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81 단어

정의 언어:: 한국어

1
to flog a dead horseidiominformal
to persist pointlessly with something that cannot succeed (futile persistence)
Used to describe wasting effort on a cause or task that is already hopeless or settled.
He keeps bringing up the merger, but honestly he's flogging a dead horse — the board killed it months ago.
He keeps bringing up the merger, but honestly he's wasting his breath — the board killed it months ago.
2
to put the cart before the horseidiomneutral
to reverse the proper order of things (doing the consequence before the cause)
Used when someone does things in the wrong order, tackling a later step before a prerequisite one.
Designing the logo before we've even decided what the company does is putting the cart before the horse.
Designing the logo before we've even decided what the company does is doing things backwards.
3
a wild goose chaseidiomneutral
a futile, time-wasting pursuit (chasing something unattainable)
Used for a search or pursuit that is hopeless and ends up wasting time.
The anonymous tip sent the detectives on a wild goose chase across half the city.
The anonymous tip sent the detectives on a hopeless pursuit across half the city.
4
to grasp at strawsidiomneutral
to resort to desperate, improbable measures (clinging to faint hope)
Used when someone desperately tries any unlikely option because better ones are unavailable. Also 'clutch at straws'.
Blaming the weather for the company's collapse is just grasping at straws.
Blaming the weather for the company's collapse is just desperate excuse-making.
5
to make a mountain out of a molehillidiominformal
to exaggerate a minor issue into a major one (overreaction to a trifle)
Used to criticise someone for exaggerating the importance of a trivial problem.
It was one typo in the email — stop making a mountain out of a molehill.
It was one typo in the email — stop blowing it out of proportion.
6
a bull in a china shopidiominformal
a reckless, clumsy person in a delicate situation (destructive lack of care)
Used for a clumsy or tactless person who causes damage in a situation requiring delicacy.
Don't let him handle the negotiation — he's a bull in a china shop and will offend everyone.
Don't let him handle the negotiation — he's hopelessly tactless and will offend everyone.
7
to have a bone to pick with someoneidiominformal
to have a grievance to raise with someone (a matter to argue out)
Used when you want to confront someone about a grievance or complaint.
I've got a bone to pick with you — why did you tell everyone about my new job?
I have a complaint to raise with you — why did you tell everyone about my new job?
8
to play your cards close to your chestidiomneutral
to keep your intentions secret (guarded discretion)
Used to describe someone who keeps their plans or intentions secret.
The CEO is playing her cards close to her chest about who'll be promoted.
The CEO is being very secretive about who'll be promoted.
9
to have an ace up your sleeveidiominformal
to hold a secret advantage in reserve (a concealed trump)
Used for a hidden advantage or resource kept in reserve for the right moment.
They seemed to be losing the bid, but the firm had an ace up its sleeve: an exclusive patent.
They seemed to be losing the bid, but the firm had a secret advantage: an exclusive patent.
10
to hit below the beltidiominformal
to attack someone unfairly or cruelly (a foul, low blow)
Used when someone says or does something unfairly hurtful, breaking the unwritten rules of fair conduct.
Bringing up his divorce during a work argument really hit below the belt.
Bringing up his divorce during a work argument was a genuinely unfair blow.
11
to throw your hat in the ringidiomneutral
to declare yourself a candidate or competitor (entering the contest)
Used when someone formally announces they are entering a competition or contest, especially for a position.
After months of speculation, she finally threw her hat in the ring for the leadership.
After months of speculation, she finally declared herself a candidate for the leadership.
12
to roll with the punchesidiominformal
to adapt and cope with adversity flexibly (absorbing setbacks)
Used to describe adapting calmly to difficulties and setbacks as they come.
Freelancing is unpredictable, so you learn to roll with the punches.
Freelancing is unpredictable, so you learn to take setbacks in your stride.
13
to take it on the chinidiominformal
to endure hardship or criticism stoically (accepting a blow without flinching)
Used when someone accepts criticism, defeat or misfortune bravely and without complaint.
