above par 20415

above par
better than average or normal. His work is above par, so he should get paid better

take someone to task 20414

take someone to task
to scold or reprimand someone. The teacher took John to task for his bad behavior. I lost a big contract, and the boss took me to task in front of everyone.

the dice are loaded against somebody 20413

the dice are loaded against somebody

if the dice are loaded against someone, they are not likely to succeed When I realized I was the only male applicant I knew that the dice were loaded against me

dog-tired (informal)20412

dog-tired (informal)
extremely tired He usually got home at around seven o'clock, dog-tired after a long day in the office.

Agony aunt 20411

Agony aunt
An agony aunt is a newspaper columnist who gives advice to people having problems, especially personal ones

squeaking wheel gets the oil and squeaky wheel gets the oil 20410

squeaking wheel gets the oil and squeaky wheel gets the oil

Prov. People who complain the most will get attention or what they want. If you don't get good service at the hotel, make sure to tell the manager that you're dissatisfied. The squeaking wheel gets the oil.

the top of the tree 20409

the top of the tree (British & Australian)

if someone is at the top of the tree, they are at the highest position in their job or in an organization Who would have guessed that she would get to the top of the tree before her clever and talented brother?

of late (slightly formal)20408

of late (slightly formal)

recently She hasn't been feeling well of late.

put something on the map 20407

put something on the map
Fig. to make some place famous or popular. The good food you serve here will really put this place on the map. Nothing like a little scandal to put an otherwise sleepy town on the map.

kill the fatted calf 20406

kill the fatted calf

Fig. to prepare an elaborate banquet (in someone's honor). (From the biblical story recounting the return of the prodigal son.) When Bob got back from college, his parents killed the fatted calf and threw a great party. Sorry this meal isn't much, John. We didn't have time to kill the fatted calf.

be full of piss and vinegar (American very informal)20405

be full of piss and vinegar (American very informal)
to have a lot of energy He's full of piss and vinegar this morning

funny isn't it 20404

tiene guasa

take the liberty of doing something 20403

take the liberty of doing something

to do something for someone voluntarily; to do something slightly personal for someone that would be more appropriate if one knew the person better. (Often used as an overly polite exaggeration in a request.) Do you mind if I take the liberty of flicking a bit of lint off your collar? May I take the liberty of removing your coat? I took the liberty of ordering an entree for you. I hope you don't mind.

cards are stacked against (one)2402

cards are stacked against (one)
[informal] luck is against one. I have the worst luck. The cards are stacked against me all the time. How can I accomplish anything when the cards are stacked against me?

blow something sky-high 2401

blow something sky-high
to make something that someone is trying to achieve fail completely, often by telling people something which should have been a secret He blew the whole deal sky-high by telling the newspapers about it.

spring-clean·ing 2400

A thorough cleaning, especially of a residence when winter is over.

a soldier of fortune 20399

a soldier of fortune (literary)
someone who fights for any country or group that will pay him A soldier of fortune in the service of both Christian and Muslim kings, he was constantly fighting from 1065

Cast one's bread upon the waters 20398

Cast one's bread upon the waters.

Prov. Act generous because you feel it is right and not because you expect a reward. (Biblical.) Joseph is casting his bread upon the waters, supporting Bob while he works on his novel Cast your bread upon the waters; make a generous contribution to our cause.

see someone or something in a new light 20397

see someone or something in a new light
Fig. to understand someone or something in a different way [than before]. After we had a little discussion, I began to see Fred in a new light. I can now see the problem in a new light

Football's a game of two halves 20396

Football's a game of two halves
If something's a game of two halves, it means that it's possible for someone's fortunes or luck to change and the person who's winning could end up a loser.

Back foot 20395

Back foot
If you are on your back foot, you are at a disadvantage and forced to be defensive of your position.

Aunt Sally 20394

Aunt Sally [ˈsælɪ]
n pl -lies Brit
1. a figure of an old woman's head, typically with a clay pipe, used in fairgrounds and fêtes as a target for balls or other objects
2. any person who is a target for insults or criticism
3. something set up as a target for disagreement or attack

unfair competition 20393

Unjust and often illegal attempt to gain unfair competitive advantage through false, fraudulent, or unethical commercial conduct. Examples include below-cost selling, counterfeiting or imitation, dumping, misleading advertising, rumor mongering, trademark or trade secret infringement.

