has held a grudge against 9im eer since %im stole her "oyriend rom

her.• Ja/e wouldn't lend you his car een i you held a gun to his head

• Just "ecausse you're "etter prepared than the other candidates doesn't mean you

hold all the aces

• Susan li/es ur coats so she really holds no brief for animal rights.

• -dam's a really unny guy. He holds court with eeryone at eery party.

to hold good ser ciertoto hold it parar to hold ones breath contener la respiraci*n#o hold ones drink/li"uor sa"er tomar to hold ones head 4up5 highir con la ca"eza en altoto hold ones horses parar el carro

• $he man's ali"i didn't hold good# the sureilance tape showed him at the crimescene.

• %old it a minute( there's someone at the door( #'ll go see who it is.

• How long can you hold your breath under water?

• Lose can hold her liquor! She had three pints( a gin and tonic( whis/ey and she

was a"solutely 5%.• -ndrea always held her head up high no matter what the others said a"out her.

• %old your horses! -re you sure you want to moe to @ew Yor/?

to hold ones own sa"er deenderseto hold ones tongue uedarse calladoto hold out an olive

branchtender la mano en son de paz

to hold the fort hacerse cargo de algoto hold the purse strings administrar el dineroto hold water ser consistente

• # thought Julia wouldn't hold her own against all the criticism.



• Martha will always tell you what you thin/ een i it upsets you( she can't hold

her tongue

• -ter not tal/ing to Jim or a wee/( -my held out an olive branch to him.

• ;arol is holding the fort while the "oss is away. You should as/ her.

• My dad's the one who holds the purse strings at home.

• $his new theory doesn't hold water #t's too ar8etched.


7to !ump7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to jump"

to !ump a "ueue colarseto !ump down someones

throat arremeter contra alguiento !ump out of ones skin llearse un susto tremendoto !ump ship desertar to !ump the gun adelantarse a los hechosto !ump through hoops 9rselas negrasto !ump to comclusions precipitarse a sacar conclusiones

• # really hate it when people jump the queue. #t's rude!

• %elly jumped down 1el's throat and told him he was a ilthy liar.

• #t was all uiet and suddenly there was such a "ang that # jumped out of my skin

• -nna was doing a great ,o" at the oice( no"ody /nows why she jumped ship

•

You're jumping the gun! You haen't een as/ed her out and you're planning thewedding!• :eter will hae to jump through hoops i he wants $racy to orgie him.

• +e're jumping to conclusions Just "ecause he's a "allet dancer doesn't mean

he's gay!


7to keep7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to keep"to keep a civil tongue in ones head ser respetuosoto keep a lid on something mantener algo tapadoto keep a low profile tener peril "a,oto keep a stiff upper lip mantener la composturato keep a straight face mantenerse serioto keep a 4weather5 eye on

somethingigilar algo muy de cercaK

• My mom always told me to keep a civil tongue in ront o my elders.

• $he =emocrats kept a lid on the ta5 reform during the campaign.

• Johnny was the one rom the our o us who kept a low profile.• Mr. Jones always kept a stiff upper lip# een at his son's uneral.



• #t was hard or me to keep a straight face in class when you said somethingunny.

• +ould you keep an eye on the kids while # ta/e a shower?

to keep abreast/an ear to the

groundmantenerse al corriente

to keep an open mind tener una actitud a"iertato keep body and soul together so"reiir to keep company hacer compa2ato keep house ocuparse de la casato keep in mind recordar

• -s a ,ournalist( you hae to keep abreast o eerything that happens in the

world.• Jerry's grandad has always kept an open mind a"out new /inds o music.

• +e were ery poor and we could "arely keep body and soul together

• James stayed with Bmma at the hospital to keep her company

• #'m loo/ing or a house/eeper since # wor/ all day and don't hae time to keep

house.• Ninding a present or Jess isn't hard i you keep in mind what she li/es.

to keep 4it5 "uiet hacer silencioto keep long hours hacer algo durante horasto keep ones chin up no desanimarseto keep ones cool/head mantener la calmato keep ones distance mantener distanciato keep ones eye on the ballestar concentrado

•

=an's going to propose to -my "ut keep quiet# it's a secret!• #'m worried a"out $ed( he keeps long hours in ront o the computer.

• 9eep your chin up# Nran/! You'll ind a ,o" sooner or later.

