SPEAKING
| Phrases
for making dialogues |
|
| Discussion
themes |
All
thumbs - clumsy
At loggerheads - in quarrel
To blow/toot one’s own horn - to boast
By word of mouth - orally
To cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face - to harm oneself
Down in the mouth - discouraged
To lay one’s hands on - to get possession of
To keep one’s head - to stay calm
To keep one’s wits about one - to stay calm
To get/catch in the neck - to be punished, blamed
To get through one’s head - to understand
To give an ear to - to listen to
To pick up one’s ears - to listen to
To go at it tooth and nail - to do something as hard as possible,
fiercely
Green thumbs - a talent for gardening
To have one’s hands full - to be very busy
To have things/matters well in hand - to manage
Head and shoulders - very much
Head over heels - upside down
To keep one’s eyes peeled - to watch carefully
To keep one’s eyes open - to watch carefully
To keep an eye out for - to watch carefully
To keep one’s fingers crossed - to wish for good luck
To play it by ear - to decide what to do as one goes along/ to fit the
situation
To say a mouthful - to say something of great importance or meaning
To stick one’s neck/chin out - to act boldly despite the risk of danger
To take it on the chin - to be badly beaten or hurt
Don’t judge a man by his hat.
No man is happy who doesn’t think himself so.
The greatest talkers are the least doers.