PELATIHAN BAHASA INGGRIS: IDIOMS AND PHRASES (H-k)

Hail-fellow-well-met: Someone whose behavior is hearty, friendly and congenial.
Hair of the dog: If someone has a hair of the dog, they have an alcoholic drink as a way of getting rid of a hangover, the unpleasant effects of having drunk too much alcohol the night before. It is commonly used as a way of excusing having a drink early on in the day.
Hairy at the heel: (UK) Someone who is hairy at the heel is dangerous or untrustworthy.
Hale and hearty: Someone who is hale and hearty is in very good health.
Half a loaf is better than no bread: It means that getting part of what you want is better than getting nothing at all.
Half a mind: If you have half a mind to do something, you haven't decided to do it, but are thinking seriously about doing it.
Half-baked: A half-baked idea or scheme hasn't not been thought through or planned very well.
Hammer and tongs: If people are going at it hammer and tongs, they are arguing fiercely. The idiom can also be used hen people are doing something energetically.
Hand in glove: If people are hand in glove, they have an extremely close relationship.
Hand in hand: Hand in hand= work together closely When people in a group, say in an office or in a project, work together with mutual understanding to achieve the target, we say they work hand in hand. There is no lack of co-operation and each synchoranises the activity with that of the other.
Hand that rocks the cradle: Women have a great power and influence because they have the greatest influence over the development of children- the hand that rocks the cradle. ('The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world' is the full form.)
Hand to mouth: Someone who's living from hand to mouth, is very poor and needs the little money they have coming in to cover their expenses.
Hands down: If someone is better hands down than everyone else, they are much better.
Handwriting like chicken scratch: If your handwriting is very hard to read, it is like chicken scratch.
Hang by a thread: If something hangs by a thread, there is a very small chance indeed of it being successful or surviving.
Hang in the balance: If an outcome is hanging in the balance, there are at least two possibilities and it is impossible to predict which will win out.
Hang out to dry: If you hang someone out to dry, you abandon them when they are in trouble.
Hang your hat on (something): To depend on OR believe in something.
Hangdog expression: A hangdog expression is one where the person's showing their emotions very clearly, maybe a little too clearly for your liking. It's that mixture of misery and self-pity that is similar to a dog when it's trying to get something it wants but daren't take without permission.
Hanged for a sheep as a lamb: This is an expression meaning that if you are going to get into trouble for doing something, then you ought to stop worrying and should try to get everything you can before you get caught.
Happy as Larry: When you're as happy as Larry, you're very happy indeed.
Happy medium: If you reach a happy medium, you are making a compromise; reaching a conclusion or decision.
Happy-go-lucky: If someone is happy-go-lucky, they don't worry or plan and accept things as they happen.
Hard act to follow: If something or something is exceptionally good, it is difficult to replace them or take their place.
Hard as nails: A person who is as hard as nails is either physically tough or has little or no respect for other people's feelings.
Hard by: "Hard by" means mean "close to" or "near".
Hard cheese: (UK) Hard cheese means hard luck.
Hard of hearing: Someone who's hard of hearing is a bit deaf.
Hard on someone's heels: If you are hard on someone's heels, you are close to them and trying to catch or overtake them. ('Hot on someone's heels' is also used.)
Hard sell: If someone puts a lot of pressure on you to do or buy something, they are hard selling it.
Hard to come by: If something is hard to come by, it is difficult to find.
Hard up: If you are hard up, you have very little money.
Haste makes waste: This idiom means that if you try to do something quickly, without planning it, you're likely to end up spending more time, money, etc, doing it.
Hat trick: Three successes one after the other is a hat trick.
Hatchet job: A piece of criticism that destroys someone's reputation is a hatchet job.
Haul someone over the coals: If you haul someone over the coals, you reprimand them severely.
Have a ball: If you have a ball, you have a great time, a lot of fun.
Have a bash: If you have a bash at something, you try to do it, especially when there isn't much chance of success.
Have a blast: It means "to have a lot of fun".