• # can neer keep my cool when # hae an oral e&am.

• #t is always "est to keep your distance rom wild animals.

• =on't let anything else distract you( ,ust keep your eye on the ball

to keep ones eyes open tener los o,os a"iertosto keep ones fingers crossed tener los dedos cruzadosto keep ones head above water mantenerse a loteto keep ones mouth shut mantener la "oca cerrada

to keep ones nose clean no meterse en losto keep ones nose to the grindstonetra"a,ar como un enano

• 9eep your eyes open and tell me i something unusual happens.

• # hope you pass your test. #'ll keep my fingers crossed!

• $he company's not doing too well. +e can "arely keep our head above water

• $his whole thing is supposed to "e a secret so please( keep your mouth shut!

• #'e "een in ,ail "eore( that's why #'m trying to keep my nose clean

• Jerry keeps his nose to the grindstone He lies to wor/!

to keep ones own counselguardar silencioto keep ones powder dry estar al pie del ca2*nto keep ones shirt on no sulurarseto keep pace llear el mismo paso



to keep posted mantener al tantoto keep tabs on no perder de ista

• #n this situation( sir( # thin/ it would "e adisa"le to keep your own counsel

• James is a good riend. He has always kept his powder dry

• 9eep your shirt on# man! :erhaps you misunderstood what she said.

• # can't keep pace with you! You'e got long legs! Mine are short!• +ill you please keep me posted on anything that happens?

• >isa is insane. She wants to keep tabs on eerything her "oyriend does.

to keep the ball rolling mantener las cosas en marchato keep the faith cumplir una promesato keep track llear la cuenta( seguir la pista<el hiloto keep under ones hat no decir una pala"rato keep up with the ,onesesno ser menos ue los dem)sto keep up with the times no uedarse atr)s( modernizarse

• #t doesn't matter i your partner isn't here( you hae to keep the ball rolling

• +hy did you tell 3illy you'd "uy him a "i/e i you couldn't keep the faith withhim?

• $he doctor keeps track o the progress o all o his patients.

• #'m not allowed to hae pets at home so # kept the puppy under my hat

• My neigh"or li/es to keep up with the (oneses # we "uy a grill( he "uys onetoo.

• +e hae to keep up with the times i we want to attract the younger generations.


7to lay7 Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to lay"

to lay a finger/hand on someone ponerle un dedo encima a algiuento lay claim to something reclamar algoto lay down the law dar *rdenesto lay eyes on something er algo por primera eto lay it on the line no andarse con rodeosto lay it on thick e&agerar

• # you lay a finger on my sister again( #'ll /ill you!• +hen Mr. >ee died( eeryone laid claim to his fortune

• @o"ody can stand -l. -s soon as he gets to the oice he lays down the law

• # /new that "oy would "e trou"le the moment # laid eyes on him

• >isten( #'m ,ust going to lay it on the line) # was e&pelled rom school.

• # thought you'd lost your leg "ut it's only a scratch! %im sure laid it on thick!

to lay ones cards on the table poner las cartas so"re la mesato lay someone low tirar a alguien a"a,oto lay something at someones

doorecharle la culpa a alguien

to lay the blame on someone echarle la culpa a alguiento lay waste deastar



• +e should all lay our cards on the table and decide who's got the "est plan.

• ;hris was laid low "y a really strong lu.

• Bery time # did something naughty # laid it at my older brother's door

• +e should irst ind out who did this instead o laying the blame on the first

man who appears

• $he earthua/e has laid waste to the entire state o ;aliornia.


7to let7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to let"

to let go of soltar to let it all hang out/ones hair downsoltarse la melena( rela,arse

to let it be de,ar en pazto let it drop that decir algo como si nadato let nature take its course de,ar ue la naturaleza siga su cursoto let off steam desahogarse

• =on't worry( #'ll catch you( let go of the rail.

• +hen # get home rom wor/( # put some music on and let it all hang out

• Just tell the "oy neer to do it again and let it be

• -ndy suddenly let it drop that she was moing to ermany.

• # thin/ we should let nature take its course# there's nothing we can do.

• Sometimes it's good to hae a good cry( it helps you let off steam

to let oneself go de,arse llear to let ride de,ar pasar to let rip at someone montar en c*lerato let sleeping dogs lie no empeorar las cosasto let the cat out of the bagleantar la perdiz

• You can't always thin/ and calculate eerything you do! You need to let

yourself go!

