Commonly used english part 43 pdf

jump Idioms jump all over someone - criticize/scold/blame someone As soon as I began to talk about my plans for the summer my boss jumped all over me.. jump bail - run away and fail to

judging by (something)

- considering something

Judging by the weather, I don't think that we will be able to go to the festival today

jump Idioms

jump all over (someone)

- criticize/scold/blame someone

As soon as I began to talk about my plans for the summer my boss jumped all over

me

jump at (something)

- seize the opportunity to do something

He jumped at the chance to go to France on company business

jump bail

- run away and fail to come to trial and therefore give up the money that you have already paid to the court

The man jumped bail and went to live in a foreign country

jump down (someone`s) throat

- criticize or become angry with someone

As soon as I reached the office my boss jumped down my throat over the missing file

jump on (someone)

- scold/criticize/blame someone

Everybody jumped on the supervisor because they were angry about the new

schedules

jump/climb/get on the bandwagon

- join a popular activity/campaign

Everybody jumped on the bandwagon to try and stop smoking in the workplace

jump out of one`s skin

- be badly frightened

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw the man at the window

jump the gun

- start before you should

He jumped the gun and started selling the tickets before he should have

jump the track

- jump off the rails, change suddenly from one thing to another

The train jumped the track near the edge of the town

jump through a hoop

- do whatever one is told to do, obey any order

He is always ready to jump through a hoop for his boss so he is not very popular with the other employees

jump to conclusions

- make a quick conclusion without thinking about it

"Please don`t jump to conclusions over who broke the computer."

jumping-off place/point

- the starting place of a long trip, start of something

We gathered early in the morning at the jumping-off place for our hike to the

mountains

.

the jury is still out (on someone or something)

- have not decided about something

For myself, the jury is still out on whether or not it will be a good idea to look for a new job

just Idioms

just about

- nearly, almost

I waited just about one hour before the concert started

just in case (something happens)

- if something happens

I plan to take my umbrella just in case it rains today

just now

- this very moment, almost at this moment

The accident happened just now The police haven`t even arrived yet

just one of those things

- something that you really can't do anything about

The fact that I failed the driver's test was just one of those things and there is nothing that I can do about it

just so

- done with great care, done very carefully

She always makes sure that her hair is just so before she goes out

just the same

- nevertheless

I told her not to come early but just the same she came early anyway

just what the doctor ordered

- exactly what is needed or wanted

Having the extra day off from work was just what the doctor ordered and I was able to get many things done

K

kangaroo court

- an illegal court formed by a group of people to settle a dispute among themselves The men were convicted by a kangaroo court in the town and nobody agreed with the decision

Katie bar the door

- get ready for trouble, a desperate situation is at hand

The gang arrived at the hotel and were ready to come in and fight "Katie bar the door."

keel over

- fall over and faint

Three of the members of the band keeled over because of the heat

keel over

- turn upside down, tip over

The boat keeled over in the middle of the lake but everybody was safe

keen on (someone or something)

- be enthusiastic about someone or something

My girlfriend is keen on going to a movie this weekend

keep Idioms

keep a civil tongue

- speak decently and politely

The angry customer was asked to keep a civil tongue when talking with the sales clerk

keep a close watch on (someone or something)

- monitor or observe someone or something

The woman always keeps a close watch on her child when she is at the shopping center

keep a close watch over (someone or something)

- guard or care for someone or something

I kept a close watch over the soup as it was cooking

keep a secret

- to not tell a secret to others

I have been trying to keep a secret about my friend's boyfriend for a long time now

keep a stiff upper lip

- be brave, face trouble bravely

The storm victims tried hard to keep a stiff upper lip in spite of the hardships of their situation

keep a straight face

- stop oneself from smiling or laughing

keep a tight/close rein on (someone or something)

- strictly watch and control someone or something

Our principal keeps a tight rein on what is being taught in the classrooms

keep abreast (of something)

- keep informed about something

I read the newspaper regularly so that I can keep abreast of current events

keep after/at (someone)

- remind someone over and over about something

I always have to keep after my friend to do her job properly

keep an eye on (someone or something)

- watch and take care of something (but not just look at something)

"Will you keep an eye on the baby while I go to the store."

keep an eye out for (someone or something)

- watch for the arrival or appearance of someone or something

I kept an eye out for a nice restaurant after I arrived in the small town

keep at (something)

- persist with something

He has decided to keep at his studies and I am sure that he will succeed

keep body and soul together

- keep alive, survive

It was very cold during the winter but somehow she was able to keep body and soul together and survived

keep books

- keep records of money gained and spent, do the work of a bookkeeper

My first job was to keep books for a small company in my hometown

keep company (with someone)

- associate with or spend much time with someone

I like to keep company with my friends from university

keep cool

- stay calm

The police officers were trained to keep cool in difficult situations

keep down (something)

- keep from progressing or growing, keep within limits, control

The students were told to keep down the noise as some of the other classes were having exams

keep from (doing something)

- prevent/refrain from doing something

I love ice cream and couldn`t keep from eating three bowls

keep good time

- work accurately (used for a clock or watch)

My watch has not been keeping good time lately

keep harping on (something)

- continue to talk or complain about something

keep house

- look after a house or a household

She has been keeping house for her father while he is sick

keep in touch (with someone)

- talk or write to someone

I have always tried to keep in touch with my friends from high school

keep late hours

- stay up or stay out until very late

My friend keeps late hours now that he is working for the newspaper

keep off (something)

- stay off someone's land or other property

The students were asked to keep off the grass which was being replanted

keep on (doing something)

- continue

She is careless and keeps on making the same mistakes over and over

keep on an even keel

- remain cool and calm

I was very busy with my job and school but I tried very hard to keep on an even keel and get everything done

keep on one's toes

- stay alert and watchful

I try to keep on my toes during a class where the teacher may ask me a question

keep one`s chin up

- be brave, be determined

"Try and keep your chin up Things will get better in the future."

keep one`s cool

- to stay/remain calm

I tried to keep my cool during the argument with my neighbor

keep one's distance from (someone or something)

- maintain a certain distance from someone or something

The girl always keeps her distance from the other students in the class

keep one`s eye on the ball

- be watchful and ready for something

"You should keep your eye on the ball or you will make a mistake."

keep one's eyes open

- remain alert and watchful for someone or something

"Please keep your eyes open for a good place to eat so that we can have lunch."

keep one's feet on the ground

- remain firmly established

My friend lost his job but he is trying hard to keep his feet on the ground

keep one`s fingers crossed

- wish for good results in something one is doing

"Please keep your fingers crossed that I will pass my exam."