On this beach, seashells are a dime a dozen, especially at low tide.
Very common
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
Gabi knew she shouldn’t, but she took a job working under the table so she didn’t have to worry about paying taxes.
To do something secretly, often used to refer to working for pay unofficially (and illegally)
That test was a piece of cake.
Dani excels at basketball because she’s so good at thinking on her feet.
To react quickly in a tricky or fast-moving situation
It takes my sister an eternity to get dressed.
Don't worry about him, he's a gentle giant
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
Don’t beat around the bush. Just tell me why you can’t come to my birthday party on Friday.
It’s hard to wrap your head around just how big the universe is.
To understand something complicated or surprising
This assignment is impossible.
He's a lion when he fights.
I’ve never made a cake from scratch, but I’m willing to give it a whirl.
To try something
She said she'd help me move, but now she's bailing on me.
You're driving me up a wall today
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
I have done enough work, I'm calling it a day
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
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
Cleaning up after the party was a bigger pain in the neck than I expected.
The teacher has eagle eyes
We had a disagreement about the project, but let's move forward with no hard feelings.
I understand why you had to cancel our plans; no hard feelings
That made me feel so angry, but I stayed as cool as a cucumber.
I heard the news straight from the horse’s mouth.
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
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
These bags I have to carry are so heavy that my arms are going to fall off!
Hearing you say that brings music to my ears.
He's a free spirit
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
Now that you have graduated high school, the world is your oyster!
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
You light up my life.
He made me so angry, but I stayed as cool as a cucumber.
My new coat fits like a glove
You snore louder than a freight train
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?
She is a walking dictionary.
This show is going to knock your socks off
I was blinded by the sun.
Everything was going fine when out of the blue, Joey said he was really mad about something.
Suddenly and without warning
That train has left the station.
When they heard about the pop quiz, the students were anything but excited.
After running a marathon, I was as hungry as a horse!
I forgot it was her birthday yesterday, it completely slipped my mind.
Stop beating around the bush! Get to the point!
I know you are nervous to try ice skating, but you should give it a shot
After a long day at the beach, Jayma slept like a log that night.
Sleep very soundly without waking
Everyone has the flu right now. We are all in the same boat.
I thought we had plans for tonight, but it looks like he's bailing on me again.
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
America is a melting pot of people and cultures.
It's raining cats and dogs outside.
He froze with fear when he saw it.
I'm drowning at school these days.
I know you are nervous to try ice skating, but you should take a stab at it
The customer complained until my ears bled.
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
I have asked you a million times to clean up your room!
He's a jack of all trades
I traveled to the moon and back to finish this assignment.
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
The teacher talked until her tongue fell out.
Sorry I couldn't make it to your party last night; I hope there are no hard feelings.
She's like a fish in the water.
She is an early bird, she always goes to bed by 7pm.
He is a bad apple.
Tina is as gentle as a kitten.
Don't start playing video games - that's a slippery slope.
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
I have been very sick with the flu. I feel like death warmed up.
I picked chocolate ice cream at the store but then I started having second thoughts after we left.
Iv'e been a busy beaver today.
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
David tattles on his friends to the teacher. He is such a goody two-shoes.
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
Your teacher is an ocean of useful information.
My brother and sister don't get along, they fight like cats and dogs.
After thinking about it for years, he finally threw caution to the wind, quit his job, and started his own company.
Slipping in just before midnight, Luka avoided breaking curfew by the skin of her teeth.
When the going gets tough, she always stays calm and finds a solution to the problem
I need a headcount of everyone on that bus
He kept stalling the meeting by asking irrelevant questions, hoping to delay the decision
She's drowning in a sea of grief.
Life is a roller coaster.
It's pretty expensive, but I'm going to bite the bullet and buy a new xbox
Is your piano recital tonight? Well, break a leg!
I'm the black sheep of the family.
Standing on a spinny chair? That's a recipe for disaster!
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
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
"Don't you want to watch the game?" "To be honest, I'd rather watch paint dry."
She was late for work. She's in hot water with her boss
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
We baked in the hot sun
We need to talk about the elephant in the room
She's my better half.
The sun smiled down on us.
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
Kayden loves to play chess as much as his dad does. He’s a real chip off the old block.
A person who is similar to a parent in some way
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.
She shows up to help at the food pantry every single Saturday, come rain or shine.
No matter what
His anger is all bottled up inside.
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
I’ve been bending over backward to plan this party at the last minute.
“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’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
That test wasn't half bad after all
I'm a night owl.
It costs an arm and a leg to go to college
My backpack weighs a ton!
The new flavors of ice cream is the bee's kee's
I can't trust that snake!
There's no rush to finish the project; take your time to make sure it's done right.
If you keep crying wolf, no one will believe you when you’re really hurt.
To lie about something to get attention or help
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
I meant to do the laundry, but it totally slipped my mind.
To forget something
Her stomach growled.
The sun played hide and seek with the clouds
The living room is like an icebox!
Lend me a hand
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
Are we going to hang out today? Don't leave me hanging!
When she sings, her voice is like velvet.
“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
If I find out you were lying , you're toast!
The sailboat danced in the waves.
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
She's being a scaredy cat!
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
The young actor is a star in the making
This computer is a dinosaur, we should really replace it.
Those cheap pens are for the birds; they barely work at all.
Worthless or no good
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
The scenic view from my window is a gorgeous painting.
The city slept well the night the murderer was captured
You left me high and dry when you ditched out plans!
Have a seat until the bell rings.
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
His son has the same talent for music as he does; he's definitely a chip off the old block.
That old car is about to kick the bucket.
Somebody needs to step up to the plate and help solve the problem
We don't have any plans this weekend, I was just planning to play it by ear.
She knows exactly how to wind me up by bringing up embarrassing stories from the past.
