Translation glossary: Idioms

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(AmE: a tempest in a teacup)Used in order to say that people are treating a small problem, argument, etc as if it is a very large and important one 
English
(Just) IN THE NICK OF TIMEJust before it is too late, or just before something bad happens 
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(THE) DONKEY WORK (BrE)The hard and boring work that is involved in a process or activity 
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(to be) LOST FOR WORDSUnable to say anything because you feel so surprised, shocked, unhapp, etc. 
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A BIG FISH IN A SMALL PONDSomeone who is important or has a lot of influence only in a small organization, place, company, etc. 
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A BIG FISH IN A SMALL PONDan important figure in a small organization 
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A black sheepLa oveja negra 
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A blue-eyed boyThe favorite one 
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A bluestockingVery well educated lady/woman 
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A bolt from the blueSuddenly – not pleasant 
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A COUCH POTATOSomeone who likes to sit in comfort and do nothing 
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A DARK HORSESomeone who is not well known or not expected to in, but who surprises people by doing very well against competitions in business, sports and politics 
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A FAIR WEATHER FRIENDSomeone who stands by you only when things are going well 
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A FAR CRY FROMAn environment cut off from the harsh realties of life 
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A FEW HOME RUTHSUnpalatable but correct criticism 
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A FISH OUT OF WATERout of your depth in the wrong place 
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A gray areaNot clear 
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A gray eminencePerson very influential but who stays in the background 
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A green beltThe green part around a town 
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A NEW BROOMA new person in charge who makes changes 
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A NOSY PARKERUsed about someone who wants to know something that does not concern them, especialy what other people are doing 
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A NOSY PARKER (BrE)A gossip who wants to know everything that happens to other people 
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A RAW DEALNot all the same as 
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A red-brick universityAny other university than Oxford or Cambridge 
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A red-herringA false clue 
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A red-letter dayA very important day 
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A ROLLING STONE (BrE)Someone who has no fixed roots 
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A STUFFED SHIRTA pompous, self-opinionated person 
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A WET BLANKETUsed about someone who spoils other people’s fun 
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A WET BLANKETSomeone who doesn¡¦t want to join in and spoils the fun for everybody else (AmE „³ a party pooper) 
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A white elephantUseless and expensive 
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A white lieNot very important lie 
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A white sepulcherSomeone hypocrite 
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ACCUSE SOMEBODY OF STHSay somebody is guilty 
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AN ARMCHAIR CRITICSomeone who critisises something she & he doesn’t kno about 
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AN ARMCHAIR CRITICSomeone who expresses opinions about things he/she knows very little about 
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AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT KETTLE OF FISHA completely diferent (and unacceptable) matter 
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AN IVORY TOWERUnfair treatement 
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As black as pitchVery, very black 
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As brown as a berryVery sunbathed 
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As white as sheetExtremely pale 
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BE (kept / left) IN THE DARKTo be given no information about something that is important to you 
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Be as black as one’s paintedTan malo como lo pintan 
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Be greenImmature / unexperienced 
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BE OUT OF THE LIGHT (spoken)To go to sleep very quily, andvery deeply 
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BEHIND BARSIn jail 
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Black and blueFull of bruises 
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Black marketMercado Negro 
English
Black outTo lose consciousness 
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