idioms (a-z)a...about to do something- (12)

7/30/2019 Idioms (a-Z)a...About to Do Something- (12)

1/22

Idioms (A-Z)A...About to do something- (12)g up

- telephone someone

You should ring up the police if you see anybody strange around your house.

rip off

- cheat, rob

I was ripped off by the mechanics at that gas station.

road hog

- a car driver who takes up more than his share of the road

My father becomes very angry at the road hogs when he is driving.

rob Peter to pay Paul

- take from one person or thing to pay another

When the government began to take money from education to pay for the medical system it was like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

rob the cradle

- have dates with or marry a person much younger than oneself

Everyone said that my friend was robbing the cradle when he married the young woman at his company.

rock the boat

- upset the way things are


2/22

He is a very quiet worker and never likes to rock the boat at work.

roll around

- return at a regular or usual time, come back

Every time that his birthday rolls around he has a big party.

roll in

- arrive in great numbers or quantity

The money has been rolling in since they started the new franchise.

rolling stone

- a person who does not live or work in one place

He is a rolling stone and I never know where to find him.

roll out the red carpet

- welcome an important guest by putting a red carpet down for him or her to walkon

They rolled out the red carpet when the President of France came for a visit.

roll out the red carpet

- make a big effort to greet and entertain someone

Whenever I visit my aunt in New York City she rolls out the red carpet for me.

roll up one`s sleeves

- prepare to work hard or seriously


3/22

Everyone in our club rolled up their sleeves to help prepare for the party.

rope into

- trick, persuade by pressuring someone

I didn`t want to help with the dinner but I was roped into doing it by my best friend.

rough and ready

- rough or crude but effective

The boat is rough and ready so let`s take it for a ride.

rough and tumble

- fighting or arguing in a very rough and reckless way

It was a rough and tumble meeting that we attended at the city planning office last night.

rough guess

- an approximate estimate

He made a rough guess as to how many people would come to the party.

rough up

- attack or hurt physically

The three men roughed up the bartender at the hotel and were arrested by the police.

round robin (letter)


4/22

- a letter written by a group of people with each person writing part of the letter

We sent a round robin letter to the librarian to ask for better opening hours for the library.

round robin (meeting or discussion)- a meeting or discussion in which each person in a group takes partWe had a round robin panel discussion on what we could do to help save the environment.

round robin (tournament or contest)- game or contest in which each player or team plays every other player or teamin turnThe round robin tournament was held in order to choose the championship team forthe city.

round up- bring together, collectWe rounded up enough people to play a game of soccer last night.

rub elbows/shoulders- be in the same place (with others), meet and mixAt the party we were able to rub elbows with many important people.

rub off- remove or be removed by rubbing, eraseShe rubbed off the writing on the whiteboard.

rub off- pass to someone nearby, transmit to someoneHer bad habit of talking all the time has rubbed off on her husband as well.

rub out

- destroy completely, kill, eliminateThe government troops rubbed out the whole village.

rub someone the wrong way- irritate others with something one says or doesHer lack of politeness always rubs me the wrong way.

rub something in- continue to talk or joke about something someone said or didI know that she made a mistake but you shouldn`t rub it in.

rule out- decide against, eliminate

They still haven`t ruled out using him on the team for the tournament.

rule the roost- be the dominant one in the familyShe seems rather quiet but she really rules the roost in their family.

run a risk- unprotected, open to danger or lossYou are running a great risk if you drive with him after he has been drinking.


5/22

run around- go to different places for entertainment or to do thingsWe ran around all day and now we are very tired.

run around in circles- act confused, do a lot but accomplish littleI have been running around all day but I can`t seem to get anything done.

run away with- take quickly and secretly - especially without permission or by stealingSomeone ran away with the dictionary so now we don`t have one.

run away with- take hold ofTheir imagination ran away with them when they went to the circus. They decidedthat they actually wanted to join the circus.

run away with- be much better than others, win easilyOur hometown team ran away with the football championship.

run down- crash against and knock downMy dog was run down by a car last week.

run down- say bad things about someone, criticizeShe is always running down her friends. That is why nobody likes her.

run down- get into poor health or condition, look badShe has become run down since she started working at night.

run for it- dash for safety, make a speedy escapeAs soon as it started raining we ran for it and tried to get to the shelter.

run in- make a brief visitI ran in to see my sister at her office before I left for the weekend.

run (someone) in- take to jail, arrestThe police ran the three boys in for questioning about the robbery.

run in the family/blood- be a common family characteristicBeing a left-handed golfer and baseball hitter runs in our family.

run into

- add up to, totalIf you decide to stay in nice hotels during your holiday it will run into a lotof money.

run into- mix with, join withDuring the hot weather the red paint on the roof ran into the white paint.

run into- be affected by, get into


6/22

He ran into trouble when he tried to cross the border with no visa.

run into (something)- hit something or crash into somethingHis car ran into the other car on the highway.

run into (someone)- meet by chanceI ran into him when I was at the supermarket.

run into the ground- use something more than is wanted or neededHe ran his car into the ground before he had to buy another one.

run off- produce with a printing press or copy machineWe ran off hundreds of copies of the poster for the festival.

run off with (someone)- go away with someone, elopeMy sister ran off with her boyfriend and got married when she was quite young.

run-of-the-mill- ordinary, usual

The restaurant was in a run-of-the-mill building but it was superb.

run out (of something)- use up, come to an endThe car ran out of gas in the middle of the countryside.

run out- force to leave, expelThe drug dealers were run out of town by the police.

run over- be too full and flow over the edgeThe water in the bathtub ran over the edge and got everything in the room wet.

run over- try to go over something quickly, practice brieflyWe can run over this material tomorrow before the meeting.

run over- drive on top of, ride overWe ran over a small rabbit on the way to the meeting.

run ragged- be tired or exhaustedShe has been run ragged by her three children.

run scared- try everything to avoid defeat as in a political campaignThe senator has been running scared in his attempt to win re-election.

run short- not have enough, be not enough in quantityWe ran short of money during our trip to Europe.

run the gauntlet- face a hard test or painful experience


7/22

He had to run the gauntlet of many interviews before he got the job.

run through

- spend recklessly, use up wastefully

We ran through a lot of money when we were looking for a new apartment.

run through

- read or practice from beginning to end without stopping

I usually try to run through my speech a couple of times before I have to give it.

run up

- add to the amount of something, increase

He ran up a large bill at the department store before he left for home.

run up

- pull something up on a rope

We ran up the flag early this morning before the parade started.

run up against (something)

- encounter

They ran up against many problems when they were building the freeway.

run wild

- be or go out of control


8/22

The crowd ran wild after the soccer game.

Russian roulette

- a game of chance in which one bullet is placed in a revolver, the cartridge isspun, and the player aims the gun at his head and pulls the trigger

The men in the movie played Russian roulette until one of them finally died.

Russian roulette

- a potentially dangerous situation

Putting the load of plutonium on the old ship was like playing a game of Russianroulette.

S

sacred cow

- something that is never criticized or laughed at even if it sometimes deservesto be


9/22

The medical insurance system is a sacred cow of the government and is never criticized by anyone.

