a blast from the past
All a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
All Types idiom phrasal-verb proverb
Content locale
EN English BN Bengali HI Hindi ES Spanish FR French DE German RU Russian ZH Chinese JA Japanese
All Expression Cards All Expressions
idiom

a blast from the past

Meaning
something that reminds you of an earlier time
Example
Seeing that old photo album was a blast from the past.
idiom

Ahead of one’s time

Meaning
Having ideas or attitudes that are too advanced for the present.
Example
Her designs were ahead of her time.
idiom

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings

Meaning
A true friend is the most valuable gift one can have
Example
I consider myself lucky to have you as my friend. A true friend is the greatest of all blessings.
idiom

A Jekyll and Hyde

Meaning
A person with two very different sides to their personality.
Example
He’s like a Jekyll and Hyde—nice one moment and cruel the next.
idiom

a political football

Meaning
an issue used by politicians for their own advantage
Example
Healthcare has become a political football in the country.
idiom

A bundle of nerves

Meaning
To be extremely anxious or tense.
Example
Before the presentation, she was a bundle of nerves.
idiom

android-like

Meaning
acting emotionless or mechanical like a robot
Example
He works in an android-like manner, without any emotion.
idiom

a peace of mind

Meaning
a state of mental and emotional calmness
Example
After the long vacation, she finally got a peace of mind.
idiom

a piece of cake

Meaning
something that is very easy to do
Example
The exam was a piece of cake for me.
idiom

All for one and one for all

Meaning
Everyone in the group works together for the common good.
Example
In our company, we believe in the motto, all for one and one for all.
idiom

a tough cookie

Meaning
someone who is strong and not easily upset
Example
She’s a tough cookie; nothing can discourage her.
idiom

act your age

Meaning
behave in a manner appropriate to your age
Example
Stop being so childish and act your age!
idiom

a mind is a terrible thing to waste

Meaning
it is a waste not to use your mental abilities
Example
You should keep learning, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
idiom

a match made in heaven

Meaning
a perfect couple, very well suited for each other
Example
They are truly a match made in heaven.
idiom

A Sherlock Holmes

Meaning
A person who is extremely good at solving mysteries or finding out information.
Example
He’s such a Sherlock Holmes when it comes to finding lost things.
idiom

a thorn in the flesh

Meaning
something or someone that causes continuous trouble or annoyance
Example
The new regulations have been a thorn in the flesh for small business owners.
idiom

a rip-off

Meaning
something that is too expensive or not worth its price
Example
That restaurant is a rip-off; the food is not worth the money.
idiom

a win-win situation

Meaning
a situation where everyone benefits
Example
Merging the two companies created a win-win situation for both parties.
idiom

a weak link

Meaning
the least reliable or secure part of a system or group
Example
One careless employee can be a weak link in the security chain.
idiom

a no-brainer

Meaning
something that is very easy to understand or decide
Example
The solution to the problem was a no-brainer.
phrasal-verb

adapt oneself to

Meaning
to adjust or change to fit into a new culture or environment
Example
He quickly adapted himself to the local traditions.
idiom

a man of vision

Meaning
a person who has foresight and imagination
Example
He is a man of vision who transformed the company.
idiom

a fair game

Meaning
a situation where both parties have equal opportunities to succeed or compromise
Example
The terms of the contract were discussed until both sides agreed it was a fair game.
idiom

adapt to new circumstances

Meaning
to adjust oneself to new situations or changes
Example
In order to survive in the changing world, we need to adapt to new circumstances.
idiom

a man of faith

Meaning
a person who strongly believes in a particular religion or principle
Example
He is known as a man of faith in his community.
idiom

a lightbulb moment

Meaning
a sudden realization or understanding
Example
When I saw the results, I had a lightbulb moment.
idiom

a guiding light

Meaning
someone who inspires or leads others toward success
Example
Her courage became a guiding light for the whole team.
idiom

anchors aweigh

Meaning
Ready to depart or begin a journey.
Example
With our bags packed, it’s anchors aweigh for the road trip!
phrasal-verb

adjust to

Meaning
to gradually become comfortable with a new situation
Example
It can be hard to adjust to a new country's social norms.
idiom

at war with oneself

Meaning
to be conflicted or struggling internally
Example
She is at war with herself about the decision to move abroad.
idiom

