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#esl #english #idioms #verb pour oil on troubled waters  {v. phr.} To quiet a quarrel; say something to lessen anger and bring peace. The troops were nearing a bitter quarrel until the leader poured oil on the troubled waters. Categories: anger {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #informal pot call the kettle black  {informal} The person who is criticizing someone else is as guilty as the person he accuses; the charge is as true of the person who makes it as of the one he makes it against. When the commissioner accused the road builder of bribery, the contractor said the pot was calling the kettle black. Bill said John was cheating at a game but John replied that the pot was calling the kettle black. Categories: call {informal}

#esl #english #idioms #verb read up on  {v. phr.} To study carefully in preparation for an examination or other special purpose. Since Mr. and Mrs. Lee are going to take their American citizenship exams soon, they must read up on the Constitution and the three branches of government. Categories: study {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #noun foul line  {n.} 1. Either of two lines separating fair from foul ground in baseball. Willie hit the ball just inside the foul line for a double. 2. A line across the upper end of a bowling alley across which a bowler must not step. John bowled a strike but it didn't count because he stepped over the foul line. 3. A line on the floor in front of the basket in basketball, from which foul shots are made. Tony scored eight points from the foul line. Categories: {n.}

#esl #english #idioms #informal #verb paddle one's own canoe  {v. phr.},  {informal} To work without help; earn your own living; support yourself. After his father died, John had to paddle his own canoe. Syn.: HOE ONE'S OWN ROW. Compare: MAKE ONE'S WAY. Categories: {informal} {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #adverb just for the fun of it  {adv. phr.} Merely as a matter of amusement. "I'll bring a goat to class," Bob said to his classmates, "just for the fun of it; I want to see what kind of a face Professor Brown will make." Categories: {adv. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #noun minutes of the meeting  {n. phr.} The notes taken by the recording secretary; of an official body or an association recording of what was said and transacted during the given session. "Shall we accept the minutes of our last meeting as read by the secretary?" the chairman asked. Categories: {n. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #verb give ground  {v. phr.} To go backward under attack; move back; retreat. After fighting for a while the troops slowly began to give ground. Although they were outnumbered by the enemy, the men refused to give ground. Compare: DRAW BACK, DROP BACK, LOSE GROUND. Contrast: HOLD ONE'S GROUND, STAND OFF, STAND ONE'S GROUND, STAND PAT, STAVE OFF. Categories: {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #verb make one's way  {v. phr.} 1. To go forward with difficulty; find a path for yourself. They made their way through the crowd. 2. To do many hard things to earn a living; make a life work for yourself. He was anxious to finish school and make his own way in the world. Compare: SHIFT FOR ONESELF. Categories: world {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms put it on thick See: LAY IT ON.

#esl #english #idioms Public See: JOHN Q. PUBLIC.

#esl #english #idioms #noun pile-up  {n.} 1. A heap; a deposit of one object on top of another. There is a huge pile-up of junked cars in this vacant lot. 2. A large number of objects in the same place, said of traffic. I was late because of the traffic pile-up on the highway. Categories: {n.}

#esl #english #idioms #informal #verb play the field  {v. phr.},  {informal} To date many different people; not always have dates with the same person. Al had a steady girlfriend, but John was playing the field. Jim was crazy about Mary, but she was still playing the field. Contrast: GO STEADY. Categories: date {informal} {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #informal #verb put up to  {v. phr.},  {informal} To talk to and make do; persuade to; get to do. Older boys put us up to painting the statue red. Compare: EGG ON. Categories: {informal} {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms #informal #verb pull off  {v.},  {informal} To succeed in (something thought difficult or impossible); do. Ben Hogan pulled off the impossible by winning three golf tournaments in one year. The bandits pulled off a daring bank robbery. Compare: PUT ACROSS (2). Categories: {informal} {v.}

#esl #english #idioms #verb dream of  {v.} To think about seriously; think about with the idea of really doing; consider seriously. — Usually used with a negative. I wouldn't dream of wearing shorts to church. Categories: {v.}

#esl #english #idioms #informal #verb go like clockwork or go off like clockwork  {v. phr.},  {informal}To run smoothly and regularly like the workings of a clock; go smoothly and without difficulty; go on time or as planned. The car's motor went like clockwork after Bob fixed it. The birthday party went off like clockwork and everyone had a good time. Categories: time {informal} {v. phr.}

#esl #english #idioms pebble See: NOT THE ONLY PEBBLE ON THE BEACH.

#esl #english #idioms #verb look up to  {v.} To think of (someone) as a good example to copy; honor; respect. Mr. Smith had taught for many years, and all the students looked up to him. Young children look up to older ones, so older children should be good examples. Categories: children {v.}

#esl #english #idioms if the hill will not come to Muhammad, Muhammad will go to the hill If one person will not go to the other, then the other must go to him. — A proverb. Grandfather won't come to visit us, so we must go and visit him. If the hill won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad will go to the hill. Categories: proverbs