trzymać coś w tajemnicy keep sth under one's hatśThey tried to keep it under their hat but it soon became obvious that she is pregnant.
druga strona medalu the other side of the coinśFame has the other side of the coin as well.
postanowić, zdecydować się make up one's mindśHe finally made up his mind!
robić z igły widły change a fly into an elephantśGee! She doesn't have an evening dress?! It's just friends' party - why does she have to change a fly into an elephant!
łatwiej powiedzieć, niż zrobić easier said than doneśI know it's easier said than done but in my opinion you should challenge it.
na niepewnym gruncie on thin iceśHis rude answer put him on thin ice in the company.
trafić w sedno hit the nail on the headśRight! Nothing to add! You've just hit the nail on the head!
to oczywiste, nie ma dwóch zdań it goes without sayingśOh, Amy you should marry him! It goes without saying.
poruszyć niebo i ziemię, zastosować wszystkie środki leave no stone unturnedśI may need to leave no stone unturned but I will find this book!
narazić na niebiezpieczeństwo put in jeopardyśAs the Ambassador didn't want to put the staff in jeopardy, they were all dismissed and sent home.
chcieć gwiazdki z nieba cry for the moonśOh, come on! Be realistic! It's like crying for the moon! We cannot afford it.
obiecywać złote góry promise wondersśShe was very disappointed with the job. They promised wonders when they hired her but nothing came true...
człowiek, który sam się dorobił, zrobił karierę self-made manśThe idea of self-made man is one of the most important concepts in America.
wróżyć z ręki read sb's handśShe wanted the Gypsy woman to read her hand and find out about her future.
przelewać krew shed bloodśMuch blood was shed durning the war.
radości i smutki, zmienne koleje losu ups and downsśTheir relationship was full of ups and downs.
przyjmować coś za rzecz oczywistą, naturalną take sth for grantedśNever take love for granted. It has to be cherished to last.
stawiać kogoś/być w niekorzystnej sytuacji put sb/be at a disadvantageśThe fact that the company's office was moved to the different part of the town has put me at a disadvantage. Now I have to commute almost one hour to get there.
w sprzedaży, na rynku on the marketśAt the moment this is the best camera on the market.
stopniowo little by littleśAfter the accident her strength returned little by little.
1. na czyjś rachunek; 2. czyimś kosztem at sb's expenseśThe trip is at company's expense. We are always making jokes at Mark's expense.
jeśli masz na to ochotę if you likeś- Shall we stop for a rest? - Yes, if you like.
za wszelką cenę at all costsśWe must win at all costs.
na całe gardło at the top of your voiceśThey are always discussing things at the top of their voices. It's so annoying.
wybuchać śmiechem burst out laughingśThe movie was so funny that finally even Susan burst out laughing.
złapać kogoś na gorącym uczynku catch sb red-handedśThe trial won't take long as the defendant was caught red-handed.
wszędzie high and lowśWe've searched high and low for this book.
niezawodnie without failśThe postman always comes at 10 o'clock without fail.
gołym okiem the naked eyeśBacteria are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
z podwójną siłą with a vengeanceśAfter a week of good weather winter has returned with a vengeance today.
zgrzytać zębami gnash your teethś1. Hell is so terrible that those who go there will weep and gnash their teeth. 2. Mary gnashes her teeth in frustration.
mieć debet (w banku) be in the redśIt has been announced that the company will still be in the red for the rest of this year.
zła passa a bad patchśLast season we hit a bad patch of form and suddenly we were out of the Champions League.
bratnia dusza after your own heartśShe loves books too - she's a woman after my own heart!
w pośpiechu in hasteśI'm writing in haste to let you know that I won't come on Friday.
1. na lewą stronę, 2. (znać) na wylot inside outśHe's a real computer freak - he knows them inside out.
wynagradzać szkodę/szkody make amendsśHe went to him and begged his forgiveness, saying he would do anything he could to make amends.
uspokajać kogoś ease sb's mindśThe doctor tried to ease his mind about his daughter's illness.
promyk nadziei a ray of hopeś1. There is a ray of hope for humanity afterall. 2. Thank you so much for the ray of hope that shines in your message.
wyczerpany nakład książki out of printśI'm sorry but the book you've ordered is out of print.
działać (komuś) na nerwy get on sb's nervesśTurn that music down! It's getting on my nerves.
chodzić komuś po głowie have something on the brainśDo you know this song? I've had it on my brain all day.
wyścig szczurów rat raceśAfter years in the rat race she's finally decided to quit and spend more time with her family.
załapać, zrozumieć coś get the messageśHe finally got the message and left Mary and John alone together.
prosić się o kłopoty ask for troubleśNot wearing a seat belt is just asking for trouble.
wyrażać (komuś) swoje uznanie, oddawać hołd pay tribute to sb/sthśIn 1992, a concert was held at Wembley Stadium to pay tribute to Freddie Mercury from Queen.
hurtowo in bulkśIf you buy in bulk, it's 20% cheaper.
zadzwonić do kogoś give somebody a ringśI'll give you a ring in the evening.
przez cały rok all year roundśMost of the hotels are open all year round.
nagle all of a suddenśAll of a sudden the lights went out.
prawdę mówiąc, w rzeczywistości as a matter of factśAs a matter of fact, I love him very much.
być kwita be quits (with somebody)śYou give me 10 zloty and we're quits.
dzięki uprzejmości, za zgodą by courtesy ofśThese pictures are being shown by courtesy of CNN.
(o programie, filmie) w plenerze on locationśThe series was filmed on location in Sweden.
marnować się go to wasteśI can't bear to see good food going to waste!
spontanicznie on impulseśWhen the weather is nice it's fun to go away on impulse.
metoda prób i błędów trial and errorśI found the answer by trial and error, which obviously took little more time.
pstrykać palcami snap one's fingersśMusic often inspires people to clap or snap their fingers.
wygadać się let something slipśHe let slip that he had been in prison.
wzdychać (głęboko) heave a sighśShe heaved a sigh of relief when she heard the good news.
łudzić się be under the illusionśI think Mark's under the illusion that he will be the new director.
nie być w czyimś guście not be sb's cup of teaśIn fact, horror films aren't my cup of tea.
robić z kogoś/siebie głupka make a fool of somebody/yourselfśStop that before you make a fool of yourself!
sfera społeczna a walk of lifeśHe has friends from many different walks of life.
z własnej inicjatywy on your own initiativeśShe realized that she had never done anything on her own initiative without the motivation of someone else.
na próżno in vainś1. The doctors tried to save the dying man but in vain. 2. How can you say that our soldiers died in vain?!
mieć mnóstwo pieniędzy, spać na pieniądzach be rolling in moneyśThey dream of the day when they'll be rolling in money.
na piśmie in writingśPlease confirm the offer in writing next week.
mniejsze zło the lesser of two evilsśSometimes we have to choose between the lesser of two evils.
spełniać się come trueśI wish my dreams would come true one day.
nie mieć pojęcia not have a clueśI haven't a clue where she left her book.
przechodzić z rąk do rąk change handsśThe heavyweight title is about to change hands once again.
wywierać presję put pressureśThe press are putting pressure on the minister to resign.
w zdrobnieniu for shortśHer name's Diana or Di for short.
przydawać się come in handyśNever throw away your notes - they may come in handy one day.
na piśmie in black and whiteśThis agreement is invalid, unless you bring it in black and white.
