Learning English with Green Forest: Idioms

If you ask me, the purpose of a first, and maybe a second date too, is to get to know better the man you are interested in. It’s not about getting free drinks or desserts. For that reason, ... on the first date is somewhat sensible. I’m capable of paying for myself and don’t like letting anyone feel as if I owe them something. However, I’m not going to impose my views on others.

The apple of someone’s eye

Have bigger fish to fry

In a sense, ... are justifiable because you cannot be entirely truthful with everyone you meet. Telling a ... is often the only way to answer prying questions tactfully and thereby avoid outright conflict with people asking these questions — especially if they are your colleagues or neighbours.

Role up one’s sleeves

The new generation of social scientists have unarguable advantages over their predecessors; first of all, instant access to information. They have got all the latest data at their fingertips; they have also mastered state-of-the-art research techniques. Figuratively speaking, ...

Everything that politicians promise is usually ...

Bring home the bacon

Cost (someone) an arm and a leg

The phrase “...” refers to a person or thing that is loved or valued more than any other.

Get itchy feet

As I see it, both partners in a couple have the right to ... and therefore should enjoy this right. Fortunately, the era of patriarchal family is coming to an end.

Take with a pinch of salt

To be honest, I can’t remember exactly when I last ... I’ve learned to control some of my emotions (like anger). But when I was young I used to freak out over many things. I burst into tears every time my mother-in-law criticised me. In fact, she always looked down on me...

We’ve already ... and immersed ourselves in the as yet unknown world of English idioms.

A feather in your cap

At the La Tomatina Festival in Spain, people literally ...

Have a bun in the oven

In my view, being honest and sincere is the best way to ... The eye contact is also crucial. Don’t stare deeply into your interlocutor’s eyes. Look aside or downwards from time to time (but not too often).

See red

Not for all the tea in China

... would I keep a wild animal as a pet. Wild animals are free-living beings, and forcing them to live in captivity is both irresponsible and inhumane.

My sister earned ... by completing a PhD programme in social psychology and writing for academic journals.

Go Dutch

My niece told me the other day that she ... I’m so glad for her!

The world is your oyster

I ... almost every time I see a plane passing overhead. I’ve visited several European and post-Soviet countries such as Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Latvia, Estonia, etc. I really enjoyed being there. But now I’d like to go somewhere, shall we say, non-touristy, like Mongolia or Bhutan.

White lie

Break the ice

If I were better off, I’d buy some medieval Arabic manuscripts or Persian paintings (like the one below) — even though they ... Owning such a valuable collection would definitely make me happy. Besides, this collection would be open to all interested.

My husband wants me to go fishing with him this weekend, but I have ...

Paint the town red