For Idiom Lovers

[Tongchan Pratum]

Today's Idiom

All the idioms from the old site will be posted here as soonas I have some time.

(am) used to (be) (+ V): an action that was true in the past but is not true now. Another meaning is to become accustomed to something

Example 1 (used to - in the past)
Alphonso: Where are you from?
Jane: I am originally from Texas, and used to live in California. Now I live in Thailand.

Example 2 (accustomed to)

Wilder: I have always disliked skiing.
Ralph: Not me. I kept trying until I got used to it.

Example 3 (used to be):

Jackson: What kind of work do you do?
Al: I used to be a carpenter, but I went back to school and now I work in marketing.

[Tongchan Pratum]

I am starting to post all the idioms from kruengsmf4u.com. It may take a coup,e of days to post them all

Idioms are difficult to understand. You feel like you are in the dark. So here are some idioms you might want to know - feel free to add more.
An idiom is a phrase that cannot be understood from the separate meanings of the individual words.
http://tinyurl.com/pupo95

1. In the dark: I don't understand
The exam was so difficult that I was in the dark.
2. To be at odds with - to disagree
The professor gave her an A. She thought she only deserved a B, so she was at odds with her professor.
3. Can't bear (something) - to dislike
She can't bear the thought of graduating and leaving the university, because it is so much fun.
The student was good in English, but in physics he was in over his head.
7. Go out on a limb for - to take a risk
Her friend say he would return the loan next week, so she went out on a limb and loaned him all her money.
8. Head over heels - to love someone too much
She was head over heels in love with him.
9. To draw a blank - unable to think of something
She knew the lady's name, but when she tried to remember her name, she drew a blank.
10. To get someone down - to make someone feel bad
Her friend was happy until she told him the bad news, which got him down a lot.
11. To keep one's fingers crossed - to hope for good luck
I am keeping my fingers crossed that I get an A on the final exam.
12. Don't let the cat get your tongue - don't be afraid to speak out.
The student was shy about speaking in front of the class until the teacher told her, don't let the cat get your tongue.
13. Boob Tube - a television set
- boob means someone foolish
He spent all day and all night watching the boob tube.

You will find many more idioms here: http://www.idiomsite.com/

When Pigs Fly :
Something that will never ever happen.
Example: I will get an A in phonetics when pigs fly

Start From Scratch:
To do it all over again from the beginning.
Example: My computer crashed and I forgot to save my work. So I will have to start from scratch.

Here are two more idioms we should know:
Without A Doubt. It means for sure, for certain.
Example: Without a doubt, the sum of 2+2 is four.

Water Under The Bridge - it refers to something that happened in the past that is no longer important.
Example:
Student A: I wish I had gotten a B in Chemistry.
Student B; Forget it! It's water under the bridge.

Scapegoat:
Someone else who takes the blame.
Gene made the mistake in the project plan, but he made Jim the scapegoat.
In other words, Gene did something wrong, but blamed Jim.

Today's Idiom:
Rule Of Thumb:
A rough estimate, or rough guide
Example: As a rule of thumb, if you invest money and divide the interest rate by 72, you will know how long it takes to double your money

Pass The Buck:
Avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else.
Example: Student to teacher: It's not my fault that I didn't give you my homework on time. My dog ate it.
The student made his dog a scapegoat.

Here is an idiom that is pretty commonly used:

In The Bag:
Meaning: to say that one got or secured something. secure something.
Example:
Jum: Did you pass the exam today, Jim?
Jim: For sure. It's in the bag.

However, it does not mean that Jim really passed the exam, only that she said she did.

A Leopard Can't Change His Spots:
Meaning: You cannot change who you are.
Example: Teacher to little Johnny: "Johnny, yesterday I told you not to run in the classroom, and today you did it again.
Johnny: Teacher, I'm sorry, but the leopard cannot change his spots.

tongue-tied - unable to express something
She knew the answer, but she got tongue tied and could not say it.

To be crazy about (someone or some thing) - to like or love a lot.
She was crazy about the new "Transformer" movie, and went to see it 5 times.

To be over someone's head - too hard to understand

Once in a Blue Moon:
Meaning: A rare event or occurrence.
Example: Jean is an excellent student, who gets almost straight A's. she only gets a B once in a Blue Moon.

Cut to the Chase:
Leave out all the unnecessary details and just get to the point
Example:
Professor to student: Where's your homework?
Student to Professor: Ummmmm.....Uhhhhhhh.....my dog......my mom.......
Professor to Student: Cut to the chase. Where is it?

Crying Over Spilled Milk:
When you complain about a loss from the past, or complain about something that you cannot do anything about.

Example:
Jean: Gina, why are you crying?
Gina: Because I failed my math exam last year.
Jean: Stop crying over spilled milk.

Get Over It:
To move beyond something that is bothering you.
Example:
Bill: I'm still angry about not getting an A in English last term.
Jack: Get over it and get ready for the new term.
Caution: Be careful how you use this idiom. It is like a command, and sort of sarcastic. It would be better to just say, "That was a hard course, but it's over now, and time to get ready for the next term."


Gut Feeling:
A personal intuition you get, often when feel something may not be right.
Think of "gut" as a place deep inside your stomach. Intuition is something that you feel.
You can use this idiom in a positive or negative way.
Negative Example: I have a gut feeling that I didn't pass the exam
Positive Example: I have a gut feeling that today will be a wonderful day.

Lovers' Leap
Meaning :a cliff where lovers jump into a canyon together
Example:Let's drive up to Lovers' Leap and look at the stars.

Idiom :low
Meaning:sad, depressed, ill, down
Example:I've been feeling kind of low lately - it's the bad weather.

Idiom:low on the totem pole
Meaning:ordinary worker, not a manager or boss, gofer, pecking order
Example:If you want to understand the real problems, talk to the workers - people who are low on the totem pole.

Idiom:low-ball him
Meaning:offer him a very low price for his car, house etc.
Example:If his price is too high, low-ball him. Offer him a very low price.

Idiom:low-down
Meaning:bad, evil, not nice
Example:Stealing from that old woman was a low-down thing to do!

Idiom:lowlife
Meaning:a person without morals or humanitarian values
Example:What a lowlife! He sold drugs to children.

Idiom:luck out
Meaning:have good luck, a lucky break
Example:She lucked out at the casino. She won a thousand dollars.

Hold Your Horses!!

Example:
Johnny: Jack, let's go!! Let's go!! Hurry up!! Let's go!
Jack: Hold your horses, why are you in such a hurry?
Johnny: I'm late for class.

So "Hold your horses" means 'don't be in such a hurry' or 'be patient'

More coming soon.....

[Tongchan Pratum]

Knock on wood
Meaning: To strike wood with your knuckles to avoid bad luck
Example:
Bobby to June, I hope you get a good grade on your exam today.
June: Yes, knock on wood.
You can just say the words or actually hit the nearest thing made of wood.

Lend Me Your Ear:
To politely ask for someone's full attention.

No, this does not mean cut your ear off and loan it to me.

The most famous example:
Julius Caesar making a speech: "Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears."
Meaning: I am going to make a speech, so please listen (pay attention).

To Smell Something Fishy:
To get a feeling that something isn't right

Example: When I got the email asking for my password, I smelled something fishy.

Southpawor lefty
left-handed

Jim: Johnny writes southpaw.
Paul: Yes, I noticed he was a lefty.

Bonus:

The Last Straw, or , the straw that broke the camel's back

When one small burden after another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw is the last small burden that one can take.
It also means that a person reaches the end of their patience.

Example:
Tom: Hi Ted, I saw Bob today and hesaid he was not going to repay you the money he owes.
Ted: I have been trying to get that money from him for 6 months. That's the last straw. I am going to the police.

The check is in the mail
If someone owes you money, and they say "The check is in the mail,". it means that the person is stalling, delaying payment. If you do not get the check and call the person again, he will probably say, "The check must have gotten lost in the mail". This often means he is not going to pay you back.