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/unfair-competition.html#ixzz10Rhd7CCK

A bridge too far 20392

A bridge too far
A bridge too far is an act of overreaching- going too far and getting into trouble or failing.

so clean you could eat off the floor 20391

so clean you could eat off the floor

[of a room or a house] very clean. Her kitchen is so clean you could eat off the floor! It's so clean here you could eat off the floor. I prefer a little mess, myself

down-and-out 20390

down-and-out
adj
(Sociology) without any means of livelihood; impoverished and, often, socially outcast
n
(Sociology) a person who is destitute and, often, homeless; a social outcast or derelict

Struck dumb 20389

Struck dumb If someone is struck dumb, they are unable to speak because
they are so surprised, shocked or frightened by something.
"The accused was struck dumb when the verdict was announced."

'One over the eight 20388

'One over the eight'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meaning
Someone who is one over the eight is drunk.
British English


Someone who has had one over the eight is very drunk indeed. It refers to the standard eight pints that most people drink and feel is enough.

come on 20387

2. Slang To show sexual interest in someone: trying to come on to me during the party

carry coals to Newcastle 20386

carry coals to Newcastle

carry coals to Newcastle
Prov. to do something unnecessary; to do something that is redundant or duplicative. (Newcastle is an English town from which coal was shipped to other parts of England.) Mr. Smith is so rich he doesn't need any more money. To give him a gift certificate is like carrying coals to Newcastle

- to bring something of which you have much of somewhere, to duplicate something (Newcastle is a town in England where there is much coal)

Bringing extra food to the farmer`s picnic was like bringing coals to Newcastle.

catch someone napping 20385

catch someone napping and catch someone off balance; catch someone up short
to come upon someone who is unprepared; to surprise someone. (See also asleep at the switch.) The enemy soldiers caught our army napping. The thieves caught the security guard napping. I didn't expect you so soon. You caught me off balance. The teacher asked a trick question and caught me up short. The robbers caught Ann off balance and stole her purse

A lost ball in the high weeds 20384

A lost ball in the high weeds
A lost ball in the high weeds is someone who does not know what they are doing, where they are or how to do something.

cut through red tape 20383

cut through red tape
Fig. to eliminate or neutralize something complicated, such as bureaucratic rules and procedures. I will try to cut through all the red tape for you so you get your visa on time. I am sure someone can help us cut through all this red tape

take five 20382

take five

Sl. to take a five-minute rest period; to take a short break. Okay, everybody. Take five! Hey, Bob. I'm tired. Can we take five?

shy away from somebody 20381

shy away from somebody
to avoid someone She shied away from reporters during her brief visit to this country

all the time in the world 20380

all the time in the world
an unlimited amount of time She made me feel as if she had all the time in the world for me, even though she's very busy.

To elbow one's way 20379

To elbow one's way


to force one's way by pushing with the elbows; as, to elbow one's way through a crowd.

abrirse paso ante la multitud

cordon off 20378

Verb 1. cordon off - divide by means of a rope; "The police roped off the area where the crime occurred"

suck up 20377

suck up Slang
To behave obsequiously; fawn

mirage 20376

mirage
An optical phenomenon that creates the illusion of water, often with inverted reflections of distant objects, and results from distortion of light by alternate

espejismo

smoke-filled room 20375

smoke-filled room

a room where a small group of people make important decisions. (Usually used in reference to political parties.) The smoke-filled rooms are still producing the candidates for most offices, despite all the political reforms. The deal was cut in a smoke-filled room

Time and tide wait for no man 20374

Time and tide wait for no man
Meaning

No one is so powerful that they can stop the march of time

el tiempo no perdona

THE BUCK STOPS HERE 20373

THE BUCK STOPS HERE

PROBLEMS ARE RESOLVED HERE.
"A LOT OF PEOPLE TRY TO PASS PROBLEMS ON TO OTHER PEOPLE. AT MY DESK, HOWEVER, THE BUCK STOPS HERE."

DON'T GIVE UP THE DAY JOB 20372

DON'T GIVE UP THE DAY JOB

YOU ARE NOT VERY GOOD AT THAT. YOU COULD DEFINITELY NOT DO IT PROFESSIONALLY.

"I REALLY LIKE THE WAY YOU SING BUT DON'T GIVE UP YOUR DAY

drink to excess 20371

drink to excess

Euph. to drink too much alcohol; to drink alcohol continually. Mr. Franklin drinks to excess. Some people drink to excess only at parties.

see a man about a dog 20370

Excuse oneself without giving the real reason for leaving, especially to go to the toilet or have an alcoholic drink. For example, Excuse me, I have to see a man about a dog. This euphemistic term dates from the Prohibition days of the 1920s, when buying liquor was illegal, and, after repeal, was transferred to other circumstances.

