Whether you have ever spoken to a native English speaker, or you
are planning to, one thing is for sure is that there will be moments when you
will find it almost impossible to completely understand what they are saying.
But how can this be you may ask yourself? I studied English, I have a B2 level,
I passed my international exam.
Well, you know what?
The reason you find it hard to understand native speakers is
because they usually use a steady supply of idioms in their daily
communication.
What is an idiom?
It’s “a group of words whose meaning is different from the meaning of every single word.” For example, “a piece of cake” doesn’t literally mean a sweet; instead, it means “easy.” How interesting!
Why idioms?
The fact that you have
learnt a few thousand English words doesn’t mean you can understand every
single idiom. That’s to say knowing single words will not help you interpret
the meaning of the entire idiomatic phrase. What you can do is put
serious effort into it.
What’s more, if you master English idioms, you will sound
like a native speaker. Idiomatic expressions which make conversations
sound more natural are commonly used by native speakers every day.
IDIOMS FOR LOVE AND ROMANCE
1. Love at first sight
· Two people falling in love the first time they meet.
Jim and Sue had a very
happy ending after three months of dating. It was love at
first sight.
I don’t believe in love at first sight. Love needs time to grow.
I loved him at first sight. He’s the man I’ve been
searching for.
2. Match made in heaven
·
A perfect combination of people or things that
will end up successful or happy.
Tim and Anna are a match made in heaven. I believe they’ll soon have a happy
ending.
All the guests thought
that the bride and groom were a match made in heaven.
No one
can deny that my parents are a match made in heaven.
They’ve been through ups and downs together for 30 years.
3. Have a crush on
someone
·
To have a strong feeling of love that usually
does not last very long.
She’s had a huge crush on him since they first met.
She had a big crush on her math teacher when she was in
high school.
Tim
accepted that he had a massive crush on Anna but
then he didn’t confess it.
4. To love with all your
heart and soul
·
To sincerely love someone, to love someone
very much.
I loved him with all my heart and soul but he still left
me.
Have you ever loved someone with all your heart and soul?
Wendy
chose to stay by her boyfriend even when he was disabled in a car accident.
She loves him with all her heart and soul.
5. Wear your heart on
your sleeve
·
To show your emotions openly, to be open about
your feelings.
I can tell that Mary is
depressed after her broken relationship. She wears her heart on her sleeve.
I’m the type of person
who wears my heart on my sleeve. Sometimes I need to learn to
hide my emotions because I don’t want my parents to worry about me.
People
who wear their heart on their sleeve tend to be good
actors.
6. Fall head over heels
in love
·
To suddenly fall in love, with very strong
feelings.
He fell head over heels in love with Sarah and they got
married three months after their first date.
I’ve never fallen head over heels for anyone but I wish I would.
After
her broken marriage, she never fell head over heels in
love with anyone.
7. Tie the knot
·
To get married.
After a few months of
dating, they decided to tie the knot in
May.
Tim tied the knot with Mary last year.
Jenny
is such an independent woman, she never wants to tie the knot.
8. Be the apple of one’s
eye
·
Someone’s favorite person or thing.
There are 30 students in
this class but Lisa is the apple of the teacher’s eye because
she’s helpful and friendly.
Tony is the apple of my eye; he’s not only handsome but also
very gallant.
Rick is the only child in his family; he’s the apple of his parents’ eye.
IDIOMS FOR MONEY AND FINANCE
1. A penny saved is a penny
earned
·
Advice saying that it’s good to save money.
When money is saved, it is as good as money that is earned.
She runs her own business and
does all the work herself because she believes that a penny saved is a
penny earned.
When I travel, I prefer to stay
at a hostel instead of an expensive hotel because I think that a penny
saved is a penny earned.
John
doesn’t make a lot of money, so he’s very cautious in using his money. He
supposes that a penny saved is a penny earned.
2. Beyond one's means
·
To spend more money than you can afford.
The trip was just beyond
our means.
The living expenses in big
cities are beyond my means, so I’d rather live in the suburbs.
Can I see a cheaper one,
please? This expensive fridge is just beyond my means.
3. Someone's bread and butter
·
Someone’s basic income, someone’s livelihood,
a job or activity that helps you earn money for your living
His family’s bread and
butter comes from his small business.
Tutoring is her bread and
butter right now.
