Idioms & Phrases

Wrap your head around (something)

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Do you know the English expression “wrap your head around (something)”? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Polly: How are you getting on with your maths homework? Question number 5 is difficult, isn’t it?

Jake: Very difficult. I can’t wrap my head around it.

Does it mean:

a) understand something which is complicated

b) understand something which is boring

c) twist one’s head

d) understand something which is very long

The answer is below!↓

 

Answer: a) understand something which is complicated

Barking up the wrong tree

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Do you know the English expression “barking up the wrong tree“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Lisa: I think Irene stole the money from the staff room. She looked guilty when the boss spoke to us about it before.

Angela: I think you are barking up the wrong tree. Irene wasn’t even in work on the day it was stolen.

Does it mean:

a) to complain too loudly

b) to be joking

c) to be mistaken

d) to accuse someone of something

The answer is below!　↓

 

Answer: c) to be mistaken

When pigs fly

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Do you know the English expression “when pigs fly”? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Catherine: Do you think Pete will get promoted at work?

Dana: When pigs fly! No one ever gets promoted in that office.

Does it mean:

a) flying pig

b) never

c) no one is good enough

d) in the future

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: b) never

Get out of hand

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Do you know the English expression “get out of hand“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Emily: How was the party last night?

Aimee: It was fine until John and his friends came. Then it got out of hand. He brought 50 people!

Does it mean:

a) become large

b) become fun

c) become uncontrollable

d) become annoying

The answer is below!↓

 

Answer: c) become uncontrollable

 

Nest egg

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Do you know the English expression “nest egg“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Sarah: Do you have any savings?

Betty: Yes. I’ve been saving a few hundred dollars a month for years. It’s my nest egg.

Does it mean:

a) money saved for the future

b) money to spend soon

c) money in a bank account

d) egg in a nest

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: a) money saved for the future

by the skin of (one’s) teeth

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Do you know the English expression “by the skin of (one’s) teeth“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Terry: How was your exam? Did you pass?

Kate: I passed by the skin of my teeth! The pass mark was 50 and I got 51!

Does it mean

a) have toothache when doing something

b) by a narrow margin

c) by one point

d) with difficulty

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: b) by a narrow margin

 

At the drop of a hat

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Do you know the English idiom “at the drop of a hat“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Nancy: Did Richard help you to move house at the weekend?

Susan: Yes. I called him and he came to help at the drop of a hat.

Does it mean:

a) immediately

b) after dropping a hat

c) after a few hours

d) hesitate

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: a) immediately

A wild goose chase

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Do you know the English expression “a wild goose chase“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Oliver: How was your day? 

Julie: Terrible. The boss sent me on a wild goose chase!

Oliver: What do you mean?

Julie: Well, he asked me to find the paperwork for a job we did a few years ago, but the paperwork has been destroyed!

Does it mean:

a) chase geese

b) work in a wild way

c) search for something that doesn’t exist or is difficult to find

d) search for something that is secret or confidential

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: c) search for something that doesn’t exist or is difficult to find

Hang in there

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Do you know the English expression “hang in there“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Michelle: I have so much work to do! I have two presentations to give next week, and then I’m going to the States for a conference. I don’t know if I can do it!

Karen: Hang in there! You can do it!

Does it mean:

a) hang out and relax

b) don’t give up

c) hang around

d) work harder

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer: b) don’t give up