English Idioms

Writing

If they don’t get one, all of that self-doubt and insecurity will come flooding back if the two sides are paired together in Brazil next summer because, as Germany know only too well, history has a nasty habit of repeating itself.

History never repeats itself. Man always does. – Voltaire

Mark Twain: “History never repeats itself but it rhymes.”

The evidence of history, on the contrary, shows that these ancient people had a very advanced culture

It is of note that the overall trend for the first six months of the year was steadily upwards.

In retrospect, I think that I was wrong.

As long as they go well with eggs and coffee, I’ll love my breakfast to bits.

I’m afraid geography is not my strong suit.

Barring future injuries, the full-back slots are nailed down.

It’s not exactly beautiful, is it?

It just blows me away

I suppose you’ll be leaving soon, then?’ ‘No, as a matter of fact I’ll be staying for another two years.

Keep your fingers crossed!

the U.S had turned the corner in the war

The authorities were either unaware of the problem or turned a blind eye to it

She passed the exam with flying colours.

MU rating:
Nani – 4 – His weekly competition with Foster for the worst performer award continued.  Rarely found a team mate when in possession; his Old Trafford career seems to be going down the pan.
Fletcher – 5 – Set nothing like the standard we’ve come to expect.  Ran around like a headless chicken all evening and was subbed for Carrick.

It even surprised herself that her first book was a runaway success.

He initially didn’t know how to solve the problem but he then decided to ask for his teacher’s hint and that did the trick.

“People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes” (Van Buren)

Surprise visits put the staff on their toes

Luck has deserted us!

The countries are contiguous.

She gave him a look that made words superfluous

Minute Winner Means Red Devils Are Destined To Win Premier League Title?

Last season, when Balotelli scored a brace against the Giallorossi in a memorable 3-3 draw, the enigmatic forward rushed up to the traveling fans and told them to hush, by placing his finger over his mouth (after scoring a goal??).

Chelsea Are Title Favourites Now.

She was beaten in the semi-finals by wild card Louise Smith

ineffable joy

“Truth be told, I am thrilled!” the 59-year-old said to Tuttosport newspaper.

a rift between siblings

There’s an easy, albeit expensive, way to fix the national crisis in forensic crime labs.

a hitherto unknown species of moth

We had no alternative but to fire Gibson.

The child’s right to education is a correlative of the parent’s duty to send the child to school.

You should study this document with the utmost care.

But he is now at risk of being framed as the culprit in England’s downfall, which is something that the talented forward does not deserve.

Diego Maradona raised more than a few eyebrows when he did not call up former seletion captain Zanetti.
Eyebrows were raised when he arrived without his wife. (raise your eyebrows (at something)[often passive]))

This latest computer game raises the bar for interface design.

Sofia sets the bar very high for what she expects of herself. vs lower the bar

“When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it. You have a moral obligation to share it with others”

An argument ensued.
They lost track of each other in the ensuing (following) years.

The team seemed invincible.

It will not be the first time the French have experienced such troubled times, especially with a squad that has several ethnic divisions and no small number of inflated egos.

Thankfully, the nightmare has come to a close.

Employment and taxation are the bread-and-butter (basic, very important) issues of politics.

a city steeped in (have lots of) history

Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson Confirms Loan Moves On The Cards (likely to happen) For Danny Welbeck And Tom Cleverley
The merger has been on the cards for some time now.

Why oh why are Juve getting rid of him at the end of the season?!

Speaking

Do the maths before you take on more debt.

I’ll leave it up to you to use your discretion.

The sun never sets upon the British flag.

Some experts believe that it is only/just a matter of time before truly intelligent computers and robots are created.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say that he’s a liar (= but I think he may be slightly dishonest).

Ronaldo is Ready To Embrace Jose Mourinho

He is now expected to meet with club chiefs at Villa Pacelli to put pen to paper on his new three-year deal

‘”More haste, less speed’” is a well-known paradox.

The Chelsea star has been simmering under the skin since being stripped of the England captaincy by the Italian

He was on the verge of tears.

Terry has been the one who engineered another spectacular collapse of the current Golden Generation of England’s footballers.

He has jumped on his high horse => be/get on your high horse

There is no disgrace in being poor

I’m not going to dignify his comments by reacting to them.

