1.2. War Idioms

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War
Image by Ben Stephenson in Flickr. CC.

If you get the axe you lose your job. Match the following idioms related to war with their definitions. Write the number.

Dodge the bullet

1. Delay a decision.

Double-edged sword

2. Doing very well.

Drop a bombshell

3. Famous for a shorter time than expected.

Fight an uphill battle 4. Successfully avoid a very serious problem.
Flash in the pan 5. An argument that could both help them and harm its user.
Going great guns 6. Act cautiously so as not to damage your chances.
Hold fire 7. Someone who saves you when you are in great trouble or danger.
Keep your powder dry 8. Struggle against very unfavourable circumstances.
Knight in shining armour

9. Announce something that changes a situation drastically and unexpectedly.

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All's fair in love and war. Or, where there is conflict, people can be expected to behave in a more vicious way. Match the following idioms related to war with their definitions.

Arrow in the quiver

At daggers drawn

At gunpoint

Axe to grind

Before you can say knife

Bite the bullet

Bring a knife to a gunfight

Bury the hatchet

Close ranks

Cross swords

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War
Image by Indi Samarajiva in Flickr. CC.

When you put the screws on someone, you use threats or pressure in order to get someone to do what you want. Match the following idioms related to war with their definitions. Write the number.

Knives are out

1. Leave or get going very quickly.
Lock and load 2. Not ready or prepared when you do or say something.
Long shot 3. A person who is very difficult to control and unpredictable.
Loose cannon 4. Do the action that closes or finishes something.
More than one string to their bow 5. There is only a very small chance of success.
Off like a shot 6. Trying to hurt someone's career or reputation.
Off your guard 7. Ready and prepared.
Pull the trigger 8. Having different talents or skills to fall back on.
Quick on the trigger

9. Someone who acts or responds quickly.

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A Pyrrhic victory is one that causes the victor to suffer so much to achieve it that it isn't worth winning. Match the following idioms related to war with their definitions.

Rank and file

Rise through the ranks

Run the gauntlet

Shoot from the hip

Shot across the bow

Smoking gun

Spike someone’s guns

Stare down the barrel of a gun

Stick to your guns

Straight as an arrow

Tell it to the marines

Twist the knife

 

 

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