If something is a piece of cake it is very easy to do. Informal English. Examples of use: a) My English exam was a piece of cake. b) I thought buying a new car would be a piece of cake, but there are so many to choose from! c) Stopping smoking cigarettes was a piece [...]
Idiom: a square meal
June 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A square meal is a substantial and healthy meal: one that is nourishing and fills you. Examples of use: a) I've been eating salad all week: I need a square meal! b) You're looking thin. What you need is a good square meal. c) You must eat three square meals a day. Image [...]
Idiom: a storm petrel
April 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A storm petrel (or stormy petrel) is someone who brings trouble, or who is a sign of trouble to come. Examples of use: 1. We remember her as the storm petrel of our family 2. He is arrogant, volatile and selfish, and has always been a stormy petrel. 3. I don't trust your new [...]
Idiom: the world is one’s oyster
April 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The expression the world is my oyster (or the world is your oyster, his oyster etc) means that there are unlimited opportunities to choose from and you can have anything you want, and you can achieve anything you want to. Examples of use: 1. When you are young, you think the world is your [...]
Idiom: an old flame
March 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
An old flame is someone who is a former boyfriend or girlfriend. Examples of use: 1. Do you know him? He's just an old flame. 2. I just discovered that my boss is an old flame of my husband! 3. He met his old flame at the school reunion. 4. His girfriend is [...]
Idiom: look sheepish
February 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
To look sheepish is to look guilty or embarrassed because you know you have done something wrong or silly. Examples of use: 1. You are looking sheepish. What have you done? 2. Who has eaten all the chocolate cake? I think it might be Howard. He is looking very sheepish. 3. We knew [...]
Idiom: out of this world
February 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
If something is out of this world it is fantastic or extraordinary (too good for this world). This colloquial / slang expression is often used when describing food that is especially delicious. Examples of use: 1. You must try some of my mother's homemade chocolate cake; it's out of this world! 2. The architecture in [...]
Phrasal verbs, idioms and sayings for Valentine’s Day
February 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
1. Puppy love is the love felt between young people (children and adolescents). Informal. Example of use: It's only puppy love. They will forget each other soon. 2. To lose one's heart to someone is to fall in love with them. Example of use: She lost her heart to her dance teacher. 3. [...]
Idiom: as keen as mustard
September 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
If somebody is as keen as mustard, they are very enthusiastic. British English. Mustard is a pungent yellow or brown paste or powder used to add flavour to food. Examples of use: 1. The new army recruits are as keen as mustard. 2. She can't wait to go to university. She's as keen as mustard. [...]
Idiom: mutton dressed as lamb
September 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Mutton dressed as lamb is an insulting term for a middle-aged or elderly woman who dresses like a much younger woman. British, informal English. Mutton is the meat of an old sheep, used for food. Examples of use: 1. I can't wear that short skirt. I'll look like mutton dressed as lamb. 2. According to [...]
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