English Grammar <<< English Idioms

1. put in my two cents - изразявам мнението си по някакъв въпрос;
   
   I just wanted to put in my two cents. /Само исках да изразя мнението си./



2. rain cats and dogs - вали много силно; вали пороен дъжд
   
   We can't go out - it's raining cats and dogs and the streets are flooded. /Не можем да излезем - вали пороен дъжд и улиците са наводнени./



3. Christmas carol - "Christmas carol" е всяка коледна песен. По дефиниция "carol" означава "радостна песен или химн", но думата "carol" много рядко се употребява самостоятелно.
   
   "A Christmas Carol" is the title of a famous work by Charles Dickens. /"Коледна песен" е заглавието на прочута творба от Чарлз Дикенс./



4. know-it-all - човек, който винаги има отговор на всеки въпрос; всезнайко (ирон.)
   
   "Hey Ben, stop being such a know-it-all and let someone else give their opinion." /Хей Бен, не бъди такъв всезнайко и остави някой друг да изкаже мнението си./



5. a pipe dream - нещо, за което може само да се мечтае, но не и да се осъществи в действителност; химера
   
   For most people a journey round the world is only a pipe dream. /За повечето хора едно околосветско пътешествие е само химера./



6. to be/fall head over heels in love - влюбвам се силно, изцяло съм погълнат от любовта си към някого; лудо влюбен съм
   
   Stacy and Robert are head over heels in love and they're planning to get married next month. / Стейси и Роберт са лудо влюбени и планират да сключат брак следващият месец./



7. to cost an arm and a leg - имам много висока цена; струвам адски скъпо;
   
   Everything in that fancy department store costs an arm and a leg.
   /Всичко в този луксозен универсален магазин струва адски скъпо./



8. out of the blue - без предупреждение, изненадващо
   
   Right out of the blue my sister decided to quit her job and go abroad.
   /Съвсем изненадващо сестра ми реши да напусне работата си и да замине в чужбина./
   
   
9. have egg on one's face - в неловко/глупаво положение; разобличен
   
   My colleague Frank ended up with egg on his face, when we all found out he had been lying.
   /Колегата ми Франк изпадна в неловко положение, когато всички разбрахме, че беше лъгал./



10. monkey business - 1) неетична или незаконна дейност; измама, мошеничество; 2) смешни или глупави действия
    
    He should stop that monkey business and try to do the job the correct way. /Той трябва да спре с това мошеничество и да се опита да върши работата почтено./



11. hit the road - потеглям, тръгвам на път (обикн. с кола)
    
    "It's getting late, so I think to hit the road."
    /Става късно, така че мисля да тръгвам./



12. booked solid - този идиом се употребява най-често в тур. бизнес, когато всички места в хотел, самолет или влак са резервирани. Можем да го използваме и за да кажем на някого, че денят ни e плътно ангажиран.
    
    "The hotel was booked solid from Dec 23 to Jan 6." /Всички места в хотела бяха резервирани от 23 декември до 6 януари./



13. take a flight - 1. тръгвам си, отивам си; 2. тръгвам/отпътувам със самолет
    
    If you don't like the way I live, you can take a flight. /Ако не харесваш начина ми на живот, можеш да си тръгнеш./



14. in cold blood - действие извършено с изключително хладнокръвие и жестокост
    
    The woman was murdered in cold blood. /Жената беше убита с изключителна жестокост./



15. at the end of one`s rope - на предела на възможностите за справяне с дадена ситуация
    
    I am at the end of my rope about what to do with my son. He refuses to do his homework. /На края на силите съм по отношение на моят син. Той отказва да си пише домашните./



16. in the driver's seat - изразът се употребява както в буквален (UK English), така и в преносен смисъл (предимно в AM English). В преносен смисъл означава, че някой контролира ситуацията.
    
    He was in the driver's seat after being assigned to lead the project. /След като беше определен да ръководи проекта, нещата бяха под негов контрол./



17. quick/fast buck (AM.) - пари спечелени бързо и лесно (и понякота нечестно)
    
    This company is only interested in making a quick buck. /Тази компания се интересува единствено от печеленето на бързи и лесни пари./



18. under the weather - не се чувствам добре (но не е сериозно)
    
    I'm feeling under the weather so I'm going to bed early tonight. /Не се чувствам добре, така че ще си легна рано тази вечер./



19. to go up/end in smoke - безрезултатен съм, не давам никакъв резултат; изпарявам се (за надежда и пр.)
    
    Our discussion ended in smoke. /Дискусията ни завърши безрезултатно./



20. to drop (someone) a line - пиша/изпращам бележка или писмо на някого
    
    I'll drop you a line when I get to Singapore. /Ще ти изпратя писмо когато стигна в Сингапур./



21. to be for the high jump (sl) - разг. загазвам; спукана ми е работата (Originaly army slang.)
    
