IELTS Idioms for Relationships
1) break the ice
Meaning- If a person, event or activity breaks the ice, they make people feel more relaxed and comfortable in a social situation.
Example- This exercise is usually good fun and can help break the ice for a new, and perhaps rather anxious, group.
(NOTE- An ice-breaker is something that you say or do to break the ice.)
Example- This presentation, with a few additional jokes, was a good ice-breaker.
2) get off on the wrong foot
Meaning- If you get off on the wrong foot, you start a relationship or an activity badly.
(NOTE- The 'wrong foot' refers to the left foot. There is an ancient superstition that the left side of the body is connected with bad luck and evil.)
Example- We got off on the wrong foot the first time I met him, but that's all forgotten now.
3) get on like a house on fire
If two people get on like a house on fire, they quickly become close friends.
(NOTE- This expression uses the image of an old wooden house burning suddenly and strongly.)
Example- I went over and struck up a conversation, and we got on like a house on fire.
4) get on someone's nerves
If someone or something gets on your nerves, they irritate you.
Example- She talks all the time and it gets on my nerves.
5) give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning- If someone gives you the cold shoulder, they deliberately stop being friendly to you and ignore you.
(NOTE- In the Middle Ages, important guests were given roast meat. Less important people were only given cold meat - perhaps a shoulder - left over from previous meals.)
Example- He was upset to find his previously friendly colleagues giving him the cold shoulder.
6) go back a long way
Meaning- If two or more people go back a long way, they have been friends for a very long time. [mainly BRITISH]
Example- We go back a long way, and she's always kept in touch, always been there for me.
7) hit it off
Meaning- If two people hit it off when they first meet, they like each other and get on well together.
Example- I had to leave because my manager was awful. We never really hit it off.
8) leave someone in the lurch
Meaning- If someone leaves you in the lurch, they put you in a difficult situation by suddenly going away or stopping helping you.
Example- My secretary left me in the lurch last month and I haven't found a replacement yet.
9) on the same wavelength
Meaning- If two people are on the same wavelength, they understand each other well because they share the same attitudes, interests, and opinions.
Example- Wendy's sister is ten years older than her, and the two are not close. 'We've never really been on the same wavelength' said Wendy.
10) save face
Meaning-If you save face, you do something so that people continue to respect you and your reputation is not damaged.
Example- Most children have a need to save face in front of their friends.
11) sparks fly
Meaning-If sparks fly between two people, they get angry with each other and argue.
Example- The group leader is not afraid to raise difficult issues or let the sparks fly when necessary.
12) treat someone like dirt
Meaning-If a person treats someone like dirt, they treat them very badly.
Example- As long as unemployment is rising, the bosses can keep treating you like dirt.
13) your own flesh and blood
Meaning- If someone is your own flesh and blood, they are a member of your family.
Example- You can't just let your own flesh and blood go to prison if there's any way you can help.
14) on the rocks
Meaning- If a relationship is on the rocks, it is experiencing many difficulties and is likely to end.
Example-It's rumoured that their ten-year relationship is on the rocks.
Example-It's rumoured that their ten-year relationship is on the rocks.
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