to cost an arm and a leg
Definition: To be extremely expensive
Example:
A：Nice suit, it must have cost an arm and a leg.
B：No, I got it on sale.
A：Wow. Are there any left?
B：Not in your size, I‘m sure.
under the weather
Definition: Not feeling well; sick; ill
Example:A:What’s the matter? You look under the weather.
B:Yeah, I know. I‘m just getting over the flu.
A:Oh, I hope you feel better.
B:Thanks.
(it) beats me
Definition: To not know the answer or solution to a question or problem.
Example:
A: He should be home by now. Where do you think he is?
B: Beats me. Maybe he had to work late.
to pull someone’s leg
Definition: To be joking or teasing
Example Dialog: A：I just won a million dollars in the lottery!
B：Stop pulling my leg. That‘s impossible.
A：No, really. Look, here’s the check.
B：Wow! That‘s fantastic!
to paint the town red
Definition: To wildly celebrate in public
Example Dialog:
A； Hey! Guess what? I got a raise!
B：Great, congratulations! So, what are we going to do to celebrate?
A：Let’s go out and paint the town red.
B：Sounds good. Let‘s go!
to play it by ear
Definition: To do something without a formal plan; to improvise
Example Dialog:
A：So, what are we going to do when I visit you in Los Angeles?
B：I’m not sure yet. Let‘s play it by ear and decide when you get here.
A：Okay, see you next Monday.
in the black
Definition: Financially profitable
Example Dialog:
A：So, how’s business?
B：Great! We‘ve been in the black for several months now.
A：Wow, congratulations!
B：Thanks.
in the works
Definition: Not yet completed; unfinished.
Example Dialog:
A：Have you finished your project yet?
B：No, not yet, it’s still in the works.
A：Isn‘t it due tomorrow?
B：Yeah, it’s going to be a late night for me, I‘m afraid.
to be eating out of someone else’s hand
Definition: To be influenced or controlled by someone
Example Dialog:
A：I don‘t think the new guy in my department likes me.
B：You? Don’t worry. In a few weeks he‘ll be eating out of your hand.
A：I hope so.
to check someone (or something) out
Definition: To look at closely; to examine
Example Dialog:
A：Do you see anyone here that you know?
B：No, but check out that girl in the corner. She’s cute.
A：Her? That‘s my sister!
to sleep on it
Definition: To make a decision after sleeping the entire night
Example Dialog:
A：Did you decide whether you’ll take that new job?
B：No, there‘s so much to consider, and they need to know tomorrow.
A：I’m sure after you sleep on it you‘ll make the right decision.
to be psyched
Definition: To be very excited
Example Dialog: Are you going to Samantha’s picnic for the Fourth of July?
Yeah, I‘m really psyched! All my friends will be there!
to bark up the wrong tree
Definition: To ask the wrong person or look for information in the wrong place
Example Dialog:
A：I can’t believe my superintendent. I‘ve asked him three times to fix my leaking pipes.
B：You’re barking up the wrong tree. The super only cleans the building. You need to have the landlord call a plumber.
A：Ugh! The landlord‘s on vacation for a month.
to jerk around
Definition: To mislead or treat badly
Example Dialog:
A：Hasn’t Mike called you yet about Saturday?
B：No, I wish he would stop jerking me around and let me know!
A：You‘re right. I’d forget about him and ask that cute teacher David to go with you.
to get off on someone or something
Definition: To get excited by or really like someone or something
Example Dialog:
A:I‘ve never seen anyone so happy about playing chess. You really get off on it, don’t you?
B:No, I just like winning against you!
to get away with something
Definition: To do something without suffering any negative consequences or punishment
Example Dialog:
A：I haven‘t completely finished my report, but I put it on her desk anyway.
B：Really? Do you think you’ll get away with it?
I don‘t care, I’m leaving for vacation tomorrow.
to own up to
Definition: To admit to doing something
Example Dialog:
A：Did you hear about the woman who accused someone else of killing her two boys?
B：Incredible! But I hear she owned up to committing the murders after all.
A：Yeah, what a sick woman.
to pick someone‘s brain
Definition: To get information from a very knowledgeable person
Example Dialog:
A：I’d really love to know what‘s wrong with my car. I’ve been trying to fix it for a week.
B：Well, I have a friend who‘s a mechanic. Why don’t you come over for dinner tomorrow night and pick his brain?
A：Thanks, that‘d be great!
to catch up
Definition: To exchange past information
Example Dialog:
A：I can’t believe I haven‘t seen you in 15 years.
B：Yeah, I know. But you still look the same.
A：So do you. Let’s have a drink and catch up on things.
on the edge of my seat
Definition: Feeling anxiety, nervousness or great expectation
Example Dialog:
A：Did you go to the US Open this year?
B：I sure did and saw Agassi play Sampras.
A：Wow, that must have been great!
B：Yeah, I was on the edge of my seat the entire match.
the sky‘s the limit
Definition: To bet, invest or spend as much money as one likes
Example Dialog:
A：Gee honey, don’t you think this restaurant is too expensive? I mean, we plan to go out dancing after, don‘t we?
B：We sure do, darling. But tonight the sky’s the limit. We‘re going to enjoy ourselves for once!
when it rains it pours
Definition: Many bad things tend to happen at the same time
Example:
A：How was your vacation?
B：It was great until I decided to take a hike. I got lost in the mountains, fell off a rock, twisted my ankle and then when I finally returned to my car, I didn’t have the keys.
A：Wow, when it rains it pours!
when it rains it pours
Definition: Many bad things tend to happen at the same time
Example :
A：How was your vacation?
B：It was great until I decided to take a hike. I got lost in the mountains, fell off a rock, twisted my ankle and then when I finally returned to my car, I didn‘t have the keys.
A：Wow, when it rains it pours!
摘自21CN