My head was spinning after hearing all the complicated instructions.
overwhelmed, confused
That old car is about to kick the bucket.
die, be unable to use
Those cheap pens are for the birds; they barely work at all.
Worthless or no good
Stop beating around the bush! Get to the point!
to avoid talking about something directly or to delay getting to the main point.
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
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
Hold your horses...the movie hasn’t started yet!
wait a moment, be patient, or slow down.
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?
If you have any good ideas, I'm all ears.
I'm listening
Keep your chin up
stay positive
The sun smiled down on us.
the sun was shining
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.
America is a melting pot of people and cultures.
diverse community, where people of different backgrounds, cultures, or ideas come together and mix
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
Don’t waste my time with silly little things today. I’ve got bigger fish to fry.
More important things to do
Minh went the extra mile and really impressed the selection committee.
To do more than you’re required to do
If I find out you were lying , you're toast!
you're in trouble
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
Time flies when you're having fun
time goes by fast
After starting off on the wrong foot, Robin and Hayden finally figured out how to work together.
To start a relationship or activity badly
She is as pretty as a painting.
beautiful, picture-perfect
My new coat fits like a glove
fits really well, perfect fit
She was late for work. She's in hot water with her boss
in trouble
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 received a glowing review of her new restaurant
a great review
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
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
We must have walked a hundred miles today.
walked a lot
When she saw the celebrity in real life, she was like a deer in headlights.
Stunned, frozen with fear, shocked and confused
She knows exactly how to wind me up by bringing up embarrassing stories from the past.
Get someone upset
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.
Keiko studied hard for the test, but when it came time to answer the question, she drew a blank.
To fail to remember something
Yelling at the kids will add fuel to the fire, not calm them down
Make matters worse, Aggravate the problem
You look like something the cat dragged in.
messy, tired, unpleasant, not good
Why are you giving me the cold shoulder?
ignoring me
Is your piano recital tonight? Well, break a leg!
Good luck!
He is a couch potato these days.
lazy
Miguel won’t be at the Scout meeting today because he’s feeling a little under the weather.
to be sick
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
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
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 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
Have a seat until the bell rings.
sit down
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.
The pilot remained cool as a cucumber while handling the emergency landing.
very calm and relaxed, even in a difficult or stressful situation.
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.
When she sings, her voice is like velvet.
her voice is very smooth, soft, and pleasant to listen to.
“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
He froze with fear when he saw it.
to become completely still or unable to act because you are very scared
He cheated on the test and now has to face the music.
Accept the consequences, take responsibility, own up to it
She is a walking dictionary.
She knows a lot
It’s so stuffy in here. Can someone please crack a window for some fresh air?
Open a window slightly
The scenic view from my window is a gorgeous painting.
beautiful
I heard your first show is tonight! Break a leg!
good luck!
You light up my life.
something makes you very happy, cheerful, or excited.
Even though he’s a bookworm, he also enjoys playing soccer.
someone who loves reading and spends a lot of time with books.
If you keep crying wolf, no one will believe you when you’re really hurt.
To lie about something to get attention or help
I need to save more dough before I can afford to go on vacation.
money
You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
very scared
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
“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
Until we know if it’s going to rain or not, our weekend plans are up in the air.
uncertain or unsettled
Ask me anything, I'm an open book
someone who is easy to understand because they share their thoughts and feelings openly.
She's drowning in a sea of grief.
Intense sadness, very sad
Don't listen to him; he's just trying to wind you up.
Get you upset
She has a heart of gold.
a very kind, generous, and caring person.
After a long day at the beach, Jayma slept like a log that night.
Sleep very soundly without waking
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 know you are nervous to try ice skating, but you should give it a shot
give it a try
Cleaning up after the party was a bigger pain in the neck than I expected.
annoying
The teacher planted seeds of wisdom throughout the entire school year
give advice, teach valuable lessons
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
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
Stop horsing around and finish your homework!
goofing around
“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
After struggling with the project for weeks, he decided to throw in the towel and ask for help.
give up
He is a bad apple.
a person who behaves badly or causes trouble, especially within a group.