A blueprint for success

Meaning
A detailed plan or strategy for achieving success.
Example
Hard work and consistency are a blueprint for success.
idiom

A bright future awaits

Meaning
good things are coming ahead
Example
Despite the challenges, a bright future awaits you.
B1 idiom

all ears

Listening very attentively
Meaning
Listening very attentively
Example
When the teacher started explaining the concept, the students were all ears.
When the teacher started explaining the concept, the students were all ears.
idiom

afraid of your own shadow

Meaning
to be easily frightened
Example
He’s so timid; he’s afraid of his own shadow.
idiom

a stroke of luck

Meaning
something good that happens by chance
Example
It was a stroke of luck that I found my lost wallet.
idiom

A negative outlook

Meaning
A pessimistic attitude or perspective
Example
He always has a negative outlook on life.
idiom

above the law

Meaning
not subject to the law; thinking one is untouchable by rules
Example
Some powerful people act as if they are above the law.
idiom

around the clock

Meaning
all day and all night; continuously
Example
Doctors worked around the clock to save the patients.
idiom

a job well done

Meaning
a task completed with great success
Example
The project was completed ahead of schedule, truly a job well done.
idiom

a trip down memory lane

Meaning
to remember pleasant events from the past
Example
Looking through old photos was a trip down memory lane.
phrasal-verb

adapt culturally

Meaning
to adjust behavior or mindset to fit into another culture
Example
When moving abroad, it’s important to adapt culturally to the new environment.
idiom

a cut above

Meaning
better than others; superior in quality or ability
Example
Her work is a cut above the rest.
phrasal-verb

analyze what went wrong

Meaning
to carefully examine reasons behind failure
Example
Before trying again, let’s analyze what went wrong last time.
idiom

a bolt from the blue

Meaning
a sudden and unexpected event or news
Example
His resignation came like a bolt from the blue.
idiom

artificial brainpower

Meaning
intelligence or decision-making provided by AI systems
Example
The car relies on artificial brainpower to navigate through traffic.
idiom

a chip off the old block

Meaning
someone who is very similar to their parent
Example
Your daughter is so smart — she’s a chip off the old block.
idiom

alien concept

Meaning
something unfamiliar or strange
Example
Honesty seems like an alien concept to him.
idiom

a penny saved is a penny earned

Meaning
saving money is just as valuable as earning it
Example
My grandfather always said, 'a penny saved is a penny earned.'
idiom

a shoulder to cry on

Meaning
someone who listens and supports you when you are sad
Example
She has always been a shoulder to cry on when I needed help.
idiom

as honest as the day is long

Meaning
completely honest and trustworthy
Example
Everyone knows that Tom is as honest as the day is long.
idiom

alive and kicking

Meaning
still healthy and full of life
Example
My grandmother is 90 but still alive and kicking.
phrasal-verb

account for

Meaning
to explain the reason for something; to represent a portion of something
Example
These factors account for most of the differences in results.
idiom

after the rain comes the rainbow

Meaning
good times follow bad times
Example
Don’t lose faith; after the rain comes the rainbow.
idiom

a breath of fresh air

Meaning
something new and refreshing
Example
Her positive attitude is a breath of fresh air in the office.
phrasal-verb

aim for excellence

Meaning
to try to achieve the best possible results
Example
Always aim for excellence instead of settling for average results.
idiom

at the crossroads

Meaning
facing a decision or choice
Example
I’m at the crossroads in my career right now.
idiom

apple of one’s eye

Meaning
someone who is cherished above others
Example
Her little son is the apple of her eye.
phrasal-verb

ask for forgiveness

Meaning
to request someone to forgive you
Example
I will ask for forgiveness for what I did.
idiom

a turning point

Meaning
a moment when an important change happens
Example
Graduating from college was a turning point in his life.
idiom

a masterpiece in the making

Meaning
something that has great potential to become exceptional
Example
Her new sculpture is a masterpiece in the making.
phrasal-verb

