to be so rich that you can afford anything
– examples
“Go buy your own! I’m not made of money!”
make money hand over fist
– examples
Ever since he left his office job and went into business by himself, he has been making money hand-over-fist.
make a killing
– examples
He made a killing on some business idea out east, then came home looking to find the girl he left behind.
“If everything goes to plan, and with a little bit of luck, we should make a killing off this.”
make a mint
– examples
They’re making a mint selling second hand books to students. I wish I had thought of that.
make a meal of (something)
2. to exaggerate a small injury or insult
– examples
1.
“Dave is making a complete meal out of setting up his shelves. It shouldn’t be that hard.”
2.
He has a bad habit of making a meal out of every tackle: it seems that every 5 minutes he is rolling on the floor crying.
“I think you are making a bit of a meal of this. I only said I didn’t like your new haircut, not that I think you are ugly.”
make a pig's ear of (something)
– examples
Anna has never asked Dave to help her with DIY since he made a pig’s ear out of decorating the nursery.
“Can you have a look at this for me? I’m afraid I’m making a pig’s ear out of it.”
make ends meet
They have been struggling to make ends meet ever since Dave lost his job at the shoe factory.
“I’m not sure if I will be able to make ends meet next month. So if you know of any work, let me know. I’ll do anything.”
make headway
– examples
The city council has made good headway in getting the new subway line designed and ready to open. Hopefully it will be finished early next year.
“It hasn’t been a good start, but I think now we are making some headway.”
make or break
– examples
“This next project is make or break for Dave. The bosses have wanted to fire him for a while, but if he can succeed in this one they will probably keep him.
make (your) blood boil
– examples
“Every time I see him with her it makes my blood boil. I can’t believe he stole my girlfriend.”
make (your) flesh crawl
make you scared, or feel uncomfortable, creepy and disgusted
– examples
Whenever I see a rich old man marrying a young 20-year old, it makes my skin crawl.
make (your) toes curl
– examples
Watching Dave try to chat to women made Phil’s toes curl. It was horrible to watch.
make (yourself) scarce
(can also be used for ‘go away for a while’)
– examples
A good PA knows when to fight for a client’s needs, and when to make him/herself scarce.
“When the bosses come here, make yourself scarce: the last thing I want is for them to see you here.”
man's best friend
– examples
Dave was happy in his retirement: a nice house, a wonderful wife, and man’s best friend to walk with him each morning next to the river.
“Why do you need a wife, when you have man’s best friend: Loyal, trusting, and incapable of talking?”
(a) man of letters
– examples
In the past there were great writers, great men of letters who thought carefully about deep topics. Now there are a thousand books about people falling in love with vampires.
“When I retire I would like to become a man of letters, sitting at my window in an old house in the countryside.”
a man's man
– examples
Dave enjoys knitting, and last week, for his birthday, he invited everyone to the ice dancing. I wouldn’t say he is a man’s man.
“Ha, you won’t find me doing girly things like yoga! I’m a man’s man. I like to get my exercise outside, hiking up mountains, cutting down trees, fighting bears…”
(the) man upstairs
– examples
Before he died, Phil tried to make peace with the man upstairs. We only hope he was successful.
(the) man on the street
– examples
Over the last decade the man on the street has lost faith in both politics and business.
major league
an important or serious example of its kind
– examples
It was a major league decision, and Dave only hoped he had chosen the right path.
“I’m tired of Dave. He seems like a major league pain the ass.”
make a monkey of (someone)
– examples
If there was one thing Anna enjoyed, it was making a monkey out of the boys who wanted to date her. She would pretend she was interested, and then crush them.
“I’m OK teaching the class, but I am not going to stand here while you make a monkey out of me. I am a teacher, not a clown!”
mark my words
– examples
“You may laugh now, but mark my words, in a year you’ll be begging me for a job.”
(a) marked man
– examples
Ever since he scored 3 against United, he has become a marked man. Nobody is going to be surprised by anything he does now.
The President has become something of a marked man since he annoyed congress and the public with his tax reform package. I think it will be very difficult for him to get decisions done in the future
many moons ago
– examples
“I was a great player once, but that was many moons ago.”
a matter of life and death
– examples
“I don’t know why you are so angry about me spilling some wine on your trousers. I know it is annoying, but it is hardly a matter of life and death.”
“Take this letter to the general, and do not delay. It is a matter of life and death.” [
May-December romance
– examples
The celebrity magazine had another article about the May-December romance between the two actors. Most people don’t think it will last, and it is just a publicity stunt.
Most people don’t like the idea of a May-December romance, but if one person is looking for security, and the other excitement, why should they not try it?
money burning a hole in (my) pocket
– examples
Dave’s job pays him well, but every pay day he finds he suddenly has money burning a hole in his pocket, and by the end of the week he has spent it all.
“My parents gave me a $100 note last week, ever since when it has been burning a hole in my pocket.”
money for old rope
– examples
Many people say that working on the board of a university is money for old rope – what do these people actually do?
money laundering
– examples
Money-laundering is a crime, but a difficult one to spot.
He was convicted of money-laundering, using his casino as a way to pass his drug money into his accounts.
money talks
– examples
“I’m afraid, on this matter, money talks. Your idea is very nice, but we have to go with the biggest offer. Sorry.”
money to burn
– examples
They told Dave to talk to Anna about her investing in his company; after all, she always seemed to have money to burn.
“I’m afraid I can’t go on holiday at the moment. I don’t really have any money to burn.”
monkey see, monkey do
– examples
“The kids stealing is just a case of monkey see, monkey do: they get it from their father.”
moot point
– examples
“Hawaii or the Seychelles? Both would be great, but it’s a moot point: I have to work.”
(the) moral high ground
– examples
“The one thing about you is you always take the moral high ground. I don’t think you would do anything evil, no matter how much money I offered.”
(have) a mountain to climb
(often used after something has made success even more difficult)
– examples
United have just scored again. Now City have mountain to climb.
move Heaven and Earth
– example
He promised her he would move Heaven and Earth for her if she married him.
move the goalposts
– examples
I’m tired of them always moving the goalposts: at first they said I only needed to improve the finances; then they said I had to double the profits. Now I have to make us the number one company in the sector.
mover and shaker
– examples
The party was filled with the city’s movers and shakers: artists, musicians, business leaders and even the mayor.
much ado about nothing
– examples
The whole scandal was much ado about nothing: he only met her for coffee, once, and nothing happened. The rest was the newspapers inventing a story.
mum's the word
– examples
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell her. Mum’s the word.”
mummy's boy
– examples
“Dave is alright, but a bit of a mummy’s boy. He needs to grow up a bit.”
music to (my) ears
– examples
The exams being delayed for an extra month was music to his ears; he needed more time to study, otherwise he would surely fail.
“She wants to see me? That’s music to my ears.”
mutton dressed as lamb
– examples
“Phil’s mum is a bit embarrassing: she still gets drunk twice a week, and her clothes make her look like mutton dressed as lamb.”