Death on someone or something: harmful to
e.g. This road is so rough that
it’s death on car tires.
Out on a limb: in a dangerous or risky position
e.g. If you go against my better
judgment, you will be out on a limb.
Dog in the manger: a very selfish person
e.g. Don’t be a dog in the
manger! You no longer need this; why don’t you give it to us?
Trump up: make up
something untrue
e.g. The witness trumped up an excuse
why he lied previously.
Poke one’s nose into something: interfere with
e.g. I don’t like the way you poke your nose into my
affairs.
Run in the family: a characteristic in all members of a family
e.g. Longevity runs in the family: they all
live to a ripe old age.
Above all: most
importantly
e.g. Above all, you must have a valid visa if
you wish to continue to stay in the United States
Have it coming:
deserve what one gets
e.g. Failure was unavoidable. What you did had it coming.
A little bird told me: somehow I knew
e.g. “How did you know what I did?” “Well, a
little bird told me.”
Tie up: engage
or occupy in doing something
e.g. He was tied up at the meeting, and
could not come to the phone.
All at sea: confused
e.g. The lawyer was all at sea when he
read the two conflicting reports of the incident.
As flat as a pancake: very flat
e.g. You left front wheel tires is as flat as a
pancake.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
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