(on the) safe side

- take no chances

It may rain so just to be on the safe side I think that I will bring my umbrella.

sail into

- scold or criticize very hard, attack

As soon as I came in the door she sailed into me for being late.

salt away

- save money

She has salted away a few thousand dollars from her new job.

save face

- save one`s good reputation when something has happened to hurt it

Our boss was very embarrassed when he had to tell us that the company had lost alot of money. However, he was able to save face when he showed that the problems were outside of his control.

save one`s breath

- remain silent because talking will do no good

You may as well save your breath and not talk to her as she never believes you anyway.

save one`s neck/skin


10/22

- save oneself from danger or trouble

He left the scene of the fire as soon as possible in order to save his own neck.

save the day

- bring about victory or success - esp. when defeat is likely

He saved the day for his team after he played his best game of the season.

say a mouthful

- say something of great importance or meaning or length

He really said a mouthful yesterday when he made the announcement about his newjob.

say one`s piece

- say openly what one thinks

He said his piece at the meeting and then left quietly by the back door.

say the word

- give a sign, show a wish

Just say the word and I will come and pick you up at the airport.

scare out of one`s wits

- frighten very much

Her little girl was scared out of her wits after she saw the horror movie.

scare the daylights out of someone


11/22

- frighten very much

Falling off her bicycle scared the daylights out of her.

scare up

- find or gather something with some effort

We were able to scare up a couple of sleeping bags so that we could go camping.

scatter around

- carelessly put in different places

His papers are always scattered around his house so he is never able to find anything.

school of hard knocks

- ordinary experiences of life

He learned all about life in the school of hard knocks.

scrape the bottom of the barrel

- take whatever is left after the best has been taken

They are really scraping the bottom of the barrel if they must give him a job.

scrape together

- gather money etc. a little at a time

We managed to scrape together enough money to go to Disneyland even though business is very bad and we don`t have much money.


12/22

scrape up

- find or gather something with some effort

His girlfriend scraped up some money and went to visit him during the summer.

scratch one`s back

- do something nice for someone in the hope that they will do something for you

"You scratch my back and I`ll scratch yours," he said when he offered to help meincrease my sales.

scratch the surface

- make only a beginning to do or accomplish something

They have been gathering information about the planned merger but they have onlyscratched the surface of what is available.

screw around

- loaf about, hang around without doing anything

I spent the morning screwing around and didn`t get anything done.

screw up

- make a mess of something

My travel agent screwed up our travel schedule so we had to stay at the airportovernight.

scrounge around

- look in many places for an item or items


13/22

We didn`t have enough wood for the small building so we had to scrounge around the neighborhood to find some.

search me

- "I don`t know.", "How should I know."

"Search me," he said when I asked him what had happened to the front of his car.

search one`s soul

- study one`s reasons and actions to see if one has been fair and honest

I have been searching my soul to see if I was responsible for the accident thatdestroyed my friend`s car.

second-guess someone

- guess what someone else intends to do or would have done

You should never try to second-guess the firefighters in a dangerous situation.

second hand

- not new, used by someone else

He went to a second-hand bookstore to look for the books.

second thought

- after thinking about something again

On second thought maybe you should bring an extra coat.

second wind


14/22

- regaining your energy after being tired

After we got our second wind we continued on our hike up the mountain.

security blanket

- something one holds on to for reassurance or comfort (like a child and a blanket)

He uses his computer as his security blanket so that he doesn`t have to go out and meet new people.

see about (something)

- check into something

I`ll see about getting the book for you by next week.

see eye to eye

- agree

We don`t always see eye to eye on everything but generally we get along.

see off

- go with someone to their point of departure

I went to the airport to see her off.

see one`s way clear to do something

- feel able to do something

When you see your way clear to begin the project could you please come and tellme.


15/22

see out

- go with someone to an outer door

I went to the front door to see out our guests to their cars.

see out

- finish and not quit

I decided to stay with my company for awhile in order to see out the restructuring process.

see red

- become very angry

He saw red last night when I told him about the broken dishes.

see stars

- imagine one is seeing stars as a result of being hit on the head

When I was hit by the opposing football player I fell to the ground and began tosee stars.

see the light

- realize your mistake, suddenly see how to proceed with something

He finally saw the light and began to do his work the same as everyone else.

see the light of day

- be born or begun


16/22

I don`t believe that his plans to build a new house will ever see the light of day.