    When your mom finds out that you broke her favorite vase, you'll be for the high jump. /Когато майка ти разбере, че си счупил любимата и ваза, ще загазиш./



22. add up - изглежда смислено или логично
    
    I don't understand his behaviour - it just doesn't add up. /Не разбирам неговото поведение - просто не изглежда логично./



23. from rags to riches = from poverty to wealth - от бедност в богатство
    
    My neighbours went from rags to riches when they won the jackpot.
    /Съседите ми преминаха от бедност в богатство, когато спечелиха джакпота./



24. a bolt from the blue = unexpected and usually unwelcome event - неочаквано и обикновено неприятно събитие; гръм от ясно небе
    
    The news that they are getting divorced came like a bolt from the blue. /Новината, че те се развеждат дойде като гръм от ясно небе./



25. to run short (of a supply) [to become insufficient; not to have enough] - недостигам, недостатъчен съм; свършвам
    
    1. Our money is running short. /Парите не ни достигат./
    2. We're running short of provisions. /Провизиите ни ca на привършване./



26. baptism of(by) fire [the first experience of something, usualy something difficult, frightening, etc.] - изпитание; първи, обикновено неприятен опит в нещо (стрес, затруднение, изживян страх и т.н.)
    
    My first day at the new job was a true baptism of fire. /Първият ми ден на новата работа беше истинско изпитание./



27. to dice with death (to do something very risky and dangerous) - предизвиквам смъртта, играя си със смъртта
    
    You're dicing with death driving the car so fast on the icy road. /Играеш си със смъртта, карайки колата толкова бързо по заледения път./
    



28. at the end of one's tether (Br.E) (US at the end of one's rope) (having reached the limit of one's patience, strength or mental resources, etc.) - на края на силите си; изтощен
    
    I'm at the end of my tether, and if the phone rings once more, I'll scream! /Аз съм на края на силите си и ако телефонът звънне още веднъж ще крещя!/



29. to go to great/all/any lengths (to try all the possible ways of achieving something, even if it means going beyond expected or accepted boundaries) - готов съм на всичко (за да постигна нещо)
    
    Some people go to great lengths to achieve their goals. /Някои хора са готови на всичко, за да постигнат целите си./
    



30. snowed under (to have too much work) - да имаш много работа; затрупан (претоварен) с работа
    
    I have been snowed under with work during the last two weeks. /През последните две седмици бях затрупана с работа./



31. take (something) lying down (to accept or suffer (something) without arguing, complaining or trying to avoid it) - приемам нещо безропотно; отминавам без да реагирам
    
    I won't take this insult lying down. I shall see my lawyer immediately. /Няма да отмина тази обида. Незабавно ще се видя с адвоката си./



32. back to the drawing board (to start again from the very beginning and make new plans) - отново от нулата; отначало
    
    The teacher didn't like our project, so we need to go back to the drawing board. /Учителят не хареса проекта ни, така че трябва да почваме отначало./



33. making hay* while the sun shines (to take advantage of a brief opportunity while it is still there) - възползувам се (максимално) от момента/случая, докато това е възможно
    
    I have to make hay while the sun shines and paint the fence while the weather is good. /Трябва да се възползувам от момента и да боядисам оградата докато времето е хубаво./
    
    * hay /сено/ - The saying comes from farming communities. There would often be only a short time in which the hay would be ready to cut - reap too soon, and the hay would be too green. Reap too late, and you run the risk of rain ruining it all.
    
    
34. from pillar to post (if someone goes from pillar to post, they are forced to keep moving from one place to another; usually a person in trouble, difficulty, etc.; someone looking for help) - от едно място на друго (обикн. за човек в беда, затруднение и т.н.; някой който се опитва да разреши проблем, да намери помощ);
    
    He had to move from pillar to post in search of a job. /Той трябваше да се мести от едно място на друго в търсене на работа./
    
    * derived from real tennis and referring to the way the ball is sent wildly about the court



35. enough is enough (means it is time something to stop or someone should stop doing something; this idiom is often used when someone can no longer tolerate any situation or another person’s behavior; usually used as an angry response) - стига толкова; търпението ми се изчерпи
    
    You should stop making silly excuses for your behavior! Enough is enough! /Трябва да престанеш с тези глупави извинения, за да оправдаеш поведението си! Търпението ми се изчерпи!/



36. absence makes the heart grow fonder (when people are apart, their love grows stronger; the lack of something increases the desire for it) - раздялата кара сърцето да обича повече; времето прекарано в раздяла засилва чувсвата; отсъствието на някого или нещо засилва копнежа по него
    
    The time my girlfriend and I spend apart has been good for us. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. /Времето, през което моята приятелка и аз прекарахме разделени ни се отрази добре. Раздялата засилва чувствата./
    
    *Origin: The Roman poet Sextus Propertius gave us the earliest form of this saying in Elegies: "Always toward absent lovers love's tide stronger flows." Also, in Thomas Haynes Bayly's (1797-1839) popular song "Isle of Beauty", published posthumously in 1850: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, Isle of Beauty, Fare thee well!".



