English Bites Library
Common Expressions
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explore the common expressions library
pack a powerful punch
Something that packs a powerful punch is very potent or has a strong effect.
My home-made beer packs a powerful punch.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
They are the little berries that pack a powerful punch in health food terms, and blueberries are also doing much to improve the economic health of struggling banana growers on the north coast of NSW.
 
pain in the arse
Someone or something that is a pain in the arse is a nuisance or very annoying. This is not a polite expression, so use it with caution. A milder version is pain in the neck.
He's been a real pain in the arse lately.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
They think I'm a pain in the arse too.
 
paint something with a broad brush
To paint something with a broad brush is to descibe it generally without going into detail.
In his speech his vision for the nation was painted with a broad brush.
 
paint the town red
To paint the town red is to go out to a lot of places and enjoy yourself.
After the exams were over the students painted the town red.
 
paper over
hide something, usually temporarily
She's trying to paper over her mistakes.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It was all too easy in the past just to throw $100,000 here and there, paper over problems, without actually tackling them at their root causes and getting sustainable solutions for the future, and that's why the problems never went away.
 
part and parcel
essential part; unavoidable part
Computers are part and parcel of most jobs these days.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The food isn't great, the rooms are a bit small but you know that's part and parcel with first year university I think.
 
part of the furniture
Someone who is part of the furniture has worked at or been in a place for a very long time.
I've worked here for so long that I've become part of the furniture.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
They've all got huge character, young and old, all have huge character, and there's definitely people that have become part of the furniture and if we don't see them for a couple of days we wonder where they've gone to, what's happened.
 
passed away
died
My father passed away many years ago.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
After 17 years, I had to think about going back because my aunt passed away.
 
pave the way
make things easier; prepare the way
The new discovery will pave the way for even more discoveries in the years to come.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's hoped these oysters will pave the way for pearls to be grown in Port Phillip Bay.
 
pay dividends
Something that pays dividends produces great gains or advantages.
Studying hard when you're young will pay dividends later in life.
 
pay lip-service
say something but don't act on it
He pays lip-service to improving conditions, but he never actually does anything.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The governments of the day pay lip-service to rural medicine and we've got to get doctors in the country, but when you actually get them there, it's "you're on your own, sunshine!"
 
pay the price
suffer as a result
I'm paying the price today for drinking so much last night.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The urgency of the situation warrants the best possible control program that money can buy. Otherwise, all of Queensland is going to pay the price.
 
pay their respects
To pay your respects is to show respect by visiting a grave or going to a funeral.
We went to the cemetery to pay our respects.
 
pay tribute
To pay tribute to something or someone is to show your respect and admiration.
The war memorial pays tribute to the men who died in battle.
This expression is used in Old Airport 25/5/06.
They say never speak ill of the dead so after years of bitching and bile, it is only fair that tonight we pay tribute to the tarmac that paid tribute to the State's most memorable moments.
 
phased out
slowly removed, stopped over a period of time
The old computers will be phased out as they break down.
 
phased out
slowly removed, removed over a period of time
The old computers will be phased out over the next two years.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
There are only 15 bilingual schools left in the NT since the NT Government phased out multilingual education a few years ago.
 
pick of the bunch
The pick of the bunch is the best thing in a group of things
This wine is the pick of the bunch.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Michael and Angela Rose bought this terrace after all the renovations were completed and they believe it was the pick of the bunch when they were looking.
 
pick up where you left off
To pick up where you left off is to start something at the point where you stopped doing it some time ago.
I'll pick up where I left off when I come back from holidays.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Not that it was easy picking up where he left off.
 
pick up/get up steam
To pick up or get up steam is to steadily increase speed or to just generally increase.
The project is well underway and starting to pick up steam as the deadline approaches.
 
pie in the sky
a false hope; something that isn't practical
Her idea of making a movie is just pie in the sky.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
David Wilson admits it could all be pie in the sky, but it's good fun trying.
 
piece de resistance
the most important or striking thing in a group of things
The chocolate cake was the piece de resistance of the meal.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Now under here is the piece de resistance: a zinc bathtub.
 