Burn not your house to fright the mouse away 20369

Burn not your house to fright the mouse away.
Prov. Do not do something drastic when it is not necessary. Ellen: I don't like the shape of my nose; I think I'll have surgery to make it look better. Jane: But you can make your nose look better just by using different makeup. Don't burn your house to fright the mouse away. When someone pointed out a small flaw in Bob's latest painting, Bob wanted to tear the whole painting to shreds. "Now, now, Bob," his friends said, "burn not your house to fright the mouse away

up to the minute 20368

up to the minute means "the most recent information"
Example: I wish I knew more about what is happening in the capital city. We need more up to the minute news.

fill in for someone 20367

fill in for someone means "do their work while they are away"
Example: While I was away from the store, my brother filled in for

have a good run for your money 20366

have a good run for your money
to have a long period of success or enjoyment I've achieved a lot in my life and I feel I've had a good run for my money.

once in a while 20365

once in a while
now and then; occasionally

The age of miracles is past 20364

The age of miracles is past.
Prov. Miracles do not happen nowadays. I'm afraid this old vacuum cleaner can't be fixed. The age of miracles is past.

boxed on the table 20363

boxed on the table

Sl. died on the (operating) table. (Medical.) The surgeon did the best job possible, but the patient boxed on the table. Another patient boxed on the table. That's three this month

Time flies when you're having fun 20362

Time flies when you're having fun.

something that you say which means that time passes quickly when you are enjoying yourself
Usage notes: Often used humorously when you are talking about an activity which was not enjoyable.
'I can't believe we've spent four hours cleaning this carpet.' 'Well, time flies when you're having fun.'

a figure of fun 20361

a figure of fun

someone who people laugh at because they seem silly or stupid She's fed up with being treated as a figure of fun and insists that her ideas deserve serious attention

That's/There's one for the books 20360

That's/There's one for the books. (British, American & Australian informal) also That's/There's a turn-up for the books. (British & Australian informal)
something that you say when something strange or surprising happens My sister stayed in on a Saturday night! There's one for the books. That's a turn-up for the books - a Frenchman who loves English food.

burn your fingers also have/get your fingers burned/burnt 20359

burn your fingers also have/get your fingers burned/burnt
to suffer unpleasant results of an action, especially loss of money, so you are not keen to try the same thing again Many investors burn their fingers when they are tempted by get-rich-quick schemes. Several art dealers got their fingers burned on old master paintings that later turned out to be fakes.

bite the big one 20357

bite the big one
Sl. to die. I was so tired that I thought I was going to bite the big one. I hope I am old and gray when I bite the big one.

Dog Gets Helmet After Almost Biting the Big One Twice

Love is blind, marriage is the eye-opener 20356

Love is blind, marriage is the eye-opener

•Give a man a fish and you feed him 20355

•Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

A hedge between keeps friendship green 20354

A hedge between keeps friendship green.

Prov. Your friendship will flourish if you and your friend respect each other's privacy. Lynne and I are the best of friends, but we often like to spend time apart. A hedge between keeps friendship green

Necessity is the mother of invention 20353

Necessity is the mother of invention.
Prov. When people really need to do something, they will figure out a way to do it. When the fan belt on Linda's car broke in the middle of the desert, Linda used her stockings as a replacement. Necessity is the mother of invention.

DEAR 20352

3.
a. High-priced; expensive

God willing 20351

God willing.
If God wants it to happen. (An expression indicating that there is a high certainty that something will happen, so high that only God could prevent it.) John: Please try to be on time. Alice: I'll be there on time, God willing. Bob: Will I see you after your vacation? Mary: Of course, God willing.
See also: god, willing

SI DIOS QUIERE

If you cannot bite, never show your teeth 20350

If you cannot bite, never show your teeth = Don't bark, if you can't bite

Why keep a dog and bark yourself? 20349

Why keep a dog and bark yourself?
Prov. You should not do something you have hired someone else to do. Ellen: The cleaning lady washes my floors every Tuesday, but I always wash them over again. Jane: Don't be silly, Ellen. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

make the fur fly and make the feathers fly 20348

make the fur fly and make the feathers fly

Fig. to cause a fight or an argument; to create an uproar. When your mother gets home and sees what you've done, she'll really make the fur fly. When those two get together, they'll make the feathers fly. They hate each other.

change tack also try a different tack 20347

change tack also try a different tack
to start using a different method for dealing with a situation, especially in the way that you communicate I've been very pleasant with them so far but if they don't cooperate, I may have to change tack. Instead of always asking him what he wants, why don't you try a different tack and tell him what you want?

way-out (informal)20346

way-out (informal)
new, different and often strange He produced some really way-out designs for the opera house.

take a turn for the worse 20345

take a turn for the worse
to start to get worse. It appeared that she was going to get well; then, unfortunately, she took a turn for the worse. My job was going quite well; then last week things took a turn for the worse

take it on the lam 20344

take it on the lam
Sl. to get out of town; to run away. (Underworld.) Both crooks took it on the lam when things got hot. Walt knew that the time had come to take it on the LAM

