<div align=”left”> To be something that someone would be interested in or good at. For Example: “Given how good he is at tennis, I think raquetball could be Jerry’s bag.” The implication is that since Jerry is good at tennis and raquetball utilizes many of the same skills, raquetball could […]

<div align=”left”> GO BEHIND SOMEONE’S BACK means to interfere in people’s affairs without permission, usually in a dishonest or selfish way. For Example: I thought I trusted him, but I found out yesterday he went behind my back and told everyone about it. No doubt he was only checking, but […]

<div align=”left”> TURN YOUR BACK ON means to ignore or forget someone or something, especially a friend who needs your help. For Example: He needs to learn that you shouldn’t turn your back on those kind of responsibilities. (Meaning you shouldn’t ignore your responsibilities). Real friends and family love you […]

<div align=”left”> GET YOUR OWN BACK means to get some kind of revenge, to do or get something in return for a bad thing someone did to you. For Example: The director has been unfair to the teachers all week, so here’s your chance to prove you’re right and get […]

<div align=”left”> BE GLAD TO SEE THE BACK OF means that you are happy someone or something unpleasant is finished or gone. For Example: Last night we had a farewell party for John, but to be honest I’m glad to see the back of him. (Meaning I’m glad he is […]

<strong>UP IN ARMS</strong> means that there is strong opposition or anger against something. For Example: “We heard the news over the radio at lunch break and I tell you, we were really up in arms about it.” (Meaning they strongly disagreed with the news on the radio). When their children […]

<div align=”left”> A GREY AREA means something that is not clearly defined and needs careful judgement. For Example: “We have always had a professional attitude to copyrighted texts, but online copyright is still a bit of a grey area.” Many people think they know what right and wrong are, but […]

<div align=”left”> GO APE is an informal expression meaning to just lose control and become really angry or excited. For Example: When I told him we had tickets to see the rock concert on Saturday, he just went ape. (Meaning he was really excited). He’s a really nice guy, but […]

<strong>IN THE AIR</strong> means people have a general feeling or expectation that something will happen in the near future. This feeling among people is often not clearly defined. For Example: No one knew for sure what was going to happen that summer, but a change was in the air. On […]

<strong>To CLEAR THE AIR</strong> means to somehow resolve a difficult situation between people. It is especially used for talking openly about problems, or being patient and waiting for bad feelings to lessen. For Example: “Sharon’s been ignoring me all week because of what I said to her, but we finally […]

<div align=”left”> ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS means that what someone says is different from from what they do. It is often used when someone makes a promise but then doesn’t keep it. For Example: “Dad, I promise I’ll be on time for class and do all my homework as […]

<div align=”left”> A PIECE OF THE ACTION means that someone wants to be involved in some popular or beneficial social activity. For Example: Due to the team’s success in recent games ticket sales have soared, and it seems everyone wants a piece of the action. – (Meaning lots of people […]

<strong>CLEAN UP YOUR ACT</strong> means that someone needs to do much better, especially because they are behaving unacceptably. For Example: John’s been late for work almost every day this week, and he always stays out late with his friends. He needs to clean up his act, or he’ll lose his […]

<div align=”left”> A CLASS ACT means that something or somebody is of particularly high quality. For Example: Dave’s rap performance last night was a class act. He’s one of the most original rap artists on the scene. If something has class, it also means that it is somehow better quality […]