American Idioms

Idiom of the day :- lady-killer / (A) lady-killer

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A handsome man; a man who charms women. ex. “He thinks of himself as quite the ladykiller. Unfortunately for him, women don’t see him that way.” 

Idiom of the day :- Go begging

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

The other day I saw a newspaper item that said : ‘Luxury flats go begging.’ Naturally, I thought the flats were begging for charity. I was wrong, for when something goes begging it is available … but nobody wants it. ‘Those flats are so nice,’ Mr. de Silva said. ‘It’s a shame they should go begging.’

Idiom of the day :- Not likely

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Probably will not happen. ex. “P1: You think George will learn a lesson from this? P2: Not likely.” 

Idiom of the day :- piece of cake / (A) piece of cake

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Very easy. ex. “P1: Hey how did you do on the test? P2: I aced it. It was a piece of cake for me.” 

Idiom of the day :- pat on the back / (A) pat on the back

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A sign of approval; “To give someone a pat on the back” means to show them that you approve of something that they did. 

Idiom of the day :- act high and mighty / (To) act high and mighty

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

To act proudly and arrogantly. ex. “He has been acting all high and mighty ever since he chased away that burglar.” 

Idiom of the day :- make no bones about

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

Act or speak frankly about something, without hesitation or evasion

Idiom of the day :- Daylight robbery

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

One day Malcolm went shopping. He was so shocked at the cost of things that he got angry. ‘These prices are absurd !’ he shouted. ‘It’s daylight robbery to change such prices !’ What Malcolm was saying was that in his opinion, the prices were so high that shopkeepers seemed to be robbing people of their money.

Idiom of the day :- Look / feel small

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

‘Golly, when I think of the wonderful works of the world’s great artists I look small,’ Robert sighed. ‘And it sure doesn’t make me feel any better when people criticize my painting. Their criticism makes me feel small.’ To look or feel small is to seem or feel insignificant, foolish, or humiliated.

Idiom of the day :- Break a butterfly on a wheel

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

The ‘wheel’ was an ancient instrument of torture. It has given us this rather old expression meaning to use more force or energy than necessary to accomplish a simple task. ‘I’ve got to punish Gertrude for not studying but I don’t want to break a butterfly on a wheel by being too severe with her,’ her mother said.