• $his time # decided to let the incident ride "ut ne&t time you won't "e so luc/y(

understood?• My mom let rip at me "ecause # ailed all my e&ams.

• $he "oss is really angry( we should let sleeping dogs lie and not say a word.• $he "i/e was going to "e a surprise or our son "ut John let the cat out of the

bag


7to lose7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to lose"

to lose count perder la cuentato lose face uedar mal



to lose ground perder terrenoto lose heart desanimarseto lose ones cool perder la calma

to lose ones grip perder elcontrol

to lose ones marbles perder la ca"eza• #'ve lost count o the times #'e seen this moie. # loe it!

• Bd lost face "eore his mother8in8law when he yelled at his wie in ront o her.

• +e can't lose ground on our demand when we're this close to win.

• -ter ailing the test or the third time( $im started to lose heart

• Bery time her son gets annoying Sarah loses her cool and shouts at him.

• Lo" had too much to drin/ last night and he lost his grip

• >ou came down to diner dreesed up as a "a"y. He' s lost his marbles!

to lose ones mind/head olerse locoto lose ones touch perder la ha"ilidadto lose ones train of thought perder el hilo deto lose sight/track of perder de istato lose sleep over something deselarse por algoto lose touch perder contacto

• +ill says he tal/s to Jimi Hendri& eeryday. He' s losing his mind

• Han/ used to hae all the girls at his eet "ut now he' s lost his touch

• #'m sorry( # lost my train of thought# what was # saying?

• =ina was tal/ing to Jimmy's mom at the par/ and she lost sight of her son.

• # -nn doesn't want to tal/ to me it's her pro"lem( # won't lose sleep over her

• Most people lose touch with their high school classmates ater leaing school.

to lose count perder la cuentato lose face uedar malto lose ground perder terrenoto lose heart desanimarseto lose ones cool perder la calma

to lose ones grip perder elcontrol

to lose ones marbles perder la ca"eza• #'ve lost count o the times #'e seen this moie. # loe it!

• Bd lost face "eore his mother8in8law when he yelled at his wie in ront o her.

• +e can't lose ground on our demand when we're this close to win.• -ter ailing the test or the third time( $im started to lose heart

• Bery time her son gets annoying Sarah loses her cool and shouts at him.

• Lo" had too much to drin/ last night and he lost his grip

• >ou came down to diner dreesed up as a "a"y. He' s lost his marbles!

to lose ones mind/head olerse locoto lose ones touch perder la ha"ilidadto lose ones train of thought perder el hilo deto lose sight/track of perder de istato lose sleep over something deselarse por algoto lose touch perder contacto

• +ill says he tal/s to Jimi Hendri& eeryday. He' s losing his mind



• Han/ used to hae all the girls at his eet "ut now he' s lost his touch

• #'m sorry( # lost my train of thought# what was # saying?

• =ina was tal/ing to Jimmy's mom at the par/ and she lost sight of her son.

• # -nn doesn't want to tal/ to me it's her pro"lem( # won't lose sleep over her

• Most people lose touch with their high school classmates ater leaing school.


7to make7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to make"

to make a beeline for somethingir derechito a algoto make a clean breast of it conesar algoto make a clean sweep arrasar con todoto make a dent in something llearse "uena parte( reducir to make a difference importar( contri"uir con algoto make a face hacer una mueca

• -ll the /ids were making a beeline for the ice8cream truc/.

• # used to watch 3arney when # was 1U. # had to make a clean breast out of it

• reen =ay made a clean sweep of the awards last night.

•

-ll these e&pensie shoes are making a dent in your "udget.• Some say the demonstrations against the war make no difference

• $here was an awul smell and we all started to make faces

to make a fool of someone hacer uedar a alguien en ridculoto make a fuss armar un esc)ndaloto make a killing hacer un "uen negocioto make a long story short hacerla cortato make a mountain out of a

molehillahogarse en un aso de agua

to make a name for oneself hacerse de un nom"re

• Jane is always making a fool of her brother . # eel sorry or him.• =o you always hae to make such a fuss a"out eerything?

• Stu made a killing on that 3M+. 3rand new or only 1F(FFF dollars.