Here is a related idiom:
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
This means to have possession of one thing is better than talking about how many things you might get.
How is this related to a "check in the mail"? When the person says a check is in the mail, you should respond, "I will come over and you can put the bird (cash) in my hand, and you find the birds in the bush (the check in the mail).

Your guess is as good as mine
It simply means "I do not know."

Bad Example:
Teacher to little Johnny: "Johnny, how much is 2 plus 5?"
Johnny: "Teacher, your guess is as good as mine."
This is a bad example, because Johnny knows that the teacher has the answer.

Correct example:
Jack to Johnny: "Johnny, how many square centimeters are there is a square kilometer?"
Johnny: "Your guess is as good as mine."

And here's two idioms for "I don't know."
"I am clueless", or " don't have a clue."
The Ball Is In Your Court:
It is your decision this time.

Example:
Jan to Tom: Please help me. I need to return this book to the library today.
Tom: Sorry, I am going out of town now, so the ball's in your court.

This might come from the game of tennis. If the ball is on one side of the court, only the player on that side of the court can play the ball.

Before discussing today's idiom, it is worth saying that idioms can have different meanings for different people. Let's take for example, the idiom "A sixth sense"
One source says it means
"A paranormal sense that allows you to communicate with the dead."
Humans have 5 senses, hearing, smelling, seeing, touch and taste. But when someone does something that does not seem to use any of these senses, it can also be called a "sixth sense". Have you ever had a feeling that something good or bad was going to happen?
Example:
Billy to Jane: The answer to the last exam question was the Chart Thai Party.
Jane: Great, I don't remember reading anything about it, but I answered it correctly.
Billy: It must be your sixth sense.
or.....
Jack to Joe: I didn't see you at the party last night. It was very boring.
Joe: I felt that it would not be a good party. It musgt be my sixth sense.

Pipe Down!
A command telling someone else to lower the noise. It is only slightly less rude than saying "Shut-up!"

Example:
A boy is in a movie house talking loudly with his girl friend. The man sitting behind them says, "Hey, Pipe Down!

Degrees of politeness:
Shut Up! (impolite, very rude)
Pipe Down! (impolite, but not quite as rude as "Shut-Up")
Be quiet, please. (More polite than "Shut Up!" or "Pipe Down!", but still a strong command.
Please keep your voice down, I can't hear the movie. (Polite)
The tone of your voice, your facial expression and the strength of your voice are also factors.


At The Drop Of A Hat:
Meaning: Willing to do something immediately.

Example:
Janet: Bob, would you like to come visit my family in the country this weekend?
Bob: Janet, I'm ready at the drop of a hat. (which means that if Janet had sais today, Bob would have been ready to go right away).
Example:
Roger: Hi Lena, how's your new computer?
Lena: Hi Roger. It might be new, but yesterday I had to have it reformatted for the third time in a week. It's a real lemon.

Dead Ringer:
100% identical. A duplicate.

Example:
Bill: Bob, do you see that girl sitting on the park bench? She looks just like my old girlfriend.
Bob: Wow! You're right! She's a dead ringer for Jeanie.

Down To The Wire:
Meaning: The last minute, the last second, or (something) is almost over.

Example:

Judy: It is so nice to be a super senior. It will not be long until graduation.
Andrea: Yes, we are really getting down to the wire.

Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket:
Do not put all your resources in one possibility. If you put all your eggs into one basket and the basket falls, all the eggs will get broken. But if you put some eggs in one basket and some in another basket, if one basket falls, you will still have some eggs remaining.

Example:

Jerry: Chuck, did you hear that Bob put all his money into one stock on the stock market?
Chuck: Yes, I heard that also. That's what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket.

[Tongchan Pratum]

Dry Run:
Rehearsal.

Jack: Julie, I think that debate tomorrow is going to be difficult.
Julie: I agree, Jack, so we better do a dry run today.

Foam at the Mouth:
To be enraged and show it.
Jill: Hi Bob, did you finish your marketing project yesterday?
Jack: Well, sort of. I gave it to the boss. He read it and started foaming at the mouth .

Off the Record:
Something said in confidence that the one speaking doesn't want attributed to him/her.
Often used by politicians.

Example:

News Reporter" MP Sawat, do you know if the government will raise taxes?
MP Sawat: Off the record, I would say I expect it is a possibility.
When a politician says, "off the record", it means that the reporter, cannot say that the MP said it.

here is a similar idiom used by po,liticians, which is "On the condition of confidentiality".
However, this means that the reporter can publish the comments, but cannot tell anyone who said them.

Example:
News Reporter" MP Sawat, do you know if the government will raise taxes?
MP Sawat: On the condition of confidentiality, I can tell you that the government will raise taxes very soon.

On The Same Page:
When multiple people all agree on the same thing.

Example: (In a meeting room)
John (the boss): Bill, Frank, Wilma, Darlene, do you all agree with this proposal?
Bill: I agree
Frank: I agree
Wilma: I agree.
Darlene: I agree.
John: I am glad to see we are all on the same page.

Pig In A Poke:
A deal that is made without first examining it.

Th farmer went to buy a cow. He was in a hurry. So he bought the first cow he saw for sale. On the way home, the cow seemed to get sick, and it died.
The farmer said to his wife: I should have checked the co before I bought it. This will teach me not to buy "a pig in a poke"

funny business
Doing something dishonest or unpleasant.

Example:
Bob: My business partner is going to jail.
Calvin: Why?
Bob: Because he was doing some funny business.

An arm and a leg
Meaning: Expensive

Example:
William: Today I bought a new computer.
Sully: I heard the prices are coming down.
William: Yes, but it is a high end computer and it cost me an arm and a leg.

Pull the plug:
To stop or cancel something. To bring something to an end.

Example:
Jill: How was your exam yesterday, Jack?
Jack: I was all ready for it, but the professor got sick and pulled the plug.

Example:
Robert: I feel miserable. I really worked hard on my projecgt, but we ran out of money and my boss pulled the plug

A bee in my bonnet
An idea

Example:
Janet: I was trying to solve the problem, then I got a bee in my bonnet. I started from scratch, and the answer became clear.

Did you notice that there is another idiom used by Janet? It is "started from scratch", which means to start again from the beginning.

A bonnet means a ladies type of hat, by the way.

Love is blind
- if you are in love with someone, you see only what you like.

Love alive
- lacks context, but can mean that love for someone/something

Life is short and time is swift.

- You should enjoy life as much as possible, because it does not last very long.

Example:
Jill: Do you want to go to the movies with me?
Jane: Oh, I don't know; I should probably stay at work and finish a few things.
Jill: Come on, Jane, life is short and time is swift.

Life is short and time is swift. Do you agree with me?

Rome wasn't built in a day
Meaning:
It takes time to finish a job or project

Example:

Teacher: Johnny, why didn't you finish your homework?
Johnny: Teacher, Rome wasn't built in a day.
Teacher: Very good Johnny. You can tell me more ....after school and after you write "Rome wasn't built in a day" 300 times.

It's raining cats and dogs.
Meaning: It is raining very hard

Example:
Janice: I don't think I'll go to class today.
Renee: Why not?
Janice: Because it's raining cats and dogs.

The joke:
Candice: It's raining cats and dogs today.
April: Be careful not to step in any poodles. (puddles)

Did you read that and groan? Or say, what a horrible joke? If so, that is what you are supposed to say

Explanation: A poodle is a dog, but the word "poodle" is close to the word "puddles". If you go out in the rain you will probably see puddles of water. This is called a play on words, or a pun. Some puns will make you laugh, but some are not very "punny" (see, another play on fun and pun

Saved by the Bell
Everty student understands this one.
You are sitting in class and the teacher calls on you to answer a question. You have not done your home work. You do not know the answer. There is only one thing that can save you - the bell signaling the end of class.

