C Idioms

When it was announced there would be no pay raise, the workers of Tom’s company decided to call a strike.

When I called one of my teacher’s theories into question yesterday, she wasn’t pleased at all.

We can ill afford another scandal. It would simply ruin us!

I have been trying to understand the task for more than three hours now, but I can’t make head or tail of it. Can you please explain it to me?

The government wants to use a “carrot and stick” approach to force the President and Prime Minister to negotiate.

Einstein had to carry out many experiments in order to arrive at his famous theories.

I decided to cast my vote for the Democrats in the last Presidential election.

I feel really bad. I have a sore throat and runny nose. I must have caught a cold again!

I just changed my haircut and every time I catch sight of myself in a mirror, I feel rather surprised about the way I look. I still haven’t got used to it.

I used to steal sweets from the pantry when I was five, but my Grandma caught me doing it and I was scared to do it again.

The police caught the burglar red-handed. He was arrested and charged with robbery.

The girl in the blue top caught my attention. I just couldn’t stop staring at her all night long.

Rob feels superior to everybody and it’s really difficult to catch his interest.

The chain of events in 2005 led to his hasty departure to Spain. I wonder what really happened.

Anna moved to Spain a few years ago. She recently came over to visit, but has changed beyond recognition. We found it difficult to talk. She is simply a different person now.

I decided to apply for a new job. I really believe it will be a change for the better. I feel that the new position will bring new challenges.

I was hoping to have a much more interesting job here, but it turned out to be a change for the worse. I should have stayed with the previous company.

The firm has changed hands many times throughout the past few years. The current owners are planning on selling it again soon.

Sally was going to apply to study psychology but she changed her mind. She is now planning to study Spanish.

Can we please change the subject? You know how I hate talking about politics all the time.

We decided to buy a German car because it’s said to be cheap to run.

I forgot to take warm clothes and I got chilled to the bone.

Tom looks just like his father when he was younger. He really is a chip off the old block.

I wasn’t really satisfied with my last holiday. We didn’t get the service and programme we paid for. We’re now going to claim damages with the travel agency.

William Shakespeare is a classic example of a British Renaissance playwright.

I’d rather pay the fine and have a clear conscience rather than wait and hope they will forget about it.

Laura, can you please help me clear the table now that the guests are gone? It will be much quicker with your help.

Excuse me! Can you clear the way? Can’t you see we are trying to get through with the trolley?

The new legislation is aimed at clipping the President’s political wings.

I like reading books in Spanish, but I need to have a dictionary close at hand. There are still many words I don’t understand.

The news about Mike’s sudden death came as an absolute shock to me. I still can’t believe what happened!

Jude’s marriage proposal came as a surprise to me as we’ve only been dating for three months. I didn’t realise he took me so seriously.

It came as no surprise to me that Tina got a place to study at Oxford as she’s always been at the top of her class.

I know you would love to go study abroad, but come down to earth! It costs a lot of money and we can’t afford it. Besides, we have equally good universities here.

The chances of doing a post-graduate degree are very low if you can’t cover the fees. Even if you are really bright, it still comes down to money.

Many thanks for your knowledge in math. It came in very useful in our last meeting.

The new law comes into effect at the beginning of January.

Long skirts came into fashion last spring and are still quite popular.

There are certain tunes that simply come into your head and stick.

What about all the fifty-thousand youngsters who come of age this spring? Who will they be voting for?

The last presentation came off really well. Good job, Tom!

Come on and don’t be so lame! You never go out with us. Just this one time! It’s Friday and you don’t have to go to work tomorrow.

I always knew the company was not going to last. It was clear that sooner or later it would come to a bad end.

The negotiators came to a dead end and they needed to involve a third party to be able to progress.

We came to a joint decision that it would be best for you to go and study abroad.

Anna didn’t want to go on holiday to Africa, so we came to an agreement. We’re going to Spain and organising a day trip to Morocco, instead.

All good things come to an end. I can’t believe those two weeks of my holiday are gone already.

When the financial scandal came to light, our managing director got fired.

I wonder how long it will take you to come to your senses. I am really glad you realised what a mistake you’re making.

When Henry VIII came to power, England was still dependent on Rome in the matters of religion.

I really struggled with the task, but Sam came to my aid and we managed to solve it together.

Sarah made a mistake by criticising her manager, but quite a few of her colleagues came to her defence by supporting her views.

It just came to my ears that you’re about to move to England. Is that what you’re really planning?

She’s never really come to terms with her daughter.

Please, come to the point because we haven’t got much time.

I hope all your dreams will come true. You deserve the best!

I have never committed a crime before. Does this help my situation at all, or am I going to go to jail?

I don’t have anything to write down your number with. I’ll simply try and commit it to memory. Let’s hope I won’t forget it by tomorrow!

Organising a conference is no rocket science; it really is all about good organisation and common sense!

The Prime Minister and the President are known to have a conflict of interests. It doesn’t seem like the situation is going to change any time soon.

Contrary to popular belief, British people are not overly polite, and they are extremely serious at all times.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but shouldn’t you be at school now?

The cost of living in Britain has increased drastically over the last few years and many people can’t afford to live as comfortably as they used to.

Oh come on! Just cough it up! Say it! It’s not going to change anything, anyway.

Count down to 10 and then you can start walking back. Just don’t follow me straightaway.

"Nationality: Polish
Country of Origin: Poland
Place of Birth: France
Date of Birth: 23.03.1975"

In a natural course of events cows would need to be milked at least twice a day.

Don’t worry, I’ll cover the cost of the drinks. You can pay for our taxi back, if you want to.

I broke my leg while skiing in Austria, but all the treatment costs were covered by insurance.

I really want to go on holiday with you, not with Anne! Cross my heart! Why don’t you believe me!

Anna still doesn’t know if she won the award. It will be announced tomorrow, but curiosity is eating her up.

When his company started having problems, he decided to cut and run rather than face financial ruin.

It turned out I should be on a gluten-free diet, so I have to cut down on bread and pasta.

Cut it out! It just can’t be true! I couldn’t have won the competition!

I was cut to the quick by his harsh remarks.

Cut the crap and just tell me the truth! I am sure you can explain it somehow!