{New} Idioms for Priorities and Decisions | aman ielts 2022-21 free ielts material

 {New} Idioms for Priorities and Decisions | aman ielts 2022-21 free ielts material 

1) the bottom line

Meaning- In a discussion or argument,  the bottom line is the most important and basic fact about what you are discussing.

(NOTE- A reference to the last line in a set of accounts, which states how much money has been made.)

Example- The bottom line is that the great majority of our kids are physically unfit.

2) cross that bridge when you come to it

Meaning- If you say 'I'll cross that bridge when  I    come to it:  you mean that you will deal with a problem when,  or if, it happens.

Example- 'You can't make me talk to you'.  'No, but the police can'.  'I'll cross that bridge when I come to it'.

3) cut to the chase

Meaning- If you cut to the chase,  you start talking about or dealing with what  is really important, instead of less important things.

(NOTE- In films, when one scene ends and another begins the action is said to 'cut'  from one scene to the next. If a film 'cuts to the chase',  it moves on to a car chase scene, which is usually fast-moving and exciting.)

Example- I'll cut to the chase - we just don't have enough money for the project.

4) the icing on the cake

Meaning- If you describe something as the icing on the cake,  you mean that it is an extra good thing that makes a good situation or activity even better.

Example- To play for one's country is the ultimate experience. To be in a winning team is the icing on the cake.

5) in two minds

Meaning- If you are in two minds about something,  you are not able to reach a decision or opinion about something.

Example- Roche was in two minds whether to make the trip to Oslo.

6) make a mountain out of a molehill

Meaning- If someone makes a mountain out of a  molehill,  they talk or complain about a small, unimportant problem as if it is important and serious.

Example- Don't make a mountain out of a molehill  - it's really not a big deal.

7) on the back burner

Meaning- If you put a project or issue on the back burner,  you decide not to do anything about it until a later date.

Example- People's dreams have once again been put on the back burner as they concern themselves with surviving from one day to the next.

(NOTE- Different prepositions allow you to use the  back burner  in other ways with a similar meaning.)

Example- Healthcare workers worry that the expense will push this issue onto a back burner. In this climate,  website development is an obvious candidate for the back burner.

8) play it by ear

Meaning- If you play it by ear,  you deal with things as they happen, rather than following   a  plan or previous arrangement.

9) sit on the fence

Meaning- If you sit on the fence,  you refuse to give a definite opinion about something or to say who you support in an argument.

(NOTE- The fence referred to is one that separates two properties  or territories  and someone sitting on it is unable or unwilling to make a decision about which side to stand  on.)

Example- Which do you prefer: chocolate or vanilla ice-cream? You can't sit on the fence and say you like both of them equally.

OTE I Verbs such as stay and be can be used instead of sit.

Example- Democrats who'd been on the fence about the nomination,  in the end all voted for him.

10) split hairs

Meaning- If someone splits hairs,   they argue about very small details or find very small differences between things which are really very similar.

Example- Many of the cases the reporter mentioned were not, in fact, on the original list, but let's not split hairs.

11) stick to  your guns

Meaning- If you stick to your guns,  you refuse to change your decision or opinion about something,  even though other people are trying to tell you that you are wrong.

(NOTE- Think  of soldiers remaining  in position,  even though  they are being attacked  by the  enemy.)

Example- Once you have decided what is and isn't acceptable, stick to your guns despite your child's protests.

12) take a back seat

If you take a  back seat,  you allow other people to have all the power,  importance,   or responsibility.

Example- I was happy to take a back seat and give someone else the opportunity to manage the project.

13) the tip of the iceberg

If something is the tip of the iceberg,  it is a small part of a very large problem or a very serious situation.

Example- We get about 2,000 complaints every year and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

14) up in the air

Meaning- If an important decision or plan is up in the air,  it has not been decided or arranged yet.
Example- At the moment, the fate of the Hungarian people is still up in the air.