a needle in a haystack: idiom

something that is impossible or extremely difficult to find, especially because the area you have to search is too large:

Finding the piece of paper I need in this huge pile of documents is like looking for/trying to find a needle in a haystack

check something out: phrasal verb with check verb (GO TO SEE)

C1 informal: to go to a place in order to see what it is like:

I'm going to check out that new club.

someone's cup of tea: noun phrase

: something that someone likes or is good at —usually used in negative statements

I'm afraid that skiing just is not my cup of tea.

She admits that stamp collecting isn't everyone's cup of tea.

pay through the nose: idiom   informal

to pay too much money for something:

We paid through the nose to get the car fixed.

To wake up on the wrong side of the bed

be in a bad mood

idiom. : to be in a bad mood throughout the day. Be careful when you talk to the boss. He got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

wet blanket: noun [ C usually singular ]   disapproving UK  /ˌwet ˈblæŋ.kɪt/ US  /ˌwet ˈblæŋ.kɪt/

a person who says or does something that stops other people enjoying themselves

Synonyms

killjoy disapprovingparty pooper humorousspoilsport informal disapprovingstick-in-the-mud informal disapproving

Out of style

: not popular or fashionable : not stylish.

drag someone away

phrasal verb with drag verb

UK  /dræɡ/ US  /dræɡ/

-gg-

informal

to make someone leave a place or stop doing what they are doing so that they can go somewhere else or do something else:

I'm ready to go home now, but I don't want to drag you away if you're enjoying yourself.

I'll bring Tom, if I can drag him away from the TV.

keep up with the trends: staying aware of or following the latest ideas, products, or styles. For example: "Liz always makes sure to keep up with the trends in fashion.

try on

phrasal verb of try

put on an item of clothing to see if it fits or suits one.

"I tried on a couple of dresses but they were too expensive"

cough (something) up

phrasal verb with cough verb [ I ]

UK  /kɒf/ US  /kɑːf/

informal

to produce money or information unwillingly:

I've just had to cough up £40 for a parking fine.

knock-off

noun [ C ]   informal

UK  /ˈnɒk.ɒf/ US  /ˈnɑːk.ɑːf/

a cheap copy of a popular product:

Is that the real thing or a knock-off?

bargain basement

noun [ C usually singular ]

UK  /ˌbɑː.ɡɪn ˈbeɪs.mənt/ US  /ˌbɑːr.ɡɪn ˈbeɪs.mənt/

an underground room in a shop where things are sold at reduced prices:

[ before noun ] Jonathan manages to buy all his clothes at bargain-basement prices (= very cheaply).

bargain-basement

adjective [ not gradable ]

US/ˈbɑr·ɡən ˈbeɪs·mənt/

(of prices) extremely low, or (of products) of low quality:

Farmers bought up the land at bargain-basement prices.

clothes make the man: is a reminder that the way we dress can influence how others perceive us. It is important to choose clothes that reflect our personality and that make us feel confident. When we dress well, we project an image of power, authority, and competence.

throw something on

phrasal verb with throw verb

UK  /θrəʊ/ US  /θroʊ/

threw | thrown

to put on a piece of clothing quickly:

I just threw on my blouse and skirt and rushed out.

make an impression on someone

idiom

to cause someone to notice and admire you:

He made quite an impression on the girls at the tennis club.

come off as

idiom

: to seem to be (a specified quality or character)

He's really just shy, but he comes off as a little arrogant.

He came off as a stuffy old man.

busy adjective (WITH PATTERNS)

disapproving

having too much decoration or too many colours:

The jacket was a bit too busy for my tastes - I'd prefer something plainer.

one of a kind

idiom

the only person or thing of a particular type:

In the world of ballet, she was one of a kind.

It's very me:That's very me." What he means is "That's a lot like me", or "That's exactly what I am like".

burst someone's bubble

idiom

to say or do something that shows someone that their beliefs are false, or that what they want to happen will not happen:

He was so happy about marrying Maria Luisa, I couldn't burst his bubble.

I hate to burst your bubble, but that's never going to happen.

fit like a glove

idiom

to be the perfect size and shape for someone:

I love these pants because they fit like a glove and they're so comfortable.

go with something

phrasal verb with go verb

UK  /ɡəʊ/ US  /ɡoʊ/

present participle going | past tense went | past participle gone

(SUIT)

B1

If one thing goes with another, they suit each other or they look or taste good together:

This wine goes particularly well with seafood.

I'm not sure that those shoes really go with that dress.

Compare

match noun (SUITABLE)suit verb (BE RIGHT)