20 English idioms that everyone should know

 

 

Idioms. Native English speakers love using them in conversation, and you’ll often find them popping up in books, TV shows and movies too. To perfect your English, you really need to become confident in using idioms and knowing the difference between breaking a leg and pulling someone’s leg.

Here are 20 English idioms that everyone should know:

1. Under the weather

What does it mean? To feel ill

How do you use it? In England we love to talk about the weather and will do so often, but don’t be fooled by this common phrase. If someone says they’re feeling under the weather, your response should be ‘I hope you feel better!’, not ‘Would you like to borrow my umbrella?’.

2. The ball is in your court

What does it mean? It’s up to you

How do you use it? It’s your move now, but this idiom refers to life rather than a sport. If you’ve got the ‘ball,’ the decision is yours and someone is waiting for your decision.

3. Spill the beans

What does it mean? To give away a secret

How do you use it? If you told someone about their own surprise party, you’d have ‘spilled the beans’ or even ‘let the cat out of the bag’. The secret is out.

4. Break a leg

What does it mean? To wish someone luck

How do you use it? This idiom is not at all threatening. Often accompanied by a thumbs up, ‘Break a leg! ’is an encouraging cheer of good luck. It originates from when successful theater performers would to bow so many times after a show that they would break a leg.

5. Pull someone’s leg

What does it mean? To play a practical joke

How do you use it? This is the perfect phrase to learn if you’re a fan of practical jokes. ‘Pull their leg’ is similar to ‘wind someone up’. Use it in context: ‘Relax, I’m just pulling your leg!’ or ‘Wait, are you pulling my leg?’.

6. Sat on the fence

What does it mean? To be undecided

How do you use it? If you’re sat on the fence, you’ve not decided which side of an argument you agree with. ‘I’m on the fence about hot yoga classes,’ translates as ‘I’m not sure whether I enjoy yoga in a sauna yet.’

7. Through thick and thin

What does it mean? To be loyal no matter what

How do you use it? Often used to describe families or BFFs, ‘through thick and thin’ means that you’re by each other’s side no matter what happens, through the bad times, as well as the good.

8. Once in a blue moon

What does it mean? Rarely

How do you use it? This charming phrase is used to describe something that doesn’t happen often. Example: ‘I remember to call my parents from my study abroad trip once in a blue moon.’

9. It’s the best thing since sliced bread

What does it mean? It’s really, really good

How do you use it? Sliced bread must have revolutionised life in England because it’s since been used as the ultimate benchmark for things that are great. We love it almost as much as tea.

10. Take it with a pinch of salt

What does it mean? Don’t take it too seriously

How do you use it? ‘I heard that elephants can fly now, but Sam often makes up stories so I take everything he says with a pinch of salt.’

11. Come rain or shine

What does it mean? No matter what

How do you use it? You guarantee to do something, regardless of the weather or any other situation that might arise. ‘I’ll be at your football game, come rain or shine’.

12. Go down in flames

What does it mean? To fail spectacularly

How do you use it? This phrase is fairly obvious. ‘That exam went down in flames, I should have learned my English idioms.’

13. You can say that again

What does it mean? That’s true

How do you use it? Generally exclaimed in agreement. When a friend says ‘Ryan Reynolds is gorgeous!’, you can reply ‘You can say that again!’

14. See eye to eye

What does it mean? To agree completely

How do you use it? We’re not suggesting a staring contest – to see eye to eye with someone is to agree with the point they’re making.

15. Jump on the bandwagon

What does it mean? Following a trend

How do you use it? When a person joins in with something popular or does something just because it’s cool. See this brunch-based example: ‘She doesn’t even like avocado on toast. She’s just jumping on the bandwagon.’

16. As right as rain

What does it mean? Perfect

How do you use it? Another weather-based idiom, but this one is slightly trickier. We moan about the rain, but ‘right as rain’ is actually a positive comment. ‘I’m as right as rain!’ may be exclaimed with glee when asked if everything is okay, and it is.

17. Beat around the bush

What does it mean? Avoid saying something

How do you use it? Beating around the bush is when you speak nonsense, avoiding a question because you don’t want to express your opinion or answer truthfully.

18. Hit the sack

What does it mean? Go to bed

How do you use it? This idiom is super easy to learn to use. ‘I’m exhausted, it’s time for me to hit the sack!’

19. Miss the boat

What does it mean? It’s too late

How do you use it? Use this when you let an opportunity or deadline pass by. ‘I forgot to apply for that study abroad program, now I’ve missed the boat.’