I
am financially dependent on my parents but I am going to earn my bread and
butter after I graduate.
4. Cut one's losses
·
To stop doing an activity that causes losses
or damage, to withdraw from a bad situation before it gets worse.
They decided to stop the
unprofitable project to cut their losses.
To cut our losses, we must
be cautious in dealing with this financial issue.
A
real finance manager must know how to cut our losses in case our
business doesn’t work out.
5. Down-and-out
·
(adj) having no money, no job and no home
(n) a person who has no money, no job and no hom
She left him when he
was down-and-out.
That old man is
a down-and-out, coming over twice a week to take the leftover food.
After
the bankruptcy, he became a down-and-out.
6. Dutch treat/Go Dutch
·
Dutch treat: a situation or a meal in which
each person pays for himself or herself
Go Dutch: to pay one’s own share instead of for the whole mea
It was our first date and we
had a Dutch treat dinner together.
Why don’t we go Dutch?
Sharing is always good.
Let’s go
Dutch today. I’ll pay for my order.
7. Money talks.
·
Money is so powerful, it can get things done
or help a person get his or her own way.
That she won the beauty pageant
is understandable. Money talks.
Who doesn’t think that he will
be promoted? His dad is a millionaire and money talks.
Don’t
worry. I can handle this scandal. I’ll see Mr. George, the chief editor of the
newspaper, as money talks.
8. Bring home the bacon
·
To go out to work and earn money for the
family, to succeed and achieve what you want.
In my family, my dad is the one
who brings home the bacon while my mom stays at home and takes care
of us.
Finally, I got a job after two
years of unemployment. I can bring home the bacon now.
We
work so hard on this YouTube series because we hope that it will bring
home the bacon.
9. At all costs
·
You use this to say that you’re determined to
achieve what you want, no matter how hard or dangerous it is. Nothing or no one
can prevent you from achieving your goal.
I’ll be the winner at all
costs.
The director asked the finance
staff to prevent the losses at all costs.
I’ll
win her heart at all costs.
10. Earn a living
·
To earn money to pay for food, housing,
clothing, etc.
She’s financially independent.
She can earn her own living.
I have to work very hard
to earn my living.
Earning
a living seems hard for single moms.
11. Money doesn't grow on
trees.
·
Be careful about spending money because it’s
very hard to earn.
I wanted to have a new car but
then I changed my mind because my old car was still in good condition. My mom
always reminds me that money doesn’t grow on trees.
I can’t believe that you would
spend your full salary on this silly tour. Money doesn’t grow on trees,
you know!
Parents
must teach their kids that money doesn’t grow on trees.
12. Pour money down the drain
·
To waste money, to spend money incautiously.
This second-hand fridge isn’t
working well. Buying it is just pouring money down the drain.
You’re pouring money down
the drain. What a waste! We never use cookers in our home. We never cook.
Don’t pour
money down the drain by buying that low-quality computer. It’s going to
break soon.
13. Born with a silver spoon in
your mouth
·
Be born into a very rich family, be rich from
birth.
He was born with a silver
spoon in his mouth, so he has never known what hard work is.
Those who were born with a
silver spoon in their mouth need to learn how to use money economically.
Although she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she lives a very modest life.
IDIOMS ABOUT EMOTIONS
1. On cloud nine
·
To be extremely happy or excited.
Jack was on cloud nine when his girlfriend said ‘yes’ to his proposal. 'Congratulations on your promotion.
How do you feel now?' 'Thanks.
I’m on cloud nine!'
Nancy
was on cloud nine when she saw her family after two years abroad.
2. Make one’s day
·
To make someone feel very happy.
This birthday surprise
really made my day.
Hanging out with Alex after
such a long time really made my day.
Today
Tom proposed to me, which made my day.
3. Not the end of the world
·
Used when you try to stop someone from having
negative thoughts by saying that it’s not the worst thing that could happen.
Don’t worry about the debt.
It’s not the end of the world.
Failing a test is not the
end of the world. Come on! Let’s try a second time.
We’ll
be very upset if we don’t win the contest but ultimately it’s not the end
of the world.
4. Feel blue/have the blues
·
To feel sad or depressed.
He’s been feeling
blue since the day she left.
I’m such a sensitive person, I
usually feel blue on gloomy days.
The
little girl had the blues for years after seeing her family being
burned in the fire.
