Common Idioms

1. from A to Z = very thoroughly and completely

e.g. He has studied the subject __________________.

e.g. Today is the day for hair-checking. Mr. Fung examines our hair _____________.

2. week/day about = every alternate month, week

e.g. I go to Bangkok and Beijing ____________.

e.g. Vicky will meet the members of Parliament and the Queen _____________.

3. up in the air = uncertain; undecided

e.g. Our picnic with Mr. Lui are still rather ________________ because he is very busy.

e.g. Vincent's plan to study in England is __________________.

4. a false alarm = a warning of something which does not in fact happen

e.g. We were told there was an English test on Monday but it was ____________.

5. all in all = considering everything

e.g. We haven't done badly in the exam, _______________.

6. answer back (駁咀) = to give an answer to someone who expects one to do what one is told with argument.

e.g. Miss. Chan was very angry when the student she was scolding ___________ her _________.

7. the apple of (someone's) eye = a person or thing which is greatly loved (by someone)

e.g. Anthony is __________________ his father’s ________.

8. keep at arm's length = to avoid becoming too friendly with someone.

e.g. Jay _________ Andy ___________________ for he thinks that Andy is a bad guy.

9. go to the bad = to become immoral

e.g. I'm afraid that her son, George, has really ________________ since he left home.

another similar expression: go _____________.

10. stab (someone) in the back = to brave treacherously towards someone

e.g. Jason always pretends to be Mandy’s friend but he ________ her _______________________ by applying for her job when she was in hospital.

11. a bag of bones (瘦骨嶙峋) = a very thin person

e.g. After his illness, Tommy was just a ____________________.

12. have the best of both worlds = to get the benefits from 2 different sets of circumstances.

e.g. Jeff has a wife in Hong Kong and at the same time, he keeps a mistress in Mainland China. So, he ___________________________________.

13. full of beans = full of energy; very cheerful

e.g. After the great failure in the first exam, Veronica is now _________________ because she knows that failure is unavoidable.

14. lose one's direction = to become uncertain of where one is.

e.g. The teaching of Mr. Lai confused me so much that I've _______________________ completely

15. beauty is in the eye of the beholder (各花入各眼) = everyone decides individually whether something is beautiful or not.

e.g. Marcus: The winner of this year Miss Hong Kong is not very beautiful. What do you think?

Eric: I don't think so. She's pretty nice!

Marcus: Don't argue any more. Haven’t you heard a saying that "____________________________________________”?

16. make believe = pretend (that)

e.g. Eric and Ann ___________________ they were Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts respectively.

17. not to be able to believe one's ears/eyes = to find it difficult to believe that one has actually heard/seen.

e.g. When I saw Joan actually doing some work, I _______________________ __________________!

18. as clear as a bell = very easy to hear

e.g. Anna’s voice was ______________________________, although she was phoning from South America.

19. as sound as a bell = undamaged and in very good condition

e.g. Emily: I've broken the door of the classroom.

Christina: Oh! What a disastrous thing to hear!

Shirley: You've to tell Mr. Lee.

Mr. Lee: I was told that the door was broken. But this is not the case! It is ____________________________________ although it may be too old.

Christina: Emily, you are a liar.

20. all the best = hope that one may be happy or successful.

e.g. I want to wish F.5 classes __________________ before I left the school.

21. better off = richer/happier in some ways

e.g. Christy'd be ________________ working as a nurse.

e.g. Cherry'd be __________ if she divorced Jay.

22. have butterflies in one’s stomach = to feel a fluttering sensation in one’s insides as a result of nervousness.

e.g. Eunica always goes butterflies when she comes on stage.

23. Big brother = a powerful leader or organization which is watching you

e.g. I would not like to live in that country - you would always have the feeling that ____________________ was watching you.

e.g. I would like to use English as a medium of teaching, otherwise, my _______________ will scold me.

24. Mr Big = the leader/organizer of a group.

e.g. The police hope that one of the drug-smugglers they have arrested will lead them to ___________________.

25. foot the bill = to pay (usually something expensive)

e.g. Everyone enjoyed the wedding except my father, who was ____________________.

