Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

e in hot water
Be in trouble. If you tell your boss off, you’ll really be in hot water.
in the same boat
We’re in the same situation. We’re all in the same boat–so be cool.
on the same wavelength We have the same ideas and opinions. We’re on the same wavelength.
be on the ball
Very sharp. Very smart. He’s really on the ball.
it’s only a matter of time Very soon. It’s only a matter of time until his boss realizes that he is the one
stealing money from the till.
be that as it may
As things stand. Be that as it may, I think you should reconsider your decision to
move to Antarctica.
up in arms
Really angry. His father was up in arms when he learned that he had crashed his
new car.
up in the air
Not sure. Plans are up in the air–we haven’t decided what to do yet.
bend over backwards Go out of your way. She really bent over backwards to make my stay enjoyable.
Big deal!
Not important (sarcastic). Losing an old sock is not a big deal.
cost an arm and a leg Very expensive. His new Ferrari cost an arm and a leg.
cross your fingers
For good luck. Cross your fingers that I pass the English exam with flying colors.
draw a blank
I can’t remember. I drew a blank when I tried to remember his brother’s name.
Easier said than done More difficult than it seems.
Am fed up with
Sick and tired of something. I’m fed up with whining friends who have
everything!
from scratch
Make from basic ingredients. Her carrot cake was made from scratch.
for the time being
For now. For the time being, everything is fine at work.
get cold feet
Feel too scared to do something. John wanted to ask Maria out but he got cold
feet and decided not to.
get out of the wrong side of In a bad mood. He must have gotten up out of the wrong side of the bed today.
the bed
get the picture
Understand. Do you get the picture?
get your act together Get organized/stop wasting time. You better get your act together or you’re going
to fail all your classes.
give it a shot
Try. Why not try bungee jumping. Give it a shot.
give him a piece of your mind Get angry and tell someone off. If I were you I would give him a piece of your
mind.
give him the cold shoulder Ignore someone. Brett walked right past me without saying a word. He gave me
the cold shoulder.
go all out
Do your utmost for someone or something. His parents went all out for his
graduation party.
go downhill
Get worse. After he got divorced, everything went downhill.
go up in smoke
Evaporate/disappear. His dreams of being a professional athlete went up in
smoke when he broke his leg.
have a chip on your shoulder I think you are great. He has such a chip on his shoulder that he hardly ever
relates to anyone.
had it up to here
Can’t take any more. I’ve had it up to here with noisy students!
mixed feelings
Positive and negative feelings together. I have very mixed feelings about her
marrying a fisherman.
second thoughts
Thinking again about a decision. I’m having second thoughts about trekking in
Greenland this summer.
throw a fit
Get really angry. His mother threw a fit when she heard that he lost her iPhone.
I’m all ears
To listen intently. Tell me about your wedding plans–I’m all ears.
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Interpersonal Communication