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
Celia added fuel to the fire by accusing the opposing team of cheating.
Make something worse
My new shoes cost a fortune
very expensive
I wanted to tell her the truth, but I had to bite my tongue.
Hold back what you say, stop yourself from saying something
This computer is a dinosaur, we should really replace it.
really old
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
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.
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.
The new flavors of ice cream is the bee's knee's
Awesome, excellent, really special
Her eyes sparkled like diamonds.
Shows excitement, happiness, or amazement
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
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
He was the Romeo to her Juliet.
they love each other
His anger is all bottled up inside.
he is keeping his anger or emotions hidden instead of expressing them.
“Stop wriggling while I’m braiding your hair!” Kehlani’s mom said. “You have ants in your pants this morning.”
Can’t sit still
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
I only see my cousins once in a blue moon because they live so far away.
something that happens very rarely.
“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
Monkey see, monkey do
copying someone
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
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
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
Joey was so angry that there was steam coming out of his ears.
very angry
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.
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.
I have asked you a million times to clean up your room!
I asked you many times
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
I didn’t plan the day carefully; I just decided to go with the flow.
Take things as they come, be flexible
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
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.
Now that you have graduated high school, the world is your oyster!
Everything is possible, you can do anything
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
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
He is behind bars for another couple of years
in prison
trying to manage a full classroom of students is a juggling act
trying to manage several tasks or responsibilities at the same time.
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
I need a headcount of everyone on that bus
the number of people present
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
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.
Tina is as gentle as a kitten.
soft-hearted, kind and careful
I'm in a pickle, can you help me?
I’m in a difficult, tricky, or awkward situation.
It takes my sister an eternity to get dressed.
a long time
Dani excels at basketball because she’s so good at thinking on her feet.
To react quickly in a tricky or fast-moving situation
They were on cloud nine after hearing they were going to Disneyland.
extremely happy or joyful.
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.
The new NBA game was the holy grail of all video games
important, high value, most desired thing
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.
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
My backpack weighs a ton!
very heavy
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.
The city slept well the night the murderer was captured
the people in the city felt relief, safety, peace
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
Standing on a spinny chair? That's a recipe for disaster!
risk, trouble, or likely failure
Her head was killing her.
she has a really bad headache
She accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
reveal the secret
On this beach, seashells are a dime a dozen, especially at low tide.
Very common
This show is going to knock your socks off
amaze someone, surprise greatly, impress
Waiting in line for hours was such a pain in the neck.
annoying
Ever since she was born, his granddaughter has been the apple of his eye.
someone who is cherished or loved very much.
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
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
The clouds sailed across the sky
slowly moved
Rohan knew he needed to start his research paper, but he just kept dragging his feet.
To be reluctant to do something
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
If you wear a banana suit to school, you'll stand out like a sore thumb!
very noticeable, obvious, doesn't fit in
5am is for the birds.
not worth it
She is a late bloomer, she didn't lose her first baby tooth until she was 10
developing later than others
That test was a piece of cake.
easy
Kathy arrived at the grocery store with an army of children.
many children
“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
She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.
revealing information, secrets, or surprises
“Nine o’clock!” said Mia’s dad. “It’s time to turn off the TV and hit the sack.”
to go to bed
She's being a scaredy cat!
very scared
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
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
Nice wheels!
nice car!
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
I understand why you had to cancel our plans; no hard feelings
not being angry or upset about something that happened.
That new pizza place in town is a rare gem
a person or thing that is very special, valuable, or unique.
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.
I have been very sick with the flu. I feel like death warmed up.
to feel extremely sick, exhausted, or unwell
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.
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.
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.
someone who is cherished or loved very much.
I forgot it was her birthday yesterday, it completely slipped my mind.
forgot
Everything was going fine when out of the blue, Joey said got so mad that he threw something.
Suddenly and without warning
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
When they heard about the pop quiz, the students were anything but excited.
upset
Our school runs like a well-oiled machine
Runs smoothly, efficient system, perfectly coordinated
The living room is like an icebox!
very cold
I think you and I are on the same page—we both agree that recycling is important.
