Those cheap pens are for the birds; they barely work at all.
Worthless or no good
Her head was spinning from all the new information.
Before joining the cross-country team, Melanie got her feet wet by running a few local 5K races.
To take a small step in an effort to learn or do something new
That new pizza place in town is a rare gem
It's raining cats and dogs outside.
She has a heart of gold.
You’ve been quiet for a long time now. Penny for your thoughts?
What are you thinking about right now? What are your thoughts on the topic?
Logan was caught running in the hallway, but Ms. Walker let him off the hook because she knew he was late for the bus.
To not hold someone responsible for something
When Wyatt learned he’d gotten a perfect score on both his math and science tests, he was on cloud nine for the rest of the day.
Extremely happy about something
He is a couch potato these days.
I forgot it was her birthday yesterday, it completely slipped my mind.
The new flavors of ice cream is the bee's kee's
That came out of the blue!
Tai says he cares about the environment, but he’s always buying bottled water instead of using a reusable container. Actions speak louder than words.
We baked in the hot sun
You left me high and dry when you ditched out plans!
I said I would make the entire Thanksgiving dinner all by myself. I have bitten off more than I can chew.
It's pretty expensive, but I'm going to bite the bullet and buy a new xbox
After the third time he was late to class, Connor’s teacher told him he needed to get his act together and start showing up on time.
Behave properly, or organize your thoughts so you can do something successfully
Celia added fuel to the fire by accusing the opposing team of cheating.
After working for three hours on her science fair project, Sofia decided to call it a day.
To stop working on something and plan to pick it up again later
We need to talk about the elephant in the room
Why are you giving me the cold shoulder?
Quinn thought she was too tired to go to the party after playing soccer all afternoon, but then she got a second wind.
A fresh burst of energy
We’re just running in circles here. We need a plan before we do any more work.
To try very hard but have little or no success
“Do you know how to solve number four in our math homework?” Maria asked. “Your guess is as good as mine,” David replied, shrugging his shoulders.
When you have no idea what the answer is to a question or problem
Don’t waste my time with silly little things today. I’ve got bigger fish to fry.
More important things to do
She's a breath of fresh air and exactly what this school needs right now
Don't cry over spilled milk!
Ms. Rodriguez told her students they could chat while they worked, as long as the noise level didn’t get out of hand.
To become difficult to control
Our school runs like a well-oiled machine
My memory is cloudy, I can't quite recall what happened.
The class was all ears when Ms. Ali mentioned a way to earn extra credit on the test.
Will and Jessica were mad at Emma, so they decided to give her the cold shoulder until she apologized.
To ignore someone, usually because you’re upset or angry with them
Miguel won’t be at the Scout meeting today because he’s feeling a little under the weather.
to be sick
I didn’t mean to step on your foot—there’s no need to get bent out of shape about it.
To get upset about something
He made me so angry, but I stayed as cool as a cucumber.
Ms. Ramirez used to be opposed to allowing dogs at school, but she’s had a change of heart.
To change your opinion about something
Nick’s mom told him he could either join the basketball team or sign up for karate class, so he had to choose one. “The ball is in your court,” she said.
The decision or next step is up to you
She really went out on a limb with that hypothesis—the facts don't support it at all.
To take a risk for someone or something
No matter how long they argued, they couldn’t seem to see eye to eye about painting the room orange.
Agree with someone about something
The traffic crawled along the congested highway.
Stop beating around the bush! Get to the point!
“That’s the last straw!” said Elena after her little brother’s ball landed in her cereal bowl. “Go play outside!”
The last in a series of events that causes someone to run out of patience
I have been bending over backwards to help you
Don’t beat around the bush. Just tell me why you can’t come to my birthday party on Friday.
Everyone has the flu right now. We are all in the same boat.
After running a marathon, I was as hungry as a horse!
OK, since none of us have met before, let’s introduce ourselves and break the ice by sharing our favorite ice cream flavor.
To do or say something that will make people feel more comfortable
After struggling with the project for weeks, he decided to throw in the towel and ask for help.