26. a bird’s eye view (鳥瞰) = a view from high up.

e.g. From the top of the building he had _________________________ of the whole city.

27. birds of a feather flock together = people of similar interests and personalities are usually very friendly.

e.g. I'm sure Sharen and Anthony will get on - you're _________________________.

e.g. Jeff and Tommy are good friends. Have you heard about the saying that "______________________________________"? They both like playing TV games.

28. kill two birds with one stone (一石二鳥)= to achieve two of one’s aims at once by means of the same action.

e.g. If you have to go to London on business next week, you could _________________ ________________________ and do your Christmas shopping at the same time.

29. a black sheep = a member of the family who is unsatisfactory in some way.

e.g. My brother has always been the _____________________ of the family because he has been in prison several times.

refer: "a black sheep is a biting beast" - an old proverb

30. a blank cheque = permission to do what one feels neccessary with complete freedom.

e.g. The Principal has given the Student Association a _____________________ to carry out their plan.

31. the blind leading the blind = one inexperienced person helping another to do something/telling another about something.

e.g. If I attempted to explain how this machine works, I'm afraid it would be a case of _______________________________________.

refer: "And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Matthew 15:14)

32. a blind spot (盲點) = any matter about which someone always shows a lack of understanding.

e.g. She's a very reasonable person, but she has a ____________________ about her children - she thinks they're perfect.

refer: the one point on the retina of the eye where there are no visual cells. (a biological term)

33. blood is thicker than water (血濃於水)= one should have more loyalty to people who are related to one than to other people.

e.g. I would prefer to give the money to my friend rather than to my brother but ______________________________________.

34. fresh/new blood (新血)= new members of a group

e.g. Jerry has brought vital ______________________ to the football team.

35. in cold blood (adv) (冷血) =deliberately and unemotionally

e.g. Rannie killed them ___________________.

e.g. This murderer is _____________________. (adj)

refer: the medieval belief that emotion raised the temperature of the blood.

36. the blues = low spirits

e.g. Katrina’s got ___________________ today but she's usually cheerful.

37. out of the blue = without warning

e.g. Cathy arrived _________________________, without letting us know she was in the area.

refer: from lightning which strikes out of a clear sky.

38. in the same boat (同一條船) = in the same difficulties

e.g. We're all _________________________, so we have to solve the problem together.

39. a bookworm (書蟲) = a person who reads a lot.

e.g. Olivia is a real ________________ - she reads ten books a week!

40. a closed book = a subject which one knows nothing.

e.g. I'm afraid Chemistry is ______________________ to me as I am an arts student.

41. an open book = something which can be understood easily.

e.g. His intentions and plans are always __________________ to people who know him.

42. the boot is on the other foot = the very opposite of what used to be the case

e.g. You're wrong if you think I borrowed money from Emily - in fact, ____________________________________: she borrowed from me.

43. a bottleneck (樽頸) = a place where slowing down or stopping of progress occurs.

e.g. There's a ______________ where the motorway ends and the ordinary road begins.

44. one’s bread and butter = (a way of earning), as opposed to what one does for enjoyment.

e.g. Working as a salesperson at the department store is my ______________________, but I prefer to teach in a secondary school.

45. the brain drain (人才流失) = loss of experts to another country

e.g. As a result of the ____________________ Hong Kong does not have enough doctors.

46. a brainstorm = one has a meeting in which they all put forward as many ideas and suggestions as they can think of.

e.g. “Pineapple & Sausage” was chosen to be the name of the 4A Class Club after hundreds of ideas had been tried and discarded during two months of _______________________.

47. brainwash (someone) (洗腦) = to force to obey, conform, confess by putting great psychological pressure on someone.

e.g. The terrorists __________________ him into believing in their ideals.

48. take (someone's) breath away = to make someone breathless with delight or astonishment.

e.g. She _______________________________ with her rudeness.

e.g. The view was so beautiful it ___________________________. (or The view was ______________________________) (adj)

49. breathe again (鬆一口氣) = to be relieved of a great worry

e.g. ___________________ - the police have gone!

e.g. ___________________ - the examination has passed.

50. look on the bright side (凡事要向好方面想) = to be hopeful and consider the best features of something.

e.g. You must ________________________________ - after all, you still have a job.

