Idioms

1. accidentally on purpose ✅ When you pretend something was an accident, but you really meant to do it. Example: I “accidentally on purpose” erased his email so I couldn’t contact him. Marry met this guy in the store, so we all planned to bump into him “accidentally on purpose.” 2. add fuel to the fire/flames ✅ To make an argument or bad situation worse. Example: He forgot their anniversary, and his apology only added fuel to the fire. His mild words just made Isabelle more furious. 3. all ears ✅ Very eager to listen carefully. Example: I’m all ears—tell me your excuse for not doing the job! Who else was invited? I’m all ears. 4. answer the call of nature ✅ To go to the toilet. Example: I had to get up at night to answer the call of nature. 5. backseat driver ✅ A passenger who gives unwanted driving advice. Example: I don’t need any backseat drivers telling me how to do this project. Nobody likes backseat drivers like my mother-in-law! 6. badger someone (text was partly hidden) ✅ (Usually means) To repeatedly ask or pressure someone to do something.

7. Bare your heart / soul 👉 To tell someone your deepest thoughts and feelings. Example: He decided to bare his soul to his best friend. 8. Bark up the wrong tree 👉 To be wrong about the reason for something or to blame the wrong person. Example: The police are barking up the wrong tree if they think Joey stole the car—he can’t drive! 9. Beat a (hasty) retreat 👉 To run away quickly to avoid danger or trouble. Example: The thief beat a hasty retreat when he saw the security officer. 10. One’s best bet 👉 The action most likely to succeed. Example: Your best bet would be to try calling him at home. 11. Bide your time 👉 To wait patiently for a good chance to act. Example: He’s biding his time, waiting for the price to drop. 12. Binge drinking 👉 Drinking a lot of alcohol in a short time. Example: Binge drinking is becoming a big problem in some European countries.