piece of the action
part of something successful
Many computer companies were started to try to get a piece of the action while things were going well
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's a very competitive market these days with the supermarkets trying to get a piece of the action.
 
pig-headed
To be pig-headed is to be very stubborn, to refuse to listen to other people or change your mind.
He's so pig-headed he won't use a computer.
 
pin your hopes on
To pin your hopes on someone or something is to hope they will do the thing you want.
The team are pinning their hopes on the new star player to make them a champion team.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And people are also pinning their hopes on the sale of the old supermarket site.
 
pipe dream
A pipe dream is a plan that will probably never come true.
Her ambition of becoming a singer is looking more and more like a pipe dream.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
As for life after go-karting, well upsizing is just one possibility if only a pipe dream.
 
planting the seeds of something
To plant or sow the seeds of something is to start a process that will become something important.
The seeds of doubt were planted in my mind when I realised he could not have been at the scene of the crime on that day.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
So when I was twelve I started planting those seeds. I said things like "So, Mum, I like sewing what do you think about that?"
 
play a part
To play a part is to be involved in something or be part of the reason for something.
A poor diet played a part in his illness.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Ms Kurczok's artistic talents have obviously played a part in her career choice, but her love of Tasmanian wildlife has also been a major factor.
 
play it by ear
don't plan in advance, but react to things as they happen
In a job interview there are times when you have to play it by ear.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And there's no rulebook, so you've got to play it by ear from the beginning.
 
play to the gallery
To play to the gallery is to behave in a way that attracts the attention of ordinary people.
Successful politicians know how to play to the gallery.
 
playing second fiddle
Playing second fiddle is to have a less important position.
I want to be in charge of this project and I'm not playing second fiddle.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
In the past women have been looked down upon to a certain extent in parliament as though you know were playing second fiddle to the men.
 
pleased as Punch
To be as pleased as Punch is to be delighted or very pleased.
I'm pleased as Punch that I've passed my exams.
 
ply your trade
To ply your trade is to do your work or conduct your business.
I plied my trade as a chef in many restaurants.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
He made a series of pictures called The Images of Modern Evil and they were about women who plied their trade if you like, in the streets of Melbourne.
 
point the finger
accuse someone of doing something; blame
People point the finger at the weather forecaster if there is an unexpected storm.
 
positive face on things
appear hopeful
Even though he couldn't pay the rent, he kept a positive face on things.
 
powder keg
Sitting on a powder keg is being in a situation that could suddenly become very dangerous or suddenly go wrong. A powder keg was a barrel full of gunpowder.
The people living in the shadow of the volcano are sittting on a powder keg.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
In parliamentary terms, John Gorton is a Right Honourable. In political terms, John Gorton is a powder keg on which the Liberal/Country Party Government is sitting.
 
pretty much
just about; almost
English is pretty much the hardest language to learn.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
I came to Melbourne because it's pretty much the only place in Australia where you can combine sociology and chemical engineering.
 
pride of place
Something that takes pride of place is the most important.
The athletics at the Olympics are very prestigious, but the 100 metres sprint takes pride of place.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The boobies - some boobies have blue feet and others have red feet. The iguanas - on some islands they are very dark and on others they look like Christmas trees. But Darwin's finches take pride of place.
 
prime motivating factor
the main thing that makes people do something
The prime motivating factor for working is money.
 
prime time
best time
Spring is the prime time for planting vegetables.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The way dating agencies conduct their business is about to come under closer scrutiny, and Valentines Day was seen as a prime time for the Office of Fair Trading to unveil new laws to rid the industry of those shonky operators.
 
proof of the pudding is in the eating
The proof of the pudding is in the eating is a saying that means that you can only say that something is successful after it's actually been tried.
Your plan sounds good, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And the proof, it seems, is in the pudding. The award judges were impressed with the great strides many children made over several years, in reading and writing.
 
pros and cons
Pros and cons are the arguments for and against something. Pros are things in favour and cons are things against. The phrase is Latin for 'for and against'
I'll have to weigh up the pros and cons before I make a decision.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
When I explain the pros and cons about it all, it suddenly makes a lot of sense to other people as well.
 