20. By the skin of your teeth

What does it mean? Just barely

How do you use it? ‘Phew, I passed that exam by the skin of my teeth!’ Hopefully you’ll ace your exams, but if you only just pass you can whip out this idiom.

English idioms

English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.

Learning to use common idioms and expressions will make your English sound more native, so it's a good idea to master some of these expressions. The tables below are organized by how common the idioms are in American English. You can start by learning the very common English idioms, since these are the ones you'll encounter regularly watching American movies or TV, or visiting the United States. When you've mastered those, move on to rest. None of the idioms on this page are unusual or old fashioned, so you can be confident using any of them with native English speakers from all English-speaking countries.

The most common English idioms

These English idioms are extremely common in everyday conversation in the United States. You will hear them in movies and TV shows and can use them to make your English sound more like that of a native speaker. 

Idiom	Meaning	Usage
A blessing in disguise	a good thing that seemed bad at first	as part of a sentence
A dime a dozen	Something common	as part of a sentence
Beat around the bush	Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable	as part of a sentence
Better late than never	Better to arrive late than not to come at all	by itself
Bite the bullet	To get something over with because it is inevitable	as part of a sentence
Break a leg	Good luck	by itself
Call it a day	Stop working on something	as part of a sentence
Cut somebody some slack	Don't be so critical	as part of a sentence
Cutting corners	Doing something poorly in order to save time or money	as part of a sentence
Easy does it	Slow down	by itself
Get out of hand	Get out of control	as part of a sentence
Get something out of your system	Do the thing you've been wanting to do so you can move on	as part of a sentence
Get your act together	Work better or leave	by itself
Give someone the benefit of the doubt	Trust what someone says	as part of a sentence
Go back to the drawing board	Start over	as part of a sentence
Hang in there	Don't give up	by itself
Hit the sack	Go to sleep	as part of a sentence
It's not rocket science	It's not complicated	by itself
Let someone off the hook	To not hold someone responsible for something	as part of a sentence
Make a long story short	Tell something briefly	as part of a sentence
Miss the boat	It's too late	as part of a sentence
No pain, no gain	You have to work for what you want	by itself
On the ball	Doing a good job	as part of a sentence
Pull someone's leg	To joke with someone	as part of a sentence
Pull yourself together	Calm down	by itself
So far so good	Things are going well so far	by itself
Speak of the devil	The person we were just talking about showed up!	by itself
That's the last straw	My patience has run out	by itself
The best of both worlds	An ideal situation	as part of a sentence
Time flies when you're having fun	You don't notice how long something lasts when it's fun	by itself
To get bent out of shape	To get upset	as part of a sentence
To make matters worse	Make a problem worse	as part of a sentence
Under the weather	Sick	as part of a sentence
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it	Let's not talk about that problem right now	by itself
Wrap your head around something	Understand something complicated	as part of a sentence
You can say that again	That's true, I agree	by itself
Your guess is as good as mine	I have no idea	by itself

Common English idioms & expressions

These English idioms are used quite regularly in the United States. You may not hear them every day, but they will be very familiar to any native English speaker. You can be confident using any of them when the context is appropriate.