Don't worry about him, he's a gentle giant
Learning she failed her science test on the same day her best friend moved away added insult to injury.
That old car is about to kick the bucket.
She always wanted to be famous, but now that she is, she realizes it's not all it's cracked up to be—be careful what you wish for
If I find out you were lying , you're toast!
This computer is a dinosaur, we should really replace it.
She is an early bird, she always goes to bed by 7pm.
It costs an arm and a leg to go to college
Nico wished he could be a fly on the wall when his sister discovered the toad he’d left in her shoe!
To watch something happen without anyone knowing you’re there
If you keep crying wolf, no one will believe you when you’re really hurt.
To lie about something to get attention or help
Until we know if it’s going to rain or not, our weekend plans are up in the air.
uncertain or unsettled
She's being a scaredy cat!
He was dying of boredom.
When they heard the plans to cut down the old oak tree, the townspeople were up in arms.
Very angry about something
I heard the news straight from the horse’s mouth.
It was Allison’s first day at her new school, and she felt like a fish out of water.
Someone in an uncomfortable position or situation
I'm in a pickle, can you help me?
Are we going to hang out today? Don't leave me hanging!
Ever since I broke a glass, my parents keep an eagle eye on me when I’m washing dishes.
Close or careful watch on something
Rohan knew he needed to start his research paper, but he just kept dragging his feet.
To be reluctant to do something
Sorry I couldn't make it to your party last night; I hope there are no hard feelings.
Did I miss anything? I just want to make sure I am covering all my bases.
He's a free spirit
James thought Christopher was the one who broke the vase, but he was barking up the wrong tree.
He is a social butterfly
Sarah wanted to join the lacrosse team, but she was too late to sign up and missed the boat.
To be too late for something that’s already started or is over
I’ve been bending over backward to plan this party at the last minute.
“Nine o’clock!” said Mia’s dad. “It’s time to turn off the TV and hit the sack.”
to go to bed
It's no skin off my nose if you don't take my advice.
I'm drowning at school these days.
I don't trust him, he seems shady.
He's a jack of all trades
Waiting in line for hours was such a pain in the neck.
5am is for the birds.
“Stop wriggling while I’m braiding your hair!” Kehlani’s mom said. “You have ants in your pants this morning.”
Can’t sit still
Anna was a bit hit-or-miss when it came to remembering to take out the trash on Thursdays.
Something that might be good sometimes and bad other times; unreliable
Sophie and Chloe had been best friends since first grade, sticking together through thick and thin.
When things are good and also when they’re bad
We don't have any plans this weekend, I was just planning to play it by ear.
I’ve got a bone to pick with you! You need to stop leaving your junk all over my desk.
He's a wild card
I think you and I are on the same page—we both agree that recycling is important.
Agree with someone
Don't listen to him; he's just trying to wind you up.
We didn’t get a schedule in advance, so we’ll just have to play it by ear as the day goes along.
To figure things out as you go
His son has the same talent for music as he does; he's definitely a chip off the old block.
I know you are nervous to try ice skating, but you should take a stab at it
We might have a snow day on Monday, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
If that problem comes up, we’ll deal with it then, not right now
Dani excels at basketball because she’s so good at thinking on her feet.
To react quickly in a tricky or fast-moving situation
Minh went the extra mile and really impressed the selection committee.
To do more than you’re required to do
I have done enough work, I'm calling it a day
Liza cut corners on her math homework so she could watch TV and ended up getting most of the answers wrong.
To do something quickly and badly in order to save time or money
I'm a night owl.
On this beach, seashells are a dime a dozen, especially at low tide.
Very common
Charlotte wasn’t sure Amelia was really late because she missed the bus, but she decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.
To trust what someone says, even if you’re not entirely sure what they’re saying is true
She shows up to help at the food pantry every single Saturday, come rain or shine.
No matter what
I almost missed my flight! I barely made it by the skin of my teeth!
After a long day at the beach, Jayma slept like a log that night.
Sleep very soundly without waking
She said she'd help me move, but now she's bailing on me.
