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a person who is very shy and timid commencer à apprendre
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to increase the pressure on someone to make them do what you want commencer à apprendre
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turn the screw on somebody NATO is turning the screw on the president and piling on the pressure.
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In an exceptionally long period of time. commencer à apprendre
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A hope or plan that is not yet in existence. commencer à apprendre
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You were not even a gleam in your mother's eye when that photo was taken.
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This idiom is used to express being satisfied with enough, that being greedy or too ambitious will be your ruin. commencer à apprendre
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Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered
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to complete the necessary preparations before doing something commencer à apprendre
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To die; often refers to die in battle or in a plane crash commencer à apprendre
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generally used in past tense
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To rig something so that the outcome is predetermined to put one at a disadvantage commencer à apprendre
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It's the first democratic election in the region in over 50 years, but it's all a sham—the military has loaded the dice so that they'll remain in power.
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said when you must continue with your work or other activity although you are very tired commencer à apprendre
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the point at which a theory or idea is put to a practical test 🇺🇸 commencer à apprendre
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where the rubber meets the road
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used when someone looks as if they would never do anything wrong, although you feel they might commencer à apprendre
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butter wouldn't melt in somebody's mouth Tommy looked as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.
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including everything; completely. idiom commencer à apprendre
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"the place is owned lock, stock, and barrel by an oil company"
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a situation that is dangerousor volatile and that could become violent and become an origin of war, disaster etc. commencer à apprendre
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to deceive someone, especially by pretending to be friendly while actually cheating or stealing from them. commencer à apprendre
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pull the wool over somebody's eyes
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an event or experience that helps you achieve something else: idiom commencer à apprendre
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to be an extremely bad example of something: idiom commencer à apprendre
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be an apology for something You're not coming out because you're tired? That's an apology for an excuse
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an offensive American idiom which means that a person has little or no chance at success idiom commencer à apprendre
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An expression referring to gambling, meaning to quit: idiom commencer à apprendre
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Because his argument wasn't convincing the committee, Tony decided to cash in his chips and go home.
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An expression referring to gambling, meaning to die commencer à apprendre
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to feel certain that the worst possible thing has happened or is likely to happen idiom commencer à apprendre
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When the doctor finally called, she feared the worst
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An expression referring to gambling, meaning to be wealthy, especially unexpectedly. idiom commencer à apprendre
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If a person or company is..., they do not have as much money as they used to, and so they cannot buy the things they would like to buy. commencer à apprendre
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Consumers are spending less and traders are feeling the pinch
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Even people who are usually wrong can be right sometimes, even if just by accident. commencer à apprendre
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even a blind hog can find an acorn once in a while A: "You know how I feel about the mayor, but even I think he's right this time." B: "Even a blind pig can find an acorn once in a while."
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used to convey that no rules or restrictions apply in a conflict or dispute. commencer à apprendre
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having extremely poor eyesight commencer à apprendre
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Have you seen my glasses? I'm as blind as a bat without them!
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the glamour and excitement of big city life. commencer à apprendre
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"they hankered for the bright lights of the capital"
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To attempt to stay cheerful in a dire situation; to proceed with a task, ignoring an upcoming hazard, hoping for a good outcome 🇺🇸 commencer à apprendre
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whistle past the graveyard
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a person, esp a public figure, whose reputation has been damaged commencer à apprendre
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If someone does not stand or does not have a ... of doing something, they have very little chance of succeeding in it. commencer à apprendre
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He doesn't stand a ghost of a chance of selling the house
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a person who has a very important job in the government, and who is sometimes considered to be too powerful 🇬🇧 commencer à apprendre
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If someone... they prepare themselves so that they will be able to survive a coming difficulty or crisis. commencer à apprendre
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For everyone else, it is time to start battening down the hatches.