Idiom	Meaning	Usage
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush	What you have is worth more than what you might have later	by itself
A penny for your thoughts	Tell me what you're thinking	by itself
A penny saved is a penny earned	Money you save today you can spend later	by itself
A perfect storm	the worst possible situation	as part of a sentence
A picture is worth 1000 words	Better to show than tell	by itself
Actions speak louder than words	Believe what people do and not what they say	by itself
Add insult to injury	To make a bad situation worse	as part of a sentence
Barking up the wrong tree	To be mistaken, to be looking for solutions in the wrong place	as part of a sentence
Birds of a feather flock together	People who are alike are often friends (usually used negatively)	by itself
Bite off more than you can chew	Take on a project that you cannot finish	as part of a sentence
Break the ice	Make people feel more comfortable	as part of a sentence
By the skin of your teeth	Just barely	as part of a sentence
Comparing apples to oranges	Comparing two things that cannot be compared	as part of a sentence
Costs an arm and a leg	Very expensive	as part of a sentence
Do something at the drop of a hat	Do something without having planned beforehand	as part of a sentence
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you	Treat people fairly. Also known as "The Golden Rule"	by itself
Don't count your chickens before they hatch	Don't count on something good happening until it's happened.	by itself
Don't cry over spilt milk	There's no reason to complain about something that can't be fixed	by itself
Don't give up your day job	You're not very good at this	by itself
Don't put all your eggs in one basket	What you're doing is too risky	by itself
Every cloud has a silver lining	Good things come after bad things	by itself
Get a taste of your own medicine	Get treated the way you've been treating others (negative)	as part of a sentence
Give someone the cold shoulder	Ignore someone	as part of a sentence
Go on a wild goose chase	To do something pointless	as part of a sentence
Good things come to those who wait	Be patient	by itself
He has bigger fish to fry	He has bigger things to take care of than what we are talking about now	by itself
He's a chip off the old block	The son is like the father	by itself
Hit the nail on the head	Get something exactly right	by itself
Ignorance is bliss	You're better off not knowing	by itself
It ain't over till the fat lady sings	This isn't over yet	by itself
It takes one to know one	You're just as bad as I am	by itself
It's a piece of cake	It's easy	by itself
It's raining cats and dogs	It's raining hard	by itself
Kill two birds with one stone	Get two things done with a single action	by itself
Let the cat out of the bag	Give away a secret	as part of a sentence
Live and learn	I made a mistake	by itself
Look before you leap	Take only calculated risks	by itself
On thin ice	On probation. If you make another mistake, there will be trouble.	as part of a sentence
Once in a blue moon	Rarely	as part of a sentence
Play devil's advocate	To argue the opposite, just for the sake of argument	as part of a sentence
Put something on ice	Put a projet on hold	as part of a sentence
Rain on someone's parade	To spoil something	as part of a sentence
Saving for a rainy day	Saving money for later	as part of a sentence
Slow and steady wins the race	Reliability is more important than speed	by itself
Spill the beans	Give away a secret	as part of a sentence
Take a rain check	Postpone a plan	as part of a sentence
Take it with a grain of salt	Don’t take it too seriously	as part of a sentence
The ball is in your court	It's your decision	by itself
The best thing since sliced bread	A really good invention	as part of a sentence
The devil is in the details	It looks good from a distance, but when you look closer, there are problems	by itself
The early bird gets the worm	The first people who arrive will get the best stuff	by itself
The elephant in the room	The big issue, the problem people are avoiding	as part of a sentence
The whole nine yards	Everything, all the way.	as part of a sentence
There are other fish in the sea	It's ok to miss this opportunity. Others will arise.	by itself
There's a method to his madness	He seems crazy but actually he's clever	by itself
There's no such thing as a free lunch	Nothing is entirely free	by itself
Throw caution to the wind	Take a risk	as part of a sentence
You can't have your cake and eat it too	You can't have everything	by itself
You can't judge a book by its cover	This person or thing may look bad, but it's good inside	by itself

Familiar English idioms & proverbs

These English idioms and proverbs are familiar and easily understood by native English speakers, but they are not usually used in everyday conversation. If you haven't mastered the more frequent idioms yet, they are a better place to start, but if you're already familiar with those expressions, the idioms below will further spice up your English.

Idiom	Meaning	Usage
A little learning is a dangerous thing	People who don't understand something fully are dangerous	by itself
A snowball effect	Events have momentum and build upon each other	as part of a sentence
A snowball's chance in hell	No chance at all	as part of a sentence
A stitch in time saves nine	Fix the problem now because it will get worse later	by itself
A storm in a teacup	A big fuss about a small problem	as part of a sentence
An apple a day keeps the doctor away	Apples are good for you	by itself
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure	You can prevent a problem with little effort. Fixing it later is harder.	by itself
As right as rain	Perfect	as part of a sentence
Bolt from the blue	Something that happened without warning	as part of a sentence
Burn bridges	Destroy relationships	as part of a sentence
Calm before the storm	Something bad is coming, but right now it's calm	as part of a sentence
Come rain or shine	No matter what	as part of a sentence
Curiosity killed the cat	Stop asking questions	by itself
Cut the mustard	Do a good job	as part of a sentence
Don't beat a dead horse	Move on, this subject is over	by itself
Every dog has his day	Everyone gets a chance at least once	by itself
Familiarity breeds contempt	The better you know someone the less you like him	by itself
Fit as a fiddle	In good health	as part of a sentence
Fortune favours the bold	Take risks	by itself
Get a second wind	Have more energy after having been tired	as part of a sentence
Get wind of something	Hear news of something secret	as part of a sentence
Go down in flames	Fail spectacularly	as part of a sentence
Haste makes waste	You'll make mistakes if you rush through something	by itself
Have your head in the clouds	Not be concentrating	as part of a sentence
He who laughs last laughs loudest	I'll get you back for what you did	by itself
Hear something straight from the horse's mouth	Hear something from the person involved	as part of a sentence
He's not playing with a full deck	He's dumb	by itself
He's off his rocker	He's crazy	by itself
He's sitting on the fence	He can't make up his mind	by itself
It is a poor workman who blames his tools	If you can't do the job, don't blame it on others	by itself
It is always darkest before the dawn	Things are going to get better	by itself
It takes two to tango	One person alone isn't responsible. Both people are involved.	by itself
Jump on the bandwagon	Follow a trend, do what everyone else is doing	as part of a sentence
Know which way the wind is blowing	Understand the situation (usually negative)	as part of a sentence
Leave no stone unturned	Look everywhere	as part of a sentence
Let sleeping dogs lie	Stop discussing an issue	as part of a sentence
Like riding a bicycle	Something you never forget how to do	as part of a sentence
Like two peas in a pod	They're always together	as part of a sentence
Make hay while the sun shines	Take advantage of a good situation	as part of a sentence
On cloud nine	Very happy	as part of a sentence
Once bitten, twice shy	You're more cautious when you've been hurt before	by itself
Out of the frying pan and into the fire	Things are going from bad to worse	by itself
Run like the wind	Run fast	as part of a sentence
Shape up or ship out	Work better or leave	by itself
Snowed under	Busy	as part of a sentence
That ship has sailed	It's too late	by itself
The pot calling the kettle black	Someone criticizing someone else he is just as bad	as part of a sentence
There are clouds on the horizon	Trouble is coming	by itself
Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones	People who are morally questionable shouldn't criticize others	by itself
Through thick and thin	In good times and in bad times	as part of a sentence
Time is money	Work quickly	by itself
Waste not, want not	Don't waste things and you'll always have enough	by itself
We see eye to eye	We agree	by itself
Weather the storm	Go through something difficult	as part of a sentence
Well begun is half done	Getting a good start is important	by itself
When it rains it pours	Everything is going wrong at once	by itself
You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar	You'll get what you want by being nice	by itself
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink	You can't force someone to make the right decision	by itself
You can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs	There's always a cost to doing something	by itself