He was passed over for the promotion but took it on the chin and congratulated his rival.
He was passed over for the promotion but accepted it gracefully and congratulated his rival.
14
to go the whole hogidiominformal
to do something fully and without half-measures (going all the way)
Used when someone does something completely and without restraint, holding nothing back.
If we're redecorating, let's go the whole hog and replace the flooring too.
If we're redecorating, let's go all out and replace the flooring too.
15
to eat humble pieidiominformal
to admit error and apologise humiliatingly (a forced climbdown)
Used when someone is forced to admit they were wrong and apologise, suffering humiliation.
After insisting the figures were right, he had to eat humble pie when the audit proved him wrong.
After insisting the figures were right, he had to humbly admit his mistake when the audit proved him wrong.
16
to eat your wordsidiominformal
to retract a confident claim proven false (forced to take back what you said)
Used when someone is proven wrong and has to retract what they confidently said.
You said they'd never finish on time — looks like you'll have to eat your words.
You said they'd never finish on time — looks like you'll have to take that back.
17
a bitter pill to swallowidiomneutral
a painful reality that is difficult to accept (an unwelcome truth)
Used for an unpleasant fact or outcome that is hard to accept.
Being overlooked after all those years was a bitter pill to swallow.
Being overlooked after all those years was very hard to accept.
18
the writing on the wallidiomneutral
clear warning signs of impending failure (an unmistakable omen)
Used for clear signs that something, usually bad, is going to happen. Biblical in origin.
When they cancelled the project, the staff saw the writing on the wall and started job-hunting.
When they cancelled the project, the staff read the warning signs and started job-hunting.
19
an Achilles' heelidiomneutral
a fatal weak point in something otherwise strong (a critical vulnerability)
Used for a single weakness or vulnerable point in an otherwise strong person or thing. From Greek mythology.
His temper is his Achilles' heel; it has cost him several jobs.
His temper is his one fatal flaw; it has cost him several jobs.
20
a Catch-22idiomneutral
a no-win paradox of self-contradicting rules (an inescapable bind)
Used for a paradoxical situation where you cannot escape because of mutually conflicting conditions. From Joseph Heller's novel.
You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience — it's a complete Catch-22.
You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience — it's a complete no-win bind.
21
a Trojan horseidiomneutral
a benign-seeming thing concealing a hidden threat (a deceptive infiltration)
Used for something that appears harmless or beneficial but conceals a hidden, harmful purpose. From the Trojan War legend.
Critics called the free-trade clause a Trojan horse for deregulation.
Critics called the free-trade clause a hidden vehicle for deregulation.
22
to cross the Rubiconidiomformalliterary
to pass a point of no return (an irrevocable commitment)
Used for taking an irreversible, decisive step from which there is no going back. From Julius Caesar's march on Rome.
By signing the declaration, the colonies had crossed the Rubicon.
By signing the declaration, the colonies had passed the point of no return.
23
a swan songidiomliterary
a final, often finest, performance before the end (a farewell effort)
Used for a final performance, work or achievement before retirement or death.
The concert was the conductor's swan song after forty years on the podium.
The concert was the conductor's farewell performance after forty years on the podium.
24
a fool's errandidiomneutral
a hopeless, pointless undertaking (a doomed task)
Used for a task that is pointless and has no hope of success.
Trying to please everyone on the committee is a fool's errand.
Trying to please everyone on the committee is a hopeless task.
25
a labour of loveidiomneutral
work done out of passion, not for pay (devoted, unpaid effort)
Used for work done for the pleasure or devotion it brings rather than for reward.
Restoring the old cottage was a labour of love that took him a decade.
Restoring the old cottage was a passion project that took him a decade.
26
a baptism of fireidiomneutral
a harsh, demanding initiation (a trial by ordeal at the start)
Used for a very difficult first experience of something, especially a new job or role.
Her first day as a nurse during the outbreak was a real baptism of fire.
Her first day as a nurse during the outbreak was a real trial by ordeal.
