To be something that someone would be interested in or good at. For Example: “Given how good he is at tennis, I think raquetball could be Jerry’s bag.” The implication is that since Jerry is good at tennis and raquetball utilizes many of the same skills, raquetball could be Jerry’s bag.

GO BEHIND SOMEONE’S BACK means to interfere in people’s affairs without permission, usually in a dishonest or selfish way. For Example: I thought I trusted him, but I found out yesterday he went behind my back and told everyone about it. No doubt he was only checking, but she somehow still felt upset that he […]

TURN YOUR BACK ON means to ignore or forget someone or something, especially a friend who needs your help. For Example: He needs to learn that you shouldn’t turn your back on those kind of responsibilities. (Meaning you shouldn’t ignore your responsibilities). Real friends and family love you and they rely on you, so when […]

GET YOUR OWN BACK means to get some kind of revenge, to do or get something in return for a bad thing someone did to you. For Example: The director has been unfair to the teachers all week, so here’s your chance to prove you’re right and get your own back. I hope you haven’t […]

BE GLAD TO SEE THE BACK OF means that you are happy someone or something unpleasant is finished or gone. For Example: Last night we had a farewell party for John, but to be honest I’m glad to see the back of him. (Meaning I’m glad he is gone). Christmas came and went and Ruth […]

UP IN ARMS means that there is strong opposition or anger against something. For Example: “We heard the news over the radio at lunch break and I tell you, we were really up in arms about it.” (Meaning they strongly disagreed with the news on the radio). When their children have to go to a […]

A GREY AREA means something that is not clearly defined and needs careful judgement. For Example: “We have always had a professional attitude to copyrighted texts, but online copyright is still a bit of a grey area.” Many people think they know what right and wrong are, but on closer examination it’s usually a grey […]

GO APE is an informal expression meaning to just lose control and become really angry or excited. For Example: When I told him we had tickets to see the rock concert on Saturday, he just went ape. (Meaning he was really excited). He’s a really nice guy, but just don’t talk about his old boss […]

IN THE AIR means people have a general feeling or expectation that something will happen in the near future. This feeling among people is often not clearly defined. For Example: No one knew for sure what was going to happen that summer, but a change was in the air. On the outside everyone seemed happy […]

To CLEAR THE AIR means to somehow resolve a difficult situation between people. It is especially used for talking openly about problems, or being patient and waiting for bad feelings to lessen. For Example: “Sharon’s been ignoring me all week because of what I said to her, but we finally talked this morning and it […]