Dictionary
Published entries you can read and add to your review box.
- a turn-up for the books C1 A surprising and unexpected event, especially one that changes what people thought would happen.
- all mouth and no trousers C1 Someone who talks confidently about what they will do but does not take action.
- at sixes and sevens C1 In a state of confusion or disorganization.
- bang to rights C1 Caught with clear proof of wrongdoing, so there is no doubt about guilt.
- brass monkeys C1 “Brass monkeys” is used in the phrase “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey,” meaning extremely cold weat…
- brass neck C1 The idiom "brass neck" means extreme confidence and boldness, often in a rude or shameless way.
- by hook or by crook C1 Using any method necessary to achieve something, whether fair or not.
- keep a stiff upper lip C1 To keep a stiff upper lip means to stay calm and not show strong emotions, especially in a difficult situation.
- keep schtum C1 To keep schtum means to stay silent and not reveal information.
- know one's onions C1 To know one's onions means to be very knowledgeable and competent about a particular subject or job.
- look a gift horse in the mouth C1 To look a gift horse in the mouth means to criticize or question a gift instead of being grateful.
- make a pig's ear of C1 To do something very badly and create a mess or failure.
- mind your Ps and Qs C1 Be very polite and careful about what you say and do, especially in formal situations.
- more haste less speed C1 Used to warn that rushing often causes mistakes and slows you down overall.
- mug's game C1 A mug's game is an activity that is pointless, foolish, or not worth the effort, often because the odds are against you.
- mutton dressed as lamb C1 A person or thing trying to look younger or more fashionable than is appropriate, especially an older woman dressing li…
- nail your colours to the mast C1 To nail your colours to the mast means to publicly and firmly state which side, opinion, or cause you support.
- not cricket C1 Used to say that something is unfair, dishonest, or not acceptable.
- not enough room to swing a cat C1 Used to say a place is extremely small and cramped, with almost no space to move.
- sent to Coventry C1 If someone is sent to Coventry, other people deliberately ignore them and refuse to speak to them as punishment.