Appendix B idioms for toefl

Appendix B: Common Idioms and Expressions Here is a list of the most common idioms that you could expect to encounter on the Listening Section. ace: make an "A" on a test, homework assignment, project, etc. "Somebody said you aced the test, Dave. That's great!" all right (1): expression of reluctant agreement. A: "Come to the party with me. Please!" B: "Oh, all right. I don't want to, but I will." all right (2): fair; not particularly good. A: "How's your chemistry class?" B: "It's all right, I guess, but it's not the best class I've ever had." all right (3): unharmed; in satisfactory condition. A: "You don't look normal. Are you all right?" B: "Yes, but I have a headache." and then some: and much more besides. A: "I'd guess your new computer cost about $2,000. " B: "It cost that much and then some because I also bought extra RAM and VRAM." antsy: restless; impatient and tired of waiting. "I hope Katy calls soon. Just sitting around and waiting is making me antsy." as easy as pie: very easy. "I thought you said this was a difficult problem. It isn't. In fact, it's as easy as pie." at the eleventh hour: at the last minute; almost too late. "Yes, I got the work done in time. I finished it at the eleventh hour, but I wasn't late. bad-mouth: say unkind, unflattering, embarrassing (and probably untrue) things about someone. A: "I don't believe what Bob said. Why is he bad-mouthing me?" B: "He's probably jealous of your success." be a piece of cake: be very easy. A: "Bob said the test was difficult, but I thought it was a piece of cake."" be all ears: be eager to hear what someone has to say. A: "I just got an e-mail message from our old friend Sally." B: "Tell me what she said. I'm all ears!" be broke: be without money. "No, I can't lend you ten dollars. I'm completely broke until payday." be fed up with (with someone or something): be out of patience (with someone or something); be very tired of someone or something. "Bill, you're too careless with your work. I'm fed up with apologizing for your mistakes!" be in and out: be at and away from a place during a particular time. "Could we postpone our meeting until tomorrow? I expect to be in and out of the office most of the day today." be on the go: be very busy (going from one thing or project to another). "I'm really tired. I've been on the go all week long." be on the road: be traveling. "You won't be able to contact me tomorrow because I'll be on the road." be over: be finished; end. "I can't see you until around 4 o'clock. My meetings won't be over until then." be up and running: (for a technological process) be operational; be ready to use . "Dave's ESL Cafe on the Web has been up and running since December 1995." be used to (+Ving/noun): be accustomed to; not uncomfortable with. "It won't be hard to get up at 5:00 AM. I'm used to getting up early." beat: exhausted; very tired (adj.). "This has been a long day. I'm beat!" beat around the bush: evade an issue; avoid giving a direct answer. "Quit beating around the bush! If you don't want to go with me, just tell me!" beat one's brains out: try very hard to understand or do something. "Can you help me with this problem? I've been beating my brains out with it, but I just can't solve it." Beats me: I have no idea. A: "What time's the party?" B: "Beats me!" before long: soon. A: "I'm really tired of working." B: "Just be patient. The weekend will be here before long."