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Idiom |
Meaning |
|
U |
Unmitigated
disaster |
To refer to something as an unmitigated disaster means that
it is
a total catastrophe or a complete failure.
"The organization of the tournament was an unmitigated disaster." |
| |
Up for grabs |
If something is up for
grabs, it is available for anyone who wants to
compete for
it.
"You should enter the competition - there are $20 000
in prizes up
for grabs!" |
| |
Up
in the air |
If something, such as a plan or a decision, is up in the air,
it has
not been decided or settled yet.
"I can't give you a definite answer yet; the project is still up in the air." |
| |
Up to par |
If something is up to par, it meets the required standard.
"He didn't get the job because his English wasn't up to par." |
| |
Up and
running |
If a business or a plan is up and running, it has started and is
functioning successfully.
"In some countries you can have a company up and running in a
very
short time." |
| |
Uphill
battle |
A person faced with an uphill battle has to struggle against
very
unfavourable circumstances.
"After the terrible accident, his recovery was an uphill battle all
the way." |
| |
Useful
as a chocolate teapot |
Something which is of no practical use at all is about as useful as
a
chocolate teapot.
"When there are no roads, a car is about as useful as a chocolate
teapot." |
|
V |
Vanish into thin
air |
If something vanishes into thin air, it disappears
completely
in a mysterious way.
"The diamonds
vanished into thin air - nobody knows what happened
to them." |
| |
Variety is the spice of life |
This expression means that life is more interesting
when you try to do
different things.
"Since they
retired, my parents have been trying out all sorts of new
activities. Variety is the spice of
life!" |
| |
Nothing
ventured, nothing gained |
This expression means that you cannot expect to achieve
anything if
you risk nothing.
"He's going to ask his boss
for a promotion even though he has
little chance
of obtaining satisfaction -
nothing ventured, nothing
gained!" |
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Take a dim view of
something. |
If you take a dim view of something, you don't approve
of it. |
| |
Vote with
one's feet |
If you vote with your feet, you show your dislike or disapproval
of
something by leaving.
"If the conference is boring, people will probably vote with their feet."
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