I have been a busy beaver today.
hard worker
I meant to do the laundry, but it totally slipped my mind.
To forget something
She shows up to help at the food pantry every single Saturday, come rain or shine.
No matter what
The teacher talked until her tongue fell out.
she talked a lot
He cheated on the test and now has to face the music.
Accept the consequences, take responsibility, own up to it
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
These bags I have to carry are so heavy that my arms are going to fall off!
these bags are very heavy
Everything was going fine when out of the blue, Joey said got so mad that he threw something.
Suddenly and without warning
That new pizza place in town is a rare gem
a person or thing that is very special, valuable, or unique.
She is as pretty as a painting.
beautiful, picture-perfect
You light up my life.
something makes you very happy, cheerful, or excited.
The new NBA game was the holy grail of all video games
important, high value, most desired thing
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
5am is for the birds.
not worth it
He is behind bars for another couple of years
in prison
America is a melting pot of people and cultures.
diverse community, where people of different backgrounds, cultures, or ideas come together and mix
I need to save more dough before I can afford to go on vacation.
money
Cleaning up after the party was a bigger pain in the neck than I expected.
annoying
Those cheap pens are for the birds; they barely work at all.
Worthless or no good
Have a seat until the bell rings.
sit down
She's like a fish in the water.
a really good swimmer
The teacher needs eagle eyes to watch all the students at recess.
someone who notices even very small details or things that are hard to see
She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.
revealing information, secrets, or surprises
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
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 can't trust that snake!
sneaky, untrustworthy
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
I was blinded by the sun.
Hard to see because it is so bright
Keep your chin up
stay positive
You're driving me up a wall today
you're driving me crazy!
The sailboat danced in the waves.
glided back and forth
He’s a wild card on the team — you never know what he’ll do next
describing people, events, or situations that are unexpected or surprising.
If I find out you were lying , you're toast!
you're in trouble
trying to manage a full classroom of students is a juggling act
trying to manage several tasks or responsibilities at the same time.
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
Going for a walk in the park was a breath of fresh air after a long day.
something or someone that is new, refreshing, and enjoyable, especially after something tiring or unpleasant.
Everyone has the flu right now. We are all in the same boat.
Facing the same situation
Lend me your ears
pay attention and listen carefully
The class was all ears when Ms. Ali mentioned a way to earn extra credit on the test.
fully listening and giving your complete attention
I understand why you had to cancel our plans; no hard feelings
not being angry or upset about something that happened.
Don’t waste my time with silly little things today. I’ve got bigger fish to fry.
More important things to do
We all saw the broken window, but we didn’t talk about it—it was the elephant in the room.
avoidance of an important or uncomfortable issue
I have been very sick with the flu. I feel like death warmed up.
to feel extremely sick, exhausted, or unwell
He wanted to borrow my brand new video game. I said "Don't even think about it!"
No way, absolutely not
Her stomach growled.
She was hungry
I can tell Jenny is upset; she wears her heart on her sleeve.
she openly shows her emotions and feelings for everyone to see.
I know you are nervous to try ice skating, but you should take a stab at it
give it a try
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
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
He is a social butterfly
someone who is very friendly, outgoing, and enjoys being around people.
I'm in a pickle, can you help me?
I’m in a difficult, tricky, or awkward situation.
“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
I have asked you a million times to clean up your room!
I asked you many times
After starting off on the wrong foot, Robin and Hayden finally figured out how to work together.
To start a relationship or activity badly
This show is going to knock your socks off
amaze someone, surprise greatly, impress
The new baby is as tiny as a mouse.
the baby is very small
We had a disagreement about the project, but let's move forward with no hard feelings.
not being angry or upset about something that happened.
Monkey see, monkey do
copying someone
Did I miss anything? I just want to make sure I am covering all my bases.
making sure you are prepared for every possibility or problem. Plan ahead.
He was dying of boredom.
very bored
She accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
reveal the secret
The scenic view from my window is a gorgeous painting.
beautiful
He is a couch potato these days.
lazy
I didn’t plan the day carefully; I just decided to go with the flow.
Take things as they come, be flexible
She was the shining star of the show
the best
Out of the blue, it started snowing in April!
something happens suddenly and unexpectedly
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
You look like something the cat dragged in.
messy, tired, unpleasant, not good
Skipping homework might be a slippery slope to failing the class.
a situation that could quickly lead to worse or more serious problems if you’re not careful.