• :aul met 3eth at a party. "o make a long story short# they ell in loe and they

married.• Stop it! You're making a mountain out of a molehill! #t's only a "utton( #'ll sew it

up!• Nran/ is a "ig $ star "ut he really made a name for himself on the radio.

to make a pass at/play for someone #nsinu)rsele a alguiento make a point of doing something:rocurar hacer algoto make a splash ;ausar sensaci*nto make a stand Bntrar en acci*n



to make a virtue of necessity Hacer de la necesidad una irtudto make allowance for something $olerar algo

• =e" loo/ed so good that the guys tried to make a pass at her all the time.

• =on't worry( #'ll make a point of sending the initations tomorrow.

• 5ur new song is making a splash all oer the world.

• How much longer do we hae to wait "eore we make a stand• # had a ree hour in "etween classes and # made a virtue of necessity and did my

homewor/ then.• +e hae to make allowance for /edro's work . He doesn't spea/ our language.

to make amends compensar to make an e'hibition of oneself ponerse en ridculoto make capital out of something sacar partido de algoto make do arregl)rselasto make ends meet llegar a in de mesto make eyes at someone echar miraditas a alguien

• Helen tried to make amends to ;laire or ripping her dress and "ought her a newone.

• Bery time Je gets drun/ he makes an e5hibition of himself

• Sometimes employers make capital out of people's need to work and pay them

ery little.• $he supermar/et was closed so we had to make do with what little we had that

night.• How do yo make ends meet with such low salaries?

• 3o" was making eyes at race the other night "ut she wasn't interested.

to make free with somethingusar algo como si uera propioto make fun of "urlarse deto make 4it5 good tener 9&itoto make headway progresar to make it lograrloto make it big triunar a lo grande

• =an has "een at my house or two days and he' s already making free with my

clothes!

• >illy! +hat did # tell you a"out making fun of other children?

• My car was completely destroyed "y a tree "ut the insurance will make it good

• $ommy has diiculty in Maths "ut he is making headway little "y little.

• $his is great! # neer thought #'d make it to the top o the mountain!• $ony made it big with his inention. He's "ecome rich!

to make it snappy darse prisato make light of something minimizar algoto make love hacer el amor to make mincemeat of someone hacer picadillo a alguiento make no bones about somethingno ocultar algo( no andar con rodeosto make ones blood boil hacerle herir a alguien la sangre

• 1ake it snappy# >ouise! Bery"ody's waiting or us at the clu"!

• :oliticians oten make light of this issue "ut it's no laughing8matter.

• $he other night( =anny and her girlriend made love or the irst time!

• 3razil made mincemeat of #taly at the riendly match.



• -lice makes no bones of spea/ing her mind. # she doen't li/e something she'lltell you.

• Bery time # hear the :resident tal/ it makes my blood boil!

to make ones blood run cold hacer ue a alguien se le hiele la sangre

to make ones day alegrarle el da a alguiento make ones flesh crawl/creep pon9rsele la piel de gallina a alguiento make ones hair stand on

end pon9rsele los pelos de punta a alguien

to make ones mark de,ar su improntato make ones mouth water hac9rsele a uno agua la "oca

• +hat # saw that day ater the "om"ing made my blood run cold

• Jac/'s isit made my day! # hadn't seen him or a long time.

• # don't li/e hospitals( they make my flesh crawl

• $his moie will make your hair stand on end #t's terriying!

• $he 3eatles and the Lolling Stones made their mark on roc/'n'roll history.

• $he smell o that stew is making my mouth water!

to make ones peace with someonehacer las paces con alguiento make ones point e&presar su opini*nto make oneself at home sentirse como en casato make sense tener sentidoto make short work of someone hacer trizas a alguiento make something of oneself hacer algo de su ida

• -my was mad at Jess or not initing her to her wedding "ut they' ve made their

peace with each other

•

5/( you've made your point and # respect it.• +elcome! # hope you en,oy your stay here( make yourselves at home

• =id you hear what he said? #t din't make any sense!

• Sharapoa made short work of =aenport at +im"ledon.

• +hy don't you study and make something of yourself

to make sure asegurarseto make the best of it ponerle al mal tiempo "uena carato make the grade dar la tallato make the most of

itsacar el mayor partido a algo

to make the rounds hacer las isitasto make tracks largarse

• Sammy made sure that ;arol got the "est doctor in the city.

• #t was raining "ut we were on holiday so we decided to make the best of it

• 5ur team really made the grade tonight "y winning E8F.