 

Abstract Expessions: Idioms That Come From Art

“It is not humanly possible to gather immediately from it what the logic of language is. Language disguises thought.” - Ludwig Wittgenstein

The English language is a funny thing. Even as technology radically changes the way we go about our daily lives, we still find ourselves using many of the same old turns of phrase. For example, we might text friends the 16th century expression “it’s raining cats and dogs,” or say that 3D movie tickets cost “an arm and a leg.” Considering how confusing these old sayings might be to newcomers, why do we still bother with them at all? Why don’t we, instead, just say what we mean?

Perhaps that just isn’t poetic enough. Indeed, our human fondness for all things abstract might help explain why so many idioms come from the art world. From music and literature to paintings and dance, the arts have given birth to many famous phrases. Here are eight of the most popular examples of art’s lasting influence on the English language.

Idiom: At one fell swoop

Meaning: At the same time; in a powerful, decisive action

Origin: This idiom traces its roots all the way back to ye olde English. “Fell” (an old word, which came into use by the 13th century) is the common root of “felon”. But the full phrase, “at one fell swoop,” comes from the King of Timeless Expressions himself, William Shakespeare.

The idiom first appears in Shakespeare’s 1605 tragedy, Macbeth.  In his quest to become king of Scotland, Macbeth kills the family and servants of lord Macduff. Upon learning of this, Macduff replies:

“All my pretty ones?

Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?

What, all my pretty chickens and their dam

At one fell swoop?”

What better way to portray Macbeth’s deadliness than by comparing him to a ruthless hunter?



Idiom: Warts and all

Meaning: The entire thing, without hiding the less attractive parts

Origin: A variation of this popular phrase was first uttered by Oliver Cromwell, circa 1656, after celebrated artist Samuel Cooper painted a miniature portrait of him (based on a full-sized portrait, painted by Peter Lely in 1653). Cromwell, who was then Lord Protector of England, felt that the artist’s first draft was a bit too reverential. Prior to Cooper’s second attempt, Cromwell told him:

“Use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me and not flatter me at all. Remark all these ruffness, pimples, warts and everything as you see me. Otherwise I’ll never pay a farthing for it.”

And with that, “warts and all” was born. On the surface, the phrase evokes ugliness. But there’s also something beautiful about the idea of a divisive, incredibly powerful historical figure insisting on humility.


Samuel Cooper's miniature portrait of Oliver Cromwell

Samuel Cooper's miniature portrait of Oliver Cromwell

Idiom: Always a bridesmaid, but never a bride

Meaning: Said of someone who is never the focus of the situation

Origin: Many people think that mouthwash brand Listerine coined this phrase. Beginning in 1925, the brand ran print advertisements featuring “Edna”, who was “often a bridesmaid but never a bride,” because she didn’t use Listerine to combat bad breath.

