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26 Idioms beginning with A
Click on any idiom for more information, including example sentences, notes and quizzes.
Idioms
above board
If something is above board, it's been done in a legal and honest way.
above the law
If someone is above the law, they are not subject to the laws of a society.
Achilles' heel
An Achilles' heel is a weakness that could result in failure.
across the board
If something is across the board, it relates to all without exception.
add fuel to the fire
If you add fuel to the fire, you do something to make a bad situation even worse.
add insult to injury
Someone adds insult to injury if they say or do something to upset you a second time, after you've already been upset somehow.
against all odds | against all the odds
If you do something against all odds, or against all the odds, you do it even though there were many problems and it didn't seem possible to do.
agree to differ | agree to disagree
If two people agree to differ, or agree to disagree, they accept that they have different opinions about something and stop trying to change each other's opinion.
ahead of the game
You are ahead of the game if you have an advantage over your competitors in any activity in which you try to do better than others, such as in business, academia, sports, etc.
all hell broke loose Informal
You can say "all hell broke loose" if a situation suddenly became violent or chaotic.
all the rage Informal
If something is all the rage, it's very popular or it's in fashion at the moment.
an acid test
An acid test is something that shows the true worth or value of something or someone.
an act of God Formal
Something like an earthquake or a tornado can be called an act of God.
an ax to grind (1)
If you have an ax to grind with someone, you have a problem with them, or a complaint against them, which you'd like to discuss.
an axe to grind (2)
If you have an axe to grind, you have a strong opinion about something and you express this opinion whenever you can.
another string to your bow
If you have another string to your bow, you have another way of making a living.
answer the call of nature
If you answer the call of nature, you go to the toilet.
around the clock
If something occurs around the clock, it goes on all day and all night.
as soon as possible | asap
If you do something as soon as possible (sometimes abbreviated to "asap"), you do it at the first possible opportunity.
asking for trouble
If someone is asking for trouble, they're doing something risky that could lead to a problem.
at a loose end
If you're at a loose end, you have nothing to do.
at cross-purposes
If you're at cross-purposes with someone, you think you're both talking about the same thing but you're actually talking about different things.
at loose ends
If you're at loose ends, you feel restless and unsettled because you don't have anything to do.
at sea | all at sea
If you're at sea, or all at sea, you're confused about something and not sure what to do.
at the drop of a hat
If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately, without preparation or planning.
at your wits' end
If you're at your wits' end, you're upset and frustrated because you've tried everything you can think of to solve a problem, and nothing has worked.
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Posted by kasman on 2008-10-10 14:16:30 | Rating: | Views: 23
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I hope you don't mind if I add some more ...............
(from http://www.eflnet.com/idioms/idiomlist.php?firstletter= A)
ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE
To inflame or worsen a bad situation.
Max was already upset. Your teasing him just added fuel to the fire.
ADD UP
To make sense; to be consistent (usually negative)
John’s excuse for not completing his homework just doesn’t add up.
AGAINST THE GRAIN
Contrary to what is expected or preferred.
Mary has a difficult time getting along with others as she is inclined to go against the grain in everything she does.
AHEAD OF ONE'S TIME
In advance of current ideas and trends.
Some people describe Albert Einstein was a physicist ahead of his time.
ALL EARS
Listening intently; eager to hear something.
So, you have some new gossip about Mary. I’m all ears.
ALL FIRED UP
Excited; highly enthusiastic
I’m really fired up about the party next week.
ARM AND A LEG
A very high cost; a large amount of money.
Many people are complaining that gas costs an arm and a leg nowadays.
AT THE END OF ONE'S ROPE
At the limit of one's patience.
Mary is at the end of her rope with Max. She can't take his nagging any longer.
AT THE TOP OF ONE'S LUNGS
In an extremely loud voice.
Max called out to Mary at the top of his lungs, but she didn’t hear him.
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Posted by Gwatlan
on 2008-10-10 22:00:11
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