FF Idioma
a bit off/a bit mental
not rational, unbalanced, one brick short Kate talks to the birds. Do you think she's a bit off?
a chip off the old block
a boy who is like his dad, the apple doesn't... Eric is a chip off the old block. He's just like his dad.
a cliff-hanger
a game that is close until the end, a barnburner Every election in this town is a real cliff-hanger - a close race.
a different kettle of fish
different, not the same A cult is not a religion. A cult is a different kettle of fish entirely.
a horse of a different color
a different matter, a separate issue If he wants to buy the land, that's a horse of a different color.
a little hair off the dog
(See hair off the dog)
a little off
not quite sane, a bit crazy, one brick short... When Clem started eating grass, we knew he was a little off.
a rip-off
unfair price or rule, priced too high The price of drinks was a rip-off. A small Coke cost $3!
a stiff upper lip
(See keep a stiff upper lip)
a takeoff on
similar to, based on the same idea, a send-up The school play was a takeoff on Shakespeare's Hamlet.
a word to the wise is sufficient
a wise person understands when he hears a key word I can't discuss the plan, but a word to the wise is sufficient: progress.
an offer I couldn't refuse
an offer that contains a threat or force, a request that is a command The border guards invited me to stay for further questioning - it was an offer I couldn't refuse.
and stuff
and other things or activities, et cetera We were watchin' TV an' stuff, just hangin' out.
another nail in your coffin
"another cigarette; harmful substance" Every cigarette he smoked was another nail in his coffin.
back off
do not come closer, do not touch me Back off, you animal! Don't touch me!
bafflegab
confusing statements, jargon, political language There was a lot of bafflegab in the speech, a lot of nonsense.
be off
leave, go, off with you Be off, my dear, or you'll be late for work.
beat the pants off
defeat by a large score, blow you away "Ho plays table tennis very well; she'll beat the pants off you."
beg off
ask to be excused from duty, get out of a task Some people volunteer to work and then they beg off.
beg to differ
have a different opinion, disagree with "When I stated the cause of the loss, he said, ""I beg to differ."""
better off
in better conditions: healthier or wealthier etc. Are you better off renting an apartment than buying a house?
biff/biffy
washroom, bathroom, the can, the john, the loo """Is there a biffy on the bus?"" ""Yes. There, at the back."""
bit off
(See a bit off)
bite off more than one can chew
take responsibility for more than one can
bite off more than you can chew
begin more tasks than you can complete When I took the night class, I bit off more than I could chew.
blow the lid off
reveal a story, tell some news, break a story When the defendant confessed, it blew the lid off the murder trial.
brain traffic
thoughts and information moving through the brain I wish I could turn off my mind when brain traffic is too heavy.
branch office
an office in another location or city Please contact our branch office in your town or city.
break off
tell a friend that you wish to stop seeing him She wonders if she should break off her relationship with Liam.
bring it off
manage it successfully, carry it off Don't worry about the project. Mr. Ho can bring it off.
bring off
perform successfully We were unable to bring off the deal to buy the new computer system for our company.
browned off
unhappy, a little bit angry, ticked off Tran was browned off because we were late. She didn't like that.
brush it off
not let it bother you, not be concerned When Erik criticizes my family, I just brush it off and walk away.
brush-off
(See give him the brush-off)
buffalo
frighten, bluff, intimidate The director shouts a lot, but don't let him buffalo you.
buy off
use a gift or money to divert someone from their duty or purpose The land developer tried to buy off the politician but he was not successful.
buzz off
go away, beat it, get lost Next time he asks to borrow something, tell him to buzz off.
call his bluff
challenge his story, give it to me straight, put up or shut up When I called his bluff about low profits, he admitted that the company made 11 million.
call off
stop, quit, cancel The meeting was called off because everybody was busy dealing with urgent business.
call off the dogs
tell your friends to stop harassing me Okay, I'll pay what I owe you. But call off the dogs!
car buff
a person who loves to repair or restore cars Colin has been a car buff ever since he bought his first Ford.
carry it off
make it happen, pull it off This project requires planning and skill, but he can carry it off.
catch you off guard
surprise you, say what you do not expect Did my comment about dog poop catch you off guard?
cheesed off
upset, annoyed, ticked off They were cheesed off when I said you wouldn't pay them.
chip off the old block
(See a chip off the old block)
cliff-hanger
(See a cliff-hanger)
coffee break
a break from work to rest and drink coffee We usually take a 15-minute coffee break every morning about 10 o
coffee talk
conversation while having coffee, water-cooler... I don't believe Sally's pregnant. It's just coffee talk, just gossip.
come off
happen as planned, succeed The band wanted to produce a CD, but it didn't come off.
come off it
I do not believe it, you're kidding You had a date with Cybill Shepherd? Come off it!
