English expression
Have butterflies in your stomach
Meaning
Feel very nervous, often before something important.
In a sentence
I had butterflies in my stomach before my first driving lesson.
THE IDIOM COLLECTION
Say more with an idiom.
Go beyond the literal words. Learn what everyday expressions mean—and how to use them.
THE EXPRESSION COLLECTION
Explore the idiom collection.
English expression
Have a whale of a time
Meaning
Enjoy yourself very much.
In a sentence
We had a whale of a time at the outdoor concert.
English expression
Have a lot to answer for
Meaning
Be responsible for causing serious problems or an unpleasant situation.
In a sentence
In the story, the careless organisers have a lot to answer for after ignoring the warnings.
English expression
Have a finger in every pie
Meaning
Be involved in and influence many different activities.
In a sentence
Our chair has a finger in every pie, from choosing posters to approving refreshments.
English expression
Have a change of scenery
Meaning
Spend time in a different place from your usual surroundings.
In a sentence
I worked at the library to have a change of scenery.
English expression
Go to great lengths
Meaning
Make a very large effort to achieve something.
In a sentence
We went to great lengths to make the instructions easy to follow.
English expression
Go out of your way
Meaning
Make a special effort to do something, especially to help someone.
In a sentence
The receptionist went out of her way to find us a quiet room.
English expression
Go off the rails
Meaning
Start behaving in an unacceptable or seriously irresponsible way.
In a sentence
In the film, the trusted accountant goes off the rails and steals from the firm.
English expression
Give someone a run for their money
Meaning
Compete so well that another person or group cannot win easily.
In a sentence
Our small team gave the champions a run for their money.
English expression
Give it your best shot
Meaning
Try as hard as you can to do or achieve something.
In a sentence
I have never entered a debate before, but I’ll give it my best shot.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
One small step, every day.
Use what you have learned in a short daily activity or a language game.