5. Face like a wet weekend
·
To look miserable.
'Are you alright? You have
a face like a wet weekend.'
Elvis had a face like a
wet weekend since his company went bankrupt.
'Hey,
you have a face like a wet weekend. Come on! Things will get better if you
try harder.'
6. Get a (real) kick out of
something
·
To enjoy something very much.
I get a kick out of art.
They get a kick out of
traveling.
He gets
a kick out of football. He’s a big fan of Lionel Messi.
7. On top of the world
·
To feel extremely happy.
Harry was on top of the
world when Jenny accepted his invitation to dinner.
People were on top of the
world when the national football team won.
She
was on top of the world when her little baby, Jason, was born.
8. In seventh heaven
·
To feel extremely happy.
She was in seventh
heaven when she won the lottery.
Jasmine was in seventh
heaven when she was promoted to be the manager.
He
was in seventh heaven when Sally admitted that she loved him.
9. Over the moon
·
To feel extremely happy.
Sue is over the
moon about her new laptop.
I am over the
moon about my trip to Korea in June.
My
sister was over the moon when she was declared the winner of the
beauty pageant.
10. Have a whale of a time
·
To have a lot of fun.
We had a whale of a
time at the party last night.
‘I had a whale of a time in
New York. See you soon!'
I
hope you have a whale of a time abroad. Take care!
11. Let one’s hair down
·
To relax and enjoy oneself.
'Tomorrow is your birthday. Go
home early tonight and let your hair down.'
She’s such a workaholic, she
finds it hard to let her hair down even on the weekends.
I can only let my hair down during summer break due to my heavy workload at school.
IDIOMS THAT RELATE TO HEALTH
1. Ill at ease
·
To feel worried or uncomfortable.
She looked ill at
ease when she had to do public speaking.
He was ill at
ease when he was on his first date with her.
I
feel ill at ease around smokers.
2. Breathe one's last
·
To die.
He breathed his
last yesterday.
My grandma was really depressed
when my grandpa breathed his last.
My
uncle always desired to find his lost son before he breathed his last.
3. Catch a cold
·
To become ill with a cold.
‘What’s the matter with Harry?’
‘He caught a cold after the summer camp.’
I caught a cold from
my roommate.
I
think Eric caught a cold. He looked very tired yesterday.
4. Fall ill
·
To suddenly become ill.
The students all fell
ill after trying the new drink at the summer camp.
Diana fell ill after
the death of her husband.
Make
sure the kids don’t fall ill just before the exam.
5. At death's door
·
To be very sick and at the point of dying.
My grandpa was so ill. The doctor said he was at death’s door.
The little boy is at
death's door after the car crash.
Jane
is so pessimistic, she always thinks she’s at death's door even when
she catches a cold.
6. Nothing but skin and bones
·
To be extremely thin.
The kids there have nothing to
eat. They’re nothing but skin and bones.
The old man was at death’s
door. He was nothing but skin and bones.
After
three months of illness, my cat is nothing but skin and bones.
7. Safe and sound
·
To be unharmed or safe from danger.
Make sure everyone is safe
and sound after the earthquake.
My mom was happy we arrived
home safe and sound.
Some
days later, he was found safe and sound.
8. Get/have/give someone a
black eye
(usually after being struck)
·
To have a dark bruise around your eye as a
result of being hit,
to damage someone’s reputation.
Although he won the fight,
he got a black eye.
He was so drunk, he didn’t
remember why he got a black eye.
Because
he was born into prestige, his scandal gave a black eye to his
family.
9. Recharge one's batteries
·
To take a break, relax to gain one’s energy
after an exhausting time.
Don’t work too hard. Let’s go
to the beach and recharge our batteries.
She asked for some time off
to recharge her batteries after the project.
A
day of staying home and listening to music should recharge my batteries.
10. Under the weather
·
To feel ill.
John had a day off from work
today because he felt under the weather.
‘Hey, Lisa, would you like to
go out with us tonight?’ ‘Well, I’m a bit under the weather today. I
think I need some rest.’
Because
it’s getting colder, my grandpa feels under the weather.
11. You are what you eat.
·
Your health is connected to your eating
habits. You’ll be healthy if you eat good food and you’ll be unhealthy if you
eat bad food.
‘Mom, can I have some more
fried chicken, please?’ ‘That’s enough, sweetie. You are what you eat.’