biurokracja red tapeśBecause of all the red tape she didn't get her visa on time and had to cancel her holidays in Mexico.
strzelić gafę commit a blunderśHe committed a blunder asking Sue about her husband, while everybody knows that she is divorced.
przyznać się do winy plead guiltyśHaving seen his face on security video-tape he couldn't use his alibi any longer and finally pleaded guilty.
szczególny dzień red-letter dayśTomorrow is my red-letter day - I am getting promoted.
widzieć białe myszki see pink elephantsśTim has a drinking problem. He drinks till he sees pink elephants.
film pornograficzny a blue movie/filmśBlue movies are rated X, which means that only people of 18 and over can watch them.
zbić kogoś na kwaśne jabłko beat somebody black and blueśTommy always threatens his little sister that he will beat her black and blue if she tells their parents about his marks at school.
uporczywy ból głowy nagging headacheśJonathan is overworked. That's why he suffers from these nagging headaches so often.
zrzędliwy mąż/żona nagging husband/wifeśI have no idea how she can stand living with such a nagging husband as hers.
przemyśleć coś chew something overśI can't give you the answer today. I simply need to chew it over.
beznadziejny związek dead-end relationshipśMary is not happy with her marriage - actually, it is a dead-end relationship.
pójść na łatwiznę choose a soft optionśHe gets on my nerves! Whenever there is something challenging, he always chooses a soft option.
uderzyć do głowy go to somebody's headśPower and success went to his head - he no longer comes to our parties.
trzymać na dystans, nie dopuszczać do siebie keep sth/sb at bayśHe always tries to keep his troubles at bay when he is on holiday.
być zostawionym samemu sobie (z kłopotami), utknąć be left strandedśThat party was a disaster! Everybody was having fun and I was left stranded with that boring guy who sat next to me.
na własne ryzyko on one's own accountśWell, you can try to run your own business, but remember that it will be on your own account.
być w najlepszej formie be at one's bestśThere is no doubt he is to win this race - he is at his best now!
nierealne, niepewne be in the airśThe initial plans to publish this book in May are quite in the air.
przedmiot sporu, kość niezgody a bone of contentionśThe choice of place for holiday turned out to be a real bone of contention in their family this year.
brzmieć znajomo, kojarzyć się z czymś ring the bellśI don't know where I might have met him, but the name rings the bell.
na wszelki wypadek just in caseśWe still have plenty of time but let's take a taxi just in case.
cudem uniknąć czegoś, o mały włos have a narrow escapeśHe had a narrow escape when he slipped on the stairs.
przestarzały, staroświecki out of dateśI don't like this design - it is absolutely out of date to me.
randka w ciemno blind dateśSheila is so desperate in her search for a husband - she's decided to have a blind date!
mieć wolne a day off (to have/take/get)śI think I am overworked - I certainly need a day off!
kółko i krzyżyk noughts and crossesśNoughts and Crosses is a very popular game among students sitting on lectures.
zakończyć coś, przerwać, fajrant call it a dayśWhy don't we call it a day and go home?
cały i zdrowy safe and soundśTo everybody's relief, he returned safe and sound from the storm.
na wolności, na swobodzie at largeśThere are fewer and fewer exotic species living at large.
wtrącać się we wszystko have a finger in every pieśI can't stand her any longer! She has to have a finger in every pie! Can't she just mind her own business?
na pierwszy rzut oka at first sightśAt first sight he seems to be a very competent person.
sprzeciwić się put one's foot downśMy boss wanted me to work on weekends but I was brave enough to put my foot down.
obowiązywać be in forceśDon't worry about that - that rule is no longer in force in our office.
robić zamieszanie z jakiegoś powodu make a fuss about sthśGosh! It is just a broken glass. Don't make a fuss about it.
psuć nastrój be a wet blanketśPlease somebody make Jane change the subject! With her stories from her childhood, she can be a real wet blanket.
nauczyć się na pamięć learn sth by heartśThere is no rule why these words collocate, you just need to learn them by heart.
wszelkimi sposobami, za wszelka cenę by all meansśBy all means this guy should work for us - he is the best specialist I have ever seen!
raz na zawsze once and for allśI tell you once and for all - I am tired of your complaining about your job! There is nothing else you can do.
nie działać be out of orderśI am sorry but this telephone is out of order. You have to go round the corner.
dla czegoś/kogoś for the sake ofśI know that this treatment is unpleasant but you should try it for the sake of your health.
pojść na skróty take a shortcutśI wouldn't rely on him - he always thinks how to take shortcuts in everything he does.
nabierać, drażnić się pull somebody's legśMary had me fooled for a while, but finally I realized she was just pulling my leg.
owijać w bawełnę, unikać przejścia do sedna sprawy beat about/around the bushśStop beating about the bush and tell me what the problem is!
sprzedawac sie bardzo szybko sell like hot cakesśThe album of this new Irish rock group sells like hot cakes - people ask for it everyday.
sprzedać bardzo tanio go for a songśThis car went for a song - the owner was leaving the country and wanted a quick sale.
rok przerwy pomiędzy szkołą średnią a studiami podczas którego podróżuje się i zdobywa doświadczenie a gap yearśI'm considering taking a gap year, to develop myself and increase my self-confidence
wstać lewą nogą get up on the wrong side of the bedśYou'd better avoid Mark today - he got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
dodawać sobie odwagi whistle in the darkśTotally alone in this big house we joked about nightmares, whistling in the dark perhaps.
ktoś niewrażliwy a cold fishśHe's such a cold fish - you can never see any emotions on his face.
kropla w morzu a drop in the oceanśWe're grateful for your help although it's just a a drop in the ocean of our needs.
oświadczyć się pop the questionśAfter seven years of dating, I finally popped the question to my girlfriend.
stchórzyć chicken outśI wanted to ask Mary out but I chickened out at the last moment.
bardzo szczęśliwy, w siódmym niebie on cloud nineśShe has been on cloud nine since she was promoted.
w głębi duszy at heartśShe said she trusted him but at heart she knew he was lying.
losowo at randomśThe burglar didn't have any plan - he just entered the shop and grabbed things at random.
w ostatniej chwili, bezzwłocznie at short noticeśI'm so sorry I ask you for help at such short notice but I didn't realize this project would be so demanding.
mieć coś w małym palcu have sth at one's fingertipsśYou can always go and ask Tom of anything concerned with maths, he just has it at his fingertips.
w ostatniej chwili at the eleventh hourśWe were so nervous that he would miss the train but he, as usual, arrived to the railway station at the eleventh hour.
paplać shoot the breeześShe can sit with her friend for hours doing nothing but shooting the breeze!
oczywiście by all meansśBy all means we will try to answer any questions, so feel free to ask.
na razie for the time beingśThat is all what we can offer for the time being but the service is still developing.
na "święty nigdy", nigdy w życiu in a month of SundaysśHe will never bring you these CDs, not even in a month of Sundays - just forget it.
w złym guście in bad tasteśTheir house is decorated in such bad taste - where did they get the idea of buying these mock rococo chairs to the living room?
być w rozterce, wahać się be in two minds about sthśWell, I don't know. I am still in two minds about buying this car. It's second-hand you know...
być na antenie be on the airśQuiet everybody! Three, two, one ... You are on the air!
zejść z anteny go off the airśThis program was very popular so the information that it went off the air caused a wave of protest.