51. be broad-minded (開通) = to be ready to allow others to think/act as they choose without criticising them.

e.g. Carrie’s parents are __________________ and allow her to come home very late.

52. have broad shoulders = to be able to accept great responsibilities.

e.g. George really has ______________________. He takes up a lot of posts this year, including Class Club Chairman, headboy and monitor of 4C.

53. broken family (破碎家庭) = the home of children whose parents are divorced.

e.g. She comes from _______________________. She's poor.

54. in the bluff (袒裼裸裎) = naked

e.g. The beach was crowded with people sunbathing _________________.

55. buy (someone) off (收買) = to bribe

e.g. The gangster's friend ________________ the police witness.

56. by and large = mostly/considering everything together

e.g. Things are going quite well, _____________________. It may not have much difficulties.

57. a piece of cake = something very easy

e.g. Winning the race was _____________________ to Cindy since she has long legs.

58. burn the candle at both ends = to waste or use up something in two ways at once.

e.g. The student became ill from going to parties every night and getting up at 5 a.m. to study - he was trying to __________________________________.

59. make capital out of (something) = to use (a situation) for one own’s advantage.

e.g. The politician delivered a clever, witty speech, _____________________ out of his opponent's failure to appear.

60. hold out a carrot = to encourage someone to do something with a promised reward.

e.g. The parents _________________________ of a new MD player to make their son study harder.

61. get carried away = to be so affected by an emotion amd later beome unontrolled. e.g. I was so pleased to see them that I _____________________ and invited all twelve of them for lunch.

e.g. After receiving so many Christmas cards from my students, I've really __________________________.

62. build castle in the air = to have dreams and plans which are very unlikely to come true.

e.g. I used to __________________________ about becoming an actress, but when I left school I decided to get a job with more security.

63. put the cat among the pigeons = to cause a disturbance, especially suddenly.

e.g. If the workmen don't get a pay rise it will really ____________________________ ___________________.

64. rain cats and dogs = to rain very heavily/torrential downpours

e.g. It's raining _______________________ - the streets are flooded.

65. pull the chestnuts out of the fire (救他人出火海) = to take control and rescue someone from a difficult situation.

e.g. I am tired of ________________________________________________. She is very naughty.

66. the chicken and the egg/which came first, the chicken or the egg? = difficult/impossible to tell which of 2 closely related situations, problems etc occurred first.

e.g. Tommy: Why do you think that God creates the world? But who creates God?

Jerry: It seems to be a question of _________________________________. It cannot be solved by scientific method.

67. child's play = something very easy

e.g. Climbing the hill is a ___________________ to the experienced mountaineer.

68. climb down = to accept defeat/back down/surrender

e.g. He finally _____________________ and accepted our decision.

69. change colour = to become very pale or very red because of great emotional changes, e.g. anger, surprise.

e.g. He ____________________ when he saw the woman whom he thought he had killed.

70. off-colour (無面色) = not feeling very well

e.g. Vincent was a bit _________________ the morning after drinking too much in the party.

71. beyond compare (無得比) = so great as to have no rival

e.g. Eunica’s beauty is ______________________, therefore she finally wins in the pageant.

72. at all cost = no matter what the cost or outcome may be

e.g. We must ___________________ avoid being seen, otherwise, we may in great trouble.

73. cover up for (someone) (隱瞞事實) = to try to prevent dishonest, illegal deeds of (someone) from being discovered, by concealing the truth.

e.g. He's been _______________________ his friend's absence by telling lies.

74. crocodile tears (貓哭老鼠假慈悲) = pretended tears of grief/sadness

e.g. They're only ____________________ - she hated her cousin and she's not really sorry he's dead.

refer: The crocodile was once reputed to weep bitterly, either to attract the attention of potential victims or while eating them.

75. have a crush on = to have a great sexual liking

e.g. All the schoolgirls ____________________________ the new P.E. teacher.

76. curiosity killed the cat = showing too much interest in other people’s affairs can be dangerous or harmful to one.

e.g. Shirley is a talkative person who likes gossiping the others. However, ___________________________________ - she receives complaints from her schoolmates and teachers. Finally, she seems to be isolated and they are no longer willing to tell her everything.

