American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- Coast-to-coast (adj/adv)

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

From the Atlantic to the Pacific coast in the United States. ex. “Our car made the coast-to-coast trip in 70 hours”. 

Idiom of the day :- Yes-man

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A person who tries to be liked by agreeing with everything said, especially by a boss. 

Idiom of the day :- Gut feeling

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Until recently it was considered somewhat vulgar to use the word ‘gut’ when referring to the human abdomen. Gut feeling isn’t vulgar, though. It refers to a feeling or an impression that comes from one’s innermost self. ‘I have a gut feeling I shouldn’t be here.’ Wilbur said to himself.

Idiom of the day :- Out of the window

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Brown was looking forward to a quiet dinner at home when his boss asked him to work overtime. ‘Well, there goes my evening at home out of the window,’ Brown sighed. When something — an opportunity, a plan, etc. — goes out of the window, it is gone. ‘If I didn’t obey my boss, I’m sure my job would go out of the window,’ Brown said.

Idiom of the day :- Rat race

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

‘Hey, Rupert, why do people call their struggle to succeed a rat race ?’ ‘Don’t ask me, Roger. I’m too caught up in the rat race to think about it.’ For their information, a/the rat race is a term that describes our daily struggle to live, compete or survive.

Idiom of the day :- (To start with/start off with/start over with a) clean slate / (To start with/start off with/start over with a) clean slate

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To start again, ignoring what had happened in the past. ex. “After spending 10 years in prison, Peter was released and started over with a clean slate.” 

Idiom of the day :- Quick on the uptake

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Quick to understand. ex. “Many of the people in town thought that Thomas wasn’t too quick on the uptake, but he was actually a very bright boy.” 

Idiom of the day :- Go straight

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

This is the world-famous criminal Dennis Dimwit on the day of his release from prison. He has not exactly enjoyed his stay in jail and that has convinced him to go straight. When someone goes straight – it’s usually a criminal – he changes his way of life and becomes an honest, law-abiding citizen. ‘I’m sincerely glad I have gone straight.’ Dennis smile.

Idiom of the day :- bank on something / (To) bank on something

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To count or rely on something. 

Idiom of the day :- Whodunnit

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A detective novel or play A : My Aunt Nellie loves to read whodunnits so I send her an Agatha Christle each birthday. She’s read about so many murders over the years she must be an expert by now. B : Yes I’m sure. How is her husband, Uncle George ? Do you send him presents as well ? A : Now that’s strange. You know I haven’t heard from him for ages. This expression is an abbreviation of the question ‘Who has done it ?’ This of course means’ Who did the murder ?’ All crime novels and plays contain this puzzle which the reader attempts to solve.