a kingmaker
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idiom

a kingmaker

Meaning
someone who has influence in the selection or appointment of a leader
Example
The senator has become a kingmaker in the current presidential race.
phrasal-verb

heal over time

Meaning
to recover emotionally as time passes
Example
She knew she would heal over time if she stayed patient.
idiom

don't judge a book by its cover

Meaning
you shouldn't form an opinion on someone or something based purely on what you see on the outside
Example
She may look serious, but don't judge a book by its cover.
phrasal-verb

back away

Meaning
to move backward from something frightening
Example
They backed away from the angry dog.
phrasal-verb

play along with

Meaning
to pretend to agree or cooperate with something
Example
Many people play along with trending topics just to stay relevant online.
phrasal-verb

focus inward

Meaning
to concentrate on your inner thoughts and emotions
Example
When I feel overwhelmed, I try to focus inward.
phrasal-verb

cut back emissions

Meaning
to reduce the amount of pollution produced
Example
Our office cuts back emissions by switching to public transport incentives.
idiom

Keep an even keel

Meaning
To stay calm and steady, especially during difficulties.
Example
Despite the pressure, she kept an even keel throughout the project.
phrasal-verb

open up to change

Meaning
to become willing to accept new ideas or practices
Example
Societies progress when people open up to change.
idiom

keep one's word

Meaning
to do what one has promised to do
Example
He always keeps his word, no matter what.
idiom

a giant leap for mankind

Meaning
a significant or groundbreaking achievement
Example
The first man landing on the moon was truly a giant leap for mankind.
idiom

shoot for the stars

Meaning
to aim for something very ambitious
Example
Don’t be afraid to shoot for the stars.
phrasal-verb

let emotions in

Meaning
to allow yourself to feel and process emotions
Example
Don’t block your feelings—let emotions in and deal with them.
phrasal-verb

drop below

Meaning
to decrease to less than a specific amount or level
Example
Investment growth dropped below expectations this quarter.
idiom

the ivory tower

Meaning
a place or situation where one is disconnected from practical concerns or the real world
Example
Academics are often accused of living in the ivory tower.
phrasal-verb

cash in

Meaning
to make money from an investment or situation
Example
Investors cashed in when the stock prices soared.
phrasal-verb

reach out to communities

Meaning
to make contact with or offer help to groups of people
Example
Volunteers reach out to communities affected by natural disasters.
idiom

come to terms with

Meaning
to reach an agreement or accept a situation after some negotiation
Example
It took some time, but eventually we came to terms with the new policy.
idiom

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet

Meaning
Although waiting is hard, it results in good outcomes.
Example
It might be tough, but patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
idiom

spread sunshine

Meaning
to make others happy with your positivity
Example
Her smile always spreads sunshine wherever she goes.
idiom

keep your head in the game

Meaning
to stay mentally focused and motivated
Example
Even when things get tough, keep your head in the game.
idiom

twist someone's ear

Meaning
to persuade someone to do something by being persistent
Example
I had to twist someone's ear to get him to help me move.
phrasal-verb

flare up

Meaning
to suddenly become angry or violent
Example
Their argument flared up again during dinner.
phrasal-verb

show thanks for

Meaning
to display appreciation through words or actions
Example
She baked cookies to show thanks for her neighbor’s kindness.
idiom

cut somebody some slack

Meaning
to not judge someone as severely as you usually would because they are having problems at the present time
Example
He's been under a lot of stress lately, so let's cut him some slack.
idiom

no rocket scientist

Meaning
not very intelligent; not a genius
Example
He’s no rocket scientist, but he works hard.
phrasal-verb

cut out excuses

Meaning
to stop making excuses and take responsibility
Example
If you want to improve, you need to cut out excuses.
phrasal-verb

file under pressure

Meaning
to deliver reports quickly despite stress
Example
She can file under pressure while live updates keep coming.
idiom

reinforcement learning

Meaning
a type of machine learning where an agent learns to make decisions by performing actions and receiving feedback
Example
In reinforcement learning, the model improves over time as it learns from trial and error.
idiom

fade to black

Meaning
to end something dramatically
Example
The director chose to fade to black at the emotional climax.
phrasal-verb

work within

Meaning
to operate while staying under specific limits or constraints
Example
The team must work within the given budget.
idiom

trendsetter

Meaning
someone who leads the way in fashion, technology, or other popular areas, setting trends for others to follow
Example
The company became a trendsetter in the tech world with its innovative new app.
idiom