77. cut _________ on (something) =to reduce something considerably.

e.g. The Government is planning to _________________ public spending for the construction of the airport.

78. a dark ___________ (黑馬) = a person about whose abilities little is known

e.g. We knew how three of the four competitors would perform, but the fourth was a _____________________.

refer: a 19^th century racing slang.

79. Those were the __________ = the time we are talking about was a good one.

e.g. When I was a child, an ice-cream cost a halfpenny - ________________________.

80. in deep ___________ = in great difficulties or trouble

e.g. He found himself __________________________ when he took over the management of the firm.

81. beat the ___________ (for someone or something) = to try to attract public notice/attention.

e.g. We try to persuade well-known personalities to ________________________ for our latest product.

refer: from the former use of a drum to attract attention to a person making an announcement in a public place.

82. between the ___________ and the deep blue sea = faced with a choice between 2 risky or undesirable courses of action.

e.g. Faced with a choice between starving to death and emigrating, they were ________ ____________________________________________.

83. die ___________ = to struggle hard against death

e.g. Old customs ____________________.

e.g. The man _______________ to save the girl's life.

84. dog eat ________ = a situation in which one has to cplete ruthlessly

e.g. Raymond is not ambitious and hates the ____________________ business world.

85. the days/nights are ______________ in = the days are getting quickly shorter and the nights longer, as happens in early autumn.

e.g. Now that the days are ___________________. I like to leave work early and get home before dark.

86. dressed to ___________ = dressed in one’s best clothes to attract attention.

e.g. James was ____________________ for the interview.

87. drop _________ = to fall asleep (= ____________ off)

e.g. Tommy was so tired he _______________ in front of the teacher during the lesson.

88. drop ___________ = to withdraw (from university/college).

e.g. Ivy has ________________ from school and is working in a fast-food shop.

89. a ____________ duck = a helpless or inefficient person.

e.g. Her house was always full of _________________ who need help.

e.g. Chris Patten was regarded as a ________________ governor.

90. like a __________ uncle = in a scolding manner

e.g. Just because he's older than me, doesn't give him the right to talk to me _______________________________.

Refer: Supposedly from the Dutch reputation for severe family discipline.

91. fall on _________ ears = not to be listened/paid attention to

e.g. His advice ________________________________.

92. lend an __________ = to listen carefully

e.g. If you will all __________________, I shall explain the arrangements for our staff outing.

93. an early ____________ = a person who gains advantage by acting more promptly than others.

e.g. You have to be _____________________ if you want to get a bargain at an auction sale.

refer: from the saying "the early bird catches the worm", meaning that those who act most promptly are the ones most likely to be successful in obtaining what they want.

94. easy _______, easy _______ = refer to something which one gets without much effort

e.g. Dennis has different girlfriends every time I see him - it's a case of _________________________, I think.

95. take it _________ = not to work hard/not to get upset

e.g. Take it _________ - you don't have to finish the job until tomorrow.

96. at a low _______ = a poor or depressed state

e.g. She was _____________________ after the operation.

97. a bad ________ = completely worthless person

e.g. I never really liked her husband - I always felt he was ________________.

98. put all one's eggs in one ___________ = to depend entirely on the success of one scheme, plan...etc

e.g. You should apply for more than one job - don't ____________________________.

99. make an _____________ of (someone) = to punish (someone) as a warning to others

e.g. The judge decided to ____________________________ the young thief and sent him to prison for five years.

100. set (someone) an _____________ = to act in such as (good) way that others will copy one’s behaviour.

e.g. Teachers must ___________ their pupils ____________________________.

101. at the _____________ of (someone or something) = causing harm, embarrassment to someone/something.

e.g. She pursued her ambitions _________________________ her marriage.

e.g. The Government constructed the airport railway line ________________________ the provision of social facilities.

102. ________ one's eyes to (something) = to ignore (something)

e.g. Mr. Lui _________________________ his students’ misbehaviour.

103. _____________ to ________________ = in direct confrontation just for discussion

e.g. The Prime Minister has never discussed the matter with the President _________ ________________________.

