IELTS Idioms Starting and Stopping
Meaning- If you call it a day, you decide to stop doing something you have been doing that day.
Example- I searched for hours but I had to call it a day when it got dark.
2) call it quits
Meaning- If you call it quits, you decide to stop doing something or stop being involved in something.
Example- The nightclub stays open until the last customer is ready to call it quits.
3) cut your losses
Meaning- If you cut your losses, you decide to stop spending time, energy, or money on an activity or situation on which you have already spent a lot without having any success.
Example- Competition in the market was very strong, so we decided to cut our losses and close the business.
4) enough is enough
Meaning- People say enough is enough when they think that something, usually something bad, should stop.
Example- How much longer will we allow ourselves to be insulted before saying enough is enough?
5) from scratch
Meaning- If you do something or start something from scratch, you create something completely new, rather than adding to something that already exists.
Example- He would rather start again from scratch with new rules, new members, and a new electoral system.
6) grind to a halt
Meaning- If a process or an activity grinds to a halt, it gradually becomes slower or less active until it stops.
Example- The peace process has ground to a halt.
7) hit the ground running
Meaning- If you hit the ground running, you start a new activity with great energy and enthusiasm, working effectively from the beginning.
Example- She's having a holiday just now and will no doubt hit the ground running with all sorts of new ideas when she gets back.
8) in business
Meaning- If you say that you are in business, you mean that you can start doing something because you have got everything ready for it. [SPOKEN]
Example- The new software is installed and working, right? Okay, we're in business.
9) Knock something on the head
Meaning- If you knock a story or idea on the head, you show that it is not true or correct. [INFORMAL, BRITISH]
Example- It's time to knock the idea that we are not living a full life unless we are married on the head.
We'll never be a famous band. When we stop enjoying ourselves, we'll knock it on the head.
10) nip something in the bud
Meaning- If you nip a bad situation or bad behaviour in the bud, you stop it at an early stage.
Example- It is important to recognize jealousy as soon as possible and to nip it in the bud before it becomes a serious problem.
11) set the ball rolling or start the ball rolling
Meaning- If you set the ball rolling or start the ball rolling, you start an activity or you do something which other people will join in with later.
Example- I've already started the ball rolling. I've set up meetings with all sorts of people.
Once you get the ball rolling, everyone wants to be involved.
12) turn over a new leaf
Meaning- If someone has turned over a new leaf, they have started to behave in a better way than before.
Example- While Eddie has turned over a new leaf, his brother is still racing around in fast cars and causing trouble.
13) up and running
Meaning- If a system, business, or plan is up and running, it has started and is functioning successfully.
Example- The project, once it is up and running, will be very dangerous.
Example- The project, once it is up and running, will be very dangerous.
-------------------------------
Follow Us