English expression
A stumbling block
Meaning
A difficulty that prevents progress, understanding or agreement.
In a sentence
The cost of transport was the main stumbling block to organising the trip.
THE IDIOM COLLECTION
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THE EXPRESSION COLLECTION
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English expression
A sore point
Meaning
A subject that makes someone angry or embarrassed and that they would rather not discuss.
In a sentence
The cancelled trip is still a sore point with Maya.
English expression
A small fortune
Meaning
A surprisingly large amount of money.
In a sentence
Replacing all the broken chairs would cost a small fortune.
English expression
A shoulder to cry on
Meaning
A sympathetic person who listens and offers comfort when you are upset.
In a sentence
After the disappointing result, I needed a shoulder to cry on.
English expression
A penny saved is a penny earned
Meaning
Saving money is valuable, just as earning money is.
In a sentence
I took a packed lunch and thought, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
English expression
A mind of your own
Meaning
The ability and willingness to form your own opinions and make your own decisions.
In a sentence
She has a mind of her own and chooses courses that genuinely interest her.
English expression
A mile a minute
Meaning
Very quickly.
In a sentence
She was talking a mile a minute after the exciting workshop.
English expression
A hidden gem
Meaning
Something excellent or valuable that relatively few people know about.
In a sentence
We found a hidden gem of a bookshop down a quiet side street.
English expression
A happy medium
Meaning
A satisfactory balance between two extremes.
In a sentence
We found a happy medium between a packed timetable and too much waiting.
English expression
A close call
Meaning
A situation in which something bad almost happens but is narrowly avoided.
In a sentence
It was a close call: the falling cup missed my laptop by centimetres.
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