nie być dostępnym w sprzedaży out of stockśI'm so sorry but this camera is out of stock now. Can I propose a different model within the same price?
rzucić kogoś na głęboką wodę throw somebody in at the deep endśYou want to learn Spanish? There's no better way than to throw yourself in at the deep end - go to Spain.
bardzo się różnić be worlds apartśI really like this book but I guess it is worlds apart from what the real situation is.
wierzchołek góry lodowej the tip of the icebergśThe problems we've already experienced are just the tip of the iceberg, I'm afraid.
niech się dzieje co chce come what mayśI don't care that he is going to be there with his new girlfriend! I will be at the party tonight come what may.
nade wszystko first and foremostśWe need peace and stability first and foremost - these are the most important things.
pogodzić się z czymś come to terms with sthśShe can't come to terms with the fact that she was fired for being late all the time.
za nic na świecie for all the tea in ChinaśOh, come on! I am not going to ask him such question! Not for all the tea in China!
w Anglii - drugi dzień Świąt Bożego Narodzenia Boxing DayśBoxing Day - the day after Christmas, which is a public holiday in the UK, or the first Monday after Christmas if Christmas is on Friday or Saturday. It is called 'Boxing Day' because traditionally it was the day when servants were given a 'Christmas box'
świetnie się bawić (zwykle chodząc od baru do baru) to paint the town redśLet's paint the town red, boys! That was a difficult test and we all did well. We need to celebrate it.
denerwować, drażnić to put sb's back upśThe way he discussed things with her really put her back up.
nazywać rzeczy po imieniu to call a spade a spadeśStop moaning that that you don't like the idea! Just go to your boss and call a spade a spade!
przestać coś robić to put the brakes onśI think we will have to put the brakes on spending so much money on leisure activities.
ze wstrzymanym oddechem with bated breathśThey waited for the news with bated breath.
porządny, solidny posiłek square mealśNo wonder you feel sick! All you've been eating recently are those instant soups! Get yourself one square meal a day and you will be fine.
kompromis give-and-takeśYou can't insist on having that your way. There must be some sort of give-and-take.
zrobić komuś piekło na ziemi, spowodować cierpienie put sb through hellśOur boss put us through hell before he admitted that actually it wasn't our fault that we had failed with the deadline.
przybić piątkę to give sb fiveśThat was great! Give me five!
być sensownym, dać się udowodnić (pozytywnie) to hold waterśThis theory was easy to abolish - the arguments simply didn't hold water.
łapówka hush moneyśMany politicians are believed to accept hush money.
odszczekać coś, przyznać się do błędu to eat sb's wordsśThe President went too far. I think that public opinion will force him to eat his words.
nago in sb's birthday suitśHe was a very controversial figure - he happened to appear on stage in his birthday suit.
przemawiać, zabrać głos w dyskusji to take the floorśWe know the opinion of the prosecutor. Let the defence take the floor now.
uderzająco podobny do kogoś spitting image of sbśBelieve it or not but he is the spitting image of Dan Ackroyd.
obiecujący naukowiec budding scientistśThe Academy authorities think he is a budding scientist so he is pampered with grants and scholarships.
o brzasku, o świcie at the crack of dawnśWe have to set off at the crack of dawn tomorrow - it gets scorching hot during the day and travelling then is not possible.
znać jak własną kieszeń to know sth like the back of sb's handśI can be your guide in this city - I grew up here so I know the place like the back of my hand.
zupełnie trzeźwy, trzeźwy jak świnia to be as sober as a judgeśYou may not believe me but I know what I saw - I was sober as a judge when it happened.
narażać się, podejmować ryzyko to stick sb's neck outśJack says he is not a coward, he just doesn't like to stick his neck out if it isn't absolutely necessary.
zabawa w chowanego hide-and-seekśLet's play hide-and-seek! I'm seeking first...
wyjść z siebie, wściec się to fly off the handleśI swear - one more remark like this and I will fly off the handle!
rozwodzić się nad czymś, wałkować coś to labour the pointśDon't even bother asking him! He will labour the point for ages, and I think you need the answer pretty fast.
wielka szycha a big noiseśThis guy is said to be a big noise in drug trafficking. The police have been after him for a long time.
o podobnych poglądach, upodobaniach to be after sb's own heartśThis guy is after my own heart - I think it is worth making friends with him.
wciskać gaz do dechy, palić gumy to burn rubberśHe has got another ticket! He simply can't drive if he doesn't burn rubber!
nie obchodzić, nie interesować (w przeczeniach) (not) give a tossśI don't give a toss that you are tired. You are supposed to finish it today! (nic mnie nie obchodzi, że...)
spływaj! take a hike!śHe got so annoying that finally I told him to take a hike.
pieniądze albo życie! Stand and deliver!ś'I said - stand and deliver or the devil he may take ya!' (Metallica "Whiskey in the Jar")
odchodzić od zmysłów to be at one's wits' endśShe was at her wits' end when she learnt that the avalanche was in the area where her kids usually went skiing.
łatwo przyszło, łatwo poszło easy come easy gośI've lost the money you gave me last week - well, easy come easy go.
trzymać kciuki to keep sb's fingers crossedśGood luck! I will keep my fingers crossed.
bez cienia wątpliwości without a shadow of a doubtśI can guarantee that - without a shadow of a doubt this car is the best in its class on the market.
to jest z góry przesądzone it's a foregone conclusionśWho was to win this match was a foregone conclusion. The team is the national representation after all...
przejść do sedna get straight to the pointśCarol! Could you just get straight to the point? You want to borrow some money, right?
wbić komuś nóż w plecy to stab sb in the backśI thought I can trust him! And he went to the head office and told them everything - he stabbed me in the back!
dziecinnie proste dead easyśListen! Reported Speech is dead easy - I can explain it to you if you want...
twardy orzech do zgryzienia a tough nut to crackśThis project turned out to be a tough nut to crack.
poniżej oczekiwań, niewystarczająco dobry it isn't up to scratchśHe rejected this market analysis. He said it wasn't up to scratch.
dobijać, dawać się we znaki to be killing sbśI had my first horse - riding lesson yesterday and today my back is killing me...
pozbierać się po chorobie, stanąć na nogi to be back on sb's feetśHe took a doctor's leave for a week, but he's back on his feet now.
w szczerym polu in the middle of nowhereśTom didn't take the map with him so after several hours of going in circles we ended up in the middle of nowhere.
na odludziu, poza 'utartym szlakiem' off the beaten trackśHis cottage is off the beaten track, so you may need explicit instructions how to get there.
zasięgnąć rady (kogoś kto się na tym zna), skonsultować coś to pick sb's brainsśTerry, I need to pick your brains about the computer software - I've heard you are an expert.
'przykurzony' (o umiejętnościach, znajomości np. języka itp.) (to be) a bit rustyśMy apologies if my Spanish is a bit rusty, I hope you understand the intention of the message.
'odkurzyć', podszlifować (umiejętności, jezyk itp.) to brush upśMy French has got a bit rusty, I'm afraid. I will need to brush it up before the holidays.
