IDIOMS III

COMMON IDIOMS

1. To break a leg: a way to say "good luck" (Mucha mierda).
2. To live it up: to enjoy life (Carpe Diem).
3. To kick the bucket: to die (Estirar la pata).
4. To shape up / to ship out: when you tell someone if their behaviour doesn't improve, leave (Ponerse las pilas).
5. To spill the beans: to tell a secret (Descubrir el pastel).
6. It's raining cats and dogs: raining hard (Caer chuzos de punta).
7. Top dog: the leader (Mandamás).
8. To smell a rat: to think that something is wrong (Oler a gato encerrado).
9. To chicken out: not doing an activity because of fear (Ser gallina).
10. To eat like a horse: to eat a lot (Comer como una lima).
11. To burn the midnight oil: to work studiously late into the night (Quemar las pestañas).

IDIOMS II

THINGS GOING WRONG

1. Stumbling block: the problem point (el punto problemático).

2. To start from scratch: to begin from nothing (empezar de cero).

3. Throw a spanner in the works: caused a difficulty (provocar un problema).

4. Can't get the hang of it: don't know how to make it work (no saber hacerlo funcionar).

5. In a rut: in a dull routine (hacer una rutina).

6. Going round in circles: talking without any progress (darle vueltas al asunto).

7. Caught on the wrong foot: unprepared (desprovistos).

8. Upside down: the wrong way up (del revés).

9. Is in for: is unable to avoid (estar preparado).

10. Scraping the bottom of the barrel: using ideas which are only just of acceptable quality (hacer uso del último recurso).

IDIOMS I

GIVING OR SEEKING INFORMATION

1. Read between the lines: guess what is left unsaid (leer entre líneas).

2. Keep me posted: make sure i am informed (mantenerse al corriente).

3. Off the top of my head: from memory (por lo que puedo recordar..).

4. Ask point blank: asked directly (preguntar directamente).

5. Speak off the cuff: give a talk without preparation (improvisar).

6. Give me a rundown: give a summary (hacer un resumen).

7. Off the record: not to be published (confidencial).

8. Spilled the beans: admitted something (escaparse un secreto).

9. Drop you a line: write you a letter (escribir).

10. Don't beat about the bush: don't avoid the question (no irse por las ramas).