So when you hear someone say, "Saved By The Bell" you know it means that they have been saved at the last possible moment.

I think I should change the title of this post to "For idiom haters". Does anyone agree?

[Tongchan Pratum]

Sitting Shotgun:
Riding in the front passenger seat of a car.

In the United States old west, before cars, one means of transportation over long distances was done by horses pulling stagecoaches with one driver. If you want to see what a stagecoach looks like, see http://tinyurl.com/n85mpk
Because criminals sometimes tried to rob the stagecoaches, stagecoach owners started sending a guard, armed with a shotgun, who sat next to the driver. Thus when you ride in a vehicle next to the driver, it is called, "riding shotgun".


A Slap on the Wrist:
A very mild punishment

Example:

Ginger: I hear that Robbie got caught speeding in his new car.
Archie: Yes, he did, but since he was only going 5 kilometers over the speed limit, the judge only fined him 50 baht.
Ginger: That's nothing! Just a slap on the wrist.


As High As A Kite:
Anything that is high up in the sky.

This idiom has another meaning: someone who is inebriated (drunk).

Example:
Ann: Connor, Timmy has been drinking a lot today.
Connor: Yes, Ann, he is as high as a kite.

Beating Around The Bush:
Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.

Example:
Teacher: Johnny, where is your homework? It was due this morning!

Johnny: Ummmmm,.... errrrr.....uhhhhhhhh, wellllll, it was like this..... uhhhhhhh.........
Teacher: Johnny, stop beating around the bush and tell me why you didn't hand in your homework on time!

Another example of beating around the bush would be if Johnny had said.

Johnny: Well, teacher, yesterday I was home, and my mother asked me to help her with something, and my brother fell down, and I got blamed, and my father told me to take out the trash, and .......
The teacher would respond the same way: Johnny, stop beating around the bush and tell me why you didn't hand in your homework on time!


Between A Rock And A Hard Place:
Stuck between two very bad options.

Example:
Jimmy: I really made a mess of my schedule. Now I have an exam from 1300-1500 and another exam from 1400-1600.
Tommy: Man, you are really between a rock and a hard place.


Stuck up
This idiom has two meanings
1. snobbish, someone who thinks they are better than other people. Often used with the idiom "nose in the air"
2. to be robbed by someone with a weapon

Examples:
1. snobbish
Jack: Billy, what do you think about Rosie?
Billy: Well, she's pretty, but she is stuck up. She has her nose in the air all the time.

2. to be robbed
Jeffrey: Last night my father's grocery store was stuck up by two masked men with pistols.
Ritchie: That's too bad, did they get much money?
Jeffrey: Only what was in the till (an idiom for a cash register or place where money is kept)). Luckily it was Sunday morning when business was light, so they didn't get very much.

A Toss-Up:
A result that is still unclear and can go either way.

We have probably all thrown a coin into the air (tossed) to see if it cam down heads (front) or tails (back). In some sports the game is started by tossing a coin. The team that calls the result correctly can get a benefit from the correct call.

Example:

Edward: Are you going to the game Saturday?
Jeanine: Why, yes I am.
Edward: Who do you think will win?
Jeanine: Both teams are very good, so I think it is a toss-up.

A Taste Of Your Own Medicine:
When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others.
The meaning of this idiom is somewhat similar to the Thai idiom "Som Nam Na"

Example:
Kathy: I saw saw your boyfriend, James, today. He was very unhappy.
Susan: That's good. I saw him at the movies wkth Esther. So yesterday I went out with David and I made sure James would see us together. He just got a taste of his own medicine.

A gaggle of idioms

The sentence below has 8 idioms. Can you identify all eight?
For people who easily lose their heads, chips on the shoulder are dimes a dozen, and a slap on the wrist, a taste of one’s own medicine or otherwise going against the tide may be either fruitless or just add fuel to the fire.

It simply means:
There are a lot of people who get angry easily. Punishing them in some way may be a waste of time or just make them angrier.

The Apple of My Eye:
Someone very special or most special.

Example:
Father to daughter: You, daughter, are the apple of my eye.

Bonus idiom for today:

ace: This idiom can have many meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Some examples of the meanings are:
(1) To get an "A" on a test, homework assignment, project, etc.
(2) To be a combat ace by shooting down 5 enemy airplanes
(3) to be number 1, the top, the best


Example (1):
Charley: I aced the test today.
Chuck: That's great. Congratulations.

Example (2):
Al: Did you hear the news? Beetle (nickname) got his fifth plane today. He's now an ace.

Example (3):
Chas (short for Charles): Betty, what do you think of Xavier?
Betty: He's a really great guy. A real ace!


Brainwashed
Completely influenced by the ideas of another person.

Example:

George: Callie, did you know that John thinks that the world is flat?
Callie: Yes, I heard that. That new group of people he is hanging around with is really brainwashing him.


The words "beat", "beats", "beating", have a number of idiomatic uses.

(1) beat: exhausted; very tired (adj.).
Example: "I had three exams today, I'm beat!"

2. to beat around the bush: evade an issue; avoid giving a direct answer.
Example: If you don't want to go, just tell me There is no need to beat around the bush!"

(3) beat one's brains out: try very hard to understand or do something.
Example: "Please help me with this problem, I've been beating my


The words "beat", "beats", "beating", have a number of idiomatic uses.

(1) beat: exhausted; very tired (adj.).
Example: "I had three exams today, I'm beat!"

2. to beat around the bush: evade an issue; avoid giving a direct answer.
Example: If you don't want to go, just tell me There is no need to beat around the bush!"

(3) beat one's brains out: try very hard to understand or do something.
Example: "Please help me with this problem, I've been beating my brains out with it, but I can't figure out how to do it.

(4) Beats me: I have no idea.
A: "What time's the party?"
B: "Beats me!"

the bottom line: (1) the most essential information. This is also used to mean (2) conclusion or (3) to make a long story short (another idiom).

Examples:
(1) Bobby: "The meeting lasted for 5 hours. The bottom line was that we decided not to sell the company."

(2) James: Hi Judy, What did you do today?
Judy: Hi James. The bottom line is that I made a lot of plans and stayed home and did nothing.

(3) Alan: Hello Rita, Tell me about your day.
Rita: To make a long story short (or, the bottom line is), I went to school and then came home.

To bug
Meaning to bother, to annoy

We know that the noun, bug, is an insect, but did you know that 'bug' can be used as a verb in an idiom?

Example:
Jackie: Willy, where are you, we have to go meet the gang.
...a few seconds later....
Jackie: Willy, come on, let's go we will be late.
Willy: Jackie, don't bug me (or you can say, 'stop bugging me'). I told you yesterday that I don't want to go there.

And how about this: "Bugs bug me!!

[Tongchan Pratum]

down in the dumps: depressed; "blue."

Gillian: Rachael, what's the matter? You look very depressed today.
Rachael: I just broke up with my boyfriend and I feel down in the dumps

Rachael could have used a double idiom by saying,
I just dumped (got rid of) my boyfriend, so I feel down in the dumps.


an eager beaver: a person who is always willing to volunteer or do extra work.

Lily: The professor assigned us a very difficult project. I don't know if we can finish it on time.
Sarah: Let's ask Krissy to help. She's always willing to help, a real eager beaver.

every other _____ : alternately; omitting the second one in each group of two.

Examples:
"In your essays, please write on every other line. That will make the
essays much easier to read."

Classroom Language:
Teacher: Please form two lines with every other student moving to the left line.
Meaning: If you have 10 students and give them this direction, Students 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will stay in line on the right, students 2, 4.6.8. and 10 will move and make a new line to the left.

Today's idiom includes some related idioms that are used interchangeably.

