Flashcards based on "Random idiom flashcards set to learn" set

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1 of 10


eagle eye

Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
1 of 10
[eagle eye]  {n.}
Sharp vision like that of an eagle; the ability to notice even the tiniest details.
The new boss keeps an eagle eye on all aspects of our operation.
Categories: noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10


ear to the ground

Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
2 of 10
[ear to the ground]  {n. phr.},  {informal}
Attention directed to the way things are going, or seem likely to go, or to the way people feel and think.
The city manager kept an ear to the ground for a while before deciding to raise the city employees' pay.
Reporters keep an ear to the ground so as to know as soon as possible what will happen.
Categories: informal noun
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10


eat crow

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
3 of 10
[eat crow]  {v. phr.}
To admit you are mistaken or defeated; take back a mistaken statement.
John had boasted that he would play on the first team; but when the coach did not choose him, he had to eat crow.
Fred said he could beat the new man in boxing, but he lost and had to eat crow.
Compare: [BACK DOWN], [EAT HUMBLE PIE], [EAT ONE'S WORDS].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10


fall back

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
4 of 10
[fall back]  {v.}
To move back; go back. — Usually used with a group as subject.
The army fell back before their stubborn enemies.
The crowd around the hurt boy fell back when someone shouted "Give him air!"
Compare: [DROP BACK], [GIVE WAY].
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10


fall due

Categories: time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
5 of 10
[fall due] or [come] or [become due]  {v. phr.}
To reach the time when a bill or invoice is to be paid.
Our car payment falls due on the first of every month.
Categories: time verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10


ham it up

Categories: slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
6 of 10
[ham it up]  {v. phr.},  {slang}
To do more than look natural in acting a part; pretend too much; exaggerate.
When Tom told the teacher he was too sick to do homework, he really hammed it up.
The old-fashioned movies are funny to us because the players hammed it up.
Compare: [LAY IT ON].
Categories: slang verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10


hand it to

Categories: hand informal music verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
7 of 10
[hand it to]  {v. phr.},  {informal}
To admit the excellence of; give credit or praise to.
You have to hand it to Jim; he is very careful and hard-working in all he does.
The teacher said, "I hand it to Jane for the way she managed the Music Club."
Syn.: [TAKE OFF ONE'S HAT TO].
Categories: hand informal music verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10


jump the track

Categories: clothes informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
8 of 10
[jump the track]  {v. phr.}
1. To go off rails; go or run the wrong way.
The train jumped the track and there was a terrible accident.
The pulley of the clothesline jumped the track and Mother's washing fell down.
2.  {informal}
To change from one thought or idea to another without plan or reason; change the thought or idea you are talking about to something different.
Bob didn't finish his algebra homework because his mind kept jumping the track to think about the new girl in class.
Compare: [OFF THE TRACK].
Categories: clothes informal verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10


just the other way

Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
9 of 10
[just the other way] or [the other way around]  {adv. phr.}
Just the opposite.
One would have thought that Goliath would defeat David, but it was the other way around.
Categories: adverb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10


lash out

Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms
10 of 10
[lash out]  {v.}
1. To kick.
The horse lashed out at the man behind him.
2. To try suddenly to hit.
The woman lashed out at the crowd with her umbrella.
3. To attack with words.
The senator lashed out at the administration.
The school newspaper lashed out at the unfriendly way some students treated the visiting team.
Categories: verb
A Dictionary of American Idioms