27
the lion's shareidiomneutral
the largest portion of something (the dominant share)
Used for the largest part or majority of something. From Aesop's fables.
The marketing department took the lion's share of the budget this year.
The marketing department took the biggest portion of the budget this year.
28
a red herringidiomneutral
a misleading distraction from the real matter (a false lead)
Used for a misleading clue or piece of information that diverts attention from the real issue.
The missing watch turned out to be a red herring; the real motive was money.
The missing watch turned out to be a false lead; the real motive was money.
29
a damp squibidiominformal
a disappointing anticlimax (a much-hyped flop)
Used for something that is expected to be impressive but turns out to be a disappointing anticlimax. British English.
After all the hype, the launch event was a bit of a damp squib.
After all the hype, the launch event was rather an anticlimax.
30
to be at loggerheadsidiomneutral
to be locked in bitter disagreement (entrenched conflict)
Used when two parties are in stubborn disagreement or conflict.
The two ministers have been at loggerheads over the budget for weeks.
The two ministers have been in bitter dispute over the budget for weeks.
31
to pass the buckidiominformal
to shift responsibility onto someone else (dodging accountability)
Used when someone shifts responsibility or blame to another person instead of accepting it.
Whenever something goes wrong, he just passes the buck to his assistant.
Whenever something goes wrong, he just shifts the blame to his assistant.
32
a loose cannonidiominformal
an unpredictable, uncontrollable person (a dangerous wildcard)
Used for an unpredictable person who may cause damage if left unchecked.
They kept him away from the press because he was such a loose cannon.
They kept him away from the press because he was so unpredictable.
33
the black sheep of the familyidiominformal
the disreputable or odd member of a group (a family outcast)
Used for a family member regarded as a disgrace or oddity compared with the others.
As the only one without a degree, he always felt like the black sheep of the family.
As the only one without a degree, he always felt like the family outsider.
34
a hard nut to crackidiominformal
a stubborn problem or guarded person (something difficult to overcome)
Used for a difficult problem to solve, or a person who is hard to get to know or persuade. Also 'a tough nut to crack'.
The encryption proved a hard nut to crack, even for the experts.
The encryption proved very difficult to break, even for the experts.
35
to take the wind out of someone's sailsidiominformal
to suddenly deflate someone's confidence or momentum (a demoralising check)
Used when something suddenly deflates a person's confidence, enthusiasm or momentum.
Her calm rebuttal completely took the wind out of his sails.
Her calm rebuttal completely deflated him.
36
to be cut from the same clothidiomneutral
to be very similar in nature (sharing the same essential character)
Used to say two people are very similar in character or outlook.
Father and son are cut from the same cloth — both stubborn to the core.
Father and son are very much alike — both stubborn to the core.
37
a fair-weather friendidiomneutral
a friend present only in good times (unreliable in adversity)
Used for someone who is only a friend during good times and disappears when trouble comes.
When I lost my job, I found out who my real friends were and who were just fair-weather friends.
When I lost my job, I found out who my real friends were and who were only fair-weather ones.
38
to swallow your prideidiomneutral
to set aside your ego to act (humbling yourself)
Used when someone sets aside their dignity or ego to do something difficult, like apologising or asking for help.
He had to swallow his pride and ask his younger brother for a loan.
He had to set aside his ego and ask his younger brother for a loan.
39
to have egg on your faceidiominformal
to be left looking foolish (public embarrassment from a blunder)
Used when someone is left looking foolish or embarrassed because of a mistake.
The newspaper had egg on its face after printing the wrong election result.
The newspaper was left looking foolish after printing the wrong election result.
40
to be caught red-handedidiominformal
to be caught in the act of wrongdoing (undeniable guilt)
Used when someone is discovered in the very act of doing something wrong.
The thief was caught red-handed with the jewellery in his pocket.
The thief was caught in the act with the jewellery in his pocket.
41
a stick in the mudidiominformalpejorative
a dull person who resists change or fun (a killjoy)
Used for a boring, old-fashioned person who resists change or fun.