True, Listerine pushed this phrase into common parlance, but its first usage in popular culture is from the 1917 Victorian music hall tune, “Why Am I Always the Bridesmaid,” by composers Charles Collins and Fred Leigh.

“Why am I always the bridesmaid
Never the blushing bride
Ding, Dong, wedding bells
Only ring for other gals
But one fine day
Please let it be soon
I shall wake up in the morning
On my own honeymoon.”

Conspicuously absent in the lyrics: any mention of the protagonist’s oral hygiene.
A Listerine print ad that helped popularize the expression. Photo credit: AdAge

A Listerine print ad that helped popularize the expression. Photo credit: AdAge



Idiom: Pull out all the stops

Meaning: Make every effort to achieve something

Origin: In the 16th century, the musical term “stop” meant “note” or “key.” But before long, language evolved, and “stops” started referring to handles on pipe organs, which are used to control the airflow through the pipes. “Pulling them out” increases their volume.

English poet and cultural critic Matthew Arnold is often credited with the first figurative first use of the phrase. In his 1865 work, Essays in Criticism, Arnold writes:

“Knowing how unpopular a task one is undertaking when one tries to pull out a few more stops in that... somewhat narrow-toned organ, the modern Englishman.”

Today, we understand that “pulling out all the stops” means to make every last effort — no knowledge of the inner workings of organs, required.
A close-up look at the stops on an electronic organ.

A close-up look at the stops on an electronic organ.

Idiom: Break a leg

Meaning: “Good luck!”

Origin: This phrase originated in the early 1900s. And, according to Eric Partridge’s Dictionary of Catchphrases, it’s a translation from German. The term “Hals und Beinbuch” (a broken neck and a broken leg) was commonly used by German actors before performances.  It wasn’t long before their British and American counterparts caught on.


But why would anyone wish injury upon a colleague? Throughout the ages, popular folklore has warned against wishing people good luck. It was thought that doing so tempted evil spirits to intervene, cursing those who were wished well. To prevent this from happening, people would attempt to trick the spirits, by wishing “bad luck” instead. Thus, “break a leg” has become a common expression of “good luck.”



Idiom: Piece of cake

Meaning: An easy situation

Origin: “Piece of cake” refers to the cakewalk, a couples’ dance invented by African Americans in the late 19th century. In its earliest form, the cakewalk was performed by black slaves, who danced competitively for of their masters. 

Couples formed a square, with the men on the inside, then strutted around inside the square. One by one, couples were eliminated by judges. In 1876, the dance was performed at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, where the winning pair was presented with a prize piece of cake — hence, the name.

Soon, the cakewalk began to spread across the U.S., where it was performed in minstrel shows and ballrooms alike. 1898 saw the premiere of Clorindy, or the Origin of the Cakewalk — the first Broadway musical to feature an entirely African American cast.

And even though the dance could be hard work, dancers made it look light-hearted and easy. Today, the terms “piece of cake” and “cakewalk” have both become synonymous with simplicity.

Idiom: Can’t do ___ to save my life

Meaning: You’re absolutely inept at something

Origin: Famed British writer Anthony Trollope invented this expression. In his 1848 novel, The Kellys and O’Kellys, he wrote, “if it was to save my life and theirs, I can’t get up small talk for the rector and his curate.”

The Kelly and the O’Kellys failed commercially (it sold only 140 copies), but the idiom it produced has been a lasting success.

But this wasn’t Trollope’s only contribution to our lexicon. The first printed citation of the idiom “blow your own trumpet” (i.e. to boast, or “toot one’s own horn”) was found in Trollope’s 1873 work, Australia and New Zealand.

He wrote, “In the colonies . . . when a gentleman sounds his own trumpet, he blows.” In this context, “blows” mirrors its current, somewhat crass use in American slang — a subtle reminder that boasting isn’t a good look.

Whether directly quoted by art or inspired by artistic processes, idioms have a natural link to creativity. And the connection makes sense. Art itself is a figurative expression, which, like idioms, transforms the mundane into something more colorful

So, if you’re wondering what the idioms of the future might be, look no further than the art of today.

5 Weather Idioms to Get You Ready For Fall

It’s that time of year again! Fall is here, and for most Americans that means warmer clothes, pumpkin spice lattes, and a feeling that the U.S.A has turned on the air conditioner. Fall, (also known as Autumn in British English) is one season that seems to increase in popularity with every passing year, and with good reason! Maybe it’s the increase in cinnamon-based sweets, or the fact that Halloween is just around the corner. Whatever the reason, this obsession with the changing seasons isn’t limited to food and clothes!
When it comes to conversation, idioms present a challenge to almost all language learners. Weather, and in particular, seasons, are 2 subjects that any English language learner is likely to encounter at some point.
So let’s put on a scarf, heat up some “hot cocoa”, and settle in for 5 common weather idioms to get you ready for fall!

