Important Idioms

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scrape the bottom of the barrel

Meaning: It is a phrase used to describe something you know is not in good condition, but you have to select it since you don't have an option of choosing the better one.

Example: Our school used to admit more than one thousand candidates, but we feel like we have been scraping the bottom of the barrel with the admitted applicants in late admission. Read more ➺


fake it till you make it

Meaning: portray yourself like the person you always wanted to become

Example: I had no idea that her family is so illiterate as she always pretended to be classy. Fake it till you make it. Read more ➺


blind impulse

Meaning: sudden and unaccountable desire to do something

Example: Acting on what appeared to be a blind impulse, she submitted her resignation. Read more ➺


brownie points

Meaning: Praise or appreciation, usually for a service someone has done.

Example: He picked up some brownie points with his manager by doing part of her report for her. Read more ➺


run across

Meaning: meet someone by accident

Example: While cleaning my house, I ran across a book I'd lost. Read more ➺


in mint condition

Meaning: something used that looks new

Example: She was cautious about buying the vintage t-shirt sight unseen, but the seller assured her it was in mint condition. Read more ➺


where the rubber meets the road

Meaning: when you have to face your challenges

Example: John had an excellent idea for a project, but his colleagues weren't sure what would happen where the rubber meets the road. Read more ➺


on board

Meaning: be physically on a plane, ship, vehicle, train, or rocket

Example: Let's get Phoebe on board for the Madison project. After all, it is her area of expertise. Read more ➺


leaps and bounds

Meaning: progress very quickly

Example: Regan's reading skills are coming on in leaps and bounds with the new teacher. Read more ➺


cut the cord

Meaning: to end a connection with someone

Example: In order to achieve true independence, developing countries must cut the cord and stop asking for financial aid from the developed countries. Read more ➺


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