Phrases & Expressions

To do something harmful or unpleasant to someone because they did something harmful or unpleasant to you.

• He swore he would get back at them for the insult.
• She felt she had to get back at her boss for firing her unfairly.

A natural talent for gardening and making plants grow well.

• My grandmother has a real green thumb.
• You must have a green thumb to keep these flowers alive.

To move in a clumsy way, especially when dancing.

• Don't worry about dancing; I have two left feet anyway.
• He tried to learn ballet, but he has two left feet.

To be in trouble or a difficult situation.

• He is in the soup after missing the deadline.
• If we don't finish this today, we'll be in the soup.

Used to accept an offer or agree to an arrangement.

• You'll cook dinner every night for a month if I help you with your homework? Okay, it's a deal!
• If you rake all the leaves in the yard, I'll do the dishes. — It's a deal!

To have just enough money to survive, with no savings or extra money.

• Jenny was earning $5 an hour at the store — she was really living from hand to mouth.
• George is really poor; he lives from hand to mouth.

A very isolated place with hardly any people or features.

• We broke down in the middle of nowhere.
• He lives in the middle of nowhere, miles from the nearest town.

Used to say that an action or event had no serious negative consequences.

• "Sorry I'm late." "No harm done, the meeting hasn't started yet."
• The car only has a small scratch, so no harm done.

To tease or pursue someone or something in a way that involves a lot of chasing and escaping.

• The police played cat and mouse with the suspect for weeks.
• They were just playing cat and mouse, not really trying to catch him.

To grab something very quickly, often before someone else can.

• She snatched up the last cookie.
• We need to snatch up this opportunity before it's gone.