| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| lean times |
times of poverty, hard times
|
During lean times they sold eggs for 50¢ a dozen.
|
| learn the lingo |
learn the language, know the idioms
|
To work in the computer industry you have to learn the lingo.
|
| learn the ropes |
learn the first steps, learn the basics, know the ropes
|
He wants to learn the ropes, to learn how to play jazz.
|
| learn your place |
learn to know where and when to speak
|
When I was young, kids learned their place; they showed respect.
|
| leave me hanging |
leave me wondering what happened
|
You begin a story, but you don't finish it. You leave me hanging.
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| leave no stone unturned |
look everywhere, look high and low
|
In our search for Mom's wedding ring, we left no stone unturned.
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| leave out |
not include, discard
|
Leave out the cracked dishes. We'll throw them away.
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| leave out in the cold |
not invite, exclude
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Kim didn't receive an invitation. She was left out in the cold.
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| leave the door open |
allow people to reply, invite a response, feel free to reply
|
If you offer to provide answers to their questions, you leave the door open for a reply.
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| leave well enough alone |
if you do more you could cause more trouble
|
If I cause a problem, I apologize. Then I leave well enough alone.
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