A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z

-I-

dot one’s/the i’s and cross one’s/the t’s(v) :to be very careful and attentive esp. small details.

play the great I am(v) :(used to express that one thinks others to be less important, powerful, clever, etc.)to be very important, influential, etc. _The manager played the great I am on computers , but he didn’t know, John has very much well-informed on the subject.

ICE

ice(n) :(Am)<slang>diamond.

break the ice(v) :1-to be friends with the people whom one doesn't know before. 2-to make a good start in dealing with a difficult problem.

cut no ice (with sb)(v) :to have very little or almost no influence (on sb)_His alibi for being late again cut no ice with the teacher.

keep/put sthg/sb on ice(v) :1-to keep aside for future use. _The subject was kept on ice to be discussed next week. 2-to avoid sb to keep in touch with people; to prevent sb from communication with the public.

on thin ice(adj) :in a difficult, troublesome, or dangerous situation.

the tip of the iceberg(n) :the very small or smallest part of a problem, trouble, difficult situation, etc.

icebox(n) :infml for refrigerator.

(the) icing on the cake(n) :a desirable addition, often unnecessary and used to attract sb.

the (very) idea! :(used to express great surprise at a suggestion or a statement) What an unusual suggestion?

what’s the big idea? :(used to express suspicion or doubt about a situation that is new to the speaker)What do you suppose you’re doing?

idiot(n) :a stupid person.

bone idle/lazy(adj) :extremely lazy.

if(n) :a question or any problem which is not yet thought or decided about.

ifs and/or buts(n) :special demands, complaints, excuses, etc. _I want all of the members in the Congress tomorrow and I’ll accept no ifs or buts from any of you.

iffy(adj) :not certain; contingent. _It's still iffy if we may go to Europe for holiday.

ignorant(adj) :not polite; unkind; rude esp. because of a lack of moral behavior.

ILL

be/feel ill at ease(v) :to be/feel uncomfortable.

speak ill of sb(v) :to talk to sb in an impolite way.

illiterate(adj) :having almost no knowledge in art; science, literature, etc.

illogical(adj) :not reasonable or sensible.

ILLUSION

be under an illusion(v) :to be tricked or deceived by sb.

cherish an/the illusion that...(v) :I believe that...

have no illusions about sb/sthg(v) :to have no false knowledge or idea about sb/sthg. also be the dead spit of.

be the/very spitting image (of sb/sthg)(v) :to be or look like the same with sb/sthg.

imagination(n) :sthg not real only imagined in mind. _'You are not sick!, your agony is a real ---,Tim' said the doctor.

IN

in(adj) :excellent; elegant; fashionable. _an --- cafe in Paris.

be/get in on sthg(v) :to join or take part in sthg.

be in bad (with sb)(v) :to have trouble with sb.

be in for it(v) :to be about to suffer sthg unpleasant esp. a punishment.

be (well) in with sb(v) :to be very friendly and familiar with sb.

have (got) it in for sb(v) :to disgust or detest sb and to be planning to harm sb.

day/week/year in, day/week/year out(adv) :day after day; week after week; repeatedly in the same way.

in apple-pie order :in a very good condition.

in the chips(adj) :rich; wealthy; affluent.

in all conscience(adv) :surely; certainly. _I don't in all conscience believe him!.

not be in it(v) :(of sthg esp. when making a comparison with sthg)not to be worthy of comparison with the thing stated first. _Have you seen his new BMW? -The old Opel isn’t in it!

in the doldrums(adj) :sad; in low spirits; mournful.

in Dutch(adj) :in trouble; in bad (with sb).

in hock(adj) :1-having much debt 2-pawned; in the possession of a pawnbroker..

in a hurry(adv) :1-(usu. in negatives)keenly; willingly. 2-easily or rapidly. _I won't forget your help ---.

in the know(adj) :having special information that is not known by people.

in the lap of the gods(adj) :(of future affairs)not certain.

in the pink(of health)(adj) :very healthy; very well.

in the soup(adj) :in great trouble.

in stitches(adv) :laughing heartily.

in the family way(adj) :pregnant.

inconceivable(adj) :almost impossible.

incredible(adj) :unusually or surprisingly good.

indecent(adj) :unreasonable; not proper (in amount or quality) _I was given an indecent amount of money after I worked four days extra./I’ve an amount of homework while you don’t have even one: That’s not fair!

honest Injun/Indian(interj) :(Am)<humor> 1-(used to express what sb said is exactly true) really; truly. _I expect 100 from the test? -Honest Indian! 2-(used to question about what sb said true or not?) _She said that she will go to New York for her holiday? -Honest Indian! also<rarely used>honor bright.

