Idioms

(to) grin like a cheshire cat – grinsen wie ein Honigkuchenpferd

(to) behave like a bull in a china shop – wie ein Elefant im Porzellanladen benehmen
(to) kill two birds with one stone – zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen
(to) not see the forest for the trees – nicht den Wald vor lauter Bäumen sehen
(to) beat about the bush – um den heißen Brei herumreden
(to) have two strings to one’s bow – mehrere Eisen im Feuer haben
(to) rush one’s fences – etwas übers Knie brechen
(to) save up for a rainy day – für schlechte Zeiten zurücklegen
(to) buy a pig in a poke – die Katze im Sack kaufen
(to) put one’s foot down – ein Machtwort sprechen
(to) compare apples and oranges – Äpfel mit Birnen vergleichen
(to) make a mountain out of a molehill – aus einer Mücke einen Elefanten machen
(to) be on the wrong track – auf dem Holzweg sein
(to) make a fool of yourself – sich zum Affen machen
(to) move heaven and earth – Himmel und Hölle in Bewegung setzen
(to) hit the nail on the head – den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen
(to) go / sell like hot cakes – weggehen wie warme Semmeln
(to) know like the back of one’s hand – wie seine Westentasche kennen
(to) talk someone’s ear off – ein Ohr abkauen

as blind as a bat – blind wie ein Maulwurf

water under the bridge – Schnee von gestern
a fish out of water – wie ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen
in the middle of nowhere / out in the sticks – Wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen.
crystal clear – klar wie Kloßbrühe
It’s a stone’s throw away. – Das ist ein Katzensprung.
That’s the heart of the matter. – Da liegt der Hund begraben.
Fingers crossed! – Daumen drücken!
I’m wiped out. – Ich bin fix und fertig.
You’re pulling my leg. – Du nimmst mich auf den Arm.
You can bet your life on it. – Da kannst du Gift draufnehmen.
It’s all Greek to me. – Ich verstehe nur Spanisch. / Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof.
He has to give his two cents worth. – Er muss zu allem seinen Senf dazugeben.
tit for tat – Auge um Auge, Zahn um Zahn. / Wie du mir, so ich dir.

All roads lead to Rome. – Alle Straßen/Wege führen nach Rom.

Third time’s a charm. – Aller guten Dinge sind drei.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. – Besser den Spatz in der Hand als die Taube auf dem Dach.
You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs. – Wo gehobelt wird, fallen Späne.
The apple does not fall far from the tree. – Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm.
The early bird catches the worm. – Der frühe Vogel fängt den Wurm.
Never look a gift horse in the mouth. – Einem geschenkten Gaul schaut man nicht ins Maul.
Speech is silver, but silence is golden. – Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Gold.
Too many cooks spoil the broth. – Zu viele Köche verderben den Brei.
Practice makes perfect. – Übung macht den Meister.
Don’t count your chicks before they hatch. – Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben.
English Idioms in Use Quiz

1) Harry’s bark is worse than his bite.

a) Harry owns a very fierce dog.
b) Harry is not in very good health.
c) Harry talks more than he eats.
d) Harry is not as frightening as he seems.

2) His smart new laptop fell off the back of a lorry.

a) His new laptop is already broken.
b) His new laptop is stolen property.
c) He bought his new lorry very cheaply.
d) He was given a new laptop as a surprise present.

3) My brother is driving me round the bend at the moment.

a) My brother is not a good driver.
b) My brother is taking me on holiday.
c) My brother is being very annoying.
d) My brother is giving me a lot of help.

4) Hilary arrived at our house out of the blue this morning.

a) Hilary was dressed unusually smartly.
b) It was a lovely day when Hilary arrived.
c) We weren’t expecting Hilary to arrive.
d) Hilary was feeling depressed.

5) Cecilia poured her heart out to me.

a) Cecilia told me her secret feelings.
b) Cecilia was very angry with me.
c) Cecilia and I did some exercises.
d) Cecilia and I fell in love with each other.

Complete the following idioms. Choose the correct option.

1) The singer said she was over the ___ at receiving such an important award.

a) rainbow c) stars
b) moon d) sun

2) My new colleague is a bit of a rough ___ but I think I’m going to like him once I get used to him.

a) stone c) diamond
b) rock d) pearl

3) I wouldn’t behave like that if I were in your ___ .

a) shoes c) socks
b) trousers d) boots

4) Marco never stays in one place for long. He always gets ___ feet and sets off on his travels again.

a) chilly b) itchy
 c) dusty d) shaky

5) I’m afraid I can’t give you the answer off the top of my ___ but I’ll find it out for you.

a) tongue c) mind
b) hand d) head