(1) far-fetched: difficult to accept; difficult to believe.
Example: Ritchie said he has 100 million baht. But I know him a long time and he has only 1 thousand baht, so his story is pretty far-fetched.
(2) whopper:
Non-idiomatic meaning: something big, and often used to describe a large fish that someone has caught. The idiomatic meaning is a fib or a lie or an exaggeration.
Example of non-idiomatic use:
I went fishing with Tony yesterday and he caught a whopper of a catfish.
Example of idiomatic use:
Ritchie told me a whopper yesterday. He said he has 100 million baht. But I know that is not true.
(3) Tall tale: A story that is exaggerated or false.
Example:
Karen: Jerry told me yesterday that he was in Bangkok last Friday, Willie: It's a tall tale. I saw him on campus at Mahasarakham last Friday.

Using all three.
James: Eddy told me a whopper yesterday. He said he will buy that very expensive house on the hill. That's pretty far-fetched, because he does not have that much money. I think he just likes to tell tall tales.

fender-bender: a minor automobile accident.

Arnie: I had an accident on the way to work this morning.
Jeanette: Are you alright? Was anyone hurt?
Arnie: No, no one was hurt. It was just a fender-bender.

get it: to understand something (often negative, as to not understand).

Example:
Bee: Jinny, how was class today?
Jinny: Terrible. The professor asked me a question, but i could not answer it.
Bee: What happened? Didn't you study?
Jinny: I studied a lot. I read all the chapters, but I just didn't get it.

a stretch - to exaggerate, to lie

Example:

Sammy: Victor, did you hear Willy say he got all A's last semester?
Victor: I heard him say that, but I know he only got one A.
Sammy: Well, that's a stretch!

Glutton for punishment
Glutton means greedy, someone who eats too much or wants too much
Punishment means to pay a penalty, like a fine for a parking ticket, or going to jail for committing a crime.

Glutton for punishment means that a person likes to punish themselves. Here's an example:

Zoe: I like hard work. I just registered for 25 credits next term.
Doe: Wow! You are really a glutton for punishment!

Having a fit - to be angry or upset

Example:

Agnes: I couldn't get any studying done last night.
Roberto: Why not?
Agnes: My little sister was having a fit and kept making noise all night.

There is another idiomatic use of "fit", as in "fit to be tied", which means, something unexpected, an expression of surprise

Example:

Jimmie: Say, Johnny, did you her that Sissy and Abe broke up?
Johnny: Well, I'll be fit to be tied. I always thought that they would stay together forever.

to jump the gun:

Meaning: do something before it's time to do it.

Example:
Lila: "How did Marsha know about the party? It was supposed to be a surprise."
Fluffy: "Chuck jumped the gun. Without thinking, he said, 'I'm bringing the cake to your party; I hope you like it!"

Another example:
Edward: I am looking forward to attending post-graduate school, so I can get my Master's Degree.
Susie: Come'on Edward. You are only a freshman. Don't jump the gun.

The apple of my eye
Meaning:
Someone whom you love very mujch or the most

Timmy: I love Abby a lot.
Ann: Yes, she seems to be the apple of your eye.

To get up on the wrong side of the bed
Meaning: To be having a bad day; everything seems to be going wrong

Example:

Jackson: Everett, you look terrible, what's the matter?
Everett: Well, I flunked the math quiz this morning, I got a paper cut that hurts and won't stop bleeding, I applied too late for Professor Jones class, and now I am stuck with Professor Green, and you know how he is. I wonder what else can go wrong?
Jackson: Wow, what a miserable day. You must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. Why dontt you go home and get some sleep? Then get up on the right side of the bed and try again!


To Go The Extra Mile:
Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand. To do as much as necessay to get something done better.

Example:
Conner: Thank goodness for Robin. She did so much extra work on the project that we all got an A.
Betty: Yes, Conner, she certainly went the extra mile for all of us.


Fools' Gold:
Iron pyrites, a worthless rock that resembles real gold. This isiom can be used to describe anything that is fake, but appears to be valuable.

Example:

Timmy: Abby got plastic surgery, but it looks awful.
Richard: True, but it is her fool's gold.

to jump to conclusions: deciding something too quickly and without thinking about it or considering all the available facts.

Timmy: Abby oesn't like me. She won't even say hello.
Eddy: You're jumping to conclusions. Actually, she's very shy.

It is too easy to jump to conclusions. We can avoid jumping to conclusions by studying each matter before we decide what we think about it or what we will do about it.

[Tongchan Pratum]

1. Walking papers
2. Pink slip
Both idioms mean to get fired from a job, or get "kicked out" of a job, school or even from home.

Examples:
1. Timmy: Conner, why are you looking so glum (sad)
Conner: I feel terrible. I got my walking papers today, and I have to find a new job.

2. Abby: Anne, you look terrible, what's the matter?
Ann: I got a pink slip today, and I am now out of work.

Either idiom could be used in a university to refer to someone who has flunked out or been kicked out of the university. One could even say, "I've been pink-slipped" (passive tense), but not "I've been "walking papered", which sounds very awkward (clumsy).


to lend someone a hand: No, this does not mean you should cut off you hand and let someone borrow it. It simply means to help someone.

Example:
Tommy: Jack, I can't lift this refrigerator alone.
Jack: Just a second, I will lend you a hand.


Gut Feeling:
A personal feeling, intuition or instinct, especially when feel something may not be right.
Details:
Sometimes the stomach is referred to as the "gut". Intuition is a feeling about something.

Tony: Hi Ronnie, did you get that last question on the exam right?
Ronnie: No, I picked choice c, how about you?
Tony: The answer was a. I started to pick a, then I kept thinking about it and chose b. I should have followed my gut feeling.


Horse sense: means common sense, or, as W.C. Fields said in 1946,
Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people.
And, as someone else once said, The problem with common sense is that it is not very common.

Example:
Timmy: Abby liked the course so much that she failed it so she could take it again.
Ann: That doesn't show a lot of horse sense.


to make a mountain out of a molehill: make something seem much more important than it really is.

A mole is a tiny animal, like a rat. Moles make their homes underground, so when they dig up the ground to make their home, they pile up the earth near their home. This pile of earth is called a molehill. It is much, much smaller than a mountain.

Timmy: I'm really angry. My friend borrowed 2 baht from me a week ago and still has not paid me back. I am going to take him to court and sue him for the 2 baht.
'Eddy: Timmy, it's only two baht. Going to court will cost you a lot more than that, so stop making a mountain out of a molehill.


to be on the dot: exactly at a given time, also used as 'to be correct'
Similar idiom:
sharp - see example below



Example:
Charley: We're leaving at 9:00. If you're late, we'll go without you.
Margret: Don't worry, we'll be there at 9:00 on the dot.

Example:
Bobby: We're leaving at 9:00. If you're late, we'll go without you.
Midge: Don't worry, we'll be there at 9:00 sharp


to pull an all-nighter: study or work all night without getting any sleep.

Timmy: Abby, you look really tired.
Abby: I am very tired. I pulled an all-nighter to get ready for the exam this morning.


Note: Anyone is welcome to add an idiom.

Today's idiom:

a quick study: a person who learns new things quickly and easily.

Gigi: Annie seems to be doing well at her new job.
Alice: I'm not surprised. She's a quick study.


to cook the books. This has nothing to do with studying or cooking. It means to make false entries in accounting books, to cheat

Roberto: I feel awful today. I lost a lot of money.
Rod: What happened?
Roberto: My accountant cooked the books, stole most of my money and ran away with my partner.


zilch or zip:

Meaning:
nothing.

Sammy: How much money do you have?
Rodney: Zilch. I'm broke until payday"
Adney: Same here. I've got zip until payday.


Loose lips sink ships
Meaning: People who reveal secrets cause harm to others

Example:

Tommy: I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but Allie told me that he was going to break up with Susan.
Rafe: If you were asked not to tell anyone, why are you telling me? Loose lips sink ships, you know.

The moral of the story is that when you tell someone a secret, it is not a secret any more.