• #t's hard to get an interiew with this actor so #'ll make the most of it!

• =octor ;ohen is making the rounds right now( you can wait or him oer here.

• $he party was great "ut # had to get up early the ollowing day and # made

tracks at 11.

to make up for lost timerecuperar el tiempo perdidoto make up ones mind decidirseto make waves causar pro"lemas



to make whoopee armar ,olgorio• Jay didn't li/e chocolate and now he loes it( he eats lots o it( he' s making up

for lost time!

• +hat are you going to study? # haven't made up my mind yet.

• $he wor/ers want "etter wor/ing conditions and are starting to make waves.

• $he whole class made whoopee when # told them we were going to a arm.


7to pay7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to pay"

to pay ones respects to someone presentarle sus respetos a alguiento pay the price pagar el precioto pay through the nose pagar un o,o de la cara

• +e're here to honor and pay our respects to this brilliant man

• ;armen has lung cancer. She' s paying the price or all the cigarettes she smo/es.

• 3e careul with that ase! # paid through the nose or it!

&'presiones con verbos claves - 8erbo7to play7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to play"

to play a waiting gamede,ar pasar el tiempoto play ball cooperar to play by ear tocar de odoto play cat and mouse ,ugar al gato y al rat*n

to play dirty ,ugar sucioto play footsie acariciar con el pie

• $he doctors are playing a waiting game and my hus"and is getting worse!

• Bery"ody's willing to play ball or the good o the company.

• My son's a genius! He can play 3eethoen by ear!

• $he serial /iller sends letters to the police( as i he were playing cat and mouse

• # don't li/e playing with Stan( he plays dirty

• +e were haing dinner at this ancy restaurant and Susan started to play footsie

with me!

to play games ugar( enga2ar

to play hard to get hacerse el<la dicilto play hooky hacerse la ra"ona( altar a clase



to play into someones game seguirle el ,uego a alguiento play it cool hacer como si nadato play it safe ir a lo seguroto play ones cards close to ones chestno soltar prenda

• Lo" neer loed %elly( he was ,ust playing games with her.

• =on't gie yoursel to him so easily! You hae to play hard to get!• ;hris and # played hooky today and went to play ideo games.

• # we want to /now what he's up to( we'll have to play into his game

• +hen other /ids made un o me at school # ,ust played it cool

• Your preious essay was great "ut in this one you're ,ust playing it safe

• -ll we can do is wait and see what they do "ecause they' ll play their cards colse

to their chest

to play ones cards right hacer una "uena ,ugadato play possum hacerse el dormidoto play second fiddle to

someone desempe2ar un papel secundarioto play the field tantear el terrenoto play the fool hacer el tontoto play to the gallery ,ugar para la galerato play with fire ,ugar con uego

• # you play your cards right# you'll win the ne&t presidential election.

• - pregnant woman got on the "us and eery"ody played possum not to gie her

a seat.• %en thin/s he's the "oss at the oice "ut he ,ust plays second fiddle to Mr.

:eters.•

%ate played the field or some time "eore she got married.• Melissa( stop playing the fool and start doing your homewor/!

• # you want to sell your product( you'll hae to play to the gallery

• $he ,udge is playing with fire trying to stop drug dealers.


7to pull7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to pull"

to pull a fast one hacer una ,ugarretato pull a face hacer una muecato pull 4a few5 strings moer algunosK hilosto pull a rabbit out of the

hatsacar algo de la galera

to pull no punches no andarse con chiuitasto pull ones socks up ponerse las pilas

• $he guy told me this was genuine leather "ut he pulled a fast one on me! #t's

imitation!• $he "a"y suc/ed on hal a lemon and pulled faces

• My dad pulled a few strings and got me a ,o" at Microsot.



• +e thought there was nothing else we could do "ut $om pulled a rabbit out of

the hat

• =ae pulls no punches when he writes a complaint letter.

• You'll hae to pull your socks up i you want to improe your grades.

to pull ones weight poner de su parteto pull oneself up by the bootstraps salir adelante sin ayuda de nadieto pull someones leg tomarle el pelo a alguiento pull the plug on something cancelar algoto pull the rug from under someone astidiarle los planes a alguiento pull up stakes leantar campamentoto pull the wool over someones eyesenga2ar a alguien

• +hat? # do pull my weight! # wor/ as hard as any"ody else around here!