On the breadline

Meaning
Living in poverty or with very little money.
Example
After losing his job, he was almost on the breadline.
idiom

go for broke

Meaning
to risk everything to achieve success
Example
They decided to go for broke and launch their new product.
phrasal-verb

trade off between

Meaning
to balance two opposing things or priorities
Example
Nations often trade off between protecting local industries and promoting free trade.
idiom

cut your teeth

Meaning
to gain initial experience in a particular area or job
Example
He cut his teeth in the banking industry before starting his own firm.
idiom

In the calm before the storm

Meaning
A peaceful period before a difficult situation or conflict arises.
Example
The office was quiet, in the calm before the storm, as they prepared for the big meeting.
phrasal-verb

grow through change

Meaning
to develop personally or professionally during a transition
Example
We can grow through change if we remain open-minded and adaptable.
phrasal-verb

lean forward

Meaning
to show interest and emotional engagement in a conversation
Example
She leaned forward and listened carefully to her friend’s worries.
idiom

reach the top

Meaning
to achieve the highest position or level in something
Example
After years of hard work, she finally reached the top of her profession.
phrasal-verb

lay out concepts

Meaning
to present or explain creative ideas clearly
Example
The designer laid out concepts for the new brand identity.
phrasal-verb

turn up for

Meaning
to attend or show up to support an event or cause
Example
Many locals turned up for the community clean-up drive.
phrasal-verb

light up with joy

Meaning
to look suddenly happy or excited
Example
Her face lit up with joy when she saw her parents.
idiom

meet and greet

Meaning
an event where people meet and introduce themselves
Example
The company organized a meet and greet for new employees.
idiom

Practice makes perfect

Meaning
The more you practice, the better you become.
Example
Practice makes perfect, so keep trying.
phrasal-verb

cut expenses

Meaning
to lower the total amount of money spent
Example
He managed to cut expenses by cooking at home instead of eating out.
phrasal-verb

thank warmly

Meaning
to express gratitude in a sincere way
Example
She thanked everyone warmly for attending the event.
idiom

having a whale of a time

Meaning
enjoying yourself greatly
Example
We had a whale of a time at the beach yesterday.
idiom

to cross that bridge when you come to it

Meaning
to deal with a problem when it arises, rather than worrying about it beforehand
Example
Don't worry about the meeting next week, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
phrasal-verb

turn inward

Meaning
to focus on your own thoughts and feelings
Example
After the accident, he began to turn inward for reflection.
idiom

laid-back

Meaning
calm, relaxed, and not easily upset
Example
He’s a very laid-back person who rarely gets angry.
phrasal-verb

push through fear

Meaning
to take action despite being afraid
Example
He learned to push through fear and speak with confidence.
phrasal-verb

phase out of

Meaning
to gradually stop using or producing something
Example
The company decided to phase out of non-profitable divisions.
idiom

Fall down seven times, stand up eight

Meaning
Keep trying no matter how many times you fail.
Example
Fall down seven times, stand up eight — that’s the spirit of success.
idiom

new blood

Meaning
new people who bring fresh ideas
Example
The company needs new blood to stay competitive.
idiom

phishing attempt

Meaning
an attempt to deceive someone into revealing personal or confidential information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity
Example
The email you received looks like a phishing attempt, so don't click any links.
idiom

build castles in the air

Meaning
to make unrealistic plans or dreams
Example
He’s always building castles in the air instead of acting.
phrasal-verb