'zaczaić' coś, załapać (jak coś działa, lub na czym polega) to get the hang of sthśAnd then, as I finally got the hang of this new system, everything turned out to be so easy.
mieć o czymś pojęcie to have a clueśThis new secretary is cute and really tries to do her best but, honestly speaking, she doesn't seem to have a clue what it is all about.
mieć coś na końcu języka to have sth on the tip of sb's tongueśGosh! I had the answer on the tip of my tongue but of course it wasn't enough to pass the exam...
zapomnieć czegoś, wylecieć z pamięci to slip sb's mindśI felt so terrible when I bought her these roses... It slipped my mind that she is allergic to them!
przejęzyczenie a slip of the tongueśIt was just a slip of the tongue but in politics it may cost you your career.
strzał w stopę (samobój) to shoot oneself in the footśHe shot himself in the foot when he decided to cut on public spending - he lost the support immediately.
szkodzić np. firmie, w której samemu się pracuje to rock the boatśI don't know what he is up to but he rocks the boat! Somebody should tell him it will do him no good.
nie zrozumieć czegoś, spudłować to miss the pointśWell, I don't know what to think about him - he seems to be quite clever but his last speech proved that he missed the whole point of this campaign.
popis, mający na celu zdobycie poklasku show-offśDon't worry. We still have the chance. His lawyer's defence speech was nothing more but a rhetorical show-off.
'zedrzeć z kogoś' (cenowo) to rip sb offśDon't go to that hairdresser over there. It's nothing special but they will rip you off!
być nadzianym to be loadedśLook at the car he is driving! This guy has to be pretty loaded...
pasażer bez przerwy pouczający kierowcę samochodu a backseat driverśI hated travelling with my parents - my dad took it patiently but, to tell the truth, my mum was a terrible backseat driver.
guzdrała a slowcoachśJimmy! Hurry up, please! You're such a slowcoach! Can't you move faster?
przeczytać coś od deski do deski to read sth from cover to coverśThis novel was so thrilling that I simply read it from cover to cover during one night!
to konieczność (koniecznie trzeba zobaczyć, przeczytać, etc) It's a mustśThis movie is a must! It's a breakthrough in Hollywood business.
cięta, złośliwa uwaga a cutting/biting remarkśFinally, I was fed up with his biting remarks about my size and I left him.
źródło problemu the root of the problemśThe root of the problem is that they don't learn enough to pass this exam.
ktoś małomówny a man of few wordsśMichael is a man of few words, but when he speaks, people listen.
pracować bez wytchnienia to keep one's nose to the grindstoneśJust try to keep your nose to the grindstone and you'll certainly pass the final exam.
mieć związane ręce, nie móc nic zrobić hands are tiedśI would really like to help you but my hands are tied... I have to wait for Mark's decision.
cięty język a sharp tongueśI like her, but sometimes her sharp tongue irritates me so much.
pierwsze koty za płoty the first pancake is always spoiledśDon't worry! The first pancake is always spoiled. Just try again.
nie wywołuj wilka z lasu let sleeping dogs lieśJust don't tell her that he's back in town. I suppose it's better to let sleeping dogs lie.
w dobrej wierze in good faithśThe information is provided in good faith, however we accept no responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
wilk syty i owca cała; mieć ciastko i zjeść ciastko have your cake and eat itśYou can't have your cake and eat it. If you want high quality you have to pay for it.
oddawać komuś sprawiedliwość give sb their dueśMike's not very talkative , but to give him his due, you can always count on him.
wtykać nos w poke/stick your nose into sthśShe's always poking her nose into other people's business.
tymczasem in the interimśI'll be back in few minutes. In the interim please read the extract from the novel.
zaostrzać apetyt to whet sb's appetiteśThe trip was marvellous. We had a great time and the whole experience whetted our appetite for more.
z palcem w nosie, z łatwością (with your) hands downśDon't stay up all night, his tests are so easy you'll pass them with your hands down.
dowiadywać sie co w trawie piszczy to keep sb's ear to the groundśI have no idea what they are up to, but I will keep my ear to the ground. Once I learn what they plan, I'll let you know.
mądry Polak po szkodzie hindsight is always 20-20śNow I know I should have stayed in that job, but hindsight is always 20-20 - I couldn't have known it when I was leaving.
trzymać się z daleka steer away fromśIf I were you I would steer away from this guy. He is a womaniser - don't waste your time with him.
z własnej inicjatywy off your own batśDon't say I told you to do it, you did it off your own bat and I had nothing to do with it.
nudny jak flaki z olejem as dull as ditchwaterśThe guy I'm going to the wedding with is nice enough, but as dull as ditchwater. I had better take my walkman...
baba z wozu, koniom lżej good riddance (to bad rubbish)śSo, I hear Rupert has left you? Well, good riddance: he gave you nothing but trouble anyway.
mieć mieszane uczucia to have mixed feelingsśI have mixed feelings about Mark. I like him but I think he has some dark secrets.
zbierać się na odwagę to pluck up courageśAfter few days Mike decided to pluck up courage and ask Helen out.
odkładać coś na czarną godzinę to save something for a rainy dayśDon't spend all your money just like that! You'd better save some for a rainy day.
lubić słodycze to have a sweet toothśKelly has a sweet tooth. She can eat candies and chocolates all day long.
rzecz równie ważna (mimo, że wymieniona na końcu) last but not leastśAnd last but not least, I would like to thank my parents for all the support they give me.
zaciemniać obraz to muddy the watersśFor some reason they want to muddy the waters. I think their business is not quite legal...
łatwy cel a sitting duckśOld people who walk after dark in the dimly lit streets are sitting ducks.
pracować za marne grosze to work for peanutsśSarah says she doesn't mind working for peanuts as long as she can see that her work is appreciated.
mieć wszystkie atuty w ręku to hold the gunsśWell, it's hard to come up with any reasonable argument in this discussion if he holds the guns.
kasa jest pusta the cupboard is bareśI would love to go with you sailing but this month the cupboard is bare.
psychiatryk, wariatkowo loony binśGee... Sometimes when I listen to her opinions I can't help thinking that she qualifies for some loony bin...
palić opium lub heroinę to chase the dragonśWhen the police entered the abandoned factory hall, they found a dozen of young people chasing the dragon there.
wygrać los na loterii, zgarnąć całą pulę to hit the jackpotś'How does it come that he can afford such a car if he works at a construction site!? He must have hit the jackpot or something!'
wisielczy humor gallows humourśThe 'Pythons' are famous for their gallows humour.
gorączka złota gold rushśThe most famous gold rush was The California Gold Rush that began in 1848.
cel uświęca środki the end justifies the meansśMany people strongly oppose the machiavellian approach that the end justifies the means.
mieć depresję, 'doła' to be down in the dumpsśWell, you can try to ask her out but she is down in the dumps and I can't promise that she will answer the phone first of all...
zachowywać powagę, nie wybuchać śmiechem keep a straight faceśToby can't tell jokes. He never keeps a straight face and starts laughing right before the punch line.
prędzej kaktus mi tu wyrośnie! When hell freezes over!śNo way! Next time I'll talk to her is when hell freezes over!
niezła sumka pretty pennyśHe hit the jackpot and quite unexpectedly got pretty penny on his bank account.
puszczać kaczki na wodzie to play ducks and drakesś'It's incredible! I can't find any single pebble here!' 'Oh, probably some kids were playing ducks and drakes here and they threw them all to water.'
obrzucić kogoś błotem to sling mud at sbśThis presidential campaign was nothing more than mud slinging.
zamykamy! (in a pub) time please!śTime please! These were the last drinks. Please come back tomorrow.
z głębi serca from the bottom of one's heartśI would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help.