• -l neer had anyone( no amily( he pulled himself up by the bootstraps

• ;ome on! Seriously? Joe can't "e 4F. You're pulling my leg!

• $he "oss pulled the plug on the project "ecause it wasn't proita"le.

• $hey'e ta/en away my scholarship and they've pulled the rug from under my

feet!

• -ter liing in the city or ie years( we pulled up stakes and moed to the

countryside.• -dam said he would pay our "ills i we gae him the money. He was pulling the

wool over our eyes!


7to put7 Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to put"

to put a damper on something aguar la iestato put a lid on it callarseto put all your eggs in one basket ,ug)rselo todo a una cartato put an end to poner punto inalto put down roots echar racesto put ideas into someones head meterle ideas a alguien en la ca"eza

• $wo guys started to ight( and that put a damper on the party

• His wie decided to put a lid on her husband's affair or the sa/e o the /ids.• $on't put all your eggs in one basket You should apply or other uniersities.

• Joe was too oercome with grie or his wie's death and he put an end to

himself

• -ter spending years going here and there( =e" put down roots in Nrance.

• Sam' s been putting ideas into "om's head a"out uitting school and starting a

roc/ "and!

to put in a good word for someoneinterceder por alguiento put a lead in ones pencil ser un arodisacoto put on airs/the dog darse tonoto put on the map poner en el mapato put ones back into it poner empe2o en algo



to put ones best foot forward apretar el paso• - riend o 3o"'s put in a good word for me at the Bnglish =epartment in

5&ord.• # too/ :am to this restaurant and # ordered shrimp to put a lead on my pencil

• Jen puts on airs "ecause she's moed to >.-. "ut she's no "etter than us!

• #t was their second al"um( 'Morning lory'( that put 3asis on the map.• # can inish the house "y ne&t month i # put my back into it

• +e were already ten minutes late or the meeting so we put our best foot

forward

to put ones finger on it decir e&actamente u9 esto put ones foot down imponerse( no ceder to put ones foot in it meter la patato put ones house in order poner sus asuntos en ordento put ones shoulder to the

wheelarrimar el hom"ro

#o put ones thinking cap on usar la materia gris• Sometghing's going on with Sarah "ut # can't put my finger on it

• $he man insisted on going to Miss Hilton's room "ut the receptionist put his foot

down

• Ja/e really put his foot in it when he told the "oss his daughter was hot.

• +hy doesn't Bric put his own house in order "eore telling me what to do?

• $he pro,ect doesn't go orward "ecause you don't put your shoulder to the

wheel

• # you put your thinking cap on you'll do the test in twenty minutes.

to put out feelers tantear el terrenoto put someone at ease hacer ue alguien se rela,eto put someone in his place poner a alguien en su lugar to put someone out of his misery aca"ar con el surimiento de alguiento put someone off their stride distraer a alguiento put someone through the mill/his pacessometer a alguien a duras prue"as

• +e hae to put out a few feelers "eore launching the product into the mar/et.

• $he teacher told us what the test would "e li/e and she put us at ease

• $ommy was acting li/e a spoiled little "rat so # put him in his place

• $he poor dog was dying and there was nothing we could do "ut to put him out of

his misery

• # can't study with music or the $ turned on( it puts me off my stride• Joe was put through the mill to get that ,o" at the hospital.

to put that in your pipe and smoke itGch6pate eso!to put the cart before the horse hacer las cosas al re9sto put the fear of .od into someone darle un susto de muerte a alguiento put the heat on someone presionar a alguiento put the skids under something hacer racasar algoto put to death e,ecutar

• 5ur team "eat yours! /ut that in your pipe and smoke it!

• -nn' s putting the cart before the horse# tha race hasn't een "egun and she's

already cele"rating.



• You shoud'e seen Mary's ace when she saw us on the window! +e put the

fear of od into her!

• $he wor/ers have been putting the heat on the owner to raise the salaries.

• $he neigh"ors got together to put the skids under the plans to "uild a new tower.

• My "rother was put to death or a crime he did not commit!

to put to the test poner a prue"ato put two and two together atar ca"osto put two and two together and get

fivesacar conclusiones err*neas

to put up or shut up aguantarse o callarseto put words in someones mouth atri"uirle a alguien algo ue no di,oto put your money where your mouth isdar el e,emplo

• -ll the candidates will be put to the test during the wee/.