Waiting in line for hours was such a pain in the neck.
My memory is cloudy, I can't quite recall what happened.
I heard your first show is tonight! Break a leg!
“Stop wriggling while I’m braiding your hair!” Kehlani’s mom said. “You have ants in your pants this morning.”
Can’t sit still
After starting off on the wrong foot, Robin and Hayden finally figured out how to work together.
To start a relationship or activity badly
We must have walked a hundred miles today.
He was dying of boredom.
That new pizza place in town is a rare gem
“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
When they heard the plans to cut down the old oak tree, the townspeople were up in arms.
Very angry about something
“Nine o’clock!” said Mia’s dad. “It’s time to turn off the TV and hit the sack.”
to go to bed
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
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
My youngest daughter is the apple of my eye; I'm so proud of her accomplishments.
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
I said I would make the entire Thanksgiving dinner all by myself. I have bitten off more than I can chew.
The book was a passport to adventure.
Jamal was disappointed that his soccer game was canceled, but it gave him time to go to the movies with his friends, and his mom pointed out that every cloud has a silver lining.
No matter how bad something seems, there’s usually a good side to it as well
The captain was made a scapegoat for the team's behavior.
The clouds sailed across the sky
Don't listen to him; he's just trying to wind you up.
I’ve been sitting in traffic half my life!
I need to save more dough before I can afford to go on vacation.
He is a couch potato these days.
He wanted to borrow my brand new video game. I said "Don't even think about it!"
Something's fishy here.
The prisoner lived in a desert of loneliness and regret.
She is a late bloomer, she didn't lose her first tooth until she was 10
Ask me anything, I'm an open book
Her eyes sparkled like diamonds.
I'm in a pickle, can you help me?
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
Minh went the extra mile and really impressed the selection committee.
To do more than you’re required to do
5am is for the birds.
Her head was spinning from all the new information.
If you have any good ideas, I'm all ears.
He has lost a lot of weight and now he is as thin as a rail.
At precisely 6:30 am my alarm clock sprang to life.
The class was all ears when Ms. Ali mentioned a way to earn extra credit on the test.
He was the Romeo to her Juliet.
After struggling with the project for weeks, he decided to throw in the towel and ask for help.
Life is a journey, so enjoy the ride.
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
Celia added fuel to the fire by accusing the opposing team of cheating.
He is a social butterfly
I know you didn't plan to be an actor, but if the shoe fits, wear it!
Did I miss anything? I just want to make sure I am covering all my bases.
Stop horsing around and finish your homework!
The village opened its arms to the tourists.
Miguel won’t be at the Scout meeting today because he’s feeling a little under the weather.
to be sick
Kathy arrived at the grocery store with an army of children.
Waiting in line for hours was such a pain in the neck.
Swallow your tears.
The new baby is as tiny as a mouse.
Learning she failed her science test on the same day her best friend moved away added insult to injury.
If you wear a banana suit to school, you'll stand out like a sore thumb!
Keiko studied hard for the test, but when it came time to answer the question, she drew a blank.
To fail to remember something
Don’t waste my time with silly little things today. I’ve got bigger fish to fry.
More important things to do
Joey was so angry that there was steam coming out of his ears.
My two year old daughter is the apple of my eye.
My new shoes cost a fortune
Lend me your ears
Grace and Nora went the whole nine yards to make sure Hannah’s birthday party was really special.
Everything, all the way
Don't cry over spilled milk!
You look like something the cat dragged in.
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
It was the holy grail of all video games
He's a wild card
The willows were whispering in the wind.
Lucy would never tell someone her deepest darkest secret.
Ever since she was born, his granddaughter has been the apple of his eye.
The negative impact of the war was beyond measure.
The messy house screamed for attention.
She has a heart of gold.
Waiting for my cat to finish eating is like watching grass grow.
She received a glowing review of her new restaurant
She's a breath of fresh air and exactly what this school needs right now
It’s so stuffy in here. Can someone please crack a window for some fresh air?
Open a window slightly
Mr. Patel knew his students were eager to try out the new playground equipment, so he told them to go ahead and get it out of their system before they started class.
Do the thing you’ve been wanting to do so you can move on
She is as pretty as a painting.
Until we know if it’s going to rain or not, our weekend plans are up in the air.
uncertain or unsettled
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
It's the elephant in the room that everybody avoids talking about, isn't it?
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
Hang on a second
He is behind bars for another couple of years
Her head was killing her.
I want this project to work out, but I’ve got a gut feeling we’re doing things the wrong way.
A reaction based on an emotional response instead of reason
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
trying to manage a full classroom of students is a juggling act
I almost missed my flight! I barely made it by the skin of my teeth!
It's no skin off my nose if you don't take my advice.
When she saw the celebrity in real life, she was like a deer in headlights.
I’ve got a bone to pick with you! You need to stop leaving your junk all over my desk.
The traffic crawled along the congested highway.
That came out of the blue!
The branches of the tree reached for the sky
Zari and Oscar love to travel; they often set off at the drop of a hat for somewhere new and exotic.
Why are you giving me the cold shoulder?
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.
Cats and dogs don't usually see eye to eye.
“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
Our school runs like a well-oiled machine
The snow on the mountain was like powdered sugar.
Nice wheels!
You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
I can tell Jenny is upset; she wears her heart on her sleeve.
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
Rohan knew he needed to start his research paper, but he just kept dragging his feet.
To be reluctant to do something
I think you and I are on the same page—we both agree that recycling is important.
Agree with someone
I have been bending over backwards to help you
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
The teacher planted seeds of wisdom throughout the entire school year
I don't trust him, he seems shady.
She was the shining star of the show
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
James thought Christopher was the one who broke the vase, but he was barking up the wrong tree.
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
He's a bookworm