słomiany zapał; fiasko; klapa a flash in the panśHe wants to learn foreign languages, but it may be only a flash in the pan.
z własnej woli, inicjatywy of one's own accordśI didn't ask him to clean up my car - he did it of his own accord.
być dobrze sytuowanym, bogatym to be well offśI think they must be well off - judging from their house and the car in the backyard...
mieć widoki na powodzenie to stand a chanceśI'd apply for this job if I were you, I think you stand a chance.
myśleć o własnej korzyści; mieć własny interes na uwadze have an eye for/on the main chanceśJerry doesn't bother about other people and only has an eye on the main chance.
pilnować własnego nosa, interesu to mind one's own businessśWhy don't you stop criticizing me?! Mind your own business!
być wtajemniczonym w coś to be in the knowśI should ask Roger; he's the boss and he's in the know.
odpłacić, odwdzięczyć się to repay in kindśIf you help a neighbour, he may repay in kind.
nierówno, nieregularnie, sporadycznie, zrywami in fits and startsśHe isn't very persevering; he only works in fits and starts.
zakomunikować komuś przykrą wiadomość to break the news to sbśI had the unpleasant duty of breaking the news of John's death to his wife.
mieć duszę na ramieniu; drżeć ze strachu to have one's heart in one's mouthśWhen I think of my exam tomorrow, I have my heart in my mouth.
stracić wiarę w coś to lose heartśDon't lose heart because you cannot solve the problem straight away.
mieć dobre serce to have one's heart in the right placeśHe has not a very pleasant manner, but his heart is in the right place.
do odważnych świat należy faint heart never won fair ladyśIt's high time we made a decision! C'mon, faint heart never won fair lady.
spaść na cztery łapy to land/fall on one's feetśJim is a type of a guy that, no matter what, seems to land on his feet.
nie pisnę ani słowa my lips are sealedśI won't tell anyone you love Henrietta. My lips are sealed.
odpyskować bite/snap sb's head offśI only asked if I could borrow the book. There's no need to bite my head off!
ile dusza zapragnie to one's heart's contentśThere's a new restaurant on the corner. For just $10 you can eat to your heart's content.
być jedną nogą w grobie have one foot in the graveśYou know this old lady that lives on second floor? She has one foot in the grave but still behaves as if she were 20. ;-)
nie ma tego złego, co by na dobre nie wyszło Every cloud has a silver lining.śOswald was very depressed after being fired but he found another job in just few days. Well, every cloud has a silver lining.
wszędzie dobrze gdzie nas nie ma the grass is greener on the other side of the fenceśWhen you look at other homes, the grass is often greener on the other side of the fence.
stchórzyć, rozmyślić się to get cold feetśThey'll be married next week; if Chester doesn't get cold feet.
duża odprawa a golden handshakeśMs. Robinson retired early because her company offered her a golden handshake.
przenośnia; zwrot, wyrażenie retoryczne figure of speechśWhen I said it was a battle to the death it was just a figure of speech.
ranny ptaszek an early birdśMy father is an early bird, he gets up at 5.30 every day.
czarna owca (w rodzinie) the black sheep (of the family)śEverybody says he's the black sheep of the family - he left home when he was 17 and became a singer.
zielony z zazdrości green with envyśWhen they see my new boyfriend, all the girls will turn green with envy.
rok przestępny leap yearśYear 2004 is a leap year, with 29 days in February.
"napisz do Kasi", kolumna z poradami dla czytelników agony columnśI just love to read the agony column in teenage magazines. Their problems are sometimes so weird.
niewinne kłamstewko white lieśWhite lies are sometimes inevitable in order to protect other people's feelings.
bank rezerw federalnych, przenośnie: bardzo dobrze strzeżone miejsce Fort KnoxśMy house is now like Fort Knox but I had to do it - I was burgled three times last month.
wściec się to see redśWhen Chris told me he'd crashed my car, I just saw red.
New York City the Big AppleśI'm planning to visit the Big Apple this year.
zabrać głos to take the floorśThe Prime Minister will take the floor in budget discussion on Wednesday.
wrabiać kogoś to frame / to be framedś"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is my favourite movie from the nineties.
sorry za słówka excuse my FrenchśI really wanted to provide the pronunciation to this fucking word "ophthalmologist" but it turned out to be impossible, excuse my French.
speluna z tanim żarciem greasy spoonśI'm broke, today we have to eat at this greasy spoon at the corner.
świetnie sie dogadywać to get on like a house on fireśTom and Jerry get on like a house on fire. They've been friends for years.
chodzić na wagary to play truantśMore and more children are caught playing truant.
rozgościć się make oneself at homeśFrank! So many years! Come in and make yourself at home. Something to drink?
dostać piany, wściec się to get hot under the collarśWhen he saw his girlfriend winking at the guy sitting next to her, he simply got hot under the collar.
przymknąć na coś oko; udawać, że się nie widzi czegoś to turn a blind eyeśThe farmer knew that the boys from the neighbourhood stole his apples but he simply turned a blind eye to it.
bezradny jak dziecko a babe in the woodsśWhen it comes to dealing with computers, he's a babe in the woods. He definitely needs someone to help.
strzał w ciemno, na chybił trafił a shot in the darkśIt was just a shot in the dark. I don't know what the correct answer is.
dolewać oliwy do ognia to add fuel to the fire/flamesśMichael is furious at me. Telling him that I took his book will only add fuel to the fire.
ktoś, kto preferuje siedzący tryb życia - cały dzień siedzi na kanapie, je chipsy i ogląda telewizję ;-) couch potatośOur 9-year-old son is a real couch potato who wants to spend all his free time watching television.
bez recepty over the counterśI'm afraid you can't buy this medicine over the counter, you must have a prescription.
upiec dwie pieczenie na jednym ogniu to kill two birds with one stoneśBy enrolling her son in a hobby class Mary has killed two birds with one stone. Not only is he learning something useful but he is also watching less TV.
zagłaskać kota na śmierć to kill somebody with kindnessśMy husband is killing me with kindness. Sometimes I just need to be left alone and he wants to spend all day with me.
przeżywać dobry, pomyślny okres; być "na fali" be on the crest of a waveśThe Rasmus are currently on the crest of a wave, they are extremely popular among teenagers.
robić, załatwiać sprawunki to run errandsśI have to run errands for my parents after my school.
podporządkować się to toe the lineśTwo members have been expelled from the party as they didn't toe the party line in voting.
robić coś spontanicznie, improwizować to play something by earśIf our plan fails, we can always play it by ear. It might work.
być czymś zainteresowany, lubić coś to be into somethingśDon't ask me about Manga - I am not into it at all.
przeczesać coś to go over with a fine-tooth combśShe went over her boyfriend's stuff with a fine-tooth comb just to make sure he does not date anybody else.
zmyć sie po cichu make oneself scarceśThe atmosphere in the room was getting more and more tense, so I made myself scarce on the first possible occasion.
być na usługach kogoś (tajnych) be in the pay of sbśHmmm... I have the impression that some data have been leaking from the company since Hans was employed here... Do you think he may be in the pay of our competitor?
policzek a slap in the faceśIt was a real slap in the face when she didn't answer my phone calls.
wyzywać kogoś to call sb namesśHe called her names when she refused to date him, which only proved that it was actually a right decision...
to mój problem, nic ci do tego that's my funeralś'You eat too much! You will put on weight!' 'That's my funeral...'
