Ingleslimon



Idioms and Their Meanings: List and Examples of Common IdiomsAn idiom is a phrase, or a combination of words, that has developed a figurative meaning through frequency of use. Idioms are a staple in many different languages, and are often shared across languages through numerous translations. They can be useful and even fun to use, but are also bound to confuse any new speaker of a language who isn’t familiar with the phrase’s cultural relevance.For instance, what does it mean to “spill the beans,” and why is everyone making such a fuss over someone doing it? Why are they telling that person to “break a leg” on stage? It doesn’t look like that person has a “chip on their shoulder.”This guide will go over a large list of common American English idioms and their meanings, along with examples to help you better understand the context you need to use them in. Before you start to focus too much on silly phrases like idioms, it’d be worth it to work on your English language fluency with a course like thisIdioms Are a Piece of Cake!Perhaps even more embarrassing than not understanding an idiom is misusing it. Because of how nonsensical the phrases can be – piece of cake? – you don’t want to get caught using them in an incorrect context. Take the idiom used in the header above: “Idioms are a piece of cake.” When you refer to something as a “piece of cake,” you’re calling it easy. In this context, the header is saying that idioms are easy to understand and use.While it might seem like idioms are definitely not a piece of cake, to someone first learning about them, I can assure you, the more of them you hear and study, the easier they’ll be to accept as just a natural part of the English language! Let’s take a look at some examples.List of Idioms and Their MeaningsThe following list of idioms will be in alphabetical order, with an explanation and contextual example provided for easier comprehension.A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED. This phrase is typically used to describe someone who loses their money quickly, either by being tricked or spending it wastefully.Example: After receiving a?paycheck from his job, Alex went to a casino. He ended up losing?the bet, and his money. One might say that a fool and his money are soon parted.ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDSRefers to the idea that it’s better to do something than just talk about it.Example: “He always tells his girlfriend that he loves her, but he never actually does anything nice for her. Someone should teach him that actions speak louder than words.”A LITTLE BIRD TOLD METell a secret but you don’t reveal who told you thatExample: - Do you know that Jason and Jessica are getting married next week? – No. I didn’t know that. Who told you that? – A little bird told me.A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILSIf you wait for something to happen it takes longerExample : A: I can’t wait until I turn 18 and can start driving!B: Come on, Jimmy. A watched pot never boils.ADD FUEL TO THE FIREDefinition: Something that worsens an already bad situation.Example: “I wanted to intervene when they were yelling at each other, but that would have just added fuel to the fire.”ALIVE AND KICKINGAlive and alert; living and healthy. Example: John's completely recovered from his accident; he's alive and kickingALL CATS ARE GREY IN THE DARK It means that you can't distinguish someone or something well at night because it's dark.Example: I don't know if I can go to the wedding tonight because my suit has some stains. Oh come on, all cats are grey in the darkTO HAVE ALL EGGS IN ONE BASKET This is a piece of advice which means that one should not concentrate all efforts and resources in one area as one could lose everything. Example: Mr Tan's financial adviser urged him to be careful and not put all his eggs in one basket by investing all his money on stocks.ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLDIt said about something that seems to be good on the surface, but might not be when you look at it?Example: My grandmother advised me to be careful about making new friends because all that glitters is not gold ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOYIt is not good to work all the time and that people may get bored if they don't get some time off from work.Example: I think you need to go out and have some fun. You know all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.AN ARM AND A LEG It means that something is very expensive. Example: Be careful with that Smartphone! It cost an arm and a legAS BLIND AS A BAT Refers to someone who is unwilling to recognize bad things, or someone who is completely blind.Example: Our boss is blind as a bat. He doesn’t seem to see that Albert is stealing Money from his account. AN EYE FOR AN EYE or A TOOTH FOR A TOOTHThe law of retaliation is the idea that a person who causes another person to suffer should suffer in an equal amount.Example: If Joel kills another man, the family of the victim might say, “He deserves the death penalty”AT THE DROP OF A HATDefinition: A willingness to do something right away.Example: “Our boss expects us to show up in her office at the drop of a hat, even when we’re in a meeting with clients.”BE LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATERto feel uncomfortable in a situationExample: After her divorce, she was like a fish out of water.BE ON CLOUD NINETo be extremely happy and excitedExample: He is on cloud nine when his girlfriend gives him a kiss.A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSHUsed to say that it is better to hold onto something one has than to risk losing it by trying to get something better. Example: You may not like your job, but don't quit merely on the hope of finding a better one. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush BEATING AROUND THE BUSHDefinition: Avoiding the main issue.Example: “I kept trying to steer the conversation back to his alibi, but he wouldn’t stop beating around the bush, bringing up things totally off-topic.”BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEAMeaning: to choose between two undesirable situationsExample: Trying to please both his boss and his wife puts him?between the devil and the deep blue sea.BITE THE DUSTLiterally, to fall face down in the dirt; to suffer a defeat// to dieExample: Once again, the champion wins, and another contender bites the dustBLESSING IN DISGUISESomething good and beneficial that did not initially seem that way.Example: “It was raining so hard that our cab was late, and we were late to our reservation at the restaurant. Turns out everyone who ate there that night got food poisoning. I guess the bad weather was a blessing in disguise!”CALL IT A DAYTo cease the activity for the day// to stop what you are doing because you do not want to do any more or think you have done enoughExample: We have been at this for hours; let's call it a day and come back tomorrow when we are fresh.ZIP YOUR LIPMeaning: to stop talking.Example: I don’t want to hear another sound out of you. Now do as you’re told and zip your lip.CRY OVER SPILLED MILKMeaning: Complaining about a loss or failure from the past.Example: “She was mad that he broke her vase, but it was an accident, and there’s no use crying over spilt milk anyway, so she forgave him.” ................
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