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To say that someone has kangaroos loose in the top paddock means that they are crazy. He's been acting strangely. I reckon he's got kangaroos loose in the top paddock. very interested inMy brother is keen on football. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:We don't get many of them but, when we do, we always give them a fair bit of prominence because people living on the river here are very keen on their cod stories and love reading about them To keep a close eye on something is to watch it carefully.Keep a close eye on the cake or it will burn. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Until the all clear is given, Tennant Creek residents are being asked to remain vigilant and keep a close eye on potential mozzie breeding areas. to progress or develop at the same speedMy son isn't keeping pace with his classmates. To keep somebody on their toes is to force them to put all their attention and energy into what they’re doing.Having to compete for the new contract will keep everyone on their toes. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:It will keep everybody on their toes but competition is good at the end of the day. To keep someone posted is to keep them informed.I'll keep you posted about his movements. To keep someone or something in line is to control them and make sure they behave properly.It was hard work keeping the class in line. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Do you need a whip to keep them in line? To keep track of something is to know where it is or has gone or exactly what it is doing.You should keep track of where you spend your money. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:And it's a big job to keep track of such a large collection. Keeping up with the Joneses is trying to buy the same things that your neighbours or acquaintances have recently bought.She's getting a new roller door just like the neighbour's. I think it's a case of keeping up with the Joneses. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Karen Smith and Harry Rakkas have been neighbours and good friends for years. But every Christmas the two families become rivals - competing to see who can put on the best show. And this year, keeping up with the Joneses - as they say - has seen each family spend a thousand dollars on a single flashing palm tree. To keep your feet on the ground is to have a sensible outlook on life.She needs to keep her feet on the ground and stop dreaming of being an actress. concentate on what you are doingYou have to keep you mind on the job when you're driving in heavy traffic. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:You've got to keep your mind on the job otherwise the Dragon has a very big sag in the middle. moving at the same rateI work hard keeping up with what others are doing. contributedI kicked in ten dollars toward buying a farewell present for the boss. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:He also loaned his boardroom skills for many years to the National Gallery of Australia when he chaired its council and kicked in half a million dollars to help the controversial purchase of David Hockney's 'Grand Canyon'. started; beganThe performance kicked off with a burst of fireworks. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Stromlo is where astrophysics in Australia really kicked off. destroy the thing that is making moneyIf the government bans smoking it will kill the goose that lays the golden egg because they wouldn't get all that sales tax anymore. To kill two birds with one stone is to get two things achieved in one action.I'll kill two birds with one stone by visiting my parents and going to the conference while I'm in Sydney. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:A lot of people used to come out and say, 'Give me the hottest thing I've got.' So I thought okay I'll kill two birds with one stone, and they couldn't eat it, so they came back for their second. So I had two sales instead of one. very small and youngI haven't seen my niece since she was knee-high to a grasshopper. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:I wasn't one of those women who always wanted children from the time they were knee-high to a grasshopper. A knee-jerk reaction is an immediate response that doesn't take everything into account.It's knee-jerk reaction to say that criminals should be punished more severely. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories: But some fishermen believe the moratorium was a knee-jerk reaction. defeat themWe should knock them off this time. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:Yes we would like to knock them off, yes, especially on their own ground. Something that knocks or hits you for six surprises you very much.I was knocked for six when I found out that he was seeing someone else. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:When the specialist told me there was a problem with my egg reserve, it really knocked me for a six, I think, because I'd grown up in the post-'60s feminist culture, that a woman can have everything. (informal) refusedI got knocked back for that job. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:A proposed golf course and residential development on the Inverloch side of the estuary has received a negative reception from the State Government and looks like being knocked back. To know something inside out is to know it very well.He's read the book so many times he knows it inside out. This is how the expression is used in one of our stories:He knows the local ecology inside out and accepts fire is a natural part of the environment. To know your onions is to know a lot about a particular subject.When it comes to the road rules, he really knows his onions.
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Common Expressions