wierzchem on horsebackśTravelling on horseback took days and one could never be sure that they would reach their destination.
nie za dobry ... to be not much of a ...śUgh! She is not much of a singer, I'm afraid.
biegiem! leg itśWhat are you waiting for?! Leg it to the nearest newsagent's and buy this issue - there is an article about your uncle Tim!
poczta pantoflowa the grapevineśI heard on/through the grapevine that you are moving to Warsaw, is that true?
dobrze (jemu/jej) tak! to serve him/her rightśFrank's girlfriend has left him?! Serves him right! He behaved like a shmuck!
spełznąć na niczym to go up in smokeśWe wanted to visit my friends that weekend but it turned out that Terry had to work on Saturday and our plans simply went up in smoke.
wypchaj się! Get stuffed!śI tried to be nice to him but finally he went too far! I simply told him to get stuffed...
zakopać topór wojenny to bury the hatchetśOf course this old quarrel is long forgotten! Why don't Kate and Mike bury the hatchet at last?
naprawić coś, uporządkować to pick up the piecesśAfter the fire in the factory, it took weeks to pick up the pieces and get production back to normal again.
udzielić komuś reprymendy to throw the book at someoneśMy boss threw the book at me for not correcting the report properly.
błędne koło a vicious circleśHe thinks he is a failure so he drinks. The more he drinks the more he fails. It's a vicious circle.
nie śpieszyć się, robić coś powoli to take one's timeśWe don't need these articles to be translated tomorrow, so relax, take your time and submit them next week.
mieć ostatnie słowo to have the last wordśMy father always likes to have the last word in any discussion.
wziąć coś pod uwagę to take something into accountśRemember to take his age into account when deciding what kind of work to give him.
ulubieniec a blue-eyed boyśTom was always jealous of his younger brother because he knew Jack was their mother's blue-eyed boy.
być zdrowym to be in the pinkśMy sister is finally back in the pink after having a bad cold for two weeks.
dla odmiany for a changeśShe always seemed rather serious so it was nice to see her laugh for a change.
nie moja "działka" not my sceneśI don't like heavy metal music. It's not my scene.
zakochać się to fall for someoneśJulie goes to this pub every night because she has fallen for its barman.
zabić czas to kill timeśI only read magazines in doctors' waiting rooms to kill time.
mieć złote serce to have a heart of goldśMr Brown has a heart of gold, he would do anything to make his children happy.
Łapy precz! Hands off!śHands off those chocolates! They are mine!
jednym słowem in a wordśShe wasn't able to explain this situation to me. In a word, she is guilty.
rzut beretem a stone's throwśOh, come on! Go and get me some drinks, the shop is just a stone's throw from here.
czas się skończył! Time's up!śTime's up now, put down your pens and leave the class, please.
na dobre for goodśJane has gone to France - for good. She's not coming back.
dla zabawy for a laugh - dla zabawyśThey put salt in his tea just for a laugh but he didn't find it funny.
od samego początku from scratchśI learned Spanish from scratch at university.
płakać bardzo mocno, ryczeć to cry one's eyes outśJulie cried her eyes out when she failed an important exam.
od stóp do glów from head to footśThe dog was covered in mud from head to foot.
w podróży on the roadśSteve's job involves being on the road six days a week.
wszystko dobre, co się dobrze kończy all's well that ends wellśThe weather was terrible when we arrived in France but after two days it changed completely and we had a wonderful holiday. All's well that ends well.
pomimo wszystkich przeciwności against all oddsśAgainst all odds, he won that contest and became a well-known actor.
wykluczone out of the questionśI will not let my son go to France on his own. It is out of the question.
pomóc komuś to give someone a handśCould you please give me a hand with the luggage? It's really heavy.
krótko mówiąc, w skrócie in a nutshellśI don't really like him, in a nutshell, I think he is an idiot.
znienacka, nieoczekiwanie out of the blueśThe letter came out of the blue - I didn't expect to hear from him ever again.
mieć cięty język to have a sharp tongueśI try to avoid discussions with her - she's got a sharp tongue and she can upset me.
igrać z ogniem to play with fireśTom is negotiating with two publishers at the same time for the same novel. He's playing with fire.
być na czyimś miejscu to be in somebody's shoesśI wouldn't like to be in Susan's shoes - imagine taking that difficult exam again!
świetny, doskonały out of this worldśThis restaurant is rather expensive but the food is really out of this world!
punktualnie dead on timeśI can't be late - Jack always arrives dead on time!
krok po kroku step by stepśDon't try to teach her everything at one time, do it step by step.
kłaść czemuś kres to put a stop to somethingśHe doesn't work and only spends my sister's money; I have to put a stop to it!
od deski do deski from cover to coverśI always read detective stories from cover to cover; they're so exciting!
zadzwonić do kogoś to give someone a buzzśSorry. I have to go now, but I will give you a buzz later, ok?
nic trudnego, pestka a piece of cakeśClimbing that mountain was a piece of cake. No problem at all.
wygadać się, wyjawić sekret to spill the beansśI showed Tom my present for our mother and asked him not to spill the beans.
jeść jak koń to eat like a horseśI'm not surprised he's fat, he eats like a horse!
spać jak zabity to sleep like a logśDid you sleep well last night? Yes, thanks. Like a log!
krokodyle (nieszczere) łzy crocodile tearsśI don't feel sorry for her. They're only crocodile tears.
akt rozpaczy a counsel of despairśHer desicion to leave the country after she was fired was a counsel of despair.
bardzo szczęsliwy/a on top of the worldśShe's feeling on top of the world when he won the prize.
przychodzić do głowy / na myśl to cross one's mindśIt never crossed my mind that he could be in love with me.
urządzić przyjęcie, imprezę to throw a partyśWe're throwing a party for Jim's birthday next week.
gra warta świeczki the game worth the candleś- I'm going to do everything to marry him! - But Ann, is the game worth the candle?!
być szalonym, postradać zmysły to be out of one's mindśShe must be out of her mind to want to marry such a fool!
czasami, niekiedy at timesśI think everyone gets a bit lonely at times.
być w tej samej (zwykle złej) sytuacji to be in the same boatśJane and I are in the same boat; neither of us has got a job.
brać sobie coś do serca to take something to heartśI didn't really mean that your husband is silly, so don't take it to heart.
być wyrzuconym/wylanym z pracy to get the sackśTom wasn't good enough at work and he got the sack.
czytać komuś w myślach to read someone's mind/thoughtsśWe understand each other very well and I sometimes think she reads my mind.
oszukać kogoś, nabrać to take someone for a rideśBe careful when doing business with him; he may take you for a ride.
traktować kogoś/coś poważnie to take somebody/something seriouslyśDon't take everything he says seriously; he jokes a lot.
pośpiesz się! Get a move on!śCome on, get a move on! I don't want to be late.
załamywać się, tracić panowanie nad sobą to go to piecesśAfter his child was badly injured in a car accident, he simply went to pieces.
wściec się to hit the roofśMy parents hit the roof when I told them that I failed my exam again.
sprzeczać się, kłócić się to have words with somebodyśI think Mark had words with his girlfriend today because he is very nervous.
z zimną krwią in cold bloodśHe killed the girl in cold blood just to get the money.
czas to pieniądz time is moneyśCome on, hurry up! Remember, time is money.
opanować się, wziąć się w garść to pull yourself togetherśPull yourself together and come back to work, please.
teoretycznie, w teorii in theoryśHis plans always sound great in theory but they don't work in practice.
nie przejmuj się, wyluzuj się take it easyśDon't despair if you fail that exam; take it easy.
i co z tego? so what?śShe's angry at you. So what? I don't like her anyway.
w praniu in the washśOh, I can't put on my red skirt! It's in the wash.
mieć rację, słuszność to be in the rightśThere's no need to apologize; you were in the right.
