Expression Cards
803 cards available.
idiom
beat the clock
Meaning
to finish something before the deadline
Example
We managed to **beat the clock** and submit the report early.
idiom
beat the rap
Meaning
to escape punishment or avoid being convicted
Example
He managed to **beat the rap** thanks to a clever lawyer.
phrasal-verb
beat yourself up
Meaning
to blame or criticize yourself too much for something
Example
Don't **beat yourself up** over one mistake.
idiom
beg to differ
Meaning
to politely disagree with someone
Example
I **beg to differ**, but I think your conclusion is incorrect.
idiom
beginner’s luck
Meaning
success for someone inexperienced
Example
He won his first game — must be **beginner’s luck**.
idiom
behind bars
Meaning
in prison
Example
The murderer will spend the rest of his life **behind bars**.
idiom
behind closed doors
Meaning
in private; secretly
Example
The deal was made **behind closed doors**.
idiom
behind enemy lines
Meaning
in a hostile or dangerous situation
Example
Journalists were working **behind enemy lines** to report the truth.
idiom
behind schedule
Meaning
later than planned or expected
Example
The flight is **behind schedule** because of the storm.
idiom
behind someone’s back
Meaning
to do something secretly without their knowledge
Example
She was talking about me **behind my back**.
idiom
Behind the curve
Meaning
To be less advanced or slow compared to competitors.
Example
Our company is **behind the curve** in adopting AI technologies.
idiom
behind the eight ball
Meaning
to be in a difficult position or disadvantage
Example
Without proper funding, the project is **behind the eight ball**.
idiom
behind the firewall
Meaning
protected or isolated from external threats
Example
Sensitive company data should always stay **behind the firewall**.
idiom
behind the scenes
Meaning
secretly or without public knowledge
Example
A lot of work happens **behind the scenes** to make a movie.
idiom
behind the times
Meaning
old-fashioned or not keeping up with modern ideas
Example
My uncle still uses a typewriter—he’s **behind the times**.
phrasal-verb
believe in
Meaning
to have confidence in someone or something
Example
You need to **believe in** yourself if you want to succeed.
phrasal-verb
believe in better days
Meaning
to stay positive that life will improve
Example
He always **believes in better days**, no matter how tough life gets.
idiom
believe in yourself
Meaning
to have confidence in your own abilities
Example
**Believe in yourself** and you can achieve anything.
idiom
believe you can
Meaning
to have the mindset that you are capable of doing something
Example
If you **believe you can**, you’re halfway there.
idiom
believe you’re good enough
Meaning
to accept that you are capable and worthy
Example
To overcome fear, you must **believe you’re good enough**.
phrasal-verb
belong to
Meaning
to be a member of or connected to a group or place
Example
I feel I **belong to** both my home country and the culture I live in now.
idiom
bend over backwards
Meaning
to make a great effort to help or please someone
Example
She **bent over backwards** to make the event successful.
idiom
bend someone’s ear
Meaning
to talk to someone for a long time, usually to complain
Example
He **bent my ear** about his terrible day at work.
idiom
bend the law
Meaning
to use the law in a dishonest way to achieve something
Example
Some lawyers know how to **bend the law** to help their clients.