\r\n| \r\n A blessing in disguise<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n A good thing that seemed bad at first<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Losing my job was a blessing in disguise because I started my own business.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n A piece of cake<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Something very easy<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n The IELTS Speaking test was a piece of cake for me!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n All ears<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Listening attentively<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I\u2019m all ears\u2014tell me about your trip!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Barking up the wrong tree<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Blaming the wrong person<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n If you think I broke the vase, you\u2019re barking up the wrong tree.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Beat around the bush<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Avoid saying something directly<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Bite the bullet<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Face a difficult situation bravely<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I had to bite the bullet and admit my mistake.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Break the ice<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Start a conversation in a social setting<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n A funny story helped break the ice at the party.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Burn the midnight oil<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Stay up late working<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I burned the midnight oil to prepare for the exam.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Call it a day<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Stop working for the day<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n We\u2019ve studied enough\u2014let\u2019s call it a day.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Cry over spilt milk<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Worry about something that can’t be changed<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n No point crying over spilt milk\u2014just try again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Cut corners<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Do something quickly or cheaply, sacrificing quality<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Don\u2019t cut corners on your IELTS prep.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Down to earth<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Practical and realistic<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n My speaking partner is very down to earth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Face the music<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Accept the consequences<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I missed the deadline and had to face the music.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Give someone the cold shoulder<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Ignore someone intentionally<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n She gave me the cold shoulder after our disagreement.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Hit the nail on the head<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Say something exactly right<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n You hit the nail on the head with that answer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Jump on the bandwagon<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Join a trend or activity<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Everyone\u2019s jumping on the bandwagon with IELTS coaching.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Keep an eye on<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Watch closely<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Please keep an eye on my bag while I step out.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Let the cat out of the bag<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Reveal a secret by mistake<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Once in a blue moon<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Very rarely<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I eat sweets only once in a blue moon.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Over the moon<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Extremely happy<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I was over the moon after getting my band score.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Pull someone\u2019s leg<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Joke or tease someone<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Are you serious or just pulling my leg?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n See eye to eye<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Agree completely<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n We don\u2019t always see eye to eye on ideas.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Spill the beans<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Reveal a secret<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n He spilled the beans about the weekend plans.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Take with a grain of salt<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Be skeptical<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Take that review with a grain of salt.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n The ball is in your court<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n It\u2019s your decision now<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I\u2019ve done my part; now the ball is in your court.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Under the weather<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Feeling sick<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I couldn\u2019t practice today\u2014I\u2019m feeling under the weather.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Up in the air<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Uncertain or undecided<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Our travel plans are still up in the air.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Hit the books<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Study hard<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I need to hit the books before my test.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Go the extra mile<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Make more effort than expected<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n She went the extra mile to prepare for the IELTS.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n On cloud nine<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Extremely happy<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n He was on cloud nine after his results.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Bite off more than you can chew<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Take on too much<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I bit off more than I could chew by taking two courses.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n In hot water<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n In trouble<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n He\u2019s in hot water for missing his interview.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Play devil\u2019s advocate<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Argue the opposite for discussion\u2019s sake<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I\u2019ll play devil\u2019s advocate\u2014what if the plan fails?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Run out of steam<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Lose energy or motivation<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I was excited at first but ran out of steam.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n The last straw<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Final problem before giving up<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n His comment was the last straw\u2014I had to walk away.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Turn a blind eye<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Ignore something on purpose<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n The teacher turned a blind eye to the noise.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Throw in the towel<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Give up<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n He threw in the towel after failing three times.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Hit the sack<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Go to sleep<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I\u2019m exhausted\u2014I\u2019m going to hit the sack.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Break a leg<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Wish someone good luck<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Break a leg on your IELTS Speaking test!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Water under the bridge<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Past problems that are now forgiven<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Our old argument is water under the bridge.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Don\u2019t judge a book by its cover<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Don\u2019t judge by appearance<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n He seems quiet, but don\u2019t judge a book by its cover.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Take a rain check<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Postpone an invitation<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I\u2019ll take a rain check on dinner\u2014I\u2019m studying.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Cut to the chase<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Get to the point<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Cut to the chase\u2014what are you trying to say?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Rule of thumb<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n A general rule or guideline<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n As a rule of thumb, arrive early for your IELTS exam.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Spitting image<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Look exactly like someone<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n She\u2019s the spitting image of her sister.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Hold your horses<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Wait and be patient<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Hold your horses\u2014we\u2019re not ready to decide yet.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Get a head start<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Start earlier than others<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n I got a head start by preparing six months in advance.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Out of the blue<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Unexpectedly<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n She messaged me out of the blue after years.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Pass with flying colors<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Succeed with high marks<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n He passed his IELTS with flying colors.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Work one\u2019s way up<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Progress slowly to a higher level<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n She worked her way up from intern to manager.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n| \r\n Every cloud has a silver lining<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Something good in every bad situation<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n | \r\n Failing once taught me to work harder\u2014every cloud has a silver lining.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |