Idioms and Expressions, List 4

Prepare for the TOEFL Exam by learning these expressions and idioms commonly used in English.
15 words 213 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. faux pas
    a socially awkward or tactless act
    “Leaving no tip would be a faux pas,” she says. Washington Post (Sep 5, 2018)
  2. status quo
    the existing state of affairs
    People tended to reconcile themselves to the status quo, declaring that ‘this is how it always was, and this is how it always will be’. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
  3. vice versa
    with the order reversed
    If something is not alive, then it’s dead, and vice versa. The Sense of Style
  4. split second
    a very short time
    Suddenly I twist, and for a split second I'm free. Legend
  5. in the long run
    after a very lengthy period of time
    The efforts required to bond with young families aren’t on many lists of fun ways to spend an evening, but so often it’s worth it in the long run. Washington Post (Oct 21, 2015)
  6. eleventh hour
    the latest possible moment
    It was scrapped this week at the eleventh hour when the government removed it from parliament moments before it was due to be voted into law. BBC (May 27, 2011)
  7. grassroots
    of or involving the common people rather than those in power
    Switzerland’s grassroots democracy allows any Swiss citizen to object to any project proposed anywhere in the country, obliging the developer to respond. Forbes (Sep 5, 2013)
  8. on the fence
    characterized by uncertainty or indecision
    I’m on the fence as to what your plan of action should be. The Guardian (Feb 5, 2017)
  9. bottom line
    the crucial or decisive point
    The bottom line is, if you stay home, your message stays home with you. Proud
  10. aboveboard
    without concealment or deception; honest
    “We like it very clear that everything we do as a company is aboveboard and legal,” he said. New York Times (Jun 4, 2014)
  11. at large
    having escaped, especially from confinement
    We are also working to determine any accomplices or known associates who may still be at large. Love, Hate & Other Filters
  12. full-fledged
    having gained complete status
    By the end of senior year, he was finally single, and our friendship evolved into full-fledged coupledom. Americanized
  13. long-winded
    using or containing too many words
    “Get to the point,” they say in the middle of a particularly long-winded tale. New York Times (Aug 29, 2020)
  14. slapdash
    marked by great carelessness
    The slapdash structure definitely hurts the movie as much as the plodding script. Salon (Mar 15, 2019)
  15. under the weather
    somewhat ill or prone to illness
    It definitely helps since the other day I got a little bit of food poisoning and was feeling under the weather. Washington Times (Sep 30, 2018)
Created on Fri Sep 10 14:12:07 EDT 2021 (updated Tue Sep 14 13:01:38 EDT 2021)

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