Come on, don't be such a stick in the mud — one drink won't hurt.
Come on, don't be such a killjoy — one drink won't hurt.
42
the bee's kneesidiominformalhumorous
something or someone outstanding (the height of excellence)
Used to describe something or someone excellent or outstanding. British English, slightly dated and often playful.
He thinks his new sports car is the bee's knees.
He thinks his new sports car is absolutely fabulous.
43
to take the biscuitidiominformal
to be the most outrageous instance of something (the limit of cheek or absurdity)
Used when something is the most surprising, annoying or outrageous example of its kind. British English; American equivalent is 'take the cake'.
I've heard some excuses, but blaming the dog for the missing report really takes the biscuit.
I've heard some excuses, but blaming the dog for the missing report is the absolute limit.
44
a flash in the panidiomneutral
a brief, non-repeated success (short-lived promise)
Used for a sudden success or thing that fails to last or be repeated.
Critics dismissed her debut hit as a flash in the pan, but she's still topping the charts.
Critics dismissed her debut hit as a one-off fluke, but she's still topping the charts.
45
to have a finger in every pieidiominformal
to be involved in many ventures at once (widespread, sometimes meddling, involvement)
Used for someone who is involved in many different activities or businesses, sometimes intrusively.
From property to restaurants, she's got a finger in every pie in this town.
From property to restaurants, she's involved in everything in this town.
46
a chip off the old blockidiominformal
a child much like a parent (clearly inheriting their traits)
Used for a child who closely resembles a parent in character or appearance.
Little Tom is fixing bikes already — a real chip off the old block.
Little Tom is fixing bikes already — just like his father.
47
to gild the lilyidiomformalliterary
to embellish unnecessarily what is already fine (pointless over-refinement)
Used when someone tries to improve something already beautiful or perfect, making it worse or excessive.
The dish was perfect; adding truffle oil was gilding the lily.
The dish was perfect; adding truffle oil was excessive embellishment.
48
to be hoist by your own petardidiomformalliterary
to be undone by your own trap or scheme (caught in your own device)
Used when someone is harmed by their own scheme intended to harm others. From Shakespeare's Hamlet.
He spread the rumour to discredit a rival, only to be hoist by his own petard when it was traced back to him.
He spread the rumour to discredit a rival, only to be ruined by his own scheme when it was traced back to him.
49
a feather in your capidiomneutral
a notable achievement to be proud of (a credit to one's record)
Used for an achievement or honour that one can be proud of.
Winning that contract is a real feather in her cap.
Winning that contract is a real achievement to her credit.
50
to have your head in the cloudsidiominformal
to be lost in unrealistic daydreams (detached from practicalities)
Used for someone who is impractical, daydreaming, or out of touch with reality.
He'll never run a business with his head in the clouds like that.
He'll never run a business being so impractical and dreamy.
51
to be down in the dumpsidiominformal
to feel low and despondent (mild dejection)
Used to describe feeling sad, low or depressed.
She's been a bit down in the dumps since the holiday ended.
She's been a bit low since the holiday ended.
52
to be in the doghouseidiominformalhumorous
to be in disgrace with someone close (temporarily out of favour)
Used when someone is in disgrace or trouble, usually with a partner or close person.
I forgot our anniversary, so I'm well and truly in the doghouse.
I forgot our anniversary, so I'm thoroughly out of favour.
53
to be on tenterhooksidiomneutral
to be in anxious suspense (nervous anticipation)
Used to describe being in a state of anxious, suspenseful waiting.
We were on tenterhooks all night waiting for the election results.
We were in nervous suspense all night waiting for the election results.
54
a sitting duckidiominformal
an easy, defenceless target (vulnerable to attack)
Used for a person or thing that is an easy, defenceless target.
Without a firewall, the company's servers were sitting ducks for hackers.
Without a firewall, the company's servers were easy prey for hackers.
