#1 – at
your wits’ end
= when you
are at the limit of your mental resources, desperate and without additional
options
“I’ve
been trying to download
the file all day and I keep
getting an error message – I’m at my wits’ end!”
the file all day and I keep
getting an error message – I’m at my wits’ end!”
#2 –
catch-22
= a
situation in which it’s impossible to succeed because of conflicting rules or
conditions
“Getting
your first job is a catch-22 because
companies want to hire someone with experience, but how can I get experience
unless someone gives me a job?”
#3 –
dodged a bullet
= barely
escaped from a dangerous/disastrous situation
“One of
my ex-boyfriends later became a drug dealer! I’m glad I broke up with him – I
definitely dodged a bullet.”
#4 – the
crux of the matter
= the most
essential or main part of the problem
“Of
course there are a number of things that the country needs to improve, but
the crux of the matter is that the politicians are corrupt.”
#5 –
grasping at straws
= when
you’re desperate and you’re pursuing even the slightest hope or possibility
(even if it probably won’t work)
)
“The
police are grasping at straws because there’s virtually no
evidence at the crime scene.”
#6 – in
dire straits
= in a very
serious, very bad situation
“Harry
has been unemployed for the past three years – he’s really in dire
straits.”
#7 –
you’ve got your work cut out for you
= when you
have a large and difficult task to do in the future
“You
want to finish a four-year college degree in just two years? Well, you’ve
got your work cut out for you.”
cut out for you.”
#8 –
last resort
= an option
you use as a “last chance” when there are no other options available
“If we
can’t stay with any of our friends in London, then we can always book a hotel as a last resort.”
as a last resort.”
#9 – the
tip of the iceberg
= only a
small part of the problem; the biggest part of the problem is hidden
“My
parents’ arguing about where to go on vacation was only the tip of the
iceberg; they treated each other horribly throughout their marriage.”
#10 – a
vicious cycle
= when one
problem causes another problem, which then causes the first problem again
“When I
gain weight, I have less energy to exercise… and when I do less exercise, I
gain even more weight. It’s a vicious cycle.”
