| pain in the neck/ass meaning: something that is really annoying 1. “Is Dave going to be at the party? I hope not, because that guy is a real pain in the ass.” |
| part and parcel meaning: something that comes with the job – usually a risk or a difficulty – and cannot be avoided 1. It was the fifth time he had broken his finger, but unfortunately injuries are part and parcel of being a professional boxer. |
| pass the buck meaning: to pass the blame and responsibility to other people when things go wrong 1. “If there is one thing the management of this company know how to do, it is passing the buck. They never say it was their decisions that were wrong.” |
| pass the time of day meaning: to pass time, usually by wasting it on small matters 1. “I don’t really enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles, but they pass the time of day.” |
| pay your dues meaning: spend time struggling and learning in a lower job so you deserve getting a high position 1. “I hate this company! I’ve been here 10 years, but they give the promotion to the boss’s son. Why not me?! I’ve paid my dues.” |
| people person meaning: a person who is good at talking to people; a person who enjoys talking to people 1. “There are some customers wanting to complain. Can you speak with them? I’m not really a people person.” |
| pick (someone's) brain meaning: look for advice and ideas from another person 1. “Can I pick your brain for a minute? I’m having some problems with my girlfriend’s mother and I don’t know what to do.” |
| pick up the pace meaning: go faster 1. “Ok, we did a good job this morning, but I think we need to pick up the pace this afternoon if this is going to be finished today.” |
| pipe dream meaning: a dream or ambition that will never come true; a completely unrealistic dream 1. When he was at school his teachers told him becoming a rock star was a silly pipe dream, and he should study more. |
| play second fiddle meaning: to be the second most important – and therefore ignored – person behind someone better 1. “I’m tired of playing second fiddle to Anne. I think I need to move jobs.” |
| poetry in motion meaning: something that is artistic and beautiful to watch 1. Seeing Dave and Erin dance is like watching poetry in motion. 2. “Sometimes City’s football is poetry in motion.” |
| pop the question meaning: ask someone to marry you 1. “I saw Philip buying a wedding ring yesterday. I think he is going to pop the question pretty soon.” |
| the powers that be meaning: the people who are in charge; the management 1. Anne wanted to change the office hours to a later start and earlier finish, but the powers that be didn’t agree. |
| preaching to the choir meaning: telling an opinion with which the audience already agrees 1. “There is no way Anne should have been given that job.” “Hey, you’re preaching to the choir here. I don’t think she should even have a job.” |
| presence of mind meaning: to be calm or caring enough to think of something important even in a dangerous situation 1. Even although the house was filling with smoke, Dave still had the presence of mind to set off the alarm. |
| pressed for time meaning: in a hurry; without a lot of time for something right now 1. “Can we talk about this tomorrow? I’m a bit pressed for time right now.” |
| pull strings meaning: to use contacts and people you know to get something 1. Anne asked Phil if he could help her with her parking tickets. Phil said she shouldn’t worry and that he would pull a few strings. |
| pull the plug meaning: to terminate something; to stop a project (usually because it is not doing well) 1. The management decided to pull the plug on the training programme; they said it was costing too much money and they hadn’t seen any improvement. |
| pull your socks up meaning: to start trying harder; to need to try harder 1. “I’ve been disappointed with your work so far this year. You’ll have to pull your socks up if you want to pass.” |
| (a) purple patch meaning: a time of great luck, great results, or great success 1. Dave has been enjoying a purple patch lately: his play has been superb. 2. “Well, I’ve been enjoying a bit of a purple patch as far as dating has been concerned: I’ve had three in the last week, and all of them were excellent.” |
| when push comes to shove meaning: at the big moment or decision, we will do this and everything else will be forgotten 1. Dave said he would support Phil until the end; however, when push came to shove, he left as quickly as everybody else. 2. “Well, when push comes to shove, remember I am still there for you.” |
| put (someone) on a pedestal meaning: to raise someone above other people; to believe a person is better than normal people 1. The newspapers are always keen to put people on a pedestal, and then crush them later. 2. “I don’t know why you put him on a pedestal: he isn’t smart, good-looking, or even rich.” |
| put two and two together meaning: to reach a logical and correct answer by adding together the evidence 1. “How did you know Anne and Dave were boyfriend and girlfriend?” “Well, Anne said she had to take time off work to visit her mother. The very same time, Dave said he had a conference. I just put two and two together.” |
| put (our) heads together meaning: to think together; to both think about something so we can get a better answer 1. The boss ordered Anne and Dave to stop arguing and instead put their heads together and try to find an answer. |
| a piece of cake meaning: a very easy task; a task that caused no problems 1. Dave was worried that organising his trip to Disneyland was going to be difficult, but actually it was a piece of cake: he just called a travel agent and they did the rest. 2. “Tomorrow we have to do the health and safety check, but don’t worry, if you have common sense it is a piece of cake.” 3. “How did the exam go?” “Piece of cake.” |