| Idiom / Saying | Explanation |
|---|---|
To get on your bike. For example: Norman Tebbit told the unemployed of Britain to get on their bikes and find work elsewhere. |
To get moving. |
On yer bike! For example: He said "On yer bike" when I asked him for more money. |
An impolite way of telling someone to go away. |
To be in the same boat. For example: She's always complaining that she has too much work, but we're all in the same boat. |
To be in the same situation (usually unpleasant) as other people. |
Car boot sale. For example: You can pick up a lot of bargains at a car boot sale. |
An event in a public place where people sell their unwanted possessions, often from the backs of their cars. |
To have a face like the back end of a bus. For example: "Quasimodo has a face like the back end of a bus, but he is really nice." |
To be really ugly. |
Car pool. For example: "Could you deliver this package for me? Use a car from the pool." |
A group of cars owned by a company or other organization which can be used by any of its employees. |
Drive a hard bargain. For example: "We got a good price in the end, but he drives a hard bargain." |
To expect a lot in exchange for what you pay or do |
Drive someone round the bend. For example: "The children have been driving me round the bend all day." |
To make someone very bored or very angry. |
Drive someone up the wall. For example: "My neighbours are driving me up the wall with their loud music." |
To make someone extremely angry. |
Test drive. For example: "I took it out for a test drive before I bought it." |
To drive a car that you are considering buying, in order to see if you like it. |
Flight of fancy. For example: "Clean nuclear fuel is a real flight of fancy." |
An idea which shows a lot of imagination but which is not practical. |
Take flight. For example: "The children took flight when they say the farmer." |
To run away. |
Top flight. For example: "David Beckham is a top flight footballer." |
To be at the highest level in a job or sport. |
Hit and run. For example: "The police are hunting a hit and run driver."
|
This idiom describes a road accident in which the driver who caused the accident drives away without helping the other people involved and without telling the police. |
End of the line. For example: "This project has struggled on for as long as it could, but it's reached the end of the line now." |
The point where it is no longer possible to continue with a process or activity. |
Port of call. For example: "Where's our next port of call?" |
A place where you stop for a short time, especially on a journey. |
Any port in a storm. For example: "I didn't want to stay with my mother, but any port in a storm." |
If you are in a difficult situation you will go anywhere for help. |
Go off the rails. For example: "Prince Harry has really gone of the rails recently." |
to start behaving in a way that is not generally acceptable, especially dishonestly or illegally: |
Down the road. For example: "One day I will have video capability on the site, but that's a long way down the road." |
Sometime in the future |
The end of the road. For example: "We will have to give up on this project, it's reached the end of the road." |
The point where it is no longer possible to continue with a process or activity. |
To get the show on the road. For example: "Let's get this show on the road." |
To begin an activity that has been planned. |
To hit the road. For example: "I must be going, I need to hit the road to catch my train." |
To leave a place or begin a journey. |
Middle of the road (MOR). For example: "He only likes MOR music." |
This idiom describes a person, organization, opinion or type of entertainment that is not extreme and is acceptable to or liked by most people. |
One for the road. For example: "Do you fancy one for the road before you go?" |
To have one last an alcoholic drink just before leaving. |
Road hog. For example: "I have never liked his driving, he is such a road hog." |
Someone who drives so that other vehicles cannot go past. |
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. No example necessary. |
said to emphasize that you must not simply intend to behave well but you must act according to your intentions, because you will have problems or be punished if you do not. |
Ship someone off. For example: "Rich parents often ship their children off to boarding school." |
To send someone away somewhere. |
Shape up or ship out. No example necessary. |
Said to tell someone that they must improve their performance or behaviour or they will have to leave. |
To be just the ticket. For example:- "If you want to improve your English, this websiste is just the ticket." |
Used to describe that something is exactly what is needed. |
Off the beaten track. For example: "The hotel is difficult to find, it is really off the beaten track." |
A
place where few people go, far from any main roads and towns. |
On track. For example: "It looks as though the crisis is over. We're back on track." |
If something is on track it's making progress and is likely to achieve something. To get or put something back on track means to correct something that was going wrong. |
The fast track. For example: He won't be working in this office for very long, he's on the fast track to management. |
The quickest and most direct route to achievement of a goal (especially business related). |
The inside track. For example: "He knows a lot about the company, he's on the inside track." |
To have a special position within an organization, or a special relationship with a person that gives you advantages that other people do not have. |
Lose track. For example: "They've lost track of their original goal. I doubt they'll win the next election." |
To no longer know what is happening, or not to remember something. |
One track mind. For example: He only ever thinks about girls, he has a one track mind. |
A tendency to think about only one subject. |
Cover your tracks. For example: They'll never catch the real culprits at Enron, they were to good at covering their tracks. |
To hide or conceal something. |
| Train of thought. For example: "He was trying to explain how the budget would help to end the recession, but I couldn't follow his train of thought." |
The connections that link the various parts of an event or argument together. |
| To get on the gravy train. For example: "I wouldn't trust him if I were you, he is always trying to get on the gravy train." |
To attempt to make money quickly, easily, and often dishonestly. |
Public transport. For example: "People should use public transport more to avoid congestion on the roads." |
A system of vehicles such as buses and trains which operate at regular times on fixed routes and are used by the public. |
Travel light. For example: "I always travel light when I go to England." |
To go on a journey without taking a lot of things with you. |
The squeaky wheel gets the oil. For example: "He complained to the manager and they gave him a free replacement." |
People who make the most fuss get the most attention. |
| More idioms and sayings | |