To stay fit, you must eat less
junk food and eat more vegetables. You are what you eat.
My
personal trainer at the gym always reminds me that you are what you eat.
12. As pale as a ghost
·
To look extremely pale due to fear.
The little girl was as
pale as a ghost when she saw the giant monster on the screen.
Phillip looked as pale as
a ghost when the car nearly hit him on the road.
After the nightmare, I am as pale as a ghost.
IDIOMS ABOUT TRAVEL
1. Off the beaten track
·
A place or route that is far away from where
many people live.
The explorers have just found a village off the beaten track
I want to stay on that island
for all of summer vacation because it’s off the beaten track. I don’t want
to be disturbed by the crowd.
Finding
a campsite off the beaten track is an easy task for him because he’s
an experienced camper.
2. Make your way back
·
To try to return to your point of origin.
The little boy got lost but
finally made his way back home safe and sound.
Let’s make our own way
back to the campsite, as it’s about to rain.
This
is the map in case you don’t know how to make your way back.
3. Hustle and bustle
·
To have many activities, used to describe a
crowded and modern place.
I moved to a rural area because
the hustle and bustle of big cities does not suit me.
I try to avoid the hustle
and bustle of shopping centers during sales.
You
need to go somewhere to escape the hustle and bustle of this modern
city.
4. Live out of a suitcase
·
To stay in several places for only a short
time, with only enough belongings to put in a suitcase.
It’s time you settled down,
Eric. Don’t live out of a suitcase any longer.
She doesn’t like a stable life.
She’d rather live out of a suitcase.
Tom
has been living out of a suitcase for years.
5. Travel broadens the mind.
·
To know more about the world, understand more
about culture and have more life experience.
I like traveling
because travel broadens the mind.
I learned a lot about culture
after the trip, as my mom said travel broadens the mind.
I’ll
let my kids travel to at least 50 countries before they graduate because I
believe they can learn lessons that no schools can provide. As the saying goes,
“travel broadens the mind.”
6. Hit the road
·
To leave or start a journey.
Let’s hit the
road now. It’s 8 a.m. already.
What time is he hitting the road?
I
need to hit the road now. I have an appointment with the dentist this
afternoon.
7. Break the journey
·
To stop somewhere for a while during a long
journey.
After three days of walking in
the forest, we broke the journey at a small village by the river.
Hey, Jack, let’s break the
journey here. I’m so tired, I can’t continue anymore.
We broke
the journey at many beautiful places, where we took photos.
8. Have/get/give [someone]
itchy feet
·
To want to travel or to do something new.
I didn’t like living in Texas.
I started getting itchy feet.
I’ve been working for this
company for 5 years and I get itchy feet now and again.
She has
itchy feet. She loves traveling around the world.
9. Thirst for adventure
·
To have an intense desire to travel, explore
new places and have new experiences.
She has a thirst for
adventure. She just can’t stop traveling.
Those who have a thirst
for adventure are willing to sacrifice their comfortable jobs.
We travel around the world. We’re looking for people who have a thirst for adventure to join our team.
IDIOMS ABOUT WORK.
1. Get your feet under the
table
·
To become familiar and more confident in a new
job.
It’s my first week at the new
company. I haven’t gotten my feet under the table.
I need time to get my feet
under the table.
I
was so overwhelmed at first but now I can get my feet under the table.
2. Go the extra mile
·
To put more effort than expected into
achieving something.
Julie always goes the
extra mile to make her mom happy.
To win the contract,
he went the extra mile to prepare the documents before the meeting.
He went
the extra mile just to make her feel special at the wedding.
3. Put one’s feet up
·
To relax and rest, especially with your feet
raised off the ground.
We’re done. Let’s put our
feet up.
After a hard day at work, I
like to put my feet up and read some books.
Don’t
work too hard. Go home and put your feet up.
4. Be in someone's good (or
bad) books
·
To have done something that has made someone
happy (or angry).
All students want to be in
the teacher’s good book.
I used to be in my
teacher’s bad book because I wasn’t very well-behaved back then.
If
she was pretty and sexy, she would be in Harry’s good book.
5. Give someone the sack
·
To fire someone from a job.
His work has been getting worse
and worse. It’s time to give him the sack.