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.
something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but turns out to be good later, positive
Hearing you say that brings music to my ears.
delightful to hear, makes me happy
I know you are nervous to try ice skating, but you should give it a shot
give it a try
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
She has a heart of gold.
a very kind, generous, and caring person.
He has lost a lot of weight and now he is as thin as a rail.
very skinny
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
After struggling with the project for weeks, he decided to throw in the towel and ask for help.
give up
The teacher planted seeds of wisdom throughout the entire school year
give advice, teach valuable lessons
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
It's raining cats and dogs outside.
it's raining very heavily, raining a lot
My youngest daughter is the apple of my eye; I'm so proud of her accomplishments.
someone who is cherished or loved very much.
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
My memory is cloudy, I can't quite recall what happened.
confusion, forgetfulness, difficulty remembering
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?
Now that you have graduated high school, the world is your oyster!
Everything is possible, you can do anything
Nice wheels!
nice car!
High school can feel like a roller coaster, with happy days and stressful exams.
life has many ups and downs, with both exciting and challenging moments.
She’s a free spirit, always traveling and trying new adventures.
someone who lives life in their own way, not worrying too much about rules or what others think.
Cats and dogs don't usually see eye to eye.
disagree
"Don't you want to watch the game?" "To be honest, I'd rather watch paint dry."
extremely boring
Hold your horses...the movie hasn’t started yet!
wait a moment, be patient, or slow down.
The new flavors of ice cream is the bee's knee's
Awesome, excellent, really special
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
Lend me a hand
help
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
She is an early bird, she always goes to bed by 7pm.
She goes to bed early
I’ve never made a cake from scratch, but I’m willing to give it a whirl.
To try something
I'm drowning at school these days.
I'm struggling, overwhelmed
The city slept well the night the murderer was captured
the people in the city felt relief, safety, peace
It costs an arm and a leg to go to college
expensive
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.
what someone does is more important than what they say
The students were up in arms when the teacher announced a surprise test.
Very angry about something
You snore louder than a freight train
very loud
He is a bad apple.
a person who behaves badly or causes trouble, especially within a group.
James thought Christopher was the one who broke the vase, but he was barking up the wrong tree.
accusing or blaming the wrong person, or trying to achieve something in the wrong way.
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
“Nine o’clock!” said Mia’s dad. “It’s time to turn off the TV and hit the sack.”
to go to bed
Time flies when you're having fun
time goes by fast
My head was spinning after hearing all the complicated instructions.
overwhelmed, confused
I heard the news straight from the horse’s mouth.
information coming directly from the most reliable or original source.
My brother is a jack of all trades...he can fix the car, cook dinner, and build furniture.
multi-talented, a person who is good at many different things, though not necessarily an expert at one
She was late for work. She's in hot water with her boss
in trouble
That test was a piece of cake.
easy
The new student became the scapegoat for the broken window, even though it wasn’t his fault.
a person who is blamed for something, often unfairly, even if it wasn’t their fault.
She is a walking dictionary.
She knows a lot
The traffic crawled along the congested highway.
moved very slowly
We don't have any plans this weekend, I was just planning to play it by ear.
to decide what to do as a situation happens, rather than planning ahead
Her head was killing her.
she has a really bad headache
Miguel won’t be at the Scout meeting today because he’s feeling a little under the weather.
to be sick
Learning she failed her science test on the same day her best friend moved away added insult to injury.
to make a bad situation even worse
I almost missed my flight! I barely made it by the skin of my teeth!
Narrowly, barely, just in time
When they heard about the pop quiz, the students were anything but excited.
upset
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 snow on the mountain was like powdered sugar.
the snow was very soft and light
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
something is not as good or exciting as people say it is.
That came out of the blue!
unexpected
My new coat fits like a glove
fits really well, perfect fit
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
During the picnic, the sun played hide and seek with the clouds, giving us some shade.
the sun kept appearing and disappearing behind the clouds
Are we going to hang out today? Don't leave me hanging!
don’t keep me waiting or in suspense; give me an answer, help, or response.