All right - this idiom has at least four meanings


all right (1): expression of reluctant, or half-hearted* agreement.
*oh my goodness, yet another idiom - see below

Example:
Jilly: Come to the party with me. Please!
Lisa (not Lisa Simpson : "Oh, all right. I don't want to, but I will.

all right (2): fair; not particularly good.

Example:
Marge: "How's your chemistry class?
Bart (not Bart Simpson : It's all right, I guess, but it's not the best class I've ever had.

all right (3): unharmed; in satisfactory condition.

Example:
Abby: You don't look normal. Are you all right?
Timmy: Yes, but I have a headache.

all right! (4): Great!!, wonderful!

Example:
William: How did you do in your exam yesterday.
Randolph: I got an A.
William: All Right!


Zero Tolerance: In general this means that a rule or law must be followed exactly; there are no exceptions allowed.

Example:

Alphonso: George, did you hear that Willow got kicked out of school today?
George: No, what happened.
Alphonso: She was using a toothpick in class. The teacher saw it and said it was a dangerous weapon, so they kicked her out of school, based on the rule of zero tolerance for dangerous weapons.
George: What happened next?
Alphonso: The usual thing. Her parents are suing the school, the teacher, the Board of Education and everyone else they can think of.
George: Wow! Do you know that if you chew gum, you can bite your tongue? Is chewing gum a zero tolerance dangerous weapon?
Alphonso: No.........at least not yet!


You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover:

Meaning: We should not make decisions about other people based on how they look.

Example:
Brad: Zeke, have you ever seen Ginger Jones?
Zeke: Yes, Brad, I have known her for a long time.
Brad: She is really beautiful.
Zeke: Brad, don't judge a book by its cover. You never saw how badly she speaks to her sister and anyone she doesn't like.


bad-mouth: say unkind, unflattering, embarrassing (and probably untrue) things about someone.

Ailene: I don't believe that Bob said you were stupid.. Why did he say that?
Bennie: Bob is the kind of guy that is always bad-mouthing someone else


The word "beat" has a number of meanings, like to beat or strike a drum; or winning, as in to beat someone in a race.

An idiomatic meaning is to be very tired, or exhausted.
beat: exhausted; very tired (adj.).

Jane: was up studying until 4 a.m., slept until 6 a.m., had classes from 8 a.m. to noon, and from 1 p.m. to 6 pm. Then I had to go welcome the new students until midnight and when I got back to the dorm, I had to study for an exam until 4 a.m. again..
Janet: Wow, you must be beat!

Have you ever felt "beat"?


the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know

Meaning: It is easier to handle a problem or person you are familiar with than a problem you know nothing about.

Example:

Rance: I am thinking about leaving my company because I don't like the boss, but what if I get a new job and I don't like the boss there either?
Daphne: Well, the devil you know if better than the devil you don't know.

Note: You can use this when referring to people or things.


to stopover - to stay overnight or to stay in a place which is not your final destination

Axel: Genevieve, please find me a flight from Bangkok to Los Angeles, a direct flight, if possible.
Genevieve: I'm sorry sir, the only flight has a brief stopover in Anchorage, Alaska, will that be suitable?
Axel: If I don't have a choice, that will be suitable, thank you.



to call it a day - to finish something, like work

Example:

Jackson: Wow! This has been a hard day. I'm glad it's almost over.
Marshall: I kniow what you mean. Let's call it a day and go home early.


can't make heads or tails of _______ - to be unable to understand something, or to find something confusing or illogical

Jazz: How was physics today?
Raine: I'm not sure. The professor gave us a problem, but I couldn't make heads of tails of the question, so I could not find the solurion.


to catch some Zs: to sleep for a while; to take a short nap

Peter: I was up all night studying for the math final exam.
Judy: You look very tired. Why don't you go home and catch some Zs?



trade-off - an exchange or compromise

Toni: Yesterday I went to buy some printer ink and some more RAM for my computer. The store I went to had the ink, but it was more expensive than the shop where I usually buy it. But if I went to the shop, it would have taken me another hour, before I could get back to my studies.
Germane: What did you do?
Toni: I paid the higher price for the ink. It was a trade-off, more money for more time to study.


chow - food
to chow down - to eat

This idiom can be used as a verb or a noun.

Examples:
As a noun:
Richie: Did you go to the Swedish restaurant last night?
Michael: I sure did, and the chow was pretty good.

As a verb:
Reagan: I'm hungry.
Chris: So am I. Let's go chow down.


Don't count your chickens until they hatch

Meaning:
Don't assume that something will happen until it has happened.


Charlene: I'm buying a champagne dinner for everyone tonight, because I'm going to win the lottery next week.
Paul: Charlene, don't count your chickens until they hatch.


to do a bang-up job: do a very good job; do very well at something.

Geoffrey: Have you seen Frank's home page?
Georgia: Yes, and he sure did a bang-up job with it.


to drop someone a line: to write to someone.

Willie: I'm almost out of money this month.
Alan: It looks like you will have to drop your parents a line.


Headhunter - an executive recruiter, or a company that finds high level executives for other companies.

Jerome: Jane, we urgently need a Chief Financial Officer, and an Information Security Officer.

Janet: Yes sir, I wil prepare the requirements and contact some of the headhunters we normally use.




Re: For Idiom Lovers
« ตอบ #102 เมื่อ: พฤศจิกายน 06, 2009, 04:22:28 PM » อ้างถึง แก้ไข ลบทิ้ง

________________________________________
Today's Idiom:

a silver lining - something good

Example:

Timmy: Wow! I had a miserable day today. Everything went wrong.
Eddy : Come on, Timmy, it can't be that bad. There must be a silver lining somewhere.



to drag one's feet - to procrastinate, to hesitate for a long period of time, to wait before making a decision

Bobby: I've got a week to register for my classes.
Susie: You had better not drag your feet too long, or the classes you want will be full, and you will only be able to take electives.


dicey: uncertain; taking too much of a chance; a high risk

Alfred: My friend said I should buy stock in a new company, because it will make a lot of money.

Belinda: Many new companies fail. You should investigate it and do due diligence before putting money into a dicey company.

[Tongchan Pratum]

an eager beaver: a person who is always willing to volunteer or do extra work.

Janie: I really need some extra help with my work assignment for tomorrow.
Sally: Why don;t you call Jan? She is an eager beaver, always willing to spend extra time helping.


Easy does it!: Be very careful! / Don't do anything too fast or too hard!

Abby: I'm going to move the table just a little further from the window."
Timmy: Easy does it! If you move too fast, you might knock over the vase!


The first idiom is one you probably know, so today there will be two idioms.

1. to fire someone: dismiss someone from a job because of poor performance.

Johnnie: Sorry boss, I didn't mean to come to work late again, but my cat was sick.
The Boss: Johnnie, if you keep coming to work late, I will have to fire you.

2. to get a kick out of something: find something amusing or enjoyable

Leo: I went to teach today, and the children really said some funny things. I was laughing all day.
Conner: I know what you mean. I also get a kick out of listening to them.


to get one's wires crossed: be confused, mixed up, or mistaken about something.

Jodie: Bill said there was a project meeting this morning. Do you know where it is?
Zeke: No. The meeting is tomorrow. Bill must have got his wires crossed.


get up and go: energy.
Note: This is not a verb, instead it is used idiomatically as a noun. See the example below:

Randy: Gerry, you really look tired. Are you ill?
Gerry: No, I feel OK, but I just don't have any get up and go.


to grab a bite (No, this does not mean to bite someone or become a cannibal
It just means to get something to eat.

Ralph: I'm really hungry.
Fluffy: So am I. How about we go grab a bite?




to be green - to be new, inexperienced
to get one's feet wet - to gain experience

Tommy: Are you going to give that project to Williams?
Boss: Yes, I know she is kind of green, but it will be a good opportunity for her to get her feet wet.


a hassle (as a noun)- a problem, a troublesome situation; something troublesome that interrupts one's normal routine.

Wally: Betty, are you going to finish writing my paper tomorrow?
Betty: Wally, I think you should write it yourself. I have a lot of other work to do, and writing your paper is too much of a hassle.

to hassle - to make a problem for someone else, to interfere with someone else.

Alvin: Stop that! Do it over again! Why is your work so bad? Do it right the first time!
Jennifer: Alvin, stop hassling me right now!


hard feelings: anger; animosity; bitter feelings.

Alicia: I'm sorry that Jim got the job instead of you."
Robert: I have no hard feelings toward him; I know that he was more qualified.


Both of these idioms have the same meaning.

to hit the hay (verb): to go to bed; to go to sleep.
to hit the sack (verb): to go to bed.
sack time: sleep time (noun) sleep

Kel: It's late, so I guess I'll hit the hay.
Lars: I'm sleepy, so I'll go hit the sack as well.
Rafe: Me to. I need some sack time.


How come?: Why? (statement word order).

Albie: That was a great party last night. How come you weren't there?
Alexander: My girlfriend wanted me to go to another party.


Once in a Blue Moon:
Meaning: A rare event or occurrence.
Example: Jean is an excellent student, who gets almost straight A's. She only gets a B once in a Blue Moon.


if I had my druthers: if I had a choice; if I had an option; I could do what I wanted to do or preferred to do.

Rochelle: I feel terrible today.
Alvin: Are you sick?
Rochelle: No, but I have so much work, that if I had my druthers, I'd stay home from work.


inside out: with the inner part on the outside and the outer part on the inside.

Gennie: Your T-shirt looks funny today. Doesn't it have a logo?
Zeb: Whoops! I put it on this morning inside out.


to jump all over someone: to severely criticize /to blame someone, / ro find fault with someone.

Barbara: What's wrong with Joe? He looks very unhappy.
Jeanine: He is not at all happy. This morning his math professor jumped all over him for not submitting the homework assignment.

[Tongchan Pratum]

in the red: unprofitable; showing a financial loss.
in the black: profitable; not showing a financial loss.

Al: How is your company doing?
Charley: We had a rough start, and were in the red fr 6 months, but for the last 4 months we have been in the black


in the nick of time - to get something done at the last minute
You can use "just in time" as an alternative idiom.
Example:

Brian: How was class today?
Louise: It was fine. I got my lesson plan submitted just in the nick of time. ....or....

Louise: It was fine. I got my lesson plan submitted just in time.



to nitpick - to complain about each detail regardless of importance

Example:

Roger: Did you get your project finished today?
Laurie: No, the bossr nitpicked it so much that I have to re-do most of it.

fuss-budget - someone who is very particular , very fussy

Ephraim: My mother in law complained about everything I did today.
Josh: She sounds like a real fuss-budget.


junk mail or junk email: mail that you did not request, also called unsolicited mail (usually advertisements). Unasked for email is often called Spam (an idiom for another time), but the technical term is Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE)

Abby: I was hoping for a letter from my boyfriend today.
Rachael: Did it arrive?
Abby: No, all I got was a bunch of junk mail.



keep your chin up: remain brave and confident in a difficult situation;
don't despair or worry too much, don't stay discouraged

Rob: I don't know a thing about physics and i have my final tomorrow.
Angel: It is a very difficult course, but go home, study hard, and keep your chin up.

Note: This can be used in a similar way as the Vritish idiom: stiff upper lip, for example,
Angel: It is a very difficult course, but go home, study hard, and keep a stiff upper lip.



to keep one's nose to the grindstone: stay diligent; work hard steadily, without breaks or an uneven pace.

Everett: I've been working on this project for three weeks. It seems like I will never finish it.
Boss: If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you should be finished very soon."



to keep one's fingers crossed: to hope for the best.

Bebe: How did you do on the test?
Ginger: I think I passed, but I won't know until tomorrow.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed!


a klutz: an awkward, uncoordinated person.

Lucie: Jeff wants to dance with you, Annie,
Annie: Well, I don't want to dance with him anymore. He is always stepping on my feet. He's such a klutz.


"Make-up" or "makeup" can have a number of meanings.
As a noun, for example, when a woman puts on make-up, it means putting cosmetics on her face.
An example is : I will put on my makeup before the party tonight.
What about the use of the hyphen (-)(makeup or make-up)? This is optional, because if you use the term correctly in context, people will understand, even if you do not use a hyphen.

"To make up"(two words) as a verb can mean to reconcile or get together after an argument.
For example, after two lovers quarrel, one might say to the other one, "I'm sorry, let's make up"

A third idiomatic use of 'make up, and the second as a verb is
to make up one's mind: to decide what to do.

Drusilla: Where are you going on your vacation?
Elijah: I might go to Canada; or maybe Mexico; or maybe to Thailand. Right now I just can't make up my mind.


No way!: Absolutely not! / Definitely not! / A strong way of saying 'No'
Note: Sometimes you will hear the idiom as ". , Jose' " (pronounced Ho-zay) This is to add alliteration, but does not change the meaning.

Giselle: Charlie, did you open this letter addressed to me?
Charles: No way!, Giselle. Gentlemen never read someone else's mail!


to roll with the punches - to adjust to problems

Peggy: Life is said to be a school of hard knocks.
Hank: It sure is, and we have to learn to roll with the punches.


The real McCoy - genuine

Marguerite: Wow, that's a neat Gucci purse.
Alice: And it's the real McCoy.



from the getgo, since the getgo - from the beginning, since the start

Abner: Rory is playing football very well today, isn't he?
Popeye: You haven't been attending the games. Rory has been playing great from the getgo.


To hack - to manipulate computer code
to crack - to break into a computer
cracker - a person who breaks into a computer
whistle-blower - a person who works in an organization and exposes the secrets of that organization.

Phil: Did you hear the news? The Climate Research Unit was hacked and and their emails and other documents were posted all over the Internet.
Mandy: I heard that news. I think you mean their computers were cracked, but some say it was a whistle-blower, not a cracker.



to nosh on: to eat between-meal snacks.
junk food : Food that is unhealthy and fattening (not intended to be a scientific definition

Stanley: I'm hungry. I don't think I can wat until dinner.
Lisa: There's plenty of junk food in the refrigerator if you want something to nosh on

[Tongchan Pratum]

to make a big whoop-de-do - to make a big deal about something.
Hint: You can pronounce the 'whoop' as 'whoop' or 'hoop' and the 'de' as 'dee'

Charles: Jimmy passed his test today. It was an easy one.
Charity: I though it was easy also, but Jimmy keeps making a big whoop-de-do about passing it.


Not on your life!: Absolutely not! (a strong "no").

Lance: Someone said you cheated on the test. Did you?
Joan: Not on your life!


now and then: sometimes; occasionally; from time to time; once in aa while; irregularly

Werner: Do you see Jennifer often?
Liza: No, not really. I see her now and then, but not regularly.


to nuke: (no, nothing to do with dropping nuclear bombs - the idiom means to heat in a microwave oven.


Marla: My cofee is cold.
Jake: No problem, go nuke it for about a minute.


to be nuts: to be crazy.
An idiom with a similar meaning is to be squirrely

Lafe: Stuart says some really strange things sometimes.
Rita: Sometimes? All the time! He is nuts!, He's absolutely squirrely!


The idiom OK has many meanings, depending on how it is used.

OK: (1) yes (to show agreement--often reluctant agreement).

Robbie: Come on, Al. We really need your help!
Al : Oh, OK; I may be crazy, but I'll help you."

OK: (2) neither good nor bad; so-so.

Abner: How was the movie?
Maisie: OK, I guess, but I've seen better ones.

OK: (3) in satisfactory condition; well.

Ralph: You look awfully pale. Are you OK?
Brad: Actually, I'm not OK. I have a terrible headache.