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1.The calm before the storm

Have you ever sat outside before a storm arrived and noticed how quiet everything was? This idiom refers to that feeling not only with weather, but with personal experiences as well. This idiom can be used to emphasize that feeling of “cautious-calm” right before you know something is going to happen. Be careful! It’s usually used to talk about something negative…”In a few minutes the restaurant will open…Ahh yes, the calm before the storm.”

2. In a fog

Depending on where you’re spending your fall and winter months, you might have to deal with fog. Fog slows you down when you’re driving, and can make it hard to see. Sometimes I feel tired after a night out with friends, or I feel exhausted when I know I’m starting to get a cold or the flu. My mind feels very “cloudy”, and I might even feel dizzy or sick. I can’t concentrate! When this happens, I might say... “Sorry, my mind is in a fog.”

3. Take a rain check

Imagine this: you have plans with a friend to go to the movies. You walk to your car and try to start it, but you can’t! The engine is dead. You probably have to take your car to the mechanic, and the movie starts in 20 minutes. You decide to call your friend to reschedule. What can you say to let them know you can’t make it today, but you want to see the movie with them in the future? “Sorry, but I’m having car troubles…Can I get a rain check?”

4. Raining cats and dogs

This might be one of the most common idioms for talking about the rain. It’s not certain exactly where this idiom originated, but for many years it has been a popular way to say that it is heavily raining. It's important to note that while this idiom is still in use, some people also use it sarcastically, as a way to make a joke out of the amount of rain that is occurring… "Wow! Look at this weather we’re having! It’s raining cats and dogs out there!”

5. Bundle up

Used as a recommendation or simply to state a fact, this idiom is used more in the winter months than in other seasons. Bundle, meaning, “to wrap tightly” can refer to presents or people. In this case, it’s used to talk about the action of tightly wrapping oneself in warm clothes like scarves, gloves, and hats…”You’d better bundle up, it’s cold out there!”

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So, the next time you need to face the cool air or chilly rain of an autumn day, you’ll be ready!

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Best of luck on your language learning journey, and don’t forget to bundle up!

Author: Roberta

The Deep Rooted Idioms

Every one of that sparkles is not gold, a deep rooted idiom that rings so valid in adulthood.

This idiom is best depicted in the notorious, but instead exhausting (as indicated by me!) school set-book, Macbeth. Here the primary topic is appearance versus reality.

With our regular day to day existences we encounter this subject however disregard it considering, yet such is reality. Basic illustrations are sitting in front of the TV advertisements showing the most delightful clothing. This clothing is said to be intended to fit each shape (not considering round is additionally a shape).

After acquiring this clothing, one winds up resembling a stuffed gammon instead of glitzy.

Shouldn't something be said about in our own lives, what number of Romeos/Juliets run into we ways?

Romeos decked in incense-stick noticing scent, fake grins and smooth lines guaranteeing to be knights in sparkling defensive layer however end up being frogs in tinfoil.

Juliets, whose physical make-up must be compared to a post, in light of the fact that didn't you know being solid and not anorexic is last season.

These angels come clad with beaus, a cigarette and skin break out, however hello, magnificence is in the eye of the brew holder and not onlooker.

Not exclusively does it hit profound when we look in the mirror, or at our decision in mates, additionally when we look in our pockets.

At the point when December tags along its "phola time", a term best used to depict chilling and cash spending. Months of anticipating how to spend the cash you don't have, much like depending on something that isn't guaranteed, go into December planning. Tragically when the checks arrive you won't be "pholaring" yet rather doing the SAPS (sitting and stopping swaak), "swaak" is slang for terrible or broke.

Presently there are various cases, going back to our youth like the account of Hansel and Gretel and their sweet house, ended up being a diabetes-invaded heaven claimed by a witch.

The pleasant educator who let me know not to cry in review one, as I clung to my mom's shirt, turned into the explanation behind my tears much later on.

Sometime down the road it advanced more, and we steadily acknowledged this, and, yes, its piece of life. Yet, whenever we make a stage in life, recall life is never as it appears, don't pass judgment on a book by its cover.

Idioms and Saying about Teeth

Consistently new expressions and colloquialisms enter people in general vocabulary, and old ones lose ubiquity and fall by the wayside. Be that as it may, a few figures of speech have enormous staying power and have continued kicking around for hundreds – if not thousands – of years. A large portion of these old-clocks imply the most essential of human ideas: our own bodies.