104. an ______ for an ________ = a punishment exactly the same as the offense committed.

e.g. She wants him to lose his jobs as he made her lose hers - she believes in the principle of __________________________.

refer: A Biblical reference to Exodus 21:23, often considered to sum, up the stern moral code of the Old testament.

105. ____________ (someone's) eyes to (something) = to make (someone) see or understand.

e.g. His trip to Africa ______________________ to the poverty of underdeveloped countries.

106. see _____ to ______ = to be in agreement

e.g. We've never _______________________ about this matter.

refer: From an interpretation of an obscure phrase in the Bible - Isaiah 52:8 - which the New English Bible re-translates as "see with their own eyes".

107. turn a ___________ eye (to something) = to pretend not to see or notice (something)

e.g. Because he works so hard, his boss _________________________ when he comes in late.

108. with one's eyes _________ = with full awareness of what one is doing.

e.g. I knew that the job would involve - I went into it __________________________.

109. ______ to ________ = both or all people concerned actually being present.

e.g. They finally met _______________ to discuss the problem.

110. ________ face = to suffer a loss of respect/reputation

e.g. You will really lose face if you are defeated in the tennis match against a younger player.

refer: no. 110 and 111 - they were first used by English-speaking residents in China. Lose face is a translation of the Chinese tiu lien (丟臉).

111. _________ (one's/someone's) face = to prevent from appearing stupid or wrong

e.g. I refuse to accept the responsibility for that error just to ____________________ - it's your fault.

112. ________ one's face against (something) = to oppose very determinedly

e.g. There is no point trying to persuade him - he has ____________________________ the project and he won't change his mind.

refer: a Hebrew idiom from the Bible - Leviticus 20:3.

113. a false ________ = a mistake

e.g. He made a ____________________ in not informing the police.

114. a ____________ tree = a plan showing a person’s ancestors

e.g. If you want to know the relationship of the present Queen of Britain to the Stuart kings, you must consult her ______________________.

115. _____________ free = not lin love with anyone

e.g. She went out with many men in the days when she was _________________, but after she met her future husband, she gave them all up.

refer: from Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream II.i.

116. so far, so ________ = the operation has been successful up to now

e.g. We've built the walls of the shed - _________________________. Now we have to build the roof.

117. after a ______________ = in a way, but not very well

e.g. Terry: I want to travel to Europe, but I don't know how to speak German, French, Spanish...

Amy: It doesn't matter. Christie knows a little. She can speak _______________, but that's enough.

Terry: Ok, is she really interested to go with me?

118. killed the __________ calf = to have great celebration to welcome someone especially someone whom one has not seen for a long time.

e.g. Terrence: Vicky Shum is coming back to Hong Kong. How would we celebrate?

Aaron: Let's _______________________, cos' she is our best friend.

refer: A Biblical reference, to the parable of the Prodigal Son - Luke 15.

119. live off the ________ of the land = to live in a very luxurious manner

e.g. His opponents accused him of _________________________________ and not doing any work.

e.g. Son, what are you doing here? You always sleep without doing anything. Don't _______________________________ any more.

refer: A Biblical reference, to Genesis 45:18.

120. fine __________ make fine birds = people often appear attractive because they are expensively dressed.

e.g. Linda: Look! Nancy's dress is beautiful! It may be quite expensive.

Nancy: Well, it costs $6,000. Am I attractive today?

Linda: Of course!

Lydia: Rubbish! Have you heard that ______________________________ ? One may look attractive if one can dress so expensive like that.

121. fish in ______________ waters = to take advantage of a disturbance, difficulties, problems, etc to obtain benefits

e.g. During the war, his company had been quietly ____________________________ by selling electronic communication systems to both sides.

122. a ________ market = shops selling second-hand goods, especially clothes

e.g. She buys a lot of her more bizarre clothes in a __________________ in Repulse Bay.

refer: From the famous Marche aux Puces in Paris.

123. flesh and ___________ = someone’s relation; family

e.g. She is my own ______________________. I should help her first whenever she has difficulties.

124. _________ at the mouth = to be extremely angry

e.g. The children's work was particularly bad that day, and by the afternoon Mr. Lui was ______________________________

125. nobody's _________=a sensible person

e.g. He tells her lies, but she's __________________ and she doesn't believe him.

