English Idioms

Sport

• have a ball = to have a good time or enjoy yourself
• the ball is in your court = it is your turn to speak or act next
• play the game = to accept to do things according to the rules laid down by others
• give the game away = to reveal a secret or a plan, often unintentionally
• paddle one's own canoe = to do what you want to do without help or interference from anyone
• sail through something = (e.g. a test or an exam) to succeed in doing it without difficulty
• skating on thin ice = doing or saying something that could cause disagreement or trouble
• take someone for a ride = to deceive or cheat someone

Colours

• black mood = to be irritable, angry or even depressed
• blue chip company = refers to a company with a solid reputation for the quality of its products and the stability of its growth and earnings
• blue-eyed boy = somebody's favourite
• golden opportunity = a favourable time or excellent occasion which should not be missed
• silver spoon = to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth means that your family is very rich and privileged
• to have green fingers = to be good at gardening
• green with envy = a person who is very envious
• to have a grey existence = to lead a dull, monotonous life
• in the pink of health = to be in excellent physical condition or extremely healthy
• to be in the red = to owe money or have a negative account
• see red = become very angry or annoyed about st

Others

• burn the candle at both ends = exhaust yourself by doing too much, especially going to bed late and getting up early
• dig one's own grave = a person who does something which causes their own downfall
• hard as nails = a person who is unsentimental and shows no sympathy
• speak off the cuff = say st spontaneously, without previous thought or preparation
• tell a white lie = to say something which is not true in order to protect someone or to avoid hurting their feelings
• turn over a new leaf = to decide to change your behaviour and lead a better life
• in someone's shoes = to imagine how you would react if you were in a similar situation as that person