źle, opacznie kogoś zrozumieć to get somebody wrongśDon't get me wrong. I didn't want to say he was a fool.
niezwykły, specjalny, niecodzienny out of the ordinaryśMy friend's paintings are out of the ordinary; I've never seen something like that before.
całe wieki donkey's yearsśMary's been working in my company for donkey's years and I won't sack her now.
robić sobie żarty/jaja z kogoś to take the mickey (out of somebody)śMike was taking the mickey out of me when I was dancing.
dotrzymywać słowa to keep one's wordśSue said she would help me to find a job and I hope she will keep her word.
bardzo zmęczony dog tiredśHe's been working all day and night; he must be dog tired.
wiązać koniec z końcem to make ends meetśThey're really poor; it's hard for them to make ends meet.
mnóstwo pieniędzy an arm and a legśThat car is great but it cost me an arm and a leg.
gniewne, pełne nienawiści spojrzenie a black lookśMary gave me a black look when I entered the office.
publicznie in publicśShe feels bad about her divorce and she has never spoken about it in public.
Uważaj jak idziesz! Watch your step!śWatch your step! The floor is very slippery.
cofnąć dane słowo, wycofać sie z obietnicy go back on one's wordśI promised to give Frank some money and I can't go back on my word now.
na zasiłku dla bezrobotnych on the doleśShe's been on the dole for two years and she still hasn't got a job.
próbować czegoś to have a stab at sthśI've never tried diving in my life but I'll have a stab at it in Egypt.
Spływaj, zjeżdżaj! Get lost!śI can't stand your behaviour any more. Get lost!
mrowienie, 'mrówki' pins and needlesśI've got pins and needles in my leg! I have to move it.
być w radosnym nastroju to be in high spiritsśMary passed her last exam yesterday and she was in high spirits all day.
zdecydować się nagle coś zrobić to take sth into your headśHe seems to have taken it into his head to ask Ann to marry him.
wyjaśniać coś to get sth straightśLet's get this straight. You're sure you didn't leave your wallet at home, right?
zmieszany, zakłopotany lub zły (all) hot and botheredśJim gets all hot and bothered when I mention his ex-girlfriend.
denerwować się, mieć tremę to have butterflies in one's stomachśI had butterflies in my stomach when I was waiting for the results of my exam yesterday.
mieć nosa do czegoś to have a (good) nose for sthśHe's a brilliant reporter who has a good nose for interesting stories.
uparty jak osioł as stubborn as a muleśI was trying to make my father go to a doctor at last but he's as stubborn as a mule.
po moim trupie! over my dead body!śI want to sell our house. Over my dead body! That house will never be sold.
bardzo rzadko once in a blue moonśI only go to the theatre once in a blue moon; I prefer cinema.
pogarszać się to go to the dogsśThe country is going to the dogs; we really need a new government.
kosztować fortunę, masę pieniędzy to cost a bombśIt's a very beautiful house but I'm afraid it must cost a bomb!
marnie, słabo (czuć się, wyglądać) off colourśSue was looking off colour when I met her. I'm worried about her.
nie móc nic powiedzieć (z powodu suchości w gardle lub ze zdenerwowania) to have a frog in your throatśThe lecturer asked me to present my paper in front of all students but I couldn't because I had a frog in my throat.
zarozumialec, ważniak a big-headśTom told me that all his friends are less intelligent than he is. He's such a big head!
mówić bzdury, głupstwa to talk rubbishśI don't really like Mark; he talks rubbish most of the time.
mówić o kimś za jego/jej plecami to talk behind one's backśI don't feel good at work as I know my colleagues are always talking behind my back.
nie na temat off the pointśWe were all talking about our jobs so Nick's comment on his marriage was rather off the point.
powiedzieć coś nietaktownego, nie na miejscu to drop a brickśI dropped a brick when I told my brother I didn't like Mary at all; I didn't know he was seeing her.
utrzymać coś w tajemnicy to keep sth quietśI didn't want to worry my sick mother and I managed to keep my divorce quiet for some time.
zrozumieć coś to make head or tail of sthśCan you help me? I can't make head or tail of these instructions on the radio.
zamienić się w słuch to be all earsśI'm all ears- tell me how it happened that you've come back to Poland.
z zawodu by professionśMy mother works as an English teacher but she's an economist by profession.
nie mówiąc już o.. let aloneśI hardly ever go to the cinema, let alone the theatre.
w pewnym sensie in a senseśIn a sense she's right, but I still don't understand her point of view.
mieć smykałkę do ogrodnictwa to have green fingersśMy husband has got green fingers - look at our flowers in the garden.
podejrzewać, że coś jest źle, nie tak to smell a ratśHelen smelled a rat when her son started going out every evening so she followed him once and saw him buying drugs near a night club.
siedzieć w więzieniu, odsiadywać karę to do timeśThe man who attacked my friend last year is doing time for murder now.
pójść wcześnie spać to have an early nightśI'm going to have an early night tonight because I'm really tired.
wbijać komuś coś do głowy to hammer sth into someoneśMy brother and I always had it hammered into us that we should respect old people.
młody duchem young at heartśAlthough my mother is over fifty, she's very energetic and young at heart.
wyrzucić coś z siebie, zrzucić ciężar z serca to get sth off your chestśI kept on thinking about telling Mark that he hurt me and I was glad to get it off my chest at last.
stracić twarz, honor to lose faceśI guess John thinks he would lose face if he admitted he had made a mistake.
z otwartymi ramionami, chętnie with open armsśI accepted Kate's invitation to her birthday party with open arms.
popaść w rutynę to be in a rutśI think I have to change my lifestyle; I'm in a rut.
przerywać to cut sth/sb shortśI intended to explain the whole situation to him but he cut me short.
nie zgadzać się z kimś, sprzeczać się to take issue with sbśMy sister took issue with me over my opinion of one of the leading politicians in our country.
nadstawiać uszy/u to prick up your earsśI pricked up my ears when I heard my parents speaking about me.
zbyt piękne, by było prawdziwe too good to be trueśI still can't believe I got that job. It's just too good to be true.
robić coś z zasady, regularnie coś robić to make it a rule to do sthśI make it a rule to eat a lot vegetables.
poza mapą, odległy, daleki off the mapśI can't remember the name of the place where Jenny lives; it's a tiny village way off the map.
żyć cicho, samemu, bez towarzystwa to keep oneself to oneselfśMary hardly ever goes out with us; she keeps herself to herself.
osiąść, zakorzenić się, ustatkować to put down rootsśHe finally put down roots after living and working in many different places.
być spłukanym, bez kasy to be brokeśI'm afraid I can't lend you any money; I'm absolutely broke.
ryzykować własne życie to take your life in your handsśEvery time my son goes parachuting, he takes his life in his hands.
robić, stroić miny to make/pull facesśI know that my pupils often make faces behind my back.
robić scenę, awanturę to make a sceneśPlease don't make a scene. I'll do what you want.
pod przysięgą under oathśI was asked to tell my story under oath at the trial.
kłębek nerwów, bardzo nerwowa osoba a bundle of nervesśAfter all the problems I've had recently I'm just a bundle of nerves now.
klnąć jak szewc to swear like a sailorśI don't like George; he's vulgar and swears like a sailor.
ciąg myśli train of thoughtśStop interrupting me or I'll lose my train of thought.
