English Idioms Vocabulary 2022 Complete Edition
Important English Idioms, Sayings, and
Phrases You Should Know to Write and
Speak Like a Well-Educated Native Speaker  
by Premier English Learning Publishing  OceanofPDF.com
Copyright © 2022 Premier English Learning Publishing
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be
reproduced in any form without permission from the
publisher, except as permitted by copyright law. For any inquiries:
premierenglishpublishing@gmail.com OceanofPDF.com From Publisher
In this book, we’ve collected smart English idioms, sayings,
and phrases you should know to write and speak like a well- educated native speaker.
This dictionary contains only the most important idioms with
clear and simple definitions and up-to-date example sentences.
Study at home, on the road, or in class; bookmark pages;
and remember that repetition is the key to memory. OceanofPDF.com Vocabulary A good many Meaning: A lot of. Dialogue example:
Speaker A: Did anyone enter the building while you were talking?
Speaker B: A good many people I should think. All hands on deck
Meaning: The phrase is said when there is some kind of
emergency, and it requires everyone to work hard;
something that takes a lot of effort.
Example: It’s been a bit of an all hands on deck effort organizing this meeting. All hell broke loose
Meaning: A situation that suddenly gets out of control and
people start fighting or arguing.
Example: When a fan at a rock concert jumped onto the stage, all hell broke loose. All walks of life
Meaning: People of all social and economic classes.
Example: In the 19th century, this game was played by all walks of life. A mile a minute
Meaning: Extremely fast; very rapidly.
Example: My friend talks a mile a minute about his cars. An awful lot
Meaning: A large amount; very much. Dialogue example:
Speaker A: Our friend is completely devastated by the death
of his parents. What can we do about it?
Speaker B: Not an awful lot, unfortunately. Any port in a storm
Meaning: To emphasize that in a bad situation you will
accept any help or take advantage of any opportunity.
Example: Thanks, Dan! It's not an ideal solution, but hey, any port in a storm. Article of faith
Meaning: Something you deeply believe in.
Example: This book is an article of faith for her. As broad as it’s long
Meaning: With no significant difference; without any advantage; the same.
Example: Hotel A is a little cheaper, but Hotel B has free
breakfast, so it's as broad as it's long. As drunk as a lord Meaning: Extremely drunk.
Example: He was as drunk as a lord. As good a place as any
Meaning: Not perfect, but not worse than any other.
Example: This hotel is as good a place as any to spend the
night; It was just as good a place as any to spend the weekend. As keen as mustard
Meaning: Extremely excited, interested, or enthusiastic.
Example: John got a job at a big company because he was as keen as mustard. As long as one’s arm Meaning: Extremely long.
Example: My wife owes money to a list of people as long as my arm. At a low ebb
Meaning: In a state of weakness.
Example: Our economy is at a low ebb; Her health is at a
low ebb; My business is now at a low ebb. At long last
Meaning: Finally; after a long wait.
Example: At long last pizza has arrived; At long last the project was finished. A torrid time
Meaning: A difficult period filled with problems and challenges.
Example: Our team will definitely face a torrid time in
tomorrow's game; I had a torrid time during the championship. At your earliest convenience Meaning: As soon as possible.
Example: Please reply to my letter at your earliest convenience.
Avoid something like the plague
Meaning: To avoid something as much as possible.
Example: Rita's been avoiding me like the plague ever since I confessed my love for her. Back the wrong horse
Meaning: To support something unsuccessful; make the wrong choice or decision.
Example: You really backed the wrong horse when you
bought this abandoned house; Despite their vast
experience, investors sometimes end up backing the wrong horse. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Follow the wrong course of action; doing
something that will not produce the result you want.
Example: If you expect me to solve all your financial
problems, then you, my dear friends, are barking up the wrong tree. Batten down the hatches
Meaning: To prepare for a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Example: Many companies are battening down the hatches before the crisis. Be a barrel of fun
Meaning: Be very cheerful, sociable, and enjoyable.
Example: My friend Joe is a real barrel of fun; Festivals are always a barrel of fun. Be at a loose end
Meaning: Not knowing what to do; have nothing to do.
Example: You can come and help me clean up if you're at a
loose end; Get out and take a walk if you're at a loose end. Beat someone hollow
Meaning: To defeat someone easily and thoroughly.
Example: We scored an incredible 130 points per game and beat that team hollow. Be beside yourself
Meaning: Being overwhelmed by strong feelings or
emotions; unable to think clearly or control oneself.
Example: Tanya was beside herself with grief when her
husband died; John was beside himself with excitement. Be chasing your own tail
Meaning: To do something extremely inefficient or unproductive.
Example: I need to start taking only effective steps towards
my goal and stop chasing my own tail. Bee’s knees
Meaning: Excellent; of a very high standard; ideal.
Example: Ron thinks he's the bee's knees; This TV show is
the bee's knees; Christmas dinner was just the bee's knees. Be for the high jump
Meaning: Prepare to be punished; to warn someone that you
will punish them if they do something wrong/illegal.
Example: If I catch you stealing, you'll be for the high jump. Before your very eyes
Meaning: Right in front you; while you are watching.
Example: Thank you for coming to see our magic show!
Before your very eyes, I will make this ball disappear.
Beggar belief (or “beggar description”)
Meaning: Impossible or not worth believing; impossible to describe or explain.
Example: It almost beggars belief that you completed the
project on your own, without any help; Her beauty beggars description! Be in a tight corner
Meaning: To be in a difficult or tough situation.