Idioms are expressions with greater meaning. Phrases like "nick of time" or "in other words" or "for heaven's sake". Definition: a group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word understood on its own:
COMMON If someone pulls the strings, they control everything that another person or an organization does, often in a way that is not noticed by people. He engineered many of these political changes, pulling the strings from behind the stage. He is the kind of man who prefers to work behind the scenes, pulling the strings.
Note: The image here is of a puppet which is controlled by means of strings.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
To earn the right to have something because you worked hard: For example: “I’ve paid my dues for the last 25 years, and now I’m ready for a comfortable retirement.”
Usually, dues. a regular fee or charge payable at specific intervals, especially to a group or organization: membership dues.
The North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe. It is most often used to describe travel or location between the United Kingdom and the United States or Canada.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
The new economic realities of the 19th century then cross-pollinated with the ideas that emerged from the Enlightenment about individual rights and the pursuit of happiness, and the result was a full-blown Age of Romanticism. It was the 1800s and people’s feelings suddenly mattered. The new ideal was not only to marry for love but that that love was to live on in bliss for all of the eternity. Thus, it wasn’t until the relatively recent 150 years ago that the ever-popular “happily ever after” ideal was born.
The definition of “under the radar” is: doing something without other people noticing. For example, “The employee didn’t want his boss to find out that he was looking for another job, so he did all his searching under the radar.”
If someone is “putting on airs” it means that he or she is acting superior or snobbish.
Since the 1500s, “airs” has referred to having an affected manner. It’s from the French word air, “look, appearance, or bearing.” Behaving as if you’re better than other people — wealthier, better dressed, or better educated — is to put on airs. Acting like you know more than your teacher is a way to put on airs.
“an idle, worthless person; a person who is ineffectual, unsuccessful, or completely lacking in merit; good-for-nothing.”
Before all else. For example, “You’re my BAE.” Not to be confused with BFF, best friends forever.
Definition: easy going, loose, reckless and carefree. For example “this devil may care attitude is going to get him fired from his job”.
“Having said that” is a transitional phrase that has become more and more common in spoken language. When people say, “Having said that” it is a signal that they are going to say something which will contrast or disagree with what they said a moment ago. Take, for example, this quote from a man talking about his father’s death:
Win lose or draw
Dead to rights
Time is …
Frank Zappa
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