Have a crack: If you have a crack at something, you try to do it. If someone is attempting to do something and they are unsuccessful, you might say, "Let me have a crack at it" suggesting that you might be successful at performing the task. ('Take a crack' is also used.)
Have a foot in both camps: Someone who plays a part or who is involved in two different groups of people, opinions, ways of thinking or living, etc, has a foot in both camps.
Have a go: If you have a go, you try to do something, often when you don't think you have much chance of succeeding.
Have a heart: If someone has a heart, they arekind and sympathetic. If you say, 'Have a heart' to someone, you are asking them to be understanding and sympathetic.
Have a ripper: If you have a ripper of a time, you enjoy yourself.
Have a trick up your sleeve: If you have a trick up your sleeve, you have a secret strategy to use when the time is right.
Have no truck with: If you have no truck with something or someone, you refuse to get involved with it or them.
Have someone in your corner: If you have someone in your corner, you have their support or help.
Have the floor: If someone has the floor, it is their turn to speak at a meeting.
Have the guts: Someone who has enough courage to do something has the guts to do it.
Have your cake and eat it too: If someone wants to have their cake and eat it too, they want everything their way, especially when their wishes are contradictory.

howing 1-50 of 144 results for letter 'I'

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I hereby give notice of my intention: Hereby is used sometimes in formal, official declarations and statements to give greater force to the speaker' or the writer's affirmation. People will say it sometimes to emphasise their sincerity and correctness.
I may be daft, but I'm not stupid: I might do or say silly things occasionally, but in this instance I know what I am doing (Usually used when someone questions your application of common-sense).
I should cocoa: (UK) This idiom comes from 'I should think so', but is normally used sarcastically to mean the opposite.
I'll be a monkey's uncle: I'll be a monkey's uncle is used as an expression of surprise.
I'll cross that road when I come to it: I'll think about something just when it happens, not in advance.
I'll eat my hat: You can say this when you are absolutely sure that you are right to let the other person know that there is no chance of your being wrong.
I've got a bone to pick with you: If somebody says this, they mean that they have some complaint to make against the person they are addressing.
I've got your number: You have made a mistake and I am going to call you on it. You are in trouble (a threat). I have a disagreement with you. I understand your true nature.
Icing on the cake: This expression is used to refer to something good that happens on top of an already good thing or situation.
Idle hands are the devil's handiwork: When someone is not busy, or being productive, trouble is bound to follow.
If at first you don't succeed try try again: When you fail, try until you get it right!
If I had a nickel for every time: (USA) When someone uses this expression, they mean that the specific thing happens a lot. It is an abbreviation of the statement 'If I had a nickel for every time that happened, I would be rich'
If it ain't broke, don't fix it: Any attempt to improve on a system that already works is pointless and may even hurt it.
If Mohammed won't come to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed: If something cannot or will not happen the easy way, then sometimes it must be done the hard way.
If the cap fits, wear it: This idiom means that if the description is correct, then it is describing the truth, often when someone is being criticised. ('If the shoe fits, wear it' is an alternative)
If the shoe fits, wear it: This is used to suggest that something that has been said might apply to a person.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride: This means that wishing for something or wanting it is not the same as getting or having it.
If you are given lemons make lemonade: Always try and make the best out of a bad situation. With some ingenuity you can make a bad situation useful.
If you can't run with the big dogs, you'd better stay on the porch: If you can't keep up with what others are doing, then it is best not to attempt it.
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen: Originally a Harry S. Truman quote, this means that if you can't take the pressure, then you should remove yourself from the situation.
If you fly with the crows, you get shot with the crows: If you wish to be associated with a particular high risk and/or high profile situation and benefit from the rewards of that association, you have to accept the consequences if things go wrong - you cannot dissociate yourself.
If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas: This means that if you become involved with bad company, there will be negative consequences.
If you lie down with the Devil, you will wake up in hell: This means that if you become involved with bad company, there will be negative consequences.
If you will: 'If you will' is used as a way of making a concession in a sentence: He wasn't a very honest person, a liar if you will. Here, it is used a way of accepting that the reader or listener might think of the person as a liar, but without commit the writer or speaker to that position fully.
If you'll pardon my French: (UK) This idiom is used as a way of apologising for swearing.
Ill at ease: If someone is ill at ease, they are worried or uncomfortable.
Ill-gotten gains: Ill-gotten gains are profits or benefits that are made either illegally or unfairly.
In a cleft stick: If you are in a cleft stick, you are in a difficult situation, caught between choices.
In a dog's age: I you haven't done something in a dog's age, you haven't done it for a very long time.
In a fix: If you are in a fix, you are in trouble.
In a flash: If something happens in a flash, it happens very quickly indeed.
In a fog: If you're in a fog, you are confused, dazed or unaware.
In a heartbeat: If something happens very quickly or immediately, it happens in a heartbeat.
In a jam: If you are in a jam, you are in some trouble. If you get out of a jam, you avoid trouble.
In a jiffy: If something happens in a jiffy, it happens very quickly.
In a nutshell: This idiom is used to introduce a concise summary.
In a pickle: If you are in a pickle, you are in some trouble or a mess.
In a rut: In a settled or established pattern, habit or course of action, especially a boring one.
In a tick: (UK) If someone will do something in a tick, they'll do it very soon or very quickly.
In a tight spot: If you're in a tight spot, you're in a difficult situation.
In all honesty: If you say something in all honesty, you are telling the complete truth. It can be used as a way of introducing a negative opinion whilst trying to be polite; in all honesty, I have to say that I wasn't very impressed.
In an instant: If something happens in an instant, it happens very rapidly.
In another's shoes: It is difficult to know what another person's life is really like, so we don't know what it is like to be in someone's shoes.
In apple-pie order: If something is in apple-pie order, it is very neat and organised.
In broad daylight: If a crime or problem happens in broad daylight, it happens during the day and should have been seen and stopped.
In cahoots: If people are in cahoots, they are conspiring together.
In cold blood: If something is done in cold blood, it is done ruthlessly, without any emotion.
In dire straits: If you're in dire straits, you're in serious trouble or difficulties.
In donkey's years: 'I haven't seen her in donkey's years.' - This means for a very long time.
In dribs and drabs: If people arrive in dribs and drabs, they come in small groups at irregular intervals, instead of all arriving at the same time.
Jack Frost: If everything has frozen in winter, then Jack Frost has visited.
Jack the Lad: A confident and not very serious young man who behaves as he wants to without thinking about other people is a Jack the Lad.
Jack-of-all-trades: A jack-of-all-trades is someone that can do many different jobs.
Jam on your face: If you say that someone has jam on their face, they appear to be caught, embarrassed or found guilty.
Jam tomorrow: (UK) This idiom is used when people promise good things for the future that will never come.
Jane Doe: Jane Doe is a name given to an unidentified female who may be party to legal proceedings, or to an unidentified person in hospital, or dead. John Doe is the male equivalent.
Jekyll and Hyde: Someone who has a Jekyll and Hyde personality has a pleasant and a very unpleasant side to the character.
Jersey justice: (UK) Jersey justice is very severe justice.
Jet set: Very wealthy people who travel around the world to attend parties or functions are the jet set.
Jet-black: To emphasise just how black something is, such as someone's hair, we can call it jet-black.
Job's comforter: Someone who says they want to comfort, but actually discomforts people is a Job's comforter. (Job's is pronounced 'jobes', not 'jobs')
Jobs for the boys: Where people give jobs, contracts, etc, to their friends and associates, these are jobs for the boys.
Jockey for position: If a number of people want the same opportunity and are struggling to emerge as the most likely candidate, they are jockeying for position.
Jog my memory: If you jog someone's memory, you say words that will help someone trying to remember a thought, event, word, phrase, experience, etc.
John Doe: John Doe is a name given to an unidentified male who may be party to legal proceedings, or to an unidentified person in hospital, or dead. Jane Doe is the female equivalent.
John Hancock: (USA) John Hancock means a signature- his signature on the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence is very prominent.
