Reading set "Random idiom flashcards set to learn" (Number of items 10)
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more often than not
more often than not {adv. phr.}
More than half the time; fifty-one or more times out of a hundred; not quite usually, but fairly regularly.
Nancy comes over on Saturday more often than not.
Ben is a fairly good runner. He wins more often than not.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
monkey business
monkey business {n.}, {slang}, {informal}
1. Any unethical, illegitimate, or objectionable activity that is furtive or deceitful, e.g., undercover sexual advances, cheating, misuse of public funds, etc.
There is a lot of monkey business going on in that firm; you'd better watch out who you deal with!
2. Comical or silly actions; goofing off.
Come on boys, let's cut out the monkey business and get down to work!
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
knotty problem
knotty problem {n. phr.}
A very complicated and difficult problem to solve.
Doing one's income tax properly can present a knotty problem.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
run that by me again!
run that by me again! {v. phr.}, {informal command}
Repeat what you just said, as I couldn't understand you.
"Run that by me again," he cried. "This telephone connection is very bad."
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
run short
run short {v. phr.}
1. To not have enough.
Bob asked Jack to lend him five dollars because he was running short.
We are running short of sugar.
Compare: RUN OUT.
2. To be not enough in quantity.
We are out of potatoes and the flour is running short.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
run away with
run away with {v.}
1a. To take quickly and secretly, especially without permission; steal.
A thief ran away with Grandma's silver teapot.
Syn.: MAKE OFF.
1b. To go away with; elope.
Mary said that if her parents wouldn't let her marry Phil, she would run away with him.
1c. To take hold of; seize.
The boys thought they saw a ghost in the old house last night; they let their imagination run away with them.
Compare: GET THE BETTER OF.
2. To be much better or more noticeable than others in; win easily.
Our team ran away with the game in the last half.
The fat comedian ran away with the TV show.
Compare: STEAL THE SHOW.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
under the weather
under the weather {adv. phr.}
In bad health or low spirits.
Mary called in today asking for a sick day as she is under the weather.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
up a tree
up a tree {adv.} or {adj. phr.}
1. Hunted or chased into a tree; treed.
The dog drove the coon up a tree so the hunter could shoot him.
2. {informal} in trouble; having problems; in a difficulty that it is hard to escape or think of a way out of.
John's father has him up a tree in the checker game.
Compare: UP THE CREEK.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
until all hours
until all hours {adv. phr.}
Until very late at night.
He is so anxious to pass his exams with flying colors that he stays up studying until all hours.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
vibrations
vibrations or vibes {n.}
Psychic emanations radiating from an object, situation, or person.
I don't think this relationship will work out — this guy has given me bad vibes.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms