Idioms: situations and reactions

Vocabulary in this set

Describe uncertain, difficult, and surprising situations with ten useful idioms.

1. a blessing in disguise

   Expression

   something that seems bad but later brings a good result

   The delay became a blessing in disguise.

2. caught red-handed

   Phrase

   caught while doing something wrong

   The player was caught red-handed changing the score.

3. a fish out of water

   Expression

   someone who feels uncomfortable or out of place

   I felt like a fish out of water at the formal dinner.

4. miss the boat

   Phrase

   miss an opportunity

   Apply this week so you do not miss the boat.

5. the last straw

   Phrase

   the final problem that makes a situation unacceptable

   The latest delay was the last straw for the team.

6. up in the air

   Expression

   uncertain or not yet decided

   The meeting date is still up in the air.

7. a wild goose chase

   Expression

   a search that is unlikely to succeed

   Looking for that missing receipt became a wild goose chase.

8. on thin ice

   Phrase

   in a risky situation

   You are on thin ice after missing another deadline.

9. throw in the towel

   Expression

   stop trying and give up

   We should not throw in the towel after one mistake.

10. see the light at the end of the tunnel

    Expression

    feel that a difficult period is nearly over

    After several hard weeks, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.