individual(n) :a person of the stated kind. _What a dishonest --- you are!.

indulge(v) :[in]to allow oneself to have what one wants sthg bad or harmful, esp. in an excessive way. _He always ---s in liquor although he knew it's bad for his health.

indulgence(n) :an act of being very fond of or dependent on sthg, esp. liquor or food.

inevitable(adj) :always seen or heard; expected; familiar. _He gets quickly angry, everybody knows his inevitable temper in class.

be infatuated with/by sb(v) :to have unusual feelings of love for sb.

infernal(adj) :detestable; very annoying; causing great anger.

infernally(adv) :very; extremely. _He’s infernally nasty!

infighting(n) :a violent rivalry or competition, esp. in business.

drive under the influence(v) :to drive while drunk.

info(n) :infml for abbreviation.

infra dig(adj) :(Br)below one's level of social class. _It's really --- for him to wear jeans at the inauguration of the museum.

INITIATIVE

do sthg on one's own initiative(adj) :to do sthg by oneself, not getting help or suggestion from the others.

take the initiative(in doing sthg)(v) :to make the first step in doing sthg. _She took the initiative in collecting some money for charity in town.

the Inland Revenue(n) :(Br)department that collects the taxes in the town or place where it's established.

in-laws(n) :(pl.)relatives by marriage.

innards(n) :1-the inner parts of the body esp. the bowels and the stomach. 2-the inner parts of an engine, etc.

have a good innings(v) :to have a long, active and happy life.

ins and outs(n) :[of]the small but important details of a difficult problem or a situation.

INSIDE

inside(n) :1-a position of a person in which one knows secret information. 2-stomach and bowels of a person.

inside out(adv) : completely; together with all the details. _He’s a computer master inside out!

inside job(n) :a robbery done by sb who is inside the robbed organization, firm, company, etc. _The robbery went off smoothly that the police suspected it was an inside job that sb in the bank had been an accomplice.

install(v) :(Am)to have a fixed place. _Whenever there is a cartoon on Tv, little Johnny installs himself just before Tv.

institution(n) : <humor>sb who has been seen in the same place regularly and for some time and esp. doing the same thing.

with interest(adj) :<fig>with more powerful force in return. (esp. in the phrase pay sb back with interest) _He gave the old man a severe blow ---!

be/get on intimate terms (with ) :to be friendly enough to call a person e.g. Jack instead of Mr. Nicholson.

be into sthg(v) :to be fond of sthg; to be interested in sthg.

intro(n) :introduction or innovation of sthg new.

invest in(v) :to buy; purchase.

irk(v) :to make angry; annoy; cause trouble.

an iron fist in a velvet glove(n) :an appearance of softness and kindness that hides power, severity or courage.

have two many irons in the fire(v) :to have too many responsibility in an activity.

rule with a rod of iron/with an iron hand(v) :to rule severely.

strike while the iron is hot(v) :to get the movement or act when sb is mostly to have a good chance of success. _I didn’t get the grade I expected. -Strike while the iron is hot, and go to ask the teacher to examine you paper again now; tomorrow might be late for tomorrow.

iron sthg out(v) :to solve or get rid of (a difficulty or problem, etc.)

ism(n) :a set of political or religious principles with the name ending with -ism.

join/take issue with sb (on/about sthg)(v) :to continue to quarrel with sb (on/about sthg).

the point/matter at issue(n) :the matter that is being discussed.

it(n) :<slang>1-the important time in which one must make an important decision or take an important action. 2-an act of having sex.

at it(adj) :(after be, catch, etc.) doing sthg unpleasant, bad, etc. again esp. after one is scolded or reprimanded for it. _I warned her not to go out at night again, but she was at it again yesterday night.

run for it(v) :to run extremely fast.

it(pron) :(used meaninglessly after certain verbs)_We hotfoooted --- down the street.

It's no go! :It's impossible; It has no chance to happen; It cannot be done.

be itching for/to(v) :to have a strong desire for sthg/to do sthg; want to; yearn; hanker after; long to.

itch(n) :(proceeds a verb with to infinitive)a great wish or desire. _I have an --- to attend the Air Force.

itchy feet(n) :a strong desire to travel esp. to other countries abroad.

itchy/itching palm(n) :an extreme desire for money, esp. taken after doing a dishonest job or trickery.

ivories(n) :<slang>(pl.)1-piano keys. (esp. in the phrase tickle the ivories) 2-dice.

tickle the ivories(v) :<humor><slang>to play a piano.