OK: (4) to approve (verb).

Zeke: Did your boss OK your vacation plans?
Jane: No, he said I should wait two more weeks.


noise - irrelevant or distracting information

Alberto: There is a lot of information on the website thaivisa.com.
Jonsey: I agree, but there is too much noise as well


by the way- to say something in addition to something you have already said, or to add a statement not relevant to the conversation (on the Internet this is often seen as BTW

Example:

As something additional
Rhonda: Did you get your books for Physics yet?
Alvin: No, not yet, and by the way, I am going out of town tomorrow, so I won't be able to buy them until next week.

As a statement not relevant to the conversation:
Bobby: Do you have any more classes today?
Jeannie: No, and by the way I am not going to the dance with you on Saturday.


not in my job description - to refuse to do something
(Warning: the use of this idiom can be dangerous to your employment)

Boss (to secretary): Ruthie, call my girlfriend and tell her I will be late this evening, and don't tell my wife.
Ruthie: I'm sorry sir, that is not in my job description.


The following are time idioms.
1. to be on the dot: exactly at a given time.
2. to be on time: at the scheduled time.
3. sharp - exact, on time

1. Robbie: Hurry up Jan.
Jan: What's the hurry? You said we would leave at 9 a.m. on the dot, and it's almost noon.

2. Sammy: It's getting late. We should leave now/
Russell: Don't worry. If we get there by 10 we will still be on time.

3. Teacher: Camp starts tomorrow.
tudent: You had better get there by 9 a.m. sharp or I will penalize you 5 points.


to pay the piper: to face the consequences for something you've done wrong.

The two examples below are similar but for different situations.
Example 1:
Andy: I stayed up too late last night. I probably won't be very alert for the exam today.
Buddy: Have a cup of coffee. It will wake you up, and maybe you won't have to pay the piper.

Example 2:
Jake: I had a car accident yesterday.
Robbie: Did you have to pay a fine?
Jake: Not yet. I have to go to court on the 15th to pay the piper.



pretty (adv.):
(1) rather; somewhat.
(2) Also used as understatement, or making something less strong.
This is not the adjective 'pretty' as in almost beautiful.

(1) Example:
Eddie: How did you do on your exam today?
Rachel: Pretty good, I think.

(2) Example: as understatement. The speaker says, 'pretty expensive', but she really means very expensive.
Stan: I want to buy a Lexus.
April: Wow! That's a pretty expensive car. Are you sure you can afford it?"


to pull an all-nighter: to study or to work all night without getting any sleep.

Avril: You look really tired, Fluffy.
Fluffy: I am. really tired! I pulled an all-nighter to get ready for the exam this morning.


to pull someone's leg: to tease someone by trying to make her/him believe something that's exaggerated or untrue.

Carl: Bridgette said she wants you to take her to the dance this weekend.
Raymond: She is just pulling your leg. She already has a date with Dan.


R and R: rest and relaxation (a vacation).

Gabe: I think you're working too hard, Dave.
Dave: You are right. I think I will take some R and R next week.

[Tongchan Pratum]

come rain or come shine: no matter what the weather is.

Allison: Ginny are you going to Khao Yai tomorrow?
Ginny: We're going come rain or come shine.


Falling in love
catch someone's eye = to be attractive to someone: "The shy man at the back of the class caught my eye."

to fancy someone (British English) = to find someone attractive: "My friend fancies you!"

to have a crush on someone = to only be able to think about one person: "When I was at school, I had a crush on a film star."

to have a soft spot for someone = to have a weakness for someone: "She has a soft spot for Richard – he can do anything!"

to have the hots for someone = to find someone very attractive: "She's got the hots for the new office manager."

to go out with someone (British English) = to date someone: "They've been going out together for years!"

to go steady = to go out with someone: "They've been going steady since their first year at university."

to fall for someone = to fall in love: "He always falls for the wrong types!"

to fall head over heels for someone = to completely fall in love: "He fell head over heels for her."

to be lovey-dovey = for a couple to show everyone how much they are in love: "They're so lovey-dovey, always whispering to each other and looking into each other's eyes."

to have eyes only for = to be attracted to one person only: "He's dropped all his old friends, now that he has eyes only for Susie."

to be the apple of someone's eye = to be loved by someone, normally an older relative: "She's the apple of her father's eye."

to be smitten by someone = to be in love with someone: "I first met him at a party and from that evening on, I was smitten."

a love-nest = the place where two lovers live: "They made a love-nest in the old basement flat."

to be loved-up (British English) = to exist in a warm feeling of love: "They are one loved-up couple!"

to be the love of someone's life = to be loved by a person: "He has always been the love of her life."

Types of love
puppy love = love between teenagers: "It's just puppy love – you'll grow out of it!"

cupboard love = love for someone because they give you food: "I think my cat loves me, but it's only cupboard love!"

Getting married
to get hitched: "They're getting hitched next Saturday."

to tie the knot: "So when are you two tying the knot?"

If it goes wrong…
to go through a bit of a rough patch = when things are not going well: "Since the argument, they've been going through a bit of a rough patch."

to have blazing rows = to have big arguments: "We had a blazing row last night."

can't stand the sight of someone = to not like someone: "She can't stand the sight of him any more!"

to call it a day = to agree that the relationship has ended: "We decided to call it a day."

to be on the rocks = a relationship that is in difficulty: "Once she moved out, it was clear their marriage was on the rocks."

to have a stormy relationship = a relationship with many arguments: "I'm glad we don't have a stormy relationship."

a love-rat = a man who betrays his girlfriend / wife: "He's had affairs with three different women – he's a complete love-rat."

Sayings
Marry in haste, repent at leisure = if you marry too quickly, you have the rest of your life to regret it!

Love is blind = when you love someone, you can't see their faults

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder = beauty is subjective

Let your heart rule your head = allow your emotions to control your rational side

Wear your heart on your sleeve = show other people how you are feeling

Share with a friend who's learning English:


to rain cats and dogs: to rain very hard.

Alan: I have to go home now.
Bebe : You can't leave now! It's raining cats and dogs,
and you don't have an umbrella or raincoat!


to read someone's mind: to know what someone is thinking.

Zeke: I'll bet you're thinking of what you're going to have for dinner.

Alvin: Zeke, you must be reading my mind.

Zeke: No. I just know that you're always hungry and lunch was 6 hours ago!


to rub someone the wrong way: to irritate someone; bother or annoy someone.

Gina: Every time I tell my little brother something, he keeps asking "Why?".

Rosa: My little sister is the same way. Usually I'm patient with her, ,
but sometimes hearing"Why?" all the time rubs me the wrong way.


run-down (adverb): (1) not well; weak; fatigued.

Ace: James, have you been eating well and getting enough sleep? James: Probably not. I am feeling quite run-down.

run-down (adverb) : (2) in poor condition; needing repair.

Abby: This must be a poor neighborhood.
Robbie: Yes, all the buildings look really run-down.

run-down (noun): (3) the news, the latest information
Alice: What happened in class today, I had volleyball practice and could not attend.
Rosa: Well, here's the run-down. The professor came late and just told us to read chapters 15-30 for an exam on Tuesday.

to run down (verb) : (4) to crash into something or someone.

Bobby: Al is a bad driver.
Tommy: Yes, he is. One of these days he will run down a pedestrian and he will be in big trouble.

to run down (verb) : (5) to seek out, to find
Teacher: Rae, do you know the new student's address? He has not been coming to class.
Rae: No ma'am, but I will try to run it down and tell you where he lives.


to shoot the breeze: to make relaxed, casual conversation.

Aria: What in the world are you two people talking about?
LuAnne: We were not talking about anything important.
Rosalind: That's true. We were just shooting the breeze about boys, as usual.


Someone's made his/her own bed; now let him/her lie in it.: Someone has caused his/her own problems; he/she will have to solve them himself/herself.