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used to mean that time passes very slowly when one is waiting for something to happen if that is the only thing one is thinking about. commencer à apprendre
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a watched pot never boils
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If you do not get a ... you are not given a reasonable opportunity to succeed or to achieve something commencer à apprendre
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It's only right that all the candidates should be given a fair shake.
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If you say that a plan for getting money is ..., you mean that it is foolish to carry it out because you are sure that it will fail or cause problems. commencer à apprendre
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something or someone is completely free from penalty or harm. commencer à apprendre
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The expression 'Scot-free' originates from the Scandanavian word, 'Skat,' which means “tax” or “payment.” Someone who did not have to pay the tax for some reason was referred to as 'scot-free. the people who kidnapped you will get off scot-free
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... and... are unpleasant things that happen to you and that are not your fault. commencer à apprendre
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We've had our share of slings and arrows, but we've managed to build ourselves up into a stable business.
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demonstrate unquestioning obedience or loyalty to someone or something commencer à apprendre
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Wyrażenie powstało po fali samobójstw członków sekty Świątyni Ludu w 1978 roku w Gujanie. his real ire is directed at the news media for drinking the Kool-Aid and not being tougher on the president"
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commencer à apprendre
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it doesn't amount to a hill of beans The boss is just mad right now—I think all of his rules and threats won't amount to a hill of beans.
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A thing or person which fails to measure up to its description or advanced promotion. idiom commencer à apprendre
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Her latest novel is all sizzle and no steak.
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the characteristic of being skilful at persuading people to believe what they say or to do what they want them to do 🇬🇧 commencer à apprendre
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I see you haven't lost your silver tongue.
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To engage in idle conversational fantasies. 🇺🇸 Frequently used in the negative, to mean someone or something is serious commencer à apprendre
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whistle Dixie (southern 🇺🇸) When I say that, I'm not just whistling Dixie, I really mean it.
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a point at which it is difficult to distinguish between two different activities or situations, especially when one is acceptable, and the other is not idiom commencer à apprendre
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There is a fine line between being nicely looked after and being fussed over too much – so don't overdo it.
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If you say that something ......, you mean that you accept it as a natural result of the situation you are in. idiom commencer à apprendre
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You can't expect not to have a debate; that's what comes with the territory in a democracy
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to be so worried, confused, or annoyed that you do not know what to do next: idiom commencer à apprendre
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I'm at my wits' end. I don't know how to help him.
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used to encourage everyone to have an equal amount of something: spoken idiom commencer à apprendre
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Don't keep all those chocolates to yourself - share and share alike.
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If you ..., you suddenly become successful in finding or doing something idiom commencer à apprendre
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If you say that someone is......., you mean that they are in an unsatisfactory situation where they are not progressing, but are just continuing doing the same things. idiom commencer à apprendre
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I could either tread water until I was promoted, or I could change what I was doing
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To prove or display one's pride, confidence, or fortitude. 🇺🇸 idiom commencer à apprendre
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Even though it didn't perform well at the box office, he can stand tall in the knowledge that he made one of the greatest science fiction films of our generation.
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To be exceptionally proficient at (doing) something. These things come easy to somebody idiom commencer à apprendre
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have a knack for doing something Jenny's got a real knack for the piano.
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To do something that instigates or initiates some intense, dangerous, and widespread action or reaction. commencer à apprendre
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Hopes for an early cut in interest rates lit the market's fuse early on.