listen without judging

Meaning
to pay attention to others’ views without bias or criticism
Example
Inclusive managers listen without judging during discussions.
phrasal-verb

tighten up

Meaning
to make rules or policies stricter
Example
The government decided to tighten up regulations on foreign investments.
phrasal-verb

follow through on decisions

Meaning
to continue with an action until it is completed
Example
Leaders must always follow through on their promises.
phrasal-verb

send over

Meaning
to transmit or deliver something digitally to another person or group
Example
I’ll send over the final document once it’s approved.
phrasal-verb

bring in

Meaning
to introduce something new, such as a law, idea, or practice; to implement
Example
The organization decided to bring in new policies to promote inclusivity.
phrasal-verb

take to

Meaning
to start liking someone or something
Example
She quickly took to her new job.
idiom

take the fall

Meaning
to accept blame for something, often to protect others.
Example
He agreed to take the fall for the team’s mistake.
idiom

see eye to eye

Meaning
to agree with someone
Example
They finally saw eye to eye on the business deal.
idiom

the tipping point

Meaning
the moment when a change becomes unstoppable
Example
Climate change has reached the tipping point for action.
idiom

flash of genius

Meaning
a sudden brilliant idea or solution
Example
Her idea for the new logo was a real flash of genius.
phrasal-verb

find common ground with

Meaning
to identify shared interests so cooperation is easier
Example
Negotiators find common ground with each side before drafting terms.
idiom

to fall head over heels

Meaning
to fall deeply in love
Example
He fell head over heels for her the moment they met.
idiom

hear something through the grapevine

Meaning
to hear news or rumors indirectly
Example
I heard through the grapevine that they are getting married.
phrasal-verb

call off

Meaning
to cancel something
Example
We had to call off the meeting because the manager was sick.
idiom

cut back on

Meaning
to reduce the amount of something
Example
We’re trying to cut back on eating out during the week.
phrasal-verb

get along across

Meaning
to have a friendly relationship across different backgrounds
Example
He can easily get along across cultures because he is open-minded.
idiom

to have faith in yourself

Meaning
to trust your own abilities and potential
Example
If you want to succeed, you need to have faith in yourself.
idiom

Know your stuff

Meaning
to be knowledgeable or skilled about something
Example
You can tell she really knows her stuff about physics.
idiom

Early adopter

Meaning
Someone who starts using a new product before others.
Example
Early adopters often help startups refine their products.
phrasal-verb

relate to

Meaning
to understand and identify with someone’s experiences or emotions
Example
I can really relate to your situation because I went through something similar.
idiom

keep your shirt on

Meaning
stay calm; don’t get angry or impatient
Example
Keep your shirt on, we’ll solve it soon.
idiom

back up

Meaning
to support or to make a copy of important data
Example
Can you back up my explanation during the meeting?
phrasal-verb

get rid of

Meaning
to remove or eliminate something unwanted
Example
I need to get rid of these old clothes.
phrasal-verb

wrap up the project

Meaning
to finish or complete something
Example
We need to wrap up the project by the end of this week.
idiom

kick around

Meaning
to discuss ideas informally
Example
We can kick around some concepts after lunch.
idiom

branch out

Meaning
to expand into new activities or areas
Example
The bakery plans to branch out into catering services next year.
phrasal-verb

shore up the economy

Meaning
to support or strengthen the economy during difficult times
Example
The stimulus package was introduced to shore up the economy after the crisis.
idiom

nip it in the bud

Meaning
to stop a problem before it gets worse
Example
We should nip it in the bud before it becomes serious.
phrasal-verb

get stuck in

Meaning
to become unable to move because of traffic or crowding
Example
We got stuck in traffic for over an hour.
idiom

get your money’s worth

Meaning
to get value or satisfaction from what you paid for
Example
That smartphone is so durable—you really got your money’s worth.
phrasal-verb

call out energy waste

Meaning
to point out when energy is being used carelessly
Example
Teammates call out energy waste whenever lights stay on overnight.
idiom

be above board

Meaning
to act in an honest and open manner
Example
She is always above board in all her dealings.
idiom