acknowledge someone for

Meaning
to recognize and thank someone for their help or contribution
Example
The company acknowledged her for her dedication and teamwork.
phrasal-verb

apologize sincerely

Meaning
to say sorry in a heartfelt and honest manner
Example
If you make a mistake, apologize sincerely to the person.
idiom

a clear conscience

Meaning
a state of being free from guilt or regret
Example
She could sleep soundly at night because she had a clear conscience.
phrasal-verb

allocate to

Meaning
to assign or distribute resources to a specific task or person
Example
The manager decided to allocate more funds to the marketing team.
idiom

at peace with oneself

Meaning
feeling calm and accepting of oneself
Example
She felt at peace with herself after making the decision.
idiom

a wolf in sheep's clothing

Meaning
someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous
Example
He was a wolf in sheep's clothing.
idiom

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Meaning
Knowing a small amount about something can lead to mistakes.
Example
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing — don’t try to fix it if you’re not an expert.
idiom

adapt or perish

Meaning
to survive, one must adjust to the new conditions
Example
In the business world, it's all about adapt or perish.
idiom

a rollercoaster of emotions

Meaning
to experience very high and very low emotional states in a short time
Example
The week was a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of joy and sadness.
idiom

a heart-to-heart

Meaning
a sincere and open conversation
Example
We had a heart-to-heart about our future plans.
idiom

a tough decision to make

Meaning
a decision that is difficult to make because of the potential consequences
Example
Choosing between two job offers was a tough decision to make.
idiom

a mind like a sieve

Meaning
to have a very bad memory
Example
He forgets everything; he has a mind like a sieve.
idiom

a gray area

Meaning
a situation or topic that is not clear or that can be understood in more than one way
Example
The question of intellectual property rights in the digital age is still a gray area.
idiom

a shot in the arm

Meaning
something that gives encouragement or energy
Example
The new funding was a real shot in the arm for the project.
phrasal-verb

adapt out of necessity

Meaning
to change behavior or plans because circumstances require it
Example
During the crisis, businesses had to adapt out of necessity.
idiom

a work in progress

Meaning
something that is still being developed or improved
Example
The project is still a work in progress, but it's going well.
idiom

A bright idea

Meaning
a clever or innovative idea
Example
She came up with a bright idea for the new marketing campaign.
idiom

apple of someone’s eye

Meaning
someone very precious or loved
Example
Her son is the apple of her eye.
idiom

artificial instinct

Meaning
a machine’s ability to make decisions that seem natural or human-like
Example
The new model shows a kind of artificial instinct while driving.
idiom

a smoke-filled room

Meaning
a place where powerful people make secret political decisions
Example
The policy was decided in a smoke-filled room, not in public.
idiom

a drama queen

Meaning
someone who exaggerates or overreacts to situations
Example
Stop acting like a drama queen; it’s not that serious.
idiom

a political hot potato

Meaning
a controversial or sensitive political issue
Example
Immigration has become a political hot potato in the country.
idiom

A true friend is one who stands by you

Meaning
A true friend will be there for you during difficult times
Example
Even in the worst of times, she proved to be a true friend. A true friend is one who stands by you.
phrasal-verb

adapt within

Meaning
to adjust oneself while keeping personal identity
Example
Immigrants often adapt within new societies while keeping their traditions alive.
idiom

at the end of your rope

Meaning
to be extremely frustrated and have no patience left
Example
After dealing with delays all day, she was at the end of her rope.
idiom

a weight on your shoulders

Meaning
a heavy burden or responsibility causing stress
Example
Running the company alone is a weight on his shoulders.
idiom

a wake-up call

Meaning
an event that makes someone realize they need to change
Example
Losing his job was a wake-up call for him.
idiom

actions speak louder than words

Meaning
what people do is more important than what they say
Example
Actions speak louder than words, so prove it with effort.
phrasal-verb

aim at

Meaning
to have a particular goal or purpose
Example
This research aims at improving online education quality.
phrasal-verb

apologize to

Meaning
to say sorry to someone for something you did
Example
He apologized to his teacher for being rude.
idiom

a bookworm

Meaning
a person who loves reading books
Example
She’s a bookworm; she spends hours in the library.
idiom

