English expression
Give me a hand
Meaning
Help me with a task, especially something practical.
In a sentence
Could you give me a hand carrying these books to the classroom?
THE IDIOM COLLECTION
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THE EXPRESSION COLLECTION
Explore the idiom collection.
English expression
Get your act together
Meaning
To become better organised so that you can do things effectively.
In a sentence
You need to get your act together before the group presentation.
English expression
Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning
To deal with a possible future problem if it actually arises, rather than worry about it now.
In a sentence
You can cross that bridge when you come to it; the course dates have not even been announced.
English expression
Clear the air
Meaning
To remove bad feelings or misunderstandings between people, often by talking honestly.
In a sentence
Could we talk after class to clear the air about yesterday’s disagreement?
English expression
Call the shots
Meaning
To have the authority to make the important decisions in a situation.
In a sentence
Who will call the shots on the final design?
English expression
By the book
Meaning
Strictly following the rules or the correct procedure.
In a sentence
The new supervisor wants every equipment check done by the book.
English expression
Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning
To take on a task or amount of work that is more difficult than you can manage.
In a sentence
Do not bite off more than you can chew by signing up for five evening courses.
English expression
Back to square one
Meaning
Having to start a plan or process again because the previous attempt failed.
In a sentence
The venue cancelled our booking, so we were back to square one with the event plans.
English expression
At the drop of a hat
Meaning
Immediately and readily, with little encouragement or hesitation.
In a sentence
My brother will organise a board-game evening at the drop of a hat.
English expression
A piece of cake
Meaning
Something that is very easy to do.
In a sentence
After practising the route twice, finding the station was a piece of cake.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
One small step, every day.
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