Understanding English Idioms
- 1. Understanding English Idioms An idiom is a commonly used expression that has a special meaning. This meaning may be different from what the words have to say.
- 2. Never bite the hand that feeds you. to harm someone who has been helping you.
- 3. He stayed home because he was under the weather Feeling ill
- 4. You are " barking up the wrong tree " when you are trying to find something, but you are looking in the wrong place.
- 5. Fortunately shes back in the pink. Very strong and healthy
- 6. Since he got the news, hes been on cloud nine. Feeling extreme happiness or elation.
- 7. That hairdo is so behind the times. Old fashioned Out of date
- 8. "How was your test today?" Reply: "It was a piece of cake ." Very easy to do
- 9. Please keep me in the loop. Fully informed In the know
- 10. Never bite off more than you can chew. To take on a challenge that is too big
- 11. Moms washing machine is on the blink. Isnt working properly Is out of order
- 12. His girlfriend broke up with him out of the blue. Suddenly and unexpectedly
- 13. He has his head in the sand. to refuse to think about an unpleasant situation or face the facts.
- 14. The manager is really on the ball. Competent Doing a good job
- 15. The business is finally in the black Making a profit Out of debt in
- 16. He was so tired that he hit the hay right after dinner. Went to bed
- 17. Knock on wood , I'm much better now To have good fortune and hope it will continue.
- 18. His idea was really off the wall. Strange or very different
- 19. Give away a secret.
- 20. A policemans job is not a bed of roses. an easy and pleasant situation
- 21. Please get to the point! Tell me the essential information. Skip all the details
- 22. He shouldnt be a backseat driver. Someone who criticizes from the sideline Annoyingly giving unwanted advice
- 23. Get off my back! I do it in a minute. Quit nagging or bothering me.
- 24. When she started the job, she was still wet behind the ears. Either very young or inexperienced.