126. a ________ hand = freedom to do whatever one likes

e.g. He gave her _________________ with the servants.

127. make ______ of (someone) = to laugh at (someone), usually unkindly

e.g. They _____________________ her because she wore such old-fashioned clothes.

128. ___________ opportunity = a very good or favourable chance

e.g. When you were speaking to the boss you should have asked for a higher salary - you missed a _________________________.

129. kill the goose that lays the golden ________ = to destroy something which is a source of profit to oneself.

e.g. He often makes use of her to make money. This time, I have to _______________ ________________________________.

130. the grass is always ___________ on the other side of the fence = the others are in a better or more favourable position than oneself.

e.g. Many people want to emigrate to Canada. Is it really true that ____________ _____________________________?

132. a _________ belt = open land surrounding a town or a city.

e.g. You will not get permission to build houses in that area - it is a _______________.

133. the green __________ = permission to begin doing something

e.g. We can't start until we get the __________________.

134. hands ________! = do not touch or take

e.g. I have bought a new cake. ___________________! We have to wait for Albert to sing the birthday song.

135. have a heart of _________ = very kind, generous, worthy person.

e.g. My wife is rather fierce-looking, but she has a _________________________.

136. heart and _________ = whole-heartedly

e.g. She devoted herself ______________________ to working for the church.

137. run _________ = to be excited, angry (usually excitement/happiness/feelings run _________)

e.g. Feelings ______________ at the Christmas party. They sang songs and danced together.

138. hope ___________ hope = to continue hoping (that something will not happen)

e.g. Their cat had been missing for six weeks but they were still ___________________ that it would come back to them.

refer: A Biblical allusion, to Romans 4:18.

139. _________-blooded = passionate; having strong sexual feelings

e.g. He is too _________________ to keep away from women for long.

e.g. She is too _________________ to accept criticism calmly.

140. like hot ___________ =very quickly (disappear/sell)

e.g. These old books are going/selling ____________________. They must be very interesting.

141. break the _______ = to overcome the first shyness, etc in a new situation

e.g. Let's __________________ by inviting our new neighbours for a meal.

142. every ____________= completely; entirely

e.g. He is ________________ a nobleman.

143. the Iron _____________ = the barrier, considered to exist between Communist countries and other countries, that prevent free communication and trading.

e.g. I have a nephew living behind _________________________.

Refer: the idiom dates from 1920, but was made popular by Winston Churchill's use of it in a speech in 1946. It may derive ultimately from the use of an iron curtain as a fire precaution in theatres.

144. an _____________ tower = a way of living in which one is protected from all the difficult and unpleasant features of life.

e.g. You live in ____________________ - you have no idea of the problems faced by ordinary people!

refer: A phrase - la tour d'ivoire - coined in 1837 by the French poet Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve.

145. for ___________ = for ever

g. Good friends are ___________________.

146. the kiss of ___________ = something which causes ruin, death etc

e.g. A recommendation from him would be ________________.

refer: A Biblical reference, to the kiss by means of which Judas betrayed Jesus - Matthew 26: Mark 14.

147. for all I/we/she... ____________ = because I don’t know anything about the subject (usually implies that either one ought to have been informed or that one has no interests).

e.g. ___________________ she might be dead - I haven't heard from her for years.

148. half a _________ is better than no bread = some is better than none.

Joyce: I'm very worried about my examination results. I've got only the second position.

Janice: You are not satisfied?_____________________________________ You perform well in the examination.

149. __________ late than never = it is better that something should happen, occur rather later than one would have wished than not at all.

e.g. Although his father's death makes him down, _______________________, it may be good to him.

150. a ________ in the dark = an action, decision whose results cannot be forseen

e.g. Since he was quite unknown as an artist, employing him to paint such an important picture was rather _______________________.

151. in the _____________ =in a situation or position where one attracts a great deal of attention from the public

e.g. Members of the Royal Family spend their whole lives ____________________.

refer: From a type of brilliant light formerly used for spotlights in theatres.

152. pay ______-service to (something) = to pretend to agree with something without really doing so.

e.g. She has stopped even ______________________ the rules.

e.g. The government _____________________ to the construction of a new stadium in our district. The plan is never implemented.