Agree with someone
Everyone has the flu right now. We are all in the same boat.
Facing the same situation
The teacher talked until her tongue fell out.
she talked a lot
That came out of the blue!
unexpected
I almost missed my flight! I barely made it by the skin of my teeth!
Narrowly, barely, just in time
You're driving me up a wall today
you're driving me crazy!
Hearing you say that brings music to my ears.
delightful to hear, makes me happy
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 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
I'm a night owl.
Someone who stays up late
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.
He forgot his homework again and now he’s in hot water with the teacher.
in trouble
I know you are nervous to try ice skating, but you should take a stab at it
give it a try
The traffic crawled along the congested highway.
moved very slowly
My brother and sister don't get along, they fight like cats and dogs.
to argue or fight a lot, often very fiercely
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
I can't trust that snake!
sneaky, untrustworthy
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
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
She's like a fish in the water.
a really good swimmer
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
You left me high and dry when you ditched our plans!
abandoned, unsupported
His son has the same talent for music as he does; he's definitely a chip off the old block.
Just like his dad
These bags I have to carry are so heavy that my arms are going to fall off!
these bags are very heavy
The sailboat danced in the waves.
glided back and forth
Grace and Nora went the whole nine yards to make sure Hannah’s birthday party was really special.
Everything, all the way
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
We baked in the hot sun
tanned or sunburnt
The students were up in arms when the teacher announced a surprise test.
Very angry about something
Something's fishy here.
suspicious
This assignment is impossible.
very hard
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
I heard the news straight from the horse’s mouth.
information coming directly from the most reliable or original source.
It's raining cats and dogs outside.
it's raining very heavily, raining a lot
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
Swallow your tears.
to stop yourself from crying and hold back your sadness or emotions.
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
I have been a busy beaver today.
hard worker
He has lost a lot of weight and now he is as thin as a rail.
very skinny
You snore louder than a freight train
very loud
That test wasn't half bad after all
pretty good, not too bad
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.
I don't trust him, he seems shady.
suspicious
She is an early bird, she always goes to bed by 7pm.
She goes to bed early
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
Lend me a hand
help
Slipping in just before midnight, Luka avoided breaking curfew by the skin of her teeth.
Narrowly, barely, just in time
It costs an arm and a leg to go to college
expensive
"Don't you want to watch the game?" "To be honest, I'd rather watch paint dry."
extremely boring
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
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
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
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
Lend me your ears
pay attention and listen carefully
He is a social butterfly
someone who is very friendly, outgoing, and enjoys being around people.
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
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
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 can tell Jenny is upset; she wears her heart on her sleeve.
she openly shows her emotions and feelings for everyone to see.
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.
After running a marathon, I was as hungry as a horse!
I was very very hungry
She shows up to help at the food pantry every single Saturday, come rain or shine.
No matter what
I’ve been sitting in traffic half my life!
sitting in traffic for a very long time
Out of the blue, it started snowing in April!
something happens suddenly and unexpectedly
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
She was the shining star of the show
the best
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
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.
He was dying of boredom.
very bored
I have done enough work, I'm calling it a day
stop working, wrap things up
I'm drowning at school these days.
I'm struggling, overwhelmed
The messy house screamed for attention.
needs to be cleaned immediately, very noticeable mess
The snow on the mountain was like powdered sugar.
the snow was very soft and light
I meant to do the laundry, but it totally slipped my mind.
To forget something
I’ve never made a cake from scratch, but I’m willing to give it a whirl.
To try something
My memory is cloudy, I can't quite recall what happened.
confusion, forgetfulness, difficulty remembering
Waiting for my cat to finish eating is like watching grass grow.
extremely boring
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.
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.
Your teacher is an ocean of useful information.
your teacher knows a lot and has a vast amount of knowledge to share
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
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.
I was blinded by the sun.
Hard to see because it is so bright
Hang on a second
wait
Her stomach growled.
She was hungry
The new baby is as tiny as a mouse.
the baby is very small
He wanted to borrow my brand new video game. I said "Don't even think about it!"
No way, absolutely not