idioms

  shake in your boots (to be very afraid or nervous) The movie was so scary, we were shaking in our boots. I’m sure he is shaking in his boots right now. He’ll make you shake in your boots.   envocabulary.com

  out of the blue (without warning; in an unexpected way) I know this is out of the blue, but I’m leaving tomorrow. A car came out of the blue and caused the accident.   envocabulary.com

  prick up your ears (to start listening carefully) Come closer and prick up your ears, because I won’t tell you twice. She pricked up her ears when he mentioned her name. The dog pricked up its ears at the sound of footsteps.   envocabulary.com

  make a long story short (say it in just a few words) So, to make a long story short, I loved her, and I married her. To make a long story short, I didn’t miss the flight.   envocabulary.com

  off the hook  informal (out of trouble or difficulty) If you do it again, I won’t let you off the hook so easily. Mike is trying to help her get off the hook.   envocabulary.com