see the world (things) through rose-colored glasses

- see only the good things about something, be too optimistic

She is a little unrealistic and tends to see the world through rose-colored glasses.

see things

- imagine sights that are not real, think one sees what is not there

He is always daydreaming and imagining that he is seeing things.

see through

- understand someone`s true character or motivation

I could easily see through his attempt to fire her from her job.

see to (something)

- attend to or do something

I will see to the rental car and you can see to the airplane tickets.

see to it

- take the responsibility to do something, make sure

Will you please see to it that the garbage is taken out in the morning.

sell like hotcakes

- sell quickly, sell rapidly


17/22

The tickets for the football game were selling like hotcakes when I inquired this morning.

sell out

- be disloyal, sell a secret, be unfaithful

He said that he was a socialist but as soon as he got a good job he sold out tothe establishment.

sell oneself short

- underestimate oneself

He is selling himself short when he thinks that he can`t do any other job.

send away for something

- write a letter asking for something

I sent away for some postage stamps but they haven't arrived yet.

send someone packing

- tell someone to leave, dismiss someone

He was sent packing because of his bad attitude to his job.

send up

- sentence someone to prison

He was sent up for seven years for robbing a bank.

serve one`s purpose


18/22

- be useful to someone for a certain need

That tool should serve my purpose until I find the correct one.

serve someone right

- get the punishment or results that one deserves

He never studies at all so it serves him right to fail his exam.

serve time

- spend time in jail

He served time when he was young but now he is a model citizen.

set about

- begin, start

We set about preparing the office for the move to a bigger building.

set back

- cause to put off or get behind schedule, slow up

We were set back over a month when the floods destroyed the road to our farm.

set (one) back

- cost

How much did your new suit set you back?

set eyes on


19/22

- to see

I don`t know if she is here or not. I haven`t set eyes on her since yesterday.

set foot

- step, walk

I have never set foot in that restaurant and I never will in the future.

set forth

- explain exactly or clearly

He carefully set forth the terms of the rental contract.

set forth

- start to go somewhere, begin a trip

They set forth on their holiday about 70 this morning.

set in

- weather condition begins and will probably continue

The rain has set in and it looks like it won`t stop for awhile.

set loose

- set free, release something that you are holding

The wildlife department decided to set loose the bear that it had captured.

set off


20/22

- decorate through contrast, balance by difference

He painted the trim of his house red in order to set off the light colors.

set off

- to cause to explode

The fire set off a large explosion on the ship.

set one`s heart on

- want very much

I set my heart on a nice holiday this winter but I won`t be able to go because Ihave no money.

set one`s mind at rest

- free oneself from worry

I told him the reason we can`t come in order to set his mind at rest.

set out

- leave on a journey

Marco Polo set out for China many years ago.

set out

- decide and begin to try, attempt

He set out to learn Spanish when he was transferred to Mexico.

set sail


21/22

- start sailing, begin a sea voyage

The three women set sail for Hawaii on a small sailboat.

set store on (by)

- like or value, want to keep

Our company sets great store on their ability to attract good people.

set the pace

- decide on a rate of speed to do something that others will follow

The manager of our section sets the pace for the employees under him.

set the world on fire

- do something outstanding or that makes one famous

He has not been able to set the world on fire with his writing but he is tryingvery hard.

settle for

- be satisfied with less, agree to

I settled for less than I originally wanted with my contract but still I am happy with it.

set up

- establish, provide the money for something

The newspaper company provided the money to set up the new travel magazine.

set up


22/22

- make something ready to use by putting the parts together

After we set up the gas barbecue we were able to cook dinner.

set (someone) up

- put someone in a position to be manipulated

I don`t believe that I lost that money honestly. I believe that I was set up.

setup

- arrangement, management, circumstances

My uncle has a very nice setup at his office.

settle down

- live a quiet normal life

He settled down and started a family after he finished university.

settle a score with som

idioms (a-z)a...about to do something- (12)

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