I49

make sb`s hackles rise: make sb angry.

He really makes my hackles rise. He`s so rude to every body.

I48

play sb`s `ace /eIs/; to use sb`s own best argument, etc. to get an advantage in a situation.

I think it`s time we played our ace, which is the fact that without us they wouldn`t be able to run this place.

I47

by/ from `all accounts; used when the speaker does not have direct experience of the thing mentioned but it reporting the ideas, etc. of others.

I`ve never seen any of her movies, but she`s a brilliant directors, by all accounts.

It was, from all accounts, a very interesting discussion.

I46

to swap horses in midsteam; to vote against a candidate running for reelection; to change one`s mind.

The mayor asked for our support, pointing out how foolish it would be to swap horses in midstream.

I45

sour grapes; to disparage sth that you cannot have (from Aesop`s fable about the fox who called the grapes sour because he could not reach them)

Marcia said that she didn`t  want be on the Principal`s Honor Roll anyway, but we knew that it was just sour grapes on her part.

W300

sacrilegious, adj; guilty of violating what is consercrated to God or religion. Sacrilege can also be the desecration or disrepectful tratment of any person, place, thing, or idea held sacred.

To Brendo, taking the Lord`s name in vain was sacrileious.

W295

jaunty, adj; sprightly; gay; cheerful & confident.

With his cap at a jaunty angle, the amicable sailor strutted down the steet.

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با کلاه یک وری!

I44

there`s no accounting for taste(S); used to express suprise at another person`s likes and dislikes which are different from your own.

She`s just painted her whole room purple. Well, there`s no accounting for taste!

I43

take sth into ac`count or take account of sth; consider sth when making a calculation or decision.

It`s clear he didn`t take his family`s wishes into ac`count when deciding to change jobs.

We mustn`t forget to take account of price increases when we do the budget for next year.

I42

an ax to gring; having a selfish motive in the background.

I`m always dubious about the motive of a man who tells me that he has no ax to grind.

I41

a bitter pill to swallow; a humiliating defeat; a fact or an event that is unpleasant to accept or very disappointing.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the famous billiard player to be overwhelmed by the 12- year- old girl.

I40

put/ turn sth to good ac`count; to make good use of money, an ability, etc.

He put his experience as a teacher to good ac`count as a writer of children`s book.

I39

on sb`s own ac`count

A- for oneself.

In 1992 Smith set up in business on his own ac`count.

B- because one wants to do do and one has decided, not sb else.

No one sent me, I`m here on my own ac`count.

I38

cause celebre; a famous law case or controversy.

It was a minor dispute, but the ambitious lawyer sought to turn it  into a cause celebre.

I37

thumbs down; signal of rejection.

My father turned thumbs down on our plan to hitchhike to Florida during Easter.

I36

on `no account or not on any account; not for any reason.

On no account (should you) try to fix the heater yourself. All repaires should be done by a trained engineer.

I35

on account of sb/ sth or on sb`s account; because of sb/ sth.

Flights were delayed on account of bad weather.

I can`t go, but don`t stay on my account.

I34

to let sleeping dogs lie; to let well enough alone; to avoid stirring up old hostilities.

The lawyer wanted to open up the old case, but his partner advised him to let sleeping dogs lie.

I33

red letter day; day of happiness; time for rejoicing.

(holidays are red letter days on our calendars.)

My red letter day came when I was chosen as senior class president.

I32

of little/ no ac`count; not considered important.

Hia past achivements were of no ac`count when it came to competing with the younger men.

I31

of sb`s own ac`cord; without being asked or forced.

I didn`t need to tell her to apologize; she did it of her own accord.

I30

I`m from Missouri; a skeptic; one who is not easily convinced.

You might swallow his promises, but I`m from Missouri.

I29

to lionize a person; to make a big fuss over someone.

When the famous poet Dylan Thomas visited the United Stats, he was lionized wherever he lectured.

I28

accidents will happen; said when a small accident has happened, for example when sth has been broken, to show that you do not consider it to be serious, or to excuse yourself for causing it.

I`m sorry, I`ve just broken a plate. Oh, never mind, accidents will happen.

I27

acci`dentally on purpose; intending to do sth, but wanting to appear to have done it by accident.

   We`d finished our meal when John realized he`d accidentaly left his chequebook at home. Accidentally on purpose, you mean! 

I26

to pass the buck; to evade responsibility.

He always gives me a straight answer and never tries to pass the buck.

I25

to take down a peg; to take the conceit out of a braggart; to make sb realize that they`re not important.

The alumni thought they had a great team, but our varsity took them down a peg.

I24

whether by accident or de`sign; if you say that sth happens by accident or design, you mean you don`t know if it has been planned or not.

Mary was wearing the same T-shirt as me- whether by accident or de`sign, I never knew. 

I23

leave of `absence; permission to be away from work for a particular period of time.

Several of my colleagus have had leave of absence to go on training courses.

I22

stoke in trade; the goods, tools, and other requisites of a profession.

A quick wit and a warm smile were the salesman`s stock in trade.