What's more, teeth, being that one bizarre piece of our body that practically everybody will in the long run lose yet figure out how to live without, are an especially strong symbol. Like bones we can see, our general wellbeing can some of the time be gathered from how we treat and look after these critical instruments. In this period of dentures and teeth inserts, we may overlook how critical teeth were to the numerous eras of people that preceded us.

In view of that, how about we take a look at the cause and importance of the seemingly perpetual and hard-hitting colloquialisms that reference our teeth to depict how we collaborate with the world. You may locate some astonishing or illuminating, while others might be out and out offensive!

A Tooth For A Tooth

This exemplary expression has stood the trial of time due in substantial part to its incorporation in the Old Confirmation. Alongside the eyes, requesting a tooth be given for every one taken was an instinctive interest for compensatory equity; a thought that was later made all the more horrifying with Shakespeare's "pound of tissue". Generally, you not exclusively should be rebuffed precisely corresponding for your violations (however close to that either), yet rebuffed out of your own body if necessities be.

Getting Long In The Tooth

It's not human teeth this specific saying alludes to, but rather stallions. For quite a while it was trusted you could tell the age of a stallion by its teeth because of a shallow section that shows up around 10 years of age, and gradually goes down the length of the tooth as it seems to "become out", until it vanishes again in the steed's seniority. In this way, somebody whose teeth have developed that long, must be pretty darn old. In all actuality, retreating gums and a stallion's regular teeth variety play ruin with this arrangement of maturing, yet a best figure is frequently superior to none.

As Uncommon As Hens' Teeth

All things considered, that is sufficiently basic, as hens don't have teeth. The platitude may have been on more unstable ground in the event that it had been about geese teeth – dental specialists would differ that these structures on a goose's mouth consider teeth, however in the event that you were chomped by one I'm certain you wouldn't value the distinction!

By The Skin Of Your Teeth

Most wouldn't perceive this as another idiom with scriptural beginning, where the main occurrence of it was utilized to portray an escape with nothing by any means, aside from one's life. From that point forward, it has come to mean something kept away from or accomplished by an imperceptibly small edge. In the event that you need to consider veneer the "skin" of your teeth, you will acknowledge exactly how thin an edge that must be.

Bristle some fur
A few people grin without hinting at a their silvery whites, however others are honored with sticky and toothy grins, and glad to blaze them around. What appears to us people as a declaration of agreeable openness is all around a terrible sign in the set of all animals. Getting defensive is an indication of outrageous hostility, since it proposes you're going to utilize them!

Take on more than You Could possibly deal with

Is there anybody out there that hasn't encountered the cause of this interesting saying for themselves? Regularly with a major bit of cake or dessert, and ideally not with an enormous piece of weathered steak. What was required to be a delightful sizable chunk turns into a challenging undertaking seasoned with lament.

As Awful As Pulling Teeth

Genuinely plain as day! Any individual who has had the setback to encounter pulled teeth will most likely have a shiver of pity for those put in any remotely comparative circumstance. This is frequently said in regards to events that are just a genuinely dreadful affair, additionally prone to be irreversible once they're finished. Despite the fact that occasionally, individuals take a gander at the silver coating that once the culpable teeth are pulled and gone, they can't bring about any more torment and enduring.

Give Your Eyeteeth For It

The eyeteeth are another name for the canines, and were once accepted to be associated by nerves to the eye itself. Your canine teeth are especially imperative for the cutting activity of tearing your nourishment into nibble estimated partitions, before the molars become an integral factor to pound it down into absorbable glue. Losing your canines makes your chomp more barren, your grin especially senseless looking, and was accepted to be terrible for the eyes too, thus anything you would lose them for would need to be vital in reality.

Try to pass off a flagrant deception

In the present day, this figure of speech generally implies a lie told through a grin; as such the demonstration of an extremely honed or unrepentant liar. Some of the time it is a constrained smile that is alluded to. In its sources in the fourteenth Century, in any case, the truism was not alluding to the liar's teeth but rather those of the individual they addressed. In this manner one lied in somebody's teeth, similarly as we would not state lied in (or to) somebody's face.

To Battle Like there's no tomorrow

To battle with ones teeth and fingernails is the last protection a human has after every other weapon are lost and swinging space for punches has lessened. It's the brief and delicate minutes that choose on the off chance that you live beyond words, it can all boil down to that you are so eager to utilize your teeth on a living animal; another case of how strong a picture teeth give.