At the forefront

Meaning
being in a leading or important position in a field
Example
The research center is at the forefront of renewable energy studies.
idiom

a big mouth

Meaning
a person who talks too much or reveals secrets
Example
Don’t tell Jake, he’s a big mouth!
idiom

ace the test

Meaning
to perform extremely well on an exam or task
Example
She aced the test and got the highest score.
idiom

a golden goose

Meaning
a source of continuous wealth or profit
Example
Their subscription service has become a golden goose for the company.
idiom

a ray of sunshine

Meaning
someone or something that brings happiness
Example
Her smile is a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day.
idiom

a man of his word

Meaning
a person who keeps their promises
Example
He’s a man of his word, you can trust him.
idiom

a game plan

Meaning
a strategy or plan of action
Example
We need a clear game plan before we start the meeting.
idiom

A clear conscience is a soft pillow

Meaning
When you live honestly, you sleep peacefully without guilt.
Example
After telling the truth, he had a peaceful night’s sleep because a clear conscience is a soft pillow.
idiom

A stitch in time saves nine

Meaning
Solving a small problem early prevents a bigger problem later.
Example
Fix that leak now — a stitch in time saves nine.
idiom

at the end of the rope

Meaning
to have no more patience or strength left to deal with a problem
Example
She’s at the end of her rope trying to manage her work and family together.
idiom

automate the process

Meaning
to make a process operate automatically using technology
Example
We need to automate the process to save time and cost.
idiom

a game changer

Meaning
something that completely changes the way things are done
Example
The new technology is a game changer for the healthcare industry.
idiom

a loose cannon

Meaning
A person who behaves unpredictably and may cause problems.
Example
Be careful with him — he’s a loose cannon.
phrasal-verb

argue with

Meaning
to disagree or fight verbally with someone
Example
My brother often argues with me about household chores.
idiom

A nervous wreck

Meaning
Someone who is very worried or upset.
Example
He’s a nervous wreck before every exam.
idiom

As green as grass

Meaning
Very inexperienced or new at something.
Example
He’s as green as grass in his new job.
idiom

art imitates life

Meaning
art reflects real-life experiences or truths
Example
Art imitates life, and great artists capture that essence.
idiom

a fine line

Meaning
a very small difference between two things
Example
There’s a fine line between genius and madness in art.
idiom

a chatterbox

Meaning
someone who talks a lot, especially a child
Example
My little sister is a chatterbox; she never stops talking.
idiom

a bundle of joy

Meaning
someone or something that brings great happiness
Example
Their new baby is a bundle of joy for the family.
idiom

a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor

Meaning
Challenges and difficulties make people stronger and more experienced.
Example
Remember, a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor—you’ll learn from tough times.
idiom

A golden opportunity

Meaning
a very good chance to do something
Example
Getting this scholarship is a golden opportunity for you.
idiom

a figure of speech

Meaning
a phrase used in a non-literal way for effect or emphasis
Example
When he said he could eat a horse, it was just a figure of speech.
idiom

as thick as two short planks

Meaning
very stupid or slow-witted
Example
He’s as thick as two short planks, bless him.
idiom

A picture paints a thousand words

Meaning
A visual image can express complex ideas better than words
Example
Cultural symbols remind us that a picture paints a thousand words.
phrasal-verb

adapt within new environments

Meaning
to adjust yourself to new cultural surroundings or customs
Example
It takes time to adapt within new environments, but it’s worth it.
idiom

A leap of faith

Meaning
Believing in something even without evidence or proof.
Example
When she took the job offer, it was truly a leap of faith.
idiom

a party animal

Meaning
someone who loves going to parties
Example
My roommate is a party animal; she goes out every weekend.
idiom

a stroke of genius

Meaning
a brilliant and creative idea
Example
Her design was a stroke of genius.
phrasal-verb

air issues out

Meaning
to talk openly about problems to resolve them
Example
Teams air issues out during retros so nothing lingers.