American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- Not in the least?

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Not at all. ex. “P1: Were you surprised that he failed the FCE? P2: Not in the least.” 

Idiom of the day :- clear the table / (To) clear the table

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To remove all dishes, cutlery, etc. from a table after a meal. ex. “You clear the table, and I’ll do the dishes.” 

Idiom of the day :- Blue Moon

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A rare event or occurance. 

Idiom of the day :- In one’s heart of hearts

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

‘In my heart of hearts I think you’re the nicest mouse in the entire world,’ Timothy blushed. Accepting his gift, Josephine answered : ‘In my heart of hearts, I think you’re wonderful too.’ When we speak of one’s heart of hearts we are referring to a person’s deep, secret, innermost feelings.

Idiom of the day :- Cut to the Chase

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Leave out all the unnecessary details and just get to the point.

Idiom of the day :- fit the bill / (To) fit the bill

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To be adequate/suitable for something. ex. “He wasn’t the perfect candidate, but he fit the bill enough to get hired.” 

Idiom of the day :- lose one’s temper / (To) lose one’s temper

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To become angry. ex. “He has a short fuse, and loses his temper quite often.” 

Idiom of the day :- tighten one’s belt / (To) tighten one’s belt

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To spend less money. ex. “After Becky lost her job, we really had to tighten our belts for a while.” 

Idiom of the day :- Answer one’s calling

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

The ‘calling’ in this expression is someone’s profession, particularly one he seems strongly motivated to do. This is usually due to his special ability or exceptional desire to do it. A person who does well or is successful in his job has answered his calling. ‘When John grows up he’ll probably answer his calling and become a leader of men.’

Idiom of the day :- To enter the lists

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

In days of old when knights were bold, the arenas in which they held tournaments were called lists. From that, to enter the lists means to begin a competition, a contest – or an argument ! ‘Unless you are prepared to enter the lists and play as well as you can, you have no business being on this team,’ the football coach said to his players.