John Q Public: (USA) John Q Public is the typical, average person.
Johnny on the spot: A person who is always available; ready, willing, and able to do what needs to be done.('Johnny-on-the-spot' is also used.)
Johnny-come-lately: A Johnny-come-lately is someone who has recently joined something or arrived somewhere, especially when they want to make changes that are not welcome.
Join the club: Said when someone has expressed a desire or opinion, meaning "That viewpoint is not unique to you". It can suggest that the speaker should stop complaining since many others are in the same position. Example: "If this train doesn't come, I'll be late for work!" "Join the club!"
Joined at the hip: If people are joined at the hip, they are very closely connected and think the same way.
Judge, jury and executioner: If someone is said to be the judge, jury, and executioner, it means they are in charge of every decision made, and they have the power to be rid of whomever they choose.
Juggle frogs: If you are juggling frogs, you are trying to do something very difficult.
Jump down someone's throat: If you jump down someone's throat, you criticise or chastise them severely.
Jump on the bandwagon: If people jump on the bandwagon, they get involved in something that has recently become very popular.
Jump the gun: If you jump the gun, you start doing something before the appropriate time.
Jump the shark: Said of a salient point in a television show or other activity at which the popularity thereof begins to wane: The Flintstones jumped the shark when a man from outer space came to visit them. The expression derives from an episode of the television sitcom 'Happy Days' in which Fonzie, clad in leather jacket and on water skis, jumps over a shark. That episode was widely seen as the beginning of the end for the formerly popular series.
Jump the track: Jumping the track is suddenly changing from one plan, activity, idea, etc, to another.
Jump through hoops: If you are prepared to jump through hoops for someone, you are prepared to make great efforts and sacrifices for them.
Jump to a conclusion: If someone jumps to a conclusion, they evaluate or judge something without a sufficient examination of the facts.
Jumping Judas!: An expression of surprise or shock.
Jungle out there: If someone says that it is a jungle out there, they mean that the situation is dangerous and there are no rules.
Jury's out: If the jury's out on an issue, then there is no general agreement or consensus on it.
Just around the corner: If something is just around the corner, then it is expected to happen very soon.
Just as the twig is bent, the tree’s inclined: Things, especially education, that affect and influence us in our childhood shape the kind of adult we turn out to be. (There are various versions of this, like 'As the twig is bent, the tree's inclined' and 'As the twig is bent, so the tree inclines', 'As the twig is bent so is the tree inclined')
Just coming up to: If the time is just coming up to nine o'clock, it means that it will be nine o'clock in a very few seconds. You'll hear them say it on the radio in the morning.
Just deserts: If a bad or evil person gets their just deserts, they get the punishment or suffer the misfortune that it is felt they deserve.
Just for the heck of it: When someone does something just for the heck of it, they do it without a good reason.
Just for the record: If something is said to be just for the record, the person is saying it so that people know but does not necessarily agree with or support it.
Just in the nick of time: If you do something in the nick of time, you just manage to do it just in time, with seconds to spare.
Just off the boat: If someone is just off the boat, they are naive and inexperienced.
Just what the doctor ordered: If something's just what the doctor ordered, it is precisely what is needed.

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Kangaroo court: When people take the law into their own hands and form courts that are not legal, these are known as kangaroo court.
Keen as mustard: (UK) If someone is very enthusiastic, they are as keen as mustard.
Keep abreast: If you keep abreast of things, you stay informed about developments.
Keep at bay: If you keep someone or something at bay, you maintain a safe distance from them.
Keep body and soul together: If you earn enough to cover your basic expenses, but nothing more than that, you earn enough to keep body and soul together.
Keep in touch: If you keep in touch with someone, you keep communicating with them even though you may live far apart.
Keep it on the Q T: If you keep something on the Q T, you keep it quiet or secret.('Q-T' is also used.)
Keep it under your hat: If you keep something under your hat, you keep it secret.
Keep mum: If you keep mum about something, you keep quiet and don't tell anyone.
Keep posted: If you keep posted about something, you keep up-to-date with information and developments.