• >iz didn't tell me she ailed the e&am( # saw her crying and put two and two

together

• @o! #'m not doing drugs! You see me go out at night and put two and two

together to make five!

• :hil says he's unemployed "ut does nothing to get a ,o". He should put up or

shut up

• # neer said # wanted to leae! $on't put words in my mouth!

• # people want clean streets they should put their money where their mouth is!


7to run7 Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to run"

to run a risk of correr el riesgo deto run amok/amuck descontrolarseto run rings around someonedarle mil ueltas a alguiento run someone ragged agotar a alguiento run the gauntlet of hacer rente al acoso

• # you don't go to class again you'll run the risk o lun/ing.

• +hen the "and came out o the plane( the whole place ran amok with euphoria.

• My ie year old grandson runs rings around me as regards computers.• $he /ids have been run ragged with school( piano( tennis and /arate lessons.

• $he couple had to run the gauntlet of the yellow press when they separated.


7to set7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to set"

to set foot poner un pie en un lugar to set ones heart on somethingestar decidido a hacer algo



to set sail zarpar to set store by something dar alor a algoto set the pace marcar el pasoto set the scene crear un am"ienteto set the record straight aclarar las cosas

• # didn't li/e that woman rom the ery irst moment she set foot in this house.• Bmily has set her heart on going to Harard to study >aw.

• $he $itanic set sail rom Southampton or @ew Yor/ on -pril 1F( 11I.

• My parents have always set great store by studying.

• $he 7S declaration o independence set the pace or the independence o the resto the continent.

• $he constant disagreements and the people's discontent set the scene for war.

• Miss Harris will gie a press conerence ne&t $uesday to set the record straight


7to stand7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to stand"

to stand a chance of tener pro"a"ilidades deto stand in good stead ser 6tilto stand on ceremony ser muy ceremoniosoto stand pat mantenerse en sus treceto stand to reason ser l*gico

to stand up and be counteddar la cara por sus principios• $he =odgers don't stand a chance of winning the world series!

• Haing "een in the Led ;ross stood her in good stead or her ,o" at the hospital.

• :eter is so "oring! He stands on ceremony all the time!

• You should stand pat# you'll see your mother will understand and gie in in the

end.• #t stands to reason that the man wears those clothes "ecause they ma/e him eel

young.• $hin/ or yoursel( stand up and be counted #t's the "est thing you can do.

&'presiones con verbos claves - 8erbo7to take7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to take"

to take a back seat poner en segundo planoto take a bow hacer una reerenciato take a chance arriesgarseto take a dim view on somethinger algo con malos o,osto take a fancy to uedarse prendado de

to take a hike irse a rer esp)rragos• +hen # started to wor/ as a doctor( my personal lie /ind o took a back seat



• $he actor who played Mac"eth receied a standing oation and he took a bow

• Sam wasn't sure which way to turn so he took a chance and turned let.

• My parents took a dim view on my marriage "ecause # was too young.

• -l neer li/ed ,azz "ut all o a sudden he took a fancy to swing music.

• $his drun/ard /ept as/ing me or a dime so # told him to take a hike

to take a hint captar una indirectato take a !oke aceptar una "romato take a leaf out of someones book seguir el e,emplo de alguiento take a powder salir corriendoto take a shine to sentir simpata por to take a stand adoptar una postura

• # said # was tired( :eter took the hint and we went home.

• Nran/( don't get so angry! an't you take a joke He was ,ust /idding.

• You should take a leaf out of your brother's book and study hard.

• +e were writing graitti on a wall "ut we took a powder when a teacher came.

• 5ur son took a shine to our neigh"ors' children. $hey play together all the time.

• $he Mayor has to take a stand on the matter and settle it.

to take advantage of aproecharse deto take as gospel tomar por ciertoto take by storm tomar por asaltoto take by surprise tomar por sorpresato take effect entrar en igor to take e'ception to oenderse por

• $a&i driers oten take advantage of tourists.

•

+hen # was a "oy( # took everything my dad said as gospel .• 5ur "and is taking *urope by storm "ut can't seem to ma/e it at home.

• $he :resident's sudden death took the whole world by surprise

• $his is an old law( it took effect in 1U.

