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Idiom: the lion’s share

January 31, 2010 By Angela Boothroyd Leave a Comment

The lion's share of something is almost all of it; more than one's fair share. Example of use: There was enough food for everyone but he ate the lion's share, and the rest of us had what was left. Image by wwarby

Filed Under: English Idioms Tagged With: animals, food, idiom

Idiom: tip of the iceberg

January 31, 2010 By Angela Boothroyd Leave a Comment

If something is the tip of the iceberg it is only a small, easily visible, part of a problem – there is much more to the problem than is immediately obvious. Most of an iceberg is under the water, and only a small part of it can be seen above the water. Examples of use: [...]

Filed Under: English Idioms, Weather

Idiom: in clover

January 31, 2010 By Angela Boothroyd 3 Comments

To be in clover means to have an easy, prosperous and happy life, without any worries. Clover is a favourite food of cattle and this idiom comes from cattle happily feeding in a field of clover. Examples of use: 1. If we won the lottery we would be in clover for the rest of our [...]

Filed Under: English Idioms Tagged With: idiom, plants

Idiom: a show of hands

January 31, 2010 By Angela Boothroyd Leave a Comment

A show of hands is an informal vote where people vote for their choice by raising a hand. Examples of use: 1. Let's have a show of hands and see who agrees with the plans for a new road through the village. 2. The factory workers had a show of hands and voted to go [...]

Filed Under: English Idioms

Phrasal Verb: eat up

January 31, 2010 By Angela Boothroyd 1 Comment

To eat up is to eat all of some food or all of a meal you have been given. Examples of use: 1. The baby ate up all of his pasta today. 2. Eat up your cabbage. It’s good for you. When something eats up something else; for example, time or money, it uses it [...]

Filed Under: English Phrasal Verbs Tagged With: phrasal verb

Phrasal Verb: flood out

January 31, 2010 By Angela Boothroyd Leave a Comment

To flood out somebody (or flood somebody out) is to force them to leave their business or home because of floods. Example of use: 1. There was a torrential downpour last night and we were flooded out. The house is a mess and we’re staying in a hotel for a few days. 2. Every time [...]

Filed Under: English Phrasal Verbs Tagged With: phrasal verb

Phrasal Verb: pack out

January 30, 2010 By Angela Boothroyd Leave a Comment

To pack out somewhere (or pack somewhere out) is to fill a place with people. British English. If a place is packed out (adjective) it is full of people. Examples of use: 1. Stevie Wonder always packs out stadiums when he puts on concerts. 2. The football stadium was packed out. infinitive – pack out [...]