A Reference Guide to American English Idioms

IN THE LOOP

A Reference Guide to American

English Idioms

In the Loop: A Reference Guide to American English Idioms Published by the Office of English Language Programs

United States Department of State Washington, DC 20037 First Edition 2010 Adapted from:

Something to Crow About by Shelley Vance Laflin; ed. Anna Maria Malko?, Frank Smolinski Illustrated American Idioms by Dean Curry

Special thanks to Elizabeth Ball for copyediting and proofreading this 2010 edition.

Office of English Language Programs Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs

United States Department of State Washington, DC 20037

englishprograms.

Contents

v Introduction vi How Each Entry is Arranged 1 Part 1: Idioms and Definitions 103 Part 2: Selected Idioms by Category 107 Part 3: Classroom Activities 121 Index

Introduction

Idiom: a group of words that means something different than the individual words it contains

As with any language, American English is full of idioms, especially when spoken. Idioms add color and texture to language by creating images that convey meanings beyond those of the individual words that make them up. Idioms are culturally bound, providing insight into the history, culture, and outlook of their users. This is because most idioms have developed over time from practices, beliefs, and other aspects of different cultures. As a culture changes, the words used to describe it also change: some idioms fall out of use and others develop to replace them. With idioms in particular, the beliefs or practices leading to their use may disappear while the idiom itself continues to be used. Idioms can be so overused that they become clich?s; or they can become slang or jargon, expressions used mainly by specific groups or professions.

Idioms can be complimentary or insulting. They can express a wide range of emotions from excitement to depression, love to hate, heroism to cowardice, and anything in between. Idioms are also used to express a sense of time, place, or size. The range of uses for idioms is complex and widespread.

The complexity of idioms is what makes them so difficult for non-native speakers to learn. However, this complexity is also what can make idioms so interesting to study and learn; they are rarely boring. Learning about idioms, in this case those used in the United States, provides a way to learn not only the language, but a little about the people who use it.

In the Loop is a collection of common idioms updated and compiled from two previous books of idioms published by the Office of English Language Programs: Illustrated American Idioms by Dean Curry and Something to Crow About by Shelley Vance Laflin. In the Loop combines the popular aspects of the previous books, while also updating the content by including idioms that have come into use more recently and eliminating those that are rarely used. When available, background information is included about the origins of the idioms. Additionally, In the Loop includes categories of commonly used idioms and suggestions to the teacher to aid in developing classroom exercises for learning the meanings and uses of idioms. In essence, this book is intended to be both a teaching tool and a reference.

Organization of this Book. In the Loop is divided into three parts: Part 1, "Idioms and Definitions"; Part 2, "Selected Idioms by Category"; and Part 3, "Classroom Activities." The idioms are listed alphabetically in Part 1. Part 2 highlights some of the most commonly used idioms, grouped into categories. Part 3 contains classroom suggestions to help teachers plan appropriate exercises for their students. There is also a complete index at the back of the book listing page numbers for both main entries and cross-references for each idiom.

How to Locate an Idiom. In Part 1, "Idioms and Definitions," idioms are listed alphabetically by first word. The only first words not used to place the idioms in order are articles (a, the, some) and pronouns and possessives (someone, one). Instead, these are placed at the end of the idiom, separated by a comma.

v

How Each Entry is Arranged

idiom's main entry

definition of the idiom

sample sentences using the idiom

additional information about the idiom

1 FEATHER IN (ONE'S) CAP, A an exceptional achievement 2

1. Cassandra managed through hard work to win a big contract for her company. It was a real

3 feather in her cap.

