Idioms List

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make up one's mind
To make a decision; to decide between different options.

I can't make up my mind whether to go to Argentina or Chile for vacation.

middle of nowhere
A place far from interesting sites and major population centers.

As I was driving across the country, my car broke down in the middle of nowhere.

mind one's own business
To concern yourself only your own interests and not interfere in the affairs of others.

Why does Max care about how much money I make? Tell him to mind his own business.

money doesn't grow on trees
Money is not easily obtained.

Turn off the lights when you leave the room. You know money doesn't grow on trees.

monkey around
To behave in a silly or playful way.

Stop monkeying around. Let's get to work.

nail (something) down
To precisely and firmly establish details of a plan.

We haven't nailed down an exact date for the wedding yet, but we're thinking sometime in August.

nip something in the bud
To stop something at an early stage.

If you feel like you are catching a cold, try to nip it in the bud so that it does not cause you to miss work.

no spring chicken
Somebody who is not particularly young

My grandfather runs marathons, and he's no spring chicken.

no sweat
It's not particularly difficult.

I need my car for a date tonight. Can you fix it? No sweat. I'll have it fixed in no time.

not a chance
Absolutely not; not possible.

Do you think there will ever be any honest politicians? Not a chance.

get a word in edgeways
To contribute to a conversation with people who are very talkative.

When you are talking with Mary, she talks so much that you are lucky to get a word in edgewise.

nothing to it
Easy; not difficult.

Upgrading your RAM is easy. There's really nothing to it.

nothing to sneeze at
Not bad; worthwhile.

Max's new painting is nothing to sneeze at.

nothing to write home about
Ordinary; not exceptional; not especially good.

That movie was entertaining but nothing to write home about.

odds and ends
Miscellaneous things.

In the attic there is a box full of odds and ends.

off one's rocker
To be crazy.

He's off his rocker if he thinks that I'm going to help him move again.

off the cuff
Without preparation; impromptu

At the awards ceremony his speech was completely off the cuff.

off the mark
Inaccurate, wrong.

The vice president's comments on the war are consistently off the mark.

off the top of one's head
Without great thought, investigation or any sort of preparation.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone who is a better painter than Max.

on a roll
On a streak of continuous progress or success.

The team is on a roll. They've won five games in a row.

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