An arm and a leg
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idiom

An arm and a leg

Meaning
Something that is very expensive.
Example
That new phone costs an arm and a leg, but it’s worth it.
phrasal-verb

set off for

Meaning
to start a journey to a specific place
Example
We set off for Cox’s Bazar early in the morning.
idiom

Keep the faith

Meaning
Continue to believe that things will work out.
Example
Even in hard times, keep the faith.
idiom

talk the talk

Meaning
to speak confidently about something
Example
He can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk?
phrasal-verb

rely upon stability

Meaning
to depend on consistent conditions or predictable systems
Example
Foreign investors rely upon stability before entering a new market.
phrasal-verb

soak up

Meaning
to absorb and enjoy an experience fully
Example
We sat by the sea to soak up the peaceful atmosphere.
idiom

pay a compliment

Meaning
to give praise or admiration to someone
Example
He always knows how to pay a compliment to make someone feel better.
idiom

debug the situation

Meaning
to analyze and solve a problem carefully; borrowed from programming
Example
We need to debug the situation before it gets worse.
phrasal-verb

work around obstacles

Meaning
to find alternative ways to complete a task despite difficulties
Example
The team managed to work around obstacles to meet the deadline.
idiom

make your mark

Meaning
to achieve distinction or recognition
Example
He worked hard to make his mark in the tech industry.
idiom

cross off

Meaning
to remove an item from a list
Example
You can cross off the tasks we’ve finished.
phrasal-verb

send back

Meaning
to return a purchased item for a refund or replacement
Example
I had to send back the shirt because it didn’t fit.
phrasal-verb

cut down debts

Meaning
to reduce the amount of money you owe
Example
He’s been trying hard to cut down his debts this year.
phrasal-verb

take out

Meaning
to borrow or get money from a bank or institution
Example
They decided to take out a loan to buy a new house.
idiom

hush-hush

Meaning
kept secret or very confidential
Example
The project is still hush-hush, so don’t mention it.
idiom

to fall flat on one's face

Meaning
to fail completely or embarrass oneself
Example
The comedian fell flat on his face when no one laughed.
phrasal-verb

get by on

Meaning
to manage to live with a certain amount of money
Example
Many families get by on a small income in rural areas.
phrasal-verb

work hand in glove with

Meaning
to work very closely and effectively with someone
Example
The trade departments work hand in glove with each other to boost exports.
idiom

zero-day attack

Meaning
a cyberattack that exploits a previously unknown vulnerability
Example
The team discovered a zero-day attack before it spread widely.
idiom

off the beaten track

Meaning
in a place not visited by many people; remote or unusual
Example
We found a lovely beach off the beaten track.
idiom

throw your weight behind

Meaning
to support someone or something strongly
Example
The manager threw his weight behind the new proposal.
phrasal-verb

adapt in

Meaning
to adjust oneself to a new cultural environment or setting
Example
It takes time to adapt in a new cultural setting when moving abroad.
idiom

all work and no play

Meaning
a person who only works becomes dull and boring
Example
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
phrasal-verb

stack small wins

Meaning
to build momentum by completing quick successes
Example
We stack small wins early in the day to feel accomplished.
phrasal-verb

listen without

Meaning
to listen attentively without interrupting or judging
Example
It helps when someone just listens without giving advice.
phrasal-verb

go without

Meaning
to not have or eat something, often because you choose to
Example
I can go without dessert tonight.
idiom

create buzz

Meaning
to generate excitement and talk about a product or event
Example
The teaser video helped create buzz before the product launch.
phrasal-verb

throw in

Meaning
to add something extra for free; to include casually
Example
The seller threw in a free cover with the phone.
idiom

couldn't believe my eyes

Meaning
to be so surprised that you doubt what you see
Example
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the results.
phrasal-verb

slow within

Meaning
to calm down internally and observe your emotions without judgment
Example
Taking a breath helped her slow within and regain control over her thoughts.
idiom

warm up to

Meaning
to gradually become more comfortable with someone or something
Example
She slowly warmed up to the new routine.
phrasal-verb

go after

Meaning
to pursue or try to get something; to chase someone
Example
He decided to go after his dream of becoming a doctor.
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

set aside time

Meaning
to reserve a specific amount of time for something important
Example
You should set aside time for personal reflection every day.
phrasal-verb

learn to trust again

Meaning
to regain faith in others after being betrayed or hurt
Example
It takes time to learn to trust again after being let down.
idiom

hit the tourist trail

Meaning
to visit popular tourist destinations
Example
We decided to hit the tourist trail after exploring the local villages.
idiom

to hit the nail on the head

Meaning
to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem
Example
When she pointed out the lack of communication, she really hit the nail on the head.
phrasal-verb

power through

Meaning
to complete something difficult with strong effort and confidence
Example
She managed to power through the challenge with determination.
phrasal-verb

move ahead

Meaning
to make progress; to go forward
Example
Despite the delay, the project will move ahead as planned.
idiom

