English expression
Set your sights on
Meaning
Choose a goal and decide to work towards achieving it.
In a sentence
I’ve set my sights on completing the advanced course next year.
THE IDIOM COLLECTION
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THE EXPRESSION COLLECTION
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English expression
See red
Meaning
Become very angry.
In a sentence
I saw red when I realised someone had taken credit for my work.
English expression
Second nature
Meaning
So familiar that you can do it easily without much conscious thought.
In a sentence
Checking the mirror before turning has become second nature to her.
English expression
Scratch the surface
Meaning
Deal with only a small part of a subject or problem.
In a sentence
Our first lesson only scratched the surface of the topic.
English expression
Save face
Meaning
Avoid losing respect or feeling publicly embarrassed.
In a sentence
Correcting the figure quietly helped him save face.
English expression
The salt of the earth
Meaning
A very good, honest and unpretentious person or group of people.
In a sentence
Our neighbours are the salt of the earth; they always offer practical help without seeking attention.
English expression
Run-of-the-mill
Meaning
Ordinary and not especially interesting or distinctive.
In a sentence
The room was comfortable, but the breakfast was run-of-the-mill.
English expression
Run rings around
Meaning
Perform much better or more successfully than someone else.
In a sentence
My niece runs rings around me at this puzzle game.
English expression
Run before you can walk
Meaning
Try difficult tasks before learning the basic skills they require.
In a sentence
I was trying to run before I could walk by attempting a complex song before learning the chords.
English expression
Rest on your laurels
Meaning
Rely on past success and stop making further effort.
In a sentence
The first release went well, but we cannot rest on our laurels.
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