Idioms

John was not supposed to know about the party, but someone let the cat out of the bag. Inform beforehand John was not supposed to know about the party, but someone informed him. Make a Mistake Open a gift early

When the police saw the broken window, they suspected something fishy was going on. When the police saw the broken window, they thought something suspicious was happening. Strange or suspicious Smells like fish Stealing or theft

Have you seen John’s office lately? It’s really gone to the dogs. John’s office has become run down. In a bad neighborhood A dog lives there It has become run down

This new computer is a horse of a different color This new computer is a horse of a different color. Not only is it cheap but it is easy to use and also reliable. The new computer is quite different, because it is cheap and reliable. Easy to use Quite different Something strange

If you want to succeed in this business you need to take the bull by the horns and complete that task. If you want to do well in this business you need to take decisive action to complete that task. Take decisive action Hurry to finish Wait for help

Sometimes Frank makes me crazy Sometimes Frank makes me crazy. His new advertising idea is for the birds. Sometimes Frank makes me crazy. His new advertising idea is very silly. Strange or weird Bad advertising Meaningless or silly

Alex told Faith he won a million dollars, but he was just pulling her leg. Alex told Faith he won a million dollars, but he was just trying to fool her with a ridiculous story. Teasing or fooling Meaningless or silly Making her leg longer

George does not play chess very much but he is always shooting off his mouth about how good he is. George does not play chess very much but he is always bragging about how good he is. Bragging Making people nervous Talking loudly

Why should I stick my neck out to help Alice when she will take credit if the project succeeds but blame me if it fails. Why should I take a great risk to help Alice when she will take credit if the project succeeds but blame me if it fails. Take credit Take a great risk Help someone who needs it

Don’t shop at that department store because you will pay through the nose for everything you buy there. Have difficulty paying Don’t shop at that department store because you will pay a very high price for everything you buy there. Buy cheaply Pay to much