Pour your heart out

Meaning
To express all your feelings honestly.
Example
She poured her heart out to her best friend.
phrasal-verb

drop into

Meaning
to enter or visit a place casually
Example
I’ll drop into the café for a quick coffee before work.
idiom

shoot from the hip

Meaning
to speak or act without thinking carefully
Example
He tends to shoot from the hip during meetings.
idiom

have the time of your life

Meaning
to have an extremely enjoyable experience
Example
We had the time of our lives at the amusement park.
idiom

reach your full potential

Meaning
to achieve the maximum ability or success that you are capable of
Example
By working hard, she was able to reach her full potential.
idiom

call around

Meaning
to contact several people or places by phone
Example
I’ll call around to find a venue with parking.
idiom

take the cake

Meaning
to be the best or most outstanding
Example
Among all the entries, your design really takes the cake.
idiom

lose your cool

Meaning
to become angry or impatient
Example
Don’t lose your cool; the situation will get better.
idiom

in a good mood

Meaning
feeling happy or cheerful
Example
She's always in a good mood when the sun is shining.
phrasal-verb

step up to challenges

Meaning
to face difficult situations with courage and effort
Example
Good leaders always step up to challenges.
idiom

fall on deaf ears

Meaning
when advice or complaints are ignored
Example
His apology fell on deaf ears.
phrasal-verb

drop back

Meaning
to move to a position further behind
Example
The runner dropped back after the first lap due to exhaustion.
idiom

long time no see

Meaning
used when you meet someone after a long time
Example
Long time no see! How have you been?
phrasal-verb

pass on

Meaning
to convey information to someone else
Example
Please pass on the message to the entire team.
idiom

break down

Meaning
to start crying due to strong emotions
Example
She broke down when she heard the sad news.
phrasal-verb

settle for

Meaning
to accept something that is not perfect because there is no better option
Example
He didn’t like the first design but had to settle for it due to time constraints.
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.
phrasal-verb

write to

Meaning
to send a letter or message to express gratitude or appreciation
Example
I plan to write to my old professor to thank him for his support.
phrasal-verb

step into new roles

Meaning
to begin taking on new responsibilities or positions during change
Example
After the merger, many employees had to step into new roles.
idiom

the proof is in the pudding

Meaning
the real value of something can only be judged when it's put to use
Example
He claims the app is great, but the proof is in the pudding.
idiom

take on board

Meaning
to accept or take responsibility for something
Example
The manager had to take on board the new task for the team.
idiom

walking on eggshells

Meaning
being very careful not to upset someone
Example
I feel like I am walking on eggshells around my boss.
idiom

corner the market

Meaning
to dominate a particular market
Example
They’ve managed to corner the market in organic products.
idiom

hit the dance floor

Meaning
to start dancing, especially at a party
Example
Let’s hit the dance floor and show our moves!
phrasal-verb

work on weaknesses

Meaning
to make efforts to improve the areas where you are lacking
Example
He is trying to work on his weaknesses to become more confident.
idiom

laugh off

Meaning
to dismiss something by treating it as a joke
Example
She tried to laugh off the mistake during the presentation.
idiom

Exactly!

Meaning
Used to strongly show agreement
Example
‘It’s time to move on.’ ‘Exactly!’
phrasal-verb

come out in favor of

Meaning
to publicly support or agree with something
Example
The committee came out in favor of the new proposal.
phrasal-verb

follow up with clients

Meaning
to contact someone again after an initial meeting or communication
Example
Don’t forget to follow up with clients after sending the proposal.
phrasal-verb

level with someone

Meaning
to be completely honest with a person
Example
I'll level with you about the team's chances.
phrasal-verb

chill with

Meaning
to relax and spend calm time with someone
Example
I love to chill with my friends on weekends to refresh my mind.
phrasal-verb

break off talks

Meaning
to stop discussions or negotiations suddenly
Example
The two countries decided to break off talks after repeated disagreements.