public at large
The public at large means the public in general or the public as a whole.
The public at large are not that interested in poetry.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
So they can ask, 'What kind of sprays do you use on this crop? Is this crop organic? What's your watering system like?' All these issues which are very concerning to the public at large at the moment.
 
pull through
get safely through an experience; survive
He was badly injured in a car crash, but I think he’ll pull through.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's everybody's nightmare, having to experience a child coming into intensive care in a crisis and wondering whether they're going to pull through.
 
pull yourself together
To pull yourself together is to compose yourself or to bring your feelings under control.
I know losing your job is very upsetting, but you have to pull yourself together and start looking for a new job.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Hello, possums! Well, I think... I'm sorry. I must pull myself together.
 
pulling the plug
To pull the plug on something is to bring it to an end.
They're going to pull the plug on that TV show you like and put something else on.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
He's punched his last panel, and the final dishwashers have rolled down the line. Now, along with 91 other Electrolux employees, Anand White is pulling the plug on one chapter and opening another.
 
punters
Punters is an informal way of saying customers or clients. A punter is also someone who likes to gamble.
The punters got good value at the game tonight.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
... the big two spent hundreds of millions of dollars in their quest for market share, buying up liquor outlets ranging from corner shops to large independent groups, then discounting heavily to get the punters in the door.
 
put a cap on
set an upper limit for; prevent any extra
Some sports put a cap on what teams can pay their players so that the competition stays even
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
That will virtually put a cap on the population growth.
 
put a cat among the pigeons
To put a cat among the pigeons means to do something that causes trouble.
He really put a cat among the pigeons with his plan to sack half the workers.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The conditional consent given to a developer for a wind farm here has put a cat among the parrots.
 
put on hold
Something that is put on hold is delayed until a later time.
Her studies were put on hold while she has a baby.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
But with Australia the joint favourites with New Zealand to win the Golden Shears next week, those new friendships might have to be put on hold.
 
put on their thinking caps
To put on your thinking cap is to try and solve a problem by thinking hard about it.
We need to put our thinking caps on and come up with new ways of raising money.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
And we've asked applicants and people to put on their thinking caps and think of ideas of how to use ghost nets to create products that Indigenous communities all around the Gulf can use to make some economic development activities and projects.
 
put the wind up
To put the wind up someone is to frighten them.
Stange noises in the office late at night really put the wind up me.
 
put to shame
made to look inferior
Our football team is being put to shame by the opposition.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
...now we're finding for example the US are spending lots of money to come around the world to study spiders in this country as well as other countries so you know we're being put to shame by not studying our own fauna well enough.
 
put to the test
Putting something to the test means testing it, or trying it out in the real world.
The only way we can find out if the plane flies is to put it to the test.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
It's a capacity that will be put to the test in June when ESA launches its Mars Express Mission.
 
put your feet up
To put your feet up is to sit down and relax or take time off from work.
I'm looking forward to retiring and putting my feet up.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
Bradley Stevenson is also considering putting his feet up.
 
put your money where your mouth is
To put your money where your mouth is means to actually do something you've been talking about, or to give money, time or effort to a cause that you say is important.
The government say they want to improve the roads, but they won't put their money where their mouth is.
Thjis expression is used in Perfect School 15/6/05.
On this 485-hectare property, less than an hour from Melbourne, he's planning his perfect school. It's time, he says, to put his money where his mouth is.
 
put your thinking cap on
To put your thinking cap on is to solve a problem by thinking carefully about it.
Let's put our thinking caps on and find a solution to this problem.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
The treatment works are all becoming near capacity, so that is where we have to really put our thinking cap on to increase the size of those and/or to build new ones and that can't be done without a lot of money.
 
put yourself out
make a big effort; spend a lot of time and effort
Don’t put yourself out over this job - it's not that important.
This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:
You go off to agencies, you put yourself out, you get in there - well, I shouldn't say you put yourself out, you make the effort, you go to the agencies, they do the interview.
 
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