153. a ___________-go-round =an activity in which one seems to be busy without making any progress

e.g. Trying to tidy the house while the children are at home is just ________________.

154. burn the midnight _____ = to work or study until late at night

e.g. You must have been __________________________ to get that essay finished - yesterday you had hardly started it.

refer: Apparently a not uncommon literary image in the 17^th century.

155. a ________stone (里程碑) = a very important event

e.g. The discovery of penicillin was a milestone in medical history.

refer: Literally, a stone set at the side of the road to show the distance from a given town.

156. one in a _____________ (萬中無一) = something that is very special

e.g. His wife has been wonderful throughout his illness - she is one in a million.

157. have a big ____________ = often cannot keep secrets well

e.g. Your sister's got ___________________ - I might have known she would tell everyone our secret!

158. a nail in (someone's) ___________ = something which is very bad for someone’s health.

e.g. Every cigarette you smoke is another ________________________.

159. ___________-minded = unwilling to accept ideas different from one’s own

e.g. He is so ____________________ that he disapproves of all young people.

160. no news is ________ news = if one has had no information about a person, it means that all is well.

e.g. Jenny: Have you heard something from the disciplinary board? I have broken the blackboard.

Sharon: _______________________________!

161. nip (something) in the ________ = to stop something as soon as it starts

e.g. The managers ___________ the strike ___________________________.

refer: From the gardener's method of preventing a plant from flowering.

162. strike the right ________ = do something which is pleasing

e.g. The Prime Minister's speech just _______________________________. It may get a lot of support from the public.

refer: a musical idiom.

163. in a ____________ =in short

e.g. It would take hours to describe exactly what happened, but __________________ he tried to make us look silly and failed.

164. pour oil on ________________ waters = try to calm down and soothe a person in a difficult situation.

e.g. He is always getting into arguments with people, and his wife spends a lot of time __________________________________.

165. pass ___________ = die

e.g. Her father ___________________ last night due to heart attack.

166. beyond ____________ = invaluable which can’t be compared with money

e.g. Good health is _____________________.

167. a _____________ eye = a private detective

e.g. He employed a ____________________ to find out if his wife was having an affair with another man.

168. Rome was not _________ in a day = it is difficult/important that something can’t be achieved within a short period of time.

e.g. Don't give up yet. Although your English is not very good, you can practise every day. _________________________________________. Be patient.

169. when in Rome, do as the _____________ do (入鄉隨俗)= it is wise to copy the behaviour of people who are used to the circumstances

e.g. It is hard to adapt to the environment in Thailand. But _________________ ____________________. I pretend living happily with them.

170. ______________-stamp (橡皮圖章) = to give official approval to a decision actually made by somebody else

e.g. The President was accused of merely __________________________ policies devised by his political advisors.

Refer: From the practice of using a rubber stamp instead of an individually written signature.

171. build on ___________ = try to establish something without sufficient support

e.g. Their marriage was ________________________ because they had absolutely nothing in common.

refer: A Biblical reference to Matthew 7:26.

172. a _______________-class citizen = a member of a group which does not have full rights and privilege

e.g. Hong Kong people emigrated to USA are treated as ________________________.

173. steal the ____________= to attract attention in an event

e.g. Michael Jackson __________________________ today in Palladium in London.

174. silence is _______________ (沉默是金) = it’s better not to say anything in a situation. e.g. Don't argue any more. ________________________________.

175. _________ time (消磨時間) = to find something to do to use up spare time

e.g. I'm just _________________________ until I hear whether I've got a job or not.

176. lose ___________ with = lose contact with

e.g. If you don't write regularly, you will soon _____________________ him.

177. ups and ___________ = happy and sad moments

e.g. We all have our ____________________, therefore, don't feel too worried about that.

178. _____________ have ears = a secret conversation can still be overheard

e.g. Don't say so loud! ______________________________!

179. __________ off = getting rich

e.g. He is very ________________ since he is the son of the millionaire.

180. a ____________ lie =a lie told due to good intentions

e.g. I'd rather tell my mother __________________ than tell her the truth and upset her.

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