2. The scholarship Lee won to attend the university was a feather in his cap.

Synonym: something to crow about

4 Antonym: nothing to write home about

Compare to: feather (one's) nest

5 The practice of placing a feather in one's cap is centuries old and appears to have been practiced in many different cultures. The feather was awarded and worn as a sign of a significant achievement by the wearer. In some cultures, such as in 16th century Hungary, it was even a crime to wear a feather when one had not earned the right to wear it.

cross-referenced idioms for comparison

The idiom (1) is given first, followed by its definition (2). Then, two or three example sentences (3) are provided to illustrate how the idiom is used. Occasionally, an idiom has more than one meaning. Where this occurs, each meaning for the idiom is numbered with corresponding numbers in the sample sentences. All entries include the idiom (1), definition (2), and sample sentences (3).

The final two elements--cross-referenced idioms (4) and additional information (5)-- are included only where relevant or available. There are three types of cross-references used: synonym, antonym, and compare to. Synonyms are expressions that have the same meaning as the idiom. Antonyms are expressions that mean the opposite of the idiom. Compare to includes expressions that might be mistaken as similar to, or related to, the idiom. In the illustrated entr y above, for example, feather (one's) nest has a completely different meaning than feather in (one's) cap, even though they both refer to a feather. The final section, additional

information (5), includes notes such as the origins of the expression, restrictions on usage, or any additional information that might help a learner understand when and how a particular idiom is used.

Symbols Used in the Entries. Some idioms may have one or two alternate words that are used interchangeably without altering the meaning. One example of this is in a fix/bind/jam. In this idiom, fix, bind, or jam can be used without changing the idiom's meaning. In such cases the possible alternates are separated by a slash (/).

Some idioms require context-specific subjects or objects. In these cases someone, something, or one are placed in parenthesis within the idiom. (Someone) or (something) is used when the idiom's object is different than the subject. For example, in beat (someone) to the punch, someone is a different person than the subject as in I beat him to the punch. The pronoun one is used when the subject and object of the idiom is the same person, as in ace up (one's) sleeve (He had an ace up his sleeve).

vi

Part 1

Idioms and Definitions

A

ACE IN THE HOLE a hidden but effective means of winning a conflict

1. The other team thinks they can win this basketball game, but that's only because we haven't put our best player in yet. He's our ace in the hole.

2. It looked like the politician would lose the debate until he brought up his ace in the hole, an argument that nobody could refute.

The expression originates from some forms of the card game poker, in which players have both community cards and private ("hole") cards in their hands. To have an ace in one's private hand means that one can win the game without others suspecting ahead of time.

ACE UP (ONE'S) SLEEVE to have an effective but hidden means to accomplish something

1. It looks like Joanne is going to lose, but I wouldn't be too sure. She may have an ace up her sleeve.

2. No matter how many times I think Paul might lose to me in a game of chess, he never does. He always has an ace up his sleeve and wins every game.

The expression originates from card games like poker, in which players might hide an extra ace up their sleeves to use in case they were losing the game and wanted to cheat.

ACHILLES' HEEL a person's weakness or the vulnerable spot in his or her character

1. We've got to find his Achilles' heel if we hope to defeat him.

2. John appears to be a highly respected citizen, but I'm sure he has his Achilles' heel.

Achilles was a figure in Greek mythology who was invulnerable in battle except for his heel. It was the one weak spot on his body.

ACID TEST the most crucial or important test of worth

1. Parents might be willing to buy this new toy for their children but the real acid test is whether or not the children themselves like it.

2. The acid test for laundry soap is not how well it cleans in hot water, but how well it cleans in cold water.

The expression originates from the use of nitric acid on gold to determine whether the gold was genuine.

ACROSS THE BOARD equally for everyone, for everything, or in all cases

1. The boss made some people angry. He gave 5% pay raises across the board but some people thought they should have gotten more than others.

2. The car dealership was cutting prices across the board. Every car was on sale, not just a few.

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS the things that people do (actions) are more important than the things they say (words)

1. She's promised to be nicer to her sister from now on, but actions speak louder than words.

2. Every politician will claim that he or she cares about the problems of the average person, but actions speak louder than words.