That old car is about to kick the bucket.
die, be unable to use
Don't worry about him, he's a gentle giant
a person (usually big or strong) who is actually kind, caring, and gentle. A big softie
The living room is like an icebox!
very cold
Keiko studied hard for the test, but when it came time to answer the question, she drew a blank.
To fail to remember something
Lucy would never tell someone her deepest darkest secret.
a private or hidden truth that someone is very reluctant to share, often because it is embarrassing, shocking, or personal.
Minh went the extra mile and really impressed the selection committee.
To do more than you’re required to do
Kathy arrived at the grocery store with an army of children.
many children
She's drowning in a sea of grief.
Intense sadness, very sad
He was the Romeo to her Juliet.
they love each other
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
There's no rush to finish the project; take your time to make sure it's done right.
don’t rush; do something slowly and carefully
Standing on a spinny chair? That's a recipe for disaster!
risk, trouble, or likely failure
Slipping in just before midnight, Luka avoided breaking curfew by the skin of her teeth.
Narrowly, barely, just in time
It takes my sister an eternity to get dressed.
a long time
His anger is all bottled up inside.
he is keeping his anger or emotions hidden instead of expressing them.
My backpack weighs a ton!
very heavy
Your teacher is an ocean of useful information.
your teacher knows a lot and has a vast amount of knowledge to share
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
The willows were whispering in the wind.
The willow trees were moving gently in the wind, creating a soft, rustling sound, as if they were whispering.
Until we know if it’s going to rain or not, our weekend plans are up in the air.
uncertain or unsettled
Why are you giving me the cold shoulder?
ignoring me
The sun smiled down on us.
the sun was shining
I have done enough work, I'm calling it a day
stop working, wrap things up
Rohan knew he needed to start his research paper, but he just kept dragging his feet.
To be reluctant to do something
I need a headcount of everyone on that bus
the number of people present
“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
I heard your first show is tonight! Break a leg!
good luck!
They were on cloud nine after hearing they were going to Disneyland.
extremely happy or joyful.
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
When she saw the celebrity in real life, she was like a deer in headlights.
Stunned, frozen with fear, shocked and confused
“Stop wriggling while I’m braiding your hair!” Kehlani’s mom said. “You have ants in your pants this morning.”
Can’t sit still
I only see my cousins once in a blue moon because they live so far away.
something that happens very rarely.
Our school runs like a well-oiled machine
Runs smoothly, efficient system, perfectly coordinated
“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
You left me high and dry when you ditched our plans!
abandoned, unsupported
Her eyes sparkled like diamonds.
Shows excitement, happiness, or amazement
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
It's no skin off my nose if you don't take my advice.
it doesn’t bother me or affect me if something happens or if someone doesn’t follow your advice
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
wait
Swallow your tears.
to stop yourself from crying and hold back your sadness or emotions.
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
“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
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
I told him to clean his room, but it just went in one ear and out the other.
someone hears something but quickly forgets or ignores it.
Don't listen to him; he's just trying to wind you up.
Get you upset
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 sitting in traffic half my life!
sitting in traffic for a very long time
We baked in the hot sun
tanned or sunburnt
When the going gets tough, she always stays calm and finds a solution to the problem
when situations become difficult, strong people work harder and don’t give up.
After thinking about it for years, he finally threw caution to the wind, quit his job, and started his own company.
he decided to take a risk or stop worrying about the possible dangers
Waiting in line for hours was such a pain in the neck.
annoying
David tattles on his friends to the teacher. He is such a goody two-shoes.
someone who always tries to do the right thing, follows the rules, or behaves very well, sometimes annoyingly so.
Stop beating around the bush! Get to the point!
to avoid talking about something directly or to delay getting to the main point.
He kept stalling the meeting by asking irrelevant questions, hoping to delay the decision
delaying or putting something off, usually to avoid doing it right away, procrastinating
Ask me anything, I'm an open book
someone who is easy to understand because they share their thoughts and feelings openly.
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
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
Celia added fuel to the fire by accusing the opposing team of cheating.
Make something worse
“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
Joey was so angry that there was steam coming out of his ears.
very angry
My new shoes cost a fortune
very expensive
I forgot it was her birthday yesterday, it completely slipped my mind.
forgot
Even though he’s a bookworm, he also enjoys playing soccer.
someone who loves reading and spends a lot of time with books.
Sorry I couldn't make it to your party last night; I hope there are no hard feelings.
not being angry or upset about something that happened.
