Blow Something out of Proportion

Définition: exagérer l’importance d’un évènement pour le rendre plus important que ce qui ne l’est.

You don’t need to blow your report card out of proportion. You’ll do better next time.
The boss is blowing the drop in sales out of proportion.

Break out in Tears

Définition: éclater en sanglots.

Mary broke out in tears as soon as she heard he was leaving her.
My cousin broke out in tears when she learned that he had cancer.

Break out in a Cold Sweat

Définition: avoir des sueurs froides.

I broke out in a cold sweat when I heard they were laying off workers.
The news made him break out in a cold sweat.

Come in out of the Rain

Définition: manière amicale d’inviter quelqu’un à rentrer chez vous ou tout autre lieu.

Hurry up and come in out of the rain. I’ll make you a nice cup of tea.
She told me to come in out of the rain and warm up.

Come out Ahead

Définition: obtenir un avantage après une série d’événements.

It was a tough year, but we came out ahead in the end.
I think I’ll come out ahead if I win this bet.

Come out of the Closet

Définition:

– usage moderne : déclarer que tu es homosexuel ;

– usage plus général : admettre que tu aimes quelque chose que les autres pourraient trouver un peu inhabituel.

Gary came out of the closet last week. His parents took the news well.
OK, I’ll come out of the closet and admit that I love opera.

Down and Out

Définition: entre en mauvaise posture financière.

Ted has been down and out these last few years.
I hope you never have to experience being down and out. It’s no fun!

Eat Your Heart Out

Définition: une expression de jalousie à l’égard de la fortune de quelqu’un d’autre.

Hey, eat your heart out! I just won $50,000 in the lotto!
He ate his heart out when he heard that Jim got the position.

Feel out of Place

Définition: se sentir gêné dans une situation.

I felt a little out of place in my latest position at work.
Many students feel out of place the first few weeks of class.

Fork Money Out

Définition: dépenser de l’argent.

I forked $100 out for those headphones.
Jennifer doesn’t want to fork out more than $1,000 for the party.

Get out of the Wrong Side of the Bed

Définition: se lever du pied gauche.

I must have got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning. Nothing is going well for me today!
Ignore Jane. She got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning.

Go in One Ear and Out the Other

Définition: ça rentre par une oreille, ça sort par l’autre.

I’m afraid his name went in one ear and out the other. Can you tell me his name again?
Unfortunately, what I say just goes in one ear and out the other.

Let the Cat out of the Bag

Définition: raconter à quelqu’un un secret que l’on doit garder secret.

Why did you tell him? You let the cat out of the bag!
Peter let the cat out of the bag a few days early.

Like a Fish out of Water

Définition: ne pas être dans son élément.

I felt like a fish out of water in my new position.
Some students feel like fish out of water for the first few days.

Make a Mountain out of a Molehill

Définition: en faire tout un fromage / en faire une montagne.

Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. We’ll get by this month and then everything will be OK.
Margret made a mountain out of a molehill. Just ignore her.

Odd Man Out

Définition: être de trop.

I was the odd man out last night with Tim and Anna. I think they wanted to be alone.
Sometimes I feel like the odd man out no matter how hard I try to fit in.

Out and About

Définition: par monts et par vaux.

Doug is out and about tonight. I don’t know when he’ll return.
I feel like we need to get out and about.

Out of Luck

Définition: ne pas avoir de chance.

You’re out of luck today.
I’m sorry your out of luck. We don’t have anymore.

Out of the Blue

Définition: sans crier gare.

Guess who I saw out of the blue? Tim!
The car appeared out of the blue and I barely avoided an accident.

Out of the Question

Définition: hors de question.

I’m afraid that’s out of the question.
The teacher said that retaking the test was out of the question.

Out of Turn

Définition: sans attendre son tour.

She spoke out of turn.
We’ll discuss this grammar point out of turn.

go out on a Limb

Définition: prendre des risques.

I’ll go out on a limb and guess that he loves her.
You don’t need to go out on a limb.

Pull out All the Stops

Définition: sortir le grand jeu / mettre le paquet.

I’m going to pull out all the stops to get this job.
The director pulled out all the stops on this latest marketing campaign.

Shape Up or Ship Out

Définition: agir correctement ou arrêter de faire quelque chose – généralement utilisé comme une menace.

Tom you’ll have to shape up or ship out.
I told her to shape up or ship out. I’m tired of her excuses.