śmiertelnie przerażony scared to deathśLast night I was scared to death when I discovered that someone was following me.
na wynos to gośCan I have two small pizzas- to go, please?
bardzo chory as sick as a dogśI was as sick as a dog after eating a hamburger from a fast food restaurant yesterday.
umrzeć, przekręcić się, 'gryźć ziemię' to bite the dustśJohn was already 89 when he bit the dust.
ciekawość to pierwszy stopień do piekła curiosity killed the catśDon't ask her any questions about her marriage. Remember, curiosity killed the cat.
pięta Achillesa Achilles heelśSpeaking in public is my Achilles heel; I'm simply too shy.
zupełnie goły, całkiem nagi stark nakedśThe small children playing on the beach were stark naked.
na łożu śmierci at death's doorśMy poor grandmother is very ill now and I'm afraid she's at death's door.
czuć to w kościach to feel it in one's bonesśIt's going to be a long and cold winter- I can feel it in my bones.
czytać między wierszami to read between the linesśHe said he was very tired, but, reading between the lines, he simply didn't feel like coming to my party.
wstawaj! rise and shineśCome on! Rise and shine. We've got to leave now.
zejdź mi z oczu! get out of my face!śI didn't ask you for your silly comments. Get out of my face!
wypisane na twarzy written all over one's faceśWhen Nick was told that he hadn't won the contest, disappointment was written all over his face.
zupełnie inny, nie mający nic wspólnego a far cry from sthśThis house is a far cry from the one we were shown yesterday; it's much nicer.
biedny jak mysz kościelna as poor as a church mouseśWe have to help her; she's as poor as a church mouse.
teraz albo nigdy it's now or neverśIf you really want to speak to me, it's now or never. I'm leaving tomorrow.
nie wiedzieć czy się śmiać czy płakać to not know whether to laugh or cryśWhen the teacher gave me the test and I looked at the questions, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
skończyć z nawykiem, rzucić coś to kick a/the habitśJohn used to smoke a lot but he kicked the habit 2 years ago.
zejść na ziemię to come down to earthśCome down to earth and stop dreaming about Mark; he doesn't even like you.
jeśli mnie pamięć nie myli if my memory serves me correctlyśThat guy's name is Ben - if my memory serves me correctly.
głośno oklaskiwać to give sb a big handśThe audience gave me a big hand when I finished my speech.
stek kłamstw a pack of liesśWhat Jack told me about you is a pack of lies; I don't believe him.
z rzędu in a rowśIt was very cold and it snowed for three days in a row.
podnieść na kogoś rękę to raise one's hand against sbśIf you ever raise your hand against me, I'll leave you.
zdrowy, krzepki hale and heartyśJohn looks hale and hearty these days and he's very active.
czas, w którym drinki w pubie są sprzedawane taniej happy hourśLet's go for a drink to that pub round the corner; it's happy hour now.
grać drugorzędną rolę, pozostawać w cieniu to play second fiddleśKen doesn't intend to play second fiddle to her; he wants to be the boss.
dokładać starań, wkładać dużo wysiłku to take pains to do sthśMy boss takes pains to select the best employees.
zamienić z kimś słowo to have a word with sbśCould I have a word with you about our meeting?
zachować twarz to save faceśThe comment that he made was only an attempt to save face in that difficult situation.
drobnostka, niedrogi prezent a little somethingśI want to get a little something for Ben and visit him in the hospital.
psie życie a dog's lifeśWithout family and friends, it's a dog's life.
napisać parę słów do kogoś to drop sb a lineśDrop me a line when you've got time, ok?
żyć bardzo długo, dożyc późnej starości to live to a grand old ageśOur dog was always very active and lived to a grand old age.
twardy, nie okazujący emocji as hard as nailsśMy supervisor is very kind to me but my boss is as hard as nails.
zatrzymywać samochód (prosząc o podwiezienie) to thumb a liftśI'm afraid we have no choice and if we want to get out of here we have to thumb a lift.
wykręcić komuś numer to do a number on sbśHe really did a number on his ex-girlfriend, making her come back to him and then dumping her.
nic mnie nie przekona wild horses wouldn't drag meśWild horses wouldn't drag me to Nick's party; I don't like him at all.
być wściekłym to have a face like thunderśWhen I told Mark that I was going out with Kate he had a face like thunder as he was attracted to her as well.
stąpać twardo po ziemi to have both feet on the groundśSusan is very practical and she has both feet on the ground.
wpaść w złe, nieodpowiednie ręce to fall into the wrong handsśI'm looking for someone responsible to take my puppy; I won't let it fall into the wrong hands.
być na ustach wszystkich to be on everyone's lipsśLocal government elections which are to take place next week are now on everyone's lips.
być zakochanym po uszy to be head over heels in loveśJim's head over heels in love with Monica; he talks only about her.
pokazywać się, pojawiać to show one's faceśAfter all the trouble you have caused, don't you dare to show your face here again!
przepuścić okazję, przegapić coś to miss the boatśBill missed the boat by sending in his application form 2 days after the closing date.
świetnie się bawić, przeżywać coś bardzo miłego to have the time of one's lifeśI took my kids to Disneyland last summer and they had the time of their lives.
głuchy jak pień as deaf as a postśI'm afraid there's no point in talking to my grandfather; he's as deaf as a post.
traktować kogoś jak śmiecia to treat someone like dirtśI can't believe that Mark is still with Ann - she treats him like dirt!
pracować lub uczyć się do późna w nocy to burn the midnight oilśI had an important exam today so I had to burn the midnight oil yesterday.
na czworakach on all foursśMy children love to have me on all fours playing with them.
wyglądający i czujący się rześko as fresh as a daisyśAlthough I came back late from the party last night I was as fresh as a daisy in the morning.
bardzo się postarać, włożyć w coś dużo wysiłku to put one's best foot forwardśIf you really want to pass this exam, you'll have to put your best foot forward.
od A do Z; w całości, gruntownie from A to ZśI respect Mr Wilson as he's a brilliant teacher who knows his subject from A to Z.
swobodny, wyluzowany, luźny free and easyśI don't mind going to work as the atmosphere in my office is free and easy.
i co z tego? kogo to obchodzi? so what?śI know that Mary is jealous of me. So what?
pod nosem under one's breathśJack was angry when I told him the bad news and he was muttering something under his breath.
ujawnić jakieś fakty, informację to bring sth to lightśMy last conversation with Mary brought to light many things about our relationship which I hadn't realized before.
zepsuć coś, źle coś zrobić to make a mess of sthśI know I've made a mess of my exam and I'll have to take it again.
nie skrzywdzić nawet muchy not harm/hurt a flyśMy brother can be irritating and bad-tempered sometimes but he wouldn't hurt a fly.
wieczór kawalerski a stag party/nightśForget about your wives! It's strictly a stag party.
na czyichś oczach before someone's (very) eyesśShe took my bicycle before my eyes; she didn't even ask me for it!
odwrócić się do kogoś plecami to turn one's back on someoneśMark disappointed me a few times but I can't turn my back on him now when he needs me.