37. feel / look like a million dollars - feel extremely good / look very attractive
    
    The summer vacation is coming soon and I feel like a million dollars.
    Susan looks like a million dollars with this new hairstyle and the beautiful red dress she bought yesterday.



38. have a crush (on someone) - have strong feelings of love for someone (sometimes for a woman/man you've never met) - падам си по някого (някой, когото може дори да не си срещал);
    
    When I was at the high school, I had a crush on a famous singer.
    /Когато бях в гимназията се влюбих в известен певец./



39. "take it easy" - 1) not to work hard; to avoid using much efforts; 2) do not make an issue out of it, do not take it to heart; remain calm; 3) (mainly in spoken American) used for saying goodbye to someone; used to end a conversation
    
    1) Take it easy - you don't have to be perfect.
         The doctor told him to take it easy.
    
    2. Take it easy! There's no need to get upset.
    
    3) Well, it was nice talking to you. Take it easy.



40. every cloud has a silver lining - a common English-language idiom used to express that every apparent problem or unpleasant situation has a positive side. The saying also means that you should never feel hopeless because even the darkest times lead to better days. Difficult times are like clouds that pass overhead and block the sun. But at the edges of every cloud we can see the sun shining there like a silver lining.
    
         -"I found a new job after a long unemployment period, and I like this one much better than the last."
         -"You see? Every cloud has a silver lining."
    
         -"This really is a tough situation and it is hard to say what is right and what is wrong."
         -"I'm sure everything will be fine. Always keep in mind that every cloud has a silver lining."
    
         Origin
    
         The concept behind the phrase is dates back to John Milton's 'Comus' (1634) with the lines:
    
         "Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud
         Turn forth her silver lining on the night?”
    
         (See also: www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/every-cloud-has-a-silver-lining.html)



41. words fail me - I cannot find the proper words to describe my thoughts and feelings; I am unable to express my reaction, often because the situation is shocking, surprising, or unusual; we can also say "I'm speechless."
    
         1. Words fail me when I think of what he has done!
         2. I would like to tell you about the difficulties in this African country but I can't. Words just fail me!
         3. Words fail me to describe how beautiful was my girlfriend in her new dress.



42. keep the ball rolling - to continue the progress of an activity, project, plan, etc.
    
    The teacher said that we should keep the ball rolling on our project.
    
    You have done excellent job so far, Jane! You just need to keep the ball rolling.



43. by heart - to memorize something completely and accurately (a poem, a set of words, numbers, facts, etc.)
    
    Their little child knows the long, popular poem by heart.
    
    The students had to learn all new words from the lesson by heart.
    
    


44. not to turn a hear - to remain calm
    
    He didn't turn a hair when the robber ran into the room at night.
    
    He did it without turning a hair.



45. milk it for all it's worth (British idiom) - - to take full advantage of a situation or condition
    
    1. I was in London for a week and I tried to milk this time for all it's worth.
    
    2. My father won the lottary two years ago, so our family milked it for all it's worth.
    
    3. Kate is happily milking her birthday for all it's worth.
    
    4. The politicians have milked the situation for all it’s worth.
    
    


46. to speak your mind - to say what you really think or believe; to tell people exactly what you think, even if it offends them; to say what you think about something very directly
    
    1. You have to speak your mind during the meeting.
    
    2. Lara is certainly not afraid to speak her mind.
    
    


47. massage somebody's ego - to say nice things about somebody, often in a way that is not sincere, in order to make them feel better, more confident, more attractive, etc.
    
    1. I can't stand how my colleague Joe massages our boss's big ego.
    
    2. Helena's boyfriend doesn't miss to massage her mother's ego.


48. see to it - to ensure or make certain that something is done
    
    1. Can you see to it that Jane will get the book tomorrow morning?
    
    2. I wanted to see to it that my children had cleaned the room.
    
    3. See to it that this never happens again!
    
    see eye to eye (usually in the negative) - means to agree with someone; to have the same opinion (as someone else) on someone/something or about someone/something
    
    1. I don't see eye to eye with my father on some political issues.
    
    2. My friend Ann doesn't see eye to eye with her sister. Their opinions differ on many topics.
    
    3. They've never seen eye to eye about this matter.
    
    4. Tom saw eye to eye with his colleague Jim on almost every aspect of the problem.


49. ring down the curtain on something (formal) - to end a project, performance, etc. (refers to the practice of ringing a bell used as a signal to lower the curtain at the end of a performance)
    
    1. We did our best, but now it is time to ring down the curtain on our company.
    
    2. We should ring down the curtain on this investigation.


50. (there are) horses for courses (primarily heard in British and Australian English) - used to say that different people are suited for different jobs (especially certain particular tasks) or situations; (This idiom originates from the horse racing sport. An allusion to the fact that a racehorse performs best on a racecourse to which it is specifically suited.)
    
    1. Our manager often says that there are horses for courses.
    
    2. "It's a matter of horses for courses," said the coach.
    
    3. You should know that the selection for the match will be a case of horses for courses, so don't be disappointed.