Sink Your Teeth Into It

You might be astonished to discover that the human jaw has a normal smashing force of around 170 pounds (85kg)! What's more, your teeth are the point where this drive leaves your body and enters whatever disastrous thing you're gnawing. Undoubtedly, the quality of your teeth is the integral calculate how hard you can nibble; the torment of new weight will put you off much sooner than your jaw muscles give out. Putting your teeth into something wholeheartedly is an extraordinary approach to have an effect.

Set Your Teeth Anxious

Another more interesting methods of expression with an old, scriptural and Shakespearian ancestry, something that sets your teeth anxious is promptly perceived to be something unfathomably irritating or vexing. In any case, the first use alluded to the impression of corrosive on the teeth, for example, when eating acidic or vinegared sustenances like citrus and pickles. Maybe the interfacing component is that when you worry your jaw and mouth in disturbance, your teeth may shiver or turn into somewhat numb – like when you've eaten an especially sharp grape!

Got Getting teeth Issues?

It's an agonizing thing for an infant's first teeth to become out, and here and there notwithstanding for the grown-up teeth that come in sporadically in later years. 'Getting teeth issues' is the term utilized for issues, irritations and hiccups that happen as somebody explores new territory to them, which are relied upon to leave as they get to be distinctly acclimated or experienced with the errand being referred to.

A Kick In The Teeth

You might be more acquainted with an option expression with a similar importance – to be kicked while you're as of now down. The main way somebody's foot is going to effectively interact with your teeth is if your head is on the ground. Also, kicking you by then is exceptionally unsporting, also most likely to a great degree agonizing. This is an adage regularly held forever's most exceedingly terrible minutes.

Looking a Blessing Horse in the Mouth

This similarity alludes to the act of checking a stallion's teeth to decide their age and in this way its esteem. While accepting a blessing, you ought to be appreciative for it instead of be believed to wish for additional by evaluating its value.

To Have a Sweet Tooth

This metaphor alludes to the longing or yearning to eat a lot of sweet things like treat, cakes, dessert, cakes or anything with a sweet flavor. A case would be on the off chance that you just can't get enough chocolate or lollies.

We trust you delighted in this rundown of teeth phrases, adages and expressions and comprehend a tiny bit more about where they began from and what they mean. On the off chance that you have any more you might want to see added to this rundown, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

8 Idioms About Colours

In this lesson, you will learn 8 English idioms and phrases related to colours.
The list contains both British and American idioms, and for each one I give you the definition, meaning and origin as well as some examples of use.

Out of the blue

When something happens out of the blue, it is unexpected. It is a big surprise.
If Mark suddenly quits smoking and nobody was expecting it, we say: “Mark quit smoking out of the blue.”
Example:
Jane: “Where did David go?”
Mark: “I don’t know. He just left out of the blue.”

Once in a blue moon

This is an adverb phrase of frequency. It descibes an event that happens very rarely. An event that does NOT happen often.
The origin of the expression is that an actual blue moon in the sky is very rare. It occurs approximately once every 3 years.

Example:
Mark lives in New York so I only see him once in a blue moon.

to black out

= to suddenly lose consciousness.
= to suddenly faint.
Example:
Doctor: “What happened?”
David: “He drank 5 glasses of whisky and then he blacked out.”

Grey area

= a situation that is NOT clear.
= a situation where the rules are NOT well defined.
Example:
Student: “Sir, are students allowed to bring mobile phones into the classroom?”
Teacher: “Well it’s a grey area. It depends on the reasons.”

White lie

A lie is when we say something that is NOT true. A white lie is a small unimportant lie that we say to perhaps try to be polite or diplomatic. We tell a white lie so as not to offend someone, for example.
Mark: “Do you like my hat ?”
Jane: “Yes, you look very handsome.”
(In reality, Jane does NOT like Mark’s hat. Jane is telling a white lie!)

Green with envy

= to really want something that someone else has.
= to be very envious of someone.
“Envy” is the noun and “envious” is the adjective.
Example:
Mark: “Do you like my new car?”
David: “Yes, it’s very nice. I’m green with envy.”

to give the green light

= to give permission for something to start.
The origin of this idiom is the green light of a traffic light. The green light on a traffic light indicates that you have permission to start or go.

Examples:
Only the CEO can give the green light to start recruitment.
The government has given the green light for the new hospital.

Green fingers

= Someone with green fingers is good at gardening.
Example:
Mark: “Your garden is beautiful. You really have green fingers!”

Green thumb

= Someone with a green thumb is good at gardening.
This is the American English version.
Example:
Jane: “I love your garden. You really have a green thumb!”