55
your bark is worse than your biteproverbinformal
someone sounds fiercer than they really are (harmless beneath the bluster)
Used to say that someone seems more aggressive or threatening than they actually are.
The old foreman shouts a lot, but his bark is worse than his bite.
The old foreman shouts a lot, but he's harmless underneath.
56
to let the chips fall where they mayidiomneutral
to act rightly and accept any outcome (indifference to consequences)
Used to express doing what is right and accepting whatever consequences follow.
I'll tell them the truth and let the chips fall where they may.
I'll tell them the truth and accept whatever happens.
57
a stitch in time saves nineproverbneutral
timely action prevents bigger trouble later (early repair averts greater work)
Used to advise dealing with a problem promptly to prevent it from becoming much bigger.
Fix that small leak now — a stitch in time saves nine.
Fix that small leak now — prompt action saves bigger repairs later.
58
too many cooks spoil the brothproverbneutral
too many people involved ruins the result (excess hands harm the work)
Used to say that when too many people are involved in a task, the result suffers.
Let's keep the planning team small — too many cooks spoil the broth.
Let's keep the planning team small — too many people will ruin it.
59
the pot calling the kettle blackidiominformal
a hypocrite criticising their own fault in another (accusing what one is guilty of)
Used to point out hypocrisy when someone criticises a fault they themselves have.
Him calling me disorganised is a bit the pot calling the kettle black.
Him calling me disorganised is rather hypocritical.
60
people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stonesproverbneutral
don't criticise others for flaws you also have (the vulnerable shouldn't attack)
Used to warn that you should not criticise others for faults you share.
Before you criticise his spending, remember that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Before you criticise his spending, remember not to condemn faults you share.
61
every cloud has a silver liningproverbneutral
every misfortune carries some comfort (optimism in hardship)
Used to express that even bad situations have some positive aspect.
I lost the job, but every cloud has a silver lining — now I've started my own business.
I lost the job, but there's always an upside — now I've started my own business.
62
to make hay while the sun shinesproverbneutral
to seize an opportunity while conditions allow (act while you can)
Used to advise taking advantage of favourable conditions while they last.
Tourists are flooding in this summer, so the shops are making hay while the sun shines.
Tourists are flooding in this summer, so the shops are cashing in while they can.
63
to strike while the iron is hotproverbneutral
to act at the most favourable moment (seize the timely chance)
Used to advise acting decisively at the most opportune moment.
They're impressed with your pitch — strike while the iron is hot and ask for the deal now.
They're impressed with your pitch — act now while the moment is right and ask for the deal.
64
don't look a gift horse in the mouthproverbinformal
don't be critical of a free gift (accept generosity gratefully)
Used to advise against being critical or ungrateful about something received for free.
The car's old, but it was free — don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
The car's old, but it was free — don't be ungrateful about it.
65
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bushproverbneutral
a sure small gain beats a risky bigger one (value what you hold)
Used to say that it is better to keep what you have than risk it for something better but uncertain.
Take the offer on the table; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Take the offer on the table; a guaranteed gain beats a risky one.
66
when in Rome, do as the Romans doproverbneutral
adapt to the customs of where you are (conform to local ways)
Used to advise adapting to local customs when in an unfamiliar place.
I don't usually nap in the afternoon, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
I don't usually nap in the afternoon, but you should follow local custom.
67
the apple doesn't fall far from the treeproverbneutral
children resemble their parents (traits run in the family)
Used to say that children tend to resemble their parents in character or behaviour.
Like his father, he became a lawyer — the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Like his father, he became a lawyer — children take after their parents.
68
there's no smoke without fireproverbneutral
rumours usually have some truth behind them (signs imply a real cause)
Used to suggest that rumours usually have some basis in truth.
They deny the merger talks, but there's no smoke without fire.
They deny the merger talks, but such rumours rarely arise from nothing.
69
familiarity breeds contemptproverbformal
over-familiarity erodes respect (closeness can breed disdain)
Used to say that knowing someone or something too well can lead to a loss of respect or interest.
Working with your heroes can be disillusioning — familiarity breeds contempt.