Giving someone the sack is
such a hard decision for me. I always have a rational discussion with them
beforehand.
Why
don’t you give her the sack? She’s a terrible employee, always late for
work and jealous of her co-workers.
6. Call it a day
·
To end your work for the day and go home.
'We worked so hard today.
Let’s call it a day before 6 p.m.'
She’s
such a workaholic. She can’t call it a day when there is still work
that needs to be done. ‘What time do you usually call it a day?’ ‘At
5 p.m.’
7. Work like a dog
·
To work very hard.
To earn money, he works
like a dog every day.
That’s unfair. Why do I have
to work like a dog while he can watch TV?
After
graduating, I worked like a dog just to get promoted.
8. All in a day's work
·
To refer to your normal tasks, used to show
that you have no difficulties or are willing to do something because it’s part
of your daily job.
'Are you tired?' 'No,
it’s all in a day’s work.'
Fixing machines seem hard for
women but for her, it’s all in a day’s work.
She
can cook for 40 people in just 2 hours. For her, cooking is all in a day’s
work.
9. Work one’s fingers to the
bone
·
To work extremely hard, especially on manual
work.
I’ve worked my fingers to
the bone but my boss is still not happy.
He worked his fingers to
the bone to build his own house.
Women have to work their fingers to the bone outside the house, then do all the housework when they come back home.
IDIOMS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP
1. Lend your money. Lose your
friend.
·
You shouldn’t lend your friend money because
it may create issues. You’ll have to bother your friend to repay the loan, or
your friend may never repay the loan. Both can make your friendship worse.
You shouldn’t have lent her
money. Remember, “lend your money. Lose your friend.”
‘She’s dealing with some debts.
I think I’ll lend her some money.' 'Lend your money. Lose your friend.'
Think
carefully before you lend him money; “lend your money. Lose your friend.”
2. A friend in need is a friend
indeed.
·
A true friend is always willing to help, especially
during troubles or difficult situations.
She stayed by me when I was
depressed about my parents’ divorce, which made me believe that “a friend in
need is a friend indeed.”
If Jack considered you to be
his best friend, he wouldn’t have left you when you were in trouble. Remember,
“a friend in need is a friend indeed.”
I
always help if I can because I believe that “a friend in need is a friend
indeed.”
3. See eye to eye with someone
·
To have the same views about something, to
completely agree with someone.
They’re such a perfect couple.
They see eye to eye on most things.
I can’t bear being on the same
team as him. I’ve never seen eye to eye with him.
If
you don’t see eye to eye with her on most issues, just say goodbye
because sooner or later you two will break up.
4. Get on like a house on fire
·
To like each other a lot and become friends
very quickly.
She looked very cold at first
but when I talked to her, I realized she was very kind-hearted. After that,
we got on like a house on fire.
The first time we talked, Annie
and I got on like a house on fire.
I
couldn’t imagine my ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend getting on like a
house on fire.
5. Know someone inside out
·
To know someone or something very well.
I know him inside out. I
understand that he left for a reason.
'Mom, I’m so bored. Why do I
have to read that book again? I know it inside out.'
Make
sure you know him inside out before you say 'yes' to his proposal.
6. Speak the same language
·
To share the same viewpoints and attitudes
toward something.
We speak the same
language about almost everything.
I have to check with my
teammates to make sure we speak the same language.
My partner and I speak the same language, so it’s quite easy
for us to negotiate.
IDIOMS ABOUT DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS
1. Beyond your wildest dreams
·
To be much better than you could imagine.
My first prize in the beauty
pageant last night was beyond my wildest dreams.
She had never thought of a 9 in
the math test, but she got a 10. That result was beyond her wildest
dreams.
The
project succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.
2. Daydream about someone or
something
·
To have pleasant thoughts and to want these
thoughts to happen in real life.
I can’t believe that I am now
the manager of a multinational corporation. I used to daydream about
this when I was little.
I have a big crush on James. I
always daydream about him.
Don’t daydream
about being a millionaire when you don’t take any actions. Draw up a plan
to make your dream come true.
3. In one's dreams
·
Used to say that something is unlikely to
happen.
Jim will win the contest
only in his dreams.
‘I think I can make Tom love
me.’ ‘In your dreams. He’s been with his pretty and sexy girlfriend for
years.’
He
proposed to me in my dreams.