Jump ship

Meaning
To leave a job or organization suddenly.
Example
Several employees jumped ship when the new policy was announced.
phrasal-verb

toast to

Meaning
to raise a glass to honor or celebrate someone or something
Example
Let's toast to our hard work and success!
phrasal-verb

rope in for

Meaning
to persuade someone to join an activity
Example
They roped me in for the weekend volunteer drive.
phrasal-verb

work out agreements

Meaning
to reach a negotiated settlement or deal
Example
The trade ministers managed to work out agreements after long discussions.
idiom

laid-back

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

better luck next time

Meaning
used to encourage someone who has failed
Example
Better luck next time! You almost won.
phrasal-verb

stand around

Meaning
to spend time standing and doing nothing
Example
We were just standing around waiting for the bus.
idiom

doubt creeps in

Meaning
to begin to feel uncertain or unsure
Example
After a few failures, doubt began to creep in.
idiom

Play your cards right

Meaning
To make the right moves to achieve success.
Example
If you play your cards right, you might get the promotion.
idiom

practice what you preach

Meaning
to act according to the advice you give to others
Example
If you want others to be kind, you need to practice what you preach.
idiom

A shot in the dark

Meaning
a guess or attempt made without knowing much or anything about the result
Example
His idea about solving the problem was just a shot in the dark.
phrasal-verb

step back from

Meaning
to distance yourself to view a situation more clearly
Example
It helps to step back from the situation before making a decision.
idiom

weather the storm

Meaning
to survive a difficult situation
Example
Our company managed to weather the storm during the crisis.
phrasal-verb

keep moving

Meaning
to continue progressing without giving up
Example
Even when life gets tough, you must keep moving.
idiom

brain like a sieve

Meaning
having a very bad memory
Example
I keep forgetting things—I’ve got a brain like a sieve!
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.
phrasal-verb

rise to challenges

Meaning
to face difficulties with courage and determination
Example
True growth happens when you rise to challenges instead of avoiding them.
idiom

edge out

Meaning
to narrowly defeat someone or something
Example
They edged out their rivals by just one point.
idiom

sustainable development

Meaning
development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Example
The company is committed to sustainable development by investing in green technologies.
phrasal-verb

ring through

Meaning
to connect a phone call to its destination
Example
I’ll ring through to the manager for you.
idiom

how do you do

Meaning
a formal greeting used when meeting someone for the first time
Example
How do you do? It’s a pleasure to meet you.
idiom

down to the wire

Meaning
until the very last moment; close to the deadline
Example
The game went down to the wire, but they won in the end.
phrasal-verb

jump on a call

Meaning
to quickly join an online voice or video call
Example
Let’s jump on a call to discuss the issue in detail.
phrasal-verb

dip into

Meaning
to use part of your savings for something
Example
I had to dip into my savings to cover the repair costs.
idiom

jump on the bandwagon

Meaning
to join something that is already popular or successful
Example
Many people jumped on the bandwagon of budget travel.
phrasal-verb

kick start

Meaning
to start something quickly and effectively
Example
The new project aims to kick start rural economic growth.
phrasal-verb

hedge against

Meaning
to protect oneself against potential loss or risk
Example
Many investors hedge against market volatility by diversifying their portfolios.
idiom

A political animal

Meaning
A person who is very interested in politics and has a talent for it
Example
He’s known to be a real political animal.
idiom

feel the pinch

Meaning
to have financial difficulties; to feel short of money
Example
With rising prices, many families are starting to feel the pinch.
idiom

can of worms

Meaning
a complex problem that may cause more trouble once started
Example
AI bias is a can of worms that’s hard to fix.
phrasal-verb

turn setbacks around

Meaning
to transform failures into opportunities or success
Example
She managed to turn setbacks around by learning from her mistakes.
idiom

the bots are taking over

Meaning
referring to the increasing use of AI systems in various industries; the automation of tasks traditionally performed by humans
Example
It feels like the bots are taking over every sector of business these days.
idiom

money burns a hole in your pocket

Meaning
to be eager to spend money quickly
Example
He just got paid, and already money burns a hole in his pocket.
idiom

pop the question

Meaning
to ask someone to marry you
Example
He finally popped the question during dinner.
idiom

Jump in with both feet

Meaning
To start something enthusiastically without hesitation.
Example
She jumped in with both feet when offered the startup role.
idiom

star-crossed lovers

Meaning
lovers whose relationship is doomed or unlucky
Example
Romeo and Juliet were star-crossed lovers.
phrasal-verb

write in about

Meaning
to contact an organization in writing regarding something
Example
If you have ideas, please write in about them before Friday.
idiom

A tough row to hoe

Meaning
A difficult task or situation to handle.
Example
Starting a new business is a tough row to hoe.
phrasal-verb

get down

Meaning
to make someone feel sad; to move to a lower position
Example
Don’t let failure get you down.
phrasal-verb

set upon

Meaning
to attack someone suddenly
Example
The thief was set upon by the angry crowd.
phrasal-verb

beam at

Meaning
to give a big, happy smile to someone
Example
He beamed at his friends during the celebration.
phrasal-verb

choke on emotions

Meaning
to find it hard to speak because of strong emotions
Example
She choked on emotions while giving her farewell speech.
idiom

keep tabs on

Meaning
to monitor someone or something closely
Example
I try to keep tabs on industry trends.
idiom

gear toward

Meaning
to design or aim something for a particular group
Example
The course is geared toward new managers.
idiom