Working with your heroes can be disillusioning — knowing them too well erodes admiration.
70
fortune favours the boldproverbformalliterary
the courageous are rewarded (boldness brings success)
Used to encourage taking courageous risks, suggesting that the brave are rewarded. Of Latin origin.
She quit her job to launch the venture, trusting that fortune favours the bold.
She quit her job to launch the venture, trusting that courage is rewarded.
71
necessity is the mother of inventionproverbformal
need drives ingenuity (hardship sparks inventiveness)
Used to say that difficult situations inspire ingenious solutions.
With no proper tools, they improvised brilliantly — necessity is the mother of invention.
With no proper tools, they improvised brilliantly — need breeds ingenuity.
72
a Pyrrhic victoryidiomformalliterary
a win so costly it is barely worth it (a ruinous triumph)
Used for a victory won at so great a cost that it is effectively a defeat. Named after King Pyrrhus of Epirus.
They won the lawsuit, but the legal fees made it a Pyrrhic victory.
They won the lawsuit, but the legal fees made it a hollow, ruinous triumph.
73
to throw a spanner in the worksidiominformal
to disrupt or derail a plan with an unexpected obstacle (disrupting smooth progress)
Used when an unexpected problem or interference disrupts a plan that was going smoothly. British English; the American variant is 'throw a wrench in the works'.
Everything was on schedule until the supplier went bust and really threw a spanner in the works.
Everything was on schedule until the supplier went bankrupt and really derailed the plan.
74
to open Pandora's boxidiomneutral
to trigger a cascade of unforeseen troubles (unleashing hidden problems)
Used when an action unleashes many complicated, unforeseen and unwelcome problems. From Greek mythology.
Questioning the inheritance opened a Pandora's box of old family feuds.
Questioning the inheritance unleashed a flood of old family feuds.
75
to know the ropesidiominformal
to be familiar with how something is done (experienced in the routine)
Used when someone understands the details and procedures of a job or activity. Nautical in origin. Related: 'learn the ropes', 'show someone the ropes'.
Ask Priya — she's been here for years and really knows the ropes.
Ask Priya — she's been here for years and really knows how things work.
76
a cash cowidiominformalbusiness jargon
a reliably profitable product or venture (a steady money-maker)
Used for a product, business or venture that generates steady, substantial profit. Common in business contexts.
The flagship software remains the company's biggest cash cow.
The flagship software remains the company's biggest money-maker.
77
to throw a wrench in the worksverb phraseneutralAmerican English
throw a wrench in the works (American English; British: throw a spanner in the works)
American English idiom for disrupting or derailing a plan with an unexpected obstacle (also 'throw a monkey wrench in the works').
Just when everything was on track, the new regulations threw a wrench in the works.
Just when everything was going smoothly, the new regulations derailed the plan.
78
to take the cakeverb phraseinformalAmerican English
take the cake (American English; British: take the biscuit)
American English idiom for being the most outrageous or absurd instance of something.
Of all the flimsy excuses I've heard, that one really takes the cake.
Of all the weak excuses I've heard, that one is the most outrageous.
79
a labor of lovenoun phraseneutralAmerican English
labor of love (American English; British: labour of love)
American English spelling of the expression for work done out of passion rather than for pay.
Restoring the vintage car was a labor of love that took him three years.
Restoring the vintage car was devoted, unpaid work that took him three years.
80
fortune favors the boldphraseneutralAmerican English
fortune favors the bold (American English; British: fortune favours the bold)
American English spelling of the proverb that the courageous are rewarded.
She quit her steady job to launch the startup—fortune favors the bold, as they say.
She quit her steady job to launch the startup—boldness brings success, as they say.
81
to eat crowverb phraseinformalAmerican English
eat crow (American English; British: eat humble pie)
American English idiom for being forced to admit a mistake humiliatingly.
After his confident prediction flopped, the pundit had to eat crow on live television.
After his confident prediction failed, the pundit had to humiliatingly admit his error on live television.