4. A dream come true
·
To achieve what you’ve wished or hoped for
after a long time.
The project succeeded
brilliantly. It was a dream come true.
Seeing that talented singer
once in my life is my dream come true.
I
never thought that I could have my own live music show. It was my dream
come true.
5. Keep someone’s feet on the
ground
·
To have a calm, sensible and practical (rather
than unrealistic) attitude toward life.
In spite of her overnight
success, she always keeps her feet on the ground.
In most situations, you
should keep your feet on the ground. Don’t get carried away.
Jane
is a creative girl but she always keeps her feet firmly on the ground.
6. Bring someone back down to
earth
·
To make someone suddenly remember reality
after an exciting experience, a hopeful dream or an unrealistic plan.
His startup will not be as easy
as it seems. Let’s bring him back down to earth.
Kathy dreams of being a famous
singer even though she has a terrible voice. We need to bring her back
down to earth.
I
was very excited about going to the party tonight but the pile of math
homework brought me back down to the earth.
7. Broken dreams
·
Hopes or dreams that cannot be fulfilled.
Studying abroad is always my
share of broken dreams.
I would like to be an athlete
one day but since my leg was seriously injured in a car crash, that desire is
full of broken dreams.
Nick had his share of broken dreams in his first relationship.
IDIOMS ABOUT TIME
1. Nine-to-five job
·
A job that you work during the office hours
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nina works a nine-to-five
job.
Nine-to-five jobs are
boring. I’d rather run my own business.
A
nine-to-five job suits you best if you don’t like traveling and adventure.
2. At the eleventh hour
·
Having something happen very late or at the
last possible moment.
He always changes his
decisions at the eleventh hour.
It’s impossible for me to
handle this issue. Please don’t change at the eleventh hour.
The
last point was scored at the eleventh hour. How lucky they are!
3. Like clockwork
·
To happen regularly at a scheduled time.
I’m used to this paperwork, so
everything goes like clockwork.
As long as things go like
clockwork, we’ll finish on time.
Every
day at 5 a.m., like clockwork, he goes to the gym. He’s such a healthy
man.
4. Time flies.
·
Time passes very quickly.
It’s been seven years since I
last saw him. Time flies.
Time flies, girls. Enjoy life
while you still can.
I
can’t believe that your youngest kid is about 20 now. Time flies.
5. Better late than never.
·
To do something late is better than to never
do it at all.
‘His birthday was last week.
Would you like to send him something?’ ‘Oh, really? I didn’t know that. I’ll
send him a postcard. Better late than never.’
‘Why are you so late? We’ve
been waiting for two hours.’ ‘I’m sorry. I got stuck in traffic but better
late than never, right?’
I
know it’s too late to say sorry but I guess better late than never.
6. In the long (short) run
·
Something will happen over a very long (short)
period of time in the future.
Smoking can harm your health.
You may run a great risk of lung cancer in the long run.
Investing in networking can
benefit you in the long run.
He
may feel happy about his new relationship in the short run but I’m
sure later on he’ll regret what he’s done to me.
7. Beat the clock
·
To get something done before the deadline, to
finish something before time is up.
Hurry up! We can’t be late for
this important meeting. We need to beat the clock.
Our new campaign will be
launched in 4 days. Let’s beat the clock.
If
you want to win the race, you have to beat the clock.
8. Make up for lost time
·
To spend lots of time and effort doing
something because you did not have the opportunity to do it before.
We need to work harder
to make up for lost time.
I didn’t have time to take care
of my family, so I’m certainly making up for lost time.
My grandpa didn’t travel a lot when he was young, so he’s determined to make up for lost time.
IDIOMS ABOUT MAKING DECISIONS
1. Take it or leave it
·
To either accept or reject something.
I can pay only $100 for this
shirt. Take it or leave it.
That’s my final
offer. Take it or leave it.
‘Do
you have any other bikes for rent?’ ‘Sorry, that’s the last one in the
shop. Take it or leave it.’
2. Sit on the fence
·
To delay or avoid making a decision.
Moving out and starting an
independent life has both pros and cons. She can’t make up her mind. She’s
been sitting on the fence for months.
Both Alex and Michael are very
nice. She doesn’t know which one she should choose. She’s sitting on the
fence.
It’s
time you said yes or no to his proposal. Don’t sit on the fence.