Heart full of gratitude

Meaning
Deeply thankful and appreciative.
Example
She spoke with a heart full of gratitude for her teachers.
idiom

brand awareness

Meaning
the extent to which consumers are familiar with a brand
Example
Our main goal is to increase brand awareness through social media.
idiom

give someone the cold shoulder

Meaning
to deliberately ignore or show disapproval toward someone
Example
After the argument, she gave him the cold shoulder.
phrasal-verb

log in

Meaning
to enter a website or app by typing your username and password
Example
You need to log in to access your account.
phrasal-verb

exchange views with

Meaning
to share opinions or ideas with someone from another culture
Example
Students exchange views with their international peers to broaden their perspectives.
phrasal-verb

bounce back after

Meaning
to recover from failure or setback quickly
Example
He managed to bounce back after losing his job.
idiom

at breaking point

Meaning
so stressed or tired that one can hardly cope
Example
After working 80 hours this week, she’s at breaking point.
idiom

slip up

Meaning
to make a small mistake
Example
Everyone slips up sometimes — don’t worry about it.
idiom

a heart of steel

Meaning
someone who is emotionally strong and unyielding
Example
Despite all the challenges, he handled everything with a heart of steel.
idiom

A Faustian bargain

Meaning
A deal where one sacrifices moral integrity for power or success.
Example
Signing that contract was a Faustian bargain for him.
phrasal-verb

back down on

Meaning
to withdraw or concede a position after opposition
Example
The government refused to back down on its stance regarding foreign aid.
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.
idiom

put your money where your mouth is

Meaning
to support your words with actions or financial commitment
Example
If you believe in the project, put your money where your mouth is.
phrasal-verb

grow back

Meaning
to regrow after being cut or destroyed
Example
The forest will take years to grow back after the fire.
phrasal-verb

drift off

Meaning
to gradually fall asleep
Example
She drifted off while reading a book.
phrasal-verb

owe to

Meaning
to feel you should thank someone for something
Example
I owe my success to my parents’ support.
phrasal-verb

hand out

Meaning
to distribute items to people
Example
Volunteers handed out flyers to promote the cultural exhibition.
idiom

it’s raining cats and dogs

Meaning
raining very heavily
Example
We can’t go out now; it’s raining cats and dogs.
phrasal-verb

break barriers

Meaning
to overcome obstacles that divide people or cultures
Example
Education helps break barriers between communities.
idiom

hope springs eternal

Meaning
people will always have hope, no matter the situation
Example
Even in the darkest times, he believed things would get better because hope springs eternal.
phrasal-verb

call dibs on tasks

Meaning
to claim responsibility for specific work
Example
New hires call dibs on tasks that match their learning goals.
idiom

lucky break

Meaning
a sudden opportunity or good fortune
Example
Getting that job was a lucky break for her.
idiom

face a system error

Meaning
to experience a sudden failure or breakdown
Example
Our plans faced a system error when the deal was canceled.
idiom

lose your cool

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

catch up

Meaning
to meet and talk after a long time; to reach the same level as someone
Example
Let’s catch up over coffee this weekend.
idiom

cross the aisle

Meaning
to cooperate with members of the opposing political party
Example
He often crosses the aisle to work on bipartisan issues.
phrasal-verb

follow through on promises

Meaning
to do what one has committed to do
Example
A reliable leader always follows through on promises made to the team.
phrasal-verb

open with gratitude

Meaning
to start a conversation or message by expressing thanks
Example
She opened with gratitude before discussing the main issue.
phrasal-verb

take over leadership

Meaning
to assume control or authority in an organization or team
Example
When the director retired, his deputy took over leadership smoothly.
phrasal-verb

start up

Meaning
to begin a new business or project
Example
They decided to start up a food delivery service in their city.
idiom

pair up

Meaning
to form groups of two
Example
Students should pair up before starting the lab activity.
phrasal-verb

share your soul with

Meaning
to be completely honest and vulnerable in expressing your emotions to someone
Example
You can only truly love when you share your soul with someone.
idiom

paint the town red

Meaning
to go out and celebrate wildly
Example
After the exam, we decided to paint the town red.
idiom

hit the big time

Meaning
to achieve great fame or success
Example
The band hit the big time after their first album went viral.
idiom

chicken out

Meaning
to decide not to do something because of fear
Example
He was going to ask her out but chickened out at the last minute.
idiom

in full color

Meaning
in great detail and vividness
Example
The documentary showed the event in full color.
phrasal-verb

drop off to sleep

Meaning
to start sleeping, especially unintentionally
Example
He dropped off to sleep while watching TV.
phrasal-verb

open doors to

Meaning
to create opportunities for cultural connection or understanding
Example
Cultural exchange programs open doors to meaningful friendships worldwide.