• -unt Luth took e5ception to your orgetting her "irthday.

to take five tomarse sinco minutos de descansoto take flight darse a la ugato take for granted dar por sentadoto take heart animarseto take into account tener en cuenta

to take issue with someonediscrepar con alguien• -ll right( take five and then come "ac/( we still hae a lot to do.

• $he ro""ers too/ all the money they could and then took flight

• # used to take my parents for granted "ut now they're ar away # need them.

• Joe was araid o lying "ut one day he took heart and too/ a plane to @ew

Yor/.• 3eth got the ,o" "ecause they took into account that she spea/s ie languages.

• Bd's riend took issue with him on the war on terrorism.

to take it easy tom)rselo con calmato take it on the chin aguantar algo con resignaci*nto take it or leave it tomarlo o de,arloto take it personally/to heartoenderse por algo



to take it with a pinch of salttom)rselo con pinzasto take its toll aectar

• -ter the heart attac/( my ather had to take it easy and stay home or a while.

• Lo"ert's going through a lot o "ad things "ut he' s taking it on the chin

• Bither you come with us or you stay at your aunt's. "ake it or leave it

• # only said she loo/ed a little tired "ut she took it to heart!• Stan lies a lot( you should take what he says with a pinch of salt

• Sitting in the sun at the wrong hours will really take its toll on your s/in.

to take kindly to gustar to take leave of your senses perder completamente la ca"ezato take ones cue from someone seguir el e,emplo de alguiento take ones hat off to

someoneuitarse el som"rero ante alguien

to take ones lumps llearse los palosto take pains tomarse la molestia

• Mr. Jeerson does not take kindly to "eing late or wor/.• #s that Joan rolling in the mud? %as she taken leave of her senses

• Mi/e took his cue from his father and went to Med school.

• # take my hat off to the people who get up at E in the morning to go to wor/.

• %ate /nows what she did was wrong( she takes her lumps

• Han/ took great pains to ind a drugstore open last night and "uy your medicine.

to take place tener lugar( suceder to take pot luck tomar lo ue hayato take root arraigar

to take someone at their word decidir creerle a alguiento take someone for a ride tomarle el pelo a alguiento take someone into ones

confidenceconiar en alguien

• $he press conerence will take place tomorrow at o'cloc/ at the Nour Seasons

hotel.• $here were only two discos in town so we took pot luck and went to the irst one

we ound.• ;ommunism neer really took root in the rest o the world.

• Ba promised she would come to dinner so # took her at her word and made

lasagne.

• $he guy told me he came rom an aristocratic amily "ut he was taking me for aride

• Mr. +elsh took me into his confidence and told me the company was in trou"le.

to take someone to task criticar a alguiento take someones name in vain ha"lar malK de alguiento take someones part tomar partido por alguiento take something in ones

stridetomarse algo con calma

to take something lying down aceptar algo sin protestar to take the bull by the horns tomar el toro por las astas

• Miss Harrison took (immy and &enny to task or tal/ing in class.

• +e were taking your name in vain and telling nasty things a"out you.





to throw in the towel tirar la toallato throw money at something malgastar dinero en algoto throw someone for a loop de,ar a alguien pasmadoto throw someone to the

wolvesarro,ar a alguien a los lo"os

• +e had no chance o winning the contest so we threw in the towel• # we don't inest on education as well as on security( we're throwing money at

the problem

• Bddie's girlriend threw him for a loop when she told him she was pregnant.

• Many girls are "eing thrown to the wolves when they are made to marry old

men.


7to turn7

Idioms with key verbs - Verb "to turn"

to turn a blind eye hacer la ista gordato turn a deaf ear hacer odos sordosto not turn a hair no mo9rsele a alguien un peloto turn in ones grave reolcarse en la tum"ato turn on the

waterworksecharse a llorar como una magdalena

to turn ones back on dar la espaldato turn over a new leaf hacer "orr*n y uenta nuea

• =an's parents turn a blind eye on his drug pro"lem and it only ma/es it worse.

• $he wor/ers demand "etter wor/ing conditions "ut the management turns a

deaf ear

• # told my ather # was leaing home at 1E "ut he didn't turn a hair

• Sha/espeare would turn in his grave i he saw her perormance o >ady

Mac"eth!• Bery time # wanted something # turned on the waterworks and my dad gae it

to me.• My so8called "est riend turned her back on me when # needed her most.

• Joe has decided to turn over a new leaf and chec/ed into reha".

Documents

a babe in arms