3. Take a back seat
·
To give the power to someone else and take a
less important position.
Why do I always have
to take the back seat while he always has the right to make
decisions?
It’s time for me to take
the back seat. I’m too old for that position.
Women
used to take the back seat in the family.
4. A bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush.
·
You should hold on tightly to something you
already have rather than risk losing it by trying to get something better.
‘I’m going to break up with
Eric and start dating Alex.’ ‘Are you crazy? You have no idea what Alex is
like. Remember, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.’
That’s such an amazing offer
but I’m not going to quit my current job. A bird in the hand is worth two
in the bush.
It’s
too risky. I’d rather settle down here than move to Canada alone. A bird
in the hand is worth two in the bush.
5. My way or the highway
·
People have to do what you ask. Otherwise,
they will have to leave or not participate.
He has only one rule for his
team: It’s my way or the highway.
How can she be so conservative?
I don’t like her “my way or the highway” management style.
In
my family, Dad is always the one who makes decisions. ‘My way or the highway’
is what he usually says to us.
6. Weigh the pros and cons
·
To consider carefully the advantages and
disadvantages before making a decision.
Having weighed all the
pros and cons, she decided to break up with him.
Don’t rush into marriage. You
have to weigh the pros and cons before you make up your mind.
The government weighed all the pros and cons of the new project.
POPULAR GENERAL IDIOMS
1. To Sleep On It
·
To have more time to think about something
before making a decision
She must sleep on
it before making a final decision.
Where should we go for
vacation? Let’s sleep on it and decide tomorrow.
You
don’t have to accept my proposal now, just sleep on it and tell me
later.
2. Know Someone Like The Back
Of Your Hand
·
to be very familiar with something; when you
have learned something by heart
I know Shakespeare’s
poems like the back of my hand.
You should know the periodic table like the back of your
hand because it will be on the test tomorrow.
She knows the
lyrics to this song like the back of her hand.
3. As Easy As Pie/ A Piece Of
Cake
·
something that is very easy to do or learn.
This math problem is as
easy as pie.
This task might seem hard but
it is actually a piece of cake.
Learning
how to drive is a piece of cake.
4. Take It Easy
·
just do things step by step; relax or calm
down.
It was just a
misunderstanding; take it easy and let it go.
Don’t overwhelm yourself;
just take it easy.
Just take
it easy at work; we are not in a rush.
5. To Get The Ball Rolling
·
to start things; to have something up and
running.
Lunch break is over; let’s get the ball rolling again.
We’re back to school,
let’s get the ball rolling.
The
weekend is over; let’s get the ball rolling at work.
6. Twenty-Four/Seven
(24/7)
·
always available; available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.
7-Eleven is
a twenty-four-seven convenience store.
I’m available 24/7, so you
can call me anytime.
The
emergency room is open 24/7.
7. Once And For All
·
to do something now and never again
Pay for this service once
and for all.
Get vaccinated once and
for all to cure this disease.
He
needs to act once and for all.
8. To Make The Best Of
·
to find positive aspects in a bad situation
Stop complaining and
just make the best of the free trip.
She is the most positive person
I’ve ever known, she can make the best of even in the worst
situations.
Because
we can’t change anything now, try to make the best of it.
9. Day in and day out (also:
day after day; for longer periods of time, year in and year out, year after
year)
·
To do the same thing every day for a long
period of time.
He has been taking care of his
paralyzed mother day after day for ten years.
She waited for him to
return year after year.
They’ve
worked hard day after day for five years and were able to buy a
house.
10. To Keep One's Word
·
to honor a promise; to do what one said
Don’t make a promise if you
can’t keep your words.
He is a liar who
never keeps his words.
I
respect people who keep their words.
11. To Give (Someone) A Hand
·
to help someone do something
I’m cleaning my house tomorrow.
Can you give me a hand?
Can I give you a
hand with anything?
I gave
her a hand when she asked for help.
12. To Be In (Someone's) Shoes
·
to try to understand what it’s like to be in
someone’s position/ situation
If you were in my shoes, you would understand my situation better.
Try to be in my
shoes before you criticize me.
If
she were in his shoes, she would understand his decision.
13. None Of Your Business
·
when something is private and you should not
know or ask about.
Stop asking about my personal
issues, it’s none of your business.
How much I make a year
is none of your business.
My
marital status is none of your business.
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