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To behave in a manner that is on the verge of being dangerous, improper or illegal commencer à apprendre
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an implausible story used as an explanation or excuse. commencer à apprendre
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"nobody believes this cock and bull story about the sacking incident"
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dismissive phrase, used to mean that a particular idea or approach is going to fail. President Lyndon Johnson, himself a Texan, may have helped to popularize the saying. In 1970, for example, Johnson used the expression when describing a conversation he’d had with the American ambassador to Saigon... commencer à apprendre
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... LBJ asked the ambassador for his views on a new plan to stop the bombing in the region. In LBJ’s telling, the ambassador “came back strong and said, ‘I just can’t. That dog won’t hunt
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phrase that describes a situation that is outside one’s scope of responsibility, a decision that must be made by people of a higher rank. commencer à apprendre
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above somebody's pay grade
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If you say that you want to see the....... of ..., you mean that you are not prepared to sell them something or do something for them until they have proved that they have the money to pay for it. commencer à apprendre
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see the colour of somebody's money We can make a deal but I want to see the color of your money
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make a mistake; mishandle things. 🇺🇸 commencer à apprendre
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"I really dropped the ball on this one"
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Both in times of happiness and success and in times of sadness and difficulty. commencer à apprendre
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in weal and woe/ through thick and thin Dean is a devoted friend—you can count on him to be there in weal and woe.
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to do something without worrying about the risk or negative results idiom commencer à apprendre
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throw caution to the wind I threw caution to the wind and bought the most expensive one.
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To be insatiably hungry with the urge to continuously eat, especially snack foods. The term is often used to describe one of the stereotypical effects of marijuana use. commencer à apprendre
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: Can I borrow some money? I’ve got the munchies and I haven’t got any money to buy anything
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said to mean that you are very certain something will happen. commencer à apprendre
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He'll be back later on. Sure as eggs is eggs.
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something that has both good and bad parts m commencer à apprendre
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This is a curate's egg of a solution, and it creates other problems.
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your best clothes that you wear on special occasions 🇬🇧 dated! commencer à apprendre
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one's best bib and tucker
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a country or company that is very unsuccessful financially or someone who is extremely nervous or anxious and is therefore unable to organize their life: commencer à apprendre
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20 years ago the country was an economic basket case.
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If you say that someone has a..., you think that they feel inferior or that they believe they have been treated unfairly. commencer à apprendre
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have a chip on one's shoulder He's got a chip on his shoulder about not having been to university.
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To waste time or procrastinate. commencer à apprendre
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Come on, let's get started on our hike—we're burning daylight just standing around here!
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If someone in authority gives you a..., they criticize you or blame you for doing something they think is wrong. commencer à apprendre
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Britain gave them a diplomatic rap over the knuckles.
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Under discussion or consideration commencer à apprendre
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Important matters will be on the carpet at today's meeting.
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In a position of being reprimanded by one in authority commencer à apprendre
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John was called on the carpet for cheating.
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If you say that you have..., you mean that you have accidentally upset someone by talking about something that they feel strongly about or are very sensitive about. idiom commencer à apprendre
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The mere mention of John had touched a very raw nerve indeed.
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A phrase used when one is unsympathetic to someone who has suffered a hardship. idiom commencer à apprendre
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hard cheddar 🇬🇧 / tough cheddar If you slept through your alarm because you stayed up half the night, tough cheddar!
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be in a very bad or difficult situation. idiom commencer à apprendre
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With its best player out of the game, the team found itself in dire straits.
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to spoil or ruin something planned, arranged, or attempted. idiom commencer à apprendre
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queer somebody's pitch 🇬🇧
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Back to one's job or daily work, often after vacation, especially when it is very hard or unpleasant. Used humorously idiom commencer à apprendre
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Term alludes to the Russian practice of punishing prisoners by sending them to work in the salt mines of Siberia. Today the term is only used ironically.
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Without showing any signs of fear or hesitation. commencer à apprendre
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I'm terrified of needles, but my sister can get blood drawn without flinching
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You use ... to show that you think something is silly, childish, easy, or worthless. idiom, disapproval commencer à apprendre
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This is not a Mickey Mouse course where every player has a chance.
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used for saying that you think a particular person is going to do or achieve something, or that a particular thing is going to happen. commencer à apprendre
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My money's on Brazil to win the World Cup
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If you say that something is ..., you mean that it is becoming weaker and worse in quality idiom, informal, disapproval commencer à apprendre
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They sit in impotent opposition while the country goes to the dogs.