Roger: Jim got angry at the meeting this morning and every one was upset. Can we do anything to make the situation better?

Amy: No. He's made his own bed; now let him lie in it.

Another way to think about this idiom is
to so something or many things so wrong, that no one wants to help you fix them.


to sleep on it: to take more time before making a decision or taking some action.

Judy: I love the new Lexus, but it is very expensive. I have the money, but I am not sure I want to spend it all on a car.
Rochelle: Go home and sleep on it. You can make your decision after you have time to think about it some more.


to step on it - to do something faster.
Genie: I have a paper due tomorrow, but I have not started it yet.
Ralph: Well, you better step on it then, or you are likely to get an F for sure.


Here are two more idioms we should know: Without A Doubt. It means for sure, for certain.
Example: Without a doubt, the sum of 2+2 is four.
Water Under The Bridge - it refers to something that happened in the past that is no longer important.
:)ok


a snap: (1) something that's very easy to do.

Rufe: Is your job difficult?
Annie: No, in fact my job is a snap. In fact, it's so easy that it's a little bit boring.

a snap : (2) something that happens quickly or by surprise

Catherine: Hi, Jodie, I was sick today and missed class. Did anything important happen?
Jodie: Yes, something very important happened. The professor suddenly have us a snap quiz.


state of the art: using the latest technology.

Avery: My company uses the latest technology.
Jeremy: My company only uses some state of the art equipment


1. to tell a white lie: say something that isn't true in order not to hurt or offend someone.
2. Similar: to tell a fib: a small lie

Susan: Betty's cake tasted terrible, but I told her I liked it, because I did not want to hurt her feelings.
June: Telling a white lie like that can be OK, but the problem is that she will probably make the same cake again....and we will have to eat it again to please her.....Ugh

Josie: May bought a new bracelet. I think it looks ugly. But I fibbed and told her it looked nice.
Kelsey: Sometimes a small fib or white lie is better than hurting someone's feelings.


a tightwad: someone who is very frugal and unwilling to spend money unnecessarily (also known as a cheap charlie)

Johnny: I tried to get Abe to make a contribution to the activities fund. He has plenty of money.
Aaron: Forget about Abe, he's a real tightwad!


sudden death: to end immediately

Usually this is an idiom used in sports. For example, suppose there is a football match. At the end of the match the two teams are tied at 1-1. If the game is played on in overtime, the first team to score wins. This is called sudden death overtime, because only one team can score to win, and the game is over. The other team does not get a chance to score. If neither team scores, then another sudden death overtime period is played. It can also be used to describe a contest where the first team or person to score a point wins and there is no opportunity fo the other team or person to try.

Example 1:
Sports sudden death:
Alfie: Wow!c That team from Jones University was good. We were so tired in overtime, if we did not get that lucky goal we would have lost.
George: That's right, and we were also lucky that the overtime format was sudden death.

Example 2:
Contest sudden death.
Ritchie: That was a tough quiz game in English yesterday.
Ailine: I am glad we had Louise on our team,because she was the first to answer the tie breaker, sudden death question. Otherwise we would have lost.
Dd you see another idiom here? t is "tie-breaker". It means that when two teams are tied at the end of a contest, one more question is asked and the first team to answer correctly wins the game.


There, there: an expression of comfort or sympathy

Penny (crying): Oh Charlotte, it was so awful today. I studied so hard, and when I took the exam, I could not understand the questions.

Charlotte: There, there, Penny. Everything's going to be OK. You probably did better than you think you did. And if necessary, you can take a make-up exam next week.



two-faced: a politician (just kidding, but not really ) deceitful; disloyal; someone who pretends to be a friend but isn't; someone who speaks with two tongues

Avery: I thought Joe was my friend. He says nice things
to me when we're together, but makes jokes about me when we aren't.
Rush: I have the same experience. He is really two-faced.

A similar idiom is to speak with a forked tongue. The points on a fork are called prongs, and you don't know which one to believe.
Johnson: Ralph promised me that the car he sold me was in good condition. But it would not start.
Acton: Yes, used car salesmen often speak with forked tongues.


under the weather: ill; sick; unwell.

April: W here was Ted today? I did not see him in the office.
June: I think he was feeling under the weather, so he decided not to go to work."


good grief! : an expression of surprise, and can also be an expression of disgust or anger

Amy: Johnny, I didn't finish the project last night.
Johnny: Good Grief, Amy! You promised me you would finish it, and it is due this afternoon. It looks like we will both fail.



to be ticked off : to be angry

Ruthie: Joan took my best pair of shoes today, and got them all scratched up.
Lisa: You should be ticked off


until hell freezes over: forever, something that wikll never change

George: Wow, Chris thinks he is a good piano player, but I think he plays very badly.
Allan: Yes, Chris can practice the piano until hell freezes over, but he'll never play well because he's tone-deaf."



(1) to have a fit : to get so angry or upset that one yells and screams

Jerry: Wow, today I would not share my candy with Missy, and she yelled and screamed at me.
Lacey: Yes, sometimes Missy has fits like a little baby.



until you're blue in the face: forever, or indefinitely
You can also say, "until your face turns blue" as it has the ame meaning.
This is the version of "until hell freezes over", that you use when speaking to children.

Ralphie screaming): I want candy...I want candy....I want candy.....

Ralphie's mother: You can yell and cry until you're blue in the face, but you won't get any candy unless you finish your vegetables.


upside down: with the bottom part on top and the top part on bottom.

Smythe: I am going to help you wash the dishes tonight
Mrs. Smythe: hen you put the glasses in the dishwasher, make sure they are upside down, otherwise they will fill with water and you'll have to dry them by hand.


to run out of time: to be forced to stop something before being able to finish it.

Roger: That exam today was really hard.
Alvin: That is for sure. I ran out of time after finishing only 70 of 100 questions. Oh, my poor grades


Pass The Buck:
Avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else.
Example: Student to teacher: It's not my fault that I didn't give you my homework on time. My dog ate it.
The student made his dog a scapegoat.

KAMON 3100 3EN



to get shot of somebody/something (British informal)
to get rid of someone or something

Randy: I hear Melody came back to school yesterday. he missed two years.


Love is blind.


Love is a many-splendored thing.


It’s love that makes the world go round.


Every man is a poet when he is in love.


Love is indefinable.


Love is a malady without a cure.


Love is the true price of love.


Love and cough cannot hide.


Love begets love.


Love’s but the fragility of the mind.


Love’s tongue is in his eyes.


Love looks not with the eye, but with the mind.


Loving comes by looking.


Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it.


Absence makes the heart grow fonder.


Hot love is soon cold.


Love is not pleasure; unless it is secret.


Love ceases to be a pleasure when it ceases to be a secret.


Love rules without sword, binds without cord.


Eternity is in love with the productions of time.


Absence from whom we love is worse than death.


Far from eye, far from heart.


Love is the wisdom of the fool and the folly of the wise.


He who has never loved has never lived.


To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.


Love conquers all.


The first sign of love is the loss of wisdom.


All is fair in love and war.


All mankind loves a lover.


Love is sunshine; hate is shadow.


To be beloved is above all bargains.


A man has choice to begin love,but not to end it.


Love is like the measles we all have to go through it.


Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as grave.


Of soup and love, the first is the best.


The soul is not where it lives, but where is love.


Many waters cannot quench love,neither can the floods drown it.


Speak low if you speak love.


They that lie down for love should rise for hunger.


Love and business teach eloquence.


Open rebuke is better than secret love.


Kiss and be friends.


Kisses are keys.


Do not make me kiss, and you will not maker me sin.


Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship never.


Love comes in at the window and goes out at the door.


Love lives in cottages as well as in courts.


Love makes one fit for any work.


Love will find a way.


They love too much that die for love.


Love me little, love me long.


The course of true love never runs smooth.


Love and jealousy are seldom separated.

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