Idioms in context – 2

A close call

One day while it was raining cats and dogs, Michelle decided to leave the house and never return. She was at the end of her rope because she was always at loggerheads with her parents. She left the house for an aimless walk in the woods. It was pitch black there. As she was walking in the woods, she spotted two shining eyes. She identified them as a dog’s eyes. She knew if she didn’t do anything fast, she would end up dead. She went up a nearby tree with low branches. She was a sitting duck there so she decided to grab the bull by the horns and jumped and started to run. The dog chased her. She was out of breath and was about to fall when she heard two gunshots. Barking stopped and she saw her parents at a stone’s throw from her. They took her home. They have seen eye to eye on most cases ever since.

Idioms

A close call (عامیانه) خطری که از بیخ گوش انسان بگذرد

Meaning: a narrow escape from danger or disaster Example: the team had a close call in the preliminary group games

Raining cats and dogs باران شدید

Meaning: it is raining very hard. This phrase sounds rather old-fashioned

Be at the end of ones rope جان کسی به لبش رسیده

Meaning: to have no more patience or strength left to deal with a problem or a difficult situation Example: My son is causing endless problems, and I’m close to the end of my rope

Be at loggerheads with someone با کسی کنار نیامدن، از کسی کدورت داشتن

Meaning: if two people are at loggerheads, they disagree very strongly

Pitch black تاریکی که در آن چشم، چشم را نبیند

Meaning: completely black or dark Example: The lights were off and it was pitch-black

A sitting duck لقمه چرب و نرم

Meaning: someone who is easy to attack or easy to cheat Example: Out in the open, the soldiers were sitting ducks for enemy fire

Grab the bull by the horns با مشکل شاخ به شاخ شدن ، دست به کار شدن

Meaning: to do something difficult in a brave and determined way Example: Why don’t you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave

a stone throw from someone در یک قدمی کسی قرار داشتن

Meaning: very close to something Example: The hotel is only a stone’s throw from the beach

See eye to eye with someone با کسی هم عقیده بودن، تفاهم داشتن

Meaning: if two people see eye to eye, they agree with each other Example: We didn’t exactly see eye to eye