Reading set "Random idiom flashcards set to learn" (Number of items 10)
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poke around
poke around or poke about {v.}
1. To search about; look into and under things.
The detective poked around in the missing man's office.
2. To move slowly or aimlessly; do little things.
He didn't feel well, and poked around the house.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
make fun of
make fun of or poke fun at {v. phr.}, {informal}
To joke about; laugh at; tease; mock.
Men like to make fun of the trimmings on women's hats.
James poked fun at the new pupil because her speech was not like the other pupils.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
make light of
make light of {v. phr.}
To treat an important matter as if it were trivial.
One ought to know which problems to make light of and which ones to handle seriously.
Compare: LAUGH OFF.
Contrast: MAKE MUCH OF.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
take a punch at
To try to hit (someone) with the fist; swing or strike at; attack with the fists.
Bob was very angry and suddenly he took a punch at Fred.
Johnny knocked my hat off, so I took a poke at him.
I felt like taking a sock at Joe, but I kept my temper.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
punch-drunk
punch-drunk {adj.}
1. Dazed or become dulled in the mind from being hit in the head.
He was a punch-drunk boxer who made his living shining shoes.
2. In a foggy state of mind; groggy.
Mary was so thrilled at winning the contest she acted punch-drunk.
Mark was punch-drunk for a few minutes after he fell off his bicycle.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
beat to the punch
beat to the punch or beat to the draw {v. phr.}, {slang}
To do something before another person has a chance to do it.
John was going to apply for the job, but Ted beat him to the draw.
Lois bought the dress before Mary could beat her to the punch.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
hear the beat
hear the beat or see the beat {v. phr.}, {dialect}
To hear of or to see someone or something better or surpassing. — Usually used in negative or interrogative sentences and often followed by "of".
I never heard the beat! John swam all the way across the river. Did you ever hear the beat of it?
The juggler spun a table around on the tip of his finger. I never saw the beat of that.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
beat all
beat all or beat the Dutch {v. phr.}, {informal}
To be strange or surprising.
John found a box full of money buried in his garage. Doesn't that beat all!
It beats the Dutch how Tom always makes a basket.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
heart skip a beat
1. The heart leaves out or seems to leave out a beat; the heart beats hard or leaps from excitement or strong feeling. — Often considered trite.
When Paul saw the bear standing in front of him, his heart skipped a beat.
2. To be startled or excited from surprise, joy, or fright.
When Linda was told that she had won, her heart missed a beat.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
heart in one's mouth
A feeling of great fear or nervousness. — Often considered trite.
Charles got up to make his first speech with his heart in his mouth.
My heart was in my mouth as I went into the haunted house.
When the bear came out of the woods towards us, our hearts were in our mouths.
Compare: HAIR STAND ON END.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms