Idioms Beginning with A

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add fuel to the fire
To inflame or worsen a bad situation.

Max was already upset. Your teasing him just added fuel to the fire.

add up
To make sense; to be consistent (usually negative)

John's excuse for not completing his homework just doesn't add up.

add up
To make sense; to be consistent (usually negative)

John's excuse for not completing his homework just doesn't add up.

against the grain
Contrary to what is expected or preferred.

Mary has a difficult time getting along with others as she is inclined to go against the grain in everything she does.

ahead of one's time
In advance of current ideas and trends.

Some people describe Albert Einstein was a physicist ahead of his time.

all ears
Listening intently; eager to hear something.

So, you have some new gossip about Mary. I'm all ears.

all fired up
Excited; highly enthusiastic

I'm really fired up about the party next week.

arm and a leg
A very high cost; a large amount of money.

Many people are complaining that gas costs an arm and a leg nowadays.

at the end of one's rope
At the limit of one's patience.

Mary is at the end of her rope with Max. She can't take his nagging any longer.

at the top of one's lungs
In an extremely loud voice.

Max called out to Mary at the top of his lungs, but she didn't hear him.

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