American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- drown one’s sorrows / (To) drown one’s sorrows

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To get/ become drunk. ex. “Drowning your sorrows won’t solve anything.” 

Idiom of the day :- Time hangs heavy on one’s hands

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

‘I’m bored,’ Simon said. ‘It’s raining outside and there’s nothing to watch on television. Time hangs heavy on my hands. ‘ Simon is saying time is moving slowly because he has nothing to do. ‘Time wouldn’t lie heavy on your hands if you helped me clean the house,’ Simon’s wife smiled.

Idiom of the day :- Like a fish out of water

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A person said to be like a fish out of water is in a strange situation or environment and therefore feels uncertain what to do or how to conduct himself/herself. ‘I went to Martha’s party but I was like a fish out of water for I didn’t know anyone there,’ Iris said. ‘When I first got to Canada I knew very little English so I often felt like a fish out of water,’ Peter said. ‘But now that I’ve learned the language, I no longer feel that way,’ he added.

Idiom of the day :- Burst one’s buttons

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Colloquially, the word ‘bust’ is often used instead of the word ‘burst’, as in this expression which means to be proud. When we are proud we stick out our chests. If we stick them out too far our buttons might pop off ! ‘I thought I was going to bust my buttons when I was given a medal,’ Fred smiled.

Idiom of the day :- Get on a stick

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Witches are smart. When they want to get to a particular place in a hurry, they don’t take a bus; they get on a stick and fly there. When we get on a stick, we act or move in a hurry. ‘I’ll have to get on a stick or I’ll be late for dinner,’ Teddy said.

Idiom of the day :- Feather in one’s cap

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

The American Indians used to wear feathers as a sign of bravery. From that comes afeather in one’s cap which refers to an honor or a special achievement that a person can be proud of. ‘It must be a feather in your cap to have graduated from school at such an early age,’ Sylvester said.

Idiom of the day :- Pedal to the metal

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To go full speed, especially while driving a vehicle.

Idiom of the day :- lift / (A) lift

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A ride. ex. “She gave me a lift to the airport.” 

Idiom of the day :- Buzz word

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A buzz word is a word that looks or sounds big and important in a sentence but, when analyzed, means nothing. Those who use buzz words are generally trying to impress people. ‘The politician’s speech was nothing but a lot of false promises concealed in a series of buzz words.’

Idiom of the day :- High-flyer

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

An exceptionally talented professional person who receives rapid promotion A : Jamie is a high-flyer who works in an advertising company. Last week he announced that he was going to give it all up and become a farmer. B : I suppose he realized there are more important things than money. When is he leaving the company ? A : He’s not. His boss was so worried about losing him that he gave him a $30,000 pay rise and Jamie has decided to stay. This expression always refers to people who have exceptional ability in a particular field and therefore rise very quickly through an organization.