It was only after they were married that she began to see the flip side of the fairy tale.

children born in/out of wedlock (= whose parents are/are not married)

Walker, who admitted that he was gay last year, spoke of the relief he felt at no longer having to live a lie.

we had to painfully sit back and die a slow (& painful) death

Klose may be renowned as the man who makes it happen on the big stage

The country was torn apart by strife (conflict)
We tore the other team apart in the second half.

… until Beckham apparently stepped in as peacemaker

I couldn’t resist the temptation to open the letter

By the letter of the law, again, this should have been a red.

Opportunity rarely knocks twice at United

What’s Driving Appetite for Agbank?

The book will whet your appetite for more of her work.

an insatiable appetite/curiosity/thirst

on the brink of collapse/war/death/disaster

They found a way of circumventing the law.

God cannot be replaced by his disciple

They say the GIMP is aimed at intermediate to advanced users, and not everyone’s cup of tea

She was chosen for the job on the basis of her qualifications.

Many years elapsed before they met again

the diffusion of Marxist ideas

Enough to suggest he finally has got the bit between his teeth after two lacklustre campaigns in Manchester.

… after picking up his second successive man of the match award.

That’s another brilliant idea down the pan

not to be missed

We set to work without further ado

They are now reaping the rewards of all their hard work.

United hit the jackpot (= were successful) with a 5-0 win over Liverpool.

“The biggest piece of advice, beyond ‘start now,’ is to use a ‘set it and forget it’ approach,” says John Curry, managing director of retirement management with FundQuest.

We usually visit doctors and dentists as a last resort,

..more than a bit-part role. In his heyday, the snarling midfielder was worth two players

I don’t want to become a burden to my children when I’m old.

That’s all of a piece with Carlos’ career

He is streets ahead of them all

Now looking every inch the £30million striker that he conspicuously didn’t during his first two seasons

There was ample time to get to the airport.

Reiterates desire to leave his position following Euro 2012

Carrick will be used as a makeweight for Modric

You always twist everything I say.

The problem, needless to say, is the cost involved.

Looked every inch Rio Ferdinand’s doppelganger

Bail is granted at the discretion of the court.

to learn by rote/ rote learning

be a double-edged sword/weapon

reluctant to show himself in flesh and blood.

I only agreed out of sheer desperation

Of course, sex is an inevitable byproduct of the bizs

We’re setting ourselves up for a strong Christmas and New Year, the time when we expect to click into gear.

The problem, needless to say, is the cost involved.

He was born in a family with entertainment in vein

Work out a plan of action. Break down the plan into baby steps

In his first start of 2011, he handled everything with aplomb. How sorely the Dutchman will be missed when he hangs up his gloves.

But regardless of who is selected during the event – filled with pomp and circumstance along with hammer-and-sickle propaganda

I’m leaving Bayern with pain in my heart, but with my head held high

he was no longer an undisputed starter at Bayern following the signing of Gustavo Luis this winter and therefore wanted to leave the club.

Nobody doubts his worth, and no-one questions his quality.

believes that the comeback his team made against Blackpool on Tuesday could prove to be a pivotal moment in their season.

Stay tuned for the news coming up next.

She was in love but now she has been left high and dry.

from my perspective and from where I stand; from my point of view; the way I see it
Fig. in my own opinion. Mary: What do you think of all this?
Tom: From my perspective, it is just terrible.
Bob: From my point of view, this looks like a very good deal.
Bill: That’s good for you. I stand to lose money on it.
Alice: From where I stand, it appears that you’re going to have to pay a lot of money to get this matter settled. Sue: I’ll pay anything. I just want to get all this behind me.

the wee/small/early hours

practise what you preach

Manchester United 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur. SPURS WIN AT OLD TRAFFORD FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE YEAR DOT Well, 1989 to be precise.

Breakfast is served at 8 on the dot. (sharp)

Keith” Who has always been there for me through thick and thin!

He left home at the tender age of 15. || She shouldn’t be having to deal with problems like this at such a tender age.

She felt it would be tempting fate/providence to try the difficult climb a second time.

What Hislop brought to the table was real commitment and energy. // He brings it to the table

every cloud has a silver lining (every sad or difficult situation has a positive side) => always look for the silver lining in everyday situation

every sad or difficult situation has a positive side

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 around 9am
Thursday, January 1, 2015 around 5am
Posted in Languages. Tagged If you like it, show some