COGER LAS DE VILLADIEGO

drape/wrap yourself in the flag 20343

drape/wrap yourself in the flag
to pretend to do something for your country when you are really doing it for your own advantage

inside a week 20342

inside a week

in less than a week. We must get all this sorted out inside a week; all right? We've got inside a week to get it right

rough justice 20341

rough justice

a punishment that is not fair or is too severe New evidence suggests that the girls were given rough justice.

miscarriage of justice 20340

miscarriage of justice

a wrong or mistaken decision, especially one made in a court of law. Sentencing the old man on a charge of murder proved to be a miscarriage of justice. Punishing the student for cheating was a miscarriage of justice. He was innocent.

bat a thousand 20339

bat a thousand

- be successful in everything that you do

The salesman was batting a thousand during his sales trip to Europe.

dirty old man 20338

dirty old man
n. Informal
A middle-aged or elderly man with lewd or lecherous inclinations

hunky dory 20337

Meaning

Satisfactory; fine.

Origin
There's no agreed derivation of the expression 'hunky-dory'. It is American and the earliest example of it in print that I have found is from a collection of US songs, George Christy's Essence of Old Kentucky, 1862:

be in your cups (old-fashioned)20336

be in your cups (old-fashioned)

to be very drunk When he was in his cups he would recite lines of poetry in a loud voice

skip rope 20335

skip rope

to jump over an arc of rope that is swung beneath one's feet then over one's head, repeatedly. The children skipped rope on the playground. The boxer skipped rope while training.

vegan 20334

1.[noun] a strict vegetarian; someone who eats no animal or dairy products at all

Beam 20333

Beam 12
Definition: Fig.: A ray; a gleam; as, a beam of comfort.

wince (wns)20332

wince (wns)
intr.v. winced, winc·ing, winc·es
To shrink or start involuntarily, as in pain or distress; flinch.
n.
A shrinking or startled movement or gesture.

•send shivers (up and) down your spine 20331

•send shivers (up and) down your spine
to make you feel suddenly frightened or excited
Her amazing singing voice sends shivers down your spine.

no hard and fast rules 20330

no hard and fast rules

if there are no hard and fast rules, there are no clear rules which you must obey There are no hard and fast rules about how much weight you can safely gain in pregnancy

trait 20329

trait

1. [n] - a distinguishing feature of your personal nature

bliss 20328

(n.) Orig., blithesomeness; gladness; now, the highest degree of happiness; blessedness; exalted felicity; heavenly joy.
Bliss: words in the definition
Blessedness, Degree, Exalted, Felicity, Gladness, Happiness, Heavenly, Joy, Now, Of, The,

grimace 20327

grim·ace (grms, gr-ms)
n.
A sharp contortion of the face expressive of pain, contempt, or disgust.
intr.v. grim·aced, grim·ac·ing, grim·ac·es
To make a sharp contortion of the face.

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fill someone's shoes 20326

fill someone's shoes

Fig. to take the place of some other person and do that person's work satisfactorily. (As if you were wearing the other person's shoes.) I don't know how we'll be able to do without you. No one can fill your shoes. It'll be difficult to fill Jane's shoes. She did her job very well.
See also: fill

ooth as glass and *smooth as silk 20325

ooth as glass and *smooth as silk
Cliché smooth and shiny. (often used to describe calm bodies of water. *Also: as ~.) The bay is as smooth as glass, so we should have a pleasant boat trip. This custard is smooth as silk.
See also: smooth

somebody's blood is up 20324

somebody's blood is up
if someone's blood is up, they are very angry or excited about something and may act in a violent way Now Tom's blood was up - he ran at Bob waving his fists

It's all over bar the shouting 20323

It's all over bar the shouting. (British & Australian)

something that you say when the result of an event or situation is certain The Italian team played superbly, and by half-time it was all over bar the shouting (= it was certain they would

straightforward 20322

straightforward [streɪt'fɔ:wəd] adjetivo
1 (persona) honrado,-a
(persona, respuesta) franco,-a
2 sencillo,-a

salvage 20321

sal·vage (slvj)
n.
1.
a. The rescue of a ship, its crew, or its cargo from fire or shipwreck.
b. The ship, crew, or cargo so rescued.
c. Compensation given to those who voluntarily aid in such a rescue.
2.
a. The act of saving imperiled property from loss.
b. The property so saved.
3. Something saved from destruction or waste and put to further use.
tr.v. sal·vaged, sal·vag·ing, sal·vag·es
1. To save from loss or destruction.
2. To save (discarded or damaged material) for further use.


salvation

reputedly 20320

reputedly [rɪˈpjuːtɪdlɪ]
adv
according to general belief or supposition the reputedly excellent food