Keep someone at arm's length: If you keep someone or something at arm's length, you keep a safe distance away from them.
Keep someone on their toes: If you keep someone on their toes, you make sure that they concentrate on what they are supposed to do.
Keep tabs on someone: If you keep tabs on someone, you check, watch and keep a close eye on what they are doing.
Keep the wolf at bay: If you keep the wolf at bay, you make enough money to avoid going hungry or falling heavily into debt.
Keep the wolf from the door: If you keep the wolf from the door, you have enough money for food and the basic essentials.
Keep up with the Joneses: People who try to keep up with the Joneses are competitive about material possessions and always try to have the latest and best things.
Keep your chin up: (UK) This expression is used to tell someone to have confidence.
Keep your cool: If you keep your cool, you don't get excessively excited or disturbed in a bad situation.
Keep your ear to the ground: If you keep your ear to the ground, you try to keep informed about something, especially if there are rumours or uncertainties.
Keep your eye on the ball: If you keep your eye on the ball, you stay alert and pay close attention to what is happening.
Keep your eye on the prize: This means that you should keep your focus on achieving a positive end result.
Keep your eyes peeled: If you keep your eyes peeled, you stay alert or watchful.
Keep your fingers crossed: If you are keeping your fingers crossed, you are hoping for a positive outcome.
Keep your hair on: Keep your hair on is advice telling someone to keep calm and not to over-react or get angry.
Keep your head: If you keep your head, you stay calm in times of difficulty.
Keep your head above water: If you are just managing to survive financially, you are keeping your head above water.
Keep your nose clean: If someone is trying to keep their Nose Clean, they are trying to stay out of trouble by not getting involved in any sort of wrong-doing.
Keep your nose to the grindstone: If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you work hard and seriously.
Keep your options open: If someone's keeping their options open, they aren't going to restrict themselves or rule out any possible course of action.
Keep your pants on: If someone tells you to keep your pants on, they mean that you should be patient and not make them rush.
Keep your pecker up: If someone tells you to keep your pecker up, they are telling you not to let your problems get on top of you and to try to be optimistic.
Keep your powder dry: If you keep your powder dry, you act cautiously so as not to damage your chances.
Keep your shirt on!: This idiom is used to tell someone to calm down.
Keep your wig on!: (UK) This idiom is used to tell someone to calm down.
Kettle of fish: A pretty or fine kettle of fish is a difficult problem or situation.
Kick a habit: If you kick a habit, you stop doing it.
Kick away the ladder: If someone kicks away the ladder, they remove something that was supporting or helping someone.
Kick in the teeth: Bad news or a sudden disappointment are a kick in the teeth.
Kick something into the long grass: If an issue or problem is kicked into the long grass, it is pushed aside and hidden in the hope that it will be forgotten or ignored.
Kick the ballistics: It means you realise the intensity of a situation. For example, there is too much unemployment now, so the prime minister must kick the ballistics and change his policy.
Kick the bucket: When someone kicks the bucket, they die.
Kick up your heels: (USA) If you kick up your heels, you go to parties or celebrate something.
Kick your heels: (UK) If you have to kick your heels, you are forced to wait for the result or outcome of something.
Kicked to touch: Touch is a zone of the playing field in Rugby. Kicked to touch means the ball was put safely out of play. Idiomatic usage usually means a person has deftly avoided an issue in argument.
Kid gloves: If someone is handled with kid gloves, they are given special treatment and handled with great care.
Kill the fatted calf: If you kill the fatted calf, you have a celebration, usually to welcome someone who's been away a long time.
Kill the goose that lays the golden egg: If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, you ruin something that is very profitable.
Kill two birds with one stone: When you kill two birds with one stone, you resolve two difficulties or matters with a single action.
Kindred spirit: A kindred spirit is someone who feels and thinks the way you do.
King of the castle: The king of the castle is the person who is in charge of something or in a very comfortable position compared to their companions.

PELATIHAN BAHASA INGGRIS

Rabu, 15 Juni 2011

IDIOMS AND PHRASES (H-k)

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