Yelling at the kids will add fuel to the fire, not calm them down
Make matters worse, Aggravate the problem
His son has the same talent for music as he does; he's definitely a chip off the old block.
Just like his dad
The pilot remained cool as a cucumber while handling the emergency landing.
very calm and relaxed, even in a difficult or stressful situation.
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, its your responsibility
When she sings, her voice is like velvet.
her voice is very smooth, soft, and pleasant to listen to.
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
I thought we had plans for tonight, but it looks like he's bailing on me again.
someone canceled plans or didn’t show up when they said they would.
You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
very scared
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
I think you and I are on the same page—we both agree that recycling is important.
Agree with someone
He froze with fear when he saw it.
to become completely still or unable to act because you are very scared
She said she'd help me move, but now she's bailing on me.
someone canceled plans or didn’t show up when they said they would.
If you keep crying wolf, no one will believe you when you’re really hurt.
To lie about something to get attention or help
This assignment is impossible.
very hard
I'm the black sheep of the family.
a person who is different from the rest of their family or group, often in a way that is considered bad or unusual.
On this beach, seashells are a dime a dozen, especially at low tide.
Very common
That test wasn't half bad after all
pretty good, not too bad
I don't trust him, he seems shady.
suspicious
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 forgot his homework again and now he’s in hot water with the teacher.
in trouble
If you wear a banana suit to school, you'll stand out like a sore thumb!
very noticeable, obvious, doesn't fit in
Don't cry over spilled milk!
don’t get upset about something that has already happened and can’t be changed. Let go of past mistakes.
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
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
She’s ready to travel at the drop of a hat — just tell her where to go! ✈️
doing something immediately, without any hesitation or delay
She knows exactly how to wind me up by bringing up embarrassing stories from the past.
Get someone upset
Is your piano recital tonight? Well, break a leg!
Good luck!
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
I was going to join the team, but that train has left the station...they already picked the players.
It's too late, the opportunity has passed
I picked chocolate ice cream at the store but then I started having second thoughts after we left.
doubting a decision you’ve made or reconsidering your choice
After running a marathon, I was as hungry as a horse!
I was very very hungry
The messy house screamed for attention.
needs to be cleaned immediately, very noticeable mess
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
Waiting for my cat to finish eating is like watching grass grow.
extremely boring
If you have any good ideas, I'm all ears.
I'm listening
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
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
Don’t beat around the bush. Just tell me why you can’t come to my birthday party on Friday.
to avoid talking about the main point or issue, often because it’s awkward or uncomfortable.
Something's fishy here.
suspicious
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
She is a late bloomer, she didn't lose her first baby tooth until she was 10
developing later than others
We must have walked a hundred miles today.
walked a lot
I’ve been bending over backward to plan this party at the last minute.
trying very hard to help someone or make something happen, often going above and beyond.
She received a glowing review of her new restaurant
a great review
I’ve got a bone to pick with you! You need to stop leaving your junk all over my desk.
I’m upset about something you did and I want to talk about it
It’s so stuffy in here. Can someone please crack a window for some fresh air?
Open a window slightly
Tina is as gentle as a kitten.
soft-hearted, kind and careful
After a long day at the beach, Jayma slept like a log that night.
Sleep very soundly without waking
Ever since she was born, his granddaughter has been the apple of his eye.
someone who is cherished or loved very much.
Stop horsing around and finish your homework!
goofing around
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
I wanted to tell her the truth, but I had to bite my tongue.
Hold back what you say, stop yourself from saying something
The clouds sailed across the sky
slowly moved
This computer is a dinosaur, we should really replace it.
really old
I don’t like going to the dentist, but I’ll bite the bullet and make an appointment.
to face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely instead of avoiding it.
I'm a night owl.
Someone who stays up late
Somebody needs to step up to the plate and help solve the problem
to take responsibility or take action when something needs to be done, take charge
Dani excels at basketball because she’s so good at thinking on her feet.
To react quickly in a tricky or fast-moving situation
I said I would make the entire Thanksgiving dinner all by myself. I have bitten off more than I can chew.
taken on more responsibility or work than you can handle
She's being a scaredy cat!
very scared
My brother and sister don't get along, they fight like cats and dogs.
to argue or fight a lot, often very fiercely