Idioms — Set 85

Set 85 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: put your best foot forward, take the plunge, leave no room for doubt, give someone the runaround, cut someone off at the knees. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. put your best foot forward · idiom/pʊt jʊr bɛst fʊt ˈfɔrwɚd/

   to make the best possible impression

   For your first job interview, put your best foot forward and show them your confidence.

   Origin: From the 1600s — starting a journey with the strongest leg first promised a successful, confident beginning.

2. take the plunge · idiom/teɪk ðə plʌndʒ/

   to take a bold risk or make a big decision

   I was nervous about moving abroad, but I decided to take the plunge and go for it.

   Origin: From the 1800s — diving into deep water requires committed bold action with no possibility of returning halfway through.

3. leave no room for doubt · idiom/liv noʊ rum fɚ daʊt/

   to eliminate any doubts or uncertainties

   His speech was so powerful that he left no room for doubt about his intentions.

   Origin: A 20th-century legal expression — evidence so complete that no possible alternative explanations could fit anywhere.

4. give someone the runaround · idiom/ɡɪv ˈsʌmwʌn ðə ˈrʌnəˌraʊnd/

   to avoid giving a direct answer and send someone from one person to another

   I called three different offices, and they all gave me different answers—they’re just giving me the runaround.

   Origin: An American expression from the 1900s — describes deliberately making someone run in circles, exhausting their patience.

5. cut someone off at the knees · idiom/kʌt ˈsʌmwʌn ɔf ət ðə niz/

   to severely weaken or undermine someone

   Just when I was about to finish my report, my manager cut me off at the knees by changing the entire project direction.

   Origin: An American 20th-century expression — cutting a person's legs at the knees brings them down to a defeated position.