“I’m sorry you’re having a rough day,” Lucas told Olivia. “Hang in there. I’m sure things will be better tomorrow.”
Don’t give up, keep on trying
I heard your first show is tonight! Break a leg!
Somebody needs to step up to the plate and help solve the problem
I know you are nervous to try ice skating, but you should give it a shot
No, the cafeteria isn’t really giving away free ice cream. I was just pulling your leg!
To tease someone or try to fool them
Something's fishy here.
I’d love to play basketball after school, but I’ve got to go home to mow the lawn. Can I take a rain check?
To postpone a plan until another time
I’ve never made a cake from scratch, but I’m willing to give it a whirl.
To try something
“Recess is over already?” said Ben. “I guess time flies when you’re having fun!”
When you’re having a good time, you don’t notice how quickly the time is passing
All you have to do is put the books back on the right shelf. It’s not rocket science!
Used to describe something that isn’t complicated or difficult
This show is going to knock your socks off
She stood on the high diving board for almost 10 minutes, but in the end, Dionne chickened out and came back down the ladder instead of jumping.
To be too afraid to do something
He's a bookworm
My new coat fits like a glove
I meant to do the laundry, but it totally slipped my mind.
To forget something
She was late for work. She's in hot water with her boss
“This pizza is the best food I ever ate!” exclaimed Mateo. “You can say that again!” Dylan agreed.
I completely agree with what you just said
Ask me anything, I'm an open book
Aisha said she’d make the poster for our project, but she forgot. She really dropped the ball on this one.
To make a mistake
Stop horsing around and finish your homework!
I can't trust that snake!
If you insult your boss when you resign, you’ll burn your bridges with that company.
To do something that makes it impossible to return to the way things were before
If you have any good ideas, I'm all ears.
Joey was so angry that there was steam coming out of his ears.
When she saw the celebrity in real life, she was like a deer in headlights.
After starting off on the wrong foot, Robin and Hayden finally figured out how to work together.
To start a relationship or activity badly
The teacher has eagle eyes
We’re all in the same boat here; let’s help each other out and fix the problem.
To be in the same bad situation as other people
When her science experiment failed completely, Hailey knew it was time to go back to the drawing board.
To start something over again with a completely new idea
Her head was killing her.
I picked chocolate ice cream at the store but then I started having second thoughts after we left.
She's like a fish in the water.
Headed to your audition? I’ll cross my fingers that you get the part you want!
To wish someone luck or hope for something to happen
Grace and Nora went the whole nine yards to make sure Hannah’s birthday party was really special.
Everything, all the way
Hang on a second
I know you’re upset that your team lost the game, but you need to pull yourself together and go congratulate the winners.
To calm yourself down when you’re very upset
You look like something the cat dragged in.
Standing on a spinny chair? That's a recipe for disaster!
I told you I’d mow the lawn this weekend—now get off my back!
Used to ask someone to stop bugging you about something
My backpack weighs a ton!
It’s hard to wrap your head around just how big the universe is.
To understand something complicated or surprising
She is a walking dictionary.
He is a bad apple.
My brother and sister don't get along, they fight like cats and dogs.
Lend me a hand
That train has left the station.
When Mrs. Chen had to ask Ava and Noah to stop talking for the fourth time that day, she warned them both that they were on thin ice.
In a risky situation or position
Alice got all her homework done and practiced her clarinet before dinner. She’s really on the ball today!
To be quick and alert, dealing with things right away
Zari and Oscar love to travel; they often set off at the drop of a hat for somewhere new and exotic.
Cats and dogs don't usually see eye to eye.
That test was a piece of cake.
I can tell Jenny is upset; she wears her heart on her sleeve.
I know you are upset that your soccer game was canceled, but it might be a blessing in disguise since it is supposed to rain.
You're driving me up a wall today
You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
Keiko studied hard for the test, but when it came time to answer the question, she drew a blank.
To fail to remember something
Everything was going fine when out of the blue, Joey said he was really mad about something.
Suddenly and without warning