This expression implies that we can learn about a person's true intentions by looking at what they do rather than what they say.

ALBATROSS AROUND (ONE'S) NECK something or someone that is a burden and difficult to get rid of

1. That car costs you so much to repair. It has become an albatross around your neck. Why don't you get rid of it?

2. I hired my wife's brother to work in my business but he's worthless. He doesn't do anything. He really is an albatross around my neck.

Synonym: millstone around (one's) neck

1

An albatross is a large sea bird. The expression comes from the poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel T. Coleridge, in which a sailor shoots a helpful albatross with a crossbow, bringing bad luck on the crew of the ship. The other sailors hang the bird around the sailor's neck as punishment.

ALL KIDDING ASIDE speaking seriously

1. That was a good joke, but all kidding aside, we have to get to work now.

2. What you're telling me sounds unbelievable. All kidding aside, are you serious?

ALL THUMBS uncoordinated and awkward, especially with one's hands

1. I've tried to put this toy together according to the instructions, but I'm all thumbs. I can't seem to get the parts to fit.

2. Peter seems to be all thumbs today. He keeps dropping his tools.

ALL WET wrong to the point of being silly or unbelievable

1. He's all wet if he thinks I'm going to believe his lies.

2. Don't listen to Maria. She doesn't know what she's talking about. She's all wet.

Compare to: not know beans about (something); out to lunch; for the birds; talk through (one's) hat

ALONG FOR THE RIDE, GO/COME to be present for an activity without taking part in it

1. Janet's brothers went up into the mountains to do some fishing. Janet doesn't fish, but she went along for the ride.

2. I don't need to do any shopping, but perhaps I'll come along for the ride if that's okay with you.

The expression suggests that the ride itself is the extent of the person's participation in the activity, and that the person does not take part in the activity that is the purpose of the ride.

APPLE OF (ONE'S) EYE a person or thing that is precious or loved above all else

1. Richard is so attached to his daughter that he would do anything for her. She's the apple of his eye.

2. The boy won't behave in school, but you can't convince his parents. He's the apple of their eye.

Centuries old, this expression stems from the ancient belief that the pupil of the eye was solid and shaped like an apple. The pupil was considered precious since one could not see without it.

ARMED TO THE TEETH well-equipped with weapons

1. The police won't enter the bank where the thief is. He's armed to the teeth.

2. The invading soldiers were armed to the teeth. There was no way the defenders could hope to win.

The expression suggests having weapons (arms) from one's toes to one's teeth.

AS THE CROW FLIES directly or in a straight line, without roads

1. The town is 25 miles from here as the crow flies, but it's over 40 miles by car.

2. As the crow flies, the airport isn't very far, but you can't get there directly. You have to drive around the mountains.

The expression is used to describe the distance between two points as an airplane or bird might fly, without taking into account the twists and turns in the road.

AT LOGGERHEADS in strong disagreement, in a quarrel; at an impasse

1. They have been arguing all day about what to do. They really are at loggerheads.

2. John and Richard are at loggerheads about what would be a fair price for the car. John thinks Richard's price is far too low.

AT (ONE'S) WITS' END at a loss about what to do next; in a state of frustration

1. When the woman looked around and couldn't find her little daughter, she looked up and down every aisle in the store until she was at her wits' end. She was almost hysterical when another customer in the store suggested that she notify the store's security officer.

2. We can't seem to persuade our son to stay in school. We have tried every argument we can think of, but nothing seems to help. We don't know what to do, and we're at our wits' end.

Synonyms: at the end of (one's) rope

Compare to: keep (one's) wits about (oneself); use (one's) wits; scared out of (one's) wits

The word wits means mental abilities.

AT THE DROP OF A HAT on any pretext; without needing an excuse or reason

1. Those workmen look for any reason to stop working. They'll put down their tools at the drop of a hat.

2. Nancy really doesn't want to stay in her present job. She'll leave for another one at the drop of a hat.

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