English Idioms and Expressions
Idioms: Consequences and Effects-1
from: 'answer for' to: 'fall from grace'
- answer for
- If someone has to answer for something, they have to accept responsibility for their actions.
"He will have to answer for his dishonesty."
- If someone has to answer for something, they have to accept responsibility for their actions.
- be that as it may
- This expression means that what the speaker says may be true but it will not change the situation.
"OK. Fewer people may come because of the bad weather, but be that as it may, it's too late to cancel the show."
- This expression means that what the speaker says may be true but it will not change the situation.
- can't make an omelette without breaking eggs
- This expression means that it is impossible to make important changes without causing some unpleasant effects.
"Some people will lose their jobs after the merger, but you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs."
- This expression means that it is impossible to make important changes without causing some unpleasant effects.
- change the face of something
- When an innovation, discovery or event changes the face of something, it alters it completely or in a major way.
"Social networks have changed the face ofmodern communication."
- When an innovation, discovery or event changes the face of something, it alters it completely or in a major way.
- chickens come home to roost
- If you say that chickens have come home to roost, you mean that bad or embarrassing things done in the past by someone are
now causing problems for that person.
"As tenants, the couple were noisy and disorderly. Now they can't find a place to rent. The chickens have come home to roost!"
- If you say that chickens have come home to roost, you mean that bad or embarrassing things done in the past by someone are
now causing problems for that person.
- come to a bad end
- If someone comes to a bad end, their actions lead to disastrous consequences which are sometimes deserved or predictable.
"If that boy doesn't change his ways, he'll come to a bad end."
- If someone comes to a bad end, their actions lead to disastrous consequences which are sometimes deserved or predictable.
- come with the territory
- To say that something comes with the territory means that it has to be accepted as part of a job or responsibility, even if it is unpleasant.
"A successful actor has to expect intensive media coverage - that comes with the territory!"
- To say that something comes with the territory means that it has to be accepted as part of a job or responsibility, even if it is unpleasant.
- come what may
- If you declare that you will do something come what may, you are saying that you will do it whatever the consequences may be.
"Come what may, I'm going to tell my mother-in-law what I think of her!"
- If you declare that you will do something come what may, you are saying that you will do it whatever the consequences may be.
- (get) comeuppance
- When someone gets their comeuppance, they receive the treatment they deserve (usually punishment or retribution)
for their behaviour or actions.
"Any pupils found bullying the newcomers will soon get their comeuppance."
- When someone gets their comeuppance, they receive the treatment they deserve (usually punishment or retribution)
for their behaviour or actions.
- cut both ways
- Something that cuts both ways has both a positive and a negative effect at the same time.
"Banning cars in the town centre can cut both ways: less traffic congestion but fewer customers in the shops."
- Something that cuts both ways has both a positive and a negative effect at the same time.
- (the) devil to pay
- This is a way of announcing that there will be trouble if something happens.
"Be careful. There'll be the devil to pay if you break anything!"
- This is a way of announcing that there will be trouble if something happens.
- even the score
- When a person decides to even the score, they try to get their revenge on someone who has cheated or done them harm.
"When Jack discovered that Bob had cheated, he was determined to even the score."
- When a person decides to even the score, they try to get their revenge on someone who has cheated or done them harm.
- face the music
- If you have to face the music, you have to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions.
"He was caught stealing. Now he has to face the music."
- If you have to face the music, you have to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions.
- fall from grace
- To say that someone has fallen from grace means that they have done something wrong, immoral or unacceptable, and as a result have lost their good reputation.
"The Finance Minister fell from grace as a result of a sex scandal."
- To say that someone has fallen from grace means that they have done something wrong, immoral or unacceptable, and as a result have lost their good reputation.
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