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having a very dark skin from being in the sun idiom commencer à apprendre
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Steve Hobbs had just come back from his holiday. Brown as a berry he was, when he came round here the following Monday.
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to change numbers dishonestly in the accounts (= financial records) of an organization, especially in order to steal money from it idiom commencer à apprendre
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The hottest part of the summer is sometimes referred to as the ... 🇺🇸 commencer à apprendre
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We're well into the dog days of summer
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to pretend to be sad or to sympathize with someone without really caring about them commencer à apprendre
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He shed a lot of crocodile tears. He described the wrecking of the coal industry as `a dreadful thing to have to do'.
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If you say that an activity is a..., you mean that it is not worth doing because it does not give the person who is doing it any benefit or satisfaction. 🇬🇧 idiom, informal, disapproval commencer à apprendre
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I used to be a very heavy gambler, but not any more. It's a mug's game.
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If two people ..., they argue about something. idiom commencer à apprendre
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During his six years in office, he often locked horns with lawmakers
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If something does the ..., it achieves what you wanted informal commencer à apprendre
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Sometimes a few choice words will do the trick.
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used in a pejorative sense to imply that the person referred to is a lackey or toady to a bad person or for an unrighteous cause, idiom commencer à apprendre
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Alan Colmes, despite his liberal ethos, continues to carry water for Sean Hannity.
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if something appears out of ..., it appears suddenly and unexpectedly commencer à apprendre
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A crisis had materialized out of thin air.
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a person who attends to the welfare of others, esp. one who is fussily protective idiom commencer à apprendre
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If you say that something is ..., you mean that it is very obvious. commencer à apprendre
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The new blockbuster is really just a simple old story writ large.
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to cause something to end, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation commencer à apprendre
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close the book on something Lawyers say they are happy to close the book on one of the most frustrating chapters of the company's history
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used to describe a person's rise from a state of extreme poverty to one of great wealth. idiom commencer à apprendre
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"it was the old rags-to-riches fantasy
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insist on the observance of formalities. idiom commencer à apprendre
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"we don't stand on ceremony in this house
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to speak about one's work, esp when meeting socially, sometimes with the effect of excluding those not similarly employed idiom commencer à apprendre
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to divulge everything one knows or reveal all one's personal problems 🇺🇸 commencer à apprendre
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to convince someone else of one's potential or worth 🇺🇸 commencer à apprendre
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to disrupt a procedure, spoil someone's plans, etc. commencer à apprendre
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Some people still think you could upset the apple cart there.
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If someone's word is their ..., they always keep a promise: commencer à apprendre
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If someone is ... they are staying up very late in order to study or do some other work. idiom commencer à apprendre
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Chris is asleep after burning the midnight oil trying to finish his article
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taking money from the punters/clients when they buy something. idiom commencer à apprendre
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If you say that someone can do something till... you are emphasizing that it will have no effect even if they do it for a very long time. idiom, informal, emphasis commencer à apprendre
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You can initiate policies until the cows come home, but unless they're monitored, you won't get results
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If you take ... to do something or go ... to do something, you try hard to do it, because you think it is important to do it. idiom commencer à apprendre
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take pains to do (with) something/ go to great pains I had taken great pains with my appearance
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make sexual advances to someone. 🇺🇸 idiom commencer à apprendre
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make time with somebody 🇺🇸 I couldn't make time with Marilyn because she was already a senior
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If you say that you ... on a journey, you mean it did not take you very long compared to the length of time you expected it to take idiom commencer à apprendre
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They had left early in the morning, on quiet roads, and made good time.
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If someone is... for you, they are trying to find a way to harm you or cause you trouble. idiom, informal commencer à apprendre
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He knew that they were gunning for him.
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to try to make too much of an opportunity; go too far 🇺🇸 commencer à apprendre
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to avoid or delay dealing with a problem: commencer à apprendre
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kick the can down the road I don't think we should kick the can down the road and let our grandkids solve that problem.
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